Tropical {Detox} Smoothie...

Well...

I knew it wouldn't last forever. 

All the glorious, blissful, unleashed gluttony during the holidays. 

I enjoyed every single minute of it. 

{However}

My jeans have officially reached their maximum capacity.

I need to relieve some of the pressure my waistline is putting on them. 

Not by undoing the top button, either.



This was my first time trying something with fruit & veggies all mixed together.

I was a little nervous.

It's green.





It's Greeeen.



Oh my gosh.  I just finished my smoothie and it was so good. 

 It tasted way better than I ever though it would. 

One minor drawback.

I think I have spinach breath. 

 Yep.  I can smell it. 

 Just did the old breathe into your hand & sniff test.

Very minor. I can deal with that.

I will be making this again tomorrow. 

Might even try to get hubby to drink it.

                                                                                                           Print Recipe

Tropical {Detox} Smoothie

• 1/3 Cup Skim Milk or Low Fat Coconut Milk
• 1/3 Cup Non Fat Vanilla Yogurt
• 8 Chunks Fresh Pineapple (frozen can be substituted- Omit ice)
• 1/2 Cup (handful) fresh Spinach
• 1 Tablespoon Shredded Coconut
• 1 Tablespoon Ground Flax Seed Meal
• 3 Ice Cubes

Source:Skinny Taste                                                                                    

Place all ingredients in blender.

  Blend until nice & smooth.

  Guzzle down. 

Wait for the magic to happen.

 

Top Twelve of 2012

Reflecting back on the most popular posts of 2012.....has been like opening a Scrapbook.

 

 

I'm amazed at how many things I've done with family & friends,

 

At the time spent in my kitchen...making memories

 

At how many different people and lives that I've connected with throughout the year.

   Blog friends AND in my "Real life".

 

 

 

It once again validates my reasons for taking the time to jot down little diddies here & there on this little blog....

Here's a little recap of what I was up to for most of 2012...

I shared drunken pineapple with my bestie, Janis:

Coconut Rum Soaked Pineapple

Then, I wandered around town looking for Italian dressing seasoning to make this baby:


Slow Cooker Italian Chicken Alfredo

Had some bonding time with my baby girl:

Mini Biscuit Pizzas

Broke out of the sweet potato sack

Brown Sugar Glazed Carrots

Had some more bonding time:

Aunt Gail's Sour Cream Sugar Cookies



 

Enjoyed my son's baseball games while gobbling down this fluffy stuff:

Strawberry Creme Oreo Fluff

Revisited some fond memories at Easter Dinner:

Mom's Best Marshmallow & Coconut Fruit Salad


 

Created that one of a kind apple pie smell through out the entire house:
(and watched my teenager inhale 2 helpings)

Slow Cooker Apple Pie

Got a little crafty with Barn Red Paint...



{outdoor} Chalkboard Paint Project

 

 

 

 

Found one of many ways to use up my gigantor sized bag of toffee bits

 

Toffee Glazed {Cake Mix} Blondies




Made Cake for friend Mary:

Red Velvet {cream cheese} Cake Balls



And grew a big butt :

Butter Toffee {Bandonk a donk} Fudge







Phew!   It's been quite a year!...............

I Wonder what next year will bring?


(hopefully a smaller butt)


Happy New Year!





 

Slow Cooker Bacon {double cheese} Dip

This recipe is the Mack Daddy, the Bomb-Diggity, and Boss over all other dips that I have ever made.

 

It's going to the top of my list of party food.

Perfect for New Year's Eve.

*I haven't used the term "Mack Daddy" in a very long time...*

So I thought I should look up the definition to make sure I was using the "term" properly.

This is what I found:

Mac Daddy" or Mack Daddy, is a term used to describe a man with
an unusual power over women.

Hmmmm. This dip does have special powers.....

Cheddar & Swiss....with Bacon.

• 8 slices bacon (reserve 2 for topping)
  
• 2 (8 ounce) package cream cheese, softened
  
• 1 cup mayonnaise

• 8 ounces Swiss cheese, shredded

• 8 ounces Cheddar Cheese, shredded
  
• 2 green onions, finely chopped

Directions                                                                     Print Recipe

1. Prepare Bacon.  Set aside.( I baked mine in the oven according to these directions..)
2. In a medium bowl, beat the cream cheese with mayonnaise until smooth. Stir in Swiss cheese, cheddar cheese, onions, and crumbled bacon.
3. Place dip in 4 quart slow cooker.  Heat on Low for 3 hours. Serve with your choice of crackers.

Source:Allrecipes.com (with modifications)

 Enjoy!

 

 

 

Merry Christmas... My pants don't fit.

Moments with family and friends are precious.

Try to enjoy every single one of them this holiday season.

 

 

Our first Snow.  Just in time for Christmas.


 

Even if it means having to indulge Uncle Lou by listening to him tell that same old fib about being the original inventor of Rubber Cement.  Tell him how Rubber Cement almost saved your life.. And if it weren't for him, you may not be alive today..

It will warm his heart.

 

 

Visit your Angels on earth.

I'm fortunate enough to be living near 2 of them.

Spending time with Brenda and Tina over a few glasses of wine has been the ultimate Christmas gift for myself this year. 

 

Tina has a blog called Forever a Mom.  You will truly understand why I call her an angel when you read her story.  Please stop by and leave her a heartfelt comment. It would make her heart feel good. (mine too)....

Or if you just want to see a few embarrassing pics of me, check out Tina's post from a wine tasting party Hubby & I  hosted earlier this year.

 

 

 

 

Happy Holidays.....

and remember that it's up to you

to put the  "Merry"

 

in your

 

"Merry Christmas!"