Exploring New Foods

I wrote about being stuck the other day and one of my goals was to try some different foods.  Well, I decided to go ahead and try something that has always totally grossed me out... MUSHROOMS.

I find the thought of mushrooms quite nasty (they're a fungus, enough said) and I honestly had to force myself not to really look at them when I was preparing them but I kept reminding myself that I want to change the way I eat and I NEED to rethink food.  So, I gave it a go!

I sauteed them with a little oil and some onion.  The smell in my kitchen was AMAZING!  I made a tweaked version of pizza (my all time favorite food).  Here's the recipe, originally from Taste of Home, which I adjusted a little bit to make 2 servings.  I also left out the salt and Italian seasoning as well as the fresh basil since I didn't have any.  This was my version:

Photo Credit:  http://www.tasteofhome.com/Recipes/Tomato-Baguette-Pizza

Ingredients:

A handful of mushrooms

1 quarter of an onion

Olive Oil

1 clove of Garlic

1/3 of a french baguette

6 Tomato Slices 

1/2 Cup Mozzarella cheese

Basil for seasoning

Directions:

Sautee mushrooms and onion in olive oil.  Once they are tender, add garlic (I buy the container so it's already minced to save time) and cook for another minute.

Slice bread in half and add half the mixture to each.  Top each with 3 tomato slices and 1/4 cup of mozzarella cheese.  Season with basil.

Bake at 400 degrees for about 10 minutes or until melted.

Simple right?  And delish!  I am seriously shocked that I like mushrooms because I have spent my entire life picking them out of every thing I eat.  Not only are they yummy but the health benefits are amazing.  I've read that they lower bad cholesterol, help with losing weight since they are a lean protein, help regulate diabetes, boost your immune system and could possibly be cancer fighters!  Fungus is awesome!

I'd love to hear some foods you have discovered on your weight loss journey!

Stuck

I am shocked that, after a 10 day vacation filled with eating everything I'm not supposed to, that I have not gained a pound.  I literally ate ice cream almost every night, went out to eat almost every day, and drank soda.

And the scale has not moved.

I'm kinda confused because now it's starting to seem like it doesn't matter how I eat or how much I move. It's kind of frustrating, which I know sounds strange because I should be happy that I was able to maintain.

I'm thinking I definitely need to change things up.  I'm joining the gym on Friday which I'm a little nervous about since I have never been a gym member before.  I'm also trying out some new recipes this week and trying to incorporate some different foods.  Maybe my body is just bored?

Anyways, I tried a new smoothie flavor and love it!  It's basically just a modified version of the original recipe:

2 cups baby spinach

3/4 cup Almond milk

1 TBSP Flax

6 ounces pineapple Greek yogurt

A handful of frozen fruit (strawberries and mango)

Delish!  I tried the frozen fruit a few weeks ago and didn't like it but it tasted so much better with the flavored yogurt.  I even sampled the yogurt by itself and think I could actually eat it on it's own!  Never thought I'd be able to say that I like Greek yogurt!

How is everyone else doing?  Any thoughts on why I'm just maintaining?

Hello... It's Been Awhile

My absence can only be explained in one word:  FLU.

My whole house has had it, including the 3 month old.  NOT FUN!

My husband lost 5lbs.  I. Lost. ZERO!!!!

Yes, even the flu doesn't hinder my appetite.  Figures!

I know exactly what I did wrong and I am grateful that I didn't gain.  Dealing with 2 sick kids (and a husband) leaves little time for preparing healthy meals and snacks.  I found myself starving at certain points of the day and grabbing whatever was on hand:  cake, crackers, girl scout cookies.  Basically, anything quick and bad for me that I could eat while doing other things.

And this week is no better because we are away.  It is so hard to stay on track when you're not at home.  I have felt like complete junk for 2 days because of the soda, ice cream, heavy meals.  So, yesterday I went to the store and bought some healthy stuff because at least for breakfast and lunch I want to behave.

I just wish that the bad stuff didn't taste so good... I NEED STRENGTH!!!

And a faster metabolism!

Desperately Seeking Motivation

Me and my scale are fighting.  I stepped on it 4 times this morning and I got 4 different weights.  I wish I would have just taken it's word for it when it said I was down 2 lbs (since Sunday) but I doubted it and my next weight was 1.5 lbs heavier.  I thought we were friends but obviously my scale is unreliable and no one needs an unreliable friend.

I was wasting time on Pinterest last night and came across this:

I'm sure it's meant to be motivating and inspiring but it left me feeling depressed.  I am not one to work out too hard.  I find sweating to be uncomfortable and I don't like when my body hurts.  My husband tells me that if I just push through it, the endorphins will kick in and I'll start feeling good.  I honestly never got to that point.  I workout for vain reason and have been doing some form of exercise everyday out of guilt.

The thought that I would have to exert that much energy just to lose a pound is disappointing.  I don't have 27 minutes a day to myself.  Well, I guess I do since I'm sitting here blogging but it's the early hours of the morning and if I work out then I will for sure be waking up my girls.  I have to be like a ninja in the morning: tip toeing around, lights off, placing things down ever so quietly, or my oldest will be up.  That girl is against sleeping in and is almost always up before the sun!

I think I'm just a bit unmotivated and need to snap out of it.  I'm running out of food ideas and my birthday is around the corner.  That alone makes me want to sit on the couch stuffing my face with cookies.   No lie, I almost ate frozen cookie dough out of the tub the other day.  Thankfully, it was too hard for my spoon to cut through and I gave up.

I'm going to go find myself a better attitude now... and perhaps a new scale!

Measuring Success

A pound down!  Can I get a woo hoo?!?

To be honest, I'm not all that happy.  I was hoping for more this week because I feel like I'm really putting in an effort.  But, while on Pinterest, I found this little bit of inspiration:

I have to agree, the scale is not the only measurement of weight loss.  It's hard to not focus on it though because it's a tangible number.  However, I do see a change in my clothes.  I'm able to SQUEEZE into all my pre pregnancy jeans (I may be rockin a sweet muffin top but at least they zip up!).  I'm only about 6 lbs aways from my pre-Lilly weight which is great since I never got close to my pre-Abby weight.

I also notice that I move a little lighter on my feet.  I don't feel like it's such a chore to dance and play with the girls.  So, the changes are happening but the weight is stubborn.

What other ways to measure your success?

5 Question Friday

I decided to link up with Mama M today because some of her "5 Question Friday" questions tie in perfectly with my goal here... to drop these dreaded lbs!  Which, I may have lost a few but I refuse to step on the scale today since I ate at Olive Garden yesterday.  I will say that I went with water instead of soda (except for a few sips from the hubby's glass) and for the first time we didn't devour the entire bread basket.  I'd say we did BETTER than we normally would so I'm calling it a success!

On to the questions:

1.  What have you recently done that you are proud of?

Starting this blog.  For the first time in a long time, I feel like I'm making a commitment to my health.  That's a HUGE step for me.  I have been working out everyday and I am starting to see a difference in not just my weight but also how I feel.  I walk quicker, I move easier, I feel better.  And dare I say it, but I may actually enjoy working out?!?!  Crazy!

2.  What is your favorite way to work out?  Or if you don't work out, what are wanting to try?

I am LOVING pilates right now!  My favorite are these from the Pop Pilates series.  There are a bunch of shorter ones that I can easily fit into my schedule and they are definitely helping me get my stomach muscles back.

I am also enjoying doing kickboxing to get some cardio in.

3.  If you knew your best friend was cheating on spouse would you tell?

This is kinda tough but I would have to say no.  My loyalty would be to my bff but my bff would NEVER!  Let me clarify, because I feel cheating is a HUGE no no and if one of my friends did stray I would have a problem with it.  However, I would discuss it with them not their spouse.  That's there responsibility.

4.  If you could afford a live in maid or nanny, would you have one?

I would say yes, except I really don't think I would like someone living with me knowing all my business.  A maid would be nice once a week though.

As for a nanny, no.  As much as taking care of my girls consumes almost every minute of my day, I love being with them.  I actually met 2 nannies the other day and the one was smoking a cigarette while holding the little girls hand!  I couldn't believe it!  If I was that girls mom, that woman would not be taking care of my child.  Then again, maybe the mom doesn't know... that's the scary part.

5.  Do you stress about birthdays (specifically the age) or do you enjoy them?

I have to say that turning 30 last year was hard for me.  I dreaded it.  My bday is actually next week and honestly, the age part bothers me.  I enjoy the day but the growing older part is not so fun.  It's amazing how much changes from 21 to 31.  Ten years ago, I was so different.  My life was so different.  My body was so different.  I love my life now but I would love to have the energy that comes with being in my 20's.  Hopefully, my healthy lifestyle will help me get some of that back (if my kiddos don't keep sucking the energy right out of me!).

So, there's my answers!  If you want to link up then stop on over by Mama M's place!

Quick and Easy Smoothie

Since having my daughter Lilly, there are very few times when I can sit and enjoy a full meal.  Remember that line in Christmas story, "My mother hasn't had a hot meal in 15 years?"  Well, I now understand why.

And forget about cooking anything too complicated.  It's impossible to spend too much time chopping and prepping with a 3 month old on my hip.

So, I was intrigued by the whole juicing craze thats going on right now.  There are lots of variations, but I need to have something to bite into.  Committing to any sort of fast just wouldn't work for me.

Then, one of my favorite sites, Skinny Taste, posted a recipe for the Green Monster Smoothie and I thought that maybe I could use that on the days where I just don't have time to sit and eat something healthy.  I have to be honest, the look and the list of ingredients made me cringe a little but I gave it a whirl anyway.

And you know what?

It's actually GOOD.  You don't even taste the spinach but you get all the nutrition it offers.  My toddler even tried it and liked it!  (Don't worry, she ate a normal lunch but she just had to try my green drink!)

My husband wasn't a fan but he apparently doesn't like the taste of peanut butter (crazy!) so yesterday I omitted the peanut butter and threw in bananas and strawberries.... DELISH!

I'm glad I gave it a try and hopefully will be experimenting with different fruits and veggies.  If you're looking for some great recipe ideas that are low fat and diet friendly, I definitely recommend Skinny Taste.  Almost everything I've tried has been good but my favorites are the Chicken Rollatini and Ricotta Muffins.... mmmmmm!

What are your 'go to' recipes?  Do you have a favorite recipe site?