Oh Sick Days....

My Dad likes to tease that I was as 'strong as an ox' when I was little, "had the best immune system ever", but something happened when I turned 14... and it all went down hill from there.

Now it seems I can't go through a month withOUT getting sick, some way or another: cold, flu, sinus pressure, stomach aches, you name the major illnesses and I'll tell you my over-the-counter drug of choice. Tylenol Cold, Sudafed, Robitussin, Mucinex, Halls Cough Drops, Coricidin, Theraflu, and of course NyQuil & DayQuil. NyQuil and I are best buds, missed it when I was pregnant but we've been reunited.

This time around I have been sick since Sunday night, ok Monday morning: woke up with a sore throat when I had to feed Ryan at 3am. Woke up for the gym at 5am with sore muscles (like my body knew it was gym-time...) and by the time I had to go to work, yup, my nose started running away.

Let's see if I've covered the basics...

Runny Nose

Sneezing

Nasal Congestion

Sinus Pain & Pressure (esp in the cheek bones)

Sore Throat

Headache

Body Ache

Hot & Cold Feelings

Tiredness

So the only thing missing seems to be the spiking 100 degree fever... well that's good at least.

I've taken drastic measures to get better FASTER!

Not only did I get new Kleenex's Cold Touch Tissues (AMAZING!!!!), switched my toothbrush, steamed my face with the wash cloth, and busted out my nonstop supply to NyQuil, Alex and I made some homemade chicken noodle soup. See Tasty Tuesday's Post here.

So hopefully I'll be feeling better *holds up shot of NyQuil* I'll drink to that and good night!

Tuesday Taste Buds: Mom's Chicken Soup

My Mom’s Chicken Soup

Whenever I felt under the weather, my mother always made me chicken soup to make me feel better. Made from scratch and past down from her mother, this soup has always had a better effect than any cold medicine ever will on me! Just the smells from it can make you feel better!


Now that I’m older and my mother is not always there for me whenever I get sick, I have to make it for myself. Forever from her heart she past the soup’s recipe to me which I plan to give to my children (and to you too!) The ingredients she said ‘should be measured by senses’. No teaspoon or measuring cup could tell her how much was right for her soup. You make it to your liking.

There are so many different kinds of chicken soup, made from several grandmothers and mothers all over the world, yet whenever I start to sniffle, or I hear a cough, I grab my “mommy’s recipe” every time. Maybe that’s why I have a constant stock of chicken broth in my cupboard!


What you’ll need:

• 1 whole chicken
• 2 to 3 boxes of organic chicken broth
• “Better than Bullion” chicken (2 spoonfuls)
• Seasoning: poultry seasoning, thyme, 2 bay leaves, oregano, marjoram, pepper, and a little bit of salt.
• Vegetables: carrots, celery (keep leaves), 2 onions, potatoes
• 2 large cooking pots
• Strainer, Colander
• Optional: macaroni/egg noodles, rice

Directions:

1. Wash chicken. Take out the gizzards, leftover feathers, and extra fat.

2. In one pot, add broth to cover the chicken. Add onions (cut one onion into fourths), and celery leaves.

3. Add seasoning and bullion
4. Bring to a boil, and then set to simmer. Cook till chicken comes off the bone.

5. In the other pot, place colander in to strain broth into it from the first pot. Let the chicken and vegetables cool down in strainer.

6. Tear off chicken meat and put into pot with the broth. Throw away bones, skin, and the old/used vegetables.

7. Cut carrots, celery, onions, and potatoes. Put into pot. Cook till vegetables are done.

Optional: Cook macaroni or egg noodles in other pot, then add to soup once cooked, or put soup over rice.

33 Ways to Stay CREATIVE

Breaking Dawn Part I

Now I have to start with saying "BEST TWILIGHT SAGA MOVIE YET!"

Okay, now that that's out of the way, Breaking Dawn, the book was my favorite of the 4. I will always like the beginning story of Edward and Bella from Twilight, the 1st book, but the 4th has soooo much more fantasy that I love!

Now not to *SPOIL* it for some people (so stop reading if you don't want to know ANYTHING about the movie), but between the wedding, to the honeymoon, to the birth of her baby girl... I never stopped loving Bella and her story. Sure I love the other characters like Edward, Jacob, Alice, and of course silly Charlie, but I like to think I was a little like Bella, especially with the birth of Renesmee... I teared up when she was born, both book and movie. I understood her fight for the baby and that she would do anything for her.... or him because she thought she was having a boy.

And maybe one day I'll have a wedding and a beautiful honeymoon like Bella did (maybe even in Rio too!) but till then I will envy her (haha) and watch the movie again! But I am glad a vampire didn't have to....umm.... help me give birth... yeah.

I was super, SUPER excited to see the movie and I would go see it again, and again! The movie was pretty close to the book, and yes, I do know because I was one of those crazy fans that read it 3 times... going on my 4th. Heck if Ryan understood what I was saying, then we're half way through it because I've been reading it to him on and off since he was born!

My favorite part of the movie: hard to say, there were so many! I loved the birth down to the silly wedding toasts from Charlie & Jessica. Jacob's imprinting to the wolves fight scenes. From Bella trying to walk in heels to the house keepers taking the broken bed out the house. There were so many!

Thirsty Thursday: Caramel Brulée Latte

Caramel Brulée Latte

Espresso and steamed milk flavored with caramel Brulée sauce, topped with sweetened whipped cream and caramel Brulée topping.

Now that the holidays are upon us, I've kept my tradition to drink Peppermint Mochas during this special season. However, I'm very tempted to try this bad boy! So due to the fact that Starbucks has a special:

Buy One, Get One Event!

Celebrate the season together. Buy one holiday drink, get one of equal or lesser value free.

November 17 - 20, 2 -5 p.m. at participating Starbucks locations.

Peppermint Mocha: Peppermint lovers rejoice! Your holiday favorite is back.

Caramel Brulée Latte: Warm up with sweet, caramel goodness.

Gingerbread Latte: Enjoy the flavor of freshly baked gingerbread.

Did you know?!? : Although this drink is new, the flavor is very traditional.

The first mention of crème brûlée dates back to 1691.

 

Garden And Sea Etsy Shop

Garden And Sea Etsy Shop!

Came across this shop while looking for crochet headbands, great for fall and winter!

Not only are there headbands, but she has ear warmers (like shown above), scarves, cowls, and these cute coffee cozies!

Angela (shop owner) is really talented and was awesome when I made my Christmas gift order. Check her store out & follow her on Twitter @agardenandsea.

Thanks again! I love my new fall accessory!

Friday Find: Fisher Price Apptivity Case

Laugh & Learn Apptivity Case

 From Fisher Price

This sturdy case will protect your iPhone or iPod Touch from baby's messes and unwanted call making... or in my case unwanted texting. Busy beads and a mirror add baby-appropriate play. And free Laugh & Learn apps mean plenty of learning time!


Simply pop your smart phone inside this whimsical case to save it from drops, drools, and teething.

This sounds amazing for my little Ryster! He already turbo crawls toward my phone... should I be careless and leave it on the ground.

Now all they need to create is something for the iPads...

Friday Finds: SodaCanShop on Etsy

I found this shop while searching for Hello Kitty through Etsy.

SodaCanShop

 Recycled Soda Can HK Necklace & Star Earrings -  Arizona Tea

Recycled Soda Can Bracelet

Recycled Soda Can Sparrow Bird Magnet Peach Arizona Tea

Now this lady doesn't just do Arizona soda cans, I just really like the colors from the cans personally. There are the mainstream favorites: Coca Cola, Pepsi, A&W, Sprite, Dr. Pepper... and then there are the energy drink favorites: Monster, Redbull, Rockstar, Starbucks, BTab, etc.

She makes necklaces, bracelets, earrings, magnets, ornaments, hair clips, and salt/pepper shakers! Plus the back side is backed with foam so no sharp edges!

Not only are there recycled soda can goods but there are also Scrabble pendants with adorable prints on them! Several nature, animal, and other miscellaneous art prints on the Scrabble blocks!

Scrabble Tile Pendant Necklace Eiffel Tower

Check it Out!

My Tumblrs :)

I have two Tumblr accounts... so far!

Check them out! Follow and enjoy!

http://thislittlehappa.tumblr.com/

http://hellokrazykitty.tumblr.com/

On the Xmas List...

Someone hint to my boyfriend that the little blue box is on my Christmas list...

Thirsty Thursday: Blissinis!

Doesn't that just make your mouth water! I'm sure you would slip right into bliss as you sip on these!

Let's enjoy these while unwinding from holiday madness!

Blissinis
(Recipe courtesy Giada De Laurentiis)

Ingredients:

- 1 1/2 cups Prosecco, chilled
- 1 1/2 cups orange juice, chilled
- 1 1/2 cups pomegranate juice, chilled
- Mint leaves, for garnish

Directions: Combine the Prosecco, orange juice, and pomegranate juice and pour into 4 Champagne glasses. Garnish with mint leaves and serve.

Work It Wednesday: The Impossible Push Up

 Yeah... that looks hard... any takers?