Ok so I just feel like ranting, here goes....Dear Verizon, you need an attitude adjustment. Here's the thing, we've been with Verizon forever, since before there was a Verizon. I thought their, "upgrade" option after 2 years, to be able to buy a new phone at a "lower price" just for signing up for an additional 2 years, was decent. They've made it a joke. Now they are charging $30 per line per upgrade. How ridiculous. So much for being grateful for my continued business and new 2 year commitment. Well I found the phone I wanted at HH Gregg for only $20, it's over $100 on the Verizon website, and I decided to buy it and upgrade. In the middle of the upgrade, while the salesman was processing my change, he mentioned the new $30 fee and I told him to cancel everything. He wasn't happy but he backed it all out and while we were waiting for the process to complete, the manager came over and told me, he'd gladly take $30 off anything I'd like to buy in the store! I was tempted but I thanked him and left...empty handed. I was so furious with Verizon. How unappreciative and ungrateful. I LOVE my Dare but it's over 2 years old and the screen is terribly scratched plus I can not hear anyone who calls me anymore unless I use the speaker phone or ear buds...I needed a new phone. None the less I walked away. I called Verizon 3 times, their reps ALL told me, to complain and complain loud and often. They suggested emails. They told me the last time Verizon tried to implement a new fee (I think it was $2.00 processing fee for making a payment) they retracted it after receiving tons of complaints. So I did, I complained via phone, email and facebook. Then a few days later I returned to HH Gregg and bought the phone plus a dehumidifier, that\ we needed, with a $30 discount. I completely applaud HH Gregg, they truly appreciate me as a customer. They know how to show it too. They respect me. They won my loyalty....Verizon, not so much.

Skinny Baked Broccoli Macaroni and Cheese with Chicken Made this the other night, turned out great.

Skinny Baked Broccoli Macaroni and Cheese with Chicken Made this the other night, turned out great.

Servings: 8 • Serving Size: 1 cup • Old Points: 6 pts • Points+: 8 pts
Calories: 314.9 • Fat: 9.8 g • Protein: 17.7 g • Carb: 44.3 g • Fiber: 6.3 g • Sugar: 4 g
Sodium: 215.7 (without salt)

Ingredients:

• 12 oz high fiber elbows like Ronzoni Smart Taste
• 2 chicken breasts
• 1 Tbsp Low fat cream cheese
• 1 tbsp butter
• 1 tbsp light butter
• 1/4 cup flour
• 1/4 cup minced onion
• 2 cups skim milk
• 1 cup fat free chicken broth (vegetarians use vegetable broth)
• 8 oz (2 cups) Sargento shredded reduced fat sharp cheddar
• salt and fresh pepper to taste
• 12 oz fresh broccoli florets  
• 1/8 cup grated parmesan
• 1/4 cup seasoned bread crumbs
• cooking spray

Directions:

Cut chicken into bite portions and brown thoroughly, set aside.

Cook pasta and broccoli together in a large pot of salted water, according to package directions for al dente (or slightly under cook 2 minutes). Spray a baking dish with cooking spray. Preheat oven to 375°.

In a large, heavy skillet, melt butters. Add onion and cook over low heat about 2 minutes, add flour and cook another minute, or until the flour is golden and well combined. Add milk, chicken broth and cream cheese and whisk, raising heat to medium-high until it comes to a boil; cook about 5 minutes or until the sauce becomes smooth and thick. Season with salt and pepper.

Once the sauce is thick, remove from heat, add cheese and mix well until cheese is melted. Adjust salt and pepper to taste, add cooked macaroni and broccoli and mix well. Add chicken. Pour into prepared baking dish. Top with grated cheese and breadcrumbs. Spray a little more cooking spray on top.

Bake for 15-20 minutes, then broil for a few minutes to get the breadcrumbs golden.

Made this earlier this week, scrumptious. I added green bean almondine and it was really good. Here's the recipe:

Skinny Chicken Parmesan

serves 4 (one chicken breast each, 225 calories) 

2 (8 oz) chicken breasts, sliced in half (horizontally, or butterflied but cut all the way through. You will end up with 4 pieces of chicken)
3/4 cup seasoned breadcrumbs 
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1/2 teaspoon Italian seasonings (I don't necessarily like a lot of Italian seasoning, so add more if you like it!)
1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese (This does not have to be fresh. In fact a use the stuff in the green bottle more times than not)
1 1/2-2 tbsp butter, melted 
3/4 cup reduced fat mozzarella cheese
1 cup marinara or your favorite spaghetti sauce
cooking spray

Preheat oven to 450°. Line large baking sheet with foil (easy clean up) and spray lightly with cooking spray.

Combine breadcrumbs, Parmesan cheese, garlic powder, and Italian seasonings in a bowl. Melt the butter in the microwave in another bowl (this is usually melted after about 20 seconds, so watch it closely.) Lightly brush the butter onto the chicken, then dip into breadcrumb/cheese mixture. Place on baking sheet and repeat with the remaining 3 pieces of chicken.

Lightly spray a little more cooking spray on top (this makes it nice and crispy) and bake in the oven for 20 minutes. Remove chicken from oven and turn over. Spoon sauce over each piece and top with mozzarella cheese and bake another 5 minutes or until cheese is melted. 

Just wanted to post some more pics:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Just a few more of my favorites: 

 

A friend of ours is going to take her kids to Disney and it reminded me that I had written down some notes regarding the Disney experience a few years ago. I dug them up and thought I might write them down here, for future reference. I use to visit Disney somewhat often and although I haven't been in a few years, I'd think most, if not all, of these suggestions would still be useful.

Monorail: You can ride in the front of the monorail. Only 4 people are allowed at at time. You just need to ask the attendant on the platform before boarding and if they can, they will arrange it. The view is much better from up front because you can see all around the car since there is no other car in front of it. It's worth the effort.

Check the times of shows/parades ahead of time so you can plan around them.

Parades: To get a good seat, you have to find a spot 45 min. to an hour ahead of schedule. Buy some snacks to eat/drink while waiting. This is even an ideal time to "picnic" if it's around meal time. If it's hot, plan ahead and look for a shaded spot. Sitting on the curb is allowed and directly in front of the castle is ideal.

Characters: If you are taking kids this is a lot of fun, pick up a WDW autograph book (only $6.59 if you buy ahead using this link http://www.disneystore.com//autograph-books-pens-stationery-home-decor-official-walt-disney-world-resort-autograph-book/mp/1254585/1000357/?CMP=KNC-DSSBingShop)  or as soon as you enter the park. Some of the best places to see/hug/meet characters are on Main Street, Fantasy Land and at Character meals*. Take the book everywhere with you and make a game out of it, encouraging the kids to keep an eye out for characters to meet. There will be characters at Epcot and MGM also. Keep the camera at the ready.

*Character Meals: These can be arranged at any gift shop. Ask a cashier if they can help you reserve a character meal and they will dial the reservation# for you and hand you the phone. You will need to do this early for any meal the same day or you can make it for the next day. Breakfast for example would be easier if you arrange the day before. You will need to know - where you want to eat, what time and how many will be in your party. Here are the locations I know about and have tried,
The Liberty Tree in Liberty Square - Terrific character dinner. It "used" to cost $19.95/adult and $9.95/child. It's all you can eat and served family style.
Cinderella's Castle and the Polynesian Luau - are both very pricey and fill up quickly.
The Contemporary - has a breakfast with Chef Mickey. It "was" the same price at the Liberty Tree but served buffet style. The buffet is huge but of course you will have to leave the table, with the kids, to get your food. Still very worth it and there will be a lot of characters there.

Epcot: If you plan on doing the countries and also want to do Future World remember:
     1. A number of Future World attractions close at 7.
     2. Buy a passport as soon as you get to the first country, or before and have each country stamp it. Let the kids take the passport up to an attendant in each shop and they will not only stamp it for them but will also write a personal message in that country's language.

Shopping: There are some bargains to be found at Disney. you will have to look carefully. There won't be many sales typically, maybe 1 rack for every 2 - 3 stores and the items may all be in just one or two sizes but they are there. Happy shopping.

Mail: Send postcards home/back to your childs class, from Disney (inside the park) and it will receive a Disney postmark. This is a fun piece of memorbilia that will be waiting for you when you get back. Don't forget to take your address book so you can send one to everyone.

Whenever you enter a park chec,k the map for special events/parades/shows and locations/times (each month at Disney brings a new schedule) so you can plan accordingly.

So there you go, hope it's all still useful information, most importantly, leave the stress at the gate and have a wonderful time, Disney is truly magical ;).

Ok so I feel really dumb that I haven't thought of this before. I prefer a tube of toothpaste that "stands up" versus lays down on the counter. Having said that, not all brands offer that option. I am also a bargain shopper and have definite preferences but can be flexible to some extent especially when the savings are significant. So after a recent trip to Savemart, I returned with toothpaste that does NOT stand on end and realized (I feel so dumb here) the tops are interchangeable! I'm no rocket scientist but I had no idea I was that slow :D. So here's the tutorial:
The old almost used up "stand up" tube

The newly purchased and "stand up" challenged tube 

Wala exchange the top and you have a "stand up" tube!

Clever right?        Bahahhahaha bet this will make your day!