I'M GOING TO CAMP! Camp Reset

REGISTER HERE!

I've been a fan of Cori Spieker aka The Reset Girl for a long time. She's fun and creative and she never lets anything get her down. She finds the positive in everything that happens to her. And she uses that positive attitude to inspire others.

CAMP RESET is her newest venue for encouraging us to make time for ourselves
                                                  to take care of US.

You might remember earlier in the year I said I was hitting the RESET button on my life. Cori inspired me to do that. And for the most part it is working. Though I do have to admit that while having the granddaughters has changed how I'm doing things, I am still doing things I enjoy when I'm with them.

Each week, via email and our private FB group, Cori will set us on another part of the trail that will lead us to a better self. Think of it like going to Scout Camp! Lots of activities, visiting with other campers and taking time out for things we enjoy. Sounds like FUN to me!

Your Welcome Packet will include a calendar of events, an itinerary and a packing list. I've gathered some of the items from the list but still have more I want to include form a personal perspective. I'll post my camp basket on Monday.

In the mean time, I hope you'll join us for a month-long camping event of FUN and INSPIRATION!

Still have questions, you'll find all the information you need when you click the Register Here button up above. Then you can decide if you'd like to come along. The bus pulls out Friday night so don't miss it!

Enjoy the Journey!
Kelly

RECIPE WEDNESDAY - Teriyaki BBQ Wings

I love BBQ. And while I'm not a fan of pub crawls, I could get into some tailgating come football season. Though, I know tailgating has become very sophisticated in some areas. Me? I'm happy with a plate of BBQ wings. Not the Hot/ Buffalo... but a mix of sweet and tangy... like Teriyaki/ Sweet BBQ.  Come on! You didn't think I'd stray from Chinese too far, did you? ;-)

Here's where I started:

I used about 1-1/2 cups of Teriyaki Marinade to 1 cup Kraft Sweet Honey BBQ. A nice balance. 

I coated the foil-lined cookie sheet with a non-stick spray then popped them in the oven around 375 for 30 minutes.

When I removed them from the oven, I put them into a large metal mixing bowl then drained the juices off the cookie sheet. After thoroughly coating the wings in the sauce, I put them back on the cookie sheet and into the oven for 20 minutes at 350* to bake the first coat on really well.

This is what they looked like after round one:

Following The Pioneer Woman's BBQ Chicken Thighs recipe, I dipped them three more times, letting them back for 10 minutes the first two times. The final bake I left them in for 15 to really let that last coat carmalize a bit. 

This was the result:

They turned out very yummy. I spread them out on a foil lined cookie sheet and froze them over night then packaged them 6-8 per package in my food saver bags. I think after the girls are gone, I'm going to do several batches of these and have them in the freezer ready for Bronco Season!

Enjoy the Journey!

WEIGH IN - 6-26-17

188-172-135

No weight loss last week... but no gain either. I can take that all considered. Before I tell you about my week, I thought I'd let you know that Bob came home on Wednesday. We weighed in on Thursday morning for our challenge. Both of us had lost four pounds!  I am so proud of Bob. We probably should have split the pot but we are taking the gamble. Since we evened out, leaving no 'winner', we are padding the kitty next time he goes out. The weight loss challenge will be worth $200. Now all we have to do is try to maintain or lose from where we are until then. 

I have a good range of self control - well, unless sea food is involved. Do you know how many calories are in PLAIN seafood? I'm not talking dipped in clarified butter or served with a creamy sauce... just plain. 50 calories in THREE MEDIUM shrimp! yowza!

Why do I mention seafood? We took the girls to Springfield for a couple of days. Adrian (9) loves seafood almost as much as me. Okay, maybe as much as me but either one of two things happen. She has more self control than I do or she gets tired of cleaning out the shells. Maybe both. We started out going to Hemmingway's Blue Water Cafe in Bass Pro on Thursday night. with buffet, the all you can eat snow crab for adults is $35.95 and for children $19.95. Pricey? Yes. But this is our treat night and we do less expensive meals the rest of the time. The other thing is that while we can get the same thing at the Chinese buffet on Friday and Saturday night for only $11.95, there you are hoping to get a 1/2 pound on your plate if someone ahead of you in line hasn't tried to pile as many on his/ her plate as possible. I swear, the majority of people do not know how to share with others. it's ME ME ME. You literally have to be a vultcher standing over the pan waiting for them to bring out a new batch -which they do about every 30 minutes.  At Hemminway's they bring them to your table in a galvanized bucket about 4-6 knuckles at a time depending on whether or not they are for a single person or two - as was our case. Adrian helped me eat the first two buckets, I ate an entire third and part of a fourth. Hey, it's crab legs - don't judge me! LOL  And I ate most of them without the clarified butter.

Friday was Golden Corral where we met up with my sister and nephew so they could see the girls. There, I'm all about the protein. Chewing salads unless they are a spring mix doesn't make for an enjoyable experience so while they have an awesome salad bar, I'll stick to Ruby Tuesday's for that one. Dinner that night was Crab legs so that the 5 year old could enjoy some. She likes them too but I'm pretty sure not $20 worth :-)

Saturday we walked most of the day around Dickerson Park Zoo. You would think there would be LOTS of steps involved when in reality, walking the entire park including from the parking lot and back barely racked up 6500 steps! At least there were some shallow inclines and stairs involved. Then back to Golden Corral before we headed home. Why GC so often? One, they have a taco bar and macaroni and cheese - two things I know the picky 5 year old Abby will eat. Hard to pay for something not knowing whether or not she will eat - and wind up not having enough to eat. 

Amongst the eating there was lots of time in the chilly pool. Lots of splashing and swimming for all.

As I type this, I should be out working in the yard. The temps today are to only be int he 70s with very low humidity and cloud cover. Perfect gardening weather. But I'm going to have to see how my back does. Right now, sitting here at the desk isn't even comfortable. I'm sure the dampness has a lot to do with it as we had some rain this morning and should have heavier stuff moving in about three this afternoon. 

The week ahead will be relatively tame. The girls will get some outside time catching lightening bugs and star gazing. I have some things to get done in the garden and we have one day to go to Menards for play sand. Adrian will probably live in her sandbox from that point on. LOL But that's okay. even on the hottest of days, the sandbox is under the dogwood tree where the temps are at least 20* cooler. 

Wow... that's a lot for you to read today. LOL I guess I should move on to my other blogs before the rest of the house comes alive. 

Whatever your week holds, Enjoy the Journey!

WEIGH IN 6-19-17

188/172/135

As you can see, I'm up a pound this week. Not surprised as the girls and I find a routine. I'm eating things I shouldn't because the things I eat, they won't. I miss the days when my oldest granddaughter would eat pretty much whatever I did. The youngest is beyond picky. A typical 5-year old, you can't reason with her that sausage is sausage, regardless of the shape. ie she'll eat links but she doesn't like patties. :-D

We're learning compromises. 

Now that the girls are acquainted with their new surroundings, this week we start an actual routine... one that I integrate with my existing schedule.

Mondays are  my day to deep clean the bedroom/ laundry room/ bathroom. So I already have the beds stripped and the first round of blankets on the line, sheets will be next. We've all had breakfast and they are dressed. Now they are happily occupying themselves while I get a couple of blog posts up then get 'people can see me' clothes.

Mondays also become our library day. Adrian needs to be reading closer to her 4th grade level by the time school starts. Abby needs brushing up on things though she is super smart. She loves to add simple numbers, can spell some words and can almost count to 20. Did I mention she's only 5.5?

So as we embark on this new weekly routine, I'm going to pop my vitamin B, get dressed and have a 'summer school' conference with my new students

Enjoy the Journey!

WEIGH IN 6-12-17

188/171/135

Things have been a bit crazy here.  The week after I posted last, I came down with a serious virus. All I had was a high fever and chills but the danged stuff hung around for FOUR DAYS! I body ached from trying to stave off the tremors. I spent most of my time either in the bubble tub trying to relax my muscles and cool down or in bed, tucked in like a chrysalis. I drank tons of ice water but didn't even want food. I wanted to cool down and sleep. 

I lost 5 pounds and have kept it off while still eating normally. I guess this is my new plateau - and the lowest I've been in over 15 years!!! I'm hoping as I stay active with the girls this summer, I should hit my 165 by October without a problem. 

The girls are here. I picked them up from the airport last Wednesday. They are here until the end of August. I hope to check in at least on Mondays then try to get back to normal posting routine by first of September... But that isn't ruling out other posts here and there. 

Enjoy the Journey!

Kelly