The Weekly Weigh In

I finally broke the 209′s…woo hoo!!

That puts my total weight loss at 24.2 lbs and this week’s loss at 2.6 lbs..I’m quite happy with that. I’m not really sure what changed this week, other than I upped my daily calorie intake…I think myfitnesspal had my a little low.

Not too much going on right now, just got home from picking MORE strawberries and having lunch with friends. I picked almost 4 1/2 lbs of them today, and I doubt they will last very long at all. I’m also pretty sure that these are the reddest and juiciest ones we’ve picked so far.

I’m hoping to get to a local gym today to check out there membership options and such, I love having the free gym on base, but it’s to the point where the classes are feeling pretty easy and I don’t feel like I’m getting as good of a workout as I used to. Ray is looking into joining a Cross Fit gym, and while that sounds pretty awesome, I’m thinking for now I’ll probably stick to the regular gym. We’re going to utilize the free workout that both offer first and then decide which route to go.

Anyways, I’m trying to stay offline some today so I can just hang out with Ray and enjoy the warm weather, hope everyone has a great day!

Grilled Chicken with Rhubarb Salsa

I thought I’d share another recipe, that I never would have tried without the CSA box! I love rhubarb, and while this was yummy, i wish they had given us more rhubarb so I could have made a dessert out of it.

I’m super fond of rhubarb, growing up both of my grandma’s had it in their garden and my dad and I would peel it, and dip it in a little sugar, I ate it all summer long. My mom also makes the best rhubarb pie around (she also promised to make one while I’m back in Ohio in a couple of weeks).

This is recipe was completely different than anything other rhubarb recipe that I have tried, it was spicy and tart while I’m used to a sweet or sweet and tart combo.

Grilled Chicken with Rhubarb Salsa
Adapted from Paula Deen 

For the Salsa-
1 1/2  cups diced rhubarb
1 cup diced strawberries
1 jalapeno, seeded and diced
Juice of one lime
2 tbsp fresh cilantro, chopped
1 tbsp olive oil
1/2 pkg truvia  (more or less to taste)
salt and pepper

For the chicken-
4 boneless skinless chicken breasts
1 tbsp olive oil
Seasoned Salt
BBQ rub (

In a medium mixing bowl, toss together, rhubarb, strawberries, jalapeno, lime juice, cilantro, and olive oil. Salt and pepper to taste. Cover and refrigerate.

Preheat grill or indoor grill pan to medium high heat. Coat chicken breasts in olive oil, then sprinkle with seasoned salt and bbq rub. Grill 4-6 minutes per side, or until internal temperature reaches 165* F. To serve, top each chicken breast with rhubarb salsa.

 This was definitely something different, and while I really enjoyed it, I still think i prefer my rhubarb in desserts

Christmas in May

Okay, not really, but getting a CSA box feels a little bit like Christmas. Months ago I read about the Fifer CSA program and mentioned it to a friend and we decided it would be a great thing to split. Basically we paid a fee up front, which for us was $565 and every week for 19 weeks we get a box full of produce and random goodies. Splitting it in half meant we each only paid $15 a week. Not bad at all in my opinion.

Yesterday was our first pick up and we were pretty excited. Ray and I decided to get there right when it started to that we could also pick some strawberries afterwards. This is what my half of the box looked like, missing is the half gallon of apple cider that they had pressed last year and froze for CSA members. We were supposed to split that quart of strawberries, but since Ray and I picked some while we were there we gave them all to Ashley and she gave me her rhubarb, score!

This would be…baby bok choy(toy choy), scallions, asparagus, a tomato, rhubarb, radishes, spinach, romaine, mint, strawberries and imagine the apple cider is there. The box was then double this, not bad right!? I figure, yeah maybe I could pay that in a store or less, but it wouldn’t be local or picked fresh that day!

Now as excited as I was for for the goodies in our box, I was more excited to pick strawberries. I told Ray I would like to do it for a living. haha He responded with a not so nice comment!

That big bucket only cost us $8 and every single strawberry was ripe and super sweet! I hope we get to do it at least one more time!

It also felt a little like Christmas, because I received my first Birchbox!! It’s basically a little sampler box and every month you get higher end samples so you can test before you drop too much money on them. This month’s theme was Gossip Girl.

This month’s box included, Dr Jart+ Water Fuse Beauty Balm, Stilla liquid eye liner (in a gorgeous blue!), a cute stationary card, Color Club gold nail polish, Kerastase Cristalliste Bain Cristal. Kerastase Lait Cristal Conditioner, Kerastase Cristalliste Lumiere Liquid.

I can’t wait to try these out! If you think this is something you’d like you sign up for the waiting list here

 Okay, okay I know that this is a long post, but I have to share with you the first recipe I made from my CSA box, this recipe was one that they gave us with the box. I’ll be making it over and over again!

Strawberry-Mint Lemonade

2 quarts water
8 lemons, juiced
1 cup sugar
1 pint strawberries
1 bunch mint
1 lemon, sliced

In pitcher, combine water, lemon juice, and sugar; mix until sugar is dissolved. Add strawberries and mint, and serve over ice. Use sliced lemon for garnish.

The longer this sits the better, it’s so refreshing–perfect blend of sweet and tart.

No big plans here this weekend, I’ll probably just work outside in my yard and do some decorating inside the house. Hope everyone has a great weekend!

Anyone have any fun plans? 

Stuck like Glue

I’m a little frustrated with today’s weigh in….I’m still in the 209′s, and beginning to wonder if I’ll be there forever.

That only puts me down .2 lbs, but I am trying to look at the big picture and see that I’m still down  21.6 lbs  over all.

I did extremely well on the eating this week, but didn’t get in as many workouts as I should have. So maybe if I add that in this week, next week’s results will be better.

Not much else to add today…

Simple Tomato Sauce

I don’t know how it was for everyone else, but I think that this week went by super fast!

Ray is on a panama schedule, so while he works 12+ hour shifts, he also gets a three day weekend every other weekend. Don’t get too jealous, he works the other weekends This weekend just happens to be his weekend off, which I’m super thankful for. Today we have plans to go watch the movie The Avengers, obviously Ray’s choice, but usually I get to pick, so I won’t complain. We can’t really decide what the plans are for tomorrow, either Dover Days  or Disc Golf and U-Pick strawberries…I guess we’ll see how the weather is. We’re hoping that the weather is also decent on Sunday so that we can take Otie to the beach or something fun.

Oh and this is totally random, but I feel the need to talk about it. 4 nights in a row I have had dreams that we pcs’ed to Charleston, SC. Ray can’t even get orders out of Dover until November, and even then, I’m thinking we have another 3-4 years here easily…unless he cross trains. These dreams are crazy life like though. I dream about telling my friends goodbye and moving and all of things that happen during a pcs. I love it here, but let me tell you, someone tells me we’re going to Charleston and I’ll have my house packed quick!!

I forgot to tell you guys, no more Friday weigh ins, because the Biggest Loser ended last week! I got second place, well first the girl told me that I won, and then some girl came in and lost close to 6 lbs in one week, so yeah—she beat me. I’m okay with second place though. My prize is a mani, pedi and blow out…can’t wait to cash that in! I think I’ll wait until right before we head to Ohio. Anyways, I’m going back to Wednesday for weigh in days, that’s always been my favorite for some reason.

So…now for the title of this post. I’ve come across this recipe multiple times, and made it once while Ray was gone and decided to make it again last night for dinner. No it’s not the healthiest tomato sauce I could have made, but it sure was yummy! I’m not sure where the recipe originated, as I said, I’ve come across it many times on different blogs, but here’s the source I used  Smitten Kitchen  via Pinterest 

You only need 3 ingredients for this recipe—making it my kind of recipe!

1-28 oz can whole peeled tomatoes—San Marzano are best, but I used what I had on hand. 
1 medium onion, halved
5 tbsp unsalted butter

Place the tomatoes, onion and butter in a saucepan over medium-high heat and bring to a simmer. Turn to low and let it simmer away for 45 minutes -1 hour. I actually did 1 1/2 hours.

Stir occasionally, breaking up the tomatoes as the soften. Remove from heat, discard the onion (or save it for a later use like I did) and add salt to taste (mine didn’t need any). That’s it!! Soooo yummy!

This made six, 1/2 cup servings. The nutritional stats may change depending on the butter you use, but my stats per servings were,
91 calories, 6 g fat, 7 g carbs, 1 g protein, and 1 g fiber.

We used the sauce tonight for flat bread pizza. It was perfect….I had my as was, Ray kicked his up a notch adding some red pepper flakes.

 Give this one a try, you won’t be sorry!

May, Already!?

I can’t believe it’s May already! I’ve been away from posting and commenting the last few days, still reading my favorite blogs, even though I didn’t comment

Remember back when I set April goals? I failed some, met some…I’ll have to try harder this month though with new ones…

• Take at least 10 classes at the base gym—-Only took 6
• Track all of my food and exercise every day—Yes, even on the days I ate like crap!
• Strength train 2-3 times a week—–All, but the week I fell off the treadmill. haha
• Run a mile, because we all know I still haven’t. haha—-Sadly, no
• Track my water intake—Yes
• Only go out to lunch/dinner two times in the month—Big fail…
• Clean out our closets—-Yes! 
• Stop mindless spending—Getting there!
• No diet pop–Another huge fail, this stuff is my crack! 
• Read 4 books—-Read 3, but I was also doing weekly reading for bible study and that cut into my reading time, oh well
• Meal plan for breakfast, lunch and dinner! (prevents eating out)—–Mostly, but didn’t help with the eating out. 

Even though I would love to have posted today saying that I completed 100% of these goals, I’m still pretty happy with what I did do this month.

Okay…now for the weigh in…

Still sitting at about 209.5….that needs to change this month!! Back to weekly weigh ins? I think so…

No pictures for May, because they look exactly like Aprils, I’m thinking pictures every other month, or maybe when I hit certain weights…we shall see.

And May goals of course….

• Eat Cleaner
• No alcohol!
• Read 4 books
• Run 1 mile (I’m getting to the point of C25K I should be able to do this )
• Do yoga 4 times
• Do a good spring clean of the house
• Start doing crafts again
• Just make progress…

Since we’re going to be clean eating I’m going to be trying some new recipes, which I can’t wait to review for you guys! I’m really looking forward to May, clean slate, warmer weather and hoping we make it to OHIO this month! It’s only been a few months, but I’m ready to see my family again

Hope everyone has a fantastic day!

Overdue Review

I know I said I would do a weekend recap on Monday, but I never got around to it…oops. Thursday works too, right?

Let’s see, last weekend was pretty fun, basically packed with girl time with two of my faves.

Friday night Emily, Ashley and I went and saw The Lucky One. It was a pretty good movie, Zac Efron was easy on the eyes, and we may or may not have had popcorn, candy and DIET coke for dinner. It was worth it!

Saturday we had to be up early for the 5K in Wilmington, since it’s an hour away. Luckily we had a super nice and warm morning to do the walk. I think we did pretty good for having a baby who wasn’t too impressed with it haha It was well organized and a pretty course, plus it was for a good cause. We ended the afternoon with lunch and some shopping at Trader Joe’s—always a good time!

This week however has been pretty boring—nothing to blog about, that’s for sure.

I am still doing the Couch to 5K program and this is week 4, I do no like week 4, it’s hard for me! haha…

I was all happy and pumped prior to the run/walk…

Halfway in I was mad at myself for finding it so hard, I handed off the dog and prayed it would go by fast.

We live on an Air Force base, so we see a lot of planes when we’re out walking, but for some reason today I was fascinated by them.

Okay, one last thing in this super random posts (alright, alright, all of my posts are super random)—I’m going back old school…

Yep—-hand written food/exercise journal!

Yes, my handwriting is terrible! For some reason, I feel like doing the handwritten version will help me out—probably all in my head! Also, yes that is a reese’s egg…I know!! They were 57 cents at the BX today….at least I split it, right!?

Today’s Stats—1415 calories, 194 carbs, 45 fat, 60 protein, & 20 fiber—-82 oz of water and 250 calories burned….not horrible

I’m off to clean, babysit and then watch the draft!! Any other football fans out there? I’m just keeping my fingers crossed the Browns don’t waste their great picks this year!

FMM: Q&A

Hey y’all! I’ve been MIA for a little bit, but I’m back after a fantastic, but busy weekend! I’ll recap on that later, for now a little FMM!

If you’ve taken part in FMM then you know the rules. If you’re new, please take a moment to answer this week’s question on your own blog then add your link in the comments section here at: www.alltheweigh.com so we can all see your FMM questions and answers. Please invite your blog readers to add their links here too so everyone has to opportunity to be seen. The idea is to connect with other awesome bloggers so take a moment to post your own FMM post and comment on a couple of other posts. Now it’s time for this week’s topic!

1. Share one thing that has changed about you since you began blogging.  Hmm, I guess not a whole lot. I think I’m more active than I was when I started the blog, I also feel like I’ve come out of my “shell” a little.

2. If you were forced to give up chocolate or potato chips for an entire year which one would you choose to live without? Eh, I could live without both of them, but I’d probably go with giving up the potato chips.

3. What’s more attractive?  A man in uniform…duh!

4. If you could be a guest star on a reality show which one would it be? The Biggest Loser! A little time on the ranch would do me a world of good!

5. What is the last meal that you prepared for yourself?  I made a whole grain penne with a garlic parmesan sauce and broccoli for dinner tonight.

6. Is your hair colored, or is it natural?  I have some caramel highlights right now, not sure if I’ll keep them or not though.

7. If you could leave town today and go anywhere, where would you go?  I’d love to go to Italy, definitely number one on my dream travel list.

8. Do you prefer to exercise at the gym, at home or outside?  I think the gym is my favorite, with all of the people around I definitely don’t let myself slack off at all.

9. Have you ever asked someone out on a date?  I don’t think so

10. How many cups of coffee do you drink on an average day? I’m not a coffee girl, I usually drink 3 glasses of tea a day though.

11. Do you pack lightly, or do you over pack?  Oh, I always over pack, by a lot.

12. What color are your nails now?  Turquoise and Caicos by Essie

13. If you could have lunch with one notable (living) person who inspires you who would it be?  Tim Tebow, yeah still loving him…

14. Who is your favorite professional athlete? Again..

Source

15. Gum or mints?  Usually gum, I go through the mints way too quickly…

16. Have you ever eaten crawfish? I lived in Louisiana almost 3 years, what do you think? Speaking of, I had the worst craving for some crawfish ravioli the other day…mmm!

17. List one or more human characteristics that are a complete turn-off.  People who think they are hot shit…when they aren’t I’m turned off and annoyed by lots of people though, so the list would be crazy long.

18.  What is your favorite season?  Fall

19. Do you prefer to shake hands or hug?  I’m a hugger, but it depends on who it is.

20. Can you quote lines from Saved by the Bell from memory?  If so, what’s your favorite?  “Oink Oink Baby”- AC Slater, That’s all that comes to mind right now, but I did love that show.

I Hate Treadmills

Would you guys like a little chuckle? I’m going to tell you about my treadmill accident

As you all know, I’m doing the couch to 5k program–I’m on week 3 and I’m actually really liking it. Well on Monday it was almost 90* out and I decided that I wasn’t running outside, so I jumped on my trusty treadmill. I actually don’t dread it, because it’s a nice and comfortable one and has a hookup for my music. So, I’m about 3 runs in to my work out and I don’t really know what happened, but my ankle rolled and I fell right on to the treadmill. It was going pretty fast and I could feel it burning up my legs, but couldn’t reach the safety key—-when I did reach it, it didn’t stop. Luckily Ray heard and came right over to turn if off. I just laid on the treadmill crying like a baby. haha

When I got up, it hurt a little to walk on my ankle, Ray got me some ice and it started feeling better. however I lifted up my capris to see raw kneecaps. Ouch! Yesterday was actually way worse than the evening that it happened. My ankle was fine, but man do the kneecaps hurt! I could barely walk or bend my legs, because every time I did, they would burn so bad. Luckily this morning when I woke up they were feeling much better.

This story is only funny, because now when I imagine myself falling on the treadmill, it probably did look pretty funny.

I’m going to redo the first day of week 3 today—outside, as I’m still weary of stepping on that treadmill agian.

In other news, Saturday I’m doing a 5K with two of my friends. We’re actually in the walkers group, because first off, we aren’t really ready to run a whole race and we’ll have a baby stroller with us and the rules say strollers are only allowed in the walk portion. It’s for the Ronald McDonald House, so I’m pretty happy we’ll be helping out a good organization. Also, since the race is in Wilmington, we get to hit up Trader Joe’s as well…love that place!

Last thing, I was looking over my April goals and man, I’m way over on the going out to eat :/ So bad!

Remember when…

Do you guys remember when I told you I had a goal that I now needed to lose weight for?

I’m finally going to share the goal. It’s not a 100% done deal by any means, because it’s actually quite a process, but I’ve been talking to the person that can help me make it happen and I think that by fall, I’ll be ready to make it happen.

I want to join….

Source

I know…so not like me right? I never, ever thought my life would lead me here at all, but things don’t always go as planned. I thought I’d be a teacher right now…I’m finishing up my paralegal cert right now, but let’s be honest, the job market around here for here is almost non-existent.

That being said…maybe once I’m done this summer, I’ll get an amazing job and not want to join anymore…we’ll just have to wait and see. It’s what I’m working towards though.

My mom refuses to even believe any part of this could be true, I think she would actually take it pretty hard if I do join, but I need something in my life. I’m tired of being bored out of mind, and it isn’t like it was in Ohio or even Louisiana here, the job market SUCKS! Seriously I can’t even get hired by Chipotle at this point.

So I do have options, and I’m working on all of them, but this is a big option and one I need to work  really hard towards, even if in the end I decide against it…