The Days and Time

Here's the thing, I've fallen off the blogger train.  I'm in a bit of a funk, really.  Some call it senioritis:

Senioritis
	June 8, 2005 Urban Word of the Day noun. A crippling disease that strikes high school college seniors. Symptoms include: laziness, an over-excessive wearing of track pants, old athletic shirts, sweatpants, athletic shorts, and sweatshirts. Also features a lack of studying, repeated absences, and a generally dismissive attitude. The only known cure is a phenomenon known as graduation.

This pretty much explains it.  I'm in stretchy pants, even now, as I type this.  I read books, but not school related ones.  There's a definite lack of studying-I put it off 'til the very end.  I only have three days left, but the last six weeks in which I've engaged for summer session have left me drained.  Fall session begins on the 27th so I'll continue my lull.. Forgive my absence as I relish my few remaining days off before my final semester begins.  This will be my last hoorah before I graduate in December.  Senioritis is in full effect-

Cajun Twirl

Teeny Tiny doing a twirl to Jalapena Lena.

Happy Sunday, y'all.  I hope it's worth twirling about!

Luck of the Junk

Yesterday morning, I stopped into an estate sale in my neighborhood.  I scored two awesome quilts.  One is a mishmash of squares and circles that will go in Bebe's room.

I love the pink accents in the quilt, and though it has a few squares that have to be sewn down or replaced, for $20 dollars it's a steal.

The other is a red double wedding ring quilt.  It's made of polyester, I think, but is not torn and has no stains.  I like that the edge has a scalloped design.  It was $40 so a bargain, too.

sharing @ Southern Hospitality's Thrifty Treasures

How Websites Promote Eating Disorders

photo source

Folks, I'm stepping onto a soapbox, so to speak, but as a mother of two beautiful daughters I feel it is my duty to spread the word to protect them.  If you have little beauties to protect, too, please read on.  Knowledge + Action = Power.

I grew up hearing about how eating disorders were bad when I was in school.  I watched an after school special or two, but other than the general, "Eating disorders are bad for you" knowledge, I didn't know much on the subject.

This image was pinned on pintrest from a blog named skin-bonesss.tumblr.com

These days, girls have the internet to gain knowledge.  One could learn all about eating disorders on the web, but  did you know there are also sites that teach girls HOW to be anorexic, bulimic, etc.,
See: http://www.pro-thinspo.com/index.html, http://proana.us/tagged/thinspo, http://thinspirationproana.com/
Look at some of the tips I found:

• "Pick and buy clothes that are tight. Aim to fit in to them in no time.
• Make thin friends.
• Keep dancing, after meal, till you feel absolutely fatigued."

and there are all sorts of images floating around the web that girls are using as "thinspiration."

Thinspiration?

Apparently, model Kate Moss, was quoted as saying, Nothing tastes as good as skinny feels," and  it's been posted  all over the internet.  The Kate Moss image was on Pintrest.  I reported it.

Social media is a way for these girls to spread these message like wildfire.  There are a ton on Pintrest and Tumblr, for example.  If you see these images, please report them.  In pintrest, you can click on the image and then click report which should appear to the right of the picture.

Is this ad any better?  You HAVE TO HAVE FOOD to have the energy to exercise.  No food does not equal being fit, it equals being sick.

Talk to your girls.  Teach them how to make healthy decisions such as choosing nutritious foods & drinks, portion control, and the benefits of reasonable exercise.

Eating disorders are  mental disorders.  They have to be taken seriously.  Know the signs and some of the lingo these girls are using.  For example, if you overhear a girl talking about an "Ana" or "Mia", often, listen.  For example, if a teacher overheard two girls talking and one said, "Mia came over after dinner last night" or "Ana is giving her a hard time" it is possible the girls are using slang to discuss Bulimia or Anorexia.

Summer Reading

Summer is winding down.  For me, it ended early July when I went back for summer classes at the university.  Big Sissy has joined suit and is now back at school, too, but that doesn't mean summer reading has to end.  Truthfully, I've had difficulty keeping up with school and home responsibilities so reading has been pushed aside, but I've been missing my books.  So many new books have crossed my path and I just can't wait for next week to finish so I can jump into reading full-throttle again.

Until then, I'll sneak in a few pages when I can.  Here's what's on the menu.

James Lee Burke's Neon Rain

1

I just learned of this series by it's latest release, Creole Belle, but wanted to start with book 1 in the series so Neon Rain is just the beginning.  So far, it seems promising.

2

Mary Kay Andrew's, Spring Fever is on a wait list at my library so that's a good sign, right?  Only five more people ahead of me on the list and I'll have plenty to read until then.

3

Michele Bardsley's, Because I'm the Vampire, That's Why  is another one I'm just beginning.

It's another first in a series, The Broken Hearts series, that is.  I'm hoping that since I like Charlaine Harris' Sookie Stackhouse novels, I'll like this series, too.  Here's to hoping.

Roasted Herb Chicken and Potatoes

Here's a tasty recipe I procured from the web.  It's not often that we purchase a whole bird so I was at a loss as to where to begin in preparing it.  Luckily, the recipe I found was a keeper.  

Ingredients
1-1/2 lbs. baking potatoes (I used red potatoes)
1 large onion, thinly sliced (I chopped my onion-force of habit)
1/3 cup soy sauce
3 Tbsp. olive oil
2 Tbsp. red wine vinegar
2 cloves garlic, pressed (since I don't have a press, I mash mine on the cutting board and mince)
1 tsp. dried oregano leaves, crumbled
1 tsp. dried rosemary, crumbled (I used thyme since I was out of rosemary)
3/4 tsp. black pepper
1 (4 lb.) whole chicken

Directions
Wash and cut each potato in half, then slice each half crosswise in 1/2 inch thick slices.  Place with onion in  a shallow foil-lined baking pan.  Combine next seven ingredients and drizzle one tablespoon of mixture over potato mixture, tossing until evenly coated.

Discard giblets and neck from chicken (good to freeze for later use).  Rinse chicken under cold running water; drain and pat dry.  Place chicken, breast side up, in center of the pan, moving potatoes aside.  I placed a wire rack over my vegetables and place my chicken on top of it so that it was slightly elevated above vegetables.  Brush chicken, including cavity, thoroughly with soy mixture.

Roast in 375 degree F oven for about an hour and fifteen minutes, brushing with soy mixture every thirty minutes.  Stir vegetables every thirty minutes so that they roast on all sides.  I believe I cooked mine for an additional fifteen minutes, until the juices ran clear.  A meat thermometer inserted into the thickest part, and not touching bone, should read 180 degrees F.  Remove from oven and let rest for 10 minutes before carving.
**Recipe courtesy Kikkoman International.

We served grilled asparagus alongside our chicken dinner.  This was a yummy dinner, the vegetables absorbed the flavors wonderfully and had a nice flavor.  I will try this marinade with boneless, skinless chicken breast next time since I'm not the biggest fan of skin-on chicken.