Thursday, February 24, 2011

It's My Birfday & I Want You To Know It

Though February is usually a dreadful month when everyone is itching for spring, my favorite day of the year happens to fall during that month.  This would be my birthday. Besides Christmas, my birthday is my favorite holiday, and I revel in the fact that I get special attention on this day. If you didn't already realize from the title of this, I want EVERYONE to know it’s my birthday and acknowledge it.  I am fully aware that I sound like a snot, and you might as well shout out OCS (Only Child Syndrome) from the roof tops, but I don’t care. I love my birthday and I don’t care who knows it.   


The night before my birthday, I didn’t feel any excitement.  As I lay in bed, I thought “tomorrow will just be another day.” However, I woke up at 5:15 a.m. on February 22 and was giddy as a little school girl.  As I headed out to my normal Sweatilates class, I was so excited and touched to see that my roommate had done a little decorating the night before.  It was PERFECT. Our kitchen nook was decorated in pink and green and laid out for me was a hot pink boa, a princess crown (for those who know me you are fully aware that this is a must), cupcakes and a present! You could not wipe the smile off of my face. 



And my day got even better.  I decided to take off half a day of work and spend time with my mom and grandmother, who I don’t get to see that often.  The three of us had a nice relaxing afternoon getting manis and pedis, chatting and sipping champagne. 

Mom and Meme getting their toes done. Looks like mom needs a little champagne refill!

I also have to admit that all of the texts, phone calls and especially the messages on Facebook really made my day as well.  My phone was constantly vibrating telling me that someone had written on my wall. I would think, “who wrote on my wall this time?” I would click and see who it was, and it brought a smile to my face every time. Though it’s something small, it still made my day a little brighter knowing that someone took the time to wish me a happy birthday. Ahh the little things in life.

The day could not be complete without a birthday dinner celebration. We all picked out our sassiest outfits and headed to one of my favorite restaurants, Chop House.  My dinner was amazing, which consisted of a  mixed green salad with a citrus dressing, a filet perfectly pink in the middle, asparagus and homemade mac n' cheese.  And we mustn’t forget the champagne! (The three of us share a love for champagne if you didn’t notice.)

And last but not least….it was time for the CAKE.  And this was not just any cake….this was Peggy McKinney's CHOCOLATE PEANUT BUTTER FUDGE CAKE -a birthday tradition that has been going on for many years.  The waitress brought out the entire cake with a candle, and half of the restaurant sang, “Happy Birthday” to me. You know I ate that up (the cake and the birthday hymn).



Then, much to my dismay, my birthday came to an end.  As I looked back at the events of that day, I smiled and realized that this was one of the best birthdays I have had in a really long time.  There was no huge party nor did I party like a rock star.  But I was able to spend time with the people who mattered most in my life (minus my dad who had to work) and enjoy life’s little pleasures.  

Mom, Me and Meme at Chop House.

Thank you to my mom, Meme and bestest roomie in the world, Lucy, for making my birthday so great!  I love you all so much!

Tuesday, February 15, 2011

Fatuary

Fat February, or Fatuary as it has now been coined, has been a month filled with delicious, fattening food.  February includes the Super Bowl, Valentine’s Day,  and most importantly, my birthday month.  Those events are my excuses for what I’m about to tell you . Remember, these are Confessions of a WANNABE Skinny Girl, so unfortunately this post will disregard any healthy eating.  (Hey, you gotta splurge some times!)

Let’s first start with the cookie pie. Holy Toledo this thing is good. I got this recipe from Mary Robb after it received rave reviews from a certain boy I know.

First, you get a graham cracker crust from the store…OR you can be Suzie Homemaker and make your own crust…whichever you prefer.

Then you take cookie dough from the package… OR you over achievers out there can make your own cookie dough..and mush it into the graham cracker crust until it is spread out evenly.


After those hard acts of labor, simply bake for 1 hour at 325 degrees and TADA!

To make it extra good (and fattening) add vanilla icecream and chocolate sauce. Yummo!


So the cookie pie officially kicked it off. My conclusion through Fatuary is that if it’s in the house or I'm around it, I WILL eat it! Here are a few more sinful foods that I have indulged in with Fatuary…

Give me ooey gooey brownies. 
Embarrassingly enough, my roomie and I consumed these within 24 hours. WHOAH.
There were more sweets in there (soft sugar cookies with icing, chocolates for Valentine's Day, an entire roll of *raw* chocolate chip cookie dough), but I digress....

Then came the Super Bowl. And what do I love most while watching one of the most televised sporting events of the year?  That's right...wings with loads of ranch dressing, chips & a 7-layer dip, and a Sweet Water Blue. 


And finally, Fatuary will come to a close with a chocolate peanut butter bang. My day of birth takes place on the 22nd day of February (a glorious day to which George Washington was also born), and I will be indulging myself in the best cake in the land: Peggy McKinney’s chocolate peanut butter fudge cake. This cake is pure heaven.I have no self control when this chocolately goodness is put in front of my face. Not to exaggerate even more, but if I had to choose a last meal, this cake would undoubtedly be part of it. 


After giving you the low down on Fatuary, you are probably thinking I have completely fallen off the wagon with food and exercise.  I'm excited to report that despite my indulgences, I have maintained the same weight from when Body Reboot ended and kept the inches off around my waist.  

Like you have heard, and will continue to hear, it's all about balance.  If I indulge in too many sweets or find myself going out to eat too often, I pull the reigns back and concentrate on eating at home and eating my veggies, fruits and proteins. And we can't forget the exercise...if I've had a good or bad eating day, I still try to consistently make it to the gym. I don't let a bad day get me down anymore! 

The advice I leave you with is allow for indulgences, but keep pushing yourself to stay active and exercise.  Getting to the gym is more than half the battle. 

What is your favorite work out right now?

Thursday, February 10, 2011

S-O-U-P

OK, so just to ease everyone's worry...I'm still here.  I wish I had a good excuse of why I haven't been blogging, but I don't.

I have to tell you about my discovery...making soup.  Such an easy task, yes, but to me, it was something new and exciting! For some reason, I've always been a little intimidated with cooking soup.  But one night I grew some courage, searched the pantry and freezer for some random ingredients and threw it together..literally.

Here's my attempt at what started out as vegetable soup...then it turned into whatever else I wanted to add :)

I first gather anything I could find in the freezer and pantry...

Ingredients: Low sodium chicken broth, cannelini beans, canned no salt added spinach, canned no salt added diced tomatoes, frozen brussel sprouts and frozen broccoli

Can't forget the spices...it's amazing what flavors you can get without increasing the sodium!

All the ingredients & spices dumped into a pot
(This was too easy)

Can't cook without some wine!

And the final product! S-O-U-P
Everything is better with cheese! Sprinkle a little Parmesan cheese on top to seal the deal.
So you've now seen my step-by-step adventure of cooking soup.  Pretty easy, but I'm proud!

Does anybody else have any easy-to-make soup recipes that you would like to share?