Year end clean up

I'm tying up a few loose ends before I talk tomorrow about why I love the end of the year.

Answers to a few questions asked in comments:

Way back a long time ago, a reader asked me what type of bread that I had found without High fructose corn syrup.  That's a toughie - almost every commercial loaf out there has the stuff in it.  There is one brand that I've found that is HFCS free, and that is by Nature's Own.  It's called Nature's Own 100% whole wheat with 24 grams of whole grain per slice.  What a weird name.  All of the other Nature's Own does have the HFCS, so you have to look carefully. 

A LONG time ago, back so long ago that I don't even remember who asked, someone wanted a good, fail safe dinner recipe.  I don't think I ever answered it because I couldn't think of anything.  I just made this recipe from the Rachael Ray tv show and it was sooo good that I'll make it again.  Definitely not diet friendly, but I had a small portion along with a whole sweet potato, cherry tomatoes and broccoli.  Yum, yum.  Sausage and three cheese mac and cheese - my new best friend.

CJ asked me if I could provide the link for the big colorful text that you stuck in your laundry room and dining room?  Yep, I can.  It's called Wonderful! graffiti and it can be found here.  I love it, and it's held up for the past two or so years.  My best girlfriend sent something to us, and I'm not certain where it came from, but it kind of looks like it came from the same company.  Isn't this cute?  The empty nail above holds a plaque with our last name on it.

Amah asked who watches my kids when I run.  If I'm on the treadmill, which I HATE with a passion unknown, they play and I hop off every two minutes because yet AGAIN someone is screaming or fighting.  I much prefer to go out.  If I can drag myself out of bed at 5:45, I can go alone.  If I want to go later, now that the big kids are home, they will watch the little ones.  Begrudgingly, but they will do it.  Otherwise, when school is in session - only four more days!!! - I put the two youngest in the double jog stroller and go.  We bring dollies and books and a snack, and they jostle for supremacy the entire way.  The Hubster has been known to run laps in the backyard while the kids play - makes for strange looks from the neighbors, but, hey, if it's not for that it's for something else.

Kerflop asked me for the recipe for healthy pumpkin muffins.  Here it is:

Mix 4 eggs - I use egg beaters - 1.5 cups of sugar (I did 1 cup, but it was a bit too plain), 1 cup applesauce, 2/3 c water, 1 can pumpkin, 2 t baking soda, 1 1/2 t salt, 3 1/3 cup flour ( I used all white whole wheat), 1 t cinnamon, 3/4 t nutmeg, 1/2 t ginger, 1/2 t allspice, and 1/4 t cloves.  Mix until well blended.  Pour into muffin tins or loaf pan and top with streusel.  ( 1 cup oats, 1/3 cu brown sugar, 1 t cinnamon, and 2 T melted butter).  Bake at 350 until done - 20 minutes for muffins, about 45-60 minutes for a loaf. 

Dress hunting continues.  Shoe searching hasn't ceased.  Bathing suit? Purchased, in a size TEN.  Two years ago, I bought that same suit in a size EIGHTEEN.  I was on a high all day after that purchase, I can tell you. 

Still searching for a hotel with an indoor pool.  When I use hotels dot com, and the like, they only pull pools, and don't differentiate between indoor and outdoor, until I look at each individually.  Ugh. 

I'm doing a 5k on New Year's Day - what are your plans?

_________________________

Today's exercise log: Four miles, 40 pushups and free weight work. 

Comments

[Jodi]

If you don't mind my asking how long does it take you to run four miles? If you do mind just ignore my question. ;)

Have you checked CARABELLA (carabella.com)for dresses? We got some really nice bridesmaid dresses there. They have a wide range of elegant dresses. And a lot of them are on sale/clearance for under 100 bucks right now.

Congrats on the size 10 suit! That is amazing! I am a size 12 now and only hoping to get back into a 9/10 someday. I dread the treadmill too but I hate the cold even more so I hop on the thing every morning.

[rachel]

congrats on the size 10! yay!

I love the present from your friend - how creative and cool!

I'm hoping to do some reading and writing on New Years Day, nothing very special. Just enjoying another quiet day when dh doesn't have to go to work!

[dana]

I watched that episode of Rachael Ray, too and made the recipe the same night. Hubby was mad he had to bring home sausage, but boy was it delish!!!

[Cookie]

I'm pretty sure the Pepperidge Farm Natural 100% Whole Wheat and I think their mixed grain do not have HFCS. It does have sugar, but it's listed as "sugar" - or honey, not corn syrup or anything like that.

[Brandy]

Just wanted to say Good Luck on the dress hunt and HAPPY NEW YEAR!

[Margo]

Alvarado Street breads have no hfcs. They are delicious too!

http://www.alvaradostreetbakery.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc