Please send prayers...

     There are some times in my life when I think life would be so much less stressful without technology. And then there are moment like last night and this weekend where, without it, I would never be able to immediately give support to the people I love most.

     Last night I read a Facebook post about one of my best friends needing prayers. All it took was a little bit of research on her page to discover that her boyfriend was in critical condition and on full life support. While he was working yesterday, he fell off a roof and was unresponsive. He was flown to Ruby Memorial in Morgantown, WV where he had to undergo 4 hours worth of surgery. They removed parts of his skull in order to allow for swelling in his brain.

     Katie is the other best friend from college. We lived together our junior year and are hilarious together. She and her boyfriend Lee are the cutest couple. Unfortunately, they live in West Virginia. I don't often get to see them, but Katie and I keep in touch over Facebook or text messages.

     While I have only met Lee once, I can tell that he is an amazing guy. Unfortunately, he has had a pretty rough year. A few months ago Lee's eye was punctured by a nail. Doctors weren't sure how it would affect his vision or whether or not he would go blind in that eye. Luckily, all was well and he recovered fully.

     Please keep Katie and Lee in your prayers as they go through this difficult time. All is in God's hands at the moment. Miracles do happen, every day. I pray there's one in the making today, as well.

UPDATE!! Lee is now breathing on his own. The rest is still the same. Keep praying!!

Super AWESOME News!!!!

      This is not a post about me. It is about two of the most amazing people I have ever had the pleasure of having in my life, and their super AWESOME news!!!

      Tonight I got home from the gym and logged on to Facebook, as usual, while I waited for the shower to heat up. The first post was a status update from one of my best friends from college.

She and her husband are ADOPTING!!! 

     

     Now, in most cases for them you would think that meant an animal. Amanda is a vet. I can't count how many pets they have and foster. But, to my excitement, they meant a human!! A real life human child!!

     Amanda and Adam are the sweetest, most caring, freakin amazingly smart people I know. Amanda and I met the first day of college. Never would I have guessed that she would end up being such an important part of my life. College was completely foreign to me. I knew not one person, nor was there anyone there that lived remotely close to my hometown. Going to college in West Virginia, I was 6 hours from home and in a major culture shock.

     Amanda was a little of a tomboy (love you!!) and didn't do things like wear make-up or dresses. Not necessarily that I did, but I liked to dress up and look "cute"(I have never considered myself "hot", but I try). She was more of a t-shirt and jeans kind of girl. Her dorm room was diagonal from mine so on the first day we introduced ourselves. Little did I know it was the start of a life-long friendship.

     Over the first year we became so close. Her family didn't live that far away so we would often meet up with them or go to her hometown. It gave me a home away from home. We had many adventures over our years together. Going "up the holler" for bonfires, BOOBIES!!!!, making The Works bombs, playing the "turn" game (we made this up to see how lost we could get in da-na-neer-neer country). There is one night in particular we often talk about. We have dubbed it "THE NIGHT FROM HELL". lol.

A montage of "THE NIGHT FROM HELL"

Short version: We went up the holler to the house of a boy Amanda had class with. 

When we got there two older people were there. The lady told me I was "built like a brick shithouse". 

I was gearing up to tell her what I thought about her until I was told that was a compliment. 

She played with my hair all night, told me I looked just like her daughter (Cheyanne) 

and that I should date her son (weird). The old man forgot to zip his fly and we all got a 

little show from that. I shot a gun. We burned a microwave cart. 

Got harrassed a little more by the da-na-neer-neers. The end.

     

     

   The summer after my sophomore year, I lost my dad. He had a very rare disease called Amyloidosis. I came back to school 2 weeks after dad passed and it was really rough. Amanda and her roommate Devin would often let me come hang out when I was home alone. They knew it would help to be around people. That year Adam and Amanda really hit it off and started hanging out a lot more. She would invite him over and we played Drunken Cranium. It was awesome that year to see their relationship bloom. Amanda started wearing more girly things. We even got her to put on make-up!!

Love is in the air....everywhere I look around... 

     They were an awesome couple. Both so focused on their studies, smart, and motivated. Plus, Adam was really funny when he was drunk. lol. (love you too!!) Adam was a year behind us so when we graduated all of us hoped for the best in their relationship.

     Fast forward to 4 years later. 

     I was honored to be a part of their wedding. It was a gorgeous day and they were married in our college chapel. Everything was so beautiful. Amanda was gorgeous!! She even wore heels!!

     Last summer Mike and I got married. I had the honor of having Amanda as a bridesmaid in my wedding as well. I couldn't have imagined her not sharing in my special day with me.

Amanda and Adam,

     The child you are about to get is going to be the luckiest child in the world. He or she will have two incredible parents who will teach them how to love and live. There are no two people in this world who are as inspiring as you. You are so deserving of such an amazing gift. I love you both more than words. I can't wait to meet your sweet child. And maybe corrupt them with stories of your past. :)

     Love you. Miss you. XOXO

          

The Works bombs. lol. We were rebels!!

One step forward, three back...

     This has been such an unhealthy week for me. Both my aunt's birthday and Mike's birthday were this week. The celebrations have been fun, but definitely not healthy.

     On Saturday we had some of Mike's friends over for the GSP vs. Diaz fight and his birthday. Taylor (who is Mike's best friends girlfriend) and I decided that we were going to cheat (hard core) and just make what we felt like....bad decision.

Oops, I forgot to mention that on Friday night Taylor and Tyler came over to watch Maryland whoop up on Duke. We were disgusting that night. Mega fries (fries packed with cheese and bacon) and a Cheeseteak Stromboli dripping in grease. I was even so disgusting that I dredged my fries in the grease, too. GO TERPS!! Boo grease...

     Taylor made some AMAZING "Crack Brownies" or so we dubbed them. It's a chocolate chip cookie topped with a Reese's cup topped with an Oreo and covered in brownie batter. Ummmm...can you say cardiac arrest?? But, they were amazing. I was good, however, and only ate one. But that one was sooo delicious!!
     I made my go-to (and Mike's favorite) Buffalo Chicken Dip. Then, I found a recipe for Cowboy Caviar (which I hope to post later) and paired that with some lovely tortilla chips. And finally, we made some coconut shrimp, another of Mike's favorites. Not to mention the pizza, jelly beans, and another dessert that our other couples brought. :)
     The night was a very fun night. I think I owe some of that to the GSP win (everyone else was a Diaz fan) and the Vodka Monster, my go-to drink. I really want to figure out a healthier drink for my weekends. I think alcohol may be one of my problems with losing weight. Not that I get drunk all the time but I love a good glass of wine or a beer or two while making dinner and eating. It helps me relax. (Mike had a take a psych test in order to become a CO. He tells me this is a red flag. lol. I say "boo you".)

     On Sunday we celebrated my Aunt's birthday at my brother's house. Mike and I had spent the day in bed recovering and got up only to pee and eat. My brother's house is always so fun. I am so in love with my niece and nephew. They are probably the funniest people I know. Now that they are in day care they say and do the darndest things.
     Logan took Mike back to the bedroom to organize his diapers,  he loves the Oscar ones, and then brought them out to show all of us. Somehow in the chaos that is Auntie and Uncle Mike, Logan's pants fell down. Of course we all laughed which provoked Addy to moon us as well. What a lady :) They get that from their father....hand's down. Logan went to get his potty and decided he was going to try it out. Unfortunately, no luck yet, but it was so fun to watch him get excited and try. Addy was also soooo excited for her brother. She kept telling him, "You know what you get if you go pee-pee? You get a Reese's Pieces!! Go Logan Go!!". Such a mom.
     Dinner was lasagna. I loaded up my salad and skipped the cake trying to compensate for the night before. Strawberry cake too, my favorite. :( The whole family sang "Who stole the cookie from the cookie jar" about 17 times. Addy was very adamant about who stole the cookies.

     Tuesday night we celebrated Mike's birthday again, only this time at his parent's house. Mike had a craving for ham, cabbage, and potatoes so that's what we had along with some cornbread and green beans. I actually found out that it wasn't that bad for you. Sirena (Mike's mom) boiled everything only in water and little broth. It certainly tasted amazing, however. I'm sure the vanilla cake with chocolate icing wasn't healthy...but it was gooooood!!

     Last night was Mike's "real" birthday. I wanted to do something special because, although we had already celebrated twice, it was his actual birthday. So, I spent the morning coming up with a plan for dinner. I had originally wanted to make it healthy, but I also wanted to be 100% certain that it tasted good. So, I kinda splurged on this one. We had bruschetta for an appetizer and then the main meal was: steak and shrimp with a garlic cream sauce, twice baked potato casserole, and an asian vegetable medley. For dessert we had bread pudding with a vanilla cream sauce. The bread pudding was amazing!! I took a pic but it's not that great. I might decide to put it on the blog anyway, though.

     So....all this brings me to my post title. One step forward, three back. I started working out in January. I haven't been paying too close attention to the scale because I know I have been putting on a ton of muscle. In 3 months I have lost about 6 pounds. I weighed myself this morning. In one week, I put back on 3 pounds. Back to Beastmode!!

I didn't want to...but I did...

     I feel like, lately, things have been very busy and I haven't really gotten to do anything fun for the blog. So...I figured I would post about my latest accomplishment. :)

     As I mentioned many times before, I have started to think about my body a little more and decided to get back in the gym. Contrary to what I originally believed would happen (and many other people too, I'm sure) I actually have stuck with it!! I owe a lot of that to my freakin' awesome workout partner, Taylor, who keeps me motivated to get off the couch. She has had an AMAZING transformation in the past year and I strive to have the same results. Most of this she did from her own home with the Insanity workout videos, but has recently gotten back in the gym with me. I feel so lucky to have someone like that as my BEASTMODE partner.

     As many of you teachers know, these past 2 weeks have been our Maryland State Assessment testing. It has been a dreadful interesting few weeks. :) Our class schedules have changed to allow for each testing class to still get specials (A.K.A. classroom teachers getting planning) and the change is horrendous!! First off, our normal planning time of 8:45-9:30 has been taken away moved to a later date (taken away). Testing starts at 9:15, however, we have to go get the testing materials and students, and before that set up the room. So...picking up what I'm putting down??(taken away) Then, for the next 2-3 hours, I get to sit in a little room and stare at 2 students while they take their test....captivating. When testing is all finished we get lunch (maybe) and start the rest of the day. 11:45 - 3:35. Straight. 5 classes. In a row. No breaks. 3 hours and 50 minutes. 4 days of this. Call you feel my exhaustion??

     I'm telling you this story for a reason. Promise. Keep reading...

     During my hour drive home all I could think about was how badly I wanted to put on my PJ's and sit down with a beer and a book. But, despite that, I got home and changed right into my gym clothes to prepare for our workout at 7:30. After eating dinner and relaxing for a few, Taylor sent me a text that she didn't think she could make it that night. "THANK GOD!!!!" I told her! Best. news. ever. 

...and then I looked down...

...I was already dressed. I had already talked myself into it. Ugh!!...

     So, at 7:30, when I should have been at home in my PJ's with a beer and a book, I headed in to the gym. I know there was no point in doing our weight lifting routine for the day, since we would just do it again tomorrow, so on the elliptical I went. 35 minutes, 473 calories, 3.5 miles, and 4 buckets of sweat later...I rejoiced in my accomplishment!!

     You see, the old me would have taken Taylor's text as a sign. This new me...she took it as an opportunity!! (or something) 

Stuffed Cabbage Casserole (the healthy version)

 

      Mike LOVES cabbage. I had never had cabbage until I met him. (I guess my parents didn't like it??) The first time I had cabbage his mom had fried it. It was delicious. Then, we tried stuffed cabbage that, once again, his mom had made. Again, very good. We don't have it very often, but when I came across this recipe on Skinnytaste I immediately thought it was something that I would do for him. While also, ultimately, keeping it healthy for me. ;)

     The recipe didn't seem that difficult, however, it definitely took some time. In fact, after rereading the recipe, Mike ended up having to make this one. We wouldn't have eaten until 8 o'clock if I did it.

My schedule is awful these days. Mike works nights, I work days,

and I have an hour drive home from work every day. So, on the days Mike

goes into work, I hit up the gym when he heads into work. On the days Mike doesn't

work, I hit up the gym on my way home from school. This leaves little time

for meal preparation. Luckily, I have an awesome man who doesn't mind cooking

and is actually really good at it. Is that how you wanted me to say 

that, babe?

     The casserole turned out really good. I even made the comment to Mike that it was one of the first things that we made that actually looked like the picture!! What an accomplishment!! It tasted good, too. I have to admit it isn't my favorite cabbage recipe (or maybe that's just because someone else didn't make it) but it was definitely good. And it makes a ton!! Plenty of leftovers, for sure. 

Stuffed Cabbage Casserole (the healthy version)

INGREDIENTS:

     1 lb. 95% lean ground beef

     2 tsp. olive oil, divided

     1 large onion, diced

     1 tbsp minced garlic

     1/2 tsp. dried thyme

     1 tsp. paprika

     salt and pepper, to taste

     1 head green cabbage, coarsely chopped

     1 can (14.5 oz.) petite diced tomatoes, undrained

     1 can (15 oz.) tomato sauce

     1/4 cup water

     2 cups brown rice, cooked

     2 cups low-fat shredded mozzarella cheese

DIRECTIONS:

     Preheat oven to 350 degrees and spray a large baking pan with nonstick spray. 

     Brown ground beef in a skillet, remove and set aside. In the same pan, add 1tsp olive oil and diced onion and cook until onion is translucent. Add the minced garlic, dried thyme, and paprika. Cook an additional 2 minutes. Then, add diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, and ground beef. Pour in water. Simmer about 15-20 minutes or until slightly thickened.

     Cut cabbage in half and cut out the core. Roughly chop into 1 inch pieces. Heat remaining olive oil in a large frying pan. Add the cabbage. Cook over medium heat until cabbage is wilted and half cooked turning frequently. Add salt and pepper to taste.

When meat mixture has cooked and thickened, stir in brown rice. Add half the meat mixture to the casserole dish, then top with half the cabbage. Then layer again. 

     Cover tightly with foil and bake 40 minutes or until casserole is starting to bubble. Remove foil and sprinkle on cheese. Bake another 20 minutes or until cheese is melted.

     

Skinny Strawberry Cheesecake Bars

   

     I know what you're thinking....not possible...but it really is!

     Mike and I had a VERY long weekend. Not sure if I've mentioned before but Mike races cars. He has been into racing long before we even met and has had a variety of cars that he loves to take to the track and race. During the spring, summer, and fall months we often take his weekends off to go to the local race track and watch the races since he hasn't had a car of his own. Last summer, however, he bought another race car so he could participate. He's not one to hold on to things long and eventually he came across an even faster race car. So, on Saturday we made the long trip to CT in order to trade his '86 Mustang (runs in the 9's) for an '88 Mustang that he can race Ultra Street this year. We left our house at 5am and were on the road. 6 hours later we arrived at the guy's house for the trade. Then, after about an hour of comparing cars, we were back on the road headed home.

(For those interested...here is the pic of "The Changing of the Guards". Mike's Our old car is the one with the black stripe and the "Proline" sticker. The darker one is the new one.)

     After all of our "excitement" on Saturday we wanted to lay low on Sunday. We called Mike's parents and convinced them to come out to breakfast with us. Then, we somehow convinced them to make us dinner as well!! I agreed to make some sort of dessert, which was hard for me considering the whole "healthy eating" thing we are trying to do. But then remembered the amazing Skinnytaste website!!

     We looked and looked and finally agreed upon the Chocolate Raspberry Cheesecake. I, of course, added my own twist to it, but mostly because raspberries were so expensive!!!

Here it is!!

Strawberry Cheesecake Bars
Nutritional Facts: Servings (9) Amount per Serving - Calories: 181, Total Fat: 7.1g, Cholesterol: 14.9 mg, Sodium: 145.9 mg, Potassium: 99.5 mg, Total Carbs: 24.6g - Dietary Fiber: 1.2 g, Sugars: 16.8g, Protein: 5.5g

INGREDIENTS:
     4 low fat graham crackers, crumbled
     1 tbsp light butter
     1/4 cup, sugar
     8 oz low fat cream cheese, softened
     1 tsp vanilla extract
     6 oz fat free vanilla yogurt
     1 tbsp flour
     2 egg whites
     1/2 cup semi-sweet chocolate (for drizzling)
     9 strawberries

DIRECTIONS:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees and spray a square baking pan with nonstick spray.

Mix together the graham cracker crumbs and the butter and press into the bottom of the dish.

Slowly beat cream cheese, sugar, and vanilla until smooth. Then, gradually add in egg whites, flour, and yogurt. Do not overbeat!!

Pour over graham cracker crust (I needed to spread mine out a little with the spatula to make it even).

Bake for about 25-30 minutes or until center feels almost set. Cool to room temp and then put in fridge for a few hours.

Cut pie into 9 equal bars (I made mine a little bigger and couldn't finish the whole thing). Melt the chocolate and then drizzle on top of the bars. Add a few strawberries and confectioner's sugar for garnish.

   

Cajun Chicken Pasta

     Mike and I have been struggling with trying to find more ideas for healthy meals that aren't so boring. We have had the quiche a few different ways lately and we have also made the pot pies a few times as well. It also seems like most of the ideas that I find from Pinterest don't always seem all that "healthy". So I went on a search...

     I came across a website that I have now fallen in love with. Skinnytaste.com is AMAZING!! They have so many wonderful ideas that are definitely family-friendly and easy to make. On each recipe it provides you with nutritional facts. It also gives Weight Watchers point information in case you are keeping track of that. Now, I don't have to worry so much about trying to figure out all that information myself. It's right there for me.

     Tonight I decided I was going to try one of the dishes that has been catching my eye. It's called Cajun Chicken Pasta on the Lighter Side. Now, normally I'm very cautious of pasta recipes, however, this one really did seem like it would be healthy. I was able to find some whole wheat linguini noodles so it might even be a little healthier than what they say. It also looked quite easy, and with the week this has been that was exactly what I was looking for. (Too bad I have to hit the gym tonight because a bottle of wine would be AMAZING with this dish....and this day.)

Cajun Chicken Pasta
INGREDIENTS:
     8 ounces whole wheat uncooked linguini
     1 pound boneless skinless chicken breast, diced
     1-2 tsp Cajun seasoning. (I just used a little bit of homemade stuff I had)
     garlic powder to taste
     1 tbsp. olive oil
     2 medium bell peppers, your choice in colors, sliced thin
     1/2 red onion
     1 1/2 tbsp minced garlic
     1 cup fat free low sodium chicken broth
     1/3 cup skim milk
     1 tbsp flour
     3 tbsp light cream cheese
     fresh cracked pepper
     salt to taste
     2 scallions, chopped

DIRECTIONS:
     In a small blender, make a mixture of the cream cheese, milk and flour. Blend until smooth. Set aside.

     Season chicken generously with cajun seasoning, garlic powder, and salt. Cook pasta in salted water according to directions on the package.

     Heat a large nonstick skillet over medium heat, spray with cooking spray. Sauté chicken until done and set aside. Add olive oil to the skillet and reduce heat to medium. Add in bell peppers, onions, and garlic. Sauté for 3-4 minutes or until tender. Season with salt, garlic powder, and fresh cracked pepper to taste.

     Reduce heat to low-medium and add chicken broth. Pour in the cream cheese mixture and stir for about 2 minutes. Return chicken to skillet and season accordingly. Cook until hot, then add linguini and toss well to coat. Top with chopped scallions.

     Enjoy!!