As you can probably tell, I'm finding it more and more challenging to update my blog on a regular basis. I've looked high and low for working mommy blogs and there aren't a ton out there. . .probably because it's so hard to be diligent on a blog with work and home responsibilities constantly nagging.
I've felt guilty about not being consistent but then I realized that all of you probably find it challenging to keep up with your responsibilities let alone following a blog. I'm sure no one will be devastated when I say I think I am going to take a hiatus from this blog for a bit (and just after I got it looking so cute, nuts!).
I believe I really need to focus on The Pregnancy Companion project during the coming months and it's just too much to juggle two blogs at once. I have also felt a strong conviction that whatever I do or write needs to be purposeful and helpful for others. I have so many ideas swirling around in my head that could potentially be helpful to others but without focus, none of them will ever see the light of day.
This season is the season for The Pregnancy Companion and I want to give my heart and mind wholly to that effort. I hope that you will jump over and follow Dr. Rupe and me there. Whether you are trying to conceive, expecting, or none of the above, I believe we'll have some helpful information and encouragement for you in the coming months.
Hopefully I'll be back here soon coming up with all kinds of mind-blowing tips for working moms. Until then, I'll trust you are glad to have one less blog to keep up with right now.
Thanks for your support.
Love,
Jessica
Friday, July 9, 2010
Sunday, June 20, 2010
My Menu: Wk of 6/20/10 {w/ Cookie Recipe!}
We had such a nice and relaxing Father's Day today with family and friends. Hope you enjoyed time celebrating the men in your life today as well.
It's another nutty week in our household. Lots of evenings committed outside of home but I think I've managed to come up with an easy menu including a few of my favorite working (or busy) mom's shortcuts.
If you've never checked out the Palermo's frozen thin crust pizzas at Costco, you should really give them a try. As a working mom who gets home at 6:15 3 days a week, these are perfect for a quick and not too unhealthy meal. We pair the pizza with a green salad and get a meal with relatively no prep, complete in under 20 minutes. The crusts are so thin and crunchy. I was able to eat 1/3 of the pizza even while on a strict low carb diet.
For Friday's meal, I will use Costco uncooked tortillas. My great friend Kristy turned me on to these and they are amazing. They come uncooked so you simply cook them in a pan on the stove until they fluff a bit. You can use these yummy, chewy tortillas for burritos, soft tacos or even breakfast burritos.
The Calypso Crunch cookies that I served at Father's Day lunch today were such a hit. We discovered these cookies in the Publix bakery. My husband requested them for dessert today but Publix did not have them. I searched the internet for a recipe and found this one (I made a few modifications which are included). They were awesome (if I do say so myself). We paired them with various flavors of sherbet and everyone (including my hubs) was pleased. If you want a light and tropical alternative to your normal chocolate chip cookies this summer, give these a try.
Calypso Crunch Cookies
Ingredients
1 stick (1/2 cup) margarine
1 cup light brown sugar
1/2 cup white sugar
1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla
1/2 teaspoon almond extract
1 1/4 cup quick cooking oats, crushed in a blender
1 cup self rising flour
8 oz. canned, crushed pineapple, drained
7 oz. coconut
1/2 cup chopped walnuts
Directions
Mix margarine, sugars, vanilla, and almond extract, set aside.
Process oats in blender until a fine powder then add flour and oats to margarine mixture. Beat well. Add pineapple, coconut, and nuts to the mix.
Make into balls (a little smaller than a golf ball) and flatten with fork on a greased and floured cookie sheet.
Bake at 350 degrees for 15-18 minutes.
Enjoy. . .or as we Italians say Salude!
It's another nutty week in our household. Lots of evenings committed outside of home but I think I've managed to come up with an easy menu including a few of my favorite working (or busy) mom's shortcuts.
If you've never checked out the Palermo's frozen thin crust pizzas at Costco, you should really give them a try. As a working mom who gets home at 6:15 3 days a week, these are perfect for a quick and not too unhealthy meal. We pair the pizza with a green salad and get a meal with relatively no prep, complete in under 20 minutes. The crusts are so thin and crunchy. I was able to eat 1/3 of the pizza even while on a strict low carb diet.
For Friday's meal, I will use Costco uncooked tortillas. My great friend Kristy turned me on to these and they are amazing. They come uncooked so you simply cook them in a pan on the stove until they fluff a bit. You can use these yummy, chewy tortillas for burritos, soft tacos or even breakfast burritos.
The Calypso Crunch cookies that I served at Father's Day lunch today were such a hit. We discovered these cookies in the Publix bakery. My husband requested them for dessert today but Publix did not have them. I searched the internet for a recipe and found this one (I made a few modifications which are included). They were awesome (if I do say so myself). We paired them with various flavors of sherbet and everyone (including my hubs) was pleased. If you want a light and tropical alternative to your normal chocolate chip cookies this summer, give these a try.
Calypso Crunch Cookies
Ingredients
1 stick (1/2 cup) margarine
1 cup light brown sugar
1/2 cup white sugar
1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla
1/2 teaspoon almond extract
1 1/4 cup quick cooking oats, crushed in a blender
1 cup self rising flour
8 oz. canned, crushed pineapple, drained
7 oz. coconut
1/2 cup chopped walnuts
Directions
Mix margarine, sugars, vanilla, and almond extract, set aside.
Process oats in blender until a fine powder then add flour and oats to margarine mixture. Beat well. Add pineapple, coconut, and nuts to the mix.
Make into balls (a little smaller than a golf ball) and flatten with fork on a greased and floured cookie sheet.
Bake at 350 degrees for 15-18 minutes.
Enjoy. . .or as we Italians say Salude!
Saturday, June 12, 2010
Easy, New Chicken Recipe {w/ photos}
My Menu for this week posted here. And here's a great and easy chicken recipe that's kid friendly!
Yummy Chicken Bits w/ Oriental Salad
Prep Time: 5-10 min / Cook Time: 15 min / Feeds: Depends on how much you make : )
{WARNING: This is not a precise recipe which is sorta the way we Italians do things.}
You'll Need:
Boneless/Skinless Chicken Breasts
Cooking spray
Olive Oil
Balsamic Vinegar
Garlic Salt (or Garlic Powder and Salt)
Romaine Lettuce
Green Onions
1 Small Pkg Sliced Almonds
2 Packages Ramen Noodles
Clean and trim chicken breasts then cut into little chunk pieces. Heat skillet over medium heat. Spray pan with cooking spray. Add in chicken pieces and garlic salt, stir. Let chicken cook for a few minutes. It should look something like this:
While chicken is cooking, rinse and cut romaine lettuce. This is an entree salad so you can cut however much you'll need for each person to have an entree-sized portion. We use 1.5 bunches for three servings. Put lettuce in serving bowl.
Chicken should be cooking nicely. Once most of the juices are cooked off, add in enough balsamic vinegar to coat and stir again. This will create a nice glaze in the pan and will cause chicken to get a little brown. Add a small amount of olive oil and stir again. This will cause the chicken to get a little crispy. The chicken should look pretty done by now (about 10 or so minutes from when you first put it in). You can add more garlic salt if you'd like. Have a taste and see what you think. This recipe is really about how YOU want it to taste. If the chicken looks like it needs more time and the pan is really dry, add a tiny bit more oil or balsamic vinegar to get it going again. It should now look something like this:
Once the chicken looks done, remove from heat and cover pan while you put salad together. This will keep chicken moist.
Rinse and cut green onions. As many or as little as you'd like. I will warn you though the onion adds the best flavor to the salad to make sure there's enough. Add to lettuce in bowl and mix well. You can sprinkle a little salt on the lettuce and onions to bring out the onion flavor.
Add the almonds to the salad mixture. Crumble both packages of ramen noodles into small clusters and add to salad mixture.
In a small bowl or cup, take one (just one) of the packages of ramen noodle spices and add it to 1/3 cup of olive oil and 1/4 cup of balsamic. Mix well. The dressing should also be made to taste so feel free to add additional oil or vinegar to your liking. Like this:
Pour dressing over salad mixture.
You can serve chicken over the top or on the side.
Doesn't it look yummy? Hope will eat the chicken, the lettuce (somewhat) and the ramen (she calls them "crunchies") so this meal is very kid friendly for us.
{Keep in mind: leftover chicken bits make a great toddler lunch item.}
Enjoy!
Yummy Chicken Bits w/ Oriental Salad
Prep Time: 5-10 min / Cook Time: 15 min / Feeds: Depends on how much you make : )
{WARNING: This is not a precise recipe which is sorta the way we Italians do things.}
You'll Need:
Boneless/Skinless Chicken Breasts
Cooking spray
Olive Oil
Balsamic Vinegar
Garlic Salt (or Garlic Powder and Salt)
Romaine Lettuce
Green Onions
1 Small Pkg Sliced Almonds
2 Packages Ramen Noodles
Clean and trim chicken breasts then cut into little chunk pieces. Heat skillet over medium heat. Spray pan with cooking spray. Add in chicken pieces and garlic salt, stir. Let chicken cook for a few minutes. It should look something like this:
While chicken is cooking, rinse and cut romaine lettuce. This is an entree salad so you can cut however much you'll need for each person to have an entree-sized portion. We use 1.5 bunches for three servings. Put lettuce in serving bowl.
Chicken should be cooking nicely. Once most of the juices are cooked off, add in enough balsamic vinegar to coat and stir again. This will create a nice glaze in the pan and will cause chicken to get a little brown. Add a small amount of olive oil and stir again. This will cause the chicken to get a little crispy. The chicken should look pretty done by now (about 10 or so minutes from when you first put it in). You can add more garlic salt if you'd like. Have a taste and see what you think. This recipe is really about how YOU want it to taste. If the chicken looks like it needs more time and the pan is really dry, add a tiny bit more oil or balsamic vinegar to get it going again. It should now look something like this:
Once the chicken looks done, remove from heat and cover pan while you put salad together. This will keep chicken moist.
Rinse and cut green onions. As many or as little as you'd like. I will warn you though the onion adds the best flavor to the salad to make sure there's enough. Add to lettuce in bowl and mix well. You can sprinkle a little salt on the lettuce and onions to bring out the onion flavor.
Add the almonds to the salad mixture. Crumble both packages of ramen noodles into small clusters and add to salad mixture.
In a small bowl or cup, take one (just one) of the packages of ramen noodle spices and add it to 1/3 cup of olive oil and 1/4 cup of balsamic. Mix well. The dressing should also be made to taste so feel free to add additional oil or vinegar to your liking. Like this:
Pour dressing over salad mixture.
You can serve chicken over the top or on the side.
Doesn't it look yummy? Hope will eat the chicken, the lettuce (somewhat) and the ramen (she calls them "crunchies") so this meal is very kid friendly for us.
{Keep in mind: leftover chicken bits make a great toddler lunch item.}
Enjoy!
Sunday, June 6, 2010
The Irony of the Blog. . .
So you may have noticed that a few months ago I changed the header on my blog. I had great intentions of starting a new blogging initiative for myself and for the handful of people that read this thing. I have been about what it means to be a "Marketplace Mommy." For me it means that I work in an office, outside of my home. I'm gone three days a week from 8-6 and on those days I struggle to get dinner on the table before Hope heads up to bed. It means that from roughly 8-6; Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays, I am working hard at my job which happens to be as a manager in the entertainment industry. It's a job that is both a burden and a blast all at the same time. . .I am so blessed to do what I do.
As I have thought further about where the "marketplace" really is, I have come to understand that it is anywhere outside of our homes. For some mommies it is a full time job. For some it is a home-based business. For others it is the church where they serve in children's ministry or even a blog that reaches across the web. In being a Marketplace Mommy, the point is that we make an impact inside and outside of our homes. It's about not being completely wrapped up in what happens within the walls of our home but seeing outside those walls to our neighbors, our communities, the ministries we are a part of and the people we encounter every single day.
The ironic thing about having a blog like this is that I can never find the time to keep it up. I had lofty ideas about posting easy recipes and tips on how to clean the house in record time, blah, blah, blah. I just can't find the time to do it. So, I write to you humbly to say, bear with me (not that any of you are waiting on the edge of your seat for my advice). I hope to get it together some day soon if for no other reason than to make myself find easy recipes and house cleaning strategies for myself!
Just didn't want to much time to go by with the new header without explaining my heart. I am blessed to know so many women who are making a great impact inside and outside of their homes. I am so thankful for the examples they have been in my life. I hope I can be that kind of example to others.
Jessica
As I have thought further about where the "marketplace" really is, I have come to understand that it is anywhere outside of our homes. For some mommies it is a full time job. For some it is a home-based business. For others it is the church where they serve in children's ministry or even a blog that reaches across the web. In being a Marketplace Mommy, the point is that we make an impact inside and outside of our homes. It's about not being completely wrapped up in what happens within the walls of our home but seeing outside those walls to our neighbors, our communities, the ministries we are a part of and the people we encounter every single day.
The ironic thing about having a blog like this is that I can never find the time to keep it up. I had lofty ideas about posting easy recipes and tips on how to clean the house in record time, blah, blah, blah. I just can't find the time to do it. So, I write to you humbly to say, bear with me (not that any of you are waiting on the edge of your seat for my advice). I hope to get it together some day soon if for no other reason than to make myself find easy recipes and house cleaning strategies for myself!
Just didn't want to much time to go by with the new header without explaining my heart. I am blessed to know so many women who are making a great impact inside and outside of their homes. I am so thankful for the examples they have been in my life. I hope I can be that kind of example to others.
Jessica
Monday, May 24, 2010
Easy Recipes for Busy Moms
So I was talking to a girlfriend this morning who is not feeling well today. Neither am I. We talked about our need to go shopping and prepare meals for the week. You could tell neither of us had the motivation to be Rachel Ray this week. It got me thinking that I need to have an arsenal of easy, brainless recipes on hand for days such as today.
I have a few. Pasta with jar sauce always does the trick. And actually, said friend gave me a wonderful taco soup recipe that is very easy in the crock pot. But I'm over pasta and it's too hot for soup so I need something else.
Any ideas for quick and easy recipes, preferably with items I already have on hand? I know, I ask too much. . .
I have a few. Pasta with jar sauce always does the trick. And actually, said friend gave me a wonderful taco soup recipe that is very easy in the crock pot. But I'm over pasta and it's too hot for soup so I need something else.
Any ideas for quick and easy recipes, preferably with items I already have on hand? I know, I ask too much. . .
Wednesday, May 12, 2010
Thoughtfulness
I went out to dinner with some girlfriends last night. We're all Nashville moms so naturally in between chatting about our kids and our busy lives we talked about the recent Nashville floods and how we wished we could do more to help. It's challenging to do everything you'd like to do with an infant or a toddler in tow. We sat there feeling a bit helpless and a little sorry for ourselves.
As we parted ways my sweet friend Steph handed me a card. It was a bit out of the blue (my birthday is in November). I went home, read the card and was so touched by her thoughtfulness. She simply wanted to let me know she was here for me through all the craziness I've been experiencing lately. She didn't need to rearrange her schedule, she didn't need a babysitter. . .she just took a few moments to write me a very meaningful note.
So it got me thinking. Yes, as a mom to little ones, it's challenging to stop everything, put on a tool belt and install drywall for the hundreds, even thousands of people in our area that need help right now. True, we may not be able to give the amount of time or money we wish we could give to these efforts. But that doesn't mean we should just sit around wishing we could help. What if the most powerful thing we could do as women was encourage one another with our words? So I can't jet over to so and so's house to rip out their moldy carpet. But maybe I can send them a note to let them know I am praying for them. Maybe I could ask 5 women to send a note to the girl who just lost the bottom floor of her house. That might mean more to her than anything.
I guess what I'm saying is. . .while action is noble and selfless, words are powerful and can build up or tear down. As women I believe we can help rebuild Nashville with our words just as much as with our hands. If you can find the time and the strategy to get out there and bring people dinner or water or linens then go for it. If you find yourself completely overwhelmed at the idea of springing to action then I implore you to make thoughtfulness your most powerful tool in serving others.
We just have to get creative. Personally when it comes to thoughtfulness I am inspired by old fashioned means. Facebook is awesome but there's something so wonderful about receiving a hand written note. But that's just me. . .
I pray once again that each of us will find a strategy for giving of ourselves during the rebuilding process in Nashville.
Jessica
As we parted ways my sweet friend Steph handed me a card. It was a bit out of the blue (my birthday is in November). I went home, read the card and was so touched by her thoughtfulness. She simply wanted to let me know she was here for me through all the craziness I've been experiencing lately. She didn't need to rearrange her schedule, she didn't need a babysitter. . .she just took a few moments to write me a very meaningful note.
So it got me thinking. Yes, as a mom to little ones, it's challenging to stop everything, put on a tool belt and install drywall for the hundreds, even thousands of people in our area that need help right now. True, we may not be able to give the amount of time or money we wish we could give to these efforts. But that doesn't mean we should just sit around wishing we could help. What if the most powerful thing we could do as women was encourage one another with our words? So I can't jet over to so and so's house to rip out their moldy carpet. But maybe I can send them a note to let them know I am praying for them. Maybe I could ask 5 women to send a note to the girl who just lost the bottom floor of her house. That might mean more to her than anything.
I guess what I'm saying is. . .while action is noble and selfless, words are powerful and can build up or tear down. As women I believe we can help rebuild Nashville with our words just as much as with our hands. If you can find the time and the strategy to get out there and bring people dinner or water or linens then go for it. If you find yourself completely overwhelmed at the idea of springing to action then I implore you to make thoughtfulness your most powerful tool in serving others.
We just have to get creative. Personally when it comes to thoughtfulness I am inspired by old fashioned means. Facebook is awesome but there's something so wonderful about receiving a hand written note. But that's just me. . .
I pray once again that each of us will find a strategy for giving of ourselves during the rebuilding process in Nashville.
Jessica
Sunday, May 9, 2010
Happy Mother's Day
Mother's Day is such a special day for me. I remember two years ago when I was 3 days away from giving birth to Hope - it was my first mother's day. We came home from church and I took a nap on the couch before we headed to Dave's sister's for lunch. It was the greatest feeling of peace I have ever felt. I was celebrating the fact that my greatest dream was about to be fulfilled.
This Mother's Day was also special (not quite as peaceful though). Hope is about to turn two and with that milestone comes a new level of interaction and conversation. Today we played with dress up clothes all day long. High heels and necklaces, tutus and tiaras. . .I was in heaven with my little girl.
And this morning in church I had a sweet moment with the Lord regarding the babies that I cannot hold on Mother's Day. We sang the song "Blessed Be Your Name" by Matt Redman. You may have read my post a while back about this song. It just happens to come on the radio every time I have a miscarriage. With each of my three miscarriages I've heard this song which is not usually topping the charts. This last time was no exception. So as we sang today on Mother's Day, "You give and take away, you give and take away. My heart will choose to say, Lord blessed be Your name," I lost it. I began to weep and couldn't stop. My heart grieved for those four little souls that I will not know here on this earth. I'm not one to create a memorial to the babies I have lost in the womb but I felt it appropriate to grieve again as their mother this morning. It felt wonderfully sweet to do so.
Those moments made me think long and hard today about mothers that are not yet. . . women who long to be mothers who are waiting on the Lord's timing. My heart hurt for each one who has this longing unfulfilled. I believe that the Lord knows and understands that longing more intimately than we can ever imagine. I pray that any of you in that place will have a renewed sense of hope and peace as you wait on Him. Although the waiting may seem unbearable, His timing is always perfect.
So for all the mother's out there. . .both present and future. . .Happy Mother's Day.
Love,
Jessica
This Mother's Day was also special (not quite as peaceful though). Hope is about to turn two and with that milestone comes a new level of interaction and conversation. Today we played with dress up clothes all day long. High heels and necklaces, tutus and tiaras. . .I was in heaven with my little girl.
And this morning in church I had a sweet moment with the Lord regarding the babies that I cannot hold on Mother's Day. We sang the song "Blessed Be Your Name" by Matt Redman. You may have read my post a while back about this song. It just happens to come on the radio every time I have a miscarriage. With each of my three miscarriages I've heard this song which is not usually topping the charts. This last time was no exception. So as we sang today on Mother's Day, "You give and take away, you give and take away. My heart will choose to say, Lord blessed be Your name," I lost it. I began to weep and couldn't stop. My heart grieved for those four little souls that I will not know here on this earth. I'm not one to create a memorial to the babies I have lost in the womb but I felt it appropriate to grieve again as their mother this morning. It felt wonderfully sweet to do so.
Those moments made me think long and hard today about mothers that are not yet. . . women who long to be mothers who are waiting on the Lord's timing. My heart hurt for each one who has this longing unfulfilled. I believe that the Lord knows and understands that longing more intimately than we can ever imagine. I pray that any of you in that place will have a renewed sense of hope and peace as you wait on Him. Although the waiting may seem unbearable, His timing is always perfect.
So for all the mother's out there. . .both present and future. . .Happy Mother's Day.
Love,
Jessica
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