Torture

What am I thinking???? I have been to Hell and back today! So I told you that I signed up for a Pilate's class. I loath Pilate's! I have no core. I can't even do the roll up. My abs exited my body during the 90's and I have not seen or used them since. Did you know that Pilate's exercises mostly use the ab muscle. WAA!! My class is 2 hours long. (it a Friday class that only meets once a week, so instead of being tortured once a week for an hour, I get 2 hours once a week!) I am pretty sure that I will die during this class. To make matters worse, I think that the other 15 people in the class are 19 years old and have taken Pilate's since they could walk. They should all be in Pilate's II or maybe even Pilate's XXIV. I am sure that they had a good laugh when leaving....did you see that old lady.......hahaha. My neck hurts so bad and I have a headache.

Enough whining already. I have never wanted to drop a class so bad, but guess what? I am going to stay in. My body needs this. I can't wait until December and the class is over though!

My bad....

Wow, I have been really bad about keeping this blog up and exercising. I vow.........today is going to be better. I have re-examined my goals and I am ready to jump back in. The kids are all now back in school ( hallelujah) and I have more free time during the day. I am really going to try and get some exercise in during nap time for the Little's. I have signed up to take a Pilate's class during this semester. Maybe if I am graded on exercise I will have the motivation that I need.

I think that I may have scared my dog Buddy after I got out of the shower! I have never seen him turn and run so fast.
Sorry that I have not posted in awhile. I was out of town for 10 days!

Back on the Wagon

So, this last week I totally fell off the diet wagon. For two reasons: I didn't get around to going to the grocery store this week (one thing about Paleo is that you are constantly having to replenish your groceries) and I just plain didn't feel like it. Thankfully, I only gained 1 pound back. So in my first goal of 22 pounds, I still need to lose 10 which I hope to do in the next 4-5 weeks. Plus, my exercise routine will consist of bike riding and walking with Clay this week at least 5 times. Also, I'm changing my weigh-in day to Mondays. That is all.

Roasted Red Pepper Dressing and Caramelized Pecans

Here are the recipes that I promised quite awhile ago. The batches are quite large-you made need to cut them in half. I serve them with mixed spring greens, grated carrots, diced tomatoes and julienne strips of red and green bell pepper.

Just a note: I learned in an allergen webinar this last week that roasting pecans makes them more toxic for those who are allergic to them...interesting.

Caramelized Pecans

Ingredients

1 lb. Pecans
6 oz. Butter
1/2 lb. Brown Sugar
1/8 tsp. Cayenne Pepper

Preparation

1. Preheat own to 350 degrees.
2. Put the Pecans in the oven for 6 minutes, or until fully roasted.
3. Place a skillet on the stove and melt the butter, add the brown sugar and cook until the sugar is dissolved. Be sure to stir constantly, emulsify the sugar and butter.
4. Add the cayenne pepper to the mixture, then add the Pecans. Coat them well, stirring.
5. Place the Pecans on a cookie sheet and let them cool down.

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Roasted Red Pepper Dressing

Ingredients

2 Cups Roasted Red Pepper Puree
1 Pinch Cayenne Pepper
1 Pinch Black Pepper
2 Cups Italian Dressing (I use the Kraft Fat Free)
1/4 tsp. Salt (To Taste)

Preparation

1. Spray peppers with cooking spray. Roast about 1.5 pounds of red bell peppers, either over the flame or by placing the peppers in the oven at 400 degrees. Bake peppers for about 10 minutes or until the skin looks brown in color, as soon as they come out of the oven put them in a plastic bag and let them rest for about half an hour. Peel the peppers, get rid of all the skin and seeds. Put the peppers in a blender to make the puree.
2. Mix all the ingredients in a bowl and combine together well. Store in the fridge- I've also had sucess freezing half of the dressing and thawing for later use.

Challenge of the Day

Well ladies, here's my challenge for you today. It seems like an easy thing, but you'll feel it the next day!
Take out your vacuum - hoses, attachments, etc., and go through your entire house. Vacuum the floors- corners and edges too. Clean the ceiling fans, vacuum out the vents. The bigger your house, the harder this will be. Don't forget to stretch first...oh and drink lots of water.

You'll be surprised at what a workout this really is...and your house will be clean too! Two birds with one stone!

Three Day Weekends

OK- So this is totally how I feel lately. I do really great all weekend, eating healthy, no pop, being a little active and BOOM! Monday I go back to work and it all goes down the drain!

I'm so tired that I can't keep my eyes open...So what do I do??? Drink a Diet Coke! I got up late so I didn't have time to make a salad for lunch-what's easy to grab??? Leftover pizza of course! Yuck! Can I tell you I feel just awful?

Any ideas out there for how I can eat healthier at work? I'm thinking something easy and quick!!

No New Posts?

Why did everyone stop posting?!

So I got to go on my first bike ride pulling Clayton behind me last night. I went a mile and a half (on flat terrain) and I thought I was going. to. die. My plan is to do it every other night, so hopefully it will get easier each time! On the nights in between I'm going to do my favorite Ab Workout video. So, that's the plan! My diet has been totally off this week so far... I need to get to the store to buy more fresh fruits and veggies. I hope I lose a pound or two by Wednesday morning!

Corynn