Reflection

Reflection is not something I usually do or at least not while running!  I usually try to blank out and think only about breathing and pacing.  However, it hit me how much I have accomplished this past year.  

One year ago, I was gearing up to run my very first half-marathon.  Yay, Rock-n-roll St. Louis!!  I was scared out of my mind but eagerly awaiting the big day.  I trained my ass off for it.  I have never been prouder of myself or my abilities.  I was also hooked.  The adrenaline rush was out of this world.  Fast forward to Oct 2012....

I just ran my fourth half-marathon in the past year.  Once again, yea, RNR STL!  I've had my fair share of injuries.  My body was like what the heck!!  But I did them with smile! This was my worst race but I had a blast. I was incredibly disappointed in myself.  My hip was killing me.  Then I realized I still did it and who cares how long it took me to finish.  There are plenty of people sitting on their couches saying "I wish I could do that or that girl is crazy why do it at all".  But I do them for me and to prove that despite everything I am capable of doing something huge!  Running is in my blood and I can't get enough of it!

I signed up for half #5 a few days after!  It's next weekend and I am so excited!  That race and finish will allow me to become a member of Half Fanatics.  It's nothing big or even all that exciting but it is a chance to say I did something that only so many others have accomplished.  This race will be my third in 90 days and also my second in 16 days.  Either way I qualify!  I am officially a running nerd! 

I spent a few minutes last weekend dreaming about races that I would love to do in the next couple of years.  I am plan to use running as a way to travel because I love both activities so much! 

2013
RNR Nashville in April   (signed up)
RNR Chicago in July (just a maybe bc I really want to go to LA and see the Cards vs Angels)
RNR Pittsburgh in August  (just a maybe)
RNR STL in October
RNR Vegas in Dec 

2014
Disney Princess in Feb 
Who knows but I am up for anything?  RNR Ireland/Scotland :) 

Outside The Fox Theater

Outside Union Station

3 weeks to RNR STL

I was running along this morning enjoying the cooler weather (okay that is a blatant lie) when reality hit me upside the head that there are only 3 weeks until the RNR STL Half.  How the heck did this race just sneak up on me.  I mean wasn't I just in Hawaii running a half.  Oh right, I've been home for a month.  Well you know....

So I am not going to panic.  I mean I got this.  Thank goodness for a couple of 10ks that I can totally use as training runs!  SCORE!  Now if I can just convince the heel to quit hurting.  I do not think it is plantar factitious, I've had that before. This feels and acts differently.  I am not letting it stop me and trying to RICE as best as I can.  I have running to do dang nabit and I can rest in this winter.

 

In other news, I bought a new dry erase calendar to plan my meals on.  It's very nerdy, slightly organized and better for the environment!  In other words, I love it!!     

 

Here is the menu for this week: 

Sunday:  Turkey and Brown Rice Casserole

Monday:  LO

Tuesday: Meatloaf

Wednesday: LO

Thursday: Fish  

Friday: LO

Saturday: Chicken, Red Grape and Pesto Pizza

Confessions of a Slacker!

It's been months since I've blogged anything.  Total slacker over here.  In my defense, I have been super busy with traveling and other activities.  We took the church kiddos to the Heifer International Ranch in Arkansas.  Turns out I'm highly allergic to that state.  So I spent weeks taking predisone and an antibiotic to feel better.  Then I took my mom to Hawaii!  I ran a half-marathon while there which was absolutely gorgeous.  Good news is I am NOT allergic to HI!  Bad news is I got a cold from all the planes/travel/running whatever is to blame and spent some more time recovering.  Perhaps, I should learn to stay home....nah!!! 

My meal planning has been non-existent as well.  My poor mom keeps whining about the lack of food in our house.  I have managed to wing and a prayer it since returning from Hawaii!  But it hasn't been well thought out or exactly nutritious meals.  How do people with kids survive? 

Now I need to buckle down and get back on track.  I signed up for Gold's Fall Challenge.  I mostly did it to get a discount on training and not so much for the challenge part but you never know maybe I'll gain some inspiration from it.   Because my inspiration/motivation is just not there...

...I hope it returns soon. 

In the mean time, I'll get back to meal planning, running and training! Routine has never let me down!  RNR STL in less than a month!  God, I love running!!

 

Motivation

A dear friend asked me this week, "How do you stay motivated?"   I was honest and told her it's not easy for me.  I struggle with staying motivated every single day. I fight my runs, I fight the foods I should be eating and I fight the need to workout.  I think we all struggle with our motivation.  It's human nature to want to be lazy and expect something from nothing.  Ultimately, you have to dig deep to find whatever it is that pushes you forward and leads to your success.    

My motivation comes from having a purpose.  Not a goal per se because I have missed plenty of those but having something to train for or something to accomplish. Right now the driving force is a half-marathon in Kauai a) because it's my first major race post-injury and b) it's freaking Hawaii who wouldn't be motivated for that!  I am also motivated to keep my weight in check so I can go zip lining.  It scares the ever loving shit out of me but it's something the old Brigitte would never ever think about.  Pray that I actually can go through with it!  Therefore, 3 days a week I drag my butt out of bed at the crack of dawn so I can run and beat the heat.  I never start without having a mileage goal in mind.  Then I work my tail off to reach it.  A big goal broken up into easily accomplished steps keeps me motivated to get out and do it again!  Today's goal was 9 miles!  I killed it!  In the big picture, I am one run closer to handling this half successfully! 

     

My weight loss has been all over the place and sure that has impacted my motivation to actually eat right.  I spent the last year making excuses about why I could eat crap rather than focusing on eating better.  I mean I was training for a half surely I could eat that entire bag of chips. My poor trainer gave up trying to change my stubborn ass.  She also knew when to force me to stop whining and get my act together!  So now I am making a concerted effort to eat better and make wiser choices.  It is still hard not to eat the entire house after running like a mad woman but now I am trying to make it food that will help my body fuel and heal rather than just fill me up.  I am working hard to eat more fruits and veggies.  It is so difficult but I am giving it my best effort!!  It helps that I have been able to drop almost 10lbs this first month back on the wagon!!  See motivation!    

 

I love strength training!  Really, I do.  But I hate doing it by myself.  If I didn't have Kate pushing me or giving me something to follow I wouldn't pick up a weight at all.  My motivation to lift comes from the group workouts and my trainer.  And now I am digging deep to try harder and do each exercise better than before.  There has always been a time when I just went through the motions and I am trying to give it 100% each time!  My muscles need it but more importantly my soul needs it!   

No matter where your motivation comes from hang on to it and use it to propel you to succeed at every goal you set.  Dig deep and remember, you never regret doing a run or workout but you will regret not doing it!  And do what you love.  Life is too short to do things that aren't fun or enjoyable.  I'm going to keep pounding the pavement for as long as this body allows me!

 

Here is the menu for this week: 

Sunday:  Turkey Burgers

Monday:  Salsa Chicken (crockpot)

Tuesday: Baseball Game (Champions Club, sigh)

Wednesday: LO

Thursday: Fish  

Friday: LO

Saturday: LO

No update next week!  I leave on Sunday for my church's mission trip.  I'll have to fill everyone in on that excitement upon my return!! 

Some weeks are just ho-hum

This week has just been blah.  No particular reason!  I knew my weigh-in would be off.  Last week I WI at 9am which is way outside my norm and this week I had my favorite visitor (not).  I just have more work to do and that's okay.

My trainer was on vacation and I found out how lonely it is to work out by my onesies.  I don't mind running by myself but being at the gym without any of my girls is just weird.  I did it though and survived!  However, I don't want to make a habit of it!  I need the audience, lol!  It's funny how you start to depend on people and look forward to seeing them.

My training is going well!  Did my first 8 miler in months!  It felt fantastic but boy was I drained.  It took every ounce of energy to make it through my run.  The legs felt like jello.  However, my endurance is getting so much better.  I only walked about 5 min of the whole 100 minutes I was running! I mostly did that so I could consume my GU chomps.  I'm out of practice and walking makes it easier to chew!  I felt pretty darn proud!  I've come a long way since sitting out for almost 3 months.

Not much to blog about.  See still feeling blah!  Here's hoping for a more perky week!            

 

Here is the menu for this week: 

Sunday:  Fish Tacos

Monday:  White Bean Ckn Chili

Tuesday: Grilled Ckn

Wednesday: LO

Thursday: Fish  

Friday: LO

Saturday: LO

Inspiration in every corner

Mission ReFocus is in full swing!  And no just for me.....   

Before I start blabbering on about my week, I want to share about my friend Melissa G!  I am so proud of her and what she has been able to accomplish so far!  Melissa decided a couple months ago to begin running.  She would send me messages wondering when does this get easier and can I really keep this up?  I assured her it does get easier.  Keep at it and every time out will feel a bit better than the last.  She called yesterday to brag that she can now do 35 mins straight!  WOOOOOO!!  I can't even put into words how excited I am for her or how proud I am of her successes.  She has worked so hard to become this healthier version of herself!  Notice I said healthier and not better!  She is already an amazing person who is reaching every goal she sets out to accomplish!  I never realized how much my talking about running has meant to someone else until Melissa said thank you for inspiring me.  It's weird to think anyone looks at me for inspiration.  Little does she know that I get so much inspiration from her!  I love you, my friend!  Thank for making me a stronger person!

 It has been brutally hot and humid but we got rain tonight!!  I hope this cools things off for a bit.  Perhaps, I won't have to pray for snow while I sweat gallons during my runs this week!  I've had enough of 100 degree weather.

Yesterday I ran the Hannibal Cannibal 5k.  This race is torture!  There's a hill that goes up like 630 feet.  It is brutal.  But we all have so much fun doing it every year!  I am pretty sure no matter how much I train my time is never going to be great on this race.  I'm okay with that.  It's more important to finish strong.  It also reminded me that I really need to start running more hills.  Yuck! 

This morning was my long run for the week.  90 mins of pure humid hell!  My allergies are horrible because of the rain and I feel like crud.  And some how I pulled out 7.10 miles.  It was amazing!  I was so excited when my Garmin hit the 7 mile mark.  There was fist pumping and some skipping.  I think the people on the trail thought I had lost it!  Debatable!  I was really starting to doubt myself and my ability because my runs have been so rough.  I'm behind in mileage and my pace is crawling.  The weeks were ticking off before Labor Day.  Panic was starting to set in.  This run couldn't have come at a better time.  I am feeling much better in my ability to make it through the Kauai Half-marathon without having a nervous breakdown!  6 more weeks until race day.  I am right were I need to be and couldn't be prouder that I didn't let the doubt take hold!  Now to keep focusing on the weight loss so that I can shave some time off!  

I am doing well at writing every thing down.  I am trying to make better food choice.  All I can do it keep focusing!  Sometimes I wish this part was easier.  I struggle with food every day.  I can go run or swim or strength train so much easier than I can step away from food.  It sucks. I have to weigh myself this coming week.  My Kate (trainer) is on vacation.  Also means, my workouts are all by myself too. Kicking my own butt isn't as much fun.  Downloading some new music to help make it easier!!! 

Here is the menu for this week: 

Sunday:  Stuffed Peppers

Monday:  Honey Chicken

Tuesday: Grilled Pork Chops

Wednesday: LO

Thursday: Fish  

Friday: LO

Saturday: Wedding reception....damn no carbs after 2pm is going to bite me in the ass. 

Weigh-in Week 2

Happy Independence Day! 

I lost 5 lbs this past week but there should be an asterisk next to it.   Normally, I weigh in around 6pm and because of the holiday I did it at 9am.  I am sure this will make a huge difference in next week's stats.  But for now I am basking in the thrill of it! I did work really hard at watching what food I ate and upped my physical exercise!  

All I can do is keep at it!  

Also no more french fries the day before a run because my body went into craptastic mode.  Ugh!  

The Skinny Rules

This heat is rough. It's hot inside and out! At least I'm cleaning out the pores with all this sweating! 

I've done a good job of writing down everything I've eaten. Now I'm focusing on eating better. Bought tons of fresh fruit and veggies and I promise to actually try to eat them. It's not something that comes easy to me. It will make for a fun new challenge. 

Running is coming along. I am tired of lugging around an extra 40 pounds. So if nothing else keeps me motivated the pain in my knees will! Long run today produced a 10k! It wasn't fast, it wasn't pretty but I did it in 80 degree weather. That was 6am! I even did 2 miles of hills in the beginning! Go me! 

I started reading Trainer Bob's new book, "Skinny Rules". It's not really teaching a seasoned dieter anything new but I think it's presenting the ideas in a way that can be better followed and thus reinforcing what we all already know. I've only made it through about 5 of the rules and trying to incorporate each into my plan. Simple changes like how to better keep hydrated and add more water or include protein at every meal to stay full longer are fairly easy. Like I said nothing new. But sometimes we forget the basics. I know I need plenty of water but do I actually do it? Well no. Can I remember to drink a full glass before each meal? Well sure. That seems easy. So now I am trying to continuously fill my glass in addition. Small steps that can make huge changes. 

Here is the menu for this week: 

Sunday:  Buffalo Chicken Mac-n-Cheese 

Monday:  LO 

Tuesday: Chicken Veggie Skewers 

Wednesday: Brats and corn on the cob 

Thursday: Fish  

Friday: Hannibal for the Hannibal Cannibal 

Saturday: Baseball game = those damn pulled pork nachos :)

 I know, I know Mac-n-cheese really? I said I was easing back! I was actually pretty good and split my serving in two so it felt like more! I'll share the nachos...maybe!

Weigh-in

I had my first weigh-in since Mission ReFocus started!  I lost 3.8 lbs! Yay, I am super excited.  The goal this week (my weeks run Wed-Wed) is to start making a more concerted effort to actually care what foods I am eating.  I may have to rework the July meal plan.  I'll think more about it over the next couple of days.  

Excited to be heading back in the right direction!!  

It is time to REFOCUS!

I know that I shouldn't be hard on myself about being injured and not being able to live up to my potential but I am still disappointed.... 

It's been a difficult 3 months. 

It's been an epic FAIL.

But it's over.  I've recovered.  I need to move on.  And move on I shall.  

The ankle, the knee and the back are all feeling better.  Perhaps not 100% but definitely back on track.  I started running again and training for my next half in Kauai, Hawaii!  

I've slacked on the diet like a fat kid that loves cupcakes!  I've gained weight.  It's not pretty being in this body right now.  It is especially difficult to run.  I hate it.  My pace time is crap.  My breathing is crap.  My knees are crap.  

So I am refocusing on making myself better.  My diet is never going to be perfect.  I don't like fruits and veggies much.  But I know what I need to do to lose the weight.  I just have to focus and stop letting all the nagging thoughts in my head win.  This week I am focusing on writing my food in my journal.  Next week I'll worry about what food I am actually putting into my mouth. 

I am back to tracking my steps, my workouts and being accountable.  I am also making a re-acquaintance with my blog.  When I physically and mentally checked out on my weight loss journey, I also checked out on my ability to care about myself.  When you don't care you really shouldn't be trying to share with others.  So I am happy to be back to sharing my successes and failures.  

On the positive side, my training is going well.  I ran my first 5.5 miles since March!  It felt flipping fantastic!  I was pumped at the end.  

One day at a time.  One step at a time.   

Here is the menu for this week:
Sunday:  Grilled Pork Chops
Monday:  Tortilla Soup (crock)
Tuesday: Bourbon Chicken
Wednesday: LO
Thursday: Fish 

Friday: Nephew Tan's birthday party so I'm having CAKE!
Saturday: LO

I'll try to post every Sunday and when needed in between!  I am so glad to be back writing my blog.  A girl forgets how therapeutic it can be!  

Meal Planning Week of March 18, 2012

I type this post with a heavy heart but I wanted, NEED, some semblance of normalcy.
  
It's been a very traumatic weekend. One of the kids from our church youth group committed suicide.  It has been very difficult coming to terms with this tragedy.  I am not sure I am there yet or if I ever will.  He was only 20 years old with an incredible life left to live.  He was a wonderful, sweet and loving kid.  He was an Eagle Scout.  He always gave me hugs even if it wasn't such a cool thing to do!  He got me hooked on Sour Patch Kids.  He tried to teach me how to play various card games and laughed at my inability to catch on.  The thing I will remember the most about Brad was his ability to draw you into his world and then you couldn't help but love him back.  I am sad that I won't get another hug or see his goofy face.  But my heart breaks for the family he leaves behind who loves him more than anything on earth.  In all this grief and pain, I hope we can find comfort in knowing we have an amazing guardian angel watching over us.  Please take a moment of pray for his family.  They are going to need it.  I love you, Bradley! 

The rest of this post seems trivial but nonetheless I feel I should post about it to keep from completely losing a grip on my normal life. I ended up changing the breaded pork cutlets to grilled pork burgers because of the incredible weather!  :)  They were still delish!  I can't believe how fabulous the weather has been for March.  I actually got a sunburn during St. Patrick Day activities.  

I ended up walking the 5 mile St. Paddy's Day Run.  It killed me not to take off and run.  I tested the ankle on Thurs night and managed 1.5 miles but it was barking.  It is getting there but not quite strong enough to push it.  However, walking with some of my gym girls was way more fun.  An experience I wouldn't change for the world!  I love you, Jan and Patty! 

Here is the menu for this week:  Shout out to Pinterest for two recipes! 

Sunday:  White Chicken Enchiladas

Monday:  Citrus & Salsa Pork Loin

Tuesday: Turkey Brown Rice Casserole 

Wednesday: LO

Thursday: Fish

Friday: LO

Saturday: LO

Feel free to ask for recipes! Until next time....  

Meal Planning Week of March 11, 2012

Hello blog friends~

I am back into my meal plan.  The new calendar has been hung on the wall!  It feels great to be cooking instead of eating out.  Dinner is in the oven and I am already stressing about my NCAA bracket!  I love March!!

The ankle is feeling better but by the end of the day it is still sore and tender.  But it has only been a week.  I hope that by next week it is even better! 

Here is the menu for this week:
Sunday:  Tater Tot Breakfast Casserole
Monday:  Chicken and dumplings (crock)
Tuesday: Breaded Pork Cutlets
Wednesday: LO
Thursday: Fish (although I am fished out after last week)

Friday: LO
Saturday: LO

Feel free to ask for recipes! Until next time....  

Post Half-Marathon

Sorry about the lack of meal planning.  There was a plan but with the excitement surrounding my trip to New Orleans it went to heck.  This week hasn't been any better! I promise to be back on track and blogging on Sunday!  

The half-marathon went great...well up until I did something to my ankle at mile 7.  I still managed to finish in 2:35!  Not as fast as my first one, but not too shabby with an injury either!  My bff and I had a great time hanging out in NOLA!  I have been on seafood overload!  :)

I am so addicted to running these now.  But having said that, I need a break.  So I am going to take a few months off and just run some 5/10ks!  The training was getting to me this time.  I felt like I wasn't able to give it my full attention which is something that ends up hurting you in the end.  Perhaps, that is why I am limping around rather than running right now.  I also want to remember why I love to run.  Training makes it a "have to" situation and not a "want to" situation.  I want to go out on a beautiful day and run because I can!  I am pretty damn proud of myself for finishing two half-marathons in 6 months!  A break is earned, right?   

I'll be back training this summer/fall for the RNR STL in Oct and maybe the Diva run in Nov.  I can't wait to get back at it!  Next up: St. Patty's Day 5-miler...well if my ankle is up to it next Saturday!! 

Peanut Butter Chicken

Peanut Butter Chicken

The Ingredients.

serves 4

1 1/2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken, cut in chunks *

1/2 cup natural peanut butter (creamy or chunky, your choice)

1 red bell pepper, seeded and sliced

1 large onion, coarsely chopped

1 tablespoon ground cumin

1 lime, juiced

1/4 cup soy sauce (use gluten free--La Choy or Tamari wheat-free)

1/2 cup chicken broth

* If you are going to use quarters, or meat with bones, be aware that the meat will probably fall off the bone, and you'll need to fish out the bone pieces before serving. I've used this sauce with a whole chicken (I doubled the sauce ingredients for a 4.5-pound bird) and it was fantastic, but the bones were a bit of an issue.

The Directions.

Use a 4-quart slow cooker. Put the chicken into the bottom of your pot and add the peanut butter. Toss in the vegetables and cumin. Squeeze in lime, and add soy sauce and chicken broth. Stir as well as you can to combine (the peanut butter will be clumpy, and that's just fine). Cover and cook on low for 6-8 hours, or on high for about 4 hours. Serve over rice or quinoa.

Hello bloggersphere!
 
Well it is exactly 2 weeks until my half!  I think I have survived my cold (still a little congested but it is better)!  However, I have zero motivation to train.  I tried running Tuesday night and it wore me out.  This cold, sinus, whatever kicked my butt.  I have never been so wiped out.  I worked with my trainer on Wednesday night and was finished off for the week.  What happened to my stamina?  Did it suddenly collapse around me or just take a hiatus?  I plan to run tonight after dinner.  It was too chilly for me to be outside today.  I didn't think that was a great idea with having just been really sick so now I am forced to dreadmill it.  Ugh!  I still have two weeks to get my miles in and make myself feel capable of crossing this finish line without dying!  I can do it!

Here is the menu for this week:
Sunday:  Stuffed Peppers
Monday:  Peanut Butter Chicken (one of our faves)
Tuesday: Pulled Pork (frozen from the last time I made it) 
Wednesday: LO
Thursday: Orange Glazed Salmon / Mashed Cauliflower (another fave)

Friday: LO
Saturday: LO

Feel free to ask for recipes! Until next time....  

Meal plan for week of Feb 12, 2012

I apologize for the tardiness of this post.  I have been sick with a cold or some sort of nasty URI.  I am just starting to feel human again.  I even ran last night which was a disaster but at least I tried!  This infection knocked the wind out of me.  I hope that everyone is staying well and manages to avoid all the icky bugs going around.  I did cook despite feeling like crude.  Apparently, my mother wanted to eat or something....

T-minus like almost 2 weeks to RNR NOLA!!  Yep being sick has been a set back.  I plan to draw some inspiration from my first half-marathon to carry me through this one.  I am pretty sure that finishing is the goal!
 

Here is the menu for this week:
Sunday:  Pork chops with cinnamon apples (since we were both sick last week and didn't want them.  I moved them to Sunday.)
Monday:  Tuna Casserole
Tuesday: Apricot Chicken
Wednesday: LO
Thursday: Fish 

Friday: LO
Saturday: LO

Feel free to ask for recipes! Until next time....  

Meal planning week of Feb 5, 2012

I didn't weigh-in this week because of my monthly friend.  I gain enough water to float the ark!  Next week I have book club so I won't weigh-in again.  But it's not the end of the world.  This week has been really stressful at work.  I had a bunch of late nights.  I haven't ran all week and I am particularly POed because it was 60 freaking degrees here all week.  Ugh.  Oh well.  I can't let it get to me.  I did make a couple training sessions so at least I didn't completely miss working out.  My legs will just be fresher, right?  One month to RNR NOLA!!!  I can't wait to run in such a great city! 

Here is the menu for this week:
Sunday:  Appetizers from the freezer while I don't watch football but probably movies
Monday:  Brown Sugar Chicken (crock)
Tuesday: Pork chops with cinnamon apples
Wednesday: LO
Thursday: Fish 

Friday: LO
Saturday: LO

Feel free to ask for recipes! Until next time....  

Meal Plan for Week Januart 29, 2012

My first week of the Challenge (my weigh-ins are on Wed) was pretty good.  I lost 2.6 lbs.  I have been trying to just regain my bearings.  I think week 3 I will focus on actually writing down what I eat.  This week has been slightly off.  However, I have been 100% recommitted to my training and running has been great!   Baby steps, eh?

Here is the menu for this week:
Sunday:  Citrus & Salsa Porkloin
Monday:  White Bean Chicken Chili (Crock)
Tuesday: Turkey Burgers, homemade fries
Wednesday: LO
Thursday: Fish (most likely the Caribbean BBQ Tilapia in the freezer)
Friday: LO
Saturday: LO

Feel free to ask for recipes! Until next time....  

Meal Plan for week of Jan 22, 2012

Hello blogosphere,

I hope everyone is doing well!  I can't believe that January is almost over.  I feel like I missed most of it.  This also means that my half is only 5 week away!  Yikes.  Double yikes. I did 9 miles last night and it felt pretty good.  Not bad for missing a few weeks of long runs.   

My mom's CT came back clean for any cancer in the lymph nodes or spleen!  Yay!  They are choosing not to treat because of it's slow growing nature.  Now we are still waiting to see a neurologist for all her falling.  It's difficult raising a 72 yo!  :) 

Here is the menu for this week:
Sunday:  LO (I didn't make the Tortilla Soup until Sat so we had that)
Monday:  3-Cheese Mostaccioli Casserole (then I realized it was Chinese New Year and we have PF Chang's Orange Chicken in the freezer.  This may get pushed back a day!)
Tuesday: Sausage and Peppers in the Crock
Wednesday: LO
Thursday: Fish
Friday: LO
Saturday: LO

Feel free to ask for recipes! Until next time....  

Day 1 of the Gold's 12 week Challenge

I am choosing to give the challenge sponsored by Gold's Gym another shot this year.  I have to admit that last year the challenge was a disaster for me.  There were a number of reasons.  None of them all that great or worth rehashing.  Heck, on the weight loss front last year was an epic fail.  According to my tracker, on this date one year ago, I was 25 lbs lighter.  Yikes.

You can do anything for 12 weeks.  I've trained for half-marathons.  So obviously, I can do it.  I just need to plan better and focus much more on what I should put into my body rather than what I WANT to put in my body.  I wish I loved food less.  It would help my eating addiction so much more.  I am also picky.  There are so many foods I won't eat and I feel like my list is already so limited that being forced to give up more sends me spiraling backwards.  Clearly, I need to get over that.  I'm still not touching mushrooms or most green things.  Yuck.  However, I am willing to limit the amounts of the not so healthy foods.  Will I be perfect?  Nope.  But all I can do is my best.  

Here begins the next 12 weeks and my mission towards being smaller by the time I set foot in Prague! 

 

Tortilla Soup Recipe

Tortilla Soup

1 lb skinless boneless chicken breast (~4)
1 can (15oz) Hunt's Fire Roasted Diced Tomatoes
1 can (10oz) enchilada sauce
1 med onion, chopped
1 can (4oz) chopped green chili peppers
2 cloves minced garlic
2 cups water
1 can (14.5oz) chicken broth
1 tsp cumin
1 tsp chili powder
salt / pepper to taste
1 bay leaf
1 pkg (10oz) frozen corn 

Place chicken, tomatoes, sauce, onion, garlic in crock pot.   Pour in water and broth.  Season with spices.  Stir in corn.  Cover and cook on low for 6-8 hours or high for 3-4.

Top with tortilla chips, cheese or sour cream. 

Update and a sort of Meal plan for Jan 15, 2011

I was so busy this weekend attending the St. Louis Cardinals Winter Warm Up that I didn't go to the grocery store.  I have meals planned.  They aren't going to happen.  Oh well, I can use them another month!  

Update on my mom: She was diagnosed with a new lymphoma in her blood.  She had a CT this morning and we are awaiting the results.  

Here is the menu for this week:
Sunday:  Grilled Cheese
Monday: French's Onion Parmesan Encrusted Chicken 
Tuesday: LO
Wednesday: Tortilla Soup
Thursday: Fish
Friday: LO
Saturday: LO

Feel free to ask for recipes! Until next time....  

Meal Plan for week of Jan 8, 2012

This has been a stressful week at our house.  My mom has been having some health issues and right now we are in the wait and see mode.  I hate the waiting game.  I haven't been running enough.  However, it isn't the end of the world.  I am trying to remember what is important and that is my family and friends.  I'll make it through this race in a couple of months even if my training sucks!  I have faith in that!    

Here is the menu for this week:
Sunday: Turkey Manicotti and Salad
Monday: Spicy Rice Skillet with left over chicken from last week
Tuesday: LO
Wednesday: Chili for Book Club
Thursday: Fish
Friday: LO
Saturday: LO

Feel free to ask for recipes! Until next time....  

Crockpot Salsa Chicken

Crockpot Salsa Chicken

Serving Size : 4

Amount Measure Ingredient -- Preparation Method
-------- ------------ --------------------------------
1 pound skinless boneless chicken breasts
1 packet taco seasoning mix
1 cup salsa
2 tablespoons cornstarch
1/4 cup fat-free sour cream

Spray the crockpot with cooking spray. Add the chicken breasts. Sprinkle with Taco Seasoning. Top with salsa. Cook on low for 6-8 hours. When ready to serve, remove the chicken from the pot. Place about 2 T cornstarch in a small amount of water. Stir well. Stir the cornstarch mixture into salsa sauce. Stir in 1/4 cup of sour cream.

NOTES : I usually shred the chicken after it is cooked. Add it back to the sauce add the sour cream and serve in fajita sized tortillas.

Meal Plan for week of Jan 1, 2012

Happy New Year!! I hope everyone had a safe and enjoyable NYE.  I didn't make any resolutions because I have never kept one.  I don't think anyone should be pigeon-holed into keeping a "resolution" made on the first day of a year.  Instead, I make goals for the year.  

2012 Goals

Run pain-free for the whole year! 

Run 3 possibly 4 half-marathons! 

Continue to be healthy and happy!  Sure losing weight is always a priority but being strong and healthy is much more important to me.

That's it!  Everything else in life will fall into place as it always does.  2011 was an AMAZING year for me.  I can't wait to just continue on with life! 

Here is the menu for this week:
Sunday: Turkey Sausage & Cranberry Quiche
Monday: Soy Ginger Chilean Sea Bass (yum) and Scallops for my mom (icky) probably with some couscous and veggie
Tuesday: Crockpot Salsa Chicken
Wednesday: LO
Thursday: Cornish Hens
Friday: LO
Saturday: LO

Feel free to ask for recipes! Until next time....