Baked Pear Steel-Cut Oatmeal {And a pregnancy update!}

I am almost 25 weeks pregnant! Meaning I only have about 15 weeks left to prepare for this little guy!

Where to begin? I don't even know! I only have mountains of baby girl clothing, accessories, toys, etc.

And I have been way too busy to even think about going out and buying any boy stuff.

Yeah...not feeling very prepared yet!

While I may not be prepared for him to come yet, he sure is getting ready! 

He is so active, especially after I eat or exercise. And he is definitely growing.

For you moms out there, were there any foods you ate that really got your kids moving?

Because foods like curry or chocolate get my little guy moving a ton! :)

I just had another prenatal appointment today and everything looked and sounded great!

*sigh of relief*

No matter how many times I go in for a prenatal appointment and everything looks great,

I still end up worrying about all sorts of random things: Why isn't he moving right now? Is he okay? Am I eating enough? Is he getting the nutrition he needs?

Anyways, I am really excited for this new baby to join our family! :)

Another exciting event coming up: graduation! I graduate next month.

I know, it's crazy. It really is. And it's still difficult for me to wrap my mind around.

Done. Done with school? Forever?! Well, maybe not forever. But for a while.

However, that doesn't mean I don't plan on continuing my education.

I plan on learning lots of things post-graduation: how to sew, bake more, cook more, budget, organize, and all those other things I have been wanting to do but just have not had time for. 

I also cannot wait to spend more time with Kaiya-bear and our new little man.

I cannot wait to take them to the park and play games with them and help their dreams and imaginations run wild. At least that's what I would like to do. 

I hope to teach them to love life. And food...which leads me to this beautifully delicious dish...

Baked Pear Steel-Cut Oatmeal!

This recipe is very similar to my Baked Pear-Berry Steel-Cut Oatmeal, just without the berries.
And with some shredded coconut added!

Pear+coconut=delicious! If you haven't had that combination before, you will be pleasantly surprised. :)

This is the perfect dish to use up those pears that you forgot about in the fridge or on the countertop.
I totally forgot that I had a couple of pears sitting in the pantry. I was going to throw them away but then thought that I should try to use them somehow. So I made this oatmeal!

I am really working on not wasting so much food. The other week I realized I was throwing away so much leftover food and vegetables that had gone bad, and I decided to change that.

So, no more wasting food for me! :) At least, that's my goal.

Baked Pear-Berry Steel-Cut Oats
Inspired by: This New Old Thing
Total Time: 1 hour
Servings: 6
Nutrition (per serving):
Calories (193), Fat (3.1g), Protein (5.5g), Carbs (37.1g), Sugars (12.6g), Fiber (6.2g)
High in dietary fiber, 16% DV of Calcium

Ingredients:

• 1 c. uncooked steel-cut oats
• 1 & 1/2 cups unsweetened vanilla almond milk (or milk of choice)
• 2 ripe pears, chopped
• 1-2 Tbsp. raw honey (depending on how sweet you want it!)
• 2 Tbsp. pure maple syrup
• 1/2 tsp. baking powder
• 1 Tbsp. chia seeds, optional (but not ;) )
• 1/3 c. unsweetened shredded coconut
• 1 tsp. cinnamon
• 1 tsp. vanilla extract
• pinch of salt

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.
2. Mix oats and milk in large bowl and set aside for 10 minutes, so the oats soak up a bit of the milk.
3. While the oats are soaking, heat a small saucepan over medium heat and add the raw honey and pears. Saute the pears for a 4-5 minutes until pears are softened.
4. Add the pear mixture and all other ingredients (maple syrup, baking powder, chia seeds, shredded coconut, cinnamon, vanilla, and salt) into the bowl with the oats and milk. Stir to combine.
5. Pour the oat mixture into a lightly greased 8x8 baking dish and bake in oven for about 35-40 minutes, or until the center is set and no longer runny.
6. Serve warm with an extra splash of milk and a sprinkle of coconut. 
7. Refrigerate leftovers in a airtight container. To reheat leftovers, heat a small to medium saucepan over medium heat, add the desired amount of baked oats and some almond milk. Feel free to add as much/little milk as you want, depending on how you like the consistency of your oats. More milk for thinner oats, less milk for thicker oats. 

A Chinese Valentine's Day! {Sushi Included!}

Hope you had a fabulous Valentine's Day! <3

Whether you were able to spend it with a special significant other
or celebrate with close family and friends, I hope you were
able to enjoy a holiday devoted to expressing love for those
who mean the most to us in life! :)

For Valentine's Day, Joshua and I decided to go with a Chinese theme!
I guess I have kind of been in a Chinese food mood.
First with the Baked Sweet and Sour Chicken, and now with sushi
(thanks to my pregnancy cravings)!

Joshua and I have been wanting to try making our own sushi for a while now
but I am going to admit, it seemed like such a daunting task!
For some reason, I thought making sushi would be really hard.

All our yummy sushi fillings!

Well, I feel silly...because it is probably one of the easiest things I have ever made!
And it is so rewarding to make a dish that looks so pretty and tastes just like you
got it from your local sushi joint!

I found this great tutorial and recipe for sushi from Minimalist Baker.
I LOVE her recipes. They are all super healthy and very simple.
As the name states, she uses the minimal and most natural ingredients for her recipes.

We filled our sushi with:

Cucumber
Red Peppers
Carrots
Avocados
Shrimp

They were super good. And made even better with chopsticks!
All Chinese food tastes better when eaten with chopsticks. ;)

The sushi making process...

Ready to be cut!

The finished product! Delish!

Kaiya LOVED the sushi! We were pleasantly surprised.
She knows good food, that's for sure. ;)
It always baffles me, though, that it doesn't seem like she chews her food at all.
She just shoves it down! Haha.

Joshua and I enjoyed our sushi, ate some amazing ice cream, and watched Mulan.
It was wonderful and I cherish the fun memories we made!

How did you celebrate your Valentine's Day? 

Healthy Minute Blueberry Mug Oatmeal

So, I eat oatmeal a lot.
Like every day...
Sometimes twice, or even three times a day...

I know! It's crazy, and there are some people who
really don't like oatmeal and would think that's really gross.

But trust me...with oatmeal like this, it is most definitely not gross. ;)

And you might end up eating oatmeal every day too!

Plus, oatmeal is super good for you!
It has tons of fiber and is versatile so you can add
all sorts of yummy, mix-ins:
shredded coconut
nuts
dried fruit
yogurt
fresh fruit
chocolate chips
etc, etc, etc...

Get what I mean? Super versatile!

 And, just so you know, this recipe is:
-low in saturated fat
-high in calcium
-high in fiber
-high in vitamin B6
-very high in vitamin C and
-high in vitamin E

If you already eat oatmeal a lot, this recipe is a great way to mix
things up just a little bit...by making it in a giant mug!
And adding some special ingredients (like applesauce!). ;)

Trust me, eating oatmeal in a mug is way more fun
than eating it in a bowl for some reason.
You've gotta try it.

Healthy Minute Blueberry Mug Oatmeal

Total Time: 5 minutes

Yield: 1 mug serving

Nutrition (per serving):

Calories (218), Fat (3.9g), Carbs (41.8g), Fiber (6.7g), Sugars (11.8g), Protein (5.8g)

Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup old-fashioned oats
• 1 pinch salt
• 1 pinch cinnamon
• 1/2 c. unsweetened vanilla almond milk
• 1/4 c. unsweetened applesauce
• dash of vanilla extract
• 1 handful blueberries (or more or less depending on how much you want!)
• Optional: sweetener of choice, to taste
• Optional toppings: shredded coconut and/or whipped cream for some creamy, sweet decadence

(I didn't add any sweetener and thought it tasted fine, but if you like sweeter oatmeal, feel free to add some!)

Instructions:

1. Combine dry ingredient in a large mug. Add wet ingredients and mix well. Stir in blueberries.
2. Cook in microwave for about 1 1/2 minutes-2 minutes depending on how thick vs. runny you like your oats. 
3. If oats are thicker than you like, add more milk; if it's too runny, cook it longer.
4. Top with some coconut flakes and/or whipped cream for some creamy, sweet decadence.  

Tip: Keep an eye on the oats so they don't overflow while they cook! 

Enjoy!

{Baked} Sweet and Sour Chicken

Happy Chinese New Year!
(I know I am like a week late, but I've heard the Chinese
celebrate their New Year for about a week, so I'm good, right? ;) )

In honor of the Chinese New Year,
I wanted to share this delicious Chinese dish with you!

It is SO good and super simple
(and better than anything you'd ever find at Panda Express. For real.)
But I don't want to take all the credit because I found
this dish via The Recipe Critic. I just had to share it! :)

I pretty much followed the recipe exactly, except I added one
or two things and tweaked the directions just a bit to fit my
preference of not touching raw chicken as much as possible.

Does touching raw chicken gross anyone else out?!
Ugh, I just do not find pleasure in it and I would probably be
vegetarian if Joshua and I didn't really like chicken.

Speaking of Joshua, he LOVES this recipe and is giddy
every time I make it, which makes me feel pretty happy.

Kaiya also loves this chicken, which is huge for any toddler.
Toddlers can be picky sometimes...about lots of things, including food.

Anyways...
here's the recipe!

I hope you find some friends to celebrate the
Chinese New Year with and make this dish!
Thanks Recipe Critic for this recipe! It is genius. :)

{Baked Sweet and Sour Chicken} Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
Yield: 4 servings
Nutrition at a glance (per serving):
Calories (381), Fat (9.8g), Carbs (53.2g), Fiber (.4g), Sugars (29.8g), Protein (11.1g)

Ingredients:

• 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, thawed
• salt and pepper, to taste
• 3/4 cup cornstarch
• 1 tsp. garlic powder
• 2 eggs, beaten
• 2 Tbsp. olive oil
• 3/4 cup organic cane sugar
• 3 Tbsp. ketchup
• 1/4 cup white wine vinegar
• 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
• 1 Tbsp. low sodium soy sauce
• 1/4 tsp. garlic powder
• 1/4 tsp. salt
• sesame seeds (pretty, but optional)

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 325 degrees F. Cut chicken into bite-size pieces and season with a bit of salt and pepper.
2. Whisk together the cornstarch and 1 tsp. garlic powder in a medium-sized bowl and the put beaten eggs in a separate medium-sized bowl.
3. Pour all the chicken pieces into the bowl with the cornstarch and mix with a spoon until all the chicken is dusted with cornstarch.
4. Pour the egg into the chicken-cornstarch mixture and stir with a spoon until all the chicken is coated with egg.
5. Heat the olive oil in a medium skillet over medium heat and cook the chicken mixture until it is browned. Pour chicken into a 9x13 (or similar-sized) baking dish.
6. In a medium-sized bowl, whisk together the sugar, ketchup, white wine vinegar, apple cider vinegar, soy sauce, garlic powder, and salt. Pour over the chicken and bake, uncovered for 45 minutes to 1 hour, stirring every 15 minutes to make sure all the chicken is well-coated in sauce. 

Sprinkle sesame seeds over chicken and serve with Fried Rice. If you want to make a healthier version of this dish, just cook the salt and pepper seasoned chicken in the olive oil without the breading. :)

Life Lately: McGlothin Family Updates

Life can be a little crazy sometimes.

I'm sure you know exactly what I mean.

Between a 20-hour work week, 15 school credits, and family responsibilities,
I sometimes barely rememeber what I did 20 minutes ago, let alone one day ago.

When people ask me how my weekend was, I usually say something like,
"That's a really good question..." or "What did I do?!"

I guess what I am saying is that I am exhausted!
But it is SO worth it because I graduate in April. Yay!

Recently, Joshua and I have been pretty busy with school and work.
Most of the time we get to spend together is in the evenings
after Joshua gets home from school.

Dishes pile up in the sink for a couple days because we are so busy
and Kaiya's toys end up everywhere...
the shower, trashcan, bookshelf, drawers, dryer, and other random places
throughout the house.

Joshua and I celebrated my birthday at the beginning of the month with some dinner
at a Thai restaurant in Provo that was delicious! We love Thai food and have
set a goal to visit every Thai restaurant in Provo before we leave next year!
(We'll see how that goes...) :)
We also got some ice cream from Coldstone!
Seriously, every time I go there, I tell myself I will try a new Creation flavor...
but I always end up getting the Founder's Favorite ice cream.
It's filled with addicting sweet cream ice cream, brownie chunks,
pecans, chocolate syrup and caramel syrup.
Is your mouth watering yet? Mine is...

 Now is your mouth watering?!

For date night last Friday, Joshua and I went to the Provo temple
and just enjoyed sitting outside of it, reading together,
and enjoying the peaceful evening.
We even got to cuddle a bit because it was chilly. ;)

Anyways, Kaiya is showing interest in helping me "clean,"
meaning she will hold on to the broom as I try to sweep the floor
and pushes the vacuum with me. She's such a great little helper!

Not too long ago, Kaiya reached into the refrigerator and pulled down a bowl
of beans that spilled all over the floor.
She immediately looked over at me to see what I would do.
I just smiled at her and said, "Whoops! Let's clean it up!"
She smiled and picked up each bean, individually, and placed it
on the bottom shelf of the fridge. 

That didn't last long...because then she started grabbing handfuls of the
beans she had already put away and threw them back on the ground!
Close Kaiya...but not quite. :)

And for those not keeping track, Kaiya is now 14 months old!
Unbelievable, right?

Kaiya 14-month update:

• Favorite foods: everything...except cranberry sauce (can't blame her, right?)
• Favorite words: baby (most things are "baby"), bye-bye, duck, dad
• Favorite activities: looking at things upside down (with her head between her legs), playing tag, making friends, playing in dirt and rocks, playing with daddy, going to the duck pond
• Favorite person/people: Mommy and Daddy of course! ;) And anyone else who plays with her...
• Favorite book: Back in My Arms

Playing with rocks...one of her favorite things!

Well, I hope you have a wonderful day! :)

Flourless PB Black Bean Brownies

Wait...what?! Did she say that right? Black beans...brownies...combined?!

That's probably what you were thinking, right?

Well, you read that correctly. There really are black beans in these brownies.
And there really is no flour in them either!

You think I'm crazy? Well, maybe you're right. But they really are delicious!

I never considered making black bean brownies until I needed to
make a dessert for someone who couldn't eat gluten.

I sure was skeptical.

But look at these!...

If I hadn't already spilled the beans (haha?) that these were made with black beans,
you would NEVER have guessed, right? :)

Well, here is the recipe I used to make these beauties. I found this recipe on DAMY Health.
I slightly modified it by omitting the instant coffee and using 4 whole eggs.

Flourless PB Black Bean Brownies
Prep time: 10 Minutes – Cook time: 30 Minutes – Total time: 40 Minutes
Servings: 12-16 brownies

Black Bean Brownie Ingredients:

• 1 15oz. Can Black Beans, drained and rinsed
• 4 Eggs
• 1/3 cup Pumpkin Puree (or unsweetened apple sauce-I used the pumpkin puree)
• 1/2 cup Natural Cocoa Powder
• 1/4 tsp. Salt
• 2 tsp Vanilla Extract
• 1/4 cup Agave, Honey or Maple Syrup (I used Agave) - and actually I would add a bit more than this if you prefer a sweeter brownie rather than a rich brownie
• 2 Tbsp Maple Syrup (or just use more agave or honey)
• 1 Tsp Baking Powder
• 1/4 Cup Dark Chocolate Chips (more if you wish - highly recommended)

Peanut Butter Swirl Ingredients:

• 1/3 Cup Peanut Butter
• 1 Tbsp Agave or Honey
• Pinch of Salt
• Dash of Vanilla Extract

Directions:

1. Pre-heat your oven to 350 F.
2. Place all black bean brownie ingredients into your food processor and blend until smooth.
3. Spray an 8×8 baking dish with a healthy, non-stick cooking spray.
4. Evenly spread batter into baking dish.
5. On your stove-top melt peanut butter swirl ingredients and mix.
6. Dollop peanut butter swirl mixture with a spoon spaced out about an inch from each other onto the brownie batter.
7. Pull a knife back and forth through the batter creating your swirls.
8. Place in the oven and bake for 30-40 minutes.*Ovens vary so your discretion is needed. You will know your brownies are baked when the top becomes firm and the brownies pull away from the sides of the dish.
9. Sticking a tooth pick in the middle and pulling it out clean will ensure your brownies are baked fully.
10. Remove from oven when baked and let set in the baking dish for about 10 minutes.
11. Gently cut brownies, serve and enjoy!
12. To store brownies it is best to first let them cool completely and then store them in a sealed tight container in the refrigerator.

Try this recipe! It is surprisingly delicious, especially with a scoop of vanilla ice cream. :)

I am officially a fan of black beans in brownies. Yep. I just said that.

:)

Easter 2013...better later than never!

I know it has been almost a month since Easter,
but I need to catch up on all the fun things
we have been up to!
It's been a while since I've blogged,
thanks to finals (ugh!).
Thank goodness those are over.

Anyways...

We had such a wonderful Easter this year!

I remember being pregnant with Kaiya last year
and thinking to myself, "Next Easter, I will have a baby!"

The thought was so unreal.
Yet, here she is.
More perfect and beautiful than I could have ever imagined.

We started our Easter morning with some delicious
Apple Cinnamon Muffins and Greek yogurt.

We also gave Kaiya an Easter basket filled with some goodies:
*cute headbands
*a new dress
*a cute, stuffed lamb
*an egg coloring kit
*and DARK CHOCOLATE
(Ghirardelli, of course...that was more for Joshua and I than for her haha)

Aren't they both SO adorable?!

We also all wore matching outfits for Church!

Then we ended our wonderful Easter with a
nice dinner with my brother-in-law and new sister-in-law!

Recipe here: Crockpot Italian Chicken

C

This meal is SOOOO good.
Probably not the healthiest, but SO delicious!
Plus, it is extremely easy to make.

Essentially, I threw chicken breast, cream cheese,
 a can of cream of chicken soup, and a packet of Zesty Italian Dressing mix
into the crockpot, cooked it for 4-5 hours and it was done and ready to eat!

It was the perfect Easter dinner.

Ooey gooey goodness!

What do you get when you place a
Russell Stover chocolate covered marshmallow egg on a
graham cracker and microwave it for 15 seconds?!

You've got this!

And boy were they messy!

Does that look yummy or what?!

Did you know that marshmallow expands SIGNIFICANTLY in the microwave?

Well, it does!

So microwaving it any more than 15 seconds would have resulted
in a very messy, marshmallowy clean-up!

Joshua and I had SO much fun making these microwave s'mores,
even though we ended up with very sticky fingers and mouths!
I ended up with a huge glob of marshmallow on my lip
that did not want to come off!

Ooey gooey goodness!

Kaiya was already in bed, so we
watched The Hobbit, gobbled up our s'mores,
and just enjoyed our time alone together.

Don't get me wrong, I love our sweet Kaiya,
but I need alone time with my hubby to communicate (and cuddle)
together and have a cohesive conversation without
any distraction (no matter how adorable that distraction may be!)