FOCUS

Time to re-focus on my life changes. I have stalled at weight loss and have reverted back to old habits. Not sure why, except that it is easier...or maybe I am self sabbotaging. Not sure. So this week I am refocusing on lean protein, veggies and fruit! I have started drinking coffee and think I will keep that new habit for now. I really have begun to enjoy it and drinking the coffee does reduce my appetite. So here we go again...

It's Been Three Months

WOW...can't believe that 3 months have flown by since my last update. Weight Watchers has been going OK...I am down 20 pounds! Hooray! I did start cooking again. I have made several dishes that I will try again. Have tried new foods. Didn't love them all but did really like some. My menu choices have changed so much, that I didn't realize until I was at the grocery store with my list that all of my dinner plans were a type of seafood. Too funny from a beef loving girl to a sea food lover. Well, I have always loved seafood, just never cooked it...just ordered it when I was out like it was supposed to be a treat! Will get back to updating my recipes again soon. Last night we had grits, fried eggs and cornbread waffles...so good!

Time Out

OK...so I have been slacking and contemplating, instead of cooking! Tomorrow I am starting the Weight Watchers program, AGAIN. So for the first few weeks...I doubt I will be cooking much. Will be sticking to pre-portioned meals in order to get my life under control. Will update how things go and will eventually start cooking again!

Gumbo & Spaghetti

Well...it's been a while. I have been slacking on blogging and on cooking. We did try a few new recipes of the past few weeks. I guess they just weren't good enough to motivate me to blog about them. The first was a re-make of a recipe I tried over a year ago. Florida Mullet and Black Eye Pea Gumbo. Found the recipe while I was getting some fresh seafood at Charlie's Fish House in Crystal River. We didn't have any mullet but we did have some fresh Gulf shrimp and oysters. Last time we tried this, it wasn't spicy enough so I upped the jalapenos from 1 to 3...same result. Good flavors, just not spicy enough for my taste. Maybe next time we should add some spicy sausage in to kick it up a notch. The second dish we tried was Spaghetti and scallops. Came across the recipe in a Woman's World magazine. Same result as above...good flavor, just not spicy enough for me...it would be really good for those who prefer a more bland palette. Until next time...

Chicken & Pork Chops

This is a late entry...this is actually from last week. Actually tried 2 new recipes...my Sister-in-Law was in town and we have a new house guest...so it's been a while getting back to my computer. We tried a Chicken & Dumplings recipe out of the Southern Living magazine...it was OK...used refrigerated biscuits as the dumplings. Not feeling that...next time I would leave everything the same and try the frozen dumplings my Mom uses. Next was Honey Mustard Pork Chops from the Weight Watchers magazine...Mark grilled them and they were AWESOME! Definitely a keeper recipe.

Beef Brisket

OK...first FAIL! Not loving the Country Brisket recipe from "Some Like it South" cookbook. It was very dry and tough...followed the recipe to the letter! Even the flavor was a little bland...so won't be trying this one again!

Southern Living's Roasted Tomato and Feta Shrimp

Yum...and so much fun in the kitchen with my honey! This dish was in Southern Living's December 2010 issue. It didn't take long and has such a light fresh taste...I think we will have it again and again. This "trying new recipes" is fun and exciting! I love to cook and my honey is enjoying it too! Til next time...