Life Lately + Easy Beef Stir Fry

Rule #17: Delicious can be easy. 

After the tummy bug ravaged our home, it was great to have a little sense of normal around here. We had a great adult outing with our family, made some yummy food, and I even spent a full hour at Hobby Lobby by myself. That makes for one happy pregnant lady, I tell ya!

Jon Boy and I went with the fam-bam to see John Williams’s best pieces performed by the Houston Symphony Orchestra. It was AH-MAZE-ING! We heard pieces from Harry PotterJawsIndiana JonesE.T., and Star Wars (plus more). You have no appreciation for the music until you get to hear it live and relive all your favorite movies again. I definitely recommend seeing this show if you have the chance!

houston symphony

Jones Hall is always a good time, folks.

houston symphony

Corey is also auditioning for a part of his own: Boy Surgeon. Apparently Doogie Howser better watch out! Here comes Corey. Although, shortly after this picture, he did start throwing plastic donuts at me. Not so sure he’s great with bedside manner yet.

corey

Speaking of throwing things… Corey and I experienced a major first together last weekend at Best Buy. Little Man is in that lovely stage called “The Terrible Two’s” (or Threes or whatever). He’s trying to exert his independence and control and figure out what and how much he can get away with. Well, buddy boy, you can’t get away with much between your Daddy and me. For the first time, although I’m sure not the last, I had to carry my sweet baby boy out of the store, kicking and screaming, full-on tantrum mode. I swear people thought I was kidnapping him. BUT – this Mama, pregnant or not, can’t put up with “NO!” and running through the store without listening. My muscles were literally sore for three days after this little incident. Apparently corralling a raging toddler uses muscles I didn’t know I had.

corey

Please allow me to introduce to you TWO of the now SIX TV’s we’ve purchased in what I like to call The TV Saga of 2018. I’m not kidding when I say we’ve had to use three different Best Buys for purchases and returns because we’re getting a little embarrassed. Jon Boy is a tech-guru, so it’s got to be perfect! The problem with some of the newer TV’s is that the cable companies don’t stream in as high a definition as the TV allows, so you end up having a bit of a grainier picture than you should. That defeats the whole purpose of buying a nice, new TV, right? We’ve finally settled with the LG OLED TV (whatever all of that means), and I’m praying I don’t have to go into any local Best Buys in the near future.

TV shopping

I found the cutest darn bud vase at Hobby Lobby during my aforementioned ONE FULL HOUR shopping spree. I think it was on sale for $7, and it’s just oh-so-cute. Now instead of buying a full bouquet at the store, I can buy one little stem at a time.

hobby lobby stem vase

These lovelies came home from Trader Joe’s with me. They love their new vase home, too.

hobby lobby bud vase

Trader Joe’s also had this funky flower for just $5! It’s kind of like a succulent, so I’m hoping he lasts for a good, long while in our living room. Not sure that he’s toddler proof, but at least he’s cute for now.

Now that the dreaded, evil, I-Blame-You-Eve Pregnancy Nausea has worn off, I feel like cookin’ up a storm lately. The other night, Jon Boy grilled sliders, and I roasted some simple potatoes as a side.

Easy Roasted Red Potatoes

Baby red potatoes, halved

EVOO (can be flavored like ours or regular)

Kosher salt

Freshly ground black pepper

Parmesan, grated or shredded

Preheat oven to 400. Toss potatoes with a few good glugs of EVOO, sprinkles of salt, and dashes of pepper. Place potatoes cut-side-down in a baking dish. Roast at 400 for 20-25, until potatoes are fork-tender. Sprinkle liberally with Parmesan and roast an additional 2 minutes (until cheese melts).

roasted red potatoes

Jon Boy requested Shrimp Creole this past week, and I gladly obliged. Corey even had a few bites and liked it! It also freezes like a charm, although you don’t want it in there too long because it does get spicier the longer it sits.

shrimp creole

I tried the new Greed Goddess Cobb at Panera the other day, and it did NOT disappoint! I’m excited that we have a Panera with a drive-thru nearby so I can swing by and grab this guy any ole time.

panera green goddess cobb

Here were are, ladies and gents! We’ve arrived at the main event! We purchased the sauce and fried rice at Trader Joe’s, but I’ve seen different variations at all other grocery stores, too. Just make sure you buy good quality beef, otherwise the beef will be a little too tough + chewy.

Easy Beef Stir Fry

1 tbs. sesame oil (or vegetable oil)

Soy sauce

Veggies of your choice (we like sliced bell pepper, broccoli, and green beans)

1 lb. stir fry beef

1/2 jar stir fry sauce

1 bag frozen vegetable fried rice

First, sauté your veggies in 1 tbs. sesame oil and a splash or two of soy sauce. Cook for about 5 minutes over medium-high heat, until they’re tender.

easy beef stir fry

Remove them to a plate.

easy beef stir fry

Add in the beef and a little of the stir fry sauce. Cook until the beef is browned, stirring occasionally.

easy beef stir fry

Add in the vegetable fried rice and the rest of the stir fry sauce (we use about 1/2 a jar per meal). Cook until rice is heated through (about 5 minutes), stirring occasionally.

easy beef stir fry

Throw the veggies back in, stir to combine.

easy beef stir fry

Voila! Dinner!

We get about 3 big servings out of this recipe. Serve with a few more dashes of soy sauce and some sriracha if you like to walk on the wild side.

easy beef stir fry

Cheers to a great week with [hopefully] great weather for everyone! Say a prayer because we’re taking our toddler to the Astros’ game during NAP TIME today!

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