Birthday 2010 Take 2

This evening was dinner at my mothers, family time and sweet gifts. Mom made the meal of my choice, bought one of my favorite cakes and got to laugh and have fun. Here is the evening:







Mom bringing my loverly diet coke









Cute Pajamas

Seems I had a butterfly themed birthday, which is just fine by me.

Birthday 2010 Take 1

The first half of my day has been amazing. Breakfast made for me, gifts from my love, a picnic for lunch, an afternoon in the sun tanning and reading, and assisting my hubby (VERY little) with planting a butterfly flower garden. Here are some pics from the first half of my day. Such a joy!












My Porter enjoying leftovers




My tucker watching daddy

Flowers

I..heart...flowers. To celebrate their beauty, I have taken a few pictures of flowers around my home and in my home. I love cutting fresh flowers, placing them in vases of all kinds and displaying them around my home.

Here are just a few











Azaleas outside my home





















My favorite smell in the whole world; lavender















Azaleas inside my home, in my kitchen
















Bridal Wreath in my bedroom












Love my Daisy in my Mason Vasey

A Southern Dedication

I love being a southern woman!
Ya’ll, bless her heart, ain’t, fit to be tied, a heap, reckon, fixin, tarnation, yonder and more.

Translation for non-southerners:
Ya’ll: You all, a group of people.
Sentence: Ya’ll come back now, ya hear?

Bless her heart: Poor thing (pity)
Sentence: She’s got such crooked teeth, bless her heart.

Ain’t: won’t; not
Sentence: I ain’t going to the store alone. Or. She ain’t right.

Fit to be tied: Upset, angry
Sentence: I’m so mad; I’m fit to be tied.

A heap: tons, a lot
Sentence: That’s a heap of collards.

Reckon: I guess
Sentence: I reckon I’ll help you TP her house.

Fixin: about to do something.
Sentence: We’re fixin to leave Wal-Mart.

Tarnation: surprise or what in the world?
Sentence: What in the tarnation is she doing at this bar-b-cue?

Yonder: measures distance
Sentence: There’s a sale on shoes on that aisle over yonder.

Okay, to be honest, I don’t say all of these words, but I do say most. Being a southern woman is a great privilege. We love wholeheartedly, are polite, display hospitality, smile, are generous, and fun.

We are there for others!
If someone gets stuck in the mud while bogging, we will call our husband/boyfriend (whichever is available first...just kidding ya'll) to grab his truck and chains and go pull ‘em out.

If our cousin’s friend’s mother passes from a heart attack due to high cholesterol, we will gather up a group to take collards, pork chops, biscuits, mac & cheese, a jug of sweet tea, and a pecan pie by the house to show we are thinking of the family.

If we are out with our girlfriend and run in to the girl who sleeps around (bless her heart), we will politely smile while softly talk about her between clenched teeth.

Southern women are dedicated to God, family, friends and tradition. We say “mam” and “please and thank you.” We are strong and independent; yet expect to marry a gentleman. We say what we mean while maintaining a sense of dignity and charm. We forgive easy, love hard and can make anyone feel welcome with a home cooked meal.

Above all, we are very intelligent! Southern Women are labeled as dumb; but who else can charm a man and get him to "do her bidding" simply with an accent, twirling her pearls, and using psychology? (and we didn't even have to get a degree to learn how to use that psychology)

We keep up with today's fashion while adding our own twist(i.e. boots and/or big hair). We have a certain sweetness to us that other’s can’t figure out and we value our reputation.

I am blessed and delighted to be a southern girl; ya’ll know what I mean?

P.S. I dont have a boyfriend,I love my hubby, I dont TP peoples homes, talking about someone behind their back is wrong and gossip is a sin...but I did have fun writing this for you southerners! ;)

Eating Healthy...Continued

On my own, I decided to limit my calorie intake to 1350 a day and incorporate 30 minutes of exercise at least three times a week. Well, two days and even three days in were okay for me. Day four and the hunger really started to get to me. By day six, I was really holding back my tears at lunch when I looked at the VERY little food on my plate. For someone who is an emotional eater, this change is really hard.
I was telling my sister (the unpaid nutritionist) about the amount of calories I was eating each day. At times, less than 1350. After she input my info (weight, height, target weight)in to a calculator she proceeds to burst my bubble....in a great way! I was shorting myself 200+ calories a day. Plus the fact that I am exercising, even more calories were added in. However, I am sticking with my 1500+ calories a day (give or take a few)
I love to eat healthy. I always have loved to. I love fruits, veggies, seafood, chicken, nuts. Pretty much all that's natural and yummy.

One of my favorite things are artichoke hearts and capers. I love their tanginess, and saltiness and the texture...YUM! So two meals today were thought around both artichokes and capers.

Breakfast: Artichokes with eggs whites on toast
2 large egg whites (34 calories)
8 quartered artichoke hearts (30 calories)
thin sliced toast (40 calories)
1/2 tsp Parmesan cheese (5 calories)
Total Calories: 109

Heat skillet over medium heat and spray with pam or olive oil spray. Separate egg whites from yolks. Place artichokes in skillet and heat through. Season egg whites with salt and pepper and stir. Place egg whites in skillet and scramble until cooked through. Serve on your favorite low calorie bread; toasted and sprinkle with Parmesan Cheese.













For Dinner: Baked Tilapia, Couscous with artichokes and olives, Asparagus with lemon

Tilapia 4oz. (90 calories)
1 Tbs. Capers (0 calories)
1 Lemon squeezed (5 calories)
2 tsp. Olive Oil (60 calories)
Artichokes (15 calories for 4)
Couscous (1 cup 230)
5 Olives (4 calories)
5 pieces of asparagus (22 calories)
Total Calories: 426 Calories

In a glass baking dish place tilapia with S&P, small sprinkle of olive oil, juice from a half of lemon and the capers. Bake at 375 for 25-30 minutes.

Cook couscous according to package directions and while covered and waiting for it to "fluff" put in artichokes, small amount of olive oil and black olives.

In a pan heated on med-high heat put juice of other half of lemon, asparagus and 1/4 cup of water. Cover and steam for about 7-10 minutes. Make sure it doesn't overcook (where it remains crispy)



Sorry for the cruddy camera. Wish it took better pictures.

Attempt at eating healthy

With the weather warmer and the days longer I have had the urge to "spring" into action physically and mentally. This past winter found me cold and dreary. I had no remorse for pigging out on comfort foods, staying indoors, reading, watching tv, and sleeping. But my hibernation could not last long. As soon as warmer weather approached, I cleaned my carpet, took the plants back outside and doctored them, and began to notice the extra weight Mr. Winter gave to me.
With our annual July beach trip in mind, I thought about being in public in a swimsuit and screeched! I decided to start eating better foods and watching my calorie intake. I am currently on day 5 of the progress and have lost 2 pounds already. I have always heard that once you have lost weight, and then gained some or all of it back...that those are the pounds that shed the quickest...I am sure that once the weight I lost, then gained, and lose again goes by...that the new weight to loose will take longer...but I am planning to be in it for the long haul. I am ready for results. (dont forget; this is only day five!!)
I have really enjoyed my meal planning and thought I would share with you the past few days breakfast and lunch menu.

Breakfast: Waffles with strawberry and raspberry infused syrup
Because of a wonderful problem I have (IBS) whole grains are something I can only take in limited quantities. Because I knew I would be eating these waffles for the next few days, I had to get regular waffles. So since I am watching my calories, I searched for the waffles with the least amount of calories.

Two waffles
Three strawberries (frozen or fresh)
Handful of raspberries (frozen or fresh)
1 1/2 tbs. of light syrup
Total: 200 calories

Mix fruit together with the syrup and microwave until fruit juices are incorporated into syrup. I used frozen fruit so it took about 55 seconds. Heat waffles according to package directions, top with fruit syrup and enjoy











Lunch: Tuna salad with Artichokes and Olives
1 can of tuna (in water or Olive Oil)
1 can of artichoke hearts
1/2 cup black olives (whole or sliced)
2 tbs. extra virgin olive oil
S&P to taste
Total: 1 cup = 110 Calories (without bread)
Mix all ingredients in a bowl and serve with a low calorie bread or eat alone.












Best when served warm! It is yummy!!!!

For dinner, I have been eating more sensible. Grilled chicken with baked potato. Chicken with roasted cauliflower & broccoli (425 degree oven for 30 minutes mixed with olive oil, salt and Mrs. Dash)

Snacks of pistachios or 100 calorie packs or 10 calorie jello or string cheese.

Two days this week of walking for 20-30 minutes. And I must confess. I sure do feel better!
I hope this lasts.

Getting Creative with Life

Bucket List
(In no particular order)
1. Go to Italy
2. Write a book
3. Give money to help others
4. Start a project for a witnessing tool and see it grow
5. Continue my relationship with my mentee and see her succeed
6. Cook my way through an Italian Cookbook (Prefer Giada)
7. Receive a position with a Christian Ministry to help other women
8. Be able to quit my million jobs so that I can focus solely on working to further God’s Kingdom
9. Complete a family mission statement
10. Organize an event to raise money for a charity again

What is yours?