Holiday Eats & Treats

Baby Boy is a month old today. One Month. Time is flying already and veteran moms I'm sure you'll tell me it will only go faster from here on out...

We've got family coming to town next weekend to visit and see TV3. So excited. Our already tiny NYC apt will be bursting at the seams. To make things easier we'll be ordering in some platters of food or using the slow cooker for our holiday meals. Even with baby brain I think ordering in is the best idea I've had in a while!

Perhaps ordering in is not in the cards for you and you're searching for some new recipes to compliment your tried and true family holiday favorites. A great resource fell into my lap this morning by way of Facebook. Side note - is there nothing better than the booking of the face on a lazy Saturday morning??? Anyway, My First Playhouse linked to the flickr account for some great recipes. There's a delicious looking strawberry smoothie in glasses edged with crushed candy canes. YUM.

Hope this helps add some new ideas to your holiday meals!

xo,

Michelle

Myself - Plus 1

TV3 heard something about food and showed up here...

I had a great experience during our hospital stay, but we were at the #1 hospital here in NYC. I was discharged after 3 nights but little man had to spend some extra time getting bigger and if you can believe it, learning to eat. I can assure you now at 3weeks old he's got the eating thing down.
After being discharged I went to visit TV3 and was promptly told by one particular nurse to go home, put my feet up, drink some wine and get some rest. Amazing advice is amazing.
I really disliked cooking during my pregnancy so getting back in the kitchen has really felt good this last week. Somewhere in between all things baby and mommy nap time, cooking has made me feel like myself again.

Yumma eggs over well

I love little tomatoes- makes cutting so manageable and they are a quick snack to munch on too

Grilled chicken - I know we had a bit of a long break there, glad to see you back on my grill pan

I did not cook this. Oh my no. This is a plate of take-out from Dinosaur BBQ. Friends came to meet baby boy and came bearing gifts in the form of pulled pork, ribs, chicken, mac & cheese and cornbread. Delicious. THANK YOU!!!

xo,

Michelle

Thankful

Look who decided to join us 6 weeks early?!

I think he just wanted some Turkey.

Thomas Vincent the Third, TV3, was born 11/17/11. 5lbs6oz. 17.7 inches
1 week in the NICU helped him learn to eat properly. Considering how much mom and dad like to eat we find this a little funny.
He came home on Thanksgiving and we couldn't be happier with our new little family.
We may have had a plan, but God obviously had a better one that included TV3's arrival in November!! We are so blessed.

Twitter friends thank you for all your love & friendship.
Your support, prayers and laughs have helped us so so much.

Here's to an amazing holiday season for you and yours...

xo,

Michelle

Pickles

Oh.

Yes it would seem I've become the cliche pregnant girl eating pickles.
When paired with a little low-fat cheese it is a low carb snack that is on my approved list of foods to help manage my gestational diabetes. Pickles, olives, nuts & seeds: more please!

"Pancakes" is NOT the size of a Pickle, but, according to my what to expect when you're expecting app, a Pineapple. Grow baby grow!!

Be well friends.

xo,

Michelle

Oh October

So many sweet things in October.

Apples, tomatoes and spun maple sugar from the Columbia Univ Greenmarket
where we like to spend our Sundays after brunch

Somebody had a birthday - pink & blue candles on the daddy to be's cake

Hot apple cider & pumpkin muffin from DD. Delicious.

More Greenmarket goodies. This time in Inwood. Apple Cider donuts, apples & granola.

Hope you Fall has been full of sweet things!

xo,

Michelle

Auntie Anne's - At Home

How long has this been around? My favorite mall food available at home?! Yes please!

xo,

Michelle

What Pancakes Wants

Pancakes wanted us to have pizza tonite for dinner.

Just like the Friday before Hurricane Irene hit (or didn't depending on how you viewed the storm here in NYC) when Pancakes wanted us to have cupcakes from Magnolia Bakery.

$20 worth of cupcakes folks...worth every penny

I really am eating healthy - craving fruit and veggies!! - but when these moments of "omg I want pizza and/or cupcakes" I wouldn't dare deny Pancakes :)

Today feels like Fall here in NYC...beautiful. You'll be here soon little one!!

xo,

Michelle

Feasting on Apps

Sorry to those of you looking for something along the lines of pigs in a blanket, this is not the post for you. We're talking about iPhone Apps here my friends.

Finally said buh-bye to my BlackBerry and got in iPhone this summer. I'm in love. A month later I've finally got the hang of the touchscreen and what not.

Getting fun, free/nearly free apps is the highlight of the phone for me. I love them. Here are some food related apps I think you'll enjoy. While I've linked to the iTunes store many of these apps have a Droid app which you can find on their main website, also linked here.

UrbanSpoon
Cost: Free! Category: Travel
Web: UrbanSpoon.com
Pick the neighborhood, cuisine and price point you'd like, shake your iPhone and ta-da UrbanSpoon has found you a restaurant

Open Table
Cost: Free! Category: Travel
Web: OpenTable.com
Make instant reservations at over 15,000 OpenTable-enabled restaurants in the United States, Canada, and United Kingdom. Earn points each time you make a res. which can be redeemed for a dining coupon.

Epicurious Recipes & Shopping List
Cost: Free! Category: Lifestyle
Web: Epicurious.com
Browse through the extensive list of recipes. Sort by meal, cuisine, main ingredient as well as other choices. Create a shopping list based on the recipe. Save favorite recipes from app and website.

Grocery Store IQ
Cost: Free! Category: Lifestyle
Web: GroceryStoreIQ.com
This amazes me. Scan the barcode of grocery store items and this app will find it in their system and add it to a shopping list. You can email the shopping list to yourself or I don't know, your husband perhaps :) ? I want to go all around my kitchen and scan everything! No more forgotten items because I left my list on the coffee table.

Fooducate
Cost: Free! Category: Lifestyle & Fitness
Web: Fooducate.com
Just downloaded this today and I can tell it will be Life.Changing.
Fooducate uses the same barcode scanning technology (amazing!) as Grocery Store IQ but goes a step further. It gives you a letter rating of the item (A, B+, C-, etc) and calorie information. Then, the best part!!!, alternatives and an option to compare items. So for example my regular box of pasta got a B+ rating so my alternatives were whole wheat options rated As. Reminds me of the book Eat This, Not That...

Grocery IQ & Fooducate obviously require a little bit of time to get started and while you're grocery shopping. For me, the scanning part is so fun I don't mind the added time. I think I'll love grocery shopping even more with these 2 apps.

Got any favorite apps to share?

xo,

Michelle

Oh hi September

Did today sneak up on you? Summer flew by and here we are. I say that every year, but really it FLEW this year.
So here we are September.

These leaves wont be green for long!

I'm excited for...leaves changing color, wearing my awesome maternity jeans, cooler air in the mornings, school supplies & the routine of the 8-3 job returning, college football,
cider donuts - we have to go apple picking again if for no other reason then to get donuts,
and Little Sister's wedding in late November in Fort Worth. Yaaay!

Happy back to school to my fellow teachers! And thank you for all your congrats.

xo,

Michelle

Announcement: Pancakes

Oh Hi.
Family & dear friends have been told the good news.
I've been offered a seat on the subway.
So now it's finally time for a blog post.

love


So I'm pregnant! "Pancakes" is due 12/26. For those of you good with the calendar you've figured out that I'm around 22 weeks. It's great to watch the days click away on Christmas countdowns and know that's also a countdown for Pancakes.

As someone who loves food and cooking so much my first trimester was a pain. I hated food, mostly dinner. In fact for most of June my dinner was Pinkberry. My doctor is amazing and easy going so this didn't bother her one bit. I've craved some foods I've always loved (like BLTs) and had aversions to some of my typically favorite foods (chicken and just about everything Italian). Water and Odwalla protein shakes are my beverages of choice and I love them so so so much. Almost as much as Diet Coke & Coffee which, I am proud to say, I have not had since early May. It can be done!!

Oh...why Pancakes? Any OC fans out there? A character on the show,Summer Roberts, names her rabbit Pancakes and since I love all things Summer Roberts...well Pancakes is my baby's name for now. When Summer first gets Pancakes she doesn't know if it's a boy or a girl and neither do we. You don't get too many surprises in life and this is probably the best one to keep.

Aside from feeling tired I'm doing great and am very excited to add "Mommy" to my list of titles alongside Daughter, Sister and Wife.

Those of you who have known and supported me thus far...Thank You. Thank You. Thank You.

xo,

Michelle

Gone Fishin'

lake brantley

More like "Gone to my parents, who have a pool and AC" but you get the idea.

I hope to be back to blogging soon mes choux!! Happy Summer.

xo,

Michelle

Spring and Summer Salads

We've gotten to that point in NYC. That point when Spring and its cool, comfortable, rainy days end abruptly and BOOM it's 85degrees and humid. This is also the time where I try to avoid using my stove. Pots and Pans it's been real, I'll see you in September.

Tonite I got a take out Greek Pasta Salad. Penne with tomatoes, cucumber, kalamata olives, feta and onions tossed with a little olive oil, vinegar and black pepper. Delicious and refreshing.

and look at that...toss out the container or wash and reuse - love it!

Some of my favorite food blogs have great recipes for salad. I've linked to them below.

Cool Summer Salad - from Southern Living

Sundried Tomato Pasta Salad - from PW

Spring Salad with new Potatoes - from Smitten Kitchen

Enjoy!

xo,

Michelle

Dinner at Disney

It's never a good sign when you take a picture of this on the way to dinner...

That would be the beloved family mini-van (aka The Colonel) stopped on the side of I-4 outside of Orlando :(
How'd we get to Florida?
Let me back up.
Spent Spring Break at home with my parents. Huzzah!
Many menus checked while researching a fun place for T, mom, dad & I to enjoy dinner our first weekend in town. I started looking for a place at Disney World so we'd feel like we did a typical Central Florida vacation with just the right amount of touristy theme park time. And in case you are wondering the right amount of theme park time around Spring Break & Easter is ZERO. Not how these 4 adults wanted to spend the day. Dinner was just enough for us.
Then The Colonel almost didn't make it. We had to stop twice to add transmission fluid. Getting to and from dinner was quite an adventure!
But finally we DID make it to the Disney exit and found The Boardwalk area. Situated on Cresent Lake the property is not only a hotel but has shops & restaurants. And of course a boardwalk reminiscent of the "old " Jersey Shore. No GTL here!

The fish really look like they are flying on the sign outside!

And inside? Fish para-sailing from the ceiling! So funny.
It's a busy restaurant. Couples, families, everyone was comfortable there.
The kitchen is open and there is seating available around it. We chose to have a regular table but it would be fun to sit so close to the action.

Let's get to the good stuff.
My dinner...

Citrus, Sesame and Szechuan Pepper-crusted Tuna.
Bok Choy and other veggies in a broth of coconut, lemongrass, lime & ginger broth.
I'm always torn when we eat out for a special occasion. Do I get something I always order like steak, chicken or salmon? Or go for something a little daring? Tuna was daring for me and I'm glad I took the risk. I loved it!

If you leave room...desserts are amazing!
Trio of Sinful Chocolate Indulgences
A Creme Brulee, Flourless Chocolate Torta and Chocolate Bread Pudding.
The celebrate today at the corner of the plate? Chocolate!

My Dessert...
Margarita Key Lime Pie
I love the way citrus cleans the palate after a meal. So refreshing.
You're probably wondering what the strawberry is dipped in. :) It looks like chocolate shavings right? I thought this too...but it's salt. So different, so good.

After such a delicious big meal it was great to enjoy the boardwalk. At night Disney street performers come out to entertain the crowds. We saw a magic show!

If either a Disney vacation or just a stay in Central Florida are in your future I'd highly recommend a stop at the Flying Fish!

xo,

Michelle

Easter at Publix

This is a basket, made of bread, with rolls shaped & dyed to be the Easter Eggs. What even!?

Thanks for the giggle Publix!

Hope you had a blessed Easter <3

xo,

Michelle

Dinner Dishes

A delicious dinner of fish, rice pilaf & green beans

Most delicious salad ever! Spinach blend with tomato, mushroom, olive and shredded cheese. Love the olives, they add great flavor.

What's your dinner dish these days?

xo,

Michelle

Dinner at Palma

BB camera you always disappoint. iPhone...someday you will be mine.

Stumbled into Palma on a Sunday Funday last summer with the girls. We were a 'few' drinks in and needed food asap. Palma did not disappoint. We laughed up a storm & ate up plates of pasta, cheese, salads...you name it.

A few weeks ago a made a reservation for dinner at Palma this past Friday. Luck would have it, the weather was beyond beautiful and we walked around the neighborhood for a while before dinner. I love to explore the streets off the grid of midtown and get a little lost in the process.

Take a look at the photos of the restaurant from the Gallery I love the the beautiful farmhouse feel. The white walls, window baskets flowers and the wooden tables & chairs. Clean & crisp. Can my kitchen of the future look like this place? Please & Thanks.

The food was as delicious as I remembered- melt in your mouth Burrata cheese as an appetizer, a salad with fresh parm and a main dish of Pappardelle pasta with lamb. It was a lot of food but in the right portions so I didn't leave feeling stuffed, just full. Our waiter, who is a dancer by day and totally sweet, said he use to work for a guy making Gelato. Ummm what a resume!

Palma really is a neighborhood gem and I hope to come back again soon. What are your new favorite places to eat?

xo,

Michelle

Time for Spring, Time for Rita's

2010

I don't think we're making it to Rita's today for their First Day of Spring Free Ice promotion but YOU should! So good.

Bon Printemps!

xo,

Michelle

Cherry Blossoms

"The intense beauty and short survival span have associated Cherry Blossom with spiritual and philosophical ideas such as the beauty and fragility of human life. "
The Flower Expert

In 2009 we got to see the blossoms in Brooklyn at the Sakura Matsuri Cherry Blossom Festival right around my birthday. Last year they had all fallen before the Festival weekend.

Life is beautiful and indeed so precious. Sometimes it really does pass by quicker than we had hoped. Savor each moment, each blossom.

Click here to donate to the Red Cross and help relief efforts in Japan.

xo,

Michelle

Popcorn, Peanuts, Hot Dogs

"It's great to be young and a Yankee." - Hall of Fame Pitcher Waite Hoyt

You either love the Yankees or you hate the Yankees. There is no in between.

Tickets went on sale today. I snatched up a pair with a "Calendar Day" promotion in early April. Cannot wait.

xo,

Michelle

Who Are You When I'm Not Looking

Bet you didn't take me for a Country girl?
Oh but I am.
Sunday = Church music & Country music. The. Best.

This one, Who Are You When I'm Not Looking by Blake Shelton, is a new fast favorite.

I love the words. And I love the video.
I love the girl drinking juice from the counter, burning the toast & bacon in her robe & pjs.
I love the girl in the over-sized shirt & knee socks dancing to music.
I love the bubble bath. I love time in the tub.
And oh how I love the woman at her desk dealing with a rough day. We have all been there. Sometimes not just in our professional life but in our personal life as well.

Chocolate, a call to mom and a good song can make all the difference.

xo,

Michelle

ps- this post is a little bittersweet - now all the holiday posts are off my main page :( how can that be?!?!

March On

I am perfectly happy to have February in the books.
As you can tell it was a very busy month. I blogged ONCE the entire month.
Busy doesn't even begin to cover it..stressful, exhausting...getting closer. I'm glad it's over.

Today in class we discussed the changes associated with a new month. Needing a new weather graph and starting the calendar over again. I love it. It's a new beginning and who doesn't love beginnings.

When discussing the calendar we talked about the special days coming up - St. Patrick's Day and the arrival of Spring.

Clover is one of my favorite symbols of Spring. I can think of nothing better than sprawling out on my belly searching for 4 leaf clovers in the lawn, my barefoot feet up in the air. Oh to be young again.

Here's to the new month and all kinds of new beginnings.

xo,

Michelle

Oh Saturday

Coffee & a Bagel. Is there anything better on a Saturday? I think not.

xo,

Michelle

Saturday Night Is Alright

Cold cold weekend. Brings out the hermit in me. I'm perfectly happy at home all weekend under the covers reading or playing on the internet. Cold weather also brings out the home organizer in me. I love doing this at the beginning of the year to refresh & recharge.

Refilled some Tupperware containers with goodies for side dishes at dinner. From top to bottom it's Quinoa, CousCous and Brown Rice. So nice to get rid of the boxes and have everything in a container behind a closed cabinet door.

Calendar stickers! OMG my inner child is in love. Who doesn't love a sticker?

Thanks to the Fam for this belated Christmas gift. A new Kitty pic every month?! Love.

Also did a little fridge organizing. Behold my favorite side of the lower shelf. That's Horizon Chocolate Milks and Honest Kids Pink Leemonad chilling out. Yummm. You're never too old for a juice box my friends!

Kinda loving that this was at the grocery store tonite. Donut day isn't till March this year!

Yes...Saturday night at the grocery store. It was basically empty and perfect if you ask me.

Saturday Night is Alright

xo,

Michelle

What To Whisk in 2011

via

A few recipes I've bookmarked for the year ahead...my New Year's Resolution in food!

Risotto

either mushroom or butternut squash or both

Granola

I think homemade Granola, in a glass jar with a pretty bit of ribbon & a label would be a great hostess gift

Chocolate Stout Cupcakes

Difficult since I have oven issues.

Pretzels

made them in '09, I have a bag of themix already purchased and ready to go!

Waffles

Requires a purchase of a waffle maker. No recipe just yet, think I'll call my mom for hers.

Crispy Baked "Fried" Chicken

Just the best comfort food everrr

Breakfast Pizza

Their pictures makes it look so pretty!

Cinnamon Rolls

either these from The PW or the ones from a tube.

And on that note...ending this post with a Gilmore-ism.

"I can cook anything that comes in a tube!"

Happy New Year!

xo,

Michelle