We live in a cozy apartment with three cute kitties and a lot of love. We go by Francine and Oscar. And although we are incredibly imperfect, we strive to live our lives for the Lord.
So, Oscar and I haven't had a microwave since we've got married. This is a blessing in many ways. But, one thing I've missed is popcorn.
I've wanted to buy an air popper, but it hasn't happened. However, I have determined to buy one off ebay this month with my ehow money and I am excited about this new endeavor. Honestly, the air popped popcorn my mom made never tasted very good to me. So, I looked up ways to flavor it and got all excited. So, all the info, I'm listing is found at Popcorn Recipes
Consider ditching your ranch dressing or peanut butter dip for some delicious and healthy hummus!
I can't wait to make this a staple in my diet. This recipe leaves out the tahini, so while the flavor may taste a tad different, noone will be missing the extra calories & fattening qualities, while enjoying the rich nutrients of garbanzo beans, garlic, olive oil, etc.
MMMM..................
A cup of this recipe is 123 calories much better than storebought hummus which goes as high as 400 calories per cup.
People use hummus as dip for: Pita bread, Carrots, Celery, Cucumbers, Pretzels, bagels, Spread for sandwiches, Tomatoes, English Muffins, crackers etc.
*if you are using this as a 300 calorie and under meal, just make sure to check the calories in whatever you eat it with (remember, if you are dipping you will probably not use a whole cup of hummus, but at least eyeball it to calculate)
One of my 101 goals in 1001 days is to compile a list of 50 meals I enjoy for under 300 calories. The ideal is to have 4-6 meals a day at 300 calories each. The list would make this easy, so I wouldn't have to be counting calories all the time, I just know which meals work.
So..........I have been hard at work, getting my meals together. This is the MASTER page! :)
One of my unofficial goals this year is to shop smart. Cheap & Nutritious. One of the best ways to do this is to buy fruit & vegetables in season.
This interactive map from epicurious is amazingly helpful in planning. Just click on the map to go to the link, it lets you know by each individual area. LOVE IT!! Here are a couple of other interesting links I found in my research.
I am so excited for Valentine's coming up. I know it is a Hallmark Holiday, but it is an excuse for Oscar and I to dote on each other. I am thinking out to a nice restaurant (the one we have a gift card for!) and then wallah have him open up a gift of silk undies in front of everyone. sounds good. :)
Low Budget film which hits the nail on the head when it comes to "Fireproofing" your marriage. I loved it and adored it. I might actually buy it just to support the gallant effort put out by the church that funded it. It really strikes a cord with married individuals and ties together marriage, love and the need for God in a beautiful flowing manner. Just watching it makes me want to renew my relationship with both God and Oscar. whew. Love it. watch it!!!
One of the Sanchez regulars. Scrambled, boiled, it's all good. You just need to make sure to leave out the yolk if you are having too many. Eggs are delicious, low in calories and good for you! 2 Hard Boiled Eggs + 1 Apple + Orange Juice 70 calories per hard boiled egg (with yolk) 72 calories for a medium sized apple w/ skin on it 112 calories for 1 cup of freshly squeezed orange juice
sick again. two entire days spent almost exclusively in bed. So blessed, it is nothing worse. just a cold. a stubborn cold.
My kitties supported me 100% today in my mission to rest. E.T. spent almost the whole two days curled up by my head and sometimes even on my chest. Snowball was here most of the time and Tipsy came in and out. Here are some pictures I took of them today! They are getting SO big!
SNOWBALL - Pretty much the coolest kitty on the block. He is super social and will come up and rub against anyone who crosses his path, purring loudly while they pet his soft fur. He loves to sleep on the pillow above your head, stare at himself in the mirror and perform backward somersaults in the air while chasing toys. He also likes to pick fights with his more athletic brothers.
He is a huge purrball and will start purring even if you give him a tender look. If you pet him while he is sleeping, he will give you a hug.
He is also extremely protective of our home when are gone. When on vacation, he growled at and attacked our neighbor who we paid to feed/play/clean up after the kitties while we were out.
E.T. E.T is our loyal boy. He is so sensitive and sweet. He hides from strangers, but once you know him, he worms himself into your heart. He is extremely athletic and powerful and always takes care of his brothers. He is the first one to come running if he hears one cry out in pain and will interfere with a fight if Snowball is getting picked on. When the brothers were found on the street, E.T.'s eye was inflamed. The vet told us it was from a cat fight. When we got the kittens, E.T. was the most mature and the obvious leader. Today, it is more subtle, but he still eats his food first and gets picked on least.
E.T. loves to find the best hiding spot in the house. He loves to be pet and if he sees you are getting up will run in front of you and sprawl across the floor belly up, so you will pet him.
Tipsy Tipsy is our most self confident cat these days as well as our largest. He is such a curious guy and gazing out of the window has become a type of obsession for him. He is powerful and puts up a fight when it is time to clip his nails or give him a bath. He has a knack for opening doors and turning on the gas when he jumps onto the stove. (he has made us employ strict safety measures on the house)
He love to sleep on top of someone's belly for long periods of time and be stroked. His purring is incredibly calming and he always seems to understand when I am truly upset. The other night when I had stomach cramps, he went under the covers and curled up against my tummy like a heating pad. He also understands when I cry. Oh and he likes hiding under blankets or in paper bags, etc. when he play fights and he sleeps under the covers.
One of my goals was to memorize at least 3 scriptures a month. Hopefully, I will do more, but right now 3 is a good amount. Here are the ones for January.
2 Chronicles 7:14 If My people, which are called by My name shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.
Psalm 139:13-16 13 For you created my innermost being, you knit me together in my mother's womb. 14 I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well. 15 My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place. When I was woven together in the depths of the earth, 16 your eyes saw my unformed body. All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be. Matthew 10:28 And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul; but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in Hell.
I have to admit that ever since I saw the documentary Super Size Me, I have had a huge bias against McDonalds.
I did, however, pull over in hungry desperation several months ago. It was my first time entering a McDonalds in over 10 years. I was impressed, yet suspicious - realize this is a huge leap for me even to enter a McDonalds. Anyhow, to avoid making a short story long, I ordered the fruit parfait and it was delicious.
McDonald's Fruit 'n Yogurt Parfait calories: 160 total fat: 2g saturated fat: 1g trans fat: 0g cholesterol: 5mg sodium: 85mg carbohydrates: 31g fiber: 1g sugar: 21g protein: 4g
Healthy'ish' & Delicious. I am still not crazy about supporting McDonalds, but if I do, this is what I would get. There are a few other things on the menu that are not HORRIBLE compared to other fast food joints.
Another under 300 calories at McDonalds is the regular old hamburger (very similar nutrients to the above). but, I know I won't be getting that, so I'm not posting it.
2 of my kiddos were sick this past week. And now here I am with a pile of kleenex, 2 cuddly cats snuggled around my legs and a helpful husband making sure I feel just right.
My mind is working hard, despite my weak condition and I will probably spend the day sleeping, working on my 101 in 1001 and writing ehow articles. blah, it even sounds disgusting.
oh and drinking LOTS of water. So, I can go back to play tomorrow.
toodles, Francine
oh. p.s. I am all excited about this blog thing now. Thanks Cheski. :)
So, I have to admit now that I am temporarily through with my lemonade diet, I am pretty jazzed to find some healthy and hearty meals for 300 or less.
The goal is to have 4-7 meals at 300 calories each a day. Once you've got a collection of enough of these meals, hopefully eating will be quick, easy and delicious choices.
NOW.........today's focus will be on FAST FOOD! Yes, that is right. I am talking about fast food. That is where my journey led me first. So, here are some quickies you can pick up and not feel too guilty about. (if your not concerned about the money!)
SALAD Wendy's Mandarin Chicken Salad calories: 180 total fat: 2g saturated fat: 0.5g trans fat: 0g cholesterol: 65mg sodium: 630mg total carb: 16g fiber: 2g sugar: 12g protein: 24g
**TIP - make sure to order without the crispy noodles and roasted almonds and oriental sesame dressing which add an additional 23.5g of fat and 370 calories. So......I don't really eat at Wendy's. However, it is so nice to know that if I forget to eat lunch, I can pick up a cheapo salad that is decent for me. Lots of sodium, but overall, not horrible.
SIDES Wendy's Plain Baked Potato calories: 270 total fat: 0g saturated fat: 0g trans fat: 0g cholesterol: 0mg sodium: 25mg total carb: 61g fiber: 7g sugar: 3g protein: 7g So......I happen to really enjoy baked potatoes, and the fact that I could pick up something warm, filling and yummy from Wendy's is good. No fat, no cholesterol. YAY!
NOTE: Wendy's has several sandwiches, burgers and wraps which are 300 calories or close to it, but the amount of cholesterol and/or saturated fat is too high to make it a healthy choice to include here.
101 GOALS in 1001 DAYS So, off I embark on my 101 adventure.
BEGIN DATE = January, 25 2009
END DATE = October 23, 2011
** I will post as I progress through the goals.
HEALTH
1. reach 22% body fat 2.stay in class at gym for at least 3 months 3. run a 5k - COMPLETED 4. run a 10k
5. make three workout buddies at gym (exchange email/phone)
6. join a sports team (field hockey, kickball, etc.)
7. do the lemonade diet for 10 days 8. eat whole foods only for 2 weeks
9. get dinner out for zero times for 1 entire month
10. take a spinning class
FOOD
11. learn to make 5 types of soup that I like a LOT and are healthy.
12. make pizza from scratch.
13. make tiramisu
14. make every recipe in Oscar's mother's cookbook
15. no soda for a month
16. no in n' out for a month
17. no jack in the Box for a month
18. eat at the melting pot -COMPLETED 19. eat at red, white and bluezz - COMPLETED 20. use that expensive gift card to restaurant at Disney Concert Hall COMPLETED 21. have a fondu party (and do it right)
22. get a blender
23. make that yummy looking spaghetti squash recipe
24. find 50 meals for 300 calories or less that you like! 25. make peanut butter from scratch
26. only eat half of whatever meal served at restaurant - modify - not spec. enough 27. make a calorie book for car of favorite restaurants foods
28. figure out how to make book for calories and ingredients for my favorite 50 favorite/most eaten meals at home.
LEISURE & TOURISM
29. subscribe to netflix/blockbuster
30. go to a mystery murder party - COMPLETED 31. host a party at my dad's house
32. join a book club
33. go to the opera
34. go snowboarding
35. take dany bungee jumping needs to be modified 36. visit cheski in arizona - COMPLETED 37. go to a game at the rose bowl
38. go to the ice house comedy club
39. go to the Pasadena Ice Skaing center
40. go to the huntington library
41. go wine tasting in heidelburg
42. stay at a bed & breakfast
43. stay at a hostel
44. visit the getty center
45. visit the griffith observatory - COMPLETED 46. visit the la brea tar pits -COMPLETED 47. visit the san antonio winery
48. visit kyla in santa barbara - needs to be modified 49. get together with Peggy and Sheryl - needs to be modified 50. go to the museum of tolerance again - -COMPLETED 51. read/re-read 30 books from the modern library's 100 best
52. go to three states I haven't been to (New York....)
53. go camping with Oscar - COMPLETED 54. complete a crossword puzzle in entirety
SPIRITUAL
55. memorize 20 bible verses
56. read/listen to entire bible
57. volunteer for 3 months at church
58. create a published individual prayer book
59. write a will, plan & videotape service for Oscar and me
60. join a community garden
NICE THINGS 61. create homeless packages to give out when I see those in need
62. do SOMETHING to significant to support the life cause - need to modify - what? 63. go to a service at the glass cathedral (or the christmas service)
64. pay for someone behind me at a toll booth
65. randomly pay for someone's dinner at a restaurant
66. make and donate necklaces to children's center
67. adopt a family/child for christmas
68. send a care package to a friend/family member
69. pay for someone behind me at a drive thru- COMPLETED 2/20/09 - Carl's Jr.
TO-DO 70. complete scrapbook for 2008
71. set up holiday scrapbook
72. set up anniversary scrapbook
73. knit a scarf
74. create a scrapbook of Oscar's races
75. put phone # of places I may need to call in phone & phonebook (gym, etc.)
76. get good maps of CA area to put in car
77. put flowers on that old overgrown cemetary went to with Kristen
78. make a font out of my handwriting
FAMILY 79. get cats neutered- COMPLETED 80. make a sanchez mission statement
81. create a Sanchez Spectacular holiday
82. stay in Pasadena for 6 weeks straight - -COMPLETED 83. celebrate monthly anniversaries
84. take grandma out to that expensive steak restaurant
85. buy the kitties "da bird" toy - COMPLETED 86. go to high tea with Melinda
87. make sure to spend a weekend at dad's place - COMPLETED
PROFESSIONAL 88. get fluent in Spanish
89. get a MA degree or be enrolled in MA program -COMPLETED (enrolled in program) 90. get 2-3 promotions at work - no longer relevant 91. turn in paperwork (at work) on time always -no longer relevant 92. get a BCBA or BCABA certification - IN PROGRESS 93. get to the 100 article mark on ehow -COMPLETED
FINANCIAL 94. save at least $15,000
95. recycle cans for three months straight -COMPLETED (gets recycled through trash) 96. set up automatic payments to retirement fund - no longer relevant, Oscar's job 97. set up excel to track tithes and tax information
98. set up business account for Oscar
99. be completely debt free (excluding mortgage, if applicable) - COMPLETED
SAFETY 100. buy a fire extinguisher
101. create a family safety place
Today is Day 1 of our 10-Day Lemonade Diet. God provided us with a bag full of free lemons and we realized this is our time to do the Master Cleanser Diet. Ingredients: - Uniodized Sea Salt - Lemons - Organic Grade B Maple Syrup - Cayenne Pepper - Purified or Spring Water - Herbal Tea Laxative
Salt Water Flush Recipe - 2 level teaspoons of uniodized salt to a.. - quart of lukewarm water
*Drink upon rising
Master Cleanser Lemonade Diet Recipe - 2 Tablespoons (1 fluid ounce) fresh-squeezed lemon or lime juice NOT BOTTLED JUICE!! (approx. 1/2 lemon), - 2 Tablespoons (1 fluid ounce) organic Grade B maple syrup - 1/10 Teaspoon or more cayenne pepper - 1 Cup (8 fluid ounces) purified or spring water, NOT fluoridated water
*Drink 6-10 Servings a Day
Herbal Laxative Tea (can be found at most grocery stores) * Drink every evening (preferably right before going to bed) --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
So, if you've never heard of "The Lemonade Diet" or "Master Cleanser Diet" is not, in our situation, a weight loss diet. The purpose is to.....
" is to dissolve and eliminate toxins and congestion; to cleanse the kidneys and digestive system; to purify glands; to eliminate waste and hardened materials in the joints and muscles; to build a healthy bloodstream and to maintain optimal blood pressure."
It is one of my 2009 resolutions as well as one of my 101 in 1001 (which I will post later). We are both excited about going on this diet and starting a healthier 2009.
Wish us Luck!!!
DAY 1 - 8:45am, I am excited! I just drank the salt flush, which was not amazing and i made my day's worth of lemonade! EEK! I am excited. A little worried that the lemonade will be too spicy. we shall see. :) DAY 2 - Oscar officially cheated on his diet - stinker! but, I am going strong. :) In fact, I am going amazingly strong. I feel good and I survived the second day! yay! which included sitting at Olive Garden watching Oscar eat breadsticks, yummy salad and chicken fettucini alfredo and not partaking one bit. DAY 3 - The diet is officially over. I actually feel really good about it. I didn't cheat out of temptation. I was getting sick (2/3 of my kiddos are sick) and i mistook it for reactions to the diet, so I had chicken noodle soup last night. Thank God I had no negative reaction to that. I will do it again, maybe not soon though. I felt so clean and powerful over my body and my cravings. It was also so nice to just have something to eat without thinking of calories, etc. overall, a wonderful experience. I am sure I will complete this goal later in my 1001 days. I feel like I learned a lot about temptation and control.
