Bloggy Brainstorming

One of the best things about loosing weight is not trying to avoid being in vacation pictures.

Even though I haven't done much writing, I have been thinking about what I would like to include in this blog. Here is my brainstorming list:

• Inspired by my Food Preparation class (part home economics, part chemistry) I plan to rework my kitchen and implement what I learned: store things properly, use the right kind of flour for my various baking adventures, actually have the right utensils for the cooking projects I undertake, explore new recipes and ingredients...
• Recipes that give the why behind prep, nutrition information and why it's important to disease prevention
• Workout updates
• Healthy living goals and challenges
• Menu Mondays
• Weight Watchers tips
• Nutrition and fitness related book , TV & move reviews
• Interviews with area healthy living experts
• Grocery store tours and product finds
• Herb gardening and DIY herbal products

Any other ideas?

Gone, but not forgotten

One of my favorite ways to occupy free time

I am in constant awe of those dedicated bloggers I follow who rarely let their blog sit for a month or so without care and attention. My return to student status has claimed my blog time, but I do have lots of bloggy ideas that I hope to begin sharing in the next week or two (when class ends). In the interim here are a few things that have been occupying my time and providing inspiration for upcoming blog posts.

+ I am two days away from finishing up my first Food/Nutrition class, and I'm loving it. I've learned lots about food, chemistry, and why certain steps in the cooking process are actually important.

+ After vacations, and comforting friends (involving the sharing of brownies and chocolate pie) I returned to Weight Watchers with a vengeance. Now, I am only 9 pounds away from my WW lifetime member goal.

+ Three years after a shattered kneecap I've added jogging (slow jogging) to my exercise routine.

+ Yes, it is hot in Nacogdoches this summer, but the mornings have been brilliant for pulling out the canoe and exploring new rivers.

+ My Food Preparation class has inspired me to try new healthy recipes.

I'm looking forward to revisiting all I've learned this summer and writing again soon.

Initial Weight Gain

My new best friend

This week I walked back through the gym doors and hopped back on the elliptical. Thursday morning I stepped on my scale expecting a weight loss and instead I'd gained two pounds. I remembered the topic of initial weight gain coming up at one of our Weight Watcher's meetings, so I new academically that the weight gain was normal, but it was hard not to be a little sad. So what's up with the scale? Apparently the official problem is "initial weight gain" and there are dozens of articles about the topic.

Exercise = Weight Loss, Except When it Doesn't
I just started exercising, Why am I gaining weight?
Exercise program can result in quick weight gain
Exercise and Weight Gain: Success and Failure

To sum up, the soreness from my new exercise enthusiasm has probably resulted in a little fluid retention and my increased appetite (and subsequent hunger beast feeding ). These two factors more than likely = the two pound gain on the scale. Now for the mental work: as hard as it is not to hop on the scale every morning, I plan to give it a rest and focus on getting in better shape. Seeing the scale go up, even for normal reasons, is depressing and can lead to comfort food eating. Comfort food eating will definitely lead to real weight gain. So, onward with healthy living and hoping the scale catches on soon.

Ready for Class

Next week I officially begin the Food, Nutrition, and Dietetics program at SFASU. Unfortunately, our library (my coveted work and study spot) is also the low spot in the house where discarded things collect. This time the accumulation was all of the miscellany left when my oldest daughter moved to Austin. After three days of sorting, the library is back to normal.

When I went to pick up my student id, they asked if I wanted a new picture. My last picture was 45 pounds ago while I was working a very unhappy job. "Yes, new picture please"! Five days and counting. It will be fun to bring you along on the journey.

On the Table: Menu Planning

This is what will be on our table this week

It's menu planning time again. Last week was such a success with never before tried menu items that I thought I'd gamble again this week:

1. Creamy Marinara Sauce from Edible Perspective (I plan to bake this with spaghetti squash)
2. Southwestern Stuffed Peppers from Simply Love Food
3. Skinny Chicken and Broccoli Alfredo from Celebrations
4. Bacon Potato Chowder Crock Pot Recipe from LaaLoosh

Goal: Drink More Water

Along with menu planning I like to spend quiet Sunday mornings with a hot cup of tea, a notebook, and goal setting. Looking at our May calendar definitely shocked me into planning mode. There is only one week before I start classes, two and a half weeks before the kids are out of school for summer, and two and a half weeks before my youngest and I set off on a road trip to visit a friend in Colorado. I handle transition (good and bad) with a serious urge for cleaning and list making. One thing I've learned since starting Weight Watchers is that I get into the most trouble staying on plan when I don't spend time thinking through those events that disrupt my normal routine: new schedules (starting classes), vacations... Planning my strategy for making good choices definitely helps me make them in the moment.

This week's healthy living goals:

• Spring Cleaning. Reclaim the library and my soon to be study spot.
• Put my newly minted student membership to the SFA Recreation Center to use (every day)
• Drink more water
• Start reading food, nutrition literature

It's not every week that I pull off a well organized plan, but it definitely helps when I do. Are you a planner/ list maker or most successful just tackling things as they come?

All Things Great and Small: This Week's Accomplishments

Friday mornings are my favorite for thinking back over my week and taking a moment to  recognize all that I've accomplished (all things great and small). This exercise, when I take the time to do it, puts me in a great frame of mind to enjoy my weekend and begin planning my next week. From this place, I tend to make better healthy living choices.

A great way to spend the weekend (Huntsville State Park)

This week I...

• Had a great time camping with my husband and youngest daughter
• Tried three new healthy recipes
• Returned to meatless Monday (or meatless Sunday this week)
• Stayed close to my 26 points a day, made up for my two weeks off plan, and lost a little weight  (now just 10 pounds away from a healthy BMI)
• Spent time talking and visiting with family an friends
• Got my student ID and my membership to the SFA Recreation Center (next stop the elliptical)
• Completed my first week writing this blog
• Tried out new exercises at home (enough so I could feel them in my abs)
• Picked flowers for May Day
• Started a new book
• Did my civic duty and voted early in the school board elections

So now is the time for patting your own back. What things great and small did you accomplish this week?

Turkey Zucchini Burgers

Yummy turkey burgers

Starting fresh with my healthy living lifestyle (after having two non plan weeks) inspired me to try a week of new recipes. Luckily, they've all been keepers. Last night I made the turkey zucchini burgers from the Skinnytaste blog. These burgers were tasty, moist, BIG, easy to make, and only 4 points. My family has gotten used to zucchini popping up in all sorts of places, so there weren't even any "what are those green speck" comments. I paired my burger with a 2 point Wonder bun, a wedge of French Onion Laughing Cow Cheese (1 pt), and a handful of baked sweet potato fries. I really do love meals where I feel like I get a lot to eat and don't blow my points.

Since starting Weight Watchers, I am constantly on the hunt for great recipes. There are several blogs that I subscribe to, but Skinnytaste is one of my favorites. I haven't tried a recipe yet that I haven't liked. I really appreciate recipes that give nutritional information so I can figure out my points. Skinnytaste goes further and gives the Weight Watchers points too.

Where do you hunt for healthy recipes? I'd love to hear about some of your favorites.