BLISSFUL

We had THE perfect weekend. My mom arrived in town on Friday. We ran a few places because I was needing some new clothing items and then we decided to relax at home. I made this really good Italian Beef and Polenta recipe that has been floating around on the internets and on Pinterest. It was so easy to make, hearty and tasty too. While it is from Cooking Light, it still rang in around 15 WW points for the meal. To me that is pretty high for just one portion. But since it was so filling it was worth it. (recipe below)

We watched Reel Steel after dinner and it was pretty good. Saturday, I took my mom to her first Zumba class which she actually ended up enjoying and then we all went to the zoo that afternoon. The weather was just so perfect and we saw every single exhibit because my mom had never been to our zoo before. Elle loved every second of it. Then it was on to Las Delicias for some delectable mexican food. Elle ate an entire chicken and cheese quesadilla by herself. She is just like her mama when it comes to the cuisine.

A stop by Muddy's for some dessert and it was on to relax at home and watched Moneyball. Sunday, Elle and I met up with some friends for lunch and Kenny went to the driving range and then it was more lazy times on the couch watching the Oscars.

And just because I wanted to include it. Here is a cute video. Elle has been a little slow on the uptake for this crawling/walking thing.(blame it on the prematurity, not laziness ha!) She has been crawling for a while now but it is an army crawl. Which I totally loathe because she is literally sweeping the floor with her cute little clothes. But in the past week she has gotten up on her knees. The other day we had just arrived home from trying on some clothes at my friend Mollie's house and she was so mad at me for changing her so many times that I just kept the swim suit on her for the two minute ride home. It was then she thought she would show off her new skills. I love her little diaper butt.

Italian Beef and Polenta

1 cup dry coarse-ground polenta

1 teaspoon dried oregano
Dash of kosher salt
2 cups water
1 cup 2% reduced-fat milk
3/4 cup (3 ounces) grated Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese, divided
Cooking spray
1 pound ground sirloin
1 cup chopped onion
1 teaspoon crushed red pepper
1/8 teaspoon kosher salt
3 garlic cloves, minced
2 cups lower-sodium marinara sauce (such as McCutcheon's)
1/2 cup torn fresh basil

Preparation
1. Place first 3 ingredients in a large saucepan. Gradually add 2 cups water and milk, stirring constantly with a whisk. Bring to a boil; reduce heat to medium, and cook 20 minutes, stirring frequently. Stir in 1/3 cup cheese.
2. Heat a nonstick skillet over medium-high heat; coat with cooking spray. Add beef; sauté 5 minutes. Stir to crumble. Remove beef; drain. Wipe pan; coat with cooking spray. Add onion, pepper, 1/8 teaspoon salt, and garlic; sauté for 4 minutes, stirring frequently. Add beef and sauce; simmer 8 minutes.
3. Divide polenta evenly among 4 shallow bowls. Top each serving with 1 cup beef mixture; sprinkle with 2 teaspoons cheese