Itryharder, yeah it is a workout. I was suppose to work today but that didn't happen. I am going to get back on track on monday with eating and exercising. Not even going to fake it this weekend. Hmm going to lay down soon since I volunteered to do an overnight client. Every one have a goo New Years Eve. See yall in 2011.

Good morning everyone and happy Saturday to you and Happy New Year!

DH and I went out to dinner last night at our favorite place then we came home, everything seemed so crowded that we decided to wait to see a movie until we could enjoy it more. It was a lovely evening over all, I was very tired as I have not been sleeping well again so I headed to bed early and only woke up once at midnight because there were so many fireworks being set off in our neighborhood but other than that I slept like a baby and am really ready for a new year!

Got my groceries yesterday so we should be good to go. I found a WW recipe for a Lemon Chicken Risotto that I am going to make tomorrow. It has the old points value on it but I will need to try and figure out the new points plus value by hand I guess until I get my etools up and running. Anyway, it is something different as I have never made Risotto before.

DS's and their significant others are coming over for New Years Dinner today which will be fun. Oldest DS and DIL and youngest DS and his new girl friend so we will have a nice little group. I grew up in the eastern side of Pa, just a bit northwest from Philly in Pa Dutch country so our New Years good luck meal is Pork and Sauerkraut (sp?) - DH is from Cincinatti, OH so his is Black Eyed Peas - so every year we have both, can't hurt - LOL. But, in keeping with my wonderful new style I will have two large bowls of fresh steamed veggies which will make up a large portion of my personal plate.

I hope that everyone has a great day. I will try and post this recipe here later today for the Risotto as I think it sounds really good and might be something different for those that are looking for new dinner idea.

Princess

Happy New Year to my new Turtle Friends!

My hubby and I went out to dinner last night and said farewell to 2010! I'm looking forward to 2011 - always nice to have a fresh start!

As requested by Itryharder - here is some info about me!
My husband and I have been married for 14years (it will be 15 in May) We are the proud parents of 2 fuzzy faced four-legged kids that we adopted from the Airedale Terrier rescue association. They are my walking/hiking buddies. We live in Colorado Springs, CO and I am the Grille Manager at the Kissing Camels Golf Course. It is a private course that is associated with the Garden of the Gods Country Club. The grill is open seasonally and that is why I get to take 10 weeks off starting today!

We like to get away to our vacation home in South Fork Colorado - which is where I am currently. It is very close to Wolf Creek Ski Area - so hoping to get a few runs in this afternoon and over the next few days.

I will be weighing in on Tuesday or Wednesdays - looking to lose 40-50 pounds. I'd really like to just get to a nice toned size 10 - I always feel good and that is when I feel I look my best.

I'm working with weights at least 3 times per week and going to Zumba at least 3 times per week as well. It's so fun that I'm trying to get to a class even more!

That's about it for now - have a great day everyone! And a safe, happy & prosperous New Year!

Lizzie

Happy new year Turtles!!

Princess: I hope you and your family have a great NY celebration. Let us know how the risotto turns out!

Lizzie: Nice to meet you! Sounds like you live in a beautiful place, similar to the Rocky Mountain areas here in Alberta. I've always wanted to visit Colorado and DH would love to ski there. Enjoy the slopes and your vacation!

While I've been doing alright with my diet, I've really fallen off the exercise wagon here as of late. It's been ridiculous cold through December (usually daytime highs of around -20C, often with windchills hovering closer to -30C) which really has made DH and me want to just curl up and hibernate. It doesn't help that our dog has been completely uninterested in spending any time outside and is too small to really go for walks in the cold.

So, I'm trying to get back into the exercise routine for this new year. I started by doing my first day of Jillian Michaels' 30 Day Shred this morning. Before that I started going through the introduction to my Zumba DVD to start learning the basic moves so I can add in that workout. Zumba was so much fun! And the 30 Day Shred totally kicked my butt (in a good way)! I had trouble getting myself out of the house in the cold, so I think DVDs are going to be the way I go for the winter cold snaps. Best of both worlds!

Have a wonderful NY day everyone! Here's to a healthier, fitter and happier 2011 for all of us!

Good morning everyone! Last day of the weekend but it has been a nice and pretty quiet weekend here for us, I am grateful for that as it was needed.

Yesterday - my first day on the new plan - ok, so, I realized many things... lol - I have lots of areas to improve upon! The fruits and veggies is one and I have to drink more fluids which has NEVER been a problem for me until recently - I noticed that I was just not thirsty all the time like I used to be but that could be becasue of lack of exercise and gain of way too much weight so it may correct itself and until then I will just work at it like everything else. I have to get ready to go to the gym for a cycle class now but will pop back on in a bit to do some replies and get that recipe posted. I did get my etools up and going thanks to WW online help folks so that is good.

Cycling class here I come!
Princess

Happy New Year, everyone & a big welcome to all the new members!

I have been off work for the holidays for 11 days and will be back tomorrow
Holidays were great but I got off track eventually over the holidays. So back at it tomorrow full force - so today cleaning out my fridge with any leftovers I don't need and have stocked up on my fruit & veggies, so all prepared.

Sounds like everyone is doing well with everything & congrats to Princess for re-joining WW, lots of times changing things up really helps.

My scale is up abit since before the holidays & I didn't get in as many walks as I had hoped & that seems to make a big difference.

Hope you all enjoyed your time with family & friends and not lets all get back at it & have a great 2011!

Our weather has been great, roads are clear and temperatures have been pretty warm but I am sure that will change soon.

Take care everyone!

Princess: WTG rejoining WW! I know you'll be successful. Like bandit said, sometimes just changing up the routine can work wonders.

Bandit: Great idea to clean out the fridge. I know I have lots of stuff in there and cupboards leftover from entertaining that don't need to be in the house. I'll work on that today.

I got a bunch of new cookbooks for Christmas, so I'm looking forward to going through them and finding things to add into my meal plans. I think I'll try and do two weeks worth of meal planning before I head back to work on Tuesday.

Enjoy the rest of the weekend!

Hope everyone is having a good day. So apparently work is giving me a workout. Today was my weigh in day and I lost 1.7# not bad considering I haven't stepped into the gym in a couple of weeks. Also the thing recalculated my points and took 1 away. Okay it has been a long weekend. Off to take a nap. Everyone have a good day.

Great way to start the new year, Life4evr!

Hi Turtles,
No real time to write, but I need to keep in touch. DD and dear grandson are here since they couldn't make New Year's Eve. DD got sick , so instead of 11 of us, we ended up with 4!!!! Crazy. We still had a nice time, but my ds and his entire family got sick upstate. Then dd, as I just said, got sick. Looks like we're all fine for now, but I did overeat on Sat. it got to be a bit too much. Thankfully I had the courage to throw out most foods that aren't good for me and I'm on track again today. I feel a lttle shaky, but I'm still on track. I have to remember that I dont' have to be perfect-----just eat lots of veggies and fruits and keep track.

Okay---gotta run.
Newbies, thanks for getting us up to date as to what you like to do and what you're like.
Princess, glad you joined WW+ and you'll be fine.
Bandit, on fighting the good fight with and cooking for so long over the month of December. Being up a little is a lot better than being up a lot!
Life4evr, weigh to go with work and your weight loss.
Peanutt, good to hear from you. We're all working on this weight loss thing.
Here's to the turtles!!!!!
Gotta run, but I'm sending : to you all,
Judy

Lemon Chicken Risotto


Ingredients
3 tsp olive oil
3/4 a lb of chicken breast boneless, skinless
1/2 tsp salt
1 (9 oz) package of frozen artichoke hearts
5 cups of fat free lower sodium chicken broth
1 small onion chopped
2 cloves of garlic chopped
1 cup arborio rice
1 tsp lemon zest
2 tbsp lemon juice
1/4 c chooped parsley
3 tbsp grated parm cheese
1/8 tsp ground pepper




Directions
heat 1 tsp olive oil in medium nonstick skillet. Sprinkle chicken breast with 1/4 tsp salt. Brown chicken on both sides until thoroughly cooked about 6 minutes on each side. Remove chicken to cutting board allowing to cool. Cut into 1/2 inch cubes.

Return skillet to med high heat. Cook artichokes until slightly brown then remove into a bowl

Bring broth to a boil in a sauce pan or tea pot. Reduce heat and bring to a simmer. heat remaining 2 tsp of oil and cook onion and garlic until onion is soft about 2 minutes. Add rice and cook until outter shell is translucent about 1 minute

Add 1 c of hot broth and stir until it is absorbed. Continue adding broth 1/2 c at a time stirring until absorbed until rice is just tender. Add chicken and artichokes, zest and lemon juice and last remaining broth. The cooking time should be 20 minutes from time fo first adding broth. Add remaining ingredients and stir. Serve imediately.

1 serving is 3/4 cup

Nutritional Info
Servings Per Recipe: 6
Amount Per Serving
Calories: 178.1
Total Fat: 4.6 g
Cholesterol: 38.3 mg
Sodium: 779.3 mg
Total Carbs: 15.7 g
Dietary Fiber: 2.2 g
Protein: 18.5 g

Good evening everyone!

I posted the recipe above for the Lemon Chicken Risotto - I made it tonight and it was amazing! DH and I loved it! It is time consuming but it was worth it and I will make it again. I was not able to find the artichoke hearts so used fresh asparagus instead and it was wonderful!

Thanks for all of the well wishes about re-joining WW - I am excited and really trying to follow the program, so far so good!

Have to run but have a great night and a wonderful tomorrow.

Hello all - what a beautiful day here in snowy Colorado! It was minus 16 degrees when I got up this morning So - I had my morning coffee, bundled up and headed outside with my DH and doggies for a quick walk to get the day going.

Princess - the risotto recipe sounds yummy - I calculated that one serving is 4 points - is that what you got? I think when I try it that I will add the asparagus and the artichokes!

Peanutt - I love new cookbooks! I'm hoping to try alot of new recipes while I'm off the next few weeks. It will be fun to share when we find something delicious! I know I'm excited to try the risotto recipe that Princess shared.

I was wondering how everyone calculates the activity points. I know there is a formula in the new material - but I want to be sure I don't overestimate what I'm earning. For instance - we got some downhill skiing in this afternoon. We were out for about 2 hours - but actual ski time I figure was 45 minutes. I don't really get sweaty skiing - but I can feel the burn in my legs and arms. So I figure it is a medium intensity and gave myself 4 points. Does that sound about right?

Lizzie

Hi turtles:

Well, we are beginning a new year & good luck to everyone on getting back on track & starting anything new you are trying.

Life - congrats to you for a weight loss over the holidays!

I have a clean fridge with fruit & veggies & my squirrels have lots of goodies for the next few days, so my kitchen is under control & I also went through my cupboards so everything is set up to start fresh.

Everyone - lets do it!

Good morning everyone and happy Monday to you all. It is sunny but cold here today, which is fine with me! So far the plan is working out very well for me so will keep at it and see how it goes. I made it to cycling class yesterday for a total of 65 minutes and 18.7 miles... I was exhausted afterwards but it felt great and I managed to make it to meet my knitting group and had a nice time and got some work done on a scarf that I am working on. Came home and made the Risotto dish and just relaxed for the rest of the evening.

Bandit: Great job on cleaning out the fridge and the kitchen... Glad to see you posting... was getting worried about you. Anything planned for this week or this coming weekend?

Lizzie: Yes, that is what I got to when I plugged it in to the tracker - although I counted mine as more since I think I added a bit more Chicken then it called for and DH and I basically split the recipe into 4 servings - one for each for supper last night and we both took it for lunch today. So I counted it as 8 pts per serving. I was going to add both the artichokes and the asparg. also but had to do only one in the end... it was a great dish though!

Judy: How is the family feeling? Is everyone over the flu bugs? We have had our fair share of bugs going around out here also... one of the draw backs to winter among other things Any plans or things that you are concentrating on this week?

Peanut: I love cook books! LOL - I have lots of them and keep buying more... but I really enjoy trying new things, we get into such a rut with the same foods day after day. Good luck with them and let me know if you find some winners!

Life: A huge congrats to you on losing weight during the holidays... wow that is just awesome!

Cherry: Thanks for the info - I think that you will really like the new program, I have so far. How was your New Years?

Have a great day all!