Random Ramblings.

Well, I don't know where my motivation went this week, but, if someone finds it, please return ASAP. Maybe it's the time change? maybe it's because secretly I wish I still had spring break? Maybe it's because my life has been so busy lately that the slower pace makes me lazy? Who knows? All I know is that I need it back!

Well, I kind of fell off WW last week (and a half) and ended up gaining a pound as showed by the scale during my Tuesday weigh in. So, what do you think I did about it on Tuesday? You would think that I would get my butt back in shape and eat right and healthy, right? Well, I did for the most part, but, then, Tuesday night took a turn for the worse and I ate like I hadn't eaten in days! But, alas, I am back on track.

Well, I don't think I am going to lose 15 pounds by the end of March. Hopefully, I will lose 10 though. Maybe my mom will give me a portion of the $500 shopping spree for losing 10 pounds...but, something tells me she won't. Oh well!

Well, the pollen is officially kickin' my butt - my sinuses are in an uproar and the right side of my face is swollen.  Also, there's some type of ick going around the office and I am just praying I don't get it.  Hand sanitizer and Clorox wipes anyone?

Well, I think that's all the ramblings I have for today.

xoxo,

Wednesday Weigh-in.

So, I didn't have the best WW week last week.  Actually, as far as WW goes, I wasn't too bad - I just didn't exercise AT ALL last week.  Honestly, I was just tired and had a hectic week - and this week is not shaping up to be any different! I had an event on Monday, Inn of Court dinner last night, I am seeing Les Mis with my mom tonight, and I have a Young Lawyers happy hour tomorrow night - for the love! So, essentially what that means is I won't be exercising until Friday.  Anyways, back to my weigh-in, I lost 1/2 pound last week :( So, 6.5 total.  I have got to get my butt in gear (literally) if I am going to lose 15 pounds by the end of the Month. 

Wednesday Weigh-in (on Thursday).

Friends, my life has been crazy - work is busy (I'm not complaining) and life is busy (too many events going on these days)...I honestly feel like I am running around like a chicken with its head cut off (such a gross visual).  And, March is not looking like it's going to be any slower! Family BBQ this weekend; Bridal Shower and Bachelorette Party next weekend; and, a wedding the weekend after that....holy heck! 

Now back to the real purpose of this post - I weighed myself on Tuesday and I was down another 2 pounds, so 6 total.  I wish it was more, but, I guess I will just have to take it one pound at a time.  In order to lose 15 pounds by the end of March (to get my $500 shopping spree from my mom) I need to consistently lose 2 pounds a week by March 26th and then drop an extra pound by March 30th.  I think I can do it and I am up for the challenge. I just got to keep on keepin' on!

 One more day until the weekend, folks! Hall-e-lujah! Happy Thursday!

That Feeling.

That feeling is back.  The feeling that has me thinking "What else is out there?" "What was I put on this Earth to do?" "It's got to be more than this."  I get that feeling often - the yearning for more...the ability to do more....the want to do more for the greater good.  Last night I was on pinterest and came across the "Blessing Bag" concept.  It's a ziploc bag full of toiletries, non-perishables, and words of encouragement that you prepare for the homeless.  I couldn't get this idea out of my head - I went to bed thinking about what I could do to make sure every single homeless person in this area has access to a Blessing Bag.  There are so many homeless men and women in Bradenton.  I pass at least 2-3 everyday on my way to work.  Last week I served dinner at the Salvation Army and while I realize that not all of the men, women, and children (the children break my heart the most) that come to the Salvation Army are homeless, I saw quite a few familiar faces of those men that I see often enough to know that they are.  I wanted to go and talk to them, find out their story, and most of all, to let them know I care.  But, volunteers are not permitted to speak with those utilizing the services of the Salvation Army.  Yet, the images of people piling into the cafeteria for a meal, possibly their only meal for the day - stays with me...ignites me..makes me want to do more.  I couldn't help but thinking how fulfilling the life is of the Salvation Army Director who handles and prepares the food everyday because he is helping his community and providing food to the less fortunate.  He was so concerned about rationing the food and making sure that everyone received a piece of cake - he even gave out seconds.  I wonder if he knows what a hero I think he is? and how I wish I could be just like him...how I envy him?  Wouldn't it be great if you could go home every single day and know that you helped someone survive, you gave someone hope, you fed a family?? It would be so amazing!! This is what that feeling makes me yearn for - it's like a calling...a call for action...God letting me know that there is so much more I can be doing...and letting me know that the reward will be more than I can ever imagine.  That feeling....that feeling is back...and I cannot wait to see, feel, and experience all that it has planned for me.

P.S. The Blessing Bag concept -

(photo sources can be found through my pinterest)

New Recipe - Must Try!

Happy Friday, friends! This has been a looooong week so I am VERY happy it's Friday!  So, last night I made the most amazing dinner - Justin said it was his all-time fave and he's even asked if we can have it again tonight.  I used this recipe from Skinny Taste (go ahead and bookmark this site) for Skinny Chicken Cordon Bleu, but made some changes:

Chicken Cordon Bleu
Skinnytaste.com
Servings: 6 • Serving Size: 2 pieces • Old Pts: 8 pts • Weight Watchers Points+: 8
Calories: 378 • Fat: 10 g • Protein: 55 g • Carbs: 8 g • Fiber: 0.5 g • Sugar: 1 g
Sodium: 813 mg (without salt)

 

Ingredients:

• cooking spray
• 12 thin sliced (36 oz total) skinless boneless chicken breasts, 3 oz each
• salt and fresh cracked pepper
• 1 large egg
• 2 large egg whites
• 1 tbsp water
• 1/2 cup seasoned breadcrumbs
• 1/4 cup grated parmesan cheese
• 5 oz (6 slices) thinly sliced lean deli ham, sliced in half
• 6 slices (4.4 oz) Sargento reduced fat Swiss cheese, cut in half

Directions:

Preheat oven to 450°. Spray a large non-stick baking sheet with cooking spray.
Wash and dry the chicken cutlets; lightly pound the chicken to make thinner and lightly season with salt and black pepper.
Lay the chicken on a working surface and place a slice of ham on top of the chicken, then the cheese and roll, setting them aside seam side down.
In a medium bowl, whisk eggs and egg whites along with water to make an egg wash.
In another medium bowl, combine breadcrumbs and parmesan cheese.
Dip the chicken into the egg wash, then into the breadcrumbs.
Place chicken onto the baking sheet seem side down. Spray the top of the chicken with more cooking spray and bake about 25 minutes, or until until cooked. 

My changes:

1. I don't use cooking spray - I use coconut oil.
2. I used 2 chicken breast and fileted (is that even a word?) them into 3 cutlets each.
3. I used panko breadcrumbs.
4. I didn't have any ham - so I used bacon. Turkey bacon for me and regular bacon for Justin.
5. I didn't have any swiss cheese - so I used a colby blend.  I also made some with feta for Justin.

One, I love this website because she provides WW point values - holla! Another website that I love is Eat Yourself Skinny - Kelly also provides WW point values for her recipes. Two, these things were amazing.  So flavorful and the panko breadcrumbs made them nice and crispy! I had 2 and Justin had 4 and we were both full! I was surprised that the point value for 2 was only 8 points - they tasted like they would be worth so much more! Three, the recipe was pretty simple, but, I will say that fileting the chicken breast was the most time consuming part.  Finally, here's a picture of one that I made for Justin (not the best picture, but, I forgot to take a picture right afer they came out of the oven):

Last 5.

It's time for my weekly installment of "The Last 5." As of the date and time of this post, here are my last 5 pins:

Feta, cheddar & spinach muffins - these look and sound A-mazing!

10 casseroles under 300 calories - casseroles are my go-to dinners!



Check out these booties, yo! (swoon!) -



So stinkin' cute for Easter (and looks pretty easy too) -

Put fabric (or scrapbook paper) under glass of inexpensive picture frame to create a tray (this would be so cute for my bathroom!) -

(photo sources can be found through my pinterest)



Wednesday Weigh-in.

So, as you know, I started WW last Monday.  Yesterday was my first weigh-in day and I was down 4 pounds - yippee!!!  I must say I did pretty darn good staying within my daily allotments of points! Also, I power walked 4x's last week for a total of 9 miles.  So, even though I went over my daily points on Friday and Saturday, I was able to pull from my stock pile of activity points. 

The thing that I like the most about WW is that you do have the freedom to eat what you normally would (to a certain extent) so long as you pay attention to the serving size and stay within your points.  The reason that I went over on Friday is because I indulged a bit during our Valentine's Day dinner at Ocean Prime and also had two cocktails. The reason that I went over on Saturday is because I drank some beers at the festival.  I am someone that would have a glass or two of wine most nights - so, I've decided that while I am dedicating 3 months to WW, I will not buy any wine to have at the house.  That way I am limiting my wine intake to the rare occassions we eat out, or, when I am at a friend's house, or at my mom's or in-law's house.  Another thing I've started doing is preparing my lunch from the night before and, also, making sure I have lots of fruits and veggies on hand to grab on my way out the door.  This has really helped me to stay focused and keep myself within the daily points.  I've also been switching up my breakfast and snack options so that I don't get sick of eating the same thing every day.  WW has a free app for the Iphone called WW Scanner - you use it to scan the bar code on products and it tells you the point value.  This app has been a vital part of my grocery shopping - although I am pretty sure that I look like a crazy person scanning things in the aisle.  But skinny thoughts make me not care!  As for exercise, I've been mixing it up by walking on the treadmill some days and then outside other days.  I prefer to walk outside, so I've been taking advantage of the nice weather we've been having.  I want to start going to Pure Barre again to tone up - but, I want to get this weight off first. 

As far as motivation goes - my mom said that if I lost 15 pounds by the end of March, she would take me on a $500 shopping spree - holla! Also, I got the new Victoria's Secrets catalog yesterday and there are some CUTE swimsuits that I want to buy for summer.  Also, the fact that my clothes feel a little looser thereby making me feel better in my clothes helps... A LOT!