Undone Stuffed Pepper Casserole

Here is a recipe from the Kraft magazine.
I changed a few things to 'Clean' it up.

1 lb. ground turkey
2 red peppers, coarsely chopped
3 cloves garlic, minced
2 cups brown rice
1 jar (700 ml) pasta sauce
1 cup Kraft 4 Cheese Italiano Shredded cheese, divided (choose a low fat cheese)

Heat oven to 350oF
Brown meat with peppers and garlic. Stir in rice, pasta sauce and 3/4 cup cheese.
Spoon into a 2L casserole; top with remaining cheese.
Bake 25 min.

Eat Clean Update

So, I am reading the book ... I have started to prepare my kitchen cupboards for the transformation and here are some of my first step experiences.

I found a recipe in the Kraft magazine for 'Undone Stuffed Peppers'. I substituted the ground beef for ground turkey. I changed the green peppers to red (because I don't like the taste of green peppers) I subsituted white rice for brown rice and served it to my family.
Guess what ... they came back for seconds and didn't even notice the ground turkey or the brown rice. A step in the right direction.

I have started to serve fish in our meals ... which I never ate as a child unless it was breaded fish sticks or haddock in a thick batter.
My family enjoyed that too.

Tonight I made a "Tosca" recipe for 'Asian Noodle Bowls'. I had spinach in mine but the rest of the family opted out. Still a healthy choice for all of us.

So far, I have lost 2 lbs (over 4 days).
Keep posted to watch the progress.

I am planning to start exercising with Wii. I want to incorporate weights in my exercise and then ... the really biggy - quit smoking for once and for all. I have tried many times with varying lengths of success (5 yrs., 1 1/2 yrs, etc ... and each time I tell myself I will not go through that withdrawl again but I have repeated it many times). Weight gain always brings me back to smoking BUT this time I feel I have a plan for a REAL lifestyle change.

I have tried Weight Watchers, Jenny Craig, LA Weight Loss ... I go down and I go up. I feel confident about this approach.
No more flabby arms and rolls at my tummy - I am going to EAT CLEAN.

Eat Clean Diet

Some people would say that I look fine as I am. Actually, I am 18 pounds over my ideal weight. My opinion is that I don't feel comfortable in a bathing suit.

A friend told me about a book from Tosca Reno called "The Eat Clean Diet". I picked up a copy of the revised version called "Recharged" at Costco for $12.99 (Canadian). I have started to read it and maybe you will be interested to follow this journey with me.

Brent's birthday

Brent's family came from BC for his birthday. I had the lawn decorated for when we came home from the cottage. Brent's sister (Robyn) put up the "Honk" signs. The horns were blowing all day!

We had a party in the backyard.

50 is Nifty

Campfires

Campfires = Roasted marshmallows, S'mores, Octopus dogs & roasted Banana splits.

Kelvin's Catch

Kelvin caught a Bass.

Dillon's Catch

Dillon caught a Pike.

Big Catch

Here is Brent's big catch of the week - a 41" Pike.

Cottage

Our rental included 2 buildings. Brent & I stayed in the one on the right and the boys slept in the one on the left.

Fun on the Water

Tubing

Here is Dillon & his buddy tubing. BIG SMILES :)

Las Vegas 2009

The hotels are not far from the airport. I tried my hand at penny slots and found that we were up-and-down. Then I learned Roulette and I may be hooked (up US$175).

We went to a Chris Angel show (he is better on TV).

We stayed at Circus Circus Hotel. I loved Vegas but the next time, I will get a better hotel in the middle of everything.

P.S. It is hot in Vegas in June/July - even if it is a dry heat.

I saved some dollars at the outlet mall shopping for my son.

LAS VEGAS

What happens in Vegas ... Stays in Vegas!

Bellagio Hotel

Here is Brent & Dillon watching the 'Fountain Show' at the Bellagio. The picture doesn't do it justice. There was music playing and the fountains shot up like fireworks.

Freemont Street

With a bus pass to the hotel and our son to take care of us ... Dad and I cut loose a little to the old rock music and the light show above our heads on Freemont Street. Drinks are cheap and potent, the music is fabulous and the atmosphere is amazing!

Grand Canyon

You just gotta love a moment together with your teenager.

Cowgirl

I used to twirl a baton but ... I couldn't seem to get this roping thing down. I guess 'Cowgirl' is not one of my possible careers. But ... I had fun!

Vegas Showgirls

I wanted Dillon to get a photo with a Vegas Showgirl. He was too shy, so his loving Dad offered to go with him :)

I think they will cherish this in later years!

SkyWalk 2

The funny thing about this photo is that Brent is the one who is afraid of heights. He got onto that glass floor and went for it just like I told him he would.
You can't pass up 'one-in-a-life-time' chances!

Sky Walk

Here is me jumping on the 'SkyWalk'. It is a glass floor that hangs out over the Grand Canyon (higher than the CN Tower in Toronto). Was I scared? Not for a minute. I loved it! But, I didn't think that I could touch my feet to my butt - not too old yet!

Helicopter

This is Dillon in the front seat of the helicopter that we took down to the base of the canyon along the Calorado River.

Eagle Point

This is Dillon at 'Eagle Point' in the Grand Canyon. Can you see the bird at the top of the ridge behind him? The Indians believe that the spirits put it there.

It was 107 - 112 degrees everyday that we were there.

M&M World

We visited M&M World. Four floors of candy and other realted items. I felt like a kid - it was great. We bought M&M plates for the boys next door, who took care of our cockatiel while we were away.

Las Vegas

Here we are in Vegas.