Slow to Post

So, I haven't been on in a while. I think the daily post thing is beyond my capabilities. :)

I love the Lemon Herbed Chicken and the Fried Rice made in the crockpot. I am planning on a Chicken Black Bean Soup for Friday night. I love having leftover baked chicken to use in recipes.

I just saw "Leap Year" with a friend last weekend. What a cute movie! Who doesn't love Irish accents? And, Amy Adams is adorable as usual. Looking forward to seeing "Nine", "Up in the Air", and "Valentine's Day." I love MOVIES!

Great Meeting

All I can say is, Thank God for Club MOM. This is my mom's group at Bennett's school and it is amazing. This morning was crazy at home and I couldn't wait to get to the meeting. I love my kids to pieces, but sometimes I need a break. They have fabulous childcare, wonderful mommies/friends to hang with, terrific leaders (Carol and Christina!), and great speakers! Today Joni, the pastor's wife, spoke about raising your children in a faith based home. She was very inspiring!

Tonight's chimichangas came out really well. I wouldn't say we were overly crazy about last night's baked ziti though. It was a little mushy here and a little crunchy there. I think it would have benefited from more stirring and less overall cooking time. Also, the mozzarella I used was chunky instead of shredded. I would have preferred the shredded in the future.

Tomorrow night is leftover ham and baked bean soup in the crockpot. I can't wait to come home to that tomorrow night! Yummo!

Italian Day

I just set my crockpot to cook the Baked Ziti for dinner tonight. Delish Italian food in only 4 hours! I also had a Smart Ones Chicken Fettuccine for lunch. Two pastas in one day will probably not help my weight loss efforts. Oh well!

Last night's Minestrone was a hit. Shaun and I had two big bowls for dinner with some amazing Whole Wheat dinner rolls by Sister Shubert. (Look for them in the frozen food section.)

I've decided on my crockpot dinners for next week. Here's the plan:
Friday- Easy Chimichangas (made with my leftover Pork roast)
Saturday -Baked Bean Soup
Sunday - Pomegranate Beef
Monday - Pizza Soup
Tuesday - Lemon and Herb Roasted Chicken
Wednesday - Spaghetti Sauce with Ziti
Thursday - Veggie Fried Rice

Only one more day til the weekend! I'm soo looking forward to Club MOM tomorrow morning!!

Video Test

Guess who's being adorable...

Doctor dilemmas

While I was sitting in the waiting room at my son's doctor specialist for 45 minutes, I realized what a time suck this occupation can be.  I ended up doing my Weight Loss Challenge sit ups while waiting.   I mean, my time is as valuable as hers.  It is not like this is the first time it has happened.  I consistently wait 45 minutes at each visit.  Considering this visit was a "pre-surgical check up" (her words-- which consisted of her looking at him and declaring him healthy) for her to get her $20 copay and nothing more, I was more than a little miffed.  (Thank goodness my generous parents babysat Juliet while I took Bennett.)

In any event, it was lovely to come home to a delicious crockpot Minestrone soup.  What a treat on a cold winter night.  I do love a good soup!  It is to be 30 degrees tonight.  I love that too, but wish I had cuter cold weather clothing.  Three pairs of sub-par pants aren't really cutting it.

Last night we used up some more of the Asian Shredded Pork to make soft tacos.  They were delish!  I will still get one more meal from that roast and that makes me so happy.  Stretching that dollar is terrific.

Delicioso!

Today was a good day!  Juliet was so super smile-y and adorable.  I think she is the happiest baby I have ever seen.

The review for the Asian Shredded Pork was amazing.  I loved eating it over the shredded cabbage for that lovely crunch!  Plus, the leftovers rocked even more.  I am going to end up with three dinners out of that roast.  Rock on!

My big event of the day was getting out Juliet's 3 month old clothes!!!  I can't believe how big she is getting.  I hate to put the newborn stuff away, but a new wardrobe sure is fun!  Thanks to everyone who contributed.

Chicken, Sit Ups, and Giada

I really enjoyed the Margarita chicken from last night.  I made it with 3 chicken breasts and only cooked it about 3 hours.  I then shredded it to soak in the sauce a while longer.  A nice change of pace for regular old chicken.

I met with my awesome weight loss group last night for the first time.  What a terrific group of ladies!  I even met my 30 sit up challenge that was offered today.  Good luck to us all!

The crockpot is full of Asian Pork and it smells so delicious!  That may be the biggest downside of crockpot cooking.  I want to eat it before it is done!!!

I am watching Giada at Home on the Food Network.  She is making a shrimp chopped salad.  She grilled everything including the romaine.  Now I want a grill pan.  Who knew to grill lettuce?

Keep warm everyone.  I love this crazy cold weather!

A Great Evening

So, last night we met up with some old friends (Curtis, Kelly, Andy, and Glorivy) and had a lovely dinner at Amigo's.  I made sure to order the plain grilled chicken with black beans and carrots.  No chips and salsa because I left my Baked Scoops at home.  :(   Kelly had made a homemade German Chocolate Cake for Curtis' birthday and brought it to celebrate.  I had a miniscule sliver that was absolutely amazing.  I'm pretty sure she could open a bakery and be incredibly successful.  

I have the Margarita Chicken in the crockpot for tonight.  It is looking yummy already.

I have a Kitchen Gadget Review for you today.  I received these collapsible measuring cups for Christmas from my mother.  They are amazing!  I really want another set.  I measure quite a bit and measuring cups take up so much room in my kitchen drawer.  You can get them at Target, in the store, but here is the online link:  Collapsible Measuring Cups

I'm looking forward to meeting up with my Weight Loss Gals tonight.  Wish us luck!

Laura

One down a lot to go!

Well, I just got back from WW and have lost 1 lb!  I think that is awesome considering Christmas was involved.  I'm back on track and just joined a Weight Loss Support Group with some friends.  Thanks Mindy!!

The Taco Soup from last night was pretty terrific.  It had a ton of beans so it was really filling.  But, we suffered a little on the smell-o-rama afterwards.  :)  I am planning on eating leftovers for lunch as it made a ton of food!  Definitely enough for several adults and children for one round - or - leftovers like we are having for a small family.

Just found out that tonight we will be going out to Amigo's for dinner with friends tonight.  Ack!  Looks like I'll be doing grilled chicken and rice there.   No queso!!!  Even though I love it.  I'll be moving the meals back a day.  Tomorrow will be Margarita Chicken.

Here's a tip of the day for runners I saw in the WW Newsletter:  Pack a small thermos or water bottle with warm soup to drink while running.  This will keep you warm this time of year and satisfy your thirst.  Watch out for sodium though!

Laura

First Post

So I just made the giant leap to posting my own blog. I have been truly inspired by Crockpot Lady at crockpot365.blogspot.com. She is funny, charming, and has amazing recipes. Who doesn't love that? Anyway, I have decided to post my weight loss efforts, healthy cooking attempts, and my overall mommy journey for all to see. Feel free to post your own thoughts, successes, and failures.

Here is my plan for the week:

Thursday (last night): Fillet of Mahi with Pesto

Friday: Taco Soup - picture above

Saturday: Margarita Chicken

Sunday: Asian Shredded Pork

Monday: Pork Soft Tacos made with leftover roast from the night before

Tuesday: Baked Ziti

Wednesday: Minestrone

Now, my New Year's resolutions are the following:

To post daily to the blog.

To use the crockpot at least 3 times a week. (I would love to write 5, but I'd hate to see myself get frustrated if I don't meet the challenge.)

To make meatless dinners at least twice a week.

My first recipe review is on the Mahi from last night. It was freaking amazing!! It might be one of the best fish dishes I have ever eaten. It was soooo super simple to make. (Less than 5 minute prep time.) And, the biggie.... my husband, an avid fish hater, really liked it. He even ate an extra 1/2 serving. My 3 1/2 year old also ate at least 4 oz. Unbelievable!! Even my incredibly finicky cat ate some! Seriously, I couldn't be more in love with this dish and the Crockpot lady. Please visit her site and give her some love!

Also, I have lost 5.8 lbs on Weight Watchers so far. I am starting my 5th week. I won't get to weigh in until Saturday, so keep your fingers crossed. I am currently 208.4 lbs. I feel like i did pretty good this week, considering I had several Christmas dinners since my last weigh in. But, my Christmas Day meals were all WW recipes. :)

Here's to a healthy New Year for all!

Laura