5.25.2011

my review:: berry almond chicken salad( from wendy's)


um yep this is a seriously good salad. i was on my way to the park for playgroup today and thought i would stop and grab and apple pecan chicken salad from wendys ( which by the way is amazing too)
 when i pulled up i saw a pretty new looking salad on the menu... the berry almond chicken salad. i got the half size so i could eat it with a piece of white chocolate pecan bread from harmons ( bread from heaven i think!) it was more than enough salad and was so good!
 i only used less than half of the pecans and dressing packet. everything was fresh and delish and it sure did not taste like a fast food salad. at only 270 calories and a pretty good protein to carb ration ( almost even) i can see this salad as a go to when i have to pick up something quick.

5.19.2011








for your viewing pleasure.

top- napoleon dynamite cartoon. my boys think it looks hilarious

middle- a new tv show with zoey! she is the cutest ever

bottom- apparently this reminds my husband of my dance moves. he says i even make the same faces. this may or may not be spot on.

can't wait!

5.16.2011

something weird is going on with my computer lately. it just shuts down for no reason. thus the lack of posting. i am trying to type this as fast as i can to get a post I'm before it happens. is it a virus?


                                                                   started this today...








i have already done the workout before but i plan on actually doing the whole four week plan. i am headed to California in 4 weeks so i thought this would give me some extra motivation. it is a great dvd. the 3 minutes strength 2 minutes cardio 1 minute abs is my favorite jillian exercise plan.

hopefully i can keep my computer on long enough to post menu monday. it's a good one this week. i find that when i actually make a plan and post it online i am much better at sticking to it. wonder why that is...



4.28.2011

random

i love sriracha. i mean love. as in i plan my meals around what would be tasty with the red gold on top. i love it on mac and cheese, ( anything cheesy really), any asian-y type food, anything with eggs, anything meaty. yum.

found this on pinterest today. guess what my swagbucks gift cards to amazon are going to?! by the way pinterest is fun, i enjoy wasting time on there.

this looks mighty tasty. i am obsessed with eggs right now. i really really love capers too. i make egg salad sammies with capers, kalamata olives and red onion. try it sometime.

15 lbs lost on body for life! i am winding down the challenge ( 3 weeks left) i have really enjoyed it but an ready to try something else. i am signed up for 2 5k's and a 10 k this summer. i want to do a half marathon and am thinking of the top of utah.  has anyone done it?

why the hell is there no trader joes in utah? i stocked up in vegas a few weeks ago and my supply is running low. thanks to my friend whit i was introduced to the most amazing thing ever. unsweetened, unsulfered dried mangoes. they are the perfect treat.so good that i may or may not be thinking of buying some from ebay... and thanks to krista i learned about dark chocolate covered pretzel thins.amazing! the sweet/salty combo is perfect. ginnie introduced me to the freeze dried snap peas a little to late. i tried them after we left the store and was wishing i bought a bag the whole car ride. good thing i am headed to cali in june to restock. my great grandma has 3 trader joes in her neighborhood!




speaking of vegas... it was so much fun. my mom and husband watched the kids while i headed out for three nights o fun with my girls. we all grew up together and have kept in contact throughout the years. we  had tons of fun laying out, running, eating, chatting, swimming, dancing, stalking celebs ( well brandon flowers and the polygs from sister wives) shopping, sleeping on a giant unibed, people watching... i sure do love these friends. ( ps. aren't they cute?)

4.18.2011

menu monday


*cheese and roasted veggie enchiladas + strawberries
*sopitas de tortillas + green smoothies + trader joes peppered turkey bacon
*penne with roasted asparagus and balsamic vinegar + breadsticks + green salad
*kung pao ramen noodles + asian slaw salad salad
*chicken paella + green salad
*grandma batemans easter wienie roast! bringing a salad
*easter dinner

what are you having this week?

3.29.2011

menu monday {errrr.... tuesday}

philly cheese fakes, strawberries. steamed veggies
* steak, oven french fries, broccoli, canned peaches
* taco bar with all the fixings, smoothies
* breakfast for dinner, roasted asparagus with egg, bacon, bagels
* cheesy noodle casserole ( aka noodley doodley), green salad, asparagus, garlic bread
* date night?
* leftovers or sandwiches

last week our church had a self reliance workshop. i went to 2 classes. one on finances and one on the importance of family dinners. my kids are young enough that we don't have much going on yet and are able to have family dinner most nights. i really enjoyed the class and it gave me some good ideas. i will share them with you tomorrow. i'm getting pretty tired. watching biggest loser will do that to you ;)

3.14.2011


 so- i just got through eating the second best apple of my life. what apple is that you say? it's called a jazz apple. i found them at smiths the other day for $1 a lb.

 my in-laws have the tasty apples on the planet but these are a close second. the apple was so crisp and juicy + shares a name with our basketball team ( what is up with kirelinkos hair?!).

you better believe that come free day i will be making the best apple dumplings ever. just thought i would spread the word on this tasty treat.

menu monday


* black bean tacos, green salad, pineapple
* lemon ricotta pancakes with strawberries, bacon, smoothies
* shanghi chicken and noodles, green smoothie
* grilled taco chicken, ( made into tacos with corn tortillas) strawberries, leftover black beans
* steak, grilled potatoes and onions, roasted asparagus
* st pattys day dinner made by granny. you know the usual stuff...

do you guys eat leftovers alot? i'm not a huge fan. i will eat things the first day, then i don't care for them much after that. except for stew, pot roast, chili and fried rice. i need to be better about using them up. my husband takes them for lunch most the time but i still feel like some things get wasted.

what are you making this week?

do you eat  leftovers?

ps. click on the link for the menu above for a printable menu from eighteen25

3.11.2011

friday favs and weekend happenings


*these tote bags are super cute. you can never have enough totes right? the deer applique is destined to become a pillow for my couch.

* i am completely obsessed/smitten with this bedroom. lacy painted floor, chicken wire wall and vintage linens, floral too? yes please! i love everything ashley does with her house. she is so creative!

* do you guys remember making butter in grade school? we used to shake cream in a mason jar and watch it turn to cream. this looks even faster/easier, although maybe not as fun for kids to do. i'm thinking homemade bread and butter + apricot and raspberry freezer jam is in order this weekend!

* i love love love these lightweight boy hoodies at i am momma hear me roar

* week one of the ripped in 30 almost done! i am loving it. under 30 minutes, weight+ cardio. i previewed week 2 yesterday and it there are alot of moves i have never seen before. i am excited to try it.

* look how pretty my friend krista's rosette cuffs are! i have a green one and love it but the pink is calling my name.

*finally good enough weather to go to the zoo! i've got the fever for sure.

*i made some homemade coconut butter this week. it is unbelievable on pancakes. it was fast, cheap and easy.

* a new sunflower market is opening up in salt lake. i'm hoping to make it to the grand opening and score some free things.

* the prettiest crocheted pillows i have ever seen.

* how pretty is this image? wish i could find some pretty old wood that looked like that!

* what a great idea for keeping organized in the car.

*where is a girls scout when you need one? i love samoas so much i might just try to make some if i don't see one soon.

* roasted maple cinnamon almond butter! i am all over it.
what caught your eye this week?

3.07.2011

menu monday

+ thai peanut noodle lettuce wraps, mango.( i didn't get around to  making this last week and i am dying to try them!)
+ pioneer womans chili recipe ( from book), cornbread, green salad
+ walking tacos with leftover chili, fruit salad
+ roasted asparagus and lemon chicken pizza, salad, garlic bread
+ red beans and rice, asparagus, fruit
+ leftovers or breakfast for dinner
+ date night??



other things i'm making this week-
 making this for fhe for sure!

                                                                       source

my favorite ( and easy!) homemade wheat bread. it really does taste like expensive store bought bread. it is chewy and soft. i make 2 loaves a week

homemade buttermilk dressing for my ranch loving kids.

homemade hot pockets for lunches ( add some salad supreme and they are amazing!

this french bread recipe is looking good for the garlic bread i am making this week.