The Aha Moment Hit This Morning....

Does it ever amaze you when you have that AHA moment? Well, I had a significant one this morning. I awoke early for a Saturday (what a great way to start out a weekend...not!) and turned on the tube. Of course most all I could find was weight loss infomericals. Now, I've been known to watch these from time to time (especially during maternity leave). But today it was more of a push that I have needed to get myself back into "thin" thinking. Weight Watchers started at 9 a.m. but I couldn't make it due to my daughter's soccer game. However, I did pull out all of my WW books and refocus on my journey and goals. My last post talked about my white Gap jeans. And yes, they are a physical goal. Next month I have biometric screening at work that is a financial goal. But this morning my AHA moment caused a personal goal. Me....I want to take care of Me! Not in a selfish, I have to run you have to watch the kids way. But more in a way that I look at the strength of my body and soul and know it is the best it can possibly be. I can't deny that most days of the week I have a little voice in my head that says you have hit middle age (my mom died at 58, my aunt at 64, their brother was in his early 50s, and my grandparents at 70) which scares the crap right out of me. I many times play the song 100 Years by Five for Fighting. So I guess my AHA moment made me realize that I want to live for 100 years! I want to be physically ready for the 68 years and I want them to be FANTASTIC!!!! You see, I promised myself when I hit WW lifetime two years ago that I would never go back....and honestly I have only gained 10 lbs. Which isn't too bad considering how stressful these two years have been. But that 10 lbs. really sucks!!!! So....thanks Mom or Aunt Judy or the Oxygen Channel for showing one too many exercise, weight loss, self-help informercials. I finally got the clue or the AHA moment!

I also did what I always do and jumped on the internet to get motivated. I found a great Zucchini Pancake recipe on Roni's Weight Watchen page. I made them for lunch today and they were fantastic! The kids and I to the berry patch where we picked three quarts of fall raspberries. After that we visited the local farmer and bought zucchini, squash, peppers, tomatoes and pumpkins! I do love fall for the veggies!

Sorry this was so long but.....boy do I feel better! So now I am off to the treadmill and I think I'll play a little JT's SexyBack for motivation!!!!

Let the week begin....

Well, the vacation officially ended this morning with my alarm clock going off. I was off all of last week and enjoyed every morning waking up to the birds, sunshine, my darling son's feet in the middle of my back! But it did feel good to get back into a routine. I love my job so it wasn't a problem to head back to reality.

I mentioned last week that I was going to make a Chicken, Cashew & Vegetable Stir-Fry that was featured in Self Dishes. It was fantastic!!! Here is the recipe:


1 cup quick-cooking brown rice
2 tsp. cornstarch
3/4 cup low-sodium chicken broth
1/4 cup hoisin sauce
2 tbsp. low-sodium soy sauce
1 tbsp. chopped ginger
2 cloves garlic, chopped
1 lb. boneless, skinless chicken breast, cut into 1/2 inch cubes
1 tbsp. peanut (or sesame) oil
1 zucchini, cut into 1 inch cubes
1 yellow squash, cut into 1 inch cubes
1 red bell pepper, cored, seeded, and cut into 1 inch pieces
1/3 cup chopped cashews


Cook rice as directed on package (omit added fat). Dissolve cornstarch in broth in a bowl; stir in hoisin and soy sauce; set aside. Toss ginger, garlic and chicken in another bowl. Heat oil in a large pan over medium-high heat; cook chicken until nearly cooked through, 4 minutes. Add zucchini, squash and pepper, cook; stirring, 2 minutes. Add reserved sauce; cook, stirring until sauce is thick, 2 minutes. Add nuts. Serve over rice.


Serves 4. 463 calories per serving, 12.4 g fat (2.4 g saturated), 3.9 g fiber, 53.3 g carbs, 35.1 g protein.
Note: I did not have hoisin sauce so I added a little more soy sauce and cornstarch. I also substituted ground ginger for chopped ginger.



Well, tonight is arms/chest strength training followed by the 20-minute "Baby's Got Back" buster from Phit-N-Phat's Cardio Directory (which is amazing!). It is almost 8 p.m. so I guess I better get crackin'.

Because I can easily become a slacker....

I've decided I need to post each day to be accountable to myself as I have started many journals, etc. only to slack off quickly. Today was supposed to be zoo day at our house but it turned into park/laundry day. How often does that happen to you? Our new schedule is the zoo on Friday. The weather looks like it will cooperate and we have nothing to rush home to.

I had hoped my ACE materials would have arrived today but they didn't. I'll look for them on Thursday as tomorrow is the fourth of July so no Fed Ex deliveries! I am so anxious to get started.

Well, off to make cashew chicken. I found this recipe in the summer Self Dishes magazine . I'll post the recipe and my review tomorrow....it sounds wonderful!