It's not that ominous, really!!
Had a good time in San Antonio, as I knew I would. I love my friend and her family as if they were my family. We have known each other for many, many years. I have watched her children and grandchildren grow into adults. They call me Aunt Laura, which is appropriate because I think of their Mom as my sister.
When I first got there, I was still suffering with a stomach bug of some sort. I was incredibly hungry, but nothing tasted good and whatever I ate set off waves of nausea. It was nasty!! That lasted until late in the day on Tuesday. My girlfriend picked me up that evening and she had Chicken Tortilla soup waiting at home. It was so very, very good and soothing. I think it cured me!! After that, I ate an incredible assortment of crap, not alot of anything, just not stuff that was good for me or even On Plan!! The scales tell. I didn't weigh in this week as my flight was late yesterday and meetings are early. So I have the opportunity to straighten up and fly right before next Saturday. I wonder...?
Sunday, February 28, 2010
Saturday, February 20, 2010
Weigh In and Travel Plans
Woo Hoo. Down another 1.2 for a total of 22 lbs lost. I am feeling triumphant and empowered to keep on going. Did lose a Weekly Point, but I was having a hard time using them all anyway (most of the time!). Tomorrow morning I fly out to San Antonio for a conference. It lasts Mon and Tues and then Tuesday afternoon, my best friend, who lives about 40 miles northwest of SA will pick me up from my hotel and I will go and spend a few days with her and her hubby. Really good people and we get to spend way to little time together. Since I last saw them, I have quit smoking and lost this weight. I know I won't be terribly on plan this week, its too hard when I am traveling, but I will have my girlfriend stop at the grocery store on the way to her house so I can buy some WW friendly snacks at least. They are good eaters, with emphasis on veggies and fruits, I will just have to be cautious and then not guilt my self. I don't want to undo my progress.
Wednesday, February 17, 2010
Damn, He's Prettier Than I Am, and Built Better Too!!
Somewhere in the not too distant past, I attended a conference in pre-Katrina New Orleans. Neither my husband nor myself had ever been there, so, as the company was buying my ticket, we decided we could afford his and a couple of extra nights in a converted stable room very near the French Quarter. We flew on a Thursday night and had until Sunday to play when my husband was going to fly on to Nashville and go visit his mother. My conference started the following Monday. Sweet huh? Those were a few days that are burned forever in my memory. One incident in particular will never be forgotten.
We were walking through the French Quarter just soaking it all in like any tourist. If you've never been there, drinks are sold through street side windows and folks just stroll up and down guzzling whatever (and I was guzzling with the best of them). We came to one establishment that billed itself as a "Cabaret" with Female Impersonators. Now, I am thinking Cher, Joan Rivers, Barbra Streisand, right? So, I pestered the hubby into going, because frankly, he would rather gargle ground glass!! So we walk in, its a two drink minimum and we are between shows. We get seated and very shortly, it starts, but WHOA, Nelly!! This is not Cher, or Barbra, or Joan, or any celeb at all. These are men in different stages of transgendering and they are drop dead gorgeous! and they are half naked!
I had never been in a "strip" club or any other type of adult club of that nature. I was a little taken aback but not being easily flustered, I insisted we stay until we drank what we had paid for. By the time we left, I felt so inadequate as a woman I can't describe it. These guys were amazing. Beautiful, toned, figures to knock your eyes out. I have never looked like that in my entire life as a female!! And the guys were just starting out.
We were walking through the French Quarter just soaking it all in like any tourist. If you've never been there, drinks are sold through street side windows and folks just stroll up and down guzzling whatever (and I was guzzling with the best of them). We came to one establishment that billed itself as a "Cabaret" with Female Impersonators. Now, I am thinking Cher, Joan Rivers, Barbra Streisand, right? So, I pestered the hubby into going, because frankly, he would rather gargle ground glass!! So we walk in, its a two drink minimum and we are between shows. We get seated and very shortly, it starts, but WHOA, Nelly!! This is not Cher, or Barbra, or Joan, or any celeb at all. These are men in different stages of transgendering and they are drop dead gorgeous! and they are half naked!
I had never been in a "strip" club or any other type of adult club of that nature. I was a little taken aback but not being easily flustered, I insisted we stay until we drank what we had paid for. By the time we left, I felt so inadequate as a woman I can't describe it. These guys were amazing. Beautiful, toned, figures to knock your eyes out. I have never looked like that in my entire life as a female!! And the guys were just starting out.
Sunday, February 14, 2010
Yak, Yak, Yak
I don't know what it is about Sundays but I sure get the urge to type!! Anyway, Happy Valentines Day to all. We celebrated at home, me still in my pajamas (my favorite clothing - fleece). We did eat awesome food, sirloin, shrimp, twice baked potato and asparagus. This is not my favorite holiday, but I will take any excuse to cook really nummy food. I am full and content. That's love.
Ok, No Title!!
It was easier that way!!
I go out wandering the internet never knowing quite what I might find, usually because I don't know what the heck it is I am looking for, other than to kill time. Anyway, I find some interesting stories and inspirations and my wanderings today took me back in time to the first Thanksgiving I was away from home. I mean, I was really away, like in a foreign country, across the ocean, without a phone (or a clue!).
Our family tradition was to have a turkey stuffing party the night before Thanksgiving. We would all get together and mix up the stuffing and drink too much and laugh alot and I seem to remember at least one hair dying incident. The problem with this set up was that no one knew what anyone else was doing, so I could be chopping onion, but I had no idea about the cornbread, or the eggs or the other ingredients. But somehow through all the booze and debauchery, we always came up with a great Turkey Day.
Then I got married to an man in the Air Force and they sent us far away. To Spain. So, when Thanksgiving rolled around, I was stumped. I could only remember individual ingredients and some of them rather hazily. (Remember the booze!) I could not remember how things went together and in what proportions and I was going to ruin Thanksgiving and my husband was going to divorce me and send me back to the States and wahhhhh!!!
So I did what any rational person would do. I called home, COLLECT!! About a gazillion dollars a minute to ask for a recipe. Thank God my parents loved me. I might still be in Spain otherwise. My stepmom cut the call short though and said she'd mail it to me and she was as good as her word.
And my dressing was as almost good as hers was. I think the booze and debauchery were essential ingredients.
I go out wandering the internet never knowing quite what I might find, usually because I don't know what the heck it is I am looking for, other than to kill time. Anyway, I find some interesting stories and inspirations and my wanderings today took me back in time to the first Thanksgiving I was away from home. I mean, I was really away, like in a foreign country, across the ocean, without a phone (or a clue!).
Our family tradition was to have a turkey stuffing party the night before Thanksgiving. We would all get together and mix up the stuffing and drink too much and laugh alot and I seem to remember at least one hair dying incident. The problem with this set up was that no one knew what anyone else was doing, so I could be chopping onion, but I had no idea about the cornbread, or the eggs or the other ingredients. But somehow through all the booze and debauchery, we always came up with a great Turkey Day.
Then I got married to an man in the Air Force and they sent us far away. To Spain. So, when Thanksgiving rolled around, I was stumped. I could only remember individual ingredients and some of them rather hazily. (Remember the booze!) I could not remember how things went together and in what proportions and I was going to ruin Thanksgiving and my husband was going to divorce me and send me back to the States and wahhhhh!!!
So I did what any rational person would do. I called home, COLLECT!! About a gazillion dollars a minute to ask for a recipe. Thank God my parents loved me. I might still be in Spain otherwise. My stepmom cut the call short though and said she'd mail it to me and she was as good as her word.
And my dressing was as almost good as hers was. I think the booze and debauchery were essential ingredients.
Thoughts and Things
First off, does anyone besides me have such a damn hard time trying to figure out how to title these things?
Second off, I have added the Weight Watchers logo to my gadgets because I am proud to be a part of such a losing team. They are the best!! And I also added a cartoon. This one makes me laugh everytime I see it. I might change them out occasionally, but I will keep this one for a little while.
Second off, I have added the Weight Watchers logo to my gadgets because I am proud to be a part of such a losing team. They are the best!! And I also added a cartoon. This one makes me laugh everytime I see it. I might change them out occasionally, but I will keep this one for a little while.
Saturday, February 13, 2010
Family Favorite Foods
Last nite we had Pork Chops and Hominy. Very rustic, very peasant foody, very good!! I used Center Cut Rib Chops, which are very lean and shaped right to fit 4 in a frying pan. (Speaking of frying pans, if you have one, make this in your cast iron skillet. It tastes better somehow.) I could probably trim them more, but these are pretty good. First brown them on both sides, just to sear, don't need to cook, yet.
I use salt, pepper and garlic powder to season. Once you have seared on both sides, remove to a plate.
I actually had to add 2 tablespoons of canola oil to the pan, because the chops are soo lean. Scrape any sticky bits and then add 2 tablespoons of flour. Make a roue and let it brown a bit. Add 1 cup of 2% milk. If the gravy is really thick add a bit more milk, up to 1/2 cup. Whisk well and allow to thicken a little. In the meantime, open a 29 oz. can of Hominy.
Hominy is a corn that has been soaked in lye. It puffs up and has a nice texture and flavor. If you have had Corn Nuts, you have eaten fried hominy. Hominy is good for you. It has 80 calories per 1/2 cup serving, 1 gram of fat and 5 FIBER grams. Hot Damn!
Add your hominy to your "gravy". When was the last time you had gravy while watching your diet?
Reposition your browned pork chops on top of the hominy and put in the oven at 350 degrees for about one hour. Don't overcook. Pork Chops will dry out.
Believe it or not, this is an 8 point meal. Add a salad or some other greenery and you can't beat this. It's so good and hearty. Enjoy.
I use salt, pepper and garlic powder to season. Once you have seared on both sides, remove to a plate.
I actually had to add 2 tablespoons of canola oil to the pan, because the chops are soo lean. Scrape any sticky bits and then add 2 tablespoons of flour. Make a roue and let it brown a bit. Add 1 cup of 2% milk. If the gravy is really thick add a bit more milk, up to 1/2 cup. Whisk well and allow to thicken a little. In the meantime, open a 29 oz. can of Hominy.
Hominy is a corn that has been soaked in lye. It puffs up and has a nice texture and flavor. If you have had Corn Nuts, you have eaten fried hominy. Hominy is good for you. It has 80 calories per 1/2 cup serving, 1 gram of fat and 5 FIBER grams. Hot Damn!
Add your hominy to your "gravy". When was the last time you had gravy while watching your diet?
Reposition your browned pork chops on top of the hominy and put in the oven at 350 degrees for about one hour. Don't overcook. Pork Chops will dry out.
Believe it or not, this is an 8 point meal. Add a salad or some other greenery and you can't beat this. It's so good and hearty. Enjoy.
Weigh In and Just Desserts
Ok, so Weigh In today was +.2. Not bad since my inner Weight Watcher phoned in this week. I ate guacamole and chips, hamburger and fries and not one, but two pieces of pizza. What the hell? I was just hit with a craving for all the things I know aren't good for me at once. And the worst part, I only really enjoyed the guacamole. I had my mouth all geared up for something that didn't appear. Oh well, back on plan and going strong. TJ, over at TJ's Test Kitchen is out there pioneering the good things to eat and found the Thomas Bagel Slims for us!! God Bless you girl. Spread one of these with a Laughing Cow Light French Onion cheese wedge and enjoy. That kind of nibbles makes it easy to stay on plan.
Friday, February 12, 2010
Mahi Magic
Ok, this is so simple, but soo wonderful. Costco sells Mahi-Mahi in a bag of frozen fillets. They are so good. Take out a couple of filets and grill them. I seasoned these with Chinese Five Spice, some hot chili powder, salt, pepper and some garlic powder. We didn't put them outside on the grill, fish always suffers out there. But my little indoor electric grill rocks fish!! Now, this pic is right after dinner was served and it's dirty, that happens when you cook.
But this beauty comes all apart and fits in the dishwasher and everything. I love my grill. I got this one from QVC and got my sister one from Amazon (same thing without the "celebrity" endorsement. Well worth the price, regardless. (Made by West Bend).
So in addition to the Mahi, we had my fav rice and peas tonite. This is a good dinner for the nite before Weigh In.
and even Trey got a bite. He had to work for it, but he likes some fish.
Little butt head. Thinks his big job in life it to be cute. He's right, but I don't want him to know.
But this beauty comes all apart and fits in the dishwasher and everything. I love my grill. I got this one from QVC and got my sister one from Amazon (same thing without the "celebrity" endorsement. Well worth the price, regardless. (Made by West Bend).
So in addition to the Mahi, we had my fav rice and peas tonite. This is a good dinner for the nite before Weigh In.
and even Trey got a bite. He had to work for it, but he likes some fish.
Little butt head. Thinks his big job in life it to be cute. He's right, but I don't want him to know.
Delete and Resubmitted with Improvements
A couple of days ago, I posted a Banana Nut Muffin recipe that I said was 3 points, and it was. But I have wanted to repost the improved version of that, because I can actually get it down to 2 points and its soooo good. Too good not to share. So here goes.
2 Point Banana Muffins
1/2 cup(s) Egg Beaters
1/3 cup(s) packed brown sugar
1/2 cup(s) light sour cream
1/2 cup(s) fat-free skim milk
1 tsp vanilla extract
3 large very ripe banana(s)
3/4 cup(s) whole wheat flour
1 cup(s) all-purpose flour
4 tsp baking powder
1 tsp table salt
1 tsp ground cinnamon
1/8 tsp ground nutmeg, or more to your taste
1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Spray muffin tin with non-stick baking spray.
2. In a large bowl, beat egg beaters and suger until fluffy about 5 minutes. Beat in sour cream, milk and
vanilla.
3. Mash bananas and add to mixture.
4. In a separate bowl, sift together dry ingredients. Add to banana mixture, mixing just until blended.
6. Pour batter into prepared muffin tin. I use ice cream scoop to get equal measure and make less mess.
7. Bake in preheated oven until golden brown and a toothpick inserted into center of a muffin (check a
couple) comes out clean, about 30-35 minutes.
8. Turn out onto a wire rack and let cool.
9. Add 1/2 cup of chopped walnuts for an additional 1 point making these 3 point muffins.
Words do not do these justice. They are light and moist and very tasty. And they are large!! Nice with a cup of joe. And they remain this pretty!!
2 Point Banana Muffins
1/2 cup(s) Egg Beaters
1/3 cup(s) packed brown sugar
1/2 cup(s) light sour cream
1/2 cup(s) fat-free skim milk
1 tsp vanilla extract
3 large very ripe banana(s)
3/4 cup(s) whole wheat flour
1 cup(s) all-purpose flour
4 tsp baking powder
1 tsp table salt
1 tsp ground cinnamon
1/8 tsp ground nutmeg, or more to your taste
1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Spray muffin tin with non-stick baking spray.
2. In a large bowl, beat egg beaters and suger until fluffy about 5 minutes. Beat in sour cream, milk and
vanilla.
3. Mash bananas and add to mixture.
4. In a separate bowl, sift together dry ingredients. Add to banana mixture, mixing just until blended.
6. Pour batter into prepared muffin tin. I use ice cream scoop to get equal measure and make less mess.
7. Bake in preheated oven until golden brown and a toothpick inserted into center of a muffin (check a
couple) comes out clean, about 30-35 minutes.
8. Turn out onto a wire rack and let cool.
9. Add 1/2 cup of chopped walnuts for an additional 1 point making these 3 point muffins.
Words do not do these justice. They are light and moist and very tasty. And they are large!! Nice with a cup of joe. And they remain this pretty!!
Sunday, February 7, 2010
Saturday, February 6, 2010
Dinner Tonite
Well, I decided on Pork Chops, baked sweet potato and steamed asparagus. About a 9 point dinner and I can't wait. Yum. And I did get everything to make my guacamole for tomorrow. Safeway had avocados on sale 3 for a $1.00 (actually .99). I just couldn't say no when I am craving it so badly. Pray for me!!
Post Script: was delicious. I couldn't even eat it all. So less points than predicted, but I will let it ride. I am done eating for the day anyway.
Post Script: was delicious. I couldn't even eat it all. So less points than predicted, but I will let it ride. I am done eating for the day anyway.
Weigh in and Celebrations
Down 1.6 for a total of 21 lbs. Thats also 10% of my starting body weight. I am thrilled. It has taken a long time to get here, over 2 months to lose this last 5 lbs! I gained a bit over the holidays and that didn't help, but basically I have just lost a little each week. Today our Leader at the meeting had one of her quotes up that was very appropriate "Slower is Faster than Never". I guess!! So, new goal, another 10%. I am sure this is going to be a long drawn out process, but thats ok. I am post menopausal (had a complete hysterectomy in 2001) and the lack of natural hormones alone is going to make it harder and slower. But only quitting is going to make it impossible, so will keep marching on. I know there are alot of things I could be doing that would hasten the process (more activity being the primary one), but I will jump off cross that bridge when I get to it. Not sure about dinner tonite, but will blog it up later. Tacos for dinner tomorrow and I promised myself guacamole with chips for Superbowl Snacks. I may regret that. We'll see.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)