You Gotta Eat

Are you ever in the mood for something quick, easy, healthy, cost-effective, and delicious to make for dinner?  Um...YES.  Do you want your kids to like it too?  Duh!  I have the recipe for you.  It's from one of my all-time favorite cookbooks (Taste of Home Healthy Cooking Recipes), and it's called "Kid-Pleasing Taco Pizza."

Here's what you need:

• a refrigerated pizza crust
• 1 lb. of lean ground turkey
• 3/4 cup of water
• 1 envelope of reduced sodium taco seasoning
• 1 can (16 oz.) fat free refried beans
• 6 oz. of shredded cheese (pizza or taco blend)
• 2 medium tomatoes, chopped
• shredded lettuce to top

Optional Toppings: (use your imagination)

• crushed tortilla chips
• chopped jalapeno peppers
• black olives

Here's what you do:
Spread the pizza dough onto a greased 15 x 10 x 1 inch. pan.  Bake 425 for 8-10 minutes or until edges are brown.

Meanwhile, brown turkey in pan.  Drain meat and add taco seasoning and 3/4 cup water.  Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 5 mins.  Stir in the refried beans until mixture is blended.

Spread turkey mixture over crust.  Top with cheese and tomatoes.  Bake at 425 for 5-7 minutes or until cheese is melted.  Top with lettuce and other toppings.  Serve.

This recipe makes 10 servings and takes about 30 minutes to prep and bake.  Did I mention that each piece is less than 350 calories?  :-)

These cookbooks were a lifesaver for me when Eric and I first got married.  You don't have to buy the cookbook to enjoy the recipes.  They are available for free at tasteofhome.com.  You will just have to narrow your search if you are looking for only the healthy recipes.

We all know a pregnant lady has got to have her dessert.  If you are looking for something simple to make that will satisfy your sweet tooth, here's one of my go-to's.  It kind of tastes like key lime pie without all the work...or calories.

Lemony Cream Pie
Here's what you need:

• 1 can of Eagle Brand milk (opt for the low fat...it's just as good)
• 1/2 cup of lemon juice
• 8 oz. of Lite Cool Whip
• Graham Cracker Pie Crust (look for a large one)
• Optional: Cherry or Strawberry Pie filling to top

Here's what you do:
In a medium bowl, whip together the first 3 ingredients.  Once mixture is smooth, pour into pie crust.  Refrigerate or serve immediately.  I always serve the pie filling on the side so that guests (or you) can choose whether or not you want the extra fruit (and calories).

After 25 weeks....

How far along? 25 weeks

Total weight gain: 16 lbs.  (Which is why I have been searching for healthy recipes.)

Maternity clothes? All bottoms and some dresses and tops.

Stretch marks? No.

Sleep: Still doing some tossing and turning at night.  I am also starting to need an early (2 am) morning pee break.

Best moment of the week: Hearing Aubrey's heartbeat at the doctor's office yesterday.  I never get tired of that sound.

Miss anything? Being able to shave my legs (and delicates) in the shower like a normal person.  I will say my trusty new razor has made things a little easier in the delicate department, but I still hate that it takes me so long to do it.  Seriously, if you don't already have one, get a Schick Quattro with a bikini trimmer.  It's awesome!

Movement: Yep.  She is a squirmy little girl.

Food cravings: I think I may have said this a time or two before, but ICE CREAM.  I did pick up some low fat ice cream bars from the grocery store on my last trip so at least my serving will be limited.

Food aversions: Typically...beans.  But the taco pizza recipe above didn't bother me.

Gender: Girl

Labor signs: None.

Symptoms: I have been having cramps in my right butt cheek.  I'm not sure why it's limited to that side butt (LOL) it's kind of annoying.  I also woke up this morning with very spotty and blurred vision.  It finally went away after I had some breakfast, but it was a little scary.

Belly button in or out? In

Wedding rings on or off? On

Looking forward to: Vacationing with my honey and his family at the end of the month.  We have a wedding to go to and I really want a new dress.  I really like this one from Motherhood:

Hopefully I will have a dress by my next post.  Have a good week ladies!