My 35th Year

I am excited to get my life going the right way again. Since I have started working things have been insane. I will be working so many hours over the next month that I don't know how I will survive, but I am going to do it and then smile when the paychecks come in. It is crazy to think that I am now 35. Life flies by. My girls are all doing so well in school and I am so proud of them. I love being a mom and can't wait for January when I can start really having fun again.

Long Days and Nights in Paradise

Well, the good news is I am down an additional two pounds which is absolutely amazing. Only 1 pound from my next landmark so I am extremely excited about that.

Bad news, I have absolutely no idea what happened to my dog. Rocky is really good at finding escape routes from our fence line and well once again he has escaped only this time he hasn't returned home and it has been three hours. I don't know how I feel about this. I am tired of the extra work that comes with three small children and a dog but like the girls I am really attached to the little guy. I just don't know what to do about it this time. To say the least he has lost all of his running free access in our yard. This is a shame because it is such a nice backyard for the little guy to play in.

I am exhausted to the point that I just want to curl up in my bed and sleep the rest of the day. Unfortunately, last night I was out driving around searching for Rocky at 2 am and then I got up at 8 to go to the gym and have been searching for the pup since. I have to work tonight and tomorrow night and then my normal schedule begins. This will be much nicer since it will be M, W, F, & S nights so I will pretty much have a night between each.

I am proud of myself though, because even with my insane schedule over the last two weeks I have still managed to eat right and workout almost every single day. I have lost more weight and am still well on my way to reaching my ultimate goals. I am just shy of being half way to my goal. Hip hip hooray.

Well, I need to go finish getting things ready for the zoo since I will be going straight to work from there. Have a great night.

Tuesdays in August

Ok, so nothing special happens on Tuesdays in August but I couldn't think of a title for the day. Today is a normal crazy day in the Halvorsen household. I got home from work and decided that I would try and go straight to sleep, but well, the crickets drove me nuts and kept me up. I think I fall asleep faster on the couch watching tv. I got up and got Aspen out the door on time which is an accomplishment on five hours of sleep for somebody that needs eight.

Emma is quick it is now 10:30 and Emma just came in worried because she can't find Aspen. She was concerned because she wasn't in any of the beds. Imagine that she was asleep when I left to take Aspen to school. It will be interesting to get her out to school. Eek.

Well, anyway I dropped Aspen off at school and she was like, "Mom, I go meet my friends in line to go in." Ok, don't you want me to watch and make sure you make it.... Boy, she is growing up. This is her first full day so it will be interesting to see how she likes being in school all day. It will be interesting to see how mommy likes having her in school all day.

Well, after adding a couple of pounds over the weekend I am again at a low and it feels so great. I am feeling better than ever and really enjoy how much better you feel when you take care of yourself. I am so much happier and more self confident which makes a world of difference. I really am liking the changes in me physically and mentally. I feel like the old me is here to stay at last. Watch out Boyd.

Well, I have a million things to catch up on since I have slacked off with my working schedule. Laundry is coming out of every corner of the house. Ok, so not exactly the truth but I have a lot of it to do. Have a great day.

I hit my first 30 lbs today so I figured it was time for a Hip hip hooray.

It is so crazy. I had really started to slack off again and things went downhill quickly. I gained all of my weight back and I mean all of it to the same high I was a year ago and said I would never hit again. I really didn't like myself at all and crawled back into my shell of none existence. I stopped calling friends again, I became the unhappy mom, my girls really suffered from this down fall but then Boyd made the stupidest comment and it totally hit home. I think I have always felt like I fail at everything because I never finish things. (Ok, so this is not entirely true but we only see the worst in ourselves.) I know I have set myself up for failure every single time I have tried to get rid of these dreaded pounds since I got married. I am not ready to share all the facts, once I hit my goal it will be a huge accomplishment but until then let's just say I had put on way too much weight. I refused to put on a size 20 though I really had to stuff myself into a size 18 pant. This was not something I would have ever thought possible as a thin teen. I really had it easy then but I think that that was a curse because I never had to learn how to eat healthy and take care of myself physically. I ate what I wanted and didn't gain a pound. Then PCOS hit me with a bang and I gained 50 pounds right after I got married and the weight continued to creep on.

Anyway back to my excitement of what I have accomplished. In the last month I have worked my fanny off and lost 30 pounds and have dropped to a pants size 12 or 14 depending on the brand but the 12's are becoming more of a regular thing. And all of this because Boyd told me that I have finished a lot of books. I know, I know not much of a statement but you have to realize that I was at an all time low and not really thinking clearly. The very next day I started taking TAIslim again, started doing the South Beach diet since this is what my OB said was the way I should eat for the rest of my life with PCOS, and started working out every day. I can now run 3 miles and have shaved 5 minutes off of my mile. I started at 15 minute miles but this is after being in such bad shape that I hadn't been able to make a half mile run without walking in between.

I think the best part of this whole experience is that I know that I am well on the way to finishing the race. (as well as being a good mom once again.) I now allow myself bad days, even bad weeks, but I get right back on and go strong. I have also realized that sugar makes me really sick so although I do allow days of indulgence I pay the price the next so it is becoming much easier to just not have things I shouldn't. I have begun doing research on line for new recipes and like always enjoy trying new things. You learn to get very creative. My new favorite breakfast is scrambled eggs with cottage cheese mixed in. I know it sounds gross but it is really satisfying.

Now, I don't have to ask if "these jeans make my butt look fat?" because well, they are really starting to make it look cute. And just you wait until the end. It is funny how weight works. Last year when I lost 40 pounds I felt great, was 10 pounds less than now, but I couldn't fit into the two pair of goal pants that I had hanging in my closet as a constant reminder.... I can now wear both pair, I wore one a pair of board shorts to the pool today and the other a really cute pair of capris that Cindy gave me a few days ago to work. What a sense of accomplishment. I guess I need to go get another pair to keep working toward. This time I will get my ultimate goal size an 8 and keep those in site.

Have an amazing evening, I am going to go enjoy some time with the fam since I don't have to work tonight and Boyd should be walking in the door any second.

Happy Days are on the Way

It is amazing how things change. I have been so stressed out with finances and everything else in the last few months and now all of a sudden things are looking up. Boyd is finally getting a raise that is fair and I am working so we will finally be able to get our priceless but very expensive daughter paid off. Heck, isn't it normal to still be paying for your seven year old? I started working on Saturday and though it is a change and will be tough at times it is a great change. I have been feeling like I am not contributing to the family. Ok, bad words for a mom that works 24/7, but sometimes you just feel so complacent and like things are just on a stand still. I am so grateful that I have been able to stay home with the girls for the last seven years and wouldn't change a thing but I think it will be a sense of pride to be able to say that I am doing something to help out with the finances and with my own growth. I will be working four days a week at night and it is fortunate that Boyd works for such a small dealership because I will be able to drop the girls off for an hour twice a week and he is off one of the times so Saturdays are the only day that he will not be with them. I was asking Aspen if she is glad that I work at nights and she said yes because she likes having that special time with her daddy. It will be interesting though over the next week and a half because Aspen will be starting school on Monday and Boyd will be the one getting the girls ready for the nighttime routine. Aspen and Emma will go to opening ceremonies Monday and then the kindergartners will be testing at some point next week. Emma will then start school on the 31st. I also was fortunate enough to finally find a preschool for Dylan she will be going to school three days a week. What am I going to do when all three of my girls are in school. It is so crazy to see how much things have changed. I have been home almost all day with three girls with minor breaks (am kindergarten and two days of preschool) to Aspen in school all day, Emma in am k, and Dylan in three days of preschool.

I guess there are absolutely no excuses for not getting my workouts in. I actually have only had three days off in the last four weeks and most of those have included some form of activity. Man, my lifestyle has really taken a change since moving to Bountiful. I finally have realized that the headaches I have suffered from for the last oh.... let's not say years and age myself.... since I was five are brought on by sugar. WHO'd HAVE THUNK? My dad, he told me to limit them several times over the years. I don't have the sever headaches when I don't have sugar and when I take a break and do I pay the price for the next few days. I have learned to make some pretty interesting food options. I have found a pretty good recipe for egg buns. Ok, so it taste nothing like real bread but when you don't get a headache from them it is worth it. I made the best burger with onions and mushrooms on one the other day and as long as you haven't had bread for several days it is heavenly.

Well, I have been really taking care of myself and am gradually getting to my weight goals. I am hoping to reach it by my 35th (there it is:)) birthday so I have about three months to reach it. I want to have this year be the start of the best years of my life...

I had better go I have a lot to get done and have to get to the gym before too late. Boyd will be walking in the door any minute and if we want to do a family activity before I leave for work at 5 then I had better get on the ball.

Have an amazing day.

Wow It's Been A While

Well, I finally have internet for the first time in two months and it is great. A lot has happened since then. We moved to Bountiful, I got a job, and am now working hard again on getting into top shape. I have lost 25 lbs and am on my way to my goal. I hope to make it by my 35th birthday. I want to be older and wiser and in the best shape of my life. Things are turning around for the better in the Halvorsen household. I have lots to do but wanted to say hi once again as I am starting to get things up and running again.

TGIFriday... I am so ready

Well, things just keep getting crazier and crazier in the Halvorsen household. I am waiting for details on when we are going to move but in the meantime I am working on getting things going with Pampered Chef, my workout sessions, and life in general. I feel so much better about myself these days and am so ready to move on to bigger and better things.

Aspen will be finished with Kindergarten next week and I am so ready for it to be over with. She is suffering from Summer Fever and just doesn't want to cooperate in the mornings. Granted I don't blame her. I am just ready to have a bit of a break from getting her to school. It is just not worth the struggle anymore. We will miss her school next year though. Bluff Ridge has been amazing and I have loved Mrs. Henderson. I, however, cannot wait to move into our new house, get organized at last, and just move on to our new life. I am really liking the positive changes I am making but just want to be settled in not in the state of utter caous that I feel like I am living in with moving boxes surrounding me and the endless stacks of stuff.... My goodness where did it all come from.

I better go get my workout in before more boxes come my way so that I can get more packed. Eek. Will the stuff ever disappear. Have an amazing weekend.

Happy Wednesday

Good Morning. I decided that I would take the time to get on and type a message today since it has been much too long. With move approaching me at the speed of light and everything else involved with being a mom I just haven't had the me time I would like to do things like this. Plus, I have started selling Pampered Chef again because well, I love the stuff and it was a great outlet for me. My adorable lil' Sis Heidi is hosting a party for me tomorrow and I am sooo excited. It is going to be so much fun. We are doing a Power Cooking party which allows the hose to have two freezer meals at the end of the night and possibly three depending on if there are leftovers after the guests leave. It is going to be a blast and I can't wait to get together with her and enjoy a day of catching up.

I have been working out hard again and have lost 4 1/2 pounds this week. It feels great and I am determined to not slack off again. I need to put my needs at the top of the priority list again. Here we are finishing up the school year and everything else so it is a great time to make the changes I need to make.

A Beautiful Day for Walking

Today I met my awesome friend Donna at the Legacy Parkway Trail and we walked 4 miles without kids. This was a lot of fun and a great break. I have been so extremely busy getting ready for my move that I just forget to get on here and don't have time for enjoying things like this very often these days.

Donna has started using TAIslim and loves how it makes her feel. It is crazy how much better something so simple can make you feel. She looks awesome already but all of us see the flaws in ourselves so if she can make the positive changes that make her feel the way she wants then what more can you ask for.

Well, I had better get back to work. I can't wait to be in my new house and have my life back. Hope everyone is well.

Hello Again... One day I will be back for real

Life in the Halvorsen home has been insane. Our move has changed which gives me more time to get ready but it is sad to think that I still have to wait another 8 weeks. I just can't wait to get into my new pretty house up on the mountain side. I might just have to sing "The Hills are Alive...."

I have been working on getting ready for a yard sale and today was the big day.... the big day for rain that is. I got up at 3, got everything ready to go on my lawn and driveway and just as I thought I was ontop of it.... the rains came tumbling down in full force. It didn't end so at 8:30 shivering as I was I decided to pack it up and postpone until next weekend.

Now I look outside and it has finally stopped raining but you know what it is just not worth the trouble, besides the serious shoppers would be done by now anyway.

I think that my cute little Dylan is finally healthy again. Man, it has been a tough month. She just couldn't get over the crummy stuff that had attacked her at full force. She has put her weight back on and is starting to be her little independent self again.

I ran a couple of times this week, but really need to get on the ball if I am going to do the race in August. I need to make the time for myself but with Boyd working so many hours it is hard to get that time in there. I guess if I wanted to go running at 9:30 at night it would work out just fine but after a full day of dealing with my great little troublemakers I just don't always want to leave the house that late at night.

I am trying to think of what recipe to offer tonight..... hmmm. I got it let me see if I can find it and if so you are in for a pleasant taste of the South.

Darn, I will have to look some more and if I can get back on here today I will add it. It is a favorite of mine. It makes my lips water just thinking about it.... No, I will not give away the secret.

Gotta run, literally, I am going to go get my workout in now before I get too tired after my lack of sleep from last night. Have a great one and I will come back to you soon. Hopefully tomorrow but no later than Monday. I will do my best to find my recipe for Yum Yum Ribs (ok, so I can't remember the real name, but as long as you use ribs without much fat, these are not very high in calories.)

Adios, Amigos and Amigas.....

I Really Am Back

Everytime I think my adorable little Dylan is better something else happens. She ended up with a horrible cough and then hives covering her little body. She has not been healthy one day in the last month and it has been tough on my sanity and ability to do what I want, but she is my baby and she definitely comes before other things.

I lost 1 1/2 pounds since yesterday and am feeling great again. I really do love how much better I feel when I drink TAIslim and will not forget this matter again. Like Boyd says it only takes a couple of minutes but when your mind is focused on sick kids you don't think straight.

My mom has lost another 3 1/2 pounds and my bff Haylee is looking amazing. She is a rockstar. She is my inspiration. She looks better than well... I have ever seen her. WOW, Hay, you are amazing.

Today is a rainy cold day, and I am going to figure out a fun exercise routine to make the house a little more lively. I am also going to go to my parents to get my running in. I have been slacking with that but I do truely want to run the half marathon with Haylee so I need to get my bum in gear.

Yesterday I rollerbladed for the first time in .... lets not say since it will really age me ;) I still don't know how to stop (I grew up in the rollerskating era where the stoppers are on the toes not on the back of one foot) so I would try and hit a grassy spot whenever I came to a hill. Let's just say my accomplishment of the day was that I did not fall. It actually was a lot of fun so next time I am going to go to a flat track that I can just go around in circles. It is a great workout and it goes a lot faster than walking as far as distance goes and I would imagine it burns about the same number of calories.

Well, I am off to wash laundry, get a workout in, and start getting ready for the move. Hope everyone has a great day.... Keep smiling it makes people wonder.

Sunny Sunday

Good Morning. It is such an amazing day and I am so excited to get a start on the new week. It has been so crazy here and I know I need to get on here more often, but I just don't seem to have enough time in the day these days.

For those of you that don't know we are moving next month and I forget how much work is involved in this every time. This is it.... I do not want to move again and the new house is perfect so we shouldn't have to again. I can't wait to get cooking in my new kitchen. It is huge, the cooks dream kitchen. I am ready to throw some amazing dinner parties.

Well, I am on track to start losing weight again now that I have taken a break from exercising and eatting well... not by choice but with Dylan being sick for so long it just throw my good habits that I had begun to build go down the drain. I do still feel amazing and have been off of my meds for a month without it affecting me in the negative. This is great because I didn't want to feel like I depended on something like that to be a good mom.

My bff Haylee is reaching her goals quickly since she started taking TAIslim and I am ready to catch up to her. She looks amazing and is just a little away from her goal. I am ready to look amazing and be just shy of my goals so here it goes. I am taking a pledge and writing it down for all to see that starting today I am back to making the best habits possible. Once we move I will just have to walk up and down my stairs several times a day and I will get a good workout ;) I will also have to start mowing our half acre and that will help with making good changes also. Crazy to think that we will have such a huge yard after having nothing for so long. I guess there are advantages to moving up on the hills in Bountiful. We will also be super close to Mueller Park and my girls love to hike so we will be doing hiking trips once to twice a week.

Until the move, however, I will start taking advantages of the area around me. I will start walking the dog daily with the girls, I will start eatting healthy, I will start drinking my water. Watch out here I come I can't wait to update you on my weight loss next week.

Have a great day and see you soon.

It's Been A While and I Apologize....

Well, things have been super crazy with Dylan not getting better. She is still not doing so well, but I am ready to start putting on recipes again and updating on a daily basis.

Things are going well. My mom has lost 5 pounds on TAIslim and is feeling a lot better as well.

I am excited today Boyd and I get to go on our first date in .... well, let's just say I don't remember the last time we went on a date. We go on family dates regularly but not just the two of us together. It is amazing to find time to devote to one another.

Well, I will put a recipe this morning and for an added bonus I will add one tonight after my date. It is time to start having some fun with getting my day off of my chest.

Chinese Five-spice Steak with Rice Noodles

· 4 ounces uncooked wide rice stick noodles (banh pho)
· 1/4 cup hoisin sauce
· 3 tablespoons low-sodium soy sauce
· 1 teaspoon five-spice powder
· 1 (1-pound) flank steak, trimmed and cut into 1/4-inch strips
· 2 teaspoons vegetable oil
· 2 tablespoons minced green onions
· 2 teaspoons bottled minced garlic
· 2 medium tomatoes, each cut into 6 wedges
· 2 green onions, cut into 2-inch pieces
· 1 tablespoon chopped fresh basil
Preparation
Cook noodles according to package directions.
While noodles cook, combine hoisin sauce, soy sauce, five-spice powder, and steak in a large bowl. Heat oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add minced green onions and garlic; saute 30 seconds. Add beef mixture; cook 5 minutes, stirring frequently. Stir in tomato wedges, green onion pieces, and chopped basil; cook 2 minutes, stirring occasionally.

Getting Through the Misery of Sick Kids... and Sick Mom

Well, yesterday Emma and I came down with a milder version of what Dylan had. We were sick all last night but this morning both of us feel close to normal. Boyd will be home tonight so atleast I will have him around to help out with our dear little Dylan who is still not doing well at all.

So tonight I have decided to make another one of Kalani's recipes because it is super easy and that is what I can handle right now. I don't like cheese enchilada and loved these.

Kalani's Awesome Cheese Enchiladas

Corn Tortillas
Quesadilla Cheese (Shredded)
Targets Green Enchilada Sauce

Put the cheese in the center of the tortillas, cover with enchilada sauce. Bake at 350 for about 25 minutes.

And there you have it it doesn't get much simplier than that and they are great. The cheese and sauce are what make this taste so good.

Well, back to disinfecting everything in this house. I am determined to bleach away the germs on the toys that can be put in water and wash every stuffed animal, item of bedding and anything else that this little princess of mine might have spread her germs to. I will get focused again on more exciting endeavors but for now this is the life of the underpaid mother.

Have a great one and enjoy the enchiladas.

Monday Morning, Let the Week Begin

Well, I am back. Dylan has lost 4 1/2 pounds since Friday. Not good when you start at 32 pounds. Now if it was me, I would be jumping for joy at this minute. Unfortunately, I have put myself on hold for the last few days. I haven't been taking my TAIslim, which I haven't figured out why I would do that as I woke up sleepy and then took it and have energy again. I also ate really badly and didn't work out so prior to drinking TAIslim this morning I felt bluh, but now my energy is back and I am not going to let three bad days hold me back. Today is a new and improved day.

I am so sorry I promised some recipes and haven't gotten them down. I will be much better this week. Boyd is in Anaheim at manager training so I will figure out simple things that you can make for one.

Crockpot Enchiladas

3 tablespoons diced green chiles, divided
1/2 cup salsa
1/4 cup chopped green onions
1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro
1 (15-ounce) can black beans, rinsed and drained
1 (11-ounce) can corn with red and green peppers, drained
1 (10-ounce) can enchilada sauce
1/2 cup egg substitute
1 (8 1/2 ounce) package corn muffin mix
2 tablespoons chopped bottled roasted red bell peppers
1 1/2 cups (6 ounces) shredded reduced-fat Mexican blend or cheddar cheese
6 tablespoons low-fat sour cream
1 1/2 teaspoons thinly sliced fresh cilantro

1. Place 2 tablespoons green chiles and next 6 ingredients (through enchilada sauce) in a 3 1/2-quart electric slow cooker; stir well. Cover with lid; cook on low-heat setting 4 hours.
2. Combine remaining 1 tablespoon green chiles, egg substitute, muffin mix, and roasted bell peppers in a bowl. Spoon batter evenly over bean mixture in slow cooker. Cover and cook 1 hour or until corn bread is done.
3. Sprinkle cheese over corn bread. Cover and cook 5 minutes or until cheese melts. Top each serving with sour cream; sprinkle with cilantro.

Make sure on this meal that you don't keep the food in the crockpot longer than the four hours or not much longer. I overcooked it and it still tasted fine it was just really dry.

A Long Weekend

Sorry, I have been slacking. My cute little Dylan has been super sick the last few days so I have not been able to do anything. I still have to go in and take care of her now but I wanted to let you all know that I will get on tomorrow and update you on my progress and put some new recipes on here. Have a great Sunday.

It's Sunny and Friday....

Well, hopefully the sun will stay out because I really do enjoy the sunshine much more than the grey smog we have had most days as of late. It is raining but now that it is spring I definitely prefer rain to snow. Now let the temps get higher as my weight gets lower. I am down another 1/2 pound today. So 5 pounds in 6 days, let's just do the weight loss dance. (ok, dance complete.)

Yesterday I didn't get a recipe on here because I was enjoying having Boyd home for a change. It was great. I got my workout in early and made a healthy crockpot meal (Crockpot Enchiladas) which I will add with the soup recipe tonight. They were really good and a serving was only 345 cals and it took beans instead of meat so it was a great alternative protein. It is fun trying to find new healthy meals that I can try. I am the queen of trying new things. I guess it comes with loving to cook.

Today is day five of my first week of 1/2 marathon training and it is a mile again. Crazy to think that I am excited about this mile because on Wednesday the first mile was an absolute breeze. Whodathunk? After the training I can tell you that I will start running daily because I can see how it could become addictive, ecspecially if you do it outside in the sunshine.

Have a great day. I am going to go run outside before Boyd goes to work so I feel amazing for the rest of my day.

Well, I Did the Two Miles Yesterday and Am Still Alive...

Yesterday I made the full two miles without stopping. You might say that that is a piece of cake. To you maybe but to me it is a huge triumph. Two weeks ago my idea of a workout was well... what's a workout? So running two miles four days after I started working out again was huge. Infact even in the best shape of my life I don't know if I was ever able to run two miles. I am not a runner by any means of the imagination. In fact I have always loathed running. It was my enemy, my knees hit each other and my asthma all of a sudden appears. Strangely though I haven't struggled with either of these issues this time. It is amazing that I can just do it. Now the test is Saturday when I run the 5K. I know I won't stop running so I will make it. Though it will just be interesting to see how long that takes me. If it takes 2 hours it takes 2 hours ( I know I can do it much faster because I can walk 5 in an hour).

I didn't come down in weight today but I didn't gain any either. We had a girls get together yesterday and like always Kalani had such an amazing spread so even though I wasn't hungry I graised more than I seem to do these days. That's what happens when the meal, the appetizers, and the side dishes are Mexican, my all time favorite food. I love all kinds but I could eat Mexican food everyday if I had to. I love the stuff!

I thought it was cute yesterday I was talking to my girls and I asked them if I was more fun to be around these days. All three of them agreed that I was. They like that I dance silly dances whenever I hear music, that I pick them up and spin them around the house, and then cute little Aspen says, "You wake up early." Okay, so this doesn't seem fun, but the fact of the matter was that I was talking to my dad about how my mom needs to try TAIslim because it would be really good for her; and I was telling him all the benefits and I said how I wake up early these days. It probably wasn't the only time I have stated this in the last week but Aspen has picked it up. I haven't had to drag myself out of the bed at 8 just to get the girls out of the house for school. I now wake up at 7 feeling completely refreshed and ready to start the day. I have then felt completely awake and on top of things all day long. I do however, fall fast asleep the second my head hits the pillow and sleep straight through the night. I hadn't realized how great this was until this morning. I haven't slept through the night in years. I have a problem with waking up around 2 and staying awake two-three hours and then finally falling back to sleep. That probably has something to do with why I could not wake up at 8.

Well, I am going to stop rambling away and get going on my exercise. Tonight I will be making Brocolli Cheese Soup with the leftover mashed potatoes from Tuesday. I love a great soup on a cold day.

Have a great day, because I know I will.

Chicken/Turkey Pot Pie

1/2 c onions
1/2 c celery
1/2 c carrots
1/2 c potatoes
1/4 c margarine, melted
1/4 c flour
1 c chicken broth
1/2 c evaporated milk
2 c chicken or turkey
1/2 c frozen peas, thawed
1 tsp salt
1/8 tsp pepper
1 pie crust

Saute onions, celery, carrots, and potatoes in butter in a lartge skillet over md heat until tender. Add flour and stir until smooth. Cook 1 minute, stirring occassionally. Add chicken broth and evaporated milk. Cook, stirring constantly until thickened and bubbly. Stir in meat, peas, salt and pepper.

Bring crust to room temperature. You can use two crusts but I am making this Marie Callender style with just a crust on the top. Put the ingredients in a pie pan and top with the crust. Make sure to put slits on the top. Bake uncovered for 30 minutes at 350 degrees. Then bake covered with foil for 30 more minutes. Let stand 10 minutes before serving.

This recipe works well as a freezer meal. Just double it for two meals with the work of only one. I put the mixture into gallon freezer bags and then just defrost them the day before. It works really well. This is a favorite in our house and when it is frozen it makes a super quick meal. I believe there is a lower fat evaporated milk and I bet that is what I have in my pantry but I am being too lazy to run and check.

Hope everyone enjoys this meal as much as I do.

Day Two of My Training

Crazy to think that I of all people are excited to get up early and get my run in..... Unfortunately, this stupid weather is driving me crazy. I had hoped that it would be a little warmer today so that I could just go outside before Boyd left for work and run, however, the streets are yet again covered in snow. I like the snow in the mountains, but could live without it in the valleys. I am a warmer weather sunshine kind of girl but I guess we need the moisture so I better not complain.

Today is a two mile run and I actually know that I will be able to make it. It feels so good. Yesterday I was working out my abs and was thinking of my nice 6 pack from the ol' days of Hawaii and decided that even if they are not quite that great again (I have had three/four kiddos) that I would be extremely happy anyway. I am down another 1/2 pound so my goal gets closer and closer everyday. It is amazing to think how much easier everything will be once I reach even the smaller goals.

You know even better than being able to do things that I haven't been able to do and starting to lose the much needed weight is my new found joy in playing silly new games with the girls. I have always loved playing with them but couldn't muster up the energy to play their new favorite "Monster" or tag. Our house has many round about areas (you know those areas that drive us mom's crazy when the kids are running around with loud toys and you hear the wheels on the tile.) Well, anyway we have three major circling areas in our great room so the girls now wake up wanting me to growl like a monster and chase after them to turn them into little monsters that get attacked by the tickle monster. I am sure you can't see the theme here and why they call is Monster;)? It is great having the energy to do this because I know that my kids will remember me as the fun, energetic mom rather than the "Just a second" mom (they still get this one if I am in the middle of an exercise routine but not like the old days). I really like this one much better.

Well, I guess I have spent more time working on this than I should if I wanted to leave while Boyd was still here so I will get off now and do aerobics and then go running tonight at the community center after he gets home from work.

Tonight's dinner will be Turkey/Chicken Pot Pie and let's just say it is fab-u-lous. This is one of my recipes and tonight I am going to try a slimmed down version to see if it is as good. Generally, when I take the calories down it doesn't seem to take away from the taste so we will see and then I will post.

Garlic Lime Chicken

1 tsp salt
3/4 tsp pepper
1/4 tsp cayenne pepper
1/4 tsp paprika
1 tsp garlic powder
1/2 tsp onion powder
1/2 tsp thyme
6 chicken breasts
4 tsp lime juice

Mix all of these ingredients in a zip lock bag. Add chicken pieces and cover evenly.

Saute in olive oil for 5 minutes on each side. Add 4 tsp. lime juice. Serve over rice or mashed potatoes.

Super easy and super yummy.

I only used 3 chicken breasts because I don't eat that much and I knew my kids wouldn't eat much so it works with less chicken if you need.

Running for the First Time in a Year and Guess What I Did It....

Well, being that Haylee and I are doing this 1/2 marathon and I am a week behind her I absolutely couldn't put off starting the training yesterday. I know 1 mile isn't much but when I have only just started working out again and haven't run since I was in amazing shape last year it is big. I went to my parents to run on their treadmill and well.... I did it. Ok, so my time wasn't the greatest but I still finished it and felt great. It was nice to feel a sense of accomplishment so quickly. Now to see how I do with the 2 miles I have to run tomorrow. I know I can do it.

Well, since yesterday I have reach the 4 pound loss. I am ecstatic at this pace. I know it will slow down a bit since I can't lose 9-10 pounds every week, but it is a great kick start and it will be interesting to see how long it takes to reach my ultimate goal. I will of course keep everyone posted because well.... I will be hot for the upcoming summer swimsuit season.

A Yummy Meal for A Night at Home

It is amazing how much less I eat these days and how much more satisfied I feel. I eat about 1/2 of what I use to if not less and feel completely full and satisfied. I had Steak and Asparagus in my fridge tonight so I asked my personal chef for a recipe. (Kalani can come up with a great meal with any ingredient I swear.)

She gave me the recipe for Beef and Asparagus Stir-fry and it was yummy I figured I would share it with anyone that would like to try it. You cube the steak and then stir-fry it in butter with 1 tbs. garlic. After the meat is cooked through you add the asparagus and soy sauce. You serve it over rice. Now I didn't say it was hard I just said it was yummy and yummy it was.

It is amazing how I can still eat what I have always ate and since I am filling up so quickly I lose weight. It is so great. I realized that if you take the small salad plate and put your meal on it instead of the big one you think you are eatting a whole lot more anyway.

I am still feeling energized and can't wait to run my 1 mile to get ready for my half marathon tonight. I will also be running a 5K with Haylee on Saturday to support her daughter's school and then she will be running one with me to support my daughters. Great way to raise money for the school and teach the kids the value of exercise at the same time. Whoa, what happened to the old Cathy.... please don't let her ever return.

A Fresh Start on Monday

Well, I am now two days into this program and down another 1/2 pound. Yea, I am so excited. I am feeling top notch and looking forward to the day I look it as well. I am starting the running program so I will be going running as soon as I can get all three girls up and at it. Unfortunately, we had yet another Spring storm so the roads are covered with snow so I can't just pack up the girls in the stroller and on bikes and head out. I have to go over to my mom and dad's to run on the treadmill. I am guessing that since I haven't run since last year that it would probably be a bit easier that way anyway.

It is so nice to feel refreshed in the morning. It has been a long time, if ever. I am not a morning person, ask my dear hubby. I woke up at 7:30 and got up and at it. (Ok, so it is not that early but Aspen is off track so currently I don't have to get up early). I feel amazing.

It truely is a fresh start Monday but not just to the new week but to my new life. I am so excited to be feeling positive and happy for the first time in years. (Don't worry my kids make me jump for joy a lot, but I have struggled with depression for so many years I can't even think when I didn't. I started taking meds and believe me they have helped because I have been able to make it out of bed, but I still always felt like I had a cloud overhead following me around.) I actually feel unbelieveably happy. Jump for joy happy. Yesterday I was telling Boyd how I had traded bows to try TAIslim, knowing he wouldn't be so excited about me trying yet another thing to help me lose weight, and he said that he could tell how excited I was because my eyes lit up. He even asked if he could try it. I told him of course but he wasn't getting any of mine until I get my case in on Wednesday. He doesn't have much weight to lose being 6"5' but everyone can use the boost to their health. So I can't wait to see how much better he feels about the stuff. My mom is also excited to try something new to make her feel better and healthier. I can't wait to see what results they have because I know it will make a difference in their lives.

Well, I am going to go work out because the girls and I are going to go play at Haylee's today. Hey, that rhymns.... (I have a kindergartner and preschooler don't knock it.) Hope everyone has one amazing day I know I will.

The Start of a New Me....

I feel so incredibly lucky to have three amazing friends and an amazing sister that I can call my BFF's, lately I have realized even more so how important they are to me. After spending so many years in a slump after losing Tyler I have realized that I need to take my life back and thanks to constant love and support from my girls I am off to a new start.

Haylee started drinking TAIslim and told me that I needed to try it. She lost an incredible amount of weight in a week after a plateau so I figured what the heck and started yesterday. Well, I am always a little skeptical but willing to try new things to help me feel better and get to my ideal weight so I gave in. She doesn't have to try too hard to talk me into anything. Well, let me tell you I am so glad I listened to her and tried it. Yesterday I had more energy than I have in forever after only taking the first drink. I felt full without really eatting much and the best part of all is I lost just short of three pounds and that was after being at my lowest in quite sometime.

I can't wait to see what type of results I get tomorrow. I am so ready to jump for joy and do the "I am getting out of the slumps dance". I have also agreed to start training for a 1/2 marathon with Haylee which we will run in August. I know that with a little will power and determination I can finally prove to myself as well as Boyd that I can accomplish something. It will be a lot of work but I know that in the end I will feel an unbelieveable amount of worth that I haven't felt in so long.

Between working out, drinking TAIslim, eatting well, and being the friend that my friends are to me I believe that I will be able to finally make the changes to becoming the best me that I can be.