Last week, I posted a recipe on my blog for the most delicious Baked Parmesan Tilapia. This pasta is an awesome side dish for the tilapia, but don’t stop there! This tasty, creamy pasta would go great with chicken, vegetables, or well, pretty much anything! It’s really easy to make and is so picture perfect.

Ingredients:

• 8 ounces cream cheese, softened
• 2 tablespoons basil
• 2 tablespoons parsley
• ¼ cup butter
• 1/3 cup parmesan cheese
• ¼ cup olive oil
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• ½ teaspoon pepper
• 1 1/3 cup water
• Pasta of your choice

You could very well add or take off any herbs you want. I think it’s best to use fresh herbs, but it is definitely not required. You could also cut back on the butter or olive oil if you are counting calories/fat. And as far as the pasta goes, I think this creamy sauce goes best with angel hair or spaghetti types of pasta.

The first thing you need to do for this tasty sauce is melt the butter in a saucepan over medium heat. Once it has started to melt, add in your cream cheese. You want to make the sauce smooth and melty. Next, add in the parmesan, olive oil, garlic and pepper. Mix it well and make sure it doesn’t exceed a very slow simmer. The water is used to thin the sauce out a bit. If you don’t use the water (and you certainly don’t have to), the sauce will be very thick. I prefer the sauce creamier, so I add water. Add a little at a time, getting the sauce to the consistency that you like. Add in your herbs and let it blend together for a few minutes.

And that’s it! Mix this wonderful sauce well with your favorite pasta and top it with some parmesan cheese. Simple, delicious and goes well with tons of food. Give it a try!

These sweet little cheesecakes were so delicious! I made them for a few of my husband’s friends who came over to study. They were gone well before they were finished studying, that’s for sure. I sort of threw this recipe together with things I had in my kitchen, but I definitely plan on making these again the same exact way. They were pretty simple and looked so cute! I highly recommend giving these sweet treats a try.

Ingredients:

Crust

• 40 Vanilla Wafers
• ¼ cup butter, melted

Filling

• ½ cup chocolate chips
• 12 ounces cream cheese, softened
• ½ cup sugar
• 1 egg
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

All I had when I decided to make this were some mini Nilla Wafers. I didn’t count them out, so all I can really tell you is that I used about half of the box. When you start to mix together the crust ingredients, if you don’t think there is enough butter to hold it all together, definitely add more. 40 wafers was just a rough estimate.

Preheat your oven to 350° and grease your muffin tin. You could make these in a mini muffin tin (which I would have done if I had one!) or use muffin cups; either would work just as well. Next, crush up your wafers. They don’t have to be finely crushed, so don’t put too much effort into crushing them up. Add in your melted butter and combine it with the crushed wafers. Make sure the mixture is wet enough to hold together. Take a little bit of the crushed wafers and smush it into your muffin tins to form the crust for the cheesecakes. I made 12 mini cheesecakes.

Next, you want to beat your cream cheese in a mixer until it is creamy. Add in the sugar, egg and vanilla. Continue to mix until it is well blended. Now add in your chocolate chips and stir them in by hand. Evenly pour the cheesecake mixture into your muffin tin.

It’s ok if you get it on the edges or make a bit of a mess, that’s the best part about cooking! Keep it fun and never take it too serious. Bake these for roughly 20 minutes, or until they start to brown a bit around the edges and they are set.

You want to let these cool and keep them in the fridge for at least an hour. I’d suggest taking them out of the muffin tin once they have cooled off a little, or else it might be hard to get them out.

These delicious bite sized cheesecakes were a great treat. I will definitely make them again for a party or family get together. The Nilla Wafers were really the secret ingredient if you ask me. The crust was so sweet and yummy! Try these little cheesecakes out, you won’t be disappointed!

Like most people I have sensitive teeth.  Not the shooting pain type of sensitivity but the one where cold makes me stop short and just say OUCH.  I also have a problem with bleeding gums when glossing and brushing, even with a soft bristle brush.  Yeah, I’ve tried toothpaste for sensitive teeth before and to tell you the truth I wasn’t all that impresses with them.  That is until I was offered the chance to try Crest Pro-Health Sensitive Shield.

My first thought was, “Yeah, right, another product that promises results that won’t live up to it’s promises.”  I admit, I was wrong.  I started using Crest Pro-Health Sensitive Shield a little less than a month ago and I saw results immediately.  Within a couple of days I wasn’t saying OUCH as much when I drank a cold drink or ate ice cream.  I also noticed my gums weren’t bleeding at all when I brushed.   Not being a fan of peppermint I really don’t like the taste of toothpaste but I can say the Crest Pro-Health Sensitive Shield isn’t overpowering with mint.  It’s a subtle minty flavor that doesn’t leave you wanting a drink of water or anything to get that taste out of your mouth afterwards.  It says “Smooth Mint” on the tube and it really is, smooth and light.  Actually rather pleasant tasting.

In addition to the Crest Pro-Health Sensitive Shield toothpaste I also received Crest Glide Pro-Health Floss for Sensitive Gums.  It’s not like the floss I’m use to. Yes, I’m guilty of using the waxed floss that looks and feels like fishing line. The one that gets caught in my teeth and cuts into my gums causing, you guessed it, more bleeding.  No, Crest Glide Pro-Health Floss for Sensitive Gums is more of a ribbon floss that slides in smoothly with no getting stuck in my teeth and fraying.  Best of all, it hasn’t cut into my gums and that means no bleeding.   The flavor of Crest Glide Pro-Health Floss for Sensitive Gums reminds me of York Peppermint Patties. I know I said I wasn’t fond of peppermint BUT when it’s got chocolate with it I love it and even though there’s no chocolate in this floss the flavor to me is York Peppermint Patties.  This would make a good diet aid, get a craving for something sweet, floss instead.

I also received an Oral-B CrossAction Gentle Clean Brush.  This brush has extra soft CrissCross and Power Tip bristles to remove up to 90% of plaque while still being gentle on gums.  OK, I got that right from the PR rep who arranged for me to receive these but the brush does clean and it’s got EXTRA SOFT bristles which again means less irritation to gums and, you guessed it, no bleeding.

Don’t forget to grab your copy of  “The Princess and the Frog” on DVD. March 16,2010.  I loved The Princess and the Frog!  With a household full of males, I was not sure if I could talk them into going to see this one with me.   I’m glad they decided to go because we all ended up enjoying it completely.  Well, I loved it! and they liked it lots and even talked about it a few days thereafter.  The songs in the movie were great and the characters were hilarioius.   You are guaranteed a good laugh.  I won’t tell the story so be sure to add this one to your collection, you will not regret it.

Today my Dad would have made 71 years old.  He passed away last year one month after making 70 and has been missed so much.  I contemplated posting here because I am still having a hard time.  My Dad and I were real close and I feel a complete void, things are just not the same.   He was the one person I could go to and he would always lend a listening ear.  He made me laugh and had a great sense of humor.  He was a hard working, loving and dedicated man who always put family first.  They just don’t make them like that no more.

I told myself I would not be sad today but rather CELEBRATE my fathers life but of course the tears did flow.  They were both tears of joy and sadness.  I have no family here so I rely on texting and phone communications to keep in touch with them.  My sister sent out a text this morning asking everyone to share a memory of Dad and to pass it along.  I could not believe the influx of texts I began to receive.  It made me happy- sad and appreciative all at the same time. 

There is no question my Dad was loved and is truly missed.  He impacted all of our lives.  He left his mark and has impacted us all.  I can vision his smile and his laugh so clearly.  So, although I contemplated writing this post, I’m glad I decided to do so.  I could not go without wishing the Greatest Dad in the world Happy Birthday.  And although you are not here in person Dad, you are here in spirit. Dad, you are missed and you are LOVED!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY  Captain Glenn….904

In this household, we are real breakfast eaters.  I try to ensure that we all get a healthy breakfast each morning so that we can be off to a great start.  Although, I’d prefer a HOT breakfast each morning, time does not always permit and besides that, we just LOVE cereal with Honey Nut Cheerios being on the top of the list. 

 Do you love yor cereal too?  Well I have good news for you!  General Mills announced a recent commitment to further reduce sugar in cereals advertised to kids under 12 to single digit grams of sugar per serving. How encouraging is that?  I think that is just fantastic being that kid’s probaly already consume too much sugar in their diets already. I have also noticed that General Mills while also taking steps to reduce the sugar have also been increasing key nutrients, such as calcium and vitamin D, and providing whole grain to some cereals. 

 Here is a bit more Information I received from MyBlogSpark and General Mills that I’d like to share:

Did you know that ready-to-eat cereal eaters consume less fat, less cholesterol and more fiber than non-cereal eaters? Cereals also deliver important vitamins, minerals and other essential nutrients, making cereal a top source of key nutrients in children’s diets. 

Other cereal benefits:

• Ready-to-eat cereals, including presweetened cereals, account for only 5% of sugar in children’s diets. 
• Ready-to-eat cereal is the No. 1 source of whole grains in a child’s diet today. 
• More frequent cereal eaters tend to have healthier body weights and lower Body Mass Index measures.

Studies also demonstrated the benefits of eating breakfast during a 1998 study:

• Children who eat breakfast tend to perform better at school, compared to children who skip breakfast,
• Children who eat breakfast score higher on tests
• Are less likely to miss class or be tardy
• Have fewer reported discipline problems, and make fewer trips to the office. 

 For more information about kids and cereals, please visit Cereal Health and Wellness.

Right now, if you visit here you will find a $1 off coupon for one of four General Mills cereals.

Discloser: The information was provided by General Mills through MyBlogSpark and by sharing this information I will be receiving 4 free cereal box coupons. The opinions expressed are my own.

Hi everyone!  Just wanted to pop in to let you all know I am packing up and heading home for Thanksgiving.  I am so Excited!… For those of you who do not know, home for me is in New Orleans.   Born and raised, I love that place! 

I am so looking forward to this visit although it will be a bitter sweet one.  You see, I miss my family and will love seeing them but am sad all at the same time.  My dad passed away just this past February and I have been silently dealing with my loss since I am away and not around my family.  I’m not sure how I will respond seeing them but I hope it is a memorable visit.

Things are just not the same and I know DAD will be missing but I know he will be there in spirit.  We have lots of kids in our family so I am sure they will lift our spirits and we will have a great time reminiscing.

My dad was a vibrant man, he enjoyed his music, entertaining and being the focus of attention.   He loved entertaining and having his family around and wouldn’t have it any other way.  The tradition must go on and will try our best to keep it going.

So, if you don’t see me around for awhile, just know that I am at home with the folks I love and we are having a lovely time.

So until I return,  I wish you all a happy and safe Thanksgiving.

A Wonderful Day, A Joyous Day, A Blessed Day. Six years ago, I gave birth to my “baby boy” Jaylen. Boy! how time flies. It seems just like yesterday when he was attached to my hip and clinging to my legs. They don’t stay you very long.

Jay is VERY excited about turning six today. To him, it symbolizes that he is officially a Big boy! It screams independence and also the fact that MOM would have to be careful about calling him her baby in front of others. Don’t they know, they are ALWAYS our babies? Shhh…don’t let them know that.

Today he gets to share cupcakes with his classmates, another thing he is excited about. We will do a small celebration here since its midweek. I’m off to finish preparation so wish me well.

Today is your Day baby boy. Happy Birthday and I wish you many more!!!

Love Mommy.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!

For Those of you who do not know, I’m a mom to two boys. Two very energetic, loving, caring, and extremely handsome little boys that is…and they are my everything. I also have a handsome, loving and caring husband who I just adore. It’s just the four of us and we have some really fun times together. I enjoy being the only girl….most of the time. The thing is–lately, I’ve been wanting to do girly things and have someone to do them with me. Having the boys participate in my girly events is a BIG NO. NO. –No way shape or form–That thought never crossed my mind.

I guess what I am trying to say is that I miss having a little girl around. Someone to play dress up, hair to comb, got to the mall and just enjoy the things I enjoy.

Don’t get me wrong, I Love Love having boys, I wouldn’t change that fact for nothing in the world. They bring me this joy and happiness that is unexplainable and I cannot imagine life without the boys because that’s all I know. It also has its advantages. I am well taken care of and loved by the men in my life. I’d admit it, they have me spoiled. They see Dad taking good care of Mom and they are following in his foot steps. Little men in the making. I really cannot complain.

But back to these thoughts I am having. It must be a phase I am going through. It has to be or do I really have the desire to have another baby? Am I serious? I do not know what all this means but the thought of it sure is nice but then again….What about all those sleepless nights? I really have to give this one some thought.

My husband is a football fanatic and die hard Steelers Fan. So for the next 20 weeks he will eat,sleep,and talk a whole lot of football. Being the wife of a FANATIC, I tried to get into and possibly like his favorite pastime. Don’t get me wrong, I watch it, understand it, and even enjoy it, but just not that much of a die hard. I’m personally a New Orleans Saints fan so Go Saints!!!

Sundays are big football days around here. More so for hubby. It starts off early. First the pre-game shows and then the big games. I say games because, he watches them all. He would be lost without his Sunday Ticket…This way he catches ALL of the games and highlights. Other football fanatics would know exactly what I’m talking about. During game time, he likes what he calls his football foods which consists of BEER, WINGS, SANDWICHES and CHIPS so I try to accommodate him and even catch a game or two – but after a while I’m all footballed out and or frustrated.

You see – The boys and I have learned to leave “this man” alone when he watches sports. He talks to the television and argues with the players and coaches. He gets in his zone and is not to be disturbed. We like to talk, ask questions and joke around but that’s a Big no-no during the game, during commercials….maybe. We get the LOOK and it’s time to go. Talk about grumpy. Who wants to watch football and not be able to talk? No fun at all!!! But that’s fine, we find better things to get into.

I may still catch the occasional game or two because I do enjoy watching from time to time but for the most part….during the next 20 weeks, Sundays and Mondays (Monday Night Football) will be his time to unwind and the boys and I will be finding Better things to do rather than being told Quiet…The game is on!!! Whatever!!!