Biggest Loser "Sizzlin' Hot" Summer Challenge

[pjlla]

**This isn't a true recipe.... more just an "idea" that I got from my Korean friend, Mrs. Chun. I use pork because of DS's chicken allergy, but you could easily substitute chicken or even lean beef. I was taught to make it with zucchini originally, but have added other veggies as available and I ALWAYS put in onions and peppers.... but that is a personal choice.

One pound of meat plus 4 medium squash, one large onion, and 2 bell peppers serves 4 hungry people with no side dishes (although I often make brown rice for the kids).

Mrs. Chun's Pork and Zucchini with black bean garlic sauce

1 small jar of black bean sauce or black bean garlic sauce (found in the Asian aisle of your typical market) You won't need the entire jar.

1 lb. lean pork loin or chicken breast, diced into bite size pieces

2 zucchini, diced

2 summer squash, diced

1 large sweet yellow onion, diced

2 red or green bell peppers, diced

EVOO

Optional: minced garlic and/or garlic powder, other diced veggies such as pea pods, bok choy, celery)

Stir fry the diced meat in PAM spray. Remove to a bowl when cooked through. In the same pan add a bit more PAM spray and any extra garlic you are adding plus the onion and pepper. Sautee/stir fry until softened and translucent (you may like yours a bit more cooked.... I like mine with a bit of crunch to it). Add to bowl with the meat.

In the same pan add another bit of PAM and add squash and any other veggies. Sautee/stir-fry until cooked to desired doneness. Turn down heat to medium/medium low. Add contents of bowl back to pan (meat, peppers, onions, garlic). Toss to combine.

Make a hollow in the middle of the pan. Drizzle in just a bit of EVOO and 1-2 Tb. of the black bean sauce. Stir around in the hollow to combine the sauce and oil and warm them.... then continue to stir to coat the meat and veggies with the sauce. Test taste a piece at this point. The sauce can be pretty salty and depending on your tastes this may be enough sauce. If you decide to add more than 2 TB., do so in small increments.

If your sauce does NOT have the garlic, then feel free to use plenty of garlic in this recipe if you like it. If your sauce DOES have garlic, then be careful. The black bean garlic sauce I buy seems to be VERY garlicky!! (Brand I found is Lee Kum Kee of Hong Kong.)



Sorry.... no breakdown of Points or calories available for the entire recipe. But the black bean sauce is 30 calories, 1 g fat, 4 g carbs for 1 Tb. You could easily figure out the remaining calories depending on what you use (for WW you would only have to count the sauce, EVOO, and meat).

This is delish served over brown rice or whole wheat couscous, but also great just on its own.

ENJOY!....................P

 

[JacksLilWench]

I am finally here!

Just as I started typing out all my responses to everyone's answers and the new question for YESTERDAY (I'm a terrible coach, I will never do this again) a huge storm came into my area and knocked out my internet for the night!! I am so terribly sorry to everyone, I feel awful. Please forgive me!! But let's get right to it! This will be a 2fer to make up for yesterday.

QOTD for July 18th

It's time to play the music, It's time to light the lights, It's time to meet the Muppets on the Muppet Show tonight!

We're headed to MuppetVision 3D today!

I read an article recently that said there were two types of Muppets: Order Muppets (like Kermit, Sam The Eagle and Beaker) and Chaos Muppets (Miss Piggy, Animal, and Dr. Bunsen Honeydew). Chaos Muppets cause all kinds of chaos (obviously) and Order Muppets spend a lot of time cleaning up the mess and putting everything back in order. This spoke to me about my lifestyle choices and my healthy eating personality. Here's the link to the article: http://www.slate.com/articles/life/...t_kind_of_muppet_are_you_chaos_or_order_.html

Do you feel you are a Chaos Muppet or an Order Muppet when it comes to your plan sometimes? Do you have elements of both? Do you think it's helpful to have a little of both so you can tackle an obstacle that comes your way?

I think I am a Chaos Muppet when it comes to my plan- I am so "fly by the seat of my pants" kinda girl, and it totally reflects on my food choices...which is probably why I haven't had quite the success I would like to have had. But that's the way of things when you're a Chaos Muppet! One of these days I want to be an Order Muppet, but I don't think it will happen


QOTD for July 19th

On our way out of the park today sad1: No I don't wanna go!!) I always like to stop at Sid Cahuenga's and see what kind of memorabilia is there. It's always something from another time, during "Hollywood's Golden Age". One of my favorite stars from that time is Marilyn Monroe. I've always liked her as a bit of a role model for girls with curves. She was never rail-thin, she embraced what she looked like, and made quite a career on it!

Who is your favorite "old-school" actor/actress? If you don't have a specific favorite actor, what's your favorite movie from that time period?

Thank you to everyone for being so patient with me and my crazy coaching this week! You guys are so inspiring and should be so proud of yourselves!

 

[6ofus2]

QOTD for July 18th

It's time to play the music, It's time to light the lights, It's time to meet the Muppets on the Muppet Show tonight!

Do you feel you are a Chaos Muppet or an Order Muppet when it comes to your plan sometimes? Do you have elements of both? Do you think it's helpful to have a little of both so you can tackle an obstacle that comes your way?

QOTD for July 19th

Who is your favorite "old-school" actor/actress? If you don't have a specific favorite actor, what's your favorite movie from that time period?
COLOR]

I'm definately an order muppet. I have to have a plan to know what I'm doing and to stick to. I can make good choices in the moment, but prefer to know what I'm up against.

Old school movies for me are those I grew up with, which was Pete's Dragon & Mary Poppins. Love them!

 

[pjlla]

I am finally here!

Just as I started typing out all my responses to everyone's answers and the new question for YESTERDAY (I'm a terrible coach, I will never do this again) a huge storm came into my area and knocked out my internet for the night!! I am so terribly sorry to everyone, I feel awful. Please forgive me!! But let's get right to it! This will be a 2fer to make up for yesterday.

Seriously.... don't worry about it!! And don't let this week make you think you should never coach again! You are doing great! I once had an entire week that I was supposed to coach and I forgot until about Monday!! But I was forgiven and lived to coach again!

QOTD for July 18th

It's time to play the music, It's time to light the lights, It's time to meet the Muppets on the Muppet Show tonight!
We're headed to MuppetVision 3D today!

I read an article recently that said there were two types of Muppets: Order Muppets (like Kermit, Sam The Eagle and Beaker) and Chaos Muppets (Miss Piggy, Animal, and Dr. Bunsen Honeydew). Chaos Muppets cause all kinds of chaos (obviously) and Order Muppets spend a lot of time cleaning up the mess and putting everything back in order. This spoke to me about my lifestyle choices and my healthy eating personality. Here's the link to the article: http://www.slate.com/articles/life/...t_kind_of_muppet_are_you_chaos_or_order_.html

Do you feel you are a Chaos Muppet or an Order Muppet when it comes to your plan sometimes? Do you have elements of both? Do you think it's helpful to have a little of both so you can tackle an obstacle that comes your way?


I'm a bit of both, but mostly an "Order Muppet". I like a plan, things in order, structure in most of my life. That said, I don't mind the occasional weekend away or vacation when we take things as they come.

Definitely helpful to be able to handle BOTH. I will admit, I get thrown when things don't go the way I have planned.... and I get stressed when things are out of order. But I have learned to roll with the punches in regards to many things in life!

QOTD for July 19th
On our way out of the park today sad1: No I don't wanna go!!) I always like to stop at Sid Cahuenga's and see what kind of memorabilia is there. It's always something from another time, during "Hollywood's Golden Age". One of my favorite stars from that time is Marilyn Monroe. I've always liked her as a bit of a role model for girls with curves. She was never rail-thin, she embraced what she looked like, and made quite a career on it!

I can honestly say I've never been in that store. I need to check a park map to see where it is located.

Who is your favorite "old-school" actor/actress? If you don't have a specific favorite actor, what's your favorite movie from that time period?

Favorite actor of the past is Jimmy Stewart. And I recently read a book about the making of "The African Queen" (a movie I like but haven't watched in a very long time) written by Katherine Hepburn. It was a fluff reading, but interesting. Picked it up at the Goodwill on a whim.

****************

Afternoon friends! The cheeseburger soup was a success, although I must admit the kids kind of picked around the tomatoes.... they aren't fans. But DH seemed to enjoy it. I had a big salad, some grilled zucchini and just a bit of soup.

Off to be productive for a few hours!.........................P

 

[kollerbear]

Ohhh god can't believe it's only Thursday! Because of a super crazy thunderstorm yesterday afternoon here in NYC right at 5:00 and some ensuing delays on the subway, it took me THREE HOURS to get home yesterday. Geez Louise! By the time I got home, Matt (my bf) had already cooked dinner, and because it was mostly healthy stuff I didn't even bother asking him for the minutia of what was in it to track. It's meals like those that throw off the tracking!! Anyway... another (healthy) day!

Best Disney ride EVER in almost 50 years of going to the parks!

And a great NSV, I came back weighing the same as when I left. That was a victory as flying usually does a number on me.

I went on to finish my first half and do 4 more local races as well as the Tinker Bell Half in January so while I may have started to see my friends, I have adjusted to running for myself. You don't get a lot of chances as an adult to do things completely out of your comfort zone and amaze yourself!

RunDisney races are so much better than local races -- the entertainment, the support, being at WDW or DL. You can't beat it! And, of course, RunDisney races have another very important something that I don't get at my local races: WISHers! Be sure and go to the WISH meet and hook up with Wishers at the W tent before and after the race. WISHers are some of the nicest people that you will meet anywhere!

back kollerbear and Bungle!

Thanks for the welcome back!! I thought the same thing as a PP when I read what you wrote about Radiator Springs... THAT'S REALLY SAYING SOMETHING!! Congrats on coming back the same weight as when you left! I'm traveling to Ithaca for a wedding this weekend and you saying that reminded me that this should be a goal of mine, as well! One day I'd love to run a RunDisney race! The marathon was a dream of mine a couple years ago, and I made it as far as running two local halfs, but I wasn't losing weight and it was just SO DIFFICULT to find the time and the motivation for distance training! I may not be a runner, or maybe I will be someday. Thanks for sharing about your experience. I love your point about how rare it is to have opportunities as an adult to amaze yourself-- it's so great to take a chance and do something completely new and incredible sometimes!

I also have a dog who I used to walk alot but she tore both back knees out last year. We fixed one last year (can only do one at a time) and plan to do the other this fall but basically she can't walk as much any more so I haven't been either. Plus its been so hot, though I think I should be using it for training for Disney! lol

We are stayng at AKL in a standard non-view room. Normally we couldn't afford such a hotel but with the discount on that particular room it was the same price as staying at moderate. We almost stayed in ASMu, but I made the mistake of telling DH price of AKL and he wanted so badly to stay at the contemporary AKL was a 'compromise' for him. (he has champagne taste on our beer budget).

I want to add my welcome, too!! Poor dog (and owner)! It's amazing how much our pets affect our habits without us even knowing sometimes. I think it's so hard to go exercise when it's so hot out... at least at Disney you'll have lots of fun, air conditioned stops along the way. I'm so excited for your trip! I'd love to hear what your experience is in a standard AKL room, I'd love to stay there one day.

I expierence tracking fatigue. I believe the fact that i stopped tracking is one of the major reasons i started gaining again. I find home made meals to be the hardest to track, especially cuts of meat.

----

My mom is going to the grocery store tonight and im really trying to think of some ways to stop sabatoging myself. More veggies for sure, and i need to decide if im going to eat dinner before class or after class or split it up, cause i cant eat two dinners.

I do want to go to the gym tonight, but i also really need to study for the praxis so im torn. Maybe a short workout? I'm just so nervous for this test! Not to mention I have a spanish test tomorrow as well, which i really don't have any hope of passing.

I'm feeling very discouraged this week

I'm so sorry you're having such a discouraging week. It can be so hard to plan around weird hours and adjustments to your schedule. One thing that I thought of when you were saying that you're really worried about your exam is something I read (somewhere, I have no recollection where) about how fats really do help us de-stress, which is why we often crave them when we're nervous and stressed out. I try to remember this when I'm super stressed and have cravings for fries and fatty foods, so that now instead I try to make sure I have lots of fatty foods around that are healthy so I can start with them instead, like avocados, guacamole, nuts, olives. Sometimes if I'm having a really terrible day at work, I'll get someone in the office to eat 1/2 of a small fry from McDonalds, and I'll eat the other half. Sometimes just a little bit of fatty food really can be calming. Good luck on your test, I hope it went better than you'd thought it would... either way it's over?

Buying clothes with a single digit size!! And I LOVE those stores where the sizes tend to run kind of big. I can wear a size 2/4 at Christopher & Banks! And in Old Navy I'm sometimes a size 4 and often a size 6! I LOVE that! Wanna walk around with my tag hanging out!!

There is a fairly new vegan restaurant in Concord that I'm tempted to try. Some friends of ours tried it last weekend, but I haven't talked with them yet. Anxious to hear their reaction. They are vegetarians, but not vegans.

Hahaha... I know what you mean about those big small sizes! And thanks so much for your advice about how to track the food... you really make it sound like it can be pretty simple. Maybe, once I've got the weight off, I'll switch over to Weight Watchers points instead... right now the big benefit of My Fitness Pal is it helps me track my nutrition too, which as a vegan can be really important-- I track my protein, fat (to make sure I'm getting enough, can you believe it?), calcium, and iron. But eventually switching to points will let me stop fixating on the trillion little veggies that went into my meal, and let me focus on the important stuff.

My hope is to go to the Natural Gourmet Institute here in New York City. It's a really exciting program that is mostly vegetarian with some poultry and fish and meat electives. I can do it as a vegan, but I think it's important to know how to cook a wide variety of foods, so I'd make sure to learn all I can. The curriculum focuses on plant-based foods, whole grains, cooking with nutrition in mind, and cooking for those who have special needs, like diabetes, food intolerances, and people with illnesses like cancer or HIV. It's still definitely about making yummy, excellent food, so it's not a nutritionist training or anything, but the program just makes me SO excited. My dream one day would be to write 5-day healthy meal plans (with shopping lists!) for vegans, like the pull out ones that come in Every Day with Rachael Ray or Everyday Food by Martha. I think they're so convenient and could be such a great thing to have! But meal planning can be tough, especially so you don't come home with a trillion bags of groceries!

What's the vegan restaurant? It's not Indigo Cafe by any chance, is it? They sell baked goods out of Whole Foods here and their cakes are my favorite pre-made vegan cakes! (Disclaimer: These are not healthy.) I thought I remembered them being out in Concord... The wildlife sounds just great, but being isolated like that can be a pain. It's kind of our dream to move to a place like that one day, but we're kind of putting in our time in the city for now.

Yep!!! We all go through it, but like Pamela said, it does get easier. I'm right there with you with the prepackaged stuff being easier to track but with WW and MFP you can build recipes. It takes time but it's worth it. The only thing I don't like about MFP is you can't tally portion sizing automatically, you have to figure it out on your own.
Like when I make barley salad, I can say it's 12 servings which is great, but then once it was made I had to physically divide it up 12 times evenly to get the serving size I needed. But, now that it's done, it is easy to remake and do.

You're right--I just need to get into planning more, and setting up those recipes ahead of time in MFP. I always get frustrated when I make adjustments to the recipe though, because then it's like, ok, do I redo this recipe if I use only 1/2 the kale it called for because that's all I had left in the fridge? Or what if I cut back on the olive oil, or added a little extra sugar? I can get kind of OCD about it sometimes! I try out a few new recipes each week so constantly adding them can be annoying... but your feedback made me wonder if it makes sense to change over to Weight Watchers eventually so I don't have to track all the vegetables, which can get really annoying after a while. Your comment about the 12 individual portions made me crack up. I have definitely done this to Matt (my bf) to do this after he's made like, a huge pot of soup. He looks at me like I'm crazy as I divide it up into a bunch of little bowls and Tupperware containers so I can figure out what 1/12 looks like!!!

Enjoy the squash.... grilled, sauteed.... oh yes... check out today's recipe that I'm about to post! It contains squash!

DD is making cupcakes right now for a Y Nationals psych party for the team tomorrow night. I am trying hard to avoid the kitchen while she is working. SHe is a VERY MESSY cook and it makes me nutty.... so I do best to just STAY AWAY!

Hahaha... I hope she cleans up after herself!!! That's why Matt and I kind of have to cook in shifts. I love your recipe! I hadn't thought about using squash with black bean sauce before, it sounds really yummy. Matt does not like squash, but I think he would eat it prepared like this. I think I'm going to give it a try with tofu!

I am finally here!

Just as I started typing out all my responses to everyone's answers and the new question for YESTERDAY (I'm a terrible coach, I will never do this again) a huge storm came into my area and knocked out my internet for the night!! I am so terribly sorry to everyone, I feel awful. Please forgive me!! But let's get right to it! This will be a 2fer to make up for yesterday.

Thank you for being coach! I was only here for half the week, but I really enjoy your questions--you should do it again!! That storm was probably the same one that tripled the time of my commute... so yeah, I understand.

QOTD for July 18th

Do you feel you are a Chaos Muppet or an Order Muppet when it comes to your plan sometimes? Do you have elements of both? Do you think it's helpful to have a little of both so you can tackle an obstacle that comes your way?

Oh good Lord, I am definitely an Order Muppet. It's terrible. I LOVE planning but can get incredibly swept up in it, and honestly, it get so time consuming and crazy that the littlest disruption just drives me nuts and derails me entirely. So being an Order Muppet isn't all it's cracked up to be sometimes, because, you know, you can't always bring order to everything in life!!!

QOTD for July 19th

Who is your favorite "old-school" actor/actress? If you don't have a specific favorite actor, what's your favorite movie from that time period?

I love this question! I think it's a tie for me between Jimmy Stewart (gotta love him) and Dick Van Dyke (I grew up watching Diagnosis Murder with my grandma!)

Alright everyone... I hope you guys have a GREAT weekend! I may not get to post until after I get back from the wedding we're going to in Ithaca, but I hope you all had great losses this week.

Thanks for the warm welcome back!

 

[AliceNWonderland]

Just as I started typing out all my responses to everyone's answers and the new question for YESTERDAY (I'm a terrible coach, I will never do this again) a huge storm came into my area and knocked out my internet for the night!! I am so terribly sorry to everyone, I feel awful. Please forgive me!! But let's get right to it! This will be a 2fer to make up for yesterday.

QOTD for July 18th

No worries, life happens. This is the second time I am typing this response because my internet connection went bye-bye!

Do you feel you are a Chaos Muppet or an Order Muppet when it comes to your plan sometimes? Do you have elements of both? Do you think it's helpful to have a little of both so you can tackle an obstacle that comes your way?

[My first response said split but now that I am thinking about it, I believe I am an order living in a chaos words who knows how to roll with it. I let chaos reign when necessary and try to keep everything a float with order. I hope that makes sense. T]


Who is your favorite "old-school" actor/actress? If you don't have a specific favorite actor, what's your favorite movie from that time period?

I love women from that time period. I appreciate and admire Katharine Houghton Hepburn, Audrey Hepburn and Veronica Lake. The lady that reflects that for me today would be Kate Winslet.

Thank you to everyone for being so patient with me and my crazy coaching this week! You guys are so inspiring and should be so proud of yourselves!

 

[AliceNWonderland]

We had such an awesome day yesterday at DL! EMH and just a darn good time on top of that. Did pretty well in the parks, as far as eating. Got home and did ok. This am was STRESSVILLE! So I ate a half (small) bag of popchips and a baked potato with spray (I can't belive it's not..) butter, uggg. Not too bad, right? Oh, and the two tablespoons of Nutella. Forgot about that. lol!
I really have to start running again, totally let it slide. BUMMER. My get up and go, has got up and went. Hopefully it will return. Hope to make it to Zumba tonight. Have a wonderful day everyone!

 

[cclovesdis]

Healthy Habits Results Week 5: Resort Hopping Part 1

Congratulations to our Participants! They were:

bigsis1970
Chicago262
glass1/2fll
KDIPIAZZ
lmhall2000
penguin1102

Congratulations to KDIPIAZZ and lmhall2000 for earning 6/6 points!




Healthy Habits Week 6 Results: Resort Hopping Part 2

Congratulations to our Participants! They were:

bigsis1970
camnhan
Chicago262
glass1/2fll
KDIPIAZZ
ougrad86

Congratulations to bigsis1970 and KDIPIAZZ for earning 6/6 points!

 

[BernardandMissBianca]

Sounds like you got some great stuff on your grocery run, Buffy. This is one of my favorites times of the year for fresh produce. What are you doing with your bounty of yellow squash?

I really like squash steamed in the steamer ziploc bags, fabulous! And I like to slice them thin longways, coat them with a little olive oil and pepper and grill them on my indoor grill pan, these are the best ever!!

My hope is to go to the Natural Gourmet Institute here in New York City. It's a really exciting program that is mostly vegetarian with some poultry and fish and meat electives. I can do it as a vegan, but I think it's important to know how to cook a wide variety of foods, so I'd make sure to learn all I can. The curriculum focuses on plant-based foods, whole grains, cooking with nutrition in mind, and cooking for those who have special needs, like diabetes, food intolerances, and people with illnesses like cancer or HIV. It's still definitely about making yummy, excellent food, so it's not a nutritionist training or anything, but the program just makes me SO excited. My dream one day would be to write 5-day healthy meal plans (with shopping lists!) for vegans, like the pull out ones that come in Every Day with Rachael Ray or Everyday Food by Martha. I think they're so convenient and could be such a great thing to have! But meal planning can be tough, especially so you don't come home with a trillion bags of groceries!

You're right--I just need to get into planning more, and setting up those recipes ahead of time in MFP. I always get frustrated when I make adjustments to the recipe though, because then it's like, ok, do I redo this recipe if I use only 1/2 the kale it called for because that's all I had left in the fridge? Or what if I cut back on the olive oil, or added a little extra sugar? I can get kind of OCD about it sometimes! I try out a few new recipes each week so constantly adding them can be annoying... but your feedback made me wonder if it makes sense to change over to Weight Watchers eventually so I don't have to track all the vegetables, which can get really annoying after a while. Your comment about the 12 individual portions made me crack up. I have definitely done this to Matt (my bf) to do this after he's made like, a huge pot of soup. He looks at me like I'm crazy as I divide it up into a bunch of little bowls and Tupperware containers so I can figure out what 1/12 looks like!!!

Oh that school sounds so cool!!! DS16 wants to go into culinary too. He is taking a sports science class this year along with gourmet cooking. I'm trying to steer him towards nutrition too. Since he is a runner I'd like for him to blend the 2 loves together.


Soup - use a muffin tin!!!! I saw that on pinterest. You take the serving (I think a muffin tin is around 1/2 - 1 cup each so you pour the soup in there with your measuring cup, freeze it, pop them out, put them in a freezer bowl or ziploc bag, and you have single servings pre-measured!!

Don't build your recipe until you have a final draft. Even if your kale is off or what ever, you at least have a rough estimate if you change it after the recipe is built.
We went through a few rounds of shepard's pie and beef casserole before I built the recipe into my index.
But WW might be the way to go since they don't count veggies. Right now I'm at the point that MFP is a better fit for me because I need to account for everything.

 

[JacksLilWench]

Favorite actor of the past is Jimmy Stewart. And I recently read a book about the making of "The African Queen" (a movie I like but haven't watched in a very long time) written by Katherine Hepburn. It was a fluff reading, but interesting. Picked it up at the Goodwill on a whim.

Thank you for the kind words Pam! You guys are awesome and so patient with me, and your answers have been so fun to read! I will probably coach again in the next challenge if they'll have me

Thank you for being coach! I was only here for half the week, but I really enjoy your questions--you should do it again!! That storm was probably the same one that tripled the time of my commute... so yeah, I understand.



Oh good Lord, I am definitely an Order Muppet. It's terrible. I LOVE planning but can get incredibly swept up in it, and honestly, it get so time consuming and crazy that the littlest disruption just drives me nuts and derails me entirely. So being an Order Muppet isn't all it's cracked up to be sometimes, because, you know, you can't always bring order to everything in life!!!



I love this question! I think it's a tie for me between Jimmy Stewart (gotta love him) and Dick Van Dyke (I grew up watching Diagnosis Murder with my grandma!)

Thanks for the warm welcome back!

Thanks koller! I've really enjoyed reading your answers-I think we would make really good friends if we lived near each other! And that is the sweetest image about you and your grandmother watching Diagnosis Murder

QOTD for July 18th

No worries, life happens. This is the second time I am typing this response because my internet connection went bye-bye!

Do you feel you are a Chaos Muppet or an Order Muppet when it comes to your plan sometimes? Do you have elements of both? Do you think it's helpful to have a little of both so you can tackle an obstacle that comes your way?

[My first response said split but now that I am thinking about it, I believe I am an order living in a chaos words who knows how to roll with it. I let chaos reign when necessary and try to keep everything a float with order. I hope that makes sense. T]


Who is your favorite "old-school" actor/actress? If you don't have a specific favorite actor, what's your favorite movie from that time period?

I love women from that time period. I appreciate and admire Katharine Houghton Hepburn, Audrey Hepburn and Veronica Lake. The lady that reflects that for me today would be Kate Winslet.

Thank you to everyone for being so patient with me and my crazy coaching this week! You guys are so inspiring and should be so proud of yourselves!

I just love women from that period as well. I feel like they were actual "women" in that they dressed so elegantly, they got so much done around their home and with their families, and it was all on one income. I'm a bit of a non-femenist, so if my views offend anyone, I truly apologize. I think I have a bit of an old-school soul when it comes to being a woman. One of the reasons I want the career I do is so I don't HAVE to work full time and can be at home and be a part-time homemaker and be home with my kids (when I have them!). That way I'll still have the energy to dress up on my days off

 

[cclovesdis]

Healthy Habits Week 8: Animal Kingdom

This week we are heading to Animal Kingdom.

Mini-Challenge #1: Kilimanjaro Safaris Expedition: Can you say water? You're going to need plenty of it as you head into the hot safari and see the animals. Drink a total of 64 oz. on 5/7 days to earn 1 point.

Mini-Challenge #2: DINOSAUR: Feel large and in charge! Stick to your weight loss or maintenance plan on 5/7 days to earn 1 point.

Mini-Challenge #3: Maharajah Jungle Trek: Exercise! Earn 1 point if you stuck to your exercise plan for the week.

Mini-Challenge #4: Kali River Rapids: Relax! Do something with water that is fun or relaxing. I'm thinking taking a bath or playing in the sprinkler. Swimming counts too!

Mini-Challenge #5: Expedition Everest: Tackle your laundry mountain! Reduce the amount of laundry you have to do by at least 50%. Here's what I'm thinking: You have 10 loads of laundry to do to clean out your laundry room so you do 5 of them. Of course, if you think it counts, it counts!

Have a great, OP week everyone! Feel free to PM me with any questions!

 

[jillbur]

Good morning all!

Finally have a few minutes to catch up here since my return from DL on Sunday. I had a blast! It was crazy hot and humid, just like Orlando, which is very unusual for Anaheim. The parks have a nice vibe with the APs blocked. We were able to ride on this:

Best Disney ride EVER in almost 50 years of going to the parks!

I had a wonderful time at the reunion, too. It was so much fun to see everyone and we yakked for 6 hours. I'm so glad that I was able to go.

I'm so glad you had a great time with all your old neighbors! And, I'm a little jealous that you rode Radiator Springs Racers I'm so glad you loved it. I hope they do a Cars land at wdw soon. I would like that better than that whole Avatar land!!

I am finally here!


QOTD for July 18th

Do you feel you are a Chaos Muppet or an Order Muppet when it comes to your plan sometimes? Do you have elements of both? Do you think it's helpful to have a little of both so you can tackle an obstacle that comes your way?


Who is your favorite "old-school" actor/actress? If you don't have a specific favorite actor, what's your favorite movie from that time period?

Thank you to everyone for being so patient with me and my crazy coaching this week! You guys are so inspiring and should be so proud of yourselves!

Thanks for coaching! It's no problem that you missed a day, especially since you had no internet access.

QOTD~I am an order Muppet. I don't deal with chaos I need a plan and try to stick to it as much as I can. I gan go with the flow, but I feel like I can get so much more accomplished with order.

QOTD~I really don't have any favorite old school actors, actresses, or movies. Actually, I haven't seen to many older things other than Christmasy movies and Alfred Hitchcock (is that older?) And DH just watches old western with John Wayne, Dean Martin, and Ricky Nelson. Not my cup of tea lol.


~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I have no idea why I'm off all summer and have less time for the BL challenge. I guess while I'm working I try to check in during my lunch break or planning period. And, the boys are staying up later, so I'm getting on the computer later.

I have no plans for tomorrow unless I can drive over to Youngstown, OH to visit my great aunt who is 94. She's in the hospital because she fell (no broken bones) but they kept her because she is having some other issues. This is hard on my grandma who is 10 years younger because it's just her, this aunt (sister), and an uncle (her brother) left out of 9 of the siblings. I'm hoping to go over with my grandma and mom to hang out for a couple hours if DH can be here with my kids.

My only plans for this weekend are to get to Sam's Club. Other than that, not much going on here. I'm glad to hear that everyone seems to be doing good. Stay on track losers

Jill

 

[myweegirls]

Hi everyone! Drive-by tonight...

QOTD Muppets: I am oh so very definitely an order Muppet. No question about it. The chaos muppets kind of stress me out, although I adore them all.

QOTD Old School: I love Audrey Hepburn and Jimmy Stewart. If I could evoke one iota of Audrey Hepburn's style, oooh, I'd be swimming in gorgeous!

In other news, I did it! I finished my C25K program tonight! It was not a well-advised run tonight - we were out for Mexican for DH's birthday, and it was 91 degrees outside, but I totally did that last run. On to more focused training for the 10-miler at Disney in September!

XO
Liz

 

[trinaweena]

So the spanish test did not go well but he drops the lowest test score so im not stressing about it, i just need to do good on the last 4 tests. Only 3 weeks of my summer class left!

What i'm really worried about now is the Praxis which i take on saturday. For those who don't know the Praxis 1 is what you have to take to get into teaching school. It's basically like the SATS. Reading, writing, and math. With starting the new job and the end of the semster, i'm not as prepared as i would like to be, especially because i havent done these types of things in 10 years. It seems so ridiculous to me, since im going to be a history teacher, but it need to be done. I struggle A LOT on the math, my boyfriend has been tutoring me (he will be REALLY glad when this is over) but it's REALLY REALLY bad. I'm not optomistic, and i'm not doing well on any practice tests i take. but the only thing i can do is keep trying and keep studying. im going to do three more practice tests tonight, and then i have all day tomorrow to study.

Also i just realized when checking where i was supposed to go that i signed up to take two tests at the same time. If i cant fix this it means i have to wait till september to take the test, which means i wont be able to apply to the school of education in the fall. Yay another thing to freak out about!

can everyone send me good thoughts? i really need them!

 

[lmhall2000]

Welcome to a Losing Week!!!

In honor of Lilo and Stitch, I want to send a shout out to all the losers/maintainers who have had a tough time coming in and reporting, tracking, exercising, whatever it is that has helped you to lose your way during this challenge--we are here for you...and for all those new faces, weekly reporters...what a great family to be in for this summer challenge!!!

I am Tara, your weekly coach this week! I find it is perfect timing, because as of this morning I weighed 199.6 and am in ONEDERLAND for the first time in 5 years, the last time I lost with WISH and got down to 175ish. I have officially lost 65.4 pounds in this past year!!! Now, before I go and get that new clippie...I've got to share some tips for this week!

• Get your smile on! If your heart is smiling it's always easier to tackle something!
• Drink that water! I have found that if add about a 1/4th cup of gatorade (blue) it makes my water turn a pretty color and I just like drinking blue water! HA!
• If you have that killer craving, it's okay to give into it...just let it be a short event not to linger to the next meal.
• Move, move, move...hardest part is getting started, once you're in it, very hard to stop!

I look forward to getting to know all of you this week and sharing in your triumphs and challenges! Life always throws us curve balls, the toughest part is trying to duck quick enough!

QOTD: Family can help us, share your favorite family memory and share what makes your heart smile!

On to a losing week folks!! So excited to be here with you all!!! Only 6 more weeks to go!!

 

[pjlla]

Morning friends! Hope everyone is well today. Happy FRIDAY!!

Up and out the door for driver's ed this morning.... won't be back until lunch time. No time for read and reply.... just enjoying my crockpot oatmeal and coffee before I dash.

Hope the scale is kind to everyone today. TTYL..................P

 

[bigsis1970]

Healthy Habits Results Week 5: Resort Hopping Part 1

Congratulations to our Participants! They were:

bigsis1970
Chicago262
glass1/2fll
KDIPIAZZ
lmhall2000
penguin1102

Congratulations to KDIPIAZZ and lmhall2000 for earning 6/6 points!




Healthy Habits Week 6 Results: Resort Hopping Part 2

Congratulations to our Participants! They were:

bigsis1970
camnhan
Chicago262
glass1/2fll
KDIPIAZZ
ougrad86

Congratulations to bigsis1970 and KDIPIAZZ for earning 6/6 points!

Wow thanks~!


so now I am here to fess up --- my weight is right back up to my starting weight... I do know why I've not been tracking or following my food plan very well and I still am not doing any activity..

I am on vacation 7/21 - 7/29 and won't be exactly be following any plan but will be more active then when i am at work (I am a desk monkey as friend puts it) THEN when I come back from vacation I start Zumba twice a week for an hour - if that doesn't kill me then hopefully my weight so start back in the right direction!
Hope everyone has a great weekend and week I'll be back on Monday the 30th !!

 

[pjlla]

Healthy Habits Results Week 5: Resort Hopping Part 1

Congratulations to our Participants! They were:

bigsis1970
Chicago262
glass1/2fll
KDIPIAZZ
lmhall2000
penguin1102

Congratulations to KDIPIAZZ and lmhall2000 for earning 6/6 points!




Healthy Habits Week 6 Results: Resort Hopping Part 2

Congratulations to our Participants! They were:

bigsis1970
camnhan
Chicago262
glass1/2fll
KDIPIAZZ
ougrad86

Congratulations to bigsis1970 and KDIPIAZZ for earning 6/6 points!

Congrats to everyone who participated!

Hahaha... I know what you mean about those big small sizes! And thanks so much for your advice about how to track the food... you really make it sound like it can be pretty simple. Maybe, once I've got the weight off, I'll switch over to Weight Watchers points instead... right now the big benefit of My Fitness Pal is it helps me track my nutrition too, which as a vegan can be really important-- I track my protein, fat (to make sure I'm getting enough, can you believe it?), calcium, and iron. But eventually switching to points will let me stop fixating on the trillion little veggies that went into my meal, and let me focus on the important stuff.


It is important that you keep track of your nutrition if you have any reason to think you might not be getting enough of something, so stick with MFP if it is working for you. But I LOVE my WW!!

My hope is to go to the Natural Gourmet Institute here in New York City. It's a really exciting program that is mostly vegetarian with some poultry and fish and meat electives. I can do it as a vegan, but I think it's important to know how to cook a wide variety of foods, so I'd make sure to learn all I can. The curriculum focuses on plant-based foods, whole grains, cooking with nutrition in mind, and cooking for those who have special needs, like diabetes, food intolerances, and people with illnesses like cancer or HIV. It's still definitely about making yummy, excellent food, so it's not a nutritionist training or anything, but the program just makes me SO excited. My dream one day would be to write 5-day healthy meal plans (with shopping lists!) for vegans, like the pull out ones that come in Every Day with Rachael Ray or Everyday Food by Martha. I think they're so convenient and could be such a great thing to have! But meal planning can be tough, especially so you don't come home with a trillion bags of groceries!

Are you serious? That sounds like an amazing program! I'd LOVE to find somthing like that around here. I don't want to be a gourmet and I really don't even like cooking.... but if I'm going to cook, I want to be sure I am making meals that are healthy, balanced and DELICIOUS! If you ever come up with those plans, I'd love to take a look!

What's the vegan restaurant? It's not Indigo Cafe by any chance, is it? They sell baked goods out of Whole Foods here and their cakes are my favorite pre-made vegan cakes! (Disclaimer: These are not healthy.) I thought I remembered them being out in Concord... The wildlife sounds just great, but being isolated like that can be a pain. It's kind of our dream to move to a place like that one day, but we're kind of putting in our time in the city for now.

I can't remember the name of it, but that doesn't sound familiar. I'll check it out next time I head up there.

Being out here in the woods definitely has it benefits, but also its drawbacks. I recently figured out that I drive about 2160 miles a month.

You're right--I just need to get into planning more, and setting up those recipes ahead of time in MFP. I always get frustrated when I make adjustments to the recipe though, because then it's like, ok, do I redo this recipe if I use only 1/2 the kale it called for because that's all I had left in the fridge? Or what if I cut back on the olive oil, or added a little extra sugar? I can get kind of OCD about it sometimes! I try out a few new recipes each week so constantly adding them can be annoying... but your feedback made me wonder if it makes sense to change over to Weight Watchers eventually so I don't have to track all the vegetables, which can get really annoying after a while. Your comment about the 12 individual portions made me crack up. I have definitely done this to Matt (my bf) to do this after he's made like, a huge pot of soup. He looks at me like I'm crazy as I divide it up into a bunch of little bowls and Tupperware containers so I can figure out what 1/12 looks like!!!

You'll figure it out.

Hahaha... I hope she cleans up after herself!!! That's why Matt and I kind of have to cook in shifts. I love your recipe! I hadn't thought about using squash with black bean sauce before, it sounds really yummy. Matt does not like squash, but I think he would eat it prepared like this. I think I'm going to give it a try with tofu!

Hope you enjoy it. And YES, she did clean up after herself better than usual!

Healthy Habits Week 8: Animal Kingdom

This week we are heading to Animal Kingdom.

Mini-Challenge #1: Kilimanjaro Safaris Expedition: Can you say water? You're going to need plenty of it as you head into the hot safari and see the animals. Drink a total of 64 oz. on 5/7 days to earn 1 point.

Mini-Challenge #2: DINOSAUR: Feel large and in charge! Stick to your weight loss or maintenance plan on 5/7 days to earn 1 point.

Mini-Challenge #3: Maharajah Jungle Trek: Exercise! Earn 1 point if you stuck to your exercise plan for the week.

Mini-Challenge #4: Kali River Rapids: Relax! Do something with water that is fun or relaxing. I'm thinking taking a bath or playing in the sprinkler. Swimming counts too!

Mini-Challenge #5: Expedition Everest: Tackle your laundry mountain! Reduce the amount of laundry you have to do by at least 50%. Here's what I'm thinking: You have 10 loads of laundry to do to clean out your laundry room so you do 5 of them. Of course, if you think it counts, it counts!

Have a great, OP week everyone! Feel free to PM me with any questions!

Sounds great! But thankfully I don't have an issue with #5.... I do laundry every single day so that I hopefully don't end up with a mountain!

Hi everyone! Drive-by tonight...

QOTD Muppets: I am oh so very definitely an order Muppet. No question about it. The chaos muppets kind of stress me out, although I adore them all.

QOTD Old School: I love Audrey Hepburn and Jimmy Stewart. If I could evoke one iota of Audrey Hepburn's style, oooh, I'd be swimming in gorgeous!

In other news, I did it! I finished my C25K program tonight! It was not a well-advised run tonight - we were out for Mexican for DH's birthday, and it was 91 degrees outside, but I totally did that last run. On to more focused training for the 10-miler at Disney in September!

XO
Liz

Congrats on finishing the C25K program! You are going to do great at Disney!

Welcome to a Losing Week!!!

In honor of Lilo and Stitch, I want to send a shout out to all the losers/maintainers who have had a tough time coming in and reporting, tracking, exercising, whatever it is that has helped you to lose your way during this challenge--we are here for you...and for all those new faces, weekly reporters...what a great family to be in for this summer challenge!!!

I am Tara, your weekly coach this week! I find it is perfect timing, because as of this morning I weighed 199.6 and am in ONEDERLAND for the first time in 5 years, the last time I lost with WISH and got down to 175ish. I have officially lost 65.4 pounds in this past year!!! Now, before I go and get that new clippie...I've got to share some tips for this week!

CONGRATS!!

• Get your smile on! If your heart is smiling it's always easier to tackle something!
• Drink that water! I have found that if add about a 1/4th cup of gatorade (blue) it makes my water turn a pretty color and I just like drinking blue water! HA!
• If you have that killer craving, it's okay to give into it...just let it be a short event not to linger to the next meal.
• Move, move, move...hardest part is getting started, once you're in it, very hard to stop!

I look forward to getting to know all of you this week and sharing in your triumphs and challenges! Life always throws us curve balls, the toughest part is trying to duck quick enough!


Great suggestions!

QOTD: Family can help us, share your favorite family memory and share what makes your heart smile!

On to a losing week folks!! So excited to be here with you all!!! Only 6 more weeks to go!!

I'll share this afternoon.... gotta fly!...................P

 

[bigsis1970]

Welcome to a Losing Week!!!

In honor of Lilo and Stitch, I want to send a shout out to all the losers/maintainers who have had a tough time coming in and reporting, tracking, exercising, whatever it is that has helped you to lose your way during this challenge--we are here for you...and for all those new faces, weekly reporters...what a great family to be in for this summer challenge!!!

I am Tara, your weekly coach this week! I find it is perfect timing, because as of this morning I weighed 199.6 and am in ONEDERLAND for the first time in 5 years, the last time I lost with WISH and got down to 175ish. I have officially lost 65.4 pounds in this past year!!! Now, before I go and get that new clippie...I've got to share some tips for this week!

• Get your smile on! If your heart is smiling it's always easier to tackle something!
• Drink that water! I have found that if add about a 1/4th cup of gatorade (blue) it makes my water turn a pretty color and I just like drinking blue water! HA!
• If you have that killer craving, it's okay to give into it...just let it be a short event not to linger to the next meal.
• Move, move, move...hardest part is getting started, once you're in it, very hard to stop!

I look forward to getting to know all of you this week and sharing in your triumphs and challenges! Life always throws us curve balls, the toughest part is trying to duck quick enough!

QOTD: Family can help us, share your favorite family memory and share what makes your heart smile!

On to a losing week folks!! So excited to be here with you all!!! Only 6 more weeks to go!!

Lot's of my favorite family memories are at Walt Disney World - I have 2 favorites ... 1. our first trip in Dec 2001 was my mom's first trip back since Nov 1971 !! That was so awesome to see her face oohing and aahing..
and 2. would be this May (2nd -7th) when I brought my husband for his very first trip! we wore our anniversary buttons and it was great showing him everything I LOVE about Disney and he loved it so much he said we could come back every year..

 

[lmhall2000]

Up and out the door for driver's ed this morning.... won't be back until lunch time. No time for read and reply.... just enjoying my crockpot oatmeal and coffee before I dash.

Pjlla! That sounds like a great meal, I can't believe I have never tried crockpot oatmeal!! Thanks for the suggestion! Can't wait to hear your family memories! Have a great day at driver's ed..are you a driver/instructor?

so now I am here to fess up --- my weight is right back up to my starting weight... I do know why I've not been tracking or following my food plan very well and I still am not doing any activity..

Bigsis Those days are not fun to visit, but you did not go over your starting weight! That is awesome!! The Zumba will really help! I have found I just can NOT lose weight unless I am moving, and it makes you feel better!! Have a great vacation!!!

Lot's of my favorite family memories are at Walt Disney World - I have 2 favorites ... 1. our first trip in Dec 2001 was my mom's first trip back since Nov 1971 !! That was so awesome to see her face oohing and aahing..
and 2. would be this May (2nd -7th) when I brought my husband for his very first trip! we wore our anniversary buttons and it was great showing him everything I LOVE about Disney and he loved it so much he said we could come back every year..

Both of those bring swells to my heart!! I can see both of them being a wonderful memory!! My kids just yesterday said they're kind of afraid to go back to Disneyworld (last trip was 5-6 years ago..we've cruised 2x on kids sail free since then..cheaper!) b/c now that they're 'adult' sized they may realize that DW has shrunk or does not hold that awesome magical feeling they had as a kid, I assured them, at any age...you'll be amazed!!! Love that you got to be with both your loved ones for those special moments!!

I forgot to share mine, and you inspired me, but my job moved us around a lot, (dh was Mr. Mom during the early years)..we made a pact that each relocation, the kids got to go to Disney...so we made our last move about 6 years ago, and the kids expected a trip, but things were tight and we told them we'd have to see...we got RT tix from Huntsville, AL-Orlando for $38 each!! but told them we were going to pick up a friend who was coming to visit us..we hid all their luggage in the back of the van and headed out...dh parked the van and secretly carried the luggage himself, while I went up to the desk to 'check in'...I had written on a note to the attendant that we were surprising hte kids so not to say anything..she loved it and played along! She even went to the gate check in person to hand them our tickets so my kids would not see them! Meanwhile, dh had a special backpack for each that he went and hid under seats at the terminal while I got the kids a bite to eat..we went down to 'pick up our friend' and my son noticed the gate next to us was going to Orlando...we had the camera rolling and we pulled the backpacks out and said SURPRISE!! WE're going to Disney! The expressions, shock, doubt, "HUH???" were amazing! Once they realized we were going on the trip they were beside themselves and loved seeing all their surprises in the backpacks....such an awesome experience!