Out of all the green veggies that I LOVE, green peas are my least favorite. But my guys love them, especially with their mashed taters, so I still serve them and will occasionally eat them.

Since discovering a few months ago that I'm lactose intolerant, I can't have my light string cheese for my afternoon snack anymore, which used to be my favorite. I'm constantly trying to find a few healthy snack choices to keep me away from my son's Cheetos!

These dried green peas are definitely my new favorite snack! Just as I have to do with walnuts, almonds, or Brazil nuts, I grab a little handful and close the bag or else I could munch on them all afternoon while working at the computer.

I buy these at Henry's in bulk and wasn't exactly sure about the nutritional facts so I looked it up and found it here on Live Strong. For 1/4 c. of these little peas, you get 3 grams of fiber, 6 grams of protein, and only 1/2 gram of fat for less than 100 calories.

This handful happens to be only half of that, so grab yourself a handful of dried peas; you may discover, like I did, that you like these even if you aren't crazy about regular green peas! Not only are they good for you, but they're yummy, too! 🙂

Posted under Food

Hello, everyone!  I hope you had a good St. Patrick's Day, but not so good that you're feeling a little green today due to the cocktail flu!

It seems like we were just gushing on and on about the MAC Hello Kitty Collection that purred into town and was gone before we could scoop the litterbox!  Well, MAC has come out with another new collection already. It's called Sugarsweet and it's precious!  Here is MAC's description of it:

This spring, M·A·C is all temptation… frostings, finishes, fillings. Each of them whipped, creamy, deliciously stylish, as inspired by the world's most popular sugar-sweet desserts. Never has a season looked so eat-me-up gorgeous!

Sounds tasty, doesn't it?  The colors are pretty much pink and green with an accent of beigey/pewter/gold.  These shades definitely say SPRING to me!  My favorite product from the collection is this cool layered Tricolour Lipglass in Just Dessert.

I've never seen anything like this, and even though I'm not a huge lipglass fan because of the stickiness, I'm so tempted to order this, especially with free shipping on any purchase unil March 22.  Just use promo code SUGARSWEET.

And before I go, let me leave you with a reminder that the Hello Kitty Sweepstakes is still going on til March 31.  You still have a chance to win some of the goodies that sold out before we could “scoop” them up!

Posted under Beauty and Skin Care

Need a last minute appetizer to take to a New Year's Eve Party?  Or maybe you're hosting your own New Year's Eve Party and have decided that you could use another appetizer?  If so, here are a few more very quick and easy last minute ideas.

This first one is a ‘Rachel Ray' spin on the Insalata alla Caprese, which is a real favorite of mine.

Cherry Tomato, Basil, and Mozzarella Skewers

I container cherry tomatoes
1 pound marinated mozzarella balls
Fresh basil
Short wooden skewers or the longer toothpicks

Take the skewers and just alternate a cherry tomato, a basil leaf, and a mozzarella ball. I've added a Kalamata olive, also.  Arrange on a festive plate or on a bed of lettuce leaves and you're done!

It doesn't get any easier than that and it's better than taking a bag of Fritos and a can of bean dip!

Here's one more simple, but festive, cheese spread. BigSis came up with this variation many moons ago!

Homemade Pimiento Cheese Spread

1 small jar chopped pimentos, drained
Kraft or Hellman's mayo (not Miracle Whip!)
1 pound Sharp Cheddar cheese, grated
1/4 t. pepper
1/4 t. garlic powder
1/4 t. celery salt

Combine cheese with pimentos and seasonings, and enough mayonnaise to moisten mixture and hold it together. Serve in a festive bowl surrounded by crackers of your choice. This cheese is best if you can make it a few hours ahead so the flavors can blend, but don't worry if you make it right before the party. It will still be fantastic!

If you still need a few more ideas, check out The Recipe Girl for a huge selection of hot and cold finger foods.

If you need an idea for a New Year's Eve cocktail, Tyler Florence shows you how to make up two festive champagne cocktails.

Wishing you a safe, happy, and healthy New Year's Eve!

Posted under Food

Yes, it's that time of year again. It's time to start thinking about the new year and whether or not you'll be making any New Year's Resolutions for yourself.

Some people despise New Year's Resolutions, but I love them. Resolutions and/or goals help me to stay focused and motivate me to start the year off on a positive note. They don't have to be something major like quitting smoking or losing 20 pounds. They can be small goals that you would like to achieve or just a few things that you would like to improve on during the new year.

(photo credit: Zastavki)

But, before I look forward to 2012, I want to take a little time to revisit my Resolutions for 2011.  In 2010, I had 12 things on my list and that was a bit difficult to maintain throughout the year, so for 2011, I purposely made a shorter, more realistic list.

I only had five things on my list for 2011, so let's see how I did.

1. Goal. GO TO BED EARLIER.

Reality: This one is really, really hard for me because night time is finally my time to relax and do whatever I want to do, without interruptions. The first part of the year I had a crazy schedule which made it easy for me to stay up too late if I didn't have an early morning. About four months ago, I got a regular, set schedule which has me starting work at 4:00 a.m. so I HAVE FINALLY learned how to force myself to go to bed at 9:00 p.m.

2. Goal. Plan healthy meals for the week and do all grocery shopping in one trip.

Reality: I try so hard to do this on Mondays, but depending on my work schedule how manic the Monday happens to be, I don't always make this happen. I despise last minute trips to the grocery store two or three times a week, so this is back on the list for 2012.

3. Goal. Get back to yoga class twice a week.

Reality: Since I work on the mornings when my favorite classes are held at the gym, this didn't work out. Yoga is definitely at the top of my list for 2012. If I can't get to the gym, I'll find a way to do it at home. My sanity and “mental well-being” depend on it!

4. Goal. Restrict weekday “cocktails” and afternoon snacking.

Reality: I would have to say that I've managed to cut out most afternoon snacking on the weekdays, but need to get stricter on the weekends. I've done better on weekday cocktails, unless, of course, someone calls me and wants to get together for a drink during the week. But, I have learned how to say “no”, sometimes.

5. Goal. Weigh in once a week on Friday morning.

Reality: I'm pretty good about doing this but it needs to be more of a mandatory thing so I don't let 3 or 4 pounds sneak up on me. I'm not one who is going to weigh every morning, but it's much easier for me to maintain my weight when I weigh once a week. This is still on my list for 2012.

(photo credit: indieshuffle)

Considering that 2011 was a tough year in a lot of ways, I feel pretty good about not completely “throwing in the towel” when it comes to trying to stay in shape.

Between age, stress, hormones and a work schedule that prevents me from early morning exercise, a few pounds have managed to sneak back on my body. So…what am I going to do about it?

Stay tuned.  I'll be back soon with my plan for 2012.

Posted under Holidays

I noticed on Woopra the other day that someone got to BigSisLilSis.com by typing “adam richman weight gain” into Google.  I've never ever mentioned those words, I swear, Adam!  You know I love you!

That started me thinking though.  How much has Adam actually had to eat in the last 2 full seasons, plus what we've seen of Season 3 so far?  Here's what I come up with:

Amarillo:

• Spicy “burger from Hell” at Coyote Bluff
• Barbecued ribs at Moose's
• Golden Light's Albuquerque (Frito pie)
• Chicken-fried steak at Youngblood's
• 72-oz. Steak Challenge at the Big Texan (72-oz steak, dinner salad, shrimp cocktail, baked potato, and dinner roll in under one hour)

Anchorage:

• Massive sandwich at West Rib Café and Pub
• Mountainous breakfast with sourdough pancakes at Talkeetna Roadhouse

• 6-lb. Kodiak Arrest Challenge at Humpy’s Alaskan Alehouse (6 lbs. of Alaskan King Crab, salmon cakes and reindeer sausage)

Atlanta:

• Chicken and waffles with soul legend Gladys Knight

• 11-lb. Carnivore Pizza Challenge at Big Pie in the Sky (30-inches of meat-laden pie)

Austin:

• Texas-sized donuts at Round Rock

• All-you-can-eat barbecue plate at the Salt Lick

• Don Juan Taco Challenge at Juan in a Million (eat 8 massive breakfast tacos as fast as you can)

Baltimore:

• Pit beef at Chap's Charcoal
• Blue crabs at Obrycki's

• Great Steak Challenge at Steak and Main

Baseball Stadiums:

• Homewrecker hot dog

• Burger served between 2 donuts
• Fifth Third Burger Challenge

Boise:

• Double Big Jud with burger patties the size of Frisbees
• Spicy habanero pizza from Flying Pie
• Johnny B. Goode Challenge at Rockies Diner

Boston:

• Traditional New England clambake from the Barking Crab

• Spicy feast from Hell from East Coast Grill
• 12-lb. Eagle Challenge (5 lbs of hamburger with 2 lbs of bacon and cheese, and 5 lbs of fries)

Boulder:

• Wing King Challenge at West End Tavern (50 wings in 30 minutes)

• Mountain Pie at Beau Jo’s

• Saddlebags at The Buff (a secret recipe of pancakes with bits of bacon and sausage cooked into the batter)

Brooklyn:

• Gargiulo Burger from Brennan & Carr (tender roast beef on top of a cheeseburger)
• Brooklyn’s best Sicilian pie from L&B Spumoni Gardens

• Suicide Wings Challenge at Buffalo Cantina

Charleston:

• Oysters served by the shovel
• Fried chicken sandwich smothered in sausage gravy

• Spicy Tuna Sushi Challenge at Bushido Japanese Restaurant (3 pounds of sushi!)

Chicago:

• Lucky's Overstuffed Sandwich Challenge (eat 3 of their monster sandwiches in an hour)
• Italian beef from Al's

• Famous deep-dish pizza from Gino's

Cleveland:

• Greek gyro bursting with savory beef at Steve's
• Polish Boy from Hot Sauce Williams (kielbasa sausage buried by fries and slaw, stuffed in a bun, and drenched in spicy barbecue sauce)

• 5-lb. Grilled Cheese Challenge at Melt Bar & Grilled (3 giant slices of bread with 3.5 lbs and 14 varieties of cheese, plus fries and slaw)

Columbus:

• Thurmanator burger at Thurman Cafe
• Half pound cream puffs and all-you-can-eat-sausage buffet at Schmidt's Sausage Haus

• 2-1/2-lb. Dagwood Challenge at Ohio Deli (2-1/2 lb cold cut sandwich with fries in less than 30 minutes)

Denver:

• Cricket Burger at Duffy's (half-lb. patty with choice of 21 different toppings)

• Rocky Mountain oysters
• Breakfast Burrito Challenge at Jack-N-Grill  (7 potatoes, a pound of ham, 12 eggs, a whole onion, cheese and chili)

Detroit:

• Triple Threat Sandwich (bacon, ham and pulled pork)
• Coney dogs
• World’s biggest burger at Mallie’s Sports Grill and Bar

Durham:

• Burgers at Wimpy's Grill

• Chopped barbecue and smoked ribs

• Doughman Challenge (running, swimming, biking, and eating at 5 places)

Hartford:

• Woody's loaded Deputy Dog (a foot-long hot dog topped with pulled pork, melted cheddar cheese and BBQ sauce), and 2 ft Works Dog with every topping
• Steamed cheeseburgers
• 10-pound Super-Stuffed Pizza Challenge at Randy’s Wooster St. Pizza Shop (4 pizza doughs packed with meats, cheeses and veggies)

Hawaii:

• Pipikaula short rib and kalua pig
• Loco Moco (a burger dish topped with fried eggs and gravy)
• Mac Daddy Pancake Challenge (3 pancakes, 14 inches wide, covered in toppings in less than 90 minutes)

Las Vegas:

• Hottest crawfish in the country

• Fried chicken benedict and a stuffed egg burger at Hash House A G0 G0

• Big Badass Burrito Challenge at the Nascar Cafe (6 lbs and 2 ft long, covered with melted cheese, guacamole and sour cream)

Little Rock:

• Quadruple Hubcap Burger at Cotham's Mercantile
• Huge community barbecue at the Osborne Family Farm
• Shut Up Juice Spicy Pulled-Pork Challenge at The Mean Pig BBQ (super spicy pulled-pork sandwich)

Los Angeles:

• French dip at Philippe's
• 5-lb. Manuel's Special at el Tepeyac (designed to feed 2 to 4 people)

• Special Number 2 (a spicy Ramen made with 10 different chilies)

Man v Food Live:

• Don Shula’s 48-oz Steak Challenge (Adam's the first to finish it in 20 minutes)

• Joe's jumbo stone crab claws

• Supermoon Perro (a Colombian-style hot dog topped with bacon, potato strips, 5 different sauces, and a quail egg)

• Sarussi Original (a massive 16-in., 2 1/2-lb. Cuban sandwich)
• 10-lb. Mother Burger Challenge

Minneapolis:

• Juicy Lucy (burger with the cheese on the inside)
• Lutefisk at Landmark Grill

• Meterbratwurst Challenge (a meter-long 40-oz bratwurst with 2 sides)

New Jersey:

• Gigantic Strombolis from Stuff Yer Face (their biggest ‘Bolis are 18 inches and weigh 2 lbs)
• Fat Sandwich Challenge at R.U. Hungry grease truck (5 fat sandwiches in 45 minutes)
• Triple-decker deli sandwiches from Harold's Deli

New Orleans:

• Po' boys at Mother's Restaurant
• Seafood at Deanie's Seafood Restaurant

• Coffee and beignets at Cafe du Monde
• 180 oysters in the Acme Oyster House Challenge (15 dozen in under 1 hour)

New York:

• 1-lb. sandwich at Katz’s Delicatessen
• Soul food at Sylvia’s
• Hottest curry in the country at Brick Lane Curry House

North Carolina:

• Chicken biscuit sandwiches
• Whole-hog barbecue
• Hot dog Eating Challenge (17 hot dogs in under 1 hour)

Philadelphia:

• Italian roast pork sandwich
• Mt. Vesuvius at Franklin Fountain (a mountain of homemade chocolate ice cream erupting with hot fudge, brownie chunks and whipped cream)
• Ultimate Cheesesteak Challenge at Tony Luke’s (2-1/2 lbs. of beef over 1 lb. of cheese, fried onions and a 20-inch roll)
• Italian ice at John's Water Ice

Pittsburgh:

• Scorching Atomic Hot Wings Challenge (150,000 Scoville units)

• Sandwich from the famed Primanti Brothers, served with fries on top of all the other fixings
• Hearty breakfast at Deluca's Restaurant

Portland:

• Plate-sized mancakes (a stack of 13-inch pancakes)
• Doughnuts shaped like voodoo dolls, and a maple bacon bar

• Great Balls of Fire Challenge at Salvador Molly's (5 blazing hot habanero fritters)

Richmond:

• Buz and Ned's hickory-smoked spare ribs
• Black Sheep's battleship size sandwiches (2-ft long, 2-1/2-lb. monster sandwiches loaded with toppings)

• Stupid Wings Challenge (8 jumbo wings drenched in habanero, cayenne and pure chili extract)

San Antonio:

• Lulu’s Bakery and Café's 3 1/2-lb. cinnamon roll

• The Police Chief Special from Lulu's (48-oz. chicken-fried steak)
• Big Lou Pizza (a 42-inch, 3 1/2-foot wide, 70-lb. mega pizza piled high with toppings)
• Four Horseman Challenge at Chunky’s Burgers (a half-pound burger topped with the spiciest chilies in the world, including the infamous ghost chili)

San Diego:

• Surfin' California Burrito from Lucha Libre (filled with steak, shrimp and french-fries)
• Tri-tip barbecue and ribs

• Ironman Challenge at the Broken Yolk Cafe (a 6-lb. breakfast served on a 15-inch pizza pan: 12-egg omelet with chili plus a mountain of home fries and 2 biscuits in less than 1 hour)

San Francisco:

• Mission Style Super Burrito

• Kryptonite Sandwich from Ike's Place
• Kitchen Sink Challenge at the San Francisco Creamery (2-gallon sundae heaped with 8 softball-sized scoops of ice cream, 8 servings of whipped cream and 8 different toppings including sprinkles)

San Jose:

• Baby back ribs from Henry's
• Burritozilla from Iguana's (a 17-in, 5 lb burrito)
• Hellfire Hot Wing Challenge from SmokeEaters (a dozen wings drenched in lethal sauce that isn't even on the menu)

Sarasota:

• Homemade pies (cherry pie, shoofly pie, and peanut butter cream), and more!

• Mystery Challenge at Munchies 420 Cafe

• Old Salty Dog (a foot-long hot dog, dipped in beer batter and deep-fried)

Seattle:

• Award-winning burgers at Red Mill
• Mountains of ultra-fresh seafood at the Crab Pot
• Southwestern Exposure Challenge at Beth's Cafe (12 eggs packed with chili, salsa, sour cream and cheddar cheese)

Springfield:

• The Horseshoe at D'Arcy's Pint
• Corndogs at Cozy Dog Drive-In
• Firebrand Chili Challenge at Joe Roger's Chili Parlor

St Louis:

• Monte Cristo hot dogs and oak-roasted pork loin entree from Iron Barley
• Big Ben from Pappy's Smokehouse (6 lbs of pulled pork, beef brisket, chicken, loin ribs, and 4 sides)
• Crown Candy's Malt Milkshake Challenge (5 malt shakes in 30 minutes…almost a gallon of milkshake!)

Tucson:

• The President's Plate at Mi Nidito (bean tostada, birria taco, chile relleno, beef tamale and carne seca enchilada)
• Sonoran hot dog wrapped in bacon and covered in all the fixins
• O.M.G. Burger Challenge at Lindy’s Diner (12 patties and 12 slices of cheese)

Washington, DC:

• Jumbo fish sandwich at Horace and Dickie’s
• Half-smoke at Ben’s Chili Bowl
• Colossal Challenge at Chick & Ruth’s Delly in Anapolis, MD (1-1/2 lb sandwich and a huge milkshake)

Ok, so all of you guys who're hatin' on my boy, Adam, consider this.  Would you gain a pound or two if you'd just eaten all that?  Hmmm?  I'd say Adam looks pretty ding dang good.  Plus, he's got awesome hair, so stop the hatin'.  Maybe you're just jealous that you don't get paid to eat?  😀

Eat on, Adam!  We can't wait to see what's next on your menu!

All photo credits: Travel Channel

Posted under Food

Posted under

I've been trying to intensify my gym time, and have been going 5 times a week instead of 3, plus I'm shaking up my cardio a little. You know how your body will get used to the same old routine after a while, and it stops being as effective? So, lately I've been hopping on the bike 5 times a week for half an hour each session before I run off to the treadmill, and I discovered that's the perfect time to work on my stack of unread magazines. That 30 minutes ends up being a good barometer to determine which magazines are worthwhile and which are a waste of money. If I can breeze through an issue and leave it in the gym, completely done with it after half an hour, then it's not a keeper.

Sorry, Domino Magazine, you've failed my gym test. I can flip through you in only a matter of minutes, just like an issue of People. I adore your cute little sticky tags, but I never find anything to mark any more! I used to love you, but I guess I've moved away from your demographic. I didn't find one article or photo layout of note in the last issue, and didn't see one decorating idea I would ever implement. So, I'm sorry, Domino, I have to end it with you. But it's not you; it's me.

Bon Appetit, I'm breaking up with you too. We've been together for a couple of decades now, but you've been letting me down for months and I'm not putting up with it any more. You used to be so interesting and fun, and now I just can't relate to you at all. What happened to you?

More Magazine, you're making the cut. You last for a couple of gym sessions, and I'm pretty much reading you cover to cover. I can relate to your articles, and I appreciate the positive tone of your issues. I'll renew you when you come calling next year.

Food Network Magazine, you're on probation. Your initial issue was strong, but your performance in the second issue was a bit weaker and a tad boring. I'm a demanding reader, so you've got the rest of this subscription to entertain me and please me. Can you make the grade, or will I have to kick you to the curb with Domino and Bon Appetit?

Martha Stewart Living, I'm back! I cheated on you with Real Simple for a few years, thinking you were too high-maintenance. But Real Simple lost my interest eventually, shallow fickle reader that I am.  I've been having a little newsstand fling with you, and I think I'm ready to make a subscription commitment to you again. While others last only half an hour, you keep me reading for at least a couple of hours, and I usually tear out some of your pages for later reference. I'm back, have you missed me?

LilSis, have you done any magazine weeding lately?  I'm feeling ruthless and demanding more from my subscriptions…how about you?

Posted under This & That

Meaningful Beauty Test Tube

Posted under

IT'S HOT!

I know that there are people all over the country experiencing hotter temperatures than 100 degrees, but this was before noon in the shade! I know, I know, I've been told that I am now officially a ‘wimp' when it comes to weather because of living in Southern California for the past seven years. I'm heading back to CA in the morning and hopefully will get back some of the energy that this heat has literally sucked from my body.

For those who didn't read last week, we spent the weekend at Possum Kingdom Lake in Texas to celebrate our mom's birthday. We really had a fantastic weekend despite the temperatures.  These are a couple of photos that show the views we had from the home where we were staying. It was absolutely beautiful!

We did exactly as we had planned: boating, eating, and relaxing. And, LOTS of laughing!

We also managed to catch a couple of unexpected incidents on video, so as time allows we hope to share a couple of really fun videos with you real soon!

Posted under This & That

I love “Cure”.  She's a very, very cute pink Ty Beanie Bear wearing a pink ribbon to support breast cancer. 100% of Ty's profit from the sale of “Cure” will be donated to Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation. I was surprised to find “Cure” at a local retail store because she is “officially” retired.  Now, I wish that I had purchased more than one.  I'm happy to announce that I will be doing our first “giveaway” and “Cure” will go to one lucky person that leaves a comment on this post. That's all you have to do to enter; just leave a comment on this post.  It will be a totally random drawing.  Let's make it more fun and say that your name will be entered into the “hat” for each comment you leave on this post.

Her tag reads:

To those we've lost and those we love

Our promise is to rise above

We know we'll beat this, that's for sure

Support this cause, help find a cure!

The majority of women know at least one person who has battled this disease and most of us know more than one.  It's time to find a cure!

I'll do the drawing on November 2, 2008.  That's the day of my San Diego Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure, so it seems like a good date to do the drawing. It won't be Breast Cancer Awareness Month any more but we need to keep talking about this throughout the year!

Posted under Health