MoreCheese

Prego and Food Obsession Update

Today marks my 30th week of pregnancy -- which means there are, most likely, 10 weeks to go. Although it could be less.  Or a little bit more.  Any way you slice it (wince - bad choice of words there), this kid is going to be here pronto!!!

Also, I just ate leftovers of something so simply delicious and yummy I already want to write another recipe post.  But it will have to wait until next week.  Don't worry, I took pictures before I gobbled it all down.  (And guaranteed, half of you will find this completely unappetizing.  But the other half of you.... oooooohhhh momma!  You are gonna LOVE this!)

Yesterday, I went to my OB for a regular checkup and all was well.  Babykins has moved into the head-down position -- woohoo!  (Although there is still plenty of time for him to move, we'll hope he stays put.)  From here on out, I'll be going in every 2 weeks for check-ups - which I'm very happy about, because I've sort of been craving more attention from my doctor and now I'm finally going to get it!!!  Ironically, I feel more confident now than I have this whole pregnancy, and less needy of a doctor's reassurance.  Its like my brain finally accepted that things are going really well, and that this pregnancy seems -- gasp -- normal, after years of abnormal effort just to get here. 

The best news is that we get to have another ultrasound next month!!!  I'm so excited to see baby boy and get a guesstimate of his size.  I'm expecting a big baby, both because his father and I are big, tall people, and also because of the healthy amount of weight I've gained thus far. 

That's another thing I've come to accept -- that my body will gain the right amount of weight for me.  The way my belly is growing and changing shape feels completely beyond my control (one might respond with a "duh" here, but its seriously mind-bending how much illusion-of-control I tend to have).  I'm just focusing on nutrition and letting nature handle this big, beautiful bump. 

Baby boy is still kicking away ninja-style, but with much more strength.  Several times now, we've felt the outline of a tiny fist moving under my skin and its given us both goosebumps and shivers.  Whenever he starts to kick with real vigor, I lift my shirt over my bump and stare, convinced I'm going to be able to see the outline of a foot any day now.  So far, no cigar, but I'll let you know as soon as that happens.  (And don't worry, I always make sure my office door is closed and that I'm facing away from the glass panel when I do this during the work day.)

I'm still enjoying being pregnant, although its getting a bit more taxing lately.  Mylanta is my best friend.  Gestational diabetes and an accompanying strict diet loom (I failed my first glucose tolerance test and am taking the second one on Friday).  But the miracle of having a little person growing in there and the anticipation of meeting him more than make up for all the aches and pains.  I can't wait to introduce y'all to each other!!!

Tuesday's Table: Thai Grilled Steak

Please.  Make this steak.  That's all I ask. 

It is tender.  It is juicy.  It is salty.  It has tang.  You want to go to there.  

              

 Look at the chips of roasted garlic.  Mmmmmmmm.  

I've tasted steaks like this in Thai restaurants, under the name "Tigers Cry" or "Tiger's Eyes" or something else having to do with a tiger.  Not sure what all the tiger nameology is about, but just in case you've had something similar, I throw that out there to further tempt you to make this super-easy, super-delectable dinner.  

The recipe uses hanger steak, so its economical as steaks go.  And, this marinade is so strong, you only need to rest your raw steak in it for about 15 minutes prior to broiling.  Steam some jasmine rice, toss a fresh salad on the side, and you have an amazing, simple, quick and easy dinner.  It will make you roar while tigers weep (because they can't have any?)

Thai Grilled Steak 

adapted from MyRecipes.com

Yield: 6 Servings

2  Tbsp soy sauce

2  Tbsp fresh lime juice (I didn’t have any, so used 2 Tbsp orange juice)

1  Tbsp honey

2  tsp fish sauce (I find this critical, but if you don't like it or don't have it, substitute more soy sauce)

1  tsp crushed red pepper

2  cloves garlic, finely chopped

1/2-inch piece fresh ginger, peeled and finely chopped

1 1/2  pounds  flank steak (I used hanger steak)

Optional:  2 scallions, finely diced, for garnish

Instructions:

1. Whisk together soy sauce, fish sauce, lime juice, honey, crushed red pepper, garlic and ginger in a small bowl.
2. Place flank steak in a ziplock bag or covered tupperware and add marinade. Turn several times to coat.
3. Let stand for 15 minutes at room temperature, turning once or twice.
4. While steak is marinating, preheat broiler. 
5. Move steak onto a cookie sheet or roasting pan.  Drizzle the marinade over the steak, making sure to get all the garlic and ginger bits in the pan or on the steak. 
6. Broil steak until cooked to desired doneness, about 4 minutes per side for medium-rare.  (I like crispy bits on the outside of my steak, so I broiled for 6 to 7 minutes per side, and skipped the next step re: tenting.  The steak was still plenty pink in the middle.)
7. Transfer to a cutting board, tent with foil and let stand for 5 minutes.
8. Slice, transfer to a platter, pour any juices from cutting board over sliced meat and serve.

Bonus Nutritional Information

Calories: 194, Fat: 9g (sat 4g), Protein: 24g, Carbohydrate: 4g, Fiber: 0g, Cholesterol: 57mg, Sodium: 368mg

Book Offer

I just finished reading Cormac McCarthy's novel, "The Road," which will be out in movie-form soon (starring Vigo Mortenson.... short but mmmmmmm).  From the early reviews of the movie, I think you're better off reading the book.

Its a post-apocalyptic story of a father and a son trying to survive on a literal and figurative road that offers them glimpses of all types of humanity -- and most often, the worst parts of humanity.  Its brutal in places, haunting in others, and the landscape is desperate and desolate.  Still, the story was so interesting and his writing so vivid, I couldn't put the book down.

If anyone's interested, I'd be happy to mail you the book (soft cover) so you can read it or pass it along as you see fit.  The first person to respond in the comments gets the book.

Also, you may have noticed I've added comments to my "What I'm Reading" list in the side bar.  I think I'll try to keep circulating books this way.  I'd love to hear from you if you've read or are reading any of the same books, or have suggestions on other good reads!  I love fiction and quirky non-fiction.  

                                              
 

A Modern Day Christmas Miracle

In case you missed this story on the morning news today, I just wanted to pass it along, because if this isn't a modern-day Christmas miracle, I don't know what is. 

This is what happened:  six months ago, a man reached the most desperate moment in his life.  He was out of work.  He had no food for his family.  He had no money.  So he did something he never thought he would do:  one night, he took a baseball bat and went out to a convenience store, intent on robbing it for cash. 

That same night, a convenience store owner was closing up shop, getting ready to head home to his family, when a stranger burst through the door, weilding a bat and demanding money.  The store owner grabbed an unloaded rifle he kept behind the counter and leveled it at the would-be thief, forcing him to drop to the floor.

And then the thief started crying.  He begged the store owner for his life.  He said his family was hungry.  He begged the owner not to turn him over to the police. 

In an act that defies logic and common sense and all the self-protective instinct and training that one would assume the store owner would have, the owner put away his gun, made the thief promise never to rob anyone ever again, and then gave the man $40 and a loaf of bread.  The thief thanked him, and said he wished he could be like him someday.  The store owner was a religious man, so he prayed for a blessing for the thief.  He then went to the back of the store for a gallon of milk for the thief's family, but by the time he returned, the would-be robber was gone.  And the store owner never heard from him again.  Until the letter came.

On Wednesday this week, the store owner received a letter in the mail containing $50 and thanking him for his act of compassion.  Thanking him for saving a desperate man from a life of crime.

This is a modern day miracle, if I've ever heard of one. 

I wanted to highlight that religion played a part in this story because the store owner is Muslim, and in the thank-you letter, the repentant thief says he has found Allah (the Islamic version of God) since that moment in the store.  He is working and providing for his family, and living his life as a good man, based entirely on that moment in the store when he encountered the kindness of a stranger and the love of God.

These days, we hear a lot about violent, extremist Muslims bent on war, and it seems some people believe that's the only type of Muslim that exists.  (Much like during WW II, when Japanese Americans were rounded up into internment camps because the prevailing perception then was that every Japanese person was "the enemy".)  There are good people and there are desperate people, and there are people bent on war.  They come in all different colors and creeds.  And this story is just one example of that truth, coming to you straight from Long Island, New York.

To me, this is about compassion and love and hope and redemption.  I'm not a religious person, but I like to believe that if God exists, it is in these moments, these types of acts.  The phrase in Islam is Allah hu Akbar.... God is great.  Even an agnostic like me can say "Amen!" to that.

(And even though I just told you the story, I encourage you to click on the link and watch the video interview with the store owner.  His re-telling of that night will charm you into tears and warm your heart.)

NaBloPo No Mo' -- And A Question

Well, I almost made it through NaBloPoMo.  I was having some issues with the website yesterday morning, and then last night... well, to be honest, I was just too darned tired to try again!  Thanks for sticking with me and checking my daily posts.  I enjoyed the challenge, but I'm probably not going to be posting daily from here on out.  Still, it was fun, and I thank you for your support. (Um, when did I turn in to Bartles & James?)

So, I have a question for you all.  The topic is SPANKING (da-da-daaaaaaaaah).  It seems like these days, most people take the view that it is never appropriate.  I grew up in a spank-when-necessary household, but I can remember being spanked once in my entire life, so its not like my parents were liberal with corporal punishment.  I can vividly recall the terror I felt at just the idea of making one of my parents angry enough to spank; and I think that fear was enough to keep me in line.  (Mom and Dad -- feel free to jump in and correct me here if my memories are faulty...)

The reason I ask is because of an incident that happened over the weekend.  After viewing the train display at the botanical gardens, I went outside to sit down and enjoy the sunset while the Rockstar continued to explore the garden.  It was very peaceful; I was sitting on a patio with a beautiful, still pool in the middle of it.  Two women and their four little boys appeared.  The women were chatting; the boys were getting into everything.  One of the boys laid down on his stomach and plunged his arms into the pool, getting wet all the way up to the armpits.  His mother told him to get up and not to play in the water.  He promptly moved to a different side of the pool, laid down, and plunged his arms in the water up to the armpits again.  His mother was chatting with her friend and she either didn't see him or had given up on reprimanding him.

Then, the little bugger got up from where he was, turned and started running right at me.  He was laughing, arms outstretched, and shaking water all over me.  So I held up my hands to keep him at arms-length (I really thought he was going to jump right into my lap), and very loudly said, "OH NO, NO, NO!  You may NOT splash me."  Mom turned around, ran over, and grabbed her son by the arms.  She asked him what he did and he giggled.  She told him to apologize, and he laughed.  She told him to apologize again, and he laughed and whispered something to her (to which she responded, "That's not nice!" -- so I'm pretty sure the kid was dogging me).  Then she apologized for him.

The kid just kept giggling and twisting around in her arms, trying to get away.

It is at that point (if not sooner) that I would have spanked him.  Good.  And hard.  It may not have made the kid apologize, but I think it would have shocked him into realizing that this wasn't a game and convinced him that I was really angry.  That poor mother was obviously very upset about her son's behavior, but she wasn't getting through to him.

What would you have done?