Friday, March 22, 2013

Frugal Pampering

It is so important for you to take time for yourself. To relieve stress, recharge your batteries and basically just make yourself feel beautiful. I know though with crazy work schedules sometimes it is hard. I try to have an evening just for myself at least two times a month. It honestly makes you feel like a new person. The great thing is that you also don't have to spend tons of money. Now, don't get me wrong I would love to go to a spa two times a month but that money spent would add up pretty fast. So being the frugal person I am, make my own spa at home.
 
 
I started out by going out and buying all the essentials
vanilla candles
fingernail remover & polish
clay face mask
fresh new socks
my favorite diet mountain dew
 

 
Then go around your house and light the candles for the perfect ambiance

 
I then start my favorite part of the evening. Turn on the Luke Bryan radio station, run bath water as hot as possible, add my bath salts, delicious smelling bubble bath,

 
and most important line your bath with vanilla candles.

 
I try to use new products each time so I used:
Whish shaving cream (blueberry flavor, amazing)
&
Vasanti brighten up face wash (makes your skin so soft)
Both of the items were from my monthly Birchbox
 
 
After I relaxed in my bath for a while and my fingers and toes were starting to look like prunes. I dried off, moisturized and then it was time for the clay face mask. (YES, I love these things)


 After my body was fresh and baby soft, it was time for my manicure.
I wanted to try something a little different, so I painted them ombre.

 
 
I think it is pretty dang cute. What do you think? Would you do it?

 
After my nails and toes are looking better than ever. I slip into my flannel pj's, put on my brand new socks, grab my comforter from my bed, and then it was time to catch up on all my favorite shows  (which includes mainly Dance Moms).
Afterwards I go to bed and I will tell you this is probably the best sleep you will ever get. You will feel like a new person, beautiful and ready to take on tomorrow.
So pick a day
&
PAMPER YOURSELF
 
Day 54:
Breakfast: 2 eggs
Snack: non fat yogurt
Lunch: the rest of my leftover chili and parm cheese
Snack: forzen grapes & pistacios
Dinner: grilled chicken and baked beans
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
23days

Thursday, March 21, 2013

Retail Therapy

I don't have any yummy recipes for you because I took a little break from cooking last night and decided it was a beautiful day to do a little shopping.
 
Look at my beautiful finds.
 
Now this is the most important item that I found. I broke down and finally bought me some diamond studs. They are so classic and basically go with everything. From your elegant dinners to your backyard cookouts. I will be honest I didn't want to take these bad boys off when it was time for bed.

 

 
I then bought a simple lace dress, mainly for this weekend because I have yet another shower (whew ). I also found this beautifully bright sheer shirt that I automatically fell in love with, that I just had to have.

.
 
The reason I wanted to share this today, is because everyone should treat themselves every once in a while. I find that it recharges my batteries and makes me feel better. Check out tomorrow and I will share my way of
"Frugal Pampering"
 
 
Day 53:
Breakfast: non fat yogurt
Snack: green grapes
Lunch: turkey burger & leftover chili
Snack: mixed cajun nuts
Dinner:  spaghetti squash with marinara sauce and parm cheese





24days

Wednesday, March 20, 2013

Not So Porky Pork Loin

HAPPY SPRING

 
 
Last night I told the bf and a buddy of his that I would cook dinner. So I started  thinking what can I cook that is healthy and men approved. Yes of course pork loin!! I also cooked my yummy cabbage which I have previously shared and made them roasted parmesan potatoes that I will also share.
 
What you will need for the Not So Porky Pork Loin
Of course the pork loin
Veggie Oil
Rosemary
Minced Garlic
Paprika
Parsley
Crushed red pepper
 

 
Preheat oven to 375'
 
Start by taking the pork loin out of the the package. Words to the wise, open it over the sink or in the dish you are going to be cooking it in, it is quite juicy.

 
Then get a knife or be weird like me and get scissors and put holes throughout the entire pork loin.
(This is a great stress reliever ha)

 
Once you have relieved all your stress, make the special rub. Now this is the most important part.
Mix together 1/4 cup of veggie oil, rosemary, minced garlic, paprika, parsley and crushed red pepper.
 
 

 
Then pore evenly throughout your pork and add a cup of water to the bottom of the dish.
Then pop that beauty in the oven.

 
After about an hour, start sides.
 

 Started with my favorite part, the cabbage
Again all you need for the cabbage is bouillon seasoning, salt and pepper
 
 
Now to the potatoes.
 
What you will need
red potatoes
italian seasoning
5 tablespoons of veggie oil
parmesan cheese
crushed red pepper
parsley
salt
pepper
 
Start by cutting the potatoes bite sized

 
Then add your veggie oil, seasonings and 1/2 cup of water
 
 
Put in the oven for about 20 minutes (still on 375')
 
Then take out and add 1/2 cup parmesan cheese and put back in oven until the potatoes are soft enough to stick a fork through.
 
When fully cooked add a handful of parmesan cheese on the top, along with salt and pepper.

 
Here you go, two new delicious recipes!!


 
Roasted parmesan potatoes


and Not So Porky Pork Loin

 
 
Now here is the difference between then guy's plates and my plate.
Can you guess which one is mine :)
 



Day 52:
Breakfast: 2 eggs
Snack: non fat yogurt & some mix cajun nuts
Lunch: Not So Porky Pork Loin
Snack: mixed cajun nuts and cabbage
Dinner: turkey burger with onions and ketchup( no bun), cauliflower and cheese (WW), baked beans

25days






Tuesday, March 19, 2013

Skinny Me Chili

Yesterday was so cold and rainy, all I wanted to do was to go home take a hot bubble bath, eat some warm soup, and watch some of my favorite shows under a big comfy blanket on the couch. So I did just that. Nothing beats having a nice big bowl of chili on a nasty day and knowing that you don't have to get back out in it the rest of the evening.
 
I wanted to share my chili recipe today because it is extremely healthy, great as leftovers, and sometimes you just need a big bowl of warm soup.
 
 What you will need
1 can of tomato sauce
1 can of diced tomatoes and green chilies
2 can of chili beans (find the brand with the least sugar and calories)
1 pound of ground turkey (or sirloin beef if you aren't a fan of turkey)
1 1/2 medium onions (diced)
1 large jalapeno (diced)
1 green pepper (diced)
1 garlic clove (minced)
chili powder
crushed red pepper
 
 
 
Start by cooking your ground turkey (I add water to make sure when I drain I get all the grease out)

 
While that is cooking, go ahead and dice your onions and peppers

 
as well as your jalapenos and garlic

 
Once you have drained all grease, add your veggies and cook on high for about 5 minutes.

 
After 5 minutes turn your stove down to low and add your chili beans, tomato sauce, and diced tomatoes & green chilies, also fill your tomato sauce can 1/2 full of water and add to pot.

 
Then add your seasonings. I like my chili really spicy so I normally use about half of the bottle of chili seasoning (start with a little and add more if you want to add spice)
Last add your crushed red pepper (do the same as you did for the chili powder)


 After everything is added cover and cook on low for about an hour and a half.

 
Then fix and big bowl and sit back and enjoy!
 
 
Day 51:
Breakfast: 2 tablespoons of peanut butter
Snack: non fat yogurt
Lunch: skinny me chili
Snack: some almonds and work had some leftover Moe's so I had some black beans, grilled chicken and slasa
Dinner: not so porky pork loin & cabbage (check out my step by step recipe for Not So Porky Pork Loin tomorrow)
 
24 days

Monday, March 18, 2013

4 Cities, 2 States, 1 Weekend

 
Wwwhew what a weekend.
 
After work on Friday I met my mom and her church for a woman's conference in Greenville called the Extrodinary Women's Conference 2013. Some of the performance's and speakers that I got to see were Angela Thomas, Karen Kingsbury (an author), Tim Hokinns(comedian), Margaret Feingerg, Third Day, and a choir of children from all over the world.
 
 
They were so sweet and cute

 
After the conference on Saturday it was time to head to Waynesville, NC my hometown, for my brother's fiancees shower.
 
This is what I came home to. I guess the saying is true,
Growing old is mandatory but growing up is optional.
Love my dad:)

 
I decided not to climb a tree, instead sit back and take in the smell and beautiful view.



 
Oh how I love being home for at least the night.


 
Marble my mom's dog (and mine, we have joint custody)just realized I am home and the excitement is killing her.
 
 
YAYYYYYY my second mommy is finally home,
 
 
please never leave me again
 
 
After I relaxed for a few seconds it was time for mom and I to head to the shower.
This really made the wedding fill real.

 
Her sister did all the decorations and words cannot express how beautiful everything was.


 
 


The Bride to be, my mom and I.



 
The view from the shower was breathtaking, makes me miss home even more.



 
You can't have a shower without silly games!

 
After the shower it was time to head back home and get some beauty sleep because we had to be up bright and early the next morning. (5:30 am to be exact)
 
The next morning I rose from my warm, cozy bed and ran to the car still in my pj's because we were driving to Winston Salem for my nephews baby dedication. Now I wasn't very happy with waking up so early but I would do it a million times to see my sweet nephews face.

 
After 3 hours of driving (well me sleeping) and getting ready in the car, we arrived at the church, where I finally got to have some Auntie and Carter time.

 
Of course we had to have some family photos.


'
They said if there was a kidnapping of Carter,they would know you took him :)
 
 
This is one proud papa!


After our photo shoot :) it was time for the dedication of sweet
 
Carter Edward Bowen.
 




 
After church we headed back to my brother and his wife's home to have lunch and of course love on Carter. We were passing him around like he was a football.

 
This picture is priceless. I don't think he is used to cameras yet, especially me taking one every second. I am sure he will get used to it :)


 
I bought this shirt for Carter, basically perfect


He wasn't too thrilled with it :)
 

 
Sweet Grandma

 
Honestly I think he likes his Auntie the most because

 
he couldn't stop giving me kisses

 

 Hopefully they have one shortly after they are married. This would make me a very happy Auntie, the more the merrier.

 
I was a little bit of a Carter hog as you can see but

 
I think we all officially wore him out.


So it was time for me to head back to Spartanburg, South Carolina because I had a grill out to make it to at 6.
 
 
It was defiantly a long, yet full of love and laughter weekend. I ended up being in four cities (Spartanburg, Greenville, Waynesville, and Winston Salem) 2 States (South and North Carolina) in 1 weekend. Even though it felt like I was on the go the entire weekend. I wouldn't have changed a second of it.
 
Throughout the weekend there was plenty of yummy food but I stuck to my healthy eating habits.
 
Day 48:
Breakfast: yogurt, fruit and an egg and cheese omelet
Lunch: Salsarita's grilled chicken bowl (no rice or creamy sauces)
Dinner: Food from the shower (cheeses, veggies, grilled chicken, fruit)
 
Day 49:
I decided to have a cheat day :) It was well deserved ( I didn't go crazy though)
 
Day 50:
Breakfast: eggs and cheese
Lunch: grilled chicken salad
Snack: tomato soup and some almonds
Dinner: skinny me chili
 
 
 
25days less than a month, time to get real serrrrious :)