Why We Love Pinterest

One thing I've really enjoyed while on maternity leave is playing full time housewife. I know it may seem old fashioned and like I'm going back to pre-feminism, but I really enjoy being able to take care of my home and family. It's hard to balance when you're working, and I tend to feel inadequate in this area because the house is never clean enough and dinners are made at home only half the time, because the other half, I'm too tired after work to cook, the kitchen isn't clean enough to cook, or I haven't gone shopping for things to cook.

My house is still not clean enough, but I'm getting more done than I normally do. It's difficult because Allie doesn't like to be on her own. Luke and I are trying the Attachment Parenting method, which means if she cries, we're right there to see to her needs. This, however, means that if she's not enjoying solo time in the crib, she's in my arms. Makes it kinda hard to get the house spic and span.

Today was better. I've been able to keep the kitchen completely clean each day, which means I'm enjoying cooking and baking this week. My best friend for this?

Pinterest.

Thank God for Pinterest. Seriously.

Each week, I go through and find recipes I want to try, make my menus and shopping list, and try to keep to it through the week. It's cheaper and healthier than eating out. Normally, I achieve 3-4 meals on this plan. This week, I've stuck to it the whole time. It's good for multiple reasons: we are introduced to new, healthful foods; I learn to cook new & healthful foods; all the food I've purchased for the week is actually eaten instead of rotting in the fridge (especially produce); we're not eating out, which means we're eating better and hopefully losing weight.

This week I was busy in the kitchen with multiple new recipes. Last night was Buffalo Chicken Salad.



It was SO GOOD, but spicy! I had to have a bunch of carrots on the side after each bite to take down the spice. It's super healthy, because it's only chicken, Greek yogurt, cilantro, celery, and hot sauce. Lots of protein packed in this one, and it will probably become a regular in our house. I actually liked it better the next day. I had it as a sandwich for lunch, and the heat was not as fiery after it had some time to sit and chill in the fridge. I also just cooked up three chicken breasts diced real small rather than using a rotisserie chicken.

That mix also helped for tonight's dinner: Pizzadillas.

These are essentially quesadillas only with pizza toppings inside. Luke's was the Buffalo Chicken leftovers, and this one above was mine. Just some olives, tomato paste, mozzarella, and bell pepper. One was enough to fill me up! I liked this because they're easy to eat, really fast to cook (which will be handy when I go back to work and don't have all this time to be making dinner,) and I don't have to buy/make pizza dough, which is a lot more calories than the tortilla.

During the day, Allie and I bake. Yesterday, we made Mom's Banana Bread. I had about 4 bananas left from Yellowstone that were brown, and I hate throwing these out. So I make bread every time I have enough soft bananas to do so. Luke's not a fan (too cakey) so I get the whole loaf to myself for some yummy breakfasts and desserts for the week. I made the perfect pan of it, and I'm bummed I didn't take a picture. It was beautiful. Perfect rise, light crust on the outside, soft on the inside without being gooey. It was lovely. But it's also a big loaf, so I'm thinking the other half will go across the street for Errol.

Part of that reasoning is because Allie and I also made Fudgy Chocolate Chunk Brownies.



Now, the standard in the Persons household was always Grandma Goellert's brownie recipe. It's also very good, but not as rich or moist. I'm probably just not making it right. I've really been craving some ooey gooey rich and soft brownies lately, so we decided to give this one a try by closing our eyes and pointing to one of the many results that came up on Pinterest when I searched "brownies." It didn't disappoint! I used extra dark chocolate chips, which made the brownies so rich, you can really only eat a square inch at a time. That's a good thing, because I actually still have brownies left in the pan tonight. Normally, we'd have eaten them in about 2 hours max. :)

Tomorrow night we're doing Mom's recipe for stuffed shells, but then I'm out of meals this week and it's back to Pinterest for more ideas! If you've found some recipes that are freakin' awesome, send them my way! I'm always up for some new flavors for the family.

Here's a pic of my little helper in her swing. She stayed there about 5 minutes max, and the rest of the time was on one shoulder while I was stirring brownie batter with the other arm. I'm getting pretty good at doing things one handed! I'd like to think her face shows her disappointment that the Utes lost last night, but in reality, she's getting irritated that I've put her in the swing 30 seconds prior and haven't picked her up again.