A Big Pot Of Seafood Yumminess.

Whenever the winter seems like it is never going to end, I like to remind myself of the warm days of summer by cooking up a big pot of seafood. I got this recipe from a super fun 4th of July celebration overlooking the Long Island Sound. It was a great day with great people that I love.528412_438434266177567_1706477461_n

Here’s what you will need:IMG_2581

– bag of mussels

– 1lb of shrimp peeled and cleaned

– 1 dozen clams

– 5 red potatos quartered

– 3 ears of corn cut in half

– stick of butter

– handful of chopped parsley

– small bottle of white wine

– head of garlic

– salt and pepper

– lemon to finish

– large loaf of crunchy french bread to soak up all the yummy seafood broth

This recipe is suited for my family of 5, so if you are making it for a large crowd just double or triple if need be. You can also add lobster tails if you would like.

Here’s what you do:

IMG_2582 Melt the stick of butter, add the white wine and the cloves of garlic that are separated and peeled. Cook covered for about 3 mins on medium heat. Stirring occasionally.

IMG_2583Add the quartered potatoes, corn that is cut in half and chopped parsley. Stir,  cover and let cook for 10 minutes.

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Add the clams. Give a good stir to settle them in and cook covered for 5 minutes. Then add shrimp and mussels. Stir and cook covered until shrimp is cooked and all shells on mussels and clams are open.

IMG_2585When done, flip pot over into large flat pan. Sprinkle with salt and pepper.  Serve with fresh lemon and a bunch of cut up french bread.

Enjoy!!

xoxo

Jill

Disco Fries!!

Back in the day after a fun night of dancing at the club, nothing was better than a big plate of Disco Fries. We would pool whatever money we had left and head to the nearest diner. The plate of french fries covered in melted cheese, crispy bacon bits and brown gravy would be gone in seconds. Nowadays the only dancing that is going on is at the Mickey Mouse Club in my den, which is a good enough reason for me to make some and my family is happy to gobble them up.

Here’s what you will need:IMG_2552

– bag of frozen steak fries

– pack of sliced mozzarella cheese

– large jar of brown gravy

– jar of bacon bits

Here’s what you do:IMG_2553Bake your frozen fries in the oven at 400 degrees until golden and crispy. You are welcome to fry them in oil and they will probably be much more tasty. Its just easier for me to do it this way.

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Transfer cooked fries to oven proof dish and cover with cheese slices and bacon bits.

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Bake until cheese is melted. Serve with warm gravy.

Yummy :)

xoxo

Jill

These are a few of my favorite things.

Anyone who knows me, knows that I just love to buy new products and have to try them out immediately.  I also have to be very honest and say that a lot of my purchases that seemed like useful must haves, end up in a drawer or closet never to be used at all. Thats why I have to share these next three items with you.

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Hunter High Gloss Boots

These boots are so useful and super cute to wear. They look great with leggings and jeans and give you the ability to look stylish when you are trucking through the rain or snow. I wear them with a nice pair of warm fuzzy socks, but I do believe that Hunter sells fun liners for them.  I can’t get enough of them this winter season.

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Origins White Tea Body Cream

I just love this lotion. I suffer from very dry skin especially in the winter and have to lotion up a couple times a day. I use this after a shower and on my hands throughout the day. It has a wonderful smell and does not leave you feeling greasy. A definite must have for me.

ThirdIMG_2547

Daniel Wellington Classic Swansea Lady Watch

My husband bought me this watch for Christmas and it is my go to watch on most days. Its comfortable to wear and stays in place. There are a bunch of bands to choose from and if the material is not your style you can choose a leather one. You also have a choice of rose gold or silver for the face.

Hope these become favorites for you as well.

xoxo

Jill

Dealing with Postpartum Hair Loss

My journey with Postpartum hair loss started 2 days before the baby turned 3 months. I had just finished a 2 a.m. feeding and went into the bathroom to remove a ponytail from my hair.  I was shocked to see quite a bunch of hair attached to the hair tie, but shrugged it off and went back to bed. In the morning I brushed my hair and was horrified at the sight of the hairbrush. It was completely full of my hair.

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This picture was taken about 2 weeks before hair loss started

At this point I knew something was wrong and after confirming it with my doctor, I knew that I was going to have to deal with postpartum hair loss. I found a lot of help on the internet, so I wanted to share with you my experiences and what worked best for me.

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1 week after hair loss began

Here’s what I suggest :

1. Breathe, have a good cry if need be. This is going to suck!!!

2. If you are not already on them for breastfeeding, get back on your prenatal vitamin.

3. No ponytails or hairdos that pull you hair to tight. I used alligator clips to just keep my hair off my face

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2 weeks

4. Wash your hair with with a biotin, sulfate free shampoo and conditioner and not everyday.

5. Try to stay away from blowdrying, straighteners and curling irons. They are just to depressing to use.

photo-34 weeks

6. This one is going to hurt, but it really helped my hair and I noticed a lot less hair coming out after I did it. GET A GOOD HAIRCUT! I cut my hair to my shoulders and added some layers. I also darkened it, so it would blend in with the new hair growth that had already started.

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6 weeks

7. Stay Positive. As much as you think you are going to be completely bald, you will soon see it is not going to happen.

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New hair growth at 9 Weeks

8. My hair completely stopped falling out just when he turned 5 months.  He is 8 months now and I am actually starting to have good hair days again.

10661917_10204271297816701_7322122721912316339_oGoing out with the hubby

Postpartum hair loss is what it is and unfortunately you really Just Have To Roll With It.

Hope this helps.

xoxo

Jill ♥

Nacho Average Taco Dip :)

I have been making this dip for almost 15 years and it is always the first thing to be eaten up. It has gotten so popular that my teenager’s friends request them to bring it to any party.

Here’s what you will need:

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– Block of room temperature cream cheese

– Shredded cheddar cheese

– Can of chili with beans

– Tortilla chips for dipping

Its so simple to make. Here’s what you do.

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Spread an even layer of cream cheese and then top that with an even layer of chili.

Top with shredded cheese.

IMG_2482Bake at 350 until melted, golden and bubbly.

IMG_2481Serve warm with Tortilla chips.

Enjoy!!

xoxo

Jill

Lovin this Lip Gloss

Let me tell you about what I believe is one of the best lip glosses out there.

IMG_2465Moisture Shine Gloss by Neutrogena

It is great to wear alone or on top of your favorite lipstick. This gloss coats your lips, so they are protected from getting chapped and doesn’t give you that gooey feeling on your lips that other glosses do. You can find it in your drug store make-up section for around $10 each.  They come in about six different shades, but my favorite are Vita Plum & Potent Plum.  They are definitely coming in real handy this winter season!

XOXO

Jill

Super Easy Turkey Taco Soup

I found this soup on allrecipes.com, which is a great website to find and try out new recipes. I changed it up a bit and it quickly became a family favorite.

Here’s what you will need.

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– 1 lb ground turkey

– 32 ounces chicken broth

– 1 jar of mild chunky salsa

– 1 can of pinto beans drained and rinsed

–  3 ears of fresh corn cut off the cob

–  handful bunch of chopped cilantro

– 1 avocado chopped

– small tub of sour cream

– bag of tortilla chips

– salt, pepper & garlic powder to taste

Directions:

– Brown up ground turkey and season with salt, pepper and garlic powder.

– Add chicken broth, salsa, beans, corn, cilantro and stir all together.

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– Bring to boil and then simmer for 20 mins slightly covered, stirring occasionally.

-You can top it with whatever you like. I like avocado, sour cream and tortilla chips.

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ENJOY!!!

xoxo

Jill

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It has to start with Jeff

My first blog entry is about the person who is my inspiration for the blog and also where I got the name for it.  Jeff was a truly special, one of a kind man, who I was blessed to have as a cousin and friend. He welcomed everyone in and had this ability to make you feel special and important. He was just that person that everyone wanted to be around! One of my favorite things about him was his love for life and how he enjoyed living it everyday.  

photo Thats why 4 years ago when he was diagnosed with stage 4 lung cancer, I couldn’t believe what I was hearing. How could it be?  He was an athlete from the age of 5 and never smoked a day in his life.  He just did a triathlon with my husband a year ago. Not Jeff!! We couldn’t loose Jeff!! This couldn’t be happening!!  But it was and over the next three years, Jeff fought the fight of his life. Surgeries, Chemo, Radiation, more Surgeries, more Chemo, Highs, Lows and even with all he was going through he still had this light that shined through him and drew you in. He continued to live life and do his best to enjoy everyday. In August of 2013 the doctors told Jeff that there was nothing else they could do and he would have to start thinking about looking into the care he would need to live out his final days comfortably.  Jeff just wanted to go home, where for the next three weeks he spent each day with his wonderful wife Jodi and his two amazing kids by his side hosting visitor after visitor.  The house was non-stop and he welcomed everyone in with a hug and a smile.  One afternoon my husband and I were sitting on the couch with him and in true Jeff fashion he wanted to know everything that was going on with us and the kids. We chatted about things that seemed important but now seem trivial and Jeff listened to every word and said “You never know where your life is going to take you, so you just have to enjoy it and learn to Just Roll With It”

1237911_631136470240678_1980089882_nPicture taken by Jodi from that afternoon.

Two weeks later Jeff would be gone and I would find out that I was going to be a mother again. I will never be able to thank him enough for that advice he gave me that day.  The lesson it taught me is something I will cherish always.  Life is way to important to get hung up on nonsense. It is precious and meant to be enjoyed, so do your best to remember that and to Just Roll With It.

xoxo

Jill

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