Weigh In Wednesday #5 of 2018

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Happy Wednesday!  I figured out what we are doing wrong. We aren't taking into account the weather, our crazy lives and I have no idea what the curve is. LOL If only it were that complicated. But in real life it isn't that complicated to figure out our weight. We can step on a scale and voila, there it is in black and white. Sometimes the number is not good, sometimes the number is great. Personally, I am trying to remember that it is just a number and it doesn't define who I am as a person. As a woman it is hard for me to see those higher numbers on the scale, but I have to also remember that it isn't the number really that is the greatest factor, it is how I feel. I know that I feel better when the number is lower, so that is my motivation.   

Speaking of numbers, let's get on to see where the weight numbers stand this week....

Official Starting Weight (1/3/18): 241.0

My weight last week: 236.8
My weight this week: 234.2
Weight loss from last week: -2.6 pounds! *Happy dance*

Total weight loss for 2018: -6.8 pounds! 

Whoo-hooo! I am down a little over 2 and a half pounds! I attribute this to not eating out and trying really hard not to binge eat on sugar at night time. Unlike last week, where we ate out several times, this week I had 2 donuts after church and we didn't eat anything else out at all (even though there was one day where Bill wanted to get McDonalds and I reminded him that I wasn't eating fast food). All meals were made at home. I am finding that I prefer my cooking over eating out. It is really funny but my food just tastes better. I will admit that there was some indulgences in there...Saturday night we had friends over and I had a Mike's Hard Lemonade and my friend made cookie dough pie (basically a cookie dough crust, topped with chocolate pudding and whipped cream) and I had a piece of that. Then I had another piece on Monday night to finish it off. So I am not depriving myself, I am just trying to eat everything in moderation, because if I cut something out completely then I will binge on it. Now to keep up the momentum....

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On the exercise front: I mentioned in my 2018 goals post that I wanted to walk 3 days a week. Since there are 52 weeks in a year, that means my goal is to walk 156 times over the course of the year. 

On Friday we took the kids to the path and walked for a little over 2 miles. The sun was out and it wasn't too cold. On our walk Ben wanted to take a selfie with me. The first one the sun was behind us, oops. 

The second one came out much better! 

Then on Sunday we went to Ariel-Foundation Park and walked around. It was probably between 1.5 and 2 miles. I am not sure as my mapmywalk app on my phone paused 4 minutes in and I didn't realize it until I took my phone out to take some pictures and we had probably been walking 15/20 minutes at that point. 

Two walks get added to my total this week. So that means I am at 6 out of 156 workout walks completed for the year! This number may seem low, but honestly I expect it to be with winter. I am not going to let myself get discouraged.

So that was this week's Weigh In Wednesday-- overall, a very good week for me and I am happy with it. If you are trying to lose weight or get healthier, how is your journey going so far?

Pork Fried Rice (new recipe #4 of 2018)

Happy Tuesday everyone!  :) 

Today I wanted to share with you the pork fried rice recipe that I made last Sunday night. 

This came about because I found a pound of ground pork in my freezer that needed to be used up. I am not sure why I had bought it, but it needed to be used up. So I was looking online for some recipes and I didn't want dumplings or sausage, etc. So when I came upon this recipe for pork fried rice I decided to give it a try. I shared it on my Facebook page and my hubby liked it, which means he really wanted me to try it. 

So I decided to try it out for dinner. It was pretty easy to assemble. 

I pretty much followed the recipe, except that I added twice the amount of meat. Also I added ground ginger and did not add scallions since I didn't have any.

I served it with a side of pineapple chunks and a fortune cookie. 

So the verdict? Well Bill, Rebecca and I loved it. Jacob said it was pretty good. Ben didn't like it because he is not a huge fan of rice. In fact, Rebecca said that "I had to make this again!" I would take that to mean that she really loved it! I think that when I make it again, and I will make it again,  I would add more egg to it but do everything else the same. 

Anyone else trying new recipes? Care to share?

Other new recipes in 2018 that I have tried: 

Crockpot Minestrone

Applesauce Banana Muffins

Zucchini and Sweet Potato Hash

Happy Homemaker Monday (1/29/2018)

Happy Monday-- The last Monday of January! This month seems like it has taken forever to get over and it has flown by-- if that makes any sense at all.

Our weekend was pretty busy on Saturday. We had the kids' basketball games all day and then we had friends over for dinner. My very good friend, who is more like a non-blood relative, is helping Bill with some career advice and is actually trying to give him the confidence to leave the newspaper industry. Bill seems pretty excited about the possibilities that are out there. Now we just need to get him on track. Needless to say they talked for over 2.5 hours about business stuff and didn't leave until close to 11.

Sunday, we had PSR and church. After church I took the kids over to the cafeteria as they were having coffee and doughnuts (they do this once a month. Usually we don't go, but I thought what the heck?). We came home to pick up Bill and then took a walk to enjoy the sunshine. Bill had to head to work and I headed to the kitchen when we got home to make tonight's dinner as we are in and out all afternoon/evening and to make last night's dinner.

Now here we are back to Monday. I have taken the kids to school and am currently waiting for Baby A to arrive so that I can watch her. So while I am waiting I figured that I would type this up to once again participate in the Happy Homemaker Monday theme hosted by the lovely Sandra over at Diary of a Stay at Home Mom. 

So with that being said, let's get to it: 

The Weather::: Is bipolar. One day it is in the 50s, the next day it is in the teens. Crazy Ohio weather. Today it is supposed to be in the low 40s, which a chance for a snow squall later. Tomorrow it is supposed to be 23; then back up to the 40s on Wednesday. 

Right now I am::: sitting here with Baby A. She has arrived and is currently sitting on the couch next to me chewing on her baby toys. 

Thinking::: I am thinking about what I need to get done today. I am so behind on laundry.    

On my reading pile:::

On my TV::: I finished The Crown last week; I can't wait for the next season. I am looking for another series to watch. I tried watching "This is Us" but I just can't get into it very well. I currently have "Moana" on TV trying to keep the interest of Baby A. I love the music in it, so that helps. 

My simple pleasure::: Watching my kiddos play sports and improve their game. Ben loves playing with the other kids. Jacob is getting really good on defense. And on Saturday Rebecca made her first basketball shot! 

On the menu for this week:::

Monday - pasta bake
Tuesday - scrambled eggs, toast, sausage, fruit
Wednesday - Mississippi style pot roast, mashed potatoes, green beans  Thursday - hot dogs and macaroni and cheese
Friday - Pizza rolls and fruit
Saturday - Dinner with friends--I'm taking dessert
Sunday - Super Bowl food--wings, potato skins, chicken nuggets for kids, chips, raw veggies and dip

On my to do list:::

For today: Kids to school, babysit A, tutor P, Ben to speech, all 3 kids have basketball practice

Tuesday: Kids to school, babysit A, tutor N, Rebecca has AHG

Wednesday: Kids to school, babysit A, tutor I, trash and recycling out

Thursday: Kids to school, babysit A, Battle of the books meeting with team, tutor S and N

Friday: grocery store, make cake for Saturday 

Saturday: basketball games for all 3, dinner with friends
Sunday: Teach PSR, church, Super Bowl

What I am sewing, crocheting, knitting or creating:::
I have been trying new recipes in the kitchen including fluffy pancakes that I made last night for dinner. I will share the recipe later next week. 
 
Looking around the house:::
House doesn't look too bad. Living room is cleaned up. There are some dishes in the kitchen to put away from last night. Other than that not too shabby.

From the camera:::
On our family walk yesterday the kids ran up ahead and pretended to be asleep when we caught up to them. LOL Silly kiddos. 

Later we caught the cats really sleeping together at the foot of our bed. They we snuggling with each other. So cute! 

On my prayer list:::

My hubby as he searches for a new job. My brother as he is narrowing down his college choices and is hoping to make the right decision. My neighbor who is battling cancer. For all those affected by the flu viruses going around now.  

Bible verse, Devotional:::

Here's to a great Monday and good start to everyone's week! 

Nature Scenes for January 28, 2018

Sunday is meant to be a day of rest and relaxation and one of the ways that I rest is to spend time in nature. I try to spend a least a little bit of time in nature each week. I have decided that I will use Sundays to share the photos of my nature adventures each week just as a way to relax and share the beauty that is God's creation with all. I hope you enjoy!

Photos from January 20, 2018 in my backyard

After sunset, loved the cross that the planes made in the sky

January 21, 2018 at Kokosing Gap Trail at Kenyon College

Icy, slushy bridge but temperatures were in the 40s

No ice on the river today

Some kind of berry on this tree

Wasp or bee nest that fell off the top of the bridge 

Rabbit tracks

January 22, 2018 at Ariel-Foundation Park

I just loved this photo

This worm was trying to cross the parking lot

The geese weren't too happy that we were walking along the trail. 

Photos from January 26, 2018 at Kokosing Gap Trail

Can you see the moon? This was taken around 4:15PM.

Still icy where the sun hadn't hit.

For more nature scenes you can check out my other nature posts: 

January 7, 2018

January 14, 2018

January 21, 2018

I hope everyone is having a good Sunday and if you get a chance check out the nature scenes around you! 

The Rise of the Dawnstar by Farah Oomerbhoy

The Rise of the Dawnstar

FROM THE BACK COVER:::

Aurora Firedrake returns in the spellbinding sequel to The Last of the Firedrakes.
 
The seven kingdoms of Avalonia are crumbling and evil is spreading across the land like a plague. Queen Morgana is close to finding a way to open The Book of Abraxas and it’s only a matter of time until she uses the power trapped inside its pages to enslave the entire world.
 
With Avalonia growing more dangerous by the day, Aurora must travel through war-torn lands and deep into the heart of the fae kingdom of Elfi. Her goal is to find a legendary weapon infused with the last of the realm’s ancient magic—the only weapon in the world powerful enough to stop the queen.
 
Aurora might have survived her first battle against Morgana, but the true fight to save her kingdom and restore her throne has only just begun…

MY THOUGHTS:::

In my last book review, I wrote that I really enjoyed The Last of the Firedrakes by Farah Oomerbhoy (This is book one of the Avalonia Chronicles)-- the first book that I had read by Oomerbhoy. Well, the second book in the Avalonia Chronicles, The Rise of the Dawnstar, is even better. I LOVED this book! I literally could not put it down, and stayed up until 2AM to finish it; it was that good.

In this book, we follow Aurora as she continues to learn who she truly is and embraces more fully who she truly is, all whilst learning to live in a fae world. We encounter more mages, High Fairies, secret identities, monsters, dragons, etc. It is non-stop action that will keep the reader turning the page to see what happens next. We see Aurora navigate the relationships in her life, including a new relationship with Tristan- Prince of the Night Court fairy. There is mystery, intrigue, suspense, and action and adventure. Something for everyone.

I really have no complaints about the story, other than the cliffhanger at the end left me wanting to read the next book, which isn't out yet :( 

Overall, I would highly recommend this book! 

DISCLAIMER:::

I received a free copy of this book from Kate Tilton Book Blogger's program and the author in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.