WELL I'M OFF!

I am first on my way to pick up my sister, Maureen. We are going to weigh in (a day early) and then we will be heading off for a five hour drive to Laughlin.

We won't be home until the night before Thanksgiving so, I'm sure I'll be very busy then, but, I'll do my best to pop in and let you all know how my weigh in went and if I came home a newly made millionaire. LOL

I have to admit, I'm not a big Laughlin fan at all. In fact, the last time I was there I swore I would never go again. To me, it's way to old and smoky. The Casinos are small and run down.

If I'm going to go gamble, I would rather go to Vegas. It's just as far and much more fun.

However, my cousin loves Laughlin. She was forever trying to talk me into going with her. I always refused.

That was, until I saw Debbie Reynolds was going to be there. I love her and have always wanted to see her live.

As a kid, I fell in love with her in The Singing Nun and The Unsinkable Molly Brown movies. As an adult, I fell in love with her all over when she was in Will and Grace.

So, I agreed to go to Laughlin.

Well, as fate would have it, my cousin and I had a falling out and she told me to cancel the trip and the tickets.

No way! Just because I wasn't going with her didn't mean I couldn't go. I called Maureen and asked if she wanted to go. She agreed and so we are off.

I have no doubt we will have a lot of fun. We will share lots and lots of laughs. That's one thing about my sister, Maureen. We laugh over everything.

We plan on doing a lot of walking while we are there too. After all, it's no reason to not stay on plan and work towards our goal of losing 10 pounds by the first of the year.

When I get home, I'll help my other sister, Patty, with the Thanksgiving Day dinner preparations. By then, I'm sure I will be ready to fall into bed and have a good nights sleep.

See you all when I get back!

WORKING OUT

I figured that since I don't seem to be able to make it to the gym (not for any other reason then I just hate it) I would stock up on some workout DVDs and do them at home.

I have to tell you that I am really the worst when it comes to working out! So no matter how bad you are, know I'm even worse!

In fact, my first try at doing a DVD was to lay in bed and watch it. After all, I had to see how hard it was before I even gave it a shot!

So the other day I put in the Biggest Losers Boot Camp DVD. It has different levels you can pick from.

As I watched it Bob kept saying how everyone was feeling the burn and getting a great work out in. How doing these steps was burning off the calories and helping them lose weight.

The exercises are done by past winners of the Biggest Loser and they were all saying how much they felt the work out and felt the burn!

Now I've not been a Biggest Loser fan for long and have only watched this seasons show. But, I've seen how they work out. For hours and hours and they do some really hard stuff.

So, of course I was not believing how hard these level one exercises were. They didn't look hard at all. In fact, I figured even I could do those.

Today I put the DVD in and did my first Boot Camp lesson.

Let me tell you.... it's true! Those easy looking exercises really do make you feel burning in your arms, legs, back and stomach!

I couldn't believe it. I wasn't sure if I could make it through them.

The good thing is each exercise is short so you move on to the next one quickly. No breaks! Bob wants to keep your heartbeat up and you moving at all times.

So when we came to the end I was happy. It wasn't that bad. In fact it was kind of fun. WHAT! Did I say that? OK, not fun but surely doable.

I have the Biggest Loser Wii game too. I can't wait to try that out. But, I think I'll stick to this DVD for the time being as it is set up to give you weeks worth of work outs on a timed schedule.

On top of the work out I went for a long walk today too. I am bound and determined to lose weight this week. For some reason I do not seem to be losing this week. I know, I should stay off those scales!

I'm going to weigh in a day early too. I'm going to be going to Laughlin with my sister, Maureen, so we are going to weigh in on Monday rather then miss out completely.

So tell me, what kind of exercise are you doing these days? Do you go to the gym? Do you walk? Do you do the DVDs or exercise at home?

I would love to know what you are all doing.

IT'S FINALLY STARTING TO LOOK LIKE THANKSGIVING AROUND HERE

For the past few years I have not really decorated for Fall/Thanksgiving. I put a few things out but not much.

It's not that I don't love the decorations, because I do. The truth of the matter is, I didn't know where my decorations were.

I put all my boxes in storage and the Fall/Thanksgiving boxes were buried so deep that I couldn't find them. Plus I was to lazy to dig through everything to find them.

Today I went and took out all the boxes. Some were heavy! I kept telling myself I was burning off calories as I lifted them and stacked them all up.

Way in the back I found three boxes full of my Fall/Thanksgiving decorations. I had forgotten how many items I had.

I was excited to bring them home, unpack them and get them out.

I first unpacked everything and put them all the table in the kitchen.

Then I got to work. On the fireplace mantel first.

I think I like the way it came out. Not sure about the candles though. They do look better in person.

I took my photos at the wrong time of the day as the sun was shinning in and casting a glare on everything.

Ol' Tom is standing proudly over by the TV. He is thrilled I'm a vegetarian and he doesn't have to worry about getting cooked this year.

These little skinny Pilgrims make me smile. They also remind me that I want to slim down this Thanksgiving and not to go over board.

A sweet little HAPPY THANKSGIVING sign reminds us to be Thankful for all we have.

I bought these guys last year. I think they are so cute. I wish I was lucky enough to have real ones running around my yards but I don't so I have to settle on these.

Looks like we found where they got the acorns from. The amber colored depression glass plate next to them is holding lots of acorns, pine cones and a candle.

Why, even the little birdcage that is outside the front door got a touch of decoration to it.

I still have lots and lots to put out but that's all I put out so far. I'll post the rest this weekend.

Now for those of you who are waiting for the next low calorie, Weight Watcher friendly recipe that you can use for this Thanksgiving, here it is:

CALIFLOWER CURRY DIP

1 16 oz package of frozen cauliflower

1 cup water

1/2 cup low fat cream cheese softened

1 tsp. minced garlic

1/2 tsp. curry powder

1/8 tsp. ground red pepper

1 1/2 tsp. fresh lemon juice

3/4 tsp. salt

1/4 tsp. black pepper

Combine cauliflower and water in pan. Bring to boil at high heat. Reduce to med heat and cook 14 minutes. Drain. Place cauliflower, cream cheese and other ingredients in food processor blend until smooth.

Serve with low fat crackers once cooled.

This is a great recipe that no one will know is actually cauliflower and will never guess it's low calorie, unless you tell them.

A GIVEAWAY NOTICE

Pat over at Mille Fior Favoriti has wonderful blog that is all about life in New York. She also talks about great recipes and her travels. It's one of my favorite blogs.

I was lucky enough to meet her in person when on one of her travels she found her way all the way over to the West Coast in Southern CA. We got to spend the day together and I had a blast.

If you have not been to her blog then you are in a for a great treat. If you have been to her blog before, well then you know everything I'm saying is 100% true.

Right now she is have a wonderful give away in honor of her reaching her 400th post. It's the lovely Christmas Tea Pot in the picture above.

So hurry on over and add your name to the list for your chance to win. Tell her Joanne sent you!

Hugs,
Joanne

YOU ASKED FOR IT!

Yes, you asked for it and I'm here to make you happy!

The holidays are upon us and I've been getting several requests for some great recipes that we can make, enjoy and still lose weight with.

So, I thought for the next few days I will post some great Weight Watcher low calorie, low point recipes that can be used for the up coming Holidays and really anytime!

Let's start with dessert first, shall we?

Pumpkin Pie seems to be the number one top choice for dessert on Thanksgiving.

This is a fantastic recipe that will keep you on track while making you feel like you are cheating.

Impossibly Easy Pumpkin Pie

1/2 cup Reduced Fat Bisquick

1 Small Can (15 oz) 100% Pumpkin

1 cup Skim Milk

1/2 cup Egg Beaters or 3 egg whites

3/4 cup Splenda Sugar Substitute

1 1/2 tsp. Pumpkin Pie Spice

1/4 tsp Ginger

1/2 tsp Nutmeg

1 tsp. Vanilla

Stir all ingredients until well blended. Pour into a sprayed 9" pie pan. Bake at 350 degrees for 25-30 minutes or until set.

Cool and top with fat free cool whip.

Makes 6 servings. Only 83 calories a serving or 1 Weight Watchers point.

Now on to the winner of my Weight Watchers Cook book giveaway.

The random number winner came up as number 10!

That's you Lexi! Congratulations on getting in just under the wire.

I sent you an email but can you please email me your address so I can get this out to you.

SO WHAT DID THE SCALES SAY TODAY?

You all know that this week has been a hard one for me. I felt like I was eating everything in sight!

I got on the scale two days ago (maybe a big mistake!) and noticed it was up 2 1/2 lbs. I was shocked.

I knew I was bad this past week. Eating things like Pizza and Mexican Food (more then once) but to see a 2 1/2 lb. gain was scary.

So, I spent the last two days eating right and trying to get my exercise in. I wondered if I could fix this gain with only two days left before my weigh in.

Well, today was the day to face the scales. Had I gained? Had I lost or was the number going to remain the same?

I didn't even want to go weigh in this week but I knew I had to or it would just another step backwards for me. So I got in the car and drove to Weight Watchers.

I got on the scale and, yes indeed, I had gained! There it was, right in front of me. The ugly truth. I had let food beat me this week.

The lady who weighed me said "Oh it's ONLY .2lbs. That's like staying the same this week."

I know she was trying to make me feel better but, it's NOT like staying the same. It's a gain! Sure .2 lbs is only a few ounces but so what. Sure, I'm happy it's not the 2 1/2 lbs I thought I would gain but so what. It's still a gain.

If I get excited about losing .2 lbs then how can I just ignore it when I gain .2 lbs.? I can't. I won't!

I took my .2 lbs and went to sit down. I didn't feel good but I didn't feel bad either.

I knew I had learned something. I knew that .2 lbs got me focused again. No more pig out weeks. At least I hope not.

So I tell myself I should still be happy because I'm down 32 pounds in 16 weeks. I am getting healthy and feeling better.

I did go try on clothes the other day and found I could wear another size smaller, that's good right?

Sure, we can all talk our self out of feeling bad for minor gains but I don't want to. I want to remember this feeling. This feeling of letting myself down.

I want to remember what it feels like to look back and see that those few meals WERE NOT worth the gain.

So that's it. This week, I'm back in the saddle and I'm moving ahead and I KNOW I'll have loss next week.

I'm happy this past week is over and I can look forward. Had I given in and not gone to weigh in I would have another whole week of worry and wonder.

It's always good to go face the scale and rejoice in the victories and learn from the defeats.

Staying away only ends up in the weight going right back on and nothing gets learned.

I'll be holding open my giveaway until midnight tonight so if you have not yet joined scroll down and enter. I will let everyone know the winner tomorrow.

Hope you are all doing well in your weight loss challenge and have stayed on track. We will get through these holidays with a 10 lb weight loss. We can do it!

WALKING AT DISNEYLAND

My sister, Patty, and I decided to go to Disneyland today so I could get my walking in and have fun at the same time.

Of course, it's all decorated for Christmas and this was our first time seeing done up in the Holiday Spirit this year.


The big tree, at the start of Main place, is where everyone stops to get their Holiday pictures taken.

There is a new show called "Tiana's Showboat Jubilee!". It takes place on the The Mark Twain boat but everyone stands along the Rivers of America to watch it.

It's a Mardi Gras Style show with Princess Tiana and Prince Naveen from Disney's newest movie "The Princess and the Frog".

Even some members of the public got to hop on the boat and preform with the cast.

It was a cute, lively and fun show. Very colorful and entertaining. It made me want to see the movie.

As we were walking we came across this sign. Who would have ever thought that Santa would be keeping his reindeer right here at Disneyland.

We had to go see them.

Why, Santa was even there. If you wanted to go visit him and tell him what you wanted for Christmas you could go inside this darling cabin and find him there waiting for you.

Then we saw it! The area where the magical reindeers were at. Look, here is even a little gift to Prancer!

There he is! He was laying down. I guess resting up for the busy day he will have in a few weeks.

All the other reindeer were there too. Most were eating.

I believe this is Mrs. Santa Claus' car. Looks like she has been out shopping.

Even Pluto came by to say hi and take photos.

This little boy was over come with joy when he saw Pluto. Even more so then when he saw Santa. He was so cute.

Of course the Castle is all decorated. I know it's even more pretty at night. I can't wait to go back to see Disneyland all lit up.

Even the old cars are decorated. How cute.

It's a Small World has been completely redone for the Holidays. Again, this place will be even more exciting at nights when all the lights come on.

The whole inside is new and it's fun to "travel" the world and see how they all celebrate the Holidays.

Photos just don't do this ride justice.

As we continued our walk, I noticed some healthy foods. Diet friendly foods.

The fruit looked so good it almost appeared to be fake. But it wasn't!

Oh PICKLES! Yum! These remind me when I was a kid. I used to love to get the big sour pickles.

I almost got one but we agreed to go eat a real lunch. I had a 1/2 of a veggie sandwich and a bowl of vegetable soup. It was good but I still want that darn pickle. I should have bought one and brought it home.

For those that didn't want healthy food, Minnie was more then happy to help you out with mixes of her yummy cupcakes, brownies and cookies.

Mickey didn't want to be out done, so he came up with his own Gingerbread cookie mix. You even get a cookie cutter in the shape of a Mickey Gingerbread man. How cute!

How about some Rice Crispy Treats?

If you just couldn't wait to go home and bake up your own treats you could always find plenty already made and waiting for you eat them.

Like these cute Mickey Cookies or the snowman cookies.

Here is a twist on the normal Candy Canes. How about a peppermint twist Mickey!

If you didn't get your fill of candy corn this Halloween, no need to fear. There is now candy corn in white, green and red for Christmas.

I just fell in love with these cute plates for when you had pizza. They came in a package of 6 and each had a different picture on them. Perfect plates for a slice of pizza.

If all this has put you in the mood to decorate for Christmas there are tons of things you could purchase so you could have a bit of that Disney magic at home.

Hundreds of ornaments for your tree!

Also, a hat for everyone. Mickey ears for Christmas to Snowman heads for Hanukkah.

I thought this was a fun piece that was new to Disneyland. It is the park bench where Walt sat and dreamed up his idea for Disneyland.

Just think, someone, some where may be sitting on a park bench right now dreaming up the next future place where someone like me can go walk around for exercise and be so entertained in doing so.

Walking around Disneyland sure gets your steps in. Though you don't think of it as exercise. There is way to much fun stuff around you to distract you. We walked about 4 miles.

Well, tomorrow is my weigh in. Sure hope I was able to do some damage control and not gain weight. Though I fear I will see that number on the scale go up this time.

At least I will face the music, whatever tune it may be. Then last week will be over and I can forget about it. I will only look forward, not back.

Don't forget, I still have my giveaway going on. You have until tomorrow. If you have not yet done so, please scroll down and enter if you like.

I'll let you all know how I do tomorrow and don't forget to let me know how you guys doing the challenge are doing too!