My grandmother did pass away last night. I was out of town, but drove back this morning. I have all the "running around" completed, with a haircut for my son as the last thing to do. I am going to pack everything tomorrow. We are leaving to meet up with my brother and will stay the night in Missouri tomorrow, then drive in to Ohio on Thursday. All reservations have been made and I also grabbed our cooler for drinks and snacks. I do not plan to stop that much, so I am packing a lot of finger foods to take along.
I also weigh in tomorrow. I know it's going to be a gain. I have checked the scale and I can feel it. I will most likely be up 2 pounds. I am still going to weigh in and not let it discourage me.
We are driving back on Sunday. I am hoping I miss all of the Superbowl traffic in Indianapolis on Sunday.
I probably won't post until I get back, so with that being said.....
I hope everyone has a fantastic week! Work hard, play hard and get on that scale win or lose!
Tuesday, January 31, 2012
Monday, January 30, 2012
Update
Just got a call from my mom. Looks like my grandmother has taken another bad turn. She has very shallow breathing. My dad says it may be tonight or tomorrow. I am still heading out of town for my work meetings. I can always drive back. I just need to keep busy or else the little things will get to me.
The kid isn't going to be too happy, but he certainly understands. The family wants him to be a pallbearer since he is the only great-grandson. I am a little leery about it, considering this is the very first funeral he has attended. Not to mention, it's falling on his birthday.
Anyway, just wanted to update in case I am MIA for the rest of the week.
The kid isn't going to be too happy, but he certainly understands. The family wants him to be a pallbearer since he is the only great-grandson. I am a little leery about it, considering this is the very first funeral he has attended. Not to mention, it's falling on his birthday.
Anyway, just wanted to update in case I am MIA for the rest of the week.
Sunday, January 29, 2012
Recipe and New Vegetable
To finish the month of January strong, I am getting two of my goals partially accomplished. The first one is to try a new recipe every month. I saw this on The Barefoot Contessa, went to the Food Network website and brought up the recipe. It's Brown Rice, Tomato and Basil. It is actually pretty good. I did make a few revisions to the recipe. Instead of champagne vinegar, I used aged white wine vinegar and used 1/2 cup of basil and 1/2 cup of Italian parsley. The fresh smell of basil reminds me of summertime and goes great with the grassy taste of the parsley! Yumm!!
1 cup Texmati brown rice
2 teaspoons kosher salt, divided
1/4 cup Champagne or rice wine vinegar
2 teaspoons sugar
1 tablespoon good olive oil
Freshly ground black pepper
1 pound ripe tomatoes, large-diced
1 cup packed basil leaves (1 large bunch), chopped
Directions
Bring 2 1/4 cups water to a boil and add the
rice and 1 teaspoon of the salt. Return to a boil, cover, and simmer
for 30 to 40 minutes, until the rice is tender and all the water is
absorbed. Transfer the rice to a bowl.
Whisk together the vinegar, sugar, olive oil, remaining teaspoon of
salt, and a pinch of pepper. Pour over the rice. Add the tomatoes and
basil. Mix well and check the seasonings. Serve at room temperature.
Brown Rice, Tomato and Basil
If you want, sprinkle some RF feta cheese crumbles for an extra point. It's what I do and I love the zing the feta gives it. This is a great side dish and is good at room temperature. I think the longer you let it sit, the better it is. The flavors all have time to hang out together and get super delicious!
Another goal I wanted to partially accomplish is to try a new vegetable. I have never tried fennel because of the anise flavor. Well, I heard that if you roast it with olive oil, salt and pepper, you can't even taste the anise flavor. I decided to give it a go for tonight's dinner. I cut off the stalks and cored the bulb. I cut the bulb up into sections and tossed them with olive oil, garlic salt and pepper. I roasted it in the oven at 400 degrees for one hour, turning it after 30 minutes. Once it was roasted, I add some Parmesan cheese. It turned out okay. I think it would be much better with other root vegetables, as I could still taste a hint of anise.
Here's what my dinner looked like this evening...
Brown Rice, Tomatoes and Basil
2002, Barefoot Contessa Family Style, All Rights Reserved- Ingredients
2 teaspoons kosher salt, divided
1/4 cup Champagne or rice wine vinegar
2 teaspoons sugar
1 tablespoon good olive oil
Freshly ground black pepper
1 pound ripe tomatoes, large-diced
1 cup packed basil leaves (1 large bunch), chopped
Directions
Bring 2 1/4 cups water to a boil and add the
rice and 1 teaspoon of the salt. Return to a boil, cover, and simmer
for 30 to 40 minutes, until the rice is tender and all the water is
absorbed. Transfer the rice to a bowl.
Whisk together the vinegar, sugar, olive oil, remaining teaspoon of
salt, and a pinch of pepper. Pour over the rice. Add the tomatoes and
basil. Mix well and check the seasonings. Serve at room temperature.
© Copyright 2012 Television Food Network G.P., All Rights Reserved
Brown Rice, Tomato and Basil
If you want, sprinkle some RF feta cheese crumbles for an extra point. It's what I do and I love the zing the feta gives it. This is a great side dish and is good at room temperature. I think the longer you let it sit, the better it is. The flavors all have time to hang out together and get super delicious!
Another goal I wanted to partially accomplish is to try a new vegetable. I have never tried fennel because of the anise flavor. Well, I heard that if you roast it with olive oil, salt and pepper, you can't even taste the anise flavor. I decided to give it a go for tonight's dinner. I cut off the stalks and cored the bulb. I cut the bulb up into sections and tossed them with olive oil, garlic salt and pepper. I roasted it in the oven at 400 degrees for one hour, turning it after 30 minutes. Once it was roasted, I add some Parmesan cheese. It turned out okay. I think it would be much better with other root vegetables, as I could still taste a hint of anise.
Here's what my dinner looked like this evening...
I'm terrible when it comes to taking pictures. I don't have patience to get the format to be perfect and such. Oh well, this is what you get! It's the roasted fennel, brown rice with tomatoes and basil and a baked center cut pork loin chop that has 1 tbsp of bread crumbs and parsley. Not pictured is the two cups of spinach salad with goat cheese and olive oil dressing. The meal was good. The boyfriend didn't even complain.
I also got in a 1.5 mile walk, thanks to Maren. She is such an inspiration! BTW - I downloaded Endomondo and it's fantastic! Super easy and pretty accurate!
So this week will be just as hectic as the last. Tomorrow - In the office all day, niece's basketball game in the late afternoon, drive 3.5 hours away for a meeting the following day. Tuesday - Three meetings lasting until 5 pm and a 3.5 hour drive back home. Wednesday and Thursday - In the office all day as we close the books for our fiscal year-end. Friday - Back at the office for more work. I am suppose to be off on Saturday and Sunday. It's my son's 17th birthday, so we have plans. The weekend will most likely result in two of his friends staying over, followed by lots of video games and laser tag.
Still no word on my grandmother. Apparently she has not eaten in three days and is not hooked up to any IVs. She is still awake, but not coherent. I am hoping we will not have to do a road trip this weekend, as I do not want to attend a funeral during my son's birthday. It should be a happy day, not one with tears.
Good night and have a great week everyone!
Is It Sunday Already!
Time is flying by! Maybe it's because I decided to work yesterday. I had to take some pictures for a manual one of the departments is making.
This morning when I was making my scrambled eggs, I decided to salt and pepper the mixture before I cooked them. I usually just salt and pepper after they are done, but it tastes so much better when they are incorporated before cooking! I am one who really likes to taste their food and I couldn't believe the difference it made. I am doing this from now on!
This morning's post will be short. I need to catch up on blogs and go to the store for my weekly fresh buys. I know fennel will be on the list today!!!
Catch you all later!
This morning when I was making my scrambled eggs, I decided to salt and pepper the mixture before I cooked them. I usually just salt and pepper after they are done, but it tastes so much better when they are incorporated before cooking! I am one who really likes to taste their food and I couldn't believe the difference it made. I am doing this from now on!
This morning's post will be short. I need to catch up on blogs and go to the store for my weekly fresh buys. I know fennel will be on the list today!!!
Catch you all later!
Saturday, January 28, 2012
Hello!
Wow! So glad I made it thru this week. I feel like a new person. My grandmother is still alive, but it's just a matter of days. She has Alzheimer's. I wish there was a quicker way to pass. It's sad seeing loved ones having to wait.
Food hasn't been great this week. I actually went over my points Thursday and Friday. But I am off this weekend and I am planning on getting some good walking in with the beautiful 50 degree weather we are having! I need those extra steps if I am going to make my walking goal of 500K.
I also have a recipe I am going to be trying tomorrow. It's part of my New Year Goals! You haven't forgotten about yours, have you? I am right on track. I am also halfway finished with my book, The Age of Innocence. It's very old fashioned and I love thinking about the mannerisms and the style back in the old days. It sounds like everything was so posh over there in Europe. But I'm kinda glad it's not like that anymore. I love my "automobile" and not having to go around in a horse and carriage. I also love my modern technology! Besides, who wants to sit around in a stuffy dress with lace, girdle and garters? Not me! But I like reading about it.
The vegetable I am going to try next week is fennel. Ugh. I hate anise flavor, but I was watching Ina the other day and she says if you cut it up, drizzle with olive oil, salt and pepper, throw it on a sheet pan and roast it, you can't even taste the anise flavor. So I am going to give it a whirl because it's one vegetable I wish I liked, but after hearing what it might taste like, I have never tried it. I hate anise flavor! Yuck!
It's getting close to the end of January. How are you doing on your New Year Goals? I hope you haven't given up!!!!
Food hasn't been great this week. I actually went over my points Thursday and Friday. But I am off this weekend and I am planning on getting some good walking in with the beautiful 50 degree weather we are having! I need those extra steps if I am going to make my walking goal of 500K.
I also have a recipe I am going to be trying tomorrow. It's part of my New Year Goals! You haven't forgotten about yours, have you? I am right on track. I am also halfway finished with my book, The Age of Innocence. It's very old fashioned and I love thinking about the mannerisms and the style back in the old days. It sounds like everything was so posh over there in Europe. But I'm kinda glad it's not like that anymore. I love my "automobile" and not having to go around in a horse and carriage. I also love my modern technology! Besides, who wants to sit around in a stuffy dress with lace, girdle and garters? Not me! But I like reading about it.
The vegetable I am going to try next week is fennel. Ugh. I hate anise flavor, but I was watching Ina the other day and she says if you cut it up, drizzle with olive oil, salt and pepper, throw it on a sheet pan and roast it, you can't even taste the anise flavor. So I am going to give it a whirl because it's one vegetable I wish I liked, but after hearing what it might taste like, I have never tried it. I hate anise flavor! Yuck!
It's getting close to the end of January. How are you doing on your New Year Goals? I hope you haven't given up!!!!
Wednesday, January 25, 2012
WI Wednesday
Good Morning!
I went to WW to weigh in this morning. I am happy to report that I lost 3.6 pounds! WooHoo! This brings the total to 17 pounds. I have been on WW for 7 weeks now and I am making some progress. I feel awesome!
I have also joined a walking challenge at work. I have to walk at least 500,000 steps from today to March 31. That is 66 days of about 7,600 steps per day. Holy crap! I only walk a few thousand a day as it is. Looks like this is going to be a great challenge for me to strive for. And I can only imagine the weight will continue to come off as I do this. The increased activity will help my health tremendously!
I bought a WW pedometer. They were $5 off, so I thought I would try it. Does anyone have one? Do you like it?
Gotta get to work. Just wanted to check in and share the good news!
I went to WW to weigh in this morning. I am happy to report that I lost 3.6 pounds! WooHoo! This brings the total to 17 pounds. I have been on WW for 7 weeks now and I am making some progress. I feel awesome!
I have also joined a walking challenge at work. I have to walk at least 500,000 steps from today to March 31. That is 66 days of about 7,600 steps per day. Holy crap! I only walk a few thousand a day as it is. Looks like this is going to be a great challenge for me to strive for. And I can only imagine the weight will continue to come off as I do this. The increased activity will help my health tremendously!
I bought a WW pedometer. They were $5 off, so I thought I would try it. Does anyone have one? Do you like it?
Gotta get to work. Just wanted to check in and share the good news!
Monday, January 23, 2012
Aagh!
Just got home and my day is not even over with. I still have to pick my kid up from music practice at 9 pm!
Dinner is in the oven, should be done in a few. I made baked tilapia and roasted eggplant and asparagus. I just finished a huge spinach salad with tomatoes, goat cheese, a drizzle of olive oil and a little bit of dressing. It was yummy.
Tomorrow is going to be crazy! Gotta drop the kid off at school, pick up the rental car, go weigh in, drop off some food at my aunt's house and then take the 3 hour trek out of town to a meeting. The meeting will last about 2 hours and then I will make the 3 hour road trip back home and drop off the rental car. I am keeping my fingers crossed that I can make it back by 6 pm. Man, I hope so!
Okay, I am pooped! I even typed this post fast! No time for spellcheck! Bye!!
Dinner is in the oven, should be done in a few. I made baked tilapia and roasted eggplant and asparagus. I just finished a huge spinach salad with tomatoes, goat cheese, a drizzle of olive oil and a little bit of dressing. It was yummy.
Tomorrow is going to be crazy! Gotta drop the kid off at school, pick up the rental car, go weigh in, drop off some food at my aunt's house and then take the 3 hour trek out of town to a meeting. The meeting will last about 2 hours and then I will make the 3 hour road trip back home and drop off the rental car. I am keeping my fingers crossed that I can make it back by 6 pm. Man, I hope so!
Okay, I am pooped! I even typed this post fast! No time for spellcheck! Bye!!
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