heart shaped holiday

Valentines Day, Schmalentines Day. No fancy plans for this one but as long as I don't receive a giant teddy bear, I'm good with however it goes down. If you don't know what I'm talking about, here you go: Teddy Bear Commercial ... Yes that is real life. A hundred dollars real life. Buy me a handbag, a pair of shoes or anything besides a stuffed bear for that matter.

I do love a good holiday. A reason to be cheesy, decorate and make everything my favorite color.. PINK. My house decor isn't festive for today but you bet your ass that Tay has a heart shaped PB&J in her lunch box. Or that their milk this morning is pink, pancakes are heart shaped and strawberries are too. When I was a kid each holiday was made special/fun somehow for me. A little gift, everything themed for that day (ie: heart shaped everything). It's something that I now do for my kids and I hope they always remember it.

This year they got candy (heart shapes chocolates, what else?) and The Jungle Book. The excitement I feel when any movie is released from the Disney Vault that we don't already have might not be normal. And with Valentines Day, it made for a perfect gift. When showing Shon what "we" got the kids, I also learned that this is his favorite Disney movie. Which knocked my socks off because to my knowledge he didn't know what Disney was. Boy was I wrong. A present the whole family can enjoy and I feel a movie night soon.

For my other half, instead of giving it to him after work, I decided to set it out by our Keurig so he would see it when he made his morning coffee. He leaves at the ass crack of dawn so believe me when I say I wasn't awake to personally give it to him. And who doesn't love an unexpected surprise? But it's this romantic card (also see: sarcasm), Godiva Chocolate Truffles, that I like to think he will share with me and Pacer tickets. I'm kind of a keeper and what that really means is I IZ a keeper. 

How do you make Valentines Day special for your Valentines? (kids & significant others) 

Last night I made zoodles for the first time. For those of you that don't know, that is zucchini in noodle form. I've done the spaghetti squash thing which is great but this one takes the cake. Mmmm, did I just say cake?? 

Zoodles

• Julienne tool (click here for the one I have)
• Zucchini (I used 4)
• Turkey Italian Sausage (casing removed and cut into small chunk and I used 3 links but only had about 1 for myself.) 
• Minced garlic (about 2 cloves) 
• Sweet peppers 
• Onion
• Low sodium tomato sauce or make your own (I actually didn't use any but put some on Shons)

I load up on the veggies so just do however much you want.

Stick a fork in the end of a zucchini to help hold down. Take julienne tool (mine is very sharp so be careful!) and just go to work, shredding errr julienning (?) away. In a large skillet on about medium heat toss in sausage, garlic, onion & peppers. Cook until sausage is done and adjust heat if needed so you don't over cook veggies. Toss in all your zoodles and cook for about 2 minutes or until they are heated through. Last step would be to mix in the tomato sauce if you'd like. 

Another meal in the books without the guilt!

Linking up with Whitney (I Wore Yoga Pants) for #backthatazzup Friday!

 

the 90s is my morning cure

Today is day two of the in the works new routine. I said we are usually out of the house at 8:15. I decided to set my first (of three) alarms for 6:15, the next for 6:30 and the last for 6:45. I always make my daughters lunch the night before, but I thought 'what else can I do?' So I packed up as much as I could before going to bed, put what I could put in my car, made sure my kids had clothes laid out and as for me, it's just which pair of yoga pants to throw on with what top. I have to MAKE myself go to bed, so why is it that the second my first alarm goes off, I suddenly melt into the mattress and decide there is nowhere else I'd rather be? I wasn't going to tell myself that I would lay there just a little lot longer. Or that my hair will look ok if I throw it up in a messy bun. So I grabbed my phone, shut off all the alarms and starting doing my morning phone routine. You know, weather, email, Instagram, Twitter and Facebook. I did it one time through and said 'Ok, time to get up.' I grabbed my iPad, turned on Pandora (90s Pop if you want to know) and the rest is history. Yep, music did it for me. It's amazing what some good tunes can do for the soul, especially when it should be illegal to be awake. Oh and also reminding myself that a shower when kids are sleeping is a glorious thing. So that's just what I did and these two mornings have been spectacular. Thanks Britney, Christina, NSYNC, Sugar Ray & Matchbox 20.

Yesterday, Derek Jeter announced his retirement after this season and a part of me died. I was really hoping to find the picture with him from my trip to New York, and by him I mean his wax figure at Madame Tussauds. It's practically the same thing. Then I did what any normal person would do when hearing big news like this, hurried online and looked at the Yankees schedule. Maybe they'd play somewhere near us and we could make a game. since I'm sure the tickets would be affordable. If you didn't catch the sarcasm, there was a hint of it there.

 

What are your Valentines Day plans??

hashtag rise n grind

Routine is key, something I have a very firm belief in, especially with kids. I need a solid morning routine. I'd like to think that I have one, but it just isn't cuttin' it. I find myself waking up at different times each morning, sometimes later than I'd like or sometimes just so cold lazy I don't want to move from under the covers where I'm indulging in social media. With a sassy ants girl to get up and ready for school, a boy who loves his sleep up and ready for grandmas house, myself (which I often neglect) and two animals to take care of, I need to find something that works better. I make sure 95% of the time we are out of the house by 8:15, which is great, but if the morning didn't go smooth (ie: rushed, hectic, neglected myself), that sets the mood for the day. What is your morning routine like?

Clean eating is something I have become passionate about. I'm always looking for new recipes to try. I saw this next recipe on Pinterest a while ago and finally gave it a shot last night. I made some changes to the ones I found, didn't use any oil or flour, etc. So go ahead and add this to my pin there, done that list. True life: I have an unhealthy addiction to Pinterest.


Buffalo Cauliflower

• cauliflower
• seasonings (I used garlic powder, paprika, cayenne & black pepper)
• favorite buffalo/hot sauce

Preheat oven to 425. I took a half of a cauliflower head and chopped into small florets. Toss in a bowl and spray with Pam and desired seasonings. I took a foiled lined baking sheet and spread the cauliflower out flat. Bake for about 25-30 minutes or until desired crispiness. Drizzle buffalo/hot sauce. Serve with celery. 

Success!

With the midwest in this polar vortex, comfort food is a must. So after Whitney posted her recipe for chili, I started craving it and decided to make over my recipe into a skinny/healthy one. 

Skinny Chili

• 1 lb ground turkey
• minced garlic (about 3 cloves)
• 28 oz can of crushed tomatos - no sodium
• 14 oz can of petite diced tomatos - no sodium
• 3 tbsp tomato paste - no sodium
• half can (or a whole) of kidney beans - you guessed it, no sodium
• seasonings (I used black pepper, oregano, cayenne, chili powder) - to taste
• couple dashes of hot sauce
• chopped onion
• optional: jalapenos, bell peppers, cheese

Brown the turkey in a large pot, I used the minced garlic during this step. Drain any excess liquid. Dump all the remaining ingredients in the pot minus the chopped onion unless you want them cooked. For the seasonings, I just did it to taste, so just mess around with it until it's to your liking/spiciness. Cook for about an hour on medium-low, stirring occasionally. I made this Monday night, because Tuesdays are the one day I work AT the office (I work from home as most of your know.) I like to have a crock pot meal or easy meal since I get home later. This was perfect. I sprinkled the top of mine with the chopped onions. No cheese for me, womp womp. 

We loved it. I would of liked it a little more soupy, it was a thicker chili. 

But the flavor was great and we have leftovers. Score.

One last thing, Jennifer Aniston is 45 today. fourty-f'n-five.

Oh and Justin Timberlake will be on The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon, Friday February 21st! Make note.. now!

sleep is overrated

Friday, I'm so happy you are here and coffee, you will be my savior today. I stayed up entirely too late. You know, because American Idol, the Olympics, Jay Leno's farewell and then Jimmy Fallon's second to last show. Priorities are key. Those were mine. I think I last looked at the clock, aka my phone, at 2:15 am. By the way, does anyone still have a "real" clock?

Let's touch on Idol for a minute. I have watched this show since the first season. It's a guilty pleasure and I think Harry Connick Jr. is the best thing that has happened to it. He's funny, critical/harsh and let's be honest, easy on the eyes. Agree? Ok good. Moving on.

The Olympics. In Sochi, Russia! I. love. them. And real quick, if you aren't following @SochiProblems on Twitter, please do so now, you won't be sorry. So, Mogul Skiing. Makes my knees hurt just watching that. And that fall. Holy hell, ouch. Does anyone else feel the same about figure skating as I do? That the women are great, but I just can't bring myself to watch the men. It's the same for gymnastics. Oh but then there is couples figure skating, something that will never be viewed the same after Blades Of Glory. Yes, that terrible but laughable movie that Ricky Bobby and Napoleon Dynamite teamed up for. Some people see a beautiful routine, ok the Russian couple that scored an 83.something was pretty damn good, but I still see this:

Jay Leno. I've never been a huge fan, but I don't dislike him either. It's an end of era and watching last night was a must. He got emotional, then I got emotional. It's just the way it goes. Garth Brooks was amazing, but please tell me how people did not know the words to Friends In Low Places. Ok and on with the next host.. Jimmy Fallon! Be still my heart.

Thanks for 22 years, Jay!

And for anyone that watched Jimmy Fallon last night, I will leave you with this..

GUESS WHAT TIME IT IS...

Time to #backthatazzup, I haven't for a hot minute, excited to do so with Whitney Pants.

Because I love Macklemore.

cabin fever causes this

After blogging yesterday, I went through my "reading list" and "bookmarks" of my favorite blogs. I got rid of some that I didn't read anymore or blogs that aren't updated anymore, added a few new ones to the list, etc. Then I went through and made sure I was following them on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and Pinterest, because that's important right? I follow quite a few, but always looking for more. If you have any recommendations - send them my way!

After I did that, I started browsing the web. I blame it on cabin fever, what else am I supposed to do? We have snow on snow on snow. I have been lusting over a pair of Hunter boots for a while now. I'm still convinced I need them in my life. I WILL have them in my life.

I've also been eyeing this beaut for some time. Well a Mac in general since my high school days. Who remembers these? I remember thinking they were the coolest and after I saw Elle Woods buy one in Legally Blonde, all theories were confirmed.

But they grew up.... 

Meet Macbook Air

I need it. I want it. It would make all my work and blogging dreams come true. And I have a Best Buy credit card that is screaming to be used. Yep. I can add it to my little Apple family and they can all live happily ever after.

Snowy ass winters also equal lots of DVR and reading, at the same time usually. Multi-tasking at its finest. I'm excited to start this one, well I already have but I'm only 5% in. Book club anyone? 

It's time to finish my wine and watch American Idol and the Olympics.... and probably read. 

i made no promises..

Well here we are, 1 month and 4 days after my last blog post. There are people that can blog on a regular basis and then there is me. This year has been a ride already. A snowy one at that. Woke up this morning to more on top of what we already had. And a couple more coming this afternoon. I love the snow, but I'm ready for my black vehicle to not constantly be dirty. I'm ready to not have to wipe my dogs paws every. single. time. he goes outside. Or bundling my kids up in layers. Oh but just wait. When we get to the miserable hotness of the summer, I'll be bitchin then too.

This past month has also been full of clean eats. Follow me on Instagram? Yeah, you probably know then. I give myself 1 cheat day a week normally, that I go balls to the wall on and then wake up the next day with a terrible food hangover. But it's worth it. It's not a diet, it's a lifestyle.

Here is one of my new favorite recipes.

Faux Fried Rice

• cauliflower
• braggs liquid aminos (taste just like soy sauce)
• whatever veggies (chopped) you like in your rice, I did carrots, onions and green onions
• minced garlic
• egg beaten
• pam spray

I don't have measurements for this because I did everything to taste, minus the eggs. I used 2 for my huge batch of "rice" or  you can just eliminate the eggs if you prefer.

I took a whole cauliflower and grated it, I would say it was about half of the head, maybe more. Beware: I love cauliflower, but my entire house smelled funky from this. In a wok or skillet, heat pam to cover bottom of pan. Fry minced garlic and white part of green onions for approximately 1 minute. Add grated cauliflower and fry for approximately 5 minutes stirring constantly. Add your veggies and cook for another minute. Add braggs (or soy sauce) to taste and green onion tops, stir until mixed. Push mixture to side of pan. Add more pam if necessary, and scramble eggs in empty side of pan until done but still moist - I hate that word. Stir eggs into "rice" and remove from heat. You can also add meat if you'd like. I had shrimp on the side.

Delicious, without the guilt! Enjoy!!

Happy New Year!

Happy New Year (a day late!) It's been a minute since I've blogged and I'm not keeping any promises that I will stick with it again, but here's to trying! So I spent my New Years Day off yesterday, not hungover (HOORAY!) and redoing my blog. Woke up this morning to snow, which I love, but the roads are terrible and Mother Nature is ruining my lunch plans with two of my besties. Thank you.

Ahh New Years, does anyone else find it as magical as me? It's a time to start fresh.

2014, I'm gonna make you my bitch. 

What are your New Years Resolutions?? Mine are working on being a better mama & getting back in shape. No you won't find me at the gym with all the other New Years Lose-Weight-Resolutioners but I will be eating better (for the majority of the time), no more pop/energy drinks (I don't drink much of it anyway, but would be bad and sneak it at work and I love my captain & diet cokes), start running again, elliptical, weights at home, etc. So I did what any said resolutioner would do and pigged out NYE. I made snacks and drank a bottle of wine. You can judge me, it's fine.

TOP LEFT: ham and cheese sliders TOP RIGHT: guacamole

BOTTOM LEFT: white queso with a hint of bbq seasoning BOTTOM RIGHT: tomato parmesan crostinis 

Ham & Cheese Sliders

• 1 package of Kings Hawaiian Rolls (12 rolls)
• approx 24 slices of ham
• About 6 slices of swiss cheese (or any) I cut those in half and each little slider gets one of those halves
• mayo
• 1 stick of butter (melted)
• 1 1/2 tbsp of yellow mustard
• 1/2 tsp of worcestershire 
• 1 tbsp minced onions (I was out of onions so I just sprinkled some onion powder and garlic powder in the butter mixture)

Preheat oven to 350. Spread mayo on top and bottom of the inside of rolls. (These will need to be sliced) Place about 2 pieces of ham on each roll, top with cheese. Close rolls. Place very close together in a casserole pan. In a small  bowl, mix together all of the glaze ingredients. (butter, mustard, worcestershire & onion) Pour over all the little sliders. You may have some left over, I use it all though! Cover with foil and bake for 13 minutes. Uncover and bake for additional 2 minutes or until tops of golden and crispy. 

Tomato Parmesan Crostinis

• about 5-6 roma tomatoes 
• 2-3 garlic cloves, minced
• 2 tbsp chopped fresh basil
• 1/4 cup olive oil
• pepper to taste
• 1/2 cup fresh parmesan
• 1/2 cup mayo
• 1 loaf french bread (and slice it up)

Preheat oven to 400. Line a cookie sheet with foil. Combine the tomatoes, garlic, basil, olive oil and pepper. Mix well, set aside. Mix the Parmesan cheese and mayo in a small bowl. Spread mayo & cheese mixture on bread. Top each with a spoonful of the tomato mixture. Bake for 10 minutes or until bubble.