New Recipe

So I had some leftover roasted butternut squash from another nights dinner. It was still sitting in there and then like the Grinch I got an idea. An awful idea. The Grinch (me) got a wonderful, *awful* idea! Make soup!!!!!

I gathered some onion, thyme, sage, chicken stock, half and half, and my trusty immersion blender (kitchenaid empire red). I sauteed the onion with the butternut squash til the onions were almost translucent and squash was heated through. Added the thyme and sage, no salt or pepper due to the fact it was already on the squash from when I previously cooked it, left the mixture on the flame a little longer for all flavors to combine. After turning off the flame, I carefully put the concoction in a tall cylindrical container added about a cup of chicken broth grabbed my blender and went to town. I knew it was done when it came to a nice pea soup consistency and added about a quarter cup of half and half. Threw the blender on once more and then Voila soup du jour. It was sooooooooooooooooo good. Did I mention it was good? I still have some left which I plan on taking a picture and posting here. Had to save some for Dan, mi esposa.

So that was my victorious creation of the day. Ever make up a recipe that tasted Dynomite? Let me know.

BTW it was *awful* because I could have eaten all of it.

A Horse of a Different Color

A workout can be anything as long as you are moving and getting that heart pumping. Well my workout yesterday was mowing and boy did I sweat. It was hot, humid, and I should have had a bucket around my neck to collect all the sweat. Ugh! I have a half acre of land to cut. The front yard I use a push mower (self propelled), backyard I use a tractor but cut out all the borders with the self propelled. Took me several hours, I even managed to cut the front yard on a diagonal. Occasionally I cut the grass a different way to shock it, I guess you could say. Looks purdy!!! Heres a shot from my bedroom




Food yesterday was low in carbs. Holding back on some of the carbs to get my sugar levels back in check.
-one egg, coffee
-mexican chicken (seasoned with chili powder and cumin, salsa/cheese on top), 2 cups of green beans
-starbucks decaf latte (made with half and half) a nice treat never affects my weight loss when I cut carbs
-Quarter chicken dark w/cauliflower
-Special Dark Hershey pieces (maybe 10-15)

64oz of water (need to start mentioning the water because it always helps me feel stabilized and hydrated with no bloat)

Sweetest Place on Earth

Yesterday we went to Hersheypark with some friends and it was a blast. The chocolate temptation was mostly on the tour right before you enter the amusement park and yes I did indulge in the free chocolate at the end of the tour ride. It was a mini size bar so no harm no foul, right? It was hot and humid but that didn't stop us from enjoying what the park had to offer. Alot of coasters and a huge waterpark, rightly called the Boardwalk, were just some of our stops. We also hit up Zoo America, played some games, and managed not to blow a wad on souvenirs. All in all I would definitely recommend hitting up this sweet destination if in the area.

Food yesterday
-2 egg omelette filled with spinach, cheese, tomatoes, onions and peppers, 2 slices turkey bacon and 4 chicken nuggets covered with sausage gravy (I know).
-grilled chicken sandwich, few cheese fries, small hershey bar
-kettle popcorn
-half a ciabatta sandwich from starbucks

My choices were ok and I know I definitely burned alot of calories walking around the park. By the end of the night my legs were screaming at me. Did I mention I was up at 530am doing my run/walk combo? 3.2 miles 2:1 intervals

Yada Yada Yada

Love that line from Seinfeld.

I realized I hadn't updated in awhile and don't want to let it fall by the wayside.

This past weekend we went camping at the Jersey Shore, well forget the exercise and food choices were ok could have been a little better (ahem carrot cheesecake). It was blazing hot. Friday was bearable and so we headed to the beach. Glad we did because Saturday the Garden State Pkwy was jammed and it was soooooo Hot!!!! We are talking heat and humidity. That day we went to a nice seafood restaurant for lunch and then just hung out the rest of the day in the air conditioned camper. The mosquitoes were terrible too. So what did I learn from this experience 1.) to get even remotely close to a beach at a campground make reservations WAAAY in advance 2.) the shore on the weekends is a mob scene 3.) Living so close to Jersey we could make it a day trip and get our fill of the boardwalk and sand. All in all the kids had fun, I think?, and thats what matters.

Yesterday my eating was back on plan and so was exercise.

Food included
Breakfast
-2 egg omelette w/ slice of Naturally SLender American, coffee

Lunch
-green salad w/ turkey, 2% shredded cheddar, cukes, a pickle spear and apple w/ PB

Snack
-Chobani Raspberry greek yogurt

Dinner
-hamburger patty, roasted butternut squash, and a green salad (oh and maybe a hot dog too)

Snack
-donut from our local fair (so yummy)

Exercise was running/walking Intervals for 52 minutes.

I did forget to weight today and will do so first thing in the morning.

Yoga Pose-edly

Tonight I ended up at Target looking for something which they didn't have nor does any other store for that matter. So as I was aimlessly walking around I stumbled upon the fitness department. Browsed over all the expensive equipment and didn't feel like spending a ton but knew I wanted to add a different element to my workout regimen. Then I saw the DVD's they were calling to me..."New, different, cheap, right here just waiting to come home with you." Skimming through I immediately knew I wanted Yoga. Without much hesitation, I grabbed Jillian Michaels' Yoga Meltdown and knew I wouldn't be cheated from sweating my brains out, even with yoga. There are 2 levels of intensity with a inference of losing up to 5 pounds a week. Yeah right, only in my dreams. Regardless, I will be incorporating yoga into my plan starting once a week and go from there. I may not be flexible or graceful but if it relaxes me, its worth a shot. Anything you do to shake up your routine?

Goody New Shoes

So after doing 10-20 miles of running a week since the beginning of January with a break in June I have decided its time for new running sneakers. I usually run 3x a week alternating with the Shred (which I hope to finally accomplish this time around. )

First indicator was just mileage which I had put on them already and it had roughly been 6 months since I bought my first pair.

Second sign was the pain I was experiencing in my legs. I buy the Brooks Adrenaline 9 mainly for the purpose of my plantar fascitis. The sneaks really help to relieve the heel pain I start to feel post long running. My calves would also end up getting very sore.

Third, well there is no real third but it sounds more convincing in 3's. I could use the excuse I was dying for a new color, which is semi-true. So we will just leave it at that.

Today I still need to do my 30 Day Shred Level 1 Day 5 workout.

Food today has been

Breakfast
3 scrambled eggs w/ ketchup
Coffee with half and half

Lunch
Cup of egg salad on bed of greens

Snack
Half of a medium latte w/ 3 splenda
Raisin Bran muffin

Dinner
Taco Salad (ground beef, lettuce, tomato, 2% shredded cheddar, and salsa)
Half cup refried black beans
Half of a mango

Buffet

Yes I said it, the dreaded buffet. It can be your best friend or worst enemy. With me. its a love hate relationship. The choices I love, its the aftermath I despise, sometimes.

Last night I was being lazy so we went out to eat with my in-laws. The restaurant of choice was Hoss's. Hoss's has a somewhat modest salad bar with soups, nacho bar, various breads, and desserts which can be ordered separately or along with an entree. Now an entree was probably not even necessary but the excitement of being "out to dinner" played on my brain so I went with the premium lump crab cake and a plain sweet potato. I find, from being here before, an entree is usually not even necessary, the salad bar is plenty enough and much cheaper. There is nothing worse than walking away from dinner with that awful full feeling making you regret almost everything that you put in your mouth.

So what else did I grab off the buffet you ask? Ok here goes, a colorful salad w/ a nonfat honey dijon, pickled egg (yolk removed), small spoonful of cole slaw, a slice of multi grain bread with a tbsp of peanut butter and apple butter, a cup of sausage potato soup. This soup was to die for, I kid you not. It was absolutely fabulous. Makes me drool just thinking about it. Oh and probably a half cup of butter beans. Dessert rounded out the meal, being a small cup of vanilla ice cream with hot fudge and chopped nuts. Wow, it always looks like a ton of food once spelled out. Needless to say I stuffed myself. The full glass of water didn't help either. My choices weren't terrible but my choice to eat more than needed was out of whack.

On my way home I tried to rationalize why I overstuffed myself especially when I am trying to lose the poundage. Its a learning process, so heres what I learned.
-Stay away from the buffets if you have the choice.
-Portion Control is of the utmost importance don't order, or take, any more than you need.
-Eat the fresh foods offered, not processed.

Lets admit it we can't totally escape the buffets when going through life, but we can try our best to make the right decisions when faced with the challenge.

Any points I missed? (Theres probably a few). Let me know.

Ezekiel Bread

Ahh the infamous Ezekiel Bread. The stuff I have been hearing about by all those being health conscious and gluten free. I always saw it walking down the organic aisle but never could justify the price. Well this past Monday I broke down and threw it in my cart. I bought the Food for Life english muffins. $4.39 I believe the price happened to be for 6 english muffins. I looked at the nutrition info and saw a serving size was !/2 a muffin. That will never do, so I figured if I make my egg sandwich in the morning that would pretty much be my grains for the day.

I fried my egg up this morning accidentally getting the yolk in the pan so I scraped it over and dropped in another white, all in all it was about 1.5 egg whites. Toasted my muffin, spreading a divided teaspoon of butter on each half, lay my cheese down and voila I had this tasty breakfast.


The bread itself was very dense and I could see why a serving is half a muffin. The taste was very good and I am the type of person who loves grainy breads where you can actually taste and feel all the nutrients. As far as the healthful effects of it, it is made with sprouted grains and no flour so thats always a plus in my book. The only minor negative I see is the cost. If its in my budget that week maybe I will spring for it and if not its back to my low carb whole grain wraps and light whole wheat bread. Fiber One whole wheat english muffins aren't too bad either. So have you tried Ezekiel?

Family Integration

Title makes sense right. I have 2 kids and I know some day I will update my profile to show just that. Anyway trying to lose weight when you have a husband and kids to feed can be somewhat of a challenge. Do you make them eat what you eat or do you cook separate meals? Personally I think it depends on what plan you follow. When I first started my weight loss journey I did South Beach to the T (or is it tee?). It was the best plan that I thought I could adhere as a lifestyle change and not just a diet. It allowed me to make foods that were not only good for me but my family as well. I still buy my kids the junk as an occasional treat but I have learned along the way to stay away! Its a journey with lessons to be learned.

As for the exercise, thats a no brainer. "kids", I tell them, "I am working out...don't bother me until I am done." In reply I get the "ok". My kids are 8 and 9 (soon to be 10) so they are old enough to know thats my time to be healthy. THey are usually in school when I get my workout in so its not much of an issue. Its summer time when I really have to plan around their tennis lessons or vacations.

I don't have beautiful pictures of my food the make your mouth water but my menu for today is as follows

Breakfast - 2 egg omelette with spinach, mushrooms and slice of Land O Lakes Naturally Slender / Coffee

L-Leftover asian lettuce wraps in a bowl (bibb lettuce, cabbage, red and green pepper, chicken) with a side of spinach from this morning

S-fage yogurt w/ honey, cinnamon, and vanilla with an iced coffee

D-4 meatballs, 2 oz whole wheat pasta, and a green salad

S-sugar free pudding or healthy choice fudge pop

Exercise - 30 Day Shred Level 1 Day 3

ETA: Last Tuesday I weighed in at 208.2. Weight today was 204.0. Not shabby.


ETAA: The whole kids and exercise thing, why not exercise with the kids as well. I do that and forgot to even mention that. Tag, hiking, biking, walking, and swimming are a few just off the top of my head. Not only does it make you active but the kids as well and its great bonding time as well. I mean every workout isn't always about sweating your brains out.

Ta Da

Well here it is...my late night masterpiece. I concocted this little gem late tonight. Tomorrow is another day and hopefully my head will be clear and refreshed to write a little more. I hope.