Regrets?

I knew this would come one day.  I hoped it wouldn't but it has. Remember the old website 'My Going To Goal'?  I wish now I would have kept it.  There was a lot of me there.  I should have continued to try and straighten it all out.  Oh how I would have loved to re-read it today.  Why do we do such things?  CRAZY!

What started this was trying to figure out which way to take this blog.  Art work?  Writing Style?  What to do?  I hate the art on this one.  Never was sold out on it.  Paid a lot of money, just didn't know what to do.  Wanted something custom for once and for all but...  I started looking up weight loss blogs and I was shocked how many are still going that started about the same time as 'Going To Goal'.  The are now on Top Weight Loss Blogs now.  Makes me sad.  My weight loss battle...G - O - N - E!!!!!  Oh well, no need to cry over spilled milk.  Clean it up and move on.  I'm still sad.

Today was a hard day.  I struggled.  I tried checking in with Michael and he was in a meeting with Janet and Brittany and told me he would call me back but didn't.  I was going to tell him I'm struggling.  I'm getting bored and we all know that is a dangerous state for me.  I need some changes yet I know he's not going to do it.  I often wonder if he ever is.  Most of the people he coaches get more than I'm getting right now and they get changes after 45 days.  Let's see...Today is Day 87!  87!!!!!!!  NO CHANGES!!!!!!  No wonder I'm starting to want to play with this!  You know...push the plate a little?  42 lbs in 87 days.  That is a lot of weight.  Less contact from Michael, his cronies and Janet.  I know I'm griping!  I said today was a hard day.  Many times today, I've thought about telling them I'm going on my own.  I would continue, no wheat, dairy and sugar but I would add some fruit choices and Paleo bread.  Research more clean eating.

But I won't.  I'll continue on.

I got the heart halter put on today.  I'll be glad in the morning to take it off.  Those sticky things itch and I can't scratch! LOL!

I didn't do much today, laundry, stitched, you know the same old things.  BORING!  I did try the Carnitas that I made this weekend.  Not crazy about it.  It has cinnamon in it and you can taste it.  I guess I just don't care for sweet meat.  I'm going to go ahead and post the recipe so you can try it if your heart desires.  Next time I think I will replace the cinnamon with Chipolte!  Make it spicy and smokey.  YUM!  I ate it in Romaine lettuce leaves with some homemade pico and avocado.  Here is the recipe:

Slow Cooker Carnitas
adapted via All Recipes
serves 10-12

2 teaspoons salt
2 teaspoons garlic powder
2 teaspoons ground cumin
1 teaspoon dried oregano
1 teaspoon ground coriander
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
4 lb. boneless pork shoulder roast
2 bay leaves
2 cups chicken broth (homemade or store-bought - check the label!)

1 fresh lime, cut into wedges for serving (optional)

In a small bowl, mix together the salt, garlic powder, cumin, oregano, coriander and cinnamon.  Rub the pork with the spice mixture, coating the meat evenly.  Place the bay leaves in the bottom of your slow cooker and top with the rubbed pork.  Pour the chicken broth around the pork.

Cover and cook on low until the pork easily shreds with a fork, 8-10 hours.  Once the pork has finished cooking, remove it from the slow cooker and shred it in a large bowl.  Add 1/4-1/2 cup of the cooking liquid into the shredded meat to moisten it, as needed.

You can serve the pork immediately, or pop it under the broiler for a few minutes to crisp up a bit.  I like to spread some evenly on a foil-lined baking sheet and broil to my liking.  A squirt of fresh lime juice just before serving is optional, but highly recommended.

(Any leftover pork reheats beautifully under the broiler in about 5 minutes.)




Looks good doesn't it.  I'll make it again I'll just exchange the cinnamon for something with a kick.  Who knows, I may try it again and decide it's ok.  Anyway. it did look just like this picture.  Try lettuce leaves!  I promise you won't miss the tortilla!

Till tomorrow...hitting the hay!

Be good!

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.