Camping season started 2 months ago here in Georgia. But we have yet to go.
BOO HOO!
To get me in the spirit, I read this article to remind myself of everything I would need - and that I already have in my house.
We have the tent, fly, tarp, bungee cords, air mattresses, sleeping bags, pillows, fan (essential in GA), camp stove & fuel, cooking pots & pans, plates & utensils, water jug, fire starter sticks, marshmallow roasters, pie-irons, camp chairs, an easy-up, a state park pass...seriously, what more could we need?...
...I know! The article said some of the campgrounds they go to have really pebbly / rocky campsites which HURT your FEET (Black Rock Mountain State Park, I'm talking to YOU). So they suggested buying toy-store large foam puzzle pieces that go in a child's playroom to put on the bottom of your tent.
GEN-IUS! Next stop, Target!
Wednesday, April 18, 2012
Tuesday, April 17, 2012
Out of Order apologies, and a Breakfast Recipe
Here are my pending posts which I haven't done yet:
1. Kienow Easter weekend wrap-up, with photos
2. Hawaii work trip report-out, with photos
3. Weekend shenanigans
But I just couldn't WAIT to share my newest breakfast recipe, so you are getting out-of-order posts this week (sorry). (You wouldn't really expect any better, right?)
Tex-Mex Breakfast Wrap - 6 Points Plus, about 10-15 minutes cooking time
(note: photo not ACTUAL photo of my breakfast) (but it's close)
Ingredients (for 2 servings)
2 La Banderita Taco Shells (whole wheat if you can stand it)
1 tsp Bertolli Olive Oil
1 cup Egg Beaters (or store-brand "liquid eggs")
1 tsp cumin
1/2 tsp chili powder
1/4 cup skim milk
1/2 cup medium CHUNKY PACE SALSA (do NOT use non-chunky, or, you can use non-chunky but then you have to cut up fresh green peppers and tomatoes and that's too much work for me, personally...as you all know)
1/4 cup diced ham (yes I bought it already diced)
1/4 cup Kraft Reduced Fat Mexican 4-cheese blend
Heat up olive oil. Dump in egg beaters and spices, then milk, and stir. Add salsa, ham, and cheese. Continue scrambling till eggs are firm and salsa is absorbed.
Place it all in a taco shell, add lettuce and taco sauce if you like and EAT UP!
I added an orange and coffee to my breakfast this morning...YUMMMMMM...
1. Kienow Easter weekend wrap-up, with photos
2. Hawaii work trip report-out, with photos
3. Weekend shenanigans
But I just couldn't WAIT to share my newest breakfast recipe, so you are getting out-of-order posts this week (sorry). (You wouldn't really expect any better, right?)
Tex-Mex Breakfast Wrap - 6 Points Plus, about 10-15 minutes cooking time
(note: photo not ACTUAL photo of my breakfast) (but it's close)
Ingredients (for 2 servings)
2 La Banderita Taco Shells (whole wheat if you can stand it)
1 tsp Bertolli Olive Oil
1 cup Egg Beaters (or store-brand "liquid eggs")
1 tsp cumin
1/2 tsp chili powder
1/4 cup skim milk
1/2 cup medium CHUNKY PACE SALSA (do NOT use non-chunky, or, you can use non-chunky but then you have to cut up fresh green peppers and tomatoes and that's too much work for me, personally...as you all know)
1/4 cup diced ham (yes I bought it already diced)
1/4 cup Kraft Reduced Fat Mexican 4-cheese blend
Heat up olive oil. Dump in egg beaters and spices, then milk, and stir. Add salsa, ham, and cheese. Continue scrambling till eggs are firm and salsa is absorbed.
Place it all in a taco shell, add lettuce and taco sauce if you like and EAT UP!
I added an orange and coffee to my breakfast this morning...YUMMMMMM...
Friday, April 13, 2012
Aloha!
Aloha from Honolulu!
Yes that's right - I'm in paradise this week. From a busy Easter weekend directly into a work trip...trying to fit in a bit o' fun...
I'll post more photos and a recap when I return...if I ever come back!
Yes that's right - I'm in paradise this week. From a busy Easter weekend directly into a work trip...trying to fit in a bit o' fun...
I'll post more photos and a recap when I return...if I ever come back!
Tuesday, April 10, 2012
2 photos from Easter
Here are a few photos from Easter that were on my phone. I have a ton more that I can't wait to share but that will not happen until I get back from my trip and can upload my camera photos.
Happy Easter!
Happy Easter everyone! Actually, Happy Easter Monday!
Hopefully everyone got their fill of chocolate bunnies and jelly beans this weekend.
The Kienows had a different take on Easter this year.
After Mom & Dad arrived on Thursday, and Amy on Friday, we decided to be local tourists - we ran errands on my day off (not that exciting, I know), we went to Atlanta Motor Speedway for a track tour, went out to some of our favorite restaurants around our house, cooked up a few delicious dinners, and then headed up to the Smoky Mountains.
We spent Saturday sightseeing in Dahlonega, touring wineries through the mountains, drinking (a bit), and laughing at our own crazy selves.
After checking in to the Amicalola State Park Lodge for the night, we awoke the next morning for an Easter breakfast overlooking the mountains, and then to a 749-ft waterfall - Amicalola Falls is one of the most spectacular sights I have ever seen. Mom even walked the 0.3 mile (one-way) stretch to get the best vantage point of the falls - but it was so worth it!
We enjoyed the rest of the day driving back to our house, and then spending time on the deck and listening to the birds.
So, although we did not have any Easter eggs this year nor the traditional Easter ham...it was one of my most favorite holidays in memory!
Stay tuned for photos which I will try to post this weekend (when I return...from Hawaii...that's a whole other story!).
Hopefully everyone got their fill of chocolate bunnies and jelly beans this weekend.
The Kienows had a different take on Easter this year.
After Mom & Dad arrived on Thursday, and Amy on Friday, we decided to be local tourists - we ran errands on my day off (not that exciting, I know), we went to Atlanta Motor Speedway for a track tour, went out to some of our favorite restaurants around our house, cooked up a few delicious dinners, and then headed up to the Smoky Mountains.
We spent Saturday sightseeing in Dahlonega, touring wineries through the mountains, drinking (a bit), and laughing at our own crazy selves.
After checking in to the Amicalola State Park Lodge for the night, we awoke the next morning for an Easter breakfast overlooking the mountains, and then to a 749-ft waterfall - Amicalola Falls is one of the most spectacular sights I have ever seen. Mom even walked the 0.3 mile (one-way) stretch to get the best vantage point of the falls - but it was so worth it!
We enjoyed the rest of the day driving back to our house, and then spending time on the deck and listening to the birds.
So, although we did not have any Easter eggs this year nor the traditional Easter ham...it was one of my most favorite holidays in memory!
Stay tuned for photos which I will try to post this weekend (when I return...from Hawaii...that's a whole other story!).
Friday, March 30, 2012
Mediterranean Chicken Salad
I am so excited to try this recipe that was posted here this week!
I love Mediterranean food...these ingredients are almost always stocked in my pantry or fridge.
I am not a huge fan of the putzi-ness of kebabs, so I will cut up strips of chicken and pan-cook them. I will most definitely also add a pita!!!
And, so you can see how I make an moderately easy recipe SUPER easy, I will put my comments below for each ingredient on how I, the-ever-lazy-wannabe-chef, plan to make this recipe even simpler.
Ingredients:
1 lb skinless boneless chicken breast, cut into 1 inch cubes (I am going to do strips)
For the marinade:
2 tbsp fresh squeezed lemon juice (I am going to do bottled)
1 tsp dried oregano
1 tsp garlic, crushed (I'll chop it)
kosher salt to taste (I have the one with the girl umbrella, NOT kosher)
fresh ground black pepper to taste (I also don't have a pepper grinder)
OR - if I'm feeling really lazy, I may just marinate it in RF Italian dressing...
For the salad:
1 1/4 cups cucumber, peeled (no peeling for me, thank you very much)
1 1/4 cups diced tomato
1/4 cup diced bell pepper
2 tbsp red onion, diced (eliminating - YUCK)
1/4 cup black olives (jarred whole olives because that's what I have)
1 1/2 tsp vinegar
1 1/2 tsp fresh lemon juice (bottled again)
2 tsp olive oil
1 tsp fresh dillweed (what? no. I don't ever have fresh herbs. I'll use dried.)
1 tsp fresh parsley (also no.)
1/8 tsp dried oregano
salt and black pepper to taste
4 cups shredded lettuce (I buy the triple washed pre-washed Organic Girl blends. Yes, I'm THAT person who doesn't want to even shred or wash their lettuce.)
1/2 cup feta cheese, grated (I buy Athenos already chunked feta, reduced fat.)
lemon wedges for serving (no again)
Ok folks, the original directions weren't working for me so I condensed them below. Click on the link above if you want to see more beautiful photos and the original directions.
Directions:
Marinate the chicken overnight.
Combine the first 12 salad ingredients (cucumbers through salt and black pepper, not the lettuce) and set aside in the refrigerator to let the flavors set (10-20 minutes).
Throw chicken strips into a pan with 1 tsp olive oil and cooke for 5-6 minutes until chiken is cooked.
Pile lettuce, tomato-cucumber salad, feta cheese and chicken strips onto a plate. ENJOY!
I love Mediterranean food...these ingredients are almost always stocked in my pantry or fridge.
I am not a huge fan of the putzi-ness of kebabs, so I will cut up strips of chicken and pan-cook them. I will most definitely also add a pita!!!
And, so you can see how I make an moderately easy recipe SUPER easy, I will put my comments below for each ingredient on how I, the-ever-lazy-wannabe-chef, plan to make this recipe even simpler.
Ingredients:
1 lb skinless boneless chicken breast, cut into 1 inch cubes (I am going to do strips)
For the marinade:
2 tbsp fresh squeezed lemon juice (I am going to do bottled)
1 tsp dried oregano
1 tsp garlic, crushed (I'll chop it)
kosher salt to taste (I have the one with the girl umbrella, NOT kosher)
fresh ground black pepper to taste (I also don't have a pepper grinder)
OR - if I'm feeling really lazy, I may just marinate it in RF Italian dressing...
For the salad:
1 1/4 cups cucumber, peeled (no peeling for me, thank you very much)
1 1/4 cups diced tomato
1/4 cup diced bell pepper
2 tbsp red onion, diced (eliminating - YUCK)
1/4 cup black olives (jarred whole olives because that's what I have)
1 1/2 tsp vinegar
1 1/2 tsp fresh lemon juice (bottled again)
2 tsp olive oil
1 tsp fresh dillweed (what? no. I don't ever have fresh herbs. I'll use dried.)
1 tsp fresh parsley (also no.)
1/8 tsp dried oregano
salt and black pepper to taste
4 cups shredded lettuce (I buy the triple washed pre-washed Organic Girl blends. Yes, I'm THAT person who doesn't want to even shred or wash their lettuce.)
1/2 cup feta cheese, grated (I buy Athenos already chunked feta, reduced fat.)
lemon wedges for serving (no again)
Ok folks, the original directions weren't working for me so I condensed them below. Click on the link above if you want to see more beautiful photos and the original directions.
Directions:
Marinate the chicken overnight.
Combine the first 12 salad ingredients (cucumbers through salt and black pepper, not the lettuce) and set aside in the refrigerator to let the flavors set (10-20 minutes).
Throw chicken strips into a pan with 1 tsp olive oil and cooke for 5-6 minutes until chiken is cooked.
Pile lettuce, tomato-cucumber salad, feta cheese and chicken strips onto a plate. ENJOY!
Monday, March 26, 2012
Training and Seminars
Last week, Jeff was sent for training by his new job. YIPPEE!
He learned a bit about security cameras, and a lot about the software and features of various models.
The best part? According to him, it was the food...over 2 days, they really fed the group well!
A full hot breakfast
Mid-morning cold snack
Day 1 - Taco Bar lunch
Day 2 - Pasta Bar lunch
Mid-afternoon dessert snack
I definitely won't be able to compete with my sack lunches of sandwiches, pita chips & hummus, and carrots...
He learned a bit about security cameras, and a lot about the software and features of various models.
The best part? According to him, it was the food...over 2 days, they really fed the group well!
A full hot breakfast
Mid-morning cold snack
Day 1 - Taco Bar lunch
Day 2 - Pasta Bar lunch
Mid-afternoon dessert snack
I definitely won't be able to compete with my sack lunches of sandwiches, pita chips & hummus, and carrots...
Friday, March 23, 2012
Oopsie Daisy!
Since I know you are all waiting for most recent results, I'll break it to you right away...I did not hit my 40-lb loss mark yesterday.
I lost only 0.2...mwahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!!!
I told Jeff I'm not too worried about it. Here's why:
My Top 5 Reasons With Which I Am Convincing Myself Not To Worry
1. I ate well this week...on plan, with no big oopsies or slip-ups.
2. I worked out over 4 hours the past 7 days - earned 27 Activity Points.
3. I flew twice (ATL-MCO-ATL) during my weigh-in day, and landed only about an hour and a half before weigh-in. I retain a LOT of water in my legs and feet when I fly.
4. I do not usually eat or drink anything between 3PM and 6PM (weigh-in time) to stay consistent. Yesterday, I totally did - a big bottle of water, cheese, and a Bailey's at the Sky Club.
5. And finally...TMI coming...I didn't go #1 or #2 before the weigh-in, which I usually do.
I know - likely all of this did not equal 2 lbs worth of stuff...but maybe it did equal 1 lb, which would put me right back around my average weekly loss.
We'll just stay on this path this week again, and eventually the number will come in.
Just like my friend Megan - who has been struggling with health issues and injuries and dental malpractice and therefore NOT losing...all of a sudden this week (after a week of REST), WHAMMY! Her loss was over 4 lbs this week, and enough to hit her 95-lb loss!!!!! WAY TO GO, MEGAN!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I lost only 0.2...mwahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!!!
I told Jeff I'm not too worried about it. Here's why:
My Top 5 Reasons With Which I Am Convincing Myself Not To Worry
1. I ate well this week...on plan, with no big oopsies or slip-ups.
2. I worked out over 4 hours the past 7 days - earned 27 Activity Points.
3. I flew twice (ATL-MCO-ATL) during my weigh-in day, and landed only about an hour and a half before weigh-in. I retain a LOT of water in my legs and feet when I fly.
4. I do not usually eat or drink anything between 3PM and 6PM (weigh-in time) to stay consistent. Yesterday, I totally did - a big bottle of water, cheese, and a Bailey's at the Sky Club.
5. And finally...TMI coming...I didn't go #1 or #2 before the weigh-in, which I usually do.
I know - likely all of this did not equal 2 lbs worth of stuff...but maybe it did equal 1 lb, which would put me right back around my average weekly loss.
We'll just stay on this path this week again, and eventually the number will come in.
Just like my friend Megan - who has been struggling with health issues and injuries and dental malpractice and therefore NOT losing...all of a sudden this week (after a week of REST), WHAMMY! Her loss was over 4 lbs this week, and enough to hit her 95-lb loss!!!!! WAY TO GO, MEGAN!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Wednesday, March 21, 2012
Yellow Sweat
Happy Wednesday from Atlanta! AH-CHOO! Excuse me. It's pollen season.
Zumba kicked my butt on Monday. Our instructor, Maria, told us, "We are doing OL' SKOOL Zumba tonight - so get ready!"
Dude. It was 90% Latin-inspired, 5% warm-up and cool down, and 5% hip hop. Now I can shake my booty just fine to the hip-hop / pop music, which is normally what most of the class is like. TODAY, however, the super quick, on-your-toes, midriff shimmying Ricky Martin style dances left me in the (yellow) DUST!!! I left class REALLY sweaty and totally tired. (And I took Tuesday as a rest day, which normally is a workout day for me.)
When I got home, I noticed the streaks of sweat were leaving a YELLOW TRAIL on my face and neck - this happened after just walking to the car in the parking lot!
The pollen is horrible. The hot weather has started. But hopefully being almost 40 lbs lighter will make it all easier this season! (Stay tuned tomorrow to see if I hit the 40-lb mark!)
Zumba kicked my butt on Monday. Our instructor, Maria, told us, "We are doing OL' SKOOL Zumba tonight - so get ready!"
Dude. It was 90% Latin-inspired, 5% warm-up and cool down, and 5% hip hop. Now I can shake my booty just fine to the hip-hop / pop music, which is normally what most of the class is like. TODAY, however, the super quick, on-your-toes, midriff shimmying Ricky Martin style dances left me in the (yellow) DUST!!! I left class REALLY sweaty and totally tired. (And I took Tuesday as a rest day, which normally is a workout day for me.)
When I got home, I noticed the streaks of sweat were leaving a YELLOW TRAIL on my face and neck - this happened after just walking to the car in the parking lot!
The pollen is horrible. The hot weather has started. But hopefully being almost 40 lbs lighter will make it all easier this season! (Stay tuned tomorrow to see if I hit the 40-lb mark!)
Saturday, March 17, 2012
My 10%
I forgot to mention in the flurry of the visit and all our activities lately...
I have hit my 10% lb loss!!!
We finally had time to celebrate today - and we did. Check out my new swag that honors ME!!!:
My new gym bag is replacing a freebie I got in my other job - which was actually a travel duffel bag. Due to the fact it has no vent holes...it stinks. Also, it's huge. Like check-able bag huge. BUT MY CUTE NEW PURPLE ONE ROCKS!!!
I also got some more Experia socks - totally my favorite. Although no store ever has purple or pink in Medium (hello, women have size 10 feet!) I did settle in on a pretty blue to keep me blister free.
I picked up some 2-lb weights to use at my Saturday morning Zumba or Jazzercise class (I have 3-lbs but they are too heavy).
And finally, super cute hair bands to keep all the flyaways in place while on the elliptical!
The party continued at home - since I am now working out 4-5 times per week in public, I needed to expand my wardrobe. I bought 2 tops and a pair of capris from Reebok:
I'm totally set and on my way to losing another 10%!!!
I have hit my 10% lb loss!!!
We finally had time to celebrate today - and we did. Check out my new swag that honors ME!!!:
My new gym bag is replacing a freebie I got in my other job - which was actually a travel duffel bag. Due to the fact it has no vent holes...it stinks. Also, it's huge. Like check-able bag huge. BUT MY CUTE NEW PURPLE ONE ROCKS!!!
I also got some more Experia socks - totally my favorite. Although no store ever has purple or pink in Medium (hello, women have size 10 feet!) I did settle in on a pretty blue to keep me blister free.
I picked up some 2-lb weights to use at my Saturday morning Zumba or Jazzercise class (I have 3-lbs but they are too heavy).
And finally, super cute hair bands to keep all the flyaways in place while on the elliptical!
The party continued at home - since I am now working out 4-5 times per week in public, I needed to expand my wardrobe. I bought 2 tops and a pair of capris from Reebok:
I'm totally set and on my way to losing another 10%!!!
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