Life in the Slow Lane

Everyone knows I love my Wii Fit. I've used it plenty over the last year, but as time goes on it's just not keeping my interest anymore. So over the weekend I did some research and found a handful of new exercise-based games for the Wii. Some that got a ton of hype got terrible reviews from users, so they were easy to weed out. I narrowed my search down to two choices: Gold's Gym and EA Sports Active. I chose EA Sports Active because the other game was less rounded. EA has a ton of different exercises, set workouts, and a journal to keep track of your progress. I decided to jump right in and start with the 30 day challenge. Today is Day 3 of my challenge. Even though I chose the easiest of the 3 levels of the challenge, it's certainly not easy - I'm very sore today!  Hopefully I can see the challenge through, and what better time than now during holiday eating season. Maybe I can share my progress here each week:)

I've decided to give a non-crockpot recipe today, but still an easy one nonetheless. I know some people only use the grill in warmer months, but here we use it throughout the year. We keep a shovel out on the back deck, and make a clear path to the grill all winter. So my recipe today is a simple grilled chicken that will make you feel like you are sitting on the deck in the sun, even though you're watching it snow out the window. Grilled Chicken Bruschetta 1 pound chicken breasts 1/3 cup sun-dried tomato dressing 1/2 cup shredded mozzerella 1 chopped tomato 1/4 cup fresh basil chopped Directions: 1. Marinate chicken in resealable bag with 2 tablespoons dressing and refrigerate. 2. Combine the rest of the dressing, tomato, mozzerella, and basil in bowl 3. Place aluminum foil over half the grill and turn on med-low heat. Grill chicken on un-foiled side for 6 minutes. 4. When ready to flip the chicken, flip it onto the foil side of the grill, and top with cheese m...

Happy Friday everyone! After a long morning waiting for/watching New Moon, I'm glad to have this post ready to go. Here's a few freebies to start your weekend off right! #1 - Free copy of the new novel New World Monkeys by Nancy Mauro #2 - Free sample of Pampers Extra Protection #3 - Free can of Steaz Organic Iced Tea

Today is another one of those days where I had something funny to write about, but then got sidetracked. After reading a post from my awesome friend Courtney, I just knew I had to share it with my blog friends. I want to share it because it's a great blog to follow, she's a great person, and the post itself will ring true to many moms I know. So thanks for stopping by to see me, but I want you to leave now, and go read Courtney's latest post RIGHT HERE!!

Kids are screaming, phone is ringing. FedEx guy is ringing the doorbell, dinner is bubbling over. Homework isn't done, laundry isn't folded, kids need a bath. Typical evening to any mom! When I have a day like that, I already know ahead of time there's no escaping it. Just keep moving, don't stop think or get upset. But every once in a while I just stop in my tracks and close my eyes. I picture my favorite spot in the world to be. It's quiet, it's beautiful, and most importantly, in my mind it's kid-free. Cape Cod was my home away from home every summer until I got married. Sometimes I'd only get to stay for a weekend, but once in a while grandma would decide we could stay for a few weeks. The beach was a few blocks from the house. I have more memories of being there than I can even describe, and even though I don't get to visit there much anymore, I still think of it often. Sitting on the huge rocks, just watching the water and thinking of noth...

Yes, I love music. Yes, I talk about it too much sometimes. This morning when I woke up I already knew what I was going to write about today(not music!). But later in the day I went to lunch with hubby and younger son and a new topic took over my thoughts. Music in public places! Sometimes you may not even realize that there's music playing when you're in a store or restaurant. But sometimes, you'll hear it, start to hum without thinking about it, and before you know it you'll be saying 'O MY GOD I used to love this song!!!'  But then, there's those times, especially as you get older, that you'll go into a store and want to get out as fast as you can because the music is too loud or obnoxious. I'm not quite there yet myself, but I've been with my mom on numerous occasions and have witnessed her unraveling and fleeing within seconds, telling me she'll wait out front. I'm sure my day will come too. I can tell you that I shop at one loc...

Chicken Marsala has always been one of my favorite meals. But the all the preparation and steps that need to be taken to make the meal can be a real hassle on a busy weeknight. So last week I decided to try making it in the crockpot. I had no recipe, but I've made regular chicken marsala enough times to know what should be in the pot. Husband was away on a business trip, so my dad and I tried it out. Let me tell you how fantastic it was! Not only was it the heart-warming taste I had hoped for, but the chicken was more tender than when I make it the traditional way. So try this over the winter and let me know how you like it, or how you changed the recipe to make it your own! Crockpot Chicken Marsala 1- pound chicken cutlets 1- 8oz package mushrooms(I buy pre-sliced, save even more time!) 1- cup marsala wine 2 - tbsp butter 1- cup of flour Directions: 1. Wet chicken with water, then cover with flour. 2. Spray crockpot with Pam and place in chicken. 3. Melt butter and ...