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!

 

It's Been A Good While...Playing Catch-Up: CHRISTMAS 2012

Holy cow! I can't believe it is already February 1....I've been putting off writing because it is hard to go through the holidays and birthdays and all of those special times without your +1. Now, however I think I'm up for it.

Christmas was a bit of a...well different than usual...spent some good quality time with the family the weekend before. This really helped to make being away from Justin during the Holidays a little easier.

Dad & I on the way to family Christmas

My new nephew letting out a BIG yawn!

Siblings having a good ol time!

Terra having fun with Noah

The boys TRYING to hide behind Ava! 

After the family festivities, I had to head back home because I was slotted to work Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. On Christmas Eve I came home to an awesome surprise on my door step from my wonderful husband. He got me a pretty purple Coach purse. I love it...all of it's amazing pockets and dividers are so awesome. And the best part of all...he spent some quality time deciding just which purse to get me! And, he even asked two of my good friends for their opinions. Now I've got to say, this meant the world to me...just knowing that he spent the time and put in the thought to weigh out pros and cons of different purses until he decided on the one he thought was perfect for me! That is probably what makes this gift so meaningful to me. I may have cried when we Face Timed on Christmas Eve...not so much because of the purse itself...but because we were both away from our families, we were away from each other, and his simple act of thoughtfulness really made my night.

Christmas Day, however, was not quite so wonderful... I got hit with a terrible flu bug or gastritis or...well, they really weren't 100% sure what it was...but it landed me in the hospital on Christmas morning. NOT exactly how I'd planned to spend Christmas. Lucky for me, I was released and my wonderful parents came to get me and took me home to nurse me back to health! I was back to normal in a few short days!