DS Review

This is my Nintendo DS review. I love it!!! You should buy one too! :)


The end.


P.S. I'm totally into The Legend of Zelda: The Phantom Hourglass right now when I have time to play it. And, I sound like a 10 year old...

Be healthy and happy

One of my goals I have this year is to be more healthy. I'm not one to diet and I've had trouble in the past working out because I don't see results immediately. This year I decided to take a more healthy approach. Although I'd like to lose a few pounds, it's ultimately about feeling good about myself. My doctor shared a few tips with me that I'd like to share:

1. It takes 30 days to form a habit. (I've known this for a long time, but only recently has it really sunk in. This means I actually need to workout 3-4 times a week for AT LEAST a month. I usually quit after the first week.)

2. Don't eat after 7:30 pm. (This one is a little more difficult, but I've been doing pretty good for almost a week now.)

3. Drink the biggest glass of water you can handle before each meal. (Sometimes your body tricks you into thinking your hungry when you're actually thirsty. I've tried this the last couple of days and I find that I don't eat as much.)

4. Don't eat to be stuffed; eat to NOT be hungry. (This makes complete sense. I think we've taught ourselves that it's bad to not eat everything off of your plate. My eyes are also bigger than my stomach MOST of the time. I've started eating off of salad plates to help me with my portions.)

5. 45 Minutes of rigorous activity at least 4 times a week. (If you can carry on a conversation you aren't working hard enough. I sleep better at night when I workout.)


I've committed to myself to live by these for at least the next 30 days and see how it goes. I've also signed up for my first 5K!!!! I'm very excited to do this for myself. I don't really love running, but I think once I make it a habit I'll feel better about it. The 5K is on May 16th (I officially start training on March 22nd). Until then, I've started this workout program:


This really works!!! As my cute friend Allison said, "It must be called 30 Day Shred because you feel like a piece of shredded chicken!". I've been sore every day I've done this workout. What amazes me is that you are doing simple exercises with only hand weights. I'm excited to see the results after day 30. I'll keep you posted on the progress of my NEW healthy lifestyle. :)

HUGE sewing project

This is my second year as the Girl's Camp Director in my ward. As soon as camp was over last year, I started thinking about ideas for Girl's Camp this year. All my friends will tell you that I'm pretty much obsessed when it comes to camp. Just the other day I did a service project for Relief Society Enrichment and the whole time I was there I kept asking myself how we could do that same service project up at Girl's Camp.

This year our Stake Girl's Camp Theme is: "I Strive to be G.R.E.E.N. (Grateful, Respectful, Energetic, Example, Nice). We'll be incorporating ways to be environmentally friendly along with all of the other qualities that G.R.E.E.N. stands for. I was so excited when I first heard about the theme, my wheels immediately started turning...


Unfortunately, I can't give you the details about the project until AFTER Girl's Camp because the girl's don't even know what I'm doing (My girls look at my blog to see if they can find out what's going on). They have seen these green strips of fabric, in fact they got to pick out which one they wanted, but again they don't know what it's for. This is what I spent hours and hours on the first weekend I got my sewing machine. My wonderful MIL helped me sew and even came down this last weekend to help me finish the first half of the project. It's always so rewarding to see everything fall into place. :) I'll keep you posted on the project and I promise I'll post the whole thing in just a few short months!

I'd like you to meet....

Nina, my new sewing machine! :) (Yep, I name my possessions kind of pathetic I know, but when you don't have children or pets what else are you supposed to do with all the names you like that you'll never use!?)


I love her!!! She's seriously amazing! I opened her up the day I got her and sewed for about 18 hours that weekend. The best part is that she came with sewing classes, so when I feel I have a little more free time I can go and learn a LOT more about sewing!!! HOORAY!

Haircut...

It's only taken me 4 weeks to post this picture. I thought I'd post a before and after pic, so you guys can actually, maybe tell the difference.

Before-Blunt Bangs and VERY dark brown

After- Side swoop bangs and a few shades lighter.

See!? Not drastically different. I've actually had more people notice a month after than I did when I first got it done. I would like to grow my bangs out to the length of my hair and just grow my hair out a few more inches. I can fit about half of it into a ponytail right now. Maybe it's just the pictures, but I think the "after" hair makes my face look thinner. Sorry the lighting/quality isn't the best. I'm liking it!

Day 8 Recipe Week: Outrageous Chocolate Cookies

I had to end on a high note with another cookie recipe! These cookies are so simple to make. I love that the recipe only makes 2 dozen because I don't have to spend hours in the kitchen. They are delicious and super soft. If you are a chocolate lover you HAVE to try these!


OUTRAGEOUS CHOCOLATE COOKIES

Ingredients Makes 2 dozen. 8 ounces semisweet chocolate, roughly chopped 4 tablespoons unsalted butter 2/3 cup all-purpose flour 1/2 teaspoon baking powder 1/2 teaspoon salt 2 large eggs 3/4 cup packed light-brown sugar 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract 1 package (12 ounces) semisweet chocolate chunks

Directions Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Heat chopped chocolate and butter in a microwave-safe bowl in 20-second increments, stirring between each, until almost melted; do not overheat. In another bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt. In a mixing bowl, beat eggs, brown sugar, and vanilla on high speed until light and fluffy. Reduce speed to low; beat in melted chocolate. Mix in flour mixture until just combined. Stir in chocolate chunks. Drop heaping tablespoons of dough 2 to 3 inches apart onto baking sheets. Bake, rotating sheets halfway through, until cookies are shiny and crackly yet soft in centers, 12 to 15 minutes. Cool on baking sheets 10 minutes; transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.

Recipe found here


I hope you've enjoyed recipe week and have found some recipes that you'll try. I'd love to hear about some of your favorites too!

Day 7 Recipe Week: Angel Chicken

This recipe originally found here, but adapted to taste. Great for Saturday afternoon or Sunday.


Angel Chicken
Serves/Makes: 6
Ready In: 2-5 hrs

Ingredients:

6 skinless boneless chicken breast halves
1/4 cup butter
1 envelope (0.7-ounce) Italian salad dressing mix
1 can (10 3/4-ounce size) condensed golden mushroom soup
1/2 cup milk
1 tub (8-ounce size) cream cheese with chives and onion (or plain cream cheese)
hot cooked angel-hair pasta

Directions:
Place chicken in a 3 1/2- or 4-quart crockpot.

In a medium saucepan, melt the butter. Stir in the dry Italian salad dressing mix. Stir in mushroom soup, white wine, and cream cheese until combined.

Pour over the chicken. Cover and cook on low-heat setting for 4 to 5 hours.

Serve chicken and sauce over hot cooked pasta.