Wednesday, April 14, 2010

this and that

UPDATE: Hummus, got it. :)

We've had a good but uneventful day today. I know my posts have been boring as of late, but we really haven't gotten out that much. Jonah ate LIKE A CHAMP today. He took 33 ounces, all of it without a fight. I just shook my head when I added it up, looked at Matt and said, "That child beats anything I have ever seen." He makes critical decisions EXTREMELY hard to make and/or stand by. I still think we're making the right decision with the g-tube, but geez louise, talk about doubting yourself.

Tomorrow we have our appointments with Jonah's dentist and dermatologist in Chapel Hill. Our dentist appointment is at 11 am and our dermatologist appointment is at 2 pm. I'm nervous about the dentist, only because I have know idea how they plan to give him an exam without messing up his skin unless they plan to sedate him. Maybe they will. I don't know. This dentist is an EB guy though (Weston came from Texas to have him do his surgery), so I'm pretty excited about that. It may just be the first doctor we'll have ever seen that knows more about EB than we do. And I haven't researched the dental side of it at all, so I really am going in blind. Thankfully, Matt has taken off work to go with us.

Tripp came out of surgery fine and last she tweeted, they were home safe and sound. Thanks for praying! :)

I have recently begun subscribing to Cooking Light and Southern Living. I got great deals on a year subscription when they went on sale at Amazon. I LOVE me some Amazon. Anyway, I have been trying new recipes now that Jonah is napping better, and I thought I'd share. I'm not typing them out here because if you click on the links, it'll take you to it, and it will be easier to print out from there.

This first one is called Spicy Chicken Shawarma, from the April 2010 issue. You can find it
here.





I thought it was super delicious (similar to a Greek Pita), but Matt just thought it was okay. This recipe called for 1 Tbsp of Tahini, and the only jar I could find was 16 ounces. I have no idea what to do with 16 ounces of Tahini. I didn't even know what Tahini was before this. I'm open to suggestions. :)

This one is Spicy Shrimp and Grits, and Matt said it was the best Shrimp and Grits he'd ever had. You can find it here. It was from the March 2010 issue.

I thought it was only okay because I have texture issues with both grits and non-breaded shrimp, so it wasn't for me so much. But like I said, Matt thought it was awesome!

This last one was what I made tonight. It's Chicken Bacon Ranch Mac and Cheese. You can see it here. It was also from the March 2010 issue.


Matt and I both really liked this one. I didn't have onion powder so just did extra garlic powder and didn't have the kind of cheese it called for so I just used mostly Cheddar, a little Mozzarella, and Parmesan. It was delicious even with the modifications.



I would really recommend all three of these. Very, very tasty for "light" recipes.



Oh yeah, I'm going to get a blog makeover in a few weeks (I'm on the waiting list) and am also renaming the blog. I just decided on a name yesterday (I've been thinking about it all the time for days), and I want to share it (and the why) so bad I can hardly stand it, but I really want it to go along with the makeover. So you'll just have to wait right along with me, but I'm really excited.



Okay, off to bed. We're going to have to pull Jonah out of bed and start dressing change at 6:30 if we want to get Jonah fed and make it to Chapel Hill by 10:45. Very early morning. Yuck.

24 comments:

Stacy said...

My favorite thing to use Tahini for is homemade hummus. It is my favorite veggie dip and is also a great spread on sandwiches.

Me, the boys and a Farm... said...

I hope all goes well for you tomorrow. So glad to hear Tripp did well! Thanks for sharing. Can't wait for the new blog stuff!

Janel said...

Good luck tomorrow!!! i'm sure everything will be fine. Even at M's first dentist appointment all they did was look and count - little mirror in the mouth and count teeth - no picking or anything.

Please let us know how it all goes!!

<3 J

Shaina N said...

Hummus Hummus Hummus (for the Tahini paste that is). It is SO good.

1 Can Chickpeas
1 clove garlic
Tahini paste
Lemon Juice and Zest
Salt/Pepper to taste
Olive oil

I just drain and rinse the chickpeas. Then, I put them in my food processor with the juice of half a lemon and the zest of a lemon (to taste), then I add about a half a teaspoon to a teaspoon of tahini paste, a chopped clove of garlic, and turn it on, then drizzle in olive oil until it comes to the consistency I want it.

My hubs LOVES using Hummus like mayonaise on sandwiches. I like it with home-made pita chips and on veggies. It's also FABULOUS with naan bread. It's very healthy as well!

Praying all goes well for you tomorrow!

Unknown said...

You use the Tahini in hummus--I make it up and keep a covered bowl in the refrigerator for lunch and snacks. I love it smeared on pita bread or bagels and it's a good dip for carrots and red peppers too. Good stuff.

Can't wait for your new blog to come out. Gwendolyn Strong's blog just came out with a new one today and it is fabulous. I know yours will be too.

Courtney said...

Tahini as I'm sure you now know is just ground sesame seeds and they are super nutrious so you can add them anywhere! In a smoothie on a sandwich mix with salad dressing or anything! Just use it up before it goes bad. Will pray for tomorrow and can't wait for the big reveal!

ashley said...

make hummus!! add garbonzos, tahini, garlic (real fresh is best), lemon juice, salt, pepper, olive oil and a little paprika to garnish it and mmmmm... enjoy

molly said...

funny thing that tahini- i bought a jar roughly 6 yrs ago {about the time we've been married} and it has moved with us 3 times, seen 2 kiddos born and has been used ONCE. so- i, along with you it sounds like, am open to any suggestions as to how to use my surely already expired jar of tahini. i heart your blog- and i know i am sure to laugh when i get time to catch up. your nick post awhile back? i'm still laughing! and so are my friends......hugs to sweet jonah. and prayers said often for his amazing mommy and daddy.

Lisa said...

When we were in FL last week we went to Dixie crossroads and had Cajun style Cheese grits with sauteed mushrooms, bacon, and sprinked with green onions, my mouth is still drooling thinking about it.
I am going to make it myself this week, I love to cook!
Its good news to hear that Jonah is doing well again with eating.

Nicole said...

I am sure Jonah just reacts to your peace or your stress...
All kids react the same to mums feelings...

Toni :O) said...

Good luck with the dr. appointments...always praying for sweet Jonut (and thrilled to hear the news about Tripp...yay!)! Woot woot...can't wait to see the new blog, how exciting!

Precious 3 said...

Yay Jonah! I knew you could do it!

Now at least he is eating better and better protected till he can have his surgery. He's napping better? Awesome!

I have done a recipe search with just a spice before, so maybe try that? We'll be praying about the DR appt, and for continued eating/napping well.

Tracey said...

GREAT roastbeef sandwich recipe that includes Tahini ... from Epicurious!

http://www.epicurious.com/recipes/food/views/Roast-Beef-Red-Pepper-Spinach-and-Feta-Sandwiches-with-Tahini-Dressing-108453

Amy said...

You can give me the tahini sauce. :)

Anonymous said...

Geez!!! You really are going to leave us hanging with the new blog name? :-) SOOO glad that Jonah ate better for you - and very happy for Tripp :-)

The Lewis Family said...

The tahini you use for hummus:
1/4c tahini
splash of lemon juice
1 can chick peas drained
7 oz roasted red peppers without the juice (half a jar usually)
a little bit of garlic (fresh or minced)

put in food processor until well blended

Roasted Red Pepper Hummus - Delicious!

diane said...

i'll pray that everything goes well w/your appointments :) i'm sure you have heard this before, but i wonder if jonah can sense that you are more relaxed a/b eating and so he is more relaxed? i've noticed the exact situation w/my picky eater, but i also know that it is not so easy to just "be relaxed" :)

as for tahini, my favorite salad dressing is lemon tahini, and it is great for all salads, dipping veggies, felafal (sp), anything mediteranean or greek.

Phyllis said...

Hope the trip and appointments go well.

Children have a way of always making you doubt your decisions, but with prayer and information, we do the best we can and it will be ok.

Always in prayer for you and your family.

Alisa said...

I haven't had a chance to visit your blog in awhile but glad to hear that you are at peace with some very big decisions you have had to make. Our little one has a G-tube and it was a difficult decision for us as well. She has several medical issues but as you said the G-tube has relieved a lot of stress for us and for her. We pray she won't have it forever but at least for now we know we can give her the calories and hydration she needs without the stress we once felt.

I pray Jonah's surgery goes well later this month.

A pair and a spare said...

I recently added that same macaroni and bacon recipe to our "weekly menu". Most of us in our home thought it was super yummy as well!

Dolphinmomcca said...

Is your new blog gonna be called "Just a piece of a Jonut" hehehe get it??!!? or "Jonuts not to read this blog" (get it...your nuts not to read this blog)
Ok, just being silly tonight! congrats on getting him to eat 33 OZS, that is awesome!

Laura A said...

Hi there - those look like some good recipes! Especially the last one - it might be a hit in our house!

Can't wait to hear how things went for sweet Jonah today. So glad that Tripp's tubes went well!

Love,
Laura

Erin said...

i made that exact same shrimp & grits from cooking light this past week! it was delicious!

Unknown said...

I like it with home-made pita chips and on veggies. It's also FABULOUS with naan bread. It's very healthy as well.In a smoothie on a sandwich mix with salad dressing or anything! Just use it up before it goes bad.


Best Attorney