Saturday goings on...

James bought supplies at Lowe's to build a 2 person computer desk for the older boys.

Hope he gets it done tonight. Boys are anxious.

Running a plethora of errands also....

-Carson needs a shoulder rest for her violin (Music Store).
-Carson also wants to buy black bands for her loom (Michael's)
-Boys need several laundry baskets for their Raid Rack -using instead of dressers (Wal-Mart or Target)
-I need to purchase healthy groceries to stock and have several items I plan to make ahead and freeze (Kroger, Sam's Club and Wal-Mart).
-Might purchase a food processor...or not (BBB or Wal-Mart???)

YUM!...

Roasted Garlic Hummus...

 

3 large garlic cloves, unpeeled      

1 tablespoon plus 1 teaspoon extra-virgin olive oil      

One 19-ounce can chickpeas, drained      

1/4 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice      

3 tablespoons sesame tahini      

3 tablespoons water      

1 teaspoon coarse salt      

1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper      

1/4 cup fresh chives, minced      

Assorted crudités, for serving      

==========================

Directions:

 

Step 1- Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Place garlic cloves on a small piece of foil, and lightly drizzle with 1 teaspoon olive oil. Seal foil to form a pouch, and roast garlic in oven until soft, about 20 minutes. Remove the garlic from the oven, and allow garlic to cool slightly; peel and transfer to the bowl of a food processor. Add the chickpeas, and process until finely chopped.

Step 2- Add lemon juice, sesame tahini, water, salt, cayenne pepper, and 1 tablespoon olive oil, and process until the texture is light and fluffy but not entirely smooth, about 2 minutes. Stir in chives, and transfer to a serving bowl. Serve with assorted crudités, if desired.

======================================================================

Source: Martha Stewart Living, February 2002

Nutrition: Per serving: 153 calories, 7 g fat, 0 mg cholesterol, 19 g carbs, 538 mg sodium, 5 g protein, 4 g fiber/ servings: 6

 

 

Green Lentil and Bulgur Wheat Salad...

2-3 cups cooked green lentils (drained and cooled)
1 cup cooked bulgur wheat (cooled)
1 medium carrot, diced
1 stalk celery, diced
1 small onion, diced
3 cloves garlic, minced
10 sun dried tomatoes, diced
2 big handfuls flat leaf parsley, chopped
2 Tbsp. olive oil
2 Tbsp. lemon juice
1 tsp. ground cumin
1/4 tsp. cumin seeds
1/4 tsp. crushed red pepper
3-4 grinds of black pepper
1/4 tsp. kosher salt

 

In a large bowl combine lentils, bulgur, veggies and parsley. Add remaining ingredients and fold together. I like the folding technique because it combines everything well without smooshing the lentils. That’s it. It’s really easy and will feed you all week.

 From: under the influence of food

================================================

Food Journal...

Daily Food Journal: 3/25/14

WATER: ********

Breakfast
2 poached eggs
1 slice Toast
1 small clementine
Coffee w/ SF Creamer

Snack
none

Lunch
Protein Smoothie

Snack
none

Supper
chicken
lettuce, Tomato
½ veggie wrap
2- Coffees

Snack
Protein Smoothie
3 pieces cheese
3 Ritz

Daily Food Journal: 3/26/14

WATER: ********

Breakfast
Steak and egg breakfast sandwich
Coffee w/ SF Creamer

Snack
Protein Smoothie

Lunch
2 T. Peanut Butter
1 small Banana
carrots, celery
Hummus

Snack
3 pieces Cheese

Supper
½ c. Lo Mein noodles
2 oz. stir fry beef
1 c. Broccoli

Snack
Protein Smoothie

 

Daily Food Journal: 3/27/14

WATER: ********

Breakfast
Protein Smoothie
Coffee w/ SF Creamer

Snack
None

Lunch
Salmon Kebob
Salad w/ tomatoes, onions, cucumber, and Feta Cheese
2 T. Hummus
2 T. Tabbouleh
1/3 Lavash (tortilla)

Snack
Protein Bar

Supper
2 Chicken drumsticks
Baked Sweet Potato
w/ butter and 1 tsp brown sugar
Coffee w/ SF Creamer

Daily Food Journal: 3/28/14

WATER: ********

Breakfast
Hardees bacon, egg, cheese biscuit
(16G PROTEIN, BUT 38G FAT- OUCH!
McD's BEC English Muffin would have been better)
Coffee w/ SF Creamer

Lunch
Protein Bar
Coffee w/ SF Creamer

Snack
cheese stick
1 piece cheddar

Supper
1 slice pepperoni pizza (14 g. protein)
small side salad
2T. Fat Free Ranch

Snack
....probably fruit

 

The Flat-Abs-Fast Secret....

Shhhh...it's a stability ball.
Try these six moves and you'll have a tone tummy in no time.

=====================================================================

 

SIDE SCULPTOR- Lie faceup with ball between feet. Roll onto right hip and elbow, left hand flat on floor behind you. Squeeze ball and lift legs as high as you can (as shown). Hold for 1 count; return to start for 1 rep. Do 12 reps; switch sides.

 

 

RAD ROLL UP- Lie faceup, heels on top of ball, arms extended on floor above head. Engage abs and slowly roll up to touch fingertips to toes (as shown). Reverse movement for 1 rep. Do 12 reps.

 

 

BELLY BUSTER- Sit on ball and lean back with hands on floor behind you, palms down and turned out, legs extended. Bring right knee toward chest (as shown); return to start. Repeat with left knee for 1 rep. Do 12 reps.

 

 

CORE CLIMBER- Start in a plank with forearms on ball, hands clasped. Pull right knee up to touch ball (as shown), then quickly return to start and repeat with left knee for 1 rep. Do 12 reps.

 

 

BALL CYCLE- Lie faceup with hands behind head, elbows out, ball between feet, legs extended above floor. Lift left shoulder and crunch right knee to left elbow (as shown). Return to start; repeat on opposite side for 1 rep. Do 12 reps.

 

 

WAIST DEFINER- Lie faceup on ball, knees bent, arms extended above head. Crunch up as you pull an imaginary rope with right arm (as shown), then left arm. Continue until you're sitting. Reverse movement to return to start for 1 rep. Do 12 reps.

love yourself enough...

Yarn for Supper...

Had lots of fun knitting and gabbing with the Yarn for Supper Gals tonight at The Coffee Shoppe.

The snow started coming down in big chunks for a bit, then mixed again and is still a mix and not sticking. Didn't stop us hard core knitters from coming out.

Knitting socks...

 

Watching Cat Bordhi Knit her- Sweet Tomato Heal

Cameron's condition...

Cameron had a 30 minutes 'black out' last Thursday during school, which upset him very much and has caused great concern for us. We got him into see Dr. Palmisano...

Took Cameron to the Doctor yesterday. He said it might be Absence Seizures (possibly even- Absence Status Epilepticus). He said get him to Neurologist. Neuro just called. Cam goes in tomorrow morning 7:30am. Then, he has blood labs and since I need my labs done also, we will get those drawn together, but need to fast for 12 hours, so that'll have to be Thursday morning first thing!

I am worried.

Yesterday...

 

Had a good time w/ Megan and Romelda today. Missed them! Lunch at JoJack's was fun!

Ro's birthday is Thursday, so Yarn Gals- meet us at Baa Baa at 10am to knit and then go out to lunch afterwards to help celebrate.

today...

Food Journal...

Daily Food Journal: 3/21/14

WATER: ********

Breakfast
Protein Bar

Snack 11am
Starbucks Breakfast Sandwich
(egg, bacon, cheese, English muffin)
1 Grande Soy Vanilla Latte

Lunch
Blackberry Protein Smoothie

Snack
Protein Bar

Supper
Cobb Salad
(chicken, avocado, greens, tomato, egg, cheese, mushrooms, 2 T. Blue cheese dressing)

Snack
2 cups Popcorn at Movies
1 slice supreme pizza

=======================

Daily Food Journal: 3/22/14

WATER: ********

Breakfast
Egg White/Ham/Basil Pesto/Roasted Tomatoes Breakfast sandwich (no cheese)
Coffee w/ SF creamer

Snack
Veggie Chips
Hummus

Lunch
Protein Smoothie

Supper
2 bean burritos w/ cheese
Coffee w/ sf creamer

Snack
SF Skinny Cow Sandwich
(made w/ Splenda)

===============

Daily Food Journal: 3/23/14

WATER: ********

Breakfast
scrambled eggs w/ ketchup
2 slices bacon
½ English Muffin w/ butter
Coffee w/ SF Creamer

Snack
Protein Bar

Lunch
2 bean and cheese burritos

Snack
Protein Smoothie

Supper
2 Chicken Soft Tacos

Snack
bowl raisin bran
w/ almond milk
================

Daily Food Journal: 3/24/14

WATER: ********

Breakfast
Protein Smoothie
Coffee w/ SF Creamer

Snack
Protein Bar

Lunch
1 slice bread
Corned Beef w/Swiss cheese
lettuce, tomato, Dijon mustard
fruit cup
pickle

Snack
Protein Smoothie

Supper
3 oz. Pot Roast
1/3 potato
onions, peas, carrots
1 slice bread

Snack
bowl raisin bran
w/ almond milk

==========
And thus far for Today....

Daily Food Journal: 3/25/14

WATER: ********

Breakfast
2 poached eggs
1 slice Toast
1 small clementine
Coffee w/ SF Creamer
======================

snuggle session...

Making Protein Bites...

Protein Bites

1.5 cup oats
1/5 cup Stevia
1/4 cup applesauce
3 tbsp PB2 (powdered peanut butter – it’s awesome!)
1 scoop vanilla protein powder
1 tbsp water
Dash cinnamon
1 small scoop milled flaxseed (about 1 heaping tbsp.)
a handful dark chocolate mini chunks/chips

Stir it all up, roll into a bunch of little balls (a little smaller than a golf ball) and freeze until you’re ready to use ‘em! This recipe made about 10.

New Ink...

Got this Rose Tattoo (for Mila Rose) on Saturday, March 8th, 2014
by Carl 'Nappy Artist' Huggins at The Hampton Tattoo Festival.

 

 

Knitting project bag...

Amanda Ironmonger's husband, Sean makes these for sale. I ordered one and tonight was tickled they know me well!!! Lime Green and Hello Kitty....purrrrfect!

Mila Photos March 2014...

 

 

Hand Spun/ Hand Dyed...

Planning to knit a shawl with this...

 

Juanita spins and dyes some wonderful fun yarns.
This Faux Cashmere is soft and squidgy, enough to make a soft shawl.

Bypass update...

Insurance approved my Gastric Bypass Surgery!!!

Got my Ultrasound appointment tomorrow, Psych Consult 4/8,
Nutrition Consult 4/10 still have more to do...Doctor said looking at 2nd week of May, possible 3rd or 4th week of May, if needed.
Need to call my GYN and make PAP appointment and get Mammogram as well. Next up is Chest X-Ray, EKG, Colonoscopy/EGD, and 30 days before surgery- LAB work (nicotine one done last).
...

Getting closer!!!!!!

 

Food Journal...

Daily Food Journal: 3/18/14

WATER: ********

Breakfast
2 poached eggs
1 slice toast
coffee w/ sf creamer

Snack
Protein Smoothie
coffee w/ sf creamer

Lunch
1 small clementine
8 almonds
3 pieces cheese
3 Ritz crackers

Supper
½ avocado
healthy chicken salad (made w/ Greek yogurt and Dijon)
1 egg
cherry toms

Snack
Protein Smoothie
coffee w/ sf creamer

===========

Daily Food Journal: 3/19/14

WATER: ********

Breakfast
1 boiled egg
Protein Smoothie

Snack
1 med. Banana

Lunch
1 Beef & Bean Burrito
(w/ lettuce, tomato and cheese)

Supper
Meatball Soup
Garlic Bread
Provolone Cheese

Snack
Protein Smoothie
Raisin Bran
Almond Milk
Coffee w/ sf creamer

=============

Daily Food Journal: 3/20/14

WATER: ********

Breakfast
bowl Cream of Wheat
Coffee w/ sf creamer

Snack
Protein Bar

Lunch
2 grilled white chicken strips
cucumber
grape tomatoes
Hummus

Snack
Banana
Peanut Butter
Coffee w/ sf creamer

Supper....not yet eaten

Healthy Tuna Salad in Avocado...

Recipe by @fitgirl4me on Instagram


High protein, no carb meal. Mix one small can of white albacore tuna with 2T Greek yogurt, 1t mustard, and pepper, sea salt, and original Mrs. Dash to taste. Stuff tuna mix into 2 halves of an avocado and top with red onion and tomato.

Today's Kroger Haul...

Care Package from Pat...

My friend, Pat Daigle (who lives in Alabama now), went through a

Bariatric Bypass a few years ago and is a big support for my new life long journey,
so she sent me a wonderful package of all sorts of goodies.

Pat included supplements/vitamins, protein bars, smoothie packs,
a great book: 'Eating Well After Weight Loss Surgery', and Awesome YARN!!!!

I am blessed.

 

Chicken and Hummus Bistro Box...

Had this for lunch today!!!
Good Protein Low Sugar!

Hummus, grilled white chicken strips, cucumber, grape tomatoes
(*Did not eat the and wheat pita).

Nutrition Facts Per Serving (193 g)

Calories 270	Calories from Fat 60
	% Daily Value*
Total Fat 7g	11%
Saturated Fat 0g	0%
Trans Fat 0g
Cholesterol 40mg	13%
Sodium 580mg	25%
Total Carbohydrate 29g	10%
Dietary Fiber 4g	16%
Sugars 3g
Protein 20g
Vitamin A 10% Vitamin C 30% Calcium 4% Iron 10%

Fruit Education...

...And here I thought I was doing great eating bananas and clementines!

Fruits Lowest in Sugar

Small Amounts of Lemon or Lime
Rhubarb
Raspberries
Blackberries
Cranberries

Fruits Low to Medium in Sugar

Strawberries
Casaba Melon
Papaya
Watermelon
Peaches
Nectarines
Blueberries
Cantaloupes
Honeydew melons
Apples
Guavas
Apricots
Grapefruit

 

Fruits Fairly High in Sugar

Plums
Oranges
Kiwifruit
Pears
Pineapple

Fruits Very High in Sugar

Tangerines
Cherries
Grapes
Pomegranates
Mangos
Figs
Bananas
Dried Fruit, such as dates, raisins,
dried apricots, and prunes

Motivation...

Food Journal...

Daily Food Journal: 3/16/14WATER: ********

Breakfast
1 pancake (ww bisquick)
1 T peanut butter
½ banana
3-slices bacon
coffee w/ sf creamer

Snack
3 pieces Colby jack
1 small clementine

Lunch
Protein Smoothie

Supper
1 cup BBQ Chicken
1/3 c. baked beans
1 hamburger bun
2- Chai Lattes
=================

Daily Food Journal: 3/17/14
WATER: ********

Breakfast
1 small clementine
1 banana
10 Almonds
coffee w/ sf creamer

Lunch
3 scoops TVP Chili
1 scoop Chicken
sprinkle grated cheddar
coffee w/ sf creamer

Snack
Almonds and Craisins

Supper
Meatball Soup
Garlic Bread

Snack
Protein Smoothie
================

Audrey Look

Audrey Look by peg-nacrelli-graham featuring a decoupage tray

Mini dress
chiarafashion.co.uk

Tory Burch petite top
toryburch.com

Repetto black shoes
vestiairecollective.com

Valentino leather purse
kirnazabete.com

Reeds Jewelers sterling silver earrings
fashion.ebay.com

Ben s Garden decoupage tray
nordstrom.com

Daily Food Journal...

Posting the last 2 days...

Daily Food Journal: 3/14/14

WATER: ********

Breakfast
½ Bagel
1T. Peanut Butter
2 eggs
coffee w/ sf creamer

Snack
Protein Smoothie

Lunch
Bowl TVP Chili

Snack
3 pieces cheddar
3 Ritz
2 small Clementines

Supper
Tilapia Bake:
(Tilapia, peppers, onions,
mushrooms, cheese)
Salad

Snack
Trail mix:
(almonds, craisins, sunflower seeds)
Protein Smoothie

=======================

Daily Food Journal: 3/15/14

WATER: ********

Breakfast
3/4 C. Fage 0%
1/3 C. Raisin Bran
1 T. Peanut Butter
10 red Grapes
coffee w/ sf creamer

Snack
Protein Smoothie

Lunch
Antipasto: (mozzarella balls, olives cherry peppers)
Assorted salsas on 4 squash slices
1 Strawberry, 3 chunks cantaloupe
1 Blue Corn Chip
1 T. Herbed cheese

Supper
3/4 C. Shrimp Broccoli stir fry w/ Quinoa
Banana
2T. Peanut Butter
3 chunks Colby jack cheese
coffee w/ sf creamer

Snack
Protein Smoothie