It's time to get back to this. You can expect a REAL blog from me the end of next week, so stay tuned.
Until then, have an amazing holiday!
Monday, December 22, 2014
Tuesday, August 21, 2012
Recipes!
As promised, for weeks now (sorry!!!) here are two recipes that I have made over the last few weeks. They are both super duper tasty! I made a few changes of my own to them and I noted that for you.
First recipe is the Crock pot Chicken and Dumplings (courtesy of Weight Watchers)
Here's another recipe! This one was super duper yummy and was gone within 2 days of making.
Enjoy these recipes! If you make them, let me know what you think!!!
First recipe is the Crock pot Chicken and Dumplings (courtesy of Weight Watchers)
Ingredients:
6 skinless, boneless chicken breast halves
(about 1 1/2 lbs), cut into 1-inch pieces
2 medium Yukon gold potatoes, cut into 1-inch pieces (I did 3 medium)
2 cups baby cut carrots
2 celery ribs, sliced (I did 3 ribs)
2 (10 3/4 oz) cans condensed 98% Fat Free cream of chicken soup (I did the low sodium)
1 cup water
1 tsp dried thyme leaves, crushed (if you are not a fan of thyme you can eliminate completely, it is a very strong herb)
1/4 tsp ground black pepper
2 cups all-purpose baking mix
2/3 cup milk
6 skinless, boneless chicken breast halves
(about 1 1/2 lbs), cut into 1-inch pieces
2 medium Yukon gold potatoes, cut into 1-inch pieces (I did 3 medium)
2 cups baby cut carrots
2 celery ribs, sliced (I did 3 ribs)
2 (10 3/4 oz) cans condensed 98% Fat Free cream of chicken soup (I did the low sodium)
1 cup water
1 tsp dried thyme leaves, crushed (if you are not a fan of thyme you can eliminate completely, it is a very strong herb)
1/4 tsp ground black pepper
2 cups all-purpose baking mix
2/3 cup milk
Directions:
1. Stir the chicken, potatoes, carrots and celery into a 6 quart slow cooker. (You need at least a 6 quart, if you have bigger, it's better)
2. Stir the soup, water, thyme and black pepper in a medium bowl and pour the mixture over chicken and vegetables in the slow cooker.
3. Cover and cook on LOW 7 to 8 hours or until chicken is cooked through.
4. Stir the baking mix and milk in a medium bowl. Drop the batter by spoonfuls onto the chicken mixture. Increase the heat to HIGH. Tilt the lid to vent and cook for 30 minutes or until the dumplings are cooked in the center.
Yield: 8 Servings
Serving Size: About 1 1/4 cups per serving
WW Plus+ = 8 per serving.
Nutrition Information:
Calories 312, Carbs 33 g, Fat 8 g, Fiber 3 g, Protein 25 g
1. Stir the chicken, potatoes, carrots and celery into a 6 quart slow cooker. (You need at least a 6 quart, if you have bigger, it's better)
2. Stir the soup, water, thyme and black pepper in a medium bowl and pour the mixture over chicken and vegetables in the slow cooker.
3. Cover and cook on LOW 7 to 8 hours or until chicken is cooked through.
4. Stir the baking mix and milk in a medium bowl. Drop the batter by spoonfuls onto the chicken mixture. Increase the heat to HIGH. Tilt the lid to vent and cook for 30 minutes or until the dumplings are cooked in the center.
Yield: 8 Servings
Serving Size: About 1 1/4 cups per serving
WW Plus+ = 8 per serving.
Nutrition Information:
Calories 312, Carbs 33 g, Fat 8 g, Fiber 3 g, Protein 25 g
Here's another recipe! This one was super duper yummy and was gone within 2 days of making.
Lemon Blueberry Bread Recipe
Ingredients
- 1/3 cup melted butter
- 1 cup white sugar (I substituted for Splenda and did 40 of the individual packets)
- 3 tablespoons lemon juice (I did 4, because I LOVE lemon flavor)
- 2 eggs
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup milk
- 2 tablespoons grated lemon zest (Again, because I love lemon, I did 3)
- 1 cup fresh or frozen blueberries
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
- 1/4 cup powdered sugar
Directions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Lightly grease an 8x4 inch loaf pan.
- In a mixing bowl, beat together butter, 1 cup sugar, juice and eggs. Combine flour, baking powder and salt; stir into egg mixture alternately with milk. Fold in lemon zest, nuts, and blueberries. Pour batter into prepared pan.
- Bake in preheated oven for 60 to 70 minutes, until a toothpick inserted into center of the loaf comes out clean. Cool bread in pan for 10 minutes. Meanwhile, combine lemon juice and 1/4 cup powdered sugar in a small bowl. Remove bread from pan and drizzle with glaze. Cool on a wire rack. (I actually used a cutting board, that way the drizzle was able to go all over and it wasn't a mess)
Enjoy these recipes! If you make them, let me know what you think!!!
Saturday, July 7, 2012
I'm baaaack!!!
Holy moley! I haven't blogged in FOREVER!!! YIKERS!!
But I'm back, and ready to kick this blog up a notch. I've been racking my brain what to blog about, and I finally figured it out! I'm going to do tips, and recipes, and a Q&A.
For those that don't follow me on Facebook, and only read my blog, I'll first update you all on my weight loss journey. I have lost 42.2 pounds total. I had my first gain this past week; it was an unbelievably stressful, emotional week. My husband's car 100% died, so that was a nightmare in it's own. Then we unexpectedly had to put our dog down. It was a horribly sad day, as I've never had to put an animal down. I wasn't eating enough and I was so stressed and emotional. So in turn, I had a gain. It was a small gain, and I expected it. I'm still working out like a mad woman. I love it. It's "me time", and I feel so much better afterwards. So there you have it.
Today I'm going to talk about something that will help you burn more fat and help with your workouts. I've had people time and time again ask what helps me, and honestly it was my heart rate monitor. Right now, I don't have one because mine broke, and I can't afford the one I want right now. This is the one I want. http://www.amazon.com/Polar-Womens-Heart-Monitor-Watch/dp/B001F0PVN0/ref=sr_1_8?s=sporting-goods&ie=UTF8&qid=1341687209&sr=1-8&keywords=polar+heart+rate+monitor+with+calorie+counter
Anywho, the HRM is amazaballs. The heart rate monitor tracks exercise intensity and can motivate you to work harder. You can calculate your maximum heart rate (MHR) by subtracting your age from 220. You want to vary your intensity throughout the week. Most days should be fairly easy (endurance) days where you hit 50 to 60 percent (zones) of your MHR. But, make sure you add in a few hard days where you bring your heart rate up to 75 to 80 percent of your MHR.
This is a very general way to figure it out. The best way to get the zones you should be working out in, is to have a Metabolic Assessment. Again, I need to have this done, because my zones have changed. As you become more fit, they change. My gym, Lifetime Fitness, offers this test, and it really does make a difference in how you workout. Most people don't work out as hard as they think they do. Or they are working out too hard. And yes, that can happen. You can be working out too hard, and not seeing a difference. Seems crazy! I know!
So there you have it. That's my tip for today. Hope it helps!
"Determine your priorities and focus on them." E. McDargh
But I'm back, and ready to kick this blog up a notch. I've been racking my brain what to blog about, and I finally figured it out! I'm going to do tips, and recipes, and a Q&A.
For those that don't follow me on Facebook, and only read my blog, I'll first update you all on my weight loss journey. I have lost 42.2 pounds total. I had my first gain this past week; it was an unbelievably stressful, emotional week. My husband's car 100% died, so that was a nightmare in it's own. Then we unexpectedly had to put our dog down. It was a horribly sad day, as I've never had to put an animal down. I wasn't eating enough and I was so stressed and emotional. So in turn, I had a gain. It was a small gain, and I expected it. I'm still working out like a mad woman. I love it. It's "me time", and I feel so much better afterwards. So there you have it.
Today I'm going to talk about something that will help you burn more fat and help with your workouts. I've had people time and time again ask what helps me, and honestly it was my heart rate monitor. Right now, I don't have one because mine broke, and I can't afford the one I want right now. This is the one I want. http://www.amazon.com/Polar-Womens-Heart-Monitor-Watch/dp/B001F0PVN0/ref=sr_1_8?s=sporting-goods&ie=UTF8&qid=1341687209&sr=1-8&keywords=polar+heart+rate+monitor+with+calorie+counter
Anywho, the HRM is amazaballs. The heart rate monitor tracks exercise intensity and can motivate you to work harder. You can calculate your maximum heart rate (MHR) by subtracting your age from 220. You want to vary your intensity throughout the week. Most days should be fairly easy (endurance) days where you hit 50 to 60 percent (zones) of your MHR. But, make sure you add in a few hard days where you bring your heart rate up to 75 to 80 percent of your MHR.
This is a very general way to figure it out. The best way to get the zones you should be working out in, is to have a Metabolic Assessment. Again, I need to have this done, because my zones have changed. As you become more fit, they change. My gym, Lifetime Fitness, offers this test, and it really does make a difference in how you workout. Most people don't work out as hard as they think they do. Or they are working out too hard. And yes, that can happen. You can be working out too hard, and not seeing a difference. Seems crazy! I know!
So there you have it. That's my tip for today. Hope it helps!
"Determine your priorities and focus on them." E. McDargh
Monday, April 23, 2012
Slacking
It's amazing how easy it is to fall off track. That one single day not on your normal routine can completely throw you off course. While I haven't completely fallen off track, I haven't exactly been 100%. But today, I'm not only 100% back, I'm 200% back!
A trip to New York, 2 days out with a migraine, and a 5K run later I am back at it!
I am getting closer and closer every week to my goal, and I have to stick to it.
So here's to being back at it! Got to keep my eye on the prize, and stay motivated!!
"Motivation is what gets you started. Habit is what keeps you going." ~Unknown
A trip to New York, 2 days out with a migraine, and a 5K run later I am back at it!
I am getting closer and closer every week to my goal, and I have to stick to it.
So here's to being back at it! Got to keep my eye on the prize, and stay motivated!!
"Motivation is what gets you started. Habit is what keeps you going." ~Unknown
Thursday, March 29, 2012
Excuses
"An excuse is worse and more terrible than a lie; for an excuse is a lie guarded." ~Alexander Pope
I am starting with a quote with today's blog, because it's exactly how I feel about excuses. I truly believe that there really is no such thing as an excuse. The Biggest Loser this season is good, because it's all about excuses. And each day, I hear people with excuses. Whether I hear it at the gym, or at one of my classes, or at one of my weight watchers meetings. I just don't buy it. There are so many people who complain about working out or eating healthy, yet they see results. Why make excuses? If your hungry, you aren't eating right. You don't have time to workout, find the time! If your bored with your workout, find something you enjoy doing. There are so many ways to exercise! There has to be something out there that you like. I LOVE my classes. That's why I do them. I love everything about them. I even enjoy my Team Weight Loss class. My trainer even knows I like it. I'm the one that always wants to do something different, or try something different. I don't deprive myself eating either. If I did, I would definitely fail.
I'm done with excuses in my life! I have no more excuses. I'm a mother now, and I want to be around for her for as long as I possibly can, and getting healthy so that I can show her how life can be enjoyable, and be healthy!
So stop with the excuses and get out there! I'm done with them, and you should be too! Get moving!
"Excuses are the nails used to build a house of failure." ~Don Wilder
On a side note: I want to blog more, but I have a hard time finding things to blog about, so if you have questions for me, or something you want me to talk about, I will, and can. I can even do a Q&A blog. My trainer is loaded with information, and he's always willing to answer questions, so I can always ask him something I'm not sure about. So ask away! Or give me ideas. I'm up for it!
I am starting with a quote with today's blog, because it's exactly how I feel about excuses. I truly believe that there really is no such thing as an excuse. The Biggest Loser this season is good, because it's all about excuses. And each day, I hear people with excuses. Whether I hear it at the gym, or at one of my classes, or at one of my weight watchers meetings. I just don't buy it. There are so many people who complain about working out or eating healthy, yet they see results. Why make excuses? If your hungry, you aren't eating right. You don't have time to workout, find the time! If your bored with your workout, find something you enjoy doing. There are so many ways to exercise! There has to be something out there that you like. I LOVE my classes. That's why I do them. I love everything about them. I even enjoy my Team Weight Loss class. My trainer even knows I like it. I'm the one that always wants to do something different, or try something different. I don't deprive myself eating either. If I did, I would definitely fail.
I'm done with excuses in my life! I have no more excuses. I'm a mother now, and I want to be around for her for as long as I possibly can, and getting healthy so that I can show her how life can be enjoyable, and be healthy!
So stop with the excuses and get out there! I'm done with them, and you should be too! Get moving!
"Excuses are the nails used to build a house of failure." ~Don Wilder
On a side note: I want to blog more, but I have a hard time finding things to blog about, so if you have questions for me, or something you want me to talk about, I will, and can. I can even do a Q&A blog. My trainer is loaded with information, and he's always willing to answer questions, so I can always ask him something I'm not sure about. So ask away! Or give me ideas. I'm up for it!
Sunday, March 18, 2012
Feels good!
I haven't felt this good in years! I have energy, and spunk and actually want to do things. I don't feel bloated and yuck. It's feels great!
I took a before pic back in November 2011. I wasn't even 100% committed then to losing this weight. I just took the picture knowing that one day I was going to have an after picture to take. I still have a long way to go, but I am happy with the way I feel already. I can only imagine what I will feel like when I hit my goal.
We have a busy year planned. Weddings, babies, graduations, communion. Lots going on! It'll be good to be healthy and happy and have the energy to do it all.
Feeling this way makes doing everything in my life that much easier!
I'm looking forward to having a healthy, long life!
“Take care of your body. It’s the only place you have to live.” ~Jim Rohn
I took a before pic back in November 2011. I wasn't even 100% committed then to losing this weight. I just took the picture knowing that one day I was going to have an after picture to take. I still have a long way to go, but I am happy with the way I feel already. I can only imagine what I will feel like when I hit my goal.
We have a busy year planned. Weddings, babies, graduations, communion. Lots going on! It'll be good to be healthy and happy and have the energy to do it all.
Feeling this way makes doing everything in my life that much easier!
I'm looking forward to having a healthy, long life!
“Take care of your body. It’s the only place you have to live.” ~Jim Rohn
Sunday, March 11, 2012
I'm still here!!
I've been so bad! I haven't blogged in over a week! Sorry all that follow. I've been a busy gal.
I am still 100% focused and haven't lost my mojo at all. I did have a little bit of an "injury", on my right knee. I use that term lightly, because I don't know what I did to it, and it's already better. Thankfully I have the BEST trainer ever, and he was able to get me through it, and get me to stay on target.
I go to New York in 4 weeks, and I can't wait! Going with one of my favorite people ever, and I get to see some fun people! I know it sounds crazy, but I am going to pack my workout clothes, and still workout while I'm there. I'll be eating good, yummy food, and drinking some calorie filled drinks. I don't want to fall off track, so I have to make sure my hotel has a workout facility and if they do, I will be packing my workout clothes. I know, I'm crazy! But I'm doing too good to get out of control for 3 days. And it's that easy to lose control. It only takes 1 day to slip down that slippery slope! I have some big goals for the year (not talking about them just yet) and I have to stay on track to meet them.
I promise I will be blogging more. It keeps me on target, and keeps me accountable!
I'm going to leave you with my own quote this time. =)
"It takes an average of 16 weeks to learn a new habit! Make it a good one!"
I am still 100% focused and haven't lost my mojo at all. I did have a little bit of an "injury", on my right knee. I use that term lightly, because I don't know what I did to it, and it's already better. Thankfully I have the BEST trainer ever, and he was able to get me through it, and get me to stay on target.
I go to New York in 4 weeks, and I can't wait! Going with one of my favorite people ever, and I get to see some fun people! I know it sounds crazy, but I am going to pack my workout clothes, and still workout while I'm there. I'll be eating good, yummy food, and drinking some calorie filled drinks. I don't want to fall off track, so I have to make sure my hotel has a workout facility and if they do, I will be packing my workout clothes. I know, I'm crazy! But I'm doing too good to get out of control for 3 days. And it's that easy to lose control. It only takes 1 day to slip down that slippery slope! I have some big goals for the year (not talking about them just yet) and I have to stay on track to meet them.
I promise I will be blogging more. It keeps me on target, and keeps me accountable!
I'm going to leave you with my own quote this time. =)
"It takes an average of 16 weeks to learn a new habit! Make it a good one!"
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