Weekend of Finds

 

I didn't cook quite as much this week, since it was love day on Thursday my Mr. Mr. took me out to dinner. I have gotten so accustomed to cooking though, that I really prefer my own foods over anything from a restaurant. It was still so nice to get out and have a quiet dinner.

 

Here's to Love Day!

I am so very lucky!

 

Don't worry when the weekend got here I made up for not cooking during the week and I'm going to show you just what I made!

This weekend was packed full of newness!  I finally got to try out some of my new finds AND I located a jewel I've been searching for.

 I recently bought a 4 pack of chopping mats from the Sandra line by Sandra Lee. I have a few chopping boards, but I really wanted something lightweight and small for my weeknight dinners since I chop LOTS of foods now.

 This set is perfect for doing just that and it was a reasonable price of about $7 (found at K Mart)                                                                                 

                                                                                                                                                                             


I spent Saturday evening with some friends, but before I went to their home to cook I got to break in the mats! I made stuffed peppers for everyone so I chopped my little heart out!

I think they were a huge hit! After a great night of friends and food I went back home to bust open the wrappers on my 'get fit tools'.


Until now I have only focused on the foods I consume, but I am ready to start working out!

If you are just starting out I suggest learning your foods before jumping completely overboard.

Just put your toes in the water to see how cold the water is. ;) When you have what to eat down, then start working out. The only reason I say this is so that you don't get overwhelmed and decide to quit. Maybe even walk 15 minutes a few times a week until you are ready to work out and cook.

     I found a few deals at Wal-Mart on some DVD's and a Pedometer.  

 

I'm so excited to try all of these out!

 

 

Saturday I had this feeling to go into my local Salvation Army.

 

 When I went in I found a few new cookbooks and was quite pleased. I decided to case the store one more time before I left. I looked up and BAM there she was....the DEHYDRATOR that I have been stalking online for weeks!

 

When it comes to others I will buy things at the drop of a hat to help someone, but I am so tight when it comes to myself. I wouldn't just click 'add to cart' and be done with it....and I am so glad! The dehydrator was only $5....much cheaper than what I have been finding. I also found a Pampered Chef Veggie cooker...SO PUMPED!

 

 

I left the store with my finds and a huge smile on my face. Now I'm sure you are wondering what in the world would I need a dehydrator for?!?! My favorite snack is dehydrated okra. It is SO amazing, but it's pricey and hard to find.

 

Next weekend I am going to make my own. I'll let you know how it turns out.

 

 

I didn't have time to dehydrate my okra, but I did have time to try a couple new recipes

 

First up was something that I still haven't found a name for.

 For now I will just say that it's Pizza My Way!

 

There are two kinds. The first one is a cold pizza.

 This is what I did-

Take cream cheese spread, a little ranch mix, shredded cheese, bacon bits, shrimp in a can, roasted chicken bites, veggies: jalapenos, red, yellow, orange, green bell peppers, broccoli etc, and pizza dough. I bought the mini pizzas so that I had portion control very easily.

Bake the dough for ten minutes then toss everything on top after you spread the cream cheese and ranch mix on the dough.

It's that simple and it's very yummy.

 

The next was a hot pizza.

 

Take dough, a small can of tomato paste, cheese, roasted chicken bites or canned chicken, all the veggies, and shredded cheese. Toss everything on the dough and bake for ten minutes.

 

You can make your own version...this is what I tried.

I can't decide which is better...they are both so very yummy!! Try them for yourself and let me know what you like.

 

If you are looking for a quick and easy lunch or dinner try this!

Sunday night I didn't feel much like cooking and I knew I didn't have enough protein in for the day, so I popped open a can of pineapple, added a splash of orange, Old Bay seasoning, and a bag of shrimp. It was done in under ten minutes!

 I will be making pineapple and shrimp skewers next time. I forgot to pick up some pineapple chunks when I went shopping so I came up with this instead!

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My silent weekend was coming to an end quite fast, but no weekend would be complete without a little disaster.

 

 I have four rescue animals that are all spoiled beyond belief and know it! I rescued a kitten, KiKi, from my office last year and what was a foster home until she got older is now her forever home.

My small dog, Bear thinks she is his sister from the same mister and will not let her leave.

 They cuddle together every day and fight like WWE champions every night!

 

~BACK WHEN THEY WERE BOTH LITTLE BABIES~

For a couple months KiKi has had a huge sore on her head. I took her to Dr. Jones (our AMAZING vet) a month ago when she completely scraped off her scalp. At the end of the weekend I noticed she was scratching her head again. When she came to me she was bleeding again just like last time, so I got out her nap blanket and loaded her up!

 

After a shot and some cream she seems to be feeling better, but not before the explosion of her life!

 

On the way home she had TWO accidents in my new car! It was not how I wanted to start my day that is for sure! After I cleaned my car when I got back home I cuddled with Bear and KiKi for the rest of the day with my Marketing book and new Snoozies!

 

Sometimes it's the small things in life that means so much!

 

 

                                                                        

KiKi is feeling much better now!

 

 

I'm going to work on new things this week and will be starting a new post with my recipes and pictures of all the meals I cook.
 I'm debating on making one weekly or monthly, but regardless you guys and gals will have access to the meals I create! I think the key to making our lifestyle change work is to keep new ideas coming!

Until Next Time, Be The Best You Can Be!

XOXO

Cori