Day 38

Day 38 - A picture of your favorite drink

Water has to be my favorite drink of all time because it never does anything bad to my body, and i am convince it is part of the reason why I have lost 10 pounds in 1 week. Go me my frustrations are at bay today.

Test and Trial Friday

Okay, So this is was a fun and I have two great recipes come this way and if anyone wants more recipes like these two should go buy the book Cooking light: Fresh Food Super Fast.

This first recipe comes in two parts (the chicken and the rice), So really you are getting three recipes this week. I loved this recipe, I will defiantly will be making this one again. The only thing negative I have to say is that when taking the pan of chicken out of the over PLEASE, PLEASE remember to use an oven mitt because I didn't. Luckily, I let go fast enough for it not to matter too much. I just hat a minor burn but that could have been a lot worse if I had not let got (That's me showing my many years of neglect in the kitchen or my sever case of blondness).

Roasted Chicken with Shallots and Grapes Prep: 4 minutes Cook: 33 minutes

2 teaspoons olive oil

4 (8oz) skinless, bone-in chicken leg quarters

1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1/4 teaspoon salt
2 cups seedless red grapes
1 tablespoon fresh thyme leaves
4 large shallots, peeled and quartered

1. Preheat oven to 425
2. Heat 1 teaspoon olive oil in a 12-in cast iron skillet (make sure it is oven proof) over medium-high heat. Sprinkle salt and pepper over chicken. Add chicken to pan; cook 4 minutes on each side or until browned. Remove pan from heat.
3. While chicken cooks, combine remaining teaspoon of olive oil, grapes, thyme, and shallots. Spoon grape mixture around chicken in pan. Back, uncovered, at 425 for 22 to 25 minutes is done.
4. Place 1 chicken quarter on a plate. Spoon grape mixture evenly over chicken.

Yield: 4 servings (1 chicken leg per serving)

CALORIES 293; FAT 8.7g(sat 2.3g, mono 4.1g, poly 2.2g) PROTEIN; 35.4g; CARB 17.5g; FIBER 1.2g; CHOL 136mg; IRON 2.4mg; SODIUM 297mg; CALC 37mg

Mushroom Rice Pilaf Prep: 2 minutes Cook: 5 minutes

1 (8.5oz) package of microwavable seven-whole-grain rice mixture
1 teaspoon olive oil
1 cup sliced fresh mushrooms
2 garlic cloves, minced
2 tablespoons coarsely chopped pecans, toasted

1. Microwave rice according to package directions
2. While rice cooks, heat oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add mushrooms and garlic; sauté 4 minutes or until mushrooms are browned and tender, stirring in pecans during last minute. Stir in hot rice.

Yield: 4 servings (1/2 cup per serving)

CALORIES 139; FAT 5.6g (sat 0.6g, mono 3.2g, poly 1.7g); CARB 21.6g; FIBER 3.9g; CHOL 0mg; IRON 0.2mg; SODIUM 1mg; CALC 6mg

So if anything could go wrong with this second recipe, I think it did. Not to self California does not seem to carry Coconut milk when someone needs it. I when to three different stores and still found nothing. Luckily, I have a very creative husband who was able to combine cream of coconut and coconut water (which totally saved the day) not to mention that I bought the wrong corn and he went and got the correct one for me so I could continue dinner.

Coconut Corn Chowder with Chicken Prep: 2 minutes Cook: 7 minutes

3 1/2 cups cubed medium-sized red potatoes (about 6)
2 (14 3/4oz) cans no-salt-added cream-style corn
1 (13.5oz) can light coconut milk
3 cups pulled rotisserie chicken
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground pepper
1/4 cup chopped green onions

1. Place potato in a large microwave-safe bowl. Cover with plastic wrap; vent. Microwave one high for 3 minutes or until tender.
2. While potato cooks, combine corn and next 4 ingredients in a medium saucepan. Cook over medium heat 3 minutes or just until bubbly, stirring occasionally.
3. Stir potatoes into corn mixture. Bring to a boil; reduce heat, and simmer for 2 minutes. Ladle soup in to bowls and sprinkle evenly with green onions.

Yield: 6 servings (1 1/3 cup per serving)

CALORIES 353; FAT 6.7g (sat 4.5g, mono 1.4g, poly 1.1g); PROTEIN 27.6g; CARB 50.2g; FIBER 4.2g; CHOL 60mg; IRON 2.7mg; SODIUM 335mg; CALC 28mg

Day 37

Day 37 - A picture taken at school

I am not in school anymore but this is from my former college Kennesaw State University.

Day 36

Day 36 - A picture of your pet

I love my little fishes, even though I don't know how I am going bring them with me to Texas.

Day 35

Day 35 - A picture of your hometown

Waleska, Ga

Day 34

Day 34 - A picture of your favorite morning

Parris Island, July 2009

It is hard to tell from the picture (since all you can see it the glow of the glow belts), but this is Family day at Parris Island for Christopher's Boot camp graduation. I wanted to pick this morning as one of my favorites because it was the first time I was seeing my best friend in over three months. Also we had just become engages a short time before and I could not wait to hug him once again.

Day 31, 32, & 33

Day 31 - A picture of food you made

This is roasted Chicken with shallots and grapes over wild mushroom rice. The recipe will be coming later this week

Day 32 - A picture of what you did today

Yesterday was Easter so Christopher and I decide to dye eggs to celebrate the Americanize portion of the holiday, it was so much fun and I learn that Christopher can not do anything by the directions even egg dying.
Day 33 - A picture of somewhere you went today

This is Lily, my so called work that I have every day and this is what we are doing today beside growling  and taking everything out.

Day 30 and Test and Trial Friday

Day 30 - A picture of your favorite quote

Test and Trial Friday

I know that I haven't done my recipe a week bit but I am going to get back on that starting now. Wednesday night I was kindly forced to start trying new things again but this time we have to always make sure that we are able to be healthy while doing so. I had a great time doing this recipe and the only thing I have to say about it is, if you have a husband who is a better cook. KICK him out of the kitchen, the constant teasing is crazy. Christopher spent is time making fun of the way I hold a spatula.

If you want to see more of my recipe attempts got to Test and Trial page tab on the home screen and check them out.

Pan-Seared Chicken Cutletswith Mustard Cream Sauce

Prep time: 3 minutes  Cook Time: 14 minutes

3 tablespoons all-purpose flour

1/4 teaspoon salt

1/4 teaspoon black pepper

4 (4-ounce) chicken breast cutlets (1pound)

2 teaspoons olive oil

Cooking Spray

3/4 cup Chicken Broth (fat free, low-sodium for less calories)

1/4 cup half and half

2 teaspoons stone-ground mustard

1. Combine first 3 ingredients in a heavy-duty zip-top plastic back; add chicken. seal back and shake to coat chicken.
2. Heat oil in a large nonstick skillet over meduim-high heat; coat pan and chicken with cooking spray. Add chicken to pan; cook 3 minutes on each side or untill browned.
3. Combine broth and next 3 ingredients, stirring with a whisk. Add to pan; bring to a boil. Reduce heat, and simmer 6 minutes or until chicken is done and sauce is slight thick.

Yield: 4 servings (serving size: 1 chicken cutlet and 2 tablespoons sauce)

CALORIES 186; FAT 6.8g (sat 2.2g, mono 3.4g, poly 1.1g); PROTEIN 24.2g;

CARBS 5.5g; FIBER 0.2g; CHOL. 68mg; IRON 1.1mg; SODIUM 342mg; CALC 31mg

Day 28&29

Day 28 - A picture of your favorite place in the world

Could this be anymore obvious??? My favorite place in the whole wide world is to be in my wonderful Marine's arms. I know that we will call many places home and we will be able to make each place special to us every time but as long as I have my husband's arms to come home to when things get tough I know I will always be strong.

Day 29 - A picture that can always make you smile

My youngest nephew is what makes me smile... I hate to be separated from all of them now but I am enjoying getting to see him grow everyday ( I love technology).

Day 27

Day 27 - A picture of your favorite night

Day 26

Day 26 - A picture of something that means a lot to you

My Penguins mean a lot to me because I care for every single one of them. Each one was given to me by a good friend or family member in my life. That and I really really love coffee (even though I am not suppose to have it at all)

Days 23-25

I am going to go ahead and do this weekends posts so that I can enjoy my weekend with my wonderful In laws.Picture of that will be coming sometime Monday.

Day 23 - A picture of your favorite book

I can never pick a favorite book in my life, I can hate books after I read them (hardly ever though) but I never love one more than any other. So this is the most recent book I have finished. The Host by Stephenie Meyer was a unique way for telling the story of a love triangle. I love the concept of the book. But you will have to read it to learn more because I don't give spoilers.

Day 24 - A picture of someone you miss

I miss my niece and nephews more than anyone in the world. I love them with all my heart and I can't wait to see them again, I just wish I knew when that would be.

Day 25 - A picture of you from last year

This is May of last year.

Day 22

Day 22 - A picture of something you never leave the house without

Day 21

Day 21 - A picture of something you wish you could forget

I am not putting a picture up for today because there is noting in my life that I would ever want to forget. I have had trials in my life but every moment, every second of my life has shaped me in to the person I am today...

Day 20

Day 20 - A picture of somewhere you'd love to travel

Days 17-19

Day 17 - A picture of something that has made a huge impact on your life recently

This is my youngest nephew and he is a huge miracle. I have a new respect for my SIL and the family she has created. I can only hope to be the half the mother she is to my niece and nephews.

Day 18 - A picture of the sexiest Man alive

Can I say Duh!!

Day 19 - A picture of something you love to do.

Tie Dying has always been a passion of mine and I am hoping to continue letting my skills grow as I progress.

New Frustrations

All right I am having problems with keeping my spirits up for my weight loss right now. I don't know what I am doing wrong anymore. One week of being a "woman" and I am right back where I started. Thankfully I have not touched that 200 pound mark again but this is ridiculous.

I have been at this for months now and all  I have to show for it is several foot/ankle injuries and sweaty clothes. I know I can do this I have done it before..... I mean I was huge my senior year of high school and a in less than a year I went for a size 14 jeans to a size 7, I know I can do this and again right before my wedding I dropped the same weight again. But the last two times it seemed effortless, I didn't even notice that I was losing weight, I didn't noticed until I started to gain it all back.

Why does this time feel so different? I have never been over 200 pounds in my life, I have never had to deal with injuries everyday because of minimal physical activity, I have never dealt with disease, and I HAVE NEVER felt so ashamed of my body the way I do know.

I am a hard time finding the strength in myself to do this anymore. I don't have the support system that I had back in Georgia with my family and 99% of the time I feel alone now. The friends I do have out here has probably never had to deal with weight gain in their lives and are the size of poles. That makes this WORST!!!! I am the biggest marine wife in Monterey county and I can't feel pride for my husband when I look disgusting standing beside him... I don't want to give up but I am tired of this roller coaster.

MY WEIGHT LOSS ROLLER COASTER 

Me at my biggest in High School 

Me after my first year of college

Third year of College

Small Again at my wedding

Me just last Month

Day 16

Day 16 - A picture of someone who inspires you

I am inspired by my dad. He has always been there for me the way a parent should, even when I was a difficult teenager and didn't want his help. My dad inspires me though because I know he has been through a lot and he is a better man because of it and I am proud to call him my dad. He has started his own business and a great web site, Backpacking Chef. He is know getting ready to get married to a beautiful woman who I believe is perfect for my dad and I wish them many blessings in there new life. I love you daddy.

Day 15

Day 15 - A picture of something you want to do before you die

I want to start a family with my wonderful husband. I am looking forward to the day that I am healthy enough to be a mom. I know I am still working out my medical problems but I know that one day God will bless me with the family I have always wanted. Hopefully one day sooner than later. 45 pounds to go....

Day 14

Day 14 - A picture of your favorite store

Day 13

Day 13 - A picture of your favorite band or artist

Not necessarily My favorite it band or artist but I am a huge fan Zac Brown Band. I was so excited when I got to meet Zac Brown. The home grown Georgia band's music always make me feel good. 

Day 08-12, OOPS!

Okay, I get to get away with missing a few days this time. I was super busy getting ready for my Husbands surprise party that was this past Saturday, I complete success if I do say so myself. Pictures to come of that later.

Day 08 - A picture of your most treasured item

This is hard to explain. I do not treasure the ring that I wear on my finger or my new last name but I do treasure the man I am married to and the beautiful life that we are creating together.

Day 09 - A picture of the person who has gotten you through the most

Anyone could have expected my mother would be this one, I love her so much for raising me right

Day 10 - A picture of someone you do the craziest things with

This is Amber, my very dear and oldest friend. Every time we spent time together something crazy always pursued. I miss her dearly and look forward to being in her wedding in 2012

Day 11 - A picture of something you hate

These pest have taken over my apartment lately. I know its because of all the rain that we had two weeks ago but right now this is what I REALLY, REALLY hate the most.

Day 12 - A picture of something you love

Family is what I love the most, I do not know what I would not do without my wonderful family. They are the light in my life that keeps me strong and moving forward.