This Unfamiliar Road

February 28, 2011

Comfy?

I have recently discovered new entertainment in my home. My pets sleep in the strangest positions, and every time I see them zonked out, I have to snap a picture. Here is my collection:

We have established the "Alpha Female" in the house:

The death stare

Mustang has taken over Rowen's bed

Let's see who wins:

# Pets

February 25, 2011

Fitness Friday

Andrea 7:20 PM 2 Comments

I am really starting to despise Jillian Michaels. So I found a new workout video:

I start tomorrow : )

# Fitness

February 22, 2011

This is an easy, yummy gumbo that Ben loves! I usually double it and freeze the rest.
(It looks like a lot of ingredients, but most of it is stuff you have around the house or easy to pick up at the store)

Ingredients

(serves 5)

-1/2 C chopped green bell pepper

-1/2 C chopped red bell pepper

-1/2 C chopped onion

-1 can (14.5oz) stewed tomatoes, undrained

-1 C spicy hot V8 vegetable juice

-1 tbsp cornstarch

-1 C frozen cut okra

-2 tsp (or more!) dry cajun seasoning

-1 tsp hot sauce (calls for Frank's RedHot)

-8oz shrimp-peeled, deveined, tail off

-8 oz crabmeat

-Black pepper, to taste

Directions

1. In a large pan, combine the tomatoes, vegetable juice and cornstarch. Stir well, making sure the cornstarch dissolves completely. Add frozen okra. Simmer.

2. Avoid tripping over the dog as you cook. This can be tricky because she likes to set up camp right behind you for no good reason.

3. Place your tomato mixture in your 1980's hand-me-down crockpot. If you don't have a 1980's version, it's ok-newer versions will probably work just fine.

4. Add all the other ingredients to your crockpot and cook on 'High'. In the 1980's, there were only 2 settings-low and high- so I'm not sure what temperature 'high' is these days.

5. Cook for about 2 hours on 'high' and ENJOY! This is best when served with some crusty bread.

***Fun add-ins: Andouille sausage, shredded or chopped chicken; Some white or wild rice for a more "Jambalaya" feel.

***Note: if using any raw meats, be sure to cook them before adding to the crock pot. I don't think 2 hours on 'high' will cook chicken thoroughly

# Recipes

February 21, 2011

Trouble Sleeping?

Andrea 10:07 AM 0 Comments

Sleep has always come easily to me. I typically go to bed, turn the TV on, and by the time I find a show I want to watch, I'm asleep. That is, until I started working nights. Take yesterday for example. I got up around 9am, did some housework and then went to the antique festival with Mom. Ben and I had dinner, then caught up on a few DVR shows. Around midnight, we went to bed. And around 2am, I was still staring at the ceiling. It's SO frustrating because I had a relatively busy day, and my body is tired and ready for sleep, but my mind is in "work-mode'. When I am at work, I am awake and charting or making midnight rounds at that time. I am trying to stay away from sleeping pills, but I have taken Melatonin, which is a naturally occurring hormone that regulates your sleep-wake cycle. However, even if I take it at 8pm, I am still completely out of it and feel drugged at 1pm the next day. Not good.
So how happy was I to find this article on Yahoo this morning:

5 Foods That Help You Sleep

1. Cherries. Fresh and dried cherries are one of the only natural food sources of melatonin, the chemical that controls the body's internal clock to regulate sleep. Researchers who tested tart cherries and found high levels of melatonin recommend eating them an hour before bedtime or before a trip when you want to sleep on the plane.

2. Bananas. Potassium and magnesium are natural muscle relaxants, and bananas are a good source of both. They also contain the amino acid L-tryptophan, which gets converted to 5-HTP in the brain. The 5-HTP in turn is converted to serotonin (a relaxing neurotransmitter) and melatonin.

3. Toast. Carbohydrate-rich foods trigger insulin production, which induces sleep by speeding up the release of tryptophan and serotonin, two brain chemicals that relax you and send you to sleep..

4. Oatmeal. Like toast, a bowl of oatmeal triggers a rise in blood sugar, which in turn triggers insulin production and the release of sleep-inducing brain chemicals. Oats are also rich in melatonin, which many people take as a sleep aid.

5. Warm milk. Like bananas, milk contains the amino acid L-tryptophan, which turns to 5-HTP and releases relaxing serotonin. It's also high in calcium, which promotes sleep.

Night Night, Sleep Tight!

# Food

February 18, 2011

Fitness Friday

Andrea 12:28 PM 0 Comments

Well, I promised to give you the good and bad... so here goes:

My Top Ten Diet Don'ts

10. Don't weigh everyday. I know some people would disagree here, but I think fluctuations in daily weight aren't always a reflection of diet and exercise. There are lots of things that can affect weight. Pick one day a week to weigh, preferably in the morning.

9. Don't lose sleep. I am definitely struggling in this department, but that's night shift work for ya!

8. Don't go looking for the hidden box of Valentine's chocolates in the house.

7. Don't forget to drink plenty of water. Often, you may think you are hungry, when really you are just thirsty!

6. Don't skip breakfast! You've always heard it's the most important meal of the day...still true : )

5. Don't deprive yourself. If you continue to tell yourself you can't have this or that, you will reach a breaking point and eat the whole package of Oreos.

4. Don't make it your goal to be "skinny". Consider your healthy weight based on either BMI or Waist to Hip ratio.

3. Don't forget to stock up on healthy foods in the house. If your house is stocked with good fruits and veggies, you are more likely to go for this rather than chips and cookies.

2. Don't make a goal to get to the gym everyday (unless it's attainable!). Consider other ways to get your heart rate up, like taking the dog for a run or avoiding elevators!

1. Don't eat Sal's pizza the night before your weigh-in while catching up on DVR shows in your pj's.

GARLIC BREAD

PIZZA

# Fitness

February 16, 2011

...and more Love

Andrea 5:04 PM 1 Comments

I am not a romantic person at all. I appreciate thoughtfulness, but not a bouquet of flowers just because it's V-Day. Ben knows this.
And he is learning : )
We enjoyed a date night out (long overdue) this weekend to Ted's Montana Grill and to see the movie No Strings Attached. Both were quite enjoyable!
On Valentine's Day, Ben had to work all day. I got up after he had already left, and stumbled into the kitchen for some coffee when I discovered this:

I won't reveal the entire card, but this is what part of it said:

So in my head, I'm thinking 'Great...something to tempt me and throw me off my diet"

But my wonderfully thoughtful hubby had an idea!

A man who knows the way to my heart : )

I spent the day cleaning the house and preparing a wonderful dinner. It was my first time ever grilling on a charcoal grill...and something I don't think I will do very often. What a mess!

These are my filets marinating:

I also made Red Velvet Cupcakes for dessert (I know, I know...so much for the diet)

I hope everyone enjoyed their holiday with the people you love!

# Holiday # Recipes

Love Love Love

Andrea 4:41 PM 0 Comments

Valentine's Day actually means so much more to me than romance and flowers. It was 4 years ago on Valentine's Day that my baby sister Laurel came home from China. I met my family at the airport, and was instantly attached!

Laurel in China (our referral picture)

First night home. Laurel was a little unsure (3 1/2 yrs)

Laurel is so proud of her giant {empty} bag of rice

Such a fun & outgoing personality

A fashionista

And girly as you can get!

Beyond her years

I love my La-La

Born to be a flower girl : )

What a blessing my sweet sister has been to my family.

# Family

February 11, 2011

Fitness Friday

Andrea 12:41 PM 1 Comments

I have decided to dedicate a weekly blog post to my new fitness goals. I will blog about the good and bad- recipes, workout routines, and tips!

The Weight Watchers system has definitely worked for me before, and I was excited to launch this program again to achieve my weight loss goals and adapt a healthier lifestyle. Because I have used this program before, I have many of the books and point slider guides so I know what I'm eating. I have also discovered a Weight Watchers support network that has lots of great recipes, point values for dining out, and supportive articles! Check it out here.
Of course, if you want to actually join, the online program costs about $17.95 monthly and comes with lots of tools and phone apps! You can also check out a local meeting for free!

The biggest challenge I am having with the points system is my work schedule (imagine that!). The daily point allowance is tricky when my day lasts for 24 hours! My exhaustion at work is usually cured by a little snack-just keep myself busy by eating! NOT a good habit, but I am starting to figure out how to manage this.

Fitness- I did Jillian Michael's 30 Day Shred workout video this morning. It was actually challenging for other reasons than the cardio. Rowen thought me doing jumping jacks was a signal for *play time* and really got excited when I got down on the floor to ~~do some ab work~~ wrestle with her. I managed to get through the whole video while almost knocking Rowen in the head with my hand weights. Sigh....we will have to work on this.

Food- My new(ish) favorite discovery is my homemade "Egg McMuffin".

I use:

Thomas' Light English muffin

Parkay spray butter

Egg Beaters Whites

Nonfat Cheese

Put the egg beaters in a microwave safe bowl. I like to use one that has a small round part at the bottom so my egg will fit on my english muffin. I microwave for about 1min, 30 sec.

Spray your toasted english muffin with some spray butter and top with egg beater, pepper (if you like), and cheese!

Points Value= 3

I love this for a quick breakfast to go. It carries the same points value as a bowl of cereal, but you get some great protein too.

You can add Canadian bacon, but it will increase the points value by 1-2

I'm excited to see what next week will bring and how I manage my snacking at work, and getting Rowen to cooperate while I exercise!

# Fitness # Recipes