It's been a while

So it's been a while since I've done anything with my blog, I've been busy!
Lots of new changes and exciting things are happening! I accepted a promotion at Aramark at EKU, I'm the new Starbucks Manager! Yahoo!!!! The Starbucks has been in the works for a while now, but we are finally opening March 16th! I'm super excited.

I do have a love-hate relationship with restaurant management though, here is my dilemna. I LOVE restaurant management. I love everything about it except the hours, 90% of normal restaurant management consists of constant nights and weekends. That doesn't really work when you are married to an accountant who works 9-5. This position works out PERFECTLY for me, I have to say. Since it's on a college campus, our busiest times are going to be during the week, not the nights and weekends. So I get to do what I love, and my husband loves the hours. So, all in all, I'm loving life right now!

I can't tell you how excited I am to start managing again, and I can't wait to have the BEST Starbucks ever!


So what else is new you ask?? Greg and I are going on a cruise this week! I can't wait! We are going to Mexico and Belize!! There is a internet cafe on the ship, so maybe I'll post some pics for ya'll!

Later!

Post-Op

So, last Wednesday I had my surgery. I had a laparoscopy and hysteroscopy to remove my stage 3 endometriosis. That day was really funny and I wish I would have tapped after I woke up from the surgery, apparently I was really funny! I don't remember much. I remember laying in the operating room and them telling me they were going to give me the anesthesia now. About 30 seconds later I was out. The next thing I remember was my nose itching, I had that oxygen thing up my nostrils and it made my nose itch.
I remember laying there and the Dr. talking to my husband and mom, but I don't remember how the conversation went. I don't remember changing back into my clothes, but I do remember being rolled to my car in a wheelchair.
When I got home, I don't remember getting home either actually.
Next thing I know it's 2pm and I wake up on the couch and ask my mom what happened. She told me some funny stories! The Dr. came in and gave a little recap of the surgery and what he found. My first and most important question?? I said, and I quote: "I have a question, did you cut through my tatoo? Because I really like my tatoo."
My mom and husband where like, WHAT? You just went through surgery and that is your only question??? I have no clue, I don't even remember asking it!

That day was a blur. Alot of pain, lots of swelling. The most pain the first day was in my shoulders. When you get a laparoscopy they fill your belly up with CO2 so there is lots of room to work and see. All of the CO2 doesn't come out before they stitch you up, so it moves around and eventually gets stuck up by your shoulders, and it REALLY hurts! I couldn't move my center at all, you never realize how much you use your stomach muscles until you can't use them. I had to have my husband and parents pick me up anytime I wanted to move. I only got up a few times, but when I did I got VERY light headed and dizzy, it was NOT fun. Slept like a baby that night though on my back, the dogs slept on the ground.

The second day I woke up with still all the swelling, my loose sweatpants were tight around my belly. The bruising started this day, and 4 days later it is still there. It's bad bruising! In general my stomach looks like a battlefield, lets just leave it at that. I may get adventurous and take a picture of my stomach to show the world, maybe, we shall see.
The past 2 days have been more of the same, still swollen, can't be active for more than an hour or I get really swollen and very tired.

All in all, I was happy with the results. I am unhappy that it is taking me this long to recover.

I wonder when they will find a cure for endometriosis?

One more cupcake recipe

Ok, I had to enter another cupcake recipe into the contest, it's just TOO good to leave it out.

RootBeer Float Cupcakes:

Ingredients:

1 cup rootbeer soda

1 tsp apple cider vinegar

1 cup rootbeer soda boiled down and reduced to 3 teaspoons

3/4 cup sugar

1/3 cup vegetable oil

2 tsp root beer extract

1 1/3 cup flour

1/2 tsp baking powder

3/4 tsp baking soda

pinch salt

Vanilla Bean Frosting

2 cups powdered sugar

1 cup shortening

1 tablespoon milk

2 teaspoons vanilla extract

1 teaspoon vanilla bean pods or paste

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350

Cupcakes:

Combine rootbeer soda and apple cider vinegar, allow to sit for a few minutes. Add sugar, vegetable oil, vanilla, rootbeer reduction, and root beer extract.

Sift together flour, baking soda and baking powder. Slowly add the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients being careful not to over mix.

Pour batter into cupcake molds, 2/3 the way full. Bake for 18-22 minutes until toothpick inserted comes out clean. Allow to cool completely.

Frosting:Combine all ingredients and beat with a mixer until fluffy.

Top cupcakes with the vanilla bean frosting, and enjoy!

Another cupcake contest!

I entered another contest, on mixingbowl.com Here is the link, sign up and vote for me!!!

http://www.mixingbowl.com/message/recipe/view.castle?g=748023&m=3744207ssage/recipe/view.castle?g=748023&m=3744207



On the left there is a vote now link, you have to make a quick profile to vote.






















PB & J Cupcakes:




Ingredients:

Cupcake:

2 1/2 cups flour

2 tsp baking powder

2 tsp baking soda

1/2 tsp salt

1/2 cup milk

1/2 cup vegetable oil

1 tsp vanilla extract

1 tsp vanilla bean pods/paste

1 stick room temp butter

1 cup sugar

3 large eggs



Frosting:

2-3 cups powdered sugar

1 1/2 cups shortening

1/2 cup peanut butter (or more, make to taste)

2 tsp vanilla extract

1-2 tablespoons milk



Strawberry, Grape, or any other flavor or your favorite jelly!

Directions:

Preheat the oven to 350F.

Using a mixer, combine the sugar and butter, cream to a nice fluffy consistency. Add slowly the rest of the wet ingredients. When all is combined, add eggs, 1 at a time.Sift together flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt.



Add dry ingredients into wet ingredients mixing well.Place cupcake liners into cupcake molds, fill 2/3 the way full with the batter.Bake for 15-20 minutes until finished. If you can insert a toothpick and it comes out clean, it's done! Don't overbake!Cool on a cooling rack completely.



When completely cooled, using a pastry bag or some other type of injector, fill the bag or injector with your jelly of choice. Insert the bag or injector about a 1/2 inch into the cupcake, and fill the cupcake with as much jelly as you would like. I use about 1 tsp per cupcake.



Peanut Butter Frosting:



In a mixer, combine peanut butter, shortening and vanilla extract. Slowly add powdered sugar and mix until well combined. Add milk, 1 tablespoon as a time until the frosting is fluffy and creamy!



Top your cupcakes with the peanut butter frosting, and drizzle more jelly ontop of the frosting. Watch the cupcakes disappear before your eyes! Everyone loves these!

Ice storm 2009

Our crazy Cara.

Our 2nd dog, Cara, turns 1 next Sunday. Today we tested her by leaving to run some errands and we left her out instead of putting her in her cage. While we were shopping, images of Marley and Me ran through my head! We got home and to our surprise, everything was fine! She was stretching when we walked in, which means she had just woken up. Lexi was a good big sister and neither of them got into trouble, what proud parents we are!

Ahhhh....6 pounds lighter

So I did it. 3 days of the master cleanse. I know you are supposed to do it for longer, but I just wanted to do it for a few days to do a quick cleanse. Greg and I have a cruise in March I want to get in shape for!

Master Cleanse: Day 3 morning

Last night was so rough for me, I was SO close to cheating. But I didn't.

Woke up this morning feeling very thirsty, hopped on the scale, and to my delight I'm down another 3 pounds! 6 pounds in total! That is motivation right there to keep this going.

Master Cleanse: Day 2 at night

So it's 7:32 right now, and today was way easier than last night. I was concerned I was going to wake up feeling like crap, but I really didn't. Had some small cravings to eat something, but overall was a great day.

Then I came home and took an epsom salt bath, and after that I didn't feel so well. My stomach feels really weird, I'm not sure if taking a hot epsom salt bath was a good idea. I thought it would relax me because I have the lavendar scented one, but it just made me feel horrible.

Yuk.

Another contest

I entered another contest on FoodNetwork.com. It's for the Chairmen's Challenge from Iron Chef. The secret ingredient this month for the contest is Citrus. SO, I submitted my Vietnamese Chicken Salad. I make it alot and it's SO wonderful. It has a great combo of lime juice, cilantro, peanuts and chicken. And, it's really healthy for you!!!

Vietnamese Chicken Salad:
1 pound bonelss, skinless chicken breast. Sliced into thin strips and marinated in:
3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
2 tablespoon fresh lime juice
1 tablespoon finely chopped cilantro
1 tsp each salt and pepper
1/2 tsp crushed red pepper
1/4 tsp cayenne pepper
Marinate the chicken for anywhere from 10-30 minutes. Sautee until fully cooked and set aside to cool.

Salad ingredients:
5 cups shredded cabbage
1 cup shredded carrots
1 large bunch cilantro chopped
1 cup crushed peanuts

Dressing:
1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil
1/4 cup lime juice
1 tablespoon grated lime rind
2-3 tablespoons rice wine vinegar
1/2 tsp chili powder
2 tablespoons sugar
1 tsp each salt and pepper.

Toss together the salad ingredients, add the sauteed chicken. Whisk together all of the dressing ingredients and add to salad. Mix well, and serve!
It's an easy and healthy dish with some wonderful flavor!

Master Cleanse: Day 2, morning

Last night was rough, very rough. My husband was eating celery and peanut butter and I just wanted to reach over, grab the celery, and suck on it like a lollipop!

BUT, woke up this morning feeling GREAT! I'm already down 3 pounds!

I purchased the correct maple syrup to use as well. I did some research and you are supposed to use Grade B pure maple syrup, I didn't realize this until yesterday. So today I made my drink with the correct syrup and it really counteracts the taste of the cayenne pepper. Yesterday my drinks were spicy, but today they don't taste as spicy at all, even though i'm using the same amount. It tastes a bit different with the different syrup, but overall it's way better.

Master Cleanse: Day 1 at night

Ok, it's 6:30pm and I have to say today was fairly easy. I did not feel hungry at all, I just felt the need to eat something. The juice fills you up so much you really aren't hungry at all.
I'm starting to feel "foggy" right now, a little tired and weak with a headache. But, I'll push through it.

I think god was testing me today at work. I was asked to help out by making an excel document that included a food item, UPC code, and price. This 20 page document made my mouth water. It included everything from mac n cheese, to candy bars, to soups and pizzas. Everytime I typed another food item down my mouth started salivating! I kept saying that I was so hungry, but in reality I wasn't hungry, I just wanted to eat something, not for the nutritional benefit, but for the instant gratification of the wonderful taste in my mouth.

I feel a little tired right now, but I'll pull through....I can do this.

Master Cleanse: Day 1

So technically I started last night. After I blogged I thought to myself, my body doesn't know if it's Monday or Tuesday, I'm just going to start. I thought I was going to have a nice big sundae before I started this, but that really doesn't make any sense at all. I decided just to get started last night.

My first drink I made I put a little too much cayenne pepper in it, whoops. Not bad tasting though, tastes like lemonade with a syrupy aftertaste.

Having my first drink of the day so far right now, no cravings other than something with caffeine in it.

9 hours and counting.....

So it begins. I have heard time and time again about the Master Cleanse detox, and wondered if I would ever do it. Well, I am starting in 9 hours. I went to Kroger's, got my lemons and maple syrup, and I'm ready to go!

Within the past few months, I've really started to realize the benefits of eating healthy and whole foods. All of the processed and toxin filled crap builds up in your system, and it needs to be cleaned out just like an old air filter.

So, tomorrow I start my master cleanse detox. Nothing but water, lemon juice, cayenne pepper and pure maple syrup. I'll blog each day about my experiences. I'm kind of excited about it. I say that now, but I wonder what I'll be blogging about tomorrow night.

Our weekend project

Since the first day we moved into our house I have HATED our sink. I've wanted a new one for SO long, and this Christmas I finally got my wish! We got a double bowl granite sink, one side is 10 inches deep, and the other is 8 inches deep. We got it on clearance and saved a boat load of money, it just so happens it was the exactly want we wanted.

Like they always do, our dogs have to be involved the entire time, they kept trying to climb under the sink as Greg was working. So, here are some pictures of our new sink, I love it!

Contests baby, Contests.

So as everyone already knows, I LOVE cooking and baking. Sometimes I come up with dishes that just work perfectly and I amaze even myself. I found a link yesterday for recipe contests. Some contests you win like $100, others like the Betty Crocker one you can win like $5,000! I'm going to start entering! I started yesterday by entering into a Taste of Home's contest. There were 2 catergories of contests that my recipe fit, so I entered it into both.

Greg and I really love mexican food, but it's really hard to get a healthy mexican dish, it's nearly impossible because of all the tortillas, sour cream, cheese, and everything else that makes it soooooo good! So, I came up with a tortilla soup that I call Chicken Tomatillo Tortilla Soup, and it was AMAZING. The worst thing in this dish is the 2 tablespoons of flour and crushed tortilla chips that go on the top, it's a really heathly and hearty dish with great flavors. So, here is my contest entry:

Chicken Tomatillo Tortilla Soup

1 pound skinless, boneless chicken breasts
1/2 pound tomatillos
3 cups diced tomatoes
4 cups low-sodium chicken broth
1 red onion
2 tablespoons flour
2 cups black beans
1 cup corn kernels
1 red bell pepper
1 packet Taco Seasoning
Erin's Mexican Spice (1/2 tsp crushed red pepper, 1/2 tsp mesquite seasoning, 1 tsp salt, 1/2 tsp cumin, 1/8 tsp ground cayenne pepper)
3 tablespoons lime juice
Salt and Pepper to taste.


Thinly slice the chicken into bit-size pieces. Heat 1 tbsp of olive oil in a pan. Toss the chicken in Erin's Mexican Spice. Add the chicken to the pan, add 1 tbsp lime juice, and sautee until fully cooked.

Meanwhile, in your large stockpot and add the remaining 2 tbsp olive oil. Dice the red onion and red pepper, add to pot and sweat for about 3 minutes. (I add about 1 tsp each of salt and pepper). Add the 2 tbsp flour to the onion and pepper. Once it is all combined, add the tomatoes and chicken stock, bring to a boil.

Roughly chop the tomatillos. Add them to the stockpot and cook for about 10 minutes. Using a strainer, remove about 1/2 of the vegetables from the stockpot, add to a food processor, and puree the vegetables. (Make sure to cover the top of the food processor with a towel, hot steam will come out!) Pour your vegetable puree back into the pot.

Add the remaining ingredient: corn, black beans, taco seasoning, 2 tablespoons lime juice, and sauteed chicken.

Let the soup simmer for about 30 more minutes.

I like to top my soup with a handful of crused lime tortilla chips and chopped cilantro, adds some great flavor!