Till Then Smile Often

August 14, 2013

Not really Vacation eats

Considering that I was on a mini-vacation from Friday to Tuesday my eats were all over the place. Saturday was Seamus’ vet visit and I was on the road most of the day. Sunday we celebrated my cousin’s daughter graduation from High School and her basic training send off. Monday and Tuesday I spent all day painting and re-decorating my main bathroom. This made getting in my regular meals quite a challenge. Also I made it through the first two weeks of limited carbs so now I am moving on to a little higher carb count and finding the balance of the right carb zone my body can handle before it starts to gain. So you will see a little more good carbs added back in. Yeah for some fruit!

Breakfast: At Seamus’ vet appointment I found out he gained one pound over the year so he is going to boot camp. So morning walks are going to be added and our afternoon walks will be longer, so my lack of functioning in the morning means I am sticking with my trusty protein shake for now. For the recipe click here.

Snack: I am reintroducing my apple and walnuts or almonds for my midmorning snack. Oh, how I have missed my apple. (recycled pic, I didn’t have the peanut butter since I already had it with my protein shake)

Lunch: I had to grab a quick salad before getting back to painting. So the quickest thing to make is a salad with some pre-cooked chicken. I happen to really like salad so it is a win/win for me!

Dinner: This is my idea or not so “Parm” – Chicken Parm. I didn’t want to bread the chicken so I grilled some chicken with some garlic powder, onion powder, and italian seasoning. Then I placed the chicken on a pizza tray and added some low carb pasta sauce and a slice of Mozzarella cheese (fold in half and place on the diagonal to cover the chicken) then stuck under the broiler for 1-2 minutes, just until melted. Keep an eye on it, it goes quick!

I served with Steamfresh lightly sauced creamed spinach.

I am human and I have to admit I did have a slice of some Grasshopper pie that I made for the graduation party on Sunday. I have to say it was totally worth it. It is one of my favorites. It is Pistachio pudding, crushed pineapple, and Cool Whip. For the recipe click here.

How do you eat on vacation? Do you splurge or do you eat the same?

August 12, 2013

Grasshopper Pie

I am not sure where this pie recipe originally came from but my Mom used to make this when I was younger. I love Pistachios so this pie is one of my favorites. It also is very easy to make so it is perfect to make when you are in a rush and not sure what to make. This Sunday I had a family get together to celbrate my cousin’s daughter. We celbrated her high school graduation and her send off to Basic Training for the Army. It can be mistaken for Key Lime Pie due to the color so I would suggest putting a tag if bringing to a party, once people knew it was Pistachio not key lime they were more willing to give it a go.

Ingredients: 1 (12 oz) can of Crushed Pineapple ~ 1 Box of Pistachio Pudding ~ 1 (12oz) tub of Cool Whip ~ Graham Cracker pie crust

Directions: Place the crushed pineapple and the pistachio pudding powder in a mixing bowl.

Place half of the tub of the Cool Whip in the bowl and mix.

Place the mixture into the Graham Cracker pie crust form.

Place the pie in the fridge for 2-4 hours or overnight to firm. When ready to serve place the other half of the Cool Whip on top and spread over the top. Serve!

What do you think, going to try it?

Linking up with Jessica and Ashley.

August 12, 2013

What Weekend

So I am a realy bad blogger and took very few pictures. I woulld feel guilty but I am on mini-vacation.

Saturday morning was spent at the Vet for Seamus’ annual visit. The appointment was at 9:45 but he didn’t get seen until 10:45am. It was crazy busy and Seamus was moping.

I then headed over to my Dad’s for a bit to say hello and so his dog and Seamus could play. Once back home it was a Netflix marathon of Orange is the new black. In between each episode I clean my bathrooms, did laundry, dishes and swept the floors. Relaxing but effective.

I then made a Grasshopper pie for my Cousin’s Graduation/Basic training send off, which is made with Pistachio pudding mix. It was something my Mom used to make and it is really quick and easy. Recipe coming soon.

Sunday I hit the pavement for a run, and I am trying out a few different fuel sources. I will keep you posted. I ended up getting these as Sports Authority since my Vitamin Shoppe seems to have moved. 🙁

As I was heading out for the Graduation party I found Seamus here:

SO needless to say i am glad I have today and tomorrow off even though I will be spending it prepping and painting my bathroom. Ugh!!! Also planning on getting in my long run today. Wish me luck!!

Linking up with Sami at Sami’s Shenanigans and Leann at Join the Gossip .

August 9, 2013

Waiting | Wishing | Hoping

Happy Friday everyone!!! I am so excited for this weekend!! I have a four day weekend!! I have to take Seamus for his annual vet visit on Saturday and my cousin’s daughter has her graduation party and Boot Camp send off on Sunday so it will be jammed packed full of activities. I am also hoping to get started on my bathroom redesign so be sure to come back for some before and after pics. Now on to what I am loving lately.

One. Did you see my post yesterday? It showed my Dead of the Dead makeup that I did for Halloween for the last two years. I think this year I need to come up with a new costume so the search is on. I know it’s only August but it’s time. Oh and decorations, yup I will be sure doing some DIY projects coming up. Like figuring out how to recreate this since there are no directions.

sorry, no directions or what was used, but super cool & creepy!

Halloween Decoration – Hands of the Dead

Two. With Halloween comes fall and let me tell you summer was a bit dissapointing due to the crappy weather so I am keeping my head up for fall. My favorite! So I am on the hunt for some new tall boots.

In love with Fall

Three. Did I mention that it is my Birthday at the end this month? Yeah it is. So I am wishing for…this candle, or a million bucks. Whichever comes first! 😉

Spiced Cider 6 oz. Mason Jar Candle - Slatkin & Co. - Bath & Body Works

Spiced Cider from Bath and Body Works

Four. I am hoping to hit my 6 miles for my long run this weekend. My training for the half-marathon has been pitiful and I only have just over 6 weeks to get ready. Eeeekkkk!! Hoping that these help to fuel this run and don’t make e sick. Trying to find a good fuel source. First up is the Clif Shot Bloks. I’ll let you know what I think once I try them.

Five. I am on the look out for some floating shelves for the bathroom and found some from Target. Not sure if they will work or if I need to keep looking.

Chicago Floating Shelf from Target

What are you loving lately?

Any runners have a favorite energy source for long runs?

August 8, 2013

I’d Like To Thank The Academy

Recently I was nominated for a Liebster Award by Sarah of Sweet Happenings. . The Liebster Award is given to up and coming bloggers with less then 200 followers and it also helps them gain some exposure in the blogging world!

The questions I was given to answer:

1. What’s your favourite season and why? I love the fall. I love the weather when it is not to hot and not to cold, and the chance to wear boots and scarves. I also love watching the leaves turn colors here in Massachusetts, it’s so pretty. It is also my favorite Holiday Season. I love Halloween and I always dress up to pass out the candy at my Dad’s House. Picture from last year’s Day of the Dead costume.

2. What’s your biggest fear? Snakes. They are just nasty.

3. Least favourite food? I really don’t like Seafood. I know being from the Northeast it should be illegal but I just don’t like it. Tuna is about all I can stomach.

4. Nysnc or Backstreet Boys? Neither really. I did like N’Sync more though back in the day.

5. Renting a movie or going to a movie? I so prefer to watch a movie at home. Being able to cuddle up on the couch in my pajamas is preferable.

6. What’s your favourite song at the moment? I am loving Miss Jackson by Panic at the Disco. I seriously play it like 10+ times a day. Check it out.

7. If you could live in any city in the world right now, where would it be and why? Since as long as I can remember I have been drawn to Texas. I just love Southern Hospitality and everyone I have met from there has been so genuinely nice. So Houston or Dallas but I would not move far from family so maybe when I retire or just for visits.

8. Tea or coffee? I am a coffee girl. Dunkin Donuts over Starbucks but I usually make my own. I used Sugar Free French Vanilla creamer and Truvia.

9. Favourite book? On the Road by Jack Kerouac – I read it every year. That generation knew how to live!! They were always on a Vision Quest for the soul. It speaks to me.

10.Most memorable trip? I would have to say our yearly trip to Christmas by the Sea in Maine. It is with my second Mom and my two best friends. Sometimes Grammy comes and their SIL. The more the merrier but most important it is a girls weekend. We get most of our Christmas shopping done and we get in the Christmas spirit and when we get together we laugh so hard and so often. It is the best time. Santa comes over on a tugboat too.

11.How would you describe your decorating style? It is so important to me to have a home that is inviting. No white rooms that are for display only. I stick to more Modern/Contemporary styles. I like simple and not a lot of clutter.

Here are the rules for receiving this award:
1. Answer the questions that the nominator sets for you, and then create 11 questions for the people you’ve tagged to answer.
2. Choose 11 people and link them in your post (must have less than 200 followers)
3. Go to their page and tell them.

The questions to answer:

1. What is your favorite color?

2. Favorite store to shop at (online or in-store)?

3. Favorite Holiday?

4. Fondest memory?

5. An item on your bucket list?

6. Place you most want to visit?

7. What is your favorite recipe/comfort food?

8. How often do you workout?

9. Celebrity Crush?

10. The wierdest food you have ever eaten?

11. Must Have Makeup Item

Thanks again to Sarah for nominating me! Here is to one more day till Friday!

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