Roman's Summer Bucket List

Roman loves being outside, so summer is a special time for him, as it is for most kids. I'm sure if it were up to Roman we'd be outside from the moment he woke up until the moment he went to sleep. He's still at the age where there are a lot of things he can experience for the first time because he's finally old enough to understand what's going on, or because he's physically big enough to do these things. Having Bianca really slapped me in the face with the fact that Roman isn't going to be small forever and I want him to have amazing memories to look back on, even if he only remembers them when looking at pictures 10 years from now.

I was cruising Pinterest (because I never do that), and came across a few toddler summer bucket list pins. I'm not sure why writing down the things I wanted to do with Roman over the summer had never occurred to me because I plan everything else. I always have these grand ideas of how I want to spend the summer, and then the next minute I realize it's the beginning of August and I haven't done anything that I wanted to. Summer is especially sneaky for this because there are so many time sensitive activities; the fair is only in town for a few days, the farmers market only lasts for a couple months, and the majority of people have to factor in when they can take holidays from work. John has a pretty hectic work schedule this summer so I knew I was going to have to plan if he was going to be able to take part in enjoying Roman's bucket list.

So this is the list I came up with for Roman this summer. We've already completed a good chunk of it, which is good considering summer is 2/3 over. When did that happen?! Some of these things aren't super amazing events but they are still part of what I think makes a fun summer, or things that I know Roman loves to do that we can only do in the summer. I really wanted Roman to watch fireworks this summer, but the reality of keeping a toddler up until 10:30pm was too scary so he had to miss out on that one. They should really make daytime fireworks that you can actually see so the little people can partake in them too! Maybe I'll invent that and become amazingly rich and super famous... I personally can't wait to let him destroy an ice cream pizza from DQ. John thinks I'm crazy, but I think it's going to be a blast. What kid doesn't want to be let loose on ice cream? Heck, I want to be let loose on ice cream!

Jalapeno Cream Cheese Chicken

This recipe is right up there with the Creamy Chicken Pocket recipe I shared a few weeks back. You NEED to try this recipe! I particularly like this recipe for our busy soccer nights. I pop them in the oven, have them cooked before we leave, and when we get home the just need to be warmed up quickly before we can eat them and jump right into bed time routine.

Don't let the jalapenos scare you. The flavour of the jalapenos is very present but there is no heat from them once you remove the seeds. The cream cheese filling in the chicken is amazing and I would actually dip chips or bread into it and eat it just as a dip. It's that good!

Jalapeno Cream Cheese Chicken
6 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
2 1/2T oil
1 diced jalapeno, seeds removed
4t minced garlic
8oz. cream cheese
1/3 cup shredded cheddar cheese

Butterfly the chicken breasts by running a sharp knife, parallel to the cutting board, through the centre of the chicken breast without cutting all the way through. Set aside.

Cook jalapenos and garlic in oil over medium heat for 2-3 minutes. Add cream cheese and cheddar and continue to heat until the cheese is completely melted. Allow to cool. Spoon the mixture into the centre of each chicken breast and close with toothpicks. *NOTE: I never have toothpicks in the house so I just close them up and it has worked well for me. Arrange chicken on a parchment lined baking sheet and bake at 350° for 30-35 minutes.

To Freeze: Arrange chicken on a parchment lined baking sheet and flash freeze. Transfer to a freezer bag.
To Serve: Thaw chicken and bake as directed.

I found this recipe somewhere on the interweb but for the life of me can't find it now. If I track down the original I'll link it here.

Weight Loss Journey - Here we go again

Oh weight loss journey, how I have missed you. NOT! I will admit that I loved every minute of being pregnant and eating whatever I wanted whenever I wanted. Including the 5 dozen sugar cookies I ate at Christmas. Hey, my doctor was concerned I wasn't gaining enough weight; showed him! It was an extremely enjoyable 10 months (and then some) but now it's time to get back to reality, and into my clothes! If you've followed my weight loss posts then you know where I originally started. If you haven't I suggest you check them out, then you'll understand where I'm coming from.

When I found out I was pregnant I weighed 153lbs. Just typing that makes me long for the days! One 8lb 9oz baby, and 5 dozen sugar cookies later, and I weighed 184 two days before Bianca was born. I think that's about average weigh gain during pregnancy, and I was pretty happy because that was still under what I weighed after I had Roman.

I've attempted to get back on the wagon a few times since I had Bianca, but I just wasn't ready. Of course I wanted to be back to where I was, but my heart and mind just weren't in it yet. I think this is a great point about weight loss in general. Until you're completely ready and committed to the process it isn't going to work for you. So many times I tried to keep track of what I was eating and stay within my calorie allocation for the day, and each time I failed because I just didn't care. I didn't care that I shouldn't be eating an extra portion of supper, I didn't care that I didn't look the same as I did pre-Bianca, and I didn't care that it had already been 4 months since Bianca was born and I hadn't changed my ways. I was completely fine with all of it because I knew when I was ready I would be able to get back in the groove and get back to me!

The reality is that I'm now sitting at 171lbs, not bad but not great either, but I have a plan! I'm back to using the MyFitnessPal app and I'm sticking to it this time. This time of the year isn't without it's challenges though. Summer means BBQs, birthday parties, cake, hot dogs, marshmallows, burgers, basically all the amazing things. It's basically a food Christmas. That being said, I know you can lose weight and still enjoy your summer because I have done it before. The key to success is allowing yourself to enjoy the things you love about summer but not in massive quantity and not every day. Eating 12 s'mores every day and expecting to reach your goals likely isn't going to happen.

I have noticed that my weak time of the day is in the afternoon when both kids are napping (I'm blessed, I'm aware). As soon as the second kid is asleep I immediately have the urge to stuff something in my face. Cookies, ice cream, pop, bread, it really doesn't matter. My go to healthy snack when this happens is a rice cake with a little Nutella and sliced strawberry. I've recently discovered that walnut halves also work if you don't have strawberries. I'm sure I'm the only person on the planet that craves rice cakes. I could really go for one right now...

If anyone else is on a weight loss journey I'd love to hear when your weak time is and what you do to curb it. I'm always looking for more yummy food options!

Broccoli Tots

I think vegetables are the bane of every parent's existence, at least when it comes to feeding their kids.  Whether you have a picky eater or not, plane ole steamed or boiled veggies get old fast.  I'm always on the hunt for a veggie recipe that is tasty, easy, and if I can freeze it, even better!

I came across this recipe from Gimme Delicious (love the name!) on Pinterest.  Broccoli and cheese are obviously a classic pairing so I had a hunch it would be a winner, and boy was I right!  I love these for a quick and easy side or snack.  I've been known to have them as a meal dipped in a little tatziki or ranch while I bounce a fussy Bianca.  Delicious, healthy, and portable!

Broccoli Tots
2 cups broccoli
1 egg, beaten
1/4 cup diced onion
1/3 cup shredded cheddar cheese
1/3 cup Panko
1/3 cup Italian breadcrumbs*
2T parsley
1t salt
1t pepper

*Don't have Italian breadcrumbs?  Just use Panko instead.  I've done it and they are just as delicious!

Blanch broccoli for 1 minute, then shock with cold water.  Set aside.
Chop broccoli finely and mix with egg, onion, cheese, Panko, breadcrumbs, parsley, salt and pepper.
Scoop mixture with an ice cream scoop and form into the shape of a tater tot.  Or if you're lazy like me, just leave them in the ball from the scoop.  Plus it's cleaner!
Bake on a parchment lined baking sheet at 400° for 18-24 minutes, turning hallway through.

To Freeze: Allow to cool completely.  Flash freeze on the baking sheet and transfer to a freezer bag once frozen.
To Serve: Reheat in the oven or in the microwave.

I knew this was going to be a winner when John was stealing tots while they were cooling on the stove.  Luckily Roman LOVES broccoli so it didn't take much convincing to get him to eat them.