Tuesday's Thoughts: Captain of the Costa Concordia

I’m sure you’ve heard about the Italian cruise ship, Costa Concordia, which ran aground near the Tuscan Island of Giglio. If not, you should check it out at MSNBC. Now, let me just warn you, this story burns me up. As these are my thoughts, they’re clearly laced with my opinion. [Consider that the disclaimer.]

How can one man, Captain Francesco Schettino, who is responsible for over 4,000 passengers and crew members, so callously abandon his ship and leave people to die? What a pompous prick. His irresponsibility cost the lives of innocent people, and he single-handedly created the “Italian Titanic”. I thought a good captain always went down with his ship – he does. Thanks for proving that the Costa Condcordia was lacking a good captain. He was on shore when he radioed for help… and, after creating a laundry list of excuses [one including the fact that it was dark] claimed that he would be going instantly to the ship. However, he, in fact, would not be going back to help preserve the lives of his crew or his passengers.

How is it that a ship that travels the same route every week manages to strike a rock and capsize? Captain Pompous Prick Schettino has been accused of traveling too close to the shore so the head waiter could see his motherland and salute the residents of Giglio. REALLY? You’re joking, right? Please, tell me this is a joke. Maybe, instead of jeopardizing innocent lives, that captain could tell his head waiter to save his paycheck and take a vacation. What a novel idea. *Ding!Ding!Ding! Johnny, tell him what he’s won!*

Instead, Captain Pompous Prick Schettino has taken at least eleven people from their loved ones and left 29 missing. Let's not forget to mention the countless scars left engrained into the memory of every passenger and crew member. Over 100 Americans were on board the Costa Concordia, and two Americans are among the missing – Jerry and Barbara Heil of Minnesota. A couple who spent their entire lives working to put four children through college and were finally able to enjoy the opportunity to travel, that is, until Captain Pompous Prick Schettino decided to act irresponsibly and take that away. How can one man jeopardize the lives of the Heils and over 4,000 others to allow someone the opportunity to “salute” residents of a Tuscan island? For the sake of their families, I pray that the missing are found, and I pray they’re found unharmed.

One news station has indicated that the only thing that prevented this from being an even more horrific disaster is the location of the ship in shallow water. So, I guess if Captain Pompous Prick Schettino was going to be irresponsible, at least he did it in shallow water…. [insert sarcasm here]

As for Captain Pompous Prick Schettino, He has a history of disobeying company policy, coast guard orders, and has been caught sailing too close to another Italian shore. [And just why, exactly, was he still employed as a ship captain if he had repeatedly put the lives of passengers in jeopardy???] He’s now being detained in an Italian prison and accused of abandoning ship and manslaughter. On top of that, every eyewitness account that’s been provided by passengers indicates that the crew were uniformed and unwilling to assist passengers. Pretty much like a “survival of the fittest”, every man for himself, save yourself, type of situation.

Carnival Cruise Lines – in the words of Ricky Ricardo – you’ve got some ‘splainin’ to do……

Spinach Fettuccine [E-Mealz]

So - if you've read my previous blog about e-mealz -- you know I'm borderline obsessed. [If you're unfamiliar with E-Mealz, it's a dinner menu planning service (complete with a grocery list) for as low as $1.25 a week!! Click any of the e-mealz links in this post to check it out!



The meal I tried tonight was Spinach Fettuccine [7 WWPP per serving].

Ingredients:

2/3 c part skim ricotta cheese
3/4 c shredded part skim mozzarella
2T shredded Parmesan cheese
1/2 c FF milk
1 T margarine (I use I Can't Believe It's Not Butter)
1 T minced garlic
9 oz chopped spinach, thawed & squeezed
1 1/2 c cooked fettuccine (I used Healthy Harvest Whole Wheat Pasta)

Yields 3 servings.


In a blender, combine & puree ricotta, milk, mozzarella, and Parmesan.


In a sprayed skillet, saute garlic in margarine 4-5 min. Add chese mixture and spinach in skillet and cook until heated.


Add fettuccine and toss gently, until heated.


Pair with mixed vegetables or a crescent roll!



ENJOY!
[And don't forget to check out E-Mealz!]

--T

No-Bake Energy Bites [Pinterest Inspired]

Could I Pinterest you in -- No-Bake Energy Bites? It shouldn't take much convincing because they are AWESOME!

I found this recipe on pinterest, but it originated at Smashed Peas and Carrots -- and I'm so glad I stumbled across these!



I'm notorious for having a sweet tooth -- but when you're attempting to drop some poundage, picking up the nearest snickers would be heavenly is not the brightest idea!

These were super easy, incredibly tasty, and provide some nutritional value!

Here's the recipe:

1 cup oatmeal

1/2 cup peanut butter (or other nut butter)

1/3 cup honey

1 cup coconut flakes

1/2 cup ground flaxseed

1/2 cup mini chocolate chips

1 tsp vanilla

Start by taking your honey, peanut butter, and oatmeal and putting it into a bowl.







Then add some flax seed, coconut, and chocolate chips --









Finally - add the vanilla --


This is what you'll end up with --

Mix it well, and put in the refrigerator for a half hour -- this allows the mixture to set.



Remove from the fridge - roll the mixture to form your Energy Bites!


VOILA!! Enjoy.




Note: These should remain in the fridge for no more than a week [not that they'd last that long anyway -- so yummy!] Also, you can mix it up by changing the "Add ins" [use raisins, crushed nuts, etc.]

Happy Snacking!

--T

What I Want Wednesday: Cowboy Boots

Not just any cowboy boots -- Auburn cowboy boots! I can think of quite a few dresses these would pair fabulously with.

Now, if I had $400 that I were willing to part with, you bet I'd own these bad boys!



But since I don't, I'd settle for these --




So, if you're interested in purchasing these for me -- feel free to let me know. ;)

Please?
Pretty Please??
With a Cherry on Top??


Oh well, I tried!







War Eagle.

--T

Pepperoni Pizza Poppers - Lightened Up

With the BCS bowl approaching [the outcome of which wasn't as I anticipated, so let's not go there], I was trying to decide what kind of finger foods I could make. I'd seen multiple types of "Pizza Rolls" via Pinterest - especially these from Plain Chicken. They looked so yummy!

I bought the ingredients on my Sunday trip to the grocery store. But when I used my brain, I realized that those were full size crescent rolls -- not conducive with the finger foods I was attempting to create.

That's when I got creative.

Here's my take on the Plain Chicken inspired Pepperoni Rolls.


Pepperoni Poppers - Lightened Up
Ingredients:
1 Can of Reduced Fat Crescent Rolls
1 pack of Turkey Pepperoni
Low-Fat Part Skim Mozzarella Cheese
Pizza Sauce (For Dipping)

Yields approximately 20 rolls


Preheat oven as instructed on package, in this case 375 degrees. (15-20 minute cook time)

Once you pop open the can of Crescent Rolls -- roll them out and cut into strips approximately 3/4" wide.



Once you do that, lay three slices of turkey pepperoni --



Then add some shredded Mozzarella cheese --



Fold the pepperoni and cheese up in a "taco-esque" way --



Then wrap the two just like you would if you were making pigs in a blanket -- Be sure to cover both ends so you don't lose all of your cheese!


Once they're wrapped -- pop them in the oven.



Fifteen to Twenty minutes later (cook time may vary, depending on your oven) remove the poppers from the oven.



VOILA!!




Have some pizza sauce handy for dipping and ENJOY!

Happy Pizza Poppin'!

--T

Where Are You Christmas?

♪Where are youuu Christmaaaaas♪ [Sung in my best Faith Hill voice]

Oh yea - that's right -- in my garage!

On Sunday, I had some free time, so I finally decided to do what I hate almost as much as dishes and laundry.

What's that you ask?

Taking down my Christmas decorations. Yes, I adore Christmas and everything that comes with it. Yes, I obsess over 80% after-Christmas sales [for decorations, not clothes. Thank you.] Yes, I would leave my tree up if I knew the entire world wouldn't judge me for it.


So - until next Thanksgiving, when I get to adorn my home with Christmas goodies -- I'll have these photos to admire -- problem solved. No - not really, more like a compromise, with myself. Is that even possible? It is today.









It sure would have been nice to have some extra help, but as you'll see, Lucy wasn't feeling it -- taking down the decorations, I mean. She was definitely feeling that chew toy.




--T

Could I Pinterest You In: Cereal Box Magazine Holders??

Pinterest = crack. For sure. No doubt about it. No way around it. Nothing other than virtual crack.

I had the strong urge to create something today -- so it's pinterest inspired -- from Sew Many Ways. It's a cereal box turned into a magazine holder/paper filer. Yep - I think I have a grand total of $.50 in the whole thing. Mayyybe.

All you need is:

• a cereal box [empty of course]
• two sheets of scrapbook paper, more if you choose to add accents
• roll on glue of some sort
• scissors
• 10 minutes

All I did was cut both sides of the cereal box at an angle, glue the paper to the cereal box, cut off the excess, and VOILA!

I did choose to add a teal accent -- I simply used one of my Martha Stewart punch out tools. I decided my office needed some teal [you'll see my teal birdie friend below!].

I'll be making many more of these -- once I buy some more Honey Bunches of Oats!



Here's the finished product on my bookshelf -- [LoVe].



Happy [Addiction] Pinteresting!

---T

Easy Peasy -- E-Mealz Obsession

I've been a hit or miss blogger for a while - mostly miss - but the time has come that I'm back. I've recently found a few things that I enjoy doing, aside from my photography, and want this blog to continue to be a place where I can share that.

Now - We all know that I'm not one to bandwagon. Case in point: I've never seen Lord of the Rings, Harry Potter, or Twilight. [Thank you, Thank you.] But I've recently found a "bandwagon" I'm more than willing to jump on.

What's that you ask?

E-Mealz.

What the heck is E-Mealz?

Amazing.

I am a religious listener to the Dave Ramsey radio show [Nerd Alert!]. He's always talking about "meals made easy" [e-mealz]. Had this been mentioned by anyone else, I would have discounted it as some lame attempt to sucker me out of some money. However, once I visited the website -- I was thoroughly impressed.



Back to my question -- what the heck is e-mealz?

E-Mealz is nothing short of a small piece of heaven. It's a dinner menu planner and a grocery list that someone else makes for you. [Yes, you heard me right.] You're given the option of feeding a family of 4-6 or a family of 2 with your menu selection. You're also given the opportunity to select a particular grocery store, if you'd like (Wal-Mart, Publix, Whole Foods, etc.). And as if that's not enough - you're given the opportunity to chose a diet specific menu (Portion Control [read: weight watchers], Low Carb, Gluten Free, Vegetarian, etc.)

[Note: If you choose a specific grocery store, the prices for items on the grocery list are provided -- thus, keeping you within a budget.] The goal of E-Mealz is to feed you for under $4/person -- so, stop telling me it's cheaper to "eat out" -- because it's not!

Are they serious?? Yes, they are. E-Mealz does pretty much everything except feed you the wonderful dinner they've created.

So - how much is E-Mealz? Depending on how long you subscribe, it's as low as $1.25 per week [$5/month]. The most expensive option [3 months] is only $7/month.

I was so tired of eating the same ol', same ol' for dinner - my grandma's spaghetti recipe is only appetizing for so long. 1,345 times to be exact. [No, really.]

Here's my favorite recipe so far. I give it four stars, two thumbs up, or whatever it is we're giving an awesome dinner these days. [I failed to take a picture, but I'll be making this again soon and will thoroughly document!]



If you find yourself being intrigued by having someone else prepare your dinner menu filled with simple, amazingly wonderful recipes, annnndddddd make out your grocery list for a minimal cost -- E-Mealz is for you. Click the link below or the e-mealz bar found earlier in the post.

Happy [no] Menu Making!

--T


Crunchy Onion BBQ Chicken (@ 7 Weight Watchers Points Plus)

Ingredients:

1/4 c BBQ Sauce

1/4 t pepper

2/3 c Crushed French Fried Onions

2 T shredded Parmesan cheese

1 lb boneless skinless chicken breasts

Instructions:

Place BBQ Sauce in shallow bowl. Mix pepper, crushed fried onions, and cheese in another bowl. Dip chicken into BBQ sauce; then dip only one side of chicken into crushed onions. Place chicken crumb side up on a sprayed baking pan. Bake 20-25 minutes at 400.