Precooking, More Ikea and Some T-Giving Pics

Yay! So glad you all had wonderful Thanksgiving holidays! It was fun reading your blogs and seeing how each of you celebrated - some with a break, some squeezing in exercise, some vegan, some balancing treats with cardio - very interesting to see how we all celebrated a holiday that has a lot to do with food. :) Here I am, backing up again - short nutshell - here it goes starting with some pics!

Pupper love - my sister Devon with her Sadie girl!

Me with Mr. Reuben!

Mom with Momo and Reuben!


My brother-in-law Zach!

Austin being goofy

My adorable sister!

Me loving on Reuben, naturally!

Austie! (I was in a candid mood - forgive me!)

Yes, that is all of the pictures I took during the t-giving holidays. I realize I suck... Onward and out to....

Saturday: Woke up to Bacon/Egg/Cheese sandwiches! Was feeling pooey and allergy/sinusy so I stayed home and vegged while Austin went back to his grandparents for lunch. While he was gone, I had spaghetti and some of Devon's amazing cream cheese brownies! Austin got back and we showered and got ready to go see Andy and Monica's new townhouse! Before we left I had another snack - triscuits/cream cheese, then we split a leftover serving of enchilada casserole! Then we were off to Smyrna - LOVED their new place. So pretty and brand new - woo! There, I had lots of champagne, 2 vodka drinks and 2 beers. I also had lots of Trader Joe's oyster crackers - amazing! So glad Mon showed us those and had us over! Stacy/Shane came by, too, and we crashed over with baby Reuben in tow. I ended up at 2,382 calories, 233 carbs, 49 fat grams and 89 protein grams. Here's what I ate.

Sunday: Woke up at Andy/Mon's and headed home! Made a supreme pizza when I got home, had two slices of it, and hung out with Austin!

Then we split up - me to TV and Austin to video games! I snacked on popcorn and had some more bites of my sister's cream cheese brownies! Around 5 I was hungry again - Taco Soup for me! With some corn chips, pico de gallo and sour cream. Around 9 I went back down for one more slice of pizza. Heaven! What a wonderfully lazy day.... gotta love them sometimes! I ended up at 1,599 calories, 45 fat grams, 205 carbs and 83 protein grams. Here's what I ate.

Today: Woke up, worked for a bit then headed out! Took the rug back to Rugsmart, went to Ikea for hall closet items and half bath items (can't wait to set it up!). The weather got bad, so I headed back home and met Austin for lunch - spaghetti again - woo! Then I worked around the house - making beds, doing, laundry, doing dishes, cleaning out drawers/cabinets/cubbies and tossing a TON of stuff! Around 4 p.m. I headed to the gym and walked 5 miles burning 252 calories. Then I headed back home and made 4 servings of chicken fried rice, 4 servings of quinoa with garlic chicken and veggies, 4 servings of easy red thai curry chicken, 6 servings of brunch pizza squares and 4 servings of summer garden pasta - WOO! Then it was shower time, folding laundry time and a little bit of blogging (now) before bill paying time. Quite a Monday, especially for a vacation day! Oh well, I did exactly what I wanted so what more can you ask for?! I'm done munching, and ended up at 1,551 calories, 190 carbs, 48 fat grams and 105 protein grams. Here’s what I ate.

I can't BELIEVE today is the last day of November. OMG - where DID the month go??! I'm super pumped about December though, mostly because of: more time off, setting up our Christmas tree, my mom and sister's birthdays, our friends Kelly and Ryan's wedding, meeting Mary and Jimmy's baby Emma and Crystal and Jason's baby Grady and the list goes on - this is going to be a great month! What are you looking most forward to in December?!

Book Review, T-giving Recap, New Appliance, New Recipe

Thanks you guys! So glad you liked the rugs, and interesting to hear about your ‘days off patterns.’ I’ve been really trying to do 5 days/week – I’d prefer for the off day to be DURING the five days, but sometimes it’s Monday – Friday and I just take the week! I also really try to do what I want. Haha I mean, lately my legs/feet are getting used to running I guess? I dunno – but I’ve been more sore than usual so I’ve been letting that drive the amount of exercise I do!

So, to back up – here is my Thanksgiving in a nutshell!

Wednesdsay: I ended up at 1,646 calories, 194 carbs, 53 fat grams, and 82 protein grams. Here's what I ate.

Thursday:

• Woke up, weighed myself at 118, had a brunch pizza square and headed to the gym: 3.5 miles walking/1 mile running - burned 265 calories.
• Showered, had rotini sausage pasta and headed up to Austin's grandparents house.
• Visited, finished Big Boned (review below!) and then ate lunch: lots of turkey, spoonful of dressing, spoonful of macaroni and cheese, spoonful of hashbrown casserole and one dinner roll (there were not veggies - I swear!). Then me and Austin split a piece of my snickers pie. Um, LOVED IT! (recipe below!)
• Played in a spades tournament. Lost. Had another piece of snickers pie...eek! Did have a great time visiting with his family!
• Left and headed home, fed Reuben and headed to my sister's house. Had a turkey sandwich with hummus and a slice of provolone. Had a slice of haverti on the side! Yum! Hung out with mom and Dev and saw of Dev's new home stuff (lamps, rug - etc. - love it!)
• Headed home, Austin's little brothers came over at midnight, played pool, had a couple of vodka drinks, two beers and popcorn. Ended up at 2,328 calories, 206 carbs, 86 fat grams and 121 protein grams. Here's what I ate.

Friday

• Weighed 118 (again - woo!).
• Housekeepers showed up at 9:30 a.m. BLAH! I grabbed a yogurt and went to the gym to get out of the way. Walked 1.5 miles; ran 1 mile; did triceps, shoulders and abs. Burned 272 calories.
• Headed home and made breakfast for the guys - bacon/egg/cheese muffins.
• Cleaned and showered - had pizza soup for lunch. I think I REALLY love that stuff!
• Mom, my stepdad Mike, Devon and her husband Zach came over and brought their puppers - Buster, Momo and Sadie!!
• I had tons of Devon's AMAZING Buffalo Chicken Dip. By tons, I mean I had least had 3-4 tbsp and lots of scoops.
• The guys watched the iron bowl, me/mom and Dev hung out and visited. It came up that there was a great deal on a stainless fridge. They were like are you kidding. GO BUY IT! So me and Devon left.
• Long story short which included false advertising, Best Buy, Sears and Lowes - I ended up getting it at Lowe's saving about $700... say hello to my new appliance: Samsung french door fridge- woo! It will be here on Thursday. Merry Christmas to me and Austin fo sho!


Me and Devon headed back home, I made a beef enchilada casserole, played some pool then we all sat down to eat - first time I had a full table in my dining room. SO nice to have everyone together. Devon made homemade pico de gallo - um - AMAZING!! I had lots of it with, you guessed it - more scoops! Then I had a creamcheese brownie Devon brought -again - AMAZING. She was completely on top of the cooking - love it.
After dinner mom, mike, momo and buster headed out, so Austin/Zach went up to Austin's office for video games/beer and me and Devon hung out and talked some more - SUCH a good, chill night with my great family.
Had one glass of wine. Got in bed. Fell asleep at like 10:30 - niceeeee. I ended up at 1,913 calories, 218 carbs, 61 fat grams and 98 protein grams. Here's what I ate.

Extras:

Meg Cabot's Big-Boned Review

SO cute. I just love the main character, Heather Wells, and her humor. She cracks me up with her inner dialogue and her interactions with funny side characters like Tom and his constant score-keeping and Magda and her goofiness. There is a mystery but it's NEVER scary and you never worry about her - it's just a light, cute book -GREAT treadmill read. I give it a 4/5 - it would have been a 5 if it had been a bit longer (only 277 pages) and used those extra pages to develop a bit more of the love interest part of the story. Either way - CUTE, easy read!

Snickers Bar Pie Recipe

Recipe makes two pies

8 ounces cream cheese, softened (divided in half)
1½ cups powdered sugar (divided in half)
½ cup chunky or creamy peanut butter (divided in half)
3 regular-sized Snickers candy bars, chopped (divided in half)
16 ounces Cool Whip, thawed (divided in half)
Two prepared chocolate pie crusts
Lite Chocolate syrup for garnish
Caramel Syrup for garnish
Chopped nuts for garnish

In a large mixing bowl, beat 4 oz. cream cheese, ¾ cup sugar and ¼ peanut butter until creamy. Stir in one chopped candy bar. Add to pie crust, smoothing across top. Add whipped cream on top, smoothing for 2-3 minutes on top with a rubber spatula. Now, repeat with leftover cream cheese, sugar and peanut butter adding to other pie crust. Now you have two pies, with no toppings. Add syrups making a grid pattern, then top with nuts. Divide the third and final snickers bar in half, and top each pie with the pieces. Keep in refrigerator until ready to serve. They were SO good – it went over well with Austin’s family and mine- love that the recipe makes two pies! Next time, I’m going to try reduced fat cream cheese and cool whip – I don’t think you would have been able to tell!

So, how was your Thanksgiving?! Play any games? Have any yummy desserts? Buy any appliances?! Black Friday shopping, anyone?

I didn't take pictures. :( Hopefully i'll get some from my mom and/or sis so I can post later this week!!

Rug Fail… then an AMAZING Rug Score, New Recipe, and Day Off

Thank you for all of your great comments yesterday! I wrote back to each of you in the comments section of my last post. :) I'm so glad you're all feeling my pie- I'll post a review tomorrow or Friday!

On to today!! I popped up early and ran down to Ikea to take back two throws (found ones I liked better) and 3 lights (the gallery lights didn’t work – boo). While there, I picked up 10 frames (new idea for dining room!). I headed out and hit up Home Depot for our floor cleaner and spotlight replacement bulb, hit up Trader Joe’s for the usual (96/4 beef, pizza dough, etc.), then Barnes and Noble for a book (part of dining room idea – will post about it later!!). I got home, visited with Austin, my sister (Devon!) came over and we ate this new recipe: A Year of Slow-Cooking’s Crockpot Pizza Soup! Here’s the recipe for FOUR servings:

1 jar (14 oz) of Ragu pizza sauce

3 empty jars full of water

1 cup green bell pepper, seeded and chopped

1/2 red onion, chopped (1 cup)

1 cup sliced mushrooms

1 whole tomato, diced

2 already-cooked Italian chicken sausage links, diced

20 sliced turkey pepperoni, sliced in quarters

1 tsp dried basil

1 tbsp dried oregano

6 oz. mini farfalle pasta
60 grams shredded mozzarella cheese (to add later)

Wash and prepare veggies. Dump them into the crockpot. Cut sausage and pepperoni into small pieces and add to crockpot. Add basil and oregano. Pour in pizza sauce, and follow with three empty jars of water. Stir, cover and cook on low for 6 hours. After six hours, add dry pasta, and turn to high for 20 minutes or until pasta softens. Top with shredded mozzarella cheese. Nutritional Information: 338 calories, 47 carbs, 17 protein grams and 9 fat grams. I thought it was SO good – I’m a definite fan!! (and so are Austin and Devon!). If anything, next time I’ll add salt, maybe 5 oz. instead of 6 in pasta, and add more pepperoni! Still though – loved it!

So… after lunch the rug was delivered around 1:30 p.m. I was SO excited. My sister was even over and couldn’t wait to see it, too. The guy takes it out of the fedex truck and I’m like oh shiz… it’s THIN. He takes it in, leaves and I roll it out and it’s WAY too thin, not at all what I had in mind. More like an outdoor rug. Total FAIL. My sister’s like come on, we’re going to the Pottery Barn Outlet now! So we hop in her SUV and ride up to the outlets.

I find one I LOVE for the pool table area and I’m still looking and looking and then they come over and say an additional 30% off all rugs. Then, a guy says if you go to the food court you can get a 20% one item at Pottery Barn… um, that’s it! We start pulling out so many rugs. I ended up with FOUR rugs:

1. Pool table area: 8x10 Natural Stripes Rug; Originally $549; on sale for $200, with 30% off… $140!


2. Dining room: 8x10 Chanille Rug; Originally $400; on sale for $250, with 30% off AND $20 off… $140!


3. Living room: 5x8 Links Rug; Originally $429; on sale for $130, with 30% off…$91!


4. Entryway: 3x5 Links Rug; Originally $179; on sale for $34, with 30% off….$24!

So, yes, I got FOUR Pottery Barn rugs for $395, with 7% tax a grand total of: $422.65. And, I had a leftover wedding gift card for $58.14… make that grand total: $364.51.

The other rug (the one that I ordered but was thin – blah) was $350 ($374.50 with tax). So yes, I got FOUR rugs for $10 less than the one I didn’t even like and isn’t nearly as nice/high quality as the Pottery Barn ones. I feel SO lucky today – yesss. So, here’s pics… I hope you like as much as we do!!

Ah... who doesn't love a fabulous sale?!! Clearly i'm still on a shopping high!


The seating area/pool table area rug and the new side tables!

The new dining room rug!

The new den rug (same as entry way rug - just a larger size!)

Entry way rug (smaller version of livign room rug)

K - off to drink wine! Will post today's stats tomorrow along with (hopefully) a recipe and positive review for the Snickers Pie!

HAPPY THANKSGIVING! I hope you all have wonderful days with your families and friends.

Are you going to work out on Thanksgiving?

I took a day off from working out today as I'd worked out 8 days in a row. How often do you take breaks?

My First Pie, 4 Miles, Fall Cleaning, Chicken Philly Recipe and Rug Delivery Fail

So there wasn't ONE movie you guys listed yesterday that I don't own/obsess over! Love it! My favorites definitely include Pretty Woman, Sweet Home Alabama, Mean Girls, SATC, Sleepless in Seattle, The Notebook, Love Actually, Two Weeks Notice, and Legally Blonde. Legally Blonde STILL motivates me to work hard - so funny!! And Steel Magnolias is DEFINITELY a girl movie - LOVE it. Still my favorite Julia Roberts film... Shelby... blush and bashful. Sigh. So New Moon seems to have mixed reviews - I really did enjoy, but again, can't wait to see books 3 and 4 that I liked so much more on the big screen!!

And.... backing up... I wrapped up yesterday at 1,742 calories, 236 carbs, 41 fat grams and 107 protein grams. Here’s what I ate. Not bad! Especially with my late night bagel and cream cheese. My mom left this AMAZING cream cheese here – Trader Joe’s reduced whipped or something? I dunno – but it’s the bomb dot com!

Today I:

• Framed my college diplomas. Yes, my 2004 and 2006 diplomas are officially framed in 2009. I'm so on top of stuff. When I actually hang them, i'll post a picture! :)
• Made my first pie - Snickers Pie. I found it on My Sister's Kitchen and she found it on Recipe Girl. I made one for Austin's side of the family and one for mine - i'll let you know how it goes over but in the meantime, here's a pic!
Picture this times 2! It smells good... I want to try it so much - what if it's bad - eek!

• Made my meal plan for the week and went to two grocery stores to acquire all items.
• Cleaned out the garage. Put to use the shelving units Austin's parents gave us, organized, made it cuter!
• Sorted through donation bags of clothes - they're ready to go now!
• Made TONS of food: 6 servings of Taco Soup, 4 servings of a new recipe Pizza Soup, 6 servings of Brunch Pizza Squares, 4 servings of Rotini Sausage Pasta and of course, the two pies!

The result of my cooking charade- yes, i'm the diet Pepsi drinker and Austin's the diet mountain drinker! The rest is meal tubs all the way back - woo!


• Watched 6+ episodes of Friends.
• Walked 3 miles and ran 1 mile in 54 minutes burning 236 calories.
• Watched a movie called 9 - this animated, post-apocalyptic film. Very odd. I found it distracting how many movies it reminded me of.... I give it a 2 out of 5.
• Had cereal for breakfast, easy thai curry for lunch, rotini sausage pasta for dinner, and only a few snacks: a kashi cookie, a muffin w/that amazing cream cheese and a glass and half of white wine.
• Ordered my book club books and a few Christmas presents!
• Missed my rug arriving. Yes, so much for "2 to 3 weeks." Fedex is making "attempt #2" tomorrow - I hope I'm here - i'm dying to get it! And my mother in law is bringing over a rug pad - she rocks (who has those lying around?)
• Reorganized my pantry and island (made one of the cabinets in the island a liquor cabinet).
• I ended up at 1,508 calories, 222 carbs, 26 fat grams and 75 protein grams. Here's what I ate.

Not to backtrack too much - but here is my Chicken Philly Sandwich Recipe for two! It's adapted from Cooking Light! I made them open faced to use less bread...

2 Arnold Select light wheat buns
8 oz. chicken breasts
½ cup mushrooms (60 grams)
¼ cup onions (60 grams)
¼ cup green peppers (60 grams)
1 tsp olive oil
1/4 tsp salt, divided
1/8 tsp pepper
1 tsp white wine vinegar
1 tsp minced garlic
2 slices Kroger fat-free swiss

Heat oil in a medium nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add chicken to pan; sprinkle with 1/8 teaspoon salt and black pepper. Sauté 5 minutes or until chicken is done. Remove chicken from pan. Add veggies, vinegar, 1/8 tsp salt and garlic to pan; sauté 6 minutes or until tender. Stir in chicken and pepper sauce; remove from heat. Toast bread. Divide mixture into two and spoon onto bread. Place cheese on top. Melt in microwave for 20 - 30 seconds and serve. I thought it was really good - it definitely had that "philly chicken taste." However, I wasn't in the mood for chicken phillies so it was hard to get into it. Naturally, I wanted Italian instead! haha

Do you like chicken phillies?

Have you ever made a pie? If so, what kind, and how did it turn out?!

Now I'm in bed watching Castle with Austin - great end to a great day! Hope you all had good ones too, i'll be catching up in the morning!!

New Moon Movie Review, New Recipe, New Shoes/Stuff, 12.5 Miles

Hey Ladies - happy Monday! I’m super pumped as I left the office and won't be back until Tuesday... next Tuesday – woo! I’m pumped, although I will have to do some work over the holidays. Boo. Hopefully not too much!

So… backing up! Saturday morning Me and Teresa walked 4 miles burning 184 calories. I also made great progress on my Big Boned book! Afterwards we had lunch, Garden Summer Pasta from Ohlivin. I'm still obsessed with it! (even though it's not summer)

Then we were off to H&M, Forever, Baker’s, DSW and Dick’s. I got a funky dress shirt, a pair of checkered leggings, cozy socks (gray/black striped!) and a new pair of running shoes! I replaced the ones I had – love having tread now woo!

Cozy shirt - love the gathering on bottom and on sleeves!


Fun checkered leggings - only $5! I wore them to work today with a purple dress and black flat boots!

Cozy socks - LOVE! Wore them under the boots today :)

Old vs. New!

New Tread - woo!

Then we were off to New Moon. MOVIE REVIEW (SPOILER ALERT): So I loved it. I loved the whole series, but this was my least favorite book so I was worried I wouldn't like it. Especially since my favorite was Twilight and I thought the movie was meh. However, this one was SO much better – better directing? Maybe. I just really felt like it told a story and developed the characters better. I thought it followed the book more, too, and made much more sense than the first movie. A few things I didn’t like: Edward/Cullens weren’t in it enough (nature of the story), they waited too long to cut Jake’s hair (he’s a doll with it cut…. I think he’s unattractive with it long) and there were a few random things that happened that weren’t in the book. Overall, it was MUCH better though – the acting, the sets, the story, etc. I can’t wait to see it again and was so glad to see it with Teresa – a fellow Twihard.

After the movie we raced home to let puppers’ out (she brought her Daisy and Cassie!) and then it was wine time and dinner time – a new recipe, Greek Pizza from For the Love of Cooking! Here’s my recipe for ONE pizza (one serving):


4 Oz. Trader Joe’s Dough
4 tbsp Trader Joe’s mushroom spaghetti sauce
28 grams Trader Joe’s mozzarella cheese
28 grams Fat-Free Feta cheese
15 grams artichoke hearts
10 grams Kalamata olives, quartered
15 grams Red onion, sliced thinly
3 slices Roma tomato, sliced thinly
½ tsp dried oregano

Let the dough sit on a floured surface for 30 minutes. Preheat oven to 425 degrees. Coat a large pizza baking tray with cooking spray then sprinkle lightly with corn meal. Roll dough into whatever shape you desire. Place on baking tray. Evenly spread sauce, mozzarella, artichoke hearts, tomato slices, red onions, kalamata olives, feta cheese and oregano on top. Place in the oven and bake for 10-14 minutes or until desired crispiness. Remove from oven and slice. Nutritional Information: 455 calories, 61 carbs, 12 fat grams and 21 protein grams.

We both loved it – super flavorful. I’ll be making it again for sure! We settled in for The Ugly Truth. It was SO cute, I’m definitely a fan. Then we tried to watch New in Town… meh. Had to stop it to watch The Proposal again. LOVE IT! I had lots and lots of random snacks and ended up at 2,398 calories, 302 carbs, 79 fat grams and 63 protein grams. EEK! Worth a wonderful day with a great bestie though!! Here’s what I ate.

Sunday we woke up to rain and lots of it! Teresa and her puppers took off and me and Reuben slubbed around… then finally cleaned… then I went to the gym and walked 1 mile, ran 1.5 miles and then walked another 2 miles. I’m so glad I got in 1.5 miles of running again, it’s just getting easier and easier! I did the 4.5 miles in 57 minutes, burning 253 calories. After the gym, I showered and then Austin got home – woo!! SO good to see him; he had a blasty in NOLA but I was definitely glad to have him back! We had dinner (another new recipe which I’ll post tomorrow: Chicken Philly Sandwiches) and then we watched the Proposal. He had never seen it but enjoyed it, although not as much as me! I passed out early and ended up at 1,811 calories, 259 carbs, 52 fat grams and 83 protein grams. Here’s what I ate.

Today was okay. I got lots of work done, was in a fabulous mood, Stacy was back (woo!), we walked 4 miles during lunch and it was all good. Then some stuff happened that made me angry/annoyed/frustrated/confused/etc. so I headed straight home to complain to Austin, then I got back to work even though i'm supposed to be on vacay. Grrr. Now i'm blogging though so i'm happy and i'm SO GLAD i'm on vacay - I need it. Fo sho. I'll post today's stats tomorrow (along with the Chicken Philly recipe). I hope you guys all had great days!

Have you seen The Proposal? What's your favorite "girl movie"?!

Have you see Twilight: New Moon? If so, what did you think? If not, do you plan to?

Book Review, New Breakfast Recipe, 6 miles/legs/chest/triceps

Hola chicas! Happy weekend!! I'm so glad it's here - finally! Real quick - I thought it was so interesting to hear about your blogs, how they evolved, etc. It sounds like we all have the same attitude, our blogs are what they are and they work for us and, really, that's what's most important! Thank you, too, for your nice comments about my blog - it's definitely a hodgepodge but it's my hodgepodge so that's fun! :) Backing up real quick, Thursday I had some wine with Austin – yums! I ended up at 1,808 calories, 221 carbs, 38 fat grams and 79 protein grams. Here’s what I ate.

Friday was a great day!! I got lots of work done, had a positive end-of-year review, walked 4 miles during lunch, had two successful meetings and then had a bittersweet ending to the day - my manager (and the girl who hired me) of 3+ years left to go on maternity leave. It’s going to be so weird without her, but of course I’m happy for her!! After work I ran home to let Reuben out (Austin flew out to New Orleans for a bachelor party!), had a snack and then headed back to the gym for 2 more miles, chest, triceps and legs. GREAT workout! I then headed home, showered, chilled with Reuben, cooked dinner and watched Friends episodes until Teresa got here! Her husband is on the New Orleans trip, too, so she drove over from Auburn for a girl weekend! Last night we just drank wine, caught up and watched Vampire Diaries (gooooooood) and Grey’s. I actually fell asleep during Grey’s… at 12:30 – partay! Haha I woke up at 3 a.m. and called Austin – he was still on Bourbon Street. Oh my. I ended up at 1,783 calories, 225 carbs, 36 fat grams and 100 protein grams. Here's what I ate.

One more thing: on my way home from work I finished Janice Kaplan’s Looks to Die For yesterday. I LOVED it. Basically, it’s about a suburban LA housewife, Lacy Fields, who is married to a successful plastic surgeon who has just been accused of murder. The story is about her trying to help figure out who really did it, all while being a mom to her three kids and wearing cute clothes. It kept it light, but really it was a great mystery with a few surprise twists at the end! I give it a 4.5 out of 5. What could have made it a 5? If there had been a little less brand dropping. While I thought it was cute at times, sometimes it was just too much and got distracting. Still a great book and definitely easy to follow (audio).

Today I woke up after a great night’s sleep! I made a new recipe for breakfast: Potato, Bacon and Egg Burrito. I combined my potato/egg/sausage recipe with potato cooking tips from Real Mom Kitchen’s. Here is the recipe for SIX servings:

600 grams red potato, raw
3 eggs
6 strips of turkey Bacon
1.5 tbsp fat free milk
1.5 tsp olive oil
3 Mission Carb Balance tortillas
Garlic Powder, Creole Seasoning, Salt & Pepper to taste

Heat one inch water to boiling in 2-quart saucepan. Cut potatoes into cubes and add to water. Cover and heat to boiling; reduce heat to medium-low. Cover and cook 12 to 15 minutes or until potatoes are tender; drain. While potatoes are cooking, get out a small bowl and whisk together eggs, milk and a dash of salt and creole. In a large skillet (or microwave!), cook bacon until crispy and remove from skillet. Add olive oil to skillet, then top with potatoes. Sprinkle with garlic powder, creole seasoning and pepper. Cook potatoes 3 to 5 minutes, turning occasionally, until light brown. Pour egg mixture and sausage on top of the potato mixture. Stir for 3-4 minutes until egg is thoroughly cooked, then cover tortillas with mixture and serve. Nutritional Information: 398 calories, 50 carbs, 13 fat grams and 19 protein grams. You could easily cut this down by using 2 eggs instead of 3, or subbing in some egg whites! Either way, it was yummy – definitely a favorite, going in the recipe file. It’s super filling, too!

K – me and T are to the gym, back home to shower, then off to shop and to see Twilight! I can't wait to catch up on your blogs when I get home from the movie!

Blog Update, New Recipe, 4.5 miles + back + biceps + shoulders + abs

Thanks, Ladies! I'll definitely post some more house pics soon. I really appreciate your nice words though and SO hope I love the rug when it comes in. :) Decorating makes me smile!

So, backing up....Yesterday was another blah, ugly day! I worked and had an offsite from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. Therefore I: didn’t get to workout, got behind at work, went out to eat and didn’t do well… I ordered a veggie sandwich (first time ever)… but I pigged out on chips/cheese dip… oh well! Back to work…with a tummy ache. Then I drove straight home passing not one, not two, but THREE gyms I could have stopped at! But instead I watched TV (Gossip Girl meh; Glee made me cry; ANTM boring), hung out with Austin/Reuben, did shoulders/back/biceps and abs, and went to bed by 11 p.m. Love it. Thanks to my overly caloric lunch and multiple snickers mini binges, I ended up at 1,933 calories, 221 carbs, 77 fat grams and 102 protein grams. All in all I must say, my first (and last) experience with hot blue cheese dip over kettle chips was amazing! Here’s what I ate.

Today was a MUCH better day! I got a lot done at work, walked 2 miles, ran 1.5 miles (longest yet!) and then walked 1 more mile, to a total of 4.5 miles in 59 minutes (burned 257 calories). I ran at 6.3 miles. I honestly felt like I could have gone a bit farther, but didn’t want to push it. Lately, when I’m not wearing socks/running shoes, the inside of both of my feet hurt. Like where a bunion would be… I hope it’s nothing or just sore from these CUTE t-strap round toe heels I wore two days in a row to work. Which I won’t be wearing again if they reveal to be the culprit…

As far as eats, breakfast was honey nut cheerios/fat-free milk, 11 a.m. snack was corn chips/fat-free sour cream/salsa with a diet coke. Yum! Lunch at 2 p.m. was Bourbon Chicken. Fabulous! Then it was back to work with a yummy kashi cookie snack at 4:30 p.m.!

Blog Update: I added a new section at the top – Books. I’ve noticed that the blog is less about tracking weight/exercise/etc. then it used to be (although I still do that a lot... clearly!). I love reading and wanted to devote a part of the site to it, so I did! It’s basically a list of the books I read and links to reviews – hope you enjoy!

Has your blog turned out differently then you thought it would? I never thought I would cook/have a recipes section or read again/have a book section or strength train on the regular/have an ST section! It’s fun to surprise yourself. I’m even thinking of adding a ‘home’ section since I’ve so enjoyed updating it. Good times!

So I ended up working late and not going to back to the gym for more mileage, but that’s okay. I’ll do it this weekend! Instead I hung out with the family and cooked a new recipe from Favorite Family Recipes for dinner: Garlic Ranch Chicken Pizza. Here’s how I made it for ONE serving (one pizza):

4 oz. Trader Joe’s Pizza Dough
2 tbsp fat-free ranch dressing
1 tsp minced garlic
28 grams Trader Joe’s Mozzarella cheese
2 slices butterball turkey bacon, cooked and crumbled
1.5 oz. chicken, cut into bite size pieces (rub with ¼ tsp olive oil and sprinkle with Montreal Chicken Seasoning on both sides; pan fry until chicken is cooked through)
3 slices tomatoes, thinly sliced
1 tbsp fresh parsley, finely diced

Another shot!

Mix ranch dressing and garlic together. Spread evenly on pizza dough. Add chicken and bacon. Sprinkle cheese over that, then add tomatoes. Put in the oven at 425 degrees for about 12-15 minutes or until crust is a nice golden-brown. Top with parsley. Nutritional Information: 492 calories, 62 carbs, 12 fat grams and 26 protein grams.

It was so good you guys! So FILLING! I could only eat ¾ of it, so Austin ate the other quarter. Good stuff, added to my fave recipes for sure! Thanks, Favorite Family Recipes! I would give my stats, but i'm thinking of having a glass of wine with Austin later! So, for now, good night!! Hope you're having Happy Thursdays!

House Stuff, Good/Bad News, 4 Miles and a New Recipe

Good News: I got the house bug again - yay!
Bad News: I haven't taken any pictures or really finished any projects.

Good News: I bought new end tables for the seating area!
Bad News: They need to be on a rug... and I looked everywhere for a rug. For reals, Friday I went to Ikea, Target, Ballard Designs, Home Depot, Rooms 2 Go, Home Goods, Pier 1, J.C. Penney and Pottery Barn. (also hit up the bank, Radio Shack, etc. blah)

Good News: I found a rug and bought it today!
Bad News: It won't be delievered until "2-3 weeks."

Sigh.

Here is a photo of the end tables and of the rug. Hopefully in 2-3 weeks you can see the final product!

I got this in an 8 'x 11'... I'm nervous I'll hate it in person! haha But they did free shipping and to take it back I just have to take it to the store which is, conveniently, 15 minutes from my office and my house!

The end tables. LOVE them. They're already out but I think they'll look a bazillion times better once they're on the rug above!


Good News: I got a new iPhone.
Bad News: My computer isn't recognizing it so I have no music, photos, phone numbers, etc.

Good News: Aside from the rug and end tables, I got 3 gallery lights to hang above art in the living room and den, 2 condiment trays with tiny square dishes for dips, a mirror for the half bath, two new throws for the living room and den as well as 2 diploma frames.
Bad news: The lights have yet to be hung... the dipoma frames have yet to be filled... and I need to take a picture of the mirror (LOVE it though, friends). I'll do a before/after.

So, to go quickly to usual programming, not much has been up here. The weather has been dismal, my motivation has been obsolete and I'm wondering if I have SAD (or if i'm just a big whiner). Monday I still had an achey tummy which ruled out exercise. Blah. I did use my lunch break to continue on my rug quest to no avail. I went straight home from work and got in bed with a bottle of pepto, pupper, Austin and a new book: Meg Cabot's Big Boned. My eats were random at best (probably not helping said tummy troubles), and I ended up at 1,623 calories, 172 carbs, 64 fat grams and 84 protein grams. Here's what I ate.

Tuesday I felt much better, and TOM was officially gone. Yessss. I walked 4 miles during lunch burning 245 calories. I then worked, carpooled home and got to cooking this week's meals. Yum. The cooking included a new recipe that i'm loving: Baked Shrimp in Tomatoes and Feta. I found this on Aggie's Kitchen, where she got it from Ellie Krieger/Craving Ellie in my Belly. Here's my version of the recipe for FOUR servings:



1 tbsp olive oil
½ cup onions
1 tsp minced garlic
1 (14.5-ounce) can diced tomatoes, with their juices
2 tbsp fresh parsley, finely diced
1 tbsp fresh basil, finely diced
2 tsp dried oregano
Pinch of red pepper flakes
1 pound medium shrimp, peeled and deveined
1/8 tsp salt
1/8 tsp freshly ground black pepper
4 oz. crumbled Fat-Free feta cheese

8 oz. angel hair pasta

Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F. Heat oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Add onion and cook, stirring, until softened, about 3 minutes, then add the garlic and cook for 1 minute. Add tomatoes and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to medium-low and simmer for 5 minutes, until tomato juices thicken. Remove from heat and transfer to 8x8 baking dish. Stir in parsley, basil, oregano and shrimp. Season with salt and pepper and sprinkle feta over the top. Bake until the shrimp are cooked through and cheese melts, about 12 minutes. Serve with pasta. Nutritional Information: 419 calories, 52 carbs, 6 fat grams and 39 protein grams.

I loved it! I think it's going to reheat well, too (even though I used angel hair pasta which sometimes doesn't heat up the best). Definitely going in my recipe book FOR SURE! After dinner I just lounged around and prepared for the day, then fell asleep around 11 - nice! I also ordered me and Teresa's Twilight tickets for Saturday - yay!! I ended up at 1,779 calories, 238 carbs, 44 fat grams and 101 protein grams. Not bad! Here's what I ate.

Athens in Photogs, 2 Movie Reviews, 3.5 Miles

Oh Athens. How packed you get on big game day weekends. One in one out is not my idea of a good time. I spent more time waiting to order a drink then actually drinking. I was forced to hover above a port-a-potty – by far the nastiest one I’d ever encountered. I stumbled across not one but two people in different bars throwing up. In the sink. Did I have a good time regardless? I did! It was AWESOME to get to see so many of our friends, try out some new bars (minus puking patrons), get to know the city better, see Austin’s family, get to know his little bro’s girlfriend, etc. Tailgating was a blast, the game…. Eh... still a really good weekend.

Me with Austin and his parents, their friends the Sullivan's and his bro and his friend Alex

This made me laugh. ALL over this town girls were charging phones at bars.

Me and the girls!

Austin and the boys!

Me, Austin, Jamie and Candice! She was just diagnosed with swine flu - such a little soldier!

So Friday I didn’t take pictures of my house stuff mostly because the BIGGEST thing I set out to do I couldn’t accomplish (buying a rug). But I’m still on the hunt and as SOON as it gets here I will be taking many, many pictures!! I also didn’t take any pics that night but had fun with Andy/Mon/Candice/Jamie and their crew, before meeting up with Tyler (brother in law) and his girlfriend, and then Atlanta peeps. Great night! Just stayed up too late. I ended up at, give or take, 2,174 calories, 175 carbs, 63 fat grams and 108 protein grams. Here’s what I ate.

Saturday I got up and went down to the condo gym! I walked 2 miles, ran 1 mile, then walked a half mile burning 263 calories – woo! Great workout. I ran back up, showered, got ready and had lunch. Then it was off to tailgate all day – blast! Then I sent Austin off to the game and hung out with a couple who is still in school in AU (little baybays!) – Anne Marie and Adam. Good times yet again! While Auburn lost, I had a lot of fun!! Austin came to get me after the game, took me home and put me in bed at midnight (I could no longer hang for sure having been steadily drinking all. Day. long. He went out and woke me up at 3 when he got in. Lovely! Haha He brought pizza so I ate some. What is wrong with me? Hehe I ended up at 2,221 calories, 171 carbs, 37 fat grams and 90 protein grams. Here’s what I ate. I can say though: I had no tailgate food and nothing that I didn’t bring/make myself (except for that pizza). However, I had enough vodka to sink a small ship. Grrrr.

Sunday I woke up early feeling great, made breakfast for the group and we headed home on a beautiful day around 11 a.m. My stomach apparently hates vodka and began letting me know….I felt AWFUL the whole way home then spent the day feeling like I was going to die. DAMN YOU, VODKA. I did, however, watch two movies that I think will both stay with me. The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas. Um, what was I thinking? It sounded SO good and I loved the idea of different perspective on the holocaust from an 8-year-old German soldier’s son. But then it was like a train wreck. You KNEW nothing good was coming and they gave you the worst possible scenario and you just kept. on. watching. Wow. I was stunned into silence. Then later came District 9. I was like aliens. Whatevs. Didn’t know a lot about it. Then I was BLOWN AWAY by how the story was told, the parallels with apartheid, xenophobia, etc. I just couldn’t get enough of it and so hope the sequel comes out so I can have more closure! By the end of both of these movies (which I give both a 5 out of 5 even though they’re tres different… although both essentially revolved around concentration camps...) I was an emotional wreck and couldn’t even sleep! Why do I do this to myself??! Anywho, I ended up at 1,334 calories, 188 carbs, 42 fat grams and 55 protein grams. Here’s what I ate.

Have you seen either of these movies? Do you want to?

Have you done any new things to your casa lately?! If so, what? If not, what do you want to do most?