Rooms.....

Lucas said if we ever re-do his room he would want it to be

Nature-like

and

Green (as in eco)

It's hard to get good ideas for a boy room.

PB did have a couple of rooms that looked decent but I wasn't getting a Nature feeling and I don't think they are green.

I do like the surf idea with bright colors - it's just this room looks too dark to me.

Lucas likes this one because it has a desk and with the size of his room right now; the only way he is getting a desk in there is to stack something.

I like the brightness here, but we have tiny windows so.............

Now this is how I think a boy's room should be:

Neat and not a lot of clutter- the clutter makes me uneasy for a boy.

{{{{{{{While cruising looking for ideas}}}}}}}}}}

I LOVE this girl room wallpaper!!!!!!!!!!!

If I could do a bedroom for Rob it would be this one:

We all know who this room would be for:

ahhhhSpeaking of kitchens- I had a lot of parsley in my little garden and tried this recipe from Martha Stewart:http://www.marthastewart.com/recipe/favorite-flank-steak-with-parsley-garlic-sauce

It was yummy!

Argentina- how Romantic!

What does Argentina have to do with this?

It inspired Martha to write this recipe.

Veggie Wedgie Wednesday

Broccoli!

I'm so rushed adjusting to my workout stuff that I can't even tell all the benefits of eating broccoli!

Quick SumUP:

It's in the cabbage family, fights a lot of the same things as other cabbage family members. When teamed up with tomatoes it's extra TOUGH against prostrate cancer. Great if you are prego!

Please read here http://www.whfoods.com/genpage.php?tname=foodspice&dbid=9 because there is so much interesting things to read especially concerning prostrate cancer and older men choosing watchful waiting over chemo.

OH and Broccoli is an Italian!

If you like broccoli you will LOVE this recipe.

I first heard of LEMON with BROCCOLI while watching
Giada DeLaurentiis

She was using an olive oil infused with LEMON, so I searched and couldn't find the product and ended up trying extra virgin olive oil with fresh squeezed lemon juice and also PINCH.

Recipe:

Ingredients:

Broccoli

Extra Virgin Olive Oil

Lemon or Lemons

PINCH seasoning

1. Steam your broccoli

I use my microwave steamer and it takes about 4minutes

2. Make your dressing

I make it in a glass instead of just adding it to the broccoli. Depending on how potent the lemon is you need to 1st add olive oil and them the lemon juice till it has a dressing taste.

BUT if I'm in a rush I just add it to my broccoli :)

3. Add your PINCH to taste

4. Drain Broccoli

5. Plate it and pour the dressing on it

YEAH

I had to include this important tip as well concerning pasta because of all the things I've learned this is one of my favorites:

"Before you strain the pasta, save 1/4 cup of the pasta water," says De Laurentiis. "Then drain the pasta, add a little Parmesan cheese, then add your tomato sauce -- and then mix in the reserved pasta water. The starches in the water help the sauce stick. It comes out really nice and creamy."Read more: http://www.esquire.com/dont-miss/wifl/tomatoesmonth0807#ixzz0Mf1CknIZ

Isn't it SUPER unfair that she is so skinny and loves to cook ITALIAN! At times I want to ring her neck! But I do love watching her cook, she is good and seems really sweet.

Exercise update:

I've been doing my Step and Ab DVDs every morning since Saturday! I have also done Cindy Crawford (except today b/c I woke up late)- Will do tonight. I have also logged my workouts every morning at Self Challenge!

It's finally getting a little easier, but I still at times think it stinks.

I love my new water OGGI bottle b/c I found it at TJMaxx for 4.99

The 4th of July

I'm so behind!

Finally my 4th of July photos.

We spent the 4th weekend with Rob's family at their cottage.

It was fun.

Rob and Tyler getting the fireworks ready

The 4th was a little chilly but the 5th was FINE!

These 2 are busy just like last year!

Head to the sand BOYS

I love this kid!

Notice the polar fleece and sweatshirt- Is it really JULY?

Rob, Tyler and Lucas over at the BEACH

Sweet

I will always remember dancing this July 4th!

Notice the flame

? How about the look on Rob's face?

BOYS

XX

The GIRLS

It was a great time!

Exercise UPDATE

I just noticed I joined my SELF Challenge July 6th and have done nothing till this past Saturday.

I think part of my problem is that there is always something else to do so I skip the workout till night and then I'm tired!

SO Saturday I decided to start reading Family Manager and I was inspired to do some rethinking of my PROBLEM with working out. I love Kathy Peel!

What I did- I got out all my DVDs that I actually don't HATE doing and I did as much as I could handle if I did them everyday (which I would never do). I don't know why I figure stuff like that way but I do.

So because I workout in my basement I decided to do laundry in between my DVDs.

So here's what I came up - I can do:

My Step DVD

My Ab DVD

(picture too bad to post)LOL

My Cindy Crawford DVD

2 Loads of laundry

Catch up on NEWs

(because I know my DVDs so well I can watch the news as I'm doing them- although sometimes you really have to concentrate when doing your moves or weights.) I use a little DVD player for the exercise DVDs and watch the news on my big TV.

in 1 Hour 40 Minutes

I like !

BUT after I did it I was disgusted- WHY- because there is no way I can do it again! It was hard and there will always seems to be something that comes up and I can't do it. Why get my hopes up?

SO then I said to myself - I deserve to give myself 2 hours a day-

Really?- that seems so selfish.

BUT I did do 2 loads of laundry............and if I feel better and I am more quick to get up and do things with my family..........is it that selfish? I need to do it and so I did it Sunday and today as well.

I'm happy- but when I run out of laundry I'll feel bad doing it. LOL

Date NIGHT

I'm so super excited for my date night- because we haven't gone to dinner alone in a LONG time!

Last night- I did my nails and tried on my clothes. It's just like the old days. I'm going to wear my new shoes that I adore!

I'm all set to go!

When looking through shoes I seen these I thought were so cute

Wouldn't they be a cute DATE SHOE?

Here's my favorite shoes ever-

My wedding shoes- standard Dyeables dyed green with my little blue bird pin.

I love this outfit:

There were a few cute outfit in Redbook article-

7 ways to Sex-up your boyfriends tee

I wonder if ROB is watching the clock like me?

Tick Tick Tick...........

Veggie Wedgie Wednesday

Little BaBy Cabbage- how cute they are.

Brussels Sprouts are good because they help protect against cancer:

Plant phytonutrients found in Brussels sprouts enhance the activity of the body's natural defense systems to protect against disease, including cancer. Scientists have found that sulforaphane, one of the powerful glucosinolate phytonutrients found in Brussels sprouts and other cruciferous vegetables, boosts the body's detoxification enzymes, potentially by altering gene expression, thus helping to clear potentially carcinogenic substances more quickly. http://www.whfoods.com/genpage.php?tname=foodspice&dbid=10

Brussels Sprouts are a cruciferous vegetable (related to cabbage and broccoli)

Consumption of cruciferous vegetables, such as Brussels sprouts, is known to reduce the risk of a number of cancers, especially lung, colon, breast, ovarian and bladder cancer. Now, research reveals that crucifers provide significant cardiovascular benefits as well.

They are also great for fiber which helps with the health of our colon- one of my favorite things!

And Brussels Sprouts:

Have Cardiovascular Benefits

Are a Birth Defect Fighter

Protect against Rheumatoid Arthritis

Have a lot of Vitamin C

California harvests their B.Sprouts in December, but like everything else you can get them year round.

You want to pick tight, vibrant green sprouts and store them in your frig up to 10days.

OK onto the BEST RECIPE EVER:for Brussels Sprouts

Roasted Brussels Sprouts

Ingredients:

Brussels Sprouts-fresh (if i use frozen i thaw them 1st)

Wegman's Basting Oil

McCormick's Montreal Seasoning

Heat oven to 400 to 450

Place Brussels Spouts on a sheet and pour the Basting Oil on top

Then sprinkle with Montreal Seasoning- don't over do it with the M.S.

You may cook them 20 to 45 minutes or more- it all depends on the size of your sprouts and the temp.

Make sure to shake the sheet every so often so that they cook on all sides.

How you will know when they are done- they will look roasted- golden brown and crispy on the outside and tender in the middle.

YUMMY!

I can' t say enough how much I love Wegman's Basting Oil:

and McCormick's Montreal Seasoning
There is a lot more to read about Brussels Sprouts at WHFOODS.com! Make sure to check out the information concerning your thyroid because if you have a thyroid issue Brussels Sprouts might better be avoided.

Baby- No Baby

We can't decide-

Well it's still a tough call and I have a doctor appointment fast approaching and not sure if I'll go with some sort of birth control or not. YIKES

It's hard to decide when you are forty and afraid! I fear not pushing Rob enough; I would hate for him to regret not having a child. I fear not being alive long enough for another child. I wanted to just say a prayer and let happen what will happen.

A couple months ago I finally packed up all the things I collected for a baby girl and it was sad. There were so many cute things I wanted to give a little girl. I love the Kenneth Cole dress that came with a sweater and I really love my Blessed Mother picture from when I was a girl.

Oh well - I think to myself - Maybe someday Lucas will have a little girl.

Oh I also love the little hot chocolate set and Margalo (the talking bird) is adorable too....

OK- I pulled out Margalo. The other day Rob asked "What's with the bird?"

Margalo is from Stuart Little2

Who knows- I mean I can't even know if I would have a girl- Maybe someone will leave a baby girl on my door step and would another adorable baby boy be bad- NO WAY.

Anyways- I'm not sure why everything is underlined in this post.

Finally it's not doing it anymore~

This morning I seen this article and did get a laugh-how to eat.........http://health.msn.com/health-topics/sexual-health/mens-sexual-health/articlepage.aspx?cp-documentid=100241966&page=1

I clicked on the down loadable workouts and it took me to Men's Health which put me in the mood and I didn't even have to do one crunch. LOL

Maybe the article is a sign

Nails

I'm freaking out over all the new nail designs:

It's things like this that make we wish I was still in the salon working away.

It started when I seen Lady Gaga's video- LOVEGAMEAnd then Peas new video- I GOTTA FEELING!

I love Fergie's nail in the video- metallic silver with black dots. She looked great in the video.

Here is Fergie- real life.

She also looks great in Allure this issue

Back to nails- this fall is going to be full of new nail colors and Sally Hansen has a new pen out so you can make you own dots. The silver nails are from a company called MINX!

I also think about acrlyics- if I wasn't such a baby.