organization Breakfast to Bed

Can Ariel Swim In Mouthwash?

By breakfasttobed | March 19, 2012 - 9:35 AM | fitness, organization, Recipes, Uncategorized

Holy Spring cleaning, Batman! Yesterday, my husband and I scrub a dub dubbed and re-arranged our living room, and it felt so.good. Spring cleaning and organizing excites me in ways that you can’t imagine. I think it’s similar to how Dr Drew feels when he hears of a celebrity having a meltdown in the back of a pickup, found with only 3 copies of the “Little Mermaid” and a bottle of mouthwash. It’s the anticipation of the organizing as much as the job itself.

Clorox Green Works via the FoodBuzz Featured Publisher’s program sent me some products to test out. They sent a bathroom spray, wipes, and all-purpose spray. While the bathroom and all purpose spray were adequate, smelled nice, and did a decent job cleaning up average messes, the wipes were fantastic. They don’t leave a film behind, smell fab, do a GREAT job, and are, wait for it…….COMPOSTABLE. The container they are in is my only dislike. I wish they sold refill rolls in compostable bags, so I wouldn’t go through so many plastic, albeit recyclable, containers. Though I was given these gratis, I wasn’t required to do a blog post review, and I did one anyway. That is how much I like these wipes. I have actually used ALL the free wipes I was sent and I have purchased another container. They are my new “go-to” wipe. They came in really handy yesterday when after I moved the sofa, I found soy milk on the wall behind it. Gross.

I feel like my home is happier after a good scrub. Similar to the way your body and mind is happier when you treat it well. If you treat your body like Steven Tyler, you’ll look and feel like Steven Tyler, and I think we can all agree, he looks like the crypt keeper. If the crypt keeper was a rockstar yoga teacher. (“om this way!”) However, if you treat your body like Jane Fonda, you’ll (if you’re damn genetically gifted) look and feel like Jane Fonda.

My goals for spring are to start every morning with a really good stretching sesh, dedicate myself to drinking more still water, drink less beer/wine and more relaxing teas at night, and to run no less than 18 mi/week and do 2 strength training sessions/week.

I am also going to try to keep my larger servings of sweets to the weekend. You all know I love my sweets like whoa, and keeping them limited can be a challenge for me. I think I am up for it. I lost ZERO pounds this week, which means I need to to change what I am doing. Time to cut out the booze and sugar and amp up my fiber and veggies. This morning i was singing “chha chha chha chia, turn and face the gray seeds.” to the tune of “Changes”. Whatever, don’t judge. It works for me.

My Sunday sweet treat was fantastic.

Peanut Butter No Bakes (with toffee!!)

peanut butter no bakes (with toffee)

by Cat Tan

Prep Time: 5 minutes

Cook Time: rest time 1 hour

Keywords: dessert side snack gluten-free cookie

Ingredients (36 cookies)

2 cups sugar
1/2 cup butter
1/2 cup whole milk
1/4 cup PB2
1/4 cup crunchy peanut butter
1/2 cup toffee bits
3 cups quick oats
1/2 tsp salt
1 tsp vanilla

Instructions

put sugar, milk, butter, and pb2 into a saucepan and heat to medium.

when it’s a a rolling boil set timer for one minute

remove from heat and stir in remaining ingredients

drop into tablespoon sized mounds onto parchment or waxed paper and chill for 1 hour

serve

What is your favorite no bake treat?

Are you a milk or coffee on the side person, or a dunker? (I am a dunk in coffee-er!)

I AM Making Resolutions, What of It???????

By breakfasttobed | December 31, 2011 - 10:52 AM | family, family fitness, fitness, healthy eating, organization, WIAW

7 Comments

Everyone in the blogosphere is on an anti-resolution kick this year, so just to be contrary, I am going to go resolution CRAZY. I want more resolutions than what is necessary. BIG resolutions that will CHANGE THE WORLD. (ok, maybe not.)

NUMBER 1!!! I resolve to eat something OTHER than peanut butter and honey for lunch every day. This may mean I only make something different once a week for WIAW, but what the hell do you expect?? I am a creature of habit. Just ask the socks and wallet I’ve had since high school.

NUMBER 2!!! I resolve to find a white wine that I can stomach. This is purely for the sake of teeth staining. Red teeth are cool if you’re a Cullen or a Compton, but not so cool for a daywalker from Brooklyn.

NUMBER 3!!! I resolve to get rid of at least FIFTY PERCENT of the Captain’s toys!! He has a SHITTON OF THEM and only a select few are ever played with.

NUMBER 4!!! I resolve to QUIT SPENDING SO DAMN MUCH MONEY AT STARBUCKS AND DUNKIN. This is the one I feel like I can fail at the most magnificently. I love me an iced coffee or sbux iced tea. mmmmhummmm.

NUMBER 5!!! I came home with a Christmas surprise of my very own!! No, not a vacation baby, you’re gross just for thinking that. My parents were in the house. That’s foul.

A MUFFIN TOP!! A mother loving muffin top. If I gain THREE pounds, I get one. It’s sad, unfortunate, and like everything else, I blame my mother. So, I gots to get my ass in gear and get rid of that hot mess!!

NUMBER 6!!! I resolve to get the captain to eat different vegetables. He eats it if its green or a carrot. This was also my resolution last year, so you can see how well I did.

NUMBER 7!!! I want to pay off 30% of my student loans that are now topping off at over 30Gs. I vomit in my mouth every time I read my statement.

NUMBER 8!!! I want to start vlogging. I will start with this one. It’s my brother’s dog, Anna Banana, but that’s my arm and voice!

NUMBER 9!!! I want to start making my own damn hummus. My son eats a metric ton of it a year, and that little midget is costing me a fortune.

BTW, I have a pic of my aunt V holding me in that very same tee shirt, 26 years ago. Not.kidding.

NUMBER 10!! TRY ON ALL THE BATHING SUITS BECAUSE I WANT MY BODY RECONSTRUCTION!! oh.hells.yes.

Bring On Ze Pie, Bring On Ze Ass.

By breakfasttobed | November 20, 2011 - 6:24 PM | organization, Recipes, Thanksgiving recipes

16 Comments

I thought I’d lure you in first.

Remember my Thanksgiving prep? It started today. Instead of making one, giant pie for 4 people,(one of whom hasn’t any teeth) I made several mini-pies that I could freeze and thaw as we want.

I don’t know about you, but I freaking hate making pie crust, and I feel like buying it is admitting defeat. (I’ve had more than one tearful Thanksgiving with pie crusts and temperamental ovens.) This recipe HAS NO CRUST. No crazy crazy amounts of butter, no crimping, no crying, no scraping off all of the pumpkie pie off of the crust because it adds 150+calories to your slice. (especially when you want it with cinnamon ice cream)

Mind you, this is not a healthy recipe. I didn’t lighten it up. I added butter toasted crumbs an full fat, sweetened sour cream to it. I plan on serving it with a dollop of ice cream. I am actually watching my thighs get bigger eating this. If only I could magically transport that fat to my flat ass, life would be splendid. BRING ON ZE PIE!! BRING ON ZE ASS!

These little bits of heaven are baked in greased ramekins, in a bain marie, and topped when cool.

Mini Pumpkin Pies.

For the pie.

3T Wondra Flour
2T Pumpkin Pie Spice
3 eggs
3/4 C dark brown sugar
1/2 C white sugar
1t vanilla
2 cups pumpkin puree (unsweetened)
3/4 cup evaporated skim milk

Preheat oven to 350F. Place 6-8 greased ramekins (depending on size) in a roasting pan or cake pan. The pie itself couldn’t be easier. Mix everything together. The order of things doesn’t matter. I used a whisk attachment on my mixer for 3 minutes. Pour batter evenly into equal amounts in each ramekin. Fill the cake pan with water until the level is 1/2 to 3/4 up the sides of the ramekins. Bake approximately 55 minutes to 1 hour

For the toppings.

3 Biscoff or gingersnap cookies per ramekin (crushed)
2T butter
3/4 cup whole fat sour cream
3T powdered sugar
dash of pumpkin pie spice

melt the butter in a saucepan or skillet on med-high. Add in crushed cookies and toast. set aside. Whisk together sugar and sour cream. Top the cooled pies with cookie mixture and sour cream. Serve and devour.

My Partial Hand Paralysis May Get You A Prize!!

By breakfasttobed | November 1, 2011 - 8:21 PM | fitness, healthy eating, organization, Recipes

8 Comments

Hello, November. Where in heck did October go? Oh wait, I remember, in a CLOUD OF SNOW.

I know I never do this, but I feel as though I should get it out in some medium.

November’s goals.

#1 and the most important. I have had a DICKENS of a time remaining patient and understanding about my husband and his work. I knew when I married a cop that it was an often unpredictable job requiring a lot from its employees. I need to stress less and plan more.

#2 Eat more vegetables. I eat A LOT of vegetables, but I have been eating the same ones over and over and over again. WTH, Cat? Do you think you’re a rabbit? I must.

I chased a salad WITH a salad. I like greens.

#3 This month I want to run 100 miles. Yup, you read that right, 100 miles. I haven’t had a 100 mi month since before I was pregnant with my daughter, and I feel the need.

#4 I need to get the captain involved in more social activities. He’s being homeschooled right now, and I need to put forth a strong effort to keep him socially engaged.

#5 Buy more hairbows for the peanut. Because it’s cute. ’nuff said.

you don’t disagree, do you?

#6 Go on a date. A date where I let someone watch my kids. (I am REALLY bad at this.)

#7 Test no less than 30 recipes for Christmas cookies (this is really a nov/dec goal)

#7b don’t eat all the damn cookies, freeze the leftover dough. GEEZ, CAT!! YOU DON’T HAVE TO BAKE THE WHOLE BATCH TO TASTE ONE COOKIE!! (I predict a FAIL here.)

#8 Have a less stressful Thanksgiving. Preferably one that doesn’t include antibiotics, a trip to the ER, accidental burns, knife injuries, family fights, or dogs eating pecan pies. (dogs apparently LOVE pecan pies. Dogs, and Paula Deen-she has done somewhere around 9325934856 pecan recipes.)

#9 Either learn to crochet or solve the economic crisis. (“buy a needle, make bongs legal!” It could be a fundraiser-funny part is, I don’t even smoke pot, I just think it could bring in a crapounce of tax revenue.)

#10 finish ALL holiday shopping. ALL OF IT. Don’t get everyone the same thing. Chrismahanukwanzakah, I see you!! YOU GET A CANDLE AND YOU GET A CANDLE AND YOU GET A CANDLE! (isn’t it still “from the heart” if me and my gimparse left hand make it for you?? I could be SEVERELY wounded!!!)

If you trust my cleanliness, I may be willing to part with some of the goodies. Email me if you’re interested!! (I shall draw the names at random or whoever emails first, or has the best joke about my partial hand paralysis) and Amy–you have no idea the goodness coming to you.