Notes from the Trenches....

Hey all!!!!! I write to you today whilst stuffing my face with my newest addiction - KALE CHIPS! So I read about them eons ago on Kath's blog and always put it in the back of my mind that I wanted to try them. The verdict? Obviously, why did I wait so long!!!! My only worry is what my stomach is going to be like later after eating the pile of kale chips.

My variation, for the record, was:
*one bunch of washed and dried kale, chopped into bite size pieces
*garlic powder
*salt
*a few sprays of canola oil
*drizzle of red wine vinegar

I baked at 350 for 10 minutes, flipped and then did 8 more minutes. Delish!

So now that I've gotten that off my chest, let's talk about me. Yes me! This is my blog after all! It's been a tough start to the school year. Chaotic. I'm feeling like the Stay-Puf Marshmallow man. And really, what I need to do, is get over myself! I'm constantly stuck on the bad -- like will there be enough to pay the mortgage and the bills. And you know what, I just need to breathe and let the universe provide. It always does!

This week, I stayed the same. I got myself out of bed this morning and took the dog for a walk. That's a start, right?

Well I'm off to eat more kale.....this time in my Kale, White Bean and Turkey Sausage Soup! Yum yum, I love fall!!!!

Love and hugs,
FGS

It's that Birthday Time of Year.......

So it's the first day of my 32nd year. How the day will go remains to be seen. Of course after lovely emails from HBB and birthday greetings from my peeps, how could it go badly?

Murphy's law......

Something about the Biggest Loser always gets my ass back in gear, so here I am again. With HBB gone, I have too much time on my hands any way. So I'm back to blogging. Yeah for blogging. It keeps me accountable. Of course dumb ass that I am gave the addy to friends and now I won't post my weight here. But have no fear, I'm tracking again. And the journey of the last 40 pounds has begun (again). Only it's more like 48 now. Yeah summer!

Nuts and bolts -- how am I tracking? how am I making change?

• Weigh-ins will be Monday and will be tracked on WW online (I'll post results in pounds lost here).
• The food -- as always will be healthy and good. I don't ever make restrictions on what I can eat -- though now, you can safely bet that fast food is RARELY a choice with the exception of Subway. My goal is to eat more veggies, less meat that I have no idea where it came from or how it's been treated. I am not a vegetarian by any means, but I do believe that we should have a respectful, mostly symbiotic relationship with our food and in my mind cruelty is never an option. I want to make sure what I'm eating is good and that I'm supporting sustainable, humane practices. That being said, I have a long way to go to get there. Maybe I'll have to start buying less of the good stuff instead of more of the sketchy stuff.
  
• Exercise will be at minimum 4 days a week. Obviously, times are tough and I can't afford PT. Nor do I think training every day is realistic or good for you. So 4 days a week with a possible 5th thrown in here and there for good measure. My goal this time is something sustainable -- a lifetime fitness plan.
• Change will be in the form of my attitude and mentality. This summer I let a lot of things slide -- even when the numbers were creeping up. And I didn't push the exercise issue when I should have. But you live and learn. And I've learned that I can no longer drink beer every night and stay the same weight. Who knew, right?
  

And that's it! Here I am, after falling flat on my face to start again. Happy birthday to me! Let's get this show on the road!

Love Always,
FGS

Return of the Living Dead

Watch this space peeps -- new blogs coming soon. My HBB just headed back to the GB and now I've got nothing to do and no more excuses not to go to the gym!

Sigh. It hasn't been a pretty summer............