Clean Up

I am happy to report I finally cleaned our computer area in our media room. This is what it looked like before I got to it:



Papers all over the place, things stacked on top of each other. No place to sit... this is hardly a work space. After an hour of sorting and sifting, I finally got it to a place where I can finally not twitch every time I pass by it.

Turkey Meatloaf w/ sauteed Spaghetti Squash Recipes

Turkey Meatloaf (serves 6)

1.25 lbs ground lean turkey
1 egg
1/8 cup bread crumbs
1/2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
1 tsp Seasoning Salt
1 tsp Paprika
1.5 tbsp water
2 tbsp Parmesan cheese

1. Preheat oven 350°F.
2. Mix ingredients together
3. Spray cupcake pan and place mix into cups.
4. Bake for 40 minutes, until golden brown.

Serve with a touch of BBQ sauce for an extra little kick!


Sauteed Butter Herb Spaghetti Squash

1 small Spaghetti squash
1 tablespoons I can't believe it's not butter
1 tablespoons finely chopped mixed soft herbs, such as basil, chives, parsley and sage
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

1. Preheat oven 375°F.
2. Cut squash down in half and with a spoon, take out the seeds.
3. Lightly spray it Pam and place on pan in the oven. Bake for 20 minutes, or until brown. (goes faster in a toaster oven).
4. Once baked, set it aside to cool.
5. In a pan, heat up the rest of the ingredients
6. When able to touch it, using a fork or spoon, gently pull the strands of squash away from the peel and place the squash strands into the pan.
7. Toss squash around to get coated.
8. Serve immediately or cover to keep warm.

Results:




Nutrition
Turkey Meatloaf (Per Serving)



Sauteed Butter Herb Spaghetti Squash (Per Serving)

Trail Mix

We're big snackers at the planner household. While at the farmer's market, the hubby asked if we could get fruit for trail mix. We bought some apples and bananas, and used the peaches we already had at the house. After cutting everything up we put them in the dehydrater. This is one of our favorite random kitchen gadgets! After 12+ of waiting, everything was done. Once we took everything off the racks, we packaged it up in small little baggies. Also in the trail mix is our homemade granola, serving of almonds (salted), a few chocolate chips, a few peanut butter chips, and a small pinch of walnuts.








Ohhh sooo good! Do you make snacks at home?

Honey-Balsamic Chicken Recipe

If you're looking for something super easy to make in advance, this is a good one!

Honey-Balsamic Chicken

2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
1 tablespoon honey
12 oz of lean chicken breast (about 4 chicken cutlets)
A few dashes of Poultry Seasoning, Seasoning Salt
1 Garlic clove (minced)



1. Mix wet ingredients together with garlic
2. Place chicken in pan and season it.
3. Pour mixture on top of chicken and cover it. Let it sit overnight.
4. When ready to bake, preheat oven to 375°F and bake fore 20 minutes (or until brown).

This goes great with sauteed veggies or sweet potatoes!

Outcome:


Nutrition
Honey-Balsamic Chicken (per serving)

Random facts

It's been a while since i posted some random facts about lil 'ol me so here goes:

I've begun planning another big vacation. Between now and when we actually go on said trip I think we will have gone on two other small trips. :)

On my desk are tickets to Knott's Scary Farm. I've been there 9 years, and will be going my 10th time!

I currently have 15 magazines at home I haven't touched.

My favorite NEW show this summer was The Colony. We LOVE LOVE LOVED IT!

This weekend is the annual garage clean up. During this time, all seven boxes (yes 7!) of Halloween goodies will be brought down from the rafters!

I'm in desperate need to a closet clean up. I keep adding things but have yet to take things out to give away

My favorite shoes in the world are a pair of 5 inch heels. They are soo comfy! Kudos to Michael Kors on the designing them!

Second favorite pair are black flip flops

I've sketched out 5 different landscape designs for the backyard. I can't wait till it's December so we can start the remodel!!!

I love to read my Google reader while I'm working out.

I get anxiety when I don't have a lunch made for work the night before. It's the OCD in me!

Have a fabulous Thursday!!!

To Do List before Oct 09 -- Update #1

This month is a cooking to-do list.

1. Cook 30 meals (includes breakfast, lunch, and dinner) -- 22 meals!!!
2. Post 10 homemade recipes --2 posted, 4 more ready to post
3. Use 10 new ingredients -This didn't really happen. I will move this till next month
4. Crack open recipe books and cook from each of them at least once -- I choose to look online for inspirations
5. Re-organize kitchen cabinets (it's a thing to do every 6 months) 6 down, 6 to go!

Off the Rack and Into my Closet

Lately I've been buying some pieces to fit into my wardrobe. One thing I love about fall are the colors. I'm not talking about reds and browns, I'm talking deep purples and greys. With my first swing at using polyvore, here are some things I want to rip off the screen and toss into my closet!

lmp1 by lilmissplanner featuring Anthropologie

Included are a few staples of mine: leather jacket, handbag, and killer heels! You know I love my heels. The taller the better I say!

Have you started to update your wardrobe yet and ifso, what is your favorite new thing?

Another event to add to the calendar...

I'm one of those people who LOVE LOVE LOVE to have an active calendar. Every weekend has some sort of event or party on it. When days come around where we are home alone we cherish it. In any case, I'm always on the lookout for new and exciting things to do. One of the things the hubby and I said we wanted to do is go to some holiday performance. Okay, the hubby is just going along with it but I know the one I found will be an extra special treat!



At the Disney Concert hall, the Preservation Hall Jazz Band from NOLA are performing a Creole Christmas! We saw them during Christmas time two years ago right after we got engaged. We sat on the floor and clapped to the music. We laughed with our fellow guests and took in the history of this place. It was one of the best evenings on the trip.

I know this is a few months away but I love the idea of starting off our holiday vacation with something like this.

photo source

Making a Difference --The Challenged Athlete's Foundation

I have this incredible friend named Marc. If I had to define him in one word, it'd be athlete and not of his disability. I met him years and years ago when we worked together. One day he came into my office and asked me if I wanted to go for a bike ride. I figured since I had no life at the time and I was riding a few times a week, it would be a fun time. We rode along the beach, me on my dad's mountain bike, him on his handcycle. What started as a one time ride, quickly grew to a obsession on being on the road. His love for it made me want to branch out and try to break other boundaries. That's how I started running.

When I started pushing myself, he did the same. He branched out and bought a racing wheelchair and competed at the LA Marathon. From there, he had this insane idea he wanted to do go to Kona, the Ironman Championships. So, he jumped in the pool and started to swim. Months went by and he competed in his first half Ironman and placed, cementing a spot at Kona. That fall, he competed in Kona. Last year, The Challenged Athlete's Foundation saw how amazing and inspiring Marc was and sponsored his third trip to compete at Ironman Kona. Since then, he's been trying to repay the favor and help raise money for this great organization.

Next month, he's going to compete in the San Diego Triathlon in hopes of raising money for young disabled athletes who can't afford the gear. Where a regular bike can cost just a few hundred, a handcycle can be up to $2,500. So, I'm asking for all your help. Please help my friend raise some money to for this great cause. Even if it's $10. Anything and everything will help!

DONATE NOW

Thanks!

Goodbye summer

Sitting at the Hollywood bowl with great friends. In LA, the
fireworks finale is the end of summer for us (the heat is still with
us). The philharmonic moves to the Disney Hall and the illusion of
fall is around us. For me, this is the best part of summer. Good
friends. Good drinks. Good music in the city I love!

Harvey Milk Day bill S 572

Normally I don't go into politics on here but I just was sent a petition to sign to Veto California Bill S572, also known as Harvey Milk Day. So, I decided to click to see what the petition said it was. This is what it basically reads:

Whereas, the effect of SB 572 is to openly teach children that homosexuality, bisexuality, and transsexuality are good and natural and maybe for them;

WHAT? Seriously?

So I traipsed over to the bill and read it online for myself. NOTHING in this says they are teaching kids about homosexuality. Nothing says it will teach kids they should be gay. What it does say it will teach kids about a civil rights leader and his great influence on the 20th century. It also states that 4 other school days out of the year will be dedicated to other subjects:

John Muir Day (ecological conservation)

California Poppy Day (the importance of natural resources)

Teacher Day (about the profession of teaching)

Welcome home Vietnam Vets day (kinda like a second Veteran's Day).

Another thing to note is that this says it ENCOURAGES schools to observe them, so if you send your kid to some ultra conservative school, chances are your kid won't be coming home to tell you all about how a man named after dairy influenced many generations.

If you happen to see this petition floating out there, get the facts before you sign. It isn't what it reads. You might has well sign one for making facebook free too while you're at it!*

Btw, it was already passed by the Senate on May 14, 2009 and is awaiting approval by the Assembly before our beloved Govenator signs it into effect.

*i know facebook is free, this is a reference to the urban legend that will start charging one day.

To Do List before Oct 09

This month is a cooking to-do list.

1. Cook 30 meals (includes breakfast, lunch, and dinner)
2. Post 10 homemade recipes
3. Use 10 new ingredients
4. Crack open recipe books and cook from each of them at least once
5. Re-organize cabinets (it's a thing to do every 6 months)

Yup, that's about it...

Fake Quiche and Turkey Apple Sausage Recipes

Sometimes I just don't have time to cook full on meals. On those days, I revert to old home recipes like our fake quiche. It isn't really a quiche as it is a egg casserole but the hubby calls it fake quiche so i will too. While it's tasty on it's own, it needs something else, so I make Turkey Apple sausage to go with. YUM!!!


Fake quiche (serves 2)
1/4 cup reduced-fat shredded cheese
4 egg whites
2 whole eggs
3 slices of whole wheat bread
1/4 cup Fat free milk
1-2 cups asparagus (can substitute mushrooms or spinach --I used two cups)
1 tsp I Can't Believe It's Not Butter! spray
1 tsp of seasoning salt
1 clove of garlic

Preheat Oven 375
1. Pull out dish and spray and cover it with butter spray.
2. Slice up bread into little squares and toss into dish.
3. Mix the eggs and milk together.
4. Dice up your veggie of choice and add to egg mixture.
5. Add seasoning salt and garlic and mik one final time.
6. Pour mix on top of bread making sure everything is covered.
7. Add cheese to the top.
Into the oven for 30-40 minutes depending on the size of your dish. Pull out of oven when golden brown on top.


Turkey Apple Sausage (serves 2)

1/4 lb lean ground turkey
1/2 apple
1 tbsp agave syrup
1 dash of poultry seasoning
1 tsp of extra virgin olive oil
1 dash of cinnamon

1. Mix all items in a bowl.
2. Heat pan to med-high and spray lightly with Pam.
3. Make little sausage patties with your hands and place them in the pan.
4. Cook on both sides until done.

Outcome:

Nutrition:
Fake Quiche (per serving)


Turkey Apple Sausage (per serving)

Nothing left but lint in the pockets...

While enjoying the weekend we spent way too much on wine that we rationalized we needed desperately (don't ask how many cases we have now). Yesterday, while I told myself no more spending I found myself at a loss. With the brand new cable and internet at the house (we went from TWC to ATT Uverse), I couldn't figure out how to set up my bluetooth for my camera to wifi upload. So, what did I do? I bought a cable online. Well, with amazon.com, in order to get the free shipping i HAD to add something to the list. What did I add?


source
These cute babies! So, it has begun. I've made a timeline of each month I'll get a few pieces here and there and swap out my old stuff. Hopefully by New Year's, I'll be all decked out in Le Ceuset.

Now must hide my wallet at least for a few more weeks.

:)

Where's the fast forward button?

I'm not one to complain but can't this summer be over and done with? I miss cool and quiet nights were you can open the windows and all we'd hear is the fountain. Instead, we keep them shut to keep all the refrigerated air inside and the noise from the AC out. I'm done with tank tops and flip flops (okay, not really on the latter, i can't live without my flip flops). I'm ready to put those short skirts away and pull out my nice warm leggings and big comfy sweaters. As much as I adore wearing summer dresses 24/7, I'm willing to suck it up and bust out the Uggs and knee high boots.

Today's forecast:

During the day: High: 97 °F RealFeel®: 101 °F
At night: Low: 65 °F RealFeel®: 65 °F (only 65? uggh!)

So who's with me, who wants to help me overthrow this Indian summer and make fall come quicker then usual?

Things I want = Things I need

I'm totally rationalizing this post because well, I really really want them. T-minus 68 days till my bday and I'm already giving the hubby a list of things I want. On the top of my list is that shed I blogged about a while back. Now, adding to the list, there are a number of kitchen things I want:


Le Creuset 13 1/4" x 10 1/2" Stoneware Deep Dish Baker

Le Creuset 3-Quart Covered Square Baker

Le Creuset® Citrus Multicolor Prep Bowls (Set of 4)

Le Creuset® 10-Ounce Stoneware Mortar and Pestle - Cherry


and because this is ultra cool:

Le Creuset® 2-Quart Moroccan Tagines

Le Creuset 5 3/4-Quart Covered Oval Dish

Photo source
In the words of Rachel Zoe... I DIE!