GOOD EATS

REALLY YUMMY AND HEALTHY. Let me know what you think. I made it up this soup.
Italian Soup

Chicken broth (or vegetable, but I used chicken) I put in two cups, but just as much as you want
one can diced tomatoes italian style not drained
Cherry or grape tomatoes whole (when it burst in your mouth it is great!)
sliced mushrooms probably 1 cup (I used shitake and baby portobellas)
Asparagus cut up (make sure to snap the ends otherwise too stringy and corse)
Onion or onions I quartered it...I like it in big pieces
baby spinach (kept it whole)
Fresh Basil (should be on sale at the grocer's this time of year) broken up.
chopped garlic use as much as you like with the seasonings just remember as it cooks it gets a little stronger. I add half my salt and then the other ten mins before I serve so I don't over salt it
sprinkle of pepper
sprinkle and two of salt

I throw it all in the crock and let it sit for three or four hours on low. Really just until tender is all you need but I like it to kinda absorb all flavors of all the foods. I put out some mozerella and feta on the table and let people add what they wanted. Serve with crusty bread or with cheese toast. It's super healthy and filling. Next time I'm gonna make a ton more because each person can eat two bowls and I'll add shredded carrots.

Whisahickon Creek

Here we are at Whisahickon Creek..geez, I hope I spelled that right-it's getting late. It is beautiful this time of year and I highly suggest it to everyone around the area. If you like the historic feel, go round to the resturant that used to be an old hotel. I think it's a couple hundred years old.

Anyway, I hoped to jog, but it didn't work out so we just walked instead. Now that my knee is recovered I'm gonna try jogging again. I admit, I haven't hit the pavement or roused my heart rate for two and some weeks now. Yeah, I know, I'll pay for it...eeek!! But what can you do?! Yes, I've got the butterflies, tomorrow's gonna be a hard run. Oh well, let's just get it over with and start enjoying fall runs. Yawhoo for fall runs! this may be my only motivation:)

Yeah, no real progress on the old pounds. I've never lost this much weight before (kinda puttered out when I got this far) but I hear the last ten pounds is slow and gruesome. Wish me luck. I need it. Okay, forget the luck, just pray for me. Haha.

My little Boost

So here I am again. I decided to take the last two weeks off. No, not like gorge yourself on hoho's or cheetos. I was just sick of focusing so much on losing weight. I just needed a break. Afraid? Yes. I thought it was going to be the begining of the end, like I'd lose control or gain the weight back but not so. I'm feeling quite refreshed mentally and I didn't gain any weight...well not enough to notice, but I didn't ask the scale.

Yeah, so, I admit... I started thinking this morning, "Man, I could be a pound or two lighter if I just kept on it and didn't take those two weeks off". But then the grass is always greener and I remember I could have burnt out completely and fallen off the bandwagon all together and instead of feeling refreshed two weeks later I would have felt much like I have in past "dieting" attempts; hopeless and cyclic.

What I've learned : 1. Listen to your life. Really, sometimes green beans don't cut it and while it's good to be healthy and fit, it's also good to feel healthy and ALIVE. If losing the weight is beating you down walk away temporarily.Trust yourself enough to step away and know you can come back.

2. it's only a few pounds. I'll catch them up in these next two weeks. You will always have time to work on being better, but be happy for who you are now and enjoy yourself now so you can enjoy yourself later too.

3. Don't forget your ultimate goal. Jump back on as soon as you feel the slightest prompt or excitment to get back into the swing. Go with your insight and follow your dreams, but be a good mom and don't neglect your kids doing it.

4. as an extension of no. 3: Your kids are always a higher priority than fitting that 30 min exercise session, but that doesn't mean you can't make time for yourself. Take care of yourself so you can take care of your kids, or job, or whatever. When I say make that's exactly it. The only way I can get a good work out in is if I wake up before them. If that isn't an option or I choose not to wake up, they go with me. If that isn't so workable, see if your husband wouldn't mind watching them one or two nights a week after bed or during bath time. If I'm in a tight crunch I'll swap kids with my neighbor. AND if all else fails, read a good book with them, sing songs, go for a walk and just say, "I'm so glad I have today".

Strawberry Mansion

Thanks guys for the suggestions to the plead for help. Some of them actually worked quite well.

Yay for Conference Weekend!!! I just had to say it. I love Conference Weekend. This morning the kids and I went on a run. We ended up being gone for an hour down by the Schulykll River on West River dr. They actually block it off every weekend so there are tons of bikers, runners, etc. Today I ran 2 miles with some marathon gurus. It was really fun, then I broke off from them and I actually tackled every up hill (not every down yet) back home. I think I ran four miles and walked one. (hey, pushing two kids is no easy feat!)

The kids got bubble baths for being so workable, and I tried to tiddy the house before Tom came home and conference started. After Conference we went to Strawberry Mansion and their gardens. It was a fun nature walk dating back to the 1800's. We made it back home just to see the last session and then I took the kids to a little friend/family night out while the boys went to the Priesthood Session.

A very good day and an awesome Conference. I have a question though as far as health goes: How do you make your Sundays healthy AND enjoyable?