Thursday, July 30, 2015

Easy Eggplant Parmesan


I posted this pic on Instagram this week (@emily8463), and I got a few requests for the recipe!  This baked eggplant Parmesan was so easy, and so stinking delicious.  I am not a big fan of leftovers for lunch, I prefer sandwiches or salads if I have the choice, but this.....This was my lunch for the two days following making it, and by choice :)  
I am planning on making again next week!  Hubby liked it too, and he is usually not a fan of "meatless" meals :)  

Go ahead and try this recipe out!  You won't regret it!


Easy Baked Eggplant Parmesan

INGREDIENTS:

  • 1 large eggplant, sliced 1/2-inch-thick pieces 
  • 2 eggs, beaten with a fork
  • 1 1/2 cups panko bread crumbs
  • 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
  • 1 (25-ounce) jar marinara sauce (I love the Classico Tomato and Basil)
  • 8 slices of mozzarella cheese (or 1 cup shredded)
  • 1/2 cup grated Parmigiano cheese


DIRECTIONS:

Place a large rimmed baking pan in the oven (I had to use 2 pans because of the amount of eggplant slices I ended up having); preheat the oven to 375°F.   Meanwhile, coat eggplant slices with egg, then coat each slice on both sides with bread crumbs. Spread oil on the hot baking sheet and arrange eggplant slices on it in a single layer. Bake 15 minutes, flip and bake another 10 minutes, or until golden brown. (This will get your slices crispy and delicious)

Increase the oven temperature to 475°F. In an 8x10-inch ovenproof dish, layer half of the sauce, then 1/2 the eggplant, and top with 1/2 of the cheeses. Repeat with remaining half of ingredients, finishing with cheese. Bake until cheese melts and is golden brown in spots, about 15 minutes.

Enjoy!

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Wednesday, July 29, 2015

Baby #2 - Weeks 22 through 24

Back with another pregnancy update!  
Things are going mighty quick around here, I blink and another week has come and gone!  
Highlights of these 3 weeks include:

Celebrating Father's Day!
Fourth of July!
Feeling baby girl kick, mostly at night :)
Craving candy like crazy
& Spending lots of fun one-on-one time with Andrew




{he loves to say "cheese" and pose for the camera!}

How far along? 22 weeks
Baby Size: Baby is the size of a papaya.
Total weight gain/loss: I think I'm up 18-20 lbs or so.
Maternity clothes? Maxi dresses and maternity shorts mostly..
Stretch marks? Nope.
Sleep: Sleeping on my side the most, and getting up sporadically to pee.
Best moment this week: Celebrating Father's Day!
Miss Anything? Deli sandwiches, they are my fave!
Movement: Kicking hard, and mostly at night.
Food cravings: I've been loving graham crackers with peanut butter.
Anything making you queasy or sick: Nope, feeling great.
Have you started to show yet: Yep, loving the bump! 
Gender: GIRL!
Labor Signs: Nope 
Belly Button in or out? In.
Wedding rings on or off? On, but they are getting a little tight! 
Mood? Happy, and excited!
Looking forward to: Honestly, I look forward to relaxing in bed every night and just feeling baby girl kick and move around - it's the best!








{Andrew wanted in on the photo shoot!}

How far along? 23 weeks
Baby Size: Baby is the size of an ear of corn.
Total weight gain/loss: Around 20 lbs.
Maternity clothes? Just got some new shorts and jeans from A Pea in the Pod!  
Stretch marks? Nope.
Sleep: Sleeping good, mostly getting up 1x for bathroom.
Best moment this week: Spending lots of fun time with Andrew.
Miss Anything? Really craving sushi this week.
Movement: Kicking lots, very active in the evenings!
Food cravings: I've been wanting candy lately - sour patch watermelon!
Anything making you queasy or sick: Nope.
Have you started to show yet: Yep! 
Gender: GIRL!
Labor Signs: None. 
Belly Button in or out? In.
Wedding rings on or off? On, but slightly uncomfortable. 
Mood? Great!  Still working out and feeling good.
Looking forward to: Fourth of July and a 3-day weekend!






How far along? 24 weeks
Baby Size: Baby is the size of a cantaloupe.
Total weight gain/loss: I'm gaining steadily, around 22 lbs.
Maternity clothes? Mostly lightweight and flowy dresses.
Stretch marks? Nope.
Sleep: Sleeping pretty good, waking up 1x.
Best moment this week: John feeling baby girl kick!
Miss Anything? I think about Jersey Mikes subs on a daily basis.
Movement: Kicking up a storm!
Food cravings: Mostly sweets these days!
Anything making you queasy or sick: Nope, feeling great.
Have you started to show yet: Yep! 
Gender: GIRL!
Labor Signs: Nope 
Belly Button in or out? In.
Wedding rings on or off? On 
Mood? Mostly happy, but starting to get a little anxious!
Looking forward to: Our Florida vacation - we leave tomorrow!!

I have a fetal echo ultrasound of baby girl today - praying she is perfectly healthy!


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Saturday, July 25, 2015

Beach Trip: On the Boat!









We had two amazing boat days while in Florida!  The first one was a trip with the babies (Andrew's first boat ride!), and they both loved it!  Andrew loved it so much, he fell asleep an hour into it.  It was a beautiful day and we had a few sea life visitors, including a couple dolphin, four sharks, and a handful of jellyfish.


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The second boat day was sans babies and we were off to see the Blue Angels air show at the beach!
The weather was perfect, and the show was even better!  We docked at Little Sabine and lounged and laughed the whole afternoon.  The Blue Angels were incredible - if you ever have a chance to see them, do it!  
















I'm definitely already missing the salty air, the sea breeze, and the beautiful waters of Pensacola Beach, Florida!  Big thanks to our friends, The Smiths, for all the boating memories made on our trip home!


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Thursday, July 23, 2015

Baby #2 - Weeks 19 through 21

Eeeek, I'm way behind, but here's an update of weeks 19-21!  The best part of this time frame was the fact that I was finally slowly getting into feeling great and into the 2nd trimester "honeymoon" stage of the pregnancy.  It made such a difference!  More energy, more stamina, and no throwing up!  I also had my anatomy scan, a visit from family, and started to somewhat organize and decorate the baby's space in our room.
YAY!





How far along? 19 weeks
Baby Size: Baby is the size of an mango.
Total weight gain/loss: Girlfriend is packing on the pounds - probably around 15 total!
Maternity clothes? I'm loving maternity shorts and jeans, mostly my regular tops still.
(love these tanks!)

Stretch marks? Nope, knock on wood.
Sleep: Sleeping great! I prefer my back, but trying my side.
Best moment this week: Family in town visiting - so much fun!
Miss Anything? Deli subs.
Movement: Yes - little kicks here and there.
Food cravings: Fruit, peanut butter, and chocolate 
Anything making you queasy or sick: Nope - feeling great!
Have you started to show yet: Oh yes.

Gender: GIRL!
Labor Signs: Nope 
Belly Button in or out? In.
Wedding rings on or off? On. 
Mood? Happy, thankful, with more energy!
Looking forward to: Date night with hubs this week, while my parents are here!






How far along? 20 weeks
Baby Size: Baby is the size of an banana.
Total weight gain/loss: Gaining rapidly ;)
Maternity clothes? I got my first maternity Stitch Fix box!  They did great, and I loved the jeans, dresses, and tops that they sent!  Will definitely be doing another box soon!

Stretch marks? Nope.
Sleep: Pretty good, mostly on my back.
Best moment this week: Having our anatomy scan - everything looks great!  And getting the changing table, and starting to organize!
Miss Anything? Sub sandwiches, deli meat, all day every day.
Movement: Yes, and it's glorious!  
Food cravings: Fruit, and chips and salsa
Anything making you queasy or sick: My meds are helping so much - thankful!
Have you started to show yet: Yep! 

Gender: GIRL!
Labor Signs: Nope 
Belly Button in or out? In.
Wedding rings on or off? On.
Mood? Back to the gym, feeling great and feeling like I'm finally into the joy of the 2nd trimester :)
Looking forward to:  Taking Andrew to the beach, and having a girl's night out!






How far along? 21 weeks
Baby Size: Baby is the size of an pomegranate.
Total weight gain/loss: I think I'm up 18 lbs or so.
Maternity clothes? It's finally getting warm here, so I'm mostly wearing flowy dresses.

Stretch marks? Nope.
Sleep: Still sleeping really great.
Best moment this week: John feeling baby girl kick!
Miss Anything? Tropical drinks, especially mojitos and margaritas.
Movement: Kicking up a storm!
Food cravings: Anything sweet and salty.
Anything making you queasy or sick: Nope, feeling great.
Have you started to show yet: Yep! 

Gender: GIRL!
Labor Signs: Nope 
Belly Button in or out? In.
Wedding rings on or off? On! 
Mood? Loving the second trimester, and happy that it's summer!
Looking forward to:  Heading off to Cape May for the weekend!


Thank y'all for all the love and encouragement throughout this pregnancy!

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Monday, July 20, 2015

Florida Vacation and a Happy Birthday!

We are back from our amazing week long vacation in Florida!  We truly had a magical time and I'm already homesick! 
Before I do a quick recap, I want to wish a very happy belated birthday to my sweet mom!
 



 
Thank you for everything you did for us this past week!  It was a dream vacation, and so many wonderful memories were made!   You are such a joy and blessing to our lives.  Wishing you the best year yet - I think it will be a pretty special one, as you welcome your first GRANDAUGHTER into this world!  Love you always and forever!!
 
 
Ok, here's a quick recap of the week, and I will get more in depth with posts as the week goes on:
And I've got to do a baby #2 update!  We are 26 weeks this week!  Ahhhhh, time is flying!
 
 
The week began with Andrew's first boat ride!  We went with my childhood bestie and her fam, and these two little babies are just so precious together!
 
 
 
 
 
 
We had glorious days in the pool...
 
 
 
A beautiful baby shower for my best friend, Ashley!
 
 
 
 
 
Another boat ride to the Blue Angels air show (so much fun!)
 
 

 

 
 
 
And my parents rented a vacation home for the week at Pensacola Beach for us!
Needless to say we had the best time and the weather was perfect! 
A few fave pics:

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 



 
 


 
 
 
 
 
Back with more posts this week!  I took over 300 pics so I have to document!
:)
 
Hope y'all are having a great Monday!!
Linking up with Biana!

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