Crock-Pot Beef Tips

Mmmm...tried this recipe out with the family this week & it was a big hit!
Even the picky hubby liked it!

Crock-Pot Beef Tips

aprox. 1 lb beef tips
1 can cond. mushroom soup
1 sm. can sliced mushrooms
1/2 cup beef broth
1 packet onion soup mix
salt & pepper to taste

Season beef with a lil' salt & pepper & place in crock-pot. Add can of soup { don't add the milk! },
broth, can of mushrooms, packet of onion soup mix, and stir. Cook on low heat for about 5-6 hrs.
FYI: My crock-pot is super hot & I ended up turning it down to keep warm after about 3 hrs.
Serve over white rice, egg noodles or mashed potatoes.

Learning to be healthy & happy

Once again, I am starting to buckle down on getting fit, healthy & happy. 
I've started down this road many many times over the past few years and I really want this time to stick! 
I have so much to gain & so little to lose- except physically!- I just gotta DO IT! 

A co-worker and I have decided to start keeping each other accountable. Staying motivated is the hardest part and hopefully if we keep each other on track we can achieve our goals. 
I am counting my "weight watchers points" & setting an exercise goal each week. 
This week my goal is at least 30 mins of exercise 3x a week. 


Wish me luck! 




What weight-loss, fitness, or work-out tips do you have? 

Things I've found on Pinterest

So, my new addiction is Pinterest. 

If you haven't heard of it, you're missing out! 

It's an online cork-board type website that allows people to post links from their blogs or other websites.

It's FULL of good DIY-ideas, craft ideas, kids/parenting/life tips, etc etc. 

I love it & have found so much good information. 

I have made/tried/created a few things from Pinterest...

For Dr. Suess's Birthday we made "Cat In The Hat" Marshmallow  Pops

Here's the link to where I found it. 

http://kitchenfunwithmy3sons.blogspot.com/2012/02/dr-seuss-hat-pops.html?m=1 

These were super easy to make & lots of fun! 

Just marshmallows, red fruit roll-ups & wooden skewers. 

At Christmas time we made paint swirled ornaments.

I purchased clear glass ornaments from the craft store & assorted colors of acrylic paint. 

Basically just squirt paint inside randomly, swirl it around & let it sit upside down to dry. 

Here's the link to the original idea. 

http://pinterest.com/pin/214343263484788018/ 

For Valentine's Day this year, Cyrus's teacher asked if I would 

come help the class make a craft at their Valentine's Day party. 

I found this on Pinterest & it was a big hit. 

The kids had a blast, got a bit' messy & had something to bring home to Mom & Dad. 

Here's the link to the original idea. 

http://www.meetthedubiens.com/2011/02/handprint-hearts.html 

And...I learned an EASY trick for heart nail art! 

Here's the link:

http://thebeautydepartment.com/2012/02/i-heartchoo/ 

If I can do this...anyone can! 

SO, there have been a few other things I have tried that I discovered on Pinterest but I'll save those for another day. 

If you haven't seen Pinterest...Go check it out! NOW! 

You will love it! 

P.S. Just to clarify-NONE of these were my original ideas.

 All ideas came from other SMART & CRAFTY women who posted these ideas on pinterest. 

These are my photos, but not my ideas. 

The day I was tagged...

"The day I was tagged..."




Nikki of "mommyzone" has tagged me...


http://mommyzone-nikki.blogspot.com/


Rules:

1. You must post the rules.

2. Post 12 fun facts about yourself on the blog post.

3. Answer the questions the tagger set for you in their post, and then create 12 new questions for the people you tagged.

4. Tag 12 people and link them to your post.

5. Let them know you've tagged them!




12 Fun Facts about me: 


1. I have 2 dogs-Pinto, the beagle & Gidget-the mini pin


2. My Grandmother on my Dad's side was from Russia & my Grandpa on my Dad's side was from Hungary


3. My living room is ORANGE! 


4. I love couponing, but am still quite the novice. 


5. I am striving to become more organized, on time & fit and healthy this year. 


6. My son's name is Cyrus Nathaniel-Cyrus is persian meaning "sun"; and he is named Nathaniel after his Uncle-Scott Nathaniel 


7. I am the oldest of 5 kids-my siblings are-Bianca, Max, Boris & Duncan-they live in Oregon


8. I am a PROUD VETERAN'S WIFE


9. I am a tree-hugging, breastfeeding promoting, anti-vaccination, hummus eating  hippie at heart. 


10. I have moved around a lot as a child & an adult-I am currently living in the 20th house


11. I wanted to be a clown when I was little. 


12. I love sushi & so does my 5yr. old! 


FROM NIKKI: 


My Questions for you

1. What shoe best describes you?
I would love to say a high heel stiletto, but I'm probably more of the flip-flop kinda gal! 

2. What is your "secret" show you love but hate to admit?
Jerseylicious! I try to stay away from the reality tv show drama, but I can't help but love
the salon-life aspect of that show! Even my husband watches it with me sometimes! 

3.What is your dream job?
Being a pre-school teacher with a MD's pay! 

4. Kitchen appliances: white, black or stainless steel?
Black or Stainless steel

5. Favorite hobby or pastime?
Reading, couponing, PINTEREST! 

6. Dog or Cat?
Dog, I am REALLY not a cat person

7. What describes a great date night?
Something fun & creative like a trip to the pottery painting studio then dinner & drinks?

8. Favorite restaurant? 
Asaka-Craig & I started going there for a date night a zillion years ago and we still go once a month. The lady who owns/works there has watched Cyrus grow up! 

9. Favorite menu item at that restaurant?
Philly Roll-Smoked Salmon, cream cheese & avocado roll 

10. Favorite dessert you make?
Forget 'Em Cookies-white meringue & chocolate chip cookies! 
 11. Did or do you have a nickname and if so what is it?
Garbo-one of my best friends nephew couldn't say Margaux & kept calling me Garbo; the name stuck & they still call me Garbo

12. What made you begin blogging?
Wanting a creative outlet to share things 




I tag Melody Medlin of "What a life..." 


http://melodymedlin.blogspot.com/


and Lindsey Riel of "Mom&Wife" 


http://momandwife.com/


Here are your questions: 


1. What is your middle name? 
2. What are your thoughts on being  the oldest/youngest/or twin?
3. If you could have any pet, what would you choose?
4. What is your dream vacation?
5. What do you hope this year teaches you?
6. What is your favorite scent?
7. Tell me your favorite quote, bible verse or poem. 
8. What is your favorite recipe? 
9. Have you ever felt God talking to you?
10. What are you secretly wishing to get for Valentine's Day?
11. What is your favorite hobby?
12. Favorite celebrity crush? 

New Year-New You!

Well...it's a new year which

means it's time to start over with our 

New Year's Resolutions. 

What are your new years resolution? 

How did you do with last years? 

My resolutions are:

1. Get closer to God.

 I have let this 

relationship grow farther apart despite that

it should be one of the most important 

things in life. 

I work weekends so going to Church 

on Sundays unfortunately isn't an option right now. 

I have started a daily devotional bible reading plan. 

I am on day 4 today & I have really 

enjoying it. 

It's actually an app on my Kindle Fire{fabulous Christmas 

gift from the hubby!} It's through YouVersion, and 

has lots of options to choose from & was free! It even sends you reminders each day

so you don't forget your reading. Perfect for me!

I am reading-" Joyce Meyer:Promises for Your Everyday Life-daily devotional"

2. Get Fit & Healthy

This was also last years resolution & it didn't make priority in my life. 

This year, it's really important that I get back on track. 

I'm tired of not having any clothes that fit, worrying about what I look like, 

eating way too much junk and frankly feeling like "CRAPOLA" about myself. 

I have teamed up with some girls from work

to enter a weight-loss/healthy living program at Mission. 

Today is day 4, and I'm doing OK. 

Eating healthier & exercising need to become part

of my daily life. Not relying on food to make me happy

is going to be hard...I have become a emotional eater. 

BUT, I WILL change these behaviors & get healthy! 

3. Be Thankful & Enjoy my FAMILY 

Cyrus is growing up SO fast, and I don't want to take it for granted. 

My goal is to take time to enjoy my family, my blessings, and 

be the best MOM & WIFE I can. 

It's so easy to get caught up with life & miss moments that

could turn into memories. 

Couponing Craze

So...since the start of TLC's new show Extreme Couponing 

http://tlc.howstuffworks.com/tv/extreme-couponing

people all over have been enchanted to learn the ropes of extreme couponing. 

I am one of those people. You really need to watch the show if you don't what I'm

talking about. EXTREME is the only way to describe the level these people take it to. 

I don't have the time, room, or skills to be an extreme couponer...BUT, I am all about

a sale & saving some $$! So here are a few things I've found to be helpful for me....

This was my favorite extreme couponer from TLC's show...

http://thekrazycouponlady.com/beginners/

You must have a coupon binder to be successful. This one is the bible-extra-deluxe model that 

someone has put together that you can buy. I bought a 2" binder, some baseball card organizer 

sheets, and some tab dividers. It works great for me, but like I said...I am the not-so-extreme 

coupon chick. 

http://store.couponmagicorganizer.com/

Also, check out the websites that match what coupons go with whats on sale. 

They do the hard work FOR YOU! 

http://www.couponmamaonline.com/

http://thekrazycouponlady.com/

http://thefrugalgirls.com/

Anyway...there's just a few things to get you started if the coupon bug bites 'ya! 

So far I have saved $70 at Bi-Lo on groceries with coupons & deals they had going  on, 

and $11 in coupons at Wal-Mart & basically got 2 hair products free, and got some nice BIC Soliel

razors for .29 cents on another Bi-Lo trip. 

Happy Couponing! 

Great Things I Recommend...

One of my favorite things about reading other peoples' blogs-

Like the Pioneer Woman...

thepioneerwoman.com

& 

Mom And Wife

momandwife.com

is all their product reviews on things they've tried from make-up to vitamins. 

It's great to get real-life info from other women. 

Girl to Girl, you know?

So here are a few  of my favorite things...

I think this stuff came from heaven. Seriously, this is the BEST concealer I have ever tried. 

It's called "Erase Paste" from Benefit. 

I bought a small mini size kit of a few Benefit products. 

The reviews on  http://www.sephora.com/

 were all great, and I have to agree! 

It covers my purple-ish under eye circles perfectly & looks natural. 

I have the "medium No. 2" shade. 

I have to say-my husband thinks these are the ugliest shoes

BUT, I love them! 

They are Allegeria clogs. There are a zillion colors, patterns & styles. 

The mary-jane style is my favorite, but I love my clogs. 

Not only are they cute & funky....

They are RIDICULOUSLY comfy! 

I can wear these all day long, all through a 12hr work shift

and keep my feet happy. 

Looking for comfy shoes?

Check these out! 

http://www.alegriashoes.com/

Here's the website, but you can find them cheaper at 

scrub stores/catalogs or in discount shoe stores. 

Another FABULOUS make-up favorite is Bad gal lash mascara.

I get it from www.Sephora.com

My friend Sara bought this for me one year for my birthday, 

said it was one of the best mascara's & that I would love it. 

She was right! 

This mascara has a HUGE brush, and tends to be a little thicker.

It works best for me, covers all the lashes, curls & doesn't make all

the lashes stick together like some thinner brands do to me. 

One more genius idea is the Xbox Kinect. 

We have had an Xbox 360 for a few years, 

and it was mostly used by my hubby & his friends.

We tracked down the Kinect this X-mas thinking it would be 

fun for the family to use together & easier for our 4yr old 

to play. This thing is amazing. The technology of it is really cool. 

It mimics your motions on screen & gets you up and moving. 

We've had a blast playing it, and my son LOVES it. 

I'm looking forward to getting a fitness game & trying it out. 

These are just a few products I've been impressed with...

How about you? What are you amazed with? What make-up products are you in love with?