I've been much more relaxed this time around when it comes to training for a competition. I'm 2 1/2 weeks into my nutrition and exercise program. I'm not too stressed about anything right now, which is a nice change. However, just because I'm more relaxed doesn't mean that I don't have to prepare every meal I eat and always be one step ahead so that way I don't get hungry and miss a meal.
I'll blog tomorrow.
I just wanted to let you know that I'm here and I am still training.
RsmKEttleGirl@gmail.com
Wednesday, February 23, 2011
Saturday, February 19, 2011
Changing your food
I get very set in my ways about what I like or want to eat. Last year when I competed I pretty much got into a routine of eating certain foods like: yams, chicken, ground turkey, broccoli, and added various toppings to add texture and spice to the meal.
As I am currently training now, I eat similar foods, but I'm using the crockpot all the time so that I don't have to stress about how to fit in making dinner for the family with such a busy life. I have found a slew of lowfat recipes that are tasty and nutritious.
Another reason for making crockpot meals is because they provide a good alternative to the comfort foods I like. Two days ago I made "better than mom's chicken soup". It had lots of shredded white chicken, carrots, parsnips, pearl onions, and spices. I made some tasty dinner roles that the children ate, but I didn't. Then later that day I used the crockpot for making a berry cobbler for the children. They topped it with Golden Spoon vanilla frozen yogurt. They loved the meal, and I loved that I wasn't preparing a different meal for myself.
Yesterday I was at Costco. I picked up some frozen spinach & potato burgers. Instead of toasting or broiling them as suggested I slid them into the microwave. Yum! An excellent profile and easy on-the-go carb.
RsmKettleGirl@gmail.com
13 days and counting.....
As I am currently training now, I eat similar foods, but I'm using the crockpot all the time so that I don't have to stress about how to fit in making dinner for the family with such a busy life. I have found a slew of lowfat recipes that are tasty and nutritious.
Another reason for making crockpot meals is because they provide a good alternative to the comfort foods I like. Two days ago I made "better than mom's chicken soup". It had lots of shredded white chicken, carrots, parsnips, pearl onions, and spices. I made some tasty dinner roles that the children ate, but I didn't. Then later that day I used the crockpot for making a berry cobbler for the children. They topped it with Golden Spoon vanilla frozen yogurt. They loved the meal, and I loved that I wasn't preparing a different meal for myself.
Yesterday I was at Costco. I picked up some frozen spinach & potato burgers. Instead of toasting or broiling them as suggested I slid them into the microwave. Yum! An excellent profile and easy on-the-go carb.
RsmKettleGirl@gmail.com
13 days and counting.....
Tuesday, February 15, 2011
white chicken chili recipe
I was in a store and I picked up this magazine essential slow cooker by Better Homes and Gardens Special Interest Publications, April 5, 2011.
I picked it up because the cover had a bowl of tender pork & green chile stew on it, and the recipes inside looked delicious. Secondly I haven't had much time to cook as much or as well. I had a thought that if I used the crockpot more often then I wouldn't have to race to get dinner prepared when I have so many other things to do. But of course there is the balance of creating delicious yet calorie, fat, and nutrititionally balanced meals that work for my husband's upcoming competition and mine.
I have created 3 recipes (2 of which I have eaten). The 3rd Recipe was a Triple Berry Cobbler for the children.
Here is the White Chicken Chili Recipe:
For the cooked chicken poach 3-4 skinned and boned chicken breast halves in boiling water or chicken broth, covered, for about 12 minutes or until no pink remains. Drain, cool the chicken slightly, then chop.
(I cooked mine in chicken broth using chicken bouillon cubes).
In 3 1/2 or 4 qt. slow cooker, combine drained (3) 15 oz. cans of white kidney beans, rinsed and drained first +2 1/2 cups chopped cooked chicken + 1 1/2 cups chopped red, green, and or yellow sweet peppers (2 medium ones) + 1 cup chopped onion (1 large) + 2 fresh Jalepeno chili peppers, 2 teaspooons cumin + 2 cloves garlic minced + 1/2 teaspoon salt + 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano. Pour 3 1/2 cups of the chicken broth (I used to boil the chicken in) over mixture in cooker .
Next, cover and cook on low heat setting for 8-10 hours or higng setting for 4-5 hours. I started my cooker at 9am and it was ready for dinner the same day.
Last, After you serve it I topped it with a few fritos for the kids. Fritos actually only have 3 ingredients in them compared to other types of chips/crackers. Yes, they are still higher in fat, but it works for the kids.
Also, for the children, I put some nondairy sour cream (from Trader Joe's) to reduce the spicy hot flavor that the Jalepenos give to the dish. The kids liked it.
The recipe states that you can top the dish off with shredded Monterey Jack Cheese & broken tortilla chips. I opted out of the cheese. The four of us ate this meal for two days.
Tonight we had Cider Pork Stew (7 grams of fat per serving). Tomorrow we'll have the same meal.
Then I'll make the Better than Mom's chicken and noodels for Thursday evening. This meal has 7 grams of fat per serving as well. This weekend I'll make the apple pie bread pudding in the crockpot for the children's dessert. I'll exchange the 1/2 and 1/2 for fat free 1/2 and 1/2, and replace the ice cream for Golden Spoon Vanilla Frozen Yogurt.
Enjoy the recipe I wrote. Let me know if you try it. FYI: If you are in the area Sultan's Market on El Toro Road is a fabulous place for inexpensive produce! I try to get all my produce there because of the great prices.
RsmKettleGirl@gmail.com
I picked it up because the cover had a bowl of tender pork & green chile stew on it, and the recipes inside looked delicious. Secondly I haven't had much time to cook as much or as well. I had a thought that if I used the crockpot more often then I wouldn't have to race to get dinner prepared when I have so many other things to do. But of course there is the balance of creating delicious yet calorie, fat, and nutrititionally balanced meals that work for my husband's upcoming competition and mine.
I have created 3 recipes (2 of which I have eaten). The 3rd Recipe was a Triple Berry Cobbler for the children.
Here is the White Chicken Chili Recipe:
For the cooked chicken poach 3-4 skinned and boned chicken breast halves in boiling water or chicken broth, covered, for about 12 minutes or until no pink remains. Drain, cool the chicken slightly, then chop.
(I cooked mine in chicken broth using chicken bouillon cubes).
In 3 1/2 or 4 qt. slow cooker, combine drained (3) 15 oz. cans of white kidney beans, rinsed and drained first +2 1/2 cups chopped cooked chicken + 1 1/2 cups chopped red, green, and or yellow sweet peppers (2 medium ones) + 1 cup chopped onion (1 large) + 2 fresh Jalepeno chili peppers, 2 teaspooons cumin + 2 cloves garlic minced + 1/2 teaspoon salt + 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano. Pour 3 1/2 cups of the chicken broth (I used to boil the chicken in) over mixture in cooker .
Next, cover and cook on low heat setting for 8-10 hours or higng setting for 4-5 hours. I started my cooker at 9am and it was ready for dinner the same day.
Last, After you serve it I topped it with a few fritos for the kids. Fritos actually only have 3 ingredients in them compared to other types of chips/crackers. Yes, they are still higher in fat, but it works for the kids.
Also, for the children, I put some nondairy sour cream (from Trader Joe's) to reduce the spicy hot flavor that the Jalepenos give to the dish. The kids liked it.
The recipe states that you can top the dish off with shredded Monterey Jack Cheese & broken tortilla chips. I opted out of the cheese. The four of us ate this meal for two days.
Tonight we had Cider Pork Stew (7 grams of fat per serving). Tomorrow we'll have the same meal.
Then I'll make the Better than Mom's chicken and noodels for Thursday evening. This meal has 7 grams of fat per serving as well. This weekend I'll make the apple pie bread pudding in the crockpot for the children's dessert. I'll exchange the 1/2 and 1/2 for fat free 1/2 and 1/2, and replace the ice cream for Golden Spoon Vanilla Frozen Yogurt.
Enjoy the recipe I wrote. Let me know if you try it. FYI: If you are in the area Sultan's Market on El Toro Road is a fabulous place for inexpensive produce! I try to get all my produce there because of the great prices.
RsmKettleGirl@gmail.com
Monday, February 14, 2011
Hibernating
I've been hibernating lately. I was back on track, then went off track again. I've been back on track for 1 week now. I'm doing fine, but I have a good month before I'm in the groove of going strong. Then of course I'll have 3 more months to convince myself after that!
It's been really hard to get back on track, because a part of me just wants to really relax and not have to focus so intensely for the next several months. However, I also want to enter just ONE more competition. Even in my mind right now I just think about forgetting the whole thing, but more of me wants to commit than not commit. I tell myself one more time is not so bad. So anyway the hard part is being able to balance the social events with keeping on track with my food requirements. There are family birthdays, homeschooler mom night's out, date nights, and so on.....
Hibernating these past weeks is more about trying to get my head focused on the goal and not having to outwardly project my internal struggles to everybody else. Yet, I think that sharing the internal struggles is probably one of the most helpful parts to share with others in a body transformation.
So I will do my best to keep you updated on my struggles, since there will be plenty.
Right now I'm going to attend to my chicken chili soup with less than 4 g of fat per serving. I'll share the recipe tomorrow. It's an awesome one.
RsmKettleGirl@gmail.com
It's been really hard to get back on track, because a part of me just wants to really relax and not have to focus so intensely for the next several months. However, I also want to enter just ONE more competition. Even in my mind right now I just think about forgetting the whole thing, but more of me wants to commit than not commit. I tell myself one more time is not so bad. So anyway the hard part is being able to balance the social events with keeping on track with my food requirements. There are family birthdays, homeschooler mom night's out, date nights, and so on.....
Hibernating these past weeks is more about trying to get my head focused on the goal and not having to outwardly project my internal struggles to everybody else. Yet, I think that sharing the internal struggles is probably one of the most helpful parts to share with others in a body transformation.
So I will do my best to keep you updated on my struggles, since there will be plenty.
Right now I'm going to attend to my chicken chili soup with less than 4 g of fat per serving. I'll share the recipe tomorrow. It's an awesome one.
RsmKettleGirl@gmail.com
Thursday, January 27, 2011
Back on Track Again!
Thank you so much for the support!
Yes, I'm finally back on track. We went through the rounds of sicknesses in our house, and of course my procrastination afterwards, and now I'm back on track. 4 days into my hard core regiment and I know I have a long way to go. But I also know that I feel really good right now, and I'm focused. Day to day I will have my ups and downs, just like the last competition, but it's just the discipline to stay with it despite the lack of instant gratification. I remember how the minute by minute, hour by hour, and day by day distractions would occur but I just kept going.
Last night I ran on the treadmill and I still counted the minutes until the end. I'm down to 1 pull up now. At my best last year I did 5 pull ups. It's okay though. It's disappointing, but it doesn't eat at me too much. I'm just excited to get back on track and deal with the obstacles ahead.
Right now, I'm training 3 days a week with the kettlebell, and 3 days at home with the treadmill and weights.
I'm still in the slow part of getting back into the groove. Last night I warmed up, ran, and cooled down on the treadmill for a total of 35 minutes. I did 4 sets 25 sit ups and 4 sets of 1 pull up. The workout was just under 1 hour.
It's a vigilant job to stay focused. Refocusing as needed is key.
I hope to post some pictures next week.
RsmKettleGirl@gmail.com
Yes, I'm finally back on track. We went through the rounds of sicknesses in our house, and of course my procrastination afterwards, and now I'm back on track. 4 days into my hard core regiment and I know I have a long way to go. But I also know that I feel really good right now, and I'm focused. Day to day I will have my ups and downs, just like the last competition, but it's just the discipline to stay with it despite the lack of instant gratification. I remember how the minute by minute, hour by hour, and day by day distractions would occur but I just kept going.
Last night I ran on the treadmill and I still counted the minutes until the end. I'm down to 1 pull up now. At my best last year I did 5 pull ups. It's okay though. It's disappointing, but it doesn't eat at me too much. I'm just excited to get back on track and deal with the obstacles ahead.
Right now, I'm training 3 days a week with the kettlebell, and 3 days at home with the treadmill and weights.
I'm still in the slow part of getting back into the groove. Last night I warmed up, ran, and cooled down on the treadmill for a total of 35 minutes. I did 4 sets 25 sit ups and 4 sets of 1 pull up. The workout was just under 1 hour.
It's a vigilant job to stay focused. Refocusing as needed is key.
I hope to post some pictures next week.
RsmKettleGirl@gmail.com
Wednesday, January 12, 2011
A Step Backwards
Today is the first day I have felt good enough to get back on the computer. I thought I was in for a little set back not feeling well. I totally underestimated where my body was heading. I had the full on flu with chills, no energy, no appetite, and zero functioning. I feel much better now, but I wasn't well enough to do a leg workout downstairs. I'm hoping that I feel good enough to go to Kettlebell tomorrow evening. I'll have to wait and see.
Anyway, it feels like a complete set back after being right on track for the past week. A few days is not a complete loss, but mentally it's a little more challenging.
Unfortunately days like these happen and I just have to understand that it's a part of a "process' not the "end of the road".
On a Friendly Note:
On a good note...I have a friend who is just doing so well with her workouts. She's still learning to track her food and get her nutrition where she wants to have it, in order to lose some more significant weight, but she's conquering a huge part of the goal.....CONSISTENCY! It will trickle over given enough time and focus.
RsmKettleGirl@gmail.com
Anyway, it feels like a complete set back after being right on track for the past week. A few days is not a complete loss, but mentally it's a little more challenging.
Unfortunately days like these happen and I just have to understand that it's a part of a "process' not the "end of the road".
On a Friendly Note:
On a good note...I have a friend who is just doing so well with her workouts. She's still learning to track her food and get her nutrition where she wants to have it, in order to lose some more significant weight, but she's conquering a huge part of the goal.....CONSISTENCY! It will trickle over given enough time and focus.
RsmKettleGirl@gmail.com
Sunday, January 9, 2011
Weekend Update
Friday night I had worked out at home. Saturday was a tough workout day, because took Paul Daniel's Kettlebell Class in the park from 730am-9am. I had a very bad night of sleep coupled with less than 12 between the nighttime and morning workouts. It was brutal, but I knew that Sunday would be a magnificent day off!!!!! Working out Saturday morning meant that I would have 1 1/2 days to recover before the next workout Monday evening (tomorrow night).
I was not as disciplined as I hoped with logging my food and exercise in my journal this weekend. The only good thing is that my eating and exercise was right on track for what I want it to be. I got so busy with sick children, cleaning, birthday parties, a funeral, and getting ready for homeschooling tomorrow that I just didn't make the time to write. It's not a good thing, but fortunately I pretty much eat the same thing all the time with few exceptions, and my exercise is pretty much the same. I will write down everything tonight.
On the downside, I don't feel well now either. I have the chills, have sniffles, and I am tired. I share this information with you because I think it's still important to continue working out even if with less intensity if needed. Tomorrow night I plan on working out, but getting plenty of rest and my favorite "airborne". I love that stuff and swear by it's healing properties. In the past I've been right on the edge with a massive flu and it went away after following the package directions, getting plenty of rest/sleep, and fluids.
I'm off to write in my food and exercise journal...then sleep.
RsmKettleGirl@gmail.com
I was not as disciplined as I hoped with logging my food and exercise in my journal this weekend. The only good thing is that my eating and exercise was right on track for what I want it to be. I got so busy with sick children, cleaning, birthday parties, a funeral, and getting ready for homeschooling tomorrow that I just didn't make the time to write. It's not a good thing, but fortunately I pretty much eat the same thing all the time with few exceptions, and my exercise is pretty much the same. I will write down everything tonight.
On the downside, I don't feel well now either. I have the chills, have sniffles, and I am tired. I share this information with you because I think it's still important to continue working out even if with less intensity if needed. Tomorrow night I plan on working out, but getting plenty of rest and my favorite "airborne". I love that stuff and swear by it's healing properties. In the past I've been right on the edge with a massive flu and it went away after following the package directions, getting plenty of rest/sleep, and fluids.
I'm off to write in my food and exercise journal...then sleep.
RsmKettleGirl@gmail.com
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