Norman Rockwell Wall

Happy Friday Evening from Kusel, Germany!  Today has been a picturesque cool & crisp Fall day.  For myself it was filled with errands, picking up a few groceries at our local post, decorating some more for the upcoming Halloween Party and working on my stairwell wall.  My sweet husband re-sized a great  fleamarket wall hanging coat rack w/ shelf and hung it the other day.  I of course wanted it higher than the "kiddie" looking hooks we had before, so they were no obviously holes that needed to either be patched or covered.  I went with the later.  Originally, I had wanted old french cookbook pages on the wall as "wallpaper" but just couldn't find one at least not one that I was going to take pages out of and tape to a wall.  A few years back my wonderful mother in law had sent me a 2009 Norman Rockwell book calendar.  I liked it so much I just couldn't bring myself to actually use it.  Now, 3years later, I can not only use it, but admire his works each day I walk down my stairs, go to put on my coat or grab my purse.  It definitely brings a smile to my face :o)   What can I say, I'm an easy girl to please!  It's pretty much done, I just ran out of pages and am going to order another Norman Rockwell calendar book, but until then, I'm  pretty satisfied.

The bottom part needs to be finished, but until my Amazon order comes in, this is what I have so far :o)

Thank you for following my blog & have a wonderful weekend

Beverly

Crispy Buffalo Chicken Bites

Today hits 30days since I started on Medifast.  My weigh in today is 239!!!!  So collectively I've lost 11lbs.  Along with a supportive coach,husband and friends, I've been finding and experimenting with lots of Medifast recipes.  Last night, I made Crispy Buffalo Chicken Bites.  I grabbed a bag of the MF parmesean puffs, put them in a ziploc bag & looked around for a hammer or something "heavy" to whack the puffs to powder.  With all the diy projects Justin and I have been working on, surely I could find something.  As I scanned my kitchen that's when I saw it.  Hiding in the midst of my kitchen utensils was our german beer opener.  It was heavy and flat and worked awesome.  Next, I measured out 1 tbsp of fresh parmasean and added it to the bag.  Separately, I had thawed out Bones, Skinless Chicken breast, rinsed and cut into about 1 inch pieces(to resemble bites).  I added them to a bowl along with 1 tbsp of hot sauce and mixed.  I moved the chicken to the bag of parmasean letting the extra hot sauce drip off and them shook away.  After I felt all the pieces were good and covered I dumped the bag onto my covered cookie sheet and spread them out for even cooking. ( Just a quick tip passed on from my mom & grandma...I cover my cookie sheets for easy clean up )  I backed for about 30minutes and took them out of the oven.  Now I had baked about 11ounces of chicken so I divided part and put it in a container for tomorrow, let the hubby try 1 ounce and then I had my 5ounces of chicken for part of my lean/green meal.  I do want to note that since I used the MF parmasean I only needed to eat 5 times today vs 6.  Besides my house smelling fantastic they tasted awesome as well!  I also mixed a dash of hot sauce to 1 teaspoon of light ranch dressing and mixed and lightly dipped my chicken bits.  With our without the dipping sauce, the chicken tasted great.  Now, when we are eating things like home made chicken nuggets, buffalo wings etc....I can eat this and not feel tempted.  My go to site has been Sandy's Kitchen Adventures. and is where I got this recipe

http://www.sandyskitchenadventures.com/2011/05/crispy-buffalo-chicken-bites.html

Here is my finished Crispy Buffalo Chicken Bites



Thank you so much for following my Blog & happy eating :o)

Beverly

Munich Zoo

Geese that came right up to us.  These ones in particular were not in the zoo, but on our way back from the zoo we saw  what we thought was a beach, so we stopped to explore and these guys came right up to us.  I of course for very good reason was very leery since my experiences w/ geese have always included them chasing me all the way to my car or buildings. 

So with always working it seems like we never get a vacation.  Luckily  are able to steal away a few days to  just enjoy being with each other, our friends and Germany.  Germany, is definitely a dream for us and we take full advantage!  This past weekend we visited the Munich Zoo.  At a nice relaxed pace it took us about 5 1/2 hours.  I highly recommend going even if you don't have children.  Its very well layed out, you can feed the animals for .50euro cent, the animals look very well taken care of and more than less have ample amounts of space.  They have bistro/restaurant style dinning,the staff is friendly, its stroller friendly and over all just a relaxing day.  I've also included the address & pricing: Adults: 12euro per person, kids: 5euro(4-12) Tierparkstrasse 30, 81543 Munich, Bavaria, Germany http://www.tierpark-hellabrunn.de/?L=1

Me acting crazy on the bridge :o) 

Ok, so a little side story about this sheep.  He kept trying to eat out of the dispensor, so I figured awww he is hungry I should get him some pellets.  LOL ya that was scarier than walking on the sketchy bridge.  It took me about 2 minutes trying to avoid him thinking my hand was food, until I could get the money in and the dial turned so he could finally eat some food.  Though, as my brilliantly smart *ss of a hubby pointed out...This dispensor is over 1/2 empty.  He thinks this guy is not hungry but running a scam.  HumMmmmm....

Thank you for following my blog and have a wonderful day!!!

Beverly

Big Girls Don't Cry.....THEY THINK FAST!

 Ever been digging for those holiday decorations from the basement?  Maybe you store yours in the attic?  Have you ever been so excited that you try to do the "octopus juggle".  You know the,  one where you tell yourself that you CAN  carry those 6 bags, one large tote filled with stuff and let's not forget the stuff you added to the top too all at once?  Welp, that's the story of my morning.  I planned to sort out all of my Halloween decorations and start preparing for our annual Halloween Party!!!!  I had everything picked up, got the lights turned off, made my way up the stairs and then realized my dilema.  My husband and I had recently re-purposed an old jean factory table into a kitchen island and had temporarily moved our 'lil dinky Ikea kitchen island to the center hallway.  We had also hastily put a small container of stain on top of it.  So I'm looking at this now smaller space that in all my excitement had forgotten about...funny since I had to walk right past it on my way down to the basement.  Anyway, back to my story.  I look down at the stuff in my arms that is now starting to get heavy, look back at the space I have to squeeze past and say Oh it's fine and go!  I was almost there and it happened...CRASH, SPLATTER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  The stain top apparently was not on completely and when it hit the floor the lid came flying off and the contents ended up EVERYWHERE!  Now, when I say everywhere, I literally mean...My shoes, the wall, the lil island, the door, my clothes, the brand new box w/ my chandeliar in it, my face and all over my arms!  Ironically, not one piece of Halloween decor had stain on it! Those items would have actually looked kinda cool with a bit of stain here and there.  So I drop my stuff inside my house ran to the bathroom and think oldest, crappiest looking towels!  As I'm cleaning up the spill I look up at my wooden door and see horrible splatter streaks & think my landlord is going to kill me.  Or is he?  Nope, I took the towel filled stain and started rubbing it all over the door.  It actually looks kinda nice.  Now, an unfinished door has a minor make over all because Big Girls Don't Cray...THEY THINK FAST!  Below here are a few pictures from the morning, the door and even the once deteriorating jean factory table.  

the now stained door

the unstained door

Kitchen Island

As you can see there is tons of storage & its still not completed .  We want to add another shelf and enclose part of it .

this is the original wood & we just alternated flipping the boards to give this beautiful look

Thank you for following my blog & hope everyone has a great day!

Beverly 

THE MOMENT I REALIZED......

Hiya Everyone!!!!!  Hope that you all are having a great day.  So about a week ago I started the TSFL plan and have really been struggling with the smells of so many wonderful foods, especially at restaurants.  Now, some would just say, so don't go out to eat or even go to the restaurants...I say, DO IT!  Yes it is a HUGE temptation, but for me, once I'm used to not eating certain foods that I love, then it won't be a big deal anymore.  Yes, I am worried too when we go on our 2 trips that I will be so tempted to cheat, but I will be armed with my veggies/low fat dip and other wonderful things to snack on plus my husband and dear friends are so supportive that I know they won't let me falter.  I even wrote my coach last night and wrote this:

• 
  
• Omg, so tonight I attended a meeting and we went to a restaurant. Talk about hard to resist temptations, lasagna and schnitzel around me...ugh that was so hard...now all i can think about is pizza and lasagna. I'm making my 6th meal of the night, chicken/wild rice and havent even finished my 2nd container of 32ounce water. It seems a little tougher to drink more throughout the day, but need to just keep reminding myself to drink even if i'm not thirsty. Its also been a bit harder today to remember to eat. I just not hungry, i was driving home tonight and realized i hadnt had my 6th meal. ugh...man i'm definitely not full now after smelling all that food, but i had my shake on the way their since i left early and had my brownie during the meeting. the waitress kinda looked at me funny but I dont care Though I'm sure If i would have explained im on a special diet and was eating that brownie she wouldnt have believed me...haha These temptations are hard! I'm so afraid I might cave in Edelweiss when we go the 20-22...but i'm arming myself with my fav. foods(medifast of course...but am so worried about the lean and green part.  I think that will be the worst when everyone around you is snacking on snacky foods and you are eating away on a bell pepper...though very delicious, my brain has been programmed to believe the chips, soda/candy are travel food. re-train, re-train brain!!!!! Too bad it doesnt come with an off/on switch.

 SO NOW MY QUICK STORY that I just shared with my dear friends because I'm bursting with excitement but now realized, I need to share it with you too!!!!  So here it goes, 

 I have 2 pair of addidas black windpants one a size up than the other, without thinking I had to rush as I had just got out of the shower because the culligan truck had just pulled up and of course today was the day for the jug to have its "sanitation" cleaning.  Anyway, I threw on a pair of windpants and top and got to the door as they were getting ready to hit the door bell.  So as I'm standing there thinking well at least I smell clean & pls dont judge me for being in bum around clothes, I put my hands in my pockets and realized..WAIT!  I can put my hands in my pants pockets????? I then moved my hand back to my butt  where when I had bent over the last time I wore the smaller pair of windpants it had ripped...( a month ago, I  had put on the smaller size pants on accident  just trying to feed/care for dogs at 5am)...and THERE WAS THE RIP!  Now 2 things happened, I was like OMG!!! NO WAY!!! And then realized not only did I look like a bum for the culligan people I now had a whole in my butt!!!  Thank god I didnt have to turn around for anything HAHAHA.....As soon as they left I immediately ran to my mirror, lifted my sweat shirt and MY WIND PANTS THAT WERE TOO TIGHT THEY RIPPED NOW ARE LOOOOOSEEEEEEEEE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I don't care what some of the food tastes like, or how good other food smells, this is PROOF ENOUGH FOR ME, I've obviously at least lost inches!!!!!!  As for the thoughts of how can I re-train my brain, its totally normal, but now I have a picture that I am going to print and stick in my wardrobe room and look at each day I put my clothes on and REMEMBER THIS MOMENT!  

Thank you for following my Blog and would love to hear about any positive moments you all have experienced.  They don't even have to be about weight loss they could be about anything!!!

Beverly 

Tilapia Salad My Day 1 Medifast Lean& Green

Day 1 of TSFL.....

Not to shabby if i do say so myself :oD I have a ton of energy.  I am full but dont feel stuffed.  Didn't get any headaches, once or twice I thought hum, I'm a little hungry and then realized it was time to eat again.  I've had 80ounces of water so far and feel great!  So...This won't be a huge long post but I did want to share a meal I threw together this evening & I must say I'm quite proud of myself!  So the long/short of it....Here's the recipe

Tilapia Salad

7ounces of cooked Tilapia 

1/2cup romaine lettuce

3/4cup cooked "home fries" its thinly cut radishes cooked with a total of 1/8 salt/pepper/garlic powder

1/2cup fresh/raw spinach

1teaspoon of balsamic vinegar drizzled on top

1/2cup cherry tomatoes

Super Easy, Pretty yummy & Very filling....Who knew that all of this was sooo filling!  

Thank you so much for following my journey to a happier & healthier life style.

Beverly

Faux Eggplant Parmesan

For almost a week now, I've had this purple, odd shaped vegetable looming back at me in the fridge.  I was bound and determine to at least make a whole hearted effort to eat this vegetable...but all I could remember is everyone I knew saying...EWW EGGPLANT.  Naturally, I've had it in my head that eggplant was gross.  Now, it was purchased and starring back at me and TODAY was the day it was going to be cooked.  I knew 2 things: 

1.  If you don't cook eggplant properly it would taste gross 

2.  I was positive that I was making eggplant spaghetti 

Now, I'm not sure if your aware but I am not a great cook.  I'm the master of boxed foods or learning after watching someone create a meal and vigorously writing the recipe as they go.  No shame in either, you have to learn somewhere I believe.  However, I am starting a new way of eating for my family and together we have decided t, add more whole, all natural, organic foods into our diet.  OOOH that word, "diet".  That word that almost always leads to failure for me.  I am great at starting a "diet" and just as good as having that cheat day never end.  Such a vicious cycle.  Anyway, back on point.  So, as I'm living in Germany and can't just pick up a phone and call mom. Though, she has never minded even when it was 5am her time, I figured it be best to be the considerate daughter and turn to the internet.  There of course were tons of recipes for eggplant spaghetti.  I then stopped.  My coach had sent me a ton of emails one in particular with others that had recipes for TSFL(Take Shape For Life) so I scrolled through my emails and Voila!  Sandy's Kitchen Adventures.  I clicked on the link and I swear I heard tadaaaaaa with bright light behind me...lol  There were so many recipes at my finger tips and all had been approved by the dietician support for tsfl.  I did look for the eggplant spaghetti but while searching found a recipe called Faux Eggplant Parmesan.  My first thought is, why is it called faux? So naturally I clicked on the link and ended up printing out the recipe.  I went to the commissary bought the few items I was short, diced tomatoes,garlic powder and broccoli soup then headed back to start dinner.  I had a bit of trouble finding the packet of broccoli soup, so I just bought a can of it and  when attempting to make the "crumbs" to coat the eggplant slices it didnt firm up like it was supposed to but I just coated it anyway and kept on going with the recipe.  After baking for about 50minutes, I took it out and honestly thought I had overcooked it.  My husband looked at it and says, "doners" lol.  We seriously thought it was going to taste disgusting ....First New Rule:  DONT JUDGE A FOOD BY IT'S APPEARANCE!!!!!!  It was absolutely, savory, cheesy and had me saying...O-M-G...I can't believe that I can eat this on our new healthy journey.  

I'd like to emphasis that this is not my recipe and firmly believe in giving credit, where credit is due... I got this from Sandy's Kitchen Adventures and am very greatful that their are recipes out there such as this one!

Now, that I'm sure I've made y'all hungry here is the recipe & the link to check out more fabulous recipes :o)

Faux Eggplant Parmesan

Created by Lana aka Winterberry Primitives

Ingredients:

For "Crumbs" to coat eggplant slices:

1 envelope MF Broccoli soup (1 Meal)

1/2 tsp baking powder - original recipe called for 1 tsp but that is 2 Condiments (1 Condiment)

Garlic powder (Optional)

3 tbs water
2 tbsp reduced fat parmesan cheese (2 Condiments)

For Eggplant Parmesan:

1 1/2 cups egg plant slices (stack in measure cup till they reach 1 1/2 cups) (3 Greens)
1/4 cup egg beaters (1/8 Lean)
1/4 cup Walden Farms Marinara Sauce (2 Condiments)
Garlic powder (Optional)
3.5 oz 2% reduced fat Mozzarella Cheese, divided (7/8 Lean)

Directions:

Preheat oven to 450 degrees. Mix all ingredients for "crumbs" in a bowl. Spray a glass pie pan with cooking spray. Pour the mixture in, spread thin and microwave 2.5 min. Using a metal spatula, gently lift and flip. Microwave 1 more minute. Break up the soup mixture, and crush as fine as you can with a small rolling pin.  Add 2 tbsp reduced fat parmesan cheese. Set aside.

Dip eggplant slices in egg beaters and then into the "crumb" mixture. Spray a large non stick skillet with cooking spray, and brown the slices on one side then flip and brown other side.

In a shallow casserole pan, put marinara sauce in pan to coat the bottom. Sprinkle garlic powder (if desired) and half of mozzarella cheese over marinara sauce. Add your browned slices of eggplant and top with the remaining half of mozzarella. Sprinkle with reduced fat parmesan cheese for extra flavor but it would be more condiments. I also spooned the leftover "soup" crumbs over the top because I didn't want to waste my nutrients from that MF meal.

Bake at 450 for 30 minutes till browned and bubbly.

Mangia~ That's Italian!

1 Medifast Meal, 1 Complete Lean and Green Meal with 5 Condiments (No Healthy Fats required)

 http://www.sandyskitchenadventures.com

As Always, Thank you for following my blog & Guten Appetite!!!!

Beverly