tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-61544071270461566682024-03-14T04:13:00.972-05:00Lark's SongLeAnn Knighthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14258670728269904094noreply@blogger.comBlogger130125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6154407127046156668.post-20573436140986073072013-10-21T18:54:00.003-05:002013-10-21T18:54:25.662-05:00Blue Jeans, Tea, and Vinegar<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I made a rare trip to the mall a few weeks ago to return a pair of jeans that I had allowed a store to ship to my home - knowing that there was a better than average chance that I would have to return them. Will I never learn? <br />
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My son agreed to go with me, and he patiently waited while I stubbornly continued my pursuit of the perfect pair of jeans - or at least a pair that fit nicely. Several stores and several hot, cramped dressing rooms later, and I was completely frustrated and no nearer to my goal. <br />
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So I did what I always do in these situations... I headed for the specialty stores where one size really <i>does</i> fit all and all the styles displayed on the shelf are available for immediate purchase. <br />
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One of my favorite stores is Oil and Vinegar. They have an amazing selection of, you guessed it, oils and vinegars, along with spices and specialty items. The fun thing about this store is that you can taste things before you buy them. That's also kind of scary, because everything is so amazingly good! We selected two vinegars - a pear balsamic and a white truffle balsamic - and managed to get out of the store for less than $50... just. As we left with our treasured bottles, I was already trying to think up some creative recipe ideas. <br />
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Our next stop was Teavana, where everything is about tea. They have samples, too, which is good and (remember) dangerous. We chose four different teas that could be blended together to make some truly delicious hot and cold teas, and a fancy new iced tea pitcher. I won't even mention how much we spent there, it was so ridiculous. But we left the mall, quite satisfied with our purchases, and the jeans debacle (mostly) forgotten. When we got home, we made mixed berry iced tea in our new pitcher, and it was delicious. The pitcher turned out to be a really good purchase because it encourages me to make tea more often, which cuts down on our consumption of sodas. Totally worth the cost. <br />
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So, what to do with the vinegars? I thought about it for several weeks and last night I finally used the white truffle balsamic to make a sauce - more of a reduction, if you want to get technical. Anyway, it was delicious. I've tried to recreate the steps below. Please be aware that the measurements are approximate... because that's just the way I roll. <br />
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<b>Chicken Breasts with White Truffle Mushroom Sauce</b> <br />
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4 chicken breasts <br />
Emeril's Essence (or preferred seasoning blend) <br />
1 - 2 Tbs olive oil 2 cloves garlic, minced <br />
6 - 8 large button mushroom, sliced <br />
1-1/2 Tbs white truffle balsamic vinegar <br />
freshly ground black pepper, to taste <br />
1 tsp dried basil <br />
1-1/2 cups chicken stock<br />
Parmesan cheese <br />
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Season both sides of chicken breasts with Emeril's Essence. Cook under the broiler (low setting) until browned and cooked through, turn midway through cooking. Cooking time will vary depending on the size of the breasts - ours took about 15 minutes per side. <br />
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Sauce: Heat 1 to 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a skillet, then add garlic. Saute until lightly browned. Add mushrooms, vinegar, pepper and basil. Saute for 1 or 2 minutes. Add chicken stock. Simmer until most of the liquid is absorbed. Cut chicken breasts into slices, spoon sauce over chicken, and top with a bit of freshly grated Parmesan cheese. <br />
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Serve with your favorite green vegetable - we chose steamed asparagus. <br />
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My guys really liked this meal and deemed it "5 star restaurant quality", which made me feel great and totally justifies all those hours I spend watching the Food Network. <br />
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Now if I could only be as successful with a pair of jeans... LeAnn Knighthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14258670728269904094noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6154407127046156668.post-60332111574731260122013-08-18T21:56:00.000-05:002013-08-18T21:56:27.816-05:00LeftoversHave I mentioned that I like to cook? Yes, I'm sure I have... once or twice. One of the best, and maybe worst, things about cooking is leftovers. With a son just barely out of his teenage years, we don't always have leftovers. But when we do, the question is... what to do with them? When I took my lunch to work, I would package them up and enjoy them the next day. But lately, I find myself throwing them out more and more often.<div>
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It is my personal challenge to find creative ways to use up those leftover bits of meat and vegetables. Sometimes it's simple. Today's sausage patties and biscuits will become grab-n-go breakfast sandwiches for tomorrow. I've already put them together, so I can just pop them in the microwave for a few seconds and they'll be ready. Adding a slice of cheese makes them even more tasty.</div>
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Tonight, my challenge was leftover pork loin in a garlic-onion-pepper glaze and the need for something quick and easy. There wasn't enough pork for three servings, but there was just enough to make stir-fry. I shredded the pork, mixed it with frozen stir-fry veggies and 1/2 cup of stir-fry sauce, and let it simmer, while I baked egg rolls (frozen). If I'd had more time, I probably would have cooked some rice. The family enjoyed it, and I'm pretty sure that someone will eat those leftovers for lunch tomorrow. </div>
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I could have easily opted for an Italian style meal, by adding crushed tomatoes, onions, peppers, mushrooms, and garlic, and serving it over pasta. Or we could have gone Mexican with black beans, onions, and jalapenos in tortillas. The options are only limited by your imagination, and your pantry.</div>
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I actually enjoy creating new meals using leftovers, and my family doesn't seem to mind my little "experiments". The only problem is trying to recreate them when they say, "Can you make that again?"</div>
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LeAnn Knighthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14258670728269904094noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6154407127046156668.post-45845116126300570332013-07-21T22:16:00.000-05:002013-07-21T22:16:16.444-05:00Growing Up<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Twenty years ago today, I was lying in a hospital bed, too excited to sleep, because I knew that my little boy would be arriving in the morning. <br />
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Tonight, I am sitting in my comfy chair, anticipating the end of his teenage years. <br />
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Tomorrow, my baby boy will turn 20.<br />
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I know! It's hard to believe that my baby is all grown up.<br />
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I'm remembering all the good times that we've shared... camping, hiking, canoeing, trips to the zoo, waterparks and so much more. We've had some amazing experiences together. And through it all, I've watched a charming little boy grow into an amazing young man, and I am one very proud mom. <br />
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Don't think that this birthday marks the end of our fun times. Far from it! I anticipate making more memories with my young man. Especially now that he can drive me around... and be my designated driver when the need arises. This mother and son team is still going strong. Though, I may have to start introducing him as my little brother. <br />
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Happy birthday, James. I love you.<br />
<br />LeAnn Knighthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14258670728269904094noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6154407127046156668.post-73640244197299954042013-07-07T20:22:00.000-05:002013-07-07T20:23:34.103-05:00Not Your Momma's Video Game... Or Is It?The world of video games have changed since I was a kid. I used to meet my friends at the video arcade to play pinball, Asteroids, Defender - all the classics. We would spend hours trying to beat each other's high scores. Sometimes we would opt for a game of pool or foosball. Things have changed. Now everyone has their own computer or game console (or both), and they can spend hours enjoying their favorite games - either alone or with a group of virtual players that they might not ever meet in person.<br />
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I'm not a fan of the shooter games my son enjoys. I can't seem to get the hang of moving, choosing weapons, and firing, and I get killed a lot. I've tried the games available on Facebook, and they're fun at first, but soon get tedious. I lost interest, and my crops and animals all died from neglect. </div>
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Not long ago, my son and his friends invited me to try a new game with them. <a href="http://www.ingress.com/" target="_blank">Ingress</a> is a GPS based game from Google that you play using your phone. (Sorry iPhone users, but this one is for Android.) I won't bore you with the back story of the game - you can get that from the website if you're interested. I will tell you that I'm really enjoying this game. You can't play the game sitting in your home, you have to go to various locations around your neighborhood, and to be effective, you need to team up with other players. Yes, actually play the game with other people - in person. </div>
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James and I usually get out and play for a couple of hours each weekend. We've discovered more of our hometown by getting out of the car and walking around while we play (bonus - exercise!), and we've met a lot of really nice people. I've also played occasionally during my lunch hour - so much better than eating a quick sandwich at my desk. </div>
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The goal of the game to is gain control of all the portals (specific locations) for your team (Enlightened or Resistance - guess which one I'm on). Players attack portals owned by the opposition using "bursters" to neutralize them, then place your own "resonators" to establish control of the portal. Once you control portals, they can be linked using "portal keys" to create "fields". Items (bursters, resonators, portal keys, etc.) are collected by "hacking" portals. All of this activity earns you Access Points (or AP). Your AP count indicates your level, and higher levels can use higher level items. Good game play requires planning and strategy. There's an <a href="https://support.google.com/ingress/answer/3205429?hl=en&ref_topic=2799231" target="_blank">Agent Field Guide</a> devoted to explaining all this and more, for those who are interested. </div>
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I'm not sure how long we'll continue playing this game. I'm sure that eventually, like with any other game, we'll get bored and move on to something else. But for now, I'm really enjoying it. If you want to give it a try, let me know. I have a few spare invites for new recruits who want to join my team. If you already play, look for me online. My blog readers should have no trouble finding me. :)</div>
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LeAnn Knighthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14258670728269904094noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6154407127046156668.post-14334150178133909072013-06-16T00:01:00.000-05:002013-06-16T00:01:58.451-05:00Bus NotesI've been riding a commuter bus to work for about a year and a half now. I enjoy the chance to read or nap while someone else deals with traffic, but it is a fairly long trip and not always the most pleasant way to travel. I've learned a few things about bus etiquette that I've decided to share... in case you ever find yourself in a similar situation. <br />
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The first time you ride the bus, pay attention to the other riders. There may be routines for boarding or exiting. My bus runs from a single park and ride lot to multiple stops downtown, then back to the lot. When we return to lot in the afternoon, riders exit one row at a time starting with the front rows. Everyone politely waits their turn and there is no pushing or crowding. Those who rush to exit before their turn, identify themselves as either a "newbie" or just terribly rude.<br />
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Personal space is limited when you share a bus seat with another rider, and feeling like a sardine is no fun for anyone. Briefcases, backpacks and packages take up extra space, and can be safely stowed in overhead storage. A note for tall people: using your elbows and knees as assault weapons is considered bad form.<br />
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Climate control seems to be a puzzle that is yet to be solved by the bus drivers of the world. I have found the bus to be chilly most mornings and comfortable to warm in the afternoons. A broken A/C in our Houston summers can make the ride home almost unbearable. My solution is to carry a sweater in my bag for the mornings and wear layers that can be peeled off in the afternoon, and hope for a working A/C.<br />
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A bus full of people can be a noisy place. Cell phone calls, conversations, coughing, sneezing and snoring can make it difficult to read or nap. Ear plugs or headphones with soft music can help block out the noise. Vitamins can help protect you from those coughing and sneezing people with colds.<br />
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Smells are not as easily blocked as sound. Too much aftershave or cologne can cause severe discomfort for a person with allergies. We can hope that our fellow riders will refrain from overdoing, and arm ourselves with menthol cough drops and peppermint gum for the times when changing seats isn't an option.<br />
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Riding a bus isn't for everyone. Sometimes I think it isn't for me, but then I consider the alternative - driving in Houston traffic - and I realize this is my best option. For now.<br />
<br />LeAnn Knighthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14258670728269904094noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6154407127046156668.post-67373650800480401782013-03-24T18:10:00.001-05:002013-03-24T18:12:22.018-05:00Discovering Potbelly... and a RecipeOne of my favorite places to eat lunch is Potbelly. Potbelly started out as a Chicago antique shop. The owners thought it would be a good idea to serve lunch to their customers, and now there are more than 240 Potbelly Sandwich Shops around the country. Their menu offers a wide variety of sandwiches, soups, sides and salads. And for the sweet tooth - fresh, in-store baked cookies and hand dipped shakes. Each shop also provides lunchtime entertainment in the form of a local musician - a very nice touch.<br />
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My current favorite lunch choice is the Uptown Salad - all natural grilled chicken, grapes, apples, dried cranberries, candied walnuts, red onion, and blue cheese - with balsamic vinaigrette. Delicious! And because I'm eating a healthy salad, I don't feel at all bad about having one of their oatmeal chocolate chip cookies. These cookies are amazing - and addicting! My friends tell me the shakes are to-die-for, but I haven't tried one yet. I'm afraid I'd have to make a choice between the shake or a cookie, and I'm just not ready to go there yet.<br />
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But maybe now I am. After a brief search on Google, I found a recipe that comes very close to those delicious cookies that I love so much. I made a batch this afternoon and I will not say how many cookies I have consumed. Let's just say it's been a lot. Anyway, since I love you all and I love these cookies, I want to share the recipe with you. <br />
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You're welcome!<br />
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<b>Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies</b><br />
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1 cup Butter<br />
1 cup Brown Sugar<br />
1 cup Sugar<br />
2 Eggs<br />
2 teaspoons Vanilla<br />
2 cups Flour<br />
2-1/2 cups Oats (I used quick oats)<br />
1-1/2 teaspoons Baking Soda<br />
1 teaspoon Salt<br />
2 cups Chocolate Chips<br />
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Preheat oven to 350 degrees. <br />
In a large bowl, cream together butter, brown sugar, and sugar. One at a time, mix in the eggs. Mix in the vanilla. In a separate bowl, combine the oats, flour, baking soda, and salt. Stir. Slowly add to the wet ingredients and mix well. Stir in the chocolate chips.<br />
Form the dough into balls. Bake for 10-12 minutes.<br />
<br />LeAnn Knighthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14258670728269904094noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6154407127046156668.post-8176654895661415832013-01-26T22:03:00.001-06:002013-01-26T22:03:16.854-06:00Am I A Crazy Cat Lady?A few years ago, I wrote a post about my family's relationship with <a href="http://larkssong.blogspot.com/2009/02/stray-cats.html" target="_blank">Stray Cats</a>. Our newest stray at that time blessed us with four additional kittens, and my son's friends who all wanted kittens... well, that didn't happen. My stepdaughter took one of the kittens, and we kept the rest. So now our cat count is up to eight. Yes, I said eight. But I have officially decreed that eight is enough. (Bonus points to those of you who remember that TV show.) And I have stuck by it... the last stray who showed up on our front porch - thanks to our neighbor who thought she had to be one of ours - was dutifully delivered to the local animal shelter. She was a very sweet cat, and she really wanted to be our cat, but I was determined that I would not become the crazy cat lady.<br />
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There are very few dull moments when you own eight cats. Someone is always annoying someone else, clawing up furniture, knocking things off shelves, or barfing up a hairball. The excitement never ends. Recently, one of our little guys became very ill with a urinary blockage. He spent four days shuttling between the vet and the emergency animal clinic, where he received IV fluids and was closely monitored. We learned a lot about cats' urinary health and spent way more money than you would ever expect to spend on one little cat. The good news is that he made it through and is now back to his old self again... mischevious as ever.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dinner time!</td></tr>
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On important lesson that we learned from this experience is that cats should not be fed a diet of only dry cat food... and if they've experienced urinary problems, they shouldn't have dry food at all. Our cats had always been self feeding, and our job was to fill the bowls whenever they got empty. Now, everyone gets canned food, delivered twice a day. The transition wasn't easy, and a few of our guys (including the sick one) turned up their noses at first, but hunger got the best of them and everyone seems to be happy with the new routine.<br />
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Now that the cats have decided they like canned food, we go through seven to eight cans a day. That means my weekly grocery list includes 50+ cans of cat food. Last weekend, the girl bagging my groceries asked if there was a special on cat food. When I responded with, "No, we just have lots of cats," she gave me that look. The look that says, "Oh, you're one of those crazy cat ladies."<br />
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Damn.<br />
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<br />LeAnn Knighthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14258670728269904094noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6154407127046156668.post-15196887099746816882012-12-09T18:20:00.000-06:002012-12-09T18:22:26.356-06:00It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas... But Not At Our House<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIREoMfv3lyWavZntOXot-Pd84Fyi83HqqJvr7106I5PxosnFvDFjx4rDa9pRpcs4-eM8H6lefMxqGuz_Lafc_xyn9Bti4ao-agoxqT4IpEcEby7-HZvmY_RT1WgPdGj1jdk16V8OITKI/s1600/DSC_0050.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIREoMfv3lyWavZntOXot-Pd84Fyi83HqqJvr7106I5PxosnFvDFjx4rDa9pRpcs4-eM8H6lefMxqGuz_Lafc_xyn9Bti4ao-agoxqT4IpEcEby7-HZvmY_RT1WgPdGj1jdk16V8OITKI/s320/DSC_0050.JPG" width="168" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Celtic Christmas weekend at RenFest</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Christmas is 16 days away. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That’s just over 2 weeks – and I haven’t even
started getting ready.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">We usually put our tree up the weekend after Thanksgiving,
but that’s when Mike got sick, and then the cat got sick and, well… I haven’t
really had the time to breathe, much less think about Christmas.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I bought a poinsettia for my husband’s hospital room, and we
put it on the front porch when he came home. Does that count as decorating? <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>No, I didn’t think so. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The new tree that James and I bought back in November is
still sitting in its box. We brought the decorations down from the attic so we
could donate two older trees, and all the boxes are sitting in the middle of
our living room.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I have Christmas cards and stamps, but I haven’t even
started addressing the envelopes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
wanted to take a new family portrait to include in our cards this year.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Yeah, that hasn’t happened either.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I haven’t bought a single gift.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have no idea what I would buy anyway, even
if I did have the time to go shopping.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
could shop online, if I knew what to buy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Is it too late to have things delivered in time for Christmas?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The worst part about this is that I don’t really care.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s not that I’m anti-Christmas…it’s just
that I’m not at all excited about the holidays this year. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">We’re planning to put up the tree tonight after dinner, and
I have some eggnog in the fridge.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Maybe
that, and a little bourbon, will put me in a more festive mood.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Cheers!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
LeAnn Knighthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14258670728269904094noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6154407127046156668.post-25465918757819355602012-12-05T21:48:00.000-06:002012-12-06T09:36:53.959-06:00Thankfulness: A Belated Thanksgiving PostI am thankful that we were able to enjoy a delicious Thanksgiving meal this year, and share it with my step-daughter, her boyfriend, and one of my son's best friends.<br />
<br />
I am thankful that we were able to spend Black Friday at the Texas Renaissance Festival with my step-daughter and her boyfriend - even though my husband wasn't feeling well and had to stay home. We also got to play a part in the big marriage proposal. It was a very special day.<br />
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I am thankful for all the wonderful people at the Conroe Regional Medical Center, who took such good care of my husband when we arrived early Saturday morning, and throughout his five day stay after his appendectomy. He came home on Thursday and is feeling much better.<br />
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I am thankful that my job provides medical insurance.<br />
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I am thankful for my son, who took care of things at home while I was spending time at the hospital, and took over hosting our house guests for the remainder of their visit.<br />
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I am thankful for my boss, who allowed me to work from home - on my own schedule - so I could spend time with my husband every day. The free wi-fi at the hospital was helpful too.<br />
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I am thankful for the people at the West Davis Veterinary Clinic and Conroe Emergency Animal Clinic who cared for our cat. Puck became very ill with a blocked urinary tract on the same day that my husband came home from the hospital. He spent four days shuttling between these two clinics, and is still in the process of recovering - now at home.<br />
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I am thankful for my husband, who is taking care of the cats during his own recovery, so I can go back to work.<br />
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I am thankful that everyone is back home now.<br />
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I am thankful that I have Friday off.LeAnn Knighthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14258670728269904094noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6154407127046156668.post-30906400619350959392012-09-27T22:18:00.001-05:002012-09-27T22:18:58.535-05:00Weighing In - September 2012In June of 2011, I announced that I was tired of feeling "fat and frumpy" and I devised a plan to do something about it.<br />
<br />
I started by keeping a food journal, and I faithfully recorded every bite of food that crossed my lips... for about 3 months. That was long enough to confirm that my biggest food problem (aside from overly large portions) was snacking. Specifically, snacking while watching TV. So, I try to find other things to do with my time. Obviously, I haven't been overly successful with this because my house is still a wreck and I have at least a dozen unfinished projects in my craft room. And the M&M's... they will always be a temptation for me as long as they are in the house. *sigh*<br />
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Exercise has become a regular thing for me. Some weeks are more regular than others, but I try to get at least 4 workouts in every week. Sometimes I count weekend yard work as a workout, but I figure that if I'm sweating, it counts. I've built up quite a collection of workout videos, and mix them up to keep it interesting. The last week has been focused completely on yoga, since I rubbed blisters on my heels (new shoes) and needed something I could do barefoot. See... no excuses!!!<br />
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I've been recording my weight and measurements every week... okay, most weeks... at least once a month, to see how I'm progressing. Sometimes the numbers have gone up, but mostly they've gone down. I set a goal to lose 69 pounds. Yes, I know, that sounds like a lot of weight, and it is. The fact is that I had gained a lot of weight, and 69 pounds would put me at a healthy weight for my height - not model thin, just healthy. As of this week, I still have about 43 more pounds to lose. <br />
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For an entire year, I blogged about my progress every week. Okay, I may have missed one or two weeks. I shared my successes and failures with the world - okay, my five regular readers (LOVE you guys!!) - and I think that knowing that I would have to 'fess up kept me on track better than any paid weight loss program. I plan to continue posting, but on a monthly-ish basis. I am looking forward to one day writing that "I did it!" post.<br />
<br />
<em><strong>My numbers:</strong></em><br />
<div>
<em>Pounds (+/-) since last post: -4.6</em><br />
<em>Total weight loss: 26.4</em></div>
<div>
<em>Inches (+/-) since last post: 3</em></div>
<div>
<em>Total inches lost: 36.5</em><br />
<br />
Motivation: We really can't expect to be successful when we attempt something without the proper motivation. A lot of things have kept me motivated in the last year - my health, my family, being able to climb a flight of stairs without gasping for breath. Vanity played a big part in it, too. (Re-read the first sentence.) This week, I will be attending my 30 year high school reunion. Though I haven't yet reached my goal, I'm healthy, I'm happy, I feel really good about myself, and I look good! <br />
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Here's to the Northbrook Raiders Class of '82. Huzzah!<br />
<br /></div>
LeAnn Knighthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14258670728269904094noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6154407127046156668.post-55999997822816934732012-09-08T17:48:00.001-05:002012-09-08T17:48:58.002-05:00Discovering Hubcap Grill<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2rVpw8BRoUkO468AXx9uunFWeXkWaCJJBALydemd0ROxYlbK5ERSSaMLMGf-MYg1S8ZLxvw_QZFk-k3Z1VQkRg1ZIVUAxS_d7oXwRUmCxdCMsHeiRykVe3mIZBQaUy0S4h1CuPKgaEUg/s1600/DSC_0073.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2rVpw8BRoUkO468AXx9uunFWeXkWaCJJBALydemd0ROxYlbK5ERSSaMLMGf-MYg1S8ZLxvw_QZFk-k3Z1VQkRg1ZIVUAxS_d7oXwRUmCxdCMsHeiRykVe3mIZBQaUy0S4h1CuPKgaEUg/s320/DSC_0073.jpg" width="223" /></a></div>
Shortly after I started working downtown (7 months ago), I heard about <a href="http://www.hubcapgrill.com/media.html" target="_blank">Hubcap Grill</a> - home of "the best burger in Houston" - and I knew that I had to try it. Sadly, I wasn't able to convince any of my regular lunch buddies to go there due to the five block walk. <br />
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A few weeks ago, my mom texted me from the county courthouse, where she was waiting on her husband to be released from jury duty, and I immediately arranged to meet them for lunch. I had the perfect place - Hubcap Grill. Their downtown location at 1111 Prairie is between my office and the courthouse (a bit closer to the courthouse). Perfect! Hubcap Grill is the most unlikely looking burger place I have ever seen. It's a tiny, cinder block building that seats maybe 12 people with an attached covered patio with additional (non-air-conditioned) seating, and it's decorated with hubcaps (surprise). It reminded me of an old fashioned gas station, back when full service was still the norm.<br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2QbGYnePWOkW-C6TvTYLyrlkIoF3-YETn6e5ilIqZyhW2B3pV3L_fiNno6eWCplnteU3u-P-bUTPuVkp-lTHq9cJ1B5D3awTIB6TEgqMdELwOjj5xW2kdRwoQnTAp5NOnA_mSjcYgU28/s1600/DSC_0070.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2QbGYnePWOkW-C6TvTYLyrlkIoF3-YETn6e5ilIqZyhW2B3pV3L_fiNno6eWCplnteU3u-P-bUTPuVkp-lTHq9cJ1B5D3awTIB6TEgqMdELwOjj5xW2kdRwoQnTAp5NOnA_mSjcYgU28/s320/DSC_0070.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Philly Cheese Steak Burger</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
I hear that the place is really packed between 11:30 and 1:30, so I was a little worried about dealing with the crowd. But thanks to some long-winded lawyers, we arrived after 2:00 - giving us our choice of the two tables in the main building and just enough time to enjoy our lunch before they closed for the day at 3:00. After asking which burger was the most popular, I ordered the Philly Cheese Steak Burger. It was amazing - a 1/3 lb burger topped with grilled onions and peppers, ribeye shards and Swiss cheese on an in-house baked bun. Mom and her hubby both chose the Greek Burger - with feta cheese, kalamata olives, onions, peppers, tomatoes - and claimed it to be delicious. We shared an order of sweet potatoes, which we weren't able to finish after polishing off our burgers, and topped off our meal with bottles of root beer and cream soda.<br />
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The meal was definitely worth the long walk - and the exercise was a helpful start to burning off all the calories I consumed. I'm ready to go back again to try that Greek Burger, so if you're in downtown Houston and you're looking for a great burger and a lunch date... give me a call! Oh, and if you go to Hubcap Grill, make sure you take cash... they don't accept anything else. Happy eating!<br />
<br />LeAnn Knighthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14258670728269904094noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6154407127046156668.post-2362099775401710662012-08-14T13:17:00.001-05:002012-08-14T13:17:21.748-05:00Discovering Bombay Pizza CompanyTwo months ago, Kim and I ventured into Bombay Pizza Company for lunch. Bombay Pizza serves Italian cuisine fused with Indian herbs and spices. They're well known for their amazingly diverse variety of pizzas with cracker-thin crust, and have been featured on The Food Network show Best Thing I Ever Ate. <br />
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On this visit, we decided to try The Slumdog - topped with pepperoni, Spanish chorizo, beef, Canadian bacon, mozarella, grilled chicken, jalapenos, red onion and Bombay pizza sauce. We ordered the large - 16" ($19), thinking that we would take the leftover slices home with us. The pizza was delivered to our table after a very short wait. It was meaty and spicy, and the crust was thin and crispy, and it was so delicious that we ate every bite! <br />
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My second visit to Bombay Pizza was with a friend from work. Gowri, who is from India, turned me on to his favorite dish, which is now my favorite. Charlie's Blackened Chicken Roll ($7) - spicy chicken, carrots, cucumbers, and yogurt dressing rolled in naan bread and served with your choice of potato or sweet potato fries. I am such a sucker for sweet potato fries! If you decide to try this one, ask for a side of the green sauce (cilantro mint chutney) to try on your roll - you'll be glad you did.<br />
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Last week, Kim and I went back again (yes, it's getting to be a habit) and I suggested she try my new favorite, too. I don't think she likes it quite as much as I do, but she said it was pretty good. Being a good carnivore, she says she prefers The Slumdog. I am looking forward to many more trips to try some of the other dishes and pizza combinations - Gateway of India sounds particularly yummy. <br />
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Here's a tip: If you do go to Bombay Pizza Company for lunch, go early. They get <em>very</em> busy and the tables fill up quickly. Enjoy!<br />
LeAnn Knighthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14258670728269904094noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6154407127046156668.post-26249271941501836842012-07-10T22:00:00.000-05:002012-07-10T22:00:09.397-05:00Discovering Cafe ExpressA few weeks after starting my new downtown job, I ran into my friend, Kim. We've known each other since junior high! We used to get together for regular lunches back when she was a stay-at-home mom and I worked in Tomball, but that stopped about five years ago when she went back to work. I was thrilled to learn that we work in the same building. Small world! We've been meeting for weekly lunches ever since.<br />
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Kim had mentioned Cafe Express as a place I should try. When she told me that they had sweet potato fries, I was sold! The restaurant is a 3 block walk from the office - best visited on a good weather day - and I was impressed with the bright, roomy interior. There were several people working the counter, so we didn't have to wait long to place our orders. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7BVoOsLRso4PVuSj-bVFTP5erEmi-fbj8MMMc5S4SiAYNtKCa0rCuIz6z1q-rOAAzpvwrYzwDws8B1RoqfV2gBgq5_Y-GKGI1cyhHUkDKcheE4ETOGxXodrtVV8G3hlGfoLkX4D-w0PI/s1600/cafe+express+edited.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="196" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7BVoOsLRso4PVuSj-bVFTP5erEmi-fbj8MMMc5S4SiAYNtKCa0rCuIz6z1q-rOAAzpvwrYzwDws8B1RoqfV2gBgq5_Y-GKGI1cyhHUkDKcheE4ETOGxXodrtVV8G3hlGfoLkX4D-w0PI/s400/cafe+express+edited.jpg" width="400" /></a>I had the Rustica Chicken sandwich ($8.99) with sweet potato fries (extra $.99). The sandwich was delicious - grilled chicken, roasted tomatoes, red onion, black olive tapenade, lettuce, basil pesto and vinaigrette on ciabatta bread. The fries were good, but not quite up to my expectations - I got the impression that they were frozen. My favorite part of the meal was the black current iced tea. I would go back just to have another glass of that tea... and maybe to try one of their gourmet burgers. Yum!</div>
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<br /></div>LeAnn Knighthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14258670728269904094noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6154407127046156668.post-63015116213066336722012-07-04T20:36:00.001-05:002012-07-05T12:40:00.221-05:00Weighing In - A Year LaterIt's hard to believe that I started this weight loss journey over a year ago. During that time, I've tried several different exercise program, and most recently completed Jillian's 90 day Body Revolution. The exercise portion of the program is great. It challenged me and kept me interested. I have never been very good with diets, so I didn't follow that portion of the program. I'm sure that I would have lost more weight if I had. I am stronger, though, and now I can breeze through other exercise videos that I used to find difficult. <br />
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Just because a year has passed, doesn't mean I'm finished. Not by a long shot! I still have 48 pounds to go, and I don't intend to stop until I reach my goal. Rather than run right out and buy a new program, I'm putting together my own using the various DVDs in my library. When I get it figured out, I'll share it with you. After I've done that for a while, I may look for something new. P90X sounds like it might be interesting.<br />
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You can expect to see continued posts on my progress in the coming months. I might even post a new picture. Just thought I should warn you. <br />
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<em><strong>My numbers for the week(s):</strong></em><br />
<div>
<em>Pounds lost (-) or gained (+) this week: -0.4</em><br />
<em>Total weight loss: 21.8</em></div>
<div>
<em>Inches lost (-) or gained (+) this week: 0</em></div>
<div>
<em>Total inches lost: 33.5</em><br />
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My current motivation: the Meet My Goals Challenge from <a href="http://www.mominmanagement.com/" target="_blank">Mom In Management</a>. I didn't meet my goals for week 5 or 6, but I'm not giving up. I'm too stubborn for that!<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://mominmanagement.com/" target="_blank"><img <="" body="" src="http://www.mominmanagement.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/Goals_button.jpg" /></a></div>
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LeAnn Knighthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14258670728269904094noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6154407127046156668.post-56166964090073815072012-06-25T10:14:00.000-05:002012-06-28T21:03:56.278-05:00Discovering DowntownBack in January, I walked away from my 17-year career with BJ Services (now Baker Hughes) and did something I had sworn I would never do again. I took a job in downtown Houston. What can I say? They made me an offer I couldn't refuse. <br />
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Even though my commute is only 10 miles further (each way), I decided very quickly that I did not want to drive in Houston traffic. Taking The Woodlands bus allows me to work, read, or even nap during my commute; it costs about the same as gas + parking; and I arrive feeling relaxed rather than stressed. The only downfall is that my bus stop is half a mile from my office, but I look at that as a way to get a jump start on my daily exercise and, when the weather's bad, I can walk in the tunnels. Win!<br />
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I'm starting to learn more about all the things Houston has to offer, and it's high time I shared.<br />
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Market Square has regular outdoor concerts, movies and other events that are free, and you can enjoy delicious Greek food (gyros!) from Niko Niko's during the show. My son and I attended a Fondue Monks concert there in March and had a blast. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiozGG4H6Y-jbp_ZykUmiF2jplBCuF3cYKml1HNQLNmxmIwHz1W1HfsZWs7nksrjIKsWkVy-ccd_FR__gXiX9eGjbW0YceKqGZYm4c8i3x7wlPWNnkfUeHhOLQrsKH_rjXPsSYn_K2PleY/s1600/park+shops.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiozGG4H6Y-jbp_ZykUmiF2jplBCuF3cYKml1HNQLNmxmIwHz1W1HfsZWs7nksrjIKsWkVy-ccd_FR__gXiX9eGjbW0YceKqGZYm4c8i3x7wlPWNnkfUeHhOLQrsKH_rjXPsSYn_K2PleY/s320/park+shops.jpg" width="240" /></a>The Park Shops (across from my building) offer a wide variety of shopping and eating for busy downtown workers. They have gift shops, clothing, electronics, beauty parlors and a workout facility - just to name a few. There are so many different restaurants in the Park Shops that I haven't managed to try them all yet. A few that I have tried: Chick Fil A (always good), Ninfa's Express (smaller menu, but just as good as the big restaurants), Potbelly Sandwiches, Quiznos, Subway (all the chain stores are consistently good), Au Bon Pain (slightly fancier sandwiches), Wok & Roll (another chain and not bad at all), Chicken Kitchen (great salads), Otto's Barbecue (yummy), and The Mediterranean Grill (okay, but can't compare to Niko Niko's). So many choices! I just checked the directory and there are still more than a dozen restaurants that I have yet to try. So far, my favorite at the Park Shops would have to be Chicken Kitchen. I love their southwest chicken salad with cilantro dressing. Yum!</div>
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On Wednesdays in June, there's a City Hall Farmers Market where you can purchase locally grown fruits and veggies, and prepared lunch items. It's a little far from my office, so I haven't checked it out yet, but it sounds wonderful.<br />
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Then there are the tunnels... miles and miles of tunnels under downtown Houston... but I think I'll save that for another post. LeAnn Knighthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14258670728269904094noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6154407127046156668.post-24650656907923825242012-06-22T13:48:00.000-05:002012-06-22T13:50:18.645-05:00Weighing In - Week Fifty OneThe last few weeks (okay, four weeks) I've been bouncing up and down the same 3 pound range. Obviously, I've hit a plateau and need to change things up a bit. I haven't quite decided what I'm going to do, but I'll figure it out. I should probably start with taking my lunch to work more often, because there are some seriously tasty (but non-healthy) lunch options in downtown Houston. As for exercise... I have two more weeks to go with Body Revolution. After that I'll do something different. Maybe Yoga Meltdown. I enjoyed that one, but didn't have the upper body strength to do it properly at first. I think that maybe now I do. It's definitely worth trying again, and I might even get past Level 1 this time. <br />
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This week I gained 0.4 lb. and was so annoyed about that that I didn't even bother with taking measurements. Next week, I promise I'll pull out the old measuring tape and see if I've made any more progress.<br />
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<em><strong>My numbers for the week(s):</strong></em><br />
<div>
<em>Pounds lost (-) or gained (+) this week: +0.4</em><br />
<em>Total weight loss: 21.4</em></div>
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<em>Inches lost (-) or gained (+) this week: 0</em></div>
<div>
<em>Total inches lost: 33.5</em><br />
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My current motivation: the Meet My Goals Challenge from <a href="http://www.mominmanagement.com/" target="_blank">Mom In Management</a>. My goals for week 4 were to exercise (6 days), drink more water, and avoid those darned coffee shop muffins. I managed to meet my goals this time. Yea me! <br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://mominmanagement.com/" target="_blank"><img <="" body="" src="http://www.mominmanagement.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/Goals_button.jpg" /></a></div>
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LeAnn Knighthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14258670728269904094noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6154407127046156668.post-83334140930814432392012-06-13T21:57:00.000-05:002012-06-13T21:58:43.229-05:00Weighing In - Week FiftyThere's something about extra food (and the threat of spoilage) that sparks creativity. My son came home from college with a giant jar of applesauce, and when I remembered what happened with the last jar of applesauce that entered our house, I came up with a simple idea that I'd like to share with you. Sprinkle a small bowl of applesauce with cinnamon and top with a couple spoonfuls of granola. It's super easy and tastes like an apple crisp... and it's great for those of us who are trying to keep the calorie count low.<br />
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More important than counting calories is burning them off - at least that's the way I see it. I've just started phase 3 of Jillian Michael's Body Revolution, and the workouts at this level are seriously kicking my butt. I haven't been able to get all the way through without stopping, but I hope that I'll get there before it's time to switch to the final set of videos. Maybe I'll do an extra week at this level. <br />
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<em><strong>My numbers for the week(s):</strong></em><br />
<div>
<em>Pounds lost (-) or gained (+) this week: +0.6</em><br />
<em>Total weight loss: 21.8</em></div>
<div>
<em>Inches lost (-) or gained (+) this week: 0</em></div>
<div>
<em>Total inches lost: 33.5</em><br />
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My current motivation: the Meet My Goals Challenge from <a href="http://www.mominmanagement.com/" target="_blank">Mom In Management</a>. My goals for week 3 were to exercise (6 days), drink more water, and avoid the calorie-laden muffins at the coffee shop. My reality was - I missed one workout due to a power outage (completed 5, though) and I caved in and had a cranberry orange muffin with my coffee on Friday. I'll do better next week.<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://mominmanagement.com/" target="_blank"><img <="" body="" src="http://www.mominmanagement.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/Goals_button.jpg" /></a></div>
</div>
LeAnn Knighthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14258670728269904094noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6154407127046156668.post-47206514444069995222012-06-03T20:41:00.000-05:002012-06-03T20:45:01.682-05:00Weighing In - Week Forty NineI'm happy to say that I'm starting to get back on track again. I've completed phase 2 of Jillian's Body Revolution and will be starting phase 3 tomorrow. Each phase is more challenging than the next, and I can't wait to see what this next phase will bring. I just hope that I can keep up! <br />
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<em><strong>My numbers for the week(s):</strong></em><br />
<div>
<em>Pounds lost (-) or gained (+) this week: -2.0</em><br />
<em>Total weight loss: 22.4</em></div>
<div>
<em>Inches lost (-) or gained (+) this week: -0.5</em></div>
<div>
<em>Total inches lost: 33.5</em><br />
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My current motivation: the Meet My Goals Challenge from <a href="http://www.mominmanagement.com/" target="_blank">Mom In Management</a>. I met my goals for week 2. My goals were to exercise (6 days), drink more water, and avoid the calorie-laden muffins at the coffee shop. Check. These goals worked so well for me, that I've decided to repeat them for week 3.<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://mominmanagement.com/" target="_blank"><img <="" body="" src="http://www.mominmanagement.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/Goals_button.jpg" /></a></div>
</div>
LeAnn Knighthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14258670728269904094noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6154407127046156668.post-42321940421382459092012-05-31T19:02:00.000-05:002012-05-31T19:03:10.938-05:00Bye Bye BirdieWhat is up with the birds lately? They’ve been strangely absent the last few months. I have two feeders outside my kitchen window, and I usually have so many feathered visitors that I have to refill them every weekend. But I haven’t needed to fill them for over two months now. <br />
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At first I thought it was bad seed. I picked up a bag at the grocery store instead of my usual place, and I thought maybe the seed was old. So I went back to my regular place and bought a new bag. Nope. That wasn’t it. Still no birds. <br />
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I haven’t seen very many squirrels either. One little guy stops by and steals seed about once a week, but that’s it. Strange.<br />
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We do have an amazing abundance of butterflies this year, though. Maybe because there are no birds around to eat them.<br />
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Is it just me? Is anyone else in the Houston area missing their birds this year?LeAnn Knighthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14258670728269904094noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6154407127046156668.post-78884680913451458232012-05-29T20:28:00.000-05:002012-05-29T20:28:43.788-05:00Weighing In - Week Forty EightIf I had written a post last week, I would have told you that I lost 1.2 lbs. But I didn't. Then I would have followed up with a post this week saying I had gained 2.8 lbs. But I didn't. So, since I've been lazy about posting, I can tell you that I gained 1.6 lbs over the last two weeks. That doesn't sound as good as losing 1.2, but it sounds better than gaining 2.8.<br />
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<em><strong>My numbers for the week(s):</strong></em><br />
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<em>Pounds lost (-) or gained (+) this week: +1.6</em><br />
<em>Total weight loss: 20.4</em></div>
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<em>Inches lost (-) or gained (+) this week: -0</em></div>
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<em>Total inches lost: 33.0</em><br />
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My current motivation: The Meet My Goals Challenge from <a href="http://www.mominmanagement.com/" target="_blank">Mom In Management</a>. At the end of week one, I had met my goals, even though I didn't lose any weight. My goals center around exercise (Jillian Michaels' Body Revolution 6 days a week) and snacking (specifically, not snacking), and this week I'm trying to drink more water. <br />
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<a href="http://mominmanagement.com/" target="_blank"><img <="" body="" src="http://www.mominmanagement.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/Goals_button.jpg" /></a></div>
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LeAnn Knighthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14258670728269904094noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6154407127046156668.post-58293410859028575382012-05-17T20:56:00.001-05:002012-05-17T20:56:47.571-05:00Weighing In - Week Forty SixIt's been a rough week. Lots of stress. But I did finally get all the way through workouts 5 & 6 of <a href="http://www.jillianmichaelsbodyrevolution.com/" target="_blank">Body Revolution</a>, which is good, because it's time to switch to 7 & 8. I really love Jillian, but I honestly think she's trying to kill me. These workouts are tough! I am absolutely certain that the tiny weight gain this week can be blamed on the muscles I'm building. <br />
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My week came to a lovely end on Mother's Day. My son, who is home from college, presented me with a very thoughtful gift - a little red ceramic teapot and the most amazingly delicious tea; then he and my husband cooked me a lovely dinner of barbecue chicken. I ended the day by sharing a cup of tea with my baby boy. It was a perfect day!<br />
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<em><strong>My numbers for the week(s):</strong></em><br />
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<em>Pounds lost (-) or gained (+) this week: +0.2</em><br />
<em>Total weight loss: 22.0</em></div>
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<em>Inches lost (-) or gained (+) this week: -0</em></div>
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<em>Total inches lost: 33.0</em><br />
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My current motivation: Can't wait for this new challenge from <a href="http://www.mominmanagement.com/" target="_blank">Mom In Management</a> to start!
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://mominmanagement.com/" target="_blank"><img <="" body="" src="http://www.mominmanagement.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/Goals_button.jpg" /></a></div>
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LeAnn Knighthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14258670728269904094noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6154407127046156668.post-66377171294805110032012-05-07T22:11:00.001-05:002012-05-07T22:12:11.883-05:00Weighing In - Week Forty FiveI thought I was ready for Phase 2 of <a href="http://www.jillianmichaelsbodyrevolution.com/" target="_blank">Body Revolution</a>. Ha! Wrong. Phase 2 is really tough. Once again, I can't get all the way through without stopping, and I have to do the "sissy" version of certain moves. I know I shouldn't be so hard on myself. I'm at least 10 years older than the hard-bodies in the videos, and at least I'm making an effort. But, for once, it would be nice to say "I can do this", and know that I really can. <br />
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I am happy to report that the challenge of Phase 2 seems to be just what I needed to jump start my weight loss. Here's to hoping that will continue... since I need to burn off the pounds I know I gained from my hubby's birthday dinner. <br />
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<em><strong>My numbers for the week(s):</strong></em><br />
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<em>Pounds lost (-) or gained (+) this week: -2.2</em><br />
<em>Total weight loss: 22.2</em></div>
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<em>Inches lost (-) or gained (+) this week: -0.5</em></div>
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<em>Total inches lost: 33.0</em><br />
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My current motivation: My friend, Daria, from <a href="http://www.mominmanagement.com/" target="_blank">Mom In Management</a> is starting a new 10 week Meet My Goals challenge. I love these challenges, because they help me stay motivated. I can't wait to get started!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://mominmanagement.com/" target="_blank"><img <="" body="" src="http://www.mominmanagement.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/Goals_button.jpg" /></a></div>
LeAnn Knighthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14258670728269904094noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6154407127046156668.post-26926329781994278312012-05-03T21:37:00.000-05:002012-05-03T21:37:02.076-05:00Weighing In - Week Forty FourPhase 1 of <a href="http://www.jillianmichaelsbodyrevolution.com/" target="_blank">Body Revolution</a> is complete. Four weeks, six days a week. I missed one day when I was sick, and on two Saturdays I replaced the 30 minute cardio with lawn work. I'd say my level of dedication has been pretty good. Now, on to Phase 2.<br />
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With another small gain this week, I question my decision to skip the diet portion of the program. It wouldn't be hard for me to get rid of all the junk food, stock my fridge and pantry with healthy choices, and cook the recipes that came with the program. But I think my family would protest. Hubby would be looking for the cookies and M&M's and the boy would complain that there's "nothing to eat" when he comes home from school. So, I buy the foods that everyone enjoys, and I enjoy them, too. I guess I need to strengthen my resolve and stay away from the darned M&M's!<br />
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<em><strong>My numbers for the week(s):</strong></em><br />
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<em>Pounds lost (-) or gained (+) this week: +0.4</em><br />
<em>Total weight loss: 20.0</em></div>
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<em>Inches lost (-) or gained (+) this week: -1.5</em></div>
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<em>Total inches lost: 32.5</em><br />
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Where do I get my best motivation? From you and from my friends at the <a href="http://www.facebook.com/home.php?sk=group_176973062344243&ap=1" target="_blank">Empty the Junk from the Trunk</a> group on Facebook. Stop by and check it out. <br />
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My current motivation: Inches. I may not be losing pounds every single week, but the inches are coming off steadily. As long as I'm seeing positive changes, I'm encouraged. <br />
</div>LeAnn Knighthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14258670728269904094noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6154407127046156668.post-9121523785093258392012-04-25T21:20:00.000-05:002012-04-25T21:21:48.982-05:00Weighing In - Week Forty ThreeI made it through week 3 of <a href="http://www.jillianmichaelsbodyrevolution.com/" target="_blank">Body Revolution</a>. These workouts are HARD, but I'm sticking with it. I may not do all the reps, but like Jillian says, I "show up". <br />
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That pound that I gained last week... it's gone, along with a little bit more. I would love to see "Biggest Loser" type results, but I would have to follow the<em> very strict</em> diet program for that, and I'm not going to do that. <br />
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<em><strong>My numbers for the week(s):</strong></em><br />
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<em>Pounds lost (-) or gained (+) this week: -1.2</em><br />
<em>Total weight loss: 20.4</em></div>
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<em>Inches lost (-) or gained (+) this week: -0.5</em></div>
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<em>Total inches lost: 31.0</em><br />
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Where do I get my best motivation? From you and from my friends at the <a href="http://www.facebook.com/home.php?sk=group_176973062344243&ap=1" target="_blank">Empty the Junk from the Trunk</a> group on Facebook. Stop by and check it out. <br />
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My current motivation: New pants, since all of mine are starting to get too big. The only ones that really fit anymore are yoga pants, and I don't think those are acceptable for work. Guess a shopping trip is in order. (sigh)<br />
<br /></div>LeAnn Knighthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14258670728269904094noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6154407127046156668.post-48104680117001360122012-04-19T22:01:00.000-05:002012-04-19T22:01:36.714-05:00Weighing In - Week Forty TwoI've completed week two of Jillian Michaels' <a href="http://www.jillianmichaelsbodyrevolution.com/" target="_blank">Body Revolution</a>. I'm not as strong as the people on the video - I can't do as many reps, but there is not a single exercise that I cannot do. More importantly, I can make it all the way through the half hour workout without stopping. Which is more than I could do just a month ago. I'm making progress. I can't wait to see what the next level of this program offers.<br />
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I gained a pound this week. It could be water weight or added muscle from my new workout program. Either way, I'm okay with it. It's only one pound, and I expect it to be gone next week. (Yes, I'm crossing my fingers.)<br />
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<em><strong>My numbers for the week(s):</strong></em><br />
<div><em>Pounds lost (-) or gained (+) this week: +1.0</em><br />
<em>Total weight loss: 19.2</em></div><div><em>Inches lost (-) or gained (+) this week: -0</em></div><div><em>Total inches lost: 30.5</em><br />
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Where do I get my best motivation? From you and from my friends at the <a href="http://www.facebook.com/home.php?sk=group_176973062344243&ap=1" target="_blank">Empty the Junk from the Trunk</a> group on Facebook. Stop by and check it out. <br />
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My current motivation: Six-pack abs. I'm starting to see definition in my abs. I'm not at the six-pack stage yet, but I know that I can get there if I stick with it. <br />
</div>LeAnn Knighthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14258670728269904094noreply@blogger.com0