Lazy Lasagna Night

I have Rachel Ray to thank for tonight's dinner! I am definitely a daily consumer of watching the Food Network...any time of day, any show (but my favorites are Diners, Drive-Ins, & Dives and most recently, Chopped). I also occasionally will watch Rachel Ray's talk show and last week, she made this lasagna and it looked so appetizing, that I just had to try it:

Lazy Florentine Lasagna

Broken lasagna noodles (that were boiled until almost al dente)

Mushrooms, spinach, onions and garlic

Creamy, roux sauce

Noodles mixed with the mushroom mixture, topped with the roux sauce and then sprinkled with LOTS of cheese (I used an Italian cheese blend)

Baked to cheezy-bubbly goodness...

And delicious!

I would definitely make this lasagna again and not having to layer the noodles/sauce/cheese made it a lot easier to put together.

*Recipe can be found by clicking on the link of the title above*

Making Some Big Changes

Prior to 2011, I had begun to make some big changes in my life. So, I don't technically group these goals/changes as resolutions. In reality, these are changes that I had started to make in the past...but unfortunately, never followed through with. I would go with them for awhile, making some progress...then gradually let them fall to the waste side. But, I'm proud to say that I am doing well in keeping up with these changes, especially with the help of my wonderful and supportive hubby! He is one great motivator, let me tell you! So, I'll let you in on some of these changes...

• An easy one...take vitamins every day! Okay, some of you may be like, uh...okay?! But seriously, for some reason, I will take them for a few days straight and then just magically forget, which then turns into...I don't take vitamins. I know that I need to take them and am really trying to make sure it is part of my daily routine. Around November, I purchased these from GNC:

I bought these, in hopes that they would provide me with a bit more energy (something I seem to always be lacking). I'm not sure that the extra energy supplements really work, but at least I know that I'm getting all of the vitamins that I need on a daily basis. So far, I'm doing good on this goal.

• Do away with soda and drink A LOT more H2O! This one is going great! I stopped drinking soda mid-December and am proud to say that I have not had one soda since. And I haven't definitely up'd my intake of water! I've done this before...I've gone on a 'no-soda' kick for a few months and then I'll give in, have one when I'm out at a restaurant somewhere...and once again, I'm drinking soda regularly. But the fact that I'm looking to water, sports drinks, green tea as alternatives has definitely kept me on my 'no-soda' kick thus far. I can definitely tell a big difference too!

• Running regularly! So, again...in all truth, I've never been a big runner. I was never on the track/cross-country team...I would occasionally run on the treadmill while exercising throughout high school/college. But, definitely nothing over 1 mile or so. I started up running a bit when I was living in Monterey...got up to about 3 miles, but stopped because, yeah...it's tough! :P But see, the husband over the past couple of years has really gotten into running, has ran a few races and is still getting more and more into it. Once I moved to Omaha, I was running outside on various trails and increased my mileage to about 6 miles...the most I had ever run...and then winter hit! I stopped! Excuses, excuses. Since the beginning of December, I have been running very consistently on the treadmill...about 3-4 miles and have come down from a 14 min/mile pace to a 11 min/mile pace! However, the treadmill is definitely much harder than running outside, in my opinion. I get so bored on the treadmill and I really have to work extra hard to keep from looking at my mileage/time every 5 minutes! But, I'm doing it and I always try to remember how good I feel after a run. I think that's big for me...but I am definitely looking at becoming a regular runner and completing some races in the next year or two. I even got myself some new running shoes recently, which I was in desperate need of! They are working wonders!!

• Counting calories/eating healthier! I know, this is on everyone's resolutions list/goals for the next year...but I am actually doing this! It started in early December...I began drinking a whey protein shake for lunch. This cut my calories big-time and I have not been eating out during the week (which is a big change). The husband and I are counting calories together, which is very helpful in keeping each other in-check. And, I mean, we are in no way starving ourselves. But, keeping a list of what we are eating each day allows us to keep track of what we're eating and how much we're eating. The hubby and I still treat ourselves, using the weekends to go out to eat...but I am so much more conscious of what I am ordering at a restaurant and what kind of foods I am putting in to my body.

*I don't want to get too hung up on weight or size, but in general, I just want to get back to being "fit" and working out regularly...in general, just taking care of myself. I have noticed a big difference in my energy level and my attitude towards making time each day to work out. And clothes are definitely starting to fit a little bit better (which is always a plus). :) 

• Find a job related to my degree/skills! So, a little background...I have an advanced degree in Applied Experimental Psychology with an emphasis in Industrial Organizational Psychology (a mouth-full, I know!). Basically, I have a background in areas such as: statistics, survey development, program evaluation and applied research practices. I was lucky to find a position in Monterey that allowed me to at least practice my skills analyzing data sets and working with a professor on his research projects...but a lot of my other skills that I enjoy were placed to the side. Moving around ( being in the military) doesn't really make things easy...and I have had to take temporary positions, which I am not too proud to take. I realize that with the economy as it is, I should be thankful to be given work and I will do anything I have to do to help support my family. But, I also really want to be doing what I paid to go to school for and enjoy practicing. I've been working my butt off, applying for jobs...working on my resume. Man, it is not easy and it's exhausting! Hopefully things will work out and I'll let you know if I hear anything :)

Well, those are some of the changes I have been making and are continuing to make in my life...and I just thought that I would share them all of you. My main goal each day is just to try and stay motivated!! It is an easy concept, but a challenge for a lot of people, including me...and I am really just taking it one day at a time :) Alright, well I am off to fix myself some dinner...hope everyone has a great week!

If a man hasn't discovered something that he will die for, he isn't fit to live.

~Martin Luther King, Jr., speech, Detroit, Michigan, June 23, 1963.

National Spaghetti Day

My yummy plate of spaghetti to celebrate National Spaghetti Day

Did anybody else partake in eating spaghetti for dinner tonight? :)

Re-Cap of 2010

Well, 2010 was definitely an interesting, enjoyable...but difficult year. A lot happened and when thinking about some of things that I accomplished, I am pretty pleased! :) But I still feel like I can do more and I intend to in 2011! So, here are a few things that stand out to me when thinking back on 2010:

• I started off 2010 by becoming a vegetarian...well, more like a pescetarian (I still ate seafood)...it wasn't very difficult for me to do and I felt like I made much better choices for the most part, incorporating a lot more fruits/veggies into my meals.

• I started my blog and began writing posts related to food, crafting and events occurring in my life. I still struggle with posting regularly, for some reason I just can't post everyday...and I definitely feel as though my blog lacks focus. I have brainstormed a few ideas and, who knows, maybe the blog will change with the new year! ;)

• I learned how to crochet...I was taught how to knit back in the summer of 2007 and have knit ever since, but just this past year I picked up crocheting. I would still say that I prefer knitting, but it's great to know both because they both create very different-looking end products.

• The hubby bought me a sewing machine and I began learning how to use it, attending sewing class with my friend Jenn and knitting up various items: zippered pouches, knitting handbags, and even an apron! I am still learning but it is a very fun hobby to have!

• My sister got married in the summer...in Seattle, WA, where they live. I got to see and spend time with all of my immediate family and we had a great celebration to be remembered for sure!

• We moved from Monterey, CA to Omaha, NE in the early months of Fall...BIG change, but it felt great to be back in the Midwest. Said goodbye to the ocean, some awesome restaurants/seafood and some amazing friends...and said hello to flat land, cold winter months and steak. But we are closer to family and we really like it here, so it was a good move.

• Ran the farthest that I think I have ever run in my life...began running on outdoor trails behind our apartment complex in Omaha and worked up to a total run of 6 miles! It wasn't easy and I ran very slow at first, but it felt like a big accomplishment...now that it's cold outside, the treadmill is unfortunately, my enemy! :/

• I started eating meat again, after a few months in Omaha...it was a decision I thought about for quite sometime. I still eat more seafood than anything and only occasionally eat red meat.

Some difficult things I endured in 2010:

• I spent 6 months apart from my hubby when he left Monterey for some military training (before our move to Omaha, NE). I wouldn't wish time apart like that for anyone...we would talk almost every day and I tried to keep myself as busy as I could, but it was still one of the hardest things about this past year.

•  I finally had my tonsils taken out...this has been on my to-do list since 2008. I have had numerous problems  with them over the years and decided to just get it over with. It was a ridiculously awful recovery, but I had great friends who visited and brought me liquids...and I got through it! (And yes, this occurred after the hubby left! :0)

• Living so far away, I didn't get to visit home very often...11 months, in fact, before I made it back to Illinois = home. 

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The hubby and I were able to spend the holidays visiting our families in Illinois...and it was so great to spend time with everyone!! There were lots of presents, tons of food and too many sweets! :) My favorite gifts were: a book I've been wanting: Breaking Night, the Eclipse movie (I know, right?! It's crazy that I hadn't bought it for myself when it came out), a Keurig one-cup coffee maker and some gorgeous new red dishes (that we have desperately been needing/wanting)...and lots lots more that I am enjoying! :) 

And then the hubby and I spent New Years Eve back in Omaha...it's crazy, because this is the only the second year (since we met) that we have spent both holidays together. It was nice!

Goals for 2011 to come...