Sunday, January 29, 2012

Yummo!

Due to a lack of frozen meat and laziness, I decided to make BBQ Chicken Roll Ups for dinner this evening (thanks, Vittoria!) and had a few wonton wrappers left over.  Boo Boo wanted a banana for dessert, which left me a half a banana.  I decided to try the wontons with sliced banana and peanut butter.  I cooked them for a little less time than the chicken rolls because they were skinnier.  I have to say--new favorite dessert!  They're amazing!  And only a few points!

Try them, you won't be disappointed.  :)

Friday, January 27, 2012

Crafty McCrafterson

I have a wonderful sewing machine that my mother-in-law gave me for Christmas a few years ago.  I've used it once.  <insert sad face>  I have bought some "practice" fabric, but every time I read over tutorials for basic bags on the web, my head starts to hurt and my eyes glaze over.  I want to practice with some simple stuff now and then when I'm ready:

I'm going to buy some of the new Yo Gabba Gabba fabric and make some stuff for the girls!  I would love to make some bags with it, or a small quilt.  I'm trying not to get too ahead of myself yet, as I can't even sew a straight line yet.  You can check out the other Gabba fabrics here:  http://www.fatquartershop.com/Yo-Gabba-Gabba-Fabric-Hoffman-Fabrics.asp

I do love the vast quantity of sewing and craft blogs out there, and Pinterest makes it impossible to not want to make something.  So, what blogs/resources do you use for crafting/sewing?

Saturday, January 21, 2012

Quiet Time

I've been quiet lately because I'm so darn tired.  I know some of it is my own fault, because I stay up late, then get up early.  Some of it is because of the medication I take to keep the clots from coming back.  My dose in the past few weeks has been upped, and then upped again this week.  Maybe that's why I'm even more fatigued today than usual.  I suppose the dreary, nasty nap-time weather isn't helping either.  :)

I did work in a long swim at the Y on Thursday night, which was nice.  It also helped pinpoint exactly how out of shape I am.  I did a lot of long swimming--just freestyle back and forth for several laps.  Got the kickboard out and worked on tightening my core and kicking.  Then I spent a while just swimming underwater, trying to force myself to stay under longer each time to work on my lung capacity.  I know that'll help in the long run with my workouts.

When you're out of shape and getting back into working out, what kinds of activities do you do to ease yourself back in?  Or do you just full-throttle it?  In the past I've gone full-throttle and then stopped abruptly when I've become burned out.  This time, for health reasons, I'm taking it slow.

Sunday, January 15, 2012

A Million Excuses

Don't you always have a million and one excuses to not exercise, or to eat crap?

I do.

So, during a trip to Goodwill last weekend (there's a point to what I said a minute ago) I found this book titled "Secrets of a Former Fat Girl" by Lisa Delaney.  I figured for some pocket change, it might be a good read.  I'm not usually into self-help books, but this one had a catchy title.  It's actually a pretty good book, a little older (2007) and makes me laugh.  Her "trick" to sticking with an exercise/dieting plan is a bit different--start exercising regularly before making dietary changes.

The part I read last night was interesting to me because she talked about excuses and how to make yourself exercise.  She started talking to herself.  Crazy, right?  Right up my alley!  She would tell herself "It's not an option" or INO for short.  If she didn't feel like getting up to go to the gym, INO.  If it was too cold to go for a walk, INO.  I have a ton of excuses on a daily basis for not getting up and getting moving, which are all pretty lame.  Before I know it, the day has passed and I've sat on my butt all day.  It's going to take baby steps, but I'm going to try to implement "INO"...

...starting tomorrow.


You can read more about "Secrets of a Former Fat Girl" here:  http://www.formerfatgirl.com/author.html

Friday, January 13, 2012

Crock Pot Chicken Taco Chili

If that isn't a mouthful, I don't know what is!

This is dinner for us tonight (pulled from skinnytaste.com):

Crock Pot Chicken Taco Chili
 Gina's Weight Watcher Recipes
Servings: 10  Size: 1 1/4 cups  Old Points: 3 pts  Points+: 5 pts
Calories: 203.7 • Fat: 1.4 g • Carb: 33.3 g • Fiber: 10.0 g  • Protein: 16.9 g

Ingredients: 
  • 1 onion, chopped
  • 1 16-oz can black beans
  • 1 16-oz can kidney beans
  • 1 8-oz can tomato sauce
  • 10 oz package frozen corn kernels
  • 2 14.5-oz cans diced tomatoes w/chilies
  • 1 packet taco seasoning
  • 1 tbsp cumin
  • 1 tbsp chili powder
  • 24 oz (3-4) boneless skinless chicken breasts
  • chili peppers, chopped (optional)
  • 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro
Directions: 
    Combine beans, onion, chili peppers, corn, tomato sauce, cumin, chili powder and taco seasoning in a slow cooker. Place chicken on top and cover. Cook on low for 10 hours or on high for 6 hours. Half hour before serving, remove chicken and shred. Return chicken to slow cooker and stir in. Top with fresh cilantro. Also try it with low fat cheese and sour cream (extra points).


    The link to the recipe on Skinny Taste is here: http://www.skinnytaste.com/2008/11/crock-pot-chicken-taco-chili-4-pts.html


    She has some amazing recipes, so take a look around!  For our recipe tonight, we only did one pound of chicken, and modified accordingly.

    Monday, January 9, 2012

    Creamy Mexican Dip

    *courtesy Weight Watchers


    Creamy Mexican Dip
    1 PointsPlus *TM value  |  8 servings

    Perfect for a party. Serve with fresh vegetables as well as chips for a
    total crowd pleaser.

    1 cup plain Fat-Free greek yogurt

    ½ cup salsa, hot chipotle variety suggested  
    ¾ cup avocado, diced
    ⅓ cup cilantro, fresh, chopped  
    s¼ cup red onion, chopped  
    ½ tsp ground cumin  
    ½ tsp table salt, or more to taste

    Garnish  
    ¼ cup avocado, diced  
    1 Tbsp cilantro, fresh, chopped  
    1 Tbsp red onion, chopped
      

    In a medium bowl, stir together yogurt and salsa until blended; stir in remaining
    ingredients except garnishes. Cover and refrigerate up to 1 day.

    When ready to serve, transfer to a serving bowl and sprinkle with garnishes.

    Yields about ¼ cup per serving.    

    NOTES: This dip combines all those favorite Mexican flavors like salsa, avocado and cilantro using
    fat-free Greek yogurt instead of sour cream.

    It also makes a wonderful topping for tacos or other Mexican foods — and then you don't have
    to set out separate bowls of salsa, sour cream, avocado, cilantro and onion