It's Check-in Day!

It's Diet Challenge check-in day and I am happy to report that after a week and a half, I am down 3-1/2 pounds. Yeah me!!! LOL Thank you all so much for your support regarding my weight-loss journey. My doctor has said that she would like me to lose 15% of my body weight. She says that the loss of just 15% has been proven to reduce blood pressure and lessen the onset of diabetes and heart disease, none of which I presently have. The one thing that I still need to do is to start walking more. I have always hated exercise and physical sports (I'd rather be sewing!) so this will be the biggest challenge for me.

Today's recipe is for Chili. I love, love, love chili. This recipe will serve 6 and is only 282 calories per serving.

2 teaspoons vegetable oil
1 onion, diced
2-3 cloves of minced garlic
1 lb. lean ground turkey
1 tablespoon chili powder
1 tablespoon ground cumin
3/4 teaspoon salt
2 cans (14-1/2 oz.) regular or salsa-style stewed tomatoes, undrained
1 (16-oz) chili beans, drained
1 green pepper, diced
3/4 cup salsa

Heat oil in skillet over medium heat. Add onion and garlic; cook 5 minutes, stirring occasionally. Crumble turkey into pan, add chili powder, cumin and salt. Cook 5 minutes longer. Add tomatoes, beans, bell pepper, and salsa. Simmer uncovered for 15 minutes or so, stirring occasionally. Serve.

I will be on a liquid diet today as I am prepping for the dreaded colonoscopy early tomorrow morning. I clearly remember the horror stories told by friends and family when I was growing up. I have been dreading it ever since. Well, the time has finally arrived and I have to admit that although I am a bit anxious, I want tomorrow to be here already so that I can put this thing behind me.

I am a huge news junkie. I cannot believe that after countless months of following the election, I am going to miss the Presidential Inauguration. Oh, phooey. My hubby will be taping it for me. By the time I get to watch it, it will already be old news. Darn it! The doctor doing the procedure insisted that I do it tomorrow because he had an opening. I had forgotten at the time of scheduling that it was Inauguration Day. No wonder he had an opening, no one else wanted it! On another note, doesn't it make you wonder why a person chooses to become a Gastroenterologist? Yuk. Yuk. Yuk.

Since I am on a liquid diet, I made myself a nice hot pot of tea this morning. The tea that I am drinking is made by Teaposy and was given to me by my son's very sweet girlfriend. It comes in a cute colorful box and each posy is individually wrapped and named. Cute names like butterfly, calendula, heart of love, falling water, and lady fairy make me love it even more.

Each posy is tied into a little flower-like bud before it is individually wrapped.

When placed into hot water, it slowly blooms into a pretty flower. Fun.



I would like to take this time to thank all my readers for stopping by each day. Thank you so much for your comments and emails. It is very gratifying to know that my blog is a friendly place to visit and a soft spot to land on after a busy day.

Take care!

Aloha!