Monday, January 11, 2010

Moving Day


I think the move is finally going to happen today.
I thought that I had better get a post in because I am not sure when my Internet will be turned on.
My friends Brenda and Mark got their truck fixed so that they can help me get some of my stuff moved in today.
There is still a lot of snow around here, so for now, we are just moving enough that I can live there. We will move the rest when the weather straightens up a bit.
It's pretty darn cold outside. I am grateful for my friends and family who are willing to get out there and help me get at least part way settled in.

Saturday, January 9, 2010

Doing the Fat Math


I borrowed this from another site that I am on. It is some useful information for those of us who are now avid label readers.


Doing the Fat Math
By: Reader's Digest

Nutrition labels list total fat content, but that number may not tell you everything

For instance, you should take into account:

Percentage of calories from fat. Most labels don’t tell you this number. To figure it out, divide the fat calories per serving by the total calories per serving and multiply by 100. So a food that contains 90 calories per serving and has 30 calories from fat would get 33 percent of its calories from fat. A food that gets less than 30 percent of calories from fat is considered a relatively low-fat food; food that gets less than 20 percent of its calories from fat is considered a low-fat food.

Fat you add. Combination foods and mixes, like Hamburger Helper, often have two sets of numbers on the label--one “as packaged” and one “as prepared.” If the “as packaged” numbers are good and you can prepare it with low-fat or nonfat ingredients, the product is a good choice.

Servings per container. Read these carefully; often you may assume a package contains only one serving, when in fact it contains two--and therefore double the fat on the label.

Thursday, January 7, 2010

Pan Seared Tilapia w/ Homemade Salsa


I love my deep fried fish with oodles of tarter sauce or even ketchup. But, that's not on my menu plan these days. So, instead, I have my fish like this sometimes.

Do you see the juice oozzing from the salsa? That makes the fish softer to help it slide through my pouch.

1 frozen tilapia fillet, approx. 4oz.
1/2 tbs. extra virgin olive oil
1/2 tsp. chopped garlic
a pinch of salt and pepper

I heated the EVOO to just the smokey stage, not too hot. Sauteed the chopped garlic for a minute or so, then pan seared my fish on both sides until white and flakes easily with a fork. I topped it with about 2 tablespoons of my friend Brenda's home canned salsa.
That was my protein dinner for tonight. It's not battered and deep fried and smothered in tarter sauce, but it still tastes pretty darn good! Remember, if you aren't like me, and you have more than one mouth to feed, just double, triple or quadruple the amounts.

Nutrition Facts
1 Serving
Amount Per Serving
Calories 171.1
Total Fat 8.1 g
Saturated Fat 1.5 g
Polyunsaturated Fat 1.0 g
Monounsaturated Fat 5.0 g
Cholesterol 55.0 mg
Sodium 179.4 mg
Potassium 79.4 mg
Total Carbohydrate 2.9 g
Dietary Fiber 0.6 g
Sugars 0.0 g
Protein 21.6 g
*Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.

Learning



I am working on learning to live again. Not only am I learning to eat a whole different way, I am learning to live alone.
When I get moved, it will be the first time in my 51 years to ever live alone.
I went straight from my parents to a marriage at 17 and 2 children by the age of 20.
A second marriage and 2 more children by the age of 26. Then on to live with my children and a 3rd marriage at age 42.
When Wayne passed I came to live with my son and his family. Now I feel it's time to learn to live on my own.
Yes, it's a bit scary sometimes, but I think it is what I must do to learn to live again.
Financially, I am a mess. Mentally too, in some ways. Physically, I am hoping for much improvement since I had the gastric bypass.
I am planning on searching for a way to earn a little more income, perhaps by going back to school and finishing a degree that I started over 20 years ago. Possibly something completely different. I guess my world is open for anything these days.

If anyone has any ideas or suggestions for me, please leave a comment on here. I would love to hear from you and hear any cool things you have to say. Who knows, you may have a great idea that will make me a self made millionaire!!
Seriously tho, I don't need or even want millions. I just want to learn to live again, on my own and be able to take care of myself until I really am too old to do so. Lets face it, at 51, I don't have a whole lot of years left to waste!

Wednesday, January 6, 2010

The new family


My oldest son Travis, his wife Joanie and my new granddaughter Jovie.
Aren't they a great looking little family?
Jovie has had to stay in the hospital for a few extra days due to making sure she did not inhale her meconium, or bowel movement that she had before birth. The doctors thought maybe she had a little breathing problem, but so far it all looks good. Now she is under the billirubin light because she was slightly jaundiced.

I can't wait until she comes home so that I can hold her in my arms again. My 6th gift from God.

Tuesday, January 5, 2010

Snow on The Plains (Ohio that is)



I finally got a place of my own to rent. I felt it was what I needed to do to move on. I woke up to this mess this morning. Yes its pretty and all that, but kinda puts a damper on moving.
Things are going to be really tight for me finacially, with rent, utilities and all. My income is not so great. Some of the kids are worried that I took the wrong step by renting my own place right now. I just felt like I needed it to move on after the loss of my husband, so I am going to put my trust and faith in the Lord, that my needs will be met.
Now, to get the weather to cooperate so that I can get moved in!

Sunday, January 3, 2010

My great niece




With my neglect of this thing the last few months, I forgot to mention my new great niece Mackenzie Jo.   She is the daughter of my niece Laura and her husband Shane.
Mackenzie was born on Dec 2nd weighing in at 7.1 lbs.  She is a month older than my new granddaughter Jovie.
She is the first grandchild of my brother Jim.  The proud grandpa is holding her in the picture.
We lost a few family members in the last couple of years, but we have also gained 4 new lives.
Mackenzie Jo and Jovie Lynn both have a Jo in thier names in honor of my mom who was always called Jo as a nickname.

Friday, January 1, 2010

A new years baby!



My second granddaughter and 6th grand child, Jovie Lynn, was born today, New Years Day at 12:12pm. Weighing in at 6lbs 12 ozs and 20 inches long. Isn't she adorable? Thank you Lord, I love being a GRANNY!!!