My Own Weight Loss Story

So, after being encouraged by both of my daughters and their own weight loss stories, I decided to join them (sort of) in their activities. Whenever I can, usually a couple of times a week, I join them in their walk. If we don't walk together, though, I still walk almost every day. During the week, I have been walking on my own at least a mile a day. I started sometime in July. My usual morning activity has now been given a walking partner for a couple of blocks. I walk my granddaughter to school (Indiana weather permitting) and continue at least 4 more blocks. Then, I usually turn and head back home, making sure I can pass my granddaughter on her post where she is a crossing patrol before school. I usually can get an extra hug from her and her friends before heading furthur down a couple of blocks past my house. Then, I turn around and head for home. My goal is to walk at 3.1 miles once a week.

I also walk after lunch. On the days when I work, I walk indoors around the perimeter of University Park Mall. That way, I can also window shop while I walk. This satisfies (sometimes) my shopping gene. Of course, I can also stop for lunch if I want. If I do this, lunch is usually soup from Barnes and Noble or the kiddie portion from Panda Express. I can even eat the hotdog kiddie lunch from Dairy Queen (which includes a kiddie portion of ice cream).

Of course, if I'm really lucky, my activity is increased at work because I am on my feet all day at Macy's. This usually happens during a sale day when "weight lifting" is part of my routine. For example, yesterday I loaded a 45-piece set of china on a dolly and took it down to customer pick-up. This, of course, was not conducive to a happy lower back (insert groaning noises here), but I was able to do it. On top of all the other package pick-ups I did, I got a pretty good workout.

I must say, all of this activity has definitely paid off. Although I don't really follow a diet, I do try to watch what I eat (don't want to miss the mouth) and I must admit I drink A LOT of water. The water helps because (of course) we finally have Summer this week. I have lost a total of 14 pounds as of yesterdays weigh in. I celebrated w/ a lot of ice cream and a weight watcher's pizza topped off w/ a wine cooler.

This means I will definitely go back to regular portions and a lot of physical activity today, even though I am not working. It's ND Football day and I am going to enjoy watching my first TV game today.

Surprising chocolate cake recipe

Today I'm baking a Green Tomato Chocolate cake for my co-workers. We were talking about it the other day and I got to thinking about it--which of course made me really hungry for it. Since I'm trying to watch what I'm eating, I decided to make one to take to work. That way, I can let others enjoy it while (hopefully) NOT EATING MOST OF IT MYSELF. There--I said it! So--I'm telling those of you at work who follow me--please, please, please eat!

I'm still walking--although not outside today. Hopefully, it will continue to help me weightwise. Also, I'm eating a lot less than I was. A small meal will fill me up now, instead of cleaning my plate. Although, I may slip today, what with cake and all. I know, I know, just walk more and faster.

On the weekends, I really don't pay too much attention to what I eat, though. Usually, that's when it's just too hard not to party.

Well, there's the timer. Now to check the cake to see if it is cool enough to frost yet. Here's the recipe for those who might be interested.

Green Tomato Chocolate Cake

2/3 C. butter
1 ¾ C. sugar
4 oz. unsweetened chocolate,
Melted
2 eggs
1 t. vanilla extract
½ C. cocoa
2 ½ C. sifted all-purpose unbleached flour or
1 ½ C. sifted all-purpose unbleached flour and 1 C. whole wheat flour
2 t. baking powder
2 t. baking soda
¼ t. salt
1 C. beer
1 C. pureed green tomatoes
¼--1/2 C. water (optional)

Preheat the oven to 350° F.
Cream together the butter and sugar. Stir in the melted chocolate, then the eggs, one at a time. Add the vanilla.
In another bowl, sift together the cocoa, flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
Add the flour mixture to the butter mixture alternately with the beer and the green tomatoes. If the batter appears stiff, add the water. Turn the batter into a greased and floured 9 x 13-inch baking pan. Bake for 35 minutes. Ice when cooled.


Peanut Butter Frosting

1 lb. or 4 C. powdered sugar
½ C. peanut butter
2 T. butter
6 T. warm milk (may need a little more or less)

Mix all until smooth. You may also use more peanut butter if desired.

Summer Days

Yesterday, my family and I finally got to go to the beach here in Northern Indiana. The temperature is finally perfect. Normally, we would have been several times by now, but the temps have only been in the 70s during the day and the 50s at night, so the water really wouldn't have been warm enough to swim in. Too bad the summer is over for the the school kids. Tomorrow is the first day of school, so today is the last day the local pools will be open. I never even made it to the local pool this summer.

The kids here go back way too early, in my opinion. When I was in school we were always out of school after the first week in June--usually the 5th or 6th--and didn't go back until the day after Labor Day. That way, everybody could vacation up until the last weekend of August. This all changed sometime in the 1990s, or so. Why, why, why did they change it? It has to be because of money. The middle of August is just too early. It is sometimes hot (which would be perfect for swimming) when school starts and too cool when school ends.

Anyway--we did have a great weekend. I'm posting some new pics of my granddaughters to go with this.

Me, Walking for Exercise?

I can't believe I'm actually loving my new exercise routine. About a month or so ago, I started walking w/my daughters. They started it--they walked the 5k for Summerfest in Mishawaka. Before that, they practiced. After the 5k, I started walking with them. I had forgotten how much I liked it. Once a year, I walk the March of Dimes walk for babies with my Macy's co-workers. I usually practice for a couple of weeks before the walk, just to get in shape (and so I don't collapse, of course.)

Okay--so I started walking with my kids a couple of weeks before another 5k walk. We ended up walking it on August 1st (along with some other friends). Our time was pretty great--we finished in about 58 minutes. Whenever possible, my girls and I walk in the evening, after the sun goes down. It's much cooler and we can take our time.

Whenever I can't join my kids, I decided to walk alone in the mornings when it is still cool enought that I will probably not die. Usually, I walk about 1 1/2 to 2 miles. Last Friday, I decided to walk the 5k substitute route that my youngest daughter mapped out in my neighborhood. I was pretty good--I thought--until this morning. Last Friday, I made it in about the same time as our timed 5k. This morning, I did it in 48 minutes. I cannot believe it!

If I don't die--I'll probably go to work this afternoon. Hopefully, I'll make it until 10 tonight and won't collapse until I get home around 10:30.

Goulash

Since I mentioned that I am Hungarian (though not actually from Hungary--born right here in the US) I am including a recipe for goulash in my writings today. Goulash is sometimes thought of as basically chili w/macaroni in it by most Americans. Not so! It's more like beef stew, but more like a soup. The recipe I'm giving is one my Mom made regularly.

Hungarian Goulash Soup

3 lb. Beef shank, cut into bite-sized cubes
3 large onions
¼ C. oil
3 T. sweet Hungarian paprika do not substitute!
¼ t. cayenne pepper
3 t. salt
1 large clove garlic, minced
1 medium green pepper, chopped fine
1 tomato, peeled, seeded and chopped or ½ C. tomato sauce
2 qt. hot water
6 medium potatoes, cubed

Sauté onions, garlic, green peppers and tomatoes in oil until onions are limp. Add meat and seasonings and cook on medium heat until meat is no longer red. Pour on hot water, cover, and simmer about 2 hours. Add potatoes and cook 20 minutes more. Adjust seasonings. Serves 6 to 8.


Of course, you can double or halve it, depending on how many people you are serving. Also, I sometimes slice up a couple of carrots and add them, depending on how I'm feeling that day.

It's good to serve with a slice of homemade white or rye bread, but especially nice with a Hungarian deep fried bread called langalo.

The only reason I'm even writing about this is because I'm going to cook a completely all Hungarian dinner for my daughter's in-laws in a couple of weeks and I'm still thinking about the menu and what to include. Her mother-in-law wants to learn how to make goulash, so we have decided to do an all Hungarian dinner in the near future.

I'll probably be asking myself if I've lost my mind while I'm cooking. Cooking for a crowd with a deadline seems to always bring out the worst in me. Oh well, it'll probably be worth it just for the goulash!

Just Playing Before Work

I did something I haven't done for a long time today. I made a trip to our local Farmer's Market. Although I really wanted to buy some homemade square shaped noodles for a specific Hungarian (I am Hungarian) dish, my plans to actually make the dish will have to wait until a time when the man who makes them is at the market to sell them. :( . Bummer! This really stinks because I wasn't only buying them for myself, but to send to my sister this weekend. I thought that, since my oldest daughter is going to Indianapolis to visit her, I would send some to her. As far as I know, they aren't available in Indy. She likes to make the cabbage and noodle dish, too. Also, my older Sister, Carol, will be visiting her, so I was going to buy some for her to take home to Florida with her. Oh well, maybe some other time.

Since I couldn't buy the noodles, I decided to see what I could get for myself. I found some beads to make bracelets with. Then, I also found a sugar free brownie for my lunch today. Then, I decided to eat breakfast at the restaurant there. Although the wait was a little long due to a mix-up in the kitchen, the food was definitely worth it. YUM! I still have some left, so I'm probably going to eat it for lunch or dinner today. Going back on Saturday morning really early is a definite possibility.


If not, I will go back sometime next week.

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Sorry it's been sooo long between posts. There really isn't much going on here other than work and time off. This week-end I worked the 4th until 6:00 p.m. Then, I went to my daughter's for some food and fireworks. It rained, so the fireworks weren't much, but the company was the best, of course. The fireworks we had were pretty and a splendid time was had by all.

My kids made absolutely delicious treats. I loved the "cheesecake" my oldest daughter made. Fat free, sugar free and s000 goood! The cake my youngest daughter made was also yummy! Not so healthy, but yumm! Also, the cheese cake brownies and oatmeal chocolate chip cookies.

Alas, they all had to make do with pre-made chex mix from me, since I worked all day. Next year--I promise--something homemade!