Happy Easter

Hope everyone is having a happy Easter.

Easter is one of my favorite holidays. First, its symbolize how Christ sacrificed for us all. Its meant to be a new beginning. Its the beginning of spring. The flowers and dogwoods are blooming. The birds are singing and rushing around to get their nest built. I just love it.

Our church had a Good Friday service. Then Easter egg hunt was on Saturday and Easter morning we went to sunrise service and breakfast then attended church service a few hours later. We are now on our way to have lunch with family.

My daughter came home to spend the weekend. She will never outgrow the Easter tradition of dying eggs and baking some Easter goodies and yes, she still gets an Easter basket full of goodies. Did I mention, shes 23 years old? Yep still our baby.

We dyed eggs

 

 

and tried to make some bunny tails. AKA "Lemon Coconut Bliss". .You can find the recipe here. I couldnt get the recipe to work for me but the mess of mush it made was tasty.

This year, my husband was the Easter bunny.  He wanted to do her Easter basket this time. I sat back and let him. He has been staying on her to keep her car clean since shes moved out. Shes said she doesn't have things to do it with... 

She does now. This year, her basket was a car wash bucket instead of a pocket book. It was filled with sponges, soaps, shiners and sprayers instead of beauty products, clothes and games. The look on her face when she got it was priceless. Sort of confused and surprised. Ok, mom had to add some candy, cookies and makeup to the mix but it was still wash bucket.

I think my Husband did a good job. I believe Ill let him do her next birthday and Christmas

HAPPY EASTER EVERYONE.

If I Could Have It My Way

A lot of people have what they call a bucket list. Its a list of things they wish to accomplish before they die. I refuse to do one of these because, one, It would be a rather short list, and two, Id have to much anxiety to get it done fearing I wouldn't fulfill it all before I actually did die. So, I just take life one day at a time and take what it gives me.

I do think often though. I have dreams. I do not think any of my wishes are out of reach. Its just the time and money it would take to get there.

If could have it my way:

• I would no longer work in this smelly office filled with vulgar talk, smoke smog and non-appreciation.
• Id leave it today if I could have it my way.
• I would be working in a more professional office or health care facility of some sort preferably using my phlebotomy training. 
• That job would be located in the place I want to live, the coast.
• It could even be just a part time job to get me by. I don't care to be rich, just comfortable. Id rather find resourceful ways to get by instead of relying on all the luxury of the world.
• I would live in a small house where I can smell, hear and see the ocean from my windows. 
• My windows would always be open If I could have it my way.
• A place where I feel safe to be alone. Where I can have leisure and relaxation.
• I would visit South Port, take bike tours in Beaufort, and see the light houses at the Outer Banks.
• Me and my husband would find a new church together.
• I would have one cat. I wish to have a blue Scottish fold. again, only one.
• I would have all new friends and the true friends here would visit me a couple times a year.
• I would marry my Husband again. We'd have a small ceremony on the beach and a lieu following with lots of people and new friends.
• I have it all planned out, If could have it my way.
• I would not want to be further than a few hours drive from my Mom and Dad.
• and my Daughter would live and work close by.
• I would take up surf fishing.
• I would take a ride on a sail boat, maybe even learn to sail one and have my own.
• I would stay healthy and live to be 100 years old and still leave the world before my loved ones.
• If only I could have it my way.

We will be taking our first beach trip of the year soon. My husband and I will continuously talk about "one of these days". We have a lot of the same dreams. I just feel they are closer than he does. I'm just more spontaneous and optimistic. If it takes a few more years to get started with our wishes, then so be it. Ill take what life throws at me. I am blessed with a wonderful husband and daughter and just knowing how in love we are and enjoy every minute together, makes me happy today.

Nutrisystem - More Veggies

Well, I just finished up week twelve on my Nutrisystem diet.

Week eleven was slow. I didn't loose any pounds. I heard there would be weeks like this. My body was hitting a Plateau, I think. So the next week I stepped it up a bit. More food that is.

I have been reading on the Nutrisystem website and found out that I'm not actually doing everything I should be doing. I figured the meals they sent me would be enough and maybe a veggie with it and some snacks between. Well, according to them, I'm not getting enough food. I suppose to have a couple power snacks and a couple smartcarb snacks between my meals. I'm also suppose to be getting at least 4 servings of veggies a day. WOW that's a lot of food if you ask me. Its becoming overwhelming. They have a list of all the foods they recommend me eat between my meals. I may not get all that in each day but I am working on getting at least 4 veggies mixed in somehow.


 Nutrisystem- Tortilla soup over lettuce =taco salad

I bought this really cute crock pot food warmer. I love it.

I can put my Nutrisystem microwavable lunches in there, plug it in when I get to work in the mornings and by lunch time, I have a warm prepared meal ready to eat. I can stuff veggies in with it if I'd like and they will soften up just in time. This little warmer does not cook so I can't add raw meats to it but it works fine for everything else.
 

Nutrisystem- Black Beans and Rice

 It works better than the microwave and I don't have to worry about it boiling over anymore. Plus, anything slow cooked is just better.

Nutrisystem- Three Cheese Chicken with 1/2 cup raw baby spinach

On week twelve, I ate more veggies. I bought some V8 vegetable juice to help me out. I do not like it that well but its a quick solution. I also did my best to get in at least 64 ounces of water a day. Guess what...
I'm loosing again. I lost 2lbs this past week and another inch off my waist. I still have 15 more pounds to go to reach my goal. Wish me luck....

Spring Nesting

Spring is finally in the air. Looking around you can see the flowers and trees blooming. Before long, everything will produce pollen and the town will turn greenish/yellow.

I love to watch the birds play in my yard. During the winter months I keep them fed with bread, seed or suet. Never fails though, the squirrels will ruin it. They eat the bird feeders and somehow figured out how to get into the suet cage. I almost give up, then spring arrives. I will no longer put food in the feeders because I know the birds will get enough bugs, worms and berries. As for the squirrels, they probably have a little hiding place full of the bird feed I put out all Winter.

I will sit back now and watch as the birds work franticlly to find just the right twig to build a nest by full spring. I'm going to help them with that this year.

I took the suet feeder and filled it with some scrap yarn pieces I have been saving up just for this purpose. Each bird will take her share of colorful string and use it in her nest construction. I was worried about doing this at first, thinking it may cause them to get tangled. Lets hope not. I would feel so bad.

I think its rather pretty hanging there in the tree. I cant wait to see how it works out. I can picture this fall after the leaves have fallen from the trees, I will see little colorful nest embedded between the branches as the renters leave and await for the next spring.


I've shared this at:
be-inspired-features-and-link-party at elizabethandcovintage

Nutrisystem- Lost More Inches Than Weight

I just completed my 10th week on Nutrisystem. I was afraid I would not have that much to share with you this time because I was getting discouraged.

1. Because of financial reasons I was afraid I would have to back off.
2. My weight loss has slowed down and It was depressing me. I had even gained a pound. Bummer.

Then I realized, It's not that bad. 

1. I found out that my insurance company (BlueCross/Blueshield) has an offer in the wellness program that allows me a small discount on Nutrisystem foods. That made me giddy. Every little bit helps and Lord knows I pay out the whazoo for health insurance.
2. I'm averaging 1 or 2 lbs a week and that's normal. The day that I was a little down on myself, I decided to go measure. Guess what? I had lost another 2 inches in my waist. That's a total of 4 1/2 inches. That got me excited. Yes, I actually lost more inches than weight these past two weeks.

I'm still loving all the meals with the exception of two. I just made sure I didn't add them on my next order. Yes I said it "Next Order" I plan to go through May at least. I still have 20 lbs to loose to reach my goal. I do not plan to cut it out all together, I plan to just postpone my order for a month or two to see how well I do on my own. It will save me some money during the summer for my vacations. Well see. Maybe I can find some more discounts somewhere.

Here are a couple more items I love from Nutrisystem.

Nutrisystem Chocolate Frosted Doughnut

The doughnuts are great. I put them in the microwave for 10 seconds and wahlaha, breakfast.

Nutrisystem- Multigrain Pilaf

The Pilaf was so good. Whatever Pilaf is. I added a side of  homemade Pico De Gallo. You can find my recipe HERE.

I'm still hula hooping and with the warmer weather approaching, I will be doing more walking. I cant wait for summer.


10lbs Nutribear

I found a Nutribear hiding in my last shipment of food. I will get one of these for every 10lbs lost. Looks like I will be getting the 20lbs Nutribear soon. 



Starting Weight- 168 lbs
Weight after 10 weeks- 149lbs.


 

Low Carb Ham & Egg Muffins

I have been on a diet since January. Its not a strict diet like most. I can actually eat carbs. I just need to stay with natural carbs and not over do it. Everything I eat seems to have carbs in it. The diet that I'm doing is Nutrisystem (as if I haven't talked about it enough already). I do the diet during the week and on the weekends I like to do my own thing. I do this because once I stop the diet, I do not want to just all of a sudden jump back into the pantry. I want to teach myself and get used to making my own smaller portions with the right carbs.

My daughter was home this past weekend and I always have her breakfast ready when shes here. I feel like its the most important meal of the day and I love breakfast.
While she is also trying to eat lighter, I decided to experiment on making these "breadless" ham and egg muffins

Ok do not let the picture take away from how good they really are.

They were so easy to make and tasted great. I limited myself to just one and one was enough.

Low Carb Ham & Egg Muffins.

1.  Spay a muffin tin with non-stick spray.
2.  Line each with a slice of ham ( any brand will work)

3. Crack an egg into each ham bowl. (Don't worry if a yellow breaks it will be fine. I broke some while removing the white goo thing in each egg) .
4. Sprinkle with shredded cheese of your choice (sharp cheddar is best)
5. salt/pepper (optional)
6. Bake on 400 degrees for 20 minutes.

That's it!!

Mine turned out ugly.
One,because my ham was too thin and it burnt on the edges and
two, I didn't have cheese on hand except slice American cheese which didn't melt in as well.
 
They are really good. Next time I make these I plan to add some veggies such as spinach, peppers, onions, or avocado.

Original (and better looking) recipe found HERE at kirstenoliphant.com

Ive shared this at:
party-under-the-big-top-act-five at welcometomycircus  
be-inspired-features-and-link-party at elizabethandcovintage  
worthwhile-wednesdays at craftyallieblog

Children's Book- Momma Don't You Worry

I just read the cutest little children's book.
"Momma Don't You Worry"- By: Louie Lawent

(source)

We have all heard this from our little ones and sometimes they have to learn things on their own.
Unfortunately my daughter is an adult now but I would have loved to have read this book to her. I now have a little nephew and niece that would love a story like this. Its on a level that any small child will understand.


While I read it, It took me back to a time my little girl was about six years old and wondered off from us in a store. That's as much as I'm going to say about the book because my story of that day was way to similar.


This book is a poetic story from a six year old's point of view. You know, that age just when they start getting curious. The little boy in the book learned a lesson and I think all small children would enjoy to hear this story as much as adults would enjoy reading it to them. It is very short (my kind of reading) and to the point. One minute your child will have a look of concern on their face and the next minute they will laugh. The book is so simple that your child may even be reading it themselves before you know it.


"Momma Don't You Worry" By: Louie Lawent is available now to download from Amazon for Kindle or Kindle for iPhone.