Friday, September 30, 2011
Prayers have been answered!
Our friend is speaking today and even playing games with his brothers...and not playing fair:) Great news!!! I will keep you all updated! His recovery was supposed to be 6 to 12 months...but maybe not;) I will let you know if we hear anything else! Thank you all.
Thursday, September 29, 2011
Prayers
I don't usually post prayer requests but I wanted to ask you all to pray for a family friend of ours. He recently had a brain aneurysm and was air lifted to Seattle. They have done surgery but he isn't out of the woods yet. We are so grateful that he is alive! We would like to ask for prayers for his family, and for his full recovery. Thank you all! This means a lot.
Tuesday, August 16, 2011
Summer Colors
Here is another lovely dress that can flow seamlessly between seasons. A beautiful sweater will get you into fall, where a pair of knee high boots will take it into winter, well...unless you have 6 feet of snow on the ground:) As you can tell, I love dresses but they aren't my go to items in my closet. As winter is getting closer and closer at hand, I am trying to inspire myself to keep wearing my dresses, even when it gets cold. Any item of clothing in your closet you are having issues parting with as the weather changes???
One dress, two different looks
With all of our summer dresses we have in our closet, I am looking at ways to accessorize them well into winter. From parties to just hanging out with friends, here is one simple dress going from flip flops in the summer to dinner out, and lunch with the girls.
Monday, July 11, 2011
Recipes- To DIE for Chocolate Cake
2 C. Flour
2 C. Sugar
2 Eggs
3/4 C. Oil
3/4 C. Buttermilk
1 Bar German Chocolate (Or...what I do Is one cup of chocolate chips)
2 Tsp. Baking Soda
1 Tsp. Baking Powder
1/2 Tsp. Vanilla
1/2 Tsp. Salt
Add all ingredients together EXCEPT chocolate. Stir until everything is completely mixed. Pour 1 cup of hot coffee over chocolate to melt. Once melted, add to cake mix.
Bake @ 350 degrees for 35 minutes until toothpick comes out clean.
This cake is moist and brownie like. You will need to trim the top to make a strait top for frosting. Worth it though!!! It is also good plain sprinkled with powdered sugar! Enjoy!
Please note...this is NOT healthy...:) But I bake and I don't take short cuts on baking, also I rarely eat the sweets so I figure if I indulge every once in a while...it should be something really good!!:)
2 C. Sugar
2 Eggs
3/4 C. Oil
3/4 C. Buttermilk
1 Bar German Chocolate (Or...what I do Is one cup of chocolate chips)
2 Tsp. Baking Soda
1 Tsp. Baking Powder
1/2 Tsp. Vanilla
1/2 Tsp. Salt
Add all ingredients together EXCEPT chocolate. Stir until everything is completely mixed. Pour 1 cup of hot coffee over chocolate to melt. Once melted, add to cake mix.
Bake @ 350 degrees for 35 minutes until toothpick comes out clean.
This cake is moist and brownie like. You will need to trim the top to make a strait top for frosting. Worth it though!!! It is also good plain sprinkled with powdered sugar! Enjoy!
Please note...this is NOT healthy...:) But I bake and I don't take short cuts on baking, also I rarely eat the sweets so I figure if I indulge every once in a while...it should be something really good!!:)
Thursday, June 2, 2011
I really hate my laptop!!!
So I have totally bailed on using my laptop because the last 2 posts I tried to create, crashed on my laptop computer. The whole computer just shut down. No warning...nothing. So in light of my recent eviction from my laptop computer, I now sit in my dark basement composing this post. I can't say I am happy about being locked in my basement with my HUGE desktop computer. But hey...I guess a girl has got to do what a girl has got to do.
So I have had an interesting time with my Joe's jeans. The gal at Norstroms said, buy them tight, they stretch out. Well I bumped into a counter top in my bathroom...barely mind you, I didn't even say ouch, and it ripped a hole in my jeans. To be fair, they were a lighter weight denim but come on! I have had jeans that I paid under $20- for and have lasted years...so what's up Joe's? The gal on the phone at Nordie's implied that I may have been to big for my britches however the gal in the dressing room said the opposite. To the gal on the phone...I have one word for you *Phhhtttttt* (whilest sticking out my tongue like a juvenile). Who does that?!?! Uhm your low quality jeans ripped...my bum is fine. My husband says so ALL the time;) So in light of my new found informative conversation with the help desk at Nordstroms, I am banning all Joe's jeans from my home. Who wants to spend $100- + on jeans that you only get to wear once I say?!?!? I want a bit more for my money. So... I have taken it upon myself to check ebay for new jeans. Something that someone bought and regretted buying...that is who I am looking for. And I found several. I have bought a pair of Seven for all Mankind "A Pockets" New with tags for $35- and a pair of Citizens for Humanity for $20-. Now you say...NO WAY:) I say Yes WAY:) I think if I rip these out, I will be not quite as upset as I was when the Joe's died their awful death. Nordstrom's is taking them back and refunding me my money but nothing will heal the wound of some mysterious Nordstrom call center gal insinuating that my bun's were too big for my britches. Not even close lady!!!! PS the Jeans I have found on Ebay...you need to be really careful of fakes. There are several blogs that depict the exact qualities you should be looking for to avoid paying for fake jeans. Pocket styles, labels, locations of printing on the jeans...yadda yadda. But if you want designer jeans, you research it and take a leap. I am so happy with my purchases and not a bit bitter about being told I have a big bum:)
Have a good night!
So I have had an interesting time with my Joe's jeans. The gal at Norstroms said, buy them tight, they stretch out. Well I bumped into a counter top in my bathroom...barely mind you, I didn't even say ouch, and it ripped a hole in my jeans. To be fair, they were a lighter weight denim but come on! I have had jeans that I paid under $20- for and have lasted years...so what's up Joe's? The gal on the phone at Nordie's implied that I may have been to big for my britches however the gal in the dressing room said the opposite. To the gal on the phone...I have one word for you *Phhhtttttt* (whilest sticking out my tongue like a juvenile). Who does that?!?! Uhm your low quality jeans ripped...my bum is fine. My husband says so ALL the time;) So in light of my new found informative conversation with the help desk at Nordstroms, I am banning all Joe's jeans from my home. Who wants to spend $100- + on jeans that you only get to wear once I say?!?!? I want a bit more for my money. So... I have taken it upon myself to check ebay for new jeans. Something that someone bought and regretted buying...that is who I am looking for. And I found several. I have bought a pair of Seven for all Mankind "A Pockets" New with tags for $35- and a pair of Citizens for Humanity for $20-. Now you say...NO WAY:) I say Yes WAY:) I think if I rip these out, I will be not quite as upset as I was when the Joe's died their awful death. Nordstrom's is taking them back and refunding me my money but nothing will heal the wound of some mysterious Nordstrom call center gal insinuating that my bun's were too big for my britches. Not even close lady!!!! PS the Jeans I have found on Ebay...you need to be really careful of fakes. There are several blogs that depict the exact qualities you should be looking for to avoid paying for fake jeans. Pocket styles, labels, locations of printing on the jeans...yadda yadda. But if you want designer jeans, you research it and take a leap. I am so happy with my purchases and not a bit bitter about being told I have a big bum:)
Have a good night!
Monday, May 16, 2011
Banana Republic Sale
I got this shirt in a royal blue and it's a lot more attractive in person. Most of the shirts I tried on at bananna are either true to size or a bit big so some you might have to size down. For reference, both shirts I bought in xs and I am 5'3" 34 bust and typically wear a 0 or 2, in shirts typically a small.
This sale can be made even better if you have a gap card points saved up. My friend had some saved up and got some screamin' deals yesterday! Happy Shopping!
Thursday, May 12, 2011
Have you checked out...
...Ruche? I just happened upon this store on line at the suggestion of one of my very stylish friends. They have a lot of very cute cloths at very reasonable prices. She informed me that she has many pieces from this shop and they are made well. Hu...go figure;) Well I am game. I made a little polyvore clip to showcase some of the cute items I found why par-rousing their website. Anyone else shopped there? What have been your experiences? Leave a comment below I would love to know what you think of their clothing and jewelry.
Also yesterdays food wasn't as good as Tuesday but still fair. I didn't feel well all day so I snacked more (because that is what I do) I think that stuffing more in my tummy will make my tummy feel better. Hasn't worked yet so why do I do it??? I don't know.
So yesterday....
Fiber One Cereal 3/4 Cup with unsweetened soymilk
Lunch 3 scrambled eggs as prepared the day before
Dinner 5 Oz cheese 3 saltines 1 slice of orange and One granola bar
Snack 2 handfuls of popcorn
I will total everything up later but I KNOW the granola bar alone was more than 15g carb. Sooo...I was over at dinner. But probably not terrible.
Hope you are having a great week!
Also yesterdays food wasn't as good as Tuesday but still fair. I didn't feel well all day so I snacked more (because that is what I do) I think that stuffing more in my tummy will make my tummy feel better. Hasn't worked yet so why do I do it??? I don't know.
So yesterday....
Fiber One Cereal 3/4 Cup with unsweetened soymilk
Lunch 3 scrambled eggs as prepared the day before
Dinner 5 Oz cheese 3 saltines 1 slice of orange and One granola bar
Snack 2 handfuls of popcorn
I will total everything up later but I KNOW the granola bar alone was more than 15g carb. Sooo...I was over at dinner. But probably not terrible.
Hope you are having a great week!
Wednesday, May 11, 2011
Health and Food Cont...
So yesterday I promised to let you know what I ate for the rest of the day. My husband came home for lunch yesterday so I did make those wraps. Although my husband doesn't like fetta so I substituted fresh mozzarella instead.
The wrap included:
1 Smart & Delicious Tortilla 6 Carbs 1 Sugar Whole Wheat and 80 Calories
About 1 tsp. of sundried tomatoes 5 Carbs 3 Sugar 70 Calories
Approximately 4oz Mozzarella Cheese 4 Carbs 0 Sugar 84 Calories
1/2 Chicken Breast no skin 0 Carbs 0 Sugar 142 Calories
I drank water with lunch
Total Lunch: 15 Carbs, 4 Sugar, 367 Calories
Dinner was Tilliapa with lemon and brown butter, with asparagus
6oz Serving of Fish 0 Carb 0 Sugar 27 Calories per ounce soooo 162 Calories
Now I used 1 tbs of butter for 4 fish fillets, covered with pan lid until one side was done, flipped, put back on pan lid until done. Butter browned giving a sweeter flavor. I used also unsalted butter.
1/4 tsb butter 0 Carb 0 Sugar and 25 Calories
Lemon Pepper Seasoning 0 Carb 0 Calories
Asparagus 1 cup 2 carbs 3 Sugars 27 Calories
Olive Oil Probably about a tsp? I drizzle across top of all asparagus So...0 Carb 0 sugar and 40 calories
Seasonings...0
Total Dinner: 2 Carbs 3 sugars and 214 Calories
Breakfast was 2.5 Eggs approximatley 0 carb 0 sugar 71 calories each, we will round to 177 calories total
cream probably 1/8 of a cup for all so I will divide that by 3...0 carb 0 sugar and 120 calories
ketchup hunts 1 tbs 5 carb 4 sugar 20 calories
Breakfast total for the day was: 317 Calories 5 Carbs and 4 Sugars
Days total calories was 898 I maintained my carbs and sugars at each meal.
The wrap included:
1 Smart & Delicious Tortilla 6 Carbs 1 Sugar Whole Wheat and 80 Calories
About 1 tsp. of sundried tomatoes 5 Carbs 3 Sugar 70 Calories
Approximately 4oz Mozzarella Cheese 4 Carbs 0 Sugar 84 Calories
1/2 Chicken Breast no skin 0 Carbs 0 Sugar 142 Calories
I drank water with lunch
Total Lunch: 15 Carbs, 4 Sugar, 367 Calories
Dinner was Tilliapa with lemon and brown butter, with asparagus
6oz Serving of Fish 0 Carb 0 Sugar 27 Calories per ounce soooo 162 Calories
Now I used 1 tbs of butter for 4 fish fillets, covered with pan lid until one side was done, flipped, put back on pan lid until done. Butter browned giving a sweeter flavor. I used also unsalted butter.
1/4 tsb butter 0 Carb 0 Sugar and 25 Calories
Lemon Pepper Seasoning 0 Carb 0 Calories
Asparagus 1 cup 2 carbs 3 Sugars 27 Calories
Olive Oil Probably about a tsp? I drizzle across top of all asparagus So...0 Carb 0 sugar and 40 calories
Seasonings...0
Total Dinner: 2 Carbs 3 sugars and 214 Calories
Breakfast was 2.5 Eggs approximatley 0 carb 0 sugar 71 calories each, we will round to 177 calories total
cream probably 1/8 of a cup for all so I will divide that by 3...0 carb 0 sugar and 120 calories
ketchup hunts 1 tbs 5 carb 4 sugar 20 calories
Breakfast total for the day was: 317 Calories 5 Carbs and 4 Sugars
Days total calories was 898 I maintained my carbs and sugars at each meal.
Tuesday, May 10, 2011
Health and Food
So I had a friend ask me the other day "what do you eat?". I hadn't really thought about it since making the food adjustments 4 years back it is now habit but yes, food is always on my mind. What can I have? How much sugar does that have, if I have it...what is lower carb that I can eat with it? Just a constant thing going on in my head. I think if you ask anyone who has had to make lifestyle changes they will tell you that it is constant work and it isn't easy. I know we all want the quick fix sometimes but really, for the health of your body, for the long term, we need to be patient. The results will come. I am the first to tell you that I am not patient in this area of my life. Its frustrating to wait to loose the 4lbs I gained over winter. And on my frame, 4 lbs is noticeable...and I gain all my weight in my waist line. Lovely. So take a 5lb bag of sugar...place it in your midsection and go WHOA:) Yea. Well according to my research, people with sugar issues typically gain weight in their midsections. That doesn't mean that if you are overweight you are a diabetic...but it does mean that if you are "an apple shape", gain weight in your gut first, hold on to it here...you might want to watch your sugar intakes. $ years ago when I was told I was borderline diabetic, I searched the web for information. I found a book called The Schwarzbein Principal. It is written by two doctors practicing in California. This is not a diet, to lose weight diet...but a healthy way of eating diet for those whom have food related conditions IE diabetes, chronic headaches, digestional issues. It's not crazy food either...like seaweed from the shores of some remote part of the world. They have suggestions for menu's but really, you are the one making choices...you just have guidelines. She suggests that diabetics should have 15 carb meals and 2 7 carb snacks per day. Now that is the start and you can adjust as time goes on but at really these levels, my body feels and looks it's best. Now when I said I gained a little weight over winter...I was not strict about my levels of carbohydrates at each meal. I am now being more diligent again and making healthier choices but at the same time, allowing myself a piece of something sweet at a holiday or special occasion. You can't limit yourself so much that you want to cheat all the time. You want to feel happy about the choices you are making. Soooo here is what I do and firmly believe in. Fake food...like fat substitutes (in most "non-fat" items) I do not eat. Also, lowfat...I am sketchy about. If they add something man made to substitute something that came naturally...I think there is something wrong with that. I only eat butter. Margarine is another man made item. Bugs won't even eat it. If you left it out side...bugs won't eat it. I think that says something right there. I know this is why I picked up Dr. Schwarzbein's book. She believes the same thing. I never understood substituting something out of a food just so you didn't feel guilty about eating it. So if you want a hamburger, let's make one shall we?!?!:) Ok so for me, here is the choices I make...I like blue cheese, so we mix blue cheese in with our hamburger meat. This is chemial free beef raised in Omak by a friend. We buy 1/2 a cow each year and store it in a freezer. We then how how our meat was treated, raised, and processed. I know you all can't do that so watch your labels. Now...I use the Oroweat Sandwich Thins for a bun. Just thinner, whole wheat, 5g fiber and 17g total Carb and only 2g sugar. Now if you are saying whoa...that is 2g over your allotted 15g carb per meal...you would be right. I don't eat hamburgers every day and WITH a bun...maybe twice a year. So I take the 2 carbs and go with it. The rest of the meal would be a salad with homemade dressing, I like italian. And if you are saying...ugh...to much work, it really isn't. If you have olive oil, balsamic vinegar, and some seasonings...you have dressing. I was using the garlic flavored Ms. Dash in with equil parts oil and vinegar...voila...dressing. And really tasty dressing too. With out the sugar or preservatives. Now most times, I skip the bread all together. I will have the hamburger plain with the Spicy brown mustard on the side, a salad or fresh veggies to top off the meal. I USED to drink a lot of crystal light. The good doctor would be freaking out if she heard that...but yes, I used to drink a lot of it. And... I have stopped lately. Why? Because I have been having horrid migraines and if you read my blog before, I cut out cheese to see if that was my trigger, it wasn't so I am happily back on cheese. But quietly I stopped consuming fake sugars and coffee. I am happy to report I have been HEADACHE free for 3 months. Not only are the migraines gone but so are the consistent headaches I used to get. I don't know which one was the dastardly culprit but I am thankful to have my headache problem in the past. So, If you want the real sugar, measure what you get. Drink a real glass of lemon-aid every once in a while if you have to but I would suggest staying far away from the fake stuff if you can. I still need to try stevia and since it is a natural sweetener...I might want to use that. But we will see. Just be sure you KNOW what you are consuming. When you absentmindedly snack or consume food, you will be surprised how much more you eat. If you say, I want almonds and a slice of cheese. You measure out 7g of carb for almonds, get your slice of cheese for a snack. But if you put a bag in front of you, and the block of cheese, guaranteed you will eat more.
So here is what I have eaten today...
Breakfast was scrambled eggs (2 plus eggs mixed with whole cream) I say 2plus because I made 7 for 3 people and one was my husband.)
A cup of Earl Grey Tea no sweetener
Eggs eaten with a tsp of ketchup
Snack was a slice of white cheddar and a spoon full of peanut butter. I know weird...but it sounded good;)
Lunch will probably be a wrap...I will let you know. There are these low carb whole wheat tortillias at costco that I love. 6g carb per tortilla. So my wrap of chicken, sundried tomatoes and fetta will be under the 15g. mark. MMMM Sounds good eh:)
Ok...well I hope this helps. I am sorry I haven't done anything on health lately, so I vow, I will start posting my food intake more often. Maybe that will help not only myself chart what I am eating but will help you as well.
So here is what I have eaten today...
Breakfast was scrambled eggs (2 plus eggs mixed with whole cream) I say 2plus because I made 7 for 3 people and one was my husband.)
A cup of Earl Grey Tea no sweetener
Eggs eaten with a tsp of ketchup
Snack was a slice of white cheddar and a spoon full of peanut butter. I know weird...but it sounded good;)
Lunch will probably be a wrap...I will let you know. There are these low carb whole wheat tortillias at costco that I love. 6g carb per tortilla. So my wrap of chicken, sundried tomatoes and fetta will be under the 15g. mark. MMMM Sounds good eh:)
Ok...well I hope this helps. I am sorry I haven't done anything on health lately, so I vow, I will start posting my food intake more often. Maybe that will help not only myself chart what I am eating but will help you as well.
Monday, May 9, 2011
Shopping trip for cravings!
$28 - anthropologie.com
Anthropologie Asymetrical Wedge Heel...on clearance;) Oh LALA!
AND when I called the New York store to have them shipped to me, they gave me my 15% off birthday discount even though you are
supposed to only be given the discount in person....she also gave me free shipping. SOOO all in all I picked these beauties up for a
screamin' deal. Ok a deal to me;)
Also the Ella Moss Blue shirt above, I got something similar...it was by Joie an is the same structure but with 3/4 sleeves. Also with out the price tag of the Ella Moss blouse. Which, BTW I am not opposed to spending a little $ on something if I LOVE it...Love Love, not a fleeting fancy:) I did not LOVE love the Ella Moss one...but that is ok, I found something else.
I also came away with 2 silk scarfs for my hair. On sale yet again. Love that!
Jeans were found at Nordstrom's Rack. Always check there first just in case they have something that will work for you. Typically it is half the price.
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