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

Tasty Challenge

Hi dear friend! I am reminded in our fun conversation how much I miss you! Too much. It's almost unbearable that we don't get to hang out. Anyway, thank you so much for encouraging me to go to the Indian buffet. I was brave and sampled every dish! The flavors were popping in my mouth and extremely satisfying. Different and appealing. So I just thought to myself in our diet efforts, why don't we only put in our mouths for the next week or so what is REALLY appealing to us. Like flavorful foods, or the sweetest fruit. What I'm getting at (for me at least) is eliminating the mindless munching that does nothing to satisfy hunger or taste buds. I do so much of that throughout the day, that I might as well be eating cardboard. Also, I continue eating even after the inital food has lost it's interest and appeal to me. Could my body be telling me to back off, I'm full, eat a little less? What do you think? love you!

Saturday afternoon

Ok, so I didn't exactly write down everything I ate, but I meant to!! I'll try again this coming week. I did do something amazing today, though. Ready? Hold your breath...

...I walked for almost 1 1/4 hours - 4.4 miles!!! I could hardly believe it. At the beginning of the walk my right knee hurt, my plantar faciitis hurt (left foot), even my Morton's neuroma on the bottom of my right foot hurt. I kept going, though, and they all sort of dissipated. Well, my knee still hurt some, and I had to walk a little gingerly, but I did it. 

A friend and I are going to walk the Boulder Boulder on Memorial day. It is a 10k, and most people run, but we're going to walk. You just have to be able to do it in under 2 hours. After today's walk, I'm certain I can do that!

I was so excited. I'll have to see how my ailments feel tonight and tomorrow, but at least now I know I am physically able. Tim told me I was, and he was right. This has also given me renewed motivation to get in better shape before that event. If I walk a couple of times a week, that will help a lot. If I get on my bike and ride some, too - even better! If I say "no!" to French fries for a week, I'll really be on my way! I think I'm feeling better today. 

If I can walk for over an hour, maybe this weight loss thing can really be done after all!