Day 22- Weigh In, Tamales and a Bug

I know. Crazy title for a blog post, right? Well it actually fully encapsulates my last 3 days.

I did in fact have that amazing tamale party with my sister, her fiancee, my nephew, my brother and his girlfriend, and my hubby and my boys. And it was wonderful! I know I promised a post regarding this delicious event and you will get it tomorrow along with my review of The Last Chocolate Chip Cookie Recipe You'll Ever Need To Know.In the mean time, enjoy this picture of the final product, a picture that was barely taken before I devoured one of my favorite foods. :)

This was the pork filled tamale. We also did a beef filled one. Yum.

Which brings me to why I haven't told you about that delicious Sunday yet... This year's flu bug found it's way into my home. Well, more specifically it found me. I'm the only one in the house that didn't get a flu shot and I'm paying for it. :(  Today, however, is the best I've felt since Saturday. So I'm on the upswing. (And considering today's my birthday, it's a pretty good birthday gift!)

Speaking of great birthday gifts... Weigh in results: -4.4 lbs! And I believe only part of this had to do with being sick. From last Wednesday through Sunday I tracked all of my food, ate responsibly and got in my GHGs (Good Healthy Guidelines). I even ate within reason on Sunday when we indulged in homemade tamales and terrifically sweet, caramel-y, salty cookies. Granted, the fever I was running for two days probably burned a bunch of stored fuel (yes, it's stored fuel, not chub... at least in my head).

This week's goals: Continue to get in my GHGs like last week, but while reducing the processed foods. I need to focus on eating more whole foods. It was the cornerstone to my success pre-baby and I need to get back there. So here's to another fantastic week!

Day 15 - Weigh In Number 2

I lost again this week :)  Not as much as my unrealistic hopes, but I know better.

Another 1.8 pounds down this week and a little over an inch lost all around which brings my actual weight to 223.6 lbs. I'll take it! Especially considering I had a couple rough days. But I kept myself accountable and on track and it paid off. Here's to an even better week this week!

What are my plans? Getting all of my GHG's (good healthy guidelines) in and planning my week's menus according to the TAMALE PARTY I'm hostessing with my siblings this weekend! It's the theme we chose to explore next after sushi night. This one excites me more than you could imagine! I <3 tamales :) And of course, I'll share the making of them and my photos.

For now, time for a smoothie... in a bowl.

Day 8 - First Weigh-In

WaHOOOOOOOO!!!!!!

Week 1 loss... 5 pounds! I'm thrilled and that much more committed today than I was even yesterday. These little things help so much in keeping me on track day after day. Seeing results allows me to more easily be reasonable about my food and eating choices. :) So happy! And guess what? I ate sushi (and quite a bit of it), a chocolate strawberry cake that I made on the fly upon request after the sushi that night (it had scratch milk chocolate whipped cream, too-- I just can't help it, I'll always be influenced by my pastry background), and ice cream on more than one occasion. All of the good healthy foods help the body to more efficiently burn everything. 

I missed feeling like this :)

Day 1 (Decmber 26th, 2012)

New Info (as of December 26th, 2012)

Since my last regular posting we have had many, many things changed in our lives. New baby. No more working for me. Move across NY state from NYC area to Buffalo. It's been an adjustment and I have to wrap my head around weight loss differently now. As of this day, I am recommitting and starting over. This is no longer an extenuation of my original 100 pound, 365 day journey. It's different because life is different. Time to adjust and get back to healthy. It won't be the same and I can't expect to succeed in the same way now as I have in the past.

So let's get on with it!

My current (and scary) stats:

• Weight: 230.4 lbs. I was 207 a month ago. This was the lowest I got after baby #3 and before beginning to gain again. Still not my highest weight ever, but scares the ever-loving bejeezus out of me.
• Eating habits until today: any and everything without thought, but always in response to boredom, stress and lack of energy to make anything healthy.
• My hubby is along for the ride intentionally this time, which will be a huge help for me. He came along last time because I gave him no choice with being the food buyer/preparer in the house. This time he is going to face this challenge and revamp of lifestyle head on. Thank you my Love :)

So today I start over at Day 1. New lifestyle, new challenges ahead, new commitment.   

Day 260 - Weigh In, Humor, and Thai Peanut Chicken

Hi! : )

I'm a much happier Kara this Sunday morning. I lost 3 lbs last week! Bringing my current weight to 207.8. This a good start to the new week. I would like to thank the water that I was better about drinking and my GHGs that (mostly) got in every day. Working the plan!

So... I promised a recipe for the amazing Thai Peanut Chicken that I posted yesterday. Here you go:

Thai Peanut Chicken

  

Ingredients:

- 1 large chicken breast or 2 small

- 1 box SnapDragon Roasted Peanut Chow Mein Noodles (see pic below)

- I small jar of Thai peanut sauce (Asian section of the supermarket)

- 1 large red bell pepperm sliced to 1/4"

- 4 cups fresh snow peas, packed

- baby corn (sometimes you can find them fresh in the produce section (holla to Wegman's supermarkets for having these fresh always!) or you can find canned ones, again Asian section- and they aren't that bad!)

To make it:

1. Saute over medium-high heat the chicken breasts till golden on both sides. Finish cooking to 165 degrees in a 350 degree oven.

2. Prepare the Roasted Peanut noodles according to the package. Do not over boil the noodles or they become gross and sticky. While the noodles are boiling prep your veggies!

3. Place peppers in a Zip 'n' Steam bag. Microwave for 2.5 minutes.

4. The baby corn should be fully ready to cook/eat. Prepare the same as your peppers.

5. Wash the snow peas in cool water. No need to steam them, they'll become too soft and limp. Yup, I said limp. No one wants limp peas.

6. Finish preparing the noodles with the chopped peanut and spice package 

7. Toss all ingredients, including teh Thai Peanut Sauce, into the pot with the prepared chow mein noodles and toss to coat. Place the lid on and add a touch of chicken stock to keep moist, allow all ingredients to come to the same temp.

This recipe makes 5-6 servings with amount of veggies I specified at 11 Points Plus. Add more veggies to cut the PP values for Weight Watchers. I love baby corn and could even take out the chicken for more peppers and baby corn : ) This is fantastic and is easy and quick to prepare.

 

I found these in the Asian section of the supermarket. Walmart also sells them as well as many on-line sellers.

 Oh! The humor! I mentioned Kat (from a board on WW) yesterday and how she helped me put some things in perspective. I posted a new profile pic there to keep my mind and attitude light. I thought I would share it with you too.

Curious about this scary and odd image? Click here!

Enjoy your Sunday!

Day 259 - Ok... I'm over it.

So I finally got past my chubby girl temper tantrum. It took another couple days after I declared it was over though. But this time it's over. I've tracked my foods and kept within my plan. ***Special shout out to Kat on the boards over at WW. She helped me to put my "minimal loss" into perspective. I lost the equivalent of a stick of butter... So I kept a stick of butter on my counter all week to remind me that I'm glad to not be carrying that around anymore. Thanks Kat!***

Eating has been tough this week. My hubby is working all nights which gives me time in the morning to accomplish things, so instead of taking time to eat, I chip away at my to-do list. Then he leaves and I get nothing much accomplished outside of baby and boys and again fail to eat. I get cranky when I don't eat until 8 at night. But, BUT, I have been getting my water in and most of my GHGs (Good Healthy Guidelines), so there are some silver linings to the cloudy start to my week. We'll see what tomorrow's weigh-in brings.

Oh! I have been forgetting to share this deliciousness with you! Check out my new love! Made this last weekend for my family and my sister and nephew-it's sooooooo good! For WW buddies, it's a little high on points, but the more veggies you add the better it gets (best to recalculate it with the amounts you use).

I'll post the recipe tomorrow morning with my weigh-in results. (I know, such a tease!) 

Thai Peanut Chicken

 

 

And who doesn't love baby corn?

Tomorrow: Weigh-in and the recipe for this amazingly easy and delicious meal.

Day 254 - Confessions of Cranky Chubby Girl

Ok. So yesterday's weight in was technically a success-- I did lose. But I was so used to losing 2 or more pounds per week, especially at the beginning of the program in the past. So yesterday's -0.2 lbs. was not what I had hoped for. So how did I respond?

Yup. That's me. Pigtails, brown hair and pink shirt, who else could it be?

Uh huh. All day long.

Yeah. I had a grown up temper tantrum all day long. Because the number on the scale didn't change as much as I wanted it to. I know I said I was going to just move on and get on with my week despite my mild disappointment, but clearly I was lying to myself. Just ask them fam, I was not much fun to be around. And it has carried over to today. 

Part of my actually getting past it is understanding what is really happening. I know me. I know that I'm an all-or-nothing kind of person which is a good quality in specific situations... But not here. I was soooooooo off my rocker yesterday that I was just about to give up and let the re-fatting begin. At least I'd enjoy the food. Then I kind of woke up.

Truer words have never been uttered.

I realized what I was doing and that I need to just give myself a chance to succeed. And realize that yesterday's weigh in WAS NOT A FAILURE. I've got a bit of a perfectionist complex. And I need to let it exist where it belongs, like with cakes and baking. Not here. Not where my self-esteem resides. Because I know I can do this--I've already done it once.

Maybe that's what I should focus on this week. And drinking my water.

Day 246 - Back To Weighing In

Well, it feels good  to be back to my Sunday morning routine. I actually missed doing this, it centers me and focuses me. I get re-motivated for the week ahead and make decisions about what I need to improve upon versus the previous week. Oh! You want to know how I did this last week, huh?

I lost 2.6 lbs. : )  So my current weight is 211.0. I may re-weigh in an hour or so...

My husband hasn't been counting points, just eating the foods I have been all week, staying away from restaurant foods and soda, and paying attention to portions and he lost 4 lbs.! (Men. Honestly. I look at a Twinkie and put on 5 lbs., they eat 10 Twinkies and nothing happens.)

My goals for this week? Get in all of my GHGs (Good Healthy Guidelines) each day, including water and vitamins, and starting the Couch 2 5K program with my sister. I've always wanted to like to run, but I've always hated it. I'm determined to like it. So, off I go to get started!

Day 253 - 3 Great Things About Weight Loss

Down another 2.2 lbs : ) I'm feeling good again!


And now, my top 5 favorite things about losing weight:

Number 3
As my body gets smaller, my boobs look bigger. (see my boob post) This week a friend took notice of this and commented on my seemingly growing boobs. (I measure them weekly--trust me, if they were growing I'd know it). Being in better proportion works wonders for the lady curves!

Number 2

Seeing you thighs slowly stop hanging out so closely anymore. Can't wait for the day when they no longer touch while I walk. Sounds odd right? Not so much- ask Susan Powter.

Number 1

I'll admit it, I've become quite addicted to the attention. But it's in a good way, it's motivating and empowering. It reaffirms what I have a hard time acknowledging sometimes: that I have done something pretty big and pretty great. It helps keep my head focused when I can only see what still isn't perfect. Some women don't like the attention. I love it.

Day 245 - Weigh In Day & BACK IN THE GAME!!!!

I was just about to say "Well, it's Christmas. And I love baking about 12 different types of cookies--about 200 dozen. So I'm going to just deal with what the holidays will do to my weight. Eh. It's Christmas." Not so fast Kara...

I am SO back in the game this week! I made it below 190, the right way this time! A loss of 2.4 pounds this week, putting me back on track to get to goal. I needed this today, my motivation (and clearly my commitment) was waning.

In the beginning of October I had some medical issues arise that really put my body through some un-fun stuff, and has left my metabolism and hormones in a bit of a tizzy. I'm starting to notice a good change in my appetite and the power of cravings has declined. Those things along with this lose tell me that my body is beginning to return to a more normal state. Finally. : )


And if you're one of my Sunday reviewers and haven't yet had a chance to catch up my week, please read below for some great recipes (including Skinnier Bananas Foster French Toast) and the post immediately below this one--it was written by a guest blogger and friend of mine at the CIA. His article is something that is so important for us think about when we purchase food. Please take a few moments to read, especially this time of year.

Thank you all for continued support and encouragement! You all play a role in my dedication to this journey. You mean more to me than you may know : )

This week--I will be starting some Christmas cookie baking, but I have revised and reduced my typical production (I sound very professional industry there, I'm sorry, sometimes I just can't turn it off) and my famous sour cream cut-out have made the cut for this years bake off (pun intended). Stay tuned for some food pron. Yum.

Day 238 - Weigh In Day

A loss is a loss. Though hard to accept at only 0.4 pounds down. It is better than gaining or maintaining. I did something right last week.

I feel like my year is closing in on me and I've lost the momentum I had. This bothers me. Not because I might miss my 365 day goal, but because I've allowed things to get in my way and was conscious of it happening.

After following up with a doctor since having some medical problems in October, I know that my body has yet to get back to it's normal balance. My estrogen levels are too high right now which I've been able to link to uncontrollable eating. I troll the kitchen for sweet, then salty, then sweet, then salty. Nothing is satisfying me and I've lost the ability to discern between feeling full and feeling hungry (sounds odd, but I've this issue in the past and getting past it has been part of my success in losing weight). I need to get onto medicine to bring these levels down, which will help bring my appetite back to my normal levels.

Also, I've known that exercise would be key in creating a sustainable weight loss pattern--and I've neglected to do so. I hate running. Hate. Withe a capital 'H' kind of hate. I've never liked it (ask most girls who play softball or volleyball in school what their least favorite method of punishment from the coach is... it's usually having to run the bases and run lines, respectively; true for most of the gal's I teamed with in school). But I feel like I need to get past this as It would probably be the easiest way for me get activity in daily. I'm thinking of the Couch to 5K running plan--or C25K if you're in the know, and now you are : ). I was an athlete through most of my younger years and I know I can do this. Some people who don't like running before they start end up loving it and find it to be the best part of everyday. So I'm thinking let's give it a try. I have had many women swear by this program, most recently a couple of very good friends of mine. I trust them--they want to see me succeed in hitting my goal. Many of the blog pages on my links tab have women who focus on eating healthy

So, let's stop chatting about it, and start doing something about it!

Day 232 - Weigh In Day

It wasn't horrible. I gained .4 pounds. It could have been a no gain/no loss week had I abided by my GHGs (Good Healthy Guidelines). I missed most of my veggies/fruits, didn't get my dairy in most days, and may as well have been in the Sahara for all the water I drank.

But, what did I expect? Nothing less than this actually. I'm owning this small, though significant, gain and am going to take care of it. Here's my action plan for the week, beginning today:

• Clear the kitchen of trigger foods (chocolate, desserts)
• Get more fruits and veggies to have on hand
• Make a dinner plan for the entire week (for the whole fam)
• Make a daily meal plan for me for the week
• Get a master 'To-Do' list accomplished and stick to it

My meal plan will be posted later today--accountability.

These things are key to my success in changing my lifestyle. When I set myself up for success, I succeed. That's what I need to get back to.

Let's do it! 

Later that day... (my weekly meal plan I promised)

See? There it is : )

Day 225 - Weigh In

: )

Even though I am not completely back in pre-trip form, I can still see that the way I eat works.

A loss of 1.8 pounds this week! That's right on track for my typical weight loss, and I have a few pounds to catch up on from the 3 weeks of gluttony. Now my next test... TURKEY DAY!!!

I'm excited to plan a menu and adjust some of my typical dishes to be more healthful while still being delicious. I have the talent and the know-how (I'm a student at The Culinary Institute of America for heavens sake!) so it's time to put that knowledge to my own personal use.

Some of my menu items (other than the bird) and how I used to prepare them:

• Mashed Potatoes: usually Russets; typically loaded (and I mean loaded) with butter, whole milk, sour cream; also with small dice green and red bell peppers, garlic, salt and pepper.
• Sweet Potato Cassarole: TONS of butter and brown sugar, and of course topped with toasty marshmallows (or smell-os as my boys would say)
• Gravy: It is what it is. Any suggestions? This may end up being my big indulgence.
• Biscuits and Rolls: I'm a baker. I love bread any way it comes. 
• Pumpkin Pie: A thick and flaky crust with a perfect egg based custard filling; whipped cream, lots of whipped cream.

I'm going to get creative. I'm also going to add other vegetable based dishes to my menu that are packed with flavor so I can fill up a bit, still have some of my indulgences, and get away from the table not feeling like I missed out on anything.

Stay tuned this week for ideas to make your Thanksgiving menu full of flavor and waistline friendly : )

Day 224 - Reality

Getting back to reality for the last 7 days has been a nightmare. I spent 3 weeks in lala land and allowed myself to get out of all of the great habits I had created for myself. I didn't enjoy it particularly... It's not like I was partying hard with the junk food. But it has made certain things more difficult again.

I'm having a hard time planning. I'm fighting tracking my food at the times I should (I've been waiting till the end of the day, when I get home from school, tired and hungry, only to realize I have a sliver of points left to eat). I'm disliking grazing all day, which is what I had been doing to keep ravenous hunger at bay--and now i just want to eat whatever I see, whenever I see it. (Don't ask about my Friday night fiasco in the pantry and secret cupboards...)

I'm human. And thus I am not perfect and never will be. I do hold myself to difficult and stringent standards that I would never hold anyone else to which makes letting myself off the hook for a 'not really that bad' week feel awful. I did track what I ate, I did eat better this week than I had in the 3 weeks prior, and I do expect a lose tomorrow morning at weigh-in.

Man. Reality bites (sometimes).

Tomorrow: Weigh-in and a food plan for the week--only 1 day at school to plan for and then TURKEY DAY!!!

Day 194 - Weigh In Day... And A Few Highlights From The Week

A loss of  5.4 lbs. this week. I am not as thrilled as I would be under different circumstances. It wasn't a healthy loss. My body is in starvation mode and I know I've lost lean muscle tissue. My focus needs to be not only on eating well, but also getting in enough lean protein to keep my muscle tone. (However, if I'm able to maintain this and only lose fat from here on out, that means I'm only 37.6 lbs. away from my goal!)

Without going through it all again, my  'Big Confession' post will get you caught up as to why things have been rough lately.

Now for the week's highlights!

Walking through the halls at school, I came across a couple of friends who happen to be a couple. We said hello, and they continued walking just a few steps ahead of me. He turns around, slightly behind his girlfriend's back and whispers "You look amazing!"

MAN! That felt great.

I received a few other compliments along the way that just made my day. It was like floating on clouds : ) Nothing like having your hard work acknowledged and complimented.

Now to work on getting fully back on track.

(PM update... Last night I did make and eat the chicken fajitas that I posted yesterday. It felt forced, but I knew that putting something into my body might trigger hunger later. It did. By 3pm this afternoon I was searching the pantry looking to settle my hunger. It's the first time in 2 weeks that I've felt hungry.)

Tomorrow: The wonderful pomegranate and how I'm preparing for my 3 week food and wines trip out west.

Day 192 - Big Confessions

I have been sick for about 4 months; the last 4-5 weeks being worse. I battle this everyday, and most of the time I win. But it will always take it's turn having the better of me. I've come to realize this about my life, and I have found ways to fight it. But I will always fight it.

The difference now is that I have set myself up a new lifestyle, a healthful one, and this sickness is interfering to a detrimental degree. It's burning the vast landscape of good habits I've worked so hard to develop. I know better days will come again, and as always I have to ride out this storm.

But this journey has been about interacting in a positive way with food; about learning how to take care of my body. Now, I have no appetite. I've resisted food for the last 2 weeks (not completely, I wouldn't be here to write to you all). I have accumulated about 18-20 hours of sleep over the last 8 days. And because when it's here the illness rules, it's been difficult to break.

I'm trying hard, and I'm fighting. And I'll make it out, I know this about myself. It's why you haven't seen many recipes or dinner ideas in the last 2 weeks. I will commit to making something great for you by this weekend. Let's give it a deadline: before my Sunday weigh in post (which may be drastic again) I will have sent out some good food love.

In the meantime, I'm off to attempt to eat something. And sleep.

Day 187 - Weigh In Day... And some other stats

WOW!!!
Another 5.6 lbs. down this week! But I must admit that it was not a very healthful week, and part of it is a rebound from the prior low-loss week. (See last Sunday's weigh in post). I've felt off all week and am prepared to eat properly again beginning today. I also am prepared for the scale to possibly not be so friendly to me next Sunday.

But for now, HAPPY DANCE!!!

All together I've lost 39.95 inches overall and 57 lbs.
My hips (butt) and thighs have slimmed the fastest and most... I was surprised by the butt--I thought that would give me the most resistance. But now I have a cute backside : ) You should have seen it yesterday in that new pair of jeans... I was tempted to take a picture for you all, but I thought it might be odd.

Next stop- lookin' hot...

Tomorrow: Breakfast Burritos with a sun-dried tomato wrap. Yum.

Day 180 - Weigh In, Apple Sauce and Apple Butter

First, my confessional:  I had a bad week.
I thought I was just self-sabotaging after last weeks amazing milestones.
I ate without tracking on Saturday. First time I've ever done that... and the food I chose to eat and not track? Yeah. Cheetos, meatball parm sub, more Cheetos, tortilla chips, apple butter, apple empanada. Ugh. 
Turns out (sorry gentlemen) I had Aunt Flo visiting. I haven't had a visit from her since last November (no worries, it's normal for me) and I forgot how I get when she's here. I become positively exhausted for the first few days, and have cravings that rule my life at the beginning. Yesterday was much better. I was in control, able to eat the way I have re-taught myself over the last 26 weeks and felt fine about it, with no monstrous cravings. I'm a woman. What can I say? ; )

That said, I did lose 0.4 lbs this week. I may possibly be bloated and I may have a bigger dip in the scale next week, but for how I felt about a few days this week, I simply wanted to stay below 200. So I'm good. Let's get moving again....


And as I promised, my recipes for apple sauce and apple butter. I used this apple butter in the Apple Empanada in yesterday's post.

Home Made Apple Sauce 

I don't use sugar in my apple sauce, I think fresh fall apples
have plenty of natural fructose sugars in them and regular sugar
just corrupts the beautiful  fresh taste. And I feel better
about giving it to my boys without any added sugar.

• 6 cups of peeled, cored and chopped apples
• 1 cup natural apple cider
• 1 whole cinnamon stick
• 2 tsp. ground cinnamon
• water to cover

1. Peel, core and chop your apples into evenly sized pieces, the smaller they are cut, the faster they will cook. But if you're like me and prefer a slightly chunky applesauce, leave 'em bigger. Place the apple chunks into the cooking pot. I use a big Dutch oven, I like the even heat distribution and it's just neat.

2. Add a cinnamon stick, the ground cinnamon and apple cider to the pot. Add enough water to cover the apples.

3. Cover the pot and bring it to a boil over medium high heat. Reduce heat to medium low and simmer. Allow it to simmer covered until the apples have begun to break down and are mushy. Stir periodically.



4. Once the sauce is to the consistency you like, remove the cover and allow to simmer until it has thickened.

5. Remove the cinnamon stick and enjoy a cup full while it's still warm! This is my favorite way to eat home-made apple sauce, still slightly warm from the pot with another dash of ground cinnamon on top : )


But if you want to make apple butter....

Apple Butter

• reserve 2 cups of home made apple sauce
• 1/2 Tbsp. salted butter
• 2 Tbsps. packed light brown sugar

Place all ingredients into a small 1- 1.5 quart sauce pot over medium low heat. Cook to reduce until it is half the volume you started with. Don't stir... It makes a mess, you'll get splattered with molten hot apple sauce and you'll reincorporate the water that you're trying to cook out. Resist the urge! It's important for this reason to keep it at low heat, so you don't scorch the bottom.


Tomorrow: Concord Gin Fizzy. My own creation. And, it's time to find a new mini-goal...

Day 173 - 50!!!!

I HIT THE 50 POUND MARK!!!!!!!! Well, really it's 51 pounds down! Point being that I'm out of the 200's for good.

I have nothing else to say really... Just gonna go continue my happy dance : )

Now I'm going to go apple picking with my hubby and my boys! Apple pie here I come!

Day 169 - Pears--The Cheeky-est Fruit Around

Fall is not just time for apples, pumpkins and hayrides. Pears of many different varieties are in their glory now. D'Anjou, Bosc and Bartlett to name the most popular kids in class. Then there is always the Asian pear who brings a great new twist to the table.

I've always admired pears from a distance, though it never really struck me as a fun or indulgent fruit; more like sturdy and noble. That is until I came across a recipe in a magazine and changed my tune entirely!

A caramel anise pear terrine, with layers of pear thin as paper gently clinging to each other with a delicate caramel sauce flecked with real star anise. It was a baked pear dish that I had never even considered, but it's presentation was so unique I had to give it a try.

I will indulge you with the recipe and fresh photographs this weekend (my week has come crumbling down around me, so no baking shall be done till Friday) but in the mean time, check out my cheeky little sketch...

Get it? Cheeky? Hehehe...

These are the things that rattle around my noggin' being surrounded by food all day : )  It's not so bad.

Go enjoy the fall's bounty and grab a pear at your local market!