ROCK OUT with your CROCK OUT -- vol.7

day 99:
monday bloggy l♥ve ya’ll!
so it’s been forever & a fuckin’ day but it’s definitely time for…

<div align="center"><a href="http://chunkygoddess.blogspot.com/" title="misadventures of a chunky goddess" target="_blank"><img src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8uGyLRJ9HiY/TnApHBV-xVI/AAAAAAAAIE4/gaQAavBaP1A/s300/101333488_xrF8JesR_b_ImitateHDR_1.jpg" alt="misadventures of a chunky goddess" style="border:none;" /></a></div>

for those who have stumbled here for the 1st time – this is my homage to my all-time-fave kitchen gadget – the crockpot!
all of the recipes featured here are healthy (and vegan you lucky ducks) & i always include the points+ values for my fellow w8 watcher junkies!
so let’s get it going shall we?

i truly believe one of the key things to being successful on healthy regimen is planning – especially meals. i have my best success when i plan out the week ahead; giving me no choice but to eat healthy. so this morning i decided i was going to have some healthy dishes on hand & one of my all-time fave vegan/crock pot dishes is LENTILS!

and they are ridiculously easy, healthy & yumm-o!
they require no overnight soaking – you basically put them in the crockpot with 6-8 cups of water per cup of lentils.
season to taste (i use salt, white pepper, parsley, & garlic) & cook on low for 8 hours.
if you prefer them less *soupy* either cook longer or add less water. i happen to like the *juice*. i served them with a side of quinoa (the 1st time i made it!) with some sauteed onions & mushrooms in a little bit of olive oil & lemme tell ya – this is some seriously delish chow!
(don’t hate on my ugly-ass bowl – i harbor a unhealthy attachment to it – don’t judge)
½ cup of lentils = 2 pointsplus
½ cup quinoa = 3 pointsplus
for those of us on simply filling – both are power foods – so no need to count unless you are anal retentive like me & track EVERYTHING.

i also made a pot of one of my other favorite staples – the infamous weight watcher zero pointsplus soup – although i am not sure what they are technically calling it these days? i didn't use my crock pot as it was otherwise detained with lentils -- but you could totally make this soup in your crockpot as well. i have in the past & it is fabu!

you can find the recipe easily enough if you google *weight watcher zero point soup* -- there are quite a few variations but my favorite is a base of vegetable broth, stewed tomatoes, cabage, italian seasoning, parsley, celery salt, white pepper, whatever vegetables (fresh or frozen works best) you want to add.
today it was carrots, zuccini, onions, & kale.
you add all the ingredients & simmer until the veggies are tender.
it sounds basic but this soup is truly flavorful & filling!
this soup is zero pointsplus & a power food – win/win!
i know this soup has been blogged about a gazillion times – but it has seen me through many a tough week when i am struggling with staying on track & it also will kick a new diet in the ass & give ya the jumpstart ya need!

so that’s what i am eating these days.
what are you guys stuffin’ down your gullets?

peace, l♥ve & carpe diem the fuck outta today & everyday bloggy peeps!
xxoo
cyn

pms'n like a mofo

day 93:
tuesday tidings my bloggy peeps!

before i get to my plight lemme pose a question...
to my fellow weight watcher junkies out there – how are ya’ll gellin’ with the new *2012* changes?
i have heard mixed reviews & it seems like peeps either love or hate it – no medium ground?
personally – i like it. (neither love nor hate – i am the medium ground!)
and honestly – i don’t get what the hustle & bustle is about?
i know some are miffed that the dailies have been lowered – but ummm, they gave ya the flexibility to not decrease if ya don’t wanna – so why all the bellyachin’???

case in point:
this past friday when i was @ my meeting & my leader got kinda bullied into talkin’ about the changes even though it wasn’t that week’s topic – we had two chicks who complained & bitched the whole time.
now mind you --- these are the two same gals who come every week & sit in the meeting & knit the entire time?
knit?
really?
am i the only one who finds that extremily rude?
i mean really – you have such intense knitting responsibilties that you have to knit through a 30 minute once a week meeting?
and how much knitting can you really get done in 30 minutes?
i guess it’s no worse than the other gal who has to make a tuna fish sandwich @ every meeting she attends !
yes make it -- as in open the can & stink up the whole room with tuna fumes!
seriously? can’t you bring something less stanky or wait 30 minutes?
(and if you are reading this & think i might be talkin' about you -- i probably am!)
but i digress…

i realize change is hard for a lot of people – but when you are given the option to keep things just the way you like them – why complain???
(say the gal who is pms’n like a mofo & full of complaints)


yeah pms…
pms = plaguing my shit
i understand it’s a fact of life – but being just mere months from turning 42 i think it’s for the fuckin’ birds & at this juncture in my life it should be easier; not worse!
am i am asshole if i ask santa for menopause?
although i hear that’s no walk in the park either & hormone supplements sounds like it’s own kind of hell on earth.
boo hiss!
don’t mind me – uncle t.o.m & auntie flo have my happy-go-lucky-ness held hostage for a day or two…
so to lighten things up a bit…
here is a coolio article on jillian michaels site (i get her emails) on how to battle pms -- five tips for taming pms .

and because pms time if my über munchie time – i wanted to share this:

(squawkfox.com)
have any of my fellow pinterst freaks seen this pin floating around?
well it works!

all ya need is:
a brown lunch bag
¼ cup popcorn kernels
and microwave until the popping slows down.
i use the popcorn setting on my microwave & reduced the initial ½ cup of kernels the original recipe called for down because i ended up having so many unpopped ones.
it is very easy to burn the popcorn so ya really can’t leave this one unattended.
but it’s tasty (wayyyyy better than that icky air-popping machine) & no microwave popcorn chemicals! ya gotta add a little salt or whatever seasoning ya like of course – but it’s dang good for a healthy snack! and i am the queen of popcorn & wouldn’t steer ya wrong!
and if you are following simply filling like i am this is a simply filling food & is within the permiters of my sweet tooth challenge!

and if this doesn’t help your munchies or pms – there is always booze.
*snicker*


peace, l♥ve & GOBS of margaritas bloggy peeps!
xxoo
cyn

lazy sunday with pinterest vol.4

day 84:
welcome bloggy peeps!
it’s time for…

<div align="center"><a href="http://chunkygoddess.blogspot.com/" title="misadventures of a chunky goddess" target="_blank"><img src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--xpqGj5_Tec/TtQro_ypnSI/AAAAAAAAKeg/jCHIYdGYYgw/s300/pinterest-cover-story.pgp.jpg" alt="misadventures of a chunky goddess" style="border:none;" /></a></div>

my homage to one of my most favorite addictions/past times – pinterest.
if you are pinhead like me – come find me!



so let’s get down to the goodies & unless noted otherwise (uploaded by user) all links will take you to the original site for details, pricing, & recipes!

i always start off with a coolio outfit & this is one i just l♥ve – i have a slight addiction to black & white stripes lately & added with some skinny red jeans & alexander mcqueen boots – s w o o n! my soon-to-be thinner ass will be sporting something similar to this!

(uploaded by user)

a measuring cup that also weighs? ummm yes please! seriously this is genius – especially for those of us who measure/weigh everything that enters our mouth!
(taylorusa.com)

cauliflower pizza crust? and it seems relatively easy to make & delish! i am not sure of the points plus values but it has to be much lower than regular flour crust & healthier!
i must make this!
(eat.drink.smile.com)

everything about this hair rocks! the cut, the color, the shine – fabulous!
(uploaded by user)

i definitely need some new workout gear! i firmly believe the better you feel you look the more apt you are to get out there & workout – this would make me wanna hit the gym all the damn time!
(werk it)

and pink workout gloves? oh yes please santa!
(uploaded by user)

for all my fellow photography nuts – a bokeh dress? how stinkin’ cool is this!?!?!
l♥ve
(ermie blog)

for all my badasses out there!
(build a little biz blog)

how friggen true is this?
(get out of the box)

and last but not least…
love this!!! i am down for this plan fo’ sho’!

(i’ve got the power)

and there ya have it – some of my faves from the week!

before i end today i wanted to make a disclaimer of sorts…
i am not a doctor or even in the medical field.
i am not a personal trainer or a dietician.
i am not endorsed by anyone or even receiving free goodies to write about or promote a certain workout or product.
i am just an average chick out there trying to live a healthier life & i have never proclaimed to be an expert or recommended that anyone do the things i am doing. if the things i am doing offend you or are not what you think will work for you – then don’t do them.
all i have ever tried to do is tell MY story of MY journey.
and while i love you all – the bottom line is that this blog is about me & i write it for me!
mwahs!

peace, l♥ve & margaritas bloggy peeps!
xxoo
cyn

lazy sunday with pinterest vol.3

day 77:
howdy lazy bloggah’s!
welcome to another oh-so-lazy installment of…

<div align="center"><a href="http://chunkygoddess.blogspot.com/" title="misadventures of a chunky goddess" target="_blank"><img src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--xpqGj5_Tec/TtQro_ypnSI/AAAAAAAAKeg/jCHIYdGYYgw/s300/pinterest-cover-story.pgp.jpg" alt="misadventures of a chunky goddess" style="border:none;" /></a></div>

my homage to one of my most favorite addictions/past times – pinterest.
if you are a pinning fool like me –

(right?!?!?!)
come find me!

enough gabbing – let’s get to the good stuff!

inside the loop
diy sparkly pillows? why yes please! i am not the craftiest bitch on the block – but me thinks i could swing this! lurve the peacock on – of course – as i am all about the peacock feather!
sofeminine.co.uk
i need a new look – i am thinking something like this – cut not color -- although the color is super hawt. so sexy & sassy & different without being overly drastic. if i told you the amount of time it takes to tend to my mop of hair you would agree i need a change too…
skinnytaste.com
turkey taco lettuce wraps – oh.holy.must.eat.now! just 4 points+ for 2! yumm-o!
fave crafts: blog
if i had a baby or knew someone who did – i would so be buying this as i am the biggest fan of *a christmas story* -- the best xmas movie ever!
disneybound
love this – it’s purple and fabulous! if you are a disney fan like me – you have to check out this site – disney inspired outfits that are to.die.for! as her catchphrase says: “where disney nerds & fashion geeks collide” – l♥ve it!
cutest food
a candy heart keyboard! you know you want one – this is just effin’ too cool!
uploaded by user – no link.
bwahahahahahaha – especially if it’s from a box! i just l♥ve this!
celebmancrushblog.com
just some super-hornified-eye-candy -- henry cavill – i am a wicked “tudors” fan & have swooned over him since then. but he is the newest superman, the lead role in “immortals” & most def slurp-a-licious!

From eye-candy – to health motivation – because I always end lazy Sunday with some words to pump ya up!
healthisalwaysbetter.tumblr.com
oh indeed – and call me vain but i wanna look good naked too!
cafepress.com
ummm wow – that’s some perspective for ya! because on a good night with friends i could easily come close to a bottle! l♥ve my vino!
fitnessinspiration.tumblr.com
you know we all say it – “i only lost a pound” – well this is what only a pound looks like – wowies!
uploaded by user: no link
i absolutely fucking l♥ve this – i am making myself epic!

activeinspiration.tumblr.com
indeed – i swear is say this same thing to myself every single day! enough hemmin’ & hawin’ about it already – stfu & do it!

and there ya have it…
happy sunday & as always thank you to every single one of you absolutely amazing peeps who continually leave me the most amazing comments & encouragement – i truly adore every single one of ya to pieces!
you guys rock my knockers off!

peace, l♥ve & margaritas bloggy peeps!
xxoo
cyn

grab it by the balls...

day: 17
blogdom – wat up?

so i think i am recovered from the debacle that was the crock pot of shit i made last night.
yeah i shouldn’t be as miffed as i am but -- what the fuck?
only one other time in my life have i had a recipe be a flop – baked winter squash, raisin and pine nut lasagna . but at least my pasta didn’t evaporate (i am still baffled by that?) and it was edible!
it looked okay – but tasted like doodies!

moving along…
so my week – weight watcher /diet/exercise wise has been good.
i have dipped into my weeklies almost every day – and i am okay with that. weight watchers tells me that is okay and i trust them. my goal is to do what they tell me and to stick to the plan. it has gotten 5.2lbs off my rump so i am ass-uming (heh -- i love lame-o obvious jokes!) they know their shit.
and ya know what – if i knew better – i wouldn’t back here again!


i have also earned 34 ap’s (activity points) this week so far – a big-ass number for me.
in the past i have been content to earn 3 or 4 a day maybe 3-5 times a week – the bare ass minimum so i don’t feel like a total chooch.
i feel differently nowadays…
today i will be earning 14 ap’s and this bitch is pretty effin’ proud of herself on that alone!
doesn’t mean i don’t have to pep talk myself all day long, through the car ride there, and into the locker room of the gym – i do every single time. but i get there and give it 110% and always leave glad that i did!

it’s cool how motivated i am – but i also know that this is how i tend to be.
running my ass off right outta the gate only to ultimately gas out about mid-way through…
boo-fuckin-hiss!

but as i mentioned earlier – i am keeping it real and following the plan exactly as instructed – so even on the days, weeks, months that i don’t feel so gung ho – if i just do the basics i should be good.
if nothing else i won’t gain weight, right?
and trust me when i tell you -- i look and get motivation any damn where i can!
no shame in the game my friends!

no shame in taking life by the balls and using every ounce of it to get what you want. because for most of us – that shit ain’t handed out for free on a platter.
(platter --- cheese platter? get ur mind outta the munchie gutter girl!)

okay on a totally unrelated bizarro note…
anyone know why in the ever-loving hell that blogger is the only network that cannot be linked to klout?
because it is really pissing me off.
apparently i am forbidden?
(wait – that sounds kinda sexyass and a little like a cheap perfume on the clearance rack at walmart all rolled into a naughty ball of fun? )

anywho…
anyone know anything about it?
are you forbidden too you naughty kittens?
just curious…

i gotta go sweat my nether regions off!
spread the bloggy l♥ve, eat your veggies, and love yourself!
cyn

ROCK OUT with your CROCK OUT

day: 16

hello bloggy peeps!
another edition of rock out with your crock out – w00ts!
my quest to find easy -- yet healthy -- crock pot recipes that are lurkin’ out there in cyber space just waiting to be discovered and made into a favorite.
and trust me; this ain’t always so easy!
plus i gotta feed three hungy big-ass male types and my trap – so consider this a quest second to finding the fountain of youth!

in my search for a new recipe for this week i went to a tried and true favorite site as a repeat offender on weight watchers -- laa loosh. it has a vast list of weight watcher friendly recipes and even offers the points+ value. (unless it is an older recipe in which you will have to enter into the recipe builder on weight watchers online -- a pain in the ass i might add – but worth it if you are a anal retentive tracker like me!)

so i am always looking for something new that is not only healthy but something my brood will eat. what i found was creamy chicken and mushrooms macaroni crock pot recipe.
yeah, yeah, yeah okay i admit – it doesn’t even sound healthy – but it tries really freakin’ hard. plus when all else fails – i am not above slippin’ something green and leafy in there to at least get a veggie and some vitamins in.
and i was willing to give it a whirl in the effort to get brian (my lovah) to eat anything fat-free. he does *light* but fat-free is against his religion. and who can blame him – cause come on it doesn’t taste the same – i don’t care what anyone says!
i digress…
so here in the recipe – copied & pasted word for word via the site – link above will take ya right there even.

creamy chicken and mushrooms macaroni crock pot recipe
ingredients:
1 (10 3/4 oz.) can healthy request cream of chicken soup
1/4 cup land o lakes no-fat sour cream
16 oz. skinned & boned uncooked chicken breast, cut into 20 pieces
1 cup (one 4oz. can) sliced mushrooms, drained
1/2 cup finely chopped onion
1 1/3 cups (3oz) uncooked elbow macaroni
salt and pepper to taste
directions:
spray a slow cooker container with butter flavored cooking spray. in the prepared container, combine chicken soup & sour cream. stir in chicken, mushrooms, and onion. add uncooked macaroni. mix well to combine. cover & cook on low for 6 to 8 hours. gently stir again just before serving. enjoy! makes 4 servings.

serving size = 1 cup
each serving = 9 weight watches points+

okay – first of all lemme say this much – martha fucking stewart i am not –- so recipes in general are not my forte’- hence why i am doing a crock pot feature.
anyone can crock pot – even me – and as my profile says – i crock pot like a mofo!
but let me stop there and let the recipe do the talking…

so i got all my ingredients together – i have to double the recipe because no way in bloody hell would this feed my guys. (i opted for whole wheat elbows & 98% fat free cream of chicken soup -- but kept everything else to the *t*)

i mix it all together – and here is where i get a little scared.
something just didn’t look right.

right?
but hey what do i know – there were no photos (shoulda been my first clue and a rule from now on – no photo; no make! ).
about two hours in i take a peek and it really doesn’t look right. very dry and umm kinda gross.
so i do what any non-martha-fucking-stewart type would do.
i break out…

yeah, chicken broth fixes anything right? it’s like the duct tape of the pantry, no?

two more hours and now i am swearing.

me: umm what the fuck is this shit in my crock pot?
brian: i dunno? why?
me: because i dunno where my pasta went and i am about to lose my shit.
*looks into crockpot*
brian: oh yeah look at that shit, weird!

no word of a lie – not one elbow. not even a blooming trace of an elbow. and those little bastards were brown as hell and there isn’t even a brown speck!
i am befuddled!
and before you ask – yes, i followed the recipe exactly as it was written
well -- minus adding the chicken stock.
which I add more of because it just a pot of goo with the random chunk of chicken and a rare mushroom in it.
ew!
i add more chicken stock.
i add peas.
more chicken stock…
and this is what i get…

the only way i can think to describe it is that it was kinda, sorta, but not really like a half-assed pot of chicken in dumplings minus the dumplings and the tasty veggies.
yeah i tasted it – i had to.
it was starchy – of course – it had a 2 2/3 cups of annihilated pasta in it.
*sigh*
boo hoo!

so i did what any red-blooded non-martha-freaking-stewart type would do…
i called domino’s for my family…

and this for me.
yeah oatmeal for dinner.

it’s okay – i am a freakazoid and lurve oatmeal.

but needless to say – creamy chicken and mushrooms macaroni crock pot recipe was an utter flop. actually flop is too nice of a word and to call it a flop is an insult to decent flops!
it was starchy random chicken vile!
blech!
so yeah – don’t try this recipe – it suckeths!

nothing against laa loosh.
i have tried other recipes and had great success.
but nothing has ever been this bad.
ever!

remember the rule – no photo; no make!

i promise to find an actual edible recipe next time…
no really, i will – i have a crock pot like a mofo reputation to protect!

spread the bloggy l♥ve, eat your veggies, and love yourself!
cyn