Yearly splurge

The only time of year that I really get to splurge is when my income tax money comes in.  Sometimes I dont even get to splurge then but this year I am going to splurge a bit.  I have been patiently waiting to get me a new camera and now the time has come for me to decide Canon or Nikon?  Definitely getting a DSLR camera but how do you decide between the two top brands?  There are tons of reviews and lots of pros and cons but for me it comes down to what do I use on a regular basis.  I really liked the Nikon D5000 but it doesn't have a auto focus.  I might not use it all the time but I still want to be able to use it for the occasions that I am taking pics at a family Christmas without the fuss of focusing.  I mean who wants to spend $800 and something is still missing that you would like to have?  Not me I plan on keeping this camera for a long time.  So what does it really come down to?  Not really picture quality because both are going to be amazing compared to the point and shoot kodak I have been using for years.  It really comes down to what each offer on the basics.  Like for example I would like for Macro to be an option.  I love all the beautiful pictures of flowers that are shot up close so I want to learn how to do that.  I also want to get a zoom lens.  I have been thinking about taking pictures of the 'pee-wee' teams in my area to practice and maybe sell to parents who are there to watch their kids play but they can still get good quality action pictures at a reasonable price.  Settng for auto and manual are important but I am pretty sure both would come with each camera.  Not interested in the basic camera bag becasue I saw this adorable red purse camera bag that I really want.  So my research begins.  Which will it be Nikon or Canon? 

MIA - Again :-(

Okay so I have not been posting for the past week and this is usually where my downfall begins on my blog.  I just get side track and don't get around to it or I truly have nothing interesting to say.  Well I am determined to post and post often.  So today several of my Twilight friends has decided to do a group re-read of the entire saga and finish just before the week of November 18 when Breaking Dawn Part 1 comes out in theaters.  We are going to read three chapters a week and discuss.  I have never been able to talk to other friends who are reading the serious so I am very excited.  I think I am going to make us all bookmarks for the read.  I should be fun.  I am very excited to be able to start from the beginning and read it slow so I can really absorb it all. 

Mile One

Well now that the weather is nice I started walking today.  It was so nice to get out without it being freezing.  Troy and I walked down to the neighborhood pond and back which is about a mile and a half.  Today I felt like I accomplished so much.  In the past when I walked my knees hurt my shins cramp up and I am out of breath about half way through the walk but this time I was fine.  I could of even gone around again.  It felt good to be able to walk without everything hurting.  I think this is the year I finally get my life back.  Surgeries are over and things are definitely going in the right direction. 

Monopoly with the kids

My brother asked me to watch the kids for him for a while and we had such a good time.  They live close but life just gets in the way and we don't see them much.  Travis is getting ready to start Umpire school and his first game is March.  He is doing good in school but not great in math.  Keltan she is getting tall and thin and she is definitely her own person.  She dresses the way she wants and it is always a bit odd but her style.  I was glad that Troy participated in the Monopoly game except he completed dominated the game.  Iphone picture so not great quality but I like it because it's a natural shot not posed.

Cauliflower Pizza Crust

So I finally did I cooked the famous Cauliflower Pizza crust and it was so good.  Definitely filled the feeling of needing a little carb.  Tasted nothing like cauliflower but I do think I need to cook the crust longer.  But over all it was a nice change and a hit!  BF who is not a fan of things off the beaten path even liked it.  Great news is 2.5 carbs which is amazing!  Definitely will do this again and will start looking at some other recipes that include cauliflower.  Here are the step by step pictures.
1 cup of cauliflower riced
1 cup of mozzarella shredded
1 egg
*mix together and form the crust add evenly on top 1 tsp of oregano and 2 tsp of parsley over the top before cooking the crust.

cook at 450 for 12-15 minutes...closer to 15.  Add your sauze, Walmart brand has only 3 carbs per 1/4 a cup that will cover the whole pizza.  Top with you toppings and cheese and put back in the oven and broil to melt the cheese.  It's ready to go!

Cauliflower Rice

I've seen it and I've heard about but was scared to death of it!  I mean who really likes cauliflower?  But I was excited to actually do the rice and it didnt taste too bad.  I know it will be good if I add flavor I just took a small bite because I had to save the rest for the pizza crust!!!!

Beautiful weather finally!

Today we are finally going to see warmer weather.  It should be up to 70 all weekend and continue thru next week.  I am so excited to be able to get outside without being cold down to my bones.  I have stalled the last few days so I want to get some exercise in to see if that doesnt get the scale moving again.  Regardless of the stall I am staying on plan because I know it is working.

Grocery shopping success story

We went grocery shopping at Wal-Mart last night and I can honestly say that I think we have passed a huge test for ourselves.  This is the very first time that we have shopped only on the outer section of the store without going into the aisle. When I first heard this is the way to shop I thought there is no way that we could possibly do it.  There is so much in the aisles I need!  Now that we are on the Atkins plan and following so closely I can't think of one food item in the aisle that we need.  We got chicken, ground beef, bacon, pork chops and steaks.  In the veggie section we got too many to mention but I will say that I did buy cauliflower and I am going to attempt to make the cauliflower crust pizza this weekend.  I hear it is awesome so wish me luck!

Atkins is still moving my scale

Coming from someone who thought they could never live without bread, pasta, and sugary snacks I can say that the cravings I have had for the past 2 weeks has slowly disappeared.  I am not looking after dinner for any kind of sweet snack to munch on nor am I thinking about it 24/7 because I am not having any.  The scale continues to slowly move to a lower number every day and that is enough to encourage me to continue and make the choices that are the right choices for me.  It is a great feeling!

Creative Cooking

The Atkins low carb plan is not a hard plan to follow but I have found out that you need to become a create cook in order to have something a little more flavorful and different.  I will be the first to admit I hate spinach!  I know this is odd but fresh baby spinach for salads I am fine with but that we slop that comes out of a can that stinks I just can't eat it.  So we had some fresh baby spinach that needed to be cooked and I found a recipe for a low carb cheesy onion and spinach dish and it was so delicious!  So now that I know that onions are full of carbs I will be cutting way back on just throwing those into a recipe for added flavor but basically you saute the onion and we added mushrooms as well and just cook them till tender then you throw your spinach in at the end and wilt it but not too much or it becomes that wilted slop from the can.  Once done put into a small baking dish and add mozzarella cheese and cook till cheese is melted.  So many variations you can do with this and it will taste amazing.  So if you are like me and hate the slop canned spinach give this a try and you will be surprised that it is really delicious.

PS we did add red bell pepper too

Monopoly

I found a Monopoly game at half price books brand new for $4.95 and just couldnt resist.  I have always loved playing but haven't played in years.  So I decided it was time that  me and BF have our own game and start playing. Well tonight was our first game.  I chose to be the shoe I don't know why because growing up I hated being the shoe.  The only thing worse than the shoe was the iron.  BF was the top hat he said since Mr. Monopoly wore one that he knew that would bring him the fortunes he needed to beat me.  Well I guess he was right.  It was touch and go for a while but I finally went bankrupt.  I could of mortagaged off some of my property but we had already played for 2 1/2 hours and to be honest it was past my bed time.  So he did his little victory dance and I told him next time I get to be the top hat and the banker because I think he was skim a little off the top.

I forgot my umbrella...

A few days ago I got a ticket for expired inspection.  Yes I know why did I let it expire.  Well that is just a long story that no one including myself cares to go over again.  Anyways a few weeks ago I got a ticket for the expired inspection sticker and the police officer informed me that my registration was expired.  I was like seriously??  But it was just last month so he was kinda of enough to just write the one ticket but for me to get it done immediately!  Then the ice storm hit DFW and pretty much left me at home for three days.  So today was the day to become legal again.  While waiting at the courthouse with 50 people ahead of me and my lunch hour pretty much already come and gone I hoped on my phone to check emails and yes guess what! No reception becuase yes the phone bill was due yesterday and I had forgotten.  Paid the phone bill got my registration and decided to just go ahead and take a few more minutes to get the inspection, love Ten Minute Inspections in Arlington they ROCK!  So is it true when it rains it pours?  I would have to say I it is true and I forgot my umbrella.

Atkins for real this time

I have attempted on many occasions to diet and get my life back to healthy and have always been unsuccessful. Just like this blog I have attempted to start one up several times but I lose interest and just stop posting.  I mean who I am kidding no one is reading it anyways right?  But today is different.  Why you ask?  Because I have been officially doing the low carb Atkins for 2 weeks and have lost 8 lbs.  This is such a huge accomplishment that so many of us dieters know.  Starting a diet is not the hard part staying on a diet is the struggle.  I have tried so many and when I dont see the scale moving I just get frustrated and give up.  Well this time it is definitely different because my scale is moving!  I think a lot has to do with BF supporting me and helping me stick with it.  I have not had any wine for 2 weeks which is an accomplishment in it's self.  I did actually have a glass last night to watch the Super Bowl but to be honest it took me over an hour to drink it and it just didnt taste the same.  I think I have finally gotten past the suger cravings and the headache I have had the last few days has finally gone.  So I am extremely happy to say that things are on the right path.  What was my motivation you ask?  My friend Holli.  Thank you and you look amazing!