Monday Musings

 Monday Musings:

--Think about it.

--Talk about it.

--Plan for it.

--Do it.

Over or Under

In light of my most recent post I have decided I need more veggies in my life but I "loathe" buying a boatload of veggies when so often we don't eat them fast enough (and they spoil) and/or don't eat them at all. Such a waste either way.

My daughter loves salad so I try to incorporate a green salad with tomatoes, cucumbers, and croutons in a lot of our dinners. Ohh and these yummy Salad Toppers. These literally make the salad for me; just sayin.  Problem is that we then drench it in Ranch.  Not really (lol but still probably use too much). I am trying to create a new habit of dipping my salad in the ranch rather than pouring the ranch on the salad. It makes a difference of how much I use, for sure. I learned this little trick years back when I was part of Weight Watchers. Do they still recommend that trick?

Now I just need to convince my son to eat more vegetables. He literally will only eat snap peas and cucumbers. Cucumbers are super yummy though especially fresh from the garden or farmers market. Not that I have had either recently (my failure at my garden this past spring/summer is a whole other post).  And farmers markets these days are closed due to either Covid or the cold weather that is now settling in. Ughh.

Cucumbers. They really do pack a punch. They are full of water (in case you are thirsty) and loads of vitamins (Vitamin B1, B2, B3, B5 and B6, Folic Acid, Vitamin C, Iron, Calcium, Zinc, Magnesium, Phosphorus and Potassium). Some say they are over rated, I personally think they deserve more credit. 

You can also use cucumbers to cool sunburns. I may need this, this next week for where I am headed.  I will share that on another blog post.  You can place on your eyes to reduce puffiness. I can go on...but I won't. You get it. 

Cucumbers are amazing! 

Just make sure you peel them. I use a peeler that is similar to the OXO Good Grip Swivel Peeler.  Check it out on Amazon. Super affordable and just in time for peeling potatoes for those famous mashed potatoes for your holiday gatherings. (I must confess there are some recent years where I use instant potatoes. I don't have time for that. The peeling. The boiling. The mashing...Sorry, just keeping it real.)

Did you know: That the "cool as a cucumber" came about because there is sometimes a  20° temperature difference between the inside of a cucumber and the actual temperature outside.

What do you think?  Cucumbers. Over rated or under rated?

What is your favorite vegetable?  

You might also like this post: Confessions of a Non Superwoman # 31.

Source: Fact Site

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It's No Wonder

The Covid 19  quarantine weight gain, it is the REAL deal. But in my case probably double that...seriously. Let's call it what is is..Covid 40.  It sucks. And it isn't necessarily the food I am eating but rather lack of much exercise.

Ok, so it might have a little bit to do with "some" of the food I eat because I really like to cook and I am one of those that actually like to eat the food I cook. 

It is kind of funny when my daughter got engaged last Christmas (2019), we all jumped on the "we need to lose weight for the wedding" bandwagon and then Feb-Mar came with the shut down of the whole universe. And well, needless to say, we never climbed back on that wagon. 

But this....this is part of the reason why. 

Chicken Stuffing Casserole

Ingredients

2lbs of Chicken Tenderloin (or you can use left over chicken, Rotisserie Chicken from your local store deli, it's up to you how much time you want to spend on dinner)

2 boxes (total 12 ozs)  of stuffing (preseasoned) or you can make your own

2 cans of Condensed Cream of Chicken Soup

16 oz Frozen Mixed Vegetables (I prefer the ones you can steam really quick)

1/2 Cup Sour Cream

Directions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees

1. If using uncooked chicken (like I did), fire up a pan, add some olive oil and cook chicken. Once cooked, dice or shred into smaller pieces. Set aside. (if using left over cooked chicken or Rotisserie Chicken then shred or dice up, no need to cook separate) 

2. (While the chicken is cooking) Pour your stuffing into a large bowl and add hot water; mix. Let it sit to absorb the water.  I added about 1/2 cup hot water per 6 oz box (not as much water as the directions state since you are not fully cooking it and you don't want the stuffing to be soggy). 

3. Steam vegetables as instructed on bag. Set aside.

4. In a 10 x 13 casserole dish pour in the 2 cans of condensed soup (no water), add in the 1/2 cup sour cream, add some salt and pepper. Mix. Now pour the steamed vegetables in (if in water; drain). Add the diced or shredded chicken. Mix until both the chicken and vegetables are smothered with the soup/sour cream mixture.

5. Spread the moist stuffing on top of the chicken/vegetables. (I use a spatula or fork to pack the stuffing on top so it also can absorb some of the soup/sour cream mixture while it cooks).

6. Cook in oven on 350 degrees for 20-30 mins until the top layer of the stuffing is golden brown and crispy. You should see the chicken/soup underneath the stuffing bubbling.

And so this is my problem. It is no wonder. 

Enjoy! 

This I Know For Sure

My mom. May she rest in peace. 

Growing up I didn't spend a whole lot of time with my mom for various reasons (that I will probably share in another blog post down the road). But when I did, there were definite things that I hold on to, to this day...some are heavy while others are light hearted.

Heavy

Don't rely on anyone, especially a man, for your financial well being. Make your own money. 

Light

If you can't beat them, join them. (It was always in an odd context that she would use this)

Heavy

Never trust someone who says "trust me" or who opens a sentence with "to be honest"...That has always been a no brainer.

Light

Moisturize. Moisturize. Moisturize.  LOL

In all seriousness, trust me, (lol). Do that last one for sure!  My daughter always gets compliments on her great looking skin. And for sure genetics has something to do with mine and my daughters skin BUT I took this to heart and have washed my face and moisturized DAILY for as long as I can remember. 

It makes such a world of difference. And for the longest time I would use the "expensive" stuff from the local department store. Think Clinique or Estee Lauder from Macy's...paying an arm and a leg or two for a super small bottle of moisturizer.... 

UNTIL a few years ago when one of my more experienced friends shared her secret of her soft, smooth, minimally, wrinkled skin. Wanna know the secret?

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Something so simple and not very expensive AT ALL. You can buy it here on Amazon, Walgreens, Target, Walmart...and you don't have to use much so it lasts a long time. But use it daily after you shower or washing your face**. I am in the upper half of my 40s and I still get carded at times and people think I am my oldest daughter's sister. 

Gotta love that!

**There are several types of Cerave lotion specific for your face or other body parts. They are also labeled with different skin types so please read the labels to choose the one that best fits your skin type. 

You might also like this post. The "G" word.

This is not a paid endorsement however if you purchase the item from my link I will receive a small commission.