Tid Bits

Sorry I have been so sporadic lately! Life!! Anyway, I am a fan of Giada de Laurentis (if you don't know who she is, you gotta check her out!), and decided to make these roasted tomatoes of hers that just looked too good to resist, and it was AMAZING!!! Here is a link to the recipe on her site: http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/giada-de-laurentiis/roasted-tomatoes-with-garlic-gorgonzola-and-herbs-recipe/index.html  

These were so fast and easy to make and they were, I am not kidding, the best thing I have eaten in months!!!!! SOOOOO good! Wish I would have taken a picture for you, but there is on on the webpage you can see. I actually used parmesan instead of the gorgonzola because I was afraid my hubby wouldn't eat the gorgonzola, and even he loved them! I am going to make them again tomorrow. This could be my new favorite thing to eat!

Also wanted to share my friend's blog with you that is a gazillion times more informative and helpful than mine!! She is my pilates teacher and has a doctorate. She is highly qualified and has a lot of really great things to share, so check her out!!! http://hightofwellness.blogspot.com/ Love her to death-so enjoy!!!

I have also been reading Jillian Michaels book, 'Master your Metabolism' and it has been really interesting and informative about how the foods we eat affect our bodies, especially our hormones, which control everything in our bodies. Check it out and get informed! She is a bit extreme, but she has some really great information about foods, how your hormones work, and how to make good food choices. Just FYI. 

Woo HOOOOOOO!!!!

Sorry I have been so terrible at updating this blog, but we'll just chock that up to be being a total CRAZY person!!!! So, I don't have any pictures to post, because my computer is infected with a virus, and I haven't gotten it fixed yet-but I have some good stuff to share!!! My hubby and I FINISHED our half marathon!!!!!! It was our very first half marathon-and the longest I have EVER ran! (My previous length was 8.5 miles-yes, even training for it-that was the longest I ran!) It was soooooo great! (Okay, so let's be honest-the first 10 miles were great; the last three, we were just hanging on for dear life!) We ran it in 2 hrs 11 minutes and 6 seconds; our goal time was 2 hrs 10 minutes, so we were very happy with that! We finished in the top third of the competitors, I finished 3500 out of 13,000 some women and I was really excited about that! It was really great to do something like that with my hubby, and even though he didn't want to at first, he stayed with me the whole way, and was glad he had by the end! I know that isn't super amazing, but it felt good to do it! Thanks to my wonderful husband who supported me and did it even though he really didn't want to!!!

Chicken Salad

Okay-sorry I forgot to take a picture of this one (I am new at this still), but I have to say chicken salad is one of my favorite things to eat-mostly because it is so versatile, and no matter what you add, it is almost always amazing! Here is my recipe I used (this time anyway)!

1 rotisserie chicken (this has got to be one of the best things in a super market you can buy!!) skin removed
2-3 bunches of red grapes (or however much you like) I have also used mandarin oranges-yummy!!!
1/2-1 cup of chopped pecans (you can toast these too if you like)
1/4-1/2 red onion, chopped
1/4 cup chopped cucumbers (I have also used celery or water chestnuts)
1/2 cup miracle whip (or mayo, whichever you like best)
salt and pepper
herbs de provence
Torn lettuce leaves (I like butter lettuce or romaine the best)

Make the sauce by combining your miracle whip, salt, pepper and herbs de provence to taste. (I just throw it in!) Combine the chicken, grapes, nuts, onions and cucumbers in a large bowl. Toss with the dressing and allow to sit in your fridge overnight so the flavors can combine. (You don't have to do it this way, I just like to if I have time.) Serve over the lettuce leaves and enjoy!!!

Note:  If you don't have herbs de provence, I highly suggest you try some, but make sure it has lavendar in it-it is super yummy!!

Running, Running, Running!

So, my hubby and I are taking the plunge, and running a half-marathon! (I thought we better start slow!) We are going to run the Rock-N-Roll Half Marathon in Phoenix in January! Needless to say, we are training like crazy, because we are quite frightened about running 13 continuous miles right now!!! So, wish us luck, and if you want to train with us-let me know, and I will post a schedule!! Hey-if I can do it-you can too!!!

Veggie Pizza

One perk of having your hubby travel is that you can make whatever you want for dinner! Since mine happens to hate squash of any kind, I decided to make a veggie pizza for dinner the other night with fresh zucchini and tomatoes from our garden and it was OH SO GOOD!!!! I made a whole wheat crust, topped it with some olive oil, minced garlic, and italian seasoning and then I added some thinly sliced zucchini and tomatoes and topped it all off with some freshly-grated parmsean cheese!!! It was so, so good!!  I also made a little apple pizza for my girls, which was also yummy!

Pilates Machine!

Well, I started taking a pilates class twice a week, and I have to say--it ROCKS!!! If you have never done pilates, or if you have, I highly suggest you get in on it! I have never had defined abs before...but I do now!!! It is so great for toning and slimming-I have finally kicked off those last few baby pounds-and it feels sooooo good!!

A Little Treat....

I have to admit-I have a sweet tooth, and I really like to have dessert. I am always trying to come up with things that are not too terribly bad for you, but still satisfy that little craving. The other night, I made these little pudding parfaits. I thought they were quite yummy!

1 small box instant pudding-sugar free, fat free, any flavor you like!
2 cups fat-free milk
8 Tbsp Cool Whip Light (use any of the low-fat, low-sugar, light varieties)
1/2 Cup chopped almonds (or your favorite nuts-almonds are mine because they are the best diet-wise)
1/2 Cup Dark chocolate pieces

Make up the pudding according to the package directions and divide half of the batter evenly among 4 dishes. (I used these parfait glasses because I thought it would be fun). Top each with 1 tbsp of Cool Whip, and half of the nuts and chocolate pieces. Repeat the layers and refrigerate until ready to eat (ending with the nuts and chocolate pieces)! Here's how mine turned out!