Skinny Mama: Week Two

I was pretty confident going in to today's weigh-in.  I knew I had kept pretty much in line with my diet and I had exercised 5 out of the 7 days this week, which is my plan for every week.  But, I wasn't prepared for what the scale would say .... I lost another 4 lbs!  So, for anyone who might be keeping track, that's 6 lbs in 2 weeks.  I'm pretty proud!!  I will say, though, that I was pretty sick yesterday and didn't eat much.  I guess the true test will be if I can keep that off and possibly lose another pound or two in the next week.  I sure hope I can, so fingers crossed!!  :)

Crockpot Chicken Tacos

This one is a very basic, EASY recipe!  I'll be posting it as *I* made it, though, because one of the main ingredients my husband doesn't like, so I omitted it altogether. 

2 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts
1 envelope taco seasoning
1/2 cup water
2 tbsp taco sauce
1 teaspoon lime juice

Dump everything into a crock pot and give it a little stir to blend the seasoning into the water.

Cook on high for 4 to 6 hours or on low for 6 to 8 hours. When done, the chicken should shred easily when stirred with a fork.

For tacos, serve the chicken with soft flour tortillas. I also served mine with mashed avocado, lettuce, tomato and shredded cheese, but you can add whatever you like. :)

Sunday Survey

1. I read that Bud Weiser & Kathy moved into their new house! When was the last time you moved? Where to?

About 4.5 years ago, and we moved from my parents' house in Leesburg to our current home in Herndon.

2. If they were making a Hall of Fame for the blogosphere, name a blogger or two who you think should make the list. Why?

I can't really name just a few, but I'd have to say anyone who blogs about anything that is useful, really.  Food, homeschooling, crafty, organization ... just to name a few types of blogs/bloggers that I think should make the list.  :)

3. What are couple of funny things you remember your parents saying? (Like, “They're starving there in China, so finish what you've got.” - John Lennon) Do you say them to your kids?

"Because I said so", "You'll understand when you're older", "There are starving children somewhere in this world" ... to name just a few, and yes, I find myself saying those same things to my kids.  I try not to,  but it just comes out sometimes.

4. What is something that has happened to you that you would consider a miracle?

Probably pretty recently when I fell down the stairs and sprained both ankles.  I fell so hard and at such an odd angle, it's a miracle I didn't break one or both of my ankles.

5. What is it too late for?

Well, it's probably *not* too late, but I feel like it is ... too late for me to go to nursing school like I really want to.

6. What do you try to stay away from?

Right now it's sweets. :)

7. When you get into a disagreement or fight, how often are you the first to apologize?

If I know I'm wrong, I'll apologize quickly, but more often than not, I'll fight it out trying to prove I'm right.

8. Tell us about a current issue that you’re unhappy with.

Our living situation ... we've outgrown this tiny condo, so it's really time to move on.

9. How often do you update your blog/site and why?

A few times a week, at least. And, I do it because I like it.  :) 

Bang, Bang Shrimp

I think my husband is really starting to enjoy all the recipes I've been trying! :)

I found this recipe on pinterest awhile back, but haven't really had the time to make it.  It's very similar to a Bang, Bang Shrimp dish that I get a lot at Wegman's on their Asian buffet.  It's amaaaazing!  I will caution you that it's time consuming, so just beware you will have a fair amount of prep work to do, but it's soooo worth it in the end!

Ingredients:

• 1 lb. medium shrimp, peeled and deveined
• 3 green onions, chopped (optional)

For the sauce:

• 1/2 cup mayonnaise
• 4-5 teaspoons chili garlic sauce, such as Sriracha sauce
• 1 teaspoon granulated sugar
• 1 teaspoon rice vinegar

For the egg mixture:

• 1 egg, beaten
• 1 cup milk

For the breading mixture:

• 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/2 cup panko breadcrumbs
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
• 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/4 teaspoon dried basil

For frying:

• 8 to 12 cups vegetable oil

Instructions:

• Combine all ingredients for the sauce in a small bowl; cover and set aside.

• Combine beaten egg with milk in shallow bowl; set aside.
• Combine flour, panko, salt, black pepper, garlic powder, and basil in another shallow bowl; set aside.
• Bread the shrimp by first coating each with the breading mixture. Dip breaded shrimp into the egg and milk mixture, and then back into the breading. Arrange the coated shrimp on a plate and pop them into the fridge for at least 20 minutes. This step will help the breading to stick on the shrimp when they are frying.

• Heat oil in deep fryer to 350 degrees F. Use amount of oil required by your fryer. (we were afraid the breading would fall off the shrimp or they would clump together in the deep fryer, so we (John) fried them in a skillet on the oven)

• When oil is hot, fry shrimp 2 to 3 minutes or until golden brown. Drain on rack or paper towels.

• When all shrimp has been fried, drop the shrimp into a large bowl. Spoon about 1/4 cup of sauce over shrimp and stir gently to coat.

I served ours over rice (I had brown rice, John had white rice) with the chopped green onions on top, but this would be an excellent appetizer, too!

Note: All my recipes posted on my blog are how *I* made them.  So, they're the original recipe slightly tweaked to fit how my family likes their food.  Somewhere (usually at the beginning) in the post I have linked to the original recipe, so feel free to check it out as well and decide which you like the best ... or better yet, create your own version!

Let's Do 52 - Week 5

I started off this week thinking the theme was "hearts or strong".  I should really read more carefully because that was the "kids' theme" for the week.  haha  Glad I double checked because I had nada for those two.

This week's themes were: Get out from behind the camera ... yes, you! or liquid

Since I rarely get pictures taken with me in them, I wasn't able to have one for the first theme.  But, I do have a few very cute ones for liquid.  My little guys playing in the bathtub!

There aren't any peep shots, I swear.  Although, it may look like it to some ... it's just the bubbles, I swear.  :)

Skinny Mama: Week One

I've been on my new diet/exercise regimen for just over a week now.  Some friends and I have a "Biggest Loser" contest going to see who can lose the highest percentage of body fat in 12 weeks, and I'm determined to win!  I've really changed the way I was eating: no more snacking all day long, and when I do snack it's fruit or 100 calorie packs, smaller portions at meal time, less carbs and more protein/fruits/veggies.  And, I've been going to the gym 5 days a week, doing about 30-35 minutes of cardio each day.  I'm pretty impressed with my willpower, but ya know ... when there's money involved, you do what you gotta do! :)  In all seriousness, though, I'm sick of myself.  I have to do something because I'm NOT healthy and I'm in terrible shape.  I'm already feeling a ton better and like I have more energy most days, too.  My attitude has been better this past week and my temper (which can be out of control some days) has been much more under control, as well.  I'm really hoping this is the "new me" because I LOVE it!

And, my stats this week (our weigh-in is on Thursday, so I'm a little late) are just that I lost a whole 2 lbs.  :)  Not a lot, but I don't really want to lose it fast because I'll just gain it all back at some point, so a slow and steady loss will be just fine! :)

Rainy Day!

This morning started off a bit rainy, so Jacob finally got to use his new umbrella!  He got this for Christmas from Gee and Pap, but because we really haven't had any rain lately he hasn't been able to use it.  He was *so* excited.  Here are a few pictures of him "dancing in the rain". *hehe*