Forgive Me

Hi everyone! The plan this past week was to be more active on my blog, not to disappear. The plan was to face the scale on Friday and make the week a great one, track every bite and see results next Friday. Well I did go to Weight Watchers on Friday, I was down .4 But even on Friday I felt my back dragging me down. I woke up on Saturday and it was a little worse. I knew Sunday we had a BBQ to go to and I just rested most of the weekend. We had Sean's cousin over last night for a great dinner, but I just about passed out after. I know what it is....I need that pool!!

Last week I did go check out a pool that is about 12 min from me. WOW! AMAZING! I was ready to jump in but the therapy pool is closed for repairs for another week. This week I will go sign up & start my membership so I am all set to jump on in once it re-opens! I can not tell you how excited I am for this. I NEED that water, my body creaks, aches, & pops when I am without it...making my mind very unhappy. :-/

So an unhappy, uncomfortable TJ hates sitting at the computer typing/blogging/or even emailing when I feel this way. So I apologize for the absence. I am also not the best typer so it takes me twice as long to write a post than most of you! lol :)

Need to thank Danica for bringing lunch over last Friday for our LEFTOVER BUFFET! :) I know you can read all about her post HERE!  Everything was delicious! Oh and did you attend FitBloggin and remember me raving about the salad they served? A few twitter pals sent me the recipe that they picked up at the sessions...since I was clueless that they had handed it out! Well I made it last week and Danica was nice enough to also post the recipe for me. :) CLICK HERE!  to see the yummy Crunchy Greens & Apple Salad recipe! :)

Last nights dinner was a HIT! I saw Marisa had a pizza party out on the grill so I had to join in! :)  I bought dough at Trader Joe's and divided it up into little balls so everyone could make their own pizza creation! I had a whole bunch of toppings & we all had a fun time making pizza!

Here are two of them cooking! My mind was not thinking of taking pics so I barely remembered to snap this one! lol

Thanks Marisa for a great idea for a FUN dinner! :) Go read all about how to grill pizzas over at Marisa's blog post! 

I unplugged almost the entire weekend and I must say it was nice. I hope everyone had a great Memorial Day weekend! I hope you guys forgive me for posting just links to recipes too! :-/ I am just not feeling like myself these days.

As far as tracking goes, I did well on Friday! lol I slacked off Sat, Sun, & Mon. :-( But ya know what, I think I did well with not over doing it. The best part of WW is being able to get back on track...TODAY! Off to make a yummy breakfast sandwich and write up a little shopping list. I need to shop at home 1st this week. I feel like my freezer & pantry are bursting with stuff so I think I'm going to stand in front of them long enough to see what I can throw together this week! :)

Ever shop at home 1st?  I bet I'm gonna save some $$ this week by doing so! :)

Bye guys! Have a great day!

Definition & Pizza!

What defines you? Or maybe what you are defined as is something that you are not necessarily comfortable with being part of. I was sent a letter by the state of California telling me that I am disabled. Not that I already didn't know I had limitations, but seeing the words on the paper in front of me in black and white was almost a relief to an extent. On the other hand I felt it put me in a category that I do not want to be in. I'm 38 years old and my inner 12 year old is battling the body of a much older woman.
I know I have discussed my back issues, blogged my complaints on not being able to be as active as I would like to be....shit, sometimes a walk is not exactly do-able! But I found the therapy pool! I was loving going there! Then we moved, bad rain combined with a longer drive and a $5 bridge toll (do I need to mention the price of gas right now?) made me stop going. Found a place that sells a spa-type unit that I can have at home and also just saw online a place about 10-12 min from me that has warm water therapy. I am going to look into that this week...because I know I feel better when I move in that water. :)
I'm not really sure why I felt like I wanted to share all of that with you guys, but I think it is part of my life, part of who I am. Most of the time I am very aware of what I can and an not do, One example came last weekend at FitBloggin when everyone was getting in the room to zumba. I've never tried that exercise before and I had no idea how much bouncing, or twisting was involved. I already knew I was sore from the flight here the day before and I didn't want to push my luck and end up in bed the rest of the weekend.
Maybe my point of being honest with everyone is more for my benefit. Maybe I needed to remind myself that it is OK to have limits. It is ok to be defined as disabled....I'm just not gonna settle for it & live my life that way.
:)
I do have a very easy recipe for you all! I even copied my buddy Danica and did a little step by step instructions for you! :)
I was craving these pizzas I made a while back so I thought I would share how I made them with you!
Portabella Mushroom Pizza
First here is all of the ingredients I used...

First up the mushrooms! I think these make a great CRUST for pizzas!

I love using babybel cheeses for perfectly portioned amounts and it melts really well! I used 2 for 3 PointsPlus on my 2 pizzas.

Sauce ready!

Turkey pepperoni all set! If you wanna make a vegetable version go for it! I think bell peppers, olives, & onions would be yummy too!

A little sprinkle of parmesan all ready to go too!

ok so first up is to remove the stems of the mushrooms...they just pop right out with a gentle wiggle.

Next I like to take a spoon and clean out the mushroom cap. This gives it a little more room for toppings too!

all scooped out!

This is my ORIGINAL George Forman grill...I think this thing is 20 years old....seriously! I love cooking mushrooms on it, so easy! No spray or oil...just add them and in about 8 minutes they are done!

Thanks George! lol

I fully cooked these...like I said 8 maybe 10 minutes and they were done.
Next part is the FUN part! Toppings!
SAUCY!

Cheese Please!

Sprinkle on some parmesan...

Turkey pepperoni time!

I popped mine in the toaster oven and hit DARK TOAST for the cheese to melt & the pepperoni to get crisp! YUM!

mmmmm

Served my pizzas with a small side salad & enjoyed every bite! :) YUM!

These pizzas can be made anyway you like for any points plus amount. The way I made them with 2 babybels, 10 slices of pepperoni, 2 teaspoons sauce, 2 teaspoons parmesan cheese was 6 pointsplus. I am not a very cheesy person lol so next time I think 1 wheel for the 2 mushrooms would work fine for me.
I hope everyone is having a good week! I know I am happy to be home even though I am missing my NEW fitbloggin friends :( But I think I am motivated to work on a schedule for myself...get over to see that new pool and hopefully start being able to make my body happier that I am being more active. :)
Have a great evening everyone! :)
BYE!

Fantastic Weekend Re-Cap! FitBloggin11 Baltimore, Maryland!

Wow so I guess I'm not sure where to begin...

Last weekend was amazing! I had no idea what to expect, I was filled with nervousness. I was thinking stupid things like what if no one recognized me. Which is hysterical to me now because the first thing people would tell me is that I looked EXACTLY like my avatar. lol I think that's how it's suppose to be right? :) I also though what if I am not FIT enough to be a part of FITbloggin? But I felt comfortable once I walked in. These fellow bloggers are people that I can truly call my friends. They made me laugh, smile, and most of all, feel welcome. :)

Special THANK YOU to Sean who made this entire weekend possible as my "sponsor"  :) XOXO

Sean was also my airport shuttle...so off I went! Flying is not something that I fear, I just hate sitting on the plane that long. My back made it very difficult for me to be comfortable.

But I made it! Fellow FitBlogger Dawn was nice enough to offer me a ride from the airport since she lives close. :)

Check out my harbor side view from my room! WOW!

 I made my way down to register & join the social that was taking place.

 Then Jack had to come up and bother me! lol :)

 I had to get some snacks I was HUNGRY!

 * For those of you who are interested...I made a decision to NOT track my food or pointsplus over the weekend. What I did decided to do was eat until satisfied and enjoy what I ate. :)


More meeting fabulous people! Kenz!!! :)

AAHHHH So happy to finally have met, hugged, and bought Karen's book from her! :)

 Then I saw a familiar face in the room who I was nervous about meeting.... I made my way over and I am so happy that I did! Carla made me feel so welcome there. As a newbie who isn't feeling so fit, she made me feel otherwise.

 Then I spotted Susan gettin her jump on! :)

 I pooped out early Thursday night and went back to my room to check out my SWAG!

 Love the FREE shoes I got from New Balance! WOW!

 WOW! Look at all this stuff! :)

 mmm Larabars!

 I was so busy meeting people I didn't get to snack much so I decided jerky and almonds would become DINNER for the night.

 Look what I woke up to in my room the next morning! I love Keurig!!

 I went down and saw another amazing lady!! SUE!!!! 

 The 5K run and the 1 Mile walk was that morning. Everyone waiting to leave....

 Oh look it's the super cute, super sweet Brooke!

 Walking views...

 One of my favorite walking views.... :)

 Back and ready to EAT!

 Scoping out the line up...

 EGGS!

 Lots of fresh fruit!

 Whole lotta different cereal...

 & more fresh fruit to add as toppings! YUM!

 Got milk?

 These coffee stands saved me all weekend...seriously! lol

 oh cute little bamboo spoons!

 Largest fork I've ever seen....lol

 OH!!! FAT GIRL VS WORLD! :) She has so much energy that I was tired from meeting her! lol :) YOU GO GIRL!

 Look who I caught gettin her YUM YUCKY ON! :) Josie!! She is so nice & very pretty!!!

 Jack, Roni & I! WOW right??

 Then I saw Karen leaving the STAND UP ONLY Kettle Bell session...and she shared her fancy technique with me! WOW!

WOW!

I wasn't brave enough to join in on the ZUMBA class...maybe next year. lol But look who I saw gettin her ZUMBA ON! PATTY!!!

 You go girl!

Sat in on a MIZFIT session talkin bout her balls....go on, just ask her about her balls! lol 

Susan looking very interested in Miz's balls!

Then it was LUNCHTIME!

TONS of sandwiches...lots of choices!

mmm roasted veggies!

dig deep...beyond the bacon,there is fresh spinach in there! YUM!

I tried out the chicken sandwich...

and the vegetarian sandwich....it had tofu on it! I've never had  tofu sandwich before! lol

Salad, veggies, fruit...YUM!

Mushroom soup too!

On to get more SWAG! Lots of great vendors, lots of cool stuff and loads of free coupons that I need to plan some recipes around! :) 

Me and Kerri wandered around gathering up our LOOT!

Back to the room to see what I got!

Sean & Kerri waiting for another session to begin. It was so nice to have met Sean in person. He has had an amazing journey! You must go check his blog out!

Ready for dinner? Yep, you bettcha! Mo's for crab cakes pleaseee!

Alan all ready to get his CRAB ON! :) hehe

Dawn all bibbed up to get crackin too!

My dinner company...

I was warned to SHARE this plate...I didn't listen! :-/

Was only able to eat one crab cake! Oh well!

Back from dinner just in time for the end of the Sears Social...grabbed a free drink & headed to see Susan perform!

Karen looking HOT in her little sexy black dress!
*Whistle Whistle*

Waiting for the show....

Shauna (I was a little star struck and might not have really talked to her much, but I wanted too!) Karen, me, & Christine

I did take pictures of Susan's performance but the lighting was bad for my lil iPhone so they all came out terrible!

I must say though, that she brought me to tears. It was very moving and very real. I loved it! Thank you for sharing it with all of us Susan! xoxo

A while back I saw that Karen published a book so I was about to order it as an e-book but thought I would wait until I saw her at FitBloggin adn asked for an autographed copy. :)

I started this book on my way home on the plane and had to shut the book a few times to wipe some tears. It is very well written, honest, and I can totally relate to Karen's struggles. Thank you Karen for my autographed copy! If you have ever dealt with a weight loss struggle you must read this book! Please click HERE to go purchase it!

After party in the hotel bar! lol Red, red wine...

Cheers!

Brittany!! MY curly haired pal! :)

Awww I LUV YOU SUE! :) xoxo

My new blogger friend CHARLIE! You MUST click that link to go read her blog! AMAZING woman who has changed her life!!! :) I need more pics of us! I think Patty took some!!!

Charlie & Jack! I tried the flash out....whoa!

More fun....

Room view the next day was so clear!

I kinda skipped breakfast....oatmeal was the main star and I'm not really an oatmeal kinda girl unless it's baked. :-/ Picky picky!  So I had a banana & a hardboiled egg to tide me over....but it didn't so I attacked ate some Popchips!

LUNCH! I was 1st in line I think...do I win a prize? lol
This salad was AMAZING and I NEED to re-create it THIS WEEK! YUM!

Mmmmm my plate!

Off to more sessions & more pictures in the hallways...

Sean again in better lighting. lol 

Here's Steve! He is such a fun guy! I let him touch my iPad! lol Then he snuck in a feel while I asked him to watch my stuff while I got coffee. Bad Steve! lol 

Dinner time! Yeah!! 

I totally ordered what I wanted....Eggplant parmesan!

scooted off the cheese layer and nearly ate it all! YUM!

Last day view.... I was sad to leave, but was missing my sweetie & home.

Back on the plane...and was told to look out the window...Colorado Rockies from the air! Wow! Cool!

Ready to get off the plane!! lol

I must say I had no idea I would feel so inspired by everyone I met over the weekend. Meeting people on this journey and feeling like I am not alone in my feeling or struggles is a HUGE help to me. I am so THANKFUL to each and everyone who I met over the last few days. You all have changed my mood and my mind and given me a little bounce in my step to push myself forward. I needed this more than I ever knew. I needed you all! :)

Until we meet again my FitBloggin friends! XOXO :)tj

PS Anyone wanna share pics with me please email them along! :) 

Thanks! 

tjbooboo@gmail.com