HAPPY HALLOWEEN!

My Biggest Inspiration

Abby from this season of The Biggest Loser.

This woman inspires me in a way that no other contestant has. She inspires me to be a better person. If she can wake up everyday, after what she has been through, with love in her heart and dreams of her own then I can certainly try to model my own will after hers.

YOU GO, ABBY!

OMG

I totally just received my very first blog award! Thank you so much Paula for bestowing my little ole blog with this:



Tee hee! (geeking out noises!)

Slacky McSlackerton

I can't help it, I don't want to be behind the computer typing away, I want to be outside doing fun things. Especially since my town currently looks like this:

I heart the fall more than I can possibly say.

Here is a breakdown of what I have been up to the past couple of weeks:

• 4 day Colorado visit to wonderful, amazing and very dear friends
• Celtic Festival and Highland Games
• A nice pick up in business
• getting back into a workout routine
• plugging along with learning correct portion sizes
• playing around with caloric intakes (gonna try to start at around 1800 and decrease from there as the weight loss slows down)
• trying to familiarize myself with Spark.com again
• wondering where this year has gone
• preparing for the holidays and an upcoming move
• watching inspirational shows like Dietribe and Biggest Loser
• falling in love with all of your blogs
• being happy :)

(I am not going to focus on my gut in this picture....I am not going to focus on my gut in this picture.... I am not going...) :)

Is It Just Me.....

or is Jesse from Dietribe redaunkulously hot?!

The 411

Whew! Okay, let me get my thoughts together in some organized fashion so that this post isn't a complete disaster. It's been an interesting couple of weeks and months. :)

The fluctuation of the economy has taken it's toll on many and I am very fortunate and very lucky to still be treading water. It has not been easy. Even though I have been busy promoting and marketing, the actual appointments have been somewhat few and far between. Throw in several last minute cancellations and you have a lot of low income months for me. So low in fact (here is the embarrassing honesty) that I am seriously considering applying for food assistance and Medicaid. I currently do not have health insurance and haven't for almost 6 years now. After health care, food seems to be my most expensive necessity. I still have to see if I am eligible but I'm keeping my fingers crossed.

Other news, I have decided to move out of my amazingly lovely and well situated apartment (which is quite pricey for me now) in January. :( I have been here for three years and have absolutely loved living within walking distance to work and everything else downtown. But one must change with the times. I am lucky enough to have the opportunity to rent a room in the beautiful house of the brother of a good friend in the neighboring county. It really only adds about ten minutes to my commute but I wont be able to walk to work anymore. Positives; huge kitchen with all the amenities and then some, central air, a huge front porch equipped with rocking chairs and porch swing, a border collie named Chico, a washer and dryer and plenty of laughs. I hope that this move will allow me to get back on track with my finances.

I leave for Denver on Sunday and I am soooooo excited! I get to spend time with my dear friends Erin and Jonathan, their two adorable children and one schmoopy named Mable. So trying to cram everything into this week and part of next (I fly back Wednesday) has been a little hair raising.

Halloween is fast approaching and every weekend this month was already booked back in September. Not with massage appointments yet but with social functions. One that I am really psyched about it is the Highland Games! Large men in kilts throwing things? YES PLEASE. I know I shouldn't say this on a weight loss blog but I have been waiting a whole year to try another one of their deep fried Mars bars. I am going to try to be very diligent with my diet and exercise so that this particular treat day wont be a huge set back.

My diet has been off the charts these past few months. I know what I need to do and I just hope I can get my butt in gear and do it. I seem to go bonkers at social events especially if dirty martinis are involved. I went to a wedding last month and was seated next to the bar.... not a good thing for my diet. I don't tie one on often but when I do.... look out!

I started back at the gym so my September and October have been much more active. Not to mention this little guy below keeping me busy with several walks a day.

His name is Andy.

I watched him for almost two weeks for a friend's parents and he was the sweetest little schmoopy in the whole wide world. He went home tonight and I miss him already. But, not to worry he will be back for 3 weeks in December. :)

This may be the only post I will have a chance to write before I leave but I promise to be back soon with pics of beautiful Colorado.

Take Care!

Crock Pot Lentil and Sausage Soup

Ingredients:

1 cup uncooked lentils
1/2 lb turkey kielbasa, cut into 1 inch pieces
1 cup onion, chopped
1 cup celery, chopped
1 cup carrot, finely chopped
1 cup potato, diced
2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
3 (16 ounce) cans low sodium beef broth
1/2 teaspoon fresh ground black pepper
1/8 teaspoon nutmeg

Directions:

1. Rinse lentils and drain

2. Place all ingredients in crock pot

3. Cook on low for 6-8 hours (depending on crock pot temperature). Stirring occasionally.


Yum! I found this recipe on RecipeZaar and it is now a staple. I tweaked a few things to make it a little healthier and the flavor doesn't suffer one bit. It makes the house smell amazing too!

The best thing to go with this is some homemade bread and butter and even a dash of sour cream if you'd like. Perfect fall and winter soup. :)

Best Intentions

Hi ya'll *cheeks pink with embarrassment*! Long time huh? Well this is just a post to say that a post is coming sometime this week. I have a lot going on, who doesn't right? One of the things I have going on is that I fly off to Colorado on Sunday. :D But until then I am working, dog sitting, exercising more and putting changes into place for my future.... of which I will tell you about later.

So look for a post later this week... provided I don't get distracted and forget until I am mid-air en route to Denver. :)