Fourth of July 2013 + Some Healthy Eats

I'm here with a Fourth of July recap and to share some of the healthier things I've been eating recently. Let's start with the Fourth of July...

I spent most of the daytime doing fun activities like working on homework, doing the dishes, working on homework, mowing the yard, working on homework, doing some laundry, and oh yeah, working on homework. I didn't realize how much work summer classes are. I guess I'll know for next time! And while Sebastion is cute, he was not much of a help with the homework...

The hubs and I grilled out for dinner. We made chicken kebabs with onion and green pepper. Our side dish was potatoes with onion which were grilled in a foil packet with some olive oil, seasoned salt, and pepper. It was healthy and on plan.

After dinner I did a little more work for grad school. Then we went to my father-in-law's house to shoot off fireworks. He lives on a cul-de-sac which is convenient for that kind of thing. I don't mind watching fireworks, but I'm really not into buying them and setting them off. This year I actually found one that I wanted to buy and actually set off myself. It is called "Frog Princess" and it is pink. Enough said!

It was a fountain that had some pink in it which was cool.

When I picked it up the hubs said I could get the Frog Prince too. Both of them have eyes and mouths which light up and flicker. They are definitely cute.

To be completely honest, I've been trying to follow that super aggressive plan this week. I've had some great days and some not so great days. My downfalls are cravings of chocolate (specifically Kit Kats) and Egg McMuffins. I've also done some great things like sit through cravings without eating them and finding other alternatives to snack on. Here are some of the healthier things I've eaten this week so far:

Fourth of July 2012

I began my Fourth of July with a wog. The dogs managed to get me up early enough to beat the extreme heat that was to come later.

Here are the stats:

• 3,582 aerobic steps
• 29 minutes
• 1.5 miles

After the wog, I spent a long time online researching options for going back to school to either add another content area to my teaching license or get a masters degree in something else. I'm still really undecided on what to do, but I would like to make up my mind before the school year starts. I would like something I enjoy, but something that I can else fall back on if needed. The options I'm considering are adding an in-demand content area such as a science to my teaching license, a masters in something music related, or a masters in mental health counseling.

When my head felt like it was going to explode, it was time for lunch. I went out to eat with my husband and father-in-law at the Olive Garden. I got the soup (minestrone) and salad. I also forgot to take a picture of it for the post.

We relaxed after lunch until it was time to grill out. My husband does most of the cooking, but I tried to help a little bit. He made corn on the cob, potatoes and onions, and chicken kebabs. It was very yummy and how I really should be eating.

My plate

Lilly decided to try and steal some food by jumping up on the chair behind the hubby.

After dinner was some more down time waiting for it to get dark outside to shoot off fireworks. I like watching fireworks, but I don't really care for shooting them off myself. My husband and his friends like shooting them off though. We always shoot off fireworks at my father-in-law's house, because he lives on a cul-de-sac which makes a good space for shooting off fireworks. This year it was the father-in-law, the hubs, his two friends Matt and Pat, and me. I tried to get some good pictures, but most of them didn't turn out as well I would've liked. We had our own fountains, cones, and mortars, but also had a semi-view of the fireworks show at the fairgrounds.

Fountain.

Fountain.

Fountain.

Fountain.

A really colorful fountain, but I don't remember what it is called.

The only good one I got of the fairgrounds fireworks.

An awesome cone that got bigger and bigger as it went on.

The New York Harbor which is a fountain that lasts forever.

The mess afterwards.

Easter 2012

Today I was up just a slight bit, about 1/2 a pound, but I expect that after eating too many chips and eating out for dinner. Today is a challenge as well, since I am having two big meals.

I spent the morning getting ready, taking care of the doggies, and get some Easter presents around for my family. I usually wait for things to go on sale and save them until the next year, so I save money and already have everything I need. I just wrap, and I' m set to go. No one is ever too old for for an Easter basket! Here is my outfit for the day (both pieces are from Kohl's and I love them).

I also gave my husband his Easter present before leaving to see my family for lunch.

I had lunch with my mom, dad, sister, niece, and brother-in-law. We weren't very traditional in our food choices. My mom had some ham steaks she could cook up, but no one wanted them. Instead there were stuffed green peppers, potatoes, salad, corn, green beans, rolls, and a vegetable and fruit tray. I filled myself up on so much baby carrots and a few pieces of cheese, that I could barely eat what was on my plate.

I ended up having more than one of these throughout the afternoon...

After lunch we opened our Easter baskets. Us older folk are not so cute with that, but my two and a half year old niece sure is.



 Here is what I got from my dad.

Here is what my mom gave me.

 After cleaning up, we ended up hanging out outside for a while before I left. My niece threw and kicked her Disney princess ball I gave her, walked around the yard, and gave the dog some treats.

When I got home, my husband was grilling out for us and his dad. He made our usual favorites- chicken kebabs, potatoes and onions, and asparagus (their favorite- not mine).

My plate for dinner.

My husband had a friend for the second half of his dinner. Peter (my father-in-law's dog) just jumped right up in the chair behind my hubby and stayed there. He didn't even try to eat anything.

I hope that everyone had a great Easter and here is to getting back on track for the rest of us people in weight loss land.