Just Cause

I thought I would just brag about myself. What are blogs for right? I have lost almost 20 pounds. I am running faster than I have in a long time. Life is pretty good. What about everyone else? No one is posting. We are all pretty bad at this I guess.

MS Walk

On the 30th of April there is a MS walk at the gateway. There is no entry fee it is just a donation based walk. You can pay nothing or you can pay a ton its up to you. I thought it would be fun to do. There is a team I am joining already that you would all be welcome to join. Here is the link https://secure3.convio.net/nmss/site/TRR/Walk/UTUWalkEvents/89266684?pg=ptype&fr_id=16822

The team is called Maximum Strength if that link doesn't work right. Anyways... just thought it could be something fun to do.

Oh and by the way its a 5k.

Lana

p.s. I am on a roll 3 posts in one day.

Bike Question

Ok so the other day me and Carter played at a friends house who had a couple of little bikes that Carter rode for a long time. He has been talking about Bennetts bike (thats the little boy) ever since and he keeps asking me to ride a bike. My question is do any of you have suggestions on what kind of bike? We only have room in our house for 1 little bike so I want to pick one that will help him learn how to ride but also help him learn balance and stuff so I don't know if something like those little low tricycle things will work but I am open to any ideas right now... even as I am typing this Carter is asking me where Bennetts bike went and if he can go ride it.

Pumpkin Oat Bran Muffins

Ok so I am finally posting this recipe! I know these things take me forever to get around to.

I will post the version I brought to the party and the optional changes.

1 1/2 Cups Unprocessed Oat Bran
1/2 Cup firmly packed Brown Sugar
1/2 Cup Whole Wheat Flour
1 ts. Pumpkin Pie Spice
2 ts. Baking Powder
1/4 ts. Salt

Combine these 6 ingredients in a large bowl; stir well.

1 Cup Pumpkin
1/2 t. Sugar
1 Egg
1/2 Cup Skim Milk
2 T. Oil
1 t. Double Strength Vanilla (I just used regular cause I ran out of double strength)

Stir sugar into the pumpkin then add the rest of these wet ingredients in a separate bowl from the dry ingredients. Stir really well.

Make a well in the center of the dry stuff and mix in wet ingredients just until all is moistened.
Spoon into muffin pans coated with cooking spray, filling 3/4 full (This should make 12 muffins) Bake at 425 for around 20 minutes. If they are turning a little brown on the edges then they are done. Remove from pans immediately, serve warm.

Also, these freeze really well. just defrost in the microwave so they get a little warm.

Nutritional info...
1 Muffin contains
Calories 145
Total Fat 4.4g
Cholesterol 17.6g
Sodium 9.4g
Carbohydrates 26.2g
Dietary Fiber 4.2g
Soluble Fiber 1.5g
Sugars 9.9g
Protein 4.4g

That is based on the way I did them the other night and how I posted the recipe. Optional things to add are 1/2 cup of mini chocolate chips (which adds 45 Calories 1g of fat, and 5g of sugar to each muffin); take out some of the sugar if you add chocolate chips and don't do any white sugar in the pumpkin puree and it makes it a lot better and the right amount of sweetness otherwise they are a little too sweet even for me. Also another variation is to use pumpkin pie mix instead of plain pumpkin. That is actually what the original recipe calls for but it is a ton healthier and more of an actual breakfast with plain pumpkin. I originally tried it with plain pumpkin because I was trying to get rid of a ton of sugar from it because I loved these muffins so much but need to watch sugars for the whole pre-diabetes thing that goes along with PCOS. I honestly like it more with plain pumpkin instead of pumpkin pie filling but that is just another variation.

Alright enjoy!

Pot luck recipe-Top Ramen Stir Fry

Top Ramen Stir Fry

4 chicken breasts      2 pkg. ramen noodles   teriyaki sauce(not glaze or basting sauce)  frozen broccoli florets   2 cups water  1 lb. cut up baby carrots  frozen snap peas(optional)                              

Cut chicken breasts into strips and place in frying pan.  Season with pepper, onion powder, garlic powder.  Grill on one side then flip over and add veggies and sauce.  Cook until chicken is no longer pink.  Add ramen noodles and flavor packets on top.  Pour the water over and cover with a lid and let simmer for 3 min.  Can sprinkle with sesame seeds once it's plated. 
Eat and Enjoy!

Hello Exercise, It's so nice to see you again

I wanted to pat myself on the back that after 6 weeks of not being able to exercise, my ban was finally lifted and I have been enjoying exercising for the last 3 days, yee-haw!  You never know how much you need, miss, want, or yes, even enjoy, something until you can't do it.  I am starting out slow(dr.'s orders), but I have enjoyed exercising(riding my bike at interval levels)for the last 3 days.  I never made it a priority before, I usually would throw in some exercise here and there, but now I make it a PRIORITY.  I now just need to do it at the start of my day instead of the middle, but for now, it works.  Baby steps for me for now, and hopefully in a couple of months I'll be running again-or at least doing more than just my bike.

Never Mind

Ummmm....so I just tried on a swimsuit. (Sob.) Let's just say I will not be entering any swimsuit competitions this year. Goodbye, Baskin Robbins. You will be missed. And now I will remove the 1" of dust from the treadmill.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wn_iz8z2AGw