Saturday, February 20, 2010

Warning...these pictures may make you hungry...

A lot of you have asked me about my change in eating and cooking habits. I've really enjoyed this new way of eating. The thing that has helped me the most is that my husband and my kids are all on board. It takes a lot of planning and making sure that the fridge is stocked, but it's well worth it.
We haven't written off sugar and all things carb-filled forever, but for me - it is the better choice. It is still hard, but I've learned that by refraining from sugar and carbs, I have cut out things like chips, ice-cream, starchy potatoes, breads, fried and battered foods, milk shakes, most fast food, etc. I know. Sounds boring, right? It's been a challenge, but so far - so good. There have been a few times (like the Valentine's Banquet) where I've gone ahead and eaten dessert and starches, but it's not all day every day like it was before.
Here are some of the meals that I've served my family in the last few weeks, along with the ones you saw in my other recent post. It's been about a month and we've all lost at least 10 lbs. each, but my hubby has lost about 16 lbs! We've also been exercising regularly too!
Here we go...

I needed a little "comfort" food here so I made a seasoned ground beef that I usually serve on mashed potatoes, but this time I served it on the mashed cauliflower. My kids really love it!


Sauteed and seasoned asparagus

Omelettes are good any time of the day. Here is one with bacon, spinach, mushroom and cheddar jack cheese.

This one is sans mushroom, but with added sausage.

This was a quick meal that I made one evening with stir-fry chicken, pasilla chilies and mushrooms. Very good - lots of flavor.

This was a really great meal. We had shrimp scampi and mussels as a side with broiled salmon and broccoli. It was delish! It would've cost us so much to go out and have this at a restaurant.

Butter and garlic shrimp....

...lots of broccoli...splash of pepper jack cheese on top...

Broiled salmon...just right...

...and then there's days that I am in a super big hurry and I've got to just pick up a rotisserie chicken and sautee some green beans and go! Quick...but still healthy. No more just pullin' in to 'ole Jack in the Box for a quick meal.
Let me know if you have any questions!

Saturday, February 13, 2010

12 of 12 for February...

This month's 12 of 12 fell on a fun day. We were busy celebrating Valentine's Day at school and also had a Valentine's Banquet for our church. Here are some pics of my day...

These were a sampling of the decorations I made for our banquet. The 'cooty catcher' candy dishes were really fun to make. You could do those in any color for any theme! The vase is filled with red hot candies...

This is what I saw when I got in the car to go to school this morning. Marco is great about special days. He gave me a gift card for the Bare Escentuals store and a bottle of Still by Jennifer Lopez (perfume). I'm a lucky girl! (blessed)

These were also in each of the kids' spots...they get something too!

Not a great shot, but this is the little mailbox my Taryn asked me to make for her Valentine Buddy exchange at school. The girl's name is Allie. Taryn filled it with Allie's favorite candies.

Here's little Naomi (and class mate Sydney) enjoying her first Valentine's Day party at school.

This is my new favorite indulgence. I've tried to not drink soda at all, but when I do - this is it now. Remember the commercial, "Sugar-free Dr. Pepper, tastes fattening but it's not..." Yeah, it really does taste that good! =]

One of my sweet students brought me this lovely candle...made my day!

Another student gave me this beautiful tulip. So beautiful!

Had to rush home and get ready for the banquet. We have had it at the same restaurant for a few years now and really like it. Great food and fun.

Here are some of the things I made..."Set Your Heart In Order" was the theme.

I had steak (medium rare), veggies and loaded mashed potatoes. Yes, I did eat the potatoes!!

Oh....and did I mention the pie? Yeah. Ate all of that too. =]
Well, that was it...It was a great night. Lots of good food, fun games and a great challenge by Marco. I went home and went straight to bed. Great day!