Random Stuff

I got so irritated yesterday. I was out in the street with Savy (she was riding her bike), and this lady who I don't know stops and says "Wow, you're due any day now, aren't you?" This (to me) translates to "Wow, you're HUGE!" Now, being a total stranger and having no idea how far along I am, she could've just asked when I'm due...or just not said anything at all. Yes, I realize that I look like I could deliver any day. I don't mind so much when people I know do it, but I just think it's inappropriate for strangers to comment on it. And they do...a lot. And they don't just drop the subject when I say that my due date is actually August 7th, either. This is pretty much how every conversation goes...this example is an actual conversation I had with a total stranger not too long ago.

Stranger: "Oh my, you must be getting close to having that baby!"
Me: "Umm, actually, I've got a while to go."
Stranger: "When's your due date?"
Me: "August 7th."
Stranger: (Pause) "How many are in there?"
Me: "Just one."
Stranger: (Longer pause, looks down at my stomach) "Are you sure?"
Me: "That's what my doctor says."
Stranger: "You know, that other one can hide sometimes..."
Me: "Well, I guess we'll see."

I'm sure they don't mean any harm, but I get soooo tired of hearing about how big I am. Even Jon thinks my doc is off on the due date. I guess we'll see...

On a funnier note, Vita crawled out the pet door and got stuck in the cat run again today...



that big dummy.

I got up at 6:30 again this morning and went for a 2 mile walk. I'm afraid that's about as much of a workout as I'll be able to handle for the rest of the pregnancy. The last few times I used the eliptical, I started having contractions before I was done. Then I got that awful sinus infection and couldn't do much of anything for 3 weeks....oh, well. My next checkup is next Wednesday. I hope the scale is nicer to me this time.

My Favorite Soup

When Jon introduced me to Bahama Breeze's black bean soup several years ago, I got hooked on it. It is soooo good, and I tried many times to make something similar at home. I finally found a recipe that I'm happy with....it's not exactly like Bahama Breeze, but it's close. I found the recipe on one of those copycat recipe sites last year, but I had to change it a little...ok, a lot. The original recipe was awful (just ask Jon), but my version tastes great.

I made a pretty big pot of it tonight so I'd have some left over to freeze. It is a very filling soup, so you don't have to have a huge meal to go with it...we usually have grilled sausages with it. And if you want a vegetarian version (Jennifer), just leave out the bacon...it would still be good.

Here's Savy chopping a green pepper for me...she loves to help me cook. She picked out this child-sized apron with the bees on it at Williams-Sonoma outlet.




This was our dinner tonight...chicken andouille sausage and black bean soup.I don't think I've posted this recipe before, so here it is.



Black Bean Soup

4 cans black beans
3 slices bacon, chopped
1 tbsp olive oil
1/2 cup water
3/4 cup onion, diced
1/2 cup green peppers, diced
2 tbsp garlic
1/4 tsp ground cumin
2 tsp tabasco sauce
sour cream
salt to taste

Heat oil in a pot on medium heat. Add the chopped bacon and saute for 1 minute. Add the peppers, onions, and garlic; saute for another 2-3 minutes.

Add the water and tabasco sauce, and bring to a boil. Add 3 cans of beans with the juice and bring back to a boil. Using a hand held blender, puree the soup until smooth.

Add the remainig 1 can of beans and bring back to a boil. Simmer 20 minutes, stirring frequently. Add salt to taste and, serve with a dollop of sour cream.

More (Healthy) Yummy Stuff

Last night I made white chicken chili for dinner and strawberry shortcake for dessert. Both of these were very healthy versions, and they turned out to be really good. Savy hated it, of course, but Jon and I enjoyed it very much.

White Chicken Chili



1 tsp olive oil
1 medium onion, chopped
1-2 cloves garlic, minced
1 seeded jalapeno pepper, chopped
1 can (4 oz) chopped green chilies
2/3 tsp ground cumin
chili powder to taste
2 cans white beans, drained (I used great northern beans)
2 cups chicken broth
1 1/2 cups cooked chicken (I used chicken-in-a-can for convenience)
shredded cheese for topping (I used monterey jack/colby blend)

Heat the oil in a large pan over medium heat. Add the onion and cook until tender, about 8 minutes. Add the garlic, jalapeno, chilies, and cumin. Continue to cook and stir about 3 more minutes. Mix in the chicken broth, chicken and one can of white beans. Puree the other can of beans in a blender or food processor and add to the mixture, then bring to a boil. Turn down the heat and simmer for about 30 minutes, stirring occasionally. Serve topped with the shredded cheese.

If you leave off the cheese topping, this dish is almost fat-free...only about 3 grams of fat in the whole pot.


Healthy Strawberry Shortcake



Make strawberry syrup by pureeing fresh strawberries and no-cal sweetener (equal, spenda, etc). Pour the syrup over a piece of angel food cake. Top with sliced fresh strawberries and fat-free whipped topping.

Savy went over to play with Abbey and Zoe this afternoon. She's wearing a new bow. Granny Ruth sent her a whole box of these bows in every color, and she loves them. Thanks, Granny Ruth!

Vacation: Part 1

We left for East TN first thing Monday morning. We had to go get duck food at the Old Mill as soon as we finished checking in. Savy could feed the ducks all day and still not be tired of it.



Here's a little video of Savy "talking" to the ducks.


She couldn't wait to go swimming that night after dinner.



Since it was very cold Tuesday, we spent the day shopping. Of course, we had to feed the ducks before we left.


Wednesday, we visited Mingo Falls in Cherokee, NC. There are about 160 steps up to this waterfall (probably a few more than that). This is a view from the bottom of the steps.


Here's Savy and Papi on their way up.


We had to stop and rest when we made it to the top. I actually made it up without much difficulty.


Here's a great view of the waterfall.



Savy wanted to climb down to the stream at the bottom so she could play in the water.