Baby it's COLD outside!

We had a great weekend! Attended our last few Christmas gatherings for 2012, ate way too much, spent time with family, and watched some football!

Saturday - Dashing Through the Snow



Minnesota Winter

Snow Bunny

Love Him

Sunday - Go Vikings!

SKOL

After the VIKINGS WIN yesterday I see a WILD CARD GAME FOOTBALL PARTY in our future! Gonna have to look for some new skinny appetizer and drink recipes, NO MERCY I'm working on my fitness!

Monday - Baby it's Cold Outside

Burrr

Hoping it's a little nicer tomorrow because Little Man would like to try out his new sled.

Let's go sledding Mama!

Tonight I am going to look at a used treadmill and am pretty excited about it! Let's hope it works out, I need something to get me through the icy and frigid cold days. Even the 20, 30, ok 40 lbs of extra fluff I'm carrying around doesn't protect me from -32°!

Skinny UP the Shrimp Dip

Whenever we get together on my mom's side of the family I usually bring Shrimp Dip because everyone LOVES it and it is EASY! We gathered on Saturday to celebrate Christmas and originally I was somewhat lenient to make it because with an ingredient list that includes cream cheese, sour cream, mayonnaise, and mozzarella cheese it tends to send the calorie calculator spinning. Instead of skipping it all together I opted to try and skinny it up and found out that the end result is as delicious as the original recipe.


Shrimp Dip
Recipe from My Mommy

     1 - 8oz package light cream cheese*
     1/2 cup light sour cream*
     1/4 cup light mayonnaise*
     1 cup cocktail sauce
     2 cups reduced fat mozzarella cheese*
     12 oz shrimp
     3 chopped green onions

1. Combine the cream cheese, sour cream, and mayonnaise; spread in a 9 x 13 container or on an equivalent size serving platter.

2. Cover evenly with cocktail sauce.

3. Sprinkle on mozzarella cheese.

4. Scatter shrimp over the cheese layer.

5. Top with chopped green onions.

6. Chill until ready to serve.

7.  Serve with crackers, chips, or veggies.

Calories - less than the full fat version per serving
* I could have used fat free cream cheese, sour cream, mayonnaise, and mozzarella cheese but I was worried someone might notice a difference. Maybe next time.
 
 
Serve it tonight at your New Years Bash for all your buddies or make a pan for just you and your man if you're going to be home on the couch like we are.

Wishing everyone a Safe & Happy New Year!

Thursday Tale from the Scale - The Ugly Truth

When I started the blog on October 18th I talked a good game but never got DOWN n' DIRTY and did the work.

So here is the UGLY Truth....



 

one hundred eighty four point four
UP 4.0 lbs Since Last Weigh In
UP 2.4 lbs TOTAL

Time to stick to my own PLAN and get DOWN n' DIRTY because I have lots of BIG plans for 2013.

Now, who's with me?

Jerk Chicken Nachos & Cran-Raspberry Fizz Recipes

Jerk Chicken Nachos are Mr. You Betcha's favorite food to pig out on while watching a football game. From August to February we make it at least twice a month. The recipe actually found me while I was a Pampered Chef consultant and it instantly was added to our favorite recipes binder (it's like my personal cookbook). When I think Nachos I think naughty, greasy, and high fat but this chicken topped version isn't too bad.

We had them last night and I though I would share the recipe. They were gone before I got a chance to snap a picture but I will add one the next time we have them.


Jerk Chicken Nachos
a Pampered Chef Recipe
 
      6 cups tortilla chips
      3 cups diced or shredded cooked chicken*
      2 cups (8 ounces) shredded cheddar and Monterey Jack cheese blend
      2 tablespoons Jamaican Jerk Rub, divided (I got mine from The Pampered Pantry)
      1 small yellow or red bell pepper or combination
      1 lime
      2 tablespoons snipped fresh cilantro
      ¼ cup sour cream* and 1 teaspoon additional Jamaican Jerk Rub (optional)
 

1. Preheat oven to 425°F and arrange tortilla chips in a slightly overlapping layer on a large cookie sheet or baking stone.

 
2. Combine chicken, cheese and 1 tablespoon of the jerk rub and sprinkle mixture evenly over tortilla chips. Bake 5-7 minutes or until cheese is melted.
 
3. Meanwhile, dice bell pepper and cut lime in half crosswise. Juice half of the lime into a small bowl and add remaining jerk rub and bell pepper and mix well.
 
4. Snip cilantro and slice remaining lime half; cut slices in quarters.
 
5. Spoon bell pepper mixture over nachos and sprinkle evenly with cilantro.
 
6. If desired, combine sour cream and additional jerk rub in resealable plastic bag; trim corner to allow sour cream to flow through. Pipe sour cream mixture over nachos.
 
7. Garnish with lime slices.
 
12 Servings - 180 Calories (as is) per Serving
* Skinny it up with low fat cheeses and light sour cream or nonfat greek yogurt.


Another recipe I keep around from my Pampered Chef days is a punch called Cran-Raspberry Fizz. I have made it for several showers and get togethers because it is always sure to please. When we have girls nights or footballs parties I make it for the ladies and spike it with raspberry vodka for extra kick.


Cran-Raspberry Fizz
a Pampered Chef Recipe
 
      4 limes, divided
      1 can (12 ounces) frozen cranberry juice concentrate*
      3 cups cold water
      1 pint raspberry sorbet, softened
      2 liters (8 cups) chilled ginger ale*
 
1. Slice two of the limes & set aside. 
 
2. Pour cranberry juice concentrate and water into a large pitcher.
 
3. Juice remaining limes into pitcher.
 
4. Scoop sorbet into pitcher and mix thoroughly.
 
5. Add ginger ale and lime slices and gently until well mixed. Serve over ice.
 
16 Servings - 130 Calories per Serving (as is)
* Skinny it up with light cranberry juice from concentrate and diet ginger ale.
 
For EXTRA KICK add 2 cups raspberry vodka.


ENJOY!!!

Roll with the Punches

Last night nothing went as planned.

Our beloved Minnesota Vikings were scheduled to kick off at 7:20 p.m. and I had to work late. So when I got off I was going to stop at the grocery store to quickly grab a few ingredients for Mr. You Betcha's favorite nachos before heading home, make nachos for supper/the game, and sneak away at some point during the game after the little man was in bed to work out.

Just as I was headed out the door (about 6:45 p.m.) we had this conversation:

 

If you don't already know you will soon realize that we are BIG Viking's Fans and not just the fair weather type! I have all games written on my calendar, we try not to schedule anything during these times, and tend to go to one or two home games a year. Someday maybe we will be season ticket holders but for now that's not in the budget.

 

Anyways, although he isn't one to complain I know this would put a big damper in his night so the wheels in my head started turning. I jumped into planning mode, called my mom and asked if we could join them to watch the game (they get the Mpls station Kare 11), and called Mr. You Betcha back to tell him to pack up Little Man we are going to Nana's!

 

I still went and grabbed stuff from the grocery store and met my men at Nana's about 5 minutes before the game started. Yes, they had their matching Percy Harvin jerseys on again.

 

 

Mom and I whipped up some snacks and we had a GREAT impromptu football party even if our team lost.

 

The downfall was that we got home at about 11:00 p.m. and I didn't get either my Couch to 5K or 30 Day Shred workouts in. I had planned on going light over the weekend and doing Couch to 5K on Saturday and 30 Day Shred on Sunday as "rest days" since I have been trying to do both workouts every day. However, now I think it will be best to hit it hard both days to make up for the fact that both Wednesday and Thursday I was a SLACKER.

 

I still don't regret it! If I would have said "oh well" when Mr. You Betcha text me he would have gotten over it, the world would have went on, and I would have gotten my workout in. BUT, we would have missed out on LIVING LIFE!

 

So...Roll with the Punches!!!

 

 

Thursday Tale from the Scale & Week of Crazy

Thursday Tale from the Scale

Truth...I am very happy the scale moved because I could have done better in the last week.




one hundred eighty point four

DOWN 1.6 lbs TOTAL

 

No excuses, I should have planned better for my week of crazy. Here is a little breakdown of last weeks calories consumed VS calories burned.

 

Some of the calorie intake values (especially Saturday/Sunday) were estimates. Hence, the *.

Not my proudest moment since I would like to keep my daily calorie intake between 1400-1600 1200-1400. I find the weekends are rough as there isn't as much structure to those days as Monday-Friday. I still entered everything I ate since it is important to be honest with myself and track it all so I know what I can do better the next week. DUH on this one! I am not going to get discouraged because each minute/hour/day/week is a new chance to get it right.

 

High note, I started Jogging/Running and 30 Day Shred again on Monday and also did both on Tuesday. Last night I worked my night job but will be back at it again tonight.

 

Week of Crazy Breakdown

 

Thursday Night - Picked up Little Man from daycare and went out of town to pick up our new glasses. I'm a chicken, got the same Calvin Klein frames I had last time just in a different color. We had supper at Bennigan's and I ordered a Turkey O'Toole (could have done MUCH worse for myself).

 

Friday Night - Picked up Little Man from daycare, had supper with the family, and spent time with a couple of monsters (one mine and one my niece) and a Disney movie.

 

2 Monsters under the age of 2 - LOVE them!

Saturday - We cut wood in the early afternoon and then headed out of town to find clothes for our family pictures.

 

If you don't know/understand why:

We burn wood to save $ on Minnesota winter energy bill.

We only cut & split wood that is already dead.

 

Shopping tuckered someone out!

 

Sunday - Off to church to teach Sunday School and back home quick to get ready for said pictures while "the men" watched the football game. Changed them into picture clothes then back out the door to picture appointment.

 

SKOL Vikings!

 

October 2012

 

Sarah, WE LOVE THEM! We are SO lucky to have found the very talented work of Impressions by Sarah! If you are from our area check her out because she is amazing!

 

Monday Night - Picked up Little Man from daycare, made supper for the family, spent time with the kiddo before putting him to bed, hit the pavement with Couch to 5K, after Jogging/Running went straight to the basement for 30 Day Shred, took bath & went to bed.

 

Tuesday Night - Picked up Little Man from daycare, made supper for the family, finally posted Starting Stats & Pictures HERE , spent time with the kiddo before putting him to bed, hit the pavement (in the rain) with Couch to 5K, after Jogging/Running went straight to the basement for 30 Day Shred, took shower & went to bed.

 

Wednesday Night - Picked up Little Man from daycare, had pizza (in moderation) with the family, left for night job, came home & went to bed.

 

There you have it in a nutshell!

 

Striving for a successful week, I am yearning to see the 170s!

 

 

Starting Stats & Pictures

These pictures are nothing special, as a matter of fact I hate them! However, I think that it is important to document my progress from here on out. Sorry I look like a wreck, I had just finished working out for the night and was about to hop in the shower.

 

 

 

Here are my stats:

Date: October 18, 2012
Weight: 182
Hips: 44.25"
Waist: 33.50"
Bust: 40.25"
Arm: 13.25"
Thigh: 26.00"

I will post progress photos after every 10 pounds.

The Plan

Yesterday I was very adamant that the time is NOW. However, I am a firm believer that there has to be a plan or you are just setting yourself up for failure.

So what's the plan, Stan?

Counting Calories - FatSecret My Fitness Pal

I am using FatSecret My Fitness Pal to count calories and have set 1400-1600 calories 1200-1400 calories as my daily intake. That's what is right for me and it might not be right for you.

FatSecret My Fitness Pal works for me because it is free and it also links up with a Calorie Counter App on my iPhone so I can track foods on the go.

If you are on FatSecret My Fitness Pal and would like to become "Friends" my member name is krazykates MN_Kates.
 
Jogging/Running - Couch to 5K

 

I actually use an app called Ease into 5k from Bluefin Software that I purchased for my iPhone last spring. I have been happy with it in the past and am going to restart the program in hopes of training for a 5k. The theory is to work yourself up to jogging/running a 5k in 8 weeks through walking/jogging interval training.

 

  

Can it be done without the App? Absolutely, but the App makes it SO easy. It cues you when to switch from walking to jogging/running, allows you to make a workout soundtrack right inside the App, keeps track of your progress, and allows you to journal about each individual workout.

 

30 Day Shred

I am not going to lie, I have not completed the entire 30 days before but have done a couple of the workouts and they are hard! I have no doubt in my mind that if I completed all 30 days I would see results. I don't think I will make it an every day thing just yet but am going to work out with Jill when I can. I have seen it for sale on Amazon.com but I got mine off the rack at Walmart.

There you have it people, I will post before pictures shortly.

Thursday Tale from the Scale - 1st Edition

So...I stepped on the scale this morning and this is what looked back at me.

 

one hundred eighty two point zero

It is not a surprise since this number has been staring back at me since May. I had been doing great including walking/jogging with the Couch to 5K App on my phone, counting calories, eating well, and making healthy choices. On G's 1st birthday (the end of April) I was down 20+ pounds since the first time I stepped on the scale after I had him. So what happened? I got lazy and started to cheat a little here and there, stopped counting all my calories, and skipping workouts. I felt great and people were starting to notice my hard work so I quit working hard!

 

Don't ask me why because I have NO IDEA WHY! At no point was this my goal weight! I felt good and had great momentum but the little cheats got the best of me. Over the summer I had good intentions of starting tomorrow, starting on Monday or starting next week but I was only fooling myself! I HAVE TO START NOW!

 

I don't know who said it but, "In order to change, we must be sick and tired of being sick and tired." Were they talking to me? I am sick and tired of being sick and tired! No excuses! Not tomorrow, not next week, not next month, NOW! Before 6 more months pass me by and the same number is still looking at me on the scale!