Meditation and insomnia

So, as many of you know, I have a lot of trouble with sleep. I have problems falling to sleep because I can't shut my mind off and I often have problems staying asleep. I was on Ambien for probably about 6 months because when the wedding was around the corner, I was constantly thinking about it and it really began affecting my sleep. I have now been off of it for about a month or two and I have my good nights and my bad nights.

My friend Neda sent me an article titled "Meditation and Insomnia" with some sleeping techniques. They are sometimes a hit and sometimes a miss but I thought I would share anyways in the event that some of you have similar problems.

To read the article, click here

Recipe: Chicken Spaghetti Casserole

Oh my gosh ... this recipe was awesome!

Ingredients

• 8 ounces uncooked spaghetti, broken into 3-inch pieces
• 3 cups cubed cooked chicken
• 1 can (10-3/4 ounces) condensed cream of chicken soup, undiluted
• 1 medium onion, chopped
• 1 cup 2% milk
• 1 cup (4 ounces) shredded sharp cheddar cheese, divided
• 1 cup (4 ounces) shredded Swiss cheese, divided
• 1 can (4 ounces) mushroom stems and pieces, drained
• 1/2 cup chopped roasted sweet red peppers
• 3 tablespoons mayonnaise
• 1-1/2 teaspoons steak seasoning
• 1/2 teaspoon dried basil

Directions

• Cook spaghetti according to package directions. Meanwhile, in a large
• bowl, combine the chicken, soup, onion, milk, 1/2 cup cheddar
• cheese, 1/2 cup Swiss cheese, mushrooms, peppers, mayonnaise, steak
• seasoning and basil.
• Drain spaghetti. Add to chicken mixture; toss to coat. Transfer to a
• greased 13-in. x 9-in. baking dish. Cover and bake at 350° for
• 20 minutes. Uncover; sprinkle with remaining cheese. Bake 5-10
• minutes longer or until heated through and cheese is melted. Yield:
• 6 servings.

Source: Taste of Home

Friday Funny!

Recipe: Chipotle-Glazed Roast Chicken with Sweet Potatoes

Chipotle-Glazed Roast Chicken with Sweet Potatoes



So, I came across this recipe one day when looking for some new, healthier chicken dinners to try. This one caught my eye and even though my husband didn't like sweet potatoes, he said he would give it a try. Thank goodness we did because this recipe is a small piece of heaven. Holy moly it was amazing!! You have got to try this asap!!

The only 2 pieces of advice I can offer are:

1.) Make sure and dice your potatoes fairly small (we cubed them) so that they are fully cooked when you serve the dish; and

2.) Sprinkle a bit of salt and cinnimon on the sweet potatoes before you bake them. Gives them a bit more flavor!

Please, let me know if you try this and your thoughts on the recipe. I know I cannot wait to make it again!!


Chipotle-Glazed Roast Chicken with Sweet Potatoes

Makes: 6 servings
Prep time: 15 minutes
Cook time: 35 minutes

Ingredients
4 sweet potatoes (10 ounces each), peeled and cut into 1-inch pieces
2 1/2 tablespoons olive oil
4 chipotle chilies in adobo sauce, minced
2 garlic cloves, minced
2 tablespoons honey
2 teaspoons cider vinegar
1 1/4 teaspoons salt, plus additional to taste
1 teaspoon cumin
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
6 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (2 pounds), rinsed and patted dry
Chopped cilantro, for garnish (optional)

Directions
1. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees. In a medium bowl, toss the sweet potatoes in the olive oil and scatter on the bottom of a roasting pan. Roast for 15 minutes.

2. In a small bowl, mix together the chilies, garlic, honey, vinegar, salt, cumin, and cinnamon to make a paste. Rub the paste evenly over each breast.

3. Place the chicken breasts on top of the sweet potatoes and roast until the chicken is just cooked through, about 25 to 30 minutes. Serve garnished with cilantro if desired. ENJOY!!



Source: Fitness Magazine
**Click on link to be taken to the recipe so you can print it to try at home!!

Bring Alex Lambert Back to Idol

Honestly, I have no idea if this will do anything, but I do recall them bringing Anoop in as a 13th contestant last year and they have had "wild cards" in the past so if we can so much as get noticed for this ... who know's what could happen, right? C'mon Mullet Boy Fans! Let's go!!

Start a Petition »

New Recipe/Side Dish: Green Beans with Red Pepper

Green Beans with Red Peppers.

This is a dish I never though I would try due to the red peppers as I am not (was not) a red pepper fan. However, the recipe called to me for some reason and it sounded delicious so I thought I would give it a try and boy was I right! This recipe was a huge success at multiple Christmas dinners and even just as a quick, easy anynight side-dish. The slices of red pepper give the green beans such a good flavor, along with some added salt or lemon pepper salt!! I promise you will note be disappointed with this recipe.



5 ServingsPrep
Total Time: 30 min.

Ingredients

* 1-1/2 pounds fresh green beans, trimmed
* 1/3 cup water
* 6 tablespoons butter
* 3/4 cup sliced sweet red pepper
* 1 tablespoon chopped shallot
* Salt and pepper to taste
* 1/3 cup sliced almonds, toasted

Directions

Place beans and water in a 2-qt. microwave-safe dish.
Cover and microwave on high for 6-8 minutes or until crisp-tender.

Meanwhile, in a large skillet, melt butter; add red pepper and shallot.
Cook, uncovered, over medium heat until red pepper is crisp-tender.

Drain beans; stir into red pepper mixture. Season with salt and pepper.
Transfer to a serving platter; sprinkle with almonds.


* Yield: 5 servings.

Recipe Alert: Chicken Chili Fettuccine Recipe

Chicken Chilli Fettuccini Recipe

This is one of my all time favorite recipes to make. I love pasta and chicken and I love using rotel in practically anything so this meal was/is perfect. Another from my favorite cooking magazine, Simple & Delicious by Taste of Home!

5 ServingsPrep/Total Time: 25 min.

Ingredients

• 2 packages (9 oz each) refrigerated fettuccine
• 1-1/2 pounds boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into strips
• 1 tablespoon canola oil
• 1 jar (6 oz) sliced mushrooms, drained
• 1 cup chopped onion
• 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 2 cans (14-1/2 oz each) Italian diced tomatoes, undrained
• 2 cans (4 oz each) chopped green chilies (** I often substitue a can of rotel for these)
• 2 tablespoons butter
• 1 cup (4 oz) shredded Monterey Jack cheese, optional

Directions

• Cook fettuccine according to package directions.
  
• Meanwhile, in a large skillet, saute chicken in oil until no longer pink.
  
• Add mushrooms and onion; saute 2-3 minutes longer or until onion is tender.
• Sprinkle with flour; cook and stir for 1 minute.
  
• Stir in tomatoes and chilies.
  
• Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; cover and simmer for 5-10 minutes or until thickened.
• Drain fettuccine; toss with butter.
  
• Serve with chicken mixture;
• Sprinkle with cheese if desired.
  

Yield: 5 servings.

Source: Taste of Home
Direct Link to Recipe HERE

Lolita ~ Birthday Gifts for Everyone

So, as you all know I am obsessed with the Lolita Glasses. While looking at all her new glasses tonight, I stumbled across a ton of birthday glasses so I thought I would do a post and show you all the options. Below you will see 10 different martini glasses - all birthday themed glasses - but for people of all ages!! Check it out:

Seriously, there is a glass for everyone. If you want to see a specific glass bigger, just click the name below and it will take you directly to that glass in the Lolita Store!!

21

30 ish ...

40 Something

50 and Fabulous

60 is Sexy

Birthday Cake

Birthday Girl

Birthday Guy

Celebrate

Happy Birthday

Lolita ~ Love My Letter Glasses

Check it out - Lolita has a new wine glass design. These are called "Love My Letter" glasses and you can get them with any initial you want!! What a great and personal gift!! I've got to get me one!!



Click here to be taken to the Lolita Store. Remember, you can find her glasses at many different stores and all over the internet as well!!

Bye Bye Sweet Mullet Boy!

Ugh. I am SO very mad at America! What the hell is wrong with you voters? The results were at least 50% wrong here ... seriously. Look at their beautiful faces! Grrrrr.



In any event, here is a link to a good story from OK Magazine:

Last Night’s Fallen Four Eliminated Idol Singers Speak Out

Poll

So, I came across this top on the Forever 21 site and I think I love it. Wanted to get any opinions - what do you all think. Click here for direct link or see pictures below

Let Me Clear My Throat ...

So, it has officially been 3 weeks since I got my sickness (some viral cough/chest cold, horrific, painful sickness) and I think I am finally on the ass-end of this awful thing. I finally have a voice again, the headache and bodyache is gone but I still have a lot of crap in my throat that I just can't seem to get rid of. I am constantly clearing my throat and I sound like and 80-year old man who smokes 3 packs a day ... lol!! I'm trying to wean myself off of all these damn cough drops I have been sucking on because my poor tongue has officially shedded itsself and is growing a new one. My throat is still somewhat sore and raw due to the coughing (which happens mostly at night) and the constant clearing of my throat. I can't remember the last time I actually got a full nights sleep or didn't have to suck on a cough drop or throat spray before bedtime!

I cannot believe I have been sick for this long. I missed two days of work in a row which I haven't done in years - and probably should have missed two more but I couldn't afford it. I couldn't talk on the phone because I had no voice. And I couldn't eat solid or acidic food for days!

In any event, this past weekend visit from my sister, her husband and some friends was probably not the best medicine for me but I stuck it out. Paying for it now, however.

But, all in all, I think I'm going to survive. Here's hoping I am not sick like this again for a long time!!

Forever 21 Find

I found this awesome top/tank this weekend at Forever 21 and I couldn't resist. I tried it on and it was so stinking cute! Looks better w/ a cute cami under it though! I cannot wait to wear it ... hurry up spring!! I will post a pic when I get to wear it. Click here for the link to the shirt online.

Alice in Wonderland - Rocks!!

Well, I finally got to see the new Alice in Wonderland in 3D this weekend!! I have been waiting for this movie for months now! And I was NOT disappointed at all! The story line was great, the acting was great and the 3D was great too! Man, 3D has come a l-o-n-g way!! If you haven't seen it ... go ... NOW!!!

And Then There Were 16 ...

Well, last night was the Idol results show, again, and we lost another four contestants. I can't say that I was too sad to see anyone go really. I was 100% in agreement with Michelle leaving as she was terrible, although her outift rocked!!! Haeley, bless her sweet heart just needs more practice. Jon Park was great but he never really connected with anyone. And Jermaine, loved his personality and style but his performances just weren't up to par. And those high notes drove me crazy. Man, I hope this starts to get better next week. Song choice people, get it through your head!!



Source: People Style Watch

My New Necklace

So, I found this fantastic necklace last weekend at Forever 21 and had to show it off. I'm so excited! Now, I just have to find a reason to wear it as it's not really "work attire"?

Bookshelf ~ House Rules by Jodi Picoult

They tell me I'm lucky to have a son who's so verbal, who is blisteringly intelligent, who can take apart the broken microwave and have it working again an hour later. They think there is no greater hell than having a son who is locked in his own world, unaware that there's a wider one to explore. But try having a son who is locked in his own world, and still wants to make a connection. A son who tries to be like everyone else, but truly doesn't know how.

Jacob Hunt is a teenage boy with Asperger's syndrome. He's hopeless at reading social cues or expressing himself well to others, and like many kids with AS, Jacob has a special focus on one subject -- in his case, forensic analysis. He's always showing up at crime scenes, thanks to the police scanner he keeps in his room, and telling the cops what they need to do...and he's usually right. But then his town is rocked by a terrible murder and, for a change, the police come to Jacob with questions. All of the hallmark behaviors of Asperger's -- not looking someone in the eye, stimulatory tics and twitches, flat affect -- can look a lot like guilt to law enforcement personnel. Suddenly, Jacob and his family, who only want to fit in, feel the spotlight shining directly on them. For his mother, Emma, it's a brutal reminder of the intolerance and misunderstanding that always threaten her family. For his brother, Theo, it's another indication of why nothing is normal because of Jacob. And over this small family the soul-searing question looms: Did Jacob commit murder?

Emotionally powerful from beginning to end, House Rules looks at what it means to be different in our society, how autism affects a family, and how our legal system works well for people who communicate a certain way -- and fails those who don't.

Click here to buy book on Amazon

Bookshelf ~ Saving Gracie: How One Dog Escaped the Shadowy World of American Puppy Mills

Saving Gracie: How One Dog Escaped the Shadowy World of American Puppy Mills by: Carol Bradley

From Publishers Weekly

Journalist Bradley exposes the hidden world of puppy mills, where dogs are caged like chickens and forced to repeatedly breed until they die. Unlike most factory farm animals that endure painful confinement and are slaughtered within six months of birth, mill breeding dogs are sentenced to many years of existence in deplorable conditions; many don't learn to walk because their cages don't give them enough room to stand. Bradley details the raid of one such mill, Mike-Mar Kennel in Oxford, Pa., which led to the seizure of more than 300 dogs, mostly adults that had languished for years with broken limbs and untreated diseases. Dog 132, a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel later named Gracie, was rescued during the raid. Nearly blind, with decayed teeth and a strong aversion to human contact, Gracie flourished under the love and patience of her adoptive owner, Linda Jackson. Bradley's powerful narrative will tug at heartstrings, raise public awareness, and, hopefully, help put an end to puppy mills. (Feb.)

Click here to buy book on Amazon

My Hair

So, I'm still deciding whether or not I want to cut more hair off. I am glad I cut it and it feels so much healthier, but I think I want it above my shoulders? I don't know quite yet as I have a beach vacation this August and I like having long hair at the beach (I know, weird). Anyways, I found this cut and I really like it. I'm digging the color too but not sure if I want to go that dark right now?

Snuggie

Oh, how funny. I just came across this picture from a Christmas party we went to last year. We play the dirty santa game and somehow - three of us ended up with Snuggies! We then, of course, had to act out the commercial ...

Lunch Time!!

So, I have been meaning to try and eat healthier lunches lately. It's not that I eat super unhealthy lunches, as I usually have Smart Ones frozen meals, however, I don't like too many of them so I'm getting a little bit bored. So, I picked up a bunch of salad ingredients the other night at the store, including lettuce, broccoli, tomatoes, cucumbers, eggs, edamame, turkey and a low fat/low calorie Light Zesty Italian dressing. Tonight, I spent time cutting, chopping, boiling, and organizing all the ingredients for my yummy salad for lunch the rest of the week. Man, it seemed to take forever but I got it all done and I'm all ready for tomorrow - check it out!!

The final product! It was so yummy!!

So Sweet!

Seriously, could he look any sweeter?

Engagement Photo Session Book

Click here to view this photo book larger

Chelsea Chelsea Bang Bang!

Woo Hoo!! Here they are ... my tickets to go see Chelsea Handler live for her "Chelsea Chelsea Bang Bang" Tour on May 7th!! I am so excited. I snagged up these tickets pre-sale so they are pretty good. Not "up in your face" good but still, pretty damn good. At the show, we will also have the pleasure of seeing Chris Franjola as well. Although he's not as funny as Jo Koy and Josh Wolfe, he's still hilarious! Not sure if Chuy will be there but he's got a new book coming out too so let's keep our "nugget fingers" crossed!!

I'll be sure and post pictures and a review after the show!

Wedding Picture Slideshow by Alex Crowder

Amanda and Andrew from Alex Crowder on Vimeo.

What I'm Reading: Between Here and April

Between Here and April
By Deborah Copaken Kogan



Summary: When a deep-seated memory suddenly surfaces, Elizabeth Burns becomes obsessed with the long-ago disappearance of her childhood friend April Cassidy. Driven to investigate, Elizabeth discovers a thirty-five-year-old newspaper article revealing the details that had been hidden from her as a child—shocking revelations about April's mother, Adele. Elizabeth, now herself a mother, seeks out anyone who might help piece together the final months, days, and hours of this troubled woman's life, but the answers yield only more questions. And those questions lead back to Elizabeth's own life: her own compromised marriage, her increasing self-doubt and dissatisfaction, and finally, a fearsome reckoning with what it means to be a wife and mother. -- Algonquin Paperbacks

Here is an article from MSN about the book and an excerpt from the first chapter: http://today.msnbc.msn.com/id/26946323/