“When the moon hits your eye like a big pizza pie, that's amore”

The boy and I have been big into pizza lately - but not your typical calorie loaded, huge pizza that could send you into a heart attack any moment.  It all started with a simple recipe from Campbell's Kitchen for Chicken Picante Pizza.  I changed it up a bit - got some fresh salsa from the deli, green onions, put them on some whole wheat taco sized totillas, precooked chicken, colby jack cheese - give it 10 minutes and you've got a relatively healthy dinner.

It morphed into pesto sauce, green onions, chicken, spinach, and colby jack cheese on multi-grain flat bread - and then tonight, the winner of them all...

Marinara sauce, pre-cooked shredded chicken, green onions, zucchini, sliced tomato, and colby jack cheese on multi-grain flat bread - and you have a completely filling, pretty healthy dinner that leaves your boyfriend begging for more.

Seriously, go make it.  It was THAT delicious.

Here is our next adventure.  Justin isn't so sure about this one:  http://www.healthyfoodforliving.com/?p=32175

Also, in case you've been living under a rock - cook your chicken like this for easy shredding.  It makes quite a bit (especially for just the 2 of us) for bags you can keep in the freezer and pull out in the morning whenever you need a bit of chicken.
http://www.101cookingfortwo.com/2011/12/easiest-crock-pot-shredded-chicken.html

Hello everyone!!! I'd say it is about time that I updated you all on my life.  It is going GREAT!

Justin and I moved in with one of Justin's friends, Trent.  We have been here since the middle of February and it is going great!  We have been able to save quite a bit of money - and are on our way to many great things in our life to come.  

One of those things that will come sooner rather than later is... we got a puppy!  He won't join our family for 2 more weeks, but I assure you that little rascal has already wrestled his way into our hearts.  He is a darling teacup yorkie who we have aptly named Fievel - and we'll have him on April 29!  I know that it will be a definite challenge, but I am excited to accept this new responsibility.  We are a little nervous, however, because Trent has a 100 lb doberman pinscher named Blue.  He really is a sweetheart and is good with small dogs, but his mouth is as big as our little Fievel will be so we'll have to be sure he is gentle!

Work is going well... Last month, I volunteered at our company's event, Night For Sight and it was really fun.  I appreciate that the company I work for does so much good for the world.  I have lost a little of my initial infatuation with my job and have a more realistic outlook, but I really love my job itself and the 3 doctors I work for are awesome, especially my high maintenance one, Dr. Hoffman.  I love that man.  Working on the 5th floor of the Moran has it's challenges as it is a floor full of estrogen... but I've found that if I stick to my job and for the most part, keep to myself - all goes smoothly.

Justin and I are doing great.  I never knew that it was possible to have such a great friend.  We've been together for a little over a year and a half now.  My favorite thing about our relationship is our ability to laugh at each other.  When moving into Trent's house, we were putting things away and Justin kept throwing clothes on top of the clothes that I was putting away, and so I snapped at him, asking him not to do that, "I have things I'm doing too." - and he snapped back, "Well, what do you want me to do with it?"  and directly after that moment, we both looked up at each  other and burst out laughing.  I seriously love him.

My big bro is getting married in a little less than a month.  I couldn't be more excited for him and more happy about my soon-to-be sister-in-law.  She is a great girl and finally someone that realizes what my sweet brother is worth.  My parents have been absolutely beaming with pride ever since they realized the seriousness of the relationship - so it's happiness all around.  The other exciting thing about the wedding is that I get a new dress!!!

http://www.whitehouseblackmarket.com/store/browse/product.jsp?maxRec=74&pageId=1&productId=570044410&viewAll=true&prd=Eyelet+Sundress&subCatId=&color=&fromSearch=&inSeam=&posId=17&catId=cat210002&cat=Dresses++Skirts&onSale=&colorFamily=&maxPg=1&size=

and shoes:

http://www.famousfootwear.com/Shopping/ProductDetails.aspx?p=93755&pg=1026501

I'm going to be wearing either a black sash with a polkadot flower or a ivory sash with an ivory flower, haven't decided which, but I'm excited about it!!!

Well - we'll leave it at that for today.  Hope everyone is well!  Lots of love!

Amy

Note to self

Don't read old emails from people that you used to be really, really good friends with.  It will only make you sad.

If you're reading this, know that I miss you - but I don't know how to bridge that gap.  And I'm not even sure it would be good for me if I did.

When you're smiling on me, that is all I need

So - We've moved in with Justin's friend's Trent and so far (a week in) it is going really well.  Trent isn't home a lot so me and Justin spend a lot of time with his Doberman Pinscher, Blue.  Blue is pretty cool - like a 100 lb lap dog.  I made dinner last night for the first time since moving there (besides sandwiches) and it wasn't too awful having a counter sized dog following me around and sniffing.

About a week ago, Justin sent me this song that his friend Charles and sent to him and it's pretty dang awesome.  The original is really good as well, but this one is pretty... talented - 5 people playing one guitar.  Check it out.




I've been working out pretty hard, although not really training for the half.  I'm justifying it by the fact that my waist and arms (as well as OTHER areas) are getting smaller and my muscles are getting bigger.  I'm feel pretty good.  I'm going to start trying to eat 5 small meals a day instead of 3 larger meals and see if it helps with the weight loss (muscle tone) and feeling hungry all the time.  I FINALLY found a friend to work out with me twice a week and that makes me happy and a lot more motivated.  The rest of you guys are all lazy!!!!! :-P

Not much else to say, but thought I'd give a quick update.

Much love!

A Poor Man's Fish

So like a year ago, at the gym - I saw this poster advertising a website called TunatheWonderfish.com.  It went off a bit about how good tuna is for you.  I don't know about you, but my experience with tuna is pretty much tuna fish sandwiches and Tuna Helper.  My mom would also make this hot tuna mixed with Cream of Mushroom soup that we'd eat over slices of toast (which by the way, I'll totally be making with my own non processed version of Cream of Mushroom because that stuff was great!).  - But the wonderfish... really?  More like tuna-the poor substitute for salmon.com.

So because I want to be healthy and I want to do good things for my body, I checked it out - and forgot about it.  A couple of weeks ago, I checked it out more thoroughly and decided it was awesome.  The best part is... Justin LOVES tuna - and now I can more than provide.

Tonight we had this:  http://tunathewonderfish.com/cookbook/recipe.php?id=41

Pretty basic, eh?

So, my question was how do I take a poor man's fish and turn it into a gourmet meal... well - like this.  You'll see that I vaguely followed the recipe.

1 can (7 oz) tuna, rinsed
1/2 pound whole wheat spaghetti
1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1/4 teaspoon basil
2 tablespoons olive oil
1/2 cup chopped onion
2 pinches seafood seasoning
1 (10 oz) package frozen peas
1 cup half and half
2 tablespoons flour
3 (smaller) cloves of garlic
1 stalk green onions, chopped
salt and pepper to taste

Put a pot of water on to boil.  Add spaghetti.
Pour olive oil in a skillet and heat.  Saute onion until translucent, add garlic and green onions and cook for 1 minute.  Add in 2 tablespoons flour and stir into vegetables.  Once combined, pour in half and half and bring to a boil.  Once thickened slightly, add 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese, basil, seafood seasoning, salt, and pepper.  Add tuna and peas and allow to heat.
Pour sauce over cooked spaghetti noodles.

Viola - delicious.

Next:  http://tunathewonderfish.com/cookbook/recipe.php?id=26  I'll substitute Greek yogurt for the Mayo - and who knows what other changes I'll make...  The goal is 1 tuna dish every 2 weeks.  Okay - go!

Justin and I are gearing up to buy a house... and once we have a house.... We're going to get one of these guys!!!! We have the perfect name picked out for our little Teacup Yorkie.

I can't wait!

Please give me a reason...

Today, I've been looking at dresses - I suppose in order to prepare for next year's work Christmas party - but really sometimes a girl just needs a reason to wear a pretty dress.

Please, give me a reason.

http://shop.nordstrom.com/S/xscape-pleated-stretch-satin-sheath-dress/3142774?origin=category
http://shop.nordstrom.com/S/suzi-chin-for-maggy-boutique-chiffon-satin-sheath-dress/3261173?origin=category
http://shop.nordstrom.com/S/suzi-chin-for-maggy-boutique-draped-matte-jersey-sheath-dress/3098464?origin=category
http://shop.nordstrom.com/S/ml-monique-lhuillier-bridesmaids-strapless-satin-dress-nordstrom-exclusive/3165971?origin=category