Our Favorite Dinners

I'm not going to lie, my favorite meal is delivered to my table...

prepared by a chef/cook and cleaned up by a busser.

(I worked at Outback Steakhouse for 5 years so I can say this)

However, I do like to cook!

I like to follow a recipe, set all the ingredients out before I start and watch the list become a delicious meal for me and my family.

I've run into two problems lately though:

1) time

2) money

Why does it have to be more expensive to cook healthy?

Veggies, fruit, whole wheat, organic... it's all more expensive!

And God forbid we dont use something... money down the drain.

I'm trying though.  And I WILL start cooking more.  I want my kids to remember some of my meals, have a favorite and want to be in the kitchen with me.

 

Here are a couple of my favorites:

 

Salmon with Brown Sugar Glaze

 

1/4 c packed light brown sugar (I use light or dark)

2 tbs dijob mustard (I've used regular mustard before)

1 boneless salmon filets

salt and pepper

 

Preheat the over to 375; prepare pan with cooking spray and/or foil.

 

Season the salmon with salt and pepper and arrange onto the prepared broiler pan. Whisk together the brown sugar and Dijon mustard in a small bowl; spoon mixture evenly onto top of salmon fillets.

Cook for 30-40 minutes and serve with rice and a veggie!

 OhMyGod Slow Cooker Short Ribs of Beef

 1 cup red wine [I used an Italian table wine]
2/3 cup ketchup
3 tablespoons soy sauce
2 cloves garlic, crushed
2 tablespoons dark brown sugar
½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
4 pounds beef short ribs
2 medium-sized yellow onions, chopped

Combine first six ingredients (through black pepper) in the slow cooker and stir. Add the ribs, submerging them in the sauce. [In my oval, this required cutting the ribs into one-bone widths, then dunking each end in the sauce. I cooked them with the bones positioned upright.] Scatter the onions over the ribs, cover, and cook until the meat starts to separate from the bone, 7 to 9 hours on LOW or 4 to 5 hours on HIGH.

If you can, refrigerate the ribs and sauce separately overnight. Not only will the flavor improve, but you’ll also be able to discard a shocking amount of congealed fat. If you must serve right away, I suggest pouring the sauce into a fat separator first.  Serve over noodles of your choice!  Yum!

Easy Lasagna

1 lb lean ground beef

1 onion, chopped (I use a cheese grater)

1 jar of spaghetti

1 (16 ounce) package cottage cheese

1 pint part-skim ricotta cheese

1/4 cup grated parmesan cheese

2 eggs

1 (16 oz) package of lasagna noodles

8 oz shredded mozzarella cheese

 

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).

In a large skillet, cook and stir ground beef until brown. Add mushrooms and onions; saute until onions are transparent. Stir in pasta sauce, and heat through.

In a medium size bowl, combine cottage cheese, ricotta cheese, grated Parmesan cheese, and eggs.

Spread a thin layer of the meat sauce in the bottom of a 13x9 inch pan. Layer with uncooked lasagna noodles, cheese mixture, mozzarella cheese, and meat sauce. Continue layering until all ingredients are used, reserving 1/2 cup mozzarella. Cover pan with aluminum foil.

Bake in preheated oven for 45 minutes. Uncover, and top with remaining half cup of mozzarella cheese. Bake for an additional 15 minutes. Remove from oven, and let stand 10 to 15 minutes before serving.



 

Operation Underground Railroad

The world we live in is a pretty sad place.

There is a lot of good, but there is also a lot of bad... VERY bad.

I wanted to post information about an organization in hopes that maybe one person reads this and either donates, joins the team or spreads the word - like me.

 

Operation Underground Railroad

O.U.R.

 

 

 

The process:

 

The first step is to ascertain the feasibility of rescue. This must take into account the willingness of local authorities to work with us since we not only want to save the children but arrest the perpetrators as well. We also want everything to be done legally and above board. 

 

Second, we research the location, the children and the background of those who are running the sex ring. We also search for legitimate orphanages that will take the children once they are rescued and not only give them food and shelter but rehabilitate them as well. In some instances the children are able to return to their families. Sometimes, we don’t know where the child is and need to investigate to try and find him/her/them.

 

Third, we design a strategy for rescuing the children. This is the logistical part of the program. As former CIA, Navy Seals, Special Agents, etc., we have a very unique skill set to make this happen safely, efficiently and legally.

 

Fourth, we take action. Obviously this is the most dangerous part of the operation but one well worth taking. In some instances we go undercover and arrange to “buy” a child as if we were a customer. After the purchase, we move in with the police, arrest those responsible and rescue the children. In other cases, we may act as a “client” looking for favors, etc. Again, we work with local authorities to make sure everything is done to protect the children and that the perpetrators are arrested.

Fifth, once the children are rescued they need help. Their lives will never be the same. Their innocence has been stolen and they need help to readjust to a better world. Therapy is provided as well as food and shelter at a prescreened orphanage.

 

Sixth, the perpetrators are arrested, tried and sentenced. We follow this process every step of the way to make sure they don’t kidnap children again. In many cases the perpetrators were sex slaves and victims of kidnapping themselves and know no better way to survive. We hope to break this cycle.

Chicago Marathon Training: Week 12

I can't believe this week finally arrived (and is done).

I remember looking at the training plan and thinking... "omg, 18 miles"

The farthest training run I've ever done is 17, but that marathon was painful, so hopefully my dedication and long runs will pay off.

I know it will still be tough, but fingers crossed that it will be less miserable than last time.

 

This week was filled with a few obstacles.

Obstacles like the flu, pneumonia and the stomach bug.

My husband was out for the count almost all week and my kids caught "a form" of what he had that turned out to be a nasty stomach bug... poor things!

I ended up getting my week runs in, but as I prepared for my long run on Friday night, I knew it was going to be a toss up.  I ended up taking care of two sick babies and forgoing the long run.

It's tough.  You mentally gear up for quite a challenging event and then to "let it go" is really hard.... especially when you KNOW you have to get it in soon.

We had one sick little person Saturday night, but he only woke up once and went back down quickly.

I set my alarm for 0600 and was on the treadmill at 0630... done by 0900.

 

I am completely smitten with the treadmill.

I watched 3 shows and before I knew it, it was over.

I had my large water bottle and Gu positioned in front of me and was able to stop and stretch my arch a few times without struggling to start up again.  That's one think I love about the treadmill... you must go at whatever speed is on deck.  I continuously run at 6.5 the entire time.

Fingers crossed that my Nike+ is accurate b/c it is faster than the treadmill.

 

This was my week:

Proud moments:



 

 

CITY LIPS by City Cosmetics

Obviously, I am obsessed with new products.

I heard about this next product on my favorite YouTube blog:

YouTube - Brianna Stanko

I make sure to watch her videos once a week and write down any products that interest me.

She works in a doctor's office so obviously she's had a little botox, etc... but botox doesn't make your skin look like hers.  It's flawless and I love her tips!

Brianna introduced me to the DermaRoller.  I've been using it for 3 weeks now.

I dont see a huge difference, but I will keep using it for at least a year.

Another FABULOUS product she introduced me to was:

City Lips by City Cosmetics

It is a lip plumping lip gloss that really works!

I've used it for about a week now and I can see results... not a lot, but enough.

It fills your lips out and diminishes the fine lines around and in your lips.

I dont have a lot though... no smoking here!

(ps - quit smoking... it's disgusting)

Here is the link!

Right now it's buy one, get one free AND there are coupon codes!

I purchased two (1 color and 1 clear) for about $25 (half the cost of one normally)

City Lips @ City Cosmetics

Coupon Code (30% off) - BRIANNA

Coupon Code (40% off) - Tairalyn

If these coupon codes expire, you can always try

www.retailmenot.com

On top of the plumping, it's a great gloss.

A little sticky, but the glossiness last for a while and I love the color NUDE YORK!

Pic used on their site

(sorry, I'm not into selfies just yet)

Contagion

My nickname at work this week (the two days I went in) was "Contagion"

Thanks, people... lol.

My husband wasn't feeling well on Sunday.  I thought it was from our "night before."

Turns out it was the flu and a touch of pneumonia in his right lung.

BIZARRE!

I don't remember the last time someone I knew had the summer flu or pneumonia!

We tried to keep the kids away, but Michael caught a "form of it"... a stomach bug.

I stayed home with him on Wednesday and we took him in on Thursday.

Thank goodness its just a bug.  He seems to already be back to normal.

Fingers crossed my daughter and I don't catch it!

My snuggle buddy while mommy worked

 

Sick = donuts for dinner!  He was so happy!

Ipsy & Birchbox - August

Ipsy & Birchbox

August 2014

 

I dont use all these products, but I still LOVE receiving these boxes.

I know it's saved me money too.

Eyeliners and mascaras alone cost me more than the boxes do.

I also love the face wash samples.

 

Ipsy

 

 

LOVE the make-up bag... how cute!  It goes perfectly with my Orange MK!

 

Absoulte Lip Balm in Green Apple

Dr. Brandt Pores No More Pore Refiner

Urban Decay Perversion Mascara

Coastal Scents Forecer Blush

Lord & Berry Silk Kajal Kohl Eye Pencil

 

Birchbox

 

Catherine Malandrino Style de Paris

K6 Skin Clean - Antioxidant Facial Cleanser

Wish Shave Crave Shaving Cream in Grapefruit

Noir Long-Wear Eyeliner

LAQA & Co. Lip Lube

 

Some of the samples are really small in Ipsy, so that's a bit disappointing, but the mascara saved the day.  I will definitely use it and it will save me from buying a new one.

 

Not too impressed with Birchbox this time, but I will gladly try all the products except the perfume.

 





Chicago Marathon Traing: Week 11

Yay... Week 11 is over!

I was dreading this one... mainly because of the 17 mile run that was haunting my thoughts.

While I started out a little disappointed in myself, I ended feeling on top of the world!

 

My neighbor, Christine, is a runner too.

She is way more into it than I am (tempo runs, etc) so we rarely run together.

It's fun to talk "run stuff" with her though b/c as always, runners like to talk about running...

ALL THE TIME, lol.

 

Anyway, she had to do 8 on Saturday and we agreed to do it together and then I would continue on and finish the last 9 alone.

I was excited to have a friend, but I felt a little uneasy about it.

She wasn't sure of her pace (trying to take it slow) and wanted to start a little later than I had planned.

My daughter woke me up at 0530 and I gave her a little bottle before I put her back down.

Once that happened, I was up.

My stomach was in knots and I was DREADING the run.

I finally got up around 0615 and texted Christine.

I told her I was going to do it solo.

I felt bad, but like ripping a band aid off, I was relieved to get started early.

 

I hit the treadmill at 0640 and purchased the movie "The Other Woman".

What a GREAT idea.... 90 minutes of mindless laughter and smiles.

Then I popped in a 30 minute show.

BOOM - it was done.

17 miles in 2:12:27... sub 8 pace.

 

Here is what my week looked like:

 

Here is my tribute to the 17 miles!

Thank you, Michael for being so cute when I was done.

And thank you funny movie and salted caramel gu for helping me through, lol.