Introductions Needed - Gym, Anna - Anna, Gym

Before I get started with today's post, Millie wanted me to take her plight to the masses. I think she wants your sympathy. She lives with a bit of a bed-hog-dachshund. Poor pup has to hide behind a curtain just to get a spot on the edge of the bed. 

My husband had trip on Saturday and I had an appointment for our new car to get a back-up camera installed. I had to arrange rides to and from the dealership. My sister picked me up from the dealership in the morning when I dropped off the car. Turns out my sister got the bad end of that deal because my nephew got a free lunch when he took me to pick up the car. My nephew and I have always had a thing about going to new places that neither of us have been before. Unfortunately, we haven't had as many opportunities lately. We chose a new place that opened in one of the old downtown buildings.

We ordered clams with chorizo as an appetizer.  My husband would NEVER consent to ordering clams, so I was super excited to have the opportunity with my adventuresome nephew. Sadly, they were out :(  I had heard this place had excellent burgers and there was one with bacon jam and brie that tempted me. But my eyes kept going back to the chicken pot pie on the menu. I ended up ordering the potpie with a side salad.  I am not going to pretend I wasn't disappointed when this arrived. That's a biscuit on a cup of soup!!! To be fair I knew it was going to be biscuit topped, but I am used to a thicker, creamier pot pie filling than I was seeing here. I figured I better at least try it before I complained and sent it back. From the first bite I was hooked! It had the most delicious sage flavor with big chunks of perfectly cooked chicken. The veggies were good, but the mushrooms were divine. My only disappointment was that it wasn't a bigger bowl so I could bring home leftovers for the rest of the week.

Sunday we woke up to some snow...very little snow, but super cold - 5 degrees!  My husband has started running again, but this seemed a bit cold. 

To avoid the cold, we decided to catch up with our old friend, Gym.  It had been awhile so introductions were in order. I walked for 30 minutes on the treadmill.

Then I followed up the walk with 10 minutes on the bike. I know 10 minutes doesn't seem like much. I hated every minute of it. It had nothing to do with the actual exercise or exertion. My hiney kept slipping off the seat and I had to adjust my position every 20 seconds...yes, I timed it.

I tried to distract myself by keeping my eye on the prize - that cutie running on the treadmill in front of me...strategic planning, ladies. I even got him to go home with me :)

I was finished about 15 minutes before my husband finished his run, so I hung out in the class room.

They don't hold classes on Sunday and there was plenty of equipment I could have played with - maybe next time.

Instead I practiced post-workout selfies with my new phone. I like how smooth it makes my skin look, but those bangs are out of control!!

After a good workout, there was lunch to be had. It wasn't anything fancy, but it is a favorite from my childhood - fried egg with ketchup sandwich. I needed a Fuji apple for an upcoming recipe - I am glad I bought a few extra.

There were football playoff games to watch. Millie and Zommie were just there for the bed and blankets.

Monday was another freezing cold day with temps around 5 degrees again. We took the dogs out to the farm for breakfast and to play. My mother-in-law made us ham with fried potatoes and toast with homemade applesauce. Her fried potatoes are too delicious to resist - I am still trying not to think about the oil they were cooked in. Toast with applesauce is one of my go-to comfort foods. Since I indulged a bit for breakfast, I had a simple bowl of cereal for lunch. The pups were worn out. They were pressed up against me - at least the left side of my body was kept warm :)

Please tell me the above pictures do make you feel a bit less sorry for Millie :)

I love fresh herbs, but hate the prices or having to buy more than I need for a recipe. I heard a tip and finally remembered it when I was picking out sage for an upcoming recipe. Poultry Mix is a combo pack of rosemary, thyme and sage. So I needed the sage - rosemary and thyme (which I love)  were a nice bonus (and I already used some of them too).

 Sage, Rosemary and Thyme

The brings us to the upcoming recipe Breaded Pork Cutlets with Root Veg Mash and Sage Gravy. Yes, it is another find from the Cooking Light issues I picked up from the library. I told my husband what I was making and "root veg mash" caught his attention...not in a good way. I reminded him potatoes were root vegetables and left it at that.

While he was in the other room, I cubed the turnip, potatoes and a Fuji apple. I actually only used three of the above potatoes to make up a cup for the recipe. Once cooked the veggies are mashed with a little sour cream, salt and pepper.

 While the veggies (and apple) boiled I prepped the pork cutlets.

It was a simple flour, egg, flour dredge.  I remembered to only use one hand, so I still had a clean hand available for stirring or turning on the faucet.

After the cutlets were cooked, I made a pan gravy using the sage. I was a little nervous about using too much sage. I was still thinking about the chicken pot pie and was afraid I would be too heavy handed. Turns out I could have used a little more.

Cooking Light recommended serving with Sauteed Lemony Brussels Sprouts which sound delicious...to me, not so much to my husband. Instead, I roasted some green beans.

Turns out, my husband loved the "mash". He mentioned it had a hint of sweetness. I asked him if he thought it was the turnips or the apple ;)  He had the funniest look on his face, like he couldn't believe I had "tricked" him into eating turnips. I was super excited when he said he would like me to make them again!  I packed up a serving for someone's lunch this week...we will see who claims it first.

In addition, to this bonus meal. I did a little prep this afternoon for this week's lunches. I made a batch of the bean dip (with rosemary and thyme) to eat with veggies. I have an idea for the rest of the green beans...more on that soon.

I had been a little concerned about having a three day weekend. It is always more difficult for me to stay on track over the weekend. I think I hit a good balance. It helps immensely that my husband is committed as well. Do you have any tips on how you handle the weekends?

Feeding My Face and a Fond Farewell

This was a good week for eating. I ate a nice variety of healthy foods. The best part was that several of the meals were at least partially made or prepped ahead. My husband and I started a class this week that goes from 6:30-9:30 pm on Tuesdays and Thursdays. I get home from work and have about an hour to get a healthy meal in us before heading out the door again. I was pretty impressed with the dinners we ate on those nights.

First, I wanted to update you on the Leftover Soup I mentioned earlier in the week. This was what it looked like at lunch time. Just looking at the picture days later makes me want to eat another bowl. Unfortunately, I will have to wait and see if the "leftover stars" ever line up again in such a way :)  Actually, I am sure when I make the Salsa Verde Chicken Tostadas again I will "save" a little of the chicken for another soup. I, also, forgot to mention that when I was cooking the soup I put half of a frozen jalapeno in the pot. A few minutes later, I tasted the soup and the jalapeno was releasing all kinds of heat. I fished it out much sooner than I had planned. The soup ended up with a nice kick and made me think it would be the perfect "chicken soup" for whatever ails you.

Tuesday, the night of our first class we ate the meal below. Remember the turkey meatloaves I prepped side by side with my turkey burgers one night. I pulled them out of the freezer in Tuesday morning. When I got home I just had to pop them in the oven and make the sides. Although, they are called "petite" meatloaves it felt like a generous serving. One adjustment I made was before serving I stuck them under the broiler for a few minutes to give a more appealing finish to the BBQ and bacon. Before broiling that they were a tad anemic looking and the bacon looked a little slimy - cooked but slimy. 

I was a bit apprehensive about this meal because my husband has never been a meatloaf fan, until I made him a particular decadent recipe with bacon and a spicy glaze. This recipe mimicked that recipe, so I hoped he would like it. After eating, he looked back toward the kitchen and said "If there were a third one I would eat it." To which I replied "..and that is why I only made two."  Portion control is tough and one of the easiest ways for us to achieve portion control is to only make enough for one portion each.

Back in September, I made Lentil and Sausage Soup. I put a couple of one coup portions in the freezer at work. This week I decided I better eat them soon. When I got to work I moved a cup from the freezer to the fridge with the sandwich I brought to go with it.  I didn't have to move it to the freezer in the morning, however, I was a bit concerned that come lunch time I would see the leftover pizza that was also in the freezer and be tempted to eat that instead. Lentil soup may be good, but I would be hard pressed to choose it over pizza on any given day.

It was still frozen by lunch time. Into the microwave it went. Admittedly, it was not looking very appetizing at this point.

The accompanying sandwich was just turkey and Swiss cheese on multigrain skinny sandwich bread from Aldi. It was a perfect meal for a cold day - warm and hearty. I have one more serving in the freezer, so I am sure I will see this meal again soon, According to MyFitnessPal the soup recipe was 132 calories a cup, so with the sandwich lunch was a filling 337 calories. If I were to make the soup again I would probably make my own calories calculations as I made it - in my mind theirs seemed a bit low.

Yesterday was another super busy day. My morning was spent in a meeting for work. We met in a new location. It is a former high school that was attended by black students during segregation. Since then the building has been purchased by a former student who now owns the Harlem Globetrotters.

We were supposed to get a tour but the meeting ran long so we had to skip the tour. I snapped a few pictures anyway...cause I am me. I liked the floating circle lights. The artwork was a little less my taste.

I am always attracted to orange. I actually liked this painting. I am not sure how it would fit into my overall decor, but it does evoke happiness. (I just realized I didn't save the photo I took with the artist's name - I will look it up and edit post later). 

I hurried home from work to make dinner before our class last night. Thanks to Mary for bringing this meal to our attention from her Cooking Light Magazine.

Spiced Beef Tostadas with Cilantro Lime Rice

served with 

Cheesy Smoky Pinto Beans 

First, I gathered up all the ingredients.  I partly do this for the pictures, but also it it so much easier once the cooking starts to have everything out and ready.

I know my husband is going to like the rice- cilantro and lime are at the very top of his list!

I have never used the boil in the bag rice before, but that was how the recipe was written. I knew I would be in a rush and I didn't want a bunch of leftovers. There was something crazy odd about throwing a plastic bag into a pot of water. For me the rice was okay - it was cooked quickly, but it was a little wet - I prefer my rice a little drier and fluffier. I do think I would use it again in a situation like this though.

Next up I got the beans working. I supposed I could have just used a can of refried beans, but I did enjoy the little extra these beans had with the paprika. The recipe called for reduced fat cheese, but I decided on the regular far cheese and used a little less. Sometimes, I prefer a little less of the "real" thing. The bold flavor of sharp cheddar lets you get away with using a little less too.

Finally, it was tostada time. Saute an onion, add the spices and then brown the ground beef. Once browned add a little broth and cook for a few minutes.

There was a lot going on on the stove, but no component was difficult or complicated.

Tostadas were assembled and served alongside the rice and beans. This whole plate (that in no way says "diet" to me) for just under 600 calories.

This morning was my weekly weigh-in. I lost 2.2 pounds. I am very happy with that. But (yes, there is a small nitpicky but) I had hoped for 2.5. The only reason I wanted that amount was because it would put me in the next 10s. I am sure you all understand. There is something very gratifying about getting down into the next lowest 10s group. I think we would all much rather be 59.9 than 60.1 on any given day. (Of course, these are completely fictional numbers for me - I can't bear to publicly out my actual weight yet - some day).

One of my weigh-in day struggles, as I have mentioned before, is too much splurging right after weigh-in. I plan to eat the leftover pizza for lunch today, so I made sure I kept my breakfast on point. It might be an odd breakfast but I enjoyed it. Turkey avocado sandwich with an orange. Incidentally, this orange is the one that donated its peel to my orange extract experiment. 

I am ending this post on a sad note. Yesterday in all the hustle and bustle of the day I found myself dealing with an unexpected grief. I am not normally one to mourn celebrities. Sure, I might get caught up in the "on my, I can't believe he/she is gone" momentum. Not knowing them personally has insulated me from true grief. However, the loss of Alan Rickman has genuinely hurt my heart. I wish I could eloquently describe how his acting presence made me feel. Of course, he is well know for playing "bad guys", but I fell under his spell watching him perfectly portray Colonel Brandon in Sense and Sensibility.  It is my all time favorite movie. It is the movie my husband knows to park me in front of after a particularly bad day, knowing it will make me feel better. He has now watched it so many times with me that we regularly quote from it.

One of my favorite quotes is quite simple "No doubt...no doubt....Mrs. Jennings has informed you of circumstances in my past...." The line itself stands out to me for the unintended humor of the ultimate gentleman calling out a busy body with an air  of resignation. However, it is the actual tone and inflection of that incredible voice delivering that second "no doubt" that has imprinted on me. I never miss an opportunity to work my impression of him saying that phrase into any remotely appropriate conversation. In turn that makes my husband do his impression. It always makes me smile.

Over Christmas, I watched two of his movies that I feel are somewhat controversially labeled Christmas movies - Die Hard and Love Actually. Controversy aside, he plays completely different characters perfectly. I, also, recently caught part of Galaxy Quest - another completely different character perfectly played. In coming months, I think I am going to rewatch the Harry Potter series and find some of his movies I have yet to see (apparently there are quite a few).

To all my Lovely Ladies, I am so thankful for our group and our shared love of Rickman. I am quite certain he was the touchstone that sealed our friendship forever. Little did he know. I know we will continue to adore this amazing actor and carry on with the lasting impact the man has had on each of us. No doubt...no doubt...our Alan Rickman will be with us forever.

Weekend Recap

I am getting a late start on my weekend recap. All I can say is yesterday was a Monday :)  Our weekend started out with a little road trip. We drove about two hours away to find a Best Buy that had the cell phone we wanted for $1. The best we could do around home is to get the phone for $200. I would say four hours of our time was worth $398, right. It was also a nice excuse to take our new car for a longer ride - we still love it.

We knew it was supposed to snow mid-day, so we started out early. We decided to eat breakfast in our destination town before getting our phone, instead of eating lunch after getting the phones. I had looked up breakfast joints online and had settled on a place called the Blue Spoon. It is actually right on the edge of my college campus (new since I went to school though). It looked like a quaint little spot with a variety of breakfast options. I figured it would not be too busy since classes had not yet resumed from Christmas break. Was I wrong!  The place was packed! It didn't help that it was tiny. There were wall to wall people - I am definitely not used to that for a breakfast place. When we were finally seated we were shocked (and a little uncomfortable) to be seated at a four top table with another couple. Yes, they consider their four tops two tables for two. I really wanted to eat there so I was ready to suck it up and go with the flow. But after sitting there for a couple minutes trying to concentrate on the menu we became much too uncomfortable and ended up leaving. I think the other couple was uncomfortable too - they didn't say a word to us or each other the whole time we were seated. 

We did some scrambling and found another cafe to have breakfast. Much more spacious and our own table. We had a super friendly (and genuine) waitress, named Capri. My husband was a much happier camper.

My husband ordered huevos rancheros. I will say they were much more of a chorizo omelet than huevos rancheros.  However, they were tasty so we didn't mind the misnaming. I had a breakfast burrito. I didn't realize it came with home fries too. I ended up eating about half the burrito and all the home fries - they were perfectly cooked and seasoned. The burrito was good but I would have been happy just with a plate of the potatoes :)

As expected, it started snowing on our way home. It wasn't much, but first snows are always tricky. Crazy drivers fall into two camps - "this is nothing - let me drive like a maniac" or they slow to a complete crawl braking every 50 feet.  The normal drivers are caught in the middle.  I was thankful my husband was driving.

We got home in time to see the Saturday Wild Card games.  We watched some seriously crazy games this weekend. Not pointing fingers, but some of those players/coaches need to get their stuff together - that was embarrassing. This was my view for much of weekend.

I have always loved the black markings on Millie's paws. Typically, a Rottweiler's feet would be all brown.

And this is the look I get when Millie is finished having her pictures taken.

Sunday my niece competed in the state cheerleading competition. I watched the livesteam of the event. How cool is that?

I was using my new cell phone camera to take pictures of the computer screen. That is a whole lot of legs!!

I have been concentrating on eating better and that is going well. The exercise is going to have to be worked in soon as this is my current exercise regimen.

I have been studying the Cooking Light magazines I got out from the library. I am trying to decide if I am going to make this for my lunches. I am just not sure the sauce would hold up so well (or the pasta would soak it all up and become dry.)

In the meantime, I had this for lunch yesterday. I was intrigued by the flavors. The salmon burger ended up being super dry. I didn't have any toppings for the sandwich - just bread and dry salmon. At least it tasted okay. The peas kinda freaked out in the microwave. The flavor was okay, but they looked terrible - all shriveled up. I had a serving, but I think the rest will get thrown away.

My husband requested LoMein for dinner last night. It is one of my favorite go-to meals. I added loads of extra veggies to bulk it up.

And for those of you wondering what I am eating today. Breakfast was two eggs scrambled with 1 cup frozen spinach and some turkey sausage crumbles, English muffin with grape jelly, a cutie and of course, a tall glass of water. It was a very satisfying 373 calories.

For lunch I have Leftover Soup. I started with a can of low-sodium chicken broth and added leftovers - chicken cooked in salsa verde (from tostadas), the veggies (not used for LoMein last night) and rice I had served with pulled pork. I am hoping it made a tasty soup :) I did noticed the rice has greatly expanded since this picture, so it might be more like a stew by lunchtime. 

Dinner tonight will be the Bacon Topped BBQ meatloaves I prepped and put in the freezer last week.  Fingers crossed that they turn out well. I plan to serve them with broccoli and a "reasonable" serving of mashed potatoes. Even without the exercise portion, I think my weight might be on a downward trend just from eating better. One step at a time :)