Work Weight Loss Challenge Update

We only have 2 weeks left in the Work Weight Loss Challenge! I am doing great. Especially since I started the "Live-It" way of eating. I am below my stated goal weight which tells me that I took the easy way out and didn't set a goal that would push me. At the end of the challenge I have to be at or below 135.2lbs. Currently I am at 134.6lbs. Assuming I stick to my eating plan, this will be a cake in the park and part of the pot will be mine!!

I am betting that I will have to share the pot with 2, maybe 3, other people. I am only expecting to get back around $30 thus winning $15. If this is what it takes for me to lose weight, winning $15, then so be it. Sign me up!

Today I was a little challenged by my "diet." I believe my problem was I let myself go to long before I ate lunch. By then, I was starving and wanted to pig out. Luckily I had enough self control to eat my delicious lunch {Amy's Bean Soup} and nothing else. The day I can have fruit, might be the happiest day of my life!!! What a treat that will be!!

Did you know that Olive Oil is not that good for you!? I honestly had no idea. I thought it was the best oil option out there. Turns out when it is heated {like when you use it to stir fry} the heat completely changes the composition of the oil and makes it bad for you. I just read this in the Forks Over Knives book and on some blogs. But after Googling it, it seems that there are two distinct sides. Just to be safe I am going to try cooking with hydrogenated unrefined coconut oil.  

{Overnight Oats}... Dud

This morning I ate the overnight oats I prepared last night. This is my second attempt at making overnight oats. I thought maybe the first time I made them I did something wrong. I am not exaggerating when I say everyone is bonkers over overnight cold oats.

This time I added a little milk to make it runnier and granola instead of Almond Butter and Kashi Crunch. The end result: still very disappointing. It was pretty bland with a hint of cinnamon. The addition of the granola didn't add anything to it except for maybe a little texture. I am not sure what more I would add to it? Maybe a banana?     

At this point I think I will stick to Shakeology. I love how Shakeology makes me feel and I really get addicted to the rich chocolate and banana taste.   

Has anyone else tried overnight oats? If so, what am I missing?

My Attempt at Ovenight Oats

I love reading blogs. Mostly style, do it yourself, health-nut and workout blogs. I can get lost in them reading post after post after post. A common theme I see amongst the health-nut and workout blogs is the love and passion for oats. I have never sceen so many people rave about oats. Lately they are all talking about overnight oats. Or cold oats.

I do like me some oatmeal. I have been known to eat my oats at work for lunch in a large 2 cup measuring glass. Some think it's odd. I think it's yummy in my tummy.

It's about time I attempt overnight oats:

Ingredients Oats after being microwaved

Oats ready for overnight soaking

Overnight Oats
Ingredients
-1/3C rolled oatmeal
-1/2t ground cinnamon
-1/2t vanilla extract
-1C water

Directions
1. In a dish, mix together 1/3 Cup oats, cinnamon, vanilla extract, and 2/3 Cup water.
2. Microwave on high for 2 minutes.
3. Stir in an additional 1/3 Cup water and cover.
Store in the refrigerator overnight or for a couple of hours prior to consumption.
(recipe from Fit Foodie Finds)
Mix In Options

Granola

Kashi Crunch

Almond Butter

Peanut Butter

- Fruit
- Nuts
- Protein Powder
- Yogurt
- Almond Milk
- Raisins

Tomorrow I think I am going to try granola and maybe some peanut butter.

Work Weight Loss Challenge

The Work weight Loss Challenge has officially started! Sadly, most of us at work put on the pounds that we ended up losing in the last challenge. For me, going to the lake every weekend and eating unhealthy camp food, drinking beer and the most amazing mixed drink on the planet (Diet Dr. Pepper and Cocoanut Rum) I put on some weight. Like more than I would like to admit. Now that summer is basically over and the boat will be winterized soon, it's time to get back into the gym on a more regular basis and start eating healthy.

{The Plan} 

• Grocery shop once a week
• The goal is to eliminate wasted food. 
• Buy only what we need for the week.
• Cut back on spending.
• Plan weekly meals
• For me the key to eating healthy is having a plan and not winging it in the kitchen.
• This will also make grocery shopping easier. 
• Some may find this odd, but Preston and I do not eat the same dinner. When he is eating healthy, he tends to eat more eggs, pasta and red meat. I actually enjoy eating this way, I no longer feel like I have to eat meals that Preston likes and vise versa. Added bonus, Preston does not rely on me to cook! He is totally self-sufficient. 
• Stick to a workout regimen
• Now that I finished my last planned race, I feel like I can focus on a more balance workout to include lifting.
• I have decided to try the The New rules of Lifting for Women workout.
• One cheat meal per week
• This means one cheat meal, not an entire day.

To win the Challenge I must lose 5lbs in six weeks. I originally thought this would be easy, but I am up 1lb and had to put in my $5 into the pot. Not a good start! Now I must lose 6lbs in 5 weeks. It's time to get focused! 

Fair Food

Growing up and into my late 20's my most favorite time of the year was the El Paso County Fair. I have so many fond memories of the fair. They are silly memories like a carnival game, or riding in my Poppy's golf cart, or wining the Sheep show, sitting in the Cattle Barn, the excitement of seeing a boy or boys, catching chickens, Friday and Saturday night dances, fair food, the adrenaline of the sale. Honestly the list goes on and on. 

My favorite "Fair Food" yes this is a coined term. Not sure who coined it, but Katie Coulson White comes to mind. Anyways my favorite Fair Food is hands down no contention Indian Fry bread. It might just be called Frybread, but because the food booth, the same booth and people mind you for as long as I can remember, called it Indian Fry bread that is what it will forever be known as in my book. 


Since we are in the month of July- official fair season I decided to try and make my own Indian Fry Bread for our camping trip. It wasn't bad. I made the fry bread on Thursday and we didn't eat it until Saturday. I think it would have been a lot better fresh.  

Pre-Cooked

Indian Fry Bread

Harley Supervising

Here is the recipe I used and the video I followed. The video definitely adds character! Enjoy!

Ingredients:

• 2 cups flour
• 3 tsp baking powder
• 1 tsp salt
• 1 cup milk
• Hot shortening or oil in deep frypan or fryer 

Steps:

1. Sift dry ingredients.
2. Lightly stir in milk.
3. Add more flour as necessary to make a dough you can handle.
4. Kneed and work the dough on a floured board with floured hands until smooth.
5. Pinch off fist-sized pieces and shape into a disk
6. Disk must be rather flat, with a depression -- almost a hole -- in the center of both sides.
7. Fry in very hot oil or shortening (about 375°) until golden and done on both sides. Drain on absorbent paper.

website credit for recipe