Awesome Deal Woot.com - Kitrics Digital Nutrition Label Scale - Today Only!

Here is a great deal from Woot.com, today only: It's a kitrics digital nutrition label scale. Great for those who are trying to lose weight or be more health conscious!

http://www.woot.com/

It's Fat Tuesday! Celebrate Mardi Gras Style!

Fat Tuesday is always the day before Ash Wednesday! It is marked as the last day to eat rich fatty foods before fasting for Lent. New Orleans aka "The Big Easy" is known for their Mardi Gras celebrations! People come down to the French Quarters and to Bourbon street to party during Mardis Gras! The carnivale parades run through St. Charles Avenue and Canal Street! If you can't make it to New Orlean's, then why don't you throw your own Mardis Gras party at home!  "Laissez les bons temps rouler" ("Let the Good Times Roll")

What you will need for a Mardi Gras party:

• Have friends come over, dressed in costume
• Get bead necklaces
• Serve cajun food
• Serve a king cake (allrecipes.com has some great recipe ideas for king cake)
• Decorate your place purple, gold, and green

The king cake is a fun game as well! Whomever ends of with the slice of cake with the baby in it, will have to host the next year's mardi gras party!

Booty Appreciation Day

Don't forget to make sure to appreciate those booties out there today! It is Booty Appreciation Day! I would like to thank all those beautiful bootylicous bombshells such as Marilyn Monroe, Jane Russell, Jayne Mansfield, J Lo, Beyonce, Anna Nicole Smith, etc... Oh yeah, and me!

How to Get Back on Track When You Fall Off the Diet Wagon...

I would like a how to guide on getting back on track everytime I fall off my diet wagon. I have such trouble getting back on. Yesterday, I did well, today I did the opposite. Maybe it's hormones, but either way, something has to work. I worked too hard to drop weight over the past few years and it is working, but I always creep back up a little and then I get motivated for a bit and drop some more. I just hate when I can't seem to tell my head no. My stomach wins all the time, or is it my head? Many experts say alot of bad eating habits are mental. I can definitely agree with that. If I am happy, sad or angry, I run for the cabinets or fridge. I think television is also a definite evil to losing weight. Everytime I watch a show, which is barely, the commercials are filled with some sort of food ad. Next thing I know, I am running to the fridge looking for that item or something comparable to it. I have been having these troubles since 5th grade. I don't know where I went wrong. I don't know why I ended up with such a big issue with food, but I want to break the cycle. Maybe my next step is counseling. I'll keep you posted! Oh, by the way, don't forget to check my cooking blog out that created with my friend Theresa:  http://www.cookingdivas.blogspot.com/

Out of Order

I am sorry if I haven't been blogging much of late, but I have been sort of "Out of Order". Yes, that's right, "Out of Order". I am not functioning at full capacity these days and need to be adjusted. I can't seem to get my health or my mind on track. Thank goodness for doctors and lots of books. I have been resting alot lately and reading in my quiet time. Don't worry though, no bad news here. Just need to figure out what's been out of whack. I promise that I will tell, once I know. I am so hard to figure out, just ask the doctors, my husband or my parents. I will say that I have been extremely worn down, stressed out to the maximum capacity and pretty much at my limit. I have low blood pressure, imagine that, but I swear it must spike. I feel like my head will pop off from all the stress. I guess it's normal for mothers, but I think my kids think they are in charge, even though I try to explain that they aren't. It's not just them, it's everything. I have ADD /ADHD and have major anxiety issues and that all mixed up with trying to be a SAHM. Just trying to make everything run smoothly is such hard work, because it never seems to go that way and it drives me insane. My friend said something very important in her recent blog about Facebook and how she almost quit it. I feel that Facebook has taken over too much of my time and that if I would just not use it that I would open up alot more space in my life to organize things better. But do understand this, I don't sit on Facebook all day. I just check it several times a day and still carry out everyday things. It just seems that it's gotten out of control and has begun to creep into my life way too much. I think I will be keeping it to a bare minimum. I think I need FA - Facebook Anonymous... This is an ode to my friend's blog prisca's voice: http://www.priscasvoice.com/....

Positive Thinking

I am trying to learn to be a more positive person than I have been before. This was my New Year's resolution, to be more positive, peaceful and to try to pay it forward wherever I can. I need to stop and take a breathe when something upsets me and just let it out with that breathe so it doesn't wreck my soul. I want to feel good again, the way I did when I was a child. I want my innocence back. I came on this earth to be a good person and I plan to leave that way. I have a lot to learn in this life and I need to make efforts to better myself so that I can be better to others and my family. I have constantly worked on my physical self sometimes to no avail, but many times I have forgotten that I have to work on my inner self. This is my year to do good onto others. Please join me in this and try to make an effort to do some good. Even if it's just letting the person out on the side of the road that has been waiting forever to be let out of a road. Pay it forward! I bet you will feel a lot better about yourself at the end of the day.....

A Clean House Makes Me Feel Better

I love a clean house. It makes me feel good. This is a very hard thing to do with 2 boys under the age of 7 and a husband that sometimes gets busy and just leaves things there. I decided on New Year's Eve to put away the Christmas tree and all the decorations to clean the house thoroughly. It seemed like a tornado had struck the interior of my home. I just didn't know how I was going to get through it all. But I just started by picking something up and putting it away and then repeated the process hundreds of times, it seemed. I cleaned and wiped and ran up and down the stairs doing laundry. It seemed like I would never get done, but by the end of the afternoon the house looked in order and I was a wee bit tired, but I felt great. I accomplished what I wanted and my mental and spiritual state seemed to be uplifted. Yes, a clean house does that for me. I guess there is something to the saying, "Cleanliness is godliness"......

Vegetarian Diet - Almost 3 Weeks Into it

I have been on my vegetarian lifestyle for almost 3 weeks as of Sunday. I am missing meat less and less. I tried gardein crispy tenders that I thought were delicious. I have been trying to watch what I eat as well. I am trying to stick to a 1200 calorie diet and it seems to be working. I was sick as well during some of this time which helped the weight loss situation. I am down about 9 lbs, since the beginning of my vegetarian lifestyle change. I figure I have saved a few more animals lives and that makes me feel pretty good about my decision. I am still not totally 100% on the vegetarian boat yet (which means if there is a special event that is serving meat, then I might eat it), but I am choosing to stick to it for now and for the long term with possible slip ups. So I will not say I am a vegetarian, because I am not, but I am not eating meat, not even fish at the time. I know my hubby likes this since he is one, but I am not doing this for him. I am doing this for me and all those cute fuzzy little animals. Some people told me I would not lose weight going vegetarian, but so far I have, so I am happy! I would have posted about this last week, but my whole family was sick. Til' next week!

Dear Santa, All I Want For Christmas is : The Follow-up List

Dear Santa,
I just wanted to let you know that I had to revise my list, since I ended up getting a couple of the items on my list or I just changed my mine. Here is my new and improved list. I have been a very good girl!
1. Karaoke for Xbox or Wii with microphone

2. Pretty warm fleece pajamas

3. GPS for my car

4. Silpat for baking

5. Snow suit (or you can add to the TJ Maxx card and I can get it myself)
6. Skis

7. Wii Just Dance

8. LL Bean Wildcat Boots
9. Gift Certificates (QVC or eBay for my Bare Escentuals Makeup, iTunes, TJ Maxx (for workout clothes)

10. Zumba Wii Game
11. Flip Camcorder

12. Accessories for my Canon Rebel XS DSLR (such as a better flash)

And don't worry Santa, I will add to the list in the next couple of weeks!

First Week of a Vegetarian Diet or Lifestyle Accomplished

Well, I did it. I made it through one week on a vegetarian diet. It wasn't too hard. Did I crave meat at all? I did, I won't lie. I was walking into my house and someone must have been grilling hamburgers or steak and I wanted it so badly. I decided to go inside and get over it. I have had lots of energy and feel better. I lost 0.8 pounds which isn't much but it's better than nothing. That includes alcohol and sweet treats, so not too shabby! I am guessing I saved at least 1 or 2 animals lives this week by not eating meat, if not more. I was told that I would gain weight because of the carbs. I ate carbs, but I ate whole grain carbs that are good for me and that provide me good energy. Also my digestion issues were better as well. I also want to say, this is not a vegan diet. I can still eat dairy and eggs, but I will be doing that as little as possible. I bought almond milk and am incorporating that into certain things such as my cereal in the morning and my hot cocoa. I also had fake chicken patties and chicken nuggets made by Quorn. They taste better than the real thing and I can do alot of fun stuff with it when I am cooking. If you are interested in what to do with Quorn's line of food, then stay tuned on http://www.cookingdivas.blogspot.com/. I will start to post more vegetarian recipes on there as I try them. I was able to buy the Quorn packages for $3.99 a pop at Super Stop & Shop on sale. I will definitely need to buy alot more and stock up at that price. I am feeling good about my decision, but am still fighting my meat eating urges. Stay tuned for more on my diet as I progress.

Going Crazy the Night Before Thanksgiving

I am totally running around like a maniac tonight. I have so much to do and so little time. I have been cooking all day, cleaning, taking care of children, shopping, you name it, I've done it. It's past 10 pm and I don't know when I'll get to bed. And even when I do get some sleep, I will have to be up in so little time to start preparing the rest of the food, table and decorations. Maybe I will be lucky this year and be able to get a shower in and get dressed up. We will have to see about that one. The other nerve wracking thing is that I have to do everything, then serve the dinner, clean everything up and then get out at midnight to start my Black Friday shopping. I will have to get in line a little before 4 am for Target's Black Friday shopping. I don't know how I will do this and hope that I won't fall asleep in my shopping cart or in an aisle somewhere. I am glad I have a friend that will be with me to slap me in the face if I start to pass out...Should be a very crazy 2 days for me. There is always time for sleep on Friday afternoon if my family will allow it! Happy Thanksgiving to you all! Safe travels!

My Thanksgiving Dinner is Planned

Turkey (brined and then roasted)
Veggie Chx Cutlets seasoned and roasted
My Best Ever Vegetarian Stuffing
Mashed Potatoes
Gravy with sauteed mushrooms
Candied Sweet Potatoes
Orange Cranberry Sauce
Green Bean Casserole (made from scratch except will cheat with the onions)
Buttered Herbed Corn
Rolls
2 Double Layer Pumpkin Cheesecakes
Chocolate Bourbon Pecan Pie

Finally Got My Kitchenaid Food Chopper

I am so excited about my new kitchen gadget. I finally purchased my Kitchenaid Food Chopper. I have wanted this for a long time, but when the time came for presents, there were other Kitchenaid items that I wanted that were more expensive and bigger. This item was more needed in many ways though and I wish I had purchased this first. I can keep this on my countertop because it doesn't take up too much space and it takes a minute to clean it up. I can now quickly chop up my onions without crying my eyes out. I can make a salsa in a minute, chop nuts, mince garlic, chop herbs and clean up, is as easy as 1, 2, 3. I love it. Plus this great gadget is putting me in a festive mood. Maybe it's that beautiful empire red color that reminds me of Christmas. Kitchenaid has been very good to me and they have great customer service. Love, love, love this company!

My Issues with Materialism: Separation Anxiety with Materialistic Items

I don't know what's wrong with me, but I guess I am overly materialistic. I just sold my Tassimo coffee machine on Amazon and I feel like my heart strings are being majorly tugged on. I feel as if someone just broke up with me. I don't understand why this happens to me. I have always been like this. I have always felt like items had feelings. Maybe it has something to do with being an only child and living on a main road with no neighbors to play with. I didn't have anyone to play with, just my toys. I made them alive in my own way. Maybe that is why people become hoarders. They can't separate from the item they purchased because they feel like they would be hurting the item's feelings. I know this is crazy, but I think that might be one of the big issues. I also feel like I might use certain things again and it's best to keep it, just in case. I have some wonderful friends that have helped me quite a few times, by coming over to my house and helping me let go in a way. We would make a junk, tag sale and keep pile. It really helps to have someone hold your hand through this, especially a good friend that understands you. They will tell you the honest truth and let you know that you really don't need that mini dress from 1988. That it will never fit you again and more than likely, will not be passed on to my boys. Yes, friends are important in helping to fight this "pack rat" battle. It is hard to do alone, especially if you have trouble getting organized. I am organized in certain ways, but falter in other ways. I also wonder if it has something to do with genes. My father is a major hoarder and my mom always says that I am just like him. She is more like Martha Stewart/Mommy Dearest, when it comes to cleanliness and organization. I can clean, but I can really pack things away... haha, even pounds. Okay, back to the subject. Yes, genetics must have something to do with it. I know I am just like my father in many ways and being a pack rat is one of them. We have the same mentality, that you might need it one day. We try to save things and hold on to them, because you never know. I have to say that I am trying to control my issue, by having friends become part of my rescue. Thank God for them, and you know who you are! I know when it's getting out of hand and I decide to take control of it before it can control me. And that's where I will end this. I will say goodbye to my Tassimo tomorrow and send it on it's way to it's new owner. Then list a couple of more items that have been sitting around doing nothing. Time to break away from my materialism....

Going to Try this Vegan/Vegetarian Diet a Bit More....

I am not perfect, especially when it comes to food. I can cook great food, but that's not the problem...If you have read any of my posts, then you will know that obviously it's my weird relationship with food that's is the true issue.... I like to eat it way too much. I have tried every diet in the book and nothing seems to last long. Now, my husband and children are vegetarians, so this should be easier for me then for someone that wants to go vegan/vegetarian and has an omivorous family. I started to look at the "Skinny Bitch" books by Rory Freedman and Kim Barnouin and think this might actually be a good thing for me. I have seen many vegans and they always look lean and healthy. Their skin seems to be clear and their hair, shiny. I am going to make myself a guinea pig. Maybe not a perfect one, because I won't totally give up meat yet. I will try to only eat it if I crave it or for the holiday feast. But I am going to try to stop eating meat, eggs and dairy because I really do love animals and I want to help out our environment. I also have an eye out on the new cookbook by Kim Barnouin, called "Skinny Bitch: Ultimate Everyday Cookbook: Crazy Delicious Recipes that Are Good to the Earth and Great for your Bod". It talks about how terrible high fructose corn syrup, certain non-organic foods with heavy amounts of pesticides on them, certain food dyes that are bad for you, etc. are for you. I think many people are really unaware of how bad certain foods really are to their bodies. Many of these foods are so over processed that they barely provide any nutrition to the person, but does provide them with terrible ailments. With the number of people falling victim to cancer, people should start to look at what they are eating and drinking. Food can make you sick, if you aren't eating the right kinds. I am not trying to badger anyone about this though, because I eat these foods as well. I sometimes don't check the label and say, "Oh well, just this once, I don't care"...I know better, but sometimes I just want to eat the food with the MSG in it, because they just taste so good... And that's where I am wrong also. I also drink diet soda, once in a blue moon, just because I don't want those extra calories, but I don't feel well afterwards. Hmmm....Could it be, because I just drank a can of poison? I will write more on this subject as I try to start eating healthier and try to cut the meat, eggs and dairy out. It will be a slow process, because honestly, I love meat, eggs and dairy. To start, I am running out to the store and picking up some almond milk, more Quorn products (fake meat products), veggies, and who knows what else. Wish me luck and I promise to let you all know how I am doing with this process....

Quick Treat for the Kids - Ants on a Log Snack

My son made this and I had to post it. He told me the name of it, so if anyone wants to fight it for copyright laws then that would be silly since he just made it up and it's just a fun thing that kids have been doing forever. It's so easy a 6 year old can make it. Actually my 3 year old could make this too. It's very simple and the kids will love them.

Ingredients:
celery sticks (cut on both ends and cleaned)
peanut butter
dried cherries

Directions:
Use a plastic knife  or a thin spatula and scrape some peanut butter onto the celery and then place dried cherries on top of it. Enjoy!

Dear Santa, Black Friday Can Save You Lots of Money!

So Santa Baby,
I would like to let you know that you can save lots of money if you get out early on Black Friday and pick up some of my items. There is a Flip camcorder at Walmart for $99. And a TomTom GPS for $79. There is a also a DS Lite for $89 for my son. Oh yeah, and a trampoline for the boys for $165. Wow they have a KitchenAid Stand Mixer for $149, but I already have one so don't worry about that. So while you are at Walmart, I'll be at Target checking out the deals...maybe at 4 am, if I can do it after throwing a Thanksgiving feast at my house. Santa, I recommend that you get your butt up and save some money and make me happy. Oh and I promise to take care of you as well! Now, get some rest, save your energy for this friday, "Black Friday", that is....

Prince William and Kate Middleton are Engaged...Royal Wedding on the Way!

Princess Diana's son Prince William has finally asked Kate Middleton to marry him. Many girls around the world are heartbroken, knowing one of the most eligible bachelors has flown the coop. They make a very handsome pair and it's about time that they get married. They have been dating since 2003 and had a long enough time to court. I think it's wonderful that he will not be marrying another aristocrat. It gives common folk a chance to dream that they can one day marry their prince charming. It seems that he is marrying for love and that's how it should be, even if you do have royal blood lines. I never quite understood why royalty marry only inside their little group of nobility. I would rather think incest is a no-no. I would think royal blood would be more tainted than a commoner's blood in actuality. Well, I won't go there, but I am glad to see Prince William finally tying the knot with someone he obviously truely loves. Princess Diana obviously raised her children right. She was the peoples' princess and he is obviously following in her footsteps. God Bless the Prince......

Holiday Warning: Customer Service Reps, Naughty and Nice!

I decided it's time to talk about customer service reps. It's the holiday season and many of us will be dealing with them. They will make some of us happy and alot of us upset. They will either make you frustrated or help to make your life better again. Since Friday morning, I have been dealing with them from eBay and from Paypal to no avail. I have been on the phone with several of them with no resolution at the end and been transferred so many times. Oh and the best part was, after being transferred and waiting on hold for 40 minutes, listening to music and speeches that made me want to gag, I was hung up on. My stress levels were pushed to the utmost limits this weekend and I was still at the same place I was at, from the first phone call. Nowhere.
I have been a customer sevice rep. I know how you are supposed to treat your customers. I was always making sure issues were resolved and if I couldn't get it done during the time of the call, then I finished it on the side. I was a top of the line customer service rep. I actually won an IBM thinkpad at my job, because I did my job so well. I also saw the bad customer service reps, some that sat next to me. They would hang up on customers and the reason they did this was because a customer service rep needs to get a certain amount of calls in during a certain time. The call volume needs to stay low and customer service reps were rewarded if they answered several calls in little time. The problem with this was, that issues wouldn't be resolved and those clients would have to call back several times making the call volumes stay up. I watched a customer service rep answer the call and then mute the phone till the customer would hang up. The call would usually last less then a minute and the next call would come in. Since the customer hung up it looked like a resolved issue in no time for that customer service rep. It was terrible, but happened constantly and I bet most of you have gone through similar issues. I feel for you, I really do. I have been on this end so many times myself that I dread when I have to talk to a customer service agent. It's hard to find someone that cares about their job and cares about their customers, especially when reps don't usually make that much money. I will write more on this subject, but I don't want to write a novel at this time on it...haha... Hope you have read it and want to hear more... Tata for now!

Awesome Deal at QVC's Today's Special Value: bareMinerals The Perfect Gift 7-piece Color Collection

QVC's Today Special Value
bareMinerals The Perfect Gift 7-piece Color Collection

$36.98
They also have this on easy pay.....

http://www.qvc.com/qic/qvcapp.aspx/view.2/app.detail/params.item.tsv!.tpl.tsv.cm_scid.TSV

I had to put this up, since I love bareMinerals... That's all I ever wear. This is an awesome deal, thought I would pass it along to all of you!