Recipe of the Week!

Raspberry Chocolate Chip Popsicles

Oh my gosh you guys! Buy a popsicle mold now. I so totally wish I did years ago. I was feeling inspired and finally bought my Zoku Classic Mold last week. I love it. We are already on our second flavor. I only wish I could make more at one time, but it does take up valuable freezer real estate. I like to think these are relatively healthy when compared to either an after dinner treat like ice cream or store bought popsicles, but who really knows. They are good. The recipe made 6 popsicles, about 3 oz. each.

Ingredients:
1 cup plain greek yogurt
1/2 cup milk (any kind of milk would work)
1 tbsp honey
1 cup raspberries
handful of chocolate chips

Directions: 
Combine yogurt, milk, raspberries, and honey in a blender until thoroughly combined. Stir in chocolate chips by hand. Pour yogurt mixture into popsicle molds. Freeze for 8 hours. Try not to eat them all :)

Popsicle Eaters!

Mount Vernon

This past weekend Matt and I visited Mount Vernon! I had been saying I wanted to go to Mount Vernon for YEARS. I'm not kidding. We would always talk about going, but then find something else to do, or just not go. We finally followed through on Sunday. 

My overall impression...Mount Vernon is HUGE. Seriously. I have never in my life seen so much space in all of Northern Virginia. All I could think the whole time is what that property would be worth to some property developer. Billions. It's all so pretty too. Lots of trees, and of course, the gorgeous view from the back of the house of the Potomac. 

We spent our time walking around the gardens and exploring the different buildings. We also toured the main house and visited Washington's tomb. One of the best parts of the day was when we went to visit Lady Washington. At first I was a little bored and wanted to get on our way, but naturally Matthew had to get his questions in. Martha did not like Matt's Yankee questions at all. She kept in her proper Southern lady character refusing to answer him. Matt was frustrated. After listening for a little longer we got up to leave. Martha stopped her whole banter with the crowd to tell Matt how much she enjoyed him, but he is obviously a New Englander with his progressive views. I thought that was hilarious, and Matt equated it to the Colonial middle finger. 

My trip to Mount Vernon made me like George Washington even more. I was intrigued about why everything/everyone referred to him as the General vs. the President, so I asked. Washington thought you should only have the title of president while in office (a view I share). Washington also wasn't a member of a political party...YES. There were many other facts I'm drawing a blank on right now, but in my book GW is a winner and so is a visit to Mount Vernon. I do think, though, that they should let you bring snacks so you can have a pretty picnic. No food allowed. Rude. 

After walking so much, and not having anything to eat, we took a little drive down the GW Parkway toward Alexandria. We landed upon District Taco, a place I had been wanting to try. Fate. My first experience was good, but not amazing. It's not somewhere I absolutely have to go back to, but I would. In summary, Mount Vernon is a YES, District Taco is a maybe. Get to it Virginia friends and tourists :) 

Friday Love

{Friday Love} on Saturday! I did actually have this written and ready to post last night, but totally forgot to click publish! We went on a baby shopping spree of sorts and I guess I got caught up in all that and neglected my blog. We are headed to a birthday party this morning, and if all goes as planned I might be making my first appearance at Mount Vernon tomorrow. I've never been! Have a great weekend! 

{ONE}

Zoku Popsicle Molds. I mentioned my popsicle craving earlier this week, and I am so enjoying the Zoku Classic molds that I bought to make them. They are the perfect size. Zoku sells a bunch of different sizes and shapes and options. I just want to buy them all now and fill my freezer with a multitude of flavors!

{TWO}

PSU Football Hype Video. YAY! I love football season, but let's not rush. I'm still enjoying summer. This did make me more excited that I am having a football season baby. Crossing my fingers for a PSU vs. OSU delivery. I know that's a little weird.

{THREE}

Maiden Names. Women keeping their last name is back on the rise. Proud to be a part of that statistic!

{FOUR}

The Nest. Our Nest thermostat is saving my hot, pregnant life this summer. I try to conserve energy (read save money) and not run our air conditioner constantly in this Virginia heat, but it's getting harder. I have to say not having to get up, or go downstairs, to adjust the temperature is lovely.

{FIVE}

Slow Miles. I have been getting better about getting myself out to walk almost everyday for the last couple weeks. I am so, so slow, but I suppose it's better than nothing. It also makes me feel a little more productive in life. I'm hoping this pays off in the end!

26 Weeks

How far along? 26 weeks!

How big is the baby? A scallion, naturally. Or a head of lettuce. Cause those are the same size. The baby is 1.5-2.5 pounds and about 14 inches.

Maternity clothes? Same status. Yes and no. I do spend most of my days pretty casual. And since it's summer most of my attire includes dresses, maternity stuff isn't a high need right now.

Sleep? I'm just facing the facts...my nights of good sleep are over. For a long time.

Symptoms? Heartburn.

Best moment this week? I wouldn't say there is a big moment that sticks out this week. For now I am just enjoying normal everyday things about being pregnant. I am happy to be able to feel the baby move more often. I have also been doing a lot more exercise which is great. Even though it's so hot (even in the very early morning), I keep telling myself it will be worth it.

Food cravings? I'm so excited! I have been wanting popsicles, but none at the grocery store are super appetizing because they are so artificial and are mostly kid friendly - however this makes them easy to resist. I finally bought myself popsicle molds yesterday and made my first popsicles. I can't wait to have one tonight! I will be posting about my adventures in popsicle-ing next week I hope.

Food aversions? Not much right now.

Gender? It's a surprise! Matt and I both think it's a boy, but girl hunches took their first ever lead this week! I shared our Baby Hunch pool and we LOVE seeing your guesses! Submit one if you would like, just follow this link: http://www.babyhunch.com/poolpage.php?poolid=afff7a33bcd4c7d922db1523e31ba3e3

What I miss? Sleeping on my stomach.

What I'm looking forward to? Doctor's appointment on Friday morning (where I get to do the glucose test), Matt and I also signed up to take a 'baby class' next Wednesday. I am sure both of these events will be no less than interesting.

Recipe of the Week!

Banana Oat Greek Yogurt Muffins

I decided to try this new recipe as a healthier alternative to banana bread, or a less healthy muffin. I was a little worried about them. I'm not really a baker, and was worried about the lack of butter and flour. In the end though, these turned out great. I thought they were very moist and pretty fluffy. I would most definitely make them again. Next time, I would probably do less chocolate chips, I thought they were a little overwhelming, but still good (I mean it is chocolate). Also...I made these using my blender and it was AMAZING. Easy mixing, easy clean up, and easy pouring into the liners. Try it. I did spray each liner with cooking spray, though, since there is no oil in the recipe. The muffins do stick badly, but the next day it gets better. Lastly, I easily doubled the recipe and froze half the muffins for later!

Ingredients:
1 cup plain Greek yogurt
2 ripe bananas
2 eggs
2 cups oats
¼ cup brown sugar
1½ tsp. baking powder
½ tsp. baking soda
½ cup chocolate chips

Directions:

Preheat oven to 400F and prepare a muffin pan by lining them with paper liners and spraying each liner. Add all dry ingredients to a blender or food processor and process on high until oats are broken down. Next, add the yogurt, eggs, and bananas and continue to blend until batter is smooth and creamy. Stir in chocolate chips by hand. Pour batter into prepared muffin pan, filling each liner until it is about ¾ full. Sprinkle a few chocolate chips over the top of each muffin. Bake for 15 minutes, until the tops of your muffins are set and a toothpick inserted into the middle comes out clean.

Friday Love

Happy Fourth of July! I hope you have fun plans this weekend. I think we are going to watch fireworks tomorrow night, and hopefully spend some time by the pool. I can't believe it's July! Summer goes too fast. Enjoy your holiday weekend!

{ONE}

Working Mothers. My mom always worked when my sister and I were growing up, in addition to doing like five million other things. It already makes me sad to think about handing over my future offspring to a stranger this winter. {This article} made me feel a little bit better!

{TWO}

Summer Reading. I have finally got my reading act together this week. I am in the middle of The Husband's Secret, and can't wait to see what happens. Any book recommendations for me?

{THREE}

Inside Out. Matt and I saw Inside Out at the drive in on Sunday. I really enjoyed it. I know most people think it's a movie for kids, but really I thought it was more a grown up movie. I recommend it if you haven't seen it.

{FOUR}

{FIVE}

First Tomatoes! Let's hope the millions of green ones on the vines start turning red.

25 Weeks

How far along? 25 weeks!

How big is the baby? A rutabaga! Or cauliflower! I was wondering what one does with a rutabaga, since I don't think I've ever had one. They don't seem to be too popular here in America, except with livestock, I did find out other countries like them. They are basically a big turnip

Maternity clothes? Mostly no, but sometimes yes. I still fit in my regular clothes, but I inherited some cute summery maternity clothes and purchased a few things weeks ago thinking I would really need them at this point, so sometimes I wear them. And like I said last week, I think they make you look more pregnant instead of that weird in between look.  

Sleep? It's been a little better. 

Symptoms? Heartburn, some round ligament pain, nothing to complain about :)

Best moment this week? Baby movement is on the rise which is fun and reassuring. 

Food cravings? Ok, so you might have read in my Staycation post yesterday about how we went to the drive in. Well, we stopped at Wegmans to get something to eat on the way there. I got a veggie sub for dinner. I swear to you this was one of the best things I have ever eaten. Or maybe I was starving after our adventures in Harper's Ferry that morning. I don't know. I've been thinking about that sandwich ever since.  

Food aversions? Not much right now.

Gender? It's a surprise! Matt and I both think it's a boy. I shared our Baby Hunch pool and we LOVE seeing your guesses! Submit one if you would like, just follow this link: http://www.babyhunch.com/poolpage.php?poolid=afff7a33bcd4c7d922db1523e31ba3e3

What I miss? Sleeping on my stomach and running (but really I wouldn't be running in this hotness).

What I'm looking forward to? Looking into room decor!