Trials of a Long Haired Girl

Happy Friday friends!  Hope you have had a great week.  I have to say not everyday this week was a win Points-wise, but I tried to adjust and my body was definitely guessing.  I was trying to eat every 3 to 4 hours...that's wasn't a win everyday either.  Most days I managed to eat within that window except dinner.  Dinners are going to take some more work next week, but I feel like I'm making some progress.  We will see what the scale says on Saturday.  I have been trying to add some strength training into my days.  Some desk push-ups and some squats when I'm just standing around or filling my water bottle.  I took some time while we were slow to walk at my desk yesterday.  I'm trying to be intentional.  For the coming week, my focus will be to continue being intentional and fitting in workouts where I can. I will also continue to do the following: 1. 90-120 oz of water each day. I have not done well while on vacation. 2. TRA...

Happy Hump Day friends!   We made it to the middle of the week!   I tried a new recipe this week and it was delicious!   I made something that I would have never tried to make years ago…I made eggplant parmesan.   It was baked so a little healthier.   As always, I thought I had all my ingredients and I hadn't really used my panko in a while and I didn't have quite enough.   We made it work by crushing some garlic croutons.   I feel good about how it turned out though and we're excited to have it again.   I used this recipe from Delish.   I did substitute the Trader Joe's Lite Mozzarella and I tried not to overdo it with the cheese.   It turned out to be 8 Freestyle SmartPoints.  I served mine with grated zucchini.  My son, who is allergic to zucchini, had his with spaghetti squash and my husband and daughter has rotini because  I didn't realize I was out of spaghetti.  Hopefully you will get it a try if you like ...

Happy Monday friends!  Hope everyone enjoyed a wonderful weekend!  Overall, it was a good weekend for me.  I am a little disappointed that I didn't have a loss on the official scale, but I am not going to let myself get too upset about it.  Things that happen this week that might have contributed to not seeing a loss...I was put on Prednisone again this week and with the added workouts with the challenge, I think I may be retaining water.  Either way, I know the loss will come.  I am moving more, I'm eating better, so the loss will come.  Our meals are going to be "Italian" heavy this week, but hopefully we'll enjoy them all.  1. Eggplant Parmigiana and salad; 2. Fettuccine Alfredo (I'll have this with zoodles or spaghetti squash), likely with salad and garlic bread; 3. Bean Burritos; 4. Veggie Plates with biscuits; 5. Burgers or hot dogs. I got some family time in on Saturday and will likely be heading north again this coming Saturday....

Happy Wednesday a/k/a hump day, friends!  I am looking forward to a wonderful Wednesday.  As the week continues, I'm feeling more positive about my food choices.  I know I mentioned my DD has decided to go vegetarian.  As such, I've been trying to find some additional sources of protein for her.  I keep seeing those in the WW community talking about the Kodiak Cakes and making muffins and the baked donuts out of them.  Last time I went to Costco, I bought a big box.  I decided to make my DD some muffins using the Kodiak Cakes as my base.  It will be a good addition of protein.  I used this base recipe as my test recipe.  Kodiak Cake Chocolate Chip Muffins 1 cup of Kodiak Cake Mix 1 cup of Water 2/3 cup of milk 1 egg Whisk together your ingredients.  Spray your muffin tin or use liners (I use liners).  Add your fruit or your chocolate chips (in my case chocolate chips since my daughter enjoys chocolate chip muffins)....

Happy Monday friends!  Last week didn't go as well as I'd hoped because I planned meals that I didn't get to cook between not feeling well and then being at the Joy Conference with my church, I didn't spend a lot of time cooking.  I am struggling a little not to make the same meals over and over again.  The basic plan this week is bean and kale quesadillas, beans and rice, cauliflower tikka masala, breakfast for dinner, hot dogs (I have vegetarian hot dogs as well), Caesar salad and a leftover night.  I have really been struggling not to make the same things over and over again.  It's not easy when my go-to meals were loaded with ground beef.  I will adjust, it's just taking me some time.  Anyone have any great meat-less meals to share?  Hope you have a great day!

Happy Monday friends!  I hope this Monday finds you well and that you have a great start to the week!  In the spirit of honesty, it's been a rough few days and I haven't been as consistent as I need to be with my eating.  The antibiotics that I've been on making me sick to my stomach and often times I don't feel like cooking or eating.  Having a plan definitely helps though me not get so far off track.   For the coming week, the menu plan is:   Quesadillas, Caesar salad, smothered bean burritos, pizza bubble up casserole, cheeseburger and tot casserole and cheesy hashbrowns and baked potatoes.   To be honest, we may wind up having a "leftover" night or I may change one of these meals for a breakfast for dinner option.  It's always a good meal for us to have and will allow me to change things up a bit so that I will have meatless options for my DD16 now that she's decided she wants to go vegetarian.  It is definitely make ...

Happy Tuesday friends!  I hope everyone had a wonderful holiday weekend!  It was a busy weekend but I enjoyed it so much.  I ran around on Saturday getting groceries and necessity items for the house, then came home and made cookie bars.  Sunday, we got up had cinnamon rolls before church and we enjoyed church service together.  After church, we had macaroni and cheese and cherry cobbler with ice cream.  Probably not the most on plan day I've every had, but I enjoyed the day and was back on track come Monday.  Striving to stay on track this week, especially after I had a loss on Saturday of 1.2.  After having to be on Prednisone for 5 days, which manages to increase my appetite.  I truly hope I start feeling better soon because I feel like I've felt bad longer than I would care to be.  Meal planning is definitely a must for me to stay on plan this week.  How do you get back on plan after you have gotten off track?  

Happy Tuesday, friends!  It's been a week or two since I've done a Tuesday Talk, but things have been a little bit hectic in my world.  This week, let's talk about meal planning.  I struggled with this for many, many years.  After moving back to meetings a few years ago, when we were talking about meal planning, someone mentioned just tackle planning one meal.  I decided I would try and while every week is not fully planned and I still struggle with a strict plan for each day, each day has a plan of some sort that may change, but at least I have an idea of what we are having each week.  This also means that I have some idea of what I need to buy at the store each week.  I can also adjust my meal plan to focus on what is on sale at the store.  This also helps with the budget, as well as my SmartPoints budget also.  I can plan for high point meals.  I think initially I felt overwhelmed that I felt I needed to plan every meal and every sn...

Happy Thursday a/k/a Friday eve, friends!  Have you ever read or listened to something and it seemed like that person wrote that or was speaking directly to you?  My childhood pastor used to refer to it as "reading someone's mail" and I have also heard it referred to as having someone's number.  Well, I tell you, in all honestly, I was seriously feeling like I was being spoken to this week.  Earlier this week I was listening to an audiobook called "Made To Crave" by Lysa TerKeurst and promptly decided that I needed to get the ebook and have not made up my mind for sure yet, but I think I may have to go check out a hard copy from the library and there is also a participant's guide as well.  When she started speaking about needing to see herself through God's eyes instead of through her past situations and her baggage, it was a reality check.  I mean, hello??!!  I have struggled with my self esteem for so many years.  Then a YouTuber that I follow...

Happy cold Monday!  I am not a fan of the cold weather!  So we're going to be having some soup!  Well, at least Monday through Wednesday, we're having soup.  Then some warmer weather is supposed to hit.  I haven't fully decided what we are doing the rest of the week, but we really didn't follow the plan closely this week, so I may sub in some of the things that I planned last week.  I was down for the count the better part of the week with a kidney infection.  If you haven't had one, I pray you don't ever get one.  Given that, I have been pushing water a lot.  Since Tuesday, I know for sure, I've been getting 120 oz. of water or more each day.  Thankfully, my sweet husband was able to help with meals and we did some leftover patrol several times, which is just called LOP around here. So, my basic meal plan is: Beans and cornbread Slow Cooker Quinoa Chicken Parmesan Soup A variation of the 7 can soup.   White Chicken Ch...

Happy Hump day!  First off, let me apologize for my disappearing act, but I was struggling a little bit with my back and meal planning.  I still don't have a full game plan for the week, but I do have a pretty good idea.  As some of you know, I have several YouTubers that I follow, but I ran across  The Magical Slow Cooker .  Specifically, I saw a a recipe for  Slow Cooker Green Chile Chicken and Rice Casserole .  While I didn't have all of the items on hand, it sounded really good.  I decided to create a recipe using what I had.  The recipe that I made is as follows: 1.5 lbs Chicken Breast 2 cups Brown Jasmine Rice 19 oz can of Red Enchilada sauce 1 medium onion, diced 1 cup of sour cream 6 oz Colby Jack cheese block I did not measure my seasoning, but I added dried minced garlic, dried minced onion, salt and pepper.  I seasoned my chicken, added the enchilada sauce and let it cook for 8 hours in the slow cooker.  W...

Happy, happy Friday!  It was yet another stressful week.  I feel like I did better this week, but there were definitely days that I was not in the Blue Dot zone.  Some days it was a little over other days it was a lot over.  I was reminded that, again, it's about choices.  I need to decide what choices I'm willing to make for myself each day.  I am still not working out much other than walking as my rib seems to not be able to stay in place and is still causing me pain.  My process is slow, but it's definitely time for me to focus on food again and staying in those Blue Dot zones.  I have a little extra time on Monday since our office is closed for President's Day.  My plan is to take the extra time to prepare some meals, brown some ground beef and set myself up for easier dinners.   Focus for the coming week: 1. TRACK; 2. Walk when I can and incorporate some yoga; and  3. Set myself up for success by meal planning.

Happy Tuesday friends!  Hope that your week is going well so far!  I know there are many who have been on this healthy lifestyle journey for some time like myself, but I think this week's talk is definitely one that we should all revisit from time to time.  Being kind to yourself.  I think I have mentioned this before, but a boss and friend from the past when I was at the beginning of this weight loss journey that I really shouldn't say things to myself that I wouldn't say to a friend.  I have really tried to take that to heart.  I know I have really struggled with negative self talk, as I know others have.  It is really a struggle in my everyday life, not just where weight loss is concerned, not to talk down to myself.  I have found that the struggle is absolutely worth it for me.  Trying to take time to phrase things differently has really helped me to change my focus and not always talk down to myself.  Can you honestly say that cal...

Happy Monday friends!  I hope everyone had a great weekend!  Mine was filled with some running around and working.  I was buying Valentine's stuff for the goodie bags for my Sunday School kids as Sunday was my day to teach.  I love doing special things like that for them!  Now, for another edition of Meal Planning Monday!  The past week's dinner plan was as follows: - Baked Potatoes - Chicken Tikka Masala using the sauce I got from Target with Rice - Bean and cheese Tostadas -Meatloaf and Mashed potatoes and Green Beans - Cheesy Hasbrowns - Lazy Man Lasagna - Mac and Cheese What we had was:  Monday: Papa John's pizza. Tuesday: Leftover patrol. Wednesday: Leftover patrol, I had Pita Chips because it was late and I was tired. Thursday: Chicken Tikka Masala using the sauce from Target and Basmati Rice Friday: Pei Wei Saturday: Sheet Pan Chicken Fajitas and refried beans Sunday: Meatloaf and Mashed Potatoes This week, my plan: ...

Happy Monday friends!  Hope everyone had a great weekend!  Quite honestly, I was exhausted all weekend so I did not do much other than try to relax before the busy week to come.  Now, it's time for another edition of Meal Planning Monday!  The past week's dinner plan was as follows: Cheeseburger and Tot Casserole; Frito Pie; Mexican Lasagna; Smoked Turkey and sides; Baked Potatoes; Fettuccine Alfredo and garlic bread. What we had was: Monday: Frito Pie; Tuesday: Cheeseburger and Tot Casserole; Wednesday: Torte from Trader Joe’s Thursday: Smoked Turkey, Mashed Potatoes and Green Beans; Friday: I honestly don’t recall; Saturday: Cheeseburger, tater tots and fried pie; Sunday: Serve Yourself. For the coming week, our plan is: - Baked Potatoes - Chicken Tikka Masala using the sauce I got from Target with Rice - Bean and cheese Tostadas -Meatloaf and Mashed potatoes and Green Beans - Cheesy Hasbrowns - Lazy Man Lasagna -Mac and Chees...

Happy, Happy Friday!  After a very busy week, I am thankful for this day.  I was reminded earlier this week that I really need to stop jumping head first into things before thinking about all that it entails.  This week, I've felt very distant from my family and I feel like my food has been all over the place.  It is, however, a new month.  I refuse to give up my goals for the year.  What I have realized after last week is that it is very important for me to prepare and plan ahead.  I have been watching some videos and researching time blocking.  I think it will be very important right now so I can stay on top of everything.  My planner has become my ever constant companion and is even more important to my sanity at the moment.  My goal for the weekend is to take a few hours and get some meal preparation done to prepare me for next week.  I'll post what I get done, along with my planned dinners for the coming week on Monday. ...

Happy Monday friends!  Hope everyone had a great weekend!  It was a busy weekend so I didn't have much time for writing.  It's time for another edition of Meal Planning Monday!  The past week's dinner plan was as follows: Lazy Man Lasagna; Turkey Pot Pie; Veggie Chili Mac; Macaroni and Cheese; Homemade loaded Tater Tots; Beans and Cornbread; Mexican Lasagna. What we had was: Monday: Lazy Man Lasagna; Tuesday: Homemade sandwich and tater tots; Wednesday: Crockpot Enchilada Casserole Thursday: Turkey Pot Pie; Friday: Subway; Saturday: Pei Wei; Sunday: Leftovers. For the coming week, our plan is: Cheeseburger and Tot Casserole; Frito Pie; Mexican Lasagna; Smoked Turkey and sides; Baked Potatoes;  Fettuccine Alfredo and garlic bread. As always, these meals are subject to change without notice.   This has helped me so much with staying on track. I was pleasantly surprised on Saturday when I headed to weigh in before my brea...

Happy Monday friends!  I hope everyone had a great weekend! Last week, the plan was: - Bean and Cheese tostadas; - Spaghetti (I'll probably have spaghetti squash), chicken meatballs, zero point marinara and garlic bread or garlic biscuits; - Crescent dogs and an unspecified side; -Meatloaf, mashed potatoes and an unspecified veggie; -Pizza Bubble Up casserole; -Macaroni and Cheese. What we had was: Monday night: Crescent Dogs Tuesday night: Spaghetti, zero point marinara and chicken meatballs Wednesday night: Bean and cheese burritos Thursday night: meatloaf and mashed potatoes Friday night: Taco Bueno (I had enchiladas) Saturday night: leftovers Sunday night: Pancakes and bacon This week the plan is: - Macaroni and Cheese; - Lazy Man Lasagna; - Cheeseburger and Tot casserole; - Fettuccine Alfredo and garlic biscuits; -Pizza Bubble-Up Casserole; and -Breakfast for dinner. Apparently, the Mountain Cedar has been crazy high....

Happy Friday!  I hope everyone had a great week!  It's been a little crazy for us with the holidays in the middle of the week.  My sweet husband messaged me on Wednesday asking me if I was sure what day it was.  Sadly, I think it's just thrown so many people off.  I will say that I enjoyed the holiday, even though I probably waited too long to try to make candy this year.  Next year, I need to try to start earlier.  I was listening to Jon Acuff's Finish today.  I have to say that he said quite a few things that really hit home with me.  I really need to focus on progress rather than perfection, but it also reminded me of a conversation that I had many years ago with my husband and with my uncle.  I think part of the reason that I have struggled with my weight loss journey has a lot to do with fear.  I know it may sound a little weird, but I think after some things that happened when I was younger, my weight became a mode of self p...

Happy Thursday a/k/a Friday eve friends! I hope everyone is doing well.  While 2018 was not the best year for me due to some personal goings on that I don't really want to get into, I'm feeling pretty good going into 2019.  On Saturday, I weighed in and I'm just going to use it as my "official start weight" for 2019.  I weighed in and determined that I have less than 50 pounds left to hit my goal.  I haven't been this close and realized it in some time.  I really feel like if I focus, it's very doable for me to hit my goal in 2019.  On another note, I'm really going to have to purge my closet!  It's time to pull out those dresses, shirts and skirts that are too big on me, including some sweaters that probably should have been gone for quite awhile.  I am sure that someone else will appreciate them just as much as I did.  I have some gift cards that I've held on to that I can use to shop for those smaller items of clothing.  I hit ...