The New Normal {WIW}

After completing the the Whole 30 program during the month of August, I find myself trying to find my new normal.  I know that I can't/won't resume my old eating habits.  What modifications do I make so I have a long term plan I can live with?  I know I need to add enough foods back into my diet so that I can continue this long term.  I know from history if I completely deprive myself of everything, I won't stick with it.  But I also know I'm not adding back in grains, sugars and things like that.

The day will come when I can not resist a cupcake or some other treat.  On that day, I'm hoping I can indulge in that one treat and resume my "new normal" eating habits.  I'm hoping a little bit of sugar wont' knock me totally off balance.

I ran across an older post at EverydayMaven, entitled "Thoughts on Weight Watchers and Paleo and if they intersect…"   Alyssa's comments really hit home for me.  I'm having trouble defining what my new normal is, let alone what to call it. I wouldn't say it is Paleo, and definitely not as strict as Whole 30.  I followed Weight Watchers for a long time and the plan is always looming in the back of my mind.  Old habits die hard.  I guess I need to just avoid the labels and eat the cleanest I can and enjoy my Whole Foods eating.

I continue to lose weight, albeit a little more slowly than I did during the Whole 30.  I know if I would add in consistent exercise, I would probably boost the weight loss.  We do walk every day.  Right now I'm babying my right shoulder due to some issues I have been having with it and a recent cortisone shot--  so I am really reluctant to do anything that involves my arms or shoulders.

We've been trying lots of new recipes.  This week, we tried a new Minestrone Soup recipe from Our Paleo Life.  It was Fantastic!!!  I used a spicy Italian, pork sausage, and also added in green beans.  This soup has great flavor and is filling--you'll never miss the pasta.  My hubs loved it too!  I'll leave you with the fantastic taco salads we had last night.  You'll never miss the cheese!

Spicy Taco Salad

I'm linking up with Kim of Just for Clicks for Weigh-In Wednesday.

Have a great week everyone!

Whole 30 Recap {WIW}

During the month of August, Rad and I followed the Whole 30 program. Honestly, when I started it, I wasn't sure I'd be able to complete it. No sugar, grains, dairy or legumes for a whole 30 days! YIKES! But once we started, I realized it wasn't that difficult. And honestly, I felt better than I had for a long time. Apparently simple foods agree with my body. In about 6 weeks, I've lost about 15 pounds!  Now that feels good!

Since the end of the Whole 30, we've basically been eating the same foods. None of the forbidden foods. I have since added in a little coconut milk creamer for my coffee and I have cooked a few times with a little almond or coconut flour. I guess it is similar to a Paleo diet now. I'm happy with the small additions to the diet and think I can continue eating like this, at least for a while. There are lots of things I miss, especially cereal and oatmeal of all things, but mostly I find if you are creative enough you can come up with a version of food that doesn't include forbidden foods.

Here's a quick list of things I love:

Fruit infused water. I've been putting everything you can think of in water. A mixture of berries and melons; lemon and basil; cucumber and melon and Rad's favorite lemon and mint. So refreshing and since I haven't had a soft drink in over a month, I need something to drink!

Cool Gear Bento Box. I picked up these little containers at Walmart for my daughter who is a teacher and myself. They are awesome! The bottom container expands and collapses to hold larger food items and the blue freezer tray is great as it helps to keep your food cold.

Paleo Coconut Curry Chicken. I made this recipe last night and I have to say this is my favorite new recipe. I think the curry and fresh ginger make up for the lack of rice it might be served on. Definitely worth a try if you like curry.

In other fun news, I want to share something non-food related with you. A friend of mine talked me into entering a quilt into our little, local county fair. Never having done this before I was a little nervous about a quilt disappering never to be seen again. So I selected a small quilt that I made a while back. And I won a blue ribbon! It was lots of fun to see my quilt on display and I will definitely plan to enter a few items next year.

I'm linking up with Kim of Just for Clicks for Weigh-In Wednesday.

Have a great week everyone!

Tula Pink 'City Sampler' Sew Along

I fell in love with Tula Pink's new City Sampler book that came out earlier this spring. I ordered the book and then drooled over the blocks for a few months. Then I found Sew Sweetness's sew along and knew I needed to join in. In the sew along, they tackle three blocks a week. So I jumped in even though, they are already on block 43. I figure, though, if I can keep pace through the end of the year, my blocks will be about 60% complete. These cute little blocks are only 6" so they use small bits of fabric. I've got a lot of great colorful scraps, but some of the blocks would be soooo much better served using Tula's own fabrics. I located the City Sampler Starter Kit which is a great jump start for these blocks! (Ok, I also ordered Tula's Aurifil thread!)

So here they are:

Block 43

Block 44

Block 45

I am loving these blocks and I'm hoping the sew along will help keep me on track to complete a few blocks (or more) a week!

A Red, White and Blue Week {WIW}

This has definitely been a week out of the norm for us.  My 14 year old niece has been visiting us for nearly two weeks.  Do you know how long it has been since I've had a 14 year old in my house for any length of time?  Let's just say it's been more than a few years. 

Tomorrow  I'm headed to Nebraska to take my sweet niece home.  Beyond that quick trip, I'm looking forward to getting back to normal.  It's been two weeks full of s'mores, hot dogs, and home made ice cream topped off with boating and swimming.  Who knew a tiny 14 year old girl could eat so much!  It's been a blast having her here but constant entertaining has led to some unhealthy eating, and I certainly haven't been exercising like I should be.

All that being said, I did weigh this morning.  I didn't lose even an ounce, but I didn't gain either.  With the holiday behind us, I'm hopeful things will calm down just a bit.  Don't get me wrong - I wouldn't trade this time for the world! Cherished moments for sure! Love this girl to death and what a blast for us to have her here!

How was your 4th of July?

Living Large at the Lake {WIW}

Good morning and happy Wednesday! It's been a busy time at the Lake! We live on Lake Texoma. The Red River divides Texas and Oklahoma and it dumps into this very large lake. We live on the Oklahoma side, but in the fall when the trees are bare I can see Texas from my upstairs window. During the summer we get lots of visitors. We jet ski and boat and EAT!

Two week-ends ago we had friends visiting and last week-end my dad, his friend and my sister. When we have guests we like to show them a good time, and feed them well. This typically involves big breakfasts with unhealthy options, big dinners, desserts, and yes, wine. That's what we did two week-ends ago. I took a different approach last week-end and it worked!

For breakfasts we had cereal and toast, a egg scramble with veggies, part egg whites and turkey sausage with wheat toast (no biscuits here!), and the last morning we had overnight oats (minus the pecans).   

For dinner we had Pioneer Woman's Spicy Pulled Pork (made with diet Dr. Pepper) and I tried  these awesome Broccoli and Cheese Twice Baked Potatoes.  I also tried Skinny Taste's Southwestern Black Bean Salad.  It was AWESOME!

 


And you know what?  We had a great visit even without the heavy food! The meals were GREAT!  We did have drinks available for our guests, but I had only one each day.  I know wine or a good dirty martini are a big part of my calorie problem.  I LOVE  a good glass of wine (or two) at the end of the day.  But I am making a serious effort to curb my intake to avoid those extra calories.

Lastly, I am tracking my tracking, so to speak.  I think this is really helping.  My goals were water, tracking my points, exercise 4x a week and blogging to keep myself honest.  As you can see, I do great during the week, but I falter on the week-ends.  Although I was better on the week-end and ate pretty well, I didn't keep track of anything.

It paid off!  I lost 4.6 pounds this week!  I know it seems like a lot, but I was weighting heavy at the beginning of the week, so the loss looks larger, but I'll take it!  It reminds me if you just do the things you are supposed to do the weight loss will come.

This week my goal is to track my points through the week-end and get the 4 days of exercise in.  Wish me luck!

How was your week?

Linking up at Kim's Weigh in Wednesday

Try as I Might {WIW}

Happy Wednesday everyone!

It's Wednesday and it's time to weigh in.  I'm in Dallas this week and my scale is not, so I will not be able to weight myself until tomorrow, after I return home.  While I am optimistic, I don't think the results will be what I was hoping

Try as I might, I knew it was going to be very difficult to stay on track this week. We had company this week-end.  We had a great time but too much food and wine and too little activity.  We enjoyed some time in our boat out on the lake and we did grill both nights.  In fact, twice this week we made these tasty chicken k-bobs.

Here's an update on  my goal attainment for the week.

Exercise - I had cleaned up my work out area and was ready to go.  My goal was to work out 4x in a week.  Between my work schedule and company, I was only able to get in two work outs.  This week - with renewed motivation - I will again attempt four work outs.  We have company again this week-end but I am hoping since it is my dad, I can get up early and work out before lake fun begins.

Water - I did better, but wasn't able to  drink 64 oz. every day.  I will put more focus on water this week.

Tracking WW Points - I tracked for a couple of days, but when my company pulled into the driveway, that ended.  I am going home tonight, tomorrow I will start anew and track through the company this week-end.

Blogging - I know that blogging will keep me accountable for my actions (or lack of action) so even though I did not have a great week.  Here I am!

I'm glad to be going home tonight and staying there fore about 10 days.  I'm excited for the opportunity to meet my goals for the week a little more easily. Hopefully less of me reports in next week!

I'd love to hear how your week went!

Linking up at Kim's Weigh in Wednesday

Nothing's Ever Easy {WIW}

Nothing's easy.  I've had a grand plan of getting back on track by tracking my WW points, drinking more water...and exercising.   We get in at least a couple of miles a day in dog walks, but I had planned to start working out this week in the home-gym that we set up in the garage.  Most of my plan fell apart mid-week for various reasons.

I went out to the garage yesterday to work out.  I did work out a little, but spent most of the time I had available trying to get my work out area back into a condition where I could actually use the equipment.  My husband has been working for months (ok, weeks...)- installing a sprinkler system himself and then just yesterday we finally had the sod laid.

Our back yard.  After the patio, pergola, sprinkler system and sod!

We have big clumps of dirt EVERYWHERE--including my work out area.  I've finally gotten everything cleaned up and moved back so I can use the equipment.  I'm ready.  I worked out for 30 minutes in between vacuuming, wiping stuff off and moving things around.  Again, nothing's easy.

The fancy garage-work out room.   Functional, just not pretty.

My Plan

Tracking WW points - Beginning today.  This is such a challenge for me because I am only home about 60% of the time.  And looking at the calendar, we have company coming to the lake for the next three week-ends.  Some of that time will be spent in the boat on the lake--in a bathing suit.  Surely I can stay within points during this time?!?

Water - I love drinking water.  My problem is I get busy (I work at home) and forget to go downstairs and get water.  I've got the Brita pitcher full and ready to go!  I will drink 64 oz of water a day.

A big jar of water.  Lemon would be awesome, but I need a trip to the grocery store!

Exercise - In addition to the 2 miles+ in dog walks, I will get some additional form of exercise at least 4 days a week.  Remember I am frequently gone for 3 to 4 days at a time.  With the company coming and my frequent absences from home this will be difficult.  I have to make sure I hit the goal on the weeks I am home --and get more creative when I am gone part of the week.  Excerise might be working out with weights, getting on the treadmill, another good 30 minute walk or getting on the elliptical that we are housing for some friends.

Blog About It!  Blog about my successes (and failures) weekly.  I've wanted to get my blog going again.  And although I am not sure I want to blog every day and track everything I eat, I want to keep a weekly account of my food/exercise. Committing to sharing my status with you will help keep me on track with my goals.

I've had a very difficult time lately getting and staying on track.  During that time, I was really not active in the WIW FB group.  I appreciate all of your support and am excited to be an active participant in that group again.  I really love this group and value their friendship and support!

Here's to getting back on track.  Have a great week!

Linking up:

Weigh in Wednesday at Making 40 Fantastic!

Yummy Protein Pancakes

I love pancakes!  And nothing smells better than pancakes cooking in the morning.   The cinnamon and vanilla in these babies makes them smell fantastic!

My daughter is very healthy minded and used to make all kinds of different things with protein powder. Pudding, pancakes, you name it. I picked this up from her, researched other recipes and finally settled on a recipe that works.

I use Beverly International's Ultimate Muscle Protein (in vanilla)

I find it's easiest to mix the ingredients in the blender.  Although a food processor works too.  (Too much mess for me though.)

Then scoop the batter on to your griddle or frying pan.  I know, typically when I am cooking pancakes, and the little bubbles start to appear on the pancake tops, and then burst, it is time to flip the pancakes.  These pancakes will not do that.  So keep a close eye on them, or you might burn them--as I did my second batch!

Protein Pancakes
Makes total of 4 pancakes, 2 servings of 2 Pancakes each
WW P+: 3.75 per serving

 3/4 C. Oatmeal, dry (I use old-Fashioned)
1/2 C. low-fat cottage cheese
1 scoop protein powder**
2 egg whites
5 TBSP 1% milk (or almond milk)
1 tsp cinnamon
1 tsp vanilla
1 tsp sweetener (or sugar)

Place the dry oatmeal in the blender and blend until fine. Add protein powder and cottage cheese. Add egg white and spices. Then add 3 TBSP of milk, and blend to check consistency. Add 2-3 more TBSP of milk to reach desired consistency. (Thin enough to scoop out, but not so thin it runs down the sides of your griddle).
Scoop the batter onto a hot griddle or pan. I used a 1/4 cup measuring cup, and spread out the mixture a little to thin it out. Cook until first side is complete and flip. Cook until done.

Notes on Points value: **My protein powder is 2 PT+ for one scoop. 
Use almond milk instead of 1% and save 1/2 PT+ per serving.

Have an awesome week!
Liane

Linking up:

At Home With Kim ~ Weigh~In~Wednesday {Guest Post}

Good Morning Friends! Today, I am guest posting over at At Home With Kim.

Kim hosts Weigh In Wednesday. It is a great place to check in on your weight loss and healthy eating goals each week. Kim also recently started a Facebook group for the Weigh~In~Wednesday friends. This group has been growing by leaps and bounds! It is a private group so only members of the groups can participate and see the discussion. I encourage you to join the group as well!

Recently Kim has been posting a weekly challenge that consists of an exercise and healthy eating goal. It is a fun way to make new, healthy habits. Make sure you head over to Kim's and check out my guest post!

Have an awesome week!
Liane

Linking up:

{Weighing~In} on a Week-End Retreat

This week-end, I met up with my quilting girlfriends for a week-end retreat. There are 7 of us, at the moment.  Most of us have been getting together for the last 10 or so years. We stay at a retreat house which sleeps 10 and was built in the 1880's. It is owned by one of the quilting girls.  We quilt, eat and drink all week-end. Sewing takes place LATE into the night and often times begins very early in the morning.

We have certain rituals~~ home cooked dinner on Friday night, breakfast each morning, and Saturday night dinner out. The retreat house is located in a small town so restaurant options are very limited. As you can imagine, mostly, it is an opportunity for over-indulging in not-so-healthy foods. So I attempted to take some healthier snack options, in fact, many of us did.  Having healthier snacks available did help to curb some of the snacking on candies and other home make goodies.  It helped, but I still didn't completely avoid the less healthy options.

On Saturday night, I did make a healthier (loose term) dinner selection than I really wanted.  The mostly fried-fare menu was not supportive to my healthy eating attempts.  But all in all, I was one of the few that left dinner satisfied but not miserable and overly full.  Small success!  And typically I would drink wine in the evenings (for bonus calories!).  This time, for various reasons, I had only a half of a glass.  (Yay for me!)

Swoon Quilt Block

Following the Weigh-In Wednesday challenge this week was definitely a challenge.  Finding the time, space and sometimes a chair (for the triceps dips) was a real challenge.  I was in Texas earlier in the week and every straight back chair in the house was replaced with bar stools.  I ended up using the coffee table for my dips.  This actually worked fine except it put me at exactly the right height for this guy to be in my face.

Remy - Forever curious!

Through my attempts at dips, planks and water, I'm weighing in the same as last week.  Better than a gain, I know.  But I would love to say I lost a few pounds this week.

I'm home from retreat and starting to unpack. So that I can repack.  My husband and I leave Friday for Hawaii!  And I haven't packed a thing.  EEECK!  I'm now faced with the challenge of packing summer clothes and bathing suits for next week~~that FIT.  Depressing in itself, and ever so stressful! 

My plan for the trip, is lots of walking, use of the hotel gym and making healthier choices when we are eating out.  I'm in this for the long haul, and life time habits are what it's about.  Starting NOW!

Have a good week!

Linking up:

Weigh~In Wednesday

Like most of the people I know, I've fought my weight for what seems, like FOREVER.  Each year, my "normal weight" is just a little higher than the year before.  And I've noticed as I age, my body carries that weight differently.  At 47, it is really unflattering to have the muffin-top thing going on.

Tired of battling it by myself and looking for something, anything to help get me going, I recently joined At Home With Kim's Weigh~In Wednesday group.  I've been a follower of Kim's blog for a while and always enjoyed her posts.  I could always relate to her and her WIW posts.  But I always kind of hung in the background and didn't really participate.  I'd read her posts nearly every week, and occasionally I'd comment but never a real commitment.  That has changed!

At the first of the year, the WIW Group started to take off, and Kim created a WIW FB Group.  I love this group!  I love the accountability and the ideas that come from being part of this group.  Everyone is so good about cheering each other on, providing encouragement and even sharing recipes! I love that I am reminded of the weight loss basics on a regular basis (eat less, move more).

No more lurking in the shadows waiting for the magical weight fairy to rid me of my excess weight.  I am committed to this group and I am committed to achieving the weight loss and healthy goals I have set for myself this year.  The buck stops here and the trends end now.  I'm excited about what 2013 will bring!

So with this new commitment, I've lost 2.6 pounds this week.  Not a staggering loss, I realize, but I will take every ounce of it.  I follow WW online program, and it is amazing what happens when you actually follow the plan!

Thanks Kim, for YOUR commitment to this group.  I know we can all do this together!

Linking up to:

Why Red River Crossings?

Why?  I don't know.  Except that I spend a lot of time burning up the highways between the Oklahoma side of Lake Texoma and the Dallas, TX area.  ALOT.  It's not so bad.  I used to drive between Oklahoma City and Dallas.  It is less of a drive now than it was then.  Yes, I am solely responsible for the wear and tear, and construction on Interstate 35 for the last several years.

Rad (my husband) and I have been married just a couple of short years.  Prior to meeting, I lived in the Dallas area and he lived near Oklahoma City.  After meeting up on week-ends, vacations and whenever else we could find time together, I moved to Oklahoma City.  His son had two years of high school left.  The plan was to sell the house in Oklahoma once he graduated, and we would move to the Dallas area, into the home I still owned.

And then he tricked me.  Rad had a cabin at Lake Texoma that his grandparents had built years ago.  We spent alot of week-ends there.  It was a great meeting point for us.  Not quite in the middle, but close.

We have since built a new home on the lake, which is within walking distance of the cabin.  We love living here.  I work for a company in the Dallas area.  I work from home the majority of the time, but am in the office about eight days a month.

And that's why I'm crossing the Red River.

My hope is this blog will become a common ground for all of the things I love to do like quilting, cooking, and fun at the lake.


Welcome!
Liane