just another Manic Monday

Actually there wasn't anything manic at all about today. We did some coupon shopping at Walgreen's and Kroger and then swung by the library to borrow some books and a Corduroy movie for the kids. Back home we had lunch and the kids took a nap. While the kiddos napped I started in on my new book from the library, "Tribulation Force." (the 2nd book in the Left Behind series by Tim LaHaye and Jerry Jenkins)

Dinner tonight was my kind of dinner. Shrimp, spinach, balsamic vinegar, tomatoes and basil. Some of my all time favorite ingredients. Matt's not a huge shrimp/seafood fan so it worked out perfectly since he's working out of town tonight.

Bruschetta-Style Shrimp
from BHG "Eat Well, Lose Weight" cookbook

ingredients:
1 lb fresh or frozen peeled, deveined large shrimp with tails *Kroger had pre-cooked shrimp cheaper than the raw so I opted for the pre-cooked
1/8 t. salt
1/8 t. black pepper
3 c. fresh spinach (or arugula)
1 T. olive oil
6 red (and/or yellow) plum tomatoes, seeded and coarsely chopped (3 cups)
3 cloves garlic, minced
2 T. white balsamic vinegar or regular balsamic vinegar *I actually had the white balsamic...and Matt makes fun of me for stockpiling all sorts of seasonings, oils and vinegars but they often come in handy.
1 T. snipped fresh basil
1/4 c. thinly sliced green onion
1 oz. Parmesan cheese, shaved *I used pre-packaged shredded because that's what I had.
Crusty whole wheat bread slices (optional) *I omitted

directions:
1. Thaw shrimp, if frozen. Rinse shrimp; pat dry with paper towels. Season shrimp with salt and pepper. Chop 1 cup of the spinach; set spinach aside.
2. In a large skillet heat oil over medium-high heat. Add shrimp; cook for 2 to 3 minutes or until opaque, stirring occasionally. Remove shrimp from skillet; keep warm. *since my shrimp were pre-cooked I just warmed them up over low heat.
3. Add tomato and garlic to hot skillet; cook and stir for 2 minutes. Remove from heat. Stir in 1 cup chopped spinach, balsamic vinegar, and basil.
4. Divide remaining spinach and shrimp among four serving plates. Serve with tomato mixture, green onion, and Parmesan cheese. If desired, serve with bread. Makes 4 servings.

Instead of serving it over crusty bread I turned my serving into a big shrimp salad. I used up some freezer bizkits which were left-over from yesterday's dinner.

It was pretty good but the balsamic tomato mixture was sooo good and is very much deserving to be a bruschetta on top of some yummy crusty bread. Next time I will definitely serve it over bread and just eat my spinach salad with just some balsamic vin. and olive oil.

Below is the children's serving:

The only changes/additions are a side of vanilla yogurt and ranch dressing on the spinach salad. Lauren ate all of her shrimp and then asked for another helping. Tyler tried a bite of everything but only ate all of his yogurt.


Lauren asked why I was taking pictures of our food and I told her it was for my blog. She told me she really wanted a picture for her "log." How could I say no. So here you have a self-requested picture of Lauren for her "log."

(don't you like her shorter hair cut?)

After we got home from our errands I found this waiting for me on the front porch.

It's my All-Time Favorite popcorn salt. I eat popcorn almost every night so I tend to think I know my stuff. I used to get this at Fred Meyer's in Oregon but I have not been able to find it here. (Despite the fact Jolly Time's website says it's sold in our local Krogers) So I have to resort to ordering it on-line, direct from Jolly Time AND in Bulk! This is my 2nd order of 12/6 oz jars of Jolly Time Buttery Seasoning (and we've only been here for 3 1/2 years.) I Love This Stuff. (...I love this stuff to the point that Matt is seriously worried about my sodium intake and health in general....)

Well back to our not so Manic Monday. While I type this the kids are snuggled in their sleeping bags and watching "Chicken Little" in the living room. Since Daddy is out of town tonight I decided to try to score some "Cool Mommy" points and let the kids stay up late, eat popcorn (Matt's kettle corn...because I don't really share my 96% fat free kind) and watch a movie.

PS. We made a breakthrough today in Tyler's potty training. He actually told me 2 times that he needed to go tee tee...and he did! I didn't even ask him. Plus we have not had one "one-purpose" today. Great Job Tyler!!