New Find + "What's for Dinner"

{New Find}

When I collected manzanita branches from our cabin this summer, I wasn't sure if others would think they were as beautiful as I do. Well, apparently you do. A majority of custom orders request manzanita branches.

This week I had another such request, but I had run out of branches! Aaaah!! A sweet friend let me raid her backyard for branches, and then another friend gave me a tip on what's now my secret spot to find some really gorgeous manzanita - Thank you friends! (You know who you are.) ;)

So here is Karen's mobile that shipped out to her in South Carolina today.

Many well wishes to you and your soon-to-be new family, Karen!

{What's for Dinner}

Requests have been made for "a week in the life of Trapp dinners", so here goes the first (and only?) "What's for Dinner" post. I'll spare you all of the details, but feel free to leave a comment with questions and I'll be sure to answer them. 

Monday

Turkey Burger w/ Tomato & Lettuce

Kale Chips

Tuesday

Sauteed Salmon

Green Salad w/ Nuts tossed with Olive Oil, Balsamic Vinegar, S&P

Rice, Barley, Spelt Mixture (Trader Joe's)

My husband's plate/portions

Wednesday

My hubby and I got to be "models" in a photo shoot for
Windows on the Water
(That's us in the "Photos" section!)
We dined on their Frisee Salad
Goat Cheese Bruschetta (Incredible!)

Seared Rare Wild Fijian Ahi

Thursday
Chicken Skewers w/Olive Oil & Lemon Pepper
BBQ'd Tomatoes and Onions
Leftover Rice/Barley/Spelt from last night

Doesn't look all that appetizing but it tasted really good

My son's plate

Friday

Sauteed Pork Chops

Brown Rice

Roasted Brussel Sprouts

My father-in-law got me hooked on this brown rice. FANTASTIC texture. Very nutty. Amazing.

Saturday

Breakfast for Dinner!

Egg Whites Scrambled w/Low-Moisture/Light Mozzarella

Sauteed Zucchini

Cracked Wheat made w/Low-Sodium Chicken Broth

Sunday

Pizza Night with Good Friends!

I forgot to take a picture, but you can see how we do our Pizzas here

So... What do you think? Helpful? Entertaining? Boring? Appetizing? Want me to do it again some time? Same meal? You let me know. I'll perform. :)

Have a scrumptious day.

Happy Valentine's Day

I feel so blessed and loved. To have two healthy and energetic children I long to be with the second the fall asleep.(Well, maybe a few hours later)...

To have a husband I adore, admire, and still get butterflies over...

And, to eat cupcakes!

The way to my heart - Vanilla Cupcakes! Thank you, B.

Happy Valentine's Day, everyone. {What's for Dinner} is tomorrow's blog.

The Nugget + Going Soft

{The Nugget}

I'm just going with it. Let me know if you have suggestions for another way to describe this quick, weekly {if you hold me to this, I may drop the ball so be nice} part of my blog that gives you a little morsel to consider as you go about your culinary way.

This week's Nugget: Protein. 

Eat it every time you eat. Just a snack? Yes, protein. Breakfast? YES, protein. Protein helps slow down the metabolism of your food and provides a feeling of satiety longer than a meal of straight carbs would. Happy tummy. Eating less.

Err on the lean side: low-fat dairy (string cheese; yogurt; cottage cheese; kefir; goat's milk products), lean/extra-lean meats (leftovers from dinner; deli meats; tuna in a can; the usuals: chicken, pork, beef, fish), soy products (marinated tofu; baked tofu; edamame; soy yogurt); nuts (almonds, peanuts, soy, pecans, walnuts). No need for protein powders - There's plenty of great food out there packed with protein.

We just got back from Trader Joe's and got two favorites. For us, this Greek-style yogurt is nonfat, serves up 14g protein (12g carbs) per serving, and is colored with pomegranate juice and red cabbage extract. It comes in Pomegranate, Blueberry and Honey.

For the kids, these Grilled Chicken Burger Patties are made from skinless thigh meat. 

I say they are for the kids but they're fine for adults too. The thigh meat provides more cholesterol so kids can get away with that as their developing brains need a good supply of cholesterol. Each patty provides 25g protein {I split between my two kids} but does have 330mg sodium. Try to serve with high potassium foods to off-set the sodium.

{Going Soft}

Every new baby needs a gift - Why not let Cookie+Curly be your no-brainer, one stop shop. Constantly in need of something warm to lay on, crawl on, drool on, or spit up on, blankets meet that need and then some - bright prints entertain the brain while ribbons provide interaction and sensory stimulation.

While you're there, get some little clips for the little girl {her hair's going to grow so soon!}...

And a congratulatory ring or necklace for Mommy. The vintage-style cabochon necklaces can be personalized to add a baby's picture or name.

Okay, enough about Cookie+Curly. Enjoy your protein!