Updates, Thoughts, and Prayers for Boston

It’s been well over a month since my last post and the only excuse I have is ... Life.
No doubt that the past few weeks have really taken a toll on me and my little family, it’s been a tough for many reasons. In the interest of not making this a novel here are some of the highlights of the past 4 ish weeks for my blog readers (Hi Mama! Hi Dad!)
I have been able to keep up with my running schedule quite well actually. I have made it a major priority and I have only missed one run! Most of my miles have been logged on the gym treadmill, but last week the weather was amazing so I decided to do a mid week run in our neighborhood. The sidewalks aren’t very even...I’m being nice...they are horrible and the mass majority of people block a portion, if not all, of the sidewalk with their car. Anyway I injured my left calf in the process and I saw the entire OKC Half Marathon flash before my eyes. At the suggestion of a co-worker and a Facebook friend I purchased a Foam Roller and started stretching. I also increased my water intake and started eating two bananas a day. Fast-forward five days to me having the best 6 mile run of my life! All 6 miles were completed in less than 10 minutes, something that I have never done before. It was amazing to find my stride at a fast (for me) pace and keep it up for a decent distance. I can’t wait to run 13.1 with my Dad in less than two weeks! Brother will be there too, but he will probably leave us in the dust!

Weight Watchers has been dumped, officially. I informed them by cancelling my membership just last week. I lost a decent amount of weight in the beginning, but the 7 week plateau that followed was just too much. After speaking with a rep from the company I tried eating all of the points allotted to me (Flex and Activity) and I continued to not lose weight. I tried not eating any of the additional points and still did not lose weight. So, I feel that I gave it plenty of time and the smart thing to do was to try something different. Going forward I will be following the ole counting the calories method...so far I have lost 3 pounds.

Starting weight 2013 – 169.0
April 9, 2013 (WW breakup day)– 157.0 (12.0 total lost)
April 14, 2013 – 154.6 (14.4 total lost)

I’m feeling good on this plan and hope that it continues to work as I train for this half marathon, other in the future and my dream of a full marathon this fall!

We have been doing some cheap updates and cleaning up our apartment quite a bit and I really love all the changes. I want to get some more artwork up on the walls, but I do plan on doing a photo shoot to posts some picture of our home on the blog. Should be a fun little project in the coming weeks...or to be more realistic, months.

As I went to post this blog the news stories about the Boston Marathon bombings started to show up on social media and news outlets. I can’t imagine how scared all the runners, families and spectators are right now. Thoughts and prayers going out to all! I can’t imagine what would drive someone to do such a thing. The Boston Marathon is a race that I would love to run one day and I would have to work very hard to qualify. All of those participating deserve the medal they receive when they cross that finish line and the crowds of people that cheer them on, not this...not this at all.

Love/Hate Relationships and Chicken Parm Burgers

I'm in a few Love/Hate relationships right now. 

The Treadmill

I have been running on the treadmill during the week, until yesterday the temperatures have been a bit too low to brave in the evening hours. I would bundle up for my weekend runs, but after a long day I knew I wouldn't be in the mood. I have a couple of days where I really rock it out...feeling great! Then I will have a few days that feel like I'm running though mud in 100 degree temperatures. I realize that either way I look like a fat kid running toward a big slice of cake.

 The Kitchen

I normally really enjoy cooking, but planning meals for our Weight Watchers plan is really starting to take it's toll on my sanity. There are a ton of options and things to try...I think I'm just burnt out. I hope to turn this around this week. I purchased a few items to help organize our pantry, cabinets, etc. I think it will help get me out of my funk. 

 The Scale

Part of the WW plan involves a weekly weigh in, I knew this when we signed up. Since we signed up on a Sunday evening our weigh in day was defaulted to Sunday. This was basically the worst idea ever. I just realized that we can actually change the weigh in day, duh. I believe that this will really help. We often use Saturday as our go out for dinner night and the last thing you want to do is have a heavy dinner and then weigh yourself! I've been running quite a bit and haven't seen much change in the scale. I have started measuring myself because I know my clothes are fitting better and I feel SO much better!

Speaking of the scale...

February 24, 2013 - 157.8 - 0.4 week - 11.2 total 

March 3, 2013 - 157.6 - 0.2 week - 11.4 total

March 10, 2013 - 157.0 - 0.6 week - 12.0 total

Time for a really yummy recipe!

Chicken Parmesan Burgers

Ingredients 

6 - 12 oz Ciabatta Rolls, Toasted

1 lb Ground Chicken Breast 

1 C Marinara Sauce, divided

1/2 tsp dried Thyme

1/2 tsp crushed Red Pepper

1/2 tsp Salt

1/2 tsp Pepper

1/2 C Part Skim Mozzarella, shredded

1/4 C Parmesan Cheese, grated

Preheat oven to 350°F

Cut the Ciabatta Rolls in half and throw them into the oven to toast them a bit.

mmmm...Ciabatta!

Combine the ground Chicken with a little less than 2/3 C Marinara Sauce, Thyme, Red Pepper, Salt and Pepper.

looks kinda gross, right?

Form 6 small burgers (a little less than 3 oz each), Heat a large skillet coated with cooking spray. Cook burgers until no loner pink.

Add shredded Mozzarella on top of each burger, reduce heat and cover until the cheese is melted.

As you can see, my skillet isn't large enough for all six.

Place burger on the bottom half of the roll.

Top with remaining Marinara

and Parmesan Cheese.

Eat up! 

6 Servings

Calories: 222  Fat: 10.6  Saturated Fat: 4.3  Carbs: 12.2  Fiber: 1.3  Sugar: 3.8  Protein: 19.6

WW Points Plus:6

 

Bag Ladies Like Pizza

This week I went to the gym twice to run. The highs were around 34°F and the wind was not helping. I would run outside, but by the time I get home it's dark and just not safe...and cold, really cold. I did run outside tonight. It was a warm 41°F and only kind of rainy, but I was really happy to get back to running on the streets.

On days I go to the gym I have to carry 4 bags out of the house...

Purse

Laptop Bag

Lunch Bag

Gym Bag

I seriously look like I'm moving. I wonder what the neighbors think...hmmm...

I did a wonderful treadmill workout, I think I'm in love with it. Like most things in my life, I found this online and altered it a little bit to fit my goals. Here it is, it's not easy and you will sweat quite a bit. You'll burn a ton of calories AND run more than 3 miles in 30 minutes! Oh...do all of this at 1% incline too.

0-2 minutes at 4.0
2-5 minutes at 6.5
5-7 minutes at 6.7
7-8 minutes at 6.9
8-11 minutes at 6.0
11-13 minutes at 6.2
13-14 minutes at 6.4
14-16 minutes at 5.5
16-19 minutes at 6.5
19-21 minutes at 6.7
21-22 minutes at 6.9
22-25 minutes at 6.0
25-27 minutes at 6.2
27-28 minutes at 6.4
28-30 minutes at 6.0

On to bigger and better things...

I made pizza crust out of a vegetable! SAY WHAT?!

I found a recipe on Pinterest that led me to search online for the BEST recipe out there. Well, 3rd time is a charm and we have a winner! Due to the searching I honestly can't remember where I got this one, or if it's a combo of a few of them...

Cauliflower Pizza Crust

Ingredients

2 C Cauliflower, riced

2 C Mozzarella Cheese, Part Skim, shredded

2 Eggs, beaten

2 tsp Oregano, dried
1 tsp Garlic, crushed

1 tsp Garlic Salt

Olive Oil, optional

Toppings - Your choice!

Instructions
Preheat oven to 450°F and line a cookie sheet or baking dish with parchment paper. Spray the parchment paper with non-stick cooking spray.

In case you didn't know how to spray ...

 To 'Rice' the Cauliflower - Use 1 large head of fresh cauliflower, remove the stem and leaves and chop the florets into chunks. Add to a food processor and pulse until it looks like grain. OR you can use your cheese grater's small side...one large head will give you two cups or more.

like so - I should be a hand model, right?

Place the riced cauliflower in a microwave safe bowl and cook in the microwave for about 8 minutes on high.

This is how 'riced' Cauliflower should look.

 Meanwhile, Beat the Eggs. Then add in the Oregano, Garlic, and Garlic Salt and mix well. 

I am in love with my tiny baby whisk!

Add the Cheese and Egg Mixture to the Cauliflower, mix well. I used my hands!


Transfer to the cookie sheets and/or baking dishes. Use your hands to spread it out and pat it thin, very thin! 

YAY!

I only have one cookie sheet :(

At least they all fit in the oven!

 

Bake at 450°F for 12 to 15 minutes. 
  

Finished crust!

Remove form oven. Top with sauce, toppings, and cheese. Place under broiler at high heat until cheese is melted, about 4 to 5 minutes.
 
 Here are the facts for the recipe! We ate this for dinner and lunch the next day, so the servings are plenty big!
Remember to add up your toppings for the full facts, we were around 7 points per serving.

6 Servings

Calories: 146  Fat: 10  Saturated Fat: 5  Carbs: 3  Fiber: 1  Sugar: 1  Protein: 11

WW Points Plus:4

Weights, Measures, and Chicken Piccata

I had a rather disappointing weigh in this week, but the number was lower so I’m claiming victory!

February 17, 2013 – 158.2 – 0.4 week – 10.8 total

I believe the low weight loss was due to the lack of working out and having a number of celebrations last week. We had a pancake dinner on Tuesday, Valentine’s Day on Wednesday, and dinner with family and friends on Saturday. The weather was rather cold a dreary, so we didn’t run much. No worries...this week has already started off on a different  note.

Since the weather is still in the “freeze your face off” mode I made an appearance at the gym. I swiped my card and lived through the look of the 5’10” model that works the front desk...yeah...I haven’t been here in like 10 months, Judgy McJudgeshorts. At least I am here now! And it's freezing outside, why are you wearing shorts?!

I managed to exceed my goal of 2 miles on the treadmill! I did a bit of a different running workout. I have a decent amount of stamina from running longer distances, but my speed leaves a little to be desired. So, in hopes of working on increasing my get up and go I followed this plan...

5 minutes at 4.2 – Warm Up
1 minute at 5.0
1 minute at 5.5
1 minute at 6.0
1 minute at 6.5
1 minute at 7.0
1 minute at 7.5
1 minute at 8.0
1 minute at 8.5
2 minutes at 4.0
Repeat 2 more times
5 minutes at 4.0 – Cool Down

This might look somewhat easy, but about 20 seconds into the 8.0 minute you'll be feeling it. Unless you run a lot and you have super long legs...and I hate you. *hug*  

Last night I made a delish dinner and I can’t wait to share the recipe! I always have great intentions to take photos. I like posts with pictures, but I always realize toward the end that I haven’t snapped one single photo! Maybe I will improve on this soon. Until then you’ll just have to close your eyes an use your imagination!

Thanks Google!  Close enough! :)

Chicken Piccata
Original Recipe from Weight Watchers

Ingredients
1 Lbs Boneless Skinless Chicken Breasts
1/3 C All-Purpose Flour  
1/4 tsp Black Pepper
1/2 tsp Table Salt
2 tsp Olive Oil
1/2 C Reduced Sodium Chicken Broth
1/4 C White Wine
1/2 C Lemon Juice
1 Tbsp Light Butter
1 Tbsp Fresh Parsley
1 Tbsp Capers, drained

Instructions

Trim fat and slice chicken in half if they are thick. Pound flat.

Mix flour, salt and pepper and put on plate or in plastic bag.

Place 1/4 C of lemon juice in a bowl; dip chicken into lemon juice and then dredge in seasoned flour.

Heat oil in pan and cook chicken on both sides until golden and cooked thoroughly, about 2 to 3 minutes per side. Remove from pan and set aside; keep warm.

Deglaze pan with white wine, stirring to remove browned pieces. Add broth and remaining lemon juice. Simmer over medium heat until reduced and slightly thickened. Swirl in butter and drained capers.

Place chicken back in skillet to coat with the sauce.

Serve sauce over chicken, and sprinkle with parsley before serving.

We added 1 C of Whole Wheat Pasta to this, divided by four it only adds one additional WW Point!

4 Servings (sans Pasta)
Calories: 209  Fat: 5.6  Saturated Fat: 1.2  Carbs: 12.3  Fiber: 0.5  Sugar: 1  Protein: 27.8

WW Points Plus: 5

4 Servings (with Pasta)
Calories: 252.5  Fat: 5.8  Saturated Fat: 1.4  Carbs: 21.5  Fiber: 2.1  Sugar: 1.1  Protein: 30

WW Points Plus: 6



The Great Disappointment and Other Thoughts

Things have actually slowed down over the past couple of weeks.

We have mostly been working and running. I have to be prepared for the half marathon! So, we have been doing 3 runs a week of 3 to 4 miles and a long run on the weekend. 7 and 8 miles over he past two weeks. This weekend I'll do another long run and then take it easy in the last few days before the race. You ready for this DAD?!


Let's see - since I last wrote we have found a church! YAY! Maybe this isn't an important subject to some people, but we have been trying to find a church home for a number of months. Grace Episcopal Church in Rutherford, NJ is the place to be y'all!

Fun Fact - After we decided to visit this church we learned that my husband's Uncle Bob was married there! And he was the ring barrier! cray!

And now - for the Great Disappointment of 2012

After our first visit to Grace Church my stomach was screaming for some biscuits and gravy, loudly. We opted to try the local IHOP to see if they could accomodate a rather Southern request. This is what I recieved...

I had to request more gravy three times before I could eat these tiny things. All in all it just made me miss Grandma's homemade version at least 300 times more than I was already. Fire up the skillet Grandma! I'll be there in 9 days!!!

We have also located a Cracker Barrel just a short 35 miles away should the craving for biscuits and gravy hit again ... or I feel the need to purchase mountains of candy and a candle.

Happy October!

On the Mend Monday - Super Bowl Edition

For those that don't know me well, or haven't spent much time with me recently, I must preface this post with this simple fact, I am a klutz.  If there is something trip over, fall in, or stumble upon I will find it without fail.  I wonder if I could get a job with this special talent, let me know if you have any suggestions.  

So - I have made the decision to chronicle my injuries in a new weekly instalment called On the Mend Monday.  I am honestly hoping that I jinx myself into not having any more injuries, purely selfish.  I'll do this in order of injury date to keep things easy. 

Early last week I decided that we needed something slightly sweet and since I had far to many recipes in my pinterest I tried to make apple pie wrap ups. 

photo from pinterest - mine didn't look half bad either.

Those things are darn good and being as you can easily see there is an apple wedge in there doesn't take long to convince yourself that they have a great nutritional value.  Let me be clear, they do not and I should have just eaten the dang apple.  Anyway, you'll quickly learn that when I cook I like to do things about two to three times faster than I should and I usually get burned.  This time it happened to be literally.  The side of my right hand was sporting a radical red mark, but I'm happy to report this injury as MENDED!

I will now tell you the story of Saturday night.  We are super cool kids and we spent our Saturday running errands and slow cooking chicken for our Super Bowl feast, we know how to get down.  In lieu of dancing our rears off at some night club we visited this guy...

Yes, Mr. Red Box keeps us entertained on many evenings and we both agreed on a movie, shocking!  Ides of March was quite interesting, I enjoy any movie with George and Ryan, but I'm getting ahead of myelf here. Kenny pulled up to the local ShopRite and I jumped out to get our movie of choice.  Of course I was stuck behind one of those people that just can't choose a movie and after looking through the list twice just walks way, what is wrong with you?!  Anyway, I made the selection, swiped the debit card, and collected the disc.  Sophie and her driver were patiently awaiting my return to the car, so with a little skip in my step I opened the door, stepped off the curb, and OUCH!!!! Yes, I rolled my ankle, bad.  The swelling started rather quickly and I don't think it had plans on stopping.  I kept it elevated for the majority of the evening and I'm happy to report that it's officially ON THE MEND! Healing is slated to be completed by Wednesday.

Sunday started off being such a wonderful day, it was Super Bowl Sunday and my lovely husband's beloved Giants were preparing to lock down a win!  So, as he left for a Sunday at the office (BOOO!!) I pulled back my hair and started cooking.  Enchiladas, Queso, and Salsa are staple game day foods in my book and were a must for this rather warm Super Bowl Sunday.  The salsa was cooling in the fridge, the queso was warming in the crockpot and the chicken enchiladas were ready for the oven. I had made the enchilada sauce, browned the beef, and shredded the cheese and the only task remaning on the list was to finely chop some onions.  I grabbed a yellow onion and my trustly ULU knife!

I cut the ends of the onion and peeled off the outer layer.   I think I was on my third slice when pain tore through my hand and I knew that my speedy ways in the kitchen had come to haunt me yet again.  I won't go into graphic details, it still makes me sick to my stomach, but lets just say that typing without using your left ring finger is much harder than you think it might be.  Also, buy stock in Band-Aid as soon as possible, I'm working on about a 1/2 a box a day right now.  I am going to have to give this the lowest score allowed in On the Mend Monday ... Still Injured 

**Side Note ** - Please don't hold this against the ULU, they are awesome and I highly recommend them.  Just be careful as the blade is quite sharp and will cut through your skin and fingernail. 

Onto some  happier thoughts and images - as a life long Kansas City fan I can only hope to one day see our boys celebrate a Super Bowl win.  While I wait for hell to freeze over, it's nice to see the Giants (my new #2 team) take the win over the mean Bill Belichick and the nasty Pats!!

CRUUUUZ!!!!

Gotta give props to the Scotsman - Lawrence Tynes

You can't spell ELITE without ELI!!! 

But I'm not Italian...I think I'm Scottish.

I was going to do a post containing some of the wedding photos, but I decided against it for two reasons.  The first being that we still don't have all of them / the ones we do have are downloaded on my work laptop. And the second reason is that we would like for our families to be first to see them!  So...that will happen soon.  Stay tuned.

We've been super busy preparing for Christmas.  It's going to be a little sad for me...it will be the first away from my family, um, EVER.  For anyone that is counting that's about 30 years.  I have been focusing on work, cooking, and wrapping presents to keep my mind off of it. 

So, I'm sure y'all are shocked by the title of this post.  What?! She's not Italian?! Who would have thunk it?! BUT I got my guido on and made us some 'pie'.

Pepperoni, Olive, and Onion Pizza

I was rather proud of myself, the closest thing to homemade pizza I had done before has been that DiGiorno stuff.  I must admit that this was actually my second go at pizza making (um...in a less than one week period)...I screwed up the first go around and made some yummy Calzones, also known as...Kendra screwed up and tried to make something that looked semi-acceptable.

I'll now leave you with a photo of one of the best girls in the whole entire world.  She's loving, loyal, and playful! 

Miss Sophie Jean Marrs Emmich

I believe that she is adjusting to life in New Jersey quite well, however we haven't gotten any snow yet so this may all change very soon.  She is usually confused by the snow and looks at you like you personally removed the grass to spite her.  It's similar to the look that I get on a daily basis due to the lack of carpet in our apartment.  She can barely get enough traction to jump up on the bed and about once a week she doesn't quite make it and falls down in a very cartoon like fashion.  She just happens to be laying next to me sleeping...it's a hard knocked life.

See y'all later!!