Catch up

Big things that have happened since my last post:

• Thanksgiving
• Little man turned 3
• Finals
• Christmas

But the thing I'm most excited about is I am still at thirty pounds down!  YAY!!!

The holidays tend to be a bad time for most.  Birthdays and the stress of finals can be bad for the scale as well.  YET I am really doing this!  I got this :-)

I know I did not make the best choices with all that was going on however I was able to keep off the weight.  This feels amazing.

For Christmas I went up north to visit my family and although it was great being with them and so close to everyone, I am happy to be home.  This next semester will be incredible since I'll have night class.  I am back to working out on the elliptical and I'm working on cleaning the house big time!  I already have seven bags of stuff that needs to go to the thrift store and have thrown away quite a bit.

Being home feels good because I can get back into my eating routine.  Today I've already had 12 cups of water.  

Life is good :-D

love

anc

Little Man Monday

To make up for the LMMs I've missed here is an extended edition :-) Enjoy!

Taken November 1, 2008

Just over 3 years ago

Taken November 29, 2008

Little Man at a few days old

Taken November 21, 2009

LM at one year old

Taken October 19, 2010

LM at almost two years old

Taken November 12, 2011

LM at almost 3 years old

90 days

"You have logged in for 90 days in a row!"

This is what I saw when I logged my breakfast this morning :-D

Not going to lie, I'm proud of this.  Have they all been good days?  Nope not a chance but it is a slow change and I'm working on it.

My exercise has pretty much fallen to the wayside and I'm working to get back into the habit.  Some of my neighbors and I got together to workout at the women's only area on campus.  It was good working out with others and I enjoyed the fellowship however I do not think I'll be doing that equipment again.  I believe I have planter fasciitis.  I could barely walk all day Tuesday due to the pain I was in.  Not fun is an understatement.  It honestly felt like my heal was cracked and I would not like to experience that again if at all possible.  I've had the pain before but never to that degree.

Last night I finally got back on my "friend".  My 21 day habit forming did not happen however I will get up and try again!  I hadn't been to work out on my friend in months but it was great to be back.  I rocked it to the sound of 45 minutes and 270 calories later!

It is a daily battle not to eat all day or to sit around and not get my body moving.  I'm working on leaning on the Lord for my needs because I know He will lead me through.  He wants me to be at my best...even if that means tough times of working on my health and mind.  His grace is sufficient in all things!

Workout Program

I started doing C25K (Couch to 5k).  So far I am really liking the workouts.  It starts you out running for just one minute at a time and over the nine weeks it builds you up to running for thirty minutes.  This is good for me since I've never been much of a runner but I decided I needed something to help get me moving!

I'm looking forward to running with little man when he gets back from his dad's.  I like this because I could even do it while pushing the stroller if needed!!

Picture taken after Week 2 Day 2

Don't mind the pasty whiteness...

the flash went off and didn't feel like retaking

Little Man Monday

Up to no good!

Counseling and Such

This blog will make very little sense to the outside reader; however I am writing it for me and using this more as a journal.  Yeah the whole world can see it but that's okay.

Counseling is a powerful thing.  My school offers it free to students and decided to take advantage of the offer.

It is amazing how someone with nothing invested in your life can look in from the outside and give an observation that is really very clear.  Why don't we see that for ourselves?

Well I was challenged by my counselor Wednesday afternoon.  She gets to hear lots about my life and background.  I'm going mostly for career counseling, to help me figure out the direction I should head in.  After taking over half the session to talk about one topic she stopped me and said, "You just talked about that for twenty-five minutes and got animated and excited.  Why don't you do something with that?"  Wow.  I didn't realize how passionate I can be about this.  I don't want to go into the details at the moment, maybe another time.  I was then given the challenge.

I was scared to death.  BUT I did it!  I actually did it!  Granted I could hear my heart beat in my ears and was shaking but I accomplished my challenge.

On a completely unrelated note, I have been staying up really late this week.  I don't know what has come over me.  I can't seem to get myself to bed before one.  Even when I need to be up early I still go to bed late and then stay up the next night.  Craziness.

So far I've logged in to My Fitness Pal 55 days in a row.  I'm pleased with myself.  I am down 26 with my first goal being minus 35.  Why 35 you ask...that is how much little man weighs and I want to be able to say "I am minus my son!"  :-D

This week and last has not been the greatest diet wise.  I bought chocolate, which I shouldn't have even done but we all make mistakes.  I've been over almost everyday and am learning not to beat myself up so much but learn from it and try to make better choices next time.

School has been going well.  This week is mid-term week and I had a few tests but nothing bad.  This semester is proving to be quite easy.  I spoke to my counselor about this and she said maybe there is a reason for that.  At first I felt really bad and guilty that I wasn't really having to study or work hard but it is freeing up time in other areas for things like my challenge.

There is a season for everything.

Ecclesiastes 3:1-8

 ¹ There is a time for everything, 

   and a season for every activity under heaven:

 ² a time to be born and a time to die, 

   a time to plant and a time to uproot, 

 ³ a time to kill and a time to heal, 

   a time to tear down and a time to build, 

 ⁴ a time to weep and a time to laugh, 

   a time to mourn and a time to dance, 

 ⁵ a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them, 

   a time to embrace and a time to refrain, 

 ⁶ a time to search and a time to give up, 

   a time to keep and a time to throw away, 

 ⁷ a time to tear and a time to mend, 

   a time to be silent and a time to speak,

 ⁸ a time to love and a time to hate, 

   a time for war and a time for peace.

love 

anc

Goals

I know the importance of goals but I hadn't really set any for my weight loss besides the main goal weight. Well I finally did!


Take a look!


SW = 287 lbs 
GW = 175 lbs 
1.5 lbs lost per week 

Mini Goals: (developed 10/9/11) 
Goal 1: -35lbs (aka the weight my son is) = 252 lbs 
Complete by 11/19/11 

Goal 2: -60 lbs = 227 lbs 
Complete by 3/10/12 

Goal 3: -88 lbs = 199!!! "ONE"derland! 
Complete by 7/14/12 

Goal 4: -100 lbs = 187 lbs 
Complete by 9/8/12 

Goal 5 -112 lbs = GOAL WEIGHT of 175lbs 
Complete by 11/3/12


So if I did all my counting right I should be under 200 by July!  Sweet beans!


I set myself up to have 1.5 lbs gone per week.  I want to do this for good and in a healthy way.  

Little Man Monday

Yes I am in the picture to but his face is too cute not to post for the LMM!  Plus I look pretty silly too!

Before and After

Everyone loves good before and after photo.  Here is mine.

BEFORE

AFTER

Products Used:
Miracle Set
Foundation Primer
Ivory 6 Luminous and Matte Foundations mixed
A touch of Beige 1 Sheer Pressed Powder
Cream Eye Color in Beach Blonde as a base and primer
Desert Sun Bronzing Powder used as eye color
Steely Eyeliner
Ultimate Mascara
Hazelnut to fill in brows
Brow Gel to set
Berry Sparkle NouriShine Lip Gloss

Normally I wouldn't use the lip gloss but it was fun to play with!  Plus this was my first time doing something with my brows.  I love my job!!!!

Little Man Monday

Ham and Potatoes

Crockpot style ham and scalloped potatoes
This a great recipe!  My crockpot couldn't even hold all the ingredients so at the end I had to cut some of the onions and potatoes.  It was very good but I would change something if I knew what it was that was a bit off.  Maybe I had a bit too much onion?  Not sure.  I'll have to experiment with this one.

I did not calculate this on my own but according to the recipe it is 310 calories per serving and 8 servings.  I figured the serving size was one cup.  Next time I make it I'll figure this out.

Ingredients Needed:

• 1.5 lb 98% fat free ham [I used Jenni-o turkey ham] cut into pieces
• 9 medium potatoes, peeled and sliced thinly
• 1 large onion sliced thinly
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon pepper
• 1 cup shredded fat free cheddar cheese
• 1 can low fat cream of celery soup

Layer into crockpot:

• 1/2 the potatoes
• 1/2 the onion
• 1/2 the salt and pepper
• 1/2 the cheese
• 1/2 the ham
• rest of the potatoes
• rest of the onion
• rest of the salt and pepper
• rest of the cheese
• all of the soup
• rest of the ham

Cook time:

Low 8-10 hours

OR

High 4 hours

The finished product!

When feeling blue...

When feeling blue, simply rearrange your rooms!

I did not take a before picture but I am very pleased with these results!

Little Man's play room

I moved his bed into my room, since he usually sleeps in my bed anyway and moved the white dresser back to the big room (pictured is the master bedroom).  Yes my son does have the master bedroom for a playroom.  I like it that way.  

love
anc

Chicken Enchiladas

Crockpot style chicken enchiladas

This recipe was good.  I was not able to make many enchiladas to freeze because the corn tortillas I had would not fold without breaking so I improvised and a dish for the oven.  The tortillas became like chips so it was very nice!

I froze the extra and plan to do a chicken enchilada bake type dish with it.

This makes six 1 cup servings at 292 calories.  This amount is just for the messy mix.

Ingredients:

• 4-6 boneless skinless chicken breasts
• 8 oz cream cheese [I used fat free]
• 2 cans of enchilada sauce, red or green OR salsa [I used both!]
• 1 can black beans 
• 1 can corn
• tortilla shells
• shredded cheese
• sour cream, black olives, lettuce, etc to taste

I did not use any sour cream etc.  I drained both the beans and the corn and rinsed them.

Directions:

• Place chicken breasts in crockpot
• smother with one can enchilada sauce
• add cream cheese
• add black beans
• add corn
• Cook on low 8 hours
• Stir to shred chicken [I took out the chicken to cut it]

Now this is where my experience did not follow the directions.  

• spread chicken mixture on tortilla
• roll up and place seam side down in pan
• pour second can of enchilada sauce 
• cover with cheese
• bake at 325-350 degrees for approximately 30 minutes
• serve with whatever toppings you wish

I just placed tortillas in the pan, covered with mixture, put more tortillas on top with some cheese, and cooked.  I never used the second can of sauce.  

The yummy sloppy mess of chicken enchilada crockpot style!

Chicken Enchilada Bake

Chili with a Pizza Twist

UPDATE:  I've also made this without the pepperoni so there would be less sodium and it is still amazing!

This is probably my favorite crockpot recipe so far!  It is so good and I am happy to have leftovers still in the freezer!

Makes six 1 cup servings at 264 calories.  I personally like mine better without the parmesan.

Ingredients Needed:

• 1 pound lean ground turkey
• 1 (15oz) can kidney beans - and the goop!
• 1 (14oz) jar premade pizza sauce [you could totally make your own but I'm not that adventurous yet ;-)]
• 1 (14.5oz) can Italian stewed tomatoes
• 1 green bell pepper, seeded, and diced
• 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
• 25 turkey pepperoni slices [cut smaller]
• shredded mozzarella and/or parmesan cheese for serving - optional

The Directions:

• brown meat, drain off grease
• put meat into slow cooker
• add entire can of beans
• add pizza sauce
• add tomatoes (cut smaller if desired)
• add diced bell pepper
• stir in Italian seasoning and pepperoni
• I did not stir the first time I cooked this and it was still amazing!  Second time I made this I did stir and it was still amazing!  Hehe

Cooking Time:

Low for six to eight hours

OR

High for four hours

Now this picture isn't the best, I forgot to take one when it was in the nice crockpot so this is one in a baggy before being sealed and put into the freezer.

Pizza Chili!

Helping Others

I am loving my classes this semester!  They are all very interesting and thought provoking.  It is so nice to have classes that relate to life and have a purpose.

For my course in Missions and Evangelism, we are doing an evangelism practicum.  No this does not mean we are to go out to the streets and hand out gospel tracts.  It is about building relationships with others so we can then share our story about how God found led us to Him.

The teacher did not leave us hanging for places to go.  He had several different organizations come in telling us about their work and how we could help.  The vast majority were youth centered.  I do not mind youth but I would rather not have to work with them if there is another option.  While it was beginning to look like that would be the only thing that would fit into my schedule.  Boy was I wrong!  God brought a speaker in just at the right time to rip my heart open . . .  Teaching English pronunciation to international students and sharing about Jesus!  These are adults who have come from places like China and Korea to study in the States.  They are smart brilliant people, most are doing doctorate work at a local university.  Well I qualify!  I speak English and know our customs!

I was not able to go last week because little man and I were just not feeling up to it and honestly I wanted to check it out before he came.

It was amazing!  Before I left I was praying this would be a fun and good experience for me.  It was more than I could have ever imagined!  I cannot wait to go back!  The students are so kind and really have a desire to learn!

Now is this were I will end up, helping international students with English?  I honestly do not know but I like the possibility of it :-)  I will continue to pray and would love other's prayers as well about it.  My school does have a program for ESL/EFL Education so it could happen!

I mostly watched while I was there to see how things go.  The lady I got to know is from Korea and it was so fun to learn about her and the culture.  She is so friendly and opened up a lot.

I'll definitely be updating more about this experience!

love
anc