Tuesday, April 30, 2013

Z is for Zucchini Recipes


Welcome to day 26 of the Blogging A-Z April Challenge, 2013!  Each day in April (except Sundays) I will be posting here, and the posts will be in alphabetical order!  This blog is all about my journey to weight loss / good health & fitness. 

For some shameless self-promotion, I have 2 other blogs in the challenge, too.  Check them out!
Maple Grove Cemetery - Halloween related, but don't worry - no gore.  
Random Ramblings - lives up to its name.  Totally random.

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Zucchini recipes all in one place!

Crispy Baked Zucchini Fries

Fluffy Zucchini Bread

Zucchini & Carrot Bread

Zucchini Corn Pancakes
someone try this & tell me how it is!

Baked Zucchini Chips

Zucchini Chocolate Cupcakes

Frosted Zucchini Brownies

Zucchini-tini
I haven't decided if I'd be desperate enough for alcohol to try this.

Lighter Zucchini Bread
I have this one pinned, since I usually make Z bread to send with the hubby when he volunteers for radio support events.  They'll never know it's lighter!

How do you like your zucchini?

Z is for Zetterberg

Welcome to Day 26 of the Blogging A-Z April Challenge!
Each day in April (except Sundays) I will be posting here, and the posts will be in alphabetical order!  And because I have a wide variety of interests, this blog will live up to it's name.  Totally random and mostly unrelated topics. And lots of pics!

For some shameless self-promotion, I have 2 other blogs in the challenge, too.
Check them out!
Maple Grove Cemetery - Halloween related, but don't worry - no gore.
The Life of Lisa - weight loss / health related. 

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Being a Red Wings fan, how can I not use Captain Henrik Zetterberg for my Z post??

(and do you think they updated his website to have this season's pics on it?
No.  So his sweater still has an A on it. Boo)

Yum.

Henrik Zetterbrg comes from a small town on the east coast of Sweden and grew up playing hockey.  He was drafted by the Wings in 1999 and considered a long shot.

He's won a zillion awards, including 2003 the NHL's Rookie of the Year,
2006 Gold Medal for Sweden at the Winter Olympics and the International Ice Hockey Federation World Championships.

He was selected to the NHL All-Star team in 2007 & 2008

in 2008
President's Trophy (team with the best record in the NHL)
Conn Smythe Award (MVP in the Playoffs)
NHL Player of the Year
and of course....
Stanley!


And then, following the retirement (~sniff~) of Nick Lidstrom last year, he was named the 36th captain in franchise history.
And therefore led the team to their 22nd consecutive trip to the playoffs!

Woohooo!!





Monday, April 29, 2013

Y is for Yams


Welcome to day 25 of the Blogging A-Z April Challenge, 2013!  Each day in April (except Sundays) I will be posting here, and the posts will be in alphabetical order!  This blog is all about my journey to weight loss / good health & fitness.

For some shameless self-promotion, I have 2 other blogs in the challenge, too.
 Check them out!
Maple Grove Cemetery - Halloween related, but don't worry - no gore.
Random Ramblings - lives up to its name. Totally random.

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Yams are actually not the same as sweet potato, as I just learned!

The true yam is a versatile vegetable. It can be barbecued, roasted, fried, grilled, boiled, baked, smoked and when grated it is processed into a dessert recipe.

Yams are a primary agricultural and culturally important commodity in West Africa, where over 95 percent of the world's yam crop is harvested. Yams are still important for survival in these regions. Some varieties of these tubers can be stored up to six months without refrigeration, which makes them a valuable resource for the yearly period of food scarcity at the beginning of the wet season. Yam cultivars are also cropped in other humid tropical countries.

Yam tubers can grow up to 1.5 meters (4.9 feet) in length and weigh up to 70 kilograms (154 lb) and 3 to 6 inches high. The vegetable has a rough skin which is difficult to peel, but which softens after heating. The skins vary in color from dark brown to light pink. The majority of the vegetable is composed of a much softer substance known as the "meat". This substance ranges in color from white or yellow to purple or pink in mature yams.

Y is for Y U NO......


Welcome to Day 25 of the Blogging A-Z April Challenge!
Each day in April (except Sundays) I will be posting here, and the posts will be in alphabetical order!  And because I have a wide variety of interests, this blog will live up to it's name.  Totally random and mostly unrelated topics. And lots of pics!

For some shameless self-promotion, I have 2 other blogs in the challenge, too.  Check them out!
Maple Grove Cemetery - Halloween related, but don't worry - no gore.
The Life of Lisa - weight loss / health related. 

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Yeah, I had to reach for this one!

Saturday, April 27, 2013

X's & O's

Welcome to day 24 of the Blogging A-Z April Challenge, 2013!  Each day in April (except Sundays) I will be posting here, and the posts will be in alphabetical order!  This blog is all about my journey to weight loss / good health & fitness. 

For some shameless self-promotion, I have 2 other blogs in the challenge, too.
Check them out!
Maple Grove Cemetery - Halloween related, but don't worry - no gore.  
Random Ramblings - lives up to its name.  Totally random.

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Yeah, I was stretching for this one!
(Images via Google).

X's & O's

Welcome to Day 24 of the Blogging A-Z April Challenge!
Each day in April (except Sundays) I will be posting here, and the posts will be in alphabetical order!  And because I have a wide variety of interests, this blog will live up to it's name.  Totally random and mostly unrelated topics. And lots of pics!

For some shameless self-promotion, I have 2 other blogs in the challenge, too.  Check them out!
Maple Grove Cemetery - Halloween related, but don't worry - no gore.
The Life of Lisa - weight loss / health related. 

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X&Os
aka hugs & kisses
(or according to the source on the second one, naughts & crosses - giggle)

source


source

source



Friday, April 26, 2013

W is for Wii Fit

Welcome to day 23 of the Blogging A-Z April Challenge, 2013!  Each day in April (except Sundays) I will be posting here, and the posts will be in alphabetical order!  This blog is all about my journey to weight loss / good health & fitness. 

For some shameless self-promotion, I have 2 other blogs in the challenge, too.  Check them out!
Maple Grove Cemetery - Halloween related, but don't worry - no gore.  
Random Ramblings - lives up to its name.  Totally random.

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I know, nobody talks about using the Wii anymore, but I use it fairly regularly.  It's helped a lot since I pinched a nerve or something in my back, I use to it do Wii Yoga.


You can tell by this screen shot who has not been on the Wii lately (cough, cough Randy & Angel) by the ZzZzZzZ's coming off them.  I love that you can set up Pet Miis, too. So there's Maddie & Chester on the left and Jack on the right.  I don't actually make them workout, although Chester has "helped" me by standing on the balance board to sniff my hair while I was doing one of the Yoga poses.

Do you use the Wii?

update - Angel said she got on there since to do the obstacle course, so Randy's is the only zombie-like Mii.


W is for Wakenings


Welcome to Day 23 of the Blogging A-Z April Challenge!
Each day in April (except Sundays) I will be posting here, and the posts will be in alphabetical order!  And because I have a wide variety of interests, this blog will live up to it's name.  Totally random and mostly unrelated topics. And lots of pics!

For some shameless self-promotion, I have 2 other blogs in the challenge, too.
Check them out!
Maple Grove Cemetery - Halloween related, but don't worry - no gore.
The Life of Lisa - weight loss / health related. 

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Should that be Awakening?  Or maybe we'll go with Waking Up!  Yeah.

It's spring time and nature is waking up!  This is my favorite time of the year, with fall a close second.

Check out the new growth around my yard!
 This is poking up thru the little bit of mulched leaves I left in the flower beds.
 It's probably a tiny maple. 

 Tiger lilies near the mailbox.

 Purple hyacinth and sprouts to the Easter lilies.

 Tulips!

 Lilacs are showing.

 Look how green the lawn is!

 A renegade dandelion already peeking out. 

And the maples are budding!

and check out the moon last night....

I can't wait for warm weather!

Thursday, April 25, 2013

V is for Veggies

Welcome to day 22 of the Blogging A-Z April Challenge, 2013!  Each day in April (except Sundays) I will be posting here, and the posts will be in alphabetical order!  This blog is all about my journey to weight loss / good health & fitness. 

For some shameless self-promotion, I have 2 other blogs in the challenge, too.  Check them out!
Maple Grove Cemetery - Halloween related, but don't worry - no gore.  
Random Ramblings - lives up to its name.  Totally random.

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I found this chart online & it's pretty interesting.  Yeah, I know it includes fruit, too.  But still good to know!


V is for Virgo


Welcome to Day 22 of the Blogging A-Z April Challenge!
Each day in April (except Sundays) I will be posting here, and the posts will be in alphabetical order!  And because I have a wide variety of interests, this blog will live up to it's name.  Totally random and mostly unrelated topics. And lots of pics!

For some shameless self-promotion, I have 2 other blogs in the challenge, too.  Check them out!
Maple Grove Cemetery - Halloween related, but don't worry - no gore.
The Life of Lisa - weight loss / health related. 

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I am a Virgo - but from what I am reading in this article, I'm not really a typical one!


let me pick out a few phrases.....

Virgo is the sixth sign of the zodiac, to be exact, and that's the way Virgos like it: exacting. 

There may be a shred of truth in this one. 

Virgos, more than any other sign, were born to serve, and it gives them great joy.

I served my country, does that count?  

Virgos tend to take on some of the qualities of a Virgin, things like modesty and humanity. 

Modesty??? Oh please. My ham radio call sign is a vanity call - N8LisaTheGreat. 

Virgos enjoy indulging their practical and logical side and poring over their projects to the nth degree. 

You got me with practical, dammit.  

Virgo is ruled by Mercury, and as portrayed in ancient Roman mythology, Mercury wasn't one to sit still for long.

Guilty here, too.  I can't sit still for something that doesn't totally engross me.  

Those born under this sign are also able communicators and use their mental acuity to maximum advantage.

Pppft.  Nope.  I am the worst person ever with small talk.  If I know you, fine - but with strangers?  lips are zipped!

The bane of many Virgos is the perfectionism that can get in the way of their usual clear thinking.

I am so NOT a perfectionist. 

Virgos are also neat and clean, save for the occasional sloppy Virgin (they do exist). 

**waves hand** I am the occasional sloppy one!  

Virgins are also reliable and practical and oh-so-useful to have around. 

Damn.  Guilty.

The Element associated with Virgo is Earth, and in keeping with that, most Virgos are grounded, salt-of-the-earth types. 

Guilty again. 

Virgos are extremely health conscious, to the point of being storehouses of information on diet and hygiene.

If I am so health conscious, how did I get to be 90+ lbs overweight??

See, the benefits of exercise are far more important to Virgo than the process itself. That's why Virgos are likely to time themselves on their runs and get in those 300 sit-ups every day.

I have those thoughts flitting thru my mind, but I'm very successful at tamping down the desire. 

What about you?  You you fit your sign?

Wednesday, April 24, 2013

U is for Unique


Welcome to day 21 of the Blogging A-Z April Challenge, 2013!  Each day in April (except Sundays) I will be posting here, and the posts will be in alphabetical order!  This blog is all about my journey to weight loss / good health & fitness. 

For some shameless self-promotion, I have 2 other blogs in the challenge, too.  Check them out!
Maple Grove Cemetery - Halloween related, but don't worry - no gore.  
Random Ramblings - lives up to its name.  Totally random.

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We are all unique.  It doesn't matter if you have an identical twin sibling, or you're "just like your mother / father"...you are special in your own way.

Embrace your unique.









U is for Under the Sea


Welcome to Day 21 of the Blogging A-Z April Challenge!
Each day in April (except Sundays) I will be posting here, and the posts will be in alphabetical order!  And because I have a wide variety of interests, this blog will live up to it's name.  Totally random and mostly unrelated topics. And lots of pics!

For some shameless self-promotion, I have 2 other blogs in the challenge, too.  Check them out!
Maple Grove Cemetery - Halloween related, but don't worry - no gore.
The Life of Lisa - weight loss / health related. 

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Under the Sea

All of these beautiful photos are from national Geographic.  The link above takes you to the Underwater Photo of the Day gallery.  These are some of my favorites.

Downed plane in the Bahamas

Great White Shark

Grenada - how cool is this???

Sea Anemones

Bahamas

dock remains, Republic of Macedonia

Florida

Tadpoles at Vancouver Island

Stuff like this is why I think nature is the art of God.

And altho I am not a Disney fan (GASP!!), I can't have a topic about Under the Sea without the vocal stylings of Sebastian.