Yup, I'm back...finally...

So I am blogging yet again and I really hope  I can stick with it.  Along with my progress, I lost interest and I felt when I lost interest is when my weight began to suffer.  This week I got to see a friend that I haven't seen in FOREVER and I have to say I was sooo flattered by her compliments.  I AM  LOSING WEIGHT and people CAN TELL.  So with that positive reinforcement, I am back on track.

I am still going to track my food via WW.  Starting Friday, I will get back on my elliptical, after a  3 week hiatus.  I plan to  do  3-4 days a week at 45 minutes, which means, I will need to sacrifice sleep.

So here is to me gearing up for the New Year.  This time next year, I hope to say I weigh 120 something, how cool will that be?

Baked Potato Soup

So I had this last night and it was very tasty.  The only negative, is it clumps like mashed potatoes, so continue to add more chicken broth until it gets to the consistency you like :-).  Also, do NOT forget to cut 1/4" off the top of the garlic bulb, I forgot to and it was a mess!

6 large baking potatos
1 large garlic bulb
4 cups of fat free chicken broth (more, if you want  a soupy consistency).
3 tablespoons of fresh thyme
Salt and pepper to taste

The following is optional, whatever u want on ur 'potato'

6 slices of turkey bacon (I cooked in the microwave)
6 tablespoons of scallions
6 tablespoons of FF sour cream
6 tablespoons of FF cheddar cheese.

Preheat oven to 400.  Pierce potatos and place on rack for 1 hour-1 hour 10 min.
Wrap garlic bulb in foil, place directly on rack for 45 min.

When cooking is done, let cool for 15 min.  Unwrap garlic bulb and squeeze pulp in a large sauce pan, peel potatoes and add to saucepan.  Using a potato masher, mash well.

Slowly add broth and thyme and continue to mash. Cook for 5-10 min. Add optionals and viola! to

French Onion Soup

I'm pretty sure I got this off of Hungry Girl but have had it in my 'need to try' pile for months! So here it is, in all  it's YUMMY GOODNESS!

All I used was this (soup, half of a slice of bread and 1 slice of the cheese). 

First heat up the soup as recommended. Second,toast the bread (I did this in the oven @ 450 for 5 min.). Next, pour the soup in an oven safe serving dish, break the bread in half (if you need too). Last, cover with cheese and put it in the oven for about 10 min.

and then you get this...

Very easy recipe and took less than 20 minutes.  Can't wait to come home to lunch tomorrow :-)

All of this under 4 p+  :-)

I'm outta control...

I used to keep my cravings under control and now I find myself every day stating "maybe tomorrow"...this has gone on way too long and I'm afraid to report I am officially 162.0 lbs.

About 1.5 months ago, I weighed 154 lbs.  Uggggh.

I am deathly afraid that I'm creeping back to where I was,especially with all of the awesome food around this season.  I really need  help, I used to inspire people  and now I'm at a low point and feel like a disappointment.

This is more of rant than anything, but I'm asking for prayer that I find the inspiration to stay on track and help to curb my darn cravings.

I get a little bit stronger...

Wow, a lot has changed since I've been on here--I have onlylost 2 lbs. in the past month, but I've enjoyed eating.  I went from being unemployed to working at a job that I look forward to going to every day--I truly think Human Resources is my calling, because I LOVE helping people and my days are never the same--I love listening to people and sometimes that is what people need--to sit and vent.

I know it's not much, but I have an office--something to call my own. My office is nice, neat and orderly and functional--my own little sanctuary away from home, however, I love the little reminders, whether it be a picture on my wall of my husband and kids or the little ladybugs on my door, it reminds me of home. My commute is only 7 minutes, so I enjoy coming home and spending time with my husband during the  lunch hour.

I am a much happier person nowadays.  I haven't been able to truly say that in a VERY long time.  My only struggle right now is again, my weight. I have lost over 50 lbs.  I am wearing 2 sizes smaller, yet I still feel like I'm really fat.  I don't get it at all.  When will I be strong enough to be happy with what I look like--I'm happy with who I am, just not the girl I see in mirror?

What's Next

Ok.  This is a question I often ask myself, especially  lately.  I keep thinking it's going to just appear to me and I guess I'm a little impatient.  I think I am more concerned for my husband. Here's why.

For 5 years, my husband was a Youth Director/Teacher/Pastor (sort of). He dedicated his Tuesday Evenings and endless weekends to the youth at our church. We hit a huge bump,ok a 'brick wall'.  We came to our pastor for help and at  the time,  and was denied assistance.  In turn,we hit rock bottom in our marriage and our ministry was taken away from us. It has been over a year and still my husband is like a 'bitter old man' about it. How do you help a person  that won't do the 'Christian' thing and forgive and move on.  He seems to not take his own advice and hope for a new start. God does have plans for him,for us, yet he doesn't see it. I want us to be on fire for God once again, yet I get brought down by this negative energy. I used to look to him for support and all of the sudden, I feel like the role is reversed.

He thinks going to a different church will help, I don't. I feel like that would be running away from the very thing that needs to  save us.  I want my strong husband back.  Not the back-stabbing, name calling, hypocrite I live with today.  I love him, I know he loves God, but he needs to show the church, show God, that like God, he can forgive others and ultimately forgive himself.  He needs to stop living  in the past and look forward to the future--we have two wonderful kids that deserve a strong Christian upbringing, they BOTH deserve to have a happy daddy. 

I'm giving this to you,  my Father.  Please help Ron. He needs to have his candle 'lit' again, Lord. You know how much I love my husband, but I want him to be happy, I want him to look forward to what you have in store for us, not dwell on the past and what was said/not said.  Help him move forward.

This is not a rant putting my husband down.  It is a plea for his life, for our family.

I  love you Ron, please come back.

1 Month Home

Today celebrates 1 month home. I've had much more adapting than I thought I would need. I'll tell ya, before I thought this 'stay at home mom' would be a piece of cake. Boy was I wrong! I have absolutely no free time (very limited) and the time I do have, I spend at the gym or the library (I know, big hot spots, huh). I am learning how to manage my time better and overall run my house as efficient I can. It's been hard and I'm still shocked that I'm not working, but if this is what He wants for me or thinks I need, than I guess I'll have to abide. :-)

My oldest, is at church camp this week and I have maybe talked to her for maybe 20 minutes the whole week--I call every day, only to get a few words and an "I gotta go, can I call you later"....well this morning, she called and we talked for a whole 10 minutes!

I can't wait to see her tonight when she sings at the talent show and I get to spend the afternoon tomorrow with her as I play in the Sinners vs. Saints baseball game.  Yes, I'm gonna play baseball!  I can't wait!

Hello 150s...

...I've missed you...It's been so long since I've seen you, I forgot what you looked like.  I hope you stay for a long time (but not too long, cuz I'd like to visit with your neighbor Ms. 140s in the future).

I did it, I made it to 159.6 lbs. (34 lbs. lost since January) ( I know that's more than 159, but it doesn't say 1 sixty something, so I'm happy

Our Testimony

On Sunday, our Pastor asked for volunteers to write their testimony (200 words or less)--I wanted to raise my hand, but didn't (at first--I told the Pastor I would e-mail it, after the service). Well here it is.  Short and sweet (kind of).  There's so much more to this story, but here are the facts :-) 


(and yes, I'm 142 words over the limit--this is hard!!!)


My husband and I both grew up without Christ in our lives. I grew up in a loving home, we knew of God, however, I didn't 'talk to Him' until years later.


My husband and I were married for about 4 years, when we decided to have children. We agreed our kids would grow up in the church--however, it wasn't something that happened overnight.


Our daughter was a little over a year old and I saw that Parents as Teachers was holding a play group at a church and decided to take her there to the playgroup.  That church was so inviting, I even talked with the Pastor, he invited me to church that next Sunday. Bailey and I went and I remember attending the 9:30a service and singing songs that I had no idea what they were. I wanted to be like these people. My husband soon followed. We accepted Christ in our lives in our living room April 2004. Such a beautiful time in our lives. We were ON FIRE for Christ, couldn’t get enough of Him, things were going great.


Since then, my husband and I have enjoyed a loving ministry in which we ministered to our church youth. During that ministry, we stumbled a few times, ok A LOT. We felt we could 'survive on our own'. Did we?


We have been through so much in the past year, including contemplating divorce and even left the church after being relieved of our duties (via e-mail). We walked away from Christ, from our church. We came back a broken "Ron and Kelly". You see--one thing that we have realized this past year--people come and go, people judge--Christ is forever. Christ IS forever.


Will we ever be 'on fire' for Christ as we once were? We both hope so, but only He knows (Jeremiah 29:11, “For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope”.)  Thank you Lord.


We know Christ has forgiven us.  Have you?

What a Feeling!

My husband and I attended our church's "Working Class" Bible Study today, something we haven't done in quite some time. During the study, both my husband and I felt comfortable enough to reach out to these people we once called family, after all, this IS where our journey began 7 years ago.

After we confessed our sins, so to speak, it was evident that these people, this church, loved us and has forgiven us. 

I can honestly say, something changed in my husband and I today.  We are on the road to recovery, on the road back to where we came from, on the road home.

I can't express how elated I am that these bonds, these burdens, are now broken. I can't wait to see what the Lord, our God, has in store for me, my husband, our marriage and ultimately our family.

Thanks be to God.

For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord. They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and hope.  Jeremiah 29:11.

My First Week...

My first week home was good--I still feel like I'm on vacation, but it's OK.  I was really worried that since I was home that I would eat more..for the first time in a long time, I actually had a 2 lb. loss which brings my total pounds lost to 31 (since January).  I have also had a lot of time to reflect on what kind of household I want to raise my kids in--I thought I had it figured out, but this past week, I am on a strong mission to bring order to this house.  From being organized to nutrition, to limiting TV time to even how I interact with my family, it's all going to change. 

I went this morning to buy curriculum supplies (in another words, I bought some blocks and finger paints, lol) as I'm going to do some preliminary preschool things with Caleb this fall--I also checked out a book full of neat cheap science projects to do with Bailey for the remainder of the summer. 

My husband and I have an exciting 'staycation' coming up in a few weeks, which will include a trip to the Topeka Zoo and Pool, a backyard campout (complete with s'mores and firefly hunting) and a small fishing trip to Wyandotte County Lake.

Here's to getting re-acquainted with my family and going back to basics.  :-)

The Next 4 Days...

This is my last 'week' of work.  June 30th is my last day.  I am super excited for this opportunity, yet I'm super depressed about it at the same time.  This was the longest I ever had a job (at the same place), the people here are great and best of all--I loved my job.

So yes, I always have to go back to God, during these times.  What does He have in store for me?  What am I really destined to do?  What do I really want to do?

These are questions that have been swarming in my head for quite some time, just tried to not 'face it' head on and now I have to deal with it.  For the time being, I'm going to spend a ton of time with my little family and hopefully reconnect with my husband as I believe we need to reconnect and focus on our family and not outside sources.  That is my goal for the time being.  So that's that.

On an up note--since this blog is generally dedicated to my weight loss--I am now at 29 lbs. lost (164.7 lbs.).  I am now waaaay below my pre-pregnancy weight with my daughter (who is now 8) and I can't be happier--however, why does 164 look differently at 33 then it did at 23?  Do kids really do change your body?

So that's it, TTFN

Twenty-Five Pounds GONE---hopefully forever!!

As I've said since January--slow and steady wins the race.  It has taken me this long to lose 25 lbs. since January and you know what, I'm ok with that--because it is staying off.  One year ago in June, I weighed about 210bs. (per my doctor's office).--today, I weigh 169.5--that is a 40.5 weight loss since about a year ago.

So, what is 25 lbs.??  5 bags of ice (5 lbs. each)....12.5 bags of M&Ms  (the 2 Pounders)...yup, all of that GONE!

40.5 lbs.?  Well that's really easy...my 8 year old weighs about 47 lbs.  so just shy of lil ole Bailey.

I have about 40 more I want to lose--so I'm hoping this time next year, I would have reached that goal.

Since I have reached this mini goal--I wonder what I should reward myself with....(non-food related).

Bring on the ideas!!!

My First 5K

I completed my first 5K walk yesterday.  I completed the Weight Watchers Walk-it Challenge in a little over an hour (1:05:30).  I am so happy I completed this as it was a huge step for me.  My family, friends, even FB friends were my biggest cheerleaders and I'd have to say I totally think it's gonna stick this time--the weight LOSS, not the weight.

So here it is, the pic that was taken after my 5K was completed.  I DID IT!

Oh yeah, I weighed in this morning because I was SOOO GOOD this weekend--I'm officially at 170.0 lbs.

Slowwwwwwww.....

My weight is coming off slow--however at least it's coming off, right?  I wish I didn't feel so discouraged, but hey at least I'm still losing.

I have lost a total of 22 lbs. in about 4 months - the thing I'm most proud of is I've sticked with Weight Watchers THIS LONG.  I'm hoping by the end of summer, I will be at least 15 lbs. lighter around August, I suppose.

For me, what I weigh right now is a point of no return--I haven't weighed this less since before my daughter was born and it feels awesome.  I'm on my way down and I haven't looked back (or up) in a while.

Wish me luck and let's hope I continue to succeed.  All of you that read my blog (very few, lol) and those that actually leave comments, I am forever greatful.  Thank you.

Cheesy Chicken Enchiladas (Weight Watchers)

8 whatchamacalits :-)

May try this for dinner if I don't go to Cheddar's

Ingredients:
1 spray(s) cooking spray

8 oz Kraft Velveeta Light Reduced-Fat Pasteurized Processed Cheese Product
1/2 cup(s) fat-free sour cream
1/4 cup(s) fat-free evaporated milk
1/4 cup(s) scallion(s), green part only, minced
1/4 tsp crushed red pepper flakes
3 cup(s) (chopped) roasted chicken breast, chopped*
6 medium whole wheat tortilla(s), 7-inches each
1/4 cup(s) low-fat shredded cheddar cheese, sharp variety
6 medium olive(s), green, pitted, sliced
1/4 cup(s) salsa

Directions

Preheat oven to 350ºF. Coat a 9-inch glass baking dish with cooking spray.


In a microwave-safe bowl, combine cheese product and sour cream; cover and microwave on high power until cheese melts, about 1 1/2 to 2 minutes. Remove half of melted cheese to a small bowl and stir in evaporated milk; set aside. Add scallions, red pepper flakes and chicken to remaining cheese mixture; stir to coat.

Spoon about 2/3 cup of chicken mixture down center of each tortilla; fold in sides of tortilla to cover filling and place tortillas in a single layer in prepared dish; spoon remaining cheese sauce over top and then sprinkle with shredded cheddar cheese and olives.

Bake until cheese topping is bubbly, about 20 to 25 minutes. Serve with salsa. Yields 1 enchilada per serving.

Not feeling too stellar, but...

(mainly cuz I'm sick (soar throat, ick)).  However, something that is making me feel better is my 2.0  POUND weight loss this week!  I'm excited and hopes it just sticks.  I started going to the YMCA this week and walking on the elliptical and swimming...I only went twice this week, cuz I didn't want to just dive into it and burn out.

Well anyways, I gotta go--have a Dr. Appt. today at 2--let's hope I get some sleep tonight :-)

17 pounds gone, really??

Yup - 1.3 lbs. down this week, I'm really proud of myself.  My really proud moment - fitting into a pair of jeans a size smaller that what I've been wearing--and by fit I don't mean "lay on the bed, suck in my gut and try to pull them up" fit, I mean, fitting like 'normal' :-D

My goal is by summer (Julyish) to be another size down.  Yup, I think I'll do that :-)

What are you plans this summer?

When one door closes...

I truly never really BELIEVED this statement until Tuesday of this week--after 4.5 years of service, my position at my job is being eliminated (eff. June 30, 2011). 2 days ago - I was a basket case, but now not so much.

When I went home Tuesday afternoon to discuss things with my husband. He first told me, everything was going to be ok. That's what I needed to hear. Over the next day, we really, literally prayed about it. We have decided that our finances aren't GREAT, however, I will be a stay at home mom throughout the summer. Also--I plan to finally pursue my degree in Health Information Management.

This is not a set in stone plan, but it does have my nerves calm a bit...

I never thought in a million years I would depend on my husband as much as I have been the past couple of days--I am finally just going to put it out there--I am very proud of him, proud of him for stepping up and telling me it's going to be ok. Stepping up and telling me we will be fine.

Sometimes, that's all a wife needs to hear--it's going to be ok and we will be fine. So many times, do I reassure our kids of these same principles, but oh so little, I don't hear it enough...

So yes, we will be losing an income, am I scared, yeah, you bet - but I am not alone in this journey.

Thank you Ron for being there for me all of this time.

I am soooo looking forward to my new adventure!  How exciting!!

I hate missing a week.

I only lost 0.2--it's still a loss, so all is good :-)

I think my issue is now is I'm stuck in a little bit a rutt--it's a good rut, I'm losing, not gaining, I'm slowly getting workouts in, I just feel like I'm not losing quick enough--which is fine.

Ugggh, sorry, don't have time to write too much, hopefully I'll get to this weekend.

I'm finally getting used to my new haircut...what do you think?

Please can I keep this going?

Went to the doctor earlier this week and my doctor was very happy with my progress.  Since June of 2010, I have lost 30+ lbs.  This makes me very happy!

The other great thing is if you can see my little Fitness Pal to the left, yeah it says 15 lbs. down.  (since January 2011)

I had a 2 lb. loss this week.  I'm just on cloud nine right now :-) 

So this is my dilemma--most of the time, when I hit this point in my weight loss, I start to 'slip up' and I get right back to where I was.  How do you keep going on your journey?

Another loss...

So it was only 0.6, but with the way I ate last weekend, I'm satisfied :-)

I hope by next weigh in, I will be in the 170s--I have not been there for quite some time (at least 3 years).



I think what I will do today is plan out my week, lately I've just been doing it day by day but I think planning a week will help me stay on track.


I also barely got any exercise in - so I will need to jump on that again--I hate not feeling well, but it's gotta get done, ya know.

Have a great weekend!

World's Finest Chocolate....GUILTY

Over the past week, I have had McDonald's (which is now nasty to me--yaaaay) and now I indulged in a World's Finest Chocolate Caramel Bar).

I am baring it all on my blog today - doubt there will be a loss on Friday, but wanted to get it out there.

Followers : Pounds Ratio

Last week, I got up to 10 lbs. lost!!  Hooray for me - it was also the first time I saw 10 Facebook Followers and 10 Actual Followers.  So this week, I'm up to 13 lbs. lost, so my goal is to get 3 more FB followers and 3 more actual followers.  Think I can do it?  We shall see :-)

I feel absolutely fantastic, I know it's only 13 lbs. but I worked really hard to keep that 13 lbs. off, so it's real important - I'm working towards the 20 lb. goal.  I plan to blog a little later on some more recipes I have tried.

Slow and Steady wins the race!

Down 1.8 lbs. and I couldn't be happier - this week, I was sure there would be a gain as there was Valentine's Day AND that time of each month where my husband tries his best to tolerate my less than stellar mood.

So with that said, I'm happy.  Gotta keep reminding myself this weight just didn't come on over night--it's gonna take a little time to get it off--Slow and Steady wins the race :-)

6a can't get here fast enough!

I have been soooooo busy this week with work AND life in general, I have kinda neglected to blog! I haven't tried any new meals, but I have added JUST DANCE 2 to my work out and I couldn't be happier, such a fun game!

I have my 6a weigh in and I'm feeling VERY confident, so wish me luck...I hope I will be able to post an overall 10 lb. loss :-)

Best time to work out....

Have read several posts today and wonders "when is the best time to workout?"

So I am going to blog-land to research when people work out and what is their reasoning.  I just thought I would work out whenever I had time....that may not be the best answer.

What do you think?

Dijon Pork Chops

As a member of Weight Watchers, I come across some really tasty recipes--and once in a while, I will come across a recipe that even my WHOLE family will eat--THIS IS ONE OF THOSE RECIPES.

Granted, this is what I had for dinner last night - and it was my lunch today :-)

Ingredients


16 oz lean boneless pork chop, (8 chops)

3 Tbsp Dijon mustard

3 Tbsp sugar

1 1/2 tsp apple cider vinegar

1 tsp crushed red pepper flakes

1 spray(s) cooking spray

1/4 cup(s) water


Instructions

Place pork between two sheets of heavy-duty plastic wrap; pound each piece to a 1⁄4-inch thickness using a meat mallet or rolling pin.

Combine mustard and next three ingredients in a small bowl. Place pork in a shallow dish; spoon 2 tablespoons mustard mixture over pork, turning to coat. Let stand 15 minutes.

Heat a large nonstick skillet coated with cooking spray over medium-high heat. Add pork, and cook 4 minutes on one side; turn pork and spoon reserved mustard mixture over pork. Cook pork 2 minutes or just until done.


Add water, stirring slightly; cook 2 minutes or until slightly thickened. Turn pork to coat, and place on a serving platter. Pour pan juices over pork. Yield: 4 servings (serving size: 2 cutlets).


I also had asparagus spears - all you do here use olive oil, salt and pepper and roast at 425 for 15 - 20 min.

A loss is a loss...

Even its just 1.79....uuuuuugggg....

I stopped myself.

I know I'm on the right track.  I no longer crave sugar.  I no longer crave THAT cheeseburger.  Wow--what a great feeling.

Today, since the pork chops were not thawed, I told my husband the words that I haven't mumbled in almost a month "go get something to eat".  He asked where and I told him Wendy's.  I then had a chance to say "I want nuggets and fries, large pop".  You know what I told him--small chili, no crackers.  I added fat free sour cream and just a sprinkle of fat free shredded cheddar cheese--and amazingly enough, I was full.  I stopped myself from making a HUGE mistake.  It is two days away from weigh in.  I can do this!

Tortilla pizzas were an absolute HIT!

This is only 1/2 a serving...I ate the other two slices and stopped to get a pic!

 

Touchdown!!

I forgot about this from SuperBowl Sunday ~  my lil man, just got his diaper changed and all the sudden, my daughter and hubby yelled "Touchdown!", he caught on, how cute!!  (Luckily, I got him to do it again and on camera)  :-)



My kids amaze me every day and I'm so lucky to catch these awesome moments on camera--even if it is for a few seconds!

The 10 minute BURRRRRNNN...

My lovely co-workers and myself decided to start a 10 minute 'focused' exercise routine at work.  At first, I was real hesitant because both of them look great and I really didn't feel comfortable about having the flab 'flip-flop' around  (so the girls turned around, lol)...today we focused on resistance training focusing on our legs - doing squats, leg lifts, lunges, etc.  I couldn't believe how much my legs 'burn' after just the 10 minutes!  We are going to walk the Health Mile at work on Thursday and I'm sooo looking forward to it!  (An awesome benefit working in a hospital.)

A special thanks to the Ladies at the KU Center for Health Informatics - YOU GUYS ROCK!

Tortilla Pizza

Can't wait to have this tonight--wonder how it's gonna taste? :-)

1 Whole Wheat Tortilla
1/4 cup of Pizza Sauce (I'm using Pizza Squeeze--easy for my daughter to use)
1/2 cup of Fat Free Mozerella Cheese
9 or 10 slices of Turkey Pepperoni
Black Olives (optional)
Veggies--i.e. pepper, onion, etc.
Pizza Spice

Pre-heat oven to 400 degrees
Fix Pizza however you want
Bake on a cookie sheet for 12-14 minutes.

(7 whachamacalits for the whole thing--yummy!!

Cucumber and Onion Salad

Didn't feel like writing this, so I did a screenshot of MyRecipe Manager via http://www.weightwatchers.com/....

(Best $12.00 I spend a month!) 

Friend Makin' Mondays: Superbowl Sunday

Neat, totally think I'm rockin' now!  I've decided to participate in Friend Makin' Monday courtesy of All the Weigh.  (I'm soooo new to this--I hope I'm doing this right)  :-)

Today's Question:

Did you watch the Superbowl? If so, did you enjoy it? If not, what did you do instead?

Well I did not watch the Superbowl too closely, but I did watch the commercials :-)
As I'm not a big-time football fan, I rooted for Green Bay as my dad's side of the family is from Wisconsin.
Anyway, I do know the Xtina totally botched the Anthem and even though I'm not real big fan of Black Eyed Peas, I thought they did great :-) 

The commercial's did crack me up - one year, I hope they have a healthy food commercial on there or something 'healthy'--damn dorritos commercials were hilarious, there were just so many of them.

Looking forward to some of the movies that are coming out and if I had the money, heck even the car commercials were cool (<3 the Passat/Darth Vadar) commercial.

I was very proud of myself for not partaking in the normal snacks for Super Bowl  - yes, I made turkey lit'l smokies for the family, but since we had a shrimp boil for dinner - I had some fruit and a little ham rollup around pickle snack--pretty darn tasty :-)  I just wasn't that hungry.  Yaaay Me!


So yes, to answer today's question, I enjoyed the time spent with my lil family and our lil party ;-)



The 15 Minute Pause (it really works)

I was visiting one of my favorite blogs (All the Weigh) and she had a guest blogger on her blog on Friday, February 4, 2011.  He had a great idea to fight the urge to eat "sinful" things or even binging--Click here to read Brad's Guest Blog on Kenz's blog--both of these people look absolutely fabulous! 


I even tried it today, when I really wanted a honey bun (yes, those little sticky things I used to have for breakfast - that have absolutely no nutritional value what so ever).  Was standing in line at the bread store and right there by the cashier, there they were--all 4 different kinds of them--big small, nuts, without nuts, glazed with icing, uugggggh....

  I followed Brad's suggestion and thankfully it worked.  It really worked!!!

Piggies in a Blanket

1 roll of croissant rolls (reduced fat)
1 package of Turkey Lit'l Smokies

Pre-heat oven as directed on croissants

tear a piece of croissant, wrap it around a 'piggie'. 

5 piggies in a blanket are 5 whatchamacalits (1 per piggie)

GO PACK!

As I am not a huuuge football fan, I will be cheering on the Green Bay Packers (my dad's side of the family hails from Neena Menasha, Wisconsin, so I thought what the hell).

Yesterday, my husband and I ventured to the store to get snacks for our little 'family-party'.  I am very proud of him for letting me get the healthy alternatives.   He loves those lil smokies in croissants, so I got turkey links and reduced fat croissants.

I also bought some dill spears, low fat cream cheese and ham and will make ham roll ups (sliced of course)

We will also indulge in some boiled shrimp with corn on the cob With some parkay spray and actual sugar free cocktail sauce, I think it will be a good meal/snack. 

I will figure out point values in a bit!

Working from Home...

Working from home definitely has it's perks.  Due to the Blizzard, I worked from home for 2.5 days this week.  I got to stay home with my kids, but overall, I was ready to go back to work yesterday.

With keeping up with work  and taking care of 2 kiddos, I gained weight this week.  Granted, it was only a  0.5 gain, I'm still proud of myself for not going 'too over board'.

So as I start a new week, I have one goal--eat more veggies and fruit and less pasta (I made 2 meals with pasta, both of which I had lunch for the next day).  In addition, I indulged in a yummy PB & J sandwich and my husband brought me a breakfast burrito one day for breakfast.  Not to mention, the Panera Bread Ham Sandwich I had for lunch on Monday, probably had something to do with the gain.

So it's a gain this week.  I've moved past it and ready to lose this week.

Snow Ice Cream

So as the Blizzard of 2011 winds down here in Kansas City, Kansas, I saw such a point friendly dessert to try (and it involved my daughter) :-)

What a yummy activity!

5 cups of snow (I sent my daughter out to collect this) :-)
1 cup of fat-free milk
about 6 tablespoons of Splenda (or 6 pkts)
1/2 tablesppon of vanilla extract

Mix all together... (notice the container of snow in the far right corner...)

My official taste tester

The tester prefers chocolate :-)

Snow Snow Go-Away!

I am sooo not  mentally prepared for the 12 or so inches of snow that are to fall between tomorrow and Wednesday--however, I am prepared with yummy recipes!

This week, my family will be having Creamy Orzo with Chicken and Mushrooms, ham-steak with 'mock-brown sugar' glaze, dijon pork cutlets (my daughter's absolute fave) and smoked turkey sausage--all of which make reall good left overs for lunch.

Do you have your menu ready for the rest of the week?  What will you be having?

Taco Soup

Makes 12 (1 cup) servings)

Ingredients

1 lb. of lean ground beef or turkey (7% fat or less)
1 med onion, chopped
1 Pkg. Hidden Valley Ranch Original Dip Mix
1 Pkg (2 tsp) of taco seasoning (to your tasting)
1 can of Pinto Beans
1 can of chili beans
1 can of whole kernel corn
2 cans of Ro*Tel tomatoes and green chilis

Directions


1. Brown hamburger and onion
2. Mix taco seasoning AND ranch with the hamburger
3. Without draining, add all other ingredients.
4. Simmer for an hour.


5 whatchamacalits

Tater Tot Casserole

This is a yummy fave of my family's!

Ingredients
1 cup of low-fat shredded cheddar cheese
2 cans of cream of chicken (or cream of mushroom) soup (98% FF)
1 lb. of 93/7 Hamburger
About 80 pieces of Tater Tots
1 can of mushrooms

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 375
2. brown hamburger, drain
3. combine soup and mushrooms and hamburger
4. spray pan (casserole dish) and line with tater tots
5. spread hamburger/soup mixture over tator tots
6. put in oven for 35-45 minutes
7. add cheese (I love it without cheese_
8. bake it for another 5 or so minutes.

Just 7 whatchamacalits for a huuugee helping (1-1/2 cup)
(I always add a good veggie as a side).

Peanut Butter Cup

Ingredients

1 sugar free 40-45 calorie fudge bar
1 tablespoon of natural peanut butter
2 tablespoons of cool whipped free

Directions

Microwave fudge bar for 10-12 seconds.
Slide bar off stick in bowl
Mix other ingredients and viola!!

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Cute Journal Giveaway!

I am a firm believer in journaling your food.  "If you bite it, write it".

Please visit For the Love of Me to enter to win a super cute journal--it's really easy!

1. Become a follower of Love of Me
2. Comment on her blog
3. and post about it on your blog!

Good Luck!
 

Just a bump in the road

I have posted my 'official' before pics!  Go here to see them.  I guarantee, this will be the last time you see me THIS way. :-)

I didn't have a good day, I snacked on potato chips and had a few pieces of milk chocolate--which means, I think it's about time ( woman will be able to know exactly what I'm talking about, lol).

For breakfast I had oatmeal, for lunch, I had a yummy PB & J sandwhich (sugar free jelly, natural peanut butter on whole wheat.

For dinner, whole wheat pasta, a smidge of olive oil and some ground pepper (it's good to me).  So I have had a lot of bad carbs today.  Got to get over it and move on. 


I need to remind myself this is NOT A DIET.  This is my way of life.  Today was just a 'bump' .  I have acknowledged my mistakes and have since moved on.

Doing the Happy Dance!

Lost 1.3 lbs. for a total of 7 lbs.

Just 43 more lbs. to go!

My sugar cravings are gone and life is good.

Now if I can just get rid of a migraine, I will be one happy girl!!

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Let the Losing Begin!

As I shared on my FB today, my husband has joined The Biggest Loser contest at work and I couldn't be more proud of him (actually more relieved).  Today was his first day of 'no pop' and I think he will be fine.  With me packing his lunch and actually have 'somewhat' control over what everybody eats in the house is well a nice feeling.  I think this is a great start!

Today we had the rest of the 'healthy' leftovers and I let myself indulge in a really, really good homemade enchilada (yes, it was sinful). Tomorrow, it's back to normal eating, but hey, we didn't go to eat at all this week.  On average, we were spending...nearly $50-$100 a week in dining!  Yes, it was that much!!!

So as our waistline is getting smaller, hopefully our checking account will get somewhat 'fatter' :-)


Tomorrow is Week #2 Weigh-In...wish me luck!

New Year...New Me!

I am currently working on getting my 'tumblr' account switched over to here--cuz I love blogger better!

So, I will post recipes, etc. on here as soon as I get time :-)

From here on out, I will continue to use THIS Blog!