Suzy Q focuses on food

[suzyQlou]

No surprise to anyone, but seasonal holidays dominate the calendar for the next challenge.  To stay healthy, I'm determined to focus on food.  And by food, I mean the good kind.  I want to look forward to flavorful, savory real foods.  I figure that if I'm satisfied with the delicious, healthy options that I mindfully choose and prepare, I won't be as tempted by quick processed stuff.

 

 

Goal 1 - Cook one new dinner each week

 

I am the head chef in my house, so I get to cook for my family most of the time.  I like cooking.  I may even love it.  But I wouldn't say that I am an adventurous cook.  We eat the same things in my house over and over.  Meal planning consists of each family member signing up for a dinner meal for the coming week.  Certain smallish people rarely stray from the same two dishes every single week.

 

For this challenge, I'm going to choose a new dinner recipe each week.  It might be a main course, or a new way of preparing veggies on the side.  Either way, it will be something new, seasonal, and healthy.

 

Goal 2 - Prep one new salad variation each week

 

I eat a lot of salad, and I truly do enjoy it.  Lunch and Dinner.  Every day.  So, all summer I look forward to fresh pickings from the garden.  Well, I've eaten my last cherry tomato.  Honestly, I'm kind of glad to see them go.  I'm ready for some different options for the fall and winter months.  But the salad-making has become a habit, and I just throw the same stuff in every time.  It is fresh for one dinner, and then we eat leftovers for lunch and dinner the second day, too.

 

For this challenge, I'm going to find some ways to mix up our salad routine.  I will be adding new vegetables, fruits, nuts, and dressings - and more importantly, leaving out some of the standard ones to make room.

 

Goal 3 - Exercise regularly

 

This is my regular exercise routine.  I do strength workouts MWF and cardio TTh.  I need to continue this for the rest of my life.  I will probably mix up the strength routine a little bit.  Every six weeks is a nice time to change things around.

 

Life Goal 1 - Complete knitting nephew's stocking

 

Um, yeah.  Christmas is coming, and my parents hang up a stocking for each child and grandchild after Thanksgiving dinner.  My aunt used to do the knitting, but my mom handed that job over to me once the grandchildren started rolling in.  My newest nephew was born last year around Christmas, so I've had all year to knit his stocking.  I might be half done with one month to go.

 

Life Goal 2 - Daily, write down a thankful thought or perform a random act of kindness

 

I am known to get the blues around this time of year.  Stress hits me pretty hard as I try to be the perfect mom through the holidays.  A few years ago, I added a "thankful tree" to the hallway where our family could write down thankful thoughts on colorful leaves.  It's since been dismissed as "too preschool" for my children, but I still find the act of identifying my blessings to be therapeutic.  So, since we don't have the tree anymore, I'm going to do this on my daily food journal.  I just need to remember to do it!

 

Mini Challenge Goals

Like everyone, I'm holding my breath waiting to see what Rurik and/or DK Raider come up for for the mini challenge this go around.  I'll probably need to modify if/when the format changes.  This will be my base if it stays somewhat the same.

• Strength Feat - hang time - I've not hung before, so I'll benchmark how long I can hang my first time.
• Combat Feat - burpees - I've not burpee'd before, so I'll benchmark how many I can do in my first minute
• Speed Feat - double under - I've never tried it, but I'll work to to hit a double under.
• Endurance Feat - five mile hike
• Healing Feat - one afternoon off for Sue time.  Outdoors if possible.  No errands or holiday stress allowed.

 

Happy challenge, everyone!

[Yraen]

Seems like a great challenge. Goals look fantastic and so do mini challenge feats.

[Tanktimus the Encourager]

I'll be following along

[RoxyFreefall]

Goals look really good. Food goals are so important when fall and winter set in. We do not want to go into hibernation mode and eat all the things.

[Terra]

Yummy challenge!!!  Can't wait to hear about your food experiments...  recipes please! 

[spooky]

Oh I love your goals!

 

Food is so important, especially around the holidays, can't wait to see what recipes you try

 

I too am a salad aficionado (a few fellow rebels have called me a salad sorcerer) and I've come up with some really interesting ones, so if you want my recipes or just to brainstorm I'm always ready

 

Love the second life goal too. Starting a daily gratitude practice has really helped my depression, hopefully you'll have some positive experiences with it too

 

Can't wait to see you rock this challenge

[suzyQlou]

Seems like a great challenge. Goals look fantastic and so do mini challenge feats.

I'll be following along

Goals look really good. Food goals are so important when fall and winter set in. We do not want to go into hibernation mode and eat all the things.

Yummy challenge!!!  Can't wait to hear about your food experiments...  recipes please! 

 

I love how the bye week never really slips by.  Great to see you again, Yraen, Tank, Roxy, and Terra!  Fresh starts feel great, and I'm looking forward to following your challenges.  You bet I will be posting recipes.  The first photo above is "Pomegranate-Glazed Turkey with Roasted Fennel" and I am just itching to check it out!

 

Hey, I'm still searching for you, Yraen...you're not jumping guilds on us again, are you?  I see you can type even with your collarbone injury, so I will be expecting more greatness from you in the next six weeks!

 

Oh I love your goals!

 

Food is so important, especially around the holidays, can't wait to see what recipes you try

 

I too am a salad aficionado (a few fellow rebels have called me a salad sorcerer) and I've come up with some really interesting ones, so if you want my recipes or just to brainstorm I'm always ready

 

Love the second life goal too. Starting a daily gratitude practice has really helped my depression, hopefully you'll have some positive experiences with it too

 

Can't wait to see you rock this challenge

 

Salad sorcerer?  I love it!  Great to see you, spookyfoot.  You can be sure I'll be checking in to see what you come up with.

 

So, mostly I planned to ignore week zero of this challenge.  I figured the NF gods were just looking out for me when they took this week off of the challenge books.  I get Halloween off.   Woo hoo!

 

But all the flurry of activity on the boards is really contagious.  I love it, and I can't wait to keep going.

 

This morning was my last workout of the free trial at the gym.  I was going to blubber on and on about why I love it, but really it just comes down to the fact that I do.  I have the time in my morning to get to the gym.  I made it on Monday and this morning.  I had a really positive experience there.  The people were nice.  The equipment is nice.  The atmosphere is nice.  So, if I can work out a way to justify the cost, I'll be signing up.

[Tanktimus the Encourager]

Then I suggest you justify the cost

[suzyQlou]

Then I suggest you justify the cost

 

Yeah.  Way to boil it down, Tank.  You are right, of course!

 

I went to sign up at the gym yesterday, but the staff was missing during office hours yet again.  So, I will try again tomorrow.  Obstacles like these are a good way to test my resolve, right?

 

Trick or Treat was last night in my crazy part of the country.  We celebrate Halloween on Thursday instead of October 31st.  The kids came home with way to much chocolate, but I was happy not to crave it too much.  A bigger problem was the brownies I made for my son's school party.  They have a cream cheese frosting and crushed Halloween Oreos on top.  They are delicious, and I am glad they are leaving my house!

 

Here's my own Wolfie son wishing everyone a Happy Halloween!

[suzyQlou]

My first new meal of the challenge gets an A+.  Here's a link to the recipe for Pomegranate glazed turkey with roasted fennel.  I haven't decided whether to count this as week zero or one just yet.  I guess it would be lovely to end up with seven delicious new meals instead of six.

 

I used the photo from eatingwell.com for my initial thread, but here's how my version turned out:

 

Notes and suggestions:

1. I accidentally bought one bulb of fennel instead of four, so I mixed in other veggies:  Onions, carrots, parsnips, and mushrooms.  I bet I would have loved it either way.  Usually, I add vinegar when I roast vegetables, but this was really nice with just the oil, salt, pepper, and thyme.

 

2. Fennel might be the same thing as anise.  The grocery store guy pointed me to something marked "anise" that looked like fennel, and I cooked it.  The interwebs tell me it was fennel all along, just mislabeled.  Either way, it was yummy.

 

3. I had a hard time finding pomegranate juice at the grocery store.  I ended up buying something that was in the organic/healthy aisle that was made for drinking straight up.  Then, I took a fresh pomegranate, and mixed its seeds with the juice.  I have to think there is a more efficient way to do.  Maybe next time, I would start with the fresh fruit, and squeeze the juice out of half the seeds?

 

4.  I read some reviews that suggested adding a little sugar to the pomegranate sauce.  I added about a TBSP and it wasn't too sweet, but wasn't bland, either.

 

5.  I like how small the portion of rice is.  I still like to eat it, but the protein and veggies really take over the plate.

 

6.  Family reviews:  Adults both raved.  One kid ate 1/2 a cutlet with no sauce or veggies.  One kid ate one bite of cutlet with no sauce or veggies.  Analysis:  Kids have a lot to learn about eating delicious, healthy food!

[Tanktimus the Encourager]

Sounds great! Fennel and anise smell similar, but fennel is the bulb and anise is a star looking thing.

Fennel:

Anise:

[weaver]

Ooh, that looks good! Looking forward to seeing how your other new recipes - and new salad concoctions - turn out!

 

P.S. Thanks for your last message on my last challenge! I've decided to give it another shot, with even more flexibility...we'll see how it goes!

[insanity]

 

This morning was my last workout of the free trial at the gym.  I was going to blubber on and on about why I love it, but really it just comes down to the fact that I do.  I have the time in my morning to get to the gym.  I made it on Monday and this morning.  I had a really positive experience there.  The people were nice.  The equipment is nice.  The atmosphere is nice.  So, if I can work out a way to justify the cost, I'll be signing up.

Sounds like you justified it to me...

[honeybadger]

Your challenge look amazing! I love the goals and your meal looks super yummy (and ambitious). Happy to be following along.

 

I am starting to look for knitting projects for the winter maybe I should consider Christmas stockings. 

[spooky]

WOW that dish looks amazing, such a lovely balanced meal  

 

I've never though of using pomegranates as a glaze, I usually thrown them on top of salads, oatmeal, or mixed fruit, what a great idea!

[Emerald_Dragonfly]

Subbed, because awesome.

My favorite salad is green leaf lettuce, dried cranberries, goat cheese, walnuts, and chicken strips with balsamic vinaigrette dressing.

My second is a semi-homemade version of the cheesecake factory BBQ chicken salad.

Your dinner looked fabulous!

[Yraen]

I used the photo from eatingwell.com for my initial thread, but here's how my version turned out:

 

6.  Family reviews:  Adults both raved.  One kid ate 1/2 a cutlet with no sauce or veggies.  One kid ate one bite of cutlet with no sauce or veggies.  Analysis:  Kids have a lot to learn about eating delicious, healthy food!

That looks amazing. I've got to try that sometime.

More prove that your kids are crazy. First they don't like Van Halen then they won't at that? Then again when I was young I probably wouldn't have.

[Terra]

My kids are similar, although I have one who might have eaten the sauce...

 

Happy Monday, Happy Challenge Day 1!

[suzyQlou]

Just finished the final leftovers of my pomegranate glaze.  Still yummy!  The veggie was definitely fennel, so thanks for the gifs, Tank.  Yes, Yraen, my kids are proven crazy yet again!!!  You get it!!!  And I can see you do, too, Terra.  Feeding kids without going nuts is always a challenge.

 

I am starting to look for knitting projects for the winter maybe I should consider Christmas stockings. 

 

I love how knitting is a Rangerly thing.  Honestly, I'm not a big fan of the Christmas stockings, so I don't really recommend it.  Following a pattern has never been a fun way for me to knit.  Counting on graph paper is a pain, and the color changes are always bumpy in my finished pieces.  But the whole set does look really cool on my mom's fireplace.

 

My favorite salad is green leaf lettuce, dried cranberries, goat cheese, walnuts, and chicken strips with balsamic vinaigrette dressing.

 

Yep.  This one is a keeper.  Thanks!

 

The gym saga continues.  I called ahead, and stopped in on Saturday to sign up.  The first question the staff asked was whether I would be signing up through my insurance company or not.  HUH?????  I had no idea insurance would cover a gym.  So, the staff extended my trial membership for a week so that I could check it out with my insurance.

 

I worked out at the gym again this morning, and still loved it.

 

I've checked my insurance website and was blown away again to see that they do in fact offer discounts at my gym.  So, yay!  It looks like an affordable option with just a 3 month contract.  I have a few more hoops to jump through with the insurance company, but hopefully it will be a done deal by the end of the day.

 

yes, I'm working on my positive Star Wars attitude for the mini challenge.

 

Oh, and one more beautiful thing here at the official start of the challenge.  My youngest son asked about the "Thankful Tree" before I even mentioned it this year.  He even volunteered to paint the trunk and branches.  Apparently, it's a prized family tradition, and not "too preschool" for everyone in this house.  Daily gratitude will be proudly displayed on construction paper in my hall for all to enjoy this November.

 

 

Happy Day One, everybody!

[spooky]

Great news about the gym! 

 

And the thankful tree is just lovely!

[Tanktimus the Encourager]

Regarding your children's food choices: for your own amusement, assume an air of a misunderstood teenager in these situations. E.g. Roll your eyes, say "You guys just don't GET me!" in your most teen-drama-queen voice.

 

And that's awesome about the gym, not only do you like it, but they went out of their way to save you money, that's a good combo there.

[weaver]

Excellent gym news! And cool to hear the kids aren't over the fun, simple things!

[Emerald_Dragonfly]

Yep.  This one is a keeper.  Thanks!

 

The gym saga continues.  I called ahead, and stopped in on Saturday to sign up.  The first question the staff asked was whether I would be signing up through my insurance company or not.  HUH?????  I had no idea insurance would cover a gym.  So, the staff extended my trial membership for a week so that I could check it out with my insurance.

 

I worked out at the gym again this morning, and still loved it.

 

Glad that I could help add to the salad file. 

 

Also thrilled for you that you are enjoying the gym AND that they are saving you money!  Nice!

Go on with your fab self!

[Terra]

Wahoo for the gym news!!!  So excited you found a place that you love

[honeybadger]

First, it sounds like you are raising some amazing human beings! And you know what they say about the apple not falling far from the tree. 

 

Such good news about the gym. Customer service makes a big difference as does saving some cash (thanks insurance). My job is switching health care providers and the new company provides a refund after 3 or 4 months of membership at a gym. How awesome that you like it so much and now can afford it more. Win win win!