Sunday, June 29, 2014

The Garden

For the past 3 years or so, instead of flowers in our front flower beds, we have planted veggies and each year we plant a bit more.

It never occurred to me to plant a garden.  We are not much on veggies, plus my parents just live around the corner and have a large garden that they were happy to share.  But let me tell you, there is something nice about going out your front door for fresh produce.

I always planted a tomato plant for myself for a sandwich, but that was about it.

Last year was our biggest year to date...we planted about 6 tomato plants, green peppers, lettuce and potatoes.

This year...we expanded!

Front and centre....Carrots and lettuce

Wispy bit at the far right - garlic
4 green pepper plants

close up of carrots

Lettuce and Onions

Potatoes and the tall plants at the back are sunflowers

plants at the wheel is cucumber

the other side has cantaloupe

View of the garden at the front of the house

smaller garden in the front with cucumber, cantaloupe and more tomato plants
Yes!  We have a cannon

few more tomato plants

In part this post is to show just how well I grow veggies, but my main point is to show you that even if you don't have a large space, you can have a garden.  Do you have lovely flower beds you plant every year?  Swap them out for veggies next year.  Your gardens will still look lush and full, but you will profit off of it later.  I bought all of the veggies (except potatoes) already started and the total cost was $24.00.  That is a HUGE savings, also if you take into account that the tomatoes get turned into spaghetti sauce.    Oh and fresh tastes better....it really really does!  Lot of work you say?  I don't think so.  There is some weeding, but if you stay of top of it, it won't overwhelm you (or you can find a hubby like mine that does the work), and I water mine when I remember.

How does YOUR garden grow?

Saturday, June 28, 2014

I'm Ready!

For the past 3 months, I have floundered....bounced around in weight and motivation.  I wound up on the losing scale of things.

My last weight in was 247.00 lbs.  Alone in the past 2 weeks, I gained 6.50 lbs.  I did that because I ate whatever crap passed by and reacquainted myself with the ass marks in the lazy boy.  I kept saying "tomorrow" and then out came the chocolate bunny from Easter or the extra cupcake, etc.

I woke up today, not really remembering I wanted to make a difference.  I was up about an hour before I needed to be and actually told myself I was just going to go back to bed for half an hour.  Then I decided I would use this quiet time at home to write my blog and have a couple of poached eggs for breakfast.

See....I have missed you guys!  I'm sure I've lost a few readers and that is my fault.  I miss blogging too.  I think I do need to re-evaluate the blogs I follow and cut back just to keep it realistic for myself.  I need to do better at commenting on other blogs too.  I have been reading them, but not unlike everything else, say I will come back and comment later...and well....we know how THAT has been working for me!

So, I'm back...back to saying no to ice cream, walking my butt off and counting calories.  Be prepared for an influx of blog posts too, as I catch you up on my life for the past few months!

Sunday, June 8, 2014

Road Trip Review - 2014 Edition - Month 5

The Facts:
  • First Pit Stop of the journey is Crowley State Park, Arkansas - 1399 km
  • Next stop and final destination is Devil's Den State Park, Arkansas - 325 km
  • Total of 1724 km
  • 5.70 km a day, 40.95 km a week and 172.40 km a month
  • We have 10 months to complete the journey, from January 1 - October 31
  • Our daily, everyday walking counts, but only up to half of our required distance - 2.85 km
  • Each 30 minutes of non-walking/running exercise counts as 0.50 km, up to 3.20 km of our total
The Road So Far:

Month 1 - January

- total walked: 197.53 km
- total eligible: 174.22 km
  ( + 1.82 over)

Month 2 - February

- total walked: 180.13 km
- total eligible: 160.05 km
  (- 12.35 behind)

Month 3 - March

total walked: 242.54 km
- total eligible: 201.23 km
  (+ 33.22 over )

Month 4 - April

- total walked: 176.30 km
- total eligible: 141.75 km
  (-27.91 behind)

Month 5 - May

- total walked: 204.43 km
- total eligible: 165.64
  (-10.97 behind)

GRAND TOTALS:
- total walked: 1000.93 km
- total eligible: 842.89 km
  (-16.19 km behind)




I suck!  Still!

While it's fair to argue that I don't suck quite as much as the month before...I still can't brag from the roof tops how awesome I am!

Since I can't just admit to not being focused or motivated, I will give you my excuse.

The nice weather!  Yup!  I am totally complaining about winter receeding.  Here's the thing, all winter long, I had a routine!  I got everything I needed to get done by 8 and put the kids in bed.  From there, I went and jumped on the treadmill for an hour.  Now that the nicer weather is here, we are outside in that magic hour between 7 and 8...the kids are going to bed a bit later and then I tell myself it's too late.

This week I have managed to get out of work earlier than usual and head to the local trail before I go home.  I'm hoping for a stronger June.

Let's take a little looksie!






And how is my fancy dancy map that my walking partner, Julie, put together for me?



Wednesday, June 4, 2014

The Truth of Tuesday Night

Not a whole lot to report for this week.

It was our annual potluck and awards night and I hosted it at my house.  That means I don't attend weigh in, because I am too busy setting up.  I don't anticipate the scale would have moved much or in the right direction at least.

It was a lovely evening and it's so nice for us all to come together and give ourselves and others a pat on the back for all the hard work.

I did manage to snag a few "awards" myself!


Top Left:  I was the monthly best loser for June 2013, with a loss of 3.75 lbs

Bottom Left: Certificate of appreciation for being leader of our group

Right:  Recognition for losing 25 lbs since joining

Now to keep that up!