Has it been that long?

I decided to post tonight, and was SHOCKED that I haven't posted since August! Has it been that long? Really? WOW.

Well, life has been really really busy, but good. Really. hehehe.
I've been biking, working, and fulfilling many responsibilities. My days off have been full to the brink. The first Florence Arthritis Walk was this past weekend. I have been on the planning committee for a long time and led the water walk portion (for people who can't walk far on land) and its over! It was fun though, and I had tons of support from my coworkers and patients.

Today was a big day too: I taught a class at the local Physical Therapy Assistant Program and it went extremely well. I want to teach more. Everyday. OK, maybe just every once in a while, but it was great. Teaching runs in my veins, you know! My mom and dad's mom were both teachers: good ones too.

Oh, by the way, I've lost 99.2 lbs. ARGHH. I hoped to be to 100 by October 1, but soon, it will be. I've been eating right and exercising, and it has slowed down to about 1 pound a week. I'm trying to look at the positive of slow weight loss: my skin should shrink, maybe I'll have less wrinkles, and less shock to lose half my body weight. And I don't have to get new clothes as often. Kris and I have become addicted to our new Wii: a nintendo video game system that is like virtual reality= you move with: swing the tennis racket, bowl, do yoga, hula hoop, skii, etc. I LOVE everything about the Wii Fit game except it except it tells me I'm still considered obese, and it says ouch when I step on the balance board. Not kidding. It actually says ouch. It hurts my ego a little, but makes me work harder. It helps track my progress, and tells me when my goals are unrealistic. It is always surprised that I am he-man strong, but tells me I need to work on my balance. When I figure out how that will help me lose weight I'll do more of the balance games... It also has this screen that pops up if you gain 0.01 lbs that asks you why you gained: eating too much, etc are all choices. Biking too much is not one. Most recent over zealous biking was with 2 very tiny, fit coworkers for 30 miles of hills over 3 hours. My body was mad at me afterwards: I gained 2 lbs. Try to figure that one out.

Thought I'd share some recent recipes that have been successful: we've had lots of company lately and I've been cooking again: now on Wednesdays and weekends and freezing portions to take for lunch, and not having to cook or worry about food when I work my very very long days M T TH Fri. It is now dark when I leave and return from home. Boo. But not pouring sweat is the plus side to Fall. So what if the mosquitos are big enough to wear boots?

Steel Cut Pumpkin Oatmeal (make night before for company to have for breakfast. Sprinkle nuts or apples if you like: I'm making these Saturday for Kris's parents who are on their way south)

CREAMY PUMPKIN (or apple) OATMEAL (crock pot)

2 cups steel cut oats
1 12 oz. Can fat-free evaporated milk
1 15 oz. Can pumpkin (or use 2 c unsweetened applesauce plus one apple)
5 1/2 cups water
2 teaspoons pumpkin pie spice (or just cinnamon)
1/4 cup sugar free maple syrup
1 tsp vanilla

Just put it all in the crock pot, mix until no chunks of pumpkin left. Cook on low for 8 hours (while you sleep).

Easy Fancy Aldi Meal (I do this for company or special occasions: just watch the sodium in the pre-marinated ones or opt for the plain ones: they are just as yummy)

Cook 1 turkey or pork tenderloin according to directions: usually 325 for 1 hr. At the same time roast acorn or butternut squash (cut in half with seeds removed)with cut side down. Remove squash when tender and top with one teaspoon of brownsugar or sprinkle Cinnamon, and spray FF butter. Serve with steamed broccoli.

Zucchini Brownies
Use one package of Aldi brownie mix, but add 1/2 cup egg beaters, 1/4 cup water, and 1/2 cup plain nonfat yogurt. Shred one zucchini and add to batter. Bake as directed then cut into 20 brownies (usually cook with the above meal) and enjoy! (you can't even taste the zucchini but it adds nutrients and makes them thicker!)

Crock Pot Chicken Cattitori

1 small onion diced
1-2 green, yellow, or red peppers
1 package sliced or quartered mushrooms
2 zucchini sliced
4 chicken breasts (frozen is fine)
1 jar spaghetti Sauce (I've been using Hunts Garlic canned sauce)

Put in order in crock pot and cook on low all day (or on high 3-4 hrs if chicken is thawed) and serve either over pasta or on buns.