Hello all!
Well…it’s Friday, and it’s been a week. I was hoping to get a run or two in with Coach Dwayne this week, but apparently mother nature had other plans. Sometime between Tuesday night and Wednesday morning, I was slammed with a viral something or another that literally knocked me on my butt. At first I thought it was the flu, but with the absence of a high fever, it probably wasn’t. I was running a low-grade temp, and had chills, was tingly all over and for the capper? I felt like someone beat me up with a baseball bat. I actually complained to Steve that our Tempur-Pedic mattress may need a pillow top. He said I wasn’t making any sense, but my body actually HURT when I was lying in bed. Not once did the thought enter my mind that I may be sick or something. After all, stuff like this CAN’T happen during month-end close right? WRONG! I managed to survive the close process, but I also felt horrible. I saw my GP on Wednesday afternoon, and she agreed that I had something, but didn’t prescribe me anything because there was nothing to treat. Her words to me? Go home and continue taking good care of yourself. I took this to mean that I should go home, put on the nightshirt and cow slipper-socks, make a cup of hot tea, and curl up on the couch with a pair of cats. Couldn’t think of any better way to take care of myself than that! So, that’s what I did. Even got a quick nap in. Oh…did I mention that I DID get my deliverables turned in on time? Not that there was any doubt…
This morning, I actually felt a bit better, but I am still tired. I took a day off to ensure that I feel better to face another week! So glad to be among the ranks of the human again! That little 72 hour bug was atrocious.
This week, I lost 2.4 pounds. I have gotten rid of some baggage in my life that I so desperately needed to remove. I think that I am both physically lighter AND mentally lighter as well. I may have mentioned in a prior issuance that there was someone that had insisted on pointing out the fact that I am weak, self-absorbed, that no one really cares about this publication, and that they felt the need to contact her (instead of me) to let her know just how much of a joke I really am. I am pleased to report that I have ended this toxic relationship, and I am doing great. Believe me; no one needs that kind of stuff in their life. No good for the blood pressure and no good for the person tiptoeing around wondering if what is posted or blogged about will start the next round of bashing and belittling. Ugh!
I also decided that I am not going to let change get me down anymore. Our department is officially moving to Irving from Richardson. There are several high points to this move, including a somewhat closer commute (10-ish miles less each way) and the potential for greater visibility within the company…all good things. The not-so-high-points? I will no longer have the comfort of the Monday noon meeting nor will I have the luxury of working out with Dwayne three times per week. I know that they have a fitness center out there, and I will more than likely join the fitness center there. Dwayne also said that he’s not leaving me high and dry either. He will make sure that he provides me the workouts that I need so that I continue to succeed on my journey. In addition, I am going to see if I can work out something with my supervisor where I may still be able to work with Dwayne for a couple of days a week. Doesn’t hurt to ask! As I previously mentioned, the other not-so-high point is that I have to find another meeting. Again, not life threatening, but I love my Monday group. They ROCK!!! I did, however, find a Wednesday noon meeting that is pretty close to my new office provided that I can find it again! Irving tends to confuse me.
Tomorrow is the Arbor Day 2010 5K run. I thought I may have more company along this run, but it appears that it’s only going to be Adi, my fearless Weight Watchers leader, and myself. It’s all good, and I love this course. Let’s just hope that they fixed the course so that the not-so-fast folks are not stopped at the light at Parker and Spring Creek again! We can only hope!
This week, the meeting topic dealt with metabolism. What is metabolism, you may ask? The Webster’s definition is: the process by which your body burns calories for energy. Below is a calorie-burning breakdown:
- 75% of calories burned go towards heart pumping and other vital organ functions
- 10% of calories burned go towards digestion
- 15% of calories burned go towards physical activity.
While everyone has a different rate of metabolism, it is possible to increase the rate by increasing physical activity, which will burn more calories, helping you shed weight faster. If such activity also increases strength, all the better: As you lose weight, it will help preserve lean muscle mass. Once you reach goal, you can build muscle mass. The more muscle you have, the more calories you burn, even when you are doing nothing.
Today’s closing quote comes from the meeting room wall:
Nothing will work unless you do.
-Maya Angelou, poet
RECIPES
Hash Brown Casserole with Bacon, Onions, and Cheese
I was looking for a lightened version of this amazing tried-and-true casserole that everyone makes. Cooking Light had a great version. My substitutions for this one: dried chives for the green onions (I had just run of scallions earlier in the week), Bac-O’s for the bacon (again…none in the house) and light sour cream for the fat free, because I don’t care for fat free products. I also didn’t chill this one overnight. It came out fine. I also made ½ servings, which was PLENTY for a side dish, so the POINTS® are cut in half. Although, if you do decide to use this as a main dish, 6 POINTS® is not bad!
Though filling enough as a main dish, you can also serve smaller portions of this creamy, cheesy casserole as a tasty side to scrambled eggs. We enjoyed the way the Classic Melts cheese blend melted over the casserole; substitute cheddar cheese if you can't find this product.
Yield: 6 (1-cup) servings at POINTS® Value of 6 per serving
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cooking Time: 60 minutes + chill time
Level of Difficulty: Easy
Ingredients:
6 bacon slices
1 cup chopped onion
2 garlic cloves, minced
1 (32-ounce) package frozen Southern-style hash brown potatoes
1 cup (4 ounces) preshredded Classic Melts Four Cheese blend, divided
1/2 cup chopped green onions
1/2 cup fat-free sour cream
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1 (10.75-ounce) can condensed 30% reduced-sodium, 98% fat-free cream of mushroom soup, undiluted
Cooking spray
Preparation
Cook bacon in a large nonstick skillet over medium heat until crisp. Remove bacon from pan, and crumble. Discard drippings in pan. Add 1 cup onion and garlic to pan; cook for 5 minutes or until tender, stirring frequently. Stir in the potatoes; cover and cook for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally.
Combine crumbled bacon, 1/4 cup cheese, green onions, sour cream, salt, pepper, and soup in a large bowl. Add potato mixture; toss gently to combine. Spoon mixture into an 11 x 7-inch baking dish coated with cooking spray. Sprinkle with remaining 3/4 cup cheese. Cover with foil coated with cooking spray. Refrigerate 8 hours or overnight.
Preheat oven to 350°.
Remove casserole from refrigerator; let stand at room temperature 15 minutes. Bake casserole, covered, at 350ยบ for 30 minutes. Uncover and bake an additional 30 minutes or until bubbly around edges and cheese begins to brown.
Nutritional Information
Calories: 293 (31% from fat); Fat: 10g (sat 4.8g,mono 3.3g,poly 0.7g); Protein: 12.2g; Carbohydrate: 41.4g; Fiber: 4.7g; Cholesterol: 31mg; Iron: 0.2mg; Sodium: 720mg; Calcium: 214mg
