Organization, Produce

I bought these containers at the dollar store. It is just a comfort to know that these containers are sealed shut and nothing can get into the potatoes such as ants/bugs.  I store my apples in the fridge.  The bag always seems to be pushed to the back and forgotten.  There have been times when I bought another bag of apples and potatoes because I thought I was out.  Never again. 

I liked the containers so much I went back and bought two more.   I keep a steady supply of apples and potatoes, so for these they are a must.  BTW, I will be doing another blog post soon on the containers I use for my other produce to keep my fridge organized. 

Heath, Turkey Bacon Asparagus

Bacon wrapped asparagus!  This is a easy, healthy, yummy dinner.  The Turkey bacon flavor really mixes well with the asparagus. One of my new favorites! 

First, cut the end off your asparagus, and then boil your it for about ten minutes. Strain.  Put the pan back on the burner and spray some Pam on it. 

Next, sprinkle garlic and salt on the asparagus. Lay the asparagus on the turkey bacon then roll it up.  Do not over lap.  Let it go up the asparagus as your roll. 

Cooking, Peanut butter cookie dough cupcakes!

 Peanut Butter Cookie Dough Cupcakes are simply amazing.  I don't normally eat my baking, but I HAD to have one of these.  I made them for a huge group of teen guys and everyone loved them.  The cupcake and the frosting is homemade.

  

This makes makes around 12 cupcakes:

1/4 cup butter (softened to room temperature)

1/2 cup creamy peanut butter

1 cup sugar

 2 whole eggs

1 and 1/2 cups flour

1 1/4 teaspoon baking powder

1/3 cup milk

3/4 cup peanut butter 

1/2 bag of chocolate chips. 

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.

Cream butter and peanut butter together in the bowl until smooth and creamy. Add half of the dry ingredients, and then mix together. Add the milk. Once mixed, add remaining dry ingredients and mix completely.  Pour into cupcake tins and fill 2/3 of the way full. Bake for 15-20 minutes at 350. Let cool, then frost! 

Kids, 3D hand

My kids did this fun 3D hand project in school today.  Unfortunately, I didn't bring my camera so I can't give step by step instructions with pictures.  I will link the blog were I found it.  It gives clear step by step instructions.  Pretty simple! 

http://www.cometogetherkids.com/2012/03/optical-illusion-handprint.html

Heath, Perfect Party Salad

I went to a baby shower a a couple months ago for my sister.  My mother gave me 20 bucks and told me to buy a really good salad.  Here are some tips on making a great party salad.

1. Buy at least two dressings.  One should be a cream based and the other oil.  Make sure one is low in fat for the dieters.

2.  For the lettuce get a bag of roman for the basics.  You also want a spring mix to add texture and color.  Spring mix really adds class to your salad. :) 

3.  Sweet cherry tomatoes and red onions add color and sweetness to the mix.  Be sure not to add to many onions so people can pick around them with the tongs. 

4.  Croutons and shredded Parmesan cheese are a great salt source. These flavors mix well with the sweet ones. Plus the crouton give the salad a crunch. 

5. Sliced cucumber would be your first choice to put on top of the lettuce. It is a perfect base so the other toppings don't slip through to the bottom of the bowl.  You want to mix some toppings in the lettuce, but most should be on top. 

Hubby, cute idea

My Hubby loves to spoil me.  Here is a trick he does every week for an extra dose of love.  You could do this every week with your spouse or just once a month. He printed up a list of nice things he could do for me.  He then cuts up that list into even rectangles and then folded them in half.  He placed the list of kind things in a tin I gave him awhile back (It had a cookie in it.)  I draw from it and he decides if I can see it or not.  Sometimes he keeps it a surprise for a week and sometimes he asks me when I would want to do that certain thing.  

Here are somethings I already picked: Go out to eat, Go for a walk, Love note, Took me shopping, and slave for a day (that was fun). 

There are so many ideas you could throw in there.  Here are some that I found for men and women. 

Back massage

Write a love note telling why you married him/her 

Do something unexpected like clean the bathroom

Pray with him/her

wash the dishes

text him during work everyday that week saying something nice

buy her/him his favorite drink or food

Be right there when he gets home from work

breakfast in bed

clean the house

bake a special dessert 

Make a cup of coffee

Run an errand for him/her

Lets him/her sleep in

Watch a game with him

extra cuddle time

Flowers and candy

make him his favorite dinner

watch a movie

Play a board game

Cooking, Oreo Cupcakes

This recipe is so easy I am kind of embarrassed to put it up.  But every loves them.  My husband and others told me, "These are the best cupcakes I have ever had."  So here we go....

Preheat the oven and follow the directions on the chocolate cake box. Add whatever ingredients the box requires in the mixing bowl. Next, Place the Oreos in the cupcake holders in a muffin pan. It should look like this: 

Health, Chinese food

I love Chinese food.  I don't believe in giving up things you love.  I just think we should eat healthier versions of them.  Here are some tips on eating healthy Chinese food! I mix and match these a lot. 

This is my brown rice bowl.  All under 300 calories!  I had imitation crab meat, broccoli, pepper, salt, soy sauce, spray butter, garlic, and a cup of brown rice in mine.  YUM!

Sushi from Wegmans can be really low in calories. This brown rice veggie one is only 170 calories!  It is easy to stay under 200 calories with fish meat (shrimp or crab).  

Kids, Compasscare

I'm pro-life.  My beliefs on this are strong.  However, I don't think we should yell at women who had an abortion, mistreat those considering it, or burn down abortion clinics.  We need to win this battle with kindness and consideration.

Compasscare is a nonprofit, professional medical office, with staff dedicated to serving women facing unplanned pregnancies by transforming their fear into confidence.  Their Doctors and Nursing staff are committed to providing professional services to women in a caring environment.  They supply free ultrasound exams, information about pregnancy, STD testing, counseling, and a comfortable friendly atmosphere.  I met these people in person myself and they are so kind and caring.

Here is their website for more information:

http://www.compasscare.info/

I am asking for donations for this wonderful organization.  I believe in this charity and in everything they are doing.  I even took a tour and checked this place out for myself.  Over 90% of the women who use Compasscare's resources end up keeping their baby.  They are literally saving lives.

Please consider donating.  This is Kevin's and my donation page:

https://www.firstgiving.com/fundraiser/kevinrickner/2012

Organization/Projects, Candles

Candles are one of my favorites things in life.  I have them going all the time and love the peace they bring to a home.  I had a drawer in my closet were I would store them.  I didn't like this because then I didn't know how many I had or what kind.  I find candles pretty and homey so I thought, "why not display them."  Now my apartment feels like a Yankee Candle Shop! :)

This is the before boring cabinet.  Kevin and I painted it black to match the rest of the furniture.

BEFORE: 

 AFTER:

Cooking, Oreo Balls

WARNING:  These are messy to make, irresistible to eat. 

My mother-in-law gave me the recipe for Oreo Balls.  THANKS MOM! :) All you need are three ingredients: Bag of Oreos, 8oz cream cheese room temperature, and one pound of dark melted chocolate.

The front three Oreo balls are the end result.  The back ones still need to be  chocolate covered.

Crush the whole bag of Oreos with a soup can or rolling pin in a bag.  You want the texture to be crumbs NOT dust.  Take room temperature cream cheese and mix/mold it together.  I always have to use my hands so wash them before doing this.    

Kids, Hand print flowers

Here is a fun craft we did in school today.  My students used their hands as the leaves and a flower stamp for the flower.  We also glued Popsicle sticks on for a picket fence. 

This is the end result.

They painted a stem up the center.

This is what it looked like after the first stamp.

Organization, Exercise Calendar

Ok, so I am really a kid at heart.  I think we all are (at least the fun people.) Stickers are a colorful way to keep track of your progress. I don't think I will ever grow out of them. ;) 

Here us what I do to keep my exercising organized.  I think this is important so you can see your progress.  I tacked a calender by my desk so I can see it every day.  Each sticker represents 20-30 minutes.  I write down what type of work out I did and how long next to the sticker.  I also draw a smiley face if I ate healthy that day and a sad face if I didn't.  It is good to have off days but not to many.  

Couponing, Big week

I spent $48.00 on groceries this week (last week I spent under$25.00).  There are some thing I didn't get a chance to put in these pictures.  In these pics there is $40.50 worth of merchandise. 

ALERT: If you go to Tops this week and buy a club pack of chicken breast (mine cost under$17.00) you get nine things free!  Those things are; two liter of pop, kabob sticks, bag of potatoes, bag of fresh green beans, package of flour tortillas, taco seasoning, a bag of cheese, Ice cream bars, and Kraft BBQ sauce.  Kevin and I had chicken tonight for dinner and will be having it a lot the next few weeks. ;)

My tower of produce. :) 

Non produce items. I didn't have enough room. 

Girly Things, Bangs

 I know it is kinda strange to do a blog about this, but I want to express the importance of styling your bangs.  I recommend all the time to girls to take extra time on their bangs. If I do not have much time to get ready I will have my hair up and my side bangs look nice. Even if you don't have any bands, the front hair pieces still really shapes your face. Remember this: Bangs and eyebrows are the frame to your face. Just like a picture frame they add so much!  I don't consider myself a model, but here are tips and pics. 

Here is a normal shot of my hair with side bangs.  I curl away from my face with the clip-less Infiniti by Conair:

Here is a shot with a part down the middle.  I curl the bangs away from my face (again).  Try the center part once in awhile to change it up.  It makes your face look longer. 

Also try a low bun in the back with a straight part to give the illusion of a cute bob without the commitment.  ;)