Rainy Days and Mondays ~ Dr. Oz

Well let me start by saying that I am very happy this morning.  I had set a goal to lose weight over the Thanksgiving holiday...and I did!  Not much...but that wasn't the point.  I wanted to prove to myself that I could do it!  Yay me!  


I have started re-reading "You:  On a Diet" by Michael Rozien, M.D. and Mehmet Oz, M.D.  Do yourself a favor - if you've never read the book, pick up a copy and read it.  It's full of information about how your body works - written in layman's terms.  It's getting down to basics.  One of my favorite quotes from the book: "...think of your body as an orchestra.  All of its systems, organs, muscles, cells, fluids, hormones, and chemicals play different instruments, make different sounds, and produce different results depending on how you use them.  They work independently, but only when they're played together can you appreciate the magnificent symphony of your own biology.  As the conductor of your biological orchestra, you control how the instruments interact and what the final result will be."  I am the master of my destiny.  Amen.


It's still all about baby steps.  I encourage anyone else out there who is working towards a healthier lifestyle to join me in celebrating the small victories along the way.

i am so very grateful....

There are so many blessings in my life, I'm a very lucky gal.  


I am grateful for my Faith.  It has been tested a few times this past year...but He has shown me time and time again to trust in Him.


I am grateful for my husband who loves me unconditionally.  We have our ups and downs - but together we manage to work out our differences.


I am grateful for my mom. She is not just my mom, she's my best friend.  She is and always has been the one person I can count on no matter what.  Plain and simple I love her to the moon and back.  I can't imagine a world without her in it.


I am grateful for my grandma.  How many 43 year olds still have a grama?  Yep, I do.  She's led quite a life and is a very strong woman.  Nothing makes me feel better than doing something for her.


I am grateful for the roof over my head.  I know that there are people less fortunate that don't have a place to call home.  


I am grateful for my job.  It can be a very stressful job at times, but I'm happy to have a job.  I know from experience how quickly a job can be taken from you.  I'm fortunate that I'm appreciated and have job stability.


I am grateful for music.  It's hands down my passion and what moves my soul.  


I am grateful for my friends.  I mean that from the bottom of my heart.  Ever since I can remember, I've always tried to be the best friend possible. I take my friendships very seriously.  Through the years I've had the honor and privilege to be friends with some pretty fantastic people.  Each has given me something more than what I had before just by knowing them.  I am so very fortunate to have the circle of friends that I do now. I'm grateful for the friends I've known for years as well as the friends that I've met recently.  I love each and every one of you.


Of course this is just the short list of the things I'm grateful for.  I will continue to count my blessings each and every day.  Happy Thanksgiving everyone!

Rainy Days and Mondays (once again, a day late)

ha! I think I should have just picked Tuesdays for this feature!  A couple random thoughts re: the whole "healthier me" thang.  


*our gym just installed tv monitors on all of the treadmills and elliptical machines.  what a difference that makes!  i watched NCIS last night while on the treadmill and the time went by just like that!
*water and i are becoming better friends.
*even with the best intentions --- it's hard work to eat healthy.  there is a lot of extra planning involved for something as simple as snacks.
*I feel better-those core muscles are getting stronger.
*I have to remember not to compare myself and my progress to others....I just have to be the best that I can be.


That's all I've got for this week.  I will keep on keepin' on until I get to a place that is just right for me :)  


If anyone has suggestions for healthy snacks (besides raw veggies) please do share.  Always looking for stuff to take with me to work!

Sunday Dinner ~ the ultimate burger!

This post is dedicated to the burger.  Casey and I are always in search of a good burger. We found one Thursday night.  My friend Tony owns Bodway's Live Music Grill downtown Waukesha.  We stopped in to see local singer/songwriter (and a very dear friend) Keith Pulvermacher.  


The bar opened at the beginning of October and just recently added a full menu.  When we walked in Thursday Keith informed us that we HAD to get a burger. I told him we had just eaten dinner. He told us he didn't care, we had to get a burger. He assured us they were THAT good.  We caved to peer pressure in light of how excited he was about it.


I had a bruschetta burger.  Half pound angus beef topped with fresh mozzarella, basil and diced tomatoes. Served with balsamic vinagrette.  Mmmmmmmm!  The burger was served with delicious homemade chips that were seasoned with salt, cracked pepper and parmesan cheese.  It was truly out of this world. Casey had a blackened burger that was equally delicious.  All of the burgers are made to order. I highly recommend if you are in the vicinity of downtown Waukesha you stop in and try one for yourself.  Tell Tony I sent you!


Check out Bodway's site.  He should have the full menu posted soon.


In addition to the tasty food ~ Bodway's features live music Thursday through Saturday.  This is your chance to see some of the most talented singer/songwriters in the area.    

Your "go to" place for all things Lake Country!

One of the reasons I started this blog was because I am by nature a "promoter" for all of the wonderful projects my friends are involved in.  This is a nice place to showcase them!

Today I want to give a shout out to my friend Laura Kiley.  Laura has recently launched her website localstopp.com.  This website was designed to be a resource for all things Lake Country.  Whether you are looking for a restaurant, live music, or shopping it's all right there on the website.  She did a wonderful job on the site~ stop by and take a peek.

For those of you reading this who are musicians/promoters, please make sure to visit the site and get your gigs in Lake Country listed for free.

If you are a business owner and would like to advertise on the site, her rates are very reasonable.  Contact information for Laura is on the site. 

Bookmark the site for easy reference.  The best compliment you can give Laura is to tell a friend about the site...so feel free to share the information!  

Congrats Laura....I love this new project!  You know I'm your number one cheerleader!

"Almost Famous" Fridays ~ The Prince Experience

Keeping the post short today.  I have to say that I am VERY excited about tonight.  My friend Droopy (yes, he really goes by "Droopy") is in this really cool group called The Prince Experience.  They do all of the songs from "Purple Rain".  Rumor has it it's a little "sassy" too.  Can't wait!  Check them out ~ Gabriel Sanchez presents the Prince Experience.

It's going to be a great weekend!!!!!!  Wish I could take pics at the casino and post them here....that's a big no no!

Rainy Days and Mondays (A day late)~Week 2

Here are my thoughts after week one:

• Drinking lots of water is really an effort for me and I don't know why.  Still working on it.
  
• Journaling/counting calories helps keep it all in perspective. So does measuring portions.  Buy a kitchen scale.  Excellent investment.
• Oranges are not in season.  In my attempt to eat more fruit I had a very, very nasty tasting orange the other day.
• Even though I couldn't make it to the gym last week (because of my cold), I am giving myself a pat on the back for riding my exercise bike at home. 
• The elliptical machine is evil.

It was a good week.  This week will be even better!

By Special Request~Pumpkin Cookie Recipe

My friend Wendy asked that I post this recipe.  Super easy cookies - perfect for this time of year...enjoy!


Pumpkin Cookies
1 cup butter
3 cups sugar
2 eggs
2 Tbsp. vanilla
1 (15 oz.) can pumpkin filling


5 cups flour
2 tsp. baking powder
2 tsp. baking soda
1 tsp. salt
2 tsp. cinnamon
2 tsp. nutmeg (yes, we grate our own nutmeg....makes a HUGE difference)

1. Mix first 5 ingredients in mixer
2. Combine dry ingredients in a separate bowl
3. Mix wet and dry ingredients in mixer
4. Drop by rounded spoonfuls on ungreased cookie sheet (I put on parchment paper)
5. Bake at 350 degrees for 15 minutes
6. Cool on rack and frost when cool

Frosting
In mixer blend until smooth:
8 oz. cream cheese, softened
2 Tbsp. milk
1 stick softened butter
2 Tbsp. vanilla
5 cups powdered sugar


*Makes about 4 dozen cookies*

Sunday Dinner~Basil Chive Red Potatoes

I LOVE potatoes.  Seriously, I could probably eat them three times a day and not get sick of them.  Of course I'm talking about homemade potato recipes, not something out of a box. Mashed potatoes, scalloped potatoes, american fries...whatever. I heart the potato.  

My Mom always kids around with me that Casey and I make "fancy" food.  I'm here to tell you putting a little twist on something as basic as mashed potatoes can wow your family and friends.  

Here is one of my favorite mashed potato recipes - and it's one of the easiest.  Give it a try and let me know what you think. This is a recipe I saw on the Food Network years ago.....super simple. If you have a great potato recipe, please share!

Basil Chive Red Potatoes

You will need:

2 pounds red-skinned new potatoes (leave the skin on)

kosher salt and fresh ground pepper

1/2 cup heavy cream

1 stick of butter

3 tablespoons (fresh) chopped chives

2 1/2 tablespoons (fresh) chopped basil

Cut the potatoes in half and place them in a medium saucepan. Add enough cold water to cover them by a couple inches. Toss in a pinch of salt. Bring to a boil and cook until the potatoes are tender when poked with a knife (about 25 minutes).

Drain the potatoes and return to pan.  Add cream and butter and let the whole pot sit on very low heat until warmed through.

Add the chives and basil to the potatoes and mash coarsely. Add salt and pepper to taste.

Serves 4. 

"Almost Famous" Fridays~Amileigha Blue

First, the title...."Almost Famous" is hands down my favorite movie.  A movie about rock stars trying to make it big.  I figured it would be the perfect title for my Friday posts.  So far everyone who is reading this knows me ---but perhaps a little background should be established in case I meet a few new friends through this site.

My absolute passion is music.  I have always loved going out to see live music whether it was a major concert or a live local band.  As a result of this love of mine, I have met some very interesting people.  Some of my best friends are musicians. Let's put it this way-if I had a "do-over", rock star would be what I would want to be when I grow up.  

I am blessed to be surrounded by some extremely talented people.  I try to support them any way that I can.  I am proud of each and every one of them.  I thought this blog would be a nice platform to introduce a few of them to you.  

**Author's note** Each and every one of my friends is beautiful and talented in my eyes.  This is just a place to showcase some local (Milwaukee for those of you joining us from other parts of the country) musical talent.  

For my first entry, meet Amileigha Blue....

"REBEL GRACE"

Amileigha started singing and writing songs at a very young age in her hometown of Hughesville, Missouri.  For Amileigha music has always been a huge part of life but it wasn't until 2005 when she moved to WI that things really got rolling for her.  Since moving to Wisconsin,  Amileigha has had the privilege to work with some of Milwaukee's most talented musicians by opening for Chasin' Mason, singing in an acoustic duo with Mike Bustin, writing with Keith Pulvermacher and now as a singer in the much anticipated country band Rebel Grace.  

Often compared to country singers such as Miranda Lambert and Carrie Underwood her voice speaks for itself and the energy she brings to the stage is sure to please any music lover.   

What I love most about Amileigha's songwriting is she paints a picture of her life experiences as well as those people around her.  Two of her singles are available online, check them out  at: Amileigha Blue Music

You can find information about the band (including gig dates) by visiting them at Rebel Grace.

A little side note, Amileigha has another love besides music.....derby! Yep, she is a roller girl.  Check out the Brew City Bruisers and see if you can figure out what team she is on!

Amileigha is a shining star in my life.  Someday you will see her name in lights ~ I'm callin' it!

so i'm a "butterfly"...

One of my co-workers found an article in a magazine that she shared with me today.  Good stuff.  The title is "Celtic secret that reveals your inner self" (I know, right?).  According to this article ancient Druids believed that each of us has a special connection with one animal determined by our birth date and the moon we were born under (keeps getting better doesn't it?).  

For those of you who share a birthday with me that falls between September 30 and October 27~ our guardian animal is a butterfly.  Here's the description:

"Cheerful and magnetic, this sign is the most social of the Celtic zodiac-no wonder they call you a social butterfly!  The Celts saw the butterfly as representing transformation and rebirth.  People come to you when they're down because they know your sunny disposition will have them smiling in no time.  Gentle, empathetic and full of life, your social calendar is always packed!"

Ha!  Doesn't sound like me at all :)

*Note I would have cited the magazine and the author but the copy she gave me doesn't show it.

Rainy Days and Mondays~Day 1

Mondays have always been my day for starting over.  Starting over with a diet.  I think I've been on a perpetual diet on and off for most of my adult life.  Heck, I'm quite certain that if there was an award for the most "day 1's", I would be the winner.  Not exactly sure that is something to be proud of or not.

I won't get into the nitty gritty details, but the bottom line is I'm once again starting over.  It's Monday and it's the beginning of the month.....seems like the perfect day to start over.  I get so frustrated with myself.  I know what needs to be done, I just fail to put myself first to get it done!

I have learned a lot through the years about how to be healthier, I just need to apply it.  Mondays will be a day to share stories of my journey to a healthier lifestyle.

It's all about balance.  It's not about starving yourself, it's about making better choices.  It's about making time to exercise---putting yourself first.  It's about realizing that change comes from within.  Most importantly it is the realization that making the changes have to be for YOU....not for anyone else.

I don't want to make this a check in point where I have to disclose how much weight I've lost each week.  I want it to be more about discoveries along the way.

This week I've given myself 2 very easy and attainable goals.  The first is to drink more water.  This one seems like a no-brainer----but I find it is very easy to get caught up in the convenience of grabbing a soda.  Water!Water!Water! The other goal is to keep up with my food journal.  Many years when I belonged to WW that was the best piece of advice I received.  It's an easy and effective way to count calories, keep track of exercise, etc.  Simple stuff right?  Well, we shall see!