Work Out Barbie: NOT

I was never more in love with my recliner than I am right now.

I did NOT want to get out of bed this morning. I guess the combo of two days of exercise and a massage was challenging me. But Phil was going to church without me, and I hated the thought of him sitting alone, so I got up and ready with no time to spare.

I talked a little about my blog at church. I brought it up with good friends, so that sharing wouldn't be painful, and the idea was very well received. Thank you, Rice family!

After church and bible study Phil came home to brew a new batch of beer (a porter), and I went to Walmart to look for some inexpensive work-out clothes. I was not going to do this. I thought, "It's not like I'm there to catch a man, I don't need to look like Work-Out Barbie." Lifetime Fitness does have some of those. BUT after working out with Brooklyn yesterday, I decided that there are practical reasons to wear close-fitting clothes. Baggy ones get in the way! So I am now the proud owner of three pair of black (the slimming color) workout pants, and three new tops. The tops were in the section with the work-out stuff, so I figured they must be for that purpose. So now I'll look like Work-Out Barbie's pudgy mama.

I am tired, I am achy ALL OVER, and I'm feeling proud. "I feel... I feel... I feel happy of myself!" (reference to a youtube video of a kid who just learned to ride a bike. Leah will get it.)


As part of this adventure, Phil and I are trying new, Weight Watchers-friendly recipes. If we like them, I'll post them here. Today's experiment is lactose-free, low-sugar ice cream. We'll get to see how it turned out at half-time of the Packers game this afternoon. It's made, and in the freezer, waiting to finish... I don't know what it has to finish doing. But the directions said to freeze it for 2 to 4 hours after making it in my NEW (thanks, kids) Kitchen-Aid Ice Cream Maker attachment for my stand mixer.

Breakfast this morning was a WW recipe: Cranberry-Maple Slow Cooker Oatmeal. It's already the second time we've made this; it's that good! Last night I put the following ingredients in the crock pot, and cooked it on low for 4 to 6 hours. Since we sleep more than 6 hours, we put the crock pot on a timer. And we woke up to a great-smelling and better-tasting breakfast!

1 cup of steel-cut oatmeal (the steel-cut part is important; Phil found it cheapest at Aldi's)
1/3 cup chopped dried cranberries ("Craisins" are the best)
4 cups water
1/4 cup maple syrup
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
pinch of nutmeg
1/4 teaspoon table salt

Serving size is 3/4 cup, which is more than enough to fill me up solid for only 6 points. This stuff is very hearty, very stick-to-your-ribs-ish. Sprinkle 1 teaspoon of slivered almonds on the top, and drizzle a little milk on it. Yum! We're making this our new Sunday morning breakfast. Probably once during the week, too.

A little more time in the recliner (maybe a short nap) and then it's time to make meatballs and tomato sauce to eat during the game, both WW recipes. Add a fresh veggie tray, and voila! Dinner!

GO PACK GO!