Thought for the day:
“Victory belongs to the most persevering."
Napoleon Bonaparte
Once again, there is progress in the battle with the bulge. I lost 2.8 pounds!
Whoo! Hoo!
Happy Dance!
The efforts of the last week have paid off. Gee! I may have to take another try at those exercise DVDs. NOT! Those were torture. At least they were from the library and cost me nothing.
I remember having fun with Richard Simmons "Sweatin’ to the Oldies" several years ago, maybe I can locate something like that. As today proved perseverance is the key.
The scale is my friend again!
The week in review:
What I did right-
a. Ate Breakfast daily.
b. Kept a diary of every bite that crossed my lips.
c. Drank a minimum of 6 glasses of good old H2O daily.
d. Walked for 30 minutes, 5 days of the week.
e. Had 2 teaspoons of healthy oils daily.
f. Had at least 6 hours of sleep a night.
What I can do better-
a. Try a couple of new recipes so I don't get bored.
b. Get in some additional kind of exercise by trying a yoga DVD that I bought.
c. Find another exercise DVD that I like.
d. Treat myself to another non-food splurge.
e. Find some ways to unwind and reduce stress.
Sunday, April 25, 2010
Friday, April 23, 2010
Habits
Thought for the day:
"Walking is the best possible exercise. Habituate yourself to walk very far."
Thomas Jefferson
Today I'm happy to report is day number 28 of taking a daily after lunch walk…and it hasn't killed me.
I've read that to make anything habitual, do it for 28 days. To tell the truth, the daily walks are becoming automatic. After I eat lunch, I now feel compelled to don athletic shoes and make tracks around the parking lot.
I can't say that I've had much luck finding another activity to work in more exercise. I've tried a couple of exercise DVDs; but I just didn't like them. Well at least I tried them and it was activity. I used to enjoy dancing, so perhaps trying a dance lesson on DVD would help. I bought a yoga mat and a beginners' yoga DVD. The breathing and stretching routines look relaxing. Bottom line, it has to be fun and easy or it's just torture.
Tomorrow is weigh-in day, and I hope to see results from my efforts.
I'm still bothered that I didn't lose any weight last week. Hopefully I can change that this week.
"Walking is the best possible exercise. Habituate yourself to walk very far."
Thomas Jefferson
Today I'm happy to report is day number 28 of taking a daily after lunch walk…and it hasn't killed me.
I've read that to make anything habitual, do it for 28 days. To tell the truth, the daily walks are becoming automatic. After I eat lunch, I now feel compelled to don athletic shoes and make tracks around the parking lot.
I can't say that I've had much luck finding another activity to work in more exercise. I've tried a couple of exercise DVDs; but I just didn't like them. Well at least I tried them and it was activity. I used to enjoy dancing, so perhaps trying a dance lesson on DVD would help. I bought a yoga mat and a beginners' yoga DVD. The breathing and stretching routines look relaxing. Bottom line, it has to be fun and easy or it's just torture.
Tomorrow is weigh-in day, and I hope to see results from my efforts.
I'm still bothered that I didn't lose any weight last week. Hopefully I can change that this week.
Wednesday, April 21, 2010
Frustration
Thought for the day:
"Have patience with all things, but chiefly have patience with yourself. Do not lose courage in considering your own imperfections but instantly set about remedying them-every day to begin the task anew"
- Saint Frances de Sales
Boy, am I still annoyed by that scale not budging an ounce.
After my group meeting I had a comfort breakfast with a friend (I had Eggs Benedict). Then I went to the Library and checked out three cookbooks from various weight loss plans and 3 exercise DVDs. I feel obsessed with figuring out what I can do better so that unctuous fiend, the beastly scale, will reflect some weight loss.
Damned that impertinent little machine!
Okay; it's a new week. I'll make a point to get in my healthy oils, increase exercise and go to bed earlier and see if that helps.
Right now I just feel like buying an extra bathroom scale so I can kick the crap out of it! That ought to be worth some activity points.
OMG! I must be losing my mind! I'm feeling punitive toward a bathroom gadget.
This really is bothering me.
I want revenge!!!
On a bathroom scale!
"Have patience with all things, but chiefly have patience with yourself. Do not lose courage in considering your own imperfections but instantly set about remedying them-every day to begin the task anew"
- Saint Frances de Sales
Boy, am I still annoyed by that scale not budging an ounce.
After my group meeting I had a comfort breakfast with a friend (I had Eggs Benedict). Then I went to the Library and checked out three cookbooks from various weight loss plans and 3 exercise DVDs. I feel obsessed with figuring out what I can do better so that unctuous fiend, the beastly scale, will reflect some weight loss.
Damned that impertinent little machine!
Okay; it's a new week. I'll make a point to get in my healthy oils, increase exercise and go to bed earlier and see if that helps.
Right now I just feel like buying an extra bathroom scale so I can kick the crap out of it! That ought to be worth some activity points.
OMG! I must be losing my mind! I'm feeling punitive toward a bathroom gadget.
This really is bothering me.
I want revenge!!!
On a bathroom scale!
Saturday, April 17, 2010
Learning from "The Agony of Defeat"
Thought for the day:
“What is Defeat? Nothing but education; nothing but the first step to something better.”
Wendell Phillips
After 3 weeks of triumph with the dreaded scale, I stepped up to weigh in. I was confident of seeing a smaller number then I did last week. That did not happen. In fact, the darned thing didn't budge. I weigh exactly the same this week as last week.
Boy, am I disappointed.
Where did I go wrong?
I stayed on point, I drank enough water to float a freaking battle ship, I weighed and measured my food, and I walked every day. This regimen has been working for me, so I don't understand why the blasted scale didn't show some progress.
In review of my food diary, the only deviation from program I could come up with is maybe I didn't get in my healthy oils every day. At my group meeting our leader talked about getting adequate sleep too, so maybe that could be another problem…and my job has been really stressing me out. Maybe I need to ramp up my walking routine as well.
This is frustrating.
Argg!
The week in review:
What I did right-
a. Ate Breakfast daily.
b. Kept a diary of every bite that crossed my lips.
c. Drank a minimum of 6 glasses of good old H2O daily.
d. Walked for 30 minutes, 5 days of the week.
e. Planned for a weekend food splurge.
f. Figured out a way to have a Cheeseburger, Onion Rings and a Chocolate Shake and stay on point. Yeah!
g. Got a pedicure for a non-food splurge.
What I can do better-
a. Try a couple of new recipes so I don't get bored.
b. Get in some additional kind of exercise by trying a yoga DVD that I checked out from the library.
c. Treat myself to another non-food splurge.
d. Find some ways to unwind and reduce stress.
e. Get at least 6 hours of sleep a night.
f. Get 2 teaspoons of healthy oils daily.
Now, for anyone who is interested, here are the recipes for my Cheeseburger, Onion Rings and a Chocolate shake meal.
Yumm!
“Cheeseburger”
4 oz 97% lean ground beef
1 teaspoon of Worcestershire sauce
salt to taste
1 slice of Kraft Deluxe American Cheese
1 Healthy Life Light Wheat Sandwich Bun
1 teaspoon of Dijonaise
1 teaspoon of Light Mayonnaise
Lettuce leaves, tomato, onion and pickle slices as desired
Season ground beef with Worcestershire sauce and salt. Form into a patty.
Pan fry, Grill or broil to desired doneness. Toast bun if desired. Top hamburger patty with cheese and place on bun; serve with condiments and vegetables. 6 Points.
Enjoy.
“Onion Ring Things”
1 large onion sliced in ¼ inch slices and separated into rings
1 teaspoon of hot sauce
¼ cup of liquid egg substitute
Dash of salt
½ cup of Fiber One Original cereal
Cooking spray
Place the Fiber One cereal in a blender or food processor and pulse until the cereal is breadcrumb consistency, add salt and pulse to mix.
Stir the hot sauce into the egg substitute.
Spray a baking sheet with cooking spray.
Drench onion rings in egg mixture, and then dredge in Fiber One crumbs. Place in a single layer on the baking sheet and spray with cooking spray.
Bake onion rings in 375 degree oven, turning once, for about 15 minutes or until crispy. 2 Points.
“Chocolate Shake”
1 cup chocolate flavor unsweetened Almond Breeze
½ cup of vanilla Greek yogurt
2 teaspoons of Fat Free Coffee Mate French Vanilla flavor
1 tablespoon unsweetened cocoa
2 packets of calorie free sweetener
4-5 ice cubes
Place all ingredients in a blender and pulse until the ice is broken up, and then blend until smooth. Pour into a large glass, this makes a BIG 16 to 20 oz. shake. 3 Points.
Yumm!
As you can see, this meal is pretty guilt free and weighs in at only 11 Weight Watchers Points.
Life is good.
Now, if I can just drop some poundage next Saturday...
“What is Defeat? Nothing but education; nothing but the first step to something better.”
Wendell Phillips
After 3 weeks of triumph with the dreaded scale, I stepped up to weigh in. I was confident of seeing a smaller number then I did last week. That did not happen. In fact, the darned thing didn't budge. I weigh exactly the same this week as last week.
Boy, am I disappointed.
Where did I go wrong?
I stayed on point, I drank enough water to float a freaking battle ship, I weighed and measured my food, and I walked every day. This regimen has been working for me, so I don't understand why the blasted scale didn't show some progress.
In review of my food diary, the only deviation from program I could come up with is maybe I didn't get in my healthy oils every day. At my group meeting our leader talked about getting adequate sleep too, so maybe that could be another problem…and my job has been really stressing me out. Maybe I need to ramp up my walking routine as well.
This is frustrating.
Argg!
The week in review:
What I did right-
a. Ate Breakfast daily.
b. Kept a diary of every bite that crossed my lips.
c. Drank a minimum of 6 glasses of good old H2O daily.
d. Walked for 30 minutes, 5 days of the week.
e. Planned for a weekend food splurge.
f. Figured out a way to have a Cheeseburger, Onion Rings and a Chocolate Shake and stay on point. Yeah!
g. Got a pedicure for a non-food splurge.
What I can do better-
a. Try a couple of new recipes so I don't get bored.
b. Get in some additional kind of exercise by trying a yoga DVD that I checked out from the library.
c. Treat myself to another non-food splurge.
d. Find some ways to unwind and reduce stress.
e. Get at least 6 hours of sleep a night.
f. Get 2 teaspoons of healthy oils daily.
Now, for anyone who is interested, here are the recipes for my Cheeseburger, Onion Rings and a Chocolate shake meal.
Yumm!
“Cheeseburger”
4 oz 97% lean ground beef
1 teaspoon of Worcestershire sauce
salt to taste
1 slice of Kraft Deluxe American Cheese
1 Healthy Life Light Wheat Sandwich Bun
1 teaspoon of Dijonaise
1 teaspoon of Light Mayonnaise
Lettuce leaves, tomato, onion and pickle slices as desired
Season ground beef with Worcestershire sauce and salt. Form into a patty.
Pan fry, Grill or broil to desired doneness. Toast bun if desired. Top hamburger patty with cheese and place on bun; serve with condiments and vegetables. 6 Points.
Enjoy.
“Onion Ring Things”
1 large onion sliced in ¼ inch slices and separated into rings
1 teaspoon of hot sauce
¼ cup of liquid egg substitute
Dash of salt
½ cup of Fiber One Original cereal
Cooking spray
Place the Fiber One cereal in a blender or food processor and pulse until the cereal is breadcrumb consistency, add salt and pulse to mix.
Stir the hot sauce into the egg substitute.
Spray a baking sheet with cooking spray.
Drench onion rings in egg mixture, and then dredge in Fiber One crumbs. Place in a single layer on the baking sheet and spray with cooking spray.
Bake onion rings in 375 degree oven, turning once, for about 15 minutes or until crispy. 2 Points.
“Chocolate Shake”
1 cup chocolate flavor unsweetened Almond Breeze
½ cup of vanilla Greek yogurt
2 teaspoons of Fat Free Coffee Mate French Vanilla flavor
1 tablespoon unsweetened cocoa
2 packets of calorie free sweetener
4-5 ice cubes
Place all ingredients in a blender and pulse until the ice is broken up, and then blend until smooth. Pour into a large glass, this makes a BIG 16 to 20 oz. shake. 3 Points.
Yumm!
As you can see, this meal is pretty guilt free and weighs in at only 11 Weight Watchers Points.
Life is good.
Now, if I can just drop some poundage next Saturday...
Wednesday, April 14, 2010
It’s Tax Day
Thought for the day:
“Unquestionably, there is progress. The average American now pays out twice as much in taxes as he formerly got in wages.”
- H. L. Mencken
The true harbinger of spring: filing Federal and State Taxes.
Argg!
I would much rather switch out my closet. For me, that's usually kind of fun. Pulling out the warm weather wardrobe makes me think of warm weather activities, like gardening, perusing the Farmer's Markets, grilling, picnicking and lounging by a swimming pool.
Now my wardrobe contains no skinny clothes just three sizes: big, bigger, and OMG how did I get this fat?!?!? So, as I was getting those summer clothes out, I also had to think about what will fit now and what needs to stay packed away until I can reduce myself enough to be able to wear it. Unfortunately, that is easily over half of my clothes.
Last year I didn't even bother and just left the things that were a size or two too small packed up, but this is a “New Spring”. So I put those items together in a box that is easy to access with the next size down placed at the top. Then I took a couple of favorite outfits out so that I could hang them where I can see them every day. I think that it will give me something to look forward to and act as an incentive to stick with the program. I really hope to be wearing all of my "OMG" summer clothes this year for the LAST TIME!
Happy Springtime!
“Unquestionably, there is progress. The average American now pays out twice as much in taxes as he formerly got in wages.”
- H. L. Mencken
The true harbinger of spring: filing Federal and State Taxes.
Argg!
I would much rather switch out my closet. For me, that's usually kind of fun. Pulling out the warm weather wardrobe makes me think of warm weather activities, like gardening, perusing the Farmer's Markets, grilling, picnicking and lounging by a swimming pool.
Now my wardrobe contains no skinny clothes just three sizes: big, bigger, and OMG how did I get this fat?!?!? So, as I was getting those summer clothes out, I also had to think about what will fit now and what needs to stay packed away until I can reduce myself enough to be able to wear it. Unfortunately, that is easily over half of my clothes.
Last year I didn't even bother and just left the things that were a size or two too small packed up, but this is a “New Spring”. So I put those items together in a box that is easy to access with the next size down placed at the top. Then I took a couple of favorite outfits out so that I could hang them where I can see them every day. I think that it will give me something to look forward to and act as an incentive to stick with the program. I really hope to be wearing all of my "OMG" summer clothes this year for the LAST TIME!
Happy Springtime!
Monday, April 12, 2010
Another Day Down!
Thought for the day:
“Do something. If it doesn't work, do something else. No idea is too crazy.”
Jim Hightower
Wow what a weekend!
Yesterday was weigh in day and my group meeting. Surprisingly, the scale was my friend again this week and I lost 2.8 pounds for a total of 10 pounds lost since the challenge began! Whoo! Hoo! I only have 90 pounds more to reach that 100 pound goal.
My personal challenge this weekend was to get the lawn mowed and, just my luck, my lawn mower would not start. Determined, I tried borrowing a mower from my daughter, it wouldn't start either. OK, so the fates just aren't with me and the grass just keeps getting taller. I was feeling pretty defeated and a Snicker bar was sounding pretty good. Thank God there weren't any in the house.
My next comfort option was a cocktail, but I had to stay within points. I had 15 flex points, so I knew one or maybe even two cocktails would be alright if I could manage to keep the points down. I wanted a Pina Colada, so it was not going to be easy. They have about a gazillion calories and fat grams through the roof. Now I've had some pretty good tasting Pina Colada flavored yogurt and, while I didn't have any on hand, I do keep vanilla flavored Greek yogurt as a staple. So, instead of cream of coconut, I could use the yogurt and add coconut flavoring. I also had Malibu Rum, frozen pineapple chunks, and Almond Breeze. Now I have a recipe for a Pina colada that makes me feel the sand between my toes! And for only 6 Weight Watchers points! About 330 calories and only 2.5 grams of fat! YIPEE!
Skinny Pina Colada
½ cup of Vanilla flavored Greek yogurt
1 cup of vanilla flavored unsweetened Almond Breeze
½ Tsp of coconut extract
1 ½ oz. of Malibu Rum (coconut flavor)
1 cup of frozen pineapple chunks
3-4 ice cubes
Place all ingredients in a blender and pulse till the ice is broken up or use the smoothie setting until blended smooth. Enjoy!
OK, back to the lawn problem...
I needed a new lawn mower and I’ve needed another way to work activity in my schedule. My Lawn is not very big. So using even a gasoline powered push lawn mower for 20-30 minutes will only amount to 1 activity point. However, an Old School, reel type lawn mower would take more effort on my part and probably extend the time spent mowing as well.
Off to Lowe's I went! I came home with a Reel type lawn mower and an electric Weed Whacker too!
Now I'm burning some FAT! It took an hour to do the front and back lawns, increased the level of activity to high (because I was sweating in just a couple of minutes), and earned me a whopping 10 activity points! WHOOPEE!!!
Mission Accomplished!
I'm tired, I need a drink, and I definitely need to soak my tired ass in the tub!
“Give me two Pina Coladas, one for each hand…”
“Do something. If it doesn't work, do something else. No idea is too crazy.”
Jim Hightower
Wow what a weekend!
Yesterday was weigh in day and my group meeting. Surprisingly, the scale was my friend again this week and I lost 2.8 pounds for a total of 10 pounds lost since the challenge began! Whoo! Hoo! I only have 90 pounds more to reach that 100 pound goal.
My personal challenge this weekend was to get the lawn mowed and, just my luck, my lawn mower would not start. Determined, I tried borrowing a mower from my daughter, it wouldn't start either. OK, so the fates just aren't with me and the grass just keeps getting taller. I was feeling pretty defeated and a Snicker bar was sounding pretty good. Thank God there weren't any in the house.
My next comfort option was a cocktail, but I had to stay within points. I had 15 flex points, so I knew one or maybe even two cocktails would be alright if I could manage to keep the points down. I wanted a Pina Colada, so it was not going to be easy. They have about a gazillion calories and fat grams through the roof. Now I've had some pretty good tasting Pina Colada flavored yogurt and, while I didn't have any on hand, I do keep vanilla flavored Greek yogurt as a staple. So, instead of cream of coconut, I could use the yogurt and add coconut flavoring. I also had Malibu Rum, frozen pineapple chunks, and Almond Breeze. Now I have a recipe for a Pina colada that makes me feel the sand between my toes! And for only 6 Weight Watchers points! About 330 calories and only 2.5 grams of fat! YIPEE!
Skinny Pina Colada
½ cup of Vanilla flavored Greek yogurt
1 cup of vanilla flavored unsweetened Almond Breeze
½ Tsp of coconut extract
1 ½ oz. of Malibu Rum (coconut flavor)
1 cup of frozen pineapple chunks
3-4 ice cubes
Place all ingredients in a blender and pulse till the ice is broken up or use the smoothie setting until blended smooth. Enjoy!
OK, back to the lawn problem...
I needed a new lawn mower and I’ve needed another way to work activity in my schedule. My Lawn is not very big. So using even a gasoline powered push lawn mower for 20-30 minutes will only amount to 1 activity point. However, an Old School, reel type lawn mower would take more effort on my part and probably extend the time spent mowing as well.
Off to Lowe's I went! I came home with a Reel type lawn mower and an electric Weed Whacker too!
Now I'm burning some FAT! It took an hour to do the front and back lawns, increased the level of activity to high (because I was sweating in just a couple of minutes), and earned me a whopping 10 activity points! WHOOPEE!!!
Mission Accomplished!
I'm tired, I need a drink, and I definitely need to soak my tired ass in the tub!
“Give me two Pina Coladas, one for each hand…”
Friday, April 9, 2010
An Obstacle
Thought for the day:
“If you can find a path with no obstacles, it probably doesn't lead anywhere.”
Frank A. Clark
What I thought was just allergies a couple of days ago has turned out to be a full blown cold. I've been inside and on the couch all of yesterday and most of today. This afternoon, I finally started to feel human again, and hungry. Having spent the previous 36 hours really not interested in anything that wasn't warm, clear, and liquid, my stomach was doing some major protesting.
Boiled eggs and toast with fruit spread took the edge off my hunger (Thank you Easter Bunny), and gave me a chance to think about putting together a healthy evening meal that would include lean protein and veggies; something simple, that had lots of flavor and could be made from things on hand.
I had a taste for something spicy and I love Indian food, so I substituted fat free Greek yogurt, added hot sauce and omitted the oil in a recipe I liked for Tandoori Chicken. I liked the results.
Tandoori Chicken
½ cup of fat free plain Greek Yogurt
¼ cup of finely chopped red onion
1 tablespoon of finely chopped crystallized ginger
1 tablespoon of rice vinegar
2 teaspoons of Dijon mustard
1 teaspoon of minced garlic
2 teaspoons of paprika
½ teaspoon of ground cumin
½ teaspoon of ground coriander
½ teaspoon of cinnamon
¼ teaspoon of salt
2 teaspoons of hot sauce
1 pound of chicken tenders
Combine all ingredients except the chicken in a ZIP-Lock bag. Add the chicken and squeeze out as much air as possible, seal the bag and turn to get the chicken coated. Refrigerate, turning the bag occasionally for two to three hours.
Preheat the broiler to 500 degrees and spray the broiler pan with non-stick spray.
Remove the chicken from the yogurt mixture and arrange on the broiler pan, broil five inches from the heat for about four minutes, turn and broil for another four minutes or until cooked through.
Serves 4, about 3 oz each…and only 3 Weight Watchers points!
I also altered a nother recipe for a side.
Curried Cauliflower and Carrots with Raisins and Almonds
1 head of cauliflower (About 1 ½ pounds)
½ Pound of carrots, peeled and cut in 1 inch pieces
2 tablespoons of slivered blanched almonds
4 teaspoons of olive oil
2 teaspoons of minced garlic
1/3 cup of golden raisins
¼ cup of chopped dried apricots
¼ teaspoon of salt
½ teaspoon of curry powder
1/8 teaspoon of freshly ground pepper
2 tablespoons of chopped parsley
Bring a large pan of water to a boil, add the vegetables and cook until tender, about 7-10 minutes, drain and keep warm.
Spread the almonds in a heavy non-stick skillet over medium heat, toast shaking the pan occasionally, until golden, Transfer to a small bowl and set aside.
Heat the oil in the same skillet over medium heat. Add the garlic and cook stirring constantly for about 1-2 minutes. Add the vegetables, raisins, salt, curry powder and pepper. Cook stirring until heated through, top with the parsley and serve.
Serves 4 about 1 ½ cups and only 4 Weight Watchers points!
I substituted cauliflower for potatoes in this recipe. I think butternut squash, peeled and cubed, would also work well.
I served both dishes with brown rice.
Yummm!
OK! The appetite is back.
Now I have to get moving again, I don't want to gain back those losses...
Arggg!
“If you can find a path with no obstacles, it probably doesn't lead anywhere.”
Frank A. Clark
What I thought was just allergies a couple of days ago has turned out to be a full blown cold. I've been inside and on the couch all of yesterday and most of today. This afternoon, I finally started to feel human again, and hungry. Having spent the previous 36 hours really not interested in anything that wasn't warm, clear, and liquid, my stomach was doing some major protesting.
Boiled eggs and toast with fruit spread took the edge off my hunger (Thank you Easter Bunny), and gave me a chance to think about putting together a healthy evening meal that would include lean protein and veggies; something simple, that had lots of flavor and could be made from things on hand.
I had a taste for something spicy and I love Indian food, so I substituted fat free Greek yogurt, added hot sauce and omitted the oil in a recipe I liked for Tandoori Chicken. I liked the results.
Tandoori Chicken
½ cup of fat free plain Greek Yogurt
¼ cup of finely chopped red onion
1 tablespoon of finely chopped crystallized ginger
1 tablespoon of rice vinegar
2 teaspoons of Dijon mustard
1 teaspoon of minced garlic
2 teaspoons of paprika
½ teaspoon of ground cumin
½ teaspoon of ground coriander
½ teaspoon of cinnamon
¼ teaspoon of salt
2 teaspoons of hot sauce
1 pound of chicken tenders
Combine all ingredients except the chicken in a ZIP-Lock bag. Add the chicken and squeeze out as much air as possible, seal the bag and turn to get the chicken coated. Refrigerate, turning the bag occasionally for two to three hours.
Preheat the broiler to 500 degrees and spray the broiler pan with non-stick spray.
Remove the chicken from the yogurt mixture and arrange on the broiler pan, broil five inches from the heat for about four minutes, turn and broil for another four minutes or until cooked through.
Serves 4, about 3 oz each…and only 3 Weight Watchers points!
I also altered a nother recipe for a side.
Curried Cauliflower and Carrots with Raisins and Almonds
1 head of cauliflower (About 1 ½ pounds)
½ Pound of carrots, peeled and cut in 1 inch pieces
2 tablespoons of slivered blanched almonds
4 teaspoons of olive oil
2 teaspoons of minced garlic
1/3 cup of golden raisins
¼ cup of chopped dried apricots
¼ teaspoon of salt
½ teaspoon of curry powder
1/8 teaspoon of freshly ground pepper
2 tablespoons of chopped parsley
Bring a large pan of water to a boil, add the vegetables and cook until tender, about 7-10 minutes, drain and keep warm.
Spread the almonds in a heavy non-stick skillet over medium heat, toast shaking the pan occasionally, until golden, Transfer to a small bowl and set aside.
Heat the oil in the same skillet over medium heat. Add the garlic and cook stirring constantly for about 1-2 minutes. Add the vegetables, raisins, salt, curry powder and pepper. Cook stirring until heated through, top with the parsley and serve.
Serves 4 about 1 ½ cups and only 4 Weight Watchers points!
I substituted cauliflower for potatoes in this recipe. I think butternut squash, peeled and cubed, would also work well.
I served both dishes with brown rice.
Yummm!
OK! The appetite is back.
Now I have to get moving again, I don't want to gain back those losses...
Arggg!
Tuesday, April 6, 2010
Self Communication
Thought for the day:
“Our bodies communicate to us clearly and specifically, if we are willing to listen to them.”
Shakti Gawain
All of this beautiful spring weather has been good for building up my level of activity, which is great. I’ve been getting outside every day, working in the back yard, breathing fresh air and all that good stuff. The trees are in full bloom, bulb flowers are popping up out of the ground and it seems there is something new every day.
So why did I have to talk myself into going for a walk today?
I came up with several excuses to stay in. I'm sore from my shoulders to my toes from yard work. I'm tired. I feel like being lazy. I have too much work to take a full lunch break. My head is all stuffy from the pollen. I've been pretty active and skipping just one day is not going to make much difference, will it?
Every publication I have ever read in regard to weight control states that exercise is essential for weight management. I guess I can't argue with that. I took a Claritin, donned my sneakers, grabbed my pedometer and hit the pavement. The walk helped me wake up, worked some of the stiffness out of my legs and, before I knew it, I had made 2 laps around my now expanded route around the parking lot of the building I work in and the one for the building behind it, 0.4 miles.
As much as I hate to admit it, I think my body is communicating that it wants more activity.
I still HATE exercise!
ARGGG!!
“Our bodies communicate to us clearly and specifically, if we are willing to listen to them.”
Shakti Gawain
All of this beautiful spring weather has been good for building up my level of activity, which is great. I’ve been getting outside every day, working in the back yard, breathing fresh air and all that good stuff. The trees are in full bloom, bulb flowers are popping up out of the ground and it seems there is something new every day.
So why did I have to talk myself into going for a walk today?
I came up with several excuses to stay in. I'm sore from my shoulders to my toes from yard work. I'm tired. I feel like being lazy. I have too much work to take a full lunch break. My head is all stuffy from the pollen. I've been pretty active and skipping just one day is not going to make much difference, will it?
Every publication I have ever read in regard to weight control states that exercise is essential for weight management. I guess I can't argue with that. I took a Claritin, donned my sneakers, grabbed my pedometer and hit the pavement. The walk helped me wake up, worked some of the stiffness out of my legs and, before I knew it, I had made 2 laps around my now expanded route around the parking lot of the building I work in and the one for the building behind it, 0.4 miles.
As much as I hate to admit it, I think my body is communicating that it wants more activity.
I still HATE exercise!
ARGGG!!
Sunday, April 4, 2010
Another Loss
Thought for the day:
“I generally avoid temptation unless I can't resist it.”
Mae West
Yesterday was weigh in day, and although facing the scale always makes me feel a little apprehensive, I did manage to stay on-point the better part of the week. I caved while filling plastic Easter eggs and ate 4 chocolate eggs and a handful of jellybeans, but the weather was cooperative and enabled me to walk 30 minutes daily on my lunch break, so I was pretty sure I had lost at least a pound or two despite the week’s challenges. So, when I stepped up on that scale, I found out that it really was my friend. I lost 2.6 pounds!
That brings my grand total to 5.8 ugly pounds GONE! Wow! That is very near 2 full cans of Crisco if you think about it, because a can of shortening weighs 3 pounds. OMG! That means I still have about 33 and 1/3 cans of that greasy stuff enveloping my body and keeping me from being a Fit Momma.
THIS IS WAR!
OK, so here's the week in review:
1. What I did right-
a. Ate Breakfast daily.
b. Kept a diary of every bite that crossed my lips.
c. Drank a minimum of 6 glasses of good old H2O daily.
d. Walked for 30 minutes, 5 days of the week.
e. Tried a recipe for "Boneless Buffalo Chicken Wings" (Yummy! And my daughter even thought so!).
f. Planned for a weekend splurge.
2. What I can do better-
a. Try a couple of new recipes so I don't get bored.
b. Get in some additional kind of exercise at least one more day a week.
c. Treat myself to a non-food splurge.
“I generally avoid temptation unless I can't resist it.”
Mae West
Yesterday was weigh in day, and although facing the scale always makes me feel a little apprehensive, I did manage to stay on-point the better part of the week. I caved while filling plastic Easter eggs and ate 4 chocolate eggs and a handful of jellybeans, but the weather was cooperative and enabled me to walk 30 minutes daily on my lunch break, so I was pretty sure I had lost at least a pound or two despite the week’s challenges. So, when I stepped up on that scale, I found out that it really was my friend. I lost 2.6 pounds!
That brings my grand total to 5.8 ugly pounds GONE! Wow! That is very near 2 full cans of Crisco if you think about it, because a can of shortening weighs 3 pounds. OMG! That means I still have about 33 and 1/3 cans of that greasy stuff enveloping my body and keeping me from being a Fit Momma.
THIS IS WAR!
OK, so here's the week in review:
1. What I did right-
a. Ate Breakfast daily.
b. Kept a diary of every bite that crossed my lips.
c. Drank a minimum of 6 glasses of good old H2O daily.
d. Walked for 30 minutes, 5 days of the week.
e. Tried a recipe for "Boneless Buffalo Chicken Wings" (Yummy! And my daughter even thought so!).
f. Planned for a weekend splurge.
2. What I can do better-
a. Try a couple of new recipes so I don't get bored.
b. Get in some additional kind of exercise at least one more day a week.
c. Treat myself to a non-food splurge.
Thursday, April 1, 2010
Stress and Temptation
Thought for the day:
“Good Habits result from resisting temptation.”Ancient Proverb
The last few days at work have been particularly stressful. It's also Employee Appreciation time and management wants to pass out cookies and doughnuts, so it has been really difficult staying on program. I'm seriously about to climb the walls of my cube. Thank God that it has been nice enough to walk every day. I hate to exercise; however, getting outside for half an hour at lunch has kept me out of the vending machine and it’s also kept me from ripping someone’s head off, at least for now.
When I'm stressed, I want to eat. I want to eat all the sweet, fatty, salty things I can get my hands on. The more stressed out I feel, the less I'm satisfied with veggies and yogurt dip, and the more I want Nachos dripping with queso, a Margarita, and a Death by Chocolate Chaser.
Easter is this weekend, and I'm praying I can keep my focus on the sacrifice Christ made and my hands off the chocolate bunnies, jelly beans, and other goodies.
ARRGGG!!!
THIS IS NOT HELPING!
“Good Habits result from resisting temptation.”Ancient Proverb
The last few days at work have been particularly stressful. It's also Employee Appreciation time and management wants to pass out cookies and doughnuts, so it has been really difficult staying on program. I'm seriously about to climb the walls of my cube. Thank God that it has been nice enough to walk every day. I hate to exercise; however, getting outside for half an hour at lunch has kept me out of the vending machine and it’s also kept me from ripping someone’s head off, at least for now.
When I'm stressed, I want to eat. I want to eat all the sweet, fatty, salty things I can get my hands on. The more stressed out I feel, the less I'm satisfied with veggies and yogurt dip, and the more I want Nachos dripping with queso, a Margarita, and a Death by Chocolate Chaser.
Easter is this weekend, and I'm praying I can keep my focus on the sacrifice Christ made and my hands off the chocolate bunnies, jelly beans, and other goodies.
ARRGGG!!!
THIS IS NOT HELPING!
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