Thursday, August 20, 2009

Jewelry give away!

I am just amazed at Michelle over at A Shade of Gray - she just revamped her blog to encompass all the parts of her life, and needless to say, she makes me look lazy!:) Everyone that knows me knows how much I LOVE jewelry so needless to say, I was lovin' this giveaway - so post yourself because the necklace is gorgeous!






Laura

Sunday, August 16, 2009

First professional wedding pic!


I LOVE this pic. When our photographer asked what special pics I wanted from the big day I said I wanted a black and white photo of us just together as a candid. Can I just say that I couldn't have asked for anything better?!! If anyone needs a fantastic photographer I can't say enough about Jessica - check her out - www.jessicastrickland.com/blog.







Laura

Monday, August 10, 2009

An Old-fashioned Sunday......






Yesterday felt most definitely like an old-fashioned Sunday. I made a nummy WW version of Shepherd's pie (recipe from weight watchers). The hubby took a bike ride, and I stalked the internet for coupons and got some great deals at CVS and Target (free bic pens at Target - back to school!), and CVS had free highlighters from Sharpie with coupons.

Adam left to travel this week and so I was cooking for one in the evening and suddenly wanted something that was "fast foodish" without being fast food - because that makes sense right? No, really, WW has been going wonderfully for me, I didn't want to mess that up, but I wanted comfort food. So I made baked sweet potato fries from Roni's site, Green Lite Bites, and paired those with the best new food find that I got my hands on this weekend at Trader Joe's! I found "chickenless" chicken nuggets that are 2 points for 4 - woo hoo! Adam tried one before leaving and he didn't know they didn't contain chicken (they are made from soy), and loved them. I make chicken strips coated and baked in fiber one that he loves, which is a hungry girl recipe, but these are more like Mickey D's nuggest vs. chicken strips and I love them!

So I'll post a pic of all the guilt free food we enjoyed! I didn't take a pic of the completed Shepherd's pie b/c honestly, it just wasn't that "pretty" but was very good. We went thru the pie in one day - Adam had it for lunch and dinner and it reminded me of a regular big Sunday dinner that my grandma used to make but it was guilt free - can't say enough how great it was!

Here is the Shepherd's pie recipe:

1 lb. 90% beef or turkey, 1 stalk each carrot and celery,2 tsp. olive oil. one medium onion, 3 tbsp. flour, 1 tbsp. each rosemary and thyme, 2 c. beef or chicken broth, salt and pepper, 2 large potatoes, 1/4 c. ff sour cream, 1 tbsp. margarine. Warm oil in skillet, sautee carrot, celery and onion until they are just soft. Add the beef or turkey, brown, and chop up the meat as you are cooking. Once done, add the flour and spices, and coat the meat with this mixture. Add the broth and simmer, approx. 3 mins. or until it thickens. Spread the mixture into a 9 inch casserole dish. Cut up potatoes, place in a large pot and cover with water - bring to a boil and boil for approx. 10 mins. Drain water, and add SC and margarine. Mix with hand mixer. Add salt/pepper to taste. Spread this mixture over beef mixture. Bake at 350 for 30 mins. Cut into 6 pieces at 5 points a piece. Enjoy!

Here is the Sweet Potato Fries Recipe:

Cut one large sweet potato into large steak fries. Spray a baking sheet with cooking spray, place the fries on the sheet and spray to coat. Sprinkle with curry powder and kosher salt. Bake at 425 until crispy on both sides (I would keep an eye on them and flip halfway thru).











Laura

Thursday, August 6, 2009

Food finds!


When I find a new food find, I become obsessed! This means the product has to be low in points (so I don't feel guilty eating it non-stop) and deeelish - which means it can't taste "chemically" like fat free ranch tastes to me, for example.

So, I was at my local Marsh when the $10 facebook coupon came out here in Indy (and low and behold, they didn't accept it when we checked out - bugga!), and found these AMAZING wraps that are one WW point and taste heavenly! I had one of these in the form of a quesadilla at least once every day this week which was perfect since the hubby was out of town and I was cooking for one. So I had to share! If you find them, stock up - they are to die for!





Laura

Saturday, August 1, 2009

So many updates, so little time!







Wow! Where did the week go? For starters, I made 3 really nummy recipes this week (actually last Sunday and Monday) - chili bake, low mein, and chocolate cupcakes from Green Lite Bites. They were sooo good! I took the cupcakes over to a friend's for dinner and they were a big hit! They are also super easy to make - a can of pumpkin, some water and a fudge cake mix. Easy + low points = fabulous in my book! While I was in the kitchen Adam gave the babies a "spa day". I had to post a pic because I do think they are the most adorable little things (and yes, I know they are dogs!). Frankie as usual sat there like the most precious little princess while little man was squirming every single minute - which is why Adam gets that job - they listen to him far better than I!

Weight watchers weigh in was today and I lost 2 lbs.! I have a long way to go but it was a great feeling because I have never felt deprived this week and had many treats within reason (aahem - Ritter's lite custard/yogurt, anyone? Sooo good!). Tonight we are going out to dinner but I feel like I am on a roll and will make good choices!

Everyone have a great weekend!








Laura