Monday, April 15, 2013

Yup, 10 pounds

You read that right, 10 pounds! Well... For today anyway. I actually came down with a terrible stomach flu on Thursday night. I didn't eat anything real until Sunday. And that, my friends is how you do it. 
I think that weight loss should be permanent. Kind of like a reward for my pain and suffering, you know?  I'm realistic enough to know that it will likely all be right back on me by tomorrow. But I'm holding out hope. 
Truly though, I'm trying to look at the bright side of this. I am not as hungry as I usually am. I am more satisfied with smaller portions.  I haven't even been dying for sweets like usual. It would seem this 3-day detox, if you will, did everything I can't seem to accomplish on my own.  So, I know it sounds crazy but I am thinking this could be a jump start for me. I'm trying to pay more attention to my body, and listen to if I am really hungry and what kind of nourishment I need instead of just eating jellybeans because I have some and they're delicious. You know?  I know you know. 
I'm not exactly hopeful this will work. We've all been here after praying to the porcelain gods and all. But, I vowed that I would speak honestly on my blog so there it is.  I'm turning my stomach flu into something good. Laugh all you want. 
P.S. my apologies that this post isn't anything pretty to look at. I haven't seen anything worth sharing lately!

Tuesday, April 9, 2013

Game Night Dip

My friends and I planned a game night for last Friday.  Best. Idea. Ever.  We had the great time and laughed harder than we have in a long time.  We each brought some munchies to enjoy and then went crazy with catch phrase.  I'm going to share my dip "recipe" now.  It's not so much a recipe as instructions for how to make it.  I seem to be good at imprecise recipes.  So, here it is.

I made a double batch in a 9x13 pan, but usually do a single batch in a 9" pie plate.  This dip probably has a real name, we usually call it "the raspberry salsa dip".  As you'll soon discover, this particular batch has no raspberry salsa.  Minor detail.  That stuff is IMPOSSIBLE to find.  Hence the new name: game night dip.

Ingredients (for a single recipe):
8 oz cream cheese SOFTENED
1 can black beans, drained and rinsed
Chopped red onion, to taste
1 jar sweet salsa
Shredded cheddar cheese
I didn't give amounts for everything because it kind of depends on your taste! 

Spread softened cream cheese evenly in dish
Sprinkle on some diced onion
Next comes the beans




This is the salsa I used.  Found at the Walmart. 
Pour on the salsa and spread evenly.  I used 1 1/2 jars for this pan
Sprinkle on some cheese.  I used the Mexican blend because that's what I buy at Sam's club.  This is about 2 cups.
Bake at 350 until hot and bubbly! About 20-30 minutes.  Serve with tortilla chips.

I'm not gonna lie.. My crew thought this was a weird recipe and weren't sure about it, but in the end it received a thumbs up!

And now, a moment of time shared from game night.  Please excuse the poor quality as I tried out the panorama feature on my phone.
Everyone should be so lucky to have people like this in their lives.
Enjoy this gorgeous weather while it lasts!

Thursday, April 4, 2013

Spring Break (so far) in Pictures

So far spring break has been AMAZING!  My nephew was here for a few days all by himself last week, which is always a wonderful treat.  The day after he arrived we received 18" of snow. In 24 hrs.  It was beautiful and even earned me a snow day!

So pretty!
My good friend invited us to come sledding.  They live out in the country and hook an old satellite dish to the back of the 4-wheeler and have a ball.  Carson really had fun and I think he could have stayed out there all day!  

Thank you, Nick!!
After a few days, Brooke came to join her big brother.  We saw "The Croods" movie and it was ADORABLE.  We also took a drive through deer park, had pretend picnics outside (the snow melted super fast) and skipped nap time every day.  
Love these eyelashes.  


We wrapped up a wonderful weekend with a FANTASTIC church service followed by brunch at Granny's.  
My loves in their Easter Sunday best!

I've been spending some time doing some spring cleaning this week.  I got my hair done, and got some baby-loving time with my friend's twin baby girls.  I've spent plenty of time being lazy, and catching up with friends too.  Of course, I've had a couple projects going on too so I'll update on those soon!