Made It To The Gym!

I made it to the gym today and boy did it feel good!  I was so glad that Patti was training today!  I really do like her and she gave us a good workout for our legs and abs.  It felt good!

After the gym I had to boogie to my hair appointment and Carrie did an excellent job on my hair.  It has gotten so expensive to keep up with my highlights, I'm giving them up!  We went lighter on my base color and she cut my hair to a short bob.  I hate to say that I will have to go back and have her trim my bangs more.  In two weeks they will be in my face again!  She is so good at what she does!

I rushed home to a bowl of Quinoa Chicken Chili and I was going to cross stitch but dosed off.  What is with that?  I guess staying up later at night cross stitching is not a good idea.  I just keep saying "let me finish this line, this thread, this little section!"  Not Good.

Mark grilled steaks for dinner along with sweet potatoes and green beans.  It was so good!  He wasn't in a good mood.  People got to him today.  He really has to deal with some doozies at times.  People who demand discounts, deductibles covered etc.  Come on people.  You wreck your car you have to pay.  Body shops do have to make a profit to stay in business.  They barely break even in expenses each month and some months the workers barely make enough to live.  When Mark can't make a commission we drain or savings and many times have to hit our retirement account!  I feel sorry for him.  He goes extra miles to make sure his cars are repaired well and will do almost anything to make his customers happy but don't ask for discounts or deductibles covered.  They already give your insurance companies discounts to help keep your premiums from going through the roof.  Rant over!

There was a stupid new show on tonight on the TLC channel called "My Big Fat Fabulous Life"  It is about a girl that gained weight in college due to PCOS and loves her fat body.  Yes she is going to work at losing the weight but her parents are cruel and the show is crazy.  I'd rather they bring "Ruby" back!!!  Did you see it?

Tomorrow I have to go to the cardiologist to get a heart halter put on to wear for 24 hours.  Fun.  Never done it but I hope and pray it shows everything is ok and he'll pull me off more of the A-Fib drugs!  Fingers crossed!

Sleepy Day!

Late last night I was shredding the chicken for the soup I made and all of a sudden I felt weak and nauseated.  Mark took over and I went to sit down and I checked my heart rate and it was 51.  That's a little low but as I sat it went back up and I felt ok.  I did sleep good but I woke up today tired.  I was scheduled to go to the gym but I cancelled it and I went back to bed and slept pass noon.  I must have been tired.

Waking up so late I had a late breakfast and a late lunch.  Dinner was late too.  I did clean the kitchen and I got my shower and washed a dried my hair.

The soup I made was good but it needed something.  I checked the recipe and it had no salt or pepper.  Weird.  So I added 2 teaspoons of salt and a half teaspoon of pepper and it was much better.  Here is the recipe.  I will make it again.


Slow Cooker Quinoa Chicken Chili

I’m not sure whether I’d call this Quinoa Chicken Chili or Quinoa Taco Soup – either way, I’d call it  scrumptious. I’ve never made quinoa in a savory way – so I was excited to give it a try and it didn’t disappoint. Quinoa is very high in protein, so it goes great in this chicken chili to help give it some heft and substance.

I love that it was cooked in the Crock Pot – which means it only took me about 15 minutes to toss together this morning and the slow cooker did all the work.

INGREDIENTS

1 cup of quinoa, rinsed (I rinsed and soaked mine in cold water 3 times)
One (1) 28 oz can of diced tomatoes (I used crushed)
One (1) 14 oz can diced tomatoes with green chilies (Rotel)
Two (2) 16 oz cans of black beans, rinsed, drained
One (1) 15 oz can of corn, drained (I did not use, I added a rinsed can of Great Northern Beans, I can't have corn for now)
3 Cups chicken stock
2 large chicken breasts, frozen or thawed (cook longer if frozen)
1 tsp garlic powder
2 tsp cumin
1 tsp crushed red pepper
2 tsp chili powder


Note:  I added 2 teaspoons salt and 1/2 teaspoon pepper after it was done.  Next time I will add it while it cooks.

HOW TO PREPARE

1.) Toss everything into slow cooker and cook for 6-8 hours on low or 4-7 hours on high. I added frozen chicken breasts to mine and cooked on high for about six hours. As long as the chicken is cooked – it’s done!

2.) Remove chicken and shred it with two forks. Return to slow cooker.

3.) Top with cheese, sour cream, avocados – whatever sounds good to you! I’m thinking the next day it would probably thicken up enough to eat in a whole wheat tortilla.


Now, I don't eat any dairy so no sour cream or cheese was added.  I could have had some avocado with it but didn't think about it at the time.

And you know what?  That picture is gross to me now.  I have no desire for cheese any more.  I'm perfectly happy living without dairy.  Try going without it.  I believe dairy really does wreak havoc with our bodies.  Cows milk is for cows, not humans.  No wonder so many are lactose intolerant!  My gastro problems are actually better.  No running to the little girl's room as much as I use to.  

I didn't walk today.  Weather did not permit.  I hate this time of year.  Michael will not be pleased.  Tomorrow I have a busy day.  Gym in the morning and getting my hair done at noon.  It's suppose to be cloudy and raining tomorrow and only in the 40's.  I need some sunshine!

I watched The Bachelor tonight and worked on my Angel.  Now I'm sleepy.  I think it is time to hit the hay.

Night Night!

Weigh In Day!

Today is weigh in day and I'm down 2 more lbs!  355!  I want to be in the 340's so bad!  Slowly getting back!  This eating plan rocks!

I did get my two recipes cooked up today.  They made the house smell wonderful!  Tomorrow is taste testing day and if they are good I'll post the recipes!

Talked to Michael today and he was thrilled about the weight loss and he set a new goal for me.  Walk for 15 minutes twice a day.  Not the craziest about it but I will try.  I wish I had a neighbor that could walk with me.

I didn't feel the greatest today.  It seemed like every time I got up to do something I started feeling week and nauseated.  Not sure what is going on but I hope it goes away.  I did not finish taking the tree down.

Well, here's to a great week and getting a lot done especially my walking goal!

PS.  I don't know what is going on with Blogger!  They sure have my art missed up!  I have notified my designer.  I'm sorry it is making it difficult to read.

Rainy Lazy Day

Mark had to work today and I just piddled around the house.  I did find 2 recipes to try both down in the crock-pot which is a great win for me!  One is Slower Cooker Quinoa Chicken Chili and the other is Carnitas which we will eat in romaine lettuce cups with  some home-made pico de gallo and avocados.  The chicken chili called for a can of corn but since I can't have that yet, I will just leave it out.  I will let you know how it turns out and I will share the recipes if you would like to try it out.

Basically, I was a lazy bum all day.  I just sat and stitched and of course watched TV.  I also found a sampler that I started in 1997 that is two-thirds done.  I got it out because this white angel is getting boring! LOL!  I'll share pictures later this week.

Mark cooked us dinner tonight, grilled chicken, sweet potatoes with coconut butter and green beans.  It was yummy.  He is really crazy for a seasoning from Penzy's called "Sunny Paris" and I have to admit it is great on chicken.  We then watched the movie "Saving Mr. Banks" with Tom Hanks and that caused us to rent Mary Poppins.  Such a fun  movie!  Reminds me of growing up!

So being so lazy today caused me not to get many steps in.  I did eat well and tomorrow is weigh-in day!  I hope I lost.  This journey is amazing!  I wish any of you who are trying to lose would contact me and just hear what I'm doing.  I admit it was hard the first couple weeks but once your energy picks up and all the sluggish/nap-time feelings go away you just don't want to go back.  It is amazing what sugar, dairy, wheat and chemicals do to our bodies.  Clean eating is the way to go.  The body loves it!  Trust me.  Email me imahoot286@sbcglobal.net if you are ready to change your life!

Going to bed!  See ya tomorrow!!!!!

Icky Day!

Today was a icky day!  I had my Remicade and it was rainy and didn't get out of the 30's when I was gone.  For some reason the pre-meds really did a number on me and I couldn't keep my eyes open.

I was also very hungry today.  That is what happens when you eat something that is full of junk.  I didn't say anything but Mark and I had some chips and queso last night with dinner.  The first bite I took was very salty, had a wang to it and just wasn't what I remembered queso tasting like.  Of course I kept eating it thinking that it would start tasting better but it did not!  Lesson learned.  Bad foods don't really taste that good.  Our taste buds are skewed.  Eating whole foods for the last 80 days really do take hold and trust me, I will not do that again.  Sweet Potato Tortilla Chips from Sprouts and salsa are fabulous and healthy.

So this morning I got up and weighed and I was up 5 lbs.  Hum...I wonder what could have caused that?  Could it be the salt and the chemicals in that 1/2 cup queso that I consumed last night.  I truly believe it was.  Reminds me of my old life of bad foods and my cocktail of diuretics!  Boy I don't want to go there again.  I haven't told Michael what I have done but I will.  I want to see what it takes to get my body straightened back out.  I need to see and learn.

Tonight we watched the movie Gravity.  It was pretty good but I hated the ending.  I guess it leaves it for a sequel.  We also got Saving Mr. Banks and we are planning to watch that tomorrow night.  Tomorrow Mark works and I am going to find 3 new recipes to try and plan to make one for dinner tomorrow night.  I need to schedule some days at Downsize, finish taking down the tree and packing everything up for next year.  I need to get some lunches made this weekend.  I'm getting tired of chasing myself everyday for lunches.  Janet gave me a recipe for lettuce wraps and I think I'll whip those up along with a soup.

So a busy day tomorrow.  I guess I better hit the hay so I can hit the ground running.  Wish me luck!

Crazy Computer

Well my Surface Pro 3 is possessed.  Is has a mind of its own!   It thinks that someone is touching the screen when it's not being touched.  It scrolls itself,  opens up Apps, clicks on ads on Facebook and divides the mouse into 2 pointers.  Of course Best Buy is out of them from Christmas!  I have to wait and call twice a week until they come in.  So, here I am swiping myself to death on my Samsung 5 phone.  At least I'm out here.

Today was a rainy cold day and that made me lazy.  I did nothing but drink hot tea and try and stay warm.   I did get out this evening to take the computer in and we did go to Cheddar ' s for dinner.  They really have a great sirloin for $9.99.  I got steamed broccoli and black beans to go with it.  It took forever.  When our waiter brought the food to us he said they had run out and had to go get some more.  There is a grocery store close by and we envisioned them jumping in their car and running to buy some sirloin.  LOL!

I didn't get my 5000 steps in and I'm telling you I'm a bit irritated at Michael and Janet for thinking that this will be no big deal.  Trust me I have the energy to get it done but my knees and right foot just will not tolerate it.  Janet suggested that I join the Y to walk the pool.  I can't afford the gym and the Y. I just can't.   Sometimes I think Janet doesn't live in the real world.

Don't think for a minute that I don't still struggle cause I do.   Just tonight I wanted chips and queso and I had to tell myself NO!  It is still a battle.  The difference is I feel so much better not eating sugar,  dairy and wheat.  Everything is tons better.  

I am getting a little bored with what I'm eating. I need to find some new recipes to try.  Maybe I will work on it tomorrow.

Did I Ruin Myself???

I have been watching over the last few days and it seems that no one is ready this blog anymore.  I have noticed a couple of people who check every other day but and that I'm grateful but I'm wondering today if I should even continue.  I know that it wasn't a good thing not posting very often but I was going through so much this last year.  I just couldn't find consistent creative juices to write every day.  For that I'm sorry.  What was once excited getting out here and sharing the journey went through a bad spell and now that I'm back and feeling better than ever before I feel like I've lost my readers.  I'm sad but know it is my own fault.

I know that I should just write for myself and Michael has encouraged me to write about this because I will be able to record the changes in my life.  He says that is what people crave.  Well I guess I can keep writing for me and record what I feel and maybe I will find readers once again and maybe my faithful and true will come back and read.

Today all I did was cook.  I roasted some sweet potatoes with some red and orange peppers and some onions.  It is one of my new favorite foods but I forgot them in the oven and they burned.  I haven't done that in a long time.  I literally laughed at myself and thought that maybe it is time to go to cooking school.  Tonight I  made our favorite Beef Cabbage Soup and it was yummy on a cold night.  Here is the recipe.  I hope that you will try it out!

Beef Cabbage Soup

1 lb lean ground beef 

1/2 medium onion, chopped 
1/2 large bell pepper, finely chopped 
1 can (15 oz) red kidney beans 
1 can (10.75 oz) beef consomme 
1 can (14 oz) stewed tomatoes 
2 cans (8 oz each) tomato sauce 
2 cups water 
1/2 head cabbage, coarsely chopped  (I use a whole bag of Coleslaw mix without the carrots)
1 tsp salt 
1 tsp pepper 
1 Tbsp Worcestershire sauce 

Brown ground beef with onion; drain; transfer to large pot & add rest. Cook until cabbage is tender.

It is yummy and it freezes well.  I always make a double batch.

I did get to talk to Michael this afternoon and he wants me to get my walking up to 5000 steps since right now the Dr. doesn't want me exercising.  I can resume the exercise once my oxygen levels stay in the mid 90's.  Hopefully that will not take too long.  Tonight we are expecting a hard freeze and the weather dude says that we will remain below freezing for at least 8 hours.  I can tell you that I'm not going out to walk with pneumonia!  Tomorrow night rain is going to move in and another front is expected and this weekend Houston is not going to get out of the 30's.  Weird weather.  I'll have to try and figure out something.

Tomorrow sounds like a good day to stay in and stay warm and I would like to work on my cross stitch angel that I am making for my friend Penny.  I also would like to start a little project for my best friend Karen.  I have never stitched her anything.  I need to pick something out of my stash.  I may see about digging around in that and taking a peek.  I also need to finish taking down the tree and get my Christmas linens washed and put up till next year.  So tomorrow looks like a full day.

Believe it or not I am having problems with this Surface Pro 3 and tonight I might have to take it in to the local Geek Squad.  It is having a mind of it's own.  It is either a faulty mouse because the Geek Squad on the phone couldn't get the mouse to connect to the Bluetooth and then talking with the last Tech who worked on it said it could be a faulty keyboard or a faulty touch screen in which case they will have to place the whole computer.  Fun.  Why am I plagued with computer problems.  Never fear I still have my old trusty stand-by so I will continue to blog.

I want to spend some time finding some new recipes to try.  With the limited choices in food I know that there has to be some new things to try.  I'm thinking about giving Kale another try.  Don't ask me why, I usually do care for the stuff but for some reason it is appealing to me.  Janet has warned me that in cleaning up my diet I would start having tastes for things I never thought I would like.  So we'll see.

Well it is late and I'm going to hit the sack.  I have lots of things that I want to do tomorrow.

Praying someone will check in....