I {heart} Skinny Cow

I've been MIA, haven't I? I guess there just really hasn't been much going on lately. The McHusband went to Myrtle Beach for his annual Mustang Week trip with the boys this past weekend so while I got together with the girls to celebrate Vickie's birthday, I didn't have the camera to commemorate our night. It's just been business as usual around our house - work, work out, go to bed, repeat.

I did want to share a new treat that I've been enjoying lately between "work out" and "go to bed." It's a Chocolate Truffle ice cream bar made by Skinny Cow. It's not one of those flimsy ice cream pops that leave you wanting more. It's pretty substantial and it's hard to believe it has just 100 calories. I always have room for 100 calories at the end of the day.

The McHusband's a fan of the French Vanilla flavor, but that one just doesn't do it for me. However, we're also fans of Skinny Cow's ice cream sandwiches, especially the mint and cookies n cream varieties. Yum!

I'm sure I'm not even a blip on Skinny Cow's radar, but if the powers that be over there catch wind of my post, they should certainly feel free to contact me for product testing. I would be VERY happy to load up a grocery cart with every Skinny Cow product I can get my hands on. One thing I haven't tried yet is the new low fat cups, and that Chocolate Fudge Brownie flavor is calling my name.

Skinny Cow, email me. Let's do dessert!

31

I heard on the radio this morning that a recent survey (article here) is saying that women are at their most attractive at age 31. How convenient for me, huh?

According to the survey, "they are at a prime age because they have youthful beauty but also more confidence and a better sense of style than fresh-faced teenagers."

Apparently confidence goes a long way since 70% of people surveyed said that was a key factor in determining a woman's appeal. Not far behind at 67% was physical beauty, and 47% of people said that a sense of style was the key factor.

I definitely think that personality goes a long way toward determining how attractive someone is. And a great smile never hurts. Sure, it helps to have Angelina's lips or Giselle's body, but even those things can't help someone who never looks like they're enjoying life.

I agree that with age comes confidence. Not that being older cures all insecurities (like ones about wearing shorts or giving a presentation in front of people), but I know I'm much more accepting of me the way I am now, both internally and externally, than I ever have been. Sure, I still have my issues, but they don't bother me as much as they did when I was in high school or even into my 20's.

Anyone else feel like 31 - or 31ish - is the magic age?

Boot Camp Babes

We went to Leigh's 30th birthday party on Saturday. I had to get us Boot Camp Babes in a picture because I can't remember the last time we were together where we weren't sweating buckets and huffing and puffing.

{L to R: Me, Chelle, Leigh, Sara}

We clean up nicely, don't we? Mom, do you remember that orange top? You got it for me how many years ago? It was perfect for Saturday night.

Mickey, Leigh's husband, rented 30 flamingos and got up in the wee hours of Saturday morning to "plant" them.

On our way out, they were too much to resist. Surprisingly, Chelle's the one who started messing with them, but the boys soon joined in and took over.

Mickey, if any flamingos were permanently damaged, send us the vet bill.

"Are you a runner?"

I went to Subway for lunch today, as I do most Wednesdays. I eat at my desk pretty much every other day so I splurge on my $6.80 combo one day a week. For my birthday, Bri gave me a $50 gift card to Subway. I know she thought it was a lame gift, but I loved whipping that card out for two months and getting my "free" lunch.

Anyway, I was there today and I saw the FedEx guy that delivers to our office. I said a cordial hello, then took my seat in the booth in front of his. When I got up to refill my diet Coke, he asked me as I came back to the table, "Are you a runner?"

Am I? I told him yes because that was the easiest answer. I mean, I do run, but what makes someone a runner? How far do you have to go and how often to say with confidence, "Yes, I'm a runner."

I definitely took his question as a compliment. I'm wearing a skirt today, one that ends about an inch above my knees. I came across it in the guest room closet the other week. I didn't remember the skirt, and I didn't think it would fit me but guess what? It did! The FedEx guy told me I looked like a runner and since I wasn't sweaty and panting, I was flattered that he seemed to be basing his question on my body, specifically my legs, I guess.

I'm still not ready to go shorts-shopping, and I'll stick to laying out on my patio rather than at a public pool, but I'm glad to know that my efforts are paying off in a noticeable - and commentable - way.

Fourth of July

Thanks to Mother Nature cutting NC a break this past weekend, we finally got to use and enjoy our patio on Sunday. We had some friends over for a cookout and fireworks that the McHusband picked up when he was in SC for work.

I borrowed a table from a coworker and covered it with a piece of fabric from Walmart, and I used the chairs from our old kitchen table. I figured we'd just segregate with the guys at the table on the deck and we girls down on the patio, and that's exactly the way it worked out.

Do you like my ban-danners? I already had those and was trying to figure out what I could do with them decorating-wise. I think my idea turned out pretty well.

I borrowed the lanterns from Chelle.

Inside, I had a trio of vases on the table.

I also had this red, white, and blue plate combo, but I didn't have anything to put on it. Bummer.

We did have to put out a couple fires that night, but it's not what you think. Two of the tiki torches on the deck caught fire. Thank goodness I'd made margaritas and the blender was out and available so we filled it with water and doused the flames.

Hope everyone else enjoyed their holiday!

Li'l firecracker

Guess what? Vickie had her baby on Sunday! He was a little less than 2 weeks early, but he was ready. Only about 5 1/2 hours passed between Vickie's water breaking and him being born. She progressed so quickly, in fact, that there wasn't time for an epidural so Vickie, rock star that she is, had a natural childbirth. I'm so proud of her.

The McHusband and I went out to meet the baby yesterday. That's only the second time I've ever visited a new mom in the hospital, and the first happened just last month. I guess 2010 is my year.

I feel kinda bad. I stole the baby from Cindy, Terry's mom, and didn't let go until it was time for us to leave. I figure Cindy would probably be there longer than we would so she'd have plenty of opportunities for newborn cuddles.

Oh yeah, you probably want to know his name, don't you? Meet Zachary Marlin.

Congratulations, Terry and Vickie! He's beautiful, and I can't wait to see him again.

Recipe Recap: Carmelitas

Warning: These things are highly addictive so make 'em at your own risk.

I've made these a couple of times now, and I wish I had a batch to pick from as I type. These Carmelitas are super easy to make, and they are absolutely delicious. I thought now would be a good time to finally share the recipe with you guys because some of you might be looking for a dessert to make for a July 4th celebration. I promise, you can't go wrong with this one.

Ingredients

CRUST:

• 2 cups Pillsbury BEST® All Purpose Flour
• 2 cups quick-cooking rolled oats
• 1 1/2 cups firmly packed light brown sugar
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 1/4 cups butter or margarine, softened

FILLING:

• 1 jar Smucker's® Caramel Spoonable Ice Cream Topping
• 3 tablespoons Pillsbury BEST® All Purpose Flour
• 1 (6 ounce) package semi-sweet chocolate chips
• 1/2 cup chopped nuts

Directions

1. Heat oven to 350 degrees F. Grease 13x9-inch pan. Lightly spoon flour into measuring cup; level off. In large bowl, combine all crust ingredients; mix at low speed until crumbly. Reserve half of crumb mixture (about 3 cups) for topping. Press remaining crumb mixture in bottom of greased pan. Bake at 350 degrees F for 10 minutes.
2. Meanwhile, in small bowl, combine caramel topping and 3 tablespoons flour; blend well.
3. Remove partially baked crust from oven. Sprinkle with chocolate chips and nuts. Drizzle evenly with caramel mixture. Sprinkle with reserved crumb mixture.
4. Return to oven; bake an additional 18 to 22 minutes or until golden brown. Cool 1 hour or until completely cooled. Refrigerate 1 to 2 hours or until filling is set. Cut into bars.

My notes: I didn't use pecans, I used a whole regular-sized bag of chocolate chips, and I used a whole squeeze bottle of caramel topping, which might've been almost double what the recipe called for.

I didn't get very good pictures of the bars, but I can't do a post, especially a food post, without pictures.

The crumbly oatmeal topping. See, these are actually good for you. Oatmeal = healthy, right?


And a quick peek at what's under that oatmeal layer. Mmm, caramel and chocolate...