Tasty Tuesday: Red Velvet Better Than Sex Cake

I feel like all the recipes I post are main dishes,

which is great and all, but I thought I mix it up with a little dessert.

Cause who doesn't LOVE dessert?

Best part about this one?  It won't ruin your waistline.

And? 

 It's ah-mazing. 

So amazing that I made it one week to take to a friends house and the husband promptly requested that I make it again the following week.

Yep.  It's just that good.

Is it better than sex?  Well....I'll let you be the judge of that!

 

Photo Courtesy of No Thanks to Cake.com

 

Red Velvet Better Than Sex Cake

original recipe found here

what you need

1 box red velvet cake mix

1 can diet coke

2 boxes Sugar Free Fat Free Cheesecake pudding

4 cups skim milk

1 tub cool whip (lite or fat free) thawed

10 oreos

 

what you do

1.  Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Prepare a 9x13 baking dish using cooking spray made for baking.

 

2. Combine red velvet cake mix and diet coke using a mixer.

 

3. Cook the cake per the box instructions, testing it with a cake tester upon removing it from the oven.  Remove the cake to a wire cooking rack for a few minutes.

 

4.  In a separate bowl, mix the pudding and milk with a wire whisk.  Mix until it begins to thicken, but do not allow it to completely set.

 

5.  After removing the cake from the oven, find a wooden spoon to use to create holes in the cake.

 

6. Pour the pudding mixture over the cake and fill in all the holes.  Place the cake in the refrigerator to cool completely and for the pudding to set.  All it to cool at least 2 hours.

 

7.  Shortly before you are ready to serve the cake, remove it from the fridge and add the cool whip on top of the pudding mixture.

 

8.  Place the oreos in a back and crush the cookies.  Sprinkle on top of the cake.

 

9.  Cover and return to the fridge until you are ready to serve the cake.

 

Makes 18 servings

4 point plus per serving

Bon Appetite!

When's my turn?





Right after Jamie turned two I got the fever.

The baby fever.

Bad.

Real Bad.

But we decided it wasn't time.

We still had a few ducks to get in a row.

So we picked March as the go time for Baby EyeCanSee 2.0

It gave me plenty of time to get to my weight loss goal.

Jamie would be 2 1/2 and moving into the preschool room {hello HUGE price break!!}

During open enrollment I signed up for short term disability so I could actually take 12 weeks off {PAID!!!} this time around instead of the 6 unpaid weeks I got last time.

We'd have some more big bills paid off so we could swing two in daycare.

It meant having a winter or spring baby so I wouldn't have to be SUPER pregnant during the summer again.

Most importantly...

We were ready.

Ready to expand our family.

Everything seemed to be falling into place.

All I had to do was patiently wait a few more months.

And then the hammer fell.

I lost my job.

And everything went out the window.

And now here it is.

March.

And let it be known there will be no attempted baby making going on this month.

I'd be lying if I said my heart wasn't broken.

Of all the crap that's come with unemployment,

this probably stings the most.

I'm trying to put my focus into something else.

If letting Jillian Michael's kick my ass for the next 30 days keeps my mind off it?

So be it. 

I'm trying to be excited that I will get to enjoy my new skinny physique this summer instead of trying to dress a growing bump.

I'm trying to listen to my husband who says it's not the end of the world.

That we will get our time.

But I just can't shake the no baby blues.

I feel like the clock is ticking.

I'm not getting any younger and we had a plan!

Well, you know what they say.

When you make plans, God laughs.

Well He's having a good chuckle up there over this one then.

I sure wish I knew what His plan was.

Maybe it would help put my mama heart at ease.

It doesn't help that it seems the entire world is pregnant.

Or recently had a baby.

Each announcement that comes my way is one more reminder that won't be us anytime soon.

I can't help but sit here and wonder....

when's it going to be my turn?



A break in our regularly scheduled programming

So I know usually Friday's are reserved to air out all my dirty laundry,

but I'm mixing it up to link up with my favorite Pam from The Office doppelganger, Holly from Where We Can Live Like Jack and Sally.  Seriously though, Pam totally ripped off Holly's good looks.  I keep expecting Jim to pop around the corner at any given moment, but it hasn't happened yet.  Sadz.

 

Alright, so who's up for a good game of mad libs....bloggy style?  Let's do this!

 

1. People always tell me I'm skinny enough and should stop losing weight.  This usually results in a dirty look or a punch to the face.  Mind your business people.

2. In the movie based on my life, I want Ginnifer Goodwin to play me.  Not because we look anything alike, but because she's awesome.  And adorable.  And because she doesn't seem like some diva, pre-madonna media whore.

3. Typically, I end up regretting eating that entire bag of cadbury mini eggs.  Yeah....no I don't.  Those things are worth a slightly bigger ass.

4. I always ask to leave off the lights.  Because when #13 ever happens to occur, no body needs to see that shit.  Including myself.  Besides, if the lights are off I can pretend my boobs don't resemble two tennis balls in tube socks.

5. Kim and Kanye really need to stop doing photo shoots.  No body EVER needs to see Kim's O face again.  Ever.

6. My Parents always reminded me that adult only vacations are necessary for everyone's sanity.  And by everyone I mean me.  Now where's my annual trip to Mexico???  Damn unemployment.

7. Every single day I wish I had a money tree.  It may not buy happiness, but it sure as hell would be a lot more fun!  See above.  Mama needs a vacation that involves no children and lots of adult beverages.  And maybe a little bit more #13....if I let my husband come along.

8. This one time in College I got wasted and did totally awesome and ridiculous things.  Oh wait?  You said ONE time.  Yeah, that pretty much happened all the time.  College rocked my socks off. 

9. My grossest habit is not washing my hands after I pee.  Truth.

10. My latest white lie was telling the hubs I was too tired, but we'd do it tomorrow.  We all know that's not going to happen.

11. I know all the words to Mean Girls.  The best movie ever.  "That's why her hair is so big.....it's full of secrets."

12. When I grow up I want to be one of those skinny bitches who can eat whatever they want, never workout and still look amazing.  Can I be rich too?  Sure why not.  This is my fantasy.

13. Sexy time is What's sexy time?  People still do that after they have kids?  Show offs.

14. I will never, ever have a threesome.  If you haven't noticed, sexy time is rare enough around here, adding another player just sounds messy....and exhausting.  Ain't nobody got time for that shit.

15. I think it's hilarious when my son farts.  Or says sucks.  I know I shouldn't laugh, but most times it's all I can do to compose myself.

Thank god it's finally Friday!
Time to go get my weekend on!

Project MILF: 30 Day Shred {Part 1}

I've made it no secret that in the last 14 months of doing WW I've done very little working out.

And by little, I mean practically none.

This fall I started walking for 20 minutes on my lunch break clocking in just over a mile, but once the cold set in I stopped.

Other than that, I've managed to lose basically 100 pounds solely by watching what I eat.

The last time I had anything that remotely resembled a regular workout routine was before I met my husband.  In a few weeks we will have been together for seven years.

So yep.  It's basically been seven years since I seriously worked out.

Why am I telling you all this?

Because I want you to know that if I can do this....anyone can.

 

Forever ago I received the infamous 30 Day Shred DVD.

It's sat in it's original packaging ever since.

Until last week when I decided it was time.

Time to start moving.

I was finally ready.

Just like when I started this whole weight loss journey, I knew that I couldn't force myself to do it.  I had to want it bad enough to be successful.

I've reached the point now where I know I don't have much weight left to lose but I'm still not happy with the way things look.  Saggy here.  Loose skin there.  It's kind of a hot mess.  At this point, the only way to change it, is to lose inches and tone things up the old fashioned way.

So for the past 10 days, I've let Jillian Michael's kick my butt.

And this is where I post pictures of myself....in a swimsuit....for all the interwebz to see.

Shit's about to get real.

{hold me}

 I'm pretty amazed at the changes that have happened in just this first week and a half.

It may not be drastic. 

Hell it may not even be noticeable to any of you.

But I can see it.

I can already tell a difference in my clothes.

And considering last week I actually gained 0.4 pounds, I know it's isn't from a big weight drop.

{Though dammit I'm gonna be pissed if I don't hit 100 lbs lost tonight!!}

 

The first few days were tough.

I did the modified version of everything.
And even then couldn't always make it through an entire set.

I'm only using 2 lb weights.
And was still dying.

My arms felt like jello and my legs hurt for days.

But I pushed through and each day got a little easier.

By about day 6 or 7 I noticed I was doing the more advanced moves and my endurance had definitely picked up.

My muscles didn't ache for days and dare I say, I actually enjoyed it.

And looked forward to it??

Who am I??

I'm finally done with level 1 and ready to kick some ass in level 2.

Where hopefully there will be no more bicycle crunches!!

See you all in 10 more days!

The end of a {cloth diapering} era

This weekend I packed up the majority of Jamie's cloth diapers.

Other than one overnight, we've been officially diaper free for over a month!

And might I had, accident free!!

Yes folks, you heard it here first, my child is officially {daytime} potty trained!!

Our potty training journey was a {loooong} journey indeed.

Much longer than I had anticipated.

I laugh at the "three day" method.

They've obviously never met my stubborn kid.

More like "three month!"
It was right around Halloween that Jamie announced diapers were for babies and he was a big boy.
So we ran out and bought 109348932 pairs of underwear and never looked back.
He caught on to the pee part pretty quickly and I thought it was going to be a breeze!
Well the pee part was.  He pretty much trained himself.
The other part?  Well.  Let's just say it took a bit longer {and a lot of bribing} to figure out.
Months went by and I was convinced he would NEVER do his {ahem} business in the potty.

There were many a days I wanted to throw in the towel.

And believe me, if HE hadn't been the one to initiate it all in the first place, I probably would have.
But just like everything else, one day it just clicked and it's been smooth sailing ever since.

So here we are, finally at the end of the road.

And damn it feels good!

I figured now was as good as any to do one last {very quick} gratuitous cloth dipe wrap up.

I'm proud to say, especially to all those who sat there at my baby shower snickering, commenting that "it would NEVER last" and "just wait till the baby gets here," that with the exception of in the hospital and the few days we were out of town for my moms funeral services my child has been in cloth full time.  I never purchased one single disposable diaper.

In two and a half years.

Not one.

Apparently all those naysayers don't know that when I put my mind to something, I do not give up!

Sure we had our bumps in the road.  A few leaks here or there due to user error.  A few laundry mysteries to solve.  But overall?  I loved every minute of it.  Perhaps even a little obsessed with my sons fluffy butt.  Even a devout disposable user must admit they are way cuter!

Jamie spent the majority of his diapered days in a Bum Genius pocket diaper.

They're one size, so they fit from birth to potty training.

Don't believe me?  Even I was a bit skeptical how that could possibly work.

Well here he is at 1 month old and again at 2 1/2 in the same diaper.

Pretty amazing huh?

If you ever have ANY cloth diapering questions, don't hesitate to ask!
I love helping troubleshoot and have helped convert many a mom to the wonderful world of cloth.
But for now, it's time to close this chapter in our lives.
Hard to believe that for now we'll be diaper free.
And I'm going to enjoy every {laundry free} moment until there's another little fluffy bum at our house!
 

Happy HUMP Day peeps! 

Tasty Tuesday: Spinach Lasanga Rollups

This time of year I'm always looking for some new meatless recipes.

As a non seafood eater, I can only have cheese pizza so many Friday's during lent before I get bored.

So when I stumbled across this recipe on Budget Bytes via Pinterest, I was excited.

Only problem is, my husband hates lasagna.

I know??  What man hates lasagna??

My husband.

I thought I'd try these anyway, it wasn't really lasagna after all.

I'll win him over on a technicality.

Well, survey says??  Two thumbs up!  He LOVED them.

Go figure.

But I'm not complaining because they were delish!

A bit more work then a typical weeknight meal, but definitely worth it!  Enjoy!

 

Spinach Lasagna Roll Ups

what you need:

1 lb lasagna noodles (I used whole wheat)

15 oz ricotta cheese (I used part skim)

1 cup shredded mozzarella (I used part skim)

1/4 cup grated Parmesan

1 egg

10 oz frozen spinach, thawed

2.5 cups Marinara sauce

salt and pepper to taste

garlic (The original recipe didn't call for any, but hello it's Italian, there's gotta be some garlic!  I will add more next time)

 

what you do:

1. Boil noodles until al dente, about 12-15 minutes.  When they are finished cooking, drain in a colander.

2. While the noodles are cooking, prepare the filling.  Take thawed spinach and squeeze out as much excess water as you can.  Combine the spinach in a bowl with the ricotta, mozzarella, Parmesan, egg, garlic, freshly grated pepper and about 1/4 tsp salt.  Mix until well combined.

3.  When the noodles and filling are ready to go, preheat the oven to 400 degrees.  Prepare a glass casserole dish by spraying with non-stick spray.

4.  On a clean surface, lay out a few noodles at a time.  Place a few tablespoons of filling on each noodle and spread to cover from edge to edge.  The filling doesn't need to be thick because once the noodle is rolled up, it will be compounded.

5.  Roll up the noodles and place in casserole dish.  Repeat until all of our filling is gone.  Pour the marinara sauce over the rolled noodles making sure to cover all surfaces.  The sauce will keep the noodles hydrated and soft while baking.

6.  Cover the dish in foil and bake for 30 minutes.

 

I was able to make 15 roll ups making each one 5PP or 2 for 10PP.  {It's important to know if you're following WW, that if you only make 14, one roll if 6 PP and 2 is 11PP.}

Bon Appetite!



The mom I want to be.

This morning was not one of my finer mom moments.

While trying to get Jamie ready and out the door he took a dive towards the dog bed.

The gross, slobbery, covered in hair, barely like to touch it to move it back to it's corner.....dog bed.

I went from 0-60 before his body even hit the pillow.

"AHHHHH! GET UP NOW!"

Had he hurt anything?  No.  Not really.  I was just pissed because now his clothes would be covered in dog hair.

So.  Freakin.  What.

He's 2.

Believe me.

His clothes are often covered in things way worse than dog hair.

But in that moment?

It ruined my world.

I let some silly dog hair sour my morning.

And I immediately didn't like it.

In fact.  Lately I don't like the mom I've become.

I'm quick to yell with the patience of, well, a two year old.

And it ain't pretty.

But I'm a work in progress.

So instead of beating myself up over the kind of mom I DON'T want to be.  I decided to come up with a list of mom things I DO want to be.

Because that sweet little cookie dough covered face deserves nothing less.

I want to be the kind of mom.....

Who always has cookies in the cookie jar.
Who doesn't care how big the mess was, as long as a good time was had.
Who can admit when they were wrong.
Who spends more quality time with her kids and less QT with her cell phone.
Who laughs more and yells less.
Who doesn't care if it takes more time to get something ready, than the actual activity itself.  Even if it only lasts 10 minutes.  It will be 10 minutes well spent.
Who lets my child color outside the lines.  Think outside the box.
Who doesn't mind if the train set isn't perfect.  Or the car tracks don't match.  That's not chaos.  It's creativity at it's best!
Who knows when to take a deep breath and walk away instead of screaming.  Sometimes moms need time outs too.
Who knows when to be a friend.  And when to be a parent.
Who lets their child try to things on their own, even if it takes 20 extra minutes to get something done.  How else will they ever learn.
Who lets their child fail.  Sometimes learning from your mistakes is the best way to learn.
Who doesn't care if they look "perfect" every time we leave the house.  You want to wear a cape 24/7?  Right on.
Who only picks battles that are worth fighting.
Who reads more and watches tv less.
Who let's their child jump on the dogs bed once in awhile. Because it's fun. And dog hair brushes off.
Who survives the terrible twos and comes out a better mom on the other side.


What kind of mom do you want to be?
Happy Monday peeps!