I invented something new tonight for dinner (new to me anyway), and I wanted to share it with you if you were interested. This may be a good kid friendly recipe. If you want to get kids to eat veggies more, puree some and them for some of the liquid ingredients.
Taco Balls
1 Pound Lean Ground Beef (Meatloaf mixture if you prefer)
5 TBSP Breadcrumbs
3 TBSP Milk (cream if you prefer)
2 Eggs
2 Tsp Worcestershire Sauce
2 Tsp Salsa (if you want more add more, but this will change your consistency, more bread crumbs may be needed and less milk)
1 Packet Taco Mix
½ Tsp Vegetable Bouillon (I love this, you don’t have to use it)
Pinch of salt
Enough Cooking Oil to fry balls in, unless you choose to bake them
Your favorite sliced cheese (mine is Sharp American) 5 Slices
Mix all wet ingredients first with a whisk, then add meat and stir well, then add dry bread crumbs. Mix until good consistency for meatloaf or meatball making. Add Taco Mix, you may need to add milk one tablespoon at a time if your mixture gets too dry.
Shape into balls about the size of a ping pong ball, maybe a little bigger and drop carefully into hot oil, fry until dark gold on all sides and done in the middle. (you can also bake the balls in the oven, set to 375 degrees, keep a close eye until they are done. )
Take out of oil or oven and immediately top with sliced cheese. Allow to sit until cheese is melted. Enjoy!
I am not a huge fan of Salsa, so I think I will omit it next time, use it if you want. This recipe is easy and yummy, so try it one night this week!
Wednesday, September 8, 2010
Tuesday, August 24, 2010
Massage Signatures Survey, please help me with this info
This is a survey type blog post, I need lots of input!
Have you had a massage at a spa or resort that had some kind of signature move, set up, or adde bonus? Tell me about it please:
Would you enjoy a foot soak with relaxing warm water and aromas as your medical history is taken?
Would you enjoy a bowl of aromatic steaming water under your face while you are laying face down on a massage table?
Would you enjoy a hot towel with aromatic oils rolled under your neck while you are laying face up?
Would you like to have your hands dipped in paraffin and left to soak while the rest of your body is massaged?
Would you like a deep conditioning treatment on your hair while you get massage?
Would you like to have a sugar or salt scrub applied to your hands, elbows, knees, and feet while you get a massage?
Would a mini facial as part of your massage make you melt?
Men: what would make a massage memorable for you?
Pregnant women, women with children: what would make a massage memorable for you?
What do you wish you could get during a massage that you have never been offered?
I would greatly appreciate any info you can provide!! This will be applied to future endeavors in my career! Thank you!
Have you had a massage at a spa or resort that had some kind of signature move, set up, or adde bonus? Tell me about it please:
Would you enjoy a foot soak with relaxing warm water and aromas as your medical history is taken?
Would you enjoy a bowl of aromatic steaming water under your face while you are laying face down on a massage table?
Would you enjoy a hot towel with aromatic oils rolled under your neck while you are laying face up?
Would you like to have your hands dipped in paraffin and left to soak while the rest of your body is massaged?
Would you like a deep conditioning treatment on your hair while you get massage?
Would you like to have a sugar or salt scrub applied to your hands, elbows, knees, and feet while you get a massage?
Would a mini facial as part of your massage make you melt?
Men: what would make a massage memorable for you?
Pregnant women, women with children: what would make a massage memorable for you?
What do you wish you could get during a massage that you have never been offered?
I would greatly appreciate any info you can provide!! This will be applied to future endeavors in my career! Thank you!
Monday, August 23, 2010
Pizza Sandwiches
I made something new last night and wanted to share it with you!
Pizza Sandwiches:
1 loaf sliced Italian Bread
Fresh Mozarella (this will come asa ball or log, not dry shredded stuff in a bag)
Fresh Shredded Parmesan (this usually comes in a bowl container, it is not bright white, it is off white, yellowish clear and stiff and crunchy)
Pizza Sauce
Butter
Garlic (I like to get the little jar of Garlic, its ready to use anytime)
Griddle
Take as many slices as you need for tops and coat them in garlic butter, then "grill" them on the griddle until golden brown.
Take as many slices as you just grilled and use these for bottoms: spread pizza sauce on one side, then shred your mozarella on and sprinkle on the parmesan, then lay on whateber pizza toppings you like, we used pepperoni, tomatoes, and zuchini ribbons. Then lay these on the grill so the toppings are still on top and grill until golden brown on the bottom.
Remove from griddle when done and place the already grilled tops over them, then enjoy!
Pizza Sandwiches:
1 loaf sliced Italian Bread
Fresh Mozarella (this will come asa ball or log, not dry shredded stuff in a bag)
Fresh Shredded Parmesan (this usually comes in a bowl container, it is not bright white, it is off white, yellowish clear and stiff and crunchy)
Pizza Sauce
Butter
Garlic (I like to get the little jar of Garlic, its ready to use anytime)
Griddle
Take as many slices as you need for tops and coat them in garlic butter, then "grill" them on the griddle until golden brown.
Take as many slices as you just grilled and use these for bottoms: spread pizza sauce on one side, then shred your mozarella on and sprinkle on the parmesan, then lay on whateber pizza toppings you like, we used pepperoni, tomatoes, and zuchini ribbons. Then lay these on the grill so the toppings are still on top and grill until golden brown on the bottom.
Remove from griddle when done and place the already grilled tops over them, then enjoy!
Wednesday, August 18, 2010
First Blog in a long time
Sometimes, you just need to write, and since I am a closet writer, that is what I do when I feel the urge. This post is just about life and how its been for me lately. I realize most people don't care, but some may find solace in the fact that the stuff that happens to them happens to others.
The JOB:
My husband got a great job workiing for the Adjutant General (Headquarters) of the Ohio Army National Guard. This meant he would work 8-5 in Dublin, OH; an hour and a half from our home in Dayton. So he commuted for two months while we did the military thing and waited for moving orders and everything to play out.
The APARTMENT:
I don't know Columbus very well, so I didn't have a clue what the good neighborhoods were, where anything was, where the jobs were. So I did lots of research and realized I would love to live close to where my hubby's job is, Dublin. I centered my search there and the third apartment I saw I loved, and so did he. I kept looking though to scope out areas and apartments and prices. After over 70 apartment searches, we settled on the third one, a mile from his office.
The DRAMA:
We didn't get to see the apartment together until a week before we moved in. I was told one price in the beginning then he was told a different price, then I was told a different price, then the apartment changed, then we couldn't talk with a manager, then the leasing agent got snooty. Yep, it was drama at every turn to get our dream apartment. Eventually I contacted the Property Management company that owns the apartments and they worked it out at the original price. All that was just APARTMENT DRAMA. Now comes the JOB DRAMA: I was looking for a massage job in Columbus and had applied at a lot of places, and got an interview at a beautiul spa in Dublin, very small and nice. I tried to work there but between the spa being closed and not telling me (I drove and hour and a half to get there) and the owner lieing, A LOT, I decided it was not worth the stress and had to leave before I really got to start.
The MOVE:
We packed up our stuff and moved August the 14th with a ton of help from friends and family that we were very very thankful for. Then realized, our hot water didn't work, a ceiling fan came away from the ceiling and is still hanging there funny after it tried to blow up, an exhaust fan doesn't work, one tub drain won't hold water, the washing machine will not balance for anything, a toilet paper holder is falling off the wall, a couple of lights don't work, and so on.
The UPSIDE:
We love our apartment despite its flaws. We have two balconies, one with a door off our bedroom. We have a gorgeous master bathroom with a large tub. We have an indoor and outdoor pool with a sauna and a full workout facility. Our internet is working and we are very close to my husband's job. I have interviews this week and we are making new friends here. We are half way between our parents, which makes visits much easier. There is a much better job market here than in Dayton. We are together and starting this amazing journey. Our closets are insanely awesome and we have a washer and dryer in our home, makes a lot of things much better. We are healthy, we can work out whenever we want, we have health insurance finally. My husband has a great job and we get to see eachother more now. We get to discover a great new city and area that has tons of things to do and sites to see and learn about and explore. We are both in a new place that we don't know, so no one has an advantage. God is providing and teaching us a lot of new things and we are very excited to experience them. The UPSIDE definitely out weighs the other stuff!
The JOB:
My husband got a great job workiing for the Adjutant General (Headquarters) of the Ohio Army National Guard. This meant he would work 8-5 in Dublin, OH; an hour and a half from our home in Dayton. So he commuted for two months while we did the military thing and waited for moving orders and everything to play out.
The APARTMENT:
I don't know Columbus very well, so I didn't have a clue what the good neighborhoods were, where anything was, where the jobs were. So I did lots of research and realized I would love to live close to where my hubby's job is, Dublin. I centered my search there and the third apartment I saw I loved, and so did he. I kept looking though to scope out areas and apartments and prices. After over 70 apartment searches, we settled on the third one, a mile from his office.
The DRAMA:
We didn't get to see the apartment together until a week before we moved in. I was told one price in the beginning then he was told a different price, then I was told a different price, then the apartment changed, then we couldn't talk with a manager, then the leasing agent got snooty. Yep, it was drama at every turn to get our dream apartment. Eventually I contacted the Property Management company that owns the apartments and they worked it out at the original price. All that was just APARTMENT DRAMA. Now comes the JOB DRAMA: I was looking for a massage job in Columbus and had applied at a lot of places, and got an interview at a beautiul spa in Dublin, very small and nice. I tried to work there but between the spa being closed and not telling me (I drove and hour and a half to get there) and the owner lieing, A LOT, I decided it was not worth the stress and had to leave before I really got to start.
The MOVE:
We packed up our stuff and moved August the 14th with a ton of help from friends and family that we were very very thankful for. Then realized, our hot water didn't work, a ceiling fan came away from the ceiling and is still hanging there funny after it tried to blow up, an exhaust fan doesn't work, one tub drain won't hold water, the washing machine will not balance for anything, a toilet paper holder is falling off the wall, a couple of lights don't work, and so on.
The UPSIDE:
We love our apartment despite its flaws. We have two balconies, one with a door off our bedroom. We have a gorgeous master bathroom with a large tub. We have an indoor and outdoor pool with a sauna and a full workout facility. Our internet is working and we are very close to my husband's job. I have interviews this week and we are making new friends here. We are half way between our parents, which makes visits much easier. There is a much better job market here than in Dayton. We are together and starting this amazing journey. Our closets are insanely awesome and we have a washer and dryer in our home, makes a lot of things much better. We are healthy, we can work out whenever we want, we have health insurance finally. My husband has a great job and we get to see eachother more now. We get to discover a great new city and area that has tons of things to do and sites to see and learn about and explore. We are both in a new place that we don't know, so no one has an advantage. God is providing and teaching us a lot of new things and we are very excited to experience them. The UPSIDE definitely out weighs the other stuff!
Tuesday, April 27, 2010
Do you think massage is for Skinny People?
I am finding that a lot of "heavy" people think massage is only for "skinny" people. That is just not so! If that were so then heavy people wouldn't have any health problems or stress, and to be quite honest: if anything, additional weight causes health problems and stress on the body!
Myth 1: I will break the table/chair!
Truth: You won't they are made to withstand a lot of weight, if you're really worried, go to someone with an electric table
Myth 2: The massage therapist doesn't want to see my fat!
Truth: Just like any other body, we don't really see the body or the nakedness, we see the need.
Myth 3: I won't fit on the table.
Truth: If this were the case neither would tall people. There are wider tables and there are table wideners. I have table wideners to accomodate larger people.
Myth 4: I have so much fat there is no way a massage will have any effect.
Truth: Circulation and body fluids and Fascia can still be accessed, and in some cases massage can work like exercise and help with fat. There are many things besides muscles and tendons that massage works on.
Myth 5: I hate the way I look so I don't want to take my clothes off.
Truth: THEN DON'T We do massage all the time with clothing on the client.
These are just 5 of the excuses I hear from people. Always talk to the massage therapist if you think there could be a problem. There should be a way to work around it, or many times you will find it is not a real problem at all.
Myth 1: I will break the table/chair!
Truth: You won't they are made to withstand a lot of weight, if you're really worried, go to someone with an electric table
Myth 2: The massage therapist doesn't want to see my fat!
Truth: Just like any other body, we don't really see the body or the nakedness, we see the need.
Myth 3: I won't fit on the table.
Truth: If this were the case neither would tall people. There are wider tables and there are table wideners. I have table wideners to accomodate larger people.
Myth 4: I have so much fat there is no way a massage will have any effect.
Truth: Circulation and body fluids and Fascia can still be accessed, and in some cases massage can work like exercise and help with fat. There are many things besides muscles and tendons that massage works on.
Myth 5: I hate the way I look so I don't want to take my clothes off.
Truth: THEN DON'T We do massage all the time with clothing on the client.
These are just 5 of the excuses I hear from people. Always talk to the massage therapist if you think there could be a problem. There should be a way to work around it, or many times you will find it is not a real problem at all.
Monday, April 19, 2010
Massage and your pregnancy
Are you pregnant? Do you have swollen feet, hands, and ankles? Does your back ache all the time? Is your baby pushing on your Sciatic Nerve? Do you have trouble sleeping?
There are many joys and many trials during the 40 weeks of pregnancy. But if you are in your second or third trimester you can get massage and help alleviate many of those trials. Massage can remove some of the fluid built up in your extremities and reduce your swelling. It can help to manage the pain in your sciatic nerve from all the pressure put on it. Massage can help to lessen the pain in your low back from the additional weight you are trying to hold upright when sitting and standing.
Any massage is good for pregnancy once you get through the first trimester. The first trimester is often when women lose children and massage is not recommended by most therapists until you get past that point. The best prenatal massage is with a special set of cushions or a special table meant to accomodate a pregnant belly; these set ups can give you an hour of relief from the weight of the belly and also your mammary tension because of special holes or wells for these areas. If the special table or cushions are not available your therapist can use pillows to frame your body and make it more comfortable. Somtimes sitting in a chair sideways is comfortable to have your back worked on and your extremities without the trouble of getting on a table.
Massage can also help you relax during labor, having your hands and neck and feet worked on during your labor pains can help you control your breathing and slow your heart rate. Keeping you in control of your labor helps you to enjoy it more.
If you already recieve massage and are pregnant, don't stop the massage all together, just wait until your first trimester is done and then resume your massages. Keep your therapist informed of your pregnancy trials so they know what to help you with.
If you are pregnant and want to try massage, call your local massage therapist and talk with them about thier comfort with pregnancy. You can find a good fit for you very easily.
Pregnancy massage is also helpful to get a bond with your therapist and then when you have your little bundle of joy, they can help you with some of the healing aspects of massage after the birth and help with massage of your little one.
There are many joys and many trials during the 40 weeks of pregnancy. But if you are in your second or third trimester you can get massage and help alleviate many of those trials. Massage can remove some of the fluid built up in your extremities and reduce your swelling. It can help to manage the pain in your sciatic nerve from all the pressure put on it. Massage can help to lessen the pain in your low back from the additional weight you are trying to hold upright when sitting and standing.
Any massage is good for pregnancy once you get through the first trimester. The first trimester is often when women lose children and massage is not recommended by most therapists until you get past that point. The best prenatal massage is with a special set of cushions or a special table meant to accomodate a pregnant belly; these set ups can give you an hour of relief from the weight of the belly and also your mammary tension because of special holes or wells for these areas. If the special table or cushions are not available your therapist can use pillows to frame your body and make it more comfortable. Somtimes sitting in a chair sideways is comfortable to have your back worked on and your extremities without the trouble of getting on a table.
Massage can also help you relax during labor, having your hands and neck and feet worked on during your labor pains can help you control your breathing and slow your heart rate. Keeping you in control of your labor helps you to enjoy it more.
If you already recieve massage and are pregnant, don't stop the massage all together, just wait until your first trimester is done and then resume your massages. Keep your therapist informed of your pregnancy trials so they know what to help you with.
If you are pregnant and want to try massage, call your local massage therapist and talk with them about thier comfort with pregnancy. You can find a good fit for you very easily.
Pregnancy massage is also helpful to get a bond with your therapist and then when you have your little bundle of joy, they can help you with some of the healing aspects of massage after the birth and help with massage of your little one.
Massage is not a Luxury
I haven't blogged in a while, and this topic has been on my heart for weeks, so I am putting it out here for you to chew on.
Massage is not a luxury, it is a means of healthy living. I am not saying I know a whole heck of a lot about healthy living, look at my photo and you can probably tell that I am an overweight young woman. I am vehemently working on that as I have all my life. But I do know a heck of a lot about massage and I continue learning all the time. I say massage is not a luxury becuase that is how most people see it. For the wealthy and the affluent massage may look like a way to lose yourself for an hour a week or every other week, but it is so much more than that. For the middle class and working class massage looks like something only the rich and priviliged are allowed. THIS IS NOT SO!
Massage as a means of healthy living and rejuvination can be available to everyone and should be. I agree that it is expensive right now, but there are ways around that. You should see massage as a way of helping with medical treatments. It is like your favorite necklace with all your outfits: it goes with all your health care regimens.
Massage can help with almost any medical problem, stress problem, emotional disorder, chronic disease, etc. I AM NOT SAYING MASSAGE CURES THESE THINGS OR TAKES THE PLACE OF MEDICAL CARE! I am saying massage helps with the medical care and can help with some of the areas medical care can't.
Massage can help you relax which helps your breathing, in turn getting more oxygen to your entire body to function better: think of this as a tune up for your car to get the oil, air, and gas moving properly.
Massage can boost circulation, carrying more oxygen and nutrients to your entire body and carrying toxins away to expel them: think of this as having your ducts cleaned and flooding your house with clean fresh air now that the toxic junk has been removed.
Massage can release more good hormones and chemical in your body to help your body deal with depression and mood disorders and some hormonal imbalances: think of this as a huge gulp of air when you surface from a deep dive in the pool.
Massage is not for the wealthy or something you only do when you're on a nice vacation. Massage is a way to feel good and if you can't afford $60 for an hour consider these alternatives:
1) Ask for a half hour session at $30 an hour
2) Ask if you are eligible for any discounts, you'd be surprised
3) Ask if you can trade a service you provide for massage
4) Get massage less often, but still get it (monthly or every other week)
5) Go to a school's clinic and get an hour for the price of a half hour
6) See if your insurance will cover your massages, many do now
7) Ask your doctor or chiropractor if they offer massage as part of thier office sessions
8) Your gym may offer massage as a side feature for very low cost to you as part of membership
9) Your office may offer massage at a discount right in the office, take your legal 15 minute break and get a massage
10) When you take a cruise or exotic vacation get a massage instead of a bar package, your body will thank you.
11) Ask for massage as gifts intead of things you don't need
12) Budget for massage as part of your health care budget expenses
13) Get massage instead of one of your mani/pedi appointments each month, you don't have to breath the harsh chemicals and its more comfortable than sitting in an uncomfortable chair trying to talk to someone that doesn't speak the same language as you
14) Talk to your massage therapist, many of us will offer you a discount or figure out a way to get you in without the highest price
15) If you can afford massage please continue to get them at regular price so your therapist can help people not as fortunate in life as you.
Massage is not a luxury, it is a means of healthy living. I am not saying I know a whole heck of a lot about healthy living, look at my photo and you can probably tell that I am an overweight young woman. I am vehemently working on that as I have all my life. But I do know a heck of a lot about massage and I continue learning all the time. I say massage is not a luxury becuase that is how most people see it. For the wealthy and the affluent massage may look like a way to lose yourself for an hour a week or every other week, but it is so much more than that. For the middle class and working class massage looks like something only the rich and priviliged are allowed. THIS IS NOT SO!
Massage as a means of healthy living and rejuvination can be available to everyone and should be. I agree that it is expensive right now, but there are ways around that. You should see massage as a way of helping with medical treatments. It is like your favorite necklace with all your outfits: it goes with all your health care regimens.
Massage can help with almost any medical problem, stress problem, emotional disorder, chronic disease, etc. I AM NOT SAYING MASSAGE CURES THESE THINGS OR TAKES THE PLACE OF MEDICAL CARE! I am saying massage helps with the medical care and can help with some of the areas medical care can't.
Massage can help you relax which helps your breathing, in turn getting more oxygen to your entire body to function better: think of this as a tune up for your car to get the oil, air, and gas moving properly.
Massage can boost circulation, carrying more oxygen and nutrients to your entire body and carrying toxins away to expel them: think of this as having your ducts cleaned and flooding your house with clean fresh air now that the toxic junk has been removed.
Massage can release more good hormones and chemical in your body to help your body deal with depression and mood disorders and some hormonal imbalances: think of this as a huge gulp of air when you surface from a deep dive in the pool.
Massage is not for the wealthy or something you only do when you're on a nice vacation. Massage is a way to feel good and if you can't afford $60 for an hour consider these alternatives:
1) Ask for a half hour session at $30 an hour
2) Ask if you are eligible for any discounts, you'd be surprised
3) Ask if you can trade a service you provide for massage
4) Get massage less often, but still get it (monthly or every other week)
5) Go to a school's clinic and get an hour for the price of a half hour
6) See if your insurance will cover your massages, many do now
7) Ask your doctor or chiropractor if they offer massage as part of thier office sessions
8) Your gym may offer massage as a side feature for very low cost to you as part of membership
9) Your office may offer massage at a discount right in the office, take your legal 15 minute break and get a massage
10) When you take a cruise or exotic vacation get a massage instead of a bar package, your body will thank you.
11) Ask for massage as gifts intead of things you don't need
12) Budget for massage as part of your health care budget expenses
13) Get massage instead of one of your mani/pedi appointments each month, you don't have to breath the harsh chemicals and its more comfortable than sitting in an uncomfortable chair trying to talk to someone that doesn't speak the same language as you
14) Talk to your massage therapist, many of us will offer you a discount or figure out a way to get you in without the highest price
15) If you can afford massage please continue to get them at regular price so your therapist can help people not as fortunate in life as you.
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