Saturday, February 26, 2011

Do It Anyway!

Okay so this post is more for inspiration for myself but you may be inspired as well!  Just yesterday, I was telling my very close friend, "I dread this next week's exercise!"  I am still dreading it but trying to convince myself to just get over it!  It is so difficult to go from doing NOTHING to working out 3 times a week! 

Last week I started walking on the treadmill to help me on this weight loss journey.  I decided to just do it 2 times last week and then this week I would jump up to 3 times.  They say that 30 minutes of exercise 3 times a week changes your health in great ways.  So that is my goal, 3 times a week of 30 mintue exercise.  Do I dread it, you bet!  Am I so excited like a child on Christmas morning to work out, that I am going to just hop up and jerk my shoes on and go!  No Way!  This is and has been my attitude all my life.  Do I need to change my mindset?  Yes!  Chapter 3 in my 100 Days of Weight Loss book is titled, "Do It Anyway". 

Am I only Interested in losing weight or am I Committed?
Here's a checklist.......
People who are only interested.....
*stick with it until something better comes along like a tv show, a busy schedule
*take actions only if they "feel like" doing it.
*need to see results in order to stay motivated
*blame people or circumstances for their struggles
*easily give up when they face challenges

People who are committed.....
*stick with their plans no matter what
*take action whether they feel like doing it or not
*assume that if they stay motivated, results will follow
*take responsibility for their own actions
*keep going in spite of challenges and setbacks

I am sad to say, I typically fall into the first category.  The big one is "needing to see results to stay motivated".  I know this mindset of mine with exercise needs to change.  I lost 2.75 pounds this week so I am up to 7.75 pounds total.  Here is one way to look at it.....42.25 pounds to go by July!  42.25 is better than 50....right?!  Exercise will only help me reach my goal so why wouldn't I want to do it?

I am going to exercise 3 times this week and I am going to stay committed to it.  Next week when I get on the scales I already know that I may gain or stay the same because I am gaining muscle....but I have to stay motivated if I want results to come. 

You want to know the best thing I read in this chapter?  I will quote the book....
You don't usually wait until you feel like going to work.  You just go.  The same thing is true for visiting your mother or changing dirty diapers.  Because you consider these things to be important, you do them regardless of how you feel at the moment.  In the same way, you don't have to feel like working on your weight-loss plan to stick to your program.  To improve your commitment, learn to focus on your actions, not just your feelings.  On days you're not in the mood for exercising or eating right, tell yourself to DO IT ANYWAY!

So true.  Since I view exercise as work, this quote helps me.  I shouldn't wait till I feel like doing it.  I should just do it.

Good luck to myself and you!  This week for me, will have its trials.  I have a baby shower to attend Friday.  I have planned to take in spinache dip and veggies to help myself stick to my program.  Will I be tempted to eat cake?  Yes, but I can prepare for this mentally ahead of time.  Preparation equals success!

Before I leave I want to share a couple of the things I ate this week...
*Tyson grilled and ready chicken breast with fresh salsa and 1/4 cup cheddar cheese melted on top with fat free refried beans.
*Natural Food Company Spinach Dip.....this is bought at Wal-Mart in the dip section.  It has a green label and the brand name is not very big.  Specifically it says "Made with Yogurt".  I have been eating this on salads instead of dressing.  It is 1 point for 2 Tablespoons.  It is sooooooo good!  I also have dipped a 3 pt. bagel in it as lunch.
*McDonald's McGrilled Chicken Classic sandwich with no mayo. (9 points)

Thanks to one of my favorite blogs I have a Weight Watcher's recipe I want to try this week too.  I have to thank "Fresh From the Farm" for a great recipe.  These "Nilla Yogurt Freeze" dessert cups sound so yummy!  Check out the recipe at
http://farmchickskitchen.blogspot.com/2011/02/weight-watcher-wednesday-nilla-yogurt.html


As I said, good luck to you especially if you are on this journey with me.  Have a wonderful week!

Tuesday, February 22, 2011

I'm Lovin It!

Hello all!  I have to say, I am loving the new Weight Watcher's program!  I feel like I am eating all the time and still not able to eat all my points for the day.  I know you don't want to read about diet foods again and I promise to get to something else....but I do want to share one thing.  In my last post I gave myself a challenge for this week and it was to prepare for Mr. Temptation.  I found something that seems to be working for me.  Since I have a 2 year old daughter, I also have plenty of little hair bands.  I found a pink one and a blue one.  They are the exact same size as a ring.  I am wearing both colors on my ring finger of my food eating hand.  I chose to wear pink and blue to remind me of why I am doing this (future hopeful baby) and I put it on my food eating hand so that each time my hand goes to my mouth, I will be reminded of my goal.  Just thought I would share with all of you out there.  A long time ago, Weight Watchers sold a bracelet that you could wear and this is sort of the same concept.  And the best part.......if I happen to cheat or refuse to pay attention to the bands on my finger.....I can always SNAP myself with the bands later when I regret doing what I did!  Like I said...working like a charm!  (so far!)

I have to share something my daughter did tonight.  She is just impressing daddy and me so much with her language development.  Tonight was daddy's night to give a bath but I could hear them talking (one of those things I love to hear).  The phone rang and the caller ID said Massachusettes.  I just spoke outloud, "Massachusettes?"  I answered but got hung up on.  I then said outloud to myself, "Who in the world would be calling us from Massachusettes?"  I then heard my daughter say as plain as day, "Massachusettes".  I was so impressed.  A 2 year old who can correctly pronounce Massachusettes with all the correct syllables.....WOW!  I am one proud mama!

I would like to share a wonderful recipe with you.  This recipe is one I will miss doing this diet.  And it is definately one that, if I made these right now, would result in a lot of SNAPPING of bands....if you know what I mean! 

Cream Cheese Chocolate Chip Pastry Cookies
*1 package frozen puff pastry, thawed
*1 package 8oz. cream cheese
*3 Tablespoons granulated sugar
*1 3/4 cup milk chocolate chips, divided (or any flavor chips)

Roll 1 sheet puff pastry to 14x10 inch rectangle on floured surface.  Combine cream cheese and sugar in small bowl.  Spread 1/2 cream cheese mixture over puff pastry, leaving 1 inch border on 1 long side.  Sprinkle with 1/2 chocolate chips.  Roll up, starting at the long side covered with cream cheese.  Seal the edge by dampening with water.  Repeat with the remaining ingredients on the 2nd sheet of puff pastry.  Refrigerate for 1 hour.  Cut the rolls cross wise into 1 inch chick slices.  Place cut side up on parchment paper lined baking sheet.  Bake in preheated 375 degree oven for 20 - 25 minutes.  Cool completely.  Makes 2 dozen.

Enjoy the remainder of the week! 

Saturday, February 19, 2011

Changing Mindset

Hello all!  Thanks for stopping by!  It has been a beautiful week!  We got to have recess outside this week and it is so wonderful to be outside when the sun is out!  It just reminds us that the Lord always changes things!  Just when we thought we couldn't take another day of winter, he opens the Heavens and lets the sun shine through!  It is promising to see the sunshine and buds beginning to appear on trees.  The Lord is making everything new!  This is my inspiration for this week.  I view my new adventure with Weight Watchers as a way the Lord can make me new. 

This week I lost 5 pounds!  Yayyyy! 

My goal is to lose at least 50 by July.  I have set that goal because my husband and I have decided Emma needs a little playmate.  Hopefully this desire will help keep me on track.  Right now, I am in the honeymoon stage of this diet adventure.  Everything is still new to me so it is easy to follow plan, but I know there will come a day when temptation will try to get the best of me. 

A few weeks ago, our school provided a professional development on changing our mindsets.  One of the terms used was "fixed mindset".  I think I can apply that term to my past experiences with diets!  I always go into it with the "fixed mindset" that I will fail at this just like every other time I have tried to lose weight.  I need to rid myself of that "fixed mindset" so I have been doing a little reading.  I have been reading a book I purchased the last time I attempted to diet but failed to read the book!  Imagine that!  The book is called "100 Days of Weight Loss" by Linda Spangle.  The first day's assignment hits that "fixed mindset"!  I think I will share a bit with you.

"Your past does not determine your future!"  Starting today I have to eliminate the belief that things always go a certain way and that I never meet my goals.  Whenever those doubts creep back in I am to say....

"I used to be that way, but now I'm different"!

My goal this week is to begin planing now for Mr. Temptation's visit. 

The book mentions writing in a journal your thoughts for the day.  I plan to allow that pen to hit the paper with every tempation that I have.  When my daughter is walking around with a cookie.....when cookies and cakes appear at work......when I get home from work and want to crash, I will go looking for my trusty pen and paper.  If I have to write "I used to be that way, but now I'm different" 100 times on that paper, I will, just to push Mr. Temptation aside! 

This is my plan and I have good reason to stick with this!  My life and the life of a desired healthy baby is depending on this!  Dear Lord, give me the strength I need to stick with this and not give up!  Help me to change my "fixed mindset" and believe in myself!  I know I can do this!

Now, I know some of you out there are not in a journey like me where you are watching what you eat, but some of you may be.  I thought I would take this time to share with you some of my favorite things I have eaten this week.

*Jello Sugar Free Rice Pudding Cups Creme Brulee Flavored - 2 pts a cup
*Weight Watchers Frozen French Toast and Turkey Sausage links - 7 pts. a meal
*100 calorie bags of microwave popcorn - 3 pts.
*Lettuce, tomato, 1 tsp. imitation bacon bits, and 2 Tablespoons Fat Free French Dressing - 1 pt. a salad
*Weight Watchers string cheese with 1 cup red grapes - 1 pt.
*6 oz. chicken breast marinated in Fat Free Italian Dressing served with 1 cup rice - 10 pts.
*Jif Peanut Butter to Go cup with 1 apple sliced - 7 pts.

More to come as I continue this journey! 

If you have a "fixed mindset" that you always fail at something, you will fail again!  Change your way of thinking and believe in yourself!  If you do what you have always done, you will get the same results!  I can do this and so can you!  Good Luck!

Wednesday, February 16, 2011

Welcome Spring Weather!

Hello spring weather!  Where have you been?  Glad you are here!  I hope you can stay a long while!  Today in Northern Kentucky the temperature is expected to reach near 60 degrees!  This is a welcome change from all that white stuff we were having just a few weeks ago!  As I sit here typing, I look out the window and see the sun is shining.  Isn't it funny how the minute the weather begins to creep up you just want to break out the capris pants and flip flops!?  I had to go to the store this morning and while there I found myself drawn to looking at spring flowers and tulips.  The thought even crossed my mind, that we could use a spring wreath on the front door.  I looked through clothes for Emma, and found myself looking at clothes in bright springy colors.  I think this makes it official.....I have a case of spring fever!

Spring has a way of making everything so fresh and new.  I can literally just step outside and take in a deep breath and am convinced the air smells cleaner!  Since spring seems to add a little bounce in my step, I decided to rejoin Weight Watchers.  Though, this time, I am doing it online.  We will see how well I do.  Back in 2003, I was able to lose over 70 pounds....then I met my husband.  I got comfortable and as any other southern girl loves to do.....I cooked for him!  I believe it was my cooking that finally landed him and convinced him he couldn't live without me.  Actually, he tells me it was my meatloaf!  Cooking all those rich southern foods helped me to pack back on my 70 some pounds I had lost plus a few more!  Thankfully, he has stayed with me.  Now, here I am again watching what I eat and counting points while his dinners suffer a bit.  I think he is okay with it and it allows me to be a little more creative in the kitchen! 

Last night we finished off my first creative dinner.  I had marinated chicken breast in Fat Free Italian dressing and then I baked it in the oven.  I served it over white rice.  I had a side salad with tomatoes, bacon bits, and fat free french dressing.  I also had enough points to allow myself a piece of french bread.

Tonight (for me), it is baked cube steak with mushrooms and steak sauce with a side of mashed potatoes and a side salad.  I am not sure how the hubby will like baked cubed steak so I think I will bread his first and then bake it as a sort of healthier version of country "fried" steak.

Now, just because I am watching and counting points, doesn't mean you have to.  So I am sharing my famous meatloaf recipe!  This is THE recipe that my husband said won him over!  I have to thank my mother for this recipe.  Thanks mom!

"Win Him Over" Meatloaf
*1 lb. hamburger
*minced dried onion (to taste)
*salt (to taste)
*1 egg
*1/2 c. ritz crackers crushed
*1/4 c. oats
*1 Tablespoon steak sauce or barbecue sauce
*1/2 cup ketchup
*1/2 cup brown sugar
*6 slices of thick cut bacon

Directions:
Mix together your ketchup and brown sugar in a bowl and set aside.  Mix together in a large bowl, the rest of the ingredients till well blended using your hands.  Form the meat mixture into a loaf.  Place in a large casserole dish.  Press your hand down the center to make an indention running length ways (this will be your well for your ketchup and brown sugar mixture.)  Take bacon strips and begin covering tops and sides of the loaf with the bacon.  Top with your ketchup and brown sugar sauce.  Place in a 400 degree oven for 45 minutes to 1 hour.  You may want to experiment a bit with the bacon....I used to leave it on during the entire cooking time.  Now I usually remove the bacon for the last 15 minutes and I add a bit more sauce on top after removing the bacon.  This way I still get the bacon flavor in the meatloaf without actually serving the bacon.  The bacon doesn't get crisp and brown and sometimes ends up a bit chewy so I started discarding it.

Enjoy and I hope you love it!  Caution:  It may win some hearts!

Sunday, February 13, 2011

What An Amazing Woman

This blog is in honor of my mother.  Her birthday is Tuesday.  She is an amazing woman.  I love her dearly with all my heart. 

Growing up, she understood me (though I am sure at times, she felt she didn't).  Looking back on my life growing up, she was always there.  Sometimes as a teenager, I didn't like it but what teenager does? 

She is my role model.  I learned to cook from her and she is my inspiration with raising my own daughter.  I can only hope to do 1/2 as well with my daughter as my mother did with me.  I was never without anything I needed.  She spoiled me and still does. 

Now as an adult, I see how much she did for me.  She has a lot of faith and is good at rebuilding mine.  She is full of creativity and has always allowed me to experiment with my own.  She, even though retired, is there to offer her time and a hand when I need her to watch Emma or I need to talk.  She is also my biggest fan. 

Mom, I know you are reading this.  I love you so much.  You will never know how much I love you and the way you raised me to have values and morals.  You gave me everything I needed to become a very happy person in life.  With each path in life I have chosen, you have always been there.  Thank you for being you.  Happy Birthday mom!  I love you!  You are the Best!

Thursday, February 10, 2011

Love is in the air.....

Well, I thought I would get that perfect Valentine's Day gift idea to you so you can begin working on it over the weekend.  I am feeling a little under the weather and am hoping this yucky icky sinus mess will clear up sooner than later!  I began coming down with it last night....but what can I expect when I had 7 kids out of 21 absent today at school.  Not only that, but others were complaining about not feeling well and running low grade fevers....ugh!  I guess in my line of work, it is expected that I will catch everything that passes through my classroom door! 

Anyway..back to love...that makes me feel a little better!  As you know Monday is Valentine's Day!  I think men are so difficult to buy for don't you?  I mean, come on...it would be great if they were into cooking and candles and jewelry but no....they have to be difficult!  A few years ago I began dating my now husband.  He is the man's man.  Not really into anything except music and sports!  So what do you get a "man's man" for Valentine's Day?  For our first Valentine's Day together as a couple, I gave him the absolute perfect gift and have not been able to top it since.  We both were eating candy and snack food all the way up through July!  This idea is sure to earn you some brownie points with your man! 

First, I bought a large basket....actually I couldn't find a cute basket big enough so I got a large wicker laundry basket.

I then went and purchased all the candy bars and snacks (listed below).  I tried to buy the supersize candybars when I could or bags of minis when I could that way, the gift kept on giving for most of the year. 

I wrote each sentiment on strips of paper.  I attached each sentiment with the corresponding candy or snack.  I then filled the basket with all the snacks I had.  He was so surprised to see how much time and effort I had put into this gift!  And might I add.....he loved me a little more each time he dug into that basket looking for a treat!  (although I don't understand why after such a thoughtful gift...he waited 2 years to ask me to marry him!?  Oh, well....we are married now and all is great!)

*If you are a woman who has been happily married to your man for many years, maybe this gift could add a little spark.
*If you are a woman who has been happily married for just a few years, maybe this gift will remind him of why he married you.
*If you are a newlywed, well...life is still bliss for you....it wouldn't matter what you got your man but if you did this he would appreciate it!
*If you are trying to land your man...I can't make any promises but I will say that each time he digs in the basket he will grow a little more fond of you and maybe he will see how much he loves you!
*If you are a man of any age reading this....good for you....your woman would love the fact that you put so much time into something so meaningful and sentimental!

Here it is:
Enjoy!

 
Caramello – “I care so much about you!”
Snickers – “Your love makes me snicker!”
Skittles – “Your love brightens my day like a beautiful rainbow!”
Moon Pie – “Your kisses send me to the moon!”
Milky Way – “I love the way you love me!”
Sugar Daddy – “You will always be my sugar daddy!”
Butterfingers – “You still give me butterfingers!”
Zero – “You prove everyday that you are no zero!”
Crush Drink – “You are my one true crush!”
Coke – “You are the real thing!”
Gold Fish Crackers – “Out of all the fish in the sea, I’m glad you picked me!”
Sweetarts – “You’ll always be my sweetheart!”
Almond Joy – “You bring my life great joy!”
Symphony – “You make my life a symphony!”
Reese’s Pieces – “I love you to pieces!”
Reese’s Cups – “We go together perfectly like peanut butter and chocolate!”
Chocolate Riesen Candies – “You are my reason for living!”
Bit ‘O Honey – “You are my bit o’ honey!”
Kisses – “I always love your kisses!”
Hugs – “Your hugs make me melt!”
Werther’s Candies – “You were worth the wait!”
Junior Mints – “You were meant for me!”
Red Hots – “I think you are so hot!”
Payday – “I am nuts about you!”
100 Grande – “Your love is worth so much more than 100 grand!”
Gummy Bears – “You are my teddy bear!”
Laffy Taffy – “I love the way you make me laugh!”
Mr. Goodbar – “You’ll always be my Mr. Goodbar!”
Lifesavers – “You are my lifesaver!”
Goobers – “I love that you are my handyman and not some big goober!”
Hershey’s Bliss candies – “Your love is true bliss!”


Good luck everyone.....Happy Valentine's Day!

Wednesday, February 9, 2011

It's Scrappin' Time!

Okay, so I thought I would be blogging more this week with the forecast they had for Kentucky but they (thankfully) got it all wrong!  The first snow did nothing, the second snow well, was a so so (enough to put my school on a 1 hour delay), and the third was supposed to happen tonight but will no longer.  It is just cold!  So here I sit typing away after work!  I did promise you a craft on this post!  I think you will love it!

What started this idea: 
I have some favorite cookbooks.  I have some favorite recipes.  My problem?  I could never remember which books my favorite recipes were in and when I wanted to make something special I had to sit and go through all my books looking for that one recipe I made a while back that tasted so good!  It was frustrating!  Now, I have always been into scrapbooking (when I had the time and before I had my daughter Emma, I felt I had a lot more of it) and I came up with the clever idea to gather my favorite recipes up from all the books, write them down (that was what took the longest) on acid free paper, and make a "My Favorites" cookbook.  That way if I wanted that great recipe my mother was famous for or my great aunt Susie brought to the reunion, I could easily and quickly locate it!  I know all of you cooks out there know how frustrating it can be searching for your favorite recipes.  Here is your solution and it didn't really take much creativity! 

As I said above, first I went through and gathered all my favorite tried and true recipes.  I then wrote them out, which like I said took a long time but you could type them too if you wanted to.  I liked the sentimental value of handwritten recipes.  I then went looking for stickers that sort of matched.  For example: for my chili recipe I went with western theme stickers, for my pineapple cheeseball I went with tropical stickers, and for my wedding cookies I went with wedding stickers....you get the idea!  I then went through and where you would normally place photos on a scrapbook page, I placed the recipe.  I then decorated each page with decorative scrapbook paper and the themed stickers.  I did embellish my pages a little more with my own artwork, but you wouldn't have to do that.  If the recipe came from a special family member, I put that family member's picture somewhere on the page. 

Here are some of the pictures from my books (yes, I ended up having to do 2 books and I continually add to them as I try new recipes):






This last photo shows a poem I wrote in the second recipe book I did.  I was once asked, "Aren't you afraid of messing up your book by spilling something on it when you are cooking?"  That question prompted me to write a poem for my first book.  I wrote it on the inside of the cover.  And of course when I did the second book, I again had to do a poem about it.  I am writing the poems below in case you too, want to use this idea (just please give credit where credit is due!)

Book 1 Poem:
This book may get dirty
It may get torn,
It may get dripped on
And it may look worn.

But each and every
spot you see,
Is just a loving
memory,

Of a day, when I
Splashed and splattered,
Food of love for my
Family gathered.

Or for my friends,
I hold dear to me.
They are spots of love
you see.

So keep in mind as you
look at this book,
That those dirty spots show
I love to cook!
Written By:  Melissa Wash


Book 2 Poem:
Once again, I have gathered;
All the recipes that really matter,
They are the ones, I hold so dear;
From friends and family far and near.

Once again, you may see a spot;
A splatter or stain or a little dot.
It's okay that they are there;
Because to my book they just add flair!

Each recipe you look at within this loving book;
Brings back memories of my dear friends or a family cook.
Some remind me of a special day;
When all life's worries were far away.

I know love has gone into each and every dish;
To fill the heart with comfort is my very wish.
So write down any recipe that you think you want to try;
I'm sure you too, will find they truly satisfy!
Written by Melissa Wash


Happy Scrapping you guys!  Start gathering those recipes!

On my next post I will share the absolutely perfect Valentine's Day Gift for a guy, as I know they are difficult to buy for!  Don't miss it!  Hopefully I will post it in the next couple days....if I wait too long, you won't have time to do it!  Check back soon.....

Saturday, February 5, 2011

Give em' the old 1-2-3!

Good morning all!  Spring has sprung, flowers blooming, birds chirping outside my window....ahhh I love Spring!  Oh, wait a minute, I was dreaming....I'm awake now.  Sorry but when you wake to the weather forecast we have for this week, it is easy to daydream about the days of Spring!  We are being hit with a whopping 1-2-3!  I don't think this Winter will ever end!  Watched my weatherwoman this morning and to speak quite honestly, I was ready to jump through the television and strangle the poor woman!  The forecast is much the same as it has been since the end of November....Snow!  Uggh!

We are expecting this freezing rain, we are currently getting, to switch over to snow today with possible 1 - 3 inch accumulations.  Then round number 2 comes our way tomorrow night with yet another 1 - 3 inches possible through Monday night.  As if that wasn't enough, round 3 hits us Wednesday night with more snow accumulations possible!  It truly is a 1-2-3 punch in the gut!  I like snow days but I'm done with them for this year!  I have seen the adjustments to the school calendar for making up the days we have already missed, and I am already having to go up to June 2.  If we miss this week too, each day is another day of my summer break lost! 

Now, this weather forecast is good for only one thing.....it gave me an idea for a theme of 3's!  I know that the Superbowl is this weekend and though I don't get into football, I do love to host parties and cook for others!  I thought I would share 3 recipes that you could serve at your Superbowl Party.  These 3 recipes, I have made and served at different parties in the past.  All 3 are wonderful for groups of people and are great fingerfoods that allow people to mingle during half-time (if they aren't watching the half-time show)!  Okay, so the recipes I am sharing with you are Veggie Pizza, Bacon Wrapped Cocktail Dogs, and Cheesy Sausage Dip.  Let's get to it!

ONE!

Veggie Pizza
You need: 
*1 (10 oz.) refrigerated crescent roll or pizza crust
*1 (8 oz.) pkg. cream cheese
*1 (8 oz.) bottle of ranch salad dressing
*1/4 cup parmesan cheese
*assorted raw veggies, cut into small pieces (broccoli, tomatoes, celery, carrots, etc..)

Preheat oven to 400 degrees.  Press crescent roll or pizza crust on bottom of a 15 x 10 inch pan.  Bake 8 to 11 minutes or until golden brown.  Cool.  IN a small bowl combine the cream cheese, parmesan, and ranch dressing mixing well.  Spread over cooled crust and top with assorted raw veggies.  Refrigerate for 1 - 2 hours before serving.  Cut into pieces and serve.  Refrigerate leftovers.


TWO!

Bacon Wrapped Cocktail Dogs
You Need:
*1 pkg. cocktail wieners or smokies (Hillshire Farms)
*1 lb. thin-sliced bacon
*1 cup brown sugar

Cut bacon in strips just long enough to wrap wieners.  Use a toothpick to hold bacon in place.  Bake in a 9 x 13 inch baking dish.  Sprinkle the brown sugar over the wieners and bake at 375 degrees for about 20 minutes or until bacon is beginning to cook.  You may end up with enough bacon for another half pkg of cocktail wieners or smokies.  I usually buy 2 pkgs. and have some left over.

THREE!

Cheesy Sausage Dip
You Need:
*1 lb. hot sausage
*1 can Rotel tomatoes
*1 large box Velveeta cheese, cubed
*Nacho Chips

Brown sausage in skillet on top of stove and drain.  In a crockpot place the cubes of Velveeta cheese, the can of Rotel tomatoes, and the browned sausage.  Set on high till melted.  Stir often to help melt.  When it is melted set on low or warm to keep melted.  Serve with Nacho Chips.

Well there you have it....3 wonderful recipes to get your Superbowl Party rolling! 

And for all you ladies out there that don't really watch the game but love to get together and gab while your husbands watch the game...here's an idea for you!  While your men are watching football, you can exchange recipes.  Coming on my next post is an idea for storing all your favorite tried and true recipes!  After the game you and your friends can plan on getting together to "Scrap" your recipes into an album for safe-keeping.  Now, I know you all have your favorite recipes out there and they are in several different books or crammed into a box.....My next post will show you a way to put all your favorites in one place so that when Great Aunt Susie asks for your special banana bread recipe, you know exactly where to find it and don't have to spend your entire morning searching through all your recipe books trying to remember which one it was in!  So please check back and that post may come sooner than later, because if I have a few days off from school this week....you can believe I will be posting more often! 

Enjoy the game and swapping those recipes!  Catch my next post!  You won't want to miss it!