It's been way toooo.....long

Well a lot has happened since I last entered in my blog. Chased some dreams.....some with success, some with failures, and some with both. My husband and made it to the ocean. I have been chasing that dream for a long, long time and 9 days before my 40th birthday that dream was achieved. It was a long road and worth every minute. I guess you could say it gave me more motivation than any other I had ever had up to this point in my life. Motivation to lose some weight and get healthier.

Unfortunately, since getting there and back I have been swimming in the shallow end so to speak. Taking the easy way out and not taking the risk of diving all the way in again with my eating and exercise plans. It's been a couple months since I have been to the gym and I ran out of excuses about......well.....a couple months ago.

So now as I write this I am hoping I can find a new motivation and realize that a trip to the beach/ocean isn't something that is going to happen every year in my life and I must find the right motivation. You would think my diabetes would get me motivated enough...but I still struggle. I still want the things I should not have....shoulda, coulda, woulda.....huh??

Well I am going to give it another go and I hope I can "gain"....yes gain the wisdom and understanding I need to get through each and every day. I had lost over 40 lbs prior to going to Punta Cana the first week in May 2013. I gained some weight back since our beach trip...and hoping to nip it in the bud before I have it all back on this body of mine.

Hoping my husband will jump on board with me and get us both healthier for a long life and many more trips together. My trip to the ocean was hard to put into words, but I will never forget my first trip. I hope to make many more in the years to come and with some more weight off I hope to have many more adventures to unknown places.

God Bless....any encouragement would be surely welcomed!!! M

I'd like to file a missing person's request for myself!!

8-24-2012

Wow, it really has been almost 3 weeks since I have posted on my blog.  The last few weeks have been quite the emotional roller coaster and I let it ONCE AGAIN get the best of me.  Work stress, family stress, just mad at the world stress.  But, I am mostly just mad at myself.  Mad that I have fallen off the path that had me feeling better, healthier and happier.  It amazes me how I let life sometimes just drag me into places I really really don't want to be.  I can blame all kinds of stress for it, but the bottom line is that I am responsible.  I am accountable.  And, I only fail myself in the process by letting the possible feel impossible.

I guess its time to wipe myself off, start clean and try again.  Am I ready to try again??  I guess we will see.  Its time...one day at a time!!!

Much Love,

M

Sometimes you feel like a CARB....Sometimes you don't.....

8-5-2012

Another weekend has flown by and another work week is soon approaching.  I spent alot of time preparing for the week on the menu front.  I have so many items to share today.  Most of my items have been prepared with love for my hubby.  He'll be working nights this week so I wanted to be sure we had items ready and available for both of us. 

Yesterday I took my Saturday morning trip to the farmers market to get a few extra items I needed for the weekend and upcoming week.  However, before we headed out I prepared us breakfast using one of my favorite ways of cooking these days.  Yep, you guessed it....using my cupcake pan.  This is still working out quite well for me on the portion control.  My first item yesterday was Berry Pancake Muffins.  I used my favorite scratch made pancake recipe, added some berries and added a few sausage links on the side. Quick and easy!! 

 

Once we got back from the farmers market I just went on a cooking frenzy!!  I (with the help of my hubby) chopped up tomatoes, peppers, garlic, onion, and fresh herbs to get the party started. (most of the items from our very own garden!!)  Added some odds and ends and created what could very well be my best spaghetti and meatballs ever.  I even kicked it into turbo by turning one meal into 3.  We stuffed some hot peppers (not that we really knew they were hot to begin with).  My hubby found that out the hard way...hehe.  This is a "G" rated BLOG so I will not use his exact words.  But, basically it seems as though someone thought it would be funny to change up the tags at the greenhouse.  What we thought were sweet banana peppers were NOT!!!  THEY WERE HOT!!  Then lastly I figured why not a meatloaf too.  So here are a few of my photos to share....too bad we don't have smell-o-vision or scratch and sniff online!!!  LOL

 

Not that we need anymore carbohydrates TODAY, but I figured I would throw together a couple loaves of bread to have a little with dinner tonight.  In doing so that means Dan will have bread for his sandwhiches this week for work.  It took everything I had to eat only one slice tonight and not whip out that amish strawberry jam out of the fridge. But, the jam will live to see another day.  The bread however.....???  Dan will be home alone tomorrow until about 2pm.  hehe



The weekend wouldn't be complete if I didn't make a little something to make the sweet tooth happy.  This time I chose a little chocolate done a healthier way.  "Dark Chocolate Zucchini and Greek Yogurt Muffins"  This was my first attempt at these.  I basically winged it and they came out pretty good.  I might try to tweek it a bit over time to see if I can't improve on them.  However, they did take the edge of my chocolate craving.

So I made it through another weekend without complete disaster.  One step at a time to a healthier me.  Everything I'd like to see happen isn't going to happen overnight.  However, I certainly feel better and my blood sugar numbers have never been this good.  So for now I will continue on my journey and hopefully meet many more goals I wish to accomplish.

Now that I am feeling better and have more energy my next step is to get my butt movin' and a shakin'!!!  Well maybe not all at once...hehe  But you know what I mean....

If you'd like to check out a few my new recipes come visit me at http://www.justapinch.com/me/chelbell95

or join me over at http://pinterest.com/chelbell95/

THANK YOU.....HAVE A GREAT WEEK!!!!

The end of a very long work week!!!

8-3-2012

Wow....what a week!! Been a busy one that's for sure.  We had several people out of the office this week, but those of us there all pitched in and got the job done.  What a difference from past experiences at the workplace.  I know for me stress can be a disaster for me when it comes to my eating habits.  But, things are going much better for both of us on that front.

Dan and I both have been putting in some long hours at work so keeping everything in check could have been a bit harder on the healthy eating thing this week.  But, luckily I had things prepared this week for most of our meals...3 meals a day.  We had a luncheon at work the last couple days at work, but I can honestly say I stayed on track for the most part.

So....its the weekend and that is generally when I literally "GET COOKIN".  I have a few ideas to add to this weeks menu this week.  I have really been trying to come up with more options......more healthier options.

First on my agenda tomorrow is to hit the farmer's market in Monroeville.  Then, I think I am gonna head home to whip up a batch of spaghetti sauce to use for Sunday's dinner.  Our garden is overflowing with peppers and tomatoes right now. So I am gonna make the most of them and treat my husband to spaghetti and meatballs for Sunday.  Looks like he'll be back on 3-11 shift all next week.

A true test of my will power when it comes to evenings alone at home.  I am feeling confident this week will be different from ones past.  Positive thoughts would be much appreciated!!

Anyway...just a quick little note to wish you all a wonderful weekend.

Love Much....M

Monday, Monday.....

7-30-2012

Just a quick little note today to say all is good.  It's been a pretty good day all around today.  Work was crazy busy and stressful.  But, I made it point not to let this stress break my stride tonight when I got home.  Dan's first day back on the 3-11 shift will also NOT break me.  If I am really going to do this it's up to me and nobody else.  He never makes me accountable....but sometimes I wish he would.  Truthfully, I hope we can do this together and so far he is trying. 

I had my dinner planned for this evening which makes a world of difference.  All my hard work yesterday paid off by having planned out breakfast, lunch and dinner for tonight and several nights this week.  This along with my continued use of myfitness pal (still nameless by the way....hehe) helped me all day long.

It's great to have options and not just the same old, same old.  So what shall my choices be for tomorrow?  The possibilities are endless.  The fridge is full of homecooked meals for the taking.  Grilled chicken, baked and hard boiled eggs, spinach lasagna, ham and cabbage, and lots of fruits and vegetables to boot!!

So goodnight faithful followers.....I will leave you with a peek at my yummy Spinach Salad with grilled onions, mushrooms, chicken along with fresh raspberries and raspberry poppyseed dressing.  This was a "winner, winner chicken dinner".....as my food network fav Guy Fieri would say.

Do you know the "muffin pan"?

7-29-2012

So...almost through another weekend.  Another successful weekend on the healthy trend!!  It was a busy Sunday morning in the kitchen.  I promised myself I would try to cook at least 3 new things a week to see if I can work some healthier choices.  Of course, I know that even for most healthy choices PORTIONS are also something you need to keep in check.

Well, I decided to try some new things to help with that side of it as well.  Developing new habits and new ideas I think is the only thing that has gotten me this far over the last couple of weeks.  Yes, I have stumbled, but I find myself today excited about what's next.

So...one of my tricks of late has been to still cook some of the things I like but to control my portions.  I've accomplished this by making individual servings so I keep things to a minimum.  I can still cook some of my favorites but keep the portion sizes smaller.  Today I tried a recipe combining a few of all my new ideas. 

This recipe has been lightened up a bit on the ingredient side as well as the portion size. Who doesn't love a good lasagna now and again?? Try this idea the next time you get hungry for this pasta treat.

Spinach Lasagna Cups

These turned out great with different textures and flavors.  And of course, there are endless combinations on ingredients.  I know I plan on trying several others of my own.  You can get this recipe if you are following me over at www.justapinch.com .  Find this particular recipe at http://www.justapinch.com/recipes/main-course/pasta/spinach-lasagna-cups.html or click on the link on my blog home page. "Live, Laugh, Love, Cook"

I hope you will try it and enjoy!!!  I hope to have more recipes to share soon on this

CUPCAKE CRUSADE!!!

Breakfast Tip for the week.

******Just another side tip when wanting a quick and easy breakfast.  Spray your cupcake tin with cooking spray.  Crack an egg in each one and bake at 350 degrees for 12-15 mins. (This will depend on how you like your eggs.) You'll have eggs for the week that you can just pop in the microwave for a few seconds and eat with a slice of toast or even make a quick breakfast sandwhich.



Completely Fried!!!

7-26-2012

It's been a couple days since I've had the chance to sit down and collect my thoughts.  I find myself very out of sorts on this particular night.  Its been a few long and busy days.  But, up until today things were still moving along quite well.

It seems today, however,was a day I lost my focus a bit.  I can't really say why....there is no good reason.  I guess I just wasn't thinking from the moment I woke up this morning.  A restless sleep last night may be the start of the problem.  Even my focus now is out of sorts, but I really want to express all my feelings during this journey....... And, be realistic that not every day is going to be a good day. (if only for myself because I really don't even know if anyone is reading my ramblings.... hehe)

I title this blog "completely fried" because it is not only how I am feeling tonight, but the temptation I found myself unable to resist tonight!!  I went to dinner with some friends tonight and I found myself ordering wings with a friend to share.  Even as the words came out of my mouth I knew I was going to regret it in more ways than one.

I wish I could say this is where the bad day began. However, I found myself picking at food I hadn't been eating since I started this journey.   A nibble here, a nibble there today at work. Then tonight eating the wings topped it off with an onion ring or two. 

Eating this stuff has left me feeling "completely fried".  My focus was off all day, my energy level is ka-put!!!  To top it off I just feel sick.....nauseous!!!   I didn't even enjoy it like I have been the good food I have been eating lately!!!

I find it hard to even express all the things I have going on in my head tonight because I am so "completely fried".  So....maybe if I just stop here for tonight I will be able to collect myself for the next time.  Feeling alone on this journey and defeated today with nobody to blame but myself.....

So do I have all the answers??....of course not!!!

So am I ready to give up??......of course not!!!