Great recipe to share

So I found this recipe and it looked intriguing. When you read through the ingredients you think how could this be good. But the flavors blended nicely. The sausage/butter bean combo was yummy. It was so good and easy to make I decided to share. :)


Skillet Sausage Dinner
2 Tablespoons Fat Free Margarine
1 Cup Chopped Onions
1 (14 oz.) Package Butterball Lean Turkey Smoked Sausage Links
2 (15 oz.) Cans Veg-all Mixed Vegetables, drained
1 (15 oz.) Can Butter Beans, drained
1/2 teaspoon Lawry's Seasoned Salt
1/4 teaspoon Pepper
2 Tablespoons Kraft Reduced Fat Parmesan Style Grated Topping

Spray a large skillet with non-stick cooking spray. Cut the sausage in half lengthwise and then cut into bite size pieces. Place sausage, onion and margarine into the skillet and cook over medium heat until the onion is tender. Add in the vegetables, beans, seasoned salt, pepper and parmesan topping. Cook for 8-10 minutes or until hot throughout.

Serves: 6 (1 Cup Each)
Per Serving: 250 Calories; 8g Fat (30.2% calories from fat); 14g Protein; 28g Carbohydrate; 6g Dietary Fiber; 37mg Cholesterol; 1596mg Sodium. Exchanges: 1/2 Grain (Starch); 0 Lean Meat; 1/2 Vegetable; 0 Fat; 0 Other Carbohydrates. WWP: 5 (www.AimeesAdventures.com)

I apologize to my blog

I'd like to apologize to my blog. I didn't mean to leave you sitting dormant for a month and a half. I just haven't thought of anything to write. I promise to TRY and update you more often from here on out.

Week one in the books

So I survived the first week of my "lifestyle change". I don't want to say the "d" word. Heheehe

I went to the weight watchers meeting today and I found out that I'm down 1.4 pounds. That's a great start.

I have to admit that I was a little upset and thought the amount was too low. I described it as the "Biggest Loser" syndrome where you're happy that you lost weight but you're upset that it wasn't more. They always say that on the show.

I'm glad I stayed for the WW meeting because it was all about positive thinking. That is just what I needed to hear. I needed to be reminded to think positively. Don't focus on the negative and to celebrate the little things. So I'm happy about my 1.4 now.

So in week one I stuck to the eating plan just fine. Danny and I even went to Olive Garden with some friends and were able to resist some of our favorite Italian dishes and stick to the healthier options. I only had one breadstick. When you look at my daily points total...36...and then think about eating multiple 3 point breaksticks that just doesn't leave many points for the rest of the day. So I could've eaten them and then not eaten much the rest of the day or just have one, savor it, and then be able to eat more later in the day. With WW it's all about choices. You aren't depriving yourself of anything just the choices you make disctate the rest of your day, so choose how you want to eat your way through the day.

The big improvement I need to make for week two is exercise. I've been avoiding it. I know I have to do it and I can't wait for the day that I don't dread working out. :)

Time for change

So today I'm turning over a new leaf. I'm starting a lifestyle of healthy living. What does that mean...I'm going to Weight Watchers. Hopefully this will help me turn things around and lead a happier life.

I've tried WW before and I was successful while sticking to the program. Once I thought that I could do it on my own that is when all the weight I had lost came right back and with more. I can't do it on my own. I need a program to follow and I think WW is the best choice for me.

So today at 12:15 I have to get on their little scale and let them tell me how much I weigh. I'm dreading this part. But from today on...that # will only be getting smaller. :)

Loosing weight is not fun but it is what I have to do. I might hate not being able to eat yummy bad-for-me food and I might hate exercise and working up a sweat but I will love the results.
And for my own motivation a list of reasons why this is what I need to be doing.

- Obviously health reasons but that isn't really motivating for me.
- One day I want to have children and I can't do it safely at this weight.
- I'm tired of not fitting in airplane seats and having to use a seat belt extender.
- I'm tired of being uncomfortable sitting in stadium seats to watch sporting events.
- I'm tired of getting winded by one flight of stairs.
- I'm tired of the excuses I make for myself.

I'm sure I could come up with more but that's all I got for now. Wish me luck.

Seriously? I'm not eating here anymore.

A favorite restaurant of mine used to be Crispers. I was in love with their Oriental Chicken salad. It was to die for. It was a huge bed of lettuce topped with chicken, candied walnuts, pineapple, crispy noodle things. You ate it with a scrumptious honey lime dressing. This is only one of three things I would eat at Crispers. The other two are the broccoli cheese soup or the steak and blue cheese flatbread. By far the salad was my favorite.

On Saturday after shopping, Tina and I went to lunch. I chose Crispers. She grabbed a menu when she walked in and I didn't need to look at a menu because I always order the same thing. I have it memorized. I get up to the counter and state my order only to hear back, "we don't have that salad anymore." Excuse me...what did you just say? You don't have my favorite salad anymore?

I seriously told the lady I don't think I can eat here anymore. She tried to suggest some other "really" great salads and I wasn't having it. I didn't even listen. I ordered my fall back meal of soup and flatbread and wasn't very happy.

She then mentions that they are out of crackers and if we really wanted something to put in our soup we could BUY some of their bread. When half of your menu consists of soup and salad, how can you run out of crackers? That was strike two.

Then it was time to get a drink. I won't bring up the fact that they switched to plastic cups instead of paper, which could be taken home with refills. I have already gotten over that point. After getting my plastic cup I turn the corner to see that the soda machine is now Pepsi. I can drink diet Pepsi but I prefer coke. Strike three.

I will not eat at this dining establishment for a very long time. I just can't forgive them for getting rid of my favorite salad in the world, without evening telling me.

Finally. Finalllly

They finally criticized the awful sounding Scott on American Idol. I can't believe he's made it this far. They finally heard what I've been hearing all along. Screeching.

But Paula just said bravo. Ughhh.

You don't have to be nice just because he is blind. He can take it.

Thankfully Simon agrees with me. We'll see what happens tomorrow night. I really hope he goes.

Why is it so frustrating?

Ever since I got the photo cd for my wedding photos I couldn't wait to get the pictures picked out for my album. I quickly made a favorites folder and put all my favorite photos in there.

The tough and frustrating thing is that I can only pick 80-90 photos for the album. I've weeded out a lot of photos and I have 127 still in the folder. I just keep looking through them and looking through them and I don't want to delete any more. I want all of these.

How do I widdle them down even more? I don't think I can. What's a girl to do?

I thought I could possible create a second album online but then leftover photos wouldn't make a very exciting album and why have two albums with basically the same photos in it.

I just don't know what to do. I have 40 pictures to delete. :( This could take forever.