From my other blog, I'll Have a Cupcake, and French Fries for Dessert.
Knocked up. :) That is what has kept me from my weight loss efforts. And since the focus of this blog was on weight loss, I haven't felt much to blog about. Sorry for the absence, and I hope I haven't lost too many readers.
Pregnancy is not for wimps, by any means. I wasn't in the greatest shape when I got pregnant, but I don't know how those women who maintain their workouts throughout pregnancy do it. I guess they must be the ones who aren't cursed with wretched 1st trimester nausea and food aversions. Because, it was all I could do for the first 16 weeks of my pregnancy to just get out of bed and eat something that wasn't macaroni and cheese or mashed potatoes. Anything else made me want to yak.
They say you can safely maintain your current level of activity during pregnancy, but what if I abandoned my current level of activity due to nausea? I didn't feel comfortable picking back up at 20 weeks with my pre-pregnancy 2 mile jogs. . .
So I've walked and done some water exercises. I'm not any where near being as fit as I would like to be by the time delivery rolls around, and I don't feel comfortable increasing my activity level at this point, 30 weeks. I guess I'll have to just do the best I can.
However, apparently my weight is an issue. Grr. I thought this was the one time in my life I shouldn't have to worry about my weight every day.
I was about 25 pounds over my ideal weight when I got pregnant. Not the ideal situation, but not a situation I thought I couldn't live with. Pregnancy was not an accident. I had just decided that if I wait until I get to an ideal weight to get pregnant, just to turn around and have to lose it all again, I would probably never have children. And I feel like, at 30 weeks, my cumulative weight gain of 24 pounds is not horrendous. Again, not ideal, since I was shooting to only gain 25 the entire pregnancy, but still not unmanageable.
My doctor disagrees.
I've worked pretty hard at controlling my eating to try to keep my weight gain to a healthy minimum. I had one bad month, where I ate out of stress and indulged more than I should have. But I left that month's appointment feeling like the biggest cow ever. And the following month's appointment, where I gained half of what I had gained the previous month, was no better. No "this was much better. You still need to watch it, but much better." Just, "do I really need to lecture you about your weight again?"
Let me tell you, as someone who has stressed over her weight for 10 years now: this was not what I needed to hear.
I now obsess over every bite I put in my mouth. If I give in and eat a doughnut on a Friday, I cry after. I beg people to buy a pack of Zingers and let me have a half of one. (I wish I could say I had made that up. I've done it twice.)
And if I have to eat another apple today, which I don't particularly like in the first place, I'm going to scream.
So, that's what has been keeping me from this blog for so long. Since my weight has now become an issue during the one time in my life I thought maybe it wouldn't have to be, I will probably blog more now.
Until next time. . . anyone have any Zingers?
Saturday, March 26, 2011
Sunday, December 26, 2010
Things I’ve Learned From my Dogs, Part 2.
This will probably be the last installment of Things I've Learned from my Dogs. Neglected, but not Forgotten, I've accepted that my dogs aren't quite the philosophical force I wanted them to be, and I struggled to come up with these last few things. I'm sure I will learn more from them in the future, but I will probably just post those things on Twitter/Facebook.
1. Let the other guy win now and then. Then, when you really want to win, his guard will be down
2. There is nothing better for itchy eyes than someone’s brand new pants. Especially if the person is wearing them and about to walk out the door.
3. Always watch eagerly for family and friends to arrive at your home. It makes them feel doubly welcome.
4. A squeaky wheel may get grease, but a yippy, high-pitched bark will get one let inside much faster.
5. If you can make a person laugh, they will probably give you anything you want.
6. Chin down, eyes up. Look pathetic.
7. Bark softly, and carry a big toy.
1. Let the other guy win now and then. Then, when you really want to win, his guard will be down
2. There is nothing better for itchy eyes than someone’s brand new pants. Especially if the person is wearing them and about to walk out the door.
3. Always watch eagerly for family and friends to arrive at your home. It makes them feel doubly welcome.
4. A squeaky wheel may get grease, but a yippy, high-pitched bark will get one let inside much faster.
5. If you can make a person laugh, they will probably give you anything you want.
6. Chin down, eyes up. Look pathetic.
7. Bark softly, and carry a big toy.
The Conclusion of La Saga del Arroz . . . Loosely Translated to "Rice Drama."
I confess to being the worst blogger, ever. It's not that I haven't wanted to, it's just that I haven't really had anything I felt worthy of posting (read: that anyone would want to read.) Most of the eventful happenings lately have been sufficiently summed up in 140 characters or less, and therefore posted on Facebook and Twitter.
However, I am not starting my second week of vacation, and with a nightmarish amount of housecleaning and several trips to stores for exchanges ahead of me, I suddenly want to blog more than anything else.
So, the update/conclusion of the Saga of the Rice. (You can find the back story here: A White Girl's Mexican Fiesta and here: How to Make Rice, Courtesy of Facebook)
The Saga del Arroz continued on well past the September attempt. I tried my microwave rice cooker multiple times. It's crap. I got a bagful of boil in bag rice, microwave rice, Minute Rice, etc. for my birthday from a wonderful friend. (And a really great smelling candle!) Not that the rice wasn't appreciated, and it has in fact all been used up. But it just doesn't taste the same. Plus, this was far beyond just making rice for me. Oh, yes, this was now about my pride! I mean, really, is rice really that hard? (Yes.) Who can't make rice? (Lots of people, I keep telling myself.) I refused to be owned by that tiny little grain! (Though deep down, I knew I ultimately would be.)
The microwave rice cooker has been tossed in the trash. I guess I could have kept it to steam vegetables with, but they make microwave bags for that. And unlike rice, they do taste the same! I now have a shiny new plug in rice cooker, courtesy of my sister and brother-in-law. I'm sure the motivation was purely genuine, though I'm sure a little ironic snickering went on, too. (You guys know I'm right!)
So today, I pulled it out, cleaned it and tried it for the first time. Followed the instructions EXACTLY. (Not that I hadn't the times before, but. . . well. . . ) Measured the rice with the little cup that came with the cooker (really, World, why can't we just all get on the same measuring system?) (Did you know there are even different Metric Systems??? No lie. Click here and scroll down if you don't believe me.)
Rinsed and soaked my rice (I used brown), plugged it in and waited. When I walked by 30 minutes later and it was done, I panicked. I always had to cook brown rice on the stove top for an hour, and it STILL came out undercooked! But I waited 5 more minutes because the directions said to (and I wasn't sure exactly when it finished cooking) and I texted my sister and my friend to tell them that in 5 minutes I would either be eating perfect rice, or posting yet another failure story in which I admit complete and utter defeat, resigning myself to Minute Rice for the rest of my life. (Which is fine, but we like to fry rice, and Minute Rice just doesn't hold up as well.)
I opened the cooker, and BOO-YAH!!! PERFECT RICE!! PERFECT RICE!! PERRRRRRRRRFEEEEEEEECT RIIIIIIIIIIICE!!!!!!!!!! YOU'VE BEEN OWNED, RICE!! BY ME!! BY ME!! HOW DOES THAT MAKE YOU FEEL, TO BE OWNED BY THE WORST COOK EVERRRRRRRRRRR!!!
Crap. Now what am I going to write about?
However, I am not starting my second week of vacation, and with a nightmarish amount of housecleaning and several trips to stores for exchanges ahead of me, I suddenly want to blog more than anything else.
So, the update/conclusion of the Saga of the Rice. (You can find the back story here: A White Girl's Mexican Fiesta and here: How to Make Rice, Courtesy of Facebook)
The Saga del Arroz continued on well past the September attempt. I tried my microwave rice cooker multiple times. It's crap. I got a bagful of boil in bag rice, microwave rice, Minute Rice, etc. for my birthday from a wonderful friend. (And a really great smelling candle!) Not that the rice wasn't appreciated, and it has in fact all been used up. But it just doesn't taste the same. Plus, this was far beyond just making rice for me. Oh, yes, this was now about my pride! I mean, really, is rice really that hard? (Yes.) Who can't make rice? (Lots of people, I keep telling myself.) I refused to be owned by that tiny little grain! (Though deep down, I knew I ultimately would be.)
The microwave rice cooker has been tossed in the trash. I guess I could have kept it to steam vegetables with, but they make microwave bags for that. And unlike rice, they do taste the same! I now have a shiny new plug in rice cooker, courtesy of my sister and brother-in-law. I'm sure the motivation was purely genuine, though I'm sure a little ironic snickering went on, too. (You guys know I'm right!)
So today, I pulled it out, cleaned it and tried it for the first time. Followed the instructions EXACTLY. (Not that I hadn't the times before, but. . . well. . . ) Measured the rice with the little cup that came with the cooker (really, World, why can't we just all get on the same measuring system?) (Did you know there are even different Metric Systems??? No lie. Click here and scroll down if you don't believe me.)
Rinsed and soaked my rice (I used brown), plugged it in and waited. When I walked by 30 minutes later and it was done, I panicked. I always had to cook brown rice on the stove top for an hour, and it STILL came out undercooked! But I waited 5 more minutes because the directions said to (and I wasn't sure exactly when it finished cooking) and I texted my sister and my friend to tell them that in 5 minutes I would either be eating perfect rice, or posting yet another failure story in which I admit complete and utter defeat, resigning myself to Minute Rice for the rest of my life. (Which is fine, but we like to fry rice, and Minute Rice just doesn't hold up as well.)
I opened the cooker, and BOO-YAH!!! PERFECT RICE!! PERFECT RICE!! PERRRRRRRRRFEEEEEEEECT RIIIIIIIIIIICE!!!!!!!!!! YOU'VE BEEN OWNED, RICE!! BY ME!! BY ME!! HOW DOES THAT MAKE YOU FEEL, TO BE OWNED BY THE WORST COOK EVERRRRRRRRRRR!!!
Crap. Now what am I going to write about?
How to Make Rice, According to Facebook. . .
I am about to actually write a blog post for the first time in half a year, but some people may need the back story behind it. Since not all of my readers are Facebook users (and since my profile is private, they wouldn't be able to see the exchange), I am posting the back story below. (The format is a little off. I haven't figured out how to capture a screenshot of a scrolling window on my Mac, so Cut and Paste had to do.)
(Cut and Paste wound up being a bigger pain than I thought, as I still had to go back, out of courtesy for my friends and family, and delete last names and other identifying info, such as photos.)
For the back-back-story, click here: A White Girl's Mexican Fiesta
(Cut and Paste wound up being a bigger pain than I thought, as I still had to go back, out of courtesy for my friends and family, and delete last names and other identifying info, such as photos.)
For the back-back-story, click here: A White Girl's Mexican Fiesta
September 13 at 5:16pm · Custom: loading... · ·
Phouvanh Do you have a rice cooker? If you don't than use a regular pot. How ever much rice you want to cook make sure filled about 1/2 or 3/4 inches of water above the rice. Use your pointing finger to measure. If the water is between 1st and 2nd line of your finger than it should be good. When the rice absort all the water then low the heat and keep the pot covered at all time so the steam cook the rice. Make sure you check it often to see if the rice is cooked to your satisfaction.
September 13 at 5:32pm ·
Leslie ClarkMarc- two steps (glasses) ahead of you. :)
Emily- I'm out and we are broke until Wednesday. I failed in "planning ahead." ;)
Wanh- I love the thought of coming and getting it from you. I know you haven't been my Facebook friend long, but ...my stories about failed attempts at rice (and pretty much any cooking) are legendary. I'll try again with your tips. I have one of those microwave rice cookers, but I bet you are talking about the really cool ones that plug in, aren't you? my stories about failed attempts at rice (and pretty much any cooking) are legendary. I'll try again with your tips. I have one of those microwave rice cookers, but I bet you are talking about the really cool ones that plug in, aren't you?
September 13 at 5:39pm ·
Leslie Clark Ummm. . . does Pei Wei qualify as actual Asian? I didn't know they would sell just rice. Of course, being 2 days before payday, I can't do that, either. That's why I'm stuck with the regular bag rice. . . all we have left!!
September 13 at 6:18pm ·
Leslie Clark Tosha, rice is my holy Grail. There is no way I will go to my grave having failed to ever cook it properly. Though it seems to be coming out ok so far. I'll let you know!
September 13 at 6:34pm ·
Leslie ClarkWell, it definitely is my best effort yet! The problem is that the husband didn't believe the steam would cook it and kept turning the stove off when I wasn't looking. He thought it was going to burn. But it cooked evenly (never had that... happen) and was still edible, if a little al dente. :)
Wanh- here are my questions for next time: 1- do you ever stir the rice? 2- Is it possible to boil too much of the water out before you turn the heat down? Or do I want the water pretty much gone?
Audrey- It was literally a last minute decision. I had been planning to make potatoes before I discovered they had gone bad! But I am for sure going to try again this week.
September 13 at 7:30pm ·
Audrey well, let me know and I will come over.
September 13 at 7:33pm ·- Tosha Ill have to try those tricks...I only tried rice once and it was awful..the hubby was nice enough to lie and tell me it was good...but i thought it was terrible.
September 13 at 7:35pm ·
Monday, June 28, 2010
Health and Fitness Blog
I mentioned months ago that I was starting a 2nd blog devoted solely to my efforts to be fit and healthy again. That blog is not linked to my Facebook as this one is, but I thought I would post the link to the latest post to my 2nd blog here to share: http://frenchfryloveaffair.blogspot.com/2010/06/new-plan-of-attack.html
Monday, June 14, 2010
Just Random Thoughts. . .
I FINALLY shook a chest cold I've been fighting since April and got to head out in my new running shoes. I HATE having to start from scratch with exercise, but I sure felt better, even though my stats weren't very good according to my standards. I jogged one mile, and then wogged (walk+jog- thanks Audrey!) the mile back. Took me 26 minutes. Again, not very impressive according to my standards for myself, but 2 more miles than I have walked or jogged in one set period in a long time. I'm sure part of the problem over the last two months is that I would wait until I almost felt well enough to run, go ahead and run, and then end up sick again.
Forcing myself to start off slowly has been the hardest part. Being a former athlete, I still have a hard time ridding myself of that "nothing less than 110%" attitude that coaches force down your throat. It is hard to learn as I get older that my body's 110% isn't the same now as it was 15 years ago, or even 8 months ago, so every time I start an activity I have to force myself to go slower than I think I should.
Of course, I was pumped to get up this morning and discover a high of 77, meaning I could actually go for an afternoon, outdoor run. (My motivation issues include not liking to run on a treadmill, and being a dreadfully NON-morning person.) When I started my run, it was clouded over and sprinkling, and I was STOKED! Of course, about 1 minute and 6 houses into my run, the clouds passed over and the rain stopped, leaving the sun to beat down on my for the rest of my session. But still FAR, FAR better than 97 degrees in direct sun.
Now I just have to remember to EASE back into this so I don't end up sick again.
Forcing myself to start off slowly has been the hardest part. Being a former athlete, I still have a hard time ridding myself of that "nothing less than 110%" attitude that coaches force down your throat. It is hard to learn as I get older that my body's 110% isn't the same now as it was 15 years ago, or even 8 months ago, so every time I start an activity I have to force myself to go slower than I think I should.
Of course, I was pumped to get up this morning and discover a high of 77, meaning I could actually go for an afternoon, outdoor run. (My motivation issues include not liking to run on a treadmill, and being a dreadfully NON-morning person.) When I started my run, it was clouded over and sprinkling, and I was STOKED! Of course, about 1 minute and 6 houses into my run, the clouds passed over and the rain stopped, leaving the sun to beat down on my for the rest of my session. But still FAR, FAR better than 97 degrees in direct sun.
Now I just have to remember to EASE back into this so I don't end up sick again.
Tuesday, March 9, 2010
A White Girl's Mexican Fiesta. . .
All weekend I have been looking forward to my dinner plans for tonight.
I had planned to make an authentic Mexican dinner: homemade tortillas, homemade Mexican rice, homemade salsa, and tacos, all of which I have done before, just not usually in one evening. (Let's not get carried away. . . I buy Old El Paso taco seasoning in the big shaker jar.)
So I come straight home from work and begin the process. I will skip the boring details and just tell you that it is now 8:15, I've still had no dinner, and Mexicans everywhere are shaking their heads at me.
The tortillas are useless. I rolled them too thin which caused them to cook way to fast. They taste good, but are more like chips than tortillas. Not very conducive for tacos.
The salsa either has too much of something or is missing something. Not sure which.
I should never be allowed to cook any kind of rice other than Minute Rice. When I try to use "real" rice, I screw it up every single time. Somehow, I always manage to get half of it cooked, but then I run out of moisture before the other half cooks. The weird thing is that when I say "half," I don't mean "left/right" half, or "top/bottom" half. It is all mixed together, as in if you put a spoonful in your mouth, half of it will be cooked and half of it will still be hard. If anyone can figure out how I do this, I welcome tips.
The final straw was the taco meat. At 7:50 I discovered, much to my dismay, that we are out of Old El Paso taco seasoning. I am unsure how that happened. That is a staple I always make sure we have. Anyway, I scrambled to my computer and found a mix of seasonings for tacos that was rated 5 stars out of 5 by over 1600 people. As I'm happily stirring my spices into the meat, thinking I have for sure found something WAY better than taco seasoning, I taste it and discover it is not even close.
0 for 4. And the husband is getting us tacos from Rosa's. :(
So, there you go. My yearly attempt to cook. See you next March!
I had planned to make an authentic Mexican dinner: homemade tortillas, homemade Mexican rice, homemade salsa, and tacos, all of which I have done before, just not usually in one evening. (Let's not get carried away. . . I buy Old El Paso taco seasoning in the big shaker jar.)
So I come straight home from work and begin the process. I will skip the boring details and just tell you that it is now 8:15, I've still had no dinner, and Mexicans everywhere are shaking their heads at me.
The tortillas are useless. I rolled them too thin which caused them to cook way to fast. They taste good, but are more like chips than tortillas. Not very conducive for tacos.
The salsa either has too much of something or is missing something. Not sure which.
I should never be allowed to cook any kind of rice other than Minute Rice. When I try to use "real" rice, I screw it up every single time. Somehow, I always manage to get half of it cooked, but then I run out of moisture before the other half cooks. The weird thing is that when I say "half," I don't mean "left/right" half, or "top/bottom" half. It is all mixed together, as in if you put a spoonful in your mouth, half of it will be cooked and half of it will still be hard. If anyone can figure out how I do this, I welcome tips.
The final straw was the taco meat. At 7:50 I discovered, much to my dismay, that we are out of Old El Paso taco seasoning. I am unsure how that happened. That is a staple I always make sure we have. Anyway, I scrambled to my computer and found a mix of seasonings for tacos that was rated 5 stars out of 5 by over 1600 people. As I'm happily stirring my spices into the meat, thinking I have for sure found something WAY better than taco seasoning, I taste it and discover it is not even close.
0 for 4. And the husband is getting us tacos from Rosa's. :(
So, there you go. My yearly attempt to cook. See you next March!
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