The Family Plan

My mom had another stroke late last week.  This time they found three more blockages and surgery is not an option.  Her risks are extremely high for having another stroke. This just seems absolutely dismal to me and of course food became my friend again over the weekend. I did not go the fast food route like last time (I defiantly learned my lesson there), but the amount of food I ate went over my goals.

The Doctor said that her risk may lower a little bit if she changed her diet and started exercising, but at this point it is not reversible. So as a family we discussed our goals for ourselves.  We are going to all push to lose weight as a family.

My sister and I decided to get my parents another exercise bike for their anniversary so they can exercise together. As I try new recipes that turn out great I will pass them on to my mom to try out too!  My Dad has been doing a lot of research about stroke and he has already raided the cupboards and fridge for non-healthy options.  All of which went to the trash!
If we all start making real progress I know it will give my mom hope to push on and make a real change!

So it is time for me to really get serious and quit fooling around with this!! My goal today is to get a concret plan in place and stick to it until April 1st 2013 (my goal date-Florida Vacation!!)  I am going to start with a 17 day jump start. Exercise will be a big part and then making sure that I am eating as clean as possible no matter what my schedule ends up being.  Planning is everything!!!

On my reading list for this week is "The primal Blue Print" by Mark Sisson.  My friend said it is a great book to give me the boost I need.  She reads Mark's Daily Apple everyday and states that there are a lot of great resources on there for healthy eating and exercise, so I will be checking that out too once I get through Mark's book!

Stay Tuned

Tonissa

Testing out the SparkPeople CookBook

Last night I got my SP Cookbook in the mail:) I decided to try a couple of easy things since I was not expecting it in the mail so soon.
Last night we were having tacos so instead of use our regular packet of Taco Seasoning I tried out Chef Meg's version.

The original recipe is:
3 tbsp ground cumin
1 tbsp chili powder
1 tbsp of red pepper flakes

My 4 year old hates every thing that is spicy so I decided to change it up a little to make it 4 year old friendly.

Tonissa's Version:
3 tbsp ground cumin
1 tbsp chili powder
1 tbsp garlic powder
Mix it all together and store in air tight container.

We also decided to change up our boring taco meat:)

Tacos:
1 1/2 lbs of lean ground hamburger
1 can of black beans rinsed
2 tbsp of taco seasoning
1 small can of tomato sauce
Lettuce, tomato, red onion, cheese, taco sauce, and sour cream (what ever you like to add)
Taco shells or chips.

1. Brown hamburger in large non-stick skillet until no longer pink.
2. Rinse black beans and add to browned hamburger.
3. Add 2 tbsp of taco seasoning to tomato sauce. Then add tomato sauce to hamburger and beans. Heat until warmed through.

I made a taco salad with a side of Blue corn chips. My husband and son prefer the flour tortillas.

I also made the Caramel Popcorn. I was a little concerned when it came to stirring the caramel into the popcorn because it was so thick. I had never made homemade caramel corn so I was also concerned how sticky the caramel was drying on the spoon. But let me tell you it turned out to be the greatest caramel corn I have ever tasted! I am looking forward to making it again! And next time I promise to take pictures!!

Stay Tuned
 

Tonissa

Renewal

So after my feeling sorry for myself  all day on Friday and part of Saturday my husband I decided to spend Monday out on the Bay of Green Bay fishing.  So I packed up our cooler and we set off. We don't eat anything heavy when we are out on the boat. (those are worms hiding under the pistachios:))

There was a thick band of rain coming our way, but every other storm this past month has managed to go around us so we decided to give it a shot any way.

It was rough going out but the breeze was warm and the area was not full of pleasure boaters or jet skiers so it was actually very relaxing.

There were vultures, pelicans, rough winged swallows, gulls and cormorants watching over the fisherman in hopes of a free meal.

This was our pelican on patrol!

It was nice that it was overcast! It wasn't so hot as it was on Sunday!  I think it had gotten into the 90's. I am not a fan of hot and muggy!

We watched the storm go around us.  We got dribbled on a little bit, but nothing to complain about or head into shore for!

We did catch a lot of sheep head, one cat fish and two keeper Walleyes:) It may not have been great fishing, but it was awesome to get out on the water to recharge my batteries before going back to work on Tuesday.

 The clouds finally faded away....

...and our pelican on patrol finally got his free meal!






 Stay Tuned

 

Tonissa

Rock Bottom

Weigh in day was Friday June 8th.  I was so excited to step on that scale!!  I ate great all week. I stayed with in 1500 and 1800 calories. I even did a little bit of exercise.

As I stepped on the scale with visions of sitting on a sunny Florida beach next spring in my head I look down and saw 264.6.  What the Crap!!!!!!

I had not lost one pound!  I was so pissed off, sad, and confused. What am I doing wrong?

So with that being said I ate everything I had been avoiding all week. I ate a big breakfast of eggs, American fries, toast and steak.  Lunch was toasted ham and cheese sandwich, wedges and a large caramel sundae. Dinner was chips and salsa, 2 pieces of toast, Godiva truffles and then at that point I lost track of what else I may have stuffed in.

Saturday morning I woke up so sick to my stomach I thought I had the flu, but no one else in my family had gotten sick. I had the chills, diarrhea, nausea, head ache, and then I was hot and tired. I stayed on the couch for the most of the day. That afternoon I received a call from my Dad that my step-mom had had a stroke.

I was immediately up and running! My Dad and step Mom have been together since I was about 7. (if my memory serves me right) So I have regarded her more as my actual mother since my Mom had moved away not long after the divorce and I did not see her much. It even feels funny to type step-mom as I have never thought of her as such. My Dad had said she was doing ok and that she was being transported to Green Bay. This I believe was my SIGN.

On my way to the hospital still sick and tired I was kicking my self all the way. "What were you thinking?", "Don't you remember you family history of heart disease(both sides), diabetes(both sides), and breast cancer(mom)?" "Stop feeling sorry for your self and actually do something about your weight problem!!" "Maybe a trip to the Dr. is the next step?" I was so inside my head I have no idea how I drove to the hospital.

My mom was not released until Monday evening. She was released with a long list of don'ts and prescriptions.  I keep reminding my self that I do have an easier weight loss road ahead of me than she does as I don't have to quit smoking. I am looking forward to helping her through this rocky road ahead. It will keep me focused on my goal. And it will keep me moving forward!

Stay Tuned

Tonissa

What is that smell? It's Yogurt Cheese!!

Last night I was able to get my yogurt cheese going. My husband asked "What is that smell? What are you making?" "Well it is yogurt cheese dear!" HaHaHa!

My husband hates yogurt, but I may have him convinced to try it.

I found out how to make yogurt cheese from the Eat-Clean Diet website.

Here is how to make it:http://www.eatcleandiet.com/food_and_recipes/clean_recipe/yogurt_cheese.aspx

I could not believe how much water actually came out of the yogurt.

I adapted the Herbed Spinach Yogurt Cheese Dip recipe from Tosca Reno's Eat Clean Cook Book.

The original recipe is as follows:

1 1/2 Cups of Yogurt Cheese
2 cloves minced garlic
1/2 cup fresh basil
2 teaspoons avocado oil (My sister found it at Whole Foods)
pinch of sea salt
1 package of frozen spinach, thawed and well drained.

Mix well and chill. Serve with crudites and baked pita chips.

So if you remember from before, there is a shortage of fresh Basil in Green Bay so I used the fresh herbs that I had growing right under my kitchen window. (Wow, I think this may be the first time I actually used them!!)

I replaced the basil with a 1/4 cup of chives and a 1/4 cup of dill, But it is so versatile that you could put any flavoring spin on it.

I must say this it the best veggie dip I have ever had!! It will also be great for crackers, burgers and even steak!! I am defiantly going to make this for our Fourth of July family get together. I figured a 1/4 cup serving is 37 calories.
Enjoy!

Stay Tuned

Tonissa