Sunday, October 18, 2009

My Favorites

Here's a few things that I've found lately and REALLY love.

Recipes:

I've recently discovered that Dry Onion Soup Mix may be the greatest ingredient EVER. Here are two recipes that I've tried and LOVED. They are SO easy and delicious. I don't want to give you false hope, but I told Tom the meatloaf was the best I'd ever tasted (and easiest I've ever made)!
In the second recipe, it makes the BEST gravy. I'm cooking it today and serving mashed potatoes, green beans, and rolls. Just a good ole' hearty Sunday dinner!
The third recipe is one that a friend told me about. It's a Rachel Ray recipe that's really tasty, just click on the link!


Easy Meatloaf

1 1/2 lb. lean hamburger
1 pkg. Lipton onion soup mix
1/2 c. oatmeal
1 egg, beaten
3/4 c. ketchup
1 tbsp. Worcestershire sauce
Mix hamburger, soup, oatmeal and egg. Spoon in loaf pan. Bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes. Top with ketchup mixed with Worcestershire sauce. Bake 5 minutes longer.


Roast with Mushroom Gravy

3 lb. rump roast
1 env. onion soup mix
2 cans cream of mushroom soup
1 c. water
Cover roast with onion soup mix, pat on. Place roast in crock pot. Pour 2 cans mushroom soup mix with 1 cup of water, over roast. Cook on low for about 8 hours or on high for 3-4 hours.







Another great thing I've discovered is a great online store to buy t-shirts! Yep, a great fitting LONG plain colored t-shirt! I like the Shade shirts and Downeast Basics t-shirts. But, I decided I wanted to find an even cheaper short sleeved shirt that I could wear to work and not feel guilty if it got dirty and to stay cool while cleaning. At $10 each for shirts at either of those stores.... it was a little too much to order a bunch.

That is when I found http://www.forever21.com/! Just go to Women's, Tops, Basics & Hoodies. They have a TON of different styles/colors to choose from. The best part??? Most of them are $5-6!!! I think I struck gold! I ordered two t-shirts and two long sleeve shirts to try them out. I wanted long sleeve shirts to use for layering during the winter. I loved them all! I don't think I can wear the t-shirts just to work because I want to wear them all the time! I'm definitely ordering more some time soon. Now the real test is to see how well they wash and hold up! But for $5, I won't be devastated if something happens. Also, you have to pay attention to the length (most are as long as Shade t-shirts, but some are shorter/longer) and the type of fabric too. Each shirt is different in those aspects. Love them!




I can't remember if I've ever posted about this, actually I'm pretty sure I have, but my all time favorite exercise dvds are by Cathe Friedrich. I'm telling you people, these are the toughest workouts you can do at home. I LOVE HER! Because of Cathe, I am only two pounds away from my goal weight (I'm talking about the goal weight you set thinking you might never reach it!) AND I am now doing REAL push ups, not girl ones! I think Tom is getting SO tired of me flexing my muscles and telling him that I'm stronger than he is! hahaha!
I don't know, I think I am really developing a huge passion for fitness and nutrition. I love it so much! I have the time for it too since I'm a stay at home mom.(is that an oxymoron??) Honestly, I do have days where I might not feel like working out, but then I think,"Hmm, I don't have anything else to do besides get on the computer or watch tv... guess I WILL work out!" I know I know... it's pathetic! :) I just view it as my hobby! I've even thought about going back to school to study it too. We'll see where that road leads some day!
So, Cathe has some pretty tough exercise "moves" that I see her do and think,"I will never be able to do that." I want to show you one of them. Click on the link below and watch the video. The move I'm talking about is 45 seconds into the video. I bet you will watch it and think,"That doesn't look so tough!" But trust me, get up off your computer chair and TRY doing it. It just seems impossible! I'm setting the goal that I will some day be able to do that "move". And when I do, I'll take a picture or video and put it on here. Not sure HOW I'm going to do it, but I will! And by the way, if you CAN do it.... you're crazy... and awesome.
Guess I was really in the "blogging" mood today, huh?? :)




7 people who like me:

Tom said...

I'm saddened to see I didn't make the list of your favs.

Sarah and Cory Smith said...

Glad you liked the recipe. I like making roasts with onion soup mix also. Oh, I LOVE Forever 21. They have one in Vegas and it was my GO To store. I bought everything there. I have been impressed with how well everything has held up. I didn't think about ordering online. Good idea!

Sarah said...

I'm going to make your meat loaf tomorrow! Thanks for sharing. Also, we recently got a Forever 21 in the Valley Mall. It's awesome. They're jewelry is the BEST. Cheap, and CUTE! I've bought a few tops and LOVE them. I think you'll be very happy. The only thing, is that they are a thinner material then shade/downeast shirts. But, great for layering!! Hope you love them!

Anonymous said...

Emily,
That move IS TOUGH I did do it twice though I think it's the hardest move I have seen yet!! Thanks for the challange Linda

Jenny Moore said...

Emily, You've motivated me to get off the couch and to start working out again!! I liked your thought process on that...it makes sense!
Thanks for the recipe...always love new things!!

Jacque said...

Another of my favorite Lipton Soup recipies is to take potatoes (red or russet) chopped into big cubes. Dazzle them with a little bit of olive oil and toss them in a packet of the lipton soup. Then bake them for as long as it takes for them to get soft on the inside and a little crunchy on the outside. Yummmy!! It's an alternative to baked and mashed potatoes.
And I agree about the fitness. It's starting to (finally) become a hobby. But I've discovered that the hobby can quickly disappear if you give it too long of a break. Not like other hobbies...you know you will always love once you find the time. With fitness, the longer you stay away, the more you will despise it going back. It's a long road back. But you are inspiring me!! I too have 2 lbs to go...but not for my ultimate goal. 2 lbs to get back to where I was at when I got married. Then I have a whole other set of goals to reach after that. But hey, it's a start!

Holly said...

Yum, I'm going to have to try that meatloaf recipe. I love anything with oatmeal in it. I'm very impressed that you're almost to your goal weight. Makes me want to get cracking at it. I bought a running book the other day and it's kind of making me want to try that venture again. You running still?