Making *cents* of it all!

Everyday when my husband comes home, he empties his pockets on the kitchen counter.  Although this annoys me because it just adds to the all ready cluttered counter, I take the change that he leaves behind and I put it in a bag.  When that bag gets full, the money is transferred to a gallon milk container.

The other day, on a cleaning binge, we started counting just the quarters from a bag in the kitchen...GOLD MINE!  That got us thinking...let's get all of our loose change from all over (the counter, car, bedside table, even bathroom?) and see how much we have.

Then the teacher in me decided that this could be a great learning experience for the boys.  They can help sort, count, and roll the tons of coins that we have.  Not to mention that it's some good child labor!

So we got to work...

Yes, he's wearing a costume!

Here's most of what we rolled....we ran out of sleeves.  Can't wait to know the total amount!

Now I'm going shopping!!!!! Mama needs a new pair of shoes!!!

Alexis

Thirsty Thursdays....Skinnygirl Margarita

Ah, yes...it's Thursday!  Time for another drink...
This one is for my healthier side, even though honestly, I think exercise is just a means to eat (and drink) what you want and still maintain your image.

This recipe is from Bethenny Frankel from The Real Housewives of New York and Bethenny Ever After, both on Bravo (my favorite channel).  This margarita is a little more tart than the mixes that most are used to...but with the sweetness of the mixes, comes the calories!
So sit back, and enjoy this one...and leave the guilt for dessert!

Skinny Girl Margarita (by Bethenny Frankel)

2 ounces clear premium silver tequila  (count 1, 2 while you pour, no need for measuring)

juice of 1/2 lime

splash Grand Marnier or Bols triple sec

Combine all ingredients over a glass of crushed ice and garnish with a lime wedge.  If you like the frozen version, place ingredients in a blender with ice.

(Silver tequila is made from 100% blue agave, which is how the drink is lower in calories...a good one to try is Patron Silver.)

Ole'!

P.S. If you don't want to make it yourself, you can also buy Skinnygirl Margarita pre-made at your local liquor store. 

Alexis

Wordless Wednesday

I have no words.....

Alexis

Day one down...

So, I made it through day one of The Firm Express. It wasn't so bad. The 20 minutes seemed to pass rather quickly. There were 8 second blasts where you had to work a little harder and faster. The rationale behind this is if you push yourself a little more, then you will burn more fat during those sporadic blasts. Not bad.

My only question is why are these workout gurus so peppy? I mean, really? Calm down! No one is that happy all the time! It reminds me of one of my all time favorite TV shows. I'm sure you've heard of it. It was a little show called "Friends."

The episode was when Chandler was getting a little chubby and Monica - sad because of a break-up and no work - decided to be his trainer. She kept telling him to get on the exercise "train," screaming "Woo woo! Woo woo!". Until Chandler made her feel so bad about everything and helping her to see that taking a nap would be better than exercise. That's what I wanted to do to this overly chipper tiny blonde. Of course I can't do this. Not just because I will never meet her, but because I need her. At least until I meet the next perfect bodied instructor in week two.

Alexis

Will I really feel firm?

So I had a weak shopping moment.  Ok, so I have a lot of those....but this one was abnormal for me. 

After a night of a few glasses of wine, I was watching the wonderful world of info-mercials.  One caught my eye in particular.  The Firm Express.  This lovely info-mercial showcased a bunch of women who previously had lumpy mid-sections and weighed in the obese categories for their heights.  Then miraculously, by following this 30-day workout plan, they each lost oodles of pounds and countless inches to reveal their former teenage sizes.  And the exercises are only 20 minutes long...I can do anything for that short amount of time!

I paid special attention to this 30-something girl who had a "spare tire" and dimply thighs.  I sat with my glass of Pinot Grigio, listening to her story as I spoke out loud to the TV about the same issues that I have with my body.  Then it came...the website to log on to so that I could order this gift from the weight loss Gods.  I immediately ran to my purse, plucked my credit card out of my wallet, typed the website into my computer, and (you guessed it) ordered the workout videos. 

Now mind you, I belong to the gym.  My membership was a gift from my husband who usually never listens, yet he just happened to listen to one of my rants about wanting to lose weight.  Doesn't he know I just wanted to complain, I didn't want him to solve that problem?!  I hate to work out, but I do try to go to the gym at least 3 days a week.  But for some reason, this is different.  With the promise of huge results in just 30 days, how do I pass it up?

I'll admit, I'm skeptical.  But I will give anything a try.  So I will keep you posted on my journey to become "Thin in 30!"

Maybe this will help me feel less guilty about my nightly chocolate indulgences...

Alexis

Thirsty Thursday...Sensational Sangria

It's that time again...time for some libations to live by!

Today's thirst quencher is Sangria.  Another favorite of mine that helps with the summer sanity.
When I was younger, my grandparents would soak peaches in wine...mmmm....I think that was when I first fell for the fruit filled alcoholic beverages.  Then I found Sangria...the Spanish sweeter version.

Spanish Sangria

Ingredients
2 bottles +2 cups of inexpensive red wine
2 1/2 cups Dark Rum
1 cup Cointreau (or Triple Sec)
1/2 cup Apple Schnapps
4 tsp sugar (optional)
Ice
Chopped fruit, such as apples, oranges, lemons, peaches, strawberries (whatever fruit you like!)
5 cans Fanta Limon, Pellegrino Limonata, Fresca, or Squirt

Directions

1. Fill a large pitcher or punch bowl with the wine, liquors, fruit, and sugar. Stir vigorously with a wooden spoon.
2. Test taste. If not sweet enough add another tablespoon or so of sugar. If it is too sweet add more wine.
3. Let the mixture rest in the fridge for at least an hour and up to one night. (Better if over night)
4. Just before serving, add the Pellegrino Limonata. Serve in ice-filled goblets.

Serves 20.



 Other Varieties include:

• White Wine Sangria (another favorite of mine)
• Orange Basil White Wine Sangria
• Mango Peach Sangria (want to try this one!)
• Strawberry Peach Sangria

I just think whenever you place fruit in some alcohol, you're getting 2 prizes in one neat cup!

Drink up!

Alexis