Food Network junkie

If you know me at all, you would say this is an accurate description of me.  I've always loved Rachael Ray, and I make a mean marinara courtesy of her.  Last night for dinner, I made a variation of a caramelized onion and chicken quesadilla I saw made by Giada De Laurentiis.  Bobby Flay is one sexy chef that can tear up the dance floor, as well as your intestinal tract if you don't like his spicy fare.  Paula Deen is a woman after my own heart making Southern cuisine, almost always started with "a little butter".  She and I have differing opinions on mayonnaise (she'd drink it; I rarely use it), but her gooey butter cakes look "When Harry Met Sally" cafe scene-worthy!

On the other hand, Sandra Lee just chaps my ass.  She's just a glorified alcoholic who just happened to get her bony ass on TV.  She's not talented at all, and she just overdoes her 'tablescapes'.  This blurb also just punctuates her overuse of the word just.  Emeril got too big for his pants (literally) and moved to FLN.  Fine by me.  I can go the rest of my life without hearing the word, "BAM"!  The Barefoot Contessa is a bit uppity for me, but I do watch her sometimes.  Her husband is just the cutest, though, and they're very sweet together.

Newcomer Sunny Anderson is so fun!  We could be friends off camera.  Guy Fieri is a frickin' nut; I enjoy both "Guy's Big Bite" and "Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives".  Tyler Florence is a cutie, but a little ADHD.  Then, there are The Neelys.  At first, I didn't care for them because Gina's voice kind of grated on me.  I gave them another shot, and I now enjoy their show often.  Sometimes, it gets too syrupy, but overall, it's good.

Here's my opinion of Alton Brown:  He's a douchebag!

I wrote this post because I love to cook and see people eat what I've created.  There have only been two times that I was told what I made wasn't that great, but it was still eaten at that meal.  Overall, I have culinary success on my side.  I sometimes like to bake, but I prefer to cook so I'm not chained to measuring devices all the time.  The fewer dishes to wash at the end of the meal, the better as far as I'm concerned!

On that note, I need to cook more and order out less.  Even if I make something that's not-so-good for me, I'll at least know what's in it and it'll save me boatloads of cash.  I could use that cash for Vegas!  I love to gamble and want to go to Sin City sooo bad!!!

I'm done, for now.  I'll be back when you least expect it!

Athena made me do it!

Yeah, I know my last post is over a month old.  I just got lost in planning a move, packing, moving, unpacking and being sick.  Blah, blah, blah...whatever!

I was "gently" reminded by my yellow friend that I needed to update my blog.  So, here I am.  I worked last night, but it was my Friday, so I want to stay up and do stuff before I crash.  Mind you, I've been home for over an hour and haven't accomplished jack, but the thought is there.  I'd like to do some laundry and maybe unload the dishwasher.  If it happens, it happens.  If not, it'll still be there for me to do later.

I still need to make that damn dentist appointment.  Flex spending runs out in about 2.5 weeks.  If I space on it, I'll have to buy $300+ worth of Advil, band-aids and other assorted flex-approved crap!  A massage is a good idea, too.  That'd use up $40.

I'm LOVING the new digs I'm in.  So much more room and working heat makes a world of difference.  I could do without all the gates separating the areas and needing a key to get to the mailboxes, but what can you do?  Beggars can't be choosers, right?

OK, I think this is a sufficient post.  I have a Target story to share, but that'll have to be another time.  Stay tuned; it's hysterical!  Later days!!!

Babbling. Too bad my name's not Brook.

As I'm sitting here trying to warm my hands to type, I'm very grateful to be moving in 2 weeks!  The heat (if you can even call it that) here is atrocious!  It's pretty bad when you wear a scarf and a jacket to bed every night to stay warm (Hamilton's ritual).  We both have two comforters on our beds as well.  Pitiful!

We're eating more healthfully now and feeling better by the day.  I'll be glad to be in our new place as it has a fitness center, pool and hot tub.  We'll also have our own water heater, which is another blessing.  I couldn't tell you the last time I had a hot shower in this hole.  I think everyone in the building shares the same tank.  I'm getting blasted with cold water and inventing new strings of cuss words with each shower!

I started my taxes today.  I'm still waiting for a W-2 from Sam's Club, but my refund so far will allow me to buy a bed.  Thank goodness, because the springs I'm sleeping on now are about to cripple me!

I have a Flex Spending Account through work that I have lots of money on.  I have to use 2009's before the end of March.  I have it earmarked for the dentist.  I'm not looking forward to it, but it's a necessary evil, emphasis on EVIL!!!  I intend on visiting my local Comfort Dental soon.  Knock my ass out, do what you have to do, and put me on the bus.  I'll get home somehow - LMAO!!!

In the last month or so, I was introduced to Shinedown.  Now, I'm a woman obsessed!  I have their albums downloaded to my iPod and have been listening exclusively to them for the last few weeks.  I have 800+ other songs on my player, but I've been rockin' out to them and loving every minute of it!

I guess that's all for now.  It's after 2 AM.  I should probably get some sleep.  I have to go to Occ. Health tomorrow to get my TB test read and I have laundry to do before heading back to work Saturday night.  On that note, Good Night and God Bless!

2010 Goals

I have composed some goals I'd like to achieve in 2010.  They are pretty simple in theory; following through is the problem I encounter.  The top two are:  1. live more healthfully, and 2. decrease expenses.

On January 4th, my friend and I are attending a wellness seminar.  I subscribe to Clean Eating magazine and have that cookbook as well.  I'm also going to research low-glycemic eating because I'm insulin-resistant.  Every little bit helps!

I've decided to cancel my Comcast service (TV, home telephone, Internet) to accomplish #2.  I'm also going to be more mindful of where I throw my money on seemingly trivial things.  I'm sure I'll be amazed to see where every dollar ends up.

Those are the two major goals I have.  I've decided that 2010 is the Year of Stephanie.  Look out world!  I'm coming into mine this year!!!

New Year, New Me?

'Tis the time of year to contemplate change for the next year.  I, like many, have made resolutions each year, only to break them before the middle of January!  Yes, I was being very generous - by about two weeks!

This year, I'm starting off on the 4th by attending a wellness seminar with Cindy.  Mile Hi Church is sponsoring the event and I have our tickets purchased.  To be honest, I believe it'll contain the same basic information everyone already knows.  The kicker this time is that I'll be doing this with someone as determined as I am to be an overall healthier person.  Yes, it is about losing weight, and maybe it does have a little something to do with vanity.  Essentially, I would like to be able to bend over to tie my shoes without readjusting my spare tire(s)!  Thankfully, I can still shop in regular stores for clothes, but it'd be nice to not have to go to the fluffy girl section.

I'm doing this strictly for me.  I've been abusing my body for far too long and someday, I'd like to have a baby.  That means I have to change my ways NOW!  I've already pissed away some pretty prime years, but I still have a few left in order to realize my dream of motherhood.

Is 2010 the year of Stephanie?  The answer is YES!!!  Stay tuned...