Goals, Cookbook, Dress, Contest and More!

Happy New Year everyone! I can't believe it's 08 already. Insane. I had a great Christmas. Went home to Philly for a few days, and then my parents came to Charlotte for the new year. My dad did TONS of work around our house. He's the best :)

Ok -- so I have much to cover in this post so here's a preview:
1) New Years Goals
2) Jessica Seinfeld Cookbook
3) Triathlete??
4) Bridesmaid Dress
5) Contest!
6) Menu

Yes... it's that time of year to make resolutions/goals, whatever you want to call them. I have a bunch which might be setting myself up for failure, but I'm going to try. So here they are:

• Make the gym part of my routine. I'm not saying I'm going to go everyday for so many hours... but to just try to work it in a bit more than I normally do
• Go on birth control! Being that I'm in a monogamous relationship with another girl, I don't have to worry about pregnancy scares, but my cramps are so insanely bad and I'm on like a 20 day cycle. So I'm pretty much PMSing, or crampy and have my period 3 out of the 4 weeks in a month. I think the bill will greatly help this. Woohoo!
• Be more supportive of Ar's races season that is coming up! She's been working her butt of training the past month or two so I hope to get to some of her races to cheer her on.
• Take the dogs for more walks. They love it so much, and it's good for me to get out and walk. So why don't I do it more??

I think that's about it. Like I said, it's a lot... but I'm going to try. And if I just get a little bit better at each of them, or even just one of them... then I'm better off than I was in 07!

Ok -- Jessica Seinfeld cookbook. If you don't know anything about it it's called Deceptively Delicious and the premise is that she makes vegetable and fruit purees and then "hides" them in her food so her kids get in veggies without even knowing it. My mom got it for me for Christmas, and I also got a new food processor (which I'm in love with) so last night I whipped up some of the purees to have on hand. I made cauliflower, carrot, spinach and sweet potato. I also made the macaroni and cheese. It was good, but I would have double the amount of pasta for the sauce that the recipe made. It was TOO cheesy for me (if you can believe that). But I think making more pasta, hence more servings with the same amount of sauce would have been perfect. I also made her burgers and put them in the freezer so they're ready to throw on the grill for a quick dinner. I think I might also make her rice balls tonight. So I'll post reviews and recipes as I make things!

Moving right along....

Yes, you read correctly above. I did say Triathlete! Why? Because I'm going to be one in 2008! I put registration to the 2008 SheRoxTri in Philadelphia on my Christmas list and my brother signed me up! Yikes! But this is the kick in the pants I need to get back in shape. The MS 150 wasn't pushing me enough anymore since I knew I could do it... even if I did it slowly, I could still do it with minimal training. So on August 3rd I'll (hopefully) be swimming 0.8K, biking 25k and running 5k! Wish me luck as my training starts SOON!

A while ago I posted a bunch of dresses and asked yall to vote for your favorite. Well I finally went and tried all the dresses on and made my decision... and I'm so sad to say it wasn't even one of the ones I was looking at! I had ruled it out because it was long and we are supposed to have tea-length or cocktail length. Silly me forgot that things can be hemmed!! So here's the winner!!!



I didn't think it would look good on me at all, but I fell in love with it when I tried it on at the bridal shop. And hopefully by May I'll be a few pounds lighter and toned up a bit more, I'm sure it will look great!!

In other news, Roni over at WeightWatchen has announced her first contest! She's such an inspiration, and I'm a sucker for almost ALL of her recipes, so definitely check out her blog (and check out her recipe blog for all of her yummies). The contest is from Orville Redenbacher to promote their new Natural Line of Popcorn. So check it out!!

And finally, today's menu:

Breakfast:
2 multigrain waffles w/ 1/2 banana - 3
I caved and had a greek delight - 2

Lunch:
homemade chicken salad on light bread - 3
clementines - 1

Snacks:
Hostess 100 calorie pack - 1
Fig Newtown - 3

Dinner:
I'm thinking chicken pot pie - 8
side of veggies - 0

Snack:
something for 3

In Case I Wasnt Sure How it Happened...

And by it I mean gaining 18 pounds in a short time... these pictures might have something to do with it. They're from me and my 5 best friends' annual Christmas gathering. Where we skip lunch and just do apps and desserts... Again, why did I think I was going to lose weight over the holidays? haha

Veggie Pizza, fancy brushetta, mimosas, baileys, spinach dip
(and thats just what is pictured!!)

A stunning platter of cookies... SOOOOO scrumptious!

Monkey Bread before...

...And after

Goals for Today

Before I can get anything done today I need to tear myself away from the couch and the Hallmark Channel. I've been watching "Samantha: An American Girl Story" which just ended, but immediately following was "Felicity: An American Girl Story." I grew up reading all of the American Girl books. I had Samantha. I used to love playing with her! Yeah, I'm totally wrapped up in these little movies. haha. I've decided at noon I am going to get my butt off the couch and start my day. I'm allowed to have a lazy Saturday morning now and then, right?

I have to go pick up my car that I left at the bikeshop Ar works at (I left it there last night), so I figure this will force me to go on a ride today! It's gorgeous out and I'm actually excited about getting outside for a bit. Then I'll shower and do some cleaning when I get home.

Today starts a new WW week for me... so Im all energized and ready to count points and have a good week. Though there are MANY obsticals in my way this week... I will be strong!

HAve a great weekend everyone!

Please Smack some SENSE into me!

I dont know why I think I can eat whatever I want, be a lazy bum and not work and I'll lose weight. Why can't I get it in my head that to lose weight its going to take some WORK! When I lost my first 40 pounds I busted my ass. I didnt eat ANYTHING bad for me. I was like the poster child for WW. I went to the gym/excercized at least 3xs a week. I counted EVERYTHING I ate. I had willpower. And I saw results. So why can't I get back into that?

I haven't gone to the gym since Sunday, and can't even being to tell you how many cookies I've eaten (but no to worry, there are no more in the house so thats good).

But its a new day, right? And with each day I'm given a fresh start. My pants are feeling a little tight today... so I'm taking that as a sign and running with it.

I will do my best today. I dont think I'll be able to make it to the gym, and I have a buffet style luncheon for work... but I'm going to do my best... watch my portions, make healthy decisions and walk out of there feeling satisfied and proud. Not stuffed and guilty!

Wish me luck!

Christmas Cookies - Day 8 of 32

I started the first of many Christmas Cookies last night. Made a batch of peanut butter blossoms and then snickerdoodles. I ate a few too many last night (like 4) and then had 2 this morning at work (because of course I brought some to work to get them out of the house heehee). But so far today I'm still on track!

I was looking through pictures today from earlier this year when I was about 10 pounds lighter. I'd really like to get back to that happy place. And pictures can be a really good motivator. So I think that was good.

Not much else going on. Got my first batch of Christmas cards out. Have about 30 left. It's not too late to get on the list if youd like. Just email me your address: jeannie.waters@hotmail.com.

Tonights plan is to go home, change, straighten up a bit, take puppy for a walk, pick Ar up at work at 7, go to the gym, then come home and have a super late dinner (burgers on the george forman and maybe a salad or something).

That's all for now!

Stinkin Cramps - Day 7 of 32

This weekend wasnt horrible, but it wasnt great either. I just find myself to not be snacking at all... which is so unlike me. Yesterday I had pancakes for breakfast (and yes I had them for dinner on Sat as well...) around 10, then had taco bell (dont even get me started, it was GROSS!! I was so pissed I wasted calories on it) at like 5:30, and then had ice cream from marble slab at 7. And that was all I ate all day. Granted NONE of it was healthy, but I didnt have bites of anything, or snacks at all. So I guess that was good.

And apparently I've been PMSing as I got my period yesterday. I didn thave my normal symptoms of horribly choc and greasy food cravings or being easily annoyed. But not to worry, the cramps are in full force today!!

I went to the gym yesterday and will go today depending on the cramp situation.

I started my first knifty knitter project last night. A hat. I think it will come out pretty good! I'm hoping to figure out how to make a matching scarf next. I'm thinking lots of my friends will be getting hat and scarf sets! haha.

Here's todays menu:

Bfast:
dry fake honey nut cheerios (2)

Lunch:
salad (1)
soup (1)
virgin bloody mary HAHA (1) - i bought low sodium v-8 and am OBSESSED!!! A lil hot sauce, pepper and worchester sauce.... MMMMMM
1/2 apple (1)

Snack:
pretzels (2)
choc chip cakies (2)

No idea whats for dinner... maybe spaghetti squash or something. I also think I may be making my first batch of christmas cookies tonight. I bought sugar cookie mix, cookie cutters, a rolling pin and stuff to decorate the cookies with last night. YAY!

Tagged All Over!

Ok, I was tagged yesterday by Tigerlilly and totally forgot to go answer the questions. And then I was tagged again today by Michelle so now I'll answer!

Christmas Songs Meme: This one is pretty easy. List (at least) five of your favorite Christmas songs and tag (at least) five of your favorite blog friends to keep your MEME going.

1. Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays - NSync (I know, I know but it gets me SO pumped!)
2. All I Want for Christmas is You - Mariah Carey, actually that whole album! ha!
3. Do They Know It's Christmastime - Band Aids
4. Happy XMas (War is Over) - John Lennon
5. Carol of the Bells - any version thats actually SUNG
6. Oh Holy Night - by my highschool choir :)
7. Twelve Days of Christmas - the Muppets

I could go on and on.... but that's all I've got for now. And I'll also do this from Tigerlilly's site as well.

Four Things About Me

4 Jobs I've Had
- Answer phones at my parish rectory
- Manager at Ritas Waterice
- Traffic Manager at a bunch of radio stations
- Babysitter

4 Movies I watch over and over
- Notting Hill
- Office Space
- Dirty Dancing
- A Christmas Story (obviously I only watch it over and over at Christmas time!)

4 Places I have lived
- Havertown, PA
- Bronx, NY
- Ocean Grove, NJ
- Charlotte, NC

4 TV Shows I Watch
- Grey's Annatomy
- The Office
- Biggest Loser
- Vegas

4 Places I've been on Vacation
- Antigua
- France
- Ireland
- Turks and Caicos

4 Websites I visit everyday
- arsbars
- wfuv
- myspace
- the ones listed to the right under 'daily reads'

4 Favorite Foods
- chocolate chip cookies
- reeses peanut butter cups
- good pizza
- cereal

4 Places I'd Rather be Right Now
- In bed
- Anywhere warm and on a beach
- Canyon Ranch
- At my parent's house hanging out

Whew... ok now that I got all of that business out of the way I'll get back to my regularly scheduled post :)

It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year....

I am getting ready to stary my Christmas/Holiday cards!!! I know how much I love to get mail (that ISNT a bill), so if any of you would like to be on my holiday card list (and yes, I totally got this idea from Anne... hope she doesnt mind) - email me your address and I'll send you a holiday greeting! YAY!!! I love Christmas and I love Christmas cards!

Ooops... I almost forgot to include my email address: jeannie.waters@hotmail.com