Winter Days

We have been keeping busy this past week. I've been working a lot with a couple co-workers out on leave, so I've been missing my boys a lot. Today I am making up another batch of Turkey Breakfast Sausage and last night I made up another pot of Homemade Yogurt. Success again! I think I've figured this yogurt thing out. Today I pulled out a 6oz container of the yogurt to hopefully use as the starter for my next batch.... as long as no one eats it! Here's a picture of my new batch of yogurt and my yogurt-making helper this morning:

The boys and I took ourselves on a nice brisk walk today. The weather here has been dry (strange for the Northwest), but very cold. I decided we had been stuck indoors up long enough and we should brave the weather. Here is Malachi next to his new Big Wheel bike he got for Christmas from Grandma and Papa. He loves it and I do too.... because he can't go quite as fast on it as he's regular bike! He's wearing the Ribbed Knit Hat I made him back in June. =) Love this hat... fits him great and will for a long time - my husband can get it on!

And here's my little Zach - all bundled up in his stroller and happy to be out!

These two guys are so fun. Malachi still adores his brother. The other day I caught Malachi pulling Zach's bouncer thingy into the playroom saying, "What should be play with Baby Zach?" I offered to help (in an attempt to avoid some kind of moving disaster) and Zach ended up next to the train table. Malachi proceeded to play and talk to Zach until bedtime (probably a good 30-45 min) and Zach just had a great time watching and listening!

 

Homemade Yogurt

We having been going through TONS of yogurt. We have to eat 2 servings of probiotics a day on this eating plan and man is it expensive! I've seen lots of people make yogurt and though I'd try it out.

I have to admit that my first attempt was a total failure. I attempted to use a semi-precise method in the crock-pot using a thermometer and heating up and adding things at certain temps.... it did not work out so well. I'm not sure if my house is too cold or what happened, but it was not edible by the end.

My second attempt used more of a timing method. Heating up my crock-pot for a certain amount of time and then adding and letting it sit for more time. This worked so much better!! And maybe the fact that I stuck a little space heater near my crock overnight to keep it from cooling down too much.

I ended up with almost 2 quart jars full of yummy yogurt. Next I'm going to be doing some experiementing with straining, powdered milk added in and maybe some flavorings. We'll see. I have a picture, but can't get it attached at the moment. After I attempt it again, I may post a copy of the method I used.

Hooray for homemade!

Eating Healthy - Again

Way back in July 2011, before I got pregnant with Zach, I wanted to lose about 10 pounds and my husband wanted to lose some weight too, so we started the 17-Day Diet together. I ended up losing 7lbs in the first 17 days (this diet has four 17-day cycles) and I so I quit. I kept that weight off until I got pregnant, which I thought was pretty good.

Well, now I have a couple pounds to lose post-baby (really... probably less than 10 this time around) and after my husband had his knee surgery earlier this fall.... he has some to lose too. I honestly don't really need to do this diet, but I want to be supportive of my husband and I know it will be easier for him if we're both doing it. Plus, I refuse to make more than one meal, so we might as well all be eating the same things.

We're currently on Day 9 and we're getting a little tired of our current food... there are not really a lot of options on this first cycle. It's mostly a detox and you eat mostly vegetables, chicken and fish, 2 servings of fruit and 2 servings of probiotics. Booooorrring!

I've been scouring the internet for some interesting alternatives to what we've been eating and today I tried a couple out. =) I thought I'd share for any other 17-Day Dieter's out there who need a little help!

Apple Pie Yogurt
6 oz of plain greek yogurt
2-3 T of plain unsweetened applesauce
1/2 tsp vanilla
1/4 tsp cinnamon
1/2 packet Truvia (I think this is optional... I used it, but I think I could have left it out)
Mix everything together and YUM!

I actually used some canned Spiced Applesauce from the pantry instead of the plain unsweetened. I'm not exactly sure what spices I used in that, but I really need to use it up and it was free!

Turkey Breakfast Sausage
2lbs lean ground turkey
3/4 tsp ground ginger
1 1/2 tsp salt
1 tsp dried sage
1 tsp fennel seed
1/4 tsp cayenne pepper
1 1/2 tsp ground black pepper

I use my Kitchen Aid stand mixer, but you could also just use a large bowl, to combine all the ingredients together until well blended.
Heat a skillet over medium-high head, and coat with non-stick cooking spray (I used some coconut oil).
Form the turkey sausage into patties and fry until browned on both sides. Make sure its not pink in the center!
Cool on a paper towel. Store in refrigerator.
This made me about 14 patties.
These were excellent! So yummy!

Now I'm in the process of attempting to make my own Greek yogurt!

Wildlife Refuge Nature Walk

Whew! I tell you .... I'm worn out!

We've had a busy weekend.

First the Steam Train Ride on Saturday,

then we celebrated my mom's birthday yesterday

and today we headed out to a local wildlife refuge and 

walked the nature trail.

This was the last day I'm probably going to be seeing my uncle

who's out visiting this week, so it was a fun time.

It was very beautiful.

Running, running, running.... 

this would be why I'm so worn out!

We took some pictures by some really cool 

old barns built in 1932

My dad and his brother and sister
(and the Little Guy)

and Me and my Little Guy. =)

Oh! and just to prove that I've been sticking to my diet

(mostly)

here's what I had for dinner. Yum, right?

The Food We Eat....

Well, my husband and I are trying out a new diet.

My friends would probably say I don't really need to be ON a diet,

but I would like to lose about 10lbs and since I don't seem to be

losing those 10lbs by NOT doing anything, this seems like

a good jump-starter.

My husband is the one who really wants to do a diet

and I felt like if we did it together, as a lifestyle change,

that it would be easier than him just doing it on his own.

Anyway.... all that to say - we're doing the 17 Day Diet, which

a friend of ours has been doing for about 6 weeks now and she's 

lost over 30 lbs. The 17 Days is ACTUALLY 4- 17 Day cycles,

so it's actually the 52 Day diet. =)

Today was Day 2 for us.

I'm already tired of eating chicken.

(the first cycle is a detox/cleansing 17 Days)

Sooo... even though I HATE fish, I decided to pull some out of 

the freezer and attempt to bake it.

I have seriously only attempted fish one other time - EVER.

I usually let my husband make it because he LIKES the fish.

Anyway.... here it is!

It was actually surprisingly good!

I just sprinkled some lemon pepper, black pepper and Old Bay

Seasoning out of my cupboard on top and wrapped it in foil

and baked it.

Lucky for me, because I think I'm going to have to get used

to eating this disgusting "lean protein" =)

I may give some updates here along the way - 

I figure it's a good way to stay accountable to myself. =)