Piano Man

As I was cleaning up around our place, I noticed that a few things had piled up on the piano.  Instead of treating it like the beautiful musical instrument that it is, we were using it as a landing pad for random things like slippers, keys, magazine, etc.  Noticing this, I was a little embarassed and also it got me thinking...I hadn't heard my husband play in awhile.

So, selfishly I thought that if I cleaned it off, then maybe he would sit down and play.  Ironically, that same night, after work and dinner, he noticed the bench was clear and the music was out.  He sat down and started to play and I, being the emotional pregnant wreck that I am these days, started to get tears in my eyes.

You see, he is good...really good, and he can hear music and put music together like no one I know.  It's beautiful to watch and listen to him play.  I am guessing our little one was impressed too because as soon as she heard the piano, I felt her dancing.  She seemed to be happy by what her daddy was doing.  In that moment, I had visions of our little one sitting next to her Daddy, legs swinging on the bench, learning how to play...and I loved it. 

We have so much to look forward too.  I am so grateful for my husband's talents and hope that our little girl will be given the gift of music too.

Thank you for the seat

As part of life in the big city, I take the train to work everyday.  For some of you, this sounds really cool, even fun (the husband is definitely one of those people).  I am not going to knock public transportation (at least not in this post).  In fact, it's quite awesome to not have to get in a car and try to drive in this crazy city.  The only thing that has made communting this way difficult these days is the large basketball I am carrying on the front of my torso...I mean, my beautiful baby bump!  :)

Many pregnant women have gone before me in this train adventure.  I can picture them now, struggling to find a post to hang-on while the young guy in the suit is sitting and reading his Wall Street Journal. Whatever happened to chivalry?  If I was sitting, I would always be sure to offer my seat to one of these lucky ladies...I mean, it's hard enough to hang on when you're not pregnant.

So, I am now the pregnant lady on the train.  Every day is a test of the kindness of strangers.  Will someone be kind enough to let me rest on the train?  Do they know how unsteady I am these days with my belly protruding outward at full salute?  Do they know how hard it is to just be comfortable?  Or how bad it feels to get smashed against other train-goers, trying to protect my child from getting elbowed?  Riding the train is no easy task.

Ironically, I have noticed a trend in the kind souls who offer up their seat to me.  Who are they?  Well, they are ALWAYS women!  Yes, it doesn't even matter the age.  I have had teenage girls offer up their seats, middle-aged women and even older women.  It is amazing and I am always so appreciative and grateful to them.  So ladies, even though it's annoying to have to get up from your seat, I want you to know, that on behalf of all of us pregnant ladies out there, we think the world of you!!!  A safe and painless ride to work is worth more than you'll ever know.

So, my question is...what about you men out there?  Maybe you should put down your papers, put away your I-Phones and look around every one in awhile to see if anyone else may need a seat.  I haven't lost complete faith in the male species in this respect, but you can be sure I'm still keeping track.  So far, women...you are leading the pack...congratulations!


 

Organic fruits and vegetables...are they worth the extra $$?

As a dietitian and chef, I get this question all of the time.  I usually answer it the same way.  If you, can, than yes, you should absolutely buy some foods organic.  Why?  Some foods readily absorb the pesticides and sprays used to keep them alive and help them grow.  Those pesticides aren't necessarily the best for our health...causing cancer and other diseases.  So what should you buy organic?  There's actually a list called the Dirty Dozen and here it is...the foods you should buy organic:

The Dirty Dozen:
Apples
Celery
Strawberries
Peaches
Spinach
Nectarines
Grapes (Imported)
Sweet Bell Peppers
Potatoes
Blueberries
Lettuce
Pineapple
Kale/Collard Greens

If some are good to buy organic, why not all?  Well, studies have shown that there are some fruits/veggies that aren't as likely to harbor pesticides as others.  For those, there really is no sense in spending extra money...spend that money on something else!

The Clean Fifteen:
Avocados
Onions
Sweet Onions
Sweet Corn
Pineapples
Sweet peas
Mango
Asparagus
Cabbage
Cantaloupe
Kiwi
Eggplant
Sweet Potatoes
Grapefruit
Watermelon

Now it's time to get yourself to the grocery store!

A Mover and a Shaker

Pregnancy is something else.  My body is not my own and I am learning that very quickly these days.  As some of you know, I am a pretty active person.  I have spent most of my life playing sports, running, hiking and just enjoying the overall adrenaline rush that being active provides.  With my pregnancy, I have put all of that on the back-burner.  No more running, just nice easy strolls.  No more sports, unless it's to be the ball girl for the husband as he practices hoops.  And that's ok...just different and weird.

Another thing that's different is that I am finding it harder and harder to tie my shoes!  No one ever talks about that in the pregnancy books.  Bending over doesn't feel right and I am wondering why I have so many shoes that require laces.  My slip-on shoes are winning as my most favorite shoe wear these days.

Something else that's crazy?  My sleep.  So it seems that, besides this growing belly, other parts of my body are flexing and softening to prepare and make more room for my little one.  One of those parts is my hips...making sleeping on my side (per the recommendation these days) quite difficult.  Have no fear!  After much research, I found a solution...a body pillow!  Yup, I invested in something called the Mini Snoogle (made in the USA!) and it has the potential to grant me the sleep I have so desperately been desiring.  Last night was the first trial and it was a success...good work Snoogle!

The most amazing thing going on right now with my pregnancy is that I can feel my little one move.  At first, it was just little waves of feeling...barely noticible.  Now, my little one's actions can be seen and felt from the outside.  It is awesome to finally be able to place the husband's hand on my belly so that he can feel our little one move.  I honestly never tire of the movement...in fact our little one is so active, I wonder if there's a little jungle gym that has been built in there.  :)  It's an amazing sensation and I love it.

It has been a fun ride so far and am excited to see what's around the next corner.  Keep on movin' little one...it must be in the genes!  :)

Um, hi, it's me...are you still there???

Well hello to my little group of followers...yes, I am still here...just busy.  Seriously, I am!  We've had a lot of stuff going on here and I have finally found a minute to sit down and blog a little something.

First of all, happy belated Mother's Day to all of you mother's, mother's-to-be and those attempting to become mother's.  What a magnificant day for us to appreciate everything our mom's do for us.  It's no small job and I, for one, am extremely grateful for my beautiful, loving, compassionate, hilarious, fun-loving mom!!!

On another note...this was my first Mother's Day as a mother!  To say that I was excited about this was an under-statement.  I can remember the last couple of years being a little sad because I wanted to be a mom so much.  This year, I soaked it all in...I cried in church when they blessed the mom's and I cried when my loving husband surprised me with flowers, chocolate, lemonade (my pregnancy craving) and a sweet card.  It was a meaningful and wonderful day.

Ironically, every day kind of feels like Mother's Day these days.  My little bump is a constant reminder of how lucky I am!!!

Happy Anniversary to Preheating the Oven Chicago

Was it only a year ago that I started this blog?  Indeed it was...April 16th marks the one year anniversary of my favorite blog and yours...Preheating the Oven Chicago.  Ok, so maybe it isn't quite your favorite blog, but maybe you've at least had a little bit of fun reading it.

So much can happen in a year.  Such a statement has never been so true in my life.  I started this blog as someone struggling with infertility.  I was frustrated over years of trying to conceive and I needed an outlet.  Not only that, but I wanted other women to know that they weren't alone.  This blog has been an amazing way to connect with people and I am hopeful that I can continue to do so. 

This year also marks the amazing miracle of our little baby.  Never have I been more grateful in my life than for this ultimate gift.  Every doctor's visit I am in awe and my eyes fill with tears when I hear that strong little heart beat.  I live my life for that little miracle now.

This year I have also gained some new insight on life.  I have learned to relax more and enjoy my life.  I have tried to let go of the stress and worry and replace it with things that make me happy.  I have come to the conclusion that I cannot make everyone happy all of the time even if I want to.  I am a better, more well-adjusted person because of all of things I have experienced this past year.

With that being said, it only seems right to toast this special day.  (Is it weird to toast yourself?  Probably, but I'm going to do it anyway.) So everyone, raise your glass of water....Here's to the one year anniversary of Preheating the Oven Chicago!  And here's to many more blogs filled with recipes, health tips, cooking tips, baby info and of course, random thoughts by yours truly!!!

Dreaming of Cinnamon Rolls

It was all I could think of for two weeks...cinnamon rolls!  The thought of the warm, sticky, cinnamony, yeasty goodness couldn't escape me.  Oh sure, I thought about going to some local bakery to get one, but I stopped myself every time. I kept thinking, "Why should I go buy one when I can make them myself?"  Hind sight is 20/20 here, but at the time, it seemed perfectly logical that I should make my own.  Realistically, I probably would've enjoyed a local bakery's rendition just fine. 

But I was craving a childhood memory.  One of a pull-apart cinnamon roll from my mom's favorite haunt...MCL Cafeteria.  Sure, it's a cafeteria, but boy, do they have good food.  In particular their macaroni and cheese, their green beans, their yeast rolls and of course, their cinnamon roll.  Oh my gosh.  If I had the time and energy, I would've driven myself right down there to get one.

So, for the sake of time and energy (and sanity), I made it my mission to make my own.  Ironically, the April 2012 issue of Bon Appetit happened to feature my craving right smack dab on the cover! 

Bon Appetit's Ultimate Sticky Buns (photo from bonapetit.com)

I mean, look at those things!  How can you NOT want one?

So, I made them...well, not exactly like the ones in the picture.  I wanted a simpler, less calorically destructive version.  It was easy to do.  I made the dough recipe as called for and then just added the cinnamon-suger filling (using only half the butter in the filling).  None of the gooey stuff for me, but still very delicious!

For the recipe, see this link: http://www.bonappetit.com/recipes/2012/04/the-ultimate-sticky-buns

The dough

Ready for rollin'

Yum...cinnamon and sugar...and BUTTER!

Not the best rolling job...oh well.

Cute...although slightly imperfect...let's call them "rustic"

Ready for the oven

Oh boy!

Ready for eating!