Very Hearty Corn Chowder

Adapted from a recipe in "The One Dish Vegetarian" by Maria Robbins, page 26-27. I changed it up a bit.

1 TBSP unsalted butter
1 TBSP olive oil
1 large onion, finely chopped
6 carrots, diced
3 celery ribs, diced
1 red bell pepper, ribbed, seeded and finely chopped
3 jalapeno peppers, ribbed, seeded and finely chopped (I left those out)
8 garlic cloves, finely minced
1/4 cup finely minced fresh parsley
1 TBSP fresh oregano
2 tsp. fresh thyme, or 1 tsp. dried
2 tsp. paprika
1/4 tsp. cayenne
6 cups vegetable broth or water
5 potatoes, peeled and diced
2 yams or sweet potatoes, peeled and diced
8-10 corn tortillas, cut into fine julienne
2 cups fresh or frozen corn kernels
1 4 oz. can mild green chilies, drained and finely chopped
1 to 2 cups soy milk or low fat milk
1 tsp. salt, or to taste
Pepper, to taste

Garnish
2 limes, quartered
1/2 cup finely chopped fresh cilantro

1. Heat the butter and olive oil in a soup pot over medium heat. Add the onions and cook, stirring frequently, for 10 minutes, until the onions begin to color. Add the carrots, celery, peppers, garlic, parsley, oregano, thyme, paprika, and cayenne. Cook for another 5 minutes, stirring frequently.

2. Add the broth or water, potatoes, yams and tortillas. Cook, uncovered, over low heat, at a gentle simmer for about 20 minutes, until the potatoes are just cooked.

3. Add the corn kernels, green chilies, and some soy or regular milk if the soup looks too thick. It should be a consistency you like. Cook 5 minutes longer and remove from heat. Season with salt and pepper to taste.

4. Serve in large soup bowls and pass the limes and cilantro for garnishing.

While I was making this I was a bit skeptical--until I put the tortillas in and watched it thicken right up. The tortillas are what thicken it! And me gusta mucho tortillas de maiz. (I LOVE CORN TORTILLAS!!) The soup turned out great, kind of sweet, kind of spicy--and I am still full. My kids? Well, they don't like much of anything, so don't take the fact that they called it "disgusting" and "the worst thing on the planet" to heart. I certainly didn't.

Old Man Winter

He really makes it hard to run when and where I want. Not to mention the fact that my kids are all out of school. All. Day. Long. Every. Single. Day. Until. January.

Anyway. I am fighting off another respiratory infection, so maybe it's best that I don't run outside for now. I wanted to try to get a run in this afternoon, but Ryan still isn't home from work and now it is dark outside. So I'll be hitting the treadmill again tonight!

Today's meals included oatmeal, a clementine and string cheese for a snack, leftover jacket potato (with cottage cheese this time) for lunch and a smoothie for an afternoon snack. I got in a lower body workout this afternoon while Lincoln didn't nap.

I am trying to only eat basic foods--foods with few ingredients and ones that I can pronounce. So for now I am doing smoothies without protein powder to see how it goes. Because really I don't know what any of this stuff is!!

So my family can blame my new emphasis on whole, natural foods on all my vegetable movies. :) I've been watching another fantastic one recently, "The Gerson Miracle." Wow.

Back to my smoothie...I used a banana, frozen strawberries, peaches and mangoes, baby spinach, cottage cheese (for protein), chia seeds, almond milk and flaxseed oil. It was nice and thick, so I had it in a bowl with some trail mix and cereal on top.

Now I've got a yummy vegetarian soup simmering on the stove...if Ryan ever gets home I will let you know how it tastes!!

Veggin' out!

My first (official) day on the wagon went well! I woke up early and decided to take advantage of the peace and quiet and do my upper body work out at 5 am. It was wonderful. We spent the day doing a variety of things for Lincoln's birthday--and I never once touched any of the cupcakes, candy, ice cream or cake. Yay, me! I ran two miles in the afternoon--I had to stick with the treadmill because it was freezing cold outside. I ate oatmeal for breakfast, raisins, craisins and almonds for a snack, cheese pizza for lunch and a yogurt bowl in the afternoon. For dinner, Lincoln had requested spaghetti and meatballs. So the family had that--still healthy with ground turkey, of course. I sauteed a bunch of different veggies (eggplant, zucchini, mushrooms and onions) and had them over the whole wheat pasta noodles with a sprinkle of reduced fat Parmesan cheese. Then I remembered that I was supposed to eat raw stuff, too, so I added chopped green peppers, baby spinach and chopped tomatoes to the mix. It was good!
Oh--and a breadstick on the side.

Overheard

Isaac: Dad likes action movies.

Lincoln: What kind of movies does Mommy like?

Isaac: Vegetable movies.

Jacket Potatoes

Kind of a weird name, but these are easy and really good. And...vegetarian!! I think my struggle is going to be getting enough protein to keep me full. But tonight's recipe (courtesy of my SIL) was a great way to start our adventure. Basically, these are actually just baked potatoes with a yummy topping. So I still don't really get the name...

I promise there is a potato hiding under there...

Avocado, Tomato and Corn Salsa

2 tomatoes, chopped
1 1/2 cups frozen corn
1/2 purple onion, chopped
1 TBSP lime juice
1/2 tsp. sugar (I used Truvia)
2 avocados, diced

Put tomatoes, corn, onions, lime juice and sugar into a bowl and mix well. Add the avocado. Spoon mixture onto baked potatoes and add a dollop of fat-free sour cream.

(Here I was thinking I could have used plain Greek yogurt or fat-free cottage cheese instead of the sour cream to up the protein content. Next time I will know!)

A late night post...

Well, Ryan is upstairs snoring, which means I am down here not sleeping. So I thought I'd share all my deep thoughts on a late night post.

A few months ago my sister asked me why I hate running. I was thinking about that this morning as I ran. I woke up with a splitting headache and a sore throat, but the weather was supposed to be decent today and Ryan was home, so I had to take advantage of my moment to get out and get going. I bundled up and headed out to brave the 35 degree weather. I actually had a great run--my headache went away and I didn't stop at all, except when I was trying to avoid being hit by a car. The end of my route is uphill and I was running against the wind (barefoot and through three feet of snow and in blinding hail, too...). This is when I recognized why I haven't been a big fan of running, or of any cardio for that matter. I have asthma. My lung capacity isn't great. When I go to the doctor and they make me take the little breathing tests that they have it isn't pretty. So I think that is why I don't love it. I can't breathe when I do it. When I got home I was literally gasping. I think the cold air made it worse. But I just took a few puffs of my inhaler and rested for a bit and I was fine. I know I am certainly not the first asthmatic to train for a marathon--I think the more I train, the better things will get.

And I am loving it more. I find myself wanting to run. I want to be a runner. Today was just three miles, but three miles outside is different than three on the treadmill. More interesting. More variety. Hills, trees, grass, dogs. It's better. Plus, my foot didn't hurt at all, which makes me wonder. Maybe the treadmill has something to do with it?

(BTW--I hope you all know I was kidding about the running barefoot in the snow comment. I only run barefoot in the house.)

And--I really am gung-ho about this whole vegetarian thing. I just didn't think about how big of a change it was until I started trying to do it without having planned ahead. I found myself wondering, "What do vegetarians even eat?" So today I went to the library and stocked up on some cookbooks. I revised my week of meals for this coming week and I am excited to try all these new recipes! I'll tell you all upfront, though--I HATE tofu. I have tried many, many times to like it. I have cooked it many different ways. They say it takes on the flavor of what you are cooking it with. Ryan and I both think that is crap. It tastes horrible. So don't expect to be seeing many recipes calling for a block of firm tofu. Not happening here!!

This is the book I am using this week! I will keep you updated. I know you are all waiting on the edge of your seats...

Um, maybe not.

So I'm thinking deciding to become a semi-vegetarian the day after Thanksgiving wasn't the most brilliant plan.

Give me a week or two.

Got leftovers??

NOT FOR LONG!!!

This recipe makes the BEST turkey sandwiches EVER!! It is one of our favorite parts of Thanksgiving. When I was making it this year, I asked Ryan if I should double it and his response was, "You can never have too much cranberry salsa." So here it is, folks,

Cranberry Salsa

3 cups fresh or frozen cranberries, thawed
1/2 medium-sized purple onion, chopped
2 jalapeno peppers, seeded and chopped (I leave these out)
1/2 cup fresh cilantro
1/2 cup honey
2 TBSP fresh lime juice
1 TBSP orange zest

Process all ingredients in a food processor, pulsing 6 to 8 times or until coarsely chopped, stopping to scrape down sides. Cover and chill 8 hours.

For a sandwich--serve with sourdough bread, turkey, green leaf lettuce and salsa. YUM!!

Recommendation

I really love to learn. I love to read. I love to watch documentaries. And I am easily swayed by them. Hey, at least I am aware of it. I watched "Food Matters" this past week (thanks for the idea, Priscilla!) and found it to be fascinating. (I use that word a lot.) I highly recommend it--it is available streaming on Netflix. I think it's going to change the way I eat. I am wanting to head more towards the vegetarian persuasion. Not totally--I don't think that would be practical. But I am definitely going to be cutting back on meat drastically. (Technically I think I will be called a pescetarian, or semi-vegetarian with a leaning towards the Mediterranean diet.) And also I am really interested in doing more with vitamins. Well, I just think you should all watch this movie and see what you think.

(Ryan thinks I will only last a month on my new plan. But I have done really good with giving up Diet Coke, cutting back on sugar and eating oatmeal every day. I am ready to take on the challenge of less meat and more raw fruits, veggies, beans and nuts! Recipes, anyone?)

Going Native

Well, yesterday I took to the treadmill. I only did a mile, which seems absolutely PATHETIC to me, but I am really trying to take it slow. I don't want to injure myself again. And--my foot was fine!!! Yippee!! I decided to try something new--reading this "Born to Run" book about the ancient tribe of running Indians in Mexico has really got me thinking and I did my running...


Barefoot! (I almost wrote "in the nude" just to really freak you out. But that would freak me out, too, so don't worry.) So my barefoot running experience was a bit cold, but other than that, it was great. Obviously I won't be doing it outside anytime soon, but I'm going to keep it up on the treadmill. And now I've been thinking about getting some of these crazy shoes...
And, the moment you have all been waiting for, introducing my new running partner...
Kirby will be coming home with us on Dec. 11th!!

Changes

The x-rays came back negative for a stress fracture. Which means...basically nothing, because stress fractures don't always show up on x-rays.

I am beyond fed up with my doctor. I need a new one. Any suggestions?

I have been taking it easy for plenty of time now, so I have decided to just start easing my way back into running. I did 15 minutes on the elliptical this morning and I'm hoping to do some easy running this afternoon.

We have had all sorts of things going on here:
-I passed my licensing test that I have been studying for like crazy for the past three weeks. I guess in a way it is good I haven't been able to work out as much--it freed up a lot of time to study.
-I quit my job at Baby Gap. I loved it, but my life had just gotten way too busy.
-We are getting a dog!! We are going to go pick him out from the breeder tonight and we will be able to bring him home in about 3 weeks! I'll post pictures soon!!
-Today is my kids' last day of school until after the new year. So this blog might be getting even more sporadic. You've been forewarned.

I am reading a FABULOUS book right now--I'm in the middle of it and I have found it absolutely fascinating.
I highly recommend it.

And is everyone ready for this week?! Not just the crazy eating, I'm talking about Black Friday!!
Have you all seen this? I love it!! I wish I had a red tracksuit like that.

Planning ahead

I have spent a lot of my time with these two reading materials lately. Vegetable Gardening for Dummies and the Heirloom seed catalog. Yes, I'm a bit early--but I love to plan! So I have been plotting out my garden for next year. I'm determined to have a lot more success this next year. We have been adding things to our soil now so that it will all be lush and ready for planting in the spring. So many plans--three varieties of potatoes, onions, leeks, lettuce, corn, tomatoes, peppers, squash, zucchini, pumpkins, chard, watermelon, sunflowers, carrots and maybe we'll try peanuts. And that's not all! Now I just need to learn how to can and I'll really be self-sufficient. I still wish our HOA would let us have free-range chickens.

And I went to the doctor finally yesterday. I am dying to go running...they should call me back today with the results of the x-rays. Hopefully it is just a strained ligament and it will heal quickly.

French Oven Beef Stew

This is a recipe of my mom's. We rarely eat red meat, but for this recipe I make an exception. It is SO GOOD. The aroma alone is incredible. I made it the other night when we had dinner guests, so I didn't bust out my camera. Luckily (surprisingly) there were leftovers, so I got to have it for lunch the next day, too. And you get to see a picture!

2 lbs. Beef, cut into cubes (I used grass-fed--very, very pricey, but tasty!! And humane.)
2 med. onions, cut in eighths
3 ribs celery, cut in diagonal pieces
1 lb. carrots, cut into chunks (really the more the better here)
2 cups tomato or vegetable juice
1/3 cup quick tapioca
1 TBSP sugar
1 TBSP salt
1/4 tsp. pepper
1/2 tsp. basil
8-10 med. potatoes, cut into chunks

Combine beef, onion, celery, carrots, juice, tapioca, sugar, salt, pepper and basil in a 2 1/2 quart casserole dish. Cover and cook in a slow oven (?) at 300 degrees for 2 1/2 hours. Mix potatoes into stew and cook uncovered for 1 hour longer.

**I just mixed the potatoes in at the beginning and cooked it that way and it was fine.

Red Beans and Rice

1 pound red beans, soaked overnight
1/2 lb. chopped ham
1 large onion, diced
3 stalks celery
1/2 green pepper, chopped
2 or 3 bay leaves
1 sprig parsley
Pepper to taste
Shot of Tabasco sauce
2 T. Worcestershire sauce
1/2 cup (or more) veggie puree
Cooked brown rice

Soak beans overnight with a sprinkle of baking soda. In the morning, rinse beans and mix with all of the other ingredients except the rice. Cook all day on low in a crock pot. Serve over hot brown rice.

DIY Yogurt!

I am rather obsessed with Greek Yogurt. I try to limit my intake because it is so darn expensive. And yet (who knew?!) so darn easy to make!!!

First you take a thing of plain old yogurt. I should have checked the sugar content in this before I bought it. Silly me--I assumed that because it was plain it was low in sugar. 16 grams is not low in sugar. Next time I will check my labels more closely.
Put a colander in a bowl and line the colander with cheesecloth. Finding cheesecloth may be the hardest part of this entire process. I finally found some at Albertson's in the Kitchen gadgets aisle.
Dump the yogurt in the cheesecloth and pull the sides together.
The directions I saw said to refrigerate it for 3 hours at this point. I like it THICK, so I just did it over night. In the morning, the whey has separated out of the yogurt and you are left with thick, creamy yumminess.
Perfect! And HALF the price!!!

A BIG announcement!!

It's not what you are thinking. Four is enough.

I've been thinking about so many things lately--I've had some "Ah-ha!" moments this week in terms of myself, my life and my body image. A lot has been going on internally. Which is good, since my foot STILL hurts, so I haven't been doing a heck of a lot externally.

On that subject, I was reading a book the other day and came across this little tidbit:

"Stress fractures in runners are found most commonly in the lower leg and foot...Stress fractures tend to occur when training intensity is increased too quickly. (Hmmm...like being sick for two weeks and then running four miles? Maybe?) Bone is constantly remodeling according to the stresses placed upon it. When a runner gradually ramps up her mileage, bone strength increases in response to that stress. But when she does too much too soon, she can exceed the ability of her bone to adapt to stress."

I don't know if I have a stress fracture. I really don't want to go to the doctor. Get this--it takes six to eight weeks to heal! So I'm hoping I just pulled a muscle or something. I have been trying to take it easy.

And why, may you ask, would I be running four miles and reading running books when I have been a self-proclaimed hater of running my whole life? WELL (drumroll please)...

I have decided to change all that. I am training to run the Pocatello marathon Labor Day 2011 with my dear friend and total inspiration, Priscilla. Her blog really inspired me in ways I can't even explain. I needed a goal, a challenge--something. This marathon is it.
Yikes.

I really do have some of the most incredible friends ever. After a conversation with another dear friend, Kayla, the other day, I have really started on a positive mental path concerning my body image. I may go into it more another time, but for now I would just like to say THANK YOU!

I feel very motivated, upbeat and excited about all of the things going on right now. Hopefully my foot will feel better soon and I can start logging more miles!!

Parmesan Ranch Chicken

Looking at this picture makes me realize that I ate more than I should have--that is quite a hefty portion of pasta! But I had been in class all day exercising my brain, so that is my excuse.

1/2 cup (organic) Corn Flake crumbs
1/2 cup reduced fat grated Parmesan Cheese
1 1/2 oz. dry Ranch dressing mix
6 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
3/4 cup shredded Parmesan cheese
26 oz. marinara sauce (watch out for HFCS!)
Hot cooked whole wheat pasta

In a large ziploc bag combine cornflake crumbs, 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese and ranch mix. Coat both sides of chicken with mix. Place in 9x13 inch pan sprayed with nonstick cooking spray. Bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes. Just prior to serving, sprinkle with remaining Parmesan. Heat marinara sauce and serve over cooked pasta with chicken.

Foot injury...

I know--it's like a slap in the face. I finally get over my illness and now I've hurt myself. I don't even really know what happened. I ran my four miles on Monday (which burnt around 600 calories, according to the treadmill!) I was fine. I worked on Monday night and I noticed my foot was starting to hurt a bit. I thought it might be the shoes I was wearing. When I got home from work and got out of the car, the pain had spread up to my knee. It still hurt on Tuesday--where I spent all day resting it since I was in class. I tried to run on Tuesday night but I could only do a half mile before the pain got too bad. Yesterday I just walked for a mile and a half while holding on to the arm supports to try to keep the weight off of it. I can still do the elliptical, although it hurts. Really, everything hurts it except not moving. Hmm...

So any thoughts? What did I do? The pain is on the upper outside of my left foot, right under the bony ankle part.
(I know I need a new pedicure.)
What should I do? I REALLY don't want to go to the doctor. I keep thinking it will go away, but it hasn't yet. Has anyone else experienced this? I know some of you are runners. Anyone? Anyone? Bueller?

Strogaburgers!

I love the extra hour in the mornings. I just wish my kids got the concept...they were up playing at like 5:30 this morning. C'est la vie! I was still able to get in my 20 minute warm up for the day on the elliptical.

I fed the kids brown rice with milk and "sugar" (Truvia) for breakfast, along with banana-blueberry-spinach shakes. Strangely enough, I wasn't really hungry at all for lunch even though I just had my typical breakfast of oatmeal with almond milk and blueberries. I ended up eating some random things:
-the crust of Lincoln's PB&J
-most of a Fuji apple
-a piece of light string cheese
-a handful of oatmeal squares cereal
-some almonds
-some Sunflower Basil crackers
-come fat-free cottage cheese

So that was lunch. Then Lincoln cooperated and took his nap today and I ran FOUR miles! And then I did a lower body workout! Woo hoo! He just kept right on sleeping so I even had time to take a shower and blow dry my hair and get some studying in! I wish he would do that every day!!!

After all that working out I was super thirsty and I think that all the water I drank sort of stunted my appetite, because I still wasn't really hungry. I had a TLC Fruit and Grain bar for my afternoon snack. Then came dinner--one of the kids' faves which we like to call "Strogaburgers."

1 lb. (or more) lean ground turkey
1/2 package turkey bacon, diced
1/2 cup chopped onion
1 1/2 TBSP flour
3/4 tsp salt
1/4 tsp paprika
Dash pepper
1 can fat free Cream of Mushroom soup
1 cup fat free sour cream
1/2 cup vegetable puree (I used, what else? Pumpkin!)
Whole wheat Hamburger Buns (watch out for HFCS!!)

Place ground turkey and bacon in a skillet and cook until turkey is browned. Add onion and cook until just tender. Spoon off excess fat. Blend flour, salt, paprika and pepper into meat. Stir in mushroom soup. Cook uncovered about 20 minutes, stirring often. Stir in sour cream; heat. Serve in buns.


And now I'm off to bed. I don't know what tomorrow will bring-- I have to leave the house by 6:45 to get to another ALL DAY class. At least my brain will be getting exercise!

Not what I planned

Today was a weird day. I worked late last night and then was up at 5:40 to get ready because I had to leave the house bright and early. I got just 15 minutes in on the elliptical before I had to get ready and leave. Then I spent ALL DAY LONG in a training class for my job. Ugh. You would think I would have a ton of energy after sitting in class for eight hours, but instead I came home exhausted. And hungry. Which led to eating a huge yogurt bowl and maybe a few (or five) pumpkin cookies. At least I made them, so they were healthed up a bit.

I had intended to run four miles tonight, but I was just too tired. I'm not hard-core like some of my more impressive friends. (Priscilla.) I ran a mile and walked another half. Then I did Pilates. Tomorrow is a rest day. Hopefully by Monday I will have more energy and less soreness!

I feel guilty. I should get back down there and run some more. I can do this, right?!

Santa Fe Chicken Soup

1/3 cup brown rice (uncooked)
4 portions chicken breast
1 lime, halved
2 tsp. taco seasoning
6 corn tortillas
1 TBSP olive oil
1 clove garlic, minced
1/2 onion, chopped
1 can diced green chilies (4 oz.)
6 cups fat free, reduced-sodium chicken broth
4 TBSP salsa
1/4 cup fat free sour cream
2 TBSP cilantro, chopped

1. Cook brown rice according to package directions. While rice is cooking, place chicken breasts in a shallow dish; cover with lime juice and lightly coat both sides with taco seasoning. Then place chicken on a hot grill and cook for approximately 6 minutes on each side. Let chicken cool slightly, then cut it into strips and set aside.

2. Preheat oven to 350 degrees and cut corn tortillas into 1/2 inch strips, then place them on a baking sheet. Bake for about 15 minutes, or until crispy. Set aside.

3. While the tortilla strips are baking, heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add garlic and onion; saute until the onion is transparent, about 8 minutes.

4. Add cooked rice to the pot and saute for 3 minutes. Add green chilies and saute for 2 more minutes. Then pour fat-free broth into the mixture and bring it to a boil. Add sliced chicken and reduce heat to low. Simmer for about 25 minutes.

5. Place a few baked tortilla chips in the bottom of the bowls, and spoon about a fourth of the soup into each. Garnish with more tortilla strips, a spoonful of salsa, sour cream and cilantro.

**You might just want to consider doubling this one. It is that good. I also add lime juice to the soup. Yum!**

Working out makes me happy.

The kids were not cooperating with my plans to work out this morning. I guess it's okay, because my body is still not loving me for pushing it so hard the past few days. I got in a whopping 1 minute and 44 seconds on the elliptical before I had to give up and be the Mom for a while. I did 20 minutes of Yoga with the kids, which is always interesting (and probably not all that valuable.) That's okay--Lincoln did cooperate this afternoon and took a nice nap, so I got in a three mile run this afternoon. (Today is a VERY MUCH NEEDED rest day for strength training.)

Breakfast was oatmeal with...pumpkin! And lunch was a sprout sandwich with a little bit of turkey added in.
The more veggies I stack on there, the more full I will be when I'm done. I had all kinds of lettuce, cucumbers, tomatoes, onions and sprouts, obviously. Yum! Enjoyed outside picnic style with Lincoln.

Dinner was breakfast burritos with pinto beans on whole wheat tortillas. And now I am off to work.

Orange Roughy with Brown Rice and Zucchini

4 portions brown rice (about 1 cup uncooked)
1/4 cup Italian style breadcrumbs
1/4 cup reduced fat Parmesan Cheese
1 egg white
4 portions Orange Roughy fillets
3 TBSP fresh parsley, chopped
4 small zucchinis
1/2 red onion, chopped
1 tsp lemon zest
1 lemon, halved

1. Prepare rice according to package directions.
2. Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Lightly coat a baking sheet with cooking spray.
3. In a pie plate, combine breadcrumbs and Parmesan cheese. In a small mixing bowl, whisk egg white until foamy.
4. Lightly brush both sides of orange roughy fillets with egg white, then coat with breadcrumbs. Arrange fillets on the prepared baking dish and sprinkle with 1 TBSP of parsley. Bake until orange roughy is opaque throughout, approximately 20 minutes.
5. While fish is baking, lightly coat a large skillet with butter-flavored cooking spray (I melted about 1 TBSP real butter as well) and place over med-high heat. Slice zucchini diagonally in 1/4 inch slices. Add zucchini and onion to the skillet and saute for about 10 minutes or until they are the texture you like.
6. Stir the remaining parsley and lemon zest into the rice.
7. Top orange roughy with freshly squeezed lemon juice and serve with rice and zucchini.

WOW--the fish was awesome and I tell you I will NEVER eat steamed zucchini again--this sauteed stuff was to die for. And so simple!! Orange Roughy fillets aren't always the easiest to find--I found mine at Sprouts (imported from Australia) but this would probably taste good with another type of fish as well. Come to think of it, I had Parmesan-crusted Tilapia from Olive Garden not too long ago.

Something smells fishy...

So. Sore. Today. It's a good thing! I started off with 20 minutes on the elliptical and did upper body this afternoon. By tonight I could barely walk downstairs to get to the treadmill, so I started off walking for a mile, then I ran 1.5 miles and then walked another half.

Breakfast for the kids was....(big surprise here)

Pumpkin Muffins! I also made smoothies.

This morning I couldn't find Lincoln anywhere. Finally he called out to me. He was in the office, under the table and behind the exercise bike. Eating candy. I asked him where he got it and he said, "Audrey's candy bag." I hate Halloween candy!! It turns my kids into little monsters until it is gone.
Lunch for me was another sprout filled sandwich, but I ate it before I snapped a picture. Then I had a yogurt bowl for a snack. Just looking at this picture makes me want another one.
I've started adding a little bit of my local honey to the plain Greek yogurt to sweeten it and boost my immunity.

And dinner tonight was SO GOOD!!!!!!!!!!! WOW! I was skeptical going into it, because the fish smelled very fishy even in the freezer, but wow, it was awesome!! Recipe to follow...

New Meal Plans up...

For you, Becca.

SO happy!!

I wasn't sure how today was going to go. I was determined to get up and get some form of exercise in no matter what. I certainly didn't expect to be awake from 2:45 am until 4:30 am because I couldn't stop coughing. Ugh. But I persevered. I've noticed that when you realize you have gained an enormous amount of weight in the same week that you get a horrible, long-lasting respiratory infection you lay around all day feeling like this and this:

and there isn't a DANG THING you can do about it!!!!! It is immensely frustrating and highly motivational all at the same time.

So I did about 20 minutes on the elliptical machine this morning--still sort of testing the waters. Then I felt okay the rest of the day, so I decided to kick it up a notch! I got the kids to bed and went downstairs and ran 3 miles and did a lower body workout!!!! I feel so good! Yes, I still feel like a whale (a sick whale at that), but maybe not quite a beached whale anymore!!!! I love working out and I am so grateful that I was able to do it without having an asthma attack! Maybe the end of this is in sight!!!!

Also on my agenda for today--Round 2.
My friend was going to throw out her jack o' lanterns, so I offered to take them off her hands. Or her porch...

I think we are up to about 150 cups of frozen pumpkin puree! I made pumpkin chocolate chip cookies for an after-school snack which were thoroughly enjoyed as evidenced by this picture of my boys.

Oompa, oompa, oompadee do

Hope you all had a rockin' Halloween!!

So I am starting to feel a little better today. I still have a cough and lots of pressure in my chest, but today I didn't sleep all day long, so that is a good sign. I decided to attempt some Pilates and had to get to my inhaler after 20 minutes--so cardio is still not a good option, but at least I did something.

Last night we had delicious Tortilla Soup for dinner. I should get up and go get the recipe so I can type it out for you...but that might just be a bit too much cardio for me... I will someday, I promise.
I bought sprouts at Sprouts last week and have been enjoying them often. I forgot how much better they make a sandwich taste!
In an effort to get healthy I bought herbal tea today. I have never liked the stuff but I wanted to do something. I still don't like it. It tastes like hot water. What is the point? I did add local honey to hopefully boost my immunity as well. Even though it was gross, I had it for both my morning and afternoon snack today.
This morning with a Vitatop and this afternoon with a granola bar.
Dinner tonight was yummy! Although it looked weird, so the kids weren't interested. They were supposed to be lettuce wraps, but I just served the topping over a green salad blend.
I have spent a good portion of today turning these
into this
and this

and this.


And that is not all. No, that is not all.

Yay! A year supply of pumpkin puree!! When my kids start looking like this

you will know why!