Paint It/Wrap It...

This year I made little paintings for gifts again...but tried to stick to an old school cartoon theme.  

I made a couple exceptions to my rule - like a Baby Jesus for Crankie..

A Mister Hankie for Greg (although I'm sure he'll be a classic one day!)

And of course a UNC for Harry J!!

The most requested character this year was Grinch.  Go Grinchy!!

  

Although more time consuming then I anticipated, this project saved me from being too sad about working so much during the Holidays and missing my family. 

 I love painting and hope to do more more more!!!  

Now if I can just focus on ONE subject....

Latest Healthy Yums..

Happy Friday Party Peoples!!

It's actually a Poopie Friday for me because I have to work inventory Saturday and Sunday from like 4AM until??  Trying to stay positive about it because there are some good things happening this weekend...  

For one, It's Laura's B-day tomorrow night so I get to see some sweet friends I miss a whole bunch.  I also have Monday off..which it is always awesome to have a Monday off.  On top of that, Ginny and I are driving over to Eno River for a little hiking and picture taking.  Super excited!!

It's also week two of my being a good girl food-wise...and I've lost 3 lbs.  That makes me feel like doing cartwheels for sure!!  Extremely helpful to see results, I am sure you would agree!

On that note, I thought I'd share a couple images/recipes for new healthy discoveries.  I have been eating good and it's been tasting good..I love it!!

 Yummie!!  

Mediterranean Stuffed Chick Breasts w/Zucchini & Kale


Another benefit for meal planning and searching healthy recipes is that I'm cooking dishes I've never cooked which is pretty crazy because I love to cook and I have made TONS of dishes!  I am also loving my Grill Pan!  I've been yearning for a Grill, but my pan from Belk is a nice sub in the meantime.

I cooked Lamb Chops for the first time last night and Jeez O they were good!  Complimented these with Mashed Cauliflower - added a dash of Half & Half, S&P, and about half a t of Rosemary.  And closed this trio with a slimmed down version of one of my favs...Creamed peas and Mushrooms.  There is no cream in these peas but they tasted Awesome!  Harry even ate the leftover container of them in the middle of the night.  Now you KNOW those babies were good if a man ate vegetables as a snack!

Rosemary Grilled Lamb Chops

Peas & Shrooms with Onion & Thyme

{I left out the sugar & only used 1T butter}

Everyone have the bestest weekend and don't get mad at me but...I WISH IT WOULD SNOWWWW!!  If it does, I will take a video of Miss Ember - she gets wacky in snow :)

Love, Health & Happiness to you all!

Cook It!

Last night I made a dish I didn't think I'd love...but I did!

Salmon is the one fish I have always ignored & pushed aside.  To me, it's the red-headed step child of the ocean/stream.  I decided to give it a go since it's supposed to be full of all those Omega 3's, healthy proteins, etc.  

Coupled with my decision to make healthy food options, I am trying to eat as "clean" as possible.  This recipe covered a lot of delicious ground for me: healthy & clean, exotic spices I've never tried, & going outside my lil' comfort zone!

Just take a look...oh baby! I can't wait to try my next recipe tonight.  

Harry and I have a whole week of entrees that will be fabulous & restaurant-worthy!

Who knew eating well could be so fun and scrumptious!  woot! woot!