Electrical Tape + Stripes

So I came across this creative DIY on Emily A. Clark's blog and I had to share it. Totally awesome idea! Camila at Effortless Style used electrical tape to make temporary stripes on her walls. She found 2 inch tape on Amazon.com. I am thinking could put a thinner 1/2 inch or 1 inch stripe on each side of the 2 inch as well to add more detail and variation. Fun idea for a temporary solution!

photo taken by Camila, found via her blog.

Check out Camila's blog and her post for the how-to with some great instructions/tips and photos!

Spicy Vegetarian Tortilla Soup

One of my goals for 2012 is to photograph my cooking more and share it on the blog. I think I already told you that. Oh well, in case you didn't pay attention the last time. 


So, today I have my second attempt at soup in my entire liftetime. My first was chicken + rice soup. Well, I decided to try my hand at making Tortilla Soup and had found this recipe on pinterest. The recipe is by Laura Flowers and you can find her blog here. 


Spicy Vegetarian Tortilla Soup
2 tablespoons ground cumin

2 teaspoons sweet paprika
(I didn't have this spice so I just omitted it. It still rocked!)
2 teaspoons chili powder

1/2 teaspoon garlic powder

1/2 teaspoon onion powder

1/2 teaspoon dried oregano

1 teaspoon coriander
1 1/2 teaspoons salt
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
3 tablespoons light colored oil (I wasn't sure what this meant so I used canola oil)
1 large onion, diced
1 green bell pepper, diced
1 red bell pepper, diced
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 (4 ounce) can diced mild green chiles, drained
2 (10 ounce) cans RoTel Diced Tomatoes with Lime & Cilantro (my store didn't have these I just found some similar diced tomatoes)

1 (15 ounce) can whole kernel corn, drained
2 (32 ounce) containers Swanson Organic Vegetable Broth (I used chicken for more flavor, but that would void the whole vegetarian thing if you care. Its also what I had on hand)

2 (15 ounce) cans black beans, drained and rinsed
Juice of 1/2 a lime

1. In a small bowl mix together cumin, sweet paprika, chili powder, garlic powder, onion powder, oregano, coriander, salt and black pepper. Set aside.

2. In a large pot heat the oil over medium high. Add the onions and bell peppers. Sauté until soft, stirring occasionally. Add the spices and garlic; cook for 2 minutes.

3. Add the green chile peppers, RoTel, corn and vegetable broth. Cook until warmed through. Add the black beans and cook for 2 minutes before serving. Squeeze in lime juice. Serve in bowls and garnish as desired.

Garnish Ideas

Tortilla chips

Shredded Cheddar, Mexican blend or Cotija cheese
Diced Avocado

Chopped cilantro

Sour Cream

Hot Sauce

Recipe and photograph by Laura Flowers.


* If you don't mind skipping the vegetarian part (I like it because there are more vegetables, but I add back in the meat) I also bought a rotisserie chicken and shredded the breasts and added that in to entice the hubby too. I think it helped. There are only a few things I've made that are vegetarian that he approves of, oh maybe just one (I haven't made too many) Black Bean + Feta Tacos, which I made this past week. He actually really loves them. He said he woke up the next morning thinking about them. I'll share that one soon! You can find it on my pinterest page too!


Here's my lame attempt at photographing my culinary skill with my iPhone. Oh and the fact that I forgot to photograph until the end (and actually the finished product in the bowl isn't from the original go, I was too hungry to fuss with details and a photo. I made an entire pot for well, me. Ryan IS NOT a soup fan at all. However, I begged him to at least try it so he did, and with his permission, he "thought it was tasty". That's pretty good for him. I even got G to eat it for dinner too so it must be good. I froze the rest of it (sans leftovers for a couple lunches) and then thawed it out today and had some for lunch. It was just as good 2 weeks later!

Doing its thing on the stove "warming"... This soup is so easy and seriously SO DELICIOUS!

This soup is all about the garnishing! Avocado, chips, sour cream, cheddar cheese, fresh lime juice, and cilantro!

Oh, and in case you aren't familiar with these chips, Juanita's Tortilla Chips are the MOST AMAZING tortilla chips out there and they are cheap too! Seriously guys, this is no joking matter. Try them and you won't ever buy another chip out there. They also happen to be manufactured in Oregon. Take that!


Here's a link to Laura's original post with the recipe. She offers a printable link too! I'll be checking out her cooking some more, you should too! You can find the recipe and link on pinterest too, click here.

"Creating" + Repurposing Clothes

So I've had some goals for 2012 on my mind. In fact, I wrote a lengthy post for the blog and still haven't published it. I guess I'm still trying to get a grasp on how this year might go. Wait, what do I know? 2011? Hello! Of course I have NO idea. Ok, I'll narrow down those goals soon, I guess I just need to figure out which will make the most difference for me and my family.


Well, the first I am definitely taking on has been in the works and is really a more broad goal. In 2012 I want to BE CREATIVE. I want to do more things to invoke and inspire my creative mind. Every time I step into the realm of "creating" I feel passion and excitement burn within me. I feel alive and I feel joy and happiness. I was reminded of this when reading a blog this morning. I came across this photo:

Lauren Moffatt (above) made her daughter’s dress from a women’s shirt from H&M.
photography by Kelly Stewart image via The Glow.

I have had that shirt. I bought it at H&M a while back and never wore it. I didn't try it on before I bought it mistake #1 especially because the closest store is 2+ hours away. Anyway, it didn't fit well and I'd have to wear a shirt underneath. It sat in my closet forever until I finally gave it to DI with the tags still attached (that doesn't happen very often). Well, then I saw this photo and I'm obviously kicking myself. How genius and cute! Well, at least it got me thinking. I ran to my room and started ravaging through my give away bag. I pulled out three pieces of clothing that have great prints and would be fun to turn in to adorable baby/girls clothing. It made me realize that I need to rethink and develop a more creative mind and look at how things can be repurposed instead of seeing their existence isolated to their current state. 

So, my desire to take sewing lessons and be able to do more than sew a straight stitch (which has limited me to making pillow covers). I love that it will feel like something new and it is definitely creative. As for what girl/baby will wear them, I don't know. I'll worry about that once I actually make some items. 

I plan on doing more "creating" in the kitchen this year! I'm still totally enamored with cooking and I want to get into it even more. I want to get more confident in my cooking skills and be able to move away from recipes and more into creative/thoughtful cooking. I want to be inventive and I think that will come with time and more experience in the kitchen. This dream/goal came a little late in life. I wish it had come before my Grandma passed away because she was a phenomenal cook and didn't need a recipe. I lost out on that gift from her, but maybe, just maybe she can teach me a thing or two from heaven. I hope my cooking makes her proud. 

I also want to continue trying my hand out with art. I want to learn more about acrylics and I want to start discovering watercolors. I absolutely love the creative zest that I feel when I paint! I'm not good at it yet, but I want to get to where I can create art I love for our home.

Other things I have on my mind to create in 2012: 

1. a baby, duh! 

2. a new beautiful home for our family using what we already have and only adding in some of the foundation pieces as we can afford them.

3. I want to create more musical opportunities for our family, to bring piano and music back into my life, maybe start teaching again if G and our family life permits it. I had to stop teaching piano this past fall because of G's needs/stage in life.

4. Lastly, I want to create more financial freedom for myself and my family. I have been praying to overcome my impulsive and emotional shopping problem and to free myself from that grasp I feel on me be spending and buying something because I like it and want it. I started out 2011 on a budget for these miscellaneous purchases and I did good for almost 3 months, but then Ryan left for his residency for 9 weeks and I caved and never got back to tracking my expenses and setting limits. 

p...p...pinterest

So, its the latest craze, pinterest. In blog land this week I read that its being compared to crack and its addictive powers. Hum... I'm not gonna try that one out, I'll take their word for it. He he! Funny how things come and go with technology. Remember that social networking site pre-Facebook? I was thinking back on it and couldn't remember what it was called. Oh ya...MySpace. I wonder if it still exists. LOL! I should find out and delete my profile, if I still remember the password, oh gosh and I don't have that email account any more.

What are you thoughts on the matter? Does it have you sucked in? I have my days, but generally I don't go out doing searches so I'm only seeing the pins of those boards I've subscribed to. I also like to add new content instead of just endlessly clicking "repin" although I don't have a problem with that either.

I really try to only pin images I intend to actually apply in the real life world here. I've done pretty good about actually using recipes from my "food" board. I have only yet to actually delete 2 pins because I didn't care to make that recipe a second time. Others have become part of our favorites and I've made 3+ times already.

Another category I actually revisit and that is helpful is my "style" and "face" boards. I pin outfit combos and ideas and actually have duplicated or used some of the as inspiration for my own wardrobe. I do, however, feel very unoriginal with pinterest around. I guess though I have never claimed to be an original and I'm glad that it is there to help spark creativity and more imagination and change into my lame unoriginal mind.

The category I haven't used much of yet, but obsess over are those relating to home, interior design and decorating. There are quite a few of them. I drool over those interiors, someday! I blame it on the eventual move and thus my lack of desire to make changes to the current state of things. I'm excited to get use out of that one as soon as we set foot in Oregon! I have used it as a resource for blog material here on the ol' blog, as you know.

I also am looking forward to using my "words" board as a jumping off point for our next home. Ryan loves inspirational quotes and I want to have more of them around the house.

Lastly, I've been thinking about primary and secondary sources and college research papers. Lame I know, but I've been thinking about copyright and plagiarism and how it plays out on the world wide web these days. I just read on Pinterest's Etiquette that you should site original sources. Hah that doesn't happen hardly ever. I pledge to do better, especially when I reference it here on the blog instead of being lazy and such.

So the big question of the day is:

Do you actually use any of the pins in your everyday life? Or are they just eye candy that you see once and never see again? What have been some of your favorite pins?

Are you totally ok with being "addicted" and wasting endless hours? I definitely find myself clicking that link at the top of my browser that takes me straight to pinterest land. Its just so purdy and idealistic isn't it! I'll leave it at that and be back soon with a spiritual take on this thing called pinterest, after I put myself to the test!! Oh boy!

Please, share your thoughts with me!

*pinterest logo used with permission.

decorating a rental: fabric + starch wallpaper method

Well, we are back home from Oregon with a sick little G. Poor dude. He has his first official fever. He slept the first 3 hours in his own bed and ended up in ours the rest of the night. Just hoping we can all avoid getting what he's got. I feel bad that he was with my family this weekend while R and I were in Oregon.

I can't help but check craigslist and google for rental listings. We came home with one prospect we are waiting to hear back on but not much else. Its got a few negatives but we both agreed it would meet our needs and has some good positives. We both feel hopeful that something is going to work out. I love that peace that comes, but then I hate just not knowing and having to be patient! I will be grateful for the peace and continue doing our best.

What we did come home realizing is that we need to get up to Oregon sooner than later for R's new job and so we have to kick our booties into gear! Looks like our goal is a start date of March 1st and thus moving the end of February. If we can't find the rental by then it will be pushed back, but that is the goal. So much to do, too much to do! I may have to stay behind with G and finish business here with the house.

Now, to go to the point of this post. Looking at rentals got me down, seriously down. It was as if you'd find one with a great interior and a great exterior, shoot we couldn't even find one with the goods going on inside and out. It was one or the other, or neither! Since every single one we looked at had a little eye sore going on somewhere, I thought I'd do some more research on fixing up rentals and those temporary ways to improve life. So here's what I came across when I searched temporary wallpaper on pinterest:

Source: remodelaholic.com via Stacy on Pinterest

Kitchen Backsplash fix using fabric + starch! The above photo is from Liz at The Chronology of Him and Me. This would be so inexpensive and you can customize the fabric choice! When I saw the above photo on pinterest, it reminded me that Jenny at Little Green Notebook had posted a while back on the same topic. Here is a link to the post with how-to details.You can search "fabric wallpaper" on her blog and there are several other photo examples too. She is a great inspiration for may DIY home projects. The starch method allows it to be temporary. Anyone actually have experience doing this and then taking it down? Any leftover evidence? I read starch attracts bugs, hum that could be a problem!

This solution could have come in handy with about a third of the houses we viewed.

What has your experience been with renting and walls? Did your landlord allow you to paint walls as long as you painted back to their original color when you moved? What about asking to paint over existing hideous paint jobs (without using that term obviously). Oh life's dilemmas!

Check out my previous post with ideas on temporary fixes and ways to decorate a rental here. More to come on that subject! Any great suggestions, send them my way!

Lovely Lines

Source: gorgeousshinythings.blogspot.com via Stacy on Pinterest

Does this photo remind you of another I posted recently? It got me all excited! Remember this one I included in my post on decorating a rental here with my thoughts on a DIY version this with tape as a temporary form of wallpaper?

Source: google.com via Stacy on Pinterest

I saw it posted on pinterest by Amber from Amber Interiors. She mentioned a DIY of the sofa but with gold instead of pink and I think that is a lovely suggestion! I absolutely love her blog and her style, check it out!

The top photo also reminds me of another fun DIY paint on upholstery that I've been mentally hanging onto via pinterest. What do you think? Flicking paint always sounds wonderful! We could all use a little more Jackson Pollock in our lives!!

Source: tphblog.com via Stacy on Pinterest

What have you been painting these days? Any fun DIY applications?

Eugene...Eugene!

Source: etsy.com via Stacy on Pinterest

We're visiting Oregon this weekend, Eugene to be more specific. Its crazy because its the first time we have been here and known that it will be our "home". It really hasn't set in. On the drive up here Ryan turns to me and said, "I'm homesick." Me too! We were only a mere 4 hours into the drive and ready to turn back (and we are only gone 3 days). Then there is the part of me that is excited! New city to discover, more services for G, more dining choices, closer proximity to shopping and schools, and most importantly, Ryan's new professional opportunities, the reason for the move. The traffic here is awesome! Even their 5 o'clock traffic is easily manageable. I haven't gotten my bearings straight yet, can't tell you which way is north and that is something I usually NEVER have a problem with. There are more freeways to figure out (2-3, versus 1) and honestly the most frustrating thing about this trip has been our darn GPS. We wrote down a list of homes to scout out and we seriously went all over the valley! It took us all over and through more back roads and away from freeways (the most direct route). I miss the good ol' days of maps, kind of.

After 3 unsuccessful stops we found a 5 Guys Burgers and Fries. It was my first time and I have to say I enjoyed it and actually think maybe the burger was better than In-n-Out's burger but nope, only because of the spread at In-n-Out. I am a spread/sauce freak so that won out. I did looooooove their fries and ate way too many, but then again they left me desiring my 2 packets of spread to dip those lovelies into. So, #1 NOT on the list of restaurants/stores in Eugene is In-n-Out. Boo hoo, sigh! Another reason to visit home though!

The trip only took us 6 hours. It could have been a little shorter sans the short stop to eat at Subway in Medford. It was, however, done without G in tow so that changes things but I'm hoping it won't really. With him it has often taken us 6 1/2 or 7 hours because we end up sitting down at a diner or little nicer place other than Subway, but I want to get good at quick stops. I also didn't need a potty break other than Medford so that was VERY exciting! Its amazing how your body can finally heal up and improve after childbirth when it get 3 years instead of cramming those babies in closer together. (Hey I've got to find the blessings in delayed babies somehow!)

Well, we are off to scour the rental scene, which is bleak and depressing. I had way to many disappointments and then some birthday shopping for my dad that in which I came out empty handed as well. I told Ryan that I don't take walking out of a place/store empty handed well. It is depressing. So, I insisted that we had to go to the mall. Did I mention I'm trying to break that shopping problem this year. Yep. Not good! Fortunately I felt very content as I walked through and perused the stores. I didn't have really any desire. Awesome! We'll see how long this lasts for. I'm having to pray my little heart out to resist, but I know the Lord will help me to focus more of my life on the things that really matter. I did, however, snatch up a little bright goodies at the MAC counter in Macy's.

Source: rosesarewild.tumblr.com via Stacy on Pinterest

I found this image on pinterest and its been on my mind ever since. I needed some orangey-red goodness! If only I would have felt more glamorous walking out of the department store if I didn't have fuzzy teeth from forgetting my toothbrush at home. Yuck! Thankfully we found one on clearance at Albertson's for 67 cents. Bargain! Oh and did I mention the high here finally got to like 48 degrees, but it stayed in the 30s for more of the morning/early afternoon? Sometime during the frigid hours I heard Ryan mumble something like, "Now I know how the pioneers felt!" I laughed and then we obviously reminded each other this was NOTHING like what they experienced, but when the average temps at home this January have been in the 70s, 40 degrees colder is brutal!

green smoothies

Source: getmestronger.tumblr.com via Joysie on Pinterest

what is your preference? It seems one of the main sources of getting vegetables and fruits (other than applesauce and bananas) into G these days. I do notice an unwanted effect on his bowels though (TMI?). Hum... it is worth it? Probably until we are seriously potty training!

Temporary: Decorating a Rental

So I'm guessing many who know me can imagine moving into a rental, instead of having a home I own just might be stressful and depressing since I won't be able to change and alter it the way I have my own home. Yes, it can be challenging, but I'm excited for the challenge! I've had my eye out for inspiration photos and ideas of ways to incorporate who I am and styles I love into our next home that are also transient and/or nomadic. Are either of those words actually meant to describe home decor? Well they are now! I've been so eager to just know what it is that we will be calling home. I have seen some great gems, some eye sores and some pretty standard builder grade homes. Honestly, I'd love a aged gem. I want something with character, but also something that doesn't have too much character (i.e. hideous 80s wallpaper, shag carpet, or walls and rooms that are every color of the rainbow). Speaking of colorful homes, ironically our home is quite colorful. We have a olive green office, pale yellow bedroom, red master bedroom, blue/grey living room, grey bathroom. That is partly because I didn't want to paint when we first moved in and then when I realized we wouldn't be here long-term I didn't want to paint. I'd love to get rid of that red bedroom. If we do rent out our house we may end up painting, but that will really stink because I didn't do it for myself but I will for renters. I'm pouting right about now!


While we're on the subject, how do you feel about colorful walls? If you were renting a house would you prefer white or neutral walls or be ok with color?


I'm personally hoping for white! A blank canvas so to speak. That way I can dictate the character and color palette myself. Here are some pics from pinterest that I've been thinking about. These are definitely on my list to add to our place as soon as we settle in!

Source: poppytalk.blogspot.com via Stacy on Pinterest

Source: livecreatingyourself.com via Stacy on Pinterest

Oversized black chalkboard. This one is made out of a large MDF panel. This is #1 on my list. I can't wait!

Source: google.com via Stacy on Pinterest


Temporary tape on walls to create abstract wallpaper. Room designed by Kelly Wearstler. Here's a link to a blog post by Jenny from Little Green Notebook. She used japanese masking tape to create a wallpaper effect.

Source: saraicat.tumblr.com via Stacy on Pinterest

Patterned roman shades and color in curtains verses color in walls and white drapes.

Source: libbiegrove.blogspot.com via Stacy on Pinterest


Colorful area rugs and pillows and bookcases!

Source: theestateofthings.com via Stacy on Pinterest

And finally, for in the bedroom there is upholstered headboards and beds or bedding.

Check out more lovely images on my pinterest boards and follow me on pinterest! stacyb81


What do you think? Any suggestions? How have you made a rental/temporary dwelling feel like home and take on your style?


Oh, and one more thing.... I'm wondering if anyone has any tips on renting a house, finding rentals. We've only rented apartments. Anything to watch for? Any ideas on how to find out about available or coming availability of homes sooner than 1-2 weeks out? It seems everything on Craigslist isn't posted until its available or a short while out. I want to find this beauty now and start planning our move date!!

boxes, boxes, boxes

We've started packing...ugh! Any tips? We are starting early so that is good, but I know I need to consistently pack or else early won't help. Still no move date, just sometime in March. We are heading to Eugene soon to spend some time scoping out the city more and getting a feel for where we want to live. I just hope our dream rental comes up at the right time and right price! Actually anything that has white walls, no more than one wall with wood paneling from the 70s and clean carpets will do for me. It seems that the area we want to live in (Ferry Street Bridge) is riddled with homes stuck in the 70s with horrible interior paint jobs and 80s wallpaper. There are areas with newer homes, but I really want to be close to Ryan's clinic and centrally located so that we don't have to do tons of driving around and that area is near the river and bike paths and downtown. We shall see...keep your fingers crossed!

I'd love to hear your tips for moving/packing. We did it 5 years ago but it was only 25 miles and we had half the stuff we do now!

Pan Roasted Brussels Sprouts

I am terrible about taking pics of my cooking. I guess I'm too into the moment and hurrying to get it on the table and I'm worried that my cooking isn't photogenic. Ha! I guess I need to work on my photography skills and learn to photograph food! Sounds good. Well, a while back I actually remembered while cooking to snap some photos with my iphone. Then I forgot to share them. I'd like to share more of my cooking on the blog this year. Here goes... Pan Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Brown Butter and Toasted Pecans:

Pan roasting the sprouts

I absolutely love roasting vegetables. I eat way more of them because my new obsession with roasting them. This recipe has you pan roast the brussels sprouts.  Did you know its "brussels" ant NOT "brussel". I didn't know that until now. Well, I always stuck my nose up to these beauties until this recipe. I had never even eaten one. Now, I love them. Last night I roasted broccoli and its interesting how much roasting until it blackens a little and then adding a little lemon changes its flavor. It reminded me of the kale chips I made a while back. You should try that recipe too. I'll try to remember to photograph it the next time I make that. Yum! Totally changes the taste of broccoli from its conventional methods of raw and steamed.

You always start with your "aromatics" and some olive oil. Then add the goods. I will never be able to live without garlic, onions or shallots (they are soooo expensive these days, those darn boogers), and good olive oil. Oh and don't forget kosher salt and fresh ground black pepper.

For the rest of the recipe, I'll just refer you to the source. I've pinned it on pinterest, here. Try it, you'll like love it!

Toasting the pecan halves and browning the butter!

Put it all together and what do you got? Hot Dog!
Pan Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Brown Butter and Toasted Pecans = YUM!

What are you cooking tonight? Any tricks to adding more veggies into your meals. We could use even more! Loving green smoothies. You?

battling it out: weight loss

I absolutely love food. Its been almost a year since I started taking some cooking classes here and there and I don't think my love of cooking is going anywhere but to my belly any time soon. Seriously, cooking has been a great therapeutic gift from God this past year and I pray frequently that it will be a gift to my family through the coming years. I imagine endless tables of food and fun and laughter in the kitchen cooking with my children. I dream of dinner parties with friends and family (although I have crazy fears that no one shows up to the parties, thus the reason I hardly entertain, I'm insecure, old news). Back to the food. I love it and I love cooking it. I love learning to cook and having my husband tell me its restaurant quality (and I don't think he was referring to the pre-made stuff at Olive Garden, but don't get me wrong I love that place too). I just love cooking gourmet meals and eating dishes filled with flavor! I love learning new techniques and trying new food and combinations! I love that when I came into my house this morning from getting the mail it still smelled of garlic and onions from the Chicken with Pan Sauce that I made last night. Ok! I'm hungry and haven't eaten lunch yet, this is a bad time to be writing this post (especially since there is a pan of fresh brownies sitting on the stove).

Speaking of those brownies, they are the reason for this post. You see, since my love of cooking has grown astronomically this year, I realized that I needed to keep up with the cooking and the inevitable consumption by exercising. I am not one to exercise. I played sports in high school and conditioned because I had to in order to play. I've had shorts spurts throughout the past 12 years and that is it! I did pretty well when I was losing the last of the baby weight but even losing that put me still well above where I was when Ryan and I married 5 years ago. Well, this fall I started walking 3 days a week. I've been consistent to that, thanks in part to a great friend and walking buddy. Then I fulfilled a subconscious goal to run a 5k on Thanksgiving and that sparked my interest in running. I've been running 1-3 times a week since Thanksgiving and right before Christmas ran 8-9 miles that week! Pretty exciting stuff for me. I've been losing the weight but there is that last 5 pounds. My body was sore, my leg pain was back, and my feet were sore and achy after running so much in a week. Its a lot on a body when its used to 0 miles. I started looking at my body (something I generally avoid) and realized that I needed desperately to work on my core. Then I willingly accepted an invite to work out with Ryan (that doesn't happen too often because he's brutal-in a good but painful way). He went through a circuit for me to do and showed me 3 core exercises. When I attempted one I literally fell to the mat and started laughing. I have on ab muscles. ZERO! What has happened to me? I know I had a baby, but I can't blame it all on the baby, its been almost 3 years since then. He had to scratch those exercises and start with something a little more "basic". Ya thanks! Then that night I decided to indulge myself and bought a Jillian Michaels 6 week 6-pack workout video. What was I thinking? I know I must really love my food! 

That leads me to my current state-- I'm feeling conflicted. I love cooking and eating food so I've been exercising to make up the difference and keep up that lifestyle. I'm seeing progress, but its slow and I know that's the case because I haven't been willing to sacrifice more with my eating. I have cut out some sweets, but not really. I'm more picky about what I eat (making sure it is really worth it) and I'm trying to eat smaller portions, but not really either. I am trying to lose those last 5 pounds of my goal and know it'd happen easier if I was more restricted in my eating. Argh! I increased my exercising to compensate, but I'm wondering if the physical pain is worth the food at this point!

Case in point, those brownies again! Was that really two paragraphs ago when I first mentioned them? Sorry. Well, last night I saw the brownie mix in the pantry. It was calling my name. I wanted them. I mentioned my urge to Ryan and he said he wanted some too. That did not help. So, 5 minutes later I came up with a solution. I'd pop in the Jillian Michaels 6 week 6-pack and then justify eating brownies. I told you I love food! So, Ryan made the brownies and while they baked I worked my water jug. It was brutal. Its cardio mixed with ab workout to burn fat and boy howdy it was painful! But I sure did enjoy that brownie afterwards. Still though, its a vicious cycle it is, because the rest of the brownies are sitting helpless and lonely on the counter to be eaten and today I'm sore and heck and know exactly what I'd be getting myself into doing that workout again. Oh the dilemma! And you know what, I'm leaning more to enduring the torture of working out just to get more of the chocolate goodness. But then I still have those 5 pounds. Oy vey!

Anyone else suffer from this madness? What's your choice of weapon for weight loss? Are you addicted to getting on the scale like I am these days? You'd think with that addiction I'd skip the brownie, nope! 

The exciting thing is that once I'm back to my target weight I think I'll be able to maintain it pretty easily, until I finally get pregnant and have another baby and then it will start all over again (although I plan to be active and exercise through pregnancy this next time around).