On the Weigh: It's HEEEEEEEEEEEEEERE.

So you might be wondering what I have been up to lately with this whole thing.  To be honest, I've been working on it, but I haven't wanted to talk about it.  Why?  Well, because I am not good at eating my words.

Yeah, yeah.  They always come crawling back.

I went back to Weight Watchers on November 13.  I really didn't want to, but I have realized in the last few months of using Sparkpeople to track and my attempts at striking a balance between living and a healthy lifestyle, that I am just not that good at it ... at least not by myself.  After the wedding, I wanted to commit to leading a better life for the sake of my marriage - I want it to be a long and happy one.  Left to my own devices, however, I fall too easily to temptation and a fuck-it-all mentality.  Not cool, dudes.  I haven't gained any weight since then, thankfully, but I'm not headed in the other direction either.

The thing about Weight Watchers is that I hated the plan as it was at that time.  I have counted points off and on since first joining with my mom in 2005.  She has gone on to lose over 100 pounds, simply by following the plan.  I've gone to meetings, done the online plan, done it on my own ... but nothing really worked, at least not long enough to hold my attention.  So why go back?  I can't really give you a good reason, other than the fact that I wanted to do something, and I wanted to completely give myself over to it, and I trust the results that WW has gotten for other people in my life.  My mom, Seester, one of my best friends, women I have met through WW message boards, girls on other blogs ... there are so many success stories out there, and there is no reason that I can't be one of them.

If I follow the plan, that is.  And not just follow it ... go all in.  That means counting, tracking, living, breathing, pointing Weight Watchers ... and also (for me personally) it means meetings.  Some people can do this by themselves, but I need someone else weighing me, and that's something that I can't find in Sparkpeople or another online/on my own plan.  I don't want to do this on my own right now.  I want my hand to be held, to sing kum-byah, and drink the kool-aid.  And I am ok with that. 

When news began to circulate that a new WW plan was going to be introduced at the end of November, that was the final clincher.  I found a meeting near my house, and I went.  I listened.  Hell, I even took notes.  It felt good.  I wasn't thrilled with the starting number, but hey, if I was, I probably wouldn't be there.  From there I went home, and proceded to have the first On-Plan (OP) weekend in years.  I didn't even blow through all of my flex points.  I survived dinner out at my favorite restaurant, and we even ordered take-out a couple of times.  But I tracked everything, and I kept going.

My next weigh-in was the day after Thanksgiving.  Yes, I was that crazy person who volunterily got on the scale after a food-centric holiday.  For good reason - I lost 2.6 pounds. 

Monday, the new WW plan was launched on their website, to the delight and dismay of the online community.  Some people are in a panic - change is hard, and the plan is definitely different.  Maybe it's because the last year of my life has been such a mine field of change and upheaval, but I am so excited for the new system.  After just a few days, I can already tell that it is a fantastic move for WW to make.  The points system has been overhauled, and it is much closer to my personal ideal for healthy, balanced living - just with some counting and meetings thrown in there for good measure too.  The way I see it, change is good.  If we didn't change, we could not make progress towards health.  If WW didn't change, we would still be eating liver once a week.  Yes, indeed ... change is good.

If you've ever done WW before, forget everything you know.  Point values are now calculated based on protein, carbs, fat, and fiber.  Daily point allowances have changed drastically, as have food values. It's taking a little time to wrap my head around the whole thing, but I already feel good about it. 

Why this is good ...

• This plan de-emphasizes the idea that low-calorie equals healthy.  A major flaw in the old plan was the fact that low-point items were sometimes nutritionally void - WW products included.  A 100-calorie pack of crap is no longer a point-friendly item.
• Fruit and most veggies are zero points!  I have never been one to gourge on fruit, but now it's a no-brainer to grab a banana instead of a granola bar for a snack.
• Clean foods are good foods.  I can eat whole, real food ... not just diet junk.  It doesn't have to be low-fat or low-cal to be WW kosher.
• No guesstimating allowed.  One of my pitfalls on the old plan was the fact that I knew it inside and out.  I could totally fake my way through counting points, which lead to me tracking my foods, yes, but not exactly accuractely.  With this, I have to learn new values, and it's also harder to guess them.  I am ok with that - it will save me from myself.

What I need to know more about ...

• Activity points.  I used to use the 100-calorie-per-AP rule, based on my heart rate monitor.  With calories out of the equation, that is obsolete.  So far, there isn't a consensus on the message boards as to how to handle this.

Otherwise, I feel pretty in control.  I know I will have more questions as the week goes on, and I am expecting the meeting on Saturday to be crazy.  But hey, we're all in it together, right?

Let's Fall in Love: Super Girly Fun Time

Finally, it was here: our wedding day. The day we had been planning for two years, and a day I had been dreaming of since I was a very little girl.

I woke up early that morning, which is not true to my nature.  My alarm was set, but I didn't need it.  I had slept well, but I woke up with butterflies in my stomach.  I put on my "Soon-to-Be Mrs" hoodie that the 'maids had gifted me at my bachelorette party, and Mom, Seester, and I headed out to pick up coffee on the way to the hotel.  The only thing I wanted was a venti vanilla latte, my favorite morning thing.

Daddy-O Approves. (personal photos)

We arrived at the suite, and the girls began trickling in soon after.  Stacy, who had just announced she was pregnant a few weeks before, was in the throes of morning sickness, and I told her just to stay in her room until she felt better. We munched on coffee and bagels and sort of all laid around for a bit while Azeza and another stylist got their things ready to start on everyone's hair.  

And yes, we watched football. Soon after, the suite was a flurry of curlers, bobby pins, and hairspray.  (personal photo)

Matt arrived, and as we got started on our getting-ready photos.  These are always some of my favorites when I look at other peoples' weddings, I love the transformation from friends to Bridesmaids, and from girl to Bride.  By the time he got there, several of the girls were already finished getting their hair done.  I had not told them anything about how I wanted it done, whatever they wanted and made them feel pretty was fine by me.  We took care of the cost, I just wanted everyone to feel their best.

We had three stylists there, since there were so many of us, and everything was right on schedule.  The mood was somewhat subdued.  I was excited beyond words, but my nerves were also somewhat contagious.  When I get nervous, I can get giggly, as was apparent the night before at the rehearsal. Sometimes, I just get quiet, which was how I reacted in the morning.  I was so surprised to find myself with a knot in my stomach, I didn't know how to deal with it at all.  It was so fun just to hang out with all of my best friends, but I knew I was not my normally bouncing-off-the-walls self.  If I have one regret from my wedding day, it is that I let my nerves get the best of me, and I don't think I fully enjoyed the entire experience.  Nevertheless, it was still awesome and full of love.

It did not take long to style seven heads of hair, and suddenly it was my turn in Azeza's chair.  I am so glad that she was there all day with us.  Since her fiance is also Mr LikesIt's best friend, we have become close over the years.  It was like having a bonus bridesmaid, and I feel lucky to have shared it with her, especially since their wedding date was only a few months away too.  Azeza is a sweet, charismatic girl, and she made everyone feel at ease, myself included.

Think of this as a "before."

One of the clutches the girls got the night before makes an appearance, along with a lot of hairspray.

Buttloads of curls in my stick straight hair.  I was in awe.

And then my Daddy-O arrived! 

He owns a construction company in my hometown, so I normally see him in work clothes.  But my Daddy-O cleans up good.

We got him argyle socks, just like the groomsmen, as well as his own stripey tie.  I love my Seester checking them out behind him.

Bride approves.

Bride Hair complete!

Bmaid Katie got one of many hair adjustments.  True story: her hair rejects bobby pins, much to Azeza's dismay.  Those pretty flower pins came from Nomsa on Etsy.  Loved how they looked on everyone!

Time for make up!

While Azeza worked on me, Seester and Bmaid Katie found the Mizzou-Illinois Border War football game online, since it was blocked at the hotel.  Sandwiches trays were delivered from Jimmy Johns and we did a quick mimosa toast.  I was able to choke down one sandwich, but my stomach was officially in knots, and rejecting any other thought of food.  The girls kept asking me if I was okay - no one was used to seeing me so quiet.

The girls did themselves up, and Azeza helped with some adjustments before they got into their dresses.

We had one small disaster, when Katie's necklace broke.  She was determined for me to not to know it happened and fix it.

Considering this is the girl that jerry-rigged my fail of a cell phone freshman year in college with a binder clip and an architecture text book, I had all confidence that she could finagle this necklace for the day.

Matt helped too.  This is why you hire a good photographer, people.

Azeza put on my eyelashes, while the girls put their dresses on.  I have no idea when they all changed, but I remember thinking the morning went by really fast.

Jewelry was put on.

 

Ample hair spray was applied.

Flip flops were prepared for dance floor appearances.

And that's how my friends became Bridesmaids.

Pretty ones at that, if I do say so.

All of a sudden, my make up was done, and everyone else was dressed.  That meant only one thing: time for me to get dressed, too.

And that made me pretty happy.

In case you missed it:

I bought a dress and completely changed it.

We had a marathon final week of engagement.

I giggled my way through our rehearsal.

Mr LikesIt got grilled at our rehearsal dinner.

The groomsmen ran amok in downtown Springfield.

Multi-Moon

Our plans for our honeymoon have changed quite a bit since we started talking about what we wanted to do after getting engaged.  We, of course, initially booked the crazy European Monstermoon Extravaganza, but when my work situation changed, so did our vacation priorities.  We had a big time blasty blast on our Mini-moon weekend in downtown St Louis right after the wedding, and have been thinking this whole time since that we would book your stereotypical sit-on-a-beach-for-a-week honeymoon on an island somewhere.  After our drive back from Thanksgiving, we're really excited to go in a completely different direction.

We have been really reluctant to book anything, in spite of staying in contact with our travel agent and throwing out all sorts of fun destinations like St Lucia and Riviera Maya.  We finally figured out tonight that it's because we don't really want to take that sort of vacation.  The draw of the European trip was the action and adventure side of it - having all sorts of things to see, do, and experience together.  While relaxing poolside sounds really good on paper, we're just not sure that's where we want to spend our time (and money) right now. 

Instead, we have decided to continue our Mini-Moon theme and start taking trips to action-packed destinations, all in the name of a honeymoon.  We will eventually take that trip to Europe, but in the meantime we want to hit some of the other places we've never been.  We can take long weekends and still see, do, and experience a lot of things together, mostly here stateside. 

First up?  We're thinking New York City.  I've been, but Mr LikesIt has not.  I am dying to see the Met, and we are both intrigued by the Green Day rock opera, and of course some of the best restaurants and shopping in the world.  The more we talked about it, the more excited we got.  It seems like a great choice for us.

Honeymoons are awesome, why just have one?

Good Face

When Azeza did my hair and make up for the wedding, she generously gifted me with all of the products she used to give me that Bridal Glow. I'm not one to go for full face make up everyday (at least not anymore) but some favorites have emerged from Zez's bag o tricks that I use almost daily now.

I like simple make up lately for day time. Tinted moisturizer, eyeshadow, smudgey liner, and mascara are my basics. Whereas I used to be the girl at the gym in full-face, I am going more natural more and more as I get older. There's something to bs said for it. I love doing it up for special occasions, but my go-to-work face has been dialed back significantly.

Deleted from day-face: foundation and multiple shades of eyeshadow.

Added (thanks to Azeza):

GloMinerals blush in a bright, rosy pink and GloMinerals Lid Slick eyelid primer.

I've only recently discovered the power of a dusting of blush. I know, my Girl Card is in jeopardy here. Lid primer is my favorite, as it makes even my cheapo shadow colors pop more, blend better, and wear longer.  I also love the GloMinerals turn-up highlighting stick. Great for those I-forgot-to-wash-my-face-again-even-though-I'm-almost-30-and-I-should-really-know-better under eye circles.

I officially have a 5-minute face, a feat which had never been accomplished in my 13 years of wearing make up.

What are your make up faves?

Let's Fall in Love: The Boys Hit the Town

The rehearsal dinner wound down quickly after my dad's little shenanigans with Mr LikesIt.  Several of the girls decided to call it a night at that point, since hair appointments were starting early the next day.  I was able to convince Seester MOH and bmaids Sarah and Jen to come out to my favorite downtown Springfield drinking establishment for at least a little while.  My mother then made my sister and I swear that I would have ONE DRINK and only ONE DRINK.  That's what I get for being a wastey-face at my bachelorette party ... I was not to be trusted.

Regardless, I was stoked.  It was the night before my wedding.  I was out with my best friends and their hubbies, who I enjoy immensely.  We were going to Floyd's and it was going to be awesome.  Needless to say, when I shimmied up to the bouncer at the door to the bar and realized I had left both my id and my camera behind at my parents' house, it was a bit of a buzzkill.  I begged and pleaded, and he was prepared to turn me away, bride-to-be or not.  Luckily, Springfield is a small town and the bartender went to my high school.  He vouched for my legit drinking age and we headed inside.  I don't think Seester was amused.

Mr LikesIt was set to arrive any moment with a gaggle of groomsmen to join us.  I ordered my usual - vodka tonic, extra lime - and proceeded to nurse that ONE DRINK and only ONE DRINK.  I was going to make the most of it, and I wanted to see my almost-husband one last time before we officially parted ways.  And we waited, and waited, and waited.  I have no idea what they were doing back at the hotel, frankly I don't want to, but they moseyed into the bar almost two hours later ... just in time to witness me spilling the rest of my v&t all over myself.  So much for one drink.

I gave Mr LikesIt a kiss goodnight and wished he and his friends fun in the Capital City, making him swear to not get shmammered and have hangover face the next day.  He was downright giddy and I don't think he needed a drink at all at that point.  He had been looking forward to this weekend as much as me, especially the part where he got to see all of his best friends together.  Seester and I headed out at that point, but the night was just beginning for Mr LikesIt and his groomsmen. 

They defiled my town, and dammit they enjoyed every minute of it.

 

And all that after just one drink.

In case you missed it:
I bought a dress and completely changed it.
We had a marathon final week of engagement.
I giggled my way through our rehearsal.
Mr LikesIt got grilled at our rehearsal dinner.

Dear Daddy-O.

When you have some free time, I have a project for you for our half bath.

(via Melissa Jill Photography)

I want crown molding for photo display, and I want a magazine rack/TP holder (wainscoating is optional).  STAT. 

So whenever, I know you're not busy or anything.

I Like Thanksgiving.

I love a holiday that revolves around food, and I really enjoy the time with my family.  Now that my family has expanded to include two sets of parents and traditions, it's been tricky to strike a balance between the two.  For the last few years we've been having Musical Holidays - a rotation between staying in St Louis for Thanksgiving and Easter and traveling back home, and then splitting Christmas.  Meh.

We're trying something a little different this year: Thanksgiving Day with both families here in St Louis, and then another celebration with my side of the fam (plus extended family) at our lakehouse later in the week.  Not only do we get to see everyone and share the holiday festivities together, but that means TWO DAYS of Thanksgiving.  YAY!

And I get to cook!  I am making two things I take very seriously at Thanksgiving: mashed potatoes and dessert.

• Garlic Mashed Potatoes
• Grandma's Pumpkin Pie
• Apple Pie Poppers
• Creamy Marshmallow Fudge (from WeightWatchers, shhhhhh don't tell).

Yummmmm I can't wait!

Mommy business

Tucker Bear is not speaking to me right now.

Late Friday night, TB started acting strangely. My normally bouncy pupper was sluggish. He wouldn't stop shaking his head out or rubbing his ears. Late in the evening, he started having this strange head tilt, and he was off-balance. All signs of an inner ear infection.  Not that I knew it at the time - I had to call the emergency vet since I thought he was having a seizure or something super awful. 

So why is he pissed at me? Well for one, I made him go to the vet. They take your temperature from your butt there, you know. Not cool, Mom, not cool at all.  He never hated the vet before this, he thought he was just getting a car ride, but that C-A-R-R-I-D-E ended in getting poked in the pooper and having his ears plucked and deep-cleaned.  He didn't even want to sit in my lap on the way home.  Further adding to his rage, he has to have ear drops and pills twice a day for ten days. Guess who hates drops with a fiery passion? Tucker Bear Banana-Face does. And it is 110% MY FAULT, since I am the one that administers the meds.  They make Mr LikesIt squeamish for some reason, or so he says.

He's coping, but barely. He is able to forgive me for trimming his nails and giving him baths, but this is almost too much for him to bear.  Yes, he gets his favorite treat along with his beef-flavored pill, but still. I am on top of his shit list.


My punishment includes the silent treatment and the cold shoulder.  He has taken to sitting on or near Mr LikesIt at all times, snuggling and snorting until he is comfy, cozy, and NOT anywhere near me. And then he stares at me the whole time, making sure I see every minute of it.  Mr LikesIt finds nothing wrong with this arrangement.

I don't know how parents of real children do this. It's killing me, and it's only been four days.

How to Win at Potlucks (Yum Yum Bars).

I have posted this cookie bar recipe once before, but I was reminded today of it's glory, and I felt it deserved the spotlight again.  The floor of my office building hosted a massive Thanksgiving potluck luncheon, and I forgot to sign up for something.  I woke up in a slight panic this morning, since I was wholly unprepared.

Enter: Yum Yum Bars.

These things made my mother famous in her thirty-year tenure at her job, and I am well on my way to establishing my baking prowess here in St Louis with them.  If you want to impress your office mates or boyfriends, please bake these.

The best part?  I threw these together in less than twenty minutes this morning with ingredients I always have on hand.  Granted, I had to carry a piping hot baking pan into the office since they literally came out of the oven as I walked out the door, but it was worth it.

Chocolate Chip Gooey Blondie Bars(aka Yum Yum Bars - the Secret Family Recipe)

2/3 C margarine or butter, melted and cooled
1 lb brown sugar
3 eggs
2.5 C flour
2.5 T baking powder
1 tsp. salt
1 tsp vanilla
12 oz bag of chocolate chips (chunks work very well)

Combine melted butter, sugar, eggs, and vanilla - stir until smooth. Add dry incredients and combine. Mix in chocolate chips. Pour into a greased 9x13 pan and bake at 350 for 25 minutes or until golden brown. Slide a knife around the edges of the pan as soon as they are out of the oven and cool.  Serves at least 16 (very rich).

They should be slightly gooey in the middle, or as my Daddy-O says, they come out "medium rare."  I am always a little apprehensive to bake for new people (new coworkers, in this case) but this is so tried and true that it was a sure thing. 

How do you know you win at potluck?

Bam.  That's how.

And I thought DIY was over after the wedding.

NOPE.

I am still a little phobic when it comes to DIY, still totally a PSE person when it comes to decor, but there are still some exceptions.

Exhibit A:

(found via)

OMG I want that mirror.  Have to have it.  I've seen something like it in the pages of Pottery Barn before, and I loved the idea then too.  No idea where we'd put it, but I NEEEEEED it to the tenth power.  I have no intentions of paying a lot of money for it, though.  Why not make it myself?  I have nice, swirly-girly hand-writing and enough artistic ability to write straight.  I could totally fashion that for myself.

I'd like to use lines from my most favoritest poem: Desiderata.

Go placidly amid the noise and haste,
and remember what peace there may be in silence.
As far as possible without surrender
be on good terms with all persons.
Speak your truth quietly and clearly;
and listen to others,
even the dull and the ignorant;
they too have their story.

Avoid loud and aggressive persons,
they are vexations to the spirit.
If you compare yourself with others,
you may become vain and bitter;
for always there will be greater and lesser persons than yourself.
Enjoy your achievements as well as your plans.
Keep interested in your own career, however humble;
it is a real possession in the changing fortunes of time.
Exercise caution in your business affairs;
for the world is full of trickery.
But let this not blind you to what virtue there is;
many persons strive for high ideals;
and everywhere life is full of heroism.
Be yourself.
Especially, do not feign affection.
Neither be cynical about love;
for in the face of all aridity and disenchantment
it is as perennial as the grass.
Take kindly the counsel of the years,
gracefully surrendering the things of youth.
Nurture strength of spirit to shield you in sudden misfortune.
But do not distress yourself with dark imaginings.
Many fears are born of fatigue and loneliness.
Beyond a wholesome discipline,
be gentle with yourself.
You are a child of the universe,
no less than the trees and the stars;
you have a right to be here.
And whether or not it is clear to you,
no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should.
Therefore be at peace with God,
whatever you conceive Him to be,
and whatever your labors and aspirations,
in the noisy confusion of life keep peace with your soul.
With all its sham, drudgery, and broken dreams,
it is still a beautiful world.
Be cheerful.
Strive to be happy.
Max Ehrmann, Desiderata, Copyright 1952.

I'll take your bet, Decor DIY, and I'll raise you a poem mirror. 

Crock Pot Cream Cheese Drumsticks

Confession:  I only use my crock pot on the weekends. It seems counter-intuitive, sort of against the whole point of owning a slow cooker.  I am not really good at crock pot, to be honest.  I tend to burn or scorch nearly everything into a charcoal briquette.  Since my work day and my commute can keep me away from the house for 12+ hours at a time, recipes that call for 5-6 hours in the CP don't make sense either.  Plus, I am strangely paranoid that it will somehow burn the house down while I'm gone.  Ergo, crock pot is reserved for Saturdays and Sundays only in this house.

Kenny is also not a huge fan of crock pot meals, out of principle.  To him, they were always goopy, dried out, and all tasted the same.  My dad is the same way, only with casseroles.  My mom can serve him "one-dish meals," but never a casserole.  I can make Kenny a "slow cooked meal" but he give the crock pot serious stink-eye when he sees it on the counter.  I don't blame him.  like I said, I don't have the best track record, but I am getting better.
  

 Crockpot Cream Cheese Drumsticks

Put 2 lbs frozen drumsticks in a greased crockpot, drizzle with olive oil, and sprinkle with one packet each Zesty Italian and Garlic Herb seasoning mix - Good Seasons brand. Cook on low heat for 8 hours. Mix together one can 98% ff cream of chicken soup, 8 oz cream cheese, and 1/2 cup water until it was all smooth. Add that to the crockpot and cook for another hour. Remove drumsticks. Mix juices and cream cheese in crockpot well.  Serve with gravy over mashed potatoes or rice.

This is fall-off-the-bone delicious. We had it with a green salad and mashed potatoes. The cream cheese mixture turns into a fantastic gravy/sauce perfect for potatoes. So my record is improving.

Sometimes keeping a blog is hard.

Like when you go and get married and start a new one and all your old gadgets get left behind.  Exhibit A: my former blogroll. 

While grossly out of date, it still got the job done.  It came to my attention last week that this new blog was lacking anything at all.  UNACCEPTABLE.  I've added a new list and imported a ton of links from my reader, but (of course) there were glitches and not all came through.  I didn't even realize it right away, so if anyone was left off, I promise it was not on purpose.  Julia gets credit for telling me.

In other words, if you'd like to be included in my "I Love Blogs" list, please leave a comment and let me know!  I'd love to add you (and probably should have the first time around).

Thanks for helping me whip this thing into shape, dahlings.

Chicken Gyro Burgers with Greco de Gayo

Oh Rachael Ray, you minx.

Love her or hate her, you have to admit, when she is on, she is so on.  I don't have strong feelings towards her either way, unlike some people who seem to be incredibly polarized for or against her food and style.  I have several of her cookbooks and I really enjoy her magazine.  Not everything can be a gourmet meal, especially after a long day at work.  I've gotten some great ideas from RR, the following recipe included, and I've had more hits than misses on other things I've tried.

 Chicken Gyro Burgers

1 pound ground chicken
1 cup full-fat plain yogurt
healthy dash of parsley, fresh or dried
2 tablespoons minced garlic
1 tablespoon cumin
1 1/2 tsp oregano
1 1/2 tsp paprika
1 tablespoon grill seasoning (Mrs Dash)
lemon juice
extra virgin olive oil

Preheat grill.  In a large bowl, combine chicken with yogurt, seasonings, and a healthy squeeze of lemon juice.  Form into thin patties, about 3-inches across.  Drizzle lightly with olive oil and cook for three minutes per side, or until cooked through.  Keep warm. Adapted from Rachael Ray.

Greco de Gayo
1 cucumber, diced and seeded
1 red pepper, diced
4 celery stalks, diced
1/2 large red onion, diced
3 roma tomatoes, diced
1/2 cup fat-free feta cheese
1/2 cup diced black olives
olive oil
lemon juice
Tabasco sauce
coarse salt

Combine all veggies.  Add cheese, olive oil and mix until well coated.  Add lemon juice and Tabasco to taste.  Season lightly with salt.  Add more veggies or seasoning to your preference.

To serve: toast whole wheat pita bread or sliced bread.  Layer with chicken pattie and salsa.

This made a great meal.  Mr LikesIt shied away from the salsa because of the onions, but it was addicting to me, sort of Cracko de Gayo. The leftover burgers freeze and reheat really well, and the leftover salsa is fantastic on scrambled eggs and salad.  Enjoy!