Test and Trial Friday

This week I let my Husband pick the recipe I would try. Two weeks in a row I did a slow cooker recipe. A tip before I get started, If you have kids do not try to start this when they suddenly have the need to be clingy. Lily suddenly decided that she wanted to be held the entire time I prepped my ingredients. I throughly enjoyed our first ever CHOWDER!!!! next time I will make sure Lily will be down for a nap when I have to do prep work. I only got frustrated when I was finished and looked at my kitchen, talk about a scary scene. Thankfully I have an amazing husband who helped me clean it up since Lily had my hands full all afternoon.

Chicken, Potato, and Double-Corn Chowder
 1 bag (16oz) frozen hash brown potatoes, thawed
     (I chopped my own potatoes about four medium)
1 can (15.25 oz) whole kernel corn, undrained
1 can (14.75 oz) cream-style corn
1 can (12 oz) evaporated milk
1 medium onion , chopped (1/2 cup)
3 cups Cooked Chicken Breast
8 slices of crispy bacon, crisply cooked and crumbled
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
1/4 teaspoon pepper

1.  In a 3 1/2- to 6- quart slower cooker, mix all ingredients except chicken.

2. Cover and cook on low heat for 6 to 8 hours (or on High heat for 3 to 4 hours) to develop Flavors.

3.Stir in 3 ups of Chicken, cover and cook for an additional 15 to 20 minutes.

1 Serving: CAL: 315 (CAL. FROM FAT 70); FAT 8g (SAT. FAT 3g); CHOL 15mg; CARBS. 55g (FIBER 5G); PROTEIN 11g

A year in Monterey

Wow I can't believe that Christopher and I have been in Monterey, California for just over a year. And what a roller coaster of ride has it been. This time last year I was so excited about moving into my apartment and sleeping on a air mattress and freezing very night because I was not use to the weather out here. I was also very sick and dreamed only of going home to Georgia (I was so miserable). Christopher and I were trying to get use to married life and the USMC Life all at once and some time it became just too much for me to handle and I cried myself to sleep. Our Language Program had not started yet and we were struggling to find the balance that now is the strength of our relationship.

Now a year later Christopher and I have finally gotten into our own married life groove. We still fight and have those moments that we just need to separate and breath but we are stronger together and a powerful couple. WE are almost finished with our language program and we have been told to prepare for a second. I don't know if I am excited for another language but I am looking forward to the rest for our lives together and what the USMC has in store for us next. I love my life.

2009

2010

Count Down Update

Alright another week has past and another weigh in has happened, kind of. I was not able to weigh myself this week because my Wii is was stupid so I wasn't able to get an actual weight (Hoping my husband will let be got buy a regular scale so I can avoid this issue every week.) Besides I really think the Wii Board measures me wrong anyways.

Test and Trial Friday

Okay I think it is time for me to try something new. Every Friday I am going to Post a New recipe that I tried during the week. I think it will help me to learn to cook better and not lean on the recipes I already know.... I think I will call it Test and Trial Friday. Wish me luck.

So this week I did try two new recipes but I am going to only share one. Last Sunday before grocery shopping my husband convinced me to try a slow cooker recipe, so we tried Pulled Jerk Pork Sandwiches. We loved it, best pulled pork I have ever made. The only down side was that I had to sit at the house all day smelling it. Lily and I spent a little time sitting on the porch to get away from the smell. I know the recipe was good because my neighbor Brandi ate faster than anyone at the table, which never happens. We had small salads, potato salad, and baked beans as sides.

Pulled Jerk Pork Sandwiches
2 1/2 lb pork boneless shoulder
1 tablespoon Jamaican jerk seasoning (dry) - we used a mixture of Smoked Applewood seasoning, seasoning salt,Garlic powder, cayenne pepper, onion powder
1/4 teaspoon Thyme leaves
1 medium onion ( Chopped)
1 cup cola ( We used 2)
2 cup Barbecue Sauce
sandwich buns

Prep Time: 5 min Cook Time: 10hr 45min Makes 8 servings

1. Rub dry seasoning over pork and sprinkle with Thyme. Place pork in cooker with onion and cola.

2. Cover and cook on low for 8 to 10 hours

3. Remove pork from cooker; place on cutting board. Remove juices from cooker and reserve. Use forks to pull pork into shreds. Return pork to cooker. Stir in barbecue sauce and 1/2 cup of reserved juices. Increase heat setting to High. Cover and cook 30 to 45 minutes or until heated through.

4. Spoon pork onto buns. In 2-quart saucepan, heat remaining juices to boiling; serve with sandwiches for dipping if desired.

Serving: CAL. 420 (From fat 125); FAT 14g (SAT. FAT 5g); CHOL. 65ml; SODIUM 900ml; CARBS 48g (FIBER 2g); PRO. 25g

Band Aids Don't Fix Everything

Why can't my heart ever be whole?

My Husband informed me today that there is no way we can afford to go home for Christmas. I think I may have died a little inside after hearing that. WE are not a couple who likes to ask for help and I know that I do not look forward to asking. He did say that he could send me home (alone) to see the Families but I don't think that will feel the same. I just want the ability to have everyone I love in one location.

I want to spend the holidays with Christopher because one day I know he will be on a deployment and I will have limited communications. I am trying to take advantage of this special gift. But a part of me really wants to see our families too. I am missing my Niece and nephews growing up, I am missing my mommy and daddy and my sister. Even as I sit here typing I break into tears thinking about how much I miss my family.

I also miss the love I feel when I am with my In laws. They are just as amazing as my own family. I feel just a welcome with them and I know that they love me. My sister in law is more of a blood sister to me now than ever before. She is amazing, her spirit keeps me strong knowing that She is a part of my life.

I wish there was a way that my heart could be whole again. Will it ever be whole again? I know that it continues to grow stronger but I never feel whole. Part of me is always missing. If I am with the Family, I will usually always be without my husband and if I am with my Husband I know that I am without our family. My heart is divided, between Georgia and California, and I don't have a strong enough band aid to keep it together. I am a person who loves to be in personal contact with the people I love and it just gets so hard to keep in touch when on separate by an entire country.

Well I guess that is it for now, I hope I cheer up soon. My emotions are all over my face and Christopher is picking up on to the pain I am feeling. Till Next time...

Trent, Ansley, William, and myself

Feels so great to finally have neighbors that we can get along with. This week another amazing military sign the lease to live in our apartment building. They will only be living here on the weekends for a while but they are pretty great. Also a new Army Guy moved in up stairs. I happy to say that I think Christopher has finally competition when playing the Wii. THis past Sunday we did a Cook out with the neighbors which was amazing. WE had Bar-b-cue ribs, baked beans cooked over hot coals, grilled corn on the cob and great potato salad. I personally did not get to eat very much of the meal because of the amount of starchy foods but I did get to enjoy a little bit of everything and loved it.

I did not loose any weight this week but I am okay with that since I did loose the inch in my waist and hips (plus I am a woman so I am bloated this week). i had a great first day of my new work out schedule and as soon as I get off here I will happily start Day Two.

Christopher and I will be once again Carving pumpkins this weekend since our first two decided to die last weekend. I was very proud of our first two, Motto Pumpkin and Goof Ball Pumpkin went every well together. Chris is also going to to a pumpkin carving contest this weekend or next ( can't remember)

Can you Guess who did which one?

I am so in love with how close to perfect my life is right now... I am so blessed. Thank you God for being present in my wonderful life that you gave me.

Sweet sweet Rain

This is going to be short and sweet but I was too excited to wait for more to write about. I did my first weight in today and I have lost one inch in my waist and hips!!!!! Everything else is the same but It shows that I am making progress. I can't believe I can see a change after one week of trying. I count calories, keep an exercise and nutrition log, and make sure I stay motivated. I can feel improvements in my bust... my pants don't exactly fit yet (but that is because I am a little bloated for being a woman with water weight) and the one bra that fits me is starting to feel too loose.

Another Amazing thing that is happening today is RAIN.... That's right actually rain in Monterey, California. I wish it was an actually storm with thunder and Lightening, but this works. I never thought I would be so happy to see rain.

Feeling Good to Motivate

Walk 3:14pm, October 14, 2010

Distance: 2.11 miles 

Time: 0:47:50 

Speed: 2.6 mph

** Posted from BiM Active

I have started to track my walks again and will be posting my performance afterwards (above). I hope this will help to keep me motivated. Any feed back would be great. I am not giving up this time not even my Plantar Fasciitis can keep me down. 

Today I feel the need to add a little more information about what Plantar Fasciitis is and how it affects my life.

Plantar fasciitis is irritation and swelling of the thick tissue (Plantar Fascia) that hold up the bones of the bottom of the foot. This Fascia can become inflamed and painful, making it more difficult to walk. The most common complaint is pain in the bottom of the heel. It is usually worst in the morning and may improve throughout the day. By the end of the day the pain may be replaced by a dull aching that improves with rest. Most people complain of increased heel pain after walking for a long period of time. This irritation caused me to completely stop walking for over a month. I could barely walk around my apartment, let alone down the street. But relieving the pain was a simple fix for me thankfully. I bought inserts for my less supportive shoes and Christopher surprised me by buying me a pair of reliable walking shoes. I always try to remember to to my leg stretches and take it slower if I start to feel any pain. This is not something that is not tolerable but I will have it for the rest of my life and if not properly taken care of could lead to surgery and limited mobility.

*** This information was provided by Google Health

The road we choose to travel

(I wrote this quickly so I would not be surprised if it has errors, but I had to get this out)

Today I am suddenly walking down memory land and thinking about where my life is now compared to a few years ago.

A few years ago I started my first year of College, every highschooler's dream But I let the freedom get to me. I cheated on a long time boyfriend with a guy who only saw me as an easy target and never wanted a relationship (though he promised me one). I didn't handle rejection well and was convinced I would one day win my ex back (HE is now my best friend so in the end I kind of did). During the duration of that year I was constantly drinking, blaming everyone else for my pain. Smoking was a big part of what I did too; if I had a bottle of alcohol in my hand I had a cigarette in the other. I also was dated around and had several rebound relationships (even though I said they weren't). I also had a roommate who made my life harder. We hated each other in the end because I decided to watch my own back and stop taking care of hers. After she threatened my life and we were done for good.
My life did not improve right out of that first year. I did transfer to a college closer to home. After I moved back in with my parents, I kept the same attitude from school. still hung around my ex hoping that he would rediscover that he loved me (never happened). I still drank with a cigarette in my hand. I lost the trust of my mother and my dad was clueless of everything I did. I still relied on my ’rebounds’ to comfort me. And I never went home.

I didn't know it then but God was at work in my life. I rekindled old friendships and found a church that I love dearly. I asked got into my heart on July 8, 2007 and was baptized a week later. Life was perfect as perfect can be.

I did hit another rough spot and it let to me drinking again and I tried dating after one guy broke my heart. But that's when Christopher came in to my life. We dated and hit rough spots. He left for boot camp and I fell in love. We got married and now we are the happiest.

Think what you want but I am happy everything happened because I believe some amazing things came out of it; I have made some amazing improvements in the past year and it is all thanks to God placing the right people in my Life, the people I know call my best friends. I gained a best friend who no one can ever take from me, I learned limits and where I didn’t want to be, and the best one of all I learned a little bit more about myself and I received the greatest gift ever, my husband. The love of my life.

New horizons and an update

So I have been falling behind on my blog posts but what can I say... nothing really going on that would produce and fun or interesting blog post from me. But I have been busy and that I am excited about. I started my new job last week and I am absolutely thrilled. I am now a daytime Nanny (AKA babysitter). Nanny sound so much cooler than babysitter to me.

Lily is a wonderful 4 month old little girl who loves to pose for the camera and believes she is more independent than she actually is. As I sit her typing she sleeps with her favorite pink baby doll and dreams of something beautiful.

Let's see what else is going on in my slight if not always boring life. I have once again gained weight but this is the last time I will do it. I have set my mind to a goal and I hope I can keep it. 20 pounds before my husband and I go home for Christmas this year. Think I can do it? I do and believing in myself is one thing I didn't have last time. I am tracking my progress every step of the way and I am determined to get healthy. The last doctors appointment/blood work scared me to much not to. I have never had to be on medication and now I have to take something every morning and I don't like it. My doctor said that I could be come Diabetic which is something I do not want or need.

I want to be as healthy as possible so that when we start our family I am ready and know that I will be fit enough to keep up with a child. SO far I feel stronger and more motivated to get out there and fight my battle with weight. I am not ashamed that I gained the weight but I do want to get it off as quickly (at a healthy pace) as possible.