Be Happy

So, I finally started at least a board on Pinterest for this little blog and this was one of the first few pins I put on it.  What?  You aren't following me on Pinterest, well if you'd like to change that you can find me over on my personal page. I have to say, I just love this pin!  I feel like it resonates even more right now as the new year is starting and people have a feeling of renewal and change.  I have been using these as my "working points" for the past few weeks and am feeling good about life in general.

The first tenant of this, Think Positively, came in handy this past weekend.  I have been a pinning fool (I know, it's SO addicting)...and one pin I had I was eager to do.  When the mini and I went grocery shopping the other day we bought two big bunches of bananas with the idea of making LOTS of yummy smoothies in the mornings.  Well, Sunday morning came around and I wanted pancakes!  You know how sometimes you get an idea in your head and then you just can't shake it.  Well, my head was stuck on pancakes.  Three months ago this would have been an easy fix, but with giving up gluten I have still not bought (shame on me) any kind of gluten free flour.  I know, I know...I could be lazy and buy the gluten free Bisquick...but I have been THAT lazy.  I just haven't thought of it when at the store.  I will now.  (In looking for the link for it I have to say, LOTS of yummy recipes!)

Anywho...I digress.  So we had all these bananas, my need for pancakes, and the power of pinterest.  I decided to try banana pancakes.  They seemed easy enough, 2 ingredients...bananas and eggs.  Being the rebel that I am , I added vanilla and cinnamon sugar.

"all" the ingredients mixed up


So I had my mix ready, my pan buttered, I set to work.  This is where it gets tricky.  These little stinkers are not the easiest things to flip.


proof of my flipping fail




I was worried about "doneness" too.  Bananas are mushy.  I couldn't easily tell if they were done by looking and was worried about the eggs, so I put them in a warm (250*) oven while I continued to work on more.  Once they were all done, I let them sit in the oven for about 15 minutes.  As I was recording my "fail" on this attempt, the hubs reminded me that the only way to know if something is going to work or not is to try.  He was right!  I mean, I was judging based on looks alone (something we all KNOW we shouldn't do in life in general). 

I took the pancakes out of the oven, plated and enjoyed them with the hubs.  Not sure if its a recipe that we will do again necessarily, but they were not nearly as bad as I had thought they'd be.  Think Positively!

plated success

What are you doing to Think Positively this week?

Getting Rid of Gluten

We have been bouncing all sorts of ideas around in our house on what might be the best diet life-style choice for us.  Back in September I posted about feeling the need to do Something but not knowing what or where to start.  I made the decision after some research and documentary watching to cut dairy milk from my diet and the mini's diet.  We are still enjoying cheese (a lot of goat cheese though instead of cow), but we are drinking almond milk exclusively.  I know I have mentioned on here before the frustration the hubs feels from working out and working out and working out and not seeing any results on the scale.  Yes, the exercise is great for him and brings on lots of NSVs, but sometimes you just need the gratification of seeing the numbers slide down and away.

It has really made us look at all sorts of factors and what could be holding him us back?!?!  I have the same issues at times where I bust my butt and see no numerical results.  It's hard to stay motivated when that happens.  Both the hubs and our oldest are lactose intolerant.  In doing some research I have found 1 constant...gluten. I have been feeling like gluten could be a culprit for a while, but needed to find something more concrete before poo-pooing a MAJOR component of our everyday diets.   I have found that gluten intolerance goes hand-and-hand with lactose intolerance for a lot of people.  I have found that hypothyroidism and hashimoto's can be helped with eliminating gluten.  I am not a medical doctor...but I think this may be worth a shot. 

With the holidays coming up (and a full pantry) we have decided to gradually scale back the gluten until we can cut it (without being wasteful).  So I have decided to start experimenting.  It sounds so scary at first, gluten free, but then when you really research it there isn't THAT much that you have to give up.  You have to be smart about reading labels, and we can SO do that!!!  So, in the spirit of proving to my hubby that this will not only be doable but yummy...I decided to make a completely gluten free dinner last night!  Thank goodness I had my little chef to help.  We decided to make chicken strips with roasted veggies. 

how stinking cute is my helper?!?!?!  Love her SO much!!!!!

First we assembled our ingredients (well most of them).  We bought fresh, free range boneless, skinless chicken breasts, rice chex (did YOU know they are gluten free), fresh brussel sprouts (my hubs fav) and we had some fresh taters our friend Jack grew and gave us.

(sorry they are blurry...chef on the move)  My little chef went to work on smashing up the rice chex for our chicken coating.  This was FUN.  She smashed and danced and laughed...my own little iron chef in the making.

While she smashed I cut up and prepped the potatoes and brussel sprouts.  Those also went into large Ziploc bags with a little extra virgin olive oil, salt, pepper and a touch of garlic powder on the potatoes.  Once in the bag and ready, my sous chef mixed them all up to make sure they were all coated.

We laid them out on a baking sheet with the veggies separated (little chef is not yet a fan of the brussel sprouts), and put them in a 400 degree oven with the timed set for an hour.  Then we moved on to our chicken.

I we sliced up the chicken taking the small amount of excess fat off, and put them into nice bite sized pieces, put through an egg wash and rolled them in the chex mix (which we added a little more salt, pepper and garlic too).  Then the chicken was added to the same 400 degree oven for the last 45 minutes

The completed meal was delish!  The hubs and I had a brussel sprout/potato mix with our chicken bites, while the little chef opted for just taters, chicken and applesauce.  I am always over the moon if I make something new (especially with no recipe) and the hubs likes and this was a definite hit. 
Delish, nutritious and completely gluten free! 

 

What are some hints, tricks, recipes you do to keep out the gluten?!?!

I like big BOATS and I can not lie

Okay, so I went through a phase when I would try brand spanking new recipes and take pictures along the way of the process.  Last night, I decided to try a new one...zucchini boats.  Can I just say they turned out to be yum-o!  Success!  I didn't take pictures though mostly out of laziness.  My girls are not zucchini fans at all so I was making something completely different for them, then burned my finger, so needless to say pictures were put on the "back burner." 

I have seen these zucchini boats floating around on pinterest though and we had a few nice zuc's just waiting to be used at home so I went for it.  Used the recipe I found as a guideline for cooking time and temp...but made my own choices on toppers. 



pic of the leftover that I brought for lunch today

 

I know this pic isn't great but the boat was.  I sautéed some onions, green peppers, spinach and basil together with oil and S&P while the zucs parboiled.  Then gutted the zucs and added the pulp to the sauté mix.  I also cooked up a few Italian sausages which I cut up and added to the sauté mix as well.  Added spaghetti sauce to the whole thing, filled the boats, sprinkled with an Italian cheese mix and baked at 375 for 20 minutes.  YUMMY!!!!!  This will definitely be made again at our house.

It was so yummy, then afterwards my oldest and I took the pup on a nice long walk together.  I feel like we don't get as much one-on-one time as we used to as she is always busy with her various activities and friends...so I will take the time when I can get it. :)

Speaking of QT, posts this weekend will probably be more of the Wordless Weekend variety as we are taking the kiddos on a trip.  VERY excited.  We are heading to DC for a few days then off to the ocean for a day.  Not a major trip, but something for just us as a family.  My hubs and I look forward to there little getaways so much each year, its time that is so valuable as the girls get older. 

Have no fear...the pup will stay o her exercise regime while we are away as we have some EXCELLENT critter sitters staying with them.  And then when we get back it is game on for my workout routine.  The girls go back to school so we will be on a normal (well normal to us) schedule again so it is on like Donkey Kong!  Time to lose this extra weight! 

Put my face on the milk carton!

Where have I been?  I know, I have been asking myself that same question.  Everyday I sit down to write and something comes up.  There is a soccer practice that I need to run to, or a meeting at work, or a "very important" Polly Pocket date with my wee one, and then the blog gets pushed to the side.  I am sorry!  That's not fair to you right?  Heck, its not fair to me.  This is something I do for me, and I haven't allowed enough time to do it.  Of course, I have been taking time to get my workout on...so I haven't been completely neglecting myself...just you guys.  Wow, writing it makes me realize I super suck!  SORRY!!

I have to admit, I am feeling good now that I am getting back into a regular workout schedule.  I have incorporated some weight routines into the mix and they are challenging in a great way, I just think that maybe I need to follow the advice on the instructions of only using 2-4 pound weights...problem is I only have 5 and 8 pound weights currently.  Not sure.

I am still trying to slice out enough time to start running again.  I am hoping that once summer gets here I can do more.  I have also been trying to find some 5Ks in my area that have fun runs for kids.  I think my little mini me would LOVE it!  My oldest has asked about running again too...so she and I are already set to start hitting the trails again once its warm enough on a weekend.  80 yesterday, 72 today, 35 tomorrow.  YUCK!  Every weekend of course!!!!!

 

How are you springing into the new season with your workouts?

Let me Hear that Cabbage Roll

     I am very excited for the next few days.  It has been a good week so far, and I am hoping to get on the computer tomorrow for the "official" Feel Good Friday post, but just in case I wanted to sing some praises today.
     My cousin is getting married tomorrow, and my sweet little peanut has been cast in the role of flower girl.  We will see how this goes.  The girls in my family are notorious at being terrible flower girls.  Not that the intentions aren't good, but there have been a few weddings where the beautifully dressed flower girl never makes it down the aisle.  Being that my little one JUST turned three, I am feeling like she may join the ranks of her family members.  Only time will tell.  She does have a gorgeous little dress to wear, so if nothing else she will look good. :)  Anywho...with this wedding since it is happening during the week, I get a 3 day weekend and the wee one and I are staying at my parents for the next two nights.  I can't even remember the last time OI stayed the night at my folks house.  My mom is SO excited she has given the guest room a complete face lift, gotten me my beloved pumpkin spice k cups for her keurig, and has made appointments for the three of us to get our nails done tonight after rehearsal.  Have I mentioned before how girly the three year old id and how she has not been able to stop talking about the nail salon since Mimi told her two days ago?!??!!  There will be pictures to come.
     On top of that, I have been diligently adding all my food and exercise into myfitnesspal.com again.  I haven't been under my goal EVERYday, but am getting closer.  I got in a great domestic workout yesterday.  I spent three hours scrubbing my entire house clean.  Vacuuming, dusting, windexing, laundering...you name it, I did it.  I even cleaned ceiling fans.  I got everything sparkly and fresh smelling and then the little one and I spent the early part of the evening decorating for Halloween.  I even got my new message board hung for this month:

     The final part of my day yesterday was I finally attempted to make stuffed cabbage rolls.  I found  a great recipe on allrecipes.com and where I have never made these before I felt that a 223 calorie recipe seemed pretty good, and then I substituted ground turkey for the beef so that should have shaved a few more calories off, right?

my cabbage leaves boiling in salted water...look at that beautiful green color

ground turkey, onion, rice, tomato soup, salt, pepper and Italian seasoning

getting ready for the oven

the final product


 

     I think for a first attempt they were pretty good.  I will experiment more next time.  Maybe add a little Italian sausage in with the turkey for flavor or try a flavored rice.  All in all, I was happy with the turnout.  The hubs thought they looked great and he was pleased with the taste as well.  Not too shabby if I do say so myself.
    
    

Where's My Cape?

So, how many of you want to conquer everything but just dont' have the hours in the day or the stamina to do it all?  I am constantly jealous of my BFF who is a stay at home mom.  Her house is always clean, her scrapbooks are all caught up, she works out when she wants to...I WANT THAT!  But, my situation is not the same as hers...I work full time and my children are in more activities then hers and life is just different for the two of us.  I dont' begrudge her anything, I just wish I had a cape some days and the superhero ability to do it all.

This comes on the heels of a weekend in which , yes I indulged a bit, but not in excess as far as I thought...yet the scale seemed to think otherwise.  I was SHOCKED this morning when I got on the scale...shocked I say.  My hubs always tells me that I have to move the scale around and check a few times and take the "average" because our calibration is sometimes sub-par...but this was not just a calibration issue.  This was a full on assault of the numbers.  I mean, wow.  WTH! 

I have been feeling "doughy" lately, as that is the only word that seems suitable.  But I had a great week at the gym...well, two weeks ago.  I know I need to be better, and should have been building oin that momentum and moving onward and upward last week, but schedules and need for sleep got the better of me.  I even was at a point where I was craving comfort style food and embraced that in my cooking last week (although, I am SUPER proud of my version of beef stroganoff that I made).

So, this morning when I saw those numbers staring back at me I knew it was time to take charge and jump start this body of mine.  First plan of attack, I made myself a sensible breakfast.  I made 2 eggs to start my day off with a burst of protein and had a small glass of OJ.  I even went through the cabinet and got my vitamins out to hopefully help kick my sleepiness.  I made sure to log everything with myfitnesspal.com (something I have also been slacking in) and packed a sensible lunch with controlled portions.  It's a start.  I am hoping that the hubs gets out of work early enough to relieve me at soccer practice and maybe I can even get a workout in tonight.  I may need to think about getting up earlier and trying to workout before work.  It just means I will be going to bed earlier...which means getting the little one to bed earlier...so that is actually a good thing, right?!?!  I still need to find time though where I can have some QT with the hubs.  Where is that cape again????

So my request to you is to help keep me going, keep me challenged.  I am going to make sure I have time each day to "come clean" to you...or sing my own praises...hopefully more of the latter.  I need to get back on track so I can start feeling good about myself again.  When I feel good, I can see my positive energy radiate out through my kiddos and husband and it makes the world a brighter place, well, my world anyways. 

With that being said...what is your challenge to me this week?  I am going to ask you to help me.  Be more than just my inspiration and source of accountability...be my virtual trainers and chefs.  I implore you!!

Now for a little Friend Making Monday, even I need something a little lighter after all that :)

If you’ve taken part in FMM then you know the rules. If you’re new, please take a moment to answer this week’s question on your own blog then add your link in the comments section here at: www.alltheweigh.com so we can all see your FMM questions and answers. Please invite your blog readers to add their links here too so everyone has to opportunity to be seen. The idea is to connect with other awesome bloggers so take a moment to post your own FMM post and comment on a couple of other posts. Now it’s time for this week’s topic!

Uniquely You

1) Do you prefer to talk or text? Lately I would say I prefer to text, as I can do it anywhere and feel like I’ve been running all the time from activity to activity.

2) How often do you make your bed? I make it every day, but generally after work.  When I leave in the morning for work everyone in my house is asleep…so one of the things I do after work is make beds….absolutely makes the room look better.  If my youngest is in my bed when I leave, I will go make her bed so as to feel like at least 1 room is pulled together.  I have that fear of someone wanting to stop by for a surprise visit and get a whole house tour…not sure whey!

3) What sounds do you hear right now? The water cooler in my office and the keyboard as I type.

4) List three things that you always carry with you. Pictures of my kids, my iPhone and my lipstick.

5) What are your favorite TV shows? While my TV time is limited to what I tape and watch when I can…I do have a few guilty pleasure shows…Drop Dead Diva, Grey’s Anatomy, The Office, Bones and Pretty Little Liars.

6) Is there a hobby that you’d like to devote more time to? If so, what is it?  I wish I had more time (and funds) to scrapbook the way I’d like to.  I also want to learn to knit (properly), crochet and sew.

7) What is your favorite drink? Cherry Coke Zero.

8) Share a couple of cool facts about your family. My girls look exactly alike at age markers (meaning my 3 year old looks just like my 11 year old did at 3), my husband is just as much of a neat freak as me, I try to talk to my mom and dad a few times a week and although he may not know it, if something were to ever happen to my husband and me my little brother is the person I would want to take over care of my children.

9) List one thing that you will do for yourself today. Get back on track!

10) Share something that you’re thankful for today. My family, as I am every day.  I am a very lucky girl!

Now it's your turn to answer this week's questions! Don't forget to come back and link up in the comments. And try to say something to someone new this week. There are some pretty cool people connected here. Happy Monday, friends!

I APPsolutely love these

I have read a LOT on other blogs about favorite apps, and I of course have some favs of my own that I thought I'd mention.  I have a file on my iPhone entitled Lifestyle.  I like that they all fall into what I consider my lifestyle choices.  Things like Pandora and Overdrive Media Console. 
                                                    

 

Pandora is a great app when I want to hear music that I like, but be surprised at the same time.  Not the same old stuff on my various play lists, but something new and exciting.  Sometimes it's just the thing I need to spice up a workout.



 

Overdrive Media Console is an app I don't think I could live without.  It's a definite must have on my iPhone.  It's where I can download audio books from the library.  I have books I like for my drive back and forth to work (an hour round trip), or just for running errands, plus I can listen when I do chores and can add books for the kiddos for road trips with them.

I know I have talked before about my near-addiction based love for myfitnesspal, which I must admit I have veered from somewhat, but am bound and determined to get back to.

I mean seriously, can you say accountability?!?!!  Myfitnesspal is GREAT for making you feel fab about staying within your goal for the day...or that terrible reminder that you were a bit too lazy, or shouldn't have had that second serving of fro-yo.  Just because it's yogurt doesn't mean you need to overindulge. :)

But today...I have a new favorite.  With my recent post about wanting to be smarter about meal planning, I actually randomly found the app Food on the Table.  For someone like me, an app that does almost all the work for you is an AMAZING resource.

I can set up my own profile for the types of foods my family likes to eat, go through recipes, choose them and save the ingredients to a shopping list then pull the sales from my local grocery store.  I do have two stores I shop at the most and only 1 is actually available for the sales, but I can still plan out meals and make shopping list.  This has been great so far!  I am even starting to think more like a foody and see where there is crossover between recipes so I can plan out some meals (with a bit of variation) that encompass the same ingredients...I call it leftovers with flair!  It's scary how the universe and I seem to be quite simpatico lately.  Should I be worried, or is this what its like when you actually start to do things that are the best for you and your family?  When you don't fight what is natural and right?  It's a puzzler.

What are some of your favorite apps?

 



Mmmmm delish!

     Last night, my husband said something that I never thought I'd hear.  We sat down to eat dinner (another one of my fab finds from online) and I asked him if he was missing cooking.  To my surprise, his response was "Not if you are going to keep cooking like this."  What?  Did I hear that correctly?  To top it off, my oldest then says, this is delish mom!  I...was...speechless!
     I don't have a single picture of my creation.  I mean I was proud of it, but it was easy with the help of my little assistant and the world wide web.  I need to be better about taking my phone into the kitchen so I can snap a few shots of what I'm doing. 
     I owe all last nights success to the omen Living Well Ministries page I came across with the help of Google.  That is where I found this delicious recipe.  I googled Italian sausage, pasta and vegetables and came across their recipe for Bow Tie Pasta With Italian Sausage and Vegetables.  It was awesome!  I had purchased sweet Italian turkey sausage earlier in the week to make french bread pizzas, but the bread went WAY too fast.  My girls wanted butter noodles, so I knew I was making pasta...so viola, and new and exciting dinner! 
     My husband not only complimented my cooking, but had a second helping and ate the leftover veggies (his fav part) from the pan.  It was SUPER easy to make, and will go on my "to make again" list. 
     Which brings me to a new challenge...keep the recipes coming, but I wonder how many of you (or your friends) plan out your menus for the week?  I have been thinking that if I am really going to take over the bulk of the cooking that this may be the right way to do it.  Why?

1. I will already have a plan in place for each day, so can shop accordingly (saving some time and $$).
2. Will be able to thoroughly scan for and clip coupons that can be used (saving some $$).
3. Will allow for better "leftover lunch" planning-the healthier the better.
4. Will allow for my family to voice their opinions.  If they see something they aren't interested in or don't like, they can mention it before I make it.
5. May open up new challenges for the family like a Kid's Choice night, where they pick what we eat; or a Little Chef night where they actually do the bulk of the cooking.  Then we can all enjoy.
6. Gives me an excuse to make another board for my kitchen message center :)

So let me hear it world...do you menu?

Getting excited...

     One of the best things about keeping this blog (besides you wonderful readers) is being able to look back and see how I am doing.  I have found that I am a very cyclical person.  What I mean is, I get an idea in my head and go at it full force for a while then peter off then find some sort of catalyst that sparks the fire again and start all over.  Getting my butt back in the kitchen seems to be doing it again!  The old saucepan catalyst!  I have to say, as far as my kitchen adventures go, I am quite proud of my dinner creation last night.  Last night I decided (for the hubs and myself) to attempt homemade chicken fingers.  This may not seem like much, but you have to remember who you are dealing with here.  I was about to attempt

1. Making chicken fingers from scratch
2. Keeping the calories in check
3. Impressing my should-be chef of a husband

boneless, skinless chicken breasts...egg wash...and garlic/salt/pepper panko

     I assembled my ingredients, and with the "supervision" of my little helper we set to it.  I have to admit...I have never dredged anything.  I like the word, it sounds funny...but the actual action of dredging is one I had not yet tried.  I did have enough "know-how" to buy panko when shopping to offer a slightly healthier version of the breadcrumb, and added some kosher salt, black pepper and garlic powder.  I sliced the chicken into strips and dipped in the egg wash, rolled in pancko and placed on my cooking sheet.  My little one offered much encouragement from her step stool and was very excited about being in charge of the veggies!  I did cop out a bit with the kiddos and made them Tyson chicken nuggets, but I was worried if the strips didnt' turn out well...at least the kids should be able to eat; plus they are dinosaur shaped...so fun!
     Sadly, this is the only picture I have of my creation.  Dinner smelled so good cooking, that everyone was actually at the table waiting for me to give them their plates.  The final product was the chicken strips, mixed veggies and applesauce (can't WAIT to hit the orchard so I can make homemade...that is something I HAVE done and am quite good at if I do say so myself).  The dinner was a huge hit.  My husband even commented on it again later saying how good it was.  I could get used to this.

     My renewed energy in the kitchen is reminding me that I can do many things.  I am (as I can only hope you are too) a Pinterest junkie.  I have been finding some great recipes on there as well as from you and from surfing the web.  I have also started to mark more and more things off what I call my "Mission Accomplished" board.  The board of fun things I find on Pinterest and actually DO!  Most recently I took the message center idea (which has gained a great deal of popularity it seems) and did my own version for our kitchen. 

Not only is this a great way to keep the whole family organized with special events highlighted, but it's my own version.  It gets me using my cricut even more, and is a fun way to add more decor to my home.  It's not even September yet and I have that ready to go...and while it is waiting to be hung on the wall, I have already started planning out my October board.  BOO! 
     I have also started to find a LOAD of craft ideas that I can eassily make for gifts for people.  I too am feeling the crunch of the economy, especially with two growing kiddos, so homemade gifts are l\ooking like the perfect answer to the upcoming holidays.  The ones I am finding and really liking are things that are inexpensive to make, plus you get the added bonus of telling someone you made their gift and that to me makes it more special.  I have also decided (early enough this year) that I will be knitting some gifts.  I have wanted to do this the past few years, but don't think about it until mid-November usually.  Even with my fun little knifty knitters, I need more time than that. 
     If you are a Pinterest fan, check out my boards and share some of your own.  Happy Tuesday!

Order up with a side of FMM

     Well...it has happened.  I have become a domestic goddess!  HA  Well, at least maybe one in training!  Thanks to those of you who sent me to some great recipes stops.  I have been pretty successful thus far.  My grocery shop was a little pricier than I had hoped for, but I reminded myself that you pay for quality...and that is what I got, some good, quality food.
     The way the schedule was playing out, I knew that after shopping it was going to be rough to get in the kids activities and prepare something fabulous so I did cheat a bit on the first day in the kitchen...however, I only partially cheated and made sure it was in a healthy way.

pre-made Rotisserie chicken with chicken and herb couscous and fresh green beans

     So I bought a pre-cooked rotisserie chicken and had that as the staple.  The picture above shows it as first plated, I actually take the skin off of my chicken (and share with my pup) but I leave it on in case the hubs decides he wants it.  I am proud of the side dish choices I made.  Couscous...I love couscous, and it's a much better choice than (some) rice or noodle type dishes.  The green beans too.  Our neighbors have quite the garden and they brought us over fresh green beans, which I have never cooked.  Is it sad that all of my green bean experiences before now started with a can opener?  So, I give this start to my healthy cooking decent marks.
     I am VERY proud of my next dish (you can find the recipe in the Daring to Dream tab)...it's one I found online and made my own revisions to "healthy it up."  My dear hubby is a fan of hamburger helper, but we NEVER buy it based on how bad it is for you.  So when I found a recipe for a cheesy beef noodle bake, my first thought was Helper...make a great meal!

my original ingredients stash

    
     Above is the original gathering of ingredients.  I did decide to use tomato sauce instead of the diced tomatoes though once I started mixing, but other than that...pretty good choices right?  I substituted ground turkey for ground beef, used whole grain pasta, and veggied it up with two of my favorite flavorings....onions and peppers.  Okay, I admit I used a little bit of cheese, but honestly it was a little bit.  The recipe I found called for not only cheese on top, but a cheese sauce to be mixed into the actual dish.

final product

     It didn't "stick" together as well as I had hoped (maybe that's why the recipe called for the cheese sauce) but flavorwise...this was FAB!  If anything, I think I would add a few more veggies to my saute...maybe some zucchini next time too!  I served this with a nice salad (more veggies) and it was a hit.  Even the two year old liked it!  PLEASE keep the recipes coming in!  I'm starting to look forward to them..and ask your friends to share too.  A girl can NEVER have too many healthy recipes!

Now....on to a little Friend Making Monday!

If you’ve taken part in FMM then you know the rules. If you’re new, please take a moment to answer this week’s question on your own blog then add your link in the comments section here at: www.alltheweigh.com so we can all see your FMM questions and answers. Please invite your blog readers to add their links here too so everyone has to opportunity to be seen. The idea is to connect with other awesome bloggers so take a moment to post your own FMM post and comment on a couple of other posts. Now it’s time for this week’s topic!

Tech Questions

1.  PC or Mac?  I am a PC person when it comes to my computing needs.  Do I appreciate and like Apple?  Yes of course…I have an iPhone, an iPod and an iPad…but when it comes to user friendliness for a computer, I still feel better with a PC.

2. When did you get your first computer?  I feel like I have had a computer in my life forever.  I remember having games as a kid that I needed to DOS prompt to play.  Barbie, Olympics, cards…oh how I miss you “*”.exe RUN hahahhah NEVER!!!!

3. Do you use cable, DSL or something else?  I have a cable connection.  We had fiber optic for a while with AT&T but their customer service left something to be desired and we switched back to cable.

4. When choosing a laptop, do you think it's more important to choose the fastest one, or the lightest one?  Speed for sure.  My job has me at a computer all day and I would freak out if I had to wait for things.  Think of the extra poundage as a workout!

5. What kind of cell phone do you own?  Do you like it? I have an iPhone and LOVE it.  My hubby has a Droid though and I can see that being nice too.  What I like best about my iPhone is the streaming capability between devices.  I just have to make sure I check my 11 year old iPod from time to time.  Just downloaded Fifty Shades (audio book) to my phone and had to make sure it was NOT on her iPod or the iPad. J

6. How do you carry your laptop when you travel?  I don’t travel much.  If I need to take my laptop somewhere it is generally in my briefcase in the car next to me.

7. How many e-mails do you send on an average day? I don’t think I want to know the answer to this.  A good chunk of the programs I do at work rely on my emailing presenters, students, faculty…it is a never ending process it seems.

8. Do you ever blog using your iPad or similar tablet? Haven’t tried.
9. What do you use more often - a desktop or a laptop?  Desktop.  That is our primary home machine and my primary work machine.

10.  As a blogger, are there other gadgets that you need to get the job done?  If so, what are they?  I rely on my iPhone and its camera very much.  As I am still new to blogging, I haven’t found other devices that are “must use” yet.

Now it's your turn to answer this week's questions on your blog!  Don't forget to come back and link up in the comments! Happy Monday, friends!

On your mark...get set

It begins today.  I have been scanning recipes, many thanks to some of you, and have put together my grocery list.  I think I have found a few good ones that have cross over ingredients that will help stretch my budget some too (very exciting).  Tonight, after picking up the little one from pre-school...we are have to the races with Operation Chef.  I like to grocery shop with the wee one because its fun to her.  She helps pick out what fruits and veggies she wants, we get a special treat to enjoy through the store...

love the juice box style and the healthy benefits

She helps load the cart, entertains other customers, usually earns a free slice of deli ham and makes my heart happy.  It's a win-win to me.  I will keep you posted on the Daring to Dream tab of this fine little blog with what I come up with.  A few recipes I have grabbed are: baked chicken strips, beef, cheese and noodle bake, crispy fish, zucchini bites...and you will have to come back and see what else.  I already feel proud in the fact that I searched healthy low cal recipes...and I also have enough kitchen smarts to know some of the substitutions I can make to bring the health level up another notch.  Wish me luck...and keep the recipe suggestions coming folks...I am loving them!

It's Getting Hot in Here

     I have said it a million times in my blog, my hubby does the cooking in our house.  He always has.  He is an excellent cook, and I am VERY lucky that he has always enjoyed cooking...until recently.  Our schedules have been so crazy lately and the kids have been so finicky about what they want to eat that he has not enjoyed cooking.  We have ordered a lot of meals recently as well as done "boxed" meals as he refers to them.  Looking forward to the fall semester and what it brings for his schedule and it looks as though one of the goals that I set for myself SO many months ago with the start of the new year will get forced into fruition.  I had hoped to try and cook 1 meal a week.  Some weeks I do more than that, but more often than not I don't really do any at all.  This is my time to step up to the plate.  To give him a much deserved and much needed break from the kitchen and try my and at this whole "family chef" idea.  I am excited, but also nervous.  My husband is SO good in the kitchen, I don't want to disappoint, but I think he will be happy if I embrace this new challenge.  All I can hope is to make it past the appetizer round, right?

So, if you have some great low cal recipes that do not require formal culinary training :) please forward them on.  My eRecipe collection needs filled.  Thanks!

And now...a little Friend Making Monday!  If you’ve taken part in FMM then you know the rules. If you’re new, please take a moment to answer this week’s question on your own blog then add your link in the comments section here at: www.alltheweigh.com so we can all see your FMM questions and answers. Please invite your blog readers to add their links here too so everyone has to opportunity to be seen. The idea is to connect with other awesome bloggers so take a moment to post your own FMM post and comment on a couple of other posts. Now it’s time for this week’s topic!

Inappropriate Questions

 1. Will you vote in the upcoming presidential election?  YES!!  It is our civic duty as well as a privilege to have our voices heard!

2. Do you say curse words? Does a bear sh*t in the woods?!?!  HA

3. Have you ever kissed a stranger? Nope.

4. If you could choose to meet only one fellow blogger in person right now who would you choose? I’m still so new to the blogging world that I’m not sure.  I love having people stop by my blog and enjoy doing the same…right now Kenlie, you are a MUST read every day!

5. What is the most inappropriate pick-up line that anyone has ever used on you?  Honestly, I can’t think of any.  I wasn’t the type of girl that got a lot of the lines…my friends seemed to, but not me so much.

6. Do you sing in the shower?  Sometimes.  If it’s in the AM when getting ready for work no, just because I don’t’ want to wake the whole house. J

7. How often do you get drunk?  Maybe once or twice a year.

8. Have you ever been fired from a job?  I was a contracted worker once and didn’t get the contract renewed…does that count?  It was after 3 years though and was the impetus I needed to expand my horizons.

9. Were you popular in high school?  There were only 500 kids in my high school…so everyone was popular. Hee hee

10. Who is your current celebrity crush? Don’t really have one…how sad is that?!?

Success!

     I am proud to say that my grocery store adventure last night was a success!  Arden and I went in with our list, strayed VERY little (remembering a few items we needed but hadn't written down) and got all the ingredients we needed for me to start my creative adventures in the kitchen.  We came home and unloaded, got our obligatory after school cheese stick, and I set to work.
     I knew that my hubs would be home sooner rather than later last night, so I opted for something from my meal list with a shorter prep time and started in on Tortellini and Zucchini soup (see recipe on Daring to dream in the kitchen tab of this blog).  I have made tortellini soup before, but never this one in particular.  I found it on what is quickly becoming my new favorite website http://www.eatingwell.com, and it is a low cal version of the soup.  What I really loved about it, is that it is chock full of veggies!  As I have been getting older, I have been finding more and more fruits and veggies that I hated as a kid that I am now falling in love with.  Zucchini for instance.  Never a fan as a kid, but it is now 1 of my personal favs.

in process

     The soup got as thumbs up from both my husband and myself with 1 exception.  while I think I am finally grasping how much salt is enough, I need to learn a little more about fresh herbs.  I had one very rosemaryish soup.  I had some of the leftovers today at lunch, and having it sit overnight seemed to diffuse the rosemary some and made it a little less fragrant while enjoying.  I added a small spring salad to go with the soup for the final product last night.  I was quite happy with how it turned out.

final product

     For tonight I am attempting a crock pot chicken jambalaya recipe I got from the Skinny Ms. Slow Cooker facebook page.  Can't wait to see how it turns out. 

     In other news, I am off to do an at home work out while the little one sleeps, perhaps some Pilate's today...and then I have a few YouTube tutorials to watch on knitting.  Knocking down those resolutions right and left!