S'no Excuse!

Winter is officially here...  It snowed today!  It's only November 8th and we had snow!  Sadly, the first thing I thought was "ooooo, today would be a great day to sleep in!"  Well, Dillon and our cable had other plans!  Dillon woke up at 7 and climbed into bed with me, I put on the tv and snuggled in with my little guy only to find out that our wacky New England weather had apparently shocked our cable and it was out.  This meant NO SLEEPING IN, NO GOING BACK TO BED EVEN FOR AN HOUR.  UP, UP, UP! 

We went downstairs and as I usually do on Mondays, I made pancakes- the batch makes enough to eat until at least Wednesday if not more!  Dillon and I sat down and ate breakfast- pancakes with syrup and a yogurt for him, pancakes with a smudge of peanut butter for me.  By 8:15 we were ar Curves ready to work out.  Not gonna' lie, I don't remember the last time i was anywhere at 8:15, especially not aa gym!  (Yea, me!)  We worked out- I say we because Dillon likes to dance around on the cardio squares with me!  Then it was off to the store to get a few things we needed (and of course, a few things we didn't need!)

I really wanted to go home and wait for Dillon's naptime so that I could sleep too!  My parents had other ideas, they decided to come over and help on some projects around the house.  As disappointed and exhausted as I was, it was good to get some projects done AND it made me keep moving and keep working! 

Tomorrow we go for family pictures for the first time since last Christmas and 31 lbs. lighter for me~  Needless to say, I am pretty excited to see pictures of me that I actually feel confident enough to be in!  YEA!  So, after Kristen and I hit the gym tomorrow, I will try and tire Dillon out a bit and get him down for a nap early (fingers crossed) so that I can "beautify" and then get him up in time for a bath and get over to our pictures!  Another busy,  busy day!
I've been trying to walk to the gym as often as I can or as often as Dillon will allow, it's just a little added exercise!  But, when I woke up this morning I was thinking that walking would be over- well, why?  I have a stroller that I can bundle Dillon in, and I have clothes to bundle me in!  The walk is 15 minutes on a slow day, I can do it!  (Today by 8 the snow had changed over to rain, so I wasn't going to walk in a cold winter rain, but snow on the ground will not be an excuse for not getting in a little extra cardio!)  Weather permitting, I will try and continue walking to the gym everyday! 

S'NO EXCUSES!!!

Have a fabulous week!!!

It's Almost Turkey Time!- Here's a Cooking Light Turkey Recipe to Consider!

While I am not hosting Thanksgiving, I am hosting Christmas so I am looking for tasty, healthy recipes to serve the almost 20 people we will be having!  Let me know what you think of this one and if you try it before I do, let me know how it works!

Covering the turkey breast with foil deflects the heat and helps prevent the white meat from cooking faster than the dark. The Make-Ahead Gravy features a rich, homemade turkey stock base. Enhance the gravy with pan drippings from the turkey.

Yield: 12 servings (serving size: 6 ounces turkey and 1/4 cup gravy)

Ingredients

• 1  (12-pound) fresh or frozen turkey, thawed
• 2  cups  chopped onion (about 1 medium)
• 1  teaspoon  salt, divided
• 1  teaspoon  freshly ground black pepper, divided
• 6  thyme sprigs, coarsely chopped
• 6  sage sprigs, coarsely chopped
• 6  marjoram sprigs, coarsely chopped
• 6  parsley sprigs, coarsely chopped
• 4  rosemary sprigs, coarsely chopped
• 1  tablespoon  canola oil
• 2  cups  water
• 1  cup  water (optional)
• 3  cups  Make-Ahead Gravy
• 2  teaspoons  chopped fresh sage

Preparation

Preheat oven to 325°.
Remove and discard giblets and neck from turkey. Trim excess fat. Combine chopped onion, 1/2 teaspoon salt, 1/2 teaspoon pepper, thyme, chopped sage sprigs, marjoram, parsley, and rosemary in a small bowl. Stuff body cavity with onion mixture. Tie legs together with kitchen string. Lift wing tips up and over back; tuck under turkey. Brush turkey with canola oil; sprinkle with the remaining 1/2 teaspoon salt and remaining 1/2 teaspoon pepper. Cover breast with foil. Place turkey, breast side up, on a roasting rack in a roasting pan. Pour 2 cups water into pan.
Bake at 325° for 1 1/2 hours; remove foil, and baste turkey with pan juices. Add 1 cup water to pan, if needed. Bake an additional hour or until a thermometer inserted in the meaty part of the thigh registers 165°, basting every 30 minutes. Remove turkey from oven; let stand at least 30 minutes before carving. Discard onion mixture and skin.
Place a zip-top plastic bag inside a 2-cup glass measure. Pour drippings from pan into bag; let stand 10 minutes (fat will rise to the top). Seal bag; carefully snip off 1 bottom corner. Drain drippings into a bowl, stopping before fat layer reaches opening; discard fat.
Place the roasting pan over two burners on medium heat. Add the turkey drippings, the Make-Ahead Gravy, and 2 teaspoons chopped fresh sage, scraping the pan to loosen browned bits. Reduce heat, and cook until the gravy mixture is reduced to 3 cups, stirring occasionally (about 5 minutes).
Wine note: A wine for your Thanksgiving turkey must be one that will stand up tall to the flavors of the fixings, from the savory meatiness of the gravy to the piquancy of the cranberry sauce to the sweetness of the sweet potatoes and the earthy, richness of the stuffing. A generous, mouth-filling, soft-textured red is a great bet. Here's a terrific one that's powerful but plush: Robert Keenan Merlot from the Napa Valley. The 2003 is $34. -Karen MacNeil

Nutritional Information

Calories:

380 (23% from fat)

Fat:

9.5g (sat 3.3g,mono 2.7g,poly 2.3g)

Protein:

67.4g

Carbohydrate:

1.7g

Fiber:

0.1g

Cholesterol:

228mg

Iron:

4.6mg

Sodium:

363mg

Calcium:

49mg

Rick Rodgers, Cooking Light, NOVEMBER 2006

Can You Feel the Rhythm!?

Just finished Day 2 at Curves and all I can say is that I really am a huge fan already!  If you are a woman and joining a gym is just not for you, find a local Curves branch and give it a try!  It is quick, upbeat, and pretty fun!  There's no set number of reps, no timer to set on a treadmill ('cuz there isn't one!).  I joined yesterday (after my mom has talked it up to me for several years and I ended up with 5 months worth of gift certificates!)  I decided, as I said yesterday that it was going to be the day to check it out and give it a try.  My exercise compadre, Kristen joined too, so today we went together!

The exercises go by so quickly, and it's very social (if you want it to be) that you barely realize you're exercising before it says "change stations now."  It takes only 15 minutes to complete the entire circut once.  (Who doesn't have 15 minutes!)  We do the circut twice- 30 minutes of quick, easy, social exercise- whoever designed Curves is a genius!  They knew what they were doing when attempting to make an exercise program for women!    Over the last 2 days, I have been the youngest person each time I have gone, but I know there are other women my age that go, just at different times, and my mom says that at the Curves she goes to there are even girls in high school that go. 

Curves is a great place to go and exercise if you don't want to feel stressed out by men working out around you, or being a distraction!  And because this is designed to be social and quick, you don't have to stop your exercise to chat with someone, where as at a typical gym, I was finding myself sitting on a weight bench talking to someone more than actually using the weights!  I will be the first to admit that when I joined a gym with Steve, it was really hard for me to not just sit and chat or watch him because he knew how to use all of the equipment and what exercises to do on them, so I was relying on him to teach me.  We don't have a Bally or a gym around that really has people to help you out at the gym, believe me, I looked for one that wasn't over 40 minutes away!  So, when I signed up at Curves yesterday, Marie, the branch owner not only showed me how to use each machine, she actually did the entire 30 minutes of circuts with me so that I didn't have to do it alone!  That really, really impressed me and made me feel valued.  (I know it's probably part of the deal when a new member joins, but when I went back today with Kristen, she did the circut with us again to make sure we were using the equipment correctly still!)  She could've just followed us around the circut, but she chose to exercise with us!  Maybe I need to work at a Curves!  :0)  Then I'd do a whole lot more exercise because I know how nice it felt to have someone exercise with me, it's always easier in my mind to stay motivated when someone is motivating you! 

So, day 2 of Curves and I'm still hooked!  I actually cannot wait to go back!  Kristen and I are off to Curves again tomorrow, but when Dillon goes down for his nap in about 45 minutes I will do my sit-ups at each commercial break!  Hopefully, this will help all of my "Dillon leftovers" go away!  (Now, I know that I"ve lost all my baby weight and then some, but that little pouch of baby belly is still there and I am aiming for that to go!) 

Have a happy Thursday!  It's almost the weekend!!!

Weigh-In Wednesday

I am feeling great today!  We are back on our walking routine, so that is helping, but, as you now may recognize, it's weigh day for me!  Oh, Halloween, I was worried you'd tempt me, but low and behold- remember the whole not depriving myself of candy, but balancing it out with exercise thing?  I guess I did a pretty good job, because not only did I NOT GAIN, but I lost 1.6 lbs. busting me through the 30 lb. mark FINALLY!!!!!!!  I am SO excited!  Each time I hit a new 5 or 0 down, I get renewed faith that I can do this, and I'm winning the battle!  I feel so jazzed and energized that I think when I finish writing, today will be the day I join Curves.  I have NO EXCUSES today.  Dillon is with my mom for the day, I've already walked, and the laundry can wait! 

I also wanted you to know that I am so greatful for your kind words, your well wishes, and how some of you have even shared with me that I've inspired you!  When I started this adventure last week, I didn't think anyone would really care all that much about what I have to say.  But, today, my friend Steph, who is currently living in Germany shared with me that she reads almost everyday!  (Mind you, Steph does not have an ounce to lose even after having 2 beautiful boys, but she reads anyways!)  I have another reader- she and I share a mutual friend that we are both concerned about and only hope that we can motivate her to get active and healthy.  You stories, comments, and encouragement mean SO MUCH to me.  I honestly think this is partially why I did so well this week! 

So, thanks!  Now, I'm off to check our Curves!

Pumpkin Muffin Recipe

I made this recipe last week; it was quick, easy, and the muffins were delicious!!!!  It's  a cooking light recipe!

These spicy pumpkin muffins are good for a quick breakfast on the run or to include in bag lunches. A combination of brown sugar and granulated sugar in the recipe creates a crunchy topping that contrasts with the moist, tender muffins.

Yield: 18 servings (serving size: 1 muffin)

Ingredients

• 2 3/4  cups  all-purpose flour
• 1  cup  granulated sugar
• 1  tablespoon  baking powder
• 1  teaspoon  baking soda
• 1  teaspoon  ground cinnamon
• 1/2  teaspoon  salt
• 1  cup  canned pumpkin
• 3/4  cup  fat-free sour cream
• 1/3  cup  fat-free milk
• 1/4  cup  vegetable oil
• 1  teaspoon  vanilla extract
• 1  large egg
• 1  large egg white
• Cooking spray
• 1  tablespoon  granulated sugar
• 1 1/2  teaspoons  brown sugar

Preparation

Preheat oven to 375°.
Lightly spoon flour into dry measuring cups; level with a knife. Combine flour and next 5 ingredients (flour through salt) in a medium bowl, stirring with a whisk. Make a well in center of mixture.
Combine pumpkin and next 6 ingredients (pumpkin through egg white); add to flour mixture, stirring just until moist. Spoon the batter into 18 muffin cups coated with cooking spray.
Combine 1 tablespoon granulated sugar and brown sugar; sprinkle over muffins.
Bake at 375° for 25 minutes or until muffins spring back when touched lightly in center. Remove muffins from pans immediately; cool on a wire rack.

Nutritional Information

Calories:

164 (19% from fat)

Fat:

3.5g (sat 0.6g,mono 0.8g,poly 1.9g)

Protein:

3.5g

Carbohydrate:

29.7g

Fiber:

1g

Cholesterol:

12mg

Iron:

1.2mg

Sodium:

269mg

Calcium:

78mg

Cooking Light, DECEMBER 2002

Halloween Candy Getting You Down?

Do you have a big bowl of Halloween candy sitting on your counter?  In your fridge?  On the bed-side table on your side of the bed?!  Are you completly craving a Reese's Peanut Butter Cup?  Well, although you may be avoiding the candy aisle, take a trip down.  There are some untapped resources you may have never even known about!

Hershey's has graciously turned their delicious candies- several, anyways, into delicious 100 calorie treats! 

These little hidden gems are cruely placed within the candy aisle.  Sometimes it's difficult to find them and not every store has them.  But, when you are facing a big bucket of left-over candy and there's a craving you cannot shake, this is an alternative.  OR have one, then walk away.  You could even label them with the days of the week on them.  However you choose to fight a craving for an ything- not just candy, think about the fact that you don't have to deny yourself or deprive yourself, but you do have to hold yourself accountable at the bottom of the bowl!

Happy snacking!

OH BABY!

I hope you all had a wonderful Halloweekend!  Ours was quite busy!!!  Although I did eat some candy I also tried to balance it out with lots of walks and sit ups!  (We will see Wedneday how balanced I kept it!)

Well, today's post is really more about baby weight- namely, mine!  I FINALLY called the midwife's office to see what I weighed at my very first pregnancy appointment, and quite frankly, I was SHOCKED!  Seriously, shocked!  In October 2007, at my very first OB visit, I weighed 210 lbs.  Until I just heard the nurse on the phone say that, I was completly and totally under the impression that I went into pregnancy weighing 160ish lbs.  (I guess they are smart enough to not spend too much time on the weight process when you're supposed to be gaining!)  HOLY MOLY..  I am still pretty shocked as I just called about 10 minutes ago! 

I know what you're all thinking, so, how much did she gain throughout the entire pregnancy...  DRUM ROLL PLEASE-  The day before my water broke, I weighed in at 261 lbs. in June 2008.   For those of you doing the math, tht is 51lbs.  (Wouldn't it have been great if all of that came off when the baby came?!)  At my post-partum appointment in July, I weighed 226.  So, only 16 lbs. more than my starting pregnancy weight and only 3 lbs. more than my starting Weight Watchers weight! 

Reality check for the day, I think so!!!

Lots of people are starting to ask when we will have another baby.  Well, my current weight is 194 lbs.  Which, is 30 lbs higher than what I actaully thought my starting pregnancy weight was!  My other response is, if I have a baby now, I will just put all the weight I lost right back on.  If I continue in my quest to lose, I will be a healthier pregnant person, but I will also worry less about how much I gain when pregnant.  The idea of gaining weight right now, even to grow another human is horrifying to me!  So, I will continue to work my butt off- literally, I hope!!!  And we will see! 

So, for those of you living in weight denial, like I apparently had been for quite a while even before becoming pregnant, step on a scale, it may just be the motivation you need to get moving.  If I had made this phone calle 2 years ago, I might have already become a much thinner person!  Now, that I know those weight stats, I'm REALLY proud of the progress I've made since committing to lose!  29 lbs. since comitting to lose, 66 lbs. since baby, oh- and I am 15 lbs. lighter than  when when I got pregnant with Dillon!

Have a fabulous week!