HAPPY HALLOWEEN

HAPPY HALLOWEEN

Halloween 2011

     It's almost Halloween in our little town in Indiana. I see masks and candy in every store; I know the kids can't wait to go trick or treating. I love this time of year, when the leaves fall and the weather is cooler. It’s the right time to get our patio furniture stored and get our garden and yard ready for winter. WINTER!! Burrrr!! Just thinking about it makes me glad that I am semi-retired and I won't have to get out in it that much. I do love the snow butttttttttttt I hate driving in it. Now I can sit back and enjoy it with a cup of hot chocolate and let it snow as much as it wants... Smiling, just thinking about it...

"As they pass through the Valley of Baca, they make it a place of springs; the autumn rains also cover it with pools."
Psalm 84:6 NIV

Blessings

Good Morning
It's a Lovely, Beautiful. Brisk day... I love this time of year, when the mornings are cooler and the afternoons are warmer. I am sitting and drinking my coffee and thinking about my plans for today. Yes!!! I do have to work today, but I am just thanking God for all the blessing in my life.  I think we need to reflect on being blessed every day..  I know there are many things that I want and would like to do but God takes such good care of my daily needs... Thank you Lord for taking care of me. Everyone have a Blessed Day...

OUR MILITARY

    A military helicopter was shot down in eastern Afghanistan, killing 31 U.S. special operation troops, most of them from the elite Navy SEALs unit that killed al-Qaida leader Osama bin Laden, along with seven Afghan commandos. It was the deadliest single incident for American forces in the decade-long war.
My heart is breaking by the news today... Sending prayers to our military and their families.


Deuteronomy 31:8 “The LORD is the one who goes ahead of you; He will be with you. He will not fail you or forsake you. Do not fear or be dismayed.” (NASB)

4th of July and Walking, Walking!!!

     Happy 4th of July everyone. This morning’s walk was refreshing, invigorating, and fun. It’s great to walk with a friend. I am not sure how far we walked, maybe 2 miles, hummmn!!!! I need to buy a pedometer. Just Saying!!!! Have a fun and safe 4^th of July.


Galatians 5:1
It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery. (NIV

Weight Loss Results are in

    So far I have lost 23 pounds, not a lot, but losing it slow. I didn't put it on in a month and I am not going to take if off in month. I love checking out blogs and low calorie recipes. I will try and keep my blog updated.  I am still working and also keeping my grandsons 3 days a week, just for the summer. Life is great...



Six days you shall labor and do all your work, but the seventh day is a Sabbath to the LORD your God. On it you shall not do any work, neither you, nor your son or daughter, nor your manservant or maidservant, nor your animals, nor the alien within your gates. For in six days the LORD made the heavens and the earth, the sea, and all that is in them, but he rested on the seventh day. Therefore the LORD blessed the Sabbath day and made it holy.

Good Morning!!!

     We have cold weather again.....Burrrrrr!!! Snow is in the forecast for tonight. Where is spring? It’s been a great great week; I worked all week, and then kept my boys yesterday. We had a fun day, played games, went to Subway for lunch, and even made a trip to the dollar store, for more games and toys... Wheeew! Kids keep you hopping. It was a fun day... I bought a new book on Thursday, The Red Hat Society. It’s a book about women over 50 doing all kinds of fun things. I will check into this. I will be going to CT in a couple of weeks, I can't wait to see the kids, I told my daughter I did not want to do anything but be with the kids. I sure miss them all.  I have lost 15 pounds so far. Yaaaaay!!! It's going to be a life time change for me. I want to eat right and stay healthy. I have to say, it’s been great so far. I love experimenting with new recipes and spices. I even made a recipe book with low calories recipes and gave them to my sisters, and cousins. I will post some of the recipes later. Have a great weekend everyone!!!!

"Take the first step in faith. You don't have to see the whole staircase. Just take the first step." - Dr Martin Luther King Jr

Chocolate Cake Bowl

Chocolate Cake bowl (One Serving)



1/3 cup of sugar free cake mix any flavor

1/3 cup diet soda (Coke or Pepsi for chocolate cake) Sprite for yellow or white cake mix)

Spray small bowl with Pam. Combine cake mix with diet soda. Mix well, cook in the microwave for 1/12 – 2 min depending on your microwave. Ice with 1 Tablespoon of sugar free Chocolate icing.

Tips

I put the tablespoon of icing on and put the cake back in the microwave for about 10 sec just to melt the icing some. This makes the icing spread much easier. This cake is delicious

120 calories

 

Saint Patrick's Day

Good Morning!!
It will be St Patrick's Day in a few days, so  everyone be sure to wear your green. Happy St Patricks day everyone. I love the little shamrocks  four leaf clovers. Just a little History about St Patrick.

Saint Patrick was the patron saint and national apostle of Ireland who is credited with bringing christianity to Ireland. Saint Patrick's Day has come to be associated with everything Irish: anything green and gold, shamrocks and luck. Most importantly, to those who celebrate its intended meaning, St. Patrick's Day is a traditional day for spiritual renewal and offering prayers for missionaries worldwide.

 

Hebrews 11:1

Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen - Hebrews 11:1" - The Bible

Sunday

Well the weather today is beautiful in the fifties. Finally the snow will melt. I went to church. Great sermon. Had lunch with a friend at Bob Evans, and yes I strayed on my diet. I am off tomorrow so I need to write some thank you notes, and do work around here. Getting ready to watch the Oscars.....

Quote!!!

When you row another person across the river, you get there yourself."

Diet Progress

 I have lost 12 pounds since January 5th. It seems like it is taking longer than usual to lose a pound, oh it’s because I am much older now.   Actually I am doing quite well. I am still climbing my stairs, until the weather gets better so I can walk outside. I ordered and received my Hungry girl 123 cookbook by Lisa Lillien. Its guilt free recipes, It has so many wonderful, yummy, fast, and easy recipes. Love it!!! I so recommend it. I am doing a 1500 to 1600 calorie diet. I have to say it’s been fairly easy this time, or maybe I am just more committed than before. I can do this... Everyone is my family is trying to eat and maintain a healthy diet and lifestyle. My sister found out she is diabetic and she has lost 85 pounds. My son has lost 65 pounds and many other family members have lost weight. I will keep all updated on my progress and of my family.

Yesterday is gone. Tomorrow has not yet come. We have only today. Let us begin
Mother Teresa

Valentines Day

I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me



Bible: Philippians 4:13


Valentines Day was yesterday. I got all kinds of cookies. Candy, breads, all homemade of course. I tried to give them away but everyone is trying to diet, so I throw them away. I knew I would eat them if I kept them. I did pretty well yesterday, even with it being Valentines Day. I did get flowers too. Beautiful Roses! I do appreciate all the generous clients that made goodies for me. What wonderful clients I have.  I am so blessed.... My son and wonderful daughter-in-law came to my house and made dinner for me, what a nice treat to have dinner brought to you. My daughter sent me a gift card, Hummmn! Books! Can’t wait to see the new releases.   I love reading.

She Who Kneels Before God, Can Stand Before Anyone.

 

Just a note!!!

It’s Sat morning and I am going to watch my grandsons today. It will be a great day and fun. Grandkids keep you young and active. Well at least mine do. I had pancakes and sausage for breakfast, yummy!!!! Of course low calorie. Did you know you can turn any recipe, into low calorie? (Well almost any recipe). I have enjoyed surfing the web looking for quick and easy recipes that I can make. The internet is fabulous. The weather is going to be in the 40's today Woot! Woot! Maybe all the snow will melt. I have the whole weekend off including Monday. Rest and relaxation!!!! On Monday I do have a luncheon with friends at my favorite place the Hostess House....It’s a great place. It’s an old Victorian house built in 1912, a lovely house. The food is wonderful, such a special place.

Biscuits and Gravy (low calorie)

I made this delicius breakfast this morning. it turned out great!!!


My version of low calorie Biscuits and Gravy
Makes 1 serving

1/2 C of Jimmy Dean fully cooked Turkey sausage Crumbles

11/2 T of flour.

1 C of skim milk add a little more if too thick

1 T butter





I use Pillsbury biscuits that are 50 cal each the ones that comes in a package of four cans.



1. Bake biscuits according to package directions.



2. Meanwhile, cook butter and sausage in large skillet over medium heat 5-6 minutes or until thoroughly heated, stirring frequently. Stir in flour. Gradually add milk; cook until mixture comes to a boil and thickens, stirring constantly. Reduce heat to medium-low; simmer 2 minutes, stirring constantly. Season with salt and pepper.





Calories for Gravy about 265

Calories for 2 biscuits 100

Total 365

Cinnamon Oranges

 This is a quick easy and delicious recipe

Cinnamon Oranges


http://www.eatingwell.com/recipes/cinnamon_oranges.html

From EatingWell: The EatingWell Diet (2007), The EatingWell Healthy in a Hurry Cookbook (2006)

This simple dessert works any time of the year, but its flavors will be the best and brightest in the winter when oranges are at their peak.

4 servings
Active Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 10 minutes

Ingredients

• 4 navel oranges

• 2 tablespoons orange juice

• 2 tablespoons lemon juice

• 1 tablespoon sugar

• 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon

Preparation

1. With a sharp knife, remove rind and white pith from oranges. Cut each into 5 or 6 slices and arrange on 4 plates. Whisk together orange juice and lemon juice, sugar and cinnamon. Spoon over the orange slices.

Nutrition

Per serving : 86 Calories; 0 g Fat; 0 g Sat; 0 g Mono; 0 mg Cholesterol; 22 g Carbohydrates; 1 g Protein; 3 g Fiber; 2 mg Sodium; 258 mg Potassium

1 1/2 Carbohydrate Serving

Exchanges: 1 1/2 fruit

Bread & Tomato Salad


http://www.eatingwell.com/recipes/bread_tomato_salad.html

From EatingWell: Summer 2004, The EatingWell Diabetes Cookbook (2005)

When it's too hot to cook, just step outside and gather tomatoes and basil from your garden, cut up some day-old country bread and make this flavorful, easy salad, our take on the classic Italian bread salad known as panzanella.

6 servings
Active Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 20 minutes

Ingredients

• 3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil

• 3 tablespoons lemon juice

• 1 small clove garlic, minced

• 1/4 teaspoon salt, or to taste

• Freshly ground pepper, to taste

• 4 cups diced seeded tomatoes, (1 1/2 pounds)

• 2 cups cubed whole-wheat country bread, (5 ounces), crusts removed

• 1/4 cup thinly slivered red onion

• 3 tablespoons chopped fresh basil

• 2 tablespoons capers, rinsed

• 4 4-1/2-ounce cans sardines, (see Ingredient note), optional

Preparation

1. Whisk oil, lemon juice, garlic, salt and pepper in a large bowl. Add tomatoes, bread, onion, basil and capers. Toss to combine. Let the salad sit for about 5 minutes to allow it to absorb the dressing's flavors, stirring occasionally. Serve at room temperature.

Nutrition

Per serving : 168 Calories; 17 g Fat; 2 g Sat; 9 g Mono; 107 mg Cholesterol; 19 g Carbohydrates; 22 g Protein; 3 g Fiber; 657 mg Sodium; 666 mg Potassium

1 Carbohydrate Serving

Exchanges: 1 starch, 1 vegetable, 11/2 fat (mono)

Yummmy!!!!

New Me

I started a new healthy way of eating on Jan 5 Th. Its time to get serious about my weight. I have been out of shape far too long. I am serious this time. I am looking for new ways to make old recipes low calorie, I have been looking on blogs and web sites, and have found lots of great recipes. I will post some soon. Everyone in my family is losing weight and dieting. Sooooooooo I just joined the group. So far I have lost 10 pounds. I intend to start walking as soon as the weather get better, we have has so much snow and ice that it is impossible to walk in this weather. I started climbing my stairs in the basement, that will have to work for now... SSSHHHHH don't tell my son he would have a fit. I also am getting ready to retire in March. Can't wait!!!! Well at least cut down some. I will try and do better about keeping this blog updated. Soooo if anyone is out there you can check back and read about my progress.