Pinterest Success

 I thought I'd share my success story today with pinterest.  Everytime I search for a recipe it has to look good in the pictures for me to try it, that's usually why I pin it into my "recipes to try board". But sometimes when I'm finished trying a recipe it doesn't look like the beautiful picture I pinned.

Like my attempt at the BEST BIG, FAT, CHEWY Chocolate Chip Cookie. I was really craving a nice chewy, gooey cookie. 

Original picture looks good, but who knows if it's really the cookie picture from this recipe? 

My attempt at the BEST BIG, FAT CHEWY Chocolate Chip Cookie!

My picture-nothing like the original. The complete opposite of BIG, FAT, and CHEWY.  The worst part was I couldn't even eat them warm because they were cooked to the pan!  I don't know what went wrong? But I really can make cookies, just not big, fat, chewy gooey chocolate chipy ones. (if you have a good big fat chewy chocolate chip recipe that works for you please share with me, I crave them often)

But today was my success. These little zucchini bites were a delight.  Give them a try.  I used the mini muffins tins like the recipe said, but you could easily use regular sized muffin tins because I ate 7 of the mini bites at once. Mmm good.

Original recipe found here at The Curious Country Cook.

I modified the recipe a little bit to my liking.

Zucchini Bites 

My picture

(they kinda look like the original picture too)

yields: 12-15 mini muffins

1 cups zucchini, grated
2 eggs (original called for 1)
1/4 yellow onion, diced
1/4 cup cheese (cheddar or Parmesan work the best, I used cheddar)
1/4 cup bread crumbs 
1/4 cup cooked diced ham (original didn't add ham, I had leftover so I threw it in)
1 tsp garlic salt
Pepper

1. Preheat oven to 400F. Spray a mini-muffin tin with non-stick spray, set aside.
2. Grate the zucchini and then place in a dish towel to squeeze out the excess water- like when using frozen spinach; if you skip this part, the middle of the zucchini tots will be really soggy while the outside gets crispy and no one wants that.
3. In a bowl combine, the eggs, onion, cheese, bread crumbs, zucchini, ham, garlic salt and pepper.
4. Using a spoon or a cookie scoop, fill the muffin cups to the top. Bake for 15-18 minutes, or until the top is browned and set.


Do you have any pinterest success recipes that I need to try? Please share! And don't forget your chocolate chip recipe too! Thanks. 

Say Cheese

It's about time I join the mom club and do what a mom does best, brag about her kids :) So let me get at it! Porter is such a good baby and he's soooo cute! Don't believe me, here's the proof.

My attempt at being a photographer with my phone.

(I love his little tie that my cousin made. Check out her shop of baby accessories, they are all adorable.)

And that's why I leave it up to the professionals.

pssst... he's even cuter in person cause you can kiss his cheeks. Just ask his grandmas.

Porter's Birth Story

I have meant to blog about Porter Lee Sycamore but we've been busy having fun.

Just a warning this is a long post, but then again I had a looong labor. If you don’t want to read all about the birth here’s a summary. I birthed the cutest little boy, the end!

The story begins of me imagining what labor will be like. I thought my labor would be long because I was being induced, but I also thought that it would be pain free because of the epidural. I imagined I would be sitting in the bed laughing, playing games with Ben and just waiting until they told me to push. Ha, this wasn't how it went at all.

March 19. It began at 7:00 am when I got a call from the hospital saying it was time for me to come in and be induced. Earlier that morning I started having regular contractions and was hoping I would just go into labor on my own, but no. We got set up in our labor room at about 8:30 and here we waited, and waited and waited for progress. My Dr. didn't start me off with pitocin, but with a pill they inserted to help me dilate. She also broke my water at this point. Some of the water had a small hint of green which means there could be a chance of meconium (stool in the amniotic fluid). They didn't act like it was a big deal but they would have the NICU team come in and evaluate that baby right when I had him. So the pill they inserted worked well and I dilated from a 1 to a 6 in about 4 hours. I think somewhere around a 5 I had experienced enough of the contractions and didn't want to feel the pain progress. I also knew that once they started the pit the contractions would get stronger and harder. I rang my anesthesiologist and he gave me the epidural. After about 30 minutes I couldn't feel my legs AT ALL and the pain had gone away. At this point I am happy, pain free, and content with my tigers blood flavored ice chips (this is all I was allowed to eat. I asked the nurse if I could just have a little chocolate, but my wish wasn't granted. I even tried to have Ben sneak me food that we had brought, but he wouldn't! I lived but seriously I was hungry and that's one of the first things I wanted after delivery.)

Ok so back to being dilated to a 6. I stayed here for another 3 hours with no progress, and this is when they decided to give me pitocin. I continued to progress at about 1 cm per 2 hours. At some point probably around an 8 I started feeling the contractions again, and I didn't like it. My pain free birth wasn't happening. I called in the anesthesiologist again, again, and again to come give me more but it didn't really help. The epidural was really spotty. I would turn one way and would start to feel contractions on one side and then I would turn to the other side and I would start to feel them in a different area. I remember repeating over and over to Ben, “this is the worst.” I hadn't really gone over any breathing techniques, because I was going to have an epidural! But I soon learned how to control my breathing and tried not to focus on the contractions. Ben was there the whole time telling me to breath (kinda like a yoga instructor would) and he had to fan my face for a good 2 hours ha ha. I knew his hand was getting tired because he would switch fan hands often. He was the best, except for not sneaking me food J.

I wanted all of it to just be over and kept calling in the nurse to have her check my progress, I had to be a 10 by now! But still I wasn't there. This goes on for a long time and finally at about 2:00 am the next day, March 20^th, I was at a 10 and I pushed that little baby out.

Once I started to push, I couldn't feel the contractions or maybe my mind wasn't focusing on them but either way I was happy for this. After about 30 minutes of pushing our little guy was here! I heard a little cry, my doctor showed him to me, and then the NICU team took him to the other side of the room. They were making sure he didn't swallow any meconium. He was really white and his cry wasn't as high pitched compared to other babies. This was a concern and they took him to the NICU and there he stayed.

All I wanted to do was hold my baby. And what about skin to skin!?!? I had just given birth but had no baby by my side to cuddle with. I wouldn't be the first one to change his diaper or be there to calm his crying. I wanted to mother my little boy and he wasn't in my reach. It was a hard night. I didn't want to talk about with other people either because that just brought on the tears.

But I wouldn't have wanted him in any other place but in the NICU. He was cared for and watched over by experienced and wonderful doctors and nurses. And I'm very very grateful for modern medicine and the things they can do to save babies.

Fortunately he wasn't in the NICU for too long. Here is a time line of how Porter progressed while in the hospital.

Day 1-Porter was put on a CPAP machine to help him with his breathing. We called it his elephant trunk. They tried taking him off of the machine multiple times through out the night but he wasn't able to breath regularly on his own. Ben and I were able to hold him!

As you can see in the picture he was hooked up to so many different monitors and had an IV as well.

Day 2-He got an injection of surfactant (stuff that coats our lungs so we can breath) and within 24 hours he was breathing on room air. They placed a feeding tube down his nose and fed him my hard pumped colostrum, liquid gold as they call it (and pumping was a whole different story, I can laugh about it now). After he was able to breath on his own they had to see how his breathing was when I tried to nurse.

Day 3- I was able to feed him 3 times a day and each time Porter did fine. I was discharged from the hospital and again one of the hardest things I've had to do is leave the hospital without my little boy. It was heart breaking and very emotional. We stayed at the hospital until 11:00 pm that night and the next morning I was up and ready to see him at 8:00 am. I didn’t want to leave him there.

You can see his feeding tube.

Day 4- They increased his feedings to feeding on demand. They took out his IV and feeding tube!! On the floor of the NICU they have rooms for parents to stay and Ben and I stayed there that night. The nurses would call me whenever Porter was up and ready to eat and I would go feed him. If he ate well then it looked very hopeful that we would be coming home the next day.Day 5-Porter leaves the NICU!It was such a relief to be able to come home with Porter. No more wires and monitors. No more blood sugar pokes on his heels, no more diaper free nights, he is all ours now!

I know there are many parents who have had to watch their little baby from a far in the NICU and my heart goes out to you. It's not very fun. I know that because of many heart felt prayers and the power of the priesthood, Porter recovered so quickly and was able to come home.

Overall, I had a great experience at Utah Valley Regional Medical Center and I was treated like a queen as I recovered. Porter was given extra attention and he's home and doing well. Porter is home bound until June and my trips to take out the trash have been as far as I’ve ventured some days. Also I've noticed my momma bear instincts have kicked in because I'm very protective over who is admitted into the house so don’t get offended if I don’t let you in. Also another lesson learned is to not let your doctor let you go over due. Mecinium aspiration is more common in overdue births and this wasn’t something I was aware of.

Porter is such a sweet baby and he is doing great! He has gained 9 oz in just 2 weeks and the doc said his lungs sound normal. I love being a mom! His little character shows through more and more each day. I just look at him and am amazed that he is mine to care and look after. There is nothing more precious than to have a little baby!

Happy Registered Dietitian Day!

In celebration of the holiday I thought I would share a nutrition article found here.

Also a baby update: he's still not here, the end.

Which foods are best? Surprising nutrition facts

By Sharon Palmer, R.D., Environmental Nutrition Newsletter Premium Health News Service

March 14, 2012

These days, we're on nutrition information overload. Food and diet news is everywhere, from magazines to talk shows to websites. To find valid nutrition information, look for reputable magazines and websites with articles written by credible nutrition experts, such as registered dietitians, who carry the professional suffix "R.D." behind their names.

Be cautious of consumer websites that have products to sell (websites ending with ".com"); instead use reliable sites sponsored by government organizations (those ending with ".gov"), universities (sites ending with ".edu"), and evidence-based health organizations (sites ending with ".org").

Steer clear of misinformation. As the Internet becomes a more popular source of nutrition information, you need to be more vigilant about the reliability of the advice.

"There is less editorial oversight when it comes to the content found on websites and blogs, which leaves room for the spread of misinformation about nutrition and health," says Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics spokesperson Jeannie Gazzinga-Moloo, Ph.D., R.D.

EN consulted with our panel of nutrition experts to bring you truth on some common nutrition misperceptions:

1. A gluten-free diet is not a weight-loss diet, reports Barbara Ruhs, M.S., R.D., dietitian for an Arizona-based supermarket chain. Gluten-free foods aren't always nutrient-rich, calorie-wise choices, and there's no evidence a gluten-free diet offers any weight loss--or health--benefits, unless you have a confirmed diagnosis of celiac disease, gluten sensitivity, or wheat allergy.

2. You can get good sources of vitamin C in surprising places, like potatoes. According to Sylvia Geiger, M.S., R.D., a Vermont-based nutrition consultant, most people link vitamin C with citrus, but potatoes are also high, containing 48 percent DV (Daily Value, based on 2,000 calories/day) in one large potato. You can also get more than 10 percent DV from these vegetables: asparagus, avocado, broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower, kale, lettuce, peas, peppers, pumpkin, radishes, squash, and tomatoes.

3. Sardines and herring are high in omega-3s, too. Sure, salmon is a well-recognized source of omega-3 fatty acids, but there are much smaller fish to fry when it comes to omega-3 content. According to Geiger, sardines and herring are not only rich in omega-3s, they also contain vitamin D and calcium (if eaten with their soft bones.)

4. Organic foods aren't necessarily healthy, reports Lisa Sisson, M.M., R.D., assistant professor, Grand Valley State University, Mich. The organic label means that the food meets the U.S. Department of Agriculture's standards for organic production, that is, without most synthetic fertilizers, pesticides, growth hormones, antibiotics, and genetically engineered ingredients. But this doesn't mean organic jelly beans are any less a junk food than regular jelly beans.

5. Herbs and spices are good sources of antioxidants, according to Ruhs. Many people associate antioxidants with foods like berries, nuts and tomatoes, but herbs and spices also are concentrated sources of these compounds. Include them in your every-day recipes to significantly increase your intake of disease-protective antioxidants.

6. Low-fat does not always equal healthy. Geiger reports that many people believe low-fat snacks such as pretzels are one of the healthiest choices. But pretzels are made mostly of white flour, topped with crystals of salt; you're better off eating nutrient-rich snacks like nuts, fruit or yogurt.

7. Lots of surprising foods, such as bread and cereal, can be high in sodium. Ruhs reports that people may know that processed foods, such as snack foods, canned soups, and cold cuts, can be high in sodium, but they may not be aware that other foods are, too. Bread can contain up to 400 milligrams (mg,) ready-to-eat cereals up to 230 mg, and salsa up to 310 mg per serving.

8. Sugar does not produce ADD in kids. You can't blame sugar for attention deficit disorder, says Sisson; there's simply no scientific evidence to support it. But it's true that you should watch your sugar intake, because eating too much has been linked with weight gain, obesity and metabolic disorders. The American Heart Association recommends cutting down to no more than six teaspoons of added sugar per day for women and nine teaspoons for men.

9. Eggs don't raise cholesterol levels as much as saturated fat does. Eggs are a nutrient-rich protein source that also furnishes the important eye health nutrient, lutein. There's more scientific evidence pointing to saturated fats, found in animal and dairy foods, such as hamburgers and whole milk, as the culprit behind higher blood cholesterol than for eggs. "Eggs get a bad rap," says Joy Blakeslee, R.D., a Seattle-based culinary and nutrition communications expert. "The fact that eggs raise heart disease risk is disputable."

10. Popcorn is a whole grain. Call upon this crunchy, low-calorie, satisfying snack as an ideal way to rack up one of your three daily suggested servings of whole grains, recommends Sisson. Just remember that if you choose popcorns that contains large amounts of added saturated or trans fats--or worse yet, dive into movie popcorn--you'll quickly diminish the benefits of eating more whole grains.

11. Processed foods provide more salt than the salt shaker. Geiger reports that people often focus on shunning the salt shaker at the table, but only 10 percent of our salt intake comes from this source--the lion's share is from prepared and processed foods, such as restaurant meals, canned soups, processed meats, and side dish mixes.

12. Fresh produce is not always best. Preserved fruits and veggies-- canned, frozen, or dried--can be just as healthy as fresh, according to Deanna Segrave-Daly, R.D., L.D.N, a nutrition communications expert based in Philadelphia. Compared with off-season fresh produce that's picked green and shipped for long distances, preserved fruits and vegetables (but without added sugar or salt) can be a better choice.

13. Greek yogurt does not contain as much calcium as regular yogurt. The country's going through a Greek yogurt craze, but Geiger reports you might be surprised to know that, while it's higher in protein, a six-ounce carton of Greek yogurt contains only 20 percent DV of calcium, compared with 50 percent DV of calcium in traditional yogurt (depending on the brand.) Although Greek yogurt, which goes through a straining process that produces a thick, tangy yogurt, is a healthy, whole food, this may be a concern if you're relying on it to furnish your daily calcium requirement.

14. Fruits and veggies can contribute to your daily fluid intake. It's important to drink enough water every day, but did you know you're "drinking water" in every bite of produce? Some are particularly high sources, according to Blakeslee. Apricots, berries, cantaloupe, oranges, peaches, pineapple, watermelon, broccoli, carrots, cauliflower, celery, cucumber, eggplant, and lettuce consist of at least 85 percent water.

15. Farm-raised fish can be an eco-friendly choice, according to Segrave-Daly. With demand for omega-3 rich seafood on the rise, some experts believe that sustainable aquaculture--the farming of aquatic organisms such as fish and crustaceans done in an environmentally sustainable fashion, may be a practical step in feeding the world's population.

Frozen yogurt

Our year and a half of FREE frozen yogurt came to an end January 1st. (post on how we got the Free yogurt here) It was sad, but it's ok. I have a solution*.

Nothing but good came about the yogurt freeness! We had 105 free yogurt cards and could go get yogurt whenever we wanted and share with anyone we wanted. We could fill up our bowls, as high as we wanted with as many toppings and yogurt. There was no limit! We became really good at our yogurt technique and placement of toppings to get in everything you wanted. And it seemed like every time I went I would get a random bowl of everything because I could!

I really like the sour gummi worms, but when they get mixed in with the yogurt they become rock hard worms. I soon learned to put them on the very top, over the fruit and right when I sat down to eat, I would take them off the top and put them on my napkin for later, thus preventing the rock hardness I dislike.

My only disappointment is my favorite flavor I ever had there only came once. I would call weekly after I discovered the strawberry lemonade flavor, in hopes of it being featured again. It NEVER was! I even talked with the lady who ordered the flavors and she said she would try to get it in. I thought after a few months of me calling weekly they would get it in, but it never came back. It was soooooo good.

I wish we would have gotten a picture of everyone we shared the yogurt passes with, but here are a few I dug up. Thank you Earth Fruits Yogurt for making camping outside in a tent worth it! I would do that again, any time, any place! If you want to take this as a challenge and offer free yogurt again, I'd be first in line :)

My record weight! 1.47 LBS!! I probably took some home :)

*SOLUTION:Have your own self serve ice cream/yogurt maker!! (Birthday present from Ben, he knows me too well!). I'll be experimenting with all sorts of flavors in this, even strawberry lemonade, mmm!

Space

I need more space (not like my bubble space but actual storage)!! Getting ready for the baby has challenged our space capacity and my ability to just let it go! We don't have a storage closet (0, zero, none) but we have tried to make do until, who knows when?

Solution #1, bins. Lots of bins, stacked really high! Not my favorite solution in the world but I'll live with this temporarily. Yes Ben, temporarily :)

Solution #2, trash it. Ben is really good at throwing things away. I'm one of those, "But what if we need it some day?" people. My rule of thumb was if I hadn't used it within the year, toss it. I think I did a good job. I have thrown out more than I ever have in the past 5 years.

Solution #3 Get a HUGE comfy, soft, reclining, rocking chair for your birthday to take up all the space you just cleared!

I think we're going to become really tight!

My belly storage is reaching it's capacity as well! Just when I think it can't get any bigger, it does! 2 weeks to go!!

Anyone have any storage secrets?

Grandma Sycamore..

..is the Sycamore's choice of bread, but it isn't sold in California. So, when we go, we MUST bring bread!!! Ben's uncle started Grandma Sycamore's bread and I guess since then the Sycamore's can't get enough of it!

The first time Ben told me we had to get some bread to take with us I was thinking, 2 or 3 loaves. I soon learned that 2 loaves is devoured quicker than it takes to assemble a wiggle car*. So we stock up.

Thanksgiving 2010: 1st bread run =19 loaves

Christmas 2011: 2nd bread run=25 loaves

The people in the stores, must think I'm big into food storage or have 38 hungry ducks to feed. Either way I don't mind. Our whole back seat was full of wiggle cars* and bread! The California fruit police didn't even question our delivery and let us right on through.

Maybe we should think about making this delivery service into a business? It's a hit with our family!

*Wiggle car: they're a hit with kids and only take 10 minutes to assemble