In The Family Way

Well, its been a while since I've posted anything on here....

...and its because I've found myself in the family way.

19 weeks

This basically means I have not been working out consistently, eating whatever I want, and so far have gained 19 pounds..one for each week! I hope to only gain one a week, but the Christmas season may just cause a few extra pounds to accumulate on my behind.
Not being able to go running or do most physical activity has been really frustrating. At first it was because I felt like vomiting, then the contents of my bra couldn't handle me walking let alone jumping up and down, then I was tired, and now... well now I just find the though completely exhausting. So I sit and watch as all parts of my body get larger. So much for just getting the cute baby bump eh?

In all seriousness, I really am trying to be healthy. I am trying to keep active and eat what is good for me, it is just so gosh darn hard!

Happy Weight

Does your body have a "happy weight?"

A weight that maybe you don't want to be at, but it seems like your body is totally content staying at? Me too.

And I'm there, right now.

For some reason, I cannot get passed this weight, no matter how hard I try. I am bound and determined, and its just not working. Why? I don't know. I really wish my body was happier weighing ten pounds less, that would just be great!

Instead, it wants to keep my cheeks looking like this baby's.

This little one seems happy with them, so I guess I should be too.

Suggestions?

Well, hello

Hello dear friends. I have returned and am oh so happy to be back on my own couch, eating my own food, watching tv in a language I understand. Notice, I did not say that I'm happy to be back running, biking, hiking, yoga-ing yet... I have simply been too exhausted and the day to day operations have taken every bit of energy out of me.

I did weigh myself though, and *drum roll please* I did not gain a single ounce! Wow! Must have been all the walking and the lovely stomach bug I caught in Turkey (which is taking its dear sweet time leaving me might I add) . I can tell you that the little muscle I have has all turned to fat, so that needs to be fixed. pronto.

So today I begin again! I want to lose 12 more pounds and my goal is to lose it by the end of September. Pray for me!

My List: Zumba- Check!

I can cross one more thing off my list of 25 things... zumba!

I went,

I "danced" like a white chick who just can't,

I survived,

I will definitely go again.

Running with Angels 5k

We did it!

Krystal and I survived our first (of many, right K-dawg?) 5k!

We were just under a ten minute mile, which I think is pretty fantastic.

We even had matching shoes. Not planned, but definitely good luck.

After the race.

Unfortunately I have consumed two cookies each day since. This is really bad. I need to get back on track! I am depressed because I can't control myself. I hate that feeling. I just need to say no to crap like that!

Arm Poses aka the "ya, keep dreamin' poses"

I love yoga. I do, I truly love yoga. I have been practicing for 5 years now (wow!) and I am no expert. I am confident in my ability to go through a practice without being lost or having much of a challenge.
I also love my yoga instructor. She is the bomb. She loves to challenge us, which makes me hate her for the one minute, until I realize that my body can actually do the pose and then I love her again.
During practice today she had us do a few arm balance poses.

Crow Pose

I love this picture, but to be honest his form isn't the best. Anyway, I love this pose. I am good at this pose. I own this pose. Mainly because this is about the only arm balance pose I can do.

yogajournal.com

One side crane pose.

Before today I hated this pose. I found myself laughing when she asked us to do it. I just couldn't. Well today something happened. Something in my body just clicked and I did it! For the first time ever my back foot came off the ground and stayed in the air! Mybalance was right on and I did both sides successfully for about 5 breaths. I ROCKED IT!

I doubt I will ever be good enough to do the following poses, but one can dream can't she?

yogajournal.com

Tinga

Tinga

Definition: Tasty, thats all you need to know.

Greg was introduced to this meal while serving his mission in Chi-Town. Didn't know a healthy meal could come out of Chicago? Me either. That town is full of deep dish pizza and hotdogs. Anyway, he served among the hispanic population and came back with plenty of tasty unhealthy recipes, and one or two healthy ones.

Actually, this recipe is originally not very healthy, but with one simple substitute you can make it a low calorie, low carb dinner.

What you will need:

2 chicken breast, boiled and shredded

1 small can of chipotle peppers in adobo sauce

1 28 oz can of diced tomatoes, unsalted (the picture above has a small can, but it isn't enough)

1/2 medium white onion, sliced

1 tbs olive oil

about 1 cup of light sour cream

1 package of queso fresco (mexican cheese)

Romaine lettuce leaves (if you are feelin' foxy there have a brand for you!)

1 package of tostadas (if you choose)

Part 1: The Sauce

This sauce is super simple, and the recipe is really up to you. It all depends on how spicy you like your food. I like mine with just a little kick. You will combine the diced tomatos and one (or two, or three) chipotle peppers and 2 tbs of adobo sauce together. If you have a stick blender, this is the best way to puree (sp?) them all. If not, you could use a food processor or even just a regular blender. Just make sure to clean it out VERY well afterward, you don't want your next smoothie to taste like this. Trust me.

Once the diced tomatoes and peppers are completely liquified you are done. Easy as that.

Part 2: The Chicken

Heat a large pan or pot over medium heat. add the olive oil and onions. Cook the onions until they are soft. Add the sauce and shredded chicken. Bring to a simmer. Heat for 10 or 15 minutes. Just long enough to heat the chicken through and let the sauce thicken a little.

Part 3: Lettuce, and other ingredients

While the chicken is simmering you will want to prepare the lettuce. Make sure you are using romaine lettuce (the long, skinny leaves) or else the meal will be incredibly messy. Fill your sink up about half way with ice cold water and just about a dash or two of vinegar. Take the romaine leaves you want to use and let them soak in the sink for about 5 minutes. This will not only clean your leaves, but make them crisp. Once I am ready to put them out I just shake them over the sink to get the excess water off.

Other ingredients: Place the sour cream, cheese, and tostadas on the table, ready for assembly.

Part 4: Putting it all together.

Once the chicken is ready it is time to assemble! Take your lettuce leaves (or tostadas if you want the carbs and messiness they bring) and put a small layer of sour cream over top. Then add the chicken and top it off with crumbles of queso fresco! The sour cream and cheese really help cool your mouth if your sauce is too hot.

Part 5: Enjoy!!

Calories: It all depends on the sour cream and cheese you use, but it is right around 100 calories per lettuce leaf!

This is a picture of the chicken cooking, sorry it is a little out of order!