Jan 22, 2008

Snow as high as a beagle's eye

We have bountiful snow in Holland today. I'd take a picture if I had any idea where my camera charger is hiding. There are over 250 school closings. I'd like to go outside and roll around in it if it weren't so frickin' cold. I'll leave the rolling to Maggie. I'm trying to get a meeting in GR rescheduled because it took Brian 3x longer to get to work this morning. What I'd really like to do is make some fresh chocolate chip cookies and snuggle under a blanket. MMm, maybe a little comfort food for dinner. How does Macaroni and Three Cheeses sound?



Also, interesting and upsetting news on caffeine and pregnancy. Brian forced me to drink decaf for breakfast today in a push to start me in the right direction. I guess I better buy some herbal teas. I may have to enjoy just one last Coke Zero before I give it up completely.

10 comments:

Unknown said...

I just tagged that page in Everyday Food with the hope that we would make it this weekend.

Are you really going to cook it tonight? I can TOTALLY get behind that.

Jacqueline said...

Angie - you should get on the green tea band wagon. It has a touch of caffeine, but in contrast to coffee, has many health benefits such as reducing your risk of cancer and heart disease. The small amount of caffeine (30mg) has no affect on fertility, although some believe it increases your chances of conceiving. Steer away from the black tea variety, as it has more caffeine and is not good for your body.

Amber said...

Interesting study! I'll have to ask Christina (genetic counselor) if she has heard of this new one. She has read a ton of studies on caffeine and preg and has previously said that unless you drink TONS if it (like 8 cups a day or something like that) it shouldn't be a problem. I'll ask her about the relationship to a miscarriage. As for me, when I was pregnant the thought of coffee made me want to gag, especially in the first couple of trimesters. Maybe my body was telling me something?

Anonymous said...

Mmmmm - homemade Mac/cheese - YUM!! I did a pot of chili and added too much cumin (was out of chili spice), and it was HOT! ( for me anyway)

It's been 30 years, but caffeine was a BIG no-no! The taste buds and stomach wouldn't allow a drop anyway when I was pregnant with Brian or any of the boys. Chuckles had me on the fruit and peanut butter and jelly lunch diet almost every day! And no high calorie foods like donuts! I did drink tea, but I am totally on the band wagon of green tea, now, and all the benefits. Brian has seen my stash from time to time at casa Burch.

I did read that same article and was amazed it just surfaced. I thought about calling it to your attention, but I had a strong suspicion mediaman Brian would see it before I did! Also, nutrasweet, aspertame are double no-no's! maybe even spenda too. Sugar since everyone knows where it originates, is ok though.

Can you share that Mac/cheese recipe with us??

Unknown said...

i'm starting to wonder why i bought a 4x4 vehicle.... no snow here! guess you guys are getting all of it. not that i'm complaining :)

you'll have to start sharing some good recipes with me, i need to venture beyond frozen dinners and homemade pizza!

Anonymous said...

Seriously. Macaroni and cheese, the good stuff, best food ever.

Patty Ann said...

I've always been a big tea-lover, haven't heard anything negative at all about green tea. Dr. Andrew Weil is a huge proponent. I believe he had a segment on Martha Wednesday. It has just enough caffeine to fool your body into not missing coffee.
Was the mac and cheese good? Which cheeses did you use? Would reduced fat milk be alright in the recipe?

Angie said...

I used monterey jack, mozzarella, cheddar and one other I can't remember. I would lean towards sharper cheeses because ours was fairly bland. The skim milk worked out just fine. Experiment with seasonings for a little more flavor. I'd give the recipe a B+.

Kim Davis said...

Don't go cole-turkey unless you have to. Buy some decaf beans and mix them with your regular beans. Slowly change the ratio until you've reached your goal. Even decaf has a small amount of caffeine.

Being pregnant in this day and age is scary stuff. Sarah called "What to Expect When You're Expecting" "Why You and Your Baby Are Both Doomed" because it's worse-case scenarios scared the crap out of her.

Chris said...

I got scolded today for buying a Diet Coke, but I haven't had any since Saturday since I have had a sore throat all week, and I actually only took a few sips of the whole bottle. Now I can't say much because I am not a coffee drinker, and one diet coke can will get me through the day, but in the book that the doctor gave me you are allowed two servings a day. I may just be luck and my doctor is really leniant (sp?), so it should be interesting to see what pops out.
Did you try going to the Lactaid milk? I don't know if there is anything behind what Becky told me, but just a suggestion. Unfortunately it is more expensive than regular milk.