30 Days of Blogging: Day Four

Day 4 - A habit that you wish you didn't have.

Procrastination and the belief that I work best under pressure!

Fact is:
I procrastinate and wait until the last absolute minute and then panic, stress, and rush!

I only work well under pressure because I put myself in that situation and I have NO choice!

A sink or swim scenario if you will…
Sometimes I swim…
Sometimes I SINK!

I truly need to stop this as it makes myself, my family, and other various poor souls just INSANE!


In case you were curious...
According to about-personal-growth.com....
The TOP bad habits are:

Nail biting
Smoking
Borrowing money
Procrastination
Overeating or food addiction
Desiring something for nothing
Compulsive shopping
Binge drinking or habitual intoxication
Nose picking
Hair pulling and twirling
Gambling
Cracking knuckles
Drug addiction

30 Days of Blogging: Day Three

Day 3 -A picture of you and your friends.

Yes, these are pictures of Skylar, my 17 month old daughter, and I.
She may not fall under the tradtional definition of a “friend”.
BUT…
She is the person I spend the most time with.
The one I miss the most when I am not around…
The one who makes me laugh…
Smile…
And keeps me motivated to be a better me.
She is always there to give me a hug…
A kiss…
Or just a look that makes me feel like everything is going to be alright.

If you ask me…
Not too many traditional friends do ALL that.

Blessed Be...
♥Cyn♥

30 Days of Blogging: Day Two

Day 2 - The meaning behind your blog name.

The Purple Goddess signifies my journey…
My journey in Paganism…
On Weight Watchers…
And to my wedding day as purple is a central color of my wedding and I plan on being one SUPER DUPER hot bride!

My aspiration is to become The Purple Goddess.
Wait a sec…
I already feel like her?
And my journey isn’t even complete!

Funny how that works out!

Blessed Be…
♥Cyn♥

Plateau BUSTED!

Day 112
♥~♥~♥~♥~♥~♥~♥

Since the end of September I have been losing and regaining the same two freakin' pounds!
But today...
FINALLY -- I broke through!

I literally wanted to do cartwheels right there in the middle of my Weight Watcher meeting!
I earned the 2.2 lbs I lost today!
And despite it all I have remained OP (On Plan) and didn't give up!
*w00ts* to me for not letting the frustration ruin my hard work!

I feel in control again!






This is a pic I JUST took of Skylar -- she is reading my Weight Watcher pamphlet I recieved at my meeting today -- *heh*! I swear my little girl will read ANYTHING!

And don't ya just love her in the midst of a BAJILLION toys...
She is a riot!

Blessed Be...
♥Cyn♥

30 Days of Blogging: Day One

Day 1- A recent picture of you and 15 interesting facts about yourself.


1. I have tandom skydived from 10,000 feet and it was a very liberating and empowering experience!
2. I have had just about everything pierced at one time or another… no really, I mean EVERYTHING! And oddly now I barely wear jewelry other than my engagement ring and maybe the occasional bracelet or earring?
3. I LOVE the smell of coconuts.
4. I am technically new to the path of Paganism but feel like it has truly been a part of me my whole life?
5. I ALWAYS wear heels even though I am already 5’8” – I love the way I look in them, how they make me feel, and shopping for them can make the worst of days instantly better!
6. I am still not sure what I want to be when I grow up…
7. I feel this strange connection to the 1940s – I love looking at pictures from that era, the clothing styles, movies, and even the music.
8. I would do anything for the people I love – ANYTHING!
9. I am adamantly trying to kick my bad habit of wearing black ALL the time – time to step outside of the box!
10. I wear a silver Hello Kitty watch that I get constant compliments on.
11. I prefer Honeydew Donuts coffee over Dunkin Donuts ANY day! (Large Hazelnut with three Splenda and light with skim milk please!)
12. I bite/gnaw/chew my nails and it is a terrible habit I have had for as long as I can remember!
13. My favorite holiday is a tie between Halloween and New Years Eve? I think I just like dressing up…
14. I know how to cross-stitch and am quite good at it – although it is a hobby I rarely do anymore?
15. I think every single woman walking this planet is a Goddess and we should UNITE instead of tearing each other down and apart!

Blessed Be…
♥Cyn♥

30 Days of Blogging

30 Days of Blogging Challenge...

Not sure who started this but it has been floating around on the Weight Watcher site and I thought I might give it a whirl?


Day 1- A recent picture of you and 15 interesting facts about yourself.
Day 2 - The meaning behind your blog name.
Day 3 -A picture of you and your friends.
Day 4 - A habit that you wish you didn't have.
Day 5 - A picture of somewhere you've been.
Day 6 - Your favorite Superhero and why.
Day 7 - A picture of someone/something that has the biggest impact on you.
Day 8 - Short term goals for this month and why.
Day 9 - Something you're proud of in the past few days.
Day 10 - Songs you listen to when you are happy, sad, bored, hyper, mad.
Day 11 - Another picture of you and your friends.
Day 12 - How you found out about blogs and why you made one.
Day 13 - A letter to someone who has hurt you recently.
Day 14 - A picture of you and your family.
Day 15 - Put your iPod on shuffle; first 10 songs that play.
Day 16 - Another picture of yourself.
Day 17 - Someone you would want to switch lives with for one day and why.
Day 18 - Plans/Dreams/Goals you have.
Day 19 - Nicknames you have; why do you have them?
Day 20 - Someone you see yourself marrying/being with in the future.
Day 21 - A picture of something that makes you happy.
Day 22 - What makes you different from everyone else?
Day 23 - Something you crave a lot.
Day 24 - A letter to your parents.
Day 25 - What I would find in your purse.
Day 26 - What you think about your friends.
Day 27 - Why are you doing this 30 day challenge?
Day 28 - A picture of you in the last year and now, how have you changed since then?
Day 29 - In this past month what have you learned?
Day 30 - Who are you?

Looks like fun!

Blessed Be...

♥Cyn♥

Family Dinner with Weight Watchers: Part VI

Day 110
♥~♥~♥~♥~♥~♥~♥

As promised …
Another installment of Family Dinners with Weight Watchers: Part VI
A friendly battle of the Weight Watcher recipes between my Mother and I.

Basically we take turns preparing and serving Weight Watchers recipes to one another and our family in an effort to step outside of the box (we all get in food ruts on this journey), eat healthy, and to eat as a family at least once a week despite a bevy of INSANE schedules and life in general.
Sometimes it’s a huge success
And sometimes it’s a total flop…
So last night was my Mom’s turn and she ran with it…
We had Sneaky Meatloaf Sandwiches (from Weight Watcher Magazine’s October issue)and Carmelized Onions, Fennel, and Brussel Sprouts (from The New Complete Cookbook)!
*Recipes Below*

My understanding is that my Mother followed both recipes as directed only she substituted ground turkey in lieu of ground chicken.

Now… I opted to go sans bread but the meatloaf was SUPERB solo! I was amazed at how moist and really flavorful it is! The fact that this meatloaf is loaded with a bevy of vegetables just makes it that much more healthy and filling – and trust me, it is indeed filling – I couldn’t finish my serving!

The brussel sprouts were AMAZING and my favorite part of the meal oddly enough! Seriously… this dish is just ridiculously good! And while this dish is sweetened with sugar and will cost you two points per serving (something I normally get pretty miffed over in regards to veggies) it is worth the two points!
Y-U-M-M-Y!!!!

So another evening of WINNING dishes!
Thanks Mom!

Trust me… either dish will make you happy and FULL! But if you were to choose one – go with the brussel sprouts! They are divine! And maybe even a nice choice for the holidays? I know I will be partaking of this particular recipe again!

Blessed Be…
♥Cyn♥


Sneaky Meatloaf Sandwiches
Serves 6
Serving size: One sandwich
Points value: 8

Ingredients:
• 1 teaspoon olive oil
• 1 red onion, chopped
• 3 carrots, shredded
• 1 zucchini, shredded
• 1 yellow bell pepper, minced
• 1 celery rib, minced
• 8 mushrooms, chopped
• 3 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 1/4 lbs ground chicken
• 3/4 cup rolled oat
• 1/2 cup no-sugar-added applesauce
• 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
• 1/4 cup egg substitute
• 1 teaspoon kosher salt
• 1 teaspoon dried Italian seasoning (basil, oregano, thyme and rosemary)
• 6 tablespoons ketchup
• 12 slices multigrain bread
• 12 lettuce leaves
• 6 cherry tomatoes or 6 yellow cherry tomatoes, halved for garnish

Directions:
Prep Time: 25 mins
Total Time: 1 3/4 hrs
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F; spray a loaf pan with cooking spray.
Heat oil in a skillet over medium heat; add onions and cook until softened, about 5 minutes.
In a large bowl, combine onions, carrots, zucchini, bell pepper, celery, mushrooms, and garlic; mix well.
Add the remaining ingredients, through the Italian seasoning, and get in there with your hands and mix well.
Press mixture evenly into prepared loaf pan.
Bake 1 hour and 15 minutes; let stand 10 minutes, then slice into 6 pieces.
Meanwhile, lightly toast bread.
Lay toast out on a flat work surface; spread 1 tablespoon ketchup on the six slices of toast you designate as the tops.
Place a large lettuce leaf on each bottom toast, top with a slice of meatloaf, cover with toast spread with ketchup; cut in half on the diagonal.
Garnish with toothpicks through the cherry tomato halves.


Carmelized Onions, Fennel, and Brussel Sprouts
Makes four servings
Serving size: ¾ cup
Points value: 2

Ingredients

1 10oz pacakge of Brussel sprouts, haved.
1 ½ tablespoons butter
2 cups frozen whole onions thawed.
½ medium fennel bulb thinly sliced.
2 tablespoons sugar
½ teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon finely ground pepper

Directions

Bring a medium pan of lightly salted water to a boil. Add the Brussel sprouts and cook for 3 minutes. Drain.
In a large nonstick skillet melt the butter over medium heat. Add the onions, fennel, and sugar; cook untill golden brown, stirring occasionally, 12-14 minutes. Add the Brussel sprouts, salt, and pepper, cook until heated through; 2-3 minutes.

So What Wednesday...

SO WHAT if…

• I miss my family terribly when I am at work – I have been home since my daughter was born 17 months ago and this is a HUGE adjustment for us all; me especially.
• It’s been a week since I haven written a blog – life was just TOO crazy to blog this past weekend!
• I am obsessed with nonfat sugar free frozen yogurt! There is a place nearby that offers a soft serve version that is to DIE FOR and only 2 points per cup! I indulge at least once a week and I don’t apologize for it!
• I gained 1.6 lbs last week – it happens. And no… it’s not the frozen yogurt’s fault.
• I know the words to every Yo Gabba Gabba song – it makes my daughter smile and laugh when I sing along. (I also know Dora, Sesame Street, and The Wonder Pets -– but sorry no, I don’t do parties!)
• I work in retail photography and have absolutely NO desire to subject my family to holiday picture torture. I will take a nice candid family shot for our holiday cards and maybe consider professional pics in January when NO ONE cares about portraits!
• My idea of the perfect day is spent at our local library with my daughter and getting her a Pillow Pet!
•Ancient Aliens on The History Channel is my new favorite show and I TOTALLY believe everything they tell me!

What are you saying SO WHAT to?
Let us know… join the fun on

Mama Dew’s page!


Blessed Be…
♥Cyn♥

Pillow Pets...

Skylar is in awe of two toys...
One is LaLa Loopsy (a doll which Santa will be bringing her -- shhhh!)...
And the other is Pillow Pets.

She LOVES Pillow Pets.
So much so that she has been carrying around a portion of a sale paper that came this past Sunday.
She has even been kissing the ad...
So, we decided she might need to get a Pillow Pet before Christmas.
And who knows... maybe Santa will bring her another as she is also partial to the dog Pillow Pet.

All I know is that the look on her face when we bought the Pillow Pet was priceless; by far the best $20.00 I have spent in a LONG time!

Lisa Williams!!!

So...
Last night a few of my fellow Goddesses and I had the luck of being able to see reknown psychic/medium Lisa Williams right here in little Rhode Island!

She is just amazing!
She did about eight readings that were so in-depth, detailed, emotional, amazing, and even humorous at times. Watching her work is just indescribable and how anyone can deny her abilities amazes me!

Also...
She is just as charming, funny, and bubbly in person as she is on TV! Plus she is stunning... truly! TV does this woman NO justice!!!

The pictures below were taken outside the theater (I had to get one of our State House with purple lights of course!) and some of the inside as well. Also she allowed herself to be photographed at the beginning of the show before she began giving readings. As you can see I did capture a couple of orbs -- oddly one was outside and one before Lisa ever even took the stage!

All I can say is that if you ever get a chance to see her live -- GO FOR IT!
I fell in love with her all over again last night!

Blessed Be...
♥Cyn♥