Hood River Blossom Festival 2011

Last weekend Steve and I added another check mark to our "Spring & Summer To-Do List." We drove out to Hood River, OR for the annual Hood River Blossom Festival. Unfortunately, due to the colder temps this spring the blooms were not out in full force but we were able to catch a few. Our first stop was for finger licking Bar-B-Que at the Apple Valley Country Store. I was hankering for some of their famous Apple Butter and we really couldn't pass up pulled pork. As we sat there we got to listen to the music stylings of a Willie Nelson-esc guitar and singer. He was super cute. He laid eyes on Maggie and the next song that he played was titled "Daddy's and Their Daughter's." Steve looks at me and rolls his eyes and says, " You know I have to tip him now, right." That's my hubby! After a few minutes of playing in the grass we were off to get pie from another road side stand. The pie was good but the cookies are divine! I totally broke my diet for such a delicious treat. They also had a fruit scale so Steve sat Maggie on it. She weighed in at a whooping 16 lbs. Poor kid is never going to gain any weight. After a few pics we left for my favorite stop. The Alpaca farm. They always have a bunch of young alpacas wondering around the pen and they love to eat the little pellets you can buy for 25 cents. Maggie didn't know what to think of them at first but it wasn't long before she realized they weren't much bigger than Sasha and they were just as friendly. Every time she would let out a squeal all of their heads would turn in her direction. If you have never seen an Alpaca you should. They are wonderful creatures. I kept telling Steve I wanted to move to the country so we could have an Alpaca farm. I don't think he was buying it.

We could have spent hours up there driving around and making many more stops but we had to get home. We did catch a few good pictures and Maggie was in such good spirits all day. I love the fact that after 5 minutes in the car she passes out and will sleep the entire time. No more days of a screaming baby in the back seat! Next up is the Tulip Festival!

We found some blossoms blooming!

Great shot of Maggie and Dad

Maggie wanted to hang in the pen

I love this face.

We couldn't resist we brought one home with us.

Oh wait, no, thats Sasha!

Maggie and Mommy's Day at the Zoo

I woke up to sunshine, despite the weather report, and it lasted thru Maggie's morning nap so I thought what a day to head to the Oregon Zoo. I knew that I would only get a couple of hours out of her so I figured if the weather took a turn for the worse we could always leave. I am so glad we made the trip. It's a Monday so most of the kids were in school so it was either old folks or Mom's and Dad's walking around. The sun kept us warm enough so we could both take off our heavy coats and enjoy the views. I am crazy about the Elephants the BIG CATS, and the Zebra's so that is what I took pictures of but we saw a lot more. Including; bears, eagles, fish, snakes, penguins, monkeys (one Baboon was picking another's butt). I wanted to take a shot but I was trying to act like a mature mother and set a good example. We also saw some hungry wolves, cows, sheep, pigs and so many other animals. While we were watching the elephants they started to talk to each other and the Mama elephant let out a huge elephant noise. I had never heard that before in person and I felt a bit of the giddy childishness again that you loose at some point in life. The lions were doing what they always do. Lounging around as if they just had lunch. As Maggie stood against the glass watching them one of the slowing raised her head and watched her until we moved on. I had such a good time and Maggie did great right up until it started to rain but by then we were heading to the car anyway so we didn't get too wet. I did have to sacrifice my coat for a few minutes while the hail came down on us. I can't wait for summer which I am sure will include many more trips to the zoo!

This Elephant was getting his exercise.

This was taken when I thought she still needed 18 layers

Baby with the babies. I love this face.

But mom I want to go play with the kitties!

Maggie looked on as the Wild Dogs of Africa had a snooze

My favorite!

Rhododendron Garden

I have a laundry list of things I want to do this spring/summer. One of the items at the very top is pay a visit to the Portland Rhododendron Garden. I have lived her all 32 years of my life and I have driven by the entrance a couple hundred times but I have never paid the $3 to go inside. Boy am I sad that I never did. Even though almost nothing was in bloom it was still an extremely beautiful place to visit. The whole place is surrounded by water, ducks, squirrels, big trees, and small plants. It was a beautiful day in Portland today so it was ideal for a nice walk thru the grounds. Maggie did great in her stroller but enjoyed getting out and touching the flowers and "chasing" after the Geese. Steve's parents are coming to visit next month and the Garden is already on our list of things to-do. I am hoping that not only will everything be in bloom but we will also have some great Spring weather.

Maggie checking out the ducks swimming

Hitchin' a ride on Dad's shoulders. Check out the pink "Chucks."

So happy!

Mommy and Magpie

No Maggie, you can't eat the flowers!

Salisbury Steaks with Mushroom Gravy

I knew blogging seven days in a row would be tuff but I made a promise and since I am sticking to the other promises I made this month I might as well stick with this one as well.

This recipe I pulled straight out of one of my WW cookbooks. I knew it was going to be healthy but I didn't know it was going to be so delicious.

Steak Prep:

1 pound lean ground beef

2 slices whole wheat bread, cubed

1 medium sized onion, chopped

1/2 Teaspoon salt

1/8 Teaspoon pepper

Gravy Prep:

2 Teaspoons of EVOO

1/4 pound of Shitake mushrooms, stems removed and caps sliced

1 Tablespoon of AP flour

1 cup of low sodium beef broth

First combine the beef, cubed bread, onion, salt and pepper in a bowl and mix well. I always use my hands because it was way easier to disperse the ingredients. Divide into four sections and flatten into oval shaped "steaks". Place on your broiler pan and stick them under your broiler on high for 6-8 minutes each side.

While the steaks cook heat your oil in a large non-stick skillet to medium high. Add mushrooms and allow them to soften. Takes about 8 minutes. Coat the mushrooms with the flour and stir mushrooms again. Add the broth and heat to a boil. Continue to stir until the sauce thickens and bubbles.

Once the steaks are done add them to your skillet and let flavors mix for 2-3 minutes uncovered. Plate and eat!

I used the leftover rice from last night as a bed for my steaks. The rice soaked up the sauce and added an extra element to the dinner. We also had a nice green salad with carrots, almond slices, cherry tomatoes, pram and my favorite low fat cilantro dressing from Trader Joe's.

The best part of this dinner is that I made four steaks so we both get leftovers for lunch tomorrow:)

Pre-Prego Jeans

As some of you have been reading I have been on a healthy kick for the last four weeks. I have almost reached the end of my first 30 days and I have to say I am feeling pretty good. I don't know how much weight I have lost because my scale isn't that great and I haven't really counted pounds but rather watched the little dial move lower and lower on the number scale. This is exciting to me and it encourages me to keep at it and stay the course. But what happened this weekend was the big morale boost I needed. I was able to put on, button AND zip up my pre-prego jeans. Previously when I had tried these on I couldn't even get them over my enlarged behind but not this weekend. I ran out into the living room and modeled them for Steve and Maggie who both gave me a resounding cheer! Now, I didn't keep them on due to the, um how to put this, muffin topping:( But it was enough to be able to get them on and feel proud of that moment. I know that sometime in the next three weeks I will be able to not only put those beauties on but wear them out proudly!

Now you all know that healthy living begins with healthy eating and at the beginning of my 30 days I promised a recipe or two. I haven't been so great about that but that is about to change. For the next seven days I am going to include my dinner menu.

Here is what is on tonights menu.

Leg of lamb steaks with fresh yogurt sauce

Steamed asparagus

Couscous salad

First the lamb:

I understand those who have a hard time eating lamb. I didn't touch the stuff until I met Steve and I realized that it is quite good. It has a unique indescribable flavor that can only be taste tested. It also a great source of protein and nutrients. I picked mine up at New Season's (a store comparable to Whole Foods if you are outside of Portland). Make sure it is local meat that is void of hormones. Many ranchers give their lambs hormones to boost their meat value but you really don't need it. American lambs are, ummmm well, sent to slaughter at older ages so the meat has more flavor and usually the steaks are larger.

Cooking is simple.

Sprinkle with olive oil, salt and pepper and throw under the broiler (on high) or onto the grill for no more than five minutes each side. They are meant to be pink in the middle. If it isn't pink they are already waaaay over done. If you can't stand the sight of raw meat then cook it for 7 minutes each side. You will still get the flavor but it will be a little less pink when you cut into it.

The yogurt sauce is easy too.

1 cup non-fat/low-fat PLAIN yogurt

1 Tablespoon fresh Mint

1 Tablespoon fresh Basil

1 Tablespoon fresh Parsley. (I used dried because when am I ever gonna use that much parsley. Just use a little less than a full tablespoon).

1 Teaspoon of honey

Mix it all together and let it stand while you cook the lamb. You can either use it as a side and dip your meat or do what we did and just spread it all over. The mint is a great compliment to the lamby flavor.

Asparagus is so simple and delicious I wish I would eat it more often. To steam it I put it in a 10 inch pan with a metal strainer underneath. Fill it with about a half inch of water and steam for 10 minutes. I hate mushy asparagus so I will start my timer as soon as I turn the oven on.

Couscous is super simple too. If you can find whole wheat you are better off but I have to order mine on the internet. I order the plain stuff and use vegetable or chicken broth rather than water. Cook until boiling and then let stand with no heat for five minutes. I then add a little feta, kalamata olives, some more shredded basil and sliced grape tomatoes. The heat from the couscous softens up the other ingredients and makes the whole thing come together.

You may be looking at this thinking that it took a lot of prep and time but I think all told it took maybe 20 minutes to prep and cook the meal. I get about 20 minutes out of Maggie in the exer-saucer and cheesy poofs so it works out pretty well. The plus side is that Steve gets home and we get to all sit down to an awesome meal together before Maggie heads to bed.

Tomorrow night: Salsbury Steak, Broccoli and Farmhouse Brown and Wild Rice