Jan 20

Today is my mom and dad's wedding anniversary. They would have been married 51 years today. Not feeling sad - just celebrating the two awesome people who made me. :-)

I've made a couple good choices! (Made some bad ones, too, like too many potato chips during the playoff game yesterday....) But still, yay me! ha ha

Yesterday, I wanted to have wings during the game, but instead I cut up a couple chicken breasts, quickly roasted those, and dunked them in Frank's Hot Wing sauce. They were super yummy!

Also had homemade coleslaw (tons of fiber!) for both lunch and dinner.

And...walked this morning with Lisa despite the cold wind. We put on hats and gloves, zipped up our coats, and headed out. Only walked for 35 minutes, but that certainly was better than nothing.

What good choices have you guys made? I want to cheer you on. :-)

xoxo

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Here's my latest can't stop eating it, super satisfying for lunch or dinner coleslaw. I shred a big ziploc bag of the cabbage and carrot at a time, but don't dress it, and it doesn't get soggy at all. Stays super fresh so all you have do is dress it, add the fun stuff, and eat it. QUICK!

1 head each of green and red cabbage, enough shredded to almost fill a large ziploc bag
2-4 carrots, peeled and shredded and added to bag

when it's time to eat, I add dried cranberries
a small handful of slivered or sliced almonds or chopped walnuts
sometimes a chopped or shredded apple
a chopped up orange would be tasty, too

dress with:
coleslaw dressing
any vinaigrette you like
this Asian-style vinaigrette I made up (but you can buy something similar at the store)

2 Tbs each rice vinegar, white sugar and soy sauce
1 Tbsp sesame oil
red pepper flakes, garlic powder and sesame seeds to taste

Jan 19

Good morning, wonderful friends!

Lisa, in 2009 Julie and I decided to try keeping a blog together ... to see if it challenged, motivated, encouraged us to get healthier. I thought I'd resurrect that effort. :-)

So here we go!

I woke up this morning with a couple new-ish thoughts in my head about getting healthier and losing weight. First of all, I thought that since we all have the same goals, possibly we could work together to encourage each other, keep one another accountable, etc. Not sure if either of you have time or the energy to contribute, but I thought we might give it a go. Of course, we could do it via e-mail, too, if that's easier. Anyway... :)

My other two thoughts were pretty simple - nothing revolutionary.

First, I have some visual images of things I'd like to be able to do when I lose weight - clothes I'd enjoy wearing, stores in which I'd enjoy shopping, a couple tattoos I'd enjoy getting that would certainly look better on a smaller body. ;-) I'm going to try to recall those visual images when I'm having cravings, having a tough time making good decisions, or sitting around instead of exercising. Maybe actively reminding myself of my long-term goals, my long-term desires will help me put off short-term satisfaction from too much kettle corn.

Second, I am going to try a new strategy when it comes to cravings that is two-fold. First, I am going to give myself one day a week to kind of feel free to indulge a little. Second, if I am able to resist a craving, I am going to keep track of what it was I craved and on my "indulge day", I'll take a look at my list and see what items I'd still like to enjoy - in moderation, if at all possible. Hopefully, this will remind my body and my mind that I can, in actuality enjoy the things I really love without making it an unhealthy habit, without sacrificing goals, without feeling weak and without control.

Just passing these thoughts on. :)

I think I'll try to share yummy healthy recipes, when I have great successes (big or small), strategies that worked, etc. I'd love it if you guys wanted to write, too (and I've added you as authors if you'd like to do so), but no pressure, of course. If this ends up not feeling fun and motivating, then we'll quit.

Love you both! C

Looks too good to not try!

Ok, one more. I'd like to try this one soon. Banana-Lime Jam. Spread on toast, English muffins, or bagels. Combine 3/4 c brown sugar, 1/2 c granulated sugar, and 1/4 c lime juice in sauce pan. Bring to boil, then add 3 medium peeled and sliced overripe bananas. Reduce heat to med low, cook for 45 minutes or until slightly thick. Mash banana occasionally. Stir in 2 T butter. Mixture will thicken as it cools.

This just sounded really different, and I love a good jam on English muffins!

It's getting hotter!

You always have the best recipes Cindy! I came across a taste test in Cooking Light this month. Do you get this magazine? I can share recipes from it if you don't. Anyway, best mango or lemon sorbet, Whole Fruit brand. Supposedly the mango gives you 25% of your daily Vitamin A in a serving! Might be a treat to keep around when it heats up outside...

10 minute salad

You know how we'll pay $9.95 for a salad with warm stuff on it at Applebee's? Well, here's a start to making our own at home...in 10 minutes or less! And a family meal idea incorporated, too.

1-15 oz. can black beans

1-4 oz. can diced green chilis

generous sprinkle of dried, minced onion

generous sprinkle of garlic powder

salt and pepper to taste

Stir this all into a saucepan and heat it gently for 10 minutes. You can do this ahead of time and just reheat it in the microwave. Brainwave: double the bean recipe, make it on a weekend, then use it along with a rotisserie chicken to make burritos for a family meal during the week!

Meanwhile, cut up 2 c lettuce, shred 1 1/2 oz. cheese (I used cheddar), toast 2 oz. of bread.

Dress the lettuce with your favorite salad dressing (this time I used a homemade orange vinaigrette, recipe at the end of this post), top it with 1/2 c of the warmed beans, and the cheese.

Enjoy with your toast to sop up the leftover dressing and bean yumminess.

total: 2 v, 1 m, 1 p, 2 c

Dressing (not low-fat, but better than store-bought!): 1/3 c orange juice, 2 Tbsp white wine vinegar, 1/2 c + 2 Tbsp olive oil, 1 tsp mustard, 1 clove finely minced (or pressed) garlic, 1/2 tsp dried oregano. Emulsify the oil and liquids, whisk in remaining ingredients. Will keep in the fridge for 1-2 weeks; should be enough for about 10 salads.

Just for Lisa!

Howdy, Sis,

Here's the stuff I bought and a description of each. The description follows the item. Price included, plus tax. Enjoy! I had fun shopping and got a few cute things for myself. xoxo C

Kit the kids can put together. 15" tall as the package says. $1.00

This "Noel" hangs by a red ribbon. Not including the ribbon it is about 7" wide, 3.5" tall. $2.00

This "Joy" sits on a surface. Is 6" wide, 4.5" tall. $3.00

Ok, I think this is a salt shaker, but it was a very cute thing to set out, too. 3" at its widest, 4" tall. $1.50

Gold tapers, 10" tall. $2.00

Puffy Christmas tree to sit on table/shelf, 6" at its widest, 11" tall. $3.00

4 ornaments. I bought 4 for myself and am going to string them from a doorway on ribbon. Cute, no? 4.5" diameter, $1.00 each

Set of candles - 1 santa, 1 gingerbread man, 1 snowman. Santa is about 4" tall. $4.50

Cute glittery gift tags. Package of 52, $1.50

1 silly plate, melamine, regular size, $1.00. Note the 4 characters on this plate (Santa, snowman, penguin). I bought 4 heavy plastic placemats @ $1.00 each. No picture - same motif. Very cute!

One more melamine plate, regular size, $1.00. Maybe 1 for mom, 1 for dad, then the snowman ones (see below) for the kids?? Just wondering. They only had these 2, so I bought them in case you would want them.

Penguin plates, melamine, 9" tall. $1.00 each. I bought 6 just in case you wanted one for each person.

Paper plates (regular size, 2 packs of 10 @ $1.50 each), matching regular size napkins (2 packs of 20 @ $1.00 each)

Wall clings. 1 set $3.00. Not pictured are 2 more sets of clings - various wintery things - trees, snowmen, etc. $1.00 each set.

Surprise!

3 ideas for our blog:

1) To use this like we used to do postcards for prayer requests! They can be even more immediate this way, and we'll have a record of requests and answers.

2) To keep going with our health stuff - eating better, exercising (when we can get it in!)

3) To give each other encouragement, ideas, and keep each other accountable on house goals. 

Let's not give up! Love you, C