Healthy Kids: Homemade Cheese Puffs

I am always on the hunt for healthy on-the-go snacks.  My mom found an old cookout that she has had since we were kids.

Today, we tried homemade Cheese Puffs!

1/2 lb Cheddar Cheese, grated
1/2 Cup Margarine
1 Cup Flour
1/8 tsp Salt

Combine all ingredients and blend until smooth. Roll dough into small balls about the size of marbles. Bake for 15 minutes at 350 degrees.

Anne enjoyed being Grandma's little assistant.

  

Baby Approved!

Get in Shape Girl

When I got back on my Wii Fit after having Anne, I learned a few things.  The first thing I learned is that I hadn't been on the Wii Fit since March 2012.  Then I learned that in March 2012, I weighed more (about 20 pounds more) than I weighed after having Anne.  So that told me a few things about myself.  It told me that when I'm stressed and anxious, I eat and don't exercise and it taught me that I can't let that be a pattern.

This summer one my goals is to get back to my "pre-pregnancy" weight.

In order for a goal to work, you need a plan so I plan do that by going on walks with after dinner on nice evenings.  Anne loves to be outside so this is a plus for both of us and I want to work more in my garden.  Eating well on a tight is sometimes a challenge but with some planning, I think I can do that too.

So, today is the start of a new healthier Pitney family.

Healthy Recipes: Cream Corn and Fruit Salad

The second part of Monday's dinner with the in-laws was some homemade Cream Corn and a Strawberry and Blueberry Salad. Here is the first part.

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Homemade Cream Corn and a Strawberry and Blueberry Salad.

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I made the corn from some corn that we had frozen over the summer.  The first step is to cook the corn with butter in a skillet over medium heat.

When the corn is done cooking, you take corn out of the pan and put it into a serving dish.Then heat some milk and Parmesan cheese until it starts to thicken.  Once it starts to thicken up, pour the cream mixture over the corn and mix together. 

For dessert, I made a Strawberry and Blueberry Salad.  I mixed fresh blueberries and fresh strawberries with sugar and vanilla.  Yum!

Healthy Recipes: Chicken with Red Potatoes

This Sunday, I was so proud of myself because I went to Martins and bought all fresh fruits and veggies - nothing frozen or processed.  The best part is that I was within budget.  I made this meal on Monday night when Steve's mom, step-dad and little sister were in town.  They enjoyed it too.

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Chicken with Red Potatoes

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In our roasting pan, I put red potatoes that I had cut in half or quarters with some vegetable oil and rosemary.  I baked them at 350 degrees for 20 minutes with the lid on.

Don't they look good already?  Then I added the fresh, not frozen, chicken thighs on top of the red potatoes.

Next, I added some spices, diced tomatoes, and onions

Then I baked everything together for 30 minutes with the lid on.  Finally, I took the lid off, flipped the chicken, stirred the potatoes and baked for another 20 with the lid off.  It turned out great.

Goals for 2013

I generally don't make resolutions because they are so hard to stick with.  Instead, I have a few goals that I want to accomplish.  Some of them are small and some are much bigger.  I narrowed it down to 5 things that I want to accomplish this year.

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1) Sell our house

2) Get healthy and get back to my Christmas 2011 weight before my sister's wedding in May.  I joined, with some members of my online support group, myfitnesspal to help me reach that goal. 

Created by MyFitnessPal - Free Weight Loss Tools

3) Read 10 books - I tried this goal last year, but with everything going on last year I didn't finish it.

4) Reach 100% of our partnership goal

5)Learn how to crochet - again.