Taco soup

1 lb hamburger p, brown and drain
1 onion chopped
1 pkg taco seasoning
1 can corn keep liquid
1 can of kidney beans keep liquid
1 qt can tomatoes

Mix all together and simmer to blend flavors. Better if made the day before. Serve with grated cheeses and chips if wanted.

Erica's Meatballs

Today I'm going to share one of the recipes that I am famous for amongst my friends and family.  And that is my meatballs. As always made from scratch and trust me they are worth the time to make them.

It's really simple just a little time consuming to form the actual balls but oh so worth it.

1lb ground beef
1lb sausage meat
2/3 cup breadcrumbs
1/3 cup dried onion
1 egg
1/2 tsp salt
1/4  tsp ginger
1/4 cup milk


Mix everything together. Make into balls about the size of a golf ball, and bake on a cookie sheet for 15 minutes at 400 degrees.

These go great with my sweet and sour sauce or even spaghetti sauce.

Divinity

My mother in law was always a huge baker around the holidays and this is one of her Christmas goodies. My brother in law loves this and still asks his mom to make this every year for him.

2 1/2 cups sugar 

1/2 cup light corn syrup

2 egg whites

1 tsp vanilla 

1/2 cup water 

1/4 tsp salt

Combine first 3 ingredients and the 1/2 cup water and the 1/4 tsp salt. Cook to hard boil (260 degrees) stirring only till sugar dissolves.

Meanwhile beat the egg whites to stiff peaks. Gradually pour syrup over the egg whites, beating at a high speed with an electric mixer. Add vanilla and beat till candy hold it's shape. 

Quickly drop from a teaspoon onto waxed paper. 

Michelle's frosting,

My sister in law find the most amazing recipes. And this one for frosting is really simple easy and wonderful. My mother in law actually used this frosting on the cupcakes served at my baby shower a few years ago.

4oz instant pudding mix any flavor.
Small package cool whip
1 cup skim milk
1/4 cup powdered sugar

Mix pudding mix and powdered sugar together with the milk. Food in the cool whip

Chill in the refrigerator and ice cakes or cupcakes.

Special Cheeseburgers

This is a really simple quick meal, that I use sometimes for a hot sandwich lunch.

You will need:

2lbs ground beef
1 green pepper
1 onion- diced
1 tomato
Grated cheese. I use however much or little I'm in the mood for at the time.

Cook the ground beef, green pepper and onion together.
Drain.
Add the tomato and cheese and simmer until the cheese is melted.

Serve on deli rolls with ketchup, mustard and pickles.

7-up biscuits

So this is a brand new recipe I just tried out. And these guys are fantastic. Really simple to make and delicious.

4 cups of pancake mix
1 cup sour cream
1 cup 7- up soda.
1/2 cup melted butter.

So like I said this is really easy to do. Mix the pancake mix, sour cream and soda to form a dough.  The dough will be very soft so don't worry about that, knead and fold the dough until it forms a ball. Pat out the ball and using a round cookie cutter cut out biscuits.

Melt the butter in the bottom of a 13x 9 casserole dish. Place the biscuits on top of the melted butter and bake  @ 425 degrees for about 12-15 minutes or until brown.

Try right out of the oven with some butter and honey, or with your meal with some butter.

Kale my latest love

I'm not usually a big fan of greens. To be honest I have a sweet tooth and tend to not want to eat my fruit and veg. Needing to lose a few pounds and support hubby in his bid to have a healthier lifestyle and lose some weight I took a page out my kids book and started to try and eat better.

So when my hubby purchased some kale chips from the store I thought I would give them a try. A new love for something healthy was born.

Recently I've been trying to make my own version of the expensive kale chips found in the store and I think I have found a couple of ways that I really like. They are both really simple and great but I do prefer the second way as it has a little more flavor.

First way. Take the leaves off the stem and wash a pat dry. Place in a bowl and drizzle a small amount of olive oil on the leaves then mix to make sure they are all evenly coated. I just use my hands because I'm a little hands on when I cook. Then place in a single layer on a baking sheet. Then bake in a 300 degree oven for 20-25 minutes. Then sprinkle them with salt and pepper to taste.

I use you could try some of these popcorn seasonings which would be a really good idea and worth a try.

The second way is to take the leaves off the stem, wash and pat dry then place them in a skillet over medium heat with a little olive oil. Cook until crisp and then add a little soy sauce and serve.

Cherries cherries everywhere

I don't get to post as much as I would like and I'm still working on trying to get the rest of the recipes I used on Mother's Day posted. But needed to do a quick update and let people know what's been going on.

Work has been a little busy and I'm working a ton right now which is fine but doesn't  leave much time for keeping my blog as active as I would like.  Life is well but right now my time to being taken up with cherries. Cherries you ask yes the really nice little fruit things. I happen to have 2 cherries in my yard and the fruit is Finally really. So I'm spending time picking washing, sorting, eating and cooking with cherries.

So far I've tried making cherry brownies and cherry cookies. I haven't tasted them yet but if they pass the test I will be posting recipes of them later.

If you ever want to see pictures of my recipes I tend to post them on my Instagram account. For some reason I have issues posting pictures on my blog. I think I'm doing it wrong. And will one day be able to figure it out but until. Then try my Instagram.

First race of the year

So today is Memorial Day and. Ask my first race of the year. It was a last minute race sign up so I had very little training. However I think I didn't do to bad. It wasn't my worst time but wasn't near my  best. I did the 5k and managed a 33.04 time. My personal best is 26.00.

Really need to try and run more to get my fitness back.

Slow cooker cheese soup.

I don't make this that often but when I do it is a big hit.

Fr this recipe you will need

2cans cream of celery soup
4 cups shredded Cheddar cheese
1 teaspoon paprika
1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
1 1/4 cups half and half
Salt and pepper to taste

In a slow cooker combine the soup, the cheese, paprika and Worcestershire sauce.

Cover and cook on low for 2-3 hours

Add half and half , stir until blended. Cover and cook for anger 20 minutes. Season to taste with the salt and pepper.

Easy white bread

For some reason I love to bake. I find it relaxing. So for the past few days my husband has been talking about getting a bread maker as he really wants to try and eat as much from scratch as he can. Now I love making bread from scratch but it does take some time which I usually don't have. Well today we my day off so craving fresh homemade bread I spent some over due time in the kitchen and made some bread for the family.

I have a book on bread making and it has a ton of different types to make. One day I will get round to trying each one of them. But today I just wanted a quick bread so I made this recipe up. It's for a white bread but I have subbed a cup of white flour with a cup of wheat once and it still worked fine.

This makes 2 loaves.

2 teaspoon yeast
1 cup warm water
2 Tbsp butter
1 cup milk
2 Tbsp sugar
1 Tbsp salt
5 1/2-6 1/2 cups flour

Pour the water into a bowl and sprinkle the yeast on top. Let this sit and stand for 5 minutes,

Meanwhile melt the butter and add this to the milk, sugar and salt. Add 1 cup of flour to the yeast mixture and then add the milk mix. Stir until it becomes a  lumpy loose batter.

Add another 4 1/2 cups of flour. Stir until a floury, shaggy dough is formed.  Turn this out onto the counter and knee the dough by hand adding a little more flour if needed until the dough is smooth, slightly tacky and forms a ball without sagging and springs back when poked.

Oil a mixing bowl and place the dough in the bowl to rise, about 1 hour. Place in a warm spot. (I turn the oven on and lower the heat to the lowest setting and place my bowl on top of that.)

Once risen divide the dough into 2. Shape these each into a loose ball. Let them rest for 10 minutes.

Grease two loaf pans. Shape each ball of dough into a loaf shape and let them rise again for 30-40 minutes.

When they are almost done rising this second time. Turn the oven up to 425 degrees. F And place the loaves in the oven. Once in. The oven turn the heat down to 375 F and bake for 30-35 minutes.

Update on life

Not much has really been happening recently I mean I hosted Mother's Day need since then it's really been work work and more work.

I did finally get a mothers days of my own tho. My lovely husband treated me to a day by myself well really 85 minutes.  Well to be truthful a little more than that. To start with he got up the kid after letting me get some much needed sleep. Phew filled the dishwasher and ran it he also made coffee so when I finally did wake up I had it waiting for me. Have I mentioned how much I love my husband.

Then after a nice peaceful morning he drove me to Salt Lake City so I could go to the salt lake film society so that I could watch the latest Tom Hardy movie Locke all by myself.

The movie is really good and I had wanting to see it since I first saw the trailer. Mind you being a Tom Hardy fan probably doesn't help. I have to say from all the searching I've done about the film I'm in the I wish it was the journey my father made. More about that at a later date as I don't want to be a spoiler. I would recommend his film to anyone. Really worth the 85 minutes of anyone's time.

Other than that  I've been working. Still liking my job but you know. Miss my family at times.

The most amazing mashed potatoes ever

So this is one of the recipes that I made for Mother's Day  when I hosted. All the family asked a copy of this recipe so here it is.

6lbs Yukon gold potatoes
1 stick slated butter
2 Tbs salted butter
2 cups milk
Chives finely chopped.
1 cup Creme Fraiche

Peel the potatoes and half them. Then boil them for 25 minutes.

Once cooked drain the water and mash the potatoes. Meanwhile while the potatoes are being mashed. In a small saucepan heat the milk and the stick of butter. Keep on a low heat until the butter is melted. Once the butter is melted add this mixture to the mashed potatoes and mix. Add the chives and then the Creme Fraiche. Mix well and then serve.

Mothers days

So this year I hosted the family for Mother's Day. My husband is one of 5. So we had 3 of his siblings  and a all of there kids and my husbands parents. So when added up it's about 20 people in total. Now I don't host family gatherings not because I don't want to but because usually I'm not in the position to be able to host either in a house that has no space to be able to have family over or I'm working or someone in else in the family hosts.

So apart from freaking out about trying to feed 20 people which my wonderful amazing husband pretty much picked the menu and helped cook all the food. I was working a ton at my new job right now. Which is going really well. I'm enjoying it finally learning everything I end to know ( at least I think I am).

Any way me and hubby love to cook so we made some fantastic food. Recipes will follow for those that are not already on my blog. Just be patient with me. We made ranch chicken, BBQ chicken with a home made BBQ sauce, Creme freche mashed potatoes and just plain old boring rice. Everything was a hit. I'm glad that everyone had fun and loved the food.

I know I know

I know I keep saying that I will post daily but time just seems to go faster and faster these days.  I have few new recipes that I need to post and a small update on just how life is right now.

So when I have some time I will do my best to catch up and try to stay on top of things.

Feeling down kinda day.

Today for some reason I'm feeling down. I don't know why. Maybe it's because it's my last day at my old job. Maybe I'm starting a depression funk again. There could be a lot of reasons as to why I'm down today.

Like I've said before I will be honest with you about my feelings and what I'm up to. So this will be a short post. Today I'm feeling down. And that's really just about it.

I have been posting a lot to hitRECord lately as they are planning on starting season 2 of the television show. People have been liking my ideas but they are from the most popular and they won't be used,but at least people are liking my stuff.

Part of an end of an era

Today will be my last shift at one of my stores. It's the store that I started at over 4 years ago. I have mixed emotions about it. I'm loving my new job, but know I will miss the job I am leaving.

I am moving on to better things and that is what I need to focus on. But my old job has been a huge part of my life for so long. I still have a few more days left at the other store. So my last day with the company won't be until later in the week.

Glad I was around

I usually fill my days with activities for the kid and housework and cooking, but after having a really busy few months today was a rest day. All activities have been cancelled for the week due to spring break and so Plan on taking the week and actually spending some quality time with the kid.

Well today I was super tried having had a restless night. And was just having a lazy day at home. When in the middle of watching toy story 3 for the first time today I heard a bang come from outside. To me it sounded like a door on a truck closing. You know the FedEx or UPS type trucks that deliver to houses. And as we were expecting a package I went to the door to check. No truck so didn't really think anything of it. My husband came up the stairs at that point. He works from home. I asked him about the bang and he thought it was me. So we opened the door to double check outside. Kid took a few steps outside and the next thing all I could hear was my name being called.

After the third name call I went outside to see who was calling me. It was my friend who lives just up the street. She had just crashed her car. That explained the bang I had heard. She was a few yards up the street from my house. I was glad that I was home to be able to her with the aftermath of the crash. She is fine by the way no one was hurt she was just shaken up. So today I was glad that I was around to be able to help my friend in her time of need.

Another busy week.

So in weekly recap. It's been yet another busy week for me. I'm starting my new job this week as well as still working my old job, at least while I work my notice.

Also been busy with family stuff as always and being a mom and wife. I did get to spend sometime with my mother in law this week and we finally managed to go out for my birthday lunch.  Now to clean the house this weekend and get the grocery shopping done.  It's always go in my house but wouldn't trade it for the world. I managed to get a few runs in this week as well. Nothing great each only about a mile but I'm able torun for longer each day so that's great.

Oatmeal banana chocolate chip bars.

I've made these a few times and these are great for a healthy yet snack when you need that chocolate fix, which I need a lot as I am a chocoholic. I make these when I'm training to help me stay on track with my diet.

1 1/2 cups whole wheat flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
2 Tablespoons coconut oil
1 cup brown sugar
2 large eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 cup ripe banana mashed
1 1/2 cups oats
1 cup semi sweet chocolate chips.

Preheat oven 350 degrees line a 10x15 inch baking pan with parchment paper and lightly grease.

In a medium bowl stir flour, baking soda and salt.

In a large bowl add coconut oil, brown sugar, eggs, vanilla and banana. Stir in flour mixture follwed by oats and chocolate chips.

Pour batter into the pan and smooth out until it's an even layer.

Bake 22 minutes or until toothpick comes out clean.

Cool completely before slicing into bars.

I made these the other day using peaches instead of banana and they still taste great. They did come out a little dry though so add more liquid to the recipe.

Oreo balls.

When It comes to the holiday season there is so much food around and so many parties that's it's hard to keep the weight off and my house is no exception.  With me being Wiccan we celebrate Yule on the 21st of December and then Christmas Day as well.

For Yule I love to make a huge roast, but after spending hours making a roast the last thing I want isa elaborate dessert, so when I found these I was over the moon. They are simple can take a little but of line but can be made the day before so are perfect.

Oreo balls.

1 pack of Oreo cookies
1 8oz block cream cheese (softened)
1 pack semi sweet chocolate chips melted.

Smash the cookies until they look like dirt. (Could put in a food processor if you have one)

 Mix in the cream cheese. Roll the mixture into balls  and then cover with the melted chocolate.

Store in the fridge.

How is the running?

Thought I should do an update on my running. Well let's just say it's pretty much no existent. I've been working so much recently that I just haven't been able to run. Either been to tried or stressed or well just plain lazy.

I'm hoping all that will be able to change soon. I just need to get my butt out I of the door and run. It will be slow it will be messy but I've got to start over again.

I did actually manage to go for a run yesterday. It wasn't the best mile but I'm proud of the fact that I did manage to run an entire half make without a break so that was good. Now just to keep getting out there and keep trying. I will get better again with more training.

Confidence in your works spell

I was recently looking for a new job. I have a great resume made calls to people hiring and the stars seemed to be lining up on a particular opportunity. 

I knew that if that things went well I cpuld actually land this opportunity based purely on my hard work and experience.  But felt like I wanted some guidance from the goddess, just to give me a boost of confidence.

So I asked around in some of the wiccan groups I'm in on Facebook and a very experienced fellow wiccan gave me this simple spell to cast.

For the following spell you will need:

A candle in your favorite color
Paper and pen
Gemstone of any kind you like

Light the candle.  Write down what it is you need help with on a peice of paper. Hold the gemstone and chant

Whatever entities that may, please help me in my travels, to be successful in (whatever it is you wrote on the paper). So mote it be.

Whenever you approach the problem you need the spell to overcome, be sure to have the gemstone with you.

I said the chant 3 times. Personally I find that the repeating of the chant helps make the spell stronger. I also had the gemstone on me throughout every stage of the application process. 

Also once I had finished the chant 3 times I placed the paper with what I needed help with into the flame of the candle and let it burn until I could no longer hold it I then dropped it into my cauldron until it had finished burning.  I like to do this as I feel it sends the energy out into the universe for others to feel.

So I publicly want to thank the goddess for her help in giving me the confidence to ensure I got this opportunity. 

Creamy round steak slow cooker

I try not to use that much red meat but sometimes I just need a little bit to satisfy that inner cave women I guess. When I crave red meat I have a few recipes that I go to and this is one of them.

Creamy round steak

1-2 lbs beef round steak or stew meat

1-2 Tablespoons canola oil. ( can use vegetable oil I just never have it in the house)

4 tablespoons onion soup mix (or 1 packet of store mix)

2 cans cream mushroom soup

Hot pasta to serve with or rice. 

Cut the meat into cubes. I use stew meat for this so it's usually always cut for me.  Heat oil in a pan and brown the meat on all sides. 

In the slow cooker combine the dry soup mix and the canned soup then add the meat. 

Cook on high for 6-7 hours.

Days off

Don't you just love days off???

Well I happened to get a Saturday off which for me is rare and I'm sure once I start my new job will be even rarer, but it was nice to be able to deep clean my house today. Catch up on laundry and basically just get the house organized.

As my regualr readers will know I like to have a clean house, but due to working so much I haven't been do get as much done as I want, or at least to my standards.

For me there's something relaxing about having a clean house.which for me is weird as I like clutter to a degree and then it gets to much and I just have to organize.

Daily Posting

Like most new years resolutions they tend to last a month if we are lucky, and it seems that my daily posting of my blog also gone.

I will try very hard again to start posting something every day again. Even if its just a quick hello.

As so often happens life gets busy and things happen and we forget about some of the things that bring us joy.

Writing my blog is one of those things that helps bring me joy. I like writing as you know and although I doubt anyone ever really reads my posts I know from the stats that someone out there does at least view my blog. Even if it is by accident.

I hope my posts help someone in someway. Even if its just hearing about my day and what I'm up to, or finding a recipe that I love and making dinner a little easier.

That's my hope any way.  Even if people don't get anything out of this blog I write it for me. Thats why i write this blog. I hope you like it to. :-)

My new haircut.

Having had nearly 6 inches cut off the bottom. I love my new haircut

Happy 30th to me

Yesterday was my 30th birthday and I have to say its not as bad as I thought it would be. At this time there is a lot of change going on in my life and maybe that's a good thing.

Today as my treat I got a new haircut. So in a break with tradition for me and my blog I will at the bottom of the this post, add a picture of my new hairstyle. Also today I'm spending time with my family.

It wasn't a day full of fun. The morning was quite nerve wracking waiting around to see if my husband still had a job or not. I am glad to say that he does still his job. Which means that is a load of stress of.  I also went to my new job and filled in some of the paperwork which makes the job offer official and I start next Friday. So looking forward to that.

It also meant that I handed in my resignation at my current old. Which was nice to be able to do.

I would love to say thanks to all my friends who came to my birthday luncheon on Wednesday and a huge thank you to Lisa for putting on an amazing spread like you always do.

Chocolate truffles

So a break with what has seemed to become a tradition with me and not posting pictures. Not done intentionally but I'm that person who always forgets there is a camera on my phone. 

But as I have a picture of this recipe I thought I would share. 

So chocolate truffles. I made these to celebrate Imbolic a Wiccan sabbat at the start of February. But these are so good that I would make them for any occasion or even as a gift just put them in a cute little bag and tie them up with some ribbon and a fancy tag. 

8oz semi sweet chocolate, coarsley chopped. ( I used chocolate chips)

1/2 cup heavy cream

4 Tablespoons unsalted butter, at room temperature 

1 tablespoon amaretto

Then to cover the truffles 

1/2 cup milk chocolate melted. ( I didn't make any with chocolate on them)

1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa

1/4 cup finely ground almonds.

Put the semi sweet chocolate in a medium size mixing bowl and set aside.

In a small saucepan, heat the cream over medium heat until hit but not quite simmering. Pour the cream over the chocolate and let stand for 3-4 minutes. Stir until smooth. 

Using a hand held electric mixer, beat in the butter and amaretto until the mixture is light and creamy. Refrigerate until firm which is about 45 minutes. 

Using a teaspoon or melon baller ( I used my cookie scoop) scoop up the chocolate mixture into heaping teaspoons and then roll them into balls using your hands. 

Then roll the balls in which ever one of the topping you want, either the melted chocolate, almonds or cocoa . Place them on   baking sheet lined with baking paper. Refrigerate until firm, which is about 39 minutes. 

The truffles will keep in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 1 week and in the freezer for up to several weeks. But mine never last that long.

Ranch chicken slow cooker

This I think may be one of my husbands top five slow cooker meals that I do. It has the ranch dressing mix in it that I make which he adores.

4 chicken breasts
4 tablespoons ranch dressing/dip mix ( or 1 packet of store mix)
1 stick butter,.

Cook in a slow cooker on low for 6 hours or on high for 2 hours.

Then in the last 30 minutes if on high turn to low and add

1 8oz package of cream cheese
2 can of cream of mushroom soup.

While the cheese is melting down I take the chicken out and shred it with two forks. And then place back into the slow cooker to mix with the sauce.

Slow cooker chicken and cream cheese chili

My sister in  law Michelle made this once for a family gathering and after 2 bowls of this I just had to have the recipe. She kindly gave it to me and here it is.

2 chicken breast
1 can rotel
2 8oz cream cheese
2 cans corn, undrained
2 cans black beans drained and rinsed
1 teaspoon cumin
1 teaspoon chili powder
4 tablespoon ranch dressing mix ( or 1 packet store mix)
1 teaspoon onion powder.

Cook chicken in the slow cooker for 2 hours on low.

Add all the other ingredients and cook for 2 more hours.

Just before serving shred the chicken with two forks. Add back to slow cooker and mix with rest of chili.

Thus makes a ton of food and I usually end up putting a load of leftovers in the freezer.

Since my reminder to myself

Since I posted that reminder to myself I have managed to be less stressed and a bit more relaxed. I still have a ton of things going on but I'm dealing with them better. I'm trying to allocate things to the girls that work for me more and just to be calm.

I'm working really hard to not do everything myself. And things have been going better. Stuff is still getting done. Maybe not as quickly as I want but they are getting done, so that is really all that matters. So things have been pretty good.

I'm hoping that's things can continue that way.

Work work work

Since December all it seems I've done it work, work and work. It's like I'm always there and always have a ton of stuff that needs to be done. This week is no acception. 

Monday I did an 11 hour shift, Tuesday was a small 5 hours, Wednesday and Thursday were also 5 hour shift and then Friday the big day of moving the store I did a 15 hour shift. 

Can we say that I'm a little tired right now. Little guy did amazing with all the hours he was at work with me. Looking forward to a little chill time and possibly a day off or two in the near future but might be waiting another week before that can happen as this week I am training my new person, let's hope that goes well. Need them trained so I can get them on the schedule and give me a day off sometime soon. 

Sorry I didn't post last week but as you can see I was a bit busy. 

How I try and deal with my depression without meds

I'm not expert, I will never claim to be an expert in anything. I go by my own experiences and that's all I can really go by. I have suffered with depression on and off for years since my teens. I do the best that I can to deal and cope without taking medications. I have never needed to take medication for my depression but they may change. In the past I have always been able to find ways to cope and deal when my depression starts showing it's ugly head. But recently it's been getting harder to cope and to deal and keep my depression at bay and I may need to talk to my doctor about starting meds, but until that day comes when my depression really starts to overtake my life I will put off taking meds. Not because there is anything wrong with taking meds it's just for me I want to try everything else that I can  for me as a personal thing taking meds is my last resort.

So the ways that I try to deal with my depression and have worked for me in the past. 

Writing. I find that writing expressing my true feelings in someone way helps me to sort through all my emotions and can help me find out why I'm feeling down. In the past I used to feel up notebook upon notebook of just random stuff. These days I actually try to write constructively. I do this blog as much as I can and I write for hitRECord as well. I always used to be scared to share my writing as I always worried what people would think about it, but then I realized you can't please everyone and maybe someone out there will what I have to say or even find comfort or inspiration from it so now I write for me and for anyone who may like what I say. 

Running. I still count myself as a new runner but for me it does help to ward off the demons that I call my depression. Exercise really does help. The more I move around the less I feel down, I mean I still feel down but i feel that I'm not as bad as the days I sit on the sofa and do nothing or the days I try to spend in bed. 

Carry on as normal. I try to do the best that I can to carry on as much as I possibly can. It's hard some days. Some days u do just want the world to swallow me up, but the more you try to do the better it can be. Get up and have a shower. Get dressed, try to but jeans on and not your comfy clothes. Make the effort it's hard but it will make you feel a bit better. Cook something anything which can be a problem. For me when my depression hits my eating can go one of two ways. I cad neither not stop eating the problem however is it's all junk food and that's all I want to eat, cookies, chocolate, chips the usual comfort food. Or it can go the opposite way and I don't want to eat at all. However your eating goes try to eat something that you fancy, if your on a junk food kick try to eat something a bit healthier. If not eating eat something that you really want. I also try to do some housework or just spend sometime playing with my kid. 

Sometimes doing something nice for yourself can help. For me it can just be having a long shower and washing my hair, it could be wearing makeup one day. I never wear makeup so the days I do wear it helps pick me up. Just do something nice for me.

There is no set way to help make sure self feel better. In fact there are times when even all these fail but the point is sitting on the sofa or lying in bed all day is just going to me worse so I try to do as many things as I can. 

This is how I try my best to deal with my depression. Everyone is different and what works for one person won't work for everyone. This is my guide. If it helps you great 

Reminder to myself

Today I need a personal reminder that I am doing the best that I can. Everyone is. I have many things going on right now and giving myself a guilt trip and allowing my low self esteem to take over is not helping.

I need to remember that I am a good wife, I am a good mom and that at work I need to let other people actually do some of the work instead of doing it all myself. I mean that is why you have employees is to let them do some of the work isn't it?

I need to ask for help when I need it and actually let people help me. I basically need to learn to let go, ask for help and to trust people. I am not superwoman. I can not do everything by myself, sometimes we need help from people. I need to remember this more often. My problem is I try to do it all myself and then I get frustrated that I don't get it all done and that in turns stresses me out.

It's perfectly fine to admit that you can't do it all. Asking for help is not weakness. Asking for help is a strength. Just don't take advantage of people, which I don't because people know that when I ask for help I really need help, and it takes a lot for me to ask for help.

So I'm writing this today as a reminder to myself. Stop stressing. Your doing the best you can. Just let go. You can't do everything and you know what that is totally fine.Your doing what you can that's all that anyone can ask of you. Stop being your own worst enemy and give yourself a break, you deserve it.

Tator tot casserole.

I am big fan of Tator tots. The little round plump potato things. Crispy on the outside and soft and moist on the inside. I thought the only way to eat them was fried and coated in fry sauce. Until one day a friend told me about Tator tot casserole. And a new kind of love for the Tator tot happened. Here is my version of Tator tot casserole.

2lbs of Tator tots
1 can of cream of mushroom soup
1 can of cream of chicken soup
 1 lb ground beef
1 can green beans
1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese.

I cook up the ground beef making sure it's nice and brown and then drain off any fat that there might be. While the meat is cooking in a big mixing bowl I add all the other ingredients then add the meat once cooked. I mix everything in the bowl and then place it into a greased casserole dish. I tend to add an extra 1/2 cup of cheese on top of the whole thing.

Place in oven for 45 minutes at 350 degrees.

I actually made this for dinner tonight.

February movie night

I actually managed to get a night off work. Surprised I know. Well after I went and had my eyes tested we went home and has a movie night. As a family we watched Thor a dark world and gravity.

I really liked Thor and was glad that I finally managed to finish it. We went as a family to the movie theater to go and see it but kidlet didn't last more than about 30 minutes into the movie before I had to leave and take him to the park.

We recently purchased Thor on blu ray and one night whilst stay up with sick kidlet I managed to get an hour into e film. So I was really glad to finally be able to watch the whole film. I actually really like the avenger series of movies and my favorite character/ actor in them is Loki aka Tom Hiddlestone.

Gravity was also another film we managed to watch. It's pretty intense. It's a short movie and I liked it but it's not one of those movies that I would be rushing to go and see again.

Off course.

I've realized that since I took the break from the blog that I didn't plan of taking my blog has gone completely off course. So to get it back on course. I am making a pledge to be honest with you. To post exactly how I'm feeling and what I'm getting up to.

I will however still refrain from talking about my child. That subject is out of bounds. Sorry for people my if my kid wants to be in my blog that is up them to decide. As with most things online once it's posted it's forever. So when my kid is older enough to decide if they want to be part of my blog then they can be until then. Sorry you just have to deal with me.

Recently I have been struggling with my depression. It's mainly because I've been stressed and stress is a factor that makes my depression worse. Things should hopefully go back to normal once things have calmed down.

Right now I'm trying to hire again for one of my stores so picking up all those shifts, and then my other store is moving locations within the mall so I have to deal with as well. All stuff that will be over with in a few weeks. So things will go back to normal for me. If there is such a thing as normal.

Dry onion soup mix.

As you know I try to make things from scratch when I can. Doesn't always happen but I try.  Well I thought I would share this.

Dry onion soup mix.

2/3 cup  dried, minced onion

3 Tablespoon parsley flakes

2 Teaspoon onion powder

2 Teaspoon Turmeric 

1 Teaspoon celery salt

1 Teaspoon Sea Salt

1 Teaspoon Sugar

1/2 Teaspoon ground black pepper 

Mix everything in a by giving it a good shake.

Shake jar before each use.  4 Tablespoon = 1 soup packet.

I use this in my slow cooker cranberry chicken that I make.

Ranch dressing/ dip

I love ranch dressing. Never had it until I moved to the states. We don't have it in the UK. Or at least I never saw or heard of it in the almost 25 years that I lived over there. So when I first tried it I fell in love with it and aways try to find recipes that I can use ranch dressing or dip in.

But being me and trying to make as much of my food from scratch when I have time for numerous reason such as I think it's healthier as you know exactly what is in you food and also it tends to be cheaper the more you make from scratch. So when I finally found a ranch dressing /dip recipe I had to give it a try. It quickly become my families favorite ranch dressing in the world. And use it all the time for so many things from sandwiches to main meals. 

So how to make ranch dressing/dip from scratch. I make a ton up and store the dry version in a jar so I can just make up dressing as and when I need it. 

5 Tablespoons dried minced onions

7 Teaspoons parsley flakes

4 teaspoons salt

1 teaspoon Garlic powder 

Mix everything in a jar and store. Shake jar before each use to ensure that all ingredients are mixed. 

To make dressing just add 2 tablespoons of mix to 1 cup of mayo and 1 cup of sour cream. 

To make dip add 2 tablespoons of mix to 2 cups of sour cream. 

Always make the dressing and or dip up a few hours before needed so the flavors can blend.   

Group 42 week 3

Group 42 is on hold right now. Not that I'm not wanting to lose weight I am and will always be trying to lead a healthier life, but I've recently been sick again. And so is my family, like on antibiotics sick.

Also and I'm not making excuses right now although I know it does look like that I am, but my depression is getting the best of me. I'm working as hard as I can to deal with current episode and so my diet isn't it's best and I'm just eating what sounds good to me. Which just eating some days can be a battle. So I'm doing what I can to fight my depression. That is enough for me right now without having to count points.

Depression.

I suffer from depression I have done for years, since my teens in fact. There are many ways of dealing with it and there is no one cure.

I just wanted to let people out there know that if you to are suffering with depression you are not alone. And having depression is nothing to be ashamed of. People are always there willing to help you if you need it, just let them know that you need the help and what they can do. Unfortunately we are not mind readers.

I do my best to not let depression win the daily battle but sometimes it happens and it does take over.

Cranberry chicken.

This is one of the easiest recipes ever and I just happened to make it up. And its actually really good.

I tend to go grocery shopping once every two weeks. I make a meal plan and I try to get the most meals I can out one ingredient or try to stretch one meal and freeze leftovers for days when time gets away from me.

So every two weeks I when I shop at Costco I buy a rotisserie chicken. That's $5 and I can get three meals out of it. The day we shop I use one breast and we have chicken and lettuce and have chicken salad.

The next day I throw half the chicken that I've saved  into slow cooker along with some other ingredients and I have this really nice simple dinner.  I tend to serve what I call cranberry chicken with mashed potatoes and a vegetable of some kind but it works well with rice too. 

Cranberry chicken. 

About a 1/3 of a whole chicken. 

One can jelled cranberry sauce

4 Tablespoon of dry onion soup mix. ( I make my own soup mix, but it equals about one packet of the store brought)

So all I do it throw everything into the slow cooker and cook on low for about 4 hours. Just want the cranberry to melt into a sauce and everything to be hot. 

That's it. It really is simple. Even my kid who really doesn't eat meat at all will eat a few bites of this.

Jazzed up tomato soup

My go to meal when I run out of food in my house or when I really don't want to do a big production is grilled cheese and tomato soup. One day I tried jazzing up the soup and it went over well. So the next time you make tomato soup from a can or carton try jazzing it up a bit for a new twist on plain tomato soup and grilled cheese.


Take 2 cups of tomato soup and add

1/4 cup half and half
1/2 teaspoon dried basil
1/8 teaspoon ground black pepper
And then add in
2 Tablespoons Parmesan cheese.

Cook thoroughly.

French chicken sandwich

I love to make simple food that tastes great. I love to cook and bake but now I'm a mom I love to spend quality time with my kid more, so fast simple food is always a hit for me. And this French chicken sandwich fits those categories perfectly.

What you need.

1 French bread
Strips of grilled chicken. (I use about 1 chicken breasts worth but also grill up two as it makes a great snack in my house)
Shredded mozzarella,
Ranch dressing ( I use my homemade ranch which is perfect for this.)

Slice the French bread lengthwise and open it up .

Spread ranch dressing all over the bread.

Pace grilled chicken strips over the bread.

Sprinkle on the cheese, wrap in foil and place in oven for about 15 minutes at 350 degrees.


Can serve with a salad if out want.

What's with all the recipes,

I didn't mean for it to happen but I use my blog has sort of in a way filled up with recipes.  Cooking and baking for me is a way of coping a little with my depression. So when I come across recipes that I love I want to share them so that everyone can eat great simple food. Which makes me happy thinking that someone will have a nice dinner tonight because they found a recipe on my blog.

 I have found most of these recipes over the years or they have been given to me by friends or family. I can not remember where most them come from. I have a book of hand written recipes from years of trying things out. I will say that if the recipe is your please tell me so I can credit it to you.

Also I will only post recipes that I have personally tried and liked. That way you will always know that it is a good recipe. I will also tell you any adjustments I make any recipes so that you can make them as well if so desired.  

Life got in the way.

I'm sorry to all my regular readers in the fact that I haven't been updating the blog. Life got the best of me and I've been dealing with a lot of things recently. I am deeply sorry for that.  

Work had been crazy and it's about to get really crazy again, so if I go quite again for a bit I'm sorry. Also if you don't know I suffer from depression. I try very hard every day not to let it get the better of me but sometimes no matter what it just happens. I don't take meds for my depression, as I try to deal with it other ways. But still I lose the fight sometimes. 

I have also been sick. I got a really bad cold which may have been bronchitis again, but didn't go to the doctor so will never know for sure. I hope you guys are still out there and haven't let me. 

Still here

I feel like I have been neglecting my blog the past week. I'm sorry. I have just been so busy at work and with sick family that I have not been able to dedicate as much time as I've wanted to writing good quality posts. For this I am terribly sorry.

I have several posts that I am working on but they require a bit more research and more editing. I have a few recipes that I am working on that my family has loved and I am trying to write them up. I'm also still working on the Wicca posts that I keep promising. They are coming. Please just give me some time.

I'm currently not working on any of my other projects either, so please take heart that they are not getting priority over you, my readers. If I can call you guys my readers.

It's mainly work that is taking up my time, busy lots of things at work in the pipeline and being manager they need my attention.

Again my apologies. I'm doing what I can.

Why I blog

I blog for my family. I blog for therapy. I blog my interests. I blog the food I like. I blog my beliefs. I blog as a diary. I blog for my friends. I blog to talk to people. I blog for me.

These are some of the reasons I blog. Why do you? 

Group 42 week 2 results,

I didn't track, much this week. My whole house has been sick. Including me. So I. Don't have any results for this.

Lazy sunday

There is nothing like a lazy Sunday. Just chilling in front of the TV. Spending time with the family. That's my day today. Hope you all have a pleasant Sunday.

Excited

So as some of you know I've been posting some of my writing on the is cool website called hitRECord.org

Well today someone actually said they liked some of my work. This made me over the moon. So excited. No one has ever said that they have liked my work before. I mean I'm loving doing this blog but no one ever comments on it, so I don't know if you guys like it or not. I know I should probably post more pictures, but I tend to post on the go so it's a little hard to post pictures all the time.

But I can't believe it someone actually liked my work. In fact two people liked my work. Two different people said that they liked my work. They both liked the same piece of work that I have posted. I've posted a few items on the site, admittedly I feel that out of it is not my best work, and they could be worked on some more but that is part of the site for you to post your work on the site and let other people either remix it by adding or doing something with it or by getting some inspiration from it.

Semi famous.

So I'm at work yesterday doing the inventory which has to be done every month and this film crew walk in my store. Which you know totally out of the normal for me.

Well turns out they are a new crew and wanted to film a couple shopping in my store who are baby shopping. I don't know all the details of the new story but, it made a change from the normal. The news story probably won't see the light of day, but it was kind of interesting to say the least.

Slow cooker chicken and dressing

This is another one of my families favorites slow cooker recipes. For this recipe you will need:

4 boneless skinless chicken breasts
Salt and black pepper to season the chicken
4 slices of Swiss cheese
1 can of chicken broth
2 cans of cream of mushroom soup, (can use cream chicken or celery).
3 cups packaged stuffing mix.
1/2 cup (1 stick) butter, melted

Place the chicken breast in the slow cooker. Season each breast with salt and pepper.

Top each chicken breast with a slice of Swiss cheese. Add the broth and the canned soup. Sprinkle the stuffing mix on top and then pour on the melted butter.

Cover and cook on LOW 6-8 hours HIGH 3-4 hours.


As is typical fashion for me. I found that 3 cups of stuffing mix is about one and a half packets of stuffing mix. So I added 2 boxes of stuffing mix and then added a second can of chicken broth.

Other writing project.

Having had some feedback about the other writing project that I'm working on, I have some ideas on how to continue, so hoping that I might be able to get over my writers block.

Now just need to sit down and work on it. I don't want to go into details of what it is I'm working one just yet as it's still to new in development. But I'm hoping it works.

I'm still cooking a ton of great food. Will share more recipes when I get a chance. And still studying a lot of Wicca. Still working a few Wiccan related posts. Want to make sure the information I give is correct. The whole Wiccan rede thing. As I'm still learning I would hate it think that any Wiccan related information I've given would give harm to anyone. So I take my time in planning all posts relating to that subject.

Otherwise things are going well for me. Hope you are all well out there in the world,

Blessed be.

Writers block

As a writer, if you can even call me that. I try my hand at writing is the best way to put it. There is nothing worse than writers block.

One of the projects that I'm working on is giving me a bit of block. I know where I want to go with the story but can't seem to get past one point in.

Thing is I never would have thought that it would effect other writing projects of mine. I mean I'm currently finding it hard to think of some posts to write for my blog and the other writing projects I'm trying to do are just taking a back sit. I just can't seem to get over this one point and it's sort of bugging me.

So I apologize, and please bear with me on the blog posts while I try to sort out this writers block that is going on.

Update on running

So as you guys know I started running again. I'm currently trying to work my through the couch to 5k program that I use.

Well I'm currently on week 4. And I have to say this time working my through the program I'm actually finding it a little hard.  I'm struggling a bit to get through week 3 and week 4 is in a way kicking my butt. I'm finding it hard to believe I ran a half marathon in September. But as is life if you don't practice your skills you lose your ability to do them as well as you could. And my running is the same.

I'll keep at it and I will get back to half marathon status again. I'm thinking of trying to do another half this year but so many to chose from I can't decide which one to do.

Group 42 week one results

So in an earlier post I said I was thinking about starting up this group 42 fitness idea again. Well I did and I did really well, until the weekend and well, it all sort of fell apart.

My total points for the week are 36. I went over my calories Friday and Saturday due to wanting to have a few alcoholic drinks, and Sunday was a complete disaster but I hold the champion football games  and need for pizza during football and the reason. I also didn't get my water or go for a run on Sunday. I will try better his week.

Maybe one week I'll get a perfect 42

Slow cooker chicken mushroom Alfredo

Since I moved to the states I've always had a small love for the slow cooker. My problem is I've never been a big fan of soups. So finding a hit recipe for the slow cooker that is not a soup is a win for me.

Today I'm doing Chicken mushroom Alfredo in the slow cooker. It's a simple recipe and smells amazing. And tastes it to. So here is the recipe.

1 1/2 lbs chicken breasts. (I used 2 and that worked out about just right)
2 packages of cretinism mushrooms (I cut mine into long quarters)
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
2 packages of cream cheese (8oz size)
2 sticks of butter
1 1/2 cups of Parmesan cheese
1 1/2 cups milk
Pasta one box of.

Spray the crock pot with non stick spray. Cut the chicken into strips and then add to the crock pot in a single layer. Place the mushrooms evenly over the chicken and then season with salt, pepper and the garlic powder.

In a medium sized saucepan place the cream cheese, butter, Parmesan cheese and milk, stir together over medium heat. Whisk the sauce continuously until smooth and heated through.

Pour the sauce mixture over the chicken and mushrooms, pushing down any mushrooms that float to the top. Cover and cook on LOW 4-5 hours.

When ready to serve cook the pasta according to the instructions on the box. Either spoon desired amount of sauce on top of pasta or you can add the pasta to the slow core and mix covering the pasta in sauce.

If wanted you can serve with extra Parmesan cheese.

Now my family loved this. And we can't wait to do this again. But there are some changes that I will make. For expat I will add more garlic powder at the beginning. I would also cut down the butter to maybe one stick. But I haven't tried these adjustments out yet so I don't know how different it will make.

Quick note

Today I've been really busy trying to get my house clean. Did a lot but not all of it.

I also consecrated my all the tools I have so far my Wicca altar. I'm just getting things slowly. Because the most important tool in Wicca is yourself.

I will post the ritual I did once I've written up my notes myself

I'm sorry

I need to apologize for not getting a post posted yesterday. I wanted to post about this customer that I had in the store but my husband warned against it as it's still ongoing.

So after I deleted what I written for that post I got busy with family things and just didn't find the time to get another post written.

I'm sorry. But there are some days when I post twice so that in a way i guess helps makes up for the missing post.

Running, couch to 5k.

I call myself a runner, my husband calls me a part time runner or a fair weather runner. Only because I find it hard To run in the winter. So I started trying to run in winter just to prove him wrong, well also because I was getting fed up with my weight going up and up and up.

So I started my couch to 5k program that I have used several times now. In fact it's the reason I was able to run my half marathon. If it wasn't for this program I wouldn't be what I call myself a runner.

Its a really great program and really simple. You start off by doing a combination of walking and running and gradually build up your running time till you can run for a whole 30 minutes. I love it. Also when I get my endurance back after breaks from running I use it for speed work. By running as fast as I can for the running intervals and then catching my breath back on the walking breaks.

The program is a podcast called running mate 101.  Here is a link to the site.

http://myrunningmate.com/5k101/

It's free so hop on the link and download the program. It's an 8 week course. But trust me the first time I did it it took me 20 weeks to complete. I wondered why it took me so long then remembered I do every training day with the kidlet in the stroller. But I kept at it a completed the whole thing. In fact I've done the program several times now.

HitRECord

I finally did it. I finally put myself out there. Your wondering what on earth I'm talking about. Last year was a reading year for me. This year is turning out to be a writing year for me. Not only am I working on my blog, but I'm working on a few other written projects. These projects I'm planning on posting on a little website called hitRECord.

If your wondering what hitRECord is all about, check out the following link.

www.hitrecord.org

I heard about this company a few years ago but was always worried about posting my work out there. I worried that people wouldn't like my ideas or my work. I'm not the most out going person and it's really hard for me to put myself out there. But this year for me is all about breaking out of my boundaries and pushing myself. So today I joined the site and posted my first piece of writing.

It's not my best bit of work. But it's not the worst and so what what if no one likes it, at least I'm trying right? Not every idea you have is a good one. But maybe just maybe someone will like something that I post and be able to use it, or maybe it inspires them. Who knows what might happen.

Slow cooker sesame chicken

I  love my slow cooker. I can't get around it.  Slow cookers just making the life of a working mom (ok even though I only work part time) so much easier. Just throw everything in the pot in the morning and presto dinner or in the case of my family lunch.

So here is another one of my families favorite recipes.  Slow cooker Sesame chicken.  I originally found this recipe online but can't seem to find it again, so if this happens to be your recipe please let me know so I can credit you with the glory of this greatness.

This version serves 4 about 1 cup size serving.

2 chicken breasts
1/2 an onion, finely chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
1/2 cup honey
1/2 cup low sodium soy sauce, ( you want low sodium otherwise it comes out a little salty, I know I tried regular the first time)
4 Tbs tomato purée/paste
2 tsp sesame oil
3 tsp  cornstarch/ (cornflour in the UK)
1/4 cup water
2 packets frozen broccoli
Rice to serve.


Place the chicken in the slow cooker.

Combine the onion, garlic, honey, soy sauce, tomato pure and oil in a bowl and then pour on top of the chicken. Or if your like me I just throw the ingredients one by one on top of the chicken and let them blend while cooking, but that's just me.

Cook this on low for at least 5 hours turning from time to time to make sure the chicken gets evenly coated.  Then about 20 minutes before I want to eat I out the rice on to cook. I also take out the chicken breasts and shred them with two forks. I then add the cornstarch to the water to make a slurry and add that to the sauce in the slow cooker so that it can thicken.

Once the chicken is shredded it goes back in to the sauce thickening sauce. I personal like to boil my broccoli rather than pan fry it, but either option is good. Once the rice is cooked. I serve.

What color candle should I use?

In Wicca the color of the candle that you use for rituals and spells is important. Each color represents different qualities or properties, that you would need or use in the spell that you want to cast.

The following is a list of what each color means. By far not a complete and comprehensive list but it will give you a basic idea.

White: Peace, innocence,  the Goddess, purity and truth. Also white can be used in place of any other color.

Black: Binding, protection,repels negativity and can be used for banishment.

Brown: Special favors, to influence friendships and for earth or animal related workings. 

Silver: The Goddess, astral energy, female energy, intuition, dreams, reflection and lunar connections. 

Purple: Luck in finances, hidden knowledge, spiritual power, and ambition. 

Blue: Element of Water, wisdom, protection from evil, calm, good fortune (my understanding is that for these you can use either light blue or dark blue). 

Light Blue: Health, patience and understanding. 

Dark Blue: Depression and vulnerability.

Green: Fertlity, luck, the element of Earth, physical  healing, monetary success, Mother Earth, growth, personal goals and abundance. 

Pink: Love, affection, romance, caring, nutruing and friendship. 

Red: Element of Fire, passion, strength, fast action, career goals, lust, driving force, survival, blood of the moon, courage, sexual potency and health. 

Orange: General success, property deals, legal matters, justice, selling, career matters, attraction and encouragement. 

Copper: Professional growth, business fertlity, career maneuvers, passion and money goals. 

Gold: The God, promote winning, power of the male, happiness, financial gain, business endeavors and solar connections. 

Yellow: The element of Air, intelligence, the sun, memory, logical imagination, accelerate learning, break mental blocks, persuasion and protection. 

So there you have it. This is just a basic list, but it's a start for you all. 

Just a chili day

Today I was off work again. But we had a busy morning. I managed to get a quick well really a slow 2 miles in before we went to work to finish training the new girl. After that we went to storytime.

Kidlet really likes storytime and missed it while the holidays were on.  Other than that it's been a slow day just chilling and spending time with the family. Back to work tomorrow.  So enjoying my family time while I still can.

So there you have my boring day. I also did laundry. For all you that want to know. And managed to fit in my yearly Pap test at my obgyn's office.

Family night out, part 1

It's rare that I get a whole weekend off work. But it just so happens that this weekend is one of them. So we decided to go out and do something. Now where I live there really isn't that much to do around here, but there is this little place called the nickelcade. It's like an arcade and servers pizza and has laser tag.

We decided to tame kidlet there for the first time. He had a blast. Loved it. So many games involve throwing balls and which toddler doesn't like throwing balls around, and then there is the whole putting money in the machines. Kidlet loves putting coins into machines so was in heaven. We got a ton of tickets that you can trade in for prizes. We got kid let candy as most of the prizes were not suitable for the age of kidlet. Also with the diet that kidlet eats which is mainly fruit and vegetables a little candy once in a while I feel isn't a bad thing when in moderation.

After spending a few hours playing games we  went and had dinner out. Poor kidlet was so tired from all the fun fell asleep on the way home. It's was a great night just spending time with kidlet and watching kidlet have some much fun.

Family weekend part 2.

Like I said earlier, working retail I never tend to get weekends off. This weekend was an exception. I managed to get the whole weekend off. As I posted yesterday we went out to family fun area and had tons of fun.

Today hubby spoilt me by taking me to happy sumo. Happy sumo is this amazing sushi place and they do half price sushi on Sundays which is just as well with how much me and hubby love sushi. It didn't always used to be like that, in fact he used to have to drag me kicking and screaming (not literally, but you get the idea). His favorite food is sushi and only has it has a treat. I didn't like it. But it was more the idea of it then the actual food. Then I tired it and slowly started falling in love with it. Which is great as now I have something that me and hubby can enjoy together.

Oh how I missed thee running that is.

Sick of being down about putting weight on, I finally went for a run. Was only planning a quick one round the block without kidlet. But when kidlet insisted on coming how could I say no.

So my quick run to get me out of my funk which was only going to be a quick mile needed up being just over 2 very slow for me miles with the stroller in the ice. My legs hurt my lungs hurt (bronchitis over holidays didn't help) but it felt awesome. Now to keep it up. I forgot how amazing the feeling of running is. It's not pretty, there are some tears, lots of sweat but the feeling it gives you is so worth it.

Just need to remember. Anything is better than nothing. Just wrap up kidlet well with layers and blankets and kidlet will be totally fine.

Don Jon, Sherlock Holmes and others

Last night I finally got to watch Don Jon. I have to say it is one of funniest movies I've seen for a long time. And each character is cast so perfectly. Joseph Gordon-Levitt did an amazing job directing. And the script was witty and a great original concept, which was also written by Joseph Gordon-Levitt. This is one film that I will be watching again and again.

While I'm on the subject of films and generally television. I'm looking forward to season 3 of Sherlock coming out. You know the one staring the wonderful Benedict Cumberbatch. Now I like Sherlock and have watched quite a few adaptations of the book, (I still need to read the book) and so far my favorite versions have been Robert Downey Jr and Benedict Cumberbatch.  I'm actually still working my way through season 2 of the Cumberbatch version but have loved every second of what I've seen.

I don't really get to watch much television these days as I'm either working or spending time with my kidlet. The little television that I do watch tends to be kids television. So when I find a program or film I love you know it's got to be good.

If I ever became an actress. Which I doubt will ever happen as I'm to fat for Hollywood, and not pretty enough. My dream role would be to play Harlequin in Batman. But thinking about it even if I did become an actress by the time they relaunch Batman in about 10 years I would be to old to play that character.

On the subject of Batman. Christopher Nolan's version is my favourite.  But I am looking forward to seeing how Ben Affleck does as the capped crusader. 

Ben Affleck can be very hit or miss but I personally feel he has gotten better over the years. And some of the best movies he has ever done have been the movies he has directed or been involved in writing.

I've tried my hand at writting as I feel ive had some ideas that would make for some interesting films but I wouldnt know where to start so haven't tried. Maybe I should try. Not that I ever expect them to go anywhere but to at least say that I followed my heart and wrote what was true to me.

Give a while and watch this space and see what happens on this if anything.

Winter

I love winter. To me it's just so romantic. There is just something about snow falling outside, and being snuggled up inside wrapped in blankets with a good book sitting in front of a log fire. But reality is completely different.

This year which is a first for me I'm so done with the the snow and ice and can't wait for it to be spring again. After wrecking my car early in December, I'm not  confident in driving in the conditions right now, but still need to get to work. So still have to drive no matter what.

Also I miss running and can't wait to get back out there. I know people run all year in all kinds of weather but I worry about kidlet stuck in the stroller, so running doesn't happen really in the winter months which does suck.

More variety

So this blog is about me and my intrests and my every day life. It's about the things that I get up to on what I feel is my boring life.

Take today for example. 11 hour shift at work. Had kidlet the whole time. Kid let did great but I'm so glad to be home. I love running and I'm studying Wicca. I count myself as Wiccan but like I've said before I'm still learning.  I plan to talk more about my Wicca when I get a chance, however right now I'm looking at how fat I am and how I need to be healthier, as is common with most New Years.

I am planning a few more Wicca related posts over the next few days. So watch this space for them.

Group 42

I used to belong to, well actually I still belong to a group on Facebook that my one of my friends started. It's called group 42 because of the possible points you can get every week. It's a weight lose group but it's more for encouragement then anything else.

The reason I'm talking about it is because I'm thinking of starting up again. As in counting my points each week and recording them on here. How it works is every day you can get a point for each of the following,  getting 8 hours of sleep each night, drinking your 8 glasses of water each day, not eating sugar ( as in not eating candy, chocolate and cakes), exercise, staying within your calorie allowance each day and lastly not eating after 7pm.

The basic idea is that if you follow each of these everyday you should in turn start to lose weight, and also be leading a healthier lifestyle.I liked doing this when the whole group was doing it and even restarted it with a couple of people after everyone had stopped after a few months.  I'm going to think about it's for the rest of the week and let you know if I decide to start this up again. This is just a simple way to motivate me. And posting my weekly totals and any weight lose on my blog might be enough to keep me going as I then have the accountably.This week I'm working with my jawbone. But this in addition to the jawbone would be a really good idea.

What do you guys think?

Fitness and diet.

If any of you know me before I had my kid I was big like huge. I was 225lb. After giving birth I lost a ton of weight and dropped down to 156lb at my smallest. However over the past year I have managed to gain half of the weight back and I'm now currently around 180lb ish depends on the day.

I never managed to reach my weight lose goal which was to be 145lb. I was nearly there. So with the new year and with hubby making some lifestyle changes I am going to get to my goal weight. Maybe not this year but I will get there. I'm going to do my best this year.

Hubby got me a jawbone up. Only had it about 24 hours right now. But so far I like it. It helps keep me active with the idle reminder and tracks to make sure I'm getting enough sleep. Also I can track my diet to make sure that stays on track. And the best thing I don't even know that I'm wearing it until it vibrates. So for me so far an all round plus.

Let's see how it goes. I need to start running again. But it snowed again today. Looking to buy a treadmill. I will get one day.

My first Wiccan ritual

So on New Year's Eve I did my first Wiccan ritual. I did a new beginnings ritual to see in the new year on a positive note. 

As this was my first ritual and I was nervous to make sure it went well I followed a basic idea from Patti Wiginton who is the wonderful author of paganwiccan.about.com. I love her articles as they are so informative and suitable for every level. I changed the ritual to work with what I wanted to do and changed the wording around but the basic structure came from Patti. I was also still sick so wasn't really able to completely write my own ritual. 

So this is what I did. For this ritual I used. Incense, a black candle, a green candle, paper, pen and a fireproof bowl or cauldron. So firstly I double checked that I had everything that I would need for the ritual. Once I knew I had everything in place I grounded myself by meditating. Once I was ready to start I lit my incense. Now this time I used vanilla incense. I only did this because I find the smell relaxing. But in the future I will try to use incense more designed for the purpose of my ritual. I may post what the different incenses are for at a later date.

I then lit the black candle and watched the flame for a while. While watching the flame I thought about all the negative things that had happened over the past year. I also thought about the negative traits that I have that I want to get rid of and any things that I felt had held me back this year. I wrote all of these down on some paper then when ready I lit the paper in fire with the flame of the black candle. I placed the paper in the fireproof bowl so that it could completely burn. While it was burning I said the following on repeat until the paper had stopped burning. " you are my past I send you away, far away from me, you will no longer hold me back, I banish you, you are banished."

Once the paper was completely burnt. I extinguished the black candle and lit the green candle.  This
time as I watched the flame I thought about all the things I want to achieve this year. All the ways I
can be a better person and tried to set some goals to work on. I wrote all these down on some paper. I then lit the paper using the flame of the green candle. As this piece of paper burnt I said " now is the time for change, time to be a better person, time to be true to myself.  I am strong secure and confident. I am asking for assistance and guidance from the universe to help this year. To help me be who I want to be to help me with my goals. I send my goals put there in this fire and smoke. I know I can be better. "

Once the paper had completely burnt in the fireproof bowl I meditated a little longer. When I was done I extinguished the green candle. I took the bowl of ashes outside and let them scatter into the wind be outside in the universe.

Things that I will would do differently next time. I will cast a circle to help keep me protected while doing ritual work. I will also consecrate my candles, to ensure they are charged with my energy. And 
I would also ask a specific god and goddess for help instead of the universe. The only reason I didn't do that this time is because I'm still researching with god and goddess I'm most connected to. 

So there you have it.

11 hour shift

I'm working on a few lengthy in detail post which I plan to post over the next few days. Today please beat with me on the small not very interesting post.

I'm stuck at work for 11 hours and I'm training so its hard to really type a post.

Yes you heard I'm training, which means I hired. Will see how it goes with the new person.

Hats hats hats

This is a very bad selfie of my wearing one of the hats that I have made.

I'm wondering what people thing about  them. Do you like them? How would you feel about receiving one as a gift? Like I've said before I can get at least 2 out of each ball of yarn and so I'm getting a little collection of ones that I won't use. I don't think I could sell them.  I'm not the best crocheter in the world. But I'm thinking of giving them as gifts what do you think. 

Bucket list.

Last new year I set up my bucket list. A list of things that I wanted to do or achieve before I died. Not that I'm planning on dying anytime soon. Some things on the list were easy and some things I don't know if I will ever achieve but I will try.

So far I have 81 things on my list. I would love to make it an even 100,  but still trying to think of last 20 or so. In the year 2013 I managed to cross off  7 items from my original 81.  I wonder how many I cross off this year. Some are on going like read all the books on my book list. Well as my book list is 5 pages long it will take some time. Same with my watch all the movies on my movie list. That again is a long list and will take some time to finish. Probably doesn't help that I keep adding to both of these lists. Others involve trips around the country and around the world. I'll travel one day. Always wanted to travel and will get to it sometime. Been a dream of mine to travel. I just haven't been able to do so yet.

The items on my list that I managed to cross off were run a half marathon. I did this on September 14th. My time was 2 hours 19 minutes and 07 seconds. This is a little way off my ultimate time goal but I don't think to bad for my first half. And I only started running June 2012.

Another item crossed off the list was to crochet something to wear. Now I have been knitting fora. Few years and have made several items. I learned to crochet as well but for some reason I always had problems understanding crochet patterns. So I set myself the goal of following a pattern and making something to wear. I completed my first hat on September 24th. And haven't stopped making them since.

Being Wiccan I have a love for the earth and trying to grow plants and flowers. My problem is I don't have a green thumb at all. In the past whenever I have tried to grow something it always dies no matter how hard I try. Well with a little help from my very green fingered Mother in Law I managed to have a small vegetable patch over the summer.  It wasn't big but we had quite a good harvest. I planted some peas. A cherry tomato plant a big boy tomato plant and a bell pepper. The only pepper that I got fell off while I was out of town for a weekend over the summer. The peas where delicious. The big boy tomato plant gave a small harvest, but was drowned out by the cherry tomato plant. Which for some reason became the biggest tomato plant I had ever seen, and according to my Mother in Law the biggest she had ever seen. We got a ton of tomatoes off that one plant alone.

Some of the simple things on my bucket list are just to try different kinds of foods. One of them was eggs Benedict. Tried that liked them would eat them again.

I love food and I love great food so it's no surprise that I have want to eat at some of the worlds most famous chefs restaurants. I would love to eat at a Gordan Ramsay restaurant, a Jamie Oliver restaurant and a Bobby Flay restaurant. All of these are on my list. But I was lucky enough to eat at Bobby Flay's Meza Grill in Las Vegas.  The food was amazing. Totally have to go again. Also while on the same trip to Las Vegas I saw my first real music concert. I got to see The Who live in concert. Loved it one of the best days of my life. The whole experience was phenomenal.

Unfortunately this year with sickness in hours over all of the holiday season we were unable to go to the family thanksgiving meal. So this allowed me to cross off make an entire thanksgiving meal from scratch off my list.

So it leaves me wondering this year. What will I cross off this year???

Cleaning

The first day I get off I'm the new year is always a cleaning day. Mainly because I work so much over the holiday season that the house just seems to never quite be organized.

So today I basically just cleaned my house. Boring I know but it needs to be done. So let's see if we can make my life sound more interesting. Nope sorry can't think of anything. I really do lead a boring life. I'm still studying my Wicca when I get a chance. And work is well work. Still trying to hire someone for one of my stores. I have someone in mind but still have another person to interview. So will see how that goes.

Otherwise today was just a normal day. Vacuumed the floor, did a ton of laundry and took the bedding to the laundromat to get that cleaned, cooked some food and organized some of my cupboards,

Interviewing.

I'm currently hiring at one of the stores that I manage.  So today was the day I was conducting interviews. Hiring is always stress but more so right after the holidays.
So far its been nothing but one disaster after another with the interviews. And I haven't even started them yet. ;-).

I really am hoping to find someone good in this batch that I'm doing today. But you would really be surprised with how bad interviews go these days. Let me throw a few things out there about dress code.

Sneakers, ripped jeans and a hoody are not I repeat are not appropriate to wear to a job interview. Neither is having your headphones in your ears for the entire interview.  Also its never a good idea to sit through your interview and basically beg for the job. Its not attractive and in my opinion not needed. If you are what the employer is looking for then your skills, experience and qualifications will do the  begging for you.

Also another thing about interviews. No shows. If you say your going to attend an interview then please go. Unless a major emergency arises which sometimes happens you need to go to your interview. The employer has set time aside to see you, the least you can take the time to go. Another thing if you can't make it or decide you don't want the job, phone the person doing the interviews and tell them you are unable to make it. Common decency I feel is lacking these days.

It seems that everytime I do interviews these days I have at least one no show, and always always have  at lesst one person dress inappropriately. So I'm thinking of my top five tips for interviewers.

1. Attire : I work in retail, so it's not required for you to wear the whole business outfit you know the shirt and tie or nice skirt and blouse if your a girl. But looking smart and as if you want the job does make an impression. Black pants works well as well as a smart looking top.

Things that shouldn't be worn. Jeans especially if they have holes, bleach marks and frayed edges. Hooded sweaters, sneakers, flip flops, t-shirts with cartoon characters, and mini skirts. Also please note it's also a good idea to make sure that you don't have plunging necklines, midriffs on show or to much leg from skirts being to short. These looks are great for everyday or for going out clubbing but not really the look you want for a job interview.

2: Pay Attention. During the interview it is always a good idea to pay attention to the questions that are being asked of you, if only so you can answer the question. There is nothing worse than having to repeat questions or having to explain a very simple question to someone in order for them to answer it. For example I often ask what are your strengths? To me this seems like an easy to understand question. But more often then not I have to explain what I mean by this question. "What are you good at", or " what do you enjoying doing" have been other ways I've had to explain this question.

3: Speak in whole sentences. Most answers to interview questions are not one word answers. The interviewer is after as much information as they can get to find out if you really are the best person for the job. Answering every question with a yes or no doesn't help the employer and in the long run it doesn't help you. How can you sell yourself if all your answers are one word.

4: Bring your resume. It's always good to hand in a copy of  your resume with any application that you submit. Application forms are very limited in regards to allowing someone to write down all of the work history, experience, and references a person may have. The more information you can give a potential employer the better it looks for you. It's also a good idea to bring a spare copy of your resume to the interview just in case they either didn't get it with the application or on the rare occasion paperwork can go missing. I personally think this is smart as it shows you want to sell yourself and you are keen to make a good impression. However saying this most people don't know how to write an effective resume. A resume is used to sell you. Make it look professional and impressive. But don't use pink paper like some people have. Just normal white stock is fine. Research how to write a great resume before printing one.

5: Stay calm. Its hard I know ypur nervous you want the job and worried about making a good impression.  The person doing the interview is probably just as nervous as you are. 

Feedback.

If anyone has any feedback on how to improve this little blog please let me know. Is there some content you want to see? Do you want more pictures? More information about certain things let me know. Thanks.

New Years Day 2014.

So new goal for the year. Update blog on daily. Use it kinda like a diary.

Today was really a chill type of day. Just spent time with my family till I had to go to work. I'm enjoying my last day of junk food. Back on the diet for me. Having lost 60lbs back in 2012. I'm sad to say that almost 30 lbs of that has found its way back.

I know my weaknesses, I got lazy with my diet and thought I could eat what I wanted when I wanted and everything would be fine. The weight would just stay off. No I was wrong.  But here's to new chances.  I am still aiming for my original weight goal. I'm hoping to get there this year and stay there.

I'm also planning to increase my running miles and have set the goal to run at least 500 miles this year.

That just leaves Wicca. I will continue my studies in this area and practice more

I went to work today for a few hours. I was busy with customers, but managed to start a craft project. Right now I'm really into hats. I love them it means I don't need to worry about my hair so much. I've been trying to make a hat in every color to go with as many clothes as I can. I can make 2 hats out of one ball of yarn. This means I use a whole ball of yarn and have gifts on hand when I need them. Pretty neat idea. At least that's what I think. 

New beginnings

Yesterday I did a new beginnings ritual as part of my Wiccan New Years celebrations. It was one of the first rituals that I've ever done. I'm feeling positive about it and the new year.

This is one of the first years that I haven't really dwelt in the past about all the chances I've had  and blown. 2013 wasn't the best year for me. Looking forward to 2014 trust me. 

Happy new year everyone.