You'll need to click on this to enlarge it and grasp the full effect of his expressions!
Thursday, October 29, 2009
The many expressions of my son...
So every now and then (meaning all the time) my son is the most animated, goofy, crazed toddler. His facial expressions are getting SO hilarious! I love his confused look...as you'll see in this collage. He also loves to look at me like this when I'm doing something that would probably embarass him if we were in public. Is it bad that my two year old is already ashamed of his bizarre mom??
You'll need to click on this to enlarge it and grasp the full effect of his expressions!
You'll need to click on this to enlarge it and grasp the full effect of his expressions!
Tuesday, October 27, 2009
Yummy, healthy, and organic stir-fry!
So I promised that I would be a little more diligent about posting recipes of some of the things I've been eating to get "Back to Skinny". Granted, a stir-fry isn't the best way to get a trim waistline...BUT this recipe is a great alternative to what you would see in a Chinese or Japanese restaurant.
Here's what I used:
Shrimp
Garlic
Fresh Broccoli
Fresh Organic Baby Portabella Mushrooms (use whatever kind suits you)
Organic Soba Noodles (these are Japanese buckwheat noodles that are super low in sodium and fat...they're really quick to cook and GOOD!)
Kikkoman Low Sodium Teriyaki Sauce
Kikkoman Low Sodium Soy Sauce
Pictures below of the Teriyaki and Soba noodles so you know what to look for at the store. Sorry for the low quality pictures, and yes I realize that I have very expensive camera equipment at home, but it's not always the most convenient thing to use!)
And HERE's the easy recipe to prepare the shrimp stir-fry::
*Before I begin I should tell you that I don't measure ANYTHING when cooking...I just eyeball everything. If you really like broccoli, add extra...if you hate mushrooms, don't use 'em!*
Boil your water for the soba noodles.
In a large saute pan on Medium, saute the broccoli and mushrooms in olive oil, some teriyaki sauce, and minced garlic until slightly tender.
Add shrimp to saute pan.
Add soba noodles to boiling water and boil for 3 minutes.
Drain noodles and put them directly in the saute pan. Mix with veggies and add some more teriyaki sauce and a splash of soy sauce to taste. Let sit on heat for another 2 minutes or so until heated through.
Serve while hot.
I love this dish--it's so good! And the nice thing about making it yourself is being able to customize it to suit your health needs. I'm a huge fungus freak--so mine of course had TONS of mushrooms! Try it out and let me know how you like it :)
Here's what I used:
Shrimp
Garlic
Fresh Broccoli
Fresh Organic Baby Portabella Mushrooms (use whatever kind suits you)
Organic Soba Noodles (these are Japanese buckwheat noodles that are super low in sodium and fat...they're really quick to cook and GOOD!)
Kikkoman Low Sodium Teriyaki Sauce
Kikkoman Low Sodium Soy Sauce
Pictures below of the Teriyaki and Soba noodles so you know what to look for at the store. Sorry for the low quality pictures, and yes I realize that I have very expensive camera equipment at home, but it's not always the most convenient thing to use!)
And HERE's the easy recipe to prepare the shrimp stir-fry::
*Before I begin I should tell you that I don't measure ANYTHING when cooking...I just eyeball everything. If you really like broccoli, add extra...if you hate mushrooms, don't use 'em!*
Boil your water for the soba noodles.
In a large saute pan on Medium, saute the broccoli and mushrooms in olive oil, some teriyaki sauce, and minced garlic until slightly tender.
Add shrimp to saute pan.
Add soba noodles to boiling water and boil for 3 minutes.
Drain noodles and put them directly in the saute pan. Mix with veggies and add some more teriyaki sauce and a splash of soy sauce to taste. Let sit on heat for another 2 minutes or so until heated through.
Serve while hot.
I love this dish--it's so good! And the nice thing about making it yourself is being able to customize it to suit your health needs. I'm a huge fungus freak--so mine of course had TONS of mushrooms! Try it out and let me know how you like it :)
Thursday, October 22, 2009
Back to Skinny Part II
So it's Thursday--1 more week of dieting under my belt. THIS week I can actually SEE results which is awesome. Over the weekend Joe had told me that he definitely noticed a difference (without me ASKING--so he wasn't even trapped into it!). I guess it was Tuesday that I actually noticed by looking in the mirror.
I HAVE been slacking, though on my measurements. Never took them, so unfortunately I don't have any numbers to report. And Joe insists that I DO NOT get a new scale. That's probably for the best...women rely too heavily on the scale...but that number is oh-so-freakin-important to us!
So I even did good over the weekend. On Sunday I definitely CHEATED which I think I mentioned before. Pasta, lots of zucchini, bread, and then I was craving something sweet so I went to Wegmans and bought a 1/2 pumpkin roll--and it was soo delicious!
I was especially impressed with yesterday. I traveled to Pittsburgh for a consult. How easy is it when you're in the car for 4 1/2 hours in a day to stop and pick up fast food? That's seriously the hardest time to stay faithful is when I'm driving. Not to mention, no one else can SEE me eating crap food when I'm by myself in my car! Then I don't feel as guilty. So yesterday I actually PLANNED AHEAD (gasp! Pause for reaction) and brought extra bottled water, almonds, and an apple for the snack on the drive there. When I got there early I went to subway and ordered a 6 inch chicken teriyaki sub on wheat with no cheese, no dressing, and lots of veggies. Then I took a hint from the Biggest Loser and opened up the sub and pulled out the "flesh" of the bread so it was basically just the outside crust I was eating. Then of course, at Starbucks for the consult I faced another challenge. Ohhhh my yummy fat-filled frothy beverages! I stuck with something I love, but made it much more health-conscious. I got a nonfat pumpkin spice latte with no whip. Good job Kara Marie. Go ahead, say it.
Speaking of Biggest Loser...anyone else LOVE THAT SHOW?? How about this question...does anyone else do ab workouts and push-ups continuously through the whole show? Haha. It's so funny I never set out and PLAN to workout during the show, I just get motivated to do it. So every commercial break I alternate sit-ups and push-ups to failure. By the end of 2 hours I really feel like I've accomplished something! I totally wish I had me some Jillian Michaels in my life. Granted, Joe is one of the best personal trainers around...but I'm not afraid of him. Jillian scares the crap out of me! I don't think I'd ever be able to say "I can't" to her.
So I'm feeling really good! Now that my back isn't bothering me I'm back to the workout routine. I'm trying to do as many exercises using my own body weight as possible. I'm finally up to 12 push-ups! When I started I could probably only do 3 or 4 correctly. Sad, but true.
I've also decided, with some coaxing from my cousin, do to the Turkey Trot 5k this year, so I'll need to start training for that, like 6 weeks ago! I'll keep you posted on the progress on that venture.
I HAVE been slacking, though on my measurements. Never took them, so unfortunately I don't have any numbers to report. And Joe insists that I DO NOT get a new scale. That's probably for the best...women rely too heavily on the scale...but that number is oh-so-freakin-important to us!
So I even did good over the weekend. On Sunday I definitely CHEATED which I think I mentioned before. Pasta, lots of zucchini, bread, and then I was craving something sweet so I went to Wegmans and bought a 1/2 pumpkin roll--and it was soo delicious!
I was especially impressed with yesterday. I traveled to Pittsburgh for a consult. How easy is it when you're in the car for 4 1/2 hours in a day to stop and pick up fast food? That's seriously the hardest time to stay faithful is when I'm driving. Not to mention, no one else can SEE me eating crap food when I'm by myself in my car! Then I don't feel as guilty. So yesterday I actually PLANNED AHEAD (gasp! Pause for reaction) and brought extra bottled water, almonds, and an apple for the snack on the drive there. When I got there early I went to subway and ordered a 6 inch chicken teriyaki sub on wheat with no cheese, no dressing, and lots of veggies. Then I took a hint from the Biggest Loser and opened up the sub and pulled out the "flesh" of the bread so it was basically just the outside crust I was eating. Then of course, at Starbucks for the consult I faced another challenge. Ohhhh my yummy fat-filled frothy beverages! I stuck with something I love, but made it much more health-conscious. I got a nonfat pumpkin spice latte with no whip. Good job Kara Marie. Go ahead, say it.
Speaking of Biggest Loser...anyone else LOVE THAT SHOW?? How about this question...does anyone else do ab workouts and push-ups continuously through the whole show? Haha. It's so funny I never set out and PLAN to workout during the show, I just get motivated to do it. So every commercial break I alternate sit-ups and push-ups to failure. By the end of 2 hours I really feel like I've accomplished something! I totally wish I had me some Jillian Michaels in my life. Granted, Joe is one of the best personal trainers around...but I'm not afraid of him. Jillian scares the crap out of me! I don't think I'd ever be able to say "I can't" to her.
So I'm feeling really good! Now that my back isn't bothering me I'm back to the workout routine. I'm trying to do as many exercises using my own body weight as possible. I'm finally up to 12 push-ups! When I started I could probably only do 3 or 4 correctly. Sad, but true.
I've also decided, with some coaxing from my cousin, do to the Turkey Trot 5k this year, so I'll need to start training for that, like 6 weeks ago! I'll keep you posted on the progress on that venture.
Tuesday, October 20, 2009
Topic of the Day: Tipping your Servers
While you'll never catch me talking about politics...and while I'll often avoid the religion topic in debates...there are certain topics that light a fire in me and I'll be talking about those every now and then. I encourage all those with opinions to comment them! One issue that I often preach regards tipping your servers.
I, myself, am not a waitress, and can't really say that I ever have been. For about 4 years I was a bartender. Regardless of my current profession, I must say that I really have respect for servers and I think that they should be respected and not dismissed.
Think about it. Servers are there to "serve" you. But I think often times people mistake the word "serve" for "slave". They SERVE you food, they are not there to SERVE you in all aspects of life. So please, don't SNAP (quite literally, with your fingers) to get their attention. That is SO rude. How many times have you yourself said or heard someone say "WELL, there goes THEIR tip!" when something doesn't go exactly as you want it to at the restaurant. While I do believe a tip should reflect a server's service, I do NOT believe the tip should reflect the kitchen messing up your order, your inability to get a parking spot outside, the hostess skipping over your name even though you were there first, or really for any other reason. In my opinion, 20% is the MINIMUM you should tip your server.
Are you aware that waitstaff depends on their tips almost entirely?? Servers in PA typically make anywhere from $2.65/hour to $4 or $5/hour, but that higher hourly rate is very rare. Now do the math on that. Let's say Susan makes $3/hour working at the Melting Pot (btw, I sooo wish we had one of those in Erie!). Susan works 30 hours a week busting her butt waiting tables. At $3/hour, that gives her a $90 paycheck before taxes...and likely $73 after taxes are taken out. Could you survive on $73/week? Doubtful.
What's the problem? Did your server forget to bring you a refill AGAIN? You've asked them TWICE already! How annoying. They must just be stupid. Maybe they should get their head out of their butt when they come to work! Sound harsh?? These are ALL things I've heard, and I'm sure you've said! Did you take into consideration that maybe while they were on their way to get your water that the table behind you stopped them to complain about their food? Then after that a table that wasn't even theirs flagged them down to ask for refills. Then another "gentleman" from across the restaurant SNAPPED his fingers at her because he STILL hasn't gotten his food, so she then had to go to the kitchen to find out why it's been over 40 minutes. These are all things that happen multiple times in one shift for the typical server. And yes, while it is just as important that you get your refill as the snapping guy gets his food, you can understand how throwing multiple issues at one person while they're en route to your water could make them forget!
While 20% of the total bill is the general guideline, there's no rule that says you can't tip more. Granted, the economy...blah blah blah. But don't act like you over-tipped when the economy didn't suck! You're using it as an excuse! If you can't afford to tip, don't go out to eat! I am NOT bragging when I say this, just trying to make a point, but when I am paying for a meal at a restaurant, MINIMUM tip is 20%. That's bottom-of-the-barrel service unless the server flat out called me a name and spit in my food (no, that's never happened). If the server was on top of things, very attentive, friendly, etc, I have no problem whatsoever tipping 30%, 40%, sometimes 50%. If I go to a lower priced restaurant where I don't expect to get any service at all and someone takes good care of me, I'll have no problem leaving a $10 tip on an $11 bill. And you know what? It probably made someone's day. It wasn't much, and $10 certainly doesn't get you very far...but if someone else had sat at that table they may have made 87 cents. Don't get me wrong, servers aren't poverty stricken and shouldn't be treated like a charity case...but they SHOULD be commended for good work.
Ok I'm done preaching, hopefully I've made my point. If you have comments, in agreement or disagreement, leave them below!
I, myself, am not a waitress, and can't really say that I ever have been. For about 4 years I was a bartender. Regardless of my current profession, I must say that I really have respect for servers and I think that they should be respected and not dismissed.
Think about it. Servers are there to "serve" you. But I think often times people mistake the word "serve" for "slave". They SERVE you food, they are not there to SERVE you in all aspects of life. So please, don't SNAP (quite literally, with your fingers) to get their attention. That is SO rude. How many times have you yourself said or heard someone say "WELL, there goes THEIR tip!" when something doesn't go exactly as you want it to at the restaurant. While I do believe a tip should reflect a server's service, I do NOT believe the tip should reflect the kitchen messing up your order, your inability to get a parking spot outside, the hostess skipping over your name even though you were there first, or really for any other reason. In my opinion, 20% is the MINIMUM you should tip your server.
Are you aware that waitstaff depends on their tips almost entirely?? Servers in PA typically make anywhere from $2.65/hour to $4 or $5/hour, but that higher hourly rate is very rare. Now do the math on that. Let's say Susan makes $3/hour working at the Melting Pot (btw, I sooo wish we had one of those in Erie!). Susan works 30 hours a week busting her butt waiting tables. At $3/hour, that gives her a $90 paycheck before taxes...and likely $73 after taxes are taken out. Could you survive on $73/week? Doubtful.
What's the problem? Did your server forget to bring you a refill AGAIN? You've asked them TWICE already! How annoying. They must just be stupid. Maybe they should get their head out of their butt when they come to work! Sound harsh?? These are ALL things I've heard, and I'm sure you've said! Did you take into consideration that maybe while they were on their way to get your water that the table behind you stopped them to complain about their food? Then after that a table that wasn't even theirs flagged them down to ask for refills. Then another "gentleman" from across the restaurant SNAPPED his fingers at her because he STILL hasn't gotten his food, so she then had to go to the kitchen to find out why it's been over 40 minutes. These are all things that happen multiple times in one shift for the typical server. And yes, while it is just as important that you get your refill as the snapping guy gets his food, you can understand how throwing multiple issues at one person while they're en route to your water could make them forget!
While 20% of the total bill is the general guideline, there's no rule that says you can't tip more. Granted, the economy...blah blah blah. But don't act like you over-tipped when the economy didn't suck! You're using it as an excuse! If you can't afford to tip, don't go out to eat! I am NOT bragging when I say this, just trying to make a point, but when I am paying for a meal at a restaurant, MINIMUM tip is 20%. That's bottom-of-the-barrel service unless the server flat out called me a name and spit in my food (no, that's never happened). If the server was on top of things, very attentive, friendly, etc, I have no problem whatsoever tipping 30%, 40%, sometimes 50%. If I go to a lower priced restaurant where I don't expect to get any service at all and someone takes good care of me, I'll have no problem leaving a $10 tip on an $11 bill. And you know what? It probably made someone's day. It wasn't much, and $10 certainly doesn't get you very far...but if someone else had sat at that table they may have made 87 cents. Don't get me wrong, servers aren't poverty stricken and shouldn't be treated like a charity case...but they SHOULD be commended for good work.
Ok I'm done preaching, hopefully I've made my point. If you have comments, in agreement or disagreement, leave them below!
Sunday, October 18, 2009
Hello, my name is Kara Marie and I'm a Carbivore....
Ahhhhh....FINALLY! It's Sunday!! You know what that means?? CHEAT DAY! I love diet cheat day. Every week on this diet, my weekends get more and more strict. My initial goal was to stay strict and true to my diet Monday through Friday, and eat what I wanted on the weekends. Each weekend I try to get better. I can honestly say other than a slice of pizza on Friday, I've been SO good. And tonight, for dinner I had a plate full of pasta, a slice of bread, and about a cup of zucchini. LOVE my carbs! Mmmm. Now I want something SWEET and am determined to get it!
Anyhow, I've had a pretty decent weekend. Yesterday was a little rough--had some self realizations . Those always hurt. But today I'm trying to turn those little personality flaws into good qualities.
Today, Joe, Anthony, and I went to the Fall Festival at Peek'n Peak. I'm a huge fall fan so I'm always looking forward to things like this, but then I forget what it's like to battle insane crowds, in the mud, with a giant stroller and a un-rested toddler. I always get SO stressed when I go to festivals. First of all, I'm annoyed by large crowds of people all going in different directions. Secondly I hate when people don't say "THANK YOU" when you open the door for them or allow them to walk first, and I'm almost ashamed to say it, but I get frustrated that I can't wander off and browse the crafts and other little booths that are there. Ladies, you know sometimes the men in our lives can be...uhhmm....selfish. So here I am standing outside in the freezing cold in the mud with a squirming toddler, a giant stroller, and a hot cider that spills in the cup holder everytime someone runs into the stroller (which is about every 1.83 seconds). While I'm doing this, Joe is browsing for snowboards in the ski swap inside. He doesn't ski. Or snowboard. Grr. Well, NOW apparently he does because he just bought a snowboard. Goofball. Anyhow, it has nothing to do with his soon-to-be-hobbies, it's just that I would much rather be looking at stuff for me than waiting for him. I'll stop complaining about it now :) Sorry, Joe!
ANYHOW--on a lighter note, check out the cute pix I shot of the little guy today :)
That'll be all for now :)
Anyhow, I've had a pretty decent weekend. Yesterday was a little rough--had some self realizations . Those always hurt. But today I'm trying to turn those little personality flaws into good qualities.
Today, Joe, Anthony, and I went to the Fall Festival at Peek'n Peak. I'm a huge fall fan so I'm always looking forward to things like this, but then I forget what it's like to battle insane crowds, in the mud, with a giant stroller and a un-rested toddler. I always get SO stressed when I go to festivals. First of all, I'm annoyed by large crowds of people all going in different directions. Secondly I hate when people don't say "THANK YOU" when you open the door for them or allow them to walk first, and I'm almost ashamed to say it, but I get frustrated that I can't wander off and browse the crafts and other little booths that are there. Ladies, you know sometimes the men in our lives can be...uhhmm....selfish. So here I am standing outside in the freezing cold in the mud with a squirming toddler, a giant stroller, and a hot cider that spills in the cup holder everytime someone runs into the stroller (which is about every 1.83 seconds). While I'm doing this, Joe is browsing for snowboards in the ski swap inside. He doesn't ski. Or snowboard. Grr. Well, NOW apparently he does because he just bought a snowboard. Goofball. Anyhow, it has nothing to do with his soon-to-be-hobbies, it's just that I would much rather be looking at stuff for me than waiting for him. I'll stop complaining about it now :) Sorry, Joe!
ANYHOW--on a lighter note, check out the cute pix I shot of the little guy today :)
That'll be all for now :)
Thursday, October 15, 2009
Back to Skinny Series Part I
Every Thursday there will be a new post from my new series "Back to Skinny". Ok, so those of you who know me personally, please stop throwing things at your computer monitor. I REALIZE I'm not "fat". However often times the skinniest people have the highest body fat content. Did you know that anorexics that die from their disease, are always clinically OBESE?! If you logically think about it, you understand how that is true. Starving yourself shocks your body into survival mode, and causes your body to feed off the muscle and store the fat. Anyhow, please don't think by that metaphor that I am in any way, shape, or form anorexic. TRUST ME--I'm not that disciplined and I looovvvveee my food :)
I happen to have the area's best personal trainer living under my roof and I have yet to REALLY utilize his help (sorry Joe). Also, to plug him, check out his ABsolute Fitness website. I've always lived a relatively healthy lifestyle, but since I've had my son, I've of course, noticed some changes. SO week by week, I will be sharing recipes, my diet, my results, my weight (gasp) and everything else that's personal! Knowing that there are people reading this blog each week will encourage me to stay on track!
I HAVE been doing this for 2 weeks, we'll call this week one, being it's my first blog about it!
WEEK 1: Starting weight 125. Starting Body Fat: 22% (right in the "normal" range, I'd like to be in the "excellent" range). Overall Fitness Level: I rate myself at a 5 of 10. Isn't that sad? I put my back out yesterday...no unfortunately that's not just an excuse. So my workouts will be extremely limited until it's better. Hopefully just a few days, but the last time it happened it was 3 months. I will need to heavily rely on my diet!
SO::
Starting Weight: 125 Goal Weight: 115
Starting Body Fat: 22% Goal Body Fat: 18%
Starting Dress Size: 5 Goal Dress Size: 3
Starting Fitness Level: 5/10 Goal Fitness Level: 9
My diet:
The wonderful Joe has written me out the least wonderful diet! Where's the CHOCOLATE, Joe?!? His answer will be "In the protein powder", as if that's REAL chocolate. Please see below for a PHOTO of this "JOE" that I speak of.
Eew. Look how in shape he is! Haha.
Anyhow, back to the point. This man's diet is the picture of perfection. He cheats 1 MEAL A WEEK. My goal is to follow the diet extremely strictly during the week, and on the weekend eat what I want, as long as it's not too horrible. For example 1 cheat meal and the rest of the weekend making mostly reasonable choices. I'm going to be REALISTIC. If I'm confined to just one cheat meal a week, I'll cheat all the time.
So the health Nazi has got me eating 6 times a day, which is a huge struggle for me. There just isn't that kind of TIME.
8am-8:30am Breakfast. 3 egg whites, 1 whole egg, 1/2 banana, 1 serving weight control oatmeal, 1 multi vitamin. -OR- The Abs Diet "Ultimate Power Smoothie" which basically has everything but the kitchen sink in it! : 2 scoops protein powder, 6 ice cubes, 1/2 cup non fat yogurt, 1/2 cup oatmeal, 1 tablespoon peanut butter, 1 strawberry.
10am-10:30am Snack. 3 plain rice cakes with 1 tablespoon peanut butter
12pm-1pm Lunch. 4 ounces chicken breast or equivalent turkey breast, 1 cup vegetables, 1/2 sweet potato.
2:30-3pm Snack. 1 apple with 10 almonds
4pm-4:30pm Post-workout protein shake
6pm-6:30pm Dinner.5 ounces protein cooked in 1 tsp olive oil, 1 cup vegetables.
8pm WINE. Ok, ok. So that's not technically on the diet. But it doesn't hurt toooo bad. I can also have coffee anytime I want :)
Stay tuned! I'm going to buy a new scale and a tape measure today so I can provide accurate results. No need for a body fat calculator--I've got human calipers at home!
Also, please be sure to check out a fellow wedding industry vendor's "90 Days of Getting back to Me" Blog series. Elizabeth Craig was partly to thank for my decision to blog about my getting "Back to Skinny" experience!
I happen to have the area's best personal trainer living under my roof and I have yet to REALLY utilize his help (sorry Joe). Also, to plug him, check out his ABsolute Fitness website. I've always lived a relatively healthy lifestyle, but since I've had my son, I've of course, noticed some changes. SO week by week, I will be sharing recipes, my diet, my results, my weight (gasp) and everything else that's personal! Knowing that there are people reading this blog each week will encourage me to stay on track!
I HAVE been doing this for 2 weeks, we'll call this week one, being it's my first blog about it!
WEEK 1: Starting weight 125. Starting Body Fat: 22% (right in the "normal" range, I'd like to be in the "excellent" range). Overall Fitness Level: I rate myself at a 5 of 10. Isn't that sad? I put my back out yesterday...no unfortunately that's not just an excuse. So my workouts will be extremely limited until it's better. Hopefully just a few days, but the last time it happened it was 3 months. I will need to heavily rely on my diet!
SO::
Starting Weight: 125 Goal Weight: 115
Starting Body Fat: 22% Goal Body Fat: 18%
Starting Dress Size: 5 Goal Dress Size: 3
Starting Fitness Level: 5/10 Goal Fitness Level: 9
My diet:
The wonderful Joe has written me out the least wonderful diet! Where's the CHOCOLATE, Joe?!? His answer will be "In the protein powder", as if that's REAL chocolate. Please see below for a PHOTO of this "JOE" that I speak of.
Eew. Look how in shape he is! Haha.
Anyhow, back to the point. This man's diet is the picture of perfection. He cheats 1 MEAL A WEEK. My goal is to follow the diet extremely strictly during the week, and on the weekend eat what I want, as long as it's not too horrible. For example 1 cheat meal and the rest of the weekend making mostly reasonable choices. I'm going to be REALISTIC. If I'm confined to just one cheat meal a week, I'll cheat all the time.
So the health Nazi has got me eating 6 times a day, which is a huge struggle for me. There just isn't that kind of TIME.
8am-8:30am Breakfast. 3 egg whites, 1 whole egg, 1/2 banana, 1 serving weight control oatmeal, 1 multi vitamin. -OR- The Abs Diet "Ultimate Power Smoothie" which basically has everything but the kitchen sink in it! : 2 scoops protein powder, 6 ice cubes, 1/2 cup non fat yogurt, 1/2 cup oatmeal, 1 tablespoon peanut butter, 1 strawberry.
10am-10:30am Snack. 3 plain rice cakes with 1 tablespoon peanut butter
12pm-1pm Lunch. 4 ounces chicken breast or equivalent turkey breast, 1 cup vegetables, 1/2 sweet potato.
2:30-3pm Snack. 1 apple with 10 almonds
4pm-4:30pm Post-workout protein shake
6pm-6:30pm Dinner.5 ounces protein cooked in 1 tsp olive oil, 1 cup vegetables.
8pm WINE. Ok, ok. So that's not technically on the diet. But it doesn't hurt toooo bad. I can also have coffee anytime I want :)
Stay tuned! I'm going to buy a new scale and a tape measure today so I can provide accurate results. No need for a body fat calculator--I've got human calipers at home!
Also, please be sure to check out a fellow wedding industry vendor's "90 Days of Getting back to Me" Blog series. Elizabeth Craig was partly to thank for my decision to blog about my getting "Back to Skinny" experience!
Wednesday, October 14, 2009
Stay at Home Mom vs. Working Mom
I was watching today's episode of Dr. Phil....let me first say, I put my back out today...ouch...and couldn't reach the remote to change the channel. Not that I at ALL have an issue with Dr. Phil, it's just not my type of programming. OK back to the story. The first segment involved basically one self-righteous stay at home mom bashing working mothers. WHOAH. WHO does she think SHE is?
My personal perspective? I've seen both sides of the fence. I've been a mom working in the corporate world, and most recently, I've become a work from home mom. I will never use the term housewife to describe myself, not that there's anything wrong with housewives. I just happen to run two businesses from my house while caring for my son. It's a job. It's definitely 2 jobs. I'm so incredibly busy all day, and always multi-tasking. I'm certainly no Martha friggin Stewart! I'm an ok cook, not a brilliant one, and hardly cook anything with more than 3 ingredients! I do your typical mom duties, on top of taking phone consultations, answering endless emails, updating 3 websites and 3 blogs, doing personal and business finances, and, of course, watching Thomas the Tank Engine's sing-a-long about 13 times. It's hard work.
My hat is also off to mothers who don't have the option to stay at home and they work full-time while balancing parenthood and house duties. I know the guilt that runs through a working mom's head. I experienced it for the first year and a half of my son's life. It's really painstaking to leave your child in the care of someone else while you go to work for 8 hours. But I UNDERSTAND IT! It's hard work.
The bottom line is each family is different. You need to do what's best for YOU and YOUR CHILDREN and YOUR FAMILY, not what's best for your neighbors. Us mothers really need to stick together and not point fingers at those who do it differently than ourselves.
Be sure to pay a visit to DOOCE.COM, a blog written by a mom whose opinions I value tremendously! Her blog is one of the handful that inspired me to start posting MY daily rants and raves.
Cheers!
My personal perspective? I've seen both sides of the fence. I've been a mom working in the corporate world, and most recently, I've become a work from home mom. I will never use the term housewife to describe myself, not that there's anything wrong with housewives. I just happen to run two businesses from my house while caring for my son. It's a job. It's definitely 2 jobs. I'm so incredibly busy all day, and always multi-tasking. I'm certainly no Martha friggin Stewart! I'm an ok cook, not a brilliant one, and hardly cook anything with more than 3 ingredients! I do your typical mom duties, on top of taking phone consultations, answering endless emails, updating 3 websites and 3 blogs, doing personal and business finances, and, of course, watching Thomas the Tank Engine's sing-a-long about 13 times. It's hard work.
My hat is also off to mothers who don't have the option to stay at home and they work full-time while balancing parenthood and house duties. I know the guilt that runs through a working mom's head. I experienced it for the first year and a half of my son's life. It's really painstaking to leave your child in the care of someone else while you go to work for 8 hours. But I UNDERSTAND IT! It's hard work.
The bottom line is each family is different. You need to do what's best for YOU and YOUR CHILDREN and YOUR FAMILY, not what's best for your neighbors. Us mothers really need to stick together and not point fingers at those who do it differently than ourselves.
Be sure to pay a visit to DOOCE.COM, a blog written by a mom whose opinions I value tremendously! Her blog is one of the handful that inspired me to start posting MY daily rants and raves.
Cheers!
Confessions of a Stubborn Blonde....Take 1.
I've been inspired by multiple truth-telling, candid blogs by people not too different than myself. I really admire people that can be so candid about their lives for all to see. Now that I have made the life-changing switch of becoming a work from home mom, I need an outlet!
Being that this is my very first posting on this blog, I suppose I should introduce myself. My name is Kara Marie. Yes, that's my first AND middle name, and yes I like to go by both. Some people think that's prestigious. I don't care. I like it better than just plain Kara. I am a proud mother of a two year old little terror. I didn't quite realize what a terror he was until I started staying home with him. He defies me blatantly, throws his toys, colors on the walls, and whines. But, my little guy ALSO says "lub you moommmmmy" and "pee bah" (peanut butter) in the cutest little manner. His smile lights up my life, and he is very protective of me, already. Being a mother is the most fulfilling thing I've ever experienced and I am so blessed to have this little ball of energy around me on a regular basis.
I am also the lucky "life partner" of a very good guy. We say life-partner because, well, that's kind of complicated I guess. We aren't "technically" married. Joe and I have been together for 10 tumultuous years. It's been a roller coaster ride, mostly good, but the bad was really bad. Not necessarily in our relationship, but in our situation. ANYHOW, I love him. As many fights that I initiate for dumb reasons, I know that he's my soul mate. He's the father of my child. He's in astounding shape. He's passionate about his work (die hard health freak and personal trainer...and let's face it, girls, we love our men that have passion!). He's stubborn as all get out. He's faithful. He likes to cook and do laundry. He's uber intelligent, sometimes, TOO intelligent...it gets annoying. AND he's hot! Couldn't leave out that little shred of important info.
So here it is.
Professionally, I've spent most of my working career in various sales positions. From cell phones, to wedding dresses, to gym memberships. It wasn't so much that I was a SALESPERSON because I never felt like I was selling anyone. I've always been a hard worker, and I enjoyed the fact that I could essentially make my own paycheck by putting in more work. While I was in college (college...aka the reason I spent years struggling to get out of debt for absolutely no good reason), I decided that I wanted to make my hobby more of my means of living. I started on the track towards wedding planning by getting my event planning certification. That soon led me to move to Florida to plan weddings for a wonderful company (that a colleague and I basically built from the ground up) run by a very ungrateful, greedy, coward of a woman. Please note, perhaps she's changed for the better, but at that time--no good. Soon after my miracle of a son was born, we made the LONG haul back to Erie and while working a couple of typical jobs, I began starting up my event planning business again. Lavish Events. It's going fabulously. I've also picked up another business venture--Click Chick Images--my photography business.
SO that brings us to the present. I've known for the past several years that my grand goal was to work for myself entirely, but didn't really have the proper time to do that. A certain unsettling series of events at my out-of-the-house job brought me to making the transition to strictly working from home! The first week was tough. I have to say that I MUST praise the stay-at-home mom as it's far, far more work than going to the office all day, in my case anyhow (my next blog will touch on work from home vs. work out of home). It is SO difficult to have no adult interaction all day. Now that it's been a couple of months, I'm so much more fulfilled, productive with my work, and not NEARLY as stressed. I have complete control of my schedule and routine and that makes me smile!
Now to wrap it up (you're saying "it's about TIME, blondie!), I'm a mom, a business owner, a life partner, and a STUBBORN BLONDE.
Being that this is my very first posting on this blog, I suppose I should introduce myself. My name is Kara Marie. Yes, that's my first AND middle name, and yes I like to go by both. Some people think that's prestigious. I don't care. I like it better than just plain Kara. I am a proud mother of a two year old little terror. I didn't quite realize what a terror he was until I started staying home with him. He defies me blatantly, throws his toys, colors on the walls, and whines. But, my little guy ALSO says "lub you moommmmmy" and "pee bah" (peanut butter) in the cutest little manner. His smile lights up my life, and he is very protective of me, already. Being a mother is the most fulfilling thing I've ever experienced and I am so blessed to have this little ball of energy around me on a regular basis.
I am also the lucky "life partner" of a very good guy. We say life-partner because, well, that's kind of complicated I guess. We aren't "technically" married. Joe and I have been together for 10 tumultuous years. It's been a roller coaster ride, mostly good, but the bad was really bad. Not necessarily in our relationship, but in our situation. ANYHOW, I love him. As many fights that I initiate for dumb reasons, I know that he's my soul mate. He's the father of my child. He's in astounding shape. He's passionate about his work (die hard health freak and personal trainer...and let's face it, girls, we love our men that have passion!). He's stubborn as all get out. He's faithful. He likes to cook and do laundry. He's uber intelligent, sometimes, TOO intelligent...it gets annoying. AND he's hot! Couldn't leave out that little shred of important info.
So here it is.
Professionally, I've spent most of my working career in various sales positions. From cell phones, to wedding dresses, to gym memberships. It wasn't so much that I was a SALESPERSON because I never felt like I was selling anyone. I've always been a hard worker, and I enjoyed the fact that I could essentially make my own paycheck by putting in more work. While I was in college (college...aka the reason I spent years struggling to get out of debt for absolutely no good reason), I decided that I wanted to make my hobby more of my means of living. I started on the track towards wedding planning by getting my event planning certification. That soon led me to move to Florida to plan weddings for a wonderful company (that a colleague and I basically built from the ground up) run by a very ungrateful, greedy, coward of a woman. Please note, perhaps she's changed for the better, but at that time--no good. Soon after my miracle of a son was born, we made the LONG haul back to Erie and while working a couple of typical jobs, I began starting up my event planning business again. Lavish Events. It's going fabulously. I've also picked up another business venture--Click Chick Images--my photography business.
SO that brings us to the present. I've known for the past several years that my grand goal was to work for myself entirely, but didn't really have the proper time to do that. A certain unsettling series of events at my out-of-the-house job brought me to making the transition to strictly working from home! The first week was tough. I have to say that I MUST praise the stay-at-home mom as it's far, far more work than going to the office all day, in my case anyhow (my next blog will touch on work from home vs. work out of home). It is SO difficult to have no adult interaction all day. Now that it's been a couple of months, I'm so much more fulfilled, productive with my work, and not NEARLY as stressed. I have complete control of my schedule and routine and that makes me smile!
Now to wrap it up (you're saying "it's about TIME, blondie!), I'm a mom, a business owner, a life partner, and a STUBBORN BLONDE.
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