ROLE REVERSAL

This made me pee myself laughing today!  Thought I'd share it with the rest of you!

WELL HELLO SEXY!

Photo by: Peter Mazola

So today I decided to book a boudoir photo shoot.  Not for anytime soon, but by next year.  I booked it for July.  That gives me plenty of time to get where I need to be.  It also keeps me accountable!  It means I have something to look forward to!  With that said!  I'm excited to have this photo shoot with my extra special, super talented buddy Peter Mazola!

PS... I ran for 3 and a half minutes today! PROGRESS!

Years away!

I haven't had a new blog post in forever.  I honestly haven't missed it either... But this evening I thought I'd revisit what I had started and decided that I should share what is new in my life.

So as some of you know I've started working towards a healthier me!  I've been eating well and going to the gym on a daily basis (except yesterday)...  Not only am I feeling better, but I'm starting to look better too (who knew that was even possible?!?)

On to exciting news.  Yesterday I bought a spiffy new pair of running shoes.  I tried on a whole bunch and the ones that fit best were a size 9.5, which is weird considering I couldn't even get some of the size 10's on these big ole flippers.  Best part about it was they were the cheapest pair at the store.  Yeaaaah buddy!

Okay, so if you think that was exciting you'll be thrilled to hear this!  I RAN!  I ran for 2 and a half minutes straight today (and I wasn't even dying at the end of it).  I know it doesn't sound like a lot to most of you.  But for me this is HUGE!!!! I'm pretty sure my spiffy new shoes had something to do with this.  All I know is that I'm on cloud 9 right now.  Who would have thought 6 months ago I'd be running at all?!?  I can't wait to go to the gym tomorrow to try and make it 3 minutes straight.

I can't wait to share more successes with you all!

WHAT A CUTIE!!

It's been forever since I've blogged! Blame it on the job change, the millions of things I seem to have on the go at all times, and my lack of interest in being on a computer after typing up a safety manual for 8 hours a day! I did end up going to my brothers house the other day and I snapped a few pictures of my niece with my new camera lense! I hope you like!

SAY CHEEEEEEEESE!!!!

Look what auntie started!

Play dough time!

PROCRASTINATION

I can't believe what a procrastinator I am!  I always leave things to the last minute!  Packing especially!

I also can't believe what a fool I am!  Here I write a blog post about procrastination, decide I'll get around to finishing it later, and then realize that it posted itself because I never got around to it!  Bah!  I guess that will teach me!  Nothing like proving your point!

Just for the record.  The first sentance was written in July.  So I guess that shows you how really good I am at this!  It just so happens that I don't have time to elaborate on it, so I'll have to get around to it later... haha.  How about that?!?!

INSPIRATION

I saw this video yesterday and by the end of it was in tears!  I knew this was something I just had to share with all of you!  It is the perfect example of how we should love each other.  Not only that, it proves to each and every one of us that we CAN do all things!

HOW CUTE AM I?

The last couple weeks have been crazy busy for me!  I tend not to blog a lot when I'm not at work, but seeing as how I'm going to be "not at work" anymore, I'm going to have to figure this blogging thing out.  Truth is, I will be working, just at my new job.  I don't know how anyone has the urge to blog after staring at a computer screen for 8 hours a day!! BLAH!

Anyways, I didn't take a whole lot of pictures while I was away, but I did manage to get a few!  Here is my favorite!

This dog was just chillin' outside of Walmart!  No leash, no owner, donning some sweet shades, just watching people walk by.  As soon as I saw him I was digging in my purse for my camera.  If I could have taken him/her home without anyone knowing, I probably would have!  We spent about 30 minutes in the store and when we came back out, the dog was still there.  Now that is what I called a well trained animal!  I wonder if they have a place where they can train husbands and boyfriends and children to behave like that?!? 

Spiced Carrot and Lentil Soup

I always love the look of pureed soups, but I've never actually tried making one.  I was flipping through a magazine the other day looking for recipes that would be good to freeze.    Something about it made me HAVE to try it!  It was super easy to make, super low in fat, and high in iron.  I tweaked it a bit (or a lot) to fit with the ingredients I had lurking about in my cupboards.  I also used low sodium stock so that it wouldn't be ridiculously high in sodium.

2 Tbsp. Olive Oil
4 Cups Carrots, peeled and chopped
1 Cup Green Lentils **
Pinch of Chili Flakes
2 tsp. Cumin
Dash of Curry
1/2 Cup Coconut Flakes
4 1/2 Cups Chicken Stock

2 Cups Water

1/2 Cup Milk

1/2 Cup Cream

Salt and Pepper to taste


Heat the olive oil in a pot.  Add carrots, lentils, chili flakes, cumin, curry and coconut flakes. Sautee for a couple minutes.  Add the chicken stock and milk.  Cover and bring to a boil.  Let simmer for 30-45** minutes.

When lentils have expanded and carrots are soft, use a stick blender, food processor, or blender and puree.  (If you find it too thick, add some stock or cream to thin it out and keep blending) Serve with a dollop of sour cream, and sprinkle with spices.  Most of all... Enjoy!

(green lentils make it turn into this awful color, so I added some red and yellow food coloring to give it that vibrant look.... yes, I know I'm a cheater... but you never would have guessed had I not told you!!)

** Red lentils would make this even better (unfortunately I didn't have any), if you use red, you can reduce your cooking time as they are split and will cook faster.  They give it a better color than the green ones.

BUTTER ME UP

I had some extra pie dough from the pies I was making and didn't know what to do with it.  I thought about it for a bit and then decided that butter tarts were the way to go.  I also learned that "Butter Tarts" are a Canadian thing.  Who knew?  I just thought they were a normal part of life... eh!  If you have never heard of these little beauties, make sure you give them a try!

I went to make them and was a little disappointed because my mom was away on a camping trip to the states, so I couldn't call her to get her AMAZING recipe.  I searched online and came across one from http://www.cooks.com/ and thought I'd share it with you. No offence mom... but I think these have yours beat!

Batter in the tart shells

BUTTER TARTS

Pie Pastry (enough to fill 12 muffin tins)

1/2 Cup Raisins

1/4 Cup Butter, Softened

1/4 Cup Brown Sugar, Packed

1 Pinch Salt

1/2 Cup Corn Syrup

1 Egg, Lightly Beaten

1/2 tsp. Vanilla

DIRECTIONS: Pre-heat oven to 400F

Prepare muffin tins by filling with tart shells

In a small bowl, soak raisins in hot tap water.  Set aside for 30 mins.

In a large bowl, using a wooden spoon, mix together the butter, brown sugar, salt and corn syrup.  Stir well until sugar is dissolved and butter is creamed (I cheat and use my mixer).  Add the egg and vanilla and mix well.

Drain the raisins.  Divide the raisins equally between the tart shells.  Divide the batter equally into the shells.  Bake at 400F for 15-20 mins**.  Filling will be lightly browned and still bubbling when removed.

Let cool in the pan for 10 mins and then transfer to a rack to finish cooling. (I had to run a knife around the tarts to get them out)

** Your preference will determine the cooking time.  If you like them runny cook less, if you like them a little firmer and chewier cook longer.  You can cook up to 25 mins, just be sure not to burn them.

WHATS UP DOC?

I always love a good Carrot Muffin!  Actually I'm sure you guys are noticing a trend that I just like muffins in general.  I've been on the hunt for a great carrot muffin recipe for quite some time now.  Anyways.  I hope you enjoy this as much as I do!

CARROT MUFFINS:

2 Cups All Purpose Flour
1 1/2 tsp. Baking Soda
1/2 tsp. Salt
1 1/2 tsp. Ground Cinnamon
4 Large Eggs
1 Cup White Sugar
1 Cup Canola Oil
2 Cups Raw Carrots, finely grated
1 Cup Apple, grated
1/2 Cup Pecans or Walnuts, coarsely Chopped
1 Cup Raisins, Currants, or Dried Cherries

DIRECTIONS:

Preheat oven to 350F.  Place paper liners in tins, or grease muffin tins.

Whisk together flour, baking soda, salt and cinnamon.

In another bowl, whisk eggs, sugar and oil until slightly thickened.  Fold in the flour mixture until just incorporated.  Fold in grated carrots, apple, nuts and raisins.  Evenly divide batter between muffin tins (mine made 14 muffins)

Bake approx. 20 mins or until toothpick comes out clean.  Let sit in pan for 5 mins and place on wire rack to cool.  Dip in Cream cheese icing and garnish.  ENJOY!!

CREAM CHEESE ICING:

1/2 Cup Unsalted Butter
1 8oz Pkg. of Cream Cheese, room temp
3 Cups Icing Sugar
1 tsp. Vanilla Extract

DIRECTIONS:

Combine the butter and cream cheese.  Mix well.  Add the icing sugar 1/2 Cup at a time until incorporated.  Add the vanilla and beat well.
*note- This makes a TON of icing!  You could easily 1/4 the recipe for the batch of muffins up above.  I choose to make the entire batch and freeze the remaining icing for a future date!  HAPPY BAKING!

THOSE YOUR APPLES?

I'm not a big fan of apple pie, but the people I work with are fanatics!  I could probably make a pie every other day to keep up with the eating habits of my "Shack Mate".  That man just can't seem to get enough of it.  The worst part is... he's as skinny as a toothpick!  Anyways, I made one up and thought I'd share my beauty of a pie!

Now I don't exactly follow a recipe for apple pie (I normally don't follow one for anything, I think of them more as a guideline)  This means that I can't tell you exactly what I used.  But I do know that it was delish!  I had a piece after dinner.



I always love heaping in the apples



Egg Wash and Sugar



Now this looks tempting!!!



LETTERS TO A FRIEND

From the amount of emails I received I think that the letter writing project is a go!  I guess seeing as how I thought this was such a genius idea, it is only fair if I start the process.  I'm going to be free in about an hour and I think the perfect thing to do would be head straight out to get some pretty paper and a pen and then sit down and start writing.  (After I'm done at the spa of course!!)

If you are interested in being involved in the sophisticated version of "pen-palling" you can send your MAILING ADDRESS to my email so that I can get a letter on the go!  ithinkinpinkhearts@gmail.com.

I can't wait!  I'm actually really excited for this little project of mine!  I can't wait to hear from you, so that you can hear from me!

PS... On a rather sad note, I'd like all of you to pray for a family that goes to my moms church.  They lost their daughter yesterday, due to a severe car accident.  Pray for strength, peace, and support for them during this tragic time. Thanks Dolls! Xoxo