Whoa..where have I been?

How have I not posted since May???  Bad girl!

For the month of August, my daughter is going to be in Las Vegas visiting family so I will have more than enough time to get back on track with no distractions.  I hope I can do it.  My RealAge has gone up to 26 from 24 even though my weight has gone down to 143.

I've been really trying to make a conscious effort to eat breakfast every day!  It really makes a difference.  I make smoothies or overnight oatmeal so that they're ready for me to enjoy on the way to work.

While I was away, I also had a physical...  After a scare with a family member who fights diabetes and weight issues, my doctor decided that it's now time to start testing my blood levels.  What I was expecting was pretty good levels for a 30 year old woman.  What I got was borderline high cholesterol....  Total cholesterol levels should be below 200 and mine were at 207.  My good cholesterol was barely over what it was supposed to be and my bad was WAY over..  that kind of scared me.  

I want to make sure I'm doing this the right way.  I need to be accountable for my health and I need to be a role model for my daughter, friends and family...  People are definitely noticing the weight I have lost.  I look better.  But I don't necessarily feel better and that's what I'm going for.  I want to do it right.

So, for now...  Ta Ta

So, Life Happens..

Haven't been on much recently but I'm still going..  I had a set back.  I thought I'd treat my self to a frapacino a few days ago instead of getting my usual iced black coffee with one sugar.  Well, that was a mistake.  I was so happy to be under 150 but that one frap almost put my back over.  Definitely a wake up call that this is going to be a forever change.  I had to shake it off and get back to work, though...  My next post will, I will update all my stats and see where I stand and where I need to change up my routine.

Til then...

Down below 150!!

I've made it passed 150 and have been staying there.  It was back and forth for a bit but I'm steady at 148  now.  =)

The best part of it, though I haven't lost a whole lot, is that people have noticed.  It's almost making me feel like I was bigger than I thought I was but it's totally a confidence boost to walk into a staff meeting and have people tell you that you're looking great and what's the secret...  The one thing I do tell them is that I cut out fast food.  It's amazing what that decision can do to benefit your health!

Still going strong but still more to be done!

I Was Bad Today

I went to my best friend's house to have a mini 3rd bday celebration.  Man...let's just call today my cheat day!  I definitely cheated.

Daily Limits
Total Calories Eaten: 2210  
Empty Calories* Eaten:  959  


Empty Calories* Limit: 266 
Total Limit: 2200

Guess where the majority of those empty calories went... 4 SODAS!  

UGH!  I'll be better tomorrow. 

Til next time...

PS...  This info came from a Food Tracker found at www.choosemyplate.gov

At Least I'm Not Gaining...

:-(

I can't get over this hump.. I've been stuck at 150 and am not gaining or losing. Tells me one thing -- STEP YOUR GAME UP, GIRL!

Last night, I put together some fancy water in a pitcher. In that fancy water was
1) Sliced Lemon
2) Sliced Cucumber
3) Fresh Basil
4) Grated Ginger
Let it chill all night and drink the whole pitcher the following day. I am trying to drink only this for the next few days.

I've been eating a lot of salad with grilled chicken, as well. (I made up a bunch so its ready when I need it.) You know what I love on my salad? Ranch dressing! I found the PERFECT ranch dressing. The first time I made it, I fell in love. It's really simple. In a jar, combine 1-2 cups of Greek Yogurt, a little milk to thin it out and a packet of ranch dressing mix you get at the store. Yum. Most ranch is made with mayonnaise which is gross and not the best for you. The yogurt replacement gives it an extra kick.

Getting my diet back on track, along with staying active in the yard should get me back in the losing lane!

Til next time, take care!

Too Busy To Cook??

No way.  I don't believe it.  How can you be too busy to cook?  Of course, this is coming from someone who would spend all day, every day in the kitchen if possible. I love to cook.  However, I do know how it is to work all day and come home and have to cook a meal.  I admit, sometimes I don't cook after I've been working all day but my daughter and I do have home cooked meals 95% of the time.

Here's what I do.  Cook extra.  Pretty simple but effective.  If I know that I'm going to be making a dinner that we both really enjoy, I make extra.  That way, if I'm running short on time, we have left overs that I know are delicious and healthy instead of grabbing something on the way home.

Another thing that helps on these busy days is my slow cooker.  LOVE IT!  I used to be a slow cooker snob.  I literally looked down my nose at people who used a slow cooker like they were somehow cheating in the kitchen.  WOW!  That was until I was at Walmart and they had a slow cooker on sale for $15 that came with 3 different sized bowls to use with it.  I thought "What the hell..." and I was in love from the very first time I used it.

If you have a slow cooker, I definitely suggest using it on those days when you know you won't want to be in the kitchen after a long day of...well...life..

I also suggest checking into Freezer Meals for slow cookers.  I recently found a blog that has so many great freezer meals. Below, I will post a favorite of mine that I've found on her site, mamaandbabylove.com.

Chicken Curry
3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
4 tablespoons curry powder
2 teaspoons ground cumin
1.5-2 pounds chicken thighs, or breasts, cut into 1 inch pieces.
2 cups chopped peeled sweet potatoes.
2 cups baby carrots.
2 cup coarsely chopped mango.  Or 2 cans of chopped mango.
1 cup chopped onion.
1 zucchini chopped, about one cup.
2 cloves garlic, minced
2 chicken bouillon, one per bag.
.5 cup raisins (for garnish)
.5 cup peanuts or cashews (for garnish)
Dump everything into two, one gallon freezer bags, shake it up, seal, label and put in the freeze.
To cook, take out of freezer and set on counter for about 30 minutes, then dump contents of bag into slow cooker. Cook on high for 4 hours, or low for 8 hours.

I've tried quite a few of her recipes and they really are good.  I'm going grocery shopping tomorrow so I'll be stocking up on more items to do freezer cooking.

Hope you enjoy these meals that she's shared and I really hope you find that there's always time to cook a delicious, healthy meal for your family!

Thank you, again, to mamaandbabylove.com!!

Buffalo Chicken & Sweet Potatoes! SOLD!!

First off, what a difference a day makes!  I feel so much better than I did yesterday.  I think I'm finally getting over this insane cold virus that's been wreaking havoc on me all month!  Thank goodness!!  I'm down a few pounds but I'm sure it's just because I haven't been eating as much as I should since my throat has been so sore.  We'll see if I can keep them off. ;-)

So, back to what this post is about.  Buffalo chicken and sweet potatoes.  Two of my favorite foods. Guess what?  I found a recipe that combines the two and the best part is that it is super easy and healthy! Sweet potatoes have a lot of vitamins and nutrients that our bodies need.  I try to have them as often as possible so when I got this recipe in my email, I knew I had to try it.  Plus, I already had everything in my kitchen anyway.

Before I go any further, I want to give recognition to the woman behind this recipe.  Kristine is behind the blog BusyButHealthy and I absolutely adore it!  A few months back, I signed up to receive her newsletters and I am so glad that I did.  So, without babbling on too much, let's get to the recipe.

Buffalo Chicken Stuffed Sweet Potatoes

Ingredients

- 2 medium sweet potatoes

- 6 oz chicken, shredded & chopped

- 1 cup 0% greek yogurt

- Franks hot sauce, to taste

- 1/3 cup green onions, chopped

- Garlic powder & pepper to taste

Directions:

Cook sweet potatoes. Poke sweet potatoes with fork all over and microwave for 6-7 minutes on one side, flip and cook another 5-6 minutes on the other size. Time depends on size of sweet potato. You'll know when its done when a fork goes through it easily. Set aside to cool for a few minutes.

Meanwhile, in a bowl, mix together chicken, greek yogurt, hot sauce and green onions.

Cut sweet potato in half, scoop out about half the filling and replace with the buffalo chicken mixture.

Serving is 1/2 to 1 sweet potato with filling

This recipe was so good!  I can not wait to have leftovers tomorrow for lunch.  I really felt satisfied after eating it instead of too full to move.  I wasn't sure how the greek yogurt would mix into it but it was perfect.  I really recommend everyone trying this recipe out and signing up to receive Kristine's newletters.