Day 21

I can't believe it has been three weeks. I can take my jeans off without unbuttoning them. Isn't that neato! What a trick, right? I am sorry I have to give you these ridiculous measurements of my improvement. I have decided to not let numbers get in the way of my journey. I just finished writing my first paper for of the quarter and I am glad it's over!

Snack: I had an apple.

For Dinner: I had another turkey patty with some mustard. I know how boring that is, but I desperately need to go to the grocery store, and it was so good that I figured I should just eat one.

Cassi and I spent have spent the night on opposite sides of the living room to do our homework and I for one am impressed by how productive we have been. This is great! I am tired and going to go to bed early again, after I do some reading. ¡Hasta Mañana!

Day 21

For Breakfast: Oatmeal. no coffee.

I went to bed nice and early last night and woke up feeling good. I got home from class and made turkey burgers for lunch from the recipe ally gave me, they were really good! And I cooked them all up so Cassi and I have something quick to grab during the week. I decided not to go to the gym so I could write a paper I have due for my class tomorrow. I work tonight so I need the time. I hope I finish early so I can go for a power walk, or a bike ride.

For Lunch: Turkey burgers with grated zucchini and carrot, on a whole wheat bun with baby spinach and stoneground mustard. yummy!

Day 20

I had a busy day. Soccer game, the jungle of ikea, and cleaning up at home, and of course, I still have way too much reading to do for school. I woke up and made some breakfast and turned on the the TV. Here in Washington Referendum 71 has been a big topic and this morning on King 5 news there was a debate in regards to it. Ref 71 is the "everything but marriage law" for same-sex couples here in Washington State. I'm not sure about the timeline but I think it was last year that the "everything but marriage law" was signed by our governor Christine Gregoire. Since then people against gay rights have been fighting to take those rights away. Now, it's on the ballot, and once again people all over Washington are at risk of losing their rights. Obviously a sore topic for me . . . I feel like Cassi and I live in a safe and loving environment and are surrounded by people who love and support us, I seem to forget how many people out there think the LGBT community is disgusting and undeserving of happiness. I just hope that the vote goes the right way. I think it will, I don't want a "proposition 8" on our hands here in Washington. Steps forward, not back. Keep those fingers crossed for equal rights!

Moving on . . .

For breakfast: I had an egg and the rest of my mashed sweet potato.

Cassi and I ended grabbing something to eat after the soccer game . . . only my second or third time in twenty days.

For Lunch: Small Cobb salad with roasted turkey, avocado, egg, and a little bit of bacon, with red wine vinaigrette.

And Cassi made me dinner tonight!

For Dinner: Tuna tossed with artichokes, capers, green onion, lemon and a dash of olive oil on a bed of baby spinach.

Off to go do some major reading.

Day 19

Real quick:

For Dinner: Just a bowl of low-fat granola with raisins and non-fat vanilla yogurt.

Day 19

For Breakfast: Sweet potato cake topped with sauteed spinach and over easy egg. I had some sweet potato, last night I cooked it, and mashed it and saved it in the fridge so it was ready for whatever I wanted to use it for. This morning I added a few things . . . sauteed onion, a little bit of breadcrumb and an egg, to hold it all together and the breakfast turned out awesome!

For Lunch: Another bowl of the Black Bean and Chicken Chili topped with fresh cilantro and avocado. Cassi and I have come to the conclusion that this is one of the best things I have ever made.

I bought some extra lean ground turkey this morning at the grocery store, I have some ideas, but does anybody have any good recipes for ground turkey? I don't usually cook with ground meat, so I am looking for something tasty and healthy of course!

We just watched a very frustrating RPI football game. They ended up losing, but Tim had an unbelievable game and we got to watch it on the big screen. I saw Mom, Dad and Aunt Lisa in the stands too! Better luck next time I guess!

Day 18

For Lunch: Cassi and I made a salad with Arugula, Romaine, Kohlrabi, capers, and yellow and purple bell peppers. With a Red Wine vinaigrette. There is a picture on the slideshow.

For Dinner: Awesome Black bean and chicken Chili topped with fresh avocado and cilantro. I made this during the day and let it simmer down in the crock pot for 4-6 hours.

Black Bean and Chicken Chili:
3 cans of black beans, washed and rinsed.
1 medium onion, diced
2 cloves garlic
2-3 carrots, diced
chicken breast, diced chunky and pre-cooked in a bit of chicken broth.
1 32 oz of Hearty Chicken Broth
1 jalapeno, roasted on the grill whole
Spices: Fresh cilantro chopped. Chili powder, cumin, oregano, salt and pepper, and cayenne pepper. To taste, it takes a bit of chili powder, and don't add to much cayenne, the whole jalapeno will add lots of flavor and the personal amount of spice.

Sweat onions, and garlic and spices, add carrots, and then add cleaned black beans, and cooked chicken, add chicken broth and whole jalapeno. Bring to a boil, and transfer to crock pot.

Day 18

Today I ran out the door without eating breakfast! I was so sleepy this morning and sore from yesterday's workout. I went to my one morning class and then to the gym but before I did anything, I bought a piece of fruit and ate it so I would have a little breakfast. I worked out hard and I am exhausted. I have the entire night off and I am going to cook. And make a drink with a bit of caffeine in it so I don't fall asleep while I am cutting something. Coffee or hot tea, It's my weakness, I will admit it, but I can't give it up. It's better than my weakness being fried chicken or doughnuts.

For Breakfast: A banana.

Day 17

After class I took the bus down to see Cassi, I hadn't seen her since early this morning and wanted to come say hi while she was at work. I ate at work. I ended up reading while I ate for about an hour.

For Dinner: Pounded Chicken Breast, with arugula, tomatoes and spicy sauce.

It is officially Grey's Anatomy time!

Day 17

I am in a computer lab on campus. I just got back from the gym and my arms feel like jelly. I didn't plan my day very efficiently. I have four hours inbetween classes and I should have gone home and made myself something to eat. But, I forgot that today was the day I had this huge break. So I have been hanging out for a while. I just read through the syllabus for the class I have in about an hour. I am scared. There is so much reading, even more for this class than my women's studies class, maybe twice as much. If I read every day for 18 hours, from now until the end of the quarter I still don't think I could get this reading taken care of. I put everything in my planner, I know when I need to have everything done, it makes my stomach hurt.

I had a great workout today, and am feeling good about being so determined and disaplined. 17 days strong. I brought a bag of celery, carrots, and kohlrabi, and have been munching. I guess that is my lunch. Off to class now, we will see how it goes, I guess I just need to stay positive, and keep my head in those books.

Day 17

I am at school, In-between classes. I am asctually about to go to the gym. I think I am really going to enjoy my Women's Studies class.

For Breakfast: Half a Grapefruit