Krissy in the City

I'm back in NYC today. The good news is my dad is being released from the hospital tomorrow. The rest of it is not great news - by a long shot - but I'm staying postive. Please continue to keep us in your thoughts and prayers.

We're definitely going to need them.

And since this is really a healthy living + food blog - I hope you understand that's about all I'm going to say about that here. For now at least. We'll see.

One thing I've decided not to do is let this derail what I have accomplished weight-wise this year. It would be really easy to do that but I refuse. That said - I didn't eat much last night or this morning (just tea for breakfast). Trust me this is not the way I wanted to reach goal but the scale was way down tonight when I got home. No exercise today but I'm planning on catching the special 12 noon Zumba class tomorrow.

Today after visiting my dad I came home and made a salad for lunch. I chopped up 1 chicken tender, added some orange bell pepper, a little red onion and some goat cheese with a baslamic vinaigrette. I also had a small spoonful of rice to help get the last of the veggies from the bowl (unpictured).



Once back in my little shoebox of an apartment I had toasted whole wheat with American cheese for dinner (I was too lazy to get out a pan to grill it and also too lazy to take a picture!) but I got my act together enough to catch dessert.




One of the best distractions since Christmas were my most adorable nieces Maddie and Ellie. Looking after them is hard work since we spoil them rotten they are master manipulators but I would never, ever pass up an opportunity to see their beautiful faces. And so - I also wanted to introduce you to Kitty - Madeleine's new 'pet'. It's like a robotic cat and it's kind of freaky how real it actually seems. Everyplace we went with her the past two days people have been freaked out over it. Jen took her today to Petco to get a real cat collar for her. No one in Petco looked twice at it though. :)




I am convinced that she couldn't love that cat more if it were real.

And because I am focusing on the bright side - two things that went right today:

1)Because I wanted to bring my luggage and gifts back I borrowed Jen's car. After battling traffic I got to my block and there were no parking spaces to be had. I needed to be on the right side of the street in order to not have to deal with Alternate Side Parking tomorrow and was having zero luck. Just as I was about to park in a garage I got lucky and I think I can keep the car in the spot I got till I go home on Saturday.

2) There's an Office marathon on NBC tonight.

That's about all from me. I didn't sleep well last night and the 2 Simply Sleep's I took seem to be kicking in. I want to run to TJ's tomorrow morning before Zumba so I'm going to call it a night.

Thanks again for the good thoughts. They are very, very much appreciated.

Waiting Game

We're still waiting for news about my dad. He seems fine and sounds fine and looks fine - but they're still holding him hostage. Today he's getting a test that should clear things up finally.

Please continue the good thoughts. We're about at our limit as to what we can take around these parts.

I've managed a little exercise. I did Level 1 of the Shred and ran for 20 minutes on Sunday. I'm planning on running a little this morning too. My brother and sister in law are away for a few days - so we're also chasing down some munchkins all day long. ,

Here's what's been going on for breakfast...

Cheerios for me...



And a pair of princesses too!


Bacon and Egg Frittata...





Bagels with scallion cream cheese...






Yummy French toast...



with cinnamon sugar and bacon...




Some green tea with mint...




And leftovers for lunch...



And bagels with peanut butter...




and pizza made by Chef Madeleine...



Lasagna for dinner which is an extra one I had made a bit ago. Perfect for times like these.



I had sushi in here too. Totally spaced on taking a picture. But it was a piece or 2 of a shrimp roll, a whole shrimp tempura roll, and a piece each of California and spicy Califormia roll.

We went out for dinner last night. I had a cup of Corn Chicken Chowder.



And Chipotle Shrimp with Potato Salad.



Ellie had a hamburger and some mac and cheese.





And ice cream for dessert!



Oh and because they were still on my camera - here's a picture of the packages of cookies that I gave as gifts this Christmas. Love the $1 bin at Target!



And that's the news for now. Be back in a bit.

The show must go on

My Christmas has mimicked this entire year - which...with the exception of my success at weight loss has sucked major nickels. My dad - who is our Executive Chef was checked into the hospital yesterday morning. They're still trying to figure out what's going on - and I really don't want to dwell on it too much so I'll leave you with images of the food from the last two days. Some were taken (like dessert from last night) by my photographer's assistant, my cousin Brendan. He's got a knack that kid.

I hope you had a happier (and HEALTHIER) Christmas than me.

Last minute

After much rushing I made it home - got a manicure and pedicure, had a delicious dinner and did some last minute shopping with my mom.

I spent the morning doing laundry and cleaning and then went and stood on line at CVS for a percription...for 25 minutes!!

I did not - despite my best intentions - get to the gym.

I think the mad dash to the train might have counted for something though!!

Here is a minor victory though - McDonald's is right next to CVS. I needed lunch so I ran in and got a Grilled Chipotle Chicken Snack Wrap.



The cashier misheard me and gave me a medium fries instead of a medium Diet and I made him take them back. I could have just as easily eaten them. That would not - however - fit in well with my "maintain and not gain for the remainder of 2009" plan.

My mom and I went to Houston's. I wound up getting the Fresh Fish of the Day - which was Lemon Sole with Lump Crabmeat.



It was delicious. I should really have fish more often. I also ate half the potato with some sour cream + 1 of her BBQ ribs and a few fries.

Plus a nice Pinot Noir.



This morning I had a poached egg over whole wheat toast.



Hitting the treadmill, doing some wrapping, making some chocolate truffles and then I'll be all set for tomorrow. We're having about 20 or so people here. It'll be the complete opposite of Thanksgiving. I'm really looking forward to it.

If I'm not back later (we're headed over to my Aunt's tonight and having company this afternoon) I wanted to be sure to wish one and all a very happy holiday and a very Merry Christmas. I hope Santa brings you everything on your list!

I'll be home for Christmas

This is my last half day of work before the new year. Woo Hoo!! I am so excited for this little break.

I was up early and did 5 loads of laundry. Stupid large dryer stole $4.00 from me!! I went through a ton of junk mail, reorganized my dressers and later I'm going to tackle the shoes that seem to multiply like bunnies. Then I'll be all set.

Breakfast was your typical - but I wanted to share that it was served on my very favorite Christmas plate:





To the gym and then to the train station I go!!!

Once upon a time...

I did not like salad. I barely ate lettuce. I didn't like any form of dressing. The most you could find me eating was tuna salad over iceberg when I was desperate to lose weight.

Fast forward till now.

I crave it. The darker the green the better. I still need it to be jam packed with protein but today I was in Trader Joe's and I decided to pick up an easy dinner. I had a box of frozen pizza in my basket and then I thought I'd really like some salad with it. My produce drawer is empty due to the fact I'll be gone for a week starting tomorrow but baby spinach is only $1.99 at TJs. I won't feel too bad for not finishing it all before I go away.

I put the pizza back and grabbed a red pepper, baby spinach and a pack of goat cheese (for $2.39!).

Roasted Pepper and Goat Cheese Salad

Ingredients:

For the salad:




2 cups baby spinach
1 tbsp onion (carmelized in about 1.5 tsps of butter)
1/2 red bell pepper roasted (in the oven on 425 for 25 minutes)
1 breaded chicken tender (cooked in the oven with the pepper)
1 oz goat cheese



For the dresssing:

1/2 tsp of honey dijon
1 1/2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
1/2 tsp balsamic vinegar

Mix well

Toss salad ingredients together with the dressing - crumble goat cheese on top



It was perfect. Just enough dressing and just the right proportion of protein. When the last bite still has a bit of cheese and chicken you gotta love it. And I love warm salads most of all - especially in the winter.

And to show I'm still not completely evolved - I also had some Mini Tater Tots on the side.



I eat things just because I want to have ketchup. True story.

I had a busy afternoon. I went to the dermatologist - then to TJs to buy some wine and champagne for NYE ($38 for 3 bottles of white and 2 of champagne - SCORE!) then I walked past the gym and renewed my membership - just sneaking in under the wire to get the big discount. I did not work out - but I walked a lot this afternoon. I'll go in the morning.

I am not weighing in again till 1/4. I have not gained but I don't want to end the year on a down note. M and I exchanged emails today and we're both on board to get the last 10 lbs off in early 2010.

I really don't even know what it'll feel like to be 70 lbs down and at my goal.

Pretty fantastic I gotta figure. :)