31 Day Challenge: Day Seven

Total weight loss: well...its the weekend and I don't have my work scale...but lat I checked... 5 pounds

Feeling super good on the pure protien. Added in some veggies yesterday, but I think for the next two weeks I will alternate two days of protien with one day of protien/veg. We will see how that works.

31 Day Challenge: Day Three

Total Weight Loss: 3.5 pounds

I'm hungry. Ok, that's a lie.

Oh how I hate these first few days when I seem to be constantly thinking about my next meal. And how good it will taste. And what I can eat after that. Etcetera.

31 Day Challenge: Day Two

Weight loss: 3 pounds

Today I shall employ a bit of fuzzy logic. Everyone "knows" that your first few pounds of weight loss is "water weight".

Okay...lets look at it this way.

1 pint of water=1.04375 lbs
Therefore, my 3 pounds of water weight is the equivalent of 5.7485 cups of water.

My mind works in mysterious (or just plain weird) ways.

31 Day Challenge: Day One

Total weight loss: 0 pounds (well, duh)

I have exactly one month before we head out to our vacation in Arizona. This is NOT why I am setting some personal goals for myself. But the timing is good, so I will take advantage of it.

I will be down at least 20 pounds (and at least one size) by then. Yes, I know that the initial weight loss is mostly "water weight". Whatever. That's my winter weight, and what makes me "puffy". And I am quite annoyed with myself.

This week is pure protien for 7 days. Lean meats, non-fat dairy, etc. And LOTS of water. I'll keep you posted.

A Fitting Project

I have mentioned before how artistic my mom and her siblings are. She made these little clay hearts years ago, and we pulled them out earlier this week as part of a test to see how her focus and creativity had come back. This was not our intended project, but I ended up putting these necklaces together. It seems like a fitting tribute to her recovery.

Movie Review: The King's Speech

I think it is no secret that, in my opinion, any movie where I can gaze upon Colin Firth starring Colin Firth is probably worth watching. The Kingi's Speech exceeded expectation.

Firth won the Oscar for Best Actor, and the movie won for Best Film, and for once, I agree with the Acadamy's decisions.

The story is set in pre-WWII England, and is based upon King George VI's struggle with a stutter. After his older brother abdicates the throne to marry a divorced commoner (and an American, no less), the new King must make a very public, nationally broadcast show of strength as the country heads into war. I thought it interesting that while he fully understands that his position is as a figurehead, and that he has no real power, he takes his responsibility seriously that he "speak(s) for the people". He knows that if he is unable to communicate strength and national pride it will be detrimental for the country.

A beautiful friendship develops between the King and his speech therapist. Even though the therapist refuses to bow, and calls him "Bertie", he does so not from a lack of respect, but rather the opposite. He respects the King as a man, and wants to aid him in success.

I definitely recommend this movie. Mom does as well.

Quote of the Day: Oscar Wilde

Be yourself.
Everyone else is already taken.
~Oscar Wilde

For My Love



Saguaro Cactus by Ansel Adams

For your sake, I hurry over land and water:
For your sake, I cross the desert and split the mountain in two,
And turn my face from all things,
Until the time I reach the place
Where I am alone with You

~unknown

In the Sonoran Desert

Welcome to Arizona. The US Border Patrol helicopter flew over while I was taking this picture. I don't think the smiley faces are standard.

 Things are prickly here. This tree looks so nice and fuzzy....

Until you look a little closer.  I know some people like that. But that's another blog post.

These big ones are Saguaro Cacti. They are pretty darned awesome. Please keep in mind I've only seen them in pictures before. This one was about 20 feet tall.

Thai Curry Chicken with Peanut Sauce

Here is the trick to this delicious dinner: I cheat.

Marinate (for the day) a couple of sliced chicken breasts in most of a can of coconut milk and liberally sprinkle with some good curry. Saute. Preferably in peanut oil.

For the peanut sauce, I use a bottle of House of Tsang's Bangkok Padang Peanut Sauce, heated and mixed with about 3/4 cup peanut butter and 1/2 cup coconut milk. This keeps a bit of the kick without knocking you on your tush.

Serve with rice noodles.

Tonight we added a romaine salad with mandarin oranges and apples, topped with mom's homemade poppyseed dressing. It was the perfect combination of spicy and sweet.

Couldn't be easier, or yummier!