Coconut Pineapple Caramel Ice Cream Cake

I made this for my party and man was it good!! My favorite is still the Pumpkin Spice and Eggnog both are Edy's Limited Edition and will be out soon :)
The summer Limited Edition from Edy's is Coconut Pineapple.

Ingredients (for using an 9X14 pan) If you use a 9X9 split recipe in half.

• 3 Quarts Edy's Coconut Pineapple Ice Cream (hey it's low fat lol)
• 2 Jars of Mrs. Richards Caramel Sauce
• 1 Bag of Butterscotch Morsels
• 1 Can of Pineapple Chunks
• 2 Bags of Vanilla Oreo Cookies
• 2 Bags of Shredded Coconut
• 1 Lg Tub of Cool Whip
• 3 Sticks of Butter

Directions

In a 9 x 14 pan, crumble up  cookies and place on bottom of the pan.  Melt butter and mix into the cookies, stir evenly.  Pour melted caramel sauce on top of ice cream.  Sprinkle butterscotch chips, pineapple and one bag of shredded coconut on top. Save a little of the chips and coconut to top off cake.   Add whip cream.  Sprinkle top with the remaining coconut and butterscotch chips.

ENJOY!!

Grilled Teriyaki Pork Ribs & Portugues Round Fries

I love marinades and use a variety.  I am particulary fond of World Harbors Marinade.  They come in a variety of flavors that are delish! Tonight I tried the Teriyaki on Pork Ribs and it was awesome!


This is so easy to make as all my recipes are.

Ingredients

• 3 Lrg/Lean Pork Ribs
• 1/4 Bottle of Teriyaki Marinade
• 3 Small Potatoes of your choice - I used 3 small reds

Directions

Pork

Place ribs in plastic bad, add marinade.  I let mine marinade over night.  Grill until ready to serve per taste. 

Potatoes 

Slice potatoes as thin as possible.  In a frying pan coat to cover with olive oil.  Add potatoes cook until browned.

That's it!

I served it with  Portugues Round Fries, Brussel Sprouts and Corn On The Cop.

ENJOY!

http://www.mizkan.com/Brands/WorldHarbors/ProductsAndFlavors/

Italian Macaroni Salad

Gotta love the summer salads!!

Italian Macaroni Salad


Ingredients

• 1 Box of Rotini Pasta (I always use Dream Fields Pasta, only 5g carbs/serving
• 1/4 lb Genoa Salami
• 2 Lrg Cucumbers
• 3oz Kidney Beans
• 5 Pepperchinis - chopped
• 1 Lrg Red Onion -  chopped
• 1 Tbs Fresh Basil - chopped
• 1 Tbs Fresh Oregano - Chopped
• 1 Clove of Garlic - Finely Chopped
• 1 Small Can of Sliced Black Olives
• Handful of Green Beans
• Parmesan Cheese
• Italian Dressing or any type of dressing you prefer.

Directions

Boil Pasta, drain and cool.  Add all above ingredients and mix well.  Top with Parmesan Cheese and Salad Dressing of your choice.

ENJOY!!

It's All About The Shoes!

If you know me, you know that shoes are my weakness! I absolutely love everything about a gorgeous heel.  My friends think it's funny as well as I do that if I wear flats, not including flip flops, I fall down lol!! The higher the better.  I did however order a gorgeous turquoise pair of shoes and without looking carefully they ended up to have a 6" heel and that is just too high!! So those puppies went back.  As far as I go with a heal is 4 1/2".  I have also talked about the 2 sites that I buy all my shoes from now 6pm.com and Dr.jays.com - GREAT buys! 6pm especially,  the shoes fit to size and are the most comfortable shoes that I ever had.  Also have posted before although I don't like Jessica Simpson, her shoe line is fabulous!

I haven't blogged in so long, so these are some of the shoes that I bought back in June - present for my new job.  And I am so happy to say that purple is in!! I went crazy adding more purple shoes and boots to my wardrobe, as well as clothes but that'll be a different blog ;)

Jessica Simpson Angie Boot - LOVE LOVE LOVE THESE!
$60.90

Jessica Simpson Arcadia - Purple Passion

Black Steve Madden Taliaa - Black Suede
$38.48
Gabriella Rocho Tama - Teal
$45.00
Sling Back Pump - Blue
$29.99

RSVP - In Purple, Black & Brown - The most comfortable shoes that I own!
$28.10

Micheal Antonio Musa Ankle Boot
$39.99








http://www.6pm.com/
http://www.drjays.com/

Check these sites out!

Purple is the HOT Color of The Fall & Winter & I am Stoked!

My two favorite colors are purple and pink.  I am soooo happy that purple is the color of the season.  I purchased quite a bit of purple for my work attire and as in my other blog - purple shoes and boots mmm mmm mmm!! Love it!!
Here are some of the clothes that I have bought for my fall/winter wardrobe.  
All of which came from
http://www.dressbarn.com

Scroll Print Duet with Lace Trim

            $39.99

Marled Cardigan with Tab Collar and Sleeves
$39.99

Lace Trimmed Camisole

$19.99

This will look great under the sweater!

Belted Cross Dyed Blazer - this will be great with my black pencil skirt, gra or black pants or my black maxi skirt $39.99  Must Haves! Adjustable Strap Camisole  On Sale for $12.74 (buy one get one half off) I bought in Purple, Brown, Black and White

Tummy Control Trousers - they fit so well and are sooo comfy.  I have them in many colors- Black, Navy, Grey, Olive, Tan $29.99

I love the maxi skirt! They looks so good w/boots.  I have them in Black, Plum, Brown and Tan

Moleskin Maxi Skirt $39.99

We all need the Little Black Dress ;) 

I bought this during their dress sale for $25.00

http://www.dressbarn.com

Starting Tomorrow!

I went to Manny's this week to have my last binge on my food addiction, like an alcoholic that is facing rehab, I went nuts.  The food up there is the best that I have had, not including NYC, but a close second for sure.  This was a Prime Rib Dinner With Portuguese Rice and Their Infamous Chip French Fries...a food addict's dream lol!! 
OK now to the issue.  As I have posted many, many times that I am an emotional and destructive eater.  I have again reached a bottom with my food addiction and ready to do something about it.  I was reading my old blog on how well I was doing with this diet  "Life Style Change" which I prefer to call it b/c for me the work DIET is a four letter word and does not work for me.  In reading the blog, I began to beat myself up instead of saying, hey you were doing great and can do it again.  So I turned it around and re-posted it to show me that I can do this!  I was powerless getting ill from Mold Exposure and I continue to struggle with this illness on a daily basis in all shapes and forms.  My last work out a week ago, was a disaster.  I had a horrible and scary asthma attack and my throat felt like it was closing up...ahhh...good excuse to use for not exercising.  Anywho, I got more meds for it and talked to friends who work out daily about this and they suggested that I take it real slow....Then my negative mind thinks, wth bother?! WTF is that going to do?! My positive mind tells me, it's a start and better than nothing. When I had the attack at the gym, I went right for my 3.8 fast walk then 4.2 job - took me out. So tomorrow will try again, I am determined in my social life not to let this illness beat me so let's go and do it for weight loss and exercise.  

I am not going to my end weight in March b/c I was lieing to myself about my weight gain and in 3 months packed on 20 something pounds vs the 6 I have been telling others and myself...time to come clean.  Weigh in today was 176lbs  Size 14 but a tight one.  

I will do what I did before and blog weekly about my weight loss, my struggles, food that I am eating and my exercise regime.

For the gals on my Facebook Change In Life Style Page...

WE WILL DO THIS!!!

So here it begins.....

 F U FOOD! lol

August 2009 - 190lbs

Today 6/24/11 - 176lbs (had no pics alone so posted my lasted pic with my BFF)

6/24/11 - Starting Weight - 176lbs

Goal Weight 125lbs

51lbs To Lose

New Summer Recipe!

When my friends and I went camping last weekend at a wonderful resort here in CT, we stumbled upon a great little farmer's market on the grounds.  Loving hot and spicy food, I picked up a marinade called, Hoboken Eddie's, Mean Green Marinade - described as Smokey roasted jalepeño and lime juice combined with southwestern spices.  It has a nice bite but not too hot.


I found the web site online and can't wait to try the other flavors.  
http://www.hobokeneddies.com/page.asp?ID=5


I marinaded chicken strips for 8 hours and then grilled it and it was so delicious!    I served the spicy grilled chicken with a summer favorite of ours, grilled veggies and rice.


Ingredients

• 8 Boneless Chicken Strips - I used Tyson Frozen Strips
• Hoboken Eddie's Mean Green Marinade 
• Fresh Veggies - I used Asparagus, Chopped Zucchini & Red Onion
• 4 Cloves of Garlic
• 1 Tsp. Fresh Oregano
• 1 Tsp. Fresh 
• Olive oil
• Parmesan Cheese
• Rice of your choice - I used Lipton's Chicken and Broccoli Rice Mix

Directions

Place uncooked chicken strips in plastic baggie, add marinade (eye balled - enough to cover the chicken completely).  Refrigerate for 6-8 hours.  In aluminum foil add fresh veggies and whole cloves of garlic.  Add herbs. Drizzle with olive oil.  Cover the veggie mixture with aluminum foil.  Place veggies on grill for 15 minutes before you place the chicken on grill.  Place chicken on grill.  Grill chicken for 20 minutes while continuing to grill the veggies.  Cook rice as directed.  After the veggies are grilled, sprinkle with Parmesan Cheese. Serve!

ENJOY!

http://www.hobokeneddies.com/index.asp

New Job, New Shoes!

I am starting a new phase of my journey with a new job.  I no longer can work in nursing homes or hospitals because of an illness that I contracted.  To make a long story short, I can not be around chemicals or I have severe allergic reactions which will make it impossible to work in that kind of environment.  At first, I did feel devistated, I love working with the elderly and have to say that I am excellent with that population, it has been a very painful experience.  Picking myself up, I began to think outside the box and found a nursing position in an office setting.  Although this is a far cry from hands on care that I love, I find that this will be a very  challenging endeavor and I am looking forward to working for this company.  I am going to love working in the city again for one thing (WOOT WOOT LOL) and I am very good with a computer which will be the majority of my work along with public relations as a Health Care Consultant.  Anywho onto the shoes..
With this new job, I need new shoes! Most of my summer shoes are now flip-flops, most fancy but not in the dress code of an office environment so I went nuts and continue to surf the net for new buys!  I found 2 GREAT shoe site that one are very reasonable priced and more importantly for me have AWESOME shoes :)
Here are some of the shoes that I have purchased so far...

The first 2 shoes are from the Web Site - DrJays.com

http://www.drjays.com/shop/G1-R375/womens_brands.html

These have to be one of my favorite buys! I have never had a print shoe like this one and love them.  They are so comfortable!! Steve Madden at a steal!

Oyster Peep Toe Pump

$49.99 

LOVE LOVE LOVE THESE!!!

Baby Phat

 Paula Clog Bootie

$43.99

Minx Me Esta Peep Toe Pump

$50.00  

These are from the other great shoe site that I found - 6PM.com

http://www.6pm.com/shoes

RSVP

$30.91

I can't stand Jessica Simpson but LOVE her shoe line, they are so me!  These I spent a little more $ on but they are so comfortable, even with the 5" Heel but I find heels more comfy than flats and actually constantly fall down in flats lol!

Jessica Simpson Shoes, Kooza Sandals

$89.00

Then my old stand-by, Payless - How could I pass these up at $13.50?

Kutarug Hooded Sling

Fioni

$13.50

And Then Kohl's 

With all my coupons and discounts I got these babies for $11.49 

ELLE™ Yalena Platform High Heels

original $59.99

Sale $29.99

That's all folks!

Giving Up Cigarettes

I took a huge step in looking at my smoking addiction and decided to give it up.  I have made several half ass attempts over the years using the patch, the gum & hypnotism - nothing worked.  One of my close friends and his wife began this journey a while back using the E-Cig (Electronic Cigarette). They both had the same issues with quitting as I did...I need the hand to mouth motion, see smoke and the habits that come with cigarette smoking were lacking in the other methods.  I am doing great with the E-Cig!  I have only smoked 3 packs of cigarettes this week and this is amazing coming from a carton a week (sometimes more) smoker.  When I get the urge, I just fire it up.  My husband decided to do so also, which is a big help.
My friend did research online before purchasing this brand and it is said to be one of the best out  there.  The price is great also.  With the discount and coupon that I used, I got the kit for 139.99 which is less than two cartons of cigarettes.  It came with enough equipment for both my husband and I to have an ample supply.
There are many different kits that you can check out.  They even come in the flavor cigarette that you smoke with a wide variety of flavors and kits to choose from.
The site is called, "V2 Cigarettes
http://www.v2cigs.com/"

I purchased the, "Ultimate Kit" which you can check out....
http://www.v2cigs.com/products/V2-ULTIMATE-KIT.html

Don't worry, I will never be one of those pain in the ass reformed smokers lol!

Garbage Pasta or Everything But the Kitchen Sink!

Without a paycheck coming in our usually Sat. night take out and/or Date Night out could not happen this week.  I am the "winter chef" in our house and Jerry cooks in the spring/summer months but I wanted to do something nice for him b/c he has been wonderful to me during this illness.  I went through our cabinets and fridge and came up with this new dish.  Yes it is similar to other pasta dishes that I have made but it does have a different twist.  It was delicious!  I am calling it, "Garbage Pasta" and/or "Everything But the Kitchen Sink" 


Ingredients:

• 1 Box of Dream Fields Pasta - I used Angel Hair
• 8 Cloves of Garlic, chopped
• 1 Tbs Fresh Basil, finely chopped
• 1 Tbs Fresh Oregano, finely chopped
• Olive Oil
• 1 Cup Broccoli 
• 1 Cup Cauliflower
• 1 14 oz. Can of Italian Tomatoes, drained
• 1 14 oz Can of Shiitake Mushrooms
• 1/4 Red Onion, Chopped
• Handful of Green Olives
• Handful of Black Olives
• Gorgonzola Cheese Crumble to taste
• Fresh Parmesan Cheese - to taste

Directions:

Cook pasta as directed.  Drizzle olive oil in large skillet.  Add garlic and herbs, sautee' for a few minutes.  Add all above ingredients.  Cook on medium heat for 20 minutes.  Drain pasta, add mixture and top with Gorgonzola cheese and grated parmesan cheese. Serve!

ENJOY!

That Damn Kohl's Cash Gets Me Everytime!

Me, who right now is not getting paid but that is an entirely different story, had to shop, just had to! But wth can resist Kohl's?  I can't believe the buys that I get there, unreal and way too good to pass up.  Me, the shoe whore picked up some real cute flip-flops that actually have a small heel on them which makes me even happier b/c I hate being short lol! The big thing is that I bought a swimsuit...a women's worst nightmare.  I ordered it online not even trying it on and I have to say it looks really good on me, which is a big deal for a woman to say - right ladies ;)  Annnd...I bought one w/color not the usually black to hide in.

I bought these both in White and Black and they are so comfy and cute!! The pic does them no justice.
  SO® Beaded Rhinestone Wedge Flip-Flops

$6.99/Each

Croft & Barrow® Fit For You Body Sculptor One-Piece Swimsuit

$44.00

With 20% off and my $10.00 coupon plus shipping my total was $55.98 - not bad!

I bought these babies a couple of weeks ago and they are gorgeous!

Rialto Crista Wedge Thong Sandals - on Sale for 23.99, after 20% off and coupons, got them for 13.98!!

FABULOUS!!