Hump Day Confessional

(((tap, tap, tap)))....is this thing on?
It has been a long time friends...a very long time.  I took an unexpected, extended sabbatical this summer.  After packing and moving cross country, staying in a hotel with 3 kids for a month, subsequent unpacking, birthday celebration month combined with back-to-school craziness....I just couldn't do anything more.
But, here I am...back with a confessional!

~ For my birthday last week, I went kayaking.  I have never been before.  I never thought that would be something I could/should do until I lost weight.  I mean, would I look like...a big gal on a tiny kayak.  Could I even get on and balance?  What would people think when they saw me?  What if I got out there and didn't have the strength to get back?  Guess what?  I DID IT!  I threw all of my concerns to the wind and DID IT!  I am tired of waiting for the "as soon as I...." excuse to start living my life.  I LOVED IT!  It is something I fully intend on doing again and again. 

~ I have some serious carpool lane rage.  Seeing that I am in carpool lane for about 2 hours a day, I get to observe MUCH jackass behavior.  It is a carpool lane, not a parking lot people!  It is NOT ok for you to race and cut in front of the whole lane just because someone isn't moving up as fast as you see fit.  I see red...seriously...why do you think YOU are so much more important than the hundreds of other people trying to pick-up or drop off their kidlets?!?!  AGHH!

~ For the first time in 11 years, I am alone during the day.  This has been a MUCH harder transition than I ever thought.  I know there are some Mom's who relish the day that they actually get some time to themselves.  However, at this moment I find that I am the Mom wandering around Super Target,  going oh so slowly, murmuring to myself with employees asking every 5 minutes if I need help finding something.  My oldest baby started middle school and my youngest baby started full day kindergarten.  (((sigh)))  It has hit me HARD how quickly time goes.

~ I have taken up watching re-runs of Beverly Hills 90210 during the day.

~ And, for the biggest confession...I have completely and totally fallen off the wagon.  I have spent the entire summer eating whatever I want.  I haven't stepped on a scale to see the damage, but just based on the tightness of shorts, I would say I am back where I started.  BLAH!  I know I need to get back on it, but I have a bad case of the "I'll start tomorrows"...

Spinach Salad with Warm Bacon Dressing

I was looking through my food pictures lovingly this morning remembering when I used to make meals like this.  Eating has been so completely uninspired and honestly, not the healthiest lately.  One of the hardest parts of moving cross-country is not moving any food.  So, we are eating up all the random bits from the pantry and freezer.  I cannot WAIT to get moved and fill my fridge and pantry with the good stuff again!
I made this salad a while back and it was AMAZING!  Like, forget the other things in the meal and just make-out with this salad...repeatably. 

Spinach Salad
Recipe Source:  Alton Brown, he is the bomb-diggity

• 8 ounces baby spinach
• 2 large hard boiled eggs
• 8 pieces thick-sliced bacon, chopped
• 3 TBSP red wine vinegar
• 1 tsp sugar (or your favorite sugar substitute)
• 1/2 tsp Dijon Mustard
• Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
• 4 large white mushrooms, sliced
• 3 ounces red onion (1 small), very thinly sliced

Wash and dry (by spinning or patting) the spinach and place into a large mixing bowl.
Slice or chop the hard boiled eggs, set aside.
Fry the bacon and remove to a paper towel to drain, reserving 3 TBSP of the rendered fat.  Crumble bacon and set aside.
Transfer the bacon fat into a small saucepan set over low heat and whisk in the red wine vinegar, sugar, and Dijon Mustard.  Season with a small pinch of salt and black pepper.
Add the mushrooms and the sliced onion to the spinach and toss.  Add the warm dressing and bacon and toss to combine.  Divide the spinach between 4 plates or bowls and evenly divide the egg among them.
Season with pepper, as desired.  Serve immediately.

Hump-Day Confessional

I confess...I will be driving to Austin with 3 kids, a cat, and my mother.  The cat scares me the most.  I have never traveled cross-country with a cat.  Any hints or advice would be greatly appreciated.  The second most scary thing is driving with my mom....she can be like adding another child to the mix...between texting her boyfriend and showing off her new-found dance moves, I may have to drink heavily at night.

I confess...While repacking some boxes in the garage this weekend, I found my old journal from college.  Oh.  My.  Hell.  I was a twit.  Like a majorly boy-crazed, self absorbed, drama queen type-twit.  I am so embarrassed for myself that I was ever like this.  I should have burned it...then buried it...then poured a cement basketball court over top.  But I didn't.  I repacked it.  Bridges of Madison County it isn't....I pity my children for having to find this hideousness one day.

I confess...I am a certified hypnotist.

I confess...In my early 20's, I went  skinny dipping in a lake and woke up the next morning with a rare strain of strep that eventually had to be cut out.  Not flesh eating, but too diseased to heal.  I should be thankful it was just my tonsils and not my lady-bits.

I confess...I want to learn how to do glass-blowing.  Dale Chihuly is my favorite artist...going to see his exhibit at the Bellagio is Las Vegas literally made me weep.  Know what?!  I switched my Groupon city to Austin and one of the first deals to come through was glass-blowing classes!  Ahhh...more signs!

Happy Easter

Hoppy Easter my friends!
Hugs and Sugar-Free Kisses to you all - xoxo

Hump-Day Confessional

I confess...My Mom is dating.  It is weird.  At least she hasn't asked me if condoms come in different sizes.

I confess...I used to have a pet duck named Quackers.  He was leash trained.  I hatched him in an incubator.  He was eaten by a fox.  The end.

I confess...I can sing.  While I have sung in front of thousands of people doing PR for my college, I have never had the desire to sing professionally.  I love to sing loud and proud....unless it is in front of my husband or family (except my kiddos)...then I have SERIOUS stage fright.  This bugs my husband to no end. 

I confess...I have an irrational fear of serial killers.  Sure, they are something to be scared of, but they seriously FREAK me out!  Though I am pretty sure there hasn't been a serial killer that has targeted overweight suburban stay at home mamas....(((shudder)))

I confess...I somehow tweaked my lower back/sciatic last week and have been a total slug since.  I have been to the massage therapist and chiropractor, I have applied ice and heat, I have been taking Advil like it was candy and applying Bengay like it was going out of style.  I am not nearly as far on my packing as I should be.  I am getting so very frustrated.  Ever since I started doing the BFC, I have either been sick or hurting, which is definitely NOT the norm for me.  I have been in bed more the last 2 1/2 months than I have the last 5 years combined.  I am not sure what to make of it.  I have relaxed the reigns on my eating.  My head is not there right now. 

Deconstructed Eggroll Stir-Fry

...or Poor Man's Stir-Fry...or Exploded Eggrolls....I couldn't make up my mind as to what to name this dish.  Whatever the name, it is DELICIOUS!  Not only is it delicious, it is super flexible.  Not only is it super flexible, it is pretty dang healthy.  That makes it a winner, winner, chicken, ...err I mean stir-fry(?) dinner in my book!

Poor Man's Stir Fry

Recipe Source:  Kitchen of Siggy Spice

• 1 pound of Ground Beef (you could also use Ground Turkey, Chicken, or Pork)
• Salt and Pepper to taste
• 4 TBSP Toasted Sesame Oil
• 4 Garlic Cloves, minced
• 5 Green Onions, white and green parts sliced
• 14 ounces Coleslaw Mix (or finely shredded cabbage)
• 4 TBSP Low Sodium Soy Sauce or Braggs Liquid Amino (more to taste)
• 1 tsp Sriracha Sauce (more to taste)
• 1 tsp Fresh Ginger, paste or grated.  (more to taste)
• 2 packets Truvia (or sweetener of your choice)
• 2 tsp White Vinegar
• 1 bag (14-16 ounces) Frozen Stir-Fry Veggies.  I use the Trader Joe's Hodgepodge Harvest, but feel free to use what you like
• 2 cups cooked Brown Rice.  Trader Joe's makes a handy dandy pre-cooked frozen brown rice that is wonderful here, you could also make cauliflower rice to go carb free.  

Brown Ground Beef with Salt and Pepper to taste.

Remove from pan and set aside.

Heat up Sesame Oil in pan and saute Garlic, Green Onions, Coleslaw, and Stir Fry Veggies until desired tenderness.

Stir in the Soy Sauce, Sriracha, Ginger, Truvia, and White Vinegar

Add the Ground Beef and Brown Rice into the veggies and mix well.  Taste it and make sure it is seasoned well for your tastes, adding more Soy Sauce, Sriracha, Ginger to taste.

Enjoy!



Hump-Day Confessional

photo courtesy of photo x.chng

I thought I would kick off this week sharing another live-stock fiasco...I have lots of those up my sleeve, lol!

I confess...When I was 15, I was riding in the car with my Mom.  It was a black night on a black road in the country.  We hit a black cow.  Hard.  It was like hitting a freaking brick wall going 55 mph.   It rolled up into the windshield, exploding it all over us.  Once I got out of the car, the cow started chasing me.  Let me just repeat that....The cow.  Was.  Freaking.  Chasing.  Me.  It wasn't dead, and it was pissed.  You can only imagine the cow jokes I had to endure for the remainder of my high school life.

I confess...The night we got into the cow accident, we were driving to my Mom's bakery.  My Mom owned the small town bakery, the Sweet Shop.  The decor was disgustingly pink, pink, and more pink.  I literally was the girl who had to get up and "Make the donuts".  I hated that job.  I think that is why I LOVE sleeping in and napping now.  Way too many early mornings in my childhood. 

I confess...I was a band geek.  Complete with 8 years of band camp (camper then counselor),  and flute playing, lol!  I played through college, but sold my instruments after.  I never thought that I would want to play again once I didn't have an audience to play for.  I was wrong.  I intend to get another instrument and play again once we get moved...of course, it has been 15 years, so we will see if I can still play.

I confess...I can't draw...at all.  Even my stick people look wonky.  It is a talent I desperately want though.  If I could draw, I would totally become a tattoo artist!

I confess...I look at the clock everyday at 11:11. 

Well, that's it for me this week  ;) 

Menu Plan 3/26/2012 - 3/31/2012

Happy Monday!
I hope you all had a great weekend.  Ours was pretty good.  Kiddo B and I went to go see the Hunger Games on Friday afternoon.  Loved it, though it doesn't live up to the book...it never does.  I have to say the worst part of going to see a teenage movie is all the teenagers in the movie theatre, lol!  There was some smart-ass kid that screamed "Bless you!" everytime someone sneezed, coughed, or made really any kind of noise.  Then, the hormonal tween (not my hormonal tween) sitting next to me started sobbing HYSTERICALLY during the movie...I mean, like loud.  Then she used her pig-tails to dry her eyes...oh yeah, good times. 
THEN, on Saturday we surprised kiddo C with an iPod.  Her and Daddy drove the convertible (our date car) to Best Buy to "look at things" and was told she could pick an iPod.  Unfortunately, apparently the $10 off sale Best Buy was having on iPods meant there was NONE.  So, we went to Target and got her a pink Nano.  When we got home, we realized that basically Apple downgraded the Nano's in hopes you would have to upgrade to the iPod touch.  GRR!  You can't watch videos with the new Nano and none of the games we have are compatible.  So, basically, it was a Shuffle that cost $70 more.  Sunday, we went back to Target and exchanged it for a Shuffle.
Anyway, that was our weekend.  This week, I have a big-ol-list going to prepare for our move in ONE month! 
Onto the menu plan for the week:

MONDAY

Italian Sausage and Roasted Pepper Spaghetti (made with Trader Joe's High Fiber Pasta), Caesar Salad

TUESDAY

Roasted Red Potato and Green Bean Soup, Buttered Sprouted Toast

WEDNESDAY

Baked Tilapia with Orange Cashew Rice, Salad De Maison

THURSDAY

Strawberry Chicken Salad, Buttered Sprouted Toast

FRIDAY

BBQ Country Pork Ribs, Crash Hot Potatoes, Mini Corn on the Cob

Have a great week!

Hump-Day Confessional

photo courtesy of photo.xchng

Happy Hump-Day!  I hope you are all having a great week so far.  I have been purging and packing this week...bleck!  What have you been up to? 
Allrighty, let's get this thing started!

I confess...I am SO excited for the Hunger Games to come out this weekend.  I read the series over Christmas/New Years and loved it.  Yes, I am just like a teenage girl, lol!  Give me some good  Y.A. reads and I am a happy gal...Twilight, Happy Potter, Hunger Games....good stuff. 

I confess...I have a cookbook addiction.  Cookbooks, cooking magazines, food blogs...oh yeah baby!  It is part of the reason I started my food blog...so I could share the amazing recipes I was finding.  Cookbooks and recipes are my porn. 

I confess...When I was 12 years old, I was bit by a horse.  We used to have these white turkeys that would try to eat the horse grain from the troth.  It was an unfortunate decision that I wore a white t-shirt one day to go feed the horses.  Our stud horse, Mr. Twister, apparently thought I was a turkey and picked me up by the back, shook me, and threw me through the fence.  I still have a giant horse-mouth scar on my back.  Though I was an avid, fearless rider my entire life prior to that point, I never really rode a horse after that.  When we get moved to Texas, I want to get back on a horse and ride.  The thought scares the bejesus out of me!

I confess...I grew up in an itty-bitty small town in Eastern Colorado.    So small that my graduating class had 32 people in it.  So small that I was part of the "Dirty Dozen" ...a group of kids that started Kindergarten and graduated together.  So small that you never really dated anyone new, you just took your turn.  So small, we didn't (and don't) have a stoplight.

I confess...I HATE thunderstorms!  Growing up in the fore-mentioned small town in Eastern Colorado, we had BIG thunderstorms and ran the risk of tornadoes.  My mom was somewhat of a freak when the storms would come...she would run through the house opening the windows saying the house could blow up if there was a tornado.  To this day, whenever there is a thunderstorm, I think a tornado is coming.  Know what I hate worse?  Thunderstorms in the middle of the night.  The lightning is SO much brighter, the thunder SO much louder.  I think in the 2 1/2 years I have been in North Carolina, I have only been in 3 day-time thunderstorms.  The rest were at night.  And by rest, I mean about 100.  I am SO happy to be moving because this is making me a jumpy spastic freak!

Allrighty, who wants to share a confession this week?

Thank it and Release it....

photo property of Sieglinde Rouse

I believe in releasing things that no longer serve you.  There are things/situations/people that served a great purpose for you at one time.  The problem is, sometimes we hold on so tight to those people and things that we can't see when it is time to let go.  And quite honestly, we are scared to death to think about what life would be like without them there.  That relationship that brings you more tears of sadness than tears of joy...it no longer serves you, thank them for what they brought to your life and release it!  That friendship that was great at one point in your life, but since has become a drain on your spirit, thank it for the purpose it served and release it!  The hurt you feel when you think about a particular person or event, release it!   The weight that is now causing you great sources of physical as well as emotional pain, acknowledge it, thank it, and release it!  Holding onto these things are putting your mind, spirit, and body in a place where you are asking for more of the same...more hurt, more anger, more disappointment.   Get your head and heart free and happy to bring in more happiness, more joy, more freedom to do what you want!

In applying these principals to weight loss, it is helpful to acknowledge where your weight came from, thank it for serving its purpose, and release it.  Sounds strange right?  Here is an exercise I have been doing that I find incredibly therapeutic.  I start by breaking down where my weight gain came from:

·         20 pounds gained grieving the death of my father. 

·         10 pounds gained becoming a food blogger.

·         30 pounds gained from being pregnant.

·         20 pounds gained as a teenager and young adult.

·         20 pounds gained as an older child - teenager.

So, there, I acknowledged it.  Now, I go through each one and thank it for serving its purpose, and release it. 

·         To the 20 pounds I gained while grieving the death of my father:  I used you to stave off that tidal wave of grief.  I stuffed food on top of all that sadness instead of dealing with the crippling reality.  That was simply putting a bandage over a wound.  A wound that got infected because it was not cleaned and dealt with properly.  Thank you for what you provided at the time, but I no longer need you.  I am dealing with my grief is a healthy and productive way.   I release you.

·         To the 10 pounds I gained while becoming a food blogger:  Thank you for all the wonderful food I tried over and over again so I could present what I thought my readers wanted.  I met some of the MOST AMAZING people through my food blog.  However, I no longer need you.  Those wonderful people whom I now count as friends are just as happy to read about my low sugar/low carb recipes as they were to read about my sugar laden cakes and desserts.  The reality is that they just wanted to hear me!  I release you.

·         To the 30 pounds I gained with 3 pregnancies:  Thank you, thank you, THANK YOU for providing my amazing children the nourishment they needed to grow and be healthy!  You have given me my life's greatest pride and joy.  But, I no longer need you.  I am no longer pregnant.  My children ARE strong and healthy.  I release you.

·         To the 20 pounds I gained while a teenager:  I have to admit, I used you.  I used you to keep the boys uninterested in me so I would not become pregnant and married at 16 like my older sisters.  When I was 8, I saw what that did to my family.  I saw one sister drop out of high school and no longer have the future she wanted.  I saw another sister give birth to a severely handicapped child because her young body could not handle the pressures of pregnancy.  I saw my parents become grandparents at the age I am now.  I wanted no part of that.  So, thank you weight for keeping the boys at bay so I didn't even have to worry about that.  I now know that I could have just said "no", lol!  But, I am now married to a man who saw past the fat and saw my soul and has loved me far more than I ever thought possible.  I release you.

·         To the 20 pounds I gained as a child:  I admit, I used you too.  It was a double edged sword really.  I never fit in with my family.  My Mom was a model, my Dad was the ultra-cool vice and narcotics cop....kinda Miami Vice-ish, haha.  They were two very beautiful people that were very busy with their own lives.  My extended family was all overweight.  I used you to not only get my parents to notice me, but I used it to fit in with part of my family.  I didn't work.  It no longer matters to me.  I release you.

I challenge you to think about your weight and ask yourself the question if it still serves you.  If not, are you ready to release it?  The reality is, until we are seriously ready to release the weight from our mind, we will never be able to release it from our bodies, no matter how many different programs we try. 

I hope you all had a fabulous weekend and will have an even better week ahead!

XOXO

Hump-Day Confessional

Ahhh, Wednesday.  Another Hump-Day.  Another Confessional.  Let's get to it, shall we?

I confess...I am exhausted.  This time change has thrown me for a loop.  My body is so attuned to the sun, getting up before it is even peeking out is just EXHAUSTING.  Bleck I say...B. L. E. C. K.  Stupid Spring Forward = tired Siggy = crabby Siggy.

I confess...I love naps.  I mean, I LOVE naps.  Napping is a hobby.  Napping makes me happy.  Sadly, I do not get to nap often.  My daughter C and I still talk about the best nap EVER...I was laying on the Love-Sac (giant 4 person type of bean bag thing) in front of the fireplace..and it was cold and dark out...and my sweeet C-girl snuggled up with me and we crashed.  Best.  Nap.  EVER.  Siesta = HAPPY Siggy!   

I confess...My floors are disgusting right now.  They need to be swept, Swiffered, Vacuumed, Mopped...all of it.  With 4 kids, an old-lady Chocolate Lab, and a spooky-bratty-teenage-boy kitty, let's just say, it isn't pretty.  My floors are continually littered with hair balls, some kind of glitter, Legos and other toys, fuzzy things that I am pretty sure were part of a stuffed animal that the above-mentioned spooky-bratty-teenage-boy kitty has attacked and made his bitch, pieces of the outdoors, and yet even more more dog/cat hair...UGH!  I can't keep up!  Groddy floors = crabby Siggy.

I confess...I should be purging, cleaning, dealing with my nasty floors, and packing today.  But I think I am going to play hooky with my sweet blue-eyed boy and go play.  Maybe a picnic at the park?  Maybe a walk around the lake?  Playing hooky to play = HAPPY Siggy!

I confess...I am getting slightly stressed about finding a house in Austin.  We have found two houses that we were super interested in only to find out they won't work for us.  We are moving in 45-ish days and I still don't have an address...EEK!  I am like a Super-Virgo and am somewhat of a control freak, so this is hard for me....to go with the flow...to trust that things will work out.  Not knowing everything at the moment = stress = Crabby Siggy.

That's all I've got for you today!
Come on...cleanse the soul...what do you have to confess today?
 

Menu Plan 3/12/2012-3/16/2012

My scale is going wonky.
It seems to add weight every time it gets stepped on.  So, whoever weighs-in first in the morning gets the lowest read, whoever weighs-in last gets a not-so-accurate read.  This morning I was first, and it showed a drop of 3.2 pounds.  I am not sure if I should believe it though.  We are getting a new scale today.  We will get a new baseline weight tomorrow morning.  I mean, I want to do this right.  The thought of setting up a new baseline scares the crap out of me as to the mind game that could do.  UGH!  If I step on the new scale and the weight is higher...BOOOO!!!  I know Rosalie went through the same situation, but still...I will see tomorrow I guess!
Last week I did a really good job at not eating legal carby stuff at dinner-time.  We had some AMAZING salads that I am SO excited to have again.  I am not sure if I told you, but we are eating this way as an entire family.  The kiddos have been total troopers adjusting to it, and the hubby is kicking ass on his weight loss too!  This week though, I am adding in a few days of the legal carbs for dinner.  I find that if I can nip a craving in the butt before it gets too bad, it is a lot easier to stay in control and we are all happy campers.  The girls have been begging me for some kind of spaghetti dish.  I found some AWESOME High Fiber Pasta at Trader Joe's that is lower in carbs and higher in fiber than whole wheat pasta. 
So, here is my MENU PLAN for this week:

MONDAY

Spasagna (made with the Trader Joe's High Fiber Pasta), Caesar Salad

TUESDAY

Hot Chicken Salad, Salad De Maison

WEDNESDAY

Ranch House Crockpot Pork Chops, Mashed Cauliflower, Wedge Salad

THURSDAY

Biltmore Pecan Chicken, Green Beans, Wild Rice Pilaf

FRIDAY

Bacon Cheeseburger Salad, Baked Potato Wedges

What's on your menu for the week?

Boursin Roasted Chicken

FRIDAY!!  Hip-hip-hooray!!  For some reason, I have been a day ahead all week in my mind.  I hate when I am so excited that it is Friday only to look at a calendar and realize it is in fact Thursday.  Not to mention this week was the first week back in school for the girlie's since the 3-week-we-were-sick-the-whole-time-trackout.  So, needless to say, our sleep schedule hasn't adjusted yet...just in time to change the clocks this weekend.
Anyway...
I made this recipe before the plague descended on our home.  It was un-freaking-believable!  This recipe is easy enough to make weeknights or fancy-pants enough for guests.  If you have never had Boursin cheese, you are missing out!  It is a super creamy, herb-y, garlic-y cheese that makes an appearance at our house A LOT.  You can buy it most anywhere, but I have found the best prices for it to be at Trader Joe's, Costco, or Sunflower Market.  The cheese makes such a luscious coating to the chicken, leaving it super moist and flavorful.  Then the sauce that is left on the bottom of the baking dish is to die for.  OH, btw, that is not lumpy mashed potatoes you see there, it is lumpy Mashed Cauliflower...I do not have an immersion blender (gasp) or a food processor (double gasp). 
Anyway...
Definitely give this recipe a try...it is amazing!

Boursin Roasted Chicken
Recipe Source:  Emeril Lagasse

• 1 TBSP Extra Virgin Olive Oil 
• 1 (3 1/2 to 4-pound) whole chicken
• Salt and freshly ground Black Pepper
• 2 (5.2-ounce) packages Boursin Cheese

Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. Coat the bottom of a roasting pan or shallow casserole dish with the oil.

Rinse the chicken well under cold running water and pat dry with paper towels. Season the chicken well, inside and out, with salt and pepper. Place the chicken in the prepared roasting pan and place 1 whole block of cheese inside the cavity of the chicken. Cut the remaining block of cheese into fourths and pat 1/4 of the cheese spread over the breast portion of the chicken. Allow the remaining 3/4 of the block of cheese to sit out at room temperature while the chicken is roasting.

Place the roasting pan in the center of the oven. After about 10 minutes, once the cheese has softened and begun to melt on the top of the chicken, remove the pan from the oven, and using the back of a spoon, spread the Boursin all over the chicken. Return the pan to the oven and roast for 25 minutes, until the chicken is golden brown on top.

Remove the pan from the oven and turn the chicken over so the back is now facing up. A small amount of cheese will probably begin to ooze out of the chicken cavity at this point, so take a bit of it and spread it all over the back side of the chicken. Return the pan to the oven and roast until the back side of the chicken is golden brown, about 25 minutes.

Remove the pan from the oven one more time. Reduce the oven temperature to 375 degrees F and turn the chicken over again, so the breast is once again facing up. Continue to cook until the chicken is done, 20 to 30 more minutes. Test for doneness by inserting a knife at one thigh joint and making sure that the juices run clear.

Remove the chicken from the oven and transfer to a platter or cutting board. Set aside, loosely covered with aluminum foil. Carefully remove and discard as much rendered fat from the roasting pan as possible. Add 1/2 cup hot water and the remaining cheese to the roasting pan. Remove any remaining melted cheese from the cavity of the chicken and add to the roasting pan.

Carve the chicken into serving pieces, allowing the juices from the chicken to run onto the platter. Add the juices to the roasting pan and mix well with the Boursin, drippings, and water. Serve the sauce spooned over the carved chicken.

ENJOY!

Hump-Day Confessional

photo courtesy of stock.xchng

I have to admit, I am LOVING the Hump-Day Confessionals!  I love sharing bits-o-me and LOVED hearing your confessional as well!  So, come on, join the fun and confess some fun/serious/quirky/scary/fabulous things about yourself!

I confess...We are moving in less than 60 days.  Our adventure in Raleigh has come to a close and I honestly could not be happier about it.  I really did not like it here.  I never really plugged in here.  We opened ourselves up to where we should move next.  We have been beaten about the head with signs that we should move to Austin. 

I confess...I believe in signs with all my soul. 

I confess...I have about 4 loads of laundry folded on my dining room table waiting to be put away.  It has been there for 2 days.

I confess...My.  Ears.  Are.  Still.  Freaking.  Plugged.  I am so over it.

I confess...I was so very sad to tell my daughter's teacher yesterday that we were moving.  She was the ONE person I dreaded telling.  I will never be able to find the words to tell her how very much she has meant to us.    I think she should just move to Austin too!

Your turn!

One Pound?!

So, yesterday was my weekly weigh-in and I saw the scale go down 1.4 pounds.  I don't think it was all that bad since I was on so much Sudafed and Prednisone in the weeks before which just sucked all the water out of my system, so my body is working on re-balancing and re-hydrating itself. 
Then, I went on Pinterest and saw this and had to share:

photo Courtesy of Pinterest

'Nuff said.

Menu Plan 3/5/2012 - 3/9/2012

Keeping this short and sweet today...you know, since it is already almost 9:00 pm.  UGH!  I am not sure where my day went.
Anywho, here is our eats for the week :

MONDAY

Taco Night

TUESDAY

Melt in Your Mouth Parmesan Chicken, Garlicky Almond Green Beans, Spinach Salad with Warm Bacon Dressing

WEDNESDAY

Grilled Steak, Sauteed Mushrooms and Onions, Salad De Maison

THURSDAY

Asian Pork Tenderloin, Roasted Sesame Broccoli, Shanghi Cucumbers

FRIDAY

Easy Peasy Chicken Legs, Cheesy Cauliflower, Ranch Wedge Salad

Rosemary Ranch Chicken Kabobs

It is about this time of  year that I CAN'T WAIT for summer and grilling weather.  I am sick of the heavier-type comfort food and am ready for the lighter fare you get when the temperatures are soaring.  I found this recipe on Pinterest and immediately put it on my menu for the week.  I am so glad I did...it was AMAZING!  I paired it with some veggie kabobs that I brushed with some Extra Virgin Olive Oil and seasoned with some herbs, salt, and lemon pepper.  Seriously fabulous!

Rosemary Ranch Chicken Kabobs
Recipe very slightly adapted from:  Allrecipes

• 1/2 cup Extra Virgin Olive Oil
• 1/2 cup Ranch Dressing
• 3 TBSP Worcestershire Sauce
• 1 TBSP minced Fresh Rosemary
• 1 tsp Salt
• 1 tsp Lemon Juice
• 1 tsp White Vinegar
• 1/2 tsp fresh ground Black Pepper, or to taste
• 5 skinless, boneless Chicken Breasts - cut into 1 inch cubes

In a medium bowl, stir together the olive oil, ranch dressing, Worcestershire sauce, rosemary, salt, lemon juice, white vinegar, and pepper.  Let stand for 5 minutes. Place chicken in the bowl, and stir to coat with the marinade. Cover and refrigerate for 30 minutes.

Preheat the grill for medium-high heat. Thread chicken onto skewers and discard marinade.
Lightly oil the grill grate. Grill skewers for 8 to 12 minutes, or until the chicken is no longer pink in the center, and the juices run clear.

Hump-Day Confessional



photo courtesy of stock.xchng


So, my friend Ashley started doing a "Monday Confessional" on her blog and I absolutely LOVE it, so I am totally stealing the idea!  I think it is a great way to get to know me a bit more.  Some will be serious, some fun, some probably a little TMI....but it is all the glory of me, lol!
Hold on tight cause here we go!!!

1. I confess....I love to make up songs.  Songs about nothing...songs about whatever I am doing at the moment...songs about what I am trying to make my kiddos do.  Sometimes I will be in the middle of a of a conversation, and I will just finish it in song.  All I need to do is add-in some swanky dance moves and jazz hands and I would  be a freaking walking musical.  My poor children.
2. I confess...At this moment, I have approximately 7 pairs of underware dangling off my bedroom ceiling fan.  I am not even sure how it happened.  Maybe some sort of leap-year gag?  Perhaps an underware gnome thought it would be HI-larious to see the look-o-shock on my face last night when I went to bed.  But I was a smooth operator.  I just looked, shook my head, and walked out.  HA!  I will show them.
3. I confess...I am honestly starting to get freaked out that my ear is going to stay plugged forever.  Have you ever gotten sick for so long you start to forget what it was like to feel well?  That is how I feel. 
4. I confess...I really, REALLY want a French Bulldog.  Like, really bad.  I want to get a girl and name it something obnoxiously French-like.  Maybe Coco or Odette or Eloise or Esme. 
5. I confess....I returned $85 dollars worth of groceries to Trader Joe's this week.  I cleaned out my pantry to rid it of all the stuff we are not eating anymore.  At first, I was going to throw it out or perhaps donate it.  Then I remembered that Trader Joe's has an AWESOME return policy.  So I called them and explained we aren't eating sugar or higher carb items and could I return 3 bags of groceries from my pantry.  They said yes, so I did.  I still felt chumpy about it though, so I drove to the one on the other end of  town so I wouldn't be known as the "crazy lady who returned a pantry load of food" when I go in to the one by the house.

So, come on...join in the fun...what do you have to confess today?

Menu Plan 2/27/2012 - 3/2/2012

I was DREADING my weigh-in this morning.  Totally DREADING.  This past week, the doctor put me on a round of Prednisone to try to clear out my ears...totally didn't work.  Anyway, this particularly crappy steroid is often referred to "Pregg-nisone" because it makes you feel pregnant.  Emotions completely out of control, cravings up the yang, water retention, and STARVING.  Yup, that was my fun week.  My poor kiddos and hubby.  I was a wack-job.  And sick.  And a wack-job. 
So, between feeling like I was eating way too much, not drinking enough and yet retaining water, and not really doing much on the "down-side" if you know what I mean, I was sure I would be up this week. 
But guess what?  NOPE!  I have released another 4.4 pounds this week!  YAYYYY!!!!
Now onto the Menu Plan for the week. 

MONDAY

Grilled Steak, Potato Skins, Salad

TUESDAY

Crockpot Chile Verde (Mexican Pork Stew), some kind of veggies

WEDNESDAY

Cajun Shrimp Scampi, Veggie Heavy Dirty Brown Rice

THURSDAY

Easy Peasy Chicken Legs, Cheesy Cauliflower, Spinach Salad

FRIDAY

Make Your Own Pizza Night, Italian Chopped Salad

Menu Plan 2/20/2012 - 2/24/2012

Oiy!  I was down all last week with ear, eye, and sinus infections...thank you kiddos for the mass-germies you bring home.  A week later and my ears are still plugged.  It is making me bonkers!  I have been on antibiotics, steroids, Zyrtec, and Sudafed for a week and they are still freaking plugged...UGH!
Enough about that...even with the clogged ears, I am so blissed-out right now.  I just did my 4 week weigh-in and measurements.  This week, I released 3.2 pounds bringing my 4 week total to 13.8 pounds and are you ready for this....29 inches!!!  (((happy dance)))
Whew, got a little dizzy there for a second with all the happy dancing.  Let's just move to the menu for the week shall we?

MONDAY

Chicken Tortilla Soup, Southwest Salad with Cilantro Lime Dressing

TUESDAY

Mozzarella Stuffed Meatballs, Pasta Pomodoro Sauce, High Fiber Pasta

WEDNESDAY

Rosemary Ranch Chicken Kabobs with Grilled Veggies

THURSDAY

Broiled Parmesan Tilapia, Roasted Asparagus, Spinach Salad

FRIDAY

Make your own pizza, Italian Chopped Salad

Hope you all have a FABULOUS week...sending lots of (((hugs))) and sugar-free kisses your way!  

Menu Plan 2/13/2012 - 2/17/2012

So, after 3 full weeks, I have released a total of 10.6 pounds, 1.6 of them being last week.  I know it is not the staggering amount some people experience, but I will take it!  Why?  Here's why:

1. The slower you lose it, the easier it will be to maintain
2. When you lose a bunch of weight quickly, your skin cannot keep up to shrink down with it.
3. When you lose it slower, I think it puts you into a better frame of mind.  Your expectations aren't so high that when you don't see that big number in a week, you think it stops working, which can discourage you from working it.
4. I am eating REAL, PURE food.  Plain and simple, I am eating cleaner and healthier than I have in a long time.  I am not eating artificial junk for the sake of saving some calories. 
5. Tortoise and the Hare baby!  Slow and steady wins the race...I will take the Tortoise anyday!  Now, I am not saying those who have lost huge numbers are going to fail, not maintain, or not finish;  I am simply saying this is why it works for me.

Onto my menu for the week:

MONDAY

Eastern Carolina BBQ, Veggie Heavy Pasta Salad

TUESDAY

Mozzarella Stuffed Meatballs, TJ 3 Cheese Pasta Pomodoro Sauce,  1/2 serving Pasta, Grain-Free Garlic Bread, Ceasar Salad

WEDNESDAY

Almond Crusted Chicken with Lemon Cream Sauce, Steamed Broccoli

THURSDAY

Broiled Tilapia Parmesan, Roasted Cauliflower, Spinach Salad

FRIDAY

Make your own pizza

Seasoned Tilapia with Dill Sauce

I never ate fish growing up...my Dad was a meat and potatoes type of guy.  As I have grown older, I have found I am pretty particular about it.  If it tastes fishy, I am outta there!  That is one of the reasons I love Tilapia.  No fishy taste!  It easily grabs any flavor you put on it and holds together really well while cooking.  This recipe was SO yummy...the balance of spices along with the creamy dill sauce was a match made in heaven.  Just like Edward and Bella, Romeo and Juliet, Sookie and Bill Eric Bill,   Bert and Ernie...well, you get the idea.
What type of fish do you like?  How do you prepare it?

Seasoned Tilapia with Dill Sauce
Recipe Source:  This Mommy Cooks

 

For the sauce:

• 1/8 cup Mayonaisse
• 1/4 cup Sour Cream
• 1/8 tsp Garlic Powder
• 1/2 TBSP fresh Lemon Juice
• 1 TBSP chopped fresh Dill (1/2 TBSP dried Dill Weed) 
• dash of salt

For the fish:

• 1 TBSP Paprika,
• 1/2 TBSP Onion Powder,
• 1/2 tsp Sea Salt,
• 1/2 tsp dried Oregano,
• 1/2 tsp Thyme,
• 1/2 tsp Black Pepper,
• 1/4 tsp Garlic Powder,
• 1/4 tsp Celery Seed 
• ground Cayenne Pepper to taste
• 1/2 pound Tilapia (3 large fillets) 
• 1/8 cup Extra Virgin Olive Oil.

Directions:

For the sauce:

Combine all ingredients in a bowl and mix well. Cover and refrigerate for at least one hour.

For the fish:

Mix all seasonings together in a small bowl. Place fish in a shallow baking dish sprayed with nonstick spray. Sprinkle seasonings on top of fish covering completely, flip the fillets over and season the other side. Place in fridge for 30 minutes.

When ready to cook, heat olive oil in skillet for a couple of minutes. Add in fish and cook on each side for 4 minutes, or until fish is cooked through and flakes easily. Remove from pan, letting the excess oil drip off. You could drain it on paper towels to be a tad bit healthier.

When ready to serve, place on a plate and top with dill sauce. Go ahead and put the bowl of dill sauce on the table, because you'll want more than you think. That stuff is so good!

Menu Plan 2/6/12 - 2/10/12

This week, I am down 2.2 pounds.  While I am happy about that, I was slightly disappointed it wasn't more.  BUT, one benefit to tracking your meals, snacks, fiber intake, and daily water is that you can go back and see what happened.  Even though I was under on my sugars and carbs everyday (yes, and each meal), I was also woefully under on fiber and water.  That combined with this weekend being filled with salty crap food...movie theatre popcorn, Red Robin Burger (lettuce wrapped but still INSANELY high in sodium, fat, and calories), hot wings, and potato skins...I should be happy I didn't gain weight.
BUT, it is the start of another week, so that means another meal plan.  Here is what is on our dinner agenda for the week:

MONDAY

Chicken Broccoli Ranch Foil Packets, Salad

TUESDAY

Grilled Steak, Garlic Grilled Shrimp Skewers, Roasted Asparagus, Salad

WEDNESDAY

Roasted Boursin Chicken, Garlic Mashed Cauliflower, Spinach Salad

(we were still a house under siege with the plague last week, we didn't get this one made)

THURSDAY

Bacon Cheeseburger Salad, Deviled Eggs

Japanese Steakhouse Chicken and Veggies with White Sauce

This is an A-MAZING recipe.  While it may seem like a simple stir-fry, this White Sauce is OUT OF THIS WORLD!  Now, this recipe will take a little advanced planning since you need to make the sauce the night before.  It isn't optional, it needs that long for the flavors to completely transform the taste of the sauce.  Just trust me on this.  You can use any veggies you would like in this dish.  I used a combo of mushrooms, zucchini, a few red pepper slivers,  broccoli, and cauliflower.  I seriously could not get enough dipping the chicken and veggies in the sauce.  I hope you all have had a great week and have a great weekend!

Japanese Steakhouse Chicken and Veggies with White Sauce
Recipe Source:   Recipe very slightly adapted from  This Mommy Cooks

• Chicken, cut into bite size pieces (or any meat you choose)
• Salt
• Lemon Pepper
• Choice of veggies, cut into bite sized pieces
• Soy Sauce (I used 1 TBSP total)
• Oil of choice

White Sauce

• 1-1/4 cup real mayonnaise  (Hellman's or Duke's) 
• 1/4 cup water
• 1 tsp tomato paste
• 1 TBSP melted butter
• 1/2 tsp garlic powder
• 1 tsp sugar  
• 1/4 tsp paprika
• dash of cayenne pepper

For the White Sauce:
The night before you want to serve this, make the White Sauce by using a fork or a whisk to combine all ingredients together until mixed and the sauce is smooth. Refrigerate overnight for the flavors to blend.
For the chicken and veggies:
In separate pans, heat a small amount of oil. Season chicken with salt and Lemon Pepper.
Cook chicken, careful not to over cook, add some real soy sauce to taste.  For the vegetables, you pretty much do the same thing. Slice up your chosen vegetables, and place in heated oil, season with a little Lemon Pepper and Soy Sauce.  Cook until still slightly crisp.
ENJOY!

Perfect Iced Coffee

I grew up in an itty bitty small town in Colorado.  I always knew I was destined for the "big city".  After all, out of the whopping 32 (?) people that were in my graduating class, 12 of us (the Dirty Dozen) started kindergarten together.  With barely a wave goodbye later, I went to college in the Seattle area and fell in love with it.  One thing Seattle is known for, aside from rain, is coffee.  I became addicted instantly, especially to iced coffee drinks.  On my first trip back home, depression set in when I saw there was not a coffee stand in sight.  I just sat on a hay bale and watched the tumble weeds blow....sigh.  Just kidding.  Well, kinda :)
Eventually, marriage and kids takes over and you find other things to do with your money than spend $5.00 a day on a coffee drink.  $5.00 a day....$35.00 a week....$151-ish a month....$1820 a year.  Yeah, it adds up.  So, I tried doing the "responsible" thing and make them at home.  I would take hot coffee and pour it over ice.  Bleck, it was just a watered down mess.  I would take leftover coffee and put it in the fridge, but it always turned bitter and acidic.  So, imagine the happy dance I jigged when I saw Mommy's Kitchen put a technique on her site that cold brewed coffee into a coffee concentrate that is way less acidic and bitter than just sticking coffee in the fridge.  YES!  I tried it and immediately fell in LOVE!  Do yourself a favor and start a batch of this tonight and tomorrow you too can sip on a scrumptious, just the way you like it, stickin' it to the man Iced Coffee!


Perfect Iced Coffee

• 1-Cup ground coffee - fresh ground is great but not necessary
• 32 ounces cold water
• small pinch of baking soda
• Favorite Milk Substitute
• Cream or Half and Half, optional
• Choice of sweetener, optional
• Choice of protein powder, optional

Equipment:

• 1 Glass container with lid to hold at least 32 ounces. You can use a canning jar, or like me, a washed large applesauce jar.
• 1 smaller glass jar with lid to store coffee concentrate in fridge. I used a washed out spaghetti sauce jar.
• French Press

        OR

• Strainer
• Coffee filters - largest you can find. Not the cone shape, but the bucket/basket shape. I changed filters after straining half of the mixture.

Place coffee grounds in container. Pour 32 ounces (4 cups) cold water over the coffee grounds. Put on the lid and gently swish to get all the grounds wet. Let it sit on the counter overnight, or 12-15 hours. Pour coffee mixture into your french press and press this amazing concentrate OR place your strainer over a large bowl, and put a coffee filter inside the strainer. Slowly pour coffee into the filter and allow it to sit until it has drained through. As I said, I changed filters about half way through. Keep straining the coffee mixture through a filter until jar is empty. Pour coffee concentrate in another smaller jar along with a small pinch of baking soda to keep in fridge for further use.

To make the iced coffee, fill a glass with ice and mix equal amounts of coffee concentrate and choice of milk alternative, or water depending how you like it. I like to add in a good splash of cream or half and half to make it nice and thick and rich.  Add sweeteners if desired. I have made it using 1/2 cup coffee concentrate and 1/2 cup chocolate almond milk, splash of cream, and some Truvia  making a yummy mocha-ish drink, I have also made it using 1/2 cup coffee concentrate and 1/2 cup unsweetened vanilla almond milk, adding 1/2 scoop of low sugar vanilla protein powder. You could even get fancy and blend the coffee concentrate with ice, add some dark chocolate or sugar free chocolate chips, chocolate almond milk, top with some Redi-Whip...Viola! Mocha Frappacino! What is great about this is you can totally adjust it to how you like it with flavors or control the amount of sugar and fat with the type of sweeteners and milk product you use.  Plus, once you have the coffee concentrate made, whipping up a scrumptious, HEALTHY coffee drink takes under a minute!

You can also make 1-cup hot coffee by using the same method and heating it up.

Mozzarella Pepperoni Stuffed Chicken Breasts

So, week 1 down and so is 6.8 pounds WOOT WOOT!
Aside from the plague descending on our house leaving my daughters and I hacking, coughing, sniffling, and coughing some more...my first week was pretty darn easy.  I didn't have a ton of cravings, it was mostly needing to stop myself from reflexively grabbing a piece of candy as I walked by the dish.
Also, if anyone would like to see my weekly food log, just email me and I will email it back to you.  I am very Virgo so I keep track of everything, HA!
Onto the recipe!
We had this last night and it was SCRUMPTIOUS!  The pepperoni added a little kick to the chicken breast and who can resist gooey, melty mozzarella cheese?!  The kiddos and hubby loved it too.  According to my lovely daughter, it is like a cross between Chicken Parmesan and Pizza.  I served this with Parmesan & Herb Pasta that I made using Trader Joes High Fiber Spaghetti and a Caesar Salad, hold the croutons.

Mozzarella Pepperoni Stuffed Chicken Breasts

• 4 boneless skinless chicken breasts
• 16 slices of pepperoni (turkey or regular)
• 4 ounces Mozzarella Cheese plus a little more to sprinkle on top
• 1 cup low sugar Marinara Sauce.  I used Trader Joes Three Cheese Pasta Pomodoro Sauce
• Garlic Salt, to taste
• Dried Oregano, to taste
• Dried Basil, to taste
• Parmesan Cheese, to sprinkle on top

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
Spray a 9x13 baking pan with non-stick spray.
Cut a deep, horizontal pocket in each chicken breast, being careful to not cut chicken breast in half.
Sprinkle Garlic Salt, Dried Oregano, and Dried Basil into the pockets.  Stuff with 1 ounce Mozzarella Cheese and 4 pieces of Pepperoni per chicken breast.  Using a toothpick, carefully close pocket to prevent all your luscious filling from melting out while baking.  Cover each breast with 1/4 cup of your Marinara Sauce

Place chicken in baking dish and bake for 25-30 minutes.  Remove from oven and sprinkle with additional Mozzarella and Parmesan Cheese.  Return to oven and bake an additional 5 minutes until cheeses are melted.  If you like to have your cheese slightly browned, turn on your broiler for the last 1 minute.
Let sit for 3-5 minutes before serving and make sure you remove you toothpicks!
Enjoy!

Menu Plan 1/29 - 2/3

I am a meal planner.  I started it several years ago and am continually surprised at how much money, time, and sanity it saves.  We are a family of 6, so saving in all those areas is really important to me.  I always share my menu plan over on Siggy Spice, so I thought I would over here too!  I find sharing and reading other meal plans always helps in the brainstorming process.  I will be taking pictures and posting these recipes soon assuming they are "blogworthy" ;)

Sunday
     Bacon Cheeseburger Salad
     The hubs and kiddos will have their burger on whole wheat buns with potato wedges on the side

Monday
     Pepperoni Mozzarella Stuffed Chicken Breasts, Caesar Salad, Parmesan Pasta
    (only a small amount of pasta for me of course)

Tuesday 
     Japanese Steakhouse Chicken and Veggies with White Sauce, Brown Rice
     (again, only a small amount of rice for me)

Wednesday 
     Seasoned Tilapia with Dill Sauce, Garlic Almond Green Beans, Salad
     The hubs and kiddos will also have Rice Pilaf

Thursday
     Roasted Boursin Chicken, Steamed Broccoli and Cauliflower
     Mashed Potatoes for the rest of the family

Friday
     Left-overs or out for dinner

Do any of you Menu Plan?  What is on your plate for the upcoming week?

Just a thought



photo courtesy of Pinterest

 The above is a quote I saw on Pinterst (aka fantasy football for girls) that I wanted to share.  If you are on Pinterest, look me up!  http://pinterest.com/siggyspice/ 

I had all intentions of posting at least every-other day.
Ahhh...those dang intentions, lol!  I have actually been sick this week.  I think it is a combo of my body freaking out a little bit due to sugar/carb withdrawal and kid cooties.
That aside, I feel GREAT!  I have not felt the slightest bit deprived or discouraged.  As soon as it may seem, I do feel less puffy.  I think sugar and carbs attributes a lot of inflammation to my body.
I should be getting my shipment today of Nature's Hallow products and some coconut flour.   I am looking forward to passing along recipes and product reviews soon!

I also wanted to let you know, just so there is no confusion, if you click on my Blogger Profile, it will show 2 blogs, this one and Siggy Spice.  Siggy Spice is my food blog that I started almost 2 years and 25 pounds ago.  While it was incredibly therapeutic for me to do after the passing of my Dad, it wasn't so much to my weight.  I still have several recipes I am going to share on Siggy Spice that are sitting in my queue that were made weeks, if not months, ago.  Once I am through those, Siggy Spice followers are going to start getting the same recipes as you.   I am going to go through the existing Siggy Spice recipes and see what I can re-tweak to fit the low sugar/low carb journey I have begun.  I just didn't want you thinking I was leading some kind of secret double life, HA!

I think if I am feeling up to it, I am going to go see "One For the Money" this weekend...I have read that entire series and love it.  If you plan on seeing it, there is a groupon from the movie studio that lets you go see the movie for $6 a ticket...any time, any theatre.  The deal is set to expire at midnight tonight though I think.
ANYWAY, I hope you all have a FABULOUS weekend!