Wednesday, October 31, 2012
Tonight's the night
Tonight is going to be the first official night of starting our TTC journey. I am so excited. I know the odds are slim of getting a BFP this month, the first month, but I sure would love if that happens. I went to my cousins little girls birthday party, and all I could think of was that being me someday. Hosting little parties and making birthday cakes. I don't really have much to write about today, but I just was so excited that tonight is the first night. Wish me luck this month.
Saturday, October 27, 2012
I never new
I found this video from another blog I read to be very fascinating. It is called the Great Sperm Race. I never really knew how much work it took to get pregnant. I now understand why it can take so long to get that positive test. This video really does explain it all. Let me know if you found it to be as interesting as I did.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4SFOpHiS-tA
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4SFOpHiS-tA
Friday, October 26, 2012
Coffee Please
I am happy to announce that I was accepted into another campaign again from BzzAgent. The campaign this time was for Green Mountain Coffee. In my bzzagent kit, I got 3, 4 pack boxes of k-cups of all fair trade coffee and tons of coupons. There coffee is now fair trade and I think that it is great that they are doing that, plus in my opinion, I think they taste so much better too. What is Fair Trade you ask, and what are it's benefits? Well I am glad you asked.
In 2000, Green Mountain Coffee Roasters, Inc. became one of the first roasters in the U.S. to offer Fair Trade Certified™ coffees. And there now the largest purchaser of Fair Trade Certified™ coffee in the world, purchasing more than 38 million pounds in 2011 alone. Fair Trade helps ensure that farmers get a fair price for their beans. It also improves working conditions, and supports development in farming communities with projects resulting in new schools, roads, health clinics and safer drinker water. All of the above enables farmers to invest in better quality coffee. So while Fair Trade communities enjoy a better quality of life, you enjoy a better quality cup. It's coffee that tastes good and does good too. The benefits go beyond just dollars and cents. Fair Trade growing practices help protect the environment too. Sometimes good coffee really does make the world go 'round.
You can find a $1 coupon on there Facebook page below. Also, don't forget to like there page so you can get announcements of when they are giving away free samples of there coffee. They also took acclaimed musicians Grace Potter and Michael Franti to Colombia and Sumatra to experience why Fair Trade means better coffee for you and a better life for farmers. Learn more about Fair Trade and watch exclusive videos from their travels below.
https://www.facebook.com/GreenMountainCoffee/app_123707314444061
So happy that I am not going to have to give up coffee completely if I get pregnant, because I don't know what I would do to get through the day.
In 2000, Green Mountain Coffee Roasters, Inc. became one of the first roasters in the U.S. to offer Fair Trade Certified™ coffees. And there now the largest purchaser of Fair Trade Certified™ coffee in the world, purchasing more than 38 million pounds in 2011 alone. Fair Trade helps ensure that farmers get a fair price for their beans. It also improves working conditions, and supports development in farming communities with projects resulting in new schools, roads, health clinics and safer drinker water. All of the above enables farmers to invest in better quality coffee. So while Fair Trade communities enjoy a better quality of life, you enjoy a better quality cup. It's coffee that tastes good and does good too. The benefits go beyond just dollars and cents. Fair Trade growing practices help protect the environment too. Sometimes good coffee really does make the world go 'round.
You can find a $1 coupon on there Facebook page below. Also, don't forget to like there page so you can get announcements of when they are giving away free samples of there coffee. They also took acclaimed musicians Grace Potter and Michael Franti to Colombia and Sumatra to experience why Fair Trade means better coffee for you and a better life for farmers. Learn more about Fair Trade and watch exclusive videos from their travels below.
https://www.facebook.com/GreenMountainCoffee/app_123707314444061
So happy that I am not going to have to give up coffee completely if I get pregnant, because I don't know what I would do to get through the day.
Wednesday, October 24, 2012
Dreaming
Did you ever have a great dream that when the alarm wakes you up, you try so hard to go back to sleep hoping that you can continue the dream? Well, that is what happened to me last night. I dreamt that I was at work and I ended up taking a pregnancy test and it turned out positive. I was pregnant and so excited. I could actually feel the happiness and joy when I woke up. Now, since we are not going to start trying until next week, I know that it wasn't my self conscious trying to tell me something, but I really do hope that my dream does come true sometime in the near future. I probably had that dream because all I can think of is baby, baby, baby. What I really need to do is just stop focusing so much on trying to have a baby, and just enjoy the moments that me and my hubby have together, just the two of us, because once we do get pregnant, that is all going to change.
Tuesday, October 23, 2012
Crock Pot Beef Stew
Now with the cold weather coming and trying to find some good ideas for dinner that are easy and healthy to make I came across this recipe from Shine on Yahoo and I can not wait to make it.
Flemish Beef Stew
Active time: 45 minutes | Total: 8 3/4 hours
To make ahead: Prepare through Step 3; cover and refrigerate for up to 1 day before cooking.
For this slow-cooker interpretation of Carbonnades Flamandes, a Flemish stew made with beer, if you can't find a brown ale, use a strong, dark beer (but not a stout).
4 teaspoons canola oil, divided
2 pounds bottom round, trimmed of fat and cut into 1-inch cubes
3/4 pound sliced cremini or white button mushrooms
3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
2 cups brown ale or dark beer
4 large carrots, peeled and cut into 1-inch pieces
1 large onion, chopped
1 clove garlic, minced
1 1/2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
1 teaspoon caraway seeds
3/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground pepper
1 bay leaf
1. Heat 2 teaspoons oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add half the beef and brown on all sides, turning frequently, about 5 minutes. Transfer to a 6-quart slow cooker. Drain any fat from the pan. Add the remaining 2 teaspoons oil and brown the remaining beef. Transfer to the slow cooker.
2. Return the skillet to medium heat, add mushrooms and cook, stirring often, until they give off their liquid and it evaporates to a glaze, 5 to 7 minutes. Sprinkle flour over the mushrooms; cook undisturbed for 10 seconds, then stir and cook for 30 seconds more. Pour in ale (or beer); bring to a boil, whisking constantly to reduce foaming, until thickened and bubbling, about 3 minutes. Transfer the mushroom mixture to the slow cooker.
3. Add carrots, onion, garlic, mustard, caraway seeds, salt, pepper and bay leaf to the slow cooker. Stir to combine.
4. Put the lid on and cook on low until the beef is very tender, about 8 hours. Discard the bay leaf before serving.
Makes 8 servings.
Per serving: 272 calories; 9 g fat (3 g sat, 4 g mono); 72 mg cholesterol; 16 g carbohydrate; 0 g added sugars; 27 g protein; 2 g fiber; 359 mg sodium; 645 mg potassium.
Nutrition bonus: Vitamin A (110% daily value), Zinc (33% dv), Potassium (17% dv), Iron (15% dv).
I love the crock pot. You can make so many healthy meals with it. If anyone wants to share any ideas or meals, please feel free. I would love to try it.
Flemish Beef Stew
Active time: 45 minutes | Total: 8 3/4 hours
To make ahead: Prepare through Step 3; cover and refrigerate for up to 1 day before cooking.
For this slow-cooker interpretation of Carbonnades Flamandes, a Flemish stew made with beer, if you can't find a brown ale, use a strong, dark beer (but not a stout).
4 teaspoons canola oil, divided
2 pounds bottom round, trimmed of fat and cut into 1-inch cubes
3/4 pound sliced cremini or white button mushrooms
3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
2 cups brown ale or dark beer
4 large carrots, peeled and cut into 1-inch pieces
1 large onion, chopped
1 clove garlic, minced
1 1/2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
1 teaspoon caraway seeds
3/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground pepper
1 bay leaf
1. Heat 2 teaspoons oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add half the beef and brown on all sides, turning frequently, about 5 minutes. Transfer to a 6-quart slow cooker. Drain any fat from the pan. Add the remaining 2 teaspoons oil and brown the remaining beef. Transfer to the slow cooker.
2. Return the skillet to medium heat, add mushrooms and cook, stirring often, until they give off their liquid and it evaporates to a glaze, 5 to 7 minutes. Sprinkle flour over the mushrooms; cook undisturbed for 10 seconds, then stir and cook for 30 seconds more. Pour in ale (or beer); bring to a boil, whisking constantly to reduce foaming, until thickened and bubbling, about 3 minutes. Transfer the mushroom mixture to the slow cooker.
3. Add carrots, onion, garlic, mustard, caraway seeds, salt, pepper and bay leaf to the slow cooker. Stir to combine.
4. Put the lid on and cook on low until the beef is very tender, about 8 hours. Discard the bay leaf before serving.
Makes 8 servings.
Per serving: 272 calories; 9 g fat (3 g sat, 4 g mono); 72 mg cholesterol; 16 g carbohydrate; 0 g added sugars; 27 g protein; 2 g fiber; 359 mg sodium; 645 mg potassium.
Nutrition bonus: Vitamin A (110% daily value), Zinc (33% dv), Potassium (17% dv), Iron (15% dv).
I love the crock pot. You can make so many healthy meals with it. If anyone wants to share any ideas or meals, please feel free. I would love to try it.
Monday, October 22, 2012
Aunt Flo just showed up
Which means that once her visit is over, me and the hubby is finally going to start BABY DANCING!!!!!! I am so excited. So now I am wondering if I should go out and get the ovulation tests, start taking my basil temp or if I should just go a couple of months of just having fun. A lot of people are telling me different things, but I don't know what to do really. I am thinking about just not worrying about it and just do it a couple of months and see what happens. But on the other hand, what happens if nothing happens because I didn't do any charting or anything. So many options to choose from.
On another note, I just starting taking prenatal vitamins and for some reason they make me sick to my stomach, even after taken them before bed with food. Does anybody know any good remedy about that. Also, I know this may me TMI, but they seem to make me constipated too. I know they say pregnancy can do that to a woman but I really wonder if it is in fact the pregnancy, or just the vitamins, lol. If anybody has any good info to share with me on what to do, it will be greatly appreciated.
I am also going to be starting my new workout routine and eating more healthy today. I really want to lose at least 15 pounds before I get pregnant. My today's weigh in is 165.5. I am hoping that by next week I will be able to post a smaller number. I just really need to find my motivation and get a routine going, and then I know I will be able to stick with it. Wish me luck.
On another note, I just starting taking prenatal vitamins and for some reason they make me sick to my stomach, even after taken them before bed with food. Does anybody know any good remedy about that. Also, I know this may me TMI, but they seem to make me constipated too. I know they say pregnancy can do that to a woman but I really wonder if it is in fact the pregnancy, or just the vitamins, lol. If anybody has any good info to share with me on what to do, it will be greatly appreciated.
I am also going to be starting my new workout routine and eating more healthy today. I really want to lose at least 15 pounds before I get pregnant. My today's weigh in is 165.5. I am hoping that by next week I will be able to post a smaller number. I just really need to find my motivation and get a routine going, and then I know I will be able to stick with it. Wish me luck.
Friday, October 19, 2012
Painting Project
So I am a member of a wonderful site called BzzAgent.com. You answer surveys every now and then, and if a company thinks that you are qualified, then they will go ahead and ask you to participate in the campaign. Once you get accepted, the only thing they ask you to do is talk about the product, good and bad. Well, I was excited when they asked me to go ahead and join the Benjamin Moore Aura paint campaign. Well, in my Bzz Kit, I got a free pint of white paint and also a coupon for a free gallon of paint, plus lots of coupons to give to friends and family. I did a lot of thinking of what room was going to get painted.
Well, I decided to go ahead and pick a nice neutral color for the room that we are going to use as the nursery. I was thinking of a really light mint green color. That way if I have a boy, I can use the brown accents with it and if it is a girl, then pink will go really well too. In the mean time though until I get pregnant, it will be a nice airy color room that I can use for my reading/zen room. Here is the link of the color that I am thinking of. Let me know what you all think. Once I get the room done, I will be sure to post before and after photos. I can not wait to get started.
http://www.benjaminmoore.com/en-us/paint-color/crystalline
Here is a link to the BzzAgent site just in-case anyone is interested in doing it.
Bzzagent.com
Well, I decided to go ahead and pick a nice neutral color for the room that we are going to use as the nursery. I was thinking of a really light mint green color. That way if I have a boy, I can use the brown accents with it and if it is a girl, then pink will go really well too. In the mean time though until I get pregnant, it will be a nice airy color room that I can use for my reading/zen room. Here is the link of the color that I am thinking of. Let me know what you all think. Once I get the room done, I will be sure to post before and after photos. I can not wait to get started.
http://www.benjaminmoore.com/en-us/paint-color/crystalline
Here is a link to the BzzAgent site just in-case anyone is interested in doing it.
Bzzagent.com
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