Chili Secrets

Hola Amigos :)

Recipe time... but first was lunch.  I found a soup mix at Giant (minestrone)...Mmmmm  Just add water

I was able to get lunch for the whole week out of that little package of soup mix and 10 cups of water :)  

Be excited...I'm about to divulge all of my most prized Chili secrets to you...hehe.  I actually made 2 pots of Chili today.  One veggie and one ground turkey.  

I'll point out the differences as necessary..

First I started with a big green pepper, a big yellow onion, 2 jalapenos, 1 pablano pepper, 1 zucchini and 1 yellow squash sauted in 2 tablespoons of EVOO

In a second pot I started the ground turkey for DJ's man version without the beans :)

After the meat was ground I split the veggies by adding half to the meat, I added one can of black beans and one can of kidney beans to the veggie pot.

Secret #1: I add 1/4 C of Cocoa Powder to my chili...  adds a very deep and rich flavor.  Similar to the Mayan chocolate concept of chilies in chocolate.  I added a 1/4 C to each pot...

I also added 1 packet of chili seasoning to each (I like Old El Paso Brand)

Next I added one and a half cans of diced tomatoes to each pot.

Secret #2: I add beer to my chili.  I added 1/2 a beer to each pot and let it reduce till there was very little liquid left.  about 20 minutes on medium.

to boost the veggie value I added a half bag of baby spinach to each pot

at the very end I added 2 tablespoons of brown sugar to cut the acid in the tomatoes.  

To the veggie pot I added brown rice

And there you have it!!  I let it simmer for a few more minutes then served with a little low fat cheddar cheese and a scoop of non fat plain green yogurt.  YUM!!!

I also made a little pan of corn bread :)  

After our chili eating we chilled and watched Pocahantas...Livie is currently obsessed with it.

Livie and I had 2 cuties (those little oranges are addictive)

Then I hit the gym for about 35 minutes of walking and elliptical with the girls.

I'm not feeling so hot (other wise I would have done C25k today)...and now I'm watching Twilight: Breaking Dawn 2.  Ready to start a new week :) 

Good night Moon...TTFN

Laughter is Exercise?!

Last night was one of the funnest nights of my life... We had a BLAST with our friends celebrating Mindy's birthday.  We had dinner at Macaroni Grill then tickets to McGooby's Comedy Club.   

First dinner...I love this willpower thing I have going on.  I wasn't even tempted by the bread.  Usually when I'm trying to avoid something it is all I can think about.  However, last night even tho the home made foccacia bread looked amazing...I was able to pass without a second thought - Small Victories are the BEST!  LOL....  Friday I looked up the menu for nutritional info and found out that the chicken ceasar salad with the dressing on the salad was 600 calories.  I opted for this but with the dressing on the side...which probably saved me over 200 calories.  I dipped my fork in the dressing and probably only used 1/3 of one of the ramekins shown in the picture (about a tablespoon total).  It was delicious and filling :)  The conversation was even better!!  I started with some mushroom soup in veggie broth and it was really delicious too... (no pic).

Now...of course I had a glass of wine (ok maybe a glass and a half) but that was totally worth it too...a red blend that was their house wine and it was really good.

After dinner we headed to McGooby's and laughed out butts off (I wish, haha).  The headliner was Ralph Harris and he was hysterical!!!  I laughed so hard I was crying at one point and couldn't breathe...  It was the hardest I've laughed in a long time.

When I woke up this morning my stomach muscles hurt really bad.  It could be from my workout yesterday but more then likely it was from laughing for an hour straight.  I think everyone should laugh more...  I happen to be married to a very funny man which makes me laugh on the regular but it has been a long time since I could physically feel the effects of laughter :)  haha

After being curious I decided to ask Google...  I found this little little tid bit from this website: http://science.howstuffworks.com/life/laughter7.htm

What may surprise you even more is the fact that researchers estimate that laughing 100 times is equal to 10 minutes on the rowing machine or 15 minutes on an exercise bike. Laughing can be a total body workout! Blood pressure is lowered, and there is an increase in vascular blood flow and in oxygenation of the blood, which further assists healing. Laughter also gives your diaphragm and abdominal,respiratory, facial, leg and back muscles a workout. That's why you often feel exhausted after a long bout of laughter -- you've just had an aerobic workout!

Well that explains it!! haha  Whether it is true or not I don't care...it is a nice thought :)

Didn't get home until 12:30am but it was so worth it and I slept like a rock.  Kids even slept in - wahoo!!

This morning we have just chilled and vegged around the house.  I made breakfast and some yummy coffee. I am obsessed with my sweet potato hash...  and the egg creates a sort of sauce that is decadent...almost like cheese sauce but without the calories of cheese sauce. 

It is really easy to make...just a sweet potato, diced quarter of a green pepper and quarter of An onion. Added to a skillet with a little EVOO salt and pepper.

Cook on medium heat with a lid (which helps steam the potatoes to make sure they are cooked through). Be sure to stir frequently because as the potatoes caramelize you have to turn them.

That is it....mmmmmmm

 Later today I may head to a home show 31 party and will definitely hit the gym later tonight (like 7pm).  Honestly tho...this is why I don't like to sleep in.  It means that 11:21 comes around and you haven't really accomplished anything :/  Oh well...everyone needs a lazy day IMO.

That is pretty much all for now...

TTFN

P.S. I have a great hairdresser and LOVE my highlights!!

Mr(s). Clean

Rainy weekends are the best...  (sometimes).  I have gotten so much done this morning but it is pretty nasty outside.  It makes me feel like Mr(s) Clean when I am so productive in the morning...  all the kids rooms and straight and the first floor and basement and CLEAN!!!  I'm about to leave the house to get my hair done, then I'm  going to hit the gym.  I know some of you may think that is crazy but with it being rainy...my hair won't stay nice anyway :)  

Quicky to my food from yesterday...I'm a loser and forgot AGAIN to take a picture of my lunch but it was an amazing minestrone soup and a side of curry chicken (all FitMeals)...I'll explain fitmeals later.

Snacks were a pear, an apple and veggies with my spinach dip:

Dinner was veggie pizza and I remembered to take a picture...AFTER I put the leftovers in a container - Sorry peeps.  I'll get back into this I promise :/

I did go to the gym  last night to walk/run and for a cool down I hit the eliptical (I'm a nerd)  It was a nice workout for my legs...I don't usually use that machine but it felt good...

This morning I had some coffee from my Christmas present...I HEART my Keurig!  Thanks Mom!!

Breakfast was an egg scramble with mushrooms, green peppers, onions and an english muffin.  DELISH!

Lunch was some left over veggie pizza and now I'm running out the door so I'll have to check in later.

Date night with friends tonight!!!  More later

TTFN

(note: my Blogger app doesn't check spelling :(  Sorry for any spelling errors)

Happy Happy Joy Joy!!!

Hola Friends! I'm so stinkin excited. The scale loved me this morning. - I'M DOWN ANOTHER 2#!!!!! WAHOO!!!

I was thinking about the Ren and Stimpy Show and the Happy Happy Joy Joy Dance :)

Remember that?! :) LOL  note quality is bad b/c I'm so old and these were what cartoons looked like when I was younger.  hahahahahahaha

It is a rainy, yucky Friday but I'm feeling really good :) Plus it will rain this weekend and that means we get to clean my house!!! The first floor and basement were done last weekend. This weekend it is the upstairs!!! BEDROOMS AND BATHROOMS! All hands on deck. Also this weekend I am getting my hair colored and cut and have an adult night out at McGooby’s (comedy club) with friends…pretty psyched!

Funny kid story :) This week Dominic got 100% on a very difficult math test and I told him we should celebrate. He took it upon himself to call and set something up himself. Tonight we are apparently having pizza and milkshakes with Mom Mom and Poppy :) He is too funny…Note: I’m buying pizza for the kids/others and making myself a whole wheat crust, (FF) ricotta, green pepper, mushroom and onion pizza. I’ll take a picture, I promise. In lieu of a milkshake, I’ll make a green monster!!

 I’m also planning to hit the gym later tonight when everyone is settled and Livie Lou is in bed.

More later…
TTFN
(222.5)

Wadja eat?

Food today consisted of English muffin w veggie sausage

Spinach dip and carrots 

Lunch was a salad that had some feta chesse and veggies and Maryland crab soup.  Was delicious but didn'take a pic :/. Note sushi lunch got canceled...

Had an apple and pear for snacks then went to aerobics!  It was so great and best of all???  My sis will be joining me starting next week!  YAY!  

This is my after workout pic...not too bad but the workout was really good!

Came home and made sweet potato hash and had more veggies and spinach dip

Now hanging w the hubby...great day!

TTFN

#photofoodjournal

The Photo food journal doesn't work without photos!!!! DAMN...I keep forgetting :/

NEW YEAR...New April! (sounds cliche)

HAPPY NEW YEAR Friends!!!

I need an outlet for all I’ve been doing but I wanted to make sure I was really back on the bandwagon before I got back on here J  It’s been a week and I’m itching to talk about my success so here goes…

Please Lord let this continue…

Let’s go back in time to the Holidays

I got really depressed (about my body) around the holidays (everything else was wonderful).  I have gained so much weight over the last year I’m not sure what I was thinking.  All the things I knew better then to do: eating a lot…of bad food…late at night AND not exercising!!  Come on April Floyd…  The depression was causing me to resort to negative self talk again and I really really don’t want my baby girl to have all the esteem issues I have.  I realized it was time to get started… 

I decided to be a stereotype and start on January 1^st.  On January 1^st I dramatically changed my eating and started C25k again.  I am feeling really good!!!  I haven’t missed a day of working out (I know I know…it has only been 8 days but still…I’ve been very dedicated).  I can feel my healthy taste buds coming back from all the clean eating and my will power seems to be at an all-time high J  YAY! 

Interesting tid bit about April?  My weight to size proportion has always been a  little crazy; I’m hoping this means I’m packed with Muscle but anybody who has seen me try to lift weights knows I’m a big wimp J  (note: my legs are crazy strong tho from all those years of dancing).  Ok back to the point…  I’ve always been less concerned about the actual number on the scale and more concerned with the change (preferably down) from week to week and the size clothes that I wear. 

All this is setting up my full disclosure.  It may embarrass some people to tell the entire internet what they weigh but I’ve got to disclose it so we I can be honest with myself and you on what my success is.  OK…before I do this I have to say how disgusted I am with myself.  I was 190# two years ago when I came to work here at Under Armour (I have a time stamped picture of my scale to prove it to myself).  How does one gain 40# when they go to work for an athletic apparel company?  UGG!!!  I know my feet issues and no kitchen during the fall have contributed to it but those are just excuses.  OK…that is enough beating myself up.  I started to improve and have already had results so I’ll get past the past and move on to the future J

Here are my stats for January 1^st:

Height: 5’5” (this obviously won’t change)

Weight: 230#

Jeans: 16R

Tops: XL (sometimes L)

UA Outerwear: NONE

UA Outerwear has been my nemesis lately.  They want us all to start wearing UA winter Gear on campus but the problem is that our fit is bad.  I can wear UA fleece and hoodies in an XL but the coats don’t even come close to zipping.  Try being a big person on a campus that is made of 23-27 year old athletes!!!  It is tough…I feel gargantuan on the regular.  This is not negative self talk…this is honestly!

CHECKIN: I did my first weigh in yesterday and am happy to report a 5.5# loss (224.5#).  YAY…there was definitely low hanging fruit but I’ll take it and it keeps me motivated.  Just a note I will add my weight to the bottom of my signature on each day I weigh in. 

FOOD: I’ll also start doing my photo food journal again J  but I just decided that now and didn’t get a picture of my breakfast sandwich…  It was a Fiber One English muffin and a Morning Star Veggie Sausage.  I’m meeting a friend today for lunch at a Sushi restaurant so that should be pretty easy and I made spinah dip for a snack today (spinach, greek yogurt, light ranch dressing and knorr seasoning packet) to have with carrots.  I’ll post pics tonight…  (no idea what dinner will be)

EXERCISE: Tonight I’m heading to my Aerobics class again.  I’m pretty psyched about it…  Some people say it is boring but I don’t care…I love it and it makes me sweat which is all that matters at the end of the day.  My metabolism is benefiting and that is all I care about.  I think I fell off the wagon last time because everything just got too hard.  I took the boot camp class and it was just too difficult and I felt weak.  I stopped running b/c 5ks made me feel like a loser for taking so long.  It is better for me to stay with basics and keep moving.  J 

So now you know what has been going on with me.  I am back to it and happy to be!!

TTFN