Veggies

I am determined to eat more vegetables! I am planning on shopping at farmer markets this summer. This sounds really hard but I know I can do it! I think. I was able to look up all the markets close to me and it looks like at least 2 days a week I can buy veggies.

The only problem is that I need to learn how to make delicious vegetables with little ingredients. I want to still know I'm eating them; no hiding broccoli in brownies or stuff like that. I would like Rob, Lucas and myself to fall in love with each vegetable.

I'm going to come up with a collection of delicious vegetable recipes we eat.

We really should be eating more vegetables than meat, but it never seems to work out that way.

1st Vegetable Spotlight: Swiss Chard

Swiss chard is an excellent source of vitamin K, vitamin A, vitamin C, magnesium, manganese, potassium, iron, vitamin E and dietary fiber. It is a very good source of copper, calcium, vitamin B2, vitamin B6 and protein. In addition, Swiss chard is a good source of phosphorus, vitamin B1, zinc, folate, biotin, niacin and pantothenic acid.

Although Swiss chard is available throughout the year, its season runs from June through August when it is at its best and in the greatest abundance at your local supermarket. I think we all know that they Chard should be crisp not limp. A little note on the color of stems; white is the least bitter of all the colors.

You can read more about Swiss Chard here:

http://www.whfoods.com/genpage.php?tname=foodspice&dbid=16#nutritionalprofile

Well I researched recipes and came up with this very simple one:

http://www.elise.com/recipes/archives/000965swiss_chard.php

After reading reviews I did add a step: Blanch the Swiss Chard before cooking on the stove. Also kept out the crushed pepper.

Swiss Chard Recipe
Ingredients
1 large bunch of fresh Swiss chard

1 small clove garlic sliced

2 Tbsp olive oil

2 Tbsp water

Pinch of dried crushed red pepper

1 teaspoon buttersalt

Method
1 Rinse out the Swiss chard leaves thoroughly. Remove the toughest third of the stalk, discard or save for another recipe (such as this Swiss chard ribs with cream and pasta). Roughly chop the leaves into inch-wide strips.

2 Heat a saucepan on a medium heat setting, add olive oil, a few small slices of garlic and the crushed red pepper. Sauté for about a minute. Add the chopped Swiss chard leaves.

Cover.

Check after about 5 minutes. If it looks dry, add a couple tablespoons of water. Flip the leaves over in the pan, so that what was on the bottom, is now on the top.

Cover again. Check for doneness after another 5 minutes (remove a piece and taste it).

Add salt to taste, and a small amount of butter.

Eat it up

If you have tried to prepare Swiss Chard before and found it to be bitter try this- buy it fresh and when it is in season or plant some and eat it as you cut it.

It is so delicious when fresh not bitter at all. I mean this was really really good.

If you buy fresh and want to attempt to keep some- blanch it and then freeze it.

Basement Update

It's coming along slowly but surely. We are trying to do this as inexpensive as possible so it's going slow. I put that picture up just because I'm still working on getting one. Pink pillow are also there just because. Did you check out the funky pillow from Hong Kong! Yes- there it is. I do like the pattern. The big yellow pillows,white lamp and carpet are the only purchases besides the wood and paint.

Big yellow pillow- Target $24.99each

Carpet- Lowes $75.00 (left over piece-which we do have a slight problem with)

Lamp- HomeGoods $40.00

Lucas is trying to put together a pull up bar.

Lucas is on a kick of running so this will help with getting me out to walk. Last night I walked 2 miles and managed to do my 8min ab DVD- Yeah!

I came across this article in Women's World, yellow, yellow, and more yellow. I really dig the yellow pillow! I believe it's at Target.

Down .6

WHAT IS .6? Well better to count every ounce! Otherwise I'd still be the same weight.

At my meeting I learned I need to listen to my body- is it hungry or not?

Great tip from my booklet:
When you get your meal
1st Mentally cut it in half
2nd After eating half - take a break and see if you still feel hungry
If yes - cut in half again and do the same thing
If no- PUT DOWN THE FORK

Another great tip from another WW member:
When you are at a stand still or gaining- when you really don't want to go to a meeting- PUSH THROUGH! This is when you need a meeting the most.

I also did Weight View again. I don't know I think it's pretty cool.

Here's my before and after:

I think it's pretty cool.

Anyways.....The weather has been so nice and I managed to walk 3 miles on Sunday! Yay

The only problem is that's like an hour of my day. Was it worth it? I guess- not feeling it, but it was.

I'm so excited for better weather. I'm really getting into blues, greys and yellows.

Here's a color chart I found with summer's hot colors:

Why can't I be this cool?:Quick note on Rob! Saturday we had plans to go to dinner with friends to a restaurant I've been dying to go to. Yum. Well I was sick with an IBS stomach. I ran around with Lucas all day and I just felt worse as the day went on. Then at one point I tried on my dress and I looked pregnant. I cried and cried and cried for like an hour. What made it worse was that it wasn't dinner with close friend who I could have maybe explained it was with newer younger friends. Oh and did I say none could look pregnant or fat. And they were all probably 10 years younger than I and in good shape.

Rob was so good to me. I would have never made it without him. He was so sweet and made me feel so special. I felt so bad for putting him through all my grief. I didn't want to go, but the thought of ruining his time made me mad. So we went. It actually wasn't too bad and it's probably better I went instead of sitting at home. I loved spending time with Rob. This picture reminds me of what Rob goes through with me. I'm lucky he has faith in me and believes me when I tell him I'm sick. At times I think maybe I'm mental, but he insists I'm not!

PS- In this picture the guy with the cane is saying to him self- "Poor guy, that lady is crazy" :)

Do your HAIR

Youtube can make you look good. Check it out there are many chicks out there showing how to do hair and make-up. It's great. You can actually look-up a celebrity and see how they do their make-up.

Check this girl out she is very good at explaining things:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rk7IrFXR8Yg

She is also found on pursebuzz.com

AnD AnOthEr ThInG-

Time to show our legs!

I'm getting so excited for spring and looking foward to wearing skirts and dresses so here's what I read:

http://www.stylelist.com/style-guide/how-what-wear/the-best-skirt-for-your-shape

http://www.stylelist.com/style-guide/how-what-wear/sexiest-dress-for-your-shape

I did IT!

I finished organizing my jewelry- Rob had asked me if it was normal. After seeing all of it, maybe not. I guess I collect jewelry.

I've been organizing my jewelry for years and finally learned the "RIGHT " way!

I used to just do it in boxes- but then you have to open the boxes to and that can be a pain.

Then I did baggies and used a dresser drawer for the items I use most and the other went under my bead in a drawer.

I finally realized I need to be able to see everything, no boxes, no stacking. This way I won't forget about things. The under the bed containers are great! The only thing is I can only fit 2 under my bed. So I used shoe boxes as well, which worked well because then I was able to separate the bracelets from brooches. The 2 white jewelry boxes I keep my everyday items in. I did love going through all my jewelry because there are memories with all of them.

A few years ago my sis Becky gave me a 3 drawer box filled with jewelry and that was a great gift for me. I ended up using that container for jewelry that needs repair and odds and ends that could be used to create other things. The 3rd drawer is for empty boxes, travel jewelry bag, and my ear lifts.

What else I did gain 1 Pound! Oh well ther is always next week.

Weight Watcher thought: ONE bite tastes the SAME as FIVE.

How true is that!

Weight Watchers

3rd Meeting tonight! I'm so scared. The last meeting (Saturday- b/c my usual meeting was canceled) was up .2. I really hope I didn't gain weight with the holiday. Lucas is out of school all week so it's busy, plus there is left over food and desserts everywhere.

I am back to counting points after taking the holiday off- and I know "Fat don't take holidays" but I did.
Saturday's meeting went well, very nice group. They actually have a man in the group he was in make-up and nail polish, but still. We each got an Easter egg with a message in it. Mine said "Every smart food choice starts in the mind not the mouth".
I did copy down this recipe b/c it was for the crockpot.

Sour Cream Salsa Chicken
4 skinless chicken breasts
1 packet of taco seasoning
16 oz salsa
1/4 cup light sour cream
Spray crockpot with Pam
Add Chicken
Sprinkle with taco seasoning
on top add salsa
Cook 6-8 hours Low
Ready to eat:
Remove chicken
Top with the sour cream
Sounds easy enough

Tonight Lucas is staying my parents for a sleep over with cousins so I will finally finish organizing my jewelry. Wow haven't done this in probably 2 years and now I remember why. It takes forever. This is what I do over going on my treadmill.

I really need to tell myself that the treadmill has to come 1st, but I always feel guilty doing it. How crazy is that? Tonight I will do both.

From Kacy Duke http://www.kacydukefitness.com/:
I Am
You are more than a pair of thighs. You are more than a belly. You are a heart and a mind and a spirit. These are not separate entities that can be “fixed” the way you would tune up a car’s engine or change its tires. Nor is your mind an isolated command center for your body. Your thoughts and feelings affect your body. They affect your movement and your hunger. Likewise, how you eat and move affects how you feel and think. You are one, beautiful, complete entity.

Here I am strutting my STUFF. LOL

Maybe one day.

WhiteHouseBlackMarket

Finally getting my wedding pictures together for our album

These are some of my favorite wedding pictures:

Well it should get nice outside any day now! I seen these sandals on a girl and really liked them. They are by Aldo.

So I was looking at Jcrew and seen a yellow bracelet and had to have it. Well it went on sale, but was sold out instantly. I did find it on ebay so I bought it. I love this outfit and did purchase the top as well. It was on sale. The skirt......well it's not on sale yet. Already own a pair of silver strappy sandals-who doesn't?

Basement is coming along. I did purchase 2 pillows at Target. I will use these for camping out on the floor. Target has a lot of pillows on-line.

Pillows can really spice things up. Rob keeps saying, "Didn't you just buy pillows?" I still need some for the couch. Looking for grey pillows.

On ebay one day I thought I was purchasing a cool pillow- only to realize I overlooked it was a seller from Hong Kong! Then I realize it's just a cover- at first I was bummed, then I got to thinking it might not be so bad. See if you have a pillow you are sick of instead of buying a new one you can put a different cover on it. COOL

I really would like to purchase a white serving tray and have white or grey figurines on it. They are showing a lot of things painted white which I love. You can collect a few things and then just paint them white.

We live in a ranch and I have never really been into ranches, but I'm starting to like it. It's a less stressful way of living. I also came across a great website:

http://www.thisyounghouse.com/

YOU will love this adorable couple! Take a tour of their house.

Happy Easter

This year I had to dye eggs by myself. Lucas is at the age where he's not into it.
Don't ask - I have no idea why they are speckled, but Lucas said they look cool. Easter is a great holiday that starts weeks earlier.

Here I am Holy Thursady waiting to go to mass. I was super excited because I really enjoy Holy Thursday and Lucas was serving at mass. The church is very solemn and dark and you really feel what Jesus may have felt at the Last Supper.

Lucas did wonderful serving and actually carried one of the torches. If you have never been to mass on Holy Thursday you should go, but only if you can go to mass on Easter Sunday as well. Easter Sunday is the most joyous mass. It's when we realize that Jesus has RISEN FROM THE DEAD. It is the best feeling ever.

It has been hard this year for me because I felt such anger concerning the abuse Christianity takes. I want to be a good Christian and not feel hate, but it's hard. I was confused when I received Newsweek in the mail. I was mad when I received the issue claiming Christianity is coming to an end. Is that NEWS- NO. Plus it's false. I immediately called to find out why I was receiving the magazine and then to cancel it. I received it as a free gift when I placed an order. Gifts like that I do not want. So as you know my next call was to that company. I vow to be a better Christian/Catholic and pour my energy into letting people know I am Catholic, and not being afraid to say so. In the past I've held back. I love God and Jesus. Never again will I let someone tell me I can't talk about my religion. I will never forget being told my a teacher not to send in treat bags with a lamb on it I guess fearing it represented the Lamb of God. So many times school would tell us what was appropriate and they pretty much took away every holiday that had a hint of religion. Why did I back down? We need to get a little louder about our religion. Christians and all religions need to step up and quit taking slack. We need to show our religion, there are people who could use some.

This year our church welcomed 9 new members.


OK - enough of my rampage. I am so lucky to have married into a Catholic family like my own. My mother-in-law is special and she made this beautiful cake.



The kids had a great Easter as you can see:

We spent our Easter at Rob's grandmother's and my mom's. We spent both meals with Rob's parents, which most people never get to do. It is awesome and I am thankful for having such great in laws. I need not mention that I love my parents and having them is awesome. We are also super lucky to have a grandparent! Mine have all passed but Rob has his grandmother. We don't get to see her enough so holidays are a must and extra special with her actually cooking for us.

Easier said than done!

This is how I feel on fat days:

I was in need of some major help!

I started my 1st week doing Weight Watchers. This is not my first time, but it's still exciting and frustrating. I am doing points and I'm allowed 18 points- YUK. I'm starving and having a really hard time doing that. My morning smoothie costs me about 6-8points, and I drink that before 7am! The good thing about my smoothie is I do get a lot of good points for fruit and veggies. I think it's sinful that a banana costs 2 points. :(

I love bananas.

I have been having salads for lunch and sometimes pizza with no cheese. I am cutting back on dairy. I've started drinking diet coke only as a treat.

I'm still settling into a routine that I can live with.

I really enjoyed the Weight Watcher meeting- it really helps. The leader is very good. I checked out one of my favorite blogs 2 Excited Brides and seen one of them actually posted a before picture (which was more like an after). I can't post a before.

While shopping on the weekend I wanted to die. I can't believe how bad I am. The weight I put on is really hard to believe to me. My stomach has been better and I feel better so exercising should get better.

Oh and I realized that my Easter dress may have been intended for a mother of the bride dress. Lucas asked me if it was my mom's and Rob questioned it as well. WHAT IS GOING ON?

I'm excited for Easter. Easter is a great time in church and I am really looking forward to it. Holy Thursday Lucas will be serving mass. He wasn't too thrilled, but when I went over how important this week is and what it all means he became more interested. Lucas gets nervous about serving, but there will be so many alter servers that it won't matter if he makes mistake.

The basement is ready for paint. Rob has worked really hard on the basement! He's great.

Here's the colors we decided on:

Woodlawn Snow 6003-1A Valspar:Frappe 6003-1B Valspar: Our accent color is yellow- this is a mustard color

I gave Lucas a small project for the room (being he has shop class) and here it is before paint:

I'm so proud of him- I ordered the word RELAX and he took it from there. He choose to cut out the letters separately so that we had more options when using them.
When thinking about wall art for the basement, I thought about Wordel. Lucas introduced me to wordel. http://www.wordle.net/create

You can input anything and it will take the words and create stuff like this:

The above is Abraham Lincoln's 1st Inaugural Address. The words are sized by use; the more it's used the bigger it is. Cool HUH? Wouldn't something like this make nice wall art?