Making Pasta

I love tomatoes. I love basil. I love pasta. I LOVE Italian food! So I am on a mission to learn real Italian cooking, fresh and homemade. I’ve learned a couple of tips from some real Italian chefs:

1. Boiling water is not as easy as you’d think when it comes to making good pasta. First off, add a lot of salt to your cooking water and not to your finished dish. The salt will thoroughly season the pasta. Also, do not rinse the pasta once drained, this will not only cool the pasta and rinse away the salt but it changes the starch in the pasta. Leave it hot!
2. Do not add olive oil to the cooking water (this can be added later). It causes the seasoning to slip right off. You shouldn’t have a problem with clumping if the water is at the right temperature and you continually stir the pasta.
3. Keep the boil rolling. Do not let it sit still in hot water, it needs to be frothing and stirred continuously.

 

More to come!

1 down, 2 to go

I have now finished the notorious first trimester. I had heard horror stories from friends and family about the symptoms of the first part of pregnancy. From throwing up to bed rest, I had feared the worst. But I made it through unscathed! I didn’t throw up once and only felt nauseous occasionally (and it was very manageable). Overall, I feel really good! My belly is starting to swell and I am starting to feel little nudges (mostly at night). Recently, we had the pleasure of listening to “Peanut’s” heart! It was a nice, strong beat and our little “Nugget” kept wiggling around during the exam, an active baby according to the midwife!

Let the second trimester begin! Yay!

Easter!

I love Easter. It’s quickly becoming one of my favorite celebrations. As a Christian, it follows one of the most solemn periods (Lent) and the darkest day in our religious calendar, Good Friday. In contrast, Easter is a time of joy, celebration, and new life. I think its religious symbolism is set perfectly in Spring. Spring is a season of growth, sun, and new life and follows the dark, cold, and wet season of Winter.

This Easter brings special significance to me and B: it is the beginning of my second trimester (the first trimester is the “risky” period of pregnancy where a miscarriage is most likely, whereas the second trimester holds a very small chance). New life! Also, this Easter, B and I are separating from our normal routine and attending church (something we’ve felt convicted to pursue). The Lord shall lead us!

And right now, all I can think about is Easter cupcakes…..mmmmmm

Appreciation

I have to write a little post about my mom. She doesn’t have a computer and has very little internet experience so I know the likelihood of her reading this is slime. BUT she is amazing. She has showered our Wee Drew with so many gifts already! She is literally the most generous, loving person I know! She is a wonderful Grandma to my nephews and will be a great Nana to our wee one. The sadness over her living 1600 miles away is made lighter by the fact that she is committed to us and would bend over backwards to see us and her grand baby as much as she can! She may even fly me out for a shopping spree. How awesome is that? Mom, I love you and our baby is lucky to have a Nana like you!

Making Top Ramen healthier

 I love Top Ramen but its sodium content has made me re-think it as a quick lunch option. Still, it’s super cheap, super easy to make, and can be modified in so many different ways! So here are some of my ideas in making it a healthier lunch option:

1. Use your own seasoning! Those seasoning packets are what holds all that unnecessary sodium. I like to do 1/3 of the included packet, some black pepper, garlic pepper, and chili pepper.

2. Crack an egg while the noodles are boiling. This adds protein and the egg will set in the same cooking time as the noodles.

3. Add some steamed broccoli florets (or any favorite vegetable). I love me some broccoli!

4. Use only the noodles. I like to make teriyaki chicken with veggies and throw them in a bowl with the Ramen noodles (no water). Yum!

5. Add some shredded cooked chicken

Most importantly, use your resources wisely and effectively, however you see fit!

Baby, I’m amazed by you

I can’t express how amazed I am by this pregnancy. “Peanut” (as B and I refer to the baby) is about 8 weeks now. Development includes:

“The arms and legs continue to develop – These limbs are stretching out more and more. The pituitary gland is also forming and the embryo is beginning to grow muscle fibers. The heart has divided into the right and left chambers and is beating about 150 beats a minute which is about twice the rate of an adult. The baby’s facial features are visible, including a mouth and tongue. The eyes have a retina and lens. The major muscle system is developed, and the baby starts to practice moving.”

(Source: http://www.baby2see.com/development/week8.html)

As for me, I am doing well! I am tired all day and only have slight, occasional nausea. I always thought that I would be sicker than sick during my first trimester (following example from my mom) but I’ve actually gained 4 pounds…grumble.

 It’s amazing and totally weird at the same time!

And Then There Were Three

It was a Saturday in February when we decided to start trying for a  baby. “It’ll take a few months” I told B, really thinking that it might take up to a year (and secretly fearing that I was infertile). And then my always on-time period was late. We drove to Target and got the essentials: ice cream and a home pregnancy test.  It was positive! So here we are, two becoming three! Our Wee Drew is due on November 3rd and we’ve had the pleasure of seeing his/her heart beating through an ultrasound..a good, strong beat! We decided not to wait for the second trimester to announce our news because we feel like we have such a supportive community of loved ones (both family and friends). We know that if a miscarriage happens, we’ll have the love and support of all around. And we really believe that those who would rejoice with us, would mourn also with us (if that should happen). But we are optimistic and have replaced the fear of the unknown with the joy of the known, our baby!

So far, I’ve been feeling ok! My symptoms are mild and include exhaustion, sore, sore boobs, and occasional queasiness (usually only when my stomach is empty).  B is over the moon with excitement and very supportive as is our family and friends! We are very blessed! Pregnancy is amazing in that it is so very common and yet so very miraculous. I still can’t fathom that there is a new life growing inside me, a life that has its own heart, brain, organs, and circulatory system! Amazing! I am so honored to carry this new life!