Skinny Sunday - Stay Hydrated and Cool!

Welcome to

Skinny Sunday

It's too hot to think...

so here's to a simple post!

Remember to stay hydrated!

Water is always first choice....

But when I want a bit of fizz...

and something sweet..

without adding extra points....

meet my favorite

Go-To choice...

Sparkling Ice

According to the label...this brand has:

0 fat

0 carbs

0 protein 

I like that!

0 points!

If you're looking to try some sparkling water...

be sure to check the labels!

Many sparkling/"vitamin" waters may say "0" calories...

which makes you think they are totally safe and point free...

But beware...

some have "carbs"

and before you know it...

you unknowingly have added extra points to your day!

Unh uh...

not me...

for 2 points plus

(yes, those waters are sneaky...it could happen!)

I would rather have one of these!

What is your favorite

Cool Treat?

Please...do tell!

Houston Calling - An Astronomical Challenge

The deadline is nearing to enter the

ASTRONOMICAL QUILTS - BLOCK CHALLEGE!

You must mail in your entry by August 1st.

(click the link above for the scoop)

I finally made my block on Wednesday.

Have you made your block yet?

"Rocket Age" from Riley Blake Designs...
the perfect fabric for an Astronaut's quilt dontcha think?

This 9" block was fussy cut and pieced before you could say
'fly me to the moon'

You can make any type of 9" finished star block...
(9-1/2" with seams of course)
but sometimes I just need someone to make a suggestion!

Thanks to Pat Sloan for providing the suggestion and "motivation"
along with an easy pattern for this scrap happy star buster block.

***Pat is giving away a sweet layer cake of her newest fabric...
to one lucky star block maker...
 but hurry...
her deadline is July 1st...
click the 'scrap happy' link above***

Thanks for the visit!

Skinny Sunday - Rice is Nice In A Bowl Made by 'Muddy Me'

Welcome to another

Skinny Sunday!

Getting right to the point...

I was never much of a 'rice' person.

In the past, I would have rather used my points

on almost any other 'carb'...

and really, that was just fine...
since no matter how I tried...
I could never cook rice right!

On the stove it boiled over...
what a mess!
I tried the microwave for awhile...
that worked pretty good...
until we changed microwaves....
never the same after.

Last fall the Spouse and I treated ourselves
to lunch at P.F. Changs for the very first time.
(but not the last...oh no...there were more!)

Trying to eat healthy...
we opted for steamed brown rice.

WE. LOVED.IT!

Brown rice is much healthier...
more flavorful...
without a lot of fuss...
love the nutty taste...
1/2 Cup is pretty filling for only 3pp
but even better...
when I'm following either the
WW Simple Start or Simply Filling plan...
it's a
POWER FOOD!
(no counting points! yey)

Determined  to make it a part of our usual fare...
I knew I had only one choice....
so I put on my big girl panties...
I admitted defeat with my rice cooking skills...
I admitted I needed all the help I could get...
bought a new toy!

Yes...a Rice Cooker!
Lookie Look...there's even a setting for Brown Rice!

Good Bye sticky-icky-over boiled pots....
No more rice that goes Crrrrunch when it's not supposed to!

Perfect Rice Everytime!
(gosh...I feel like a commercial...like I should be selling salad masters or something)

This model isn't fancy...but it does the trick!
It's also a steamer...
someday I'll try that...
but not rushing there...
(you might remember I'm not a huge fan
of anything steamed
sorry Mom)

Our favorite rice is

It's our favorite because:
a) we can buy it at the Navy Commissary
b) the price is right!

I usually cook up 2 Cups (dry) at a time...
adding 1 T of Brummel & Brown spread
and a pinch or two of salt
before the cooking starts.

When done...
just a little freshly ground pepper does the trick...
but my absolute **FAV** is when dear Spouse
sautes mushrooms, zucchini & brussells with Ponzu sauce...
then adds some rice just before serving...
for his version of a 'stir-fry' treat!

When enjoying our meals...
(and I guess you can tell we are pretty much in love with food...)
part of the pleasure comes from
'presentation'
I'm not talking white linen table cloths and candle light...

(on second thought...candles might be nice)

but there's something about eating rice with
chopsticks...
served in a custom made rice bowl.

Dontcha love them?
We surely do!

My BFF Lisa is a wonderful quilter...
surpassed only by her awesomeness in the clay arts!

She makes the most amazing things...
so when I decided we needed rice bowls...
I immediately contacted her, and
Voila!

She made these right away...
even gifted them for our Christmas!
Wasn't that sweet?
What a super surprise!
And...
 sent them with the chopsticks!
Now that is a friend!

If you'd like to take a peek at some of the other goodies Lisa makes...
give her etsy shop a visit...
I love her style...
I love her colors...
I am so blessed to have her as my BFF!
(even if she did laugh 
back in the day
when I told her I cooked my rice
 in the microwave)

One quick eating tip before I go...
Chopsticks are great to slow down your eating!
Unless of course you're adept at using them.
I'm not.
But I'm learning!

- - - - - - - - - -
News Flash!!!!

Do you know about the "Row by Row Experience Shop Hop"?
Don't be left out!
Click HERE for more info!
- - - - - - - - - - -

Thanks for the visit
have a great week

Skinny Sunday on a Monday

Better late than nevah!

I honestly had this ready to post for Sunday...

but decided to reserve the whole of Father's Day

 in memory of my Dad.

Afterall...

did I really want him to share the day with...

Oatmeal?

I think not!

Yes, today we're talking about breakfast.

I don't know about you...

but that's the hardest meal of the day to be creative

and still stay on track.

If you're a morning person...

maybe this isn't an issue.

I'm not.

As it is...dear Spouse let's me sleep in...

until the very last possible minute!

By the time I stumble out of the shower...

my travel mug filled with hot steaming coffee...

has magically appeared on the bathroom counter.

I love that man!

Kitteh's fed...

projects gathered...

foodstuffs packed to go...

and we're off to work...

Hi Ho...Hi Ho

Breakfast is made once we get to work

(one of the beni's of owning ones own biz).

This is our standard breakfast...

amazingly it never gets boring.

Good Ole Oatmeal.

I use the the 'quick cooking' kind...

but not the instant.

First...we must have fruit!

The fruits vary from season to season...

for this first step I'll sometimes use an apple...

but right now...

we are into "peaches!"

One fresh peach when in season

(otherwise frozen will do)

Cut in half and sliced/diced

divided into two bowls

I'll add a bit of Brown Sugar Splenda and Cinnamon - stir.

Off it goes into the microwave for about 3-4 minutes...

and then it looks like this....

Next I've taken to adding 1/2 of a mashed 'nana to each bowl...

I used to add sliced 'nanas....

but like them better once I tried adding them mashed!

Adding 1/4 C oatmeal for each of us....mix-y mix!

Now the milk - 2/3C each...

we now use "blue" milk...

that's Bob's term of endearment for no-fat milk!

Stir it up good!

Back in the microwave for 2-1/2 minutes...

the pkg instructions call for much less cooking time...

but I'm a product of my mother's cooking habits...with a tweek.

She cooked oatmeal in the micro...

She cooked it FOREVER...

I think she thought it wasn't done...

until it boiled over the sides...

I'm sure it was at least 5 minutes!

I don't like cleaning oatmeal off the bottom of the microwave...

so I comprimised...yep...2-1/2 minutes for me!

While I'm waiting...

I'll cut up strawberries...1/4 -1/2 C each...

Oh look...blueberries were on sale...

let's add some of those too!

When fresh berries are not in season...

or cost more than a yard of fabric...

we'll use frozen in place...

but when we do...

I'll add it to the mix before cooking the whole deal.

Ta-Da!

Breakfast is served!

The bowl is super sized...

there's a lot more than you think...

and all for only 4pp!

So tell me now...

Do you 'oatmeal'?

What do you add?

Don't keep it a secret...

I might want to try it your way next time!

Thanks for the visit

&

Have a great week!