Food on the Brain

Rob and I have really gotten serious about our low-calorie eating. We are determined to get into shape and lose some weight. We have been doing an intense workout every morning at 6 am called "Insanity". Appropriately named. We are insane for doing it, and it has made our muscles feel insane. I thought after teaching an exercise class for the last couple of years that my muscles could handle it, I was insane for thinking so.

So we have been eating 5 small meals/day that include lots of fruits, vegetables, lean protein, low-fat dairy, and whole grains. Thought I'd share some of the things we've been eating:

My favorite salad has been spinach leaves tossed with olive oil and balsamic vinegar, then sprinkled with salt and fresh ground pepper, then topped with sliced strawberries, some blueberries, crumbles of goat cheese, and just a few walnuts on top. If you add some sliced chicken breast you have a whole meal.

The other day I invented a recipe. I took a large zucchini and cut it in half length-wise. I then hollowed it out slightly and put the two halves in the microwave for about 5-6 minutes until they were soft. Meanwhile, I took my handy-dandy chopping tool and chopped the zucchini pulp I hollowed out, along with another small zucchini, until it was minced. I continued mincing onion, bell pepper, mushrooms, and some cooked chicken. All the pieces were about a quarter to a half inch in diameter. I then sauteed the onion and bell pepper in olive oil until they were almost soft. Then I added the mushrooms and zucchini until they were cooked through, then added the chicken. I also added a splash of worchestershire sauce and balsamic vinegar, and some salt and pepper. Then I spooned the mixture into each cooked zucchini half - about 1 1/2 or 2 cups total in each zucchini half. Since this was our meal, and it was mostly vegetables, I made a lot. I sprinkled a little grated cheese on top of each and let it melt just to make it look more appetizing. This was dinner for Rob and me one night and it was quite tasty.

The smoothies ---ohhh the smoothies. They have been tasting so good to me for some reason. (I guess when you're eating less EVERYTHING tastes good.) I bought some chocolate and vanilla protein powder at Costco. When you work out, you should consume a lot of protein. So I've been making smoothies with 1/2 c. fat free milk, 1/2 c. water, 1 1/2 scoops protein powder, a handful of spinach leaves (you can't even taste it), a banana, some frozen strawberries and/or blueberries, and any other fruits that I have at the time. I also have some flax that I will mix in sometimes, just because all the benefits it lists on the container sound important, and I figure it can't hurt.

And of course, eggs. One whole egg and two egg whites in an omelette with mushrooms, spinach, tomatoes and artichoke hearts is quite yummy. Or put the eggs on a whole-grain english muffin with canadian bacon and tomato slices. This morning I tried 4 eggs whites - no yolks - scrambled. I had never tried all whites before. It wasn't bad. A thin bagel with Weight Watcher cream cheese and sliced strawberries on top went with it.

It's true that the healthier you eat, the healthier you crave. I hope to crave all these good foods all the time and stop craving chocolate, I don't know how likely that is. We'll see. For now, I'm doing pretty good. Wish us luck!

Sad Chicken News

We came home from our Arizona trip to discover that one of our chickens had disappeared. About a week before we left for our trip, we found out that the other five chickens were being mean to one chicken. It must have either gotten sick or injured, because it is the "chicken way" for the others to peck at it, even to the point of killing and eating it, when one chicken is weaker than the others. They weren't letting it eat, and it had gotten thin. They would chase it around the cage, pecking at it if it came close to them. We felt sorry for it and removed it from the cage, letting it roam around the back yard during the day, giving it its own food and water, and then putting it in a container in the garage at night. We thought that if we could get it healthy and strong again that maybe the other chickens would accept it and we could put it back in the cage again. So when we left for our Arizona trip, we hired the neighbor boy, Robby, to feed and water the chickens each day. But we couldn't let him put the "outcast chicken" in the garage at night since our security alarm would be set. So we decided to let it take its chances nesting in the yard at night, and Robby could check on it each day. He said it was doing fine until yesterday morning - when he came it was no where to be found. Something ate it I'm guessing.

So we're down to five chickens. And even though it is in their nature to do this to each other, I can't help but look at the other five with feelings of resentment. They seem like "the bad guys" now and the outcast seemed so sweet and innocent. Whenever I went outside it would follow right behind my feet like I was its only friend in the world. Through no fault of its own it was outcast by its fellow sisters it had been raised with since chick-hood!

So it's all gotten me thinking: How many times do we shun others because they are different? None of us in Heavenly Father's eyes is any better than anyone else. All the chickens to us were so equal we could barely tell them apart, let alone like any one above another. So how many people have been hurt in some way because they weren't included in the "circle"? Or what about my own judgements I think in my head and keep to myself? If I'm not accepting others and loving them unconditionally am I really a follower of Christ?

Just some thoughts resulting from the sad loss of a chicken.

Cupcakes

I have cupcakes on the brain!

The Boren not a reunion but a get together weekend

Ok.  So we can't really call it our reunion without all the Darvil Boren family in attendance, so this will just be one of the many get togethers we will have this year. Kapeesh?  Nonetheless, this is what I thought we could do during our get together:  Whoever wants will meet at either El Charro or Casa on Friday evening at 6pm for dinner (Mom or Dad may need to call and reserve.)  Then we meet at the Temple for our 8pm appointment.  Then we set up beds at Mom and Dad's and the women bake cupcakes and more cupcakes.
  Saturday we get up and gather our supplies for a fun filled day at Cedar Springs.  We pack a picnic lunch and bring food to barbque for an early dinner.  And we just have fun fun fun all day!!  Go home, get cleaned up and either play games or bake more cupcakes. 
  Sunday we either sleep in or bake cupcakes.  Go to Mom and Dad's church since Darv's ward is busting at the seams.  Come home and have a nice meal in the backyard and then either watch home videos, play more games, or bake more cupcakes!
  Monday morning we get up, pack up and head for home.

The end.

Any additions, suggestions or ammendments are welcomed