Granola Bars

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Bars, poured and rolled

In the process of cutting

I cut away the rough edges, which were great for snacking on at home

Packaged and ready to go!

(Sorry for the bad quality of the photos. My dinky little point and shoot just isn't cutting it. Hoping for a nicer camera - an entry-level DSLR - before the baby gets here!)


I love snacks... always have. One of the things I have liked best about pregnancy is that you're encouraged to eat small meals and snack frequently. The key is making the most of each snack. If I have an apple and peanut butter in the morning, I'll have a stick of cheese or a boiled egg in the afternoon to balance out the food groups, and then maybe a small cup of nutty granola and fat free milk after dinner.

The challenge is snacking on the go. I can't keep string cheese in my purse all the time, and we tend to finish Kashi bars pretty quickly around here, which adds up if I want to have some handy on a regular basis. So when I saw this recipe for granola bars with a decent dose of protein, I knew I wanted to make them. I already had all of the ingredients on hand, though I made some changes, and will change more the next time I make them.

The recipe, with my tweaks and suggestions:

2 cups old-fashioned oats (I used instant because that's all I had, but steel cut would be better)

1/2 c. flax seed, milled

1/4 c. quinoa (it's not clear in the recipe, but you add this dry)

3/4 c. shelled sunflower seeds (use unsalted, the peanut butter plus added salt is plenty)

1 c. chopped nuts (any kind or combination) (I used almonds)

1 c. shredded coconut (unsweetened is best)

1/2 to 1 tsp. cinnamon (desired amount) (I added the full teaspoon, plus some ground ginger)

1/2 tsp. salt

1/2 c. brown sugar or your favorite natural sweetener (I added way less than this - maybe 1/4 a cup)

1/2 c. honey (I used a mixture of honey and agave nectar)

2 tsp. molasses

4 T. butter (I cut this in half - did one tablespoon butter and one generous tablespoon coconut oil)

2 tsp. vanilla

4 T. peanut butter (I used Target brand's natural organic peanut butter - my favorite. I definitely recommend a natural peanut butter, as it has a thinner texture than, say, JIF, and works well in this recipe. Almond butter would be good too.)

1 c. dried, chopped fruit (optional) (I used Target's Archer Farms Superfood mix, with pomegranate, blueberry, cherry and cranberry - didn't chop it)

I also sneaked in: 

A scant 1/4 c. oat bran

2 T. wheat germ

1 T. chia seeds/solba (I would have added more but that's all I had)

1. mix first 8 ingredients together and place on a rimmed baking sheet. toast in a 400 degree oven for 12 minutes. stir and let cool at least 15 minutes. Watch this closely; the coconut around the edge of the pan burned at about 12 minutes, but it wasn't a big deal.

2. bring next 4 ingredients to a simmer, stirring continuously. stir in the vanilla and peanut butter and cool for 2-3 minutes, stirring occasionally.

3. put the toasted ingredients and dried fruit in a large bowl and pour the liquid ingredients over it. mix very well.

4. place parchment or wax paper in the rimmed baking sheet and butter the top side, then place the granola bar mixture in the pan. put another butter sheet of paper, buttered side down, on top of the mixture and press down. roll with a rolling pin to make it very tight, smooth, and even. Don't worry about rolling it into a perfect rectangle. Just get the basic shape, and when it comes time to cut, you can trim off the uneven edges and snack on those separately.

5. let set for 2-3 hours (in the fridge) and cut into desired bar size. makes about 20-24 bars (I cut them the size - area, not thickness - of Kashi bars and it made 32). package in snack size bags or an airtight container (I rolled them individually in plastic wrap since I knew we'd be eating them on the go and I didn't want to use that many snack bags). if not using within next few days, store in freezer (we stored the wrapped bars in the fridge). they keep very well, and thaw quickly. (really yummy frozen, too!) 

I should have taken more pictures during the actual baking/cooking/mixing process, but I didn't think to. I will tell you these were a huge hit. They really sustain you and are tasty, to boot. I calculated the nutrition info of the bars with my changes. See below. And happy snacking! 

 

Bump, Week 27.5 (plus appointment update)

Today's installation of The Bump Chronicles coincides with the first doctor's appointment of my third trimester!

But before I get to the appointment, a few words about the belly. I swear my Energy & Economics class has just thought I've been getting fatter. While it was easy to tell my Genetics & Ethics class I was pregnant, since it tied to the course material, I never really had the opportunity to tell the energy folks. So they were trying to organize a happy hour a couple of weeks ago, and my prof offered to buy a beer for anyone who wanted one. So he starts to go around the room to ask who wants a beer, and I said "no..." Everyone seemed surprised so I was like, "I've heard that's not a good idea when you're six months pregnant," and I laughed. Suddenly all the guys seemed really uncomfortable and all the girls were like, "Oh Em Gee, you're pregnant!!!" To which I wanted to be like, "Seriously?! I have gained 20 pounds since the first of the semester!" Anyway, I walked into class last night and one of my classmates said, "Aww, you're showing!" I was really excited to be told I look pregnant... a milestone! I went and bought two maternity T-shirts after class to celebrate (haha). :)

Now for Dr. Norwood. Great appointment! My belly is measuring exactly on schedule (27 centimeters for 27 weeks), and the baby's heartbeat was strong and steady. Blood pressure and weight were good. We talked about the royal wedding and how neither of us have TiVo. Then I asked at what point the baby has to be head down, and he told me 35 weeks. He said if the baby is not head down at that time, we'll schedule an external version at 36 weeks to turn the baby into position. So I asked if he could tell me where the baby's head is now, and :::: drum roll :::: THE BABY IS HEAD DOWN!!!!!!!!

I know it might not stay that way, given how much Baby G loves to move, but it gave me a glimmer of hope that my little guy may be more cooperative than I thought. I asked why I always feel kicks so low, and the doctor said they probably weren't kicks, but punches (duh, Katie!).

After my next appointment, I'll start going every two weeks, then beginning in late June, every week. I'm getting excited to meet this baby man of mine!

Bump, Week 26.5

This week's bump shot makes me realize how not fun it is going to be to post bare belly shots when I'm, say, 38 weeks pregnant. But it's all for posterity, right?

Baby has GROWN! As I mentioned in my last post, in just about 48 hours he has really started to pop out. My skin is feeling awfully tight and I know I've got a long way to go. Burt's Bees Mama Bee Belly Balm, don't fail me now.

He's still moving around plenty, which I love. I'll think I've figured out which way he's facing, only to think he's turned another direction a few hours later. So far I think his preferred position is transverse (sideways). I'm planning to ask the doctor at my next appointment when the baby needs to be head-down (to avoid C-section).

Oh, and please excuse my messy appearance. I'm still getting over this darn cold. Thursday will make three weeks! I'm getting better but still have a sinus infection and a nighttime cough.

If you click on The Bump Chronicles tag at the bottom of this post, you can see the progress of my growth (scrolling through all of the bump shots).

I have plans to post more -- USEFUL -- information in the next few days. Something besides "hey, look at me and my growing belly" and "hey, look at what I picked out for the nursery." :) Thanks for your patience!

Last 100 Days!

Somehow my "baby countdown" widget in the right hand column was off a few days and I just noticed it. Kind of like when your watch stops, or something, it just wasn't counting down. Weird! So I thought I still had about 104 days until my due date, but I just realized I am under 100 days! 96, to be exact! I think I'm officially in the third trimester, too.

I had this big idea of doing a "Last 100 Days in Utero" post, kind of like how they measure a president's first 100 days in office. But now that I'm at 96 days, that feels a little anticlimactic. I had planned to finish all of my research papers before I got to 100 days. I still have one to go! Oh well.

My belly has literally doubled in size in the last 48 hours. I am not kidding. Last night was the first night I started to feel uncomfortable around my ribs. And my belly button is getting really shallow all of a sudden. I am glad that the baby is healthy and growing, but I am not ready for this discomfort and whale-ishness! As I was whining to Brad a little bit, he was sympathetic but teasingly reminded me that I have had a dream pregnancy so far, so I really can't complain. He's right!


We completed our "Prepared Childbirth" classes at Baylor and made friends with the instructor. I feel much more informed about what to expect over the course of the next several months, including postpartum. My big prayer is that I avoid a C-section. Brad was able to change a diaper for the first time (on a baby doll), and I brought along one of our cloth diapers so that he can practice with that too. We're planning to do disposables for the first four to six weeks, then switch to bumGenius. I have bought 13, and I'm hoping to at least double that number so I'm not doing laundry every day!

The childbirth classes really affirmed my decision to deliver at Baylor. I initially chose it because it's the closest hospital to our home, and a friend of ours (our awesome and sweet neighbor's older daughter) had her babies there and had wonderful things to say about it. She told us they put little Bible verse cards on your meal trays... little touches that make you feel like you're in good hands. Turns out they also really work with you to ensure your birth is an experience that feels rewarding, and they want to accommodate your vision for the process as much as possible/reasonable. They are also huge proponents of breastfeeding and won't give your baby formula or pacifiers if they know you plan to breastfeed. The baby stays in the room with you, and the same nurse who cares for you cares for your baby (couplet care). Everyone we have encountered there has been nothing short of warm, friendly and incredible! The facilities are very nice and new, too; Brad said he's looking forward to staying at "Hotel Baylor." :)

I also think we might have chosen our pediatrician. She comes extremely highly recommended by some friends of ours. We'll be meeting with her in about a month to get a feel for her and make sure our views align.

So even though the nursery remains empty, progress is being made!

Nursery Progress

The title of this post may be over-promising a bit. There is actually no progress. Still a basically empty room with primed walls, waiting for a makeover.

But I have started buying! And I've nailed down my design concept, more or less.

After debating a nautical theme and an adventurer theme, I've landed on "whimsical adventurer," I think. It's really not going to have a theme, honestly, and it's going to be something that feels like a kid's room without being babyish. Hopefully it will grow with our little lad for a few years. I want it to be a room that I can tolerate and enjoy (not overloaded with muscle cars, dinosaurs, jungle animals, footballs) -- fresh but boyish, bright and cheery but not over-the-top silly.

I have lots of ideas, including thoughts on storing books and toys, a lamp redo, possibly making some paper lanterns and/or pendants, and of course I've been thinking about the art on the walls. But for now, I'll give you a sneak peek of things I have bought or already own that will end up in the room. Before you look at all the fabrics and think "pattern overload," I have plans for simple ivory drapes, an off-white or tan rug, and generally just lots of spots for the eye to rest. So don't worry. :)


WALL COLOR
"Water Mark" by Behr

What can I say about this color... It's exactly what I wanted. And its name is the same as my church's name (Watermark). It was meant to be. Hopefully I'll love it when it's on the walls! I am crazy about the fact that it's a COLOR, but it reads kind of as a neutral. Totally soothing.

FABRICS
I have plans for most of these fabrics, at this point. I own them all. Some will turn into bedding, some will line shelves, at least one will be a book/toy sling... You'll just have to wait and see!

The next three fabrics and the trim are from Hancock.

I bought this hexagon fabric in both cotton and laminated cotton. 

This stripe will run vertically, as I envision it. I'm pulling a lot of the colors for the room from this (grassy yellow, aqua, ecru, bold orange).

I tried to find a swatch of this fabric online and couldn't; it's the same exact fabric/pattern that's on this journal, only it's in fabric form, obviously--not a journal.

This is a trim I will be using on the curtains. It's not as day-glo as it looks here. It's just a fun, vintage-looking pom pom fringe. 

All fabrics below this point are from Tonic Living. Highly recommend the online store's selection.

This one with the kids playing is so precious. It actually looks a lot better in person than it does in this picture.

EXTRAS

 

Knobs for the closet doors. I love them. They are actually already on, so I guess that is one thing I've done in the room. From Anthropologie, of course! 

A bowl that was on sale at Anthro. Figure I can use it to hold pacifiers or something.

 Jelly Cat corduroy lion from Anthro (I had a coupon and a gift card).

This world map served as the jumping off point for the whole room. I had originally bought it for the living room, but the orange was way too bright. It's magnetic and has a nice white frame. Baby G has already been to five countries since he's been incubating, so we'll put magnets over those. From Future Maps Co. online.

 

I have two of these IKEA pails for diaper purposes. Thinking about spray-painting them, but maybe not.

IKEA faux sheep skin for layering over... stuff.

FURNITURE

Jenny Lind crib in white. I bought it off Amazon the other day. A little earlier than I planned, but I noticed it said it takes up to three months to ship (?!?). Oh and don't worry, I didn't get a drop-side crib. It's stationary. I just used this picture because it didn't have bedding on it.

Grainy image of a storage cube. I got two of these after I mistakenly bought a Groupon to Ashley Furniture. Well, buying the Groupon wasn't a mistake, but I thought I could get lamps and -- long story. Anyway, I have two beige storage cubes now. 

This isn't exactly the chair I have... but it is close enough to give you an idea. Also has an ottoman. We might add a rocker (TBD) in addition to this chair. 

Weird picture, but that white shelf behind the lady is what I'm going to be using as a changing table. It's just the right dimensions, and we don't have a place for it anywhere else. I bought it from one of my favorite bloggers in October, intending to use it as a bar cart, but I realized once I got it home that it was not the right size for the space I hoped to put it in. Supposedly it was sold through Horchow and retailed for $500 (I got it for MUCH LESS than that). Probably sacrilegious to use it as a changing table. Oh well.

More updates soon, I hope!

Bump, Week 25

 

Baby Boy is growing! Fortunately I'm still comfortable. No baby-related aches and pains, shortness of breath, anything like that, thank God! I did catch a bug of some sort and have been battling a pretty fierce upper respiratory infection for the last few days. My OB-GYN put me on a Z-Pak (antibiotics) and a bunch of over the counter stuff. I hate having to take medicine while I'm pregnant, but I guess it's better for the little guy that I'm able to breathe, no? In the meantime, Brad has been a saint, taking care of me and even sleeping in the office/guest room, since my hacking cough is not conducive to him sleeping (nor do we want him to catch this!). 

Needless to say, last week was one I was all too glad to put behind me, what with the work drama, school deadlines and then getting sick on Thursday. My sickness caused me to have to cancel all my weekend plans... a bummer at first, but since I have been down for the count, I was able to finish the first of three term papers yesterday and start on the second. That's a silver lining! And Brad and I continue to praise God for an otherwise healthy pregnancy, active baby, and good communication between us.

Thanks for your ongoing prayers as I "struggle well" through the next couple of weeks and make it to the next joyful season of nesting and motherhood!

Hormones (?) and an answered prayer

First off, something good: My test results are in and I am negative for gestational diabetes. Assuming I stay that way, I will have a much easier third trimester and delivery than if I had tested positive!

Now. I feel like God has truly spared me from the hormones/mood swings that famously accompany pregnancy. Brad will vouch for me: I have been a pretty cool customer over the last 5.5, almost 6 months. Perhaps more "cool" than usual, even. I've just been so excited and realized HOW MUCH I have to be grateful for, so pickle-flavored-ice-cream-fueled screaming matches haven't even entered the picture. It's like I am more forgiving, and get stressed out LESS easily (as a type-A personality, this is truly God at work).

BUT. Over the last week or so, I have been feeling the walls closing in. Heaps of frustration at work, lots of school work (I don't know how it will all get done, but I just keep telling myself it ALWAYS gets done), and feeling the urge to nest but having to suppress it because I literally don't have time - it's really getting to me. For example, Brad saw that we had a rare free night last week and committed us to a dinner with friends. Totally good intentions on his part. Nice, right? So anyway, when he tells me we're going to dinner, I literally, instantly, burst out into tears, wailing about how I need to write my first of three term papers and it's due next week and I haven't made any progress on it because I've been working every night because of a groundbreaking ceremony and and and... Not a normal reaction, right? I am really wondering if pregnancy hormones are finally catching up to me and making me hyper-emotional.

Today has been especially frustrating. But before this starts to sound like an epic rant, the point of me telling you this is that God just answered prayer. Brad called just as I was hanging up from another (FRUSTRATING) phone call. I told him I feel like nothing has gone right for me today. As I'm walking around the house and talking to him on my cell, I notice our cleaning lady (whom I am appreciative of! Don't get me wrong, I know it's a blessing that we are able to have help a couple of times a month!) has gone home and she left two bags of trash sitting on our back step, rather than taking them to the trash can. So I murmur something like, "Ugh, and now I have to lug the trash to the alley," and in my annoyance, Brad asked if he could pray for me. So he starts praying for my stress level, for my day to improve, etc. Just after he says "Amen," the cleaning lady - who had already driven off - walks around into our back yard and grabs the trash bags. She mouthed through the patio door, "Whoops, forgot these!" and proceeded toward the alley with them.

I was still on the phone with Brad and I started laughing and crying at the same time. God answered prayer QUICKLY, and with a sense of humor!

That was a bright spot in my otherwise terrible, horrible, no good, very bad day. :)

On that note, I'd really value your prayers as I navigate some stressful days and nights, which may appear more frustrating to me due to hormones!

All's Well in Babyland

Just a quick update on my appointment with Dr. Norwood this morning. I had to do the glucose test to see if I have gestational diabetes. The drink was not as bad as I expected it to be! Just like a flat, super-sugary orange soda or that children's cough syrup, Triaminic. They drew blood and I'll know in a week or so what my results are. Dr. Norwood said my weight is really good and used the line again about how I should give nutrition classes to his other patients. Kind of made me realize he probably tells that to a lot of people. Oh well, still sweet!

It took him forever to find the baby's heartbeat this time, but I wasn't nervous because little man has been kicking me all day! He finally found a different Doppler machine in case his other one was broken. Turns out Baby G was hanging out ABOVE my belly button, which is why the heartbeat was hard to find. SO WEIRD! I really don't even know how that's possible right now, but okay. Strong, steady heartbeat = music to my ears.