Thinking Myself Thin Thursdays

Okay so this week I am down 1/2 pound.  I am not thrilled in fact I freaked a bit when I weighed in.  Why?  Well I actually recorded my calories every day this past week (even 10 calorie items) and exercised like a mad woman ick.  After listening to a few encouraging words from my group they somewhat convinced me my body is in some shock that I am eating and moving.

I really have horrible eating habits.  I get busy and totally forget to eat and then I remember and eat too much but I still don’t hit a good calorie goal.  I imagine my body thinks it is starving but that is only because my brain doesn’t have eyes.  I have to do something to change and recording calories at least until I realize what I should eat from habit and exercising until my legs become jello are going to become mandatory. 

I really want to lose 9 more pounds in the next seven weeks.  Now I know that isn’t a huge number and hopefully it is attainable.  If I make it that would be 10 pounds in 10 weeks and I would bring in $20 from a challenge in my group.  That would pay back my dues for the year plus a little.  I know somehow I can do this but it will require commitment.  So drop me a comment, harass me or whatever suits you but don’t hesitate to hold me accountable.

Coming Sunday I will also start to post with The Bloggest Loser.  I am excited I was approved as a participant!  If you would like to check them out just click on the button below.  Have a great day ~ Heather

NewButton Thinking Myself Thin Thursdays

The Attitude Girl by Mila Bernadkin

Before I present the review of this book I really want to thank Mila for her wonderful addition of autographing my book.  The giveaway copy will also be an autographed copy as well.  I have enjoyed the short emails back and forth with Mila and I can tell she is very passionate about her book as you can see if you read it as well.  Now onto the review…
AG+Front+Cover The Attitude Girl by Mila Bernadkin
The Attitde Girl by Mila Bernadkin was an energizing read. You really have to be on your toes to keep up with seventeen year old Vicky.  She has an attitude all of her own.  Don’t worry about her telling you exactly what she thinks because you are going to hear about it.  Life revolves around Vicky in everyone’s eyes but her own.  Does this sound like a child in your home?  Well life has a way of changing each of us and it is abouut Vicky’s turn.  Through financial issues, relationships and extraordinary events Vicky slowly has a change of attitude.  The storms of life blow sand at Vicky smoothing out her rough edges.
I love Mila’s writing style shown through the character of Vicky.  You get to see her rough attitude by how she verbally speaks but you also get to see what is going on in her mind which at times make you understand just how she has come to the conclusion of her attitude at the moment.  While Vicky is rough she is genuine.  I really enjoyed reading about her attitude and at times I looked back at my own teen years and said wow I was like that.  Yikes it is true but an awakening all the same.  If you have a teen in your home with an attitude this just might be something that you can relate to.  Pick it up and you won’t be disappointed.
Where can you get more information?  You can see The Attitude Girl online.  The Attitude Girl is the First Place Winner in teh Arizona Authors Association Annual Literary Awards Contest so you know it is great. 
Would you like to win a signed copy?  Here are the rules…
  1. Comment on who you would like to win this book for.

  2. Tweet and link

  3. Follow on Google, RSS or Twitter ( 1 entry only )

  4. Blog about the giveaway and link in comment

  5. Fav on Technorati

Good luck! Contest ends 10/8 open to US only.

One Lovely Blog Award

I feel really honored to have won another award two times. This one is “One Lovely Blog Award” and has been given to me by Smart Cents Mom and Independentmami.

lovelyblog One Lovely Blog Award

(So, here are the rules of the “One Lovely Blog” award:

Accept the award

Post it on your blog together with the name of the person who has granted the award, and his or her blog link.

Pass the award to 15 other blogs that you’ve newly discovered. Remember to contact the bloggers to let them know they have been chosen for this award.)

  1. Two Peas in A Pie
  2. Facts From A Fact Woman
  3. At Home With Books
  4. Maria’s Space
  5. Mom Start
  6. Just Another New Blog
  7. Heart Prints
  8. Fill In The Cake
  9. Queenie’s Little Kingdom
  10. Dancing Barefoot on Weathered Ground
  11. The Shabby Chic Cottage
  12. Raising Arrows
  13. Homebody Holly
  14. Saving with Shellie
  15. The Simple Life of the Boreings

There is quite a variety of blogs here so expand your horizons and happy reading!

How To Make Hot Fudge Sauce Mix

howtobanner How To Make Hot Fudge Sauce Mix

Do you need a small gift quick well this might do the trick.  How about making a dry mix for Hot Fudge Sauce?  Yum yum.  You can eat it over ice cream, pound cake or just just warm it and dip strawberries in it.  It will drizzle over about anything and make your mouth water.  If I start to cook this my husband is in the kitchen eyeing the pan because he just knows the smell and the kids beg for more. 

Today I am going to just show you how easy it is to make the dry mix so that you can gvie it as a gift or just have it on hand for speedy chocolate cravings.  Just don’t try to drink it hot!

What you need…

  1. 1 cup sugar
  2. 1/3 cup cocoa
  3. 2 Tablespoons dry milk
  4. 1 quart Ziploc bag or pint jar
fudge+sauce+ingred How To Make Hot Fudge Sauce Mix
Now this is so easy.  Place dry ingredients in a bowl.
hf+bowl1 How To Make Hot Fudge Sauce Mix
Stir until well blended.
hf+mixed How To Make Hot Fudge Sauce Mix
And put into an airtight container such as a labeled Ziploc bag.
hf+mix How To Make Hot Fudge Sauce Mix
Now when you are ready to use the mix or when attaching an instruction card for the gift here is what you need to do.
Place mix in a saucepan. Add 1/3 cup water and 1/3 cup of butter (not margarine).  Stir well and bring ingredients to a boil for 1 minute.  All ingredients should now be dissolved.  Add 1 teaspoon of vanilla.  Stir and serve.  Keep remaining (if any) sauce in a jar in the fridge.
Do you have a tip for how to Tuesday?  I would love to check it out just leave a link in the linky form!

Menu Plan Monday

Thanks to a fridge crisis we are starting our menu from scratch this week.  Some weeks we use a few items or scraps from the prior week to stretch our food budget.  For instance we might have ham early in the week and come the weekend we might use the leftovers for scalloped potatoes with ham bits.  A bag of potatoes doesn’t cost much and the little bit of ham leftover adds some great flavor.  So I am starting fresh tonight and maybe next week we will have some good leftover meals.

  • Tomato gravy cube steaks
  • Lasagna
  • Enchiladas
  • Chicken & Dumplings
  • Sloppy Joes
  • Porcupine Meatballs