Quote of the Day

"You may fool all of the people some of the time, you can even fool some of the people all of the time but you can never fool all of the people all of the time." ~ Abraham Lincoln

Quote of the Day

"We cannot all do great things but we can all do small things with great love. We shall never know all the good that a simple smile can do." ~ Mother Theresa

Recipe club

Light Buffalo Pasta Salad

8 oz whole wheat penne
1/2 cup Franks red hot
1/2 cup olive oil
1 Tablespoon lemon juice
1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
1/4 teaspoon onion powder
1/4 teaspoon celery salt
2 cups precooked chicken
1 cup crumbled bleu cheese
1/2 light cheddar cheese
1 cup chopped carrots
1 cup chopped celery

Cook pasta til al dente, drain and set aside in large bowl. In small bowl whisk together hot sauce, oil, lemon juice and spices together until combined well. Stir chicken, carrots, celery and cheese into pasta. Add dressing and refrigerate until served.

Quote of the Day

"Turn your wounds into wisdom." ~ Oprah Winfrey

Quote of the Day

"We are only as strong as we are united, as weak as we are divided." ~ J.K. Rowling

Recipe club

Sea Scallops with ginger lime butter sauce

20 sea scallops
3 bunches of baby leeks
2 inch piece of fresh ginger
Zest and juice of a fresh lime
1/2 stick of butter
Salt and pepper to taste
Cayenne pepper for garnish
3 Tablespoons olive oil

To make the sauce let the butter come to room temperature. Peel and grate ginger finely. In bowl beat butter, ginger, lime zest and juice together. Cook leeks and set aside. Season scallops with salt and pepper to taste. Pan sear scallops in olive oil about 3 min or until golden brown at medium heat. Melt butter sauce, pour onto scallops and toss until evenly coated. Sprinkle scallops with cayenne pepper just before serving.

Quote of the Day

"We're so busy watching out for what's just ahead of us that we don't take the time to enjoy where we are." ~ Bill Watterson

Recipe club

Light Tiramisu

1 angel food cake cut into 1 inch cubes
1/2 cup instant (sugar free) cappuccino mix
2 cups cold skim milk, divided
1 (8oz) package of fat free cream cheese
1 (1oz) package of instant vanilla pudding
2 cups reduced fat whipped topping
1/2 teaspoon baking cocoa

Place cake cubes in an ungreased 9×13 pan. In small bowl combine 1/4 cup cappuccino mix and 1/2 cup milk mix til dissolved. Pour over cake. In large bowl, beat cream cheese until fluffy. In another large bowl combine pudding mix, remaining cappuccino mix and milk; whisk until smooth and thickened. Beat into cream cheese and mix well. Fold into whipped topping; fold into cake mixture. Refrigerate at least 3 hours and sprinkle with cocoa before serving.

Quote of the Day

"The stupid neither forgive nor forget; the naive forgive and forget; the wise forgive but do not forget." ~ Thomas Szasz

Recipe club

Light Beef Burgandy

2 lbs lean beef stew meat
6 Tablespoons flour
2 cups sliced carrots
1 (16oz) package of frozen pearl onions thawed
1 (8oz) package mushrooms, stems removed
2 garlic cloves, minced
3/4 low sodium beef broth
1/2 cup dry red wine
1/4 cup tomato paste
1 1/2 teaspoons salt
1/2 teaspoon dried rosemary
1/4 teaspoon dried thyme
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
8 oz egg noodle (may substitute to taste)
1/4 up fresh thyme

Place beef in large bowl; sprinkle with flour tossing well to coat. Place beef mixture, carrots and onions in slow cooker. Combine broth and next 6 ingredients (through pepper); stir into beef mixture. Cover and cook on low for 8 hours. Cook noodles accordingly and serve beef mixture over noodle garnished with fresh thyme.

Improve your self esteem

Set self esteem inventory
Set realistic expectations
Set aside perfection and grab a hold of accomplishments...and mistakes
Explore yourself
Be willing to adjust your own self image
Stop comparing yourself to others

Quote of the day

Don't confuse your path with your destination, just because its stormy now, doesn't mean you're not headed for sunshine. ~ Unknown

Attract your positive energy

Meditation or prayer
Treat everyone the way you want to be treated
Let go of your need to control
See the positive in every situation
Visualize a peaceful life
Stop worrying about the future
Drop the resentment within
Stay as the presense instead of the ego
Look at the nature
Feel the spaciousness in your body

Change your mood...

With aromatherapy! Its a cinnamon spice kind of day here :) Yes it works!

2 minute mood changers

Turn that frown upside down :)
Laugh out loud
Take a walk around the block
Flip through old photos
Open your shades
Think fast
Rethink your retail therapy
Clean, organize and tidy

Recipe club

This is a lighter version of chicken picata but don't think you have to cut flavor to save on a few calories. Perfecto!

Light Chicken Picata

1 lb chicken scaloppini (about 4 oz each)
Salt and pepper
1 Tablespoon + 1 teas flour divided
3 teas extra virgin olive oil
2 garlic cloves, finely chopped
1/2 cup low sodium chicken broth
Finely grated zest and juice of one lemon, zest reserved for garnish ( 2 Tablespoons juice)
1 Tablespoon white wine vinegar
2 Tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
1 Tablespoon capers, drained and rinsed
1 Tablespoon unsalted butter
Baby arugala and fresh parsley for garnish.

Season chicken with salt and pepper to taste and sprinkle with 1 Tablespoon flour. Heat 2 teaspoons oil in a large non stick skillet over medium heat til very hot; cook the cutlets til opaque throughout, 1 - 2 min per side. Transfer cutlets to plate and reserve skillet. Add the remaining teaspoon oil and garlic to skillet over medium heat. Cook until fragrant about 1 minute. Wisk together broth, lemon juice and 1 teaspoon flour, add to pan. Simmer sauce until reduced and thickened, 2 - 3 min. Stir in vinegar, parsley and capers. Stir in butter until sauce is shiny and slightly thickened. Serve chicken with sauce. Toss arugala with freshly grated lemon zest with light drizzle of olive oil; season to taste with salt and pepper. Scatter over chicken. Serve with whole wheat pasta or roasted potatoes if desired. ENJOY!

Quote of the Day

"The thing always happens that you really believe in; and the belief in a thing makes it happen." ~ Frank Lloyd Wright

Recipe club

Applesauce Carrot Cake

2 cups wholegrain flour
1/2 cup brown sugar
2 teas baking soda
1 1/2 teas cinnamon
1/2 teas nutmeg
1/2 teas salt
1/2 cup unsweetened applesauce
1/4 cup olive oil
3 large eggs
3 cups carrots, coarsely chopped

In large bowl combine flour, sugar, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg and salt. In seperate bowl combine applesauce, oil and eggs. Add to the flour mixture until well blended. Add the carrots and mix again. Pour into greased 9" tube pan or 9×13 rectangular pan. Bake in preheated 350 degree oven for 1 hr 10 min or until toothpick comes out clean. Serves 16.

Friends

To all my dearly devoted friends <3

Interest

What makes you happy!? Make out a list of 10 things that make you smile happily..hang it on the refrigerator. Check it regularly. Change interests if necessary. :)

Quote of the Day

" The only journey is the journey within." ~ Rainer Maria Rilike

Quote of the Day

"Even the greatest was once a beginner. Don't be afraid to take the first step."

Down but not out!

When you are down and out don't sit around  and pout! In other words..Don't worry be happy! :)

Quote of the Day

"Life is harder when you complicate the simple things. Enjoy what you have and live your life."

For the greater good!

I am starting this blog mostly for myself but also for anyone who is suffering from illness or grief. Pieces of my work, on display, to help and motivate others who need it. Receive, achieve and believe <3