Libby’s Lines

Well, it’s day 9 of changing my eating habits. Last week I listed the 3 things I decided to try so for the next few months I’ll stick with the same format and update on those 3 things as well as weight lost/gained and I think I’ll add in my inches today and start tracking those as well.

Jan. 22
1. For fun: I’ve joined a group of people in a 12 week, weight-loss pool. At the end of 12 weeks, the winners (or losers in our case) win the pot-o-money that we’ve all paid in to participate.

Today: I lost 1/2 pound - not looking too good right now for me to win any money, but….

Jan. 22
2. For weight-loss: Today is day one of living in “The Zone”. I don’t want to go on a traditional diet, where you “cut out” foods you love to eat. Rather, I choose to eat in a balanced manner. I won’t eat as much fat and sugar, but I’m not banned from them either. I’m not “banned” from anything, but rather learning to balance everything.

Today: Ok, this changed rather quickly. In doing more research, we (I say “we” because my husband is supporting me by joining me in this way of getting healthier) decided it’s better to cut out excess fat and eat well-balanced meals without deleting carbs or sugars, etc. We think it’s more harmful to us to “cut out” types of foods completely or “replace” meals. Changing to a set of healthier eating habits we think in the long run will be more beneficial to us on the whole and our bodies won’t have to go through the “freak out” after a “diet”.

Jan. 22
3. For me: I hear and read of all these people who want to lose weight so that they can play with their children, or go hiking with their spouse, etc. Well, mine needs to be even more personal - I want to lose weight so that I feel better, so I can tie my shoes without breathing heavy, so I can walk through a store without thinking about using a powered handicap cart, so I can fasten my seatbelt without having to pull it out all the way to get it fastened, so I can take a shower or bath without my body always rubbing the side walls! Yes, I want to play with my kids - I do that now. Yes, I’d like to have the energy to go hiking with my husband - but ours would be in a museum most likely, which right now - I have to take a lot of breaks and my family has to see some of it without me.

Today: Well, I am starting to feel better, haven’t been wearing shoes that need tied, been shopping without as much trouble, my body still touches the walls in the shower. Haven’t visited any museums lately. I did have to replace a pair of jeans that were just “worn out” and I bought the next size down to “encourage” myself to continue eating healthier and lose weight and I can already get into them - a little tight - but it’ll continue to fit better and eventually get loose enough that I’ll have to buy more!

Jan. 22
So my starting point is 264 pounds, my goal is 180. Let’s see how long it takes to get there!

Today: I’m actually still at 264, but it’s 264.1 now instead of 264.8!

Today’s Inches:
Waist - 47.75
Hips - 54.50
L. Arm - 15.25
R. Arm - 15.50
L. Thigh - 31.25
R. Thigh - 30

Whew! That’s a lot o’ inches! So, I think more excercise is in order.

Ok, I admit it - I weigh too much! Actually, I’ve never been unwilling to admit that. Just the opposite, I’ve almost been proud of it. Even when I was at the right weight, at a good weight and healthy people would “warn” me about getting overweight and what would happen to me “when” I get that way. Well, it worked - I reached the goal they set for me.

Now, I want to reach the goal I set for me: to not only lose weight, but to live healthier and be able to physically do what I want to do. So, there are 3 things I’ve decided to try:

1. For fun: I’ve joined a group of people in a 12 week, weight-loss pool. At the end of 12 weeks, the winners (or losers in our case) win the pot-o-money that we’ve all paid in to participate.

2. For weight-loss: Today is day one of living in “The Zone”. I don’t want to go on a traditional diet, where you “cut out” foods you love to eat. Rather, I choose to eat in a balanced manner. I won’t eat as much fat and sugar, but I’m not banned from them either. I’m not “banned” from anything, but rather learning to balance everything.

3. For me: I hear and read of all these people who want to lose weight so that they can play with their children, or go hiking with their spouse, etc. Well, mine needs to be even more personal - I want to lose weight so that I feel better, so I can tie my shoes without breathing heavy, so I can walk through a store without thinking about using a powered handicap cart, so I can fasten my seatbelt without having to pull it out all the way to get it fastened, so I can take a shower or bath without my body always rubbing the side walls! Yes, I want to play with my kids - I do that now. Yes, I’d like to have the energy to go hiking with my husband - but ours would be in a museum most likely, which right now - I have to take a lot of breaks and my family has to see some of it without me.

So my starting point is 264 pounds, my goal is 180. Let’s see how long it takes to get there!

Hi, in a post I deleted, I also deleted my chicken salad recipe. Sorry. Here it is, again:

Libby’s Chicken Salad

Chicken Breasts, cooked, cooled and chopped (or shredded)
Onion, diced small (approx. 1 t. per chicken breast)
Celery, diced small (approx. 1 t. per chicken breast)
Carrots, diced small (approx 1 1/2 t. per chicken breast)
Grapes, cut in half or quarters (approx. 2 T. per chicken breast)
Pecans, chopped (approx. 2 T. per chicken breast)
Mayonnaise (must be real mayo), approx. 2 T. per chicken breast)
Dill Pickle Juice, to taste (offsets some of the sweet from the mayo)
Salt and Pepper, to taste

Mix everything together, to taste. I like my chicken shredded instead of chopped, but, you should make this your own to how you like it. I have given some approximate measurements, but still engourage you to add more or less depending on the flavor you want for your chicken salad.

Two things that are a must are the Dill pickle juice and the Real Mayo. I use Kraft Real Mayonnaise. If you use salad dressing (Miracle Whip), it will completely change the flavor. And if you use sweet relish it will drastically change the flavor as well.

I really like a lot of pecans and grapes. That sweet and nutty crunch is great.

Have fun with and make it your own.

Pudding Cake Recipe

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Stir together:
3/4 c. Sugar
1 c. Flour
1/4 c. Cocao Powder
2 t. Baking Powder
1/4 t. Salt

Add in:
1/2 c. Milk
1/3 c. Butter, melted
1 1/2 t. Vanilla

Pour mixture into a 9″ square baking pan/dish.

Stir together, in separate bowl:

1/2 c. Sugar
1/2 c. Brown Sugar
1/4 c. CocoaPowder

Sprinkle over batter in pan. Do Not Mix with batter. Completely cover batter.

Pour 1 1/4 c. Hot Water over dry mix. Do Not Mix.

Bake for 35-40 minutes or until center is almost set.

Let stand 10-15 minutes and serve warm with ice cream or whipped topping. The cake will be moist with a pudding on the bottom. This is soooo good. It is rich, so smaller servings are better.

Well, here we go. I’m new at this so we’ll start with some basics and see how it goes.

My name is Libby. I’m a wife of 16 years and mother of 2 very different boys (one beginning his teens). I have a Computer Science degree and an Accounting degree and have enjoyed working in both fields in the past. I now enjoy being a stay-at-home mom.

My husband, Tim, and I are actively involved in the church we attend in worship music. I am involved in Women’s Ministries and just ended another year of “Loaves and Fishes”, a midweek meal ministry at our church. My hobbies include cooking, music (worship mostly, but I like most music) and trying to work on web developing. Our children keep me pretty busy, especially now that it’s summer.

I think for now, I’ll close with a promise to update often and include a nice recipe when I do and perhaps even tips on a few other things.

Here’s the first recipe:
To make Caramel that tastes homemade:

1 unopened can Sweetened Condensed Milk
1 kettle
Water

Cover unopened can of milk in kettle with water. Bring to a slow boil (med/high heat) and allow to boil for 3 - 3 1/2 hours, checking to add water to keep can covered to whole time. After 3 - 3 1/2 hours, place can in refrigerator to chill. Once chilled, open the can and you will have some of the best tasting caramel ever! Hint: For softer caramel reduce the cooking time by up to 1 hour or for firmer caramel increase the cooking time up to 5 hours.

Hope you like it and I’ll be back soon!