The Sun Still Shines -quilted

I just realized I have not posted a picture of the quilted SQ QAL quilt I have sent away to the winner of the giveaway last week.

How, dare I?!

In keeping with it's second name, The Sun Still Shines, I quilted semi-circles in the yellow and did a larger meander throught the remaining blocks to mimic the chaos in the tornado path. On the borders (which I never took off to straighten) I just did a continuous wavy 8 stitch.  I am pleased with the overall look and I hope the winner is, too.

   

Weigh-in Wed - Chicken Tortilla

Stats first. 160 lbs.
JM Shred video: still currently at Level 1

So, I'm a teensy bit frustrated but not quite frustrated. Let me explain. I gained 1 lb and that's frustrating because I've actually worked Jillian's shred 6 out of 7 days this week PLUS took a 3 mile, brisk walk 2 of the days.  I feel good, I'm not as starving as when I started exercising so I am keeping the food intake way down. Snacking rarely exists and if it does, I'm good about a yogurt, maybe a fig newton or two is the worse I've had. But when I say way down, I mean... almost non-existent.

I'm not frustrated because I feel good. I'm tired, in a good way, but I feel more fit. Not that my clothes can tell or that the scale tells, but I can do the whole Jillian Level 1 without it threatening my life, now. Today's workout was significantly easier than ever before and if tomorrow is the same (meaning this is not a fluke), then I will move up to Level 2 on Friday.  We will see.

So, my weight is up 1 lb. My snacking is way down and food choices are good but they can be better. I was WAY sick of salads and then ended up with crappy working hours so I slacked a lot on the veggie front. I didn't eat much but meat and carbs does not lend to weight loss. Even if you are exercising a bit.

So, this week, I am planning the weekly menu. The hubs messed it up yesterday but I'm going to be firm on our diet and see what happens. I'm calling it an experiment. I have to feed him, me,  and the kids so that means tasty plus protein enough to fill us all (he's doing P90X work outs so needs more filling calories).
The plan: Salmon, Elk burgers, Chicken breast, Pasta salad - maybe with tuna, Veggie Pizza, Steak, Cod. A boatload of veggies with all. BIG switch, mostly fresh veggies and little carb... That's the goal, people.

Today's recipe I don't have a picture of but it's super simple.

CHICKEN TORTILLA
1    4 or 6 inch corn tortilla (I bought a bag from the store)
1 Tbsp Sweet Potato Butter (pumpkin butter or apple butter work well here also)
1.5 oz. chopped, cooked chicken breast
1/4 cup shredded green cabbage

Heat tortilla as instructed on the package
Spread butter on the tortilla, add chicken and cabbage
Eat.

This is a simple little recipe and one that is completely adaptable. The reason I posted it is you can use this for any meat and veggie combination you want. Use a hummus spread in stead of the butters if you like that sort of thing.  It just helps you portion your meals. If I am not hungry, 1 of these with yogurt or fruit work. If I'm hungry, 2 aren't bad because it's onl y 3oz of chicken.

The other thing I like about this, super quick to do!

So, how is everyone else doing? I tell you, knowing I'm posting here has helped me keep honest and with it. I am looking forward to the day I can start posting a significant change.  I am thinking wtih better nutrition and my exercise, it will come soon.  (At least that's what I hope.)

Oh, and one more thing. I'm going to try this Bloat Stopping Green Smoothie this week. I'll let you know if it's good like they said or if I've learned my wine loving sisters, Hoda and Kathie Lee are liars! lol

Cheers! Beck

And the WINNER is...

Thanks to Random.org, the winner chosen between 1 and 159 is #53.

This is JESSICA!

"Jessica said...


What a beautiful quilt! I've always wanted one!
I have never been to a crafting class or retreat, but would love to. I'm just learning how to sew and would love to learn new techniques!

Thanks a lot!
May 23, 2011 10:18 PM"

Congratulations, Jessica! I'll be contacting you through email to finalize the details of sending you the quilt. (I'd post a final picture here but blogger and my camera are not friends today so it will be posted soon.)

Thank you for all the comments and compliments I received during the giveaway,  I enjoyed reading them all!

Cheers, Beck

Weigh-In Weds. -- I got nothing

Looking for the giveaway, it's the next post down or GO HERE.

So, no weight gained or lost this week for all the same lame arse reasons previously listed. That's the good and bad of it.   I saw the Biggest Loser Winner on the Today show this morning and have to say, I felt like crap because she said all the right things about it being an internal change in your mentality and recognizing your body and it's needs. I just wanted to punch her.  Then she said, "it takes time, it took a long time to get on and takes a long time to get off."  Okay, I didn't want to punch her anymore and can honestly say, well done her!  lol

I don't have a new recipe for you either so I'm going to link you to an old standby. This chicken sandwich is a favorite for the summer.

Cheers! Beck

Sew Mama Sew Giveaway Day! I'm in.

Sew Mama Sew is at it again! I just made the sign up last week and I'm thrilled I'm not missing my chance to participate this year.  I hope my entry is enticing and I do ship internationally.

There are 3 different giveaways going on and you can link to them here.
Handcrafted Items
Handcrafted Items + Supplies
Sewing + Knitting Supplies/Materials

My entry is the following quilt. It is currently on the frame and I'm finalizing the quilting so I will update the photos with a finished picture tonight, hopefully.  For now, you can take a look at the top.  This measures approximately 44"x51". Perfect as a lap quilt for reading on the porch or for a toddler's quilt.

This was my participation quilt for the SQ Paper-piece Quilt along that just ended. I was going to call it Sun Over the Pyramid since that was what the hubs named it and it was better than anything I came up with. However, after seeing the news of the tornado in Joplin, MO, I can't call it that. It's much more like a tornado streaking a path and the sun shining on both sides of the devestation.  At least to me. So, I'm going to call this The Sun Still Shines. Now really, if you have a name suggestion, and you are the winner, I'll label it with your suggestion. I do not feel my name has to be the one you have to live with since it's not finished yet.

So how to do this?
First, say a prayer or send good thoughts for those in Joplin. They need all the good will that can be spared.
Second, leave me a comment and answer these 2 questions (really, I would love to read your answers):

1) What was your favorite thing about the last quilt retreat (or class) you attended?
2) What was your least favorite thing about the last quilt retreat (or class) you attended?
If you haven't attended any, please answer what you are interested in for a retreat (or class).

And just because, if you are a follower, leave me a second comment letting me know you follow and I'll give you a bonus entry.  This is not required, just an extra chance.

The chance to enter closes at midnight ET on May 26. I will announce the winner  later that day.
OH! and before I forget, if you do not have a blog or if you have your security settings set so that your email is not linked off your blog, PLEASE leave me your email so I may reach you if you win.  I will reply to every commentor here acknowledging entry so if you don't leave me an email in your comment and you don't get a reply, you may want to check your settings and reach back out. 

You can leave your email as janesmith  (at) iwanttowin  (dot) come  to avoid auto spammers.

Good luck in the drawing and thank you for stopping by. The winner will be drawn using random.org.
Cheers! Beck