Sunday Survey

Da Ya Think I'm Sexy

1. When do you feel that you are at your sexiest?

I don't really think of myself as sexy, actually, but I guess it'd have to be when I'm dressed up really nice with my hair done and make-up on and ready to head out for a date night with my husband.

2. What's your favorite magazine? Why?

US Weekly and People.  I like to read the gossip magazines about celebs and what's going on in their world whether it's true or not.

3. What’s something you do more quickly than most people?

Get ready to go out, I guess.  From the time I step in the shower to the time I step out the door (and that includes doing hair and make-up) it's about 30 minutes.  I've always been really fast to get ready!

4. When do you first remember using a computer?

In high school ... I think AOL had first come on the scene then.

5. Who is the craziest person in your family?

I don't think there is anyone in my family who is "crazy", but my husband has been known to be pretty darn wild in the past.

6. What one thing are you craving today?

I can honestly say nothing.  :)  My husband is sitting here eating ice cream sandwiches from Cold Stone and I don't even have the slightest craving for one!

7. What is your favorite thing to spend money on?

Oh ... I have to pick just one?  Clothes, purses, stuff for the house, stuff for the kids or John.  Doesn't matter what it is, I just love to shop!

8. What’s the part of your morning you least look forward to every day?

Getting the kids ready and out the door, so I'm not late for work.  It's a huge pain and we usually have one or both of them crying.  I seriously HATE it.  They hate getting up that early and being rushed around the house, and I hate making them.  :(

9. What are some rules you have for yourself that don’t really make much sense?

I don't think I have any rules for myself.  IDK if I do, I can't think of any right now.

Skinny Mama: Week Four

I totally forgot to update this week on my Skinny Mama challenge.  I still wasn't feeling all that great going into Thursday's weigh-in, but I lost 1 lb, so I guess I'm okay with that.  I've officially lost 6 lbs toward my 20 lb goal.  I'm very happy with that!  I've heard (and I have experience with this) that if you lose too much too fast, you tend to gain it all back and I really don't want to do that, so I'm just trying to take it slow and steady.  I'm kicking it up a notch this week on the dieting and exercising, so I'm already starting to feel good for this coming week's weigh-in.

Also, at some point this week I should be getting my raspberry ketones, so I'm going to be taking those.  I'm not all that familiar with them, but what I've read pretty much says that they help speed up your metabolism thus making your burn more fat faster.  We'll see how well they work.  I'm skeptical on pretty much anything like this, but Dr. Oz had a show about them once and so I'm willing to give it a try!  Once I get them and start taking them, I'll report back on how well they seem to work.  :)

Let's Do 52 - Week 8

Themes were: Simplicity or Game On!

This week we had some amazing weather, so I was able to get some really cute outdoor pics of the kids!  Below are some pics of both boys during our outing to the park one afternoon.  I believe the high this day was 70 degrees, but we didn't get to the park until 5 PM because of work, so it was a bit chilly by then ... hence why Henry is wearing a coat.  Jacob refused to wear his ...

Chicken Gyros

Gyros are one of my favorite foods, ever!  I've been wanting to make them for awhile, so when I came across this recipe for Chicken Gyros on pinterest, I just had to try it.  It looked yummy and was oh, so easy!!

Tzatziki sauce:

1 cup plain Greek yogurt

1 regular cucumber, peeled and seeded
1 teaspoon minced garlic
1 teaspoon white wine vinegar

3 teaspoons fresh dill, minced
Salt and pepper, to taste
Squeeze of fresh lemon juice
Extra virgin olive oil

For the chicken:

2 teaspoons minced garlic
Juice of 1 lemon (2-3 Tablespoons)
2 teaspoons red wine vinegar
2 Tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
2 heaping Tablespoons plain Greek yogurt
1 Tablespoon dried oregano
Salt and pepper
1 1/4 lbs. boneless, skinless chicken breasts

Directions:

Shred the cucumber or chop in food processor (I used my Chopper Machine by Tupperware - it worked amazingly!). Wrap in a towel and squeeze to remove as much water as possible. Mix together the yogurt, shredded cucumber, garlic, white wine vinegar, salt and pepper to taste, and lemon juice. Drizzle lightly with olive oil.

Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes before serving to allow the flavors to meld.

To prepare the chicken, combine the garlic, lemon juice, red wine vinegar, olive oil, yogurt, oregano, and salt and pepper to taste in a medium bowl. Whisk together until mixed well. Add the chicken pieces to the bowl and mix well to coat. Cover and refrigerate for about 1 hour.

Cook the chicken as desired, either in the skillet or with the broiler. Once the chicken is completely cooked through, transfer to a plate and let rest for 5 minutes. Cut into strips. Heat pitas. Top with chicken, tzatziki sauce, diced tomatoes and sliced onions. Serve immediately.

Sunday Survey

1. Do you ever solicit advise on your love life?

No ... I do tend to solicit parenting advice when it's not been asked for ... I really need to quit doing that, though.  I don't like it when other people do that to me, so I'm sure those I give unsolicited advice to don't really appreciate it.

2. What was the last thing you argued with someone about?

I actually can't remember, but I'm sure whatever it was, it wasn't very important.

3. Who do you hate right now?

I don't HATE anyone, but there are a few people out there that I am not very fond of.

4. Who do you love right now?

My husband, kids, family and friends.  :)

5. Where do you want to be in 6 years?

Living in a bigger house, but other than that I'm happy right where I am. :)

6. What is your craziest vice?

I kind of go in spurts.  It used to be couponing, but I've let that go, though I do want to get back into it.  Right now it's probably cleaning/organizing.  I've become OCD about things and now that's all I can think about.

7. How did you celebrate Valentines Day?

We had a late dinner the Saturday before Valentine's Day after the kids were in bed of Chinese takeout and we rented Breaking Dawn: Part 1 on demand.  It was awesome!  The actual day of Valentine's Day, though, kind of sucked.  I was hormonal and took out on my poor husband.  :(  But, the little celebration we had the weekend before was perfect.

8. What is your most unique or fondest memory of a special Valentine's Day?

I don't think there have been any crazy unique Valentine's Days ... but, each year we try to do something together, and it's always really special.  :)

9. Were you in the same location five years ago that you are today? Would you have expected to be?

Nope.  Five years ago we were newlyweds living in Ashburn.  A lot has changed in the past five years.  We've moved twice (in with my parents and then to our current home in Herndon) and had two beautiful baby boys ... can't wait to see what the next five years will bring!

Let's Do 52: Week 7

The themes this week were: pretty ugly (find the beauty in things many may consider ugly) or smooth

This week was pretty hectic ... we had Valentine's Day and then the next day we had new granite installed in the kitchen and both bathrooms.  And, then the next few days were just a whirlwind of working and trying to get around in our mess of a house.  This past weekend was spent celebrating my good friend, Jessica's, birthday, and starting my Spring Cleaning/reorganizing for 2012.  I'm exhausted, and needless to say, I didn't get one picture taken for either of the themes, so I'll share what I do have!

Jacob writing out his Vday cards for school.  I'm so proud of him!!  He traced his name on all 10 cards! :)

The new granite!  I'll post better pics in a different post (before and after) in a day or two once I get them taken.  This was taken the night after it was installed, so I didn't have anything put back where it should have been yet.  Oh, and notice the cute little guy in the foreground?  :)

The other side of the kitchen.

A close up picture of the "pattern".  Cute, right?!

Skinny Mama: Week Three

Not a whole lot to report this week, but I didn't want to NOT write something.  I gained a pound.  :(  Not sure how that's possible since I've been eating the same and exercising the same, but it happened nonetheless.  So just putting my nose to the grindstone and getting on with it for next week!!

Sunday Survey

Indian Reservation

1. Do you enjoy going to a casino now and again?

Absolutely!  I love to gamble, though I'm not very good at it.  I usually take only a set amount that I'm willing to lose and once it's gone (or I've made money, which usually doesn't happen, lol), I leave.  My mom is in Vegas right now for work.  I haven't been since the February after we got married (so, 5 years ago).  I desperately want to go back with John.  He's never been, so I think we'd have a LOT of fun!

2. What makes you happy most of the time?

My children.  Of course there are times where I just want to lock myself in my bedroom because they drive me nuts, but they are the one constant thing in my life that brings me happiness.  :)

3. Are you jealous of someone right now?

Nope!

4. You're stranded on a desert island with one fictional character. Who is it? Why?

I can't even think of anyone.  Not one fictional character, that's so weird!

5. Have you ever been in the emergency room? If yes, for what (most recently)?

I've been to the emergency room a few times in my life ... for me.  I've been MANY times for my husband.  :-/  Anyway, the most recent time was back in November the weekend before Thanksgiving when I came down with a HIGH fever (104.5).  It wasn't going away, so I went to the Minute Clinic at CVS.  She wasn't able to treat me, so she sent me to the ER.  Turned out I had strep.  I was pretty sick. :(

6. Where is the last place you drove to just for fun?

I don't really know ... I know back at Christmas we drove around looking at lights, but I can't think of anywhere more recent we drove just to drive.

7. If you were to make your living as a photographer, what would love to shoot?

Babies, babies and BABIES!  I could seriously take pictures all day, every day of cute little babies!

8. Tell us about a band you like that we might not have heard.

I don't like any bands that aren't well known.

9. Where was the last place you went shopping? Why?

Giant, and for milk and lettuce.  lol

Reading Corner ~ Book 2 of 12

I'm doing really good on my reading goal!  We're only halfway through February (the shortest month of the year, mind you) and I've already read one book.  If you know me at all and know the kind of reader I am (slow! - well, not that I read slow, I just don't usually have much time for it, so it takes a really long time for me to finish one book.), you know that this is amazing! 

The Hunger Games - by: Suzanne Collins



Katniss is a 16-year-old girl living with her mother and younger sister in the poorest district of Panem, the remains of what used be the United States. Long ago the districts waged war on the Capitol and were defeated. As part of the surrender terms, each district agreed to send one boy and one girl to appear in an annual televised event called, "The Hunger Games." The terrain, rules, and level of audience participation may change but one thing is constant: kill or be killed. When her sister is chosen by lottery, Katniss steps up to go in her place.

At first I didn't think I was going to like this book, to be honest.  The thought of sending children in to a ring to fight for their lives had me in tears at first.  But ... if you can get past the first chapter or two, you will definitely be glad you did.  You won't be able to put this book down - trust me!

This was the first post-apocalypse book I have ever read, so I really didn't know what I was in for.  It's interesting to see this author's point of view on what happens after the world as we know it comes to an end.  I might have to check out some other post-apocalypse books after I finish this series (there are three books total in The Hunger Games series), so if you have any others you recommend, leave me a comment and I'd love to check them out! :)

Let's Do 52 - Week 6

This week's themes were: topsy-turvey (chaos) or linear.

I chose topsy-turvey (chaos) because, well ... my life seems to always be in a constant state of chaos, so I figured it'd be a bit easier.  I was very right!  Here's a picture of Jacob and Henry wrestling last night.  At one point Jacob had Henry in a headlock, poor little guy.

Skinny Mama: Week Two

I was pretty confident going in to today's weigh-in.  I knew I had kept pretty much in line with my diet and I had exercised 5 out of the 7 days this week, which is my plan for every week.  But, I wasn't prepared for what the scale would say .... I lost another 4 lbs!  So, for anyone who might be keeping track, that's 6 lbs in 2 weeks.  I'm pretty proud!!  I will say, though, that I was pretty sick yesterday and didn't eat much.  I guess the true test will be if I can keep that off and possibly lose another pound or two in the next week.  I sure hope I can, so fingers crossed!!  :)

Crockpot Chicken Tacos

This one is a very basic, EASY recipe!  I'll be posting it as *I* made it, though, because one of the main ingredients my husband doesn't like, so I omitted it altogether. 

2 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts
1 envelope taco seasoning
1/2 cup water
2 tbsp taco sauce
1 teaspoon lime juice

Dump everything into a crock pot and give it a little stir to blend the seasoning into the water.

Cook on high for 4 to 6 hours or on low for 6 to 8 hours. When done, the chicken should shred easily when stirred with a fork.

For tacos, serve the chicken with soft flour tortillas. I also served mine with mashed avocado, lettuce, tomato and shredded cheese, but you can add whatever you like. :)

Sunday Survey

1. I read that Bud Weiser & Kathy moved into their new house! When was the last time you moved? Where to?

About 4.5 years ago, and we moved from my parents' house in Leesburg to our current home in Herndon.

2. If they were making a Hall of Fame for the blogosphere, name a blogger or two who you think should make the list. Why?

I can't really name just a few, but I'd have to say anyone who blogs about anything that is useful, really.  Food, homeschooling, crafty, organization ... just to name a few types of blogs/bloggers that I think should make the list.  :)

3. What are couple of funny things you remember your parents saying? (Like, “They're starving there in China, so finish what you've got.” - John Lennon) Do you say them to your kids?

"Because I said so", "You'll understand when you're older", "There are starving children somewhere in this world" ... to name just a few, and yes, I find myself saying those same things to my kids.  I try not to,  but it just comes out sometimes.

4. What is something that has happened to you that you would consider a miracle?

Probably pretty recently when I fell down the stairs and sprained both ankles.  I fell so hard and at such an odd angle, it's a miracle I didn't break one or both of my ankles.

5. What is it too late for?

Well, it's probably *not* too late, but I feel like it is ... too late for me to go to nursing school like I really want to.

6. What do you try to stay away from?

Right now it's sweets. :)

7. When you get into a disagreement or fight, how often are you the first to apologize?

If I know I'm wrong, I'll apologize quickly, but more often than not, I'll fight it out trying to prove I'm right.

8. Tell us about a current issue that you’re unhappy with.

Our living situation ... we've outgrown this tiny condo, so it's really time to move on.

9. How often do you update your blog/site and why?

A few times a week, at least. And, I do it because I like it.  :) 

Bang, Bang Shrimp

I think my husband is really starting to enjoy all the recipes I've been trying! :)

I found this recipe on pinterest awhile back, but haven't really had the time to make it.  It's very similar to a Bang, Bang Shrimp dish that I get a lot at Wegman's on their Asian buffet.  It's amaaaazing!  I will caution you that it's time consuming, so just beware you will have a fair amount of prep work to do, but it's soooo worth it in the end!

Ingredients:

• 1 lb. medium shrimp, peeled and deveined
• 3 green onions, chopped (optional)

For the sauce:

• 1/2 cup mayonnaise
• 4-5 teaspoons chili garlic sauce, such as Sriracha sauce
• 1 teaspoon granulated sugar
• 1 teaspoon rice vinegar

For the egg mixture:

• 1 egg, beaten
• 1 cup milk

For the breading mixture:

• 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/2 cup panko breadcrumbs
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
• 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/4 teaspoon dried basil

For frying:

• 8 to 12 cups vegetable oil

Instructions:

• Combine all ingredients for the sauce in a small bowl; cover and set aside.

• Combine beaten egg with milk in shallow bowl; set aside.
• Combine flour, panko, salt, black pepper, garlic powder, and basil in another shallow bowl; set aside.
• Bread the shrimp by first coating each with the breading mixture. Dip breaded shrimp into the egg and milk mixture, and then back into the breading. Arrange the coated shrimp on a plate and pop them into the fridge for at least 20 minutes. This step will help the breading to stick on the shrimp when they are frying.

• Heat oil in deep fryer to 350 degrees F. Use amount of oil required by your fryer. (we were afraid the breading would fall off the shrimp or they would clump together in the deep fryer, so we (John) fried them in a skillet on the oven)

• When oil is hot, fry shrimp 2 to 3 minutes or until golden brown. Drain on rack or paper towels.

• When all shrimp has been fried, drop the shrimp into a large bowl. Spoon about 1/4 cup of sauce over shrimp and stir gently to coat.

I served ours over rice (I had brown rice, John had white rice) with the chopped green onions on top, but this would be an excellent appetizer, too!

Note: All my recipes posted on my blog are how *I* made them.  So, they're the original recipe slightly tweaked to fit how my family likes their food.  Somewhere (usually at the beginning) in the post I have linked to the original recipe, so feel free to check it out as well and decide which you like the best ... or better yet, create your own version!

Let's Do 52 - Week 5

I started off this week thinking the theme was "hearts or strong".  I should really read more carefully because that was the "kids' theme" for the week.  haha  Glad I double checked because I had nada for those two.

This week's themes were: Get out from behind the camera ... yes, you! or liquid

Since I rarely get pictures taken with me in them, I wasn't able to have one for the first theme.  But, I do have a few very cute ones for liquid.  My little guys playing in the bathtub!

There aren't any peep shots, I swear.  Although, it may look like it to some ... it's just the bubbles, I swear.  :)

Skinny Mama: Week One

I've been on my new diet/exercise regimen for just over a week now.  Some friends and I have a "Biggest Loser" contest going to see who can lose the highest percentage of body fat in 12 weeks, and I'm determined to win!  I've really changed the way I was eating: no more snacking all day long, and when I do snack it's fruit or 100 calorie packs, smaller portions at meal time, less carbs and more protein/fruits/veggies.  And, I've been going to the gym 5 days a week, doing about 30-35 minutes of cardio each day.  I'm pretty impressed with my willpower, but ya know ... when there's money involved, you do what you gotta do! :)  In all seriousness, though, I'm sick of myself.  I have to do something because I'm NOT healthy and I'm in terrible shape.  I'm already feeling a ton better and like I have more energy most days, too.  My attitude has been better this past week and my temper (which can be out of control some days) has been much more under control, as well.  I'm really hoping this is the "new me" because I LOVE it!

And, my stats this week (our weigh-in is on Thursday, so I'm a little late) are just that I lost a whole 2 lbs.  :)  Not a lot, but I don't really want to lose it fast because I'll just gain it all back at some point, so a slow and steady loss will be just fine! :)

Rainy Day!

This morning started off a bit rainy, so Jacob finally got to use his new umbrella!  He got this for Christmas from Gee and Pap, but because we really haven't had any rain lately he hasn't been able to use it.  He was *so* excited.  Here are a few pictures of him "dancing in the rain". *hehe*