Saturday, May 30, 2009

Fair weather blogger

Hi. My name is Kirsten. I *am* a fair-weather blogger, and I need help.

Really, I just need to get my blogging fingers busy even when I'm not "feeling" like it. It's probably a great practice in self-discipline. Speaking of...

My first three weeks of trying to part "weighs" with Chubby were somewhat of a failure. BUT when I stepped on the scale at Weigh and Pray this week I was somehow down 2lbs. Whoot whoot-- now, I had actually expected an initial loss of about 6-8lbs by now (seeing as the first week is usually a biggie followed by a slow-and-steady loss after that), but considering my serious lack of initial commitment, I'm thrilled.

I've finally broken down and found a very gently used elliptical machine on Craigslist. I sold our Flip (which I wasn't using) and turned around and bought the machine. I was an elliptical addict when I used to go to the gym, but I've resignedly admitted that getting to a gym simply isn't a convenient use of my time or our family finances. Plus, I *love* working out during the kids afternoon naps! The home machine does a fantastic job, it just doesn't give me as much information as the fancy-schmancy one at the gym did.

I'm two days into it at 30 minutes per day. It's probably time to get back to the Shred too. That's a tall order. Maybe by the end of summer I'll be swimsuit ready-- just in time for winter. The irony is beautiful.

Over and out.

~K

Monday, May 11, 2009

Commercial Mania

I just walked into the bathroom to find Peyton standing on his stool trying to get his toothpaste on the brush. It wasn't coming out easily, so I told him that we need to squeeze from the bottom of the tube, to which he replied, "I told you we needed to buy TouchAndBrush! It makes things soooo much easier!"

Thank you, commercials.

This follows weeks of him telling me about how we need Resolve Deep Clean for our carpet, Bendaroos for his sheer enjoyment, Snuggies to keep him warm at breakfast, etc. Nice.

Friday, May 8, 2009

Weighing, Praying and Shredding the Pounds


1 Corinthians 9:26-27 (The Message) "I don't know about you, but I'm running hard for the finish line. I'm giving it everything I've got. No sloppy living for me! I'm staying alert and in top condition. I'm not going to get caught napping, telling everyone else all about it and then missing out myself."

Jeremy and I decided to take the kiddos out to a couple of different parks Sunday afternoon because the weather was so amazing! I was having fun looking at all the cute-patootie shots that we got of the kiddos...




















Then, I stumbled upon this one...




















For the love of chubby! Argh!

Sigh.

Chubby and I parted ways back in April 2004. I had managed to loose all thirty-ish pounds that I had put on during college with the help of Weight Watchers online. In an ironic twist-of-fate, that very same month, Jeremy and I found out that we were expecting Peyton.

After Peyton was born, I almost made it back again-- and then came Parker. ;) Now, none of this is their fault. I blame no babies. I have plenty of cute lil mommy friends who bounce right back from baby (ahem...you know who you are). My flab has no one to blame except for me and, of course...trail mix. Let me tell you about trail mix in a nutshell. (Nutshell/trail mix. HA!)

I started back on WW online around February of last year. By the end of March 2008, I was doing great and making super progress. Then, on Memorial Day weekend, we went camping with some friends. I made a bag of trail mix. I let myself become a slave to the trail mix. And that, my online friends, is how it all went downhill. One bag of trail mix, a weekend away from my computer, and a false sense of self-assurance and I fell off the wagon.

So, here I am, 10lbs heavier than I was this time last year. But, by the grace of God-- literally, Chubby is not here to stay. I've got three, no FOUR, things on my side this time:

1. God
2. Weigh and Pray group at Elston Family Church
3. Blog accountability
4. Jillian Michaels-- I'm shredding away the pudge!

I took some grossly unflattering pictures a few minutes ago when I finished up day #3 of the "30 Day Shred." They were actually so grotesque that I decided not to post quite yet. I might get up the chutzpah to do it a little later. (Has anyone else actually notices how during the "lose weight" stage of working out that your skin looks flabbier than when you haven't kicked its tail?!)

Expect some more posts with rants, raves, tips and tricks about weight loss, working out and just how to make your body your slave. I'm so thankful that I'm not on this journey alone. Love you all!!! ~K

Saturday, May 2, 2009

Broccoli-Cheese Soup: Eat At Your Own Risk

2 bunches broccoli, cut into florets
1/2 cup salted butter
1/2 lg white onion, diced
1/2 cup flour
2 cups half-and-half (feel free to substitute fat free or milk or any combination- your arteries will thank you!)
1 cup grated cheddar cheese (mild or sharp)
2 cups of chicken broth or stock
Velveeta Cheese
kosher salt
pepper

1. Cook (steam) broccoli until easily pierced with a fork and drain (go ahead and puree about 1/3-1/2 of the broccoli with a fork or in a food processor)
2. Sautee onions in butter until tender and transparent
3. Sprinkle in the flour and stir constantly for 5 minutes
4. Add half-and-half (or milk) slowly, stirring constantly
5. Stir in grated cheese until smooth
6. Slowly incorporate chicken broth into sauce
7. Add Velveeta to taste *I typically add 4-6 oz. You can omit if you prefer, but the Velveeta gives it just a touch creamier texture
8. Stir in pureed broccoli
9. Cut up the remaining pieces to the size of your preference and add to soup
10. Simmer 15 minutes stirring often

Note: I served this to friends BURNT once. It wasn't nearly as good. Make sure that you stir *OFTEN*-- I cannot overemphasize STIR OFTEN and keep the heat on a medium low setting after the onions are sauteed.

Serve with homemade garlic bread from a french baguette-- and don't skimp on the garlic. Bon appetite!

*I accept no responsibility for any potential ill-effects*

Friday, May 1, 2009

Vegetables: Love'em or Hate'em They're Here to Stay


"I give whatever grows out of the ground for food." Genesis 1:29 (MSG)

Throughout my entire life I have had a vehement disdain for anything resembling a vegetable. Growing up, I sat at the dinner table many nights crying as I tried to choke down a pea. It should not have been difficult. My parents' rule was that I had to eat the same number of vegetables as my age. 8-years-old = 8 peas. Easy peasy-- Get it?! (I crack myself up!) No really, for me it was pure torture. I cried and cried, and I never did learn to appreciate veggies.

Fast forward 28 years. I am desperately trying to bury the proverbial green hatchet. In a salute to broccoli, I made this delicious broccoli cheese soup for dinner last night. It was so yummy that it was all I ate. I forgave broccoli. With mercy oozing out of my soul, I even considered that peas and I just might reach a truce soon...if it weren't for this:

PAIN. LOTS and LOTS of PAIN.

I went up to my bedroom writhing in frustrating, annoying, indescribable pain. It was worse than natural labor. I had no idea what was happening to my insides. Surely my appendix didn't just burst. Right?All I knew is that I was pleading with God to make it stop. After clenching my teeth for what seemed like an eternity, I finally fell fast asleep. And when I woke up, it dawned on me.

Broccoli = Gas

Gross. Dirty, dirty trick. See what I get for trying to be nutritionally responsible (please ignore the cheese and other fatty goodness included the photographed soup)?

I'll keep trying. Broccoli will not defeat me. I'll beat this body and make it my slave. And one of these days, vegetables won't make me sick anymore. Literally.

Please share any hints, tips or tricks that you know to help me turn my taste buds green!(Figuratively, of course.)