Afternoon Antipasto Pasta Salad

Who doesn't like a dose of Italian in the afternoon?

My recipe for Antipasto Pasta Salad is not only packed with healthy ingredients, but it will blow your socks off, too! Unbelievably easy to make, and kids LOVE it. (My niece is obsessed).

If you crave a taste similar to pickles, this is the recipe for you! Happy baby!

Afternoon Antipasto Pasta Salad

 INGREDIENTS

1/4 c. Olive Oil

1/4 c. Vegetable Oil

3 Tbls. Red Wine Vinegar

1 Garlic Clove, Minced

1 Tbls. Minced Fresh Basil

(I buy basil in the squeezy jar because it lasts forever, 1 Tbls. if you go that route.)

1 tsp. salt

1/4 tsp. Pepper

One 12 oz. Bag Wacky Mac, cooked and cooled

(or tri-color rotini)

1 - 2.25oz can sliced Black Olives

1 - 13.75 oz. can Quartered Artichoke Hearts

1/2 c. Crumbled (Pasteurized!) Feta

 INSTRUCTIONS

While noodles are cooling in the fridge, combine Olive Oil, Vegetable Oil, Vinegar, Salt Pepper, Garlic, and Basil in a small bowl. Once noodles are cooled, whisk dressing and pour over noodles. Add Artichokes, Olives, and Feta. Mix and enjoy!!



<3

The Weekend Project Ahead... Plush Toy Kitty!

I love my kitties, or as some call them, FUR-BABIES! As a first time mom I am looking forward to lots of home-made goodies for my soon to be spoiled little baby, and this will be one of them! I'm going to get started this weekend. I've never made a plush toy before (and yes, I am not going to make it with buttons. I don't need my baby to choke!) and I will be purchasing twice the fabric (because I will undoubtedly mess up at least once) but since I'm snowed in, it will give me something relaxing to do!

I'll post all about the experience when I'm done, and where you too can find the free pattern and make one for yourself!

Pointy Kitty

By Hilary Lang

A Wee Wonderfuls Pattern

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Can A Messy Task Be Clean? Going Green With Diapers

Can a messy task, like changing the diapers, be clean? Yes.

Great Green Goodies

gDiapers

$15 - $18 a piece for reusable diaper

Cloth and Biodegradable Inserts Available

Decomposable diaper liners are completely flushable

Contain no plastic components; breathable "little g" pants keep baby's skin healthier

Lots of colors!!

Fuzzibunz One Size Cloth Diaper

$20.00

• Stuff and go convenience - the pocket design allows you to cusomize the absorbancy based on baby's needs
• Most economical cloth diapering choice since diaper fits baby from birth to potty training
• Durable fabric makes for easy wash and wear
• Comes with set of easy replace elastic to further extend the life of your diaper
• 1 year warranty
• Comes in LOTS of colors!

Rockin' Green Cloth Diaper Detergent

$15.00

Suitable for both cloth diaper and general household laundry

Free of dyes, enzymes, fillers, phosphates and brighteners

Easy rinsing formula is great for sensitive skin

Classic Rock is the standard formula for water that is neither hard nor soft.

Works in top, front loading and HE machines

Seventh Generation Disposables

$39.00 for 120 diapers - Amazon

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A Few Of My Favorite-est Things

So these are a few of the things I'm dreaming of for the nursery. It's killing me not knowing if it's a boy or a girl!! I'm biting my nails and counting the days!

all things available on Amazon


Radio Flyer Ride On

Gee-Bee Squadron Mobile

Rock A Buddies Flyboy Rocker

 AND IF IT'S A GIRL

Lot 26 Studio Wall Decal

Lot 26 Studio Wall Decal

14" White Feathered Doves

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In My Oven... And I Don't Mean My Belly!

Easy Breezy Cheesy Potato Ham Bake!

The biggest comfort food yum yum for baby



Looks amazing, right? I can feel my baby kick just thinking about it!

 INGREDIENTS

1 (32 ounce) package frozen hash brown potatoes

8 ounces cooked, diced ham (I used an uncured kind I found at Safeway. Nitrate free!)

2 (10.75 ounce) cans condensed cream of potato soup

1 (16 ounce) container LIGHT sour cream

2 cups shredded sharp 2% Cheddar cheese

 DIRECTIONS

1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C). Lightly grease a 9x13 inch baking dish.
2. In a large bowl, mix hash browns, ham, cream of potato soup, sour cream, and 3/4 of the Cheddar cheese. Spread evenly into prepared dish. Sprinkle with remaining cheese.
3. Bake 1 hour in the preheated oven, or until bubbly and lightly brown. Serve immediately.

Courtesy AllRecipes.com, though I made it healthier with light sour cream and cheese.

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Tasty Toasty Tomato Snack

Snack Time!

(Or Breakfast, Brunch, Lunch, Linner, Dinner, and Dessert time!)

Not only is this snack good, but it packs a healthy punch! Take my word for it, even if you think you won't like it, give it a try. Perfect for those who can't stomach meat (LIKE ME!)

 INGREDIENTS

One Tomato

.

Half an Avocado, sliced

.

Twelve slices of Cucumber (I get the skinless ones in the plastic)

.

Yellow Mustard (or Hummus if you want some protein)

.

Two Slices Wheat Bread

.

Salt and Pepper

 DIRECTIONS

Pretty simple here. Toast the bread, then spread with either a touch of Yellow Mustard or Hummus. Top with six slices of cucumber each, a quarter of the Avocado each, and two thick slices of tomato each. Top off with a dash of salt and pepper.

Viola!

Healthy, happy baby!

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Sew Your Own Boppy

So, considering the boppy has become as much of a mother accessory as the baby itself, I decided I liked the idea of a custom boppy much better.

 WHAT YOU WILL NEED

Large (huge!) Piece of Paper - Poster Board Works

1.5 Yards of Fabric

Sewing Machine

Matching Thread

PolyFil - Washable kind!

Flexible Measuring Tape

 WHAT YOU WILL DO

You want to make the Boppy fit your tummy. This is the other benefit of making your own! We're all different sizes, let's face it, not all Boppies fit all bodies!

1: Fold your paper in half so that we can make a symmetrical pattern.

2: Measure your tummy with the tape, or make a circle with the measuring tape guessing what your stomach width was before (if you're now pregnant).

3: Loosely mimicking the circle you made with the measuring tape, lay it on the paper. Using the best free-hand you can muster, draw a half circle in the middle of the paper, well inside the wiggly tape as seen below with the red dotted line...

4: Now, this is why you want a big piece of paper. The width of your Boppy depends on how wide you want. If you will be using it for breast feeding, and have large breasts, make it very wide (10-12 inches or more). Smaller breasts you don't have to go crazy, but it's still nice to have lots of room for baby as it grows!

5: Now freehand a good outer circle, then round out one end.

6: Cut out your 'C' shape and this is what you've got!

 From here out it's pretty easy

Folding your fabric in half so the patterned side is facing against each other and the pattern fits, pin the patterns to both layers of fabric and trace, or go straight to cutting.

Once the fabric is cut out, remove the pattern (AND SAVE!! You can use this same pattern to make washable covers, simply add a zipper!)

Keep the two pieces of fabric pinned, backside of fabric facing out. Sew around the edges, leaving about a quarter of an inch.

Leave a hole so you can turn it right-side out and stuff, then hand stitch your pillow closed!

Viola! Now you can make a gaggle of them!

Bopperific, and machine washable... <3