Cry Now, Laugh later.

And that's just what I did.

Have you ever had cramps, or sore muscles or some unexplained pain anywhere on your body...

...And then looked it up on WebMD?

That's me. EVERY time. 

So the latest was cramping and low back pain- but it wasn't that time of the month. So what gives?

Cervical Cancer.

I was convinced.

Just so you don't think I'm completely loony, my grandmother passed away (before I ever met her) from  cervical cancer and my mother had a hysterectomy in her 30's to remove the tumors. and I had a slightly irregular pap right after Ronin, though Doc says that's fairly common in young women and during pregnancy as the immune system is low.

So, with my two symptoms, I was convinced. And I went to the doctor, totally ready for him to tell me I was dying or that I'd need surgery or chemo or whatever else.

And so as soon as he walked in, before he could even ask me what I was seeing him for, I burst into tears! 

Yes, just flat out sobbing. Embarrassing.

So my Doc, being the kind patient man that he is, says "Whoa, what's up?"

And I could barely squeeze out that I was just scared.

And it went like this:

Doc: (slight smirk on his face) Have you been reading WebMD?

Me: (Nod - Still sobbing)

Doc: And you think you have Cervical Cancer?

Me: (Sob Harder)

Doc: (Laughs)

via

Yeah... only a little embarrassing. How did he know me so well?!

Probably TMI but to drive the point home:

We chatted and he did some blood work and a urine sample.. Mild UTI. 

Ha. 

HaHa. 

I can only laugh now that it's over. 

And I'll probably have to hide my face from my doctor for a while.

Please tell me I'm not the only one!!!

Chicken Parmesan Soup.. YUM!!

I tend to get really bored, really fast. And so even though I have the boys to keep me busy, these past few weeks of maternity leave have me staring at the wall. So when I went to a Pampered Chef party last week, I just jumped in with two feet and signed up to be a consultant... I'm always good for making rash decisions.

I have my first show coming up this weekend. My goal is $1250 in sales, if you'd like to help me out you can shop my online website. Make sure to sign in, it only takes a minute, and then in the top left corner click where is say "Shows you're invited to or hosting" in the drop down, click on my name (the only one there) and shop away.

I will be closing this show on Monday October 22nd.

Please let me know if you shop, I'd love to say thank you.

Also, If you're interested in hosting an online party and earning free and discounted products, please shoot me an email!

Anywho, I'm super excited about it now and I wanted to share the recipe that had me totally sold!

I did it all in the microwave.. in under 20 minutes, say whaaat?

Husband and child approved.

The Pampered Chef ®

Chicken Parmesan Soup

Recipe

1/4 of a 16-oz (450-g) loaf French bread

      2 tbsp (30 mL) olive oil

3 tbsp (45 mL) Garlic & Herb Rub, divided

      1 1/2 cups (375 mL) unsalted chicken stock

      2 cups (500 mL) marinara sauce

       1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes with garlic and onion (about 1 3/4 cups/425 mL), undrained

2 1/2 cups (625 mL) diced cooked chicken breasts

      3 garlic cloves

        1 oz (30 g) fresh Parmesan cheese

      3/4 cup (175 mL) shredded mozzarella cheese, divided

1. Cut bread into 3/4-in. (2-cm) cubes using Color Coated Bread Knife. (You should have about 2 cups/500 mL.)
2. Toss bread cubes, oil and 1 tbsp (15 mL) of the rub in Deep Covered Baker.
3. Microwave bread cubes, uncovered, on HIGH 3–4 minutes or until they begin to brown, stirring every minute. Spread croutons over a piece of Parchment Paper to cool.
4. Stir stock, remaining 2 tbsp (30 mL) rub, marinara sauce, tomatoes, chicken and garlic pressed with Garlic Press into baker.
5. Microwave, covered, on HIGH 11–13 minutes or until soup is hot.
6. Grate Parmesan using Microplane® Adjustable Fine Grater.
7. Carefully remove baker from microwave and stir in Parmesan.
8. Top soup with half of the mozzarella and sprinkle with half of the croutons. Top with remaining mozzarella.
9. Let stand, covered, 2–3 minutes or until cheese is melted. Serve soup with remaining croutons.

Yield: 6 servings

This recipe is obviously from Pampered Chef, so if you don't have all the utensils mentioned above you can use what you have. I do not recommend trying this without the Covered Baker.

My Tip: I have a tendency to forget to take out meat before I want to cook it...

Using the Deep Covered Baker, I cooked the frozen chicken for 7 minutes in the microwave before adding the soup ingredients. It came out perfect and fully cooked.

My Deep Covered Baker hasn't come in yet, so I used the Round Covered Baker and cut the recipe in half.

We made this at the party and I've made it twice already since then... it's only been a week.

Yes, it is that delicious. And sooo easy to make.

The Deep Covered Baker is amazing!

Besides this, I've made 3 other meals this week, all in the microwave and I swear they've all been top chef status. No one would ever believe that I made them.. in the microwave.

If you make it, let me know what you think!



Getting back to Healthy

 

I think every new momma has one of the same goals: to lose the baby weight! I'm no different, that is certainly on the top of my to-do list. Thankfully I only gained 20 lbs during this pregnancy (and almost 10 of it was all baby!!) but I would like to lose the the baby weight and then some considering I never lost all of the baby weight the first time.

 

I've always been active, so getting back into the groove of working out will not be the problem. I've already started walking and pre-planning all the awesome workouts I want to try once the doctor says "go for it" at my 6-week checkup. My husband recently became a certified crossfit instructor, so once I do get the okay, I'm going to test those waters... I think I'm really going to need my weekly yoga class to recover from those workouts.. they can be pretty intense. That's good though right?

 

Anyway, here's the real problem. My eating. I love food, and I really love junk food. As much as I try to eat healthy, I can never deny a cupcake or piece of candy. It's awful, I know. And I know some pretty good bakers, plus I love to bake myself, making things twice as hard.

 

But, I am on a mission!

 

I will eat healthy!

...99% of the time. Hey a girl's gotta cheat once in a while, right?

 

I will stick to my workouts.

 

I will feel good about myself.

 

Doing all of the above will make me a better mother/wife/person.

 

 

 

Here are some of my healthy eats this week!! All delicious and super easy to make!

 

 

Chicken Stir-Fry Breakfast

 

People have been bringing us dinner all week to welcome Baby Ronin and this was a great way to use the leftover chicken from dinner the night before!

 

 

Cheesy Quinoa Bites

 

These make for such a good snack, only 130 calories in four bites!

I liked them better when they were cold.

 

 

 

I'd love to swap some healthy recipes!

What are some of your faves?