"Do not dwell in the past, do not dream of the future, concentrate the mind on the present moment." - Buddha
On my weight loss app, we have a daily message to help us stay inspired, and motivated and have power for ourselves. This one is today's. I think it speaks to a lot of the world right now. I know a few people who don't slow down enough to enjoy life, right now, in the moment they are in and see the beautiful things in everything! I have to admit also, I easily get distracted with the newest things, how to change what I have or not enjoy something because I am already looking at how it could be better...
So I am going to focus on the now... Really. Slow my brain and force myself to focus more on the now. Focus on things that are changing because of my plan to loose weight, focus on how my family is right now (which is pretty awesome!) and focus on the perfectness my life is right now!
Lots of things are changing about me right now especially! I am down 40 pounds (ok...39.8 pounds!) and still going strong! With that, obviously I am getting skinnier overall, but I am also noticing other differences. I no longer have hip and ankle pain, even though it was minor before, I wake up in the morning, not only sleeping on my stomach (because my body was too heavy for my own organs, and felt crushed any other way), but any way. I have way more energy on a whole, I am already in a size L/XL top and 14 bottoms (down from 2x and 22w!), I actually do have a chin, and jaw and collar bones! Incredible discoveries! Plus more, but you know I can't list em all! It really is hard to change and have it being in this direction! I feel bad for my husband a little, because I talk about it (how I change) ALL THE TIME! He tells me it's great, that if I wasn't excited he would really be worried! It's crazy exciting! I sure do wish I had the confidence and this plan earlier! I k ow. A still young and all, but still it has been painful to be big... I'm excited to never be that way again.
My family lately has been super awesome! I do feel a little weird being that I am not usually the one to change... I am not afraid to take charge of things and life in general, but I'm usually always the steady. Well to anymore! Now I am working on me, bettering me so my family can enjoy life together, healthier, happier and with more opportunities in life! My beautiful husband has job he LOVES, in a career he's always enjoyed, has hobbies that he loves to do with me and without me, and characteristics that I love in him evolving into an even better person! I love that man, and every piece of him, past, present and in the future! Now our daughter, man she is crazy adorable! Sure, she is a pain at times, but I love the special woman she is becoming. She has a great personality, full of humor, kindness, equality like no other 9 year old I know and the spunkiness of a clown! I love our little family of three and wouldn't change it for the world!
Ok enough mushy stuff! I have life to get too! Laters, baby!
H
Friday, April 12, 2013
Wednesday, April 3, 2013
Mexican Chicken Casserole...
From a past blog and post...
Here is the recipe for the dinner i made last night! It was super yummy and was put together very easily... you can then bake it in the over for a while or put it in the crock pot to warm through and melt the cheese. More details below. Enjoy!
1 Lb. Chicken breast, cubed small.
3 c. minute rice (cooked, can use regular if you have the time)
2 Tbsp olive oil
2 tsp. salt
1 tsp. pepper
1 Tbsp chili powder
1 tsp. cumin
1 tsp. coriander
1 tsp. paprika
1 can black beans, drained and rinsed
1 can of corn, drained
1 can of diced tomatoes
1 small can of diced mild chilies
1 envelope of Hidden Valley Fiesta Ranch Dip (I find it at Safeway)
1 c. sour cream
2 c. shredded cheese
~extra sour cream, hot sauce and avocado for garnish and chips.
Cook rice according to package directions. No need to cool.
In a large skillet heat oil at medium-high heat. Add chicken, salt, pepper and next 4 ingredients. Cook fully, for 15-20 minutes stirring frequently. In a large mixing bowl add beans, corn, tomatoes and chilies Stir. Add ranch dip, sour cream and 1/2 c. shredded cheese. Add cooked chicken and rice. Stir thoroughly. Pour into a casserole dish or crock-pot Top with remaining cheese. Bake at 325* for 30-40 minutes or until bubbly or in crock-pot on high for 2 hours or low for 6-8.
Serve with extra garnish and chips.
Serves 8.
Hope you enjoy this recipe!!
Hanna
Here is the recipe for the dinner i made last night! It was super yummy and was put together very easily... you can then bake it in the over for a while or put it in the crock pot to warm through and melt the cheese. More details below. Enjoy!
1 Lb. Chicken breast, cubed small.
3 c. minute rice (cooked, can use regular if you have the time)
2 Tbsp olive oil
2 tsp. salt
1 tsp. pepper
1 Tbsp chili powder
1 tsp. cumin
1 tsp. coriander
1 tsp. paprika
1 can black beans, drained and rinsed
1 can of corn, drained
1 can of diced tomatoes
1 small can of diced mild chilies
1 envelope of Hidden Valley Fiesta Ranch Dip (I find it at Safeway)
1 c. sour cream
2 c. shredded cheese
~extra sour cream, hot sauce and avocado for garnish and chips.
Cook rice according to package directions. No need to cool.
In a large skillet heat oil at medium-high heat. Add chicken, salt, pepper and next 4 ingredients. Cook fully, for 15-20 minutes stirring frequently. In a large mixing bowl add beans, corn, tomatoes and chilies Stir. Add ranch dip, sour cream and 1/2 c. shredded cheese. Add cooked chicken and rice. Stir thoroughly. Pour into a casserole dish or crock-pot Top with remaining cheese. Bake at 325* for 30-40 minutes or until bubbly or in crock-pot on high for 2 hours or low for 6-8.
Serve with extra garnish and chips.
Serves 8.
Hope you enjoy this recipe!!
Hanna
Fat Tuesdays Menu
From a past post and blog...
Well yesterday was Fat Tuesday, so we had a couple over to hang out and eat some good food! It was awesome. I have been trying to cut down on making expensive menus and having people over since food costs so much now days, but I figured, what the heck!
So last night we had beer braised pork tacos with all the fixins... lettuce, tomatoes, avocado, cheese and salsas and sour cream! Quite delish! Also made up some spicy rice and had a side of reried beans. I have to say tho, that pork was to die for!!
I took a 4.5 LB pork boneless roast and cut it into 2x2" pieces. In a large dutch oven (cast iron pot with lid) I browned up a large sweet onion in olive oil. Add salt right away, about 1 tsp to allow the onion to sweat. then i added the pork and continued cooking until it was all turning brown on the edges. I added then 8 cloves of garlic minced, 3Tbsp taco seasoning, 1 Tbsp chili powder, 1 tsp cumin, 1 tsp paprika, 1 Tbsp black pepper and 1 Tbsp more salt. Stir it all up and add half a bottle of dark beer. I use something nutty. Stir again and put lid on. place in 350* preheated oven for 45 minutes.
Just let it cook away. Don't take it out or open the oven.
Then take it out and add half a can of tomato paste. stir really well. Then place back in oven, covered for another 45 minuted to 1 hour.
Finally take out and add 1/2c chopped cilantro and 1 lime, juiced. Stir and let sit until ready to eat. The meat should be shredding on its own when you stir it.
Serve with add-ons mentioned above, some extra lime juice, cilantro and hot sauce over corn or flour tortillas.
You wont believe how easy the recipe is, but man is it good! Tonight I am making Huevos Squirrlios( my take on huevos rancheros) with the meat for dinner. That recipe may follow tomorrow!!
Enjoy!
This is the cast iron pot I have, and if you don't have one, GET IT!!!
Well yesterday was Fat Tuesday, so we had a couple over to hang out and eat some good food! It was awesome. I have been trying to cut down on making expensive menus and having people over since food costs so much now days, but I figured, what the heck!
So last night we had beer braised pork tacos with all the fixins... lettuce, tomatoes, avocado, cheese and salsas and sour cream! Quite delish! Also made up some spicy rice and had a side of reried beans. I have to say tho, that pork was to die for!!
I took a 4.5 LB pork boneless roast and cut it into 2x2" pieces. In a large dutch oven (cast iron pot with lid) I browned up a large sweet onion in olive oil. Add salt right away, about 1 tsp to allow the onion to sweat. then i added the pork and continued cooking until it was all turning brown on the edges. I added then 8 cloves of garlic minced, 3Tbsp taco seasoning, 1 Tbsp chili powder, 1 tsp cumin, 1 tsp paprika, 1 Tbsp black pepper and 1 Tbsp more salt. Stir it all up and add half a bottle of dark beer. I use something nutty. Stir again and put lid on. place in 350* preheated oven for 45 minutes.
Just let it cook away. Don't take it out or open the oven.
Then take it out and add half a can of tomato paste. stir really well. Then place back in oven, covered for another 45 minuted to 1 hour.
Finally take out and add 1/2c chopped cilantro and 1 lime, juiced. Stir and let sit until ready to eat. The meat should be shredding on its own when you stir it.
Serve with add-ons mentioned above, some extra lime juice, cilantro and hot sauce over corn or flour tortillas.
You wont believe how easy the recipe is, but man is it good! Tonight I am making Huevos Squirrlios( my take on huevos rancheros) with the meat for dinner. That recipe may follow tomorrow!!
Enjoy!
This is the cast iron pot I have, and if you don't have one, GET IT!!!
I really love Pasta too much!
From a past post and blog...
So... my good friend comes over every Wednesday night to get all girly with me and watch totally dramatic shows! That is when I run into the dilemma... How do I make a big meal to feed everyone that isn't a wonderful steaming bowl of gooey pasta! Well last night it was just that... a great creamy tomato and pork alfredo.
Here is the recipe.
4 pork tenderloin chops
1 tsp EACH pepper, salt, oregano and lemon herb seasoning.
1/2 onion finely diced
2 cloves garlic - minced
1 can fire roasted diced tomatoes
1 cup water
3 Tbsp. veg oil
1 jar alfredo sauce
1 lb pasta... I use Rigatoni usually
Boil past a according to directions. Drain and set aside.
Meanwhile, in large skillet heat oil. Season pork with all seasonings. Brown in pan on medium high heat 3-4 minutes each side. Remove from pan to a late or pans lid. Add onion to skillet and saute 4-5 minutes. Add water and DE-glaze pan (stirring all the brown bits of the bottom). Add tomatoes and garlic. Simmer at medium heat for 8-10 minutes. Cube pork into small pieces and place back in sauce. Add alfredo sauce and simmer another 5 minutes. Stir into pasta and serve.
Pretty easy to make once you get it down. It really works well with chicken or steaks too... but pork is what we had on hand!
So there... my dilemma. How do I get by every Wednesday with out making a nice big pot of pasta since it is easy and quick and tastes SO GOOD!!!
Try out this recipe for yourself... see what you think and share some good maybe healthier dishes I could try next week?
Hanna
So... my good friend comes over every Wednesday night to get all girly with me and watch totally dramatic shows! That is when I run into the dilemma... How do I make a big meal to feed everyone that isn't a wonderful steaming bowl of gooey pasta! Well last night it was just that... a great creamy tomato and pork alfredo.
Here is the recipe.
4 pork tenderloin chops
1 tsp EACH pepper, salt, oregano and lemon herb seasoning.
1/2 onion finely diced
2 cloves garlic - minced
1 can fire roasted diced tomatoes
1 cup water
3 Tbsp. veg oil
1 jar alfredo sauce
1 lb pasta... I use Rigatoni usually
Boil past a according to directions. Drain and set aside.
Meanwhile, in large skillet heat oil. Season pork with all seasonings. Brown in pan on medium high heat 3-4 minutes each side. Remove from pan to a late or pans lid. Add onion to skillet and saute 4-5 minutes. Add water and DE-glaze pan (stirring all the brown bits of the bottom). Add tomatoes and garlic. Simmer at medium heat for 8-10 minutes. Cube pork into small pieces and place back in sauce. Add alfredo sauce and simmer another 5 minutes. Stir into pasta and serve.
Pretty easy to make once you get it down. It really works well with chicken or steaks too... but pork is what we had on hand!
So there... my dilemma. How do I get by every Wednesday with out making a nice big pot of pasta since it is easy and quick and tastes SO GOOD!!!
Try out this recipe for yourself... see what you think and share some good maybe healthier dishes I could try next week?
Hanna
The warmth of a old classic...
From a past pst and blog...
Last night I decided to make a recipe that my mom gave me that she makes all the time. A classic hamburger and lentil soup. It was a chilly night, starting to get a cold, and it just seemed warm and comforting to make something from when I was little. So here I am going to share it with you. It is easy to turn vegetarian if you would like, but is simple and delicious and a great new food for toddlers! Sani was raised on this soup, and still loves it! Hope you enjoy it!
3 Tbsp. oil
1lb. ground meat like hamburger, turkey or deer
4-5 carrots, peeled and diced small.
1 onion, diced small
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 Tbsp salt
1 tsp. pepper
1 tsp. dried italian seasoning
2 cups lentil beans
1 Tbsp. worchestershire sauce
8 cups beef Stock
In heavy pot heat oil over medium high heat. Add meat and brown 4-5 minutes. Add carrot, onion and half of salt and pepper. Stir and saute for 6-7 minutes more. Add garlic and saute another minute, making sure to stir so the garlic does not burn. Add seasonings, including remaining salt and pepper. Also add Worcestershire sauce. Stir in liquids and bring to a boil. Add lentils and simmer on medium heat with lid on about 40-45 minutes. Depending on lentils some may be getting soft, if not continue simmering another 15-20 minutes. Remove lid and simmer another 10 minutes to allow liquids to start to evaporate and let soup thicken. Add more salt and pepper if needed. Serve with crusty bread.
Makes 8 servings.
Hope this recipe can add something simple but delicious to your menu sometime soon! Enjoy!
Last night I decided to make a recipe that my mom gave me that she makes all the time. A classic hamburger and lentil soup. It was a chilly night, starting to get a cold, and it just seemed warm and comforting to make something from when I was little. So here I am going to share it with you. It is easy to turn vegetarian if you would like, but is simple and delicious and a great new food for toddlers! Sani was raised on this soup, and still loves it! Hope you enjoy it!
3 Tbsp. oil
1lb. ground meat like hamburger, turkey or deer
4-5 carrots, peeled and diced small.
1 onion, diced small
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 Tbsp salt
1 tsp. pepper
1 tsp. dried italian seasoning
2 cups lentil beans
1 Tbsp. worchestershire sauce
8 cups beef Stock
In heavy pot heat oil over medium high heat. Add meat and brown 4-5 minutes. Add carrot, onion and half of salt and pepper. Stir and saute for 6-7 minutes more. Add garlic and saute another minute, making sure to stir so the garlic does not burn. Add seasonings, including remaining salt and pepper. Also add Worcestershire sauce. Stir in liquids and bring to a boil. Add lentils and simmer on medium heat with lid on about 40-45 minutes. Depending on lentils some may be getting soft, if not continue simmering another 15-20 minutes. Remove lid and simmer another 10 minutes to allow liquids to start to evaporate and let soup thicken. Add more salt and pepper if needed. Serve with crusty bread.
Makes 8 servings.
Hope this recipe can add something simple but delicious to your menu sometime soon! Enjoy!
Making life simpler, but in the best ways possible!
6 month... In 6 months a lot can happen... A lot of good!
Finances are better, family is great, times are flying by and stress levels are much lower. All things my family and I have been striving for! S hooray me, and yippee for us!
So what's changed? I RELAXED! That's what! Plus a few other things.. You know a husband who found an awesome new job, a daughter who is loving the people we, her parents are and embracing her own characteristics, a job that is 100% flexible and friends who care all make for a better life. Drama is at a minimum, people who cause drama we have stayed at a distance. Just over all, better!
Hmmm... What else? Oh yah, I started a new weight loss/lifestyle change program in February. It's called Take Shape for Life. I joined because I saw how much it helped a friend of mine. It's a relatively easy program as far as diets go. Your not counting calories, spending a ton of time measuring and tracking. You just buy the food, eat it 5 times and enjoy one homemade meal a day also. That's it. No killing yourself at the gym, no killing yourself. Sure there are things I don't like about it, but really at 33 pounds down, can I really say its not working?! NOPE!
So far this plan has helped me not on.y shed weight but also helped me in other ways. I smile bigger, and way more often, I find my old "silly" person creeping back in. I can exercise and keep up easier, I have less headaches and really no body aches at all anymore! It's great! I can't wait to see what the next 33 (really 47 to goal of 160) does for me! I can officially not shop in only the plus size stores, I fit into large, xl and a few 1x things rather than pushing 2x an 22's! It's amazing! I'm ready to let go of all this baggage I didn't realize I had!
So here starts the real life adventures! I am combining both my blogs, turning this blog into my everyday, track everything I'm doing, loving, needing and dreaming of. No more separating it... It's all me, so it will be all together. From there, well the sky is limitless I guess! I
I'm not sure what will be next, cause I'm sure enjoying the ow a whole lot more than I used too!
Until next time... Which WILL NOT be 6 months away! H
Finances are better, family is great, times are flying by and stress levels are much lower. All things my family and I have been striving for! S hooray me, and yippee for us!
So what's changed? I RELAXED! That's what! Plus a few other things.. You know a husband who found an awesome new job, a daughter who is loving the people we, her parents are and embracing her own characteristics, a job that is 100% flexible and friends who care all make for a better life. Drama is at a minimum, people who cause drama we have stayed at a distance. Just over all, better!
Hmmm... What else? Oh yah, I started a new weight loss/lifestyle change program in February. It's called Take Shape for Life. I joined because I saw how much it helped a friend of mine. It's a relatively easy program as far as diets go. Your not counting calories, spending a ton of time measuring and tracking. You just buy the food, eat it 5 times and enjoy one homemade meal a day also. That's it. No killing yourself at the gym, no killing yourself. Sure there are things I don't like about it, but really at 33 pounds down, can I really say its not working?! NOPE!
So far this plan has helped me not on.y shed weight but also helped me in other ways. I smile bigger, and way more often, I find my old "silly" person creeping back in. I can exercise and keep up easier, I have less headaches and really no body aches at all anymore! It's great! I can't wait to see what the next 33 (really 47 to goal of 160) does for me! I can officially not shop in only the plus size stores, I fit into large, xl and a few 1x things rather than pushing 2x an 22's! It's amazing! I'm ready to let go of all this baggage I didn't realize I had!
So here starts the real life adventures! I am combining both my blogs, turning this blog into my everyday, track everything I'm doing, loving, needing and dreaming of. No more separating it... It's all me, so it will be all together. From there, well the sky is limitless I guess! I
I'm not sure what will be next, cause I'm sure enjoying the ow a whole lot more than I used too!
Until next time... Which WILL NOT be 6 months away! H
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