Livin' Lean Topic Tuesday: Beachwear That Suits You

We are coming up on that season that many women fear; SWIMSUIT SEASON! I don't know how many times I hear ladies say "no thank you" to a cookie at a faculty meeting because they only have "X" numbers of months, weeks or days until they must put on this feared fabric. This little number has the power to completely consume our lives. I know. It does the same thing to me too. It's time to stop this swimsuit anxiety once and for all. Let's take a new look at swimsuits. From this point forward, it's not all about making our body fit the suit. It is also about finding the suit that fits us!


Women come in many beautiful shapes and sizes. And guess what ladies...so do swimsuits! Changing the color, cut or fabric of a suit can totally take you from a state a depression to a state of excitement. Remember, if a suit doesn't look good, it's the suit, not you. We need to find the styles made for us. The first thing we must identify is our body type. What best defines my shape? Then consider what we'll be doing while wearing this suit (reading in the sun, playing volleyball or swimming laps). Function also plays a role in selecting a suit. Believe me, string bikinis are not best for playing the in waves at the beach.


Here is a link to Fitness Magazine. The article offers a guide for finding the best swim suit for your body. It also includes pictures, giving examples of possible options. Take a look and see what is out there for you. At no other time of the year are we as "out there" as we are on the beach or at the pool. Essentially, it is like we are walking around in our bra and undies. Who wouldn't be a little self-conscious, right? Well, instead, we need to feel beautiful, strong and confident out there in our little swim suits. We are outside in the sun to have some fun, not to worry about how we are lookin'. We should step out knowing we look great! It starts with finding the suit that is going to show off our shapes and allows us to feel comfortable. If you want to feel sexy in a suit this summer, find your fit and wear it with confidence.

Now go out and have some fun swimsuit shoppin'! Oh, and don't forget to pick up some sunscreen too. 

My Offical Acceptance into the Preppy Mafia

With all this pink and green, it was just a matter of time before someone noticed my prep potential. I have Shannon, at Webbisodes: Diapers, Drool and Drama, to thank for this beautiful award! To be honest with y'all, while I was growing up, "preppy" was not something I wanted to be categorized under. However, as an adult and now blogging mama, things have changed a bit. These blogging ladies in the Preppy Mafia are definitely ones I pride myself in being associated with. Therefore, I am proud and honored to accept this award as one of the newest members to the Preppy Mafia!

 The rules:


1. Copy and paste the above image onto your blog/website.


2. Answer the questions below.


3. Pass onto bloggers that you LOVE and let them know they've been given this award.


Welcome to the Preppy Mafia! Now for a few questions, you cannot refuse.




1. Who is your style icon(s)?

I like classy and simple, with a little bit of edge (or sass). Those icons include Jennifer Aniston, Jessica Alba and Kelly Ripa.

2. What is your favorite Socialite lit book?

I wish I had time to read anything other than books about education and organizational leadership. For now, that's all I read when it comes to books. I'll get back to ya when I graduate in a few years.

3. Favorite party theme?

I love a good party theme! Probably my favorite is a "Jimmy Buffett/Tropical" theme. It screams, "Kick back, have some fun and enjoy a frozen concoction!."

4. Go to Halloween costume?

Absolutely! Almost every year my husband and I dress up for Halloween parties. We have a blast trying to coordinate outfits. The costumes are always homemade and pieced together. To us, buying a costume already put together takes all the fun out of it.

5. Extravagance you cannot live without?

My cell pone, my lap top and my MomAgenda planners, calendar and note pads. Without these things, it is impossible to function.
6. Living person you admire?

He may think it funny for me to be writing this, but I admire my husband. I don't think he truly knows how much I look up to him and how proud I am of who he is as a person. This man loves his family and friends more than anything in the world. These days, strong, loyal and loving men are hard to come by. If you have one ladies, hold on tight! I admire my husband because he brings out the best in me and others around him.

7. Greatest fear?

Fear is an interesting concept. It is the one thing holding us back from our true potential. It doesn't exist in the world around us, but only within us. My biggest fear is allowing fear itself to keep me from going for my dreams and aspirations.


8. Trait you deplore in yourself?

My listening skills. If I am preoccupied with something or my mind is swamped, I find it hard to really listen when others are talking. For example, if I come home and my husband wants to vent or share something exciting with me, I will appear to be listening, but really my mind is somewhere else. This is something I try to work on constantly. The ones I love deserve my undivided attention. I need to be there for them, 100%. My issues can wait.


9. Which talent would you most like to have?

I wish I could sing. I mean "Kelly Clarkson" sing! I have no problem getting in front of people, I love music, I love to dance, but the voice is not that impressive. If I could sing, I would probably try to be in a band or would have auditioned for American Idol years ago. Instead, my voice is reserved for the shower and my hour-long commutes to work. That's when I get to pretend I'm a rock star.


10. Greatest Achievement?

My greatest achievement is being selected as a finalist in the Real Women of Philadelphia contest. It continues to be one of the greatest experiences in my life (besides marrying Rudy and having our daughter, of course). I am having a blast creating new recipes, making new friends and being a part of the community. If you haven't yet, please stop by the Real Women of Philadelphia community and become a part of all the excitement. The casting part of the competition is closed, but this is just the beginning. After the four winners are selected in Savannah, they will need help creating and choosing recipes to be featured in a Philadelphia Cream Cheese Cookbook. Check it out!



Now, The Preppy Mafia award goes to:

Jen @ After the Alter

AND

Me and My Pink Mixer


Congrats ladies and I hope everyone is having a marvelous Monday!

Paula Deen's Lean: Wagon Wheels & Cheese with Chicken and Broccoli

This recipe is made specifically with our "Teeny-Leanies" (healthy-eatin' kids) in mind. Paula has a page in her magazine titled "Jack's Corner", where she features yummy child-friendly recipes. Jack is her precious grandson that loves Paula's cookin' just as much as the rest of us. The great news is that even big kids like you and I can enjoy this and many other wonderful recipes found in "Jack's Corner". Here is what I did to lean it up just a bit. For the original version of this recipe, check out Paula's March/April 2010 issue of Cooking with Paula Deen Magazine.


WAGON WHEELS AND CHEESE WITH CHICKEN AND BROCCOLI
Makes 12 Servings

INGREDIENTS:

1 (16 oz.) bag of Veggie Wacky Mac pasta

1 boneless skinless chicken breast, cut into 1/2 inch pieces
1-1/4 teaspoons salt, divided
2 tablespoon SMART BALANCE olive oil/butter blend
1/2 cup all-purpose flour
4-1/2 cup 1% milk
1 bag KRAFT fat free shredded cheddar cheese (1-3/4 c)
1 bag KRAFT 1% shredded mozzerella cheese
1 cup reduced-fat shredded Swiss cheese
1 (10-oz.) package frozen chopped broccoli, thawed and drained
1 cup Panko (Japanese bread crumbs)


DIRECTIONS:


Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Spray large casserole dish with nonstick cooking spray.


Cook pasta according to directions on the package and keep warm.


Sprinkle chicken with 1/4 teaspoon salt. In a large skillet, over medium-high heat, melt 2 tablespoons of butter. Add chicken and cook for about 4 minutes or until cooked all the way through. Add flour and remaining salt. Stir constantly until blended. Slowly add milk and stir occasionally; about 5-6 minutes. When the mixture has thickened slightly, add in the cheese. Once cheese is melted and smooth, add the broccoli.
Add the pasta to the mixture and stir gently until all the pasta is covered.


Pour mixture into the prepared casserole dish. Top off with Panko and bake for 15-20 minutes. Bake until hot and bubbly. Make sure to cool before serving.


RESULTS:

It was a hit! From the cook's perspective, it was so simple and took hardly any time at all. From a taster's perspective, it was fantastically delicious! My little one almost cleaned her plate (which is HUGE for her). I couldn't wipe the big smile off my face as I watched her take huge bites loaded with vitamin-packed broccoli and protein-powered chicken, pasta and cheese. It is a parent's dream! And I must add, it was a great meal for myself and my husband too.

My changes were minimal for this recipe. I used reduced-fat cheeses and milk, cut the butter in half and substituted with Smart Balance and used noodles made with vegetables. The Wacky Mac not only added a few more vitamins, but it also added some additional color with green and red colored pasta. More color is always exciting when eating. As Paula says, "We eat first with our eyes," so we gotta make it look exciting, especially to the eyes of those little eaters.

If you have 12 1-cup ovenproof ramekins, you can use those in place of the large casserole. That is what Paula did and it looked really cute. I just didn't have any of these, otherwise I would have. It would have been very helpfult for portion control.
If you have kids in the house, I would say this recipe is a must! If you don't...I still think it is a must. To me, it is a perfectly balance meal; pasta (carbs), chicken and cheese (protein), broccoli (veggies) and butter/olive oil (fats). It gets a perfect "10" on nutrition and taste!

NUTRITION FACTS (per serving): 248.33 calories;  3.47g fat;  36.3g carbohydrate; 18.99g protein;  1.98g fiber