Overwhelmed

April 25, 2012
Some days weeks I just get buried.

I feel like I'm getting buried alive.

Can't breathe.
Can't think.
Can't function.
Can't organize.
Can't plan.
Can't get out of bed.

I remind myself that I have to:
Get out of bed.
Get the kid to school.
Get to work.
Work.
Function.
DO NOT BREAKDOWN

© 2011 Annette Holland -
taken at the Boston Museum of Science Pompeii Exhibit
Rinse. Lather.Repeat.

Pin It

Menu Plan Monday: Frazzled

April 24, 2012
Sometimes the kids activities (softball games scheduled during when I usually cook dinner), my health (fatigue the last few days), and the general chaos of everyday life gets in the way of sticking to a schedule. Know what I mean?

So here it is Tuesday and I'm just getting around to menu planning. My son is constantly complaining that there is no food in the house. Funny, our cupboards aren't empty and neither are the fridge and freezer, despite my attempts at mimicking Old Mother Hubbard. But to him -- because there are no baked goods, no already cooked foods (I've gotten really good at portions for 4!), and nothing easier than ramen (which he may have actually gotten around to finally eating the last case) -- there's no food in the house. And yet, I am staring at a basket-full of apples that have sat there for a week. I digress.

Last night I just used the tilapia from last week's menu since one of the meals got replaced by chili cheese dogs. It was my daughter's birthday dinner. Yes, she wanted chili cheese dogs. And strawberries. But not together thank goodness!
Happy birthday! You're double-digits now
Monday: Tilapia
Tuesday: The Hunk offered to cook some of his milanesa if I made the rice and beans. I've been exhausted today. Joy has a game and likes subway and the always hungry teenager made spaghetti and sauce that was too spicy for his sister to eat  >:-(
Wednesday: I have an appointment with a trainer, so I'm probably just going to give the kids some money to go to Subway.
Thursday: White bean and chicken saute - I only need to buy the sausage.
Friday: Curried Turkey Cutlets with Dried Apricots
Saturday: Another game, more laundry, and begin packing. I think something in the crockpot will do, like chicken chili
Sunday: Leftovers, and if I am really good, I'll plan ahead, instead of two days behind.

What are some of your favorite springtime meals?



Pin It

5 Minute Zucchini Parmesan

April 19, 2012
2012-04-18 19.20.00Ok, it’s not really five minutes, but prep time is about 5 minutes and bake for 30 minutes, freeing you up to do something else, like knock out a blog post about 5-Minute Zucchini Parmesan (with salad).

5-minute Zucchini Parmesan

Ingredients
  • 3 or 4 zucchinis
  • 1 16 oz. jar pasta sauce
  • 1/2 cup shredded Parmesan cheese
  • 1/2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
Cooking Directions
  1. Heat oven to 375 degrees.
  2. Grease or use non-stick spray on 9x13 baking dish.
  3. Slice the zucchini, it doesn't matter how. Place in baking dish, covering bottom thoroughly.
  4. Pour the pasta sauce over the zucchini and stir to coat.
2012-04-18 19.32.27
Sprinkle cheese over mixture.
2012-04-18 20.23.34
Place in oven and bake for 30 minutes or until zucchini is tender.

Serve with salad.

Bon apetit!

Menu Plan Monday: A Day Late

April 17, 2012
Busy weekends mean .. I'm behind on everything I use the weekend to catch up on!!!!

But it was totally worth it.  Saturday I had a marvelous roadtrip with my daughter to Mission San Luis Obispo. She has a school report due on the missions and what better way than to take her there! We got a very late start, but on the way saw some awesome nature of the California Central Coast,

Route 154 vista stop

I found a spot I want to try camping at, and she seemed to have a good time at the Mission, the museum, and the church. Educational for me too. Catholics do things very differently!
Under the "Joy" bell

 Sunday was just as eventful with the Toyota Grand Prix in Long Beach. My ears are still ringing!


So, here we are, another week, another meal plan:
Monday: Leftovers from the weekend. I felt so gassy, I can't wait to get back to eating clean. But I hate the thought of wasting money, so .. eat up. Or go hungry in the case of my daughter.

Tuesday: I have a late night appointment, so the kids and Hunk will have to fend for themselves. I see either Carl's Jr. or Subway in their future.

Wednesday: Finally cooking again! Zuchinni Parmesan with salad. Quick and easy.

Thursday: Grilled Apple Chicken with sides

Friday: Pan Seared Tilapia

Saturday: Coconut Chicken with salad.

Sunday: leftovers or another salad. I think we will need the fiber to get through the past weekend. Oi!!

What's on your plate this week?


Pin It
Enhanced by Zemanta

Motivation

April 11, 2012
One of these days I'll stop using chronic back pain and anxiety as excuses for not getting fit.  That day is not today though.

My back is throbbing and will for the next day or so (because, you know, my menstrual cramps are more like contractions than regular abdominal cramping), and my hip just started screaming at me, and there's a headache brewing because I've been clenching my teeth again and not getting enough sleep, and come to think of it, my neck and shoulders are a little tight too....

So,  today is not the day I get motivated to exercise. Today is one of those days I try to get through without embarrassing myself or biting anyone's head off.

Chronic pain (and stress) can suck it. Pass the ibuprofen. And chocolate. Especially if you know what's good for you.

Pin It

Photo Friday: From My Window

April 6, 2012
This is the view I wish I had from my window.
See more window views at Photo Friday.

Pin It

Geek and Sundry

April 5, 2012
Geeks, fanboys, fan girls, and yours truly give a collective SQUEEE!!!!!!!! Everywhere!!!!

 
Nathan Fillion shows up AND they talk about Scott Sigler's new book. (I've been stalking following Scott since he was on podiobooks. His writing gets seriously scary!)

There are 5 segments to each show (from Tor.com):
  • The Flog
  •  — As in Felicia’s blog. Get it? It’s Felicia Day doing whatever Felicia Day feels like doing; everything from milking a cow, to operating a forklift, to flying on a trapeze! I’m looking forward to it, because Day is charming and totally game, and she seeks out stuff to do that — chances are — we’ve all wanted to try at some point. Total wish fulfillment.
  • Table Top
  •  — Produced by and starring Wil Wheaton, this show provides a novel look at table top RPGs as Wheaton and his celebrity geek friends sit around playing a different table top game each episode. This is a great idea for those (like me) who don’t know the first thing about RPGs. Rather than simply reviewing games, Wheaton and Co. will actually play a game so that the viewer can be drawn into the joys of tabletop gaming by seeing it in action. Also, it doesn’t hurt that it’ll provide a rotating cast of some of our favorite geeks.
  • Sword & Laser
  •  — Veronica Belmont and Tom Merritt produce and star in this video adaptation of their popular genre book review podcast (Sword = fantasy, Laser = sci-fi). I’m looking forward to this one, both for recommendations on new books to read, and because Veronica and Tom have great chemistry as hosts, and while podcasts aren’t my favorite format ever, I’d definitely be more inclined to enjoy Sword & Laser as a regular web series.
  • Written By a Kid
  •  — Produced by Kim Evey, Written By a Kid takes the Axe Cop formula one step further by creating live-action and animated shorts based on stories told by children aged four to nine, and as we all know, kids tell amazing stories. I can’t wait to see what the directors involved come up with!
  • Learning Town
  •  — Paul and Storm have what looks like a children’s show on the way called Learning Town. And that’s really all I know about it, because their trailer just had Paul and Storm standing against a white backdrop not really saying much. But it’s Paul and Storm. Doing a children’s show! This I’ve gotta see.
So yes, I subscribed. Now I just need to find time to schedule this into my wide-open schedule (</snark>)

Pin It
Enhanced by Zemanta

Wordless Wednesday: Back to Sleep

April 4, 2012

Menu Plan Monday: April Fool's

April 2, 2012
I kind of feel like one. An April Fool that is. Last week I winged it and didn't plan anything because the week was so busy. The result -- I cooked once, maybe twice and we ate out more than I like. But I think the leftovers from the last week and a half are gone!

I was in Texas stretching my social media wings this weekend and trying to jump back into things at home and work today. The best part of the weekend was spending some quality time with my son's godmother. We haven't seen in each other in over a decade!

I don't know how some of the mom bloggers do so much traveling and keep it together at home! Let alone keep up with chores and stuff -- but then, I only really have the weekend to do that. Almost makes me miss being a SAHM. Almost.


So, what am I planning this week?

Monday: grocery shopping for the rest of the week's meals and Costco pizza (you can't beat the price!) Tuesday: Teryaki Sirloin Steak with Spinach and Strawberry Salad
Wednesday: Sweet Potato and Chicken Stew (yes, a repeat from a few weeks ago, but I still haven't actually made it yet)
ThursdayChicken and Pasta Spinach Bake
Friday: -- edit -- Just found out my daughter's softball team is having a team dinner that night.
Saturday: Leftovers or (Vegetarian) Stuffed Peppers
Sunday:  Easter! Lamb and side veggies

What's on your plate this week?

Pin It
Back to Top