Thank the Lord, this day is finally OVER.

All 3 of my kids have a colds. That= NO FUN. I was about ready to check into the loony bin for a vacation from my little urchins at about 5 o'clock. My good friend, Shiraz got me though the night though. I tried really, really hard to feel bad for the kids because I know they don't feel good. BUT...that didn't last long. Screaming, fighting, *slapping*, big uncompleted homework assignment due TOMORROW that had to be started over (apparently the teacher gives no written directions???). Ugh. I am tired just thinking about my children.

Thankfully, they are now in bed fast asleep. My house is a wreak & I don't care. Thank the Lord this day is over. I think I will have another glass of vino in celebration.

I know I was going to write about something else, but I am just to dang tired to remember apparently.

Weigh-in Wednesday, Week in Review

Ya! It is Wednesday! My WW points reset! I can start anew after the cookie binge that I had yesterday!

Somehow, someway, I lost .6 pounds this week. It isn't much but I will CERTAINLY take it. The week started off really good Wed. though Sat. Then, I took off for my dear aunt's 50th out of town & it all went downhill. The weekend included things like: a thick burger, onion rings, pizza, candy, lots of drinks, and probably other things that I have mentally blocked. Yikes!

Monday I was back on track and ready to go. Tuesday was going fine too. Then, I decided I would make cookies with my daughter. My self-control was so great the previous week that I only ate 1 cookie out of the entire batch. And no cookie dough to speak of! Ya. I made up for that yesterday.

I am no longer Shredding with the Sisterhood either. I know, I suck. You see, last week I ran into a fellow hockey mom who invited me to come to some of the fitness classes that she teaches. Last Monday, I tried her Muscle Work class and I LOVED it. So, so, much. She kicked my butt. My triceps have never been so sore. Anyway, I must love pain because on Wednesday I went to her cycling class AND her muscle work class. Right in a row. I burned over 1,000 calories and could barely move the next day. I am telling you, this chick is better than Jillian. She is a more likable version of Jillian and I know that if her classes can't whip me into shape and make me start losing again, nothing will.

So, here is what my new fitness routine looks like:

Sunday: Vinyassa Yoga
Monday: Cycling & Muscle Work
Tuesday: Nothing, maybe a walk outside with the kids
Wednesday: Cycling & Muscle Work
Thursday: Nothing except for possibly a walk
Friday: Run & Muscle Work ++ (this muscle work class incorporates more cardio that the other ones)
Saturday: Elliptical & Vinyassa Yoga

Slow Cooker BBQ Chicken

I recently discovered this recipe on a site I sometimes like to drool over called Real Mom Kitchen. She has a beautiful picture of this recipe on her site, I took one too but it didn't turn out;-) I am not very good at food photography I am discovering. I put my recipe below, I made a couple of minor changes & calculated WW points. Although I calculated 6 POINTS per serving, it will actually be a little lower, depending on how much liquid you drain off. I am thinking that I will also try to make it with Reduced-Fat Italian dressing next time which will also save some POINTS.

Anyway, this was just so delicious, not to mention super easy. It does make quite a bit, but I think it would freeze very well. I don't think I will be freezing any here though. Yum.

Slow Cooker BBQ Chicken

POINTS® Value: 6
Servings: 12

Ingredients:

3 lbs. raw skinless, boneless chicken breasts (about 6 breasts)
1 (18 oz.) bottle of barbecue sauce
1/2 cup prepared Italian salad dressing
1/4 cup brown sugar
2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce

Instructions:

Place chicken in crock pot. I a bowl mix 2/3 of the bottle of barbecue sauce, Italian Salad dressing, brown sugar, and Worcestershire sauce. Pour over chicken. Cover and cook for 3 to 4 hours on high or 6 to 8 hours on low. (I cook on low) Remove chicken from crock pot. Shred chicken and place back in crock pot. Mix with juices. Drain off any excess wetness. Add remaining 1/3 of bottle barbecue sauce to chicken and mix.

Load onto a bun and enjoy!

Taco Soup

Mmmm, mmmmm, good.

I re-discovered this recipe while cleaning out my recipe cabinet. The last time I made it, we were still living in Fargo. That makes it over 5 years ago! I'm not sure why I forgot about it! It is quick, filling, & everyone here loves it!

Taco Soup

POINTS® Value: 5
Servings: 7
1 Serving = 1 cup

Ingredients:

1 lb. extra lean ground beef
31 oz. (2 cans) kidney beans or chili beans
10 oz. Rotel tomatoes, undrained
15.25 oz. canned corn, undrained
1/4 c. (or 1 pkg.) dry taco seasoning mix
1 oz. (1 pkg.) dry ranch dressing mix

Instructions:

Brown and drain ground beef.Combine all ingredients and let simmer on low heat at least 15 minutes.

When I make this I always like to have shredded cheddar, sour cream, & nacho cheese Doritos out to top the soup with. I also like to throw a few jalapenos on mine;-)

Chocolate Chip Oatmeal Cookies

Today, Grace and I made our family favorite chocolate chip cookies. Usually, I take a nose dive into the cookie dough, but today I restrained myself completely. However, when the cookies came all hot and gooey out of the oven, I couldn't resist. I ate one & it was glorious. I was about to reach for a second and I stopped.

I though to myself, "Is the second one going to give me as much pleasure as the first just did?" I decided that before answering that question, I would plug my recipe into the online WW recipe builder. I wasn't going to throw the towel in on the whole day just because I made cookies. I *know* I need to learn some self-control here. My kids shouldn't be deprived of homemade goodies because 'mommy is on a diet'. Heck, I shouldn't be deprived either!!!

Anyway, when I saw that each cookie was 4 points I decided that 1 was enough. It was delicious and worth it, but by eating any more, I would have sabotaged the healthy dinner plans I had.

I may be having a heck of a time losing these days, but I am proud of how far I have come with healthy eating & moderation. WW is definitely starting to feel like a life-style change for me.

Anyway, you have to try this recipe! It is SO worth the 4 points! The recipe comes from my hubby's aunt, a fabulous cook!


Chocolate Chip Oatmeal Cookies


POINTS® Value: 4
Servings: 36
Makes 3 Dozen cookies


Ingredients:

1c. shortening
3/4 c. packed brown sugar
3/4 c. sugar
2 lg. eggs
1 tsp. vanilla
1 1/2 c. all-purpose flour
1 tsp. baking soda
1 tsp. salt
2 c. semi-sweet chocolate chips
2 c. quick oats

Instructions:

Cream shortening and sugars. Add eggs and vanilla and mix well. Add flour, soda, and salt and mix well. Stir in chips and oatmeal. Drop by tablespoonfuls on cookie sheet. Bake at 350*.

Two Week Meal Plan

I did my shopping for the next two weeks today. I must say, in the beginning, it was a little overwhelming. When you are attempting to do ALL of you shopping for the next two-weeks you need to be very organized and prepared with a well thought out list. I am really falling in love with the system though. I find I am able to buy more at Sam's Club now than I used to, although I do watch prices pretty carefully. Sometimes they end up being more expensive than the other stores that I go to.

Anyway, today I came home with my Pilot FULL of food/necessities. Now I am set for the next two weeks! Did I say that I have noticed that I spend LOADS less money at the store since I started doing this? I estimate, not even really trying, that I am saving about $400 per month. That is HUGE.

Friday: Tacos

Saturday: Nada- Kids will be in Dickinson with Dad & Tony & I will be eating Prime Rib & sippin' vino at his work Banquet.

Sunday: Creativity in the Kitchen A.K.A Leftovers;-)

Monday: BBQ Cups & Mystery Veggie

Tuesday: Crunchy Baked Chicken & Whatever Fancy Strikes Me

Wednesday: Cheesy Potato & Sausage Soup, Salad, French Bread

Thursday: Glazed Mahi-Mahi (I might have to improvise with Salmon or something, I couldn't find Mahi-Mahi anywhere?!), Hash Brown Casserole, & Veggie

Friday: Homemade Pepperoni & Green Olive Pizza & possibly a Mushroom & Jalapeno one for me only (YUM!)

Saturday: Steak & some manly sides

Sunday: Kitchen Creativity Night

Monday: Taco Soup & Salad

Tuesday: Slow Cooker BBQ Chicken & Side

Wednesday: Ranch House Crock pot Pork Chops with Parmesan Mashed Potatoes & Veggie

Thursday: Skewered Mustard-Beer Shrimp & Cheesy Broccoli Rigatoni

Reindeer Antlers and Big Girl Bikes

Monday night Kade had his school music program. It should have taken place a couple of weeks ago, but with the flooding issues here, it had to be postponed.

Kade is already just TOO COOL. He did NOT want to wear reindeer antlers. He was humiliated and he has been giving me an earful about it at home. Thankfully, it is over and he did not die of embarrassment. I, for one, think he makes a mighty cute reindeer! Maybe he could wear them for next years Christmas photo?


This is all the 3rd graders. That is a lot of 3rd graders! It kind of looks like my entire elementary school when I was a kid!

Notice how Kade took his antlers off to play his instrument? Notice the smile? Different kid without the antlers.

Here are some of the kids doing a very exuberant dance. Those kids were havin' some fun, let me tell you.

Kade playing his instrument. This, he enjoys. The singing & antler wearing...not so much.

Here is Gracie with her new bike! We picked it up at Walmart yesterday with her gift card from the Easter bunny! Ya, ya, I know. The Easter Bunny was smart though. He knew mom & dad wouldn't want to deal with hauling a bike to and from MN. This way, she even got to pick her own. Unfortunately the stock is a little low after Easter. We ended up with a Bratz bike. I really don't care for Bratz but she REALLY wanted it because of the streamers & front pouch. I understand the need for accessorizing, so I gave in.

She got her gorgeous new helmet with the Easter money she received from her Great-Grandparents.

After a long day of playing outside yesterday, Grace passed out outside the bathroom door clutching her favorite dress-up shoes. She was waiting for dad. In case you were wondering, she was snoring;-)