Progress (or not) - end o' week 3

Okay, so I've been officially been harassed for not posting yet. Sorry. But seriously, I've been busy. I'm in an intense training program to become an internal auditor for ISO ******** (I don't know if it is confidential, so I won't say too much right now). It's been really interesting and what I've been needing. I've been craving growth and missing school. The class has reminded me of one of my favorite classes at CSUDH. And the training has been ALL day and I've been trying to get other work done during lunch.

So enough excuses...I didn't do well this week. I stayed within my points, but still gained 2 pounds. I'm not giving up or loosing motivation. I know I'm doing good things and am looking for new ways to improve. I know I do better on weeks when I have lots of fresh produce. I've had many temptations (peanut M&M's for example) and haven't fit in any activity points.

Feedback please - I'm having a difficult time fitting in time to work out. I work full time and usually have a few nights each week that are busy. I don't like the idea of spending time at the gym when I have my son with me. I don't get to see him enough as it is. I've attempted to include him in activity. We've gone to the park to run around, but he's so whiny right now. But that's a different blog. There isn't enough room in my room to do videos and the living room isn't available. I'm not trying to be negative, but to show my obstacles. Suggestions please.

Progress - end o' week 2

This week was more difficult. I was getting bored with all the new 'exciting' food I bought and went out to eat a few times. But I still stayed within my total points and even earned quite a few activity points (Thanks YW car wash!). I also joined the gym (24 hour). Good news though. I lost another 5 pounds (11 lbs total)! I know that I'll have to start working harder to keep seeing these results and that I have a lot more to loose for others to see the difference. I'm still happy and am seeing a difference. It is encouraging.

My new favorite yummy meal: Whole wheat pita warmed, spread with jalepeno cilantro hummus, topped with tabouleh and chicken (optional). I got the hummus and tabouleh from a mediteranian food vendor at the Huntington Beach farmer's market. It is so good and filing.

I was telling my mom tonight that besides slight changes in my body, I actually feel better. I have more energy as if the food is actually fueling my body instead of making it sluggish. I see the difference when I snack on a filling option (like the one above) and when I have a few chocolates. All the chocolate does is make me want more chocolate. Haha.

Pampered Chef Product Review #1

I decided that this might be a good forum for me to review my experience with some of my Pampered Chef products. So here goes my first one.

Tonight we had a BBQ for my mom's b-day and had some yummy food. See picture:

I have been dying to try the new PC Spicy Pineapple Rum Sauce and figured this was a great time to try it. We BBQ'ed some boneless skinless chicken tenderloins after brining them in salt/sugar water for a bit. As soon as they came off the grill I spread on the sauce. They were a hit! The sauce could be used for so many other things too. One suggestion from the bottle is to put it on top of vanilla ice cream. I think that would be good. I'll let you know once I try it. The only dislike about this sauce for spreading on meat is that there were chunks of fruit in it. While those chucks were vary tasty, they made the spreading more difficult.

I give this product 4.5 out of 5 stars.

The next product up for review is the Pineapple Wedger. This product was fairly easy to use and made two perfect half moons/circles of pinapple with using moderate pressure. My brother commented on a little bit of wasted good meat still left on the shell of the pineapple. True. However, the core came out perfectly, which made up for a little bit of waste. There would not be any way to make a one-size-fits-all-pineapples perfect. After having two large sections of the pineapple cut, we put the pieces on the grill for a bit. I then cut each section into slices. It was so good and an easy way to grill pineapple.

I give this tool a 4 out of 5 stars.

Stacy's give away

Check out my crafty friends blog and hopefully I'll win something nice. Seriously, this girl is talented.
http://staceylyndesigns.blogspot.com/2009/05/pay-it-forward.html

Progress

I’ve been with Weight Watchers for less than one week and I’ve lost 6 pounds. YAY!!! It’s good to see that my efforts have been working. I can even see the results. My face looks slightly slimmer and my work pants were a little bit looser this morning. Nothing huge, but still something.

I haven’t found it to be difficult either. It has just taken pre-planning. I was finding food to be boring and that led to bad decisions. Now it’s a fun challenge to see what I can fit into my daily points and I’m eating interesting things. This morning I ate grapefruit. I have mandarin oranges, blueberries, and mango to choose from to snack on. If I want something else I have hummus and crackers. For lunch I have grilled chicken, brown rice and I’ll get fresh pico de gallo and salsa from the lunch truck. See what I mean about exciting!

Before I didn’t plan and so food was a chore. It was a constant battle. It’s interesting to see what foods that I already love are good for me and will keep me full. It’s also interesting to see which ones sabotage my day. At work we always have a candy jar full of chocolate (which I am responsible for filling) and other goodies. I have been so good! I have not had any and haven’t felt any loss. I have snacks that are better and I know that that I can that eat cinnamon roll that is worth 6 points that won’t curb my hunger, or I can eat a huge sandwich for 5.5 points that will last me hours. It’s my choice.

My Newest Journey

I’ve never been one to restrict myself, combine that with a perfectionist personality (afraid of failure) and you get someone who has never dieted, until now. Okay, okay…so diet isn’t the best way to put it, but I’m making a conscious effort to watch what I put in my mouth.
I like myself, have good self esteem, and think I’m attractive (even sexy at times), but I would like to slim down and feel healthier. I know that this is the time to do it. I’m still under 30, only have one child, and don’t have to worry about catering to anyone else’s dietary preferences (I’m single). If I don’t do it now, it will just get worse.

I have been contemplating this for a while, but was too overwhelmed by figuring out how to do anything about it. (Some of you might snicker and think, “Just do it”, but obviously this doesn’t come naturally for me or else I would have “Just done it”). I didn’t want to fail, so I continued doing what I was doing. Then on Tuesday, I went to a monthly meeting at work that always has the same cookies (that I don’t like). I ate one! Why would I eat one?!? Because I didn’t have a plan; that’s why! A friend of mine, a great example, a control freak, and another Rebecca has been doing Weight Watchers and has been very been successful. I decided to do it, NOW! I signed up Tuesday afternoon and have been going strong since. Okay, okay…I know it has only been a couple of days, but I haven’t failed yet and am really excited.

I have been doing well and have found some things that I love to eat are low in points. I just have to make an effort to plan some meals, bring healthy snacks with me, and have healthy back-ups (in case I forget to pack a lunch.) Some of my favorites are:

Turkey Sandwiches – Whole wheat bread, a little light mayo, mustard, tomato, baby spinach, pepperoncinis, and some amazing sliced herbed roasted turkey breast I got from Costco. And of course a side of pickles!

Salmon Burgers – Basically the same as turkey sandwiches, but with toasted bread, onions instead of pepperoncinis, and a seasoned mayo I made (lemon juice, pepper, Cajun seasoning, and grill seasoning). The salmon burger patty is only 2 points, super filling, and easy to cook.
Fruit – Blackberries, apples, blueberries, strawberries, watermelon, mandarin oranges, navel oranges, asian pears,…I could go on, but most of these are filling with very low points.

Edamame – Found at Costco, pre-seasoned and steamed in the freezer section. Microwave for 1 min for a warm slightly salty snack just like you could find in your favorite Japanese restaurant.
Frozen Yogurt – I love this!!! Jonas and I would stop often at our favorite Yogurtland anyway. Now it is better because I have saved a few points for this delicious treat. My favorite is Tart Lychee, but they don’t always have that one. My second, which they always have, is tart blueberry with sliced almonds and Nillla Wafer bits.

I didn’t pack my lunch today, but I already have a plan. I have cups of brown rice that I can just microwave for 30 seconds. I’ll get some grilled chicken, fresh salsa, and pico de gallo (that includes cabbage) from the roach coach (lunch truck) and combine it with my rice for a yummy lunch.

I have a lot of other ideas that I haven’t had a chance to do. I’ll let you know what I discover. Also, did I tell you that Weight Watchers online is so easy. I’m having no problem tracking my daily intake. I actually enter most of the food before I even eat it.

Wobble, Wobble, POP!

On Sunday after church I went to see my friends Loraine & Jim. I had a great time visiting and Jim made some super yummy food. We had beef enchiladas and he made a chicken 'n dumpling stew. I have never liked dumplings that much but his were flavorful and not all gooey. The stew was tasty too!

Then I headed to Carson for a musical fireside. I'm driving up the 405 in the fast lane when I notice that my car is wobbling a bit and is a little hard to control. At first I thought it was wind. I look around and no trees are blowing. I slow a bit and move over one lane (out of the fast lane so I can go the speed limit). Then I hear a noise getting louder. I turn off the radio so I can listen. The sound is getting progressively louder... I decide to get off on Lakewood (next exit and familiar ground). Once I get to the right lane my tire gives out and it was a rough ride till I got to the shoulder. I park, pull out my AAA card, call and wait. Everything turned out fine and I made it to the fireside late. It was still worth it though. Great music, great talent, and a great message. I was extra grateful because I arrived (relatively) safely.

This is what was left of my tire:

There's a nail in the middle of it somewhere...