Visual Inspiration...

Mind is the master power that molds and makes,
And we are Mind, and evermore we take
The tool of thought, and shaping what we will,
Bring forth a thousand joys, a thousand ills,
We think in secret, and it comes to pass -
Our world is but our looking glass.
-- James Allen

*Stuck*

Day 90:

So let’s talk about Weight Watchers and weight loss for a bit.

I feel *stuck* lately.
I say *stuck* because I wouldn’t call it a plateau per say…
I know there are things I can be doing to jumpstart my weight loss again – as I have been teetering around the same weight give or take a pound or two for about a month now. I know I am to blame for this stall in my progression. I feel *stuck* in that I can’t seem to motivate myself to kick it up a notch and get back to where I was just a few short weeks ago?

I am eating within my points – no real issues there. And I would say 90% of the time I am eating whole foods – for that much I give myself MAJOR *w00ts* because I am a recovering junk food junkie who was always looking for her next fix!

I do feel a bit tired of the usual food I was eating hence the recipe challenge with my Mom. I am even stepping outside my comfort zone and trying veggie burgers. Which I LOVE!!! Especially the Morningstar black bean burgers! (Serve it on a Sandwich Thin and it’s a mere 3 points). If you like Southwestern/Mexican food – you will LOVE this *burger*. Truthfully… these days I am eating very limited portions of meat and am seriously considering a vegetarian lifestyle? But I digress… getting back to being *stuck*.

I also fully admit to slacking big time with my exercise and truly believe that is the major culprit with this *stuck* feeling.
I am practically not walking/jogging at all and I don’t really know what happened?

I was so passionate about running and getting the C25K going and then I just stopped? The only thing that I can think of is my run in with that pitbull? Am I allowing that incident to block me and not even realizing it? I mean yeah, it really scared me. I have been on guard and it totally doesn’t help that ever since then all my media outlets seem to be permeated with stories about pitbull attacks… but I am not that type to let something like that stand in my way… I just don’t get what is going on in my head where exercise or my lack thereof is concerned??

Someone please give me a good swift kick in the seat of my pants and pass me a big stick and some mace to ward off mean doggies who want a taste of my arm!

With all that being said…
Tomorrow starts a new Weight Watcher week and I plan to make it one full of determination and vigor! Even if I have to start the C25K program back at square one – I AM RUNNING!!!

Or at least walking fast!

Blessed Be…
♥Cyn♥

In case I get bogged down with *life* the next few days…
Happy Samhain/Halloween and may you get many, many, MANY treats! (Treats don’t have to be candy ya know…)

Family Dinner with Weight Watchers: Part IV

Day 88:

Hiya my fellow Weight Watcher Peeps!
So tonight was yet another fun installment of Family Dinner with Weight Watchers: Part IV!

A friendly battle of the Weight Watcher recipes between my Mother and me. Our plan is that every week (day to be announced because getting everyone together one set day a week was proving to be harder than quantum physics) we would take turns buying, preparing, and serving a Weight Watcher recipe meal to one another.

Our goal is to step outside of the box and try various healthy alternatives instead of eating the same old stuff we ALL tend to get into the rut of eating while on our respective weight loss journeys all while having a healthy meal as a family!

With that being said…
Tonight it was my Mom’s turn to cook and she made Slow Cooker Tuscan Sausage-and-Bean Soup with Basic Yogurt Biscuits – both taken from the Weight Watchers New Complete Cookbook. I included both recipes below along with one minor revision.

According to my Mom this was a relatively easy meal to prepare and cook. She said the most tedious aspect was chopping the veggies and anyone who is faithful to the Weight Watcher program should be a PRO at chopping vegetables!
I know I am!

Anywho…
So dinner was served and as you can see from the pics, it looked lovely!
Taste wise – delicious!
Actually delicious doesn’t do this recipe justice. I have to admit that when she told me what was on the menu I wasn’t overly impressed. But this recipe is just divine. Simplistic yet aromatic, melodious, and utterly yummy! I give it two thumbs up, up, UP!
And everyone (Brian, my two teenage sons Hunter & Peyton, Mom, and I) all agree… a complete winner of a recipe!

The biscuits…
Well, obviously they aren’t going to give my Tennessee born Granny’s homemade biscuits a run for the money, but considering they are only a point and so deliciously dense and flavorful I have to give them mad props! And being a Southerner by birth and at heart – who doesn’t love a nice biscuit to sop up the remainder of one’s soup!
Yum…
Yum…
YUM!!!

So yes my dear friends… my Mom is still on top and pulled the cook-off rug out from under me yet again!
I need redemption!!!!

After the last flop of a recipe I must find something to knock everyone’s socks off!!!
Victory will be mine!!!

As promised, here are the recipes!

Weight Watchers Basic Yogurt Biscuits
copyright Weight Watchers New Complete Cookbook

Ingredients
Flour, white, 2 cup
Yogurt, plain, low fat, 1 cup
Granulated Sugar, 1 tsp
Baking Soda, .5 tsp
Baking Powder, 2 tsp
Salt, .5 tsp

Directions
* In a bowl, mix 1 cup flour, 1 cup yogurt
* Sprinkle sugar over mixture, cover with a damp cloth or loose plastic wrap and leave at least 4 hours or if able, overnight
*Pre-heat oven to 425 degrees
* Add remaining ingredients and mix thoroughly
* Spray a baking sheet with non-stick spray
* Turn out dough on a lightly floured surface and spread evenly with fingers or knife or spoon into a 8x6 inch rectangle
* Cut into 16 pieces
* Transfer to baking sheet, leaving 1 inch between biscuits
* Bake at 425 degrees for 10 minutes
* Lower heat to 400 degrees and bake until golden brown

Number of Servings: 16
Points Value: 1


Weight Watchers
Slow-Cook Tuscan Sausage-and-Bean Soup
copyright Weight Watchers New Complete Coookbook

Makes 6 servings

Ingredients
12 ounces turkey sausage or kielbasa, cut into 1/4-inch thick rounds (we used Italian turkey sausage)
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 onion, chopped
1 medium carrot, peeled and chopped
1 celery stalk, chopped
1/2 medium bunch kale, chopped (about 4 cups)
3 cups fat-free low-sodium chicken broth
1 (15.5-ounce) can red kidney beans, rinsed and drained
1 (15.5-ounce) can great Northern beans, rinsed and drained
1 (14.5-ounce) can Italian seasoned diced tomatoes
1/2 cup dry red wine or water (we used water)
1 teaspoon dried basil

Directions
In a slow cooker, place the sausage, garlic, onion, carrot, celery, kale, broth, kidney beans, great Northern beans, tomatoes, wine, and basil.

Stir to combine. Cover and cook on low until the vegetables are tender, 8-10 hours. Per serving (1 1/2 cups): 241 calories, 5 g Fat, 8 g Fiber

Points Value: 4

*My Mom made a double batch which would not fit in her slow cooker – so she used a large pan on the stove top which she cooked on low for about 6 hours.

Give this recipe a whirl on a cool Autumn evening -- I promise you will not be disappointed!!!

Blessed Be…
♥Cyn♥

Skylar & the Daisy...

He loves me...
He loves me not...

HE LOVES ME!!!!

Day 86

From the Weight Watcher blog which I intended to more or less ignore... but as you can see, that just is not the case.

I dream of one blog...
United...
And the end of copy & paste!

Anywho...

Day 86:

I know the cardinal rule of Weight Watchers: The program works when you work the program.
And I did not fully work the program this past week.
I am okay in admitting that.

I am still trying to find the balance of being OP without being obsessive.

But on the flipside of it all…
I am blissfully happy these days.
Happy in my life…
In my relationships…
In my path…
In my own skin even…
And it has been way too long since I have felt like this.
So I know I am doing something oh-so-right!

I want to lose weight.
More than I can express.
I also want to be the best Mom possible…
The best fiance…
The best friend…
The best daughter…
The best cook…
Read…
Write…
Be spiritual…

I have to trust that I want it (ALL) enough to make it happen.
If you see it – you can obtain it!

Blessed Be…
♥Cyn♥

*On a side note*

I have written about finding the balance before. It is probably the biggest obsticle I face on this weight loss journey. I want it to be second nature -- not something I obsess and have to MAKE myself do. For all intense purposes I have accomplished way more than I am giving myself credit for. As of today I have lost a total of 38 lbs. I exercise more than I ever have -- even my worst weeks are better than my utter sedentary life of not all that long ago! I make much healthier food choices -- more whole foods and as little processed garabage as possible. I think by making that choice alone you cannot help but to become healthier.

I realize that this is a journey and not a destination (stole that from a Weight Watcher friend)... it's not about getting somewhere and calling it a day. This journey never really ends. I hear it gets easier and to some degree it does become second nature.

I have to keep affirming myself --

I trust the process...

TRUST THE PROCESS!

~xxoo~

Pezza Farm...

A fall morning spent at Pezza Farms in Johnston, Rhode Island. We braved the gloomy weather, and all had a great time -- especially Skylar! Her first trip to a farm -- around animals and pumpkins! She had so much fun!!!

A Fall Song

by Ellen Robena Field


Golden and red trees
Nod to the soft breeze,
As it whispers, "Winter is near;"
And the brown nuts fall
At the wind's loud call,
For this is the Fall of the year.

Good-by, sweet flowers!
Through bright Summer hours
You have filled our hearts with cheer
We shall miss you so,
And yet you must go,
For this is the Fall of the year.

Now the days grow cold,
As the year grows old,
And the meadows are brown and sere;
Brave robin redbreast
Has gone from his nest,
For this is the Fall of the year.

I do softly pray
At the close of day,
That the little children, so dear,
May as purely grow
As the fleecy snow
That follows the Fall of the year.


Blessed Be..

♥Cyn♥