Bonjour!

I'm in a Julie & Julia mood. In fact, I think that is going to be on the line up for tomorrow night.


J'adore manger. C'est vrai.

Today I got to experience the delicious Week Night Chese Quiche I made a few days ago. I'm going to bring it to lunch tomorrow. It's low on WW Points and high in veggies and flavor!

I, of course, being a creator, love not following recipes to a tee. So, I added about a cup of frozen red, green and yellow bell peppers to the party. It makes it look festive and adds more filling to keep you fuller longer.


Also, because I am inspired by my weight loss, I thought I would share my gym plan for the next few months to drop these hated extra pounds on my body. I want to go to the gym 3-5 times a week and plan to change the routine everyday to keep myself from getting bored.

During a typical week, I want to:
Monday: Run for 20 minutes, arm machines and abs
Tuesday: Weight loss function on elliptical for 30minutes
Wednesday: Run for 20 minutes, arm machines and abs
Thursday: Weight-loss function of elliptical for 30minutes
Friday: Walk on tredmil at 3MPH for 45minutes or 4MPH for 3minutes
Saturday: Relax!
Sunday: Yoga routine at home

Bride-to-Be

It's scary to think that in a little over 17 months, I'm going to be walking down the aisle. In fact, I'm still shocked.

So, in order to be happy, healthy and sexy, I joined Weight Watchers.
I went tonight to the weigh-in and got some great news, because I worked out hard and watched what I ate, I lost 4.4 pounds this week. I am pretty excited to keep seeing the scale go down. It's even more exciting to keep track of my measurements online and see the line graph going down :) I need to remember this feeling when I am on the tredmill at the gym!!

While I don't work for Weight Watchers, I definitely advocate for their program. I can eat what I want, when I want and I never feel hungry. I am putting my own spin on the program by holding myself accountable for cooking more (and spending less) and working out. I want to continue working out a minimum of three days a week. One of my favorite snacks are sugar-free Jello and fruit because they are zero (yes, ZERO) WW points.

This weekend, I had some great success with cooking recipes. Even though B and I went out for pizza and ordered delivery, I was able to manage eating a few fresh-baked cookies and try some new recipes. One of which we created!

This is a great recipe for a party. I made them for a friend's birthday/tapas party. They were quite good!
Sweet & Sour Turkey Meatballs

Ingredients

Sauce

• 4 8-ounce cans tomato sauce
• 1 small onion, minced
• 1/2 red bell pepper, seeded and minced
• 1/2 green bell pepper, seeded and minced
• 1/4 cup packed brown sugar
• 1/4 cup lemon juice
• 1/4 cup minced fresh parsley
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning blend
• 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground pepper

Meatballs

• 1 medium-sized red potato, peeled
• 1 small onion, cut into large chunks
• 2 egg whites
• 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning blend
• 1 clove garlic
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground pepper
• 2 1/2 pounds ground turkey

Preparation

1. To make sauce: Combine tomato sauce, onion, red and green bell pepper, sugar, lemon juice, parsley, garlic, Italian seasoning blend and pepper in a large saucepan. Simmer over medium-low heat for 30 minutes.
2. To make meatballs: Puree potato, onions, egg whites, Italian seasonings, garlic, salt and pepper in a food processor or blender until smooth. Transfer to a large bowl. Add turkey and mix thoroughly. Shape the mixture into 1-inch balls.
3. Add the meatballs to the sauce. Shake to coat meatballs with sauce. Partially cover and simmer on low heat without stirring for 30 minutes. Uncover and simmer until sauce thickens, about 30 minutes longer. Shake the pot several times during cooking to avoid sticking.

Cheesy Chicken& Broccoli Omelet
B & I made this recipe up this morning when we wanted to have a healthy, filling breakfast. It was a great add-on accompanying 1 chocolate-chip pancake, hash browns and coffee.

Ingredients
3 eggs
1/8 cup fat-free shredded cheddar cheese
1/8 cup fat-free milk
1 package single serve Green Giant broccoli in cheese sauce
1/2 skinless, boneless chicken breast
1tsp mexican seasoning
salt and pepper

Directions
1. Cut the chicken into small bite-size cubes
2. Rub Mexican seasoning, salt and pepper over chicken pieces until evenly coated
3. Coat a non-stick skillet in cooking spray and sautee the chicken over medium-high heat, about 7-9 minutes.
4. While cooking the chicken, put the broccoli tub in microwave according to directions
5. Combine cooked broccoli and chicken in a small bowl.
6. Crack eggs, add milk anda dd whisk until blended
7. Pour the eggs in a low-medium heated skillet, cook until the edges of the egg become opaque yellow
8. Pour the mixture and cheese in the center of the egg circle
9. Flip one half of the egg circle on to the other half and cook until the egg is not runny.
*10. Because this makes two servings, B and I cut the omelet in half and then flipped it over.
 

New Me, New Year...

Yes, I know that that title has been used in practically every blog ever made when a new year approaches. But, it's true!

Breaking News: I got engaged. Me & B are finally going to tie the knot. So, now I really have some oomph behind this weight loss plan.

What I am doing to make myself better (without calling it a resolution):
1. Join Weight Watchers (check)
2. Go to the gym at least three times a week
3. Eat better, more healthy choices (check)
Currently, I have planned my menus for the next two weeks, and I have did all of my grocery shopping to accommodate :)
4. Enjoy

So, tonight I went to Weight Watchers, and even though I did not really "follow the plan"'; I lost 2.6 pounds. I am pretty damn proud of myself. I managed not to gain weight during the holidays! With that, I am buzzing to follow the program.

Today, I allocated my points perfectly to allow for a midnight snack.
Breakfast: Oatmeal and coffee
Lunch: Lasagna cupcakes*
*Found at hungrygirl.com, which an AWESOME site
Dinner: Hamburger Helper Stroganaff
In order to make yourself more full and stretch the pot, add a can of drained green beans when cooking!
Dessert: Smart One Cookie Dough Sundae (awesome!!)
Snack: Chips and dip, no I'm not kidding and chai tea

I want to relax more, and I am trying to begin a "settle down" ritual to drink tea and relax before I go to bed. Bed by midnight every week night is a goal, too.

Let's Not talk About It

I know I've skipped a lot. My summer has been everywhere, literally. It's hard for me to remember to do this everyday...

So, today has been so far successful. I am going to go clean my room after making Roast Beef Hash and drinking a pot of coffee. Holy cow I feel energized!!

Day 9 & 10: Delayed, but here!

So, even though I'm writing this a day late I'm still good. Yesterday I was woken at 7:30am to men trying to open my window with a crowbar. Apparently, they were fixing the exterior masonry of my building aka bumping around everywhere and being loud.

So, B had an interview so I decided to get up with him to clean. Damn, I've been avoiding it for like a week. It's not even that bad...

Still magically delicious

Breakfast: Lucky Charms, 2 pieces of buttered toast with jelly and coffee. And yes, I am that person who picks out all of the marshmallows. When I was on Weight Watchers, I ate TONS of cereal because it was high in fiber and you could mix it with fiber cereals to make it more filling and less points. Good quick breakfast, lunch, snack, dinner or second dinner!



Lunch: Buffalo Chicken Quesdillas and Nachos. These are a great, quick snack. All you have to do is cook some chicken (or use precooked), mix it with buffalo wing sauce, add cheese and chicken to a tortilla and yum. We also made "Cheap Man Nachos" where you take tortilla chips and microwave shredded cheese-- serve with salsa on the side.

Dinner: I was stuffed before work, so I didn't have time to snack, shockingly. But, we prepared dinner for the night. B cooked it while I was at work. We made delicious, awesome, Greek-inspired meatballs called Keftedes. We made it with pork and beef, though traditionally they are lamb and beef. We served it with rice infused with tomato and lemon and baked potatoes. Holy cow--yum.

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Well, today I didn't do to horrible either-- even though I spent a ton of money. I must be on the routine of waking up to obnoxious sounds because the jets from the Air & Water show sure make a lot of racket! But, anyway I woke up with a huge migraine (which I still have, but has slimmed down slightly that I'm hoped on aspirin/caffeine pills) so I didn't want to cook.

Lunch: I had a meatball sandwich delivered, it was good with waffle fries. I ate it all-- I needed to.

Snack: We got cookie sundaes again, oops. I think I am going to find a good cinnamon cookie sundae and by a tub of apple pie ice cream and caramel topping. I also had two bottles of water when I went to work, and I'm still dehydrated. Yuck.

Dinner: I just ordered lasagna. I'm excited :]


Operation 20:  My budget is a little crushed, but I am feeling a little better lately-- more energetic to say the least. As I have gotten through "Summer goals" I feel as though this ups my attitude, too. Okay loves, peace out for tonight-- TOMORROW IS DAY 0: MY LAST DAY @ WORK!!

Just because. This is MY city. :]

Day 8: Grrr.

Well, I usually don't get up at 7:30am unless I have to pee, but this time it was because I was shaken from slumber by banging, thumping and clodding around. My property manager released a note in early July to prepare us for a exterior masonry project expected to happen late July. Well, buddy it's August and this has happened for the last two days during non-regular business hours. That is so rude. I consider myself to work a second shift job where I get home late, sleep in late.

That's my rant and rumble for today. I guess I'll get down to business
Breakfast: Lucky Charms, toast and coffee. I read somewhere that coffee is a metabolism booster, is this true?


After breakfast, I swear I'll clean the apartment, start getting lunch ready and preparing the Keftedes (Greek meatballs) for tonight. I'll post the recipe and a picture in a little bit.

Day 7: Oops

Okay, kids. It has been a busy week. Because it is my last week and B has been spending the week with me, I have been busy beyond belief. I have found myself being very lazy lately even though I feel like I have so much to do before summer is over (which for me is in 3 weeks).Still, I have great news: B has a job interview tomorrow; I hope that they can work with his availability :]

Tonight on the agenda, I plan on pretending to be a good little housewife and cleaning everything (hopefully burning a few calories). This place is a disaster. While I am not sure it will happen, it needs to before tomorrow!

Sorry for not keeping my food inspirations, interests, and journals posted-- I honestly thought about it each night, but I just didn't do it. I am going to try to get myself to do it better, really. I want to start sharing more recipes, tips and learning experiences.

So, today....
Breakfast: Are you kidding? I woke up at noon.

Lunch: I made Dinty Moore Beef Stew and rice. I love this stuff because it is cheap and keeps you full long.
When making soup or stew, make a serving bed of rice to stretch your dollar and keep you fuller longer. 

Snack: Well, I guess this was my breakfast. But, I went to Einstein Brothers' Bagels and got a chocolate chip bagel with strawberry cream cheese and a caramel blender (like a frap but more delicious). I was really impressed by the selection of items @ EBB-- especially for lunch

I really want to try this-- especially if you get it with a side like potato salad or soup!

Dinner: B and I prepared this dinner last night-- I like to call it Fake 'N Bake BBQ. We bought a rack of ribs at Aldi for $10, not kidding. Since we don't have a grill here at the apartment, we combined some recipes from Alton Brown and some standard recipes online. We went for the whole process- brine, dry rub, braise and glaze. Bill added extra cayenne by mistake which made them extra spicy, but I still really loved them. I saved the other half of the rack in the fridge. I'm going to pull it off the bone tomorrow so we can make sandwiches.
With the ribs, we decided to go big or go home-- we made baked potatoes, corn on the cob, baked beans and ate leftover corn muffins. When making baked beans, add 1/4 cup brown sugar for a little extra kick!!

Two corny tips (hardy, har):

1. When boiling corn on the cob, put in 1/4 cup sugar into the water with as much salt at you like. Boil the corn in this mizture for 8 minutes. 

2. When making corn bread or muffins, add a can of cream corn for some extra veggie servings and to make them sweet and moist. 

Snickerdoodle...mmm

Dessert: I know it's bad, but I ordered delicious cookie sundaes for Bill and I from D'Agostino's Pizza. These are so good, and I'm having "girl time".

Second Dinner: No existent,too much junk!!

Op 20: I stepped on the same scale today, and compared to last week I have lost 2lbs! That is awesome; I am super excited. It's a great start. I am going to start writing in here more to track my eating habits while spending less money and going more homemade. Here  we go!