Dirty Diet Dr. Pepper Recipe

 

Learned about this little recipe yesterday and had to try it.  

It did not disappoint.  

It was frothy, creamy, fizzy and filled with flavor. 

I'm already craving another one. 

Think about the possibilities:

Root-beer + cream = Root-beer float

Sprite + cherry + vanilla + cream = Cherry Italian Soda

Orange Fanta + cream = Creamcicle

Diet Coke + Lime + Cream = Yum

My friend told me she calls it a "French DDP".

I think I like that name better. 

What flavor would you make?

Recipes of Home

Tonight Abby told me,

"Mom I need that recipe so I can have it when I get married and can make it all the time!" 

What a sweetie she is.  I guess I need to start compiling all my recipes into a cool book like Clover Lane did HERE.  Then I can give each of my girls one when they leave the nest.

But for now I will just cherish my warm and fuzzy feeling that my darling girl likes my food which means a whole lotta love to me.

A New Begining

I am so excited about 2012.  I see a bright future for our family, new ideas to put into place and new places to see and do.  Something about the start of a new year makes me very motivated.  I love all the web has to offer to help fulfill my goals and wishes.  Here's a few I have found so far that I'm excited about:

The most amazingly delicious pizza I have ever tasted.....ever!  (Thanks Amy) Pioneer Woman's Fig-Prosciutto Pizza with Arugula.  I tell you what- this will change your life.  Make it and then invite me over.  Make a BIG batch of the crust because the crust is like no other.  Then make a boring old cheese pizza for the family while you enjoy this pizza.  It has everything - sweet, salty, creamy, crunchy -it's a party in your mouth! An I am a HUGE fan of a party in my mouth.

Iheart Organizing - Project Gallery (thanks Ashley)
There is a very detailed list of anything and everything you might need to organize.  I chose to organize my photo's and spent 2 1/2 hours the other night getting the pictures on my computer in tip top shape.  My bum went numb but it was worth it for sure.  I found pictures in some very random places and many duplicates but have no fear, everything is right in the world now and I am able to sleep at night (wink)   This site is going to keep me busy for months and I'm excited about it.

picture courtesy of the glitter guide

I am on a HUGE green smoothie kick over here.  I have been sneaking all kinds of weird veggies in my family's smoothies and guess what...............they still drink it!!!!  As long as that green smoothie turns pink at the end of the blending process they have agreed to partake.  Take a look at some of my smoothie pins on my pinterest board HERE.

What are some fun things you are doing for the new year?

Food Glorious Food.....

I haven't been very good at making dinner lately.  I hate it when I get in a rut like that.  Nothing sounds good or I'm not hungry so I just assume that no one else is hungry either.  Bad, Cara Bad Girl!!

The other day I thought to myself that a little inspiration might help my dinner making skills.  So I logged onto Our Best Bites.  Do you read their blog?  I have been reading it for years and am just so giddy about how they are now famous!  I mean when your cookbook is selling at Costco and other stores like Barnes and Nobel and you get to go on a book signing tour....you are famous!

I love a successful blogging story.

Anyway, I went over to their site and conjured up a list for dinners for the next week.  Here's a few on my list. 

Dressed Up Sloppy Joes

I made these and my husband said, "I haven't had sloppy joys since I was........9?"  They were so YUM and I will be making them again (this coming from a non-beef girl - me!)

Chicken Cacciatore

This was one of my Dad's famous dinners and my favorite.  I have a made up recipe that I came up with but am excited to try this and see if it compares to my Dad's. 

Asian Lettuce Wraps

Who doesn't love these?  We all do and it's a staple when we go eat at Pei Wei.  I don't think I can make it as good as the restaurant but I'm gonna try.  I will be making some sweet and sour chicken to go with it.  I have an awesome recipe for that and it's a hit over here!

Pork Tenderloin with Chimichurri

This looks like it will be good.  I love all the ingredients so why wouldn't I love the it all put together.  

Hopefully I can get my act together and start cooking again.  With these recipes on my dinner list it's motivating me and that's all that matters.  Well, that and my family with a full and happy tummy.

Favorite Holiday Treat Ideas

Thought I would post some holiday treat ideas so when life slows down for me next week I can hunker down, decorate for Christmas (I don't have ONE thing up yet....) and bake.  Until then - enjoy

via food exhibitionist

via soupdejour

via earthboundwinglessdream

via earthboundwinglessdream

via acottageinthewoods

via acottageinthewoods

via jims pancakes

via one charming party

via prettyfoods

Blah..........

So far, we haven't eaten out. I'm sticking to my goal. I did go buy some smoothie makin' supplies and my kids are excited!

I didn't make the pasta dish last night from my previous post. I went to make it and noticed the bad reviews. So I'm going to make baked ziti instead. The family likes it and I'll just sneak a few extra veggies into it.

This week I'm tired and unmotivated. I've also had a headache since Sunday. I'm thinking my thyroid levels have dropped so I have an appointment next week. It's always something with this dumb body of mine! Ugh!

Tomorrow it's paint all the bedroom furniture day!!! Hopefully I will have after pictures of the girls rooms by then! Fingers crossed xoxo

Happy weekend!

What's for Dinner - Smoothie Recipes

I was talking to Tom yesterday about our "eating out" habit. It has gotten way out of hand. I think we eat out more than we eat in. Sad but true. Life's busy and dinnertime sneaks up on ya so what do you do?

Not anymore! I am banning eating out for awhile! How about a month? Think I can do it? Do you want to take the challenge with me? I already have something fabulous planned for dinner.

Last night it was homemade whole wheat pretzels and soup. The pretzels were way too wheaty yuck! (And I even prefer whole wheat!) I'm going to have to find another recipe for those.
What's for dinner you say? Pasta e fagiole al forno - by Rachel Ray

(click on the link and it will take you to the recipe. )

I was online last night searching for a different recipe for the pretzels and found a secret goldmine! Smoothie Recipes. But not any old smoothie recipes.....Jamba Juice Recipes! I kind of felt like Elane when she found the Soup Nazi's soup recipes. So I'm going to share them with you!

Jamba Smoothie Recipes: thanks to recipezaar
Hints: 1 scoop – about half a cup to a cup
Enlightened Base – found at a health food store or substitute it with juice
ALOHA PINEAPPLE
10 oz. pineapple juice
1 scoop plain yogurt
2 scoops strawberries
1 scoop bananas
2 scoops pineapple sherbet
1 scoop ice
BANANA BERRY
12 oz. apple juice
2 scoops bananas
1 scoop blueberries
1 scoop frozen yogurt
1 scoop raspberry sherbet
1 scoop ice
BERRY FULLFILLING
4 oz. raspberry juice
8 oz. enlightened base
2 scoops strawberries
1 scoop raspberries
1 scoop blueberries
1 scoop ice
BERRY LIME SUBLIME-Cara's Favorite
12 oz. raspberry juice
2 scoops strawberries
1 scoop raspberries
2 scoops lime sherbet
1 scoop ice
BRIGHT EYED AND BLUEBERRY
12 oz. soymilk
2 scoops yogurt
2 scoops strawberries
1 scoop blueberries
CARIBBEAN PASSION
12 oz. Mango-passion juice
2 scoops strawberries
1 scoop peaches
2 scoops orange sherbet
1 scoop ice
CITRUS SQUEEZE
6 oz. pineapple juice
6 oz. orange juice
2 scoops strawberries
1 scoop bananas
2 scoops orange sherbet
1 scoop ice
COLD BUSTER
12 oz orange juice
2 scoops peaches
1 scoop bananas
2 scoops orange sherbet
1 scoop ice
KIWI BERRY BURNER
12 oz. Kiwi juice
2 scoops strawberries
1 scoop raspberries
2 scoops raspberry sherbet
1 scoop ice
MANGO-A-GO-GO
12 oz. Mango-passion juice
3 scoops mangos
2 scoops pineapple sherbet
1 scoop ice
MANGO MANTRA
4 oz. orange juice
8 oz. enlightened base
2 scoops mangos
2 scoops peaches
1 scoop ice
MIGHTLY CHERRY CHARGER
4 oz. raspberry juice
6 oz. soymilk
2 scoops cherries
1 scoop strawberries
2 scoops frozen yogurt
1 scoop ice
ORANCE-A-PEEL
12 oz. orange juice
2 scoops strawberries
1 scoop bananas
2 scoops frozen yogurt
1 scoop ice
ORANGE BERRY BLITZ
12 oz. orange juice
2 scoops strawberries
1 scoop blueberries
2 scoops pineapple sherbet
1 scoop ice
ORANGE CHERRY CHEER
6 oz. orange juice
6 oz. soymilk
3 scoops cherries
1 scoop frozen yogurt
1 scoop orange sherbet
1 scoop ice
ORANGE DREAM MACHINE
6 oz. orange juice
6 oz. soymilk
2 scoops frozen yogurt
2 scoops orange sherbet
2 scoops ice
PEACH PLEASURE
12 oz. peach juice
2 scoops peaches
1 scoop bananas
2 scoops orange sherbet
1 scoop ice
PINA COLADA-Cara's 2nd favorite
12 oz. pineapple juice
1 Tbls coconut
1 scoop bananas
2 scoop frozen yogurt
2 scoops pineapple sherbet
1 scoop ice
PUMPKIN SMASH
8 oz soymilk
1 scoop pumpkin mix (from can)
4 scoops frozen yogurt
2 scoops ice
RAZANATAZ
12 oz raspberry juice
2 scoops strawberries
1 scoop bananas
2 scoops orange sherbet
1 scoop ice
STRAWBERRIES WILD-Amberly's favorite
12 oz. apple juice
2 scoops strawberries
1 scoop bananas
2 scoops frozen yogurt
1 scoop ice
STRAWBERRY NIRVANA
4 oz. apple juice
8 oz. enlightened base
4 scoops strawberries
1 scoop bananas
1 scoop ice
STRAWBERRY SURF RIDER- Cassidy's favorite
12 oz. lemonade
2 scoops strawberries
1 scoop peaches
2 scoops lime sherbet
1 scoop ice
SUNRISE STRAWBERRY
12 oz. soymilk
2 scoops yogurt
2 scoops strawberries
1 scoop bananas
GUMMIE BEAR - secret recipe not on the regular menu
12 oz. peach juice
1 scoop peaches
1 scoop of each: orange, lime, pineapple, and raspberry sherbet
and frozen yogurt
1 scoop ice
TANGO TROPIC
12 oz. peach juice
2 scoops strawberries
1 scoop peaches
1 scoop raspberry sherbet
1 scoop orange sherbet
1 scoop ice
TROPICAL AWAKENING- Tom's Favorite
4 oz. pineapple juice
8 oz. enlightened base
2 scoops strawberries
1 scoop blueberries
1 scoop bananas
1 scoop ice

Hungry-Girl

OK all my cybercafe and real life friends. Have you been holding out on me or do you not know about Hungry-Girl??
I was reading a health magazine yesterday and came across an add for this book. I was bored so I went and found the web site. Go HERE to see Hungry-Girl on the web.
She has a lot and I mean a lot of yummy looking food and treats for very low calories, fat, WW points etc. Seriously people! She has renamed these little yummiest with the cutest names! I had so much fun clicking and looking! Can’t wait to make some of the treats. I think my first recipe will be the Rocky Road Fudge for only 73 cal, 1 g. of fat and 1 WW point. Yep! You read right! It won’t be the real thing but when you are over 30, the real thing just can’t happen anymore without some serious “back” side effects! Hee Hee!
Tom and I have been doing a diet together which has been a good thing. However it has made me realize a few things about myself.
1. I am a cheater. I have no will power. Tom is a rock. He’s better than me!
2. I show my love to others through food. Have you heard of the 5 Love Languages? I’m not sure if food is one of them but…..it is for me. My family comes over and I feed them. My kids come home from school and I have made them a treat.
I also realized that I am a baker. I love to bake. I love to try new recipes for muffins, brownies, cookies and cakes. I have been obsessed with the Food Network and have a whole list to try after we end this diet. I even bought the cutest cupcake book at Costco today! Hopefully I won’t gain back all the weight and inches I’ve lost. I have a plan………only make yummy treats on the weekend. Do you think it will work?