Tuesday, March 29, 2011

Sooo I cut down on my school load

I realized that school has really taken up any extra time that I had. I don't cook like I should...No baking. Nothing. The kids has even had to sacrifice. So I decided after my last class, it ended yesterday, that I am going to only take only one class every 5 weeks.

Be prepared for more post because I will have free time again. I tried to maintain it all but it was just too much. I could handle it but what about me time and family time. Something had to get. Since I know I wasn't dropping out I had to cut my work load.  I think the only thing that I am active on (personal internet time) is on Facebook. I think thats because its on my phone. Did I say I <3 Facebook.

 But anyway...yeah, I had to cut back. I think my stress level was going up just to finish sooner than projected. What is a few months, right! Maybe I can increase the load again when my husband gets back from deployment.
wait, I will be just about finished by then...Oh well. Talk to you. I have to get my house together. I just washed what I feel like a million loads of clothes. Time for me to deliver them to their rightful owners to have to put away.

Talk to you soon!!!!

Week 2 of the 52 week Financial challenge

So you should already have your dollar set aside (if not go grap yourself 4 quarters), now its time to put aside your $2.

So right now in your cash drawer, cup, box or savings account you should have $3.

Here's what I am talking about... Money Money Monnnneeyyy Moneyyy




"So what does it take to begin creating wealth and prosperity? Well it takes a few things. You must have the right attitude, the right mindset that leads to wealth and success. You must utilize certain principles dealing with how you earn money. And you must manage your money and allow it to grow" (Winn, 2011). 





Sunday, March 20, 2011

52 Week Financial Challenge-Week 1

http://www.imperfectwomen.com/11-money-saving-websites/
I did this challenge (adapted from youtube) last year and I want to do it this year. March equinox  occurs today marking the beginning of spring which marks a new beginning. 


One of my goals is to become better at my savings. Hello, My name is Dana and I am a shopaholic! 


 In 52 weeks you can save $1378 by saving money each week. All you need to do is save the same amount as the week you are on.


Week 1= $1
Week 2=$2 
So on and so forth. 


Feel free to add more to your savings but please to the minimum. At the end of this challenge do what you like with the money; vacation, IRA, Saving, down payment of a car or home project. 


I will come on EVERY week to remind you to save. If you want to participate with me. 


Now, go grab your dollar, 4 quarters, or what ever you have. Put it aside!


Do you think you can do it?


If you plan to do this with me, leave a comment and we can do this together. 

Thursday, March 17, 2011

May be a odd number but I HEART these.

Taliah Waajid --I'm going to give her a try

I have heard good things about her and her hair care line. It is actually sold in Walgreens here near me. I am not sure of what they sell but I will go check it out. I am still interested and will purchase on online if I dont find  anything at Walgreens.

Have you tried her line yet? If so, tell me about it.

Neutrogena Triple Moisture Deep Recovery Hair Mask

Triple Moisture Deep Recovery Hair MaskI posted a little while ago how I LOVED Neutrogena's Daily Deep Conditioner. So I decided that I wanted to try the Neutrogena Triple Moisture Deep Recovery Hair Mask.

I was really disppointed in this product. I thought that because the daily deep conditioner was so GREAT that I would love the hair mask. It was actually the opposite. I think I wasted 6.99 on the product. It actually made my hair hard. I think that it may be because of the protein in it. I tend to not do well with products with a lot of protein.

So now I am back on the hunt for a good weekly deep conditioner.


PRODUCT DESCRIPTION


Triple Moisture Deep Recovery Hair Mask rehabilitates extra dry or over-processed hair with intense moisturization.



This weekly treatment is so concentrated, just a small amount is needed for hair to become soft, lustrous and shining in minutes. Three naturally derived extracts work on the hair strand to defy dryness. Olive penetrates to the center, Meadowfoam Seed helps moisturize the middle and Sweet Almond wraps the surface. Treat your hair to intense moisture with this once-a-week conditioning mask. Neutrogena Triple Moisture® provides specialized care for extra dry hair.

HOW TO USE

Use weekly or as often as needed. After shampooing, apply a small amount of mask to wet hair, concentrating on the ends. Let it penetrate for 3 to 5 minutes. Rinse well. Style as usual.


INGREDIENTS

Water, Cetearyl Alcohol, Behentrimonium Chloride, Cyclopentasiloxane, Dimethicone, Cetearyl Alcohol, Ethylhexyl Isononanoate, Behenyl Alcohol, Meadowfoam Seed Oil (limnanthes alba), Cyclohexasiloxane, Olive Fruit Oil (olea europaea), Sweet Almond Oil (prunus amygdalus dulcis), Stearamidopropyl Dimethylamine, Behentrimonium Methylsulfate, Amodimethicone, Panthenol, Glycol Stearate, Ceteth 2, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Phenoxyethanol, Methylparaben, Propylparaben, Citric Acid, Mica, Titanium Dioxide, Iron Oxide, Fragrance

No recipe...sorry but a picture

i2lz.jpg I dont have an pictur-ipe because I was up late baking. But I wanted to share the finished product. I am NOT in love with the icing because I misplaced my frosting attachments. I dont know where in the world I put them. But they were yummy nevertheless.

Strawberry and Cream Cupcakes.

Getting back in the kitchen to bake felt good. It's like i'm in my element. I really LOVE this. I will have pictur-ipes soon for you. I have a pork chop meal that I have coming up on my menu I would like to share. Talk to you soon!!!

Monday, March 14, 2011

So the shoe I actually purchased.

As you ALL may know, I have become an addict to Shoedazzle. I wasnt always into shoes. Throw me a pair of good sneaks and I am happy. Well, I decided to see what this shoe thing is all about and now I am hooked.

BUT...... N-T-WAY!! 

The shoe that I chose this month is a little different from what I thought I wanted to go for. I kept looking at the shoe but I was a little scared because sometimes the shoe doesnt quite look like it should in person. So, I said hey just order it. I get to return it for free. So what am I losing but time.

So here they are. They are adorable on! Now I need an outfit.

Sunday, March 13, 2011

Hey all,

I will have a recipe for you this week. Maybe more than one, Its spring break. Well, I dont know...I have been doubling up on my classes and I usually have to sacrifice my blog. Two classes every 5 weeks. It can get crazy!

Working out has been good to me. I just have to figure out what I am going to do now that it's Spring break and the kids are out of school. I will be working out but I have to modify my workout so the kids are join me. I may even get shaggy into it this week! Lord knows I dont like working out with the bird dog. Cant wait because he is going crazy over all the dogs he sees.

I will also be taking a break from pretty much everything soon. My husband will be home and I know that social networking will fall  to the waist-side for a minute. 

Anyway, I will have a cake, meal with salad coming up.

Also, I have a hair conditioner and gel review for ya natural hair care ladies. One is a ehhh and one is a yay!!!

See ya later.

P.S. I found a airport outfit to meet my husband in. I will take pictures to share. You have to tell me what you think.

I even changed my mind on my March shoe of the month. I went with something totally different. I decided to go with something more EASTER-ish. I just need a EASTER-ish outfit. LOL!!! Did I ever tell you that I hate going to church on holidays. TOO many holiday saints taking up seats. LOL!!!

Ok, I better go eat breakfast. Yup its almost 11 and I havent had a bite yet. I got to get on the ball.

Friday, March 4, 2011

It's shoe time! My March shoe of the Month. ShoeDazzle


There are my top three picks this month. Which one do you like best? 

Not a member yet?? What you waiting for. How about this? Join now and get 20% off your first ShoeDazzle item. 


Pork and Pineapple Stir-Fry-pictures

Please bear with me, I will get this food blogging thing. I don't know if the pictures are actually all that great but It will get better.

One serving is 440 calories about a cup and 3/4 each



1. I don't care for instant rice so my first step is throwing my rice in the rice cooker before I start on everything else.

This is all you need to achieve this yummy and easy dish


  • A pound of a lean cut of pork
  • Tri-color cole slaw mix
  • ground Ginger
  • 20oz can of pineapple chunks
  • Brown Sugar
  • Corn Starch ( I thought I had some but I didn't so I subsituted with flour)
  • Pepper flakes: optional

Please ignore the Worcestershire Sauce. For some reason it just wanted to be in the picture

Cut your meat into bite-sized strips and set aside


In a small bowl mix

  • 3tbsp of brown sugar
  • 1/2 tsp of ground ginger
  • Optional but you can add 1/4 tsp of the pepper flakes
  • 1/2 Cup of water
  • 1 1/2 cornstarch. (Since I used flour I slowly mixed it into the liquid mixture to prevent lumps with a fork.)
  • 3 tbsp of soy sauce. (I only had low sodium on hand and had to add just a little salt. So the regular soy sauce is best, no salt required)
  • 2 tbsp of the pineapple liquid
Ensure that the mixture is well blended and set aside. 



Now please ignore the counter. I LIVE in military housing. Things are always needing a fixing. LOL!!!

In my Wok, (If you don't have a Wok, don't fret use a skillet) I added a lil maybe a tsp of olive oil and heated my Wok. If you have a non-stick Skittet, you will not need the oil but look at the wok, dude. It has been used for YEARS and the non-stick is no longer sticking. 

In the heated Wok or Skillet, add the drained pineapples and a tbsp of brown sugar. Let the pineapples cook for 5 minutes. Don't forget to turn occasionally. 

Then remove the pineapple and set aside.

In the same Skillet or Wok, begin to cook your pork (about medium high heat) for about 2 minutes.
Now, add your coleslaw mix. Cook and stir for about 5 minutes or when the pork is no longer pink in the middle and the cabbage is tender. Don't forget to Stir Stir and Stir.

Once your meat is fully cooked and cabbage is tender, stir in your pineapples and your marinate that you mixed earlier. Then let that simmer for about another 3 or 4 minutes. The sauce should be slightly thickened.




Then serve with rice.


If you enjoyed this recipe, please rate at the bottom. Let me know if I should keep this up.

The pictures will get better and I will get better with the directions. I hope you enjoy!!!