tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-68500454628101777332024-03-05T07:36:16.320-08:00365 perfect portionsCrimsonfistedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02600216258547085270noreply@blogger.comBlogger10125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6850045462810177733.post-71118763798103969072014-01-01T14:31:00.000-08:002014-01-01T14:31:10.386-08:00Welcome 2014! Here is to trying again!It is 2014 and time to TRY again! I will not give up. Over the past year, I have researched and studied portions, attended seminars, all the usual stuff to educate myself (without actually paying for anything!)<br />
<br />
So what are the results of all that time I spent researching (and not actually <em>doing</em>)?<br />
<br />
There are many different methods and manners of saying the same thing. Some say seven portions of this, three portions of that and then define the portions differently.<br />
<br />
They all boiled down to the same thing, when you totaled the ounces and the different ways portions were calculated.<br />
<br />
I am going to (try and) apply the following guide:<br />
Milk: 2<br />
Fruits: 2<br />
Veggies: 2<br />
Protein/Beans: 2<br />
Grains: 4<br />
<br />
2-2-2-2-4 is the name of the game.<br />
<br />
A portion is one cup of raw, 1/2 cup cooked. 2-3 oz of meat. Easy peasy.<br />
<br />
More on this tomorrow!<br />
<br />
<br />
Crimsonfistedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02600216258547085270noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6850045462810177733.post-74142101099373353402012-09-09T10:25:00.001-07:002012-09-09T10:25:45.277-07:00Light Casserole<div><p>I like to make my lunch for the week on Sunday. I am so blue that my Crockpot suddenly passed away! So I have turned my attention to casserole making. Light casserole making. This casserole should last the week.</p>
<p>I wanted it heavy on the veggies and light on salt and sauce. I think I have succeeded. First, blanch the two carrots and one potato.  The <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/0307717852/ref=redir_mdp_mobile">Casserole Queens</a> say blanch for three minutes. I needed six. Shock the veggies. Drain. Drain and rinse the can of green beans. Then, saute the celery, onion, and then add the garlic. Add the chicken dusted with thyme and pepper . I used a boneless, skinless breast. Cooked that for two minutes on each side. Cut into cubes.  Now assemble!</p>
<p>I dumped all the stuff in my casserole. The carrots, potato, minute rice (had a little leftover), green beans, cut chicken, onions, celery, garlic, bay leaf,  1/2 can cheddar cheese soup, some chicken stock, milk. Mix. Add panko crumbs and grated Parmesan on top. Bake for 1/2 hour on 350 with the lid. Remove lid for 15 minutes. (Total 45 minutes). Let the casserole rest 1/2 hour after taking it out of the oven.</p>
<p>The only salt came from the soup and the salted water I blanched the carrots and potato in.</p>
<p>Soooo one chicken breast, one potato, lots of veggies, 1/2 can of soup over 5 days. </p>
<p>Not too bad.</p>
<br/><img src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZFnRruZ7hBOsYNFH6pETgmHTI5L-A0UlBKymYCEfsnm44HEEAQHcZdxqAVXKlPO_VkmfOVTGuregyJqu5FdguGsJYMP6CvYZLt70XyzqI8zyhej9ZRqXB-nO0jxAufiVlDOYPugLXB05O/' /><br/><img src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX5yw0m9wwS1TSvtTnlgzX-gAdzAButTjnYx1_4Nvh8iJ4yYx9UnGV9dgwO8kIkZ21nQr8gKF2QuM9_qHCZ3WDgVSaoQFLiEzTR2-EzVJuuEYnVkxq0_etnL4uc05L94J3mzkvQwwJh0mn/' /></div>Crimsonfistedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02600216258547085270noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6850045462810177733.post-38311139576052690802012-01-10T15:57:00.001-08:002012-01-10T15:58:17.013-08:00Days 6,7,8,9,10!<div><p>Wow! I have not posted in a few days. The reasons for that are many and storied.</p>
<p>The fridge is still on the fritz.</p>
<p>The dryer is still blowing cold.</p>
<p>The kids had their social studies fair projects due on the 9th. </p>
<p>Noooooooooooooooooooooo! /Darth Vader voice off</p>
<p>I was up until 3 am on the 8th.</p>
<p>I am still tired! !</p>
<p>More to follow.</p>
<p>By the way, I have lost 6 pounds!</p>
</div>Crimsonfistedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02600216258547085270noreply@blogger.com0Deltona - Daytona Beach - Ormond Beach, null29.039621 -81.251884tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6850045462810177733.post-78642337276081258302012-01-06T17:10:00.001-08:002012-01-06T17:10:22.938-08:00Day Six<div><p>No breakfast again. Brought the kids to school. Again.</p>
<p>Since lunch was brought in yesterday, I had yesterday's lunch today. Still very good!</p>
<p>Chicken soup, salad,  milk, fruit.</p>
<p>The chicken soup has ALL the food I need.</p>
<p>(Insert Lucy whine here)</p>
<p>I.want.more.junk.</p>
<p>Dinner was grilled chicken YUMMY! Leftover cheesy potatoes. </p>
<p>I am WAY behind on fruit.</p>
<br/><img src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifmE1DihOpV0gh7Gi-CIHHpXozF6l8ZMDl8JZboUFth9CLW19ActwZmNhYTaz-xH55iotcQAh4ZAdhDJDmoJHKuujrBbiNXG-D0Yw_6ZVw6KL35isOUuwtU09Hdct_K7hHnNM0_VGZEkQZ/' /><br/><img src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPgxfBqQxvrXiOST7FGTp1xG4C6Lgy21i-4n6jj0BpcUIlZTuPIzKbAXsCmgo-cW7MkdIRo4frapeUYSZOZZjkpTiA7akpkEdiov-0YMbWt9gRX_f0gZ0QlVgQgIomrWAOY7FpSNu99dJj/' /></div>Crimsonfistedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02600216258547085270noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6850045462810177733.post-5674039831651854492012-01-05T17:53:00.001-08:002012-01-05T17:53:47.541-08:00Day Five<div><p>The on going saga of the fridge.</p>
<p>We are trying to finish stuff before it turns. The "new" used fridge doesn't seem to be cooling like it should. </p>
<p>So our meals are designed around that. </p>
<p>For breakfast, grapefruit. Only.</p>
<p>I had a nice lunch planned, but the boss had lunch sent in from Panera. I had a sandwich half and salad. </p>
<p>For dinner, country rib, cheesy potato, broccoli, fruit, salad, and diet ginger ale.</p>
<p>We need our fridge back!!!</p>
<br/><img src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEnMl_HZwDuc1yYGCnBXhZHs8uqCvtXiagfOjVbODeFaYuQdOYADQJIdBT5yaIFOgZ1szyLfVK3gO0IWpcz0DTKp6IwsiTbk0-l2eawrlR0DZAwK_yDVjWmFCWpUHqvoL8JlfgxoYp3dfL/' /></div>Crimsonfistedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02600216258547085270noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6850045462810177733.post-30508395632496736052012-01-04T18:03:00.001-08:002012-01-04T18:06:11.465-08:00Day Four<div><p>Sigh. I didn't sleep well and it is cold here. We get an early call to take the kids to school. Sigh.</p>
<p>At least this morning I had an English Muffin!</p>
<p>Lunch was the chicken soup, but for the starch I split potato and croutons. I had my milk.</p>
<p>Dinner was sloppy joe, potato, broccoli. </p>
<p>Notice I still need my have my fruit!!! </p>
<p>If I get hungry, get the fruit!!!! </p>
<p>I am hungry and I am about to make lunch for tomorrow. I already know I need to take the kids to school. Brrrrrr!</p>
<p>Maybe tomorrow I will reveal my (terrible) start weight.  If I lose 8-10 pounds this month,  success!</p>
<p>No photos today!<br>
</p>
</div>Crimsonfistedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02600216258547085270noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6850045462810177733.post-47350172695144740652012-01-03T17:10:00.001-08:002012-01-03T17:20:08.387-08:00Day Three<div><p>Well, this is the first day back to work after Christmas vacation.</p>
<p>Needless to say, I was running just a bit behind.</p>
<p>Needless to say, I missed breakfast! </p>
<p>One if my goals using this plate is to eat normally. I eat right, just TOO MUCH. And, I don't want to be on a "diet". This is my food my way.</p>
<p>So for lunch, I measured the chicken in the meat compartment, red,  yellow, and orange peppers and Bermuda onions (thawed from the veggies I saved fresh) in the veggie compartment, the last of the rice in carb compartment, and Waldorf salad for the fruit.</p>
<p>I dumped everything but the fruit in my vintage Tupperware Pak-n-Carry lunch containers, added homemade stock to the meat, veggies, and rice, added a salad and milk.</p>
<p>I packed it all in my Marvin the Martian lunch box and off I went!</p>
<p>The plan tonight was to take the kids to the library to work on their projects. I got home too late.</p>
<p>Just a light dinner!</p>
<p>To be honest, I am hungry!!!!!</p>
<p>Shortly, I will share my start weight to track my progress.</p>
<br/><img src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiM6hXOuuJUR82mqpdCC-hqZkV7CRrF4J-PTmN2NncJYy915zn4EwZD9TNdNPpdiAjmtegYPcL6MLbcnAVwPnUkq2qaCt02E3dizSjXgqw1E7JVeZ6oAmJunGSg1g7rIctAtxicA7u1kuWt/' /><br/><img src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3nWwzOaazzjxLXobvjEN8uHCKX84BLysW1GJnft5guJgZlQ2l8ZTNWvRs_yBLiZsiVQUO7WW-Hr04F8RJIy3lPOekGgulRn3AAP0cUOFgn2S-9NuB1hxrTHBBapjTfj6gvOViqMihu4jq/' /><br/><img src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmQjgFtKLvpwc1QXVT_6Sb2cGxSzoosyzZONmmT8pyeASx0pMAvGEHd0vVQNh8qsox3noO57xNQblFVjyOOGFglKyro6Kc8OlsRF7tKTFOATMUC7x8jQvSzd7ltek3zXzolh3syptElVmL/' /><br/><img src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfsH6lsHhrZ1jXzegxxFwuYuu_kWm06bIDJW1nV7m7h1BTNcm7qR9aL6Q34ps1uEJ9YcX8UXf0A5Msx0qQDqOwaq2JyVw57LVVO-nwHmDxlYo3LLqGPwvqsUQghuCkqM1PYIL5ZjIbAkIO/' /></div>Crimsonfistedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02600216258547085270noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6850045462810177733.post-61863098517101809762012-01-02T16:02:00.001-08:002012-01-02T16:36:06.642-08:00Day Two<div><p>Where do I start?</p>
<p>During the Bigfoot marathon last night, cable went on the fritz.  Then, the power went out. For two hours!</p>
<p>Guess what happened to the fridge? If you guessed the circuit board went, you get the prize!</p>
<p>I have all this food prepped and frozen for my plate. Now what?</p>
<p>We called our daughter to take the frozen stuff to her big deep freezer and we filled our coolers with ice and the remaining, salvageable food in the fridge. We also have a bunch of condiments and things that don't need refrigeration in there that went on the counter. What a mess.</p>
<p>Here is the WHOLE scene.</p>
<p>All of our storage bins are in the house while we catalog everything. Christmas stuff is cavorting with Valentines stuff, scrapbook stuff has gone loose, extra kitchen equipment is experiencing the thrill of camping equipment, and now our fridge has thrown up. Our current fridge is a super sized fridge, not the standard size apartment sized fridge.</p>
<p>Oh, and the dryer is not working.</p>
<p>What a beginning to a new year!</p>
<p>I spent the last day of my vacation getting the old fridge from the old house, cleaning it, and bringing it home.</p>
<p>Now I have a smaller fridge in my living room that cannot accomodate our stuff, and a large, empty fridge in my kitchen.</p>
<p>And I don't know where anything is!</p>
<p>So, as a result of last night and this morning there was no breakfast.</p>
<p>Lunch was new years leftovers.</p>
<p>Dinner was chicken,  broccoli, Waldorf salad, rice and corn leftovers in the starch compartment. I used up the milk due to the fridge situation and added a salad.</p>
<br/><img src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaVL2d4j4-ANi0iecdKPpCBxd3m65bPZTLNoHXyW2SAKkduUahDnIK-ZE81DArn_Pcd5tlH-gGcj689H7nFgcAJiSrk-gGruxAuRlC5COKjNfaOcKQzmeXxlOvAkObkd3OlRwBBrcxDPxI/' /></div>Crimsonfistedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02600216258547085270noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6850045462810177733.post-30520892362105852382012-01-01T16:00:00.001-08:002012-01-01T16:00:43.832-08:00Day One<div><p>Happy New Year! I am starting today! Last night my daughter had a GREAT party!  We slept in and I didn't get my day started until 10. Usually it is 7:30 am.</p>
<p>Let's begin.</p>
<p>For breakfast I followed the breakfast card. I selected cottage cheese for the protein, applesauce in the fruit compartment (I added cinnamon sugar since it was unsweetened and I wasn't using the jelly allotment), English Muffin with light cream cheese, 1/2 tablespoon on each slice, and coffee.</p>
<p>For lunch, and since it was football and a Bigfoot marathon on tv, and the husband wanted something light, I made baked caprese salad. Watch Giada make it here:<br>
<a href="http://www.foodnetwork.com/videos/incredible-baked-caprese-salad/28880.html">Video: Incredible Baked Caprese Salad</a></p>
<p>I make it slightly differently. I chop the tomatoes and shred the mozzarella. It makes this dish easier to eat. I only had two. The ones I made for the mister, I added chopped ham. I also use dried basil.</p>
<p>For dinner - leftovers. I filled the meat section with grilled pork, the starch is mac and cheese, the veggie is broccoli and the fruit is Waldorf Salad. I added a lettuce and tomato salad with a light vinagrette and to drink, some milk.</p>
<p>I think Waldorf Salad is FANTASTIC!!! My mom would make it occasionally and I thought it was such a treat. I have a very light hand on the mayo - it was much less than the fats I could use with this card. I have found this salad to create quite the little controversy. You either love it or hate it. I fall in the love camp. I really cannot understand what's not to love! </p>
<p>And so the journey begins!</p>
<br/><img src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilKwYZSpOUdgUmAHZw6owoW_NebxBuhCd_KqJzeQ4FhBqJOwfbV45LxdMHkZrQUW6L4uXsMzzHE0zUK2SH5rPS2sLOjzC483zkIdjulMyoE-wkIAJXz3fLet2GJbaQAVf2FttL7rkimsLF/' /><br/><img src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZb31ieS8LprGNjJExGyFVNIYcCMWydVZrJixpTaamXb4mZaHa7JenUI3sCTZ6YjgasODXB9InwX-Y3pCOSeO6yxbjfHU0P8Kswf3KQez6V_AgJz_CO1387jmi1FUINq0shxTd0ikRVxVY/' /><br/><img src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicRTt3ty_pHyEduzMUtCyqwLjF3f4TozgOTtQaLqYpr4usIs0QhWVMPxh95ZQQ1PXrLfcTAWMuWRUG9LRWuPgCsF0DuHJm79TpOTH1dTHvZKBoRrWE6hVjv1lMOL4hp2dS0wBjpkb2rmHf/' /><br/><img src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCH0PBsoe_dcgVQVzoncksOHGFyAioky2ocBpMtS4YfksSfYzSTMRjhcxMYf1ETIx-Rc5QTo2k8OkMfFG72w7Zh8S__zO4YWvzlRGB1ZS1H-hOsG7ZJW8SHtJgvtsgBWneKm9C-M_oYFnJ/' /><br/><img src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMUI5mcJ2vyf6ONLNM3CDHfimH7-Jp0NZSutpEHwgNlT9FVu3OjKto0VA2ZzP_3uDXCmYNKTiLV4pa3hIYQt6AHa8vVdMt81tSUlmqev8cJXVYN9r1Ig181oF2beeibZTtb_e7QSuHqejV/' /></div>Crimsonfistedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02600216258547085270noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6850045462810177733.post-18698107686221213502011-12-28T07:14:00.001-08:002011-12-31T10:37:54.137-08:00Welcome!<div><p>I was inspired by the 365crockpot blog <a href="http:// http://crockpot365.blogspot.com/?m=1">a year of slow cooking</a>. In 2008 she committed to using her Crockpot each day.</p>
<p>Well, I am committing to using my perfect portions plate for each meal each day for 2012. I will track my process here. </p>
<p>What is this plate of which I speak? I am glad you asked!</p>
<p>The plate has compartments for meat,  veggies, fruits, starches, fats. Each meal is on the cards and you fill the compartments accordingly.  </p>
<p>There used to be a website that corresponded to this plate and gave instructions. (I cannot find my instruction book!) The website where you can buy this says it is dishwasher and microwave safe. HA! Not true. Mine is all cracked. I am using it as a measuring device so there's that. </p>
<p>Welcome to my journey!</p>
<br/><img src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZ4Mc5I27-I5vLc3VhGL9KndudpxT0VTcZxS90UYbg092AqhN8Gyk88_I1o7YCtcqk6B4pQIkjVZnRYYZbiI-wCCJIqOPyFvpz8BI54zrrI5xwxmZo-NdJ4jJ8nAAehN6ywTxMmTFlJWIR/' /></div>Crimsonfistedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02600216258547085270noreply@blogger.com0New Smyrna Beach, New Smyrna Beach29.02582 -80.927