I fell off...

...the "band" wagon. Really the weight loss/be healthy/new me wagon. Oops. That's what happens when you go to the land of many delicious foods that you haven't eaten in months and have been dreaming of eating again. Also, having an oven. 


So I went home, to the good ole (freezing cold) USA. It was a nice little break filled with friends, family and fun. And eating. 


I ate everything from Panera to Chipotle. Pasta, pizza, enchiladas, homemade soup and even baked cookies! 


I did however do a little spiritual outreach while home at the annual Women's Weekend in western MD. It was good and some things have really opened up my eyes. I will have to continue this journey on my own here, however, I know I have a lot of support from family and friends back home. 


I did do some shredding and attempted some yoga meltdown (also by Jillian Michaels...yoga on steroids). Now I just need to get back to doing it everyday.


Hence, today is day 1 of recommitting to my new healthy lifestyle. I have some gringo activities coming up, but I know I can still be healthy and have fun. 


So today I didn't start out the best---the last chocolate chip cookie for breakfast---however, I plan on exercising and am making a yummy tomato soup for dinner (although it might become lunch too!). 


This is a simple and delicious take on tomato soup, from At Home In Provence by Patricia Wells. (I've adapted it to meet my budget and laziness needs)


2 cloves
1 onion, halved
2 lbs tomatoes (I use canned diced tomatoes by Hunts with basil, garlic and oregano)
3-4 fresh garlic cloves, peeled and diced
1 stalk celery, minced
1 tablespoon olive oil
2 cups water or stock (chicken...I used water and added some bouillon to the soup)
1 bunch fresh thyme (didn't have...tasted fine without)
2 bay leaves
4 tablespoons basil leaves (she prefers fresh everything, I just added a little dry basil)

What it looks like while cooking

Stick the cloves into the halved onion. Add all the ingredients to a stockpot (or big pot). Bring to a boil and then let simmer, uncovered, for 20 mins. Take out the onions (with cloves), bay leaves, and thyme (if you had it). (**This is where I changed it--more then before**) Let the soup cool, then put into a blender until you reach desired consistency. 


It's pretty good if you add a little bit of cream to it or extra virgin olive oil at the end. Also with fresh bread, grilled cheese. Anything really!


Enjoy :)


I promise I will be back and be a better blogger! 

I'm a Crock-Pot GENIUS!

Seriously. My crock pot is being used pretty much everyday because of many reasons:

1) I'm lazy

2) It does the work for me

3) Set it and forget it!

4) The food always tastes great :)

So yesterday I made chili for the first time, of course in my crockpot! And let me tell you, amazing. I can take the credit and not give all of it to the crockpot because I had to chop and dice. ha!


Here's the recipe:


Pinto, Black and Pink Beans, soaked overnight
1 (small) can sweet corn, drained
Carrot, onion, tomato, green bean, chopped up
Onion and garlic, diced, seperate
Ground beef (or whatever type of meat you'd like)
Medium Salsa
Packet of Chili Seasoning.


Let the beans soak overnight if you're using dry beans, this is SUPER important!!!


Cook the ground beef with some diced garlic and onion in a frying pan. (I used a non-stick pan of only used a little bit of olive oil for flavor). Put all the ingredients into the crockpot. Mix them up. Add water to cover (this is for cooking the beans). Cook on high for about 5-6 hours. 


I added cheese (nacho style...yummm!) on top and then had a couple tortilla chips with it! So good. Also should freeze well, that is the experiment for tonight :)


Also, I've been good about doing the 30 Day Shred. Today is day 5 and while I am busy today, I have decided I will find time to work in this 20 minute workout somewhere along the way!!


Today is my bf's father's birthday, and we are celebrating with food and cake! I'm excited and it works out well, because here, they slice cake in sliverssssssss...not our slices, but teeny tiny!! So it won't be too many calories. Like for instance, a cake we would think is for 8 people, they make it work for 15-20 people. HA! Plus I'm cooking most of the dinner tonight, so it'll be Tico food, but healthy! woohoo!!


Hope everyone has a great weekend! :)

Big Surprise

I didnt lose, but atleast I didnt gain this week. Not really surprising after how I eat and lack of exercise. 


Time to kick it up and get back to it! 


**Side Note: Beans are annoying. You have to soak them, then cook them forever. Then if you have them in your crockpot (and your bf turns it off) they go bad sooooooo quick. Blah. Time to throw out some delicious garbanzo soup. But heres the recipe:




Garbanzos (or chick peas)--I used 1/2 the bag and let them soak overnight.
Carrots, green beans, sweet peppers, and onion chopped up
Fresh cilantro diced
Chicken bouillon (or stock)
Salt
Water


Throw it all into the crockpot. Add water if necessary. I cooked it on low throughout the night (7 hours). I've also used actual chicken in this before. Always delish :)


Today I'm experimenting and making chili for the first time. Hopefully it'll be good. I'm putting my crockpot to good use!!

Exhausted

So today I somehow found the motivation after being woken up at 4am so Geiner could make his food and go to work by 5am, to exercise. At 5 am. In order to get the bus at 6:20. AM! This is not normal. I may have a problem.


I've started doing the 30 day shred, the workout video with Jillian Michaels. 


**Side Note: Anyone ever notice how annoying her voice is? 


So the concept is that you do this workout for 30 days, everyday. It's 20 mins long, 3 levels (start with level 1, etc), It looks super easy, it however, is not super easy. hah I've learned to get rid of that "oooo thats so easy" mentality. It's kicking my butt. 


Now I'm in town to do errands and all I want to do is take a nap on this cafe's table. Gotta work on that. Aren't you supposed to have MORE energy after working out? I don't. I need a nap. Thats what the hour long bus ride will be for.


And for your favorite part of the blog....RECIPES!


Last night I was feeling inventive. I normally make this as a low-fat version of Sesame Chicken, however, I wa sout of honey (necessary for the sauce) so I made a different variation.


Peanut-Soy Sauce


(I didnt use any measurements...sorry)


In a bowl combine:


Soy Sauce (maybe 1/2 cup)
Peanut Butter (maybe a tablespoon or so, I melted it a little)
Sesame seeds, Cumin, Cayenne Pepper (to taste)
Water (maybe 1/2 cup)


Mix it all together until peanut butter is mixed well with the soy sauce and water.


I put this over a chicken stir fry that then went over rice. :) It was yummmmmy!!


For the regular Seasame Chicken subsitute the peanut butter for honey. You can also toast the sesame seeds before adding them for a different flavor. 

Oops I did it Again

I got cocky after my skinny jeans incident. Tried on more pants that haven't fit (ps-they're now baggy! woot!) and then...dum dum dum...I ate ice cream for dinner. Well ice cream with chocolate sauce and sprinkles. and dangggggggggggggggg was it good! Ice cream here is so much creamier...I don't know why, but I love it. Ok, realistically, I love ice cream anywhere. haha. oops.


Well, I thought I could salvage my dignity in the morning. WRONG. I ate, what you ask? The last piece of cheesecake for breakfast, and danggggggggggggggggggggg was it good! 


So, ok. You'd think I'd try to save myself at lunch today right? WRONG. haha I'm going to this amazingly delicious restaurant with some friends that has amazingly delicious greasy food. American food. So, I'll start with dinner today. And exercise tonight.


Sometimes you just gotta splurge on the bad! 

Amazing Feeling

You know that feeling you get in the pit of your stomach when you see your skinny jeans lying around? (If you don't have skinny jeans you have something--shirt, bathing suit, etc that used to fit forever ago when you had mono and were 15 that you keep because you want to be that size again. These were my pre-Peace Corps pants.) That if I try these on, it could go two ways--amazing or awful feeling? Well, I saw mine this morning.


Actually at 5:15 am. Wayyyyy too early. But thats another topic. ha


So I was talking myself up to pulling them out and trying them on. Hey , that number on the scale is doing down, why not? Worst case: you feel like pooh about yourself all day. No biggie.


Ok, sooo I pull them out, slip them on, and button. What is this!?!?! I don't have to lay down on the bed, not breath, suck in and button? How'd this happen?


Thats right ladies (and if there are gents reading this, you too) MY SKINNY JEANS FIT! This is a miracle of the largest kind. 


These jeans fit as in, I can wear them in public without a muffin top! It's amazinggggggggggggg!!!


Great start to a day so I had to share! :) 

It's already 2011?!?!?!

Wow. 2010 flew by and I spent all of it (mostly) in Costa Rica. Now, if the sun would just stay out and the rain would go away, all would be perfect. Oh. and a raise. 


Anyway, it's been a MONTH since I started this blog/weight loss journey take 2 and I've lost 8lbs so far!! :) I stepped on the scale a little hesitant today, but was happy to see a loss :) I'll take one! Luckily I haven't been surrounded by delicious American food and cookies and treats! 


I splurged and bought the good steak and some shrimp for Christmas/New Years dinner. I still haven't made either. I ended up being sick with flu-like symptoms and so I didn't want to cook the splurges to not taste them. Probably one day this week I'll surprise Geiner (my boyfriend) with a beautiful and delicious meal! When we're both not sick. 


I also finally broke down and made shrimp dip. (I know you probably want the recipe, but it's a family recipe...not my family, I wouldn't care too much about that, so sorry!). Luckily, Geiner doesn't like it, which means more for me! Unluckily, it means more for me! I need to invest in some carrots and bell peppers so I can balance out the unhealthiness of the dip with some veggies and not eat a bag of chips. 


Back to the beginning. Speaking of the sun. I have a solar cooker. Now I need the sun to cooperate. Please do the "sun-stay-out" dance for me. I want to try to bake some goodies in my solar cooker on my tin roof! 


After the last post, I realized I left off two resolutions/changes. SO here they are:


4. Drink only water/tea. On like a daily basis. Fresh fruit juice (without sugar) will happen. (There are a lot of HUGGGGGE lemons!!)


5. Stop having a potty mouth. In 2 different languages. It's gotten bad. 


So I hope to have some new recipes for you. I'm going to experiment this week with various things in my house. Hummus will probably be next. I have a good recipe. But I want to add pictures with the recipe. So you have to wait.


I will, however, leave you with this. I have been using Self.com (like the magazine) to track everything online. They have a great and FREE! food journal, exercise log, weight tracker, etc. Along with articles, recipes, workouts. I'd definitely look into it if you're trying to start the year out healthy!