Saturday, December 6, 2025

Texas Chili [updated]


2 pounds ground beef
2 pound diced steak or stew meat
4 large yellow onions – diced
4 cans (14.5 ounce) cut diced tomatoes
4 cans (8 ounce) tomato sauce
4 cans (14 ounce) beef broth
6 teaspoons chili powder
2 teaspoon ground cumin
2 teaspoon garlic powder
2 teaspoon ground oregano
2 teaspoon paprika
4 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon ground black pepper

Makes a lot so use a large Dutch oven. I used an enamel coated cast iron one. 

Brown ground beef, steak and onions, breaking it up as you go. Drain well. Wipe grease out of pot.

Add spices  and meat back to pot and continue to cook until meat is well coated. Add the remaining ingredients.

Reduce heat, cover and simmer for at least 1-1.5hrs minutes or until reduced slightly. Add water or more broth if needed.

My tweaks/tips:
I don’t time the cook down at the end. I stir it regularly to incorporate the meat and canned items until it is thick. Use your judgement on how thick you like your chili.

Goes well with sour cream, shredded cheese, Fritos, cornbread, fresh diced onion, fresh or bottled jalapenos, tortilla chips, on a hot dog, fresh cilantro, or with fresh avocado.

Have onions and steak cut up before you even turn on the heat. While that cooks measure your spices out and have them ready. Sometimes I do this in the crockpot and have the canned items already in the pot heating up before I drain/season the meat out of a skillet, then add it all together in the crock pot and let it go. 

Original recipe calls for cayenne pepper [2tsp], 2 cups of water and twice the black pepper. We like it but tender-mouthed folks have said it’s too spicy, so we leave the cayenne out and half the black pepper. I skip the water also. It weakens the flavor and takes much longer to cook down.



Wednesday, December 23, 2020

NOLA Munchkin's Thunder Cheese

1 cup sharp cheddar cheese, shredded

1 cup monterey jack cheese, shredded

1 cup mayo

1 cup chopped pecans or walnuts

3-4 green onions, chopped

dash red pepper flakes [to taste, you may want more or omit it altogether] 

dash cayenne pepper  [to taste, you may want more or omit it altogether] 


Mix all ingredients together and chill in fridge. It is quite edible right after it is made also.


My tweaks:

I added 2 seeded and chopped jalapeno peppers and 3 slices chopped crispy bacon. 


Origins:

Our dear friends NOLA Munchkin and Scootr Bud introduced us to Thunder Cheese from Canseco's Market on Esplanade in New Orleans. over a year ago and we loved it! They do too so NOLA gradually let his taste buds decipher the recipe and started making it at home. [MUCH CHEAPER TRUST ME] He was generous to give us this recipe and agreed to let us share it here. 




Tuesday, October 20, 2020

Cauliflower Mash

I have been reworking this recipe for years trying to get it as close as possible to a mashed potatoes type consistency and finally have it down to a science. After numerous requests it seems time to get it out of my head and onto my blog. 



Cauliflower Mash


*One medium to large head of cauliflower

*One stick of butter (not margarine)

*One container of onion and chive cream cheese

*Heavy whipping cream

*Salt, pepper, and granulated garlic


Equipment: pot with lid, (a steamer basket if steaming is preferred) colander, lots of paper towels, hand-held potato masher, electric hand mixer, large bowl.


Steam or boil cauliflower til done. 


Line colander with two layers of paper towels. 


Drain cauliflower as much as possible, then dump into paper towel lined colander. Cover cauliflower with a couple more layers of paper towels and use the handheld potato masher to begin to press down on the paper towels, pressing as much water out as possible. 


You will need to change out the paper towels frequently and keep pressing until no water comes up through the paper towels as you mash. This will significantly compress your cauliflower by about half, normally.


In an appropriate sized mixing bowl, slice up the stick of butter and dump the butter and the entire carton of cream cheese into the bottom of the bowl. 


Dump the hot cauliflower on top of the cream cheese and butter in the bowl. Season with salt pepper and granulated garlic. Use your hand mixer to begin whipping the cauliflower with the cheese and butter underneath. Add a splash of heavy whipping cream as often as needed to make the mixture creamy. Mix on high to break up all of the chunks. Adjust salt, pepper and granulated garlic as you go. 


*Reheats well in the microwave and freezes well, also. 


**I occasionally swap out the onion and chive cream cheese for garlic and herb cream cheese. I have used generic and Philadelphia brand and the Philadelphia brand seems to taste and melt better.

 

***Mashing out the water in the cauliflower by hand while swapping out soaked paper towels isn't fun but the end result is well worth it! 



It pairs well with Mississippi Pot Roast and as the mashed potato layer in Shepherds Pie. 

Close up view of the fluffiness and consistency. 





Wednesday, January 3, 2018

Day Three-Hello Knees!

My knees began speaking to me over the holidays. They say things like, " Stop getting up and down!" and, " Do you realize we can make your life miserable beyond your wildest dreams?"

They have my full attention, especially since they were bothering BEFORE I started back the gym. Since restarting the gym they are really talking, more like shouting, really. The topic of joint inflammation came up at a recent Christmas party, and the folks that brought it up are in the medical field so I listened a little less skeptically than I usually do. These folks mentioned taking turmeric daily, along with 4-5 whole black peppercorns, swallowing them all whole. They said it had really helped them with joint inflammation and just in general, physically. I was intrigued.

The conversation stayed with me for days til I found myself in the organic health section of Lucky's Market staring at several types of turmeric supplements. Interestingly enough, black pepper was mentioned on a couple of labels as well. I bought the Solar Ray One Daily Turmeric Root Extract 600mg. The info I read online indicated it needed to be at least 95% Curcumin, which this was. I had the jumbo bottle of whole black peppercorns from Sams Club at home already and I was set.








This morning I woke up, bones aching and knees screaming from last night's session at Planet Fitness. I decided to give it a go. Four whole black peppercorns and a turmeric capsule later I went about my day, actually forgetting I took it. [10am]

At 5pm I realized I had not only forgotten I had taken it, but I had forgotten that my knees hurt. They had for the most part, hurt much less than before taking it. To put it briefly, I am sold.

Hopefully as I take the weight off I will take the Turmeric less until I no longer need it.

On another note, since January 1st I am down 4lbs/160lbs I need to lose. 154lbs to go.

I'll take it!








Monday, January 1, 2018

Thoughts on 2018-Looking Forward from today, Jan. 1, 2018.

0lbs/160lbs is where I am starting. I need to lose 160lbs. With God, sensible eating, and regular exercise I will do it.

Will be weighing every day. The first 30days of January I will be doing everything possible to make 30 days straight at the gym. I have lots of buddies to go with so I have support, there. 

Today I had much improved eating and did a total of 1hr cardio at the gym. 30/30 treadmill/elliptical.

Looking forward to more of the same, tomorrow.

Cheers to the future!


2018-Gonna reboot the blog.

2018 is here and not a moment too soon. I am overhauling ME this year beginning today, January 1, 2018.

Rebooting means logging food choices, weight losses and gains, and keeping a real commitment to my health.

Honestly, I feel poorly a lot of the time. I also know that I will feel worse before I feel better. Short term this is going to stink but long term it will be worth it.

Today I actually made it to the gym. Did 30min on the elliptical and 30min on the treadmill. I feel like I have been hit by a truck and cannot wait to go to bed, lol. All in all, I hit every goal I set for myself today, New Year's Day. So that makes me feel better even if my body is steadily complaining.

Food choices today::
64oz of water
atkins bar
2 cheese wheels
8oz low carb chocolate milk
16 oz coke zero
at Lucky's-
1 coconut chicken tender
2 hot wings
salad w.bleu cheese dressing
pint of unswt tea-no sweetener
2 tbsp peanut butter with 4oz stevia sweetened dark chocolate [Lily's]
Chik filet-12 nuggets, yogurt, lge coke zero.
 
It is not completely low carb yet [chicken nuggets and yogurt] but it is a far cry from all the junk of the holidays. I know the scale will respond.
 
 
Let's go 2018!
 
 

Wednesday, June 21, 2017

Homemade Cauliflower Rice

They say that necessity is the mother of invention and I have to agree. I have been subbing out rice in my low-carb cooking with riced cauliflower from Sam's Club so recently when I went by there to get some, they had none. Needless to say I was pretty panicked as I was cooking for several friends who are doing low-carb and they were expecting the LC version of homemade chicken & rice and I was about to fail to deliver.

I went online and started looking for ways to make riced cauliflower from scratch myself and there were tons of recipes. I have yet to try a recipe of the Pioneer Woman and have been a long-time follower of her blog from the days BEFORE she was on the Food Network so I clicked on her recipe first.

I'm glad I did. I ended up making the oven roasted version and it was delicious.  I used rosemary sea salt, black pepper and a garlic parsley blend of spices and olive oil as opposed to her suggestion of spices and avocado oil.

I tried to rice the cauliflower 3 ways and by far the food processor version was best. First I tried the magic bullet. It riced the CF into a pulp almost. Then I tried chopping it by hand, which was better than the magic bullet but time-consuming, messy and tiring. Last but not least was the food processor. I pulsed it and kept it a rough chop to maintain some bulk to it and it came out great.

After ricing, I spread the cauliflower out in a pan and mixed it with the spices and some olive oil, stirring well. I spread it out again and roasted it for 30min. at 425 degrees, stopping every ten minutes to stir it up.

Here are some pics:

Just finished roasting:






 Up close shot of plain roasted cauliflower


 Mixed together as chicken and cauliflower rice:
















And here is a link to the original recipe:


Cauliflower Rice--Original Recipe

Five stars--will be making again! And will be using roasted cauliflower rice for chicken and sausage gumbo, too!

Tuesday, February 16, 2016

Sugar Free/Low Carb Cream Cheese Pound Cake

This chick Hilda can cook! I just made her Cream Cheese Pound Cake recipe and it was fantastic! It is made with almond meal/flour and the best price I have found locally in Panama City FL. on that is at Grocery Outlet in the Bob Red's Mill section. Below is the recipe and a link.

I wish I had taken pics of mine but it disappeared very quickly.

Hilda's recipe calls for Swerve sweetener. I  found it locally at Fresh Market in Pier Park.


1 ¼ c almond flour
¾ c of swerve or other sugar substitute
1 tsp baking powder
¼ tsp of salt
4 eggs
3 ½ oz cream cheese
4 tbs softened butter
1 tsp of vanilla
Preheat oven to 350 degrees
In a mixing bowl mix with an electric mixer on high beat the butter with the sugar substitute until well mixed then add the cream cheese next add the eggs one at a time. Add the vanilla. Next add all the dry ingredients until well combined.
In a well- greased cake or loaf pan bake for 30 to 40 minutes until golden brown on top.

Click Here for the link on Hilda's Site




Well.....It has been a minute...

It has been a minute or two since I last blogged so I am going to take another swing at this and hope I can be semi-regular about it.

Since the last time I blogged I stopped eating healthy and gained all of my 30lbs lost BACK again. 
I have lost the first ten of it, twenty to go!

I refuse to be stressed about it. I am an optimistic and happy person by nature. Not going to let this stuff get me down or slow me down.

Onward and downward!






Monday, March 9, 2015

I Really Hate Working Out!

But I do it anyways. Sometimes as often as 6 days per week. I had to quit for a while from Dec 10-Jan5. I wiped out on my Vespa on some gravel/sand in a parking lot and tore up my left heel and calf. I lost some ground with the weights but I have been back in the groove since early January. I am still on Doctors orders not to do the leg press due to an inflamed bone spur but it is getting better so hopefully by summer I will add that back. Since today was lower body day I will just do this--Here is where I was in October of last year:

Leg extensions: 3 sets/50lbs/12 reps
Leg curl: 3sets/50lbs/12 reps
Adductor/inner thigh: 3 sets/60lbs/15 reps
Abductor/outer thigh: 3 sets/60lbs/15 reps
Leg press: 5 sets/180lbs/200lbs/220lbs/240lbs/260lbs/12reps
15 mins at level 4 on stationary bike
15 mins at level 4 on elliptical

 Here is where I am now:

Leg extensions: 3 sets/50lbs/12 reps [same]
Leg curl: 3sets/40lbs/12 reps [down 10lbs]
Adductor/inner thigh: 3 sets/100lbs/15 reps [up 40lbs]
Abductor/outer thigh: 3 sets/110lbs/15 reps [up 50lbs]
Leg press: NONE--Dr's orders
15 mins at level 4-6 on stationary bike [able to go up 2 more levels for periods of time]
15 mins at level 4-6 on elliptical [able to go up 2 more levels for periods of time]


 Eating low carb about 90% of the time.  Planning to increase that as of this week.

Did a visual comparison of me now vs. me about 1-1.5yrs ago.


My scale has slowed down but my body is changing and my doctor tells me my health is steadily improving. And in the end, I think that's what matters the most, good health and a body transformed.

And......after looking at that photo, maybe I don't hate working out as much as I did a little bit ago when I was leaving the gym.


 As an afterthought, just wanted to post this here again because I am making it this weekend for a get-together with friends that are all bringing pizzas. One of my friends is diabetic and this is very diabetic friendly as well as low carb.

Fabulous Low Carb Pizza





Saturday, January 3, 2015

RECIPE REVIEW: Cilantro Grilled Chicken Breasts

As I am sitting here eating one of the best salads I have ever made personally, I am reminded that I have not shared this GEM of a recipe on any of my blogs and really, it NEEDS to be shared.

Baby lettuces with red onion, cherry tomatoes, mini cucumbers, homemade ranch and topped with diced Cilantro Grilled Chicken Breasts. If you're ready for a new take on chicken that rivals anything you would eat at Carrabbas, Outback or anywhere else for that matter, this is the recipe for you!

The recipe originates with George Stella, a professional chef who went on low carb and went from 467lbs to 217lbs and ate like a king the whole way down.  I first found him many years ago on the Food Network where he had a cooking show called "Low Carb and Lovin' It!" He has since moved on but has a website, which I will link to at the bottom of this post. I am also including my own tweaks at the bottom of this page.

Ingredients

1 pound (2 large breasts) boneless skinless chicken breast, butterflied
2 tablespoons canola oil
1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
1/8 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
2 tablespoons Cilantro Herb Butter, recipe follows
Fresh parsley, optional, for garnish

Directions

Preheat a grill or grill pan over high heat.

Lightly coat chicken with oil and sprinkle each evenly on both sides with the salt and pepper. Grill chicken breasts for about 4 to 5 minutes on each side, or until thoroughly cooked; the meat should be solid white throughout and the internal temperature will read 165 degrees F. Remove from grill and immediately top with cilantro herb butter. Garnish with parsley, if desired. Serve as butter is melting.
Cilantro Butter:

Scampi Butter, recipe follows

2 tablespoons finely chopped fresh cilantro leaves

Follow the scampi butter recipe, but use only half of the garlic, and replace the parsley with 2 tablespoons minced fresh cilantro.

Yield: 12 servings
Scampi Butter (Base):

1/4 pound unsalted butter, softened

1 tablespoon minced garlic

2 tablespoons minced red onion

1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley leaves

1/2 teaspoon garlic powder

1/2 teaspoon kosher salt

1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

Dash white pepper

Dash Worcestershire sauce

1 lemon, juiced

1 tablespoon white wine

In a bowl, whisk all ingredients until thoroughly combined. Refrigerate until ready to use. Use the Scampi "base" to make different flavored butters.

Recipe courtesy George Stella
© 2015 Television Food Network, G.P. All Rights Reserved.


My tweaks:

*I do NOT butterfly the chicken breasts. I pound them thin, instead and slice each one in half from there.

*I don't grill very much so I had to find a tasty way to cook the chicken and infuse lots of flavor. What I ended up doing was heating a non stick skillet on med-high and putting a couple of tablespoons of olive oil in to heat. While that heated I generously seasoned the chicken breasts with garlic powder, fresh ground pepper and fresh ground salt. When the oil sizzled from a flick of water from my finger tips, I added the chicken breasts, cooking each side til it caramelized slightly, about 5 min or so per side. I kept the chicken warm and when it was all done added the butter. Let me know what you think if you try it!

*The original recipe will tell you to cut the garlic in half when you do cilantro instead of parsley. I keep the full amount of garlic.



If you want to see the original recipe with reviews, click here:
Cilantro Grilled Chicken Breasts

George stellas Site:
George Stella's Low Carb Website

Monday, November 17, 2014

Taco Stuffed Bell Peppers

I plan to be in Chicago with the Million Dollar Band for the Ronald McDonald Thanksgiving Day Parade next week and I knew I had one pair of jeans that fit.

Normally clothing shopping for me is NOT FUN. I have the opposite of bulimia or anorexia. Instead of looking in the mirror and feeling like I am fat when I'm not, I have the mentality that I am a lot skinnier than what I really am so when I actually catch a glimpse of myself in  mirror or storefront window I don't always recognize myself and then am shocked when I realize that fat girl looking back at me is ME.

So last week I started shopping. I had gotten rid of all of my jeans because they had begun to fit so poorly they were sliding down my hips at inopportune times. I was shocked and excited to find I was down 2 sizes in pants and one size in tops. Man was I STOKED! I don't think I look much different but the proof is in the dressing room at JC Penny's! WOOT!

Suddenly, shopping was a lot more fun. As I gazed longingly at the next sized clothes from where I am I felt super motivated to KEEP GOING and not get comfortable where I am.

I have been trying to have as much variety in my food choices as possible so I don't go slap off the rails at times and this one was a huge hit at a recent dinner party. Please keep in mind I do eat as low carb as possible, and keep LIMITED whole wheat products in my diet as well, per my doctor.  I modified this recipe a tad by using my sisters taco meat recipe, which I am also listing.


Original recipe:
Mexican Stuffed Peppers

My sister's taco meat recipe: [best I've ever had]
 Debby's Taco Meat Recipe


As far as whole wheat goes, I limit that to once or twice a week and most weeks not at all. That would be whole wheat bread/buns for sandwiches/hot dogs/hamburgers/etc or whole wheat pasta as Italian restaurants.

If you are interested in lower carb foods for quicker and more efficient weight loss without starving yourself, then check out Linda Sue's Low Carb Recipes and Menus. I have been using them since the 90's and her ratings have really helped me figure out what's good and what isn't.

That's it for now. Been a week since I hit the gym and going to head there later today if possible. Will post stats later, ;]





Wednesday, October 29, 2014

So that's how they elliptical in Syria? I LIKE it!

Met a new friend at the gym, today. I normally do not talk much to folks who are working out because most of us are doing all we can not to cuss, cry, pee, puke or fart as we work out. This takes a lot of concentration, and I try to do unto others and all. In other words, leave me alone lol. But I had seen her before. The elliptical and the stationary bike are side by side. I've  noticed this little petite lady sometimes who gets on that elliptical with headphones on and goes as hard as she can but instead of using the arm thingys, she dances with her upper body. And I mean like REALLY GETS DOWN! Much like this girl:





The video above is not her but the moves are pretty much the same. So today she jumps on a stationary bike next to me and introduces herself. Instantly I notice the accent and she tells me she is from Syria. I then told her how much I admired her freedom of expression on the elliptical and we both cracked up. Her name is Hadiya and we ended up talking everything from kids to mother in laws. I found out I could be working out and sweating like a Hebrew slave while carrying on a conversation that was more than grunts on my part, today. Thanks to Hadiya! She was super nice and I have seen her almost daily for the last couple of weeks so it was cool that she struck up a conversation with me.

On to my last couple of work outs.

When I first joined the gym I worked with a personal trainer for about 6 weeks and my highest leg press was 270lbs. I am pretty excited to be pressing 260lbs with no trainer this time. My goal is to get to 270 by next week sometime.


10/28/14

Leg extensions: 3 sets/50lbs/12 reps
Leg curl: 3sets/50lbs/12 reps
Adductor/inner thigh: 3 sets/60lbs/15 reps
Abductor/outer thigh: 3 sets/60lbs/15 reps
Leg press: 5 sets/180lbs/200lbs/220lbs/240lbs/260lbs/12reps
15 mins at level 4 on stationary bike
15 mins at level 4 on elliptical

10/29/14

 Chest press: 3 sets of 12 reps @ 50lbs
Vertical traction: 3 sets of 12 reps @ 70lbs
Pec deck: 3 sets of 12 reps @ 60lbs
Seated row: 3 sets of 12 reps @ level 8
Shoulder press: 3 sets of 12 reps @ level 6
Biceps curl:3 sets of 12 reps @ level  6
Triceps press:3 sets of 12 reps @ level  9
Ab crunch: 3 sets of 15 reps @ level 10
 15 mins at level 4 on stationary bike
15 mins at level 4 on elliptical 
Haven't been doing much cooking but when I do I will be posting recipes again. 
If you're reading this, be encouraged, if I can do this, you can too!

Thursday, October 23, 2014

7lbs from my first goal!

Weight: am now at  23lbs lost of the 30lbs for my first goal  Down 2lbs since Tuesday, yay!

My daughter came downstairs today and said she thought I looked skinnier. I was so glad she had her glasses on when she said that!


Gym stats:

 Chest press 3 sets/12 reps/50lbs

Vertical traction: this machine stayed unavailable the entire time I was at the gym. Never has that happened in 2yrs of membership but a personal trainer was doing some sort of routine with someone and it was tied up before that by someone else so I will get it again next time.

Pec deck  3 sets/12 reps/ 60lbs

Seated row 3 sets/12 reps/ level 8

Shoulder press  3 sets/12 reps/ level 6
 

Biceps curl 3 sets/12 reps/ level 6
 

Triceps press 3 sets/12 reps/ level 9 

Ab crunch 3 sets/15 reps/ level 10

 Elliptical: 15 min. @ level 4

Stationary Bike: 15 min. @ level 4/ 2.57 miles [I was super sore and a bit tired today so not quite the same distance as the last time.


 Saw this on FB today and it made me laugh out loud:





 I did go to the gym today but still had to post this! On that note, good night!







Tuesday, October 21, 2014

Better Sore Than Sorry

Saw a meme on Facebook today that has preached at me ever since I left the gym.






I am SORE. I mean, legs shaking, not-sure-if-I-can-ride-my-scooter-home sore. I worked my legs HARD yesterday and getting back on the bike and elliptical was a challenge today. I was really leaning towards, "Sorry, not today!" but I just did it anyway and took it a little slower. Same level of hard, just not as fast. My upper body workout went pretty good and I pushed myself past the normal comfort zone there too. Not feeling it like the legs, though. I may be singing a different tune tomorrow but I want to encourage you in saying this: If you think you don't have time, make some time. If you think you don't have the energy then do it anyway and do it slower, or at lower weights or whatever. My gym has a marquee that sometimes says, "You will only regret the workout you didn't do, not the one you did do." Or something like that. I didn't FEEL like it, I was sore, tired, and a bit sleep deprived. I did it anyways and I feel like crap but I moved forward rather than standing still. If this 46yr old, obese, bad-footed woman can do it, you can too. Be encouraged!

I'm listing my gym stats below like yesterday, and also what I'm eating today that I know of for sure.

Breakfast: 3 eggs scrambled with 1 slice of cheese/ 4 strips of bacon
Lunch: not sure
Dinner: Hot wings with celery, jalapeno poppers

Vitamins, yes, exercise, yes.

Weight: still at 21lbs lost of the 30lbs for my first goal 


Today's food:

My Hot Wings Recipe


My recipe for jalapeno poppers


Gym stats:

 Chest press 3 sets/12 reps/50lbs

Vertical traction 3 sets/12 reps/ 60/70/70

Pec deck  3 sets/12 reps/ 40/60/60

Seated row 3 sets/12 reps/ level 8

Shoulder press  3 sets/12 reps/ level 6
 

Biceps curl 3 sets/12 reps/ level 6
 

Triceps press 3 sets/12 reps/ level 9 

Ab crunch 3 sets/15 reps/ level 10

 Elliptical: 15 min. @ level 4

Stationary Bike: 15 min. @ level 4/ 2.96 miles
 



It's a good day! Hope you have a good day, too!















Monday, October 20, 2014

Broke 200 on the leg press

I wish I knew how time would go by so fast when I'm not posting and so slow the rest of the time?

I.

Don't.

Know.

What I do know is I really pushed myself on my workout this AM. I think if I start listing what I am doing daily then I will be better about blogging.

I work out at the Panama City Health Club and Spa. I really like it. The equipment stays unbroken and usable, the hours are great, the classes offered are varied and I am treated well by the staff.

My current goal has been to re-lose the 30lbs I lost in the summer of 2013. I got down 27 of those lbs a couple of weeks ago and got a little slack with my eating and am sitting at 21/30lbs lost. Dangit.


As some of you know I have been having some foot issues and the podiatrist said stop treadmill and running. I was pretty excited that I had actually started running so this was a bit of a blow. He recommended the stationary bike and the elliptical. Also anything very low impact but still aerobic. So bike and elliptical it is. I had always been intimidated by the elliptical but once it became one of very few options I got over it and actually like it. I do highly recommend it if you need to avoid high impact activity and have foot issues. I plug in my headphones, watch something entertaining on the TV screen and 30mins goes by fast.

My leg workout today:

5 sets of 12 reps on the leg press
set 1 @ 160lbs
set 2 @ 180lbs
set 3 @ 200lbs
set 4 @ 220lbs
set 5 @ 240lbs

3 sets of 12 reps on leg press at 60lbs each

 3 sets of 12 reps on leg curl at 40lbs each

3 sets of 15 reps on inner thigh machine at 60lbs each

 3 sets of 15 reps on outer thigh machine at 70lbs each

 15 minutes on stationary bike at level 4

15 minutes on elliptical at level 4


That's about it for today. If you are still watching this blog for recipes I will be posting some more of those soon too.

Thursday, September 11, 2014

How's your day going?

It's been a busy morning already.

Spent almost 2 hrs at the gym. Did 3 miles on the treadmill, burning 234 calories, upper body weights and 10 min on the wave machine, burning 100 calories. Yes, 100 calories in ten minutes.

However.......

THE WAVE IS A KILLER!

I can barely do ten good minutes on it but I am getting better!



Breakfast was an atkins bar on the way to the gym. I try not to sub out real food for stuff like that but I was in a hurry and had no time for breakfast.

This is lunch:

























Pistachio crusted red grouper and on the side was broccoli sauteed in olive oil and fresh garlic, finished with fresh grated Parmesan Reggiano.   I am working on getting that Pistachio Butter recipe from my husband. He is playing hard to get, lol.

Scale is acting up and not agreeing with my current lifestyle so I am staying away from it for the time being.


Wednesday, September 10, 2014

Out with the old, in with the....wait! Man, I need to go shopping!

I went through my closet today. Let's call it sweep one. My Mom is having a yard sale so I am donating as fast as I can.

I was pretty excited to say adios to quite a few clothing items. Until I realized I have 3 pair of jeans to my name now and maybe 3 pair of dress pants.

I need to go shopping pronto! I decided this go around to simply get rid of clothes as they became too big so if I gain anything back they are so uncomfortable I will be miserable and get back on track. That should work, right? Because keeping them has only made it easier to go up and down the scale. I gotta behave like I'm serious and the rest will follow.

Stayed on track food wise all day. Only got the lower body workout in and no cardio. But I will get it done tomorrow!

No running though. Read the meme. No running YET!




Tuesday, September 9, 2014

Last week was a killer!

What was NOT  killer was my first football game of the year last Friday night.Usually I am huffing and puffing up and down the bleachers while I take pictures and not feeling all that great by the halftime show.

This time I sailed through the game like a breeze. I never got out of breath and was so energetic I was still be-bopping along at 2am.

I think I built up my stamina by working out the last three weeks, 6 days per week.

Overall I stayed on plan with the exception of Friday night and Saturday morning.

Went to the doctor today and she was pretty happy with my progress and will see me again in three months. Wouldn't it be nice to lose twenty lbs between now and then?

I ran across a great list of what you can eat on Atkins Induction and am posting a link to it here. The list is so extensive it is too much trouble to cut and paste it here or retype it.

Atkins Phase 1/Induction Foods

Make sure and check it out to see what a great variety of food there is available for the low carb sugar free lifestyle.

As usual, all comments and encouragement are welcome!




Tuesday, September 2, 2014

"Me First" week two!

Missed my "Me First" post? Check it out here:

Me First And That's OK!

It's week two of feeling the "Me First," vibe and I am still trying to find balance. I spent Labor Day Weekend fulfilling a promise that took me two years to make good on. I visited one of my band babies at her college. We had so much fun it makes me wonder why I didn't do that before now?

My "Me First," for today? Rather than get up and kick into gear with house cleaning and getting dinner figured out along with other things, I went to the gym. It was a slow start. I didn't make it much last week so I was feeling it today.

1/2 mile on treadmill and a solid lower body workout with weights. My current leg press is 180lbs. At the height of my personal trainer time last year I was consistently doing 245-270lbs  per workout. I need to get my weights built back up there.

My goal is to get some more walking in today with my favorite walk away the pounds DVD and I had an on point low carb breakfast with 2 eggs over medium, sliced avocado and some Hilltop Meats hand-smoked sausage, extra spicy.

I will update this post if I get the additional walking done. Any comments of encouragement are greatly appreciated as well as comments sharing what you're doing to get healthier!

Weigh day is Friday!

*Edited to add just finished walking 3 miles for an overall 3.6miles today.

*Edited to add food for the day.
2 eggs, 4pcs smoked pork sausage, 1 avocado, 2 bubba burgers with cheese, sauteed spinach with garlic and olive oil.