Up-and-at-em'

My Bondi Band...

I got my bondi band, and I am slightly sad that it isn't as magically wonderful as I wanted it to be.  Maybe I should have just gotten a plain one or one with text, but mine moved.  But it is super pretty!! Maybe it won't be as inclined to move once I wash it?


Either way, this afternoon I made myself workout.  I didn't make it to the gym, but I did do my *free* Nike App for the first time.  It was awesome.  Well, by awesome I mean, hurts really bad, but is motivating and instructional. 

This was a middle portion. 

Not too bad for not working out since Tuesday.  I really like the app, I just wish there were fewer squat/knee pain exercises!!  I like how the app progressed through the workout, how, if I didn't know what a workout was, I could watch a video and then resume the workout, and the app talked to me and gave me reminders (which sometimes I wanted to punch the lady, but it is hard to punch a non-entity and I like my iPhone too much to hurt it.).

My sister arrives tonight! We have our second home game tomorrow, and overall things are looking up.  I'd just like this stupid cold to exit forever and the sun to come out and STAY for longer than a few minutes a day.  

Sick...

All I want to do is drink coke zero and eat bread. 
I am making myself workout tomorrow--I don't care if I keel over.  I am sick of felling lethargic and yukky. And I was doing awesome this month working out!!  GRRRRRR. 

WI Wednesday

219.1
-2

News Flash:
Constantly being aware of what I eat, and tracking WORKS.

I am in SUPER-LOVE!

I knew it would be cool.  I knew I would probably like it.  But I REALLY like it. 

YAY!

This is awesome. 

I didn't go to Zumba because I was hungry, and L and I watched last week's Survivor instead.  But I did go out for a walk/jog after dinner so I could test it out.  My knee was killing me so I did less jogging and more walking, but either way I learned some things that made me happy!!
1.  Even though I am super slow, I am still burning calories. 
2. Even though I am super slow, I am still in the fat burn heartrate zone. 
3.  It is ok that I am slow! 
4. I am scared that I will hurt my new favorite toy, so I don't think I will wear it during football practice. 
5. I need to hide things better if I don't want L to know about them. 

Did I mention how much I love this thing?  Super easy to setup, super easy to use.  Awesomeness!!!!

WHO'S EXCITED?!?!?!?!?

THIS GIRL IS!!!!!!

Now, I have to figure out how to manage wearing this during football practice!!!

I wasn't going to go to Zumba tonight, but now I HAVE to!!!

Days like this...

I so get why people give up.

All I wanted to do after practice was eat ice cream and french fries. 

But, I ate an apple, came home and ate potato wedges that we had in the freezer for a long time now (that tasted like the freezer--yet I kept eating them), and 1 1/2 waffle that was frozen from Sunday.

Never mind that I barely let the waffle thaw out before inhaling it. 

I was doing pretty well today, but a rough practice set me off for carb-inhalation. 

And I wasn't even really hungry.  That's the worst part about this. 

In other news, my Polar watch should be in my hands tomorrow (don't tell L), and maybe that will keep me occupied for a while.  I really need a job, I am losing it. 

South African Pumpkin Fritters

Thanks WW for this recipe. I am a cooking FREAK today.  This was totally not planned, but we are severely  lacking in the provisions here (no major grocery shopping has taken place in over a week), but I had these ingredients.  I noticed this recipe yesterday, and planned on making it eventually, but today turned out to be the day!

South African Pumpkin Fritters
(recipe adapted from Weight Watchers)
1/2 C flour
2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
1 tsp cinnamon
shake or more of cloves
15 oz canned pumpkin
2 large eggs, separated
cooking spray
1 TBSP olive oil (divided)

Sift together flour, baking powder, salt, Cinnamon, and cloves in a small bowl.
In a large bowl, combine pumpkin with egg yolks and mix until well-combined. *Don't do what I did, and let your mental capacity take a vacation. I am so used to separating eggs and putting the yolk down the garbage disposal, I had to crack another egg for loss of a yolk. :(
Whip egg whites until soft peaks form in a separate small bowl.
Add flour mixture and egg whites to pumpkin mixture alternating in batches, and stirring after each addition.
Coat a large skillet with cooking spray.  Set over med/low heat.
Add 1 TSP oil, heat until oil shimmers (I have no idea WTF that means, but whatev).
Drop spoonfuls onto the skillet. *This is where things get tricky.  WW says make four 3" fritters, but there was NO way--especially after the reviews I read about cooking time issues.  So I made mine smaller.  
Cook until done. *Yeah, have fun with this.  WW says cook until bubbles tart to form along sides 1 1/2 min-2 min.  That is FAR from accurate.  Even after both sides were golden brown, I could squish the fritter and doughy ooze would emit from the fritter.  Doughy ooze=raw=grouchy me waiting for lunch.  I tried to practice patience, but seriously?  The dough kept sticking to the spatula, the ooze wouldn't stop, and the oil went away and quasi-stickyness resulted. 
Repeat steps until all batter is gone. 
Eat. 

18 fritters (that I made--feel free to make more or less as to your desire!) 1pt+/fritter.

I ate mine plain with salt (4 fritters),  they were savory and filling, and really good.  I was just frustrated with the process that they still felt semi-raw, but maybe that is how they are supposed to be?  I am going to try to make these again at some point and use even less batter per fritter to see if that changes cooking issues. Many people put syrup on their fritters or powdered sugar, but I don't like to blow points unless I have to!!!  

If anyone has any suggestions as to the ooze/cooking time issue, could you help a lady out here?  TXKBI

Banana Bread Oatmeal Cookies

Thanks to Gina yet again for an awesome idea!!

1pt+ each? HECK YES!!!


Banana Bread Oatmeal Cookies
(Adapted from skinnytaste)

1 cup all purpose flour
1 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp ground cinnamon (+MORE!)
2 tbsp unsalted butter, room temperature
1/2 cup sugar
1/2 cup unpacked brown sugar
1 large egg
1 mashed ripe banana
1/2 tsp vanilla extract
2 cups oats


Preheat oven to 350°; line two baking sheets with parchment paper or use a silpat.
In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt and cinnamon.
In a large bowl, with a mixer, cream together the butter and the sugars on medium speed.  (I did this by hand...just in case I wanted to use my KitchenAid for something else!)
Add the egg, followed by the mashed banana and vanilla extract.
Working by hand, stir in the flour mixture and the oats until just combined and no streaks of flour remain; stir in the chopped walnuts.
Drop heaping tablespoonfuls of the dough onto prepared baking sheets. Bake for about 10-12 minutes, or until cookies become light brown at the edges.
Let cool on baking sheet for 3 or 4 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely. 
Store in an airtight container so you don't eat them all in one sitting!

39 cookies
1pt+/cookie

YUMMY.  Cinnamon-y, banana-y, and chewy.  Delicious!!!!!!!!

Irish Cream Brownies

Close-up of the chocolatey amazingness.

Today's plan was to make 1 recipe for tomorrow's book club.

Yeah, that didn't work.  

I was trolling the WW message boards, and someone evilly posted this recipe.  

And this wasn't my planned recipe.  And then I made cookies.  And THEN I made my intended recipe.

These brownies are chocolatey, rich, silky, awesome...For 4 pts+ each--SO worth it.  

Irish Cream Brownies

(Adapted from a post on WW message boards)

For truly fudgy treats, be sure to cook the brownies until a wooden pick inserted in the center comes out almost clean. If you wait until the pick is clean, the brownies will be overcooked. (THIS IS REALLY IMPORTANT!!)

1 cup all-purpose flour

1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa

1/4 teaspoon baking soda

1/4 teaspoon salt

1/3 cup semisweet chocolate chips

1/4 cup butter

1 cup sugar

2 eggs

1/4 cup Baileys Irish Cream

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Cooking spray

Preparation

Preheat oven to 350°.

Lightly spoon flour into a dry measuring cup; level with a knife. Combine flour, cocoa, baking soda, and salt in a small bowl, stirring with a whisk.

Place the chocolate chips and the butter in a large microwave-safe bowl. Microwave at HIGH 1 1/2 minutes or until the chocolate chips and butter melt, stirring every 30 seconds. Cool slightly. Add sugar egg, Bailey’s and vanilla, and stir well with a whisk.

Out of the oven!

Microwave at HIGH 1 minute or until sugar dissolves, stirring every 30 seconds. Fold in the flour mixture, stirring just until moist. Spread batter in a thin layer into a 9-inch square baking pan coated with cooking spray. Bake at 350° for 20 minutes or until a wooden pick inserted in center comes out almost clean. Cool on a wire rack.

16 brownies

4pts+/brownie

Totally rich and delicious.  YUM.  I just wanted to smell them--sooooooooo good!!!

Jicama-Pineapple Salad

Again, I pilfered a recipe. Krista posted this today, and I couldn't get to the store fast enough.  So, after the gym, I did. 
I was going to post this tomorrow, but I just ate some of this for a "dessert" (I am semi-hungry and still have 8 pts. left for the day), and it was SO GOOD I couldn't wait to post. 

My mom used to eat jicama like it was an apple.  She'd try to get my sister and I to enjoy it like she did, but what did I want with a vegetable that was like a fruit that was sort-of-tasteless, when there were Ranch Doritos around? 

Maybe too much cilantro, but it was perfect for me!

So, it's been a while since me and jicama have hooked up.  And, I won't wait so long again.  If you look past what a task peeling the bad boy is, jicama really is an interesting legume.
 
Combine jicama with my favorite fruit--fresh pineapple--some cilantro and fresh lime juice and the result is a fresh, crispy, sweet, mild, citrusy, springy treat. 

I am a baby with spice, so I didn't include a pepper like Krista did--so feel free to ramp up the heat with your own tweaks.

Jicama-Pineapple Salad
(adapted from Krista at Guerilla Gourmet)
1/2 fresh cut pineapple (chop it up)
1/4 ~ of a jicama (after peeling and chopping up)
Cilantro (I think I used about 1/4 C)
Juice of 1 freshly squeezed lime

Mix together.  Let sit (I can't wait to try this tomorrow!!). Eat.  Feel free to salt to taste.  Me? I thought it was perfect. 

Servings?  Who cares, eat the whole friggen bowl if you want to!  Get this:  0 POINTS!!! YES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  And it is DELICIOUS!!!

Thanks again Krista--this recipe ROCKS!

Quinoa Salad

Yum to the nth degree.

Thanks Beth for the idea!!
Yummy, fresh, and lots of veggies!!!

Grain Salad
Grain:
2/3 C red quinoa rinsed (this was all I had)
1 C beef broth
In a small pan, bring broth with quinoa in it to a boil. Simmer for 18-20 minutes until all the liquid is absorbed.
Let cool. (I didn't do this.)

Veggies:
1 can artichoke hearts drained
1 can diced tomatoes (no salt added) drained
1 C frozen corn
1 GIANT cucumber
1/8 C chopped cilantro
2 stalks celery chopped
1/8 red onion chopped

Cucumber, celery, corn, red onion

cilantro, artichokes, tomato

 Dressing:
1 tbsp olive oil
1/4 cup white vinegar

Mix all together.  Salt to taste.

6 servings (1 cup/serving) = 2pts+/serving!  YES!



I would probably add black beans next time, but I just wanted to finish this salad so I could eat it.  It is GOOD.  I can't wait to see how awesome it will be after it sits overnight!

The final result. 

I made Risotto!

Final Product.  DELICIOUS!!

To keep my mind off today's WI, I thought I should cook.  So I did.  I made some sweet potato fries, and a baked sweet potato for lunch tomorrow, and sweet potato chips. 
And then I finally made risotto.  And it was delicious. 
Worth the 16 pts+?  (Don't freak, I had a HUGE serving.)  Possibly.  Worth the 18+ minutes of stirring?  Sure.  Maybe not after Body Pump followed two hours later with Kick-Butt Bootcamp (more lifting! Owie)...
I enjoyed the process. I loved all the steps, and the way the Arborio rice took shape the longer it cooked.  I love the meaty heartiness the dish afforded.  I love the overall flavor and textures of this dish. 
This could be an awesome side (for lower pts+), but as my lunch meal, it was filling, substantial, and satisfying. 

First step.  Stirring here too!

Mushroom Risotto
Recipe adapted from epicurious.

1 1/8~ cups hot water
2 cups reduced-sodium chicken broth (this was all I had, so I added an additional 1/2 C +1/8 C water to meet the recipe's liquid requirements)
Mushrooms (I used 1/2 bag of crimini mushrooms and a few leftovers white mushrooms--if I had more mushrooms I would have added them.  Note that the epicurious recipe has other, more exotic mushrooms!)
1/2 TBSP soy sauce
1/2 TBSP olive oil
2 TBSP unsalted butter
1 shallot, chopped
5 garlic cloves, finely chopped (I like garlic!)
1C + 1/8C~ Arborio rice
1/3 cup vermouth (I used L's awesome imported sweet vermouth--don't tell him!)
1/2 C finely grated Flagship cheese (use Parmesan if you don't know what this is. I don't know what it is, but it was what we had that I could grate).
1/2 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp. black pepper

Initial stirring...no tired arm.

More stirring. Not tired, but I am WARM!

In a 3- to 4-quart saucepan add broth, soy sauce, and water to pan and bring to a simmer. 

Meanwhile, heat oil with 1/2 tablespoon butter in a 4- to 5-quart heavy pot over moderately high heat until foam subsides, then sauté shallot, stirring, until just softened, about ~4 minutes. Add garlic and fresh mushrooms and sauté, stirring, until mushrooms are browned and any liquid they give off is evaporated, about ~7 minutes. Stir in porcini and cook, stirring, 1 minute, then add rice and cook, stirring, 1 minute. Add wine and cook, stirring, until absorbed, about 1 minute.

Almost done!! Final step.

DONE STIRRING! YAY!

Stir 1 cup simmering broth into rice and cook, stirring constantly and keeping at a strong simmer, until absorbed. Continue cooking and adding broth, about 1 cup at a time, stirring frequently and letting each addition be absorbed before adding next, until rice is tender and creamy looking but still al dente, 18 to 20 minutes.  Remove from heat. Stir in cheese, salt, pepper, and remaining butter until butter is melted.

If reserving some risotto to make one of the following recipes, set aside 3 cups and cool to room temperature, then chill, covered with plastic wrap.

On the plate...2 servings

4 servings = 32pts+

8pts+/serving

Green Monster Take 1...Not really green...

More brownish I'd say.
It wasn't as scary as I anticipated.  I actually thought it was good.  I didn't like how it smelled though.  Yay for straws. 
I will admit that it didn't make a life-altering change as I saw/felt, but maybe this was because I didn't drink it immediately in the morning?  I don't know.  It did fill me up for several hours.  And, it was nice getting in 3-4 servings of fruits and veggies in one shot.


My first Green Monster
1TBSP flax seeds
2 C baby spinach
1 handful frozen peaches
1 handful frozen blueberries
1 banana
1 C skim milk

Blend.
Drink.

WI Wednesday

221.1
+1.5

I don't want to talk about it.

I know what I am doing wrong (bread, butter, cookies, beer), and I know what I need to do right (plan meals, healthy produce readily available, track everything).  I just need to actually do what I need to do.  I am just depressed I have let things get out of control again. 

Sick and random.

L's been sick since Tuesday--he even stayed at home on Wednesday (a rarity!).
I can tell I am sick/getting sick.  I was going to try my first Green Monster this morning (milk, flax seeds, spinach, banana, frozen blueberries, frozen peaches), but all I wanted was some comfort food.  I ate some Cinnamon toast with butter and am having a diet soda.  The bubbles soothe my throat.  Or my brain.  One of the two.

The O-Line all contributed to get me a plane ticket so I could go to the LA game on Saturday--I am so lucky to have this team in my world right now.  Imagine giving money to fly someone to a game where she won't even play.  I am very lucky.  So I am making cookies to bring to thank them.  Gingersnap dough I made yesterday, so all I had to do was form/sugar them and bake them today.  I want to make snickerdoodles for them too, but all I can think about right now is a nap.

I don't want to miss WillPower and Grace and Yoga tonight.  I am going to try to force myself to go no matter how I feel. 

I have been reading about different cleanse ideas to try.  I even planned out next Monday-Friday to try a healthy cleanse.  My eating habits are horrific as of late, and I need to get back on track.  I do wonder if I can hold myself to a full 5-day cleanse.  But I chose all the different meals/snacks that sounded good, so I should be able to if I just put my mind to it right?  That is my biggest challenge. 

The rain is seriously getting to me.  The first three years I was here I handled the rain much better.  I am just so over it right now.  It is dreary, cold, gross, and I am sick of it.  I'll only be in LA for about 24 hours, and it will be a super change in temperature (we are going to SWEAT in our pads/helmets)--but I am SO looking forward to seeing the sun and feeling warmth.

Eyelids shutting....need nap.

WI Wednesday

219.6
+.7

Clearly, just working out isn't effective.  I knew this, but I was really hoping to ease off/stop tracking.  Obviously, this isn't realistic where I am right now.  Which is a bummer to say the least. 

And for your viewing pleasure...

A highlight reel I made (with music) of all the awesomness from Saturday!!  ENJOY!!

And game 1 is in the books!!!

Dear Seattle, sorry you didn't score at all.  Wait, no I'm not!!!!!  Great job Shockwave!!!

I'm #91. I did a good amount of this during the game.  But it was awesome!

Halftime fun. I didn't take my helmet off for the occasion.

Anxiety. Worth it. I got in for 3 extra point kicks (where I am actually first string) and 3 plays on defense.  Played for maybe 3 minutes total.  Loved every single second of it.  I had 6 friends and family come to the game, and 5 of my previous students--and 2 of them actually made shirts and headbands to be my cheering section.  It was awesome.
I love this game. I love my team. I love the rush of competition. Most of all, I love to WIN!! I am so looking forward to seeing what this season has in store for my team!!!

Oatmeal Cookies (with Chocolate Chips)

I was craving oatmeal cookies.  These did the trick.  I do think raisins would have been better with the cinnamon rather than the chocolate chips.  Unlike most other cookies, these are not that great right out of the oven. I like them much more after they cooled and hardened up a bit. Not too bad on points either.  Yay.


Oatmeal  Cookies (with Chocolate Chip)
Recipe adapted from Joy of Baking

3/4 cup (170 grams) unsalted butter room temperature (I used 1/2 salted and 1/4 unsalted--it was what I had) 
1 cup (210 grams) packed light brown sugar 

1 large egg

1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract 
3/4 cup (105 grams) flour 
1/2 tsp baking soda 
1/2 teaspoon salt 
1/2 tsp. cinnamon (+ extra) 
3 cups (260 grams) old-fashioned rolled oats 
1 cup dried cranberries, cherries, or raisins or 1 cup white or dark chocolate chips (optional) (I USED SEMI-SWEET CHOCOLATE CHIPS
1  cup (110 grams) walnuts or pecans, toasted and chopped (optional)  (DID NOT USE) 

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (177 degrees C) and line two baking sheets with parchment paper. 

To toast nuts: Place nuts on a baking sheet and bake for 8-10 minutes or until lightly browned and fragrant. Let cool and then chop into pieces. (I didn't do any of this!) 


In the bowl of your electric mixer (or with a hand mixer), beat the butter and sugar until creamy and smooth (about 2 - 3 minutes). Add the egg and vanilla extract and beat to combine. In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, salt, and ground cinnamon. Add the flour mixture to the creamed mixture and beat until incorporated. Stir in the nuts, oats, and dried cranberries or chocolate chips.

YUM

Make balls of dough on cookie sheet (I lined mine with parchment paper and smooshed the balls down with my fingers).  Bake the cookies for about 12 - 15 minutes or until light golden brown around the edges but still soft and a little wet in the centers. Remove from oven and let the cookies cool a few minutes on the baking sheet before transferring them to a wire rack to cool.

35 Cookies/ 3pts+ each

Grumpy...

And it's nice out!  I don't want to be grumpy, but grown-up life is not cooperating with me as of late. 
Here is one thing that grump-i-fied me today.
What I saw in the grocery store:

Please note that full-sugar soda--12 cans--costs $1.98.  A 12 pk. of fizzy water with no sodium, sugar, or additives = $4.15.

:(

Hmmm. In this economy, which choice do you think families make?  I didn't get either, nor did I get even one bottle of Coke Zero (even though I was seriously Jonezing for one) because I am poor.  I haven't been drinking any fizzy water lately because of finances, but this just irked me to no end.  I like fizzy water. I like the bubbliness of it.  It satisfies my soda craving, and isn't bad for me.  But it costs a good amount of money.  So, I have been drinking plain tap water.  With fresh lemon juice in it.  It is very exciting.
Not.

Crock Pot Beef Stew

I got the idea to make this recipe from this blog I read, and due to the eternal crappy weather here in PDX as of late, a hearty stew sounded good for meals this week.  

I made some tweaks, but feel free to follow Kaitlin's!

Pre-cook all day!

32 oz beef broth (+ less than a 1/2 container of low sodium chicken broth that I had left over in the fridge)
1 container Premium Angus Stew Meat (from Trader Joe's) My package was 1.52lbs.
1 bunch celery, chopped
10 mini potatoes, chopped
1 white onion, chopped
1 bag broccoli florets
4+ garlic cloves, chopped
1 package super-sweet corn (frozen)
1/2 bag of crimini mushrooms (+ extra white mushrooms that I had leftover in the fridge)
1 bay leaf


Cut up all your stuff.
Put into crock pot.
Smash lid on top.
Wait for it to cook down.
Stir.
Cook on low for 6-8 hours.
Eat.

YUM.
I will say that it needs seasoning.  I add salt before I eat it, but I am not brave enough to really go all out when I am attempting seasoning.  If anyone has any suggestions to give it more OOMF, I'd appreciate it.  It is mild, hearty, satisfying, and yummy though nonetheless. I love all the veggies!!  And it made a HUGE amount.  Can stew be frozen???? Otherwise I will have to eat this for the next 15 days or so!!

About 7 hours of cooking later...

WI Wednesday!

218.9
+1.9

I knew I would be up. I seem to be stuck. I really need to get back to tracking everything. 

Deliciousness that is Guacamole

YUM.

2 avacados
1 tomato
1/2 onion chopped
cilantro (fresh) chopped
salt
lime (fresh) juice squeezed
2 TBPS plain Greek yogurt
4 cloves of garlic chopped
Chips/something to eat the yummyness with, but you could always just eat it plain too.

**Please note**
Portion yourself out a serving or two or you will eat until your tummy hurts. 

The Greek yogurt adds a creamyness to it that is AWESOME. 
Good thing I am going to Zumba tonight.  

Homemade Mac-N-Cheese (almost like my mom's)

I wasn't going to post this, but I sent a picture to a friend and her immediate response was "It's not on your blog yet!"  So, here it is. 

Just out of the oven.

Things have been wonky in my neck of the woods as of late.  L has been traveling and gone, I had mini-camp (practice every night of the week!) last week, and grocery shopping/eating right hasn't been on the top of the priority list.  I was craving mac-n-cheese, and I knew we had cheese and some version of noodles, and thought I could make some like my mom used to make.  I had to tweak good ole' Betty Crocker due to lack of appropriate ingredients, so feel free to check her out on your own for your own version. 

Old-Fashioned Macaroni and Cheese
adapted from my ancient Betty Crocker pgs. 342 & 566
2 C salad noodles (this was supposed to be elbow mac, but we didn't have any.  These were fun though!)
1 tsp. salt
fresh ground pepper
3 cups cheese:
Sharp White Cheddar (1 1/2 C)
Mild Cheddar (1+ C)
1/4 C Blue Cheese Crumbles
thin white sauce*
1 TBSP butter

Heat oven to 375. Cook noodles as directions indicate.  Place half the macaroni in ungreased 2-quart casserole dish. Sprinkle with salt, pepper, and cheese, repeat.  Pour white sauce over casserole.  Dot with butter. Cover with foil. Bake 30 minutes. Uncover. Bake 15 more minutes.


*Thin white sauce:
Please note--I didn't have enough milk, so I had to sub 1/4 C of half/half (don't tell L!) and only had 1 1/2 C of this sauce--not the two it called for.
For each C sauce:
1 TBSP butter
1/2 - 1 TBSP flour
1/4 tsp salt
1/8 tsp. pepper
1 C milk

Melt butter in saucepan over low heat. Blend in flour, salt and pepper.  Cook over low heat, stirring until mixture is smooth and bubbly.  Remove from heat. Stir in milk. Heat to boiling, stirring constantly. Boil and stir 1 minute.  

On its way to MY BELLY!!!

Cheesey goodness. I'd leave out the butter (at least some of it) next time around.  And I wish I had a 2 Q round casserole dish...a flat dish isn't the same!

Cinnamon Bread Take 1.

I am addicted to this bread:

Cinnabon Bread.  The devil. 

There are some problems with this:
1. It is unhealthy.  Sure, one could argue the value of eating 12 pieces of bread jammed with delicious cinnamon in one sitting, but really Sunshine? Seriously?
2.  This bread costs a sh!t-ton of money. It is hard to justify spending $3+ for 12 slices of heaven when I could A. make my own bread; or B. buy 2 loaves of less-delectable non-cinnamon-filled bread; or the best option of all:  C. NOT EAT BREAD LIKE IT IS THE LIFE-GIVING FORCE OF THE WORLD.

So I wanted to make my own.  I was impatient so I printed off the first recipe I came across.  I knew it wouldn't be as delectable as the swirly goodness of the Cinnabon Bread, but I wanted to give it a shot. This bread is uber-sweet, but really amazing toasted with a little whipped butter on top.  Great as a dessert (my choice), or weekend-morning treat.  Or, an every day treat if you roll like that.  Next batch I am going to try to use less sugar in the bread dough--it didn't need the cup.  I also think that if you are healthy-cooking savvy, the oil could be replaced with unsweetened applesauce

Cinnamon Bread I
Adapted from allrecipies.

When I finally got around to taking a picture, there was less than 1/2 loaf left.  Oops.

2 cups all-purpose flour (I used bread flour)
1 cup white sugar
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon (I added MORE)
1 teaspoon salt
1 cup buttermilk (homemade w/skim milk + 1TBSP vinegar)
1/4 cup vegetable oil
2 eggs
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
2 tablespoons white sugar
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon (I added MORE)
2 teaspoons margarine (I used butter)
Directions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease one 9x5 inch loaf pan.
Measure flour, 1 cup sugar, baking powder, baking soda, 1 1/2 teaspoons cinnamon, salt, buttermilk, oil, eggs and vanilla into large mixing bowl. Beat 3 minutes. Pour into prepared loaf pan. Smooth top.
Combine 2 tablespoons white sugar, 1 teaspoon cinnamon and butter, mixing until crumbly. Sprinkle topping over smoothed batter. Using knife, cut in a light swirling motion to give a marbled effect. (ok..this part was baffling to me.  Is the top supposed to be crumbly with the cinnamon-sugar-butter goodness? Or am I supposed to somehow smoosh the mixture into the bread and marble it.  If you notice in the picture, the marbling didn't' happen.  Unless marbling means a splooch into the center of the bread.  Which, as I looked up "marbled" in the dictionary, it doesn't.--Good luck with this part when you try it. Let me know how YOU did it ok? Please? I'd like to actually do it right!)
Bake for about 50 minutes. Test with toothpick. When inserted it should come out clean. Remove bread from pan to rack to cool. 

See the splooch.  Yeah...not marbled.

**It is important that you do not start to fill out a job application online before the bread is supposed to be done--because hearing the oven timer from the office is impossible and you will overcook the bread.  And you will get mad that the bread didn't turn out as awesome as it could have.  Believe me. I know.   

Chicken Salad

I bought an oven-roasted chicken from the store after I worked out on Tuesday.  I broke it down (I won't lie, the spinal cord/vertebrae creeped me out beyond belief), put it in a bowl, and had SOME (thx Jules!) on a salad for lunch.  I really wanted to make chicken salad because I finally found Sara Lee Delightful bread (45 calories/slice!), and so I tweaked some of the recipes I knew and made this deliciousness!

Chicken Salad
Makes about 6 sandwiches.
~all are approximate values--make to your taste.
~2 C cooked chicken
~1/2 C chopped celery
1 fatty dill pickle
~1/4 C reduced fat mayo
~1TBSP parsley
1 tsp+more stone ground mustard
~squeeze of lemon juice from bottle (I was out of fresh lemons)
salt and pepper to taste

Mix all together.  Put on bread. Eat.  YUMMY!!
This is the first time I ever had pickle in chicken salad--it was DELICIOUS!!!

April's Goals

April Goals:
I'm keeping things limited in order to be successful.  I felt pretty down about March; when I was off track from meeting my goal, I felt like a failure and gave up on myself.  Which isn't ok.  I want to be successful, and not so hard on myself.  So there self. 


Personal
-Try risotto (making and eating).
-Passport--start the process.
 
Mental
-Read 3 books.

Physical
-Yoga at least 2 times this month.
We will have film sessions/team dinners on Fridays that we have a home game.  I don't want to overshoot and fail at this goal this month.
-Body Pump 1X a week. (=4X)
-Try one new class at the gym.
-Jog at least 4X.


Social
-Go out for at least one "Wing Wednesday" with the team. 

WW/Eating/Weight Loss
-Track what I eat/drink at least 19/30 days in April.

March's Goals Recap

My original goals were very lofty.
I give myself a C- for my overall performance though.  
March's Goals:

Personal
-Call home 1x week. 
Check!
-Watch at least 2 movies with L.
Only 1: The final Saw (3/15)

-Try risotto (making and eating).
Nope. FAIL.

Mental
-Read 3 books.
Check:
Pegasus
Wuthering Heights
The Portrait of a Lady

-Do not miss practice unless absolutely VITAL.  
VERY proud of this--CHECK!!!
Even though I was mega-late the 28th--I STILL made it to practice--I even did my snake bites!!!

Physical
-Yoga at least 5 times this month.
FAIL.
I made it to two classes, but didn't do anything at home.  :(
 
-Body Pump 1X a week. (=5X)
Check!
I even went 6 times!!!! (2X in one week!)

Social
-Hang out at least two times with someone outside of L.
Check!!
AND--it went beyond Book Club!!!

WW/Eating/Weight Loss
-Be On Plan (OP) at least ONE week.  (Track everything I eat/drink; do not go over points. Do not dip in to weekly extras--earn enough activity points that I won't need to).
Super-Fly FAIL.
I have really fell off the WW wagon.  I need to get back to better habits and better planning.  I know this is what I need to do, I just actually need to do it!

I plan on being a bit more focused in April--and I am really hoping that the weather cooperates!