THE QUICK FISH FIX

Yes we have already discussed the deal on fish. I am so glad that I did some thorough research because I found out that this little girl only wants home-made food or organic.  WHAT?!?  Who told her to already be a Diva? And I don't even want to say that she is a Diva because that is so cliche.  We will call her a jewel. So when did this jewel make this decision. I mean I can't even eat a TV Dinner.  So I am still on the verge of finding things that she and I both can enjoy and that Daddy won't turn up his lip too.  So I am still happily designing creative BUMP-CIPES that won't make me nauseas.  So here is the second BUMP-CIPES that makes all of us very satisfied.  And she actually calms down.  It's funny because she is just like her parents already. A lover of good food. 

BUMP-CIPE #2

Salmon Burgers with Onion Rue, Parmesan Crusted Asparagus and Pasta Salad

This recipe only takes about 30 minutes and it's pretty simple.  Again, I don't like to measure but I am going to get better at it. I grew up using more veggies as spices vice pre-made but here's goes. 

Ingredients:

This is pretty self explanatory.  Just follow the directions on the package and you are done. I added  Spanish Olives  with a little bit of black pepper and I was loving it. 

These are a pack of Salmon Burgers that we picked up from Publix.  They were Lemon Dill and magical. All you need to do is put a large skillet on medium high and add a drizzle of olive oil.  Let the pan do the magic.

This is all I used to season the asparagus.  NOTHING ELSE!    

Even though it is packaged clean, please wash the veggies off and chop the ends off.  Roll these in the Panko Parmesan mix and place on a lightly sprayed pan. Oven can be set for 300 degrees.

THE RUE
half of an onion (chopped)
button mushrooms (about a handful, chopped)
roughly 2 tablespoons of flour
1/2 cup of water
olive oil

1.  Start with a hot sauce pan.  Add in onions and mushrooms.
2. When they start sizzling add in the olive oil.
3.  add water.
4.  lightly mix in flour to your desire. If you want it thicker remember you must add more flour and water.  Keep stirring because you don't want it to clump up.

For Dessert I had a nice pomegranate Greek Yogurt.  

Stay Tuned: Materna-Diva Fashion's. Y'all not ready (teehee!)

DRUMROLL PLEASE!!! BOY OR GIRL?!?!?!?

So I woke up Thursday morning too excited because I knew today was the day to discover what was growing inside of me. I mean I know it was a baby but was it a boy or a girl. I was still holding onto not knowing until our baby shower.  I thought it would be a really cool surprise.  But when I got to school that morning I was like, I can't do it. I just can't wait that long. I need to be mentally prepared for what is about to come out of me.  

So of course as a true beauty fashionista, I got dolled up for my Ultrasound!! Hey, don't judge me, this is the first encounter we are trully having with our child and he/she was making their big debut on the big screen.  My appointment was for 10:30a.  I was beaming all day in class.  He/she must've been excited to see me too because I couldn't really feel kicks but I could feel him/her pressing really hard against me. Kinda like he/she was ready to give me a hug.  

**PSA**PSA**PSA**PSA

***Ladies....please make sure your husband, boyfriend, significant other is present for this. This is exciting for them as well. This is something that you both have been waiting on. To be able to pick those pinks or blues.  To figure out if you'll be running to get footballs or ballerina tutus. And just seeing those little body parts on that screen can brighten anyone's day***

Okay so we get to the DOC's office and it is super crowded in there. Oh my gosh and hot. Lawwdd!! Did they forget that I had on two shirts because the temperature at my school is extremely cold.  I mean come on with the weather changes and these aren't even hormonal.  

We go back to the office and I am nervous and excited at the same dag on time (teehee!) She puts the cold gel on my belly and starts moving around. But no my little star has gotten start struck because he/she is staying in one place.  Head on the left side of my body and feet and legs on my right.  The Nurse says, if the baby cooperates would you like to know the sex.  We both say YES and all three of us laughed.  It was like they were asking us if we were innocent or guilty.  She then asks, what do you want. We both say a boy.  The reason why I said a boy is because every man deserves to have a little man in their life. I am so serious about that too!

We are looking at the pictures and see a face, legs (of course long ones), feet, the brain, top of the head, spine, stomach.......AND THEN THE PELVIS. Dun, Dun, Dun

This was the moment of truth ladies and gentlemen. He sits up in the chair. I try to lean more to the right on this extra skinny table to see if I can see anything more.   

The nurse says...Well you are the proud parents of a baby....................

GIRL!!!

Getting Down To The Fins!!

So when I went to my last appointment, I had one of the most important questions about my diet because it is important to me. What's the deal on fish? Fish is actually a big part of my diet because I am not a big meat eater and I don't consume pork.  So Lady, you want me to eat something but how are you gonna take my fish away?? This is unfair. I must call Congress or somebody....PLEASE DON'T DO THIS!! LOL!! Yes, this is what my brain was saying.  However here's the skinny...or the fishy!!

So the scoop (or the net, lol) is that YES you can consume fish.  However it is which fish that you consume and how much of it.  Now you should not stop eating fish. NO, NO, NO. Because fish contains mercury, specifically methylmercury, is absorbed in fished and can b e passed to humans.  Because of it's toximity, consumption f fish with a high mercury content doesn't need to be eaten by pregnant women. 

SO WHAT FISH CAN WE YOU EAT?

Well I'm glad that you asked (teehee!). First you should be including 1-2 fish meals in your diet per week because it helps with the brain development for your child.  This is important in the 2nd and 3rd Trimester.  

DO NOT EAT LIST

Swordfish

Shark

Kimg Mackerel (King-Fish)

Ahi Tune

Yellowfin Tuna

Bigeye Tuna

Chilean Sea Bass

Orange Roughy

Marlin

Amberjack

Spanish Mackerel

Freshwater Bass*

Albacore or White Canned Tuna

Fish carries TONS of vitamins, is a great source of protein and are very high in OMEGA 3-fatty acids which help with brain development, reduce the risk of heart disease and help prevent arthiritis.  

Now I know that this is a hard pill (fish, HA!) to swallow but Salmon and Tilapia are still very available. Along with shrimp, clams and oysters. To be sure make sure you check with your OB, Midwife or Doula on serving portions and more elaboration on fish.  And you can also check with your local seafood department and ask for a list of which fish are safe for you and the bundle of joy!!!

Who Knew!!! I'm Pregnant!!!

I'M PREGNANT!!!!!!

Yes it is a surprise to us all.  I happy one for me.  I mean really after 8 years, I get pregnant again, lol. It's funny because it seems that, at least in my case, I have love children. I think we should all refer our children as our "LOVE CHILD" because theoretically that is how they are made. At least I want to think that all children are made this way. Even through everything these little beings teach us how to love----AGAIN!!

We are 22 weeks and 3 days. And from what I have been told is that I have to lessen my carbs, eat more red meat and GAIN MORE WEIGHT!!! So tonight I am going to start this blog off with my BUMP-CIPES.  What are those you ask, well I just took the things that I like to eat and enhanced them with things that my Nurse said I needed and voila.......we have BUMP-CIPES!! And you don't have to be "with-child" to eat these meals, I'm thinking about sticking to it as long as my appetite doesn't change.

BUMP-CIPES #1

Cabbage Stir-Fry
(I don't really measure. I just use dashes of the seasonings. I like using fresh veggies as seasonings.)

Ingredients

top round sirloin for stir-fry
cabbage medley (cabbage, red peppers, carrots, summer squash
Mahatma Rice
Soy Sauce
Lowry's Seasoned Salt
Onion Powder
Garlic Powder
White Cooking Wine
Olive Oil
1 small sauce pan
1 large sauce pan

1.  Marinate the sirloin in the soy, 1 teaspoon of Lowry's, onion and garlic powder in the fridge for 30 minutes. 

2.  In the large sauce pan add 1/2 teaspoon of olive oil with 2 tablespoons of White cooking wine. Allow to get hot. 

3. Lower the temp on olive oil/cooking wine blend and add the cabbage blend.  

4.  Get water ready to boil for rice. It will only take 20 minutes fr this to cook. 

5.  Take your marinated sirloin and put it in the heated small sauce pan. This should take approximately 15 minutes to cook on medium to high heat. 

6.  After everything is finished, put rice on the bottom, sauteed cabbage blend then sirloin on top and ENJOY!!!

This Cabbage Medley is the absolute tastiest!! Cabbage, summer squashes, red peppers and carrots. Cook until steamed thoroughly.

Make sure you cook your meat until it is cooked throughout.  We don't want any Bump drama. 

FINITE!!!
(No extra sauces needed)

My thoughts:  This was my first time making this and honestly all the kicking has stopped so someone must be happy.  Finish it off with a nice Dole Frozen Fruit Bar!!! YEAH!!!!

STAY TUNED:  ON THURSDAY IS IT A BOY OR A GIRL?!?