Chicken and barley stew

 Chicken and barley stew - from clean eating magazine site

INGREDIENTS:

• 32 oz low-fat, low-sodium chicken broth
• 1 tbsp garlic, minced
• 1 tsp garlic sea salt
• 1/2 tbsp thyme
• 1/2 tbsp basil
• 1/2 tbsp cilantro
• 1/4 tbsp dill
• 2 bay leaves
• 1/2 tbsp fresh ground black pepper
• 12 oz boneless, skinless chicken breast, cubed (uncooked)
• 1/2 cup uncooked black-eyed peas, rinsed and picked through
• 1/2 cup barley
• 1 medium sweet onion, cubed
• 20 oz potatoes, peeled and cubed
• 10 oz carrots (3 large), peeled and cut into 1/2-inch slices
• 8 tbsp low-fat sour cream (optional)

Is it true that French women don't get fat?

I'm sure you are wondering, why in the world I would bring up this topic. Is it true? I don't know that for certain, but I've always thought so. No doubt I'm not the only one who has had this impression.


One of the few French women I've ever gotten to know on a very 'small' scale, Diamond Berger, was a quilter from France. I met her at a talk at the Houston Quilt guild on French quilting or 'boutis'. She certainly was NOT fat. Neither were any of the young women with her who showed off their pieces of fabric art. She was in her 50's and looked lovely...just as lovely as her younger students.


Funny how a post is born.

More than just a pace

For the past few days I've been getting in touch with fellow runners trying to find a way to improve my performance with the stroller. I've searched endlessly for some magic stride, tip..anything to help me. And then it dawned on me..it doesn't matter. Okay, it matters a little but not in the way I first thought.

I'd like to say that come my first 5K I'll run my goal of a 10 minute mile pushing my son who's 35lbs. Yeah, in a perfect world and with endless hours of training I could likely pull it off. I've realized over the last few days that although I'm still striving for my goal, I've already accomplished something much more valuable.  You see, every morning the littlest love of my life bounces out of bed ready to get himself dressed and strap into the stroller. Not because we're going someplace great but because he loves to sit in the stroller with his juice and a snack as he cheers me on to run faster and go farther. He absolutely loves to run with me!
photo credit

Flip the switch and forget the wall

If you've ever truly pushed yourself to your limits then you know what "the wall" is. It's that point in your workout where your body is just shy of giving in..your muscles get tired, your breathing becomes out of rhythm and you start to talk yourself into giving up..yes, that is "the wall". If you push just a little further past that point then you've flipped the switch (as I like to call it). Suddenly you've forgotten the pain you were in, your whole body becomes warm and you have now become a machine on a mission. Your feet are in step with your breathing and even the music in your ears has become background noise that you're out running. All you see is the finish line and before you know it you've overcome every obstacle you thought you had and are victorious!

Today was one of those nights for me. I was not a mom and wife running to erase a long day, I was a machine striving to become more refined in my skill. I was a runner. I'll be sore in morning and at the moment I smell ripe with sweat but it was worth it..I flipped the switch and ran through "the wall".

Six pounds lost from my Juicing Fast...and Feeling Great!

Hey friends.  I'm working on my Tuesday Tea post for Comin' Home on Setting Boundaries but wanted to share a quick update on my juice fast. I've got great news! I've lost six pounds in the last week and a half and most of it was due to juicing. Finally...some progress!

I feel so energetic too..not like the first few days. LoL! The decaffeinating process is not fun.  The first few days were (especially the first two) were pretty bad. I started on a Friday thank goodness! That gave me time to lay on the couch ad 'detox'. If you aren't addicted to caffeine it won't be so bad.

Fat, Sick & Nearly Dead!

Bet that scared you..Huh?  Tee-hee!   Don't worry, I don't feel THAT desperate...but maybe getting closer... Desperate enough to drink THIS....  Actually, it tastes better than it looks. :o)

I know it's been a little while since I posted but I've been on bloggy vacation and am surrounded at this very moment by tax papers. Sigh.. Not the most fun..but it sure will be great when I'm done! :o) I didn't do very well on my eating over the last week or so. It sure doesn't pay to not pay attention! I'm vacillating back and forth in a three pound range.