Soup and Granola

Well, I did good for one day. Today I am home alone with virtually no distractions and already my mind is going places it shouldn't. In an effort to keep the evil thoughts at bay, I have been busy in the kitchen.

First I made this potato soup with some modifications. I only pureed one potato into the soup, the other I diced and added in after because I like a chunky soup. I cut back on the chicken broth by 1/2 cup since I left out the potato. I used fat free milk and fat free Fage greek yogurt in place of the sour cream. I also added some garlic powder and smoked paprika because I thought it was a little bland. It came out pretty darn tasty but 1 cup portions seemed really small so I portioned it out in 2 cup portions. It's still healthier than most potato soups.

Next up, I made my favorite granola. This recipe was given to me by one of my coworkers and I love it because it is so adaptable. I have made it with so many different kinds of dried fruits and nuts.

4 cups old fashioned oats (not quick cooking)
1/2 cup shredded coconut
1/2 cup canola or vegetable oil
1/2 cup honey
1 1/2 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp nutmeg
1/2 cup chopped nuts of your choice
1/2 cup dried fruit of your choice

Bake @ 350 for 20 minutes, stir x3 while baking, granola will harden as it cools. Add dried fruit once granola is out of oven. You can also add chocolate or white chocolate chips at this point, though I never do. I increase the amount of nuts and fruit if I skip the coconut. I love using dried cherries,blueberries and pecans. I also usually double the cinnamon and nutmeg because I love those flavors.

The worst part about cooking...cleaning up! I am off to clean up the kitchen and then I should probably shower and get out of my pajamas. We are meeting some friends and there 2 adorable girls for dinner tonight so at least I have something to look forward to now that all my cooking is done. It is nearly 60 degrees here today which is unheard of here in January. I hope it you are enjoying some spring like weather wherever you are!

Finally

If you are visiting from ICLW welcome! For first time visitors, I am in the middle of IVF cycle #2, you can read more about me and my past cycles by clicking the tabs above.

Good news - After 14 days on stims I finally get to trigger tonight!
Bad news - I only have 5 follicles that are probably mature, 17mm-21mm. I have 5 others on my left ovary but they stopped growing days ago, they are all 8mm-12mm.

So despite my new protocol I am still going to end up with the same number of eggs. I know it could be worse, at my appointment Friday my doctor wasn't sure if I would get more than 3. This news of course led to a small breakdown and I spent the first 20 minutes at work crying about it. After all this, it just reinforces my decision to use donor eggs if this cycle does not work. I don't think I can go through this again.

I am doing some baking therapy today, saw this recipe on Pinterest and couldn't resist! My coworkers have been wonderfully supportive of me these past few weeks so I thought they deserved a tasty treat.

Update and a recipe

I really wanted to update after my baseline on Saturday but the weekend was crazy. We were out all day Saturday for the Ohio State/Michigan game and Sunday I spent the day on the couch. No laundry, no grocery shopping, just me, B and the first season of Modern Family on DVD. That show is hilarious! We had never seen it before and watched the whole season in 1 day!

Our Thanksgiving was really nice. My SIL and I cooked a really yummy meal and it was nice to spend time with her, BIL and my nephews. B's mom and step dad were there also. We went over to his dad's family's house as well and got to meet our new niece finally. B's step brother and wife live in NC so we only see them a few times a year. I had to work on Friday so I left and drove back by myself which was a little sad.

My baseline went well on Saturday, no cysts so I started on Follistim. My doctor was off that weekend though so I saw one of her partners. I went in today for a follie check and things are looking ok, nothing to exciting going on but there are a few little ones in there so I am sticking with my same dose and go back Saturday, unless my E2 comes back something crazy. It was nice to see my doctor though, she is so sweet, she really really wants me to get pregnant. I hadn't seen her in a while and I was touched at by what she said when she came in. I think if we met under different circumstances we would be good friends. Hopefully my little follies grow and things look better when I go back this weekend!

I am making this chicken pot pie from annies-eats for dinner tonight and I am so excited. It looks delicious! It is so cold and it snowed here today so I am really in the mood for some comfort food.

Update and a recipe

Week 1 of Operation Washboard down. 1.4 lbs lost! I worked out 5 out of 7 days last week so I was pretty impressed with myself. With the holiday weekend, I didn't really stick to my diet the last few days so I was pretty happy when I stepped on the scale this morning.

I have been horrible about taking the pill, yesterday I realized I hadn't taken it 3 days in a row. Oops. I am really surprised I didn't start spotting. 2 more weeks to go.

I went to a barbecue last night and I made S'mores Cheesecake Bars from annies-eats. As always, they were absolutely delicious.

One week down and a recipe

I made it through the first week of the 2ww. The second week is always harder for me so I am not looking forward to the next 7 days. My last 2ww I had lots of stuff going on, family in from out of town, trip to the lake. This time I have nothing to distract me. I don't even have anything good to blog about.

B and I went to the farmer's market on Saturday morning and got a ton of green beans. I am not a huge fan but he loves them. The ones I made Saturday night for dinner with friends were amazing, I could eat them every day! There is not really a true recipe, it is loosely based upon a side dish I had at my SIL's.

Saute garlic and red onion in some olive oil. Add green beans and some thin sliced red pepper. Season with salt and pepper to taste. I cooked them until everything was done and slightly charred/carmelized (my own personal preference, you could cook just until done) At this point I threw in some fresh dill and some pine nuts. There were no leftovers.

Update and a recipe

I had my first monitoring appointment yesterday. I had 5 dominant follies, 2 9mm, 2 8mm and a 7.5mm. My doctor seemed pleased and she lowered my dose. Hopefully when I go back on Tuesday for my next appointment 2 of the smaller ones have stopped growing. My doctor won't proceed with the IUI if I have more than 3. Not that I would want to, as a former NICU nurse, the idea of multiples scares me. The shots are going well, I am a pro now. I can't believe how nervous I was the first time!

I made some cupcakes today, part of a fundraiser to help B out. He is doing a bike race and all the money he raises goes to the local cancer hospital.

http://annies-eats.com/2010/06/02/cookies-and-cream-cupcakes/

They are ridiculous, so yummy!!

Update and a recipe

So I went to doctor Friday and YAY! The cyst is gone. Of course she told me to stop BCP so we can start this next cycle. Of course 2 weeks from that day we will be out of town for our 2 year anniversary. So I am still taking the pill, I will stop it tomorrow and hopefully get my period by the weekend. That will put me mid cycle just as we get back from our trip. I am hopeful for this cycle, it would be a nice anniversary present for us!


On a completely different topic, I made these tonight while B is at golf - http://smittenkitchen.com/2008/07/blueberry-crumb-bars/#more-531

They look and smell divine, I can not wait to taste them. Smitten Kitchen never lets me down!

My Birthday

It's official. I am 31. I got a gorgeous pink leather Coach bad from B. Too bad there wasn't a baby in it. I also made this http://smittenkitchen.com/2009/07/blueberry-boy-bait/ and brought it to work yesterday. So yummy! My family is coming to visit so hopefully the weekend will fly by so I can test on Monday.