Chag Sameach!

Wow.  I am exhausted.  Completely and utterly!  Spin class tonight kicked my ass, but I pushed hard the whole time and even turned up the resistance!  I'm always amazed at the amount of sweating I do in that class...I'm not completely sure that it's normal!  Some of the ladies in my class go straight from spin to the 7:30pm Body Tone class.  They are clearly on crack.

So I tried my best to lose but not lose too much this past week, and I ended up just staying right in the same spot.  I know it could be worse (I could have gained!) but I was still totally disappointed on Tuesday morning when the scale looked up at me with that big 136.5.

A few different things could have led to it, and honestly I know exactly what it was.  Was it the movie theater popcorn I had on Friday night?  Yeah.  Was it the scrambled eggs with toast and potatoes at Epicurious for breakfast on Saturday morning?  Probably.  How about the high tea buffet lunch at Lao Beijing with dan dan noodles, black pepper chicken, fried noodles, and dumplings?  Yep.  Or maybe the splurge on a few glasses of wine, breaking that 2-week detox, alongside the cheese and sausage platter at Wine Company that evening?  Totally.

Sunday morning I desperately needed some healthy goodness, so I went for a Baked Banana.  YUM!  You basically bake a banana drizzled with cinnamon and honey/agave nectar.  I prefer it for breakfast, but it would be fantastic with ice cream for dessert as well!

This was my first time using the agave, and I definitely prefer it to honey.  The banana comes out a bit sweeter, and there is less of a sticky mess :)

Monday evening was the start of Passover, so I've had to watch my intake this week.  I had no idea that one sheet of matzo is 2 points.  I could eat a whole box of those things!  Given that Passover is my favorite holiday of the entire year, and I have a secret love of matzo, this whole points thing has been a mega issue for me the past couple days.  Today I just subbed matzo for my usual wrap with turkey.  It's the greatest and best wrap on the planet.
1 whole wheat wrap (2 pts)
2 oz turkey (1 pt)
1 tsp basil pesto (0.5 pts)
romaine lettuce (0 pts)
1/4 cup semi-dried tomatoes, drained of oil (1 pt)
Seriously - try it.  You'll love it.

I had this plan to adapt Passover recipes from my cookbook, but I'll have to postpone that idea - I leave tomorrow night for BALI!  It's going to be super tough counting points, but my goal this week is MAINTAIN!  If I can spend three days in Bali, come home, weigh in, and still be 136.5 I will be a very happy camper!

Before I get to packing, there are a few noteworthy items from this past week that every single one of you needs to know about!
1.  Cilantro Lime Rice - made it, ate it, loved it!  Try adding some chopped fresh jalapenos for an extra kick!
2.  Broiled Fish with Garlic - I used Cream Snapper, loved it!
3.  Chocolate Dipped Macaroons.  Holy shit.  Amazing!  Perfect for Passover, but be very careful - you'll be tempted to eat the whole batch!  (And my dumb ass forgot to take a picture...oops)

Chocolate Dipped Macaroons
From Weight Watchers
Points = 1 per serving
Serving Size = 1 macaroon
Yield = 32 servings

• 3 large egg whites
• 2/3 cup sugar
• 1.5 tsp vanilla extract
• 2.5 cups packaged shredded coconut, unsweetened
• 3 oz bittersweet chocolate, chopped into small bits (I used semisweet mini chocolate chips and it was fine)

1. Preheat oven to 350F.  Line one or two large cookie sheets with parchment paper.
2. In a large bowl, whisk egg whites with sugar.  Add vanilla and coconut; stir to combine.
3. Scoop up a level tablespoon of batter and form into a ball with your hands; repeat with remaining batter.  Place each ball about 1-inch apart on the prepared cookie sheet.
4. Bake until tops just start to turn light tan, about 15 to 18 minutes.  Remove cookies to a cooling rack for about 30 minutes.
5. Place chocolate in a double boiler or heavy pot; melt over low heat, stirring occasionally (do not allow to burn).  Keep chocolate warm and pliable as you dip tops of cookies into chocolate.  Place dipped cookies on a metal tray; freeze until chocolate sets (about 20 to 30 minutes).

A New Home for My Food

Body Tone tonight was awesome!  There were maybe only half of us in there, which is odd, but I am SO glad I made it there!  Traffic from work was killer today, because some idiot decided that closing the right turn lane onto the only highway connected to the island where I work at rush hour was a good idea.  Idiots.  So anyway, I made it there in time, missed about 30 seconds of warm-up, and got right into it.  Whew!  And the best part - I had to stop mid-workout and add more weights.  Martin, the instructor, looked at me, smiled, and said, "That's right, good girl!"  It's incredible how amazing I feel right now - to have worked so hard, and put in the effort not only to lose the weight but to gain the muscle!

On another note, those of you who read my other blog (it's private, if you want in shoot me an email) fully comprehend my refrigerator situation.  It's ridiculous.  After my first fridge crapped out, I thought my cheap ass bastard of a landlord would suck it up and put a normal-sized refrigerator in my three bedroom apartment.  Negatory.
Just to give you a better idea...this is my current fridge (don't worry all you married kids - you're on the side; engaged gets the front):

This is me standing next to my current fridge (yes, that is a check from the universe - read The Secret and you'll get it):

And this is how much food fits into my current fridge:

Yeah...NO.  So I went ahead and dropped the S$342 for that additional fridge at Best.  I'll have it on Sunday, and on Sunday my condiments, beers, and other seldom-used items will have a new humble abode.  Thank God for that!
PS I'm really psyched about this.  You may think it's lame to be jumping up and down about a fridge, but seriously people...mine is INFINITESSIMAL!

Since I didn't get home until after 7:30, it had to be a quick-meal evening.  I dug into my old Weight Watcher's cookbook for an idea, and wham!  Perfect!  Check it...

Grilled Chicken with Raspberries and Greens
From Everyone Loves Chicken

Points = 4 per serving
Serving Size = 1 piece chicken with about 2 cups salad
Yield = 4 Servings

• 4 (4-5 ounce) thin-sliced chicken breast cutlets
• 1/2 tsp dried thyme
• 1/4 + 1/8 tsp salt
• 1/4 tsp freshly ground pepper
• 2 Tbsp raspberry vinegar
• 2 Tbsp finely chopped shallots
• 1 Tbsp all-fruit raspberry preserves
• 2 tsp olive oil
• 1 (4-ounce) package mixed salad greens
• 1/2 cup fresh raspberries

1. Sprinkle the chicken evenly with the thyme, the 1/4 tsp salt, and 1/8 tsp of the pepper.  Spray a nonstick ridged grill pan (I used a small grill similar to a George Foreman) with nonstick spray and set over high heat.  Add the chicken and cook until browned on the outside and cooked through, about 3 minutes on each side.
2. Meanwhile, combine the vinegar, shallots, preserves, oil, and the remaining 1/8 tsp salt and 1/8 tsp pepper in a large bowl.  Add the greens and toss to coat with the dressing.
3. Arrange a chicken breast on each of 4 serving plates; surround each with one-quarter of the salad and garnish with the raspberries.

YUM!  I halved the recipe, but I accidentally used the full Tbsp of preserves...and it tastes great!

Slow Down! You're Losing Too Fast!

Wow!  I don't even know where to begin with all that has happened this past week...it's been hella busy!  For starters (and since I know all of you are desperately awaiting my results from last week's weigh-in), I lost one pound last week, putting me at 139!  Go me  :)

I made one of my most favorite meals on Thursday night!  Amy's California Veggie Burger and some crinkle-cut French fries.  All said and done, the whole meal is a whopping SEVEN Points!  That's it!  Freaking love it.

So then on Saturday morning, I had a totally different kind of activity.  If you've never heard of Dragon Boating, you should definitely check this out.  My company has an annual Dragon Boat competition for employees and their families, so Brian and I decided to participate.  After a rough 2-hour training session last Saturday, we were semi-prepared for the race.  Holy shit.  I don't even know what else to say.  Holy shit!  Paddling is fun, but it's WORK (especially when it's raining on you for 4 straight hours).  An actual race will last anywhere between one and two minutes...our best time was 1 minute 36 seconds, and that was super tough!  We made it to the semis, so I paddled in three heats.  I'm considering joining the American team for practice on occasional Saturday afternoons (maybe?  I think I'm too busy...should I really drop another load of crap on my already mammoth pile of activities?!  ...maybe?) .  What a workout.
Brian took the pictures on his new fancy camera, so as soon as I get em you'll see em!

I didn't really get to experiment with new recipes this week...I'm so busy with my workout routine, and aside from Gina's Shepherd's Pie on Tuesday (which was slightly bland but still good, and fed me all week), I basically did no cooking.  I literally had a dinner on Saturday night consisting of two cookies and a bowl of cereal.  Awesome.

I was totally excited for this morning's weigh-in.  I just feel skinny.  Have you ever just felt skinny?!  It's an amazing feeling.  So...(drum roll please)...I lost 2.5 pounds this week.  HELL YES!  (Now visualize Sarah doing the "I rock at life" dance)  I do have to give some props to Weight Watchers for this one, and to myself (clearly), because I managed to track everything I ate, every single day this week.  I'm slightly proud of myself!

As you can see, Sunday was my mega-splurge day - and I loved every minute of it!  I cannot get enough Japanese Yakitori, I swear it!  Too bad it's 5 Points per stick!  Gah!
Unfortunately, Weight Watchers yelled at me this morning when I entered my weight online.  I lost too much too fast, which is true (especially since I don't have much to lose).  So this coming week I'm shooting for a pound, maybe 1.5 (we'll just see what happens!).

And just to throw this out there, as a little bit of brag time (ok a little more brag time)...this is the skinniest I have ever been.  Ever.  It's a truly amazing feeling and I am so happy that I've finally reached this point!  For anyone out there who is struggling or has struggled with weight loss - you can do this!
I have no idea what I'll weigh or what size I'll wear when I reach my goal, because I've never been there before!  But I think I know how I will feel when I reach it.  And when I get there, I'll let y'all know :)

Dear Sarah, we need a break. Love, Your Liver

The best way to put it is this:  Singapore is like one huge vacation where I also have to work.  Lately I feel like I've been reliving my college days (except I now kind of suck at it), and after some serious thought, Brian and I have decided to detox for awhile.  That's right - no booze.  None whatsoever.  I'm really, extremely, hard-core stoked about this, not only because I'm going to feel great but because my body will LOVE ME.  This means that, rather than saving those extra 35 points each week for wine and vodka tonics, I can go out to eat with Brian and friends and splurge on something that I really love!  Like those Soffiatos at Riccioti...oh my I'm salivating just thinking about it!!!  (they're the amazing and rich, gooey, oozing, chocolate lava cakes, served with a scoop of homemade vanilla chocolate chip gelato)

As you can see, I've been in a bit of a...funk.  I weigh in tomorrow, and I really hope that graph takes a nose dive!

 

I've been super good this week about tracking.  TRACK TRACK TRACK!  The weekend was a tough one, since we had the ANZA Charity Ball...but I think I did really well! (Despite the excessive champagne...and red wine...and vodka red bull...and that one Jager bomb.  You do see why I'm detoxing right???)  And this next week is going to be even better!  I can feel it :)

Today I'm completely zonked, and really not in the mood for a cooking ordeal.  I decided to make one of my quickest and most favorite fish recipes (Baked Garlic Lemon Snapper), along with a microwave-steamer veggie packet.
If you've never been "introduced" to Gina, she is my savior.  This woman comes up with the most delectable and healthy dishes I have ever had!  She inspires me to cook, and to cook what's good for me!
Gina's recipe calls for tilapia, but I always sub a fish fillet that we get in Singapore called Cream Snapper.  I have no idea what it is - but it's yummy!

(I tell myself the garlic turned green not because of the parsley, but in recognition that it is in fact St. Patrick's week...and all things should clearly be green.  Clearly.)

This week is jam-packed with healthy.  Tomorrow I've got Hatha Yoga, Wednesday is Mambo Spin, Thursday is Body Tone, Friday I'm going to do something (suggestions?), Saturday we have Dragon Boat Races!!!...and Sunday I'm taking a break, meeting Dana for coffee, and getting a mani/pedi before attending a carpet auction and hitting up the local nursery.  PS reading that last bit makes me realize that I lead a strangely odd, yet dully exciting, life.

Pump That Iron!

I'm going to start off with a little bragging today :)  My wonderful and amazing friend Lauren weighed in last night...she lost 5.6 pounds this week!  FIVE POINT SIX POUNDS!  Congratulations, Lauren!  Keep up the good work - you are motivation for sure!

Every Thursday night I have Body Tone - it's a weight lifting class similar to Body Pump, and I love it!  It's been a couple weeks since I've been, so I'm sure I'll be sore as hell by Saturday, but whatevs.  Martin (the instructor) worked our chest pretty hard last night.  I don't think I've ever done so many push ups!  I love that I can feel myself getting stronger each week, though.  Every time I go to class, I can do more of everything!  More squats, more abs, more lunges, more triceps...MORE MORE MORE!
Anyway, my (fantastic) boyfriend Brian was at my apartment waiting for me when I got home :)  He had done my dishes and thrown my sheets in the wash and everything!  I had a new crock pot recipe cooking away, and then I threw together Jamaican Carrots, which were super tasty!  I've recently discovered a new love of carrots, and I'm so happy that I tried this recipe.

As a side note:  The Jamaican Carrots recipe link shows 2 Points per serving.  When I plugged the recipe into WW online, it came out to 1 Point per serving!  So...count it as 1 Point, rather than 2.

The crock pot recipe was from Weight Watchers...a totally new set of flavors for me, and pretty friggin tasty!  I couldn't even finish my entire serving...and I'm totally pumped to eat my leftovers for lunch today :)

Cuban-Style Pork and Sweet Potato Slow Cooker Stew
Points = 6 per serving
Yield = 4 servings; 1.5 cups per serving (including some cooking liquid)
Prep Time = 15 min; Cook Time = 7 hours

• 1 pound sweet potatoes, peeled and cut into 1/2-inch pieces
• 1 pound lean pork loin, cut into 1-inch pieces
• 14.5 oz canned diced tomatoes with green chilis
• 1 medium garlic clove, minced
• 1/4 cup orange juice
• 2 medium scallions, chopped (green parts only)
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/4 tsp ground cumin
• 1/4 tsp black pepper
• 1.5 Tbsp fresh lime juice
• 2 Tbsp fresh cilantro, chopped

1.  Place potatoes, pork,  tomatoes, garlic, orange juice, scallions, salt, cumin, and pepper in a 4- to 5-quart slow cooker; cover and cook on LOW setting for 7 hours.
2.  Stir in lime juice and cilantro; cover slow cooker and cook for 5 minutes more.

Happy cooking and enjoy!

What the hell is a Budgy Smuggler anyway???

I had the same question about a month ago.  Apparently, those damn Aussies think it's a better name for what us lame Americans call "Speedos".  Well, who would have thought, right?  There must be something behind the idea that, in a man's itsy bitsy teeny weeny tight-as-hell "swimsuit" (if you can even call it that), they are in fact "smuggling" a "budgy".  Well what the heck is a budgy???
I don't know, I don't care.  But what I do know is that it's fun to say, and there's a bit more background as to why this all makes sense.

And if you don't believe me, Wikipedia knows all...

So to answer the grand question, "Why is Sarah blogging about smuggling budgies???".  I've struggled with weight my whole life, and I'm not entirely sure why.  I know that I'm a stress eater (I think we all know that), but I also know that I love to exercise.  I've been on a fat-kid-skinny-kid rollercoaster for the majority of my life, and about 2 and a half years ago, I decided to change all of that.
I graduated college, a semi-depressed 173-pounder, and I sit here today, a 25 year old, happy as hell, beautiful young woman, successfully living the dream in Singapore...a joyful 140-pounder.  (Clearly my head and ego have not lost a single pound...ha)

Not to drop the ball on any super duper surprises, but a (very) large group of us are heading to Phuket, Thailand to celebrate multiple 30th birthdays...and it all goes down the first weekend of May.  Apparently the boys of this adventure have all decided to support Australia's love of man-thigh and purchase their very own Budgy Smugglers (yes, there is a brand).

So clearly the only thing left for the gals to do is join the fun, and surprise the dudes with nothing other than Smugglettes.  I have chosen the Royales with Cheese, and damnit I am going to look GREAT when I wear them!

So...from this day forward, I'm telling the world about my journey.  The Weight Watchers blogs I keep up with have given me motivation and I hope to do the same for whoever wants to read this silly thing.