So, we had a really "Rankely" weekend and got to spend some time with our favorite DC relatives, Pete and Lauren. :) And of course, we planned our usual escape route: to the Cheesecake Factory.
Given the nature of my quest, finding a dessert that is healthy eating approved is quite difficult, especially when the waiter is incredulous that you would just like the "bowl of strawberries, thank you". To be nice, I ordered a side of ice cream to go with and did the Weight Watchers- dip your spoon in it- technique to get the flavor and reduce the calories. It was actually pretty satisfying, I have to say.
Can someone please tell my waistline that I am doing all these wonderful things to make it happy and it can show it's appreciation any day now?!
Monday, July 26, 2010
Sunday, July 18, 2010
"Kale" you stand it?
Every week in our CSA, it seems we are inundated with kale. They say how healthy it is for you, but fail to mention how utterly disgusting it is. It's tough, it's green, it tastes gross. Usually, our kale goes to the critters outside (or sadly, the garbage) but I took the plunge and tried a recipe from our farm. It was utterly.... WONDERFUL! Something I know that I will crave from time to time. It's THAT delicious. And healthy! Ah, what a wonderful combination. Enjoy! and ps- if you need some kale, I probably have some.
KALE AND CHICKPEA SOUP
1 medium onion, chopped (1 cup)
2 garlic cloves, chopped
1 Turkish or 1/2 California bay leaf
1 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon black pepper
2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
1 large boiling potato (3/4 lb), peeled and cut into 1/2-inch pieces
3/4 lb kale, stems and center ribs cut out and discarded, then leaves very finely chopped (4 cups)
3 1/2 cups chicken or vegetable broth (28 fl oz)
2 cups water
1 (14-oz) can chickpeas, rinsed and drained
1/4 lb Spanish chorizo (optional), cut into 1/4-inch dice (1 cup)
Cook onion, garlic, bay leaf, salt, and pepper in oil in a wide 4- to 6-quart heavy pot over moderate heat, stirring frequently, until onion and garlic are softened and beginning to brown, 5 to 7 minutes. Add potato, kale, broth, and water and cook, partially covered, until potatoes are tender, 15 to 20 minutes. Reduce heat to low, then add chickpeas and chorizo and gently simmer, uncovered, 3 minutes. Discard bay leaf and season with salt and pepper.
Thursday, July 15, 2010
Back in the Saddle Again....
If you are a mom, you know that literally WEEKS can go by before you get a chance to do anything for yourself. July has been that evidence for me.
This is not to say that I have not been keeping up with my goals. My diet is pretty stable. Eating healthy is easy in the summer because you just don't want to eat garbage in the heat. I have a fabulous recipe to share in the coming days for a shrimp avocado salad that makes you swoon.
Last night, I finally gave into the kale and made a tuscan kale soup with chickpeas and chorizo. Sooooo good. Healthy eating yes, eating to lose weight, not so much.... I figure I need to eat rice cakes and water in order to lose weight and in the summer time, it's not a healthy option for me. My energy is so strapped from the heat that it is not possible for me to "diet" and "reduce calories" to the point of weight loss. I can barely walk at the end of the day now. It's hard to not see results, deflating actually. But I have to keep in mind my overall health. I need to be able to see, to walk at the end of a day. I need to eat, but I can keep to my goal by eating healthy choices like the Kale soup and shrimp salad. Hi protein, low carbs, mod. calories, natural/no processed foods.
As for exercise, that gets tricky this time of year. If I overheat too much, it's curtains for me. I am sticking to working out in the mornings, AC and box fans on. If it is REALLY hot, I do pilates/strength stuff. My days have gone down to about 3/week instead of 5 but I am hoping that now that the madness has stopped I can get back in the swing of things. I am hoping to do 2-3 miles 3 days/week, pilates 2days/week to alternate interests and accommodate the weather....
WISH ME LUCK!!!!
This is not to say that I have not been keeping up with my goals. My diet is pretty stable. Eating healthy is easy in the summer because you just don't want to eat garbage in the heat. I have a fabulous recipe to share in the coming days for a shrimp avocado salad that makes you swoon.
Last night, I finally gave into the kale and made a tuscan kale soup with chickpeas and chorizo. Sooooo good. Healthy eating yes, eating to lose weight, not so much.... I figure I need to eat rice cakes and water in order to lose weight and in the summer time, it's not a healthy option for me. My energy is so strapped from the heat that it is not possible for me to "diet" and "reduce calories" to the point of weight loss. I can barely walk at the end of the day now. It's hard to not see results, deflating actually. But I have to keep in mind my overall health. I need to be able to see, to walk at the end of a day. I need to eat, but I can keep to my goal by eating healthy choices like the Kale soup and shrimp salad. Hi protein, low carbs, mod. calories, natural/no processed foods.
As for exercise, that gets tricky this time of year. If I overheat too much, it's curtains for me. I am sticking to working out in the mornings, AC and box fans on. If it is REALLY hot, I do pilates/strength stuff. My days have gone down to about 3/week instead of 5 but I am hoping that now that the madness has stopped I can get back in the swing of things. I am hoping to do 2-3 miles 3 days/week, pilates 2days/week to alternate interests and accommodate the weather....
WISH ME LUCK!!!!
Tuesday, June 29, 2010
Tick, tick, tick... BOOM!
So this week has been a complete explosion and I am trying to climb out of the rubble. The last week of school is always crazy, that's a given . I was working hard all week getting camp up and ready to run. TICK... Changing Kiersten's school. TICK... Running errands to get the kids ready for Camp Grandma, dealing all the end of the year stuff the kids do. TICK... No time for anything. I mean NO TIME! So, how did I find time to fit in a birthday? With a quick dinner at a nice restaurant and waking up to a call that would change my whole summer.
"Good morning. How are you?" "Not as bad as you're going to be in about 2 minutes" BOOM!
Long story short, the last three days have been spend endlessly disappointing people, moving heavy furniture back and forth, doing hours of paperwork, fielding angry phone calls and ultimately canceling camp over something that was out of my control. So here's the question: If you eat ice cream for dinner and no one is around to see, does it really count at all? :)
My eating habits are erratic at best. I forget to eat breakfast, have a cupcake for lunch and then am too nauseous to even consider dinner. My poor family has had pasta and pancakes for dinner the past 3 days... I am too busy to even think about cooking dinner. Forget my exercise routine. We did go on a 5 mile bike ride and a 2.5 mile hike over the weekend, so I am staying active. Just not dutiful.
Hopefully, the next few days will settle down and I can get back in the groove. Right now, I have replaced Xanax with sugar and that's ok with me... It's "medically necessary".
"Good morning. How are you?" "Not as bad as you're going to be in about 2 minutes" BOOM!
Long story short, the last three days have been spend endlessly disappointing people, moving heavy furniture back and forth, doing hours of paperwork, fielding angry phone calls and ultimately canceling camp over something that was out of my control. So here's the question: If you eat ice cream for dinner and no one is around to see, does it really count at all? :)
My eating habits are erratic at best. I forget to eat breakfast, have a cupcake for lunch and then am too nauseous to even consider dinner. My poor family has had pasta and pancakes for dinner the past 3 days... I am too busy to even think about cooking dinner. Forget my exercise routine. We did go on a 5 mile bike ride and a 2.5 mile hike over the weekend, so I am staying active. Just not dutiful.
Hopefully, the next few days will settle down and I can get back in the groove. Right now, I have replaced Xanax with sugar and that's ok with me... It's "medically necessary".
Tuesday, June 22, 2010
It's what to eat.....
No bake= No oven = NO HEAT!!!!!
This is one of the BEST recipes I have ever found. It's healthy, it's delicious and it's ridiculously easy to make, especially in the summer when you don't want to turn the oven on. I love to bring it to parties to two reasons: 1. It helps me avoid the unhealthy dessert choices and yet still tastes sinfully good. 2. Everyone else LOVES it and thinks I'm a rockstar when I bring it!!!
Summer Berry Crisp
2 qts. strawberries - top off and quartered
1 pt. blueberries
1pt. raspberries
1 pt. blackberries
2 tbsp. pure maple syrup
1 c. pecans
1/2 c. walnuts
1/2 c. chopped dates
2 tsp. cinnamon
1.Put washed berries into a 9x12 dish. Toss with the maple syrup.
2.In a food processor, combine pecans, walnuts, dates and cinnamon. Chop until it resembles crumbs.
3. Pour over berries and serve!
* I really like the crumbs so I actually double that part....
Enjoy alone or with homemade whipped cream! Or over ice cream, yogurt, oatmeal.. the choices are endless!
This is one of the BEST recipes I have ever found. It's healthy, it's delicious and it's ridiculously easy to make, especially in the summer when you don't want to turn the oven on. I love to bring it to parties to two reasons: 1. It helps me avoid the unhealthy dessert choices and yet still tastes sinfully good. 2. Everyone else LOVES it and thinks I'm a rockstar when I bring it!!!
Summer Berry Crisp
2 qts. strawberries - top off and quartered
1 pt. blueberries
1pt. raspberries
1 pt. blackberries
2 tbsp. pure maple syrup
1 c. pecans
1/2 c. walnuts
1/2 c. chopped dates
2 tsp. cinnamon
1.Put washed berries into a 9x12 dish. Toss with the maple syrup.
2.In a food processor, combine pecans, walnuts, dates and cinnamon. Chop until it resembles crumbs.
3. Pour over berries and serve!
* I really like the crumbs so I actually double that part....
Enjoy alone or with homemade whipped cream! Or over ice cream, yogurt, oatmeal.. the choices are endless!
Friday, June 18, 2010
With all that I have to be, I have no time to be there for myself!
It is with total honesty that this is the FIRST time I have had about 3 minutes to myself to write in my blog.
As you moms know, the last weeks of June are horrible with all the commitments your children have. Field days, field trips, awards night, dances, softball playoffs, picnics, studying for Regents etc...
As you teachers know, the last few weeks of June are horrible with all the commitments your job has. Finishing up work, end of the year celebrations, setting up presentations, making sure everything is given back, staff appreciation night, graduation, cleaning up your room.
As you Girl Scout Leaders know, the last few weeks of June are horrible with all the commitments your troop has. Campfires, Bridging requirements, financial reports, end of the year gifts, parties.
As you directors of camps know, the last weeks of June are horrible with all the commitments your campers require. Setting up an entire building to be ready for 80 people, lesson planning and prep, last minute additions and subtractions, budget, staffing, serious food allergies, finalizing special events.
As you June babies know, the last weeks of June are horrible with all the BIRTHDAYS we have this month. Morgan, Carrie, Stephen, Megan, Pete, Goober, Emma, Scott, Alexa and myself to name a few.
As you all know, I am a mom, a teacher, a Girl Scout Leader, a June baby and a camp director. Therefore, I have had NO time to do anything these last few weeks of June. Including clean my house. AND it's starting to get HOT!!!!! Once I am no longer a mom, teacher, GS leader, June baby and camp director, then I can get back out there. Until then, I will do the best I can--- like get on my bike to deliver the GS paperwork that is due 5 miles away instead of driving there.
As you moms know, the last weeks of June are horrible with all the commitments your children have. Field days, field trips, awards night, dances, softball playoffs, picnics, studying for Regents etc...
As you teachers know, the last few weeks of June are horrible with all the commitments your job has. Finishing up work, end of the year celebrations, setting up presentations, making sure everything is given back, staff appreciation night, graduation, cleaning up your room.
As you Girl Scout Leaders know, the last few weeks of June are horrible with all the commitments your troop has. Campfires, Bridging requirements, financial reports, end of the year gifts, parties.
As you directors of camps know, the last weeks of June are horrible with all the commitments your campers require. Setting up an entire building to be ready for 80 people, lesson planning and prep, last minute additions and subtractions, budget, staffing, serious food allergies, finalizing special events.
As you June babies know, the last weeks of June are horrible with all the BIRTHDAYS we have this month. Morgan, Carrie, Stephen, Megan, Pete, Goober, Emma, Scott, Alexa and myself to name a few.
As you all know, I am a mom, a teacher, a Girl Scout Leader, a June baby and a camp director. Therefore, I have had NO time to do anything these last few weeks of June. Including clean my house. AND it's starting to get HOT!!!!! Once I am no longer a mom, teacher, GS leader, June baby and camp director, then I can get back out there. Until then, I will do the best I can--- like get on my bike to deliver the GS paperwork that is due 5 miles away instead of driving there.
Thursday, June 10, 2010
Confessions and complaints
So this is a terrible week for me. Terribly stressful, terribly short on any me time.
CONFESSION: I have only exercised once this week AND had a bag of Munchos. And the icing from 2 cupcakes at work.
COMPLAINT: This however does NOT WARRANT the fact that I am now FOUR POUNDS OVER MY STARTING WEIGHT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! For those keeping track, this is now 8 gained pounds since my previously lost 4 pounds. I have been great for 6 weeks, have one bad week and go over my starting weight by 4 pounds. Seriously?! How does that happen?
Thoughts, advice and encouragement strongly needed before I crack and say forget it! or a stronger word I won't print. ;)
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