Taking the next step

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That’s how I’m getting through my day….just taking the next step.  I’m not sure if I will make it to the half marathon next May or not, but I do know that I’ll make the next step.  On that note, I’m moving from the walk/run group to a walking group – if I can find one. :(  I will miss my group but I am afraid I’m slowing them down.

I updated my “Getting Healthy” tab on this blog. Not so much to track weight – I’m not going to look at that – but to help me stay accountable to taking that next step.

Poor Eric seems to have his first head cold of the year. 🙁 I dread them every year, but they are faithful to show up.  If you have a minute, please say a prayer for him. It affects our whole family when he’s not feeling well.

Well, I’d better not sit here anymore or I’ll get stiff!  Hope you all are having a great Saturday!!

 

Working out

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My MIL blessed me last Spring by coming to my house every weekday and watching the kids so that I could go work out.  Unfortunately she had some health problems and then our vacation and no more working out.  I’m sure she’d come again if I asked but I hate burdening her in that way.

So, since I’m getting up at 5am everyday to work, I decided to change my plans a bit.  I’m sharing it here to keep me from hitting the snooze alarm tomorrow!  I’m going to get up at 5:15am and head to the gym instead of to the computer to work.  I know if I check email for work before I go, I will be stuck here for hours.  I should be home by 6:30. I can prepare lunch and breakfast for the family and then work for a few hours before homeschooling J2.  I should be able to work a few more hours in the afternoon while Sissy naps and then a bit in the evening to catch up in needed.

Yes, my days are busy but adding working out should really help me feel energized again.  Plus – I found out I am NOT comfortable in a pair of pants that fit me nicely before vacation!  Yikes!

However, I’m a little afraid I won’t be able to pull off this schedule.  If you are a prayer, please pray for me.  And, if you are local and go to Workout Express – want to join me at 5:30 to work out Monday through Friday??  I’d love to know someone was looking for me!

Christy’s Whole Wheat Bread

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This recipe makes 4 large loaves of some of the yummiest bread I’ve ever eaten!  And, the kids don’t even notice that it’s good for them!

Christy’s Whole Wheat Bread

Yield: 4 loaves

  • 9 tsp (4 packages if you use those) active dry yeast
  • 4.5 cups warm water (110-115 degrees)

dissolve yeast into the water

  • 6 tbsp brown sugar
  • 2/3 cup olive oil
  • 2/3 cup honey
  • 2 tbsp salt
  • 10 cups WW flour
  • 4-6 cups white flour

Add ingredients into yeasty water and mix.

Add the flours (ww, then 4 of the white – you’ll add rest as needed while kneading).  Knead for 10 minutes.

Put in grease bowl and cover with plastic wrap and put in a warm place.  Let rise for about 1 hour or until dough doubles.

Punch down; divide into 4 loaves, put into greased loaf pans.  Rise to double – about 30-45 min.

Bake @ 375 for 25-30 min.  Remove immediately to cool.

Tonight’s Dinner: Another Chicken (aka White) Chili

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This one is NOT for the crockpot but we liked it more than the last one we tried.

 

White Chili

Ingredients:

  • 1 pound Great Northern white beans (or 4 cans of white beans)
  • 2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breast  (I used leftover turkey and chicken and guesstimated the amount)
  • 1 large onion, chopped
  • 2 4oz. cans of mild chopped green chilies
  • 4 garlic cloves, minced
  • 2 Tbsp. olive oil
  • 6 cups fat-free chicken broth
  • 2 Tbsp. ground cumin
  • 2 tsp. dried oregano, crushed
  • 1/4 tsp. cayenne pepper
  • 1/4 tsp. ground cloves
  • 3 cups shredded Monterey Jack cheese
  • Sour cream
  • Salsa

– Soak beans in cold water overnight.

РIn large pot, heat 1 Tbsp. olive oil over medium heat and saut̩ onions until translucent. Stir in garlic, chilies, cumin, oregano, cayenne pepper, and cloves and cook an additional 2-3 minutes.

– Drain beans and add to pot with chicken stock. Bring to boil and reduce heat. Simmer about 2 hours until beans are tender, stirring occasionally.

– While beans are cooking, saute chicken breast in 1 Tbsp. olive oil. Let cool, then cube.

– After 2 hours, add chicken and 1 cup of cheese to chili and stir until cheese melts. Season with salt and pepper.

– Serve with extra Monterey Jack, sour cream, salsa as toppings.

Chicken & Spinach Casserole recipe – YUM!

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This is South Beach Diet friendly and VERY good!  I found it here and of course, I had to double it for my family of 6 (doubled below)

The BEST Chicken and Spinach Casserole

4 cups diced cooked chicken breast
2 – 10 oz. box of frozen spinach, thawed and drained well
1 cup fat-free sour cream
1 cup mayonaise
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon white pepper (or black)
1.5 cup grated parmesan cheese
1/2 cup l/f mozzarella

Preheat oven to 350. Combine the chicken and spinach in a greased baking dish. Mix remaining ingredients together. Mix about a 1/4 of the sauce mixture with the chicken and spinach mixture and spread out across the bottom of the dish. Spread the rest of the sauce mixture over the chicken and spinach. Bake, uncovered, for 40 minutes or until top is nicely browned. The browner the top is (not burnt though) the better this dish is.

Makes 8 servings