Creamy Chicken and Vegetables

8 pieces of chicken thighs or drumsticks, with skin removed
2 cans of low fat, low sodium cream of chicken soup
1 cup of water
1 cup of cut up carrots
1/2 cup of cup of zucchini
1 cup of cut up red potatoes
Salt and pepper to taste

Preheat oven to 350. Season chicken lightly with salt and pepper. In a large oven safe dish, stir in soup and cup of water. Add vegetables to coat and then chicken. Cook covered for 30 mins and then turn chicken and cook for another 30 mins or until done. Serve over brown rice. Q

A new blog and a contest

Hey ladies and gentlemen. As promised, I have decided to start a blog dedicated to the Supremes' hair. I am stumped about what to name it so I decided to hold a contest to drum up interest and to come up with a name for the new site. This will be the featured post for the next week. All you have to do is leave me a comment with your name suggestion for the new blog. The Supremes and I will select a name we all like and agree upon and the winner will receive a gift basket from my girl who owns Jasmine's. The winner will receive in their choice of scent, a body wash, scrub and lotion set. The contest begins today and will end next Saturday January 30,2010 at 12:00am. I will announce the winner on the following Monday when the blog debuts. Good luck and spread the word. Thanks and good luck. Q

My meatloaf rocks

1 pound lean ground beef
1 pound of ground turkey
1/2 cup Italian bread crumbs
1/2 cup regular bread crumbs
1 cup skim milk
2 eggs
1 packet of ranch mix
2 T Worcestershire sauce
1 tsp seasoned salt
4 oz shredded low fat cheddar cheese
1/2 cup ketchup

Combine all ingredients except ketchup in a bowl. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Scoop mix in a loaf pan and then pop out into a non stick baking pan. Top with ketchup and bake for 1 1/2 or until internal temp reaches 160 degrees. Q

This Week's Menu

I promise to try to take pics of everything this week to go along with each recipe.
Sunday- Meatloaf, mashed potatoes, and steamed broccoli
Monday- Leftovers
Tuesday- Italian Shrimp and veggie linguini
Wednesday- Creamy chicken & vegetables with brown rice
Thursday- Leftovers
I'll update with the recipes shortly. Q

Another Jasmine's review

Let me just say, I am not paid to endorse anyone or any product. I just happen to love these products and I love supporting people who provide excellent customer service and make excellent products. But not only do I love them, The Supremes loves them and so does T. I placed my annual black Friday order to get some body products and I also tried the protein conditioner. The intense reconstructing hair treatment is wonderful!!! It is super thick and a little tacky. You have to rub it between your hands but it coats really well. You can tell it's just not some watered conditioner. It doesn't leave your hair hard at all but it def does the job.

The next new item I need to rave about is a body product of course!!! She now has massage and after bath oils and whoooo hooo I am in love. I love, love, love body oils. But I hate how oily they can be and the stains they leave on your sheets. Well not with these baby. It glides on your skin but doesn't leave you feeling like an oil slick. They absorb nicely into your body and the scents are amazing and now over-powering. Oh and I discovered a cool trick for them. The first time I used them, was right after I shaved under my arms. I didn't want to apply deodorant but I didn't want to sleep with bare pits to as I massaged the oil into my arms, I put a little in my pits as well. Can I just say wow. My pits didn't feel weird when I woke up the next morning and it was like I didn't even shave the night before. I'm in love!!!! Q

Still playing with my curls

The day before yesterday I did Princess B's hair like mine. We were looking too identical (LOL) so I decided to change mine up a bit. I have to admit, I have hand in hair disease. My hair is so soft and my curls just bounce so I can't help but touch it. I haven't done anything to my hair since I took the rollers out. I simply sleep with a satin bonnet at night and that's it. Today I decided to do a little updo today. Here are some pics. Q

First hair pics of 2010

Yesterday I decided to play with my hair. It's been a minute since I've taken pics and decided to play with a new style. I cowashed my hair with the Body works conditioner. I mixed the honey and the banana together. It was already in twists when I washed it. I took them apart individually, combed them, applied some Afroveda curly custard and retwisted them. Then I set each on perm rods. I later sat under the dryer for about 35 minutes. This morning, I took the twists apart and I love the way my hair looks, feels, and smells. I think I am going to take them apart a little more because I want a big curly look. I'll probably add a headband and a cute flower. But here are some pics. Q

Here are pics with the rollers in:



After I took them out:



The semi-final result:

My kids are so wise

I was rolling my hair and watching "Last Holiday" with B and D. D turns to me and says, "mom Queen Latifah acts just like you?" At first I was scared to ask but figured what the heck. So I asked, "how?" She replied, ""well she doesn't care about what people say or think about her." There was a long pause and then she said, "and she's tough." LOL Q

This Week's Menu

Monday- Leftovers from Sunday
Tuesday- Upside down Pizza casserole
Wednesday- Leftovers
Thursday- Baked Cheesy chicken breast with rice and veggies.
You know how I roll on the weekends.
Sunday- Roasted chicken and vegetables and a peach cobbler. Q

Hey girl from Walmart

The recipe can be found here. It's a cupcake recipe but it's the same I use for my cakes. Let me know how it turns out for you. Q

My name is Queeny and....

I am addicted to buying body products. This was going to be a lighthearted post about my love for body scrubs, oils, lotions, and perfumes but the more I thought about it, the more I felt the need to open up. Before I go any further, let me say please don't feel sorry for me. I am fine and I just felt the need to share in hopes my story will bless someone. That is the purpose of this blog anyway so here goes.

Every addiction has an event or series of events that led up to it. Whether it's alcohol or drug abuse. Those memories, those thoughts and experiences feed the addiction. Well mine isn't any different. I guess it started around the time I hit puberty. That's when my body started changing and it kind of went down hill from there. I am what most of us would consider the person with the bad body odor. Or at least I was. I remember it really picking up in Junior High School. One day, our chorus director mentioned that someone needed to wash under their arms because there as a musty odor. After she left, I remember one of the girls going around sniffing everyone's arms and then she got to me and stopped. It was a horrible time and people used it to hurt me. When I would get in an argument with someone, they would say the most hurtful things. I remember this one girl that I considered my friend just yelling at me and telling me I stunk and then having others join in agreement. What could I say, it was true. She tried to apologize but the damage was done.

Now before you jump to conclusions, understand my problem wasn't bad hygiene practices. But I didn't know it at the time. I remember crying myself to sleep at night and praying that God would help me. This cycle continued over the years getting worse. I remember hearing a family member I lived with was talking about how stink I was and she even told me that the reason by boyfriend broke up with me was because I stunk. That hurt me to the core. He never confirmed it but I still often wonder if that was the reason.

Over the years I learned to deal with it. Whenever I noticed myself getting sweaty, I would excuse myself and go change or wash. It was to the point where I was washing almost 4 times a day. I started getting into body products to mask the odor but that didn't help. That's why the stories people told about me sleeping with this person and that person are hilarious because I was so self conscious about my odor that I barely wanted anyone to touch me. It wasn't until I was in the military that I got fed up. I went to see my assigned nurse practitioner, hoping and praying she had an answer for me. After asking me some questions, she finally told me, I had what she had, hyperhidrosis or excessive sweating.

From there I realized the sweating bred bacteria which then of course stunk leaving me with a musty odor. I made it my mission to find out more about it. The internet wasn't big like it is now so I took to the library and began to research. It went further than the sweating. I found out about how our bodies function and how food plays a role in odor as well. I also learned about body chemistry and how certain smells can react negatively with your natural body scent therefore giving off a less than desirable odor.

So here I am in my 30's and I guess my past still haunts me so to speak. I guess subconsciously, I still have issues with what I experienced growing up. I take about 2 showers everyday. I make sure I wear breathable clothing. I carry wipes and a arsenal of other items just in case I have one of those episodes. I am very much aware of my body and what goes well with my chemistry. When someone tells me I smell good, I can feel a part of my past just peeling away. It's as if those words are undoing the harsh ones I heard growing up. I am also very tuned in to the Supremes and I hope and pray they don't inherit this condition from me. But if they do, I will be right there to help them so they can avoid what I went through. So many people dismissed me and just said, "well you need to wash" not knowing it was deeper than that. I don't want that to happen to them.

So yes, I have an addiction. I love for my body to be nice, clean and smelling good. As you can see from the pic above, I have several scrubs. That is down from the almost 20 I had at one point. I won't even post a pic of the oils, and lotions I own!!!! I don't think it will ever stop because now it is far deeper than the my past. There is something about a nice scrub at the end of a long hard day. I love slathering on lotion and massaging my body. Then curling up under the covers and smell the linger of the lotion or oil I just put on. I love the glow my body has from being exfoliated just right. I love my nice brown even skin tone. I love how the Supremes are always rubbing on my arm and telling me how soft I feel. I love when my husband cuddles up under me and say, "umm you smell soo good." Yup I'm addicted and proud of it!!! Q


For those who may be suffering, here are some links to help you. And please feel free to contact me if you have any questions. Much love. Q
Hyperhidrosis
More info
Web MD

Gotta make it

I listened to this song the other day and it spoke to me. I hope it inspires others to know that you can make it no matter what others say. Stay blessed. Q

My weekly menu

I was supposed to have this up yesterday so I apologize. Here is what we are eating for the week.

Monday- Garlic-Herb Chicken Thighs with rice
Tuesday- Leftovers
Wednesday- Three Cheese Pasta bake with broccoli
Thursday- Leftovers
Friday- I don't cook on weekends
Saturday- every man and child for themselves
Sunday- Chunky Steak and Vegetable Soup with French bread

Garlic and Herb Chicken Thighs

1/3 cup all purpose flour
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp pepper
10 (4oz) skinned and boned chicken thighs
2 T olive oil

1 cup chicken broth
1/4 cup balsamic vinegar
1 (14.5oz can) diced tomatoes, undrained
1 (1.6 oz) packet of herb seasoning mix (I used toasted onion and garlic)

Combine flour, salt, and pepper. Dredge chicken in flour mix. Cook half chicken in 1 T oil in a large skillet over medium high heat 4 mins each side or until lightly browned. Remove chicken from pan, and set aside. Repeat with remaining chicken.

Add broth and vinegar to skillet and cook 2 minutes. Stir in tomatoes and herb sauce mix until combined.

Return chicken to skillet. Cook uncovered, over medium heat for 5 mins or until done.

Chunky Steak and Vegetable Soup

2lb top round steak cut into 1-inch cubes
1/3 cup all purpose flour
3 T of vegetable oil

6 cups of water
5 small baking potatoes cut into 1/2 inch cubes
3 carrots sliced
2 small onions, chopped
1 celery rib,
1 (6oz) can tomato paste
2 T beef Bouillon granules
1 to 2 tsp pepper

1 cup frozen sweets peas, thawed
1 (16oz) can whole kernel corn, drained

Place steak in a ziploc bag, add flour, and toss to coat. Brown steak in hot oil in a large skillet over medium high heat 5 to 6 minutes or until browned. Drain well.

Combine steak, 6 cups water, and next 7 ingredients in a 7-qt slow cooker. Cover and cook on High 8 hours

Stir in peas and corn; cover and cook on High 30 more minutes.

This recipe is from SouthernLiving's Busy Moms Weeknight Favorites Q

For this recipe, after I browned the meat in a pan, I added the water, paste, potatoes and carrots. I brought this to a boil and cooked it on low for about 3 hours. I added the remaining ingredients at about 20 before it finished and seasoned it with Kosher salt. This is for people who don't have slow cookers or don't want to wait 8 hours for their food to cook. Q

Hot cocoa

There is nothing I love more than a nice steaming cup of hot cocoa. I made some this morning for the Supremes. I have several recipes and yes I use the instant one from time to time but there is a simple recipe I use that works every time.

1/3 cup cocoa (I've used Hershey's and Nestle but I think Hershey's is best)
a pinch of salt
1/2 cup water
3 1/2 cups milk
1/2 cup sugar
1 tsp vanilla

For toppings I use marshmallows, whipped cream, and cinnamon.

In a small pot, add cocoa, salt, and sugar. Boil water and whisk into pot and bring to a boil. Reduce heat and add milk. Heat until hot but not boiling about 6 minutes. Remove from heat and stir in vanilla. Top with whip cream, marshmallows, and a sprinkle of cinnamon. Enjoy. Q

New Year scripture

Phil 3:13 Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before,

14 I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.

Just want to say to all of my followers, lurkers, commenters, friends, family and folks who email me, I love you all and I pray 2010 will bring you more love, more life, and more laughs!!!! Q

I'm really happy for you and imma let you finish but.... Part 2

I decided to finish it over here so the other post wouldn't be so long.

Stop Whining!!!
Whew goodness I can't take whining. Not from kids and esp not from grown folks. Man if some folks would spend as much time they spend whining on doing something productive, their life will be so much better. Now I understand stuff happens. Heck I've had my share of pity parties too. But all the time? Every freaking month? Go back and read my YOU series because you really need too. Talking and whining and crying won't change a thing. Esp if you are focusing on your past. You can't change it, you can't make it better, so move the heck on already. If you keep finding yourself in mucked up situations, then you are the reason and no one else. I honestly think some people live off the attention that mess brings them. Oh so and so, you are pretty, you are a good person, it's okay, I'm here for you, blah blah blah blah blah. Not me, not the kid. Once I notice a pattern I check out. I'll say one quick prayer and then I'm done. If you are tired of being fat, lose weight. If you are tired of being broke, spend less, and save more. It's much simpler than people realize.

Oh our beloved celebrities. The people we put in the place of God. Some folks will cuss you out if you talk about their celeb but won't say boo when someone curses God. Then we get all upset and mad when our precious celeb does something wrong in our eyes. We are so shocked and hurt and upset. They are people too. They have to put their pants on one leg at a time, if you (allegedly) bust them upside the head with a golf club, they will bleed. I mean really. What you should do is hold them accountable when it comes to what they are supposed to do. Stop supporting folks who put out crappy albums with nothing but fluff and catchy songs. Stop going to their concerts and making them rich. And when they do mess up, stop being so quick to give them passes or make excuses for them. "Oh well what did she do, or what did he do to her?" Heck to that, wrong is wrong. Call them out on it just like you would anyone in your life. Don't give them a pass simply because their poster is hanging on your wall.

And while I am on the topic of men and women, it's time for us to man up and woman up. The standards today for men and women have been lowered BIG TIME. I mean really? Really? Listen I know we are human and we make mistakes but some stuff we can avoid. You know like cheating on our spouses and stealing money from folks. You don't just wake up screwing someone you are not married to. It takes time and planning, and skill. Way before you get to the actual act, you have plenty of time to not do it. We also need to be responsible in other areas. If you owe someone, pay them. If you did something wrong, apologize. And stop lumping men and women into all these categories. Well all men cheat and all women do this and that. How do you know? I don't believe you, you need more people. I believe there is more good men who are faithful to their wives. Who understand any man can cheat but REAL MEN keep the vows they make. I believe there are more great mothers who will bite the head off a rattlesnake to save her child than there are those who would sell their child into sex slavery for some drugs.

And speaking of parents. Le sigh!!! It amazes me to see parents put on these elaborate shows to convince their child that Santa exists but once Christmas is over, they don't spend any time with that child. Too many parents are letting the tv, internet, game systems and teachers raise their children. Now I will be the first one to say, I used to look forward to the Supremes growing up. But now, I am happy my 11 year old, acts and looks like an 11 year old. We are too quick to make our kids grow up. We push them away as soon as they can walk or talk. But that's when the real parenting begins. We can tell you the colors of Mac's blush line but can't tell you when was the last time we went on a field trip, or a school event. Your children are not your friends. Above everything else, they need our love and our time. If you start good habits while they are young, they will continue. I get mad when folks act like their children are burdens. They didn't ask to be here!!! Esp when their are folks who would love to have kids and can't. Turn the tv off, and play games with them. Log off twitter and read with them. Stop buying them McDonald's making them fat, and cook healthy foods with them. Nothing to do on the weekends, go to the library with them. Go to a craft store like Hobby Lobby and do something fun with them. Learn a new language or how to play an instrument right along with them. On the flip side, stop pushing them to be baby geniuses. Yes they need to work on schoolwork but give them a chance to be kids too. Oh and rethink your old school ways because real talk esp for African Americans, if that stuff worked, we would be in better positions than we are now. It's okay if your kids speak proper English, or don't know the songs to every Lil Wayne song. You don't have to spank them every time they do something wrong. Maybe if you spent more time with them, they wouldn't act out so much.

Lastly, if God be God, let Him be God. If you believe God can do all things but fail, then let Him do it. Don't limit Him or say well I am just this way or that way. Because then you don't believe. If you are going to let go and let God, don't go back and try to put your hand in it or try to help God. God doesn't need your help!!!

Okay I'm done for real. I love all of you and I pray what I have said will make you examine some of the things you have said or done in your life. With the new year coming in, let us all resolve to better. Let's be better men, women, daughters, sons, mothers, fathers, wives, husbands, and friends. Find people who are like you and striving to be better and encourage them. Put a stop to the foolishness you see and hear and watch the company you keep. Stop the gossiping, lies, whining and cattiness. Above all, always put God first PERIOD. Q

I'm really happy for you and imma let you finish but....

Before 2009 ends, I just need to get some things off my chest. I figured today was the best day to do it since folks will probably get over it once tomorrow comes. :) Anyway, this year has been one for the record books. Not just in the world but in my life as well. I can look back and see how I've grown and how much growth is still needed. I can't say I am perfect, but I am better and getting better everyday. Those who know me, know I don't hold my tongue, EVER. That's just not my style. This is not being passive aggressive or taking shots at anyone. This is stuff I've seen, been a part of or needed to check myself about in the past year. So this post isn't going to be different. I know it may set some folks off but I hope it makes you mad enough to take a good look, stop what you are doing, and make things better. Okay? Ready, set, go!!!!

To my fellow Christian brothers and sisters please study the word for yourself. I am tired of these crazy backwards sayings being applied to God when they don't have any biblical foundation whatsoever. Stop putting God in your box and trying to get Him to conform to your ways. You should conform to His. And stop getting mad telling Him what you will and won't do like you are doing something special. God will still be God whether you serve Him or not. Stop half stepping when it comes to serving Him. Fornication is a sin, lying is a sin, adultery is a sin, cursing is a sin. Just because you haven't murdered someone, that doesn't make you an angel. You are still a sinner so repent. Don't get mad when you don't receive the blessings you deserve when you are shacked up with someone day in and day out.

Which brings me to my next point:
Ladies please, please, please demand more respect for yourself. I know some of yall will say Oh Q you can say this and that because you are married. But let me tell you something, I love myself enough to not settle. Believe that!!! Trust T wasn't the only dude that wanted to be with me. I turned down plenty because I knew they weren't about anything. Stop begging, pleading, crying and acting crazy to try to get some dude to "put a ring on it." Beyonce' got yall heads messed up. Maybe him not putting a ring on it,is a blessing in the disguise. He is probably not the one for you. I don't believe it takes a man years or you having to tell him the benefits of being married for him to do it. Maybe he wants to be married, just not to you. Maybe he is waiting for the right one to come along and just keeping you around because he doesn't want to be alone. Why deal with that? You see the signs, you know he is not the one, so instead of waiting for him to break your heart, take control and end it yourself. Stop giving it up to dudes and look deeper than how fine he is, or how much money he got.

My next point, log off and live life!!! I love the internet don't get me wrong. I love being on twitter, FB, and my blog. But some people have taken it too far. Their life revolves around the computer screen and their e-friends and foes they come in contact with online. I mean really if someone can say something on a site to set you off, make you cry, or make you feel bad about your life then you need to get it together. If the only people you have to discuss your life with is folks you only know by their screenname, then you need to log off and get some real friends. Folks are literally letting life pass them by because they are hung up on folks they have never seen or met. Taking advice from people, envying folks and changing your life just because ImSoSexyAndYouNot83 said it, is not the business okay. If you get off work and rush home just to log to the computer instead of calling up a good friend, or reading a good book, Houston YOU have a problem. Understand the folks you "think" you know could be blowing smoke in your face. They will have you thinking you need to be a certain size, wear certain clothes, eat at certain places, and on and on when really you need to just be you. They are probably fat, broke, and manless but yet you are hanging on to their every word like they Jesus. Take what is said and posted online with a grain of salt. If you are having problems in life, being on the internet all day won't make them go away. Log off and spend some time, living in the real world.

Lastly, if you are over the age of 25, it's way past time to grow the heck up. This year I made it a mission to stop being caught up in a bunch of gossip, drama, and foolishness. It was rough going at first because who doesn't like to hear some good gossip? But when I took a good hard look, I realized I was just like the people that didn't like me. If I wanted to be better, I had to do better and I did. I removed myself from some forums because they made it too easy for me to get caught up. But even though I have put that behind me, some folks haven't. They are still doing the same old same old. If all you do is post on a bunch of forums talking about folks, stirring up drama behind the scenes, sniggling and and giggling at folks all day, you need a life. SERIOUSLY!!! If you are friends with someone who gossips, keeps mess going, and is all around messy, don't be surprised if they do the same to you. It's time for folks to grow up and instead of tearing folks down, you should try to build them up. And stop playing follow the leader being mad with folks because your e-friend doesn't like them. Stand alone and make decisions for your own self. Everyone isn't going to get along. That doesn't mean you have to jump in on one side and try to bully someone else. And if you don't like the person so much, then don't talk to them, twitter them, or worry about them. Oh and stop being mad cuz folks like me and you don't. Trying to throw salt and discredit me reflects badly on you and not me. If I am such a bad person then folks will see it. Or maybe I'm not and you just want me to be. Either way, if you don't like me, keep my name outcha mouth. I mean who does that? Get a life already!!!

Whew that felt good. I know I will probably edit this because I have more to add but this is a start!!! Q

Pineapple upside down cake

I've been using this recipe for over 10 years so why change a good thing. Someone requested it so here goes.
1/4 cup stick margarine or butter
2/3 cup packed brown sugar
1 can (20 oz) sliced pineapple in juice, drained
Maraschino cherries
1 1/3 cup all-purpose flour
1 cup sugar
1/3 cup shortening
3/4 cup milk
1 1/2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
1 large egg

Preheat oven to 350. Melt margarine in 10 inch ovenproof skillet or square pan, 9x9x2 inches, in oven. Sprinkle brown sugar over margarine, and arrange pineapples over sugar. Place cherry in center of each pineapple slice. Beat remaining ingredients with mixer on low speed for about 30 secs, scraping bowl constantly. Beat on high speed 3 mins, scraping bowl and pour over pineapple. Bake skillet 45 to 50 mins or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Immediately turn upside down onto heatproof plate. Let skillet or pan remain over cake for a few minutes, remove and then enjoy. Q