Drifted For a Few....

I thought I would confess or update, which ever we want to call it---how things are going with my diet and Weight Watchers.  I haven't been working out as consistently as I was.  I've been eating like I should and lost 2.1 pounds this past week.  For a loss so far of 12.5 pounds.   Changing my eating habits has been alot easier than I thought it would be.  I still miss my pretzels though!!  However, the bigger (or smaller) picture is much more important to me.
So my goal for the reminder of the week is to get back on track with my exercising.  I was really doing good getting up before work, but not so good on my off days.  Weird--you would think it would be the other way around.  I've got my motivation back---hopefully next week's update will be better!!!

Show Support---Red is the color...

February is national Heart month so show your support by wearing RED....  Please check out this article from the CDC on what you can do this month to show your support.  It is the month of love for so many reasons....

Take the Million Hearts Challenge today.....  Keep the beat going....

TGIF!!!  Friends...  Hope you have a wonderful weekend!!!

Egg Whites Rule....

I have to say, I'm loving egg whites!!  I haven't used real eggs in a very long time.  I've always used Egg Beaters.  It was simple and Mac can't tell the difference anyway.  However, now that I'm on Weight Watchers, I've switched over to egg whites AND Mac still can't tell the difference.  Actually, neither can I.

This is my latest twist on an old favorite---Breakfast Sandwich Recipe..   It is so good!!!

Ingredients:

1 100 calorie sandwich round
1/3 cup liquid egg whites
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 pepper
1 slice fat-free American cheese
1/4 cup chopped spinach leaves
1 slice lean deli ham
2 slices fresh tomato
1 slice red onion

Spray your cooking pan with non-stick spray and set to medium heat.  Go ahead and toast your bread if you would like.  While bread is toasting, heat the ham in the skillet first.  Place the ham on half of the toasted bread.  Next, add the spinach to the frying pan and cover with a lid until the leaves start to wilt (about a minute).  Add in egg whites , salt and pepper.  Scramble egg whites with spinach until it is solid.  Pile up the eggs on one section of the pan, top with the slice of cheese.  Cover pan with lid, and turn of the heat.  After about 30 seconds, remove the lid and cheese should be melted.  Place eggs with the cheese on top of the ham on your sandwich.  Top with your favorite toppings---mine are onions and peppers!!  Now enjoy!!!

This is 4 points on the Weight Watchers Plus plan!!!

Motivational Boost...

I'm working alot this week so I figured I would schedule myself a little extra motivation...

Breaking It Down....

Move more than you eat...  Simple as that....

Motivational Monday...

Dieting Update....

I'm going on three weeks with Weight Watchers and have lost 10.1 pounds.  I have to say, it was an adjustment at first.  I think I went through pretzel withdrawals.  Especially, my Snyder Jalapeno Pretzels---they are so good.  I thought the wine would be just as hard, but I really haven't missed it as much.  I did buy a celebratory bottle yesterday and also took Mac out for Mexican.   But I didn't do to horribly bad.  Plus, I ate very little throughout the day.  I figure we can do that for every ten pounds I lose... BUT, I was back on the treadmill this morning...

I was determined to get on board fully with the exercising.  I get up at 4:40am on the days I work and get on my treadmill for thirty minutes.  I've build up to running about ten of those minutes.  Then I do some weights and crunches.  I actually do better on the days I have to work than when I'm off.  Crazy, but I do...  I do think I need to start adding some different cardio into to my workout.  Changing up your routine helps keep your metabolism firing, plus I like variety..  I watched a Zumba informational this morning while I was on my treadmill.  I'm just not that "routine" coordinated though.  But we will see...  I have enough equipment that I should never get bored!!

So this is where we are at so far...  Forty more to go!!  New year, new me....

  

Motivational Monday..

As Seen On TV....

Yep---I buy some of those crazy items...  So when I buy one and it is awesome--I have to share it with ya'll.  I bought the Perfect Tortilla Pan Set at Walmart in their "As Seen On TV" section and just have to say it is AWESOME!!!  Now this link is to Bed, Bath and Beyond, they also sell them.  I wanted you to be able to see what the box looks like.

Now I cooked my first one last night and I have to say---so easy!  I sprayed the pan with a little Pam and put my tortilla shell in, baked it for about 10 or so minutes.  And this is how it turned out!!

Cooked perfectly!!
Then I put in the fixings---all of which were only 7 points on Weight Watchers...   So good!!!

Could Be A Game Day Dip.......

In my now search for everything Weight Watchers, I came across this recipe via Pinterest.  It looks very good and it's only 1 point per serving!!!  It's called Hot Fiesta Dip...  My only downfall would be the chips that would go with this dip!!  Chips are my weakness!!!

Ingredients:
10oz. frozen corn kernals
1 1/2 cups salsa, fresh or refrigerated
3/4 cup reduced fat shredded Mexican style blend cheese
2 Tbsp scallions, chopped


Microwave frozen corn according to package directions: drain
combine corn and salsa in a microwave safe, 9-inch pie plate; cover and microwave
on high power until bubbly, about 2 minutes.
sprinkle cheese over corn mixture; cover and let stand until cheese melts, about 5 minutes.

Sprinkle with scallions and serve.

1/4 cup per serving is 1 point!!!

This Month it is ALL About Second Base...

I hope this has been going on all year and throughout your life, but don't forget to check the boobies this month.  Self examinations are a huge part in catching Breast Cancer early.  So ladies---catch a feel this month for sure!!!

Three Miles even on a Rainy Day!!!

Do you skip your workout if it's raining?  I used too.  And then the guilt would set in when I looked at my DVD case that houses all my exercise DVD's.  There was no excuse.  It wasn't raining IN my house!  So I pulled out one of my favorites, and I have been feeling great ever since!!  I love my Walk at Home DVD's by Leslie Sansone.  They are so much fun and provide you with a sweat dripping workout---all while moving around your living room!!  She has four basic core moves that she works from and then she also does 1-2 minute "boost" that really intensifies the workout.  Just so much fun.  If you are pushed for time, she also gives you the option to do one, two, or three miles.  Then after the cool down, she does some great toning and abdominal work on the floor.
 I'm not one for the whole gym membership thing so I have always loved my DVD's.  Walmart also sells several of Leslie's DVD's...  If you are looking for a good one----these are it!!!

How Fit Are We?

I know I have told ya'll before that I have a serious magazine addiction.  I just can't help it.  They scream at me anytime I'm in a check out line!!  And so I must buy it..  This interesting article came from this month's Shape magazine. It America's Fittest 2012 cities.  The rankings are based on nutritious eateries, farmers markets, outdoor activities, health in the city as a general.  How you get to and from work is even included.  I don't see many bicycles rolling down I-65---so that may have hurt us.

Here is a list of the Top Ten Fittest 2012:

1.  Minneapolis
2.  Washington, DC
3.  Boston
4.  San Francisco
5.  Hartford, CT
6.  Sacramento, CA
7.  Portland, OR
8.  Seattle
9.  Denver
10. Austin, TX

Now if you are curious as to where Birmingham ranked---we are number 46.  That sure does sound like it's a long way down the list.  But the south is known for it's southern cooking and we are also getting popular for our obesity numbers as well.  All areas we can work on!!

We are half way done with 2012, where are you in your weight loss goals that you probably set at the beginning of the year.  I have lost roughly 20 pounds (partly due to stress from the "divorce diet")--but I will take it and keep going!!  I have changed from cooking with beef to using turkey.  Mac hasn't even noticed.  And thanks to Pinterest I have found so many healthy, new recipe's to cook, that I'm set for a very long time in that area.  Not to mention the endless motivational tips and fitness ideas.  So there really is no reason we all can't change our lifestyles in some form or fashion to live a healthier life...
Find your motivation and just make the change---it becomes a habit after just one month!!

Final thought.....

Monday and More.....

I hope everyone is off to a great day.  I took Mac to the bus stop and then went and walked/jogged almost four miles.  It felt so good.  I was practically the only one there.  Thank goodness because I was really singing loudly to those ducks...

I cooked the crockpot Ranch Pork Chops Saturday.  It was a very easy recipe to do and Mac enjoyed it.  So it was a winner..  It makes a wonderful gravy that you can use, but I didn't fix mash potatoes so I didn't use it.  If you are looking for simple..  Give it a try.

I love finding motivational quotes from Pinterest or just from wherever.  I'm going to try and give you one each Monday.  I found this one on Pinterest.

 

Love My Garden

I hope by now everyone is watching their gardens explode with fresh veggies.  I only planted tomato's and jalapenos this year---and I planted them a little early.   But I just picked my first three jalapenos!!  I'm so excited!!  I'm going to have them in a salad this afternoon.
Here are a few pictures of my garden...

This is my cherry tomato's..  They look like little bundles of grapes....

Can't really tell it, but these are my regular tomato's.  Can't remember what I picked out--but they are HUGE!!  Going to be great!!

Here are my jalapenos..  Love me some peppers!!                             

                                                                   

I hope everyone has a beautiful Sunday..  

New Favorite Lunch...

I hope everyone is off to a great weekend.  I just had to share my new favorite thing I found at the grocery store.  I am a HUGE salsa fan and love anything I can have with salsa.  So when I saw that Old ElPaso had come out with these Tortilla Stuffers---had to try them.  I split the bag and have the other half for dinner or the next day.
Give them  a try!!!  Really good and easy---60 seconds in the microwave....

Let the Sewing Begin...

I have finished with my badge's.  I have them packaged up and ready to take to work tomorrow.  Now, it's time to start my sewing fun!!  I'm going to practice most of today, maybe try to make something with the help of a YouTube video!  But I have all day to play with it....

Here is a picture of my new sewing machine..  A little intimidating, but I will figure it out! 

This is my goal before the year is out!!

 

Today's Tip:   Did you know that Americans spend an estimated $55 billion each year on everything from diet food and vitamins to gym memberships in an effort to get healthy---quote from First Magazine.  I know I have done my fair share on contributing to that number.  But one exercise that will always remain free--- walking.  Thirty minutes a day.  But I'm telling you, once you reach the thirty minute mark, you realize you can go a little longer each time.  So find you a pretty day and walk!!!

Saturday Soup...

If you know me, you know I love love love soups.  Just about any kind.  So today I am making it "Saturday Soup" post.  One of my favorite brands is Progresso.  Here is a new one that I found.  So good!! 

Today's Tip:  Still reading my Women's World---on page 37 from Smart Ideas for your home it suggest storing craft supplies in old, unused suitcases.  The supplies will stay neat and out of the way--and it's a cinch to move them to wherever you're crafting!  I like that idea!!

TGIF!!

     Guess everyone knows by now it's Friday!!  Whoop!!  So glad to have a few off days with not much to do but crafting and enjoying the day.  And thanks to MLK, we even get Monday off too!  So that means three days of natural alarm clock! 


     Today started my "twenty minutes of dance"---but wait, I actually did fifty minutes..  It was so much fun and funny at the same time.  I think at one point, I saw Ozzy rolling on the floor laughing at the moves I was trying to do.  But I gave it a good sweat and did the kettle ball workout after that.  My goal is to exercise a minimum of thirty minutes on the days I don't work.  No reason at all that I can't do that and see results by April.  Here is a picture of Shaun T---the DVD is Rock Your Body. 

It helps that he is easy on the eyes too!!

Today's Tip:  New Women's World magazine out today.  Very interesting fact from page 12.  It states, "Time your dinner right!  Wait an hour after eating to go to bed and reduce your stroke risk by 66%!  How?  It helps prevent reflux, which leads to sleep apnea, a risk factor for stroke."

Have a great weekend everyone...

Castle Finally Gets Justice..

Nathan Fillion finally won an award for his role in Castle.  The show has been one of my favorite's for several years.  It's got a little bit of everything in it, but he won for Best Actor in a Drama Series.  I was just so happy!  He even beat out Patrick Dempsey!  Go Castle---you are awesome!!

I'm going to start my "20 minutes of Dance" tomorrow.  Kristie Alley started promoting this along with Dr. Oz, I believe, and it has really taken off.   Her site is here.  Kristie is just so motivating.  I mean so is Dr. Oz, but you can really see the difference in Kristi since she came off Dancing With The Stars.  She kept dancing and has kept her weight off.  I can spare 20 minutes.  I just have to make sure it's just my dog Ozzy watching me!! I have some DVD's that are dancing ones---I'm sure I won't be able to do alot of the moves, but I can shake a small tale feather!

Today's Tip:  Listening to music is a great way to prepare yourself mentally for participating in any activity. The power of music to influence and inspire us as humans is a well known fact. Music uplifts the heart and gives us that "hidden" energy boost that we need.  So turn on your Ipod and just get up and move....