Bucatini Pomodoro

I made this the other night and it was a big hit! This is such an easy, healthy and yummy dinner the whole family will enjoy.  There are only a few ingredients in this dish, but as my Italian husband said, "Italian cooking is simple. It's really all about using fresh ingredients and showcasing them." All of the ingredients besides the pasta and Italian tomatoes were from our local farmer's market (even the olive oil), and it made such a difference! This dish is for little one's ready for finger food and Mommies and Daddies of all ages.

Here's what you need:
1 lb bucatini pasta
2 tbsp olive oil
3 cloves garlic sliced
1 to 2 handfuls fresh basil leaves
1 28oz can organic whole peeled Italian tomatoes
Salt
Pepper

In a large deep skillet, heat the olive oil over medium high heat. Add sliced garlic and cook until fragrant (about 30 seconds). Add canned tomatoes and basil. Cook for 30 minutes (should turn into a sauce). Season with salt and pepper to taste. While tomatoes are cooking. Bring a large pot of salted water to boil. Add pasta and cook according to package. Drain pasta and add to skillet with sauce. Toss to coat. Serve and enjoy!

PBJ Smoothie

I know it's been awhile, but life with a newborn and a toddler is pretty crazy! I literally have five minutes so let's get to it. My son and I made this yummy smoothie for lunch today, while my 6 week old daughter was in her bouncy seat. This takes about 2 minutes to make (love that!). I made this in my magic bullet so each batch measured out to be about 2 child servings. This is for little one's 12+ months and mommies and daddies of all ages!

Here's what you need:
2 handfuls organic strawberries (leaves removed)
1 handful organic raspberries
1 tsp honey
2 tblsp natural peanut butter (or whatever nut or sunflower butter you prefer)
1/2 to 3/4 cup organic milk (more or less depending on the thickness you like)

Put all ingredients into your blender and blend until smooth. Pour into cups and serve with a straw. Enjoy!

Carrot Apple Walnut Muffins

My son was watching Curious George yesterday morning, and George and another character were baking carrot muffins for a bake sale in the episode. Of course as soon as it was over my son HAD to bake carrot muffins too. He went running into the kitchen asking me to follow him saying he had to get the ingredients out. So of course I followed. As he was getting the bowls and measuring cups out I quickly (like in 5 minutes) came up with this recipe. This is a yummy, healthy muffin that your whole family can enjoy starting at 12 months.

Here's what you need: Yields 9 muffins

1 cup stoneground whole wheat flour

1/2 cup oats and flax (I used 1 package Nature's Path Oats and Flax oatmeal)

1/4 cup brown sugar

1/4 cup vegetable oil

4 oz organic applesauce

3 organic baby carrots grated

1/3 cup crushed walnuts

2 tsp baking powder

2 eggs beaten

Preheat oven to 350F.  Mix all ingredients into a large mixing bowl until smooth. Spray a muffin pan with nonstick cooking oil. Spoon batter into each slot (about 2 spoonfuls). Bake for 17 minutes. Remove from oven and let cool. Serve and enjoy!

All Fruit Ice Pops

My son and I made these ice pops the other day, which was a fun activity on its own, to enjoy on a rare San Francisco hot day like today. I bought ice pop trays at our local 5 and dime, but you can make these in baby food containers and eat like Italian ices, or stick a popsicle stick in a dixie cup to freeze. You can make this with really any fruit, we just used whatever we had in the fridge. We used oranges, strawberries, and blackberries. You can add vanilla yogurt to these too if you like (dairy is still not a friend of mine yet in this pregnancy so we left it out). These ice pops are a great snack for you and your toddler (12+ months) to enjoy.

What you need for this fruit combo (again you can use any fruit you like):

Makes 6 small ice pops

3 large oranges freshly juiced (or store bought orange juice)

1 to 2 handfuls organic strawberries

1 to 2 handfuls organic blackberries

1 tbsp honey

Squeeze oranges into a bowl (or use a hand juicer, my son loved this) make sure to remove seeds from juice bowl. Set orange juice aside. Blend strawberries, 1/2 tbsp honey and a little water until smooth and set aside. Blend blackberries, 1/2 tbsp honey and a little water and set aside. You should have 3 separate bowls of juice. Using a ladle, spoon, or you could pour straight from bowl, begin to layer the juices into ice pop containers until they are full. Place in freezer until frozen (we left ours in over night), and then enjoy! If you are planning on using vanilla yogurt leave out the honey, you don't want them to be too sweet.

Hyperemesis Has Been Kicking My A**

If you have been wondering where I have been for the last few months, here's your answer: I have been suffering from hyperemesis (yes the same thing as the Duchess); which also means we are expecting baby number 2! Although we have not had much time to be excited or celebrate this pregnancy yet because I am so ill, I wanted to share the news with my readers. Baby #2 will arrive in July!  Not many people know what hyperemesis is because it only affects about 1% of pregnant women (yes us "lucky" ones). A lot of people think that it is just a fancy name for morning sickness, but I can tell you after having "normal" morning sickness with my first, this is totally different. Here are some of the things that I have experienced to give you an idea of how severe hyperemesis is:
*no appetite
*not being able to eat or drink anything (not even water)
*violent bouts of uncontrollable nonstop throwing up that you literally feel like you are choking
*constant nausea (I'm talking 24 hours a day)
*receiving IV fluids for hydration
*severe acid reflux
*weight loss (this is not a good thing when you are pregnant)
*not being able to do daily activities without the help of medication
*receiving 24 hour a day IV medication through a zofran pump
*migraines
*having little to no energy

Along with all these symptoms I have been taking care of my 2 year old with no nanny, no mother's helper, and no family near by. Luckily, I have the best husband on earth, who has literally done everything from cooking, cleaning, laundry, grocery shopping etc...not to mention going to work everyday. My 2 year old son has also been a saint. I don't brag much about him, but I have to say he is the sweetest boy on earth. I don't know where he learned it, but every time I throw up now, he comes in and rubs my back and tells me to stay calm and that it's OK. He reminds me that my medicine will make me feel better. My family has been sending their support from afar, wishing they could be here to help, but luckily I have had the support of friends close by. Friends that don't blink an eye when you call them on a Friday night and ask them to pick you up at the hospital, or friends that offer to watch my son, or take him for walks, or friends that have gone through what I'm going through and offer their ear and nonstop support.

I'm now in my second trimester and hoping that I will start feeling like myself soon. I am starting to feel a little better and can see the light at the end of the tunnel. I'm also looking forward to seeing food as my friend again instead of the enemy. I have not cooked in 3 months!! When I started to feel better in my last pregnancy I cooked a feast and savored every bite. I am so looking forward to feeling like that again!

If you would like to find out more about hyperemesis click here.