Princess Dress...

Skylar and Hunter...

Reading Books...

Watching Yo Gabba Gabba...

Life is GOOD!

Mark My Words...

So tonight’s Family Dinner with WW is postponed yet again. Yeah, having two family members (My mom and Brian) who work in retail this time of year is NOT conducive to my plan…
So Tuesday night it is…
And I have a seemingly killer recipe picked out… very fall inspired! YUM-YUM!

I did major cleaning yesterday. Because there are so many of us staying in one relatively small Cape Cod with barely ANY closets (gasp!) we have to store and swap out seasonal clothes.

When the time to swap comes, it is truly an ALL day thing.
So that is how I spent my Saturday.
And of course once things are unpacked, you MUST wash them all because I don’t care what you do, six months in a Rubbermaid bucket is going to cause that *storage smell*.
Icky…

So while I didn’t get out running, I did count some AP’s for cleaning. I don’t normally and I know some people give themselves AP’s for any and all activity, I just choose not to. It’s a personal choice to only count intentional exercise and I don’t dismiss anyone’s choice to do differently. BUT yesterday I did count AP’s for cleaning because it literally took me ALL day and MANY trips up and down two flights of stairs!

In the course of swapping out clothes I also came across some of my clothing that I packed away when I was pregnant with Skylar. I was around 170 when I got pregnant with her, so I was in a MUCH smaller size than I am now.

I was looking at a pair of jeans and thinking… “Man did my butt actually fit in these?”

They just seemed so tiny?
I almost couldn’t believe that a mere 25lbs in all that stands between me and those tiny only-been-worn-once jeans!
I swear it seems like my arm wouldn’t fit in them… *heh-heh*.
Those tiny jeans are hanging in my closet now… because I will wear them again.
MARK MY WORDS!

Blessed Be…
♥Cyn ♥

The pic is of Skylar … Little Mz_Cupcake! I love this little dress (well, it was a dress on her once, I use it as a top now with some leggings) --- but anything with cupcakes on it induces ♥ from me!

The Many Faces of Skylar...

The Engagement TV...

Brian and I are officially-officially engaged.
He got his *engagement TV* yesterday – so now we gotta get hitched!

Hey I gotta ring that I love…
He got a 32” LCD TV that he loves…
We are both happy-happy…
Let’s do this wedding thing!

August 19, 2011 here we come…
Dum
Dum
Da
Dum!

Blessed Be…
♥Cyn ♥

Glowing

Do you see the smile on my face in the pic I posted?
Well...
That would be due to the fact that despite not having my best week (a nasty binge day and only getting out to run two times) I lost 1.6lbs!
Okay technically I lost the pound I gained last week and then another .6 lbs on top of it...
19.2 lbs gone, gone, GONE!
But I will glad take it and revel all over it!
*w00t w00t*

I am less than a pound away from losing a grand total of 20lbs. and only 2 lbs away from hitting my 10%...
So you know what is my motivation this week.
I have been lingering around this same weight for a couple of weeks and it is time to JUST DO IT!!!
And this week my main focus is EXERCISE!!!
I have to make time!
I want to run!
I need to run!
I WILL run!

Blessed Be...
♥Cyn♥

Sixteen Months...

Sixteen months ago a little pink being was placed in my arms...
Today she ran to my arms...
I am the luckiest Mommy in the world.
My Skylar Rockets...

That Thing You Do...

I was mentioning yesterday about how everyone in my Goddess Group is choosing *magickal names* for themselves. And I believe I said something along the lines of I am a firm believer in doing, wearing, using, or calling yourself whatever it takes to be more *magickal*.
(Don’t quote me; it was something to that effect.)

But it got me to thinking…
If that way of thinking applies to my *magickal* side, why can’t it apply to my Weight Watcher side?
(I have MANY sides by the way…)

Is there any particular thing I do…
Wear…
Use…
Or call myself to make me feel more powerful in the realms of Weight Watchers?
Actually…
YEAH!

The things I do –
I attend meetings and weigh in every Friday faithfully…
I track every morsel of food that passes my lips no matter what…
I exercise every chance I can…
And I am active in the Weight Watcher online community…

The things I wear --
Well…
While I may not be in my goal size, I AM in smaller clothes.
Even my shoes fit better.
Let’s not forget the running/exercise gear I wear when I jog.
Or the MP3 player that is SO vital to my success with running; something I NEVER thought I would do.
And I always carry a charged amethyst with me to keep me physically safe.

The things I use --
The online tools; specifically my tracker, the recipes, the community, and my blog…
The advice, tips, and encouragement given to me DAILY by my fellow Weight Watcher members online…
Books…
The internet to research various topics pertaining to my journey…
And the inspiration that is my leader, Tricia. This amazing woman is raising four children (three of which are triplets), maintains her goal weight, plays tennis competitively, works, and from the way she talks keeps an immaculate home all while being humorous and not taking herself or life too seriously. I adore this gal…

The things I call myself –
Mom to my three exceptional children…
Fiancé to the man I love…
Daughter to a Mother who is also on this journey right alongside me…
A fledgling but determined runner…
A good cook…

And Goddess with a passion for life and my path...

ALL of this makes me more powerful in my journey. And without even just one aspect my journey would be that much less triumphant!

I am curious...

Are there specific things you do, wear, use, or call yourself to make your goals more successful?
I would love to know…

Blessed Be…
♥Cyn♥

Goddess Goodness...

It's an exciting time to be Pagan...
Especially a Pagan Goddess!

I don't think anyone, no matter what your belief system may be, can deny that there is a special energy in the air during the month of October.
You have to be hollow inside to not feel it...
I love Halloween!
Even before officially labeling myself as Pagan, this has always been a magical time of year for me!

*Happy sigh*

So...
Goddess Group was extra good last night. We didn't do anything too over-the-top. Some psycometry work, chatted about our goal boards, and discussed any manifestions involving the healing candle we did a month or so back.
Also we discussed some upcoming really special things going on.

Like...
A field trip!!!
A DRESS UP field trip to a really quaint teahouse/flower shop that is doing some unique things in honor of fall and Halloween. I am not exactly sure what... but something about Oktoberfest was mentioned. I will have to find out more info for sure!
All I do know is that we are meeting at the Shop next Tuesday, heading to this teahouse which is a renovated old farmhouse, and we were instructed to dress *witchy*!
Ohhh and to have our *magickal name* selected.
I LOVE IT!!!

Magickal names are something that was discussed last Tuesday, which I missed.
But basically it is a name you personally choose that reflects what it is that makes you unique. You can choose something that reflects your hobbies, your astrological sign, a diety that speaks to you, or just something that fully reflects *you*.
It isn't a necessary thing to have but I am a firm believer in doing/choosing/wearing/using whatever makes you feel like your most magickal.

And yes, I have a name chosen; came across it quite quickly and quite accidentally. It is unique, magickal, and the perfect reflection of myself and my life.
I feel a bit odd revealing it here at this time. Nothing personal, just something I feel I should divulge in the prescence of my sister Goddesses first.
But I will share at a later date, promise...

Getting back to our special plans...
We are also planning a dumb supper for November 1st -- The Day of the Dead.
What exactly is a dumb supper you ask?
Well...
A dumb supper is a meal you eat in complete silence in honor of the dead. It is served on The Day of the Dead because that is the one day of the year that the veil between the living and the dead is at it's thinnest.

While it sounds bizarre and like it would be impossible to remain silent during a several course dinner (which is served backwards; desert first), from what I hear it is a very profound and riveting experience.

I smile when thinking about our group of giggly, animated, full-of-life Goddesses eating an entire meal without so much as a peep!
It is going to be one interesting evening to say the least.
Plus there is talk of a séance to take place after the dumb supper.

*Delighted grin*

Finally...
Lisa Williams, reknown medium (Think Lifetime TV -- She had a show on there called "Lisa Williams: Life Among the Dead".) is coming to Rhode Island and we are going to see her!!!! I am not exactly sure how she conducts her appearances, but from what I am hearing I believe she speaks casually with the audience and communicates with whatever spirit invokes her. I am ridiculously psyched to see her -- she is amazing!
AND...
We got a group discount.
A GODDESS GROUP discount!
*w00t w00t*
Gotta love that.

My path is something I am very passionate about; added to the fact that these upcoming events are just amazing... and well, this Goddess is all a-flutter!

*flutter-flutter*

I will say it again...
It's a great time to be a Pagan Goddess!

Blessed Be...
♥Cyn♥

Family Dinners: Weight Watcher Style.

For anyone who isn't in the know in regards to *Family Dinners: WW Style* it is a friendly battle of the WW recipes between my Mother and I. 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 WW 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!

Anywho, now that we have that out of the way...

So this week it was Mom's turn.

On the menu was Stuffed Peppers, served with a side of sauteed cabbage and onions.

Normally stuffed peppers are not one of my favorite meals, but that changed tonight.

First of all, my peach of Mother had the brilliant idea to substitute the white rice the recipe called for with brown rice.

DELISH and healthy!

The meat stuffing was so flavorful (thank you lean beef with fresh herbs ).

The peppers cooked perfectly and just fragrant and robust.

The sauce a nice blend of acidic and sweet and seasoned perfectly.

I would eat these again in a heartbeat.

Matter of fact... I will, tomorrow for lunch!

And all this heavenly flavor (and so filling -- one pepper was MORE than enough) and only four points per pepper. So all in all I had a delicious filling meal ALL for only about five points!

Yeah... me likey!

And I have to give my Mom her due pat on the back because she hit this one outta the park!

Here is the recipe: taken straight from Weight Watchers The New Complete Cookbook.

TRY IT, YOU'LL LIKE IT!

Stuffed Peppers

Makes 4 Servings

1/2 pound lean ground beef (10% or less fat)

1 cup cooked white rice

1 onion finely chopped

1/4 cup thawed frozen peas

1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese

2 tablespoons tomato paste

3 cloves garlic minced

1 teaspoon minced fresh thyme

1 teaspoon minced fresh basil

1/2 teaspoon minced fresh sage

4 green, red, or yellow bell peppers, tops cut off and seeded

1/2 cup tomato puree or tomato sauce

Preheat oven to 350 degrees Farenheit. In a large bowl combine the beef, rice, onion, peas, cheese, tomato paste, garlic, thyme, basil, and sage. Loosely stuff the peppers with the mixture; stand them in a baking dish or casserole. Pour the tomato puree over the peppers; add enough water so that the liquid comes about 1/4 up the sides of the peppers. Cover with foil and bake, basting occasionally with the juices, 30 minutes. Uncover and bake until the peppers and rice are tender and the filling is completely cooked, about 20 minutes longer. Let stand 5 minutes before serving.

Per Serving (1 stuffed pepper):POINTS value: 4

Now I am on the hunt for another recipe and one that will put me back on top!

I am thinking something using falls bounty?

Should be interesting...

STAY TUNED!

Blessed Be...

♥Cyn♥

Attributes of a Goddess...

In honor of it being Tuesday...
Goddess Group Tuesday to be exact...

Attributes of a Goddess

A woman in charge of her life

A woman who is comfortable in her own skin

A woman who is at peace with herself

A woman who values herself and her loved ones

A woman who accepts her less than perfect qualities

A woman who is able to communicate her thoughts freely

A woman who gives of herself freely in her romantic relationship

A woman who continues to learn and apply that knowledge in life

A woman who is kind and gives to others because there is so much abundance in the universe

A woman who honors herself and is true to her dreams and desires

A woman who has passion and purpose, no matter what it may be

A woman who shares that passion with others

A woman who believes she can do anything in life that she chooses to

A woman who feels and understands her sexuality

A woman who puts forth her dreams and desires to the universe

A woman who “thinks” happy and because of that is happy

A woman who possess both inner beauty as well as creating the self she chooses to show to the world

A woman who understands her body and acts on medical issues

A woman who takes care of her body, mind and her spirit and makes changes when needed

Are you a Goddess or at least on a path to becoming one?

I am!

*In a side note... I cannot take credit for this, a gal from my Goddess Group posted it on Facebook and I loved it so much that I had to post it myself... so thank you H.

Blessed Be...

♥Cyn♥