Birthdays ROCK!

Just after writing the previous post, I made my way down to the mailbox area.  I figured it was my birthday and there was definitely going to be something special in there, right?!?!  Well there was.  There totally freaking was.  I call my friend Lynette my "fun new friend", even though we've known each other for a couple years.  It wasn't until she moved to Taipei that we started getting close, which is totally weird, but worked out well!  She moved back to Texas recently, and happened to send me the best unintentional birthday gift to ever exist!  I only say "unintentional" because I am fairly certain it hadn't occurred to her that this present would arrive on my birthday.  I was just lucky!  So there I am, staring at this package from my friend, wondering what the eff is inside!  Is it a book?  It kind of feels like a book...what the heck is this???

That's right, people.  My amazing and fantastic friend Lynette bought me STRAWBERRY CAKE MIX!  Strawberry Quick Cake here I come!!!  ...if only I could finish the lemon!  I'm considering pawning it off on Brian ;)
If you haven't got a clue what I'm referring to, you can check it out here.

On another note, I'm completely and utterly worried about weigh-in tomorrow morning.  My weekend was ridiculous, I ate everything in sight, not to mention drinking what feels like an entire swimming pool of booze.  Last night, standing (swaying?) over my kitchen table at 9pm I decided it was a grand idea to open the box of chocolates from a friend and eat a bite of each one to "sample the flavors".  Needless to say I invented a totally filling and healthy dinner that didn't lack in the flavor department.

Strawberry Balsamic Salad - 5.5 Points

• 1 1/2 cups baby spinach
• 1/2 cup arugula (rocket)
• 1 cup strawberries, sliced
• 1 1/2Tbsp red onion, chopped
• 1 1/2 Tbsp pecans, chopped
• 2 Tbsp Newman's Own Balsamic Vinaigrette (or similar)

Toss all ingredients together and serve!

So back to weigh-in...I'm preparing myself mentally for the scale.  I will take it like a pro, whatever it says.  I have done this to myself willingly, and it was worth every minute!  But now I must get myself back on track and set some new goals.
Now that the Smugglette is out of the way, I think it's time to find a new "something".  Any ideas???  We can count down to my next Bali trip (when my brother and dad arrive!!!), or maybe July 4th?  I want something good!  ...though I don't know if I'll ever top a trip to Thailand and a teensy bikini

Losing for Treats!

I decided around 2pm today that I deserved a pedicure.  I always deserve a pedicure honestly, but today I really deserved one...for no particular reason.  I ditched spin (ohmygodno!), which is quite unlike me, left work a bit early, drove home in the beautiful sunshine, and walked to the new salon near my apartment, called Buff and Rubz.  And no, I'm not joking.  This is 100% for serious.  The place is actually called Buff and Rubz, and it sounds totally dirty.
They do nails and waxing and massage therapy all in this tiny place, that by the way smells like amazing aromatherapy, and the girls working there are absolute dolls!  Not to mention the prices are completely reasonable, and I get a free manicure for my birthday, which I can use any time during May.  Wa freaking hoo.  No really.  Wa freaking hoo!
I think that, whenever I reach a really fantastic goal, or am feeling wonderful about my progress (or maintenance in the future), I will treat myself with pampering!  Not too shabby, huh?

Afterward, I strolled home (happy as a clam of course), and prepped the kitchen for some fun cooking time.

Tonight I tried out Hoisin Pork and Snow Pea Stir-Fry, but swapped 1/2c. of jasmine rice for the rice noodles.  I just wasn't in a noodle mood, what can I say?  This dish would go equally well with chicken or beef in my opinion, but for the first try I decided to stick with pork.  And since I'm a bad little Jewish girl and have a love for bacon and ham and mixing meat with dairy (on the rare occasion that I actually eat dairy), I stuck with the pork.
Unfortunately, the pork was a bit tough (perhaps I overcooked it?), so next time I am using the chicken...or maybe beef.  Who knows!
Regardless, this recipe gets one and a half thumbs up from me.  Not the best I've ever had, but quite tasty!  I'm looking forward to my leftovers!  I don't usually eat meals that are more than 7 points, as I only get 20 per day and snacking is very important to me, but this one was worth it (and not too far over).

•  Stir-Fry (excluding noodles or rice) = 6 points per cup
• 1/2 cup rice = 2 points

I will also use the sauce but switch out the vegetables to mix it up a bit.  Who knows, maybe next time I'll have beef with broccoli and baby corn!  Ok that sounds good...I'm sold :)