Finding My Collar Bones

[SharleyBloom]

OMGosh, that sounds amazing and like the perfect setup for the perfect birthday! Happiest Birthday, Missy!

[Chris55]

Your birthday dinner (and your cake!!) sound wonderful. Have a fabulous day

I'm liking making smaller cakes myself. Finally bought a small springform pan for cheesecakes. Makes 6 human-sized slices, so it's perfect. Enjoy!!!!!

[JeffInJax]

I havent had ribs in soooo long and that sounds soooo good right now. Im half tempted to run to the store, buy some and start them marinating tonight. Oh wait...no grill, and im not one of those that will make ribs in the oven it just seems.....wrong...and evil somehow. I dont like them in the crockpot either as the meat falling off the bones seems anti-ribs as they should be messy and a little bit of work. Maybe im just weird. I rarely ever bake, but for my girlfriends last birthday i made her a giant, and i mean like the size of 8 inch cake or so, red velvet cupcake with cream cheese frosting. The smell of soooo much sugar in one item actually made me not want it even slightly but her, her mom, and her brother devoured it in one sitting so thats good i guess? Im glad everything is going well for ya, keep it up!

[smay]

Survived the birthday! Can't say the last few days were very beachy, but they were fun!

The ribs were soooo good. I think he smoked them for around 5 1/2 hours? He uses apple and cherry wood smoke packets. The smoker was on the deck, and we had the kitchen windows open, so whenever I walked in the kitchen I could smell the ribs. Yum!

Well, it's time to get back to business I guess. Polished off the cake yesterday, otherwise the day was "mostly" beachy. Mom and Dad brought me their old treadmill, so now I can run at home. No more excuses!

Probably going to eat P1-ish for the next day or two just to detox my system.

[smay]

Did a few days of P1 to detox, and now am back to normal eating. Still haven't stepped on the scale, but am getting more serious about it. I think I need to try on my smallest pair of jeans and see how they are fitting before I'm willing to step on the sucker. I would actually like to hold out long enough that there is the chance I break my plateau without having to watch the scale hover around that cursed number.

Menu's been staying nice and beachy. Grilled burgers and fresh broccoli last night. The night before was my beachy cheeseburger macaroni with broccoli, which both my husband and the kids love. Had grilled chicken and asparagus the night before that. Tonight is tacos. Staying good with veggie intake. Snacks aren't as often as they need to be, but I'm not feeling any negatives from that. Keeping sane with dark chocolate and nuts. And coffee too of course!

Exercise could be more, but I'm at least keeping somewhat active. Tried out the treadmill on Sunday when the husband was giving the kids their baths. It's in the basement right now, but I would like it upstairs. We have to finish some remodeling projects before we can do that though.

We are planning to expand the garden, since we didn't re-up with our CSA this year. We have a lot of work to get done, as hopefully we can plant within the next 2-3 weeks. Frost has been very inconsistent and unpredictable this past month.

[bethy]

Beachy cheeseburger macaroni! Where's the recipe? I have a H and S who would be all over it.

[smay]

Cheeseburger Macaroni

1 lb. ground beef
1 large onion, diced
1 tbsp. minced garlic
1/3 cup no sugar added ketchup (Heinz makes a "reduced sugar" ketchup made with Splenda. That is what I currently use.)
1 tsp. onion powder
1 c. whole wheat pasta (I usually use a rotelle shaped pasta, but elbow would be fine too!)
1/2 lb. (8 oz.) 2% Velveeta Cheese Product, cut into 1/2-inch cubes
handful of shredded Cheddar cheese(This cuts the processed cheese taste a bit. Not necessary, but we like it this way)
salt and pepper to taste
1 bag frozen broccoli florets (optional, but I think it tastes much better with the broccoli)

In a large pan, brown the ground beef with the onion and garlic.

While the ground beef is browning, cook the pasta per the package instructions and also cook the broccoli till it is still slightly firm. If you microwave the broccoli, cook it the shortest amount of time on the package. If you are using fresh broccoli, just steam it until done to your liking. You don't want it mushy, or it will break apart when you stir it into your cheeseburger mac!

Drain cooked ground beef mixture, and add the ketchup, onion powder, cheeses, and salt and pepper. Cook over a medium-low heat, stirring until the cheese melts. Toss in the cooked macaroni and broccoli. Heat through if necessary, and serve!

[bethy]

Thanks, Smay! looks like a total man and boy pleaser

[smay]

I am a lobster today. The sun unexpectedly charred my pasty arms and legs yesterday while I was at an afternoon play-date. And I have a shiny rudolph nose, and red forehead as well. At least my nose will match the lovely pimple that decided to appear on my chin. Last night was interesting at yoga as well with layer of burn on my skin. But, I was so excited. I actually got my right heel all the way to the floor in down dog!

Grilled for dinner last night, and had tacos the night before. As long as it isn't raining, we'll grill again tonight.

Not much else going on in my world, except that my jeans that I'd like to fit well before jumping on the scale... don't. I choose poorly as to when to try them on though, as I'm retaining water like a camel right now.

[Kyan]

Hey Smay!!

Speaking of camels and water and retaining/whatnot - why can't we retain water in our BACKS instead of our guts and wherever? That way as long as we don't turn our backs on people we will look terrific! Besides, baggy shirts would hide the bulge!

Ugh - I need to go back to bed. That is the stupidest thing I've said all week!!!

Hope all is Beachy -well with you!

[JeffInJax]

Grilling is such a good way to make your foods since there is no fat collecting on the bottom of a pan, searing both sides keeps the flavor in too. I actually received a grill as a surprise housewarming gift but havent set it up yet due to finals and other things. hopefully this weekend! Sometimes being fair skinned is a real pain, especially when the sun is involved =/

Kyan....i was trying to think of a response for what ya said...but absolutely nothing came to mind, im just shaking my head haha.

There is a guy at my gym who does yoga and really enjoys the benefits of it, ive actually been considering giving it a shot because ive lost a lot of flexibility through weightlifting. Keep up the effort and those pants will fit soon! Have a great weekend =D