Hurry & Vote Now

I voted for branding the ball and then donating to the Hall of Fame. Somehow simply donating it doesn't seem right and neither does banishing it (out of sight, out of mind). It was a sad day to me that this record was broken by Barry Bonds. Yes, records are made to be broken, we can only hope that those who break them are worthy of the honor.

Mexican Meatloaf

cooking spray
1/2 lb extra lean ground beef
1/2 lb lean ground turkey
2 large egg whites
2 oz cornbread stuffing (about 1 cup)
1 med onion-chopped
1/2 tsp chili powder
1/4 tsp ground cumin
4 oz can green chili-diced
8 oz canned enchilada sauce

--in large bowl combine all ingredients but 4 oz of the enchilada sauce
--shape into an oval & placed on greased broiler pan (if you do this instead of just cooking in a baking pan, chop onions fairly fine and add about 1/4 c of cornbread stuffing..it cooks fine w/o it, but it tends to droop and cook around the rack)
--cook for one hour at 375 degrees (don't forget to preheat)
--top with remaining enchilada sauce and cook for another 5 minutes
--6 servings

I add more of the spices because I like spice in my food...you could also add some spicier peppers to give this more sizzle and still keep it low fat.

This is my second recipe that falls into the good for you category.....why? you guessed it...trying to lose weight and yes, it sucks! It really sucks. I love food and I love to cook, but of course, most of the stuff I really love fall into the bad for you category. I love mexican food (lots of cheese) and italian food (lots of pasta & cheese). I love things with rich sauces and oh, let us not forget chocolate. So I struggle with finding foods that still taste good and fill me up (both of which are a challenge). All things considered, my weight could be far worse, but there is definately room for improvement (the closet full of clothes I love, but can no longer wear remind me of this on a daily basis) so I trudge through trying to get water to stave off the hunger pangs while hunting for food that doesn't suck.

It's Almost Time to Say Goodbye

If you've been reading my blog for awhile you know that we have been taking care of my mother's ugly little dog since the end of March. Although, I have to say that since we've been taking care of the dog, she's not quite so ugly anymore....due largely to the fact that she now has fur! The dog is a mini-Schnauzer and the groomer believed in the standard Schnauzer cut (who comes up with these things anyway) and shaved this dog nearly naked except for some fur along her legs and a bit on her face. For a little dog who already has skin issues, the close cut added some razor burn to the equation and exposed her tender skin to all the elements. I have told my mother she is forbidden to take the dog back to that groomer or to ever have her cut that way again. I have done no more than trim her face and legs and the occassional matted area since we've had her and while she still has the occassional itchies, overall, her skin issues have improved dramatically. I wish that I had a before picture to go with the afters so you could see how much difference there really is.

My sister decided to move home from Seattle and will be staying with our mother so the little dog gets to go home. My sister along with her two dogs and her best friend have been driving across the country since last Tuesday (they've made a few stops along the way) and were due to arrive yesterday. That meant the little dog was supposed to go home yesterday. Well, they got in, but they got here sick, went to the urgent care for some meds and will be staying a hotel for a couple of days in order to prevent the possibility of getting the mother unit getting something. That means it looks like it will be tomorrow before the little dog finally gets to go home...with her eye drops, her oily skin and her heart murmer medication. Which should also mean the end of the territorial peeing contests that have been going on. Our puppy (she's like 8) will probably be happy although she has endured the little dog fairly well. The cat will be thrilled because he really doesn't like the little dog and he never wants to play (good thing he has no front claws or the little dog probably wouldn't look this good). And my mother will be happy since she's missed the little creature and the visits just haven't been enough.