Archive for July, 2009

I came up with this recipe based on what I watched my mom do growing up. They’re basically loaded baked potatoes, only mashed! The sour cream keeps the potatoes nice and creamy, so you can reheat them as leftovers – If you have any – and they’re just as creamy as when you originally made them!!! (Measurements are approximate as they will vary according to taste).

Prep Time: 10 min.
Total Time: 45 mins.
Makes: 4-6 servings

1-2 lb Yukon gold potato, peeled and cut into 1-inch cubes
1/4 cup milk
2-3 tablespoons butter
2-3 tablespoons chives
2-3 tablespoons sour cream
1-1 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese
6-8 slices crispy cooked bacon, crumbled (Oscar Mayer Ready Bacon works great)
Salt & fresh ground pepper, to taste

Put potatoes in a pot of water, and bring to a boil over high heat. Continue to boil for 20-30 minutes.

While potatoes are boiling, cook or microwave bacon until crisy.

Drain potatoes, and return to pot over low heat.

Mash potatoes until there are few or no lumps.

Mix in remaining ingredients (Measurements are guidelines – use less or add more according to your taste).

Serve immediately.

I truly believe that meatloaf with mashed potatoes is a traditional American meal that has gotten lost over time. Either you prefer it with or without the ketchup-based “gravy,” or you prefer it with brown/beef gravy. And if you’re like me, and sometimes you wanna kick it up a notch, then you make a Cheesy Bacon Meatloaf with Mashed Loaded Baked Potatoes!

Prep Time: 15 min
Total Time: 1 hr 20 min
Makes: 6 servings

1 lb. ground beef
1 egg, lightly beaten
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
1/4 cup milk
1/4 cup dry bread crumbs
1/2 TSP garlic powder
1/2 TSP seasoning salt
1/2 TSP dried oregano leaves
1/8 tsp. cracked black pepper
6 slices OSCAR MAYER Ready to Serve Bacon

Preheat oven to 400°F. Mix meat, egg, cheese, milk, bread crumbs and seasonings.

Shape into loaf in 9×5-inch loaf pan. Top with bacon slices.

Bake 1 hour or until center is no longer pink. Remove from oven. Let stand 5 minutes before removing from pan. Cut into slices to serve.

Source & Picture: Kraft Foods

Because I don’t know how to just accept something and move on LOL! 

I took initiative and went to check out a local gym today.  Now, not that I’m miserly or a cheap-ass, but I do prefer to save when I can.  Who doesn’t, right?

So, here’s my options:

1. $0 enrollment fee and $19.99 a month for a TWO-year contract.  However, this membership DOESN’T include three “private” sessions with a trainer.
2. $99 enrollment fee and $24.99 a month for a ONE-year contract including 3 “private” sessions

Now, I’m not sure on this, so the guy gets the “general manager.”  (I refuse to believe she’s the general manager because she was probably in the 5th grade while I was in my Sophomore year)  She offers me $49 enrollment fee and $24.99 a month for a TWO-year contract INCLUDING the 3 training sessions… Again, sounds good, but I’m not buying it just yet.

I get home and start calculating LOL!  Here’s the breakdown:

• Option 1 – Overall cost for a TWO-year contract is $480 ($20.00 a month average)
• Option2 – Overall cost for a ONE-year contract is $399 ($33.25 a month average)
• Option 3 – Overall cost for a TWO-year contract is $649 ($27.04 a month average)

So, then I start thinking… The GM said it was $99 for the three private sessions.  So, if I add that to Option 1, then it’s only an average of $24.13 a month… Now, my monthly cost is still $20 (not $25)…

And you know what?  I still don’t know what I’m going to do LMAO!  I think I should go with Option 4, but I need that kick in the ass in my first appointment (and the trainer I met – Jojo – seems like just the chick who could get me in shape)!

I guess I’ll just have to “marinate” on this some and give them my final verdict tomorrow… Either way I go, I’m getting a membership!

You know, I swear whoever said “You don’t really gain a lot of weight when you quit smoking” is a liar!  I’d like to kick all doctors in the face who believe this.  I’m sorry, but if that’s true, then why did I gain back almost every since pound of the 26 I lost (at least 15 was gained back)!  Are you kidding me?!  I feel like a fat slob all over again, and I don’t have a single lick of encouragement from anyone in my house.  “You lost it before, so you know you can lose it.”  WTH?!  That’s not encouragement! 

Sorry, but I’m seriously upset… WAY upset… I’ve just had so much going on with my body since I quit smoking that I’m unhappier now with myself that I was before I even lost the weight.  I’m NOT happy with my weight, I’m NOT happy with other body changes that I’ve dealt with!  I’m just NOT!  Nothing I bought over the last three months before I lost weight fits… It’s all too small… Or I’m about to bust out of it… I HATE THIS!

*END RANT*

So, Monday I go to leave work and realize my driver’s side view mirror was GONE!  So, I get out of my car to make sure it hasn’t by chance fallen off… Nope, not a single shard of glass.  At this point I’m convinced someone stole it.

I call my friend to get the main security guy’s number since they’re friends, and I call him.  He said we would review the cameras the next day.  Which, we do… Sure enough, someone ganked it!  WTH!

Whoever the low-lifes were apparently needed it for their car, which is the exact same as mine.  Mind you, the glass was $20 with tax, and the whole mirror assembly is $45 plus tax.  Seriously?!  You have to case my car for 4 hours before walking up to it and stealing a mirror?!

Unfortunately, there wasn’t much action we could take.  We all know its my car, but the camera doesn’t allow you to see when I get in and out, and you can’t see my plate… And the camera can’t zoom in either!  UGH!  The security guy did spook them though, and they left property… Before returning today to act like morons. 

I’m seriously debating on calling the local PD for the town I work in to see if I can’t do anything about it.  I’ll need to make sure I have their license info at least.  But seriously, WTH?!  How pathetic can people be?!