Muzak on the Blog, a PB Overload, & The Bachelor

That is how I've felt since my Naturally More peanut butter discovery.

I want it. But I think if I have one more obnoxious spoon-full, I might have peanut butter coming out of my ears.

Bad idea.

(thank you, toothpastefordinner.com)

Chloe, however, apparently prefers the flavor of Creamy Coconut lotion. Straight off my legs.

coconutty vanilla, maaaah fave!

And I finally tried the Peanut Butter & Co. Dark Chocolate Dreams and Smooth Operator flavors I picked up from Wal Mart recently.

I'm not sure if it's because it's coming from a packet, but the Dark Chocolate Dreams left a lot to be desired on the texture side.  Smooth Operator, however, found its way onto my pb&j english muffin this morning...

...as well as on the remaining banana I had left over.

What can I say? I'm obviously a sucker for banana & pb.


There's MUSIC on my blog now!
 

 toothpastefordinner.com

Didja notice the little iTouch in the right column of the blog? It's filled with a mix of some of my all-time and current favorites. Check 'er out!

Michelle from The Bachelor on Ellen

Was I the only Bachelor fan who was completely psyched to see crazy loon Michelle was slotted to be on Ellen yesterday?

sure, you're not crazy. at all.

In Michelle's interview (which you can watch here on Ellen's site), she claimed anyone would look crazy on TV with some creepy music in the background. Ellen disagreed.

Michelle also claimed she had a real conversation with Brad before getting in the limo, but that part was edited out.

Whatever. I kind of prefer the dramatics of her laying down in the back of the limo silently rocking herself back and forth. Michelle also feels that Brad's heart belongs to Emily. Ooooh, insider deets!

I'm having fun figuring out all these gadgets I can add to my blog, but I'm considering switching platforms and going to Wordpress. Although I love my banner, I'm thinking it's time for an upgrade. Thoughts? What would you like to see added to this blog?

Valentines & Virginia is for Lovers 14k Race Photos

It was a nice family Valentines Day this year in Virginia Beach. Momma and papa were in town to bring Chloe back from her vet appointment in N.C. and for my wood floors to be delivered. Hooo-rah!

happy valentines day!

As evidenced below, Chloe was a pretty big fan of her first Valentine's Day. Her Opa and Gigi got her an awesome chew toy thats called a "Dog Saver." It's a gummy ring (like a life saver) that has little treat compartments for a dog to try to remove with her teeth.

The best part? It keeps her occupied. for. so. long.

first valentine's day, ah yeah!

Can we take a moment and look at how fast she is growing?

she was only this big the day after I got her. waaah.

And you know you're getting older when you're psyched to receive some brand new black sheets.

not just a pretty bed; heaven.

And not just any black sheets. All-season, jersey, themostcomfortablesleepever black sheets. Can you say "I'm going to sleep through the rest of the week?" Jersey sheets can be a little too heavy for me, but these are light and fluffy and soft and cozy and.... I'll stop.

But they're awesome. Thanks, Mom.

I, on the other hand, was very excited about my gift as well. When we visited the Rosemont Winery over my birthday weekend, I snagged this beauty for my momma.

neat-o, gang!

It's a real flattened wine bottle... made into a cheese platter! It came with the cute little knife as well. I was so excited to give it, and mom really seemed to like it.

Cynthia, I may be a stowaway in your next lake trip. I need to grab 16 more of these babies. And not just for me. No, really.  ;)

Race Photos!

As promised... photos from the Virginia is for Lovers 14k this past Saturday. So fun.

If only I could see the logic in dropping $20 for this baby..

that's a screen shot from Triduo.com, the official sports photography page. unfort, it's way too pricey to actually buy.

there's my finish! next to the tutu! thank you, Triduo.

"weee are the champ-yons..."

and we got to see Kat!

aint got no shame. want that Moe's.

racing twins. hearts all around.

And, on the subject of love, I was pretty psyched to find these baby packets of the "special pb" from Peanut Butter & Co. I've been dying to try. I haven't wanted to get a tub of the stuff, so I bought these with the intention of trying 'em out. Reviews to come!

The Thin Mint Protein Green Monster Shake

Some of you also pointed out I so rudely forgot to mention what I put in my thin mint green monster protein shake. I adapted it from Julie's recipe, and into the blender went:

1.5 scoops Chocolate Truffle Whey Protein Isolate
1 cup skim milk
6 ice cubes
1 tsp. Bob’s Red Mill xanthan gum for thickness
peppermint extract, to taste (I've had a few mishaps with this one.. use a TEENSY bit. like 1/8 tsp)
2 large handfuls spinach
a big fat squirt of Smucker's Fat Free Sundae Syrup

P.S. Another giveaway from Ally is worth a peek. She's giving away Vitatops... my faaave!

P.P.S. For all you Bachelor fans out there... you MUST read this girl's hysterical Bachelor recap. She's a friend of my friend, and her laugh-out-loud comments always have me rolling!

The Best Wednesday & Thursday... ever!

I'll set the scene. It's Wednesday night.

Guess what fell from the sky?

SNNNOOOOOOWWWWW!

And guess who came to visit?

WE LOVE AUNTIE SIA!

Anastasia is in town for a while, so us three girls had a wonderful little night together.

We met up after work and ran a nice 6 miles together on side-by-side treadmills like the good ol' days! What is it about running with one of your best friends that makes the time fly by?

Then we hit up Farm Fresh for some  wine  ingredients to make an exciting dinner.

AND Anastasia finally got to meet her little niece!

love at first pat and wiggle

After our run, we were feelin' protein. We were also feelin' breakfast. And maybe some of this.

hit me, pinot noir.

I was excited to try the griddle side of my new Cuisinart panini/griddle!

put it all together and whaddya get?

hellooo, protein greek yogurt banana pancakes!

We threw together the following, adapted from Julie's recipe for greek yogurt pancakes:

• 12 oz. Greek yogurt (we used 6 oz. plain, 6 oz honey vanilla)
• 15 tbsp. wheat flour
• 2 tbsp. sugar
• 2 tsp. baking soda
• 1 tsp. salt
• 3 eggs
• 2 tsp. vanilla extract
• 1.5 scoops Aria Vanilla Protein Powder (from Trader Joe's... so good!)
• 1 banana, sliced

And we may or may not have eaten the entire package of turkey bacon...

judge us if you must, but it was really good. and it was turkey bacon, after all.

The end result looked and tasted fantastic.

syrup makes everything better.

It was wonderful spread of happiness.

what more could a girl need?

And then, to top off our night, it started SNOWING!

snow!! wheeeeeeee!

All that snow piled up overnight to give me a nice phone call at 5:45 a.m. Snnooooowwww daaayyy!

My little baby was a little confused trying to maneuver around the cold stuff.

"where the heck am I supposed to potty, now?"

no cage for me? play all day? say yes, mama?

Chloe was psyched to have her mama home all day. She was up at at 'em way before I was, but I still got a little extra sleep in. What a nice little snow day with my little ball of fire.

faster than a speeding bullet... it's Chlooooeeee!

"look, mama! I'm a dalmatian!"

[Coming soon: a new Nike Training workout! and man, is my booty sore today...]

A Letter To My Pup

Songs and poems exist as "letters to my college self," "letters to a younger me," etc.

Last night while trying to tame my demon pup, I found myself mentally composing A Letter To My Puppy.

Yesterday was Chloe's first full day in the crate while I was at work. My lovely friend Bethany is awesome, generous, and so patient enough to offer to let the little one out two days a week, and she was a  complete lifesaver yesterday... even after a small key mishap.

Regardless of her new lunchtime friend, Chloe was pretty mad at me for having her crated all day, and she really let me have it last night. Her naughty behavior is what caused me to compose said letter.

Dear Chloe,

First and foremost, my achilles tendons, my calves, my knees, my wrists, my fingers, my hands, my neck, and my ear are not chew toys. P.S., it hurts!

Maybe we can come to some sort of agreement. Multiple treats for sleeping in on weekends? I'll bake you a doggy cake. Whatcha think?

Sleeping really only happens after 10 p.m.

The leash is good for you. Embrace it.

You are so cute when you find my mirror every day. "You'reeee so vaaaiinnn.."

How on earth do you hear my alarm go off every morning? I promise, I'm coming to get you. Your heartbreaking yelping doesn't help me move faster.

I don't really like cleaning up poopies and puddles from the carpet. That's supposed to happen outside. Take one for the team, and don't decide to go after I take you outside for 7 minutes of sniffing and looking at the door.

"Mom, I just don't feel like pooping in 30 degree weather."

I'll make a deal with you. Never grow up, and I'll give you all the treats you want. Always.

...that never growing up thing does not include your "mental" maturity. I will eventually need sleep and a clean carpet.

No matter how many rocks, wood chips, and other outdoor paraphernalia you hide in your mouth, I will always make you spit it out. This isn't a slam against your taste, I just can't let you to choke on it and die.

How big should we let you get before I buy you one of these?

baseball season is coming...

I love you, but I don't really want you in the shower with me.

Refrigerators are not the best place to hang out. As you've learned, that door shuts pretty quickly, and you're black. It's hard to see you. Waah!

You crack me up when you day after day think your ferret chew toy from dogsupplies.com is a real live animal. The mental video I have of you spotting the toy, slowly stalking up to it, and pouncing will forever warm my heart.

That rhinestone collar is ballin', but the vet was right. You should probably hold out for the real thing. ;)

Let's snuggle forever. No more biting, and I won't go to work anymore. Deal?

Love, Momma. 

xoxo

P.S. Who knows how to cure puppy biting? The yelling "ouch" to startle her, the no eye contact, and the little pop on the nose really just isn't cutting it...

No Sleep & "Zero Calorie" Weight Watchers Soup

My cousin Kristie is always saying whenever she wants another baby, her husband should just buy her another puppy.

Ramses when Kristie first got him as a birthday surprise!

This weekend, I completely understood what she meant.

none of this was goin' on on saturday morning.

On Friday night, after a girls night and a visit with our lovely friend Meghan, Chloe and I hit the hay around 2 a.m.

Chloe <3 Meggy!

new fave playmate

it's love.

Since she needs to be let outside to go potty at least every 5 hours, I was up at 6:45 a.m. to let her out. After that, my sleep was replaced with yelping until I fed her at 7:30.

After a quick meal and another trip outside, I brought her back to bed with me. Thankfully, she was happy watching TV in bed until around 9 a.m.

Helloo, life of being a mama!

The weekend went by in a blur, and I wrapped it up with a day of wine glass orders, Criminal Minds, and some zero calorie soup my mama made for me!

Natalie's order in progress.. an animal print base!

And the soup. It's so, so good... but pretty heavy on the onion and garlic. Keep the mouthwash handy if you're gonna dig into this stuff!

Homemade Zero Calorie Soup

Zero Calorie/Need Lots of Mouthwash Soup

6 cups Vegetable or Fat Free Chicken Stock
cooking spray
2 carrots, peeled and diced
1 lg. onion, diced
3 tsp. garlic
bag of 'slaw
1/2 lb. frozen green beans
4 tbs. tomato paste (a use a whole small can)
1 tsp. dried basil
1 tsp. dried oregano
1 tsp. salt
1 lg. zucchini

Spray large pot with cooking spray. Heat to medium high and add carrots, onion and garlic, cooking for about 5 minutes. Add broth and remaining ingredients, except for the zucchini, and bring to a boil. Cover and cook for about 15 minutes on medium, checking that beans are tender. Add zucchini and cook until tender.

Enjoy! I've got a whole 'nother tupperware full of the stuff, so I'll be digging in again soon. ;)

Real live Chloe - in video form!

Chloe turned 8 weeks old a few days ago.

What a great excuse to make the first bLyss video!



Enjoy a 40 second clip of Chloe hopping around thinking my camera is her toy, of which I'm so rudely denying her. And check out her attacking me at the end and almost taking my finger off.

If you can't see the above video, click here.

Since Chloe is debuting her first video, I figured I'd keep things focused on her today. She sure is a people-pleaser!

On to Chloe's first bath. I played photographer while Gigi did the honors of lathering up the dirty doggy.

"okay, I know I like to swim in my water bowl, but this is a BIG water bowl."

"well, it tastes good..  don't mind if I doooo..."

"SOAP? hokay, I'm done."

"the things us women go through to be beautiful."

Post-bath, Chloe showed off her new pink bomber jacket on a chilly walk through the Plantation.

"don't you ever leaf me!"

stylin.

I'm not really one to play doggy dress-up if she's uncomfortable, but I'd much prefer her jacket over her shivers. She got used to it quickly and attempted to keep up on our short walk.

The "attempting" only lasted a few minutes.

"okay. I'm tired. can we go back now?"

Baby steps. It'll be a long while 'till this pup can run with me.

On the agenda for tonight, Chloe will meet some of the wonderful Tortugas girls (old work friends) for a wine night at Aasia's. This'll be her first party, so I'm going to try to limit her intake of homemade sangria.

Chloe is really looking forward to meeting all the girls, and she's really disappointed Katie's stuck in Arlington and Katlyn's stuck in Honduras (poor thing).

tortugas girls and Chloe. "so happy togetheeeeerrrrrr...."

We'll be seeing you girls TONIGHT!