tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-87292145436356318342024-03-05T19:33:37.912-06:00Growing Up and Slimming DownMy journey to lose 115 pounds before my 30th birthdayStephenyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08362997398387131256noreply@blogger.comBlogger23125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8729214543635631834.post-30362982069547583682012-04-09T21:45:00.000-05:002012-04-09T21:45:09.827-05:00Easter Fun<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
The day started a bit earlier than Jake and I would have liked, however it meant a lot to my mom that we joined my parents at church. Afterwards, we went out and had a very nice brunch. I <i>tried </i>to consume everything in moderation, but it was TOUGH. I feel like I just consumed everything instead. I'm not quite sure how this week's weigh in is going to go. Holiday weekends topped off with a big birthday bash can get in the way of losing weight just a little. </div>
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After brunch, we went back to my parents house to play Easter games and to get our baskets.</div>
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We had an Easter word find, an Easter crossword puzzle, and a "How many words can you make from the word Easter Egg Hunt" game (I have no idea what you would call that)</div>
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I was convinced Jake was cheating, so I insisted on covering up my paper elementary school style!<br />
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The Easter Bunny has a great sense of humor and brought me Jimmy Fallon's <u>Thank You Notes</u>. </div>
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<i>Thank you... the name Lloyd, for starting with two Ls. I'm glad both those</i></div>
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<i>Ls were there, because otherwise I would have called you "Loyd". </i></div>
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Can you tell Jake's on the hunt for the "perfect fruity gum"???<br />
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Hope everyone had a wonderful weekend! </div>
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One more (I couldn't resist!)....</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWODTwk7jupIL3_LNUr3wFHrS_DvGrDT9CF50jM5FBm48Y17pZGaOHH3xJW36uSGHa12xtrhI7v45w7OTjLGre-Px3kPgzV4RNSzOvVcjgS1dGF14cO67fk127MDYQVpyI0IxBjmVzRn0/s1600/DSC00398.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWODTwk7jupIL3_LNUr3wFHrS_DvGrDT9CF50jM5FBm48Y17pZGaOHH3xJW36uSGHa12xtrhI7v45w7OTjLGre-Px3kPgzV4RNSzOvVcjgS1dGF14cO67fk127MDYQVpyI0IxBjmVzRn0/s320/DSC00398.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<i>Thank you... receipts from Best Buy, for being unnecessarily long. "Hey, thanks</i></div>
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<i>for purchasing season four of Lost - here's an entire rain forest."</i></div>
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<br />Stephenyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08362997398387131256noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8729214543635631834.post-38536135286845378622012-04-07T22:43:00.000-05:002012-04-07T22:43:10.215-05:00Recap of a Busy WeekSorry I've been away for a week! Here's a quick rundown of what you missed. <br />
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I made <a href="http://fullbellies.blogspot.com/2009/04/healthy-egg-rolls.html" target="_blank">baked egg rolls</a> and a great <a href="http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/emeril-lagasse/stir-fried-chicken-with-broccoli-water-chestnuts-and-peppers-recipe/index.html" target="_blank">chicken stir fry</a><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilGB5Y2bKoKCN5mBv2B-CNBkHhSRWYPZLSoZjJQzI7fpDXtKxfAiu-8cq_mfyDrZlxGSVkKWcpJPgw_GxzXiAUZNtuBl8J6eWv-4U9X1MEXdWVqRq_qOd6Rs2lXCy9aEphsk89wg3B6_o/s1600/DSC01154.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilGB5Y2bKoKCN5mBv2B-CNBkHhSRWYPZLSoZjJQzI7fpDXtKxfAiu-8cq_mfyDrZlxGSVkKWcpJPgw_GxzXiAUZNtuBl8J6eWv-4U9X1MEXdWVqRq_qOd6Rs2lXCy9aEphsk89wg3B6_o/s320/DSC01154.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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I also made Lori's <a href="http://findingradiance.com/recipes/breakfast/1-minute-muffin/" target="_blank">1-minute muffin</a> (topped with TJ's Cookie Butter... of course)<br />
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I've become addicted to Laughing Cow cheese (I actually have 4 containers in my fridge right now)<br />
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Jake and I found a house!!! </div>
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Isn't it beautiful???? Ok, just kidding. But we did find a house and we're really excited about it. </div>
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We celebrated Jake's 32nd birthday last night</div>
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I gained 0.6 pounds </div>
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<a href="http://therealhealthwife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/funny-scale-cartoon_thumb_thumb.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="284" src="http://therealhealthwife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/funny-scale-cartoon_thumb_thumb.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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I can cross an item off my <a href="http://growingupandslimmingdown.blogspot.com/2012/03/32-before-32.html" target="_blank">"32 in 32"</a> list</div>
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And I remembered why I don't wear 4" heels</div>
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OUCH! I'm such a klutz. </div>
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So... that's pretty much what you missed! </div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><b>Happy Easter!</b></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span></div>Stephenyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08362997398387131256noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8729214543635631834.post-6065310647951381602012-03-30T19:51:00.001-05:002012-03-30T19:52:03.598-05:00Weight Loss, Good Food, and More!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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First things first, I lost 4 pounds this week! I am so excited about this! </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe5k61ntIhQuWxtLaU-FOm92fpMrJATIx23sfAet0g_-5jcLXVh-zI-GILP1VNhnLAHI_04MrtXFNuobrOyRkH5guXO5RJoReu4O3yVrFpFrW7ltTTLif7Wd2zTBfgRjJIcYSuIJNLenQ/s1600/DSC01113.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe5k61ntIhQuWxtLaU-FOm92fpMrJATIx23sfAet0g_-5jcLXVh-zI-GILP1VNhnLAHI_04MrtXFNuobrOyRkH5guXO5RJoReu4O3yVrFpFrW7ltTTLif7Wd2zTBfgRjJIcYSuIJNLenQ/s320/DSC01113.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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When I got up this morning, I didn't want a heavy breakfast knowing that I would be weighing in at noon. So, I decided to make myself a smoothie. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnD2RoIk8S477jQh0I5Q2jJZMQ0vdsr967ba1Dj9gzBYTgJdXq7caV2JrdvTEzHlyQqACtMusoInn5OCa81_6N12N98k621-A6UcwN1UDQDYl0A_Y0-hwuudSEhNIQ1k_TkGqDQUD2fss/s1600/DSC01108.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnD2RoIk8S477jQh0I5Q2jJZMQ0vdsr967ba1Dj9gzBYTgJdXq7caV2JrdvTEzHlyQqACtMusoInn5OCa81_6N12N98k621-A6UcwN1UDQDYl0A_Y0-hwuudSEhNIQ1k_TkGqDQUD2fss/s320/DSC01108.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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I really enjoy smoothies both in the mornings and after a good workout. They're kind of like my "salads" - you can throw just about anything in to the blender and it <i>usually </i>turns out pretty good. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNMy4njR4H7lhopzryIOyzFuJgq5Q_kdRRi2kathYGmJOA4fLGRTEMJwqngqRJHPvH__-yZ5ixY9TWAnhR3g0JZX7iMqeymtDVOwGYLwAEfCJRKIJI7d2elgaDWwKsk3ExIbu5vmewB3A/s1600/DSC01107.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNMy4njR4H7lhopzryIOyzFuJgq5Q_kdRRi2kathYGmJOA4fLGRTEMJwqngqRJHPvH__-yZ5ixY9TWAnhR3g0JZX7iMqeymtDVOwGYLwAEfCJRKIJI7d2elgaDWwKsk3ExIbu5vmewB3A/s320/DSC01107.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<b>Chocolate Peanut Butter Banana Smoothie Recipe:</b></div>
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1 frozen banana</div>
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1 heaping scoop of chocolate protein powder</div>
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1 Tbsp PB2</div>
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1 cup almond milk</div>
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4-5 ice cubes </div>
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Blend and enjoy!</div>
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After I weighed in, I was getting pretty hungry so I headed to my new favorite fast food place. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiazxpW5JY4ygS8niiBoQNPbHKi3CPTQtwjKdoIHZ5orxeBRlkDTMh-dkoPhE8D2UV5NIeURY0n4dFQeiXl_KIz_Ia7GOUz3zY_QuJYzPvs3-aWrUOaiZZGVFN5gyw0a5mwuAg3Ha0gCYk/s1600/DSC01110.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiazxpW5JY4ygS8niiBoQNPbHKi3CPTQtwjKdoIHZ5orxeBRlkDTMh-dkoPhE8D2UV5NIeURY0n4dFQeiXl_KIz_Ia7GOUz3zY_QuJYzPvs3-aWrUOaiZZGVFN5gyw0a5mwuAg3Ha0gCYk/s320/DSC01110.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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I eat at Subway just about every Friday and I never get sick of it. There are so many healthy options there and it leaves me full for a long time. Today I had a Black Forest Ham sandwich on flatbread with lots of veggies and honey mustard. </div>
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After work, I got in a great workout at the gym. 60 minutes on the elliptical and about 20 minutes of weightlifting. </div>
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Tonight for dinner is <a href="http://www.skinnytaste.com/2009/02/crock-pot-santa-fe-chicken-425-pts.html" target="_blank">Crock Pot Santa Fe Chicken</a> from <a href="http://www.skinnytaste.com/" target="_blank">Skinny Taste</a>. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgci1YVutu1Ur0CEEC_vf7crLdzgE9jDUCWVG3OSUjSYXcFnEq8M5cwm3elUObi6NGSkzcbM0arGF9kqnvX5EEzIBa4GtLXaTs0qAClV6v17RguHW3RCrb909pNU0MfsN72PfC1ploXDeQ/s1600/Santa+Fe+Chicken.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgci1YVutu1Ur0CEEC_vf7crLdzgE9jDUCWVG3OSUjSYXcFnEq8M5cwm3elUObi6NGSkzcbM0arGF9kqnvX5EEzIBa4GtLXaTs0qAClV6v17RguHW3RCrb909pNU0MfsN72PfC1ploXDeQ/s320/Santa+Fe+Chicken.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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If you don't know about the Skinny Taste website, you're missing out. I have never made a bad meal from there and the recipes are all so healthy. Check it out. You won't be sorry. </div>
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Last but not least...<br />
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I'M MOVING!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDL4F4yvjUsxOg-ma-LoOsVYRf5dj8qq3fbzy6VdFTWUS9t95_phqDkQ8A1wzW2XQyZzi4ZolVvbUnKYUxfvXwjncYeDEoTyHIhZkRNpN2r7LJOMTVxQ4inbk3Qpeft1R_-taDnlya8BY/s1600/DSC01112.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDL4F4yvjUsxOg-ma-LoOsVYRf5dj8qq3fbzy6VdFTWUS9t95_phqDkQ8A1wzW2XQyZzi4ZolVvbUnKYUxfvXwjncYeDEoTyHIhZkRNpN2r7LJOMTVxQ4inbk3Qpeft1R_-taDnlya8BY/s320/DSC01112.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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I'm excited. I'm scared. I'm a bit overwhelmed. <br />
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Oh, and I'm not just moving, but I'm moving in with Jake. Yes, we've decided we're going to live together. It will be a change. But I'm excited. I swear. Ok, I'll be excited when it's all over and I'm settled into a beautiful house. With a huge kitchen. And a live in maid. <br />
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This weekend will be spent looking at three different houses. Fingers crossed that we really like one of them!<br />
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Have a great weekend!<br />
<br />Stephenyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08362997398387131256noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8729214543635631834.post-14898381116966972282012-03-30T11:00:00.001-05:002012-03-30T11:00:24.163-05:00Thank YouJust a quick post - I'll be back to post more after I weigh in today at noon (fingers crossed!!!). One of my favorite weight loss blogs to read is <a href="http://www.runsforcookies.com/" target="_blank">Runs for Cookies</a>. A few days ago, the author of the blog, Katie, offered to post anyone's blogs on her Blog List. Thanks to her, I have doubled my followers and my page views have almost tripled in the last few days. <br />
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Of course I want to say a million thank yous to Katie. I also want to thank each of you for reading my blog. You keep me accountable to keep working hard at losing weight. You also keep me accountable to keep posting on this blog.<br />
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Thank you for being here and thank you for being a part of my journey!<br />
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I'll be back later with, hopefully, good news!Stephenyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08362997398387131256noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8729214543635631834.post-26175278616865375022012-03-28T21:08:00.002-05:002012-03-28T21:13:58.934-05:00Getting Out of My Own Way<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Today after work, I headed to the gym. I even packed my gym bag this morning and brought it along with me, so I wouldn't have to stop home. My plan was to run/walk on the treadmill for 30 minutes (I'm still following the <a href="http://www.coolrunning.com/engine/2/2_3/181.shtml" target="_blank">Couch to 5K</a> plan), then lift for about 30 minutes (I'm also still following the <a href="http://www.thenewrulesoflifting.com/nrol-for-women" target="_blank">The New Rules of Lifting for Women</a> plan), and then if I had it in me, maybe 20 minutes on the elliptical. </div>
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When I got to the gym and opened up my gym bag, I noticed that these were the shoes I had brought along. As you can see from the picture, they are EXTREMELY worn. I haven't used these in over 6 months. I can't imagine why I had grabbed these (or why I still have them), but I did (and I do). </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgX5Wi9ehFz_pZgiyBgUYKrIrC38TQ05G_A93qgtkq2rAOFd_faaCtUbCYMrjexRz5tt969a38AYZpFbMoZA0_rN3TluC2nTHcFsLKbTI59Golxmvw02wGa0jcAgI6q-_171pFmue6ggvc/s1600/DSC01103.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgX5Wi9ehFz_pZgiyBgUYKrIrC38TQ05G_A93qgtkq2rAOFd_faaCtUbCYMrjexRz5tt969a38AYZpFbMoZA0_rN3TluC2nTHcFsLKbTI59Golxmvw02wGa0jcAgI6q-_171pFmue6ggvc/s320/DSC01103.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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No problem though. Not having the perfect shoes was not going to stop me from having a good workout. So, I put the shoes on and headed out to the treadmill. As I got the treadmill going, I went to put in the earbuds to my iPod and they looked like this.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJVpKHdvlsWrtJD7AQt3W5VbV9uRa9eAex44TqqJWJzHFrEE0-E5MbQekgqMeoSeB7z_4XL6CEbAm5KzcLwxA1Es6x1D2fENPolNbTUIBpN6dN8JT29n30CdjOv6CSkUhdjoSM9MaFPrc/s1600/DSC01106.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJVpKHdvlsWrtJD7AQt3W5VbV9uRa9eAex44TqqJWJzHFrEE0-E5MbQekgqMeoSeB7z_4XL6CEbAm5KzcLwxA1Es6x1D2fENPolNbTUIBpN6dN8JT29n30CdjOv6CSkUhdjoSM9MaFPrc/s320/DSC01106.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Seriously?!?! I thought about going back to the locker room to see if the other "bud" was in my gym bag but I was already on the treadmill and it was busy at the gym so I didn't want to risk losing the one I had snatched. </div>
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There was a learning lesson here though. What I realized from the not-so-great start to my workout was this - <b>I am the only one that can get in my way.</b> Old shoes and a missing earbud are only excuses and have nothing to do with getting in a good workout. So, I did my run with only one earbud. I lifted heavier than I ever have before, even though my shoes were worn. I went back to the locker room and found the other earbud in my gym bag. So, I went back out and did a hard 20 minutes on the elliptical. It was a good workout. </div>
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When I got home from the gym, I was so hungry. Lately, I've been on this kick of throwing random things together and calling them a salad. Here was the combo tonight. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhixsD3WT5pwa440ULRMYLrNMoZqqm_t7WyVSWNRZDvB390lMU5RTyGZDWvKi2E25IMUPqiro9tFGV_e5lKVsP5SOZoHx7Uot89n0-27oFNwzj8Bl6XKkQwJ8ZtoTz75BvMcv0-SPQeN9w/s1600/DSC01101.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhixsD3WT5pwa440ULRMYLrNMoZqqm_t7WyVSWNRZDvB390lMU5RTyGZDWvKi2E25IMUPqiro9tFGV_e5lKVsP5SOZoHx7Uot89n0-27oFNwzj8Bl6XKkQwJ8ZtoTz75BvMcv0-SPQeN9w/s320/DSC01101.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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It actually turned out quite well. Then again, I'm not picky. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPKOx8p2maBaDF1sfEc5bNns140MXbSOsT3Zmmq7ADTL2ek6r7Vp31laHF_JU9-boXumxfzp3TTmMV8fRffKTPRQGh5OKJ2U1s5utK4OmQ06O0ASEi4pYA67NSkxtQRD9LUBsnECg7iNg/s1600/DSC01097.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPKOx8p2maBaDF1sfEc5bNns140MXbSOsT3Zmmq7ADTL2ek6r7Vp31laHF_JU9-boXumxfzp3TTmMV8fRffKTPRQGh5OKJ2U1s5utK4OmQ06O0ASEi4pYA67NSkxtQRD9LUBsnECg7iNg/s320/DSC01097.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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After my "salad", I enjoyed the last of the chicken tikka masala. I was a little sad to see it go - it was REALLY good (at least I thought so - I think Jake would tell you differently).<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXinoWnUqh4jtkUbWk80A53Dfs5WCbyny7180z4Rn8v2KQh6D1gdpuPZ6aAxeFO3fkMG_dwiseUdxkxhMxhl7hCibrEh_0yrH596cfXVundhCefHZzH9eOBLVrO4rrupN1BU33fcO0auc/s1600/DSC01098.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXinoWnUqh4jtkUbWk80A53Dfs5WCbyny7180z4Rn8v2KQh6D1gdpuPZ6aAxeFO3fkMG_dwiseUdxkxhMxhl7hCibrEh_0yrH596cfXVundhCefHZzH9eOBLVrO4rrupN1BU33fcO0auc/s320/DSC01098.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
Oh, and obviously I'm not one of those people who thinks cilantro tastes like soap. <br />
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I finished off dinner with a delicious Weight Watchers Ice Cream Bar. They are NOT cheap, but I usually have a $1.00 off coupon for them so I justify the purchase because they are so satisfying and do not taste "diety" at all. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnPJyi1bH9JXlbb05xtKbQXxUD4fLMf80mRxROaMUL0-KkzgV5zVWoBpWBg5ksrsVH34fG__ep63X7cL2XM6B7z4056aZVgOXbsXUqafjUcNNl1ncw5sdDhL6WXErHlPCLqePquQ11X9E/s1600/070640001538.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnPJyi1bH9JXlbb05xtKbQXxUD4fLMf80mRxROaMUL0-KkzgV5zVWoBpWBg5ksrsVH34fG__ep63X7cL2XM6B7z4056aZVgOXbsXUqafjUcNNl1ncw5sdDhL6WXErHlPCLqePquQ11X9E/s320/070640001538.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Now, it's time to relax for the rest of the evening. I think it's well deserved!<br />
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<br />Stephenyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08362997398387131256noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8729214543635631834.post-82246106466686894612012-03-27T22:19:00.000-05:002012-03-27T22:35:57.967-05:00No Go(at)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Tonight, I got home from school and just needed a little snack. I stocked up on a few goodies at Trader Joe's on Sunday so knew exactly what I wanted. </div>
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I pulled out the goat cheese...</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjpDxrdx-ljxc-7sj3eB8xkKZYVwojYBZXzMHIHz9OBdsFfCt4FUUp_WD9U-UaZ05XwZVdh7ncVx3u5BGKBLDRBDyVDjD5nt1tXOfZgNVJVHXbqF1BqVsGN5tivezGV8JvSi3oXZbV3wI/s1600/DSC01092.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjpDxrdx-ljxc-7sj3eB8xkKZYVwojYBZXzMHIHz9OBdsFfCt4FUUp_WD9U-UaZ05XwZVdh7ncVx3u5BGKBLDRBDyVDjD5nt1tXOfZgNVJVHXbqF1BqVsGN5tivezGV8JvSi3oXZbV3wI/s320/DSC01092.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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...and some Mango Chutney (from Whole Foods)...</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrabjnmV91eLzlWSv783dvHiKxudJWom6UokGIZZR5eR_AU424_lX0Kx8JhTpz0CeXlGQ9cAXJldIqFksuhoxA0stlvZvCjIKhxRXkjTnzOuEBsjjKFHcEcPzGhiJcxWfqUxI8zDVhYVE/s1600/DSC01090.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrabjnmV91eLzlWSv783dvHiKxudJWom6UokGIZZR5eR_AU424_lX0Kx8JhTpz0CeXlGQ9cAXJldIqFksuhoxA0stlvZvCjIKhxRXkjTnzOuEBsjjKFHcEcPzGhiJcxWfqUxI8zDVhYVE/s320/DSC01090.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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....and put them into a cute bowl to be served with a some pita chips. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhX2isgIMDHLQVX_DXcIWb7GCF2YNjx-Zlre7tMy8jTxNEqyVb5xq1G0rOEx2hfHqp2VE32lpAAKtgJ7m5CVaE2HrUGSn-paQ7QPcIwsILqQwue0AF8qg11hvAvwATIPzT8w4FqAfTgv8I/s1600/DSC01088.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhX2isgIMDHLQVX_DXcIWb7GCF2YNjx-Zlre7tMy8jTxNEqyVb5xq1G0rOEx2hfHqp2VE32lpAAKtgJ7m5CVaE2HrUGSn-paQ7QPcIwsILqQwue0AF8qg11hvAvwATIPzT8w4FqAfTgv8I/s320/DSC01088.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Delicious, right???<br />
WRONG.<br />
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I sat down on the couch with my snack and started watching the latest episode of Community on <a href="http://www.hulu.com/" target="_blank">Hulu</a>. As I scooped a bit out to spread on a pita chip, I noticed a little hair in the cheese. "That's odd", I thought to myself. However, I have two cats so a little fur is not that big of a deal around here. I took a bite. Savory and sweet, perfect snack. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPm0yjqHSZ1aA3CRAu43_pXLSpolOQqK-eAiTjZUohK0QDCP0ONPcucLaOqaJp6x-XAmBZ3z-AQUir5twDYNA0XxcLFenAVK0HYCKOeIIGLhOGatssGfWrblHOIcQUIzvI-Kxghv8BlxA/s1600/DSC01094.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPm0yjqHSZ1aA3CRAu43_pXLSpolOQqK-eAiTjZUohK0QDCP0ONPcucLaOqaJp6x-XAmBZ3z-AQUir5twDYNA0XxcLFenAVK0HYCKOeIIGLhOGatssGfWrblHOIcQUIzvI-Kxghv8BlxA/s320/DSC01094.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Then I took out another scoop on my knife to spread on the next pita chip. This is when I noticed there were a few more hairs in the cheese. Hmm... these aren't cat hairs. I pulled one out with my finger. It was definitely a piece of hair/fur and it was white (my little kitties are gray). <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBXXRStXxeNcU-J_Fwb8hzD21PXjKXvfeD2pU4OGZDdWeP_TeT4Nyl2-PP_5StQk_DRIsU8nYlEvJosUVLj1nPVfWMaIOvbn_kMQqVIJYBJooVsjJO2djJ4Z6XplQl5xgD5sa_9dyRw5k/s1600/DSC01095.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBXXRStXxeNcU-J_Fwb8hzD21PXjKXvfeD2pU4OGZDdWeP_TeT4Nyl2-PP_5StQk_DRIsU8nYlEvJosUVLj1nPVfWMaIOvbn_kMQqVIJYBJooVsjJO2djJ4Z6XplQl5xgD5sa_9dyRw5k/s320/DSC01095.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
I brought the cheese into the kitchen for better lighting, took a big scoop out of the bowl and saw this...<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQQeGNdSERUbRsz8VKqSRhpjEG393-BEVfFhEdi6oTHVIUmWy2QLTR1Vr4ifjiKt75p3vxwpX4DLJIQxorx7epifhnCC59RZdiXjTlo4l_Z1z-YBq6wm2vqKIV4JQfyCoH7g_PF1pqvLY/s1600/DSC01096.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQQeGNdSERUbRsz8VKqSRhpjEG393-BEVfFhEdi6oTHVIUmWy2QLTR1Vr4ifjiKt75p3vxwpX4DLJIQxorx7epifhnCC59RZdiXjTlo4l_Z1z-YBq6wm2vqKIV4JQfyCoH7g_PF1pqvLY/s320/DSC01096.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
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<div style="text-align: left;">
My guess? Goat hair. What else could it be? I just bought this on Sunday and it doesn't expire until May. Needless to say, I threw the snack out. I still have the rest of the cheese in the fridge and I think I'll take it back to Trader Joe's this weekend. </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
What a bummer though. A really really gross bummer. <br />
<br />
Since I already had the calories counted for the snack that mostly sat in the garbage, I did what any person trying to lose weight would do.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLpVn-Nfm5Qj8vMOPs9YuiDKGCsjJkxrt-yB7MDitvejiRAv0pdkTtggFABO8YBkreMXRfiJ-Epw_ev1VpixYTZTW37QTgprTzuGhRWAN6LvM0PUNP4S1oTRiwd9DzTvuxJfpuTLVMvCE/s1600/DSC01083.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLpVn-Nfm5Qj8vMOPs9YuiDKGCsjJkxrt-yB7MDitvejiRAv0pdkTtggFABO8YBkreMXRfiJ-Epw_ev1VpixYTZTW37QTgprTzuGhRWAN6LvM0PUNP4S1oTRiwd9DzTvuxJfpuTLVMvCE/s320/DSC01083.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
I ate a tablespoon of this wonderful magic delight.<br />
<i>Straight off the spoon. </i><br />
<i>Hey, I just ate goat hair. </i></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
A spoonful of Cookie Butter makes everything better.<br />
<i><br /></i></div>Stephenyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08362997398387131256noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8729214543635631834.post-9431378604486866632012-03-25T21:53:00.000-05:002012-03-27T22:39:28.822-05:00Engagement Rings and Indian Food<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Jake and I made a big decision and decided that we were going to start looking at.... </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRcY7Gby6zKWzF_eGp0Md2KCXzFVpwhygWbJPHPhmJqcUFag4O5U64Czd9rc6we7JGKjT4SaHKh4btCVt67TDtUBuLW3rOqGnqXxAJ7zX1PVkFgHD00MEQ_MEGOU4r6WnfR1qtJbNpOSQ/s1600/DSC01062.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRcY7Gby6zKWzF_eGp0Md2KCXzFVpwhygWbJPHPhmJqcUFag4O5U64Czd9rc6we7JGKjT4SaHKh4btCVt67TDtUBuLW3rOqGnqXxAJ7zX1PVkFgHD00MEQ_MEGOU4r6WnfR1qtJbNpOSQ/s320/DSC01062.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9xINuT3_5DWjaLoFheTHfcBVGbva70G4eBAVzCFHqDab-giptprjgYlEs1PfGZrFtMmffTS67N1DJ_DKWCKhyphenhyphenclVbb2X0MOxHwmeDOn2xKF-IPaVxEw3eIFP1SvCX19D7s5nxWvlGkq8/s1600/DSC01063.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9xINuT3_5DWjaLoFheTHfcBVGbva70G4eBAVzCFHqDab-giptprjgYlEs1PfGZrFtMmffTS67N1DJ_DKWCKhyphenhyphenclVbb2X0MOxHwmeDOn2xKF-IPaVxEw3eIFP1SvCX19D7s5nxWvlGkq8/s320/DSC01063.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh78uC3j5RvVZaL8IGsYo-02MAdI_BLU4nMB45WmFxyycTPAgj5Cuq4sE8nmxs1VUzsk9AoI1lg9ZaAhsqS7hL-JWBE_VYRCv-u98x95pgY2R8ItnXhpxpyX2DqPeDO4i2FbXixqsZ0hjQ/s1600/diamond_emerald_1_0.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh78uC3j5RvVZaL8IGsYo-02MAdI_BLU4nMB45WmFxyycTPAgj5Cuq4sE8nmxs1VUzsk9AoI1lg9ZaAhsqS7hL-JWBE_VYRCv-u98x95pgY2R8ItnXhpxpyX2DqPeDO4i2FbXixqsZ0hjQ/s1600/diamond_emerald_1_0.jpeg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.shaneco.com/default.aspx" target="_blank">Source</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
ENGAGEMENT RINGS!!!<br />
<br />
We are just starting to look, but it was so much fun. I absolutely fell in love with the very first ring I tried on. Everything else paled in comparison. Isn't it beautiful???<br />
<br />
We then ran to Dick's Sporting Goods, Bed Bath & Beyond, Trader Joe's and Target. I decided I was going to make Chicken Tikka Masala for dinner tonight. <br />
<br />
I marinated the chicken in a yogurt marinade with lots of spices<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCXnlyaBl2ynGN2MaNwjFIrpdPj_VQbGzUVe9ZjIJX8KFQzfqXbqvwIUSfxTEcL0i3F46RGNo_e_HxXaPI-Oy322vhA0jE697u0iT-QeDGK5-ihDSYw5lB4R9A7MqL_pbjptSi-f34eZc/s1600/DSC01065.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCXnlyaBl2ynGN2MaNwjFIrpdPj_VQbGzUVe9ZjIJX8KFQzfqXbqvwIUSfxTEcL0i3F46RGNo_e_HxXaPI-Oy322vhA0jE697u0iT-QeDGK5-ihDSYw5lB4R9A7MqL_pbjptSi-f34eZc/s320/DSC01065.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
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The chicken tikka masala was served over this jasmine rice I found at Trader Joe's. It came frozen in pouches and they only took 3 minutes in the microwave. I will definitely buy this again. It was good and so easy. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBimWYHZcd8MekZQ_UUWwX1rHhbjWYkf_YRkC_YUFoN81l3bzYfUvM7ALrUtm2GSW8A3M6hJgZbcoA2rzm_ib_ymtKk6RX5nKlKfd4MbR7Qr4JRY5RPRCHPZ8ZUhfUeJKJrlvBG3iB0Ik/s1600/DSC01067.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBimWYHZcd8MekZQ_UUWwX1rHhbjWYkf_YRkC_YUFoN81l3bzYfUvM7ALrUtm2GSW8A3M6hJgZbcoA2rzm_ib_ymtKk6RX5nKlKfd4MbR7Qr4JRY5RPRCHPZ8ZUhfUeJKJrlvBG3iB0Ik/s320/DSC01067.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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I served the meal with some garlic naan that we also found at Trader Joe's.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqpKdEcSqhYjPFgDOdoebdg9Fp34sxuE5xReqrkYdRB4Kx6M1MzxXy0w757B79DFvHnwq1b4uPw2_ErZlHphLFv7TqhN1nPEFKZVwqtjIsvNoO8QazM0ubnDm-0EO9XA53zns3sDy0Tq0/s1600/DSC01072.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqpKdEcSqhYjPFgDOdoebdg9Fp34sxuE5xReqrkYdRB4Kx6M1MzxXy0w757B79DFvHnwq1b4uPw2_ErZlHphLFv7TqhN1nPEFKZVwqtjIsvNoO8QazM0ubnDm-0EO9XA53zns3sDy0Tq0/s320/DSC01072.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Roasted curried cauliflower</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8sE7yPhmIHX_J2Gf60lXHx9SgbYYR7_oQ67nsTVzfnfGNerQUSrz_y6mwVh9ta6OScyVkR1gWu-4IrMuSGHVFbKv0PE18JBDbGeVOPhdaU5Y00zFi_hray7NcI5s57Zrr6hDpw-wzjck/s1600/DSC01074.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8sE7yPhmIHX_J2Gf60lXHx9SgbYYR7_oQ67nsTVzfnfGNerQUSrz_y6mwVh9ta6OScyVkR1gWu-4IrMuSGHVFbKv0PE18JBDbGeVOPhdaU5Y00zFi_hray7NcI5s57Zrr6hDpw-wzjck/s320/DSC01074.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Here is the final product. It could have used a little color (I forgot to add the cilantro on top as well), but it was really good. The tikka masala was really spicy, but we like spice so that was okay. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmjxyJXrIsWq3wPgtPGObOvIdZOdFDVgDuea-IOGMx_MOfS55bPuawiYifGcDMfKdh2ILLGVTfVjZ-wR0sL1THRXN3IPy-Z0OneZ8m1bY0uhDazZ6LfNOxUSGiYerJLbT311V1YRySDkM/s1600/DSC01076.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmjxyJXrIsWq3wPgtPGObOvIdZOdFDVgDuea-IOGMx_MOfS55bPuawiYifGcDMfKdh2ILLGVTfVjZ-wR0sL1THRXN3IPy-Z0OneZ8m1bY0uhDazZ6LfNOxUSGiYerJLbT311V1YRySDkM/s320/DSC01076.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://www.food.com/recipeprint.do?rid=25587" target="_blank">Recipe</a><br />
<br />
<h1 class="section-title" style="color: #333333; font-family: Serifa-Med; font-size: 18px; font-weight: normal; line-height: 1; margin-bottom: 0.381em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 3px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, helvetica, clean, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 22px;"><h2 style="color: #333333; font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 17px; font-weight: bold; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">
Chicken Tikka Masala</h2>
</span></h1>
<div>
<div class="section clrfix ingredients" style="clear: left; color: #333333; font-family: arial, helvetica, clean, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 22px; margin-bottom: 0.538em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; zoom: 1;">
<h2 class="section=title" style="color: #333333; float: none; font-family: Serifa-Med; font-size: 17px; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0.235em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, helvetica, clean, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><h2 style="color: #333333; font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 17px; font-weight: bold; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">
Ingredients</h2>
</span></h2>
<ul style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 0.308em; margin-left: 14px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><ul style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">
<li style="background-position: 0px 7px; float: none; font-size: 10px; font-weight: bold; font: normal normal normal 13px/18px Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 1.3; list-style-image: initial; list-style-position: initial; list-style-type: none; margin-bottom: 0.5em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 16px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span style="color: #333333; display: block; font-family: arial; font-size: 13px; font-weight: normal; margin-left: -0.308em; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial;">1 ½ lbs boneless skinless chicken, cut in 1 inch cubes</span></li>
</ul>
<h2 style="color: #333333; float: none; font-family: Serifa-Med; font-size: 14px; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0.235em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 7px;">
Marinade</h2>
<ul class="multi" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">
<li style="background-position: 0px 7px; float: none; font-size: 10px; font-weight: bold; font: normal normal normal 13px/18px Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 1.3; list-style-image: initial; list-style-position: initial; list-style-type: none; margin-bottom: 0.5em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 16px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span style="color: #333333; display: block; font-family: arial; font-size: 13px; font-weight: normal; margin-left: -0.308em; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial;">1 cup plain yogurt</span></li>
<li style="background-position: 0px 7px; float: none; font-size: 10px; font-weight: bold; font: normal normal normal 13px/18px Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 1.3; list-style-image: initial; list-style-position: initial; list-style-type: none; margin-bottom: 0.5em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 16px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span style="color: #333333; display: block; font-family: arial; font-size: 13px; font-weight: normal; margin-left: -0.308em; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial;">2 tablespoons lemon juice</span></li>
<li style="background-position: 0px 7px; float: none; font-size: 10px; font-weight: bold; font: normal normal normal 13px/18px Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 1.3; list-style-image: initial; list-style-position: initial; list-style-type: none; margin-bottom: 0.5em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 16px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span style="color: #333333; display: block; font-family: arial; font-size: 13px; font-weight: normal; margin-left: -0.308em; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial;">2 teaspoons ground cumin</span></li>
<li style="background-position: 0px 7px; float: none; font-size: 10px; font-weight: bold; font: normal normal normal 13px/18px Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 1.3; list-style-image: initial; list-style-position: initial; list-style-type: none; margin-bottom: 0.5em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 16px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span style="color: #333333; display: block; font-family: arial; font-size: 13px; font-weight: normal; margin-left: -0.308em; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial;">2 teaspoons ground red pepper</span></li>
<li style="background-position: 0px 7px; float: none; font-size: 10px; font-weight: bold; font: normal normal normal 13px/18px Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 1.3; list-style-image: initial; list-style-position: initial; list-style-type: none; margin-bottom: 0.5em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 16px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span style="color: #333333; display: block; font-family: arial; font-size: 13px; font-weight: normal; margin-left: -0.308em; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial;">2 teaspoons black pepper</span></li>
<li style="background-position: 0px 7px; float: none; font-size: 10px; font-weight: bold; font: normal normal normal 13px/18px Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 1.3; list-style-image: initial; list-style-position: initial; list-style-type: none; margin-bottom: 0.5em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 16px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span style="color: #333333; display: block; font-family: arial; font-size: 13px; font-weight: normal; margin-left: -0.308em; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial;">1 teaspoon cinnamon</span></li>
<li style="background-position: 0px 7px; float: none; font-size: 10px; font-weight: bold; font: normal normal normal 13px/18px Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 1.3; list-style-image: initial; list-style-position: initial; list-style-type: none; margin-bottom: 0.5em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 16px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span style="color: #333333; display: block; font-family: arial; font-size: 13px; font-weight: normal; margin-left: -0.308em; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial;">1 teaspoon salt</span></li>
<li style="background-position: 0px 7px; float: none; font-size: 10px; font-weight: bold; font: normal normal normal 13px/18px Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 1.3; list-style-image: initial; list-style-position: initial; list-style-type: none; margin-bottom: 0.5em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 16px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span style="color: #333333; display: block; font-family: arial; font-size: 13px; font-weight: normal; margin-left: -0.308em; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial;">1 piece minced ginger ( 1-inchinch" long)</span></li>
<li style="background-position: 0px 7px; float: none; font-size: 10px; font-weight: bold; font: normal normal normal 13px/18px Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 1.3; list-style-image: initial; list-style-position: initial; list-style-type: none; margin-bottom: 0.5em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 16px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span style="color: #333333; display: block; font-family: arial; font-size: 13px; font-weight: normal; margin-left: -0.308em; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial;">6 bamboo skewers ( 6-inchinch")</span></li>
</ul>
<h2 style="color: #333333; float: none; font-family: Serifa-Med; font-size: 14px; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0.235em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 7px;">
Sauce</h2>
<ul class="multi" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">
<li style="background-position: 0px 7px; float: none; font-size: 10px; font-weight: bold; font: normal normal normal 13px/18px Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 1.3; list-style-image: initial; list-style-position: initial; list-style-type: none; margin-bottom: 0.5em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 16px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span style="color: #333333; display: block; font-family: arial; font-size: 13px; font-weight: normal; margin-left: -0.308em; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial;">1 tablespoon unsalted butter</span></li>
<li style="background-position: 0px 7px; float: none; font-size: 10px; font-weight: bold; font: normal normal normal 13px/18px Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 1.3; list-style-image: initial; list-style-position: initial; list-style-type: none; margin-bottom: 0.5em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 16px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span style="color: #333333; display: block; font-family: arial; font-size: 13px; font-weight: normal; margin-left: -0.308em; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial;">2 garlic cloves, minced</span></li>
<li style="background-position: 0px 7px; float: none; font-size: 10px; font-weight: bold; font: normal normal normal 13px/18px Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 1.3; list-style-image: initial; list-style-position: initial; list-style-type: none; margin-bottom: 0.5em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 16px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span style="color: #333333; display: block; font-family: arial; font-size: 13px; font-weight: normal; margin-left: -0.308em; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial;">1 jalapenos, minced</span></li>
<li style="background-position: 0px 7px; float: none; font-size: 10px; font-weight: bold; font: normal normal normal 13px/18px Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 1.3; list-style-image: initial; list-style-position: initial; list-style-type: none; margin-bottom: 0.5em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 16px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span style="color: #333333; display: block; font-family: arial; font-size: 13px; font-weight: normal; margin-left: -0.308em; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial;">2 teaspoons ground coriander</span></li>
<li style="background-position: 0px 7px; float: none; font-size: 10px; font-weight: bold; font: normal normal normal 13px/18px Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 1.3; list-style-image: initial; list-style-position: initial; list-style-type: none; margin-bottom: 0.5em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 16px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span style="color: #333333; display: block; font-family: arial; font-size: 13px; font-weight: normal; margin-left: -0.308em; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial;">1 teaspoon ground cumin</span></li>
<li style="background-position: 0px 7px; float: none; font-size: 10px; font-weight: bold; font: normal normal normal 13px/18px Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 1.3; list-style-image: initial; list-style-position: initial; list-style-type: none; margin-bottom: 0.5em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 16px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span style="color: #333333; display: block; font-family: arial; font-size: 13px; font-weight: normal; margin-left: -0.308em; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial;">1 teaspoon paprika</span></li>
<li style="background-position: 0px 7px; float: none; font-size: 10px; font-weight: bold; font: normal normal normal 13px/18px Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 1.3; list-style-image: initial; list-style-position: initial; list-style-type: none; margin-bottom: 0.5em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 16px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span style="color: #333333; display: block; font-family: arial; font-size: 13px; font-weight: normal; margin-left: -0.308em; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial;">1 teaspoon garam masala ( buy in Indian market)</span></li>
<li style="background-position: 0px 7px; float: none; font-size: 10px; font-weight: bold; font: normal normal normal 13px/18px Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 1.3; list-style-image: initial; list-style-position: initial; list-style-type: none; margin-bottom: 0.5em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 16px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span style="color: #333333; display: block; font-family: arial; font-size: 13px; font-weight: normal; margin-left: -0.308em; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial;">½ teaspoon salt</span></li>
<li style="background-position: 0px 7px; float: none; font-size: 10px; font-weight: bold; font: normal normal normal 13px/18px Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 1.3; list-style-image: initial; list-style-position: initial; list-style-type: none; margin-bottom: 0.5em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 16px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span style="color: #333333; display: block; font-family: arial; font-size: 13px; font-weight: normal; margin-left: -0.308em; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial;">1 (8 ounce) cans tomato sauce</span></li>
<li style="background-position: 0px 7px; float: none; font-size: 10px; font-weight: bold; font: normal normal normal 13px/18px Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 1.3; list-style-image: initial; list-style-position: initial; list-style-type: none; margin-bottom: 0.5em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 16px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span style="color: #333333; display: block; font-family: arial; font-size: 13px; font-weight: normal; margin-left: -0.308em; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial;">1 cup whipping cream</span></li>
<li style="background-position: 0px 7px; float: none; font-size: 10px; font-weight: bold; font: normal normal normal 13px/18px Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 1.3; list-style-image: initial; list-style-position: initial; list-style-type: none; margin-bottom: 0.5em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 16px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span style="color: #333333; display: block; font-family: arial; font-size: 13px; font-weight: normal; margin-left: -0.308em; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial;">¼ cup chopped fresh cilantro</span></li>
</ul>
</ul>
</div>
<div class="section clrfix directions" style="clear: left; color: #333333; float: none; font-family: arial, helvetica, clean, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 22px; margin-bottom: 1.231em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; zoom: 1;">
<h2 style="color: #333333; float: none; font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 17px; font-weight: bold; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">
Directions</h2>
<ol style="clear: none; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 22px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 14px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; width: auto;">
<li style="float: none; font-size: 14px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 1.31; list-style-image: initial; list-style-position: initial; list-style-type: decimal; margin-bottom: 0.571em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; width: auto;"><span style="color: #333333; display: block; font-family: arial; font-size: 13px; font-weight: normal; margin-left: -0.308em; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial;">Soak bamboo skewers in water.</span></li>
<li style="float: none; font-size: 14px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 1.31; list-style-image: initial; list-style-position: initial; list-style-type: decimal; margin-bottom: 0.571em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; width: auto;"><span style="color: #333333; display: block; font-family: arial; font-size: 13px; font-weight: normal; margin-left: -0.308em; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial;">Thread chicken on skewers, and marinate (in the refrigerator) for an hour or so.</span><span style="color: #333333; display: block; font-family: arial; font-size: 13px; font-weight: normal; margin-left: -0.308em; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, helvetica, clean, sans-serif; line-height: 22px;"></span></span></li>
<li style="float: none; font-size: 14px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 1.31; list-style-image: initial; list-style-position: initial; list-style-type: decimal; margin-bottom: 0.571em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; width: auto;"><span style="color: #333333; display: block; font-family: arial; font-size: 13px; font-weight: normal; margin-left: -0.308em; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial;">Discard marinade.</span></li>
<li style="float: none; font-size: 14px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 1.31; list-style-image: initial; list-style-position: initial; list-style-type: decimal; margin-bottom: 0.571em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; width: auto;"><span style="color: #333333; display: block; font-family: arial; font-size: 13px; font-weight: normal; margin-left: -0.308em; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial;">For sauce, melt butter on medium heat.</span></li>
<li style="float: none; font-size: 14px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 1.31; list-style-image: initial; list-style-position: initial; list-style-type: decimal; margin-bottom: 0.571em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; width: auto;"><span style="color: #333333; display: block; font-family: arial; font-size: 13px; font-weight: normal; margin-left: -0.308em; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial;">Add garlic & jalapeno; cook 1 minute.</span></li>
<li style="float: none; font-size: 14px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 1.31; list-style-image: initial; list-style-position: initial; list-style-type: decimal; margin-bottom: 0.571em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; width: auto;"><span style="color: #333333; display: block; font-family: arial; font-size: 13px; font-weight: normal; margin-left: -0.308em; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial;">Stir in coriander, cumin, paprika, garam masala & salt.</span></li>
<li style="float: none; font-size: 14px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 1.31; list-style-image: initial; list-style-position: initial; list-style-type: decimal; margin-bottom: 0.571em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; width: auto;"><span style="color: #333333; display: block; font-family: arial; font-size: 13px; font-weight: normal; margin-left: -0.308em; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial;">Stir in tomato sauce.</span></li>
<li style="float: none; font-size: 14px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 1.31; list-style-image: initial; list-style-position: initial; list-style-type: decimal; margin-bottom: 0.571em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; width: auto;"><span style="color: #333333; display: block; font-family: arial; font-size: 13px; font-weight: normal; margin-left: -0.308em; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial;">Simmer 15 minutes.</span></li>
<li style="float: none; font-size: 14px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 1.31; list-style-image: initial; list-style-position: initial; list-style-type: decimal; margin-bottom: 0.571em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; width: auto;"><span style="color: #333333; display: block; font-family: arial; font-size: 13px; font-weight: normal; margin-left: -0.308em; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial;">Stir in cream; simmer to thicken- about 5 minutes.</span></li>
<li style="float: none; font-size: 14px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 1.31; list-style-image: initial; list-style-position: initial; list-style-type: decimal; margin-bottom: 0.571em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; width: auto;"><span style="color: #333333; display: block; font-family: arial; font-size: 13px; font-weight: normal; margin-left: -0.308em; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial;">Grill or broil chicken, turning occasionally, to cook through- about 8 minutes.</span></li>
<li style="float: none; font-size: 14px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 1.31; list-style-image: initial; list-style-position: initial; list-style-type: decimal; margin-bottom: 0.571em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; width: auto;"><span style="color: #333333; display: block; font-family: arial; font-size: 13px; font-weight: normal; margin-left: -0.308em; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial;">Remove chicken from skewers; add to sauce.</span></li>
<li style="float: none; font-size: 14px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 1.31; list-style-image: initial; list-style-position: initial; list-style-type: decimal; margin-bottom: 0.571em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; width: auto;"><span style="color: #333333; display: block; font-family: arial; font-size: 13px; font-weight: normal; margin-left: -0.308em; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial;">Simmer 5 minutes.</span></li>
<li style="float: none; font-size: 14px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 1.31; list-style-image: initial; list-style-position: initial; list-style-type: decimal; margin-bottom: 0.571em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; width: auto;"><span style="color: #333333; display: block; font-family: arial; font-size: 13px; font-weight: normal; margin-left: -0.308em; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial;">Garnish with cilantro Serve with basmati rice, naan or pita bread.</span></li>
</ol>
</div>
</div>Stephenyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08362997398387131256noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8729214543635631834.post-63842962379894968992012-03-23T21:45:00.000-05:002012-03-23T21:45:27.474-05:0032 Before 32My biggest goal right now is to lose 115 pounds before my 30th birthday. 18.2 down, 96.8 to go and a year and a half to do it. Piece of cake, right?<br />
<br />
Tonight, while running on the treadmill, my mind began to wander. 115 pounds gone is a huge accomplishment, but there are so many more things I want to accomplish. So, I've created...<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<u><b>My 32 Before 32 List</b></u></div>
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<u><b><br /></b></u></div>
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1. Reach goal weight and maintain it.<br />2. Run another half marathon<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhz1jM1UyAo4CfQbyw9M_9Qs551FO8XFA0QjPwTgMXDIGU7LHx7nZLsHVONEGbHag5yOmMvgLd4U1Jm4CQwegj6lpR9o88GnCfMLC43EwtZPWxei9rENZ9iRV6etEQbssT_mNJl3xVJyts/s1600/grandmas3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhz1jM1UyAo4CfQbyw9M_9Qs551FO8XFA0QjPwTgMXDIGU7LHx7nZLsHVONEGbHag5yOmMvgLd4U1Jm4CQwegj6lpR9o88GnCfMLC43EwtZPWxei9rENZ9iRV6etEQbssT_mNJl3xVJyts/s1600/grandmas3.jpg" /></a></div>
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3. Run a full marathon</div>
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4. Complete an indoor and outdoor mini-triathlon<br /></div>
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5. Attend a blogger conference/retreat</div>
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6. Get married (hint, HINT)</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyEr3_6O5sw-vTgFd_KBFH-Yinaggddn5PznXL-sneZDgDprZqWKNNcAYF-ROK_5N5XPtAUdKfr2u4slJtKqWuk_C0-5eu13UAwWQIgp-qgL5pjGqagKXt0wy0vCiNl4yrGm7FcAzgHOE/s1600/DSC00350.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyEr3_6O5sw-vTgFd_KBFH-Yinaggddn5PznXL-sneZDgDprZqWKNNcAYF-ROK_5N5XPtAUdKfr2u4slJtKqWuk_C0-5eu13UAwWQIgp-qgL5pjGqagKXt0wy0vCiNl4yrGm7FcAzgHOE/s320/DSC00350.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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7. Finish my master's degree<br />8. Start working on my doctorate<br />9. Buy a house<br />10. Go to Europe<br /></div>
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11. Get a dog</div>
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12. Play and sing at an open mic night<br />13. Wear a bikini... in public... without scaring small children<br />14. Run outside in a tank top and shorts... and look good doing it<br />15. "Re-learn" Spanish and be fluent again<br />16. Take dance lessons with Jake<br />17. Go indoor rock climbing<br />18. Go horseback riding<br /></div>
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19. Buy and wear 4" heels</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.christian--louboutin.com/images/201012/goods_img/1148_P_1293524201471.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="252" src="http://www.christian--louboutin.com/images/201012/goods_img/1148_P_1293524201471.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.christian--louboutin.com/images/201012/goods_img/1148_P_1293524201471.jpg" target="_blank">Source</a></td></tr>
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20. Buy a DSLR camera<br />21. Knit a hat or socks (or just something other than a scarf or a dishcloth)<br />22. Work at a job that I love</div>
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23. Pay off my credit cards<br />24. Learn more about freelance writing<br /></div>
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25. Spend a long weekend in Vegas</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.leontravelclub.com/wp-content/photobox/las-vegas-city-4.jpg" target="_blank">Source</a></td></tr>
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26. Travel solo (sorry honey, I love you and our vacations but this is the "only child" in me!)<br />27. Water ski (... again)<br />28. Learn how to play golf (... again)<br />29. Start a monthly group with friends/couples (e.g., Euchre, wine tasting, etc)<br /></div>
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30. Become an early riser (all the time)</div>
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31. Improve my self-confidence and self-esteem (a bit vague, but I'll know when I'm there)<br />32. Create a website (hopefully from this blog!)<br /><div>
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Wow... I have a lot to do! Suddenly, 32 seems right around the corner! I guess this turned into a bucket list... </div>
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<b><i>What's on your bucket list? </i></b></div>
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</div>Stephenyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08362997398387131256noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8729214543635631834.post-90033045301635845312012-03-17T08:41:00.000-05:002012-03-17T11:53:06.740-05:00Florida PicturesI keep forgetting to post these! My mom and I took a nice vacation to <a href="http://growingupandslimmingdown.blogspot.com/2012/02/smarco-island-here-we-come.html" target="_blank">Marco Island</a> from March 1st - 5th. We take a mother/daughter trip every spring, and this was one of my favorites. Here are some pictures from our trip!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Morning walk on the beach <br />
(picture no. 34908234 of my feet)</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmDRNetACsEr2lWzC8F5uUCy7G7Bocc2qZigtwzVtXQ855JxiQQeIPBWtW5-tGCkoGRe_J4oFnrKNhCZ9wsd-yozJ60PE-K8az14qKqdfqj6hmCZdIphbNaEhDQZA61L3PUGLlaG1hM4k/s1600/DSC00963.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmDRNetACsEr2lWzC8F5uUCy7G7Bocc2qZigtwzVtXQ855JxiQQeIPBWtW5-tGCkoGRe_J4oFnrKNhCZ9wsd-yozJ60PE-K8az14qKqdfqj6hmCZdIphbNaEhDQZA61L3PUGLlaG1hM4k/s320/DSC00963.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I love getting up early on vacation!<br />
Walking the beach at 6:34 a.m.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">You know those times when you think you look good until<br />
you see the picture? Yeah, this was one of those times. <br />
I look like a fly. The glasses have to go. </td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Love these sandals. I was admiring my new pedicure as well<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> </span></td></tr>
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And that's all!<br />
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Enjoy your Saturday!<br />
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<br />Stephenyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08362997398387131256noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8729214543635631834.post-61768806840819594822012-03-16T21:58:00.001-05:002012-03-16T21:58:42.100-05:00A for Effort...... or is it "E for Effort"? I can never remember. <br />
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First things first though... I'm down 2 more pounds! I weighed in today at 239.6. Peace out 240's! This makes a grand total of 19.8 pounds lost. Ok, I have to admit, I would've liked to have lost 0.2 pounds to say I've lost an even 20, but I guess that's what next week is for. <br />
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I had a great afternoon shopping with my girlfriend, then came home and made a healthy and filling dinner. How good does this salad look???<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Romaine, Feta, Strawberries topped with <br />Trader Joe's Raspberry Vinaigrette. </td></tr>
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I also had salmon and whole wheat pasta but I was too hungry to take a picture of it first. So, just envision that picture [here]. </div>
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After dinner, I was lounging around, avoiding housework at all costs. I swore I was going to clean my apartment tonight, but I HATE CLEANING.</div>
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This is what happens when you stop eating fast food for every meal and you don't have a dishwasher...</div>
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This is what happens when... I don't know... this is just what happened...<br />
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<i>Yes, that's my suitcase from Florida.</i></div>
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<i>No, it's not unpacked.</i></div>
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<i>Yes, I've been home for 11 days. </i></div>
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<i>Don't judge me.</i> </div>
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Not only was I avoiding cleaning because I despise it so much, but I really wanted to go to the gym. Yes, I said it. I really wanted to go to the gym. So I exchanged the following texts with Jake:</div>
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<i>Me: Baby, help me decide... should I go to the gym or clean my apt?</i></div>
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<i>Jake: That's a tough call... I could help you clean tomorrow and or Sunday if that helps. </i></div>
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How sweet is that? I truly am so grateful for the support I have. He knows how hard I have been working and is always willing to help any way he can. I love you honey! </div>
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Okay, enough mush and gush... </div>
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So, it was decided. I was going to the gym. It was already about 7:45 p.m. but I knew the gym was open until 10:00 so I figured I'd have more than enough time. So, I packed my bag and headed out. I was about 12 blocks away from home when I realized I didn't have my tennis shoes. Seriously?!?! I was not going to workout in my Crocs (yes, I rock a pair of Crocs). So, I made a very illegal U-turn and headed back home. Ran upstairs, got my shoes, ran back down, and I'm off... again. By now it's 8:10 but that's okay - still more than enough time to get a good workout in. </div>
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I got to the gym at 8:30, headed in and noticed a sign on the door. Fridays, open until 9:00 p.m. SERIOUSLY?!?!?!? I went through all of this to only have a half hour to workout? I had planned on doing 30 minutes on the elliptical, 30 minutes on the bike, and 30 minutes of lifting. Well, that wasn't going to work! But, I was already there so I dropped my stuff off in the locker room as quick as I could and hopped on an elliptical. In total, I only ended up spending 22 minutes on the thing. I guess 22 minutes is better than nothing? </div>
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Now I'm home and getting ready to push up my sleeves and tackle Mt. Dirty Dish in the land of My Little Kitchen. </div>
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Have a good night and a great weekend! </div>
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<br /></div>Stephenyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08362997398387131256noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8729214543635631834.post-84241033330619882892012-03-15T19:56:00.000-05:002012-03-15T19:56:59.121-05:00Back on TrackTuesday was tough, but I picked myself up, dusted myself off, and got right back on track. One thing I've learned from many many MANY attempts at slimming down is that one bad day can be just that. One bad day. Too often, I let them become bad weeks, months, and even years. Not this time. So, on Wednesday, I ate a healthy lunch...<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj63PbfWIvGO5MmDfIqx2ktytmURprkyh7u5d_80YZfjEODZYAWgySad_c25RzFl-qHmt5EC6RLKV1OCSsfsiJU7eNCD30Q0OX2hBiz_6oPQZ68PC66mHpcWKD4MyjRl-XDbxkW4w6GJ3I/s1600/DSC01020.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj63PbfWIvGO5MmDfIqx2ktytmURprkyh7u5d_80YZfjEODZYAWgySad_c25RzFl-qHmt5EC6RLKV1OCSsfsiJU7eNCD30Q0OX2hBiz_6oPQZ68PC66mHpcWKD4MyjRl-XDbxkW4w6GJ3I/s320/DSC01020.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Italian Turkey Meatballs with Whole Wheat Pasta<br />Recipe can be found at <a href="http://www.skinnytaste.com/2008/12/skinny-italian-meatballs-turkey-1-pt.html" target="_blank">Skinny Taste</a><br /></td></tr>
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...I went to the gym... <div>
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... and I didn't go here (which is located next door to my gym).</div>
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Also, I had a good reminder today of why I'm doing this. I found out that the weight loss plan that I'm following is reimbursable from my health insurance if I have a letter of medical necessity from my physician. So, I filled out most of the form and faxed it off for my physician's signature. Here is my returned form... </div>
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I wrote "Obesity", she added "morbid". She also wrote, "Patient is morbidly obese and at great risk of comorbid conditions". How scary is that? When I think of someone who is morbidly obese or at "great risk", I think of the people that you see on TV... 600 pounds and bedridden. I run, I lift weights, I don't take the elevators. Yet, I am obese and at risk. This hit home. </div>
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I am proud to say I am no longer considered "morbidly obese" (my current BMI is 37.6 - she was taking information from a former visit). Either way, when I read what she wrote, I realized if I don't do something about my weight now, there will be consequences. Although this makes me sad, it actually motivates me. Someday, I won't need a letter of medical necessity for a weight loss program. Someday, I won't be morbidly obese or even obese. Someday, I won't be at great risk of any conditions due to my weight. </div>
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I'm back on track. </div>
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<br /></div>Stephenyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08362997398387131256noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8729214543635631834.post-40082281846120697382012-03-14T11:22:00.001-05:002012-03-14T14:34:34.155-05:00Tuesdays Suck...I did it again. What is wrong with me??? Yesterday morning, the scale read 239. I was really excited - that's definitely down and it's always fun to be in a new weight "decade". I did well all day and came home planning on having a healthy, yet satisfying, dinner. <br />
<br />
I made a sandwich... then a salad... then another salad... then a No Pudge brownie... then I finished up the last 3 cinnamon twists... then crackers, turkey pepperoni, and laughing cow cheese... then a Weight Watchers ice cream bar... then a single serving bag of popcorn... then ANOTHER single serving bag of popcorn... then pumpkin pie in a mug (which was disgusting and I threw most away). <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.diseaseproof.com/uploads/image/DP%20-%20the%20anatomy%20of%20a%20binge.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img aea="true" border="0" height="179" src="http://www.diseaseproof.com/uploads/image/DP%20-%20the%20anatomy%20of%20a%20binge.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Not quite this bad, but not far off either! </td></tr>
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<br />
What the hell is the matter with me??? I got on the scale this morning and it was up to 239.5. I'm heading to the gym after work for an hour of Zumba and 30 minutes of lifting. I'll get a good run in tomorrow too. Because I mostly binged on "diet food", I don't know that this was quite as bad as last Tuesday. Hopefully, I can burn this off between tonight and tomorrow so I can still see a loss at my Friday weigh in. <br />
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As I've said before, I know this is a process and old habits die hard, but seriously... this is just frustrating sometimes. I'd like to figure out what starts these binges so maybe I can predict them (and prevent them) a little better. Even if I can't prevent them, I'd like to figure out a few ways to stop them once I realize they've started. <br />
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BUT... it's okay. I'm back on track today. Pick myself up, dust myself off, and continue on. There's no doubt in my mind I can still do this.Stephenyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08362997398387131256noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8729214543635631834.post-84985792347468772952012-03-12T16:57:00.000-05:002012-03-12T16:57:00.439-05:00A-Z About Me<br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span"><span style="font-family: inherit;">I found this on </span><a href="http://mealsandmovesblog.com/a-to-z-survey-template/" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Meals & Move</span></a><span style="font-family: inherit;"> and thought I would share. Feel free to copy and paste to do your own survey! </span></span></div>
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<strong>A is for age: </strong><span style="color: black; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">28 (and a half on Wednesday)</span></div>
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<strong>B is for breakfast today: </strong><span style="color: black; font-family: Times;">Turkey bacon, egg, and cheese cups. I made a pan on Saturday night so I'd have a quick grab and go breakfast all week. They were good and easy to make:</span><span style="color: black;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: Times;"><strong>Ingredients:</strong></span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: Times;">12 slices Turkey Bacon</span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: Times;">3 cups Egg Beaters (I used the Garden Vegetable kind)</span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: Times;">12 Tbsp Shredded Cheese (I used WW Mexican Cheese, but anything would work)</span><span style="color: black;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: Times;"><strong>Directions:</strong></span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: Times;">Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Spray a muffin pan with nonstick spray. Wrap a slice of turkey bacon around the sides of each muffin cup. Pour 1/4 cup Egg Beaters into each muffin cup. Bake for 20 minutes. Top each muffin cup with 1 Tbsp of cheese and bake for another 5 minutes. </span><br />
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<strong>C is for currently craving: </strong><span style="color: black; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">What am I not craving??? It's taken a lot of restraint to not go on a crazy fast food freak-out lately. Birthday cake (a corner piece) is also sounding delicious right now. I have issues. </span><br />
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<strong>D is for dinner tonight: </strong><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="color: black;">Leftovers from </span><a href="http://www.haute-dish.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: black;">Haute Dish</span></a><span style="color: black;">. Mom and Dad <span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">took</span> Jake and I there on Saturday night. Oh.For.Yum. </span></span></div>
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<strong>E is for favorite type of exercise: </strong><span style="color: black; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I think my favorite type would be the one where you're not intending to get exercise, but it just happens instead. Like a walk around the lake with a girlfriend to catch up. Or kayaking with Jake on Rainy Lake. Currently, I'm starting to run and lift again though. They're not my favorite, but the more I do them, the better I get, and the more I like them. </span></div>
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<strong>F is for an irrational fear: </strong><span style="color: black; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Ha ha! Where do I start??? I guess bats (the animal) and fire are my two biggest fears. Both stories are too long to tell here, but I'll share them someday. My mother says the older I get, the more of a worrier I become. I was convinced that our plane to and from Florida was going to crash, I was afraid we were going to fly out of the airboat and get eaten by an alligator, I'm usually afraid bridges are going to fall when I'm on them. Like I said, I have issues. </span></div>
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<strong>G is for gross food: </strong><span style="color: black; font-family: Times;">Not a huge fan of beets or cooked carrots, however I'll eat both. Really, I am not a picky eater. </span></div>
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<strong>H is for hometown: </strong><span style="color: black; font-family: Times;">Hmm... I guess I consider Maple Grove, MN my home town. That being said, I was born in Littlefork, MN and have lived in: </span></div>
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<li><span style="color: black; font-family: Times;">Crystal, MN</span></li>
<li><span style="color: black; font-family: Times;">Rockford, MN</span></li>
<li><span style="color: black; font-family: Times;">Monticello, MN</span></li>
<li><span style="color: black; font-family: Times;">Chicago, IL</span></li>
<li><span style="color: black; font-family: Times;">Maple Grove, MN</span></li>
<li><span style="color: black; font-family: Times;">St. Joseph, MN</span></li>
<li><span style="color: black; font-family: Times;">Norfolk, NE</span></li>
<li><span style="color: black; font-family: Times;">Waite Park, MN</span></li>
<li><span style="color: black; font-family: Times;">Plymouth, MN</span></li>
<li><span style="color: black; font-family: Times;">Minneapolis, MN</span></li>
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<strong>I is for something important: </strong><span style="color: black; font-family: Times;">I'm going to go with happiness and acceptance. I've spent a lot of my life wishing it was different from how it currently is. I'm working very hard to be happy and accept life exactly how it is today. There are things I want to change and I have lots of great plans for the future, but today I'm okay with how today is. </span><br />
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Times;">And I wouldn't feel right without mentioning my boyfriend Jake. He really is the best and he is more important to me than I could ever explain. </span><br />
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Times;">AND my beautiful friends and my wonderful family. What would I do without them??</span><br />
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<strong>J is for current favorite jam: </strong><span style="color: black; font-family: Times;">For Christmas, I made orange marmalade for my dad. I canned it and everything. I never thought I liked it before, but it was really good. </span><br />
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Times;">Now, I'm realizing this might actually mean favorite music. In that case, I have always loved Eminem. I love running to rap music so that is currently my favorite "jam". </span><br />
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Times;">Orange Marmalade and Eminem - that's a good combo!</span><br />
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<strong>K is for kids: </strong><span style="color: black; font-family: Times;">I have 2 furry kids, my cats Isabella Grace and Gabriella Rose. Other than that, I get my kid fix from my 2 best girlfriends, Lacey and Nikki. Lacey's son Austin is too cute and Nikki's daughter Ava is the most precious baby ever! I would love to have my own kids someday, but I think I'm going to have to wait a little bit longer. </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2FIld0KJGjG8imVQiTVvn0K8lKk5UqRGMsaCIfl2gL_YQ1iXkvrwib7lYqt1To66Mejf2fbRXmBzc2hWzI7icSQ74cmxknW5rwQSSeyT_euigzLsE94MINNL16LV1rgO4CvW7L8HtPEA/s1600/DSC00008.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2FIld0KJGjG8imVQiTVvn0K8lKk5UqRGMsaCIfl2gL_YQ1iXkvrwib7lYqt1To66Mejf2fbRXmBzc2hWzI7icSQ74cmxknW5rwQSSeyT_euigzLsE94MINNL16LV1rgO4CvW7L8HtPEA/s320/DSC00008.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Isabella ("Bella")</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglyl95vd6dVXD0DG_a1eWgHufsV8g6hRUL8Xg4nd_xs_Hf1AYzZSnretBccQ3_CmLqrFay0o3hyphenhyphenFio6QwCziPDFLUL9Ml3_yUpusFWp_yaxc4wKblG1ALotQBngUUDGp6aVwc0csAeYxY/s1600/DSC00007.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglyl95vd6dVXD0DG_a1eWgHufsV8g6hRUL8Xg4nd_xs_Hf1AYzZSnretBccQ3_CmLqrFay0o3hyphenhyphenFio6QwCziPDFLUL9Ml3_yUpusFWp_yaxc4wKblG1ALotQBngUUDGp6aVwc0csAeYxY/s320/DSC00007.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Gabriella ("Gabby")</td></tr>
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<strong>L is for current location: </strong><span style="color: black; font-family: Times;">At the current moment, sitting at my desk at work. Good thing my boss doesn't read my blog. </span><br />
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<strong>M is for the most recent way you spent money: </strong><span style="color: black; font-family: Times;">At the grocery store. I never used to grocery shop and I hated it. Most of my meals came from the hospital cafeteria (where I work), fast food, take out, or delivery. Now, I rarely eat food from any of those places and instead enjoy making and eating my own food. I spend a lot more at the grocery store, but save so much from not eating out all the time. </span><br />
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<strong>N is for something you need: </strong><span style="color: black; font-family: Times;">Better time management skills. I've gotten better, but have a hard time making myself do the things I need to do before the things I want to do (e.g., working instead of blogging). </span><br />
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<strong>O is for occupation: </strong><span style="color: black; font-family: Times;">Residency Coordinator by day. Graduate student by night. Feeling a little tired of both right now, but that's life!</span><br />
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<strong>P is for pet peeve: </strong><span style="color: black; font-family: Times;">Bad drivers. Good lord, there are a lot of you out there. Please get out of my way. Thanks. </span><br />
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<strong>Q is for a quote: </strong><span style="color: black; font-family: Times;">One of my favorite quotes has always been "Life is what happens while you're busy making other plans" (from John Lennon). I think this goes along with letter "I" for me as well. </span><br />
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<strong>R is for random fact about you: </strong><span style="color: black; font-family: Times;">I have four tattoos. </span><br />
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<strong>S is for favorite healthy snack: </strong><span style="color: black; font-family: Times;">French Onion Laughing Cow Cheese and celery sticks. Peanut Butter Cheerios with a Tbsp of chocolate chips. An apple and string cheese. </span></div>
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<strong>T is for favorite treat: </strong><span style="color: black; font-family: Times;">Dipping graham crackers into peanut butter and jelly mixed together in a bowl. I have a hard time with portion control on this one, so I haven't done it in a while. </span></div>
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<strong>U is for something that makes you unique: </strong><span style="color: black; font-family: Times;">My name - I've never met another person with their name spelled like mine (I was named after my dad, Stephen), I have two middle names (Kay Ann), and my last name is Spanish because my great grandpa is from Mexico. </span></div>
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<strong>V is for favorite vegetable: </strong><span style="color: black; font-family: Times;">Hmm... I want to say cherry tomatoes but that's technically a fruit. Red potatoes? Brocolli? I like them all, I don't want to pick. </span><br />
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<strong>W is for today’s workout: </strong><span style="color: black; font-family: Times;">I've got my gym bag packed and am hoping class doesn't go too late tonight so I can hit the gym after. If I do, I'll spend 30 minutes on the elliptical and 30 minutes lifting. </span><br />
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<strong>X is for X-rays you’ve had: </strong><span style="color: black; font-family: Times;">Hmm...definitely of my feet and ankles (I've had a couple stress fractures - old running injuries and a broke a couple toes in high school). Maybe one of my wrist (it makes this weird popping clicking noise all the time and I think they x-rayed it). I swear I've had more, but I can't remember what else. </span><br />
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<strong>Y is for yesterday’s highlight: </strong><span style="color: black; font-family: Times;">Going to the <a href="http://twincitiesautoshow.com/" target="_blank">Twin Cities Auto Show</a> with Jake. We both like cars (well, he loves cars) so it's always fun to go. I, of course, sat in the Land Rover for 5 minutes. That is SO my dream car. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzYbXRUzArbRO-vCEsdMU20e24_pKHBHBv6f9S_EfzZ9-cKLTVdNo-0LVzJWBMDEVPecaAbmXEz0WtrRcSBmhlFsx2w0SpWXp_mlvqpOlw_fwfVHZvEWDSxJrKXGydEaYPcZSTYDQ09Xs/s1600/04-All_PV_L319_10MY_EXT_seaview_palm_trees_front3qtr-850x425.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="100" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzYbXRUzArbRO-vCEsdMU20e24_pKHBHBv6f9S_EfzZ9-cKLTVdNo-0LVzJWBMDEVPecaAbmXEz0WtrRcSBmhlFsx2w0SpWXp_mlvqpOlw_fwfVHZvEWDSxJrKXGydEaYPcZSTYDQ09Xs/s200/04-All_PV_L319_10MY_EXT_seaview_palm_trees_front3qtr-850x425.jpg" width="200" yda="true" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Times;">I also fell in love with a Jeep Wrangler Sahara Edition, but Jake said it "isn't me". Whatever. I thought it was cool. I am going to be in the market for a new car sooner than later, and realistically I liked the new Jeep Liberty. </span><br />
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<strong>Z is for your time zone: </strong><span style="color: black; font-family: Times;">Central Standard Time!! (</span><span style="color: black; font-family: Times;">When I say this in my head, I sound like a rap MC - ha ha!)</span></div>Stephenyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08362997398387131256noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8729214543635631834.post-20037264683819603532012-03-11T11:03:00.001-05:002012-03-11T11:03:27.155-05:00Diary of a Binge<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i>This is not an easy post for me, but definitely something I want to share... </i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Last Tuesday started like any other day. I had just gotten back from Florida on Monday night so there wasn’t much for groceries in my house. I woke up pretty early so I had time to run to Caribou Coffee for breakfast before work. Not sure what happened from there, but the day went something like this…</span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">8:00 a.m. Caribou Coffee</span></u></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Large Fat Free Sugar Free Vanilla Latte</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">DayBreak Egg White Turkey Bacon Sandwich</span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">8:50 a.m. Hospital Cafeteria</span></u></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">2 pieces of French Toast</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">2 Sausage Patties</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">2 ounces of syrup</span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">9:30 a.m. Office</span></u></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Chocolate Covered Graham Cracker</span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">2:00 p.m. Office</span></u></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Healthy Choice Pasta Steamer</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Lindt Truffle</span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">2:30 p.m. Office</span></u></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Lindt Truffle</span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">5:30 p.m. Taco Bell</span></u></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">2 Volcano Tacos</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">2 Cheesy Gordita Crunches</span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">6:00 – 8:00 p.m. Home</span></u></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">10 Savannah Smiles Girl Scout Cookies dipped in Fat Free Cool Whip</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">15 Wheat Thins with 2 Wedges of Laughing Cow Cheese</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Peanut Butter Cheerios/Chocolate Chips/Honey Roasted Peanuts (LOTS of each)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I was so disgusted with myself. I do not take the word “binge” lightly, but I know there are times when I struggle with binge eating. I do this alone behind closed doors, so I think it’s empowering to put it out there and say, “Hey, I ate WAY too much on Tuesday”. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Luckily, I treated Wednesday as a brand new day and only let this be one bad day. I have to remind myself that I did not get to 260 pounds with normal eating habits. The way I eat really has changed immensely over the last couple of months, but this is a process and not always a pleasurable one. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">What I most want people to know about slimming down is that it’s not always filled with sunshines and rainbows. There are days that you wish never happened. This was definitely one of them. The most important thing is to not let a temporary slip turn into a permanent one. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Have a great day! </span></div>Stephenyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08362997398387131256noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8729214543635631834.post-28292409566747158362012-03-10T08:15:00.001-06:002012-03-10T08:15:31.236-06:00Not Quite Forrest Gump...... but I'm a runner again! My friend and I have signed up to run the <a href="http://www.finalstretch.com/running-events/northern-lakes-run/info/" target="_blank">Northern Lakes Run</a> 5k on May 12th. I actually ran the 10 mile run at this same race 7 years ago. Of course, I won't be ready for a 10-miler by May 12th, but the 5k is a great goal for me. <br />
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Okay, okay, I know it takes more than one time on the treadmill and signing up for one race before you can consider yourself a runner, but my run yesterday felt so good. Plus my playlist was the best. EVER. I know everyone has different taste in music, but I happen to think my taste is pretty darn good. My run (okay... run/walk) went a little something like this:<br />
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0:00 - 5:00 Warm Up Lighters (Bad Meets Evil feat. Bruno Mars)<br />
5:00 - 6:00 Run Stronger (Kelly Clarkson)<br />
6:00 - 7:30 Walk Drink on It (Blake Shelton)<br />
7:30 - 8:30 Run Give Me Everything (Pitbull)<br />
8:30 - 10:00 Walk Fly Over States (Jason Aldean)<br />
10:00 - 11:00 Run Toxic (Britney Spears)<br />
11:00 - 12:30 Walk Barton Hollow (Civil Wars)<br />
12:30 - 13:30 Run Forgot about Dre (Dr. Dre feat. Eminem)<br />
13:30 - 15:00 Walk Chariot (Gavin DeGraw)<br />
15:00 - 16:00 Run Going Under (Evanescence)<br />
16:00 - 17:30 Walk Before the Lobotomy (Green Day)<br />
17:30 - 18:30 Run If (Janet Jackson)<br />
18:30 - 20:00 Walk 6th Avenue Heartache (Jeanne Newhall)<br />
20:00 - 21:00 Run On the Floor (J. Lo feat. Pitbull)<br />
21:00 - 22:30 Walk What I've Done (Marie Digby)<br />
22:30 - 23:30 Run Pon de Replay (Rihanna)<br />
23:30 - 25:00 Walk Rehab (Rihanna)<br />
25:00 - 30:00 Cool Down 21 Guns (American Idiot Musical Cast)<br />
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See what I mean? Best.Playlist.EVER. I love creating these on my iPod because I can set songs to start and stop where I want them. So, I had exactly one minute of my favorite part of Toxic and then as soon as I heard Barton Hollow, I knew I got to walk again. <br />
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Have I mentioned how much I love music? I love it this much...<br />
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Okay, a bit random. But I take pictures of my feet ALL the time. It seemed like the appropriate place to throw these in!<br />
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Have a wonderful weekend!<br />
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<br />Stephenyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08362997398387131256noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8729214543635631834.post-88608288773334502912012-03-09T08:23:00.001-06:002012-03-09T19:53:35.946-06:00Eat Less (Check!)... Move More???We've all heard the saying, "Eat less, move more" right? It's the basic concept behind losing weight. Well, I've gotten really good about the eating less thing. However, moving more? Ugh. I know that if I want to lose more weight and just become more healthy overall, I really really REALLY need to start incorporating exercise into my life. <br />
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For some reason, when I'm on vacation, I have no issues getting into the gym. I got 2 really good workouts in while I was in Florida. I busted my butt on the elliptical machine for an hour each time! It helped that their elliptical machines had TVs right on them - an hour of Friends one day followed by an hour of Dog the Bounty Hunter the next makes a workout go by fast! </div>
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So when I got home, I decided to keep up some sort of exercise routine. On Wednesday night, I went to my first Zumba class at my gym. According to the wise <a href="http://www.wikipedia.com/" target="_blank">Wikipedia</a>, Zumba is:</div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px;"><i>a Latin dance -inspired fitness program created by dancer and <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;">choreographer</span> Alberto "Beto" Perez in Colombia during the 1990s. </i></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px;"><i>Zumba involves <span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: initial; background-origin: initial;">dance</span> and <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;">aerobic</span> elements. Zumba's choreography incorporates hip-hop, soca, samba, salsa,merengue, mambo, martial arts, and some Bollywood and belly dance moves. Squats and lunges are also included.</i></span><br />
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In my mind, I looked like this:</div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 19px;"><a href="http://images.clipartof.com/small/74441-Royalty-Free-RF-Clipart-Illustration-Of-A-Pleasantly-Plump-Woman-Sweating-And-Jogging.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://images.clipartof.com/small/74441-Royalty-Free-RF-Clipart-Illustration-Of-A-Pleasantly-Plump-Woman-Sweating-And-Jogging.jpg" width="203" /></a></span></div>
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I will go back to Zumba though. It was fun and a great workout. In the meantime, I've decided to start back on two exercise programs that I've had a lot of success with in the past:</div>
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<b><u>Running</u></b></div>
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Seven years ago, I ran a half marathon. The feeling that I got from running 13.1 miles was amazing. When I started training for it, I weighed over 200 pounds. By the time that I ran it (6 months later), I was down to 150 pounds. <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Finishing the half marathon<br />June 2005</td></tr>
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When I started training for it, I couldn't even run one mile, let alone 13.1. So I started with baby steps and followed a program called <a href="http://www.coolrunning.com/engine/2/2_3/181.shtml" target="_blank">Couch to 5K</a>. Check out the link - it really is a great program for anyone who wants to become a runner with little to no running experience. </div>
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Week 1, Day 1 calls for a 5 minute warm up, followed by alternating 1 minute of jogging and 1 minute 30 seconds of walking for 20 minutes, and then a 5 minute cool down. I've got my iPod playlist all geared up to change songs every time I need to walk or run (I hate staring at the clock on the treadmill) and I'm ready to start after work!</div>
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<b><u>Lifting</u></b></div>
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Lifting weights is such an important component of weight loss. While I was training for my half marathon, I was also lifting 2-3 times each week. I'm also hoping that lifting while I lose weight will make my body look better when I get to my goal (saggy skin scares me!!). I have a great book called <a href="http://www.thenewrulesoflifting.com/nrol-for-women" target="_blank">The New Rules of Lifting for Women</a> and it has really good lifting plans. Tonight, after I hop (fall) off the treadmill, I'm going to be doing some squats, push-ups, seated rows, step-ups and prone jackknifes. </div>
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Have a wonderful weekend! I'll post my Florida pictures sometime soon! </div>
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</span></div>Stephenyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08362997398387131256noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8729214543635631834.post-4823858437815957992012-02-29T17:28:00.001-06:002012-02-29T17:44:58.995-06:00Smarco Island Here We Come!!!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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My meems (aka my mom) and I started taking an annual spring trip, just the two of us, back in 2009. The first year we went to Sedona, Arizona. It was beautiful and we had a blast!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUIqE45XzoyASea1AzwYvXCybuU2GEqgdW6s5hcndqdZ8VDfGtcPOJavGmBLDEJf3dlwWePGGhtMXXd826HKqkcI6RWwAeU6iOz1ynr_UEb6CQWPujRqIBAcVVPs9_2NGk9S4LF86LHXw/s1600/DSC00383.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUIqE45XzoyASea1AzwYvXCybuU2GEqgdW6s5hcndqdZ8VDfGtcPOJavGmBLDEJf3dlwWePGGhtMXXd826HKqkcI6RWwAeU6iOz1ynr_UEb6CQWPujRqIBAcVVPs9_2NGk9S4LF86LHXw/s320/DSC00383.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sedona, AZ<br />
April 2009</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sedona, AZ</td></tr>
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The second year (2010), we went to San Diego, California. ALSO, a blast!! As a side note, I remember now that I had lost about 40 pounds between the Sedona trip and San Diego trip. I think I was around 210 here. </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">San Diego, CA<br />
March 2010</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our hotel (Hotel del Coronado)<br />
March 2010</td></tr>
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By now, we'd realized that our two vacations had been in places starting with the letter "S". So we decided to make that a trend. Our third year, we went to San Antonio, TX. Once again... a blast! As another side note, I think I had gained about 20 pounds and was around 230ish in this picture. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIirZeqpmwV5oyAxED34rRM14OKL500wNlKk6GMWjXn0C3r8ClMWB-vXxVlQvJNF-MAl9J8KGX9Al5Qqs7gZHs9SfvTUDDmY-6Jezo4V9hVzRPlfg_s9OgCo76lRqY3d-sbD4-aolD3J0/s1600/DSC00752.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIirZeqpmwV5oyAxED34rRM14OKL500wNlKk6GMWjXn0C3r8ClMWB-vXxVlQvJNF-MAl9J8KGX9Al5Qqs7gZHs9SfvTUDDmY-6Jezo4V9hVzRPlfg_s9OgCo76lRqY3d-sbD4-aolD3J0/s320/DSC00752.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">San Antonio, TX<br />
March 2011</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Deep in the heart of Texas (clap, clap, clap)<br />
We sang that a lot during this trip</td></tr>
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This year, when planning our trip, I told Meems that I really enjoyed being on the ocean in San Diego, and thought we should plan another trip where we could do that. So we decided on going to Florida this year. Naturally, where did we decide to go??? Sanibel Island of course. It sounded nice and it started with "S". Perfect, right? Well.... when we started researching where to stay in Sanibel Island (a nice hotel with a big spa is a must-have on these trips), we weren't exactly finding what we were looking for. <i>Author's note: If anyone is from Sanibel Island, I'm sure it's a WONDERFUL place. Feel free to contact me and let me know what we are missing out on! </i></div>
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So my pops (aka my dad) mentioned that Marco Island was a really nice place. Naturally, Meems and I weren't sold right away... he was ruining our "S" tradition. Then we started looking up Marco Island and the hotel we are staying at online. We were sold. It looks beautiful. </div>
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We leave tomorrow morning around 10 a.m. </div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">It's supposed to be in the mid-80's all weekend. </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">I'm jumping out of my chair with excitement.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: xx-small;"><b>I still have to pack (no surprise). </b></span><br />
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Oh, and because Meems and I are SO clever, we've decided to keep our "S" tradition. <b>Tomorrow we depart for SMARCO ISLAND, FLORIDA!!!! </b></div>
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<br /></div>Stephenyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08362997398387131256noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8729214543635631834.post-85990241059766208152012-02-26T22:47:00.003-06:002012-02-26T23:01:27.882-06:00Sunday Funday - Minneapolis Institute of ArtsJake and I decided to go to the <a href="http://artsmia.org/" target="_blank">Minneapolis Institute of Arts</a> today. There was a sports-themed exhibit that Jake has been wanting to see.<br />
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After we went through the exhibit, we walked around and looked at some of the other art. I started to notice many paintings and sculptures of women. <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Woman by the Sea<br />
Pablo Picasso</td></tr>
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Do you see what I see? </div>
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Thanks to Picasso and so many other artists, countless people admire pieces like the Woman by the Sea every day. What I saw is that there is beauty in all shapes and sizes. Today, I was reminded to appreciate and find beauty in my body at every stage of this journey. </div>
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<br /></div>Stephenyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08362997398387131256noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8729214543635631834.post-60545228084637121872012-02-24T17:25:00.001-06:002012-02-25T08:57:35.379-06:00The Friday WeighGood news from the scale! I lost another 1.2 pounds this week. Ideally, I would have liked to have seen an even bigger loss, however since I lost 6.4 pounds last week, I figured I wouldn't see a huge loss this week. Either way, I'll definitely take 1.2 pounds. Think of a pound of hamburger. Or four sticks of butter. Yep, that fell off me. <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is actually 0.8 pounds lighter than I weighed in at this afternoon</td></tr>
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In other great news, today marks the day that I have less than 100 pounds left to go. In total, I've lost 15.6 pounds to date. Because it is my ultimate goal to lose 115 pounds, this means I have 99.4 pounds left (someone check my math). 99.4 pounds is still a lot to lose, but to know that I have under 100 to go is definitely motivating to me. </div>
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<b>Outtakes From the Scale</b></div>
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Taking pictures of yourself on the scale is NOT easy. It actually took about 8 tries to get the picture above. <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Apparently, I stepped on and off so many times I lost 0.5 pounds</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg77t10L3YSXMcm3tG7DuplEOrxWhmfrzORgo3Ve7m0aqFeEdfz6HFUHBa9HRAY0zwinwCDsomEz4oWzbkdr1wDnwREygLhsJoEq4pXODi-_gNowztJQfhzNrVydGpzDl2xRQXHJ-mC6xo/s1600/DSC00928.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg77t10L3YSXMcm3tG7DuplEOrxWhmfrzORgo3Ve7m0aqFeEdfz6HFUHBa9HRAY0zwinwCDsomEz4oWzbkdr1wDnwREygLhsJoEq4pXODi-_gNowztJQfhzNrVydGpzDl2xRQXHJ-mC6xo/s320/DSC00928.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
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Not once but twice... I went to take the picture</div>
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and the scale turned off</div>
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</div>Stephenyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08362997398387131256noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8729214543635631834.post-18319165508577687252012-02-23T07:58:00.000-06:002012-02-25T09:03:28.573-06:00Move Over Letterman... My Top 10I've developed a Top 10 List of the things I can't live without right now. I'm playing with the idea of making this a monthly <span style="font-family: Times;"><strike>or even weekly</strike> </span>thing (this post took a REALLY long time to create so unless I become more efficient, it will be a monthly thing). There were so many more items that could've made this list, but here is my list for the <strike>week</strike> month. <br />
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10. <strong>Fiber One 90 Calorie Brownies. </strong>OH. YUM. It's a brownie, that tastes like a brownie, and it's only 90 calories. Love them.<br />
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9. <strong>PB2. </strong>This is a powdered peanut butter that comes in regular and chocolate peanut butter flavors. <i>Author's note: It is <u>NOT</u> a substitute for the real thing (which I love so much).</i> However, it has significantly less fat than regular nut butters as most of the oil is removed from the peanuts, leaving peanut flour. You can reconstitute it with water or add it to oatmeal, smoothies, or greek yogurt to name a few. I order PB2 online and it can be found at <a href="http://www.amazon.com/" target="_blank">Amazon</a>, <a href="http://www.netrition.com/" target="_blank">Netrition</a>, or <a href="http://bellplantation.com/" target="_blank">Bell Plantation</a>. You can also find lots of great uses for PB2 <a href="http://runsforcookiesrecipes.blogspot.com/2011/08/pb2-recipes-and-ideas.html" target="_blank">here</a>.<br />
Last night, I combined two tablespoons of Chocolate PB2 and one tablespoon of water in a bowl. Then I took a Fiber One Brownie (see #10), heated it up in the microwave for 20 seconds, and placed it on top of my bowl of Chocolate PB2. There was bowl licking - it was THAT good.<br />
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8. <strong>Garlic. </strong>I used to be intimidated by the fresh garlic that you could find in the produce section. I had NO idea what to do with it. While I was at Jake's sister house, she gave me a quick little garlic "lesson" and I haven't turned back. I add it to everything and it adds such a great flavor. I even bought a garlic press/slicer last week. I love garlic... garlic, garlic, garlic.<br />
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7. <strong>Produce. </strong>Okay, this is kind of a catch-all category, but I have this new love for produce. I buy GADS of it each week and eat it all. Before I started slimming down, I'd buy produce, eat a small amount of it, and then it would get all nasty in my fridge. Now, on a weekly basis I buy (and eat): spinach or romaine, carrots, cucumbers, tomatoes, radishes, mushrooms, garlic (see #8), onions, peppers, apples, oranges, bananas, avocados, insert whatever else looks good here. These are actual pictures from my fridge. Yes, it's messy, but this is not a blog about cleaning and organizing - I'll leave that to someone else!<br />
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6. <strong>Chia Seeds. </strong>Ch-Ch-Ch-Chia! Yep, kind of like that. There is a blog called <a href="http://www.runsforcookies.com/" target="_blank">Runs For Cookies</a> that I really enjoy reading. Katie, the author of the blog, has turned me on to chia seeds (and oatmeal - see #3). I add a tablespoon to my cold oats in my nut butter bowl (also see #3) and the chia seeds soak up the almond milk in about 15 minutes. This way you get the consistency of hot oatmeal but have cold oats instead (it's delicious, I swear). You can find all these recipes and uses for chia seeds <a href="http://runsforcookiesrecipes.blogspot.com/2011/11/oatmeal-love.html" target="_blank">here</a>.<br />
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5. <strong>Coffee. </strong>I have a Keurig coffee maker that I adore. It makes the perfect travel mug of coffee for me to bring to work in the morning. This morning, I had Golden French Toast coffee. It tasted JUST like French Toast (a little bit of maple syrup, a hint of cinnamon). I savored every sip of it! Coffee will probably always make my Top 10 list. It's just that good. My mom recently bought me this mug and it's oh so true! <br />
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4. <strong>Fage 0% Greek Yogurt. </strong>On a recent shopping trip to <a href="http://www.samsclub.com/sams/" target="_blank">Sam's Club</a>, I bought a large tub of Fage 0% Greek Yogurt. I had heard this was very versatile, but wasn't 100% sure what I was going to do with it. Well, what can't you do with it?!?!? My gigantic tub is almost half gone already! So far I have used it to make a peanut butter fruit dip (1/2 cup yogurt, 1 tbsp peanut butter, 1 tsp brown sugar - mix together and dip an apple into it), chocolate peanut butter banana dessert (1/2 cup yogurt, 2 Tbsp Chocolate PB2, 1 tsp honey, slice a banana into it), ranch dressing (2 tbsp ranch dressing and 2 tbsp yogurt gives you 4 tbsp of dressing for half the calories), and "sour cream" on a potato (straight up on a potato). It's non-fat, loaded with protein, and is truly my new love.<br />
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3. <strong>Oatmeal. </strong>Thanks to Katie over at <a href="http://www.runsforcookies.com/" target="_blank">Runs For Cookies</a> I want to eat oatmeal every day. Breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Which is good because I just bought a nine (yep, NINE) pound box from Sam's Club. Similar to the greek yogurt, it is so versatile - it is a blank slate to which you can add all sorts of wonderful things. My favorite is the nut butter bowl. Take a bowl, spread 1 Tbsp of peanut butter (or any nut butter) around the bottom and up the sides. Put the bowl in the freezer for 15 minutes. Take it out and add your oats (cold or hot) to the nut butter bowl. With each bite, scrape the bottom of the bowl and you get a taste of nut butter. Sometimes I add 1 Tbsp of chocolate chips - it's like dessert for breakfast (or lunch or dinner). Currently, all of the ways I eat oatmeal I learned from Katie, so you can click <a href="http://runsforcookiesrecipes.blogspot.com/2011/11/oatmeal-love.html" target="_blank">here</a> for tons of ways to eat this great food.<br />
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2. <strong>Digital Food Scale. </strong>Portions are so important when trying to slim down. I used to measure everything using measuring cups and spoons. I never felt like it was very accurate and it was just a pain in the @$%. Plus, it created extra dishes (something I loathe since I don't have a dishwasher). Then I discovered that just about all nutrition labels have a weight on them in either grams or ounces. Enter my beloved food scale. Now, I can tell you that 1 Tbsp of Barney Butter (another favorite for another day) weighs 16 grams or 1/2 cup of Fage 0% Greek Yogurt weighs 114 grams. So, when I want to add one Tbsp of Barney Butter to my oatmeal, I set my bowl of oatmeal on top of my scale, turn it on, and scoop it in until it measures out to 16 grams. Exact measurement, no dirty measuring spoon. Seems tedious, but it really is SO much easier. Maybe one day I won't have to weigh my food, but for now, this truly is the best way. <br />
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<i>AND LAST BUT CERTAINLY NOT LEAST.... </i><br />
1. <strong>My water bottle</strong>. I used to have a hard time drinking enough water. Instead, I would drink several cups of coffee in the morning and <i>at least</i> 76 ounces of Diet Mountain Dew in the afternoon and evening (2 bottles and 3 cans - yikes!). Now, I have 1-2 cups of coffee in the morning and 1 can of Diet Dew in the afternoon. That's it. For the rest of the day, it's all water and I owe that to my wonderful water bottle. For whatever reason, I actually use this water bottle (unlike all the others sitting in my cupboard). I got it from Target and it never leaves my side. I want to get another one, but I'm afraid I might not love it as much. Thank you for keeping me hydrated! <br />
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<br /></div>Stephenyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08362997398387131256noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8729214543635631834.post-24659587361790863442012-02-22T07:49:00.000-06:002012-02-22T09:37:38.013-06:00What I'm Giving UpI am NOT a devout Catholic. While I was raised Catholic, I no longer identify with Catholicism. That being said, I still look forward to giving up something for Lent each year. Well, "looking forward to" might not be exactly how I view giving up these things, but I know it's good for me. It's like a second chance at unfulfilled New Year's resolutions. <br />
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Usually I give up things like chocolate, fast food, or pretty much anything that I think is going to help me lose weight. This year, I'm already losing weight though (and really have no desire to deprive myself of my beloved dark chocolate). So, this year I'm giving up two things:<br />
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1. <strong>Elevators at work</strong>. Yep. Nothing but the stairs for this girl for the next 40 days and 40 nights (that is how long Lent is, right? See, told you... NOT a devout Catholic). I work in a hospital and my office is on the 3rd floor. That means at least once a day (and probably more like 3-4 times each day), I'm going to have to walk up and down 3 flights of stairs. I actually started this on Monday. It's not fun, but it's a great way to incorporate a little bit of movement each day. This morning, I looked like this<br />
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Just kidding, not really. But that's what it felt like. <br />
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2. <strong>Laptop in the bedroom</strong>. I have a terrible habit of bringing my laptop to bed with me each night. I like to find something on <a href="http://www.hulu.com/" target="_blank">Hulu</a> and lay in bed and watch it. This usually leads to finding a second show and watching that. Only to find a third show and watching that. By this time, it's well after midnight. So I find a fourth show that I don't really care if I watch or not, turn the volume down, turn over and fall asleep. <br />
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It looks sort of like this. The caption on this picture was "Alone, bed, girl, lazy". How sad is that? Know what else is sad? I'm sort of..... afraid of the dark. See, this blog isn't only about slimming down. As the title mentions, it is also very much about growing up. Half of the reason I bring my laptop to bed is it's a convenient night light (I don't have a TV in my room or I would use that). So, I've invested in a real nightlight (hey, baby steps) and am ready to take the leap. No laptop in the bedroom during Lent. At 28 years old, I need to get over my fear of the dark and get to bed at an earlier hour. </div>
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Happy Ash Wednesday! Merry Ash Wednesday? Whatever... bring on the Lenten season. This girl's ready.<br />
<br /></div>Stephenyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08362997398387131256noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8729214543635631834.post-33977427701498217932012-02-21T08:57:00.000-06:002012-02-25T09:06:03.787-06:00Mmmm.... Breakfast!As I've started to slim down, one of the things I've really started to embrace is.... BREAKFAST! I used to be one of those people that was never hungry in the morning. At least I didn't think I was. Now, I love oatmeal, greek yogurt, and eggs (just to name a few). This morning, I decided to make 2 eggs and avocado toast. Avocado toast? Yes, it is delicious. Smear it on like you would butter (or jelly or peanut butter), add a little salt and pepper. It is so good!<br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">Weighing out my avocado. </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">It's a bit tedious but it does help me keep my portions down.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">P.S. Thanks Mom for the cute Valentine's Day plates!</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">My "beautiful" fried eggs. </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">Not the most pleasant thing to look at but they tasted great</span></div>
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We finally got a little snow last night so it's looking like winter outside. I'd like to start exercising outside in the morning before work (it gets so hard to get into the gym in the morning), but this morning was not the opportune time to start that. </div>
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Have a great Tuesday!<br />
<br /></div>Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8729214543635631834.post-7219838853876708832012-02-20T17:56:00.000-06:002012-02-25T09:08:13.523-06:0028 and Overweight<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I celebrated my 28th birthday last September. A couple months later, I hit another "milestone" - my weight hit an all time high of 260 pounds. On November 28th I made a commitment to get healthy. My goal? To lose 115 pounds before I turn 30. There are several weight loss blogs that I follow and love, so I thought to myself, Why can't I create my own weight loss blog? My hopes for Growing Up and Slimming Down is to be able to share everything and anything that goes along with losing 115 pounds. <br />
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I'm so excited to do this. I'm ready to grow up and slim down.<br />
<br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com0