It's all about the attitude

<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Yesterday I posted about my binging, how I obsess over it. I also mentioned how Velda's <a href="http://theclimbandsometimesthefall.blogspot.com/" target="blank">post</a> put my problems in perspective.</span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><br /></span><br /><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">What really stands out about Velda isn't the fact that her problem is worse than my problem, it's her attitude. Even though her prognosis is grim (4 to 6 months to live), she is still positive and upbeat about her life. She's fighting as hard as she can to live her life to the fullest. She has hope that just maybe she'll beat the odds. </span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><br /></span><br /><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">It really is all about our attitude. None of the weight loss experts can help us if we have a bad attitude. If we constantly tell ourselves we're going to fail at losing weight and maintaining the loss, we'll be right.</span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><br /></span><br /><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">That's exactly where I've been for the last few weeks. I was feeling like this was just impossible. My binging was getting the best of me.</span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><br /></span><br /><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">When I got home last night I decided I wasn't going to obsess about my binging anymore. I had to let go of that thought process. If it happened, it wasn't going to be the end of the world. So I eat late at night, so what? It might mean I won't lose weight, but again, so what?</span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><br /></span><br /><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Last night I talked with my husband. I confessed my late night eating. He had no idea, which kind of surprised me. I told him it was a serious problem, and I didn't know how to fix it. Just sharing it with him was a relief. It's funny how I can tell complete strangers I'm a freak, but I struggle telling my own husband.</span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><br /></span><br /><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">We didn't argue, he didn't say I was a bad person or crazy, and he wasn't judgmental. He was kind and understanding. He's never had a real weight issue himself, although he is currently 50 pounds overweight (and he hates it). He knows how hard I struggle, but I know he doesn't really get what I go through since he doesn't have food issues himself. </span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><br /></span><br /><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Afterwards I felt relaxed and not stressed out by the thoughts of binging. I really didn't care what happened. I couldn't keep fighting this thing tooth and nail, and then lose the battle every night. I decided it wouldn't be a battle. I'm not giving up, but I'm not going to war with myself night after night over whether or not I should eat.</span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><br /></span><br /><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">I fell asleep early and slept through the night without waking up once during the night. It's been months since I've had a good night's sleep. </span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><br /></span><br /><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">My attitude isn't super happy, with rainbows and butterflies, but I'm feeling kind of happy, hopeful. It's more of an attitude that I need to let some things go, things that aren't really that important. Things like binging.</span><br />~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~<br /><span style="color: blue;"><strong><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><em>A shoutout to my dear friend Pamela who is back among the living. I've missed her so much. She was the first person to ever comment on my blog. She's followed me for almost two years and has helped me tremendously. </em></span></strong><br /></span><br /><strong><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><em><span style="color: blue;">Now it's my turn to return the favor. Please stop by Pamela's <a href="http://www.uncoveringpamela.com/blog/"><span style="color: purple;">blog</span></a> and offer her support. She's a wonderful person and she needs help right now.</span></em></span></strong>

binging It's all about the attitude

Yesterday I posted about my binging, how I obsess over it. I also mentioned how Velda's post put my problems in perspective. What reall...

Read more »

Yet another snow day!

<p>Happy Tuesday everyone! It sure was a good one for me! I started out with just a<strong> 2 hour delay</strong> for work, so I got a few extra zzz’s!!! Then around <strong>8am</strong> I got the <strong>notification</strong> that we were going to be <strong>closed</strong>!!<u> Hooray</u>, I love snow days!! I’ve heard reports that there are<strong> 5-8 foot drifts</strong> out in the country! Wow!!</p> <p>All of our<strong> snowed-in guests</strong> got up though and headed to work. Kyle had a meeting in Des Moines today (about 90 miles south). So he headed out early and only made it about 20 miles before<strong> turning around</strong>. The roads were not good. And the main one we take to get to Des Moines is closed from Des Moines all the way north to the Minnesota border! So I got a <strong>snow day</strong> at home with <strong>my honey</strong>! :)</p> <p>We made a nice <strong>big</strong>, <strong>warm breakfast</strong>! I had <strong>cinnamon apple french toast</strong> with <strong>sf syrup</strong> for only<strong> 4 points</strong>! Mmmm!!! I <u>peeled</u> an apple, <u>chopped </u>it up, put it in a bowl with a little bit of water in the bottom, <u>sprinkled</u> with cinnamon & spelnda, and <u>micro-waved</u> for 2 minutes. I used the warm apples & sf syrup to top my french toast! So delicious!</p> <p align="left">We invited our neighbor over and him & Kyle had chocolate chip pancakes, scrambled eggs, & sausage links! He was full of stories about working out in the storm! I ate a few of the leftover <strong>scrambled eggs</strong> that the guys couldn’t finish. I’m going to estimated <strong>4 points</strong> for the serving I ate. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPOSzzsfY4-aD-PDNufOswx7Tyg67olR0QAmkCIkf_6PKFgwchaHNIH2NFVGev2T-fuH2Y6sUyGefXfwucxOfia-nVXsZaQXK6DC_5fJ_dg_r-vsLFDC2cuIdlpAzGcT_8nrw6kclBSpMt/s1600-h/DSC05857%5B1%5D.jpg"><img alt="DSC05857" border="0" height="304" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkb71kyJRNpOc3ZBn-NTJMeWv0xXRw_yqfkAPpibCyHqRs7HSeg6V7xWQ3n572u0wNn8sYGzTu76bcNZKA5tDuDL547ntaP2sEcof-pOLLCxbBleJZjNKoh1llN6YZeRPP7jxsyQKkYDvj/?imgmax=800" style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-bottom: 0px" title="DSC05857" width="404" /></a><em>In case you are wondering, I used 2 egg whites, an 1/8 c milk, a dash of vanilla, & a sprinkle of cinnamon for the coating on the bread. It was the perfect amount for 3 slices. And all of that & a 1/4c sf syrup was only 1 point! My other 3 points came from the apple and the 3 slices of bread.</em> </p> <p align="left">Later on, a snacked on an <strong>orange </strong>for <strong>1 point</strong>. <img alt="DSC05827" border="0" height="305" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzv-JCfetM1kgUIQqih-QfsCWdhKZIcEuCpq1Sz72KOV5vu5bEqig1FcnWwe2S4Vt_WLNvxXmKw3u5p20ZBgAmb9h45KjmdFltPQ6SZR56djb7-iZZV9QjfGbPmF95bDCTkMTlJ-zPTZ9x/?imgmax=800" style="display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto" title="DSC05827" width="400" /></p> <p align="left">Our neighbor went home and Kyle decided to take a nap. He was up LATE last night chatting with my BIL. While he was snoozing I was busy going through my recipes. If I’m going to stick with this menu planning this each week, I know I’m going to have to ideas easily accessible, not printed on random pieces of paper just stuck in my cupboard. Or saved somewhere on my computer! So I got them all nicely organized either in a 3 ring binder w/page protectors or written out on a card in my recipe box!  <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigO1Ypi3_gHEi0ksE2CN7ANrA8knVI5xJ6eaP8cxifTZHEnWAbrIKw2ilj_TRfRG1bs_dlr-RH3UEEEVOEFItS7ubksZQqRtUo_VlsBzwO4zlwfz2ZlLvhN5wSwKrZ1wlozqMv2hzw-he_/s1600-h/DSC05859%5B1%5D.jpg"><img alt="DSC05859" border="0" height="304" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiooPfvUKfeAXL4HeH5U3EbpC3HqXbzTPBhydE2ZWsHo0Pv40WyuNpiFMhmuvrAHbvID2Xmq2oOH93b_KD8QR6gqMhLXubqlFLyScUMMlUdi21MsBDRCyQpWHVseY7gWoL26wegVzIbbwFT/?imgmax=800" style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-bottom: 0px" title="DSC05859" width="404" /></a></p> <p align="left">Mid way through I decided I wanted to make one of the many recipes I was going through. I made<strong> </strong><a href="http://weight-watchers-points-recipes.blogspot.com/search?q=souffle"><strong>chocolate banana soufflés</strong></a>! (<strong>2 points</strong>) If you follow the link it will take you to the recipe from <a href="http://weight-watchers-points-recipes.blogspot.com/">Gina’s WW Recipes</a>. It was really good, but I don’t think I baked mine long enough. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx2GvBFYxYLKk3pCZho51QEQbjXe-2yVZFAyJbM5-hL6pBdPFlmoW5yCn0f9KMGx_AR-LMkrklmASIgVAes48vtoCY_cJfY-uiD1Q9Vp7tUIFw27-zP8bo19rWudWZvb3k7G3ZotiZRhsZ/s1600-h/DSC05860%5B1%5D.jpg"><img alt="DSC05860" border="0" height="304" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiA83whxEk7QgNbLjaPH2xLaGmFET7N2UFdpDDJx61lp8pduWAZKYJYo2oEzmLOvLVmoWd9VPIuwU3Tls9DlyB_0bMXgdAWo1HdRcGNluo9Z6jrXUSKNO9P-YXOLyy2HyhC_QADfsEfeCDU/?imgmax=800" style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-bottom: 0px" title="DSC05860" width="404" /></a></p> <p align="left">Around 5pm Kyle and I headed to the gym. I started out on the<strong> elliptical</strong> for<strong> 30 minutes</strong> and finished with a<strong> 12 minute run</strong>. I should have done it in the<strong> reverse order</strong> though, that run was<u> HARD</u>! My legs felt weak after working them out on the elliptical!</p> <p>We came home to a <strong>wonderful smelling</strong> house, thanks to the crock-pot! Cheesy crock-pot chicken was just about done! I made some brown rice and heated up some green beans and I supper was ready in a flash! I can’t remember where I got the recipe, but it’s really good, easy, & simple. Here is my plate:<strong> 2/3 c rice</strong>, a serving of <strong>cheesy crock-pot chicken</strong>, and some <strong>green beans</strong> for <strong>8 points</strong>. I’m estimating high because of the extra sauce…once again, just to be safe!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjk4QzLWKc-lM_KcU5N-9HzDUAciQXjBj-Zq9_QF2XP-zL9DN0u2pYNtwvTnq8KiemMkfdN2CV6_l0PaIOzBZLOfa_tBY2IgJLKwR-01s6jY3kNlUJvzo2rrUZ7muzquPrhdAfhjpL399n/s1600-h/DSC05861%5B1%5D.jpg"><img alt="DSC05861" border="0" height="304" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjA1q9MreeujNnIBK_af4VdNAfuTUcRqcxNZX68pgGEF-nDZN-Zs6x76d1od5MvaFiuv2VbIF_oi8nh4eoNPIRULki1Y4FWgT-AcUY_b75foK794MpNLMuSy3OU-yZd3tI5YZ1rnEqLD3JA/?imgmax=800" style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-bottom: 0px" title="DSC05861" width="404" /></a><strong></strong></p> <p><b>Cheesy Crockpot Chicken (3 pts)</b></p> <p>2 pounds Chicken breasts without skin </p> <p>2 cans 98% fat free Cream of Chicken soup </p> <p>1 can condensed cheddar cheese soup </p> <p>1/4 teaspoon garlic powder</p> <p>Place chicken breasts in the crock-pot. Mix the undiluted soups together with the garlic powder and pour over chicken. Cover and cook on low 6 to 8 hours, until chicken is tender. Serve over rice or noodles (don't forget to add these POINTS). Makes 8 servings.</p> <p>Kyle and I are now settled in<strong> watching the Biggest Loser</strong>! Hope everyone has a great night. I think the storm is finally over, so I’m sure I’ll be back at work tomorrow! ;)</p> <p><strong>TUESDAY’S STATS</strong> <br />POINTS = 19/24 <br />WATER =  96 oz <br />EXERCISE = 30 min elliptical & 12 min run</p>

Yet another snow day!

Happy Tuesday everyone! It sure was a good one for me! I started out with just a 2 hour delay for work, so I got a few extra zzz’s!!! Then...

Read more »

Partial Snow Day!

<p>Hey everyone! I started out my Monday at the gym! It took me a while to get there though, I wanted to stay in my <strong>warm bed</strong>!! It snowed all night and the wind was<em> BLOWING</em> like crazy!! But<strong> I didn’t</strong> and got in <strong>30 minutes</strong> on the <strong>cross ramp</strong> and did <strong>abs </strong>as well.  </p> <p>Afterwards I had my <u>usual breakfast</u> of <strong>oatmeal</strong>, a<strong> small sliced banana</strong>, and <strong>PB2</strong> for <strong>4 points</strong>. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbpouRX2Zx6MWJhHI_28JPXdjHdE99siYCjAPw7etG5QpwnKANtpuZ8M5UYxhY0-BHUH4OEDM3ySUPWS2JPpEPjKaf3Qx6XspMmNqQQrccfpajhhC53m3MAGMLRwz-s4vFAhYgjwdXRO-i/s1600-h/DSC05847%5B1%5D.jpg"><img alt="DSC05847" border="0" height="306" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjohHP1cdlBTLa_id4StpVv9FOoxtbNUrFpgLtAL_KfLbTfs_iQ7u8jgseA1EYV6YvdrFfy1dzVUc_f0WnKTVq0cliF5XcUZc1CBLQf0pTU8Dc4IOqxQhQZbXhpDymHeEYmo-qhbDMGduLv/?imgmax=800" style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-bottom: 0px" title="DSC05847" width="404" /></a></p> <p>It wasn’t long into the work day and we got the <strong>notification</strong> that we were going to <strong>close</strong> at <strong>11:30</strong> for the day because of the weather. I had mixed feelings about this. I had a <strong>HUGE</strong> project I need to get done, but I split it up between my staff and I think we finished around 11:32! ;) Mid morning I did <strong>snack</strong> on a serving of <strong>grapes</strong> for <strong>1 point</strong>. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilL6na4tAbfb_FYJrXR0GGqiXPK5wQKrssRfbjWIdRkrUVVBbqNJMy5HWDBO-fICWSMvEtwmdwvxhVcaIJwDcOFOO1CLUH3UN8OXz2nFe3MWkj5VQoU0BiXyq9mkppbQQ8SRcakoAn2wVK/s1600-h/DSC05848%5B1%5D.jpg"><img alt="DSC05848" border="0" height="306" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvi1bJKxhQ34Bd9UYMgNy6HIC3N_UgLnKIHafn9PGReluXUy55aHK_qYrrDv2GU4laYYp9S2R7Vtlc9zTt0qKIuwEPv0zRwoTvvC6JmAcjqgWBLpy4Y-bp0Zi_PXKwrmOnuV46zy4KApZE/?imgmax=800" style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-bottom: 0px" title="DSC05848" width="404" /></a></p> <p>After work I headed <em><strong>back to the gym</strong></em>! Yep you read that right, I got in <strong>2 workouts</strong>!! I walked on the <strong>treadmill</strong> for<strong> 45 minutes</strong> at an incline! My legs were feeling it, for sure!</p> <p>I headed home to find something to eat! I pulled in my driveway and there was a <strong>3-4 foot drift</strong> in front of my garage! Luckily it was light snow that had just blown there so I could <strong>plow through it</strong> with my SUV! </p> <p>Lunch today was a random mix of food. I was in the mood to empty containers in my fridge! I started out with 1/2 c cottage cheese and pineapple for 3 points. Then I had the last little bit of <strong>chicken parmesan</strong> <a href="http://weightloss-stories.blogspot.com/2010/01/finally-friday.html">from last week</a> for <strong>3 points</strong>. While my <strong>sweet potato fries</strong> were baking I couldn’t resist a <strong>chocolate chip cookie</strong> from <a href="http://weightloss-stories.blogspot.com/2010/01/finally-friday.html">Sunday</a>! I’m estimating my cookie was <strong>3 points</strong> (i have NO clue) and then my <strong>fries</strong> were <strong>3 points</strong> as well. So my lunch totaled 12 points, which I think is a high estimate, but I would rather go high than low! Oh and from all that I emptied 3 containers in my fridge! :)<img alt="DSC05849" border="0" height="304" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjVR7ThrC37wiMS1wyy7D_PBnPAvYLdrdxzc6Sn3lirfWPEs6LdE59wtFb84ugwJ-fJQMMADy-Gx8e6Z-fuOGkAjXA9cMuAdmkF9772x8xCUZHwA271Td7IrvtN4iVjxI244txUMYEvNKe/?imgmax=800" style="border-top-width: 0px; display: block; border-left-width: 0px; float: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; border-right-width: 0px" title="DSC05849" width="404" /><img alt="DSC05850" border="0" height="304" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2FM12m-vLxTzi3NTd1cObErEuvPd6bfWuGPqvV1m7Q1kyL0ElsAP6i7IQO04i1QOvG-mimzAWSQgvZCDouLSRfIk3PFaQgpFuvywqQXgtRcnZKW7o4BefoX7T81vx-4mDbK7EjTEliuXa/?imgmax=800" style="border-top-width: 0px; display: block; border-left-width: 0px; float: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; border-right-width: 0px" title="DSC05850" width="404" /><img alt="DSC05851" border="0" height="304" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAfUYKqybozC2PzLvkAvX5jx0lWt0_mmrvyFo7u1iK_5pxKBb4vC2mTCwyBnO7Jk0K_r8dIp3exEOgxp4vJ3HCAzgZvE8b4xfgddhpDdP-6QZZB7wkghCU31O3xo1qWlPeWeHhOuRnAL5N/?imgmax=800" style="border-top-width: 0px; display: block; border-left-width: 0px; float: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; border-right-width: 0px" title="DSC05851" width="404" /><img alt="DSC05852" border="0" height="304" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2N0Oq-TVimDfZinHfTGc7BpJVeMdnp2anMh7qVUtU7Gr_qPFZA4kG-GBPeaRGKDKc41hSZlQgjFI7srlU7DNbTz2-1UYRh7g5CCeqh7m2kOLOFM5ta4hV3R0C24qk5ydTzgA6USoYGezO/?imgmax=800" style="border-top-width: 0px; display: block; border-left-width: 0px; float: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; border-right-width: 0px" title="DSC05852" width="404" /></p> <p>After lunch I headed out into the <strong>blizzard</strong> to get our <strong>driveway cleared</strong> so Kyle wouldn’t have to worry about it when he got home. Luckily my<strong> nice neighbor</strong> had already started and I just <strong>scooped</strong> the steps and other places the snow blower can’t get to. I’m not too good with the snow blower…let alone getting it started! So hey, if you think about it I kinda got in <strong>3 workouts</strong> including my shoveling!</p> <p>When I got done shoveling I came in to my<strong> nice warm</strong>, <strong>wind free</strong> house and started supper! My sister had called and said they <strong>didn’t want risk driving</strong> home tonight and asked if they could stay! So her and her hubby and one of the girls she works with (a friend of both of ours) all came after work to stay with us. They all live 25-35 miles outside of town, which is where the worst of the blowing snow was. </p> <p>I made <strong>chicken ‘n cheese casserole</strong> for supper! It is super easy and something you can make ahead and just throw in the oven. And I think everyone liked it! For my supper I had a serving of the <strong>casserole</strong>, <strong>green beans</strong>, and a <strong>few orange slices</strong> for a delicious, filling <strong>7 point</strong> supper!<img alt="DSC05853" border="0" height="184" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqjRZFfEnLlIw2EdZnufOY-lKvvzTNnELN-nWVSk9qsLYNSaHNotQa6vvis_LvPUh8FlgHjjBb9qM4C7wcfOCwraFgwuXF4TUEQkRuhbjA05-Io1-iwKL2D7UeICI-wcLX1_OILYlVh4WW/?imgmax=800" style="border-top-width: 0px; display: block; border-left-width: 0px; float: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; border-right-width: 0px" title="DSC05853" width="244" /><img alt="DSC05855" border="0" height="184" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjs6fqjK6x9ndpDCfgGS-84NKwXnl7GGdtvCujT_0bD5hQ1AUb1O2AA7P07LfBfS7bpAgDhN-5tbglGqos8ir-eZQj9EUqnEsIlZyP1ovLo_PZDQqHprabMt6UNbbH1UuwLeeQqavIucI6k/?imgmax=800" style="border-top-width: 0px; display: block; border-left-width: 0px; float: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; border-right-width: 0px" title="DSC05855" width="244" /><img alt="DSC05854" border="0" height="184" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJF1EiglUbe_916myFBblt6W3vQCGB9u8r3orEwIMlZ7acHcdhWlYroa4TYGTtsTP1Gs2Yftvc6s7kESTK2zPYgg7NoXV1lECKa2_UwC2m1JEQTA0TNlpYSzlWCIduHI4Rl-PMcBf4sM3v/?imgmax=800" style="border-top-width: 0px; display: block; border-left-width: 0px; float: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; border-right-width: 0px" title="DSC05854" width="244" /></p> <p align="center"><strong><u>Chicken N Cheese Casserole</u></strong></p> <p><b>What You Need!</b> </p> <p>2 cups cooked pasta </p> <p>2 cups cooked boneless skinless chicken breasts </p> <p>2 cups condensed cream of mushroom soup </p> <p>2 cups milk </p> <p>8 oz low fat cheddar</p> <p><b>Make It!</b> </p> <p><b>PREHEAT </b>oven to 350 degrees. </p> <p><b>COMBINE </b>all ingredients, mixing well. </p> <p><b>BAKE </b>covered 35-45 minutes. Remove cover; Bake 10-15 minutes longer. </p> <p>Makes 8 servings. 6 points/serving</p> <p>My sister’s work friend hadn’t seen<u> The Hangover</u> yet, so we all agreed we could <strong>definitely</strong> watch it again! For some of us, it was the<strong> 3rd</strong> or <strong>4th</strong> time! And it was just as funny as the first! :) And our friend liked it too!! They popped popcorn and had M&M’s and instead of that I made a<strong> point friendly ice cream sundae</strong> for <strong>3 points</strong>. Just like the <a href="http://weightloss-stories.blogspot.com/2010/01/finally-friday.html">Friday one</a>!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKTl3dA2y5F5eSBwobHofPNKzBMdjR-qxN9k9c7E2scsmC5CQwcbmlWITpAe_eGNm4kV0Fk_rILZrFg0ONBLNye859EQ2p9AvzkDCCB6NRraA6ZGu1iEVD-Bc8X-kpZjH8bd052hZg0Q5L/s1600-h/DSC05856%5B1%5D.jpg"><img alt="DSC05856" border="0" height="305" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihFXpz-7hfVvDYHxJLwV1oLBLV_HK-9WRUdVgfTm-M_UCnUXaJReruhVlCLMyIVi7Y1EPA-aq0i8HCism7RFhkEsf7MuHzy0gk9wj_5xsFp7vquyHVsy2ZtB-qySE6OdwnjMeXPfr-C16X/?imgmax=800" style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-bottom: 0px" title="DSC05856" width="404" /></a></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p>I fell asleep during the last 15 minutes of the movie and was gone for the night! I think I stayed up too late Sunday night and then getting up for the gym! Felt like a bad host, but Kyle took over! :)</p> <p><strong>MONDAY’S STATS</strong> <br />POINTS = 28/24 <br />WATER =  140 oz <br />EXERCISE = 30 min cross ramp, abs, & 45 min walk @ incline</p>

Partial Snow Day!

Hey everyone! I started out my Monday at the gym! It took me a while to get there though, I wanted to stay in my warm bed !! It snowed all n...

Read more »

Hiring Managers Speak Out: 9 Things That Seal the Deal

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://emj.icbdr.com/artieimages/09/ar5b0zk6pf9nptlpl709.gif" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" mt="true" src="http://emj.icbdr.com/artieimages/09/ar5b0zk6pf9nptlpl709.gif" /></a><br /></div>One thing about the hiring process is true: it leaves much room for speculation. Whether you got the job -- or you didn't -- most job seekers want to know why. Why were you chosen over the next guy? Or, better yet, why weren't you? Was it your experience, your attitude, your interview answers, your outfit?<br /><br />While you can speculate for days about all the different things that may or may not have gone your way, we decided to ask hiring managers directly: What seals the deal when you choose to hire a candidate? Why do you choose one person over another? All of their answers will give you some insight as to what you should pay attention to the next time you're up for a job.<br /><br />Here's what hiring managers had to say about what qualities they like to see:<br /><br />Initiative<br />"One of the big things for me is [following] up. If I'm on the fence about a candidate but they take the time to e-mail me and thank me for having them come in, it shows me that they are motivated, tactful and professional. On the other side of the coin, if I interview someone and they are using lots of banal business speak and don't give me any impression of what their personality is like, I will usually pass. I hate when I ask a candidate what their favorite thing to work on is and they say 'everything' -- it leaves me with the impression that they either have no personality or won't speak their mind." -- Keith Baumwald, interactive marketing analyst, Shoplet.com<br /><br />Preparation<br />"I know I have a good candidate for hire when they come in prepared with as many questions about the job and company as I have for the candidate -- especially when their questions go beyond just the pay rate and benefits. By showing interest in learning more about what the job opportunity actually involves, it shows that the candidate is just as concerned about this job being the right fit for them as I am." -- Angie Nelson, marketing coordinator, Les Bois, Federal Credit Union<br /><br />Honesty<br />"A quick deal-killer for me is people who are trying to answer questions the way they think I want them answered. Honesty in the interview is refreshing. I appreciate applicants who tell the truth without trying to sugarcoat things. I am not as concerned with bad things that have happened in their past as much as how they dealt with those issues. That shows their true character." -- Phil Wrzesinski, owner, Toy House and Baby Too<br /><br />Confidence<br />"Confidence is important, but there is a fine line between that and arrogance. I once had a candidate state numerous times he was the one and that no way anyone else could be better. This is not only arrogant, but demonstrates ignorance on the part of the candidate. One does not always know who they are competing with or all of their qualifications." -- Thomasina Tafur, president, Thomasina Tafur Consulting<br /><br />Values<br />"When interviewing candidates to join our firm, two things can be deal breakers: attitude and core values. You can't teach attitude, but you can teach skill. A positive attitude, strong work ethic and strong values should trump more experience and skill. I also make sure the candidate demonstrates our company's core values. I ask them to tell me their 'story' of their professional journey. Through their story, I get a better understanding of the decisions they made and the values they have (or don't have)." -- Michelle Roccia, senior vice president of corporate organizational development, Winter, Wyman<br /><br />Desire<br />"When a candidate is displaying a true desire to come work for your company, they are often the one you want to hire once you are looking at the finalist pool. The fastest way to end up with a short interview and ruling yourself out from being considered is to arrive to an interview to only lack energy, give short answers and show no excitement to be there." -- James Thompson, vice president of business development, JMJ Phillip<br /><br />Passion<br />"When I hire, I hire for 'right fit,' which doesn't necessarily have anything to do with experience or training. A 'right fit' candidate is someone who is aligned philosophically with the company, has a passion for the products or industry, and believes that the kind of work that they do is their mission, not just their livelihood. For example, when I was staffing a green business in Orange County, Calif., I didn't hire the people with the longest résumés and the most degrees, I hired the people who were passionate about the 'green' cause and had demonstrated that in some way in their personal life. What we ended up with were employees who were willing to do whatever it took to make the enterprise successful because they were driven by an inner belief, not by a paycheck. They were engaged at an extremely high level from the first day they walked in the door. I hire for passion, and then train for skills, if necessary." --Barbara Farfan, management and retail consultant, Authentic Communications<br /><br />"When having difficulty narrowing down a short list of qualified candidates based on their experience, skills, upward potential and education, I tend to put significant weight on the candidate's passion for what we do as a company and how we do it. If the employee can show evidence that they genuinely align with our company values, purpose and mission, the likelihood of success increases tremendously in my opinion." -- Matt Arrigale, vice president, human resources, Schott North America<br /><br />Creativity<br />"During the interview process we tend to ask oddball questions and gauge [a candidate's] reaction and the actual answers they give. This will give us an idea as how they will fit with our company and everyone else who works with us. For the upcoming semester we chose one intern over the others solely based on her answer to 'If you were a candy bar, what kind would you be?' She sat for about three seconds but didn't think we were crazy for asking it. She smiled and said 'I'd be a Caramello because they're awesome and hard to find, but when you find them you get a happy feeling inside.'" -- AmyLynn Keimach, Border7 Studios<br /><br />By Rachel Zupek writer and blogger for CareerBuilder.com and its job blog, The Work Buzz. She researches and writes about job search strategy, career management, hiring trends and workplace issues. Follow her on Twitter: http://twitter.com/CBwriterRZ.<br /><br /><a class="addthis_button" href="http://addthis.com/bookmark.php?v=250&username=rockfordlink"><img alt="Bookmark and Share" height="16" src="http://s7.addthis.com/static/btn/v2/lg-share-en.gif" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px;" width="125" /></a><script src="http://s7.addthis.com/js/250/addthis_widget.js#username=rockfordlink" type="text/javascript"></script>

Hiring Managers Speak Out: 9 Things That Seal the Deal

One thing about the hiring process is true: it leaves much room for speculation. Whether you got the job -- or you didn't -- most job se...

Read more »