1.21.2010

Missing Mojo, Recipes, and New watch bands!

It's that time of year again.... you know, the time when my mojo goes missing. I think it's because the weather has been unusually warm for this time of year and she's gone off to play in the sunshine. Maybe she'll be back when the real prairie winds start up again. Or, it could be that she ran for her life when she noticed strep throat setting in around here. Blech.

On the upside, I have updated my photo a day for 2010! Yay! I'm keeping up with it pretty well, so far, but even my photography mojo has gone. Probably run off with my blogging mojo...the tramp!

It's been, what, 3 weeks into the new year and believe it or not - I'm actually sticking to my goals. YES! I signed up for the X-Weighted online challenge to help me keep track of my exercising, eating, weight, and measurements. So far so good. I've lost about 3 pounds since starting. A pound a week is not bad, not bad. I mean, considering we had a visit from the grandparents who think it's their calling in life to drown us in gummy worms an chocolate... I've done pretty well :)

My problem is becoming... WHAT TO EAT, WHAT TO EAT that isn't a) pasta - which is, let's face it, cheap and EASY (and full of carbs and calories)  b)Bread, or c) cheese. (or all of the above if you are inventive like my husband).

I need some major ideas for low-cal recipes that are yummy, easy, and won't break the bank. I have found one recipe for tuna salad that I love, can make ahead, and is cheap. Here it is:

Tuna Salad

1 (6 oz) can tuna (water packed)
1 green onion, minced
1/2 stalk celery, minced
1 radish, minced
1/2 tsp. lemon juice (fresh is just WAY better)
1/2 tsp. lemon pepper (this is, for me, the secret and ultimate ingredient)
1/2 Tbsp yellow mustard
1 1/2 Tbsp light mayo

Drain the tuna and blend together with all remaining ingredients. It makes 2/3 cup, or one serving. I usually double or triple it and store it in the fridge. I love this. It's 264 calories per serving, and it's awesome on a toasted slice of whole wheat bread. Yum.

Another recipe my whole family LOVES are these spicy chili pork chops. I love how EASY these are!

Spicy Chili Pork Chops

4 boneless pork chops

Rub:
1/2 Tbsp salt
1/2 Tbsp cumin
1/2 Tbsp black pepper
1/2 Tbsp chili powder
1 Tbsp paprika
1/2 Tbsp garlic powder
1/2 Tbsp ground ginger

Trim fat from pork chops. Mix spices together. Rub the spice mixture into all sides of meat. Broil or grill for 10-15 minutes on each side, or until done.

Serves 4.  Only 219 calories per serving! Even the kids were all over these - which is saying a lot. My children's mouths tend to super glue shut whenever the word "spicy" is mentioned, but they opened up wide for these.

But, seeing as I can't possibly eat the same 2 things day in and day out, what are your suggestions? I could use your help. My tastebuds could use your help. My waistband could definitely use your help.

Oh, just so you don't leave, weeping over my lost mojo - I'll have you know that my mother in law completely created a beaded watch monster. I have since made 4 more bands for my watches and I officially now base what I'm going to wear that day around which watch I'm most in love with at that precise moment. Did you know she sells these? A few places do, actually. You need not go beaded watch-less. Really! But, if you make your own you could make 500 different bands to go with your favorite shirt, dress, scarf, toothbrush...whatever. I'm well on my way with these beauties:



I think my personal fav is the white one:


5 comments:

Andrea said...

Very nice!
What's the info to buy them for someone that's not so crafty?
I'll have to think of some recipes to share.

the wrath of khandrea said...

first off, congrats on sticking to so many goals! impressive.
easy recipes: check out grill mates seasonings in your spice aisle. there are tons of flavors. then stick to chicken or pork, and try the different rubs. you can season the meat, grill it or bake it, and eat it with rice, chop it up and add it to a salad (think varied greens, broccoli, sunflower seeds, craisins, feta, etc.), or you can always make a simple marinara sauce and serve it all over pasta. i'm not a big recipe follower, i just try to think of healthy ingredients and then mix and match them.

CASSIE said...

Great post! And cute watch bands!
I really enjoyed making my very first one with my Mom too :)
In fact, I think we both have some of the same beads! Fun hey!?
(Lovin' your new 365 blog too!) ♥

Lynn said...

I was just thinking the same thing as Cassie....I think some of your "lace" beads are the same that we used. So fun, eh?

Thanks for the recipes! Yummy!

This one is so good and healthy if you are interested:

http://mykitchencafe.blogspot.com/2010/01/tortellini-spinach-salad-with-balsamic.html

OH....and have you heard of Anitra Kerr?? The LDS everyday food storage guru?? I just love her. She just came up with an amazing healthy everyday living diet plan for her husband. She calls it Daniel's diet. HE lost 15 pounds in the first week. Then lost 8 the second week. His goal is 39 pounds by May. HE is well on his way for sure. And he's not starving either. I will send you the plan via e-mail. I got it free, because I am a member of her on-line Whole Gourmet Foods cooking course.

Ailyn said...

Pasta is not a bad thing. Make sure it is WHOLE GRAIN OR WHOLE WHEAT. Not just Multi-Grain or white. When making Spaghetti use ground chicken or turkey instead of beef. You can also put in a bag of baby spinach wilt it down in the sauce and then put in through a food processor or blender. I love to do this.
Limit your bread. When having a sandwich only have one piece of bread instead of two.
Remember fruit and veggies are your friends and it doesn`t matter what kind they are. From Melons to berries and broccoli to potatoes they all have their benefits.
Also eggs tend to get a bad rep but the fact is they are yummy and good for you so eat them.
I am already taking up alot of room so I`ll email you some recipes