All posts for the month May, 2008

What’s Up Doc?

I got my lab results back from my yearly check-up last week. I must admit it that I really impressed myself!

All my blood results came back in the normal range. Last year my triglycerides were 600. They should be below 150. This year they are 84! Last year they could not figure out my cholesterol because my triglycerides were so bad. This year my total cholesterol is 140. Less than 200 is normal for cholesterol. With my cholesterol being better and also with me not drinking any more my really bad liver corrected itself as well.

So it looks like all the exercising and eating better has paid off. I have lost 60 pounds in one year as well! Just to note I did not take any drugs to improve any of my numbers! So here I am tooting my own horn! Toot, Toot!! 🙂

4 Comments
by Heather on May 29, 2008  •  Permalink
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Posted by Heather on May 29, 2008

https://purplecoloredglasses.wordpress.com/2008/05/29/whats-up-doc/

Mother Nature IS Out To Get Me!

I don’t know what I have done but for some reason Mother Nature is out to get me! This has been going on for several weeks now. I think it all started when I put up a bird feeder in the backyard. I just knew I shouldn’t have started feeding them!

I already wrote about one of my incidents with having a Snake in My Garage. Last week I go out to check the mail and of course I have to run back in and yell “SNAKE!” because there is a huge snake crossing my driveway. Again, last week at dinner my oldest daughter looks out our back door window and says very calmly, ” Dad, there’s a snake in the grass.” My husband goes out to kill the snake and for some reason now my kids like to touch these stupid, disgusting things! Dinner is over! YUCK!

The morning doves around my neighborhood must be on kamikaze missions. I have had several doves swoop down in front of my car. Well, yesterday I finally had a dove succeed on his mission and he ended up in the grill of my car! Quick, to the car wash!

Today, I actually wiped out on my bicycle all thanks to Mother Nature and her damn little cottontail bunnies. I was out on my morning bike ride on the trails that we have in our neighborhood. The trails go through these nicely wooded areas that is home to a large number of bunnies. Usually they are very cute and I laugh at them when I come up on them and scare the crap out of them. Well, today must have been payback for all of the times they have heard me laughing! I came up on one little cottontail bunny, but he did not hop off like all the others do when they see me. No, this fool decides to start running with me! So I keep going and then all of a sudden this, not so cute anymore, bunny runs in front of me! Yep, can you say WIPE OUT! I lost my balance and crashed. It’s a good thing nobody saw me because I must have looked hilarious! I sat there on the trail for a minute and laughed my ass off! Luckily I was not hurt, so I do not have to sue Mother Nature over this little incident.

Just to note, I think the bird feeder is coming down!

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by Heather on May 28, 2008  •  Permalink
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Posted by Heather on May 28, 2008

https://purplecoloredglasses.wordpress.com/2008/05/28/mother-nature-is-out-to-get-me/

Memorial Weekend – The Unofficial Start of Summer

I love Memorial weekend! Our neighborhood pool opened on Saturday. We spent Saturday & Monday at the pool. The 8 year old spent her time remembering how to swim and meeting a bunch of new friends. The 15 year old spent her time drooling over the new life guards on duty this year. I spent my time trying to hide my flabby self under my towel.

Sunday was spent watching the Indy 500 of course. We love the IRL racing series at my house. The Indy 500 is like our Super Bowl of the year! The 8 year old took home the money this race. Yes, we even bet on the races. I know we are a sad bunch and I am probably teaching my kids really bad habits!

I hope everyone else enjoyed their Memorial weekend.  

3 Comments
by Heather on May 27, 2008  •  Permalink
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Posted by Heather on May 27, 2008

https://purplecoloredglasses.wordpress.com/2008/05/27/memorial-weekend-the-unofficial-start-of-summer/

The Last Day of School

My youngest daughter has been doing the “School is almost out” countdown for 2 weeks now. Tomorrow is her last day of school. She jumped out of bed this morning and declared only one more day of school!

Then it hit me like a ton of bricks! Oh, crap I only have one more day to myself! I had so many things that I wanted to get done in the past 9 months. I was going to have lunch with old co-workers, never happened. I was going to volunteer more, never happened. I was going to clean the attic and the garage out, never happened. I was going to garden, never happened. Where did the time fly?

Now, I will have to spend the next 3 months at the pool, going to the beach, going to the zoo and the museums. I will have to blow bubbles and play kick ball with the neighborhood kids. I will also have to make snow cones for all of those neighborhood kids. I will have to referee water gun fights, manage lemonade stands and car washes and make sure each kid involved gets their share of the cut.

Oh, man I can’t wait! Tomorrow is the Last Day of School!!

5 Comments
by Heather on May 21, 2008  •  Permalink
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Posted by Heather on May 21, 2008

https://purplecoloredglasses.wordpress.com/2008/05/21/the-last-day-of-school/

The Price of an Education…

When did the end of the school year become so expensive? Last week I shelled out $20 for an end of school carnival and paid $10 to see my oldest perform at her school choir Pop Show. Next week I get to pay $14 for her FFA banquet and another $20 for her choir banquet. This brings my total for one kid up to $64. Thank goodness I am cheap and did not buy her a $75 yearbook!

I got off really cheap with the younger one and spent $10 on a plant for her teacher as a “Thank you for putting up with my child all year” gift. 

2 Comments
by Heather on May 19, 2008  •  Permalink
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Posted by Heather on May 19, 2008

https://purplecoloredglasses.wordpress.com/2008/05/19/the-price-of-an-education/

Grilled Basil Chicken and Tomatoes

I love this recipe, it’s a family favorite! If you have any leftover chicken it is great on a salad the next day.

Grilled Basil Chicken and Tomatoes Recipe

 

8 plum tomatoes, divided
3/4 cup balsamic vinegar
1/4 cup tightly packed fresh basil leaves
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 garlic clove, minced
1/2 teaspoon salt
4 boneless skinless chicken breast halves (4 ounces each)

Cut four tomatoes into quarters and place in a food processor. Add the vinegar, basil, oil, garlic and salt; cover and process until blended. Pour 1/2 cup dressing into a small bowl; cover and refrigerate until serving. Pour remaining dressing into a large resealable plastic bag; add chicken. Seal bag and turn to coat; refrigerate for up to 1 hour. Coat grill rack with cooking spray before starting the grill. Drain and discard marinade. Grill chicken, covered, over medium heat for 4-6 minutes on each side or until juices run clear. Cut remaining tomatoes in half; grill for 2-3 minutes on each side or until tender. Serve with chicken and reserved dressing.

Yield: 4 servings.

Nutrition Facts

  • One serving: 1 chicken breast half with 1 tomato and 2 tablespoons dressing
  • Calories: 174
  • Fat: 5 g
  • Saturated Fat: 1 g
  • Cholesterol: 63 mg
  • Sodium: 179 mg
  • Carbohydrate: 7 g
  • Fiber: 1 g
  • Protein: 24 g
  • Diabetic Exchange: 3 very lean meat, 1 vegetable, 1/2 fat.
5 Comments
by Heather on May 16, 2008  •  Permalink
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Posted by Heather on May 16, 2008

https://purplecoloredglasses.wordpress.com/2008/05/16/grilled-basil-chicken-and-tomatoes/

Who Parked the Snake In the Garage!

I hate, despise, loathe, detest, abhor and just generally dislike snakes! I don’t discriminate either, I hate them all. Even worms freak me out!

Yesterday morning I thought I would be nice to the little birdies outside and finally refill the bird feeder. I walked into the garage and walked around my car to get to the bird seed and I froze! There it was, a huge green snake! My neighbors could probably hear my shriek of horror inside their homes and they were probably laughing their butts off at the cute little snake dance I performed.

I ran into the house and shouted the words my husband loves to hear SNAKE! He calmly asked ” Where is it?” and I hysterically answered ” In the freakin garage by my car!” He put his sneakers on, grabbed the shovel and killed the blasted thing and then threw it behind the fence.

According to my husband it was a water snake that probably came from the canal that is behind our house. I really don’t care what kind of snake it was, I’m just glad it is a dead snake now! As for the little birdies flying around outside they are not getting fed unless one of the kids feed them!

3 Comments
by Heather on May 13, 2008  •  Permalink
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Posted by Heather on May 13, 2008

https://purplecoloredglasses.wordpress.com/2008/05/13/who-parked-the-snake-in-the-garage/

Kielbasa & Cabbage Soup

Kielbasa and Cabbage Soup

1 Tbs (15 ml) vegetable oil
1/2 lb (225 g) kielbasa or other smoked, cooked sausage, diced
1 onion, chopped
2-4 cloves garlic, finely chopped
6 cups (1.5 L) beef or chicken stock
1 Tbs (15 ml) red wine vinegar
1/2 medium cabbage, chopped
2 medium potatoes, diced
2 carrots, diced
3 Tbs (45 ml) finely chopped fresh dill
1 bay (laurel) leaf
Salt and freshly ground pepper to taste

Heat the oil in a large pot over moderate heat and saute the kielbasa until lightly browned, about 5 minutes. Add the onion and garlic and saute until tender, about 5 more minutes. Add the remaining ingredients and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat and simmer covered for 45 minutes. Serves 4 to 6.

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by Heather on May 13, 2008  •  Permalink
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Posted by Heather on May 13, 2008

https://purplecoloredglasses.wordpress.com/2008/05/13/kielbasa-cabbage-soup/

Baked Tilapia

Baked Tilapia

Go easy on the capers, they can over power the fish if you use too many.

4 tilapia fillets (6 ounces each)
3 tablespoons butter, melted
3 tablespoons lemon juice
1-1/2 teaspoons garlic powder
1/8 teaspoon salt
2 tablespoons capers, drained
1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
1/8 teaspoon paprika

Place tilapia in an ungreased 13-in. x 9-in. x 2-in. baking dish. In a small bowl, combine the butter, lemon juice, garlic powder and salt; pour over the fillets. Sprinkle with capers, oregano and paprika. Bake, uncovered, at 425° for 10-15 minutes or until fish flakes easily with a fork.
Yield: 4 servings.

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by Heather on May 13, 2008  •  Permalink
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Posted by Heather on May 13, 2008

https://purplecoloredglasses.wordpress.com/2008/05/13/baked-tilapia/

Makeover Swiss Chicken Supreme

Makeover Swiss Chicken Supreme

This is a great recipe that does not dry the chicken out!! To make this recipe even lighter I omit the Swiss cheese and the sour cream. I also use spray butter instead of the melted butter. I use cream of mushroom soup instead of the cream of chicken soup. We have tried cream of celery soup as well which works pretty good. Just depends on your taste buds.
  

4 boneless skinless chicken breast halves (4 ounces each)
1 tablespoon dried minced onion
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon pepper
4 slices (3/4 ounce each) reduced-fat Swiss cheese
1 can (10-3/4 ounces) reduced-fat reduced-sodium condensed cream of chicken soup, undiluted
1/3 cup reduced-fat sour cream
1/2 cup fat-free milk
1/3 cup crushed reduced-fat butter-flavored crackers (about 8 crackers)
1 teaspoon butter, melted.

Place the chicken in a 13-in. x 9-in. x 2-in. baking dish coated with cooking spray.
Sprinkle with minced onion, garlic powder, salt and pepper. Top each with a slice of
cheese. In a small bowl, combine the soup, sour cream and milk; pour over chicken.
Toss the cracker crumbs and butter; sprinkle over chicken.

Bake, uncovered, at 350° for 30-40 minutes or until chicken juices run clear and crumbs are golden.Yield: 4 servings.
 
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by Heather on May 13, 2008  •  Permalink
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Posted by Heather on May 13, 2008

https://purplecoloredglasses.wordpress.com/2008/05/13/makeover-swiss-chicken-supreme/

Baked Lemon Shrimp With Garlic

BAKED LEMON SHRIMP WITH GARLIC
Serves 6.
Ingredients
2 pounds large shrimp (about 30), peeled
1/4 stick unsalted butter
1 1/2 teaspoons salt, or to taste
1 tablespoon mined garlic, or to taste
1/2 cup flat-leafed parsley leaves, washed well, spun dry, and chopped fine
2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice, or to taste

Preheat oven to 450°F.
In a flameproof baking dish large enough to hold shrimp in one layer melt butter with salt over moderately low heat. Stir in garlic and half of parsley. Add shrimp and bake 5 minutes. Turn shrimp and sprinkle with remaining parsley and lemon juice. Bake shrimp until just cooked through, 5 to 10 minutes more. Serve shrimp with rice. 

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by Heather on May 13, 2008  •  Permalink
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Posted by Heather on May 13, 2008

https://purplecoloredglasses.wordpress.com/2008/05/13/baked-lemon-shrimp-with-garlic/

New England Boiled Dinner – Corned Beef & Cabbage

New England Boiled Dinner – Corned Beef & Cabbage

2 1/2 pounds corned beef brisket
The spice packet that comes with the corned beef or 3 tablespoons pickling spices, 3 bay leaves and 5 black peppercorns, tied in a cheesecloth bag
2 potatoes, peeled and cut into large chunks
3 carrots, cut into 4 pieces
1 onion, quartered
1 small cabbage, cut into wedges
1 tablespoon salt  

In a large pot combine meat, spices and enough cold water to cover. Bring to a boil, reduce heat and simmer 2 hours. Add vegetables and salt. Simmer 30 minutes more.  

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by Heather on May 13, 2008  •  Permalink
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Posted by Heather on May 13, 2008

https://purplecoloredglasses.wordpress.com/2008/05/13/new-england-boiled-dinner/

Mother’s Day…The Day After!

First of all let me tell you I really enjoyed Mother’s Day this year. I spent the day with my 2 kids and they did not fight with each other all day! To top things off, my husband cooked dinner for me and did the dishes. What more could I ask for?

I should have asked for it to last longer! Today is the Day After Mother’s Day and this is how the real world works! I woke up this morning and went out to the kitchen to get my morning cup of coffee. But guess what, there was no coffee in the pot! I usually set the coffee up when I clean up the kitchen after dinner. Well, last night I didn’t clean up, so you guessed it NO COFFEE! OK, I made the coffee, actually took a few sips, and went upstairs to wake the girls up for school. So far so good, they were both moving fairly well for a Monday.

Then we get to the bathroom! The 8 year old starts bitching complaining that her sister has stuff on her side of the sink. Seriously, I think the 15 year old’s comb was a half-inch over the imaginary line down the bathroom! I tell the 8 year old to suck it up to be the bigger one and ignore it. Of course I should know that is not going to work and the fighting starts in! I threaten to go get the duct tape if they don’t both shut up!

Next, I go back down to the kitchen to get breakfast going for the kids and this time, since I am awake now, I see a complete disaster where my nice clean kitchen used to be! I had a pile of pots sitting in my sink! I asked my husband about the pots and he said he didn’t know what to do with them. Try washing them! I wanted to scream but I didn’t. Then the smell hit me. You see for dinner my loving husband steamed some King Crab legs for me. Yep, you guessed it he put the shells in the kitchen trash can! See, I usually make the 15 year old take the trash out after dinner, but then again I did not have a hand in dinner last night.

So far on this, the Day After Mother’s Day, I have awoken to no coffee, broke up World War III, and cleaned up my disaster area of a kitchen. Next year I am banning Mother’s Day from being celebrated at my house! 🙄

1 Comment
by Heather on May 12, 2008  •  Permalink
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Posted by Heather on May 12, 2008

https://purplecoloredglasses.wordpress.com/2008/05/12/mothers-daythe-day-after/

Welcome To Mom’s Diner

For some strange reason I love to be in the kitchen. I grew up bugging my mom in the kitchen and now my kids are taking their turn at bugging me in the kitchen. But hopefully while they are bugging me they are learning a few life lessons at the same time! I know I did.

I like looking at and trying new recipes, not that anyone likes trying them a whole lot!! I am going to try and add one new recipe a week to my blog. I hope you all enjoy and don’t choke on any chicken bones!! 🙂 
Update 8/26/08: OK, I failed at adding a recipe a week! Oops, sorry! I will add recipes as I come across them. 🙂
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by Heather on May 12, 2008  •  Permalink
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Posted by Heather on May 12, 2008

https://purplecoloredglasses.wordpress.com/2008/05/12/welcome-to-moms-diner/

But Mom, Everyone Has One….

wii

From Wii Fit to Wii Strip?

At-Home Stripper-Pole Maker Is Working on Wii Game

By ASHLEY PHILLIPS

April 18, 2008 —As the new Wii Fit made the rounds on morning talk shows this week, a U.K. company was working on a buzzy tidbit of its own: a stripping game for the popular console.

Peekaboo, a company that specializes in temporary at-home stripper polls, including one endorsed by Carmen Electra, announced this week that it’s developing a strip aerobics game for the Wii.

“Peekaboo is pleased to confirm that it is in talks to develop a game for the Nintendo Wii that meets mainstream demand for the fun and fitness benefits of pole dancing,” the company said in an e-mailed statement. “Peekaboo and its partners are focused on using Wii-friendly hardware to make aerobic pole dancing instantly accessible just as ‘Guitar Hero’ did for rock’n’roll.” (For the full story go to: http://abcnews.go.com/Technology/story?id=4680562&page=1)

I can hear the whining all ready! “But, Mom, little Cindy down the street has one!”  or “But Kim’s mom lets her pole dance, why can’t I?”

Hmmm… I wonder what the senior citizen homes will think? No more Nintendo Bowling for them no siree. Now the kids will have “But, Mom, Grandma does it” to add to their arsenal!

3 Comments
by Heather on May 8, 2008  •  Permalink
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Posted by Heather on May 8, 2008

https://purplecoloredglasses.wordpress.com/2008/05/08/but-mom-everyone-has-one/

In My World…

I have a strange mind, but hey it’s my strange mind. I have always had this strange little thought that hey, maybe we are not real. Maybe we are just little dolls living in a huge dollhouse and God is just playing with us. It’s just a thought, something to make you go hmmm?!

What is really funny about this is my youngest daughter has the same warped mind as I do and she finds my dollhouse thing funny. My oldest daughter on the other hand finds this whole little scenario disturbing and is actually scared of it.

Not really thinking about this little story I bought a dollhouse kit for the 3 of us to put together as a summer project. My youngest one keeps telling me, of course when her sister is listening, “I can’t wait to build God’s new house? Do you think he will give us nice new neighbors!” Of course I tell her to stop teasing her sister, on my way to the bathroom so I can laugh by myself!

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by Heather on May 5, 2008  •  Permalink
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Posted by Heather on May 5, 2008

https://purplecoloredglasses.wordpress.com/2008/05/05/in-my-world/

Please Make It Stop!

Sometimes I walk a little faster
In the school hallway
Just to get next to you
Some days I spend a little extra
Time in the morning
Dress to impress you

Guess you don’t notice
Guess you don’t need this
Sad you’re not seein’ what you’re missin’
On the outside shyin’ away
On the inside dyin’ to say

I’m unusual
Not so typical
Way too smart to be waiting around
Tai chi practicing
Snowboard champion
I could fix the flat on your car
I might even be a rock star (Rock Star by Miley Cyrus)

This is just one of the annoying songs that I have bouncing in my head because of my kids. The worst part is on the way home from dropping off my youngest daughter at school this morning I found myself singing this song! The entire song! By myself! And I knew all the words! I know it’s a sad, sad, life I live!

There is light at the end of the mental ward hallway though, my oldest daughter has come to her senses and has decided that she really likes the new Duran Duran album, Red Carpet Massacre. Being an old Duranie this is a proud moment for me. I told her if they come in concert we are going!

 

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by Heather on May 2, 2008  •  Permalink
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Posted by Heather on May 2, 2008

https://purplecoloredglasses.wordpress.com/2008/05/02/please-make-it-stop/

Man vs Machine

Husband: “That sounds funny! Do you want me to look at it?”

Me: “No, that’s the way it sounds. It is fine!”

Husband: Walking away with his head down “OK”

What brought this conversation about was my weekly vacuuming. It all started about a month ago when I got tired of my old vacuum getting too hot and turning off. It was taking me an hour and a half to vacuum my house. I had enough of the blasted thing! I announced to my husband that I was going to buy a new vacuum. He said that was fine and we could go look for one in a week or so.

I did my research and looked around for the best price once I made up my mind which vacuum I wanted. Then I finally did it, I went and bought a new machine for myself. This thing is awesome! I can vacuum my entire house in 30 minutes and only have to plug it in twice, once upstairs and once downstairs.

The problem is I went and bought a machine on my own. You see, as I have found out, that men like to be the ones to buy things with motors in them. It doesn’t matter how big or small the machine is, or for what purposed it will be used. Man must buy machine!

I only hope my husband will get over this soon. There is nothing worse than a man pouting around!

3 Comments
by Heather on May 1, 2008  •  Permalink
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Posted by Heather on May 1, 2008

https://purplecoloredglasses.wordpress.com/2008/05/01/man-vs-machine/