Southwest Pasta Bake

You have no idea how close I was to not posting this!

You're probably thinking this pasta looks a little odd!  Let me explain...

About a month ago, Stephen and I went to a farmers market where I bought what I've been referring to as "fancy pasta".  For this recipe, I used this Southwestern Pasta Blend.  

This is what it looked like.  Cool, huh?!?

And while it was cooking, I'm thinking to myself "this is so pretty and colorful, I bet it will photograph well"!

WRONG!

Something happened in the baking process, because the more I look at the finished product...I know it doesn't look nearly as appetizing as it was.  I promise this was delicious!  Don't let my funky pasta, and crappy photo turn you off!  If I were to make this again (which I will be), and didn't have this on hand...I'm sure it would be just as yummy with any kind of pasta.  I would probably try it with whole wheat.  This recipe made enough for hubby and I (and lunch leftovers for the following day).  I used an 8x8 casserole dish, but if doubling the recipe for a larger crowd, a 9x13 would be perfect!

Ingredients:

2 cups of low fat greek yogurt

1 4 oz. can of chopped green chilis

2 tbsp. of cumin

2 tbsp. of chili powder

1 tsp. of garlic powder

1/2 tsp. of salt

4 tbsp. of lime juice

1 cup of shredded cheddar cheese + 1/2 cup of shredded cheddar cheese (separated)

1 lb. of ground turkey meat

1/3 cup of red onions - chopped

1 cup of grape tomatoes - halved

1/2 cup of corn

15 oz. can of black beans - drained and rinsed

1/2 lb. of pasta (southwestern blend if you have it)

Directions:

1.  Mix first 7 ingredients + 1/2 cup of shredded cheddar cheese in a bowl.

2.  Brown turkey meat, then set it aside.

3.  In a large pan over medium heat, cook red onions, and tomatoes for 5-6 min, add corn, black beans, and cooked turkey meat (lower heat). 

4.  Cook pasta according to directions, and strain.  While pasta is still hot, combine in a large bowl with the greek sauce, and turkey meat mixture....mix thoroughly.

5.  Pour everything into a casserole dish - top with remaining cup of cheese.  

6.  In an oven preheated to 400 degrees, cook uncovered for 5-10 minutes until cheese melts and starts to bubble.  

I am SO glad I still shared this with you all!  As you can see, Mal walked me through this crisis...  

It was because of her honesty, that I decided to be honest with all of you.  It just isn't a very pretty meal...my bad!  I guess they can't all be beautiful!  I hope you enjoy it anyway!  HA!  :)

Have you ever made a delicious meal that came out looking completely unappetizing???

What's cooking this week? {& Happy Father's Day!!!}

This week is going to be cut really short in the meal department (haven't had one of these in a while), because we are leaving Thursday morning for NY (road trip)!  Wednesday night, I thought it would be best not to bother with cooking because we will be busy getting ready.  Here is my sad (yet delicious) little list of meals...

Tonight: Sausage and Peppers

Monday:  Black Bean Veggie Quesadillas 

Tuesday:  Mozzarella Stuffed Turkey Meatballs 

I'd like to wish ALL of the Daddy's out there a very Happy Father's Day!!!  This of course includes Daddy's-to-be like my sweet hubby!  

No one is a bigger "Daddy's Girl" than I am, I hope that Baby Girl is one too (I have no doubts actually).  My Dad...or "Fath" as I call him, is above and beyond the sweetest, most kind, generous, and of course...FUNNIEST!  He is also THE GREATEST MAN ALIVE (inside joke, however true)!!!  Of course I wish I could spend this day with him, but I will make up for it when I see him SOON!  

Fath....see you in 4 days and a wake-up, have an awesome day, WE love you MuCho!

XO, 

Daught, & G-Daught

(***Don't forget Thursday is the "Boys Behind the Blog" link-up...now is your chance to convince your hubby/fiance/boyfriend to participate!)

Friday...you STILL make me smile!

You would think since I'm on summer vacay, that I wouldn't be as excited over the fact that it is Friday.  Every day is like a Friday now, right?  Not exactly.  I'm looking forward for the hubs to be home over the weekend...I feel bad staying home while he has to go off to work.  I just want to keep him home with me, but I know it doesn't work that way.  Honestly, I'm not sure what we have in store for us this weekend...sometimes those are my favorite kinds of weekends!

Here is a recap of my week in photos:

1.  As Mal says...

"If I leave the house after 9pm, I'm wearing leggings."

I couldn't agree more!  I've been living in leggings A LOT more than usual lately...big fan!  

2.  Baby Girl really seems to like Justin Timberlake, I love listening to music with her...she has good taste, I've gotta say!

3.  After posting this picture and receiving a lot of input....it has been determined that NO, you are never too old for black olive hands!

4.  I went back for my 3 hour glucose test (after failing the first one), they had to take my blood FOUR times!  Stephen said I was a trooper!  Well, here is the update... the results came back normal!  WooHoo!  I'll high five to that!

5.  Since I am usually up super early when the hubs is getting ready for work, I decided to make him a yummy breakfast and pack it for him to take on the go.  Then, I snapped this picture of him...it is VERY rare he lets me do this!  My man is a tad camera shy, although you wouldn't know it from this picture.  He is so handsome, I just love him!

Linking up...

Well that's it, I hope to have a productive Friday...and an even more productive and fun weekend ahead!

I hope the same for you all too!  XO

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27 Week Bumpdate

Baby Girl is the size of a head of cauliflower!!!  Whoa!!!

Changes I've noticed:  I've hit 21 lbs. as far as weight gain goes.  Besides my belly, I'm noticing it mainly in my arms!  My belly button is definitely turning inside out, how strange!!!  My skin on my tummy is so tight...I've decided I need more (not sure it works that way)!

How I've been feeling:  Rolling over from one side to the other is becoming a nightmare!  Putting on pants is an event as well...forget about my strappy sandals!!!  Yes, I know this is only going to get worse (that is what scares me)!  But seriously I've been feeling okay, just taking it easy and resting when I can.

How I've been sleeping:  Since I've been off of work, it's been nice catching up on sleep!  I really don't sleep late at all...usually I'm up around 7.  Still, I wake up a lot throughout the night, but it's easy to get back to sleep each time.  Besides a little bit of discomfort, I can't really complain.

Food and exercise:  I've still been going to the gym, and even did some intervals the other day.  There was an incident with a sudden craving for donuts a few nights ago...but besides that I've been doing okay, especially as far as snacking goes!  I'm now trying to be more sensible about dinner.  Since not everything I make is low cal, or light...I'm working on portion control.  Easier said than done!  You know I LOVE food!  I've got some yummy lighter meals I plan to try out this summer, you'll see! :)

Maternity clothes:  So far my maternity clothes are all still fitting me (thank goodness), except ONE pair of pants (in picture above) is starting to get a little snug!  Grrr....I KNEW I should have went with the medium!!!  I've been resisting the urge, and haven't bought anything new.

Movement:  My little wild child is a nut, I just know we are in for it!  She is constantly kicking up a storm, and loves to do that thing where she sticks her little butt out...it cracks me up!
   

Best moment this past week:  This past week we have heard the sweet little sound of her heartbeat A LOT!!!!

Sooooo....I feel that I should explain....

The reasoning for hearing her heartbeat so much isn't really my "best moment"...but I'm just looking to turn it in to a positive.  If any of you follow me on Twitter or Facebook, you may have seen this status update:
"Spending this tropical stormy day snuggled up with my peanut...while she beats me up"

Things didn't really go as planned.  About two hours later, Stephen was on his way home to get me and bring me to the hospital.  Although a BIG part of me thought it was likely nothing, a tiny part of me though I might have been leaking fluid....thankfully it turned out to be totally fine!  Baby is good, and Mommy is too!  So much for a snuggly day at home!  Don't you love my dramatic picture?  Stephen's face when I asked him to take a pic was priceless...I don't know why these things even surprise him anymore!?  After the nurse let me know everything was okay, they had us hang out for about 45 minutes and listen to her on the monitor.  We had to keep moving it, because she is ALL over the place...silly girl! :)

Anyway...as you are reading this, just know I am off to take ANOTHER glucose test!  Apparently I failed the first one just a tad, so now I have to take the 3 HOUR one!  Isn't pregnancy fun!?  At this point I am most bummed out about the fact that I have to fast!  SO not cool!

Happy "Bump" Day!!!!