White Puree

from: Matt & Jess original

Ingredients
1/2 C refried beans or black beans
1/4 C cooked ground beef (seasoned as you or your baby likes it)
2 T cheddar cheese

Directions
If using black beans, mash them with a fork. Then combine beans, beef and cheese together.

from: 171

Ingredients
2 C ricotta cheese
3 T greated parmesan cheese
1 scant cup all purpose flour
salt
pesto, butter and more parmesan to serve

Directions
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Mix the ricotta, flour, parmesan and a pinch of salt in a large bowl. With lightly floured hands, roll the dough into thin sausages (5/8 inch thick is recommended). Cut into little dumplings about 3/4 inch long.

Drop them into the boiling water and cook for about 45 seconds (they will rise to the surface). Remove with a slotted spoon and serve immediately with pesto (sun dried tomato is very good), butter and parmesan.

from:

Ingredients
buffalo mozzarella
good tomatoes
romaine lettuce
balsalmic vinegarette dressing

Directions
Cut up the mozarella, tomatoes and romaine into good bite-sized pieces. Toss together with the balsalmic vinegarette dressing.

from: Everyday Food

Ingredients
8 tablespoons (1 stick) unsalted butter, plus extra for the cups
10 ounces semisweet chocolate, roughly chopped
4 large eggs
1 large egg yolk
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
1/2 cup granulated sugar, plus extra for the cups
3 tablespoons all-purpose flour, plus extra for the cups 1/2 cup miniature marshmallows
2 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder

Directions
Heat oven to 375° F. Generously butter, flour, and sugar eight 6-ounce ovenproof coffee cups, mugs, or ramekins. Wipe the rims clean.

Place the butter and chocolate in a large heatproof bowl. Set it over a pan of simmering water, and heat, stirring once or twice, until melted and smooth. Remove from heat. Let cool for 5 minutes.

With an electric mixer on medium-high, beat the eggs, egg yolk, vanilla, salt, and 1/2 cup of the sugar until the volume doubles and the mixture becomes foamy, about 5 minutes. Stir the flour into the chocolate mixture, mixing until incorporated. Reduce speed to low and slowly add the chocolate mixture to the egg mixture, mixing until incorporated. FIll each cup about 1/2 inch from the rim. Bake until the cakes puff and begin to crack on the surface but are still a bit runny in the center, 13 to 17 minutes, depending on the size of the cups. Remove from oven. Sprinkle with the marshmallows and return to oven until the marshmallow begins to crisp, 2 to 4 minutes. Remove from oven. Let cool for about 5 minutes. Sift the cocoa over the top.

from: Parenting

Ingredients
Cooking spray
1 cup whole-grain cereal flakes (like Wheaties or Total)
1/4 cup wheat germ, unsweetened
2 Tbs grated parmesan
6-oz package macaroni and cheese
1/4 to 1/2 cup White Puree
1/2 to 1/2 cup Orange Puree
2 Tbs butter

Directions
Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Coat casserole dish with cooking spray. Put cereal in zip-close bag and crush to coarse crumbs. Pour crumbs in a bowl and mix in wheat germ and parmesan.

2. Prepare macaroni and cheese according to package directions, adding White Puree, Orange Puree, or both (use no more than 1/2 cup puree total per 6-oz box of macaroni and cheese). Transfer to casserole dish, sprinkle with crunchy topping, and dot with butter. Bake 10 to 15 minutes, or until topping is golden.

Nutritional Info (1/4 recipe(
313 calories, 18 g fat (10 g saturated), 418 mg sodium, 45 mg cholesterol

from: Parenting

Ingredients
1 yam, peeled and cut in chunks
3 carrots, peeled and cut in chunks
2 Tbs water

Directions
In a pot, cover yam and carrots with cold water. Boil 25 minutes, or until very tender.

Drain and puree in food processor with water until completely smooth (no telltale chunks!), 1 minute. If necessary, add up to 1 tablespoon water to make puree smoother.

from: Parenting

Ingredients
One 15-oz can cannellini beans, rinsed and drained
1 Tbs water

Directions
Pulse cannellini beans and water in a food processor until smooth, about 1 minute. Puree should be the consistency of peanut butter. If necessary, add additional water, 1 teaspoon at a time, until there are no bean flecks visible.

Orange Puree

from: Matt & Jess original

Ingredients
1/2 C refried beans or black beans
1/4 C cooked ground beef (seasoned as you or your baby likes it)
2 T cheddar cheese

Directions
If using black beans, mash them with a fork. Then combine beans, beef and cheese together.

from: 171

Ingredients
2 C ricotta cheese
3 T greated parmesan cheese
1 scant cup all purpose flour
salt
pesto, butter and more parmesan to serve

Directions
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Mix the ricotta, flour, parmesan and a pinch of salt in a large bowl. With lightly floured hands, roll the dough into thin sausages (5/8 inch thick is recommended). Cut into little dumplings about 3/4 inch long.

Drop them into the boiling water and cook for about 45 seconds (they will rise to the surface). Remove with a slotted spoon and serve immediately with pesto (sun dried tomato is very good), butter and parmesan.

from:

Ingredients
buffalo mozzarella
good tomatoes
romaine lettuce
balsalmic vinegarette dressing

Directions
Cut up the mozarella, tomatoes and romaine into good bite-sized pieces. Toss together with the balsalmic vinegarette dressing.

from: Everyday Food

Ingredients
8 tablespoons (1 stick) unsalted butter, plus extra for the cups
10 ounces semisweet chocolate, roughly chopped
4 large eggs
1 large egg yolk
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
1/2 cup granulated sugar, plus extra for the cups
3 tablespoons all-purpose flour, plus extra for the cups 1/2 cup miniature marshmallows
2 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder

Directions
Heat oven to 375° F. Generously butter, flour, and sugar eight 6-ounce ovenproof coffee cups, mugs, or ramekins. Wipe the rims clean.

Place the butter and chocolate in a large heatproof bowl. Set it over a pan of simmering water, and heat, stirring once or twice, until melted and smooth. Remove from heat. Let cool for 5 minutes.

With an electric mixer on medium-high, beat the eggs, egg yolk, vanilla, salt, and 1/2 cup of the sugar until the volume doubles and the mixture becomes foamy, about 5 minutes. Stir the flour into the chocolate mixture, mixing until incorporated. Reduce speed to low and slowly add the chocolate mixture to the egg mixture, mixing until incorporated. FIll each cup about 1/2 inch from the rim. Bake until the cakes puff and begin to crack on the surface but are still a bit runny in the center, 13 to 17 minutes, depending on the size of the cups. Remove from oven. Sprinkle with the marshmallows and return to oven until the marshmallow begins to crisp, 2 to 4 minutes. Remove from oven. Let cool for about 5 minutes. Sift the cocoa over the top.

from: Parenting

Ingredients
Cooking spray
1 cup whole-grain cereal flakes (like Wheaties or Total)
1/4 cup wheat germ, unsweetened
2 Tbs grated parmesan
6-oz package macaroni and cheese
1/4 to 1/2 cup White Puree
1/2 to 1/2 cup Orange Puree
2 Tbs butter

Directions
Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Coat casserole dish with cooking spray. Put cereal in zip-close bag and crush to coarse crumbs. Pour crumbs in a bowl and mix in wheat germ and parmesan.

2. Prepare macaroni and cheese according to package directions, adding White Puree, Orange Puree, or both (use no more than 1/2 cup puree total per 6-oz box of macaroni and cheese). Transfer to casserole dish, sprinkle with crunchy topping, and dot with butter. Bake 10 to 15 minutes, or until topping is golden.

Nutritional Info (1/4 recipe(
313 calories, 18 g fat (10 g saturated), 418 mg sodium, 45 mg cholesterol

from: Parenting

Ingredients
1 yam, peeled and cut in chunks
3 carrots, peeled and cut in chunks
2 Tbs water

Directions
In a pot, cover yam and carrots with cold water. Boil 25 minutes, or until very tender.

Drain and puree in food processor with water until completely smooth (no telltale chunks!), 1 minute. If necessary, add up to 1 tablespoon water to make puree smoother.

Crunchy Mac 'n' Cheese

from: Matt & Jess original

Ingredients
1/2 C refried beans or black beans
1/4 C cooked ground beef (seasoned as you or your baby likes it)
2 T cheddar cheese

Directions
If using black beans, mash them with a fork. Then combine beans, beef and cheese together.

from: 171

Ingredients
2 C ricotta cheese
3 T greated parmesan cheese
1 scant cup all purpose flour
salt
pesto, butter and more parmesan to serve

Directions
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Mix the ricotta, flour, parmesan and a pinch of salt in a large bowl. With lightly floured hands, roll the dough into thin sausages (5/8 inch thick is recommended). Cut into little dumplings about 3/4 inch long.

Drop them into the boiling water and cook for about 45 seconds (they will rise to the surface). Remove with a slotted spoon and serve immediately with pesto (sun dried tomato is very good), butter and parmesan.

from:

Ingredients
buffalo mozzarella
good tomatoes
romaine lettuce
balsalmic vinegarette dressing

Directions
Cut up the mozarella, tomatoes and romaine into good bite-sized pieces. Toss together with the balsalmic vinegarette dressing.

from: Everyday Food

Ingredients
8 tablespoons (1 stick) unsalted butter, plus extra for the cups
10 ounces semisweet chocolate, roughly chopped
4 large eggs
1 large egg yolk
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
1/2 cup granulated sugar, plus extra for the cups
3 tablespoons all-purpose flour, plus extra for the cups 1/2 cup miniature marshmallows
2 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder

Directions
Heat oven to 375° F. Generously butter, flour, and sugar eight 6-ounce ovenproof coffee cups, mugs, or ramekins. Wipe the rims clean.

Place the butter and chocolate in a large heatproof bowl. Set it over a pan of simmering water, and heat, stirring once or twice, until melted and smooth. Remove from heat. Let cool for 5 minutes.

With an electric mixer on medium-high, beat the eggs, egg yolk, vanilla, salt, and 1/2 cup of the sugar until the volume doubles and the mixture becomes foamy, about 5 minutes. Stir the flour into the chocolate mixture, mixing until incorporated. Reduce speed to low and slowly add the chocolate mixture to the egg mixture, mixing until incorporated. FIll each cup about 1/2 inch from the rim. Bake until the cakes puff and begin to crack on the surface but are still a bit runny in the center, 13 to 17 minutes, depending on the size of the cups. Remove from oven. Sprinkle with the marshmallows and return to oven until the marshmallow begins to crisp, 2 to 4 minutes. Remove from oven. Let cool for about 5 minutes. Sift the cocoa over the top.

from: Parenting

Ingredients
Cooking spray
1 cup whole-grain cereal flakes (like Wheaties or Total)
1/4 cup wheat germ, unsweetened
2 Tbs grated parmesan
6-oz package macaroni and cheese
1/4 to 1/2 cup White Puree
1/2 to 1/2 cup Orange Puree
2 Tbs butter

Directions
Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Coat casserole dish with cooking spray. Put cereal in zip-close bag and crush to coarse crumbs. Pour crumbs in a bowl and mix in wheat germ and parmesan.

2. Prepare macaroni and cheese according to package directions, adding White Puree, Orange Puree, or both (use no more than 1/2 cup puree total per 6-oz box of macaroni and cheese). Transfer to casserole dish, sprinkle with crunchy topping, and dot with butter. Bake 10 to 15 minutes, or until topping is golden.

Nutritional Info (1/4 recipe(
313 calories, 18 g fat (10 g saturated), 418 mg sodium, 45 mg cholesterol

Weekend Wrap-Up

We had a largely uneventful weekend. Though Tabby and I were mostly well, Matt was still feeling pretty crummy, so we laid low a lot. The weather was gorgeous and so we took Tabby to the playground in our neighborhood and she got to go down the slide and swing on the swings. Both were a huge hit. I was feeling too lazy to carry the camera with us, so I don't have any photos. Boo.

Sunday we tried out a new Greek place and did a little shopping. Then we had dinner with my parents at my Uncle's house. Good food and excellent company.

Gawd this post is boring… what to say?
Oh … recipe to share. Have made this twice now: Hot Chocolate Cake. It's soooo easy and it tastes AMAZING. It's like those molten choclate cakes you get at restaurants, all gooey in the center. Just perfect. Didn't take a photo either time. Boo.

What else? I really want to get back to running. I (obviously) took all last week off. We are seriously thinking about running Bay to Breakers in May. It's supposed to be one of the neatest foot races in the country, complete with crazy costumes, fun music, etc. Plus, since Matt works in Oakland, we can two for the price of one on airfaire and no hotel room costs…. And it's really hard to pass up an opportunity to go to San Fran. But to do that, I'd have to actually be able to run the race and all (well both of us, actually), so I really need to get back into it a bit and train some, etc.

Alright, enough of boring you to death. Have a good Monday.

Hot Chocolate Cake

from: Everyday Food

Ingredients
8 tablespoons (1 stick) unsalted butter, plus extra for the cups
10 ounces semisweet chocolate, roughly chopped
4 large eggs
1 large egg yolk
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
1/2 cup granulated sugar, plus extra for the cups
3 tablespoons all-purpose flour, plus extra for the cups 1/2 cup miniature marshmallows
2 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder

Directions
Heat oven to 375° F. Generously butter, flour, and sugar eight 6-ounce ovenproof coffee cups, mugs, or ramekins. Wipe the rims clean.

Place the butter and chocolate in a large heatproof bowl. Set it over a pan of simmering water, and heat, stirring once or twice, until melted and smooth. Remove from heat. Let cool for 5 minutes.

With an electric mixer on medium-high, beat the eggs, egg yolk, vanilla, salt, and 1/2 cup of the sugar until the volume doubles and the mixture becomes foamy, about 5 minutes. Stir the flour into the chocolate mixture, mixing until incorporated. Reduce speed to low and slowly add the chocolate mixture to the egg mixture, mixing until incorporated. FIll each cup about 1/2 inch from the rim. Bake until the cakes puff and begin to crack on the surface but are still a bit runny in the center, 13 to 17 minutes, depending on the size of the cups. Remove from oven. Sprinkle with the marshmallows and return to oven until the marshmallow begins to crisp, 2 to 4 minutes. Remove from oven. Let cool for about 5 minutes. Sift the cocoa over the top.

Cheap(er) Diapers

I just placed my first order with Diapers.com. A friend of mine had read about them in our local paper a few months ago. They have the most competitively priced diapers available. I was interested at the time, but Tabby was going through different sizes too fast to make it worth it to me, but now that she's pretty solidly a 3 and staying that way for a while yet, I decided to go ahead. I was getting a decent deal, paying around 35 cents per diaper at Babies R Us or Target. But the diapers I ordered at Diapers.com are 24 cents per diaper!!! Even the expensive enviroment friendly diapers from Seventh Generation were cheapers on here than the Target ones I was buying. Plus, free shipping on orders over $50 and 5% back in credits on orders over $75, and I hit that with two boxes. Anyway, if you're interested, you can use my referral code, JENIX378, and get $5 off your first order. Cuz, y'know, ever penny … blah blah blah.

Bullets

* My head is one giant compacted ball of snot. And I'm not a bit happy about it.
* Last night Tabby slept through the night in her OWN CRIB for the first time in over a week. YAY.
* I am overjoyed to announce that there is not one single thing on our social calendar for this weekend.
* I may actually have to babyproof the house soon. Tabby is getting very serious about this crawling thing.
* I'm thinking that naps should be a mandatory part of everyone's day.
* I seriously doubt Tabby's going to hit 20 lbs by her first birthday. It's only 39 days away and she's barely 18 lbs.
* When I am at work today, the good faeries will come and clean my house (and take $75).
* I think I shall dehydrate something this weekend (bananas, pehaps).
* Grape Propel is my new best friend.
* I can't really put coherent thoughts together.
* Cool: they used my hack on Parent Hacks!
* Did I mention it's Friday??

Italian Salad

Ingredients

buffalo mozzarella
good tomatoes
romaine lettuce
balsamic vinaigrette dressing

Directions
Cut up the mozzarella, tomatoes and romaine into good bite-sized pieces. Toss together with the balsamic vinaigrette dressing.

Please Visit …

I meant to put this in that long list of links post that I put up the other day, but heck, I (used to) know this person in reality, so she deserves her own post. I went to College (Uni) with Kitsune (Lauren) at Vanderbilt where we had some crazy times and such. Probably.

Anyhoo, yet another of many I lost track of over the years, I recently found her on Facebook and have begun stalking her (just kidding). She is currently living in Japan and teaching English to high school students. I am quite jealous of this since I really want to visit Japan, as you all know, to take photos of vending machines, play Hello Kitty Karaoke, and buy up my customs limit in bento boxes and bizarre (but useless) gadgets. I find her posts about life in Japan to be absolutely side-splitting.

A couple of excerpts from this fine blog:

GREAT MONEY-MAKING IDEA: Go to various foreigners' apartments in Japan and tell them that you are a lightbulb changer. Or a 'Watching TV tax' man. Or wallet inspector. The less Japanese they know and more awkward the poor gaijin is, the more likely it is that they will give you any amount you ask for just to be able to close the door.

I don't want to look up, “My battery is dead. May I please purchase another that you install?” on the internet, because I've had enough conversations with Japanese people online to know that it will likely come out, “The electricity of mine is killed. Please install a clock in yourself?”

Oh yea … the link … HoneyBeeManor.

The Tale of Two Bugs

Back at work today … I'd planned on going in yesterday, but when I woke up and attempted to grab a shower, I found that I could not stand for any length of time without feeling very ill. So I spent the rest of the day under the covers, watching my box set of Grey's Anatomy (and by watching I mean it played in the background while I drifted in and out of consciousness). Being sick herself, Tabby was very sleepy and cuddly and she took two good naps with me (2.5 hours +, unheard of for her). I really think she spent more time asleep than awake yesterday. But she is, thankfully, back to her happy babyself (at least between naps). YAY!

In mother-daughter sharing that is sure to continue for many years to come, Tabby and I have exchanged bugs. I now have her cold and she has my GI bug. Though both seem to have lost some of their juice in transfering hosts. Matt on the other hand seems to have possibly simultaneously contracted both after taking care of both of us for the past few days. So sad that I have to go to work and can't stay at home with him.