Tara all the way!!

I really missed Kristin last night....she should be there! I would have loved the Final Four to be Kristen, Tara, Felipe and Mike. Oh well....fingers crossed Tara wins.

Melissa and I were talking about losing weight, she asked me what I thought was the reason I could stay the course this time as opposed to all the other diets I'd been on and failed at

First of all, I'm not on a diet. I came to the realization that this is my life....forever. But, hands down logging onto a website that helped me to keep a record of the food I ate every day. For me www.thedailyplate.com is my go to spot to get calorie info....or log in for a few days if I need to get back on track. I tracked what I ate for about 8 months and lost about 60 pounds...most weeks I lost 2lbs.

It takes time to do it the right way...no magic pill. After I lost 20 pounds, my body thanked me by letting me walk the first time in many years without pain.

Now I'm not the biggest girl in the picture any more...I blend with my girls!! Melissa my sweety pie daughter is to my left. Rachel (then 7 months pregnant) and Cheri, my beloved daughter-in-laws to my right.

Finding out the calories in the food I was putting in my mouth was eye opening.... I know things now... I can never go back to mindless grazing. Tracking the food I put in my mouth is HUGE! #1 reason I was able to finally get my life back.

Lunch Time Panini's

Any given day if you enter our house around lunch time you will see this sight....and smell. Panini's cooking smell wonderful!! About 350 calories (notice the scales to the right of our panini maker...I always use them!)

I start by cooking 6 or so pieces of Oscar Mayer Center Cut Bacon for two sandwiches...Walmart usually has the best price, about $3. Three pieces of center cut bacon are 70 calories. I lay the bacon slices across the panini maker.... it takes only a few minutes for the bacon to be ready.

Then when the bacon is done I assemble the panini's

We always have Panera Bread sour dough loaf on hand. We buy the small loaf and have it cut thin at the restaurant. 1 oz is 75 calories. A panini usually takes

2 oz of bread.

If we have left over Chick-fil-A sauce on hand, we use that, otherwise any type of mustard we are in the mood for works well.

After spreading mustard over the sour dough bread I layer 3 pieces of bacon,

2 oz turkey,

1 oz of Sargento reduced fat sliced cheese, usually pepper jack or co-jack.

Then I lay the completed sandwiches on the panini and close the lid pressing down. If you'd like, spray the outside of the bread with olive oil or Pam. I just let the residue from the bacon cooking on the panini maker to suffice for coating.

I'd say about 2-3 minutes later hot sandwiches are done. Yum!

Bread 150 calories

Bacon 70 calories

Turkey 60 calories

Low Fat cheese 50 calories

Chick-fil-A mustard 20 calories

After the panini's are browned, you can add tomatoes, onions, lettuce.

We serve them with cucumber slices...Yum!

We got our Panini Maker at William Sonoma.

Pimento Cheese recipe from The Masters..

My life has been a little upside down lately and I'm behind on some things...I'd wanted to post this recipe for pimento cheese that they use at Augusta. (Actually I believe the recipe is a secret like the colonels chicken ...I got this recipe from an article in the Augusta magazine. August 2009)

Can you believe the prices? Lunch was $5 for Dick and me.

It's a wonder we just didn't eat all day!

Zesty Pimento Cheese

1 1/2 pounds grated sharp cheddar cheese

1/2 cup Kraft horseradish sauce

1/2 cup mayonnaise

1 tablespoon prepared mustard

1 7-ounce jar chopped pimentos, drained

Combine cheese, horseradish sauce, mayonnaise and mustard in a large bowl. Beat until desired spreading consistency is reached. Add pimentos. Blend well. Store in refrigerator. They serve it at the Masters on white bread....some things just taste better that way!

Makes four cups

Mystery....It's Friday, but Sunday's a comin!

Charlie Hall

Mark 13:24-37 (New International Version)

24"But in those days, following that distress,
" 'the sun will be darkened,
and the moon will not give its light;
25 the stars will fall from the sky,
and the heavenly bodies will be shaken.'

26 "At that time men will see the Son of Man

coming in clouds with great power and glory.

27 And he will send his angels and gather his elect from the four winds, from the ends of the earth to the ends of the heavens.

28 "Now learn this lesson from the fig tree: As soon as its twigs get tender and its leaves come out, you know that summer is near. 29 Even so, when you see these things happening, you know that it is near, right at the door. 30 I tell you the truth, this generation will certainly not pass away until all these things have happened. 31 Heaven and earth will pass away,

but my words will never pass away.

The Day and Hour Unknown
32 "No one knows about that day or hour, not even the angels in heaven,

nor the Son, but only the Father.

33 Be on guard! Be alert! You do not know when that time will come.

34 It's like a man going away: He leaves his house and puts his servants in charge, each with his assigned task, and tells the one at the door to keep watch.
35 "Therefore keep watch because you do not know when the owner of the house will come back—whether in the evening, or at midnight, or when the rooster crows, or at dawn.

36 If he comes suddenly, do not let him find you sleeping.

37 What I say to you,

I say to everyone: 'Watch!' "

It's Friday, but Sunday's coming!

Kate

This is our Kate, waiting in China just a few more weeks for mommy and daddy to come and get her. I personally can't wait! I spent the morning with Leah at the Zoo...so much fun! I am so blessed! Leah talks about Sam her cousin (and my grand son) a lot when we are at the Zoo since Pop and I took them there last summer. Sam is from Russia, Leah is from China, same as her sister Kate. Plus our son Rich and his wife Rachel are having a baby in June. Our cup runneth over and over! So, so blessed! I love this little girl so much!

Kate you have my heart forever!

Please go to my daughter Melissa's blog, Over the Moon to read her post on her journey so far. I could not say it better...grab a few tissues. Melissa you are an amazing person and I am so very proud of you!

Skinny Cow Tuffles...and other tidbits

Skinny Cow Truffles....100 calories, 3 grams of fiber ...

Skinny Cow Chocolate Truffle.......yummy.

Love the French Vanilla Truffle too!
I watch the New York Housewives every Tuesday night.....I love Jill and Bethenny! They just tell it like it is ....Bethenny has great food advice.

I ran across this interview on-line about her beauty advice.

Bethenny said when asked, "How do you keep so fit?

"I’m a natural food chef so I have a leg up on people just by knowing what to do. Think Moderation. I eat whatever I want but not all at the same time. You have to know when to check yourself before you wreck yourself. You have to treat your diet like a bank account. Sometimes you can spend just like with shopping on beauty products, but sometimes you have to save. You should be able to eat like Europeans, taste everything eat nothing, meaning don’t be worrying about things being fat free just enjoy and indulge. I also think you should spoil your appetite before you go to a party or to an event. You should meet a low calorie investment in something to eat, a small veggie burger or peanut butter on whole wheat bread. These 200 calories will save you 500 to 600 calories on a bread basket, orderves, and on popcorn in the movies. That’s called a good investment. "

Self magazine has a good article about 20 Super Foods for weight loss. It took me a while to get my head around eating to lose weight...this article takes it a step further. Now I KNOW that I must eat at least 1400 calories each day, even if I've really blown it...starving myself the next day, is the worst thing I could do. My body has been through enough yo-yo dieting.

Another thing...I HATE Kristen being voted off The Biggest Loser!! Loved her!

Can you believe that challenge!??...

Tara is so inspirational and gorgeous!!

You go girl!

The Road So Far...

Frederick Olmsted designed Cherokee Park curvy, hilly and gorgeous...trees, paths, streams, rock bridges, rock formations, fountains, statues...lovely. It's one of my favorite places on earth to be.

I'd started thinking about walking this path over a month ago. Losing that last 10-15 pounds can be hard and I KNOW exercise and healthy eating go hand and hand with weight loss. Cherokee Park had big ole hills, lots of them. Needing a plateau buster, this could do the trick!

But I was scared, I'd met my Waterloo on a hill several years ago. But since loosing all the weight, my knees just don't hurt anymore. So when Melissa invited me to walk Cherokee with her, I jumped at the chance. Sis pushed almost 4 year old Leah in a stroller up winding hills while I tried to keep up with her. That girl can go! But I did it and didn't end up with sore knees or anything....truth of the matter is, I can do this path twice with no pain!

Since then, Dick and I try to walk Cherokee 3-4 times a week along with walking in our neighborhood or other parks. My pants are getting loser and I'm getting results!


If you are struggling, I feel your pain. This article at www.sparkpeople.com was a good one that may help you on your road to good health, you can read about it here.

Don't give up!! Never, ever give up!! Keep trying and you will suceed!

Mandi's White Chicken Chili

Mandi Forester’s White Chicken Chili

6 servings
Ingredients
1 32-ounce box chicken stock
3 cans white beans, left undrained
5 cups cooked chicken (rotisserie or boiled)
(I used a Colossal chicken baked at Kroger's)
1 16-ounce jar salsa
1 8-ounce block pepper jack cheese, grated
2 teaspoon ground cumin
2 cloves garlic, minced
Black or white pepper to taste
1/2 cup finely crushed corn chips (optional, if you like your chili thicker)
Sour cream, for garnish

Preparation
Place all ingredients except the corn chips in a crock pot. Cook on high until the cheese is melted.
Chili may also be cooked on the stove top over medium-high heat until cheese is melted.
When the chili is ready, add the crushed corn chips, if using, and simmer for 10 minutes to thicken. Garnish with more chips, cheese and/or sour cream and serve.

"The chili recipe concocted by Mandi Forester, of Webster,Texas won Rachael Ray’s March Menu Mania, a bracket-style contest in conjunction with USA Today for the best game-friendly party- food recipe. The 22-year-old Forester, whose recipe was chosen as winner on the April 6 episode of Ray’s talk show, won $5,000 in groceries. According to USA Today, that prize will come in handy for the stay-at-home mother whose husband, Ben, a chemist, has been out of work for more than a month."

I made this recipe in about 15 minutes last week while Leah was having "Quiet Time". Just open cans and dump...the crock pot keeps it warm till serving time. I did the math on calories and it comes to approx. 475 calories per serving. We loved it and will keep it on the short list.

We eat A LOT of chicken...cluck-cluck!!

God of this City

Thanks Chris Tomlin for bringing this song from Bluetree...


"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord,
"plans to prosper you and not to harm you,

plans to give you
hope

and a future.

Then you will call upon me and come
and pray to me, and I will listen to you.

You will seek me and
find me

when you seek me with all your heart."
(Jeremiah 29:11-13)

April 15th....

Well....I know what I'm going to be next Halloween!

This morning Dick wanted eggs and bacon....I usually don't mind making a hot breakfast and enjoy the process... today, not so much, evidently. I compared Dick to a fifties husband sitting at the table "waiting" for his food to be served (well he was!!).

Maybe I said and did few other things.....but he got a great breakfast with 3 fried eggs, sourdough toast with cherry jelly, 5 pieces of bacon, his special mix of cranberry/orange/apple juice (for gout), hot green Earl Grey tea (for his heart). I fixed myself a couple of eggs and a whole wheat English muffin and sat down at the table with a huff.

Dick made his famous upside down smile and said I hurt his feelings calling him a fifties husband and all and mentioned," Sometimes you remind me of Yosemite Sam....you know with the guns in the air getting ready to shoot?!"

"Oh,very funny!" I thought....but ya know, he was right!! We had a laugh together ....but I think this one is going to stick. Like the time I had gotten so mad at Dick about something and all our kids were standing there, I couldn't swear or anything like that. I yelled, "You, you, you Dobad!!!"...that stuck.

He's a Dobad and I'm Yosemite...made for each other!!

Yosemite Sam...I always wanted a gun! :-)


From Hare to Heir

Bugs shows up to offer Sam money if he can keep his temper under control...
(1960)Bugs Bunny: Hey Sam, pass the salt please.


Yosemite Sam: Salt? GET IT YOURSELF!


Bugs Bunny: Uh oh, that'll cost you about...


Yosemite Sam: Salt? Why didn't you say so. Here's your salt, Bunny, I hope you like it. [Brings it across the table to him then walks back]


Yosemite Sam: Ooh that rackin' frackin'...


Bugs Bunny: The pepper please.


Yosemite Sam: PEPPER! WE... Uh, yeah the pepper. Coming right up. [Walks to the end of the table and gives it to Bugs]


Yosemite Sam: Ooh that rackin' frackin'...


Bugs Bunny: Oh Sam!


Yosemite Sam: Oh no.


Bugs Bunny: How about the olives?

Thanks Charlotte!!

If you have been a friend of my blog you know we have been going through some rocky waters lately. Loosing a job and starting over at our age is not exactly where you want to be in life, but....there we be, Dick and me.

Friends, family and our walk with God have been constant sources of support and comfort. Charlotte is the kind of friend that makes life a better place, she is a beautiful christian woman.

A few weeks ago Dick got a phone call from Charlotte. Dick and Charlotte have a good time bantering back and forth about her love for the University of Kentucky Wildcats and Dick's love of the University of Louisville Cardinals...huge school rivals here in the beautiful state of Kentucky. They don't agree about politics much either.

Nevertheless, doesn't matter a bit! We both love, love, love Charlotte! Charlotte is our friend forever in this life and forever in the next.

Getting back to the phone call. Charlotte wanted to know if Dick could use a couple of tickets to the Masters Tournament practice round in Augusta Georgia......did he?!! Oh wowwee, wowwee wow!! Dick has been on the golf course his whole life. His mom and dad both lifetime golfers passed on the love of golf to Dick...it was their "church" really.

Getting tickets through the lottery system had eluded poor Dick and watching The Masters on TV was the closest he could get to the tournament. Until this moment in time when Charlotte said those magic words.....Would you like some tickets to the tournament?

Uh, Yeah!

A nice guy snapped this photo for us as we prepared to leave the course after having the best day....we were exhausted, but oh so content and happy.
Dick said for that one day, he didn't think about anything, it was like being in heaven....he walked and walked to see every bit of Augusta National Golf Course. What an absolutely gorgeous course....nary a weed, everything just perfect!

So Charlotte, thank you so much for your generous spirit.

Your gift was the best! Just the best!

He is Risen!

Mark 16:6

"Don't be alarmed," he said.

"You are looking for Jesus the Nazarene, who was crucified.

He has risen!
He is not here.

See the place where they laid him.

Your Love Is Strong

Jon Foreman ....Lryrics

2 Corinthians 12:7-10 (New American Standard Bible)

A Thorn in the Flesh
7Because of the surpassing greatness of the revelations, for this reason, to keep me from exalting myself, there was given me a thorn in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to torment me--to keep me from exalting myself!
8Concerning this I implored the Lord three times that it might leave me.

9And He has said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness " Most gladly, therefore, I will rather boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me.

10Therefore I am well content with weaknesses, with insults, with distresses, with persecutions, with difficulties, for Christ's sake; for when I am weak, then I am strong.

It is well......