Oh So Yummy Creamsicle Cake

May 18, 2013No comments

This cake is easy to make and is always a hit! Your friends and orange creamsicle cake family will request this cake again and again.

Ingredients

1 orange or yellow cake mix
1 small package orange Jello
1 cup hot water
1/2 cup cold water
1 (8oz) container Cool Whip
1 small package Vanilla instant pudding
1 cup milk
1 tsp vanilla

Mix cake mix according to package directions.
Pour into 9×13 pan and bake according to directions.
After removing cake from oven, poke holes in the cake 1 inch apart with a fork.
Mix Jello with the hot and cold water.
Pour evenly over cooled cake.
Mix Cool Whip, instant pudding, milk and vanilla.
Beat until thoroughly mixed.
Spread evenly over cake.

Weight Watchers Summer Salads Recipes

May 17, 2013No comments

It’s almost summer time and with warmer weather comes picnics and cookouts. Just because you are going to a cookout doesn’t mean you have to blow your diet. Check out these delicious summer salads that are Weight Watchers friendly.

weight watchers summer salads

Summer Slaw
Serves 6
WW Points+ 1

4 Cups shredded green cabbage
1 1/2 cups jicama, peeled and shredded
1 cup radishes, sliced
2 Tablespoons fresh lime juice
2 Tablespoons rice wine vinegar
1 tsp dark sesame oil
1/2 tsp ground cumin
1/2 tsp salt

Toss the cabbage, jicama, and radishes in a small bowl.
Add the lime juice, vinegar, sesame oil, cumin and salt. Toss well to serve. Yields about 1 cup per serving.

Black and White Summer Bean Salad
Serves 4
WW Points+ 4

1 cup(s) canned white beans, drained and rinsed
1 cup(s) canned black beans, drained and rinsed
1 large fresh tomato(es), diced
1 small uncooked onion(s), diced
1 rib(s) (medium) uncooked celery, diced
1 Tbsp white wine vinegar
2 Tbsp fresh parsley, Italian, minced
1/8 tsp table salt, or more to taste
1/8 tsp black pepper, or more to taste

In a large bowl, combine beans, tomato, onion and celery. Gently stir in vinegar and sprinkle with parsley; season to taste with salt and pepper. Yields about 1 cup per serving.


Japanese Cucumber Salad
Serves 4
WW Points+ 1

4 cucumbers, thinly sliced
1/2 a small white onion, thinly sliced
1 tbsp fresh dill, finely chopped
1/2 cup white vinegar
1 tbsp sugar
1 tsp toasted sesame seeds

Place cucumbers, dill and onions in a medium sized bowl.
In a small bowl, whisk together the vinegar and sugar until sugar is fully dissolved.
Pour vinegar over cucumbers and onions, toss well. Top with toasted sesame seeds.


Corn Salad with Red Pepper and Dill
Serves 4
WW Points+ 3

1 16oz bag corn kernels, thawed
1 tbsp reduced fat mayonnaise
1 tbsp plain, non-fat Greek yogurt
1/2 a large red bell pepper, chopped
1/3 cup crunchy dill pickles, finely chopped
1/4 cup dill, chopped
Salt & pepper to taste

Combine all ingredients.
(How easy was that?)

Learning and Becoming Inspired

May 17, 2013No comments

Have you ever read something and thought, “wow, why didn’t I think of that.”

I’m having revelations about my financial health and savings as I read the Mr. Money Mustache blog. You guys, check out this blog!

He has a list of blog postings so the reader can easily read from post one. Some of his advice blows what I’ve read from gurus like Suze Orman and Dave Ramsey out of the water. Simple things.

Riding bikes (not practical for me but maybe others,) thinking about a ten year timeline for every single purchase, a VERY detailed budget spreadsheet, saving simply $10/wk and how much that can amount to with interest, and living below budgets…common sense stuff that everyone needs to read! I am already applying some of the principles and can’t wait to see the results they yield.

Living frugally isn’t something that is new to me. I’ve challenged myself to using coupons, rebates, driving using cruise control at 60mph on the interstate (I’m THAT slow person in your way in the right lane!) Many many things I’ve done to save money. Cable TV- not in my house! The thermostat is turned off on days it isn’t needed. But saving has been a struggle for me.

Why? I’m a single mother of two, and I do not receive child support. Working on that, and have been litigating for what feels like forever (nine months!) I’ve been in debt up to my ears for a very long time, and have been forced into bankruptcy. Yes. The “B word.” I had to do it. Credit cards were a means of survival (or so I thought.) Keeping up with the Jones’. Dressing myself and my kids to the nines. Owning the latest and greatest electronic gadgets. Dining out every day of the week, spending $40+ every time. I was a spending FOOL.

I am recovering from bankruptcy, but do not regret the decision. My credit isn’t “ruined forever.” Yes, it will be difficult to get loans, if they are needed. But will they be needed? I have been working on a cash-only system for a bit and it seems to be working. Having cash on hand makes my money “real,” whereas plastic puts the owner of the card in an entirely different mindset. My thoughts about money are different. Money is to be respected, not worshipped. “Things” and “stuff” are not the important things in life. People can dress and eat well without spending a fortune. Bankruptcy is not something I recommend, and it took a long time for me to realize that I was suffering emotionally, mentally, ad physically because of the debt I was in. It truly was my only option if I wanted to be healthy and present for my children.

I am becoming a student of money and cash flow. Learn with me! Stop yourself from making the silly mistakes muself and other consumers make every day. Become wiser with your funds. Check out this new-to-me blog, Mr. Money Mustache. It’s great.

~Miss Adventures

Blog of the Week

May 16, 2013No comments

Google searches often lead us to interesting places. Just as people come into our lives for a reason, certain blogs may as well.

Yesterday I started reading Mr. Money Mustache Lots of no nonsense advice. His unapologetic style of writing and disregard for political correctness is probably why I’m so drawn to his blog.

The link posted takes you to the first blog post. Enjoy!

~Miss Adventures

Another Amazing Paleo Meal: Mr. Nice Guy Style

May 15, 2013No comments

How lucky can a girl get- find a guy who is charming, sweet, intelligent, a gentleman, who can COOK. Feeling incredibly blessed and lucky, because I found one. (And he’s been around a few months now, so I feel safe-ish saying that now.)

Tonight Mr. Nice Guy wanted to cook for me, and indeed he did. He’s beginning to become interested in Paleo, and cooked a delicious meal for me.

Filet wrapped in bacon (Nature’s candy! The bacon that is,)
Grilled shrimp ,
Asparagus, red onion, and squash all grilled,
A lemon sauce to drown it all.

Yum.

What’s very cool is he is showing a huge interest in my eating lifestyle. Paleo, and now the whole GMO issue, which isn’t a bomb I’ve dropped yet, but need to in the very near future.

Paleo is a lifestyle choice I have made mainly to maintain my weight. Plus, bread and big starches and dairy (except sweet potato and honey and sweets!) have not been something I enjoy. Paleo just makes sense in my life.

Now the whole GMO issue and Monsanto and Round Up…and everything else that goes into that…freaks me out. Our government has opted to protect this company, the FDA who regulates (ahem, controls) our food and drug availability, ignores the health repercussions of what this is doing. Not to mention the killing off of bees. Doesn’t sound important but it is vital to our ecosystem. All of it frankly scares the hell out of me.

Stepping off my soap box.

Mr. Nice Guy made a phenomenal meal. Where has this guy been all my life?

Feeling blessed and lucky, happy and content (and maybe a bit full.)

~Miss Adventures

12 Tips for Weight Loss Success

May 15, 2013No comments

1. Forget about subtraction. Try adding foods, healthy foods, to your diet instead of subtracting them. Just remember to keep an eye on your overall calories intake.

2. Lighten the foods you love. Why give up your favorite foods when you can switch to lower calories versions.

3. Drink a glass of water before each meal.

4. When eating out, share a meal with someone. Restaurant portions are huge nowadays, either share that meal or ask for a to-go box when your food comes and automatically put half of it in your take out box. Have it for lunch or dinner the next day!

5. Use smaller plates. A small portion served on a large plate leaves you feeling like you didn’t get enough. Switch to smaller plates and now that small portion doesn’t look so small.

6. Don’t eat in front of the TV. We are probably all guilty of this. I know my husband and I have been guilty of it. When you eat in front of the Tv you don’t pay attention to how much you are eating, thus you are more likely to over eat.

7. Cut out fast food. This one is so hard when you are a busy family on the go. Pack your lunch or keep healthy snacks on the car like nuts.

8. Everything in moderation. If you just have to have that hamburger, or ice cream, or candy bar, its ok to indulge occasionally. Just remember the key is moderation.

9. Learn to cook from scratch. The more you can control what goes in your food the healthier your meals will be.

10. Increase the amount of fiber that you eat. Not only does it help your health in places like your colon but it also fills you up and leaves you feeling fuller longer.

11. Enjoy your food. Eat slowly and consciously.

12. Don’t count calories after you eat them. Count them before they go in your mouth.

Don’t forget to check out our Facebook page. We’d love to connect with you over there.

I Did It

May 14, 2013No comments

I took the plunge and called the cable company to get television. Last year, around this time we pulled the plug on television at my house. We still had the TV of course but we had the satellite shut off.

What did we do?

Using a PS3 and our Wifi Internet, we were able to watch shows and movies using Netflix and Hulu Plus. I started watching a lot of series that I never really watched before, Lost, Army Wives, Kitchen Nightmare, Pretty Little Liars and several others.

I admit there were times I missed having cable/satellite. Especially when it came to watching the news or during basketball season, although this year it was to painful to watch the Cats play most games. I used to turn The Today Show on while I was getting ready in the mornings. I did miss that too.

In the past year my mom would often say “did you see that on tv…” And I would say “mom, I don’t have tv remember.” Just recently she started to say “did you see…oh never mind, you don’t have tv.” At least now maybe I will know what she is talking about!

Overall I can say I didn’t really miss having cable. But the things we do for love. I’m blaming this decision on my husband! I guess you could say I broke down and scheduled cable installation all in the name of love. He better appreciate this!

Paleo Dinner: Plain Jane and No Frills

May 13, 2013No comments

Occasionally I’m so exhausted after a long day that for dinner, we eat very simply.

Tonight we ate hamburgers seasoned with Tastefully Simple Onion Onion (right now, totally obsessed with these easy spices) and green beans with their Garlic Garlic. Extremely easy and fast.

Work greeted me early. From the moment I arrived until the minute I went home I was running. After work I picked the baby up from the sitter and sat through my daughter’s super cute fifth grade play. By the time we hit the door, the baby needed nursed, dinner needed cooked, and I wanted to cry looking at the state my apartment was left. What a mess.

I wanted to cry. Sometimes I get very overwhelmed with everything that needs to be done. I’m a single mom to a preteen and a baby. Laundry, dishes, all meals for all of us (baby food I make as well) cleaning, shopping, work, blog, direct sales that is a hobby, more cleaning, dating…no wonder I’m so tired all the time. Who has energy after all that to get their hair done or do anything else fun.

For these reasons, sometimes no frills for an easy Paleo dinner is the only way to go.

Oh, and due to being overwhelmed today, exhausted, sleep deprived, and getting sick again, I cheated. I wanted M&M’s and a spoonful of Trader Joe’s cookie butter that somehow survived in my cabinet, so I ate them.

On a different note, the baby has discovered that he can stick his fingers up his nose. His little nostrils are his new favorite toy. The things that amuse babies!

Thanks for letting me yet again vent!

~Miss Adventures

Mother’s Day at My House

May 11, 2013No comments

Mother’s Day was celebrated early by my family which means tomorrow is just another funday in my world.

Funday does not always really mean fun. It really means go shopping, do laundry, OAMC or some semblance of the concept, and miscellaneous things to make the week easier.

Just to make you all jealous here are my plans this Mother’s Day:

Go to mass.

Kroger- buy $40 in beef and chicken, get two copies of the reciept. I have two different rebate forms, one is for $25 back on a $40 meat purchase, the other is $15 off a 25$ meat purchase. So $40 meat purchase= free.

Cook part of said meats for Paleo meals all week. Crock pot some chicken, bake another meat, then hamburgers on the grill. I might make a ceviche our of fish. It’s so good. Maybe a couple salads this week as well. I need to go back to the basics with my diet. Too much honey and sweets.

Lots of laundry.

Cleaning out upstairs closets. I told my daughter this is her Mother’s Day gift to me.

Place a couple online orders.

Anything else I can fit into the ever growing to do list.

Those are my Mother’s Day plans. Happy day to my momma who I’ve already celebrated with!

~Miss Adventures

The NICEST Gesture Ever From A Man…

May 11, 2013No comments

It is not common practice for me to share my recent history personal life here. Usually when I write about the Narcissist the event occurred in the past and I’m simply rehashing and venting to make myself feel better. Today however, is from recent events and is to give praise, because maybe..just maybe…there might be at least one nice man left out there.

I’ve been seeing someone. On March 6th of this year I wrote this post about my distain at that time for eHarmony. Lo and behold, just prior to that post I had started talking to a man. Of course, me of little faith had zero intent of thinking even a date would manifest from that site and it’s impossible matching matrix.

Weeks later I’m still talking to and going out with this one. We will name him Mr. Nice Guy. Because he is.

Let me just say that I’m not a big birthday person. Well, my birthday was the other day. Hardly anyone ever knows when it is because I rarely acknowledge that I’m getting older and older. My parents and daughter are the only ones. I’m stealthy like that.

Imagine my surprise when I get to Mr. Nice Guy’s house to go out and he has a card and a flower on the mantle for me. I asked him how he found out about my birthday (I’m pretty good about the covert ops birthday thing.) He DIDN’T. It was a sweet Mother’s Day card and a gift card “so you and your daughter can go out to eat and celebrate the day.”

I melted. Simply melted into a puddle of “oh-my-goodness-I-have-to-keep-this-guy-around-forever” type of mess in my head. No tears. I’m not vulnerable and crazy like that. But it really was the very nicest thing any man I’ve ever gone out with has ever done. And we’re not even “exclusive” or “dating seriously” or whatever the kids are calling it. (Or is it just when exclusivity is proclaimed on social media? Dating is so weird these days.) Well. Ugh. I’m obviously not seeing anyone else. So like any other woman who likes a man I’m “exclusively dating” this one, I’m just not interested in anyone else like I am Mr. Nice Guy.

Maybe there are nice ones left, I was just looking in all the wrong places, or going after the wrong “type.” Whatever happens though, this man is a good one, unless he pulls a crazy or does something heinous. Not even sure that is in his makeup. Only time will tell I guess!

~Miss Adventures