Twas the night before...

Christmas

THE FINAL WEIGH IN!!!

I swear to you all, it's just as exciting to me, if not more than Christmas eve in my house tonight! I've actually been quite anxious all day. I know there really isn't much else I can do from now until my morning meeting with the scale but it has been on my mind all day :)

I am a slightly competitive person so this type of competition really motivates me, not to mention the stack of Jackson's I want to be to make it rain with in Chi-town next weekend. I am also slightly frugal so money motivates me a bit as well.

Tomorrow not only is weigh in day, ending with our final announcement party, but sandwiched in there I am participating in the St. Patty's Day Fun Run 5K with my seester, and gal pals Joey and Kelli! I.CANNOT.WAIT! In my anal tendencies to plan, and for those with a need to know, here is my day tomorrow:

7:15: First Weigh In (she has to work 8-3)
8:10-9:10 Kardio Flex with seester, a couple friends and a new comer from out of town to try KDT!
9:30: Weigh Ins
12: Girls to arrive for pre-5K pictures and cocktails?
1-3ihs?: Fun Run 5K (Did I mention this is a drinking 5K between bars? FUN!)
3-5: Get ready for announcement party
6: Party @ Felix & Oscar's party room (hey it was free to book, the food/big ass beers are cheap, and they had a groupon!)

What a fun filled day to celebrate the end of a LONG 10 week challenge that helped me get so much closer to my goal!!

That being said: breakfasts, lunches, & snacks are already packed for next to week to make sure I can sleep my hangover away all day Sunday stay on track to my next goal: another 15lbs lost!!!

Here is my menu for next week. FYI, it may seem like we eat a lot of the same dinners but if for some reason it doesn't work out this week, I will move it to the following week. If you cared to know :)

ABCs of ME!!!

A. Age: 28


Although I don't act it all the time

B. Bed size: King, crowded due to hubby and dog, although 2 grown humans can fit on the side of them as they are scrunched to me :( C. Chore you hate: Anything outside…yard work, mowing, trash cans, doggie doo pick up, leaves, bugs, GROSS!!!
D. Dogs: 11 year old rescue beagle/basset hound mix named Sullivan, Sully, Sully Baby

E. Essential start to your day: getting on the scale before and after a big long pee
F. Favorite color: Yellow
G. Gold or silver: Silver
H. Height: 5'8"
I. Instruments you play: air guitar or lead singer on RockBand

J. Job title: Senior Customer Service Associate
K. Kids: see B
L. Live: Des Moines, IA in our "love mansion" recently upgraded from previous "love shack"
M. Mom’s name: Susan, Suzy, SuzyQ

Aunt Vicky, Mom Suzy, cousin Brittani

N. Nicknames: Darce, Sweet Pea, Red
O. Overnight hospital stays: April 2006 - 3 days
P. Pet peeve: Chewing with your mouth open and people who brake while driving for no reason
Q. Quote from a movie: "I know the difference between a bit and a byte."
R. Right or left handed: Righty
S. Siblings: 1 sister=Sara, 18 months older than I
T. Time you wake up: Alarm=6:00am, out of bed=6:10am
U. Underwear: No thank you.
V. Vegetables you dislike: I can't think of anything, I'm not a picky eater in the slightest.
W. What makes you run late: Too many beers the night before, my husband, bringing too much stuff somewhere, my sister and her family
X. X-Rays you’ve had: teeth, whole body scan after I drank that barium juice
Y. Yummy food you make: everything, most notably soups, crockpot meals, soups made in crockpots, and variations of breakfast (egg/bread) casseroles
Z. Zoo – favorite animal: Hippo or monkeys

Are YOU Ready for Some FOOTBALL??

Most girls (AKA my readers) aren't so into football. It's the honest truth. There are some gals that are real, true football fans but let's be honest, they are the minority! I, over the last 7 years have grown to enjoy it a lot more, due to the fact that I can actually figure out what is going on during the game. But for the most part, there are a few things that I enjoy more than the actual game:

1. Booze before, during and after the game.
2. The food before, during and after the game.
3. Muscular men in really tight pants (this is even better in person on the sidelines!)

But most of the time when it's Superbowl time, us ladies not so big fans will act like we like it watch the game with the boys. And actually enjoy yourself for the most part (please don't bring up the excruciating loss of the Bears in the 2006 Superbowl. PLEASE!)

We are going to be STL anxiously awaiting our super early morning flight to MEXICO on Superbowl Sunday so can't really partake in the awesome house parties that will litter DSM so am more than happy to oblige you with what I WOULD have made if I were town. It also happens to go along with Rachel's newest PROJECT TASTELESS contest:

Don't get me wrong, I love a good game at bar. Really I am down for anything that food and booze are part of. I usually start out the day meaning well:

The hubby and I on our first drink during opening weekend in Iowa City rooting on our Hawkeyes!

But will then most of time linger in dangerous territory:



Does anyone know this stranger?

Eventually doing something so scandalous I should be arrested:

Clearly more beer is needed. Clearly.

But house/basement/garage parties are my absolute faves as you can just fall asleep when you need to:

Big boobs aren't just for breaking your back anymore!

That being said a nice house party would normally be right up my alley and I would come with crock pot and box of wine case of beer in tow! This year my new fave is a recently devised:

Slow Cooker Buffalo Chicken Soup!!

This recipe was dreamt of one hungover Sunday afternoon when the snow was falling and I was craving hot wings with ranch dressing but couldn't/wouldn't drive out into the Arctic tundra that randomly hits the Des Moines area: It's super simple, pretty low calorie, AND smashes the chicken wing craving!

Ingredients

• 1 cup each: diced onion, celery and carrots
• 3 T dry ranch seasoning mix (3 packets)
• 2T minced garlic
• 4 C milk
• 4 C water w/ 3 chicken bouillon cubes (can substitute 4 cans broth if have that)
• 1 lb chicken breast, leave as whole breasts or cut into bigger chunks
• 1 C Frank's Red Hot sauce (more to taste)
• 1 C sour cream

 Directions

• Put all ingredients (except sour cream) in crock pot, cook on high for 4-6 hours, take out chicken breasts and shred with forks. Put back in.
• Add sour cream 30 minutes before eating.  
• EAT!

Makes 9-ish 2 cup servings. I toasted and seasoned some oyster crackers (1/4 C oil w/ ranch seasoning packet) and topped with that.



Chicken is in there somewhere!



GAME ON!!!

TOUCHDOWN!!

Always good to wash it down with an ice cold brewski!

There it folks...the recipe you've all been asking for! Seriously, make it. It serves a crowd and if its just you and your sweet lover SUPER FAN, it reheats up real nice like for an entire week full of lunches!

And remember, if the party outscores you...there are only two real hangover cures:

Get to your nearest bloody mary and drink immediately.

End the day in the hot tub with your bestie.

Gobble Gobble!

Hi all!

Challenge update: Since I posted about the challenge back last week, I will say that it has been a rocky time with Thanksgiving thrown in there! Overall, exercise wise, I was able to meet my calorie burn everyday except rest day(which ended up being Saturday) either through the *desired* 60 minutes on the gazelle.  There was a few days (Thursday and Friday) where I, probably like most Americans, used my cooking time (4+ hours) and Black Friday early morning shopping(8+ hours) as my form of exercise for the day. Otherwise, I have been able to get at least 45 minutes of gazelle in each day(only one day at 45 minutes the rest 60) so I am pretty proud of that. The scale seems to moving down but of course fluctuates daily (which angers me beyond belief) so I'll be updating that soon as well.

Don't get me wrong, I find nothing wrong with using those forms of activity as "exercise". I wanted to squeeze in 30 minutes of cardio each day(and had planned to by bringing my workout clothes with me!) I mean I was up on Turkey day at 6 getting things going, went back to bed for a bit, then got up at 8 for the day, where I proceeded to chop, saute, bake, instruct, and burn with lots of food items! Our Turkey day celebrations(we are lucky enough to eat and enjoy two giant meals that day, spread out about by 4 hours. Isn't that enough time to digest? NO NO NO!) went off without too many hitches (undercooked chicken at the first and blah gravy at the second) and good times had by all.  The pictures were accidentally deleted but I do have one that Chris made me take at his sister's house(gross pic, I'm EXHAUSTED!!!)

The entire Thanksgiving weekend went so fast! As always! We stayed in Polk City for Wednesday night and had movie night with my sister and niece(oh how she loves Toy Story 3!) and made some rockin' nachos(sans pics of course). It makes me warm and fuzzy staying in, making a delish din din, and spending time with the rugrats that I love the most! Thursday morning/afternoon was spent with my immediate fam, ending in the annual Michigan Rummy card game and I was able to score a victory narrowly but I still WON!! That's all that counts, right? We scooted off to the in-laws around 3pm where the father in laws bro and sis came to eat. We played a white elephant game that we normally play during Christmas so that was delightful. I was able to score a pretty huge draft dodger that I am for sure re-gifting at the next White Elephant party on December 11th. It still has tags people! I died when I got home around 10 Thursday night and was up and at 'em bright and early with the sis for deals to be found. A good recap is here.

Friday was the annual Foosball tournament for the all the men in our lives, from high school and beyond. It is always a good time, the girl usually start to congregate after giving the boys a good solid 4 hours alone. Hilarity always ensues, as these pictures can tell you:

Saturday we spent more time in PC, some in the hot tub and some not. Ended up watching Grown UP's before leaving for home. So so movie. Nothing too funny but just enough to keep me awake (sometimes just barely!) Sunday, the sister and niece went with me to Trader Joe's for their first time and I think that they picked up some good loot. She already used the pizza crust so I am totally JEL there but my time will come. I HEART TRADER JOE'S. I will get pics when I make my pizza. There is so much good, different stuff out there for decent prices. Locals GO THERE NOW!!!

Off to make some dinner(shepherds pie with leftovers from Turkey day--second meal--SCORE!)
Stay tuned tomorrow: restaurant review on Bang Bang Mongolian Grill!

Friday Firsts?

Holy balls I'm posting on a Friday!

And I'm taking my REST day today!

As a fam, we went to celebrate our October birthdays (myself, brother in law(which we have same bday--weird!) and father in law) at one of my faves The Waterfront Seafood Market and Restaurant in WDM. Again, enjoyed ourselves thoroughly! Everyone enjoyed what they got, the service from Pete was amazing (no matter what the table of blue hairs across from us said) and the price was right!

This time I went with the crab cakes and hubs went with the halibut basket. Both were AMAZE! So AMAZE I forgot to snap pics! It was a fun time, the niece and nephew are so cute! Getting so old and really starting be a little person that actually knows stuff.

I wanted to also post a recipe/slash method for making a healthy dip for veggies, fruit, etc. I got this from my friend Lindsey's grandmother. What a gal! Who would've thunk it? SO SIMPLE!!

• Start with 320z. fat free plain flavored yogurt. I've tried Dannon, Weight Watchers, Anderson Erickson. They all work.
• Get two small colanders/strainers with really fine meshing.
• Line both with coffee filters.
• Divide yogurt between containers. Cover with remaining coffee filter.
• Put in fridge overnight, straddling medium sized bowls.

•  Remove from fridge. There will noticeably less amounts of yogurt left in each container. This is a good thing and is supposed to happen. There will noticeable amounts of liquid in each container underneath. Discard of that.

•  Combine both yogurts amounts into one bowl. Notice how much volume has been taken away from straining liquid.

•  Add flavorings. This time I went with ranch. I have done dill before(dried dill weed and garlic salt) and next time I am going to try a sweet concoction of possibly powdered sugar and vanilla or almond extract or orange peel, for a fruit dip.

•  Enjoy! The entire container of yogurt before straining is 400 calories. I don't know if taking most of the liquid takes off calories or not. Does anyone know this? This amount could easily satisfy into 4 portions with veggies and be 4 days worth of afternoon snacks with about 150-200 calories. though MY GO TO!!!

Well I'm off to finish my load of laundry and get in bed and finish an already started episode of the Good Wife. LOVE IT!

GO HAWKEYES!!!

Big Game tomorrow that my hubby gets to go to. How does he get to go to 2 games, tailgate at another and I get to only tailgate. That may change next weekend my friends, next weekend.

Thanks for reading!

Wordy Wednesday!

Evening all my loyal followers and those that lurk in the shadows. You know who you are, see that button to the right that says "Follow" I dare you to click and it see what happens. You will be thoroughly impressed from here on out. I promise.

Anywho, stepping off soapbox. Today was a pretty good day, I think my body is getting used to the new shift(starting an hour earlier than I had previously) because I enjoy so so so much leaving work at 4pm. I feel like I have so much time after I get home! I LOVE IT!

Eats for the day:
Breakfast: Yoplait Greek blueberry yogurt with honeycrisp apple and small brownie (damn you bake sale!)
Lunch: Lettuce salad with diced chicken, cucumbers, green onion and tomatoes with Caesar Italian Dressing and some tortilla strips (for the crunch factor!)
Snack: 1 cup sugar free strawberry jell-o with 100 calorie pack of cheez-its (pictured are carrots but didn't eat them)
Dinner: Biggest Loser night at Sara's: Steamed broccoli with cheese, beef stroganoff (THE BEST)!

Over all, not bad for eats but a REALLY good day for exercise. After work, I rode the gazelle for over an hour(OK like a minute over but that was awesome!) and burnt nearly 850 calories AND went a little over 4.5 miles!!! I sweaty and it was good. With the new shift I won't hardly ever work out in the am (just not into 5 am anymore) and I'm fine with that as I feel like I work out harder and longer after work. This could be the start of something beautiful! So far so good for week 3 of working out at least 5 of the 7 days with 6 of those days hitting the calorie burn goal on BodyBugg! A girl has to rest! I am planning on not being a huge lazy anymore on Sundays and hitting goal but not doing anything structured, maybe a little shopping or some cooking.

Also, wanted to touch on my recent visit to Trader Joe's. Recently, a new store opened in the West Glen/Jordan Creek area. A friend and I went on Sunday afternoon thinking that the hype would have went down a bit. Sadly mistaken. It will still buzzing with peeps all hopped up on preservative free food! I can see what the hype is about though from the products that were left on the shelves. Good prices on produce, a very different selections from the normal stores around here and A LOT more vegetarian/vegan/gluten free options. I escaped with a few sampled and purchased green Chile Verde salsa (which is HOT) and a frozen roasted veggie enchilada dinner, which has been shown here a few times. These enchies are TO DIE FOR! And I'm actually not a big veggie only type eater. I topped it with a couple of tablespoons of sour cream and salsa but really could have scarfed it down the same without the extra calories of either!

I'm actually attempting a re-create this Sunday, I'll hopefully document the entire process, planning on making a couple of pans for the freezer! Sunday is working out to be a day filled of cooking for me! YUMMO!

Time to hit the hay. Trying to keep this house guest entertained but it's not working very well!

Stay tuned for a fun 50 random questions to show up tomorrow! Thanks for reading!

I'm ALIVE!!!

Sorry for the long lapse in posting!

 I've been going going going since last Thursday morning! I am EX-HAUST-ED so I'm just going to post an array of pictures over the last 5 days that I've been doing, eating, drinking, slicing, etc!!

Thursday mornings breakfast on my way to volunteer...WHEW! What a hard day, kinda appreciate the desk job more after that day...but really motivated to donate some fluids!

Side note, not sure if these small-ish size bars are worth the average of 200 calories per...although ate it at 8 and not again til 12:30 and wasn't hungry at all. Good for on the go for sure!

A Cake that a worker of the Blood Center baked for the volunteer appreciate luncheon...amazing. The de-headed it and separated for lots of peeps to take home to their kids. Everyone liked it a lot.

 Friday off from work and lunched in WDM with my sister at Biaggi's and think that I just ordered the wrong thing. I got the lunch combo of soup and salad. Ordered the veggie minestrone and was so unimpressed that I couldn't snap a pic. The bread however is to die for and ate 2 pieces of BOTH kinds!

 My salad choice was the wedge, drenched drizzled in blue cheese, bacon bits, and tomatoes. It was overall ok, I would have preferred a nice ranch but wanted to see all the hype.

 Friday night was my niece's birthday party at my sisters house and she had her first sleepover. I was supposed to bake a cake but time got away from me on Thursday night so ran to Sam's club and came home with this number for only $10!! It was a good deal as those sponge bobs were rings and the girls went a little CA-RAZY over them! It was a nice party overall and the important thing is the girls had a blast with each other!

 Saturday=HAWKEYE football. Went to Grimes, IA to a friend's house for a house party which eventually turned to garage/yard party but when the game got close it was ON! Tons of food to chow down on: veggies and dip, meat/cheese/crackers, pickle wrap dip, (not pictured: chili, hot dogs, prime rib sandwiches, cheese dip, pumpkin bars, chips/salsa/cheese dip, bloody Mary bar and beers of course!)

 Josh relaxing during the game!

 Buffalo chicken wraps that I brought, overall pretty good.

I'll be making again (with a different thicker tortilla) so stay tuned for recipe!

 Erin Miller and Aaron Wise

 Justin Frampton, Josh Taylor, Josh Gibson

 Aaron Wise and Josh Taylor

 Josh Gibson, Melissa Snyder and Justin Frampton

 Melissa Snyder and Erin Miller

 Wyatt and Josh Gibson

 Morgan Wise and Justin Frampton

Josh Gibson, myself, and Morgan Wise

Well off to shower, just worked out for 45 minutes, see daily mile widget to left for last workout. Got in 4 days last week and that again is my goal. It will be hard, my dad had surgery Monday so was only able to get in a 25 minute walk around the block of the hospital during his recovery and had to squeeze in tonight. As long as I can "watch" the food that goes in, shorter workout should be fine!

Thanks for reading and good night!

Happy Thursday...oh wait, Tuesday!

Last day of work this week TOMORROW! LOVE IT!

We celebrated Tuesday tonight with a short version (darn elections) of the Biggest Loser Weekly Dinner party with Lindsey, Sara, and Matt...and it went down in STYLE! Thanks Lindsey!

First things first, the daily eats:
Breakfast: Triple Berry yogurt and a honey crisp apple
Lunch:  Roasted Brussells sprouts and a big salad
Snack: FiberPlus Almond and Dark Chocolate Fiber Bar
Dinner: Avocado BLTs with Steamed broccoli and apples/oragnes
Snack: WINE! with a few random chips and dip

Right after work I went to VOTE!  ROCK THE VOTE Peeps! Then came home and busted ASS on the gazelle! Highest mileage yet. 60 minutes for 4.4 miles!!! Something like 986 calories burnt! HOLY SHIT BALLS! I was sweatin' like a w**** in church!!! Oprah makes it a bit easier because I had count 'em 44 episodes to watch so I am flying through them!

Oh the dinner! It was a nice spread! Prepare yourself for jealousy:

 Apples and organes!

 Toms and avos!

 Best toast ever, steam broc, and micro bacon!

 Toaster oven sure does a good job!

This is your brain on wine and working out!

If you've never placed a slice if delicious avocado on your BLT I highly recommend that you run to the grocery store to get said ingredients and throw something together because it is A-MAZ-ING!

Heads up in the next few days (if all goes as planned :) )

• Butterscotch Pumpkin Cookies
• Pumpkin Bars with Cream Cheese Icing
• SpongeBob Square Pants Cupcake Cake--I'm thinking funfetti cake dough
• PIZZA! My love!

On that note, this cutie was waiting for me when I got home: TO DIE FOR!!! besides his crazy eyes

WEIGH IN TOMORROW MORNING!

NIGHT ALL!