Snow Day and it's the weekend!!

Due to the several inches of snow dumped on us we had a snow day. This means...Mandie at home...all day...out of her routine (can you see the nail biting?). I was nervous for a SPLIT second, then I decided I would just keep myself busy. Hmmm...what could I do? The wheels were a turning in my head. I would clean our bedroom, a bathroom, as well as sweep and mop the kitchen. I had a plan!

Once I got busy, the wheels were flying. I remembered I had a carcass in the freezer, so I found a recipe to make my own stock. While that was cooking I found another recipe from here to make chicken noodle soup! Suddenly I felt in control!!

Lunch was some leftover ravioli lasagna (the whole family LOVED), and then the little one needed a nap. I promised my kiddos that we'd go out to play in the 6 inches of snow when he got up from his nap. I went back to my cleaning.

When the little guy got up, my big boy was READY!! The funny part...it took us 30 mins to bundle up in layers to go out and play for 45 mins. But it was precious time spent together...and we were active and out of the house!!!!

The soup was a HUGE hit for dinner, and I definitely will make it again. Even the picky Hunney LOVED it!! You can see the super huge smile on my face right? I'd like to note that I am doing a pantry challenge, silently. I didn't want to feel like a out of place or whatever compared to the others doing it...even though I know it's just a personal thing... is that self-doubt I'm hearing here? ANYWAY...I'm doing awesome on the pantry challenge.

When the kiddos were in bed, Momma made time to do her Shred!!! Level 2 is STILL kicking my butt. But I love Jillian and this workout. But whoa...is it tough! I'm seriously dreading level 3!

So, I'm proud to announce the day was a complete success...and it makes me confident that the weekend will be OK! I can do this!!!

Weekend Plan

• Continue tracking
• Drink 80+ oz h20/day
• Shred
• Take the boys to the library /nature center since it's too cold outside to hike
• Clean bathroom and organize the kiddos dressers (update sizes...AGAIN)
• Get herb garden started
• Read
  
  

Weekend Plans, Thank You's, Pictures and a Recipe!

It has come...the weekend...my friends!!! We all love them, and we all sort of are afraid of them. The weekends becomes a time when we get out of routine, slip up, get off track, miss exercise, make excuses, and well GAIN WEIGHT. It's scccarrrry people!!!

But this weekend is different for me! I'm stoked! Well yes, of course my birthday is Sunday (Happy Birthday Me!), and the Hunney is treating me to a sleep-over at French Lick Resort and Casino! Yes, the kiddos will following along, but it'll be a fun time spent at the pool, bowling alley, and just "getting away".



I plan on taking our annual family pictures while there, and it is my first official "free day" for the holidays. Remember how I am allowing myself "4 free days this holiday season to not worry about points or tracking. I will be careful NOT to use those days as an excuse to eat everything in sight and go hog wild"? Well, my first one is this weekend! Woohoo! I think giving myself this free day will be good for me. I think it will help me stay in control, and I'm ready to give myself a bit of freedom to see what kind of choices I make.

Weekend Plan

• ENJOY my birthday!
• Take family pictures
• Workout at least once
• Drink my h20
• Be a good WW 2 out of the 3 days (since I have a free day!)
  

Now time for some THANK YOU'S!

Thank you Jen @ Prior Fat Girl for posting my sweat picture yesterday, oh and your tough love!
Thank you Gayle @ Grocery Cart Challenge for all your WONDERFUL ideas!
Thank you Heather @ A new Heather for bringing me to the GAG Challenge!!
Thank you Kim @ A Transfigured Life for all your inspiration! WOW...I want to be like you!

I also want to thank my boys... for the cutest things they say!!! The other day I had on a dress (I NEVER wear dresses). And my oldest says "Mommy, I love your dress"! Awwww!! Even Daddy doesn't say stuff like that! When I put my shoes on (heels - which I again NEVER wear) he says again "oooh, and I love your shoes Mommy!". I of course didn't like how I felt and changed, and he says "but Mommy, I loved what you had on!". He's going to be a real heart throb ladies...watch out! Thank you Brody for being you and REALLY caring!!!!



And my little guy... thank you for being Mommy's little helper! From vacuuming, helping put the dishes away, dusting, folding laundry, and cooking (seriously!) he is every girls dream come true!!!! And let's not forget how sweet those smiles are, even at 2am when he needs to potty or wants a drink or can't find his blankie. Thank you Tucker for being SO helpful and loving...oh and sharing Mommy's love of OREO cookies!!!




And for now....last but not least, thank you goes out to my Hunney. Wow! Where do I even start!?! You are amazing all that you do for our happiness. Thank you for being you, making me smile and being the best Daddy to a bunch of crazy kiddos! We've gone through a lot in our short time together...but I wouldn't trade it for the world!!!




Now time for a Thanksgiving Recipe to share with ya'll! YUMMY! I got this over from Blog To Lose and I'm definitely going to be trying it! Portion control is one of my biggest problems, so all the help I can get...rock on!!!! Unsure of the nutritional count since I haven't added it to spark yet...but will do so. YUMMY!

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Stuffin Muffins

10 slices Aunt Millie's Fiber for Life Light Bread ( or any bread where 2 slices= 1Pt)
2 stalks of celery, chopped( more or less to preference)
1/2 C chopped onion ( more or less)
FF butter spray ( I like Pam)
poultry seasoning
sage, thyme, Whatever seasonings you like!
Salt and Pepper

Saute the onion and celery in spray. Cover and cook until soft. Tear the bread into 1" pieces. Toss with the celery and onion mixture. Add water (or chicken broth, FF of course) while tossing until stuffing is of desired consistency.Not too dry, not too wet. Spray 6 cup muffin tin with Pam. About 1/2 C of mixture per well. BAke at 325 until browned. 1pt per muffin

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Okay ya'll...that's all I have time for today! Hope everyone has a splendid weekend (not sure I'll make it back online)!!!!!

A whole week, and a recipe!

Wow, I can't believe it's been a whole week since I posted a blog! I have a valid excuse though...I've been at home dealing with a sick little one all week long! Seriously! Fortunately the little one is finally feeling better - fever free for 2 days now - and is back at daycare! Whew!

First and foremost, last Saturday's plan was a flop. I didn't get to go to the Cardio Kickboxing class! Grrr.... But I have a plan this Saturday to meet up with a new friend and buddy up some exercise at the Y. I like the idea of a Saturday buddy, but not crazy about the $3 or $4 expense every Saturday. Hmmm... Anyway, for now it's okay.

Secondly, I lost 1lb at weigh in on Tuesday. Hey, I'll take it...because I probably didn't deserve it. But I hope it sticks with me and doesn't end up biting me in the butt come next weigh in!!!

Thirdly, I have NOT journaled all week long nor have a I exercised! GULP! That means today is the day to get back on track and really stick with my goals. One of those goals being that I really need to work on my Holiday Plan some more. I've generally been working on it...but obviously NOT enough!!!

I'm disappointed that I have all these good intentions, and then I can't even get through a whole stinking week of following through. What is up with that? What is up with ME?!!! A year ago I was literally rocking. SO, I'm trying to figure myself out and get this show on the road. What do I want more....that's what I HAVE to keep asking myself.

So, the GAG week 9 challenge is to try a new recipe. We get points for doing so, and if we use a new ingredients we've never tried before, take pictures of it , and share nutritional info we get points! How exciting eh?!! Well last night I tried something new - kind of just whipped it together. I had a few friends telling me how they make it...so I kind of just went off of that. The boys and I liked it...Hunney, well he didn't get to try it since I KNEW he wouldn't like it (frozen pizza night for him). So, here ya go!

1.5 cup(s) Green Peppers strips (bell peppers)
1 cup red Peppers, sweet
1 Tbsp Extra Virgin Olive Oil
1 Boneless Skinless Chicken Breast
1 cup sliced Onions
Old El Paso Fajita Seasoning Mix, 2 tsp (I just used a TINY bit out of a packet, and next time probably would omit and use my own seasonings)
6 La Tortilla Factory High Fiber-Low Carb Whole Wheat Tortilla
1 can Black beans
2/3 cup Colby & Monterey Jack Shredded Cheese
3 Tbsp Daisy Light Sour Cream

Heat oil in skillet. Add peppers and onions and saute until soft, remove from skillet. Add chicken to skillet (I sprayed a little canola spray in the skillet). Cook chicken until done. Add fajita seasoning with a little water. Cook until thickens slightly. Return peppers and onions and warm. Fill tortilla shell with mixture, add 1/2 Tbsp, cheese, and beans. YUM!
*I actually ate the beans on the side - just my thing, as I always have to have a "side" with a meal...weird I know.

Serves 6

GAG Weekly Points Challenge

We already have our first assignment...GULP!! But, you know what's great... I NEED this assignment/challenge. Seriously! Let's start off with talking about the challenge. It is 2 parts....first part:


Part one:
Map out a game plan for yourself for that special day. (If your NOT going to one of these, or any other special even this weekend ~ map out a game plan for something similar to have on hand when a special event comes up.) On this game plan ~ you should include healthy dishes you "could" take, and things you will do to avoid eating the stuff that is really not worth it. (I realize that get togethers are okay for some, but challenges for others. Some will indulge and then work it off later at the gym. But the point of this challenge is to have a plan in mind, so that you don't go overboard out of pressure from others, not enough control, etc..) Post this game plan on your blog!

Next week I will be on vacation...and guess where...VEGAS! The city of endless all you can eat buffets. I'd like to make note that I LOVE and am totally obsessed with food. Just sitting here thinking about buffets is making me crazy in love. SAD! I'm completely obsessed. My husband is NOT. We do not go out to eat, and he has NEVER made a big deal about food....except that he is ultimately the PICKIEST man/person/human/living thing. I'm NOT exaggerating either. So, my obsession with food, and his UNobsession and dislike of most food makes my obsession even worse when I know I'm going to Vegas without HIM!!!!!!! Ugh.


My Game Plan for Vegas: 9/8 - 9/11
Goal ~ Lose weight while in Vegas (impossible no...difficult um...YEAH!)

~ Drink 80 oz h20/day
~ Journal
~ At buffets
* Start with salad but no pasta's and cold salads
* Divide plate into 1/4's. Fill 1/2 with veggies, 1/4 with lean protein, 1/4 good carb
* Indulge only in ONE dessert while there!
* Indulge with a favorite (Mexican, Chinese..things that my husband doesn't like!) only ONCE
* Drink 1 glass of h20 in between salad plate and main plate
~ Exercise 15 mins in the morning
~ Limit alcohol (HAHA! I will be without kidds, and without my husband...LIMIT ALCOHOL?! hilarious thought...but will try my best and at least drink alcohol with diet drinks!)
~ Win it big so I can have lipo (jk)

So, I have faith that I can do this, and that I can actually LOSE WEIGHT while in Vegas!



Part two:
The second part of this challenge is to post (on your blog) a healthy alternative type recipe that you can take to a BBQ, Potluck or Family Gathering.

I got this recipe from the Kraft magazine...and yes, potato (anything) salad is a favorite!!!

Creamy Potato Salad ~ serves 4 - 3/4 c each
1lb red potatoes (about 4) ; cut into chunks
1/4 c Kraft Light Zesty Italian Dressing
1/3 c Miracle Whip Light Dressing
1/2 tsp Grey Poupon Dijon Mustard
1 hard-boiled egg ; chopped
4 green onions; diced

Cook: potatoes in saucepan of boiling water 15 mins or just until tender, drain. Rinse potatoes with cold water until cooled, drain.

Mix: dressings and mustard in large bowl. Add potatoes, egg, and onions; mix lightly.

Refrigerate for 30 mins or more!

150 calories, 4.5g fat (1 sat), 55mg chol, 480 sodium, 23g carb, 2g fiber, 3 sugar, 4 protein




Whew...so I got that out of the way! YIPPIE! Gonna do another post with my journal and dinner stuff from last night.