Over the past couple of days a lot of sad things has happened in the world around me. Not things that directly impact me, but for people in my life.
A close friend found out that two out of her three children have genetic issues that may or may not severely effect her children for the rest of their lives.
My great uncle, suddenly passed while working out at the gym. (Still doesn't feel like he's gone, probably won't until I am at his funeral later this week)
At church today I found out that one of the most healthy people I know, has a tumor in her intestine.
Just a few minutes ago, I found out that a friend of ours just lost her husband today while he was at work.
Life is precious, so so precious. Be sure you don't take a minute for granted. It's so easy to get caught up in the hustle and bustle of life, it happens to the best of us. We need to always remember that within a second, our life as we know it, or even the world around us, can change. Enjoy everything you have been given, and find joy in every circumstance that is yours, because you never know when it's going to be gone.
What I did today:
50 crunches
Sunday, May 30, 2010
Friday, May 28, 2010
Day 47/365 Pretzel Jello
At times when we are focusing on our weight loss, it's easy to deprive ourselves. I know that for several years I thought if I ate something desserty, I messed up and then I would go crazy eating it with the comforting thought, "I'll do better tomorrow."
Now what works for me is that I allow myself to eat whatever I want. NO RESTRICTIONS!! A serving of dessert is not going to put on the weight, but several servings will. Sometimes, when I feel I may loose control, I take a moment and think what it feels like after gorging on something good. Really focus on the feeling, and you will remember that it never feels good after wards. Ever.
Sometimes that visual is enough to keep me from going over board. Often times, knowing that feeling is coming if I overindulge, I find myself content with a bite. Nothing ever tastes as good as that first bite.
Here is a recipe of one of my most favorite desserts. I don't try to cut corners and cheat weight gain by substituting all the fake, low-fat, artificial sweetened type foods, I use the real stuff. There is a lot less chemicals if you do this. As it is, there is plenty of fake color/flavor/chemicals in the jello and Cool Whip so don't add any more gunk by getting "sugar-free" or "fat free". If I could find a better substitution for these two items, I would do it. But for now, I enjoy a serving or less, one or two times a year.
Pretzel Jello
2 2/3 c. chopped pretzels
1 1/2 cube melted butter
1/2 c. milk
1 1/4 c. sugar
1lg & 2sm. packages cream cheese
2-10oz frozen strawberries, sweetened
9 oz. Cool Whip
1 lg. package Strawberry jello
2 c. pineapple juice
Mix pretzels with butter and press in 9x13 baking dish. Bake @ 400' for 10 minutes.
Mix cream cheese, milk and sugar until smooth. Spread on warm pretzels.
Spread Cool Whip over cream cheese layer and chill.
Dissolve Jello in hot pineapple juice, add frozen strawberries and allow to partially jell.
Pour carefully over the Cool Whip layer and allow to set in the refrigerator.
Works best if you do this the night before or early in the morning to allow it to fully set.
What I did today:
Elliptical Trainer 15 minutes @ level 15
Now what works for me is that I allow myself to eat whatever I want. NO RESTRICTIONS!! A serving of dessert is not going to put on the weight, but several servings will. Sometimes, when I feel I may loose control, I take a moment and think what it feels like after gorging on something good. Really focus on the feeling, and you will remember that it never feels good after wards. Ever.
Sometimes that visual is enough to keep me from going over board. Often times, knowing that feeling is coming if I overindulge, I find myself content with a bite. Nothing ever tastes as good as that first bite.
Here is a recipe of one of my most favorite desserts. I don't try to cut corners and cheat weight gain by substituting all the fake, low-fat, artificial sweetened type foods, I use the real stuff. There is a lot less chemicals if you do this. As it is, there is plenty of fake color/flavor/chemicals in the jello and Cool Whip so don't add any more gunk by getting "sugar-free" or "fat free". If I could find a better substitution for these two items, I would do it. But for now, I enjoy a serving or less, one or two times a year.
Pretzel Jello
2 2/3 c. chopped pretzels
1 1/2 cube melted butter
1/2 c. milk
1 1/4 c. sugar
1lg & 2sm. packages cream cheese
2-10oz frozen strawberries, sweetened
9 oz. Cool Whip
1 lg. package Strawberry jello
2 c. pineapple juice
Mix pretzels with butter and press in 9x13 baking dish. Bake @ 400' for 10 minutes.
Mix cream cheese, milk and sugar until smooth. Spread on warm pretzels.
Spread Cool Whip over cream cheese layer and chill.
Dissolve Jello in hot pineapple juice, add frozen strawberries and allow to partially jell.
Pour carefully over the Cool Whip layer and allow to set in the refrigerator.
Works best if you do this the night before or early in the morning to allow it to fully set.
What I did today:
Elliptical Trainer 15 minutes @ level 15
Thursday, May 27, 2010
Day 46/365 Chili Recipe
I love to cook! I especially like yummy recipes that are made with real, whole foods that don't take a lot of time.The following is a easy recipe for chili. It's low fat, quick and tasty for the whole family.
We like to serve it topped with fresh green onions, grated cheese, sour cream (full fat doesn't have the junk in it like the low/no fat version) and a few Fritos for crunch.
Have you ever looked at the ingredients on a bag of Fritos? Nothing but corn, oil, salt and NO preservatives!
Easy Chili
Brown together & season with salt, pepper & garlic salt
1 lb ground beef (I like the 7%fat kind. It's more expensive, but you aren't paying for (or eating) a lot of fat.
1 lg. onion, chopped
8 cloves garlic
2-3 jalapeno, chopped
2 Tbs. dried basil
Add:
2 cans kidney beans (drained)
1 15oz can tomato puree
1 14oz can "petite cut" diced tomatoes (zesty)
1 6oz can tomato paste
1 oz. Chili Powder (abt.1/3 bottle of a 2.5oz container)
2 Tbs. sugar
Cook on stove top covered for 1-2 hours on low.
What I did today:
Elliptical: 15 min @ level 15
Wednesday, May 26, 2010
Day 45/365
What I did today:
Elliptical: 15 min @ level 15
Hundred Push-up Challenge: Week 6 Day 2 (86 push-ups)
Elliptical: 15 min @ level 15
Hundred Push-up Challenge: Week 6 Day 2 (86 push-ups)
Monday, May 24, 2010
Day 43/365 Challenges & Focus
Life is constantly changing. We all know this, and we rarely prepare for it. We get in our routines, our ruts, in our normal settings and when something comes up that changes the norm, we are actually surprised by it. I know I am.
When I made this goal 43 days ago, I was gung-ho!! I had all sorts of ideas and the days didn't fly fast enough for me to really see the habit forming, to actually document the journey.
Now, I am so preoccupied by my current project I find my self suddenly remembering that I haven't done my workout yet. Luckily, I haven't been so bad that I have missed one, but I can safely say, it's been close.
I am excited that I am back to the weight I have been maintaining since last summer. Not gaining is good maintenance and I am always happy with maintenance.
I have found that when I really get wrapped up in a project, something to capture my focus, I find that I don't snack as much. Usually, because I don't want to stop to eat.
Note to self: I eat when I am not focused on something.
So in my journey to health, if I can keep myself focused, it's not much of a challenge to maintain. To loose on the other hand, I know that takes a little more focus. When I am done with my project, I will focus on loosing that last bit better.
Who knows though, maybe I'll forget to snack all together and I'll loose that last bit while being busy? One can hope.
What I did today:
Elliptical: 15 min @ level 15
Hundred Push-up Challenge: Week 6 Day 1 (85 push-ups)
When I made this goal 43 days ago, I was gung-ho!! I had all sorts of ideas and the days didn't fly fast enough for me to really see the habit forming, to actually document the journey.
Now, I am so preoccupied by my current project I find my self suddenly remembering that I haven't done my workout yet. Luckily, I haven't been so bad that I have missed one, but I can safely say, it's been close.
I am excited that I am back to the weight I have been maintaining since last summer. Not gaining is good maintenance and I am always happy with maintenance.
I have found that when I really get wrapped up in a project, something to capture my focus, I find that I don't snack as much. Usually, because I don't want to stop to eat.
Note to self: I eat when I am not focused on something.
So in my journey to health, if I can keep myself focused, it's not much of a challenge to maintain. To loose on the other hand, I know that takes a little more focus. When I am done with my project, I will focus on loosing that last bit better.
Who knows though, maybe I'll forget to snack all together and I'll loose that last bit while being busy? One can hope.
What I did today:
Elliptical: 15 min @ level 15
Hundred Push-up Challenge: Week 6 Day 1 (85 push-ups)
Saturday, May 22, 2010
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