Unexpected hiatus...

If you follow on Hopelessly Ever After, you probably already read most of this. I just added in my lack of being healthy. haha.

Well...looks like I took a little break there, huh?!? lol. Truth is we have been super busy. Last Friday night we had our FriendsChristmas Dinner. It was good but we must have been bad entertainers because mostly everyone left by 10. haha. Truthfully, Fridays are like Tuesdays to me and I went right to sleep. lol.

Then, between Christmas Eve and Christmas plus the day after Christmas shopping we really haven't had any down time. And, if we did most of it was in the home theater watching movies and drankin. 

And, while it seems like the easiest time to blog, during my time off, it's actually more challenging for me because I like to relax during that time. Like literally sit here in my pjs with my blanket drowning myself in horrible reruns and Lifetime movies. Like I'm doing right now......

So...I can't make any promises about whether or not next week will be better. But I'll try. :)

I've also been super super horrible with my eating. Like worse than I can even explain. And.....here's the big one....I haven't done T25 in a week!! I did, however, work out a few times in the gym. But, I know I've totally screwed myself. I don't necessarily feel like I've put my weight back on (although I'm not sure I lost any to begin with), but...I am so less motivated to do T25 right now.

I have to admit, I feel like I didn't progress that much. Compared to what I heard from other people and all, but...I'm going to be writing about that some time later on. That's not entirely the reason why I have been slacking off. I've also been sick with sinus stuff so it's hard to be jumping up and down and all with snot running out of your nose and your head pounding, but truthfully, thats only an excuse.

I honestly, just LOVE going to the gym. Yeah, it's only 25 minutes of my day for T25, but I would rather spend the 2 hours at the gym lifting weights. And everyone is like...you can do it at home it's so easy...but I'm actually debating taking it to the gym with me and doing it there. I'm too lazy to do it at home because there are so many things I could be doing!! Like sitting on the couch. Boo!!

OK, anyway, I'm going to stop there. Wish me luck for getting back on that train...maybe I'll post a progress pic soon if I feel like there has been any...

Anyway...here's a little montage from our Christmas Eve Celebration!!

Taste of Tuesday - Stuffed Cabbage Casserole

Mike LOVES cabbage. I had never had cabbage until I met him. (I guess my parents didn't like it??) The first time I had cabbage his mom had fried it. It was delicious. Then, we tried stuffed cabbage that, once again, his mom had made. Again, very good. We don't have it very often, but when I came across this recipe on Skinnytaste I immediately thought it was something that I would do for him. While also, ultimately, keeping it healthy for me. ;)

     The recipe didn't seem that difficult, however, it definitely took some time. In fact, after rereading the recipe, Mike ended up having to make this one. We wouldn't have eaten until 8 o'clock if I did it.

     The casserole turned out really good. I even made the comment to Mike that it was one of the first things that we made that actually looked like the picture!! What an accomplishment!! It tasted good, too. I have to admit it isn't my favorite cabbage recipe (or maybe that's just because someone else didn't make it) but it was definitely good. And it makes a ton!! Plenty of leftovers, for sure. 

Stuffed Cabbage Casserole 

(the healthy version)

(once again stealing it from Hopelessly Ever After)

INGREDIENTS:

     1 lb. 95% lean ground beef

     2 tsp. olive oil, divided

     1 large onion, diced

     1 tbsp minced garlic

     1/2 tsp. dried thyme

     1 tsp. paprika

     salt and pepper, to taste

     1 head green cabbage, coarsely chopped

     1 can (14.5 oz.) petite diced tomatoes, undrained

     1 can (15 oz.) tomato sauce

     1/4 cup water

     2 cups brown rice, cooked

     2 cups low-fat shredded mozzarella cheese

DIRECTIONS:

     Preheat oven to 350 degrees and spray a large baking pan with nonstick spray. 

     Brown ground beef in a skillet, remove and set aside. In the same pan, add 1tsp olive oil and diced onion and cook until onion is translucent. Add the minced garlic, dried thyme, and paprika. Cook an additional 2 minutes. Then, add diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, and ground beef. Pour in water. Simmer about 15-20 minutes or until slightly thickened.

     Cut cabbage in half and cut out the core. Roughly chop into 1 inch pieces. Heat remaining olive oil in a large frying pan. Add the cabbage. Cook over medium heat until cabbage is wilted and half cooked turning frequently. Add salt and pepper to taste.

When meat mixture has cooked and thickened, stir in brown rice. Add half the meat mixture to the casserole dish, then top with half the cabbage. Then layer again. 

     Cover tightly with foil and bake 40 minutes or until casserole is starting to bubble. Remove foil and sprinkle on cheese. Bake another 20 minutes or until cheese is melted.

Enjoy!!

I skipped a day...and I need help

...I know, I know. I did it yesterday. I was going to hide it from you guys, but I know you are my motivation so I put it out there. The only thing that allows me not to feel bad about it is that I DID go to the gym yesterday. I actually got some time to go with Mike and I went and did chest and triceps. I LOVED IT!! I honestly would much prefer lifting at the gym than any other workout. Something about usually being the only girl in there lifting with the guys makes me feel POWERFUL!!

And truth is I had full intentions of coming home and doing my T25 but then we stopped at the parent's house and went to the grocery store, and by the time we got home I was hungry and exhausted. I did actually drive 5 hours yesterday so I had some excuse. .......right?!?.....

Well, anyways....I need some help finding myself one of those nifty calorie counter watches. I know Polar makes some but I honestly don't want anything fancy. I just like to know how many calories I burn throughout my workouts. I've looked at the Polar ones and I think they look really expensive and do a bunch of 'ish I'm clearly too lazy to figure out. I see them all over the place and I'm sure someone knows something I don't...so please help!!

Thanks loves!!

Leaving you with a little motivation that Britney gave this morning!! And thanks Alicia for tagging me!!

Taste of Tuesday - Baked Zucchini and Sweet Onion Dip

This is such an amazing appetizer. I know it's not exactly a fall/winter appetizer, but they are soooo good so I had to share them with you.

I will warn you it takes a little bit of time to make these. It took me about an hour to prep these, and then they cook for another 15ish minutes. After you cut the zucchini you let it drain for an hour alone, so consider this before you want these for a quick appetizer. It's not hard...just a little time consuming.

But here it is...sooo good.

Baked Zucchini with Sweet Onion Dip

INGREDIENTS:

1-3 medium sized zucchini (depends on how much you want. Other ingredients won't change much.)

1 tbsp. salt

1 cup Panko or bread crumbs

1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese

1 tbsp. pizza seasoning or italian herbs

2 large eggs

Sweet Onion Dip 

1 tbsp. butter

1 medium onion

2 tbsp. cider vinegar

2 tbsp. honey

1 tbsp. prepared mustard

1 cup mayo

DIRECTIONS:

1. Cut each zucchini into 3" sticks about the diameter of your finger.

2. Put the zucchini sticks in a colander over a bowl and sprinkle with the salt. Let them drain for about an hour.(I forgot to use the bowl, but mine still worked) 

3. While the zucchini are draining start working on the dip. Melt butter in a medium-sized frying pan over moderate heat, and add 1 medium onion sliced. Cook, stirring occasionally until the onion softens, and then caramelizes. When the onions are medium-brown remove them from the heat. Put the onions, cider vinegar, honey, and prepared mustard into a food processor and process until fairly smooth. (I don't have a food processor, so I used my hand blender. It took a little longer, but it worked.) Remove from processor and stir in the mayo. 

3. Rinse the zucchini to get rid of any excess salt. Then, pat them dry.

4. Preheat the oven to 425 degrees. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and spray with cooking spray. (I didn't have parchment paper so, I didn't use any. I just sprayed the baking sheet.)

5. Combine the Panko, parmesan, and pizza seasoning or italian herbs and mix until combined.

6. Beat the eggs in order to make your egg wash.

7. Dip your zucchini sticks into the egg wash and then roll them in the bread crumbs. 

8. Place on the baking sheet and bake for about 12 minutes. Remove them from the oven and turn them over. Bake for another 12-16 minutes or until golden brown. 

Then eat and enjoy!!!

Linking up for Taste of Tuesday!!

H54F

It's Friday!!! 

1. I have to say that this week went by pretty quickly considering last week was only 2 days. And...only 2 weeks left before my 2 week Christmas break!! Damn, when I think of it that way it makes that Christmas Break seem like it's sooooo long!! Wohoo!!

2. I have done my T25 workout every single day since Thanksgiving. I took off on Thanksgiving Day partly because I was a tad bit hungover but mostly because it was such a busy day and I knew I was going to be eating crappy that day (which now that I think about it doesn't make sense). So what I did was decide Thursday was my Saturday and I have worked out every day straight. Even through me being sick!! Go me!! Not to toot my own horn or anything...

3. We finally got the Christmas tree up in all it's beauty. I love this season. The ambience a room gets when it's only lit by candles and twinkle lights gives me chills. I love it!!

(omg...Google+ just did this for me....love it!!)

4. Today isn't over yet, but...my kids have been surprisingly good this week!! I think most of them are sick. haha. So they're quiet. Let's hope this keeps up until the break.

5. So far this week at school we have had donuts, a huge thing of chocolates, cookies, and today is Goodie Day. And I have stayed away!! Well, except for a teeny tiny plate of food this morning. But I promise, nothing bad!! I had some veggies and a piece of cheese. And a tiny piece of bread with a tiny bit of cream cheese. I know....but I'm still proud. I usually load up on this 'ish.

Linking up with Lauren today!!

Let's Be Honest...

...I never thought I would stick with this T25 stuff. I knew I would slack off on the days I was tired and quit whenever it got hard. Which is why I'm totally proud of myself. I can honestly say I have tried so hard to stick with this. Even being sick over the last 3 weeks hasn't hindered me too much.

I have to admit I didn't work out on Thanksgiving. We just had too much going on and truthfully, I was a tad bit hungover. But, I didn't take my skip day on Saturday either. I worked through it.

The only thing I haven't been able to stay with is the double workout on Friday. I mean, who puts that on a Friday?? OK, so yeah. Most people would be good with it. But, I'm a slacker by nature.

And...if you don't mind me tooting my own horn again...during the first week I followed the moderator almost the entire time. Now, I barely follow her at all!! Occasionally when my ankles hurt or I'm about to pass out I'll jump into what she's doing, but let the sweat tell you, I'm workin it!! "Focused" as Mack Daddy Shaun would say.

I can feel myself slacking though. Like thinking, who would know if I just go in there and sit and watch the thing for 25 minutes? But ladies and ladies.....I'm not!! I'm going to stick with this and werk it!!

Only 7 more weeks to go!

Taste of Tuesday - Chicken Taquitos

I made these last week and couldn't wait to share them with you. They were so good and a nice change from the typical chicken and rice or chicken tacos we were having. It may be the same ingredients, but changing them around a little is how you can stay healthy and keep it fresh!!

And, the best part. They're pretty healthy. There is a little bit of cream cheese in it but we used the 1/3 less fat to cut down a little.

They also don't take that much time. Well, at least for us. We always have cooked chicken breast on hand because chicken and rice is our go to staple for any lunch craving.

OK, so here's the recipe!! Let me know if you try them out. They are sooo delish!!

Baked Chicken Taquitos

INGREDIENTS:

3 ounces 1/3 less fat cream cheese, softened

1/4 cup verde (we used a garlic lime one, yum!!)

juice from half a lime (our verde had lime so we skipped this)

1/2 tsp ground cumin

1 tsp chili powder

1/2 tsp onion powder

2 cloves garlic, minced

3 tbsp cilantro, chopped

2 tbsp green onions, sliced

2 cups shredded cooked chicken 

1 cup shredded Mexican flavored cheese

small flour tortillas (use corn to make it even healthier) 

salt

cooking spray

DIRECTIONS:

Preheat oven to 425º and line a baking sheet with parchment paper or spray a baking dish with a small amount of cooking spray.

Mix first 7 ingredients together in a medium sized mixing bowl. Add cilantro and onions. Mix again. Add chicken and cheese and mix everything together. 

Using the microwave, heat up tortillas between paper towels for about 15 seconds.

Spoon desired amount of chicken mixture onto tortillas and roll up. Place seam side down onto baking sheet. Continue until mixture is gone. Make sure tortillas are not touching each other and lightly spray with cooking spray. Sprinkle some salt over each tortilla.

Bake for 15-20 minutes or until tortillas seem crisp. Voila!! Enjoy!!

Linking up with Ashley and Jessica today for Taste of Tuesday!!