What Are You Gonna Gain?

As I have said before, I do not like New Year's Resolutions.  People rarely actually keep resolutions, but I believe we should be making year round healthy goals and decisions for ourselves.  

Personally I have been struggling lately.  I am struggling with going to the gym, I think its been a week now.  I am constantly hungry right now, but spite that I did very well over the holidays!  I am also in the middle of making some new and healthy goals for myself.  When things don't seem to be going as they should, or working for you like they should, that's when its time to re-examine your goals.  See where the problem actually is, then tweak it! Its time for me to re-evaluate myself and my goals.

The number one resolution people make is to lose weight. It may be 10 pounds or it may be 100 pounds.  A lot of times we get so caught up on what we need to lose, that we don't look at what we will GAIN!  There is so much to gain from weight loss.  Better health of course, but you gain pride in yourself, self-worth, energy, optimism, self-confidence, and many more.  It will help us in every relationship, from our spouse to our co-workers.  There is also abilities we will gain.  Things we couldn't do before.  Jogging down the road, riding a horse, getting on that roller coaster, these are all personal abilities I want to gain.

If counting down the pounds and seeing how much you have to lose is not working for you, maybe you should try counting the things you want to gain and WILL gain!  Here's hoping there are wonderful things to come for us all in 2013! Happy New Year!

Eggs Benedict Casserole - Merry Christmas!!!!!

Merry Christmas everyone!  I hope the next couple of days will be a true enjoyment to you and your family! Remember that Christ is the TRUE Reason for the Season.  Surround yourself and your family with the things of the Lord, and forget about all the materialistic things of Christmas.  The holidays will become less stressful and more enjoyable for all. :)

I was so excited when I found this recipe!  My husband does not like eggs benedict simply because of the hollindaise sauce, and since it gets drizzled over top, he will eat this without the sauce.  So if your family doesn't like the sauce, they can still have the casserole!  It doesn't take long to put together, but it has to soak overnight, so make sure you give yourself the time needed.  

• 2 cups chopped canadian bacon (I used left over slow cooked brown sugar ham)
• 6 English muffins, split and cut into 1-inch pieces 
• 8 eggs
• 2 cups 2% milk
• 1 teaspoon onion powder (I used minced garlic)
• 1/4 teaspoon paprika
• Pepper to taste (no salt needed, the Canadian bacon is salty enough)
• I also added chopped peppers and onions even though it didn't call for it, but I add them to everything...lol

1. Grease 9×13-inch baking dish.
2. Place half of the Canadian bacon in bottom of baking dish.
3. Top with English muffins and remaining bacon.
4. In a large bowl, whisk the eggs, milk and onion powder.
5. Pour egg mixture over the top of English muffins and Canadian bacon.
6. Cover and refrigerate overnight.
7. Remove dish from the refrigerator 30 minutes before baking.
8. Preheat oven to 375 degrees
9. Sprinkle paprika over the casserole.
10. Cover and bake for 35 minutes. Uncover; bake for an additional 10-15 minutes or until a knife inserted near the center comes out clean.
11. Serve warm with Hollandaise sauce (you can make your own, but we’ve found the Knorr brand packaged Hollandaise is just as good – not to mention a whole lot easier to manage!) – we suggest offering the sauce in a small pitcher so guests can pour as much as they wish onto the casserole (plus, it keeps the dish from getting soggy when bringing it to the table).

Last but not least, remember that you don't have to pig out during the holidays and hate yourself at New Years.  Eat small portions, and still enjoy yourself!  Its do-able...it really is!  Hoping you all have a very Merry Christmas!

NOT Waiting For The New Year! (Fitness Challenge December 2012)

Last month I was able to hit my latest goal of being able to be weighed on the scale at the gym.  It took me MONTHS to get there, bouncing up and down in a 10 pound area.  That shouldn't have happened. Yes, there were stresses in my life, sickness and other things, but the more excuses I come up with the farther from my other goals I get.
A lot of people say, "Ill just make it through the holidays, and start new after January 1st".  That's not the attitude to have.  That's giving ourselves permission to overeat on the holidays, and then we have an extra 10 pounds to get rid of.  And if we all kept our new years resolution, we wouldn't have to RE-make it EVERY YEAR!  I am NOT waiting for New Years!  It is the beginning of the month, and I am making it count.  Excluding Sundays and holidays, I have 22 chances to workout at Curves this month.  I am determined to make it to at least 18 of those.  I will go on at least 20 walks this month, and I will leave the last 2 bites of every meal on my plate.  There are other small things I plan on doing, but I need to get back to where I was. There was a point last year where it was a daily routine and it didn't matter what was going on, a workout and walk were just as important to me as anything else in my day and that's gonna happen again!
It will take determination, motivation, and support from all of you!  I can say I have a huge support system in place and thank God for those who push me! Thank you!  I will update how I am doing half way through the month!

Cranberry Honey Butter

I found this recipe on the cooking channel website.  I was looking for something festive to have for Christmas morning, but not too heavy since we will have a big meal later that day.  This looks delicious and I am definitely going to make it.  Here is the link to the website in case you like this recipe and want to browse for others.

http://www.cookingchanneltv.com 

INGREDIENTS

• 2 sticks (1 cup) unsalted butter, softened
• 1/2 cup cranberry sauce (homemade preferred)
• 1/4 cup honey
• 1/4 cup powdered sugar

• 1/4 teaspoon finely grated orange zest
• Pinch salt

DIRECTIONS

In a large bowl, combine the butter, cranberry sauce, honey, powdered sugar, orange zest and salt, and beat until light and fluffy. Taste and adjust seasoning, if necessary. 

Refrigerate up to 2 weeks. For gifting, pair with homemade rolls, scones, muffins or cornbread. 

Killin it Today!

Burned 744 calories at the gym this morning! What!? I have never done that unless I did a workout AND zumba together. Of course, the computer DID raise my PI by 20 points this morning..lol Glad I went today. I had a 4 hour fight with myself about going and won! Some days it is very difficult to get up and go, especially when I am not feeling well, but the rewards after are endless.  Not only does it result in weight loss and muscle build, but when you are done, you feel a sense of self accomplishment that can never be achieved without hard work.  I hope this will motivate someone else who was gonna skip the gym today to GET UP AND GO!!!!!

Creamy Crock Pot Hot Chocolate

In anticipation for our upcoming holiday, I thought I would share a great hot cocoa recipe.  Cooking a big meal can be very time consuming, but this is not!  It will make a great end to a great day.  This recipe serves about 6 people and can easily be doubles or tripled, AND...you use the crock pot!  I love using the crock pot!  You just dump, stir, and wait!  This is not your average instant pack of cocoa.  This is rich, creamy, and hits the spot just right.  Unfortunately, the spot it seems to hit is our hips, lol, so try to stick to just one cup.

• 1 1/2 cups whipping cream
• 14 oz. sweetened condensed milk
• 2 cups chocolate chips (I prefer dark chocolate)
• 2 tsp. vanilla 
• your favorite toppings!!!!

Combine all ingredients in crock pot and whisk together.  Cook on low for 2 hours, whisking every once in awhile.  Pour into cup and top with favorite toppings.  That's it! So simple!!! Enjoy! And Happy Holidays!!!

Brown Sugar & Ginger Ale Ham

My husband is always saying every time I make ham, "Your ham is so good, but not like my mom's ginger ale ham.".  Well, for ANY good wife, that sounds like a challenge!  So I set out to make my husband the "perfect ham".  Just pouring ginger ale over the ham didn't do the trick.  He liked it, and even said it was as good as his mom's, but that wasn't good enough!  So I added brown sugar (suggested by a friend) and..... WOW!  I do believe I surpassed his mother's ham!  SUCCESS!!!

• 1 uncooked ham, bone-in or out
• 2 cups ginger ale
• @ 2 cups brown sugar
•   whole cloves (optional)

This part is optional, but ham has TONS of sodium in it.  To take some of that out, 24 hours before cooking it, poke wholes with a knife all over the ham.  Stick in a stock pot full of water, covering the ham.  Let it soak until ready to cook.  Rinse off and pat dry.

Preheat oven to 325.  Make sure to take one rack out of the oven, since that is one thing I ALWAYS forget to do! Put the ham face down in a roasting pan.  Pour one cup of ginger ale over the ham.  Then pat the whole ham with brown sugar.  Add a few cloves if desired.  Cover tightly with aluminum foil or roasting lid.  Cook for 20 min/pound.  Half way through, pour another cup of ginger ale over the ham and then CAREFULLY, it will be hot, pat again with brown sugar for extra sweetness (optional).  Recover, and let finish cooking.  Wait 5 minutes before carving.

Peanut Butter Blossoms! (Too Yummy for Words)

Peanut butter blossoms are one of my favorite cookies, and one of the first cookies my mom taught me how to make.  You can easily make these using refrigerated peanut butter cookie dough, but I suggest making them from scratch.  The ingredients are less harmful, and they just taste better!

• 48 chocolate kisses (I used caramel filled ones)
• 1/2 cup shortening
• 3/4 cup peanut butter
• 1/3 cup granulated sugar
• 1/3 cup packed light brown sugar
• 1  egg
• 2 tablespoons milk
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1-1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
•   Additional granulated sugar

Directions

1. Heat oven to 375°F. Remove wrappers from chocolates. 

2. Beat shortening and peanut butter in large bowl until well blended. Add 1/3 cup granulated sugar and brown sugar; beat until fluffy. Add egg, milk and vanilla; beat well. Stir together flour, baking soda and salt; gradually beat into peanut butter mixture. (I like to use salted butter and leave out adding the salt.  Less sodium, no change in flavor.)

3. Shape dough into 1-inch balls. Roll in granulated sugar; place on ungreased cookie sheet. 

4. Bake 8 to 10 minutes or until lightly browned. Immediately press a chocolate into center of each 
cookie; cookie will crack around edges. Remove from cookie sheet to wire rack. Cool completely. 
About 4 dozen cookies.

*******VERY IMPORTANT!!!!!******* When moving the cookies, be very gentle and no giggling.  The chocolate will look firm, but it is melted and will fall if giggled.  

Cold Tuna Macaroni Salad

This is always a simple recipe.  A lot of people would use this as a side dish, but I sometimes use it as a small supper, which is what I am doing tonight!  The picture is NOT mine, but my camera is not working, so I "borrowed" an online image that resembles mine. lol 

• 12 ounces whole wheat pasta
• 1 1/2 cups kraft mayo with olive oil
• 1/2 cup finely chopped red onions
• 3 hard boiled eggs, chopped
• 1/2 cup peas
• 12 ounces tuna
• salt and pepper to taste

Combine all ingredients and chill for at least an hour.  Serves 6-8

This is just a basic recipe.  My actual recipe is completely different.  Its kind of a secret, but I don't think I could share it if I wanted to.  I throw things in without measuring and do it all by taste.  I start with this recipe, but then leave out the peas, and add hot sauce, relish, a bit of sugar, and a couple other things.  Feel free to try it out, but I couldn't give you the measurements if I tried. lol

Use Your Leftovers!!!! (Stuffing Casserole Recipe)

In this economy, we all have to try to find ways to stretch our budget, especially our grocery budget.  One way of doing that is making a whole other meal out of our leftovers.  Yesterday I shared my slow cooker recipe for a whole chicken.  Well, with there being only two of us we had plenty of chicken left.  A great way to stretch meat is....a casserole!  This recipe is very quick and very easy.  Its another one that you can make quite a few different ways.

• 2 cups chopped leftover chicken
• 2 -3 cups fresh or frozen vegetables of your choice(I used broccoli this time)
• 1 can (10 oz) fat free and low sodium cream of chicken
• 1/3 cup fat free light sour cream
• 1 box turkey stuffing...or...make your own!

Preheat oven to 400.  In a small bowl, add 1 1/2 cups lukewarm water to the box of  stuffing.  Let it set for a few minutes while the water absorbs.  Combine first 4 ingredients in a medium bowl. Pour mixture into a greased casserole dish. (My dish was 11x7 but you can use a 13x9) Spread stuffing evenly over mixture.  Bake for 30-40 minutes. Enjoy!

With using the chicken in a casserole, I have enough chicken for ANOTHER meal, which I will probably do a stir fry or something.  Plus, the casserole itself will last us 2 nights, so I paid a little more than $5 for the chicken, and have used it for 4 nights!  I know some people wouldn't want to eat chicken 4 nights in a row, but be creative!  Besides the casserole 2 nights in a row, not a single recipe was like the other.  It will be worth it in the long run.  For my husband and I, most weeks I am able to spend $30 a week on groceries.  It is do-able!

*All ingredients, not including chicken, you can buy for a total of under $5.  If your budget calls for buying canned veggies, make sure you rinse those off a few times to get out as much sodium as possible.

Slow Cooked Caribbean Chicken

Using a crock pot is very simple, convenient, and if you are just learning to cook, a great way to start.

This turned out so delicious!  It is really a generic recipe.  What I mean by that is you can take a whole chicken and add any marinade to it.  Wash the chicken as usual and pull out the insides.  No need to add water, pour 1/2 a cup of the marinade into the bottom of the crock pot.  Put the chicken in.  Pour the rest over the chicken rubbing it in.  Cover at cook on low for 4 hours and then turn it on high for 2 more hours.  I know a lot of people cook for EITHER on low for 8 or high for 4, but I find it to be juicier this way.

DO NOT TAKE THE LID OFF WHILE COOKING!  People get curious when slow cooking, but by lifting the lid, you let out all the steam.  If you absolutely have to lift the lid, add another 20 minutes to the cook time for each time it is lifted.  There is really no need to lift it though unless it is a creamy soup and the sides are sticking.  A little trick to seeing through the lid is to keep the lid down, but just twist it in a circle.  The moisture will fall off the lid and see can see how it is cooking.  If you have an oval crock pot, like mine, just shake the lid a bit and you can see in.

When it comes to marinades, be careful when using a pre-made one.  There is tons of sodium in most pre-made marinades and sauces.  I recommend always making your own.  You can control the calorie and sodium intake by making your own.  Yes, it is more expensive, but eating right and healthier always is more expensive.  I "cheated" tonight and used KC Masterpiece Caribbean Jerk Sauce.  I only used it because its all I had, I prefer making my own.

I hope this has not just provided you with a yummy recipe that you can use a million ways, but i hope that it has helped someone to learn how to use a slow cooker and maybe start cooking! Enjoy!!!!

Garlic Tilapia

Tonight I made garlic tilapia.  I am trying to eat more fish and it is quite a challenge for me.  I am NOT a fish person!  But it is good for me, good for my diet, and I dont want to eat as much of it...lol.  I went very simple with this one.  It is simply a nice fresh piece of tilapia, seasoned with Mrs. Dash.  To lower my sodium intake I have been using Mrs. Dash.  The only one that I really like is the garlic version.  It gives it a great flavor without all of the sodium or added calories.  There is no breading on it so you can have carbs elsewhere.   I fixed with it a beef rice and in preparation for the upcoming holidays, green bean casserole.  For the fish I cooked it at 400 for 30 minutes and it was cooked beautifully!

Pray for me in my weight struggle.  It is an everyday fight to eat right and exercise.  Ive been having motivation problems in the exercise department.  I seem to always find an excuse.  I dont want to give myself excuses and I am my own worst enemy.  Please help with some motivation.  I try to motivate as much as possible because thats what we have each other for.  One day I am sure you will get some in return. :) 

Back to Blogging!

I FINALLY got my desktop back up and running!  It will be soooo much easier for me now to work and post on my blog.  Trying a fish recipe tonight so will post a new recipe tomorrow!  Dont forget to check out my new goals, completed goals, and take my latest blog poll!  Looking forward to posting new pictures and recipes!!!!!

Next Goal Completed!!!!!

i have been trying to hit my next goal for quite some time now.  you could even say i have been stuck in a rut.  i have not weighed myself in almost two months from fear of not hitting my goal.  its the goal of being able to use the scale at curves.  it only goes up to 440 and 505 being my highest i have had to drive all the way to my doctors to weigh in.  the past few weeks i have been under a lot of stress and have really struggled with my food and exercise.  my back and neck have been hurting and i have had no energy so i gave myself excuses, but these things were happening BECAUSE i wasnt going to the gym.  last night, since we have no vehicle right now, we walked to the nearest grocery store, about a mile.  i felt like i was gonna die when i got home!  i told myself, no more excuses.  in the morning i was going to the gym, i was gonna workout, and i was gonna get weighed and measured.  i was so nervous this morning when i got the i started balling.  i thank the Lord for Michelle Mory, owner of curves.  she is more than the owner, she is a dear friend who comforts me in anytime i need it.  so i step on the scale, and it actually gave us a reading!  441!!!! i was hoping for a lower number, but ill take it!  so thats 1.5 pounds down.  time to measure!  i wasnt expecting any change since i hadnt been to the gym in a week, but i lost another 2.5 inches!!!!  this has given me the motivation i needed to get back on track and discover even bigger losses!  we all go through these rough times.  i didnt handle this one very well, but thats why its important to take it all one day at a time and keep moving forward!.

The Journey Continues

well, im still on my phone.  i want to try and continue to post even while my desktop is down.  i wont be able to change layouts, or add pictures, but i can type!  a friend and i recently started holding each other more accountable.  we both seem to have the same health problems and the same goals in life.  so why not help eachother, right?  this wont even let me start a new paragraph...very frustrating!  anyways, we are both gettings ourselves back on track, and hopefully my weight counter will start moving soon!

Forever and A Day

it seems a lot longer than march since i last blogged.  we recently moved in june and i dont have my computer up so i am using my phone.  it is very hard to do this from the phone.  it wont even lets me use caps!!! lol well once i have my computer up and running i will get right back into it all.  updated pictures, new recipes, new goals.

Back on Track

Well so much has been going on in my life and its been so long since I have wrote on my blog. I seem to have been on a bit of a platform and my weight has stayed the same the last couple of months. As the weather gets warmer I seem to want to get out and do more. Maybe it was the winter blues...not sure.
We are planning on going camping for a week in June. I cant wait to go. I am in the middle of swim suit shopping and there is nothing like that to remind you of the weight you need to lose! lol
I have not completely lost my focus. I am still working out and losing inches. I completely got rid of all of my 5x clothes and am officially into 4x...that felt good. Pray for me as this is such a struggle in my life. Please encourage me when you can. Dont be afraid to ask me how things are going. I am very open and honest about my weight loss and it will help keep me on track. Anyone who has ever tried to lose a few pounds knows the struggles of losing that weight. Now imagine you had to lose 250 pounds....long long LONG road ahead of me...I have lost 65 so far and i want to lose another 10 in the next 2 months. I have been battling that 440 mark for a few months now and it seems I cant just tip over it. I am gonna do it before I go camping...KEEP MOVING FORWARD!!!!!

Recipe of the Week (Chicken Alfredo Lasagna)

This was from a packet of recipe cards that I was given for my birthday. It turned out very nice! Everyone loved it...even David would have loved it if he would have just tried it...he's not much of an alfreo person...lol

1 jar of alfredo sauce (I made my own sauce...it will cut back on the sodium and preservatives AND it just tastes better!)

1 3/4 milk

3 cups chopped cooked chicken

12 oz. small curd cottage cheese

1/4 c grated parm cheese

3 medium tomatoes, chopped

1 medium onion, finely chopped

1 package no boil lasagna noodles (again you can make your own for a fresher and healthier recipe using wheat flour)

4 cups shredded mozzerella cheese, divided

desired seasonings

(I also added green peppers...add whatever veggies you want!)

Preheat oven to 375. Combine alfredo sauce and milk in a large bowl. Mix well. Stir in the chicken. Set aside. Combine the cottage cheese, parm, tomatoes, onion, other veggies, and seasonings. Mix well. Set aside.

Spread 1 cup chicken mixture in the bottom of the baking dish (13x9). Cover with 3 noodles. Spoon 1 cup cottage cheese mixture over the noodles. Spread 3/4 cup chicken mixture over the cheese mixture. Sprinkle with 1 cup of shredded cheese. Repeat the layers twice. Top with the remaining noodles. Top noodles with remaining chicken and cheese.

Cover with foil and bake for 50 minutes. Uncover and bake until bubbly and cheese is lightly browned, 10-15 minutes longer. Let stand for 10 minutes before serving.

Happy New Year!

Happy New Year everyone! It has been awhile. I have gotten away from my blog for a bit and am really having a hard time getting back into it. I have a few recipes to post. I got a bunch of nice recipe books for Christmas and my birthday and cant wait to try them out.

I have not been weighed yet for the month of January. I have had so many health problems in the last month or so I feel like I have really gotten away from the gym. I am back now and going strong. The biggest loser has the theme this season as "NO EXCUSES"! I have to definitely adopt that this year. So now, I examine what I have accomplished in 2011. I lost 65 pounds, over 30 inches, and I went down from a 6x to a 4x!!! I have a lot of people who say, I wish I could say that, but you can! It takes time. We didn't get this way overnight. It took me 28 years to get to this size. I cant wait to see what 2012 holds in store for not just me, but all of my weight loss friends and family.