Winter Wonderland and Seasoned Fries Recipe

From Fox 6

My plan to run after work was abandoned after a blizzard started about an hour before I had to leave.  Yeah, I could have run, but it was pretty bad out.  So far we've gotten about 7 inches of snow with more coming tonight and have a winter storm warning until noon tomorrow.  I'm glad I don't have to go in to work until the afternoon tomorrow so I don't have to get up too early to start the clean up.

From 2 yrs ago (I think) when we got a couple of feet of snow.

Instead, I fell asleep on the couch for about an hour.  I guess I was exhausted, because I woke up feeling very refreshed!

I made some homemade seasoned fries, one of my favorite things to eat.

The recipe is really easy.

The Best Seasoned Fries
5-6 potatoes cut into fry-like slices
2-3 Tbsps EVOO
1 Tbsp Cumin
1 Tbsp Chili Powder
1 tsp Garlic Powder
1/2 tsp sugar
salt to sprinkle on after they are cooked.

Preheat the oven to 425
Cut the fries into thin slices and put into large bowl.  In a small bowl, mix together the EVOO, cumin, chili powder, garlic powder, and suger until combined.  Pour over the potatoes and stir until they are covered in the olive oil mixture.
Spread the fries onto a cookie sheet.  Cook for 25 minutes per side. Salt to taste after they are finished.

There's a bunch of different versions of this recipe, but I played with the seasonings and this is my favorite combination.

I'm also baking a bunch of potatoes so I can make my Potato-Kale Dish.  I've been craving warm, hearty foods lately and this will really hit the spot.

What's your favorite comfort food?

Cup of Ambition

Yum

Who knew ambition came in a cup?  It's probably coffee...delicious, dark, smooth, steamy, hot, coffee.  Maybe you can tell that I have still not had any coffee.  It's been 25 long and sluggish days.  I keep waiting for my natural energy to come shining through.  I've come to the conclusion that I have none.  I'm still not sure it I'm going to continue on this road of no coffee after February.  I will see what March 1 brings.

On an actually ambitious note, I have started my triathlon training.  I finally went into the pool after over a  year.  It wasn't too bad.  I did an easy 800 yards.  My shoulders and upper back was a bit sore, but I expected that.  I can't wait to get back into the pool.  

My general plan is swim twice a week, bike twice a week, and follow Hal's half training plan.

Did you watch the Oscars last night?  

I really like Jennifer Lawrence's dress. 

Who was your best dressed?

That Ish is Bananas! B-A-N-A-N-A-S!

While searching my freezer for food today, I glanced at the side door.  I realized that I have a lot of bananas in there.  Kevin has mentioned it to me once, or twice, or twenty-five times before.  Staring at the door jam-packed with nanners, I decided to count them.  17!

I have 17 frozen bananas in the freezer waiting to become bread, ice cream, smoothies, and anything else I thought I would use them in.  I am going to have to start "pinning" recipes involving mashed bananas...and actually making them.  It can be part of my try new recipes in February.

Do you ever get bored while laying on the couch and do your hair in weird ways?  I always do the side pony.  It brings me back to elementary school.  I will also do a french braid if I'm motivated enough.

And what's cuter than my cat in a box?

That's right.  Him hiding under the blanket.  I think he forgets that he has a tail.

Did you have a great Monday?

Long Hair, Don't Care

Two weeks into February (sort of) and I am keeping to my goals.

One goal was to work out three times a week.
I ran three times this week; a three mile on the treadmill, a 6x400 speed workout, and one 5k outside.  I was so glad I decided to go outside.  I missed just running without having to pick a certain pace first, like I do on the treadmill.  I didn't even look at my watch until I knew I was by the turnaround point.

Another goal was to try a new recipe once a week.  I made Lazy Lasagna, which I ate for lunch and dinner all last week.  Today I made lentil loaf that I found on SparkPeople.  I made it a bit differently.  I should have made half the recipe they gave, because I ended up with two loafs.
Here's what mine looked like

I had it with home made mashed potatoes and green beans.

It ended up being okay.  I wouldn't make it again though.  It's just so heavy, and it will take forever to eat all of it.  I'm glad I tried it though.  It's something I've been curious about for a while.

My weight loss goal for February is to be down four pounds.  I am right on track, being down two.  Just two more to go!

My most difficult goal for the month is staying off caffeine.  It's been 9 days and I still feel awful.  I'm crazy tired all day...and a little crabby!  I've been trying to substitute with green tea, but it is not the same.  Just 19 more days!  I'm hoping by then I will start to feel better soon.

How are your February goals going?

February Goals

I just want to say, I almost stopped at McDonald's after work, but didn't.  Those golden arches were calling my name.  They wanted me to get some golden, crispy fries.  I fought the urge saw all of the cars in line and just drove by.  I'm really glad I skipped it.  A large fry has 500 calories and 25 grams of fat!  They are not that good to be worth all of that!  I make better fries!  So, I went home and had a salad and some Lentils and Rice on a tortilla.

Evil!

I forgot it was February!  In working towards making my goal weight, I lost 4.6 lbs in January!  My goal is to lose at least 4 lbs a month, so that will be my first goal.

Exactly

1) Lose at least 4 lbs.  I will just keep tracking using Weight Watchers Points Plus and trying to eat as healthy as I can...most of the time.

Never know who you'll see!

2) Work out at least 3 times a week.  Despite trying to follow a running plan, I am still struggling with running on a treadmill.  I need to just DO IT and stop whining about it (but that won't happen)!!

Oh, Pinterest

3) Try one new recipe a week.  Already on top of that, with the Lazy Lasagna recipe I concocted.  It turned out pretty good and now I have healthy food for almost a week!

Eggy will get my coffee now.

4) Continue with no caffeine.  I have not had coffee for three days.  This is the longest I've gone without any caffeine in years!  I'm still tired, but it's been easier for me to fall asleep at night.  I don't want to use non-caffeinated soda as a crutch either.  I just don't want any of it.

I think those are doable goals for a short 28 day month!

What are your monthly goals?

Ode to My Cat and Lazy Lasagna Recipe

In his usual napping spot.

When I was younger, my grandparents had a Himalayan named Leon.  He was so mean and would chase me around the house when my Grandma would go downstairs or leave the room!  I later found out he would do the same thing to my cousin.  But, my Grandma loved him.  Leon was always on her lap, getting his pet on, or getting brushed.  I never really liked cats for this reason.

Fast forward to years later, Kevin insisted that we get a Siamese cat.  It had to be a Siamese.  I was adamantly opposed to it after my experience with my Grandma's cat.  They were similar breeds and I figured similar temperaments.  He asked if he found one could we get him?  I finally gave in and said yes, thinking nothing would come of it.

Eggy use to jump in the pantry and sit in boxes when he was smaller.

Well, weeks later he called me at work and said he found one in Milwaukee and wanted to make sure it was okay still.  I begrudgingly said fine.

Can't wait to open his Christmas present.

When I got home to see him, he was the cutest, most adorable little kitten!  He had giant ears and a little cry that sounded like a baby.  To this day he talks to us, which is a common siamese trait and I love it!

Needless to say, he grew on me.  Every night, he would fall asleep on my lap and I would carry him to bed with us.  Every day I looked forward to seeing him when I got home.  He was really friendly as a kitten, but as he grew older he became...not as friendly to strangers.  I think he is just guarding his territory and I now understand why my Grandma's cat was so unfriendly to us.

Photo-bombing my pic of all of the sauce I bought for 46 cents each.

I am quite obsessed with my cat.  There are about 100 pictures a day that I take of him that I don't post to Facebook and about 100 times I restrain myself from talking about him.  People always ask, "How's Eggroll?"  I let my fiancé's sister borrow an old phone and she messaged me, "I can't believe how many pictures of Eggroll are on here."  I texted her back, "I can!"

Sleeping in his new favorite blanket my mom got him me.

As with any pet, they make our lives better.  Both Kevin and I know that we need Eggy just as much or more than he needs us!

Lazy Lasagna

I saw a recipe on Pinterest (where else!) of a fancy looking wrapped lasagna.  I don't have time for that, so I just modified it to this.

16 oz Farfalle noodles or your favorite
16 oz your favorite jar spaghetti sauce
8 oz sliced mushrooms
4 cups kale, torn into pieces
22 oz fat free cottage cheese
1 cup shredded mozzarella
1/2 tsp italian seasoning
1/2 tsp garlic powder
salt and pepper to taste

Preheat oven to 375. Cook the noodles per boxed instructions.  While that is cooking, slice the mushrooms, and kale.  Put into large bowl.  Add the cottage cheese, spaghetti sauce, italian seasoning, garlic powder, salt, and pepper.  Mix until it is all covered in sauce.  When the noodles are finished, drain, and add to the bowl.  Mix everything together and put in 9x13 pan.  Cover evenly with mozzarella cheese.  Bake for 30 minutes, or until cheese starts to turn a golden brown on the edges.