Reheat pizza without getting a soggy mouthful

Heat up leftover pizza in a nonstick skillet on top of the stove , set heat to med-low and heat till warm. This keeps the crust crispy. Just say “no!” to soggy za!

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Fool-proof deviled eggs

Put cooked egg yolks in a zip lock bag. Seal, mash till they are all broken up. Add remainder of ingredients, reseal, keep mashing it up mixing roughly, cut the tip of the baggy, squeeze mixture into egg. Just throw bag away when done easy clean up.

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The miracle of expando frosting

When you buy a container of cake frosting from the store, whip it with your mixer for a few minutes. You can double it in size. You get to frost more cake/cupcakes with the same amount. You also eat less sugar and calories per serving.

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Reheating bread-like foods

To warm biscuits, pancakes, or muffins that were refrigerated , place them in a microwave with a cup of water. The increased moisture will keep the food moist and help it reheat faster.

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So how awesome were those? Have any other helpful hints to share?

I managed to get a few poor-quality photos this week — better than nothing, right?

In the mix:

Dress – Target

Cardigan – Anthropologie

Ankle boots – Jeffrey Campbell

I loved this outfit because of the color combination. I am currently obsessed with this odd shade of green and I thought it worked well with the muted colors of the dress. I added interest to the outfit with my leopard ankle boots, which may be a bit much for some, but added just the right amount of personality, in my opinion — what do you think?

And to end on a good-photo note, he’s an adorable one of Bean

Such a little charmer.

And yes, he’s sporting addidas – If only you could see his matching shwoosh pants

Can you believe it’s already February? yikes.

It’s a busy, busy day today and you know the drill — let’s get right into our moments of gratitude.

This week, I’m thankful for…

Headphones

That Jake Coco put out a new, incredible cover of Use Somebody – so haunting, so beautiful — check it (and again, you’re welcome)

The beautiful sunshine we got to enjoy this week

The new episode of Grey’s tonight — looks a little goofy, but I’m excited

Fast and furious ab workouts that don’t take a ton of time

Mid-day walks in the metroparks

Lunch dates with my little man

My husband, who I cannot wait to relax with at the end of every day. He is just so fantastical, I cant even stand it!

The upcoming weekend and our plans to celebrate a new marriage (and the cake that comes with it )

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What are you thankful for this week? Please share!

For those of you who don’t have a ton of time in the gym, but want to make sure you work those ab muscles, I have something special for you this morning!

A quick, no frills, ab blaster. It’s a quick little combo I put together to get you in and out, while still getting in a great workout for your abs – enjoy!

For your reference, here are some of the exercises further explained;

Leg raises

Bicycle

The hundred

Mason twists

Scissor kicks

Be sure to check out my previous ab workouts, too!

And because we all need a kick in the pants sometimes, here’s a motivational photo:

Side note: Are you enjoying these workouts I’m sharing? Too much? Not enough? You guys expressed an interest, but I don’t want to keep sharing them if no one cares — let me know

Arm circles – don’t laugh, just wait. This exercise targets your triceps, biceps and shoulders.

• While standing straight with your feet flat on the ground and arms extended out to the side at a 90-degree angle to your body, start moving your arms in small, fast circles forward.

• Do as many rotations as you can and then reverse the motion, doing as many circles as you can in the reverse direction.

Who’s laughing now?

Chair dips – beginner- 10 reps

Chair dips – advanced – 10 reps

Chair dips are the best way to work the entire backs of the arms. And my favorite thing about them is that you can find a chair or bench almost anywhere — airports, parks, offices. Just be careful of those office chairs. A few years ago I thought I’d be a bad*ass and workout in my cube over lunch. Chair had wheels. Not pretty. End scene.

Pushups – 15 reps

Triceps side lift – 15 reps, each side

BREAK

Repeat

For those of you who don’t have kids, you might want to skip this post. Or pass it along to a fried or family member. Or tuck it away for future use — your call

Reader Request:

I plan to continue to exclusively breastfeed my little guy until 6 months and then start solid foods. I read your post on making your own baby food and after reading the comments below and talking with some friends of mine, I plan to do a little of both, making some of his foods from things we eat and buying jarred (which will be much easier when he goes to the babysitter.)

What I was hoping you could provide some info./advice on was when did you started feeding your little guys solids? What were some of the first things you started with? I also know from keeping up with your posts that you are still pumping, how do you fit that in with the solids foods? I know this is probably a lot of questions, but I just want to get as much info. as I can before I start the next stage!

First of all – go YOU for breastfeeding! I personally know just how much that (literally!) takes out of you – so yay, Mama!

The Mister and I started Bean on solid foods right around 6 months. We started with the recommended rice cereal. We added a few teaspoons to some breast milk and spoon-fed the little munchkin. The first few feedings were difficult — Bean was so confused and it took awhile for him to get the hang of the spoon and remembering to swallow After a few days (once we were sure he wasn’t allergic), we switched over to organic oatmeal (Gerber brand — this is NOT the same as regular organic oatmeal). He seemed to like this one better and it didn’t cause constipation problems like the rice cereal did.

From then on, the rest is history! Every few days, we would introduce a new vegetable or fruit. If one day he didn’t like it, I would try again a few days later — like adults, baby’s palettes take awhile to know for sure whether or not the “like” a food. It took me MANY attempts, but Sawyer will eat any vegetable or fruit. —-Read why I don’t make my own —- He has his favorites, but for the most part, anything goes. From about 6 – 9 months, we stuck to jarred food and cereal mixed with breast milk. This was a typical eating day:

breakfast – cereal mixed with jarred fruit

mid-morning – bottle (4-6 oz.)

lunch – jar of vegetables (his favorites are Earth’s Best corn and squash, sweet potato and chicken and turkey veggie dinner)

mid- afternoon – bottle (4-6 oz.)

dinner – jar of vegetables with a few spoons of jarred fruit

bedtime – bottle/nurse (6 oz.)

Once Bean hit 9 months, we started introducing “finger foods” — this is basically any food that is broken into little, bite-sized pieces.

Some of his favorites include: gerber puffs, cheerios, Earth’s Best Organic waffles, clementines, banana, turkey, cheese, cottage cheese,  vegetables (TIME SAVER IDEA – instead of cooking your own vegetables, purchase some low sodium organic vegetable soup – the veggies are already chopped and cooked and are flavored with broth and spices – I rely on these EVERY DAY), bread, strawberries, whole wheat pasta.

This was Sawyer’s dinner last night — two pieces of turkey, one jar of plum/banana/rice, one clementine, few spoonfuls of prunes.

A NOTE ABOUT POO

What goes in, must come out. Don’t be alarmed to see some, ahem, interesting colors. Also — the Mister and I have always said that once you start solid foods you stop dealing with poop and start dealing with sh*t. Get the noseplugs ready. Seriously. Foods that can constipate Sawyer – apples, bananas, rice cereal. Foods that get things moving – prunes and plums. Too keep things “regular” we give him prunes every day with breakfast and don’t worry about the other foods he’s eating throughout the day — this works well for us.

Breastfeeding/pumping

Most pediatricians recommend continuing with breastfeeding until the child is one year. (I know that each woman has different circumstances and I never judge — let’s keep things nice in the comments, ladies) In addition, while you are providing some delicious meals, most of your little one’s calories and nutrients should still be coming from breastmilk (or formula). That being said, I continue to pump/nurse as I did before. Typically every 3-4 hours. Sawyer is also starting to drink from a cup, which we fill with a little milk at every meal. Over the past few months, I will say that he is losing interest in his bottles. So we try and make sure he gets his milk from his cup at mealtimes.

MISC. TIPS

If your little one is giving you trouble eating, try eating WITH them. Sawyer ALWAYS wants a few bites of whatever the Mister and I are eating — and this is a great way to get them to try new things!

Have FUN! This is such a fun, new time for your little to try new things! Don’t get upset or overwhelmed if it isn’t working out — try, try, try again – I assure you they wont go hungry.

PHEW!

I think that covers it — did I leave anything out? Any other questions?

Bon Appetit!

Thanks so much for your sweet comments on the video I posted this morning – it really does make my heart melt

I’ve come across some pretty fantastic stuff this week and thought all of you could benefit – aren’t I thoughtful?

Enjoy!

click to enlarge if you are having trouble viewing – it’s worth it.

This local story made big news this week – three cheers for the little guy! Just another wonderful example of how communities can pull together and make an enormous difference. And a little reminder to support your local businesses – YOU make a difference

Skinnycow heavenly crisps are BEYOND heavenly. Get thee to a grocer and buy a box. Then try and stop yourself after one. Mission Impossible.

50/50 is out on DVD – looking forward to finally watching it with the Mister this weekend

OK – enough fun — time for us all to get back to work so we can enjoy our weekends!

What made your Friday fun list this week?

I’d like to take this little window of opportunity to tell you all just how proud I am when I get to watch Bean and the Mister together.

Proud of my husband, who goes above and beyond to make sure Bean never goes without — without love, without a bedtime story, without the top-notch gear, without his nightly humidifier, without the perfect car-seat harness fit — and yes, even without Burberry.

I’m so proud to call myself a member of our family and thank God every day for the card I’ve been dealt — as if finding my soul mate, best friend — partner in crime weren’t enough, we’ve been given the role of raising the most adorable boy in the universe.

I know I say that I couldn’t be happier with my life right now a lot — and I’m sorry if I sound like a broken record — but it’s so true.

Aside from hanging out with my two goofballs, one of my favorite times of the day is watching Bean wait for his daddy to come home. When he sees the familiar car pull up, his face lights up and he’s so full of energy his arms start shaking!

Just watch…(video is about 4 1/2 minutes, fyi)

I can’t think of anything cuter — unless they both wore matching Burberry — and, oh wait, they did

First of all, I’m so happy to hear how much you all are loving my workouts I’ve shared — the ab exercises are killer!

I’m actually planning on knocking them both out (arms and abs) over lunch today — who’s with me?! We can totally do this.

But before we get rockin’ let’s all take a few moments to pause and reflect back on our weeks. Time is NOT slowing down and before we know it, the week…month..YEAR is over. Don’t be so speedy that you don’t recognize all the beautiful moments, ok?

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ok.

This week, I’m thankful for…

Surprise visits with friends

Vacation time

Upcoming travel plans with the Mister

That my sleep-training with Bean is making slow but sure progress [we are NOT doing the cry it out method --- instead, I've researched and compiled quite a few methods (tear free!) that are working well for us -- I'm happy to share them with any one who might be interested. If I see there is an interest, I'm happy to dedicate a post to it -- just let me know]

the donut house chocolate glazed donut coffee

voicemail

my little genius

that my planning is coming together for Bean’s 1st bday partaaaay (hint)

kashi honey grain waffles

etsy

making time for workouts

what are you thankful for this week?

In less than one month, we’ll be celebrating his FIRST BIRTHDAY. Mind –> blown.

He is growing up in front of our very eyes and astounds me with his brilliance each and every day.

Just check out our little boy genius:

Can you tell I’m a proud Mama?

At 11 months, Saywer…

• Knows who “ma ma” and “da da” are, instead of just saying the words.
• Plays patty cake
• Can do “soooooo big!”
• Says the following words (and knows what they mean): banana (bana!), bus, bat, ball, balloon (baloooo), clock (kkkkk or “tick tock”) mama, dada, puff, waffle (waffa), OK, baby, bye-bye, zebra (zeeba), keys, cheese, bread (breeee), light, hot
• Knows the following words and points to them when asked: sun, apple, squirrel, rainbow, dog, cat, pumpkin, tree, train, bath, book, truck, glo worm, clifford, ring
• Says the following when asked “what does a ______ say?”: cow – mooo (mmmmmm), sheep – baa, snake – sssssss, chicken – cluck, cluck, cluck (ku ku ku)
• Can get down from standing without falling

new likes: standing at the back window, helping mommy make pizzas, mooching bites of our food, outlets, cords and anything else that can cause him bodily harm

new hates: having something taken away from him, when mommy and daddy leave

For Sawyer’s previous milestones, check out the Motherhood tab!