Another lightbulb moment....

Recently I've had another huge lightbulb moment in my life. I've had a few over the years. Read about them here!

But this time it was about exercise and nutrition. It took a long time to admit, but I am officially getting older and that meant big changes for my body. My metabolism is not what it used to be. But I was gung ho to prove that none of that mattered. I could get back to the weight I wanted, if I just worked hard. So I hit the gym...hard...ignoring the signs my body gave me that I was overdoing it. I changed my diet and cut out things I loved. (I was MISERABLE!) I became a little obsessed about it all....but still....none of it worked.

And then one day...I got on the floor to do some stretches and ab work and when I stood up pain radiated through my body. And I knew. It was the last straw. That was five months ago and my back is still not right. It might not ever be. It's a chronic condition I've lived with for many years and I know how to handle it. I shouldn't have let myself ignore it.

So I kind of woke up. I had to accept one thing in my life that I might not ever be able to change. And it sucks. Big time. It sucks to work hard and see zero results. It sucks to know I can't push harder because of where I'll end up. It sucks to know I might be stuck like this forever..in a body I'm not really all that happy with.

But I refuse to sacrifice my happiness (I like to eat delicious food! Not all the time, not every day, but on occasion. I know how to use moderation. I refuse to eliminate things from my life completely.) I refuse to do things I know will lead to me being unable to enjoy activities with my kids because I'm in too much pain.

So here I am...doing what I can to stay healthy and happy. I'm trying my best, and that's all any of us can do.

Have you had a fitness/dieting/nutrition lightbulb moment?

Food I Love! Zucchini Pasta!

This recipe is ridiculously easy and so so good!! Great as a side dish or served alone. I like to make grilled chicken with it, rubbed with a little olive oil and then sprinkled with salt, pepper, garlic powder and italian seasoning.

This recipe is from Light n Tasty Magazine, (now Healthy Cooking Magazine) by Taste of Home.

Ingredients

• 8 ounces uncooked linguine
• 4 cups coarsely shredded zucchini (about 3 medium)
• 4 teaspoons olive oil
• 2 garlic cloves, thinly sliced
• 1/4 cup fat-free plain yogurt
• 3/4 cup shredded reduced-fat cheddar cheese
• 3/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon pepper

Directions

• Cook linguine according to package directions. In a sieve or colander, drain the zucchini, squeezing to remove excess liquid. Pat dry.
• In a large nonstick skillet, saute zucchini in oil for 2 minutes. Add garlic; saute 1-2 minutes longer or until zucchini is tender. Transfer to a large bowl. Add the yogurt, cheese, salt and pepper. Drain linguine; add to zucchini mixture and toss to coat. Yield: 6 servings.

Nutritional Facts 3/4 cup equals 219 calories, 7 g fat (3 g saturated fat), 10 mg cholesterol, 395 mg sodium, 32 g carbohydrate, 2 g fiber, 10 g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 1-1/2 starch, 1-1/2 fat, 1 vegetable.

Click here for link to website!

My son, the bottomless pit!

My son is a bottomless pit. I know this is no surprise...most growing boys are. But mine is only 3. I've watched my teenage nephews inhale food like air. Growing boys need a lot of calories. But I never thought it would start this early.

My oldest is 8, a girl. She's always eaten like a bird. That's what I was used to. They're be feeding frenzies from time to time...that's how I knew she was growing. My son used to be like that too...but this latest growth spurt has been going on for weeks and weeks.

Healthy eating is something we encourage in our house, though we do splurge from time to time. But for the most part, our kids eat a well balanced diet with lots of good stuff. My son ate a pb&j sandwich, a kid's yogurt cup and a small handful of BBQ chips for lunch. (the chips are a rarity...it was only because they were left over from a party we had over the weekend.) Before that, he'd eaten breakfast, and had half an apple and some fruit snacks for snacks. I'm wondering when he'll ask for something else. Usually he wants some cheese at some point.

So at least I can feel pretty good about the food is he eating. And he was at the doctor's recently...his weight is below average. I've been lucky my entire life and have never had to deal with being overweight, and I definitely don't want my kids to. Developing healthy eating habits early is very important to me.

Oh, I just heard him open the fridge.

"I want somethin' mom."

He brought me a pudding cup.

"I'm hungry. I'm hungry again!"

Okay, now I'm hungry for my lunch. Just nuked some leftovers from dinner last night...a tasty low fat zucchini pasta! YUM!!

What's on your menu for today??

Party Post #2: More Food!!!!

What is a party without awesome food????

Uh....pretty boring.

Here is what I'm serving to my guests tomorrow:

Cheese 'n Crackers
Taco Dip
Meatballs with a Sweet 'n Savory Sauce
Fruit Salad
Peach Salsa
Rye Bread cubes with Dill Dip
Roast Beef Wraps
Turkey Bacon Ranch Wraps
Guacamole
Italian Sausage with Peppers and Onions
Roasted Red Pepper Dip with Tortellini
Buffalo Chicken Wing Dip

I'm giving away another food related prize!!! Along with the recipe for THE BEST guac on the planet (which also just happens to be low fat) will be a fun bowl to serve it in!!

All you need to do to enter is #1, be a follower, and #2, answer this question:

Where did I go to college and what was my major????

Gotta do some research to find this answer...but it shouldn't be too hard!!

First poster with the correct answer wins!

And don't forget...enter my contest from Monday to win a digital copy of A Bitch Named Karma!!

Found my "thing"!

It's Thanksgiving and what the focus for my family is, after being thankful, of course, is the FOOD!

It seems everyone has their "thing", their signature dish that they make for every single holiday, get-together, or party. Grandma has her cheesecake, Mother in Law has her Lazy Man Pierogi, my mom makes the cheesy potatoes. I never really had a "thing". I like to cook and I think I cook pretty well (or at least follow a recipe decently!). I like to change things up and bring something different to potlucks and such.

But now I have been given a "thing".

Last family get-together at my parent's house, I made a cold broccoli salad. Very tasty...raw broccoli chopped with bacon, slivered almonds, sunflower kernels, red onion. Top it with a dressing made from Miracle Whip, sugar and vinegar...very sweet and very yummy! Everyone loved it...even my brother...he had three helpings. And it is hard to get him to love anything...especially something I made. Geez...you screw up one dish and you're ridiculed for life!! But not this time.... I watched him take a small first helping out of courtesy, then a bigger second helping. Then I saw him go back for thirds...."Ya like that, don't ya!" I said and he smiled a sly kind of smile and answered a simple "Yes." I'm hoping this excuses me from ever being made fun of again for the infamous Pretzel Dessert Disaster. Knowing my brother, I doubt it :)

So I left my parent's that day happy that I had made something that was such a hit. My aunt called my mom and told her she needed to get the recipe from me.

So fast forward to a week ago. I called my mom and asked what she needed me to bring for Thanksgiving. Last year she told me pop and a box of crackers. That's it??? O...kay....I guess I could handle that. I got her back though...they came here for Christmas and when she asked what to bring...I said "pop and crackers". We got a good laugh out of it. So anyway, when I asked what to bring this year...."How about that broccoli salad?"

So now I have a "thing". I guess it makes planning a breeze and soon I'll be able to make it without glancing at the recipe.

Happy Thanksgiving to all! Hope your "thing" comes out spectacular this year!