Lasagna Soup

I'm going to try really hard to make a new healthy recipe each week and post it here! As in these are recipes that I've never made before and I'm trying them for the first time and adding up all the nutrition information. We'll see how long I can keep it up. This is my way of getting out of a cooking rut I suppose.

Lasagna Soup

1 lb ground beef
1 Green Bell Pepper
1 Yellow Onion
2 cloves garlic, minced
2 cans reduced sodium beef broth (Swanson)
2 cans diced tomatoes (Kroger organic)
1 can tomato sauce (Kroger organic)
1 cup corn
1/4 c tomato paste (Kroger organic)
2 tsp Italian seasoning
1/4 tsp pepper
2 1/2 cups unboiled spiral pasta (Ronzoni Smart Taste)
1/2 c shredded Parmesan cheese (freshly shredded)

2 c shredded mozzarella (Kraft 2%)

*In large saucepan cook beef, green pepper, onion and garlic. (I used my cast iron skillet just because I wanted to)

*Stir in broth, tomatoes, tomato sauce, corn, tomato paste, Italian seasoning and pepper. Bring to a boil.

*Stir in pasta and return to a boil. Reduce heat, cover and simmer for 12 minutes. Sprinkle with Parmesan cheese and 1/4 cup mozzarella cheese.

This recipe makes 8 servings at approximately 400 grams per serving. I used my food scale to measure all 8 servings so I knew the nutrition info was correct.

Calories- 385

Fat- 8 grams

Cholesterol- 42 mg

Sodium- 1061 mg

Carbohydrates- 41 g

Fiber- 8 g

Sugar- 12 g

Protein- 24 g

I got this from Cooking Light magazine. My only complaint is that the sodium content is pretty high. I had to keep the rest of my day very low in sodium knowing that I was going to eat this. Even with using all organic tomato products I still couldn't get the sodium to under 1000 mg. It was really tasty and I'll definitely make it again! Enjoy!

**I did have pictures of this but my camera is holding them hostage for some reason.

Random Weight Loss Stuff

I ran into a friend the other day at the gym and we had a nice conversation that made me think about where I am in my weight loss journey. I still have about 15 pounds I would really like to lose eventually but it's been really slow the last few months and I know these last few pounds aren't going to come off overnight. If there was an easy way to do it, I'm pretty sure Oprah would have found it by now. I eat less than I burn so eventually it will all even out I suppose. The conversation was about maintaining though and I am the first to admit that I don't think it will ever be easy to maintain such a huge weight loss. Especially since I had to stop running. When I was running I could pretty much eat anything I wanted and not gain a pound. There's something about my metabolism while running that makes it so easy, but I just can't do it anymore because of my back. Since I had to stop running my weight loss has been about 3 pounds per month. I mentioned that every day I wake up and when I put on size medium pants I sometimes hesitate and wonder if I'm going to need to pull out a size XXL instead. I know most girls have days where they feel fat but for me when I feel that way I question if maybe I've somehow managed to gain back over 100 lbs during the night. I know it's not logical and it doesn't make any sense but I still somewhat fear waking up and seeing the old me. I'm still not comfortable in my body but I'm not sure I ever will be. I wish my thighs were more toned, I wish I could afford a tummy tuck, I wish my arms didn't have that flabby thing that I know most women have and hate. There was a time not too long ago that I would have killed to be in a single digit size and now I go into Maurices and buy a size 7/8 jeans without hesitation and still feel fat when I put them on. I'm only 5 lbs over what is considered a healthy weight for my height so I know I'm not really "fat" but when I see other girls my age that haven't had 2 kids and look toned and perfect it's hard to keep in perspective that my body is healthy and strong. I'll never gain the weight back because I know how unhappy I was then and I actually enjoy having 2 hours at the gym where I can think and focus on myself. I can't eat what I used to eat without feeling sick. After 1 or 2 days of making bad food choices I feel awful and I'm ready to get back on track. That's how I know I'll never go back to that point. Because it feels awful and miserable. Maintaining still isn't easy though. It's a choice I have to make every day. I don't consider what I'm doing at this point to be be weight loss. I can't eat any less than I do right now and I can't work out any more. I'm maintaining my lifestyle and hoping I lose my last bit of weight in the process. As my friend said, it's still very fresh. It's almost like a fresh wound. I am still terrified that if I mess up for a day or two I'll spiral out of control and won't find my way back. I know that won't really happen because this is now my life, but it's still a fresh wound that I can't quite seem to heal. It was nice to be able to say it out loud to someone who understands where I'm coming from. It's also nice to know that I'm not the only one who has lost a huge amount of weight and yet still has complaints about their body. It was just nice to know that I'm not crazy. At least no more so that I already was.

Honey, I Shrunk the What?

Tonight I'm going out with some friends and I put on the only bra that currently fits right. A padded bra. I've never owned a padded bra because filling a bra has certainly never been an issue for me. First of all, it's way more comfortable that I thought. Second, you can wear a thin shirt and not worry about how cold it will be at the restaurant. Third, my back doesn't hurt. I'm kind of conflicted about going down in size in that area though. Fitting into a size 8? Fabulous! Fitting into a 36D? Not as thrilled about that. I guess you don't get to chose where it comes from so I won't complain that it's still coming off. Why can't it come from my thighs and stomach? As one of my BFFs says, "When your boobs are bigger your waist can be too and you just look proportionate." Or something along those lines. I'll take what I can get and be thankful the scale is still moving slowly in the right direction I suppose.

Looking For a Silver Lining

The last 6 months of my life have been strangely focused on the mortality of those around me. I've been very fortunate in my life that most of my family is alive and well. During the spring we got a phone call that Matt's grandma fell and she wasn't feeling great for a while and we were worried that she wouldn't bounce back as easily, but she certainly did. Then in the summer I got a phone call that they thought my mom was having a heart attack. I dropped the kids off with Matt and cried the whole way to the hospital. Losing my mom is terrifying to me. She's one of those people who is as strong as a rock and I can't imagine her leaving us. Then 2 weeks later my dad began having some health problems that ended up in numerous hospital stays throughout the rest of 2009 and unfortunately he didn't bounce back quite so easily but he's improving every day. Now with having Matt's mom in the hospital and knowing that she could have died has made me realize how fortunate I am yet again. My oldest sister has survived the loss of her firstborn, cancer and raising a teenage daughter who has been more than difficult. Sonya survived mom. Enough said. I've been really lucky that I met the love of my life when I was 15, got married and I have two beautiful children. We've had a lot of close calls lately but so far (knock on wood!) it's all been ok. In the middle of all this chaos sometimes it's hard to take time to look around and see how fortunate I really am. My kids are healthy and active and I get to take care of them and drive them to school. My parents are still alive and well for me to call and check on. My sisters and Sonya are all healthy and happy (most days). Matt's mom is still with us and I can drive over to the hospital to visit her. Every time I have to make a phone call to update everyone on our hospital status I keep in mind that I'm fortunate these people are still in our lives and I've spoken with them more this week than I probably have in the last year.

We really have been blessed this past year. I'm trying to see the blessings right now instead of focusing on the chaos. If I focus on the chaos it's overwhelming. I have amazing friends and a very supportive family. When I have needed someone to watch the kids I don't have to hesitate to call Sonya (or even Mark who has done his share of babysitting) or my mom to help out. My friends and neighbors have taken my children numerous times over the past few months and never make me feel guilty about it. If anyone ever needs a favor I'm permanently indebted to just about all of my friends. And if I haven't called on you to help yet, don't think you're in the clear. It's only Wednesday. :)

But at the end of the day when I see my children cuddled up on my bedroom floor it's very clear to me why I do what I do. They are the reason it's all worth it. Not just for me, but for all the grandmas, grandpas, aunts and uncles who love them too.

All Is Not Lost!

In the middle of all the chaos that is my life I still went to Gymboree today so I could put my clothes on hold for Gymbucks redemption tomorrow! It took me over an hour and I got some great stuff! I just have to pay and pick up tomorrow sometime amongst more craziness! I think if I can survive tomorrow then the rest of the week will be easier. At this point I don't have any more hours in the day so I can't imagine it would get more chaotic.

When It Rains, It Pours

I can't even believe how much time I've spent in a hospital room in the last few months. First my mom, then dad, then dad again, then dad again and now my mother-in-law. It's just been a whole lot of crazy around here! Eventually things will get back to normal, right? Right??? It's ok if you have to lie. I still want to hear it.

Happy New Year!

I can't complain as 2009 was pretty good to me. Here's my top 10:

1. I weigh 40 lbs less today than I did a year ago.

2. This was the first whole year that I had 2 fully potty trained children!

3. I got to spend more than a week in paradise with my husband.

4. I finally learned to be happy with myself and stop comparing myself to others.

5. I learned to run 5 miles. I then learned that running 5 miles doesn't work well when you have a broken back. I can do it, but I choose not to now. The AMT machine is my best friend at the gym.

6. I saw the best Kenny Chesney show EVER! I'd stand out in the rain all over again if I could relive that night.

7. I left my heart in St. John. There's just something about that island that makes me feel safe and at home. I can't wait to go back.

8. I got to spend at least one night a month with my girlfriends. There's just something about hanging out with the girls that makes me feel more at peace.

9. My big girl learned to ride her bike without training wheels! Quite an accomplishment!

10. I've learned to be more forgiving of others and of myself.

I hope everyone has a happy and healthy 2010!