Taste buds at work..

Last night I made a pretty tasty dinner if I do say so. The recipe came from my cook book I purchased while pregnant. It has great recipes for women expecting or breast feeding to help make sure they are getting the right kind of nutrition. Even though I can't breast feed I still like it because they are just plain healthy and delicious.

Anyway I've made several recipes from the book. I love the spinach and broccoli soup for one and there is a great spinach quiche as well. My mouth is starting to water.. hehe.

So last night I had pork chops and no idea what to do with them so I was flipping through my cook books and I came up with a spice rub from this book. It was fairly simple and I had all the ingredients at my disposal already in my spice rack and pantry. It included garlic, italian seasoning, ginger and a few other spices.

The recipe called for them to be grilled but it also said it could be broiled. Our grill nearly blew up while I was in the hospital so that was out. Chris tried to grill a steak for dinner on night and the whole grill apparently caught fire, he got it out and away from the house before it was too serious and we already needed a new grill.

So this means I broiled for the first time ever, okay that is not quite accurate I did make tandoori chicken in my MIL's broiler once when we still lived with her but I had help and supervision at that time so I wouldn't ruin dinner or burn down the house.

Back to the pork chops. They came out really well. This is another recipe I'm going to have to add to my do again file. They were quick and easy, although next time I may let them marinade longer the recipe says 1 to 48 hours and I only did so for about an hour.

I served the pork chops with baked beans, mashed potatoes and crescent roles. I wasn't happy with any of my current veggie options. When we go shopping I'm going t stock up on broccoli and spinach and other delicious options.

Normally I take photos of food I make if I'm proud of how it came out but I did not do so for some reason last night. Next time! There will definitely be a next time. -_^

Life happens..

Plans change quickly for the good and the bad. My plans for yesterday were to spend the afternoon with my Mom but she rescheduled to today. Which is fine by me. Flynn and I tried to go for a more intense walk yesterday and it started to rain. I guess that the fates have a plan. Hopefully today is a better day but on that walk I spent part of it jogging to try and get back to the house so that was a plus. 

I'm also feeling pretty darn good today. Aside from getting the walk in yesterday Flynn decided to sleep last night. Only waking up in a proper pattern. First around midnight and then around 3:30 which was ideal since Chris gets up then to go to work. Yay for our little man! He also is up to 3oz per bottle during the day. Still working on it at night but that is okay. He was only at 2oz when we brought him home on the 30th. Tomorrow he goes in for his 2 month visit at the pediatrician. Poor little guy. 

Maybe its the sleep, or it could be that second cup of coffee but I'm in a really good mood this morning. I am feeling really motivated. Which is great because I need to clean and prep for my mom's visit as well as get my work out on this morning.

Last night I totally improvised for dinner (grilled cheese, baked potatoes and pears!?!), tonight I'm full steam ahead with trying a new recipe for pork chops. I'm hoping now that I'm home again and not working to really get back in to cooking and baking and maybe get a bit more skill in both areas. I've always loved to bake but never been a really good cook, I have the chance to change that. Although I'm sure I will have to get creative since we are living on one income now. I plan on coupon clipping as much as possible now. Sales are a good thing!

So now for a quick update for Project Get Healthy:
I received a pedometer on a challenge for my Father-in-laws work and now I'm using it as well as my fitness watch to help keep track of what I do. That is where the miles and steps come from. the calories are from my fitness watch, it accounts for my heart rate and my age and sex so it gives me more accurate calories. I'd like to get nicer watch but between the pedometer and the watch I have I have plenty of information and it was only 30 bucks at Walmart.

I'm really hoping to keep the daily walking up so I can build up to jogging instead, after all I have a jogging stroller. That is enough for the Get Healthy bit today. I'll post another update when I have one and a guaranteed one on Friday.

I hope everyone else out there is having a wonderful weekend. I'd also love suggestions and advice on how to get in a great workout when you have a 2 month old!

Hugs all around!

Yesterday ended up being a great day. Not only was I able to get my work out in, although it took longer as I had to stop and feed Flynn half way through it. Still it felt good and it is only the beginning.

Friday was a family day as will be today. My MIL came over and we had lunch and we got to cuddle Flynn. Donnamae went through all his clothes and helped me reorganize some of the clothes we haven't gone through yet. She and I were still talking when Chris got home from work. She being the great woman she is then offered us dinner at that point. She and I went over the the Brick House to pick up our meal and I got a hug! Before Flynn was born we went to the Brick House almost once a week. It is the only restaurant in town. When we walked in I got hugs. I got squeals of happiness to see me and how well I was doing. I got questions about how Flynn is doing and asking when they can see him. It felt really good.

An old photo of the Brick House

I am not one to be the center of attention. I like blogging and the internet because its a bit more anonymous than the real world sometimes, but it felt good. I live in a really small town. We don't even have a grocery store. It means a lot that people in town actually were worried about us. We haven't lived here that long but it makes me glad we picked this town to finally settle down in.

My mom is coming up to hang out today. Hoping to take a nice walk with her and Flynn today. I'll take my camera with us and maybe get some good shots. ^_^

Mom and I Sept 2010

Get Healthy Project The Beginning.

If you have read any of my posts you are aware that I am a new Mommy and had my little boy 8 weeks ago tomorrow. Wow 8 weeks already. You also may be aware that I as very sick from my pregnancy and he was 8 weeks premature and I had dialysis to remove excess water from my body so I could breathe. They took 30 liters so I lost basically all the baby weight in the hospital but not in the way that is ideal if you want to get back in shape.

Now I'm finally deemed healthy and I while I weigh just about what I did pre-baby I have a ways to go to get back in shape. So my goal weight is 125lbs. I'm not ashamed to say it. Its a valid goal. That is my ultimate goal and I am shooting for that in a year. So By Flynn's 1st Birthday I want to be at my goal weight.
To start here are some start off photos.

Day 1: 8/10/2012

Day 1: 8/10/2012

Day 1: 8/10/2012

So first things first it is time to set some weekly goals. I think small accomplishments are what help us get to the bigger rewards.

Week One Goals:

1. Walk Flynn everyday for at least 30 minutes
2. Start adding in pilates workouts at least 30 minutes ever other day
3. Create a healthy shopping list for next weeks food shop
4. Start my food/workout journal
5. Have Fun!

That last one is great because in truth that is what life should be about. If you aren't having fun you aren't doing it right. That out look helped me get through everything and I think, aside from Flynn, is my motivation.

So far today I've been able to do 40 minutes of pilates and start my food/workout journal and I'm still really happy, hehe. I plan on updating once a week on my progress. So yes this is my Get Healthy Project.

TGIF!

Flynn and I have made it through the week woohoo!

Flynn only woke up twice last night. First at midnight then at 2am. He then slept till almost 4am when I got up because Chris was getting ready for work. Flynn took the biggest bottle yet this morning. A whole 85ml.. I'm hoping he'll be up to 3 ounces a bottle before long. I tried weighing him last night and came up with 6.9lbs. We will see what it really is on Monday when we go to the pediatricians office.

Football season started last night, well the preseason but I'm already learning quickly that thanks to an 8 week old baby I wont be getting to finish a lot of night games. After all I sleep when he sleeps. We did get to see half the game though. From what I hear the Broncos creamed Chicago so woohoo. Flynn is getting ready to be part of our big time football family too. He has a Penn State bag from my cousin that says "Little PSU Lion" on it, two 0-3month onsies for CU, and two football blankets. Oh and another football outfit in his dresser ready to go when he is big enough and its colder out. He just is missing some Broncos and Giants gear.

Are you ready for some football?

On a random note its fitting both Mannings play for my teams now go Manning Brothers!

Chris and Flynn watching the Broncos

We were able to solve the sleeping problem last night. We took the bassinet from his pack'n'play and it actually fit in the bassinet upstairs. This way it keeps him above the cat and dog's access and he is happy. I think between that and the bigger bottles he has been eating helped a lot. 

Today is going to be the day I take my weight loss/ get back in shape post baby ideas full force. Still no Zumba, I have to get it back from my MIL. But I can start easy with my pilates dvd from the prenatal era.

I just need to keep my self motivated. One thing to motivate me is what I know I'm capable of. I was so close to my goal weight when I got married. So that is my start.

So a new segment in my blog will be a once a week post about my health and fitness goals. Since today is Friday I think it can be a Friday thing.

My MIL is coming by for lunch today.  So I have a lot to do before then. Hopefully Flynn will sleep for another hour or so so I can get my workout in.