Join the Hate-Loss Challenge!!

The wonderful Ellen over at Fat Girl Wearing Thin is hosting a challenge for the month of January called the Hate-Loss challenge.  I am proud to be participating in this event and I think you should check it out at her site and join in if you think that you need more positive encouragement in your life and less negative-nancy comments. 

Not sure if you're interested in joining?  Ask yourself this...

As I’m trying to lose or maintain my weight, do I often belittle myself in the process?  Do I beat myself up by using words like lazy, stupid, unattractive, failure?

If you said yes to this, then you should really consider joining us in the Hate-Loss Challenge during the month of January.  Head over to Ellen's blog Fat Girl Wearing Thin and get all of the information you need to participate.  I hope that you not only think about making weight-related changes in 2011, but also changes that will help your self-esteem!

Saturday Session is once again tardy

So my two goals from last week were pretty simple.  They were...

1. Stay on track, keep my eye on the prize.

I did a decent enough job with this one.  I didn't see a gain this week, but I also didn't see a loss.  I maintained, which is okay with me for this week because I already told all of you that I ate more than usual and had a few glasses of wine.  I didn't really track this last week, which was probably why I didn't see the big deal in eating just one small oreo truffle.  I am going to carry over the tracking piece into next week's SS because I think I have somehow told myself that I can do this without tracking and I think that is a mistake.

2. Relax.

I actually did pretty well with this one.  I know some of you may be thinking, how hard can it be to just relax?  Well for me it can be a big problem. I tend to over-plan and over-think everything and then I just stress myself out.  I can honestly say that this is one of the first holiday's in awhile that I have just enjoyed and not thought about making everything perfect.

New Goals...

1. Track my food all week. 

This means every morsel.  I want to get back on the tracking wagon because I really, really think that it helps me and I know that I eat more than I should when I am not diligent about writing everything that I eat down.  So, having said that I am going to be a tracking machine this week and see if my weigh-in proves that this method is indeed neccesary for me.

2. Set some major goals and challenges for the New Year.

This upcoming SS happens to land on the first day of the New Year, so to kick off the New Year with a big bang I am going to reveal my major goals for the year, some challenges that I am kind of afraid of, but willing to tackle and some of my hopes and aspirations for this journey in the new year.  I hope you all will take some time to reflect on your journey so far and take some notes on where you would like to be in the New Year.  Let's make 2011 healthier and happier than ever!! :)

Posts that are yet to come this week include: the Hate-Loss challenge, a fashion related post, a post about the website Etsy, a review of the game Just Dance 2 for the Wii and a new SS post!  Make it a great week everyone!

6 Things Sunday

1.  I hope everyone had a happy holiday!
2.  I did pretty good with my eating this week.  I did have some of my mom's famous caramel rolls that I only get once a year and a few glasses of wine.  I didn't veer too off course, but I did allow myself to enjoy some things that only come once a year.  Was I as good as I have been? NO!  Was I completely out of control?  No. I just need to be honest with all of you and myself that I enjoyed my holiday without stuffing myself to the gills or depriving myself.  I was somewhere in the middle.  Usually I am bloated and want to puke I am so full, so I thought I did well.
3.  I got a Wii Fit and Just Dance for Christmas!!  So excited to start using them soon!
4.  I'm going to Disney World!!! My future in-laws are taking all of us to Disney World in March.  I have been there before, but not since I was 8, so I am excited to go again!!
5.  I just went to Target and Pier 1 and got $300 worth of stuff for about $100.  Success.
6.  I am so, so, so excited to get completely back on track, into a groove, don't have parties to go to, cookies to bake, dinners to eat, drinks to sip... you get it.  I love the holiday's but I have had my fill and now I am ready to make the rest of 2010 and the New Year a huge weight loss, healthy living, feel amazing about my body year :)

Satunday Session

I hope everyone had a happy holiday weekend.  Over here in Minnesota we were snow free (yea!) this weekend and we made it to almost all of our holiday events. On friday Ron and I braved Mall of America to finish our Christmas shopping (we only have two people left) out of probably 20 people so we did pretty good.


Yesterday we had our family Christmas party with my extended family on my mom's side.  I love this holiday party. It includes about 40-50 of us getting together at my cousins house and we have an appetizer and dessert contest.  It is so much fun and everyone really tries to make a fabulous dish.  This year I made.... 


To Die For Dip:
2 - 8 oz. Pkgs. Philadelphia Cream Cheese
1 – Can (~15oz.) Whole Corn (drained)
1 – Can (~4 oz.) Chopped Olives
1 – Packet of Dry Hidden Valley Ranch Seasoning & Salad Dressing Mix
Chopped Pickled Jalapenos to your tolerance
1 red pepper chopped
1 can black beans


Mix all ingredients together and serve cold or warm in a crock pot with fritos or tortilla chips.


AND...


Double Chocolate Kiss Cookies

I added chocolate chips to the dough and made my own vanilla buttercream frosting.


So, how did it go?  I WON 1st place for the cookies!!!  People loved them.  I have to admit, I didn't eat one.  I didn't eat much besides fruit and veggies at the party and one meatball and a little dip.  It went pretty well considering how much temptation was there.


Last night I had another Christmas party to go to and I went to it and there was another table of food and tons of libations and I only ate two things.  Success in my eyes.  I also worked out on Saturday for the first time (biking) and my ankle did really well.  I am so excited to get back into my routine though.


Today, I had a holiday concert to go to but was unable to go due to a family emergency.  Everything is fine now, but I am happy that I was able to be there for my family.


The rest of my week goes, something like this...


Sunday- Finish wrapping presents, clean my house, finish making truffles
Monday- Work, Ornament exchange at lunch, working out, preparing house for Girl's Night Christmas 
Tuesday- Work, Girl's Night Christmas with ornament exchange
Wednesday- Work, Work Holiday party, get ankle checked out, work out
Thursday- Work, finish last minute holiday stuff
Friday- Christmas Eve (my favorite day of the year!!) go to church, dinner with family, open presents, go to sleep and wait for Santa :)
Saturday-Christmas breakfast with Ron, open presents, go to Ron's mom's house for dinner/presents
Sunday-Stay in Pajama's all day and watch movies and relax (probably work out)


I am kind of tired just looking at this list.  That is a lot of things to get done, but it will be worth it to spend time with family!


SS Update...

1. Attend an hour long fitness class 6 days this week.

So, my sprained ankle slowed me down, but it didn't completely deter me from getting any activity in (thanks to everyone who gave me ideas about other activities I could do), but I definitely didn't get this accomplished they way I thought I would.  Does that mean I am going to quit and just consider it a loss?  No way!  I am determined to keep going.  I know that I have a long way to go still and this was just a small bump in the road. 

2. Get all of my holiday decorations out and Christmas presents wrapped.

This is a work in progress.  I still have wrapping to do, but my decorating is pretty much done, so it isn't like I have been totally slacking :)

New Goals... 

1. Stay on track, keep my eye on the prize.

Keep tracking my food, keep up on my activity, stay away from the holiday food.  Should be easy, right? :)

2. Relax.

This is often a struggle for me.  I am a go, go, go type of person.  I know that I stress out too much, it is something that I really need to work on.  I need to just relax and enjoy this season and my time with my family and friends.  Sometimes things don't go EXACTLY as planned, but usually everything turns out in the end.  I am going to really try to master the art of letting things be and just enjoying my life and living in the moment with the people I love.

Insult to Injury

You know how my SS post was about how I have been slacking in the workout department?  You know how I made my goal to work out nearly every day for almost two weeks?  You know how sometimes you should listen to your body more than your mind and say this might be a little bit too much?  You say, maybe you should slow down you might be overdoing it?

Well, I had been doing pretty well with this goal until Tuesday night when after my Soul Grooves class I grabbed a bunch of stuff out of my car (more than anyone should carry in one trip) and I slipped (on one of the hundrend patches of ice that is beneath the snow) and I sprained my ankle.  Shoot!  I spent almost all day yesterday at the doctor getting it looked at, but since it was so swollen they couldn't properly determine if it was broken.  Good news is it is not nearly as swollen as it was and it is not broken.  Bad news is it is still sprained, hurts like crazy and means that I need to stay off of it until next Tuesday when I have to go back and get it checked out.

So, what I have I learned you may ask?  Well, I have learned that I need to be careful on the ice, that I need to take more than one trip of neccesary, that I need to relax and most importantly that I need to try to stop doing everything all at once and burning myself and my body out.  In all honesty, I feel like since October I have been go, go go and it seems like I am trying to do too much at once.  I used to be a complete and total couch potato.  I never went to the gym and I ate poorly.  I don't want to retreat to my old ways by any means.  I also don't want to feel like a chicken with my head cut off.  I want to lose this weight and feel healthy more than anything.  I need to find a balance.  I need to remind myself that this is a lifestyle change, not a race to the finish line.  I know my body is different now than it was 3 months ago.  I know that it will be even more different than it is now in 3 months. 

So, my fellow bloggers my question is... How do you find the right balance?  How often do people work out each week?  Do you listen to your body more than anything?  I would love some advice, because right now I am feeling like I have overdone it and I need to re-think my plan.

Also, my sister asked me the other day how much weight I have lost and I realized that I haven't shared it with anyone in awhile.  Three weeks ago I came 1.5 pounds shy of 50 pounds lost.  The next week at my weigh in I didn't lose anything.  On Sunday when I weighed myself I had officially hit the 50 pound mark.  I have lost 51.3 pounds.  I am ecstatic.  I think the excitement from hitting this milestone is another reason why I pushed myself too hard. I need to keep reminding myself that I am doing great and to take it down a notch.

Fashion Update: Hair Accessories

I love headbands.  It may be a problem.  It is definitely not worse than my addiction to purses.  I would be addicted to shoes if my feet weren't so big, so I just usually stare at them and wish that my feet weren't like clowns.

Be on the look out for some posts in the upcoming weeks that will feature some fun ideas for the holiday's, a feature on the website Etsy and some new healthy living materials and information.

Anthropologie Sequin Beanie $68.  Price is slightly outrageous, cuteness factor is 10+

Anthropologie Precious Nuggets Pony $18
These are perfect for jazzing up a simple pony tail.

Asos 2adorn Fascinator with Satin Peony Flower on Velvet Alice Headband $25.86
This may be a little Kate Middleton and I may have lost some of you with this one, but I love it.



Anthropologie Twinkling Phlox Headband $34
I really like the trend of having things gather on the side of headbands.

Buenos Aires Fascinator from Tiedandfeather as shown on Etsy $34.22
Fascinator's fascinate me.  I am finding them all over the place. In stores, online, in blogs.


I hope that you are all okay with my occassional fashion related posts.  The main theme of my blog is about weight loss, but it helps me to liven it up a little with some fashion fun.

Friend Making Monday's: Holiday Recipe

The wonderful Kenz over at All the Weigh is hosting another FMM and this week the topic is a favorite holiday recipe.  Head over to her site and chek out her holiday recipe and link up with the others who are participating.  Make sure to check out their blogs as well.  Happy Monday!!

I tried this recipe a few months ago and it is really good and... healthier than some other holiday treats.  It comes from the wonderful dieticians at the Mayo Clinic

Warm Chocolate Souffles

Dietitian's tip: Although these souffles are made with unsweetened cocoa instead of the usual rich chocolate, their flavor is just as intense. If you can't find fresh raspberries, sliced fresh strawberries will do nicely.

By Mayo Clinic staff

Serves 6

Ingredients

1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder 6 tablespoons hot water 1 tablespoon unsalted butter 1 tablespoon canola oil 3 tablespoons all-purpose (plain) flour 1 tablespoon ground hazelnuts (filberts) or almonds 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon 3 tablespoons firmly packed dark brown sugar 2 tablespoons honey 1/8 teaspoon salt 3/4 cup 1 percent low-fat milk 4 egg whites 3 tablespoons granulated sugar 1 teaspoon confectioners' (powdered) sugar 1 cup raspberries

Directions

Preheat the oven to 375 F. Lightly coat six 1-cup individual souffle dishes or ramekins with cooking spray or coat a 6-cup souffle dish with the spray.
In a small bowl, combine the cocoa and hot water, stirring until smooth. Set aside.
In a small, heavy saucepan over medium heat, melt the butter. Add the canola oil and stir to combine. Add the flour, ground hazelnuts and cinnamon and cook for 1 minute, stirring constantly with a whisk. Stir in the brown sugar, honey and salt. Gradually add the milk and cook, stirring constantly, until thickened, about 3 minutes. Remove from the heat and stir into the cocoa mixture. Let cool slightly.
In a large, thoroughly cleaned bowl, using an electric mixer on high speed, beat the egg whites until foamy. Add the granulated sugar 1 tablespoon at a time and beat until stiff peaks form. Using a rubber spatula, gently fold 1/3 of the egg whites into the cocoa mixture to lighten it. Then fold the remaining egg whites into the cocoa mixture, mixing gently only until no white streaks remain.
Gently scoop the cocoa egg white mixture into the prepared dishes (or dish). Bake until the souffle rises above the rim and is set in the center, 15 to 20 minutes for individual souffles or 40 to 45 minutes for the large souffle. Cool the souffles on a wire rack for 10 to 15 minutes. Using a fine-mesh sieve, dust the top with the confectioners' sugar. Garnish with raspberries and serve immediately.

Nutritional Analysis

(per serving)

Calories	184	Cholesterol	7 mg
Protein	6 g	Sodium	106 mg
Carbohydrate	30 g	Fiber	4 g
Total fat	7 g	Potassium	248 mg
Saturated fat	2 g	Calcium	58 mg
Monounsaturated fat	3 g

Enjoy!!!

Blizzard

This was once a car.

This was once a street.

This was once a deck.

This was once a ruler.

This was once a parking space in front of a store.

Airport closed, malls closed, buses stopped, taxis stopped, plows stopped, cars stalled in the roads.  Oh, mother nature.  I apologize for making you so angry.  I hope you got this out of your system.  Christmas is coming soon and I can't handle anymore cancelled holiday plans.

SNOW REPORTS LISTED BY AMOUNT

 INCHES  LOCATION                 ST  COUNTY           TIME
 ------  -----------------------  --  --------------   -------
 20.00   OAKDALE                  MN  WASHINGTON       0247 PM
 18.00   MENOMONIE                WI  DUNN             0346 PM
 18.00   SHAKOPEE                 MN  SCOTT            0341 PM
 18.00   FARMINGTON               MN  DAKOTA           0630 PM
 18.00   3 SSW BURNSVILLE         MN  DAKOTA           0610 PM
 17.50   RED WING                 MN  GOODHUE          0506 PM
 17.40   NEW RICHMOND             WI  ST. CROIX        0516 PM
 17.20   4 SSW MINNEAPOLIS        MN  HENNEPIN         0520 PM
 17.00   MAPLEWOOD                MN  RAMSEY           0334 PM
 16.50   MINNEAPOLIS              MN  HENNEPIN         0600 PM

It snowed for another two hours after this was posted, so we 

probably got just under 20inches of snow.

Saturday Session

I am writing to you from a place that just got 18 inches of snow dumped on it.  A place that is known to be frigid and snowy.  A place that is very close to Canada, but today feels like it is bordering the North Pole or Antarctica.  I have lived here my entire life.  I love it here.  There is nowhere else I would rather be (except Italy <3)  I love having four full seasons to enjoy.  I am someone who hates weather when it is super hot and muggy.  I like being bundled up in the cold weather.  I am someone who strongly believes that you are only allowed to complain about one season.  You either like the heat or you like it when it is cooler.  I must say, I prefer a cool crisp autumn day to most any other day. As I said before (and I promise this will be the last time) I hate being hot! So if one must choose between being hot or cold I choose to be cold.  Having said that, this next statement is going to contradict everything that I just said, but here it goes... I HATE this bitterly cold, blizzard filled, snowed in day I wish that the blizzard didn't come today and ruin my three very fun plans that I had this weekend.

Okay, I feel much better and more prepared to move on with what this post is actually supposed to be about, which is not complaining about the weather (but seriously if you looked outside and what you were feasting your eyes on had ruined your wonderful and fabulous weekend filled with family, friends and cookie baking you may be upset too).  Just sayin'.


Last time I had a Saturday Session post it was about the topics listed below.

1. Attend an hour long fitness class 6 days this week.

I made these goals the Saturday after Thanksgiving and I actually rocked at this the entire next week.  After that I got engaged, had an interview and got stuck in a blizzard.  All excuses?  You betcha.  Do I need to work harder at this?  Definitely.  This week working out was not high on my priority list.  I am not even going to try and make more excuses than the ones that were previously listed.  I disappointed myself and I need to do better, so this will be another goal for me for two straight weeks, with an added twist.  I must attend will attend an hour long workout class 6 days a week for two consecutive weeks and I will also take a Spin class and the Mixx at least once each.  Why is this a big deal?  Because I have made plans to go to these classes at least 5 times before and when I get there I see very fit skinny people who look extremely coordinated and more capable of completing this class than me and I run away to my comfortable elliptical and watch music videos of fit celebrities and kick myself for being such a baby.  That may have been the longest run-on sentence.

2. Get all of my holiday decorations out and Christmas presents wrapped.

I realize now that I am looking at this goal that this may have been me taking the easy way out and posting something that brings me immense joy and not really something that is a goal that I was working towards.  However, I was very successful with this goal and my house is beautifully decorated and lovely. 

My festive wine rack withe the stockings hung.

Ron carefully decorating the tree.

Our tree!

New goals...

1. Attend a one hour workout class 12 times in the next 14 days.  Also attend a Spin class and the MIXX at least once.

This scares me.  I hope I can succeed at this.  I will feel amazing if I am able to accomplish this.

2. Get back on track.  

What I mean by this is I kind of stopped tracking my food.  I did alright most days, but then one day I ate two handfuls of M&M's.  It was a slippery slope and I am not falling for it anymore.  Tracking every day is essential for me and is something that I need to get back into.

I will post blizzard pictures tomorrow after we reconcile from our fight.  Have a great evening everyone. Hope you're staying on track with all of the holiday temptations.  It is hard, but it will be worth it when we are well ahead of the game when everyone just begins to make their new year's resolutions. :)

Choking Down My Lunch

I have to admit that I am ecstatic that it is Friday today for many reasons...

1. It is payday for my fiance, which means that we get to get some groceries.  I had to choke my lunch down today because my baked chips were stale, my carrots were turning white and my sandwich is the same thing I have been eating for 2 weeks.  I am so bored with my lunches and so excited to get to the store and stock up on some new goodies.

2. It is the weekend and I have a jam-packed schedule of holiday parties and fun and I ready to kick the food and treat table out the window.  Tonight I have a happy hour with friends, tomorrow my fiance's family Christmas party and Sunday cookie baking with my future mother-in-law.  We are supposed to get a blizzard in the middle of all of this, so we will see how much of this we are actually able to accomplish.

3. I went to the gym this morning for my first morning work-out session in almost 3 weeks and when I walked in the room someone in the class said, "i'm happy you're back.  I thought you fell off the wagon."  AHHHH. I love it and hate it at the same time.  I love that she said that to me because in all honesty I needed to hear it.  I also love that she said it because I then pushed myself harder than ever and burned even more calories.  I hate it because it is so blunt and so unlike something I could say, but all of the previous statements out-weigh the negative one.  The person who said it meant well with it, so I know it wasn't someone trying to be judgemental and rude.

My last thing that I listed makes me think about some people's blogs.  I know that everyone's blog is as different as their journey's and I want to make a statement and try to not pass judgement while doing so.  My intent with my statement is the same as the person who told me the information from #3 above.  So, here it goes...

Stop making excuses and stop being overly negative!  Make a promise and keep it!  It drives me nuts that some people post everyday that they made a poor choice and vow that they will start to make better decisions only to post the next day that they did the same thing again and again and again.

Of course, we need to be supportive of one another.  That is why most people blog, to express their feelings and to find other people who have been there or are currently in the same spot tohelp them with their struggles.  I love that about the blog world.  I have found so much inspiration and motivation since I started blogging.  I am forever thankful for the words that people have shared with me. 

I just think we also need to push each other a little. We need to approach constructive criticsm delicately and make sure that we are coming from a helpful positive place when we make a comment.  We also need to make sure that people know that we are rooting for them and want them to make positive choices and not negative ones.  To dwell on success, rather than failure.

Do me a favor.  Look at your past 10 posts and just ask yourself what is the tone of my blog?  Do I make promises to myself and break them over and over again?  Do I sound like a broken record?  Am I being overly negative and too hard on myself?  We all need to work on finding a balance of positivity and motivation.  We need to be our own biggest cheerleader and at times our toughest critic.

Thirsty Thursday

I have always loved water.  I would wake up in the middle of the night sometimes and practically run to the fridge to get an ice cold glass of water.  I don't do this anymore mostly because I am drinking like 120 oz. a day, so I don't find myself craving it quite as much as I used to.

Some days it is easier than others to get all of my water in and I feel like I drink it all with no problem.  Some days I feel like it is hard for me to gulp down 48 oz. but I can honestly say that drinking more water has made me feel so much better.  I feel like my body is a well-oiled machine when I drink water and I love it.

So, what is the problem you might ask?  Well, I have a little confession to make.  After a long hiatus from soda I bought a diet coke today, fresh from the fountain and ice-cold.  I took a sip and honestly wasn't that impressed.  I didn't even really like the taste that much.  I actually have over half of the pop left and I have moved on from it.  I may have really kicked my soda habit and it feels good.  I was in no way a diet-coke junkie, but I probably had one a day or every other day, but it just was something I felt like I needed to get rid of in my life.  I just didn't need the expense or the caffeine addiction. I think I will still have a diet-coke every once in a while, but while we used to be best friends we are now mere acquaintances and I must say that I like our new relationship status.

Fashion Update- Glitz and Glam

Glitz and Glam


Hello all.  Fashion Friday is now known as Fashion Update.  I want the flexibility of being able to make a fashion related post whenever I am feeling like it and not just when it is Friday.  Having said that I am still going to do Saturday Sessions and after this week they will always be on Saturday.

Forever 21+ Tiered Sequin Skirt $22.80
I love skirts.  This one is fun, sparkly and perfect for a holiday party.



Torrid Black Sequin Tank $38.00
Sequined tanks are very in this year and can jazz up any outfit.  Just throw on a colorful cardigan and some skinny jeans with heels and you're set.



Torrid Crystal Gem Bow 2-Pack $12



Asos Double Finger Bow Ring on Stretch Pearls

 

Asos Curve Exclusive Sequin and Jewel Embellished Dress $146.54

There were a lot of other sites that I wanted to feature, but I couldn't copy an image, so this fashion post is short and sweet.  Happy Wednesday!

Awarded... Just what I need to stay motivated.

I almost deleted my previous post when I found out that Trisha over at Crazy Little Thing Called Life gave me an award!  I didn't delete it because I was still feeling that way.  I was feeling a total lack of motivation to work out and I think that the most important thing that we can do on our journey is to be honest with ourselves.

Moving on to something much more positive. I received this wonderful award from Trisha that is called, "The Cherry on Top Award."  Yea!  I love awards and I also really love Trisha and her blog.  She is a total inspiration and her blog is amazing.



I am  rule follower and there are specific rules that go along with receiving this award and they are to pick five blogs to pass along this nifty award to, and then to comment on their blogs so that they know that they were awarded. Check out my fab five below, in no particular order and become a follower.  You won't regret it!

Ellen at Fat Girl Wearing Thin is so funny and her posts always make me laugh.  She is also super motivational and always one of the first people to comment on something that I say on my blog.  I njoy reading her posts a lot and I know you will too.

Ann at Twelve in Twelve This wonderful lady ran 12 5k's in 12 months.  Talk about amazing and inspirational.  Her blog and her stories are awesome.  She just completed her last 5k and has pictures of all of the ones that she has done this year.  Check it out!

Alissa at A Journey to Thin  This girl is so on top of blogging that she blogs nearly everything that she eats.  She also keeps track of points through WW and has pictures for everything!  If I ever need an idea for a meal I usually head to her blog!

Sara at Bombshell Beauty  I love reading her blog because she is curvy, chic and fabulous.  I like to read about people who are comfortable with their weight and embracing their curves.  She is really funny and she also lives in Minnesota, so I am picking her.

Sarah at Fat Little Legs  Umm, hello inspiration.  She has lost 113 pounds and is fabulous.  She also happens to live in Minnesota (I promise this is the last one).  She talks about weight loss, WW and being a mom and I really enjoy her blog.

Make sure you check out all of these fabulous ladies blogs.  They are all great and inspirational in their own way! :)

Talkative Tuesday

I have to admit.  I am on a bit of a gym slump.  I haven't gone in two days.  I know I need to, I want to, but I just can't face the cold weather.

It has been freezing here.  When I get home from work I want to crawl in bed or a hot tub.  My motivation to workout hasn't been there.  It needs to be.  I am forcing myself to work out tonight.  I know I will feel great when I am done and that is what I keep telling myself.

I just cleaned the kitchen and made dinner.  I am now going to lace up my shoes and get my butt to the gym.  I will work out for an hour and then I will come home and clean up the dining room. Somewhere in between all of this I am hoping that I find my friend motivation and that he hope back into my life and keeps me running because right now I am kind of running on empty.

I am also in a bit of a cooking rut.  Every night it feels like it is the same thing.  I need to look at my HG cookbook and find some new recipes to try.  I need to spice up my life otherwise I get crazy cravings and know that I will derail.

What should I buy at the store?  Any new things that I should know about?

Sorry I am late with my postings!

*I know I have done a pretty poor job with blogging lately.
*I am sure that some of my followers want to stop following me.
*I promise you, I have NOT fallen off the wagon.
*I feel like the blogs that I read and the people who follow me on my journey have made a huge impact on my life and my success losing weight, so I don't want people to think I am not taking this serious.
*One of my Saturday Sessions goals is to make sure that I am blogging more regularly, since I missed two of my regular topics this week.
*On a lighter note, I have to admit that I have been missing in action for a pretty good reason...


I got engaged on Friday night!!!!!!!!


For those of you who don't know (I am guessing that this is many people) I live in Minnesota and on friday we got a healthy serving of snow.  My boyfriend bought us tickets to the Russian Nutcracker ballet awhile ago and it also happened to land on the same day as another event that my friends and I had been planning to go to called the 12 Bars of Christmas which is a bar crawl that raises money for a local children's hospital.  It is a lot of fun.  Since they are both in Downtown Minneapolis we decided we could squeeze both of them in.


At noon yesterday Ron called me and said, "I booked a hotel room for us at the Hilton downtown because it is going to be such bad weather, so now we don't have to worry about driving."  I was super excited and decided that I would meet him at the hotel. 

I loved the cute Sweet Dreams pillow on the bed of our suite.

When he got to the hotel he told me that we needed to hurry up in order to make our dinner reservations.  So, we went out into the cold, snowy night and walked to dinner.  On the way there we passed Peavey Plaza, a small area that is lighted with an ice rink.  In one of the corner's there is a small patch of evergreen trees that were beautifully dusted with snow and glowing with dazzling lights.  As I stopped to take my camera out to snap a picture, I turned around and found my boyfriend on one knee in the snow.  He said some very sweet, touching, amazing things to me before asking, "Will you marry me?"  To which I ecstatically shouted "YES! YES!" with tears in my eyes.  We both cried and hugged and took pictures. 

I think that my face says it all!

There he is in the snow.  My fiance!

After all of this excitement we went to dinner and then to the Russian Nutcracker ballet.  The ballet was fabulous and the State Theater is gorgeous.  

A view of Hennepin Ave in Downtown Minneapolis on our way to the State Theater.

I LOVE the music from the Nutcracker and going to the ballet was a dream of mine.

The inside of the theater.  Gorgeous.

This was the story of my fairytale proposal followed by my childhood dream of going to the Nutcracker. Friday night was the most amazing night of my life.  After the ballet I was able to go out and tell all of our friends.

Excited friends.

Really excited best friend and my fiance.

After the 12 Bars of Christmas we went back to the hotel and crashed because we has been through so much excitement that day.  I hardly slept because I was so anxious to tell my family at cookie baking.  Every year my sister and my mom and I spend an entire day making cookies.  I planned to tell them by writing in a cookbook that I got for each of them and I wrote them each a personal message and then the P.S. said "We're engaged!!!"  I got to my sisters and quickly handed the book to my sister and mom and then opened them and I watched as they read their messages and then my mom was the first one to read the line.  Both of them had apparently saw it coming and started to say, "I knew it! I knew it!"  We exchanged hugs and started to talk about how it all happened.  I waited for my other sister to come so I could tell her and she was thrilled.  I only had my Grandma and brother left and I called them both up and then made the announcement on my facebook page.  I am so happy at how this all unfolded and could not feel more blessed and loved by my fiance, family and friends.  It was the perfect proposal and best way to share the news with everyone.  We are thrilled to start planning a wedding and I bought some wedding magazines yesterday.  Woo hoo!  Excited for the next chapter!!

After all of the excitement we still managed to make a lot of cookies, which I will show you below.  I promise to get back on track next week when things have settled down a bit.  Hope everyone is doing great on their journey!

My mom and her/our family dog Gabi.

My mom showing my niece how to carefully lift out the cut-outs for cream wafers.

One of my sisters at the cream wafer frosting station.

Piles of cream wafers all in a row.

These cookies are beyond amazing and delicious.

Cut-out cookie station for the kids.

The beautiful cookie creations that the kids made.