WEIGH IN 6-11-18

175/167/135

No change from last week. I'm surprised I didn't have a gain. The menu last week seemed to be about comfort foods. Yesterday we had a buddy of Bob's for supper. He was curious about my straw bale garden. Bob tried to explain the process and he couldn't get his head around it so I thought seeing it in person might help. 

This week we'll be eating out the first part of the week so I'll have to work extra hard to have a loss next week. 

I meant to have more posts up last week but I was determined to get my business blog on track. I wanted to make sure to have a new project up every day and promote my special for the month of June. So far so good. 

I do have several pictures for Recipe Wednesday. Just need to get them resized and the pieces written up to go with them. This week I'm showing you a simple high-protein breakfast. I will tell you up front, it's RICH. So have good cup of coffee or cold glass of milk ready when you read Wednesday's post. 

With Bob only home another week or so, I'm trying to spend as much time as possible with him but he's finding stuff to keep himself busy so I can work.  He's uber supportive.

I've also come up with an idea for the office so stay tuned for that post coming up near the end of the month... hopefully, if all goes well. 

What's on your path for this week? Please leave a comment and share your story.

Enjoy the Journey!

Kelly

WEIGH IN - 2-5-18

179/168/135

I'm up 7 pounds from last week but I totally get why so I'm not kicking myself and getting all bummed. Friday, I could not seem to get enough to drink. Didn't matter whether I drank water, cran-grape juice, mini coke.. nothing seemed to do it. I've also had a couple of comfort food meals this week - like the chicken fried steak, mashed taters and milk gravy - all made from scratch - on Saturday. 

Sometimes we just need those comfort foods... and they're OKAY ... as long as we remember they are to be enjoyed GUILT - FREE then move on. Guilt will pack on the pounds faster than anything. 

Go forth into the week and live your food life guilt free... 

Enjoy the journey!

WEIGH-IN 7-17-17

185/171/135

I'm typing this on Sunday. I'll try to remember to get in here and fill in that actual weight. I forgot to weigh this morning.  

UPDATE:  I didn't gain any during vacation! Now if I can just lose a pound this week. I really want to see 170 by August 1. From there the 169 by October 10th should be easy peasy.

We spent all of last week in Eureka Springs AR on vacation with the girls. I'm a strong believer in "calories don't count" on vacation, though I did try to behave. 

The first thing we did was take a ride on the Eureka Springs & North Arkansas Railway. They offer an excursion, lunch or dinner trips. The girls love trains so we thought this short trip (about 90 min.) with lunch would be perfect.

Menu Selections:

Chicken Salad with Fresh Fruit
Beef Stroganoff
Ham and Turkey Croissant
Grilled Cheese Croissant with Tomato Soup
Egg Salad with Fresh Fruit
Chicken Strips (kids)

All entreés are served with hot, fresh baked rolls, beverage and special dessert.

Meal and trip are a package. Adults is $25 and Children (under 8) $15.

I chose the Chicken Salad with Fresh Fruit

I also had grapes but they are difficult for me to eat unless I cut them in half. A young girl across the isle from us got the Chicken Strips (which came with seasoned green beans) She doesn't like anything green so I happily gave my grapes to her. 

Everything was very tasty. 

There was a bit of a lull between the meal and dessert, which gave the girls a chance to just watch the scenery.  

Then dessert came. I failed to take a picture before I began eating. 

This is what they called a Eurekan Chew Chew. They are a bar cookie consisting of a shortbread/ pecan crust, caramelized brown sugar for the middle then melted chocolate chips on top. 

Very yummy. Served with a scoop of vanilla ice cream, drizzled in chocolate. 

The rest of the week we ate at the hotel restaurant - Myrtie May's Cafe. This place is an institution. One waitress, Molly, has been working there for 42 years! Then there's young David, who began busing tables at the age of 14. He'll turn 16 in a few weeks. Very conscientious young man. They have a fabulous soup and salad bar but with my teeth, some things are just not as enjoyable. I ate light breakfasts then enjoyed a homestyle meal from the menu.

Best Western Inn of the Ozarks and Convention Center is the only hotel I will stay in when I go to Eureka Springs. They've hosted the Ozark Creative Writers Conference for 51 of the 52 years we've been in existence. I've been going there since my first conference in 1999.

Lots of pool time and just snuggling with the girls. We did some sightseeing but because of the heat and having the girls I didn't do near the walking I normally do on my own.  There will be plenty of time for that after the girls are gone... but I'm not going to rush that.

What's ahead for the week? I'm still into Camp Reset and this is Week 3. This week we are focusing on moving more. I want back on the Wii this week. I will probably put down the equipment mats to absorb some of the shock to my feet when I'm walking or bicycling. Those do not require the board. 

How do you like to 'get moving'?

Enjoy the Journey!

RECIPE WEDNESDAY - Pork Steaks with Stuffing

While this might not be the most appetizing picture, trust me.. Pork Steaks with stuffing in the crockpot tasted rich, gooey, yummy.

I needed something that would feed four - 6 of us rather inexpensively. I probably could have done a half recipe and been fine but when Bob's home, I overcook so I have left overs in the freezer for when he's gone. This was also not so much on the new eating plan but every once in awhile you need the comfort food.

I took this version from a Pinterest recipe for Chicken and Stuffing in the crockpot but used pork steaks with beef Stove Top stuffing instead. The recipe is on isavea2z site. The recipe calls for green beans but I omitted them from the crock pot and served them on the side.

For now... I started by browning the pork steaks in the skillet. I just seasoned them with a bit of Lawry's Seasoning Salt and lightly peppered (Bob is not a fan of pepper so I use it sparingly then add more to my personal serving)

Then I made the sauce. This picture looks like a cream sauce but it is not. The ingredients are simply Cream of Chicken Soup and Sour Cream. 

Then I layered everything into the crockpot. I started by spraying the inside of the crock with a butter flavored olive oil from my Pampered Chef oil mister. I never thought I'd want one of these but would be so lost without the tool now. Of course they no longer have it now but I did find one similar at The Kitchen Store (for about 1/2 the price) that I use in my art journals for misting water on canvas.

I put some of the sauce in the bottom then a layer of the pork steaks, topped with some of the dry stuffing mix (DO NOT make the stuffing. Use it straight from the package) 

Topped with sauce then continued the layering process. My final layer was stuffing mix and sauce:

Put the lid on the crock pot and let it cook on low - 4-5 hours. You'll know dinner is ready when the contents look like the first picture. I'll put the picture here, too. Notice how everything has pulled away from the sides.

All I had to do was make a vegetable and dinner was served. Clean up is easy!

Even with all that cooked on goodness, When you've taken everything out of the crock, fill it with water, put the lid back in place and let steam on low over night. In the morning, your crockpot will wash up easily or go into the dishwasher. No more scrubbing and scraping!