Tag Archives: healthy eating

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Adventures in Cuisine

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Meatless Monday ended up being Meatless Saturday, which was a blazing 90+ degrees with high humidity and ozone warnings. We had Chef Salads, and although our meal was meatless, I did include half a hard-boiled egg in each salad and a few cubes of cheddar cheese for protein. I had made Chunky Vegetable Chowder on Friday to have with our Friday Hammy Sammys, so we had the leftover chowder with our salad. Here’s the recipe. It makes a lovely summery, veggie soup.

Chunky Vegetable Chowder from Betty Crocker 30 Minute Meals for Diabetes

6 large servings 3 carbohydrate choices

Ingredients:

  1. 1 tablespoon butter
  2. 1 medium green bell pepper, coarsely chopped (1 cup)
  3. 1 medium red bell pepper, coarsely chopped (1 cup)
  4. 8 medium green onions, sliced (½ cup)
  5. 3 cups water
  6. ¾ pound small red potatoes, cut into 1-inch pieces (2 ½ cups)
  7. 1 tablespoon chopped fresh thyme OR 1 teaspoon dried thyme leaves
  8. ½ teaspoon salt
  9. 1 cup fat-free half-and-half
  10. 1/8 teaspoon of pepper
  11. 2 cans (14.75 oz each) cream-style corn

Directions:

  • In 4-quart Dutch oven, melt butter over medium heat. Add bell peppers and onions; cook 3 minutes stirring occasionally.
  • Stir in water, potatoes, thyme and salt. Heat to boiling. Reduce heat to low; cover and simmer about 10 minutes or until potatoes and tender.
  • Stir in remaining ingredients; cook about 1 minute or until hot (Do not boil, or it will curdle).

Seriously, get this cookbook, Betty Crocker 30 Minute Meals for Diabetes.  It is fabulous!!

In an effort to educate our palates and try some new things to keep some spice in our marriage 😉 Mike and I made a curry together for the first time ever. Yes, we cooked it together. I found a relatively easy recipe at verucaspice.com. Here’s the recipe…and, oh yeah, it was delicious!

Indian Chicken Curry by Nirali Patel at verucaspice.com

4 Servings

Ingredients:

  1. 1 pound chicken breasts, cubed to bite size
  2. 3 Tablespoons vegetable oil
  3. 1-8 oz can tomato puree
  4. ½ a red onion, fine chopped (1 cup)
  5. 1 heaping teaspoon fresh grated ginger
  6. 1 heaping teaspoon finely chopped garlic
  7. 1 Serrano chili, finely chopped (optional)
  8. 1 teaspoon ground cumin
  9. 1 teaspoon ground coriander
  10. 1 teaspoon ground garam masala
  11. ½ teaspoon turmeric powder
  12. ½ teaspoon red chili powder to taste
  13. Juice of ½ a lime
  14. Salt and pepper to taste
  15. A little over 1 cup of water

Directions:

  • Heat oil in a pan over medium-high heat. Add onions and fry until they are golden for 6-7 minutes.
  • Add ginger and garlic and fry for 30 seconds, reducing heat to medium.
  • Add tomato puree and continue to cook for 6-7 minutes until a lot of the water has evaporated and oil starts to seep through the mixture.
  • Add spices (except garam masala). Fry spices in mixture for about 5 minutes.
  • Add cubed chicken and stir, coating all pieces.
  • Add the water and stir well. (Stir in the Serrano pepper here, if you choose to use it.)
  • Cook, partially covered for 10 minutes until chicken is cooked through. You can uncover and let moisture cook out if you wish.
  • When at desired consistency, add garam masal, lime juice, salt and pepper.
  • Enjoy!

I know it looks complicated, but it really wasn’t. And it was so tasty, and not at all spicy hot. I don’t think I’ve ever had the spices turmeric or garam masala in my kitchen before.  Turneric is so pretty…and tasty.  We didn’t use the optional Serrano pepper, but we will try it next time. Mike likes spicy hot foods, and I’m willing to try it once anyway.

As for progress on the rest of my quest: Joan and I have now been to the Rec Center to walk for 4 days.

  • Day one-I walked 4 times around the track…thought I was gonna die!
  • Day two-I walked 5 times around the track…pretty sure I did die for a minute there. 🙂
  • Day three-I walked 4 times around the track and quit because it was 90+ degrees and humid out, and I was going grocery shopping from the Rec center. I was fairly OK after the Rec Center, and circling around a stroke after grocery shopping.  I will not push that hard on such a hot and humid day again!
  • Day four-I walked 7 times around the track. After six laps I felt really good so I thought, “What the heck; I’ll do one more lap.” Then after my seventh lap, my feet, knees and back were VERY unhappy.

Tomorrow will be Day 5 at the Rec Center. I plan to be in the moment (not just thinking about getting it over with), and I will listen to my body, stopping at the first sign of actual distress.  And hey, 13 laps is a mile, so I made it over a half mile yesterday. Woop!!

Thanks for reading, dear friends! God bless your day

Donna

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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A Miracle

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Hello Dear Readers,

Welcome back! I want to share something that happened to me several years ago. On a spring day, I attended a half-day women’s retreat at the Chicago Botanic Gardens. If you’ve not been to the Chicago Botanic Gardens, it is a lush, green, stunningly beautiful place to walk and wander amid the scent of the flowers and plants surrounding you. I highly recommend it as a place of quiet meditation, or as a place to contemplate nature at its manicured finest!

Anyway…about a dozen women met there at 9:00 am. We chatted together for a bit then were sent off to write down our thoughts in several areas of the Gardens.  We met back at 10:00 am and then again at 11:00 am to share our thoughts. Then we met at noon in the cafeteria for lunch and wrap-up.

At one point in the morning, we were sent off to find a quiet place to to sit and pray and then to pick a question out of our retreat booklet to answer.  I chose: “What type of a plant are you.” I thought, “What is this Barbara Walters?” It was one of her favorite questions when interviewing celebrities. (Actually it was, “What kind of a tree are you?”) Here is what I wrote after my prayer time:

“In the precious garden where God’s human’s handiwork is seen, where do you see you? Are you the prairie grass standing tall, stretching up and up to praise God and feel the warmth of the Son? Do you bend gently with the wind in joy at your freedom? Do you bend sharply in the bluster of winter?”

“Who are you?”

“Are you the willow, long and slender, reaching up for the heavens, then dropping down to caress the waters of the earth? Do you dance and sway to nature’s music?”

“What, in nature, are you?”

“Are you the rose, vermillion in your beauty and splendor? Do you bloom under God’s watchful eye, pleasing those around you and hiding your prickles in shadows?”

“Me? I am the English Oak. Solid…sturdy…stocky. Yes, I bend with the wind, I, too, dance and sway for my creator. But my roots go down deep. My roots grow down, down, down into the solid packed earth, gripping rocks and soil to stay rooted. Rooted in God’s Word.”

“In God’s garden, there is room for all. Each of us on our own path, yet each of us is designed as part of one plan. Too small and busy are we to see the whole garden, but we can believe the One who holds the whole garden in his hands.”

That’s it, and believe it now more than ever. If we are just content to bloom where we are planted and then trust God for the rest, we live our lives in perfect peace. I am where I am because of God’s plan and my own choices.  And right here and right now God can use me for his purposes.  And wants to use me AND you, too.

And here’s the miracle: when we gathered back to share which question we had chosen the ladies read, one by one, the question they had chosen and their thoughts and meditations. When it came to my turn, I kept flipping back and forth to find the question that I had answered. (“What type of a plant are you?”) Hmmm…even though I had read and reread that  question many times in my meditation, it was nowhere to be found in the retreat booklet. God let me see the question that I needed to answer. I am still humbled and in awe of this simple gift God gave to me on that morning. God is good!

Blessings, my peeps.

Donna

PS: I rejoined the Rec Center and plan to meet my friend Joan there three days a week to walk.  I know I could step out my door and walk, but with the heat of summer and the poor walking condition that I am in, the Rec Center is a better option.  I can do a lap and then sit to recover, then walk another lap, sit to recover, etc… Also I have started planning better meals and cooking with purpose again. And on Saturday I will make my first Indian dish, “Indian Chicken Curry-Quick and Easy” recipe by Veruca Spice. Check out the website at http://www.verucaspice.com. Really good stuff for expanding the palate!

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New Beginnings

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Here I am again, Dear Readers.  I will change the name of my blog when I figure out how to do so.  Maybe “Destination Donna” or “Notes on the Way to a Healthier Me” or “Donna’s Life-As She Sees It.”  Please weigh in on that.  I’m looking for ideas.

I hope to blog at least once a week, or as the Spirit inspires. so here goes…

I officially retired on January 1, 2016. I was given the last two weeks of December 2015 off as a bonus. I thoroughly enjoyed those last two weeks in December. Mary Ann (our kitty) and I had a wonderful time looking at all the colored lights and ornaments on our Christmas tree. Some days I didn’t even get dressed. I was in recovery from 15 years on the job and those same 15 years of sleep deprivation. It was glorious!
But those two weeks bled into the next two weeks…and then the next two weeks…and then the next two months…until five months later I have packed on 40 of the pounds I worked so hard to lose for our Florida trip last October.
So…here I go again.  I am reworking my goals:
1) Eat healthier more diverse and interesting meals. (Introducing maybe some Indian cuisine into our diets and researching Mediterranean cuisine). In general I tend to be nervous about trying new things, but it’s time to branch out.
I will be inspired by my mum who as a young bride tried daily to bake bread for her handsome soldier newly from the Army. There was a veritable graveyard of loaves of bread buried in their backyard from her failed attempts. 🙂 But she persisted. I will follow her lead and dive boldly into the fray!
2) Institute “Meatless Mondays” whereby (inspired by my vegetarian daughter and her vegetarian, gourmet cook of a husband) Mike and I strive to eat meat-free one day a week. Thus giving a gift to the environment (the planet) and giving a rest to our digestive tracts which spend much time breaking down meat.
3) Take a walk everyday, no matter how small. My joints are sore. I have a bad hip and a bad knee and a bad foot; and I think they actually got so bad from my sedentary lifestyle.
4) Pick one bit of housework to do every day, again, no matter how small. It is time to go through the piles upon piles of stuff gathering in every nook and cranny of our place.
That’s enough goals for now. I want to work my way to a healthier me, slow and easy. I want to make the most of the years I have left on this mortal coil. (However many years they may be.) And along the way there will be some fun things to enjoy, like maybe a family trip to Disneyland Paris, or another trip to be with our new grandbaby Ida May (She is a treasure beyond price!),  her mum and dad, too…and Herbie the wonder whippet.
So here we go, dear readers. Follow along if you wish, and thank you for the encouragement you’ve always give me along the way. Blessings on you.

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The Final Countdown Begins

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Day 420 in my meandering my way to Mickey

Today I received and email from Disney Destinations.  It is titled, “About your Disney Resort hotel arrival!” Woop woop!  It contains:

  1. Info about the 3-bedroom grand villa that we are staying in at Disney’s Old Key West Resort.
  2. A recreation calendar during our time there.
  3. Info on turning our vacation into a celebration at the resort.
  4. A couple warnings (the monorail is being worked on, Downtown Disney has construction going on)
  5. A reminder about Disney Vacation Club Member perks.
  6. And some transportation reminders.

Gosh, it’s so-o-o-o close now.  A mere 10 days away.  I started planning my packing today.  I’ve put some things aside, so I can find them when I pack in earnest next weekend.  I am so pumped that we will all be there soon!

Meet you at the Kingdom!

Shout out to Trudy, who had a birthday yesterday!  Love you, Sister!  AND Shout out to Emi, who became a British citizen this week.  Congratulations, dear daughter!  Poppa and I couldn’t be more happy for you!

 

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Back on the Wagon

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Day 418 in getting back on track on my way to meeting up with my main mouse Mickey!

I am back on track and moving forward.  I woke up early and walked this morning.  I felt invigorated as I walked to Baby by Justin Bieber (Come on now; don’t be a hater.) and Bang Bang by Jessie J, Ariana Grande and Nicki Minaj.  I actually danced part way home to Bang Bang.  🙂

The baked pumpkin last night was delicious!  I highly recommend it, during this pumpkin-y time of year.  Here’s the recipe again: 1 small baking pumpkin; olive oil; sea salt; pumpkin pie spices (cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, cloves); brown sugar (I omitted the sugar and it was still scrumptious!).  Cut your pumpkin in half. Scoop out all the seeds and guts.  Cut the pumpkin into 1-inch slices.  Oil both sides lightly. Put on a baking sheet and sprinkle with salt, pumpkin pie spices (and brown sugar). Bake at 400 degrees for 20-25 minutes.  (Or a bit longer if you want them really mushy-soft.)  Peel off the skin as you eat it.  SO GOOD!

I’ve had a sugar-free, healthy choices kind of food day today, so I’m feeling pretty content.  And it’s only 12 days until we fly off to Walt Disney World.  I am feeling very blessed and extremely excited!

Meet you at the Kingdom!

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Doh!

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Day 417 in some bad choices on my way to meeting Mickey (13 days to go)

I succumbed to my dark side today.  On the way to work I pulled into Dunkin Donuts for a dark roast coffee, but I drove out with a Pumpkin Macchiato.  Why did I do it?  I do not know.  I just wanted it and made that choice.

The problem with making one bad choice in the morning is that it makes it all the easier to make more bad choices as the day progresses.  Once I drank that much sugar, I craved more sugar by the end of the work day.  So…when I picked up a salad from Potbelly for Mike and I to share with our baked chicken tonight, I also picked up 2 chocolate brownie cookies.  Then I promptly ate them.  Argh!

So tonight for dinner I am back on the wagon.  I’m trying something new tonight.  I picked up a small baking pumpkin, sliced it into 1-inch slices, sprinkled it with olive oil, then added pumpkin pie spice and sea salt.  The recipe called for brown sugar, too, but I’m going to try it without.  Enough is enough with the sugar already!

Here’s to better choices and a healthier day tomorrow.  Meet you at the Kingdom!

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Working To Play

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Day 416 in getting ready to meet Mickey (14 days to go)

Today I started the difficult task of working ahead on the job, so I can have as much done as possible before we go to Florida just 2 weeks from today!!  We will be there for eight nights, so with travel days, that makes nine days away from the office. Even though it is really only six “work” days I’m missing, there is a lot of work to get ready before we go.

  1. Work on the November newsletter
  2. Prepare mailings that must go out while I’m away
  3. Get church bulletins ready for two extra Sundays
  4. Get church announcements ready for two extra Sundays
  5. Prepare prayers and lessons for two weeks out
  6. Arrange for some office coverage each day I’m away
  7. And…and…etc…etc…

I did manage to eat well today, and I am sugar-free.  I didn’t get a walk in, because I slept through my alarm.  I will get up early tomorrow and tackle a walk again.  I did walk around more than usual at work today though.  🙂

Meet you at the Kingdom!

BTW: Happy birthday, Dear Kirk (nephew extraordinaire)!  And happy National Coffee Day, Dear Readers!

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The Good and the Not So Good

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Day 415 in making my way to Mickey (15 days to go)

  1. I had to see my oncologist today.  It was my six month check up.  Apparently everything looks good, so I don’t have to go back for another three months.  Yay!
  2. I woke up early today and walked a bit further than last time.  Plus yesterday I did manage to walk home from the farm after we grocery shopped.  The air was soupy with humidity yesterday and today, but I figured it is probably good practice for Florida in October.  I am hoping that it won’t be oppressively hot and humid when we’re there.  Hey, hope springs eternal.
  3. I’ve been reading some reviews today on this year’s Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party.  The reviews are NOT good so far.  Speculation is that Disney is selling more tickets for these special events than they used to, and so the park is overcrowded with long lines for everything.  Man! I am NOT excited at the thought. I hope we can still have some fun there.

PTLA.  Meet you at the Kingdom!

 

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Walking, Eating and Living Life to the Fullest

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Day 412 in celebrating on my way to see Mickey (18 days to go)

This morning’s jams as I took my early walk were: Kiss Me by Six Pence None the Richer and Shake It Off by Taylor Swift.  I made it a little farther than yesterday, but I am really feeling it now.  My legs are like, “What are you thinking?!?”  But it’s a good sore, a progress-being-made kind of sore.

Tonight I attend the Women of Faith Conference (named Loved) in Hoffman Estates, Illinois with my bestie from Michigan and my bestie from Illinois.  Yay!  Jean and Joan in the same room praising the Lord with me; it doesn’t get any better that that!  We will hear Sandy Patty, Sheila Walsh and Sarah Jakes Roberts tonight and many more tomorrow.  Man, oh, man, I am juiced up…with excitement (and a little bit of caffeine).  🙂

We three girls are having a pajama party at the Hampton Inn tonight.  That way we save about two hours of driving.  We’ll go down early, check in to our room, grab some dinner (I hope to find a dinner salad) and head to Sears Centre for renewal and uplifting praise!  Woo hoo!

Meet you at the Kingdom!

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Pressing On

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Day 411 in sweating it out to meet up with Mickey (19 days to go…only 19!!!)

Why is it so difficult to do the right thing?  I woke up early this morning to walk.  This is my fourth day in a row to do so.  Hardly earth shattering, right?  I swear, it was such hard work today.  I tried visualizing walking toward Cinderella’s Castle at Magic Kingdom.  No good.  I tried changing locale and visualized walking down Hollywood Boulevard toward The Great Movie Ride at Disney’s Hollywood Studios.  No good.  So I imagined walking from the bus stop toward Spaceship Earth at EPCOT.  Nope!  It was just exhausting.

BUT, Dear Readers, I did manage to push on and even walked a little farther than yesterday.  I was listening to Sabrina Carpenter on my iPhone, who is on the Disney Channel show Girl Meets World.  She has a song called The Middle of Starting Over which seems to be my anthem (my jam) just now.  I know the song is about falling in love, but it is so catchy and has such a great hook that I cannot resist it.  🙂  And with this exercise thing, post cancer diagnosis and treatment, I am in the middle of starting over.

So I will not be discouraged.  I will not stop my daily walks.  (Lord, willing and the creek don’t rise!)  I will persevere, for in only 19 days we fly to Orlando and our lovely time share at Disney’s Old Key West Resort.  I hope to get the chance to take a swim that first evening.  It would be bliss!

Why is it so difficult to do the right thing?  Because it just is, or as my mom would have said to me, “Do it because I said so!”  Please pray for me to have the stamina to see it through, Friends.  Meet you at the Kingdom!