Weight Loss Inspiration

Well, weight loss is still going well. I'm still loving the site I told you about last time www.myfitnesspal.com. The more I look into and move around in it the more I like it. There is a whole "community" on there if you have questions or need inspiration. Also, I've found they track more than just calories, fat, protein, & carbs. You just have to go to the section that lets you pick what you see. I now can track my fiber-which is something that's important to me. Yay! 


I'm now looking for more healthy recipes to try. Pinterest of course is where I'm storing them, and trying to find more. It's hard sometimes to find recipes that are tasty and good for you. My wonderful family has been amazing as I'm trying some new recipes and we're eating a lot more salad than we used to. My daughter has asked when I will be done "dieting" because she wants "good" food again. I kind of chuckled and said what do you mean? Tell me what we've had that you haven't liked. She just stood there and stared at me. She could only name one thing-and that was fish. (the fish was amazing, recipe will be posted in the future I'm sure) She's not a huge fish fan so that was to be expected. So in one month I've only made one dish that she didn't like while on my "diet". I explained to her, this is not a diet-it's a way of life. We're not going back to having cheese on almost every single thing we eat, and we won't be having as many dishes with gravy, and we're not going to go out to eat as much as we used to. I still give them the cheese on their burgers, and on their salads and tacos. I just pass or don't use as much. We still go out to eat, I just watch what I pick instead of picking the most amazing looking thing on the menu. I still love what I eat, so it doesn't kill me. What might get the best of me, is my husband who ends up picking something I may have loved and then offers me bites the whole time he's eating it. lol I know he means well, but seriously you're killing me. Sometimes I know if I try it, I'll want the whole darn thing!


So far, since I am seeing results I've really enjoyed "dieting". I'm exercising, and I didn't do much of that before either. I Zumba at home a couple times a week. It's great when I have people join me. It makes me do it! Sometimes I do it alone, but that's ok, I am enjoying it now. I also joined the Health and Wellness Center. I go there 2 days a week right after work. I'll tell you, I was really dreading that one. I LOVE IT. I just walked the track the first couple of times I went, but it was awesome. It was ME time. Do you know how often a woman with 2 kids married to a truck driver gets ME time? Like NEVER. lol I just listened to my music and walked. No one asking when's dinner, or I need this, or where is this-just me, my thoughts, and walking! It's therapeutic. I've begun using some of the equipment now too. I don't know if I love it-or love knowing that using it is making the pounds melt away. Either way, I don't hate it and can't wait to go the next time.
So for today, I'm leaving you with some inspirational words that rang true to me. 

Thanks for visiting today. I'd love to hear what inspires you, or if you have an amazing healthy recipe to try.

Well hello there

It's been quite a while since I posted, but we're getting back on track again.
A while back I said I was going to start trying to lose weight, and I would let you know my progress if it went well, otherwise I would never mention it again. Well, it didn't go well. I don't think I lost a single pound from that attempt.
On January 3, 2012 I started again. I tried harder. I started by watching what I ate. Then I added activity to it. I am on average losing about 2 pounds per week. As of this morning I am down 9 pounds! I am very excited to share this news. I have many many many more pounds to go, but this is a great step in the right direction.
On Monday I came across a website called http://www.myfitnesspal.com/. So far I am loving it. I have mainly just used 2 of it's functions so far, food tracker and fitness tracker. You enter your info - weight, age, weight loss goal, etc. Then you can enter your foods. It has a massive list of food options and it knows how much fat, calories, carbs, and protein are in it. I do wish it would track fiber too, but what it does track is great! I put in everything I eat and it reccomends how much I should have based on my goals and lets me know how much more I have throughout the day. There is also a mobile app. I have added a badge to my site in the upper right. I'd love for  you all to go on this weight loss journey with me. It will always show my current weight loss since I joined their site. (which means if you're counting-it's 8 pounds behind my actual weight loss)

This is my visual weight loss tracker too! I saw this idea on pinterest (LOVE IT). The jar on the left represents pounds I've lost the jar on the right represents the pounds I want to lose. This pic was taken a couple pounds ago too (it was 6 pounds then).

Crescent Roll-ups

It's been awhile since I sat down and blogged. I know you've missed me oh so much! j/k Sorry! 

Tonight I made my take on a recipe I found on pinterest. Seriously guys if you haven't checked out pinterest yet-Go GO NOW....then come back once you need a break from your latest addiction and try this recipe! Yeah go ahead and pin this one! :)

What you need:

1 pkg of crescent rolls

1/4-1/2 lb deli ham

4 slices of Havarti cheese

Preheat oven according to crescent roll directions. Open crescent rolls, there will be 8 triangles...leave them in sections of 2. So you will have 4 sections when you are done. Place a slice of cheese on each section and 1-2 slices of ham on top of the cheese. Then roll the crescent rolls up. Bake according to package directions probably about 13 minutes or so. 

Makes 4 servings.

This is such a simple and quick recipe to throw together when you don't have a lot of time or energy...and guess what-everyone loves it!

It's simple to change it up too. Here is a link to the original recipe I found. I never made it with the swiss she used. I also made it with chicken salad from the deli-it was on sale! Both versions were great. I just substituted the chicken salad for the ham. 

Can't wait to see what else we'll try. My guess is tuna will be an easy change up that will be requested. Also, the Chicken Spinach Ring filling would hold up well for this. It's basically the same thing in individual servings.

"Sleek" or "Messy"?

2008

When my daughter was younger we used to do her hair like this all the time. It's a zig zag part with a bun on each side of her head. She'd say "mommy can we do the balls?" She hasn't asked for this style in a few years. I was surprised when she asked for it. So we went through the whole straight or zig zag part and the newest question messy bun or "regular". She chose the zig zag part. 

To make the zig zag part you start at the top front of the head off to one side and start your part.  I use a pick, but a comb or rattail comb would work well too. Move back a short bit at an angle. I separate the sections of hair each time I change directions. Start where you left off and go in the opposite direction. Do this all the way to the back and base of the hair. I have my daughter hold the sections as we go so they don't mix back in. When I am done I quickly and loosely put one side in a pony tail so my daughter can quit holding the hair. Then I put the other side up correctly. For this style it goes snugly on the side right above the ear. Then go back to the other side and match the first side. Try to get them about the same place on each side of the head. I will look like this next picture:

The next step is to turn these pony tails into buns. She couldn't seem to understand my idea of a messy bun. So we did a mess bun and a sleek bun, one on each side so she could look at them and decide which she liked better. 

To create the messy bun I take the hair and twist it just a little and then wrap it around the pony tail holder. I don't twist it all the way to the ends since we want it to have some messy ends. Twist so the ends are loose and then twist around the pony until all you have left is the amount you want loose. I left about 1 1/2 - 2 inches. Secure with bobby pins all the way around. I pin the hair and try to go under neath the ponytail holder when I push it in.

To create the "sleek" bun, I lightly twisted her hair all the way to the ends and then wrapped it around the pony tail holder as well. Secure with bobby pins in several places around the pony tail holder. You want this tight to look sleek.

Here is what each side looked like. Which side do you think she chose?  

If you guessed the "sleek" you were right. It's what she was used to. It's how we always used to do it. So here is what it looks like from the back:

.....And here is what it looks like from the front:

I'd love to hear if you tried this on yourself or little girl. Hope you like it!

Have a GREAT hair day!

Duck WHAT?

How about we talk about drinks today? I'm not a beer drinking girl. I like the fruity girly drinks. I know to some that's cool, to others that's just horrible. I hate that I can't enjoy a beer-trust me I'd love to save the money! Those fruity girly drinks add up quick! My husband can have 2 or 3 beers for the cost of ONE drink for me. Good thing I don't drink too often.

I also am a "shot" girl. I love shots. I think I can't stand it when my drinks get warm so I'd rather just down it and feel good quick and not have my drink get warm. The problem with that? Well, it's down quick and then I don't have a drink! Plus you get drunk way faster. It is never my goal to get drunk, I just want to loosen up a bit and have a good time. But it happens sometimes. I tend to be a bit of a control freak and uptight. If I drink I let go a little bit.

Today I'd like to tell you about one of my favorite shots. Every once in awhile a bartender will make it as a drink instead of a shot. Depending on where you go, there's a good chance EVERYONE will look at you and say you want WHAT? It's kind of funny. Anyway, the shot is called a Duck Fart. Yes, a Duck Fart. No I don't know why it has that name. It's easy to make yourself at home, and easy to tell a bartender how to make too.

Ingredients:
Bailey's Irish Cream
Kahlua
Crown Royal

Mix equal parts of all 3. Simple as that. (You can substitute Crown for Southern Comfort if you prefer)
It is supposed to be a "stacked" shot, meaning you can see each layer in the shot glass. I personally don't care if it's stacked or not.
My problem with this drink....the after taste is so sweet on my lips that I want more and more and more. It doesn't take many to knock me on my butt though. BE CAREFUL.

I attempted to "stack" the drink. This above picture is sort of shows you how it works. If you look at the below picture, well the shot on the left is how it usually looks when I get it. I don't think I've ever had one "stacked" like it's supposed to be. If you look real close at the shot on the right, you can see 3 layers-barely. So, you shouldn't make single shots. I prefer to do shots with someone. I was making these just for the sake of the blog and no one was here to do them with me. Oh darn, I had to do them both! :) I still say YUM, stacked or not! BUT I hadn't had dinner yet and was waiting on the hubster to bring dinner home-probably should have waited to eat a little before doing BOTH shots! Definitely felt these quick!

If you ever see me post anywhere or say "QUACK" just out of the blue...I could very well be stating I NEED a shot! I'd love to hear from you. What is your favorite drink? How do you make it? Did you try this one? If you did, what did you think of it?

Green Bean Casserole

I grew up thinking green bean casserole was made by dumping a can of French cut green beans and a can of soup into a pot on the stove top and cooking until warmed through. I didn't know any different and really-I still like it that way!

However, I'm guessing most of the world has never had it like that. Most people have it with the "fancy" onions on it and baked in the oven. So today, here is my recipe for baking Green Bean casserole with all the pazzazz. I'm not real fond of making this dish, but it seems like it's what I get asked to bring a lot of the time. I think the only reason I'm not fond of making it, is because I don't care for "fancy" onions! lol

In case you don't know what "fancy" onions are-seriously use THIS brand!

Ingredients:
4 cans French cut green beans
3 cans cream of mushroom soup
3/4 cup milk (slightly more than 1/2 soup can full)
French's french fried onions
Salt & pepper to taste

I add all ingredients right into the pan (less dirty dishes! Who is not a fan of that?)

Preheat oven to 350
Pour the soup, beans, salt & pepper, & milk into a 9x13 pan and mix. I mixed about 3/4 cup onions into 3/4 of the pan and sprinkled the top of the same section with more onions.
Cover with aluminum foil and bake for 40 min. Remove foil and bake another 10 min.

This was right before I added the foil and cooked. 

We have people who don't eat onions so that's why part was left without. I happen to be one who does not care for these onions. (I love onions most of the time)

This time I bought all great value brand products for this dish except the onions.
I normally do not buy great value brand canned green beans. I can't tell you what possessed me to do so this time. However, I did it. IF you do beware of stems! We ALWAYS get at least one stem in every can. I know it happens with other brands too, but it's not this bad. By the way, this is the only dish I use canned green beans for-EVER. When I first moved out on my own I used only canned vegetables, now I go for fresh or frozen as much as possible.
I also have tried the great value brand of onions and am not a fan of those either.
I am not trying to "Great Value" brand slam, I obviously shop at that store. I've just learned from experience these are two products I don't care for in their brand.

Chicken Spinach Ring OOO LaLa

A favorite dish in our home is a "Chicken Spinach Ring". My children get to pick whatever they want for dinner on their birthday's and I make it. My daughter actually requests this meal. My son, well he wants french toast with strawberries, bananas, chocolate syrup, and rediwhip (with a little spray in the mouth for the birthday boy lol) He was however excited to see this going into the oven. They request this quite often. I love this because it's something that really isn't a lot of work, we usually keep the ingredients on hand, and it seems healthy. Well, maybe healthier than some things- like my son's birthday meal for example!

Ingredients:

2 cans of chicken, drained

2 pkg of crescent rolls

1 1/2 cups of mozzarella cheese (we like cheese)

3/4 cup mayonnaise

1 10oz pkg frozen chopped spinach

1/2 a medium onion diced

salt & pepper

Preheat oven to temp your brand of crescent rolls requires. (all brands are different)

In a medium to large bowl put in your chicken and flake it up.

          I seriously hate the smell of canned chicken, but it doesn't taste too bad and it's great in a pinch when you forgot to thaw out meat for dinner! You can also use left over chicken from another meal or even part of a rotisserie chicken from your local deli. Keep in mind how your chicken is flavored will change the flavor of this as well.

Thaw out your spinach. This is very simple to do in the microwave. I put the whole box on a plate and put it on defrost for 3-4 minutes. Take the spinach out of the box and put it on a couple of large paper towels-doubled (at least 2 layers). Then wrap the towels around the spinach and over your sink wring out the spinach. YES WRING IT OUT. Get out as much of the moisture as you can. Be careful though, because the paper towels will tear. You can do this with a clean kitchen towel if you'd like. I'm always scared I'll stain my towels so I use paper towels. Put the spinach in the bowl with the chicken-if your paper towel tears, be sure not to get any in with the food. Break it up as you put it in-wringing it out will make it be in a pretty solid ball.

Add the onions, cheese, salt & pepper to taste. I actually use whatever cheese I have on hand. The only one I've tried so far and didn't care for was pepper jack.

Add the mayonnaise-but do it in stages and mix. Watch the consistency and adjust the amount you need accordingly. You don't want it to be TOO wet. You want it to just barely stick together or it will taste like just mayonnaise. 

My great idea was to picture all needed ingredients-except I forgot to put the mayonnaise & spinach out!
The picture on the right is the texture your mixture should be when you're done.

Next you need to make the ring. It seems complicated, but it's really not. I am using stoneware (which I love and truly believe makes things cook more evenly) but a cookie sheet would do fine too.

First you put one triangle on edge of each side of your pan in the center. (See picture 1)

Then between each of the triangles put three more (See picture 2)

Continue in this manor until you have used all 16 triangles (See picture 3)

Then slightly roll the edges together. (See picture 4)

Next place the filling on the thick part of the crescent rolls all the way around the ring. You could use the spoon or fork you used to stir your mixture, or you could just use your hands. I prefer hands. It's faster and the kids think it's more fun that way. You don't have to use all of the mixture in this ring, it's pretty full if you do. (See picture 1)

Then take each triangle and fold it over the filling and tuck it under the crescent roll and filling in the center. Do this all the way around. (See picture 2)

Bake for about 20 minutes, or whenever they are golden brown. This could vary depending on the brand of crescent rolls you use. (See picture 3)

I cut with a pizza cutter between each triangle. Goes well with a nice salad.

The filling is great by itself. You can eat it as is, but it's great in a pita pocket or on a baked crescent roll or on regular old bread.

Once you get the hang of making the ring the possibilities for the filling are endless. I'm sure I'll post more recipes for filling in time! I hope you enjoy this as much as my family does. What ideas do you have?