Vegas... Part 3.. The Finale

In case you weren't tired of me talking about Vegas, I have this post. Bear with me, it's kind of another hodge podge.

When we got there Monday, we ate dinner at the hotel in the Cafe Bellagio.. Yummy! 

My Chicken, avocado, tomato wrap

Tracie's bacon burger that she warmed her hands on her plate. 

Tuesday we ate at Serendipity.. hello yummy dessert. 

Friday, we did a girls day shopping trip... where Linda made her FIRST Louis Vuitton purchase in the form of a make-up bag. 

And we went to the BIGGEST Forever 21 in the world. And tortured Linda while we shopping around for 2 hours. Whoops. It was seriously massive. Two stories.. approximately the size of a Macy's. 

Saturday morning.. the day we leave. Super tired and sad. 

More sleep please!

Ha! I got John mid yawn... 

Jo-Jo's $1000 chip. That's right. Guess all that statue feet rubbin' came in handy! 

John borrowed his, but you get the idea.. Winner Winner Chicken Dinner. 

Banana's Foster Waffles. Yes. They were as good as they sounded... I had them 3 different times. 

I'm so glad you came into my life...

Linda went to see Barry Manilow... with her Barry shaped record. 

We went to Minus 5 Wednesday night... it was really cold. Too bad they don't let you take cameras in there. You get to wear coats and ugg boots. And sit on ice furniture and drink out of an ice glass. 

Wednesday, we went to eat at the Pink Taco in Hard Rock... yep. You can imagine the jokes. 

It was oh, so, delicious. Seriously.


This is what happens when I drink margaritas.. not really. Something else much worse happens.



Yummy... too bad I can't remember the name of this 5 star restaurant in MGM... 

Friday night, we ate at the Top of the World and went to Cirque Du Soilel "O" show.. So flipping fantastic. The Olympics has NOTHING on that show. Sorry for the messed up pics...

They have roller coasters and the Sky Jump at the Top of the World.. I laughed at this sign. The dining room rotates so you can see the entire city of Vegas. Pretty awesome, even if the decor is a little 80's. 

Yup. I got my first In and Out Burger.. it was heaven. 

E-Mealz Review and Giveaway!

 

Lately, I have been having a hard time figuring what to cook for supper. All of my recipes call for tons of ingredients and I am tired of listening to hubs complain about the ever growing food budget. Since I listen to Dave Ramsey a lot, I was aware of E-Mealz but wasn't sure about actually joining- what if I didn't like the recipes? 

Well, it turns out the recipes are delicious and it has it's own shopping list.. organized based of grocery store sections. It is working out really well- we are able to eat the left overs the next day for lunch too- so it's like two meals in one! 

I really love how organized the list is- say you don't want meal 6? Well, there is a column that says which ingredient is in what meal and you can just mark out every thing needed for meal 6. Super easy! 

Plus, it gives you an estimated total of your grocery bill! 

They have low carb, Weight Watchers options, gluten free, vegetarian, low fat, couples only options.

And also store specific- Walmart, Kroger, Publix, Aldi, Ralph's, or the any-store option. 

The recipes are delicious and for the most part- the girls will eat them. It has really changed our eating habits- dinner at the table every night. And we make Addison try it before she says she doesn't like it. 

Don't forget to check out their twitter, blog, and Facebook pages for more ideas, and money saving tips!

Think you're ready to try it? 

If you sign up, you can receive 15% off through April 30th! 

AND...

I am giving away a 3 month subscription to E-Mealz to one lucky reader! 

How to enter?

Just follow my blog and leave a comment

Want some extra entries? 

Follow me on twitter( 1 extra entry)

Tweet about the giveaway (1 extra entry)

Follow E-Mealz on twitter (1 extra entry)

Grab my button (1 extra entry)

Please leave a separate comment for each entry

The giveaway ends next Thursday, April 7th at midnight. 

Back in the Saddle.. Again.

I'm glad everyone seemed to enjoy my race playlist and that I could give you some good ideas. 

I finally had my post race run. You see, these things scare me. I never know what to expect out of them. And the fact that I had been a little more than depressed last week bothered me. Does everyone else get the post race blues? John dragged me out of the house Friday night- I didn't really want to go, but after a g-chat with my girl, Jana, I took a shower, put on a cute outfit, and some make-up. Just to try to lift my spirits. We went to Huntsville and I had a gift card to Old Navy and DSW. I got some new Wedding/Easter shoes... and got a new ruffle tank from Old Navy. The shoes cost me less than $15 with the gift card. Thanks, Jay for the DSW gift card! I wanted something to get me out of my funk. Something to get me out of my running funk. But just signing up for one race wasn't going to cut it. Then, I found out about Half Fanatics. It really lifted my spirits. Got me right out of the funk. You can join by running either 2 1/2 marathons within 16 days of each other, or 3 within 90 days. I spent some time looking up races around here, but in the end decided they were all too close to the half I want to run, but have yet to sign up for, at the end of April. I'm afraid 3 weeks isn't enough recovery time. But it was enough to get me out of the funk. 

I thought I might get a run in Saturday, after my photo session, but it started raining and I didn't. And then Sunday, it didn't happen either. I had good intentions for Monday, but by the time Claire woke up from her nap, it would be 4 by the time I got to the gym, and it's too busy for me. 

So, Tuesday was the day. I told myself that I would 5 miles out of the deal, but I would stop before then if I felt that I needed to. I wanted to take it easy. Nice and easy. No sprints, just slow and steady. Side stitches started ailing me early on and by 2.5 miles, I felt like I could puke if I went much more. How weird is that? I ran 13.1 miles a week ago and wasn't doing less than 5 mile runs and all the sudden, I can't even run 3 miles? I guess that just goes to show how quickly running can turn on you. 

Anyway, it felt good on the treadmill. I missed the running. I wanted to go faster, but knew I didn't need to and that my body probably couldn't handle it. I proudly wore my Disney race shirt and even got a nod from the Spin Nazi who works out all the time and is in amazing shape. I guess I impressed her with my ability for a half. 

In other news.. Mr. and Mrs. Smith blogged about this amazing app and website My Fitness Pal and how she is counting calories. This thing is amazing!! It's free and so much easier than Weight Watchers. I am obsessed with it. I have already lost 2.5 lbs on it. I really want to meet my original goal of 130... and I am about 3 lbs from it. I also want to incorporate some weights and get some toning in with the running. I was looking at some different Jillian DVD's- but can't decide. $10 is a HUGE commitment. (sarcasm) I am really just indecisive about it. I have the Shred, but it's more cardio than I am looking for. 

I am still deciding on the run for today.. it's crazy stormy outside, so I am not sure I want to get out in it. Our yard has a river in it. I am not joking. 

As always, the first week is hard on the calorie counting. I haven't thought about cupcakes or chocolate or cream cheese icing in weeks and now? It's in thought bubbles all around my head. I can't stop thinking about it. But, you get more calories when you workout, so yay! Yesterday was the first day that I was actually under my calorie goal. 

Happy Wednesday, Folks!

Jamaican Me Crazy Pt. 2

These series of pictures are the ones that the fine people of Sandals took of us. And the ones that I determined that I don't look at stupid in. In this first one, I look 6 months pregnant. It was enough to make me put down my Chinese food. 

Wonky eye.. what are you doing?  P.S. I am totally ROCKIN' that side pony.

Dinner at Elenor's

Pool pics...everyone called Nick Saban on this trip. And people told us "Roll Tide" every time I turned around. If we met new peeps, they would be like, "Hey, there's some other Alabama fans around here..." and we'd be like, "Hey, yeah, they are with us because they are our family." 

Kissy Kissy..

Why is Casper in the middle? It seems unfair. I can't help it that I can't tan. One of the ladies at the spa told me not to try to "catch up" with Tracie, b/e my "skin was too thin, she could see it from here!''

Dinner at Guiseppe's

Casablanca Martini Bar

More Kissy Kissy.. they love the mushy stuff around these parts

Happy Turkey day!

My Nanny feels that it is important for my sister and I to at least know how to make her dressing for Thanksgiving, if not the whole meal. And let's be honest, we are NO Martha Stewarts, but I have been known to rival Rachael Ray. Sarah, though? She is completely hopeless. Tuesday was Thanksgiving 101 from Nanny. Now, Nanny is an old school, country cook, so, THIS. IS. NOT. DIET FOOD.

And here is my attempt at a Ree Drummond-type post. God have mercy on my soul. I may lose some followers after this post, but, please, give me another chance!!

First things, first for my Nanny, is to put on your wig.
I'm not kidding.

Nanny had already boiled the fat hen until tender( approx. 3 hours for a thawed hen) She also gave us the tip of boiling celery and an onion with the hen. My sister was grateful for the tip because apparently, boiling a hen makes your house smell like a "butt".
Nanny had already made the two pans of cornbread also.




The meat. I should probably put the disclaimer in here, that I am a slight vegetarian and DO NOT deal with raw poultry well, at all. Eggs? Sure! Ground white turkey? Bring it on! Chicken on the bone? I will vomit in my hands.


I wanted as far away from this as possible. I cannot describe to you how disgusted I was at this product. John said I would never make it on Survivor, and he is right!

You will want to save some of the meat for the giblet gravy. (Vomiting some more)

Sarah, crumbling the cornbread. Nanny also says to do some loaf bread in there and she even threw in some biscuits she made for us. Nanny had also already boiled and peels 7 eggs and you just crumble those up with the cornbread.


Finally! Something I am completely at home with! Chopping onion and celery. Me and fresh veggies are BFF. This was right before Nanny informed me that my hair "looked like a cow had sucked on it" She is sweet like that. She would never want us to be self conscious in any way.

I was able to give a tip on chopping onion, if you put in the refrigerator, then it won't make you cry.

You boil the onion and celery together until translucent.

Oh Sarah. You crack me up! Nothing like a big sister to try to gross you out every step of the way.

Pour in the cream of chicken soup.

Then, the onions and celery.

Some sage. (Which Sarah informed me that nursing mothers need to be careful with as it has a drying effect on your milk supply. Who knew?)

Poultry Seasoning

Black pepper and salt.

Nanny had no respect for the picture tutorial and poured in the chicken stock before I could capture it. So, you just pour that in until its the right consistency.

Claire had to try it. YUM!

I think she is a fan!

Claire trying to open Nanny's cabinet and getting into trouble.

I debated on telling you this. But I am all about full disclosure and have total blonde moments. But, if you can't love me for me and all of my hair-brainedness, then it's probably for the best. I totes thought( but since, I would NEVER boil a hen anyway, how was I to know?) that a hen and turkey were the same thing. Hello? It's poultry! Anyway, I understand if you leave me.

Nanny was very adamant that you couldn't use canned chicken or bouillon cubes.

Anyway, on with Nanny's recipe for Turkey and Dressing:

1. Boil fat hen until tender( approx. 3 hours.) Don't forget the celery and onion to keep the stench away! Keep the broth!
2. Crumble two pans of cornbread and about 1/4 of loaf bread.
3. pick the meat off the bones and save some meat for the gravy.
4. Boil and peel 7 eggs and crumble with bread crumbs.
5. Chop 2 cups each of celery and onion and boil until tender or translucent. Add to mixture.
6. Add 2 cans cream of chicken soup.
7. Add approx. 6 tablespoons poultry seasoning and half a bottle of poultry seasoning.
8. Salt and pepper to taste.
9. Add the broth to the mixture until the right consistency.
10. Bake in the oven at 350 for 1 hour.

*This makes A LOT. Enough for Christmas and Thanksgiving. Nanny splits it up and freezes half for Christmas.

Hope you guys have a safe Thanksgiving. I am gearing up for my first Black Friday. I will be at Old Navy at 2am to stand in line for the store opening at 3am. Wish me luck!

Rambled By Rachel