No clue as to the date

Hello blog readers!  Sorry I have done an extra terrible job of updating, life as a habit of getting in the way and all that.

Anywho, I have been pretty good about my diet, I did have some Easter colored M&M's earlier this week.  Worth it though!  I have been sick for the past few weeks, which means I have not felt like working out at all.  In any way.  Instead I have been sleeping a lot and drinking tons of fluids.  Now that I am feeling better I will be doing a lot of exercising, I actually miss it!  Who would have thought that I would miss working out?  Not this kid.  Unfortunately with the being sick I have backslided on the weight.  I have been eating a ton of carbs for energy and since that seemed to be the only thing I found appetizing.  I am now back to only 10 pounds down.  This will not stand!  I hate that I gained some back.  UNACCEPTABLE!

I run into an issue of time, but I have decided that I will just have to make it work.  For example, today I get off of work at 330 and will be going straight home to run and walk.  I will not let this beat me!  I am way too strong to be beaten by anything.

What's really sad is that it has taken me this long to realize what a problem my weight is.  I have always been told that I have a pretty face, and I guess I figured that was enough.  But you know what?  I desperately want to be able to shop at Banana Republic without feeling sad that I can't wear their dresses.  I want to be one of those people who is proud of their body, not hiding it in mom jeans and sweaters.  I have never really had an issue with confidence on the outside, but secretly I am wildly insecure.  I worry people will judge me, not like me, talk about me.  As I have gotten older I have realized how ridiculous this is.  Some people will never like you, and those who do should like you for who you truly are.

I know this is a process, and that I won't lose 100 pounds in 2 months or anything that crazy.  But I have always been a results person, I like immediate gratification.  I have never been a patient woman.

Yes, I am embarrassed by my weight.  But you know what is really scary?  What if I lose this weight and I do not have a pretty face.  Or if I try to lose the weight and I cannot do it?  I hate disappointing others, especially those that I love.  So I am scared that if I try and fail then I will have no one to blame but myself.

I know this sounds like a lot of complaining, and this blog is one of empowerment not self pity.  Any words of wisdom would be great

Days 17-34

So the diet is going well, but I am stuck at 18 pound lost.  This is because of 2 things; 1. I have been sick and haven;t been working out as much and 2. I think the initial drop off is over.  I have been eating well but goodness knows I am craving some chocolate in the WORST way.  The coconut chocolate mousse has become a staple!

I went to a wine party last weekend and made an amazing pesto and sun dried tomato bruschetta.  Not this isn't super healthy for you, but it isn't awful either.  It involves pesto, which is high in fat but it is good fat.  Here is your recipe!

Bruschetta with Pesto, Mozzarella, and Sun-Dried Tomatoes

Ingredients:

• 1 French baguette , cut into thin slices
• ¼ cup olive oil
• 2 garlic cloves , quartered
• 6 ounces mozzarella cheese , sliced very thin
• 4 -6 sun-dried tomatoes (not packed in oil)
• My pesto (recipe can e found in a previous post).  OR you can do what I did because I was short on time, and buy it pre-made.

TO DO!

1. Place the olive oil and the garlic in small bowl and let sit for at least 1/2 an hour; preheat the broiler; spread the bread slices on a baking sheet and then brush both sides with the olive oil; broil until golden on both sides (this will only take a couple of minutes).
   
   
   
   
   
2. 
   
   Place the tomatoes in a cup and cover with boiling water; after about 5 minutes, remove, pat dry and cut into long thin strips.
3. 
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   Spread cooled brushetta with pesto of your choosing,
   
   
   
   
   
    a slice of mozzarella and a strip of sun-dried tomato.
4. 
   

I neglected to get a pic of the end product but it was AMAZING.  I added a bit of balsamic reduction on top and it was so good!  Happy eating.

Days 35

Here is a recipe that is not too terrible for you and that your friends will LOVE! I made it for the Super Bowl tomorrow.

Goat cheese stuffed mushrooms!!!!!

Some of the ingredients to make my amazing rosemary and goat cheese stuffed mushrooms.  Clean the mushrooms and remove the stems.  make sure not to immerse them in water, simply brush the mushrooms with a damp cloth.  Toss me oil in a bowl with a bit of rosemary and put the mushrooms in.  Toss it around until they look well coated and put them cup down on a baking sheet.

Bake at 400 for 30 minutes. Remove and let cool.

While that is cooking get started on the filling. In a skillet, heat 3 tablespoons of oil.  Add a fresh rosemary sprig and cook over moderately high heat until the leaves crisp. Drain on paper towels then strip off the leaves.

Add the bread crumbs to the skillet and toast over moderately heat until golden crisp, about 2 minutes. stir in the fried rosemary leaves and season with salt and pepper.

Gently press a piece of goat cheese in the center of each mushroom, sprinkle with bread crumbs and serve.

These can be made ahead and served later!