Today…

…is the first day back on my new diet.  A few years ago, I tried Sparkpeople.com and had a lot of success with it so, I am going to try them again.  I just like someone telling me what to eat so I don’t have to think about it.  So breakfast wasn’t too bad but I know it is a lot less food that I have been eating this past few months.  Luckily, I haven't gained back all the weight I lost before so it shouldn’t be that bad to get back on the scale.  Breakfast this morning consisted of 1 whole grain waffle with peanut butter and a container of strawberry yogurt.  I was supposed to have blueberries too but I’m not a fan of blueberries so I skipped that. 

Busy Busy November

So I started looking at my calendar for November…busy busy month…

It all starts with Halloween.  Not only do the kids get to go trick or treating that day but they also have the day off of school.

5th – Scouting for Food Bag Drop-off

7th – Parent/Teacher Conferences (which I am going to try to do as early as possible) – No school

8th – Election Day/No School

12th – Scouting for Food Bag Pickup

18th – Brynlee’s Birthday (Would love to get to take her to Build A Bear again but we will see what happens)

19th – Brynlee’s Birthday Party (Invites will be out soon)

21st – Evan has a doctor’s appointment

23rd-25th – No School

24th – Thanksgiving

28th – Ryan’s Birthday (might have to try to go eat lunch with him that day) plus him and Brynlee both have doctor’s appointments that day.

Among these dates, Ryan has choir on Wednesdays and Art Club every other Monday.  Football Playoffs are sometime that month.  Then we have scouts on the 1st and 3rd Thursdays of the months…like I said…busy busy

Hamburger Sliders

Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup dried onion flakes
• 2 lbs. ground chuck
• 1/2 tsp. seasoned salt
• 6 slices cheddar cheese
• 12-15 small party rolls

Directions:

Evenly spread the onions on the bottom of a 9x13 inch baking dish.  Gently press the ground beef on top of the onion flakes as to make one large patty.  Sprinkle with seasoned salt. 

Bake in a 400 degree over for 20 minutes.  Using a paper towel, pat excess great from top of the patty.  Top with cheddar cheese and return to the over for 2 minutes.

Remove from oven, let set for 5 minutes then cut into patties.  Slice open and separate each roll.  Using a spatula, let the patty with the onion layer onto each bun.  Top each slider with pickle then add top of the bun.  Serve immediately.

Taco Pizza

Ingredients:

• 1 lb. ground beef
• 1 envelope taco seasoning mix
• 2 8 oz. cans crescent rolls
• 1 16oz can refried beans
• 2-3 cups shredded cheddar cheese or Mexican blend
• 1/2 cup chopped tomatoes
• 1/4 cup sliced black olives
• 4 green onions, chopped

Directions:

Heat oven to 375 degrees.

Brown ground beef and drain.  Add taco seasoning to the ground beef according to the package directions.

Unroll crescent rolls into rectangles.  Place in ungreased 11 1/2 inch x 16 1/2 inch jelly roll or cookie sheet.  Press dough over the bottom and 1/2 inch up sides to form crust.  Bake at 375 for 11 to 13 minutes or just until golden brown.

Microwave beans in a microwave safe bowl for 1 minutes.  Carefully spread beans over warm crust creating a thin layer.

Top with cooked beef mixture, sprinkle with cheese followed by tomatoes, black olives, and green onion.  Return to oven for 3-6 more minutes until cheese is melted.  Serve immediately.  Makes 12 main dish servings or 48 appetizers.

Graves Mountain Apple Festival

On Saturday, for the first time, we went to Graves Mountain’s Apple Festival.  It was a lot of fun.  Originally, we were supposed to be at a football game but because of the weather the previous day, they cancelled the games.  So off to the festival we went…

The kids had a lot of fun.  They got to see some animals and do things like feed the goats.  Evan got to help make apple butter which he thought was really cool.  We tried to do the U Pick Apples but, unfortunately, there wasn’t really any left.  So we took the few we found and went and just bought a bushel.  Let’s just say, I have been making apple butter all weekend long.  Today I am going to attempt apple cookies with caramel.  Hopefully they turn out good…

Cold Pasta Salad

Ingredients:

• 1 box tri-color Rotini pasta
• 1 small red onion
• 1 small green pepper
• 1 small red pepper
• 1 large carrot
• 1 can whole corn
• 1 can petite diced tomatoes, drain
• 1 bottle Italian dressing

Directions:

Cook pasta according to box directions for al dente and rinse in cold water.  Dice onion, peppers, and carrot into small pieces.  Drain tomatoes and corn well.  Add all the veggies to the cooked pasta noodles. Pour Italian dressing over the top.  Left sit in the fridge overnight.

New Red Potato Salad

Ingredients:

• 6 lbs. unpeeled red potatoes
• 8 eggs
• 3 cups mayo
• 1/4 cup milk
• 1/4 cup distilled white vinegar
• 1 cup sliced green onions
• 1 tsp. salt
• 1/2 tsp. ground black pepper
• 2 cups sliced celery

Directions:

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil.  Add red potatoes, and cook until tender but still firm, about 15 minutes.  Drain, cool and chop into 1 inch cubes.  Please in medium bowl.

Place eggs in a medium saucepan, and cover with cold water.  Bring water to a boil, and immediately remove from heat.  Cover, and let the eggs stand in hot water for 10 to 12 minutes.  Remove from hot water, cool, peel, and dice.

In a small bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, milk, distilled white vinegar, green onions, salt and pepper.  Pour the mixture over the potatoes, and mix together with the eggs and celery.  Cover, and chill in the refrigerator approximately 2 hours before serving.

Southwestern White Chili

Ingredients:

• 2 tbsp. Italian dressing
• 1 lb. boneless, skinless chicken breasts
• 1 small onion, chopped
• 2 cans (15 oz. each) white beans, rinses
• 1 can (14.5 oz.) fat-free reduced-sodium chicken broth
• 1 can (4 oz.) green chilies, undrained
• 1 tsp. ground cumin
• 1 1/2 cups Mexican style cheese, shredded
• 2 tbsp. chopped fresh cilantro

Directions:

Add chicken and onions to a slow cooker.  Cook for 3 hours on high.

Stir in beans, brother, chilies, and cumin.  Cook another 1-2 hours on high.  Once complete, shred chicken.

Service topped with cheese and cilantro.

Diet–October 3, 2011

I did pretty good on the diet yesterday.  Well, that was until we went to Buffalo Wild Wings for their $3 burger night.  You can’t beat that before tip, I was able to feed my family of 5 for $16.50.  Although, I was able to stay under my total calorie burn for yesterday.

Calories Burned:  3154

Calories Consumed:  3089

Calorie Deficit:  65

That is anywhere near the 500 deficit I am supposed to have but at least I didn’t go over.