WEIGH IN 3-18-19

165/164/135

Technically, I'm up two pounds. LOL BUT I weighed 162 when Bob left on Saturday. Hmmm... what did I do? Didn't change the way I've been eating at all so we shall see.

One of the things I'm missing most since I've changed my eating habits is cake. I've not missed soda at all - which I really thought I would. But man... have I been craving a rich Chocolate Cake.

This all began about two weeks ago. My sister, Kitty, and I spent four fun-filled crafting days at a hotel in Springfield. The last morning we ate breakfast at iHop after loading the vehicles. A pre-teen at the table next to us ordered the Triple Chocolate pancakes. OMG! As if just seeing the stack wasn't bad enough, her mom took a bite and quickly informed us it was like eating a rich chocolate cake. 

Fastforward a week. Bob and I had 'date day' Friday before he left out on the boat. We tried a new cafe for a light lunch. The food was really good. They were kind enough to put my burger (hand made) on wheat toast rather than a bun. When we went up to pay, a decadent triple layer chocolate cake sat on a glass cake stand under a clear cloche. Chocolate cake with mini chocolate chips, chocolate frosting topped with Caramel chips!! At $3 a slice, man.. was that tempting. Had we been on our way home instead of just heading into Poplar Bluff, I may have considered bringing that puppy home and freezing it in petite four bites.  

So this week, my big push is to make sure I drink ALL 8 glasses of water. Every last drop! I'm using the water tracker both in my planner and on my phone. An app called Daily Carb. 

I haven't been on the Gazelle since I've been averaging 6,000 steps+ a day just doing house stuff. We've had to move the gazelle into the sewing corner of my office to make room for the girls' beds in the living room. At least it's more in my line of sight. 

What's on your 'push' list. Let me know. I'd love to hear from you!

Enjoy the journey!

WEIGH - IN

185/179/135

Stupid scales! Okay, maybe not the scales fault. CRAVING! I had a craving for chocolate frosting. Soft, creamy, chocolaty goodness. So I invested in a dozen MINI cupcakes. So eating two is only like eating a 1/2 of a cupcake.  Who knew that over the course of a week, EIGHT of these (mind you, that's 4 regular cupcakes) could be so damaging!

Here's the culprit:

So the remaining 2 cupcakes went in the garbage today and I am back to a routine of one cup of fluffy then the rest water. If I get all my water in, then a small cup of cocoa while I relax with the dog in the evening. 

I've teamed up with a 'Daily' planner group on FB. We encourage each other to drink our water in every day, including various ways to get the water in by drinking so much as soon as we wake up, specific amount of ounces before lunch, that kind of thing. I just fill my 2-qt glass pitcher at night before I go to bed so I have cold water to drink throughout the next day. I also have water bottle tracker stickers in my planner. I've not used the planner much this week as I've not been 'working' but that kicks in again tomorrow. 

So after several weeks of putting the studio in order, stocking in supplies and fire wood for a cold snap, I am ready to build a normal work-day routine again. Bob is gone for another week so I have time to put my schedule in place before he comes home and the go go go begins. :-D

So you know my nemesis is chocolate. What's yours? What is that one food you crave, that probably isn't the best choice? I'd love to hear.

Up, down, or somewhere in between. Whatver course you take,....

Enjoy the Journey

Recipe Wednesday

Yep... I might actually get us all on track before this summer is over with.

We're looking into satellite internet. I am just too engulfed in business right now to get it all accomplished on Dial-Up. I wouldn't change my living location for anything, but a faster internet connection would certainly be my one luxury request :-)

Last fall I found a website called Hungry Girl . If you've never heard of Hungry Girl, sign up for her newsletter! She shares great, healthy alternatives or 'swaps' to our favorite foods.

I was introduced through a recipe for Chocolate brownies. Now who doesn't crave those on occasion? Well, unless you don't like chocolate and I understand there are a few of you out there. I'll be trying an alternative to the following recipe this week and if it's a success, I'll share it next week.

For this week, the recipe is incredibly simple, healthy and great for those of you who are Vegan. Take 1 standard sized boxed Chocolate Cake mix. I prefer Milk Chocolate as the dark seems to 'promote a slight aftertaste'. Add 1 standard can pureed pumpkin (like for making pumpkin pie)

Mix these together - Just THESE TWO ingredients. Do Not follow the cake mix directions. You won't need eggs or oil. The moisture comes from the pumpkin.

Bake in paper-lined muffin cups and bake at 350 for about 15 min or until done.

I bake mine in a 9" 'PAM' sprayed cake pan. Then I cut it into wedges.

I love mine warm with a dollop of Sugar Free CoolWhip.

Next week, I want to try this with a Spice cake and raisins. I'll let you know how it turns out!