Change of plans…

 

So last night’s dinner was supposed to be baked Tofu and Spaghetti Squash Mac and Cheese…but there was a slight change of plans. At the last minute I was asked to dog-sit for the evening for my friend Kelly. Our dogs are just beginning a very tentative friendship, so I really wanted to keep an eye on them. Since they are the Hounds of Hell and all…

Lilly Beans and Chaser the Wonder Schnauzer

Ok, maybe not the Hounds of Hell. They are stinkin’ cute though, aren’t they? However, I did want to leave the two of them alone and up to mischief while I focused and worked in the kitchen for an hour. Trust me, they look cute, but they are plenty sneaky and crafty.

I had leftover Polenta Muffins and a Sweet Potato. It was delicious, and even the dogs thought so. They both had a little bite of sweet potato.

We had a nice relaxed evening and played outside for a bit. Both of them were very well behaved, but it made me think about how difficult healthy cooking and eating could be for people with kids! After last night, I couldn’t imagine. MAJOR KUDOS to you healthy-living parents! :)

That’s the nice thing about leaving my Friday nights free for leftovers or what have you; If I have to skip a night of my meal plan, I just shift things back a day! So, tomorrow will be Baked Tofu and Spaghetti Squash Mac & Cheese, Thursday will be Eggplant Parmesan and Friday will be Caribbean Jerk Chickpea Burgers!

I know this post wasn’t much of anything except, “look how cute the dogs in my life are!” but hey, they are pretty darn cute and who couldn’t use a little cuteness from time to time?

In other news…I think I might try going for a run tomorrow. Tomorrow makes 4 weeks. My knee is better. It hurts only occasionally. Just a short, slow run. We’ll see. Yoga after work tonight and then tomorrow is my favorite day of the week! Thursday! My day off! :)

Do you have any pets? If so, how many? I think we’re going to stay a 1 dog family for awhile. Although Lilly Beans is welcome over anytime!

Favorites!

I don't really have much to share this morning, so I figured I'd share with you some of my favorites!

One of my favorite breakfasts!



Some of my favorite blogs!

Roni's Weigh
Healthy Tipping Point
TJ's Test Kitchen
No More Bacon
Jack Sh*t, Gettin' Fit
MizFit Online
Fit with a Purpose

I have lots of favorites, I wish I could list everyone!!

Favorite Vegetable



Favorite Dog


Yes, I know that was lame, but he's the cutest dog in the world!

I didn't make it to the gym this morning, but I have Yoga planned after work! Not exactly what I had planned on for today, but it is activity! I'm excited to keep the momentum going!

What is your favorite:

Breakfast?
Blog?
Vegetable?
Animal?

A random spattering of thoughts

I am all over the place today like the Bubble Bee girl tap dancing in the No Rain video by Blind Melon! I had several ideas for structured posts this morning but instead you are going to get a random spattering of my thoughts. Hold on tight.

I cleaned out my closet after work yesterday. I had been putting it off for the past...year or so. I had all of my "big girl" clothes and was terrified of getting rid of them. What if I gain the weight back? What if I need them? I can't afford to re-buy them again? After a lot of shopping in Greensboro this past weekend, I needed more closet space...that's when it dawned on me. Time to let it go. The clothes served me well, but I will not gain the weight back. Holding onto the clothes in fear was merely enabling me to do so. So, I have 2 trash bags and 2 shopping bags full of clothes to go to Goodwill. Time to live in the now.

I also realized, I need new running shoes! I have over 300 miles on mine. A fact that absolutely thrilled and surprised me. I have ran over 250 miles since May of 2009 and I know I ran at least 50 in the month leading up to that when I got my shoes in March. I have never had to replace shoes in less than a year, but mine have much wear and tear with little holes popping up. I look at them proudly. :)

Last night I made a very yummy Oven Fried Chicken. I found the recipe on FoodNetwork.com, but I fiddled with it a little.



Ingredients

Cooking spray
1/3 cups crispy rice cereal
1/2 cups bagel chips or Melba toasts
3/4 teaspoon hot paprika
Kosher salt and freshly ground pepper
1/4 cups plain fat free yogurt
1 teaspoon dijon mustard
2 chicken breast halves (about 3 ounces each)


Directions
Preheat the oven to 475 degrees F. Set a rack on a foil-lined baking sheet and generously coat the rack with cooking spray.

Finely grind the cereal and bagel chips in a food processor and transfer to a large resealable plastic bag. Add the paprika, 2 teaspoons salt, and pepper to taste and toss.

Whisk yogurt and the mustard in a shallow bowl. Add the chicken and turn to coat, then transfer to the bag; seal and shake to coat. Place the chicken on the rack and mist with cooking spray.

Bake until the chicken is crisp and a thermometer inserted into the thickest part registers 160 degrees F, about 22 minutes.

I figured 4 points per 3 oz. breast half.

I paired it with some Zucchini Fries and I made up some dipping sauce for them using 2 Tbsp of the fat free plain yogurt and a few drops of Sriracha Chili Sauce.

It was a comfort food dinner for sure, but it was YUMMY!

This morning, I added more spinach to my smoothie, this time it was banana, mango and soy milk. I love these things! The extra spinach made my smoothie very green and it tasted a little...well, green. I probably need to work on the mix a little, but it wasn't bad.



I was supposed to get out of bed and do yoga this morning but the sleep monster won today, plus I was all cuddled up with the husband and that's something we rarely get to do working such different hours so I decided yoga could wait until tonight.

Hmm, I think that might be all I have for you today. Sorry it's all over the place, but that's where I am today!

For those of you who have lost weight, do you hold onto your bigger clothes for a long time or pack them up as you go down a size?