For The Love Of Food...

If you want to eat healthy but don't want to give up yummy food then I suggest you visit  this cute blog.

There you will find recipes for "healthy dishes that don't sacrifice any of the flavor that can be found in their full-fat origins".

The blog is the creation of Gina Homolka and is called skinnytaste.com.  Gina has come up with some amazing recipes; complete with nutritional information and Weight Watchers points, and let's just say I am her newest fan.

Give this Steak and Cheese Sandwich with Onions and Mushrooms a try and I bet you'll be a fan too.

Ole!

First of all - total disclosure - I copied this recipe straight from weightwatchers.com. 

With that out of the way, I totally suggest you give this recipe a try. 

It's good - not El Fenix good; however, when you eat the enchilada you won't feel like you're making a sacrifice and there is a lot to be said for that when it comes to low cal Mexican food. 

I ate mine with Herdez salsa and a few baked, fat free Tostitos and was a happy girl. I consider that a pretty big success for the folks at Weight Watchers considering I am an enchilada snob. 

Ole! 

Weight Watcher's Cheesy Chicken Enchilada

PointsPlus® value | 9
Servings |  6
Preparation Time |  15 min
Cooking Time |  27 min
Level of Difficulty |  Easy

 main meals |  These cheesy enchiladas are stuffed to the max with the tasty flavors of chicken, scallions and red pepper flakes. Serve with spicy or mild salsa.1 spray(s) cooking spray

8 oz pasteurized process american cheese spread

1/2 cup(s) fat-free sour cream

1/4 cup(s) fat-free evaporated milk

1/4 cup(s) uncooked scallion(s), green part only, minced

1/4 tsp crushed red pepper flakes

3 cup(s) cooked skinless, boneless chicken breast(s), chopped*

6 medium whole wheat tortilla(s), 7-inches each

1/4 cup(s) low-fat shredded Cheddar cheese, sharp variety

6 medium olive(s), green, pitted, sliced

1/4 cup(s) fat free salsa

• Preheat oven to 350ºF. Coat a 9-inch glass baking dish with cooking spray.
• In a microwave-safe bowl, combine cheese product and sour cream; cover and microwave on high power until cheese melts, about 1 1/2 to 2 minutes. Remove half of melted cheese to a small bowl and stir in evaporated milk; set aside. Add scallions, red pepper flakes and chicken to remaining cheese mixture; stir to coat.
• Spoon about 2/3 cup of chicken mixture down center of each tortilla; fold in sides of tortilla to cover filling and place tortillas in a single layer in prepared dish; spoon remaining cheese sauce over top and then sprinkle with shredded cheddar cheese and olives.
• Bake until cheese topping is bubbly, about 20 to 25 minutes. Serve with salsa. Yields 1 enchilada per serving.

I Hope....

I fell in love with this the moment I read it. I hope I have the strength...

Summer Lovin'...

In my opinion one of the best things about the summer are the vegetables it produces and I must say cucumbers are one of my favorites.  They are cool and light and refreshing.  Oh my, that makes me think about a fabulous cocktail I had while in Vegas but I digress.  I'll save that story for another day.

Anyway, if you love cucumbers like I love cucumbers you must try this fabulous snack I found on Pinterest.  It is super quick, super easy and super good.  In fact; now that I think about it, it is just as yummy as that aforementioned cocktail minus the gin!

Simply slice a baby cucumber (I actually used an English cucumber because I prefer the seedless variety) in to thin slices.

Add lemon juice (I used the juice of half a lemon for one English cucumber) to taste.

Drizzle with olive oil to lightly coat.

Sprinkle with salt, pepper and chile powder to taste.

Toss well and enjoy!

"You're Off To Great Places"...

In the past few months my nephew turned 18 and graduated from high school.  

I still remember his graduation from kindergarten like it was last week.  

He's 18?  

How on earth did this happen?  

We often hear cliches concerning time and how quickly it can pass but honestly nothing could prepare me for the realization that my "Little Dude" is suddenly 18 years old and heading off to college.  

As an infant he introduced me to a depth of love I never knew existed.  

As a toddler he brought uncompromised joy.  

As an adolescent he brought about adventure and sweetness to my life and opened my eyes to the world as a young boy sees it.

As a teenager he has been my pride and joy.  Yes, my pride and joy - even on those days when he was testing the limits of his teenage years.

In celebration of his birthday and graduation The Señor and I took him to what many consider to be the greatest city in the world - New York.  We did all the touristy things and some not-quiet-so-touristy things.  We took in some baseball, saw a show, took a carriage ride, ate, ate and ate some more.  Yes, we had some fun!   

His years as an adult are on the horizon.  There is a great big world out there and I hope he will take advantage of his opportunities and take in as much of it as possible.  

I anxiously look forward to what lies ahead for him.  

I want for him all that is good and healthy and successful.  Realistically I know it won't always be that way.  

So, I pray.

Prayers for wise decisions.  

Prayers that he will realize the importance of an education - and get one!

Prayers that he will steer clear of harm's way. 

Prayers that he will never forget the value of self.

Or the value of family.

Or the value of prayer.

So "Little Dude", in the words of the very wise Dr Suess I say to you -

"Congratulations!
Today is your day.
You're off to Great Places!
You're off and away!

You have brains in your head.
You have feet in your shoes.
You can steer yourself
any direction you choose.
You're on your own. And you know what you know.
And YOU are the guy who'll decide where to go."

A Weekend In Paradise...

This past December my parents celebrated a monumental occasion - the 50th anniversary of their marriage. Fifty years of marriage is almost unheard of these days and I am proud to say my parents worked together through the good, the bad and the ugly that come along in life and are still standing strong.

To celebrate this event my brother, sister-in-law, The Señor and I loaded-up Moma and Daddy and flew to northern California for a few days in paradise.  While there we stayed with our dear friends the Brocks and the Comstocks (who are the ultimate hosts), gazed upon majestic sights, ate amazing food, drank amazing wine, learned the art of Petanque and made memories to last a life time.

To quote my dear friend Bob Brock, "Friends are your wealth in life".  This weekend reminded me that we are very wealthy indeed.

Moma and Daddy - Bella Vineyards...

The whole gang (minus Sandy) Bob, Cathy, Linda, Bob, Reece, Sandra, Bob, Kim & The Señor...

The whole gang (minus Cathy) Bob, Sandy, Linda, Bob, Reece, Sandra, Bob, Kim & The Señor...

A grape row marker from the gorgeous Bella Vineyard...

My brother and The Señor toasting a beautiful day...

The Señor and I enjoying an amazing morning on the Comstock's deck...

My sweet parents...

My sister--in-law and brother enjoying a beautiful day in the wine country...

Ou family at the entrance to Comstock Vineyards...

Daddy enjoying a day on Dry Creek.  Can it get any better than this?

The beautiful hills of grapevines...

Breathtaking views...

LOVE this deck...

Wine tasting at Mauritson Wines.  Fabulous wines - and people...

Daddy and I enjoying the creek...

Moma playing fetch with Bailey and Lucy...

Cheaper Than Therapy...

Those hazy, lazy days of summer are upon us and, as for me, I've been laying low.

I've recovered from my bout with optic neuritis but as a result of that flare-up my doc decided it was time for a change in therapy. Bye-bye Avonex. Hello Rebif.

Life with Avonex was really pretty simple. A single injection given once a week by The Señor. It rarely hurt.

Rebif on the other hand seems to be a whole 'nutha animal. Three injections per week given by the Señor if he is available and by moi if he is traveling. Oh, and this stuff hurts-like-the-dickens every single time. After a little research I learned that the hurts-like-the-dickens part is just part of life with Rebif and that I can expect it from now on.

Subjecting myself to extreme pain three times a week is not/nor has ever been on my bucket list. For the record, I don't see me learning to like it. With that said, I am thankful to have access to the drug & thankful that it has proven to be very effective. I also know there are others who experience much worst pain on a daily basis every day of their life. I know I am very blessed.

However, those things said, I still don't have to like it.

So, dear reader, thanks for "listening" to my little pity party. I actually feel much better putting these thoughts in to words.

Writing...it's so much cheaper than therapy.