Celebration!!!

I'm down another 7 lbs since Sept 1st....that makes a total of 34 since the first of June!!! woo hoooo!!!!

Will Rogers Chili

This is a good, low-fat chili without an overpowering chili powder flavor--just the way I like it!

1 T. olive oil
1-2 onions, chopped
2-4 cloves garlic, minced
3-4 fresh jalapenos, cored, seeded, chopped
4 lbs. (yes, 4 lbs!) ground beef (I get the leanest possible or you can use ground turkey)
2 t. cumin
1 -2 T. chili powder (I used Chipotle chili powder--I like that smoky flavor)
2 cans diced tomatoes, undrained (or you can use 1 can of crushed and 1 of diced)
4 c. hot water
salt to taste

options: add some fresh chopped cilantro and pinto beans

Saute onions, garlic, and jalapenos in oil over medium heat until tender, about 8 min. Do NOT brown or caramelize.

Add meat and saute until lightly colored (I only add half and cook the other half in a large skillet at the same time...much easier). Drain off excess fat. (You shouldn't have much, if any, using low-fat meat).

Add seasonings, tomatoes, and hot water. Bring to a boil, lower heat, simmer 1 hour.

Serve with: grated cheese, sour cream, guacamole, picante sauce, crackers, cornbread, or corn chips. Ok...maybe it's not really low-fat chili if you add all this!!

I did not add beans the first time I made this....it served 7 of us and we ate at least half of it if not a bit more.

Did I forget to mention...

I've lost 11 lbs. in the last 5 weeks! That makes for a total of 17 since the first of June!!! Woo hoo!!! (Note: this is not me on the scales....that's just what I wish I weighed....and did when I was in high school!)

Crustless Quiche

This was so fast and easy to make! It's great to throw in extras that you might have on hand such as mushrooms, smoked turkey or ham, or even substitute broccoli for the spinach. Not only is this a great breakfast, but it's a great meal anytime! :)

1 T. vegetable oil
1 onion, chopped,
1 (10 oz.) pkg. frozen, chopped spinach, thawed and drained (I used fresh)
5-6 eggs, beaten
3 c. shredded Muenster cheese (I used something else that I had on hand)
1/4 t. salt
1/8 t. black pepper

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Lightly grease a 9 inch pie pan.

Heat oil in large skillet over medium-high heat. Add onions (maybe some garlic, too!) and coo, stirring occasionally, until onions are soft. Stir in spinach and continue cooking until excess moisture has evaporated (or it has wilted).

In a large bowl, combine eggs, cheese, salt and pepper (I usually add a bit of dill weed, too). Add spinach mixture and stir to blend. Pour into prepared pie pan.

Bake in oven until eggs have set, about 30 min. Let cool for 10 minutes before serving.

Smoked Turkey Salad

Before summer gets away, enjoy this yummy salad!

1lb turkey or chicken cut into 1/4" strips (4 c.)
1 c provolone or Swiss, cut into cubes
2 c celery, sliced
1 c honey-roasted cashews
4 c strawberries, cut in half
1 c sour cream
1/4 c honey
2 T fresh parsley, chopped
2 t ground mustard
3 t lemon juice

Mix first 5 ingredients in md bowl.
In separate bowl, mix remaining ingredients. Stir to combine. Pour
over turkey salad and stir. Cover and refrigerate until ready to
serve. Makes 4 servings

686 calories. 49 g protein. 37 g fat

Simple Food

Anyone that knows me, knows that I'm a book and magazine-aholic! This book was a freebie that I picked up at a library conference a few years ago and am just now getting around to actually using. It makes me long for the days when we had gardens--the early tilling in later winter, the first plantings of green onions, the earthy smell of potato eyes going in the ground, the feel of freshly turned dirt on my bare feet as I walked through the garden rows, the tangy smell of tomatoes as we pinched off the lower leaves, the weeding that came later, the joy of picking and eating fresh vegetables, the soft metallic plinking sounds when we shelled black eyed peas, the heat in the kitchen when it was canning time, and the thunking sound of lids as they cooled sitting on newspapers on the floor.

Recently, a young friend of mine expressed interest in canning some tomato sauce and because her grandmother has Alzheimer's, she called me wanting to know if my mother had a recipe and could tell her how to do it. In the meantime at an estate sale, my sister happened across this 1964 cookbook that has a wealth of information about canning. I can't imagine another cookbook being any better than this one! Half of the book contains recipes and the other half contains directions for canning foods. Because Lisa bought this book for Brandy, now I'm on the prowl for a copy of my own!

Central Market Tomato Salad

IMHO there is never a need to let a tomato go to waste....so whether you have an abundance growing in your garden or you just feel the need to buy a bunch at the local farmer's market, this recipe is an absolutely delicious dish to eat on its own or serve as a side dish to a summer lunch or supper.

Central Market Tomato Salad

2 ripe homegrown tomatoes, peeled, seeded, and cut into a small dice

2 scallions, white parts, about 1" of the green, thinly sliced

2 T chopped fresh parsley (I'm gonna experiment and use cilantro)

1 t sherry vinegar

1 T extra virgin olive oil

Juliet Harbutt Redesdale (cheese, is kinda firm but crumbly)--(I'm using feta or a dill goat cheese)

Salt and Pepper to taste

Combine the ingredients in a small bowl and allow the flavors to blend.

A couple variations Kari plans on trying: Balsamic, Basil, and Mozzarella. Red Wine, Thyme, and Goat. Using the flavored Olive Oil. Maybe different herbs, Rosemary, Mint...

It's been a difficult summer...so I'm trying a new recipe

1. big battle with depression
2. having to go to doctor 3 times for suspicious mammogram, which the surgeon has decided is nothing to get excited about
3. totally unmotivated to exercise because I really hate to sweat

so....trying to get back in a good mental space with school starting, finding a good food routine, and finding things to be thankful to God for

Tomato, White Bean, and Bacon Soup

1/4 lb. bacon, diced
1 lg. onion, chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
6 c. peeled, chopped tomatoes (or, if your tomatoes didn't do a darn thing this summer use canned tomatoes w/juice)
2 c. chicken broth
1 T. dark brown sugar
1 can white beans, drained
optional: some type of small cooked pasta such as bow ties (a/k/a farfalle, shells, ditalini, or orzo.
salt & papper to taste

Note: to peel fresh tomatoes, cut a shallow X shape one one end, blanch in boiling water for about 30 sec., remove from water and skin should easily peel off.

Cook bacon in medium heat in large saucepan unti lightly browned. Remove from pan and placed on paper towels to drain.

Add onion to pan, cook on medium heat until soft. Add garlic and cook about 1 more minute.

Add tomatoes & broth. Cook about 20 minutes.

Stir in brown sugar. Add beans, bacon, and pasta (if you are using it). Add salt & pepper to taste.

Serve with crusty bread or cornbread.

Crazy 8 tagged by Rachel!

8 things I'm looking forward to:
1. spending 2 wks. with Kari and Natalie
2. more summer late-sleeping days
3. more good books to read
4. being a grandmother (hmm...what will be my grandmother "name"??)
5. AASL in Nov. with Kari & Esther
6. doing more photography shoots
7. growing more tomatoes
8. having 100 people follow me on Twitter! lol

8 things I did yesterday:
1. be lazy
2. start mermaid house
3. read and enjoy hearing the thunder and rain at night
4. send Warren a birthday card
5. start cleaning off my desk
6. go grocery shopping
7. talk to Kari
8. e-mail, genealogy research, twitter, etc. on computer

8 things I wish I could do:
1. play the piano
2. sing well
3. travel for a month every year
4. swim every day
5. lose weight faster
6. not procrastinate about finishing projects at home
7. enjoy house cleaning
8. live close to Kari & Warren

8 shows I watch:
1. Top Chef
2. Project Runway
3. Grey's Anantomy
4. America's Next Top Model
5 - 8 anything that might catch my interest like 20/20, Ace of Cakes, Next 48 Hrs., Oprah

Blisterin' hottt!!!

Things I love about summer:
1. bacon & tomato sandwiches (for breakfast, lunch, or supper)
2. the sound of cicadas
3. sleeping late
4. running around with Kari

Things I should get done this summer:
1. Clean out my drawers (didn't I just do this last year?)
2. Weed my bookshelves (more than half are in boxes in the garage and it's blisterin' hot, so....)
3. Organize unfinished projects (well, actually, I think I did that summer before last) and get a timeline of finishing them...before I die (now I understand why people inherit quilt tops)

Things I'm not going to get done:
1. Plant the backyard corner flower bed....because a bunch of some kind of ground cover came up...didn't feel as if I should deprive it of growing
2. Save on the electricity bill....cause when it's triple digits for days on end...I intend to stay cool (hopefully, I'll sweat off some weight)
3. Lose 40 lbs....cause I'm just not feeling motivated enough to do it

Things I am getting done:
1. Create some items for a "magical worlds" theme in the school library: I'm finished with one, have 2 others almost finished, another one about halfway, and a 5th one that I haven't started, but can throw together with a glue gun and a couple of bags of glue sticks
2. Getting ppts and other items prepared for school next year (I know this doesn't fall under vacation!!) Ok...so too much of my vacation is falling under "school work"!!
3. Reading and catching up on movie watching

Things I've discovered this summer:
1. Gelato (lemon and mango)...yummy...and a 1/4 c. is plenty to eat to satisfy
2. Popcorn tortilla chips (don't remember the brand...it was a green bag from Central Market)
3. great cotton hipster panties (you needed to know that didn't you?)

and I'll leave you with a simple, cool drink recipe

Melon Agua Frescas

4 c. watermelon, cateloupe, or honeydew
1/4 c. sugar
2 c. cold water

Process melon and sugar in blender until smooth. Scrape down sides as needed.
Pour through a strainer into pitcher. Stir in water. Cover and chill till ready to serve. Serve over ice. Makes about 5 cups.

Nothin' new

1) I've got poison ivy for the first time in my life!!! and it's on my neck, chin, and cheek! ugh!

2) Wondering why I can't find an underwire bra that I can actually have long enough to wear out before the left wire snaps (it's always the left one!)

3) Excited that me, Kari, and Esther's proposal was picked to be part of the Exploratorium that opens the AASL conference in Charlotte, NC this fall.

4) Haven't tried any new recipes in a few weeks, but over the weekend did visit a Central Market store for the first time...what an experience, but it still doesn't beat going to market in Philly or Lancaster, PA.

5) Life is short....laugh as much as you can, love and hugs your kids as often as you can, be thankful for the friends and family who love you the way you are, make a difference in someone's life when you have the opportunity to do so, be a giver and not a taker, thank God for his mercy and forgiveness.

Italian Meatloaf

I continue to look for flavorful, low-calorie recipes which are quick and easy to prepare. This meatloaf recipe is from the same cookbook (I'll have to ask Kari what the name of it was) as the roasted pork tortilla soup.

Italian Meatloaf

3/4 lb. ground beef chuck
3/4 lb. ground pork
1/2 c. pesto
1 c. fine bread crumbs
2/3 c. chopped oil packed sun dried tomatoes
1 egg
salt to taste

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Have an 11 x 7 baking dish ready.

Mix all ingredients in large bowl. Mix gently, but thoroughly. Form mixture into 9 x 5 inch loaf in baking dish then smooth top.

Bake meatloaf until firm and top is richly browned (internal thermometer should read 160). Let loaf stand in pan 5-10 minutes before slicing. Serve warm.

Makes for good leftovers for sandwiches.

Tortilla Soup With Roasted Pork----Delicious!

This recipe is very low-calorie and delicious!

Tortilla Soup with Roasted Pork

1 1/2 c. roast pork, shredded
2 T. oil
1 sm. red onion, chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 can diced tomatoes with chipotle chiles in juice
6 c. chicken broth
4 T. fresh cilantro, chopped
1 can black beans, drained and rinsed (optional)
1 sm. can corn (optional)

In large pot warm oil. Add onion and garlic, saute 4-5 minutes. Stir in broth, tomatoes, cilantro, and pork. (Add beans and corn also, if you like.) Raise heat to med-high and bring to simmer. Reduce heat to med-low, cover partially and simmer for 10 min.

Serve over broken tortilla chips. Top with a squeeze of lime (this really makes a dramatic difference in the taste!), some diced fresh avocado, and some crumbled queso fresco or shredded cheese.

Cold enough for soup again!

Because it was literally almost freezing when I got up this morning, I decided it is still soup weather...and it would be so nice to come home to a bowl of hot soup!

I found in my cabinet a mix that I'd picked up somewhere (wish I could remember where!)--Antonio's Tuscan White Bean Entree. I chopped up a ham steak and added to the beans along with Antonio's secret seasoning blend (cornstarch, dehydrated potato flakes, garlic and onion powder, dried parsley) and 4 c. of water. Set on low and cook for 8-10 hrs. When I got home this afternoon, I added about 1/2 c. shredded carrots, 1 rib of celery (finely choppped), and a handful of chopped, fresh spinach...let it cook another 30 min.....grab a bowl and some hot cornbread and I'm ready for supper!

The good news? It's only 110 calories....well, without the cornbread it is! You could also add chicken or Italian sausage to this mix or even some frozen veggies.

I've got another slow cooker mix in the same brand--Signature Family Recipes--that is called Big John's Texas BBQ Beans. Since I have no idea where I bought these, I did find a place to buy them online...and you can too!
http://trinidadbenham.com/catalog/category.asp?category_id=109

Even more praise for the Lose It! app...

I forgot to mention in previous posts re: Lose It! app that one doesn't have to use it for weight loss. It can be used to track the nutrient levels in your diet. Lisa uses it to track her sodium intake. It will also track fat, saturated fat, cholesterol, carbohydrates, fiber, and protein--all measured in g or mg. Then it gives it to you in percentages--such as 33% of what I've eaten so far today is carbs and while 26% has been protein.

Like I said before--very useful app!!

Who knew?

...that a phone could help change my life so much?! Since I've begun using the Lose it! app (see previous two blogs for an explanation if you don't already know) I've now lost 7 lbs.! Yea! This is really, really turning out to be a tremendously useful tool for me. I love the whole calorie budget idea. If I'm over say 23 calories, I don't worry because most of the time I don't add any exercise in unless it's something big like walking for 20 minutes or more or some other significant exercise--so it all balances out.

I have to be much more deliberate in eating and thinking about the choices I make---and even considering the nutritional values. This has caused me to increase my fruit intake because they have such fewer calories---it's like I'm able to "cheat" that way. I'm anxious to see more results after the next two weeks...especially since I'm at a conference this week where we always do tons of walking and loads of wagging around books. We sorta like to think of it in terms of power shopping except that it's all free! lol

Lose It! is working for me!

This is my 2nd week of using the Lose It! app on my iphone (did I mention that I luv my phone?! lol). What a great tool it is turning out to be for me. I can already tell a difference in the way it helps me track food, keep myself honest, and follow a calorie budget.

It has also helped me think smarter by considering whether I might want to eat a small orange at 25 calories vs. "spending" 100 calories on something else that might not be as filling.

Lose it!

I bought an iPhone (luv, luv, luv it!) this week! Woo hoo! That was my first big purchase since paying off my car last month. I spent a day getting it charged and all my contact numbers & e-mails added in and then spent the next day playing and adding apps (definition: a computer application). A great one that we found was called Lose it! http://www.loseit.com/

You begin by entering your current weight and your target weight goal. Then you decide whether you want to lose 1/2, 1, 1 1/2, or 2 lbs. a week. Lose it! responds by giving you a target date and how many calories you can have per day in order to reach your target date.

Kari and I both are using it. We've found it easy and very user-friendly. I think this is just what I need to give me a framework and tracking device to lose 100 more lbs. (Kari wants to lose 20 lbs.).

Check it out...it's a FREE app download!

Another day of 100 calorie recipes!

Kari started our St. Patrick's Day with Smoked Salmon Scramble--another 100 calorie recipe. She lightly broiled tomato halves and scrambled eggs with a bit of crumbled smoked salmon, chopped green onions, the few leftover roasted potatoes from last night, and a tiny pinch of cilantro. Delicious!

For supper Kari fixed a mild bbq grilled chicken from the recipe book. Her sauce was:

1 shallot or green onion, finely chopped

1 garlic clove, crushed

1 c. tomato sauce or 1 T. tomato paste blended with 2/3 c. water

2 T. red wine vinegar (I don't know if she added this or not)

1 T. prepared mustard

1 T. Worcestershire sauce

I fixed Esther's oven roasted veggies---always yummy! You can use any variety of veggies you like and eat just about as much as you want. For today I used sweet potatoes (peeled and cut like french fries), asparagus, grape tomatoes, purple onion, red bell pepper, garlic cloves, zucchini, and shredded carrots. [I like to add mushrooms, but Warren doesn't like them.] Toss with some salt, pepper, dill weed, and olive oil to coat. Roast in oven at 375 degrees till desired doneness--stir occasionally to prevent sticking/burning.

Tomorrow night we are having Salsa Tilapia (you can also use sole) which is rolled up with a filling of chopped onion, tomato, feta cheese, and jalapeno, and grated orange rind. Cover with foil and cook about 15-20 min. at 350 degrees. Uncover and sprinkle with paprika and pepper and cook for another 5-7 minutes. I'm going to make fresh guacamole to go with it.

100 calorie recipes! Yummy!!

I told Kari before I came down that I needed to eat a lot of fruits, veggies, and protein this week to help me get back on track. I've been gradually getting more out of control since Christmas. We did a lot of walking today---in Walmart, in the mall, at DSW, and at Kohl's. :)

I brought Kari a little cookbook called Just 100 Calories: Delicious and Simple 100 Calorie Recipes by Parragon Books (c) 2007.

We had taco salad last night for supper. This morning Kari made Wake-up Kabobs which were apples, canteloupe, strawberries, and bananas drizzled with cinnamon and honey and broiled for about 5 minutes. Then she put the fruit in a bowl and topped with a little granola and bit of yogurt. We loved the bananas like that! The apples and canteloupe were pretty good, too. We didn't care for the strawberries as much.

This evening Kari made filo wrapped asparagus spears and I helped her make fish & mango kabobs. Kari made kabobs with shrimp, mango, and tuna steak and marinated it with a pomegranite & mango chipotle sauce (got it at Walmart)---it was delicious! She roasted some cubed potatoes seasoned with dill and garlic. We had very filling, yet very low-calorie YUMMY meals today.