Sunday Thought ~ 1 Corinthians 16:13

 Love and Hugs 

Phoebe x

Friday Fun ?????

So... MrD and I finally made it to the DMV so I could renew my ID card..and he could do what he needed to do. And what a fun three hour visit it was too. The line was huge when we arrived at 7.30..even though it didnt open til 8am.. But its done now... and I know who I am again..and I will have an ID photo with hair.. and wrinkles!

Ive hardly eaten today.. After  having to fast yesterday.. MrD took me for a steak dinner last night... which was delicious..within my calories but far too heavy and greasy for me.. My tummy has been suffering all day... very uncomfortable and bloated.

I hope its better for tomorrow as we have plans...plus its weigh in day..and Im having my monthly photos taken. Fingers crossed for good results all around

And just finally.. I would like to say goodbye to my Uncle Brian in the Uk who passed away from C19 at the end of January and whose scaled back funeral was finally held today... with very few mourners allowed. My Dads sister before Christmas...and now Mums big brother. This virus has a lot to answer for. 

But may they rest in Peace.. and it brings comfort to know they are now home

Love and Hugs

Phoebe x

What I Ate This Week...and One Pot Creamy Cajun Chicken Pasta

So..in an effort to keep myself accountable in my weight loss journey... starting this week... my Thursdays In The Kitchen post will feature some of the meals I have been eating this week and perhaps include one of the low calories recipes I have made

BREAKFAST

                              Oatmeal and Raspberries                                            Poached egg on toast       

                                         175 calories                                                            175 calories

                            Veggie Omelette and Toast                              Cottage Cheese and Crispbread

                                       225 calories                                                       190 calories

LUNCH

                  Crispbread and Laughing Cow Cheese                   Veg Soup and Homemade Bread                                                                200 calories                                                        230 calories

                                                                                            

                            Tuna Sandwich and Yogurt                    Vegetable Tortilla plus raspberries and yogurt

                                        270 calories                                                         190 calories     

DINNER

                            Turkey Meatball Pasta                                    Ham, Eggs, TatorTots and Peas

                                    480 calories                                                            360 calories

 

                     Barbeque Pork and Baked Potato                    Taco Chicken Stuffed Peppers and Salad

                                   365 calories                                                              365 calories

I love pasta...and Im still eating it and losing weight. I just keep my portion size in check and don't stuff it with meat... or smother with full fat cheese or Alfredo sauce

This is incredibly simple to make. But a word of warning.. this pasta can get a bit spicy.. So if you're not good with that, limit the seasoning But, it doesn’t get any easier than an easy pasta dinner recipe made in one pot in less than 45 minutes.

One Pot Creamy Cajun Chicken Pasta 

Olive oil spray
2 tsp Cajun seasoning... Homemeade or Shop Bought
1 lb. boneless, skinless chicken breast cut into cubes
1 yellow onion, diced
8oz penne pasta (dry weight)
15 oz. fire roasted diced tomatoes
Chicken stock cube dissolved in 2 cups water
2 oz. fat free cream cheese
3 green (spring) onions, sliced

• Season chicken with two teaspoons Cajun seasoning; set aside.
• In a 12" pan or skillet, heat olive oil spray over medium heat.
• Add chicken to pan and cook until brown on both sides.
• Add onions and stir until soft, about 2 minutes.
• Add the uncooked pasta, fire roasted diced tomatoes (with the juices), and chicken stock to the skillet.
• Stir just until everything is evenly combined
• Place a lid on top and allow the broth to come up to a boil.
• Once boiling, turn the heat down to medium-low
• Let the pasta simmer for about ten minutes
• Stir every couple of minutes, until the pasta is tender and the liquid is thick and saucy.
• Add the cream cheese to the skillet in chunks
• Stir until it has melted into the sauce.
• Top the pasta with sliced green onions and serve

Serves 4
Calories: 365

Carbs: 49g

Fats: 4g

Saturated Fats: 1g

Protein: 31g

Enjoy!

Love and Hugs

Phoebe x

Bee..ing.. Buzzzy....

 Love and Hugs

Phoebe x

Spring on my Mind...

Im really tired tonight..so just a quick recap before I have an early night.

Yesterday I took my little shopping trolley to the local market and I came back with quite a haul... all really fresh..and for a fraction of the Walmart price. Some I will use this week.. the rest I will freeze...like the carrots and celery Im making into soup bags for the freezer.

I had a lovely walk this morning..

Spring is definitely on its way.. 

I could hear a bird chirping beautifully.. but I have no clue where he was hiding.

And finally.. I got myself dolled up.. and got all the documents organised ready for a photo ID at the DMV.. and Mr D went into work at 3am so he could finish two hours early to go with me... but what a waste of time. We got there..and the line to get in stretched not once..but twice round the car (I kid you not.) So we are going to try again on Friday

Good thing I know who I am.... (wink)

Love and Hugs
Phoebe x

Whats For Dinner ~ Meal Plan Monday

The last week in February...seriously? And its going to be a busy one..with a long to-do list.. starting with a walk to the vegetable market this morning.. 

Tomorrow its the DMV for a new ID card. I wish I could do it on line..but being an immigrant with a Green Card... I have to go in person..Best get the hair and makeup on point.. and practice my "look" as whatever photo they take...will be on my card for a year. Got to be better than my Green Card though.. It was taken during my chemo... and Im puffed up and bald! And thats there for 10 years

Wednesday...Walmart Pick Up...list is done and sent.. so thats one thing off my list.

Thursday is a double whammy... In the afternoonI have a medical..at home..for Life Insurance.. That should be fun.. Then straight after..we have to leave for the opticians.. My eyesight has gone terrible. Old age is slowly creeping in... for both me..and MrD. It may be a long day.

So some meals this week may have to be juggled...and we may have to eat out. But seeing as we are going for a sight seeing drive on Saturday (we really have to get out for a change of scenery) I would prefer not to

Anyway...have a great week...and heres this weeks dinner menu..calorie counted..of course.

Weekly Plan - 22nd February 2021

Monday              Orange Chicken, Stir Fry Veggies, Jasmine Rice 

Tuesday              Mexican Stuffed Peppers, Salad

Wednesday         Slow Cooker Barbeque Pork, Jacket Potatoes

Thursday            Spicy Sausage Pasta

Friday                 Phoebe's Phoney Pizza

Saturday             Day out with Hubby

Sunday                Teriyaki Turkey Burgers

Sunday Thought ~ Exodus 33:14

 Love and Hugs

Phoebe x

Another Good One...Weigh In Week 7

Weekend Weigh in 7... and... I lost another 2lb.

Its been a difficult week.. with terrible food cravings and sturuggling not to empty the Ice Cream section in the Supermarket.
But I worked through it and this weeks total brings me to 22lb off in less than two months. Im well on my way to losing the weight I gained after moving to the US. Im so chuffed.

All in all... its been a good day... and apart from a walk around the mall this morningwith MrD ..a bit of a lazy one.

I did however have a long and meaningful converstion with this little guy about the educational merits and deep meaning of "Ben and Holly"... Not really but he did share his water with me... hes so generous...lol   

Here's to another good week 

Love and Hugs

Phoebe x

Throwback....

I was routing through some photos and I came across this one of me..taken 35 years ago this month on a night out in Londons West End. It brings back so many memories.

I was working as a Nanny..looking after three little girls just off the Kings Road. For a shy, naive  girl..who had led a sheltered life in a small village in Wales.. my decision to move to a big city surprised everyone ..including me. It opened my eyes to a whole new world... and I grew up fast. Maybe it also gave the confidence years later..to jump on a plane and move 5000 miles to a new life in the US 

I have no regrets for anything in my life..I truly believe there is a plan for all of us...and everything happens for a reason.. good and bad.

But.. looking at the 23 year old in the picture... I wonder what advice I would give her?

And... looking back...what would you have told your 23 year old self??

Love and Hugs 

Phoebe x

Orange Hisbiscus...

Love and Hugs

Phoebe x

Another Tuesday...

An early start this morning and I managed to catch the end of a beautiful sunrise (thanks for the heads up Hubster!)

I have to admit I struggled yesterday. It took everything I had to stay on my eating plan. I was so hungry.. even tho I had plenty to eat. But..I made it to the end of the day...with no mishaps.. 

So today has been much better.. no hunger pangs at all.. Mind you I went on a mega walk this morning which used up alot of the morning so it was almost lunchtime by I sat down.... I walked my little legs off. 

No wonder Im getting shorter!

Love and Hugs

Phoebe x

Whats For Dinner ~ Meal Plan Monday..

I hope everyone had a wonderful Valentines Day

MrD and I had a bit of a lazy day.. which I dont mind as I love being with this guy. He did take me out for coffee after church tho... and I had an Almond Milk Latte...(no idea how many calories) and resisted having a taste of MrD's chocolate croissant.. But boy did it look good!

I was up early this morning as we are having the carpets cleaned... and hes due to arrive any time now.. Apart from that..there's nothing much happening.. just concentrate on my eating and doing a lot of walking. All very uninteresting.

That being said...here's this weeks dinner menu..

 Weekly Plan - 15th February 2021

Monday              Crockpot Chicken, Onions,Carrots and Potatoes, Cabbage

Tuesday              Shrimp Frajitas, Spanish  Rice 

Wednesday         Breakfast for Dinner

Thursday            Spaghetti and Meatballs

Friday                 Phoebe's Phoney Pizza

Saturday             Leftovers

Sunday                Grilled Chicken Burgers

Sunday Thought ~ 1 John 4:16

 Love and Hugs

Phoebe x