Its hard to believe another new year has begun. I often wonder where time has gone.. how has life zoomed by without me noticing. I realize I have let the last several years zoom by and instead of losing weight and getting healthy, I sit here needing to lose more weight than I did before. This year is going to be different. 2013 is going to be the year when I really get down to it, stop making excuses and lose this weight. Not only for the sake of being a smaller size but to be healthy. Thats why I joined the challenge over at the Shrinking Jeans. Like many others that I have joined before I have been gung-ho in the beginning and then fizzled out and allowed myself to go back to how things were before. This time I was paired up with Elaine and Diane, we call ourselves the Booty Busters, thats what I plan to do. Bust my booty this year! We all are very motivated to do well with this challenge and be successful. I know that we can help each other to stay motivated and rock this challenge! Let's go girls!!!

July 13, 2012...not just another day

July 13, 2012..... to some is just an ordinary day. To others Friday the 13th is a day where everything than can go wrong will. Maybe because I'm not superstitious, or maybe because its my birthday... to me July 13, 2012 is about a new beginning.  This day will begin my 37th year... and that means three more years until I hit that "Over the Hill" mumbo jumbo age.

The past year, for many different reasons, the reality of life has hit me smack dab in the face as hard as it can. The fact that 37 years has gone by in what seems like a blink of an eye. The fact that life is too short to be anything but happy and healthy. The fact that we take for granted how fast life passes us by when we are in the moment. Its not until later do we realize, I wish I had done this or that. I don't want to look back later and be at the same place I am now. Overweight, borderline diabetic and unhappy because of my weight.

This Friday, I am starting a new chapter... turning over a new leaf. One to get healthy, stay healthy and be happy no matter what. I usually treat myself each year with something I want for my birthday. This year? I joined the local Anytime Fitness 24 hour gym. No more excuses! I will make this year count. I will do all that is within my power to reach my weight loss goal, or to at least get to a healthy weight and love every minute of getting there!

Recipe: Strawberry Cheesecake Pie

Strawberry Cheesecake Pie

2/3 Cup evaporated fat free milk

1 pkg (8 oz) fat free cream cheese, softened

1 large egg

½ Cup granulated sugar (I used Splenda)

2 Tbsp all purpose flour

1 tsp grated lemon peel (lemon zest)

1 prepared 9 inch graham cracker crust

1 ½ to 2 cups halved fresh strawberries

3 Tbsp strawberry jelly, warmed

Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Place evaporated milk, cream cheese, egg, sugar, flour and lemon peel in blender; cover. Blend until smooth. Pour into crust.

Bake for 35-40 minutes or until center is set. Cool completely in pan on wire rack. Arrange strawberries on top of pie; drizzle with jelly. Refrigerate for two hours before serving.

Recipe: Chicken Vegetable Casserole

Chicken Vegetable Casserole

                                                                Serves 4

                                                          8 Pts+ Per Serving 

 4 skinless boneless chicken breast 

1 Tbsp margarine

16 oz package of California Blend (broccoli, cauliflower & carrots) 

½ tsp garlic powder

1 can cream of mushroom soup 

¼ cup milk 

1 Tbsp lemon juice

 Cut chicken into strips. Melt margarine in skillet. Place chicken in skillet and cook until browned, turning once (about 10 minutes). Remove chicken from skillet.

 Combine remaining ingredients in skillet and bring to a boil. Return chicken to skillet; cover and simmer for 10 minutes or until vegetables and chicken are done.     1 cup= 1 serving

Spring In 2 Action

I am super excited about the new challenge over at shrinking jeans. I so badly need this challenge! I haven't been very successful in my weight loss journey, I do well for a while and then let something get me off course to never find my way back. This time, I'm pulling out all the stops. I will do well on this challenge and I will finish this challenge no matter what! I will be getting my eating under control and I will be exercising five times a week. The end. No excuses... period. I have been battling with trying to decide with going on a "diet" or to just do my best make healthy eating choices. The 17 Day Diet, that I was doing at the beginning of the last challenge, worked well as long as I could keep up with it. After the first 17 days, I was ready to stab someone for a carb... any carb. Hence the reason I stopped doing the diet and that ended with me not finishing that challenge. I know the diet works. Do I give it another try? I know the first 17 days my exercise will be limited.. the book advises to only do 17 minutes of light exercise a day while on the first phase of the diet because of the lack of carbs your body is getting. Decisions, decision. I am giving myself until tomorrow to figure this out.

Beef and Broccoli Stir-Fry

Beef and Broccoli Stiry-Fry

Serves 4

5 Points+

2 ½ Tbsp cornstarch, divided

¼ tsp table salt

¾ pound uncooked lean trimmed sirloin beef, thinly sliced against the grain

2 tsp canola oil

1 cup reduced sodium chicken broth, divided

5 cups uncooked broccoli florets (about a 12 oz bag)

1 Tbsp ginger root, fresh, minced

2 tsp minced garlic

¼ tsp red pepper flakes, or to taste

¼ cup low sodium soy sauce

½ cup water

On a plate, combine 2 tablespoons cornstarch and salt; add beef and toss to coat.

Heat oil in a large nonstick wok or large deep skillet over medium-high heat. Add beef and stir-fry until lightly browned and cooked through, about 4 minutes; transfer to a bowl with a slotted spoon.

Add ½ cup broth to same pan; stir to loosen any bits of food on bottom of pan. Add broccoli; cover and cook, tossing occasionally and sprinkling with a tablespoon of water if needed, until broccoli is almost crisp-tender, about 3 minutes. Uncover pan and add ginger, garlic and red pepper flakes; stiry-fry until fragrant, about 1 minute.

In a cup, stir together soy sauce, remaining ½ cup broth, remaining ½ tablespoon cornstarch and water until blended; stir into pan. Reduce heat to medium-low and bring to a simmer, simmer until slightly thickened, about 1 minute.

Return beef and accumulated juices to pan; toss to coat. Serve. Yields 1 ¼ cups per serving.

Ravioli Casserole

Ravioli Casserole

Serves 6

Points+ Per Serving: 9

16 ounces lean ground beef

¾ cup chopped onion

15 oz can tomato sauce

14 ½ oz can stewed tomatoes undrained

Large can of diced tomatoes

1 ½ tsp Italian seasoning

3 cups rotini pasta

¼ cup shredded parmesan cheese

½ cup reduced fat mozzarella cheese

In a large skillet sprayed with cooking spray, brown meat and onion. Spray a slow cooker container with cooking spray and combine tomato sauce, tomatoes, Italian seasoning and brown hamburger. Stir in uncooked pasta. Cover and cook on low for 4 hours. Add cheeses, mix well, cover and continue cooking for 20 to 30 minutes or until cheese melts. Mix well before serving

Serving size is 1 1/3 cup