Just a quickie...
1. One of the new ladies at work (has been with us for a couple of months) commented yesterday that I've lost some weight lately and I'm looking good. She asked how much I've lost and when I replied, "Probably just a few pounds since I've known you, but about 100 pounds overall," the look on her face was priceless.
2. Scott and I are looking into booking a cruise to Alaska for our 10 year wedding anniversary later this year. Any advice would be appreciated as I am a little overwhelmed by all the options.
3. If I keep buying all of the great deals on exercise classes on Groupon, I won't ever have an excuse not to work out.
4. I discovered a wonderful new lunch option a couple of weeks ago called Juice & Java. It's fabulous. Anyone local should definitely try it. I had a salad for lunch today of mixed greens, sprouts, carrots, avocado, tuna (no mayo - just the fish), and light mustard vinaigrette. I went to lunch there with my friend Kelly today - she is a serious runner and we had a great talk over some awesome and healthy food.
That's it for now.
Thursday, January 12, 2012
Sunday, January 8, 2012
Recipe: Healthier Shepherd's Pie
I managed to "healthify" my shepherd's pie and I have to say...it came out pretty fabulous. It's my best thing that I cook (according to my husband) so I didn't want to mess with it too much...but it was really good and bandster friendly.
Healthier Shepherd's Pie
Meat mixture:
1 pound extra lean (7%) ground beef
Handful of baby carrots, chopped
1 clove garlic, crushed
1/2 sweet onion, chopped
Worcestershire sauce
Salt/Pepper to taste
1/2 cup frozen corn kernels
Topping:
1 package frozen cauliflower
1 cup prepared mashed potatoes
1/2 cup + a few tablespoons reduced fat (2%) sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
Salt/Pepper to taste
Spray a large pan with cooking spray. Saute carrots and onions until the onions are translucent. Add ground beef, garlic, worcestershire, salt and pepper and cook until the meat is browned. Add the corn and stir. (Optional - you can add a handful of peas at this point too, but I don't like them so I skip it.)
Meanwhile, steam the cauliflower until it is very soft (7-8 minutes). Add the potato and use a potato masher to mash the cauliflower and potato together. Add salt and pepper.
Spread the meat/veggie mixture in a casserole dish. Top with cheese. Spread potato/cauliflower mixture on top. Cover and bake for 45 minutes at 350.
Uncover. Sprinkle a few tablespoons of cheese on top and broil until brown and bubbly.
Allow to sit for a few minutes before you cut into it.
Healthier Shepherd's Pie
Meat mixture:
1 pound extra lean (7%) ground beef
Handful of baby carrots, chopped
1 clove garlic, crushed
1/2 sweet onion, chopped
Worcestershire sauce
Salt/Pepper to taste
1/2 cup frozen corn kernels
Topping:
1 package frozen cauliflower
1 cup prepared mashed potatoes
1/2 cup + a few tablespoons reduced fat (2%) sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
Salt/Pepper to taste
Spray a large pan with cooking spray. Saute carrots and onions until the onions are translucent. Add ground beef, garlic, worcestershire, salt and pepper and cook until the meat is browned. Add the corn and stir. (Optional - you can add a handful of peas at this point too, but I don't like them so I skip it.)
Meanwhile, steam the cauliflower until it is very soft (7-8 minutes). Add the potato and use a potato masher to mash the cauliflower and potato together. Add salt and pepper.
Spread the meat/veggie mixture in a casserole dish. Top with cheese. Spread potato/cauliflower mixture on top. Cover and bake for 45 minutes at 350.
Uncover. Sprinkle a few tablespoons of cheese on top and broil until brown and bubbly.
Allow to sit for a few minutes before you cut into it.
Conversation With Myself
Conversation with myself...
Me: I don't feel like going to the gym today.
Me: Too f***ing bad. You're going anyway.
Me: Um ok. Guess I'd better go put my sneakers on.
Me: Damn right. Just go. Do it now.
See everyone later. I'm off to the gym.
Me: I don't feel like going to the gym today.
Me: Too f***ing bad. You're going anyway.
Me: Um ok. Guess I'd better go put my sneakers on.
Me: Damn right. Just go. Do it now.
See everyone later. I'm off to the gym.
Saturday, January 7, 2012
Tagged by Jessica
I was tagged by Jessica and figured I'd play along. :-)
This is from my walk with Jessica yesterday. My husband, Scott, came to the park with us to
do some photography and he captured some nice shots. :-)
The Rules:
1. Post these rules.
2. You must post 11 random things yourself.
3. Answer the questions the tagger set for you in their post.
4. Create 11 new questions for the people you tag to answer.
5. Go to their blog and tell them that you've tagged them.
6. No stuff in the tagging section about ‘you are tagged if you are reading this.’ Blah blah blah, you legitimately have to tag 11 people!
11 Random things about me:
Do you have any tattoos? If so what are they of?
I do. A purple Grateful Dead bear on my left thigh and dragonflies and flowers on my right ankle. I definitely want at least one more, but not sure what.
What is the most played song on your ipod?
Julius by Phish. It's the perfect pace for running and these lyrics really get me going because it makes me always want to take another step and push myself just a little harder to be at that moment where my past and my future are precisely divided...with the new life winning...so I take another step.
With your past and your future precisely divided,
Am I at that moment?
I haven't decided.
Don't take another, don't take another, don't take another step,
Don't blame it on yourself...
What is your favorite form of exercise?
Lately, it's running outdoors. Who knew I would love it so much?
If you could learn to do anything? What would it be?
Play an instrument well. I played bass guitar for awhile and pretty much sucked. I felt like I was hurting the music so I stopped.
If you won the lottery, what would be the first thing you would do?
Travel, buy a house near my sister, and get my bachelor's degree.
What is the first thing you notice about someone?
It's nothing in particular that I notice first...just a general vibe...how their presence makes me feel.
Describe yourself in three words.
Still in progress.
If you could go anywhere in the world, where would it be?
Antarctica. I dream of one day going to work there for a season. Doing what? I have no idea. I just want to experience it.
What is your biggest fear?
Never accomplishing my goals. That, and cockroaches. Shudder.
If you could have three wishes, what would you wish for?
A never ending supply of money so I always had exactly the right amount in my pocket no matter what I was buying, perfect health until I die peacefully in my sleep when I am 123 years old, a hundred years with my husband.
Can you keep a secret?
Yep. :-)
My 11 Questions:
1. What is your favorite salad?
2. What was your favorite book as a child?
3. What is the one food that you would love to be able to eat in unlimited amounts without ever absorbing the calories or getting stuck?
4. Do you prefer working out indoors or outdoors?
5. If you're banded, what are your "absolutely not" foods that you will not attempt because they get stuck every time?
6. What is your favorite song/band to exercise to?
7. Have you ever played any sports?
8. What is one book that you could read over and over again?
9. What do you think the most attractive thing about yourself is?
10. Would you go to a bariatric doctor who was fat? Why or why not?
11. Are you going to BOOBs this year?
People I Tag:
1. Shannon
2. Joey
3. Fluffy
4. Rockband Barbie
5. Grace
6. Lacey
7. Lap Band Groupie
8. Camille
9. Catherine
10. Babbling Amy
11. Tessie Rose
This is from my walk with Jessica yesterday. My husband, Scott, came to the park with us todo some photography and he captured some nice shots. :-)
The Rules:
1. Post these rules.
2. You must post 11 random things yourself.
3. Answer the questions the tagger set for you in their post.
4. Create 11 new questions for the people you tag to answer.
5. Go to their blog and tell them that you've tagged them.
6. No stuff in the tagging section about ‘you are tagged if you are reading this.’ Blah blah blah, you legitimately have to tag 11 people!
11 Random things about me:
- My husband was my boss when we met. I was 23 years old. We didn't start dating for real until he was promoted to a different department
- I hate mushrooms, squid, raised donuts, and rice krispy treats.
- I love brussels sprouts, broccoli, cupcakes, and cheese.
- I am addicted to spicy food. This happened after surgery. I have jars of jalapenos in the refrigerators at home AND work, as well as over a dozen types of hot sauce.
- I went to summer camp in Lake George, NY every year from when I was 8 years old until I was 17.
- I used to think I did, but I really don't want kids. I'm happy to be an aunt.
- I'm a terrible housekeeper. I hate cleaning and decorating and all that stuff.
- I am a roller coaster junkie.
- I love music, lots of different kinds, but can't get into country or super hard metal.
- I'm seriously allergic to perfume, scented candles, cleaning supplies, etc. I need to take allergy meds before I go to any large gathering because inevitably, the person who is marinated in perfume will be sitting right next to me. (I spent most of BOOBs doped up on Benadryl.)
- I used to play poker all the time. We bought our house when we did because I won a "bad beat jackpot" and needed to offset the win. I pretty much stopped playing seriously after we moved.
Do you have any tattoos? If so what are they of?
I do. A purple Grateful Dead bear on my left thigh and dragonflies and flowers on my right ankle. I definitely want at least one more, but not sure what.
What is the most played song on your ipod?
Julius by Phish. It's the perfect pace for running and these lyrics really get me going because it makes me always want to take another step and push myself just a little harder to be at that moment where my past and my future are precisely divided...with the new life winning...so I take another step.
With your past and your future precisely divided,
Am I at that moment?
I haven't decided.
Don't take another, don't take another, don't take another step,
Don't blame it on yourself...
What is your favorite form of exercise?
Lately, it's running outdoors. Who knew I would love it so much?
If you could learn to do anything? What would it be?
Play an instrument well. I played bass guitar for awhile and pretty much sucked. I felt like I was hurting the music so I stopped.
If you won the lottery, what would be the first thing you would do?
Travel, buy a house near my sister, and get my bachelor's degree.
What is the first thing you notice about someone?
It's nothing in particular that I notice first...just a general vibe...how their presence makes me feel.
Describe yourself in three words.
Still in progress.
If you could go anywhere in the world, where would it be?
Antarctica. I dream of one day going to work there for a season. Doing what? I have no idea. I just want to experience it.
What is your biggest fear?
Never accomplishing my goals. That, and cockroaches. Shudder.
If you could have three wishes, what would you wish for?
A never ending supply of money so I always had exactly the right amount in my pocket no matter what I was buying, perfect health until I die peacefully in my sleep when I am 123 years old, a hundred years with my husband.
Can you keep a secret?
Yep. :-)
My 11 Questions:
1. What is your favorite salad?
2. What was your favorite book as a child?
3. What is the one food that you would love to be able to eat in unlimited amounts without ever absorbing the calories or getting stuck?
4. Do you prefer working out indoors or outdoors?
5. If you're banded, what are your "absolutely not" foods that you will not attempt because they get stuck every time?
6. What is your favorite song/band to exercise to?
7. Have you ever played any sports?
8. What is one book that you could read over and over again?
9. What do you think the most attractive thing about yourself is?
10. Would you go to a bariatric doctor who was fat? Why or why not?
11. Are you going to BOOBs this year?
People I Tag:
1. Shannon
2. Joey
3. Fluffy
4. Rockband Barbie
5. Grace
6. Lacey
7. Lap Band Groupie
8. Camille
9. Catherine
10. Babbling Amy
11. Tessie Rose
Wednesday, January 4, 2012
Conversation With a Co-Worker
The following conversation happened today with my friend/co-worker Jason. It made me giggle so I had to share. He's had a cold/sinus thing going on for awhile and had gone to the doctor before but was still not feeling well. I got the following email today.
Jason: FYI, dr appt, will be out of office from 11am-1pm
Me: I hope they FINALLY get you all fixed up and you get to feeling better.
Jason: Thank you! Of course now that I have an appt scheduled I'm actually already feeling better today... but they still better give me something, antibiotic or whatever.
Me: Isn't that always the way? But YES...insist on blood work and cultures so they can find out what is ACTUALLY wrong!!!!!
Jason: Oh I will! Demanding a CAT scan, MRI, biopsy, CBC, extra x-rays, EKG, strep test, and an autopsy for good measure.
Me: Don't forget the mammogram, pregnancy test, and full fluoroscopy of your digestive system.
Jason: Definitely. But I think a upper gastrointestinal endoscopy might be in order. And a full set of toxicology tests, someone may have drugged me. Tuning fork test too. I am going to decline the proctoscopy.
Me: Of course. Better safe than sorry. I know insurance doesn't usually cover it, but a full phrenology exam may be in order as well. It might provide some good info.
Later, when he got back to the office:
Me: How did it go? When are you getting fitted for your plastic bubble?
Jason: It was pretty good. The pregnancy test was negative, but the autopsy was really painful.
Sometimes working here is really fun.
Jason: FYI, dr appt, will be out of office from 11am-1pm
Me: I hope they FINALLY get you all fixed up and you get to feeling better.
Jason: Thank you! Of course now that I have an appt scheduled I'm actually already feeling better today... but they still better give me something, antibiotic or whatever.
Me: Isn't that always the way? But YES...insist on blood work and cultures so they can find out what is ACTUALLY wrong!!!!!
Jason: Oh I will! Demanding a CAT scan, MRI, biopsy, CBC, extra x-rays, EKG, strep test, and an autopsy for good measure.
Me: Don't forget the mammogram, pregnancy test, and full fluoroscopy of your digestive system.
Jason: Definitely. But I think a upper gastrointestinal endoscopy might be in order. And a full set of toxicology tests, someone may have drugged me. Tuning fork test too. I am going to decline the proctoscopy.
Me: Of course. Better safe than sorry. I know insurance doesn't usually cover it, but a full phrenology exam may be in order as well. It might provide some good info.
Later, when he got back to the office:
Me: How did it go? When are you getting fitted for your plastic bubble?
Jason: It was pretty good. The pregnancy test was negative, but the autopsy was really painful.
Sometimes working here is really fun.
Tuesday, January 3, 2012
Word of the Year: Go
Many bloggers have chosen a word to represent the new year. I wasn't planning to do so, but when I was out for a walk on my lunch break today, I thought of the perfect word for my year.
My word is: go.
Short, sweet, and simple. It says what I want to accomplish.
Newton's First Law of Motion states: "Every object persists in a state of rest or uniform motion in a straight line unless compelled by an external force to change that state."
Sometimes I'll get on a good exercise kick, last a few weeks, and then something will happen where I fall off track for weeks. I don't want to do that this year. Sometimes I just need to put my sneakers on and GO. The first few steps are the hardest.
When my body is at rest, it remains at rest. Watching Biggest Loser on TV is easier than throwing on my sweats and heading out the door.
When my body is in motion, it remains in motion. Usually for about an hour at a time.
I set a goal of 200 hours of exercise in 2012, minimum. I know that time of exercise isn't as important as intensity, but sometimes just getting off the couch and doing it makes all the difference
So my word for 2012...
My word is: go.
Short, sweet, and simple. It says what I want to accomplish.
Newton's First Law of Motion states: "Every object persists in a state of rest or uniform motion in a straight line unless compelled by an external force to change that state."
Sometimes I'll get on a good exercise kick, last a few weeks, and then something will happen where I fall off track for weeks. I don't want to do that this year. Sometimes I just need to put my sneakers on and GO. The first few steps are the hardest.
When my body is at rest, it remains at rest. Watching Biggest Loser on TV is easier than throwing on my sweats and heading out the door.
When my body is in motion, it remains in motion. Usually for about an hour at a time.
I set a goal of 200 hours of exercise in 2012, minimum. I know that time of exercise isn't as important as intensity, but sometimes just getting off the couch and doing it makes all the difference
So my word for 2012...
Sunday, January 1, 2012
100 Pounds!
I woke up this morning to a wonderful sight on the scale:
This puts me down exactly 100 pounds from my highest weight. This is not 100 pounds since banding (I have about 10 pounds to go before I get there) but here is my weight log from when I started Weight Watchers...292 pounds as my starting weight...I lost 50 pounds and gained back 40 before I had my surgery.
What a really cool way to start the new year!
This puts me down exactly 100 pounds from my highest weight. This is not 100 pounds since banding (I have about 10 pounds to go before I get there) but here is my weight log from when I started Weight Watchers...292 pounds as my starting weight...I lost 50 pounds and gained back 40 before I had my surgery.
What a really cool way to start the new year!
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