If you're looking for Olson family updates, then visit our family blog, I Love You Same.

The rants and recipes found here are solely mine.

Thursday, January 31, 2008

Dear Skinny Chicks--The Sequel

Hello there Skinny Chick. It's been a while. And while you've been continuing to pass judgment on my appearance, I've been slowly, but surely changing it. I saw you today at the grocery store, checking out my cart and rolling your eyes at the Apple Jacks perched on top. "That's right," I thought, "I eat Apple Jacks." And I met your eyes full on. I don't really eat Apple Jacks, I mean, there's something so not-apple about them, I just can't do it. They're actually for Young One, but that's beside the point.

I seriously can't wait for the day that I just blend in. I mean, I'm not the size of someone that they have to cut out the side of their house to load onto a flatbed to take to the hospital for emergency care. I'm not bashing those people, I mean, that's a whole other issue. I'm just the high side of normal weight, 30-something woman, in the standard stay at home mom uniform of jeans and chunky funky boots. I know that I need to take better care of myself and I'm doing it. And although, you can't see it quite yet, I've made a lot of progress. And soon, maybe you'll notice me for more than just my size. I'm counting the pounds until you do.

So, take a moment to put your eyes back on yourself and your motives for being so judgemental. Maybe it's your insecurities shining through. Just don't let them bleed onto me! Because I'm confident that I can change what's wrong with me. Are you so sure that you can do the same?

I'm watching you watching me. I'll talk to you soon.

Sincerely,
A Fat Chick

The Five

Sight

The Friday Night Knitting Club by Kate Jacobs

I needed a fluff novel to cleanse the mind after my last book, The Bridge of Sighs, which was long and a little more challenging. Anyway, this was great chick lit. I wasn't completly happy with the ending, thought it was a bit cliche, but it was an easy and quick read. Walker and Daughter is a fine yarn shop, owned by Georgia Walker. It becomes the meeting place for an odd assortment of women, who eventually become good friends. Their lives intertwine in interesting ways. It's a good debut novel for Jacobs. I look forward to reading more of her work in the hopes that she branches out and away from the expected.

Sound

The Very Best of Fleetwood Mac
Try not to sing along with this one. Makes me feel like getting some scarves and gypsy dresses and try to mimic Stevie's sway. Some of their early work is just pure genius. A great bargain on Amazon if you're willing to buy it used.

Scent

Krusteaz fat free muffin mixes baking. Cranberry Orange and Blueberry. I realized at the last minute that I needed 3 dozen muffins to take to the teachers at Young One's school tomorrow morning. They smell fabulous. I'll update the "taste" section here in a minute!

Taste

Well, the muffins are a hit. I baked mini muffin size, but regular size are very Weight Watchers friendly and they taste like they're not! Sweet, plump, orange spiced cranberries spike the batter like polka dots. The blueberry is delightful too, but you've all had blueberry muffins before! Nice to find something that fits so well into my new lifestyle and that is very easy to make. Just drain the fruit, add water to the mix, blend, and fold in fruit. Bake in greased muffin tins! FANTASTIC!

Touch

Pants in a smaller size! AGAIN! I'm so excited. I can wear a pair of pants that three months ago I couldn't even get the waist edges to meet together. That is such a huge non-scale victory for me, I just could go on and on. I'm really doing it! 23 pounds gone!



Thursday, January 24, 2008

Chili for Chilly Days


WW POINTS: 4
Servings: 12

This tastes just like chili from the Wendy's fast food restaurant, yum!


2 lbs extra lean ground beef (or turkey)

29 oz can of tomato sauce
2- 15 oz cans of kidney beans, with liquid
2- 15 oz cans of pinto beans, with liquid
1 Cup diced onion
1/2 Cup finely diced celery
green pepper (optional)
3 cans diced tomatoes w/chili peppers (like Ro-Tel), two with liquid and one drained
1-2 tsp cumin to taste
1-3 Tbs chili powder to taste (I like about 1 1/2 TB)
1 1/2 tsp black pepper
2 Cups water

Cook ground beef, onion, celery, and green pepper until beef is browned and cooked through and vegetables are softened. Drain. Rinse with very hot water to remove all fat. Place in a large crock pot and add all other ingredients: beans, tomato sauce, diced tomatoes with chili peppers, cumin, chili powder, pepper, and water. Cook on high for 4-6 hours. This makes a HUGE crock pot full and may over flow a bit while bubbling. Keep lid cracked a bit to prevent boiling over.

You may wish to simmer on the stove.


You can make this extra special by choosing roasted tomatoes. Adjust the heat of the dish by choosing canned tomatoes with peppers in heat level that you prefer.

The Five

Sight

Bridge of Sighs by Richard Russo

Russo doesn't disappoint with this novel. "Lucy" is the central character. A man both living in the past and trying to preserve it in his present life. His relationship with his parents is particularly poignant seen through both young Lucy and old Lucy's eyes. I've been absolutely engrossed in this book for almost three weeks now, reading it every chance I can get, and often falling asleep on it's pages as I read late at night. Got to get this one finished soon as it's overdue and the fines are building! It's a must read book and perhaps intimidating at first glance as it's quite lengthy. But, stick with it. You'll be glad you did!

Sound

The Original Broadway Cast's Sound of Music

Hubby took me to The Sound of Music downtown Saint Paul at the Ordway after Christmas. Not only did we have fantastic seats, but we had a fantastic evening listening to one of our favorite musicals live. I'll never forget it!

Scent

Chili

About once a month, I make my chili recipe and freeze it. We love it and it's a great low calorie, but filling meal. I'll post it asap.

Taste

Werthers Original Coffee

Sometimes the munchies just get to me, so I've found that having some hard candy around really helps. They last a long time and make me feel like I've had a really great treat.

Touch

The keyboard. I'm trying to get back into the mode of updating often!

Good Intentions

Oh man, I could go on and on about good intentions, but I guess I don't need to. This blog speaks for itself. I've had good intentions EVERY day to update it and then, well, life gets in the way, and I don't. It's not that I don't have a lot to say--those closest to me know I have way too much to say sometimes!

So, my goal is to stop with the good intentions and really try much harder. I mean, here I am losing weight, taking control of my eating and exercising and I'm succeeding at that. So, I know that I can be disciplined enough to accomplish goals. So, if I'm disciplined enough about getting my thoughts down in this blog, it should happen, right?

Enough about that. Time to get posting! I do have a lot to tell you about!

Taking a little time to play with words, to play with food, and just to play!