Arlene Television Appearance on The Hour of Power

I am so incredibly honored that my appearance at the Crystal Cathedral is being televised today on The Hour of Power.  It was such a great experience to share my story of miscarriage at 26 weeks.  I hope my story will encourage moms who have miscarried or had other disappointments along the way in motherhood. 

As I type, my 2 year old strong willed but adorable daughter is sitting on my lap.  (This won’t last long as she’s having a hard time not touching the keyboard)  If I had not miscarried my girl named Angel Rose, my daughter Noelle would have never been born.  She was conceived a few months after my miscarriage.  God can make something beautiful out of the painful times in our lives!

So if you’re in need of some encouragement today, take heart – God can take your present circumstances and turn them around for good.

Got Podcasts?

Have you listened or watched my Losing Weight After Baby podcasts lately? They are absolutely free and a great way to stay motivated in your journey to losing your baby weight. I love talking with moms in this way so I hope you’ll check it out. I have more than 65 audio podcasts to choose from. Just click on archives and scroll through for titles that interest you. Some of popular podcasts are:

• How One Mom Lost 50 Pounds
• The Doctor is In
• Red Hot Monogamy
• Do Not Lose Hope
• Choosing the Right Foods
• Beating the Summertime Blues
• More than 70 podcast episodes to choose from!

You can subscribe to the Losing Weight After Baby podcast with Arlene Pellicane for free through iTunes and receive new podcasts as they’re added.

Also, I’ve begun producing video podcasts as well. So if you rather watch, there’s something for you too!

I look forward to talking together soon through a Losing Weight After Baby podcast!

Spinach Casserole

Today’s Monday Meal includes spinach and pasta – a combination you can try to coax your kids into eating   From allrecipes.com, hope you’ll enjoy this recipe.  I like that it only has a few ingredients.  Use whole wheat bread to make it even better. 

Ingredients:

2 cups seashell pasta

1 (10 ounce) package frozen chopped spinach, thawed and drained

1 (16 ounce) package cottage cheese

1 slice day old bread, toasted

3 tablespoons melted butter

Directions: 

Preheat oven to 425 degrees F (220 degrees C).

Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Add pasta and cook for 8 to 10 minutes or until al dente; drain.

In a 2 quart casserole dish combine cooked pasta, spinach and cottage cheese; mix well.

In a small bowl crumble the toast and add melted butter. Sprinkle over spinach mixture.

Bake in preheated oven for 15 minutes, or until heated through.

Lose the Pregnancy Pooch for Less Than $20

If you’re like me, you love a good sale, and I’ve got one for you! My Losing Weight After Baby: 31 Days to a New You audio course normally goes for $29.95, but today you can save more than 30%! This week and through the rest of the summer, the program is yours for just $19.95.

For less than twenty bucks, you’ll receive an entire month’s worth of encouraging 5 minute audio messages via email to keep you accountable and motivated. Try it for a week and if you don’t like it, you’ll get all your money back.

Here’s what one mom said about the program:

“It’s better than reading a book because Arlene’s words stick with me all day long!  I will recommend it to my friends!” – Michele C.

So what are you waiting for? Get rid of that pregnancy pooch, starting today!

It’s a Girl!

We had our ultrasound at 18weeks today.  As we were driving there, our hearts full of excitement, I said to my hubby, “This will probably be the last time we do something like this!” since this will probably be our last baby. 

Thankfully, the baby was very cooperative and moved around a LOT!  We saw her arms and legs flailing and kicking.  She even yawned!  The technician was POSITIVE that the baby is a girl!  Baby looks totally healthy from the ultrasound – thank God!

So that was definitely the highlight of my day…seeing that there really is someone inside of me, flipping and kicking, and that she looks healthy.  Wahoo!

Staying Away from Starbuck’s

I told you last week I’ve gained 15 pounds in 17 weeks in my pregnancy, so the last thing I need is a grande Caramel Frappucino from Starbucks. But believe me, there have been times when I’ve craved one! But my husband and I are trying to be disciplined in our spending with home sales slowing down (my husband is a real estate agent). Pinching pennies has actually been very helpful for my waistline. I have only gone to Starbuck’s once, and that was to split a frappucino with my husband and it was our friend’s treat!

So if you’re in a savings mode, take heart! A tighter budget will keep you from getting a daily Starbuck’s fix which is a good thing. You’ll also save lots of money by skipping fast food and eating at home. If you have to stop for fast food on occasion, skip the meal deals. Instead go for the healthiest option on the dollar menu and just get $1 worth of food (don’t buy three $1 burgers for yourself – ha!).

Your dollars will go further at the grocery store and your waistline will shrink as a result!

Highlights from Speaking at the Women’s Retreat

I’ve just returned from a wonderful time of rejuvenation with the women at San Diego First Assembly of God church.  I’m on the far left – I thoroughly enjoyed being with these wonderful ladies!  I spoke for 4 sessions and wanted to give you a few highlights from each talk:

Makeover by Monday – Think of what motivational speaker Zig Ziglar says, “Many people are poor learners because they focus on acquiring more knowledge instead of applying what they already know.”  What areas in your life need a makeover?  Act on what you know! 

I Know He Can – Are you facing a giant obstacle in your life?  Rely on someone bigger than yourself.  “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me” – Phil. 4:13. 

Happiness Is… – Did you know happiness is a learned skill, not just a feeling?  Recommended reading:  Happiness is a Serious Problem by Dennis Prager. 

The Ripple Effect – Make a splash in life and touch others by loving yourself, playing to your strengths and not your weaknesses, and being patient with God’s purpose in your life.

I’m thinking of putting these messages up as bonus podcasts so you can listen in for free.  I’ll keep you posted!  Here are some more pics from the weekend: 

With our wonderful prayer coordinator Liz and my mom. 

Eggplant Burgers

You’ve heard of veggie burgers, but what about eggplant burgers?  Try this recipe from allrecipes.com for another alternative that’s both inexpensive and healthy. 

Ingredients:

1 eggplant, peeled and sliced into 3/4 inch rounds

1 tablespoon margarine

6 slices Monterey Jack cheese

6 hamburger buns, split

6 leaves lettuce

6 slices tomato

1/2 onion, sliced

1/2 cup dill pickle slices

1 (20 ounce) bottle ketchup

3 tablespoons mayonnaise

2 tablespoons prepared yellow mustard

Directions:

Place the eggplant slices on a plate, and cook in the microwave for about 5 minutes, or until the centers are cooked.

Melt margarine in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Fry eggplant slices until lightly toasted on each side, and place one slice of cheese onto each one. Cook until cheese has melted, and remove from the skillet.

Place eggplant on hamburger buns, and allow each person to top with lettuce, tomato, onion, and pickles, and dress with ketchup, mayonnaise and mustard.

Pregnancy Pounds!

So how much weight have I gained in 17 weeks? 

I stepped on the digital scale in the doc’s office and the numbers went wild.  They flashed 158, 153, 156, and then settled at 155. 

So I’ve gained about 15 pounds in 17 weeks.  And I’m just getting started! 

My goal is to gain about 40 pounds overall, so God willing, I won’t accelerate in my last trimester by gaining more than 1 pound a week.  I’m 5’10’’ so I can “hide” the weight pretty well.  But I do keep in mind that the pounds I gain now, I’ll have to lose after baby is born so “pack with care!”

Black Bean and Corn Quesadillas

I found today’s Monday Meal idea on allrecipes.com.  It sounds delicious to me!  Let me know how it works out if you try it! 

Ingredients:

• 2 teaspoons olive oil
• 3 tablespoons finely chopped onion
• 1 (15.5 ounce) can black beans, drained and rinsed

1 (10 ounce) can whole kernel corn, drained

1 tablespoon brown sugar

1/4 cup salsa

1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes

2 tablespoons butter, divided

8 (8 inch) flour tortillas

1 1/2 cups shredded Monterey Jack cheese, divided

Directions:

Heat oil in a large saucepan over medium heat. Stir in onion, and cook until softened, about 2 minutes. Stir in beans and corn, then add sugar, salsa, and pepper flakes; mix well. Cook until heated through, about 3 minutes.

Melt 2 teaspoons of the butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Place a tortilla in the skillet, sprinkle evenly with cheese, then top with some of the bean mixture. Place another tortilla on top, cook until golden, then flip and cook on the other side. Repeat with remaining tortillas and filling.