Before I get onto food, I have to show you my cute shoes I got at the thrift store – Ann Taylor no less for $5! 

They even look cute with sweat pants! These have about 1.5 inch heal
They even look cute with sweat pants! These have about 1.5 inch heal
I got three pound hand weights to do Jillian at home and then two one pound wrist weights for walking the dog
I got three pound hand weights to do Jillian at home and then two one pound wrist weights for walking the dog

Um, speaking of hand weights to do Jillian at home, guess who did Level 2 today (albeit the “Anita” or beginner side) of Jillian today!  Yep – me!  I have to say the walking push-ups and the oblique planks were pretty tough, but my mantra was “it’s only 20 minutes!”

So way back in September when I started this blog, I said one of the things I could never make was scalloped potatoes.  I’d try to make a roux with a cheese sauce, but no matter what I did, my potatoes were always crunchy!  Damn!  So I went old school – and by that I mean I made them the way my Mom does!

I ended up using only 3 potatoes (they were big!), 3 tablespoons of butter, 3 tablespoons flour and about 2 cups 2% milk
I ended up using only 3 potatoes (they were big!), 3 tablespoons of butter, 3 tablespoons flour and about 2 cups 2% milk
then one layer of potatoes, sprinkled with flour, butter, salt and pepper
then one layer of potatoes, sprinkled with flour, butter, salt and pepper

They came out perfectly cooked of course!  I baked these at 375 for an hour with foil on top, and then 15 minutes without the foil.  As Hannah and I were cleaning up she said “these aren’t going to your work friends, are they??”  I assured her that the leftovers would be staying home!

While Tony had simple garlic salt and pepper on his chops, I chose this bbq sauce:

Spicy sweet goodness! I felt the burn! I only used 1 tablespoon though, so it wasn't too bad!
Spicy sweet goodness! I felt the burn! I only used 1 tablespoon though, so it wasn't too bad!

Hannah, as most of you know, does not like meat all that much.  Until she discovered thinly sliced chicken at the grocery store.  Her comment: “why can’t all meat be this skinny!” 

she made hers lemon pepper and garlic
she made hers lemon pepper and garlic
My plate: 3 oz pork, 1 cup scalloped potatoes, 7 skinny spears of asparagus, and not shown (it was at the table) was 1.5 ounce Italian bread with a tsp. of smart balance
My plate: 3 oz pork, 1 cup scalloped potatoes, 7 skinny spears of asparagus, and not shown (it was at the table) was 1.5 ounce Italian bread with a tsp. of smart balance

So dinner comes in at: 515 calories, 21 fat, 47 carbs.

There was a gourmet tiny grocery store that went out of business a while ago.   I bought these cocoa nibs, thinking they were sweet, but when I first bit into them they are so bitter.  So they have been sitting in my cabinet for about 2 months now? 

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Hannah asked if I wanted coffee after dinner, and I thought, what if we add the nibs to the grounds in the french press?

So we added just a layer of the nibs to the coffee grounds and let it steep about 5 minutes
So we added just a layer of the nibs to the coffee grounds and let it steep about 5 minutes

The result???  Chocolatey goodness!  Now we do add sugar free creamer to our coffee, but this tasted just like a starbucks coffee – this french press made two big cups, I believe we may have to make some more before the night is over!

Oh, and to be completely honest, I did have one Miller Lite last night.  I swear I took a picture of it, but couldn’t find it to post today!  

Stats:

  • 1473 calories
  • 54 fat
  • 145 carbs
  • 13 fiber
  • 99 protein
  • 33% calories from fat, 27% from protein and 40% from carbs
  • Day 4 of 30 of Jillian shred level 2
  • 1.6 mile walk with Ed

Okay, off to look at the grocery ads.  I plan to hit the store when it opens tomorrow.  I love it because I have like 5 people helping me at the deli at the same time and it makes me feel like a princess!   But then again, if I was a princess, I wouldn’t have to grocery shop!

See you in the morning!