Fit Friday, Recipes, and Family

Wow - another week is over and I can't believe it's Friday already.  Our area is supposed to get more snow on Saturday and even though it's only supposed to be 1-3 inches, it still is depressing.  Like so many others, I really am over snow, winter, and cold weather.  Carl's parents are coming to visit tomorrow and we will be celebrating Ryan's birthday - my baby will be 10 on Wednesday.  I can't believe how time has flown by! I'll be posting pictures of my little angel (he knows how to turn on the charm when needed) on Wednesday if you would like to see him through the years.  The Maple Syrup Festival is going on in Rockville this weekend and next - the plan was to go there on Saturday, but I don't know if we're going to do that.  I would like to go to this great store on the square that was open last fall - it's called Neva's and there are country/prim decorations plus antiques.  Cute, cute, cute! 

Carl and I have been going to the gym to workout and I think he's really becoming addicted to it.  For some reason Carl is more motivated to work out when we go to the gym than he would be if we were working out at home.  Personally, I think it's because he works from home and enjoys getting out.  I remember those days - home with a baby and craving adult interaction.  Since we've been going to the gym, I've discovered two pieces of equipment that are slowly becoming my fave workouts.  I don't know what the first one is called, but it works you thigh muscles - inside, outside, and hamstrings.  I'll try to get a picture today and post it for all to see - maybe  you can help me figure out what it's called.  I've also discovered the rowing machine.  Love it!!  Everything from my quads to shoulders gets a workout when I'm rowing. 

Today is one month since I originally took my measurements and the results are not what I hoped for.  I've gone from 3 pounds lost up to 1 pound lost, and I've only lost 1.25 inches.  Not happy!!  So, I have to be honest with myself about this.  First, the older I get, the more difficult it will be to get the weight off.  Second, I have not worked out consistently.  Third, I have not changed all of my bad eating habits.  So, lets talk about this ..... do we have to?  Isn't there a magic pill I could take to get the weight off? 

Ok, I need to get real.  I can't do anything about the first one - mid 40's, time doesn't go back, just embrace the years ahead and start taking care of my body. 

Second - excercise.  Why haven't I worked out consistently?  I'm lazy.  Work have been crazy busy and when I get home I'm exhausted.  The weather stinks!  In reality, these are all excuses.  I'm in this situation party because I'm lazy (and partly due to a knee injury) and tired, but if I would do something, anything, for even 20 -30 minutes, it would be better than nothing.  Stretching is something that my doctor told me to do and that can be done while I'm watching the TV. I can also do some floor exercises, my P.T. exercises, or situps during this time.  One good thing to report - I am still doing the Physique 57 workouts and Carl even did the arm and ab workout with me last night.  He said it was a good workout.  Would he do it with me again?  Yes!  It's always nice to have someone to work out with.  A friend also told me about Zumba.  She has been going to classes for a couple of weeks now and really likes it.  This is a snipet from the Zumba website:

The Zumba® program fuses hypnotic Latin rhythms and easy-to-follow moves to create a one-of-a-kind fitness program that will blow you away. Our goal is simple: We want you to want to work out, to love working out, to get hooked. Zumba® Fanatics achieve long-term benefits while experiencing an absolute blast in one exciting hour of calorie-burning, body-energizing, awe-inspiring movements meant to engage and captivate for life!

The routines feature interval training sessions where fast and slow rhythms and resistance training are combined to tone and sculpt your body while burning fat. Add some Latin flavor and international zest into the mix and you've got a Zumba® class!

It sounds like fun and if you go to YouTube, there are several videos of classes. In addition to that, I'm so looking forward to warmer weather when I can ride my bike.  As a family, we like to ride in the evenings and Carl and I will go out on the weekend and go for longer rides into town. 

 

Third - changing my eating habits.  I know what I should do and need to do, but I don't want to do it. Well, too bad self! Why haven't I changed my eating habits?  Hhhhmmmmmm..... emotional eating. Work has been busy, I feel stressed, and I want to eat for comfort. Possible solution:  workout to relieve stress and keep healthy snacks on hand for these times. Yesterday, Carl and I were talking about weight loss and I told him that I could probably be a vegetarian 75% of the time.  I like chicken, fish, red meat - but not all the time - and Carl wants (needs) meat at almost every meal.  So, I pulled out two Weight Watcher cookbooks (one is a vegetarian cookbook) that I found when I was decluttering a few weeks ago (clutter - another subject that makes me want to eat).  Surprisingly, Carl said that he would like to eat more vegetables and soups.  That was music to my ears!  I've picked out a recipe from one of the cookbooks that I want to share with everyone - Risotto with Roasted Peppers and Peas - recipe posted below.  Speaking of Weight Watchers, check out this blog by the Weight Watcher Chick.  

One last thing - we tried star fruit last night.  It was yum yum yummo!  It doesn't have much flavor - kind of like a watered down version of an orange.  BUT - don't eat it if you have kidney problems.  Read here to find out why.  Here is a picture of our cute little fruit after it was sliced.

 
One last thing that I want to do to share - and I usually don't share this with everyone - but I said in a earlier post that I was going to start being real and posting about all of us - I really believe in the power of prayer.  Prayer is a wonderful thing - it doesn't have to be fancy, it doesn't have to be a long prayer, you don't have to say it out loud or in front of anyone else.  It's a conversation between you and God.  I am going to pray consistently about what I put in my mouth, what I do with my body, my thoughts about food and exercise, how my body responds to all of this - you get the point. I truly believe that this is a "tool" that I've been neglecting.  Check out this blog for weight loss inspiration - Shaped to Serve.  This lady is from the same town I live in and we have a mutual friend, which is how I found her blog.  Another one that I occasionally read is Karen Ehman's blog. She has a segment called Weight Loss Wednesdays. 

Here are the two recipes that I said I would post.  After you check these out, would you please check out Colleen's blog?  She hosts a weekly recipe swap and there are always good recipes to try.  Carl and I really like biscotti and Colleen has posted a recipe for Pumpkin Cranberry Biscotti!  I know what I'm making....

Risotto with Roasted Peppers and Peas

3 lg red bell peppers
2 c. canned vegetable broth, undiluted
2 c. water
1 tsp olive oil
1 c. uncooked Arborio rice
1 - 10 oz. pkg. frozen green peas, thawed
1/2 c. (2 oz) finely shredded fresh Parmesan cheese
3 tblsp chopped fresh basil
3 tblsp chopped fresh parsley
1 tblsp fresh lemon juice
1/8 tsp. fresh ground pepper

Cut bell peppers in half lengthwise; discard seeds and membranes.  Place pepper halves, skin side up, on a foil-lined baking sheet; flatten with hand.  Broil 15 minutes or until blackened.  Place in a zip-top plastic bag; seal.  Let stand 5 minutes.  Peel and chop peppers; set aside.

Bring broth and water to a simmer in a saucepan (do not boil).  Keep warm over low heat.  Heat oil in medium saucepan over medium-high heat.  Add rice; saute 2 minutes or until lightly browned.  Reduce heat to medium-low.  Stir in 1 c. broth; cook until liquid is nearly absorbed, stirring constantly.  Add remaining broth, 1/2 cup at a time, stirring constantly; cook until each portion of broth is absorbed before adding the next (about 30 minutes total).

Add peas and cook until thoroughly heated, stirring constantly.  Add roasted peppers, 1/2 cup cheese, and next 4 ingredients, and cook until thoroughly heated, stirring constantly.  Garnish with shaved Parmesan cheese if desired.  Yield:  4 servings - 1 1/2 cups per serving. 

Note:  You may substitute 2 cups chopped bottled roasted red bell peppers if desired.

I know this is a long post, and thank you for taking the time to read it.  I hope you weekend is warm, happy, and full of love.