Best Self, Pt. 1: Take the Lead

The holidays have come and gone. I have sadly been off the Weight Watchers wagon. I am maintaining, but I need to get back to it. I have recently joined Pinterest. Click here for my latest pins. I also joined Twitter. Click here to follow me on Twitter.
We have been cooking the basics, turkey meatloaf, chicken packets, grilled chicken. I recently found  Artisan Mozerella Garlic Atrichoke Chicken Sausage at Sam's Club..Each hearty sized link is 3 Weight Watchers Points Plus points. There are other flavors. I can't wait to try more.
I hope the new year is being kind to you. XoXo Kimberly.

Christmas is approaching so quickly. At Halloween I swore I would be further along with my Christmas shopping. With a week left I have 75% of my list to go.
 I started my new job this month. I am so excited about being a part of this new health system. It is a major
hospital in the Cleveland area that seems to truly care about their employees.
I have also started a new beauty channel on YouTube, MsMommaRN. If you are a beauty junkie like me, be sure to check it out. I would be thrilled if you would subscribe.
I hope everyone has an enjoyable holiday.  XoXo Kimberly

Loreal Million Lashes vs Loreal Carbon Black

Holiday Gift Ideas for Mom, Sister, Niece 2011

Awesome Easy Dinner Recipe

Foil Packet Chicken

1/2 c. Great Value Teryaki Marinade
6 boneless skinless chicken breast
1 1/2 tsp ginger
1 1/2 tsp garlic

Mix marinade ginger and garlic. Tear 6 pieces of foil large enough to cover each chicken breast and keep marinade in. Spray each piece of foil with cooking spray. Place one chicken breast on each piece of foil. Pour a little marinade over each piece. Fold foil over seam side up. Bake in an oven that has been preheated to 400 degrees. Cook for 25-30 minutes. Enjoy. Each piece is 4 weight watchers point plus points.

November Favorites 2011

Had a wonderful Thanksgiving. Amazing food and good company of family. After stuffing ourselves silly we played a new trivia game called Logos. A bit easier than Trivial Pursuit and the whole family can play.
Zack and I decided to check out an early Black Friday sale @ Walmart on Thanksgiving night. Whew, what a mess. People everywhere. We were in and out pretty quick. Zack's birthday money was burning a hole in his pocket so he got a few new goodies.
I hope everyone had a nice holiday. I haven't been cooking a whole lot. I did make a low fat casserole for Thanksgiving I will be sure to post. Also look under the Beauty Besties and Bombs tab for some new reviews. Finally, be sure to "like" Thinnywannabe on Facebook.

Had a nice weekend with family and friends. Friday we had a surprise visit from some great friends we haven't seen in over a year.  Saturday was our ICU farewell party. I really did work with a great group of people. I will truly miss working with each and every one of them. I really believe there are good things in store for all of us. Sunday was a nice evening spent with my parents, brother, aunts and uncles. What a super weekend. 

Speaking of good things in store, I accepted a position at University Hospitals Ahuja Medical Center. I feel so grateful to be offered this amazing opportunity. My start date is a few weeks off. For now I will continue to enjoy my time off with my family.

Accepting the position truly took such a weight off my shoulders. I was so sad and afraid once I got the news our unit was closing, as the saying goes "When one door closes a window opens." I will spare you my rendition of "Climb Every Mountain."

Thanksgiving we are celebrating Zachary's 10th birthday! It won't be the same this year. My sweet sisters in law and their families will be celebrating together in North Carolina. I am hoping we can all be together for Christmas. A Repcik Christmas is really a sight to behold. 

I am still holding on to my 10% loss. No exciting losses over the last two weeks. All I can do is continue to work the Weight Watchers plan the way it was meant to be, and the rest should fall in place. 

After several stores and hours of frustration, I finally found something acceptable to wear to my interviews. Why is it that most plus sized clothing either looks like it should be, draped over a table or for a 80 year old? Don't even get me started about shoes. Most stores in this area have told me they don't even carry a wide with shoe in any of their brands. Several of these stores are major department stores.
I truly wish I was able to design or at least input on the design of plus sized clothing. All I want is to look put together and professional, not like I just came out of the circus that rolled into town.

 I hit a great milestone in my Weight Watchers journey, I have lost 10% of my body weight. I am super happy. This moves me even closer to my goal.
 Last night we had Turkey Meatloaf for dinner with baked sweet potato and green beans. My family seemed to like it even better this time. The meatloaf was cut into 6 pieces making each piece 4 points for Weight Watchers Points Plus.  Find the recipe here.
 Progress on the job search. I have three interviews next week. Moving on to better things. Speaking of better things, I feel like each day of this journey has brought better things into my life. My husband has decided to join me and is doing Weight Watchers as well. My family is trying new things that I never dreamed they would enjoy. I have removed our deep fryer from the kitchen. I have felt more empowered everyday by the healthy choices I am making.
 I have come to realize that this isn't a quick fix, I will not loose all the weight I need to and be done with dieting. This is a new way of living. Making mindful choices to do good things for myself and my family. I can only hope I continue to be successful and this way of life becomes second nature. I don't envision myself running a marathon, but I can see a more healthful me ahead.

Another Day Another Job Search

November 7, 2011

Two calls today for interviews. Both are planned for next week. I was wanting pasta tonight, but wanted something different. I came up with a tasty, No Fuss Chicken Parmesan. Best of all is is made in one pan/skillet.
Be sure to look down the left side of the page to click and follow my blog.

First Weekend In November

My work schedule was for late in the week. Sadly the small ICU/Telemetry unit I am working at is closing. I was hoping to be at my little hospital for years.  : (
Sunday dinner today was great and a low point main dish. I made a new recipe, Panko Chicken using my creative flow for the greater good.
Monday the job search starts again. Wish me luck!

November 3, 2011

Spent the late afternoon, yesterday winterizing the yard. Also earned some Weight Watchers activity points in the process. It was hard to believe I was mowing in November. I am hoping that is the last time we have to mow until spring.

The Creamy Crock Pot Chicken Stew for dinner last night was good. Very comforting and filling. The family enjoyed it so, I will make it again. I will however omit the one cup of water that I listed in the ingredients. (I have all ready removed it from the recipe I posted.)

I had a question from one of my readers I would like to address. The reader asked if I had any side dishes with my "What's for Dinner" postings? For now I have not added side dishes. For our family the biggest challenge is picking the main entree. Our sides are usually pretty simple, a veggie and a rice, or a cooked veggie with a salad. I figure once you pick the star of the show the supporting cast should fall into place.  If you have any suggestions for side dishes let me know I'd love to try them and add them.

Finally, I have added some Besties and Bombs to the "Besties and Bombs" tab. I have also added some Low Point Favorites to the list. Thanks for reading and have a great day!

November 2, 2011

Good Morning friends and family. Last night's Sticky Asian Chicken turned out great. Served it with white rice for a point friendly dinner, that is sure to be repeated.

In other exciting news I created a new Facebook page " Thinnywannabe" Be sure to check it out and like away. I also added a new tab to the blog, Beauty Besties and Bombs. I wanted to share my cosmetic obsession and review some great and not so great products.

Last, I had an angel on my side last night. I have been feeling bummed about my unit closing and me suddenly jobless. A ray of hope was shed when a Facebook friend, shared she is a nursing recruiter and would like to help. (crossing fingers.) Thanks Katie for making my day. 

Have a great day!

Are you a fuelie or a foodie?

I have always viewed food as a source of enjoyment. New job? Hey let's go out to eat. Got a good grade? Hey let's celebrate with pizza. You get the idea.

Believe it or not there are some people that only view food as a source of fuel for their body. I have often wondered what it would be like to be a fuelie. How do fuelies have the ability to only view food as fuel? Is is something that they are born with? Is it learned?
 
We are taught from a very early age how to look at and use food. Looking back I can think of times I was rewarded with food and rewarded myself with food. It meant I did a good thing. Further on I think food became a source of comfort. Lonely? How about a cookie? Sad? How about a cookie? Looking a the big picture I can see that food was not my fuel but my armor. It is easier to eat than to do something about how you feel. It is easy to hide behind a wall of food and fat. People will either let you be or make fun. Which in turn creates the whole cycle over again. A cycle that I need to break.

Over the last few months I have tried to take an honest look at myself in the mirror and in my mind. I haven't liked what I have revealed.  I have decided to take on a new role, to be healthier for me, my husband, and my children.

I have a new interest in cooking. Yes cooking. I am on a mission to find healthy alternatives for myself and my family. Real alternatives, that my family will enjoy. No Tofu here. I am positive that food that is good for you does not equal food that tastes like cardboard. After all I will always be a foodie at heart.

So tell me are you a foodie or a fuelie?

Halloween 2011

Yesterday was our Trick or Treat. I love this time of year. Nice chill in the air, colorful leaves, and sunshine. I love passing out the candy and seeing the kids in the neighborhood wearing their costumes. This year Jon and I decided to have fun too, and did up our faces and put on some wigs. The boys were into the scary part of Halloween and chose their costumes accordingly.
After a nice afternoon of Tricks and Treats, we headed to Grandma and Papa's for our annual after Trick or Treat dinner. It was nice seeing the nieces and nephews and inlaws.
Stuck to the Weight Watchers plan, planned my points accordingly and was able to enjoy some treats.
Happy Halloween to all!

Welcome

Welcome to my new blog. Grab a drink of choice and join me on my weight loss journey.