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Showing posts from September, 2010

More to Dislike on Television

We don't have TV channels. Fortunately for us, we don't watch commercials and aren't disgusted and depressed by the nightly news, either. I do feel a bit sorry that I'm missing some quality Seinfeld re-runs, though. It all started when we didn't want to pay for cable. Then the conversion to digital took away PBS (yes, we did install a converter to no avail). Hubby and I decided we weren't missing much. We do have Netflix, and have purchased a converter that will allow us to watch our "Instant Que" on our television, as well as anything we wish to purchase from Amazon.com. Very convenient. They are continually adding new TV series and movies to the offerings. We have everything from Dr. Who to Spongebob Squarepants in the Queue. Our 12yo son spotted a new series to add - he's seen it at another person's house and apparently enjoyed it. It's fairly recent and from the History Channel, so I gave it a try. It's called "Pawn

Getting Over It

I ran this morning. Not a beloved long Sunday run - but just 2 miles or so. My knee didn't hurt, and I think things may be on the mend. When I run I get the opportunity to think - alone - a complete thought. I was thinking about this blog and the fact that I haven't written much about running lately. Well, I haven't really run much lately - like about 10 miles in the last 3 weeks! After hurting myself (again) and really having to take the slow path, then the injections in my spine, I just guess I was a little mad at running, overall. I'm not a fast runner, but have maintained a respectable amount of mileage to at least feel like a "real" runner. Fifteen or so miles per week was getting to be the norm and as I took it farther, I experienced an injury. Made me mad. I even considered that maybe I "shouldn't" run anymore. Thought of buying a road bike and trying my hand at that...or rather my legs. But today I considered my running history

Drop Zone After

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As FlyLady says: put it away, give it away or throw it away.  I just HAD to take a picture...because as we all know...it will look back to "normal" tomorrow.

Drop Zone Before

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This what I started with.  It seems there was everything feom dishes, to computer software, to sunglasses that had been forsaken in the kitchen "Drop Zone."

Chuck this Day, Gimme Another

Wow - what an incredibly terrible day for a person that is trying to live a healthy life. Boo. Unfortunately, it started out way to early with our youngest son around 5am. I managed to stay a while longer- the last 30min along with the little stinker. My poor husband got up with him and I shushed my alarm for 10 more minutes. Skipped my workout and wished for more sleep. Just felt sore all over and my back was inflamed to the max. I had my injections scheduled for today so at least I could see the relief coming. NOT. I had the worst experience with joint cortisone injections ever. These are the third ones since December - normally they hurt...but wow. The nurse came running in to see if she needed to help. She stood with me during the second one. I couldn't stop shaking and was (against my will) freaking crying. Crying. Theres no CRYING! Anyway, it's over. I'm still hurting like heck and having to run around at AWANA tonight probably helped for the long run, b

School's a Killer

We started our 3rd week of school, here at the Morton Home School. My 7 th and 3rd graders are doing very well at the readin ', writtin ', and ' rithmetic . I am doing well at keeping up with the grading and the tracking of the hours. I decided that, this year, I have to do it every day for that particular day, no excuses. Well, I plumb forgot yesterday - so I made darn sure to catch it all up today. It's a lot of work...and boy am I wiped out by 9pm (okay by 8pm). It's so worth it, though! My break from calorie counting is going well. I have "shared ice cream with the baby" more times than normal - however - I believe I am shorting myself during the day due to not really being sure of exactly how many calories are going in. Even with a 90% break from exercise last week, I managed to loose a half a pound. I do weigh myself every day and have still been observing a steady decline. On Monday, I did a weight lifting DVD that I've attempted many

Broccoli Rice Casserole

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Another pantry creation. I knew I should have snapped a photo straight out of the oven! Enjoy! Broccoli Rice Casserole 4 chicken thighs, cooked and de-boned *any left over chicken will do approx 3 cups* 1 package frozen broccoli florets *or fresh, approx 3 cups* 1.5c brown rice 3 cubes chicken bullion *or cook rice in broth* 1 can low sodium Cream of Mushroom Soup 1c. shredded 2% Colby Jack Cheese 1/2c. light sour cream 1/2 tsp salt 1/2 tsp freshly ground pepper 1/2 tsp garlic powder 1/2 c. bread crumbs 1 TBSP butter Instructions Preheat oven 350. Cook rice according to package directions, adding bullion cubes to water. Meanwhile, steam broccoli according to package directions. Chop de-boned chicken into small pieces and transfer to large mixing bowl. When broccoli is done steaming to tender crisp, put on cutting board and chop florets into smaller pieces, transfer to bowl with chicken, combine. Add soup, cheese, sour cream and spices to the broccoli and chicken mixture. Mix wel

Time for a Break?

I have a bad attitude. I'm so tired of recording my caloric intake I could scream. I could tell you what I had to eat on any given day for the entirety of 2010. I have strayed, yes, there may be a total of 2 weeks in there where I didn't write it down. But on a whole, I have stayed true to the rigors of careful measuring and recording. I've lost 56 pounds. Now what do I do? I have 32 to go. I don't want to stop! But let me tell you, every time I access the Calorie Counter app on my phone, I do so with a sneer. I don't explore the Fat Secret website anymore, or participate in the challenges because I just don't care. I am sick to death of counting calories. I almost have myself fooled into thinking that I could take a break. Yep - me, the food lover - me, the aspiring culinary master - me, the person that can make eggs 8 different ways - I think that I can stop counting calories and continue to loose weight. Am I delusional? Maybe. But I think it'

Started With This

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And Ended Up With This

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I tried to strategically hide the little chew marks on these muffins.  Our 3yr old decided to take nibbles from the tops of them all.  Not bad for low cal/low fat banana muffins.

He is Everything

Magical Chocolate

I had a cookie this evening at the mall. After a school day like this, I wanted to run, screaming from the house. So about 6:30, after supper, while I was fighting with my 12yo ds about doing the dishes (for the 42 nd time), I did. Well, I ran. No screaming this time. I went to the mall and proceeded directly to Bath and BodyWorks where I know everything is a perfect fit. I sprayed, I sniffed, I checked the specials. After quick deliberations, I came out with 3 of the travel sized bottles of body spray in some lovely new scents. Happiness costs around $10, by the way. Feeling a little better, I walked down the mall. I hadn't been to the old Westfield Shoppingtown in a while. It appears that they have totally automated their "Concierge Service." You want directions, look at a map. Need a stroller? Stick in your debit card or a fiver and the machine unlocks one for ya. No need to pay a person to sit there and do Customer Service. Nope, no need for that. I

The Gain in Pain

Most things that you set out to do will take some sacrifice. Simply living day after day, fitting in, following the herd - well, that takes very little effort. But to break out of a rut, go a little further, change yourself for the good...it can hurt. Whether the sacrifice be physical in nature or have to do with emotional sacrifice, a little pain can bring you a long way. What got me thinking about this was my recent bout of back pain. I have a recurring issue with a couple of joints being inflamed in my lower back and causing a whole lot of trouble. After months of physical therapy and then chiropractic, I finally saw a surgeon and had an MRI. Rather than surgery, he injected the joints and bought me several months of pain free bliss! Pain returns, I return for injections. On and on. I'm due again, but can't be seen for 2 weeks. Though they work nearly instantly, I DREAD these horrible injections. The needle used is several inches long, and has to be sort of "d

Bill Seymour Run

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My brother and I after running the 5k.  It was great to listen to this College Freshman talk to me and run slowly to support me.  Truly one of my favorite days!

Fear of a Number

Everyone who is overweight has a magical number in mind for their "wow, if I could just be that thin again" number. Even if you have been heavy your whole life - you can look back to 20, 50 or 100 pounds ago and long for that size that, at the time, you abhorred. If you've ever lost weight only to gain it all back, you know what I'm talking about! This is actually my 3rd stab at this weight. Well, up until 4lbs ago. I have gone from 225 - 175 twice. The first time I went all the way down to 145 (still NOT to goal, btw), and the second time I got to 175, ran a half marathon, then promptly got pregnant again. :eyeroll: So there is some mental block about that 175 mark. Today I sit here at 171, feeling pretty good that the last 4lbs are some oldies. I've been carrying these around for 4 years. When I was marathon training, I couldn't get below the magic number. I was also nursing a baby, and I don't think I allowed my body enough calories to do ever