Coconuts for YOU

Coconuts for YOU

SO folks, it’s exactly 31 weeks and 6 days of the bun cookin’ in the oven! Which means 8 weeks and 1 day left…EEKKKK!!!!! Baby is the size of a coconut and I am completely COCONUTS for him:) I’ve been in the third trimester for a bit now, I have had two baby showers, and one more this weekend, and let me tell you it has certainly been a ride! All these baby showers are the product of having loving family and friends all over the map, and we feel so blessed to be celebrated so many times!!

So for the good: I am OVER THE MOON excited and every time he moves I just get all giddy. I read a book or two to him every night and talk to him all of the time:) He has already flown on a few plane rides; Belize, Mexico, Erie, and Philadelphia, so far so good. His room is almost completed and we have officially trained his older brother, Alfie the dog, to not be deathly afraid of his stroller. He has a BIG appetite and craves different foods at all different times, making his Momma a bit food crazed. He especially loves fruit and lentils….I know lentils right?! He has a friend that lives down the street due a few days after him, and has another friend due in the Fall! Not to mention his very own cousin is on the way- we find out soon if it’s a boy or a girl!

For the not so good: Momma has developed a baaadddd case of Carpel Tunnel in her right hand, where her fingers are completely numb, and her wrist and hand have blown up like an octopus:( This keeps her up pretty much all night from the pain and she has been going a bit crazy. However, she came across a women named Sara Morrissey, who works at Balans spa in Boston and specializes in all sorts of interesting massages. She is also a chiropractor. We are hoping going twice a week helps out, and will keep everyone posted! I am also super hot ALL OF THE TIME, and blast the hubby out of the bedroom at night with air conditioning and a fan…sorry!!!! So I also have that baby brain issue people sometimes get when pregnant and maybe forever like Mom brain…eek, where your mind kinda stops working and you are all fuzzy, so  yea, that has been interesting and pretty funny at times. Also, this dress that used to be a bit loose, is now a bit too tight, hope it lasts for a few more chalkboard updates!

My First Trimester ‘Must Have’ List of Prenatal Items

My Must Have Prenatal Items
I have been fortunate to have some pregnant friends recommend some of these items to me like the prenatal vitamins and Preggie Pop Drops. They have also come to the rescue with load of advice! Thank goodness for those Mommas that came ahead of us right!?  And some of the items I have fallen in love with after trial and error.  So here is a little insight into the prenatal products in my life that have worked wonders for me in that First Tri!
All of these items were purchased at Whole Foods! 

1. Preggo Pop Drops : My first trimester felt like I was car sick 24/7 and these pop drops pretty much save my life! They taste like candy and I brought them everywhere I went. The new and improved LIFE SAVORS for the pregnant hehe!

2. Kind Organics Prenatal VitaminsI can not say enough good things about this prenatal vitamin!  I had originally been taking a different prenatal, but when I got pregnant and was nauseous, my friend recommended switching to this one! Why you may ask? Well even though you have to take three pills instead of one, I have found that this actually helped me with morning sickness! It contains a stomach soothing blend of organic ginger and organic peppermint to help those feeling of nausea. I also noticed that instead of peeing bright yellow (which I swear means that you are not absorbing all the nutrients you should be), I peed a normal yellow! Yippy Pee and nutrient absorption!). Also, just to note, when I did my research on prenatal vitamins, this popped up all the time in the top 5 recommended best prenatal multivitamins!

3. Nordic Naturals Prenatal DHA Fish Oil: No yucky aftertaste, amazing reviews, and the fish is Nordic…I mean come on that has to mean it’s good! I was also nervous to take a fish oil that was not specifically prenatal so this makes me feel certain that it’s safe.

4. Decaf People’s Green Tea: Green tea has so many positive benefits that I really try to drink it every day. Not to mention that it is anti-inflammatory! I want to make sure to keep the caffeine down as much as possible and this has been a “go to” nighttime tea for a while now for me!

5. Choice Organic Teas Peppermint, Chamomile: I am HUGE tea drinker and find it calming, filling, and warming to the soul. These happen to be delicious and definitely helped out with those nauseous feelings.

6. Nubian Heritage Mango Butter: This stuff smells soooo delightful, it puts me in a good mood every time I put it on! I have super dry skin so this is my all over body moisturizer. It does take a little bit to set in, so I put it on after a shower and wear my robe for a few minutes to let it sink in so it doesn’t get all over my clothes. This has also been a huge lifesaver when it comes to that itchiness you get from your growing belly & boobs hehe. Now it can be a pain to squeeze this lotion out of the bottle. A lot of times I have to keep it upside down, and take the top off to squeeze it out. I wish it was in a different kind of bottle but it’s just so good that it’s worth it!

7. Shea Yeleen Unscented Body Butter: I wanted something with shea butter in it that was simple with not a crazy amount of other ingredients. This has been so healing in the winter months and especially helps out with that growing belly & boob itching you may be experiencing! It takes a little time to dry like the mango butter above, but i’ll either put it on after a shower and let it dry while I’m in a robe, or i’ll just put a small amount on where need be.

Well, hope this helps you other fellow First Trimester Goers! Best wishes xoxoxo

Babymoonin’ in Mexico #23WeekBabyBump!

Babymoonin' in Mexico #23WeekBabyBump! It’s funny how sometimes when you try to control things, nothing works out, but the very moment you let go, things just seem to fall into place. Desires and wants place you on your initial path, then life has its own ideas and path for you, and each moment seems to build on the last, eventually creating what becomes the life you are living.

I have always been one to try to plan everything out to the exact precise manner of what perfection would look like and feel like to me. Sometimes when I try to have too much control over things, I fall flat on my face and NOTHING works out. But recently, I have been leaving my life up to who I consider my Higher Power, God (We all have our own beliefs so thats why I mention my Higher Power, since others may have a different one). After going through some really difficult times last Fall, I have decided to put my trust in Him and ask Him to help guide me and let go of that intense need for control that can take over my mind and body, and allow Him to lead my life.

So, why I mention this is because this vacation was planned in a pretty spectacular manner. My husband gets three weeks vacation time each year. His work years starts in the summer, and so his vacation weeks are determined for him the summer before each year starts. He does not have much say, but can put in requests and reasons for his requests and just hope for the best. We knew that we wanted to get away sometime in the Spring from the harsh winters we can have in Boston (especially this year, by golly gee whiz!) and so his program granted us this past week off. We were not pregnant at the time of the request, nor did we know when we would be, but we had been trying and hoping and trying and hoping.

I had always dreamed of going on a babymoon and having that one last vacation, with the babe in the belly and my husband and I together before that baby is born. How magical and spectacular that this very week I hit 23 weeks, which is a week away from that six month mark.  My belly had just popped, and it just so happens to be a highly recommended time in pregnancy to go on a babymoon if so desired. I literally am sitting here tearing up, thinking of how much last summer I had wanted to be pregnant and how it was taking me longer than I had wanted and how I had just wished, wished so much that this very vacation we just went on, would in fact be our babymoon. Here it is, this exact vacation was our babymoon! And there it was, God working his magic. I had no control over when I got pregnant (all I could do was try) and I put my faith in him for everything working out in the way that He had planned for me. I guess we had similar plans!

Le Blanc Spa Resort in Cancun Mexico (highly recommend!):

Babymoonin' in Mexico #23WeekBabyBump!

I also wanted to give some time to reflect on just matters of life. How sometimes as women, getting pregnant just seems to happen, but sometimes it doesn’t work like that. Either we can’t get pregnant, can but with the help of certain aids, or lose a baby to a miscarrage, maybe even lose the baby in birth or lose a child after birth. As I document my journey, others  journeys of experiences are not forgotten and held close to my heart as a woman. I value celebrating something joyous and beautiful, but at the same time having a heart that is compassionate and understanding, and an open heart to listening. We all have our own journeys and we can find strength in each other, as well as ask for strength from one another. Life is beautiful, but it is not always peachy. I am so thankful and happy to celebrate this beautiful moment with everyone and add a Speck of Yellow. However, just like any human, I need those Specks of Yellow and that strength too, because there are times when things are black, blue and grey. This post is my Yellow and I hope that it brings hope and sunshine to your day as well, maybe even strength that life works in unpredictable ways! Babymoonin' in Mexico #23WeekBabyBump!

23 Week Baby Bump:

This little guy is the size of a PAPAYA or a GRAPEFRUIT depending on which website you look at and weighs 1 pound! He can hear the world… so yep time to start singing, reading, and talking to him.  It’s amazing to think that a human is growing inside of my belly. I am two humans in one! Sometimes I like to hug my belly at night and pretend I am hugging him. We are just so excited and in love with this little miracle God has given us to raise. And good news, I finally got my energy back for cooking so some yummy recipes will be making an appearance soon! 

Babymoonin' in Mexico #23WeekBabyBump!The hubby always seems to make me laugh harder than anyone!

Babymoonin' in Mexico #23WeekBabyBump!Babymoonin' in Mexico #23WeekBabyBump!Babymoonin' in Mexico #23WeekBabyBump!

 

It’s a… boy/girl????

So silly me, before we purchased our tripod, we tried to set up our camera on top of books and take photos and videos of us opening this box together. Of course that didn’t work out! So here is my video recreation without us in the picture.

However, to tell you a little about the actual box opening:

We wanted to make this moment special and so we opened the box of balloons via Skype with both of our families. We both have ZERO family members who live in Boston but it was just so important for them to share this moment with us. So there in Erie, PA where the hubby is from, his Parents, Brothers and their Wives gathered together and awaited our Skype call! My Dad and Sister were working late that night but we just couldn’t wait so we gathered my family in Philadelphia later via Skype (sorry MOM) and opened the box again!

It was pretty funny since everyone thought we were having the opposite of what we are having so we were all celebrating in complete surprise!!! AND of course one of the first things that comes out of my husbands mouth was, “YES, SOMEONE TO WATCH SPORTS WITH!!!” ….gotta love him.

Baby Bump 19 Weeks: Mango!

Baby Bump 19 Weeks: Mango!It is crazy to think that this little baby is already the size of a Mango! I love mangos and seriously mangos are honestly like kinda big when it comes to being a baby in the belly.

Big News: So I also have some AMAZING news to share about this week. BABY STARTED KICKING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! As I was sitting and watching TV after dinner, this little person started moving all over the place in the belly. It felt like baby was either swimming, having a dance party, or doing somersaults. Then, all of a sudden, I felt this kick and “owwww” I looked down and put my hand over where I felt the kick and sure enough, baby kicked three more times making my hand jump each time.  Baby has been kicking (or punching, or elbowing) ever since! Just knowing that this baby is there, partying in my belly, was one of the greatest feelings I have ever felt in my life. I am already SO IN LOVE!

Craving: Fruit, fruit fruit. I cannot get enough fruit. I feel like I eat fruit all day, especially apples, and strawberries. I wake up NEEDING FRUIT! Oh, and I am so thirsty all the time, it feels like I just ran for miles without water.

Feeling: Hungry, and itchy, and I seriously get winded very easily. For example, on this being winded issue, I was at the gym the other day just stretching, and by the end of stretching I was literally already out of breath! UMM, my workout didn’t even start yet body! But all of these feelings remind me that my baby is growing and so with each feeling, it is SO WORTH IT! Baby Bump 19 Weeks: Mango!

 

We Have a Bun Cookin in the Oven!

We Have a Bun Cookin in the Oven! speckledyellow.com

It is true! We are so excited to announce that WE ARE PREGGERS!!!!!!! This year has already certainly been filled with blessings so far, and to top it off, the best gift ever is coming to us this July!

We have been so thrilled and excited to share this news with the world.

I have wanted to get pregnant and start a family for sooo long, (FYI I started a Future Baby Pinterest page around 3 years ago!!!) but of course, with relocating and the hubby beginning a long journey of residency, the timing just didn’t seem right. So we waited and waited until one day we decided that no time will ever be the perfect time, and that this time is in fact perfect and wonderful all in its own right!

Friends around me were getting married and pregnant pregnant pregnant, and I was married but….nope, not pregnant. But let me tell you, it is worth the wait! The excitement it brings waiting for something you want soooo badly, is just unexplainable. So all you ladies out there remember this, THE WAIT IS WORTH THE BEAUTY!  Whatever it may be that you are waiting for, a ring, a wedding, a baby, a new job, whatever it is, the place we are is the place we’re meant to be.  No need to rush this lovely life we have.

Having a bun in the oven also explains why my blog has been MIA the past few months. I happened to have a wee bit of intense nausea in the first trimester, making me soo dizzy all I could do was curl up in a ball on the sofa…literally. When it came to cooking, anything and everything grossed me out, except for Indian takeout and pasta! I know, craziness right????? I don’t even like pasta! My body has taken control and my growing baby for sure some days decides for me what it wants to eat! But good news….most of that has subsided and I have been back to cooking, not as much as pre-preggers, but some more recipe posts are on their very way!

I am also planning some fun posts to document this amazing time so stay on the lookout! Next post coming is…”My FUN & SILLY facts about being PREGGERS right now”

We Have a Bun Cookin in the Oven!  speckledyellow.comWe Have a Bun Cookin in the Oven! speckledyellow.comWe Have a Bun Cookin in the Oven! speckledyellow.comWe Have a Bun Cookin in the Oven! speckledyellow.com

 

 

Coconuts for Easy Veggie Coconut Curry!

Coconuts for Easy Veggie Coconut Curry

A few weeks ago, after returning from an amazing tropical vacation in Belize with the Hubby and Fam, I decided to whip up this tropical dish to help keep that vacation high alive! I love all types of ethnic foods and different spices. However, please note, because some people get confused:  Just because something has spices, that does NOT mean it is spicy! This dish is loaded with healthy veggies and best of all, you can really make this dish your own by adding or subtracting the veggies that you like.  I loaded up this dish with tons of veggies, and because of that, I happened to have leftovers for days! So definitely note that this makes A LOT OF FOOD.

I adapted this dish from an AMAZING food blog called, The Minimalist Baker. Her dish looked so delicious, but I wanted to add noddles and more vegetables. But do check out her recipe if you want something more minimalist…hehe.

Coconuts for Easy Veggie Coconut Curry at speckledyellow.com

Now, the serving size is normally for 4, but because I added so many veggies and noodles, I would say this could easily serve 6 people.

Ingredients

1 Tbsp coconut or olive oil
1 Bell Pepper
1 small head of Broccoli, diced
1/2 Small Green Cabbage, chopped
1 8oz can of Sliced Bamboo Shoots
2 Large Carrots, diced
1 Tiny Yellow Onion, diced
4 Garlic Cloves, minced
1 Tbsp curry powder
pinch cayenne powder
2 cans coconut milk
1 cup veggie stock
1 package of rice vermicelli noodles
sea salt and pepper to taste

Directions:

1. Heat a very large pot, saucepan, or wok over medium heat with 1 Tbsp coconut or olive oil. Add the onion, garlic, ginger, carrot, broccoli, cabbage, and red pepper. Cook, stirring often until softened 10-15 minutes. Add the bamboo shoots and cook for another 5 minutes.

2. Add in the curry powder, cayenne powder, veggie stock, coconut milk and some salt and pepper. Bring to a simmer and then reduce the heat a bit and continue cooking for 10-15 minutes. Taste and season more if needed!

3. While the curry is cooking, follow the directions on the back of package to cook the rice vermicelli noodles. (Most say to cover with hot water and let stand for 10-15 min).

4. You have two options for serving:
a. Serve the curry over the vermicelli noodles.
b. Mix the vermicelli noodles into the curry so they really take on all the spices and curry flavor! This is my favorite option. I    recommend mixing the noodles in with the curry and letting them sit and soak up all the flavors for a few moments before serving!

Coconuts for Easy Veggie Coconut Curry at speckledyellow.com

Coconuts for Easy Veggie Coconut Curry

Recipe adapted from the Minimalist Baker

Dreaming of Sunnier Days While Cabin Fevered up in the “North Pole” aka Boston

IMG_4210

So as a lot of you know, New England has had some intense unrelenting snow fall this winter, I have been cooped up with crazy CABIN FEVER to the extreme!  Out of shear madness, I needed things to occupy my time so I went through some old photos on my computer and I came across these photos from when some friends came to visit us this past Fall. I swear I think these humans look like they came out of an Abercrombie and Fitch add! And yes, they are all beautiful creatures but beautiful in the way in which each one radiates kindness, love, and creativity into the world. Each one follows strong values and morals and that to me is what beauty represents. A persons heart can radiate this beauty on the outside.

I have also come to the conclusion that Boston has some beautiful weather, especially in the summer, and that the worst weather always comes in the months of February and March. I am not a winter/snow person at all, but I figure if we have three more years before relocating, instead of looking at it as three more crazy winters, its more like 6 more months of cold, bitter, snowiness. I can handle that; two months each year sounds better than three more years of Boston winters. So Yeehaw, I will survive!

I wanted to share our Fall Frolic by the Charles River and weekend outfits! I love Fall colors and you can certainly bring Fall colors and style into the winter months. This is Zina below. She is a warrior princess who lives in a castle on the rocks. She enjoys rock climbing, writing, and swinging on branches in the jungles of Costa Rica. Her favorite past time is motorcycling around the world with her boyfriend Chris, (shown in the other photos). Her style advice would be to layer, layer, layer and wear jewelry that you love!

IMG_4240

That large chunky scarf Zina has on in the above and below pictures is exactly something I am looking for to add to my wardrobe now!

Her outfit: Shoes are Vans; Jeans from Madewell; Long sleeve shirt from Forever 21; Sweater from American Apparel; Scarf from H&M

IMG_4267

Below is Chris, one of my husband’s best friends from collage and Zina’s boyfriend. He is a doctor of all trades and can be found traveling the globe bringing his skills to third world nations. He lives in the castle with Zina and they spend their nights cuddling by a fire place. IMG_4187IMG_4186

Zina’s outfit below can all be found at American Apparel! She a frequent shopper there:) IMG_4197

Below is my hubby, Brady. He enjoys a fine whiskey, Central American rum, or anything of that sort…He spends his days saving lives in the hospitals of Boston and spends his nights playing poker or enjoying my nightly home cooked meals, in which he devours quinoa, vegetables, tofu, beans and lentils. His secret talent is using his toes as a weapon to pinch innocent citizens!

Jacket is from AllSaintsIMG_4188IMG_4105

I was having a particularly good hair day that night! And was excited to wear for the first time my new leopard print heels from, believe it or not, Marshells!!!!! The grey tshirt is from Zara and my jeans are Carmar highwaisted (purchased them at LF on sale!) LF has amazing sales a few times a years and the biggest selection of Carmar jeans, my absolute favorite jeans I own! The leather jacket and purse I picked up on a trip to Florence, Italy with the hubby! Word of advice: when you go to Italy bring an empty carry-on…you will not regret it. I call the picture below, my “half-eyed laugh”.
IMG_4108

These boys are college besties who also played Water Polo together! What an interesting little bunch they are!

IMG_4272

This Man and his Dog hanging out on a bridge, entertaining the world. What cuties!
IMG_4254

That’s one of my hubby’s besties, Sean. His girlfriend, Caralin, was pictured above. They had just moved to Boston this past winter because she got a job with the Boston Ballet!!!!!! Sean and Caralin take long walks on the beach while he serenades her with lullabies. Pretty romantic I must say.  IMG_4271

Wild Rice Pilaf with Dried Cranberries and Pecans

IMG_5068

This is a perfect side dish to pair with any meal, lunch or dinner! I am not gonna lie, I ate this by itself for breakfast a few times because it’s just that good! The flavors are perfect for a Fall and Winter pallet, especially if you need a side dish for a Holiday dinner! This is super quick and easy and you can see below that I paired it with my Oven Baked Pecan-Crusted Dijon Chicken for a delightful dinner! This rice pilaf dish as yummy dried cranberries in it, and I am a big supporter of dried fruit in anything and everything, so any chance I get to add some, I will!

IMG_5076 Ingredients
* 4 cups chicken or veggie stock
* 2 Tablespoons unsalted butter or vegan butter
* 1 Tablespoon grapeseed oil
* 23 large shallots, minced
* 2 cups wild rice or 2 cups short-grain brown rice and wild rice mixture (I use Lundberg Wild Blend Rice, picture below)
* 1/2 cup cranberries
* 1 bay leaf
* 2 fresh thyme sprigs or 1/4 teaspoon dried thyme
* 1/2 cup pecans, toasted and coarsely chopped
* 1/2 teaspoon salt
* 1/8 teaspoon pepper

IMG_5064

Directions
1. Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F.
2. Add the stock to a pot and simmer over medium-low heat.
3. In an over safe casserole or dutch oven melt the butter with the oil. Add the shallots and sauté until translucent about 2-3 minutes.
4. Then, stir in the stock, dried cranberries, bay leaf, thyme, 1/2 teaspoon of salt and 1/8 teaspoon of pepper.
5. Bring to a simmer, stir and cover.
6. Next, transfer the casserole or dutch oven to the oven and bake until all the liquid has been absorbed and the rice is tender about 40-45 minutes.
7. Make sure to remove the bay leaf and thyme springs, if used, when the dish has finished cooking and prior to eating.
8. stir in the pecans and serve!

Original Recipe from Williams-Sonoma.com

Oven Baked Pecan-Crusted Dijon Chicken

Oven Baked Pecan-Crusted Dijon Chicken

This chicken dish it the ULTIMATE, MOST AMAZING chicken you will ever eat in your life!!!!! I made this pretty much every day for a week straight and then I shared the recipe with all of my friends. It is also a great dish if you are hosting a dinner party or having a friend or two over for dinner! I have also chopped up the chicken and put it on top of salad for a delicious chicken salad lunch recipe.

The dijon mustard keeps the chicken moist and adds delectable flavor, while the pecans and bread crumbs create a crispy crunch. Sometimes I feel like I am eating a healthier version of chicken fingers!  I paired this with my Wild Rice Pilaf With Dried Cranberries and Pecans which I will be posting next!

Oven Baked Pecan-Crusted Dijon Chicken

Ingredients
* 1 cup pecans, toasted
* 1/2 cup bread crumbs (make your own or purchase already made. I used gluten-free crumbs)
* 1 teaspoon dried basil
* 4 skinless, boneless chicken breasts or one pack (if the chicken breasts are large, I like to cut them in half to create a cutlet)
* 1/4 cup honey mustard
* 1 Tablespoon of olive oil
* salt and pepper to taste

Continue reading