Low Carb Recipe: Cheese Crisps (Imitation Cheese Nips)

When I was on Atkins back in 2003/2004, I lost a lot of weight and had almost no cravings.  I also learned tons of different recipes and snack ideas, this was one of them!  I used to be a member of an Atkins Diet Bulletin Board and found this awesome recipe for imitation cheese nips!  They definitely do taste like them too!


Ingredients:

• 1 cup hard hand grated cheese. This would be parmesan, asiago, swiss, cheddar, etc...

What to do:

• Preheat oven to 350 F

* If you use cheddar and other firm but not hard cheeses will work with this recipe, but it won't get as crisp and as crunchy as Parm or Asiago or other hard cheeses.  The oil will separate from the cheddar and you'll have to pat it off before you eat it.

• (Optional)  You can toss your grated cheese with any seasoning you'd like, or you can just leave the cheese the way it is.  It depends what your favorite flavor is.

• You can either pile the cheese (2-3 tsp) on parchment paper making little towers or you can spread the cheese the whole size of the baking sheet, making one flat cheese sheet! You will slice these later.

• Bake 5 to 6 minutes until they are a light golden brown (they will be a little darker at the edges). It happens fast, so watch carefully.

DELICIOUS!

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Saturday Randomness: My diet, Shop and More!

This is just a crapload of random all in one post. :)  I didn't want to make more than one post today -- completely lazy! :)  So let's start with...my diet!  I'm doing so well.  I'm going on week three right now and I've lost a little over 15lbs.  I got to the place where I don't even crave any junk food that's bad for me and that's just perfectly fine with me!  I'm trying my best to get to my goal weight and I feel that with this diet it will happen.  I have the willpower and motivation this time around. Go me!  I feel positive, optimistic and just happy with my results so far.  The bad part is, I haven't had time (or money) to sign up for a gym, so exercising isn't in my plan right now.  I've been searching around for maybe a small piece of exercise equipment to put in the basement near my art studio; that's been a major fail.  Besides, I remember what happened when I bought an elliptical a few years ago.  I thought it was "small" because it said so on the site I bought it from.  Well, this thing ended up being a freaking monster and it took me forever to sell the damn thing. There are times where I regret selling it, but this thing couldn't budge from our living room with just my mom and I carrying it.  

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Almost 7lbs down. :D

I'm almost 7lbs down and I'm extremely excited to have lost (close) to 10 lbs.  My ultimate goal is quite a ways away, but every 10 pounds is a celebration for me.  Feeling that I have the willpower and determination to do this is actually very comforting; Maybe because I know I have no choice.  There's no way I can live the way I was before dieting or I would never believe in myself.

By cooking more, I'm learning that you can eat food that's very delicious and still lose weight.  I really will have to start posting more of my recipes on here to share the awesome food that I make with all of you.  The fact that I'm making my food fresh and know that I'm making my family something nutritious is very important to me and makes me extremely proud of myself.  

Like I said, I have a long way to go -- but seeing my weight go lower makes me happy every single time I weigh in.  I will definitely keep the blog updated as I lose more and more weight, hopefully getting to my ultimate goal.

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Celebrating Randomness, woo hoo!

Oh man do I have a bunch of randomness to post today!  I blame the randomness on not having the time to actually write a regular post.  However, I do have a few that I wrote last night and today that are going to be scheduled for publishing this weekend and week.  Does anyone know if there is a program or site that can schedule your tweets for you too? I'd love to schedule some of my tweets about my posts as well. :)  If you know of any, please e-mail me or just post them here.

Dieting Woes - Yes, I do like dieting...to a point.  I just hate the very beginning of a brand new diet where you're craving everything.  Junk food withdrawal completely sucks, and I'm the first one to admit it.  When you have a hard time controlling your cravings for the junk food, it's worse.  It drives you absolutely insane and makes you want to just go and eat the junk food even if you're dieting.  I know I can't do that, but that's what my brain is telling me!  I can over come it, I can over come it... That's what I have to keep telling myself.  

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My near-brush with messing up my diet.

Anyone who has been reading this blog for as long as I have had it, knows that I have been dieting on and off for years.  I have had much success with different types of diets, but as soon as I lost some weight, it went right back on.  I have a problem with stress eating.  I am an emotional eater, and that leads to my gaining weight again when I go through difficult times.  There are days I feel like I will never lose the weight because of my emotional eating, especially when stress is inevitable on a daily basis;  it's a natural part of my life now.  Stress with the kids, stress with finances, stress with work, stress with being social...it is something that I just can never get used to.

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Monday Miscellany - A bunch of random musings for this week.

ONE}

I can't believe my luck.  My 4 year old is obsessed with that stupid Christmas movie ELF.  Buddy is one of her imaginary friends now and she constantly watches it.  Yes, even in the dead of summer.  I was reading different articles online today and what do I see?  That on Nov. 2nd ELF is going to become a BROADWAY MUSICAL...  We're 20 minutes from Manhattan so there's really no excuse I can give not to take her...  Maybe she'll be over the phase within 7 months... Yeah right.  Wishful thinking, right? Ha!

TWO}

Domestic isn't even the word for me lately!!  I made low fat/low cal orange buns this morning.  They were so delicious I could barely stand it.  Everyone else thought so too.  Between yesterday and today I think I cooked enough for an entire small country. ha!  I'm in a huge cooking phase and I'm not complaining.  I actually am enjoying it too and of course, I have tons of recipes to post here!

THREE}

Tomorrow I go to look at my car.  Of course, it's not my car yet.  I'm still driving my Subaru, but not for long.  My car is honestly too dangerous to drive.  Brakes are shot, shocks and struts are shot, fan belt is shot, something with the wheels.  My car has lasted me a long time and I tried to make it last longer, but unfortunately it just can't make it anymore.  *pats car*  I'm gonna miss it, but I'm looking at this awesome Chevy Equinox that is very decently priced and just sitting there waiting for me.  The guy said he'll work on a good price with me.  Let's hope.  We only will have the money after we cash in my car and my mom's. Wish me luck!!

FOUR}

I made the decision ... I'm going  back to the gym.  I'm going to Bally's on a month free trial.  I'm excited that I can attend the classes and work out as much as I want.  I feel like it's going to help me along a lot on my goals.  I just wasn't liking my local gym. (Planet Fitness)  I've been to Bally's before, when I was going to college, and I liked everyone there.  I actually can't wait to go work out.

FIVE}

This year I didn't get to see fireworks.  I had been doing a quick job when they were in our town and besides, Alayna had strep.  Our town is directly across the skyline from Manhattan, so we CAN see the Macy's fireworks.  I took a quick drive myself to our waterside last night to see them.  Unfortunately, so many people were there it wasn't even worth staying... but I did see a good portion of the Macy's fireworks. :)  I decided just to go to Wendys, get Frostys and go home. 

SIX}

It's been so fucking hot here.  100 degrees has been the highest, and that's been the majority of the day.  Right now, it's almost 7pm and it's 91 degrees.  How can ANYONE handle the heat?  We've had scattered "brown outs" around here and actually our living room power doesn't work as well as my daughter's room power.  I guess we're sleeping in my room tonight until the power starts to work in those two rooms.  How weird that only those rooms don't work!

SEVEN}

I'm so incredibly restless.  I'm tired, I'm bored, I don't want to sleep, I don't know if I want to go out anywhere. Haha! I don't even know what I want to eat!!  So I'm just a big useless blob of crank today.  (Although, so is everyone else.  It's the damn weather.)  I'll write a full entry later... right now I just have to go to the store to find food.  Someone get me up and push me out the frikkin door!!

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Cranberry Apple Turkey Burgers with Summer Squash Salad

Cranberry Apple Turkey Burger

• 1 medium thin slice of green apple
• 1\2 celery stalk, finely chopped
• 3 tbsp fresh salsa (or chopped onion)
• 1 garlic and red pepper seasoning (or you can use poultry seasoning)
• Dash of salt
• Dash of pepper
• Ground turkey patty
• 2 toasted slices of 40 calorie wheat bread
• 3 tbsp whole cranberry sauce
• Slice of fat free sharp cheddar cheese

1. In a bowl, combine the turkey, salsa/onions, celery, seasoning, salt and pepper. Form into a patty.
2. Spray a pan or grill pan with Pam Olive Oil spray. Add the turkey patty and cook until done.
3. Add the cheese and cover until melted.
4. On the toasted bread, put a slice of apple, the turkey patty, top with cranberry sauce and you're done! 

This burger is 320 calories :)

 Summer Squash Succotash

• One small yellow squash
• 2 tbsp red bell pepper finely chopped
• 2 tbsp chopped onion
• 1 tbsp chopped fresh basil
• 1\2 tbsp butter
• 1\2 tbsp fresh lemon juice
• 1\2 tbsp EVOO
• Dash of salt
• Dash of pepper

1. Cut the squash into quarters (length wise) and those into slices.
2. Add water to a sauce pan filling about 2\3 full and bring to rolling boil.
3. Add the squash, pepper and onion.  Cover and reduce to lower heat.  Let that cook about 8-10 minutes or until the squash is fork tender.
4. Drain the vegetables and put in a bowl
5. Add the basil, butter, EVOO, salt, pepper, lemon juice and toss until the butter is melted.

About 2\3 cup is 61 calories. :)

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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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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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Who doesn't love a good carnival??

The Carnival is in town!!  Ok, well, it's one town over in Staten Island.  Anyhow, we ended up going yesterday and Joey (Olivia's dad) ended up joining us.  He wanted to come down for the day to spend with both of my girls and myself and I thought that staying in the house on such a beautiful day just wouldn't be right. So, we took a ride to the carnival.

Alayna, Myself, Olivia, Her dad

Honestly, I wait for this carnival every year because it is one of the best for the kids.  It's fairly priced, great games and they usually always have more than enough kiddy rides to make paying the bridge, admission and tickets worthwhile...  Again, it didn't fail me! We had more than enough fun there and it actually expanded this year! (Yay!)  The kids couldn't wait to get on rides, although Olivia got freaked out on the carousel because it goes up and down.  Haha.  She finally calmed down towards the end.  It took her dad and I to both hold her until she calmed down!  (Thank God Alayna is big enough to basically ride on her own. haha.)  Though, after that ride, she loved everything else that she chose to ride.  Come to think of it, she actually wanted (so badly) to ride the small roller coaster and the scrambler. LOL  I had to say no, but if she keeps up lovin' the awesome rides when she gets older, I doubt either myself or her father would protest!!  

 Olivia tired with daddy

 Alayna and Olivia's dad on the slide :)

 

Of course, there were PLENTY of edible temptations at the Carnival.  Come on, it's CARNIVAL FOOD...the most delicious, best smelling, deep fried and fattening food that you could possibly think of.  Actually, the only thing worse than Carnival food is NYC street fair food... (But even then, they have some healthy options! ha)  One of the best temptations were Deep Fried Oreos...

Ok, so I have been dying to try these and I've heard so many great things about them.  Not to mention, Olivia's dad, my mom and the kids wanted some...  So over I went to the counter.  

Ok.... Yes, I had one.... JUST ONE!!  I figured that one frikkin yummy golden and chocolatey deep fried oreo wouldn't kill me.  (Oh yes, I did feel the guilt as I had a bite...but the warm yummy goodness of this damn thing masked the guilt until I got home!!) lol :)  I only had one...I swear.  The kids, Olivia's dad and my mom ate the others.  The guilt is still eating at me!! (Side note: At least this morning I woke up and was still LOSING weight.  Praise the Lord that one deep fried oreo didn't kill me.)  By the way... they're 'mmm mmm good.' ;)  

It's getting so warm out, I hope to finally weed the yard, plant the lovely vegetables in the ground and put our pool up... All without getting mosquito bites.  My tan is too nice, I'm so afraid to get gross mosquito bites and mess it up!!

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TV shows, Restaurants, Parenting and Mother's Day - Monday Mingle for May 10, 2010

(Monday Mingle is below.  I just want to update a little!)

Well, you know the apprehension about eating bad at the communion party we had to go to on Saturday?  Now I know why I had that apprehension... My mom always told me that when I get a bad feeling, there is usually a reason for it... It's proved to be right more than once, but I never want to admit my mom was right.  Turns out, I got sick.  I wasn't feeling good throughout the party, but ignored it.  I just had no appetite and didn't feel like eating.  All I had was a small salad and some green beans with parmesan and almonds.  I got home from the party around 9 pm and around 9:30 I started vomiting.  Turns out, I had a high fever and just felt terrible all day yesterday and until about 12pm today.  It was horrible.  I hate getting sick and this was no different.  What a great Mother's Day I had yesterday...in bed all day.  We did go visit my Mom-Mom to give her the gift we had gotten her, but I ended up sleeping on her couch for the 3 hours we were there.  The kids were very cooperative and very good for my mom when I was sick, I have to give them that credit.   At least I woke up this morning and was 199!  (But I only ate one small bowl of soup yesterday!)  

So many people told me how great I looked when we were at the party.  I wore the dress I bought in the smallest size I've been in years.  I've worked so hard to lose this weight and most of these people haven't even seen me in an entire year, so I was a lot heavier.  I just felt so great that people noticed.  I definitely notice.  :) 

My kids had such a good time at the party.  Alayna definitely isn't shy... She ended up making friends with all the kids there and was dancing like crazy!  I have videos that I want to upload, because she was so adorable dancing with everyone.  Olivia even started dancing, after she got over being shy.  They had such a good time and looked like such little princesses!  If you want to see the rest of the pictures from the party, click here -- Communion Party Pictures.


Now onto Monday Mingle!! (Hosted by Eighty MPH Mom)

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Isn't shopping supposed to be fun?

I have a communion party tomorrow and I am very apprehensive about going.  The reason why is funny... It's a buffet type setting.  What do I do at buffet type settings?  Um, well, duh...I eat.  (And eat, and eat, and eat.)  The place that the party is being held is family owned... (By a family friend)  We have had many parties here over the years and the food is just amazing.  I shouldn't be worried and should just eat in proper portions, but this is what my dieting is turning into... Fearing anything different than my normal healthy meals.  I feel like I have worked so hard to get to where I am and I know one meal won't screw up my diet that much.  I should just relax and remember to just eat right...  We'll see how that goes...

Buying a Mother's Day gift for my grandmother is just the most difficult thing.  My mom and I spent so much time yesterday and today trying to find the right gift.  I love my grandmother, but she is very much stuck in the past.  We've bought her so much over the years, and they end up in her attic. (Like the cordless phone, VCR, toaster oven, answering machine...)  Remember that episode of Everybody Loves Raymond where they find a CD Player in the basement?  Yes, that's my grandmother.  It seemed like more of a project than a joy trying to shop for her! Ha! We ended up getting her the GT Express and a bath robe... Can't go wrong with a bath robe, but the GT Express may end up in the attic.

My mom and I had another great day of spending time together.  She had fun going to random places around our city and buying things that she found interesting.  I have to admit that I had fun too.  I love finding great deals and sales, and I found many of those today.  At Kohls, I saved $78.34 and only spent $35!  Sales = Pure joy!! lol  The kids also got imitation Bratz dolls from a discount store we went to.  I have to say, those imitation Bratz dolls are so much better than the authentic ones!  Their feet stay on and the shoes just go on the feet...like normal people.  Ha!! The authentic Bratz have pop off feet and the shoes fit on tiny pegs... Not something I enjoy.  I find feet everywhere!

Tomorrow is going to be the birth of a new giveaway!!  It's from The Vintage Pearl... Such a great company, such great products and it will be a great giveaway!  Keep posted!!

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Tylenol is not effective when splattered everywhere.

Tonight, I made a chicken, bacon and ranch wrap with a salad. :)  Everyone else was having turkey leftover from Easter, but I knew if I ate ANY turkey, I would have to have stuffing, cranberry sauce and other really bad bad foods.  I totally can't do that to myself! lol  My dinner was actually VERY filling and VERY delicious.  I used Morningstar Farms Veggie bacon, because I wanted to try it and I'm not too fond of turkey bacon, and it actually tasted JUST like regular bacon.  I was shocked!  If you're interested in the recipe, you can read it in this post on my weight loss blog. :) Yum, yum yum!!

The weather today neared the 90 degree mark.  It was just absolutely gorgeous.  I enojyed it because there was no humidity and actually a very nice breeze. :)  Unfortunately, we couldn't get the kids out because Olivia is getting over being sick and Alayna ran a high fever last night.  For myself, I'm sick too.  Mom's don't stop when they're sick! They CAN'T stop!

I'm sure all mommies have had to deal with the oh so fun fight with Tylenol liquid and their toddler/young child.  The child always wins and the Tylenol ends up everywhere BUT where it's supposed to be.  That was my last night.

The fight over the liquid Tylenol was  more than I could handle at 3 am, being sick myself.  After I cleaned up the medicine that ended up all over the wall and floor, I stuck her in a bathtub with my mom to sponge her down while I ran out to the A&P to get melt-a-ways.  Those are ALL she would take.  Hey, at least it's medicine, right?  It worked.  She was a little "blah" today, but she feels slightly better now.  I'm the one who feels like I have the flu.  I feel worse tonight than I did last night.  I just hope it doesn't last long.

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Life as a domestic queen..... lol

I CAN COOK! :)  I really wanted to do something different tonight.  Microwavable diet foods just get so lame after having them every single day for lunch and dinner, so I planned on making a nutrisystem friendly pizza.  It took about 30 minutes to make (less time than delivery!) and it was delicious, healthy and had that homemade taste.  (And only 290 cals for two slices!! Definitely delicious!  The kids even ate it with no problem along with my mom; who hates healthy food!  You can find the recipe here on my weight loss blog. It's definitely a MUST MAKE recipe. :)

Today was a pretty laid back day.  I wanted to do the Tackle It Tuesday and had the girls room a great topic for that, but I just didn't have the time to do it.  I had to get my printer cartridge filled for printing more coupons, (lol) I had to grocery shop and clean the living room about 50 times. LOL  Besides which, Olivia was sick this afternoon.  She is so congested she can't really breathe through her nose.  I suspect it might be allergies.  She is feeling better now, thank God... Nose is still running like a little faucet.

Since I have been eating better today and yesterday, I've fully recovered from Easter. Ha!  I don't have that terrible stomach pain that I had Sunday night and most of yesterday.  I guess from eating less maybe my stomach shrunk a little.  I feel full after just a little bit of food and I really pushed myself on Easter Sunday...  At least I feel better right now.  I'm going to start walking in the afternoon tomorrow.  I'll walk the kids to the park that's about 30 blocks away, have them play for a little bit, and I'll walk back with them.  It's gonna be nice tomorrow.  When it starts to get too warm, that's when I'll go to the gym instead. :)  I'm excited to start exercising.  I'm sure pushing a double stroller will be some resistance as well! lol

How about a little "meme" for today?  This is That's My Answer.

Have you ever been to a professional sporting event?  Just figure skating events.  My mom and I used to go to the Campbell Soup figure skating exhibition every single year when it came to East Rutherford.  I haven't been to anything else because I have never been into sports.  Figure Skating is the only thing that I absolutely love without a doubt.

Have you ever been pulled over by the police? Did you get a ticket?  I got pulled over a few weeks ago.  I was leaving NYC and was about to go through the Holland Tunnel.  I was stopped and pulled over because of my headlight.  My left headlight was out for the longest time and this is the ONLY time I got pulled over.  I never got a ticket, though.  He told me just to get my headlight changed as soon as possible.

What do you put in your mashed potatoes?  I usually used boxed mashed potatoes.  I don't put anything in it other than what I have to. (Milk? Sour cream? Margarine?)  I haven't made them in so long since I've been on a diet...  Now I really want them, thanks. lol

Do you know where your great, great, great grandparents lived? Białystok Poland.  My great grandparents immigrated before my grandmother was born.  In fact, when my grandmother was little, she didn't speak a word of English.  She just spoke Polish.

Oh, and I wanted to tell something hilarious... When we were watching Dancing With The Stars tonight, my daughter asked why "Buzz Lightbeer" wasn't wearing his space suit -- Is that related to Heineken or Budwiser? (She was talking about Buzz Aldrin!)

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