Taste of Mexican Happy Dance

If I had to pick one TASTE - not calories - I've really missed since having started our healthy-eating lifestyle, it would have to be what used to be a meal out for Mexican food a couple of times a month. For instance, chips and salsa plus two chicken enchiladas with queso, refried beans and rice from On the Border packs a whopping 1710 calories and 88 grams of fat!

Last night, I tried my hand at creating a healthier alternative that would deliver a variety of textures and the taste of Mexican food. Here's how I did it for two. (If you need more, double as needed, except for the chili, which makes enough for 6-8 servings, anyway.)

Two boneless, skinless chicken breasts marinated in 1/4 c. lime juice and 1/2 t. garlic powder. Before grilling, dust with chili powder and cumin.

Combine 1/4 c. Chinese black rice with 1/4 c. brown rice. Use lo-fat chicken broth for liquid. Add 1/4 c. cilantro and 1/4 c. diced red bell pepper to rice before cooking.

Chop 1/2 c. each - celery, green bell pepper, red bell pepper - plus 1/4 c. green onion tops and bottoms.

Make one pot of 2-Alarm Chili - which is great because it has all seven seasonings in pre-measured packets. I brown one pound of 93/7- percent ground turkey with one chopped onion to start the process. We also like kidney beans in our chili.

After all the prep work, here's how we layered it on the plate:

1/2 c. rice mixture
1 c. turkey chili with beans
Raw veggies - celery, bell peppers, onions
Grilled 4-oz. chicken breast - sliced on the diagonal
2 Tbls. 2-percent cheddar cheese

Microwave just long enough to melt cheese.

I promise this is a MOUNTAIN of food, fully satisfying,
but only 606 calories.

If you like, serve with fresh fruit salad - strawberries, kiwis, tangerines, grapefruit and banana - tossed in lo-fat yogurt.
Add 200 calories.

Holy mackerel. We were stuffed (sorry), but MAN, did it ever satisfy my Mexican-food craving!!

Recommended: Exotic Rice

Oooooh-Eeee! I love it when I find a new source for unique, flavorful foods. Check out this Chinese Black Rice from Urban Accents. Who knew rice came in exotic varieties like LaMancha Saffron, Himalayan Red, Wild Bayou, Siam Jasmine or Yunan Palace Bamboo? Trouble is, these all look as if they're temporarily out of stock online. I actually found mine in the gourmet section of T. J. Maxx.

Never fear, they're also available here in one pound bags for less than $3. How about Purple Sticky Rice or Brown Wehani Rice?

Even my picky eater DH liked the chewy texture and nutty flavor of the black rice, which I cooked in chicken broth. Wonders never cease! And at only 80 calories for 1/2 cup, it's a great fiber-filled treat!

ICU: Intensive Cardio Unit

Here's a funny one:

This morning, while visiting with my mother in a local hospital waiting room where my stepfather had surgery this morning, she said, "Honey, you look great. I can just see the weight
falling off of you."

It was all I could do not to roll on the floor laughing. Bless her 125-pound self. She truly meant her statement as a compliment...but still! Anybody who is on this journey knows the weight NEVER seems to just FALL OFF. Instead, it CREEPS off - itsy bit by itsy bit - after hundreds of healthy food choices and endless hours on the cardio circuit.

But Mom's idea was a lovely thought, wasn't it? And mine, on the other hand, is actually pretty pessimistic.

As a matter of fact, starting right now, I will incorporate HER vision into my daily personal affirmations:

"...Now that I've found the discipline to eat according to my needs rather than being driven by self-destructive habits, impulses or diets, I am able to face the day without overeating. And because I exercise as a matter of habit, my body functions at its peak - metabolizing calories quickly and efficiently - leaving me free to forget about food and instead, to use my increased energy for productive, enjoyable activities..."

Quote adapted in part from Key No. 4 in The Ultimate Weight Solution: The 7 Keys to Weight Loss Freedom

Inspiration: The Walkers

At the risk of sounding like a Dr. Phil evangelist, I continue to reference his book, "The Ultimate Weight Solution."

In Key Seven, Dr. Phil cuts to the chase and says that if we expect to lose weight and keep it off, we must nurture relationships that affirm and lift us up in life-changing ways.

"Look at it this way," he says. "People will either contribute to or contaminate your personal weight control and management...To live in a healthy manner, you've got to recognize the influence of your relationships on your life and take care that they don't push or pull you in the wrong direction."

Dr. Phil's recommended support team includes a coach, a teammate, a cheerleader and an umpire.

Bill and Ellen Walker are my teammates - the folks with whom I work out, the ones who help to keep me on task. We help to monitor each other's behavior - comparing what works and what doesn't. Most of all, they're ideal teammates because they are natural motivators in every area of their lives. Their passion is contagious, and each time I am around them, I am energized and strengthened with purpose.

So...thanks to an incredible support team - which includes Bill and Ellen - I am pleased to report another three-pound loss this week, bringing the totals since January 15 to 35 pounds and 29.75 inches. Bling, bling!

Quotes from The Ultimate Weight Solution: The 7 Keys to Weight Loss Freedom

One for the Books

Sudden stress can spark a hot flash; unfortunately, no calorie burning is associated with the event. That's too bad. Here's an incident that should have knocked off a pound or two:

A couple of weekends ago, I married a precious couple, Jessie and Kelly (formerly McQueen) Newton. At the end of the ceremony, after Jessie kissed his new bride, I announced, "Laides and Gentlemen, it is my distinct honor and privilege to introduce Mr. and Mrs. Kelly McQueen." (Get it?? That's the BRIDE'S NAME!!)

The congregation laughed uproariously, thinking I had done it on purpose! (NOT!) Jessie and Kelly were great sports about the whole thing, which I sincerely appreciated. Their photographer posted several beautiful pictures of the wedding, which will give you an idea how I spend a good portion of these gorgeous weekends.

Guess I'll be burning calories another way tonight. Just got a call from my mom, asking if she and her DH can hang here at the house for a couple of hours in between doctor's appointments tomorrow.

Better clean up this office! See ya tomorrow at HYC Weigh-in!

Just Get Me to the Church on Time

Sorry for the late post today. It's been a another whirlwind weekend.

As I mentioned yesterday, our string quartet played the second wedding of the weekend yesterday afternoon. I got in a good workout yesterday morning, including the Swiss ball workout. (To answer the question, 'How do you get in the starting position?', you first sit on the ball, then lean back slightly as you walk your feet out until the ball "rolls" up your back.)

Late this morning, I went to the golf course with DH and hit three buckets of balls before joining my mom and her DH for lunch. A quick phone call to our agency's harpist led me to believe everything was on go for this afternoon's wedding - for which my only responsibility was to contract the musician...or so I thought!

After a good C25K outside workout, I came back inside hot, sweaty, but feeling good. At 4:20, no sooner than I had sucked the first sip of a frozen orange protein slush, the phone rang.

On the other end, a somewhat panicky bride reminded me the wedding rehearsal was scheduled to have started at 4 p.m. I reassured her the harpist would arrive in plenty of time to begin playing the prelude by 5:30 for the ceremony at 6 p.m.

"But you're supposed to officiate, and we were expecting YOU for the rehearsal," the bride explained slowly and distinctly while I frantically searched my contract folder to make sure I hadn't overlooked something.

Regardless how it happened, my mission was to calm the bride and guarantee that I could arrive within 30 minutes to conduct a rehearsal and subsequently perform the ceremony.

Sweat still rolling down my back, I took a 30-second shower, blow-dried my hair with the sweat in it, powdered appropriate areas, donned my ministerial garb, grabbed my liturgies - plus a food bar and a bottle of water - and hit the road. (Pant! Pant!)

The wedding went fine, everybody loved it, and I finished with 20 minutes to spare before I was scheduled to meet my DH for a 7 p.m. movie.

After tomorrow morning's workout, I'll catch up on my blog reading!!

Having a Ball on Saturday

Weekends are for weddings...at least for me! Yesterday, I married a couple at the end of a windy pier at Butler Manor Bed & Breakfast.

This afternoon, our quartet will play for a wedding in the Anthony Chapel of Garvan Woodland Gardens.

Before I go to the wedding, I'm headed to the gym for an extended workout - which, beginning today, will include exercises specifically geared to improve my (novice) golf skills.

Today, I'll incorporate the Russian Twist on a Swiss Ball
• Lie on ball, with shoulder blades on ball and hips pushed up high off ground.
• Place hands together, as in the photo (or hold a single dumbbell when you advance in Swiss ball workouts).
• Keeping your hips up, turn your shoulders to the right so they are perpendicular to the ground.
• Twist back to the starting position, then twist to the other side.
• Do 10 twists to each side for a couple of sets.

Benefits to the Golf Swing include:
• Improved rotational strength and speed.
• Strengthened and better-protected spine
• Utilization of arms and core as one, similar to a golf swing.

After doing this exercise for just a short period of time, I should notice an increased ability to make a full and tension-free backswing as well as more power coming into impact during the downswing.

Actually, during that first position, I'll probably be praying, "Dear God, please don't let me make a fool out of myself by rolling off this ball. Besides, I've gotta play my cello this afternoon and can't afford to hurt my shoulder, okay?"