Taking it Easy

My back is feeling better. But I don’t want to take any chances this time. We’ve got tickets to go the Kennedy Center for New Year’s Eve. I’m very excited about that. So, I’m not moving around much today and staying on the heating pad.

I took my vitamins and am drinking Carrot Juice already… I’m a bit hungry and grabbed a piece of Whole Wheat Bread to nibble on with some Hummus. In a while I’ll go back down stairs to fix lunch…

Hummas Snack

Last night, I was feeling better and Mike wanted to go do some running around, so I geared up and got in the car. But what he wanted to do is go to Costco and shop and walk around. Well, my back was throbbing and I kind of let him know it! So we ended up fast forwarding through the Costco Experience and went straight home. Too much…. too soon!!

For dinner, I was in the kitchen unloading dishes from the dishwasher (another bright idea!) And Mike’s son wanted to make his own dinner… Pasta Alfredo! We bought some white sauce previously from Costco and already had the red sauce, so he mixed the two together to make a Tequila Sauce. I suggested he cut up some mushrooms and blanche them in the Pasta water… and there was his meal.

I made a bowl of the Green Salad and I wanted to bake a Sweet Potato but Mike wanted to grill the Potatoes with Onions. So I chopped up the Sweet Potatoes and Onions. Added Paprika, Garlic Powder and some Olive Oil and Mike took it to grill.

After I finished my salad, Mike wanted some and I asked him to serve himself. And after he ate his salad… he checked on the Potatoes and I made myself a bowl of them to eat. And straight up to the heating pad I went…. amazingly enough today my back doesn’t hurt as bad. Yeah!!!

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Green Lunch

Blueberries & Raspberries

Green Garden Salad

Cucumber Delight

It was so nice to get up off the bed to make lunch…my back is still in pain, but I had to use the foods in the refrigerator.

I had the Lettuce, Green Beans, and Cucumbers that needed to be used or else!!!!

But first, Mike’s son was showing off his latest Christmas gift D.J. Hero… and after he figured out how to play it he let me play a game. I’ve always wanted to try the Guitar Hero. And since the same people make these games, I got my chance, and it was fun. A little crazy, but I guess that’s how it works. It challenges you to be very hand eye coordinated.!

I was really hungry, so before anything, I found the Berries and had some Blueberries and Raspberries.

Afterwards, I headed to the kitchen to look for the Green Beans. I blanched half of the bag and mixed it with Olive Oil, Paprika, Garlic Powder. I was going to cut some Almonds and sprinkle them on top… but didn’t get the chance.
Then I cut into the Cucumbers and scooped out the middle and made my Cucumber Delight. And realized, the Green Mix is getting old so I made another Green Garden Salad.

Green Beans:
1Tsp Olive Oil
Pinch of Paprika
Pinch of Garlic Powder

Cucumber Delight:
2 Cucumbers
1Cup Carrots
1Cup Celery
1/2Cup Sweet Peas
1Tbls Olive Oil
2Tbls Dill Weed
Salt

Green Garden Salad:
Baby Greens
Spinach
1 Orange Bell Pepper
1 Avocado
3 Green Onions
2 Carrots
2 Celery
1 Tomato
5 Mushrooms

I’ve been using a store bought Raspberry & Vinegar Dressing from Ken’s.
Now it’s back on the bed with the heating pad… my back is throbbing:(

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My Back Is Out Again!

Vegetable Soup

Vegetable Soup

I’ve been feeling so much better these last couple of days… I must have over done it with the day at the Space Museum Saturday… and the stretching and weights these last couple of nights. My back is killing me again.!!!!

While we were at the Space Museum Saturday, we stopped for lunch at the indoor McDonald’s and I had a Southwestern Salad w/out the Chicken. Then we went to see the IMAX Theatre presentation of Space Exploration, which was great. Afterwards, we went home and hung out.

Mike made a Persian meal with Plums and Turkey Meat. It’s more of a stew and I ate that with some White Rice. For desert… I ate some Raspberries, Blackberries, Flaxseed, Whipped Topping and Leftover Ice-Cream.

I’ve been keeping up on my Carrot Juice and found a new drink Smoothie from Bolt house Farms Strawberries and Bananas. Tried some last night!

This morning… Sunday I woke up with throbbing back pain. After I took my morning vitamins and drank the Barley Juice. Mike made me another Veggie Soup: so I had some with Whole Wheat Bread crumbs.
Carrots
Celery
Cream Corn
White Beans
Barley

This soup stock however, was made with left over Turkey from last night’s meal.

As the day progresses, with me on the bed sitting on the heating pad, I’ve got my Carrot Juice, Almonds, Apple and Banana to munch on.:)

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Filling Food Choices

Christmas Day… with no one in the house but Mike and I, and all the presents already opened(the one he bought me!), we decided to brave the freezing temps(totally my suggestion).

It really didn’t feel like Christmas to me, so we left the house and went to go find someplace that was open serving food. We found a local place called Silver Dollar Cafe. It looks like a silver 50’s mobile home… and the food is about that same timeframe. I had a Vegetable Chili Soup and a Turkey Sandwich with Cheese. I forgot to take the Cheese off. I also drank some HOT TEA… because it was sooo cold out.

Then we made our way over to the movie theatre and bought our tickets for “It’s Complicated”. Such a great movie. It seems that’s all Mike’s willing to do when we are hear…. everything else is such a battle to do:(

Then on our way home, we thought we’d see if Safeway Grocery Store was still open for some food. Well it wasn’t:( so we went home.

Where I had the left over Garden Green Salad and Potatoes & Onions for dinner. Then for dessert, I remembered we had Berries in the frig, so I made a Berry Parfait with Flaxseed and Whipped Topping.

The whipped topping followed by a piece of Hershey’s Chocolate Bar with Nuts & Peanut Butter were my absolute downfalls. And my stomach reminded me later of what I’d done!

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Christmas Wish

Rear Balcony

Me & Mike

Main Entrance

I got my Christmas wish this year…. attend midnight mass(10pm) at the Washington, D.C. National Cathedral.

What a beautiful experience that was…. I’m ashamed to say, it’s been a long time since I’ve been to church and this Christmas Eve Mass was wonderful to experience. I sang, I prayed, and I enjoyed the beautiful Sermun.

Afterwards… getting through the parking garage mess, we made it home after midnight. And I have to tell you, that was enough.

Before we left for the mass… around 8:30pm we munched on some Garden Green Salad, Whole Wheat Bread and Hummas for dinner. And that was filling enough to put me right ot bed.

Today, is Christmas… I’d like to catch the new movie, “It’s Complicated”. Should be fun…..

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Opening One Christmas Eve Gift

Mike's Barley & Carrot Soup/Stew

Grilled Sweet Potatoes & Onions

Green Garden Salad

It’s tradition in my family to open one present on Christmas Eve… then go to Midnight Mass. This year I went to the Tyson’s Mall in Virginia with Mike so that he could by my gift… and I just opened it.!!!! Donna Karen’s Cashmere Mist Perfume.

So now, we’re getting ready to head out for Midnight Mass (10pm) at the National Cathedral in Washington, D.C. tonight. You have to have a ticket to get into the mass and I didn’t schedule ahead of time, so hopefully we’ll be able to get tickets tonight.?!?!

Both a little stuffed from lunch… we ate around 3pm because we had muffins and croissants this morning.

Lunch was a great Green Garden Salad… Grilled Sweet Potatoes with Onions and left over Soup Mike’s Barley & Carrot Soup.

Green Garden Salad:
Baby Green Lettuce
Spinach
Orange Bell Pepper
Green Onions
Celery
Carrots
Tomato
Asparagus

Grilled Sweet Potatoes & Onions:
Sweet Potatoes
Onions
Olive Oil

Mike’s Barley & Carrot Soup:
Barley
Potato
Garlic
White Beans
Carrots
Lentils
Cabbage
Onions

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Christmas Eve…

It’s not Christmas as I remember as a child…. I’m in a foreign city (Potomac, MD) with no family and friends. The stockings aren’t hung from the fireplace… and no presents under the non existant Christmas Tree. Mike is Jewish, so he doesn’t celebrate Christmas.:( And so now, I guess I don’t either. But I still plan on going to Midnight(10pm) mass at the National Cathedral in D.C. and then going to morning mass as well.

I also wanted to drive to New York City for the day and maybe hit Serendipity, walk around the Plaza, or eat at the restaurant in the Crysler Building or even catch a midday show?!?!?! But I think Mike has really put the brakes on that idea.

Boy he’s sounding alot like the Christmas Grinch!!!!!

My back is still not 100%… I have more mobility than Sunday, but there’s still pain. So I’m taking it Very Slow!!!!

I did head out this morning for a Tall Starbucks Iced Pumpkin Spice Latte w/Soy and then I stopped off at the French Bakery for a Carrot & Zucchini Muffin, Bran Muff, and a Butter Croissant. I thought I’d start the day off with some sweets for a sour Mike. I ate the Carrot & Zucchini Muffin… it was delicious. Yum!!!! Yum!!!! Yum!!!!

P.S…. I did weigh myself Yesterday Morning and gained back 2lbs… I guess those treats and not working out have made their impact.!!!!:(

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Injured Eating

Maybe my ticket was called, when I indulged in some Sherbet Friday night at the movies.?? Or did it start earlier than that, when I was dipping into the Whipped Topping with my Fresh Fruit Desserts???

Anyway you cut it, I’m laid up with back pain making getting around slower than usual.:( And it also means, I’m not hitting the Pilates Gym (since Thursday) getting my usual cardio workout and physical exercise. So eating has somewhat fallen by the wayside.:(

Mike and I have been making some hearty soups to eat, to help beat the colder temperatures and I’ve been tossing my Green Salads. We’re using all the Vegetables and goodies we’re buying at the Costco and Giants Grocery Store, but it’s the extras that are getting me down.

Monday night, I indulged in a bowl of Strawberry Ice Cream.
Sunday afternoon, I indulged in a block of Hershey’s Chocolate with Nuts and a spoonful of Peanut Butter. This was a repeated snack from Saturday Night. I just had the urge for chocolate (and there’s a reason why!)
In addition to all these indulgences I’ve also been over doing it on the Whole Wheat Bread and taking extra servings of all these great soups.

Mike’s Minestrone (Vegetable) Soup:
He called it Minestrone Soup with out the noodles. I didn’t make either, so I’m just going to list the ingredients.
Cabbage
Carrots
Parsnips
Yellow Onions
Spinach
Zucchini
Squash
Tomato Paste
Diced Tomatoes

Mike’s Barley & Carrot Soup:
He actually told me he got the idea to make this soup after he read my Raw Recipe Cook Book. After reading the Lentils & Barley Soup Recipe and the Carrot Soup Recipe he made this version.
Barley
Potato
Garlic
White Beans
Carrots
Lentils
Onions
Cabbage

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Back Wows

Shoveled Snow at House

Shoveled Snow at House

Friday night, the Washington D.C. metro area got hit with snow that didn’t stop until Saturday night. That means we got over 26 inches of snow. Before the snow came Friday, we went to go see a movie (Did You Hear About the Morgans?) in dry conditions and by the time the movie let out, it was snowing and traffic was backed up as far as the eye could see.

Luckily, we made it home slow and safe as we watched others on the commute who were so lucky. There were a handful of cars already on the side of the road and others sliding through traffic to make it to there destination.

Since I didn’t get my workout on Friday, Saturday I thought I’d get a workout by shoveling the 12 or so inches that had already fell. By this time everything was closed, so I figured so was the Pilates Gym. The snow didn’t stop until Sunday morning, so I went out again and started shoveling. But this time, I over did it and got hurt from lifting that heavy snow. 😦

So I took it really easy…. laying in bed with a heating pad and taking Advil. Monday, I was feeling much better and so we went to the Leesburg Outlet Mall… Did a bunch of walking and felt good. Today(Tuesday) we went out and got caught in a bunch of traffic while we dropped off drying cleaning, hit Costco, and stopped off at TJMaxx. Needless to say, not feeling too good, so I’m laying here with the heating pad and making my blog entry.

I don’t know when I’ll be able to get back on track with Pilates, or even doing some crunches and weights at home???? It’s a bit frustrating and makes eating a real challenge, because I’m not able to work it off.

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Mike’s Minestrone Soup

Well we’re sitting in a winter wonderland this morning in Maryland, Washington D.C. area. I just came from shoveling snow… and it’s all been covered up by new snow falling. It was fun non the less… I hadn’t shoveled snow since I was a kid. When kids lived to go out in the snow and get covered in the white stuff…..

Early this morning Mike started making his Minestrone Soup… and we’re going to have it for lunch. My Minestrone Soup turned out good.. but with too many noodles. I put the entire box of noodles into the soup and it was toooooo much. So we through that soup out today.

Speaking of food… last night I had my Green Salad with a piece of Wheat Bread. I indulged on my Minestrone Soup for lunch and then a bowl of Berries (Raspberry, Blueberry, Blackberry) with Flaxseed and Low Fat Whipped Topping!

Infact, I was feeling a littel blotted last night… so I cut down on my intake!!! This morning/afternoon, I’m hungry. Can’t wait to try his food.

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