The Mother of Invention - A Kitchen Shortcut!

Ok, so it's not really a necessity that I *not* cut potatoes by hand, but it's not something I look forward to doing. But this morning I had a hankerin' for some homemade hashbrowns or "home-fries" (which, for those that don't know are like steak fries, but for breakfast. Steak fries being big ol' fat french fries, for those that don't know that one either). I got out the potatoes and groaned about having to either shred or slice them up. Yes, I dislike dealing with them that much. Plus, I don't want to spend my Saturday morning peeling and chopping taters - sorry Nana!

As I was getting the stove warmed up, I spotted one of my favorite kitchen tools and thought "Hmmm....!" - which my husband will tell you is usually like that joke about rednecks:

How do you know a redneck is about to go to the E.R.?

You hear them yell "Hey y'all! Watch this!!"

My "Hmmm...!" is often the equivalent of the redneck's "...watch this!"

But, I digress.

So I thought I'd try to slice the potatoes in the MOST lazy way possible -

To my surprise - it worked like a charm!! Why I should be surprised at this, I don't know, since it's function IS to cut round food items...

The round piece in the middle was just too cute, too. Round fries - who wouldn't love that?

I did decide to cut the cute round fry in half, just in case it was too big to cook alongside the rest.

I love cooking with coconut oil now, so I fried them up in that and added some chopped onions toward the end. Sadly, there is no "Voila!" picture - as they were all gobbled up too quickly. But I highly encourage using your apple corer for more than apples! In less than 5 minutes, tops, I had 3 big potatoes washed, sliced, and in the pan - getting gorgeously browned and crispy.

Now that I've discovered this trick, I may never buy frozen fries again. These are sooooooo much better, and healthier!

Mamavation Monday!

In other news about getting life back in order (see previous post), I recommitted (again!) to getting healthy last week. I worked out a whole two days in a row! At the gym! So proud. I've also eaten really, really well since last Thursday - possibly even since Wednesday. I can tell I've lost something - weight, maybe a 1/4 inch or so... you know how you just feel *lighter* when you eat clean.

One of my motivators has been my online pal ASUJoan - She always has the most thoughtful posts - you should check them out. Her recent ones about her own quest to live healthier have really helped me to step it up on my end. She thinks I never read her blog, but I do! I just forget to comment when I read it... I'm so busy absorbing the great insights she has there. :)

Another thing that really motivated me was one of the success stories at Mamavation. I happened to get it in my email last week and something just ~clicked~ when I read about a lady who has lost 60 lbs in the past year or so. No quick fix: just healthy eating, exercise, the occasional slip-up (because we WILL all have them) - but mostly her amazingly positive attitude. All the Mamas at Mamavation are just awesome, and I'm proud to pledge into their online sorority.

I'm NOT getting on the scale this time. Not for at least a week or more. Heck, maybe I'll NEVER get back on that horrible contraption. I know what I weighed last week (since I had a doctor's appt) and that's all I needed to know. And no - I will never, ever, EVER tell you - so don't think about asking (unless, of course, you have John Mayer tickets for his show tonight, then we can negotiate privately ~doing the "Call me!" sign). Honestly, the number I saw on that scale sickened me. And the sad fact is that it is literally sickening me. And doggonit, I'm too young to feel this old. I do not want to age gracefully - I want to go into my elder years kicking, screaming, and hopefully while dancing to some rockin' tunes. But in order to do that, I need to get back into shape - NOW.

If you're a Mamavation Mama, too, please let me know! If you're not, feel free to leave encouraging comments as often as you wish. I'd love to do the same for you! :)

Decluttering Life & Desk - a Pictorial...

In an effort to regain some semblence of relaxation in my life again, I've decided to pare down, declutter, recycle and yes - sell my Blackberry while I'm at it.

Friday I started with my desk... WARNING: for others with OCD, you may want to avert your eyes from the first picture. Yes, I live with this affliction, as well - which is why I have felt totally CRAZY for the past few weeks...

Before:

After:

Is that not beautiful?!?!? I threw out - literally - an entire garbage bag of stuff I don't need, want, or that doesn't make me happy (ok, I couldn't throw out the pile of work I brought home on Thursday - but I would have if I could!)

Next, I put my Beloved on Ebay this morning. If you're interested in a great PDA/phone - check it out: My Blackberry

I feel better just knowing that things are getting into order -

because EVERYTHING MUST BE IN ORDER!!!

(see, told you I have OCD)