tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-80181577254519089052024-02-19T21:44:56.127-05:00Winner at Life, Love...Everything!This blog chronicles an ongoing celebration of all the many things that are going right in my life, as well as reviews of products, books, tips and tools that will hopefully help you, too, be a winner at EVERYTHING!!Winner At Everything!http://www.blogger.com/profile/09342099683875456556noreply@blogger.comBlogger10125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8018157725451908905.post-83195974935476736612012-05-14T11:16:00.001-04:002012-05-14T11:16:55.647-04:00Do you like to enter sweepstakes and contests? Like to win cool prizes? Then check out ContestChest.com and enter to win a cool $500!! Check out the Rafflecopter form below for more info....<br />
<br />
<a class="rafl" href="http://www.rafflecopter.com/" id="rc-8200bb3">a Rafflecopter giveaway</a><br /><script src="//d12vno17mo87cx.cloudfront.net/embed/rafl/cptr.js">
</script>Winner At Everything!http://www.blogger.com/profile/09342099683875456556noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8018157725451908905.post-18591986331190711002012-02-27T13:30:00.000-05:002012-02-27T13:30:40.425-05:00Winner at....Making Sweet Potato HashThis is one of our favorite recipes now that we are 7 weeks into our new Paleo diet/lifestyle:<br />
<br />
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:TrackMoves/> <w:TrackFormatting/> <w:PunctuationKerning/> <w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/> <w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid> <w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent> <w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText> <w:DoNotPromoteQF/> <w:LidThemeOther>EN-US</w:LidThemeOther> <w:LidThemeAsian>X-NONE</w:LidThemeAsian> <w:LidThemeComplexScript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript> <w:Compatibility> <w:BreakWrappedTables/> <w:SnapToGridInCell/> <w:WrapTextWithPunct/> <w:UseAsianBreakRules/> <w:DontGrowAutofit/> <w:SplitPgBreakAndParaMark/> <w:DontVertAlignCellWithSp/> <w:DontBreakConstrainedForcedTables/> <w:DontVertAlignInTxbx/> <w:Word11KerningPairs/> <w:CachedColBalance/> </w:Compatibility> <w:DoNotOptimizeForBrowser/> <m:mathPr> <m:mathFont m:val="Cambria Math"/> <m:brkBin m:val="before"/> <m:brkBinSub m:val="--"/> <m:smallFrac m:val="off"/> <m:dispDef/> <m:lMargin m:val="0"/> <m:rMargin m:val="0"/> <m:defJc m:val="centerGroup"/> <m:wrapIndent m:val="1440"/> <m:intLim m:val="subSup"/> <m:naryLim m:val="undOvr"/> </m:mathPr></w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" DefUnhideWhenUsed="true"
DefSemiHidden="true" DefQFormat="false" DefPriority="99"
LatentStyleCount="267"> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="0" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Normal"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="heading 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 4"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 5"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 7"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 8"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 9"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 4"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 5"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 7"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 8"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 9"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="35" QFormat="true" Name="caption"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="10" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Title"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" Name="Default Paragraph Font"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="11" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtitle"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="22" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Strong"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="20" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Emphasis"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="59" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Table Grid"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Placeholder Text"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="No Spacing"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Revision"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="34" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="List Paragraph"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="29" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Quote"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="30" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Quote"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 4"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 4"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 4"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 4"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 4"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 4"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 4"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 4"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 4"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 4"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 4"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 4"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 4"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 4"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 5"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 5"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 5"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 5"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 5"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 5"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 5"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 5"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 5"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 5"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 5"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 5"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 5"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 5"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="19" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Emphasis"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="21" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Emphasis"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="31" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Reference"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="32" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Reference"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="33" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Book Title"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="37" Name="Bibliography"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" QFormat="true" Name="TOC Heading"/> </w:LatentStyles> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 10]> <style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-priority:99;
mso-style-qformat:yes;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin:0in;
mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:11.0pt;
font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";
mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast;
mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;}
</style> <![endif]--> <br />
<div class="MsoPlainText">Sweet Potato Hash Ingredients:</div><div class="MsoPlainText">2-4 large (or 3-5 medium) sweet potatoes</div><div class="MsoPlainText">2 cups chopped spinach (fresh) </div><div class="MsoPlainText">6-8 slices of bacon</div><div class="MsoPlainText">1/4 cup coconut oil (or olive oil or butter)</div><div class="MsoPlainText">1/8 cup finely chopped yellow or white onion </div><div class="MsoPlainText">salt & pepper to taste</div><div class="MsoPlainText">Optional:</div><div class="MsoPlainText">2 cloves fresh garlic finely chopped or 1/2 tsp garlic powder</div><div class="MsoPlainText">1/3 cup raisins or dried cranberries </div><div class="MsoPlainText">1/4 cup toasted, chopped pecans</div><div class="MsoPlainText"> </div><div class="MsoPlainText">Wash sweet potatoes, vent with knife and microwave on high 3-4 mins for medium potatoes and 7-8 mins for very large potatoes. Allow to cool slightly, then peel & dice into cubes. Potatoes should still be very firm, but peeling will go much easier & cooking will take less time by microwaving them for a few minutes first. <span></span>Set pan temp to just above medium and cook bacon until crisp. Remove from pan & set aside.<span> </span>Add coconut oil (or olive oil or butter) to bacon grease & bring heat up to medium-high. Add onion and sauté until soft (approx 2-4 mins). Optional - we also occasionally add either minced fresh garlic, raisins, dried cranberries and/or pecans at this point, particularly if using butter (preferably Kerry Gold grass fed butter!). Next, add diced sweet potatoes to pan. Salt & pepper liberally. Cook on med-high for 2-4 minutes, stirring frequently, until slightly browned, then cover, reduce heat to medium and simmer for 15 minutes, stirring every 3-5 minutes. Remove lid and stir in chopped spinach. You may have to do this 1 cup at a time and then cover and wait 1-2 minutes in between to allow spinach to wilt - it will cook down VERY quickly! Once all spinach has been added, re-cover and allow to simmer at medium to medium low for another 5 minutes until sweet potatoes are nearly mush but with larger solid chunks still visible. Crumble bacon over mixture. Stir thoroughly and simmer uncovered 3-5 more minutes to allow flavors to blend. Remove from heat & serve warm. For breakfast, this is delicious served with an over-medium egg on top!! </div>Winner At Everything!http://www.blogger.com/profile/09342099683875456556noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8018157725451908905.post-59080256149499211032012-01-22T14:05:00.000-05:002012-01-22T14:05:00.651-05:00Winner at.....Healthy Eating!After reading a fascinating book called "<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Paleo-Solution-Original-Human-Diet/dp/0982565844/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1327256770&sr=8-1">The Paleo Solution: The Original Human Diet</a>", by Robb Wolff, and finding little argument with its reasoning (thanks to the fact that it is well-supported by a great deal of scientific research), I embarked 2 weeks ago on a new and somewhat innovative healthy eating/healthy living plan. I've always been "health focused", but that has led mostly to athletic conditioning (running, yoga, light weight-training) on a somewhat consistent basis over the last 10-15 years more so than me following any kind of specific diet or eating plan. A lot of that has to do with my lack of knowledge of, interest in and natural ability to cook - until now!<br />
<br />
To give a little backstory....the main components of a "Paleo" diet are that you should eat hormone, preservative and nitrate-free, preferably grass-fed meats and eggs, plus lots of fresh veggies and fruits, while avoiding gluten/grains, sugar, dairy and overly processed foods. Although that may not sound appealing, it certainly didn't sound complicated. So imagine my surprise to discover just how many products contain gluten and sugar! Eating out - something we did far too often - became a huge challenge since there was no way to know for sure what was in every recipe. This was a HUGE problem. Cooking, for the better part of 20 yrs, was for me like scuba-diving or running or yoga might be for others. It seemed foreign and intimidating, too time-consuming and not at all appealing. I had so psyched myself out to NOT like it, that I never really even tried it. Imagine my surprise then that as of two weeks ago, I have been cooking like a mad-woman, trying out new recipes, experimenting with spices and different cooking methods....and ENJOYING the heck out of all of it!! Who knew cooking could be so fun??!!? <br />
<br />
While I think the above book should be required reading for EVERYONE on the planet, and especially anyone with Type 2 diabetes, high-blood pressure, high cholesterol or other eating-related health issues, the bigger lesson here for me is that people really can change and you just never know what you might like (or excel at) if you go are open-minded and go into it with the right attitude. When i committed to my new eating plan and realized I wouldn't be able to eat out (or get carryout) 5 nights a week anymore, I told myself, "I can do this! I'm smart and successful and capable and cooking is not a big deal." I went into it with the intent to have fun with it and focused on the health benefits i would gain vs. how much work it would be or time it would take and it worked like a charm. It's amazing how a tiny shift in perspective can make such a big difference. Now I'm wondering how I can apply this insight to other areas of my life. Where have I been avoiding things that would make my life easier, just because they are unknown or intimidating? I say, let's all get out there and try something new today! I'm off to explore what's next. I'll keep you posted.Winner At Everything!http://www.blogger.com/profile/09342099683875456556noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8018157725451908905.post-530926278016004412011-10-10T14:26:00.000-04:002011-10-10T14:26:14.992-04:00Winner at.....Running a 5K!!My dedication to fitness over the last few months has surely resulted in a lack of time for things like blogging, but the upside is that I participated in my first 5K.....and my second! <br />
<br />
Not knowing what to expect, my adrenaline was in overdrive for the first race, which dawned on the first really cool day in September, but at least it was sunny and clear out. I started out great, if a little overzealous and quickly realized if I didn't slow down i was going to hyperventilate - especially when I hit that first big hill less than a quarter mile into the race. It felt like I hit a BRICK WALL.<br />
<br />
Fortunately, I relaxed and got my breathing back under control pretty quickly, but was afraid to push myself after that for fear of getting over-gassed again and having to stop. I was COMMITTED to seeing it through. I'm happy to report my hard work and commitment paid off with a nice 2nd place finish in my age group. Yippee!!<br />
<br />
Knowing i didn't perform to my full potential (yes - I wanted first place, not second!!), I signed right up for my second 5K less than a week later. I trained really hard in between and was sad for the day of the race to dawn with heavy rain. Still, I decided to go ahead and tough it out and boy am I glad I did. I think it helped that I knew more what to expect, but I pushed myself steadily at a fast, but reasonable pace from the get-go....and lo and behold - FIRST PLACE!!! Yes, it was only in my age group, but I finished a minute faster than in my previous race, did well overall and it was enough to give me renewed motivation to keep up my running routine throughout the winter. <br />
<br />
Yay for WINNING!!! Hope everyone out there is having a super winning week!Winner At Everything!http://www.blogger.com/profile/09342099683875456556noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8018157725451908905.post-47879771781379484582011-05-02T10:14:00.002-04:002011-05-02T10:14:25.634-04:00My Terrifying (but funny!) Spider EncounterI am so terrified of spiders it’s nearly debilitating, particularly living in the south where they are quite abundant. Unfortunately, my son has inherited this phobia and will often swear there are spiders crawling on him (in bed, at school, in the shower and in the car, especially) even though none are ever found. One night (of many) while driving home my son was in the back seat and began screaming that a spider was on him. He thrashed around and screeched to the point that I nearly wrecked. As soon as it was safe, I pulled over and got out of the car and searched around to see if I could find anything (better safe than sorry, right?). As usual, nothing turned up, so I was sure, once again, that he had imagined it.<br />
<br />
The next morning, as I am leaving for work, I toss my briefcase behind the driver’s seat and hop in the car. As I lean slightly to the right to start the ignition I catch something glittery out of the corner of my eye and turn to see a GIANT web (barely an inch – okay a foot – from my face!!!) extending from the passenger seat across most of the back of the car, in the middle of which is the creepiest, hairiest, shudder-inducing-est spider I have ever seen!! Later research determined it to be a wolf spider, which makes sense. It was as scary as any wolf I can imagine. Roughly quarter-sized, this spider elicited a sound that surely made my neighbors’ hair stand up on the backs of their necks, which would have perfectly imitated mine. Needless to say, I was out of that car so fast someone could have drafted off my backside. <br />
<br />
Late for work already, I began pacing as I considered my options. 1) Donate my car to charity and never have to deal with the aforementioned spider. Work would surely understand my indefinite absence, right? Hmm. Probably not. And new cars are expensive. 2) Call for Mr. WinneratLife to leave work and come home to handle spider disposal duty on my behalf (as usual). This would have been perfect if I’d thought he would agree. And not think I was crazy. 3) Atttempt spider removal on my own [shudder, shudder, shudder]. THIS was not a pleasant thought, but I quickly and sadly realized it was my only real option. HOW I was going to dispose of the spider then became the next big dilemma. No way was I putting my bare hand anywhere near this thing. <br />
<br />
I decided that gloves were in order and that a shoe was the only thing I could allow to come in contact with the spider so off it came for squishing duty [SHUDDER]. With no intention of getting into the car to deal with this, I roll down all of the windows and stand as far away as possible as I reach in the car (with only one eye open) to swipe at said abominable spider. In hindsight, the RAID house and garden bug killer that is always on hand would have been a better solution. Alas, with danger so imminent, I was NOT thinking clearly. The spider quickly began to run up the web and away from my attempts to end its life. At this point I am panicked and yelping wildly as my teenaged daughter comes out of the house to leave for school. She immediately erupts into peals of laughter as I dance around the driveway screeching and shuddering like I have lost my mind. She then calmly takes the shoe from me, removes one of her own and, placing one shoe in front and one shoe behind the web, deftly squishes the spider then pulls the spider and web free from the car. MY HERO!!! Who would have thought a daughter of mine could be so brave and fearless!! Of course, I still wasn’t happy to have to get into the car after having a HUMONGOUS spider in there for so long. Sadly, Mr. W.A.L. would not agree to trade in the car based solely on my spider encounter. Thankfully, weekly RAID treatments keep the spiders (and my shuddering) to a minimum these days and go a long way toward giving me spider peace of mind.Winner At Everything!http://www.blogger.com/profile/09342099683875456556noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8018157725451908905.post-54823766415126751312010-12-07T00:00:00.008-05:002010-12-07T00:36:13.556-05:00Hoping 2 Win the....TodaysMama and GameStop Giveaway!!<a href="http://bit.ly/tmwishlist">TodaysMama</a> and <a href="http://bit.ly/gamestop10">GameStop</a> are giving away a sleighful of gifts this holiday season and to enter I’m sharing this meme with you!<br /><span style="font-weight:bold;"><br />1. What is your holiday wish for your family?</span><br />That we have a happy, peaceful and RESTFUL holiday this year.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">2. What is your Christmas morning tradition?</span><br />We get up VERY early and make a huge yummy breakfast with all the fixin's (scrambled eggs, bacon, biscuits & gravy, coffee, juice, hot choc - everyone's favorites!) and then we sit around and open presents while we eat and drink ourselves silly. Afterward, the adults nap on the sofa while the kids play with their newest treasures. Ahh, bliss!<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">3. If you could ask Santa for one, completely decadent wish for yourself, what would it be?</span><br />Not sure decadent is the right term, but i would surely love to have a new HDTV!! One like this, maybe??<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAKOY_5VixNXy3H-WLiKJrKgD-T9pdL9HAdHi93FZtHpgqr4T2jTxTbFjq-gDAJGB8KGG982qxKwn8KurFOTFvKgvR2F0jxPNyFyLnI2WuBGcE1BC1e_MKxRaxCojYnRpnlUuB48WK0VZd/s1600/Samsung+55inch+LED+HDTV.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 220px; height: 198px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAKOY_5VixNXy3H-WLiKJrKgD-T9pdL9HAdHi93FZtHpgqr4T2jTxTbFjq-gDAJGB8KGG982qxKwn8KurFOTFvKgvR2F0jxPNyFyLnI2WuBGcE1BC1e_MKxRaxCojYnRpnlUuB48WK0VZd/s320/Samsung+55inch+LED+HDTV.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5547802564810808818" /></a><br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">4. How do you make the holidays special without spending any money?</span><br />By spending extra time with my family and friends. The whole year seems to go by in a blur, so it's nice once the holiday gift buying rush is over to be able to relax and enjoy the company of the people I love the most. <br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">5. What games did you play with your family growing up?</span><br />We played Yatzee!, Uno and Monopoly a lot and every card game you can imagine. We were a big game night kind of family.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">6. What holiday tradition have you carried on from your own childhood?</span><br />We get new PJ's each year, which we typically open on Christmas eve - so everyone looks really nice in their Christmas Day photos!<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">7. Where would you go for a Christmas-away-from-home trip?</span><br />Anywhere in the Caribbean. I plan to visit every island at some point! No snow necessary, as far as I'm concerned. Sand is close enough. <br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">8. Check out GameStop and tell us, what are the three top items on your GameStop Wish List this year?</span><br /><br />1)<a href="http://www.gamestop.com/Catalog/ProductDetails.aspx?product_id=88785">Kinect Fun Bundle </a> - Cause it looks so darn cool, even if we really don't need another game system right now<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoMGsmWwyBCn05UvjfrHqHLgX402B8CzZHKJNsDW-i_X4k45cafG8hF5eMAmobrEpDNsmjTxXnUQfLAveyPE-o2wsMx_W3KO2dn19frXcqcny9FGvGXEzMf4rPvdLquYcmGwmkAbSUD7Ku/s1600/Kinect+Family+Bundle.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoMGsmWwyBCn05UvjfrHqHLgX402B8CzZHKJNsDW-i_X4k45cafG8hF5eMAmobrEpDNsmjTxXnUQfLAveyPE-o2wsMx_W3KO2dn19frXcqcny9FGvGXEzMf4rPvdLquYcmGwmkAbSUD7Ku/s200/Kinect+Family+Bundle.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5547805678826753138" /></a><br /><br />2) <a href="http://www.gamestop.com/Catalog/ProductDetails.aspx?product_id=84715">Red Nintendo Wii</a> - Cause ours broke and we have tons of games we can't play and accessories not being used<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3vuTyaD5bRPu9H0NJn33D75jdn4uGty4M4QmC8fGslE2_5fe_8qBfrVMtdpc8_F01R-IZw5O7ZwLl5F3J7M9wiG4sDk0ScKUQYdjQpRq325gcWRdBpk2Pks4Bf4vTJ6jB1bQ6A6-kFs0o/s1600/WiiHWRed.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 131px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3vuTyaD5bRPu9H0NJn33D75jdn4uGty4M4QmC8fGslE2_5fe_8qBfrVMtdpc8_F01R-IZw5O7ZwLl5F3J7M9wiG4sDk0ScKUQYdjQpRq325gcWRdBpk2Pks4Bf4vTJ6jB1bQ6A6-kFs0o/s200/WiiHWRed.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5547806798172075970" /></a><br /><br />3) <a href="http://www.gamestop.com/browse/search.aspx?dsNav=N:138">Super Mario All-Stars</a> - cause you can never have too much Mario!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCwAgBvKwHDPAHrgPbJB3e1Rt8mBj79cfFqbpxR_F-z7X7rSnjncHJRkCd-1gHXRxSeu762oGuz59p8Jydww8T1-DZCTK9f5wE403FUstzDRzYRK6aassSv2Ete3QaVYVOJNmo2EKXexmy/s1600/Wii+Super+Mario.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 135px; height: 190px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCwAgBvKwHDPAHrgPbJB3e1Rt8mBj79cfFqbpxR_F-z7X7rSnjncHJRkCd-1gHXRxSeu762oGuz59p8Jydww8T1-DZCTK9f5wE403FUstzDRzYRK6aassSv2Ete3QaVYVOJNmo2EKXexmy/s200/Wii+Super+Mario.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5547806348336091826" /></a><br /><br /><br />Be sure to visit <a href="http://bit.ly/tmwishlist">TodaysMama</a> before December 10 so you can enter to win, too! Best of luck and happy holidays to all!Winner At Everything!http://www.blogger.com/profile/09342099683875456556noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8018157725451908905.post-4762372388280277962010-10-17T21:11:00.003-04:002010-10-17T21:27:33.757-04:00Winner at....Healthy Weight LossYears of bad eating habits and little exercise, coupled with having two children only a few years apart, left me overweight and depressed, but at the age of 30 I decided I was fed up with not feeling good about myself and committed once and for all to do something about it. I started walking and then running, cut out refined sugars and processed foods, adopted a can-do, much more positive attitude, and viola - lost 35 lbs in a six to eight month period. To everyone's amazement, myself included, I sustained those good habits and even lost another 15 lbs, albeit more gradually, over the next four or five years. Unfortunately, for the last two or three years my home and work life have gotten busier and busier, I've had 2 sports injuries (fractured tibia & ruptured achilles) and a several minor illnesses (two bouts of bronchitis, swine flu and a gallbladder problem) that sidelined me for weeks to months at a time, and I've also managed to get away from (or at least become slack about) those former healthy habits. As a result, I've easily gained back that last 15 I'd lost. Finally well, healed and seeing light at the end of the tunnel on all fronts, I've decided it's high time to recommit myself to those old habits and routines that served me so well. I've been a winner at Healthy Weight Loss and had a very healthy body before, so I know I can be a winner in those areas again. Fabulous and Fit at Forty sounds pretty terrific, does it not??!!?? Wish me luck!Winner At Everything!http://www.blogger.com/profile/09342099683875456556noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8018157725451908905.post-30156103597567113112010-06-08T12:47:00.002-04:002010-06-08T12:55:52.945-04:00I won FREE coffee!I am an avid drinker and fan of Starbucks (no, this is not a paid promotion!). I linked a giftcard up to their website some time ago and set it to reload. Partly just so I could keep track of what I was spending. Yesterday I got a card in the mail letting me know I am now a gold level member and listing all of the awesome benefits (hello - freebies and discounts galore!) that come with it. Woo hoo!! This morning I walked to my usual weekday location and redeemed a coupon for a completely free venti breve one-pump-mocha latte with whip - YUMMMMMMMM. If you haven't tried it, you must go do that now. Go. Now!! You won't regret it...except for the whole addiction part, of course. This drink is rich & creamy thanks to the half & half ("breve" in starbucks-speak) with just enough mocha to feed my chocolate craving, only far fewer calories and carbs (because I only get one pump as opposed to the usual 4-5). For anyone diet conscious, reducing the number of syrup pumps is a cool trick I learned from the nutrition section of the Starbucks website. It's a quick, easy and painless way to 'lighten' your beverage of choice so you can indulge without the diet guilt.<br /><br />Hope this is as helpful to others as it was to me! Make it a glorious day!Winner At Everything!http://www.blogger.com/profile/09342099683875456556noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8018157725451908905.post-5839726241233029432010-06-01T16:37:00.003-04:002010-06-01T16:51:02.145-04:00Lady LuckSo many of my friends think I am unusually 'lucky' and tell me so often. I have to admit I do win a lot! I definitely think I hit the relationship jackpot. My friends envy what an all-around terrific partner I have. He couldn't be more perfect (for me, at least) if I conjured him with witchcraft. And I am blessed with an amazing job where new and fun opportunities seem to drop in my lap quite often. On a more traditional vein, I also have a lot of fun with lottery tickets and sweepstakes and have done really well with both (winning trips, electronics, gift cards, etc), but i don't consider any of these things to be about luck. I win, in all these wonderful ways, because I WILL it to happen. My expectation is that my life is terrific and only getting better and ever since I began thinking that way, the world around me has conformed to make it happen. This is the essence of something called the Law of Attraction. If you haven't heard of it, buckle your seatbelt before you google the term....then prepare to have your mind blown away. And if you want more info from me, leave me a comment with your e-mail or contact me via e-mail through my my blogger profile and I'll be happy to share more. <br /><br />Best wishes for a wonderful WINNING day!Winner At Everything!http://www.blogger.com/profile/09342099683875456556noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8018157725451908905.post-86105405341516751852010-05-30T20:25:00.002-04:002010-05-30T20:36:00.450-04:00Today I won....a relaxing day by the poolI don't get many days like that, so I especially appreciated it. I also got to sleep in, have a nice, big breakfast with my kids, did some research on the computer and also got to read part of Louise Hay's newest publication called, "Experience Your Good Now!". It includes an accompanying audio program and is filled with tools, tips and suggested affirmations to help anyone overcome any fears, self-doubt or worries that are keeping them from living their full potential. It covers areas such as Relationships, Career, Body Image, Addictions, Common Fears, Health and Creativity. Louise Hay's publishing house offers a wealth of self-help and motivational literature overall. Check them out online if you haven't done so before. You won't regret it!Winner At Everything!http://www.blogger.com/profile/09342099683875456556noreply@blogger.com0