You’re not just the queen of butter, you’re the queen of love.
Paula Deen: Photo by Dr. Billy Ingram/Getty Images
I felt nervous, excited and at one point in time, I felt like I wanted to cry tears of joy! It had been quite some time since my heart had raced that quickly, especially over some celebrity. I knew she was in the building and the line for her book signing was growing longer by the minute.
MFM Interview with Adriana Schlarb
I was on my way to pick up one of her latest books with hopes that I could meet her during the signing. On my way, a reporter had pulled me aside for an interview on women’s blogs (thanks to my sister). I knew this was a great opportunity to get the word out about MissFitMama and was excited since this was my first official interview. The woman was kind and sincere and I tried so hard to focus on what she was saying, but then time stopped. I heard the echo of a voice I had become all too familiar with on the Food Network. It was the woman I had been waiting for. Paula Deen was a good 50 feet away from me now.
Paula Deen at the Women's Conference in Long Beach, CA
My mother had secured us a spot at the back of the auditorium behind some rope and after I answered my last question, I made a b line for it. She was just as beautiful as she was on tv. Her laugh and personality was larger than life. I had missed the first few minutes of her speech and came in at a point where she began to talk about her early days as the “Bag Lady”. She had started her business with determination, hard work, a passion for cooking and only $200.00.
The Deen Brothers at the Women's Conference
Later she discussed the love of her life, her now husband Michael. She talked about faith, responsibility and her will be independent and self reliant. Here, I will share on of her many pearls of wisdom. “Ladies, never be with a man because you have to, be with a man because you want to”. In other words, take responsibility for yourself (financially and otherwise) and when you’re independent, happy and healthy, love will be that much more fulfilling.
We may be separated by generations,culture & state lines, but our common ground is our love of good food and the life that happens in between meals. I was 22 when I lost my father, and Paula was 26 when she became an orphan. Like Paula, I struggled terribly through school (as my poor mother can attest to). I had dreams of becoming a famous actress or singer. She wanted to become a model. I was called a late bloomer, but as Paula reminded me during her speech, she was in her 40’s when she decided to take life by the reigns. She said, “It was June 19th… I never forget it”. Thank God she did. So, in honor of Paula Deen, I will share The Serenity Prayer that she shared with us. I love you Paula!
God grant me the serenity
to accept the things I cannot change;
courage to change the things I can;
and wisdom to know the difference.
Living one day at a time;
Enjoying one moment at a time;
Accepting hardships as the pathway to peace;
Taking, as He did, this sinful world
as it is, not as I would have it;
Trusting that He will make all things right
if I surrender to His Will;
That I may be reasonably happy in this life
and supremely happy with Him
Forever in the next.
Amen.
–Reinhold Niebuhr
Congratulations to the “Classically Thin” recipe contest winner Leaha P. from Whittier, CA
Leaha’s recipe for Orzo Pasta Salad was a favorite amongst the judges for it’s simplicity and creativity. Check back soon for a copy of this recipe along with a short interview with our winner! Great job Leaha!
I also want to send out a special thank you to everyone who participated in our very first “Classically Thin” recipe contest. I had so much fun going through all your recipes and am looking forward to more contests in the near future!
Now and Then
Last week I attended open house for our kids which is always kind of a bizarre experience. On one hand, it feels great to be on the other side of things! Now, I’m the parent having conferences with teachers. On the other hand, it’s bittersweet because I begin to reflect on my present age and some of the more awkward moments from my teen years. I am completely different yet still the same.
Junior High and High School was a time of self discovery. While most girls were discovering boys, I was more interested in what was on the lunch menu. I did have a core group of female friends, but all my “male” friends saw me as ” one of the guys”. After all, I did weigh more than most of them. I hated being late to class because that always meant you were forced to squeeze into the least desirable seats near the front. I always preferred to sit near the rear exit because at my heaviest, getting in and out of my chair without causing some commotion was near impossible. Did I mention I was also extremely clumsy and frequently, tripped or stepped on toes or knocked people over with my backpack? Thanks goodness those times are behind me now 
It wasn’t too difficult to squeeze into the front desk of my daughters Home Economics class, but I did (for a moment) panic, wondering whether or not I would actually fit. In many ways, I’m different now because I’m more secure in who I am (even if I haven’t reached my goal weight). However, it was a small reminder that the self image demons I fought in school are still lurking beneath the surface, waiting to bring me down with memories from past failures. My defense; Remembering that I can start over every day. I try not to beat myself up with negativity, but rather encouragement and a plan of action. I make small, attainable daily goals and focus on accomplishing one thing, one day at a time. Its these little victories that really add up to great success in the end or future if you will. Be encouraged! It’s never too late to start over.
Say this to yourself each and every day:
1. I am beautiful right now.
2. I am strong right now.
3. I am worthy of being loved right now.
4. I am worthy of respect right now.
5. I have the power to take control of my own happiness right now.
If you don’t know where to start, check out THIS article as a guide to your first step I would wish you luck, but you don’t need it. All you need is the will to succeed. I believe in you. Now, believe in yourself.
PS) Sorry about the absence of photos. My camera is missing so until I get a replacement, I’ll see what I can do to keep things visual
Thank you for all your delicious submissions!
Thanks to everyone who supported my very first MissFitMama low fat recipe contest! It was a success and I’m looking forward to testing and tasting all these amazing recipes! Good luck to everyone who entered!
Enter for your chance to win this glamorous apron from Carolyn’s Kitchen!!
One afternoon my girlfriend Dawn and I were having a little chat about dancers and their amazing physiques. Dawn (who also happens to be a dancer from Detroit) gave me a very valuable tip. She told me that dancing in heels night after night slimmed her body down into a well defined feminine shape. The tilt of high heels really forces you to use all sorts of muscles in order to keep your balance. So, I decided to experiment and thew on some high heels while I was washing dishes then decided to throw a quick meal together. Although house cleaning and cooking are not always so glamourous, I have to admit that I felt somewhat empowered and quite feminine.
Realistically, I’m in no shape to keep up this type of “regimen” but I did want to explore this concept and felt it was important to feel dare I say “sexy” yet “classy” while in the kitchen. If you read my previous entry, then you’re probably already familiar with Carolyns’s Kitchen. Needless to say, it was her designs that inspired me to have thi. I’ve decided to have my very first “Classically Thin” recipe contest for Miss Fit Mama readers.
Carolyn of Carolyns’s Kitchen was kind enough to offer one lucky MFM reader a chance to win this glamorous, vintage inspired apron valued at $39.95! Read below to see how you can enter to win.
Contest Rules:
Do you have a classic family recipe like “Grandma Thelma’s Mashed Potatoes” or “Uncle Bobby’s Famous Carrot Cake” that you’ve reinvented or “thinned out” to make it figure friendly without sacrificing flavor? Share your creative ideas for a chance to win! To enter, simply send us your recipe via snail mail (postmarked by September 30th) or you can email MFM with a photo of your dish (if possible) along with your recipe. Include a short story about you and and what inspired your “Classically Thin” dish. Winner will be notified via email and will receive the prize along with your photo and recipe to be posted on MissFitMama You’ll be famous! Ok, not really, but you’ll have some serious bragging rights. I’ve included a personal favorite “Classically Thin” recipe that I make for my family. Now get cooking!
Click HERE to check out more fun and flirty aprons by Carolyns’s Kitchen!
Photo Credit: Adriana Schlarb
Here’s an MFM approved Classically Thin recipe for Mac N Cheese!
Ingredients:
2 1/4 Cups macaroni
1 Cup Fat Free Milk
3/4 Cup reduced-fat sharp cheddar
3/4 Cup reduced-fat Monterey Jack
1/3 Cup shredded American cheese
1/3 Cup shredded part-skim mozzzarella cheese
1/2 tsp ground pepper (use white pepper if you can find it)
pinch of seasoning salt
1/4 Cup bread crumbs (optional)
Directions:
1. Cook macaroni as instructed on package. Drain and pour into lightly sprayed 8×8 baking dish. Sprinkle lightly with seasoning salt. Set Aside.
2. While pasta is boiling, combine cheese and milk into a sauce pot and cook over low heat. Stir constantly to prevent scorching. Add a pinch of pepper. Mix until creamy and well combined.
3. Pour sauce over pasta an gently toss until all pasta is coated. Pop into the broiler until ready to serve.
Optional: Sprinkle lightly with breadcrumbs and place into broiler until breadcrumbs are a light golden brown for added crunch.
Note:If you don’t have the money or time to purchase individual blocks of cheese, then use whatever you have on hand. Try about 2 1/2 Cups of a bagged low fat cheese such as Mexican or American Blend.
Turn up the heat with these vintage inspired aprons !
When I think of throwing on an apron, my first thought isn’t ,” wow, I look hot” it’s more along the lines of ,” I am one hot mess!”. I stumbled across Carolyn’s Kitchen while one Twitter and totally fell in love with her collection. Carolyn says, “I wanted to bring back the glamour, sexiness, and cuteness of a bygone innocent era. “I let my imagination run, and originated the embodiment of that 40’s girl in the apron and gloves, living in our ultra modern age.” Click here to learn more about how Carolyn West was inspired by an apron and glove set from Paris!
Every woman should have one of these aprons because the Domestic Goddess inside us needs little reminders here and there that she is beautiful & sexy no matter how tired, how hot or how sweaty she is!
Check back next week for contest rules and details on how you can win this awesome apron (pictured above)!
Just one of those days…
I’m having one of those days. Ladies, you know what I’m talking about. It’s one of the few times I wish (for 7-9 days) I wasn’t a woman! It’s exactly 30 days until my birthday, and I swore at the beginning of this month and that I would try to drop 7-10 lbs as a gift to myself. I went on the “raw food diet” and stuck to it for about 4 hours. I can do fruit for breakfast, but I need my carbs! I’ve been unusally hungy and tired lately, so my will power is at a standstill. This morning I had a bowl of fresh blueberries with grapes and thought I could make it through the “fruit till noon”. 30 minutes later, I scrambled 2 eggs and a piece of toast. Later, I polished off a baby bowl serving of chips and 3 chocolate chip cookies. I’d love to blame everything on PMS, but but I’m still the one shoveling this junk down my throat. Why? It feels and tastes really, really good right now! Needless to say, I have since reduced my goal to 3-5 lbs for obvious reasons. Tomorrow is a new day. I have to be better prepared to handle these “horomonal” cravings. Ladies if you’re out there, let me know what you do to get through your “off” days!
Julie & Julia
Earlier in the week, I had the opportunity of watching this film with my mother in law. It was lovely and we definitely shared some laugh out loud moments! Meryl Streep was graceful and hilarious as always! I highly recommend that you go and see this with your mom, sister, aunt, fellow culinary art students whomever! Plan to have lunch or dinner afterwards. It makes your mouth water! It definitely inspired me to keep going with my blog and to pursue other dreams as well.
Thank you Julia Child for your courage and boldness in a time where women could only dream in small boxes. Thank you Julie Powell for your refreshing honesty and determination reminding us to dream and think outside the proverbial box (or cubical)!
Shape your shape!
Learn how to shape your shape! Every woman’s body type is different, so why not try a work out that’s designed to flatter yours? Check out this really cool guide from Women’s Fitness and add it to your repertoire. Remember, there’s no reason that you shouldn’t feel beautiful just because you’re working out! Check out these threads from Junonia . Photo Credit: Junonia.com
Your legacy remembered.
The passing of pop icon Michael Jackson and actress Farrah Fawcett hit home for fans all over the world. I was working on this post when I heard the news and it was a shocking reminder that life is a gift. You will be remembered by what you leave behind.
This is just another reason why this post was so important for me to share. A few weeks ago, my friend Debra asked me to test her website BCelebrated. So, I went to work, clicking through pages, looking for bugs etc. Once I signed up and started clicking around I realized she was on to something really great. It’s never easy to think about death and the truth is, most people don’t want to. What I like about BCelebrated is that it delicately handles this sensitive subject in way that is gentle and thoughtful. As I began logging memories and writing private pages to loved ones, it really made me reflect on how precious & short life is. Over the years, I plan to continue building my page so that my legacy and most precious memories are preserved in a way that is honorable and true.
I decided to share BCelebrated with my mother. She jokingly said something along the lines of ,”this looks easy even for someone like me who’s web challenged! ” All I could think about was how thankful I was to have family stories, photos, memories and recipies all in one place, told from my mother’s perspective. I truly hope that you and your loved ones can benefit from BCelebrated as you begin documenting loving memories in a safe place to share forever.
For Deb and her family, the last 3 years were difficult as they lost many close family members and friends. This prompted and idea to help others cope with such trying times in a way that was practical and celebratory. I’ve asked Deb to share some words on how BCelebrated started. Here’s what she had to say:
“My husband Mark and I have experienced the death of many friends and family members over the past three years. Experiencing the heartache and stress put on a family left to deal with all of the details, while deep in the throws of grief, we thought it would be a wonderful service to enable people to prepare for their own deaths in a way that is easy and celebratory. A service that would allow them to chronicle their own lives as they are living it, giving cause for reflection, allow them to create private messages of love, encouragement and inspiration to loved ones, a place to leave important information, and a system that would automatically notify your contacts so your family isn’t left trying to figure out who mattered to you and how to reach them.”
“Just as we were testing the site my sister in law’s father died. It was unexpected, as 49% of all deaths are. Even though he was in his early 80’s he hadn’t prepared for his death in any way. Witnessing the incredible stress this put on my sister in law, who was dealing with her own grief, supporting her mother, working at her full time job, and supporting her kids through their loss, it broke my heart that we didn’t have the site up in time for him to take advantage of this while he was still alive and healthy. Seeing up close how much turmoil is left when a family member passes unexpectedly I was even more determined to provide this service to the world.”
Debra Joy CEO BCelebrated
“While we intended the site for baby boomers, to create for themselves and their parents, we’ve been surprised by how many young moms love the site. As they set up private pages for their children we hear the greatest comments about the joy it gives them. That makes us so happy.”
For more information on Bcelebrated, click here. or Take the Tour.
