Ok, that pun isn't so funny, but as you probably know by now, I fractured my right elbow on Thursday night. I am slowly teaching myself to do things with my left hand, or figuring out how to still use my right fingers (or realizing my limits and asking for help), but there are some things that won't ever be easy... Like typing.
Because of that I've decided that until further notice I am taking a break from full blog posts (I may post short updates every now and then). It just takes entirely too much time to type with the hunt and peck method and only one hand.
I'm annoyed, frustrated, and a little angry, but thankfully I have Sakief who is taking such good care of me (and thankfully was there when I fell to rush me to the ER). He's been doing everything for me that I ask (and lots that I don't), and putting up with my crappy attitude. I'm trying to make light of the situation, but it's less and less funny the longer I'm in the splint. 4-6 weeks in this thing is not going to be easy.
I'll be back! After this short break...
Monday, February 25, 2013
Friday, February 8, 2013
Slacker
I've been a blogging slacker, and just a slacker in general. I meant to post a recipe earlier this week, and didn't, so see below. Also, and more importantly, I'm less than surprised to learn that I'm back to even on the year.
It seems as though I can keep my head in the game for three or four days, and then blah for three or four days. The blah always more than undoes the good though, so I end up gaining. Sakief and I were talking about it last night, and both of us agreed to help one another more. We are both out of shape, and not always eating the healthiest.
I am slowly starting to get back in the work out routine. I had big plans for this week, and then ended up sick at the beginning of the week, and for only one day of illness, it's been quite a struggle to fully feel better. My stomach still hates me a little bit. Anyway, I did get in some home weight lifting, and last night restarted C25k, week 1 day1! This time I fully intend to finish it, no excuses. I have such easy access to the gym now. It was kind of a beautiful thing to walk into the apartment gym later than I used to go to the gym, and still be home earlier, just because I no longer have a gym commute. Ahh.
We are slowly settling into our new routine, and one of the things that I'm enjoying most, and I know Nora is too, is our new walk route. In many of the places where I have lived before there hasn't been a great place to walk with Nora, or much green space, so we did a lot of standing and waiting. Now we have a pond behind our building with picnic areas and a paved path for me. I estimate it's about a quarter mile if not a bit longer. I've made it a point that our morning and after work walks take us all the way around the pond, so in theory I'm adding an extra half mile or so of walking to my everyday routine. It's not much, but I know how much of a difference that can make in the long run.
To wrap it up, I present the latest of my Pinterest wins! I got this recipe from Ari on Pinterest, and even though she highly recommended it, I was still a bit skeptical. Anyway, Sakief has been asking for pancakes for awhile now, and I've been itching to use the griddle that he got me for Chanukkah. Obviously traditional pancakes aren't exactly low carb. This recipe could not be more simple... I present, low carb banana pancakes:
For one:
2 eggs
1 soft banana
Mix eggs and banana together (I used a potato masher since my bananas weren't as soft as I'd hoped). Scoop onto griddle and cook as you would a traditional pancake.
That's it! Sprinkle with cinnamon, serve with fresh fruit, or, as we did, find a tasty sugar free syrup. The texture is amazingly pancake like, however, they are much thinner than traditional pancakes.
Warning, if you don't like bananas, this recipe is not for you... It still tastes like banana. Also, if you have leftovers like we did, they do keep, however, just like with any banana, the flavor gets more intense with age (and transfers flavor to other foods they may be stored with, I learned the hard way when I took a bit of banana flavored sausage, ugh!).
Enjoy! This is definitely something I'll have many more times.
It seems as though I can keep my head in the game for three or four days, and then blah for three or four days. The blah always more than undoes the good though, so I end up gaining. Sakief and I were talking about it last night, and both of us agreed to help one another more. We are both out of shape, and not always eating the healthiest.
I am slowly starting to get back in the work out routine. I had big plans for this week, and then ended up sick at the beginning of the week, and for only one day of illness, it's been quite a struggle to fully feel better. My stomach still hates me a little bit. Anyway, I did get in some home weight lifting, and last night restarted C25k, week 1 day1! This time I fully intend to finish it, no excuses. I have such easy access to the gym now. It was kind of a beautiful thing to walk into the apartment gym later than I used to go to the gym, and still be home earlier, just because I no longer have a gym commute. Ahh.
We are slowly settling into our new routine, and one of the things that I'm enjoying most, and I know Nora is too, is our new walk route. In many of the places where I have lived before there hasn't been a great place to walk with Nora, or much green space, so we did a lot of standing and waiting. Now we have a pond behind our building with picnic areas and a paved path for me. I estimate it's about a quarter mile if not a bit longer. I've made it a point that our morning and after work walks take us all the way around the pond, so in theory I'm adding an extra half mile or so of walking to my everyday routine. It's not much, but I know how much of a difference that can make in the long run.
To wrap it up, I present the latest of my Pinterest wins! I got this recipe from Ari on Pinterest, and even though she highly recommended it, I was still a bit skeptical. Anyway, Sakief has been asking for pancakes for awhile now, and I've been itching to use the griddle that he got me for Chanukkah. Obviously traditional pancakes aren't exactly low carb. This recipe could not be more simple... I present, low carb banana pancakes:
For one:
2 eggs
1 soft banana
Mix eggs and banana together (I used a potato masher since my bananas weren't as soft as I'd hoped). Scoop onto griddle and cook as you would a traditional pancake.
That's it! Sprinkle with cinnamon, serve with fresh fruit, or, as we did, find a tasty sugar free syrup. The texture is amazingly pancake like, however, they are much thinner than traditional pancakes.
Warning, if you don't like bananas, this recipe is not for you... It still tastes like banana. Also, if you have leftovers like we did, they do keep, however, just like with any banana, the flavor gets more intense with age (and transfers flavor to other foods they may be stored with, I learned the hard way when I took a bit of banana flavored sausage, ugh!).
Enjoy! This is definitely something I'll have many more times.
Friday, February 1, 2013
We moved!
Missing last week's weight check wasn't intentional, I was just too dang excited about moving that I didn't post. BUT the good news is that I made it back into the teens last week! This week is just the opposite though... I remembered to blog, but didn't step on the scale. Adjusting to the new apartment and just getting all around settled in has thrown me off of my habits.
In terms of working out, I haven't ventured into the gym at the new place yet, but other than the work out that moving gave me all weekend, I did join Erin and Laura at the gym on Tuesday, and lifted weights at home Wednesday morning. I expect that it will take a little more time for me to find my new normal, but I'm excited about my work out plans.
As far as the apartment goes, we love it! There is still a lot of work to do which has been a little overwhelming to me, but I know it will get done. Lots more was completed last night since Sakief's stuff was delivered yesterday morning. We now have all of the furniture for the guest room/Sakief's office, and are only waiting on our couch, Sakief's dresser, and the tv stand for our bedroom. Unfortunately, except for the couch, everything else is "some assembly required". I've found that it's not so easy to assemble these things. The tv stand for the living room took three people and several hours, and our nightstands took several hours and my sacrificed right hand.
I discovered a new chicken marinade last night that I really enjoyed (Sakief said he did too). It's very simple, so here you go:
Half cup fresh cilantro
1 tbsp soy sauce
1 tbsp sesame oil
2 minced garlic cloves
Blend ingredients in food processor (I used a bullet since it's such a small recipe). Rub on 4 chicken breasts and let sit for at least 15 mins. Cook chicken as desired (grilled, broiled, baked, etc).
I actually used chicken thighs since that's what we had, but this original recipe called for breasts. I don't think it matters at all.
Stats this week:
Current weight: 219 lbs
Weight lost in 2013: 5.5 lbs
Total weight lost: 65.5 lbs
In terms of working out, I haven't ventured into the gym at the new place yet, but other than the work out that moving gave me all weekend, I did join Erin and Laura at the gym on Tuesday, and lifted weights at home Wednesday morning. I expect that it will take a little more time for me to find my new normal, but I'm excited about my work out plans.
As far as the apartment goes, we love it! There is still a lot of work to do which has been a little overwhelming to me, but I know it will get done. Lots more was completed last night since Sakief's stuff was delivered yesterday morning. We now have all of the furniture for the guest room/Sakief's office, and are only waiting on our couch, Sakief's dresser, and the tv stand for our bedroom. Unfortunately, except for the couch, everything else is "some assembly required". I've found that it's not so easy to assemble these things. The tv stand for the living room took three people and several hours, and our nightstands took several hours and my sacrificed right hand.
I discovered a new chicken marinade last night that I really enjoyed (Sakief said he did too). It's very simple, so here you go:
Half cup fresh cilantro
1 tbsp soy sauce
1 tbsp sesame oil
2 minced garlic cloves
Blend ingredients in food processor (I used a bullet since it's such a small recipe). Rub on 4 chicken breasts and let sit for at least 15 mins. Cook chicken as desired (grilled, broiled, baked, etc).
I actually used chicken thighs since that's what we had, but this original recipe called for breasts. I don't think it matters at all.
Stats this week:
Current weight: 219 lbs
Weight lost in 2013: 5.5 lbs
Total weight lost: 65.5 lbs
Friday, January 18, 2013
One more week!
Despite my lack of willpower last weekend, I still managed to lose some weight this week! I'm still disappointed about how much weight I still have to take off to fix my holiday mess, however, I am feeling so much better right now, finally! I had started to lose confidence that I could do this, and it's slowly coming back. It's just going to take longer than I thought, and that's ok.
This wasn't a particularly interesting food week in our house, but I did introduce Sakief to cauliflower pizza and he loved it! Last night's experiment of crock pot beef and broccoli resulted in decent flavor but chewy meat. Meh. I've made beef and broccoli before in a pan, and that was way better. On to the next.
Most importantly, next Friday we get the keys to our new place! It's been very taxing living together in such a small apartment, and I can't wait! This weekend will be lots of packing, though much of the apartment is already boxed up. I'm so excited for everything that this apartment means, mostly that it will be our home for at least the next few years. It's been a long time since I've gotten to stay put for awhile.
Stats this week:
Weight: 222 lbs
Weight lost this year: 2.5 lbs
Total weight lost: 62.5 lbs
To go: 37.5 lbs
Work outs: 2 plus house packing
This wasn't a particularly interesting food week in our house, but I did introduce Sakief to cauliflower pizza and he loved it! Last night's experiment of crock pot beef and broccoli resulted in decent flavor but chewy meat. Meh. I've made beef and broccoli before in a pan, and that was way better. On to the next.
Most importantly, next Friday we get the keys to our new place! It's been very taxing living together in such a small apartment, and I can't wait! This weekend will be lots of packing, though much of the apartment is already boxed up. I'm so excited for everything that this apartment means, mostly that it will be our home for at least the next few years. It's been a long time since I've gotten to stay put for awhile.
Stats this week:
Weight: 222 lbs
Weight lost this year: 2.5 lbs
Total weight lost: 62.5 lbs
To go: 37.5 lbs
Work outs: 2 plus house packing
Saturday, January 12, 2013
Meet Me in St. Louis!
I'm writing this from 10,000 feet and climbing as I head to Dallas and then on to St. Louis/Mt. Vernon for the weekend. I'm taking a long weekend to spend with Corrie, doing some wedding stuff, but mostly just quality time with my best friend.
I got to the airport early today, and hoped to get on the 1:30 flight (instead of 2:20) to Dallas; I only have 50 minutes in between flights, which made me nervous. I was incredibly peeved when the gate agent told me that it would cost $75. Seriously?!?! If you have seats let people have them! Turns out I'm actually better off. I may only have 50 minutes in between, but I'm flying on the same plane! That seriously never happens. I'm going to have to get off in Dallas because the crew is switching (I think), but at least I won't have to run to a new gate. How convenient. Thanks American... For once.
This was a pretty good week weight loss wise. I could have been better on what I ate, and I could have worked out more, but can't you say that every week? I'm definitely pleased, down 3.5 lbs from last week, and finally negative on the year. Considering that I had a complete breakdown last night and was crying to Sakief that I'm a failure, that I will never lose the weight I want to lose, etc, I'm now in much higher spirits (and literally quite high, we've reached our cruising altitude).
As much as I am mentally back in the game for meal time, I'm having trouble with snacking and controlling my sweets (particularly chocolate) cravings. I'm really going to have to go cold turkey if I'm ever going to be fully back on track. Forget I think I can, I know I can :)
Sakief and I are back to meal planning, and as you might be able to tell from my several recipe posts, eating well! Do yourself a favor and try both of the recipes I posted this past week, they are seriously amazing. I want more soup and burgers! Jared and Ashleigh tried the soup earlier this week, and I got a good report from Jared. Always nice to hear that food your recommend goes over well with others.
Sakief and I are also two weeks from moving into our new apartment (yay!) and he starts classes on Monday. It's a very exciting time for us. If only those two weeks would move a little quicker... We are both so over my current place.
To new and wonderful things in 2013! Cheers!
Stats this week:
Weight: 222.5
Weight lost in 2013: 2 lbs
Total weight lost: 62 lbs
To go: 38 lbs
Work outs: 2
I got to the airport early today, and hoped to get on the 1:30 flight (instead of 2:20) to Dallas; I only have 50 minutes in between flights, which made me nervous. I was incredibly peeved when the gate agent told me that it would cost $75. Seriously?!?! If you have seats let people have them! Turns out I'm actually better off. I may only have 50 minutes in between, but I'm flying on the same plane! That seriously never happens. I'm going to have to get off in Dallas because the crew is switching (I think), but at least I won't have to run to a new gate. How convenient. Thanks American... For once.
This was a pretty good week weight loss wise. I could have been better on what I ate, and I could have worked out more, but can't you say that every week? I'm definitely pleased, down 3.5 lbs from last week, and finally negative on the year. Considering that I had a complete breakdown last night and was crying to Sakief that I'm a failure, that I will never lose the weight I want to lose, etc, I'm now in much higher spirits (and literally quite high, we've reached our cruising altitude).
As much as I am mentally back in the game for meal time, I'm having trouble with snacking and controlling my sweets (particularly chocolate) cravings. I'm really going to have to go cold turkey if I'm ever going to be fully back on track. Forget I think I can, I know I can :)
Sakief and I are back to meal planning, and as you might be able to tell from my several recipe posts, eating well! Do yourself a favor and try both of the recipes I posted this past week, they are seriously amazing. I want more soup and burgers! Jared and Ashleigh tried the soup earlier this week, and I got a good report from Jared. Always nice to hear that food your recommend goes over well with others.
Sakief and I are also two weeks from moving into our new apartment (yay!) and he starts classes on Monday. It's a very exciting time for us. If only those two weeks would move a little quicker... We are both so over my current place.
To new and wonderful things in 2013! Cheers!
Stats this week:
Weight: 222.5
Weight lost in 2013: 2 lbs
Total weight lost: 62 lbs
To go: 38 lbs
Work outs: 2
Tuesday, January 8, 2013
Hawaiian Burger!
Tonight was finally my night to cook dinner (not that I'm complaining about Sakief cooking most nights...) and I wanted to try something new from Pinterest. I've pinned almost 200 recipes that I want to try (not all main dishes mind you), so I had a lot to choose from. I decided on the Hawaiian burgers that I first came across a couple of months ago but haven't tried yet (I haven't tried most of the recipes, let's be honest). Of course I chose one where the link to the recipe has been flagged as spam, so I couldn't get to it from my iPad, blah. The following recipe I essentially made up based off of the picture, so bear with me.
I used 96/4 ground beef, but obviously you can use your favorite ground meat. I also used a thicker cut bacon, but for those who avoid/don't like pork bacon, I suppose turkey would work as well.
32 oz ground beef
8 slices pineapple
16 slices bacon
Onions (minced, as much as desired)
BBQ sauce (use your fave)
Garlic powder as desired
Wood toothpicks
Combine beef, onion, 8 Tbsp BBQ sauce, and garlic. Make 8 4oz patties. Lay each patty onto 2 crisscrossed slices of bacon. Lay one slice of pineapple on each burger. Wrap the ends of the bacon slices over the burger and pineapple and use a toothpick to hold it in place. Bake in oven at 350 for 30 mins (burgers will be well done). I cooked most of the burgers on a rack over a metal pan so that the fat would drain off a bit, but I did cook 2 in a glass pan with no rack. I definitely recommend the rack. There is so much grease/fat that is rendered off that the burgers cook better when it can fall away. But if you don't have a rack, they will still taste just fine.
Add more BBQ sauce if desired. Sakief likes his smothered! I was fine with the taste as is.
Obviously this made lots of leftovers for us, and I'm glad for it! Super yummy, and healthy. I served it with broccoli, but given some time to think about it, I probably would have done something a little more creative to go with Hawaiian burgers. Next time!
I used 96/4 ground beef, but obviously you can use your favorite ground meat. I also used a thicker cut bacon, but for those who avoid/don't like pork bacon, I suppose turkey would work as well.
32 oz ground beef
8 slices pineapple
16 slices bacon
Onions (minced, as much as desired)
BBQ sauce (use your fave)
Garlic powder as desired
Wood toothpicks
Combine beef, onion, 8 Tbsp BBQ sauce, and garlic. Make 8 4oz patties. Lay each patty onto 2 crisscrossed slices of bacon. Lay one slice of pineapple on each burger. Wrap the ends of the bacon slices over the burger and pineapple and use a toothpick to hold it in place. Bake in oven at 350 for 30 mins (burgers will be well done). I cooked most of the burgers on a rack over a metal pan so that the fat would drain off a bit, but I did cook 2 in a glass pan with no rack. I definitely recommend the rack. There is so much grease/fat that is rendered off that the burgers cook better when it can fall away. But if you don't have a rack, they will still taste just fine.
Add more BBQ sauce if desired. Sakief likes his smothered! I was fine with the taste as is.
Obviously this made lots of leftovers for us, and I'm glad for it! Super yummy, and healthy. I served it with broccoli, but given some time to think about it, I probably would have done something a little more creative to go with Hawaiian burgers. Next time!
Sunday, January 6, 2013
Pumpkin Black Bean Soup
I can't take any credit for this recipe, I didn't find it nor did I cook it, that was all Sakief. However, I did eat it and it is delicious! I've had it for leftovers several times and still like it, which to me is the true test of a recipe.
2 cans pumpkin purée
2 cans black beans
1 can corn (not creamed)
1 can diced tomatoes
2-2.5 cups chicken (or vegetable) broth
Cilantro
Thyme
Cumin
Chili powder
Sour cream
Drain black beans, corn and tomatoes. Combine broth, pumpkin and drained vegetables in large soup pot on medium heat. Stir until pumpkin is evenly distributed. Add spices to taste. Allow to simmer several minutes. Serve hot with a dollop of sour cream.
What I love best about this recipe is that it's great as a whole meal (very filling) or can be eaten as a side dish. I also love that it's easy to make vegetarian or vegan just by making a few easy substitutions.
2 cans pumpkin purée
2 cans black beans
1 can corn (not creamed)
1 can diced tomatoes
2-2.5 cups chicken (or vegetable) broth
Cilantro
Thyme
Cumin
Chili powder
Sour cream
Drain black beans, corn and tomatoes. Combine broth, pumpkin and drained vegetables in large soup pot on medium heat. Stir until pumpkin is evenly distributed. Add spices to taste. Allow to simmer several minutes. Serve hot with a dollop of sour cream.
What I love best about this recipe is that it's great as a whole meal (very filling) or can be eaten as a side dish. I also love that it's easy to make vegetarian or vegan just by making a few easy substitutions.
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