Thanksgiving meal, keep it Low....

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It's that time of year where we start planning that lavish Thanksgiving dinner and considering what to cook, what to do with that boring turkey, candid yams or baked yam, who’s coming to dinner, you know...that same old stuff. Sometimes it seems so trivial to go over things but organization is the key to success. In today's economy we may need to step back and view the Thanksgiving Day menu in a different light. There are many options on what you can do to keep the cost at minimum and one to consider are COUPONS.

Coupons can be a life saver but the problem we face is "where are they?" Remember when you purchased the Sunday newspaper to get the abundance of coupons? Well, I had the opportunity to view an unopened  Sunday newspaper for free this week; you know how I love FREE. With excitement I immediately searched for the coupons that normally take countless minus to go through as they are nearly falling out the paper but his time I was extremely disappointed. There were only about five coupons, and I'm not taking about front and back. I pondered where in the heck are the coupons? Are they also on a budget? Did the distributors merely forget them or did they keep themselves to reduce the cost of their Thanksgiving meal? Have you also noticed this lately? We will not be defeated by the coupon monster! To my dismay, I shared my thoughts with my girlfriend and we instantly went to our favorite friend, the worldwide internet. Yes, we diligently searched the subject and found a few worthy websites. Da! Coupons are not online. What a wonderful concept; you got to be kidding she should have know that! Not only were we able to find coupons related to groceries but for restaurants, movies, business, and many more topics. Thank you, I now have hope!

Now that I am empowered with my coupons I have planned my menu. I'm a southern girl at heart so you know "Salad Please" is not going on my table Thanksgiving Day. Listen! Once or twice a year is okay but just makes sure to take your friend along...the one no one will know about.  You ask what she is talking about. "Fiber girl"  Fiber is your best friend especially during the holidays since you know you are going to indulge in high caloric foods, although you really want to "Keep it Low..." Nevertheless, there are many forms out there but try to find the one with psyllium as it may make you feel full faster thus saving yourself from that second helping of food you know you don't need anyway; shu...just take a plate home for tomorrow.

Okay, okay, getting back to my wonderful menu, get this...on Wednesday at about 1:00 am and after seasoning and preparing the turkey with Creole marinade, we’re going to throw that bad boy into the smoke with those apple soaked hickey smoked wood chips; try saying that twice. Next, the trusty ham smothered in cranberry sauce and pineapples an array of condiment to make it happy is slow cooked to perfection. In the morning I’m going to get that corn bread herbal dressing with giblets going. After that, collard greens with cabbage seasoned with smoked turkey and jalapeño peppers, crank up the fire under my truly flavorful buttery candid, and I mean candid, yams. And you know we can’t forget a dish with the raisins. Come on down carrot salad with diced pineapples and minced Fuji apples for that tangy flair; pecans sound good too. Finally, no successful Thanksgiving dinner can be without, homemade butter popping, finger licking, mouth watering, YEAST ROLLS. Now that’s some good eating!

 

       Image by Mr. T in DC via Flickr

 

 

Hah...whatever your preparation  and meal consist of, the most important elements of Thanksgivings Day is gratefulness, give thanks for all your blessings, love, and enjoy being with your family and friends. Although it may have taken you hours and you are extremely exhausted before you place the first place setting or open the door to welcome your guest, remember it was all worth it when they say we had the best time and you receive that warm heart felt huge from the little one that can barely walk. Love and the act of giving thanks are to the key to a successful life.

Happy Thanksgiving, gobble,gobble!   Real Sweet Sprit!

I bet you thought I forgot...click here to check out the coupons!

Blackberry Shoes Blog Café

Salad Please!

Are you one of those people that love salads but hate to fix them? Well me too. I absolutely love all the mix greens and as many fixings as I can get but I just don't want to get in gear and make it. Yeah, yeah, I know they are good for you and it sounds like I'm lazy, but guess what? You are undoubtedly correct on this one hot shot!

Suppliers go out their way for us to make it as convenient as possible but we still just don't get it. They prepare the greens to go straight from the bag to your lovely flower painted bowl but that's not good enough. So they take it a step further with the wonderful chopped and sliced ready veggies for us lazy people. What wrong with us? Well, this is why so many of us are overweight. Get off the couch girl and grab a head of lettuce and workout! Pick up those lettuce heads and act like they are weights that will set you free from the double digits dress size and your double chin. You know you want to be free. You've been looking for freedom nearly most of your life unless your metabolism races faster than an Olympic Sprinter. Nevertheless, we all can use some motivation to get moving and I'm not talking about picking up that extra drumstick.

Another friend that you may want to stop by occasionally are
carbohydrates better known as "fat stickers," at least in my world. Now not all carbohydrates are your enemy just those with no color to them. When you add a little color and text also known as wheat and whole grains you now rock! But don't take my word do a little research or test it out and see if it works for you but you know you have to slow down, better yet just leave "Sweetie" at home for a while.

We live in a world where we want things now because we are too business to either wait or simply slow down. So the next time you want that scrumptious salad, do yourself and your waistline a favor, back away from the TV and make it yourself! Now go take on the "Real Sweet Spirit."

P.S. Don't forget get fiber. He's looking for your too!

Blackberry Shoes Blog Café

Lumps and Pumps

Now that we have your new slinging red shoes, lets work on the outfit for that hot date with the new love of your life you will met during your trip to the islands. You know you have to look good girl to cover up all that junk. Junk? Yes I said it, "Junk!" Let's talk...

We pack on lots of unwanted lumps and pumps in all the areas everyone can see, that is if you don't know how to cover it up. We have learned to tuck, push, and hide our extra pounds because you know you are not going to give up Mama's homemade vanilla bean ice cream and her delicious chocolate fudge cake. Mmmm calories here I come!

We love our food so much we call it fast food. You know fast foods, you met them last night when you were driving home from school or work. We also know "Late Night Snacks." They are the ones that continue to call your name when your are either watching TV, tossing and turning in an attempt to get some zzzz, or maybe you encountered them while sleep walking. Regardless of how you connect with them you know you should just walk away since "Lumps and Pumps" are just around the corner. Girl how are you going to fit in that new outfit?

Okay, so you think you can do it. Well you can lose it if you just get in touch with you know, "Will Power!" Some of us have it and some of us got to find it. Honey you must track down "Will Power" and hunt for it like you did those red shoes for "Traveling Light or Not." Use your cell phone, email, network, just do what you must to find it! While you are at it don't forget to pick up "Mr. & Mrs. Weights" because they are the key elements to you looking good for your fine new companion.

Now that you are relaxing under the blazing sun on the beautiful island waiting for your new love, just remember to go easy on the eats because one set of lump and pumps can always become two and perhaps three. Go take on the "Real Sweet Spirit."

Blackberry Shoes Blog Café

Traveling Light, or Not…


Ready, set, go! Not so fast. Traveling light takes time, careful planning, a road map, and red shoes. You may ask why red shoes? Simply said, they depict time and preparation when traveling light. So get that credit card and let’s find those red shoes!

It takes a lot of time and effort to find a good looking and comfortable pair of red shoes just as a well fitting bra. One must possess a wonderful attitude and a good pair of walking sneaker to search for the infamous red shoes and don’t forget to bring patience along. Remember when red shoes where a dime a dozen as well as white shoes? And by the way what does it take to find a quality pair of leather shoes these days? It seems tire track vinyl material have taking over the steps. Get out the way I’m looking for leather! I love leather shoes, their like a relationship that lasts a life time. You can pass them down from generation to generation or at least from sister to sister and possible a cousin or two if you’re lucky. Leather, when are you coming home?

News flash “Red Shoes gets a bad rap.” What do you mean? Have you every worn a pair of red shoes with a black dress and it happens to be a Friday when it’s Girls night out? Likely, some fashion police in much early times made this a taboo and people are still trying to exercise this strange rule. You can only imagine that the person must have worn this ensemble in poor taste and could not live it down so they passed it on to society to perhaps elevate their sagging ego. Its called "gets a life!"

The absolute solution to traveling light is to just let go girl! You don’t need those extra jeans and panties weighing you down only to be charged an extra fee if you must endure the ridiculously low weight limit of the carriers. Be free! Besides, you know you are going to buy more stuff you may only use or wear one or two time if that.

Now that you are prepared and equipped for your journey, let’s go and take on the “Real Sweet Sprit.”

P.S. don’t forget your “Red Shoes.”