Wednesday, April 8, 2009 at 07:00AM 
This is Valerie Bertinelli, and she is 49 years old. 49. FORTY-NINE! Wow, I am speechless. Unless you live under a rock (wait, do you?) you know that Valerie lost forty pounds on Jenny Craig and is now rocking a bikini on People Magazine. I am thirty - THIRTY - I can do this, and you can too!
Tuesday, April 7, 2009 at 02:00AM I love popcorn - LOVE IT. Growing up, my family loved making popcorn using what was called the Stir Crazy popcorn popper. After taking the time to season the bottom of the popper (or after @ten uses,) the popcorn is THE BEST EVER. So flavorful and delicious. I also love the butter melter in the top. Stir Crazy poppers HAVE supposedly been involved in a few household fires due to the combination of heat and oil and the need to flip the contraption, but... whatever. Just keep a fire extinguisher handy and pop that popcorn anyhow! Don't let danger stand between you and awesome popcorn. My Stir Crazy came from Target for about $30. De.lish. In fact, I'm eating some right now!
Take that genuine Stir Crazy popcorn popper... (note the fiesta themed decor - perfect for any party) :)
Add 3 Tbl oil, 1/2 cup of popcorn kernels, and butter (yes butter, the fattening kind)...
Cover, plug it in and let it get all steamy and twisty and poppy inside (pause to stare down the WW cookbook in the corner that is giving you dirty looks)...
And enjoy!
Monday, April 6, 2009 at 11:00AM 
Welcome to Monday! So, I just completed my first week back on WW after taking a month off. I did okay... Not great! But okay. I *mostly* followed my recommended daily points target of 19. For WW newbies, depending on your height and current weight, WW assigns a daily amount of food you can eat and still expect to lose weight. This daily amount of recommended food is measured in points. You need to get all of your healthy checks: dairy, produce, oils, etc. in under your allotted points. This way, you don't blow your day on Twinkies! (Or soda, if you're a Coke addict like me.)
This week I almost stuck to plan. The "almost" being why I didn't lose weight. However, I am not down on myself. I did eat more healthfully, and I feel better than I did the week before. I am "leaning" into better food choices. :) Here are the deets:
So I have some work to do. It's a process! This week, I am going to show you one of my favorite WW recipes. Seriously, it's so good and so filling. Check it...
Tortellini w/ Prosciutto and Peas in a Creamy Sauce
INGREDIENTS:
1. Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Add the tortellini and cook according to package instructions. Stir in the peas during the last 2 minutes of cooking: drain.
2. Meanwhile, coat a large nonstick skillet with nonstick spray and heat over medium heat. Add the prosciutto and cook, stirring occasionally until lightly browned, 2-3 minutes. Remove and reserve the prosciutto. Dissolve the flour in the milk in a small bowl and add to the skillet. Cook, stirring occasionally, until thickened, 8-10 minutes. Remove from the heat and stir in the Parmesean cheese and pepper. Add the prosciutto, tortellini, and peas and toss to coat.
This dish keeps well separated into Gladware/Tupperware. I love to make this on a Sunday and then separate it into four servings and stash it in the fridge for a convenient lunch or dinner throughout the week. My WW motto for weekdays is simple: Grab and Go, people, Grab and GO!
Saturday, April 4, 2009 at 08:06PM 
Attention, attention! You will see that we now have links... If you are using a blog reader right now, click through to Pantomime Papers to check out links to the many new blogs and sites that I love... and you might love, too! Fellow bloggers, if you love me and wanna let the world know, link me!
Happy reading!
XOXO,
Penny
Friday, April 3, 2009 at 09:00AM 
A few years ago, in 2003, I designed what I call a "Life Makeover." At the time, I was less than satisfied in these areas: love, work, fitness, and money. I set about making changes to upgrade my life. I mean, c'mon, life won't get better all on its own!
I will say the Life Makeover generally went pretty well, my work and money life most notably. I am fully satisified and challenged. For money, I used to be somewhat lackidasical in my budgeting and tracking. After the great "Makeover of 2003," I feel much more in control of my money. I plan out where the dinero lands, and I DO feel in control where my wallet is concerned. More on that later.
In light of my recent breakup, I am undertaking a new Life Makeover... Version 2.0 if you will. Here's where I want to focus my energies:
Have you ever embarked on an extreme life makeover? HOW DID IT GO?