My Harry Potter Fix: Week 26

It's Harry Potter time again!  Kim, Tarole, and I just have a few things to ask of you.  First, please follow your hosts.  Link back to one of us in your post.  (You can use our button!)  Post about Harry Potter, and link up your post URL.  Finally, hop around and visit others to see their answers.  (That's MY favorite part!)

 

So here are this week's questions.

 

1. Which Harry Potter movie actor would you most like to hang out with for the day? Well, I hate to be predictable, but I'd probably have to say Emma Watson.  She's adorable.  AND she plays Hermione.  Of course, I'd want to hang out with her. 

 

 

2. Do you think there should be a television miniseries made in the future based on the books?  Hmmm....I'm going to go with my gut reaction and say yes.  Here's why:  As good as the movies are, there are many things from the books that are left out or done differently.  IF they told every story without leaving out any details, I'd be totally ok with it. 

 

3. Be honest- do you want to see the movies remade with different actors sometime in the future? No, no, no, no, no, no.  I'm sorry if you would like to see this happen, but I just don't think that there's any reason to mess with perfection.

 

 

 

Dinner Time Tuesday 4/9

I've been kind of MIA.  I just wasn't feeling the blogging thing this weekend.  AND since I wasn't, I didn't get anything planned for Monday.  So before I share Dinner Time Tuesday, I have to tell you about how we semi-sort of failed at our new diet plan.

Last week, I shared our weekly plan on Menu Planning Monday with Elizabeth & Jane.  The Insanity program gives you meals you can incorporate to eat 5 times a day.  For starters, even though the meals are small (P.S. I also totally failed at taking and posting pictures of the meals to Instagram.  I captured a few, though), we often weren't able to eat all five.  For me, this just has to do with my work schedule.  I can't just stop teaching to go down the hall and warm up Meal 2 or 4.  To me, the more sensible idea here is that I have three main, small meals with actual snacks (i.e. a piece of fruit, some raw veggies, etc.).  We also didn't get everything made when we cooked on Sunday.  This is due to the fact that we spent hours in the kitchen and had barely gotten through Tuesday.  We also kind of jumped all over the place with the menu, and we often didn't eat the scheduled items on the planned days.  There were also a lot of things I didn't like.  :-/  I am nowhere NEAR as picky as I was when I was a kid.  But it was incredibly difficult to force myself to eat fruits and veggies that I don't like. 

Here's what I DID like, though: Whole wheat bagel w/ cream cheese, protein pizza muffin, steak with broccoli (I cheated and had a small baked potato here.  I just CAN'T eat steak without some kind of potato), cereal bowl w/ banana (I LOVE this Kashi Go Lean cereal we got!), Turkey BLT, Peanut Butter 1/2 sandwich w/ banana, pasta w/ seafood marinara, Berry Protein Smoothie, chicken meatballs, whole wheat pasta w/ mixed veggies & feta cheese, turkey burger, and chicken stir fry. 

That sounds like a lot, but if you look back at how much food was on that list, you'll find that it isn't.  BUT also, don't forget there's a lot we didn't even try.

SO now that I've summed that up for you, here's what's for Dinner this Tuesday:

This is a porkchop with corn and mashed potatoes (of course).  Scott put some olive oil in a frying pan and added some garlic & onion powder, salt & pepper, and basil.  Then he fried both sides for about 5 minutes.  It was SO good.  :)  I don't think I've ever liked a porkchop that wasn't baked with Shake 'n' Bake.  So this was a big step for me.  haha

What did you have this week?

Is it time to read yet?

I miss reading. 

I have no time to sit down and read a good book right now.  I am so desperate for warm weather, summer vacation, and reading!

I thought I'd share my reading list.  I've also updated my Recent Reads page.  I decided it was time to get rid of all of the crossed off books and start with a fresh list.  So...basically, what you see here will also be on that page.  You can always feel free to check back to see how I'm doing or what I've added! :)

1. Harry Potter & The Sorcerer's Stone ~J.K. Rowling
2. Harry Potter & The Chamber of Secrets ~J.K. Rowling
3. Harry Potter & The Prisoner of Azkaban ~J.K. Rowling
4. Harry Potter & The Goblet of Fire ~J.K. Rowling
5. Harry Potter & The Order of the Phoenix ~J.K. Rowling
6. Harry Potter & The Half Blood Prince ~J.K. Rowling
7. Harry Potter & The Deathly Hallows ~J.K. Rowling
8. The Hunger Games ~Suzanne Collins
9. Catching Fire ~Suzanne Collins
10. Mockingjay ~Suzanne Collins
11. Gilt ~Katherine Longshore
12. Casual Vacancy ~J.K. Rowling
13. The Beatles: A Hard Day's Write (The Stories Behind Every Song) ~Steve Turner
14. The Giver ~Lois Lowry
15. Gathering Blue ~Lois Lowry
16. Messenger ~Lois Lowry
17. The Great Gatsby ~F. Scott Fitzgerald

Ok, don't be mislead.  I have OBVIOUSLY read the Harry Potter books.  I have also read The Hunger Games trilogy.  I reread Harry Potter every summer, and I want to read The Hunger Games books again, too.  Everything under that, are new additions to my list.  I know that I read The Giver in middle school, but I don't remember it.  It is also part of a trilogy.  So I used my bonus points from Scholastic and ordered the set with the last book order I submitted.  :)  (The perks of being a teacher.)  I also read The Great Gatsby in high school, but I just didn't get it.  With the movie coming out, I thought now was a good time to read it again.  Maybe I'll understand it this time. 

Anyone else have a summer reading list?

It's Ok Thursdays 4/4

This week, it's ok that...

...Scott & I started the Insanity program.  The workouts are kicking our butts, but we're feeling good.

...I'm not totally thrilled with the diet portion of the program.  I'm picky.  I haven't liked some of the meals.  It is helping us to make healthier choices and eat appropriate portion sizes, though.  That's what we need.  Next month, we can start incorporating more things we like if we control our portion sizes.

...the countdown is on!  Only 48 more school days until this school year is over!

...I think, "Nooooo!" when the alarm goes off.  I've done it every day this week.  I can't help it.  I'm so tired.  The alarm is apparently jealous of the love affair I'm having with my pillow.  :-p

...I am glad yesterday was our exercise rest day.  While the workouts are really making us feel good.  I needed a break.

...I came home from school, showered, and basically got ready for bed yesterday.  As I said, I needed the rest day.

What's ok with you this week?

My Harry Potter Fix: Week 25

I am so glad I have this link-up to host with Kim & Tarole each week.  It really gives me something to look forward to, and it makes Wednesdays a little bit better.

 

Please remember our rules:

1. Follow your hosts.

2. Grab the button & link back to us.

3. Post about Harry Potter!

 

If you have ideas for Harry-Potter related things YOU want to talk about, fill out this form.  We welcome your suggestions!

 

This week, we're talking about Pottermore!

Please tell me that you've at least visited.  :)

For starters, we should be friends.  I'm stormstar106.

One morning, during the summer of the beta testing, I got up at 6:00 AM to score an early entry.  I got one.

Now, let me tell you, I do love the idea of Pottermore.  I hardly ever get on the site right now, though.  Here's why:  I don't have time.  I could spend A LOT of time exploring the chapters, making potions, and dueling.  When summer comes, friends, I'll be back. 

What I like about the site:
1. I LOVE the exclusive content from J.K. Rowling.  Few things thrill me more than to learn more about characters.  I was particularly joyful when I read the information about Professor McGonagall.

2. I like that you can interact with other Harry Potter friends.  You can see your friends' progress through the stories, and challenge them to duels.

3. Making potions is fun, but I do have some issues with that which I will address shortly.

4. I enjoy finding and collecting the hidden objects in each chapter.

What bothers me about the site:
1. While I did mentions that I like potions, it kinda drives me crazy that you have to watch the time.  I don't know about you, but even during the summer, I'm not really willing to set an alarm, get up in the middle of the night (or early morning) to check on my potion.  I will also get furious a tad annoyed when I fail a potion and have to start it over again.

2. I currently only have one friend that I actually know.  (So please be friends with me.  I DO count you fellow bloggers as people I know, even if we have never met in real life.)

3. While I do love reading more about the characters, creatures, etc.  I don't like that they're listed repetitively just because they're in the chapter.  If there's no new information about that person or object, please just don't list it.  Because I WILL click on it just to be sure.  And I will be mad that there's nothing new for me to learn.

My House
I was sorted into Slytherin. 

I will be honest.  When I first took the quiz to get sorted, something about one of the questions confused me.  I can't remember what it was now, but I was sorted into Slytherin.  So I managed to take it again....and STILL ended up there.

I know, I know.  Not all Slytherins turned out bad.  But STILL.....

Don't let that keep you from being my friend.  ;) :p

Have you been on the site?  Do you have an account?  What do you think about it?  What's your favorite/least favorite part?

Week 26 Questions

1. Which Harry Potter movie actor would you most like to hang out with for a day?
2. Do you think there should be a television miniseries made in the future based on the books?
3. Be honest - do you want to see the movies remade with different actors sometime in the future?

 

 

 

Dinner Time Tuesday 4/2: Burritos

It's Dinner Time Tuesday!

As I shared in Monday's post, Scott & I started the diet plan associated with the Insanity program.  However, before I start sharing those meals, I have one left that I wanted to share.

Here's an idea:

Burritos!

 

 

I made mine by browning ground beef with a chopped onion.  I drained the beef, and added taco seasoning.  I also bought a can of refried beans and heated those in the microwave.  Then I put the refried beans and meat on a warmed tortilla and topped it with Mexican blend cheese, salsa, and lettuce.

Quick, easy, and delicious!  We love tacos, and this was just a nice twist.  :)

 

Come link up below!

Menu Planning Monday: Week 4

If you stopped by on Saturday, you read that Scott and I started the Insanity program.  This program includes workouts and a meal plan.  We will be eating small portioned meals five times a day.  I thought that it would be a great idea to link up with Elizabeth and Jane for Menu Planning Monday to share what we're eating for our first week.

I will not bore you with portion sizes for each one, but trust me, there's not much to each one.  We're talking a 1/2 cup of fruit, 1/2 a bagel, 1 slice of bread for a sandwich.  All of our grain products are whole wheat.

Monday
Meal 1: Bagel with cream cheese
Meal 2: Mexican Style Eggs (in a whole grain tortilla)
Meal 3: Chicken Ranch Wrap
Meal 4: Protein Pizza Muffin (This is on a whole grain English muffin with grilled chicken breast)
Meal 5: Steak with broccoli (We ended up cutting a piece of steak in half.  The program said 3-4 oz.  We will each have a 3.7 oz piece.)

Tuesday
Meal 1: Cereal bowl w/ banana
Meal 2: Turkey BLT
Meal 3: Grilled Chicken Salad
Meal 4: Peanut Butter Sandwich with banana
Meal 5: Pasta with seafood marinara (seafood = shrimp)

Wednesday
Meal 1: Berry Protein Smoothie
Meal 2: Egg Sandwich
Meal 3: Black Bean Soup & 1/2 sandwich (deli turkey)
Meal 4: Turkey Chili
Meal 5: Chicken Meatballs (Served with whole wheat pasta)

Thursday
Meal 1: Egg white & fruit plate (with a slice of Swiss cheese)
Meal 2: Protein Pancake
Meal 3: Whole wheat pasta with Vegetables & Feta cheese
Meal 4: Cold Cut Platter (The book literally says that this is like grown up Lunchables because you put deli turkey & ham on whole wheat crackers.)
Meal 5: Turkey Burger

Friday
Meal 1: Egg white breakfast wrap
Meal 2: Deli Sandwich (turkey on a 1/2 bagel)
Meal 3: Teriyai Grilled Tuna
Meal 4: Shrimp Cocktail Platter
Meal 5: Chicken Stir Fry

 Saturday
Meal 1: Veggie Omlet
Meal 2: Vanilla-Berry Protein Shake
Meal 3: Roast Beef Sandwich
Meal 4: Rotisserie Chicken & Salad
Meal 5: Dinner Omlet

Sunday
Meal 1: Peanut Butter Toast
Meal 2: Yogurt Bowl (plain Greek yogurt with apple pieces and walnuts)
Meal 3: Lean Burger
Meal 4: Roast Beef Wrap
Meal 5: Citrus Baked Chicken with Glazed Carrots

Sounds like a lot of food, but seriously.  I'll snap some pictures throughout the week to show you what the portions look like.  I don't think we'll starve thanks to all of the protein, but this is going to be a HUGE change.  I'll be sure to post with pictures, but in the meantime, follow me on Twitter and/or Instagram to keep up!  Also, if you're linking up for Dinner Time Tuesday, don't be decieved.  I have some dinners lined up for you before I start sharing these.  :)

And please pray for me because we're starting this diet portion on this very special week in a woman's monthly life.  Yeah, thanks.