Friday Favorites

Today I am linking up with Andrea over at Momfessionals to share my Friday Favorites!

 

Let me tell you before I start that I am a simple girl! All of my favorites are super affordable and it's these simple things in life that make my summer even better.

 

Here they are...

The Body Shop's Raspberry Body Butter

This stuff is good! It's nourishing and great for your skin but also smells divine. I can't seem to find the link to it because it appears it may be sold only in stores because it's seasonal or discontinued but any of The Body Shop's Body Butters are great. I tend to like The Body Shop much better for lotions and body butters than Bath and Body Works. Click here to view all of The Body Shop's amazing collection of Body Butters.

 

 

Garnier Fructis Sleek and Shine Intensely Smooth Leave-In Conditioner

I love using this stuff after washing my hair, it leaves my hair smooth and managed and it's also amazing before applying heat. It protects your ends from frizzing up or becoming dry or damaged from blow drying or straightening. This conditioner also has Argan Oil in it which is great for your hair. Bonus: It makes your hair smell delicious and it's less than $5! Click here for Garnier's Leave in Conditioner.

 

 

 

 

Haagen Dazs's Mini Cups

At around 220 calories each these are the perfect size for a small sweat treat without splurging and eating a whole pint. They also come with a little plastic spoon inside so there is no scooping or dish washing involved! These minis are only about $1 to $1.50 each depending on your grocery store. I love the Chocolate and Vanilla and Tony is in love with the Dulce de Leche. I like to keep them stocked and I will just grab a couple and take them upstairs for a little Netflix with the husband before bedtime.Yum!

 

 

 

 

 

Starbucks' Iced Coffee with Vanilla

Please excuse my cubicle decor in the background. This is my go to everyday. Yes, everyday. Especially during the summer. A Venti is only $2.95 and when I am feeling like I need an extra kick guess what? I go for an afternoon round two. My husband disapproves of multiple Starbucks trips in one day but he doesn't need to know. Admittenly this one I am drinking today is Trenti because I needed a little extra boost today since I stayed up late last night working on my blog. But the Trenti only happens once every few weeks I promise.

 

That's all for my Friday Favorites. I look forward to checking out all the other link ups! Happy Friday :)

 

~Mely

 

 

New Blog Title

This blog originated as a way to document my Vertical Sleeve Gastrectomy surgery on 12/12/12. Back then I was a single 22 year old living with my Mom and working at my first "grown up job" at a Credit Union's headquarters. I exclusively posted on my little blog about my surgery and struggles after surgery. About 6 months ago I became really involved in reading other great blogs and found the uselfulness of keeping a family blog for pictures, recipes and life events. Now I am 24, married and working at a fabulous non-profit doing exactly what I wanted to do "when I grew up." So with that I am converting this blog into a family blog for Tony and I. I will still post about my surgery but now there will be other fun posts about life. Our new Blog name is "Two Tall Mexican Bookends." Tony is almost 6'4" and I am 5'9" and the reaction we always get from people is we are going to have big babies and we look like bookends. So there you have it! I hope you stick around :)

Mely Cooks Monday 7/14/14

I'm starting a new series that actually originated months ago called "Mely Cooks Monday." Like the true dork that I am I started posting on Facebook about it and figured that since I have revamped my blog and am posting more than I should make this a series! Today is my first post and I begin with:

 

Lemon Shrimp Scampi with Cheese Ravioli

 

I was looking at some recipes online and found this recipe on All Recipes that of course I modified and switched up to my liking. I have a particular style of cooking.. Here are the recipes I use:

1. Recipes I come up with in my head that I brainstorm and think they will be a good idea
2. I find recipes online that look good and I switch them up to my liking to make my own recipe
3. Classic Mexican dishes I learned from my Momma
4. Recipes I follow by the word because I have a guarantee that they will turn out excellent (usually these recipes are courtesy of my brother who is very adventurous and tries out lots of recipes)

Last night I did the #2 concept. This is a very rich dish. I don't think I will make it soon again because I think I have overdone Pasta dishes lately and we are trying to lose those LBs and Pasta is not helping. If I could redo this dish I would use Angel Hair Pasta for a lighter take. I suggest you do the same because the cheese ravioli was very rich and too much going on.  Here it is:

 

Recipe easily feeds 3-4.

 

1 LB uncooked, deveined prawns

1/4 C Lemon Juice

1/4 C Olive Oil

1 large Garlic Clove finely diced

2 TBSP Fresh or Freeze Dried Parsley ***(More on this below)

2 TBSP Butter

1/4 C. Grated Parmesan Cheese

12 OZ Refrigerated Ravioli (I used Rana's Ravioli Cheese "Forte" OR a 16 OZ box Angel Hair Pasta)

Crushed Red Pepper to your liking (optional)

Salt and Pepper to your liking

 

Cook your pasta according to directions on box. Drain.

Heat up a large non-stick pan to medium-high heat and throw your butter on there

Add Lemon Juice, Olive Oil, Garlic and Parsley.

Stir and bring to a low simmer for about 5 to 7 minutes. Let those juices and flavors merge and enjoy the aroma.

Add shrimp and cook your shrimpies until pink or about 5 minutes. Don't overcook.

Now add your pasta and toss with salt, pepper and your cheese. Add a TBSP more of butter to toss easier or a drizzle of olive oil.

 

I like to keep everything on the pan and keep it on low for a few minutes.

 

Serve and Done!

 

 

 

***About the Parsley. While I was at Safeway with my coworker yesterday, I openly complained about buying a bunch of parsley when I would only use a bit and the rest would go to waste before I could make another recipe with parsley. Another patron jumped in and suggested I buy this freeze dried parsley that when mixed with water is just as good as fresh parsley. I dropped everything and put that sucker in my cart and let me tell you, it's the best thing ever because it's the quality of fresh parsley whenever I want without buying a bunch of parsley everytime.

Summer Time

Wanted to do a post on all the fun I've been having this summer. This is our first summer as newlyweds and it's been anything but boring. Since we haven't lived together prior to marriage we have been adjusting to life and learning a little more about each other. What I do know, I was made for marriage. I love the stuff. I love having somebody to cook for who will eat virtually anything I make him. (Bless his heart, he is the most non picky man I've ever met). I love going on adventures yet still being able to relax at home and do whatever. It's the little things in life. I advise... I am awful about taking pictures and my husband isn't too fond of selfies so you will rarely see selfies of him and I but I try! But seriously, I am trying to take more pictures of our adventures. I don't have a fancy camera... all my pictures are taken with my dinasour iPhone 4s. Here is the randomness...

1. Netflix (what we are watching)

 

Orange is the New Black

 

Warning: There is nudity and there is lesbian and straight sex scenes but the show is ridiculously good. If you can get past the nudity and sex and see why this show is awesome, please watch it. Now. The show has a rich diversity of women and it is based on a suburban, privileged white woman that is serving time in jail for drug related charges. If this show has kept me hooked (if you know me personally, you know that I have the attention span of a toddler) then I guarantee it is good stuff. I am the one that mostly watches this show as Tony feels like "it's a girl show."

 

Wicked Attractions (and basically any show on Investigation Discovery)

 

 

 

We love this show because we love any show documents true life cases. Although at times, it is a bit depressing because you watch about rapes and murders we love this show in small doses.

 

It's a Girl

  

 

Such an intense and powerful documentary about the gendercide occuring in India and China. Eye-opening... a must watch if you get the chance.

 

The Queen of Versailles

 

 

Just gaudy and entertaining to watch. A classic example that not everyone with money has good style and class.

There's many more other shows and good documentaries we have been watching but those will have to wait for another post ;)

 

 

2. Tijuana and SoCal (A visit across the border to the motherland)

Tony and I went with his family (about 16 of us total) to Tijuana to visit his Aunt, Uncle and cousin that live down there. I jokingly say it's the motherland but Tony and I were born in good old Santa Rosa, CA. Both our sets of parents are from the state of Michoacan, Mexico. Personally, my claim to fame is my Mom and Dad are from Cotija were the smelly cheese is from. Mmmhmm me gusta mucho el Queso Cotija! Tijuana is about 10 hours down south in car of where we are in California. Let me tell you, I was one grumpy girl the second half of our way there and the whole time in Tijuana. When I am in a bad mood, I'm in a bad mood. Tony has me figured out pretty well by now! We left Thursday night and I was running on no sleep, was cold, hungry and had heartburn by the time we got there. My body also yearned for a Starbucks, the struggle is real you guys.

 

We spent Friday in Tijuna to come back Friday night from Tijuana and arrive at Tony's cousin's house in Indio close to Coachella in Southern California at about 2AM Saturday. We went straight to sleep and the next morning after a good night's sleep and a shower, I was as good as new. I love love love going to Tony's cousin's house in Indio. The weather is hot and Tony's cousin and her husband are such cool people, it's great to just hang out and sit by the pool. Tony went to the store to pick up some stuff with his cousin's husband Cruz and he came back with this.

 

This is the thing about my husband, he knows so well what makes me happy. He even knows how much cream to put in my coffee to make it the perfect shade of brown. I am convinced I could not have married a better man. Heck, I even got the man started on iced coffees from Starbucks. I love my Tony :)

 

We spent the rest of the weekend hanging out and BBQing at the house and I went to the Swap Meet with Tony's aunts and his parents. We came home Sunday around noon and minus the no AC in Tony's car and the sticky/sweaty, hot central valley we had to pass through, the trip back went well.

 

3. Armstrong Woods

Tony and I have visited Armstrong Woods twice this summer. The giant Redwood  trees are absolutely majestic and the trails are really nice. This is definitely a favorite of mine for hiking. If you are ever in Northern California you need to come to Armstrong Woods in Guerneville. Just a couple of neat things to see (courtesy of http://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=450)

 

FEATURES OF THE GROVE:

The Tallest Tree
The Parson Jones Tree is the tallest tree in the grove, measuring more than 310 feet in height. This is longer than the length of a football field. An easy 0.1 mile walk from the park entrance.

The Oldest Tree
The Colonel Armstrong Tree is the oldest tree in the grove, estimated to be over 1,400 years old. It is named after a lumberman who chose to preserve this portion of the park in the 1870s. This magnificent tree is located a half-mile walk from the park entrance.

The Icicle Tree
This tree shows the unusual burl formations often found on redwood trees. Burls can weigh many tons and grow hundreds of feet above the forest floor. Why these growths occur remains a mystery.

 

Here are some pics from our hiking adventures!
 

 

  

4. Yosemite (Round 2!)

We are heading to Yosemite the beginning of August! Last time we went to Yosemite, he had only been dating for a month and went with 4 friends. This time around we are married and we are coming with our family! I am especially excited to take my Momma and my sister this time around. And Tony's family knows how to CAMP! They cook good food and always have a great time. Super excited! Stay tuned for pics of Yosemite Round 2.

 

 

5. Fair Time (Sonoma County REPRESENTIN'!)

This year the theme at the Sonoma County Fair is "Peace, Love and Fair." I already bought our tickets presale and I can't wait to go later this month! Stay tuned for pics of the Fair later this month.

 

That is all for know. Thanks for stopping by, I hope you stick around :)

~Mely H

Jalapeno Popper Stuffed Chicken Breasts

Today I am linking up with Andrea over at http://www.momfessionals.com/ to post a "fall-ish" recipe. I love this recipe because it totally reminds me of football season and Football Sunday. And you know I love me some Football. 

 

I ran into this recipe over at Skinny Taste a few years ago and it has quickly become one of my favorite recipes! Every time I make it it gets rave reviews. If you love Jalapeno Poppers, this recipe will not dissapoint.

 

And guess what? It's low fat! Now, don't be intimidated by the "stuffed" part (it usually intimidates me when I see that word and I automatically assume it's super difficult.)

 

I snagged this pic from my Instagram account "Melybeeg17" to the left is the yummy filling and the right the finished product all cheesy and gooey. Yum!

Here's the recipe!

Ingredients: 
2 slices center cut bacon, cooked and crumbled
3 jalapeños, chopped (remove seeds for milder)
3 oz 1/3 less fat cream cheese, softened
4 oz reduced fat shredded cheddar jack (Sargento)
2 tbsp chopped scallions
8 thin sliced skinless chicken breast cutlets, 3 oz each
1/2 cup Italian seasoned whole wheat breadcrumbs
1 1/2 juicy limes, juice of
1 tbsp olive oil
salt and fresh pepper
olive oil non-stick spray


Wash and dry chicken cutlets, season with salt and pepper. Preheat oven to 450°. Lightly spray a baking dish with non-stick spray.

Combine cream cheese, cheddar, scallions, jalapeño and bacon crumbles in a medium bowl.

Lay chicken cutlets on a working surface and spread 2 tbsp of cream cheese mixture on each cutlet. Loosely roll each one, secure the ends with toothpicks to prevent the cheese from oozing out.

Place breadcrumbs in a bowl; in a second bowl combine olive oil, lime juice, salt and pepper.

Dip chicken in lime-oil mixture, then in breadcrumbs and place seam side down on a baking dish. Repeat with the remaining chicken. When finished, lightly spray the top of the chicken with oil spray.

Bake 22-25 minutes, serve immediately.

I hope you like this recipe as much as I do!

My Teammate

Decided I would post on my humble little blog. I had tried not to post until I lost more weight. Unfortunately, not only have I not lost weight, but I have gained some! I am terrified of stepping on the scale and I need to get back to basics and eating a high protein, fiber packed, water hydrated diet.

 

But not all is bad. I wed the love of my life on May 16, 2014. since then I have enjoying newlywed bliss while still adjusting to the natural changes that come with marriage. I have learned so much about myself since marrying that I didn't know. My wonderful husband has been there through it all and I am so incredibly blessed to have somebody as patient and loving as him by my side.

 

Since I married, there have been tears. Tears of happiness and tears of missing my family, especially my Momma. I never realized how much my Mom babied me growing up until I married and realized I miss her so much. My mom struggles being a single mom and raising my little sister and it makes me sad not to be with her everyday to feel like I can make her feel better if she's ever sad. Nevertheless, my mom is a strong woman and she still does well for herself.

 

Now.. the wedding. My wedding day was a day I will never forget. I committed myself to my Tony for better or for worse and not a single day goes by that I am not filled with confirmation that I made the best choice for me and for us to marry him. Sometimes at night when he falls asleep and he's so peaceful I can't help but smile and kiss his cheek because my heart is so big and I love him so much. We wed in a simple ceremony at City Hall. I fought back tears as I had to say my vows to him after hearing him say he would be with me for better or for worse until death due us part. I get chills just thinking!

 

Here a couple pics (his ring was too tight by the actual wedding day so he took it off right after the ceremony)...

We held a small reception in my Mom's backyard. There was chicken mole, rice and tortillas. We're true Mexicans! His Aunt made the mole and his mom made the rice :) We held our reception the Saturday after the wedding. A lot of family and friends were there and we got the most awesome gifts. We were married on a Friday and had the ceremony Saturday. Friday night, our wedding night, we went to stay at a cute little inn on the coast. We binged watched "Locked Up" and ate Round Table Pizza. We truly are huge nerds.

 

My stud muffin works a crazy 4 AM to 12 noon shift. So when I get home from work he's there waiting for me. Our evenings consist of dinner, going on hikes or the gym and watching Netflix. Currently we are (well 75% me and 25% him) obsessed with "Orange is the New Black." He wasn't able to get me addicted to "The Walking Dead" Every weekend since we got married has been crazy busy too!

 

Love this man. We are both in the process of trying to lose a few pounds because we totally packed on a few pounds in the few months leading to our wedding.

 

Thanks for stopping by! Until Next Time,

~Mely

New Chapters

Along with all the physical transformations that come with the sleeve, what I have enjoyed the most has been the personal and emotional changes I have also experienced. I started a new job, began a relationship with a somebody who completes me and got to know myself so much better. I have a very defined sense of who I am, what my flaws are, what my strengths are, what I need and want in life and who and what my priorities are.

Last month while eating at a local park in town my boyfriend and I talked about life and the future. Next thing I knew he admitted that he had thought long and hard about us and he proposed. I am now getting married next month on May 16th to the love of my life! I couldn't be more excited, it feels like a dream come true! We didn't want a fancy big wedding and we truly just want to be with one another so our engagement is only 2 months! Marriage license already been issued, wedding bands bought, engagement ring on my finger, parents happy, dress bought, save the dates sent and invitations printed in less than two months.

Life gets so much better after the sleeve, you learn so much about yourself, know your worth and you have a phenomonal sense of what makes you happy and fulfilled.

Can't wait to be a married woman!