Goodwill Book Score

All these little goodies for $16.94. 

Taste of the World - 274 Easy Multi-Cultural Recipes

Such a little book full of delicious looking recipes.

Page 114 White Cheese Chicken Lasagna. I was sold

The Road Less Traveled by M. Scott Peck, M.D.

Can't believe I've never read this gem.

365 Easy Mexican Recipes

I collect cookbooks but they have to have picture. Don't know why, I guess I just like to see the food before I make it. This book doesn't have one picture in it. Even the cover photo is a drawing. So why would I buy it? Because I love Mexican food and while I was flipping through it every title sounded delish. Chicken Breasts in Creamy Pumpkin Seed Sauce. Grilled Flank Steak with Chili-Corn Sauce. Muy Pronto Cooked Green Sauce (Jason loves green sauce and this recipe looks so easy.) 

Yes, Yes, Yes!

Rachel Ray 30-Minute Get Real Meals

Eating Healthy Without Going To Extremes. For $1.99 I thought I'd check it out. 

The 3 Hour Diet By Jorge Cruise

I also collect diet books. I know weird. I always learn something new so I continue to collect them.

I like Jorge so I've added this one to my collection.

Breakthrough by Suzanne Somers

Eight Steps To Wellness - Life Altering Secrets from Today's Cutting Edge Doctors.

Only Eight? 

Natural Cures "They Don't Want You To Know About by Kevin Trudeau

The updated edition. Includes the natural cures for more than 50 specific diseases.

This should be a good read. 

The Ultimate Weight Solution - The 7 Keys to Weight Loss Freedom by Dr. Phil McGraw

and the collection grows.

Wine and Cheese Party Ideas

DIY Sea Glass and Gold Leaf Food Labels 

Not only do I love the DIY Labels I also love the arrangement. The rosemary and blackberries are a perfect replacement for the same ole grapes that usually accompany cheese plates.

  How to and several more photos: The Knotty Bride. 

DIY Chalkboard Wine Glasses

Tutorial: Just Short of Crazy

Wine and Cheese Tables

Photo: Providence Design

Recipes

Fig and Goat Cheese Bruschetta

Homemade Cheese Straws

Mini Tartlets

The Invite

ASPaperie

Sweet Balsamic Tomato Bruschetta & Caramelized Onion and Pepper Bruschetta

This is one of my recipes from SkinnyStove.com. I've been craving the Sweet Balsamic Tomato Bruschetta for the last couple of days. Yesterday I went to our local farmers market and I got what I needed to whip this up. So fresh and so good.


Sweet Balsamic Tomato Bruschetta

Ingredients

1 1/2 – 2 Plum Tomato, chopped
1 Garlic Clove, minced
2 Tsp Olive Oil, 1 tsp for bruschetta dressing and 1 for the baguette slices
1 Tbsp Balsamic Vinegar
1/2 tsp Honey
1/8 tsp Salt
1/8 tsp Black Pepper
1/2 Multi Grain Baguette, cut into 16 slices

Directions

Place the first seven ingredients in a bowl. Stir to coat and set in refrigerator to marinate.

Heat a grill pan over medium high heat. Take the baguette slices and brush with olive oil on both sides and place on a heated pan. Once grill marks are made turn over bread over to grill the other side. Remove once that side has grill marks.

Place a scoop of the tomato mixture onto each slice of bread and enjoy.

Serving Size: 16

Nutrition Info

• Calories: 25.2
• Fat: 0.8g
• Carbohydrates: 3.9g
• Protein: 0.7g

Caramelized Onion and Pepper Bruschetta

Ingredients

3 Sweet Mini Peppers, sliced
1/2 Onions, sliced
2 Tsp Olive Oil, (1 tsp for the grilling of the peppers and onions and the other for the baguette slices)
1/2 Multi grain Baguette, cut into 16 slices
1/2 cup Farmers Cheese

* Optional seasoning to season the farmers cheese.
Trader Joe’s 21 salute
Onion and/or garlic powder
salt and pepper

Directions

In a fry pan heat 1 tsp of the olive oil. Add sliced peppers and onion. Cooked until soft and translucent. Remove from heat and set aside.

Heat a grill pan over medium high heat. Take the baguette slices and brush with olive oil on both sides and place on a heated pan. Once grill marks are made turn over bread over to grill the other side. Remove once that side has grill marks.

If you want to season your farmers cheese do so now.

Add 1/2 tbsp of farmers cheese to each toasted baguette slices and then top with the caramelized onions and peppers. Place under a broiler or a toaster over for a few minutes.

Serving Size: 16

Nutrition Info

• Calories: 41.1
• Fat: 1.8g
• Carbohydrates: 4.7g
• Protein: 1.5g

And of course I enjoyed these little bites of heaven with one of my favorite wines from Newsome-Harlow.

The Plan (Diet) by Lyn-Genet Recitas

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Lyn-Genet Recitas author of The Plan says that Greek yogurt, asparagus, and many other "healthy foods" may be causing me to gain weight. My first thought was, What? Second thought, that's why I'm not losing weight even though I'm doing everything I've been told.

Before I bought the book I did my homework.

This First magazine article explains the plan in great detail. It's a good start.

Lyn Genet's website also has a ton of information. If you sign up for her newsletter you will see links to old newsletters and receive new ones with a lot of good nuggets.

There are also some groups and forums out there where you can see what others are saying about "The Plan". These are the two I've learned a lot from.

The Plan Forum

Sparkpeople "The Plan" Group

So when I was done doing my research guess who ran out and got the book?  OK, I didn't run out, I ran to my phone and bought it on Kindle. I probably could have attempted this without the book but I really don't like going into things not fully educated. I don't want to waste my time with something that I may mess up on because I didn't arm myself with the correct information and the right tools.  

I did however do the yeast test before I got the book. I figured if I needed to take the probiotics for a week before I could start "The Plan", then I wanted to get it started. 

On Sunday I spent the day drinking beer (it was Superbowl Sunday after all) and Sunday night eating chocolate. The next day I did have some white coating on my tongue. Not a lot but enough to not want to take any chances. Can I tell you it was not easy finding probiotics with 30 - 50 billion live cultures? I found several with 1 billion and even a few with 10 billion. I finally found one with 30 so I got it. Found it at Rite Aid for $24.99.

I started taking these yesterday so I will be starting "The Plan" on Monday. This is perfect. I'll have enough time to read the book. This week I'll create my shopping list. I'll post it when I'm done. On Sunday morning I'll do my shopping and the first three days prep work. And then on Wednesday, I'll do the shopping and prep work for the next five days, and then so on. Here's a guideline for day 1 - 20.

From reading the boards and forums it sounds like The first three days are very time-consuming if you don't prep. I want to make this as easy as possible. I don't want to have any excuses for not following through.

Andy Rooney On Women Over 40

As I grow in age, I value women over 40 most of all. Here are just a few reasons why:

*A woman over 40 will never wake you in the middle of the night and ask, “What are you thinking?” She doesn’t care what you think.

*If a woman over 40 doesn’t want to watch the game, she doesn’t sit around whining about it. She does something she wants to do, and it’s usually more interesting.

*Women over 40 are dignified. They seldom have a screaming match with you at the opera or in the middle of an expensive restaurant. Of course, if you deserve it, they won’t hesitate to shoot you if they think they can get away with it.

*Older women are generous with praise, often undeserved. They know what it’s like to be unappreciated.

*Women get psychic as they age. You never have to confess your sins to a woman over 40. Once you get past a wrinkle or two, a woman over 40 is far sexier than her younger counterpart.

*Older women are forthright and honest. They’ll tell you right off if you are a jerk if you are acting like one. You don’t ever have to wonder where you stand with her!

Yes, we praise women over 40 for a multitude of reasons. Unfortunately, it’s not reciprocal. For every stunning, smart, well-coiffed, hot woman over 40, there is a bald, paunchy relic in yellow pants making a fool of himself with some 22-year old waitress.

Ladies, I apologize. For all those men who say, “Why buy the cow when you can get the milk for free?”, here’s an update for you. Nowadays 80% of women are against marriage. Why? Because women realize it’s not worth buying an entire pig just to get a little sausage!

E.A.T. for the Kitchen (DIY Project)

I have a spot on my wall between the dining area and my kitchen that I just didn't know what to put there.

I didn't want a picture and I didn't want any type of shelf. I already feel like my counters are crowded. But it is so plain and boring.

 Then I saw this...

@www.homestoriesatoz.com

Perfect!!! I could just go to my local craft store and pick up some supplies for my DIY project.

I bought the letters at Michael's. The letters were $3.50 each but I had enough coupons for 40% off each one. The paint was on sale for 50 cents and the brush was on sale for 13 cents and the varnish was $6.50 but I used a coupon for 50% off. Total price for this project $17.60 (before tax). What I paid for with coupons $8.08 (before tax).

I just love how it turned out.

Sense and Scare

This Halloween season we aren't afraid of the monsters at Six Flags Fright Fest or Halloween Horror Night at Universal. No, they don't scare us. 

The houses decorated to send us running? NO! 

Via riu73juk

All the horror films that the TV is flooded with? Doesn't scare us at all. 

But you know what has sent us jumping and screaming in fear for our life? 

The three Glade Sense and Sprays I just bought from CVS.

I put one in the hall bathroom, one in the master bathroom, and one in the living room/dining room. At first, it scared T when she went to wash her hands in the bathroom. I laughed so hard that I almost peed my pants. But then a few hours later it happened to me and T was the one laughing. Now we are just waiting for the Glade to get J. Mwahahahahahaha!!!

Note: Other than jumping every time it senses and sprays I really like it. My home smells so good. I'm sure we'll get used to it.

Todays Modern Woman

Weekend Planner - #2

Saturday: 

Garage Sales

Going to look at property with my friend.

Laundry

Sunday:

Church

Business meeting. I try not to schedule meetings on the weekend (especially Sundays) but this is the only day my client is available.

Finish painting my E.A.T. letters for my kitchen.

Play along!

Join the Party!

My $10 Fall Display

YAY! I was able to feed the fall decorating bug without spending a fortune. 

The ceramic pumkins I found at the Dollar Tree. $5

Styrofoam half ball $2.80 - Michaels

Mini Pinecones $1.99 - Michaels

I really like how it turned out. I didn't want to spend alot and I didn't want to over do it with more stuff. I had the urge to purge last year for a reason. I don't want to go back to that place.

Complimentary Decorating Class Sunday Oct 23rd

I just might have to check this out.

Hosted your local by Pottery Barn

How To Entertain With Style

Sunday, October 23rd at 10am

Learn the basics of entertaining, from sit-down Thanksgiving dinner to casual buffet.

All class participants receive 10% off merchandise featured in class*. Call your local Pottery Barn to reserve your space today.

*Excludes furniture. Must attend class to receive a certificate valid for a one-time discount on select merchandise at participating stores, while supplies last. Offer valid on purchases made on the day of the class only and on merchandise that is in the store at time of purchase. Offer not valid for any furniture items, merchandise that must be ordered, prior purchases, taxes, shipping and gift card purchases. Offer may be redeemed on sale items, but may not be combined with any other discounts or offers. Offer is not applicable to Pottery Barn Kids, Pottery Barn Furniture Outlets, catalog or internet. Offer cannot be resold or otherwise bartered.

Fall Decorating Bug

So I'm getting this bug to decorate for Halloween. I used to go all out years ago. I had storage boxes full of decorations. But last year I sold all my decorations at a garage sale. I hadn't used them for several years and I had that urge to purge. I have no plans to go out and start buying new decorations just for Halloween, however a few Fall decorations couldn't hurt. 

Here are some ideas I found for inspiration.

Pumpkin Chandelier by Martha Stewart

Candy Jars by Localism

TP Pumpkins by Organize Your Stuff Now

I love these TP Pumpkins. 

Blue Crackle Pumpkin by Home Stories A2Z

Fall Mantel by Our Family Journey

Any other ideas out there? Links appreciated. 

Weekend Planner - #1

This is going to be a nice lazy weekend.

Friday:
Work

Saturday: 

Clean the bathrooms - yuck!
Lots of reading and watching tv.

Sunday:

Church

Farmer's Market
Baking

Play along!

Hoo I Am...

#57

1. Do you sleep with the tv or music on?

Sometimes I will fall asleep listening to my ipod.

2. What is your favorite technology device that you own?

My computer.

3. Do you shop the ads for groceries?

Yes, always.

4. What are you favorite pair of shoes?

My slippers.

5. Have you done any fun fall activities yet?

Not yet.

Play Along!

Plays, Showers and Recipes... Oh My

Last Sunday I went to the opening of one of my clients play. It was fantastic and my client was outstanding. The reviews are pouring in to prove it. After the play they had a party but I had to leave to get to a bridal shower that I'd already committed to.

On Monday, I drove to downtown LA. Then on Tuesday, I had to drive to Santa Monica. Monday wasn't bad at all traffic wise, but Tuesday was horrible. It's been awhile since I've had to make that trip. I can't say I've missed it.

This week I came up with a few recipes.

Skinny Stuffed Peppers

No Noodle Eggplant Lasagna

Skinny Slow Cooker Pork

Left overs

Pork Dip Sandwich

Right now I'm enjoying a Skinny Red Wine Sangria (or two, or three ) I came up with.
Recipe coming soon. I love weekends.