January 02, 2008 @ 18:39

Trixie is inspired and motivated by Bob at http://dabigleap.wordpress.com/2008/01/02/199975-to-go/
And deservedly so, he’s absolutely inspiring.  I also read his entries with a bit of jealousy, which I believe is good for the soul in moderation.  Even at the moment as he’s recovering from a serious injury, he’s got grit.  His 1,000 miles, which has been bumped to 2,000 miles, is Trixie’s goal for 2008.  I’m afraid of carved in stone numbers.  I never say I’m going to lose 50 pounds, or I’m going to add X amount of dollars to my savings account.  I don’t follow strict diets.  I get obsessed and squirrely, two weeks into the strict plan, I’m not a fun person to hang out with.  Trust me.  BUT!  I do make resolutions and I have chosen mine for 2008.  And it’s admittedly got a carved in stone number.  It also happens to coincide with my planned 40th birthday present to myself.  I’ve got 389 days left in my thirties, so I want to get back on track and before my thirties are all gone, run a 10k.  I’ve put myself back on the Monday Stats plan, I’ve been dejunkfooding the house.  Sorry, Bear, sorry Puppy.  I somehow managed to lose 3 pounds over the Christmas holiday . . .  Perhaps a pound of that was cutting off my hair on Christmas morning.  The boys alternate years and this was my year to have Christmas day without them.  Perhaps on the next one I should arrange for some supervision?  You know I’ve always said that I need a keeper.  But, Trixie swears it’s cute, so I can admit that “I meant to do that!”  There was no wine involved . . .  no . . .  really . . . 

As I made my last grocery shopping trip, I tried in my mind to go back to this time last year, when everything was going so well, I was running and eating healthy.  As healthy as I did when I was pregnant with Bear.  The perfect pregnancy, my cravings were lean meat and fresh fruit.  I found it hard to slip back into that mode, but I stayed off the inner aisles, shopped the outer circle, the fresh stuff.  The last two mornings I’ve had a slice of whole grain bread toasted with a tablespoon of organic peanut butter and half of a banana for breakfast.  I’ve been replacing the cop out “I’m busy” excuses and the fast food.  And I’ve felt better than I have for the last four months.  Dano assures us that when you fall off the fitness wagon, just climb back up as soon as you can.  It’ll come back quicker than you think.  And just two weeks back to really making changes, I feel like a million bucks.  Spent a great afternoon walk with Light Size and hope we’ll do that regularly as I build the strength up and the booty size down.  Trixie and I also spent last night at my house watching the premiere of the new season of Biggest Loser.  I’ve already picked favorites and least favorites and am excited to watch the story unfold.  I have to say that as mercenary and icky as the rest of NBC’s treatement of it has been, the series has continued to not let me down.  I love the spirit of the series and the way they have been so good to avoid the exploitative pitfalls of reality TV.  It’s a shame that NBC’s “caring for the health of America” has been overridden by it’s greed.  Wouldn’t it be great if the network was more interested in helping American’s instead of squeezing every penny out of them that they can?  But don’t let me turn all negative here.  It’s a happy week. 

So here are the efforts we made for the New Year’s Eve party and New Year’s Day dinner that were good for us.  Hope you enjoy them! 

Greek Style Meatballs

2 lbs. ground turkey
1 tablespoon minced garlic
2 tablespoons minced onion
2 tablespoons Cavender’s Greek Seasoning Mix
1/2 cup plain bread crumbs
2 eggs

Thoroughly combine all ingredients.  I prefer to use the paddle on my stand mixer.  It works the ingredients into one another very thoroughly and helps achieve that very smooth texture that Gyros are famous for.  Roll into balls and place individually into nonstick sprayed mini muffin cups.  Keep a bowl of water to moisten hands to prevent sticking as you form the balls.  Bake at 375 degrees until edges are brginning to carmelize and brown to your liking.  Serve with Tzatziki.  You can also go the extra mile and serve them topped with a tiny grape tomato or a tiny tomato slice skewered onto a party pic. 

“Only have five minutes ‘til the guests arrive” Tzatziki

1 cucumber peeled and chopped finely
1/2 cup plain yogurt
1 teaspoon minced garlic
2 teaspoons dill weed

Drain the cucumber if you’ve chopped it so finely that it’s a mushy watery mess.  I’ve done it myself.  Mix all ingredients and serve with Greek Style Meatballs. 

Low Fat High Expectations Crockpot Chili

2 lbs. ground turkey
2 tablespoons minced garlic
1 can chopped green chilies
2 packages chili seasoning
2 cans red beans
2 small cans tomato paste
1 large can peeled and diced tomatoes
4 cups 99% fat free beef stock
2 cups water

Brown ground turkey until all pink is gone.  Add garlic, green chilies, chili seasoning and cook until spices have thoroughly coated the turkey.  Put turkey mixture, beans, tomato paste into crock pot and stir until tomato paste is thoroughly combined.  Add diced tomatoes, beef stock, and water.  Stir to combine.  Cook on low for 4 to 6 hours, stirring occasionally and checking the moisture level at least every half hour after the first 3 hours of cooking time, or cook on high for 1 1/2 hours before serving. 

Perfect in One Hour Veggie Soup

2 to 3 tablespoons olive oil
6 large white mushrooms, sliced in 1/4 inch slices
1 teaspoon minced garlic
1/2 teaspoon salt
15 to 20 fresh green beans, cut into 1 to 2 inch pieces
1 head of cabbage shredded into strips about 1/2 inch wide
1 can of Mild Rotell diced tomatoes and green chilies
3 cups 99% fat free chicken or vegetable stock
3 cups water

salt and pepper to taste

In the bottom of a large stock pot, heat olive oil.  Add mushrooms and cook over medium high heat until browned and well caramelized.  Add garlic, salt and green beans.  Continue to stir, reducing heat to medium, until green beans begin to soften slightly.  Add 1/2 of the shredded cabbage and cook, stirring frequently until cabbage begins to wilt and become translucent.  Add remaining half of cabbage and cook another minute or two.  Add Rotell, stock and water and cook covered for 30 to 45 minutes. 

This entry was posted on Wednesday, January 2nd, 2008 at 6:39 pm and is filed under Run, Hike, Eat, The recipe file . . ., Real life . . . no, really . . .. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.