Lasagna Roll-Up

I started Weight Watchers 3 weeks ago and I really needed to start cooking more.  I have really been craving lasagna for awhile now, but it is definitely one of those foods that I binge on.  I searched WW for some healthier alternatives and browsed through Pinterest.  I decided to make my own version of a lasagna roll-up.
I must say, it turned out really great!

One roll-up is only 5 pp and I just filled the rest of my plate with a salad and french dressing.  Having these in individual wraps made it so much easier to just eat one piece and not go over board.  I also have a better idea of how many points I'm eating since they are already  portioned.

Lasagna Roll-Up
5 PP each roll-up, 12 servings

Ingredients
12 lasagna noodles, cooked
15oz.  2% cottage cheese
1 egg
10oz. frozen spinach, dethawed and drained
1 1/2c. mushrooms, chopped
2c. marinara sauce
1c. mozzarella cheese

Directions
I had to use 1 13x9 and one 9x9 casserole dish.  Spoon a little of the marinara sauce on the bottom of each dish to prevent sticking.
Cook lasagna noodles per package instructions.
While the noodles are cooking, preheat oven to 350.
In a bowl combine the cottage cheese and egg. Stir in drained spinach and chopped mushrooms. 
When the noodles are done, drain them and rinse with cold water.  Put down a sheet of parchment paper and lay down a noodle flat.  Spoon in  about 2 spoonfuls of the cheese mix on the front of the noodle. Roll noodle up and place in pan.  Continue for the remaining 11 noodles and place in the dish. I had 8 in the 13x9 and 4 in the 9x9.  Pour about 1/2c. of marinara sauce per 3 rolls to cover.  Then top each roll with about 1 Tbsp. of mozzarella.  Cover with aluminum foil and bake for 40 minutes.  Remove aluminum foil and bake an additional 10 minutes.  Let cool about 15 minutes before eating.

Now, I have meals for the rest of the week!
Enjoy!

Will I Ever Learn?

I've mentioned that I haven't been eating very well lately and yesterday it caught up with me.  Major heartburn ALL DAY!

I got it the first time about 8 years ago.  My weight was at an all time high and I was living on a steady 6 meals of fast food a day.  All of a sudden I started getting these pains right in the middle of my chest at the bottom of my rib cage.  I finally went to the doctor after trying Tums and immediately throwing up after taking them. Nothing would stay down without causing immense pain. And I would be up all night doubled over in pain from the pressure in my stomach and the pain in my chest.

Brace yourself...

My doctor told me it was heartburn. I was surprised, because I didn't think hearburn would be so painful. Commercials for heartburn just show people with a little discomfort grabbing their stomach in pain, not doubled over the toilet wondering if they are dying. I was experiencing intolerable pain!  She told me to change the way I ate and prescribed me a month of some prescription acid reducer to help with the flare ups.  She told me no coffee, no soda, get rid of the fast food, start exercising and you should see improvements.

So I did it. I stopped drinking my half pot of coffee a day, drinking soda constantly and stopping at fast food joints every chance I got.  I actually quit caffeine for 2 years. I dropped 50 lbs by doing Weight Watchers and really started to feel good about myself.

The heartburn has come back a couple of times, but it is so painful that I will immediately change my eating habits again...and again...and again.  I keep falling in the trap of eating like garbage and not expecting any
consequences.

Close enough

So, let's do this again. I'm starting Joel Fuhrman's Eat to Live Challenge anyway. And this recent flare up just solidifies my need to change the way I eat.  So starting today, I will start with no caffeine: no soda, no coffee.  This is going to be especially difficult, because this week I have to work third shift at work, so my usual meal and workout routine won't be happening this week, but I don't really have a choice but to change.  My body has had enough.

Have you ever had to change your eating habits?

Eat to Live

Yesterday I went for a run/walk. I completed both Week 3 Day 2 and Week 3 Day 3 of the Couch to 5k program.  I usually will complete one 'day' by heading out from home and then walk all the way back home, but I hadn't completed a day since last Wednesday I believe, and wanted to get through it - because I knew I was capable of it.

I was planning on Zumba tonight, but for no good reason decided to not go which left me feeling pretty down about my weight (especially since I stopped and got Rocky Rococo's for supper). I haven't been eating very well, staying in my calorie range for the day? - yes, eating healthy? - no.

More like here and Instagram.

I had put a hold on the book Eat to Live by Dr. Joel Fuhrman on the elibrary.  I read it before a long time ago, but it was more of a skim through rather than a read and absorb.  I like that he knows "diets" don't work and promises that I won't ever go hungry on his plan.  I also really like that the way he says we keep weight off is by eating real, natural food, not by eating the fat free, sugar free, over-processed foods that many diets encourage people to eat.

Challenge accepted!

Since I am going out Friday night to a beer bash, I will start Saturday fresh and on this new eating plan.  Dr. Fuhrman says to give him 6 weeks and it will change my life.  That's a big promise, but I'm willing to take on the challenge.  This will give me a day to plan my meals and grocery shop so I start out successful.

Have you ever read this book or another book to help lose weight or inspire yourself?

Spring is in the Air

I think living in a place where we have long, cold and snowy winters, really makes me more appreciative of sunshine and warm(er) temps, especially since it just snowed 2 days ago. I went outside to do my Couch to 5k workout. I am on week 3 day 1 which consisted of run 90 seconds, walk 90 seconds, run 3 minutes, walk 3 minutes for about 20 minutes.

Some muddiness and puddles from the melted snow.

Spring flooding of the River. 

I bundled up a bit, because the temps are just in the mid 40s and it's pretty windy out.  Otherwise, the sun felt amazing and the air smelled like Spring.  The ducks were swimming in the river, the geese were squawking and strutting around, and the robins were flying back and forth. I felt like I was in a Cinderella movie or something and we were seconds away from bursting into song.

Bundled up, but loving the sunshine.

Today was my day off, so I had the whole day to do what ever I felt like.  I slept til 9.  I was in a baking mood and ended up making a brown sugar and cinnamon coffee cake and a loaf of bread.  I also cleaned the house and did wash.  I know, I know. I'm a wild woman!  I also am reading Game of Thrones, the first book.  I am borrowing it from the elibrary and only get it for 7 days. I have only 4 more days and am not even 20% of the way through.  I may have to just buy the book myself.

Do you run outside?  

Have you read the Game of Thrones series?

Change is a Process

I've had a long hiatus from running. Jomo really hasn't been running all that much since the marathon in October.  I didn't realize how much those 26.2 miles took out of me, physically and emotionally.  I was completely empty of any desire to do any activity...unless you count snacking on the couch cardio.

Sometimes

I recently started running again.  I started the Couch to 5k program, because I can't just run for fun.  I have to have a program to follow.  I use the free app right on my phone so I don't even have to think about when to run or walk. The nice lady just tells me, "Run now" or "walk now". I don't even wear my Garmin. I need a break from being obsessed with time. I just want to enjoy being out there again.  I finished week 2 today.

The app I use

I've also been trying different exercises. I've found a love for Zumba. I've always enjoyed it, but there is a class on Tuesday nights that is just SO fun. I rearranged my work schedule just so I could go to it! I can't believe how much I sweat and how many muscles I can feel working!

During my 6 month running hiatus, I have also gained 20 lbs.  It's pretty depressing, but I just kept eating like I was training for a marathon when I was doing little to no activity.  Now I am trying to work it back off.

I did Weight Watchers for 3 months.  I signed up on my birthday, Dec. 30, after wanting to make a change with my eating habits.  There was a 3 month deal for only $18, so I figured why not?

I lost a couple of pounds, but ended up gaining another 5.  I just couldn't get into it again (I had done it years ago and lost 50 lbs).  So, at the end of the 3 months I cancelled it and started using the free program, myfitnesspal, again.  I deleted my old account and made a new one - sort of like a fresh start for myself. I'm jnmolina if you want to "friend" me.  I have managed to lose 5 lbs so far.

Wanting to change and actually doing it is so hard for me. I'm trying not to make too many changes at once so I don't become overwhelmed. I'm also trying not to put too much pressure on myself to work out.  I become sort of obsessed with it.  That's why I'm not bringing my Garmin on runs or even keeping track of my miles so I don't become obsessed with the numbers.  

Change is a process

I'm planning races again too.  I haven't done any in 6 months. I just did a 5k yesterday and walked it with 2 friends. It was pretty fun, even though it started raining down on us right after mile one!  I have a few more I'd like to do: an 80's themed 5k in June, the Iron Girl in August, and a half marathon in September.  It feels good to finally be looking forward to working out again!

What is your favorite form of exercise?  

My Marathon is Done, Now What?

Every since I ran my marathon over a month ago, I have just not been into working out at all!  I went to a spin class - which I always love.  I went to a new class called body combat - which was aMAzing!  I even ran once or twice...or once.  But that's it.

Never

I blame the marathon.  It's the only logical answer.  I read blogs where the writer ran a marathon and feels great, is already running again, and has another marathon in a couple of weeks.

I ran my marathon and I never, EVER wanted to do it again.  Ever!

Accurate face of pain of how I was feeling.

The actual race passed quickly.  I wasn't in pain until around 16 miles.  And even then, I knew I would finish.  I walked more than I wanted, but I wasn't really negative self talking. I just kept telling myself that I will Never have to do this again once I finish.  That is really what got me through that race.

I was in pain for a couple of days, but I have a job where I am running around for 8 hours so that helped work out the tightness pretty quickly.  I made myself wait to run, but then I never started running again.  I went once for three miles.  It was hard.  The whole time I couldn't believe I ran 26.2.  Why is this so hard?!?!

I love running, really!  I love the freedom, the quiet, the battle with myself, and the feeling of becoming stronger physically and mentally.  But lately, I guess I like sitting on the couch more.  I know the gym class schedule by heart so I can go right after work, but I've done it twice.  Why?  Why have I become such a bump on a log?

Ok, this is really why I love running.

Today is Monday.  I know most people hate Monday's, but I like them.  It's the start of a new week, a fresh beginning.  I am setting the goal to work out 3 times this week any way I want, as long as I get some cardio in.

I hope everyone has a great and successful week as well!

Do you get in work-out slumps?  What helps get you out?

Fear the Deer

I headed out today for my 3 mile run.  Now that I'm not training for anything specific, it's hard to motivate myself to get out and exercise.  I was excited to wear some leg-warmers today.  I made a couple of pairs last year for a costume and really like wearing them for running.  I can wear my capris and still keep my calves warm!

After the first mile I head into a wooded park.  Once in a while I see deer on my evening runs, but figured I'd bee safe this early in the afternoon.  As soon as I rounded the first corner I see a deer ahead staring at me.  I could tell he was a young buck, because of the antlers starting to grow on his head.  I stopped and debated what to do.  I am scared of deer when confronted with them.  They can get cray!  As soon as the second one peeked it's head out from the other side of the path I knew I better just turn around and head back.

They may look innocent enough, but one wrong move and who knows what could happen...am I right??

So, I headed back and got in 2 miles.  They were good miles though and I was glad I went out.

Do you run in the woods and ever see animals?  Do you turn around or just keep going?