Shrimp in a Dates and Tamarind Sauce

Hello Everyone,

So after a short hiatus from blogging and venturing into cooking, I decided I would try my best to do a weekly post. This way I won't feel I've abandoned my newest project, and can at least allow myself one new recipe a week. Lately, what has captured my attention is Halloween! I love this time of the year, all the different pumpkin patches there is to visit, the scarecrows, and all the Halloween themed parties; it could not get any better. It also gives me many different activities to do with Layth rather than having to recycle between CMOM, the Memphis Zoo, and the Botanical Gardens. Speaking of which, I have been so busy trying to find a new babysitter for Layth that I feel all my afternoons spent at home have been occupied with interviewing babysitters, for just an occasional night out with the hubby or in this month's case, a Halloween party! And so, that has left little or no time to venture out and try a new recipe, which is why I choose to try a new marinade, Stonehouse 27: dates and tamarind cooking sauce I purchased from the local grocery store, Miss Cordelias. It was located under the " Local Favorites" isle when I decided it would be something new, quick and simple. All I needed to do was grill whatever it was I was going to marinade in a skillet over medium heat and then reduce the heat, add the marinade, and allow it to simmer. So when I had gotten home I scanned the freezer, took out some shrimp that were ready to be cooked i.e. tails already off, took out a skillet and some olive oil. I grilled the shrimp over medium heat until they were no longer pink and more of a reddish color before adding the marinade and covering the mixture. I was a bit skeptical of how well it would taste, particularly since I had never tasted the marinade. And within fifteen minutes, I was pleasantly surprised, it tasted delicious. Chafeek preferred to eat the shrimp over rice, Layth decided the marinade was too spicy for his liking, and just I liked the shrimp ala carte. It was/is the perfect idea if I am ever in a hurry again, I just need to go Miss Cordelia's and stock up!

And in case you're interested here is the link:http://www.stonehouse27.com/Low_Sodium_Gluten_Free_Dates_Tamarind_p/00904.htm

Rosemary Herb Chicken

Hello Everyone,

I know it has been a while since my last post, so I promise to make this worth your reading pleasure. Since I just really began cooking and venturing into new recipes, I decided today I would try something different, something the boys will actually eat. Normally, when I find myself with little time to prepare dinner or flat out tired, I will take a couple of chicken breasts from the freezer and marinate them in either a balsamic vinegar or Italian dressing for a few hours before putting them in the oven for forty five minutes. But quite frankly, I think the boys were getting tired of eating a plain marinated chicken breast. For instance, when Chafeek and I went out to watch " Memphis" the musical, I had prepared Layth a slice of chicken with fruit for dinner. I figured I would do something simple so when it came time for his babysitter, Tabitha, to feed him, he would not give her much of a battle. So when it came time for an intermission, I had the chance to call Tabitha and get an update on Layth, she informed he was simply picking at his chicken, ate all his fruit and was munching on snacks. It was then when I realized I needed to get a bit innovative with my chicken.

Yesterday, as I was taking some chicken breasts from the freezer, I decided I would search the web for a recipe that was quick yet appetizing when I stumbled upon this recipe. It was such a success both Layth and Chafeek ate it without cringing and actually enjoyed it!

Ingredients:

• 2 Skinless Boneless Chicken Breasts
• 2 clove garlic cloves ( chopped)
• 1tbsp of lemon juice
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon of pepper
• 2tbsp of dried rosemary

Directions:

1. 1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C).
2. Cover the chicken breasts with garlic, then sprinkle with rosemary, lemon juice, and salt and pepper to taste. Place in a 9x13 inch baking dish and bake in the preheated oven for 25 minutes or until done and juices run clear (baking time will depend on the thickness of your chicken breasts).

Potty Training Layth ( The Little Lion)

Hello Everyone,

So it has been a while since my last post, but these past few weeks have been a bit hectic between going through closets trying to figure what is going with us to Palo Alto and what is being donated to trying to explore as much of the Memphis as can. But what really has been occupying my time is trying to potty train Layth. I am not going to lie and say it has been easy, but it is definitely easier than I anticipated. Since the moment Layth could roll over, diaper changing has been a battle. It would usually consist of me distracting him with a toy in his hand to prevent him from rolling over, to changing his diapers standing up. In other words, the moment Layth would see a diaper, he had to figure some way to escape it. It was then at 19 months we decided to make the transition to pull-ups, and while he treated them much like a diaper, he did not resist as much. It also convenient since they are not made to absorb as much as a diaper, the moment they would leak, he'd run to me and say " mommy" indicating to me he was beginning to make the transition. So at 26 months we made the second transition from pull ups to underwear. I believe we were both excited about this, because it meant no more having to chase Layth to change him and Layth got to choose underwear in his favorite Toy Story characters. In addition to it being easier, Layth looked adorable with his " wrestler butt." However, with underwear came tons of laundry, packing the baby bag with three or four changes of clothing, timing his potty breaks, controlling his liquid intake and reading his body expressions to indicate whether or not he needed to go potty. At first, Layth would tell me after he had an accident and would resist being put on the toilet out of fear of falling in, but it was still progression. Although we are not officially potty trained, because we still use pull ups at night and have an occasional accident, he lets me know " mommy peepee." The only problem is if I do not take him instantly to the potty, it results in an accident; but his teachers at school say that he loves using the potty and has been using it regularly. And so, the process continues.