Dinner: Impossible

For my Birthday, my wonderful hubby bought me tickets to see Chef Robert Irvine LIVE, an interactive cooking show!

I'm a big fan of his Dinner: Impossible and Restaurant: Impossible so I was soooooo excited to go!

If you don't know, he is a Chef on the the Food Network, and he basically goes into restaurants and tells people what they are doing wrong and how to fix it. He seems pretty tough on the show but he was super nice when we met him. 

He divulged a bunch of information about his show, especially about Iron Chef and how the 'secret' ingredient isn't so secret and they give them a week to plan out their menu...booo!

Also, he really doesn't care for Rachel Ray! He said he doesn't trust a Chef who has their own line of dog food - haha! He did talk a little about Paula Deen and some story about butter and his abs : )

By the way, he has HUGE muscles, but he wasn't very tall, I thought he'd be a lot bigger in person, I guess TV really does add pounds!

Anyway, he gave out a lot of really good cooking info, did some secret, impromptu cooking with tomatoes, curry powder and pineapples and best of all, the food was AMAZING!

 Pre-show...I"m so excited!!!!

 He stood directly infront of me, I was too busy trying to catch a photo of him I didn't even look AT him, only through my ipod : (

I did tell him to hold still - he paused for a while but I wasn't quick enough. 

Here is is saying "smell my beef" 

I was too excited for the first course and I totally spaced out on getting a picture. We had a pan seared scallop over a bed of pumpkin couscous and diced cucumbers. MMMMM, it was my favorite, so creamy and good - now I know how to make it!

 Second Course - Herb crusted NY Strip Steak (I think) with mashed potatoes and a mushroom/tomato something on the side. I'm not huge into steak so I didn't pay attention. I don't eat steak but figured I'd try it and it was really good! 

Dessert - English Fool

Basically it was whipped cream with fruit, it was really good though!

When he demonstrated it, he used pound cake, cut it up, put it in a pan with butter and kind of sauteed it, then had water, sugar and berries going in another pan. He whipped some cream and made a layed parfait, or Fool, as he called it.

Here he is again! 

I'll say it again, his muscles are HUGE and he said he doesn't really work out - only 20 minutes of cardio a day and about 15 minutes of light weight reps as well. He said he eats every 2-3 hours, that must be the trick - it's all in what we put into our bodies!

Count your Blessings

I've been dealing with a good bit of stress lately. Stress pretty much from my job. I've really come to resent living here and I'm not sure why, there are plenty of good things here but in my mind I can't shake the oppression of the area and wonder if this is the right place for the boys to grow up. This has really been affecting my moods and its hard for me to snap out of.
I've been letting things get to me that I shouldn't and been bringing that stress home to my poor husband. He told me the other day that I need to focus on all the good around me and not the bad, and its true, being a pessimist it is hard for me to see all the blessing that surround me each and every day.
I am in the early stages of trying to realize how blessed I am, I've decided to make a list of things I am thankful for!

1. A job - this one I need to be more joyful about...still working on it but thankful to have one none the less
2. A beautiful house in a safe neighborhood
3. 2 sets of grandparents and 1 set of great-grandparents close by for the kids to enjoy (and us too!)
4. being and staying healthy
5. 2 running cars
6. A boat so we can get out and enjoy the beautiful weather and go swimming
7. A husband who loves me
8. 2 wonderful kids that keep me on my toes and keep me laughing
9. Plenty of food in our kitchen
10. The clothes on our backs
11. my dishwasher and washer/dryer!
12. Family
13. Zumba
14. Green grass
15. fresh strawberries from the garden
16. green beans from the garden - ok, i'll stop my self on these and just say ANYTHING fresh from the garden!
17. fresh, clean air
18. The sound of my kids' laughter
19. snuggling with Jack after a long day
20. I'm thankful that God loves me no matter what, even when my sin makes me black as night on the inside, He can see past it all and loves me anyway.

There is so much more to be thankful for but, unfortunately that is all for now

She Works Hard for the Money

I've been comtemplating my career lately, wondering if I should just give up and realize that I'm not ever going to find something that makes me happy and just go for a career that can earn me mad cash. The major problem of living in a small town is that schooling is limited and so are the jobs.

My problem seems to be that there are too many things I would be interested in doing and I can't seem to pinpoint one that I feel would make me truly excited to wake up for everyday.

I've known too many people that go to school and either can't find work in their field and have to go back to school or have simply gotten a degree and ended up becoming a stay-at-home mother, not using their schooling (btw, there is nothing wrong with that in my book).

HOWEVER, I do feel greatly disrespected when people tell me I need to quit my job and  be a stay-at-home mom.

Why?

There are many reason why I work: my sanity, the bills, being able to maintain the lifestyle we choose and provide for my children etc...I will remind you that this is a JOINT decision between a husband and wife, so why does the working mom take much of the blame?

So yes, I work a full-time day job AND a full-time night job and it works for us!

Do I miss my kids?
       You bet.

Do you really have to work?
        In this day and age with the bills - YES

Aren’t you concerned about not being there for your kids?
        Sometimes. But when they really need me (us) I'm there in a heartbeat.

Did you hear about that study on children of working moms?

         And your point is..? Oh, showing them responsibility and what a strong, independent woman is...I see.

It must be nice to get a break from the kids.

          Oh sure, cause the stress I get from my day job is soooo worth it.

Why have kids if someone else is going to take care of them?

           I (we, big props to my hubby) love our kids, because I chose to work 8 hours out of 24 doesn't mean I'm not taking care of them and teaching them the things they need to know.

 I’d miss my kids too much if I worked. 

           I do, most days ; )

 Women should be at home with their children.

           Hold on, wait a minute, no you did not. This one makes me burn. It takes 2 to make a baby, why does the responsibilty always fall on the mother? "Because it just does" is not suffiicient answer.

You shouldn't do (insert activity here), you are a mother.

          And? I can't enjoy my life because of that? Really? If I (hubby included) wasn't able to get out and do the things I (we) enjoyed, what is the point? Experiencing these things (me= zumba, hubby =  fishing) keeps us sane which equals a happier home life for everyone involved.

So please, respect a working mom (and dad), the only 'good job, momma' I usually get (really, ever get) is from my  husband, I wish more could be as supportive as he.

Pantalones de Mujer

This has been on my mind for a long time and now, after I've returned home from a most excellent vacation, I feel I must let it out.

LADIES - NO ONE LOOKS GOOD IN CAPRIS.



There, I said it.

It is solely my opinion but really, you can't tell me that they are more comfortable than regular pants or shorts, I mean, come on, does the shorter 3+ inches than pants really make it so?

Why women choose to wear short pants that cut off at the worst possible place on the body is beyond me.
Capri pants do nothing for you. If you are short, you don't look good in capri pants. If you are fat, you don't look good in capri pants. If you are tall, you don't look good in capri pants.

I will still love you if you choose to wear them but if you ask me if I like your pants or if someone looks cute, be prepared for my, as always honest, "no".

20

20 pounds in 7 weeks. That is how much weight I've lost thanks to changing my eating habits, Body by Vi and ZUMBA Fitness.

I've tried quick fix diets before with limited success, but then I had a friend and fellow ZUMBA instructor tell me about Body by Vi and how it worked for her. I sampled some of the product and loved it.

It is 2 shakes a day, and let me tell you - they are so good (there are hundreds of different recipes out there so there is no chance of bordem)! Snacks in between and then a sensible dinner - easy!

If you are interested in more information, go to amyerickson.bodybyvi.com and check it out.

My goal is to lose 25 more pounds by May; I'm going on a nice little get-away with my sisters to Cancun - I'm so excited!