Pasta Arrabiata with Sausage

1/2 lb. Bulk Italian Sausage
1 Mayan (Sweet) Onion, sliced
6-10 Garlic Cloves, sliced
1 Large Can Diced Tomatoes
1 tsp. Basil
2-3 tsp. Crushed Red Pepper Flakes
1 lb. Whole Wheat Pasta
Olive Oil
Salt
Parmesan Cheese

Cook pasta in boiling, salted water until al dente. Drain and set aside.

Heat a few tablespoons of olive oil in a frying pan and brown sausage. Add onions and cook until they begin to color (about 5 minutes). Add garlic, tomatoes, basil, and red pepper. Cook 10 minutes until sauce has been reduced by 1/3. Cover and cook 5 minutes more until onions are soft. Season to taste with salt. Serve sauce over pasta with parmesan cheese.

Leonidas Update - 4 month dr. appointment

Leonidas had his four-month appointment today. He is 25 1/4 inches long and weighs 20 lbs. 7 oz.! :O Yes, he's a mighty boy. He is just above the 75th percentile for height and head circumference and WAY above the charts for weight. The Dr. loved the idea of baby-led-weaning and said she was going to suggest it to some of her patients. She advised continuing to exclusively breast-feed until 6 months, but that offering him food the way I have been is great.

He got two shots today and didn't even cry at all for the first one and cried for about 3 seconds after the second one. What a brave kid! He is in perfect health and doing just peachy :) Here's to fat and healthy children!

Roasted Chicken with Potatoes and Onions

1 Whole chicken
4-5 garlic cloves
1 large Mayan onion, peeled and quartered
8 medium potatoes, quartered, peel left on
3 cups water
2 Tbsp. butter, softened
Salt and Pepper to taste

Mince garlic cloves. Clean chicken and loosen skin on breast and legs. Stuff garlic under skin and distribute evenly. Rub entire chicken with butter and place in roasting pan. Surround with potatoes and onions. Season with salt and pepper. Pour water into pan and roast at 400 degrees for 1 hour.

Roasted Sweet Onion Potato Salad

I used the left-overs from my roasted chicken with potatoes and onions the night before. If you want to make it without left-overs, just roast quartered potatoes and onions at 400 degrees for 1 hour.

4 roasted potatoes, diced
1 roasted Mayan onion, quartered
1/4 cup red wine vinegar
1/4 cup olive oil
2 green onions, diced
1/2 Tbsp. brown sugar
Salt and Pepper to taste

Put the roasted onion in a food processor, along with the vinegar, olive oil, and brown sugar. Process until smooth. Pour over diced potatoes and green onions. Add salt and pepper. Chill at least 1 hour.

Left-Over Chicken Salad

Ok, so last night I made roasted chicken with potatoes and onions, so this is what to do with the left-overs.

1/2 roasted chicken
7-10 green grapes, cut in half
1/2 granny smith apple, diced
1 green onion, diced
1/4 - 1/2 cup mayonnaise
Dash of red wine vinegar
Salt
Pepper

Take the chicken off the bone and dice. Combine with the grapes, apple, and onion. Add mayonnaise (the amount is up to you, depending on how much mayo you like), vinegar, salt and pepper to taste. Chill for at least an hour, and serve on whole wheat rolls.

Tzatziki Sauce

2 cups of yogurt
2 cucumbers
1 garlic clove
2 Tbsp. red wine vinegar or lemon juice
2 Tbsp. olive oil
1/2 Tbsp. dill
Salt

Strain the yogurt through a double thickness of cheesecloth for at least 2 hours. Peel, seed, and dice the cucumbers, sprinkle with salt, and let sit in a colander to drain while the yogurt is draining. Put cucumbers, garlic, yogurt, vinegar, oil, and dill in a food processor or food chopper and process until well combined. Add salt to taste.

EC - 18 week update

I think we're nearing the end of our potty strike. Supposedly they go through those when they are about to reach a big milestone, and since Leo sat up last week, I guess they were right. We only had 2 misses today, so I'm pretty happy about that. He's actually been signaling again, and I've been paying attention a lot more as well. It seems easier when we're out and about - not sure why. Maybe it's because I don't want to look like an idiot in front of strangers, lol! He's even been going for quite long car rides (30+ minutes) without wetting, so maybe his bladder's growing a bit. I sure hope so! Taking him to the potty 20+ times a day can get a little old. I'm just glad we're communicating again.