Iowa Life

So a lot has happened in the past week!  Every year since our Tare-Bear left us, I help coordinate the Iowa SIDS Foundation's Walk for the Future.  It takes months of work and asking for donations, getting ready for a raffle or silent auction and planning the memorial for our babies.  Saturday was the 15th Annual Walk for the Future and it was fabulous!  We didn't start the day out to well... we woke up at 5:15 to pouring rain and some pretty bad storms.  But in true walk fashion, our babies were watching out for us and the weather cleared and we were able to have the walk start on time.  It was nice to see people we haven't seen in a long time, and to celebrate and raise some money for a cause that is so close to our hearts!

I was also nominated for the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge and called out my bridesmaids!  They all surprised me (well not really because they are all amazing friends), and decided to donate to the SIDS Foundation in memory of Taryn instead!  It means a lot to us and we are so blessed to have these people in our lives!  If you would like to make a donation, please visit www.iowasids.org!

So on top of the walk, working, running, and our all around crazy-ness, some of our healthy eating has gone out the window.  The recipe below is a prime example of this.  Being Iowa, the people of this state have a huge appreciation for pork.  I love me some bacon, but this pork tenderloin business had me confused when we first moved here.  I've learned to appreciate this Iowa tradition, and when they were on sale last week for 10 for $10, I couldn't pass it up.  I normally don't like to fry anything because of 1). the fat and grease, and 2). the smell.  EW.  I hate the smell of hot grease.  It lingers for days.  EW.  But I had an emotional past couple of days and wanted something fried and oh so delicious.  So I busted out some of these tenderloins.  Yes I am an emotional eater.  It's a struggle that I've actually come a long way on...anyways...I realized shortly after I had the oil heating (EW) that we had no bread crumbs.  So I started searching for what we could use, and ended up with some town house crackers.  They made the tenderloin.  Seriously.  DELISH!!  Now I'll warn you too, I don't measure anything, and I cook until it smells done.  I bake this way too.  Deal with it and accept the change.  Here is the recipe I came up with:

5 pork tenderloins (Iowa style - tenderized and beat within an inch of it's life)
1 egg
3/4 sleeve of town house crackers (also crushed within an inch of their lives)
milk - some splashes
flour - I dumped some in a bowl (maybe like 1/2 cup)
S&P to taste
Onion powder (just a few shakes)
seasoning salt (a few shakes)
garlic powder (a few shakes)
oil - pick your poison - I used vegetable and just dumped about 1/4 of a jug in a pan and heated it up (you want about an inch to inch and a half deep) (that's what she said)

In one bowl - mix your egg and milk
In another bowl - mix your flour and seasonings
In the last bowl - crush your crackers and thank them for their awesomeness

Dip the tenderloin into the flour mixture making sure they are coated evenly.  Then dip it in the egg mixture, and finally the crackers (again making sure you have an even coat) and then put them in the hot oil.  I cooked them until they were golden brown on one side, and then flipped them and cooked them until they were golden on that side.  I removed them to a cookie sheet with paper towels to soak up some of the grease and to rest for about 5 minutes before we dug in. 

The whole process took about 20 minutes and my toddler helped.  She was very good at stirring the flour mixture.  These were probably some of the best tenderloins I've ever had.  The crackers made the whole thing!  Top with cheese, pickles and mustard and you're set!  For Mare, I cut hers so they were like chicken fingers (pig tails if you want to stick with the pork theme).

So good and so not good for you! Enjoy!

The picture wouldn't cooperate. 

How do you have time for that?

So I get a lot of questions about food and "how do you have time to cook and do all that?"  Well here's what I do:

Food Prep.  Lots of it (well not really).  I stick to the outsides of the grocery store when I shop and usually end up spending right around $175 for 2 weeks worth of food.  I spend probably another $50 a week later refilling the fresh produce.  Here are some of our staple items:

• Bananas
• Strawberries
• Apples
• Cantaloupe
• Frozen Raspberries, blueberries, blackberries
• Green Peppers
• Orange peppers
• Cauliflower
• Broccoli
• Spinach
• Lettuce
• Carrots
• cucumbers
• avocados
• Sweet potatoes
• 5 lb bag of potatoes
• squash of multiple varieties
• Green Beans
• Corn
• Black Beans
• Frozen Broccoli, green beans, peas, corn, mixed veggies, California blend, winter mix.
• Bacon (this is Iowa, we eat real bacon here)
• Chicken (all kinds)
• Pork chops
• Beef (lean ground, steaks)
• Lunch meat fresh from the deli (mostly ham and turkey)
• Yogurt (greek and regular)
• Cheese (cottage, string, deli slices, block) - we shred our own cheese off the block, and eat very little "processed" cheese.
• eggs
• REAL butter (I'm from Wisconsin, don't mess around with my dairy)
• 2% Milk
• Brown rice
• whole grain pasta

Of course having a toddler, we have goldfish, applesauce, fruit snacks, graham crackers, etc.  I don't restrict her on the food she has, but she doesn't get pop, and she gets "treats."  It's also an expectation that she at least TRIES what is put in front of her.  She loves her broccoli and refried beans (not together), and will usually eat what is put in front of her.

I of course have other staples for baking and quick cooking, but we have a ton of canned vegetables, I use canned tomato sauce instead of buying pasta sauce (crushed tomatoes with garlic, Italian seasoning and shredded parm goes a long way).

I usually get groceries on a Friday night or Saturday (with toddler in tow), and take about a half hour Sunday to chop peppers and cucumbers, and to sort my bags of frozen veggies into portions that I can just grab out of the freezer or fridge to pack my food for the day!  It usually only takes about a half hour and I'm ready for the week.  Here is this weeks prep:

 

I also try to plan our meals for the week ahead of time.  I usually scroll through Pinterest while Marilyn watches her "shows" and try to find something to make out of what I've already purchased. I don't think we have the same thing twice in a month lol... well I take that back, tacos.  We love mexican food!  I also very rarely stick to a recipe I find.  We have our own tastes as a family and I'll substitute this and that, or try different seasonings.  Once I figure out what we are having, I write it on my excess stash of note cards from college and put it up in the kitchen.  That way no one (my husband) is confused or unsure of what to make.  I just used a piece of scrapbook paper that semi-matched our kitchen and taped it to a cupboard door.

 

 

This week I'm going to be trying some slow-cooker meals!  Being on opposite schedules John can turn the crock pot on before he goes to sleep and dinner should be done by the time I get home!  I commute a 1/2 hour one way, so I'm typically gone 10 hours a day.  Hopefully this works out!  Because I'm carb-cycling, I know some of this isn't compatible on certain days, so I'll make my adjustments as necessary, but I'm not going to deprive my family of delicious-ness every single day (although everything I'm eating is pretty dang good).  They don't have to follow my schedule, but they still have healthy food to eat too. 

 

This weeks menu includes:

• Monday -Sloppy joes (I don't use a pre-made mix, I make my own) (I'm going to have mine over zucchini - I'll let you know how that one turns out)
• Tuesday - Chicken taco soup (crock pot)
• Wednesday - Crock pot meat loaf and potatoes (I'll be substituting my potato for cauliflower and broccoli)
• Thursday - Scalloped potatoes and Ham
• Friday - we aren't sure yet - but it's the weekend and it will probably be leftovers or something simple we can just throw together

 

Hopefully this helps some of you!  I'll try to put some of our weekly menu's up on here too.  I'm always up for new ideas, so feel free to leave them in the comments below.



 

It's been awhile...

Well it's been awhile!  Here's an update...  When I turned 30 last December I promised myself I would get it together and take control of my health.  I've had some ups and downs along the way, but I've learned that I am in control, no one else... so here are the goals I'm working with right now:

1.  Lose the weight.  I've been carrying it around for YEARS.  Years.  Yes Years.  And it's time to go.  So what am I doing about it?  I'm carb-cycling.  I purchased the book "Choose to Lose" by Chris Powell and it completely changed the way I look at food.  Buy it.  Read it.  Learn something about yourself along the way.

2.  Become a runner.  I have always thought of running as a good way to get in shape and to be healthy.  So I started running.  Even before my 30th birthday I would run.  Well this year I took it up a notch.  I signed up for a 5K in Nashville and ran that (I didn't run the whole time, but I ran it), and met my goal of under 40 minutes.  Somehow I got talked into running a half marathon back in Nashville on November 8th.  I ran 4 miles today (almost without stopping).  So there's that.

3.  Have more patience.  I'm still figuring that one out.

4.  Do what makes you happy.  I still don't know what I want to be when I grow up.  If I could stay home, cook, make all the money I needed and do crafts I find on Pinterest I'd be happy.  Then I could hang out with Marilyn all the time and life would be great! 

So who cares right?  Well I've been told a couple of times I should start a blog and share my recipes, motivation, etc.  So here it is.  I'm reviving it and will try to share, motivate, love, cry, and enjoy life with whoever feels like joining me along the way!

Until next time...

 

This is from almost 2 years ago... but I love it!

Cheesy Chicken Broccoli Orzo

Cheesy Chicken Broccoli Orzo

1 C cooked orzo pasta
1 Cooked and shredded chicken breast*
2 C Steamed broccoli
1 C Shredded Cheddar Cheese
2 tbsp. Butter
1/4 C Milk
2 tsp minced garlic
1 tsp onion powder
2 tsp olive oil

*When we grocery shop I buy bone in chicken breasts and then boil them and shred the meat off.  I can usually get 4-5 meals plus a couple of small snack size bags full for lunches out of 2 full breasts.

In a large pot bring water to a boil and cook orzo until done.  (I don't know how else to word this lol)! 

Steam broccoli while the noodles are cooking.  You could probably use 1 bag of the steamers or I steamed ours in the rice steamer from pampered chef.

If you have not cooked your chicken, place it in a skillet with 2 tsp of olive oil. Cook until browned and cooked through.

When noodles are done, drain and add butter, milk, and cheese.  Stir until cheese is melted.  Pour noodles into skillet with chicken.  Add broccoli and heat through.  Add garlic and onion powder and continue mixing until all is heated through. 

Bacon Cheeseburger Meatloaf

Ok, so I have started coming up with my own recipes and have also started making variations on some of our favorites...so I figured I'd start sharing them seeing as I get asked about them a lot!  Here is the first one:

Bacon Cheeseburger Meatloaf with BBQ dressing


1 lb ground beef 
1/2 c cubed velveeta
4 slices of bacon (chopped and cooked)
3 green onions chopped
2 eggs
1/2 c bread crumbs
1 packet of dry ranch seasoning/mix (I used hidden valley)
S & P to taste

Preheat oven to 325.  In a small bowl, beat eggs and set aside.  In a large bowl, mix hamburger, ranch seasoning packet, S & P and then add in eggs and mix together with your hands.  Add in breadcrumbs.  Mix well.  Add in Bacon, mix.  Add in Cheese, mix.  You can add in the green onion or top the mixture with it at the end.  I added it in and it gave it great flavor.  Form mixture into a loaf shape and bake at 325 for about 55-60 minutes.


BBQ Dressing

Mix equal parts BBQ sauce and mayo.  Its excellent for dipping, and we use this sauce on burgers all the time!

FINALLY

THE WEIGHT IS FINALLY STARTING TO COME OFF!!

I was frustrated in the beginning of my new "journey" at the beginning of the year, and I posted something on the facebook about it and everyone told me "wait until about week 8" over and over and over.  And so I've been waiting.  Not so patiently waiting.  And here we are at week 9...and slowly but surely I'm down 3 more pounds.  The scale hasn't moved for WEEKS.  And now out of nowhere it starts to drop!  

I've been measuring inches and since the beginning of January and I'm down 12 inches so far.  I'm down 31.5 inches since starting last June!  And over the summer I lost my first 25 lbs.  I'm down 30 lbs total now, with at least 75 to go!  

I feel so much better than I ever have, and I have almost become addicted to that sore "new muscle-post workout" feeling.  I love it!  I feel great!  I'm down 2 sizes too and all my summer clothes from 5 years ago (pre-babies) finally fit too! WOOO WOOOO!!

So excited!!!

Motivation

Some days I really have no idea where to begin.  I want the weight to just fall off, but it never seems to work that way... I have been working on my weight and myself for a solid 8 weeks at this point.  This is the longest I've ever stuck with it.  Usually it's a 2-3 week process and I'm over it because I haven't lost anything.  I'm pretty proud of the progress I've made, I just wish I could get some of the weight off.  I'm losing inches... like crazy too!  I just wish they would take the pounds with them when they left.

I've been struggling the past couple of weeks too... I think "oh i'm working out, I can just eat whatever."  Well I'm paying for it now.  I feel like POOOOOOOOP.  So today I "started over."  

If there is one thing I've learned in my life, it's to take it one day at a time.  One hour at a time or even one minute at a time too.  I have to do what is right for me, and not right for everyone else.

So here's to finding my motivation again... :)