Feeding You Friday!

In the mood for something so NOT healthy for you? Something filling and tasty?





Thanks to Giada De Laurentiis for supplying me with one of my fav go to recipes for company. Not to mention that my boys love it! T-man refers to it as bacon sketti!

Cinnamon-Pancetta Carbonara

Ingredients
4 slices bacon, chopped
4 slices pancetta, chopped
1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
2 cups whipping cream
1 1/2 cups freshly grated Parmesan
6 large egg yolks
1lb box fettuccine
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
2 tablespoons chopped fresh chives





Directions
Saute the bacon and pancetta in a heavy large frying pan over medium heat until almost crisp, about 5 minutes. Sprinkle the cinnamon over the bacon and pancetta and saute until the bacon is crisp and golden, about 2 minutes longer. Cool. Whisk in the cream, cheese, and yolks to blend.

Meanwhile, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil over high heat. Add the fettuccine and cook until it is just tender but still firm to the bite, stirring occasionally, about 3 minutes. Drain. Add the fettuccine to the cream mixture and toss over medium-low heat until the sauce coats the pasta thickly, about 5 minutes (do not boil). Season the pasta, to taste, with salt and pepper. Transfer the pasta to a large wide serving bowl. Sprinkle with chives and serve.

Enjoy!!

The. Worst. Birthday. Ever!

I'm happy to around another year. I'm a year older, the hubby is a year older, and the boys are a year older. Life is pretty darn good. All you can ask for is to be happy and healthy. Ahhh healthy. What are the chances I would get food poisoning the night before my happy 31st? Pretty darn good since that is exactly what happened!

Little N's birthday is the day before mine. We celebrated with a party at school (Yes, mom took her first official "paid time off" day at work to spend the day with lil N) after school we went to see "Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs" (Great movie btw) after the movie we decided to get a bite to eat. My friend works at a nearby restaurant (that is known for their salad bar) so we decided to stop by there for dinner.

Chips and salsa for an appetizer, check.
Burgers for the kids, check.
Salmonella for me, double check.

What a lovely way to spend the night before your birthday. Sleeping on the bathroom floor and being called to nature every 15 min. So my "paid time off" on Monday turned into using a sick day on Tuesday. And my birthday? Spent running to the bathroom every 15-30 min. all day while feeling guilty that I 1. Took the day off of work. 2. Spent the day in bed while there was a ton of things that needed to be done around the house. 3. Didn't spend any quality time with the kids.

All of this while fielding calls from my wonder friends and (some) of my family to wish me a happy birthday.

So this goes down in the worst birthday hall of fame. I declare a redo!

Stop the Madness!

Someone has a birthday coming up!

As I say that I realize that I am not only speaking of my son N who's birthday is Monday, but I am also speaking of myself who's birthday is the following day. Ahhh the beauty of aging!

And I've come to realize that nothing has made me feel older than watching the MTV VMA's on Sunday night.

Who are these children that are making records nowadays? (I must be old, I just referenced records)Who are these kiddies that are presenting awards? I DIDN'T KNOW HALF OF THE PEOPLE THAT WERE ON THE STAGE! And I don't even want to talk about the music, if that's what you call it. Other than Green Day, I didn't even know what was going on. Sorry Beyonce, but "Put a Ring On It?", I'm pretty sure he did.

So not only am I feeling a little down about the impending birthday, I got to watch something that made me feel waaaay older than my soon to be 31 years!

Thanks MTV, not only do you pollute lives with shows like "The Hills" and "My Super Sweet 16" now you have made me feel ancient!

Remembering Love Ones Lost

Today is a day of remembrance. To the many that gave their lives to ensure the safety of others...to the innocent who were lost to an unnecessary attack.

This is a poem that someone gave my siblings and I when our mom passed away some 8 years ago... To this day I still can't read it without crying, but there is something to be said about its beauty.

If Tomorrow Starts Without Me

Author believed to be David Romano

When tomorrow starts without me,

And I'm not there to see,

If the sun should rise and find your eyes all filled with tears for me,
I wish so much you wouldn't cry

The way you did today,

While thinking of the many things,

We didn't get to say.
I know how much you love me,

As much as I love you, and each time that you think of me,

I know you'll miss me too.

But when tomorrow starts without me,

Please try to understand,

That an angel came and called my name,

And took me by the hand, and said my place was ready,

In heaven far above,

And that I'd have to leave behind

All those I dearly love.
But as I turned to walk away,

A tear fell from my eye

For all my life,

I'd always thought,

I didn't want to die.
I had so much to live for,

So much left yet to do,

It seemed almost impossible,

That I was leaving you.
I thought of all the yesterdays

The good ones and the bad,

I thought of all the love we shared, and all the fun we had
If I could re-live yesterday

Just even for a while,

I'd say good-bye and kiss you

And maybe see you smile.
But then I fully realized,

That this could never be,

For emptiness and memories, would take the place of me.
And when I thought of worldly things,

I might miss come tomorrow,

I thought of you, and when I did,

My heart was filled with sorrow.
But when I walked through heaven's gates,

I felt so much at home

When God looked down and smiled at me,

From His great golden throne.
He said, "This is eternity,

And all I've promised you."

Today your life on earth is past,

But here life starts anew
I promise no tomorrow,

But today will always last,

And since each day's the same way

There's no longing for the past.
You have been so faithful,

So trusting and so true.

Though there were times

You did some things

You knew you shouldn't do.
But you have been forgiven

And now at last you're free.

So won't you come and take my hand

And share my life with me?
So when tomorrow starts without me,

Don't think we're far apart,

For every time you think of me,

I'm right here, in your heart.

Feeding You Friday!

I figure that since I am Greek, I should post a Greek inspired dish. This is definitely one of my family favorites! And like my friend Beth stated: "Anything w/ bacon is like heaven in your mouth."

Enjoy!

Feta Cheese and Bacon Stuffed Breasts

8 tablespoons olive oil
2 teaspoons lemon juice
4 cloves crushed garlic
1 tablespoon dried oregano
salt and pepper to taste
4 skinless, boneless chicken breasts
4 slices feta cheese
4 slices bacon, fried and drained

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).

In a small bowl combine the oil, lemon juice, garlic, oregano, salt and pepper. Mix together and use as a marinade for the chicken. Marinade for at least 30 min.

Take chicken out of marinade. Pound each chicken breast out until thin. Top each chicken breast with 1 slice feta cheese and 1 slice bacon. Fold over and secure open sides with toothpicks. Place in 9x13 baking dish.

Bake uncovered at 350 degrees F (175 degrees C) for 30 to 35 minutes.

A cucumber and tomato salad tossed in olive oil, vinegar, oregano, salt and pepper goes great with this dish.

The People Of Walmart?!?

It came to my attention that there is a new website that was created by a couple of college friends and room-mates called peopleofwalmart.com.



Yes, People Of Walmart dot com....So of course, I had to check it out! WOW, I mean WOW...Some of these people are laugh out loud, fashion disasters! I urge you all (and I mean all 6 of you) To take a look at this page ASAP. What better way to feel a little better about yourself! hehe



Which had me come up with the idea of "Doula's Fashion Don'ts"

• Never, Ever is it okay for men to wear flip flops or sandals.(Mandals if you will) Eww just the thought of looking at those gross, hairy feet make me want to vomit! (I will give you the benefit of the doubt if you are at the beach or near a pool)
• And No, that doesn't mean throw on a pair of socks and all is well.
• It is not okay for a grown man to carry a back pack. The only exception to this rule is if you actually have school books in said bag.
• Ladies, please dress for your size. I'm a bigger girl, I totally understand that it might make you feel good to squeeze into those jeans that you used to wear clubbing back in the day. But looking like a 10lb sausage stuffed into a 5lb casing just isn't flattering.
• But please know that it doesn't mean it's okay to start buying "mom jeans"
• Mullets...Need I say more? But don't forget the elusive Femme-mullet. And the rarely seen baby mullet!
• Men, it is great that you work out, building muscles like that takes a lot of time and discipline. BUT, wearing a shirt (usually Affliction or Ed Hardy) that is 6 sizes too small just makes you look like a giant Douche!
• And for those boys that are still wearing that 90's favorite "Baggy Pants" so big they are falling around your ankles..."Hey! Tupac is Dead, Pull Up Your Pants!"

Please feel free to add your own little pet peeves about the fabulous fashions you've seen out and about!

I am far from a fashion guru, but there are some things that are just inexcusable!

Feeding You Friday!

Since it feels like a rainy, fall day here in Michigan, I've decided to stick with the football game themed appetizers. Here is a family fav:

Bacon Carbonara Pizza

2-Thin Pizza Crusts (I like the Mama Maria brand)

1-Container refrigerated Alfredo sauce (or make your own, but who has the time for that?)

1lb-Cooked, crispy, chopped bacon

3Tbs-Chopped red onion

2Tbs-Grated Parmesan cheese

Chopped fresh parsley

Pre-heat oven according to the pizza crust package instructions. Spread Alfredo sauce over the crusts, top with Parmesan cheese, bacon, and onion. Bake for 8-10 min, or until crust is lightly browned and sauce is bubbly.

Top with chopped parsley and let cool for at least 5 min before slicing and enjoying!