The Artsy Mom's Grilled Chicken Tenderloin Satay

I decided to try to grill chicken tonight and try something new.  I've had some Thai Peanut sauce sitting in my refrigerator for a few weeks now, I picked it up when it was on sale.  Honestly, I winged it with the seasonings and just used a mix of stuff, but it tasted so good!! This is low calorie.  The calorie count came out to 370 calories when I used my lovely MyFitnessPal calculator.

What you'll need:

1. 8oz (2 pieces) boneless skinless chicken breast tenderloins
2. 1tbsp crushed peanuts
3. Mix of different seasonings. (I used basil & chives)
4. 1 cup chopped red onions
5. 2-3tbsp Taste of Thai peanut satay sauce
6. (optional) Thai Kitchen Spring Onion Soup mix (the small bag)

How to make it:

• In a grill pan (sprayed with PAM),  grill the two chicken breast tenderloins.  While in the pan, season on both sides with the basil & chives

• Chop the onions and add them to the pan

• Turn the chicken accordingly and make sure it's cooked all the way through, but still juicy.  You don't want your chicken to be dry.  Honestly, I learned how long to grill chicken through trial and error.  If it's your first time just use your instinct.  Cut a little slice in the side of the chicken to make sure it's cooked through.

• (If you're using the Spring Onion Noodles) While the chicken is grilling microwave the noodles according to the package.  Put aluminum foil over the soup while you're waiting for the chicken.  You want to make sure the noodles aren't watery.  Make sure all the soup evaporates out.  If it doesn't, you'll need to drain it.

• The chicken satay sauce is so easy... Scoop 2-3tbsp out and put it in a small dish! No need to heat, but if you prefer to, throw it in the microwave for 10 seconds.  

• Put the noodles on the plate and the chicken over it.  Garnish with the crushed peanuts.

It's so delicious and low calorie.  I actually made more than that and my kids and mom ate it too.  I have to tell you, if my kids eat it, it passes the taste test. HA!  I hope you do try this because it's so delicious.

The Thai Kitchen noodles/soup is also good for a mid-day snack or light lunch.  The calorie count in them is 120!  Deeeeeelicious!!  Again, the noodles are optional.  Since I didn't make any vegetables, I decided to use that instead.  So good.

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Toy Story 3, such a great movie!!

The other day my friend and I went to see Toy Story 3.  (Yes, two adults went to see a kids movie. lol)  I have to say, however, this movie is great for kids AND adults.  We thoroughly enjoyed it, even though the $21.95 price of a ticket was VERY steep.  And it's similar to this at EVERY theater due to the 3D and big screen.

I have to say, when I was 10 years old in 1995, I got Toy Story for Christmas. I spent the rest of that week watching the movie non stop.  When Toy Story 2 came out, I saw that as well.  The Toy Story movie series really brings back memories of my own childhood.

This movie was the best yet.  It had the same characters that we all know and love but the story line was something that appealed to both adults and children.  It had the perfect combination of laughs and (surprisingly) sad moments!!  The animation in this movie is top of the line.  If you went back with the original Toy Story in 1995, saw the slightly better quality in Toy Story 2 in 1999 and then saw this version, you'll be blown away with how far Pixar has come.  The 3D technology is also great.  (My one complaint, however, was that I didn't see the need for 3D.  I didn't see anything in the movie itself that warranted 3D.)

Andy is going away to college and his mother orders him to clean out his room.  She tells him that unused things should either go into the attic or into the garbage.  The toys are all worried that Andy will dispose of them except the rational Woody.  He convinces them that Andy will still want his old beloved toys.

Through a series of mishaps, the toys end up donated to a daycare where they believe Andy did not want them any longer.  Woody, still the voice of reason, tries to convince them otherwise.  They end up in a not so nice area of the nursery and form an adventurous plan to get themselves out when they find out Woody was telling the truth.

I don't want to give too much away because I thought this movie was absolutely awesome, personally.  Although, there were some scary parts that I'm surprised were actually in a children's movie!  (Very scarce, however.)  I would suggest definitely going to see this movie if you get the chance!  It actually was worth every penny.

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Long time no blog!

It's been a week since I've blogged, but things have been so hectic around here.  My uncle was home on vacation and we were trying to clear through more things in the house.  The winners were picked for our giveaways and I will be posting them tomorrow.  I'm going to try to blog a little later tonight, actually. :)  Just wanted to give a heads up that I'm still around!!

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Post It Note Tuesday! 06/22/10

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Sonic, Swimming and vacation. :)

Our short vacation is so fun and relaxing.  Last night, when we got here, we ended up going to dinner.  Of course, it was a chain restaurant; Ruby Tuesdays.  After eating the junk we ate in the car and deciding to stop at Waffle House for breakfast, we had to have something that made us feel healthy.  We went to where we had gone to Ruby Tuesdays the last time we were here, but found that to be closed down!! (How upsetting.)  Thank God for Blackberries, Google and our GPS (which we nicknamed Dug because it sounds like the dog from "Up!") we found another Ruby Tuesdays not too far away.  Definitely delicious -- one of our favorites.  

Afterwards, we needed to find a Walgreens because we forgot to get milk for the coffee we brought -- Oh delightful! LOL  Since this is a larger city, we thought it would be so simple to find one.  It was; except finding a 24 hour Walgreens wasn't so easy.  AGAIN - Thank God for Blackberries, Google and GPS.  We finally found a 24 hour Walgreens.  

Some fleeting thoughts crossed our mind about visiting a hotel bar for some drinks, but by the time we got to the bar (11:15 pm) it was closed and the thought of trying to find another was just absolutely tiring.  We were up since 4:30 am and by almost midnight we were half dead.  

This morning we got up pretty early and decided to go to the pool.  The hotel pool is so small and adorable.  It's burning hot here at 97 degrees with very stuffy humidity, but there was a small breeze and the water was refreshing and warm. :)  We stayed there for about two hours, until a couple with a kick ass body came.  Oy.  That wasn't so great with the two of us who have inadequate bodies that don't even measure up to washboard abs and a flat stomach.  We had to get out of there!! :) 

I am happy to report that I got a nice tan, on the skin that already had the self tanning lotion on it.  The skin that was still pasty white (like the very tippy tops of my legs that my shorts cover) got a burn.  Although, the burn doesn't look that bad at all! It kind of looks like a reddish tan. HA!

Since we are geeks from probably the only place that does NOT have a Sonic, we stopped at the Sonic that we saw near our hotel.   We were way too amused that they had drive ins...for real.  It was just too amusing for us.  And their sandwiches are just AMAZING and so unique. I was in love with that food.  I HAVE to find a Sonic near me now.  (Note to self: DO NOT GET ADDICTED TO JUNK FOOD. DIET WHEN YOU GET BACK!) lol

We had such a great day and have more of a great day to come.  I'm going to be sad when our little vacation is over tomorrow and we're headed home, but I miss my girls.  Here's a video that my mom took of my two lovies in the pool today.  I can't wait to go swimming with them when I get home.  I can't wait to hug and squeeze and kiss my little girls. :)  

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Monday Mingle - 06/21/10

 Unfortunately, I'm in a hotel room with other people and can't Vlog, but I still want to partake in the Monday Mingle.  Today I'm just going to post the questions and answers.  Everyone already thinks I'm odd for typing my entire life to strangers on the internet. LOL (It seems natural to me!!)  

Vacation is going great!!  It's so beautiful here and just perfect.  We ended up going to Ruby Tuesdays for dinner last night, and what a story that was! (For a later blog! LOL) We also tried to find a Walgreens that was open 24 hours and that proved to be a feat!!  

Soon we'll be going out to the pool and then to Sonic for lunch.  We're considering BBQ for dinner before our fun and great event. :)  

ONWARD TO MONDAY MINGLE!!

 

1. What is the one thing you find most frustrating about getting older? I'm only 25, but I feel so much older sometimes.  I think the most frustrating thing about getting older, for me, is just knowing that I'm getting closer to 30.  Why does that scare me so badly? I have absolutely no idea!  

2. What is the one thing you like best about it? Getting older is getting wiser. ;)

3. What age did you look forward to most? 18 so I could be independant and on my own, and 21.  Everyone wants to be 21 for obvious reasons! :D LOL Although, I still get carded when I go out for drinks.  I just look young.  I guess that's a good thing!!

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Five Question Friday -- Late as always!

1. What is your favorite thing about summertime? I love almost everything about summer. (Except maybe the days when the humidity gets so high and the heat is so bad that I don't even want to step outside!!)  I feel that in the summer my kids and I can do so much more than we do during the winter when we're cooped up in the house.  We are all water bugs and LOVE going in the pool, having BBQ's, taking "Day-Cations" to the amusement parks, going to the beach and building sandcastles.  I think summer may be one of my favorite seasons (sans the hot weather) because there is just so much to do! :) 

2. What is your ideal retirement location (if money didn't matter)? North Carolina

3. Do you live in the same town you grew up in? I do.  I have lived here since I came to live with my family. :)  There are times when I can't wait to move out of here, but as much as I say that, I do like it here.  It's quiet, safe, a cute little city and still 20 minutes outside of Manhattan. (Which is my favorite part!) lol  There's absolutely nothing to do in my city, but there is a lot around it.  Which makes it pretty awesome.

4. What nervous habit did you have as a child that you kicked to the curb before becoming an adult? Biting my nails.  I don't do that anymore, but I used to!!  I also have a bad nervous habit, that I've never been able to kick to the curb... When I'm nervous or excited about something; I TALK LIKE A CRAZY PERSON.  I'm a total blabber mouth.  I also clean when I'm nervous or excited about something, but that's not always a bad thing. HA!

5. What is the most embarrassing thing that happened to you while on the job. When I was working at Bath and Body Works one season there was this guy that I dated a few times.  I really wasn't into him at this point because we had no chemistry and he became quite annoying.  Well, I was working and he walks into my job with roses and it just really embarrassed me.  I don't' know why, but it did.  That's probably the most embarrassing thing.  I'm lucky, eh?

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Fun Summer Activity - Make Veggie Critters with Scallion Bacon Ranch Dip!!

This project kills two birds with one stone;  A family fun activity as well as getting your kids to eat their vegetables!  My kids LOVED to make these lovely little veggie critters and couldn't wait to eat their creations.

I've learned, over the 5 years that I've been a mom, it is difficult to get your kids to eat their vegetables.  From the moment they're babies, you have to do the airplane to try to get the peas into their mouths or mixing the peas or green beans into their mashed potatoes telling them it's a new "recipe" they can make... Anything to make them think eating their vegetables is fun.  Well, why don't they PLAY with their food?  

What a great family summer project this is!

Break out the bell peppers, mini cucumbers, olives, tomatoes, broccoli and carrots as well as some Hidden Valley Ranch dip mix and GET GOING!!  

HOW DO I MAKE THE DIP?

1 packet Hidden Valley® The Original Ranch® Salad Dressing & Seasoning Mix
2 8 oz. tubs reduced fat cream cheese

Scallions

Hormel Real Bacon Bits

Instructions:

1. Add the seasoning mix to the cream cheese.
   
2. Stir until well combined.
3. Snip the scallions and add to dip.  The amount is your preference.
4. Add the hormel bacon bits
5. Stir
6. Using a variety of vegetables – and a little imagination – you can build critters with your child. 

HOW DID WE MAKE CRITTERS?

LADY BUGS:  Cut grape tomatoes down the middle into two sides.  Take black olives and slice them into small bits for the spots.  Attach "spots" with some of the dip to keep it on the tomato.  

Slice a small sliver of one of your mini cucumbers for the "leaf" that the lady bugs sit on.

BUTTERFLY:  Cut one small side of a bell pepper, cut that in half and shape it to resemble wings.  Cut one half of a mini cucumber for the body of the butterfly.  Again, attach wings to cucumber with some dip.  Use baby carrots for the antennae

Use Broccoli to make the "trees".  Attach the trees upright to the plate with dip as well.

OF COURSE, these are just ideas.  This is how we made our critters.  Feel free to make your own with your imagination!!  

My girls were VERY amused that the dip could also be used as a "paste" to keep the pieces in place.

My girls were so proud of their creations!

And they enjoyed chowing down on it too!

ENJOY!!  Let me know if you try this great project. :)

This post is part of a blogging contest from the TwitterMoms community. There is a chance this post could be selected to win a $25 AmEx Gift Card, so wish me luck! For more details, you can view the contest page here (link to: http://www.twittermoms.com/forum/topics/share-your-veggie-critter)

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REVIEW & GIVEAWAY: General Mills Sweet and Salty Snacks (With a touch of fire!)

Who doesn't like snacks??  I can only think of less than a handful of people who don't like them.  When I was asked to try out three new General Mills products, I jumped at the chance.  Hey, I like snacks, I don't mind trying them out and being a voice for the products!  Because of MyBlogSpark, my family and I had tried out three new snacks.  Cocoa Puff Treats: Triple Chocolate, Bugles Hot Buffalo and Natures Valley Oats N' Dark Chocolate Crunchy Granola Bars. 

Who doesn't love Cocoa Puffs?  I remember being obsessed with this cereal as a kid,  it's still a great treat for me as an adult!  Well, my kids jumped at these as soon as I got the package and wanted me to "go out and buy more" after eating the two bars we had.  I was able to steal a small little piece from my oldest and - OMG, they're delicious.  So crunchy and chocolaty... I could see how they wanted more.

General Mills describes these as: An indulgent cereal bar that combines the great taste of Cocoa Puffs cereal and chocolate into one decadent treat, Cocoa Puffs Treats Triple Chocolate is perfect for satisfying any sweet tooth. 

 These granola bars were actually the BEST granola bars I have ever had.  They tasted like very rich chocolate and were actually very satisfying.  Most of all for me, they actually fit into my diet.  I am always looking for something delicious and new that would actually fit in with my plan. :)

General Mills describes these as: If you want the best of both worlds, give Nature Valley Oats ‘N Dark Chocolate Crunchy Granola Bars a try. These bars mix dark chocolate pieces, oats and crisp rice nuggets for a classic crunch and burst of whole grain goodness, making them a perfect natural snack that's high in fiber and protein, but low in saturated fat.

 Save the best for last, right??  These Bugles were THE BEST things I have ever tasted in my life.  I'm one who LOVES spicy and loves firey tasting foods;  this was it for me.  I'm hooked.  I'm obsessed.  They're my guilty cheating on a diet pleasure.  They give the right combination of fire and salty so they're not too overpowering hot.  My oldest loves these as well and she's only 4.5.  So they're not TOO hot.  They're absolutely delicious...one taste and you'll be hooked as well!!

General Mills describes these as: Need something salty with a bit of a kick? Look no further than Bugles Hot Buffalo Crisp Corn Snacks, which blends the taste of hot buffalo sauce with crispy corn Bugles. 

WIN ALL THESE SNACKS?? 

 

Of coure you can!! General Mills and MyBlogSpark are offering one of my lucky readers a prize pack filled with two of each of the snacks noted here, a Bugles T-Shirt and a Natures Valley thermos!!  Very great, right??  Now you can try each of these new snacks for yourself!! (And believe me, you'll love them after one taste!)

 GIVEAWAY ENDS JUNE 24, 2010

MANDATORY ENTRY: Tell us which of the snacks appeals to you and why. :)  Which would you more so look forward to trying if you won?

EXTRA ENTRIES:

• Follow us on Google Friend Connect
• Follow us on Twitter
• Subscribe to our Feed
• Subscribe to our monthly Newsletter (sub in sidebar)
  
• Fan us on Facebook
• Tweet the giveaway - (You can do this twice a day.) 

The Artsy Mom is giving away General Mills prize pack! Will it be you?  Just simply click to enter! http://bit.ly/ds2mNw.

• Add our button to your blog (button in sidebar)
• Blog about this giveaway (+2 entries, even if you mention our giveaway in your blog it counts.)

GOOD LUCK!

Disclaimer: Life of an Artsy Mom was provided with a General Mills Sweet & Salty prize pack from MyBlogSpark.com in order to facilitate this giveaway.  All of my opinions are my own.  Descriptions of the snacks were provided by General Mills.

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Friday Follow, Social Parade and so much more!

I LOVE FRIDAYS!! Have I not said that before?

I love this Friday  more than others because this weekend (and up until Tuesday) is going to be just the best.  Saturday we're having a yard sale and Sunday a friend and I are going away until Tuesday. :)  It's going to be exciting.  I actually cannot wait.

Care to see the list that I wrote?  It's stuff I need to pack for my trip. ;)  See? I'm *somewhat* organized!

I do have to shop (tomorrow) for my uncle for Father's Day.  Even though I'm leaving Sunday morning, I want to have something for him for the day.  He has been like a father to me since I was little.  Unfortunately, my father died when I was 3.  Father's Day, for me since I was a kid, was mostly for celebrating my grandpa and uncle.  It's still a Holiday for us, none the less.

Yesterday, my mom and uncle wanted to clean through downstairs so that we could have some of the things cleared out for when we have to move and also get some things together for the yard sale, so I took the kids with me to Kohls.  I had some coupons and a gift card that I wanted to use up and I did need some shirts.  I got some great things and only paid $5.  I had a $10 off any purchase card that came in the mail as well as a $5 off coupon that was e-mailed to me.  On top of that, I had a gift card that I had found in my wallet.  (I love finding gift cards I haven't used! It's like finding free money!)

For you new followers and visitors, I have some questions I got off of various "meme" sites that can give you some new information about me. (And not bore my regular readers! LOL)

When was the last time you got stuck somewhere and where was it? About a month ago I got a flat tire on the NJ Turnpike.  It wasn't fun at all.  I was pulled over on the side of the road for almost 3 hours before a NJ Turnpike truck came to change my tire.  Turns out that AAA doesn't even SERVE the Turnpike.  So if you get stuck there or break down, you're screwed.  Nice to know that AFTER the fact.

How many pens do you have in your purse/pocket/on your person?  It's a funny story, actually.  I carry about 5 pens with me.  Why?  Because I'm completely anal when I go to the grocery store and don't have a pen with me.  Seriously, I start to flip out and have to buy pens to cross off my list.  I'm not kidding!!  It's bad. lol

Do you prefer ice cubes or crushed ice? Complicated question, seriously.  In iced tea I love ice cubes.  When I go to McDonalds, I don't get ice because I feel they cheat you out of the soda you pay for since they put so much ice in the cup.  When I'm sick, however, I love crushed ice.  Got it? ;)

How many different hair products do you use on a daily basis? I used to use a hell of a lot to tame my hair.  Recently, however, I've been using WEN Hair Care and actually am growing to love it.  I can just use one product in so many ways.  It's very versatile.  Click here to read my review on the product.

 Do you plan on cutting down on your television watching time in the near future? What about computer use? I actually don't watch too much TV.  All I watch is Medium, Will and Grace, America's Got Talent, American Idol, Bachelor, Bachelorette and some other investigative shows.  It really doesn't equal to a lot.  However, computer use -- never. :D

If you have any other questions for me, you can ask me over at my Formspring. (Click here) 

 

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EA Sports Active workouts #1 and #2

I was so busy yesterday I didn't get to blog, but I wanted to blog about my first exercise with EA Sports Active.  I was very wary when I purchased it and didn't think it would really make me sweat and give me a good work out.  After all, I tried Wii Fit and it's a good beginners workout, but I didn't think Wii Fit was good to really make use of your workout time.  I finally had some time alone yesterday and had energy, so I got EA Sports Active out of my closet and went to work! 

Having a animation of an actual person rather than a Mii is, first of all, very motivational. It's easier to see what you're supposed to do.  The actual videos also help a lot with teaching you the right way to do exercises.  If you do something wrong, the screen will tell you that you are doing something wrong.  It tracks your movements through #1. The thigh band in which you put the Nunchuck in the pocket and #2.  Through the Wii Remote.  (I also have that Wii Motion Plus, which you really don't need for the game.  But it does make it a lot easier for it to accurately track your motion.)

The exercises are very good.  You can choose from low intesnity, medium intensity or high intensity.  Currently, I am on medium.  My favorite exercise is the running/walking.  I've always wanted to learn the track and don't have the courage to run outside. lol  So this is perfect.  It tracks how fast you run and how much effort you're putting into it.  If you don't do enough, it will tell you to restart.  

It also combines aerobics, sports, cardio and strength training.  It comes with a resistance band which is an OK band.  I would rather buy a better one that actually feels like you're doing something, but I'm sure this one is OK for beginning.  (I've seen weights for the Wii where you put the remote in the weight.  I've also have seen better resistance bands for the EA Sports Active.  They're pretty cheap at AJ Wright, TJ Maxx, Marshalls, etc...)  I actually love the work outs on the "30 Day Challenge". 

My leg muscles hurt and I can feel "the burn" as I work out.  This is always a good sign for a work out.  You don't want to push yourself too much, but you do want to feel it.  I'm very satisfied with the work outs it gives me.  Of course, I'll get to the gym and won't keep this as my primary workout, but it's good for now when I am just starting off. Yesterday it says I burned 164.4 calories and today, since it was a higher intensity, I burned 211.3.  I know these are just estimates, as all calorie counts are, but I've heard from researching that it is usually 80% accurate.  That's a pretty good percentage.

We're also participating in:

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