Recipes

So I wanted to go ahead and post my pizza recipes since I made it again today and for some reason I am feeling like recipe hunting. Does anyone else ever do that? Sometimes I do it to find a recipe that uses what I already have in my house but then other times I do it because I like to try new things.

Anyway, here is the crust recipe.

3 cups of flour (more or less as needed)
1 1/2 cups warm water
1 TBS sugar or honey
2 TBS yeast
1/2 tsp salt
1 1/2 TBS olive oil
1/4 cup Parmesan cheese
2 tsp garlic powder
2 tsp oregano

The first thing I do is mix the sugar and the warm water. Once dissolved I add the yeast to let it proof. I put all of the dry ingredients including the cheese in my kitchenaid mixer and mix till combined. I add the yeast mixture and the olive oil and then let my bread hook do the rest. I start with 3 cups of flour and usually end up adding a bit more so the dough isn't too sticky. After I get the right consistency I let it "knead" in the mixer for 5-10 minutes. Then I cover it and let it rise right in the same bowl. I punch it down and let it rise again but if you are in a hurry then you can use it after the first rise. Split the dough into two equal portions and roll out on a clean floured surface. Bake on a pizza pan for 10-15 minutes on 350. Then add the sauce, cheese and toppings and bake again for 10-20 minutes. Right before the pizza is done I like to turn on my broiler to low and let it brown the crust and the cheese for no longer than 3 minutes. Be careful or it will burn super easy. I put the other partially baked crust right in my freezer on the pan. Then I can use it within the next week super easy. Good luck!

Here is the best pizza sauce recipe but I have been making bbq chicken lately with store bought sauce so its up to you. Traditional red sauce, bbq, alfredo? Whatever you want.

1 6oz can of tomato paste
6 ounces warm water
3 TBS Parmesan
1 tsp minced garlic (I have totally used garlic powder in its place)
2 TBS honey (I have used sugar in it's place but only use 1 TBS)
3/4 tsp onion powder
1/4 tsp oregano
1/4 tsp marjoram
1/4 tsp basil
1/4 tsp pepper
1/8 tsp cayenne pepper
1/8 tsp dried red pepper flakes
salt to taste

Combine all the ingredients and let sit for a half hour for the flavors to blend. This sometimes covers two pizzas so I just store the leftover half in a tupperware in the fridge till I need it again. This sauce is super duper delicious. Way better than just regular pasta sauce.

Last little tidbit. If you decide to make a bbq chicken pizza make sure to use red onion, green onion and diced fresh garlic. I know it sounds "oniony" and you will need a whole tin of altoids after but it is the perfect combo with the bbq sauce.

Now excuse me while I go and finish my own bbq chicken pizza!

Can I just complain for a second?

I have no reason to do this because I am not that upset about it and I know it will change in the next few weeks but I am just really sick of looking fat!!!!

I am at that awful stage of pregnancy where you aren't showing but you aren't not showing. I keep telling people that I look like I have a really good cookie recipe. (Which I actually do have quite a few of but that's beside the point!)

Yesterday and today was "launch" at the gym which basically just means that me and the other step instructors presented the new release to the gym patrons as a big celebratory event. Of course we were supposed to wear matching outfits which consisted of black capris, light blue racer back tanks, and other minor accessories. I know it was "fun" and "cute" but I was the Jiggliest Joe in those tight blue tops and everyone watching my belly vibrations had no idea why!

I want to get a temporary tattoo for like 2 more months that says, "Not fat, just pregnant!" I feel annoyed too because it seems like all of my friends who got pregnant with their second babies started to officially show around this time. I am almost 15 weeks! Why not me? Why not yet?

The other thing that sucks is that all of my clothes are either uncomfortable or don't fit. I have one pair of jeans that I wore post baby after Jack and they are way to big but then I have like 50 pair of jeans that I can't even button. I am so tempted to put on the maternity crap because it is comfy and tent-like but I know I will just look silly. Argh.

The last complaint for no good reason is that I honestly haven't gained any weight and I look like I have gained like 10 pounds. How does that even happen?! It's not like the fat is being pulled from my legs, butt and back and being redistributed because those all look the same! It is just like there was a sack of fat hidden somewhere inside my torso and now this baby has wrapped itself up in it!

Ok, breathe, I think I am done. I just want to be one or the other, pregnant or not, I don't want to be "miss working hard aerobics instructor who likes baked goods a little too much!" How motivated would you be to go to someones class if they looked like they were gradually expanding rather than shrinking?! Ugh.

All about the boy

I know this has recently become an all about Jack blog but I just can't help it. He is too cute to deny him so much publicity. Here he is watching tv from his new favorite spot. Five inches away in a box. He is such a helper when mommy bakes. Especially when chocolate chips are involved! Isn't that the cutest face in the whole world?! Such a boy!

Pwaba!

Last weekend Michael got us football tickets to the UofA vs Cal game. Jack loved it. He kept yelling "pwaba" which of course means football if you didn't know. :) At the beginning of the game they set off really cool, loud fireworks and Jack wasn't too sure about it. His little lip came out like he was about to cry but luckily he had both Mommy and Daddy to love him and make him feel better. We ended up only making it through 1 1/2 quarters of the game but we really had a blast and Jack was such a champ.

Michael is gonna hate me for posting this picture because he looks like a constipated, cross eyed, lumber jack but hey...Jack looks cute right?!




This is just a pic from Saturday morning chocolate milk breakfast. Cool hair hugh?!

Nostalgic

To all of you out there who don't have kids yet I apologize because this post is gonna be a little bit "Mommy Mushy."

Lately my feelings towards baby number two have grown more and more intense. When I look at Jack and think of the miracle that he is I get so excited to meet this little nugget. I'm not gonna lie, for a while I was happy in general about the pregnancy but more terrified about the idea of having two! Now I just feel like there is no need in stressing out over that because it's gonna happen. I mean, it's inevitable right?! So why worry?!

We were at the beach this weekend and Jack was being cute because to me, he always is, and I started feeling such strong feelings of love. Let me explain it like this...when Michael and I got married it felt like my heart was completely full with the love I had for him. Then Jack was born and I swear a new chamber grew and filled up with love because I had never loved like that before! Last Sunday at the beach, for the first time I felt a little sprout of the next heart chamber that will be filled when this baby comes. It was so exciting and so calming at the same time. Not to get all churchy on you on top of all this mushy love stuff but honestly, how could anyone want to do anything else than have a family? I know that is a blanket statement and it's unfair because there are plenty of women who don't have such a strong maternal instinct and bla bla bla...but seriously, kids are the best crying, poop covered, demanding, exhausting, squishy, picky fun things ever. Whew! I guess I am done. Here are a couple pics of Jack when he was just a couple of days old, lumpy head and everything!

Such a yummy little burrito!


This was the only position he would sleep in for longer than 10 minutes. Exhausting for us, comfy for him. I sure am glad that's over!


Can you believe how much he looks like his Daddy?! ;)

Conference Weekend

This is what happens when boys go in the kitchen. Pizza is my current obsession and since a frozen pizza from the store is at least 5 bucks I have started making my own which is way more cost effective. We had made so many that this one didn't get the same pepperoni coverage as the others. It was still delicious! Jack loves to cross the parking lot because the texture of the side-walk changes from smooth to bumpy. I wonder if he is showing early signs of OCD?! We were so lucky to be able to stay home and watch all 4 sessions of conference this weekend. We haven't had that luxury since we've been married. I love not having to get dressed or even brush my teeth! Laziness is phenomenal. We also made good use of the family time by destroying the house, eating lots of homemade pizza and taking long naps. Good times. BTW yesterday was my first ultrasound and it was so cool. It was actually the first time I had even heard the baby's heartbeat! The baby kept wagging its arms and moving its little head and of course I cried. The ultrasound tech was very nice, she even took some 3-d pics of the little nugget which are so detailed they are kinda scary! Overall, it was a great experience and can I just give a shout out to my awesome friend Lili who watched Jack so me and my new nugget could have a moment to bond. :)

This is one crazy pair. Daddy knows how to make anything fun!

Happy Berfdee Booty!

Can I just say, I love my husband?! Today it is official, he is 30!!! That is so old! No not really, and like I said last night he is going to be even sexier at 30 than he was at 29! I just wanna list a few of the amazing things that make him who he is.

He is the most wonderful father. There is no one who loves their son more than Michael loves Jack. Their relationship is so special and I know that they will always be best friends.

He is a caring and supportive husband. I always say that I would have never graduated if it weren't for Michael pushing/encouraging me!

He is an achiever. He sets goals and he reaches them. If he puts his mind to something it will be accomplished. It may sound simple but I find it incredible and inspiring. Honestly, think hard, how many truly goal oriented people do you know?

He is an amazing doctor. He is intelligent and competent in his field. His natural desire to succeed and do well make him one of the best residents in his program. Any patient would be lucky to have him running their surgery!

He is not only book smart but street smart too. He has been so many amazing places Nepal, Peru, on top of Mt. Everest, the list goes on and on. I always feel safe when we travel because I know that Michael is aware of things that I am not. Plus he speaks three more languages than I do which always helps.

He has a strong testimony and is a worthy preisthood holder. Need I say more?

His body never quits. I know that I complain about the fact that Michael shows results instantly but it's just because I am jealous. He could do ten crunches and his abs would ripple like the waves of the ocean! So stinkin' sexy.

I love my Booty and I am so lucky to have him as my husband and Jacks's father. He is a wonderful man and just an all around great guy in so many ways. He is definitely the packaged deal!