11 questions and 11 random facts about me...

I was tagged to answer 11 questions by Skippy over @ I Make Soap and then to provide 11 random facts about myself. I honestly don't think I have that many people who read my blog  since I do not blog on a regular basis-so I am not going to tag anyone-but Skippy here ya go...

Skippy’s 11 questions:

1.  What is your favorite childhood memory? Hmmmmm… this one was tough. I would have to say my favorite childhood memory is time spent with my mom playing beauty shop and “doing” her hair and makeup on our screened in porch. I was around 7.

2.  What is your dream job? My dream job would be to be self-employed and to be able to work from home doing something artistic or maybe as a party/wedding planner.

3.  Who is your best friend? Besides my hubby; Tobie- she was my college roommate- no matter how long we have been apart we can pick up like we had just talked the day before. I miss her daily as we do not live close to each other.

4.  Have you ever been finger printed? Why? No

5.  Have you ever been at fault in a car accident? No

6.  If you could be a citizen of any country other than your own which would you choose? I would probably choose Canada, because I feel it is most similar to the US.

7.  If you could have one talent which would earn you money, which would you choose? I think I would enjoy being either a wedding planner or an interior decorator and spending other people’s money.

8.  What thing do you find to be highly overrated?  Why? Pro sports, I think it is indecent the amount of money spent on sports salaries, especially with the state of our economy right now.

9.  Who did you like better growing up - your Mom or your Dad? Hands down my mom, she was and still is my rock. I love her to death and rely on her wisdom. She rarely if ever yelled- she and I are very close.

10.  How often do you laugh? Not often enough unfortunately.  I actually cannot remember the last time I REALLY laughed hard about something.

11.  What is your favorite holiday? I would have to say Christmas- because I enjoy everything about the holiday and it is a time when we generally get to see more of our family. Plus I enjoy going to church on Christmas Eve, and then the excitement of the kids opening their gifts the next day.

11 Random facts about me:

1.   I have been told that I have an excellent singing voice.

2.   My favorite color is blue- a turquoise blue like the ocean in the Caribbean.

3.   I am DEATHLY afraid of snakes. The only good snake is one you can wear (aka boots) or carry (aka a purse).

4.   My favorite fruits are strawberries & blueberries.

5.    I do not like rides at amusement parks and am terrified of roller coasters.

6.    I can touch my nose with my tongue.

7.    I love to swim and really love it when I have the opportunity to go snorkeling.

8.    I used to wear only Fendi perfume all the time- until they stopped making it... and now wear only Juicy Couture "Viva La Juicy"..

9.    I would love to own (or retire to) a home in the woods overlooking a large lake.

10.  I enjoy cooking and baking if I have the time to do it at my own pace- I do not enjoy  having to whip something up quickly.

11.  I usually “talk” for my dogs at home and have been known to carry on conversations with immediate family members talking as one of our pups. ;)

Skinny Chicken Marsala

Skinny Chicken Marsala

As you can probably tell from this and my last post I am trying to lose weight (again) and have been trying to eat healthier all around.... I've joined a weight loss group that relies heavily upon behavior modification and is able to boast an 80% success rate- you are given a quota of how much weight you need to lose each month and how many calories you may eat each day etc.

Last week was my first week- and I lost 4 lbs! :D YAY!!!! My goal is to lose 75 lbs. Hopefully I will have 25-30 off by Jenny's wedding...

The other night I tried a new recipe- unfortunately I can't remember where the original was from-but I altered it slightly..... It was delish!!!!!

Skinny Chicken Marsala

6 boneless chicken breasts
1 regular sized bottle of fat free Italian salad dressing.
1 TB flour
1/2 tsp garlic powder
1 tsp. McCormick Perfect Pinch Mediterranean  herb seasoning
1/4 tsp. pepper
2 TB olive oil
1/2 c. low sodium chicken broth
1/2 c. *Marsala wine       *do not substitute*
8 oz. sliced fresh portabella mushrooms
1/2 c. chopped fresh parsley

Using a plastic bag- marinate the chicken breasts with the fat free Italian dressing for at least 6 hours. Later...
Drain and discard the salad dressing. Combine the flour and dry seasonings and using a sifter cover both sides of the chicken breasts.  Using a large non stick skillet coated with cooking spray cook the chicken in one tablespoon of the olive oil along with the 1 TB of butter for approximately 2 minutes on each side until browned. When done transfer the chicken breasts to a large 9x 13 baking dish which has been coated with cooking spray.

Add the wine and chicken broth to the pan and bring to a boil, scraping the browned bits till loosened.  Cook and stir while boiling for about 2 minutes. Then transfer the sauce to a small bowl.  Using the same skillet put in the remaining 1 TB of olive oil plus some cooking spray and cook the mushrooms until browned.  Then stir sauce into the mushrooms and heat through. Pour the sauce with the mushrooms over top of the chicken breasts and top with the chopped parsley. Bake uncovered in a 350 degree oven for 30 minutes.  6 servings; each serving 375 calories.