20 By Xmas:: Week Two

Stepping on the scale this morning I expected to gain back all the weight I lost last week.  It is ridiculously difficult to find time to work out with a one-year old and an injured husband, on top of everything else that went on this week::

I started work on Monday and had a shift on Friday

  We had company staying with us over the weekend and then again from Tues-Thurs.

My Oma had surgery to remove cancerous spots on her lungs on Wed, so 2 days were spent at the hospital.

Saturday was spent running all the errands that normally would have been done during the week. 

P.S. I hate Saturday traffic!

I gained a pound. 

I am going to find time to work out this week.

Total lost to date: 7.5lbs

Wordless Wednesday:: A Little Early

 

My amazing Oma is having surgery tomorrow so I doubt I'll make it to the computer (or remember) to post this.

20 By Xmas:: Week One

Today is weigh in day and I was afraid to step on the scale.

It was a crazy busy week.  

Monday we were off to Kitchener for an appointment, meaning eating out for lunch and dinner.  I tried to make healthy choices but it's soooo hard when there is so much good stuff on those menus.  

Tuesday I went out to Oshweken with a friend and had a taco salad for lunch.  I can only pretend it was healthy.  Thick pita, with a chili like mixture topped with very fresh lettuce, tomato and green pepper with sour cream on top... So good, so not good for me.

Wednesday we were supposed to go to Tucker's Marketplace for a friend's birthday dinner.  When we got there, the power went out and didn't come back on.  So we went to Chinese buffet instead.  I made healthy choices when it came to dinner but those desserts were calling, no screaming, my name.

Thursday I was out and about but I did make healthy choices and cooked a healthy dinner at home.  Same with Friday.
Saturday... Bug's first birthday... Pizza, cake, chips.  Enough said.

This week I didn't snack in between meals or late at night and I completely cut out pop.

I hopped on that scale and got a very pleasant surprise::
8.5 pounds gone!!

My journey is off to a good start.  I'm afraid of next week.  I have been watching Biggest Loser for years and it is the dreaded week two where everyone plateaus.  I need to make time to go on the treadmill.  If I can do that, week two won't stop me!  Wish me luck and stay tuned to see how much I can lose!

Sentimental Saturday:: One Whole Year

I can't believe it was a year ago that this picture was taken.  The last picture of the little bug in the belly...

And here she is today::

 My Little Lady

20 Pounds By Christmas

That is my goal

20 pounds to lose by Christmas

It seems like a lot at first, but broken down it is only 4 pounds a week.  This week looks a little daunting to me though, when will I find the time to work out?  And Tucker's Marketplace buffet dinner on Wednesday for a friend's birthday... And Bug's first birthday party on Saturday.  Cake is a huge weakness of mine.

On the other hand, I go back to work next Monday *ugh* and that will be a good workout for me.  Receiving shipments, putting clothes out, just being on my feet for 4 hours.  It will be a shock to the system I'm sure and I guarantee that I will be tired that first night.  It will also stop my snacking because I will just be too busy for it.

I am kind of excited to use this fabulous scale that I got as a wedding present for the weight loss aspect.  It has a cool feature that you can program yourself in.  How much you want to lose and it remembers what you weighed in at last time, then tells you how much you have lost and how much you have to go until you hit your goal.  I used it when I was pregnant to ensure I was gaining properly (I lost too much in the first trimester).

Wish me luck and stay tuned for my progress!

Wordless Wednesday

Winter Veggie Soup Recipe

As mentioned in my Bland is Blah! post I made a Winter Vegetable Soup for a swap with some friends.  I had some leftovers and shared with my family and some friends who couldn't make it to the swap.  Well I guess I did good because I have had several requests for the recipe.  I made 6 litres, which is quite a bit so here is my scaled back recipe which should do about 6 servings (or 4 large soup bowls like we have in our house).

Winter Vegetable Soup

1/4 cup butter
2 large sweet potato, peeled and chopped
3 large carrots, peeled and chopped
1 apple, peeled and chopped
1 onion, chopped
1/2 cup red lentils*
1/2 tsp fresh minced ginger
1/2 tsp ground black pepper
1 tsp salt
1/2 tsp cumin
1/2 tsp chili powder
1/2 tsp paprika
4 cups vegetable broth

 1) Melt the butter in a large stock pot over med-high heat.  Add your chopped veggies and cook, stirring frequently, for about 10 minutes or until the onions are translucent.
2) Add the rest of the ingredients into the pot with the veggie mixture.  Bring the soup to a boil over high heat, then reduce the heat the medium-low and simmer until the veggies are soft, 30-40 minutes.
3) Puree in the blender or baby bullet!  Work in batches, don't fill the blender more than half full and hold the lid down with a tea towel as it will get quite hot.  Pour into a clean pot or bowl as you go.
4) Pour all of your pureed soup into the stock pot.  Bring back to a simmer over medium-high heat for 10 minutes.  Remove from heat and allow to cool... or eat it right away!

*you can use fresh or canned lentils, it is still the same measurement however if you use canned make sure to drain and rinse them well!*


Other Suggestions:

• you can add water in your final simmer if you find it too think
• you can skip the puree and make stew!  tastes great over potatoes or noodles
• try topping your soup with plain yoghurt or feta cheese