Anyone who knows me knows that I probably haven’t bought clothes retail for at least fifteen years.  I am the garage sale/thrift store/good will queen!  Best purchases so far?  An Anne Taylor suit – pants/skirt/jacket for $9, several Coach bags (that I didn’t pay more than $20 bucks) and a Prada purse for $8!  I once bought a coach messenger bag at a garage sale for $5 because the zipper was broken.  What most people don’t know is Coach has a lifetime warranty.  I took it to a Coach store, gave them $20 bucks for shipping and two weeks later I had a working bag!

So yesterday I decided to wear a pair of J. Jill pants I got at Goodwill.  They are lined, pleated, very nice and I got them for $4.  So once I put the pants on, I was like, well, I need to wear nicer shoes, and so the domino effect happened.  If I had nice pants and nice shoes on, I needed a nicer top, put on make up, fix my hair AND wear jewelry!  Questions I got?

  • “Did you die your hair?”
  • “Did you get a hair cut?”
  • “Are you going on an interview?”
  • “Are you and Tony going out to a special dinner after work?”

I must really look like crap the rest of the time to get such a reaction!  And I wasn’t even that dressed up!

I think maybe I won’t wear any makeup today, then they will think I went on an interview at lunch instead of the gym! 😀

Breakfast: bagel sammie!

With probably the best peach I’ve had in a long time.

I ended up doing 42 minutes on the stairmaster while watching Giada at home.  She kinda gets on my nerves.  Next time you watch her show, see how many times she says “just like that.”  I wanted to poke her eyes out by the end of the show if she said it one more time!

Another leftover baked potato became a chili, three pepper baked potato!  It was a 7 ounce potato, 1/2 cup of my latest Cincinnati chili, three different colored diced peppers, baby spinach and then a sprinkle of ranch dressing and of course, lots of hot sauce!  Lunch comes in at 512 calories, 53 carbs, 46 protein, 12 fat and 8 fiber.

 

Look at how much food is on my plate - I ate every bite 😀

 

As I was driving home, I noticed one of my favorite trees is starting to turn – I think this is a maple?

I had to stop by the store to pick up some apple cider for my BSI recipe this week – don’t forget Errign (pronounced “Erin” – I love her name!)  is hosting this week – you have until October 17 to submit your recipes!  I decided to stop at the 50% meat bin, and scored – I actually thought I was getting this 1 pound porterhouse for $6.75 as 50% off – but I got 50% off the lowest price!  For $7 I got two 1 pound porterhouse steaks!

 

score!

 

 

I ate only 4 ounces of the steak 😀 Lots leftover for taco fiesta tonight - I think I am going to make black bean and steak tostadas for dinner. Dinner comes in at 406 calories, 23 carbs, 29 protein, 11 fat and 3 fiber.

 

I was trying to think what I could do with apple cider when I decided to try to make apple cider marshmallows!  Hannah is my marshmallow girl – the first time I made marshmallows the look on her face was priceless!  What I love about homemade marshmallows is that they take a long time to melt, so putting them on top of a cup of cocoa is delicious!

I wanted to see if I could sub out the water in the recipe for apple cider – it worked! 😀

Apple Cider Marshmallows

  • 1 cup confectioners sugar
  • 3 1/2 envelopes unflavored gelatin
  • 1 cup cold apple cider, divided
  • 2 cups sugar
  • 1/2 cup light corn syrup
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 2 large egg whites
  • 1 tablespoon vanilla extract

First I oil the bottom of a 13×9 pan – not much, about a teaspoon, but I use my fingers to get it up on the sides too.  I’ve also learned that you can’t use too much powdered sugar on the bottom – sprinkle powdered sugar all over the bottom of your pan and make sure its all covered.

In a stand mixer, but the gelatin and 1/2 cup cold apple cider and let sit for 5 minutes to soften.

In a heavy pan, heat the sugar, corn syrup, 1/2 cup apple cider and salt over low heat, just to dissolve the sugar.  Increase the heat to medium high and boil, without stirring, until it reaches soft ball stage on a candy thermometer (240 degrees).  This will take about 12-15 minutes.

Meanwhile, with a hand mixer, beat egg whites just until they hold stiff peaks – about 6-10 minutes.

When it reaches the temperature, add the sugar mixture to the gelatin mixture and beat on high speed until it is white, thick and about tripled in volume.

This part is hard – trying to make it even in the pan because its so sticky.  The trick is to get it all the the pan, cover with more powdered sugar, and using your hands, even it out.

Put it in the refrigerator at least three hours, or overnight, uncovered.  Using a sharp knife, cut around the edges and put on a cutting board.  Once you cut the squares, dip the stick sides into the powdered sugar that is on the board.

Hannah and I both had a taste and we can definitely taste the hint of apple!  Not only is this my BSI recipe, but I am submitting this to Christina’s Friday Firsts – first time making apple cider marshmallows!

Hot 100 Update:

I had a great week!  I did not have the extra licks and tastes this week like I have been.  I’ve been around 1500 calories a day, all below 30% of calories from fat.  I’ve worked out between 45 and 60 minutes every day this week, and have only had three glasses of wine since Saturday – not bad!

Stats for Thursday

  • 1517 calories, 144 carbs, 110 protein, 47 fat,14.9 fiber
  • 29% of calories from fat
  • 42 minutes on stairmaster

Have a great Friday!