Fifty Shades-----by the Bedside.....

Just like all of our popular books like the Harry Potter series or Twilight series, they all spun "knock off's"...  The Fifty Shades series will be no different. In my normal cruise through Amazon the other day, I came across Fifty Shades of Pleasure: A Bedside Companion: Sex Secrets That Hurt So Good.  Now once again, it got four and half stars out of five..  So the Amazon public, for the most part, likes it...
I have "sampled" it on my iPad---but have yet to by it...  I've got to find the "companion" first.. LOL!!!

Normally, I would say, let me know how you like it or post a review if you read it before me...  I'm going to pass this time....  TMI.....

Motivational Monday

Sunday's Faith

On My book List...

I know I have been dragging it out, but I'm finally on book three of the Fifty Shades series.  I think I have purposly read them slow!!  They are so very good!!  Love, love love me some Christian Gray..   BUT, I have found a few books to add to my reading list once I come down from my "Fifty Shades" high...

The first is The Unfinished Work of Elizabeth D. by Nichole Bernier.  I love any type of "journal" books and this got great reviews.  I came across it in my Woman's Day magazine and the reviews look pretty good on Amazon. Four and half stars.....

Another one I have added to my list is The Accidental Bestseller by Wendy Wax.  I can't remember where I came across this one, but it looks good.  It is another one that is rated almost five stars.

That's all I have found that could possibly keep me interested after I'm done with my Christian....  I think I might better read something a little more "calming"---for a while at least!!

Just click on the link to get complete summaries and reviews of each book...

Since I Have A Lot of Tomatoes......

I planted four tomato bushes this year and they have blown up!  I have had to give away tomatoes they are making so much!  BUT----I just stumbled across this blog called Recipes We Love and found a great recipe for Diced Fried Green Tomatoes!!  OMG!!!  Now this could make me really happy..

All you need is:
Cornmeal
Green tomatoes
House seasoning---salt, pepper and garlic
Olive oil to fry with...

Dice the tomatoes and add the salt.  Then add enough cornmeal to just coat the tomatoes.  Add the rest of your seasoning--garlic and salt.  I might even toss in a few jalapenos, diced.  That's up to you---I like it spicy!!  Once coated well add the tomatoes to a hot pan with the olive oil.  BIG TIP here---don't flip or stir them too much!!
Once they begin to get a brown crust on them, they are ready to go!!!

Check out her blog---LOTS of good Recipes We Love!!!!

Easy Side Dish...

I found this recipe via Pinterest on Recipe.com, it's called Baked Corn Casserole.  I'm always looking for a good side dish other than our traditional can of corn or green beans. I'm trying to get Mac to "branch out" and try new things.  He loves corn and cornbread so maybe there is hope for this recipe.  It would be good with the Crockpot Chicken recipe from yesterday's post!!

Baked Corn Casserole

1 can (10oz) Campbell's Condensed Cream of Chicken Soup

1/2 cup milk

2 eggs (I use egg beaters)

1 can (about 16 oz) whole kernel corn drained

1 pkg. corm muffin mix (I love Jiffy sweet corn muffin mix)

1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese

1 can French Fried Onions

Directions:

Beat the soup, milk and eggs in a medium bowl with a whisk or fork.

Stir in the corn, muffin mix and cheese and about 2/3 of the French Fried Onions.

Pour the mixture into a 1-2 quart casserole dish.

Bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes or until hot.. 

Top with the remaining onions and bake for an additional 5 minutes or until the onions are golden brown..

Looks SOOOO good..  

Another for the Crockpot.....

Can I just tell you again this week how much I love Pinterest.  I have cooked more in the past year than I have in my whole life!!  Just love it...  My other love, as I have told ya'll is my crockpot.  I just cooked the BBQ chicken recipe again yesterday and it was amazing..  Plus there are leftovers for my work week...
I have always wanted to try to cook a whole chicken, but until Pinterest, I just didn't have the guts to do so.  This recipe that I found via Pinterest is for a Whole Chicken in the Crockpot!!!  It looks so simple..  I just have to buy me a meat thermostat so I can make sure it is done... But this recipe is so in my future!!

Whole Chicken Crock Pot Recipe

Ingredients:

4 teaspoons salt (reviews say 2 tsp is better)

2 teaspoons paprika

1 teaspoon cayenne pepper ( I might use a little more---I love spicy!!)

1 teaspoon onion powder

1 teaspoon thyme

1 teaspoon white pepper

1/2 teaspoon garlic powder

1/2 teaspoon black pepper

1 large roasting chicken (with pop-up timer if possible)

1 cup chopped onions (optional)

Directions:

In a small bowl combine the spices

Remove any giblets from chicken and clean chicken.  (Not with detergent like the housewife did!!)

Rub spice mixture onto chicken

If you are not in a hurry, you can place the chicken in a resealable bag and refrigerate overnight.  But this step can be skipped.

When ready to cook, put chopped onion in the bottom of the crockpot, add chicken.

No liquid is needed as the recipe says it will make it's own juices.

Cook on low 4-8 hours.  This is where I would need the pop-up so I can make sure the meat is done!!

I'll let ya'll know how it turns out!!!  Thanks Food.com via Pinterest!!!

New Do, New Me....

     Got the hair all cut off...  I love it!!  Feel like a new me.  My hair before was just so thin at the length it was--it had to go.  I also started using a new product for thinning hair. It's called Nioxin..  Today was the first day to use it so I'm going to give it a few weeks before I say how it's doing.  However, my old flame (LOL), Nick Lachey,  is the spokesman for them---and he always speaks the truth!!!
      I've also decided I've really got to refocus my energies back on me.  I feel like I've let myself go lately because of my "divorce stress".  I have just got to turn that over to God and not worry so much about it.  I have a to get back to putting me and Mac on top of the list.  No matter what.  Many people are going through much worse circumstances than mine.  I need to feel blessed for what I have and the wonderful friends and family that are in my life.  I write and post alot of motivational post---but sometimes I don't think I take my own advice!  I can make my life better and happier, I've just got to chose to do so.  This is my new resolve, think of me and make me BETTER.  No one else is going to do it for me.

Here's to a new "Do" and a better ME!!!

Nioxin Tip:  The numbers are very important.  I use 3 because it is for normal thinning and color treated.  Make sure you get what is best suited for your hair.  I bought mine at the Ulta store...

Motivational Monday

Sunday's Faith

New "Do"!!!!

Today is the day!!!  I'm getting my hair cut like this!!!  My hair is falling out so bad due to stress and a very lengthy divorce---I just need to cut it off and start over.  Right now, this is the style I'm going with.  My hairdresser/friend picked it out.  Also call it "sexy hair!!!"
Compliments of Pinterest!!!

We will see!!!!

So True....

I often feel like I'm trying to "compensate" for the things that Mac is not getting in his life.  It has been a major adjustment year for him with the divorce and all.  However, when I read this on a blog that I follow, it really made me stop and think.    I like it when I come across something that really stands out and  makes me think about how and what I'm doing to make sure Mac grows up to be a good, caring man.  I often reward him with materialistic things and I need to think of ways to improve on that.  Get him to value what is around him as well as what he is given.  I love things that make you go hmmmmmmm......

Check out "and spiritually speaking"...  Awesome blog!!!

Last Recipe of the Week!!

I was checking in on the blogs that I follow and stumbled upon this tasty looking dinner.  I think Mac would love it.  He still hasn't figured out that I switched to ground turkey months ago!  So I think I can pull this one off too!!  I got it over at Skinnytaste.com.  And now that he has found a new love for bacon---I see this as a future dinner for sure!!!

Bacon Topped Petite Turkey Meatloaf with BBQ Sauce

Ingredients:

3/4 cup grated zucchini, all moisture squeezed dry with paper towel

2 tbsp onion minced

2 tbsp diced red pepper

1/2 cup seasoned breadcrumbs

1/2 cup BBQ sauce

1 large egg

1 tsp smoked paprika

1 tsp kosher salt 

1.2 pounds raw 93% lean ground turkey

5 slices center cut bacon, cut in half

2 1/2 tbsp BBQ sauce

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Lightly spray a petite loaf pan with oil.

In a large bowl, mix the zucchini, onion, red pepper, breadcrumbs, BBQ sauce, egg, paprika and salt.  

Add the turkey and combine until mixed through.

Create 5 equal  loafs and place them into the loaf pan.  Then put 2 bacon halves over each loaf and top each with 1/2 tbsp of the additional BBQ sauce.

Bake 25 minutes or until cooked through...

This would be a GREAT summer dinner with some baked beans!!!

Don't forget to check out her blog SkinnyTaste.com!!!

Love Casserole's....

Found this Heavenly dish via Pinterest at Nestle USA.  I read through the comments of other readers and it got stellar reviews.  Plus another great thing about the comments is that you can also see how a recipe has been tweaked to make it even better.  I'm going to add more eggs to increase the protein and maybe a jalapeno or two as well..  Yum...

     Potato Bacon Casserole    

Ingredients:

4 cups frozen shredded hash brown potatoes

1/2 cup finely chopped onion

8 ounces bacon or turkey bacon, cooked and crumbled

1 cup (4 oz) shredded cheddar cheese  

1 can (12 oz) Nestle Carnation Evaporated Milk

1 large egg, lightly beaten or 1/4 cup egg substitute----this is where I may tweak it...

1 1/2 teaspoons seasoned salt

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Grease an 8 inch baking dish.

Layer half potatoes, half onion, half bacon, and half cheese in prepared baking dish.

Repeat layers

Combine evaporated milk, egg and seasoned salt in small bowl.  Pour evenly over potato mixture and cover.

Bake for 55 to 60 minutes.  Uncover, then bake for an additionally 5 minutes.  Let stand for 10 to 15 minutes.

Sounds Heavenly!!!                

Love Green Beans...

If there is one staple in my house, its green beans.  I'm embarrassed to say though, I have never cooked the real thing, as far as green beans go.  By luck and my addiction to Pinterest, I think I've found a recipe that looks good and is simple!  It's from SkinnyTaste.com.  I will have to work this into the menu next week.

Roasted Parmesan Green Beans

ENJOY!!!

Motivational Monday....

Moment of Faith....

Easy Chicken

Things have been a little crazy lately so I haven't searched out any new Pinterest recipe's.  Hopefully, I can get caught up on that soon!!  I did find this Creamy Chicken and Rice Casserole that looks very tasty...
It's low on ingredients---and ya'll know I'm all about that.  Take a look at the link or just follow the instructions below...  Let me know if you fix it before me...

  Creamy Chicken and Rice Casserole

Ingredients:

1 box Chicken-flavor Rice-A-Roni ( 6 ounce box)

1 can cream of Mushroom Soup (10 ounce can)

1 can cream of Chicken Soup (optional)

1 container low fat sour cream

1 whole Rotisserie Chicken

1 container Durkee French -fried onions ( 6 ounce can)

Preheat oven to 350 F.  Prepare Rice-A-Roni according to package directions.  While that is cooking, shred or cut up the chicken.  This can be any type of chicken even leftovers just remove meat from bones.

When  Rice-A-Roni is done, add the cans of soup and the sour cream and stir to combine.  Add the chicken and mix together.  Spread mixture into sprayed baking dish.  I have a 9x13 pan, but you can use what you like for how thick you want it to be.

Bake, uncovered at 350 F for 40 minutes.

Remove from oven, cover with french-fried onions and bake for 5 more minutes.

Remove from oven and ENJOY!!!

My new Favorite Thing!!!

These are awesome.. I am a pretzel addict!!!

Motivational Monday...

Sunday Faith...

I hope everyone has had a wonderful weekend...

My Sweet Baby....

Ozzy hasn't left my side.... He is so glad we are all home again...

Enough Said