As requested- My Freezer List

An easy post today is in response to the questions from the last post- What do I freeze?

My answer is- just about everything.

Cookie dough- although the cookies came out dry... So I'm thinking I'm going to test baking the cookies and then freezing them.  I'm told this will work.

Spaghetti- I make everything except the noodles and freeze it.  You can freeze the noodles if you want, but they break that way, and I like my noodles twirly.

Beef Stroganoff- We make ours with Sour Cream.  If you make yours with sour cream I recommend making it all withOUT the sour cream and freezing it.  When you reheat it add the sour cream.  It tastes fine if you freeze it with Sour cream, but it comes out looking kinda gross.

Chili- freeze it all.  Warning- reheating makes it a little spicier.

Potato Soup- freeze it all.

Vegetable Stew- freeze it all.

That delicious Maple Chicken- I make it without the glaze and freeze it.

Pork chops- I freeze them uncooked because they seem to dry out too much to freeze cooked.

Pot pie- I freeze the whole thing minus the topping.  I'm told I can probably freeze the topping, but... eh.

Lasagna- Freezes nicely, but sometimes it comes out messy...

If I'm not sure about freezing something (like my chicken alfredo) I tend to do what I can, like freezing the cooked chicken portion.  It might not seem like it, but even having just some of the process finished makes getting it prepared a TON easier.

I haven't tried it, but I'm also told you can freeze most fresh veggies- some need to be cooked first, though.  We also tend to freeze some fruit for smoothies.

Some other quick notes- While I love freezing food, there are small issues- I had to learn how (use freezer bags, lay them as flat as possible and clearly mark what they are).  This helps organizing, but also it makes it quicker to thaw.

Another thing I prefer is to thaw the food in the fridge for a couple of days before cooking.  This means it takes less time to cook when it comes time to eat, which is a big thing in our house.

I also tend to make a few adjustments once things thaw- they are a little dryer.  Adding water almost always works.  For the beef stroganoff, adding the sour cream works.  For spaghetti I tend to add more sauce.  Some things are just perfect- like the pot pie.  :)  Yum. 

Enjoy!

Health Insurance Dilemma Solved

To see part 1 of this post, simply go here.

So where were we?  Oh yes.

The dilemma was the group plans at work don't match our needs or financial means.  BUT we can't switch to an individual plan because what if our situation were to change in 9 months (because it seriously most likely... will)?

Then my mother, the genius, had one of her brilliant ideas that for some reason I didn't think of.  Not sure why, because once I saw it, it made perfect sense!

I will get a plan for myself through work.  And only for myself.  It's HSA eligible, so I can start that up as well.  And then, for Mike, we will get him his very own individual plan (because obviously he won't be getting pregnant).  And sadly, Mike's plan is better than mine (by a lot.  His deductible is half of mine with all the other benefits remaining the same) and it's only $3 more per month than what I will pay for mine.

So problem solved.  We don't have a crazy $6,000 deductible and we are only spending $3 more per month.  And, since I'm not changing plans, there is no worry about a "what if" situation- it's covered.  Plus, since Mike's plan is HSA eligible too (Health Savings Account for those who aren't up on those things), we can both use my HSA.  Simple.  Affordable.  Nicely covered.

Yay.  Now we can go hurt ourselves without the worry of not knowing what's covered/what's not.  And if YOU have any questions, by all means.  I can answer them.  I probably know health insurance policies better than some who sell them.  No joke. 

**Insert "I can't wait for the Healthcare Reform Act to fully come into play" statement.  Pregnancy as a pre-existing condition?  That's just shitty. (And we'd qualify for a credit (I think)!)"

The big fat stinking thing called Health

Insurance...


Health insurance.  Stinks.  Hard.  Core.


So my company's open enrollment for health insurance is going on, and our plans start Feb 1.  


Do you remember the dreaded first for us?  Or maybe the awful summer we had?  Yeah we have learned a LOT about health insurance in the last 8 months ish.


So I found out, after learning the hard way, that the insurance plan I picked (I had 3 choices) really did not match our needs.  AT ALL.  It was bad.  Real bad.


And it was so sad, because I think if I put a little more thought into it, and had taken it seriously, I could have figured this out when I chose the insurance... And we wouldn't have had to face the financial repercussions that we unfortunately had to deal with.


We survived, by the way.  But think of all the things we could have done with the extra money we would have saved!


Anyways.  So we are in open enrollment, and Mike and I have decided we HAVE to switch insurance.  But there's a glitch.  There is a really nice HSA choice.  If you're an individual.  For a family, it's cheap, but it would really hurt you financially if you have medical needs up around 5,000 to 6,000.  


So I was frustrated, and I was a little unsure of what to do.  We had looked at individual plans outside of what my job offers.  But the maternity clauses wouldn't go into effect for 9 months.  What if... ya know?


To be continued...

Oh Dear oh dear oh dear

Ladies and gentlemen!

I did it.

I signed up for a race.  And not just any race (oh no, my first can't POSSIBLY be easy!).  It's 2.91 miles of hell.

No, that's literally what the thing says.  Hell.  It's a 2.91 mile run, but that's not all.

We're talking 14 death traps.  Some are fun.  Like climbing the haybales and the junkyard.  Others are still mild- crawl through a dark tunnel, the tire run, the uphill run.  They get a little more difficult when you have to climb a wall, run through a wind storm, trudge through waist deep water.  They get scarier when they make you repel down a cliff, walk a plank, run down a river.  Some are rather difficult, like climbing the nets and crawling under barbed wire.  But the scariest of all???  That terrifying one?

You have to take a leap of faith.  Over a fire pit.

Yeah, about that.

T minus 150 days until I meet my death in a burning blaze.  And the sad part is it's at the end of the race, meaning I will have run almost 2.91 miles and conquered 12 of the other obstacles.  All that will be for naught when I go up in smoke.

But it'll be fun!  Right...?   Right?

Yeah.  Totally.

PS- if you are in the area and care to join me on my suicide mission (along with about 5 or 6 of my friends), here's the link.  We run at 9 am on June 5.

Menu Monday- Freezer cooking!

This is the start of a wonderful relationship.  I love freezer cooking.  I went to the grocery on Saturday for a whole month!  I thought the lady at Meijer was going to blow a gasket or something!

It was fun though, and pushing the cart was a workout.  I had all my groceries, plus all the stuff for my Christmas baking, plus supplies to make a Christmas gift.  Which I will begin posting information on great gift ideas here soon.  I promise.  **NOTE** I don't want to post a lot of ideas on here now because I don't want certain people guessing what they will be getting!  That would just be silly.

Some of them I think I can post, though.  A few, at least.

Anyways, where was I?  Oh, Menu Monday.

Monday- Spaghetti with green beans, corn, and rolls
Tuesday- Leftover spaghetti
Wednesday- Dinner out (I'm Christmas shopping)
Thursday- Tuna Noodle Casserole
Friday- More casserole, cuz it's big.
Saturday breakfast- Oatmeal
Saturday dinner- Maple Glazed Chicken with rice and carrots
Sunday breakfast- Waffles and smoothies
Sunday dinner- Chicken Tortellini with broccoli and corn

Brown bag- Chicken Pot Pie
Breakfast all week- Muffins, bacon and egg whites

Enjoy your week, folks!

Traveling for the Holidays- Dealing with the TSA

So have you seen all the hype about the TSA and this new back scatter machine?

They're mad scary, to me.

I am thankful this year that I don't have to fly anywhere.  I usually don't have to, to be honest (most of our family is within driving distance).  But I like to fly, and I tend to fly on occasion.  Once a year is pretty standard.  Sometimes more. 

I won't be flying for a long long time, though.  These back scatter machines are over the line, and while I understand the TSA has the authority to say "do it or don't fly" I also understand my right to say "no thanks.  I guess the airline can go bankrupt because I'm not going through that thing nor will I be groped in public."  Notice here, that I do not feel it is appropriate to try to gum up the works or be deliberately rude.  I do, however, love the idea of a boycott.

Please hear me out- here are my reasons.

First, there is the story behind the notorious bomber who created this security mess.  The infamous Underwear Bomber.  #1- Did you know that the back scatter machine wouldn't have caught him?  That's right, folks.  Experts have agreed on that point.  #2- Did you know that the security system ALREADY IN PLACE failed to catch him?  Here's a quote from National Counterterrorism Center Director Michael Leiter "Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab should not have stepped onto a plane on Christmas Day," he declared.  "The counterterrorism system collectively failed and I along with Director [of National Intelligence Dennis] Blair and Secretary [of Homeland Security Janet] Napolitano and others want to tell you and the American people the same thing we told the president, that we have to do better."  He should never have been on the plane.  Period.  The rules that were already established SHOULD have caught him.

#3- And this is a smaller point to be made, but still one to consider.  Medically, the machine could be hazardous to your health.  The levels of radiation used aren't horrible (although we could have a whole debate on whether or not radiation at all is ok).  BUT there are still concerns over how it will affect the skin, especially for frequent flyers.  What about pregnant women? Plus anomallies- machinery fails, ya know.  And if something goes wrong with these machines, you could get a lot more radiation than ever healthy.  I just don't like the idea of frying my body (even if it's for a minimal amount) for convenience.

#4- and my biggest point.  I think we have crossed a line.  We've been getting closer and closer to that point over the years, but this has actually crossed the line.  Where does it stop?  The most extreme and horrible atrocities on this planet started out like this.  Not so harmful things that you normally wouldn't be ok with, but it's for the right reasons, right?  Do you think the holocaust started off with Auschwitz and deathcamps and gas chambers?  Of course not.  They started off with registering all the Jewish citizens, making them paint symbols on their homes and wear patches on their clothes.  Doesn't seem so horrible right?  Or another more useful example (some might say the holocaust is going too far here).  The Japanese internment camps in 1942.  After the attack on Pearl Harbor around 110,000 Japanese-Americans were "relocated" to these camps.  They were seen as a possible security threat.

Now, my question was where does it stop?  Most will say, well that's what it takes to feel safe.  But eventually someone will come along and find a way around the scanner.  Where there's a will there's a way.  What will be next?  How far will you let it go?

Well, you don't have a right to fly.  So they can impose this regulation, right?  Ok.  So what about the movies or the mall?  Or how about an ice skating rink in central Park?  or the subway in DC?  What if someone decides to blow up one of those, and now all of a sudden you gotta be groped or scanned to go see a movie or shop?  What if this holiday season you have to be pat down in all your crevices to go ice skating?  Would you be ok with that?

And then finally #5- I just find it on principle wrong.  Doctors can't share your health records unless medically necessary (ie one doc to another doc).  They can't even give your medical records to your spouse without permission (and I like these rules).  So why is it ok for a security agent to get to see your whole body OR if you refuse to get to play touchy feely?

There are so many issues I have here, and it's mainly because it seems like there is no end.  We have established a bill of rights and a Constitution because of things like this.  We set up rules at the beginning stating "this is wrong."  They were established to prevent things going over the top, because in fear people can lose their better judgment.  It's like teaching safe sex.  You're taught to have a plan.  Set your boundaries BEFORE you start dating someone.  That way when the time comes you aren't making decisions with impaired judgment (be it from alcohol or teenage hormones or peer pressure or whatever).  Isn't this the same thing?  We have a right to privacy.  Don't give up your rights out of fear (otherwise known as impaired judgment).

AND end rant.

Food in a Box becomes a Healthy Meal

So remember my awesome menu a few weeks back?


I said I was making Chicken Alfredo.

Yum yum. 

BUT I slightly didn't tell the truth- it's from a box.

This box, actually.

Yeah.  We eat processed food in our house.  Not often.  But we do.  It's easy.  It's cheap (IT'S CHEAP- THIS IS THE BIG ARGUMENT FOR IT'S CASE).  But you know, it gets kind of bland sometimes.

So I took a few extra ingredients. 

See?  Yes- they are cans, jars, bags, and boxes.  We use jarred mushrooms and canned veggies a lot.  Although, frozen veggies aren't really that bad.  So sometimes we use them too.

Would you believe it?  It was amazing.  A-MAY-ZING!

Don't believe me?  Check it out yourself.

See?  Oh me oh my was it scrumptious!  And balanced.  It had lots of color and all kinds of flavor.

Wanna know what I did?  I sauteed some mushrooms while cooking up my chicken (I use boneless skinless chicken breasts, if you were curious).  I then strained the chicken and combined it with the mushrooms, then the water and milk and packet of spices, and then the noodles.  I then microwaved a bag of steamfresh broccoli.  I took the left over peas from the chicken pot pie, and a can of carrots (I only used about 1/2 the can.  Maybe a little more).  I added the peas and carrots, and then about half of the bag of broccoli to the sauce mix.  Finish out the directions on the box and voile!

Oh how delicious it was, and it has given me an inspiration to repeat with other things as well.  Eventually.

Menu Monday- With actual food this week!

Last week was horrible for food, I must say.  We practically starved, but we survived without leaving the budget!  Until we bought groceries this week... Apparently skipping a week means you will stretch out the money the next week- we needed everything.

But going over the budget was acceptable for us this week.  We just had to.  I'll find it somewhere else in the budget.  Or cry.  But that's later today.

Monday- Spaghetti with corn and green beans
Tuesday- Leftover spaghetti (I love the stuff)
Wednesday- Taco Salad
Thursday- Homemade Chicken Pot Pie
Friday- Leftover Chicken Pot Pie (I will be at yet another football game)
Saturday breakfast- Pumpkin muffins with eggs, turkey bacon, and mixed fruit
Saturday dinner- Chicken and rice (maybe will try a maple chicken glaze found in the link below)
Sunday breakfast- Pancakes and eggs, with mixed fruit
Sunday dinner- Chicken Fettuccini Alfredo

For breakfast all week I have cinnamon bagels and bananas.  Plus my coffee... Oh how I love coffee.  For lunch I'm back to soup and sandwiches- it's becoming a quick favorite.  I also have fruit for lunch- no sugar apple sauce, pears, and peaches.  And for snacks?  I skipped the string cheese this week, but I have low fat wheat thins, applesauce, and apples.

I'm linking up- check out the other menus, along with the Maple Glazed Chicken

Wedded Wednesday- Loving Yourself

Have you visited The Sisterhood of the Shrinking Jeans yet?  Oh no?  Well, I highly recommend it.  They are fabulous women working on a project that we could probably all use a little more of- our health.


What the caha does that have to do with Wedded Wednesday?  They posted a new challenge for the month of October.  I've yet to agree to it, but I plan on it.  Right now, actually.


The challenge is to love yourself.  OH MY GOOD GRACIOUSNESS!  That's asking a lot from me.  That is NOT sarcasm my webby friends.


Still- What the double caha- I made it up, and I like it.  It's meaningless, which means non-offensive -does that have to do with Wedded Wednesday?


My husband is a wonderful man.  He truly is.  He's pretty honest, too.  But probably the most frustrating thing for him in our relationship- me.  I can't take compliments.  I hardly give them.  I'm quick to find flaws and errors and problems without even noticing the blessings, the achievements, or the hard effort which is sometimes the whole point.  I'm a very very very strong willed perfectionist.  I used to see it as a good thing, but the older I get I'm starting to see that I might be wrong on that. Ironic, no?


Something I think a lot of people fail to see in successful relationships is the fact that each individual involved loves themselves.  They have a healthy life because they care about their own interests/achievements/goals.  This is NOT to say that they love themselves too much. That's possible.  It's just that they realize they are just as deserving as the other of their own dreams, goals, interests, time, etc.  It's extremely important in a relationship.  Otherwise you have the problem that my husband and I sometimes have to face.  So here's my huge confession and seriously- I recently told one of my best friends about this not more than a month ago......


I hate don't love myself.


Ok, really?.......... Maybe..... Hard to believe because I'm so freakin' awesome on my blog hahahaha!... I hide it well.  Those closest to me probably know the truth i.e. my mom, my best friends- especially the one I talked to- and my loving husband.  I have a hard time finding this so called middle ground.  I don't like being hard on myself, and logically I know that I do a lot of things really well, and if I don't I honestly try my hardest or have good intentions.  But if I'm nice to myself I feel that either a) I come off as conceited, selfish, egotistical, narcissistic, or just plain self-centered. How many of those words are redundant? or b) I feel like I just sacrificed something more important, like maybe doing something for myself replaced doing something nice for my husband, who deserves it more.  And secretly, I really really really care what others think. Logically, I don't understand why the crap it even matters at all, but the fear of what others think is really a big problem for me.  Why???  See?  I think my own faults are logically, well... stupid and unjustified!

But I'm working on it.  It's very difficult, though, because I see a lot of failures.  I graduated last year and expected life to be more.  I'm not even working with my degree.  I don't honestly enjoy my job, but I can't change until after Mike is settled.  I don't really even like my house.  The result of having a desk job has added to a problem I NEVER had until recently- weight gain.  I gained a good solid 20-25 pounds after leaving band and graduating.  I obviously had the recent issue with pregnancy.  I have time management issues.  Ps I think the laundry buzzed and I forgot... Damn caha.


All of these- and they aren't all completely my fault -I really had a hard time saying that...- are things that I see as flaws.  I nit-pick.  I see all the problems.  I have a hard time getting past them because I can't imagine life being ok, good, right without fixing all those little imperfections.


So here is my pledge.  I'm telling you here and now.  I'm going to change.  I'm going to start loving myself.  I am going to accept compliments.  I am going to believe the compliments and stop finding excuses for why someone is giving them.  I'm going to find one positive every time I see a negative.  I am going to fail.  I'm going to be ok with failing.  I'm going to make a mistake and try not to cry laugh at it.


And also?  I'm going to do the things that make me happy, and work on things to get me healthy again.  But Lynzie, you are healthy!  Actually... eh.  Most laugh when I say I'm fat.  I'm not, ok?  I know.  But I have some areas that I don't like, and I want to stay in the healthy weight range. Believe it or not, I'm actually very close to being overweight.  I'm going to work on it.  Not because I have to.  Because I want to.


And the rest?  I'll get there.  But it's ok if it takes one, five, ten years to do so.  Hell, Caha- I can still be having babies in 10 years, so I have plenty of time, right?


I'm so right.  ;)

PS- After re-reading this post, I come off a lot harsher than I realized... While it's all true, I seriously think it sounds a lot worse than it is.  I'm still sane enough to be happy.  And I realize life isn't going to be perfect- hence the title of the blog.  The general fact is life isn't perfect.  It's the specifics that get me.  And the first step- accepting my faulty perfectionism.  Because it's ok to be a perfectionist.  :)

Monday = Re-starting

So I'm not doing so well with the healthy living section.  I haven't been following my own rules or exercising much.  BUT.  Today is Monday.  The beginning of a new week.  I am starting over!  I swear it!   

Wanna know what we're eating?

Monday- Chicken Alfredo- Haven't decided on the noodles- we have lots.
Tuesday- Hearty Chili
Wednesday- There better be left over chili
Thursday- Beef Stroganoff (anyone have a healthy recipe for this?  Mine is not.)
Friday- We have plans to celebrate a birthday at a bowling alley, so... left overs
Saturday- Breakfast for dinner- Sausage, Eggs (whites), Biscuits, and fruit
Sunday- Applebees- we have a gift card, and this is our date night this week.

And my lunch for work- cheesy ham and potato soup with a side salad.

Please note- I think the chili is the only healthy thing on here.  Also, Mike works until 9 or 9:30 every night, so I'm the only one cooking, which is why we eat a lot of left overs.  Sometimes we have mac n cheese (no, we don't have children).

Another schedule for the week- I SWEAR I'm going to work out!!!!

Monday- Biggest Loser Cardio
Tuesday- #tworkout (Twitter workout via The Sisterhood of the Shrinking Jeans)
Wednesday- Biggest Loser Yoga
Thursday- Wii Fit
Friday- Biggest Loser Power Sculpt
Saturday- 18 holes of golf (the idea is not to exercise, but it's already planned)
Sunday- I'm gonna lay in bed all day bc Lordy I will be in pain.

Next week I will give you an update on how things went.  And if you are DYING for my generic recipes I will certainly share them.  Maybe by having the whole internet holding me accountable I will actually do the things on my list?  We shall see... We shall see...

Oh, and by the way- more menus can be found here- Orgjunkie where I linked up.

Healthy Living- Yes you CAN cook

I'm really bad at this healthy living thing.  I swear I want to do the segment, but... I'm just not that healthy to be honest.  Like I said in the beginning.  It's a work in progress, and it needs a lot of help!


But while I'm not the healthiest person you know, here are some excellent reads from people who are.


My dear friend wrote this short essay.  It's in a contest, so feel free to read others and make a vote.  You can find her essay here.  Keep in mind it's meant as a motivation, though.  It's not quite a "how to".  I'm sure if you want a "how to" I can probably convince her to write a guest post or something?  She loves cooking.  


Another wonderful lady, whom I rave about constantly does a segment called "eat well" and so far she's covered some things that I gotta be honest, I'd never even heard of!  But it looks yummy and her kids eat it.  How can you pass that up?  Check them out on her blog.  She has a few awesome posts titled Eat well-... 


And if you're interested, I have a mean chicken pot pie recipe from Paula Deen.  I worked on it a little, and after some serious math skills, I discovered it's not even that bad for you!!!!!  Of course, I said I made some changes.  Took out some butter, added a few more veggies.


Do you have any favorite recipes?  What are your secret guilty foods?  Mine is anything chocolate.  What are your favorite health foods?  

Healthy Living- Running

Confession- I fell off the wagon.

Ironic, since I had literally just written the first Healthy Living post.  I will save the "falling off the wagon and how long it takes to get back to your seat" post for a later date.  Also- I'm hopefully back on the wagon... or atleast trying to catch up with it.

Today's topic- Runners.  I hate them.  I absolutely hate them.  WHY???? you ask...

I'm absolutely putrid green from jealousy.

Runners have small waists.  They have muscular legs.  They can endure all sorts of pain and hardships.  They have a hobby, and most runners are committed to keeping that hobby.  They have great posture.  I have absolutely NONE of that.

I want to be a runner SO BAD!!!!  I've tried for years.  I joined track in middle school, only to find out running caused asthma attacks.  I became a long jumper- a SMALL long jumper (who had zero success).  So I ran in gym in high school.  Once.  A friend of mine convinced me to run 2 miles with him on a track.  I SUCCEEDED!!!!! and nearly died the next day.

I've tried again throughout college.  On a treadmill (Did you know that Cincy is rather hilly?).  I stunk at it!!!  My knees hurt, my ankles hurt.  I finally got that stupid inhaler.  I quit.

I tried again.  This time taking advice from The Biggest Loser Tara Costa (Did you know that I love her?).  Walk 9 min, jog 1.  Repeat 3 to 6 times.  Gradually change the numbers so that you start walking less and jogging more as time goes by.  It worked!  I could do it!!!  Except... I wasn't doing something right.  My hips hurt.  I mean the actual bones in my hips hurt.  It felt like I had no cartilege.  It was extremely painful.  And not a good painful as muscles tend to get from exercising.  It was bone shattering intense pain.  It took over a week to recover.  And by recover I mean walk without wanting to cry.

So, as jealous as I am, I'm afraid I might have to give up on running.  Are any of you guys runners?  How did you get started?  Was it hard to start off?

Healthy Living- Getting Started

The best place to start this new chapter is... well... Getting started, of course!

For all the history buffs
I've always been active.  Always.  I climbed cabinets and dressers as a toddler.  I was riding a bike earlier than I can remember.  I lived on a farm with a garden and lots and lots and lots to do.  My yard was a whole acre.  In school I played soccer at age 6, volleyball in 5th grade, tried track in 6th grade, and played softball all throughout the younger years.  High school was no different- I was in marching band, I rode horses, and I bowled.

College wasn't much different either.  I stayed with band, and still stayed pretty active withOUT all the activities- my campus was rather hilly.  But something happened AFTER college that NO ONE warned me about- the desk job.  I got lazy.  I worked.  I drove home.  I sat on the couch.  I was tired all the time.  I hated getting up.  I gained fifteen pounds!!!

I hated it!  I didn't like the way I looked or felt.  I couldn't fit in my clothes.  I never wanted to do anything.  So I made a change, and it took a long time to get up to where I'm at now- I eat better, I go to the gym at least 3 times a week, and I have several workout videos/plans at home that are gaining dust in the family room.  I also feel more awake, which helps get more accomplished!

Have I lost all 15 pounds?  I have lost.... 7.  But hey, that's half, right?  And I'm on the right track.  Besides, gaining that weight actually wasn't horrible for me.  As long as I stay active.

How did I do it?  I cried.  a lot.  I bought a lot of tools, and then hated myself for it because I didn't use them.  I tried a gym.  Quit the gym.  Tried another.  I learned what a calorie was.  And only THEN did I get the absolute best advice of my life- "just for today"

Have you ever heard of the Biggest Loser?  Season 7 had an amazing run, and there were a few contestants that were unforgettable.  Namely, Tara Costa.  She's awesome.  Down to earth, too.  Her advice is simply this- "Just for today I will....."  Start off small, give yourself a goal "just for today" and pretty soon, you'll be setting habits, and working towards "just this week" or "just this month" (Bob Harper had a great one for April- no pop all month!).

And the last piece of advice- Find a support team.  I have my husband, who LOVES the changes he's seen in me and my attitude.  He's a huge support.  And I have Bob and Tara.  They don't know me, but they are there.  They answer my questions when I send them.  They give tips and inspiration every day.  And they lead me to more knowledge on healthy eating and such so I can make my own choices wisely.  I never knew how ignorant I was!  I thought I ate healthy.  I didn't eat candy, and I hardly drink pop, so I must be doing well, right?  WRONG.  I hardly ate veggies or fruits.  And my serving sizes were WAY TOO BIG!

I am unfortunately not being paid to support the Biggest Loser here (but hey, NBC, if you wanna pay me, I'm up for it!) But I will say that for the cost, their stuff can be worth it.  Their videos are rather extreme (extremelee difficult).  But their cookbook for the family rocks my socks, and the workouts aren't horrible if you have the willpower to do them.  So go out there and do some research and find a "just for today" slogan.

Just for today I will do both cardio and weights at the gym.  Normally my "just for today"s aren't such a huge challenge, fyi... it really is "just for today".  What are you doing "just for today"?

Introducing Healthy Living

I'm going to try to start a new series on here.  (I'm OCD in most ways, and I like organization and patterns.  Series are going to be my thing.  Sorry if you are annoyed by that.  A lot of my friends think it's funny.)  It's a fairly common topic.

HEALTHY LIVING.  This is not a very creative name, so if anyone can think of anything more interesting (and contains my all too favorite characteristic of having Lee in the title... you know, as in replacing "ly" as in Imperfectly?) I would be more than happy to change the name.

The idea will be to write about healthy ways to eat, workout, and maintain that happy lifestyle you already have.  After all, we all can't go on the Biggest Loser and spend 6 months away from our home and job... (I love that show, by the way.  If you haven't ever seen it, take a look with an open mind.  It's inspiring, and the contestants are so down to earth, it's amazing.  I've actually made contact with Tara (season 7) and love her to death.)

I'm not a healthy person per se.  I eat meat. I love skyline. I sit on the couch every night.  Chocolate is my weakness.  But I'm working on it.  Sometimes I get it right, and actually lose weight.  Other times I screw up and gain it back.  Right now, I'm maintaining my weight, which is actually what I want.  Please understand, I am BY FAR no where near being an expert.  These are just tips that I have found to be helpful, inspiring, or practical.  Sometimes I will ask for opinions, so please feel free to share.  Like all things, we can learn and work towards any goals we may have together.

Enjoy.