Home Run!

WOW, I hadn't realized it had been this long since I posted.  A very big sorry.  Right now "dinner" is a dirty word around here.  I make a meal plan, buy the groceries and then can't make myself make the stuff I planned.  Really bizzarre I know but I am pregnant.  Tonight was no exception.  I googled simple dinner meals.  It pulled up a site called Moms Who Think.  They have 8 weeks of simple meal plans all layed out for you.  I surfed around their site for a few minutes when I came upon this recipe  Parmesan Dijon Chicken.  It was super fast and simple to put together and I had all the ingredients.  With the chicken in the oven I was trying to figure out what to serve with it (besides the broccoli, which ended up being slimy so I couldn't use it).
I had made Rice and Mulligan for breakfast and had some left over rice.  So I put on my experiment hat and went to work.
 Garlic Dijon Rice Pilaf
2-3 tbsp  Olive oil
1/3 cup diced onion
2 cloves minced garlic
2 cups cooked rice
1-2 tsp dijon mustard
1/3 cup parmesan cheese
salt and pepper to taste.
Put oil in 10 inch skillet to heat up, add onions and saute for 4-5 minutes.  Add garlic and saute for about 30 seconds (garlic burns fast).  Add rice and stir around for about 5-7 minutes until it is all heated through.  Add dijon mustard and salt'n'pepper stir it all in.  Remove from heat and sprinkle the parmesan cheese on top.  Cover and let the cheese melt on top.

This picture was snapped quickly before the last piece disappeared!!!

 (Yep that is today's mail sitting on the counter while we ate, don't judge please :) )

Both items were a complete hit!  The kids ate without complaining and Lance ate 2 1/2 pieces.  The 3 piece he had to split in half with Lainey.  Lilly loved the rice and ate everything without a fight.  All in all it was a home run!!  Both items have been requested to appear on the table again.  Best part was that it was on the table start to finish in 40 minutes!

Being a Mom

Sometimes life of a mom is hard.  Very rewarding but hard.  So I have a 5 year old who doesn't like to go to bed.  She gets that from her dad's side of the family.  She started Kindergarten today and is so excited to go back tomorrow.  She often has a hard time falling asleep.  Sound familiar???  I have recently been through a 2+ year illness that turned me towards homeopathic remedies.  5 Doctors and no results, whats a girl to do?  I love essential oils.  I am building a collection of them 1 or 2 at a time because they are expensive.  I have recently purchased lavender oil.  HOLY COW, I love that stuff.  Here enters the first part of this post.  Above 5 year old has a hard time falling asleep.  Mix 1 drop in with some coconut oil or unscented lotion and give them a foot rub.  I have done this 3 times in the last 2 weeks and within 10 minutes of each foot rub I have a sleeping 5 year old. 
I use doTerra, I know there are several reputable brands out there of oils, but this is what I use.  Miracle in a bottle.  Give it a try and see who falls asleep faster the parent with it on their hands or the kid with it on their feet.

MMM..... Zucchini Bread

Its that time of year when all of us who planted a garden are harvesting zucchini the size of baseball bats, well assuming the gophers didn't eat your whole garden.  That is a story for another day.  If you didn't plant any I am sure those that planted some are trying to pawn some off on you.  I would suggest locking your car doors at church to prevent such items being left in your car.  I have my grandparents supplying me right now.  You will notice in the picture that some of this is in muffin pans.  After my EUREKA moment that you can read about here.  I have been trying to come up with breakfast items I can stick in the freezer for later breakfasts when cereal won't do.  So I have been doing half in a loaf and 1/2 in muffins that I am freezing. (Thanks for the idea Kristen)
I am sure everybody has the perfect recipe, I am here to tell you, YOU DON"T!! 

I have tried multiple recipes in the past until I found this one.  It is so moist and the perfect amount of sweet.  I LOVE cinnamon.  Like I want to marry it, okay I don't but you get the idea.  This recipe calls for a lot of cinnamon.  I got the original recipe here at allrecipes.com.  Make it her way or try my slightly more nutritious version.
Zucchini Bread

3 eggs
1/2 cup applesauce
1/2 cup vegetable oil
1-1 1/4 cups white sugar
2 cups grated zucchini
2 tsps vanilla
3 cups flour
3 tsp ground cinnamon
dash of nutmeg
1/4 tsp baking powder
1 tsp baking soda
1 tsp salt
1/2 cup chopped nuts (optional)
Preheat oven to 325.  Grease 2 8x4 inch loaf pans.  In a large bowl beat eggs until light an frothy.  Mix in oil, applesauce, and sugar.  Stir in zucchini and vanilla.  Combine all dry ingredients in a separate bowl.  Mix into egg mixture and stir until combined.  Divide batter into prepared pans and bake for 60-70 minutes.