School House Treat Jar

So, I made another one of these guys. (You can find the instructions here.) This one was for one of my BFF's that runs her own in-home day care, hence the school house theme. My thought was it could be a special treat jar for her kids as a reward for when they have good behavior or do something kind, but of course she's welcome to use it however she sees fit! :o)

This is a left over from my pay it forward post from 2012. ("Pay it forward 2012. I promise to make something hand made to the first 5 people that comment. Then post this to your status and do the same... It can be as simple as a coffee, hand written note, or something more. Just has to be done in 2012.") The beauty of being a procrastinator is that the people that were promised these things have likely long forgotten that they've had it coming. So when it does finally come, they aren't expecting it and it becomes a random act of kindness that hopefully puts a smile on their face. 

She likes the "Live, Laugh, Love" saying so I threw in those cards to go with it. I think she was pleasantly surprised since this is the Facebook post that followed after she got it:

Basil Chicken Orzo Soup

Looking for a healthy, easy, comfort soup? Look no further. This recipe that came from "gimme some oven" is scrumpdilicious! I made some slight modifications.

Ingredients:

• 1 tsp olive oil
• 2 stalks of celery, diced
• 2 carrots, peeled and diced
• 3 cloves of garlic, minced (I used 3 cubes of Dorot frozen garlic.)
• 8 cups good-quality chicken stock or broth
• 2 cups cooked, shredded chicken
• 2 bay leaves
• 5-6 fresh basil leaves, chopped (I used 3 cubes of Dorot frozen basil.)
• 1 cup dried orzo pasta

Directions:

• Heat olive oil in a large cooking pot over medium-high heat.
• Add carrots, celery and garlic then stir for 60 seconds. 
• Stir in chicken stock, chicken, and bay leaves. 
• Let simmer for an hour (or 30 minutes if you're rushed). 
• Bring soup back to a boil.
• Add basil and orzo - cooking according to package directions. 

Yum! I have made it twice now and it's a dish K and I both like. 

It's a bit on the salty side as is so be sure to taste test before you add any salt! 

Also, if you have leftovers, be forewarned that the Orzo seems to soak up all the broth making it less soupy. K eats it as is, but I add a little water to mine before heating it up and it's fine. 

P.S. This recipe is Weight Watchers friendly!

6 Points Per Serving: 

Calories:  259

Carbs:  32

Fat:  3

Protien:  23

Interchangeable Picture Plaque

This lil guy couldn't have been more simple and less cost effective! I got the plaque from the dollar store for - you guessed it! - $1! I had the paper, Mod Podge, paint brush, photo corners, and pictures.

All I did was remove the wire hanger. Then I Mod Podged the paper to the plaque. Let it dry, then put a couple more layers of Mod Podge to seal it. Once that dried, I pushed a tack through the paper where the holes already were on the plaque and re-threaded the wire. Then I put the photo corners on on the picture and attached the picture to the plaque.

I could definitely be embellished more if you wanted to. I love that the picture can be changed out. Once I started this project, it took everything in me to not run out to the dollar store and buy 16 more plaques because I suddenly had several pictures I could use and multiple ideas for gifts for people!

Weight Loss Reward Chart

As I mentioned the other day as part of my 2014 Goals, weight loss is one of them. My ultimate goal is to lose 50 lbs. My realistic goal is to lose 30-50lbs.

The other day, I was spending some quality time with my virtual BFF, Pinterest and came across this pin for a weight loss chart with rewards. I realize this is not a new concept, but I thought it was a great way to keep me motivated and reward me in a healthy way. Usually, I would reward with myself with a soft serve ice cream or a McDonald's Big Mac. And well, that just seems counter productive... doncha think?

Here's what I came up with:

5 lbs  =  New Scale (I want a digital. The dial one we have now sucks!)
10 lbs = New Book
15 lbs = New Jeans
20 lbs = New Shoes
25 lbs = New Hair
30 lbs = New Tops
35 lbs = New Outfit (I may substitute this with a pedicure or massage.)
40 lbs = Dress Shopping (Me? Dress shopping? Only for a special wedding! :o)
45 lbs = Weekend Getaway
50 lbs = New Bathing Suit
55 lbs = TATTOO!!!

Ok, so, after breaking it down that way, apparently my math skills need a little refreshing. I guess I want/need to lose 55 lbs to get to 130.

All of these things will cost a good chunk of money so, obviously, it will depend on how quickly I lose the weight and how quickly I make some money.

I hung this baby on the back of the closet in the bathroom so it's a daily reminder to keep working towards being healthier.

I have been watching what I eat for about a week now. The first few days were excruciating because I constantly felt hungry. Then a good friend suggested I incorporate more protein into my foods and that seemed to help. I am not seeing results yet, but I'm not giving up just yet either. I have a plan B if what I'm doing doesn't work. If plan B doesn't work then I guess I am just meant to be fluffy.

Coffee On Me

I completed my first Random Act of Kindness in 2014!

It was nothing big, but perfect for getting the ball rolling.

"No act of kindness, no matter how small, is ever wasted." ~ Aesop Fabulist