Oooo I love oatmeal!

Most of you know I LOVE oatmeal.  More than most people I think!  My newest fav is fresh mango, fresh pineapple a little coconut and 1 splenda.  YUMMY! 

In case you didn't realize....

Baseball season is underway!  I'm very excited about this!  It makes me think Spring even though we got a foot of snow yesterday.  I love all baseball but my favorite team is the NY Yankees!  Love those men! 

Savory Oatmeal!

Today we got hit with a HUGE snow storm!  I needed something warm and yummy for breakfast and didn't have alot of time to make it.  I typically make oatmeal and top it with the applesauce you read about but I was all out and didn't have enough time to make a new batch.  A few months ago I had read on someone else's blog that savory oatmeal is delish so I gave it a go!  I diced up an apple and a slice of turkey bacon.  Not just any turkey bacon, SPECIAL turkey bacon.  It's the yummiest thing on the planet!  I get it at Fresh Market at the meat counter.  It's so much better than that crap that turns into cardboard as soon as you cook it!  So into a skillet it goes with some Pam.  While that's on I start the oatmeal.  4 minutes later it's all ready to go!  I topped the oatmeal with the apple and bacon and 2 tsp brown sugar.  I couldn't eat it right away because I had to hit the road for work but I nuked it at work and man was it good!  I read it's good with eggs to so maybe next time I'll do that with the turkey bacon and no egg!  Feel free to share your favorite oatmeal toppings! 

In LOVE with this kid!

Can't say I didn't try....

This post is a little delayed but I wanted to share anyway...
Being single I'm always open to new ways to expand my social circle.  Valentine's Day events were all around so I decided to take the plunge!  A single parent group I've been meaning to check out was having a "Find Your Valentine" party the Saturday prior to the big day.  It promised singles, music and dancing.  Being on WW I was loving that I could have my wine then dance it away!  The party was a bit of a drive but it was thru the country so it was lovely.  I arrived at the restaurant, a large cozy house style place.  I payed the $15 entry and headed up to the party.  I walked into a room that was decorated great!  Lot's of red and pink, hearts and a man dressed up like cupid!  Then I scanned the room.... Of the 50 people there about 5 were under the age of 50.  WHAT!?  This was a single PARENT group not a single GRANDPARENT group!!!  Grrrrr!  I grabbed a glass of wine and headed toward the only younger female in the room.  She was super sweet and we were quickly joined by the third and final young female at the event.  We had fun dancing but still, no Valentine to be found!  By the time the party really got going there were about 100 people, about 85 of which were over 50.  The cougars were in full force and the two younger men that were there were contstantly surrounded!  It was pretty humerous!  All in all it was a fun night of wine and dancing but alas, Valentine-less!  I spent the actual day cleaning my closet!  VERY productive!

Easy Stove Top Applesauce

I've been pretty hooked on making this delish applesauce.  I eat it plain, either cold or hot, or add it to oatmeal (my fav).  There's a bit of a debate about pointage as the WW website says a cooked apple has points while a raw apple doesn't.  I used their message boards to get an idea of what other people think.  One smarty said if I made the applesauce myself and KNOW I didn't add anything with points then it should be 0 because you can buy jarred applesauce (no sugar added) and it's 0 points.  So I count it as 0.  Here's the skinny on making it....

Ingredients :
1 bag of apples
fresh or frozen whole cranberries (check the organic section of your grocery store)
1/4 TSP Baking Soda (to cut the tartness of the cranberries)
Cinnamon (to taste)
Truvia or Splenda
2-3 cups Water

Dice up the apples (I like mine chunky) and add them and all the other ingredients to a large pot.  Start with 2 cups of water, you can always add more if need be. 

Cook for 20-30 minutes or until it's the consistency you like.  I put it in the fridge and use it throughout the week.  It's sooooo super yummy!

Could it be?

I'm seriously concerned.  I weighed in today and was told I lost 3.8 this week!  CRAZY!  Our leader asked me what I did different this week.  My answer... "I didn't drink".  Which is true!  In general I go out on my kidless nights which is 3 times a week.  I detest water beer as I call it so I always order my usual delish dark filling beers.  I estimate them at 8 PP since they're a full pint rather than a bottle (bottles are 5).  If I have 3 a night x 3 nights that is a whopping 72 points!  Admittedly I did switch to light beer on Friday nights since I tend to drink more those nights but really... 72 points?  That's two full days of food plus some! 

So my debate is this.... Do I stop drinking all together?  Cut back?  Stick to only light beer?  The first option won't work.  I have so many great memories centered around alcohol I simply could NOT give it up!  See the evidence:

                                        California trip, margaritas on the pier with great friends!

                     Lake Placid, NY... this was outside the bar and I couldn't resist the photo op.
                                       It was cold and wet but I was buzzed enough to not care. 

Redneck Party.... the first time I was brave enough to hold my friend's pet snake.  Musta been the beer!

                              Double fisting with one of my best guy friends.  He moved to Cali and
                                  is getting married so this is likely the last time we'll drink together. 

                                                                      Halloween!

                                                        St. Patty's Day, one of the best!
And so you see... I cannot give up the chance at making more memories!  Option 2, cut back is definately an option, 3, switch to light beer also an option.  And so, I have decided to combine the two!  One night I'll drink real beer, one night I'll drink light and the 3rd... NO DRINKING!  It's the plan that I think will be do able long term!  Wish me luck!