I am SOOOO craving a spinach salad!!!
This is what I use: (makes 2 salads - good for taking to work the next day!)
1/2 bag prepared baby spinach, rinsed and SPUN dry!
1 small can (8 oz. maybe?) mandarin orange wedges, drained
1/4 cup "candied pecans" (Wal-Mart has 'em in their baking aisle)
2 TBSP. Kraft light raspberry vinaigrette w/extra virgin olive oil.
Thinly sliced red onion (optional)
Toss all together and ENJOY THE FRESHNESS!
If you're NOT a spinach fan, don't worry. Baby spinach has practically NO flavor - compared to lettuce. It's only acting as a "base" for your salad. PLUS - it's frickin' GOOD for you!!!
Hey, y'all! I'm Sam and this is my good buddy, Merle! Welcome to our little corner of the web. And Merle says "HEY!"
Monday, January 31, 2011
Sunday, January 30, 2011
Chicken? FAJITAS!!
After doing some research, I've discovered chicken fajitas, if cooked properly, are quite low in fat and calories.
So....GUESS WHAT'S FOR DINNER???? Yep, fajitas. Been "marinating" some sliced boneless, skinless chicken breasts in a pack of Sauer's fajita seasoning. 15 min. prior to searing, I'm squeezin' 1/2 a lime onto them. Removing them from the pan, flash/frying the peppers and onion, adding the chicken back, and serving on whole-grain, low-carb. low-fat tortillas.
Sounds really filling and I'm sure there will be leftovers for me to take to work tomorrow.
So....GUESS WHAT'S FOR DINNER???? Yep, fajitas. Been "marinating" some sliced boneless, skinless chicken breasts in a pack of Sauer's fajita seasoning. 15 min. prior to searing, I'm squeezin' 1/2 a lime onto them. Removing them from the pan, flash/frying the peppers and onion, adding the chicken back, and serving on whole-grain, low-carb. low-fat tortillas.
Sounds really filling and I'm sure there will be leftovers for me to take to work tomorrow.
Saturday, January 29, 2011
Donkey Kong Country Returns!
What a BEAUTIFUL Wii game!!
Workin' on beating the boss on Level 3 (I ain't as young as I was and this stuff is a LOT HARDER!).
Here's what I have to do NEXT! 0.0
Workin' on beating the boss on Level 3 (I ain't as young as I was and this stuff is a LOT HARDER!).
Here's what I have to do NEXT! 0.0
Friday, January 28, 2011
Morning Cocktail!!
Sour mash whiskey, tequila, and flavored vodkas!
As I stuck my key into the store's entry, I saw the bottles....lying all over the floor!!
My FIRST thought, was that a ceiling tile had fallen and knocked over some of my displays - hell, it happened to me BEFORE!! Wine...everywhere.....wine......ON CARPET!!
Anyway, NOW, we have ceramic tile floor - GORGEOUS - and there were NO missing ceiling tiles, so...I was kinda like...."Um....WTF?!?!?!?!?" Called the mgr. and she said that the roof was leaking - that, in itself, is a whole OTHER story - worse than it had been.
Evidently, water had leaked all night long.....traveled down the grout lines until they met the cardboard box displays (Empty - turned upside down - bottles stacked on top - standard spirits sales establishment practices), which seeped in causing the carboard to "give" under the weight of the bottles of liquor stacked on top.
Once ONE fell, it was kinda like a domino-effect....busted liquor bottles seeping into the next display - which FAILS - breaks - runs - etc.
ONE HELLUVA MESS!!! But ONE HELLUVA workout mopping the sales floor NO LESS THAN 5 TIMES!!!
Good day for the diet.....bad for the soul.
Supper? Too tired to eat......
As I stuck my key into the store's entry, I saw the bottles....lying all over the floor!!
My FIRST thought, was that a ceiling tile had fallen and knocked over some of my displays - hell, it happened to me BEFORE!! Wine...everywhere.....wine......ON CARPET!!
Anyway, NOW, we have ceramic tile floor - GORGEOUS - and there were NO missing ceiling tiles, so...I was kinda like...."Um....WTF?!?!?!?!?" Called the mgr. and she said that the roof was leaking - that, in itself, is a whole OTHER story - worse than it had been.
Evidently, water had leaked all night long.....traveled down the grout lines until they met the cardboard box displays (Empty - turned upside down - bottles stacked on top - standard spirits sales establishment practices), which seeped in causing the carboard to "give" under the weight of the bottles of liquor stacked on top.
Once ONE fell, it was kinda like a domino-effect....busted liquor bottles seeping into the next display - which FAILS - breaks - runs - etc.
ONE HELLUVA MESS!!! But ONE HELLUVA workout mopping the sales floor NO LESS THAN 5 TIMES!!!
Good day for the diet.....bad for the soul.
Supper? Too tired to eat......
Thursday, January 27, 2011
Bland Chicken Fried Rice? NUH-UHHHH!!!
Yep, that's what I made.
Cut skinless breasts into small cubes then sauteed in ONE TBSP of Peanut oil! - Yes, I made SURE to measure it 'cause I didn't want to use too much.
Then, when the chicken was "almost" done, I added a couple of cloves of minced garlic and about 1/2 inch of ginger, finely chopped. Finished that, bowled it, and in the same pot, added 1 more tbsp. peanut oil and stir-fried some rice (3 cups PREPARED rice), peas, carrots, green onions, and soy sauce. When the rice has been stir-fried for a couple of minutes, I added the chicken/ginger/garlic mixture and a couple of good shots of teriyaki sauce.
Light, healthy, and FILLING!!
Cut skinless breasts into small cubes then sauteed in ONE TBSP of Peanut oil! - Yes, I made SURE to measure it 'cause I didn't want to use too much.
Then, when the chicken was "almost" done, I added a couple of cloves of minced garlic and about 1/2 inch of ginger, finely chopped. Finished that, bowled it, and in the same pot, added 1 more tbsp. peanut oil and stir-fried some rice (3 cups PREPARED rice), peas, carrots, green onions, and soy sauce. When the rice has been stir-fried for a couple of minutes, I added the chicken/ginger/garlic mixture and a couple of good shots of teriyaki sauce.
Light, healthy, and FILLING!!
Guess What?
Once again, while showering, I got the urge to weigh myself. Granted, I ALWAYS weigh myself on Mondays - that was the deal. But I never really restricted myself as to the number of times I weighed myself in between. Sooooo....twice now, I have had a strong urge to jump on the scales and today was no let-down either...
Since 01/03/11....I have LOST 10 pounds!! Lost 'em...yep...I don't know where they're at and I don't really care!
30 more lbs. in 341 days??? PIECE UH CAKE!!!
(I say that now.....will regret it later)
Since 01/03/11....I have LOST 10 pounds!! Lost 'em...yep...I don't know where they're at and I don't really care!
30 more lbs. in 341 days??? PIECE UH CAKE!!!
(I say that now.....will regret it later)
Wednesday, January 26, 2011
WHATTA DAY!!!
Got up..."woke" up.....caught up fb (pathethic, ain't I?)....showered.....dressed....and for some reason....tightening my belt was EXTREMELY easy!! I looked in the mirror, down, and saw that YES!....I can go up another notch!!!
Of course I didn't wanna "push it" by FORCING myself to squeeze into a shortened belt, so I left it as it has been. By the time I got home tonight...I felt like my jeans were falling off!
Like I posted on facebook, looking at numbers on a scale is one thing....seeing it PHYSICALLY is another. I'm ECSTATIC with my progress!!!
Tonight's supper? Tossed salad with grilled chicken strips and "Old Dutch Sweet-and-Sour Dressing". That stuff is GOOOOOOOD! 50 cal./2 TBSP. It's light, tart, makes a GREAT marinade!! I feel like I need some roughage to compensate for the fish tacos I've had the last 2 nights.
.............................................
A VERY dear friend suggested that I start blogging more about what happens at my job. 'Cause she sees me kinda like "Sam Malone" from "Cheers". And, kinda, in a way, I am!! I hear stuff that y'all wouldn't BELIEVE!!
I'm just wondering.....can my blog be bipolar?
Of course I didn't wanna "push it" by FORCING myself to squeeze into a shortened belt, so I left it as it has been. By the time I got home tonight...I felt like my jeans were falling off!
Like I posted on facebook, looking at numbers on a scale is one thing....seeing it PHYSICALLY is another. I'm ECSTATIC with my progress!!!
Tonight's supper? Tossed salad with grilled chicken strips and "Old Dutch Sweet-and-Sour Dressing". That stuff is GOOOOOOOD! 50 cal./2 TBSP. It's light, tart, makes a GREAT marinade!! I feel like I need some roughage to compensate for the fish tacos I've had the last 2 nights.
.............................................
A VERY dear friend suggested that I start blogging more about what happens at my job. 'Cause she sees me kinda like "Sam Malone" from "Cheers". And, kinda, in a way, I am!! I hear stuff that y'all wouldn't BELIEVE!!
I'm just wondering.....can my blog be bipolar?
Tuesday, January 25, 2011
If I Buy An Island...
I'm naming it "Isle d'Tilapia"...I LOVE THAT FISH!!!
Experimenting around with some more filets I had in the freezer. Nice thing about these....they're individually shrunk-wrapped-frozen..have NO additives....only 100 cal. each.
I was still wanting to mess around with my fish taco recipe, ....and since I ENJOYED them so much last night... , I thought now would be a good time. I was happy with the slaw last night, so the only thing I did tonight, was grate some more cucumber into it and I added some extra lime juice.
The tilapia? I HEAVILY seasoned them with cumin and lime juice. I "wanted" to toss some cilantro into the mix - PERFECT with lime - but I decided against it. I've only got a limited "supply" of ingredients....
By the way...those tortilla shells - the low-fat ones? They're GREAT!!!
As for work? Was a very "strange" day....people acting all weird! Yes, weirder than usual!! Very stressful.....but tomorrow is another day.
Keep POSITIVE!!
Experimenting around with some more filets I had in the freezer. Nice thing about these....they're individually shrunk-wrapped-frozen..have NO additives....only 100 cal. each.
I was still wanting to mess around with my fish taco recipe, ....and since I ENJOYED them so much last night... , I thought now would be a good time. I was happy with the slaw last night, so the only thing I did tonight, was grate some more cucumber into it and I added some extra lime juice.
The tilapia? I HEAVILY seasoned them with cumin and lime juice. I "wanted" to toss some cilantro into the mix - PERFECT with lime - but I decided against it. I've only got a limited "supply" of ingredients....
By the way...those tortilla shells - the low-fat ones? They're GREAT!!!
As for work? Was a very "strange" day....people acting all weird! Yes, weirder than usual!! Very stressful.....but tomorrow is another day.
Keep POSITIVE!!
Monday, January 24, 2011
Fish Tah-Koes? FABULOUS!!!
Here we go! They were, actually, VERY GOOD!!
This is what I did:
Bake 1 frozen tilapia per tortilla shell in 400 deg. oven for 15 min. Season with cumin and lime juice.
While that's baking, mix 2 cups pre-cut slaw mix with 2 TBSP. slaw dressing ("low-fat" was only 20 calories less than regular) and the juice of 1/8 lime - wedged. I also grated about an inch of fresh cucumber into the slaw.
Slice off one THIN slice of red onion and cut in half (1-1/2 per tortilla). 1 minute before the fish is done, heat each tortilla shell in a lightly sprayed HOT pan for about 15 sec. per side - I like 'em golden.
When the fish is done, let it rest for a minute and "shred" with a fork - leave good-sized pieces. Put slaw on 1/2 of tortilla shell, then, 1/2 of the onion. Finally, place tilapia on tortilla. Fold over, get PLENTY of napkins, and DEVOUR!!!
This is what I did:
Bake 1 frozen tilapia per tortilla shell in 400 deg. oven for 15 min. Season with cumin and lime juice.
While that's baking, mix 2 cups pre-cut slaw mix with 2 TBSP. slaw dressing ("low-fat" was only 20 calories less than regular) and the juice of 1/8 lime - wedged. I also grated about an inch of fresh cucumber into the slaw.
Slice off one THIN slice of red onion and cut in half (1-1/2 per tortilla). 1 minute before the fish is done, heat each tortilla shell in a lightly sprayed HOT pan for about 15 sec. per side - I like 'em golden.
When the fish is done, let it rest for a minute and "shred" with a fork - leave good-sized pieces. Put slaw on 1/2 of tortilla shell, then, 1/2 of the onion. Finally, place tilapia on tortilla. Fold over, get PLENTY of napkins, and DEVOUR!!!
Fat Free Tor-tee-yas??
Well, I found 'em! They probably taste like cardboard, but they are LESS THAN 1/2 THE NUMBER OF CALORIES as regular ones!! *considers seasoning the tortilla pan with herbs before heating*
*rethinks taco "sauce"*
*rethinks taco "sauce"*
Till Op Pee Ya!
So I think I'm going to try something new - fish tacos! I've been looking up TONS of recipes and they're all basically the same. And since tilapia is a low-fat fish - and I LOVE IT - I'm gonna use it.
MOST of the recipes I've encountered involve battering the fish and FRYING it - a big no-no for me. So, I'm just gonna season the fish with some lime juice, cumin (to give it that Tex-Mex flavor) and a little sea salt and then bake it.
Now, when it comes to the tortilla, I'm HOPING I can find some low-carb tortillas at the store. If not, I may be screwed.
What about toppings? I'm thinking of making a "lite" slaw using cabbage and either fat-free sour cream or mayo (yuck!), some Southwest seasoning, and lime juice. And I've got some homemade salsa that I can use.
Wish me luck and I'll let y'all know how they turn out!
MOST of the recipes I've encountered involve battering the fish and FRYING it - a big no-no for me. So, I'm just gonna season the fish with some lime juice, cumin (to give it that Tex-Mex flavor) and a little sea salt and then bake it.
Now, when it comes to the tortilla, I'm HOPING I can find some low-carb tortillas at the store. If not, I may be screwed.
What about toppings? I'm thinking of making a "lite" slaw using cabbage and either fat-free sour cream or mayo (yuck!), some Southwest seasoning, and lime juice. And I've got some homemade salsa that I can use.
Wish me luck and I'll let y'all know how they turn out!
Saturday, January 22, 2011
Weight Loss Weigh-In
While in the shower getting ready for work, I decided to weigh myself when I got finished. I know, I know.....I try to weigh myself on Mondays, but something "told" me to do it. So, I did...
Total of 7 pounds lost since I began!!! I'm now feeling better about this whole diet thing. Maybe - just maybe - I can lose 40 lbs. by year's end!!!
I feel even MORE inspired now!!!
Total of 7 pounds lost since I began!!! I'm now feeling better about this whole diet thing. Maybe - just maybe - I can lose 40 lbs. by year's end!!!
I feel even MORE inspired now!!!
Friday, January 21, 2011
Ketchup Day
Didn't post yesterday....not much happened. Just spent the day doing chores. Fixed Asian BBQ'd Chicken Lettuce wraps for supper. DEE-LISH!! If you want the recipe - there's a lot of prep work, but it cooks quick and is WORTH it - let me know. Closest thing to PFChang's I've ever had!!
Good day at work today. Went by quickly. Thanks, Bossman, for making it go by quicker!!
Hoping to have company Sunday night so I'm looking at HEALTHY ways to spice-up a pork tenderloin. I could make a Balsamic Vinaigrette glaze with brown sugar....hmmmm.....
Good day at work today. Went by quickly. Thanks, Bossman, for making it go by quicker!!
Hoping to have company Sunday night so I'm looking at HEALTHY ways to spice-up a pork tenderloin. I could make a Balsamic Vinaigrette glaze with brown sugar....hmmmm.....
Wednesday, January 19, 2011
Usually, I Hate Wednesdays...
You know how you feel the DAY BEFORE your day off? How that day seems to DRAAAAAGGGGGG.....that's how I feel about Wednesdays. It's a long day, I have to deal with distributor reps, make $ decisions, PLUS push our 10%-Off-Wines-On-Wednesdays......just dreadful.
But I had a GOOD Wednesday today!! I woke up feeling GOOD...had energy....and that momentum kept me going all day. Well, that and some rum a rep. let me sample . . . . .
NO food cravings today! Took a spinach/mandarin orange/pecan salad with fat-free Raspberry Vinegarette dressing to work for lunch. VERY refreshing!! I could've used a paper-thin slice of red onion to go on top, but what I had was GOOD!!!
Plain ol' iceberg lettuce salad with grilled chicken, tonight. I'm "test-driving" Kraft's Fat-Free Italian Dressing - 15 cal./2 TBSP.
Thanks for the encouragement, and KEEP READING!
Oh, and in memory of Blaine Lawson.....BUCKLE UP!
But I had a GOOD Wednesday today!! I woke up feeling GOOD...had energy....and that momentum kept me going all day. Well, that and some rum a rep. let me sample . . . . .
NO food cravings today! Took a spinach/mandarin orange/pecan salad with fat-free Raspberry Vinegarette dressing to work for lunch. VERY refreshing!! I could've used a paper-thin slice of red onion to go on top, but what I had was GOOD!!!
Plain ol' iceberg lettuce salad with grilled chicken, tonight. I'm "test-driving" Kraft's Fat-Free Italian Dressing - 15 cal./2 TBSP.
Thanks for the encouragement, and KEEP READING!
Oh, and in memory of Blaine Lawson.....BUCKLE UP!
Tuesday, January 18, 2011
Let The Cravings Begin!
First, I wanted a head-sized donut.
This afternoon.....PIZZA!! I just wanted to lie on my back and let someone place a fresh pizza on my chest so that I could breathe in its' enticing aroma......
FOCUS, Sam, FOCUS!!!
Tonight, I'm going to experiment with some tilapia and think I'll steam some fresh asparagus.
I actually had a customer ask me if I had lost weight! Talk about MOTIVATION!!
And knowing that you all are going through this WITH me, has inspired me immensely!
This afternoon.....PIZZA!! I just wanted to lie on my back and let someone place a fresh pizza on my chest so that I could breathe in its' enticing aroma......
FOCUS, Sam, FOCUS!!!
Tonight, I'm going to experiment with some tilapia and think I'll steam some fresh asparagus.
I actually had a customer ask me if I had lost weight! Talk about MOTIVATION!!
And knowing that you all are going through this WITH me, has inspired me immensely!
Monday, January 17, 2011
Week II Weigh-In
So I plopped myself on the scales..and guess what?
I've LOST 3 MORE POUNDS!!!!
I feel INVIGORATED!! 5 lbs. in 2 weeks? Not BAD!!!
No real "cravings" just yet.....but been weighing the differences between a hamburger and pizza. Tonight, however, salad. Plain salad. With "Lite" Italian (10 cal/2 TBSP) dressing. And Aquafina. By now, my digestive system is CLEAN AS A WHISTLE!! Wanna toot? LMAO!!!
Work was really SLOW today...must be the holiday. Not a bad day, though. Researching low-fat low-cal. dinners. Salads get OLD.....
I've LOST 3 MORE POUNDS!!!!
I feel INVIGORATED!! 5 lbs. in 2 weeks? Not BAD!!!
No real "cravings" just yet.....but been weighing the differences between a hamburger and pizza. Tonight, however, salad. Plain salad. With "Lite" Italian (10 cal/2 TBSP) dressing. And Aquafina. By now, my digestive system is CLEAN AS A WHISTLE!! Wanna toot? LMAO!!!
Work was really SLOW today...must be the holiday. Not a bad day, though. Researching low-fat low-cal. dinners. Salads get OLD.....
Saturday, January 15, 2011
Oh Yeah....I'm on a Diet!
Started dieting on Jan. 2....hoping to lose 40 lbs. by years end...
Weigh-in after week 1 - loss of 2 lbs.
This week? I've been finding myself wanting to "cheat"....with sugar! IT'S SO HARD!!!!!
A couple of people have told me that drinking water with lemon is supposed to boost your metabolism, so I've been trying that....not too bad, actually. Don't know if it's really working or not.
I've decided that shrimp is not my digestive friend. I tried to make a low-fat supper Thurs. night - Shrimp and Snow Peas. I used VERY little oil to stir fry with, watching fat grams and calories. I felt "backed-up", if you will, the next day. Sorry to be graphic, but that's how it was. Ate a fibrous salad for supper on Friday, and was cleansed Sat. morning. Felt "lighter"....
The wonders of pooping....
Weigh-in after week 1 - loss of 2 lbs.
This week? I've been finding myself wanting to "cheat"....with sugar! IT'S SO HARD!!!!!
A couple of people have told me that drinking water with lemon is supposed to boost your metabolism, so I've been trying that....not too bad, actually. Don't know if it's really working or not.
I've decided that shrimp is not my digestive friend. I tried to make a low-fat supper Thurs. night - Shrimp and Snow Peas. I used VERY little oil to stir fry with, watching fat grams and calories. I felt "backed-up", if you will, the next day. Sorry to be graphic, but that's how it was. Ate a fibrous salad for supper on Friday, and was cleansed Sat. morning. Felt "lighter"....
The wonders of pooping....
Food Processor Woes.....
Since I'm dieting and have TONS of vinegars to work with, I decided to try making my own salad dressings. So...I drug out all my food processor equipment, and for the LIFE of me....I can't figure out how to work the damn thing.
I've got this discontinued model ~>Click!<~, looked at the manual and I have all the parts, but I just can't get the "blend/puree" blade to work! It sits atop the drive shaft, but it's too big! There IS an adapter that you put on for the top blade, but when I use the lower blade, it just sets there. I am very frustrated, and I tried using my Magic Bullet, but it just wasn't the same.....too fast....
Guess I COULD whisk it by hand.....but what's the use in having all these nifty gadgets if they don't work?
Maybe I'm a hoarder.....
I've got this discontinued model ~>Click!<~, looked at the manual and I have all the parts, but I just can't get the "blend/puree" blade to work! It sits atop the drive shaft, but it's too big! There IS an adapter that you put on for the top blade, but when I use the lower blade, it just sets there. I am very frustrated, and I tried using my Magic Bullet, but it just wasn't the same.....too fast....
Guess I COULD whisk it by hand.....but what's the use in having all these nifty gadgets if they don't work?
Maybe I'm a hoarder.....
Friday, January 14, 2011
I'm REALLY Thankful for facebook!
OK, so my bossman says facebook is the work of the devil! OK, I can see that. He just doesn't "get" it. And that's ok....
But, I am very grateful that this phenomenon has happened that has allowed me to reconnect with old friends, stay in touch with current ones, and find new ones. Addiction? Probably. But at least I don't do crack.
But, I am very grateful that this phenomenon has happened that has allowed me to reconnect with old friends, stay in touch with current ones, and find new ones. Addiction? Probably. But at least I don't do crack.
OK...So, um...Here I Blog.
I'm not really sure what I'm supposed to be really DOING here.....expressing thoughts? Trying out ideas? Jerking emotions? WHAT?????
I guess this whole motivation occurred after watching Julie & Julia for the umpteenth time. I see how Julie was inspired. But for me, it's more of a cathartic thing. Let it out....my frustrations, my dreams, my thoughts.
Now, along with all the facebook crap I do on a daily basis, I'm now gonna do this. Guess I could quit FarmVille...it's boring me, anyway. And I suck at it.
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