Way behind...need to catch up!

Wow! I' so behind! My last post was clear back in March...

APRIL Highlights:

In April we introduced a new furry member to our family. We purchased an English bulldog and named him Tank! He was so little when I went to pick him up! 

On our way home from the breeder! 

Tank & Maggie got along right away!

And he is probably the cutest sleeper EVER! 

MAY Highlights:

In May, Justin finally CAME HOME from AFGHANISTAN!!!! Whoop whoop! 

Our family fan club waiting for Justin too hurry up already!!!

Dad & I "patiently" waiting...

Waiting was the worst part...seeing him walk in and not being able to run to him....talk about restraint!

FIRST EMBRACE!!! 😂😍😘

I couldn't stop kissing him!

Hugs & handshakes all around!

I couldn't be happier!

I was completely ecstatic to have my man, the love of my life, home & back in my arms again!!! ❤️

Well that's a great place to end the "catching up" for now...June, July & August to come soon! 

Over halfway!

Just a quick update on the deployment countdown jars....There's finally more beads in the "days behind us" jar, than in the "days left to go" jar!! Yay! Over halfway done!

Spaghetti squash... Lasagna-ish?

So I've been trying to come up with a suitable healthy substitute for lasagna. (Lasagna happens to be one of Justin's favorites!) After doing a little online searching, I found that spaghetti squash might be a good sub for actual lasagna noodles...
So, I bought a spaghetti squash and baked it whole in the oven at 375 for an hour. I pulled it out, let it cool for about 15 minutes, cut it in half, spooned out the seeds, and then shredded it using a fork! It looks JUST like spaghetti! Hence the name! Lol! I then embarked on making a "white spaghetti lasagna" as follows:

I browned some chicken, spinach, onion, fresh garlic, and baby portabello mushrooms in a pan with a tbsp of extra virgin olive oil.

For my "sauce" I used plain nonfat Greek yogurt mixed with nonfat cottage cheese an Classico pesto.

Finally, I layered the squash "noodles" with the sauce and meat mixture. To top it all off, I added some part skim shredded mozzarella cheese, oregano, and basil. I tossed it back in the oven for 40 minutes... And it was actually really good! It had great flavor and was filling as well.

My brother (thank goodness for Sam being my guinea pig for all my new recipes) and I decided that next time, I should use more of the Greek yogurt sauce and maybe more chicken. I might also add some green peppers and zucchini. All in all, I'll be making this one again!

Passing the Time...Getting Healthy

So having a deployed husband... the time goes by very slowly. You find ways to fill the time; preferably filling the time with positive things. I've decided that I'm going to get back to the healthy fit person I was... before two blown knees and RN school. I've started researching healthy cooking, clean eating, and new workout routines... A few of the new healthy things I've found tried are below; I've got to say that since I've been eating better, I FEEL better in so many ways. I've had lots of friends and family ask how or what I've done, so I decided I'd share; enjoy!

Romaine, spinach, arugula and crab (or diced grilled chicken) with cucumber, cauliflower, portabello mushrooms, and broccoli. All sprinkled with parmesan cheese & a touch of fat free Caesar dressing.

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Cauliflower pizza crust with fresh garlic, oregano, and basil that I topped with tomato & pesto paste, portabellos, summer squash, green peppers, onion, zucchini, and extra lean ground beef. I through on some part skim mozzarella cheese just before eating. Found the recipe for the crust at http://www.eatingbirdfood.com/2012/09/healthy-pizza-with-a-cauliflower-crust/

Skinny Buffalo Chicken Wing Dip made with greek yogurt, canned chicken, Frank's Red Hot, and fat free ranch dressing toped with veggie shredded cheddar cheese.

Spinach stuffed mushrooms from +Skinnytaste Gina ....They're the BEST! I leave off the bacon in her recipe just because I'm not a big fan of bacon!

Homemade guacamole...I smushed an avocado, added some fresh diced onions and minced garlic with a splash of lime juice and some pepper to taste...so very delicious!

Made a turkey melt with Oroweat Whole Grain sandwich thins, cracked black pepper turkey breast, portabello mushrooms, and my home made quacamole. Through in a pinch of part-skim mozzarella cheese and italian seasoning.

So this is how I pass the time...experimenting with new and healthy foods! Not sure how Justin will like it when he gets home...but he'll just have to get used to the healthier versions of all the foods we used to eat! My next big adventure will be making a 'healthy' lasagna...looking into making vegetable noodles...

BIRTHDAYS

Our birthdays are less than a week apart...I sent Justin his birthday package long long ago way back before Christmas. I was worried the routes would close due to weather and he'd be unable to get his mail. However, on his birthday, we were able to talk quite a lot; which was completely fabulous!

Six days later on my birthday, we were unable to chat...duty called. I did manage to have a great weekend though...and I DID get to talk to him that weekend. I also got to spend the weekend with some great friends! They were also able to video with him through Face Time. So, everybody was happy! Here's the weekend photo re-cap!