Checkin Out My Junk

So there was a time awile back I had no confidence. Zero. It was replaced with 270 pounds of junk in the trunk.

Seriously. No. Confidence.

I know what your thinking this is going to be a pep talk about confidence.

Its not.

Well, maybe.

You see, when I realized I needed the confidence, I knew no way of how to get it. Seriously. 270 pounds is a lot of junk in the trunk. No room for confidence in that trunk.

So, I decided if I want to be HOT, or just feel HOT, I needed some mental perspective.

I decided to compare myself to others. When I saw a guy with a girl in my similar junk in the trunk situation, I would smile and say to myself, "He's into BIG BEAUTY, so he must think I am HOT! Because I am BIG BEAUTY!" I conviced myself into believing he was TOTALLY checking me out.

He totally wasn't. But that doesn't matter. It's despite the point.

When I saw a cute skinny chick with a hot dude, I would say to myself, "Dang! He. Is. Cute.!" Then I would tell myself he couldn't have me.

Thats right girls. I had to let him down easy before he started his mental lust with junk in the trunk Big Mama.

Cuz lets face it. I am way too much woman for him.

Literally.

Had to break it to him easy. Couldn't let the skinny cute chick know he was checkin out my junk.

Cuz she'd be totally jealous. Seriously. She didn't have junk like my junk.

I had the realization that I was a whole lotta woman!

Thats right Beyonce! Foxy Cleopatra!

So, eventhough I am still cleaning out the trunk, sorry boys. Gotta go get your junk elsewhere!

Just One Change Weight Loss 3rd Week

Dont forget to sign the linky at the bottom!

Linky Rules: Just sign the dang linky!! You do not have to participate to sign in!!! Although, we would love to hear your stories!!! And of course, I'd love for ya to steal my button here to spread the word!

Week three. I still feel fat. I am not doing so well. I need Jillian Micheal's to come scream obscenities at me until I want to punch her in her rock hard abs. But that would probably just hurt my fist. I am looking forward to the Season Premiere of The Biggest Loser. I always get bu-kuu motivation from that.

My Recaps.
Week One-Couch to 5K.
Week Two No dairy or Carbs.

I did more Couch to 5K thing. It still feels really awkward. I am not stopping. Although I would I would suggest getting really good workout music so that your not running around the track with songs in ear such as, "How'm I supposed to breate with no air? No air? No airehhhhhh?" and "If you look closer it's easy to trace, the tracks of my tears..."

So that's the recap. I definitely second Jennifer's last Guest Post about getting clothes that you feel good about working out and being seen in. Very motivating!

Week Three's Just One Change-Buy a scale. I used to think that you didn't need a scale. Just measure your fitness buy the way your clothes feel. Too tight, then obviously, get some fitness in. Too lose, go down a size.

Then I realized that there is around a 15 pound difference in 'too loose' or 'too tight' in the same size pants. So, if you had a scale, you would notice in 5 pounds that your slipping away, not in 15. Make sense?

"How'm I suppose to breath with no air? No air? No air-eeehh....!"

It is really hard to get workouts in. My target bike broke again. I may, or may not have sworn viciously and kicked it several times while wearing my new workout clothes one block away from my house. That in itself may, or may not have been my workout for the day.

I did some Bike Window Shopping. (what is that? Bike Window shopping? Like Jumbo-Shrimp??) and I picked out a bike that was like $350. *sigh* I can't justify spending $350 dollars on me before Christmas. So, I keep kicking deal with Target Bike until I can get my real bike.

I really want to go to the gym, but honestly, I feel too fat to go to the gym! Isn't that the most ridiculous thing ever??

Yes, Big Mama it is. That is what the Gym is for. Fat people to get in shape, and skinny people to stay that way.

I know, I know! But who really wants to be behind Big Mama on the treadmill!

Big Mama! That is RE-DIC-U-LUS!!

Well I know, but that is how I feel, and you can't tell me that others don't feel that way too!

That is the end of this public conversation with myself.

I wanna do Zumba, but Fat people don't do Zumba! I think there should be a weight class to exercising like there is in wrestling. Different Classes. I wanna go to the gym with a bunch of 400lb people so I can feel like the skinny chick!

Not Gonna Happen, Big Mama. *Sigh*

Where was I? Week Three. Yeah, buy a scale. Take it to gym, alter it 15 pounds on the plus and weigh the skinny chicks...

No Big Mama. Just buy a scale.

Okay, so I bought the scale a day later. I weighed myself. I then threw it up on the shelf in the back of my closet. That was $15 dollars that could have gone to my bike Christmas.

It's a good thing that I am doing this. I believe I can do it and I believe that next week, when I weigh in, it will be lower.

This weeks guest poster Andi from This Random Life tells us why we can do it.

What first inspired me to change? I think most of us could say alot has inspired us to want to change, but doing it of course is another thing. We do the fad dieting for a day, eat bad the next, then say we will start something new the following day. So after doing this for years, and yes I'm only 25, it was time. I got up one morning, put my scrubs on for work, and they were tight. Scrubs??? Tight??? So that evening I went to Weight Watchers and signed up! Weighing in at 180.6 lbs.. (I'm only 5'1")

How is my life different? Everything is different. My self-image most definitely! I feel comfortable in a pair of jeans (mostly), I can shop easier, my attitude is better because I feel better, and I'm healthy! I really do feel like a different person and only for the better!

What joy have I experienced? I think the best thing to experience is when people haven't seen you for a while and they say things like, "Oh my gosh, you look great!" or, "How much weight have you lost?", "What are you doing?" Or even everyday people I work with commenting, these people whom see me Monday through Friday noticing makes me motivated to keep going!

What advice would you give to anyone who may believe that there is no hope for them to be fit or healthier? 1st-You can do it. If you stick with that attitude, (yes I still struggle EVERYDAY with this), you really can do it! 2nd- Support. You need people in your life that are willing to eat healthy too, whether it be a wife,husband, co-worker, mother, father, sibling, best friend, anyone. This has helped me tremendously. My boyfriend and I try to cook healthy all the time and without him I would have gotten off track! (Because I did get off track every now and then, but everyday is new and everyday I can do better!)3rd- There is no limit. Whether you weigh 500 lbs or 120 lbs, being healthier has no bounds. The "skinny people" will just stay thin and have good blood pressure and cholesterol and the "heavier people" will lose lose lose and have good blood pressure and cholesterol! Just because you may have 300 + lbs to bite the bullet doesn't mean you can't do it. And lastly, there is hope. We all looked at this blog for a reason. We are in this together, reach out, everyone struggles sometimes, I bet even the "skinny people!"

What is one change everyone could make right now that would help? Drink water. Water flushes fat. Start there. Add a slice of lemon, lime, or orange. You can do this!

PS. Last WW weigh in 147.4, equaling 33.2 lbs lost :) It has been about a year since I decided to change, it may come off slow, but it will come off! Goal weight: 132 lbs.

Just One Change Weight Loss 2nd Week

Week One Highlights

Did the first week of Couch to 5K thing.

I felt like my legs were going to fall off. I am changing the name of my running shoes from 'running shoes' to Wheezers.

The good news, the creepy gas station manager gave me the thumbs up as I was jogging by. I don't dare say why...I am still perplexed. Plus, I jogged by a girl walking home from work, and she enthusiastically told me to 'keep going!' which I thought was cool, but then I realized that the fat girl jogging down the street needs all the encouragement she can get.

Not to talk bad about myself, but to be the weight I am and jogging? It is not easy. So I don't mean to toot my own horn, but Toot! Toot! I mean, really, how many 200+ pound women do you see jogging down the street. We totally rock!

Okay, I can't believe I just did the toot toot thing.

Moving On...

Week #2 Change One Thing. This may or may not be in addition to week one's change.

My Week #2 Change, No Dairy. Oh my gosh. I totally stubbed a fingernail typing that out. It was not my decision. Trust me. I found out, that Lylah Rose disagrees with any Dairy passing through me to her. *Sigh* Soy Milk, here I come. Which I thought would be dreadful tasting, but it's not bad at all, and I am not just saying that...

My biggest problem. Cheese. How do I do with out cheese? When I go out to eat, I always ask for extra cheese and I can easily say that no one ever uses extra cheese the way I like. I find my self telling them, 'if your going to charge me $.50 for extra, then by Gosh, CLOG AN ARTERY EXTRA CHEESE!' Hence the 200+ pounds maybe???

Then, I also found out that all the spasms and pain I have been having in my throat/chest area is due to a food allergy to Carbs and Starches. So, for me there is another unexpected change, all in week one.

So, altering Week #2 Change, No Carbs, Starches, or Dairy. I.Am.Dying.

I'd better be a skinny chick real soon! I never, never would have eliminated them on my own. Did I say NEVER enough times? N.E.V.E.R!

It's a little more than Just One Change, which was the entire point. I wanted ONE change in one week. Somehow I bargained with three. But this is a good thing...right?

Guest Posting this week on their weight loss story is an awesome mom of five that lives just across the street from me.

Jennifer is wonderfully giving, a hard worker, and a exercising machine! I can't tell you how often I have seen her biking, jogging, and doing it all! She is truly amazing! But, I will let her tell you her story.


My dear friend asked me to share my weight loss journey, and I'm thrilled to do it. This journey began about 3 years ago. I am the mother of 5 children, all born from my own body. This was wondrous, and yet had definitely taken it's toll. Each pregnancy and nursing period had put about 10-15 lbs. on me, pounds that I did not lose again between children. At my heaviest, I weighed in at about 240. I'm about 6 feet tall, and I could really hide my weight well (so I told myself) until I got a look at the photos from our summer vacation. Here's the one that really shocked me.

I couldn't believe I really looked like that. I didn't look like that in the mirror (when I took the time to peek.) Not long after, my sweet 4-year-old daughter drew me a picture of the prettiest me she could.

Wow! I looked so good. Not too skinny, but just perfect. That drawing, timed as it was after my eye-opening photo shoot at the river, made me decide it was time to do something. I wanted to match the image my daughter saw. I wanted to be healthy, and the excess weight was killing me. I had back problems, foot problems, problems breathing at night. My cholesterol was too high, and I was concerned about becoming insulin-resistant (pre-diabetic.) It was definitely time, and there were no more excuses. My husband and I had decided our family was big enough, so no more childbearing, no more nursing. In addition to not having excuses, I realized that every year I put this off things would only get harder. It was time to get serious about getting healthy, and for me that meant losing weight.

As I saw it I had 2 issues. 1. I ate too much. 2. I did not seriously exercise. To deal with problem #1, I spoke to my doctor. She prescribed an appetite reducer for me, Phentermine, which helped immensely in reducing the amount I ate for those first few months until my stomach was used to the smaller portions I needed to be eating. If you want to have a completely natural weight-loss journey, more power to you. For me, I saw no problem in using any tool available, so long as it didn't imperil my health. In terms of what I ate, I tried to keep my diet as real as I could. After all, I wanted a lifestyle change that would see me through the rest of my life, not a weight-loss regimen. I ate everything my family did, just less of it than I used to. I cut out most of the sugar, most of the processed foods, and all the cheap fats. Hello, home-cooking!! Yes, I lost weight on home-cooking, because cooking from scratch uses much healthier ingredients than heating up something from the store. I only used real butter, real olive oil, and lots of coconut oil. The real key was to watch my portion sizes.

Some tricks: Use a smaller plate; Fill your plate the first time and do NOT go back for more; Never eat out of the package - always serve your portion onto a dish and put the package away; Put your fork down on the table after each bite; Never have a "treat" unless everyone else is having some as well.

To address issue #2, I had to find an exercise that got my heart rate up. My daily rambling walks with the stroller weren't cutting it. I decided the exercise of choice would be biking. I purchased a bike trailer at a yard sale and got my dad's old bike in working order. There I went, on a 25 year-old bike, pulling my toddler and my preschooler around town every morning. It was hard work. I rode about 7 miles each day. I also found a stationary bike to buy from a friend and kept it in the basement, so there were no weather excuses. Rain or shine, I was working out.

Some tricks: Find a friend to work out with; Take photos of yourself every month - the pounds come off slowly, and sometimes we can't see it for being in the heart of it, but photos help make the little advances clear; Keep track of your weight and find someone to be accountable to; Get exercise clothes that look good - it's easier to work out if you look good. Really.

The combination of eating less and exercising took it's time to work, but over the course of about 18 months I lost 60 pounds. As I got thinner, new types of exercise opened up for me. I began to run in races. I started going to a gym and doing strength training and aerobics. All these things have helped me keep my journey going strong. The idea of a journey is a bit of a misconception, though, unless you recognize that this journey will never end. I have put as much as 20 pounds back on at times before I really buckle down and work it back off. It's a struggle that I will always be involved with. But it is so worth it. I am so much healthier than I was 3 years ago. My back problems have almost disappeared. My feet no longer hurt all the time. I can walk barefoot again. Sleeping is easy (as it darn well should be!!) The non-sleeping bedroom activities have improved as well. It's amazing what a little added flexibility and stamina will do. My cholesterol is within healthy levels again. My resting heart rate is 56. Wow!! I plan on being around for my great-grand children. Not just being around, but being healthy.



All in all, I would not change a thing about my life. Yes, I was heavy for a while, quite heavy. And I'll fight with that for the rest of my life. But I love this journey I'm on. I've learned so much about controlling my life and my choices, about having respect and love for the person that I am, regardless of my weight, and about trusting myself. I have power that I never before realized I had. Everyone does. You do. Use it.

Just One Change Weight Loss

Guess what I did? I bought running shoes. I didn't even know they made shoes just for running! But they do and now you know!

So, I finally got the right restraining order on Curtis Stone, and apparently he wont be stalking me anymore. I am so sad depressed relieved. So because he has been tied up, properly detained, I will not be doing any more Tuesday night recipes...for now.

I am however wanting to host 'Just One Change' Weight Loss. I am going to focus on changing just one thing for this week. No big commitments. This week, I am going to use my running shoes. For reals.

We all have bad habits. I have more than anyone. So I think we could all focus on making the next week slightly different than the week before. This is not a major overhaul people. It is changing ONE thing for the week. Here are a few examples...

Add fruit to my breakfast
Stop skipping breakfast
Eat more veggies
Drink more water
No more late snacks
Lower my sugar intake
Go for a walk
Get better sleep
Stop Soda
...you get the idea

Now.The.Scary.Part. I am going to post my weight. You don't have to do this, but I am gonna do it. I.am.scared.


235 No Stink. For Realz. I know I will feel much better in a week when it is lower and I post it then.

I can push a ten pound seven pound baby out of my body with no medication, and not be terrified. But putting my weight here terrifies me. You don't have to do this, but I need the accountability.

Side note, If this ever becomes a book, I do not want to sit on Oprah's couch, or be in her book club. Not that I don't like Oprah...but this is a good post for later.

I am also opening this up a Linky on the bottom of this post. If you are participating, please LINK UP! There are no rules, no having to follow anyone (unless you want to of course, and I encourage it!) just keeping in mind that the next week you are going to make one change to better you life. No commitments. Just one change. Post what you changed, how it made you feel and LINK UP!

I would like to kick off a little less about mwaaa and a little more about others and their enthusiasm about being healthy.

This is Marissa. She decided to change one thing in college, and it has changed her life. I asked her to guest post and tell us her story. You can check out her blog and be sure to comment and tell her you came from Big Mama's place.


Hi, I'm Marissa!! When Big Mama asked me to write a guest post, i was MORE than thrilled but then I sat there staring at my computer screen like..."what the heck am I suppose to write??!" So, here we go...
I am a 30 year old, stay at home mom to two boys-three if you count my husband! I was an overweight teen, went off to college and got F-A-T!!! I was not taking care of myself at all. Not eating right, not exercising..none of it! One day I decided to go to the local gym with some of my not-so-fat(pretty much, perfect) bodied friends! It was there that the light bulb went off. It was there that I decided I needed change in a BIG way. I started working out, asking questions about foods, what was "healthy" and with that came me wanting to help others find that "light bulb moment"! I lost 78lbs.in 8 months and am proud to say I've kept it off for over 10 years! Now, am I in the running to become the next top model?? HECK NO! I have to work at weight loss every day, its a struggle and always will be for me! I went on to earn a degree in Health Education and Exercise Physiology to help others like me...find their way. You may be reading this and feeling like it won't happen for you? Its too far gone, right? Wrong. Its never too late for change. Never too late to choose a healthier way of living. Being a mom, I struggle with finding the time to cook healthy, to exercise, but if you tell yourself YOU CAN, then YOU WILL. I sound like a "motivational speaker" talking, but its the truth!! My husband has also struggled with weight, after our second son was born, he had let his "healthy" side go out the door...faaaaarrrrr out the door.
(if there's anything I have learned, it is that if someone is not ready for change, you cannot FORCE it) I am proud to say he's lost 75lbs. in 5 months! There is no better time than right now to make a change...you will feel better, you will want to do more with your children, you will find that taking care of yourself from the inside will make you feel so good-its empowering. I love hearing from people that I have helped on their weight-loss journey, they are SO very proud of themselves, I am so proud of them, but at some point will say,"I just never thought I could do it." But I guess the BEST motivation for them was having someone tell them they COULD do it. If you are reading this saying, "I just don't think I can do it"...I am here to tell you, YOU CAN.

Thanks again Big Mama!!
Marissa

Memory Monday - The Target Bike

I remember it like it was last week.

Oh. Yeah. It was last week. Wednesday.

The kids have been clamoring to ride their bikes to school. Did you see my Family Friday about the whole bicycle issue? If you haven't please, you must read it. It explains a whole lot.

So. Me. On a bike. I like bikes. Faster than walking. Not as high impact as running. Perfect.

It hasn't been used since before Kehlton was born. Then came Lylah.

I bought it at target. $100. Yeah. I even bought a bicycle helmet and a seat cushion that said I'd be riding on a cloud. I was serious.

So, the day came. Part of me dreaded it. The other part of me focused on how good I would feel when I completed the workout for the day.

I had promised the girls. The golden promise. No backing out. Big Mama had to get on the bike.

I thought that if I was going to do it, I might want a 'test run' before that morning. If I were going to pass out and die on a bike, I sure didn't want to do it in front of Wednesday morning school traffic. Yeah. That was a good idea.

The night before get on the bike, and go. It was pretty easy. It felt good actually. I was liking it. Go Big Mama on the Target Bike!

Next day, really excited and a lot more hopeful about getting a good workout.

Got the kids to school. Now I can go home with a slight detour. Push myself, not a lot, but a little harder.

Up a hill. Down a hill. Cool. It was only like 90 degrees. Felt really good.

Then a loud clanging sound comes from my awesome Target Bike.

What The Hehhhh....?!? The pedal fell off. Not just the little square thing, but the whole stem!

Seriously?? Not Ride-able. At all.

Seriously??

I am still close to three miles from home. What the heck am I going to do? I don't want to walk Huffy three miles home! Dang you cheap Target Bike makers!!! Maybe I should have splurged for the $120 one.

This is the scene witnessed by Mom's in their luxurious Mini Vans with the air conditioner blowing through there freshly conditioned hair.

Big Mama pushing a bike up the hill. Apparently she can't make it up the big hill.
I am sure they are admiring my ambition, yet pitying my fat butt as it can't pedal itself up the street!!!

I walk one block and notice a service station.

Hallelujah.

Except that I have no money with me. I want them to fix Huffy for me and wonder if they are Good Samaritans.

Maybe they will think I am cute. That might get me a bike fixing favor.

I'm sweating from working out, greasy black hands from trying to fix Huffy myself, grease on my face from wiping sweat away, hair in a messy bun with no make-up on.

I am soooo not cute enough form them to fix Huffy without payment.

Oh well. Try. Smile. Bat the sweaty eye lashes. Adjust the sports bra.

It worked. They fixed my bike.

I think its because I had total B.O and they couldn't wait to get me out of their shop.

Can I pretend that it was the sports bra?

Sigh. Oh well.

I pedal Huffy home the whole way thinking about all my bicycle ambitions going down the drain.

Then the loud clanging sound again and the broken, fixed, and broken again pedal hits my cement driveway.

Oh, well. At least this time I got home this time.

Anyone wanna train for a 5K with me? Anyone??

Thank You Card Thursday-The After Babies Edition

Dear Perfect Pedicure,
Thank you for trying to cheer me up as I saw the number between your pretty glitter toes. So didn't work. Nice Try Though.

Dear Kehlton and Lylah,
Thank you for coming to earth. Both of you within a year of each other. But seriously? Thirty-five pounds??? Seriously? *sigh*

Dear Bicycle,
Thank you for having the 'It's Like Riding on a Cloud' seat. It is sooooo not like riding on a cloud. You will be hearing from my Lawyer.

Dear Savannah & Rheesah,
Thank you for letting me ride ahead of you on the Bicycles. Weight=Speed Girls. Really, It was easy.

Dear 'Big Mama is on A Diet' Page,
Thank you for always welcoming more content. I didn't miss you. Did you miss me? Well, I am baaaa-aack!

Dear Legs, Breasts, & Thighs,
You have me confused with a Chicken. Not good. Not good at all.

Dear Lylah,
Thank you for the 2:00am feeding. And the 4:00am, 6:00am...
Breastfeeding burns calories, right?

Dear Curtis Stone,
If your going to keep stalking me, please bring your healthy recipe's cookbook. Make sure there are lots of pictures of you, the food.

Tasty Tuesday & Football Food

Hello My Dear. Now, as I have told you many times Curtis, we can not have a relationship. I am a married woman! But, as always, you can cook for me...and my husband...okay! and my five kids. But don't let that discourage you!
Special Thanks to Diets in Review and My allowed Stalker Curtis Stone for this recipe. Also this recipe was featured on The Biggest Loser. Which is a favorite show in our house.

Rosemary Skewered Chicken with Orange Glaze
Ingredients
* Juice of 3 oranges
* 1 Tbsp. Dijon mustard
* 1 Tbsp. honey
* 2 garlic cloves, finely chopped
* 1 Tbsp. finely chopped peeled fresh ginger
* 4 boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1 inch cubes
* 6 large sprigs of rosemary about 10 to 12 inches long, with half the leaves removed

Instructions
1.Preheat a grill or grill pan on medium high heat.
2.Place the orange juice into a small saucepan and cook over medium heat until the orange juice has the consistency of a very thin syrup. Add the Dijon, honey, garlic, and ginger and continue cooking over medium heat for 2 to 3 minutes. Remove from heat to allow flavors to meld and reserve.
3.Evenly divide the cubed chicken among the rosemary sprigs and skewer the chicken onto the exposed part of the rosemary sprigs.
4.Lightly brush the grill with oil and grill chicken for 1 to 2 minutes on each side or until the internal temperature of the chicken reaches 165 degrees F on an instant read thermometer.
5.Remove skewers from the grill to a serving plate, drizzle with the orange sauce and serve immediately.

Tasty Tuesday-Grilled Chicken W/Mango Salsa

Special Thanks to Diets & Review for allowing me to steal borrow this recipe.
Sorry, I don't have a pic, but its good try it!
Grilled Chicken with Warm Mango Salsa
**Curtis Stone, I think your cuter than Chef Rocco. Just becuse I am using his recipe, doesn't change our relationship!**
231 Calories/Serving
Yield: Serves 4
Ingredients
PAM spray
4 large boneless skinless chicken thighs, about 1-1/2 pounds
Nu-Salt and fresh ground pepper to taste
1 medium red onion, small dice
1 small jalapeno, chopped fine
1 medium tomato, small dice
1 large mango, small dice
juice and zest of 2 limes
2/3 cup chopped fresh cilantro
Instructions
1.Preheat grill or grill pan over high heat
2.Spray chicken thighs lightly with PAM and season with Nu-Salt and pepper
3.Grill about 4 minutes per side, or until just cooked through
4.Meanwhile, heat a large nonstick pan over med-high heat
5.Spray with PAM and add onions
6.Season onions with Nu-Salt and pepper and cook until almost tender
7.Add jalapeno, tomato and mango to the pan
8.Cook, tossing often, until just heated through
9.Add lime juice and zest and cilantro and adjust seasonings, if necessary
10.Slice chicken and serve with warm salsa
11.Although no actual salt is called for in this recipe, please add it as you see fit

Tasty Tuesday-Fish Taco's

Hmmm...Yummy....
Fish Taco's Made by Curtis Stone.
I guess you wont know if I am talking about the Taco's or Curtis Stone.
Sheesh! People Please! I am a married woman! I am talking about the Fish Taco's of course!!!
But for those of you that are interested here is the video of his recipe, I didn't watch it...more than a few times... BUT only to get the recipe right! Come on people!! FIVE KIDS!!!
It is also listed below and I have to give special Thanks to Kitchen Daily for this recipe, and my BFF Kathy and her cute family for suggesting it.

Instructions
TACOS:
1 pound fresh mahi mahi, cut into 4-ounce fillets
2 tablespoons finely chopped fresh cilantro
1 garlic clove, finely chopped
2 tablespoons olive oil
Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper
1 tablespoon (about) canola oil, for brushing grill
8 corn tortillas
1/4 head green cabbage
2 avocados, peeled, pitted, thinly sliced
1/3 cup crema mexicana or stirred sour cream
1/3 cup fresh cilantro leaves
4 lime wedges

PICO DE GALLO:
2 ripe tomatoes, chopped
1/2 white onion, chopped
1 red jalapeño chile, seeded and finely chopped2
2 tablespoons fresh cilantro, chopped rough
2 tablespoons (about) fresh lemon juice

Directions
Lay the mahi mahi on a platter. Scatter the chopped cilantro and garlic over the fish, then drizzle with the olive oil. Gently massage the marinade into the fish and season with salt and pepper. Set aside to marinate for 30 minutes, or cover and refrigerate to marinate for up to 6 hours.
To make the pico de gallo: Stir the tomatoes, onion, jalapeño chile, and cilantro in medium bowl. Season to taste with lemon juice and salt; set aside at room temperature while finishing the tacos.
To make the tacos: Brush the grill grate with canola oil then place the fish on the grill. Cook until the fish is cooked through and opaque and golden brown with grill marks, about 3 minutes per side. Transfer the fish to a cutting board and let rest for 2 minutes.
Warm the tortillas on the grill heated through. Transfer the tortillas to a clean towel to keep warm.
Meanwhile, thinly slice the cabbage.
Slice the fish into 1-inch strips. Divide the fish among the warm tortillas.
Top with the cabbage, avocados, pico de gallo, and crema.
Scatter the cilantro leaves over the tacos. Serve with the lime wedges.

What Diet?? Where?

I heard a rumor, or may have very vague distant memories of some sort of weight loss in my life??? Is that true? I am feeling a large episode of amnesia. Oh! Wait! I Got Pregnant!!
Yeah that's right!! Not that that is an excuse to download calories, high fructose corn syrup, and massive carbohydrates like a virus depleting your entire hard drive, but alas for me, it the old adage that I am eating for two. I have gained 20 pounds with this one and I know your thinking..."Oh, that is not bad. For pregnancy!!" But what you don't know, is that the heavier you are...aka, Big Mama, the less your to gain. Its true. Google it.

I just want to prepare you that once I deliver this beautiful little girl that will make it all worth it, I will be focused like Jesse James trying to make right!

For wonderful tips on eating healthy during pregnancy, don't come to my house. Instead check this out.

As for now, I wait out the last few weeks with moderate exercise, fresh fruits and veggies, and lots of water...yeah, that's it.

Stay tuned for the upcoming new feature on The Bristol Project called, Guess how much Big Mama Weighs?

Weight Loss Update

Well, here is the update. I AM STILL FAT!
Okay, that is mean to say about yourself, so I will say, I am no longer a heafer with more work to do. See, that is progress!
I workout for an hour a day. I mix up my workouts between aerobics, walking the kids to school, a bike ride, or the WII. I prefer the WII because it states that I am 4 pounds lighter than my Doctors office scale. I think it is because I had a regression date with that sexy doctor (Dr. Pepper) the day before and he bloated me an extra four pounds. The #&*@@!!!! I also have a calorie counter which I could email to you if you leave your email address in the comment feild. It is really cool!I keep my calories right around 1800 a day. I heard a tip to eat 4 - 400 calorie meals a day plus one snack between lunch and dinner. That is what I have been doing. I feel good, and eventhough I am not watching the scale, my clothes are getting smaller. Yiiipppeeee! Good-Bye BIG FAT MAMA!!
Anyway, I am not focusing on weight loss, which I know it sounds silly, but I just want to be healthy and feel good. The scale is not going to ever tell me the truth as long as....well, I will finish that some other time.
Is anyone else on board? Hmph!

Eating Is Secondary

I am just finding out so much about how I allowed myself to gain so much weight and what I had done wrong for so many years that it is exciting!
A thought occured to me today, but first I must tell a small story to make it all make sense.
One day in the salon, I was doing a very, lets just say it, Boring shampoo set for a lady that had moved from California. She was decked out with all the beauty luxuries that I can't afford, like make-up, colored hair, and acrylic nails. There was a plus, plus size woman that had just left the salon and she had quietly remarked to me that she did not know how it is that people allow themselves to look like that. I have never been plus-plus, but a good plus positive I could have been called (that is when I was heffing in at 260) Anyway, she remarked that is was 'Pure Laziness' that had gotten her that way and that if she would just get to the gym, she could change her life. 'Coom-bye-ya' Well, some of you may agree with her and that is okay, however if you would like to hear if from a former HEF I will tell you how it really is.
Eating badly and not taking care of your health is an addiction. Just like smoking or being an alcoholic. It is something that mentally consumes you and pushes all logic of 'simply going to the gym' aside. Eating is a way out for many people. Just like the alcohol and tobacco. Why do people drink? Well, to relax, to destress, because they are bored, to celebrate an event, or perhaps because they are at a party, or maybe because they had a bad day and emotional drinking just gives comfort. Well, it is the same with food. People eat for all these reasons too besides being hungry. Funny thing is, is that eating is secondary to the primary problem. When your chowing down at the fast food place ask yourself what just happened that put you there. Did you fight with someone? Did you plan ahead? Are you stressed? Fixing the mental state of mind, and finding solutions for the primary problem will take away the emotional need to eat and therefor not give additions to the waistline.
So, closed-minded California lady, it is not laziness, it is an addiction that is given to us by Satan himself to derail what is good, pure, and God intended. I never liked doing her hair anyway. But I am glad she had a role in teaching me something good.

Oven Fish 'n' Chips

This one is risky. Judge Jeremy does not like Fish. I, on the other hand love it and I don't get enough of it because well, I am controlled by a mean fish hating Judge. So unless I am eating out, there is nothing fishy for me.
I was really surprised when Jeremy himself picked this one for me to do!! What?? I don't know what he was thinking! I didn't care, I took it and ran with it. After spending $15 on fresh cod (you can get the frozen for cheaper) I knew I was in the clear and he couldn't change his mind. I was OJ in white bronco! On my way!

The recipe was easy to do, and the kids loved getting involved. The only one part that I do not like about fish is when it has that really gamier fish taste. YUCK! This was not like that and if you want to avoid that, then cod is a good way to go.
I loved it and really hoped the Judge would because I would have liked to put it on my round two list. His report. "This is really good. You can cook this again!!"

NICE!

4 Servings Prep: 40 min. Bake: 10 min.
Ingredients
2 tablespoons Crisco® Pure Olive Oil
1/4 teaspoon pepper
4 medium baking potatoes (1 pound), peeled
FISH:
1/3 cup all-purpose flour
1/4 teaspoon pepper
1/4 cup egg substitute
2 tablespoons water
2/3 cup crushed cornflakes
1 tablespoon grated Parmesan cheese
1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper
1 pound haddock fillets
Tartar sauce, optional
Directions
In a large bowl, combine oil and pepper. Cut potatoes lengthwise into 1/2-in. strips. Add to oil mixture; toss to coat. Place on a 15-in. x 10-in. x 1-in. baking pan that has been coated with cooking spray. Bake, uncovered, at 425° for 25-30 minutes or until golden brown and crisp.
Meanwhile, combine flour and pepper in a shallow dish. In a second dish, beat egg substitute and water. In a third dish, combine cornflakes, cheese and cayenne. Dredge fish in flour, then dip in egg mixture and roll in crumb mixture.
Place on a baking sheet that has been coated with cooking spray. Bake at 425° for 10-15 minutes or until fish flakes easily with a fork. Serve with chips and tartar sauce if desired. Yield: 4 servings.

Nutritional Analysis: One 4-ounce serving (calculated without tartar sauce) equals 243 calories, 2 g fat (0 saturated fat), 67 mg cholesterol, 328 mg sodium, 28 g carbohydrate, 0 fiber, 27 g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 3 very lean meat, 2 starch.

Light Chicken Cordon Bleu

SPECIAL THANKS TO TASTE OF HOME.COM FOR THE PICTURE AND RECIPE


Now, being that I am poor white trash from the sticks, Chicken Cordon Bleu is right there fancy with other things like fine china and napkins. Can you even serve this dish on a paper plate? To say I was extremely nervous about last nights dish is putting it mildly. Then I read that it was made with Corn Flakes. That made me feel better, although I thought for sure Judge Jeremy would rip this one apart. Okay, lets see...

I started out by using a rubber mallet to flatten the chicken because I did not have a meat texturizer. After washing all the paint off, it worked good as new. See, I told you I was white trash. I continued on putting it all together and realized I needed toothpics. I couldn't find them. I thought to myself, that it can't be that hard. I will just do without and it was no problem.

I had them in the oven when Jeremy came home awaiting anxiously for his meal. He seems to like my new adventure of expanding my cooking skills. The timer went off and I had a thought that maybe they were dried out. I really started to panic! I hadn't thought to check them as they were cooking! What if my oven cooked faster than the recipe stated? What if I had set the time or temp wrong? I was in a panic! I sent Jeremy to check while I stood in the corner rubbing my forhead with Corn Flake Fingers.

Oh, I worry way too much and I totally don't give myself enough credit! Jeremy loved the dish! I totally loved it and the kids did too! It was not dried out at all the recipe was perfect!

As a side note, I served them with fresh veggies, and twice stuffed potatoes. Yummy! I had never done the twice stuffed potatoes, and they were a huge hit!!

I can totally make Chicken Cordon Bleu! And, I skipped the paper plates this time.

8 Servings Prep: 20 min. Bake: 25 min.
Ingredients
8 boneless skinless chicken breast halves (4 ounces each)
1/2 teaspoon pepper
8 slices lean deli ham (1 ounce each)
1-1/2 cups (6 ounces) shredded part-skim mozzarella cheese
2/3 cup fat-free milk
1 cup crushed cornflakes
1 teaspoon paprika
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
SAUCE:
1 can (10-3/4 ounces) reduced-fat reduced-sodium condensed cream of chicken soup, undiluted
1/2 cup fat-free sour cream
1 teaspoon lemon juice
Directions
Flatten chicken to 1/4-in. thickness. Sprinkle with pepper; place a ham slice and 3tablespoons of cheese down the center of each piece. Roll up and tuck in ends; secure with toothpicks. Pour milk into a shallow bowl. In another bowl, combine the cornflakes, paprika, garlic powder and salt. Dip chicken in milk, then roll in crumbs.
Place in a 13-in. x 9-in. baking dish coated with cooking spray. Bake, uncovered, at 350° for 25-30 minutes or until meat is no longer pink. Meanwhile, in a small saucepan, whisk the soup, sour cream and lemon juice until blended; heat through. Discard toothpicks from chicken; serve with sauce. Yield: 8 servings.

Nutritional Analysis: One serving (2 tablespoons sauce) equals 306 calories, 7 g fat (3 g saturated fat), 91 mg cholesterol, 990 mg sodium, 16 g carbohydrate, trace fiber, 41 g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 3 lean meat, 1 starch, 1 fat.

Italian Turkey and Noodles

SPECIAL THANKS TO TASTE AT HOME FOR THIS RECIPE


Lets be honest. Do you really think I was going to wait for Christmas for this book? Come On People! It was calling my name from my husbands secret hiding place. So, while he was at work, I snuck over to the trunk of his car and got it out. I must say that he did not do such a bad job on the rest of the gifts he got me either. Although, I can wait till Christmas to get those.

Now, before I tell you the results of the night, I must fill you in on Jeremy and I's cooking relationship. I will be brief.

HE THINKS HE IS BETTER THAN ME! And, honestly, he usually it. But I have skills! You see, I was born and raised in a restaurant. He never set foot in a restaurant kitchen until he met and married me. So, naturally, I took for granted the fact that I would be better in a kitchen than he. What I did not realize is that God gives us certain gifts at birth. Jere was born with a kitchen spoon. Me, not so much. Even though I can hold my own, his comes more naturally and I have to work at it. So if I can impress him with any cooking what so ever without him telling me what I should have done different, then I have achieved. My ego takes bruises all the time, and when I feel the need to remind him that I birthed all his children and that he will never be as good at that than I will, and certainly, how can he argue with that??

So, off like a prom dress to the store and home again to anxiously start my new recipe.

It was very easy to make and very fast. Plus I had some old friends stop by while cooking it and it had smelled up the house. They were coveting my cooking skills. I just know it.

Judge Jeremy's Rating; "This is Good, you could make this again. The meat mixture would also be good in a layered lasagna."

I totally agreed! I wanted to run out of my house screaming 'YES MARGRET! RHEANNA CAN COOK!!'

6 Servings Prep: 35 min. Bake: 30 min.
Ingredients
1-1/4 pounds lean ground turkey
1-1/2 cups sliced fresh mushrooms
1/2 cup chopped onion
1/2 cup chopped green pepper
1 jar (26 ounces) meatless spaghetti sauce
1/2 teaspoon onion salt
3 cups cooked yolk-free wide noodles
1 cup (4 ounces) shredded part-skim mozzarella cheese
Directions
In a large nonstick skillet, cook the turkey, mushrooms, onion and green pepper until turkey is no longer pink. Add spaghetti sauce and onion salt; bring to a boil. Reduce heat; simmer, uncovered, for 15 minutes.
Place cooked noodles in the bottom of a 2-1/2-qt. baking dish coated with cooking spray. Pour meat mixture over noodles. Sprinkle with cheese. Cover and bake at 350° for 20 minutes. Uncover; bake 10-15 minutes longer or until heated through. Yield: 6 servings.

Nutritional Analysis: 1 serving equals 392 calories, 12 g fat (5 g saturated fat), 86 mg cholesterol, 798 mg sodium, 39 g carbohydrate, 5 g fiber, 28 g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 3 lean meat, 3 vegetable, 1-1/2 starch, 1/2 fat.

Taste of Home-Guilt Free Cooking

Jere and I were in the store looking for Christmas Gifts. I did not know what I wanted. The normal perfume, slippers and a movie was getting pretty boring. I then came across this book and frankly told my husband that he could get it for me for Christmas. He happily agreed, feeling relieved that one more gift off his list was done. I had no idea what I had gotten!
This book is amazing! Click Here for purchasing, or head down to your local Wal Mart. That is where I picked up mine. We paid $13.47, however I am sure you can find it cheaper online.
I am starting to cook one new recipe every night. Rules are, it has to be new and it has to be healthy.
So, we will see what happens after Christmas when I get it.

Thanksgiving LEAN Food Tips

I have been living by a few ideas that have really helped me during the holiday since I was heffing in at 260 pounds. Here they are...
1. Eat off a smaller plate.
2. Take small portions. Hence the smaller plate.
3. If you want something really sweet or really fattening, then have one small bite. I like to tell myself I had a huge slice of pumpkin pie, when really only one forkful was involved. This takes away my crave for the sweets and mentally I think, 'I had my fill'. This also lets you have the things you want without thinking you have to sacrifice all the good tasty stuff. If we had to do that, really wouldn't the day just suck?
4. Eating fruit in the morning takes away sweet cravings for the rest of the day. A yummy fruit smoothie builds your immune system, makes you less tired through the day, and if loaded with protein powder, or yogurt, keeps you full until lunch.
5. Lots of water and you will eat less.
6. Watch Football without feeling guilty cuz it is on Thursday, not Sunday. I know that has nothing to do with all the food, but I had to throw that in.
7. Exercise through football commercials. Its fun to do with the kids and there is about 20 minutes worth of commercials for every hour.
8. The best one that I have learned, if it be Thanksgiving or any day of the year, is focus on being healthy. If you focus on losing weight, then you just get frustrated and fall back into old harmful routines.
9. Get some workouts in and try to workout extra hard through the holidays. Even if it is a walk around outside. You have to start somewhere and you can't imagine the boost of weight loss you will feel not to mention all the extra energy. Focus on how you will feel when the workout is DONE!
10. And Seriously, have a ROCKING HOT Thanksgiving! We all have a lot to be thankful for. I know I do.

Big Mama is Getting Her Act Together!! AGAIN!

Okay, I must set some weekly goals if I am going to want to lose like 10 pounds this week, but then get frustrated at the end of my week because I only lost two. Oh Well! That is two that is NOT coming back!!!
1. Continue to Dump that very Sweet Doctor. I know he misses me horribly and really wants some quality time with me, but please we all know that once you shake of a relationship with someone so emotionally unstable, it is not a good idea to revisit them and give them further hope. He tries talking me into so many other sweet friends of his. He has this friend named Snickers who is really manipulative! Ha! Who is snickering now!
2. I am going to ride my bike every morning rain or shine. Well, mostly shine. I really don't want to get my hair wet, you get the idea.
3. Very simple eating schedule. Protein, carb and a fruit/veg with every meal. And healthy snacks.
4. I promise no throwing up this week...sheesh! That is so....EFFECTIVE!!! But laughs aside it is dangerous, and something I never have done...even when I was young and stupid and wished I could. Oh wait, that is now I think.
5. If I am having a craving of anything, one sweet small bite just to take the crave away. Unless its the Doctor stalking me again. Do you think I should get a restraining order? It is hard to see him so sad.
Anyway wish me luck! And if any of you want to join me, Feel Free!!

Big Mama is On a Diet!!

I hate the word Diet. I hate how the word Diet makes me negative right now in talking about Hate.
But, lo and behold, the scale tactfully mentioned to me today that it does not register livestock. What-ever! So since I have broken up with my last and I want to say most rewarding (besides my hubby and kids of course) relationship to date with my most handsome Doctor, Dr.Pepper, it has been a nightmare!
He calls me all day long crying, and asking, 'Why? Why Big Mama when we were so good together???' the poor guy is having serious with drawls! I hope he does not get like, all psycho on me. I thought for a brief moment today that he was actually stalking me! Like seriously, he is everywhere I look! And he is a total cheater too because I see him with other people. Sheesh! I so-oh-oh don't need such drama in my life.
Good Bye Handsome, emotionally satisfying, sweet Doctor. I have moved on to better things. You don't really need me, you will get over me. I promise. It'll take time and all will be well.