Diva in the Midwest

New Year and Meeting the Bloggers!

2011-01-17T22:12:00.003-06:00

Well it's a new year and I'm hoping it will be full of many exciting things for me!

I'm sure many of you follow Skinny Runner.
Her laid back humor always brings me back to life and helps inspire me to run. Well she was in town, along with a whole boatload of others, for the PF Chang's Rock n Roll Marathon and setup a get together in Phoenix while she was here.

We met at Seasons 52, (all the girls ran except me, boo for me being too down n out to run) for some healthy dining. I have to say it was a beautiful restaurant with great dessert!
It was so nice meeting everyone! It was my first blog meet up...and hope it's not the last.
Have a great evening ladies.

I'm In the Southwest Again

2011-01-15T15:24:00.002-06:00

Well I'm back in Az...for good. I have been wanting to move back here for some time now and I couldn't handle the harsh Midwest winters anymore. I was lucky enough to come across an opening with my company here in Arizona so I jumped at the chance. I won't go into much detail on anything else at this time but I'm excited to take on a new chapter in my life and see what the future holds. My blog name will change here soon but I haven't decided what to call it...

Arizona comes to the Midwest Part 2

2010-11-17T08:00:00.001-06:00

My second friend who came to visit was my first friend ever...Alecia.
She lived across the street from me growing up and our moms were pregnant at the same time. We had to have everything the same...dolls, jammies, you name it....
We did everything together...
After about 3 years, she moved away...we tried to stay in touch but it just didn't happen. Then one day I was playing outside during recess in grade school and saw the new girl standing by the tree--guess who, Alecia!! I couldn't believe it. We obviously picked up right where we left off with our friendship. Then high school came and we were still friends but in different activities and didn't really hang out much. So a few years rolled by and I'm on "Palm Walk" at Arizona State and who do I see--Alecia!

Wow how does God do this? He's great and obviously he wants us to be in each others lives, so we decided no matter what we're staying in touch, even if we're two time zones away! She's such a great person and is so understanding I just love her!!

Alecia and Duke, on our way to the NU vs. Iowa State game

Her husband, Phil aka Party Boy Japan...LOL, she comes up with the funniest names for him.

Of course we couldn't let them leave without some wings from Oscar's--Char buffed, the only way to go!Only 5 days until I go to Phoenix for Thanksgiving!! I can't wait to see my parents and my great friends...and to get away from the Arctic Circle--aka Midwest. We've already received our first of many snows of the season.

Have a great week girls!!

Arizona comes to the Midwest Part 1

2010-11-14T10:20:00.007-06:00

Hello all,
It's been one hectic fall! Over the past two weeks I've had two of my closest girls come visit me in the good ole Heartland!

First was my girl Ondrea. Our visit was full of fall festivities including tailgating...

(Wait a minute...two Sun Devils in Husker attire--when in Rome is all we can say....)

Stopping for a quick pumpkin photo shoot while shopping...

and of course,the Carrie Underwood concert!

Could my smile be any cheesier? NO! So scary, but such a cool shot with Underwood above us.

Overnight Breakfast

2010-09-05T08:42:00.005-05:00

Hello all!

I've been in the biggest blogging slump lately but I couldn't resist sharing with you my overnight breakfast I made for my husband, brother in law, and two nephews. It's usually a full house here on Nebraska game days, especially late ones, so I knew I needed to make an easy breakfast. I love "bed and breakfast" style menus but these boys don't eat ANY vegetables! After typing through a few recipes I decided on my menu:

~Cinnamon Rolls
~Bacon Biscuit Egg Casserole
~Orange Juice
~Coffee (for me :-)

I made these delicious Cinnamon Rolls adapted from Katie at Good Things Catered. Her recipes are yummy and relatively easy. I highly recommend her blog.

For the Egg Casserole, I made it on my own.
Bacon Biscuit Egg Casserole
~ 4 eggs
~ 1 c Whole Milk
~ Grands Flaky Biscuits
~ 1/2 tsp Italian Seasoning
~ 1/4 tsp Salt
~ 1/4 tsp Pepper
~ 3/4 c 2% Sharp Cheddar Cheese

1. In a stand mixer, whisk eggs, milk, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper until combined, about 1 minute. Stir in 1/2 cup of cheese.

2. Cut up biscuits into quarters

3. Pour half of egg mixture into a greased 8 in. square baking dish. Drop biscuit pieces evenly in dish. Pour remaining egg mixture on top of biscuits.

4. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate overnight. (You could just cook it now if you are making the morning of).

5. In the morning, preheat oven to 360°. Bake for 30 minutes or until casserole isn't runny in the middle anymore.

Have a happy Labor Day weekend!

Product Review: CustomFlex Fit Bras

2010-07-11T12:35:00.004-05:00

So many of you know I'm a bzz agent and I try products and rate them. Well this week in the mail, Barely There (aka Hanes) sent me this braand these undies
to test out. The bra is called CustomFit Flex meaning it's not a 34 B or C etc. It's a different sizing scale. Visit their website and you'll know what I mean.

I usually buy my bras and chones (that's undies to those not from the Southwest part of the country, or who don't speak Spanglish) from Victoria's Secret. I know they fit and it's what works...plus they're cute to boot!

The BRA: I was pleasantly surprised it was really comfy for a "going to work" or "t-shirt" bra. Not super sexy but looked great under clothes. It didn't ride up and didn't make me sweat or cut into my sides.

The PANTIES: These seemed like they were a little too small for my big butt. I'm pear shaped--well not really either, I just have an ass! Maybe a larger size would have worked better. I still wore them and they were pretty comfortable. I didn't like them as much as the bra, but still really nice for full butted underwear with no pantie lines.

Vegas!

2010-07-07T17:54:00.003-05:00

So I've been in a blogging rut lately, nor have I had time. So here are some now old pics of our last vacation to Vegas.

Happy Father's Day

2010-06-20T22:09:00.003-05:00

Today is Father's Day and I don't get to take many pics with my dad, especially with him smiling naturally (men hating smiling on cue, I don't know why) so I thought I'd share this pic from--well you can figure it out. I wish I didn't live so far away from you...I love you!
In honor of my dad, I'm using my palm sander and wood putty on my desk I'm painting. I wouldn't know any of this power tool stuff without him and I can't go into a Lowe's or Home Depot without thinking of him :-)

Oh and thanks to everyone who follows me...I have made it to the big 100!

PHX is The Place to Be!!

2010-06-13T17:05:00.003-05:00

Since I'm so good at blogging it's going on two weeks now, B and I went to Phoenix to visit my parents and friends for Memorial Day.
One of the things B has been really into is clay/sport shooting...whatever style-- he's into it.

We went to the Ben Avery Shooting Range in the north valley and it was quite the place. They have all kinds of things you can do there, every kind of shooting scenario...it's available. I mean check out this map!I'm all for showing the best first and this is my favorite pic of my dad. If you look closely you can not only see the clay blown to pieces, you can also see the shell shooting out of the side of the gun. So lucky to catch that shot!
Is it wrong for a Coach purse to be on a shooting range? Only in AZ :-)
Here's my mom and the instructor who was awesome! He really helped us improve our style, or lack thereof.
And of course b-man had to get in some action. Yeah our newest addition to the family was his Benelli shotgun! Before I left, my mom and I were able to get some fun shopping time with my best girl Ondrea. We've been friends since freshman year of high school and she's great.More pics from Vegas!

We're BACK!!

2010-06-05T22:53:00.005-05:00

We're back after 8 days on vacation. The first 1/2 was in Phoenix visiting my mom and dad and the second 1/2 was mainly spent here...the pool at the Flamingo Hotel.
I'll post pics soon after I can get everything unpacked...we spent a lot of money. Well when it's $24 for two drinks at this pool, you better get out the lube for your rear end. I went shopping and got some really comfy flip flops!

What I really need to do is eat healthy. I haven't been so good lately and I NEED to get back on board.

What is your favorite healthy dish?

I'll feature your recipe and repost, linking to you for all the other healthy girls to see!

Trap Shooting and what not...

2010-05-09T17:35:00.004-05:00

I'm here in Iowa at the in-laws writing while B and the 'rents hit up the trail and exercise the dogs. I decided not to go with since I'm really lazy and only brought heels...what better time to work on my blog on week old happenings than now. I've been so bad about blogging lately since I've taken on a side job in addition to my real job. I just blog stalk now.

This is Me playing around with Photo booth while Brian drives to IA last week. (photo booth reverses shots so no I'm not on my laptop in the car while I'm driving.

Open your eyes Duke!!Okay enough with photo booth!

Last week my youngest nephew turned one and since his parents live on a farm, we thought it'd be a great idea to try out some trap shooting. While I have shot pistols and even rifles before, I've never shot a shotgun. I borrowed a 20 gauge from a friend but I couldn't hit crap with it so I upped the ante and switched to the 12. Lots more powerful but nothing this chic can't candle...I did get a bruise on my shoulder/armpit though.

Memorial Fiesta and a New Baby!!

2010-04-26T21:40:00.004-05:00

So B and I are headed to the Valley of the Sun, or as I like to refer to it...HOME. My dad wants me to bring my new baby--Ruger!
This isn't my real gun...I'm too lazy to take a pic of it, but it looks just like this. I should be getting my conceal and carry permit any day now and I needed a gun I could use for concealing. I have a 40 cal S&W M&P compact. I do like it but it's not very portable for me (maybe Rambo). Hence "baby Ruger", I also refer to it as my "running gun". I'll need to get a special holster for running but at least it won't pull my shorts off while I'm going down the trail. I'll be damned if I'm going to get violated out on a trail running with my dog by some creeper. Move over pepper spray there's a new kid in town!

Did I ever tell anyone I love my new job and my new boss? This job makes traveling more conducive. Well since we're going to visit my mom and dad for Memorial weekend, we thought we'd squeeze in some Sin City as well.

I'm excited to once again stay a the Flamingo Hotel...
I love that place. It's in the middle of everything. We also reserved the new Go Room...
Well maybe I'll post some pictures of my new car next time!! Hasta luego!!

Family Outing at the Japanese Steakhouse

2010-04-10T22:05:00.009-05:00

Last night the crew (aka The Leinen Gang or my in-laws) went to Genji's Japanese Steakhouse for, our nephew, Luke's birthday. For the normal diner, this is no big deal, but for my hubs this is like being in actual Tokyo. As I've stated before, Brian eats like a 5 year old--nothing green, no veggies but corn and potatoes. The rest of his diet consists of meat, cheese and bread. He's a processed food freak! I was so surprised this picky eater actually didn't have to hit the Arby's drive through after dinner. Here is my brother in law Brad with his kids, "Birthday Luke" and Lucy.
I thoroughly enjoyed the Raspberry Genji (although pretty weak). I guess it's raspberry sake, cranberry juice, and a splash of sprite. Yummy.
They apparently like to embarrass you for your birthday with this umbrella for a pic.
B and I after dinner. I'm stuffed from the fabUlous fried rice.
Afterward we went bowling with the kids...well some of the kids are bigger than others.

Brian is working on his form here, I usually just launch it down the way and break a nail in the process. Speaking of nails...I'll be posting about something cool next time. ;-)

Hartford CT Here We Come

2010-03-21T10:34:00.003-05:00

So the few of you who actually do read my blog since I've been SO bad at actually posting lately know I got a new job in advertising sales. I'm liking the change but still learning the ropes. I feel like I haven't quite found my niche in comfort. I do however like how everyone has been very understanding of my newness and I feel my co-workers are really there for me. We just did our taxes for 2009 and I'm glad I made the change financially as well. Last year I made less than I did the year before-by more than I was expecting, so I'm glad I got out of my comfort zone and am trying something new and exciting and I hope will be the best for me and Brian.

The weekend before Easter (aka Holy Week) we have a sales conference in Hartford Connecticut. I've never been there before and while we won't have a ton of time to do anything super involving. My colleague and I, who will be traveling from Omaha together, will be getting to CT a day early since the flights were so much cheaper.

Has anyone been there before? Any suggestions as to a nice place to hang the night before?

Been a While and Changes are Here to Stay

2010-02-14T18:56:00.005-06:00

Well it's definitely been a while since I've blogged. I've been going through some major changes in my life--Career changes. Mid January I quit my job at the Toyota Scion dealership I've worked at for almost 4 year! I was definitely sad to leave all my co-workers and friends I made over the years but I still feel it was for the best. Everyone was so sweet my last week at the dealership, it definitely made it hard. Here's my "going away" cake courtesy of our service department...apparently there was a problem at the bakery...
she was blond but not after the guys got a hold of her and "dyed" her hair with a magic marker.
They also threw me a nice going away lunch catered by Qdoba! It was so nice.

I didn't waste any time, and started my new position with LPi the following Monday in Minneapolis for training. All of my new colleagues are really nice too. I am one blessed person to have great people to work with yet again!

While inI stopped off at the Mall of America.
The mall wasn't what I was hoping for, but definitely overwhelming. I couldn't believe how many food options there were in one mall.

I did however happen to find the cutest restaurant (not at the mall) called Patrick's Cafe. This place was a treat! I got a chicken salad and this stellar cheesecake for takeout.
It was almost too pretty to eat...but I managed. Look at that yummy surprise in the cheesecake--raspberry filling!

I'm learning a lot at my new job and hope you girls are doing well. I hope to get back to blogging now that I'm home and working. Please pray for my success at my new job in advertising sales...there's a big learning curve and I need it!

For Sale: Kate Spade Purse

2010-01-10T13:57:00.004-06:00

Hello all,
Long time no talk. I've been very busy with a career change and the holidays...and SNOW! I'm hopefully back to my normal blogging self.

I'm cleaning out my closets and came across a few things I thought some of you girls might be interested in. I have more coming soon.

Kate Spade Purse: $25.00

I bought this in Chicago on Michigan Ave. but I think I've only used it once. I'll only charge for actual shipping (whatever that may be). First person to comment they want it--IT'S THEIRS. :-) Let the blog shopping begin.

Christmas Eve Cocktail

2009-12-24T18:03:00.002-06:00

I never celebrate the holidays without a bit of cheer. While we're waiting to eat dinner before mass with hubs, mom, and dad, I thought I'd whip up a little fancy for me to enjoy...AZ style. I'm so glad I'm here and not here.Christmas Eve Cocktail

1 part ice
1 part Trader Joe's Cherry Cider
2 parts Prosecco

Mix and enjoy!!

3 Days and Counting!!

2009-12-15T11:45:00.002-06:00

Only three more days until I'm on a flight to visit my family and friends in the beautiful state of ...

Yes. ARIZONA!! I can't wait to not have to salt my driveway just to get up inside the garage or bring my snow boots to work-ugh! Why do I live in the Midwest? I have no idea...

I couldn't get up my ice rink driveway last night so I decided to get a little sun the good ole fashioned way...

well it's not like I'm getting any outside?

When I was done, Hubs came home and skated my car into the driveway after a rigorous salting. I don't help with any of that. I don't want to deprive him of the joys of why we live at the North Pole...not one single moment. ;-) Hey I gotta hold to my Diva in the Midwest title right?

2009-12-02T23:04:00.001-06:00

I didn't fall off the face of the earth. I was out in Colorado for turkey day. I'm a firm believer in quality posts. Hopefully I'll be back with something entertaining!

Sent from Risa's iPod

Favorite Things: Rowenta Iron

2009-11-16T15:15:00.006-06:00

This isn't the most luxurious gift but I'm a practical person and I'm sharing with you things I've tried, don't break in a few months, and waste my money. While I hate to iron, this beauty is a valueable item. I've never know what the phrase "scorch" means when using a Rowenta. Never once have I ruined a pair of pants or a nice dress because of this iron...never. I don't know what it is with their technology but it's great. It's not that it doesn't get very hot, because it can, it's something more--beyond my explanation. The iron heats up in less than a minute, and irons beautifully without the drippy steam most make. Rowenta irons are the only irons I use and last forever.
This Would Be an Idea Gift For: Anyone but a college boy (they don't iron their clothes). Anyone and everyone who owns nice clothes, and would like to keep them looking nice.

Cost: $89.99 don't forget to look for your 20% off coupon in the mail and use it on this for a steal!

Vacuum Dilemma

2009-11-13T21:19:00.002-06:00

I'm getting antsy to buy a new vacuum. Ours is still sucking but I'm not sure it's really keeping the house clean. Plus I have allergies and a dog, so I need something that works.

What vacuum do you have? Do you love it? Recommendations are greatly appreciated.

Product Review: Aveeno Haircare

2009-11-12T21:46:00.004-06:00

For years, I've been an Aveda haircare fan until Aveeno offered a campaign to try their new line. I'm normally a shampoo snob and don't buy shampoo from the big box stores but when I was offered to try it, I couldn't resist. Although it took forever to actually ship to me, I am really impressed with how well it works.

After using the pair for a few weeks, I've come to the conclusion the Aveeno haircare is my favorite shampoo and conditioner in my shower. It smells good, lathers well, and really makes my hair soft without it feeling coated like some others do. I gave samples to all of the ladies at work to try out. They didn't even know Aveeno had haircare so they were excited to give it a whirl. I hope you all give this a try and see if you like it. It's not that expensive and it's more natural than others on the market.

Favorite Things: Cuisinart Immersion Blender

2009-11-09T14:05:00.003-06:00

Since B and I are the only ones in our house, this Cuisinart Smart Stick seems to do the job. Its not nearly as loud as the last immersion blender I had that lasted a whole 2 years (designed by a chef and the thing still didn't have quality)! I don't own a blender because this is all I need. I make salsa, shred chicken for quesadillas and tacos, and chop veggies in the chopper bowl and I make smoothies, blend dressings, and smooth out creamy soups with the stick attachment. Don't worry about ice either...this thing will not leave a bunch of ice in the bottom. I did a lot of homework before buying this appliance and I hope you all will like it too!
This would be an ideal gift for: Newlyweds, any family member who likes to make things at home vs. crappy canned stuff. Attachments are easy to use but it's not dishwasher safe (I stick the 'beaker' in the dishwasher only.)

Cost: $49.99 (Retail, but I'd suggest looking around online for deals or coupons).

Favorite Things: Bunchy Scarf

2009-11-07T00:23:00.002-06:00

I love when something is handcrafted...maybe it's the American girl in me, I don't know. That is only half of the reason why I love my new Bunchy Scarf. The other reason is it's simply adorable! I just received this in the mail yesterday and was ecstatic to wear it to work today and out to dinner with B.

Yes, that's my shower behind me. It's late at night and there's absolutely no light anywhere but the bathroom.

This gift would be ideal for: Any woman or child who loves fun scarves. I'd even get this to wear in a warmer weather location since it's not heavy. They come in an array of colors too. This is also a gift you could send to loved ones far away. It comes in a cute clear bag and is cheap for shipping.

Cost: $11.99 + s&h

Favorite Things: Williams Sonoma Nesting Bowls

2009-11-04T08:00:00.001-06:00

One of my favorite stores is Williams Sonoma. I don't own many items from this place(my hubs says I'm tight because if it's not on sale, I usually don't buy it) but it's a favorite. Just one step into their store, fills your heart with the aroma of a cozy home. While registering at Williams Sonoma before I got married, I somehow overlooked these versatile mixing/nesting bowls. Luckily an aunt of B's felt we couldn't live without these, and she was right! I use these bowls almost every time I cook. These make the Favorite Things list my list because while they're not on sale, they're not expensive and they'll never go out of style because they're clear! Timeless.

This gift would be ideal for: someone who cooks, newlyweds, new home owners, practical gift giving, long distance gifting.

Cost: $38.00 + s&h if you're mailing it.

Favorite Things: Purse

2009-11-03T11:09:00.009-06:00

This is a recent purchase of mine that I absolutely love! It's a great value and looks super cute for the holidays. I get compliments all the time with this purse from both women AND men!! It's versatile and can store a bunch of stuff. The two side "jean style" pockets are great for quick items like cell phone and keys. I use this for work, shopping, and running around town. The quality is amazing and is very durable. This purse has it all!

Kathy Van Zeeland Patent Triple Compartment Hobo

click on the pic to go straight to QVC!

This gift would be ideal for: Women with children, Busy career women on the go, stylish divas ;-). Ages 21-75 (may be too cumbersome for the frail older lady). This is a great long distance gift (QVC ships anywhere with a gift card inside and no prices displayed, optional). This purse is big but offers a lovely slouchy look that doesn't look like you're carrying around a suitcase. It's great for casual day or night. Not ideal for dressy night.

Colors: This cute thing comes in an array of colors to suit anyone's needs.

Cost: $76.92 + S&H QVC

Risa's Favorite Things!

2009-11-03T09:57:00.003-06:00

Christmas or Hanukkah will be upon us before we can say "more eggnog or another macaroon please!" Until Christmas, I'll post a new "Favorite Thing" that could be a great gift for the Holidays. I'll try to cover several bases for different people, but I'll be honest, I'm not good at children's gifts.

If you're in a Reader, and you want to thumb through past Favorite Things, just click on the icon in the top right of my blog.

I hope you all enjoy My Favorite Things!

Product Review: Zip'n Steam

2009-11-02T19:49:00.005-06:00

I'm not some granola cruncher, in fact I'm far from it, but I am one of those people who fear cooking in plastic (I feel like I'm going to get some sort of cancer or something when the plastic heats up and the molecules and plastic properties change). I'd rather cook my food in the oven or stove top via stainless steel or glass. Curiosity got the best of me while reading Abby's blog who raved about the Zip'n Steam bags. Who doesn't need a new way to make veggies easy to eat?My Review:

I used these tonight and steamed a little corn and peas with salt and old bay seasoning and it turned out great! It couldn't have been easier to eat veggies!

Easy Yummy Reduced Fat Alfredo Sauce

2009-10-27T11:21:00.006-05:00

While I love Mexican food (I could eat queso dip for BL&D), I've always had a spot in my tummy for Alfredo Sauce. The bad side to it--it's enormous fat and calorie content! When B and I go to Olive Garden we order a side of it for our bread sticks and refer to it as our "lard boat." I never order the whole dish, it's just a gut bomb.

I came across this recipe and thought, "Hey, that looks like it'd be good." So I made a few modifications and came up with my version. It was divine!! Tons of flavor and yummy texture too. I love it with Dreamfield's Rotini.

Reduced Fat Alfredo Sauce
adapted from Our Best Bites

1/2 C skim milk
1/8 C reduced fat cream cheese
1/2 C fat free evaporated milk
1 Tbsp whole wheat pastry flour
1 t salt
1/4 t pepper
1/4 t dried basil
1/2 Tbsp butter
1 large garlic clove, minced
1/2 C Parmesan cheese

Toss the milk, cream cheese, flour, pepper, basil and salt in a large cup and process with an immersion blender (or regular blender). Process until smooth and set aside.
In a pan, melt butter on med heat and add garlic. Let the garlic saute for about 30 seconds, you don't want to burn it. It should be nice and bubbly.
Then add milk mixture to the pan. Stir constantly for about 3 or 4 minutes or until it just comes to a simmer. Keep stirring and let it cook for a few minutes more. It should be much thicker now. When it's nice and thick (it's almost as thick as a normal Alfredo sauce) remove the pan from the heat. Add the cheese, stir it up. Let stand for at least 5 minutes before using. It will continue to thicken upon standing. Add additional garlic powder to your taste.
Toss with your favorite cooked pasta and enjoy!

(I hate the flash on my food, I swear it's not cafeteria food)

I can't believe I wasn't being bad...until my second helping. Hey that's spinach salad on that plate so I consider that nutritious.

Sunday Brunch and Couch Shopping

2009-10-26T10:34:00.005-05:00

For those of you who have some non-sporty husbands, let me fill you in. When one marries a sports fanatic, they become a widow--a football widow all fall! Most weekends, I spend cleaning, working out and shopping since I can't pull him away from the TV. Sunday was a different story, I actually got to spend time with B! After church, we went for brunch at Le Peep. B didn't want to go there at first because he thought it "sounded fruity". He lost the battle.

I ordered a yummy Cinnamon Roll Latte. One of the best lattes I've ever consumed! (Because I'm an addict, drugs on the side please.)

For my meal, I ordered the pumpkin stuffed french toast. It was even better this morning for leftover breakfast!

Brian got the Cinnamonster (and other food but I didn't capture it)...he's giving his monster look too!
After brunch we went to the only furniture store in Nebraska-- Nebraska Furniture Mart. FYI, this place makes all other furniture places go out of business because it's so big. We've had our current couch for a hefty 3 years and it's complete crap, and looks like crap too. Brian, with his geriatric ways, wants a recliner. I simply hate the look of recliners--so old fashioned. I want leather since it seems to last forever. So we're looking at leather recliner couches.

...but in the color of the chair below.

which is your favorite?

Fabulous Pie Crust and a Cutie Pie

2009-10-24T08:00:00.002-05:00

I decided to be nice to my co-workers and make my favorite Autumn Apple Pie to spice up a fun fall Friday. I think baking for people really makes them happy and brightens up a dreary day like it's been here lately in the Midwest.
After misplacing (I don't lose, I misplace things ;-) my pie crust recipe, I came across this one and it's divine. It has vodka in it!! Now that's my kind of pie crust. Don't worry goody goodies, it cooks out and ads no flavor. It just ads moisture without aiding in gluten formation. It rolled out beautifully! Please try and let me know how you like it.
Foolproof Pie Dough by Cooks Illustrated
- makes one 9-inch double-crust pie -

Ingredients
2 1/2 cups (12 1/2 ounces) unbleached all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon table salt
2 tablespoons sugar (I added a smidgen more for sweetness)
12 tablespoons (1 1/2 sticks) cold unsalted butter, cut into 1/4-inch slices
1/2 cup cold vegetable shortening, cut into 4 pieces
1/4 cup cold vodka
1/4 cup cold water

Procedure
1. Process 1 1/2 cups flour, salt, and sugar in food processor until combined, about 2 one-second pulses. Add butter and shortening and process until homogeneous dough just starts to collect in uneven clumps, about 15 seconds (dough will resemble cottage cheese curds and there should be no uncoated flour). Scrape bowl with rubber spatula and redistribute dough evenly around processor blade. Add remaining cup flour and pulse until mixture is evenly distributed around bowl and mass of dough has been broken up, 4 to 6 quick pulses. Empty mixture into medium bowl.
2. Sprinkle vodka and water over mixture. With rubber spatula, use folding motion to mix, pressing down on dough until dough is slightly tacky and sticks together. Divide dough into two even balls and flatten each into 4-inch disk. Wrap each in plastic wrap and refrigerate at least 45 minutes or up to 2 days.

And now for the CUTIE PIE recipe:

Any Animal Shelter in the U.S.

Look at that sweet face!! This is the "Dukie stare down."

"Mommy, can I have a slice of pie please? I've been a good boy, I promise!!"

Fast Broccoli Cheese Soup

2009-10-23T09:15:00.007-05:00

On cold dreary evenings like last night, I love to just stay in and cozy up with some yummy soup. I had a craving for broccoli cheese soup but I didn't have cream in the fridge so I concocted this recipe with what I had on hand. I don't know how low fat this is but I feel it can't be worse than the restaurant recipe. Plus I used real broccoli to boot! I love using real veggies not from a can. I also think the Velveeta adds a nice creamyness to the soup without the heavy cream.1/4 onion, finely chopped
1 clove garlic, minced
1/3 c chicken broth
1 c broccoli (I used frozen)
1 c skim milk
1 tbsp olive oil
1 tsp Old Bay Seasoning
2 in. slices of Velveeta from the big brick
2/3 c reduced fat cheddar cheese, shredded
1 tbsp reduced fat cream cheese

Directions:

Heat up olive oil over medium heat and cook onion and garlic until translucent. About 3 minutes.
Toss in broccoli and cook together for another couple minutes.
Add the rest of the ingredients except the shredded cheese and cream cheese. Allow Velveeta to melt.
Toss in shredded and cream cheeses. Stir until smooth.
I have a stick or immersion blender I love to use for soups so I used it here. If you like big broccoli chunks in your soup, omit this step. I think I might have overdone it a bit though.

Spoon into a bowl and serve with yummy cheddar biscuits!

Sicky Sick...

2009-10-21T10:41:00.003-05:00

Today is my first day back to work. The Dr. told me I have a sinus infection and a head cold, I now have a headache! Sorry for the lack of posts.

While I've been out sick, I've been able to watch the whole season of VH1's My Antonio on VH1.com.

The show is pretty cheesy but there's good eye candy and trashy fake drama. Who doesn't love that?

I always remember what I watch when I was sick. As a kid it was Bewitched, in HS it was the Sugar Ray video Halo--I loved that song!

What is your favorite thing to do when you're sick?

In other news, does it bother anyone Forever 21 doesn't sell everything in the stores online and vice versa?

Skinny Jeans...Where Are You?

2009-10-12T09:41:00.003-05:00

Help me!!! I so desperately want skinny jeans but can't find any that I truly like. I'm short so I'll definitely have to hem them (story of my life).

Do you have skinny jeans? What are your favorites? PLEASE HELP!!

Chicken Artichoke Marsala

2009-10-08T09:00:00.000-05:00

If you follow me you've figured out by now my husband eats like a 5 yr old, I don't like to eat out much during the week, I'm always watching what I eat, I don't like boxed foods and I don't have a lot of time. With that information, I'm always looking for recipes that are nutritious, not too sugary, not artificial, easy and something both B and I can eat! Whew, no one wants to be me now :-(.

One weeknight I really wanted some sort of fancy meal (that's what I call it when I have to actually saute, and create, not just add sauce and mix. B already had a gourmet sandwich from the swanky joint down the street, Arby's, so it was just me for dinner when I found this recipe.

I follow Katie and love several dished I've tried, I just made a few changes since I don't like mushrooms.
Chicken Marsala
adapted from Good Things Catered and Americas Test Kitchen

Ingredients:

1 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (5-6 oz ), fat trimmed
1/4 c. unbleached all-purpose flour
salt and ground black pepper
1 Tbsp olive oil
1/2 c. chopped canned artichokes
1 small garlic clove, minced or pressed
1 tsp tomato paste
3/4 c. Marsala wine
1/2 packet of True Lemon (crystallized lemon) in 1 tbsp water, I was out of lemons.
1 Tbsp unsalted butter, cut into pieces
1/2 Tbsp minced fresh parsley leaves

Directions:

Pat the chicken breasts dry. Place flour in a shallow baking dish or pie plate.
Season both sides of chicken with salt and pepper.
Coat both sides of chicken with flour. Lift the breast from the tapered end and shake to remove excess flour and set aside.
Meanwhile, heat the oil in a heavy-bottomed skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering.
Place the floured chicken in a single layer in the skillet and cook until golden brown, about 5 minutes.
Using tongs, turn the cutlets and cook on the second side until golden brown and the meat feels firm when pressed with a finger, about 5 min longer).
Transfer chicken to a heated plate and cover.
Return the skillet to low heat and add artichokes.
Saute, stirring occasionally and scraping the pan bottom with a wooden spoon to loosen the browned bits, until the artichokes are lightly browned.
Add the garlic and tomato paste, stirring constantly, until the tomato paste begins to brown, about 1 min.
Off the heat, add the Marsala.-
Return the pan to high heat and simmer vigorously, scraping browned bits from the pan bottom, until the sauce is slightly syrupy and reduced, about 5 min.
Off the heat, add the lemon juice and accumulated juices from the chicken.
Whisk in the butter until incorporated.
Stir in the parsley and season with salt and pepper to taste.
Pour the sauce over the chicken and serve immediately.

Note: I like to place the chicken back into the pan and simmer for 1 min, flipping once, before serving to coat chicken in sauce. I also tossed the ziti with it for few moments as well. It turned out very yummy.

Cutie Patootie Duke!

2009-10-07T09:00:00.000-05:00

Look how cute my little "Urban Puppy" is? OMG he's a doll.
This is my view of him through the mirror...too cute!

Busy Weekend...

2009-10-06T09:36:00.000-05:00

Okay this is about a week late! I forgot to publish a few posts. Here is a pic of Duke and I after the Nebraska Humane Society's Walk for the Animals. He loves getting out and being an urban puppy!

Two Saturdays ago now, we went to the 300th consecutive sellout for Nebraska football. It was quite the event and my good friend Kristen and I had a great time tailgating while hubs and my bro in law searched for their own tickets (they didn't sit with us).

Kristen, Me and Kristina tailgating.

Kristen and I in the "sea of red".

Fantabulous Giveaway!

2009-10-02T17:42:00.003-05:00

Has everyone gone to Fantabulously Frugal to see her latest giveaway? Too cute to pass up! I won one of her other giveaways and scored this beauty below.
Don't delay. Her giveaways are great!

River City Roundup and Blake Shelton Concert

2009-09-29T09:36:00.000-05:00

Thursday night, my friend Kristen and her co-worker and meteorologist, Andrea headed to the River City Roundup and Blake Shelton Concert. Before we headed into to the rodeo, we stopped in the livestock area to see all the show animals. Look what little precious face I stumbled across...

I was sporting a large purse (see below pic) and could have fit a cutie in my purse for Brian to love.
Blake put on a great show and sounds exactly like he does on his recordings.

Hope you all had a great weekend. I have more photos coming soon from Saturday and Sunday's festivities.

Easy Jalepeno Poppers

2009-09-25T08:00:00.000-05:00

My co-worker grows jalapenos in her backyard for her bird, knowing I'm from the great state of Arizona and love spicy things, she was gracious enough to bring a some for me one day. Not knowing what to do with them (since hubby is a wuss when it comes to spices), jalapeno poppers 'popped' into my head. After a while of searching online for a good recipe, nothing really caught my eye. They all seemed to involved or fatty because they were fried, so I just came up with my own. This obviously isn't very detailed but it's a guide more than a recipe. I hope you all enjoy!

Jalapenos
1/3 fat cream cheese
shredded cheddar cheese
old bay seasoning
rice crispies cereal
butter or margarine
Salt and Pepper to taste

Preheat oven to 375°. Cut each jalapeno in half and remove seeds. (I'd suggest using gloves for this since jalapeno juices can be irritating for your skin and eyes). Mix the cheeses and sprinkle a little Old Bay Seasoning (be conservative, a little goes a long way), salt, and pepper into the bowl. Stuff the jalapenos full of the cream cheese mixture. In a separate bowl, mix the rice crispies with a little melted butter for flavor. Press the cheese filled jalapenos in the rice crispies/butter and place on a baking sheet and bake until bubbly brown. I checked the bottom of the jalapeno to see if they were starting to brown and I removed them soon after and they were perfect.

They really satified my craving for this appetizer without all the needless fat.

Zucchini Bread or Muffins

2009-09-24T14:20:00.000-05:00

I constantly search for new recipes online that are quick and easy breakfasts on-the-go while still being healthy and satiating. This recipe looked delicious so I lighted it up a bit and made it more healthy than the original version. Since I'm such a muffin girl, I just had to try them in the loaf as well to "think outside the Risa muffin box".

~adapted from Our Best Bites

2 C whole wheat pastry flour (or regular if you don't have this)
1 scoop vanilla protein powder
2 t cinnamon
1/8 t ground cloves
1/2 t salt
1 1/2 t baking soda
1/2 C olive oil
1/2 C granulated sugar
1/3 C brown sugar
3 eggs
2 t vanilla (i didn't have quite 2, I ran out :-( )
zest from one large orange
1/2 C light sour cream
3 C grated zucchini
optional: 2/3 C chopped pecans, toasted (I used almonds, but wasn't that big of a fan how they turned out in there)

*Topping:

1 T white sugar
1 T brown sugar
1/2 t cinnamon

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease and flour 2 loaf pans and set aside. Combine flour, cinnamon, cloves, salt, and baking soda in a bowl and whisk to combine. Set aside. Beat eggs, oil, sugars, and vanilla for about 30 seconds. Add sour cream and orange zest and beat to combine. Mix in zucchini. Add dry ingredients and mix just until combined. Divide batter between 2 pans. Bake for 50-60 minutes (or around 20-30 min for muffins) or until a knife comes out clean. Make sure to let your loaf rest on a cooling rack for at least 10 minutes before you try to remove it from the pan or it will come out in chunks!

I kept a close eye on my muffins, poking them periodically until the toothpick came out clean.
YUUUUUMMMMMYYYY!!

Healthy Lunch

2009-09-23T23:12:00.004-05:00

Since Fall is here, I really wanted to pick up some canned pumpkin but there wasn't any on the shelves. Apparently there's a nationwide shortage? (You'd think an ex-newsie would be up on that sort of thing), so instead I'll embrace summer a bit longer with beautiful strawberries. They just had to make it into my lunch for my trip tomorrow to our sister dealership where I work half the time.

This is my take on the Bento lunch bandwagon.
What's your favorite lunch?

Donate for a Chance to Win Philosphy Wash!

2009-09-15T21:36:00.009-05:00

Since I'm taking part in three different run/walks I thought I'd post a link for all of you to donate to my causes if you're feeling generous. You don't need to donate a lot, I'm grateful for any donations at all.

The payoff is I'll enter you in my drawing for a Philosophy 3-in-1 body wash!

Here are the links for the three activities:
1. Komen's Race For The Cure (Must donate before 10-4-09)

2. American Lung Association's Corporate Cup Race (Must donate before 9-20-09)

3. Nebraska Humane Society's Walk For The Animals. (Must donate before 9-27-09)

** One entry for donating to one of my above causes.

** One entry for posting this giveaway on your blog.

** If you donate to the Walk for Animals, you get two entries. (Yes I'm a little biased, I love animals.) If you play your cards right, you could get a lot of entries ;-)

I'll pick a winner Oct. 5th. Which is the day after my last race.

Each of my causes are important in their own way. Good Luck :-)

Thank you!

What Have I Gotten Myself Into?

2009-09-15T09:30:00.003-05:00

Let me preface you with the information that I am not a professional runner and never ran in high school, I'm pretty pathetic actually. In the past few weeks some races have sort of fallen on my lap:

1. Race For The Cure: I'm a member of the Junior League of Omaha and we have a team running in the race. I had always wanted to run in the Race For The Cure but never had the opportunity. While my family doesn't have history of breast cancer, it's scary. One in 8 women will get this scary disease and after losing an aunt (she married my mom's brother) to the disease, it's hit closer to home. I'm doing this race for her.
2. ALA Corporate Cup: Our dealership group is sponsoring this race and I've been involved with the marketing and planning of this event for the past month and a half . While I won't be running in the 10k (I'll die if I run the whole thing), I decided to run a quick 2 mile, non-competitive route. My grandmother had lung cancer (wasn't a smoker for several years) and so this one is for her :-).

3. Walk for the Animals: I also found out about a Nebraska Humane Society event happening in two weeks. This is a super near and dear to my hear issue plus my little angel can come with. I'm a HUGE animal lover. I don't believe in "buying animals", I believe in adopting one from a shelter. They love you just the same and if you are truly looking to love an animal, they don't need to be purebred. My love, Duke, was rescued from a bad situation in Kansas and was taken in by a loving foster mom who taught him everything he needed to know to get adopted. I couldn't ask for a better dog in my life than him. We believe he's a black lab/border collie mix. He's the smartest little angel ever. My husband and I love the crap out of this babe--
If you are looking for a dog or cat, I recommend Petfinder. It's where we found Duke and they have so many animals looking for a forever home with a loving mom and dad!

Batter Blasters Breakfast

2009-09-14T11:22:00.002-05:00

I'm one of those people who HAS to have breakfast in the morning but I don't like processed crap either. I like my breakfast to be fast and wholesome in the morning before I rush out the door for work.

While at Super Target yesterday I came across this stuff:

Fearful of it's toxic ingredients, yet the easy spray drew me in. I turned to can over to see "ORGANIC" and all ingredients I could pronouce? Can it be? Yay- in the cart you go.

I tried them this morning and added blueberries and topped with REAL maple syrup...delish. I'll be honest it's a slightly lighter texture than regular batter coming out but the end result is very good.

Kanye Snubs Taylor Swift at VMA's

2009-09-13T22:27:00.002-05:00

Taylor Swift Wins Best Female Video

Check out the video...Kanye is an ass!! What kind of jerk does that to a young artist like her. She's a sweet young girl, totally uncalled for.

Time Traveling and Shopping

2009-09-10T11:58:00.006-05:00

Where have I been lately? Who knows. I was pretty busy with my mom in town over Labor Day weekend. I'm so glad she chose to visit me (no one comes to the Midwest to visit ever.) We did a lot of shopping and eating. It was definitely fun and I scored this beauty!!

We also went to see the Time Traveler's Wife. The movie is a real tear jerker but overall is a great chick flick.

I need to get back into the swing of things and lose some unwanted weight I've picked up over the summer. After checking out Tara's blog, I'm thinking of jumping on the 30 Day Shred bandwagon. Has anyone tried it? Feedback please :-)

Philosophy Phinds at Rue La La!

2009-08-26T11:02:00.007-05:00

For those of you who have not yet experienced the wonders of Philosophy, you must experience it. Their bath products smell amazing. I just purchased this:

I also use their wonderful foundation...

and their Micro Delivery Mini Peel Pads...

Fab Exfoliating Face Wash...

AND their great moisturizer...

My skin acts up without it. I would try the acne line but the whole peroxide ingredient scares me since I have ruined quite a few towels recently when I used a face wash with that...and my skin wasn't that flawless after :-(.

Go to Rue La La to purchase some Philosophy items NOW! They're going fast.

Click on Rue La La above or here and use my invite to you!

Working and West Coast Stylin' at Ribfest

2009-08-14T19:04:00.003-05:00

I've been working CRAZY lately! Tons of work events. This weekend I've been stationed at the Lincoln Ribfest. It's been really hot here. I am also very bored in the mornings so I tend to play a little too much with my photobooth. Here are a few from this morning.

My Newest Steal!

2009-08-05T21:47:00.003-05:00

I've been hunting for a pair of chic alternatives to flip flops. Not to knock on my oh so dear Havaianas, but my Havaianas are in gray and I needed a pair of something summery and versatile to go with warm colors in my wardrobe.

Hubs and I were at Super Target this Sunday when I came across these cuties for only

$17.99!! Click on the pic above to go to the Target site to see these cuties!! (P.S. They come in several different colors)

Here they are on my newly polished tootsies! No I don't have cankles but it looks like it in this pic, you get the idea.
I did some research and found these Target finds are a copy of a Steve Madden design currently on the market for $50!!

I love finding deals!

Wheat Blueberry Pancakes

2009-07-31T07:00:00.000-05:00

Ever since I had blueberry pancakes last weekend, I've been craving more. I'm an easy cooking kind of girl so I searched cooks.com and found a decent recipe and made a few changes. I think they came out pretty good!

3/4 cup wheat flour
1/4 cup regular flour
1/2 tsp salt
1 egg, well beaten
1 cup skim milk
2 tsp. olive oil
2 tbsp. brown sugar
1/2 cup fresh blueberries

Preheat griddle to 350°. Mix all ingredients, except blueberries together,until incorporated. Pour batter on griddle until desired pancake size is achieved. Sprinkle pancake with blueberries. Cook until bubbles in pancakes arise. Flip and cook for another 2-3 minutes or until golden on other side. Serve immediately with butter and REAL maple syrup. (Not that corn syrup crap that is colored and flavored to be maple.)

Hand Made Birthday Cards

2009-07-28T08:00:00.000-05:00

I love making cards. I am not however, good at remembering to make them in time. I always think about it too late. This is my belated birthday card for my friend Kristen (aka Chippendale's birthday girl). I took a few cute pics before mailing it off.

Stamps: Happy Birthday- Anna Griffin, Delight In Life (Flowers)- Stampin' Up.
Ink: Stampin' Up (can't remember colors but if interested I'll look into it.), Green Pigment Ink.
Paper: Various scraps, Green is Certainly Celery from Stampin' Up.
Flower embellishments are recycled silk flowers.

Eggplant Parmesan

2009-07-26T22:30:00.002-05:00

As I've stated in previous posts, I love Italian food. One of my favorite Italian ingredients is basil and I just started growing some and thought this recipe would be great to make with fresh basil. This is sort of a fudge/hodge podge of my favorite recipes to make this with some shortcuts. You can bake it like a casserole or eat it fresh from being sauteed topped with marinara (when I don't want to wait for baking) and cheese. Either way it's yummy!

1 Eggplant
1 jar of your favorite pasta sauce
1 big hunk of mozzarella cheese (fresh is best but any can work), shredded.
3 sprigs of fresh basil, minced
1/2 cup flour
2-3 eggs, whisked
1/4 cup Parmesan cheese
oil for sauteing
salt and pepper for taste

1. Slice peeled eggplant 1/2" thick. (I don't like Eggplant skin, so I peel it before slicing).
2. Get two bowls and fill one with flour, salt, and pepper; the other with egg and Parmesan cheese.
3. Preheat oven to 375°. Heat up saute pan with 1 tbsp. of olive oil.
4. Dredge eggplant slices in flour, then in egg mixture, and saute until golden, transfer to plate. Continue until all slices are done.
5. Spread pasta sauce in a greased casserole dish. Layer sauteed eggplant, mozzarella cheese, minced basil, and sauce until completed. Finish with mozzarella cheese.
6. Bake until cheese is golden and bubbly.

Birthday Soiree with The Chippendales

2009-07-19T20:20:00.004-05:00

What a weekend it has been! Tuesday was my good friend Kristen's birthday but we took care of celebrating Saturday night with a fun outing to a Chippendale's show! I had never been to any such thing before but this was sure fun. I got Kristen two lap dances for $4 (best $4 I've ever spent). It was so funny watching her squirm.
They didn't let us take any photos of the show but it's definitely a fun experience. Not as smutty as I was thinking. It's actually pretty funny watching men dance to choreographed moves awkwardly.
Afterward, we headed down to The Jay (dive bar for Creighton University) where Kristen's hub, Rusky works.
We then headed home for late night snacks. In the morning, we had the best blueberry pancakes and light syrup. Yummy food for a yummy girls weekend!

Making a Haul and Finding Deals at Tulle

2009-07-15T08:00:00.001-05:00

I can't help finding a great deal so when I was perusing Pinque's blog with a discount code to Tulle. I couldn't pass it up. As you can see I took full advantage of the discounts! I paid under $65 for all of this. My motto is "I hate retail!".

Strawberry Basil Viniagrette

2009-07-14T09:10:00.000-05:00

I'm a sucker for homemade vinaigrette and since I now have a basil plant I can't find enough things to do with basil so I decided to pair it up with some strawberries recently. This recipe isn't an exact science so please adjust to your taste.

4-5 strawberries, cut in half
1/8 cup of red wine vinegar (or apple cider, or balsamic)
1/4 cup of EVOO
3 basil leaves
1 garlic clove minced
salt and pepper to taste
Italian seasoning (optional)

Put all into a blender and emulsify until smooth. (I used my immersion blender and it was done in seconds.) I made the salad with butter lettuce, Gorgonzola, and roasted chopped almonds.

Adorable Baby Dress!!

2009-07-10T17:19:00.003-05:00

Here is a little baby dress I made for my friend who is due in September. I bought the pattern from Leila and Ben on Etsy. Such a cute pattern, I couldn't resist! Sorry I took so many pics, it was too cute!I just love the colors....

I hung it from my chandelier...

If anyone knows of any other fun and easy patterns, sites for patterns that are unique or anything of the like--let me know. Have a good weekend!!

Ebay Madness

2009-07-06T11:46:00.002-05:00

Okay ladies, I've posted several things on ebay. Please take a look at them and spread the word! I'll be adding more as the week progresses (purses and shoes). I'm cleaning out my closet!

Rainy Boston...

2009-06-25T22:16:00.012-05:00

"Pahk the cahr in Hahvard yahd" That's the lingo in Boston! I love this accent, it's so American.

Our 6 day trip to Boston consisted of LOTS of rain...

Me at the Boston Harbor

Our vacation started in Providence. We enjoyed a fun dinner at Andino's on Atwell St. The gnocci was amazing!

Lovely Andino's

Me and the lovely Gnocci!

We capitalized on one of the only non-rainy days (overcast but not rainy) to take in a Red Sox game at Fenway Park. Truly one amazing experience witnessing a game in one of the oldest fields in the U.S. I scratched one more item off my "bucket list" when we went to this game.

The next few days were very wet and rainy but we managed to hit up Boston's notorious, North End. Some refer to it as little Italy. We dined in North End twice and both times were excellent!

Albeit blurry, this is the Paul Revere statue in North End. It's a retake of the one below it. I hate making other people take our pics, they're just not as good.

Us at the Paul Revere statue, take two but blurry.

Take one: Good Photo of us but where's the statue?

We also visited the uber tourist attraction--the Cheers bar. I was a little disappointed it didn't look more like the set inside but the outside shots for the show were really from the outside of this bar. The food was good and it was still a fun experience. Just make sure you go to the real one on Beacon Street, it's the original.

Thanks for stopping by and checking out our trip :-)

Boston Bound

2009-06-12T08:46:00.003-05:00

Today I'm taking hubs to the airport over my lunch hour. He's getting a head start on the vacation and staying with a high school friend. I'll be joining in the festivities come Wednesday.

Here's what we plan to do while we're there:

1. Visit Boston's North End for some good authentic Italian food (i.e. Cannoli, Ziti etc. :-) )

2. Catch a Red Sox game.

3. Get in some shopping at the Wrentham Village Premium Outlets.

????

Has anyone ever been before? If so can you please suggest any great spots? I'm pretty overwhelmed. Oh and what will I wear???

Add Another to the Pile

2009-06-01T14:59:00.002-05:00

Okay Ladies, I've caved and bought these beautiful heels!! Hopefully they fit and are somewhat comfy. Have a great afternoon!

Dare to Buy Red?

2009-06-01T09:36:00.003-05:00

Good morning ladies! It's been forever since I've posted something but I just haven't had any time lately. This weekend was swamped with family events with the in-laws. I've got a few cute things to post about but I just haven't had time to take any photos :-(.

Todays quick posts consists of these:

Here's the dilema, I wear a size 5 and it's super hard for me to find shoes in my size and these have come available and on sale. According to the site, there's only 4 left. What do you all think? Are they that cute? Would you buy them? Do you think they're versatile enough?

Blueberry Pie Refashioned Frock GIVEAWAY!!!!

2009-05-27T09:58:00.000-05:00

Blueberry Pie Refashioned Frock GIVEAWAY!!!!

Fashion Dilemma!

2009-05-18T21:55:00.004-05:00

Tomorrow I'm headed to Kansas City for a work meeting! The festivities start off Tuesday night with dinner and bowling, a fun night right? Well, I've got a TON of stuff to do. Numero uno: Outfit for dinner at Chop House and another outfit for bowling!!

Do you girls wear more than one outfit in a night? I'm guessing I'll have to do that.

The Perfect Manicure

2009-05-13T17:00:00.001-05:00

Don't look at my dirty ring! LOOK at those NAILS!!

I'm one of those people who's nails didn't used to look this nice, but now that's a thing of the past because I take care of my nails better! Of course I have a few select products that help me out quite a bit too!

The Perfect Manicure:

1. Remove all old nail polish from nails.
2. Put on cuticle cream. I use very little, just enough to moisturize my cuticles, not the whole finger.
3. File nails in a nice and flattering shape, not too pointy.
4. Buff edge of nails to take off the sharpness from the filing.
5. Wash hands with nail brush and dry with a towel.
5. Moisturize nails with a heavy hand cream.
6. Using rubbing alcohol on a cotton pad, rub lotion off nails well. Any leftover lotion will prevent polish from adhering.
7. Paint on my FAVORITE base/top coat, Hydration Therapy II.
8. Layer the base with two thin coats of your favorite polish.
9. Top again with Hydration Therapy II.
10. Place nails under dryer for at least 3 minutes...and then don't touch anything else still!

Repeat as soon as polish begins to chip.

Belated B-Day Post

2009-05-12T19:00:00.007-05:00

I know I'm not the best at getting pics up...I hate uploading photos!

Anyway, May 4th was my birthday so a couple of friends came out with B-man and I to the Cheesecake Factory!

That's Kristen and her hubs...They're great friends and couldn't be nicer :-) They are our go-to couple for the movies!

Blazing Cars and Pantries

2009-05-02T10:39:00.003-05:00

So I've really been dragging my feet in posting a few other tid bits about my trip home to Phoenix a couple weeks ago. They are obviously not in chronological order...I'm a Journalism major--I lead with the good stuff!!

On the way to the airport, my mom and I drive past this vehicle bursting with flames! I don't think anyone was hurt since a few people were standing along the freeway 50 yards away... I'm guessing it was their vehicle. While I was home I did a little cleaning and organizing for my mom. Check out her post on my fabulous organizing skills.

I just love an organized pantry. Now if I only had the energy to do it to mine!

Girly Scottsdale Weekend!

2009-05-02T10:22:00.002-05:00

A good friend of mine from college is getting married at the end of May in Puerto Vallarta and as much as I NEED some beach time, I'm too much of a chicken to travel to Mexico right now. My perfect solution was to just go to Phoenix for her shower instead. (Yes I know I was just there about a month ago, I love it).

While I don't have the best pics of the shower to post yet, I do have some out on the town with my "bestie" Ondrea. We decided to make it a girls night out in Scottsdale.

We're at Jackrabbit here...

Sara, Laura and On at Cream

On and I at Jackrabbit again

On the flight home last Monday, I watched Bride wars on my iPod. What a sap I am. I got teary eyed just watching a movie about girls and their friends...I miss them so much!

Hub's birthday

2009-04-23T19:10:00.002-05:00

Today is my hubs birthday! I'm on the other hand boarding a flight back to the fab state of Arizona. I did however bake him vanilla cupcakes with homemade buttercream frosting:-) I'll miss him and my duke angel while I'm away.

Sent from my iPod

Easy Spring Fruit Dessert

2009-04-22T08:00:00.000-05:00

As some of you who know me know I love cheesecake. I love it so much I wanted a cheesecake wedding cake but the idea was vetoed by the hubs. If there were heaven on earth, I'd say it's puppies and cheesecake, I can't get enough of either.

In keeping with the Spring vibe I decided to make up a little concoction with some items in my pantry. When I was in St. Charles, MO my cousin's wife and I came across this super cute place selling all kinds of jellies and spices and I spotted this cheesecake/ball mix that I finally decided to make...problem was, I didn't know what exactly to do with it. The cheese ball alone was too rich but on fruit, now I'm in the money!!

White Chocolate Cheesecake/Ball Mix by Wind and Willow (I used the cheese ball recipe on the back)
Low-Fat Daisy Girl Scout cookies (or Teddy Grahams)
Chopped fruit of your choice

1. Using a mini trifle bowl pile the items accordingly and you have a wonderfully yummy summer/spring dessert!

It can't get easier than this.

Easter Cookies

2009-04-20T00:13:00.002-05:00

So sorry for being absent and not posting in forever. I've been very busy with work. Not too busy to make Easter sugar cookies though. I got the cookie recipe from Picky Palate. She has an amazing collection of recipes that are very yummy.

Soft Perfect Sugar Cookies
by Picky Palate

2 Cups sugar
1 Cup butter, softened
3 eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 Cup sour cream
6 Cups flour
2 teaspoons baking soda
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt

1. In an electric or stand mixer, cream the sugar and butter. Add eggs, vanilla and sour cream until well combined. Slowly add in the flour, baking soda, baking powder and salt until well combined.

2. In 2 batches, place in plastic wrap in a disc shape and chill for at least 2 hours for best results.

3. Once chilled, roll and cut into desired shapes. Bake at 350 degrees for 9-11 minutes depending on how thick you cut your cookies. Remove and let cool. Frost and decorate as desired.

For the frosting, I used royal icing in different colors.

Grr...Blowing Off Some Steam

2009-04-10T17:00:00.001-05:00

Me at the Chicago Auto Show in '07.

Some of you know I work for two Toyota-Scion dealerships managing their Scion departments. For those of you who are not familiar with Scion, here's a little background. Scion is Toyota's youth line. It's designed as an entry vehicle for young Generation Y individuals who Toyota corporation hopes will someday graduate to their parent line of vehicles.

Mid March we were presented with two Scion challenges by our regional office:

1. Come up with a cool grassroots marketing event promoting Scion in the community.
2. Design an accessory mailer promoting accessory sales for customers who already own a Scion.

I caught wind of the winner a little too early--before they had a chance to announce the results. A person at another dealer won BOTH of the challenges! I thought to myself "Okay that hurts, but he must have just brought his A game and blew us all away...". So not the case.

The next day I called my rep to confirm the results were true, and they were. He said the guy won both but he had some "help" and he was just using his "resources". My inquisitive mind asked what exactly does that mean? Long story short He didn't even design the mailer (challenge #2) himself, he had their dealership's marketing guy design it for him! I told my rep I thought since it was a competition, our resources were our minds and the challenge was to inspire the Scion Champions (that's what Toyota Motor Corp. calls our position) at each store to think creatively in promoting the Scion brand. It's the principal matter this guy wins the challenge and doesn't do the work!

Don't get me wrong, I'm a big fan of Toyota and the automotive industry. The company is a great company and they are usually very good to us and have the utmost respect for the corporate employees. Toyotas and Scions are the best cars out there and have great reliability. Scions are so unique and fun yet have the quality of Toyota with a more affordable price tag. It's a job I enjoy but it's discouraging when something so injust happens. I don't think I've been this hot about an issue in over a year. Okay I vented...now I can go back to liking my job again. :-)

Honest Blog Award

2009-04-05T12:27:00.005-05:00

Beverly has awarded me with this Honest Scrap! I'm so excited to have her on my blog roll considering she lives so close (same state is good enough for me)!

Okay now on to ten honest and interesting things about me:

1. I'm an only child (That's rare here in the Midwest)
2. I used to be a TV reporter
3. I used to date a country singer
4. My feet and hands haven't grown since 5th grade! I wear a 5 for shoe and 4 for wedding ring size...I say I'm fun sized :-)
5. I love baby animals--they're the most adorable thing ever.
6. I always knew my true love wasn't going to be in AZ, that'd be too convenient.
7. My toes are ALWAYS polished
8. I believe everyone comes into your life for a reason...although you may not know why.
9. I've ridden in a Black Hawk helicopter. My dad was right, it's the funnest thing in the world to ride with the doors open and see everything...it's surreal.
10. I own a 40 cal. Smith and Wesson compact...it sits next to my box of Jimmy Choos.

I tag anyone who wants it! :-) Have a good afternoon.

Spaghetti Pie

2009-03-31T20:04:00.002-05:00

I have been a follower of the blog, Warm Pie, Happy Home for almost a year now and simply loved it! She's such a great homemaker who's from the west (like me) who now resides in the Midwest (again like me!). Recently she gave her her blog a makeover, changing it to Sugar Pie Farmhouse. It's the absolute cutest country website ever!

Since my hubs will be home for dinner every night this week (normally he's traveling for work), I decided to make something he'd like. I found this recipe on Sugar Pie Farmhouse's Home Cookin' section...It does not disappoint. It's soo comforting, especially on a cold Nebraska day.

Ingredients:

1 bunch green onions, chopped
2 tablespoons olive oil
1/2 pound extra lean ground beef (I doubled)
1/2 pound Italian sausage, 4 links (sweet or hot) casings removed (I didn't use this)
4 garlic cloves, minced
3 tablespoons minced fresh parsley
1 (28 ounce) can crushed tomatoes
1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (I add two more pinches to give it a kick!)
1/4 teaspoon dried oregano
1 teaspoon salt (or to taste)
2 cups water
8 ounces spaghetti, broken into 3 inch pieces (I used half of a 16 ounce package–Thin spaghetti–not Angel Hair– but you can use regular )
1/4 cup heavy whipping cream
4 tablespoons chopped fresh basil
1/2 cup fresh grated Parmesan cheese
2 cups grated mozzarella cheese

Directions:

Saute green onion in 2 tablespoons olive oil, on medium heat 5 minutes.
Add beef and sausage, brown over medium-hi heat.
While almost brown, add garlic, pepper flakes, oregano, and parsley.
Once browned, stir in crushed tomatoes, water and salt.
Add broken spaghetti. Push spaghetti into liquid, and cover for 8 minutes.
After 8 minutes, stir pasta so the noodles won’t stick together. Reduce heat to medium low simmer for 6 more minutes until pasta is al dente (almost cooked but still a little firm).
Add basil, Parmesan cheese, and cream, stir well.
Sprinkle top with mozzarella cheese, put in oven to broil until spotty brown. (stand there and keep watch or set a timer for 3 minutes at a time until it’s ready, or else you may end up with Blackened Hillbilly Spaghetti Pie!)

Monday...Monday...

2009-03-30T09:39:00.005-05:00

I'm trying so hard not to laugh as I head to my morning meeting at work.

I wore a summer suit today since it's supposed to snow tomorrow and I'm in denial its not summer yet. We are having a barbeque at work this afternoon so I thought this suit would be fitting. Although you can't see it, I'm wearing an aqua cami underneath.

Are you ready for summer or what? Who's with me?

Tonight I have a busy evening. I have my weight training class at the gym, followed by a meeting with my Junior League placement advisor. I'm so excited for next year, I'm the chair of the marketing and PR committtee! I also need to get new face wash, hairspray and if I'm lucky, lip gloss. I have been breaking out lately and not happy about it.

Phoenix Phun!

2009-03-24T13:35:00.005-05:00

Oh how I miss AZ...
Brian and I took a trip back to Phoenix for our one year anniversary. We had such a great time with all of my friends. It was such a treat seeing the sun and being able to wear shorts for the first time this year!

We started off our festivities meeting my first--yes--first friend ever, Alecia and her husband Phil at an Irish Pub for lunch. I've know Alecia for 26 years! We lived across the street together when we were little. She's a great person who can always make me laugh.

Love the Mimosas!!

Next on the trip agenda was hitting up a spring training game with my best friend Ondrea. But not before hitting up Salty Seniorita for some good margaritas and Mexican food! Gosh I love Scottsdale and all it has to offer.

At the game...

We're watching the A's vs. the Ondrea's fav, the Giants.
After the game, we hit up downtown Scottsdale for some yummy Sushi at Pure. Now for most of you who don't know, Brian is a plain eater. He doesn't do anything trendy with his food. The more traditional, the better so seeing him eating Chicken Teriyaki is a HUGE milestone for him. :-)

Ondrea and her guy Dustin...

Ondrea and I posing for one last photo before it's back to the Midwest.
With or without hoodie...I can't decide.
Well I know it's been forever since I've posted but I just thought I'd share some photos of my recent trip. I've been completely swamped at work. I've got a lot to do. I'll post up some pics soon!

My new blog design!!

2009-03-13T18:25:00.004-05:00

Hey everyone, check out my new blog design. Isn't it cute? I'm so glad it turned out well. I have been on vacation and then completely swamped this week at work...I'll be posting again this weekend. Don't forget about me.

The Bachelor

2009-03-02T22:58:00.002-06:00

Oh my gosh!! I can't believe Jason picked Melissa and then dumps her 6 weeks later! I can't imagine what she is going through. Now we know why her parents didn't want to be a part of it. I feel so bad for her, watching her leave all heart broken in the limo. Here she was all alone after being betrayed like that...totally sad.

All I can say is "Jason, your a jerk!"

Cleaners and Love

2009-02-24T09:37:00.002-06:00

My house may not always be spotless but I do love the house to be that way. I just sometimes don't have the time to do so. I was down and out when I went to the store a few months ago looking for my favorite cleaner and everywhere I went they were out! That was until I saw it sitting on the shelf at the grocery store the other day. I just about screamed in excitement. So in leu of the season "Spring Cleaning", I thought I'd start by suggesting some of my favorite cleaners:
I just love this kitchen soap. I couldn't find it online so I guess you'd have to go into the store and get it. The aroma is so clean and wonderful, I just love how the kitchen smells after doing dishes!

I absolutely hate cleaning the shower and this stuff works great. I usually just clean the shower once a month or so by hand to give it a little help.

Last but certainly not least. This is the cleaner I was so excited to find came back! If you have a chance to try this, please do. It really cleans without a lot of elbow grease and leaves the sinks and bathroom super nice. I use it to clean the shower and in the sinks to remove soap scum and makeup.

If you'd like, you could share your favorite cleaner too!

P.S. Did someone give me a blog award recently? I can't find the post anywhere and I feel really bad! :-(

The Conservatory Overcoat GIVEAWAY!!!!

2009-02-17T11:39:00.001-06:00

The Conservatory Overcoat GIVEAWAY!!!!

Isn't this the cutest!

Help My Duke Win!

2009-02-17T08:35:00.002-06:00

Thanks to Tara, I found the cutest little pet contest from Bissell.

I mean look how cute he is holding his little plush toy!!Just click on my little angel's pic and

Vote for Duke in the BISSELL MVP Photo Contest 2009!! He will give you lots of love if you do!! ;-)

Valentine's Recap

2009-02-16T17:42:00.003-06:00

Friday night we went to see a few movies with some friends. My friend Kristen and I went to see Confessions of a Shopaholic and Brian and Kristen's husband saw Friday the 13th. I thought my movie was fab. I want all of the clothes!

I had a wonderful Valentine's with Hubs. I got him a PSP, which he totally adored! Then we went out for dinner at Brother Sebastian's. The food was delish. We couldn't help but take a few pics...

I love bubbly!

Hope you all had a great Valentine's Day

Purse Tag

2009-02-13T09:01:00.004-06:00

My fellow blogger diva Tara tagged me for the purse game thing.
1) Post a picture of whatever bag you are carrying as of late. No, you cannot go up to your closet and pull out that cute little purse you used back before you had kids. I want to know what you carried today or the last time you left the house. No cheating!

2) I want to know how much it cost:) And this is not to judge. This is for entertainment purposes only. So spill it. And if there is a story to go along with how you obtained it, I’d love to hear it.

3) Tag some chicks. And link back to this post so people know why the heck you’re showing everyone your bag.

So here we go with mine...

This is my Kate Spade bag that I've had for forever yet just decided to really use it about a month ago. It's made of great leather and I love it! I bought it used at My Sister's Closet a few years ago for probably $55 or something like that.

I tag:

PinQue
Le Petite
Trish
Mom

Healthy Rolled Chicken Tacos

2009-02-12T08:00:00.002-06:00

I make these about once a week since they are so easy and very yummy. I love Mexican food so much but I'd live at the gym if I ate it as much as I want. The key to this is the salsa. It makes this tasty dish so moist and tangy.

2 boneless-skinless chicken breasts
6 corn tortillas
1/2- 3/4 cup reduced fat shredded cheese (either Mexican or cheddar blend)
2-3 tablespoons of salsa
olive oil spray
salt
pepper

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Cook chicken on grill and set to rest for 5 minutes. Cut chicken breasts in half and place in food processor with salsa and pulse until shredded but not a paste. Transfer mixture to a bowl and add cheese, set aside. Heat up corn tortillas in the microwave for one minute (covered with a damp paper towel to keep moist). Spoon mixture in a row in the middle of the tortilla, like you would an enchilada, and roll. Set on a cookie sheet, seam side down. Continue doing this until all the mixture is used up. Sometimes you might need another tortilla, based on how thick you'd like your tacos to be. Spritz tacos with olive oil spray and sprinkle with salt.

Bake for about 10-15 minutes, or until the tacos turn golden. Remove from oven and serve immediately with salsa and low fat sour cream.

The Letter Game

2009-02-11T10:48:00.005-06:00

My blogger friend LyndsAU tagged me on the letter game. The game works by posting 10 things you love that start with that letter. She has given me the letter R, so here I go:

1. Risa Rae: (Can I count this as two?) That's me! I love my name and really feel it reflects my personality. Risa means laughter in Spanish...enough said!

2. Rabbit: Although I prefer to call them bunnies, I love them and spring time.

3. Rain: Only rain in Arizona though. It's such a treat there and smells wonderful.

4. Republican: Yeah that's 'right'!

5. Robert Downey Jr.: He's so cute!

6. Restaurants: I love going out to eat.

7. Rome: I would love to visit Italy some day.

8. Ring: I love my wedding and engagement rings

9. Recipes: Just ask my Husband, he thinks I have too many recipes to cook in a lifetime.

10. Rose: I love roses. I fought for them in my garden and I won :-) They are beautiful, hearty and easy to maintain.

If you want to play, leave me a comment and I'll issue you a letter. Have a great day!

Banana Berry Smoothie

2009-02-11T08:00:00.000-06:00

Finally it's "normal" temperatures here in Nebraska in February. Well normal for me is 50's + since I'm from AZ, but this 'heat wave' isn't normal for the Midwest. In the Southwest, it's springtime by now and we're sporting summer attire. I still haven't adjusted to that type of season yet here. I made a smoothie before work this week on one of the warmest days ever that was very tasty. I can't drink smoothies in the winter and have been dying for one so I jumped at the chance.

This drink is a healthy alternative to store/restaurant smoothies since I'm controlling the ingredients. It's wholesome and yummy and hits the spot on a sunny spring day!

1/2 banana
5 small fresh strawberries
10 fresh blueberries
1/4 cup crushed ice
2 Tbsp fat free plain yogurt (I just used the grocery store generic)
Tbsp flax seed
Tbsp wheat germ
serving of vanilla protein shake mix
8 oz of skim milk

Mix all ingredients with blender and enjoy!

New Belt

2009-02-10T08:00:00.000-06:00

This a new ensemble I created after purchasing the new belt at Banana Republic ON SALE for $10! Sorry for the poor quality of photo, I took it myself with the delay feature AND this is after a day at work and not before. I just though it looked so cute with my Limited cowl neck sweater and cream Limited pants.

BBQ Pulled Chicken

2009-02-09T08:00:00.000-06:00

I'm not a pork fan so when hubs finally agreed to host the Superbowl party at our home, I decided to make it chicken. It's a super easy recipe and you can't really go wrong. The beer gives the chicken some tenderness.

4 Boneless-skinless chicken breasts
1 bottle of ale
1 cup barbecue sauce

Place all items in a pot, crock-pot, or rice cooker and simmer until chicken is cooked through. Pull the chicken out and shred on a plate, returning to pot after finished. Simmer for another 10-15 minutes without the lid, allowing the liquid to reduce to a sauce like consistency. Adjust flavor by adding more BBQ sauce to taste.

The Best Salsa Ever!

2009-02-07T18:18:00.003-06:00

I am a huge salsa fan. It's one of the best things on the Mexican menu. I'm pretty picky about as well. Piling that canned chunky crap on a great chip is such a disgrace. My good friend Alecia gave me her favorite recipe for salsa she says is to die for. She definitely did not disappoint with this recipe and the people at my Superbowl party paid lots of compliments.

1 Can El Pato Sauce
Cilantro
Chopped Onion
1 can of diced tomatoes (or chopped fresh tomatoes)
Cilantro
Cumin
Garlic Salt
Tapatio Sauce

I have a food chopper/blender, so I throw in some cilantro, about a can of tomatoes, 4 shakes of garlic salt, about 1 ½ handful of onion, can of El Pato Sauce, 2 shakes of Cumin, 4 shakes of Tapatio sauce and mix it all up. Like I said, you really have to taste it to see if it’s hot enough for you or not, but these are the basic ingredients and the salsa is to die for.

Hanky Panky Giveaway

2009-02-03T18:17:00.002-06:00

Check out the giveaway from Blue Eyed Bride. These panties are so cute for Valentine's Day. Good luck girls!

Fun Weekend Planned

2009-01-30T15:36:00.003-06:00

So as everyone already knows, it's Superbowl Sunday this weekend and we are having some friends over to cheer on the Cards (or the Steelers;-)). I've got a lot of work to do. I've pretty much planned my menu:

Cheddar ale dip with soft pretzels
Rolled Chicken tacos served with sour cream
Beef Taquitos
Potato Slabs
Veggie tray and dip
Peanut butter cookies
**some other dessert, possibly cheesecake squares**

I still have some cleaning (guest bedroom and bathroom are spic and span), laundry and cooking. Any other suggestions to the menu are welcome.

New Finds at Great Prices...

2009-01-26T11:57:00.003-06:00

I really love shopping especially shopping and finding steals! Hubs and I originally made a trip to Sheel's for a gun for him but no avail. Luckily I was able to stop by Banana Republic for some great finds.

I just loved this dress--especially at $26!

This was only $23.

I also picked up some cute ankle length pants and a purple merino sweater but they are no longer online. I also scored a great halter for summer (whenever that will roll around) too for only $4. Hubs was not excited to wait outside the dressing for room for what he feels was an eternity.

Homemade Pinto Beans

2009-01-25T07:00:00.002-06:00

Growing up I always loved homemade beans. There's something about their taste that sets them apart from canned. Making them is the easiest thing in the world too, so lets do it.

(let me preface you, I don't use measurements on this but I'll try my best to give you an idea.)

bag of pinto beans (I'd suggest trying a small batch first + they cook faster.)
4 cups of water
1 clove of minced garlic (or 1/2 tsp garlic powder)
1 tsp salt (or more to taste)
pepper

Wash beans in colander and make sure to pick out any abnormal ones, they usually don't cook well anyway.

Dump the beans, garlic and pepper into crock pot and cover well with water. Set on low if you have time (like overnight etc.) or high if you're wanting them to cook faster, under 4 hrs. I'd recommend for your first batch if cooking on high, to be at home. Sometimes my crock pot gets too hot on high and if I'm at work, I can come home and almost be burning the beans.

Periodically check/test the beans as they cook making sure they are immersed in the water. It's not a bad thing if there's a lot of water, you can always dump the excess but if the beans dry out, you can't fix that. Once the beans turn a solid tan color and are no longer spotted, they're ready to be tested. If the beans are soft they're done, if they're sort of chalky, they need to cook a bit more. These beans work great for the Healthy Tostadas.

2009-01-24T07:00:00.001-06:00

I thought I'd brighten everyone's day this Saturday with a wonderful array of warm weather color. These are roses from the front of my house from this past summer. I just uploaded them from my camera phone.

Well these are my orange lillies obviously. I love how they look but bloom just once a year, die, and come back then next spring.

This one isn't a flower but he sure is SWEET like the summer sun! I love my cute bubby!

Thursday's good

2009-01-23T12:59:00.003-06:00

Here's a breakdown of my meals yesterday via www.selfdietclub.com. I stayed on track for my calories, even though I had a few slip ups in the marshmallow department. I also missed the gym yesterday due to a migraine.

Today I woke up and lost one pound! Yahoo for me:-) Every pound is a struggle. I don't know how well I'll do for dinner tonight, I'm really craving Ruby Tuesdays. Let's hope it stays off for good!

Another Lunch...Another Pita

2009-01-22T13:24:00.002-06:00

Well the day is almost over but my migraine isn't. This morning for breakfast I took an Excedrine Migrane with some Kashi Honey Cinnamon Oatmeal topped with blueberries and a non-fat, sugar-free, cinnamon dolce latte. I guess that was more caffine than I bargained for. As lunch approached, not only was I suffering from the migraine, but now a jittery feeling as well. On my lunch break, I made a pitstop at the Chiropractor. Hopefully the migraine subsides...

Many of you may read and think to yourself, "Why doesn't this girl blog about anything but pitas?" Well it's because it's the easiest thing in the world to whip up on a rushed lunch hour. I was planning on making a soup but my Baked Chimichangas filling took longer than anticipated. I'll be posting pics and recipe information on those tonight or tomorrow.

Pita Lunch

2009-01-14T13:56:00.007-06:00

I am constantly trying to find new ideas when it comes to quick lunches. This is one of my favorites. My mom used to make me these pitas for my lunch box when I was little.

1 half of a Pita
turkey slices
low-Fat cream cheese
green leaf lettuce

Just spread the cream cheese along one side of the pita and add the rest of the ingredients. I ate my pita with cottage cheese and chips and guacamole today,(I was very hungry)and voila--lunch!

Oh and just because he's so darn cute, my bub Duke!!

He loves snacks!! He's a little angel, we don't know what we'd do without him. Right now he's enjoying an afternoon at doggy daycare. It's so cold here, he can't go out and play :-(

Risa's Best and Worst at the Golden Globes

2009-01-12T14:10:00.003-06:00

I'm cutting right to the chase, here are my three upsets. Apparently these made the worst dressed list, but not in my book.
Hayden, okay your boobs may be smashed but that dress is regal.
The top of the dress is mediocre but that a-line bias crinkle is very flattering.
These are the worst:

Maggie what are you thinking?
This is just trash...

I don't even know what is going on here, Marissa. It's like grandma meets pirate.

Here are my Best:

So gorgeous in red
Very Jackie O.
Winslet is a ten in Yves St. Laurent.

Kid Friendly Chili

2009-01-12T08:00:00.000-06:00

I have a picky husband who doesn't eat anything green. This is his mom's recipe that she cooked for them growing up. It's a good recipe for kids since there's not a ton of ingredients for kiddos to complain about.

1 large can of tomato juice
1/2 onion minced
1 can of Mrs. Grimes chili beans
1 can of petite diced tomatoes
1 lb. ground beef (I use lean 93/7)
1 packet of your favorite chili seasoning (I use either Carrol Shelby's Original Texas Chili Mix or McCormicks)

Cook beef and onions until cooked thorough. Sprinkle half of the chili seasoning in beef mixture and stir. Add tomato juice, tomatoes, beans and ground beef to your crock pot and cook for 2-3 hours on high or 4-6 on low. Enjoy!

chili Scare!!

2009-01-09T06:54:00.001-06:00

Quick post... I made Chili last night and fell asleep early. DH didn't put it in the fridge from the crock pot and I woke up this morning and it was still there. Is it ruined?