Dec. 21: (off-topic) The Spaghetti Project

Everyone who knows me in "real life" knows how strongly I feel about giving - not just at Christmas, but all the time.  I'm going to veer off-topic for a weight-loss blog and talk about ways you can give without affecting your day to day life or your morning drive-thru coffee.  I don't mean to preach, but I do hope to influence.  This isn't about "religion" - it's about faith and love.

I've spent a few years recently being part of "the less fortunate."  As many of you know, I dealt with a horrible bout of depression that left me virtually incapacitated for over a year.  I had now choice but to go on welfare to feed my kids and keep a roof over our heads while I was unable to work.

Despite all of that - despite our lack of money - despite the loss of my house and car - I never actually felt "less fortunate."  We never went without food - maybe we had ground beef instead of prime rib, but we were certainly not hungry.  We had heat.  We had a place to live. We had medical care (God bless Canada!).  We still had enough that we were able to give, throughout it all.

How did we give when we were so broke?  At that time, every single time I went to the grocery store, I bought one package of pasta and one can of spaghetti sauce.  It cost $2.  There was never a grocery trip where I could not swing $2.  It might not provide a gourmet meal, but a package of pasta and a can of sauce could at least put some dinner on the table for a hungry family.

We also gave of our time - we helped elderly neighbors and people at church.  We helped by watching the small children of a woman that was ill.  My 10 year old pulled her wagon around the neighborhood and collected food donations for our local food bank.  My 15 year old unloaded all that food and volunteered at the food bank.

Fortunately for us, we have a higher income now.  We are able to give on a slightly bigger scale.  Now, by no means are we rolling in money.  We are still reeling financially from over a year without work.  The house is in foreclosure, bill collectors call constantly and I'll be bankrupt but next Christmas.   But it is all about how we prioritize the money we have now.

We participated in an adopt-a-family program at work.  I always tell my kids what the Christmas budget is per person so they can adjust their wish lists accordingly.  Not very sentimental, but we are a family of realists.  This year the budget for my girls was $100 each.  Both girls decided individually to forgo half of their gift budget so that they could buy gifts for the children of the family we adopted.  I was so ridiculously proud of them for this.  As a family we feel like we really made a happy holiday for another family less fortunate than ours.

I think that the key to giving is to feel content and joyful with what you have.  Everyday, I count myself thankful that despite the foreclosure and impending bankruptcy, we are warm, sheltered and clothed.  We have a fridge full of delicious healthy food.  We truly do not lack for anything.

I don't tell you about this to "toot my horn" - please don't think that! I write this because I hope to inspire others to give, no matter what their situation. I think the Lord works a lot of miracles at Christmas (and of course, the rest of the year) but sometimes He needs some earthly angels to help.

Dec. 19: Cleaning Marathon and the Weekly Meal Plan

I can't think of too many things that I like less than cleaning.  It would be tough.  Perhaps alligators? Snakes in the sewer system?  Spiders.  I definitely do not like spiders.  *Shudder*  But cleaning is right up there with all of those creepy crawlies.

Of course, applying this information, one might correctly ascertain that my house is a mess.  An unmitigated disaster.  A step away from being invaded by a film crew and unwillingly featured in Hoarders.

Okay, I'm exaggerating, but only a little.  The mess stresses me right out, too.  By chance, I got an email with a link to this page:  Crisis Cleaning

To put it mildly, the Flylady rocks.

I've worked a couple of hours this morning and my house is far and away cleaner and tidier than it has been in a long time.  I'm taking a lunch break and updating my blog and I plan to do 3 more 45 minute sessions today, which will finish up my disaster zone for the time being.  It feels great to be able to open the door without cringing, should someone happen to knock.

Sunday: Smoked Turkey Breast, Broccoli, Roasted Potatoes

Monday: Spaghetti with Turkey Meatballs

Tuesday: Spinach Salad with Smoked Turkey, Garlic Bread

Wednesday: Leftover Spaghetti

Thursday: Pizza with Grilled Chicken and Veggies

Friday: ~~~~ Christmas Eve ~~~~~

I'm only planning through Thursday because I am hoping to fall into a great big puddle of money between now and Christmas - that will help me pick the weekend menu - it's all based on budget this year!

Today I am experimenting with a turkey breast I bought on sale.  My goal is to make an oven-smoked turkey for Christmas day - I can only imagine savoring the lovely leftovers and soups I can make from that.  I was lucky enough to get a whole turkey as a holiday bonus from my employer!  I'll photograph the results tonight and if it turns out as good as I hope, I'll post the recipe.

Well, alas, back to cleaning!

Dec. 18: Saturday Morning Edition

Do you have any idea how much I love my morning coffee?  My favorite, most luxurious weekend mornings are spent with my entire pot of iced coffee, puttering around the house and getting small, non-strenuous things accomplished.

Today was just such a day.

Saturday Morning Perfection:

The kids slept in.

I had an entire pot of coffee.

I cooked brunch of BBQ chicken pizzas.

I had an entire pot of coffee.

I cleaned the kitchen from top to bottom and now it sparkles and shines.

I had an entire pot of coffee.

I watched 4 hours of decorating shows without listening to anyone whine, "Can I pick the next show?"

Oh, yeah - I had an entire pot of coffee.

Okay, enough of the Saturday morning joy-fest.  Let's get down to the nitty gritty now.

Weight loss.

My recent gain has put me at 18 pounds to lose.  I'm really terrified of gaining it all back and that is the direction I'm going.

At 170, I still have boobs and I don't look like a Shar-pei from all of the loose skin.  At 165 the opposite is true.  So 170 is the new goal.

Clearly, 1800 calories is too much for me to be losing weight.  It shouldn't be making me gain weight, but the fact remains that it is.  So 1600 calories a day with an off-plan day of 2200 calories is the goal. 

That means I've gotta cut out my salty crunchies completely.  Goodbye, beloved buttery microwave popcorn.  I'm also cutting out the Diet Coke and switching to water (after the morning coffee is over, of course).  I flatly refuse to give up my coffee.  Diet Coke is tough to give up but it can be done.

Finally, I have to find a way to get some exercise that doesn't aggravate my back.  I keep saying this but I'm not coming up with anything.  Any suggestions will be welcome.

Dec. 16: The Opposite of Success

I really seem to be incapable of doing anything except losing weight or gaining weight.

I had started out with new resolve to love my curves and stop trying to turn myself into some kind of skinny Victoria's Secret model.  I really felt like this would be the key to success for me - loving myself.

Unfortunately, I've actually put on three pounds over the past week and a half. Please imagine my delight to discover that I didn't just need to drink water and have a big poop.  Three official pounds adhered directly to my belly.

It seems like if I am not weighing every single bite, saying no to everything but one meager off-plan meal a week, and drinking only water, I'm gaining that weight that was so hard-lost.  If I'm not seriously dieting - hardcore, just-say-no dieting, I'm gaining.

I had gotten to my initial goal weight but as soon as I started trying to maintain, the pounds didn't just come creeping back, they jumped on and held on with the ferocity of an attacking pit bull.

So, today, I'm whining.

Accountability, despite my extreme displeasure.

Calories:  1761
Carbs: 197
Fat: 74
Protein:  77

Reality tells me that my calories cannot be as low as I think they are, otherwise I would not be gaining weight.  You need an excess of 2500 calories per week to gain one pound. 

My mistakes:

~ I haven't been weighing everything - some of it has been eyeballed
~ I've allowed myself a nibble here and a nibble there of some holiday goodies - likely more nibbles than I thought I was having
~ I am nearly sedentary because of my back injury.

So yes, today I'm whining, but I'm also getting it all out there and blasting through my excuses.  If I truly want to look good and be fit and healthy, clearly, I have to try harder.  I can worry about maintenance when I am at a weight that I'd like to maintain.  Right now, I need to lose and that is what I must focus on.

Dec. 16: An Award!

This made my day - Michelle at Those Last 75 Pounds gave me the Cherry On Top Award.  I'm so glad you like my blog and that the meal planning helps you!

Now I get to pick 5 people to whom I'd like to give this award.  Wow - that's tough!  There are so many good blogs on so many interesting topics, it's hard to pick.  I'm actually going to go with a top three - my absolute, total favorite blogs.  Sadly, many of the blogs I loved following haven't been updated in quite some time.

First has to be Lyn, at Escape from Obesity.  Her persistence in losing weight, lots of stubborn weight, has inspired me from day one.  It amazes me how she has deliberately made her way through the landmines of weight loss and how much I have learned from her insights.  Lyn, I completely celebrate you, your kind heart, and your determination.

Sarah, from Watching Wolves Amidst the Shade and Light, has inspired me in a different way.  Her passion for motherhood amazes me.  Reading about the schedule she has kept for the first year of her twins' life, I feel guilty complaining about being tired while working and raising a 10 year old.  Sarah, you are such a great mom - I love that you settle for nothing but the absolute best for your children

*, my friend, I love the quirky humor (and the potential multiple personalities displayed) in your blog, White Knight Meet Starfish.  I look forward to every new post from you because I know I will learn about another facet of your unbelievably incredible self.  Muah!

You guys all ROCK!!!

Dec. 14: Not-So-Terrible Tuesday

It's really sad.  It seems that as the holiday gets closer, people get meaner.  I work in a service department at a car dealership and as Christmas approaches, many people seem to be less patient, angrier, and more apt to just plain old lose it.  What ever happened to "the joy of the holidays"?

Because of our finances, we have been forced to cut way back this year.  At work, our department adopted a family instead of doing Secret Santas.  At home, I told the kids our budget per person was only $100 this year.  But my kids, in a rare angelic moment, donated HALF of their personal Christmas budgets to this family full of kids that might otherwise not be getting anything.  I can't tell you how proud I am of them. 

So, because of that, we have cut back further still. I have goodies for stockings and a couple of nice gifts per child, as well as new PJs for everyone.  And that is it.  I have warned the girls that its going to be nothing like our usual Christmas, with so many gifts surrounding the tree that it takes us an hour to unwrap them all.  They tell me they are fine with that (we'll confirm that on Christmas morning!)

And, as I've reduced all the frantic gift-buying and wish lists, it seems that my stress level has dropped right along with it.  I have had a few days that were not really on-plan but with all the goodies floating around the workplace, I'm amazed at my resistance.  I don't have the angry-gotta-get-5-hours-of-shopping-done-in-2-hours feeling.  I'm feeling pretty ....calm.  And isn't peace a symbol of the season?  How far society has strayed from that.

Today was not as terrible as yesterday, as far as eats are concerned.  In fact, I'm very pleased to past my count for the day.

Calories:  1464
Carbs:  201
Fat:  29
Protein: 114

Yay, me!

Here is one of our favorite family recipes - super quick and easy!

MEXICAN PIZZA

1 Greek Pita

Mexican-seasoned Ground Turkey

Salsa

Refried Beans

Shredded Cheese

Preheat your oven to 400.  Spread refried beans (I use PC low-fat) on the pita - about 1/3 cup.  Top this with a tablespoon of salsa.  On top of the salsa, layer cooked ground turkey (I usually make a big batch on the weekends ) about 4 ounces.  Sprinkle shredded cheese (I use light cheddar) to top and bake in the oven until warm all the way through.  Let it stand for a couple of minutes before slicing and enjoying.  You can drizzle some plain non-fat yogurt on the top in lieu of sour cream.

This is a great recipe because it's very flexible.  If you don't have ground turkey, you can use leftover sliced chicken or roast beef.  The amount of cheese I top with varies based on my current dietary goals. 

All the typing has me hungry!  Off to make Mexican Pizzas!

Dec. 13: Is It Over Yet?

I should have realized my day was not going to go well when my food scale didn't work this morning.  There's always a sign.

Of course, I ignored the omen and cheerfully eyeballed my food and chucked it into the lunch pail.

It was freezing here in the southernmost part of Ontario this morning - well below freezing, with an awful windchill factor.  I forgot to warm up my car ahead of times, and my doors were frozen shut.  I had to pour hot water over the drive side door to get into my car and then, shivering and damp, had to scrape all the windows to remove the sheet of ice that was under the snow.

Brrrrr....... I'm not a winter fan, but I do love my adopted country.

At work, Monday-itis seemed to strike most of our customers, leaving them annoyed and irritable.  The appointment schedule was vastly overbooked, only fueling the flame of impatient and unhappy customers.  Imagine my delight.

When I heated up my lunch, the chicken smelled funky - really funky - and I was afraid to eat it.  Instead I indulged in 2 cookies and a cinnamon roll.  That was definitely helpful to my goals today.

Sigh.

In the interest of self-accountability, here are the numbers for today:

Calories: 1950
Carbs: 231
Fat: 78
Protein: 99

The cookies were so good.  I am not as remorseful as I should be.

The weigh-in this morning seemed off - I will try it again tomorrow and see if it is similar and post then.  I don't think I could've gained 3 pounds over the past week, considering that the calories were pretty well under control.

Sometimes a girl just needs a whole lot of water and a good poop before a weigh in.

And that is my quote of the day!!!  I hope your Mondays all went well.  Tuesday has gotta be better!