Tori sent me a new recipe to try. She sent it months ago and it took me until 2 weeks ago to try...and another 2 weeks to blog about it.
To make Sheena's Chicken, which was a hit in the Radford household, you will need:
*4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
*1 packet taco seasoning
*1 can cream of mushroom soup
*1 container salsa
Put the chicken in the crockpot, then put the taco seasoning, cream of mushroom soup, and salsa on top of it. Cook on low for 5-6 hours and serve over rice.
In full disclosure, I overslept and the chicken went for closer to 8 hours. It was still good and very tender, but the bad part was having to scrub out all the cooked ingredients from the crockpot sides. I recommend waking up to get your dinner out of the crockpot so you skip that step.
Enjoy!
Saturday, March 19, 2011
Friday, March 18, 2011
A to Z, Easy as 1, 2, 3
I'm watching the Memphis game and praying Coop sleeps a little longer while I finish this!
A. Age: 29...I don't want to discuss the birthday coming in September.
B. Bed size: Queen, but I really need (want?) a King
C. Chore you dislike: All of them, but I'd saying cleaning the bathroom is the worst
D. Dogs: Avery, who is a little of everything
E. Essential start to your day: Working out on the treadmill or around the neighborhood
F. Favorite color: Pink
G. Gold or silver: Silver
H. Height: 5'1"
I. Instruments you play(ed): Does the triangle count? What about the tambourine?
J. Job title: School Counselor
K. Kids: Cooper
L. Live: In a house
M. Mom’s name: Martha
N. Nicknames: Mama, Scarlett, Princess
O. Overnight hospital stays: Appendectomy, C-section
P. Pet peeves: Gum smacking
Q. Quote from a movie: "Fiddle Dee Dee...I'll think about it tomorrow"
R. Righty or lefty: Right
S. Siblings: Kyle- younger brother
T. Time you wake up: 4:45am on the weekdays; anytime between 4:45am-7am on the weekends
U. Underwear: I have them, yes.
V. Vegetables you don’t like: Brussel sprouts, eggplant, cauliflower, okra, green peppers
W. What makes you run late: What doesn't make me run late?
X. X-rays you’ve had: Teeth, arm, ankle, foot, hand
Y. Yummy food you make: Chicken enchiladas
Z. Zoo animal favorites: Meerkats
A. Age: 29...I don't want to discuss the birthday coming in September.
B. Bed size: Queen, but I really need (want?) a King
C. Chore you dislike: All of them, but I'd saying cleaning the bathroom is the worst
D. Dogs: Avery, who is a little of everything
E. Essential start to your day: Working out on the treadmill or around the neighborhood
F. Favorite color: Pink
G. Gold or silver: Silver
H. Height: 5'1"
I. Instruments you play(ed): Does the triangle count? What about the tambourine?
J. Job title: School Counselor
K. Kids: Cooper
L. Live: In a house
M. Mom’s name: Martha
N. Nicknames: Mama, Scarlett, Princess
O. Overnight hospital stays: Appendectomy, C-section
P. Pet peeves: Gum smacking
Q. Quote from a movie: "Fiddle Dee Dee...I'll think about it tomorrow"
R. Righty or lefty: Right
S. Siblings: Kyle- younger brother
T. Time you wake up: 4:45am on the weekdays; anytime between 4:45am-7am on the weekends
U. Underwear: I have them, yes.
V. Vegetables you don’t like: Brussel sprouts, eggplant, cauliflower, okra, green peppers
W. What makes you run late: What doesn't make me run late?
X. X-rays you’ve had: Teeth, arm, ankle, foot, hand
Y. Yummy food you make: Chicken enchiladas
Z. Zoo animal favorites: Meerkats
Friday, March 11, 2011
What's in a Name?
Thanks to Adrienne at AOG Daily for the post idea!
How did you parents decide on your name?
My parents had a friend who was dating a Jana and they knew they wanted something different. They didn't know whether they were having a boy or a girl. I have no idea what I would have been if I was a boy.
Do your initials (first/middle/last) spell anything funny?
No, JMB were my initials before I got married and JBR are my initials now.
Did you take your middle name from childhood or did you drop your middle name and take your maiden name as your middle name?
I use my maiden name as a middle name now, just out of tradition, mainly.
Are you or will you name your children systematically (ie, same first letter, same origin, etc?)
No. As systematic as we get is picking names we like. If they should so happen to begin with the same letter or be from the same origin, it wasn't done on purpose.
Did you decide on names as a little girl? Did you stick to them or change your mind?
I had my ideas, but they always changed. Jeff and I agreed on Cooper's name a few years before we thought about having kids and are keeping our idea of a girl's name secret when and if she ever comes along.
Does your family have any names that have been passed down through generations?
My father and brother have the same middle name and I'm fairly certain that if my brother ever has a son, he will have the middle name as well. Jeff, Cooper, and Jeff's father have the same middle name.
Do you look at the meaning of the name or just the name itself?
The name itself.
Do you name pet names with human names or dog names?
Human names- Avery was named after former Memphis football player Maurice Avery.
Are there any names that you have an affinity or dislike for based on a childhood experience or someone you once knew?
I work in a school, so, yes.
What are some of your favorite names and why?
Not divulging this! I want our kids' names to be a secret until we find out what we're having, when we have more kids. I like unique names, but not so unique that people think you are weird (Hello Pilot Inspektor and Moxie Crimefighter).
How did you parents decide on your name?
My parents had a friend who was dating a Jana and they knew they wanted something different. They didn't know whether they were having a boy or a girl. I have no idea what I would have been if I was a boy.
Do your initials (first/middle/last) spell anything funny?
No, JMB were my initials before I got married and JBR are my initials now.
Did you take your middle name from childhood or did you drop your middle name and take your maiden name as your middle name?
I use my maiden name as a middle name now, just out of tradition, mainly.
Are you or will you name your children systematically (ie, same first letter, same origin, etc?)
No. As systematic as we get is picking names we like. If they should so happen to begin with the same letter or be from the same origin, it wasn't done on purpose.
Did you decide on names as a little girl? Did you stick to them or change your mind?
I had my ideas, but they always changed. Jeff and I agreed on Cooper's name a few years before we thought about having kids and are keeping our idea of a girl's name secret when and if she ever comes along.
Does your family have any names that have been passed down through generations?
My father and brother have the same middle name and I'm fairly certain that if my brother ever has a son, he will have the middle name as well. Jeff, Cooper, and Jeff's father have the same middle name.
Do you look at the meaning of the name or just the name itself?
The name itself.
Do you name pet names with human names or dog names?
Human names- Avery was named after former Memphis football player Maurice Avery.
Are there any names that you have an affinity or dislike for based on a childhood experience or someone you once knew?
I work in a school, so, yes.
What are some of your favorite names and why?
Not divulging this! I want our kids' names to be a secret until we find out what we're having, when we have more kids. I like unique names, but not so unique that people think you are weird (Hello Pilot Inspektor and Moxie Crimefighter).
Wednesday, March 9, 2011
Mommy Guilt
Recently I've had some discussions with my friend Leigh about "Mommy Guilt." I don't know many mothers that don't have some form of this, whether self-induced or inflicted by others, but in any case, it can make you feel like you suck. Not just being a mother, but as if your whole life is one, big failure. Leigh probably put it best when she said that when she hears these great stories from other moms, it often doesn't impress her so much as want to alienate these people for making her feel like less of a mom. And Leigh is a rockstar mom.
So let me come right out and address some issues and answer some apparently burning questions that I've heard over the course of my pregnancy and last 17 months as a mother:
*Yes, I realize I vaguely resemble an Oompa-Loompa. Short girls do not make cute, pregnant ones, especially when you crave mashed potatoes and cheesecake;
*Yes, I have lost all the baby weight, and no, it "Didn't just fall right off!" I worked my butt off to lose the weight, only for it to look like I really didn't because something people don't tell you is that your body never goes back to what it looked like pre-pregnancy;
*Yes, I had the epidural and no, I wouldn't take it back even knowing the nurse anaesthetist was going to goof the whole damn thing up. Even completely out of it, I was a much nicer person and a really happy new mom;
*Yes, I work and no, I don't think you are a better or worse mother because you don't. I admire you for staying home with your children because I know I am a better, more patient mom when I work. But, thanks for making me feel like crap because I believe it is important for Cooper to interact with other children and adults and for me and Jeff to make money to provide for Cooper;
*No, I didn't nurse Cooper, even though in your infinite wisdom, you say if I had stuck with it instead of pumping, it would have been better for Cooper. Better when? When he withered away because he wasn't getting fed or when I realized it wasn't about me anymore?;
*No, we did not follow Baby Wise. If that was your go-to book for how to get your child on a schedule, by all means, run with it. It didn't work for us and yes, we were the AWFUL parents who let Cooper cry it out;
*Yes, Cooper is up-to-date on all his shots and we do not worry about him being autistic. We've done the research just like you have and decided it would be okay to go with what our pediatrician and the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends;
*Yes, my child is eating chicken nuggets, Chef Boyardee, hot dogs, and mac and cheese (insert other food item I pretty much swore I'd never feed him);
*Yes, he gets dessert if he eats well at lunch and dinner and no, it may not be organic or even considered healthy, although we do try to have it fall into one of those categories when it's possible;
*No, we don't shove politics and religion down our 17 month old's throat, though we do say prayers at night and will raise Cooper to be respectful of other's viewpoints. I'd rather my child be accepting of others than tell people how wrong they are for not voting a certain way or following a designated religion deemed better than another;
*No, I don't find it necessary to brag about my child's every move, regardless of how adorable I think it is because really, just because I think he's cute, doesn't mean everyone does;
*No, Cooper doesn't sit still long enough to watch Barney, Sesame Street, Elmo's World, Handy Manny, Phineas and Ferb, or any other show, so we refuse to buy tickets to the "LIVE!" versions when they come to town (rest assured, though, we will when he expresses an interest);
*Yes, that is Jimmy Buffett, Foo Fighters, Lady Gaga, Robert Earl Keen, Old Crow Medicine Show, The GLEE soundtrack, etc. playing in our car...with our child in it...who loves to dance around to anything with a beat. One day, when he's like Uncle Kyle and I were and knew the words to all Jimmy Buffett songs before Kindergarten, I'll worry about the possible language issue. Right now, I think it's great that Cooper loves music- all music- this much;
*Yes, we have been teaching Cooper sign language since he was 8 months old. No, it did not take off as well as we had hoped. Yes, I sometimes worry that we may have "stunted" his vocabulary, but it was something we felt was important.
So, there you have it. I feel better having gotten that off my chest, although it may seem harsh. Whether it is random people on the street, people trying to paint the picture of their perfect lives, or well-meaning relatives and friends, nothing is wrong with asking questions or showing concern, but please, we should do each other a favor and not ramble on about the dangers of autism when a new mom is already anxious about her baby's first shots, discuss how important it was to buy your child the entire "Amazon recommends..." list for Christmas and shake your head in disbelief because time-out is occasionally used. Being a parent, especially a mom, is tough enough without others making you feel terrible.
So let me come right out and address some issues and answer some apparently burning questions that I've heard over the course of my pregnancy and last 17 months as a mother:
*Yes, I realize I vaguely resemble an Oompa-Loompa. Short girls do not make cute, pregnant ones, especially when you crave mashed potatoes and cheesecake;
*Yes, I have lost all the baby weight, and no, it "Didn't just fall right off!" I worked my butt off to lose the weight, only for it to look like I really didn't because something people don't tell you is that your body never goes back to what it looked like pre-pregnancy;
*Yes, I had the epidural and no, I wouldn't take it back even knowing the nurse anaesthetist was going to goof the whole damn thing up. Even completely out of it, I was a much nicer person and a really happy new mom;
*Yes, I work and no, I don't think you are a better or worse mother because you don't. I admire you for staying home with your children because I know I am a better, more patient mom when I work. But, thanks for making me feel like crap because I believe it is important for Cooper to interact with other children and adults and for me and Jeff to make money to provide for Cooper;
*No, I didn't nurse Cooper, even though in your infinite wisdom, you say if I had stuck with it instead of pumping, it would have been better for Cooper. Better when? When he withered away because he wasn't getting fed or when I realized it wasn't about me anymore?;
*No, we did not follow Baby Wise. If that was your go-to book for how to get your child on a schedule, by all means, run with it. It didn't work for us and yes, we were the AWFUL parents who let Cooper cry it out;
*Yes, Cooper is up-to-date on all his shots and we do not worry about him being autistic. We've done the research just like you have and decided it would be okay to go with what our pediatrician and the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends;
*Yes, my child is eating chicken nuggets, Chef Boyardee, hot dogs, and mac and cheese (insert other food item I pretty much swore I'd never feed him);
*Yes, he gets dessert if he eats well at lunch and dinner and no, it may not be organic or even considered healthy, although we do try to have it fall into one of those categories when it's possible;
*No, we don't shove politics and religion down our 17 month old's throat, though we do say prayers at night and will raise Cooper to be respectful of other's viewpoints. I'd rather my child be accepting of others than tell people how wrong they are for not voting a certain way or following a designated religion deemed better than another;
*No, I don't find it necessary to brag about my child's every move, regardless of how adorable I think it is because really, just because I think he's cute, doesn't mean everyone does;
*No, Cooper doesn't sit still long enough to watch Barney, Sesame Street, Elmo's World, Handy Manny, Phineas and Ferb, or any other show, so we refuse to buy tickets to the "LIVE!" versions when they come to town (rest assured, though, we will when he expresses an interest);
*Yes, that is Jimmy Buffett, Foo Fighters, Lady Gaga, Robert Earl Keen, Old Crow Medicine Show, The GLEE soundtrack, etc. playing in our car...with our child in it...who loves to dance around to anything with a beat. One day, when he's like Uncle Kyle and I were and knew the words to all Jimmy Buffett songs before Kindergarten, I'll worry about the possible language issue. Right now, I think it's great that Cooper loves music- all music- this much;
*Yes, we have been teaching Cooper sign language since he was 8 months old. No, it did not take off as well as we had hoped. Yes, I sometimes worry that we may have "stunted" his vocabulary, but it was something we felt was important.
So, there you have it. I feel better having gotten that off my chest, although it may seem harsh. Whether it is random people on the street, people trying to paint the picture of their perfect lives, or well-meaning relatives and friends, nothing is wrong with asking questions or showing concern, but please, we should do each other a favor and not ramble on about the dangers of autism when a new mom is already anxious about her baby's first shots, discuss how important it was to buy your child the entire "Amazon recommends..." list for Christmas and shake your head in disbelief because time-out is occasionally used. Being a parent, especially a mom, is tough enough without others making you feel terrible.
Sunday, March 6, 2011
Dining Review and a Moment of Calm
Saturday night, Nana and Honda (Jeff's parent) kept Cooper for us to have a date night. Like most of our date nights, we had plans to go to dinner and a movie and it didn't happen. I was already sleepy at 5pm and worried I wouldn't make it through the movie.
So, off to Costco and Three Angels Diner on Broad Avenue for dinner we went. Broad Avenue is going through a revitalization and Three Angels is one of the newest businesses to open. They have several sandwiches and dinner plate options, use local produce (which I love, even when the weather isn't conducive to much more than growing lettuce), and a full bar (if that's your thing, which for me, it is).
One little hiccup, though: I ordered an open-faced chicken sandwich that came with gravy. I asked that the gravy be put on the side so I could control the amount (yes, my control issues carry into food) and was told that if I didn't order it with the gravy, it would mess up the presentation of the dish.
Silence. Blank stare. Confusion.
I'm sorry, did I walk into a museum, mistaking it for a restaurant? Am I paying for presentation or to eat? And, I'm in a glorified diner, not an award-winning 4 star restaurant, right? I was assured that I would love the gravy. Don't you just love it when people who don't know you assure you that you will love something? The owners of Three Angels Diner also own Bari and I had heard they were sometimes rude when accommodating guests. We've never been there and the waitress at Three Angels wasn't rude, but if I'm asking for something to be put on the side, I'm probably more concerned about how the food tastes than presentation.
Unfortunately, I did not love the gravy, there was way too much and it was impossible to just scrape it off. Fortunately, I have a husband who was willing to trade his meatloaf and mashed potatoes for my gravy-ladden sandwich. We both ended up liking our dinners and we'll go back, but knowing they aren't willing to fulfill a simple request.
In other news, Cooper actually chilled out in the chair for more than a minute. See below.
Bowl of snacks, belly out, on a rainy Saturday. Like my aunt and uncle said, "This must run in the family."
So, off to Costco and Three Angels Diner on Broad Avenue for dinner we went. Broad Avenue is going through a revitalization and Three Angels is one of the newest businesses to open. They have several sandwiches and dinner plate options, use local produce (which I love, even when the weather isn't conducive to much more than growing lettuce), and a full bar (if that's your thing, which for me, it is).
One little hiccup, though: I ordered an open-faced chicken sandwich that came with gravy. I asked that the gravy be put on the side so I could control the amount (yes, my control issues carry into food) and was told that if I didn't order it with the gravy, it would mess up the presentation of the dish.
Silence. Blank stare. Confusion.
I'm sorry, did I walk into a museum, mistaking it for a restaurant? Am I paying for presentation or to eat? And, I'm in a glorified diner, not an award-winning 4 star restaurant, right? I was assured that I would love the gravy. Don't you just love it when people who don't know you assure you that you will love something? The owners of Three Angels Diner also own Bari and I had heard they were sometimes rude when accommodating guests. We've never been there and the waitress at Three Angels wasn't rude, but if I'm asking for something to be put on the side, I'm probably more concerned about how the food tastes than presentation.
Unfortunately, I did not love the gravy, there was way too much and it was impossible to just scrape it off. Fortunately, I have a husband who was willing to trade his meatloaf and mashed potatoes for my gravy-ladden sandwich. We both ended up liking our dinners and we'll go back, but knowing they aren't willing to fulfill a simple request.
In other news, Cooper actually chilled out in the chair for more than a minute. See below.
Bowl of snacks, belly out, on a rainy Saturday. Like my aunt and uncle said, "This must run in the family."
Thursday, March 3, 2011
2 Down, 10 to Go
February is over and it's time for a recap of my New Year's Resolutions, month #2.
I had to look back at my original post to remember what all of mine were. I'd say it's going well.
No matter. I'm happy to report there were some small victories and everyone has to start somewhere.
1. Work on debt- again, little strides here and there. I think a lot of our progress is this area is coming from changing our spending habits. I'd much prefer that this resolution wasn't an issue, let alone one that would take so long, but it's got to be done.
2. Cook at home- we're rolling right along in this category, but need to get better about planning meals. Jeff helps by grilling out, but the way our patio is set up, he can't if the weather is bad. We've had snow, rain, and really cold temperatures, so our grand ideas of hamburgers, grilled chicken, and steaks haven't always worked out and because of our lack of planning, we ended up with a lot of thrown together dinners. I did try a new recipe- beef and cheddar foldover- from Cookbook Jungle, but it won't be added to the rotation. It was edible, but nothing great. I did homemade chicken pot pie this week (I hadn't made it in a while), but the other meals I've cooked at home were stand-bys: spaghetti, chicken enchiladas.
3. Eat healthier- despite needing easy, quick, and healthy breakfast ideas (aside from oatmeal; I am burned out), there is some improvement to report! I have cut down on my Chick-Fil-A runs; been eating cereal at work (and I'm coming close to being burned out on it); trying to eat more fruits, vegetables, and dairy; and have found a new product that I think I'm sticking with. It's called GoodBelly and it's a probiotic. Mango is my favorite flavor and it's basically juice to help with your digestion and immunity.
4. Take time for the small things: I'm doing better, but not great, in this area. One of my new favorite things is for Jeff, Cooper, and I to spend time outside. Cooper loves it. He runs, chases Avery, chases us, plays, gets pulled in the wagon, pushed in the stroller or just hangs out. Going back inside is an ordeal. I'm still going to yoga, although I had to take a week hiatus to get over a cold. A big deal, though (and apparently it isn't as advanced as I once thought, but still impressive to me)- I hung upside down off the wall at yoga last night! I had said when I first started and saw another lady do this in class that I eventually wanted to get to that point. I'd done some work on the wall, mainly hanging off sideways, but last night, despite being scared and not completely trusting that my body would hold me up- I did it.
Not me or anyone I know. My hands were on the floor because I'm still somewhat chicken, thankyouverymuch.
Progress is progress, no matter how big or small. Now if I could only convince my Type A personality self that, we'd be in good shape.
I had to look back at my original post to remember what all of mine were. I'd say it's going well.
No matter. I'm happy to report there were some small victories and everyone has to start somewhere.
1. Work on debt- again, little strides here and there. I think a lot of our progress is this area is coming from changing our spending habits. I'd much prefer that this resolution wasn't an issue, let alone one that would take so long, but it's got to be done.
2. Cook at home- we're rolling right along in this category, but need to get better about planning meals. Jeff helps by grilling out, but the way our patio is set up, he can't if the weather is bad. We've had snow, rain, and really cold temperatures, so our grand ideas of hamburgers, grilled chicken, and steaks haven't always worked out and because of our lack of planning, we ended up with a lot of thrown together dinners. I did try a new recipe- beef and cheddar foldover- from Cookbook Jungle, but it won't be added to the rotation. It was edible, but nothing great. I did homemade chicken pot pie this week (I hadn't made it in a while), but the other meals I've cooked at home were stand-bys: spaghetti, chicken enchiladas.
3. Eat healthier- despite needing easy, quick, and healthy breakfast ideas (aside from oatmeal; I am burned out), there is some improvement to report! I have cut down on my Chick-Fil-A runs; been eating cereal at work (and I'm coming close to being burned out on it); trying to eat more fruits, vegetables, and dairy; and have found a new product that I think I'm sticking with. It's called GoodBelly and it's a probiotic. Mango is my favorite flavor and it's basically juice to help with your digestion and immunity.
4. Take time for the small things: I'm doing better, but not great, in this area. One of my new favorite things is for Jeff, Cooper, and I to spend time outside. Cooper loves it. He runs, chases Avery, chases us, plays, gets pulled in the wagon, pushed in the stroller or just hangs out. Going back inside is an ordeal. I'm still going to yoga, although I had to take a week hiatus to get over a cold. A big deal, though (and apparently it isn't as advanced as I once thought, but still impressive to me)- I hung upside down off the wall at yoga last night! I had said when I first started and saw another lady do this in class that I eventually wanted to get to that point. I'd done some work on the wall, mainly hanging off sideways, but last night, despite being scared and not completely trusting that my body would hold me up- I did it.
Not me or anyone I know. My hands were on the floor because I'm still somewhat chicken, thankyouverymuch.
Progress is progress, no matter how big or small. Now if I could only convince my Type A personality self that, we'd be in good shape.
Tuesday, March 1, 2011
Blog to Follow
http://erikandkatekrull.blogspot.com/
Although I do not know this family personally, my heart goes out to them. The parents went to Memphis and the mom's sister was there at the same time Jeff and I were, although I only knew her in passing.
Through the grapevine, I'd heard about Kate's (the mom) blog and the struggle their little girl, Lucy, was facing. Kate is very honest about her feelings and what Lucy is and will continue to go through. My heart just about rips in two reading her posts sometimes. It seems so cruel that this little girl is having to fight so much.
You can't help but cheer for them, though. Each accomplishment is a victory towards a greater goal and you just want to be their biggest cheerleader, even if you don't know them. It seems like she will be moved to St. Jude at some point, where she will be taken care of by the best of the best!
Pray for Lucy, her family, doctors, and nurses that together, they'll be able to help Lucy beat cancer!
Although I do not know this family personally, my heart goes out to them. The parents went to Memphis and the mom's sister was there at the same time Jeff and I were, although I only knew her in passing.
Through the grapevine, I'd heard about Kate's (the mom) blog and the struggle their little girl, Lucy, was facing. Kate is very honest about her feelings and what Lucy is and will continue to go through. My heart just about rips in two reading her posts sometimes. It seems so cruel that this little girl is having to fight so much.
You can't help but cheer for them, though. Each accomplishment is a victory towards a greater goal and you just want to be their biggest cheerleader, even if you don't know them. It seems like she will be moved to St. Jude at some point, where she will be taken care of by the best of the best!
Pray for Lucy, her family, doctors, and nurses that together, they'll be able to help Lucy beat cancer!
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