This past weekend my husband and I went to Family Life's marriage conference called Weekend to Remember. I have wanted to go for about a year now and have known quite a few couples from our church who have gone. This past weekend they came to a town near us, so we decided to go along with 2 other couples from our church.
Let me just say, it was a HUGE blessing, especially for me. David was a little skeptical but at the end he said it was better than he expected as well! If you ever get a chance to go to one, I would highly recommend it!
I wanted to share some thoughts that made an impact on me from the weekend.
When couples fail to make necessary adjustments towards oneness, the result is isolation. (Taken from the Weekend to Remember workbook)
Our marriage is not about us, it is about reflecting God's image. (Bobby Conway, speaker)
Love is a radical commitment to meet the other person's needs. (Bobby Conway, speaker)
The goal of marriage is not to be conflict free but to handle conflict correctly when it occurs (Taken from the Weekend to Remember workbook)
If a man thinks he is leading and turns around and no one is following, he is just taking a walk! (Jill Eenigenburg, speaker)
A prayer to God: Take charge, change me. (Jill Eenigenburg, speaker)
At the end of the weekend, we renewed our vows along with everyone else that attended. It was a great way to end the weekend, renewing that commitment to each other again. If you ever get the chance to go, I highly recommend it. Your marriage is definitely worth the effort and the time to make it even better than you could possibly imagine!
“What we're really talking about is a wonderful day set aside on the fourth Thursday of November when no one diets. I mean, why else would they call it Thanksgiving?”-Erma Bombeck
I’m talking to my mom on my way to work this morning, requesting my favorite coffee creamer while she was grocery shopping. Mom just happens to mention, “Well, the store was out of pecan pies, so I got pecan pie cups. Good portion control, right?” Where do I begin with the wrongness of this all.
Pecan pie should be homemade.
Pecan pie cups? Give me a break. No pumpkin PIE is the equivalent of Christmas without a Christmas tree littering gifts beneath it.
I feel so shafted already. Pecan pie is a once-a-year-can’t-live-without-it STAPLE. Holds. Me. Together. All. Year. Treat.
As un-healthy as that little tantrum is, I could’ve verbally berated husband last night after he decided he NEEDED (yes, NEEDED) Buffalo Wild Wings. Let’s not be confused here, I love anything involving wing sauce -- it’s a guilty pleasure. Just look to the right there and you can see that SEVERAL of my “must-try” recipes contain wing sauce. However, BW3’s is 30 minutes away from home and I had a headache and a wonderful, healthy pad Thai dinner planned. But no, husband NEEDED wings. So, off we go at 8:30pm (had to wait til the game was on!), only to arrive and find that both the restaurant and inhaler-requiring bar were filled to capacity and there was a 40-minute wait. On a Tuesday. One would think they were GIVING AWAY $0.40 wings, my goodness! After flashing him a stink face and a blatant, annoyed eye roll, we left BW3’s for a silent 30-minute commute back home.
I am a man. I do NOT want to watch games (football, basketball, or otherwise) that I care about in a bar watching a TV without volume and obnoxious patrons taking away from my viewing experience. Which leads me to the acceptance of a sad truth: I am old. On a Tuesday evening after an 11-hour work day, I want to be a homebody. I want to be in my warm house, in my cuddly clothes, enjoying healthy, homemade food, watching and listening to my sporting pleasure! Last night being Fighting Illini men’s basketball.
Is anyone else a huge homebody, especially once the fall and winter seasons encroach?
My crankiness subsided this morning when I opened my office door to a package from Newman's Owns Organics (not to be confused with Newman's Own). I've heard a lot about Newman's Owns Organics (NOO's) and I was interested in sampling some of their products. Well, let's just say I received an early Christmas gift this year! Check out the loot...
Thank you, Newman's Own Organics!! <3
Food models, mess, lunch (upper right), Zevia (upper left)...and the loot, scattered! My office is atrocious!
An array of cookies...chocolate, Arrowroot, and chocolate chip!
Choooooooocolate! Need I say more? Note: that dark chocolate bar
on the left is opened...I wonder who did that!!
Fat-free AND low-fat Fig Newmans...love the play on words : )
Dried fruit...prunes, apricots, apples, and berry blend. The apples are delicious! They are completely all-natural in taste, not all pumped up with sugar!!
For my afternoon snack, I had 2 original Hermits. Um, DELICIOUS! They are so moist and rich in flavor...love them!! Favorite taste from Newman's Own Organics thus far!!
Mint rolls -- Peppermint, Wintergreen, Ginger, and Hot (not pictured, oops!)
Newman's O's -- Chocolate and Mint!!
There was a 3rd bag, but one of my patient's ate them. Thumbs up! Especially excited about the protein pretzels!
Soy crisps! Can't wait to try!
Hot, Wintergreen, Ginger (yum!), and peppermint mints. The ginger ones are delicious!!!
And Newman's Own Organics even sent something for the puppy -- dog treats! Lily gives the salmon and sweet potato treats a high-five (and my dog gives high-5's, no joke!)
And since 'tis the season to be giving...a GIVEAWAY for you all! And because that box weighs about 25 pounds!!! THANK YOU, NEWMAN'S OWN ORGANICS!!!
NEWMAN'S OWNS ORGANICS GIVEAWAY!!!!!!!
There will be 2 winners as there's plenty of goodies to go around...
Giveaway 1: The Cookie Monster
Newman's Own Organics Champion Chip Cookies (Chocolate)
Newman's Own Organics Ginger Hermits
Newman's Own Organics 54% cocoa Dark Chocolate Bar
Giveaway 2: The Smorgasbord
Newman's Own Organics White Cheddar Soy Crisps
Newman's Own Organics California Prunes
Newman's Own Organics 54% cocoa Espresso Dark Chocolate Bar
How to enter? Lots of ways!
Enter up to 4 times by doing one, two, three...or all of the following:
1. Post a comment with your giveaway selection preference below (1 or 2, see above)
2. Tweet about this giveaway and leave a comment with a link back to your tweet, or follow me @PreventionRD
3. If you're a blogger, post about this Newman's Own Organics Giveaway with a link back to this post on your blog. Leave a comment below containing your blog/post link!
4. Email me a favorite, healthy recipe at Mrs.RD44@gmail.com
Entries will be taken through Sunday, November 29th at 12pm (Central Time) and the winners will be announced on my Sunday blog post!
Sampled thus far: 70% cocoa organic chocolate bar (super yum!) and organic dried apples. Mmm!
A patient this morning had to fast for a late lab appointment and by the time he made it over to my office for his nutrition appointment, he was so hungry he had a headache. I handed my country bumpkin of a patient Newman's Own Organics salted pretzels, and that country bumpkin chowed down. And believe you me, I'd have heard about it if he didn't love'em! Thumbs up, Newman's Own Organics!!
Looking forward to Pad Thai tonight and an early departure to Chicago tomorrow morning! If our flight is delayed, we’ll be missing Thanksgiving dinner. Wish us luck, O’Hare doesn’t have the best of records when it comes to flight delays.
Have a wonderful, safe, healthful, and relaxing Thanksgiving!
I've found some great new blogs to read, enjoy, and learn from this weekend. I haven't "gotten out there" in the blog world due to limited time at the computer. Well, more like a lack of down time. So, check out some new blogs per my recommendation, why don't ya!?
And on the topic of reading...Hedge Fund Wives by Tatiana Boncompagni is HILARIOUS! I'm only a few chapters in and am thoroughly enjoying it! Thank you, KG for the rec! Glad I asked for rec's!! : )
I went to Akins Health Foods Store after my FIRST hockey game today. Other than Zevia's price increase and the discontinued pumpkin apricot butter I'm obsessed with in my oats, it was a successful venture. As always. Check out the loot:
Going from left to right: organic quinoa, organic low-sodium chicken broth, organic almond granola, Terra Chips x 2, Tasty Thai organic pad thai dinner kit, Fiber Gourmet mac'n cheese, raw honey, and nutritional yeast flakes.
For my oatmeal which will no longer be laden with pumpkin butter (*tear*), I purchased reduced-fat, organic coconut. I think vanilla soy milk + coconut flakes could be potentially mouth-watering additions to old-fashioned oats, eh?
And most importantly, I tried a new dish that is OUT OF THIS WORLD. I don't say that very often, so believe it. This salad dressing is by far, hands down, shout-it-from-the-roof-tops phenom (and a recipe of Gina's). Unless maybe you detest goat cheese, and then I question the reliability of your palate. Kidding...kinda. But really, if you decide to try something new in the future, consider this Honey Goat Cheese Dressing!!
Salad: mixed greens, diced apples, Craisins, and pecans topped with Honey Goat Cheese Dressing! Deliciousohhh! Husband seconds that claim, too!
Honey Goat Cheese Dressing
4 ounces fresh goat cheese
1 1/2 Tbsp honey
2 Tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
2 tsp apple cider vinegar
1/2 lemon, juiced
1 Tbsp water
Kosher salt and black pepper to taste
Directions:
Blend together, mixing until combined and creamy in texture.
46 calories per tablespoon
We also had sirloin steaks with bleu cheese topping. Mmmm! I've had red meat twice this month, that's a near record for me. Typically, not a huge red meat fan. But bleu cheese steaks...hook a sistah up! I do believe this makes me a FLEXITARIAN!
bleu cheese smothered sirloin with buttermilk mashed potatoes
Last night husband and I went out to dinner to a new Thai restaurant. Here's what we ordered...
Tom Kah soup with tofu...SOO GOOD!!
Husband got pineapple fried rice with seafood (which was okay, but it was canned pineapple...bummer!)
Chicken and Vegetable Curry for me...mmm!
I cannot believe tomorrow is our 6 month wedding anniversary! How beautiful was our Chicago wedding? Ahhh! Perfect, amazing day!
It's been a wonderful 6 months filled with an abundance of blessings...a new home, a WONDERFUL job, the cutest little puppy, and most importantly...our health and love for one another.
So, Thanksgiving food tops all holiday food, eh? I, personally, voted for New Years Eve, as did husband (note: I simply asked him the question verbally as he is yet to participate in supporting my blogging by reading!). I enjoy a fine-dining experience, stellar meals, and champagne toasts...lots! Heck, I enjoy any meal not resulting in a messy kitchen and dishes!
Follow-up question posed to all you Thanksgiving day lovers: What do YOU eat on Thanksgiving? What's your favorite Thanksgiving dish? Recipes are always welcomed...hint hint!
My grannie used to make Pineapple Souffle and while it sounds odd, it is absolutely amazing! I will have to post the recipe as Halloween passes and Thanksgiving comes upon us.
In other news, husband-who-refuses-to-read-my-blog dined on another favorite dish last night: Buffalo Chicken Lasagna. As I've said before, we're huge lovers of all things buffalo wing and chicken and healthier options make me a happy dietitian and cook! This is a favorite in our household and while the cooking time is somewhat long, the dish itself is easy breezy. Adding spinach is a great option, too -- I just add it to the ricotta and Egg Beater mixture. Mmmm! Best part: this lasagna reheats like a charm! It's one of the few things husband looks forward to eating as leftovers!
BUFFALO CHICKEN LASAGNA
12 whole wheat lasagna noodles, uncooked 1 lb. boneless, skinless chicken breast, cubed or shredded 3 cups Hunt’s Four Cheese Spaghetti Sauce 1 cup mild buffalo wing sauce (low-fat! We use medium) 1 1/2 cups water 15 oz. nonfat ricotta cheese 1/2 cup egg substitute 9 slices 2% Pepperjack cheese
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Spray skillet with nonstick cooking spray. Cook chicken over medium high heat for 4 minutes or until almost done. Stir in sauces and water. In a small bowl, combine ricotta cheese and egg substitute. Spray a 9X13 pan with nonstick cooking spray. Spread 1 Cup of sauce in the bottom of pan. Arrange 4 noodles over the sauce. Spread more sauce, then a layer of ricotta mixture. Add another layer of sauce, and repeat the whole process until you end with a layer of sauce. Cover and bake 70 minutes. Uncover and place cheese slices on top, then bake for another 15 minutes uncovered. Let stand 10-15 minutes before serving.
And I failed to journal a day, hence why I didn't record my diet from Wednesday yesterday -- but I did have that yummy squash for dinner that night and limited myself to half! It was difficult, for the record!!
I am planning to make steel cut oats this weekend. I've gathered several recipes and I will surely report my $0.02 on the stuff!
TGIF to all -- have a wonderful start to your weekend! I am crossing my fingers that husband and I can try out a new Japanese restaurant tonight! Mmmm...sushi!!
...Fingers crossed, also, that my Illini can do something positive this weekend. Can I puhhhlease get a "W"? All the Ohio State fans in my life are making Saturdays rather painful!
Mark loves girly music -- Madonna, Celine Dion, etc...it's kind of embarrassing, but also a trait I find rather endearing (only a wife could say that!). So as he headed out for a run this morning with his headphones on, I could, of course, hear some "Material Girl" penetrating loud enough for me to hear. I gave him an eye roll and a smile...and he gave me blogging material.
Some good tunes are essential for enjoying a workout. My top 5 are eclectic, to say the least, but maybe they'll enhance your workout play list, too.
In no particular order...
1. Madagascar 2 Soundtrack, Big and Chunky -- it's not the whole song...but I had to get the little animals dancing - get the whole song, though...surely some motivation there!
2. Machine Head, Bush -- if you're huffing through a run, the lyrics will help you out!
3. Nicole Scherzinger feat P. Diddy, Come to Me -- not the best sound quality...but the dancing sure is!
4. Gaelic Storm, Nancy Whiskey -- This song was played every week in a spin class I took with a lovely gentleman named Vince. Vince was incredibly buff and incredibly quirky - this song...has stuck. Very bizzare choice, I know, and you must download one that is NOT a live performance...YouTube was not much help in finding a quality version of that rare song.
5. Bob Sinclar, Love Generation -- Spring Break '06 in Acapuloco. I'll say no more!
What are YOUR favorite workout tunes? Help me out, too! Post your answers in a comment for all to see, please!
This is my first week back to work full-time while balancing motherhood (of a puppy) and the chores of being a wife and home-owner. In the past 3 days I've only managed a run on one of those days. I'm just exhausted. And, I'm full of excuses.
It's too hot (which it is) The dog needs me (which she does) No one will be there to make dinner (we may survive) I would rather watch TV/read (duh) It's my birthday (which it is...today, not every day) I'm sore (cry me a river) Etc, etc, etc.
Coming up with reasons not to exercise is exhausting in and of itself...as there's never a shortage on excuses. We all know how it goes..."tomorrow...tomorrow I'll have time for the gym." Thing is, there's a difference between an excuse and a reason. So do some soul-searching and recognize that your reasons are probably just bad excuses. I did.
We've all heard the benefits of exercise and for people like myself who actually enjoy exercise, find it scary to 1) fall into the "exercise excuse mode" and 2) take so long to realize exercise is missed and to do something about it. This morning, on my birthday, I commit to a workout tonight because I can and will guilt my husband into puppy duty while I do what I want...cause I'm the birthday girl.
What will I do to get in my exercise? I'm just not sure yet...but like all of you, I have options, and I'll choose to do what I feel like doing. Finding something you enjoy is essential to exercise becoming not only enjoyable, but habitual. Plus, I rather like the idea of not having to knock out my workout in one period of time, but the option of breaking it into small, manageable stints.
Just take notes from my 86-year-old Grannie. At our wedding in May, she tore up the dance floor, out-shined the bride, and got in a workout...all night. Ain't no thang.
Her response to "Grannie, you sure were dancing!" was something along the lines of, "Well, Nikki...I wanted to dance, so I did. Good workout, too...even with my old lady walker." Completely nonchalant, I-do-this-every-weekend attitude. That's my Grannie. I proudly inherited her "sass" gene, but she's absolutely right. Do it.
And here she is teaching me a few things. I have a lot to learn, especially in walker dancing.
Just dance. ....Or run. Or walk. Or bike. Or swim.
I lovingly borrowed the title of this blog entry from today's American Dietetic Association Daily News. I couldn't have come up with anything more clever myself...wise people those ADA'ers.
It is wedding season, and yay for marriage!! I am a May 2009 bride and so now... I'm a married old hag myself. Turns out, my life may be over...or at least ending sooner than anticipated now that I'm in a romantic partnership for life.
Published in April 2009 by the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (ew..) was a study performed on adult obesity in relationships [1]. What the study results revealed is that individuals in relationships with overweight individuals are more likely to become overweight themselves. BMI, thus, is correlated between spouses [2]. Worse yet, one's chances of becoming obese double after just a few short years of matrimony [1]. And if you think you're in the clear for living (in sin - kidding) with your boyfriend/girlfriend, you're wrong. The study showed that those living with their significant others are also at risk for packing on "some excess lbs" [1].
While a woman's risk of weight gain is incremental after year one, men's weight gain spikes only between years one and two of cohabiting [1]. Gee, that sounds fair.
The study looked at dating, cohabiting, and married adult couples. Concordance of outcomes observed included obesity, moderate-to-vigorous physical activity, screen time by romantic partnerships, and duration of time living with romantic partner. Negative obesity-related behaviors were most predominant in married couples while dating couples not cohabiting were less likely than cohabiting and married couples to become obese [2].
But...I guess I can see where the mistakes begin: wedding night. Forgive the RD...it was a rough job being the bride. You know what they say, be sure to eat. ....Check!
[1] Rochman, Bonnie. First Comes Love, Then Comes Obesity? Time. 2009. [2] Gordon-Larson, Penny. Entry into Romantic Partnership Associated with Obesity. Obesity. Department of Nutrition, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill. April 9, 2009.
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