Month: June 2008

Organization!

In an effort to be more efficient and more importantly stop procrastinating I purchased this planner. I use my Blackberry's calendar as well but I figure having the planner will be a positive reinforcement but I'm not sure how this is going to work out because for far too long I've waited till the last minute to do everything!

Sent from my BlackBerry® wireless device

My how time flies..

It truly amazes me to see my little girl growing up so fast!
It feels like just yesterday I was staring at the two lines in disbelief… but she is here and making her presence known in such a big way. Kyleigh has more personality than I ever did or will in this lifetime. She is everything I am and then some! Such a funny, bubbly, and inquisitive little person. My little sidekick is soon to be not so little anymore…

The New (OLD) Me….



I was on this mission to grow my hair out for the last almost two years and then one day recently I decided to take it back to the old me…. and whack all of my hair off again. The stylist seemed really shocked when she asked me how I wanted my hair cut and I told her off… it was very liberating kinda like everyone’s favorite scene from Waiting to Exhale. So after not really allowing scissors and cut to be a part of my vocab since Dec 06 I took the plunge and chopped off my hair. I feel like a new person and loving the look. I can’t wait to go back to the salon and see what I can get next! I’ve never been one of those females that believed my beauty was linked to the length of my hair… more like the health of my hair instead…. give me short and healthy over long and stringy any day!

Spicy Veggie Stir Fry



Here’s what you need…

  • 3 cups hot cooked instant rice (cooked as directed on the package, omitting margarine and salt)
  • 1 cup water
  • 1 tablespoon soy sauce
  • 1 tablespoon cornstarch
  • ½ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
  • 1 teaspoon oil
  • ¼ cup chopped onion
  • 1 medium green bell pepper, cut into thin strips
  • 2 tablespoons water
  • 3 medium zucchini, halved lengthwise, thinly sliced
  • 4 frozen breaded chicken substitute patties, thawed, cut into bit-sized pieces
  • 3 tomatoes cut into thin wedges.
  1. While rice is cooking, in small bow, combine 1 cup water, soy sauce, cornstarch and red pepper flakes; blend well. Set aside.
  2. Heat oil in large nonstick skillet or wok over medium heat until hot. Add onion and bell pepper; cook 3 to 4 minutes or until onion is tender. Add 2 tablespoons water and zucchini; cover and cook until all vegetables are tender.
  3. Add chicken substitute pieces and tomatoes; cook until thoroughly heated. Stir cornstarch mixture; added to skillet. Cook and stir until thickened. Serve mixture over rice.

Nutritional Analysis: One serving equals: 380 calories, 10g fat, 54g carbohydrate, 6g fiber, and 13g protein

**Got this recipe from my friend I don’t like spicy foods so I omitted the red pepper flakes and tomatoes, added grilled chicken (sorry my vegetarian friends) and baby corn and this dish was delicious!

14 Quick Energy Boosters

Taken from RealSimple.com

1. Get enough sleep. If you never wake up before the alarm blasts, you need to go to bed earlier. People become accustomed to the feeling of being sleep deprived, but they don’t really adapt to it. Make getting enough sleep a top priority.

2. Go for a brisk walk. One study found that even a 10-minute walk was enough to supply a feeling of energy and decreased tension.

3. Listen to your favorite upbeat song. Hearing stimulating music gives an instant lift. Along the same lines…

4. Sing out loud. It’s hard to feel grouchy when you’re singing — and the goofier the song, the better.

5. Take a short nap, if you’re the napping type. Many people find them very energizing. My father has been known to take three naps in one day.

6. Act energetic. Research shows that when people move faster, their metabolism speeds up. Acting energetic will make you feel more energetic.

7. Along the same lines, spend time with energetic people. People catch the moods of other people, and energy (or lack of energy) is highly contagious.

8. Talk to friends. I’ve noticed that if I’m feeling low, and I run into a friend on the street, I walk away feeling much more energetic. Reach out if you need a boost.

9. Cross a nagging chore off your to-do list to get a big rush of energy. Unfinished tasks drag us down, so force yourself to tackle one thing that’s nagging you to get a huge rush of energy.

10. Make your bed. It doesn’t take much time or thought, and it provides a feeling of serenity and control when you come home at night.

11. Make something right. Apologize, confess, repair, replace, or return something you borrowed.

12. Go outside into the sunlight. Light deprivation is one reason why people feel tired. Research suggests that light stimulates brain chemicals that improve mood.

13. Clean up. I’m not sure why tidying makes such a huge difference, but when I feel like I can’t face the day, I just tidy up my desk, and I perk right up.

14. Drink some coffee! Coffee gets a bad rap, but the fact is, it really does boost alertness, energy, and ability to focus. (Plus, it’s a great source of antioxidants and it contains a high level of soluble dietary fiber.)

My Uneducated Palate…

So my new favorite reality series is Top Chef. How I didn’t get in on the first three seasons I don’t know, but now I am on board and sad that it is almost coming to an end. My favorite chef, Dale was eliminated about 2 shows ago so now I am torn between Richard and Stephanie..

Watching this show I’ve learned just how sheltered I am when it comes to food. I guess we all have our comfort zones and foods. Being raised in the south I am used to “soul” food and as I’ve gotten older I’ve discovered a love of Italian food…which may not be truly authentic Italian but all the same I do love to try those deliciously rich cheese filled dishes!

So! I’ve made a decision that I am going to branch out and educate my poor uneducated palate, now that’s not to say I am going to be dining on seared tuna and jicama but I am on my way to trying new things! My “tape worm” that my friend Maritza says I have, is going to be very excited!