Guilt Free Snacking...

Like To Snack?...Try Smart Balance Popcorn. It's Tasty and Good For You! I had given up eating microwave popcorn because of all the preservatives, trans-fats and endless list of unrecognizable ingredients. I highly recommend Smart Balance popcorn. I also use the Smart Balance Spread in place of butter. It has no trans-fat which is the worst type of fat and contains a patented oil blend that improves cholesterol. The popcorn is available in Movie Palace Extra Butter and Light Butter varieties. Give it a try, you'll be glad you did! I plan on trying the Smart Balance Peanut Butter soon. I'll let you know the verdict!

Quick & Healthy Sesame Chicken With Brown Rice

After a long hard day at work, a night of cooking isn't always a lot of fun. Last night I came home from work tired, but hungry and didn't feel like spending a lot of time in the kitchen. I had some chicken tenders marinating in the fridge and some veggies I had cleaned and cut up over the weekend ( a great time saver for weekdays). I had no idea what I was going to make.
So I started looking in my cabinets and found a bag of Uncle Ben's Ready Brown Rice (an absolute life saver), a can of quartered artichoke hearts, black olives, green olives and a jar of red roasted peppers. I looked in the freezer and remembered I had frozen some left over chicken broth and a jar of long forgotten sesame seeds (2 more great tips).

If you open a container of chicken broth and don't use it all, pour it into some ice cube trays, freeze them and pop them in a freezer bag for future use. Four cubes is about a 1/2 cup. Because seeds and nuts spoil easily, always keep them in the freezer, they will keep a very long time. In the fridge I found a lemon, a jar of minced garlic (which I use only in a pinch and only a brand that has no added preservatives), grated Asiago cheese and fresh parsley.

I toasted the sesame seeds on a baking sheet for about 5 minutes in a 350 degree oven. Rolled my chicken tenders marinated in a little Wish Bone Italian Dressing into the seeds. Placed them on a foil lined cookie sheet and baked for about 12 minutes on 475 degrees.

In the meantime, I heated up my broth cubes, juice from one lemon, a little extra virgin olive oil and added the artichoke hearts, olives and red roasted peppers, and brown rice. I then added about a teaspoon of fresh lemon rind from the same lemon, salt, pepper and the Asiago cheese.

Next, I got my mixed veggies (broccoli spears, green beans and sliced carrots into a microwave safe dish, added a very little water, salt, pepper, garlic powder, and Italian seasoning. I placed them in the microwave for about 10 minutes (I like my veggies on the soft side). When they were cooked, I added a little e.v. olive oil and sat down to eat. I hope you try it and enjoy it as much as I did!

He's Not a Wimp, He's Just Courageously Challenged.

Poor baby. He has had better days. I recently took him to the vet for a heartworm test and to the groomer on the same day. For him, the day couldn't be worse. He doesn't enjoy anyone poking and prodding at him or for that matter bathing, brushing, combing, cutting, etc. He was a nervous wreck. When I picked him up he was spent. So we made one more stop. Petco, for a new sweater of course! He deserved it.
But this did not cheer him up. For the last 3 days he has been sort of limping and scooting on his but. I put a call into the vet and they informed me that he may have to have his anal glands squeezed. OUCH! What a strange coincidence, I thought. He hasn't been to the vet or the groomer in over a year, and the day I bring him he has a anal gland problem? He can barely sit because he is so uncomfortable. They said it is the equivalence of doggie hemorrhoids. Keep your chin up, poops, better days are coming.

To learn more about anal glands check out this link: CLICK HERE

Why Is It?... Prunes Get A "BUM" Rap!

Prunes are a very nutritious and delicious fruit. For those of you who are unaware, a prune is a dried plum. They are naturally fat-free and cholesterol-free and loaded with fiber, vitamin A and potassium. They are almost the perfect food.

So why is it that so many people snub the prune? They way I see it is, if you like plums you should like prunes, Right? Not really. Many people cringe just at the mention of the word PRUNE. Is it because they are packed with fiber and thus may help in (to be polite) moving the digestive tract along? I would think that this is a good thing.

I recently made prune cookies. Needless to say they didn't get the warmest reception. But I don't care, I like them and will continue to sing their praises! EAT MORE PRUNES!!!!!!!!!

Spring Bling-Live Roach Brooches... This One Is Definately an Annie Don't!

Click Here to Watch the video, It's a must see!
I Guess the pest control companies are in trouble. People are going to be catching their own bugs and making a fashion statement. Hey if we're going with the creepy crawly stuff, I have a few thousand spiders at my house that could definately create a fashion frenzy. Yikes, lets not go there.

Hey Joey You Forgot Your LunchBox...Oh Wait It's Your Car.

This is the wave of the future. The Smart Car.
Actually this is the smart fortwo coupe pure. If you want to keep it pure.
This is the smart fortwo coupe pulse. If you're feeling sporty.
This is the smart fortwo coupe passion. If you want more luxury in your life.
This is the smart fortwo coupe BRABUS. If you like to stand out.
There are also "forfour"options available. Yeah maybe if you're an elf.
OK I'm all about saving energy, keeping the environment clean and all that good stuff, but I never thought that I'd be driving a postage stamp. It's cute but I just don't know. I heard it's actually 4 feet shorter than the mini cooper.

Oh yeah there is one more...
The onfoot coupe renaissance. If you're felling a little retro. Come on Edna take your shoes off wer'e going for a ride!

Damsel in Distress or Neighborhood Watch Gone Wrong?

It's around noon on Friday and I'm driving down a local street and I'm in a bit of a hurry, so ok I'm speeding. All of a sudden out of the clear blue sky a woman standing on the sidewalk starts furiously flagging me down. She was standing with two other guys. One guy was on the phone and the other was just standing there with her. My first thought was this lady is in trouble and must need my help.
In a flash, she's running out in front of my car and I jam on the brakes. She is now standing in front of my vehicle with her arms flailing. So I'm thinking ok what do you want? She starts screaming "THIS IS A ONE WAY STREET"!...WHAT? I've driven down this street many times through the years.
So I roll down the window and gesture for her to come over. She firmly places here hands on her hips and wails "I'M NOT MOVING!... TURN AROUND!" So I gesture again for her to come over and assure her I just want to know when they changed the street to a one-way. She comes over and tells me with much antipathy that it's been around six months. And then informs me that I was also driving way too fast.
Ok lady, who put you in charge of traffic duty. Are you going to issue me a citizens ticket and arrest me. Give it a brake. Ok so maybe she may have saved my life or that of someone else. I don't care. She was crazy; standing in front of my car like she was he-women. God forbid I was in a bad mood that day...She may have been flattened.

Torta Di San Giuseppe (St. Joseph's Day Cake)

This is my tribute to Saint Joseph's Day...An Angel Food Cake with layers of Pineapple, Strawberries, and Blueberries topped with Chocolate Covered Strawberries. The colors represent the Italian Flag: Red, White and Green. Green? You say what's green? Surprise, surprise, the blueberries when mixed with instant vanilla pudding and cool whip turns the mixture to green. And Ok so the pineapple isn't exactly white so use your imagination. Nevertheless, it was pretty tasty and my co-workers concur.

These Babies are Trend Setters!

These beautiful sneakers were a christmas gift from my friends Jen and JOJO. They decided to chip in and set out to Walmart one snowy day to purchase these gems. I think it put them out a whole $10.00 The velcro fasteners are a must for the woman on the go...Me.

The detailing is classic to these 80 style fashion icons. When I opened the package and unveiled the goody two shoes, JoJo and especially Jen were rolling on the floor in hysteria. They want me to wear them when we are on deadlines along with my dress clothes. If you know me, you couldn't imagine me with these on. I guess that's why it's so funny to them.

The idea came about because at the end of a long hard day, "my dogs are a barking". In other words, my feet are killing me. OK I know what you're thinking... She must wear those pizza slice shoes with 5 inch heels where all your toes are crammed together into a triangle. NO. I wear very moderate shoes, yes there is a heal but certainly not stiletto's. I just walk a lot and it takes a toll.

So anyway, yesterday was one of those dog barking days. By the end of the day I was practically limping. So Jen instantly suggests wearing the "vellies". So I did. Actually I left them on and went to my Mom's house for dinner. Well mom was having some work done in the house from a guy I hired for her. When I got there I forgot all about the vellies on my feet and also changed into one of my moms old shirts. I looked hot!

Well apparently this guy thought so, because when he finished his work, he asked to talk to me alone and asked me on a date. WoW. W00000000000000000W. I was stunned. Of course I refused and informed him I had a boyfriend. But that's not the point. He thought I looked hot. So listen up ladies. If you're trying to find a date, slip on a pair of these trend setters and knock em dead.

Ok Kids Gather Round...

There's nothing like Rice Crispy Treats! They make you feel like a kid again. Make some you'll be glad you did!

This is JOJO...

We work together and her desk is right next to mine. She is really nice and kind and generous and we have alot in common. Ha ha.

WHY IS IT

Why is it that everytime I leave my house early in the morning I end up at least 15 minutes late to work?????

THOUGHT OF THE DAY...

Don't Wait For Inspiration, It May Never Come.
Just Do It and Inspiration Will Follow!
(Adapted from Gilad during my workout this morning at 6am on Fit TV)

Splat Didn't Spoil Her Spunk

This sophomore cheerleader from Southern Illinois University in Springfield, Ill., has truly inspired me. While performing a routine during a time-out in Sunday's game against Bradley, she lost her balance atop a human pyramid. She fell 15 feet and landed on her head. Ouch. Parametics put a brace on her neck and placed her in a gurney. As they wheeled her away and the band played the school's fight song "Go Southern Go", she gave the thumps up and began to cheer (using her arms, the only thing not strapped down). Wow. She said she didn't want to distract her fellow cheerleaders or the basketball team from the game. That's what I call a team player.
We should all have this kind of enthusiasm for life, altruism and determination. If only.

To All Who Witnessed My Transfiguration... I'm Truly Sorry!

I haven't been the easiest person to get along with lately. I don't know why but I've been a Bitch. I can really relate to the hulk. When someone sets him off, he just transforms into a beast. I get it. I've done it. Only Devoid of the green.

Pineapple Upside Down Cake

I didn't really think that this cake was blog worthy, but my loyal enthusiast Jen prompted me to put it up. It is so easy that it is embarrassing. A Betty Croker cake mix and some canned pineapple, brown sugar and walnuts is all it takes. Enjoy!