Well, it's a...

EAR INFECTION...that's right I have some fluid in my ear messing with my equilibrium and some nasal congestion. So the doc prescribed me some meds and I was on my way. Actually, let me back track since I didn't share these yesterday.

Since we all know greasy, slimy foods are not good for us, it is best to limit them, but sometimes they really hit the spot. Sunday afternoon we were on base for a few things and decided to stop by the Oceanview Grill for lunch. Keep in mind I have very limited options here and the salad bar is really lacking. In fact my only real option is the fish sandwich. While it is fried, I like that it is an actual fish filet not some processed slab of fish, and it is not as slimy as one would expect from a 24/7 cafe.

Ryan ordered this cheesesteak.

Yesterday I started my morning off with a nice filling whole wheat bagel...
topped with this...
which equalled a really nice and tasty breakfast for me.
Then I headed off to school to sub and do some training for my new job. I guess I should fill everyone in on my new PART time job. I am now a tutor with the AVID program at the middle and high schools here (American of course). If you are not familiar with the AVID program, here is a definition I found online:
What is AVID?AVID is a program designed to help underachieving middle and high school students prepare for and succeed in colleges and universities. Students in the program commit themselves to improvement and preparation for college. AVID offers a rigorous program of instruction in academic “survival skills” and college level entry skills. The AVID program teaches the student how to study, read for content, take notes, and manage time. Students participate in collaborative study groups or tutorials led by tutors who use skillful questioning to bring students to a higher level of understanding.

AVID stands for Advancement Via Individual Determination. Time is spent preparing students for college and really encouraging them to do their best. There is a section of 7-8th graders that I have been working with so far. It's really a lot of fun and I am looking forward to doing more hours. I am also excited because even though I missed the deadlines for applying for my intership with Oklahoma, I think I will be able to do this for my internship starting next fall. This means I know I will have an internship I enjoy and it also means I don't have to turn down the program next year to do an internship somewhere else. After I get more training in and work more with the kids I will be sure to post an update.

After I returned home yesterday, from school and the doctor, I thought some major Vitamin C was in order. Ryan brought this home and was like, "not sure but I think this is a grapefruit" and guess what? he was totally right!

It was delicious. Just what the doctor ordered!!!

Ok, so before I tell you about where you can find a giveaway for chocolate, let me show you what I discovered while at the store the other day. These mini candy bars completely satisfied my sweet tooth and thankfully they only have 70 calories.

Isn't is cute? (The bar, not the dorm style furniture, LOL, they provided us with standard furniture when we moved here because we weren't allowed to bring our furniture.)

If that got you in the mood for a chocolate giveaway, head over to see Chocolate Covered Katie and her big fat chocolate giveaway.

QUESTION: Do you prefer milk or dark chocolate?

Vegas Memories (Part 2)

Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas!!!

Well, maybe not, but seeing as I am recovering from what is a mild ear infection with some water in my ear, I am trying to get some rest and can't think of anything good to post on today, so I decided to share some photos from Las Vegas, where I lived for 5 years before moving overseas with my husband.

If you missed my Vegas Memories (part 1) make sure you check out those photos too. Oh, and if you are wondering how someone from Baltimore, MD ended up living in Las Vegas, NV, click here to find out more.

These fountains are outside of the Wynn, which is relatively new on the strip.

Hash House a Go Go is one of my fave restaurants, not so much because of the food, but a lot to do with the presentation of the food and the atmosphere. It's a great place to bring visitors to try and I love it since I can share entrees with people and then get a chance to try many things. Beware, the portions are HUGE!!! These are just a few pics.

This was from an amazing summertime display. This is a replica of the Bellagio complete with mini working water show in the front with the fountains. Welcome to the Chinese New Year...this is from the year of the rat.
Some Christmas penguins.

This is an autumn display.
Here I am looking just as much a pumpkin as this giant gourd beside me. I always loved the fall exhibits because there was never really a fall season in Las Vegas. Springtime display, which I love. They always have a greenhouse with butterflies inside.
Water anyone?
And since I am feeling slow just like this guy below, I am going to go lay down.
Have a great Monday!!!
QUESTION: If you have been to Vegas, what was your fave free activity? Paid activity?

Pumpkin ravs and feelin better

Thanks everyone for your thoughts and nice comments yesterday. I am feeling much better today, not 100%, but much better. This is very good since I have a lot to do this coming week. One thing that helped to make me feel better were these lollipops. Do you guys remember these? I loved these when I was in high school.

Thursday night before I got sick I decided to make dinner and incorporate the rest of the canned pumpkin I had from when I made the bread the day before. I really wanted to make pumpkin stuffed ravioli, but I really haven't used my pasta machine/maker yet and I didn't feel like learning right now, so I made some adjustments to my idea and here is what I came up with.

I heated some skim milk with splenda and nutmeg.
Then I got out the remaining pumpkin, heated it a little in the microwave so it was warm...

Then added the pumpkin to my milk and made a creamy pumpkin sauce.

It smelled so good.

Then I layered my raviolis, the sauce and some mozzarela cheese, which by the way was too much cheese, lesson learned! As I was eating it I found myself removing some cheese and giving it to the dog. She was one happy puppy!

Here it is ready to go into the oven for about 15 minutes.

Lots of layers!

Can't have a meal without adding in some green. The fresh broc in the store looked old (cause it was!, the hadn't put out the new produce yet this week) so I went with frozen.

Now you can see how ooey gooey the cheese came out.

Alright, here's the finished product. Don't you just love the paper plates?!?

It was really good and I am happy that Ryan really liked it.

Then the illness hit. Friday I was pretty much confined to my bed. Lucky for me Ryan came home from work at lunch time and was able to stay with me. I was sick, but that didn't stop my hunger. Ryan made me "breakfast" in bed. He made these egg and cheese tortilla wraps on the digital griddle.

Saturday I felt well enough to watch Ryan get rid of those biodegradable, water melting packing peanuts from when I got my sony digital reader. Watch how much fun this was...

Going, going...

Gone! Haha, looks like marshmallow soup!

Speaking of soup, that was just what the doctor ordered. I am glad I still had this from TJ's since it was so easy to make.

Then Ryan got griddle happy again and made himself those chicken quesadillas, but not without making me some tomato and cheese quesadillas first.

He got creative with what we had, which was only grape tomatoes, so there are little tomatoes inside here.

The rest of the evening was spent just louging arouns watching movies. It was so cold in the house that I finally had to break out the slippers I bought. Introducing my slippers, sleeping bags for your feet!

THEY ROCK!!! I love them and they are so comfy. So, that is it for now. I am going to go get some more rest and watch some mroe movies. Hope you had a good weekend and that none of you are sick too.

QUESTION: What is your "home" remedy for a cold/sinus problem? Also, what kind of slippers do you have?

Icky Sicky Pooh!

For those of you who follow me on twitter you will already know that I have not been feeling well. For someone who never gets sicky this is starting to make me go insane. I have so much to do, but every time I get out of bed I am really dizzy and need to lay back down. Then I feel silly because if I stay still in bed and watch TV/play on my iPhone I feel perfectly fine. But then I go to move again and the dizzy feeling comes right back.

Lucky for me I have Ryan who has been making sure I eat when I feel hungry and that a new DVD is put in the player when one ends, and that I don't run out of water and he even brought me my lap top to get some work done.

So this is really just a quick note to say I will be back with a great post about the dinner I made 2 days ago, once I am feeling better...and I wanted to ask your opinion on this "illness". I am thinking sinus infection because I have a headache, major dizziness and a runny nose. What do you think? Anyone have a sinus infection before?

And I also have some giveaways to mention:

Juliegolean is giving away an Oikos and Stonyfield sponsored spa package. Giveaway ends Nov 18 so enter soon!

and

An Apple a Day is giving away Genuine Health Vegan Protein +, sample.

Have a great weekend!