Tag Archives: healthy

Cooking

Lemon Chicken Noodle Soup #TastyTues

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So you have your basic homemade  Chicken Noodle Soup, but how about mixing it up for the summer,  make a light summer version.  Lemon Thyme chicken noodle.  not your average chicken noodle a cut above the rest,  also the lemon adds a little extra vitamin C.  Plus make it that left over chicken from the grocery store.  I love the pre-made rotisserie  chicken I always buy 2 when every I go to a big box bulk food store.

Lemon Chicken Noodle Soup

  • 3 celery stalks diced
  • 3 -4 carrots diced
  •  2 onions diced
  • 5 cloves garlic chopped
  • 1 bag of extra wide egg noodles
  • 2 quarts of chicken broth
  • 2 lemons (juiced)
  • 1/4 of thyme
  • 1 chicken cooked picked off the bone and diced (rotisserie kid you get precooked at grocery store) or chicken parts cut up to bite size peices
  • salt
  • pepper to taste
  • condensed chicken stock (optional)
  1. In a large pot add onions, celery , and carrots cook till translucent, salt and pepper to taste
  2. add chicken broth, bring to boil
  3. add lemon juice and thyme, extra chicken condensed stock
  4. add chicken to boil water if uncooked allow to cook till chicken is full cooked
  5. bring to boil
  6. add egg noodles for desired time required on package

Here is a printable version of the Lemon Chicken Noodle Soup

Fitness Fridays

Turning 41 and Numbers don’t Lie #FitnessFriday

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So this week I turned 41. Yea I love my 40’s. I think being 40 is about celebrating you..Glitter and Sparkles.. being your true self the diamond you were meant to be.   You are smarter, wiser and experience more than in your  20’s. The thing is mind which is at the height of confidence and knowledge does not have the body to match.  Your body is older and more stubborn.

It is harder to get and stay fit  after 40.  I know people always told me until to you get there you don’t understand.  So heed my warning if you are unhealthy get fit before you are 40’. The weight I lost in the past came off much easier when I was under 40, or even under 30.

So this week in honor of my birthday I celebrated, not the smartest move (it was a perfect day).

Saturday we when to downtown Philadelphia.  My husband was home and I always wanted to eat at Village Whiskey which was on Food Networks “Best Thing I ever ate”- ready to drool

  • Burger- Beef patty (at least 1 ¼ meat) , bourbon onions, cheese, lettuce, tomato, thick apple-wood bacon, roll  oh yea Duck confit (duck leg fat)
  • Fries- cooked in Duck Fat, covered in Cheese sauce and Braised short rib on top
  • We must not forget the Tatar Tots and fried Pickles I ate off my daughters plate.

(I am sorry no pictures I was so excited to eat it I forgot the Food “dirty pictures” (I would say the other word but worried I will get ban by Google))

I should have had the burger minus the meat, bread, bacon, and duck confit –  Because seriously the onions were to die for.. so going to try to make them this weekend- with a salad and 5-10 duck fat fries (the fries is why I went in the 1st place)

Then I my birthday, went out with the girls Hillary and Liz  (after a walk) an impromptu lunch.  I had crab dip (yea the bowl), salad, and Cheese Cake Factory Peanut butter Cup cheese cake-  which I did take home and proceeded to finish over the few days.CheeseCake Factory

My exercise in hopes to head the food off at the pass:

  • Saturday-walked 7451 down town..then I ate
  • Sunday-walked 3067-  that day sucked still celebrating
  • Monday-walked 10,280 which is 5.5 miles
  • Tuesday-walked 11,500 steps  which is 6.16 miles
  • Wednesday-walked 10,358 which is  5.54 miles
  • Thursday- walked 12,935  which is  6.91miles

So back to my bargaining and playing games with myself.. yea bargain and games do not work I of coursed gained back 4 lb 264. I did log everything I ate and was honest.  Also looking at the fitbit log I can see that I was more active the week before in less days. I love the Fitbit it really is great at looking at the big picture.

Good News!!!

Here is the thing I know I am changing so this week I decided to revisit my measurements as a boost to keep me going:

4/24/2012  5/24/2012
hips 54 52.75 1.25
waist 45 42.25 2.75
breast top 45 44.75 0.25
breast under (the boobs) 41 40.5 0.5
thigh 6″ above knee 25 24.5 0.5
calf 6″ below knee 17.75 17.5 0.25
lower arm 10.5 10 0.5
upper arm 14.625 14 0.625
neck 15.25 15.25 0
total inches lost 6.625

Yea 6 5/8 ”  inches –  in a month and they don’t lie.

So I will continue, next week more salads less duck fat.

This is the last day to enter my self hosted Giveaway to win $50 gift certicate to Dicks Sport or Juniona.com–  I want you to look better feel better in the size you are in.



You’re just steps away from better fitness.

Try Fitbit now.

Wikipedia: Fitbit Inc. is a company headquartered in San Francisco, California, United States. →

Cooking

2 Awesome Healthy Dips

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black bean and limeWith Memorial day coming here are 2 Crowd pleasing healthy dips; Black Bean and Hummus.   Why buy these dips when they are so easy to make and low calorie.  Serve with vegies or thin rice chips, they are healthy and a special dip treat.  Since I have been watching what I eat I have been coming up with new creative ways to enjoy food.  These dips are sure to win over a crowd and keep you weight in check.

Note: I have been keeping 2 things in my fridge to be sure to add them when need to any meal.  Roasted Poblano Peppers and roasted garlic.

BLACK BEAN DIP

  • Black beans 1 can
  • Poblano 1 roasted
  • 2-3 tsb of hot sauce
  • juice of one lime
  • 1 shallot chopped med size pieces
  1. Open , drain and rinse beans in a strainer..drain water off
  2. place in a food processor (I use a small one)
  3. cut roasted poblano pepper**  smaller pieces to fit in processor
  4. add chopped shallot , hot sauce, lime
  5. blend, chill and serve

** How to Roast a  Poblano  peppers (on the grill) then putting in a bowl , cover with saran wrap and and sweating the skin off. Take skin off and store- Poblanos are mild yet mild heat they add flavor, try them on a sandwich

Roasted Garlic Hummus

  • 1 can of chick pea
  • 3 tbs of olive oil
  • 1-2 cloves of roasted garlic
  • salt pepper
  1. Open , drain and rinse beans in a strainer..drain water off
  2. place in a food processor (I use a small one)  start to blend the chick peas and add oil as needed to make smooth
  3. cut roasted garlic peeled and add to taste it is milder than fresh
  4. blend, chill and serve

How to roast Garlic: Cut the tops off an entire clove pour olive oil  rapping in tin foil and place in oven for about an hour- roasted garlic is much milder and smoother. Do several at a time keep in fridge to add to anything.

Easy and healthy enjoy!

Fitness Fridays

Confidence & Goals #FitnessFriday

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This past week, I did  not win  the Mamavation Mom contest.  I was surprise how many people expected me to  be upset about not winning, or that I was not going to continue getting healthy because of the loss. The thing is that is not me, anyone who knows me,  knows that once I get something in my head, I proceed. I really don’t like people telling  me I cant do something.  I lost simply because I did not have enough votes, really it is all good.

In my life I have lost probably about 100+ pounds.  I am not a serial dieter.  Actually, I have only every dieted 3 times in my life (sophomore in college, before I got married, and when I did the 3 day breast cancer walk). The reason is I am NOT unhappy if I am plus size. I  know that is a statement  that would bother “some” people.  Because most people think if you are overweight… “you must be unhappy”.  Nope not me..My body size does not affect my confidence level,  I am confident regardless of my size.

Also I do think that.. I am a beautiful women, and I accept it as a truth in my life, it just makes everything easier.  I have seen women struggle with self-esteem,  telling me they “Feel like the only thing they control in their life is there weight”.   I think that is sad, that someone told you it looks are that important,  want to shake them saying “You can be and do anything!”    I think everyone is beautiful… you just have to believe it.  I happen to love the fact that I am tall, I have long legs, great nose,  and my breast are small, it makes me look smaller than I appear.

I am actually pretty good at losing the first 30 pounds.   By my experience, most fat people are very good at losing weight the problem is the long term keeping it off  through portion control  and inactivity.  So why am I overweight it is simple; I love to eat, love to sit,watch TV and I have a husband that thinks I am sexy no mater what size I am (lets face it I would not be with him if he said otherwise.)

So why NOW, do I want to get healthy?   If you watched my mamavation application video.. it is because of my health and lack of good health care. So things have to change so I can grow old with my husband and be there to see my grandkids.

Yes,  I will have  struggles at  losing weight, get frustrated,  tired and don’t want to do be good.. but I am hoping my better head will prevail.

GOALS So I decided this week I want to set fun goals to strive for in the next year.  Things that I wanted to do once I get in a healthier place weight-wise.

  1. I want to have a picture taken by PinUp Photographer Celeste Giuliano.  I love the look of a 1950 pin up girl.  I just think it would be really fun to do.   Check out some of her work, they are inspiring to me. Yes I could do the picture now .. but it is a goal.
  4. I want to wear point heels- reason when you are big you feel hurt in high heels
  5. I want to shop in regular stores being a size 12 would be nice,  the clothes are better.  I don’t think I will every be a size 6 or 8 (height thing.. and Cindy Crawford she is I think a 12)
  6. Airplane seat.. I want to sit with room on both sides in an airline seat.
  7. I want to buy a bicycle where my height is the biggest reason it need to be custom and not my weight.
  8. I want to water ski and get up ( I got up once in high school)
  9. I want to own a Vintage 50’s dress. The cool kind like you would wear to a party at the club. There is a local store called retro vintage.. I want to shop there.
  10. I want to learn how to ride a motorcycle
  11. I want to ride a horse again and not feel like I am hurting the animal
  12. I want to amusement ride were I am under the max weight (Like the Sky Bike at the Franklin Institute)
  13. I want to run a 5 k completely (no walking)

So this week was a great week:

  • Monday walked with the kids and did exercises with mamavation
  • Tues walked 10k steps at mall.  Then ran with Fleet Feet North Whales, and did mamavation #2weekchallenge
  • Wed Ran around the block walked walked 10k steps at mall.  Then ran with Fleet Feet North Whales, and did mamavation #2weekchallenge
  •  Thurs: walked with kids and did mamavation #2weekchallenge
  • Friday walk with kids and did mamavation #2weekchallenge

Food: I have been eating healthy for the past 2 week.  I need to make sure I am eating enough.  I need to talk to a nutritionist

Weight loss 263  -1   (started at 271)

Question of the week!  So what do you love about yourself? or What is a fun goal you want to accomplish?

Fitness Fridays

My two worlds comming together! Support & Mamavation

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SUPPORT What does that  mean for me ?  The past week  I have learned that I am getting support from all sorts of different places.  As you might know I am a finalist for the Mamavation Mom Campaign.  Voting has been going on the past week. If you want vote go here.  My family and friends have been voting/sharing with their friends.  My Aunts and uncles have been talking with their friends and voting.  My Sister-in-law who never reads bloggs got my mother online to vote.   A friend from church Kara asked her entire running train group to vote for me this past week.  I love how my offline community has gotten on line to show support emailing their friends and ask there groups to vote for me.   Thank you!

In the past year ..I have heard of talk about online friends not being “real” friends which I think is BS. Many of my online friends have become offline friends through conferences, and other events.   But what about the friends you have never met face to face.

I tweeted on a Saturday night my daughter go sick 11pm at night.  I had twitter friends who showed concern when it happened and some followed up with me on her health for the next few days.  I don’t think I told my parents about her getting sick.. but because I share parts of my life on twitter in real time my tweeps (twitter friends) are there and supporting.  Then many went on to share my Mamavation tweets.

Here are some thank you to my online tweeps for there support this last week.

My lovely friend Lori of Miss Ruby Sue put up a giveaway post for me on her site for a lovely handmade  doll.   Lori and I met on line a few years ago when we are on Good Morning America together.  Lori is for a different world from me she is Idaho and is a Mormon , 2 things I am not,  we talk for hours and it is like a breath of fresh air when I talk to her.  I adore her,  she is a wonderful sounding board and fabulous  lady.

The regular commenters on my Fitness Friday post Barb, Stephanie, Diane, Hillary, and Jo-Lynne  know that they will be reading my fitness Friday post every week has kept me going. I know that they will be there  every week reading and linking up to my posts.   Thanks girl for keeping me going since January.  Something can be said about online accountability

CecilyK a great friend who asked her followers  to vote for ma as a birthday wish. Cecily originally an online friends has turned in to an amazing off line friend and a voice of reason in my life and I love her for that.

Last Monday while sitting on a train coming back from NYC, I was overwhelmed by the online support for my trek to be the Mamavation mom.  Most of my online friend who have step up to the plate and ask there fans/flowers to vote for me.  Moved to tears of happiness I was reading the comments and well wishes of my friends.  I am truly honored by your support.

So to those who say that who you meet online is not real.  It is just a means to start a relationship.  For me those relationships are supportive and nurturing.   So do I think linking up with a group online will work for me to loose weight.  You betcha.. long as I am honest.  Because my support will be watching me as I go.

I hope I win tonight to be one of the Mamavation Moms for Campaign 12.  If I don’t’ I will continue for every person who voted for me, shared my story, and talk to a friend in my behalf.

 

So how did I do this week.

I went from 267 (last week it was from 267-265)  to

263  (down a firm 4)

I am finally eating better and seeing results.  It must be from keep the food journal on line.

This post is part of the mamavation monday link up

UPDATE: I did not win the #MamavationMom contest @weightsover and @lilacmomma did the ladies are going to be awesome! Good Luck to them!

Cooking

How to make Pickled Cauliflower Salad

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How to make a Pickled Cauliflower Salad :  that you can make an eat an minutes.  It also stores well so you can have Pickled cauliflower as a great healthy side to any meal.  This Salad is spicy, vinegary and crunch making you want more pickled cauliflower.  Bonus you can add any vegetables to the cauliflower and have a in season pickled salad.

Spicy Cauliflower Salad

  • 2 cups vinegar
  • 2 cups of water
  • 2 tbls of sugar
  • 1bulb of garlic (5- 6 cloves) Peeled
  • 2 bay leafs
  • 1 tbls red hot pepper flakes
  • 2 tbls of salt
  • 1 head of Cauliflower
  • 2 celery stalks
  • 2 carrots
  • 1 bell pepper  (any color , green, red, or  yellow)

  1. Put all the wet ingredients (vinegar, water. sugar),  ½ the red pepper flakes, Bay leaves, and garlic peeled
  2. Bring water /vinegar/ sugar /garlic to a boil
  3. Add the Cauliflower, celery, and carrots, 1 bell pepper
  4. Bring winger/ water  to a boil  again reduce heat and cook for 10 min (till cauliflower is tender to a fork)
  5. Remove from heat and allow cauliflower salad to cool 5-10  minutes
  6. Drain liquid reserve the cauliflower liquid for future use or store the Pickled cauliflower in .
  7. Put the salad in a bowl sprinkle with remain hot red pepper flakes and sprinkle with salt and add ½ cup of liquid  chill in fridge for 1 hour. Pickled Cauliflower saladI did buy a great storage container form Ikea for the cauliflower salads to keep in my fridge.

 

Tip;  Use remaining liquid  add 1 cup of water  1 could of garlic and  add green beans  bring to boil and store green beans in the liquid for a spicy green bean treat. Pickled green beans.

If you would like an easy print out version of this recipe.  click here  Cauliflower Salad

check out my other salad posts:   Pickled Squash

pickled squash recipe

Easy Sriracha Dressing

Chipotle Dressing Copycat

Easy Asia Coleslaw

easy aisa coleslaw salad

Have a great day !

Fashion, Fitness Fridays, LIfe

Fitness Friday Proper Sneaker {Linkyup}

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So this week, has been a week of commitment on my fitness journey.  I Signed up for a dietbet with Brandi at onegreatmom.com,  nothing like a little money to keep things out of your mouth.  The Bet official starts tomorrow with our 1st weigh in. I am excited  I need more accountability for food.

Then I signed up for the running training program with Fleet Feet Sports North Wales.  I recently was introduced to fleet feet by Joey Fortman and Ann Marie one of the owners this past Wednesday.  I will be working with them for training and they are out fitting me with proper sneaker/attire.  I was impress by the sneaker fitting I received and I learned things I did not know, because I have been doing to the big box stores. Here are some tips Ann Marie at Fleet Feet provided:

Proper Sneaker Fitting:

  • Have feet measured without socks (what you measured at 12 years old is probably not your current measurement.)
  • Have your foot measured in resting(sitting positions) and standing.
  • The Running store personnel should understand how you walk- (IE have you walk so they can see how your ball and heel hit and roll off the floor.  Then they can recommend a shoe that is designed for your foots needs.
  • Where design/color is nice a running/walking shoe should be about fit and support 1st,  so that you get proper performance.
  • In an athletic shoes it is better to go up a 1/2 size and have room (So mine sneakers are a 11 1/2 argh but it is about being the right shoe and not the size)
  • What does a good fitting sneaker feel like: “Heal should be supported, arch should be wrapped like a glove and your toes should be able to play a piano” Per AnnMarie
  • Fleet Feet Sports North Whales is nice because they allow you to actually run in the shoes outside, to insure comfort and fit.
  • If you are serious about a sport you should be serious about the shoes.
  • Also a good running store will take back the product at any point if you are not satisfied. That is the philosophy AnnMarie and her team have.

Ann Marie’s other Key advice : If you buy a good sneaker be sure to have a great sports bra just as important (but that is a separate post)

Thanks to Stephaine at aGrandlife.net for her foot

The training program I begin in a few weeks I am really excited,  of course I will continue to walk.

So how did I do this week?

Fitness Week:

  • Monday: Walk and run
  • Tues : Walked and Run
  • Wed: Walk and Run
  • Thursday/ Friday:  I have been fighting a cold so I actually stayed in bed,  I am trying to get out later today.  We will see.

Weight Loss:

  • Started 271 Jan
  • Last week 265  This week 264 -1

I am excited for next week if I can kick this cold I would feel better.

So how is your week going?



Disclosure: I was provided running gear from Fleet Feet North Wales, but all opinions in this post are of my own.

 

Fitness Fridays, LIfe

Fitness Friday My 1st week

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So I decided to start tracking how active I am every week and I thought posting it would be a good way of keeping me honest. So this is My Fitness Friday, it will be a regular on my blog.

My Diagnoses: I need to get myself in shape and fit.  Because I am not.   I have the body of a 50 year old when I am 40, it sucks but yea I ate/sat myself here.   3 years ago I was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes (adult onset).  I was 297lb at the time.  So I said it aloud finally,  I am a Diabetic.  I am not great at not eating in fact there are days where I down right suck.   I try to think of myself as allergic to sugar,  so I don’t drink any soda, try to stay away from cake, and try to not eat as much carbs. I also have high blood pressure and high cholesterol.

My Medicines; I am on 4 different meds  for 1 Hypertension, 1 Cholesterol and 2 Diabetes. I know not matter how healthy I get I will never be truly of the meds because my Dad is a thin man and he is still on them.. so genetics play a part.

Other Heath reasons: The other reason is with my husband loosing his job 2 years ago we recently had to look for a health care plan. Needless to say we did get in the plan with no preexisting conditions.  But not before getting rejected from the other “better” plans with letters that looked like a medical warrant for a quick death.    We also could not afford the better plan so,  now I can only go to the Doctor 3 times a year. (seriously I am suppose to do 4 times to my general practitioner , once to a Podiatrist and once to an eye: all as screening for diabetes.)

My Exercise Partner: I recently got my puppy Lloyd a Doberman, one of the reason is I wanted him, was to have a walking buddy. My Bulldog was not cutting it. (1 block and the bulldog would lay down).   So Lloyd is my dog, I am in the process of training him to walk with me..so we both are starting slow.

So here I go bearing my weighted soul,  I am going to cover my movement and food will come in later posts;

Week 1/30-2/3  round up:

Current weight 271lb

  • Tues 1/30  Walked dog  around the block running for 30 seconds
  • Wed 2/1 walked the dog around the block running for 20 seconds
  • Thus 2/2 walked the dog around the block running for 30 then 10seconds
  • Friday 2/3 traveling to indy I will walk around the airport

Feeling: I feel already I get up the stairs easier (placebo effect?)

This weekend I am going to The Taste of the NFL Party in Indy for the Superbowl.  I do not expect great things with healthy eating a figure I will try to make good choices but no promises.

Next week I will have a linky I hope that you will consider joining me on this journey.

 

Cooking

Chicken Lettuce Wraps and Bacon blue cheese Lettuce Wraps

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I needed an health-ish option for football Sunday Lettuce wraps 2 versions Blue cheese lettuce Wedge wrap a take on the steak house salad and a Fire Cracker Chicken lettuce wrap  which is spicy, sweet and sour.  These wraps are a similar favor to wings but deconstructed in to 2 options.  They have the heat in one and the blue cheese in the other.   Something green,  Lettuce Wraps easy to pick up and eat.  Great finger food.   Football Foods grown up.   I also have to say even my 10 year old like them.

Fire Cracker Chicken Lettuce Wraps (Shown above)

  • 1 or2 boneless Chicken breasts
  • 1 head of Boston Bib lettuce
  • 2 cups Orange Juice
  • 1 tbls Honey
  • 1 lime
  • 1 blood orange
  • 4 tbls Soy sauce
  • ¼cup rice vinegar
  • Lime
  • Sugar
  • Cayenne pepper
  • 1 package of shredded coleslaw
  • Salt pepper

Prep:

  1. In a plastic bag, 1 cup of OJ, 2 tbls of Soy,  1-tbls spoon of honey, 1tbls of Cayenne pepper salt pepper,  Place thawed chicken in Marinade for 2-3 hours or overnight.
  2. Separate bowl place ½ a bag of coleslaw, 2 tbls of sugar, ¼cup rice vinegar , juice of a lime, pinch of salt mix sit for 2-3 hours  over night.

Cook:

  1. Fry or grill chicken till cooked,  add marinade in pan while cooking to keep moist.  Remove chicken to a separate plate allow to cool so you can shred with a fork.
  2. Deglaze the chicken pan with 1 cup orange juice and  2 tbls soy sauce to make a reduction
  3. Clean and wash lettuce keeping leaves in tack (bib lettuce is great for wraps because the are flexible

Assemble:  Lettuce, coleslaw, shredded chicken , drizzled with oj/soy reduction, top with blood orange

For an easy printer -friendly  recipe Fire Cracker Chicken Wraps

Blue Cheese Bacon Wedge Lettuce wraps

  • 1 head of Boston Bib lettuce
  • Solid blue cheese  ¼ lb (sliced thin, shaved)
  • Thick cut bacon
  • Plum Tomatoes diced
  • Olive Oil
  • Balsamic Vinegar
  1. Clean and wash lettuce keeping leaves in tack (bib lettuce is great for wraps because the are flexible)
  2. Cook the bacon draining fat once cool slice in to thin strips
  3. Assemble
  4. Lettuce, tomato, blue cheese ,bacon, Drizzle with oil and vinegar-  Wrap and eat

I like the balsamic in a spray  container so it is evenly distributed I found mine at Trader Joes

  • Variations- add sour cream  or an hard boiled egg- for a cobb version

For an easy printer -friendly  recipe  Blue Cheese Wedge Lettuce wraps

To check out more recipes of great  super bowl food check out my fellow Red Pack Blogger Winner  Wendy Weekend Gourmet superbowl food  linkup.

superbowl health food