The key to making friends.

As you can tell I had a really productive afternoon. I could just sit and stare at her all day… actually I do.  She must already think I am creepy because every time she wakes up I am there staring at her.  

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Billy came out to California a few days before I did and fulfilled the task I asked him to do:  make friends.  He met a cute couple at church and they are the sweetest things in the whole world and brought over dinner for us last night.  Turns out she loves food as much as I did so of course we had more than enough to talk about.  They brought over a coconut curry that was crazy good.  I really need to learn how to cook.  

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To go along with the coconut theme she also brought coconut pineapple ice cream and raspberries.  I am beginning to wonder if this is too good to be true.  

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A little while later a few more guys came over to move in the furniture from our pod.  I have never been so grateful to see my couch, this was a beautiful sight.  To celebrate I will sit on it all day long.

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Now we just have to buy a mattress, find a cheap kitchen table and then we will be all done moving in.   This whole moving thing sure does take a lot of energy, especially for those of us (Brooke and I) that sat on the floor watching everyone else sweat as they carried heavy things.  

Mom, you can rest peacefully now that you know I have a new friend here in California.  The key to making friends is to give them chocolate cupcakes as they are leaving so that when you ask for their phone number they give it to you.  

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I thought I would share this beauty with you so that you could covet my brother in laws deliciousness along with me.  

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I am embarrassed to tell you how much I would pay to have the above pizza delivered to me right this second as I am typing this at 1 a.m. during feeding #1 of the night.  It starts with an M and ends with a illlion.  

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Would you like the above pizza or would it be too sweet for you?

-I am sure I would love it but it actually might not be sweet enough for me.

Are you a curry fan?  Do you have any simple recipes for me because I really want to try making this at home.

What was your dessert last night?

Where are you doing your workout today?  In a class, at the gym, outside, at home?

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78 comments

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Dessert last night was Apple Crisp w/vanilla bean ice cream. It is apple picking season in upstate New York!

My workout today was a 6station boot camp class at the gym. Also-a few pull ups (assisted of course). I am doing a Tough Mudder challenge course in about 3weeks for I need to beef up my upper body strength.

Not a huge curry fan, although I do use it in my goulash.
Goulash:
1lb ground turkey
1box shells
1 red pepper/1 green pepper
1 oniion
1 small can tomato paste
1 can tomato sauce
1 can tomato soup
parmesean cheese
Boil water and cook pasta
Cook meat..add cumin, curry and fennel seed. Go light on the fennel seed unless you really like black licorice. I just guesstimate with my spices. Then add chopped peppers and onions. Cook until meat is browned. Then add tomato sauce, tomato soup and about a tablespoon of the paste. Let simmer.
When pasta is done, drain and add to meat mixture. Add a few tablespoons of parmsean cheese..stir and serve.
I like to serve with cornbread or a good crunchy bread. My husband eats topped with hot sauce and Goldfish crackers.

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That boot camp class sounds like so much fun!!! Way to go!
Now I am craving apple crisp! Thanks for the recipe, I can’t wait to try it!

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soo happy that you’re making new friends Janae! :)

I have a way 2 simple curry recipe that I’m going to mail to you. all you’ll have to do is cut up chkn, veggies, saute, add the sauce…DONE! and sooo goood! the kids & Rocky love curry & the love this recipe. it’s a time-saving, mommy recipe. :)

It was Roxy’s 21st b-day last night so, we had marble cake w/buttercream frosting. :)

it’s 5am & I’m posting you this comment before I head out the door for a few miles! ttys!! luv ya :)

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Pam!!!! I hope you have an amazing run this morning!! I can’t wait for your recipe:) marble cake… Any leftovers? I will be there in six hours!

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I am relatively “new” to your blog, been reading for a couple of months :). Congrats on your new baby girl, she really is adorable!

As for that pizza, I would devour it! I am definitely a dessert girl :) This morning’s workout was a 7 mile run outside. 7 is my new “go to” number!

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Hey!!!! Thanks for commenting! I agree, 7 miles is the perfect amount! Great job and I hope you have a fabulous day!

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I can’t get over how cute little Brooke is!

Super easy and yummy curry recipe. http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/rachael-ray/chicken-curry-in-a-hurry-recipe/index.html

I substitute peanut butter for the mincemeat (because I have no clue what that is, and I’m pretty sure they don’t sell it in Kentucky.) This was the first curry I ever learned, and it is my husband’s hands-down favorite.

Hope you guys have a great day!

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All that is missing from that pizza is bananas then it would be my perfect pizza! Last night my dessert was a piece of carrot cake and a piece of chocolate coconut banana cake split with my best friend before she leaves for school on Thursday. Workout today is some speed work on the treadmill + body pump!

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No such thing as too sweet. It’s awesome that you’ve made friends who will cook for you already! :)

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I think I’ll get my workout in the morning by walking to work. It’s so good to arrive at the office pink-cheeked and invigorated from a morning workout!

That picture of you, bubs, and your new friend…you look so natural with Brooke! You two were meant to be. Love it!

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Outside! I ran up a hill 10 times and it was boring but satisfying at the same time. Cute photo! So happy you guys made friends already!!

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That’s awesome you already made friends! It takes me a bit as I am quiet at first. I love curry. My husband makes Indian and Thai food all the time. We usually pick up a curry sauce or packet and include chili oil, peppers, bamboo shoots, chicken, tomato, pineapple, etc. It’s super easy to make and a lot of the sauces have suggested add-ins on the back of the bottle. That pizza looks interesting…I wouldn’t mind having all of the ingredients without the dough, lol..I’d certainly try it though! Yay for almost being fully moved in! :)

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I love curry, but I’m not that great at making it. I would probably skip dinner and eat that pizza.
It’s a 24 hour shift for me, workout will be easy – half marathon this weekend!
Woot woot!
Blogging and feeding a baby – welcome to motherhood, it’s magical!

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I would totally hang out with you! We could we weird running friends together!

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Meeting people as an adult is hard! That’s why I resorted to stalking people like you online ;)

Trader Joes has an AMAZING red curry sauce in a bottle. Grab that, their “just chicken” slices, and some bell peppers, onion, and zucchini ,chop, toss in the pot with the bottle of curry and simmer. now I want curry at 7 am…

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I was also going to suggest those great bottled curry sauces from TJ’s. We had the yellow curry last night, and last week I made chana masala with their masala sauce. So easy and so good!

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Brooke is so adorable and I don’t blame you for staring at her!!

My workout today is instructing a bootcamp class…can’t wait! :)

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I am a huge curry fan. Lots of recipes are pretty involved but it’s easy to make something without a recipe. You can set the oven for 425, mix some mustard, honey and curry to taste (and other spices, I usually do a bit of pepper and cayenne) and pour it over and bake it. REALLY good. You can throw potatoes or peppers in anything in the pan and just bake it all together.

The other day I had some apple chicken sausage and threw it in a pan with peppers, onion, fresh garlic and apple chunks. Threw in some curry powder, pepper, cumin, etc. It turned out SO good.

I’m taking an interval spin class today. SO much fun!

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Seriously, just reading your blog puts me in a happier mood! I’m never unhappy really, but I always find myself smiling when I read your updates on my lunch break.

I would never eat that pizza, I’m more of a salty fiend! Last night’s dessert was coconut butter mixed with some vanilla and cocoa powder, frozen for 5 minutes. Sounds weird but it sure beat going out to get anything ;)

I only ever get curry delivered (I live in a part of London where there are so many fantastic options it would be rude not to) but back in my student days a Swedish friend taught me the following: chicken or pork cubes sauteed, then add thick cream and curry powder to taste. then add sliced bananas. Pour over rice. I used to love it – and it’s sweet! I remember eating it after many a night out….

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Such a cute picture of you a Brooke lying on the bed!!! Adorable.
My workout today will be in the gym, but I can’t wait for the weather to get cooler so I can take it outside! :)

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Skillet Curried Chicken and Rice (from America’s Test Kitchen)

4 boneless skinless chicken breasts trimmed of fat
salt and pepper
1/2 cup all-purpose flour
3 TBSP vegetable oil
1 onion, minced
1 TBSP curry powder (or more if you want)
1 1/2 cups long grain rice
3 garlic cloves
1 1/2 cups low sodium chicken broth
1 cup frozen peas
1/4 cup raisins (optional)
1/ chopped fresh cilantro

1. Pat chicken dry with paper towels, dredge in flour and shake off exces. Heat 2 TBSP oil in a 12 inch non-stick skilled over medium-high heat. Brown the chicken on one side for 5 minutes, transfer to a plate and set aside.

2. Add remaining oil to skillet with onion, curry powder, 1/2 tsp salt and cook until softened, about 5 minutes. Add rice and garlic and cook for 30 second.

3Stir in broth and nestle the chicken and any accumulated juices into the rice browned side up. Cook until chicken reaches 160-165 degrees (about 10 minutes.)

4. Transfer chicken to a clean plate and cut into bite sized pieces after it cools a little. Return the skillet of rice to medium0low heat, cover and cook for 8-12 minutes longer and the rice is cooked.

5. Stir in peas, cilantro, raisins and chicken and let warm through. Salt and pepper to taste.

***to make this super easy, pick up a cooked chicken at the grocery store and simply add it in with the rice at the end.

My toddler LOVES this dish and it is great because it only really takes one skillet so there isn’t much of a mess.

This morning I ran 5.75 and tonight I teach body pump (although my pregnant belly is starting to get in the way for pump a little!)

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Yay for having furniture again!!

I’m a huge fan of curry – though I don’t usually make it from scratch.. Haha I like to say that Ryan & I are too busy…but I think we’re really just too lazy to come home from work then have to cook! You can get great pre-made sauces at the grocery store – Patak’s sauces are amazing and super easy! VH also has a good one called Mango Curry that I’m obsessed with! We just stir fry some bell peppers, chicken, chick peas, mushroom and whatever else is around, pour the sauce over it and serve with Basmati rice. Yummers!!

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Living without a couch is terrible! When I moved into my grad school apartment I had no bed or couch, I had a sleeping bag and a bunch of blankets in my living room for about a week. I am sure you will make friends easily you seem so nice! I am starting a new job next week so let’s hope for each other we each make friends easily :). I ran 14 miles this morning starting at 4:30 AM, I’m training for the Akron Marathon (I think this is a destination race you should consider next year haha)

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Brooke looks so precious in every pic! She DOES look a lot like Billy! And I love how she’s all snuggled up like a burrito in every pic. Haha. You can totally learn how to cook. Start out with really simple things, even in the crock pot (if you have one). Keep up the hard work!

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Hi Jenae

Nice work with making friends in your first two weeks! I’m still making new friends and I moved 10 months ago.

Here’s a simple thai green curry from Jamie Oliver (I also use bought green curry paste instead of making it fresh if I can’t be bothered):

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-1067269/Thai-green-curry.html

Ellie

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ahhh that pizza looks so good, i think i might pay the same obscene amount for it to be delivered to me, you are not alone girlfriend.

dessert last night was an ice cream suicide..muahaha, a combo of cookie dough and praline froyo..nomnom

this morning was a 7 mile tempo run..ahem, although i wasnt so great with the tempo part. oh wells ;)

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My workout today was… REST DAY! oh yea! And my dessert last night was two glasses of wine.
I cannot tell if that pizza would be amazing or too sweet, but it has oreos on it so it must be amazing.
Yay for couches! I am going to be in the sitting-on-the-floor-without-furniture camp soon when we move into our new house!

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So happy you guys made friends!! But honestly, you guys are so outgoing, how would you not make friends??

That pizza looks so good!!! I would defiantly eat it!! I think it would have the perfect sweetness for me :)

I’m not really a fan of curry……maybe its because I just put it straight on a chicken….

My dessert was a bag of mint M&M’s, Thanks BF :)

Run will be on treadmill :)

When are you going to start running again??

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That pizza looks yuummy! So I may be going to San Fran for Thanksgiving to visit some family…do you live near there? If so we should do a blogger meet up!

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Yes!!!! About 35 minutes away! We have to meet up!

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I’m glad you’re making new friends! That’s always key to feeling at home in a new place. That coconut curry they brought over looks amazing. Most of my cooking with curry involves buying a bottle of curry from Trader Joe’s and adding veggies and tofu. It’s delicious and I don’t think it gets any easier. Your brother’s dessert pizza also looks amazing and I will probably be trying to make one after my next long run when I feel like I could eat everything I see. My workout this morning was at the gym on the treadmill but I will probably be doing some extra foam rolling and stretching at home tonight.

Have a great day hanging out with Brooke and enjoying your couch! :)

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Brooke is so cute! I remember staring at my babies too. ;) last night I was good and had an apple for dessert. (that rarely happens) . I LOVE curry but don’t have it very often as my family not much of a fan. Today I want to get in a 6 mile run after work.

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No dessert last night, but we have some ice cream for tonight!

Since school started on Monday, I have been going on a walk around the neighborhood each morning after the kids leave. Thank you, Jessica Everett, for taking my kids to school this year!!

LOVE curry, and Indian food! So good. One of my favorite places to eat is The Bombay House in Provo. Can’t get much better than that!

You look so happy and well! It makes us all smile.

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After seeing your BIL’s instagram name, I now have the song “John Jacob Jingleheimer Schmidt” stuck in my head. And probably you will, too, after reading this comment… you’re welcome!

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Yay for new friends! Did you tell them about your blog?? Some foods are worth the sugar hangover…that pizza is one of them :)!

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That pizza sounds amazing. I’d love to try it, but I have a feeling one piece would be more than enough. Just thinking about it right now has put me in complete dessert mode. Gah!

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I would love ONE Slice of that pizza…please!!!

Hurrah for new friends, churches are such great places to meet new friends, and good cooks. Everyone at my church cooks really well…except me!!!!

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LOOOOVE me some curry, Basically I just like any and all Thai food.

I may or may not have seen that picture on Pinterest already and have been, literally, dreaming about it since. You better believe that I will be making it soon and then promptly sending your BIL a Thank You letter for introducing me to such a beautiful thing.

Today I did a 6 mile tempo run on the treadmill followed by weights. I was going to go to the yoga class, but that scared me. I have never done yoga before and I want to try (I think it would help the tightness in my hips) but perhaps I should try it in the comfort of my own home first.

Yay for making new friends! I am sure you didn’t even need the cupcakes to win her over – who wouldn’t want to be friends with you?

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I think we have the same couch!

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I love curry! My favorite recipe is sweet potato curry:

saute onion, garlic, jalapeño add in curry powder and a little turmeric. Then add in diced up sweet potatoes and chickpeas with a can of coconut milk and sauté until it is all soft. I then throw in some edamame and drained canned tomatoes and warm them through then serve over rice or quinoa. You can easily add some chicken to it if you wanted. YUM! I think now I am going to have to make this soon!

I went to a dinner at a friends house with a Caribbean theme for the food and she made homemade ice cream and I put strawberries and grilled pineapple on top! DELISH!

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One of the best easy curries I know of is the recipe on the side of the Thai Kitchen brand Coconut Milk can, and I’m not kidding!

I have a Thai Curry Soup recipe that I really love on my blog as well… super easy…
http://sweetmamajane.blogspot.com/2009/10/thai-curry-squash-soup.html

You look great and I’m totally inspired by your patience with your move-in and your positive attitude. You’re amazing!

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So glad you’ve made new friends! I love curry so much… here’s an easy and super yummy recipe: http://happyherbivore.com/recipe/chana-palak-masala/

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YAY for new friends and movers from church ;) Gotta love it.

I like your couch. p.s.

I think that pizza would be just perfect if I had a small slice, and felt in the mood for it. But otherwise, it would be too intense (OH, and the PB would have to be traded for AB b/c PB is gross).

My dessert last night was choc powder + casein protein and I slept awesome. My workout today was a HIIT run and tonight teaching BP.

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I see ya! In Women’s Running magazine! Congrats! Soooo cool!

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I think that it would be a tad sweet for me … but that doesn’t mean I wouldn’t give it a serious try ;)

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Yay for new friends!

That dessert pizza looks INSANE. IWANTNOWWWWWWW

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Yay for new friends!

That’s a LOT of sweet on the desert pizza! I can’t quite imagine how that would taste…probably not my thing considering I’m the weird freak who doesn’t even like Oreos. The chocolate cupcakes, on the other hand, look divine. (Now I want chocolate, bah!)

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Dessert last night was some kind of sweet potato cake. It was delicious and not too sweet.
Today’s workout will be outside (short tempo run).
As far as cooking, if you can get your hands on a Crock-Pot or slowcooker, it may be a great time saver. I like to get recipes from the internet, put all the ingredients in the morning, and then it’s all set come dinner time. It’s really the coolest thing, ever!

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Dessert was chris’ favorite. Chocolate chip cookie bar. I put vanilla ice cream on mine.

5 outside miles today.

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Too sweet? What does that taste like?

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OH my gosh Janae could Brooke seriously get any cuter? Every time I see a new picture I literally want to cry happy tears. Just so overwhelmingly happy for you. :) I am in love!

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Food is perfect for making friends. My best friend had her baby on Sunday so I went and took them a meal last night so dessert was a peach and raspberry crisp. It was delicious :)

I got a new prenatal workout video I’m going to try out today…

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I would eat that whole pizza, no problem! :)

I’ve actually never had curry!

Brooke is adorable, as usual!

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you look amazing! I can’t believe you just had a baby :) And brooke is adorable!
Glad you have made some friends! Still trying to do that here in Denver…

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Not a huge curry fan but that looks amazing.
I had a track workout this morning – mile repeats. I was very happy with my times which doesn’t happen often.

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I’m so happy for you that you made friends already. I wish I could make friends so easily…and ones that will cook for me to boot!

My workout today will be inside on the trainer because I’m nursing an injured ankle that is keeping me from my marathon training. Major bummer, but at least I can get my sweat on somehow.

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I stuck with the coconut theme too and had cookie dough coconut milk ice cream for dessert last night + a piece of watermelon. And yes, I looooove curry. I can’t say I’m very biased to certain types of foods…they can all be my friend!!!

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We love curry! We always buy the premade pastes at the asian food market and just throw them in with some coconut milk, veggies, and meat. It’s perfect every time. The premade pastes are the way to go!

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serious…most beautiful mom award goes to you.

so happy for you.

Coconut curry from Trader Joe’s — why mess with perfection?

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I prefer my curry in a hurry.

Also, if you do much more than sit there, you’ll rip yourself a new one. Try to avoid that.

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Janae
Please please be careful with the post baby workouts. i understand the need for getting the endorphins but just be sure you check with ur doctor first.

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This is silly but they just changed our internet policy at school so now your website isn’t blocked-yay!! I can read it at work now haha. That recipe sounds amazing. I will have to send you some of my favorites when I am at home. I’m really jealous of the ice cream. I did body pump and ran a few miles:)

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That pizza looks delicious and I agree with you – I don’t think it would be sweet enough for me either (I love frosting)!

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I eat my ice cream from a coffee cup too! :) It’s a good way to limit how much you are eating, it’s so hard to stop once you get started!

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Mmmm curry. So sweet that you are making friends and got help moving things in :) Glad your settling alright here in town. And I would try a slice of the pizza. for curiousity sake ;)

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That dinner sounds so good! I love Indian food!
I had a piece of the most delicious chocolate cake yesterday! Oh man… I wish I had some right now!
Making new friends is so fun! That’s awesome Janae!!!

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I would try it. No to the curry. No dessert last night. Ran 3 outside and then did squats and dips inside.

The Kidless Kronicles

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I LOVE curry, and I had no idea how easy it actually was to make it until a friend taught me! Here’s an easy peasy recipe for it: http://www.myfoodnfitnessdiaries.com/2011/08/04/whats-for-dinner-thai-red-curry-with-chicken-vegetables-and-rice/ You might be able to find curry paste at your regular grocery store now, but we usually buy our’s from an oriental grocery store because it’s cheaper and more authentic (in my opinion).

And that pizza…. um yeah, it looks amazing! I’d definitely love it!

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If you are truly looking for easy curry recipes, Trader Joes has this fantastic curry sauce and all you have to do is stir fry some vegetables (when I’m feeling extra lazy I use frozen packs of veggies so that I don’t have to cut anything or think about what veggies to use together) and throw in the sauce.

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ahahaha love this post. too cute.

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I just made my first curry the other day. It was so good and I was so proud of myself for it actually tasting legit.

I’m glad you guys finally have real furniture!!

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I had no doubt you guys would have trouble making friends. I mean you are the CUTEST family EVER & the three of you are the sweetest! <3
I'm sure it's nice getting your furniture moved in…feeling more & more like home I'm sure.

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Eat Live Run blog has a great selection of currries. Not working out today, my knee hurts after Sunday’s hill workout. Boo. Dessert – Dairy Queen ice cream with root beer floats

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I’m with you Janae, I wonder if I would need to add more chocolate sauce or a scoop of ice cream to make it sweeter. Doesn’t look sweet enough. ;)

Dessert last night was chocolate ice cream (Thrifty’s brand….so creamy!). I love eating ice cream out of a coffee mug – keeps my hands from getting cold! (Not that ice cream ever lasts very long around me….)

Curry…haven’t really had it!

Today’s workout will be at the gym. Not sure what to do yet. Just run, run and BodyPump, elliptical and run….. What’s your workout?

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They have really good green curry simmer sauce at TJ’s. Just throw in some veggies/proteins and the sauce… really good!! Don’t compare it to freshly made ones from a great cook, but good enough for me for sure on a weekday night.

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Congrats to the both of you on your new baby. I was out of town (100 miles of races in 8 days!) and am just catching up on some emails.

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I don’t like curry, but you are so cute!

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Is their such thing as ‘too sweet’?

I think not.

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