Spaghetti Hotdogs

Another crazy idea I saw on Pintrest, and I thought it was just silly enough that my 4 year old would like it. I was right! There were lots of giggles at lunch today...

INGREDIENTS:

Hot dogs of your choice

Spaghetti

Pot of water

DIRECTIONS:

Cut as many hot dogs as you desire into 3 sections (make sure you also cut off the ends). Break spaghetti in half and poke through the hotdogs. I boiled mine for 9 minutes, then drained.

Spaghetti Hot dogs!

A new addiction!

How many of you have heard of Pinterest? If you like to cook, are crafty, need home
decor/improvement ideas, ideas for your kids, tips on fitness, or just about anything under the sun, then you should check it out! Let's just say that I'm addicted. I'm a pinner. I find so many ideas that I LOVE, and I pin them. I'll likely never get around to trying out half of the things that I pin, but regardless, I pin them.

Recently I tried out one of the ideas I so eagerly pinned. Personalized outlet and switchplate covers. They are really easy. YOU CAN DO IT!

Here's what you need:

And a sheet of Scrapbook paper of your own choosing. The possibilities are endless!

Trace your outlet cover/switchplate on your scrapbook paper, and cut it out. Using a foam brush, coat the face of your plate with a layer of Modpodge, then lay your cut out on the plate. Secure so that it's centered. I let mine dry a few minutes, then coated it with another layer of Modpodge on top. Once dry, you can cut out the middle of the switchplate (I did so using an exacto knife).

Voila! Finished Project!

Rock Star Jacket

So there's this show on Nick Jr. that my now 4 year old simply adores. And I have to admit, I like it too. It's the Fresh Beat Band. If you have a little one that likes music and dancing, you should give it a try. I'm guessing you will be hooked. Sure, the acting is overdone, but the songs are catchy, the colors are bright and fun, and the characters are likable. It's a welcome break from the likes of Barney (which used to be a hit in our house, I must admit). This show is more current than it's competition, which is a big draw. I've even found my 12 year old watching it!

My main frustration with the show is the marketing. Or, should I say, the LACK of marketing. I know, I know, usually us parents get upset at the OVER marketing these companies display, just to make a buck. However, when you are trying to shop for Christmas and can't find a single thing (other than overpriced, homemade items on ebay & etsy), it becomes quite a pain in the $#%@!

One of the newest episodes of the show involves a "Rock Star Jacket". The band members, in song, tell the kids to "put your rock star jacket on..." Well it would be really nice if they would market thus said jacket, so that the kids could do just that! So imagine my delight when I see a post on the Fresh Beat Band's Facebook page, by a mom just like me, showing the FBB

community that she made her child a Rock Star jacket on her own! She was nice enough to share pictures and instructions.

"I can do that!", I think to myself. Then the hysteria sets in. I HAVE TO FIND THIS JACKET. It's available at Kmart. I search online. Nothing. I call my husband, who conveniently has a store near work, to check there. I, myself, drive to our local Kmart to search myself. To make a long story short, I find one. Not the size I wanted, but a Small will have to do (needed an XS). but considering these things are selling like hotcakes, and are on clearance, I cut my losses, and buy the small. Next up, the STAR...

Now to figure out how to put a star on the back, and front of the jacket. I'd like it if it resembled the ones on the show, and not like I actually made it. I end up buying the following supplies:

Tulip brand Iron on Transfer Sheets (I bought the one in the middle)

Tulip brand Fabric Glitter & Fabric Glitter glue (I bought the multi pack, for it was the only way I could get the color glitter I needed.. a minty green)

Next, I searched the web for a picture/graphic of a Star. Printed out the appropriate size for the front and back, traced it on the transfer paper, cut it out, and ironed it on the back of the jacket (each step is repeated for the front, as well). Took a while to get the transfer to actually stick, but a little patience goes a long way. Then I applied the glitter as a border around the star, and let dry for the 2 hours, as recommended. After repeating for the front, I had created our very own ROCK STAR JACKET!

My older two daughters gave the jacket to my now 4 year old, for her birthday. It was her favorite present of the lot. Here's a picture of her modeling her Rock Star Jacket, which she will happily wear when we see the Fresh Beat Band in concert in a few months. I just hope my craftiness was good enough, and the jacket holds up!

Still here...

Yes, yes, I'm still here. Last week was a rough one. The stomach flu hit out house, and hit hard! My two older girls, and myself were hit Tuesday night. We were out of commission for 2 days. Took so long for our energy to return. I did end up losing 4 pounds due to it. A plus, right? All in all, I have lost a total of 14 pounds! Not too shabby.

I believe I've got the eating under control, though there are day when I am hungrier than others. I try, on those days, to use my flex points. My biggest challenge still remains to be exercise. I have a gym membership, but I am seriously considering ending it, due to my lack of time to use it. I will have to figure out an exercise program to do at home.

First Milestone Reached!!

I'm so excited.. this morning (not my scheduled weigh in day, but just couldn't help myself) I weighed myself, and I lost another pound, which brings my total weight loss to 10 pounds!!! Yes!! It has taken quite a while to reach this.. Started at the beginning of the month. But it has been worth it, for sure. I don't think I look any different, though I do feel a SMALL difference in my stomach. Woooo Hoooo!

Yesterday, the girls had an indoor field hockey tournament in Baltimore. They both played very well, and won most their games. After the tournament, a few of the parents and girls on Hannah's team were going out to eat, so we joined them. For those of you who are dieting, you know very well how going out to eat can be a bit frightening. What do I eat? What CAN I eat? Am I going to blow all my hard work in one meal? Well, we ended up going to a really cool little Pizza grille. Steve and I decided to just order a plain, cheese pizza. It was classic NY style, so the crust was thin. Let me tell you, this was the best pizza I've had in a while!! It was an awesome treat! I had 3 slices! Figure each slice was probably around 10 points (guessing -- denise, can you help me with that?), So I figure since I didn't eat lunch, I had the 20 points for the day, and any extra went into my weekly. It was so good to indulge :) Looking forward to the next one!

Another side of blog...

The more I think about my blog, the more I don't want to just write about my weight loss journey. There's also so much more that goes on in my life, that I like having the outlet to write about it here. I don't have many followers just yet, and who knows, maybe I never will have very many. That's okay though. I'd like to include crafts that I do (not many, but from time to time there are a few), and things related to my kids. There's always something that comes up with them. Having 3 girls, ages 13, 11, and 3, you can imagine the range of issues that arise! As a result, I need to come up with a new name for my blog.. any ideas?

Here's my first craft to share. Many years ago, my Mom taught me a very basic part of crocheting.. the chain stitch. Since then, I've taught myself to make basic blankets and scarves. Here's a scarf I made for my youngest daughter.

My current crochet project I'm working on is a continuous scarf. Not sure of the true name of it, but it's one of those scarves that is a circle, and you just wrap it around. Just trying to figure it out right now. Also working on a pattern for a head wrap. Wish me luck!

Yesterday was a tough day on the diet front. Was really hungry! I'm thinking it's due to all the snow shoveling I did in the morning! I tried really hard to stay on track, and did well. Treated myself with some popcorn in the evening!!

Okay, okay!

Okay Denise, guess what! I exercised two days in a row... thanks to Mother Nature dumping a bunch of heavy, icy snow on us! Shoveling is great cardio! My muscles will surely be really sore tomorrow. I also managed to squeeze in a few sets of crunches last night. It's a start! Oh, and also took a walk around the block today, with Rebecca. Felt good!

So I wanted to share this recipe with you all. I tried to figure out the WW Points Plus value for it, and I believe it may be around 11. I know, it's rather on the high side, but if you've got the points left, it's pretty yummy.

Not sure what to call it.. Kind of like a veggie chilli of sorts, and served over brown rice (rice is included in the value. I made mine in the crock pot.. well simmered it.

2 lbs lean ground turkey
1-2 Zucchinni
1-2 yellow squash
1 medium/small sweet onion
2 jars Marinara sauce

Brown turkey in pan on stove. Drain and put in crockpot. Add Marinara Sauce. Sautee veggies in pan and mix into crockpot when ALMOST done. Let simmer for about 45 minutes. Serve over Brown Rice.
Makes about 6 servings (when you cook your rice, cook 6 servings).

Rather simple, but yummy. You can add whatever seasonings you'd like, and add veggies as well.