Wednesday, December 18, 2013

Here We Go Again.






Looked at last year's resolutions.

Did not achieve a single one.

Did not even try to so I can't blame anybody but myself.

But this year............... I have to.

Because I don't feel good.

I feel blah most of the time. Tired, run down, fat, lazy, blah.

So THIS 2014 year I am going to do my best to do my duty to myself.

And make changes.

You want to know a seriously  embarassing thing? I am ashamed to say it. But to reach my goal weight... I would have to lose 100 pounds. ONE HUNDRED freaking pounds!!

I cannot fathom that.

No way. No how.

So the first step is admitting you have a problem.

Houston........... we have a problem. We are morbidly obese.

And it is because I don't exercise.

I am changing that.

See that list up top for 5 ways to keep your resolutions? It says to write down goals. Write down things and plan.

I am going to do that. And post it at work, and at home. Where I SEE it all the time.

I have to start coming in to work during "regular" office hours. I used to be able to come in early so I can leave early, but they don't like that anymore.

Yet I am an early morning person. I awaken with energy.

So............ duh............. get up at 6am. EXERCISE then, and I will have time to get cleaned up, eat breakfast and be at work by 8:30.

Once the tree is down, I can put the bike back to use.

I found a 1200 calorie diet that I will follow faithfully. I'm posting it below. See, writing it down.

Day 1:

Breakfast
  3/4 cup bran flakes, 1 banana, 1 cup fat-free milk
Lunch
  Sandwich: 1 mini whole wheat pita, 3 ounces turkey breast, 1/2 roasted pepper, 1 teaspoon light mayonnaise, mustard, lettuce
  1 stick part-skim mozzarella string cheese
  2 kiwifruits
Dinner
  4 ounces broiled flounder or sole
  2 sliced plum tomatoes sprinkled with 2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese, broiled until just golden
  1 cup cooked couscous
  1 cup steamed broccoli
  1 fat-free pudding cup

Day 2:

Breakfast
  Smoothie: Blend 1 cup frozen berries, 1/2 banana, and 8 ounces fat-free milk
  1/2 English muffin spread with 1 teaspoon light margarine
Lunch
  1 cup vegetarian vegetable soup
  1 veggie burger in a mini whole wheat pita with lettuce and salsa
  6 ounces light yogurt
  15 grapes
Dinner
  BBQ chicken: Brush 4 ounces boneless, skinless breast with barbecue sauce and grill
  1/2 cup vegetarian baked beans
  3 small boiled red potatoes topped with 1 teaspoon light margarine and a pinch of dill

Day 3:

Breakfast
  Oatmeal: In the microwave, cook 1/2 cup quick-cooking oats with 3/4 cup fat-free milk; 1/2 apple, chopped; 1 teaspoon honey; and a pinch of cinnamon
Lunch
  Chicken salad: Toss 4 ounces shredded skinless roast chicken breast with 1/4 cup sliced red grapes, 1 tablespoon slivered almonds, 1 tablespoon light mayonnaise, and 1 tablespoon fat-free sour cream. Serve over lettuce.
  1 banana
Dinner
  4 ounces steamed shrimp
  1 baked potato topped with 3 tablespoons salsa and 1 tablespoon fat-free sour cream
  3 cups spinach, steamed
  1 low-fat frozen fudge bar

Day 4:

Breakfast
  1/2 toasted English muffin topped with 1/2 small apple, sliced, and 1 ounce shredded reduced-fat cheese, any type. Microwave 30 seconds on High.
  6 ounces light yogurt sprinkled with 1 tablespoon slivered almonds
Lunch
  1 cup tomato soup
  Sandwich: 1 mini whole wheat pita, 3 ounces thinly sliced roast beef, 1 teaspoon horseradish, mustard, tomato slices, lettuce
  1 cup raw veggies
  1 pear
Dinner
  3 ounces poached salmon
  Slaw: Toss 1 1/4 cups coleslaw mix and 2 sliced green onions with 2 tablespoons fat-free dressing
  3/4 cup cooked brown rice
  1/2 cup pineapple chunks in juice


Day 5:

Breakfast
  1 cup Cheerios, 1/2 cup berries, 1 tablespoon slivered almonds, 8 ounces fat-free milk
Lunch
  Quesadilla: Spread 1/4 cup fat-free refried beans over 1 small whole wheat tortilla. Sprinkle on 1 ounce shredded reduced-fat cheese. Top with salsa and another tortilla; microwave 45 seconds on High.
  1/2 cup low-fat cottage cheese topped with 1/2 cup mandarin orange sections
  Cucumber spears
Dinner
  3 ounces roasted pork tenderloin
  1 cup baked acorn squash, mashed with a pinch of cinnamon
  2 to 3 cups salad greens with 2 tablespoons fat-free dressing
·  1/2 cup vanilla fat-free frozen yogurt topped with 1 cup berries
No more than 30 calories per 2 tablespoons of dressing

Day 6:

Breakfast
  1 toasted frozen waffle, spread with 1 tablespoon peanut butter and topped with 1/2 sliced banana
  8 ounces fat-free milk
Lunch
  Tuna pita: 1 mini whole wheat pita, 2 ounces water-packed light tuna, 1 tablespoon light mayonnaise, mustard, and cucumber and onion slices
  10 baby carrots
  6 ounces light yogurt mixed with 1/2 banana
Dinner
  Jambalaya: Combine 3/4 cup cooked brown rice; 1/2 cup corn; 2 ounces cooked turkey sausage, sliced; 1/3 cup salsa; and 1/4 cup canned kidney beans. Heat through.
  3 cups spinach, steamed
  1 medium apple

Day 7:

Breakfast
  1/2 toasted English muffin layered with 1 ounce reduced-fat cheese, sliced; 1 tomato slice; 1/2 cup steamed spinach, drained; and 1 poached egg
  1 grapefruit
Lunch
  Black bean salad: Toss 1/2 cup canned black beans, 1/2 cup mandarin orange sections, and chopped red bell peppers, red onion, and scallions with 1 teaspoon vinegar. Serve over salad greens.
  1 mini whole wheat pita
  1 pear
Dinner
·  3 ounces broiled or grilled flank steak
·  1 baked sweet potato with 1 teaspoon light margarine
·  1 cup steamed zucchini
·  1/2 cup pineapple chunks in juice


And those two things will lead to bigger things. But for now, those two things are my highest priority resolutions. 

I can do this. 

I must do this. 

I shall do this.

I will do this.

I want to do this.

See it............... Believe it.................. Achieve it! 




Monday, December 16, 2013

Choco Mint Heaven


Wow........ considering all of the responses from employees on my Christmas oreo mint drops, I should start my own bakery.

Some of the responses.... "heaven on earth", "to die for", "Killer" , "seriously deadly", and my favorite, "better than having ............."

So here is the recipe:

8 oz cream cheese, softened.
I package of Oreos (I used the "family size")
1 cup of Andes mints pieces
white chocolate or almond bark for dipping (I use guittard white melting chocolate)
sprinkles for decoration
little white paper cups (optional)

Pulse the cookies in a blender or food processor to make into crumbs.
Mix with the cream cheese in a mixer. At first you think it will never mix, but be patient, it will. Don't add any milk to it or anything.
Add the 1 cup of mint pieces and mix together.

Scoop little balls (I use the mini icecream scoop that I bought for scooping cookie dough) and place on a parchment covered cookie sheet. Put in the refrigerator for an hour, and then put in the freezer for about ten minutes. The scoop saves you from having to use your hands which could be a very messy deal.

Melt the white chocolate in a microwave safe bowl on medium power for two minutes. Stir well.

Put one ball on a fork and hold over the white chocolate. Spoon the white chocolate completely over the ball. Let the excess drip off. Slide it onto the parchment covered sheet again. Immediately sprinkle with the sugar decorations before the chocolate dries.

Repeat with each ball. Put back in the refrigerator til the chocolate hardens.

You can trim off the drizzles and excess chocolate after it hardens. Put the drops in the little white cups and arrange on a pretty plate.

These are VERY rich so be sure you make them small. Seriously... a bite size is best.


Tuesday, December 10, 2013

My funny tree

I've heard of girls popping out of cakes, but Christmas Trees? Now that is a first. And it's in my living room.

My boys have a sense of humor.

At least she has clothes on.

Now to get the presents under the tree, and figure out what to make for dinner.

I'm thinking Prime Rib. Sounds good to me. And mashed potatoes.... and some veggies.... I can't make a ton of food because George and I leave for Texas on the 26th. Well, David will be home so I guess he can eat leftovers.

Anyhow............. those are my thoughts.

Wednesday, December 4, 2013

More Thanksgiving Photos













Thank you David for these lovely photos. It really makes a difference when photos are taken with a nice camera, and taken by someone who has a talent for photography. 

I really love the ones of the candlelight through the glass. 

I get warm fuzzies in my heart when I look at these. I think my mom was there in spirit.

Probably asking why I wasn't using one of HER tablecloths...........

Sorry Mom.