Follow-Up. And Other Important Thoughts.

Dearest readers, 

A few things before your fabulous weekend begins:

1. That Jillian Michaels Yoga DVD just came out (or was expected to pre-ship around today if you order from Jillian's website) so it was silly of me to think any of you could advise me on it. Ha. But now you know you can order it! And I'm including the handy link from Amazon Associates (but if you order from Amazon it won't be released until March 2, which is coming right up!).















2. I think I have decided on the Banish Fat Boost Metabolism dvd, assuming I can get my hands on one at Target, because there is soooo much more satisfaction in going to the store and getting it and if that only costs me a dollar more than having it mailed, I'll totally pay for instant gratification. Yay. Me.

3. I have some definite study plans for the weekend... which means I might not actually get to the grocery store which means Handsome and I will be hungry next week. Not really. But it means it might be a while before I can try any new recipes. I know you are disappointed, but you'll recover.

4. Actually, I might try and make some things with what I have in my lazy susan and refridgerator. What a concept!

5. And that is it. I know I said I had important thoughts, but right now all I can think about is how I skipped lunch and how guilt (in the form of a backpack sitting on top of textbooks) is looking me in the face and chattering for me to just go ahead and get started, so I might actually make it to the grocery store on Sunday.

6. Or I could ignore the chattering backback and textbooks longer and plan on sending Handsome. He is one dang good grocery shopper if you ask me.

7. But even then, I'd still be facing the guilt. This time in the form of the dust bunnies singing from the corners of my house.

8. Off I sign, before it is all too much to bear.

I'm here. And it will be a little while, but I'll be writing again,

post. script. I just realized that if I go out and satisfy that desire to purchase a new workout dvd, I will have yet another thing to sit and feel guilty about. But unlike the chatterings of books and singing of dust bunnies, Jillian will be screaming at me from inside of the dvd folder. Great. Nix the purchase. I'll put that off for a little longer too.  And I'll justify feeling good about the delay because its better for my wallet, no?

Get Up Off Of That...

Couch?  So I should just go ahead and throw this out there. It isn't something I'm thrilled about, but I'd have to say I'm not terribly concerned with it either. Mostly I'm just really into acknowledging things, so that is what I'm doing. 
I'm totally getting out of shape. (And Mr. Ruggedly Handsome, you are not free to bring this up or discuss it or remind me about it simply because I have acknowledged it on the blog. I'm all about acknowledging, but I don't need your washboard stomach grinning at me when you and your exercised self come running in and my little rear end is still on the couch.  Thanks honey.). 
(Side note, I was doing some editing for school and came across a grammatical rule that says if you put an entire sentence into a parenthetical, there are two periods required: one for the end of the sentence and one after the parenthetical.). Pretty cool, huh? See how I demonstrated that so nicely? 
Anyway, I'm acknowledging this little uncomfortable fact, because I am completely not prepared to let it get out of hand. Actually, as soon as I get rid of this cough and nasally congestion, I think I'll be ready to jump into the movement again. The movement of body being pushed and stretched and shredded, if you will.  Because I want to  feel completely fantastic in my clothes. Because I'm totally not going to buy new clothes anytime soon (but that is for another post) and I don't want my current clothing to get all tight and uncomfortable, which it likely will if I don't nip this lack of exercise thing right in the butt. (I know the phrase is bud, but I thought rear-end was more appropriate in this context.). (See I did it again!). 
Ok, so anyway, its been a rough couple of weeks, err months, and I haven't been consistent like I have hoped to be or have been at other points. (Hows that for qualified honesty and acknowledgment?).  I feel like I have had more little sicknesses in the last two or three months so regular physical activity has been relaxed because of that. And then there is the whole thing about studying, which has felt somewhat out of control lately, and therefore instead of managing stress with exercise, I have been doing more homework to make myself feel more in control. And maybe I have been the only one eating those peanut butter blossoms we made, but whose been counting anyway? (P.S. Handsome, I've only been doing it out of sacrifice for you, because I know how much you don't like sweets and how much you do like your in-shape self.).
And I feel spring time acomin' so I know I have to really get going. I'm planning on maybe run-walking for a while and maybe throwing in the Shred some, too. I definitely hope to get to the pool a bit, because I LOVE some swimming, but I'm looking for some other ideas too. 
Have you tried any of the other Jillian dvd's?
I'm interested in all three, but can't just go out and get each of them, so I'm going to need to decide on one. Or maybe two, if the Mr. is feeling generous or has some interest in not having his wife get too lazy....  Which would you pick?
and / or... What are your favorite ways to get back into a non-round shape after a small hiatus?  I'm here. And I'm still writing... (and soon to be running too!)...  And in case you were wondering, yes. I did use the title of a James Brown song for the title of my post. You can google it and listen to it on lala if you think it will inspire you. 

What a Wonderful Weekend!

I do not often write weekend wrap-up type posts, but I am totally sharing my wonderful weekend with you this time.

It is funny that I'm writing this post, because I'm sick with some sort of cough. And Handsome doesn't feel that great either. But I have to say that this bit-of-sick we caught slowed us both down just enough for some really nice, quality "us" time this weekend.

I started feeling icky on Wednesday night last week, but I haven't been completely laid up in bed. Just not able to sit and study! Ha.... too bad.

Considering that Mr. Ruggedly Handsome and I haven't really spend any quality alone time in several weeks due to busy schedules and wonderful family time, a weekend with no real obligations was just what the Dr. ordered.

My weekend started after classes on Friday when Handsome and I had a lunch date at one of our favorite pizza - sub shops. It was packed and delicious and we actually got to sit and have a conversation with each other for twenty minutes or so. After that, I sat my tush on the couch at the house, watched some Lizzie McGuire on the Disney channel and started meal planning for the next week-ish. It was completely perfect. Friday night we did the majority of our grocery shopping (for those planned meals). We realized we hadn't grocery shopped together in enitrely toooooo long and we went to a grocery store that is neither of our usual, so it was definitely a fun adventure.

Saturday the Mister had a couple of not-so-organized sports games that he played in and I cooked up the Chicken Spaghetti I have been wanting to make for a solid two-ish weeks now. I basically followed the Pioneer Woman's recipe, except I cheated and bought a pre-cooked chicken and I forgot the chicken broth. We don't own cayenne, so I skipped that too. And unlike her hubby, mine LOVES casseroles so I knew with a fair amount of certainty that he would love it. And he did.

It is definitely simple. And I think it actually tastes good warmed up, so there is my tip for you!

After that, we whipped up some Peanut Butter Blossoms the way my Momma taught me, and that was definitely a treat because I had forgotten that they are my absolute. most. favorite. cookie. ever. Forget the Chocolate Post, because I have done you a major disservice. These are the most delicious sweet treat you will ever eat. And people will love you for making them. 

Then we wrapped up the weekend with an not-so-impromptu-impromptu birthday party, church, a movie on the couch, a little bit of the Olympics, and the best dang Starbucks date we've had in I don't know how long.  I'm so thankful that I didn't feel well enough to study this weekend. And that Handsome and I could just chillax, as I say, with each other. There is something really wonderful to having a stress-less moment with a person you really care about, especially since we didn't get to celebrate Valentines Day or the anniversary of our engagement due to other life events happening. This weekend totally made up for all of that.

I hope you had a delightfully relaxing weekend as well!

I'm here. And I'm still writing...

Thoughts Before A Thursday!

In my personal opinion, it has been far too long since I have written a post that was somewhat random. I'll admit that some of my recent posts (when compared with one another) have been random, but I don't think I've just written what I was thinking in a while... and as I type I'm mentally and emotionally spent, so writing my thoughts sounds good to me right now.

1. I have the little space heater on and I feel like its burning my contacts onto my eyes. 

{Took care of that. Pulled 'em out. Put the glasses on.}

2. Putting my glasses on at night is one of my favorite moments of the day. And that is one of the reasons I'm not interested in LASIK. The other reason is because I think glasses are cute and sophisticated looking. 

3. I've been reading So Long Insecurity, You've Been A Bad Friend to Us. I definitely recommend checking it out if you haven't yet. 

4. Speaking of insecurity, I had to google the spelling of LASIK because I wasn't sure if I was spelling it correctly and I felt totally vain talking about glasses being a cute accessory, but it. is. true!

5. We had a good weekend, we being Mr. Ruggedly and I. I had a big school event situation on  Thursday--Friday of last week. It required a lot of planning and I really enjoyed it. Not saying I want to go into event planning for a career, but I have now planned and executed two large events and I think I'm not bad at it. Anyway, we drove to Hometown afterwards on Friday night, celebrated his niece's 4th birthday on Saturday, his older brothers birthday that evening, had Valentines Day brunch with my parents, and then he drove back to Our City and hosted his aunt in our home for the night. I got my teeth cleaned and then eventually made it back to Our City.

6. I started calling our hometown "Hometown" without any explanation of that at some point. And in the last paragraph I just deemed the city where we live "Our City." I'm the ruler of my blog. That is one reason I like blogging.

7. The other reasons I like blogging is that it has expanded my world. It has introduced me to some great new friends, brought a number of good recipes to my attention, has encouraged me in my faith, and has provided a good creative outlet (though it makes me feel guilty sometimes when I avoid it). 

8. I'm completely spent this week. I held myself together last week fairly well, but I'm just having a hard time getting it together this week. Its like my brain is just not capable of processing or thinking much or for long periods of time. The weekend will be a good time for rest I hope.

9. I'm also hoping to get a little massage during (or right at the beginning of the weekend). Both Handsome and my Mom mentioned the idea to me (because the "event" I spoke of has been in the works for almost a year and it is finally over!) so I'm thinking about trying to get a day-of appointment at one our spa's. Hows that for a treat? And if I do get a day-of appointment, then I'll get a little discount with it too!

10. I have rambled long enough. I'm hoping to be back to normal by next week and hopefully my blogging will be back to its new normal (like the Decemeber 09 / January 10 variety) by then too!

I'm here. And I'm trying... 

A Little Something to Ponder.

Leo Tolstoy, the great Russian writer, tells of the time when he was walking down the street and passed a beggar. He reached into his pocket to give the beggar some money, but his pocket was  empty. Tolstoy turned to the beggar and said, "I'm sorry, my brother, but I have nothing to give."

The beggar brightened and said "You have given me more than I asked for -- you have called me brother."

To the loved, a word of affection is a morsel, but to the love-starved, a word of affection can be a feast.

(Excerpt from Max Lucado's Grace for the Moment, Feburary 11).

Happy Valentines Day!

My Top 10: Chocolate. Decadence. Deliciousness. And Absolute Must-Try's.

In honor of Valentines Day, I'm doing a tribute to my first non-familial love. It has been a little while since I have posted a My Top 10, so it was definitely time. And this might have been the absolute easiest one I have written so far. Handsome and I were at dinner one night and I told him I had been thinking about writing this post and he was able to guess 6 of the 6 I had decided would make the list. And together we filled out the other 4 pretty quickly. I am blessed to have a man who pays attention to me and my likes, even the dark chocolately kind.
So without further ado... My top 10 Chocolate Treats of all time.

10. My mom's homemade chocolate glaze for homemade donuts. It has been a while, like absolutely far too long, since we have made homemade chocolate donuts, but nothing beats 'em. Not Dunkin' or Daylight or Krispy Kreme, or even Hometown's favorite super famous local donut shoppe. I'm not sure what her secret is or if its really a secret at all, but the lady has mad skills in this department. Love you Mama!

9. Tim Tam's: These delectable chocolate wafer cookies will practically melt in your mouth. I have only recently made their acquaintence and I'm so thankful I did. Definitely a perfect little grocery store treat. Arnott's makes 'em. And so does Pepperidge Farm.


8. Dark Chocolate Covered Yogurt Pretzels from Whole Foods. Umm hello? Salty and sweet really is the perfect combination. And Whole Foods has mastered it with this super simple desert. Too bad they charge a pretty penny for them. These are more like a once-in-a-great while kind of treat which is good since we would have to make the long trek to Whole Foods more frequently if they weren't.

7. Plain Old Chocolate Chip Cookies. Right? Like... duh. Who doesn't love chocolate chip cookies? And I have my favorites, but I'll eat Chips Ahoy or I'll eat homemade. I don't like the super soft, store-bought ones, but if I make them, I definitely like 'em warm out of the oven (or cold from the cookie jar).

6. Yoplait Whips: Chocolate Mouse. For those days when I feel like chocolate but don't want to feel too guilty about it, this is a go-to. It is also just about the only yogurt I'll eat, so anytime I'm on an antibiotic and am supposed to take the pill with yogurt, I stock up on these!

5. Chocolate Covered Strawberries. Yes. Yes. I'm a fan of 'em too. This, like the last, is one of those treats I don't feel entirely guilty about eating because there is fruit in it! But... if I don't limit myself, I can definitely be known to have eaten too many at once. And they can cost a pretty penny too, so I almost prefer to make them at home.

Thats a bit of our groom's cake by the way! It is like a little sneak peak into my wedding!

4. Chocolate Milk. What a Classic! Honestly, this will satisfy my craving so quickly. And it has such a comforting quality to it. Mmmm.

3. Chocolate Covered Graham Crackers (Homemade or Starbucks). Starbucks introduced me to the wonderfulness of the chocolate covered graham. I know not everyone is a big of this combination of flavors, but I think they are fabulous. And once they started to become their own line item in our budget, Handsome suggested we make them at home. And honestly, they are different but just. as. tasty. And so super simple.

2. Chocolate Lasagna. So you might not know about this one. And you might send hate-comments to me after I tell you about it. Why? because it doesn't EXIST anymore. It was the best dessert EVER from the Olive Garden. But they stopped making it. They ripped my heart out when they pulled it from their menu. It was layers of dark chocolate cake in between some sort of vanilla white frosting with chunks of chocolate on top and drizzle of chocolate sauce all over. It was divine. And it was best taken from the resturant, placed into a refridgerator and savored for breakfast. Yes. I eat chocolate cake for breakfast sometimes. And yes. You should send you hate comments to Olive Garden until the bring it back. And then your waist can send hate comments to me. But I won't care because I'll be in paradise with my fork by that point.

Yes, I made the picture extra large because I like to look at it. And yes, I'm salivating while I type. And yes, my heart is totally broken in two.

1. Chocolate Cheesecake. Since my favorite has been removed, a new favorite has had to take its place. And really its quite worthy. I posted a while ago about a delicious chocolate cheesecake my mom and I made when I was visiting Hometown. It is probably the best chocolate cheesecake I have ever tasted and I actually drove home and tore up my hate-letters to Olive Garden after I tried it. And after I ate a little bit at a time for a week solid after making it. So without further ado... I present to you: Hershey's Truffle Brownie Cheesecake (a.k.a. The Best Thing You Will Ever Eat).

INGREDIENTS: 

• BROWNIE LAYER(recipe follows)
• 3 packages (8 oz. each) cream cheese, softened
• 3/4 cup sugar
• 4 eggs
• 1/4 cup heavy cream
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 2 cups (12-oz. pkg.) HERSHEY'S SPECIAL DARK Chocolate Chips, divided
• 1/2 teaspoon shortening

DIRECTIONS:

1. Heat oven to 350° F. Grease 9-inch springform pan.

2. Prepare BROWNIE LAYER. Bake 25 to 30 minutes or until brownie begins to pull away from side of pan. Meanwhile make cheesecake batter.

3. Beat cream cheese and sugar in large bowl until smooth. Gradually beat in eggs, heavy cream, vanilla and salt, beating until well blended.

4. Set aside 2 tablespoons chocolate chips. Place remaining chips in large microwave-safe bowl. Microwave at MEDIUM (50%) 1-1/2 minutes; stir. If necessary, microwave at MEDIUM an additional 15 seconds at a time, stirring after each heating, until chocolate is melted when stirred. Gradually blend melted chocolate into cheesecake batter.

5. Immediately after removing brownie from oven, spoon cheesecake mixture over brownie. Return to oven; continue baking 45 to 50 minutes or until center is almost set. Remove from oven to wire rack. With knife, loosen cake from side of pan. Cool to room temperature. Remove side of pan.

6. Place remaining 2 tablespoons chocolate chips and shortening in small microwave-safe bowl. Microwave at MEDIUM 30 seconds; stir. If necessary, microwave at MEDIUM an additional 10 seconds at a time, stirring after each heating, until chocolate is melted and smooth when stirred. Drizzle over top of cheesecake. Cover; refrigerate several hours until cold. Garnish as desired. Cover and refrigerate leftover cheesecake. 10 to 12 servings.

BROWNIE LAYER: Stir together 6 tablespoons melted butter or margarine, 1-1/4 cups sugar and 1 teaspoon vanilla extract. Add 2 eggs; stirring until blended. Stir in 1 cup plus 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour, 1/3 cup HERSHEY'S Cocoa, 1/2 teaspoon baking powder and 1/2 teaspoon salt; blend well. Spread in prepared pan.

XOXO. I'm still here, and aren't you glad I am writing?

The Best Post I've Ever Written....

......... is coming tomorrow. It is my absolute favorite and I'm super excited. Are you?