New Dinner Ideas

I have a friend who blogs about new recipes she tries, and she is always so creative with her meals. I, on the other hand, struggle to come up with anything for dinner. We usually end up eating the SAME thing every week. Until now... when a friend had her baby, I decided to buy her some premade frozen meals at this place called "Dinner My Way". You go online, choose your meal items and serving size from their monthly menus, and then pick it up the next day! Everything you need for that dish is already made and frozen- ready for you to pull out of the freezer and cook! They don't even charge to put the meals together for you any more! Not only that, but they give a teacher's discount!

Well, when I bought my friend's meals, it was just too good to pass up- I had to try some! I ordered the honey pecan crusted chicken. Here's a picture of it- I added potatoes and veggie blend to the meal.

The verdict: It was SO good! It was like gormet food (on paper plates)! It was something different and tasty! I couldn't resisit, I had to try another item, so I got the butterscotch sweet potatoes. We ate them last night- oh they were to die for! So good! What I LOVE is that it's affordable and so easy! I've decided to do this for Easter dinner too! I just can't decide what to order. Should I go with the cilantro lime grilled chicken or honey hoision pork chops? Then there's the hearty taco soup and chicken enchiladas! So many to choose from.... Did I mention I LOVE food?

the laws of calories

Okay so I KNOW that 3500 calories = 1lb. and in order to gain 1 lb., you have to consume 3500 more calories than you consume. I also know that in order to lose 1 lb., you have to burn 3500 more calories than you consume. But some times, I DON'T believe it! It took me months to get 10 lbs off, and I had to work hard at it. But overnight, I've gained back 5 lbs.! Okay, so it wasn't over night, but within a few days! (if you don't count those two weeks that I was afraid to weigh myself because of the food I was eating.) It started as 2 lbs. and then another. Then I started telling my friends that I needed to be careful, and do you know what they told me? They said, "Oh big deal, three lbs.". And I started to believe them. And now, here I am 5 lbs. up and miserable! Why does it come on SO fast but come off SOOO SLOW? Don't you wish losing weight was as easy as putting it on? lol!

I finally got serious about it this week. I knew I was doing something wrong- like eating too many calories- because it wasn't coming off. I made a batch of cabbage and vegetable soup which consists of cabbage, celery, tomatoes, okra, carrots, and zucchini. My plan was to eat this everyday- if possible twice a day and watch the weight come off. So, I ate this everyday for lunch and a few times for dinner. I was SICK of it by the second day, but I kept eating. I also started keeping track of my calories again. After 5 days of suffering through that soup guess how much weight I lost??? NONE! can you believe it? I was so mad by Friday.

Speaking of Friday, my kids had a ice cream and dessert party. One student brought this amazing chocolate cake from a local restaurant. I cut a little piece for myself and ate it. Oh, it was so good! SO GOOD! Loved it! The other crazy thing about yesterday is that I was SO busy, I burned MORE calories yesterday just working than I do other days when I actually work out!

Got on the scales this morning and ..... I had lost 1/2 a lb! WOOHOOO! So, the lesson here is: Diet and eat chocolate cake- you'll lose weight too! lol!

Bigger Loser

Charley is our Biggest Loser! He went to the vet today and lost more weight! He final total is (drumroll please).... 70 lbs. in ONE YEAR! He is finally down to 98lbs! We are so proud of him! How did he do it? No weight loss surgery or diet pills for this dog! No, Charley did it the old fashioned way- cutting calories and exercising! He gave up the refried beans, fried chicken, and chocolate chip cookies. He started with a special diet dog food that has all the nutrients he needed without the excess fat, then he walked almost every day. At first, walking was hard for Charley! He would get tired walking across the yard, but it didn't take long for him to build up to a longer walk. Now, he has so much more energy and runs and gallops at the dog park!

We know that it wasn't easy for Charley, and we are so proud! He's come a LOOONNNNGGGG way from a year ago. I didn't know if he would ever do it. He is such a happier dog now! He is the BEST dog!

Michelle's first bridal shower

Michelle's mom, Michelle, and her future m.i.l- Kathy

Merissa, me, Michelle, and Stefanie

Last weekend, I went to South Carolina to visit Michelle and attend her bridal shower. It was wonderful. Her church loves her so much and showered her with so many gifts. The weekend was packed with lots of visiting and eating. Boy did we go to some wonderful eateries. Every thing I eat was delicious! I tried to stay healthy, but by the second day, I had given in and was eating hush puppies and french fries! I did only drink sweet tea once though! Man can those Southerners cook! I am already looking forward to going back this summer and eating more great food! It was nice to see Michelle in her new home and to know that she is going to be alright. I'm really proud of her- she's adjusting well and really getting involved. It makes it easier for me to be okay with her being there.

Spring has Sprung early

So I get back to school today after three days away, and I find 5, yes 5, suspension notices in my box all students from my 8th grade class! Can you believe it? One student is out for the rest of the year, one may be out for the rest of the year, two are suspended for 5 days, and one is out for 3 days! Let me say, it was a good day today! I don't wish any of my kids to be in trouble, but when they bring it on themselves, sometimes, it's a nice treat for me.

What did they do? One boy- well I can't say exactly, but let's just say it had to do with using a contraband item in my classroom. So, when I showed up this morning, I was in a great mood. And my class without the 5 worst behaved kids? Quiet and really nice! In fact, we are having a pizza party on Friday to reward them for their good behavior- something I've wanted to do all year for those good kids in the class. Maybe I should be absent more often?? It's going to be a great week!

What a weekend

I just got back from a fast trip to South Carolina to visit my friend Michelle. I had a wonderful time, but I am still SOO tired! We took a red eye flight there and had to get up really early yesterday morning to catch our flight home. I slept 11 hours last night and feel I could do it again! I will post more about my great trip and all the wonderful food I ate when I get some more sleep.

Chick-fil-a!!

It has arrived! WooHOO! Chick-fil-A has opened finally. We are so happy! There was a huge opening!

Busy week and Reality TV

This week is crazy. Even right now, I am SO tired I should probably be asleep! The county history day competition is Saturday. That means I've been working SO MUCH this week to get ready. There just aren't enough hours in the day this week! The two hours we practice afterschool everyday fly by, and it seems that we don't get enough accomplished. I remember this happening last year too, but I thought we had our act together more this year. I feel very stressed and overwhelmed. I am exhausted too! I was in spin class tonight, and in the middle of spin, I felt like taking a nap. I thought, "That probably isn't a good thing. I must be tired!" I will be SO glad when Saturday is OVER! I am going to sleep, and sleep, and grade papers!

Second topic: I happened to turn in The Bachelor right at the proposal on Monday night. Then I caught the "After the Rose" Show too. Now, I really don't have room to speak on this topic because I haven't watched all season, but I am going to comment anyway. I think this guy is a JERK! It's ONE thing to end things with this chick he proposed to, but it's another thing to dump her on national television and then tell another girl that you want to spend the rest of your life with her ON THE SAME NIGHT! That is wrong! He said that the chemistry was gone? PUHLEASE!! Chemistry doesn't last forever! He's obviously NOT ready to fight for a marriage!

Why God didn't intend us to find our "mate" on the Bachelor. Okay- laugh if you want. Here are my reasons- 1. this is a competition and these girls (consciously or not) are competing for this guy! They are going to be whomever the need to be to "win". Once they win, they may start to be themselves and I'm sure it is a different person than on the show. 2. When you are given two or more people to choose from, you would ALWAYS wonder "what if" about the other person. God doesn't intend for someone to date more than one person at a time for this reason.

I feel really bad for these girls who loose. They give themselves to this guy- completely and then get dumped the next day! How devastating! I can not imagine! Another reason why this is NOT God's plan! I think this guy is not a good guy! He's divorced to begin with- what kind of bachelor is that? Can't they do better than him? What a disappointment.