Oatmeal

So I am in the camp of, "I ate too much oatmeal one summer and now hate the feeling of it in my mouth so I never eat it." LOL... I normally don't like oatmeal- the taste, the feeling of the slimy oats... you get the idea BUT I have finally found a way that I actually like it.

I know, I know.... can't i just make up my mind already? Well, for those of you, like me, who hate or at least strongly dislike oatmeal, try this tip:

eat it with berries!

Make it and sweeten it and then add berries on top of it. The tart berries make the sweet oatmeal taste perfect and the crispness of the berries makes it to where you can't taste the sticky stuff.

It is so good and when I am out of blackberries, I use frozen (but thawed out) raspberries. SOOOOOOO, if you normally don't like oatmeal, give this a try :)

Tonights dinner

I made the most incredible meal tonight! It was so easy and SO good! Carl and I loved it and it is pretty healthy. I made black bean tacos and Brazilian Lemonade.

Here are some pics of the finished product:

These are Carl's tacos... he cut up all the stuff we put on the tacos while I cooked

Here are my tacos- covered in lettuce, avocado, cilantro, and lime juice

Here are the AMAZING drinks along with the food

It was all so easy to make and VERY yummy... if you want to try them, here are the recipes:

Brazilian Lemonade:

http://www.ourbestbites.com/2008/05/brazilian-lemonade.html

Black beans:

http://www.ourbestbites.com/2008/07/quick-and-easy-black-beans.html

Belly pics

I thought that since it has been awhile since I posted some belly pictures, I would post some! Here are a few good ones of me and my growing belly!

p.s. just keep this in mind... I have gained about 2 pounds since my last visit BUT I am still -4 lbs since getting pregnant (but by looking at these you would never know it!)

Me around 3 months

Me at around 4 1/2 months... I think this is a good shot of my belly :)

Carl took it while I was getting ready one morning

BIG BELLY!!!! LOL

Miles must be growing fast, because it seems like my belly just appeared one morning and keeps growing everyday!

Phoenix part 2

We spent a few days with Shelb and Brian and had a blast hanging out and getting to know Mya. Here are some pics from those few days :)

Carl holding Mya for the first time

Mya flirting with Carl... she laughed so much for him!

So sweet!

Me holding Mya for the first time... she took her little nap on me :) so sweet

I only wish I would have taken more... I have been horrible about taking pics lately! I need to keep the camera out and start to take them all the time. Traveling went well and I was so glad to see everyone. Wish we could have stayed longer, but I'm glad we were able to go.

Trip to Phoenix

To sum up the last few months, Carl has been studying for a big test. He got a few months off to study and prepare for this big test and finally it has come to an end... he took his test 2 weeks ago but still had the rest of February off. Luckily we were able to use one of the weeks to go to Phoenix to visit family.

We stayed at Linley and Ike's house for a few days and then at Shelbie and Brian's house. It was SO fun! I loved spending time with family and getting to meet my new little niece. I thought I would share some of the pics from that great week!

Cooper snoozing

Cooper laying on the floor and Jez laying in Cooper's bed

Lin playing with Cooper

Carl snuggling Cooper

Me outside with the Jez... she, of course, sits right on my belly

A fun treat the doggies got after being good all day... they were just almost empty peanut butter containers. Don't worry... they weren't full :)

Cooper enjoying his snack

Napping on the couch

The doggies playing in the backyard

Carl telling Cooper to growl

Our trip to the doggie park!!

Can you see Jez? She was sniffing around behind us

Meeting other dogs

Cooper and Carl watching T.V.

This was as we were leaving to go stay with Shelb... Cooper followed us and jumped in the car

and then promptly sat in the drivers seat. He is so cute!!!

I think I will post another blog on our trip so I can show you our super cute pics of Mya!!

BOY OR GIRL?????

We went in today for another ultrasound and got to find out what we are having.....

A baby!!! Just kidding... but this is a great pic of our little one's face.. such a cute nose!!!

Our baby also adored the ultrasound tech and gave us the #1 sign... just putting up a finger right next to the cute face :)

Alright... we are having a BOY!!!! A little Miles Hunter Bryce due July 10th, 2011!!! We are so excited and can't wait to meet the little guy in 4 1/2 more months.

Pasta

So, I know I have been posting about food A LOT..... but just go with it. This is all about Pasta Salad (Thank you Lindsey!!). I normally do not like pasta salad, it is too creamy and oniony and gross but THIS pasta salad is so easy and so good!

Here is what you do:

This is all you need.... rotini, black beans (and/or kidney), corn, olives, green beans, Italian dressing, Italian seasoning, oregano, parsley

(you don't HAVE to have all of these, it is really easy to customize this to fit what you like. I have even made this with cherry tomatoes)

Start by boiling about a half a box of the pasta.

Open all the cans into a bowl. I usually cut the olives in half because I don't like a whole olive in each bite.

While the pasta is boiling, I make the sauce. I pour about half the bottle of Italian dressing into the bowl of veggies. I then add about 1 1/2 tsp of Italian seasoning and add a bit of Oregano (I taste it to see if I like it, then add more as necessary)

Drain the pasta and let it cool. When it is cool, add it to the veggies and mix.

Serve chilled. It gets better the longer you leave it. I would recommend waiting overnight, but I can't ever wait that long. I usually eat it as soon as it isn't hot anymore :)

I like to serve it with sunflower seeds on top because I like the extra crunch it gives, but Carl likes it plain.

Tips:

*Don't over cook the pasta. It needs to be aldente because the vinegar in the dressing is going to cook the pasta a little more each day and you don't want the pasta to be soggy.

*When you are adding the dressing, don't worry about it seeming to be too much. After you add the pasta, some of the dressing will be soaked up by the pasta.

*If you like more corn or don't like black beans then add more or take it out... this is YOUR pasta salad. Don't feel bad about using what you have and leaving out what you don't like.

I have made this 3 times in the last 2 months. It is so good and reminds me of summer. It is so easy to make and easy to serve... no heating up, just mix it and put it in a bowl. YUM! Also, you don't have to feel bad about eating it because it is mostly veggies!

I hope you give it a try and love it like I do!! (and thanks again Lindsey, I am so glad you showed me how to make this!)