Christmas Catastrophe

I am telling you, these few weeks around the holidays are some of the most stressful that I've ever had in my life. I have crap mounting on top of me from work, peers, and family. I've been working nonstop for the last couple weeks, my days jammed absolutely beyond full to the point where I come home and want to cry...but I don't have time because I have to chart on all of my patients. Not to mention it seems like around this time of year, everyone is getting sicker and more depressed and it sucks. Moving on to peers, why is it that there always seems to be a friend who doesn't understand that you have to work? And that everything is a personal insult to them? I really don't need that right now, thanks. And then we have family...my uncle (the one with head and neck cancer) had an air embolism and then has had a horrible bout of pain from an unknown origin. In other words...very bad news. Then I have my mom asking me constantly if he's going to die and if I think the cancer has spread.

So between having absolutely no down time, working from 7am-10pm just about every day...it's been crazy. I had to work Christmas Eve and Christmas day, and I was the only nurse on the day after Christmas. I have been doing barely any exercise other than running my butt from place to place trying to see patients before they crash and burn. And eating...I think I should be the poster child for stress eating. With all the temptations around and none of the willpower, I've eaten like crap. Cookies, buffalo chicken dip, pigs in a blanket, shrimp cocktail, meatballs, turkey, stuffing, green bean casserole, fudge... I can go on but do I really need to?

I have to be honest with myself on this blog...but I tried to rationalize this bad eating in every way. Stress, it being the holidays, temptation. But really I knew it came from myself and my emotions.

I am going to Jenny Craig tomorrow and going to pick up some food...finally...I am not even sure I want to weigh in. I'm pretty sure I gained all the 40 pounds I lost back...

The next two days I finally have time off and I'm eating well, going to rest up, relax and jumpstart my weight loss as we kick off into a New Year!!

I hope everyone

Weigh In Wednesday

Well, today started off with crap because I woke up SUPER early to do an admission. Yes, it's my day off. Yes, I don't have to work. But what am I supposed to do when my supervisor is telling me there's no one to do it and the other nurse has an admission too? And there are no per diems available? Come on. Ridiculous. So I was a very VERY nice girl and I went and did that at 7am. Followed by driving through the most horrible traffic I've ever seen back to my house. It took me 15 minutes to get into my street because all these people were stopped and refused to let me turn in! You're not going anywhere! Why do you have to block my street you can see me with my directional, sir! Yes, I am talking to you!

Anyway, then I ran like a mad woman to let the workmen into my house. Last year I had significant ice damming and flooding of my bedroom with all the winter weather we had here in CT...and they were coming to fix it. Today is their last day though thankfully, and my roommate let them in yesterday so I could get to see patients on time. Well they were late...and I was driving through thick construction traffic to get to my Jenny Craig appointment on time. Thankfully I got there only a minute or two after and my consultant was lounging anyway, it was a slooow day at Jenny Craig.

Good weigh in news though!! I lost 1.8 today bringing me down to my lowest weight 270.0!!!!! AND I have my period so I think that I even lost a little more than that. I am ready to kiss the 270s goodbye for GOOD. Total Loss = 40lbs. AND for the first time since before my vacation, my ticker has moved from where it was stuck. Yipee!

This weekend coming up is a bit hard for me. Friday we have our Seabury Christmas Party and there will be a lot of food temptations and such, plus we're celebrating Christmas early this weekend at my grandparents since I have to work Christmas and New Year's weekend this year. Suck. My grandparents butter and salt everyhting like crazy (so the food is so good). My goal is to eat in moderation and be a good girl. Santa Claus is watching, after all!

I hope that everyone has a great day. Skinny vibes to all my Wednesday weighers! And have a great week!

Weigh in Wednesday and a New Holiday Look!

Today I'm struggling not losing my temper. My boss is driving me crazy with constant phone calls, not listening to what I have to say, and basically forcing me to do work on my day off. Oh, I have a choice to do it on Thursday...if I want to work a 15 hour day...I feel agitated and upset. The pain in my side is kind of going away though, which is good. I haven't had a pain since yesterday! That's some good news. I am also enjoying a Jenny Craig Cheddar Cheese Omelette with a diet swiss miss hot chocolate. If you love hot cocoa, I would definitely reccomend this! It's 25 calories for  a delicious cup of hot cocoa -- I can't even tell the difference between the diet and the regular. So that's saying something!

Going to my JC appointment did not help my bad day any. I walked in and she said "Oh you had a 9am appointment". I've had 9:15am appointments since I started at JC...not to mention the fact that it was just a little after 9 (I'm always early). I also did not get a reminder call for my appointment so...how was I supposed to know that I had a 9? Well I apologized...weighed in and lost a lovely 3.6 pounds! YAY! But it was then that my JCC reminded me very rudely that my lowest weigh in to date was 270.6 and I was still a pound away from that. Annoying.

I feel really angry today...not sure if it's my period that's a'comin' round the mountain...or if its a combination of that and all the crap that's been thrown at me right now. Seriously?

I'm just focusing on trying to relax...I have a ton of things that need to get done today. I have a bunch of errands to run. And it's ridiculously nasty weather out. People are driving like manics. It's pouring so hard I can barely see, have the winshield wipers on high...and I'm going a safe 55mph in a 65mph zone on the highway. And people are honking at me and passing me like I'm not even moving. Safety anyone? I am not picking your dumb butt off the highway, buddy...and I'm not going to be your nurse when we have to put you back together like Humpty Dumpty!

Now to focus on the positives...I have a lovely new holiday themed blog! I love LeeLou Blogs! First of all, she is an excellent designer...and she has a ton of free blog designs whch I love! You have to be a little bit HTML and CSS saavy to put them into place, if you ask me, but the results are just fabulous! What do you think of the new design!? I'm also sitting in front of my beautiful 4 foot tall Christmas Tree! I LOVE IT!

Here's a picture of it just for you! Isn't it awesome! And all of those presents are for other people, by the way, ahha I just wanted something under there! My sister's gift for Christmas and her birthday were sent to her in Italy! Where I am headed in February!!

Okay, well I am going to get started on my long to-do list...trying not to let myself get annoyed. I hope that everyone has a great weighing week! Have a great day!

Woo Tuesday!

Tomorrow is a crazy busy day for me so I'm not doing my consultation at Jenny Craig. I'm going to run in and weigh in, they have my food all pulled for me when I get there. I bought a new bed, FINALLY!! Mine is literally falling apart because the bedframe my dad gave me it's from the 70s...and it's just shot. It was inthe basement for over 10 years and it's just all around sucky.

So I went to Bob's and I bought this bed:

It's super cute and I can't wait for it to be delivered tomorrow!! :D

Also my sister is spending my day off with me tomorrow before she leaves for Italy on Sunday! I'm happy for her but I'm going to miss her too!!

Today's recipe is simple and delicious, veggies! This is a perfect Sunday night side dish or for holidays!

Roasted Vegetable Medley
Servings: 12

Ingredients

1 cup butternut squash, cubed
2 red bell peppers, seeded and diced
1 cup potato, peeled and cubed
3 Yukon Gold potatoes, cubed
1 medium red onion, quartered
1 tablespoon chopped fresh thyme
2 tablespoons chopped fresh rosemary
1/4 cup olive oil
2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
Salt and ground black pepper to taste

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 475 degrees.

2. In a large bowl, combine the squash, red bell peppers, sweet potato, and Yukon Gold potatoes and onion.

3. In a small bowl, stir together thyme, rosemary, olive oil, vinegar, salt, and pepper. Toss with vegetables until they are coated. Spread evenly on a large roasting pan.

4. Roast for 35 to 40 minutes in the preheated oven, stirring every 10 minutes, or until vegetables are cooked through and browned.

Nutritional Breakdown

Monday Recipe

Hi all,

Today is the first live update I've done for a couple days. I'm writing this from my grandparents' house! It's been a tough couple of days for food. I've done okay but I definitely could've done better. My grandparents don't have a microwave and so I can't really bring my Jenny Craig food. I can't stand the salad kits, they're nasty...so I've been doing meals on my own. I packed my cereal and brought that with me and I brought measuring cups. It's just hard...my grandparents eat on a rigid schedule and they get very upset if you eat snacks. You will catch hell if you get caught eating between meals...

So I'm just doing the best I can. We'll see what the scale says on Wednesday!

I figured today that we could switch gears and try something sweet. Something to use up those end of year veggies that are in overbundance for some!!!

ZUCCHINI BROWNIES
Makes: 24 Brownies

Ingredients

3/4 cup Canola oil
1 1/2 cups Splenda for baking
1/2 cup egg substitute
1/2 cup fat free greek yogurt
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 1/2 cups all purpose flour
1/4 cup cocoa powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 cups shredded zucchini

For Frosting:
1 cup cool whip free
1 pkg sugar free chocolate pudding mix (Jello)

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350. Combine butter, splenda, egg and beat with a handheld mixer. Beat in yogurt and vanilla.

2. In a seperate bowl combine flour, cocoa, salt. Gradually add the dry ingrients into the wet, stirring well. Add shredded zucchini last.

4. Pour mixture into a greased 9 x 13 pan. Cook at 350 for approximately 40 minuntes or until a toothpick comes out clean.

5. In a seperate bowl combine cool whip and pudding packet, beat with a handheld mixer until smooth.

Nutritional Breakdown

Yummy brownies with veggies! Can't get much better than that!

Labor Day Recipe!

Happy Labor Day!!!!!

I've been laboring away...on the beach. Haha, but I think I deserve a break after all the toiling away I do. Work work work!

But when I'm not working, I'm working on losing weight...which also feels like a full time job! But I'm enjoying it anyhow. This recipe isn't exactly Labor Day oriented...but it is delicious! I love chicken and so we have...

CAJUN CHICKEN PASTA
Serves: 2

Ingredients

4 ounces linguine pasta
6 oz boneless, skinless chicken breast sliced into thin strips
2 teaspoons Cajun seasoning
1 green bell pepper, chopped
1/2 red bell pepper, chopped
1 cup sliced fresh mushrooms
1 scallion, minced
1 1/2 cup Fat Free Evaporated Milk
1/4 teaspoon dried basil
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese

Directions

1. Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Add linguini pasta, and cook for 8 to 10 minutes, or until al dente; drain.

2. Meanwhile, place chicken and Cajun seasoning in a bowl, and toss to coat.

3. In a large skillet over medium heat, saute chicken until no longer pink and juices run clear, about 5 to 7 minutes. Add green and red bell peppers, sliced mushrooms and green onions; cook for 2 to 3 minutes. Reduce heat, and stir in evaporated milk. Season the sauce with basil, garlic powder and ground black pepper, and heat through.

4. In a large bowl, toss linguini with sauce. Divide and sprinkle with 1 tablespoon grated Parmesan cheese.

Nutritional Breakdown

This tastes JUST like the Cheesecake Factory Louisiana Chicken Pasta...I swear. And let's compare nutrition!!

                                                              Calories     Fat    Sodium  Carbs

Louisiana Chicken Pasta

1,401

38

1,259

130

I'll take the lighter version any day...

Manic Monday!

Connecticut is digging out from Irene. I didn't realize how much damage there was to the trees and things until I went out this morning. We have a bunch of trees down around my condo, branches are EVERYWHERE. Being a homecare nurse I was driving down some streets in the Himalayas (not literally) and found there were a lot of down power lines and huge branches I had to avoid. 500,000 (47%) of the state is still without power. We actually lost power once around 3am last night. I heard everything click off and the power was gone...it came back around 5, thank goodness! I would not have been able to get my car out of the garage if not for the power coming back!! I believe CL&P probably shut off the grid in Windsor to restore power to some people in the area.

I can't believe it's already Monday!! I swear time is flying. Weigh-in is fast approaching and I'm cautiously optomistic. I need to lose at least 1.6 pound to achieve my Labor Day goal (FINGERS CROSSED). I've been doing a lot of exercise lately. Unfortuantely no yoga DVD yet, I have not purchased a DVD player yet. I think it'll be my reward if I achieve my labor day goal!!!

Tonight I'm making my BBQ Pulled Pork Wraps for dinner! I have been craving one all week so I figure why not? It's a healthy JC friendly meal and satisfies my craving for barbeque at the same time. Note: I'm also planning on making these on labor day. Possibly going to my mother's house and I was thinking this would be a great addition/alternative to the normal hamburger/hotdog fare!! And extremely easy to prep. Just cut all the veg in advance, you just toss the cheese on (heat if you wish), you can have the pulled pork heating on the stove OR even put it in a crock pot and let people add their own meat. I, of course, would measure mine out! :D Easy peasy!

Working on some new fall recipes to share that are JC and diet friendly. Starting September 1st I am going to post a recipe a day that is healthy and delicious!!!! GET EXCITED! Tell all your friends!!! :D It's going to be awesome.

Happy Monday!