I just made some awesome mac n cheese for the kids for dinner. Since I hate to throw away food and we are going to be doing less processed foods. I made baked mac n cheese for the kids tonight. Super easy...
Ingredients
1 box penne pasta
2 cups shredded cheese (I used 1/2 c sharp cheddar & 1 1/2 c colby jack I had left in the fridge)
1 cup 1% milk
1/4 cup plain bread crumbs (optional)
Warm the milk in a deep skillet over med heat.
when warm add in the cheese and stir while the cheese melts slowly.
While doing this cook the pasta less than al dente, it will finish cooking in the cheese sauce.
Drain pasta and dump right into cheese sauce to coat. Place in a 9x13 lightly sprayed baking dish. Sprinkle w/ bread crumbs.
Bake on 350 till bubbly and pasta is completely done. Approximately 30 minutes.
Serve w/ some raw veggies on the side or some cooked broccoli.
I Corinthians 13:4-7
4 Love is patient; love is kind; love is not envious or boastful or arrogant or rude. 5 It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; 6 it does not rejoice in wrongdoing, but rejoices in the truth. 7 It bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.
Sunday, February 26, 2012
Saturday, February 25, 2012
Up for a challenge????
I am so ready to feel better, live healthier, be able to move more with less pain and finally get rid of the extra weight I have been carrying around my entire adult life!!
Today I took charge and joined a 1 week Vegan/ Gluten Free Challenge. It is hosted by a Certified Holistic Health Counselor. I am looking forward to seeing the meal plan for 1 week. I want to do this for more than a week and actually wouldn't mind changing the way we eat to more of a Vegetarian way of eating. Who knows I may even like Vegan so much I will stick with it. I do know for sure that we do NOT need as much meat as we eat in this country. Not saying I don't like meat...just that it really doesn't do us any good with all the antibiotics, hormones and bio-engineering they do on the grain they feed these animals.
This is the perfect time for me to try this....I have an appointment with my doctor on Monday morning, I am going to have him to a full fasting lipid panel and check my blood glucose as well. I want numbers to compare to. I want to do this for a minimum of 8-12 weeks to see what kind of change I can make in my health and overall well being. I know it has to be substantial....it just has to be. My other goal is to blog/journal about how I am feeling, how things are going, what changes I see, feel or experience. Who knows I just might win the challenge!!! :)
If you are feeling adventurous ....here is the link for the Challenge.
Mindfully Healthy 1 week Vegan/GF challenge
I Corinthians 13:4-7 4 Love is patient; love is kind; love is not envious or boastful or arrogant or rude. 5 It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; 6 it does not rejoice in wrongdoing, but rejoices in the truth. 7 It bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.
Today I took charge and joined a 1 week Vegan/ Gluten Free Challenge. It is hosted by a Certified Holistic Health Counselor. I am looking forward to seeing the meal plan for 1 week. I want to do this for more than a week and actually wouldn't mind changing the way we eat to more of a Vegetarian way of eating. Who knows I may even like Vegan so much I will stick with it. I do know for sure that we do NOT need as much meat as we eat in this country. Not saying I don't like meat...just that it really doesn't do us any good with all the antibiotics, hormones and bio-engineering they do on the grain they feed these animals.
This is the perfect time for me to try this....I have an appointment with my doctor on Monday morning, I am going to have him to a full fasting lipid panel and check my blood glucose as well. I want numbers to compare to. I want to do this for a minimum of 8-12 weeks to see what kind of change I can make in my health and overall well being. I know it has to be substantial....it just has to be. My other goal is to blog/journal about how I am feeling, how things are going, what changes I see, feel or experience. Who knows I just might win the challenge!!! :)
If you are feeling adventurous ....here is the link for the Challenge.
Mindfully Healthy 1 week Vegan/GF challenge
I Corinthians 13:4-7 4 Love is patient; love is kind; love is not envious or boastful or arrogant or rude. 5 It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; 6 it does not rejoice in wrongdoing, but rejoices in the truth. 7 It bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.
Friday, February 24, 2012
OMG I think I am having a Heart Attack!!!
Those were words I never thought I would utter at the age of 45. But utter them I did, just a few short days ago.
It all started at the beginning of the week, I had what seemed to be muscle aches or soreness in the upper middle part of my back. Nothing huge or crushing but enough to make me wonder, "What did I do to pull something there?" Well I chalked it up to all this weight and all the sitting at the computer I had been doing, poor posture etc. I stretched and tried to move more while on the computer. It continued into the night and I was uncomfortable at night, laying down in bed. I started to analyze and try to diagnose my symptoms....could I be having a heart attack? I would lay in bed, and feeling my heart beat getting louder and louder. Pounding throughout my entire body. Which made me stress out more over it. I didn't sleep well for a couple of nights. I couldn't get comfortable....So finally I asked J.R., could I be having a heart attack?? He didn't think so as it had been going on for awhile and wasn't getting worse. So, I tried to relax and I just started feeling worse, my heart rate was way up, all I could think of was that I didn't want to die!!!
I had a kid home sick with me, and I was trying to remain calm for her and not let her worry. So we drove over to the pharmacy/grocery store where my hubby J.R. works and picked up some juices and tissues etc....
I asked him what I should do, and he took my blood pressure and it was quite high for me. 140/89 with a pulse of 108!!! I felt awful, wasn't dizzy and had no crushing pain, but still had the achey feeling in my back and even under my left breast.
I picked up the kids from school and J.R. left work and picked me up and took me to the ER. Where they rushed me into a room, and hooked me up to monitors and drew blood and did an EKG. After a few hours there, I was feeling lots more calm, still having the ache under my left breast, but with all the blood work up and stuff coming back okay I was trying not to worry. The diagnosis I was sent out with was "Sinus Tachycardia", big words for my heart rate was elevated over 100 due to stress of some kind.
I was told to go home, relax and try to divert my attention and if I was still feeling bad to come back anytime I felt that way. It is better to get it checked out and know for sure.
So far I am feeling better, trying to stress less but not easily done. I guess this is my A-Ha moment where I quit screwing around and really work on getting this weight off and getting healthier mind, body and soul.
I Corinthians 13:4-7 4 Love is patient; love is kind; love is not envious or boastful or arrogant or rude. 5 It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; 6 it does not rejoice in wrongdoing, but rejoices in the truth. 7 It bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.
It all started at the beginning of the week, I had what seemed to be muscle aches or soreness in the upper middle part of my back. Nothing huge or crushing but enough to make me wonder, "What did I do to pull something there?" Well I chalked it up to all this weight and all the sitting at the computer I had been doing, poor posture etc. I stretched and tried to move more while on the computer. It continued into the night and I was uncomfortable at night, laying down in bed. I started to analyze and try to diagnose my symptoms....could I be having a heart attack? I would lay in bed, and feeling my heart beat getting louder and louder. Pounding throughout my entire body. Which made me stress out more over it. I didn't sleep well for a couple of nights. I couldn't get comfortable....So finally I asked J.R., could I be having a heart attack?? He didn't think so as it had been going on for awhile and wasn't getting worse. So, I tried to relax and I just started feeling worse, my heart rate was way up, all I could think of was that I didn't want to die!!!
I had a kid home sick with me, and I was trying to remain calm for her and not let her worry. So we drove over to the pharmacy/grocery store where my hubby J.R. works and picked up some juices and tissues etc....
I asked him what I should do, and he took my blood pressure and it was quite high for me. 140/89 with a pulse of 108!!! I felt awful, wasn't dizzy and had no crushing pain, but still had the achey feeling in my back and even under my left breast.
I picked up the kids from school and J.R. left work and picked me up and took me to the ER. Where they rushed me into a room, and hooked me up to monitors and drew blood and did an EKG. After a few hours there, I was feeling lots more calm, still having the ache under my left breast, but with all the blood work up and stuff coming back okay I was trying not to worry. The diagnosis I was sent out with was "Sinus Tachycardia", big words for my heart rate was elevated over 100 due to stress of some kind.
I was told to go home, relax and try to divert my attention and if I was still feeling bad to come back anytime I felt that way. It is better to get it checked out and know for sure.
So far I am feeling better, trying to stress less but not easily done. I guess this is my A-Ha moment where I quit screwing around and really work on getting this weight off and getting healthier mind, body and soul.
I Corinthians 13:4-7 4 Love is patient; love is kind; love is not envious or boastful or arrogant or rude. 5 It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; 6 it does not rejoice in wrongdoing, but rejoices in the truth. 7 It bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.
I never thought about it......GLUTEN??
Since I last posted on my "silly little blog", as I fondly refer to it. I have started to try to eat better, and lose some of this dreaded weight I have gained back. It certainly gets harder and harder every flipping time I try to do it. This has to be THE last time for sure!!
The week started off pretty motivated, I was gung ho about it all. I had this bright idea that I would just weigh once a week, eat smaller & healthier meals, ......... 2 out of 3 ain't bad right?? I haven't been on the scale and I have been eating more mindfully. like how I phrased that?? Mindfully!!
I have big issues with portions but I am working on that as well. It's all a big mind game. One I don't particularly like either.
Let me go back just a bit to last weekend, I decided to try making "whole wheat" pasta. It turned out great, cooked it up, ate it...YUMM!! But the after effects were miserable. The gas, bloating and overall feeling of crapness was enough to make me look at something I hadn't ever thought of. Looking back and analyzing it, I noticed a patter. One that I just thought I was destined to live with or that everyone experienced after eating pasta. That really FULL feeling, even if I just ate a little. Then, despite the fullness I was still kind of hungry. What is up with that??? So I poked around the internet some and did some research. I think I might be Gluten Sensitive. I discovered quite a bit of information the pertained to me and even to the kids and J.R. Crazy to find out what has been done to Wheat to make it yield more...it's Bio Engineered to make us want more of it!! It's nuts really!! Now I know why there are so many people who are addicted to bread and pasta....it's the Franken Wheat (as it was so aptly put in an article I read).
So I have come to the conclusion that I think we should test my theory. J.R. and the kids are on board for it, and I know the kids won't do it 100% and maybe even J.R. won't since sometimes he just has to grab things on the fly at work. But that is okay. Because the biggest meals and sources of the gluten are from things I have been making at home. I have much more work to do in creating a meal plan etc....but at least I have something to target and go after.
I will post some Gluten Free recipes and start an actual section on the blog for it as well, as soon as I get a chance to try some and get pics.
I Corinthians 13:4-7 4 Love is patient; love is kind; love is not envious or boastful or arrogant or rude. 5 It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; 6 it does not rejoice in wrongdoing, but rejoices in the truth. 7 It bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.
The week started off pretty motivated, I was gung ho about it all. I had this bright idea that I would just weigh once a week, eat smaller & healthier meals, ......... 2 out of 3 ain't bad right?? I haven't been on the scale and I have been eating more mindfully. like how I phrased that?? Mindfully!!
I have big issues with portions but I am working on that as well. It's all a big mind game. One I don't particularly like either.
Let me go back just a bit to last weekend, I decided to try making "whole wheat" pasta. It turned out great, cooked it up, ate it...YUMM!! But the after effects were miserable. The gas, bloating and overall feeling of crapness was enough to make me look at something I hadn't ever thought of. Looking back and analyzing it, I noticed a patter. One that I just thought I was destined to live with or that everyone experienced after eating pasta. That really FULL feeling, even if I just ate a little. Then, despite the fullness I was still kind of hungry. What is up with that??? So I poked around the internet some and did some research. I think I might be Gluten Sensitive. I discovered quite a bit of information the pertained to me and even to the kids and J.R. Crazy to find out what has been done to Wheat to make it yield more...it's Bio Engineered to make us want more of it!! It's nuts really!! Now I know why there are so many people who are addicted to bread and pasta....it's the Franken Wheat (as it was so aptly put in an article I read).
So I have come to the conclusion that I think we should test my theory. J.R. and the kids are on board for it, and I know the kids won't do it 100% and maybe even J.R. won't since sometimes he just has to grab things on the fly at work. But that is okay. Because the biggest meals and sources of the gluten are from things I have been making at home. I have much more work to do in creating a meal plan etc....but at least I have something to target and go after.
I will post some Gluten Free recipes and start an actual section on the blog for it as well, as soon as I get a chance to try some and get pics.
I Corinthians 13:4-7 4 Love is patient; love is kind; love is not envious or boastful or arrogant or rude. 5 It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; 6 it does not rejoice in wrongdoing, but rejoices in the truth. 7 It bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.
Wednesday, February 15, 2012
Homemade pasta!!
I have been wanting to try to make homemade pasta, and since we got our awesome Kitchen Aid stand mixer. We purchased the Pasta attachments for it and I decided to try it today. Just used the recipe from the book that comes with the attachments. It was easy, pretty much just eggs, flour, salt and water. Couldn't be easier!! Kneading it by hand was a chore but I discovered that the machine will knead it for you if you run it through the thickest setting. :) How cool is that?
So here is some pasta drying on the pasta drying rack!!
Also discovered that I can make this ahead and freeze it!! Can't wait to do a Monthly cooking again!! *won't be doing that till we move into our new house* Which could be anywhere from 2-6 weeks from now.
Will update later after I cook it and taste to let everyone know how it came out. :)
I Corinthians 13:4-7 4 Love is patient; love is kind; love is not envious or boastful or arrogant or rude. 5 It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; 6 it does not rejoice in wrongdoing, but rejoices in the truth. 7 It bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.
So here is some pasta drying on the pasta drying rack!!
Here is the finished batch of pasta. I used the fettucine cutter attachment. Can't wait to cook these and see how they come out. Serving them with my slow cooker Chicken Caccitore.
Also discovered that I can make this ahead and freeze it!! Can't wait to do a Monthly cooking again!! *won't be doing that till we move into our new house* Which could be anywhere from 2-6 weeks from now.
Will update later after I cook it and taste to let everyone know how it came out. :)
I Corinthians 13:4-7 4 Love is patient; love is kind; love is not envious or boastful or arrogant or rude. 5 It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; 6 it does not rejoice in wrongdoing, but rejoices in the truth. 7 It bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.
ONLY 2 Ingredients??? AMAZING
I love easy recipes...it not only saves us time but the less ingredients the more we know what is in it right?
Here are a couple of recipes I got from friends I do not take credit for them, I just know I have made them and they are AWESOME!!
1 Minute Microwave Cake!!
1 box angel food cake mix
1 box any flavor cake mix (I chose sugar free Devils food..since I am a chocoholic)
Mix both boxes together in a ziploc baggie. When ready to enjoy a single serving of cake, in a mug mix together 3 tbsp of cake mixture and 2 tbsp water. Place in microwave for 1 minute and voila...CAKE!! :)
**Add in ideas - 1 tbsp mini choc chips, ground coffee for mocha flavor, frozen fruit like Cherries or strawberries. or just make up your own. :)
Lemon square dessert
1 box angel food cake mix
1 can lemon pie filling
Mix together place in greased baking dish and bake at 350 for 20 minutes
**Note...the bigger then pan the thinner the squares. I made mine in a 9x13 pan and they were quite thick. I think next time I would make them in a jelly roll pan and see how that works out. It's all trial and error and they taste really good. Quite refreshing and really satisfy that craving for something sweet. :)
I Corinthians 13:4-7 4 Love is patient; love is kind; love is not envious or boastful or arrogant or rude. 5 It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; 6 it does not rejoice in wrongdoing, but rejoices in the truth. 7 It bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.
Here are a couple of recipes I got from friends I do not take credit for them, I just know I have made them and they are AWESOME!!
1 Minute Microwave Cake!!
1 box angel food cake mix
1 box any flavor cake mix (I chose sugar free Devils food..since I am a chocoholic)
Mix both boxes together in a ziploc baggie. When ready to enjoy a single serving of cake, in a mug mix together 3 tbsp of cake mixture and 2 tbsp water. Place in microwave for 1 minute and voila...CAKE!! :)
**Add in ideas - 1 tbsp mini choc chips, ground coffee for mocha flavor, frozen fruit like Cherries or strawberries. or just make up your own. :)
Lemon square dessert
1 box angel food cake mix
1 can lemon pie filling
Mix together place in greased baking dish and bake at 350 for 20 minutes
**Note...the bigger then pan the thinner the squares. I made mine in a 9x13 pan and they were quite thick. I think next time I would make them in a jelly roll pan and see how that works out. It's all trial and error and they taste really good. Quite refreshing and really satisfy that craving for something sweet. :)
I Corinthians 13:4-7 4 Love is patient; love is kind; love is not envious or boastful or arrogant or rude. 5 It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; 6 it does not rejoice in wrongdoing, but rejoices in the truth. 7 It bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.
Slow Cooker Chicken Caccitore
I remember having this as a kid. My mom used to make it with chicken thighs...I don't much like dark meat anymore and wanted to cut out the fat so I used boneless skinless chicken breasts.
Chicken Caccitore in the slow cooker
3 Chicken breast halves cut up into chunks (I used boneless, skinless)
1 8 oz pkg mushrooms (sliced)
1 can diced tomatoes
2 -3 bell peppers sliced into strips ( I used 1 of each red, yellow & orange)
1 large onion roughly chopped
1/2 tbsp oregano
1/2 tbsp basil
4 garlic cloves
1 1/2 cups fat free/ low sodium chicken stock
place all ingredients in slow cooker and stir to mix, cook on low for 7 hours. To thicken sauce before serving use a little cornstarch dissolved in some chicken stock or cold water and add to crockpot, stir and let cook for a few minutes till thickened.
Serve over whole wheat pasta of your choice or egg noodles. I made homemade egg noodles to go with this dish...see pic below. :)
I Corinthians 13:4-7 4 Love is patient; love is kind; love is not envious or boastful or arrogant or rude. 5 It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; 6 it does not rejoice in wrongdoing, but rejoices in the truth. 7 It bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.
Monday, February 13, 2012
Monday
Here goes, day one of my journey to get 100 lbs off this old 45 year old frame.
Started out my day with about 15 minutes of stretches and Yoga breathing. Kids were up doing their thing already so that made things easier to do this first thing when I got up.
I drove the kids to school and came back to start my day with a healthy breakfast. **NOTE: I do not plan to count calories...too overwhelming for me....so healthier, lower fat and lower sugar choices and portion control are going to be key for me.**
Breakfast was - 1 cup homemade yogurt, 1 cup blueberries, 1/2 cup homemade granola, 6 oz OJ, 1 cup black coffee
I poached some chicken and started a big pot of Chicken soup this morning. Drank a couple of glasses of water, they were about 20 oz each. :) Lunch probably wasn't the best choice but, it was quick and easy since I have to take Shelby to the doc in a bit.
LUNCH- PF CHANGS General Tso Chicken (ate the whole thing and that was 2 servings) It's all about striving for the goal right?? One small step at a time.
My goal is not to eat anything else until dinner, where I will eat chicken soup. (I am going to put some broccoli in my bowl to add more veggies and I was considering not having pasta in mine, but not quite sure just yet. Will post later as to what I decide to do.
Now off to pick up Shelby from school and take her to her appointment, then pick up Elizabeth. Then Ryan after his band practice. I have an appointment to get my hair cut and colored today at 4:30pm so hoping that the new cut, new attitude, new outlook on life will certainly help me to stay on task and keep up with my goals. I may even have time to run to the grocery store to pick up a sugar free cake mix and a box of angel food cake mix...I saw a cool recipe on Pinterest where you mix the two boxes of mix together in a baggie, then when you want something sweet...you put 3 tablespoons of cake mix in a big mug w/ 2 tbsp of water and put in the microwave and BAM!! You have dessert, so I am thinking this might help with my chocolate cravings and not make me feel so guilty. With some low fat aerosol whipped cream it would certainly be a treat!! :)
I Corinthians 13:4-7 4 Love is patient; love is kind; love is not envious or boastful or arrogant or rude. 5 It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; 6 it does not rejoice in wrongdoing, but rejoices in the truth. 7 It bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.
Started out my day with about 15 minutes of stretches and Yoga breathing. Kids were up doing their thing already so that made things easier to do this first thing when I got up.
I drove the kids to school and came back to start my day with a healthy breakfast. **NOTE: I do not plan to count calories...too overwhelming for me....so healthier, lower fat and lower sugar choices and portion control are going to be key for me.**
Breakfast was - 1 cup homemade yogurt, 1 cup blueberries, 1/2 cup homemade granola, 6 oz OJ, 1 cup black coffee
I poached some chicken and started a big pot of Chicken soup this morning. Drank a couple of glasses of water, they were about 20 oz each. :) Lunch probably wasn't the best choice but, it was quick and easy since I have to take Shelby to the doc in a bit.
LUNCH- PF CHANGS General Tso Chicken (ate the whole thing and that was 2 servings) It's all about striving for the goal right?? One small step at a time.
My goal is not to eat anything else until dinner, where I will eat chicken soup. (I am going to put some broccoli in my bowl to add more veggies and I was considering not having pasta in mine, but not quite sure just yet. Will post later as to what I decide to do.
Now off to pick up Shelby from school and take her to her appointment, then pick up Elizabeth. Then Ryan after his band practice. I have an appointment to get my hair cut and colored today at 4:30pm so hoping that the new cut, new attitude, new outlook on life will certainly help me to stay on task and keep up with my goals. I may even have time to run to the grocery store to pick up a sugar free cake mix and a box of angel food cake mix...I saw a cool recipe on Pinterest where you mix the two boxes of mix together in a baggie, then when you want something sweet...you put 3 tablespoons of cake mix in a big mug w/ 2 tbsp of water and put in the microwave and BAM!! You have dessert, so I am thinking this might help with my chocolate cravings and not make me feel so guilty. With some low fat aerosol whipped cream it would certainly be a treat!! :)
I Corinthians 13:4-7 4 Love is patient; love is kind; love is not envious or boastful or arrogant or rude. 5 It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; 6 it does not rejoice in wrongdoing, but rejoices in the truth. 7 It bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.
Changes part 2.....my health!!
I am afraid of dying....there I said it!!
Lately there have been too many younger people dying, and I refuse to be one of them. I have not been great at taking care of my health on a consistent basis. I go through spurts of healthy eating and moderate exercise and I even lose a few pounds. Only to get cocky and go back to eating the wrong things and then feeling worse than I did. I can't keep doing this to myself. Torturing myself with food. So today I make a pact with myself. Be conscious of what I am eating.
1. Write down everything I eat or drink EVERYDAY!!
2. Get off my ass and move more. Whether it be treadmill, yoga, stretches, Eliptical , bike...
3. Decrease portions by at least half of what I have been eating.
4. Drink more WATER!! (I used to be good at this part, but have really gotten complacent)
5. Eat more fruits and veggies for snacks and desserts.
6. Cut back on alcohol consumption to 1x a week. (No more than 2 glasses of wine, or 2 mixed drinks or 2 beers.)
7. Reduce stress!!!!
8. BLOG more!!!
I know I have been here before but the weight I was this morning was appalling. 293 lbs!! I need to lose 100 lbs!! I just have to do it....it must be done. This is the end of the line! I refuse to be 300+ lbs. I am close enough to it and I don't like it!! End of the line!! This is my wake up call.
I will post new recipes that I try, and I will still be doing the once a month cooking to make things much easier.
So here goes. I am going to put my meals and menus on here so I can just come back and edit at the end of the day and post it.
I am praying hard that this is the last time I re-start!!!
Thanks for reading, I appreciate comments, suggestions, any help at this point would be welcomed for sure!!
I Corinthians 13:4-7 4 Love is patient; love is kind; love is not envious or boastful or arrogant or rude. 5 It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; 6 it does not rejoice in wrongdoing, but rejoices in the truth. 7 It bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.
Lately there have been too many younger people dying, and I refuse to be one of them. I have not been great at taking care of my health on a consistent basis. I go through spurts of healthy eating and moderate exercise and I even lose a few pounds. Only to get cocky and go back to eating the wrong things and then feeling worse than I did. I can't keep doing this to myself. Torturing myself with food. So today I make a pact with myself. Be conscious of what I am eating.
1. Write down everything I eat or drink EVERYDAY!!
2. Get off my ass and move more. Whether it be treadmill, yoga, stretches, Eliptical , bike...
3. Decrease portions by at least half of what I have been eating.
4. Drink more WATER!! (I used to be good at this part, but have really gotten complacent)
5. Eat more fruits and veggies for snacks and desserts.
6. Cut back on alcohol consumption to 1x a week. (No more than 2 glasses of wine, or 2 mixed drinks or 2 beers.)
7. Reduce stress!!!!
8. BLOG more!!!
I know I have been here before but the weight I was this morning was appalling. 293 lbs!! I need to lose 100 lbs!! I just have to do it....it must be done. This is the end of the line! I refuse to be 300+ lbs. I am close enough to it and I don't like it!! End of the line!! This is my wake up call.
I will post new recipes that I try, and I will still be doing the once a month cooking to make things much easier.
So here goes. I am going to put my meals and menus on here so I can just come back and edit at the end of the day and post it.
I am praying hard that this is the last time I re-start!!!
Thanks for reading, I appreciate comments, suggestions, any help at this point would be welcomed for sure!!
I Corinthians 13:4-7 4 Love is patient; love is kind; love is not envious or boastful or arrogant or rude. 5 It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; 6 it does not rejoice in wrongdoing, but rejoices in the truth. 7 It bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.
Saturday, February 11, 2012
Zuppa Tuscana soup
Have been in the mood for this soup!! Love it at Olive Garden but so easy to make at home too!!
Zuppa Tuscana soup
1 lb ground sweet italian sausage cooked and drained
4 medium potatoes peeled and cut into bite sized cubes
2 jars alfredo sauce
1/2 jar milk to thin sauce to taste
Salt and pepper to taste.
Red pepper flakes to taste (optional)
Cook sausage and drain, in a pot mix together all ingredients and simmer until potatoes are fork tender. Serve with crusty bread or garlic breadsticks and a side salad.
** red pepper flakes can be omitted if you dont' want the extra heat** Or you can substitute the sweet sausage for spicy sausage if you like it hot!! Reheats great too!
I Corinthians 13:4-7 4 Love is patient; love is kind; love is not envious or boastful or arrogant or rude. 5 It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; 6 it does not rejoice in wrongdoing, but rejoices in the truth. 7 It bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.
Zuppa Tuscana soup
1 lb ground sweet italian sausage cooked and drained
4 medium potatoes peeled and cut into bite sized cubes
2 jars alfredo sauce
1/2 jar milk to thin sauce to taste
Salt and pepper to taste.
Red pepper flakes to taste (optional)
Cook sausage and drain, in a pot mix together all ingredients and simmer until potatoes are fork tender. Serve with crusty bread or garlic breadsticks and a side salad.
** red pepper flakes can be omitted if you dont' want the extra heat** Or you can substitute the sweet sausage for spicy sausage if you like it hot!! Reheats great too!
I Corinthians 13:4-7 4 Love is patient; love is kind; love is not envious or boastful or arrogant or rude. 5 It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; 6 it does not rejoice in wrongdoing, but rejoices in the truth. 7 It bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.
Thursday, February 9, 2012
Speaking of changes.....
And we were.........
I think I need a change in hairstyle. I know it seems trivial to some, but for me my hair is something I change pretty frequently. Cut, color, style....it's something I don't take lightly and something every so often I just have to change. I have been letting my hair grow for about a year or so now, and I am pretty much tired of this same hairdo. I am also afraid that using the flat iron everyday is damaging it too much despite my use of products to inhibit breakage etc.
I posted on Facebook about it and asked if there were any thoughts. A friend posted this pic to give me an idea of a hairstyle.
I do like it a lot!!
The only question I have is....1. Am I too old to try to wear this hairstyle??
2. Is my face too fat and round to wear this style?? 3. What color would I do it? * since I have like 2 inch roots and tons of new grey to cover up but not enough grey to just let it be grey* (sigh) And YES, I know that was more than 1 question...sheesh!! LOL
I found a couple of more on Pinterest that I like a lot...guess I could post those here too and see what the consensus is. :)
So here goes......
Hair Style No. 1
I Corinthians 13:4-7 4 Love is patient; love is kind; love is not envious or boastful or arrogant or rude. 5 It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; 6 it does not rejoice in wrongdoing, but rejoices in the truth. 7 It bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.
I think I need a change in hairstyle. I know it seems trivial to some, but for me my hair is something I change pretty frequently. Cut, color, style....it's something I don't take lightly and something every so often I just have to change. I have been letting my hair grow for about a year or so now, and I am pretty much tired of this same hairdo. I am also afraid that using the flat iron everyday is damaging it too much despite my use of products to inhibit breakage etc.
I do like it a lot!!
The only question I have is....1. Am I too old to try to wear this hairstyle??
2. Is my face too fat and round to wear this style?? 3. What color would I do it? * since I have like 2 inch roots and tons of new grey to cover up but not enough grey to just let it be grey* (sigh) And YES, I know that was more than 1 question...sheesh!! LOL
I found a couple of more on Pinterest that I like a lot...guess I could post those here too and see what the consensus is. :)
So here goes......
Hair Style No. 1
Hair style No. 2
Hair Style No. 3
Hair Style No. 4
Any help, advice, feedback, or critiques are welcome!! :)
Thanks in advance for any and all input!!
I Corinthians 13:4-7 4 Love is patient; love is kind; love is not envious or boastful or arrogant or rude. 5 It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; 6 it does not rejoice in wrongdoing, but rejoices in the truth. 7 It bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.
Changes
Change is good. Or so I am told anyway. Today I am re-working and making some changes to my blog which are long overdue. My intent is to have just ONE blog, not 3 to serve all my needs. I was just about to re-invigorate an old diet blog I had started and re-started countless times. Then I thought to myself, "why are you making this more complicated than it needs to be?" So I nixed that idea and just changed up the name of this one a bit, added a few things, took out a few things and voila!! What you see here is a little bit more organized than it used to be that is for sure. More user friendly I would say.
What do you think?? I have always wanted to spend more time blogging. I think I make it more difficult than it has to be honestly. But, I do that with most things. LOL I am learning to think before I act or react. I know what you are thinking..."What a concept"!!
It is saving me more time than I ever thought possible and I like it!!
So hopefully more people will visit me here.....it is my hope anyway.
I have some housework to get done before it gets too late in the day, but I will return hopefully with something witty, sarcastic or even informative to say.
Please stop in whenever you get a chance.....Thanks and have a blessed day!!
I Corinthians 13:4-7
4 Love is patient; love is kind; love is not envious or boastful or arrogant or rude. 5 It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; 6 it does not rejoice in wrongdoing, but rejoices in the truth. 7 It bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.
What do you think?? I have always wanted to spend more time blogging. I think I make it more difficult than it has to be honestly. But, I do that with most things. LOL I am learning to think before I act or react. I know what you are thinking..."What a concept"!!
It is saving me more time than I ever thought possible and I like it!!
So hopefully more people will visit me here.....it is my hope anyway.
I have some housework to get done before it gets too late in the day, but I will return hopefully with something witty, sarcastic or even informative to say.
Please stop in whenever you get a chance.....Thanks and have a blessed day!!
I Corinthians 13:4-7
4 Love is patient; love is kind; love is not envious or boastful or arrogant or rude. 5 It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; 6 it does not rejoice in wrongdoing, but rejoices in the truth. 7 It bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.
Monday, February 6, 2012
You gotta have Faith!!
Life is too short...Be gracious, be loving, be kind, be forgiving and most of all don't forget God is in control. Our time on this earth is up when HE says it is....wouldn't you rather spend each day Loving rather than Hating???
This was my FB status post this morning.
In light of an accident this weekend that took the lives of a local husband and wife ages 47 & 46 respectively. I find myself pondering about life and just how short it is. They were tragically taken away too soon in my eyes, leaving behind 4 God loving children.
Sure I get caught up in the day to day hustle and bustle of laundry, dishes, getting kids to and from school, cooking meals, etc.....All while knowing in my mind and heart that God is the one in control. For me I seem to fall into this land of complacency where I don't want to think about the possibility of leaving this world before my children get to hit many more milestones, like graduating from high school, going on to college, getting married, and having babies. I don't like to think about it. I don't know if anyone really does actually. Being a Christian I have peace in knowing that when I do leave this earth I will go to be with my Lord and Savior. But still, I am selfish and don't want to miss out. Accidents happen and so do illnesses for which we have no real control over. I guess this is where my Faith gets tested and the control freak of a mom/wife/person has to "Let Go and Let God". I feel as if some people have just "got it all together", they have their Faith and they "KNOW". I feel like I have Faith and Know to some extent but somehow something in me feels like if I just did _______, or __________ that I can prevent such tragic events or pain from touching our lives.
Why can't it be easier?? Why can't I unequivocally just "KNOW". I think my answers lie in my FAITH, in the Bible and in Trusting God. I seem to step off the path every now and then. Perhaps this is God's way of getting me to come off the side of the road and continue to walk ON the path, and IN his footsteps.
I pray that God would guide me and grant me the grace to relinquish control over things I cannot control. To guide me and lead me where it is He wants me to go. Amen
4 Love is patient; love is kind; love is not envious or boastful or arrogant 5or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; 6it does not rejoice in wrongdoing, but rejoices in the truth. 7It bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. I Corinthians 13:4-7
This was my FB status post this morning.
In light of an accident this weekend that took the lives of a local husband and wife ages 47 & 46 respectively. I find myself pondering about life and just how short it is. They were tragically taken away too soon in my eyes, leaving behind 4 God loving children.
Sure I get caught up in the day to day hustle and bustle of laundry, dishes, getting kids to and from school, cooking meals, etc.....All while knowing in my mind and heart that God is the one in control. For me I seem to fall into this land of complacency where I don't want to think about the possibility of leaving this world before my children get to hit many more milestones, like graduating from high school, going on to college, getting married, and having babies. I don't like to think about it. I don't know if anyone really does actually. Being a Christian I have peace in knowing that when I do leave this earth I will go to be with my Lord and Savior. But still, I am selfish and don't want to miss out. Accidents happen and so do illnesses for which we have no real control over. I guess this is where my Faith gets tested and the control freak of a mom/wife/person has to "Let Go and Let God". I feel as if some people have just "got it all together", they have their Faith and they "KNOW". I feel like I have Faith and Know to some extent but somehow something in me feels like if I just did _______, or __________ that I can prevent such tragic events or pain from touching our lives.
Why can't it be easier?? Why can't I unequivocally just "KNOW". I think my answers lie in my FAITH, in the Bible and in Trusting God. I seem to step off the path every now and then. Perhaps this is God's way of getting me to come off the side of the road and continue to walk ON the path, and IN his footsteps.
I pray that God would guide me and grant me the grace to relinquish control over things I cannot control. To guide me and lead me where it is He wants me to go. Amen
4 Love is patient; love is kind; love is not envious or boastful or arrogant 5or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; 6it does not rejoice in wrongdoing, but rejoices in the truth. 7It bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. I Corinthians 13:4-7
Thursday, February 2, 2012
Melissa's Homemade Granola Recipe
I love granola on my yogurt....it gives it a crunchy and nutty flavor that just goes great with yogurt. Since I have been making my own homemade yogurt I have really been wanting some granola to put on top. But...as you know most of the store bought granola is not only expensive, but loaded with fat and sugars. So after researching and checking out about a million recipes....(well not really a million...closer to like 20) LOL
I came up with this recipe just winged it today and made some up and it is so good!! *if I do say so myself*
Here is what you need.
Preheat oven to 350 degrees
line a cookie sheet w/ and edge on it w/ silpat or parchment. (don't spray the pan cause we are trying to avoid adding extra fat calories)
In a bowl mix together
1/3 cup raw sunflower seeds (no shell)
1/3 cup raw Pumpkin seeds (no shell) *these are also known as Pepitas*
1/3 cup sliced raw almonds
2 cups old fashioned rolled oats
Place this all evenly on the cookie sheet and bake on 350. **the goal here is to toast the nut/oat mixture so check it and toss it around every few minutes. They won't come out really dark, but you should be able to smell it giving off a toasty smell**
In a small saucepan combine
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 cup Agave nectar (you could also use honey here as well)
1 tbsp coconut oil
2 tbsp Demerara Sugar
1 tsp vanilla
**heat on very low just until coconut oil is melted and and the sugar crystals are dissolved**
Remove oat mix from oven and carefully put back in bowl while still warm. Pour the coconut oil/agave mixture on top and stir in well...it might not look like enough but it is plenty. Coat the oat/nut mixture well.
Put the mix back onto the silpat lined baking sheet and bake at 350 degrees for about 15-20 minutes. Checking it a time or two. Toss it around once and spread it back out to cover the pan.
Remove from oven and let cool in the pan. When cooled you can lift one corner of the silpat and use it to crumble the granola into small clusters.
Place in an airtight container and use for cereal or toppings for yogurt or ice cream.
If you want to add fruit to your granola...you should just add it when you are ready to eat or else it will make your granola soggy and lose it's crunch.
Makes 8 (1/4 cup) servings at approx 180 calories per serving
ENJOY!!!
4 Love is patient; love is kind; love is not envious or boastful or arrogant 5or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; 6it does not rejoice in wrongdoing, but rejoices in the truth. 7It bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. I Corinthians 13:4-7
I came up with this recipe just winged it today and made some up and it is so good!! *if I do say so myself*
Here is what you need.
Preheat oven to 350 degrees
line a cookie sheet w/ and edge on it w/ silpat or parchment. (don't spray the pan cause we are trying to avoid adding extra fat calories)
In a bowl mix together
1/3 cup raw sunflower seeds (no shell)
1/3 cup raw Pumpkin seeds (no shell) *these are also known as Pepitas*
1/3 cup sliced raw almonds
2 cups old fashioned rolled oats
Place this all evenly on the cookie sheet and bake on 350. **the goal here is to toast the nut/oat mixture so check it and toss it around every few minutes. They won't come out really dark, but you should be able to smell it giving off a toasty smell**
In a small saucepan combine
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 cup Agave nectar (you could also use honey here as well)
1 tbsp coconut oil
2 tbsp Demerara Sugar
1 tsp vanilla
**heat on very low just until coconut oil is melted and and the sugar crystals are dissolved**
Remove oat mix from oven and carefully put back in bowl while still warm. Pour the coconut oil/agave mixture on top and stir in well...it might not look like enough but it is plenty. Coat the oat/nut mixture well.
Put the mix back onto the silpat lined baking sheet and bake at 350 degrees for about 15-20 minutes. Checking it a time or two. Toss it around once and spread it back out to cover the pan.
Remove from oven and let cool in the pan. When cooled you can lift one corner of the silpat and use it to crumble the granola into small clusters.
Place in an airtight container and use for cereal or toppings for yogurt or ice cream.
If you want to add fruit to your granola...you should just add it when you are ready to eat or else it will make your granola soggy and lose it's crunch.
Makes 8 (1/4 cup) servings at approx 180 calories per serving
ENJOY!!!
4 Love is patient; love is kind; love is not envious or boastful or arrogant 5or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; 6it does not rejoice in wrongdoing, but rejoices in the truth. 7It bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. I Corinthians 13:4-7
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