Miss Shannan Paul

WORDLESS WEDNESDAY- MISS PIGGY GETS POLITICAL

2012-01-31T13:48:00.001-08:00

SLEEP IS FOR THE WEAK

2012-01-30T08:59:00.001-08:00

Sometimes you have to give yourself a pat on the back. I'm not great at it. I usually pick myself apart and I always think I could do better at whatever random thing it is that I'm trying to achieve. But sometimes I think, "Wow, you're really good at that."

My little man is Autistic. Lately Dom has been waking up for two or three hours in the middle of the night for what I've affectionately started calling "Pre-Schooler House Party." Oh, he has a great time. We drink almond milk, jam some kiddy songs, dance on some tables with lamp shades on out heads. It's a blast!

I'm not sure if it’s the change in his therapy schedule, or the fact that he's given up on naps or what, but it’s certainly not wearing off quickly.

At first I tried, in vain, to get him back on track. Kids are supposed to sleep through the night. I know that. I hear it all the time from my friends that have non-autistic kids. They lie there peacefully, drool rolling down their cherub-like little faces. My friends brag. Then I think, "Maybe I should get new friends."

Sleep through the night - not my kid. Looking back, I think he's sleep completely through the night maybe 100 times in the 3and 1/2 years he's been here. I'm really bad at math, but I'm pretty sure that's a crappy ratio.

The thing is; I'm really good at waking up in the middle of the night. I've always been a wonky sleepy. My friends used to call me the "Borg," and joke that I never slept, I just plugged in to recharge at 45 minute cycles.

But I'm great at rubbing the crust out of my eyes at 1:30 am and listening to Dom babble at me. I can make waffles without burning them, and even smoothly spread the peanut butter without sleepily losing a finger.

I'm great at being a 2:00 am architect of “Pillow Forts.” At 2:45 am, I can still work the DVD player, so we can watch Thomas the Tank Engine for 1,011th time.

And at 3:30 am, when Dom finally is ready to go back to sleep I have just energy to plop him back in his bed and cover him up with his favorite blanket. It’s the fuzzy one, with the frayed edges.

It feels good to be good at something.

OUR LITTLE ACROBAT

2012-01-20T05:13:00.001-08:00

If something new shows up in the house of course our kid is going to climb on it.

Which is way my Spin bike was shoved in the garage last year. Is really hard to get your cardio done when you're waiting for your son to stop using your bike as an impromptu Jungle Gym.

Now that he's older we decided to give it another go, but as evidenced in the photos old acrobatic habits die hard wth our kiddo.

SCREW YOU, GRINCH. CHRISTMAS IS HERE.

2011-12-15T18:02:00.001-08:00

A few weeks ago some lame miscreant broke into our garage. They didn't get much: Some copper piping, some plumbing fittings, and OUR BIN OF CHRISTMAS DECORATIONS.

We're pretty sure they took the decorations on accident, but the thought of some thief tossing away our holiday memories, some of which date back to grade school, is crappy. We rather think that some bandit,s family is at least enjoying the "nutcracker ornament" that my husband made in 3rd grade. At least that is a Holiday story ABC Family might show during their Christmas programing.

We prefer not to sit and sulk for too long over things we can't control. So, we started making some new ornaments and memories. My husband took his chop saw to some wood in the back yard to make the cute little reindeer. The cottonball sheep is courtesy of our Toddler Tornado.

Toddler Tornado Making Helps with Christmas Ornaments

And we've spent some family time making some new ornaments out of my old costume jewelry.

New memories are just old memories that need time to mature. So. we've got you Grinch. Christmas will come to Whoville after all.

Miss Shannan

WORDLESS WEDNESDAY - COWS DRIVE MINIVANS

2011-12-07T09:27:00.001-08:00

Don't miss the cow in the window.

I don't think she's wearing her seatbelt.

2011-12-07T05:34:00.001-08:00

MISS SHANNAN AND FRIENDS ON "HOW DO I LOOK?"

2011-11-14T16:40:00.000-08:00

Earlier this year I had the wonderful opportunity to nominate my friend Toni to receive a makeover on “How Do I Look?’ on the the Style Network.

As the slug line on their schedule page says, her style was getting in her way. After the makeover, she looked amazing.

Yes, Toni and I are still friends and she didn’t hold too much of the stuff I said about her on-camera against me.

She came away feeling so confident after the experience. She has always been wonderful, but now she's wonderful with some amazingly cute shoes as well. :)

Toni and Lamar Pre-Makeover

Toni and Lamar Post Make-Over

WORDLESS WEDNESDAY - VIDEO Chinese Old-folks Choir Covers Lady Gaga's "Bad Romance"

2011-11-09T08:34:00.000-08:00

It this doesn't make you laugh, maybe you take life too seriously.

WORDLESS WEDNESDAY - OUR BOY AND HIS DOG

2011-11-02T13:18:00.000-07:00

SEE WHY ACME'S OWNER IS SO AWESOME

2011-10-27T15:30:00.000-07:00

Sunday we will be able to read the full article written by Star Tribune columnist, Tom Horgen. In the meantime, here's the link to the video interview Tom did promoting ACME's 20th Anniversary Celebration and a few awesome photos of Acme's owner, Louis Lee and some of my comic friends.

Star Tribune Acme Comedy Company Video

HOW WE PLAY "PEEK-A-BOO" AROUND HERE

2011-10-14T15:54:00.001-07:00

Thanks Toddler Tornado.
Glad the sunglasses were cheep. :)

THANKS FOR THE GREAT TIME AT MORGAN'S IN THE PARK

2011-10-10T15:43:00.000-07:00

We had a great show last weekend. I love this picture, but the shadow makes me feel like someone's following me. If I'm acting paranoid this week, now you know why I keep looking behind me. :)

MISS SHANNAN OCTOBER 8, 2011 AT MORGAN'S IN THE PARK

2011-10-08T06:13:00.001-07:00

I really like it when bookers make cute flyers with my headshot on them. ;)

I MET GREEN LANTERN

2011-09-27T19:49:00.001-07:00

I finally met a superhero! I was even in a movie with him. Guess what? I totally sat on his sofa. Wow!!!

He was a little different than I expected, but I've got a chance for you to meet Green Lantern, Wonder Woman, Batman and Superman this Thursday during the IMS Films | Films inspired by design event.

Don't miss our short film, "Super Designers" and you'll get to see some other great short films hosted by Robyne Robinson and with a guest appearance by Oscar Nominee Mariel Hemmingway.

The whole thing is free, if you are. All the details are at www.imsfilms.com, so come rub elbows with the "Super" and "Near Super" before they rush off to save the day.

START YOUR CHRISTMAS SHOPPING EARLY

2011-09-22T09:56:00.001-07:00

In case your wondereing, Yes you can buy me these cookie cutters for Christmas. Mamma can use "The Force" in the kitchen.

SOMETHING FOR THE MINNESOTA SOUTH SUBURBANITES

2011-09-13T13:05:00.000-07:00

Howdy, South Suburnatites. There are still a few seats available for our Thursday Night Show in Prior Lake, MN. Ohh, and look they have wine. :)

LESSONS FROM THE PLAYGROUND - JOURNEYS

2011-09-11T20:05:00.001-07:00

Today My Toddler Taught Me ... It's the "ups and downs" that make our journeys worth talking about.

MOM FAIL - 90 SECONDS TO DISASTER

2011-09-05T14:46:00.001-07:00

90 seconds doesn't seem like very long.

You could microvave a Hot Pocket or a whole plate of chicken nuggets. Or you could turn your back on your Toddler Tornado long enough for him to wreck your pantry. Guess which one I did?

I'm pretty quick and still my 3 year old can manage to move so fast that I swear he has mutant powers. With the speed and stength that he has manifested already, I'd say its some mutant hybrid of "The Flash" and "The Hulk," neither of which were my favorite comic books back in the day. But least he's not Aquaman, which would be equally as messy, and we all know that Aquaman has pretty lame powers anyway.

My little man sure looks harmless though. He has the "secret identity" drill down. Stay tuned for more tales of the "Toddler Tornado." I'm sure this series will have plenty of episodes.

AWW MOM, ANOTHER TRIP TO HOME DEPOT?

2011-09-01T13:37:00.001-07:00

We're still working on our home renovations regarding the foreclosure we bought. It's been nearly a year now, and even the Toddler Tornado is getting worn down. Anytime we even drive into to a Home Depot parking lot, he starts protesting from the booster seat. Funny.... He still barely speaks English, but he's fluent in Whine.

WORDLESS WEDNESDAY - WHEN DID CARS START GETTTING "TRAMP STAMPS?"

2011-08-17T11:04:00.001-07:00

NEW DOCTOR WHO TRAILER - WHO TAKES ON HITLER

2011-08-15T10:57:00.000-07:00

Looks like the next season of Doctor Who will continue to keep me in love with the Doctor. Here is the preview trailer to wet your geeky little whistles.

WORDLESS WEDNESDAY - MR. UTENSIL

2011-08-10T00:35:00.001-07:00

Dear Toddler Tornado,

Sure you can eat your dinner with the meat tongs, what does mama care? I'm learning how to pick my battles. B-)

Love,

Mom

MY FRIEND TIM HARMSTON ON DAVID LETTERMAN

2011-07-15T14:58:00.000-07:00

Tiffany Norton, Tim Harmston and me

Last night I had the incredible pleasure of watching my friend Tim Harmston perform for the first time on the "Late Show with David Letterman." He was awesome.

Tim is a fantastic guy, and an incredibly funny comedian. If you missed the show, check out the clip below. I'm sure this won't be the last time we see Tim's awesome face on our TV screens and you should make sure to grab a ticket to his show if he comes to your town.

WORDLESS WEDNESDAY - MY FASHION FAIL FROM THE PAST

2011-07-06T20:14:00.001-07:00

My mom's friend has become very adept at finding photos of me when I was little. Check out this awesome Halloween Costume I rocked for some weirdo reason.

EVEN NEMO BEATS THE HEAT

2011-07-01T07:26:00.001-07:00

We've finally hit a Summer heatwave up here in Minnesota. The Toddler Tornado was excited to take a dip in his baby pool and sharing fella that he is, he brought his stuffed fish along for a swim.

OVO FOREVER - HOW CIRQUE DU SOLEIL SAVED OUR DAY

2011-06-19T20:25:00.001-07:00

Life with our Toddler Tornado is not always easy. Our little man has some sensory issues and with his Autism, you can't always tell if he's going to love something or hate it over some seemingly small detail.

In 2009, we took him to see Cirque Du Soleil. We expected him to get bored, but it turned out to be one of our fondest family memories so far. The tot loved it. He sat through the whole performance, mesmerized by every move happening on stage. He even held still long enough for us to take a family photo, something that at the time, never ever happened.

Cirque was back in town recently, and of course I hoped to have another fantastic family moment. Me and the tot, amazed again by the power of Cirque.

My expectations were high. Everything seemed perfect. We had great seats. I protected his ears, so it wouldn't be too loud. He sat there peacefully cramming handfuls of popcorn into his sweet toddler face, waiting for the show to begin.

The music started. The first performers took the stage. My Toddler Tornado decided to leave. He stood up, grabbed my hand and lead me toward the aisle. I tried to convince him we should go back in, but he freaked out and wanted nothing to do with it. He refused to even go back into the tunnel to give it another try.

I was crushed. My high expectations crashed and my heart sank. My family memory would be of dragging my poor kid to something he hated. I was having a "Worst Mom Ever" moment.

I was rescued by the staff at Cirque Du Soleil. The offered to let us watch the show on the TVs in the lobby. The found me a chair, that they must have brought up all the way from their breakroom or something. The gave the Tornado a show program that probably cost 10 bucks and showed him all the pictures.

Most of all, they were understanding. Nobody looked at us weird or seemed annoyed by me and my freaked out kid. They just offered to help and acted totally normal when some mom and her son sat in the center of the lobby during one of the greatest shows on earth.

We only stayed for the first half. The Todder Tornado fell happily asleep during the car ride home. Thanks to the staff at Cirque Du Soleil - OVO, My high expectations for a wonderful family memory were exceeded. Next time the Cirque Tent comes to town we'll be there to give it another try.

MISS SHANNAN AND JEANNIE MAI FROM "HOW DO I LOOK?"

2011-06-17T00:19:00.001-07:00

Thanks so much to everyone from "How Do I Look?" And the Style Network for giving my friend Toni a Make-Over. It was an amazing experince. The host, Jeannie Mai, was incredibly sweet to us all. I'll wait until the episode airs to give you the full scoop, but here's a tasty tidbit of Toni after she got they went to work on her.

THE TODDLER TORNADO CAN SPOT A TRAIN A MILE AWAY

2011-06-12T10:05:00.001-07:00

The Flameburger in Columbia Heights, MN has this "train" out front and of course our kid noticed as we we driving by at 40 Miles Per Hour. Rather than listen to whining for the whole day, we gave in and let him check it out. Guess we learned who's the boss around these parts. :)

LESSONS FROM THE PLAYGROUND - FINDING BALANCE

2011-06-11T16:03:00.001-07:00

Today My Toddler Taught Me- Finding balance takes time and effort. And we all fall a few times before we get it right.

CAMP GAGA WAS INCREDIBLE

2011-05-24T13:31:00.000-07:00

Miss Shannan, Mike Rylander and Alexis Walsko

I am so happy I was asked by my friends over at Metromix Twin Cities to be a judge for “CAMP GAGA,” a Lady Gaga inspired Costume design contest held Monday, May 23rd at CAMP BAR in St. Paul.

It was a wonderful event celebrating the release of Lady Gaga’s new album, “Born This Way" and the night’s proceeds benefited the Aliveness Project. I was really impressed with the creativity shown by all of the contestants. They really know how to wow a crowd.

The Grand Prize winner, Jakub, served up this delightful Gaga dish and this honey stomped that runway. He definitely earned the $1000 grand prize with this piece of awesomeness.

To see the rest of the photos click over to Metromix Twin Cities - CAMP GAGA.

Remember, darling, if you weren’t “Born This Way’ a little glitter and a hot glue gun can do wonders.

Host - Dramatica, Miss Shannan and our lovely Lady bookends

LESSONS FROM THE PLAYGROUND - BURIED TREASURES

2011-05-15T19:37:00.001-07:00

Today My Toddler Taught Me.... Treasures aren't always right on the surface, but a little digging can unearth amazing things.

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MOTHER NATURE TOOK A SHOT AT ME - I'M READY TO SHOOT BACK

2011-05-14T07:58:00.001-07:00

This has been the weirdest week of Minnesota weather. First we had temperatures near 80 degrees. Then temps plunge, rain falls, and we crank our heaters back on as shiver damply and things dropped down close to 40.

I'm so over this crappy weather. If I were a meterolgy student, this would be awesome. But I'm just a mom who would like to take her toddler outside to play without wondering if that sassy heffer, Mother Nature was about to hurl a golfball size Ice Rock at me and my kiddo.

That's what happened earlier this week as evidenced in the photo above. My husband retrieved one of the "Frozen Balls of Cussitude" after it nearly hit the Toddler Tornado and I while we were at the playground. Not funny Mother Nature. Not funny at all.

We've been huddled inside for so long that we rush to grab a breathe of fresh air every chance we get. Now can can't even trust what looks like a break in the weather crap-i-tude to last more than 10 minutes. Guess we'll have to keep taking our chances.

No one was hurt, but if Mother Nature was more than a personification of natural forces, I would snatch her personified weave right off her personifed head.

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WORDLESS WEDNESDAY - AUBURN IS AWESOME

2011-05-04T05:47:00.001-07:00

Makes me wanna sing "La la la" (Taken 4-28-11 at Fashion NOW)

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WORDLESS WEDNESDAY - PEEK A BOO

2011-04-13T05:40:00.001-07:00

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LESSONS FROM THE PLAYGROUND - PERFECTION

2011-03-27T11:50:00.001-07:00

Today My Toddler Taught Me - Don't Waste Time Waiting for the Perfect Day. Take the Time to Make Your Day Perfect.

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WE GOT LUCKY FOR THE GET LUCKY 7K - MAMAVATION POST

2011-03-23T04:57:00.001-07:00

Today we're getting more snow. That fact is about enough to make me pull my hair out, but I'm thankful that the snow demons held off until today. Their snowy tardiness meant that the weather was still wonderful for last Saturday's Get Lucky 7k race.

My good friend, Nicole, and I signed up for this race months ago, forgetting the unpredictability of Minnesota weather. At least the snow-mathon that has been this winter let up long enough for us to have a great race.

We finished in just under an hour, which isn't record breaking we know, but it stills feels great to be able to say "we finished."

Now I'm talking her into doing the Minneapolis Marathon with me as a relay. I'm hoping that my powers of persuasion will be strong enough. I might have to use the "Jedi Mind Trick" but if we can get a team of four of us together, we can break that race down to about six miles a piece. Sizeable chunk, I know, but I promised her that she won't die during the race :)

In the meantime, back to shoveling snow around here and back to the treadmill till the roads clear. Keep it frosty.

OUR TODDLER TORNADO TAKES THE TWICE A DAY CHALLENGE - DAY 1

2011-03-21T14:11:00.001-07:00

Remember all those stories and photos with Matthew McConaughey brushing his teeth all the time. Did you think he was weird? I didn’t. First of all, because he’s hot and I’d watch him do just about anything. Secondly I’m also a chronic tooth brusher and might be found brushing my teeth in the car or wherever else the compulsion might strike.

Toothbrushing comes easy for me, but we’ve been having a heck of a time passing on the habit to our Toddler Tornado. We’ve been working on good oral hygiene habits for a while now. But it’s like putting your finger into the mouth of a snapping turtle whenever we try. Left to his own devices, he would just use the toothbrush as a spoon to shovel the tasty bubblegum flavored toothpaste into his face.

We needed some incentive to get back on track, so we are taking the Metro Dental Care “Twice a Day Challenge.” Starting today, we’re committing to brushing his teeth twice a day, for at least 2 minutes. It’s going to take some work, but if it was too easy they wouldn’t call it a “challenge” now would they?

Dad helping the Toddler Tornado w/ his chompers

We know, thanks to Metro Dental Care and other dental professionals, that prevention and education are keys to oral hygiene success. When you brush your teeth twice a day, you’re helping to prevent tooth decay, gum disease and extra procedures down the line. Active prevention saves time, money and stress. It can also improve the overall health of your child.

They've even got a little video with some past "Twice a Day Challenge" participants.
So we know you can do it, too.

Jump onboard the toothbrushing band wagon with us and be a part of the “Twice a Day Challenge." If we can make is work with our Toddler Tornado, you and your kids can join the challenge along with us.

It’s easy, just leave a comment and pledge to join the challenge like we did. We’ll enter you in a drawing to receive 4 awesome tickets to see the Minnesota Twins play at Target Field. Join the challenge with us. Plus keep check back to see if we loose a finger going into the Toddler danger zone. :)

*** I am not being paid to participate in this challenge. The Twins tickets giveaway is hosted by Metro Dental Care and the winners will be selected by and notified by them. A few lifestyle bloggers throughout the Twin Cities are participating in this challenge and all readers are welcome to participate in this challenge/enter to win the Twins tickets. ***

WORDLESS WEDNESDAY - TOO MANY COOKS IN THE KITCHEN

2011-03-16T03:26:00.001-07:00

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DUSTIN DIAMOND - ESCAPING "SCREECH"

2011-03-13T10:41:00.001-07:00

I opened for Dustin Diamond this weekend. Of course, after all the negative press he's gotten, I was worried he was going to be a jerk. Can you blame me? I watched Celebrity Fit club and followed his exploits on TMZ.

But when I actually met him, Dustin was a very nice guy, who just wants to make some folks laugh and make some money like the rest of us.

Dustin seems to go from one extreme to the other. First, he's the squeaky clean and beloved geek you grew up with on the small screen. Then he's the villian on Celebrity Fit Club and doing sextapes. Now he's the dark and dirty comic ready to shock those memories of "Screech" right out of you.

Like a lot of people, Dustin's looking for a paycheck. He told me some crazy stories. The craziest - Dustin's story about a drunk audience member pulling a knife and threatening to stab him during his show. Yeah, I've never had that happen at a show. Don't want it. Would you?

It's gotta be tough - Spending so much of your life trying to find yourself. Having all these people think that you're someone that you're not. Then having them dissapointed in the real you. At least, it sounds pretty tough to me.

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HAPPY BIRTHDAY #3 TO MY TODDLER TORNADO

2011-03-03T15:22:00.000-08:00

HOW TIME FLIES

From this....

To This..

To this..

MOMMY LOVES YOU LITTLE MAN

LESSONS FROM THE PLAYGROUND - PATIENT ANTICIPATION

2011-02-21T15:46:00.001-08:00

Today my Toddler Taught Me - Anticipating what we can do later, may have us waiting on things for a very long time.

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2011-02-18T11:35:00.000-08:00

I love this new Britney Spears video. Especially about 3 minutes in when there is a “Britney on Britney Chick Fight”. LOVE IT!!!!

She looks fabulous. Yes, she’s Britney, but I’m gonna have to get me a team of people to make sure I don’t look busted all the time. I’m willing to start with a light tech and a make-up artist. If you would like to “volunteer” your services just in case I get famous one day, please let me know.

Enjoy.

Keenan Cahill Mashes with David Guetta

2011-02-07T16:08:00.000-08:00

Damn, I love Keenan Cahill. This kids always makes me smille. I'm glad his 15 minutes of fame aren't up yet.

Nerdy Girls Need Love Too

2011-02-02T11:31:00.000-08:00

Yes, I'm a nerd and extremely proud of it. My friend Tony Fly shared this with me and it features Amy Lee Radigan, who I don't know in real life, but I do now LOVE via the internet.

Thanks Amy, for my new "Nerdy Girl" anthem. You rock lady.

GETTING MY "TYRA" ON WITH JAY SEAN

2011-01-25T15:11:00.001-08:00

I like my "model" pose. Oh, and Jay Sean was awesome too.

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WORDLESS WEDNESDAY - DADDY'S LITTLE HELPER

2011-01-19T05:35:00.001-08:00

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WORDLESS WEDNESDAY - SHOUT OUT TO FERDINAND

2011-01-05T06:16:00.001-08:00

Check out my husband's new tattoo. Ferdinand the Bull.

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MAMAVATION MONDAY - DONE IN BY THE DISHWARE

2010-12-27T11:15:00.001-08:00

I like it when life accidentally helps with your diet options. For instance, last week I bought my toddler some new bowls. In my eyes they are awesome. Perfect size, Perfect shape. Just macho enough for my little man.

In his eyes they are awful. Who knows why, but he despises them. He clearly thinks the new bowls blow. I put his food in one. He dumped it on the table. But then he ate it, without having his eating experience tainted by the mom's new offending bowls.

But I'm putting the Toddler Un-approved bowls to good use as part of my 2011 Portion Control Party. Our "Regular" bowls are much bigger than a regular portion should be. After measuring the new little bowls, it turns out that they are much closer to what I should be consuming anyway. Imagine that! Even my old dishware was out to get me.

So far, I haven't made any headway on trying to drop those elusive 10 pounds, but I have managed to hold my weight steady over the holiday season, when snacks abound and workout times give way to holiday parties.

So it's a win for everyone. My tot gets to stick with his old familiar albeit beat up bowls. And I get to feel dainty when I eat, instead of feeling like I have on a feedbag. Happy Holidays.

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LESSONS FROM THE PLAYGROUND - THE VIEW

2010-12-26T07:39:00.001-08:00

Today My Toddler Taught Me - The best views are the ones that we share with the ones that we love.

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THE TODDLER TORNADO TESTS OUT THE SHOP VAC

2010-12-16T11:21:00.001-08:00

We guess Dom wanted to see how his cars faired in a miniature tornado. Now the bottom of the shop vac looks like the junkyard. I can now and vehicle rescuer to my resume.

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I'M NOT A TITAN, BUT I KNOW A FEW

2010-12-10T17:55:00.001-08:00

I was lucky enough the emcee the 2010 Top Ten Titans of Twin Cities Social Media event. With that much aliteration you know it had to be awesome, and truly it was. Get the full scoop at www.justjudyjudyjudy.com

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MAMAVATION MONDAY - MY FEET WILL THANK ME FOR IT

2010-11-29T16:58:00.000-08:00

Today I had to make a very difficult decision. It’s Black Monday. I was all geeked up to go online and but these awesome furry boots. They are adorable. I would look AMAZING in them. Buying them is stimulating the economy, right??? But, I’m also on a budget.

Instead of feeding my shoe fetish, I came to my senses and registered for the Team Ortho Get Lucky 7K that happens in March. I’ve only got so much money and I couldn’t do both. I hope the boots find a good home with some other fashionista.

At least, this way the money goes to a good cause. The race is organized by Team Ortho and they work to improve and enhance the lives of orthopaedic patients by supporting research, education, and advancements in orthopaedic technology. They also promote good muscular, skeletal, and joint health by encouraging an active lifestyle. The shoe store only promotes its awesome collections of furry leather-clad pieces of heaven.

And I'll get this awesome sweatshirt for finishing the race in March, so my closet won't go totally unfifilled.

Also, this week I changed my SparkPeople account to tighten up my calorie count a bit. I’ve let the holidays get to me and the added discipline will do me good. I’ve still got a pound to loose of the 2 pound gain that I picked up pre-Thanksgiving, so while I’m at it, I’ve decided to try and 5 pounds all together to give myself some added breathing room.

I feel much more at peace with my decision to pay for the race instead of the shoes. Those furry boots probably would have hurt my feet anyway.

MAMAVATION MONDAY - I GOT CAUGHT BY THE "DID NOTS"

2010-11-15T16:02:00.000-08:00

I gained two pounds in the last two weeks. Two pounds doesn’t sound like much. In fact lots of things weigh more that 2 pounds. Dumbbells, bags of flour, my winter boot. But after losing over 50 pounds and keeping it off for over a year, I’m not trying to go back.

It’s my fault. I did just about everything wrong last week. I ate out too many times and did not plan my meals ahead. I did not log my food like I usually do. I did not keep away from the alcohol. I did not work out. I did not drink enough water each day. I din not get enough sleep. And the end result of all those “did nots” - TWO GIANT POUNDS. Somebody smack me.

Now I’ve got to get back on track. Thanksgiving is next week and now more than ever I’m determined to keep things in check during one of the biggest overindulgent holidays of the year. I also don’t want to ruin it for the family, so I’m continuing my quest for recipes makeovers that my whole family can enjoy.

We’re loading up on the veggies and greens this year. Including the slimmed downed version of our family favorite Collard Greens. They can be really great for you and have. ton of vitamins and antioxidants. But it's easy to ruin the benefits by seasoning them with greasy Ham Hocks or fatty bacon. This year, I'm using the steamer and turkey bacon instead to get rid of the unnecessary calories and fat.

I’ve also included an updated Sweet Potato Pie recipe. I’m not crazy enough to think I an get away without having pie, but I can shave some undesirable fat and calories off the darn thing. This version that I found in Fitness Magazine cuts out the butter, sugar, and whole milk and focus on the Sweet Potato, which is actually good for you.

This week, I plan to pile up the “dids” and leave the “did not” for someone else. Enjoy.

Sweet Potato Pie

Makes 12 servings

Ingredients
Low-Fat Crust

1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour

1/4 teaspoon salt

6 tablespoons chilled oil (canola or olive oil)

1 extra-large egg white; lightly beaten

1 1/2 teaspoons vinegar, either white wine or apple cider

Ice water as needed

Sweet Potato Filling

16 ounces sweet potatoes, baked till soft, with skins removed

4 egg whites

1/2 cup sugar or Splenda

1 1/4 teaspoons cinnamon

1/2 teaspoon ginger

1/4 teaspoon cloves

12-ounce can evaporated skim milk

Directions

To make crust: Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Mix flour and salt in a medium bowl. Carve a small well in the middle of the flour and add chilled oil to it. Mix with fork until dough is crumbly. Mix in beaten egg white and white wine vinegar. Using your hands, form dough into ball, adding ice water to the dough if it is still a bit crumbly. Dough should hold together well. Refrigerate until very cold (1/2 hour). Roll dough on a floured surface until 1 inch thick. Drape over 9-inch pie pan, being careful not to tear the dough. Trim off the excess pieces and discard. Bake for 7-10 minutes or until golden brown.

To make filling: In a medium-size mixing bowl, mix all ingredients. Pour into the prepared crust and bake at 350 degrees F. for approximately 30 to 45 minutes, until knife inserted in center comes out clean.

Nutrition info: 221 calories, 6g protein, 34g carbohydrate, 7g fat (1g saturated fat), 2g fiber, 125mg sodium

AND THE WINNER IS ... MONSTER JAM TICKET WINNERS

2010-11-10T15:18:00.000-08:00

Congratulations to Amber and Cindy

Thanks for commenting on my giveaway. They’ll be jamming this Saturday, November 13th

with 4 tickets each for the Advance Auto Parts MONSTER JAM.

If you didn’t win - don't despair. Tickets are still available for purchase through Ticketmaster.com. Keep checking back here for more chances to win great tickets and prizes.

"Down On Me" - Keenan Cahill featuring 50 Cent from Chelsea Lately (Full Version)

2010-11-09T13:39:00.000-08:00

This kid is hilarious. I hope my kid is this funny when he grows. Watch for the cameo from 50 Cent. Side note... 50 Cent gives excellent hugs. I know from experience.

MAMAVATION MONDAY - LEARNING MY LIMITATIONS

2010-11-08T15:49:00.000-08:00

I’m getting back on the Mamavation bandwagon. Over the past two months, I’ve had a lot of things happening all at once.

(Deep Breath)

• We bought a new house, but it’s a foreclosure and needs A LOT of work.

• I booked a bunch of comedy shows between now and the end of the year.

• We put our 2 ½ year old Toddler Tornado into speech therapy hoping that his adorable gibberish will miraculously develop into English.

The hubs and I are so cute.

All while still having my day job and an ever mounting pile of laundry that looms in our bedroom like a giant evil monster. It never slows down. At first I was miserable even thinking about all the things I wanted to do - should do - couldn’t do. Everything. Then I got it together and just let some crap go.

The best thing I’ve learned over this really busy time is that I have limitations. I want to do everything: but I can’t. So I admitted that I should take a break from the Mamavation Sistahood. (Thanks Lori @gutimon for your patience.) I deferred my Half Marathon registration to next year’s event. I kept my expectations on our moving date in check. I let the laundry pile up and now our Todder can use it as a slide. Huzzah.

I’m more at peace now. I’ve managed to stay healthy mentally and physically. I’ve realized that some things just take a while. They have to develop in their own time.To enjoy life you have to let things run their course and that course can be long and full of twists and turns.

Last November, I posted healthy versions of my favorite Thanksgiving. I really enjoyed it, so here we go again. We’ll start with a new Herb Stuffing recipe I’ve found. Yummm, I can’t wait for my house to smell like the herbs and spices in this awesome recipe. Please let me know what you think.

Have a great week Mamavation ladies. And I hope have some time to breath this week.

Herb Stuffing

Makes 12 1-cup servings

Ingredients

1 1-pound loaf whole wheat bread, cut into 1-inch cubes

8 ounces spicy or regular bulk turkey sausage (or purchase links and remove casing)

1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil

4 large stalks celery, very thinly sliced

1 large (10-ounce) red onion, chopped

2 large garlic cloves, minced

12 large fresh sage leaves, finely chopped (about 3 tablespoons)

3 cups natural, fat-free chicken broth

1/3 cup dried, sweetened cranberries

3 tablespoons unsalted butter

3/4 teaspoon fine sea salt, or to taste

Directions

Heat oven to 350 degrees F. Arrange bread cubes evenly on two large baking pans. Brown in oven for about 25 minutes.

In a nonstick skillet over medium-high heat, cook sausage for 5 minutes, breaking into small pieces as it browns; place in a 9-by-13-inch baking pan.

Heat oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add celery, onion, garlic, and sage. Lightly brown, stirring often, about 12 minutes. Meanwhile, in a medium saucepan over medium-low heat, simmer broth, cranberries, and butter for about 10 minutes.

Add celery mixture, bread cubes, and cranberry broth to sausage. Stir until broth is absorbed. Season with salt to taste.

Evenly spread stuffing in pan; cover with foil. Bake for 20 minutes. Uncover and bake 10 minutes.

Nutrition Facts

Nutrition facts per serving:

Servings Per Recipe 12 1-cup servings

Calories199

Total Fat (g)9
Saturated Fat (g)3
Carbohydrate (g)25
Fiber (g)3
Protein (g)8
*Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet

MISS SHANNAN'S MONSTER JAM TICKET GIVEAWAY

2010-11-06T23:11:00.001-07:00

Next weekend is "Man Weekend" around here. While I'll be off telling jokes, my husband, his little brother and his dad are taking our Toddler Tornado to the Advance Auto Parts Monster Jam happening at the Metrodome in Minneapolis, MN this Saturday, November 13th.

Our little guy is already a "gearhead." We grabbed him some earplugs and we're ready to take him to the Dome to see all the car crunching splendor.

Man time starts with the "Pit Party" from 2:00 – 5:00 pm . You can grab free passes to the Pit at participating Subway locations. With your Pit Party tickets you can get a closer look at some of the vehicles like Grave Digger, Maximum Destruction, Avenger and the rest down in the dirt. Then the big show starts at 7:30pm

I'm sad I'm not going along, because I am positive that our Little Man is going to LOVE Monster Jam. I'm sure he'll be cheering and screaming the whole time. (On second thought, maybe I'm glad I'm leaving this outing to his dad. )

I can't make it to Monster Jam, but you can. They've given me two Family Four Packs of tickets to give away, so you and your monsters can get in on the car crushing action.

Just leave a comment below saying why you want to take your "Monster" to Monster Jam and I'll randomly select one winner to grab four tickets to Saturday's event.

I'll also select an additional winner to receive 4 tickets if they Tweet or Facebook about "Miss Shannan's Monster Truck Jam Giveaway." Include a link to this contest page and then please leave an additional comment below every time you post or tweet, so I know to throw you into the running.

The contest is open until this Wednesday November 10, 2010 at 12:00 pm Central Time. I'll announce the winner here on MissShannan.com. and via Facebook and Twitter by 5:00 pm Central time.

For more information or to buy your own tickets Click Here. And for all my Monster Jam Fans. Comment away and good luck with the Gear Jamming Action.

TOO SOON FOR SNOW

2010-11-06T11:45:00.001-07:00

I'm glad to be home from our gig in Detroit Lakes, MN. They've got snow on the ground up there already.

Not much, but right now ANY snow is too much for me. My brain hurts just thinking about it.

I'm wishing off winter. Anyone with me???

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MUPPETS VS. WILLOW SMITH "WHIP MY HAIR"

2010-11-02T20:24:00.001-07:00

I love this song. And of course I love the Muppets. The persn who put this together has created a masterpiece. I like it better than the real video :p

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LESSONS FROM THE PLAYGROUND - HELPING HAND

2010-10-31T14:34:00.001-07:00

Today my toddler taught me... Yes, you can swing it by yourself. But it helps to have someone give you a little push.

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LESSONS FROM THE PLAYGROUND - LOOK AROUND

2010-10-24T18:40:00.001-07:00

Today My Toddler Taught Me - Look around: you never know where you'll see something beautiful.

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AND THE WINNER IS - MICKEY'S MAGIC SHOW GIVEAWAY

2010-10-20T13:11:00.000-07:00

Congratulations to Tracey (trulytrayce) and

Jennifer (acomedianswife)

They were kind enough to be a part of my latest contest, and because they shared their Disney Magical Moments with us, they both won 4 tickets to this weekend's Disney Live! Mickey’s Magical Journey show happening at the Xcel Energy Center. Keep checking back here for more chances to win great tickets and prizes.

Tickets are still available for purchase through Ticketmaster.com or by phone at 1-800-745-3000 by phone. And if you use the code FRIEND you get an additional $4 the ticket price.

Hope to see you at the show.

LESSONS FROM THE PLAYGROUND - CHANGING VIEWS

2010-10-17T11:58:00.001-07:00

Today My Toddler Taught Me... Once in a while it's good to see things through other people's point of view.

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MOHOMBI LIVE AT THE 96.3 NOW STUDIO

2010-10-14T14:10:00.001-07:00

The sexy and talented Mohombi dropped by our office today. He also performs the hit song "Bumpy Ride"

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Share Your Disney Moment To Win Tickets To Disney Live At The Xcel Energy Center

2010-10-13T08:05:00.001-07:00

I've been a Disney fan forever. So much so, that I took my Fan-dom to the next level and worked at Disneyland when I was in college. It was a magical summer working in the Disneyland Wardrobe Department, getting characters ready to go out and meet thousands of other fans as they visited the theme park. As I worked there, I really got to know a lot about Disney and the more I learned, and it all made me a love Disney even more.

Well, now I live in Minnesota, so I'm glad that Mickey has loaded up his tour bus and is bringing his Disney Magic to me here in the Midwest.

"Disney Live! Mickey's Magic Show" is coming to the Xcel Energy Center on Sunday, October 24th. I'm so excited to take my Toddler Tornado to see Mickey, Minnie, Daisy, Donald and Goofy on-stage in what is sure to be an adorable magic show.

If you want to buy tickets to the show you can grab them from Ticketmaster (Mickey’s Magic Show)

But they've given me the chance to bring you to the show, too. I'm giving away Family Four packs of tickets to Mickey's Magic show. I'll pick 2 (two) winners next Wednesday, October 20th at 12 pm cst.

Mickey's Magic Show - Mad Hatter

To enter, leave a comment below sharing your Disney Magic Moment. It can be anything- like the first time you watched a Disney Film with you family, or the time your dog chewed up you Mickey Mouse ears. It's up to you, and you can leave one comment each day between now and 10/20/10.

For extra entries, you can also Tweet or Facebook about this contest.

For instance... My friend @MissShannan is giving away tickets to Mickey's Magic Show at the Xcel Energy Center. Enter at http:\\www.missshannan.com

Cut and paste that if you like. Just come back here and leave a comment with the link so that you get your extra entry. Then check back here Next Wednesday October 19th, to see if you're a contest winner.

Easy enough? I hope so. Get to sharing those Magic Moments and I hope to see you at Mickey's Magic Show.
(This contest is open to Minnesota and Wisconsin residents only.)

Mickey's Magic Show - Broom Scene

LESSONS FROM THE PLAYGROUND - DEFY GRAVITY

2010-10-09T10:26:00.001-07:00

Today My Toddler Taught Me.... To get where you want to go, sometimes you have to go up the slide instead of down.

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2010-10-08T18:57:00.001-07:00

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FASHION NOW: FASHION FRIGHT NIGHT MODEL CASTING #1

2010-10-08T18:56:00.001-07:00

Our Fall Fashion Show Model casting at Seven Ultra lounge. Christopher Straub is an amazing individual and I'm so glad he's going to be part of our fashion show. He promised that his full line is going to be wonderful. For some reason, I trust him. Maybe cause he let me me hug him inapproprietely.

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DIY AT TEAM REEVES HEADQUARTERS - DINING ROOM DEMO BEFORE AND AFTER

2010-10-07T16:35:00.001-07:00

Today we finished demo- ing the Dining room ceiling. Tomorrow we move on to the living room. Let the dust fly.

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WORLESS WEDNESDAY - FINAL HUZZAH MINNESOTA RENNAISANCE FESTIVAL 2010

2010-10-06T17:43:00.001-07:00

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Too Funny - THIS IS HIP HOP

2010-09-29T14:34:00.000-07:00

Watch out mot this chick is hard core. Mess around she might cut ya :)

Dom goes Kris Kross Style.

2010-09-28T19:52:00.001-07:00

LIZZY COOPERMAN IS A FUNNY LADY

2010-09-22T09:45:00.000-07:00

My funny friend Lizzy Cooperman and her Birds of Prey Co-horts were featured on Funny or Die.
Check out the hilarious video they made.

Indie Girls Gone Wild - watch more funny videos

WORDLESS WEDNESDAY - WE'RE NOT IN THE CLOSET JUST IN THE DRAWER

2010-09-15T17:00:00.000-07:00

Not sure where we'll keep his socks after this?

MAMAVATION MONDAY - LOOKING FOR MY BEAUTY SLEEP

2010-08-23T22:10:00.000-07:00

Wow. What a great show we had tonight at Acme Comedy Club tonight. The line up of comedians was awesome, and I’m so honored that I got the chance to perform along side of such great folks as Amber Preston, Erik Allen, Tim Harmston Mary Mack and Darlene Westgor. Trust me if they come to your part of the country you definitely need to check them out.

Tonight’s showcase was great, but it was also one of the many things on my calendar that make it hard to find time to work out. Between Stand up comedy, my day job at the radio station, our upcoming move, and they very busy 2 year old boy we’re raising it’s hard to find to do much of anything.

So between now and Labor Day, in order to keep my sanity, I’ve decided to focus on what I think I CAN DO, versus all the busy things that will focus on what I CAN”T DO. For instance, I CAN still run the 5K that my friend had schedule around Lake Calhoun here in the Twin Cities. It’s a very attainable milestone for me. And a chance for me to has some social time with me friends that still fit in with my goal of a healthy lifestyle.

Also, we’ve been focusing on continuing our clean eating habits as a family. The latest goal is to increase our intake of fresh fruits and vegetables. We’ve added in a weekly trip to the Minneapolis Farmer’s market, to help maintain our waistlines and our budgets. We’ve learned over time that eating fruits and vegetable that are in season are much cheaper than going for the exotic, and we love the way that we are able to support our local Minnesota Growers my buying locally.

Finally I’m trying to get more rest. Studies have shown that sleep loss results in less deep sleep, the kind that restores our energy levels. Losing deep sleep hours decreases growth hormone levels and with less growth hormone, we reduce the ability to lose fat and grow muscle. I have been focusing on growing muscle so; I’m trying to get more sleep in the hopes that I can be more productive in the hours that I am awake. In essence, I’m trying to work smarter when I’m awake, not harder.

I’ll check in with you soon to see how your holding up. In the mind, pray my head doesn’t explode. 

Here is recipe that we’re trying this week. If you try it too, please let us know what you think.

Tofu with Thai Curry Sauce

Creamy Thai curry sauce gives tofu a spicy, satisfying kick. You can adjust the amount of curry paste depending on your spice preference. Serve with brown basmati rice and lime wedges.

4 servings, generous 3/4 cup each

Active Time: 5 minutes
Total Time: 20 minutes

Nutrition Profile
Diabetes appropriate
Low calorie
Low carbohydrate
Low cholesterol
Low sodium
Healthy weight
High calcium
Gluten free

Sauce

1 cup “lite” coconut milk, (see Ingredient notes)
2 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro
1 teaspoon red curry paste, or to taste (see Ingredient notes)
1/2 teaspoon brown sugar
1/2 teaspoon salt, or to taste
Tofu & vegetables
14 ounces extra-firm tofu, preferably water-packed
2 teaspoons extra-virgin olive oil
4 cups baby spinach, (6 ounces)
1 medium red bell pepper, sliced (1 1/2 cups)

Preparation

1.To prepare sauce: Whisk coconut milk, cilantro, curry paste, brown sugar and salt in a small bowl.

2.To prepare tofu: Drain and rinse tofu; pat dry. Slice the block crosswise into eight 1/2-inch-thick slabs. Coarsely crumble each slice into smaller, uneven pieces.

3.Heat oil in a large nonstick skillet over high heat. Add tofu and cook in a single layer, without stirring, until the pieces begin to turn golden brown on the bottom, about 5 minutes. Then gently stir and continue cooking, stirring occasionally, until all sides are golden brown, 5 to 7 minutes more.

4.Add spinach, bell pepper and the curry sauce and cook, stirring, until the vegetables are just cooked, 1 to 2 minutes more.

WORDLESS WEDNESDAY - WE LOVE STICKERS

2010-08-18T11:08:00.000-07:00

MAMAVATION MONDAY - MY LOSS IS A GAIN FOR GOODWILL

2010-08-09T15:42:00.000-07:00

We will be moving in the next few weeks, so I took this week off to jumpstart our packing efforts before things get too busy at work.

It was slow going at first. We've been in this house for a while so things have piled up over time. But then I got to my side of the closet and really started to look at how many clothes I had. Specifically how many clothes I have that are way too big. I've been at my new weight for over a year now, but I still had a ton off stuff that was at least 2 to 3 sizes too big.

I dumped them. All of them. The dresses, the slacks, the jeans. All bagged up and ready to go to Goodwill. I feel lighter mentally after doing it. My closet isn't crammed full of clothes I never want to wear again. I'm moving forward. And I'm giving myself a personal round of applause.

A grlfriend from church has organized her own 5k run that a bunch of us will be doing on the August 28th. It's good incentive for me to keep moving and training for the half marathon coming up in October.

Congrats to all the other Mamavation Moms who have dropped the pounds. Some advice: treat yourself to some new threads. It's great motivation to stay on you journey.

Wayzata Historical Society Model Trains and Dom

2010-08-07T14:47:00.000-07:00

SOMETIMES MAKING ME LAUGH DOESN'T TAKE MUCH

2010-08-05T15:23:00.000-07:00

Kitten Fail

WORDLESS WEDNESDAY - BIG BABY AND LIL MAMA

2010-07-21T14:51:00.000-07:00

Wow. Is my 2 year old growing likea weed or what? He's gonna be carrying me soon.

MAMAVATION- PASSING THE TORCH TO MY TOT

2010-07-20T16:06:00.000-07:00

For any of my friends who read this post, please know that the comments I am about to make are out of love. But I've got to tell you that your eating habits are killing me. You guys fill yourself with some rotten stuff. Please understand, I'll still hang out with you even though your eating habits are scarry. If I occasionally look at you cross-eyed, it's just because I watched you eat something that is bound to increase your waistline or give you heart disease. No big deal right?

You do what you want, but we've been trying to make sure that we teach our Tot that healty food can be tasty food. We take every chance we get to slip in a fruit or veggie. We slip spinach into his eggs, broccolli into his Mac and Cheese, mixed veggies into his Pasta. So far, he's good with it and we hope it continues.

We've also started an "At Least Try It" policy in our house. We never make him eat anything, but we do encourage him to at least try new foods. If he spits it out, oh well, but often he'll eat it once he gives it a shot.

So that's our new strategy for our friends. We're on a mission to find healthy versions of the food we know they like to replace the crappy versions they currently consume. If the recipes are good enough, maybe they won't even notice the healthy change until it's too late. If we need to go stealth so be it. One of their favorites is Fried Chicken, so lets start with this.

We really liked the upgrade and the chicken came out moist and juicy. Not greazy like the Deep Fried version. Give it a try. And friends. Do worry. Try it. You might like. :)

Oven-Fried Chicken

From: EatingWell.com

Great news - crunchy, flavorful fried chicken can be healthy. We marinate skinless chicken in buttermilk to keep it juicy. A light coating of flour, sesame seeds and spices, misted with olive oil, forms an appealing crust during baking. And with only 7 grams of fat per serving rather than the 20 in typical fried chicken - that is good news.

Servings: 4 servings

Prep: 20 mins

Total: 1 hr 35 mins

1/2 cup nonfat buttermilk

1 tablespoon Dijon mustard

2 cloves garlic, minced

1 teaspoon hot sauce

2 1/2-3 pounds whole chicken legs, skin removed, trimmed and cut into thighs and drumsticks

1/2 cup whole-wheat flour

2 tablespoons sesame seeds

1 1/2 teaspoons paprika

1 teaspoon dried thyme

1 teaspoon baking powder

1/8 teaspoon salt

Freshly ground pepper, to taste

Olive oil cooking spray

Directions

1. Whisk buttermilk, mustard, garlic and hot sauce in a shallow glass dish until well blended. Add chicken and turn to coat. Cover and marinate in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes or for up to 8 hours.

2. Preheat oven to 425 degrees F. Line a baking sheet with foil. Set a wire rack on the baking sheet and coat it with cooking spray.

3. Whisk flour, sesame seeds, paprika, thyme, baking powder, salt and pepper in a small bowl. Place the flour mixture in a paper bag or large sealable plastic bag. Shaking off excess marinade, place one or two pieces of chicken at a time in the bag and shake to coat. Shake off excess flour and place the chicken on the prepared rack. (Discard any leftover flour mixture and marinade.) Spray the chicken pieces with cooking spray.

4. Bake the chicken until golden brown and no longer pink in the center, 40 to 50 minutes.

Tips:

Tip: No buttermilk? You can use buttermilk powder prepared according to package directions. Or make "sour milk": mix 1 tablespoon lemon juice or vinegar to 1 cup milk.

MAKE AHEAD TIP: Marinate the chicken for up to 8 hours.

Nutrition Facts

Calories 226, Total Fat 7 g, Saturated Fat 2 g, Monounsaturated Fat 2 g, Cholesterol 130 mg, Sodium 258 mg, Carbohydrate 5 g, Fiber 1 g, Protein 34 g, Potassium 400 mg. Exchanges: Starch 0.33,Lean Meat 4,Fat 1.5

Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet

WORDLESS WEDNESDAY - CRACK IS CONTAGIOUS

2010-07-07T18:40:00.000-07:00

I know I married a plumber, but who knew "plumber's crack" was hereditary. Daddy's Lil Helper.:)

MAMAVATION MONDAY- KEEP MOVING FORWARD

2010-07-05T07:28:00.000-07:00

My competitive nature has kicked in, and I've already signed up for my 2nd Half Marathon. It's the Team Ortho Monster Dash, happening on October 30, 2010.

I learned a lot preparing for the first race. I know to check the and take the terrain into account in my training. I know I should wear my knee brace. I know that I'm not going to die during the race. :)

This week, I'm running twice and cross training twice. I'm also going to give The Biggest Loser Yoga DVD a try. I'm hoping it wil help me tone, but also help me focus on the workout and practice letting go of outside distractors like work worries.

Now it's time to head outside with my Toddler Tornado. I'm sure to burn a few calories chasing him at the playground.

COMING TO A CIRCUS NEAR YOU. THE FLYING REEVES'S

2010-07-04T15:50:00.000-07:00

Wordless Wednesday - Dom Walks a Mile in Mom's Shoes

2010-06-09T13:03:00.000-07:00

MAMAVATION MONDAY - GUESS WHO RAN A HALF MARATHON?

2010-06-07T21:58:00.001-07:00

Yesterday I did it. I finished my first ever Half Marathon. That's me in all my sweaty glory. I didn't die. I'm not overly sore. I'm not regretting it. In fact, I want to try it again for a better time.

I learned a lot running this Half Marathon and I will be training differently the next time. For instance, it never occurred to me that the course would have hills on it. Dumb, huh? Of course there are hills. So next time I'll do a lot more strength training, squats and lunges to get my legs stronger and in better shape.

Yes, I have a few other things I wish had done differently, but still it was a great experience. The whole race day is incredibly exciting. The energy on the course is great. It's cool how many people come out to cheer you on and I'm so proud now that I have my super awesome "finisher" medal. And next time I'm going for speed. :)

Another great by-product of running the race has been how much better we've been about our family diet. It even carried over to the way we feed our friends. Like when it was our tune to bring dessert to our church dinner, it just didn't feel right to show up with a giant pie, so instead we brought a big bowl of Mixed Berry Yogurt Parfait. We used frozen berries to make it a little frosty for a cool summer treat. It seemed like a big hit, but we were at church and our friends might just keep their comments to them selves and pray that next time we bring the pie instead.

After looking forward to the race for so long, it's hard not to have a fitness goal in mind. So to continue my motivation I actually have two. First is to run at least one 5k race between now and the end of the year. Some girl friends have shown some interest in running a race, so we should be able to motivate one another.

Also, I want to go back to teaching Group Fitness. I was teaching at least 1 class a week before we had Dom, but I haven't found the time since Dom's been here and life's just kept cruising along. Teaching means making a commitment and letting some other things go. But continuing our healthy lifestyle effort is good for the whole family. If you're looking for me this fall I'll be the one at the gym.

So, off to ice my knee and count sheep not jumping over a fence, but instead sprinting up a hill. Meet ya at the next finish line.

No I'm not a Vikings fan. But I'll play one on TV

2010-06-02T19:43:00.000-07:00

Gary Coleman Dies at 42

2010-05-28T11:54:00.000-07:00

I was praying for a different outcome, but Diff'rent Stroke star Gary Coleman died today.

Gary Coleman, 'Diff'rent Strokes' Star, Dies at 42

I hope he and his family are at peace.

I'm Devasted! Gary Coleman Reportedly on Life Support, In Coma

2010-05-28T09:39:00.000-07:00

Gary Coleman - Then

This story is so sad to me. Gary Coleman has slipped into a coma and is currently on life support after suffering a head injury at his Utah home this week, the actor's spokesman announced Friday morning.

Gary Coleman is one of those childhood stars that I've been rooting for, hoping that he would be able to pull his life together and have a fairytale happy ending. Part of it is because not only did I love the show, but ironically, people used to say I looked like Gay Coleman when I was little. I know that's not the most flattering comparison for an 8 year old girl, but in retrospect I realize that it was because people found him so damned adorable.

Here’s hoping Gary has a full recovery and life turnaround. I’m praying for him.

Here's the full story on PopEater.com

Gary Coleman Reportedly on Life Support, In Coma

Gary Coleman - Now

Wish I Could Get Comfy Any Old Place

2010-05-27T15:56:00.000-07:00

My Little Wino

Lindsay Lohan Arrest Warrant Issued

2010-05-20T11:32:00.000-07:00

Come on Lindsay!!! You can at least make your court dates. The LiLo trainwreck continues.....

BEVERLY HILLS, Calif. — A judge issued a warrant Thursday for Lindsay Lohan's arrest after the actress missed a mandatory hearing. Bail was set at $100,000.

The 23-year-old actress was due in court for a progress report on her probation stemming from two arrests in 2007. Her attorney, Shawn Chapman Holley, said Lohan's passport was stolen while she was at the Cannes Film Festival and was unable to return to Los Angeles in time for Thursday's hearing.

"She did, in fact, have airline tickets," Holley told the judge. "From our standpoint, there is a valid reason for her not being here today."

Holley said Lohan would be back in the United States by Friday evening. Superior Court Judge Marsha Revel wasn't satisfied, saying the star has a history of missing scheduled appointments.

"If she wanted to be here, it looks to the court that she could have been here," Revel said.

MAMAVATION - MOVE YOUR FEET FOR THE MN AIDS WALK

2010-05-11T15:23:00.000-07:00

Last week. I got my updated CONFIRMATION CARD in the mail for the Half Marathon I’m running in on June 6th. It was awesome. I was so excited at the thought of being a part of Minneapolis Marathon and getting my little medal for completing the race. Last week, I also tweaked my back. Drat!! I think it was from lugging around Mr. Monster Tot, but who really knows.

It’s the first time I’ve had any problems since I was pregnant, and I gotta tell you, the whole this is really frustrating. I feel like I just got excited about the race instead of apprehensive about it.

But, I’ve decided not to let it get me down too much. I wasn’t trying to finish the race in record time, or anything. I was just trying to finish. So, I’ve been saving my back by walking more than running. But’ I’m still moving, which is the important thing.

Speaking of walking, I’m joining the Minnesota AIDS Project for its 23rd Annual Minnesota AIDS Walk to raise funds and awareness in the ongoing struggle against HIV. The walk is this Sunday May 16th and even if you haven’t registered or raised a bunch of money they would still like you to come out to Minnehaha Park and participate.

My family and thousands of concerned Minnesotans will get together at Minnehaha Park in Minneapolis to provide support that the Minnesota AIDS Project needs to maintain critical programming and important prevention education. If you would like more info or to donate please log on to http://community.mnaidsproject.org/aidswalk2010/home

Hope to see you there and keep moving those feet this week.

And since, I've been in a Middle Eastern cuisine mode lately and since it;s been cold here in the Twin Cities, I thought I would share this delicious soup recipe with you. The blend of spices in it will make your kitchen smell AMAZING. It's hearty, but still low fat, low carb and low calorie.

Moroccan Vegetable Soup (Chorba) Recipe - ACE Healthy Recipes - American Council on Exercise

I love Lost and I love Muppets. What else do you need?

2010-05-06T15:47:00.000-07:00

The Muppets, Rizzo and Bobo the Bear, break in on the writers of Lost. Gotta put a smile on your face.

Next olympic sport "Tandem Sliding"

2010-05-05T16:45:00.000-07:00

WORDLESS WEDNESDAY - TRYING TO GET MY MODEL ON AT 96 3 NOW'S FASHION NOW

2010-04-28T11:14:00.000-07:00

Ashley, Jackie and Shannan at 96 3 NOW's FASHION NOW

Having friends who are models can be bad for a girls self confidence. I think I’m pretty fierce.

HEAR “REAL HOUSEWIFE” COUNTESS LUANN’S CRAPPY NEW SONG

2010-04-27T15:57:00.000-07:00

Wow, thanks to T-Pain and his auto-tune machine, anyone can make a song, including one of my least favorite “Real Housewives of New York,” Countess LuAnn de Lesseps. The Countess’ first single, 'Money Can't Buy You Class' is AWFUL self indulgent crap.
If you’ve seen her on the show, you won’t be surprised that the song is ridiculous. The Countess is the second “Real Housewife” to drop a track since Kim from “Real Housewives of Atlanta” released “Tardy for the Party” last year. But, the Countess makes Kim sound like Celine Dion in comparison. Here’s praying that neither song gets stuck in my head.

You can listen to 'Money Can't Buy You Class' here.

Dom didn't know whether to pet the cow or grab the grill

2010-04-26T20:23:00.000-07:00

MAMAVATION - GOING GREEN BUT KEEP GOING

2010-04-19T13:52:00.000-07:00

Only 5 weeks left. I’m still running in the Minneapolis Marathon, and I’ve only got 5 weeks left to train. I’m excited but apprehensive still, but I’m much more on the excited side at this point. I want be able to say I finished something like this. Even if it’s just a Half Marathon it's still the biggest athletic thing I've done since playing Women's Football.

Wonder what I’m doing to train? We’ll here’s the schedule I’m following thanks to Fitness Magazine. You can tell it's mine by all the creases :)

Plus I’m still watching my diet and trying to get as much rest as I can. My toddler alarm clock isn’t helping with that goal, but he’s adorably bossy, so what’s a mom to do?

I’m down another 3 pounds. I realized that I haven’t been this weight since I was in 8th grade. WOW.

As part of the Mamavation Group focus this session we are “Greening” our campaign, so inline with that goal I’m going to focus on staying outside with my runs and spending less time in the gym on the equipment. My hope is to cancel our family membership and to save the money instead. Read all about the Mamavation Campaign and about our new GREEN initiative here.

I’ve found some good outdoor cross training ideas that I’ll share next week. Hopefully that little cliffhanger will keep you coming back for more. Or you can catch one of my comedy shows coming up and I’ll give you some pointers after the show.

WORDLESS WEDNESDAY - GOTTA WATCH THEM EVERY SECOND

2010-04-14T13:53:00.000-07:00

Honey.. This is not how you help mommy with the laundry.

MAMAVATION – FEELING ANXIOUS? EXERCISE MIGHT BE YOUR ANSWER!

2010-04-06T22:07:00.000-07:00

I’ve been super busy lately. Comedy shows, big projects at the radio station, a pushy 2 year-old that is going through a non-sleeping phase. Lions, and Tigers, and Bear’s oh my… It was definitely a struggle to get to the gym and stay motivated. With all the crap going on, my stress level is through the roof. It sucks: laying awake at night worrying about crap that I can’t do anything about at 3:00 am any way. What the heck???

Of course at busy times it’s easy to default to sitting on the sofa, eating tasty snacks and staring at the TV. But I’ve got a good reason for you to get up and get moving instead.

In the March/April issue of the American Council on Exercise’s magazine, Fitness Matters, they talk about a study conducted by the researchers at Princeton University. Of course the study was on rats and basically they studied two groups: one that they stressed out for three to six weeks and another group that still was stressed out, but also had the chancee to run everyday.

During the study those industrious little Princeton researchers found that the group of rats that ran for six weeks showed less stress-induced anxiety than the non-running rats. And they say that moderate exercise appears to have the same effect on humans. The researchers aren’t sure if we humans need more or less exercise than our rodent-like brethren, but they do say “don’t quit.” We may not feel the “magical reduction of stress” right away, but they are sure they will come.

So next week is guaranteed to be just as busy for me at work as ever, but I’ve already built in some time to workout, including chatting up my boss so I can come in a little later on a couple of days. That way I have time to get my run in before work. Only nine more weeks till race time, so I need to stay on my game.

And I’m going to keep researching some healthy but tasty recipes. I tried to the Minnesotan custom of making dessert “bars” this weekend with no recipe and the experiment failed miserably. ABSOLUTE DISASTER. So here is the “re-do” and recipe so you guys can do better than I did.

Raspberry Bars Recipe - ACE Healthy Recipes - American Council on Exercise

Also make sure you keep up on the Mamavation Sistahood. Our “Queen” is picking two new Mamavation Moms who are willing to share their weightloss journeys with us. The finalists have been picked and you can vote for you favorite here. The Mamavation Moms selected get some great gifts for our sponsors like EA Sports Active and Earth Footwear.

Hope you have a Anxiety Free week everyone. Keep it moving folks. If a rat can do it, you know you can do it too.