#GottaVelata

Yep, I totally just hashtagged my blog post title! ha

Tonight mom and I did a taste test of the Velata. It was soooooooo yummy. We made the milk chocolate (which is mom's preference), but I personally can't wait to try the dark chocolate. It's definitely a party/family style deal. We barely made a dent in the 6 ounces of chocolate that comes in each pouch. The awesome part is that you can leave it in the lid and stick it in the fridge until you're ready to use it again. Cool, huh?

PS - If you're not on my mailing list and you'd like to see the catalog - email me at emenchhofer@yahoo.com and I'll send it to you in a pdf. There are 3 styles of warmers and it's all quite reasonably priced considering you only buy 1 warmer and then as much of the 4 types of chocolate as you'd like! ;)

Velata is HERE!

I am sooooooooooo excited that my Velata Starter Kit arrived today! What is Velata?? Well, it's a new Scentsy company that uses specially designed Scentsy-style warmers as fondue pots and some of the world's best Belgian chocolate! YUM!

The company officially debuts May 1st and I already have 3 tasting parties set up. Can't wait until everyone tries this awesome product. :)

Tacos in Pasta Shells

This is such a yummy recipe...and our first time making it! Yum! We did make one substitution and that was ground turkey for the ground beef. We've been using ground turkey a lot lately in place of beef. Doesn't lower the calories significantly, but it is leaner (plus you don't really notice a taste difference) and it lowers the calories just enough to make it worth it. Every little bit counts! haha

12 oz dried jumbo shell pasta

2 16oz jars salsa

2 1/2 pounds ground beef

6 oz cream cheese, cut up

2 t. chili powder

1 1/2 c. shredded cheddar cheese

Optional: chopped tomato

Preheat oven to 350. Cook pasta according to package directions, drain. Rinse with cold water, drain again.

Meanwhile, divide about 1 c. of the salsa between two ungreased 2 qt baking dishes, spreading evenly. Set aside. In a extra large skillet, cook ground meat over medium heat until brown. Drain off fat. Stir in cream cheese and chili powder. Cool slightly.

Spoon meat mixture into cooked pasta shells. Arrange filled shells on top of salsa in dishes. Top with remaining salsa.

Bake, covered, for 15 minutes. Sprinkle with cheddar cheese. Bake, uncovered, about 15 minutes more or until heated through. If desired, sprinkle with tomato. Makes 12 servings. (We only made 1/2 a batch because it's just 2 of us...and we were STUFFED, but it was oh so good!)

5QF - 4/20

YAY! It's the weekend again! haha I know, I know...I haven't blogged at all this week. Guess what? Nothing much happened. I live a pretty boring life most of the time. ;) I will hopefully have lots to post in my weekend recap again...I have some things planned, but it'll mostly be a quiet weekend when I hope to accomplish quite a bit on my To Do list. That darn list keeps growing too! Cross one item off and 2 more appear. haha Vicious cycle. I do have an update on the boy situation that only a few of you have been privy to thanks to twitter. I'll try to get that post knocked out this weekend.

In other news...I am sad to say that I gained 1.8 pounds this week. In all actuality, I gained 3.4 pounds last weekend (too much beer, but boy was it fun!) and managed to lose 1.6 of it, but alas I am still up from where I ended last week. It's kind of frustrating because this 50 pound weight loss marker keeps tripping me up! I have been back and forth to this point several times since last August when I initially hit it...I am gonna have to figure something out to get down from here!

And now on to some 5QF fun...one of the questions is again mine! :)




- - -

1. Groceries are high now, what is the easiest way you have found to cut back?

Honestly, I haven't cut back any. This past year I have actually done more grocery shopping than ever before (we were an eat out sorta family, it was the easy way out) and I don't mind spending the money on healthy food options in the store over fast food.


2. What are the top 3 things on your "bucket list"?

This is a tough question. I've always had a Bucket List formed in my mind, but I've never written it down. Not true, it was saved in my old phone on a note, but alas that phone is no more and I forgot to copy that note to the new phone! *sad face* I guess somewhere at the top of my list, not necessarily top 3, would be - running a 5K, traveling Europe, and living debt free.


3. Would you rather give up AC or heat?

I would give up heat, without a doubt. I hate loathe being hot & sticky! You can always add more layers, but you can only take so many off! haha


4. What's your favorite cocktail?

I guess my favorite is still vodka & cranberry juice. I do like all sorts of mixed drinks, but if I'm out at a bar, that will be my go-to order because it's hard for them to screw that up. haha


5. What was your first job & how old were you?

I've had so many jobs it would make your head spin! :p My first job would probably be working on the farm...when I was itty bitty (like maybe 4 at the oldest), my dad and his family were expanding their farming operation (we had a 500 head sow operation, farrow to finish - if you don't know anything about it, it was a big farm! ha). We were building 3 new farrowing houses and my job was to lay down all the pieces, in order, to put the stations together (gates & the belts). My grandma would then put them pieces together and my dad would follow behind and tighten it all up. It's my first memory of helping on the farm and I was pretty darn proud of myself! ha My first REAL paid job (besides babysitting) was when I was 14 and was a dishwasher on the weekends at a local restaurant/pub. Good stuff I tell ya! ha I hated that job, but the people made it enjoyable.

Weekend Recap

Another weekend has come...and almost gone. Not sure why they go so quickly and the work week takes so long. ;) haha

Follow along with the pictures and get a brief description of this weekend's adventures! It was much needed.

FRIDAY

Haircut - rockin' bangs now

Dinner at bd's - yum!!

And then we needed dessert...mmm...Coffee!

Listening to The Cousin Brothers play at The Melody Inn

SATURDAY

Sister Day!!

Brew Bracket at the State Fairgrounds = AWESOME

participants sampling the wheat beers & voting for their faves

trekked to Purdue for some more fun - ala Piano Bar with Bruce!

Ryne Smith (Purdue bball senior) grabbing a bite to eat

West LaLa has a new food truck called BigCheeze (omg...yum!)

Saturday night's special was a grilled cheese sandwich with mozzarella sticks & marinara in it...and yes, it was amazing!

SUNDAY

Boogie Burger's garlic fries :)

I finished my Sunday with grocery shopping, laundry, a 2.5 mile walk outside (boy was it hot!), and an ionic detox.

All in all, I am feeling so much better about a lot of things. There are still changes I hope will be happening, but I'm not gonna hang my happiness on those changes. I am going to keep doing what I do and hope that God has a plan for my chaotic life! :)

5QF - 4/13

Am I the only one who can't believe we're to the half-way point of April?!? How the heck did that happen? The days are flying by...I don't know that I'll ever get caught up. ha

I'm happy to say that I lost 1.8 pounds this week! It wasn't as much as I was hoping for, but I never complain about a loss! ha Just need to keep doing what I'm doing and I know it'll keep happening. I am definitely loving counting calories over points right now.

And now I hope you'll join in for 5QF fun! One of the questions is mine! :)





- - -

1. Who mows your grass?

Momma! haha I used to love mowing the grass, but our mower was so old and finicky...but just got a new one. If mom relinquishes her new toy anytime soon I may take up mowing again. ;)

2. Do you have a picture wall or photo gallery in your house? (show us!!)

I have SEVERAL galleries around the house. Every wall in my room has a picture, every shelf has at least 2 frames, and there is a whole wall in the living room dedicated to our photo gallery. We're a picture taking kinda family. haha

3. What book has influenced your thinking the most? Or, what blog? (I want to read what gets people thinking!)

I usually read non-thinking kind of books...just for a good laugh, ya know? However, one book that I enjoyed several years ago and got me to look at relationships and taking care of myself differently was the book by Robin McGraw (Dr. Phil's wife) called Inside My Heart. I would suggest it for all women! As a matter of fact, I may take it off my shelf and reread it. :)


4. Do you have allergies? If so, how do you handle it this time of year?

I do have slightly allergies. Until the past year or so, they never really bothered me albeit the occasional stuffy nose for a day. Mold & pollen are my enemies. Zyrtec seems to be working wonders this year (it was my first time to try it).


5. What's your go to meal to cook in a hurry?

I don't think I really have a go-to meal unless you count baked chicken (in the NuWave oven - that thing is awesome!) and steamed broccoli. I know it doesn't sound that appetizing, but it's one of my favorite meals and it's healthy. ha

Finding Joy

Yesterday I posted about needing to find the things that bring me joy and make me happy. Well, I am happy to report that I am moving full-steam ahead with this idea! :)

This weekend is going to be a much needed sister's weekend. Jen and I already had some plans, but I just added to them (with her ardent approval). Stay tuned for a recap of our weekend adventures! haha It involves several things that bring me joy - family, craft beer, travel, Purdue, music, and friends. What more could a girl ask for??

Also....a big THANK YOU shout-out to the lovely Sarah Kate! She had commented on my post yesterday about how often times good things happen when we least expect them. This weekend is a good thing (parts of it were unexpected when I got a wild hair this morning to do something spontaneous & fun like I sometimes am apt to do) and last night I came home to some awesome Scentsy news that my team grew again (and will likely grow by yet another before the weekend is over)! I have the best ladies rockin' the Scentsy spirit on my team and love that they are sharing the opportunity with other women who want to add extra income to their monthly budget. :)

Hope you are all finding moments of JOY today as well!