I cannot believe Christmas is in one week. I wrote the date a couple of time and I thought, "Oh my goodness, it's Christmas Eve in one week. I'm NOT ready!" I have so much to do. Presents to buy and wrap. Food to prepare. Parties to attend. Cards to send. The list is so long.
My intern, Jami gave me this Wonder Woman lanyard for Christmas. She totally made my day!
In September, after I did the Ride to Remember (read about that here: The Girl Picked Last), I started 100 Days of Gratitude and I am on Day 86. This means there are 14 days left, 14 Days left of 2015, 15 days to start your New Years Resolutions. It's been 7 days since I hurt my back...while I am feeling better, I am no where near 100%. I wish I could count down to how long that will be!
Day 1 and Days 49 & 50 of my 100 Days of Gratitude. Today is Day 86. Hard to believe I'm almost done.
For me, 2016 promises some milestones: Brian and I celebrate our 25th Wedding Anniversary, my son is graduating from high school, I am graduating from college (again), both of my kids get to vote in their first presidential election...and there are probably more.
Brian & I at my parents' house at a family Christmas party last weekend.
It seems like we live in a perpetual state of counting down. To a certain degree, that's not such a bad thing. If we have something to look forward to, it keeps us going. It keeps me on my toes.
As the holidays are rapidly approaching and 2015 comes to a close, think positively about what you have to look forward to...maybe it's a New Years Resolution... A change you want to make to improve your life in some way. Maybe it's a birth of a child or grandchild, a wedding, a landmark birthday, an anniversary, or a graduation. Whatever it is, consider what can you do to make it the best it can be?
Pic on the left is me before I started this journey two years ago. I weighed 232 lbs.
In 2014, when I started on my journey towards fitness, I didn't really have a plan. I just kind of jumped in and said, "Ok, enough already!" Two years into my journey, I continue to seek improvement. I'm not interested in having a perfect body. But... Balance. Health. Fitness. Relationships. Finishing my degree. Giving back. Helping others. These things I do seek.
Let the countdown begin!
Dominick the Donkey
by Lou Monte
This is my favorite fast, upbeat, peppy Christmas song. Every time I hear it, I want to clap my hands and get up and do a little jiggedy jig. It makes me laugh. I love it! I think it is the cutest, corniest, funniest song that comes out at Christmas. I wish I could play it all year long, but then people might think I'm a little crazy. (I am, but who cares!)
What New Year's resolutions are you considering for 2016? Do you have any landmark events coming up in 2016?
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This weekend, we had three Christmas parties and my son's birthday (today). The basic survival plan was to plan, eat light whenever I could, make wise choices and drink lots of water. I talked about holiday eating in this post, "Planning for the Holidays." With my back injury, I have not been able to workout, so I have been cooking and baking like crazy. Tonight I made vegetable soup, pumpkin break and banana bread.
He is such a ham. Love.
I will be sharing some of my family's favorite recipes here: one appetizer, one casserole (or side dish), one dessert and one miscellaneous "other" type of recipe each week leading up to Christmas
(You can access more recipes here: My Favorite Recipes and More Recipes: Part Two)
These recipes are no corners cut, so they are full fat and full sugar. The best practical suggestion is to pick one or two for the big holidays, and then add lots of protein and fresh vegetables (with maybe one lighter dessert) to the rest of your menu. This will provide healthy choices and allow you some real treats. As I make these this season, I will post the pictures. For now, you'll have to trust my word that these are my absolute favorites!
Appetizer Crab Delights My Nanny in Florida used to make these for us. They are amazing! This is another appetizer you can make ahead, freeze and broil when you need them.
Ingredients
1 6 oz. can crab meat, drained
1 5 oz. jar Cheese Whiz (or other cheese spread)
1/4 C (one stick) butter, softened
2 Tbsp. mayonnaise
1 tsp. garlic powder
2 Tbsp. parsley flakes
1 tsp. lemon juice
6 English muffins, split in half
Optional:
2 Tbsp. sliced green onion
1 tsp. lemon juice
Directions
Heat oven to 400F.
Combine crabmeat, Cheese Whiz, butter, mayonnaise, garlic powder, parsley and lemon juice. Mix well an spread over English muffins. Cut the muffins into quarters (or eigths) and arrange on a cookie sheet. Freeze on cookie sheet and store loose in a plastic bag to be used at a later date. Bake at 400F for 15 minutes. You can broil them for the last minute to get them toasty. If you cut into eights, serve with toothpicks.
Casserole Chicken Casserole
Ingredients
2 lbs. chicken (I use left over chicken from a roast chicken, but you can use frozen chicken)
1 can cream of chicken soup
1/2 can white wine
1/8 tsp. ground black pepper
1 C. shredded sharp cheddar cheese
1/2 package Pepperidge Farms stuffing
1/2 stick butter Optional: 1 C. frozen green peas
Directions
1. Place the chicken on the bottom of a 9x9 or 8x8 pyrex casserole dish
2. Mix soup, wine and pepper. Pour over chicken.
3. If using peas, place over the soup now.
4. Spread cheddar cheese evenly over soup mixture
5. Melt butter in microwave, then toss with stuffing.
6. Place stuffing over the cheese.
7. Bake at 350F for 30 minutes or until bubbly. (If using frozen chicken, you will need to cook it longer, probably 45 minutes.)
Next step: Melt butter toss with stuffing, place over the top. Then bake until bubbly.
You can double (or triple) this recipe and serve to a larger crowd. This is a great meal to make ahead and throw in the oven shortly before serving. A friend of mine serves this as the main dish for her Christmas dinner, along with other side dishes.
A great way to use leftover chicken OR an easy dish to make ahead for a larger crowds.
Serve with veggies and a salad.
Dessert Cheesecake I got this recipe from my Aunt Jackie. I have made it over and over again throughout the years. I serve it with strawberries and sometimes with hot fudge.
I made this yesterday for my son, Mitch's birthday (he turned 21 today). It was so creamy and delicious!
Preheat oven to 450F Ingredients:
2 C graham cracker crumbs
(I use about 1 1/2 sleeves of graham crackers and make my own crumbs)
1/2 C melted butter (one stick)
1 C sugar, divided
2 lbs. cream cheese
1 C sour cream
1 tsp vanilla
2 Tbsp. corn starch
2 eggs, lightly beaten
Directions:
1. Mix crumbs, 2 Tbsp. sugar and butter. Press mixture onto sides and bottom of 9" spring form pan. Chill while preparing filling.
I find it much less expensive to make my own graham cracker crumbs. I've bought the crumbs in the past and they sit in the box until the next time I make the cheesecake. By that time, they are stale. I hate the waste. My husband loves graham crackers, so it's a win win to make my own and I save money too!.
2. In mixer bowl, beat cream cheese and remaining sugar until smooth.
3. Beat in eggs, vanilla and cornstarch just until blended.
4. Stir in sour cream.
5. Pour into crust.
6. Bake 10 minutes at 450F. Reduce temperature to 200F and bake 45 minutes. Turn off oven: allow to cool with door opened slightly for 3 hours. Remove sides from the pan. Chill. Top with fruit pie filling before serving. (Or hot fudge!!!)
Optional: You could make a chocolate cheese cake by substituting Oreo cookies (without the filling) for the graham crackers and adding a cup of chocolate chips. I've never made it that way, but I have made other desserts with Oreo cookie crumbs for the crust and I think it might be a nice option.
Other Scallopean Pineapple This is a great bread stuffing casserole to serve with ham. We often have this with Easter dinner.
Ingredients:
1 quart soft bread cubes (4 - 5 cups)
3 eggs
1 C sugar
1 can crushed pineapple
1/2 C melted butter (1 stick)
2 Tbsp. lemon juice
Directions:
Beat eggs. Add everything, except bread cubes and stir together until well combined. Gently stir in bread cubes until thoroughly moist.
Place in a buttered baking dish.
Bake at 375F for 45 minutes. (It will take longer if the casserole is chilled.)
This song gives me the chills. It's another favorite Christmas carol
I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day by Casting Crowns
This song sounds like angels singing in heaven. This particular version is my favorite.
What's your favorite appetizer to make (have) for / at parties?
Are you ready for Christmas? What do you have left to do?
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I was on a roll. Seriously, I was doing fantastic. I had a serious routine going at the gym: session with my trainer, followed by my workouts: legs, back (pull), chest (push), repeat my workouts. I have been seeing significant gains with the amount of weight I am lifting. The muscles in my arms and shoulders are more pronounced and my legs don't look skinny anymore. I like it.
Messy hair, but I don't care!! I really like the way my arms look.
Thursday morning I woke up with some discomfort in my back. Lower left side ached. I took some ibuprofen and went about my day. Did some errands after work and then went to the gym. I was going to do legs and I always warm up and stretch first. I could feel my back. It did not feel right. So I spent some extra time stretching and it still felt off. Laid on my back and lifted my left leg and felt a sharp pain in my back. I stopped what I was doing, stood up and said, "Ok, this is not good. No weights today. Let's try some cardio." That lasted for less than two minutes. Back to the locker room, grabbed my stuff and home I went. Ice and ibuprofen. Woke up in the middle of the night in excruciating pain. More ice. Called my chiropractor. Saw him at 9:00 a.m. His orders are no gym until after he sees me on Monday. "You can walk and do light cardio, that's it." That means four days off from the gym. Not because I am sick. Not because I am on vacation. Because I have a pulled muscle in my back. How can that happen? I workout every day. I stretch all the time. Wednesday I wasn't even doing any back exercises. I don't get it.
At the chiropractor. Underneath that fake smile is a grimace of pain.
So, I get to take the weekend to step back and rest. And I am going to make the most of the rest.
Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer.
Romans 12:12
Ibuprofen, light stretching, ice, warm baths, repeat. We have three Christmas parties to go to and a trip to Worcester for my son's birthday.
I'm going to get some baking in too.
Making cheesecake for Mitch's birthday
It will be a good weekend.
In the past, something like this would turn into a week or two or three of me not exercising, eating whatever I want and eventually would throw me completely off track. This time, I am accepting it for what it is and turning it around in my favor as much as possible. Sounds crazy, to turn pain into favor, but that's exactly what I am doing. This is a challenge to not derail my progress. And I like challenges! What do you do when you have a set back? How much do you let it throw you off?
Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.
James 1:2-4
Maria's favorite Christmas Carol
Cool Yule by Bette Midler
A fantastically happy and upbeat song. Makes you want to get up and dance!
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Eating right during December is a real challenge. I talked about this last month in this post, "Planning for the Holidays." This coming weekend, we have three Christmas parties and my son's 21st birthday. (I can't believe he's turning 21!) The basic survival plan is to plan, make wise choices and drink lots of water.
Mitch brought us and our bikes down to send us off for the Ride to Remember in September.
I will be sharing some of my family's favorite recipes here: one appetizer, one casserole (or side dish), one dessert and one miscellaneous "other" type of recipe each week leading up to Christmas. (You can access more recipes here: My Favorite Recipes.) These recipes are no corners cut, so they are full fat and full sugar. The best practical suggestion is to pick one or two for the big holidays, and then add lots of protein and fresh vegetables (with maybe one lighter dessert) to the rest of your menu. This will provide healthy choices and allow you some real treats. As I make these this season, I will post the pictures. For now, you'll have to trust my word that these are my absolute favorites!
Appetizer Hot Spinach & Artichoke Dip This is my own recipe, put together with ideas from various other recipes.
Serve with tortilla chips, veggies, crackers or pita...or whatever you want. It's delicious!
Ingredients
1 can artichokes in water, drained & chopped
1 pkg. frozen chopped spinach, thawed and drained of all excess water
1 8 oz. pkg. cream cheese, softened
1 C. Parmesan cheese
1 C. shredded Swiss cheese
1 tsp. garlic powder
Drain all they water from the artichokes and spinach. (Not pictured: garlic powder, green onion or lemon juice.)
Optional:
2 Tbsp. sliced green onion
1 tsp. lemon juice
Directions
Heat oven to 350F. In a medium bowl, combine all ingredients, mix well. Spread in 1-quart casserole dish (or a 9" pie plate). Bake for 18-24 minutes or until thoroughly heated. Serve warm with fresh vegetable dippers, crackers or sliced pita. Store in refrigerator.
Mix ingredients, place in your dish and put in the oven.
Casserole This used to be a standard part of our holiday dinners, but my husband hates casseroles, so we serve fresh steamed green beans just for him now. Green Bean Casserole*
I totally forgot to take a picture of this after I made it. So this was taken when people "dug in". Note: I substituted peas for the beans.
Ingredients
1 can condensed cream of mushroom soup
3/4 C. milk
1/8 tsp. ground black pepper
4 C cooked **green beans (or 2 cans cut green beans, drained)
1 1/3 C crispy fried onions (French's is best)
Optional: 1 C. diced red bell peppers
*Consider this: Substitute 4 C. frozen peas instead of green beans to make the same recipe with green peas instead! It's pretty amazing!
Directions
1. Mix soup, milk & pepper into a 1 1/2 quart baking dish. Stir in beans and 2/3 C crispy onions.
2. Bake at 350F for 30 minutes or until hot. Stir.
3. Top with remaining 2/3 C onions. Bake 5 minutes until onions are golden. **If using fresh or frozen green beans, use 1 pound.
Dessert Pistachio Supreme Cake You need one large tube pan. I recommend an Angel Food Cake pan, as a smaller bundt cake pan is too small. This is a holiday favorite!
When I was a kid, my mom would decorate the cake to look like a Christmas wreath. She would take some small red candies (usually red hots) and place them around the cake in clusters of three and sprinkle the top of the cake with green sugar and put a red ribbon on the cake. It was always so festive. I would have done that for you, but we don't have any red candies or green sugar in the house! I think you get the idea though. This cake is amazingly delicious!
Ingredients:
1 box white cake mix (no pudding in the mix)
3 boxes instant pistachio pudding
1/2 C vegetable oil
1/2 C milk
1/2 C water
5 eggs
1/2 pint heavy cream
1 8-oz container Cool Whip
Directions:
1. Mix cake mix, 2 package pudding, milk, oil and water until blended.
2. Add eggs, one at a time, beating after each,
3. Pour into greased & floured tube pan (I use cooking spray and then lightly flour it). Bake at 350F for one hour or until done.
4. Cool cake thoroughly before frosting.
Make sure to mix the eggs in one at a time!
Frosting
1. Beat heavy cream until peaks form.
2. Add 1 package pudding, mix well.
3. Add Cool Whip, mix well. Spread over cake. There is so much frosting, that I usually cut the cake in half horizontally and put frosting in the middle.
Tip: It takes a long time to beat the cream into a whipped cream consistency. Put your bowl and beaters in the freezer first. It helps to expedite the process. I think it took me about 5 minutes to get the cream to this point.
Other Baked French Toast This is great to make ahead, put in your oven before you go to bed on Christmas Eve, setting the timer on your oven for it to be ready when you everyone gets up. Serve with maple syrup and fresh fruit. Delicious Christmas morning breakfast.
Double recipe to make a 9x13" pan.
Ingredients:
1/4 lb. melted butter (1 stick)
3/4 C. brown sugar
5 eggs
1 1/2 C. milk
12 slices bread (I recommend using thick cut French Toast bread, or a nice cinnamon swirl bread)
cinnamon
ground nutmeg
Directions:
Pour melted butter in bottom of pan. Sprinkle brown sugar over. Combine milk and eggs. Place stacks of three slices of bread in pan. Pour eggs and milk mixture over bread. Sprinkle cinnamon and grated nutmeg on top. Cover and refrigerate overnight. Bake at 325F for 25 minutes and 4 minutes at 350F, or until browned. Turn over to serve. (See note above about doubling recipe.)
Another of my favorite Christmas Carols...
Silent Night / Noche de Paz, sung by Gloria Estefan
I love to hear Silent Night sung in different languages. It's magical. I especially like the German version of the song, but I could not find a decent rendition on YouTube to share.
Questions for you: (Answer in the comment section below.)
What's your favorite side dish to serve with holiday meals? What's your favorite Christmas movie?
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Sometime between October and December 5, my ability to say, "No," to certain foods diminished significantly. I mean, okay, have a treat here or there, but the problem is one serving is not enough.
It started when Monica from Run Eat Repeat posted this amazing recipe for pumpkin granola that called for raisins and a bunch of different kinds of nuts. Raisins. I love raisins! And hey, they're natural food, right? So they can't be bad? From that day on, I have been struggling with walking away from foods I shouldn't eat, portion control and night time eating.
Raisins!!!!! Look, it even says, "100% Natural."
After Thanksgiving, I realized I need to be more serious about eating cleaner, to be more faithful to my nutritional plan and to do more cardio (which is harder for me now that it's too cold to ride my bike).
It's hard to see here, but I was dripping in sweat this afternoon after my workout. I did some pressing and then 35 minutes on the elliptical. I was soaked.
Typically, Monday - Friday are my best days until I pick my son up from swimming. That's when the battle within begins. He brings a protein bar, trail mix and water or Gatorade to practice every day. I pick him up and he has the bag of trail mix... m&m's, peanuts and (of course) raisins. My weakness through and through!
Tuesday night's dinner. It was delicious and healthy!
This Monday was a great day (nutritionally) all day until I was making my lunch for Tuesday and saw the trail mix on the counter...I ate a handful which ended up being the rest of the bag, probably two cups full. Tuesday was an even better day nutritionally all day until I saw the trail mix again and grabbed a handful, then another, then a third. What is wrong with me?
I made him hide the trail mix in his room. Of course, I could find it if I wanted to (like I did to take the picture), but I really try to respect my kids' privacy and it makes me crazy to go into their messy rooms. With this on the counter and in sight, I really can't resist it.
Two years into this journey and the struggle continues.
When you have a family who eats ice cream, cookies and candy (some of them can eat that stuff and others should avoid it), it's very hard to have that kind of food in the house at all. I did figure out how to deal with the ice cream...I buy Skinny Cows and keep them in the freezer in the basement. For cookies, I buy Oreos, which are crunchy and I really don't care one way or another for them. But the candy is truly a weakness, especially chocolate. I probably should not even buy it ... OR raisins.
I am not beating myself up about this. However, I do acknowledge the weakness. I need to be mindful, so I don't get lazy or take my nutrition for granted. I have gained a few pounds since the beginning of November. While I am still within range for my weight, but I know the slope can be extremely slippery. So this is not the time to get sloppy.
I'm trying to get back into the swing of scrap booking again. I bought this paper with this saying on it and I thought it was perfect. Think about where you are on your journey. Don't compare yourself to others who started before you. Yes, use them as a motivation that you too can accomplish the impossible. But the journey is long and most definitely worth the struggle.
Practicing self-control is an ongoing battle. It is a struggle within. It is the fight worth fighting for.
Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize. Everyone who competes in the game goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last, but we do it to get a crown that will last forever. Therefore I do not run like someone running aimlessly; I do not fight like a boxer beating the air. No, I strike a blow to my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize. 1 Corinthians 9:24-27
Soldier's Silent Night
I heard this song for the first time tonight. As we are safely at home, decorating, baking and preparing for Christmas...let's not forget the sacrifice made by soldiers who lie sleeping, silent and alone on other parts of the planet, away from their loved ones. Say a prayer for them tonight. For peace on earth, good will towards men.
Looking for some new holiday recipes to try? Check these out here: My Favorite Recipes More coming this week!
Questions for you:(Answer in the comment section below.) What food is your biggest weakness? What Christmas carol is most nostalgic for you?
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Eating right during December is a real challenge. I talked about this last month in this post, "Planning for the Holidays." Christmas is only three weeks away, so it's all about decorating, shopping, parties, baking, eating, and drinking. Throw in my son's birthday, and his girlfriend's too and you have a perfect recipe for eating too much.
I've been doing lots of cardio to help burn the extra calories. 35 minutes on the elliptical this morning...burned 461 calories!
Speaking of recipes, I promised I would share some with you. I will share one appetizer, one casserole, one dessert and one miscellaneous "other" type of recipe each week leading up to Christmas. These are my family's most favorite recipes. No corners cut, so they are full fat and full sugar. The trick is picking one or two for the big holidays and supplementing the rest of your menu with much healthier choices. As I make these this season, I will post the pictures. For now, you'll have to trust my word that these are my absolute favorites!
This is Christmas (circa 1985) at my Grandmother's house. Pictured here: My Aunt Debbie, my Dad, and my Grandma Trudy (may she rest in peace). I did some more decorating tonight and came across some Christmas things she made for me and gave me after I got married. It brought tears to my eyes. I miss her so much. She was always so good to me. She was also an amazing cook. I fondly remember the feasts she prepared for our huge Pippin family gatherings.
Appetizer Audrey's Sausage Breads This was given to me by a waitress I used to work with at Russell's Restaurant when I was in college. She was a lovely lady who died from lung cancer. She gave me this recipe at my bridal shower.
Pop these under the broiler until bubbly and they are a delicious hors d'oeuvre.
Ingredients
1 lb. ground beef (or substitute ground turkey)
1 lbs. sausage (porks-in-roll works well)
1 lb. Velveeta cheese
1 tsp. oregano
1 tsp. basil
1/2 Tbsp. parsley
1/4 tsp. garlic powder
1 pkgs. party ryes (found near the deli section of the store)
Directions
Cook meets, drain thoroughly. Pat dry with a paper towel to drain excess fat. Add chopped cheese and mix until cheese is melted. Add remaining ingredients and mix until creamy. Top slices of bread with meat/cheese mixture. Freeze on a cookie sheet. Store loose in a plastic bag. When ready to serve, broil 4-5 minutes or until bubbly. (Be careful not to burn.) These are great during holidays for friends dropping in.
Typically, I freeze these for 15-20 minutes. then store them loosely in a Ziploc bag.
Before serving, I broil them for 5-7 minutes until bubbly.
Amazing!!!
I have a thing for snowmen.
This is one of my cute snowmen ornaments.
I love how it reflects the Christmas lights on the tree.
Casserole Our all time family favorite: Spinach & Broccoli Casserole NEVER tell my mom I posted this here. This is an absolute favorite. Everyone loves it. But I am forbidden to share the recipe, so she can never know. Ingredients
1 box frozen chopped spinach
1 box frozen chopped broccoli
8 oz. cream cheese
1 stick butter, cut in half
1 C. Pepperidge Farm stuffing crumbs
Salt & Pepper, to taste
Directions
Thaw spinach and broccoli and mix together in a bowl. Add salt & pepper. Open the package of cream cheese and 1/2 stick of butter and melt in the microwave until completely melted. Mix together and pour on top of spinach and broccoli. Mix everything together. The the other 1/2 stick of butter and melt completely. Take one cup of stuffing and add to the butter. Mix the two together until the bread crumbs are moistened. Pour crumbs on top of the spinach and broccoli. Bake at 350 for 45 min - 1 hour.
Yields: 18 x 8 casserole, six servings
Go Patriots!
Dessert Chocolate Mousse Crown Pie This is the tastiest chocolate pie you will EVER eat.
Crust:
Cooking spray
12 oz. coconut
1/3 stick margarine
Grease pie plates with cooking spray.
Lightly brown coconut in frying pan with margarine.
Press coconut into pie plates.
Mousse:
2/3 C Kahlua
1/3 C cold water
2 envelopes unflavored gelatin
16 oz. chocolate chips
3 large eggs (separated)
1/4 C. granulated sugar
1 pint whipping cream (whipped until stiff)
Mix Kahlua & water in large saucepan, sprinkle gelatin over the mixture. Let stand for one minute. Stir over low heat until gelatin is completely dissolved. Add chocolate and stir until melted and smooth. Remove from heat. Mix egg yolks, one at a time, using wire wisk. Cool completely to room temperature. In large bowl, mix egg whites until peaks form. Add sugar. Stir in one large tablespoon of egg mixture into chocolate an mix. Then take all of the chocolate mixture and put into the bowl of egg whites. Blend well. Gently fold in whip cream and whip until completely blended and smooth. Fold into coconut pie shells. Cover and let chill at least 7-8 hours. Top with whip cream.
My husband and younger son, Joey are Giants fans, so we have to keep the whole family happy when decorating the tree.
Other Cranberry Bread
Ingredients:
2 C all-purpose flour
1/2 tsp. salt
1 1/2 tsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. baking soda
1 C sugar
1/3 C melted butter
1 whole orange
1/3 C orange juice
2 Tbsp. Myer's rum
2 eggs, beaten
2 C cranberries, coarsely chopped
3/4 C walnuts or pecans
Directions:
Spray bread loaf pan with cooking spray, dust lightly with flour. Preheat oven to 350.
Combine flour, salt, baking powder, baking soda and sugar in a bowl. Whisk together.
Place your orange into a food processor and puree, with skin.
Stir together the orange, melted butter, orange juice, eggs and rum. Stir into the flour mixture and until ingredients are well combined.
Wash and drain the cranberries. Coarsely chop the cranberries and break walnuts or pecans into pieces. Add cranberries and nuts to the batter.
Place into loaf pan. Bake 50-60 minutes, until tests clean when inserting a tooth pick. Optional: brush top of the loaf with melted butter and sprinkle granulated sugar over the top of the loaf.
(Modified from Cooks.com. Depending on the size of your loaf pans, this may make two loaves. I found their original recipe is too dry, so I added an orange to the recipe (instead of orange zest) and increased the eggs to two. This yields more batter, which is why I get two loaves out of this recipe. This is my FAVORITE cranberry bread recipe.)
One of my favorite Christmas Carols...
The Christmas Song by Nat King Cole
This is my son, Joey's absolute favorite carol.
Questions for you: (Answer in the comment section below.)
What's your favorite dessert for the holidays?
What's your favorite Christmas carol?
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So, you want to lose weight? You want to get in shape? You want to change your lifestyle?
You pick (or don't pick) out a nutrition plan, decide to go to the gym.
A year later, things are progressing, but you're not where you want to be.
You make additional adjustments, ramp up your game, completely change your nutrition and a few months later, you are a new person.
Left: Me in August, 2013
Right: Me in October, 2015
The new me...
I have become a bit of a gym rat. I love working out. I love lifting weights.
I found a new passion in riding my bike. This fall, every nice day has become, "This could be the last day I ride my bike." And then there's another day, and another. It's been awesome.
I renewed my passion for hiking and have ventured out on some new trails, climbing some new mountains.
I am somewhat religious about my eating habits (although I have really been slacking off lately).
I read blogs about health, fitness and cycling daily.
Yesterday, I took a 5 mile walk and I thought to myself, "Who are you and what happened to the old Tracey?" It made me think, "Am I being true to myself?"
I guess the new me has new priorities. I would no longer classify myself as a workaholic. I now recognize poor nutritional choices as that and don't beat myself up about them. Last Wednesday and Thursday I was way over my calories and then Friday was a complete debacle. Yesterday and today were new days and I ate as clean and healthy as I know how to eat. I was under my calories without cheating. I drank a ton of water. It felt good to be back on track.
This is me at the finish line of the Ride to Remember in September
Photo by K&M Photography
So, to answer my question, I think I am true to myself. While my priorities have changed, I don't see myself as being fake or phony. I'm not pretending. I'm not doing this for anyone but me. And THAT is why I know my journey is a lifetime commitment. Yes, I will have bad days or bad weeks. Yes, I will eat apple pie and too much from time to time. But I know I have the skills to recognize what is happening and put the pieces back together.
I feel like this is a major triumph on my journey.
Commit your work to the Lord, and your plans will be established.
Proverbs 16:3
I am so looking forward to the road before me. Not to rush the path, but to see what's around the corner and take on new challenges and adventures. This is how I know I am being true to myself.
As you look towards the end of 2015, are you thinking about what you want to change in your life? I am living proof that New Year's resolutions do work if you stick with them. So, as December approaches, have you contemplated any New Year's resolutions? Do you want your health and fitness to improve? Do you need to lose weight? Do you want to run your first 5K? Do you want to ride your first Century bike ride? Do you want to quit smoking? Quit drinking? Quit gambling? Do you need to make changes in your relationships? In your career? In your finances?
I challenge you to NOT wait until January 1 to get started. Today is the ONE day you can control. Today is the day. Develop a plan as to how you will accomplish your goal. Create a mantra (the dialogue you will have with yourself) to keep your level of commitment. The first few days, week or month are the easiest because your motivation is high. It's what comes later that truly tests you. For me, I had to tell myself over and over, "You have to figure this out. You can't be a quitter."
Here's to December, to 2016, to new beginnings, to being true to yourself.
Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect, but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own. Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.
Question for you: (Answer in the comment section below.) What goals do you have for 2016? What's stopping you from working on them now?
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