Ten in 2010: Fourth Week

Well I gained a pound this week, I am not inching anywhere near my goal.

so far I have lost .8 in four weeks. Granted one week I was sick but come on. What is to blame....me. I am frustrated. Here are my observations.

Successes:

*Planning menus, still staying on task with this

* I have been taking longer finishing a meal, which normally I scarf down.

*I weighed in.

What I've Learned:

*I flourish when I have structure, tracking my meals, a plan

*I need to focus on recipes that provide filling foods like fiber, protein, etc. I end up being full for a longer period of time and am not hungry

*The only fruit I really like is bananas

*I have reintroduced a new trigger in my life and I need to not give in.

What I still need to work on:

*Tracking consistently

*Exercise, I have an excuse for anytime of the day. I am making a goal for this week to just do it.

*Need to add more fruits to my plan for the day

Other Stuff:

*I have reintroduced the Jar of Punishment into my weekly plan. This is a jar I made for me and my mom. We need to have 25 - 28 points a week and they are pretty simple to get.

1-Tracking

1-Exercise (20 minutes)

1-Staying on Program

1-Challenge for the week: This week it is 5 servings of fruits and vegis-have to list them.

You can earn extra points for each additional 1/2 hour of exercise.

If you do not checkin daily via email or phone with total points -1

The punishment we have added three things we don't like to do for our homes to the jar. If you don't make your points you have to draw from the jar and do the chore within the week at their house.

*I have been craving Cesar and cobb salad. Just ravenously.

The Quilt is finished...

Finally I have finished my first quilt. I took a class at Joanne's Fabric to learn to quilt and I have completed it three months later. I am really pleased with how it turned out.

The class took a bit longer because it was once a week and we had the holidays, but I hunkered down this last week and finished.

For the first quilt there were a few observations I made. I did not realize you had to iron everything. I also noticed as I proceeded my sewing became increasingly better, so very happy with my progress. I did have a ton of trouble with binding and seams straight on the edge. I am going to review some more videos and see if I can make some more progress on this part of the sewing.

I love this chandelier fabric, my favorite. I was happy with the color choices and although I promised this to one of my kids I have yet to let it go.

I really enjoyed making a quilt, it is kind of like a puzzle that you nurture throughout until it is a completed piece of art. I am all ready on my second quilt that I am making for a birthday present, so far so good.

Sunday-Old Fashioned Chicken Pot Pie w/Garlic Mushrooms

Monday-Chicken Tortilla Soup w/diced papaya

Tuesday-Ceasar Salad with Chicken

Wednesday-Pad Thai w/cucumber salad

Thursday-Halibut w/Steamed Potatoes and Asparagus

Friday-Chicken Chipolte Tacos/w Guacomole

Saturday-Double Dutch Chard Bake-Recipe Exchange

Ten in 2010: Third Week

This was my third week of the 2010 challenge, and a hard week it was. I was sick all week and it was like a thorn in my side.

Successes:

*Did not gain, but did not lose

*Continued with menu planning

*Not giving up

What I've Learned

*I hate bieng sick, my energy was drained and just not motivated to do anything at all.

*I don't drink a lot of water when I am not feeling well.

*I can go to a movie and not have popcorn

*When I don't exercise consistently it immediatly comes back to haunt me.

What I still need to work on

*Staying the course, with not feeling well I did not eat as well as I should have. However, I did not eat that much either. I call this my bandaid approach -the I don't feel well, will have something that will make me feel better and I will feel better. A vicious circle that just does not work.

*Fruits, still a big problem. I just can't seem to draw myself into wanting to eat it.

Other Stuff

*Stress is a killer. Sometimes I feel as if I have the weight of the world on my shoulders. I created this, by bieng the go to person for everything. Now I am not sure I want it.

*Back in the saddle again...

*Indian Food, we are going to an Indian restaurant this evening. Planning to look at the menu and make my choices before arriving.

Week in Review

Week in Review...

This last week I made a lot of headway on finishing my quilt. This is the first quilt I have done and actually about 75% of my sewing experience. I had problems with the binding so, I am redoing that today and will finish the quilting in the center and be done.

My niece whose birthday is in March wants a quilt for her birthday. Her favorite color is orange and she loves owls. I bought some of this adorable owl fabric at Fat Quarter Shop. I have the pattern ready to go to create this one for her.

I finished three more books yesterday, one of which was Rules of Conduct by Maggie Anderson. I posted the review on Single Titles. This story of an amnesic girl and Duke of Vale, has become one of my favorites for this year.

I have cleaned the house, let it go and be a disaster, cleaned and disaster. I seem to be cleaning everyday and the girls were home for finals and the house just fell apart. I clean sweep every morning but don't want to be cleaning 24/7. Any suggestions?

Menu Plan Monday

Sunday-Moussaka w/ salad (from last week)

Monday-Tuna Noodle Casserole w/steamed vegi (from last week)

Tuesday-Cauliflower and Mushroom Gougere w/salad

Wednesday-Pasta w/Savoy Cabbage w/salad

Thursday-Buttery Halibut w/smashed potatos and asparagus

Friday-Black Bean Chili w/cornbread -recipe exchange

Saturday-Chipolte Chicken Salad w/melon

Dessert-Stilton Baked Pears

Ten in 2010: Second Week

This was the second week of the Ten in 2010 challenge for me. I have been doing well so far, although the loss has not been as high as I had hoped.

Successes:
*My menu planner has been a huge help, I like posting the menu and sharing the recipes that I find delicious.
*I dropped .4 lbs, not a lot but it is moving in the right direction.
*I find myself keeping busier which helps with eating less instead of what I call veg-eating.
*I exercised 5 days last week

What I've Learned:
*I had a huge revelation at the WW meetings yesterday. The leader mentioned that even though you exercise sometimes your body needs a lubricant (retain water) to help continue it's path to bieng healthier. Basically don't get discouraged, your body needs time to catch up.
*I don't like Snapper-to thin of a fish and it did not cook right.
*Doing some excercise has been a good energy builder

What I still need to work on:
*Fruit, although I eat primarly vegetarian, I have a difficult time getting the fruit in.
*Continue to drink in the water

Other Stuff:
Working on my menu for this week. I would like to incorporate some lunch and breakfast ideas that are not boring. I find I do get myself into a rut where these are concerned.

Book Challenge Update

One of my goals for this year was to read 100 books, currently I have read 8 since January 1st. I plan to only post blogs on the titles that stand out to me. I just finished The Taste of Night: Second Sight of the Zodiac by Vicki Pettersson.

Taste of Night is the second in the Zodiac series from Vicki Petterson. This book takes up where the first left off. Joanna Archer is equal part of Light and Shadow. Joanna has gone to the Light side wanting to save the Vegas territory, from her father the Tulpa who is the leader of the shadow forces. A deadly virus has been introduced in Vegas and Joanna's world continues to get rocked by the changes.

I thought this was a great follow up book. I liked that one of the characters Hunter was in it more. The concept for the story continues to fascinate me, I am not always sure where the story will lead to which keeps me captivated.

A great book to sit down to over the weekend.

Pan-Seared Tilapia w/Citrus Vinagrette

Pan-Seared Tilapia with Citrus Vinaigrette, Couscous Pilaf, and Roasted Brussels Sprouts

This is a recipe from Cooking Light. The Tilapia recipe is here. One of my favorite features in this magazine is the Dinner Tonight. In the Jan/Feb 2008 they had this recipe served with the Tilapia is this wonderful Couscous Pilaf.

Bring 1 1/2 cups fat-free broth to a boil in a medium saucepan over med-high heat. Add 1 cup uncooked couscous to pan. Cover and remove from heat. Let couscous stand 5 minutes. Uncover and fluff with a fork.

Stir in 1/3 cup dried cherries, 1/4 cup slivered almonds, 3 tbsp extra virgin olive oil, 1/2 tsp grated fresh lemon rind, 1/2 tsp salt and 1/2 tsp pepper. Mix well.

I figured this at 3 points but only used 1 tbsp of the olive oil.

This is a quick and delicious dish. Serves 4 but the couscous portion about 6.

Sunday-Sheherdess Pie and Brussel Sprouts from last weeks menu

Monday -Moussaka and Pita's w/tzaziki

Tuesday-Pan Seared Tilapia with citrus sauce, Coucous pilaf, roasted brussel sprouts

Wednesday-Indian Cauliflower soup, salad

Thursday-Pasta w/Savoy Cabbage and Gruyere and Salad

Friday-Tuna Noodle Casserole with steamed vegi

Saturday-Layered Enchilada Baker (recipe exchange)

Ten in 10 Healthy Challenge - Week 1

Here is my recap from the past week.

Successes

Followed the menu plan for the week

Lost -1.8

Successfully found a diversion for stress by organizing the house

What I've Learned

Tracking is key, I think had I been more consistent in tracking last week I would have had a higher weight loss.

Water is very important

If I go for a walk or do some sort of cardio for thirty minutes, I accomplish 100% more than I do if I ignore it for the day.

I am not the only one in this boat

What I still need to work on

Exercise, 30 minutes out 10 hours a day is not that much to set aside

Water, I have not made as much effort to get it in. This is my focus for the week

Fruit, still struggling to get this in. I get my vegis in no problem but do not look at fruit as a snack

Stay in control of my rationalism when it comes to food. I have every excuse in the book to compensate for going overboard.

Other stuff

Made some great recipes this week. The Celery, Avocado and Walnut Salad and the Bean, Feta, and Spinach Bake were two of my favorites.

Working on menu plan for next week, need to make sure I incorporate a couple less time consuming dishes

Biggest Loser began, so far don't have a favorite contestant but it is only week 1

My craft room is clean, this is a way I divert myself from the kitchen. Plan to have a crafty week.

Bean, Vegetable, and Feta Bake

Bean, Vegetable, and Feta Bake
WW Mag January 2010

This was delicious, filling and very flavorful.

8 sun-dried tomatoe halves (not in oil)
1 lg onion, chopped
1 large red pepper, chopped
2 garlic cloves, minced
1 large zucchini, diced
1/4 tsp salt and red pepper flakes
1 9oz bag spinach
1 19oz can cannelinni beans, rinsed and drained
1c crumbled low-fat feta cheese
2 slices toasted bread, cubed

Preheat oven to 375, spray shallow 2 quart baking dish.

Put tomatoes and enough hot water to cover in bowl, soften about 10 minutes, drain and chop.

Spray nonstick skillet with spray. Add onion, bell pepper, garlic, zucchini, salt, red pepper flakes and cook. Stirring until vegis are crisp-tender about 8 minutes. In batches add spinach and cook until wilted. Add beans, 1/2c feta and tomatoes.

Spoon into baking dish.

Top with feta and bread cubes.

Bake until hot, abut 25 minutes.

WW 5 pts
291 cal, 4g fat, 2g sat fat, 0g trans fat, 12mg chol, 1,044mg sod, 48g carb, 10g fib, 19g prot, 39mg calc

Observations and Ramblings...

I am weighing in today, back to WW. This week I have been focusing on eating three balanced meals and choosing healthier snacks. Other than one day I succeed, had one moment of irrational. On the exercise front I managed one day. This is a huge struggle for me, I have two of the days this week planned for exercise so need to incorporate another.

On the home/organization front much better. I was able to tackle a lot this week by making time to do it:
House tidied every morning
Organized the linen closet
Cleaned and organized three drawers in the kitchen
Crafty room cleaned (now organizing)
laundry done
Socks matched and put away
Medicine cabinet cleaned out and expired medicines gone
Washed down all the doors in the house and cleaned door knobs for germs

There were a few other items, but overall I feel better about the progress I made.

Goals for next week:
Maintain steady course on the clean/organization route
Exercise three days
Menu plan
Track all foods
Begin crafting again

So what are your plans for the next week?

Etsy Thursday

Added some new items to the store, I am pulling inventory so most of the stuff is set aside. I have these handmade badge holders up though. The Valentine Pins are handmade and painted. The adorable chicken pin is hand sculpted. Visit my website to view the rest of the items.

I will be adding the Valentine Pins this evening..

I am checking with my weekly weigh in.

As of 1/1 225.4

As of 1/6 223.6

-1.8

I weigh in with WW on Friday so will be using that number once I get that.

This week goals

exersise 3 days-1 day down

eat sensibly-going strong on this

be proactive, not reactive

Celery, Avacado and Walnut Salad

Celery, Avocado and Walnut Salad
from the Vegetarian and Vegetable Cooking book by Christine Ingram

8 Celery Stalks, thinly sliced
3 Scallions, finely chopped
2 oz walnut halves
1 ripe avocado, sliced
lemon juice

Dressing
1/2 cup light sour cream
1 tbsp olive oil
pinch of cayenne

Slice the avocado and sprinkle with the lemon. Add this to celery, scallions, walnut mixture. Lightly beat the sour cream, olive oil and cayenne. Fold carefully into the salad mixture.

I thought this was light and refreshing. A great side dish for meals.
(Having camera issues, will try to post picture later today)

Menu Plan Monday

One thing I have chosen to do that I saw from another blog was focus on one cookbook to use this year. I have a ton of cookbooks that frankly gather a lot of dust. I am going to incorporate at least one recipe a week from Christine Ingram's Vegetarian and Vegetable Cooking. This is a wonderful cookbook and hopefully by the end of the year I will have made everything in it.

Menu for Week

Sunday-Roast Asparagus Crepes w/Celery Avocado and Walnut Salad -CKBK

Monday-Corn and Potato Chowder w/Crusty Bread-CKBK

Tuesday-Bean, Vegetable, and Feta Bake-Weight Watchers Magazine

Wednesday-Gardenburgers and Homemade Fries

Thursday-Shepherdess Pie and Stir Fried Brussels Sprouts-CKBK

Friday-Tuna Panini's and Vegi Dip with Cucumber, Radish and Jicama-Weight Watchers Magazine

Saturday-Recipe Exchange-Sausage, Ricotta, and Spring Greens

I will post the salad recipe tomorrow for Celery, Avocado, and Walnut it was fabulous.

The Week Ahead,,,,

My strategy for the week ahead is to take it one day at a time. If I put too much on my plate than I end up feeling overwhelmed and give up.

I have my menu planned, did this while on road trip and will post tomorrow.

My goals to achieve this week if time allows are:

*Keep house tidied (Flylady is my hero)

*Clean up my craft room

*Clean up my etsy site

*Exercise 3 days

*Track food

*Finish Quilt

These are all attainable it is about utilizing my time in a more efficient manner.

Goal for January:

*No Fast Food-Big trigger for me

*Exercise 3 days a week

*Menu Plan and Follow

*Do something that makes me happy this month, more than once try to do something everyday.

Happy New Years

We had a fun night last night. We celebrated New Years with playing and rotating games every 45 minutes. We tally the points...1st place gets 5, 2nd gets 4,etc. At the end of the night the person with the highest points gets #1 and #2 for the white elephant prizes and the second place person gets the last choice. The trading continues until someone after the first round wants to keep their choices.

It was a lot of fun, I played Blokus, Syzzgy-crossword word game, Five Crowns, David and Goliath, and Lost Cities.

It is a great way to try new games and mingle with people. We had chinese food that was yummy and sparkling cider at the ring of midnight.

As the New Year starts I have been reflecting, today I am focusing on not going overboard. We are heading out for the night and I am not in charge of the meal which is always hard. So my focus is to drink lots of water and make sounder choices. Sunday I am going back to WW and I plan to take my journey one day at a time. I have beens on the programbut the last couple of weeks have not made it to the meetings, I feel I am just continuing the journey rather than starting over.

Have a Happy New Years Day!