Meal Plan for the Week of January 17th

We're making a concerted effort these days to do the following:

• Weekly Meal Planning
• Grocery Shopping Once Per Week
• Leftovers for Lunches

While we've always grocery shopped on a fairly regular basis, it was always when we were in desperate need of everything and we never went with a meal plan in hand. We'd toss out ideas as we walked the grocery store and in turn, we tossed anything & everything into the shopping cart. This meant we'd have a lot of random items, an abundance of fruit & vegetables and no clear direction. I found that I was throwing out a lot of produce AND making multiple (and costly) trips to the store each week to pick up miscellaneous items.

We're on our 3rd week of (official) meal planning and I just wrote out our grocery list for tomorrow, which is surprisingly small. Our shop last week was rather big so I'm happy to see a lot of carryover that I'll put to use this week. I'm also having a lot of fun with this because it's the push I need to peruse my cookbooks and magazines in a quest to try new things.

Here's a look at what's on the menu this week:

Sunday - Grilled cheese sandwiches, soup & salad.

*I'll be at a baby shower during the afternoon and D will likely meet a friend for brunch so we will have a simple dinner.

Monday - Southwestern Chicken & Black Bean Stew

Tuesday - Pork Scaloppine with Proscuitto, Sage & Caramelized Lemon

Wednesday - Campanelle with Italian Sausage & Leeks

Thursday - Spiced Lentil Soup with Minted Yoghurt

Friday - Classic but Quick Beef Stew

I'm pleased that I have almost all the ingredients needed for sides with the dishes above (salad, vegetables, etc.) as well as the majority of the fresh herbs, spices & other random ingredients. It's a nice feeling knowing that we'll be grabbing the essentials with minimal waste & cost. Each dish should also provide enough leftovers for D's lunches (again, a cost savings).

All recipes are from Fine Cooking and are in my rotation for the very first time. Check back for reviews!

Are We There Yet?

I'm not even asking for a vacation but rather a day off. I want a day where everything I do is the product of choice and not necessity. Sigh.

'Nuff said.

So Tragic

In light of the devastating events recently in Haiti, there is one news story I simply cannot stop thinking about and I'm find it's consuming my thoughts.

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/national/young-mothers-death-shocks-neighbourhood/article1430597/

When I first read this in the paper, I immediately started crying. My heart went out for the poor baby and the mother's family. I can't even get my head around this. I can't imagine M growing up without me in his life and having D have to tell him what happened. As it turns out, the young mother is recently separated from her husband and for whatever reason, he cannot or is unable to care for his two children. The 7 week old boy and a young girl are now in the custody of the Children's Aid Society. This absolutely breaks my heart.

When I first read about her death, I told D we had to help. If a trust account was opened in the young baby's name, we had to donate. To my knowledge, nothing has been set up. I'm scouring the newspapers daily looking for updates.

Ever since having M, I have become obsessively paranoid about our safety when on the roads or when we're out walking. When we go for our daily walk, I revert back to my childhood where you were told constantly to 'look left, look right and look left again' before crossing any street. I never cross when the hand is already flashing because I'm paranoid someone will come flying out of nowhere and through the intersection. I can't trust that someone will see us so I'm always very careful.

D can vouch that I have also become an insane backseat driver. I basically clutch the armrest constantly and I'm always barking out instructions to watch that car, the person on the bike or pedestrian crossing. I've become this annoying person who feels the need to yell the colour of the upcoming light so we aren't running a yellow too late. I'm constantly looking around and I'm pretty sure I make a comment about idiot drivers on a daily basis. Having a baby has greatly changed the way I drive and how I view other drivers. I'm always thinking of my precious cargo and have become so much more aware.

There are so many factors relating to this accident that we will never know and while I'll likely continue to look for more information, I'm sure this news will be considered 'old' soon. There are a lot of 'bigger & better' stories right now but this one still has a hold on me.

My thoughts go out to the poor children & family as well as the woman who hit her. She is an elderly woman and I'm certain she will never recover from the shock & tragedy of it all.

Worst. Mother. Ever.

Okay, I'm not but I feel like a horrible mother right now. I just made a big mistake.

M's "schedule" has been a bit of a mess all week and I finally thought we were back on track yesterday. He ate, played & happily napped (x3) yesterday and went to bed like a champ. Today started off in a similar fashion but just went downhill now.

Sometimes, I look at this little guy and have no clue what he's trying to tell me. He usually has a late afternoon snooze but save for a yawn well over an hour ago when we were out walking, he's been awake & active. He started fussing not too long ago so I put him down in his crib and that's when the screaming started.

I was hiding in the bathroom waiting for it to stop and when it didn't, I went into his room and scooped him up. My initial thought was that he wasn't tired and that he could last another two hours until bedtime. Um, not a chance! The second I put him on the floor downstairs to play, he started to whine. So, back upstairs to the crib we go because he's got to be tired. Sigh. I'm now listening to him flip between freaking out and fussing.

What was my mistake? Bringing him downstairs. I should have gone into his room, soothed him and left him to fall asleep. He is usually such a predictable kid that it really bothers me when I make such a silly mistake. I spend so much time reading his cues so that I can attempt to be one step ahead of him but I blew that one today.

We're 9 months into this kid's life and still making mistakes. The joy is that we learn from them everyday. I used to always say to D that having a baby is all about walking a fine line and windows of opportunity. You have to be careful to keep baby happy and content within what seem to be tiny windows of opportunity. If you miss the window, disaster will ensue. If you stray from the routine, all windows go... well, out the window.

There is NO better sound than the little baby sighs M is currently making as he sleeps.

City Survivor

Toronto Life is one of my favourite magazines and I love the monthly feature known as "The List" where a Canadian celebrity or well-known persona details the ten things he or she cannot live without.

Although I'm certainly not famous or well-known, here are ten things I can't live without (in no particular order):

1. Coffee

I love a good (but always nonfat) latte. We recently discovered a new coffee shop in our 'hood that makes great lattes and sells these fantastic salted chocolate chip cookies.

2. Alice Munro

I was a latecomer to the world of Alice Munro and wasn't introduced to her until university. She is my absolute favourite writer and I can honestly say that reading Lives of Girls and Women was a pivotal moment in my life.

3. Uggs

Yes, Uggs are ugly but they are damn comfortable. They're like a squishy heaven for my feet.

4. MINI

I love my MINI and I'll be sad to see her go in March. This was the most fun car I've ever owned and if I didn't need to consider a baby, I would be getting another one.

5. Secrets From Your Sister

Fabulous bra fitting boutique on Bloor Street (just west of Bathurst) that offers personalized service and great product. This is the only place I'll shop for bras.

6. BlackBerry

My BlackBerry is my lifeline. I use BlackBerry Messenger to stay connected to D throughout the day as well other friends & co-workers. I still get work related calls now and again so it's nice to stay involved. I take pictures of M almost daily using this phone and can quickly send them on to family.

7. Lip Balm

For as long as I can remember, I have been a lip balm addict. It morphed from a teenage love of Lip Smacker flavoured gloss to keeping staples like Blistex around. I cannot go to bed without putting lip balm on and can almost panic if I don't have any with me when out & about.

8. Kitchen-Aid Professional Stand Mixer

Though I don't use it that often anymore, I could never let go of my pink Kitchen-Aid mixer. It is a kitchen essential.

9. Perez Hilton

I can't even begin to admit how frequently I hit this website during the day. It's actually rather sickening. I'm obsessed with celebrity gossip and Perez is my first & favourite source. Man, that's pathetic.

10. John Frieda Frizz-Ease Serum

This is another product that I have used for years and years. I apply it religiously after every shower when my hair is still wet. Love this stuff and it's the only thing I've ever consistently used on my curls.

Slacking...

I've been quiet lately but to be honest, don't have much to say. I'm working on it though... stay tuned!

Um... Delicious?

Fine Cooking magazine is my Bible. It's the first place I look for recipes and I've never had a bad experience. Straightforward, easy-to-find ingredients and always delicious.

Fastest Barbecued Chicken

*This recipe calls for 8 skinless/boneless chicken thighs but I used a whole roasting chicken instead.

6 tbs. dark brown sugar

1 tbs. chile powder

2 tsp. dry mustard

Kosher salt

Whole chicken, rinsed & patted dry

3/4 cup tomato ketchup

1/4 cup low-salt soy sauce

1/4 cup cider vinegar

1 tbs. Dijon mustard

1/2 tsp. Chipotle Tabasco or other chipotle hot sauce; more to taste

Prep, rinse & dry your chicken. Stuff the cavity (optional) with lemon, crushed garlic and thyme or rosemary.

In a small bowl, combine 2 tbs. of the brown sugar with the chile powder, dry mustard and 1 tbs. salt. Rub the spice mix all over the chicken.

In a small saucepan, whisk the remaining 4 tbs. brown sugar with the ketchup, soy sauce, cider vinegar and Dijon mustard; bring to a boil. Lower the heat to a simmer and cook, stirring frequently, for 2 minutes to dissolve the sugar and blend the flavours. Remove from the heat and let cool slightly. Taste and add a pinch of salt, if needed. Stir in the Chipotle Tabasco, adding more to taste.

In a preheated 375 degree oven, cook the chicken according to directions. Typically, 15-20 minutes per 500g. Pull the chicken out and baste liberally with the sauce. Return the chicken to the oven for an additional 30 minutes.

Serve with the leftover sauce for dipping.

*Fastest Barbecued Chicken, Susie Middleton, FC #65, Scott Phillips