I am moving!

I am restaring my blog as www.1luckygal.com come over and visit me. I am doing my first give away this week.

Bow Issa

*This is not a paid review and I have not tested the products personally

I have been internet friends with Marissa for more then two years now. Our babies were born in the same month and we met on an online forum called "What To Except". Then we moved onto to becoming Facebook friends. Marissa is a strong working single mom with two girls. I love her and find in her inspiration and strength that I don't think you can fake, even online. We live half way across the country from each other and have never met but someday I think we might. In the meantime we share stores and video and pictures of the little ones.
While Marissa works a normal 9-5 job right now she has had the great joy of finding something that makes her incredible happy. I think that when your facebook status says something to the effect of " Went home for lunch and started sewing and forgot to go back" pretty much shows just how sewing makes her feel. Since Marissa has the two children and the full time job she hasn't had time (especially with the holidays) to get a whole lot going for her sewing. She does however have a facebook fan page where you can place orders from her to buy this super cute bows she makes. They are custom and you can request colors and she will do what she can. The prices vary, more fancy ribbon costs more (duh).
So if you have a daughter or a niece or a facebook page I'd love for you to take a moment and check her out. Fan her page or make an order or just let her know that you took a moment looked and thing her stuff is great.

Stolen

 I have a new blog that I love to visit. It is a crafting blog by a mom with two little boys. Granted the lady running My Little Gems is much more talented then me, most people who have complete control of there hands are (LOL), but she even has an itsy store. So I stole her "Foamerator" idea. It was perfect because Monkey was having bath time issues. Now we have gone through many ups and downs with bath time (which I find odd considering her love of the pool).First time she started having a melt down at bath time we realized she was already very tired, so we started doing bath time earlier. That was an easy fix. The next time she started having a melt down we have no idea what triggered it, but one day I just decided to skip it. Then next day she was pretty stinky and I wanted a show in the middle of the day. Since bath time was such a mess I figured it would hurt anything to take a shower togather. She love it for awhile. Once that phase seemed to have passed realized she was going through an "it's my idea, I'll do it myself" phase. So, we got her really interested in ducks, bought her this special duck and let her play with it all day. Then we drew her bath and showed her the duck floated and she could get in a play with the duck. So she decided that is what she wanted to do. Then she went through a, I am going to scream and kick through bath time phase. That is when thankfully I came across the foamerator. I bring it out when she is having a bad day or didn't get a good nap. It is something for special times to play with. She loves it so much I am wondering if I could use it to potty train. ? 
To Make A Foamerator 
Cut the bottom off of a plastic bottle. I used a pedilyte bottle. 

Then attached a damp wash cloth with a rubber band.

Now dip the bottom in a shallow plate or bowl that has hand soap or dish soap in it. Then Blow.

 Don't Forget To Enter

Meatless Monday

Egg Salad Sandwiches and baked mashed potato
I thought that perhaps others might have left overs from Easter dinner and this would be a great way to use them up (this year we had pizza). Then you can use the left over ham for lunch sandwiches all week long. That would certainly save you some cash.

You'll want to start the baked mashed potatoes first.
Take any left over mashed potatoes (they should already have milk, salt and pepper added to them from when you mashed them) probably want at least 3 cups and in a bowl mix in 3 tablespoons of sour cream and 1 cup of cheddar cheese and if you have some left over green onions throw some chopped up in there too. That should be very creamy, if they are not then add in a little splash of milk. Then spread them out in a casserole dish. Bake for 15 minutes on 350F

Take 6 hard boiled eggs and a 2 tablespoons of mayo. Mix together, but don't make mush. Then add in a stalk of chopped celery and a few chives and a tablespoon of lemon juice and stir those in. Now if you feel you need a little more moisture I would add in a tablespoon of Dijon mustard. If you have some lettuce put that on the sandwich as well. Eating these on a hearty whole grain bread makes it more healthy and filling.

Meatless Monday

This is a recipe I invented last week. I put chicken in it, but I the chicken was in the way. It was really filling too. I can't think of anything fun to call it, I guess moving wore out my brain as well as my body.
This is a really fast moving and quick to make meal. Using fresh broccoli really makes a difference to me.

Cheesy Noodles and Broccoli
You'll need to have 2 boxes Mac N cheese, a chopped shallot, chopped garlic and 2 cups chopped broccoli, and a few slices of cheddar cheese.

In a large skillet heat up a tablespoon of olive oil. Throw in some garlic and shallots.
While those are turning translucent on Medium-High heat open 2 boxes of Annie's Mac N Cheese and get the noodles started in boiling water (probably start your timer).
Then throw some chopped broccoli in the skillet. You could add in just about any vegetables along with the broccoli if you would like right here. I might have added some bell peppers if I had some.
Add in just 1/2 a cup stock or water
Cook until tender.
While cooking the broccoli, if using Annie Mac N Cheese you should get a bowl and follow the directions on the cheese mixture adding milk and whisking it together.
Drain the noodles (when the timer goes off)
Then add some seasoning to your broccoli. I go with a tiny bit of salt, pepper, thyme and rosemary.
Stir the noodles into the broccoli in the skillet.
Turn off the heat.
Then stir in the cheese sauce. Throw on 3 or 4 slices of cheddar and stir it all up.
Walk away for a couple of minutes and then stir again (the cheese will be melted).
You can served this with a simple green salad on the side. If you have a large family you may want to add some black beans to make it a large meal.

Meatless Monday

I became a fan of Leslie's blog Leslie Loves Veggies after she participated in one of my contests. I thought who better then to host a meatless meal then a Vegetarian.

Hi I'm Leslie From Leslie Loves Veggies

I have been a Vegetarian for almost 20 years! I love delicious veggies, fresh ingredients and SPICY food, Just ask my Hubby!

Today I have the Honor of being a guest blogger for Meatless Monday! I am so excited to share a recipe I have been making for a very long time. It comes from "Lean Luscious and Meatless" which was one of the first cookbooks I got YEARS ago when I became a vegetarian.

Remember think in season, Flavor, Color and EAT WHAT YOU LOVE!!!!!

Southwest Potato Lentil Stew

Serves 4 so you may want to double it!

1/2 cup Lentils, uncooked (3-3/4 ounces)
2 Medium potatoes (12 ounces total) unpeeled, cut into 1/2 " pieces
1 cup chopped carrots
1 cup chopped onions
1/2 cup chopped celery
1/4 cup chopped celery leaves
2 cloves garlic, finely chopped
2 cups tomato juice
3/4 cup water
2 teaspoons chili powder or more for chili lovers like me!
1/2 teaspoon dried basil
1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
Salt and Pepper to taste

In a large saucepan, combine all ingredients, mixing well. Bring to a boil over medium heat. Reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer 40-45 minutes, until vegetables are tender. Stir several times while cooking and add small amount of water if thinner stew is desired.
Per Serving: 210 Calories, 11 grams Protein, 1 gram Fat, 42 grams Carbs. 487 mg Sodium. ZERO Cholesterol~

This would be great with a piece of Crusty Bread and a NICE GREEN Leafy Salad!
Enjoy
Leslie from Leslie Loves Veggies
also find me on twitter

Thanks for the great recipe I can't wait to try it out. I really love that you have add in the calories too that is great for readers on a diet.

Meatless Monday

This is one of the simplest meals ever. I think it is great if you keep this stuff around for a quick snack or meal anytime.

Bean and Cheese Burrito

I love to use whole wheat wraps. They make the meal more filling and healthy! For the beans you can use whatever suites you. If you have some leftover pinto beans from a pot of beans you can drain them and smash up a bit. Add some jalapeno's and some chili powder then heat them up in the microwave or over the stove until they are pipping hot. Then spread them on a wrap and put some shredded cheese on them. If you are looking to lose weight I recommend a tiny bit of sharp extra sharp cheddar and the rest low-fat mozzarella. On top of the cheese add some salsa. Now salsa is actually pretty healthy, but some brands add lots of sugar. 15 grams of sugar is a teaspoon. If the serving size is only 2 tablespoon then I think a whole teaspoon is too much. Then wrap it up and you may want to heat the whole thing for the cheese to melt, but you don't have to.There you go dinner.
You can add leftover meat of almost any kind to this if you wanted. You may want to make some rice to go with this. I also like salad.