Weaknesses

Trying to lose weight is the pits!!! Just saying!   I think the more you really want the pounds to disappear, the harder it is for them to go.  The closer you get to your goal, it seems nearly impossible!

I've learned my biggest weakness is having any sweets or junk in the house!  I want to lose the weight, but there are days that I want the junk more.  I would rather not put it in the house at all, but my husband insists that he can't live without it.  Which is pure torture for me.  The problem being is, when I run out of the healthy food (which costs more than the crap food) I resort to eating the crap food in the house.

When I go shopping I think I have enough food to last until the next shopping trip, and somehow, it disappears days before I head back.  I wish that healthy food cost less and lasted longer.  I haven't gained any weight, but I haven't been losing it either.  I have a little over a month before the beach and have quite a few pounds to hit my goal.

Do you have any tips, tricks or words to live by when it comes to weight loss?  I need something!!  Hope you are all doing well!  xoxo

Red White and Blue Parfaits

Are you ready for the 4th of July?  Do you have your recipes ready?   Will you be celebrating this weekend or next?  Here is a yummy quick recipe I found that would be perfect and delicious to enjoy!

ingredients

• 1
  8 ounce carton vanilla low-fat yogurt
• 1/4
  teaspoon almond extract or 1/2 teaspoon vanilla
• 1/2
  8 ounce container frozen light whipped dessert topping, thawed
• 3
  cups fresh raspberries and/or cut-up fresh strawberries
• 3
  cups fresh blueberries

directions

1.In a large bowl, stir together yogurt and almond extract or vanilla. Fold in whipped topping.

2.To serve, in six 12-ounce glasses or dessert dishes, alternate layers of the berries with layers of the yogurt mixture. Makes 6 servings.

• Make Ahead Tip Prepare parfaits as directed through Step 2. Cover and chill for up to 1 hour.  via

The great part about these is you can substitute your red and blue foods!  Use JELLO in red and blue cubes, or cut them into stars! Use your imagination and enjoy!  

Whatever you choose, have a safe and fun 4th of July!

Father's Day 2012

Wishing all the Dad's and Granddad's out there a very Happy Father's Day!!! xoxo

Summer Reading

Good morning friends!!  Hope you all are having an  amazing week! With summer here, I'm starting my reading.  I know I don't read throughout the winter with my shows on, but come summer time, there is plenty of opportunity to read all the books that I've missed.  I started my summer reading last Thursday, and am so in love with the trilogy, I can barely stand myself.  Any time my boys are in bed, I have my nose in my book, or my reader.  I started Thursday with Fifty Shades of Grey, and finished Fifty Shades Darker today.

OMG, those books are HOT!  I've never read anything like that before.  I'm used to Harry Potter and Twilight, and there is no comparison, hands down.  My aunt told me for weeks she had a book she thought I would like, but she never told me what it was.  One day, I heard rumors of who everyone wants to play the roles for the movie, and that's what peeked my interest.  I called her immediately and ask if she had heard of the book, she said, "those are the one's I've been telling you I wanted you to read."  Well heck, I should have listened to her sooner, they were totally worth the read.  I'm trying to slow down and savor the last one since it's the last in the trilogy.  I'm not sure what else I should read this summer.  I really don't have a list of books, or even an idea of what's worth reading.
Since I haven't seen The Help yet, I will probably try and get it read.  I've heard The Hunger Games is wonderful too, but I'm not sure if it's something that tickles my fancy.  With that being said, what are you ready this summer, or what would you recommend?

Delicious Greens- Bietola e Patate

Here is a recipe that I grew up eating in my Nunny's home.  It was one of those things that we ate during the summer when her garden had grown fresh veggies.  My Nunny called this recipe Minestra but while researching it is Bietola e Patate  or Potatoes and Swiss chard. I'm sure if you've never had Swiss chard or even if you have, this recipe will having you change your mind over it.  I've been making it for the past two summer for my family, and my boys love it.  It's a great way to get them to eat their greens.

Ingredients:
3 bundles of Swiss chard
3 cloves Garlic
1 package bacon
1 onion
2 potatoes, peeled and cubed
salt and pepper


1.  In a pot, bring water to boil with Swiss chard, once boiling turn down to medium low and let cook for about 2 hours.
2.   In a separate large pot bring water to a boil, then add the potatoes, cook the potatoes until medium.  You don't want them soft.
3.  In a large skillet brown onion, bacon and garlic. (Do not drain the grease)
4.  When the potatoes and swiz chard are finished, add them to the skillet with onion, bacon and garlic.  
5.  Add Salt and pepper to taste

This recipe can be eaten as a meal or as a side.  This is the last recipe my Nunny taught me to make before she passed away.  I am so thankful that I learned and hope to pass it down to my boys.  


If you are looking for a tasty breakfast recipe, head over to iBlog4me, there is a delicious one to try.  While you're there, add yourself to the blog directory, if you were there, you need to send us a 125x125 button, there is no more linky tools!  


Hope you have a Tasty Tuesday!

Silent Saturday-My little golfer

PGA golfers show the love

Hey all!  Now that schools out, I have the pleasure of spending time with all 3 of my babies all day long!  It really is a pleasure to have them all with me and doing fun and exciting things together.

If you all ever get the opportunity to go to a professional golf tournament, do it!  Last Wednesday, we had the chance to go to the Memorial Tournament here in Columbus, Ohio.  I had never been, and didn't know what to expect, but I am so thankful that we went.  Not only did my oldest get to experience seeing professional athletes at work, but he got the rare opportunity to meet a few of them, and get their autographs.  I don't know how many athletes take the time to autograph stuff for their fans, but quite a few of these guys signed items.  I really do have a new found respect for Golfers.

The boys got autographs from

Webb Simpson

Jason Day

Jay Haas

Rory McIlroy

 Baby Diesel was personally handed a ball from Phil Mickelson

and both boys have a new favorite golfer

Rickie Fowler is the sweetest young man!  

He took at least 15 mins to sign autographs, not only for the kids, but for the older women.  He even gave the fans the chance to put their arms around him for a photo.  How many professional athletes do that?   Not many.  

I think this shows a lot about this up and coming golfer.  

I look forward to next years tournament, and for all of the fun things we have planned for our boys this summer.