Food and Family

Greetings from Indiana...

Hello my friends. Thanks for your sweet well wishes. My mom is better. Getting strength every day. She still can't do much. Yesterday was the first time she was able to leave the house since coming home from the hospital. Tomorrow, she wants to go shopping. We'll see how that goes.

Today, I started my day with oatmeal. I was running my grandparents around to a doctor appointment after that, so lunch was a clif bar and fruit. Dinner was great though.

Mom decided she wanted to cook a real meal. Pork Tenderloin Tacos with Black Beans and Fresh Sweet Corn... Fantastic!

She looks good, huh? All smiles making those tacos, though!!! There's only three because all we can get here are flour tortillas, so I passed on the tortillas part of it. My dad's plate...

My pork taco bowl.

So, she seems to be getting better. I'm managing to get some work done, and my grandparents are thrilled I'm here. I guess you could say Life is a Bowl of Cherries...

Ok, I actually have more pictures, but getting them up on blogger tonight is like Mission IMPOSSIBLE, so I'm outtie. Besides, I'm on Indiana time... It's already 9:30!!!

Night night...

xoxo
--Mrs. Myers

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There's More than Corn in Indiana (There's Also Family)

My bloggy friends...

I'm going home to Indiana for the next few days to be with my family. My moma hasn't been well, and I just need to be there. I'm not sure how much I'll be able to update, but I'll definitely take pics and update you when I get back. I'll miss you guys! Don't forget me, okay?

Today, I didn't eat much. No appetite, but I did eat a good breakfast.




Late lunch:

I also had an oatmeal-raisin Clif bar.

When Ryan got home, he informed me he was taking me to dinner. We went to a neighborhood cafe. Mom and Pop. Very good. I had 1/2 a turkey sandwich and some melon. I was ravenous and hadn't even realized it.

During dinner, we had a really good conversation about life and priorities, about who we are and who we love. It was good, and he's my hero.

So, I'll update when I can, but regardless... Have beautiful days, kiss your loved ones and, always always, eat well.

xoxo
--Mrs. Myers

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Runners Opinions Needed

It's Monday!!! I'm not really quite that excited, but I'm practicing positivity here. ;)

Fall semester starts two weeks from today. I'll admit I'm a little apprehensive about how busy my life will soon be. Even more so than now. Can't imagine it.

I didn't sleep well because my hips and lower back have been sore (see below), but I started off the morning with a yummy breakfast.

Raisin Bran Muffin (Henry's) with a smidge of PB, yogurt and some much-needed green tea

I had to run an errand this morning. When I got back, I had a tasty lunch. Still eating on that Hugh Jass bag of broccoli.

And a fantastico coconut frozen fruit bar for dessert:

This afternoon I had a PB Pretzel Mojo bar.

Tonight, I'm meeting my friend Heather for a run. My hips and lower back have been really sore lately... I've been careful not to run two days in a row. I'm thinking it might be because I ran the fastest mile I've ever run on Saturday. A 9:20 mile. That's two minutes faster than the fastest mile I'd ever run before it. So, is this soreness normal for someone when they start out running? Maybe I need new shoes (mine are over a year old)?... Are orthotics a requirement for runners, in your opinion? Any thoughts or experiences with this?...

Have a fantastic day guys!

xoxo

-Mrs. Myers

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Weekend Snipplets and Home Invaders

Heya friends,

I hope you had a fantabulous weekend. Here's some "snipplets" (this is a Ryan word) of mine.

Saturday

Chocolate Tea w/Soy

Hugh Jass burrito from Chipotle

Last night, we went to a MMA party. No food pics, but I ate nothing of interest, I promise. Got to bed late, slept in this morning.

Sunday

When we woke up this morning, I decided to walk to Henry's to get bran muffin mix. It's 3 miles round trip, and of course, they were out of bran muffin mix. Lol. Don't it figure?! That's okay, I bought a couple bran muffins (they make them in the store) and trekked back. Since I munched on my muffin while I walked (it was nearly noon by that time and I hadn't eaten), no picture of that.

For lunch, I had the last veggie patty, with spinach, pepperjack and broccoli. YUM!

A little later, I needed to go to the grocery store, but I was feeling a tinge of hunger. I had a Ginger Snap Larabar. It definitely tastes like a ginger snap. Pretty good.

Random snacky later:

And dinner tonight... chili-lime tortilla encrusted tilapia and salad.

Hm... what else. Oh! This morning, we woke up to microscopic house invaders. I tried to take a pic for you but they were too little. TEEEENY tiny black ants. Sooooooo cute, but they soooooo don't belong in my kitchen. Sigh... Ryan and I tried to escort out as many as we could with the use of napkins and then when the crazy little buggers refused to get on the napkins, we just let them crawl on our hands for the ride outside. We made like 10 million trips. This is a very difficult task too because they don't understand (of course) and therefore you have to coax them on and off, and their little bodies are so tiny that you can smash them soooo easily. Unfortunately, they didn't tell their friends about there being no vacancy in our house for ants, so I had to buy Ant Killer at the store. When I got home, I put the spray on the window sill where they were coming in so they'd have warning of their impending doom. Then, Ryan sprayed. It was sad... But, I think they got the message. Not very many now. Boo.

Okie dokie guys... Another week. Let's make it a good one, yes?...

xoxo

--Mrs. Myers

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A lot of grilled chicken, a lot of salad, a lot of water... "I'm miserable!"

Ok, I don't watch television. There have been few times in my life where I tuned in enough to know who's who. I have no idea who Sherri Shephard is or why she's famous other than being on The View. I know The View because I like Barbara Walters and Whoopi, though I've never seen the show. Yes, I live under a rock.

That said, it bothers me, REALLY bothers me this article I read from Us News about this woman losing weight. Here's the part:

Barbara Walters said her colleagues "were very proud" of Shepherd, who celebrated by indulging in ribs and M&Ms that exec producer Bill Geddes brought her as a treat.

Dieting hadn't been easy, Shepherd told Usmagazine.com in June.

She had been eating "a lot of grilled chicken, a lot of salad, a lot of water," she said. "I'm miserable!"

Good for her for going out in a bathing suit on tv. But gee... Let's all join that diet, ya? What a great example. Sigh. I'm all for celebrities being real people who do normal things, but, well, its just sad. Why go through all that just to be miserable? Why not just do it right, eat well, exercise well and be happy. Am I naive or something? Seriously.

Ok, well, my non-miserable breakfast was oatmeal w/PB and blackberries.

Afterward, I went swimming. I came back and had this:

Around lunchtime, I was ravenous (this is all the benefit I ever get from swimming, I swear). I made this giant plate of food and then realized I needed to photograph it and felt embarrassed. Yes, I had another english muffin-veggie burger. We're low on groceries. I only ate half the broccoli and grapes though. My eyes were way bigger than my stomach in this case. I also had an Enjoy Life cocoa bar for dessert. I need chocolate lately. It just is. Good thing I'm not on the miserable diet.

Tonight, we're meeting friends at a Filipino restaurant called Goldilocks in National City. I laughed when Ry said National City, but I looked it up online and it has decent reviews. We shall see. I think I'm wearing my cute new dress, which may not be appropriate for a dinner in National City now that I'm thinking of it, but oh well. I'm stereotyping Nat City, aren't I?... Shame on me. I'll try to get pics.

Enjoy your weekend. Don't lets be at the mercy of our eating demons (for those of you that have them, like me). I believe my mission in life is not to beat my ED demons, but to find a way to be happy and healthy despite them. Sometimes I think I live with them to remind myself that wellness is not always easy, but worth working hard for... like all good things in life. Be well, be happy, repeat.

xoxo
-Mrs. Myers

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The Day of English Muffins

English Muffins anyone?... I had an english muffin for breakfast and an english muffin for dinner. And I didn't take any pictures in between! I have an excuse though.

It's Thursday.

Thursday is officially the busiest day EVER for me. I feel like the entire day somebody's lit my house on fire and I'm frantically working to put it out.

Most other days are cool, though, so its a trade.

So, like I said, it was a day of english muffins. I have this rule that says, "Thou shalt not consume the same bread product in one day." (Yes, my rules, are all written in Biblical speak.) I break this rule occasionally thanks to my love affair with whole grain wraps and now, today, with english muffins. It happens. It really does, and life goes on despite it.

This morning, I had my usual delicacy: English Muffin w/PB and a banana.

The middle of the day was chaos. I did okay... This is my one week per month to eat a bit ridiculously and that's all I have to say about that. ;)

After work, I seriously came home and laid on the bed for twenty minutes and stared at the ceiling. I highly recommend this as a way to reset your mind after a day spent fighting fires. I was still laying there when hubby came strolling in and had the audacity to laugh at me and the drool hanging from my lip.

Around 7pm, I met Heather at the track for a tough 3.5 miles run. Every bit of it was difficult for me today, but I finished it and, as always, I'm glad I did.

I was really glad to get home, where I put together some scrumptious veggie burgers with melted pepperjack on, what else, toasted english muffins. I had mine with a side of broccoli and chocolate. Wait... did I say chocolate? Let's check the picture...

Nope. No chocolate there. Must not have happened. Phew.

Cheers. Unless you live where I live, you're probably reading this on a Friday. What's better than Friday?

xoxo
-Mrs. Myers

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Hubby in the Kitchen: Turkey Tacos w/Kidney Beans

Hey Guys,

A quickie post tonight, okay?

Breakfast: Oatmeal w/Natural Crunchy PB and Blackberries and my new favorite tea concoction (diet green tea mixed with diet oceanspray). The only bad spot is it does have all that fakey fakey sweetener crap. Sigh... Can't win em all tho.

Snacky

Lunchie: Leftover Wrap... Still good though.

Mid-Afternoon, I had an english muffin instead of the Ezekiel I planned to have. It just sounded yummy to me.

And, of course, tonight was

HUBBY IN THE KITCHEN

Unfortunately for you guys, it was a rerun. Turkey Tacos w/Kidney Beans. SO yummy. We needed a quick and easy dinner tonight. Hubby was reallllly tired, but he was still a trooper:

I used the last of last night's salad on mine, too.

It's early, not even 7 yet, so I have a feeling I'll eat something else yet today. It was definitely a good food day, so no prob bob.

On the Menu: Wednesday

Breakfast

Green Monstress

Mid-Morning Snackaroooo

Small Bowl of Honey Bunches of Oats w/Blackberries

Lunch

Maybe leftovers... doesn't sound yummy right now, but who knows

Mid-Afternoon

broccoli w/hummus and a cheesestick and some black pepper kettle chips

Dinner

Cheesy Chicken-Broccoli Bake (Hubby is looking forward to this. It's not my usual fare.)

Ok, guys, that's it. Hubby and I have a chill date, which basically just means no tv or video games lol...

P.S. I'll do a Veggie Challenge Wrap-up one more time tomorrow. If I haven't mentioned you yet, I'll include you on that list tomorrow!

xoxo

-Mrs. Myers

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Challenge Veggie Recap and a Green Monstress

So far, our challenge vegetables are as follows.

CABBAGE
Picked by: ME
Nutrients of Note: Vitamin K & Vitamin C

ASPARAGUS
Picked by: Taylor of Joy of Food
Nutrients of Note: Folate, Potassium, Fiber, Vitamin B6, Vitamin A, Vitamin C, Thiamin
Asparagus stalks are also quite high in antioxidants.
(Incidentally, am I the only one who thinks of Brian from the old TV series, ALF, when I hear the word Asparagus?...)

HEARTS OF PALM
Picked by: Emily of A Nutritionist Eats
Nutrients of Note: Potassium & Vitamin B6

*Info courtesy of Wikipedia.

Be sure to visit Taylor and Emily's blogs to check out how they incorporate their challenge veggies into their week. Keep those Challenge Veggies coming!!!

If you want to be included in the list of Challenge Veggies this week, please let me know your veggie pick, be sure to post about it and link back. You can post here or on the original post. Or, email me. Whatever works.

Ok, so, how was your day? Mine was productive. I got most of my To Do list accomplished, which is always a good way to start off a week.

I kicked off my day with my version of a Green Monster. Mine is a little less hefty without the grass everybody uses. And so, I present to you my own shaky version:

THE GREEN MONSTRESS

-Spinach

-Banana

-1 Tbsp Natural Crunch PB

-Plain Silk

This was so filling that I couldn't finish it. I had the rest with my snack of pretzels. I left out my watermelon yogurt for today.

Lunch was delicious. Truly. I spread hummus over two halves of a whole wheat english muffin and topped each with black forest ham and pepperjack cheese. I toasted it for 10 minutes. To die for.

Served with steamed broccoli.

Dessert:

Around 3pm, I had honey oikos, 1/4 cup Pumpkin Flax and blackberries as big as my head. Okay, not quite, but ya know...

Consumed while diligently workie working.

Hubby and I hit the gym after he got home from work. I struggled (really bad) through 2 miles, walked 1/4 mile, ran another mile and cooled down for another 1/4 mile. I did upper body weights and that's all folks.

When we got home, I made amazing Chicken Caesar Salad Wraps, which I ate completely before realizing I hadn't pictured it!!! So sorry you missed my wrap. It was brilliant.

Here is the not so stunning filling...

I'm currently eating a yummy raspberry popsicle, while hubby watches Making His Band. I'm about to go curl up at his side with my book. Right after I give you tomorrow's menu.........

Tuesday's Menu

Breakfast
Oatmeal w/Soy Milk and Blackberries as big as my head

Mid-Morning
Dannon Watermelon Yogurt and Grapes

Lunch
Leftover Chicken Caesar Salad Wrap and fig newtons

Mid-Afternoon
1 slice Ezekiel Cinnamon-Raisin bread w/Natural Crunch Peanut Butter and a small Banana

Dinner
Hubby in the Kitchen -- Stay Tuned!!!

Night night friends...

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Cabbage and a Monday Challenge for You

Hola! Today was a typical Sunday. Dedicated entirely to food.

Breakfast was scrambie eggs (mostly eggbeaters) and toast. No pic. Mid-morning snack was fig newtons (the fridge was empty...).

After that, we headed to Walmart and Costco. We loaded up on the goods. Grapes, bananas, blackberries, Hugh Jass bag o' broccoli, ground turkey, on and on and on... Grand total: $104.

For lunchie, I used some of the new broccoli, a can of kidney beans, some hummus, shredded cheese and whole wheat tortillas to make yummy wraps.

Fabulous! Hubby even likes them.

Mid-afternoon, I was in need of some cereal. Cheerios and a very small banana.

For dinner, I finally got around to making my chicken/cabbage concoction!!!

First, I browned some chicken in a skillet. Once it was nearly cooked through I simmered it in a combo of vegetable broth and low-sodium soy.

Then, I massaged some chopped cabbage with 1 tbsp of EVOO, a tinge of salt and alot of black pepper. Then, it goes on top of the chicken.

Cover.

Stir frequently and add water as needed.

When the cabbage was tender, I threw in some tomatoes. This is mostly for color.

Ryan's plate (served w/brown rice and grapes):

Mine (no rice, some blackberries - yum!)

On Tomorrow's Menu

Breakfast
Shake w/banana, spinach, almond butter and soy milk

Mid-Morning
Pretzel twists and a Dannon Light Watermelon Yogurt

Lunch
Whole Wheat English Muffin w/black forest ham and Pepperjack (melted) and steamed broccoli

Mid-Afternoon
Honey Oikos, 1/4 cup Pumpkin Flax, Blackberries

Dinner
Chicken Caesar Salad Wraps

Okie dokie artichokies... I'm out.

xoxo
-Mrs. Myers

========MONDAY CHALLENGE===========

My Cabbage Concocation gave me an idea for a Monday challenge for everyone. Finding new ways to incorporate cabbage into my diet (just because really) has been fun and challenging. It's a vegetable I really have never eaten, cooked with or knew much about.

I challenge you to pick one veggie this week that you need to get to know a bit better and incorporate it into a meal or your daily diet. Don't forget to post here and let me know which CHALLENGE VEGGIE you choose.

If you guys like the idea of a Monday Challenge, I might try to do one every week. Let me know. xoxo


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