Birthday wishes

I wanted to use today to wish the most wonderful husband and father a very Happy Birthday.  I am truly blessed to have such an amazing man in my life!  He busts his butt to provide for myself and my boys.  He makes sure that we have not only what we need, but all the things that we want.
Today is one of those days that it hurts my heart that I don't make money to provide all of the things that he deserves to get on his birthday.  He doesn't ask for much, but I would love to buy him those things that he mentions in passing throughout the year. That would be one heck of a surprise on his birthday!  I know though, that one day, when the boys are older and all in school, and I'm making money again, he will have all those things he wants too.

I love you sweetheart!  I hope that you have an amazing birthday!  You are the BEST, and thank you for all you do!

New Easter Basket Idea

This year I thought it was finally time for the boys to have matching Easter Baskets.  Steve saw baskets that he thought would make good baskets for the boys to have for years and years. I found out that these baskets happen to be on the Today show, so it took me a little while to find matching ones.  These cost less than $20.00 to purchase and put the boys initials on them.  All in all, I think they were a great purchase, they will last for years to come!

Here is the basket to begin with

we bought stencils and fabric paint for the initials

(we were going to get them embroidered, but they couldn't get a hoop on it)

The finished product

Big enough for all of their Easter treats, and durable enough to last through the years. 

Plus they can use them as picnic baskets when they grow up.

Pasta e Fajioli

Happy Tuesday all!  I thought I would share my recipe for Pasta e Fagioli with you all today.  I don't make mine completely traditional, I add a little meat in it, for a little something extra, but it's super yummy!

I had the privilege to try Knorr's new 4-tub pack of Homestyle stock free, and this was the first recipe that came to mind.  I love how small the tubs are.  It makes them so much easier to store, they don't take up nearly as much space.  Here, check it out.

Big difference, right?  Anyway, with a recipe like this, I couldn't really taste any difference, but I sure do love the size!  I would recommend the tubs for space saving.  You do have to boil water and melt them for a stock, which wasn't that big of a deal, I did that while I browned my meat.  If you are in a hurry, then the pre made stock would be a better option.

What you'll need:
1 pound ditalini macaroni
2 cans cannelloni beans (white)
1 clove garlic, cleaned and sliced thin
2 Tbs tomato paste
1 chopped onion
1-28 Oz. can diced tomatoes
3 Tbs chopped Parsley
1 quart of chicken broth
1 lb of beef or italian sausage

Brown meat, onion and garlic.  Add tomato and parsley with the liquid from the tomatoes to the onion and garlic.  Dissolve the tomato paste in the broth.  Add this to the tomato and seasoning mixture.  Empty the beans (do not drain) to the mixture.  Cover and simmer for one hour.  In a separate kettle, cook the macaroni and drain it,  add to the bean and tomato mixture, cover and simmer for 45 minutes.  Before serving, salt and pepper to taste.

Thank you to Knorr's for letting us try your stock.  I would recommend it to others, and will be getting more often to use!

Iced Coffee

For all you coffee lovers out there, this is the post for you.

I had a coupon to try the new International Delights Iced Coffee, and thought it was time to give it a whirl.

I love mocha and thought it sounded like my best option.   We all know I'm a Coffeemate lady, but I thought it would be ok to try out the International Delights.

Being that I'm trying to lose weight, and it is working, I watch every calorie I consume.  Here is the ID.

Can you see that?  150 calories for 1 cup.  UGH, I guess that's ok if you have the calories, but I found a way to save a few calories.

Make your own.  I brewed some extra coffee in the morning, which is only 5 calories a cup, let it sit until I was ready for it, and then made my own ice coffee.

I used my 1 cup of coffee, added 3 tablespoons of my favorite creamer, which is 105 calories for the 3 tablespoons + 5 for the coffee, making it 110 calories, and it's my favorite flavor!  Saving 40 calories!  I can eat 1 cookie, or some fruit with my coffee for 40 calories.  Just another reason for me to choose Coffeemate!  

What are you drinking?  Have a terrific Thursday!

Everything is better with bacon

For all you bacon lovers, I have just the recipe for you today.  I know there are a lot of people out there that don't like asparagus, but I bet if you try it this way, you'll like it.

It's really simple.

1.  Clean your asparagus as usual.
2.  bundle about 5 together and wrap with bacon
3.  secure the bacon with a toothpick
4.  lightly salt the bundle with garlic salt
5.  cook on grill until bacon is done
6.  enjoy!

These were so good, and so different than the other way I make them.  Try them, and you will like them, you will see.

Like Steve says, "everything tastes better with bacon"

Shopping frustration

Hope everyone is having a nice weekend!  We've been enjoying the weather, and spending a lot of time outside.

I just had to get this off my chest.  I hope it's not just me, but who knows.  I get so frustrated when grocery shopping.  I can't figure out why they set up stores the way they do.  When I grocery shop, I start at the back of the store and move towards the front where the check out is.  With that being said, why in the world do they put eggs and cold stuff like milk and yogurt in the back?  By the time you get to the front, it's no longer cold, and your eggs are probably broken.  It makes no sense what so ever.  Shouldn't that stuff be in the front near the bread and frozen stuff?  Maybe it's just me and I'm in a mood, but it's so dumb!  If I didn't shop with my kids, I could put that stuff in the top, but it still won't be cold if I'm going for a full grocery list.

What are your thoughts?  Do you know why they do that?

Anyway, have a beautiful Sunday!

It's working!

Good Humpday morning to you all!!  I don't know about you all, but it has been a BEAUTIFUL week!  I don't know if it's the warm weather we have been having, or the fact that I'm finally losing weight again!!!  It's been months, and I finally figured out why I wasn't losing.  Last week I shared my favorite new app with you, if you missed you, you can check it out here.  The combination of making wiser decisions when going out, and counting every last calorie I put into my mouth, the weight is falling right off!!!

I've lost just about 8 pounds in the past week, and I'm not starving myself at all.  We were out running around the other day, and not close to home for lunch, so we ate at McDonald's.  Not the best of restaurants, but I managed to stay under 500 calories for lunch and enjoyed my food.  I used my favorite new app that I was talking about, wrote it all down in myfitnesspal, and still stayed under calories that day.

Losing weight puts me in a good mood, but so does sunshine, warm weather and being outside.  The combination of all of them makes any day bright!

I hope you all are doing well with your weight loss goals, staying on track and having a fabulous week.

If you use Myfitnesspal, and would like to add me to your support group, send me an email (datssocute(at)gmail(dot)com, and we'll get connected.  I love new friends, we keep each other on track and motivated.

Have a great day!  Keep up your hard word, and keep this in mind: