Tasty Tuesday-SKINNY Meatloaf, Scalloped Potatoes and Roasted Green Beans with Mushrooms

Yesterday, I was HANGRY Boss!! Yep, that's right "hangry" not hungry...AKA starving male or female with a southern accent!! 

Camo is considered a "color" in Georgia-
Oh and BTW my legs touch!! It must be the way I was standing in that pic...Haha, I wish!! 

Please tell me you get like that too, because after watching, counting, measuring, imagining, dreaming, and rationing my portions sometimes I just want "real food". I mean like good ole' southern cookin that makes me feel better. Last night, I made a meal that would make Luke Bryan have to unbutton his sparkly skinny jeans. It was soooo good and hit the spot!! AND...I would like to add, that all of my dishes were "SKINNY" versions...thank you, thank you very much!! So, here ya go, but WARNING, you might start talkin with a southern drawl and wearing camo...

Meatloaf, Scalloped Potatoes and Greens Beans with Mushrooms.

OMG...It was soooo good!! Even if I was taught that bragging is rude. 

Before going in the oven...

Meatloaf-

Ingredients:

-1 1/2 pounds lean ground beef 

-5 pieces 45 calorie bread 

-1 cup almond milk 

-2 eggs

-1 tablespoon dry minced garlic

-1 teaspoon onion powder 

-2 teaspoons salt 

-1 teaspoon pepper 

-1/2 cup ketchup 

Instructions:

Preheat oven to 450. Place bread, milk, eggs and seasonings in bowl. Toss with hands and let mixture stand to soak up all liquid for 3 to 4 minutes. Mix in ground beef with hands and make into loaf shape. Place in pan and loosely cover with tin foil. Bake for 30 minutes, then uncover and bake for 20 more minutes . Take out and add ketchup to top. Bake for additional 5 minutes.  

Scalloped Potatoes-

Ingredients:

-1 package store bought scalloped potatoes 

-30 calorie unsweetened original almond milk 

-Zero calorie spray butter 

Instructions:

Follow package instructions but substitute the milk and butter for the low cal options above. 

Roasted Green Beans and Mushrooms-

Ingredients:

-1 pack fresh green beans (rinsed)

-1 jar sliced mushrooms (rinsed) 

-Salt and pepper 

-1/2 cup parmesan cheese (FRESH shredded-I used the jar stuff because that's all I had...it was okay but didn't work as well)

Instructions:

Line pan with foil. After rinsing green beans and mushrooms, spread on pan and sprinkle with desired amount of salt/pepper while damp.  Sprinkle with parmesan cheese. Bake for 15 to 20 minutes depending on how "done" you like them. 

ENJOY Ya'll!! 

Make it Count Monday #WIW #TBT and #Selfiesaturday All Rolled Into ONE

Hey, remember me?? I know, I know I've been MIA for about 2 weeks. Sorry :o( I've just been SWAMPED, and unless I want the repo man pulling my Hondie outta the garage...
You get the picture, BUT I'm so excited because... 

I have a little secret. Promise you won't be mad?? Promise?!?! I might have started going to the tanning bed again. I know, I know...but it's the cheapest therapy around. You're naked, it's warm and fans are blowing on you. What could be better? Oh wait, I know...CAKE. So see, it is a healthy alternative. Don't be disappointed, I'll quit soon (fingers crossed)!!!

I am offically declaring today...

MAKE IT COUNT MONDAY...NO EXCUSES!! 

It has been almost 2 months since I last worked out. By the end of the day I am EX. HAU. STED, not to mention GROUCHY!!! I've gotta get myself outta this slump. I was no busier 5 months ago than I am now. I just keep finding excuses, work, and "to do's" to avoid getting with the program. 

NOT today, NOT anymore!! It's time. It's time to start being nice to myself again and start feeling better. So today's goal...

Walk around my neighborhood until I hit 2 miles on my Nike app, make myself an upbeat playlist and drink more water. 

I CAN do that!! I CAN make time for that!! 
Tomorrow, I'll set a new goal, but for now, I'm going to take it one day at the time. 

Oh, and I have some good news to share. Guess what?!?! Last Wednesday I hit my 60 pounds gone mark!!!! Yay!!! 

It's been a longgggggggggg time since I've seen that on the scale. Let's say like 3 years long!! 

Hard to believe that this was me in AUGUST of 2013 weighing in at 236.4 pounds

I'm still not where I would like to be BUT...I I'm not where I was either!!! I've just got to tell myself, "KEEP GOING, KEEP GOING..."

I still have a tummy and...

My arms look like I have wings BUT...

That's OKAY!!! I am so darn proud of that tummy and those wings AND TODAY I am going to MAKE IT COUNT!!! 

Tasty Tuesday: FAV Breakfast, 4 Kinda Skinny Meals and 1 Naughty Dessert

Do you ever feel like when you have "stuff" to do, all the "stuff" comes all at one time? I do, I do! That could be why it's been a hot minute since I updated the ole blog. I've missed ya'll!! 

So, let's start by updating ya'll on what I've been eating. First, just let me tell you that eating "normal" food has been working so much better for me!! Instead of eating super low calorie food or barely eating at all, I've just been limiting my portion sizes. I don't feel deprived. Now don't get me wrong, I don't get to eat cake everyday and I try to keep away from really bad foods, but for the most part I just eat whatever is in front of me. 

I used to feel like I had to eat at certain restaurants or only eat at home. Otherwise, I would mess my entire diet up...Not now! I eat anywhere and I do one simple thing...control myself. Is it hard? YES!!!! BUT 100% worth it. 

During the week though, I eat at home, pack my lunch and stay away from indulging. I eat 3 meals a day and a snack. Am I hungry? Sometimes, but it truly is getting easier. Here's the latest and greatest from my kitchen...

BREAKFAST-

My FAVORITE!!! Low Fat Waffles and Chocolate PB2...I eat this for a snack, breakfast and sometimes even lunch. Guess how many calories? 140 for two waffles and 40 calories for two tablespoons chocolate PB2...Sooooooooo GOOD and only 180 calories!!!

DINNER-

1. Penne Pasta, Mushrooms and Turkey Spaghetti 

2. Chicken Tacos 

3. Sloppy Joes and Tater Tots 

4. Chicken Pesto Tortellini 

5. Strawberry shortcake with whip cream icing 

Left-Hubbies Bowl, Right-My Bowl (1 cup no bread)
Yes, I'm still eating "normal" but only having VERY small portions 

Recipe for Penne Pasta, Mushrooms and Turkey Spaghetti

Ingredients:

-1/2 box wheat penne pasta 

-1 jar Ragu original pasta sauce

-1 TBSP minced garlic 

-Salt/pepper to taste 

-1/2 TBSP Italian seasoning  

-1 pound ground turkey 

-1 large can drained mushrooms

-Garlic toast (optional)

Instructions: 

Cook pasta and drain. Brown ground turkey, drain and add to skillet along with mushrooms, pasta sauce, minced garlic and Italian seasoning. Simmer and serve with garlic toast. Dinner is ready in 15 minutes!! 1 cup pasta mixture=280 calories (around about)

Chicken Tacos 

Ingredients:

-1 pound ground chicken 

-1 pack taco seasoning

-Hard tacos shells (for hubbie) and Baked Scoops (for me)

-Fat free sour cream 

-Salsa 

-Cherry tomatoes and shredded lettuce 

-Mexican shredded cheese 

Instructions: 

Brown ground chicken, add taco seasoning and 1/4 cup water. Simmer. Cook taco shells on 350 for 5 to 7 minutes. Dinner ready in 10 minutes!! 

*I made a HUGE taco salad with 1 serving crumbled baked scoops, 1 cup lettuce, 5 or 6 tomatoes, 1/2 cup taco meat, 2 tbsp sour cream, 2 tbsp salsa and a sprinkle of cheese. It was SOOOO good!! Guess how many calories?? Right at 300!! 

Ground Turkey Sloppy Joes and Tater Tots 

Ingredients:

-1 pound ground turkey 

-1 can Manwich (1/4 cup=60 calories of AWESOMENESS!!)

-Fat free or 2% cheese slices 

-Wheat bun (I was sweet and got white buns for the man child BUT Sarah Lee 45 cal bread would have been a better option...whatev!)

-Tater tots (10 pieces=170 calories)

Instructions: 

Brown ground turkey, drain and add 1 can Manwich. Bake tater tots on 425 for 25 minutes on cookie sheet. (1/4 cup meat mixture, 1 slice cheese, SARAH LEE 45 cal bread and 12 tater tots=425 calories)

*I'm sorry but I LOVE this meal!! It's not the lowest in calories but it's better than fried tater tots or ground beef, or worse FAST FOOD! 

Chicken Pesto Tortellini 

Ingredients:

-1 pack mixed cheese tortellini (20 oz.)

-1 container pesto with basil 

-2 packs Tyson diced chicken breast (Yes, I AM lazy...Sue me!!)

Instructions:

-Boil tortellini, drain and fold in entire container of pesto. Cut top off of chicken and heat in microwave. Add to pasta mixture. Enjoy the BEST and EASIEST meal around...not kidding!!! (1 cup tortellini=330 calories, 1/4 cup chicken=40 calories, 1 TBSP pesto=65 calories for a grand total of...435 calories!! Not bad for a cheese stuffed pasta. Look at Olive Garden's menu and you will think this meal is NOTHING!!)

Posted this pic on Instagram the day I had to throw away my beloved cake to gain back my self control. It was a bad relationship...I had eaten 4 pieces in a weekend!!! 

EASY Strawberry Shortcake with Whip Cream Icing 

Cake Ingredients:

-1 box Pillsbury yellow cake mix 

*Follow box instructions for 2 round cake pans. 

Icing Ingredients: 

-1 cup powdered sugar 

-1 tablespoon water 

-1 pack SOFTENED cream cheese

-1 regular size frozen cool whip 

Icing Instructions:

Add softened cream cream cheese to mixer bowl. Using the whisk attachment, mix the cream cheese until smooth. Slowly add in the powdered sugar and water. FOLD in the entire container of THAWED cool whip with a rubber scrapper. Chill for several hours. 

Topping Ingredients: 

-1 container frozen strawberries in sugar (thawed)

Put the cake together...

Ice cake with a thick layer of icing. Serve with strawberry topping. Chill cake when not serving. 

I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE this cake!! I think my favorite part is the ICING though. It's flipping AMAZING!!! 

This cake is great for about anything and pretty much everybody LOVES it, even if they leave the strawberries off. WARNING...eat only one piece, ENJOY FULLY and then give the rest away! 

Some Product LOVE

For Flawless Face Routine Click HERE

Hi, my name is Kelly and I have a problem.

I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE...

Makeup, hair products, and bath "stuff"! (Oh, and chocolate, and cereal, and fruit gushers, and pop tarts, and...) It doesn't matter if they are designer brands or Wal Mart brands...I don't discriminate homie! I mean, my little obsession is so bad that every time my hubbie gets in the shower I know it.

1. Because he yells when he knocks over about seven or eight half empty bottles of shampoo, conditioner and/or body wash. And...
2. Because I have to sneak new stuff in the house and hide the old stuff in the guest bathroom behind the towels in the bottom cabinet.   

Ummm yep, I'd pretty much say I'm a product hoarder!!! These are some of my favorites though...

I've tried 1 million face washes. Neutrogena Oil-Free Acne Wash is my FAVORITE! It cleans deep, but does not dry my face out! These days I don't really have "acne," just an occassional zit or two around "that time." I truly think it's because of this face wash. AND I don't have to use any eye makeup remover...period! It works!
St.Ives Apricot Scrub is an old trusty. I use it about once a week before bed, and then drench my face in lotion. I also use a tiny bit on my lips every so often. I can't stand for my lips to peel, and this combined with some chap stick is legit. I'm cheap and got the equate version...It's the same dang thing!!    

My hands were to the point where they were cracking and bleeding. For about a week, I have been soaking my hands in Carmex Healing Cream before bed. I stole it from my husband's drawer in the bathroom. It's doesn't smell all that great, but it has worked MIRACLES on my cracked hands. Needless to say, he will NOT be getting it back.
The Carmex Chapstick is what I put on at night after using the Apricot Scrub. I usually don't buy cheap lotion, but Vaseline Total Mositure is AMAZING! That's actually my second bottle, which is a big deal for half empty Kelly. I love it because it doesn't feel greasy and soaks in quickly.The smell is clean and light, which is good for the this allergy/sinus headache, every stinkin day, girl!  

Cover Girl-Shimmering Sands Eyeshadow
Maybelline Expert Wear-Charcoal Smokes 
Cover Girl Blush-Mink
I couldn't live without these! Yes, I know they look rough, but I LOVE them. I have been using the Shimmering Sands eyeshadow since the 7th grade, if that tells you anything! I will find something else, but ALWAYS end up going back to it. 

Just bought the Crest White Strips. I use them about once a week to keep my teeth white. Enchantress Lipstick by Cover Girl is a fun pretty pink. Be careful, it only takes a little. Unless, of course, you want to go bright pink all the way. But for everyday, use a tiny, tiny bit and add a light shiny pink to the top. 

Is there any other hairspray or dry shampoo?!?! If so, I've not tried it!

LOVE my Light Moroccan Oil from Amazon. All I do is put a tiny dime size of it in my hand, rub hands together, and work it throughout the bottom of my WET hair. My hair is looking so healthy from using it!! The Osis Teasing Powder from Amazon is the jam! AND it only takes a tiny amount at the roots where you want to tease. WARNING, it will make your hair sticky if you use too much. Got my trusty Blue Comb and Teasing Comb from Sally's. One of my friends got me hooked on the teasing comb...I'm obsessed!! With the blue comb, I try and pick my hair instead of using a paddle brush. It's supposed to prevent breakage. Sometimes I'm lazy and don't do it though...shhhh don't tell Hannah (cousin/hair stylist)!!

Unite Blonda Shampoo is awesome! I ordered it from Amazon for around $16. It keeps the yellow and brassiness out of my blonde hair. Only use it once a week, otherwise your hair will have a purple tint...ask me how I know?!?! . Matrix Biolage Hydration is my FAVORITE conditioner. I use it every other time I wash my hair. I'm sure if you have uncolored or healthy hair that would be a little much, but for me every other time is about right. 

Maybelline Define-A-Brow is the best eyebrow pencil. 1 because you never have to sharpen it, and 2 because it looks natural. I use the "dark blonde" shade. At first I bought the "brown" pencil. Duh  because my brows are indeed brown BUT...wayyyyyy too dark!! It looked awful. The dark blonde is perfect though. Maybelline Great Lash BIG Brush is the best mascara. I will not use anything else. I've tried Clinique, Estee Lauder, Covergirl etc. This is the good stuff right here, no clumping but lots of fullness!! I get it in blackest black. 

Your Left-no eyebrow pencil
Your Right-brow with Maybelline Define-A-Brow
Excuse my "walk of shame" look. It was 6 in the morning folks!

My favorite fondation is Revlon Photoready, but when I'm going for a natural makeup look I use Neutrogena Shine Control in Natural Beige. 

Don't laugh, but my biggest beauty secret is allergy eyedrops. I use them frequently when getting ready in the morning. For some reason my eyes look bloodshot when I wake up. This clears them right up though. Oh, and I promise I'm not dirty. That bottle stays in my makeup bag and gets a little grimy/caked with makeup. 

Y'all, for real, this is how lame I am...

Last week I went to Dollar General and got so excited standing on the bath isle that it literally took me 20 minutes, of opening and sniffing every bottle, before I made a decision on body wash! The DG worker kept walking back and forth past the isle I was on. He either thought I was trying to get high, or steal something. I'm not real sure which, but when I got home it was all worth it because when I opened that new bottle of Tone White Jasmine body wash...I found my happy place. I even, and you're not going to believe this, decided to shave my legs!! 

Left-Around 200 pounds, Right-178 pounds
I still have the exact same makeup routine now, as I did in the picture on the left. I think I'm starting to look different though!?!? 

LBR Turns One & Little Girl Party Ideas

One Year Ago...
You probably know by now that the hubbie and I met some of our closest and best friends at Georgia Southern. Even though we live five hours apart, we still see each often and talk at least once a week. Last year around this time, we were able to travel to Atlanta and meet our best friends baby girl for the very first time. 

Little miss Lily Blake was born on January 22, 2013

Rookes, Lacy and Lily Blake leaving the hospital 

Chris may have been just a little excited about meeting Lily Blake. I'm sure one day he will tell her, over and over, the reason she is named Lily Blake is because he called her LBR or "Little Baby Rookes" before she was born AND...it just stuck! 

January 2014...

Look at this cutie pie! Her Uncle Chris and Aunt Kelly mayyyy have gotten her that bow....

And this 1 Year outfit. What?! She needed it!!

Very FIRST B-Day Bash...

Lacy made the cutest stinkin decorations for LBR's party. Let me show you the pics so we can steal some ideas together. 

LOVE the big monogram and the ribbon garland!

She used scrapbook paper to make those. I never would have thought of that! 

Not sure where she got the bird but it's precious!! 

If LBR could sum up the past year for you, I think she would say something like this...
It's been alotta hair bows, homemade food, and cuddle time folks. Yep, I'm pretty much livin it up here with my sidekick Lexi (doggie). Now, if my Mommy and Daddy can ever figure out how to strap me in their new body carrier thing, I will have it made in the shade. But, until then...

Bottom's Up...
Cause go shawty, it's my birthday! 

You're NOT Good Enough #WIW

Every once in a while, say a couple times a year, I get in this...
I'm tired, don't care, can't shake it, everybody is driving me insane, don't talk to me, I'm angry but don't know why, I want to cry, I'm so confused, just let me stay in bed, it wouldn't bother me if I was all alone, sad mood!!

It usually will last for a couple weeks and then I'm good. While it's happening though, I feel like I can't control it and nothing I do will shake it. I literally have to make myself be nice, get up out of bed, dress, and "fake it till I make it"!! I have no clue when it's going to happen or the reason why. Stupid? Random depression? Hormones? I really can't decide. All I know, is that I either want to curl up in a ball and cry, or just disappear.

Go ahead and ask. I know what you're thinking. Is it "that time" or getting close to "that time," because that's a little nuts!? I wish I had an excuse like that, but NOPE I just get like that sometimes.

Have you ever heard someone say that we "take it out" on those we love most? Ummm...yeah about that. It's so true!! During my "mood" my poor hubbie gets to deal with everything I've held in all day, week, month, whatever. I save my niceness for everyone else. Now don't get me wrong, he's not perfect, and he can really tick me off sometimes, but I know he doesn't deserve that. And, I'm sure he wishes I would snap out of whatever is wrong with me.

Let me just be real for a minute and tell you where in the world all of this is coming from...
My "mood" hit a couple weeks ago. I even typed up a blog post all about it. I recapped an entire weekend worth of the hubbie and I fighting caused by the grouchiness of yours truly. Thing is, I decided not to publish it, and ever since then it's been on my mind.
Why didn't I publish it?
Because after reading what I wrote, I was ashamed, really ashamed.

For days after reading my post I kept thinking to myself...
"And you're the one telling everybody to be kind, love one another, and trust in God!! Really?!?! You've been treating your husband like crap and thinking mean thoughts about everyone. YOU, my dear, have no room to try and encourage or uplift anyone. You're not even a nice person! Girl, you're FARRRR from being someone worth looking up to! Why even try?"

Y'all I couldn't pull myself back up. As each day rolled by I began to doubt myself, my relationship with God, my decision to start a blog, my ability to be friends with others, and the chance of ever being able to reach my weight loss goal.

It wasn't until I finally opened my devotional one morning at the end of last week, that I understood what was happening to me. I kid you not, the first sentence said...
One of the enemy's tactics is to isolate people, to cut them off from fellowship with one another, to convenience them that they are alone and no one really cares about them.

After reading that, I didn't cry. I didn't move. I just sat there. I sat there at 6:15 in the morning overwhelmed by the words I had just read. I mean, was it or is it possible that could be what was happening to me? Surely not.

As the day went on something hit me though...
God uses nobody's. King David was a shepherd boy. Mary was a young teenage girl. So maybe, just maybe he was using me to help someone and satan knew it.

Ya'll I may be right or I may be way off base, but my conclusion to the past couple weeks is this...
I am 100% human and I make tons of mistakes. At times, I can think mean thoughts and treat people badly. And, if you're friends with me, I can promise you one thing. At some point I will let you down. BUT, I know someone who never will AND He uses the most unlikely of people to accomplish his will. So, when I start feeling sad, lonely, or ashamed, talking to him is the only answer I can think of that will actually work.

Even though today is weigh in Wednesday, when I woke up I did not go jump on the scale. When I woke up I started my new habit of saying...

"God let me be of good courage, strengthen my heart, and let me be strong enough to make a difference." 

It's been 2 weeks and I'm down 2.6 pounds for a total of 57.8 gone. Hope this encourages someone out there, because if I can do it you can too!

SKINNY Tropical Fruit Smoothie Recipe

This morning I got up and made a smoothie, and toast with apple butter, before heading to work. Now hold on a minute. Don't go thinking, she's "one of those". One of those people who gets up super early, saves baby pandas, cooks breakfast and works out before the rest of the world is awake. 

I'm NOT!! 

I'll even be honest enough to tell you that during the month of January I haven't worked out once. Not ONCE!! When my gym membership ran out at the first of the year I didn't renew it. Sad? Ummmm...yeah. BUT ya know what? It's true. 

I am farrrrrrrr from being perfect. AND...I'm okay with that. I plan on getting back in my workout routine SOON. I am NOT beating myself up about it or giving up. I'll just start taking baby steps. 

Step 1-

Start getting up 10 minutes earlier to sit and eat breakfast. 

Step 1...Accomplished!! 

SKINNY TROPICAL FRUIT SMOOTHIE

Ingredients:

-1 cup frozen tropical fruit 

-3/4 to 1 cup non sweetened original 30 calorie almond milk 

-Splenda or Truvia to taste 

Instructions:

Blend all above ingredients until smooth. That's it!! 

I'm not even kidding. It's literally that easy and you can substitute the tropical fruit for any fruit of your choosing. I am in LOVE! 

Sorry it's so dark. I was tired boss and the lights hurt my grouchy eyes. 

Ninja=best thing I ever bought!!

Tropical Fruit Smoothie-120 Calories
It's not the prettiest color but it was delicious!!  And it took me all of a couple minutes to make. 

I made this smoothie last week but used peaches and fat free milk...yummmmmmy!!

Last but not least, my new FAVS...
Apple butter and PB2 with Chocolate 
I put a tiny bit of extra water in the PB2 with chocolate so it's thinner. Then, I use it as a dip for fruit or spread it on toast. I was skeptical at first, but the chocolate kind is just as good, if not better, than the original. AND...only 45 calories for 2 tbsp. 

Guess It's Time for Step 2...

Start walking on the FREE treadmill, in my back bedroom my Mom gave me, for 30 minutes 3-4 times a week! 

It stinks starting over when a month ago I could workout hard for an hour straight. BUT...I keep telling myself
--baby steps, baby steps!!