Why do casseroles sound gross?

Hubby has leftover chicken and rice from dinner last night, and I am trying to put together a casserole to take to my dad. I've been browsing for recipes online, including my favorite site www.allrecipes.com. You'd think there'd be hundreds of chicken and rice casseroles. And, indeed, there are. Unfortunately, they all sound gross to me.

Maybe it's pregnant-lady tastes. Or perhaps it's because I haven't eaten a chicken and rice casserole in years. But every single recipe looks disgusting. Most include some type of "cream of" soup... such as cream of celery or cream of chicken. Frankly, the idea of eating "cream of" and rice just kind of nauseates me.

It must be pregnant-lady syndrome, right?

Either way, maybe I'll just turn the chicken into a nice potpie and eat the rice myself over the next few days. That may be the best way to use both ingredients with little waste, and avoid making Dad anything with "cream of" in the ingredients.

Unless someone here has a great chicken and rice casserole recipe?

Feeling Blue

I think I may be feeling a bit depressed. I don't know if it's because:

• I'm not getting enough exercise.
• My hormones are kicking into overdrive.
• I'm stressed about the upcoming changes in my life.
• I miss my mother terribly.

It's probably a combination of all those things. I know that eating right and exercising will help me combat some of this sadness--and might even give me a burst of energy. But I just can't seem to get my tush out of my chair today.

I'm definitely going to make an effort to take a nice brisk walk tomorrow. But for today, I think I'll just plop on the couch and watch some TV. Not surprisingly, that sounds like a really appealing activity.

Passed The Sugar Test

Whew! Just got the news that I passed my 3-hour glucose tolerance test. That means I don't have gestational diabetes. It's a huge relief, since I was really worried about it.

However, I probably should take my moderately-high results from the 1-hour test as a warning. It's time to cut back on the sugar! (It just sucks, 'cause I am totally craving candy bars and ice cream.)

I'm not a total sugar-aholic. A 1-pint container of Ben & Jerry's will last me for four snack sessions... that's basically 1/2 cup serving of ice cream each time I eat it. That's probably not too bad (especially since Hubby can eat the entire pint in one sitting!).

Nonetheless, I do need to try limiting my sugar to just one sweet snack per day... plus cut back on those starchy carbs and add some more veggies to my diet.

Another Walk

I've been averaging about two 30-40 minute walks each week. Hardly enough to maintain any kind of cardiovascular fitness. But, in truth, it's all I've been able to accomplish lately.

I'm going to seriously commit to increasing the number of walks I take. I'd love to be walking five or six days a week. Funny... my belly's going to keep getting bigger (and heavier), and now's the time I'm going to try and increase my exercise.

I did manage a 40-minute walk today with Hubby. It was such a beautiful day! We took the dogs with us--and they thoroughly enjoyed it!--and just ambled around the neighborhood. I wish every day could be this gorgeous!

Failed The "Sugar" Test

My OB just called and told me that I failed the 1-hour glucose test, which means there's a chance I have gestational diabetes. To double-check, I am supposed to have a 3-hour glucose test tomorrow. I admit that the news has left me a bit shaken.

In recent years, I've prided myself on being a relatively healthy person. I made pretty good food choices and exercised more than the average American. Pregnancy has kind of sent all my good habits out the window. I've barely been exercising, and I've been eating sweets and starchy carbs like they're about to be banned. So really, this news about the 1-hour glucose test shouldn't be a surprise to me. But it is. A very unpleasant surprise.

All that's required is a 12-hour fast for the 3-hour test, but I'm going to pay attention to my diet today anyway. Maybe I'll be lucky and I'll pass the 3-hour. Maybe this is the "scare" I need to get my diet and exercise back on track.

Keeping my fingers crossed that I'll pass the 3-hour with flying colors...

Short Break

Due to my mother's passing, I'll be taking a short break from blogging. I'll probably be back in a week or so.

Sugar... Sugar... Sugar

Originally, my OB/Gyn warned me to avoid too much sugar during the pregnancy. "Sugar is fertilizer for babies," he said. "Whenever you want to eat sugar, imagine a 10 pound baby crowning."

Nonetheless, sugar has been the one thing I've been craving during this pregnancy. It's strange, since I've never before had a sweet tooth. Yesterday's sugar binge included a Snickers bar and 3 TastyKakes! It wasn't one of my finest moments.

Fortunately, those types of binges are becoming fewer. Most days I limit my sugar intake to just a cookie or two... or maybe a slice of pie. Sure, it would be better to avoid it all together. But at least I'm trying to keep my portions fairly moderate.

As a result, my weight gain has finally stabilized! I was starting to worry. But I've only gained about 2 pounds over the last 4 weeks, which is what my OB/Gyn suggested at my last doctor's visit. So I'm back on track, and I'm happy about that.