And a new journey begins....

Some of you may know that I have been struggling with my weight my whole life. Add arthritis, limited mobility and food addiction and you have a deadly combination. Back when I was working (up until 1999), I was 125 pounds lighter than I am now. Since I quit working and smoking, it seems the pounds just continue to add on. I try to be as active as I can, but I'm still limited in how far I can push myself. At home, my workout might include a half mile walk or 5 minutes on the elliptical trainer, but then I'm down and in pain for 2 days. Chuck bought me a Wii and the games I asked for to go with it. Progress was still slow because of the pain. Since the weather turned warmer, the pain has eased a bit and I am able to walk more often without so much pain, but of course the rain has to come along and mess with me! Then there is the food addiction... I will do go for a long time with eating the right things and the right amounts, the I will have a dish of ice cream or a piece of cake and it's all over. That's all I want to eat! Yesterday for lunch I had some chips with dip and a bowl of ice cream... no substance, just junk... and for a snack later, I had a rice krispie treat. Sad, I know.... Don't get me wrong, I love love love fresh fruits and veggies and I could eat them all day, but nothing beats Triple Peanut Butter ice cream!

So here's where the new journey begins. We are officially members of a fitness club. We have access to all the equipment 24 hours a day. I don't intend on going to the gym at 3am, but at least I know I can go when it is convenient for me. I'm a bit scared about the unknown... the pain, the new environment, the pain.... but it's time I do this for myself. Taking the weight off would help ease the pain in my joints and keep me around to watch my nieces grow up and spend time with my family. Wish me luck on this new phase in my life!

Danilynn

Five ? Friday

1. What is your favorite summer time activity?
Bonfires... I love the smell and the quietness of it.

2. Do you have one laundry soap you stick to, or do you buy whatever's on sale?
I like the Purex 3-in-1 Sheets. The smell is awesome and it's easier for me to put in the wash. I have a hard time holding onto a large bottle because of my arthritis, so these sheets are perfect. I also like the All Small and Mighty because it is concentratedand comes in a smaller bottle.

3. What is your favorite dinner to make in the summer?
Anything on the grill!

4. Do you have any talents?
I am very humble about this... but I sing pretty good. I've been singing in the Church Choir and solos in Church. Recently, I have been singing the National Anthem for the Skee Town Skirtz Roller Derby.

5. If you could instantly be an expert in something, what would it be? Why?
hmmm..... hard to say. I think it would have something to do with music, like playing the piano or guitar so I can play along when I'm singing. Of course, I'd have to know how to read music first!

What's for Dinner?

This is a good one! We have had this before and loved it. It's easy to make and very good.

Beefy Shells & Cheese
(Taste of Home Quick Cooking 2008)

1 lb. ground beef
1 (12 oz) package shells and cheese dinner mix
2 cups water
1-1/4 cups salsa
1 can (15 oz) black beans, rinsed and drained
1 to 2 tsp. chili powder
1/8 tsp. salt

In a large skillet, cook beef over medium heat until no longer pink; drain. Set aside cheese sauce packet from dinner mix. Add shells and water to skillet. Bring to a boil; cover and simmer 10-12 minutes or until pasta is tender. Stir in the salsa, beans, chili powder, salt and contents of cheese sauce packet. Remove from the heat; cover and let stand for 5 mintues. Makes 6 servings.

What was for Dinner?

I planned on posting this last night, but didn't get around to it, so here goes!

Summertime means grilling and we try to make as much as we can out on our grill. Last night we tried "Pizza Turnovers". Here is the recipe:

Pizza Turnovers
(Betty Crocker's Great Grilling)

1 can (10 oz) refrigerated pizza crust dough
1/4 cup spaghetti sauce (I used Italian Sausage and Garlic)
6 oz sliced smoked turkey (I used Amour Turkey Pepperoni)
1 cup shredded provolone or mozzarella cheese
4 medium green onions, sliced (1/2 cup)
2 Tbsp chopped fresh or 2 tsp dried basil leaves
2 tsp. olive or vegetable oil
3/4 cup spaghetti sauce

Heat coals or gas grill for direct heat.

Roll pizza crust dough on lightly floured surface into 12-inch square. Cut dough into four 6-inch squares. Brush half of each square with 1 tablespoon of the 1/4 cup spaghetti sauce to within 1/2 inch of edges. Top with turkey, cheese, onions and basil. Fold each square in half over filling; press edges to seal. Brush both sides with oil. Place turnovers on double thickness piece of heavy duty aluminum foil. Do not wrap foil around turnovers.

Cover and grill turnovers 4-6 inches from MEDIUM heat about 20 minutes, turning after 10 minutes, until golden brown on both sides. Place spaghetti sauce in small pan and heat during last 10 minutes of grilling.

Serve turnovers with 3/4 cup spaghetti sauce.

The verdict: Very easy to make, needed more filling for my taste. You may want to adjust your heat to low. After about 5 minutes on medium, I could smell them starting to burn so I went out to flip them, they were ready! But problems always arise when trying new things... the neighbor girl wiped out on her bike right in front of my house so I ran to her aid (I wanted to get her out of the road). I hollered for Chuck to flip the turnovers, but by the time he did, they were burnt. I patched up the kid and sent her on her way. Chuck pulled the turnovers off the grill before the other side burned. After smothering them with sauce they were okay, but I think we need a do-over to truly appreciate them. This is a nice light meal that would be great paired with a tossed salad.

DaniLynn

Five Question Fridays

1. How close to your childhood dreams is your life now? Waaaaay off! I wanted to be a teacher for a while when I was really young, then I wanted to be a Nanny. Today, I'm a disabled stay-at-home "wife".... keeper of the dog. Don't get me wrong, I don't think I would trade my life. I've learned a lot in my life and learned from my successes and failures.

2. What is one must have item for the summer? Air Conditioning! After the two 90+ degree days we had around here this past week, I don't know how I ever lived without it.

3. Do you have your kids stay up on school stuff during summer vacation? (Or, if you don't have kiddos, did your parents make you keep up on school stuff during summer?) I don't see anything wrong with keeping a mind sharp during the summer. When I was growing up, my parents encouraged us to read for a half hour before lights out. I still do that today!

4. Do you can or freeze fresh produce? ummm... no... that would take ambition and patience that I do not have....

5. Do you get ready for the day first thing in the morning? Sometimes... depends on if I'm leaving the house or not. If I'm home for the day, I just put on something comfy and go about my day. If I'm going out for an appointment or to babysit, I'm showered, dressed and out the door in a half hour.

What's for Dinner/Hot Rod Power Tour

The Pronto Pork Fajitas were awesome! I would highly recommend trying them. They were so easy to make and it was a nice change of pace.

Tonight's dinner is being postponed. We are going to have leftovers and clean out the fridge tonight after we get home from the Hot Rod Power Tour that is visiting Downtown Muskegon. I'm not what you'd call a car enthusiast, I just appreciate a nice looking automobile. I'm not looking forward to all of the walking, but I'm sure I can find a place to sit if Chuck wants to wander on his own. I like to people watch, so sitting on a bench is never a bad thing for me.

Have a great Thursday!

DaniLynn

What's for Dinner?

Let's try another recipe. Hopefully this one isn't as bad as the last. Tonight on the menu is: Pronto Pork Fajitas

Pronto Pork Fajitas
(From Southern Living 2005 Annual Recipes)

1lb. boneless pork chops
2 Tbsp. chopped fresh cilantro, divided
2 garlic cloves, pressed
2 tsp. fajita seasoning
1 red bell pepper, cut into strips
1 medium onion, cut into strips
1 Tbsp. vegetable oil
1 (10.75 oz) can Fiesta Nacho Cheese Soup
3 Tbsp. fresh lime juice
Warm corn tortillas
Toppings: salsa, sour cream, guacamole

Slice pork diagonally across the grain into 1/4-inch strips; toss with 1 Tbsp cilantro, garlic, and fajita seasoning. Let stand 15 minutes.

Saute' pork, bell pepper and onion in hot oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium heat 4-5 minutes or until done. Add soup, lime juice and remaining cilantro, and cook until thoroughly heated. Serve in warm tortillas with desired toppings.

Makes 4-6 servings

I will be back tomorrow with my thoughts on this recipe. We've had a different variation of Pork Tacos before, but didn't care much for them.

DaniLynn

Five ? Friday

1. If you had to choose, how would you prefer to choose to spend money...on landscaping or a pool?

Definitly lanscaping! A pool would be nice but not practical for us.


2. Death penalty, yay or nay?

YAY!!!

3. What's the worst thing your kid has gotten into when you turned your back/blogged/showered/blinked?

My 'kid" (yes, the beagle) likes to get into things that don't belong to him and tear them up when I'm busy doing something else besides paying attention to him. When he's left home alone, he doesn't do these things. Of course, when he was a puppy he did major damage to our house when we weren't home. January 2010 we went to and ice racing event at the local arena and came home to find the dog in the back yard then noticed that he had chewed through the back door... yes you read that right! We live in a double-wide mobile home so the door was foam core with a fiberglass covering. Needless to say we had a large hole in our door in the middle of a cold Michigan winter. We rigged it so it was at least covered until we could order a new door (and wait 6 weeks for delivery) and have it installed.

4. How often do you REALLY go to the dentist?

Not often enough... don't have insurance to go either...

5. What is your favorite animal (doesn't have to be a pet-type animal)?

I LOVE DOGS!!! Always have and always will.

What's For Dinner Pt. 2

Well, dinner last night didn't turn out so well. It smelled so good and I was so proud of my easy meal. It cooked in the slow cooker for 7.5 hours. The rice and carrots were mushy and the taste east bland to me. I couldn't get past the texture of it... maybe if it was cooked less it might have made a difference. Chuck suffered through it and kept assuring me it was ok, but I gave up and made myself a couple of hot dogs.

So what's for dinner tonight? ... leftovers ... I know we have a lot of different things in the fridge and would love to have it cleaned out for the weekend.

Tomorrow we are having a cookout at my brother's house for his birthday and being the grillmaster that he is, he plans to make a pork loin, some burgers and hot dogs for the kids. Should be a great time!

DaniLynn

What's for Dinner?

Since the beginning of the year, I have made it a point to make a menu of our meals two weeks in advance so there was no standing in the freezer door everyday wondering what to make. This has worked out wonderfully! My grocery bill has dropped also! So what's on the menu for today?

Beef and Mushroom Hot Pot
(from Sandra Lee Semi-Homemade Slow Cooker Recipes 2)

2 pounds beef stew meat, cut into bite-sized pieces
Salt and Pepper
2 packages (8 ounces each) sliced fresh mushrooms
2 cups frozen sliced carrots
1 box (6-ounces) long-grain and wild rice blend (I used Uncle Ben's)
2 cans (14 ounces each) low-sodium beef broth

Season stew meat with salt and pepper and place in a 5-quart slow cooker. Add all remaining ingredients and stir thoroughly. Cover and cook on LOW setting for 6 to 8 hours.

It smells great! I'll let you all know how it tastes!!!

DaniLynn