Rain or Shine!

Yesterday for Thanksgiving Day, we joined 6000+ others for Father Joe’s Turkey Trot in San Diego – a 5K walk/run to benefit the homeless.  We had a great time despite the rain!

Usually sunny San Diego was wet and cold as the rain sometimes sprinkled but mostly came steadily down, with an occasional pelting!  The kids were troopers and stayed mostly dry inside the stroller.  We didn’t make record time or anything – 45 minutes and that was even with cutting 2 corners.  (Yes I admit we didn’t complete the whole race because our kids we’re saying “We want out!”)  So we probably burned like half a bite of pumpkin pie – ha! 

My brother-in-law says there’s no such thing as bad weather.  Only bad attitudes and bad preparation.  So we put on raincoats and did the walk with smiles on our faces.  It was a great memory!

So get out there this weekend and do something active moms!  (in addition to standing in line at the mall!)

How to Have a Guilt Free Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving is just two days away!  The delicious smells of turkey, yams and pumpkin pie will be filling the kitchen very soon.  It all sounds great…except you are still trying to lose that baby weight.  How can you enjoy the holiday without gaining 3 pounds by Friday?

Check out my article on my website titled, “Guilt Free Thanksgiving” for 5 specific things to do to minimize damage to your waistline this Thanksgiving.

Yes, food is a wonderful and memorable part of Thanksgiving.  But even more important is giving thanks in your heart.  Take time to concentrate on the blessings of your family, your baby, your home, your friends and God’s love.  Your heart will be so full of gratitude that you’ll be able to say no to that second helping without feeling slighted! 

I’m thankful for you this week!  Thank you for being part of my blog family and I hope you have a wonderful Thanksgiving!

Tofu Sandwich Spread

Okay, Thanksgiving is only days away so you’ve got to lose a little bit of weight before the feast.  Here’s one way:  EAT TOFU!  Here’s a recipe from www.allrecipes.com to make “the new beef” part of a great lunch or dinner! 

 

Ingredients: 

• 1 pound firm tofu
• 1 stalk celery, chopped
• 1 green onion, chopped
• 1/2 cup mayonnaise
• 2 tablespoons soy sauce
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice

Directions: 

Drain the block of tofu, and freeze overnight. Thaw, and cut into quarters. Squeeze out any moisture by hand, then wrap in paper towels, and squeeze again. Crumble into a medium bowl.

Add celery and green onion to the tofu. Stir in mayonnaise, soy sauce and lemon juice until well blended.

Men are Like Waffles, Women are Like Spaghetti

Today was a special day because we got to attend a “Men are Like Waffles, Women are Like Spaghetti” marriage seminar with bestselling authors, Bill and Pam Farrel. 

This was not about eating actually waffles and spaghetti, so I can easily blog about it here – ha!  Men are like waffles because they tend to see life in compartments; being in one box at a time.  For instance, when a man is at work, he is…at work.

A woman on the other hand processes life like a plate of noodles.  (Maybe this is why pasta is such a problem with us when we’re trying to lose weight!)  Looking at spaghetti, each noodle touches another.  So we go through life making emotional connections.  When we’re at work, we’re not just at work like the men.  We’re thinking of the laundry, shopping for Christmas presents, wondering why our friend was so short at lunch, and wondering what to wear that doesn’t make us look fat. 

If you want to have better communication with your spouse, I would highly recommend books by Bill and Pam Farrel like Men are Like Waffles, Women are Like Spaghetti and also Red Hot Monogamy. 

Bill and Pam Farrel (pictured here on the left with my husband and me on the right) have blessed so many couples with hope for the future.  And isn’t that the important ingredient, whether you’re losing weight, saving your marriage, or making a good marriage great? 

So take heart this week and know that the best days are ahead for your marriage!  And if you need some help to believe that’s true, please pick up a copy of the Farrels’ book for yourself!

San Diegans, have you gotten your free ice cream yet?

Just wanted to give another shout out to my San Diego readers.  In November, you have a great opportunity to win free ice cream at Seaport Village’s Ben & Jerry’s. 

All you have to do is submit a photo or video to the Seaport Village November contest and you will automatically win 2 coupons for free Ben & Jerry’s ice cream cones good at Seaport Village. 

That’s right, just for entering!  But this sweet treat is only available for the first 10 readers who respond.  Here’s what to do:

1.  Visit the Seaport Village blog

2.  Upload a video or photo you’ve taken at Seaport Village

3.  Enter the keyword “Arlene” in your photo/video title 

Voila!  Just by entering (for the first 10 to respond), you’ll get free ice cream cone coupons.  After your ice cream, you can power walk through the village to burn off those calories.

And if you win the contest, you’ll receive Sunday Brunch for two at the Manchester Grand Hyatt’s Sally’s Restaurant.  The deadline for entry is December 1st. 

Further directions for uploading photos and videos can be found at www.seaportvillage.com

7-Day Sex Challenge for Moms

My husband was listening to talk radio a few days ago, and heard of a pastor in Dallas who issued a 7-Day Sex Challenge.  For 7 days, he was asking the married people in his congregation to have sex.  We laughed that church attendance would be very good with the men that next Sunday! 

Here’s 3 reasons why I think the challenge is good for moms: 

What do you think moms?  Do you think 7 days straight of sex with hubby is too much to ask of a busy mom?  Maybe it would make a good Christmas gift?

Ultimate Roast Beef Blues Sandwich

Sandwiches are a staple when you have kids in the house.  This is one easy way to spice up your sandwich with a few additions (blue cheese and walnuts, yummy!), found on www.allrecipes.com.

 

 

Ingredients:   

• 1 whole wheat sub rolls, lightly toasted
• 1/3 cup light mayonnaise
• 16 fresh basil leaves
• 1 pound thinly sliced cooked deli roast beef
• 3/4 cup crumbled blue cheese
• 1/2 cup toasted walnuts

Directions: 

Open the rolls and spread each side with 1 to 2 tablespoons of mayonnaise. Place 4 basil leaves on four of the rolls. Layer the same four rolls with the roast beef, 1 to 2 tablespoons of blue cheese, and a sprinkling of walnuts. Top each with the remaining half rolls.

To toast walnuts:

Heat the walnuts in a dry skillet over medium-low heat until fragrant, 5 to 10 minutes. Stir frequently.

Water!

Right now as I’m sitting at the computer, I am thirsty!  I’m staring at an empty glass on my desk and it hits me.  I need to write about water! 

If you are trying to lose weight (or just be more healthy), drinking water is such a lifesaver.  Water is so good for you, it’s free, and you’ll never get fat for drinking it.  Now, what else could you want from a beverage?

My husband and I laugh at how much money we have saved through the years because we never order soda or alcohol at restaurants.  We’re hard core water drinkers! 

When you feel hungry, try drinking a glass of water first.  Whether it’s at snack time or meal time, water will help you feel fuller and many times, you think your body is hungry when actually you just need something to drink.

Are you addicted to diet Coke or frappucino at Starbucks?  I challenge you to see how many days in a row you can go without your favorite drinks and just have water instead.  And you’ll find yourself losing some weight in the process because drinks can be very caloric!

Lose Weight in Your Own Holiday Contest

Okay, let’s face it.  Thanksgiving is coming and then Christmas which means we will be gaining 1, 2, 5, 10 pounds…yipes! 

NOW is the time to have a plan to MAINTAIN your weight and maybe even lose a few pounds. 

Here’s what my family has decided to do.  Believe it or not, this was my mom’s idea and we are so proud of her for thinking of it! 

We are having a contest between my mom, my dad, my husband and myself.  Whoever gets the most points before Thanksgiving receives $100.  Here’s how to earn points everyday:

-10 points each day you exercise for 30 minutes or more
-10 points each day you skip sugar
-10 points each day you don’t eat past 6:30 p.m.

Believe it or not, this really works! It’s fun to do it as a family. This little contest has stopped me from eating that leftover Halloween candy on some days or it’s pushed me to exercise when I didn’t feel like it.

So if you want to lose some weight or just get healthier as a family, you can try a contest like this. Modify it to suit your needs and pick a prize that would be motivating.  If you go into the holidays a little leaner, it will give you more room to really enjoy that Thanksgiving feast!

Easy Chicken Rice Casserole

I love chicken casseroles.  This is one you can bake that (hopefully) your kids will enjoy eating too.  Step it up by adding some broccoli to it. 

Ingredients:

• 6 skinless, boneless chicken breast halves, cut into bite size pieces
• 2 cups milk
• 2 cups uncooked white rice
• 2 (10.75 ounce) cans condensed cream of chicken soup
• 1 teaspoon seasoned salt

Directions: 

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).

In a medium bowl combine the milk, rice, soup and seasoned salt if desired. Mix well. Pour mixture into a lightly greased 9×13 inch baking dish. Add the chicken pieces.

Cover dish tightly with aluminum foil and bake in the preheated oven for approximately 90 minutes or until rice is done, stirring every 30 minutes. Uncover the dish and bake for another 15 minutes to allow the rice to brown.