The Worst Four Letter Word In The English Language

S N O W

It’s coming…

When you work as a police dispatcher, as well as any other first responder type of job, you don’t enjoy snow.  Snow means slick roads, stupid drivers, and a very busy shift.  Thankfully the snow isn’t going to start falling until midnight but come 6am quitting time/commuter time, it is going to get crazy in here.  I’m going to gamble on 5am as the start of our crashes.

I loaded up my snow boots, hat, gloves, and scarf before leaving the house because if it starts falling at midnight, I’ll have to dig out before I leave work.  I am only halfway through my work week and I think we are expected to get snow on Friday too.  Doh!

I’ve coordinate some field trips four our night shift to visit other dispatch centers in the area.  Hopefully the weather cooperates and we don’t have to reschedule.  I am glad Kenyon and I pushed back our drive to New Mexico later in March.  I’m feeling like although we have had a mild winter, we are about to see the worst of it.  Considering a year ago we had seem more snowfall since 30 years, we are still better off.  But, I would have preferred to skip winter all together.  I’m not a cold weather gal and I’d love to live in a state where you never saw the white stuff.

Alas, that we can do is be prepared.  I can say that I am but I’m pretty sure the motoring public isn’t.

Weekly Wi: A (Temporary) Gain

I had so much fun this week. Maybe a little too much because it showed on the scale today. I was up two pounds and I believe it is temporary weight gain. It has been proved time and time again that the before your WI are the worst days to eat off “crazy.” I know I was retaining some water and while I had wanted to stay on track Sunday, I gave in to hunger and accompanied Kenyon to Taco Bell. That surely didn't help the cause. But, there isn't anything I can do about last week, I can only work hard this week.

I came home and did meal prep. I wasn't as successful last week with my food because I kept lacking the time to actually cook it. After my meeting yesterday, I made my breakfast while I also put together a batch of chili, cooked chicken breast in the oven, and boiled eggs in the Instant Pot. 

I've got several meals for the week and am looking forward to being on track. I have social events planned Saturday and Sunday again. I'm thinking ahead to those days and how to balance it all. I have to work an earlier shift on Monday and will do my WI on Tuesday. Having that extra day after the weekend should help too.

I was definitely bummed that I was so close to getting into the 2-teens and now am further away. Looking back at my weight records, I see the last time I weighed 218 was in December of 2015. Ah man that was so long ago. I know it isn't impossible to have a large loss this week but it is not always likely. I was also double bummed I didn't meet my goal for the month of February of losing 5 pounds. My WI yesterday caused it to slip away.

Since I wanted some motivation/perspective, I looked back at my weight records for one month, three months, and six months.

Down is good! And down is where I'm going to continue to work towards. Our Europe trip is six weeks and a few days away. If I'm going to be under 200 pounds, I've got to stay focused on that 5 pound monthly goal.  

Busy Weekend Plans & An Internal Battle

Holy Camoly!  It has been one busy day (which is about to roll over to the next day but it is not officially Saturday until I wake up in the afternoon).

 

I hit the ground running this afternoon as soon as I woke up.  I had some item on my to-do list for my 20^th high school reunion I’m in the midst of planning.  I had to rent a PO Box in Kuna (the only place with a cheap box) and then open an account at nearby bank.  Has anybody used Facebook Messenger for electronic money exchange?  I have a classmates that swears it is awesome and secure.  So, I’ll be delving into that as I move forward.

 

Thankfully we have dates set and a venue.  So, I really want to get the information out to my classmates via a Facebook event.  I’m so glad to be this far along in the process and hopefully once the information is released, people will be happy enough to attend.  It has been a process planning this and I’m sure we’ve still got more to go.

 

I had about an hour at home and was still consumed with reunion before quickly getting ready and heading to work.  I’ve been planning out my social events this weekend, not only with points/food but also money/budget.  Oy.  It is going to be a busy weekend but I am so looking forward to it.

 

The hard part is I’m in a debate with myself of just enjoying my Saturday without guilt but also not counting points.  I’m meeting two coworkers for $1 Bahama Mammas (and maybe some appetizers) at Applebee’s.  Then, Kenyon and I are going to have a date night at Carino’s.  Part of why I don’t want to count is because I really want to have some yummy food…which is high points.  I don’t want to give myself permission to go crazy.  I just really want some yummy food.  I’ll see how I’m feeling tomorrow and will at least start tracking so I can keep myself in check.  I want to see a loss on Monday at my WW meeting and going crazy this weekend won’t get me there.

 

Sunday I am planning to meet a few friends for a double feature of two Oscar nominated movies: The Post and Lady Bird.  It should be enjoyable.  I might need to pack a snack so I don’t indulge in popcorn…which also sounds good.  And, we are going to the cheap seats so it makes popcorn much more affordable. 

 

Oh man, this makes me anxious!  I really want a loss but I really want yummy food.  The struggle is real.

Make New Friends But Keep The Old

Make New Friends

But Keep The Old

One Is Silver

And The Other Is Gold

Any Girl Scouts out there that remember that song?

 

We had a heck of a snow fall last night.  By the time 5am rolled around, the motoring public in the Treasure Valley had woken up and several crashes started to come into the dispatch center.  It was a busy last hour of my shift and I held over a little bit until my relief was fully staffed.

I had plans to meet a new friend from my WW meeting on Monday nights.  We had been connecting through FB and wanted to sit down for a visit over coffee.  She invited me to her house so I could also meet her husband, a retired officer with the Nevada Highway Patrol.  I had first thought to cancel with all the snowfall accumulation and that it was still coming down.  I decided to send a text to ask to postpone if the roads were not improved when I woke up.

I am so glad I didn’t postpone or have to cancel.  I had the loveliest visit this afternoon.  I am actually sad it was so short and I looking forward to another visit soon.  We clicked so well.  I really enjoyed meeting her husband and loved hearing about their European travels. 

It is so wonderful to make new friends.

New Item Using #2ingredientdough

I’ve been playing around with the #2ingredientdough again and this time I made wiener wraps.  Yummmm-O!

I saw this idea on Instagram so I went in search from some Hebrew National Fat Free hotdogs.  You actually get two hotdogs for 1 point, so that was quite the surprise.  I mixed up half a recipe of dough and split it into four servings, rolled it out, and then rolled up my hotdog.  I have actually been thinking the key to rolling out the dough is parchment paper.  Until I get more though, I used saran wrap and it worked out just fine.

 

Two wraps are 4 points.  I cooked a sweet potato in my air fryer for some fries to go along with my wraps and I even had a few points to spare for some homemade fry sauce.  It was a delicious dinner.  I’ve got leftovers to eat today at work.  I don’t think they will warm up as well but we will see.

How I Make Freestyle Work For Me

One of the many thing I love about the new Weight Watchers Freestyle Program, is the flexibility.  I know this is a 180 from where I was feeling in December.  But, now that I’ve had time to really work the program, I see how awesome it really is!

Kenyon and I went to breakfast this morning.  When I work the graveyard shift, I chose to factor my points from wake up to wake up.  So, even though the WW app changes over at midnight, I still track everything on the day prior and when I wake up, I start the next day.  It can be tricky when I am eating something with high points just before I go to bed.  I sort of have the ability to fudge the points a little bit by tracking my late night food as the start of my “next day” and then balance that day vs. track it at the end of the “current day” and use my weekly points.  Are you confused?

On Monday, February 19^th, I had 6 daily points after I had tracked all my food from waking up at 3pm to going to bed at 8am. 

 

Since Kenyon and I went to breakfast at 7am, I knew I’d probably be eating more than 11 points (6 daily points + 5 weekly points to still get my blue dot) so I decided to track my breakfast out on Tuesday, February 20^th instead.  This way I could work on balancing out those points and perhaps still earning a blue dot on both Monday and Tuesday.  I figured if I didn’t get my blue dots, that was okay…I really wanted pancakes with coconut syrup! 

Despite using 17 points alone just for that one breakfast outing, I was able to balance my Tuesday using all 25 of my daily points + 3 weekly points and still earning my blue dot.  (p.s. I now get 25 daily points because of my loss this week).

 

I’m not sure if this cheating per se, to add the points on the next day.  Even if I hadn’t I’d have just used a few more weekly points on Monday.  I don’t usually use all my weekly points unless I’ve got a social outing so I think it will all be okay.

Freestyle really does give you freedom.  I am really happy with this program and look forward to continuing to navigate through it as I work myself down the scale.  My Mom re-joined three weeks ago and is also have great success.  I’m super stoked for her!

Weekly WI: On The Downhill

I was super excited to see the scale was down when I woke up this afternoon. I was down 4.2 pounds this week after being up 0.6 pounds over the last three weeks. It feels so good to be back on the downhill of weight loss!

I have re-claimed my 30 pounds lost from my highest re-gain weight back in July of 2016. I am back to my pre-vacation weight from September of 2017. And lastly, I am really close to the 2-teens. These are all the more reasons to stay on track this week and track, track, track!

Sadly, I was hurrying in the parking lot because it is freaking freezing out today and I rolled my ankle. I feel okay but am bummed because it is a bit tender. I'm also on the hunt for some Hebrew National fat free hot dogs so I can made some weiner-wraps using #2ingredientdough. I'll be making that later this evening for my meals since I'm off work tonight.

Feeling Run Down & Highly Emotional

It was a rough day at work yesterday. I was working a four our OT shift and it was crazy. We had several emergency events, two happening at the exact same time and that happened twice. So, needless to say, it made for very busy four hours. I was a bit bummed out when I left work feeling like I was leaving my officers hanging even thought I was trying so hard to stay caught up with all the chaos. My supervisor DeLisa called me after one of my coworkers called her to check in on me. That was so very nice of them. DeLisa is on vacation seeing her new grandbaby as well as the first born grandbaby too. It sure does make you feel supported to have those you work with check in on you.

Yesterday was a combonation of fighting this blasted cold and feeling rundown from little sleep. I was highly emotional and could have done major damage in the points department. Lucky, I had planned ahead and when I went to Fred Meyer earlier in the day to pick up my prescription, I also picked up some Smart Ones microwave meals and a pint of Halo Top Red Velvet ice cream. That way I would be all set at home and not tempted to eat out after my OT shift. I am so glad I planned ahead because I was exhausted and feeling bad. I ended up earning a blue dot for my day yesterday.

I'm feeling better today. I've slept well and as far as work is concerned, I can't do anything to change the outcome. Bottom line is our troopers are all okay and this isn't a reflection on my daily performance by any means. I'm looking forward to having the rest of today off as well as tomorrow too. I've got my WW meeting tomorrow and I am hopeful for a loss. It has been a great week of tracking and food. You never know what will happen when you are under the weather but I am still hoping to see a success. I need something for the month of February!

I'll check in about WI tomorrow evening.

Nothing New To Report

Good Afternoon!

I don’t have much to report.  I think I’ve come down with Kenyon’s “man cold” but I am hanging in there.  So far it appears to be mostly in my chest so as long as it says out of my nose, I’m good to go!  I’ve got some overtime this weekend so I need to do my best to keep hydrated and rest when I can.  I want that money!

 

Anybody watching the Olympics?  I am not a lover of cold weather so the winter Olympics aren’t my favorite.  I find I’ve gotten into it quite a bit being on the graveyard shift.  It is awesome we get to watch it while at work and since they re-play the prime time footage, we often see it three or so times in a night.  But, still fun to relive the happy moments and those few times people fall down.  Ha!  I find I am more into it as we get closer to the gold metals vs. just the qualifier moments.  It is pretty neat and what amazing athletes they all area.

 

I feel so boring this week.  Not much for blog content.  I guess I better start thinking of some interesting topics!

 

Recent Eats

I’ve been eating some good eats lately.

I made some breakfast calzones using #2ingredientdough.  It isn’t very pretty but it sure is tasty.  Although, I don’t think it feels me up as much as my usual eggs, potatoes, and bacon breakfast does.

 

I made one with turkey sausage and one with bacon and then scrambled eggs and Tillamook sharp cheddar cheese.  I topped it with some garlic powder and Trader Joe’s Everything But The Bagel seasoning.  It was really good. 

Strawberries this time of year aren’t the best in price but a few weeks ago I found some at Fred Meyer on scale $2 per pint.  I don’t love non-fat Greek yogurt so I started pureeing some strawberries to mix in with my yogurt.  I also add more sliced strawberries.  When I ran out of strawberries, I did the same thing with frozen mango.  It helps the yogurt taste better and is still 0 SPV (even though technically when you blend fruit it isn’t 0 SPV anymore).

 

I woke up early yesterday and needed an extra meal, which wasn’t planned.  I had a can of Progresso Italian Wedding soup in the pantry and added some frozen mixed veggies to it.  I love the tiny meatballs in the soup.  The entire can is 7 SPV.

 

Since I’m up late at home watching TV on my days off, I’ve been snacking on air popped popcorn, which I pop in some olive oil.  It is really good although not always filling.  I also think it is a lie that you get five cups of popped popcorn out of 2 TBS of kernels.  Seriously?  I disagree because there is always un-popped kernels in the bowl.  Regardless, it is a yummy snack.

Weekly WI: Tiny Gains...Re-Focus!

My WI yesterday went really well despite my anxiety for getting on the scale after being off track for the last week.  I gained 0.4 pounds from my last WI, which was two weeks ago.  I am up a total of 0.6 pounds over the last three weeks.  Whew.  It sure makes getting back on track 100 times easier when you aren’t looking at a five pound gain!

 

I have no idea what was going on with me last week.  I am back on track and feeling very positive and motivated about this week.  Here is my tracker from Monday night and through tonight (back at work for the week).  I have no social outings planned this week, which should also help me have a good week. 

 

After three weeks of tiny losses, I’m behind this month for meeting my goal of five pounds lost.  I must stay focused on Operation Lighter By Europe!

Busy & Enjoyable Weekend

It has been a great weekend so far and I'm super stoked to have one more day off today. I tell ya, I'm loving my days off so much that going back to work is tough stuff.

Friday was hair cut day. I am not sure I 100% love the cut though. I really wish I could have my hair dresser back from many years ago when I felt like I had a consistent cut each time I went. Maybe I'm just too hard to please! I wanted to shorter all over and the lengh in front taken back. It is just okay.

I met Julie, Kelsey, Danielle, and Kelsey's Mom at Majestic Cinemas to see The Shape Of Water, which is an Oscar nominated movie. It was good but weird. There was a lot of nuidity and blood, which wasn't expected. It was a very interesting storyline and well made. Our next Oscar movie will be Three Billboards Outside of Eebbing, Missouri. I'm excited to see that and I suspect it will take the award for best picture.

After the movie I met my coworker/friend Sierra for beer and food at 10 Barrel in downtown Boise. We both wanted a beer flight so we got different ones so we could try all the beers. Don't worry...we didn't drink them all. You get 10 pours of about 2 ounces each. That is a lot of beer.

It was a nice visit and I wished it had lasted longer but I had to get to Phoenix's indoor soccer game. It was a great game and her team won. We went to Shari's for dessert after the game and then I went to bed a soon as I got home. I was exhausted. But, it was a great night.

Saturday I attended a 60^th Wedding Anniversary for long time friends of my grandparents Jack & Marilyn Burke.

It was wonderful to see so many people whom I love so much and to see the happy couple as well. Afterwards my family met up at my grandparent's ranch in Melba. My Mom and her siblings have decided to sell the land that my grandpa bought back in 1947. It is bitter sweet as this is the last ties my Mom has to the tiny town of Melba. It was a low key Saturday with Kenyon being sick and me not feeling to well. I got my cleaning done in preparation for my Ladies Brunch I was hosting on Sunday.

Sunday was a very enjoyable time with friends.

I let everybody know Kenyon was not feeling well but we still had eight total. My neighbor Trini encournaged me to set the table using my new linens and real plates and silverware. It is extra work but made it so nice. I decied to serve scrambled eggs, turkey sausage, regular sausage, and bacon. My friends filled in with orange rolls and fruit. Trini brought some sausage stuffed mushrooms. It was all so delicious and very low key. Another great time was had by all.

Whew. It was a busy few days. I'm glad there is nothing on the agenda tonight besides The Bachelor and other various television shows. I'll also do some grocery shopping and I'm working at keeping the house picked up since it is clean. I need to tackle our bedroom and bathroom and then the house will have been deep cleaned until my next party!

Looking Forward To The Weekend

I was thinking today was Friday and while it is only Thursday, it is my Friday.  Yahooo!  I am looking forward to a four-day weekend.  I have lots of fun plans.

Friday: I’ve got plans for lunch with my Mom, and maybe Dad, and then a hair appointment.  I had to push my appointment back from Tuesday due to work so I’m very ready for a haircut.  I think I’ll cut it back shorter so it styles easier.  I am seeing the movie The Shape of Water with some friends.  We want to see as many movies nominated for best pictures before the Oscars in early March.  I’m hoping to meet a friend/coworker for a drink downtown and then Phoenix has an indoor soccer game.  Should be a great night!

Saturday: Family friends are celebrating 60 years of marriage.  Boy, isn’t that is amazing!  I am going to see so many wonderful family and friends at the open house and I am super stoked.

Sunday: I’m hosting a Ladies Brunch at my house for about 10 people.  Who doesn’t love brunch?

Monday: Weight Watcher meeting…oy!

 

It has been an interesting week so far and my food is all over the place.  I only have 10 WSPA left and so much planned this weekend.  I am tracking it all and staying accountable even if my mood swings are affecting my intake of food!  I so badly wanted to go to Del Taco for a burrito and some chips/queso last night but that would mean having to leave the house after I got home from work at 11pm.  It has been hard this week to talk myself out of going crazy. 

I’m a wee bit nervous about the scale on Monday but regardless, I’m hoping that I’ll be ready to get back on track 100% next week.

 

 

This & That: TV Shows

I’ve had to come to work early this week for a special drug emphases.  Waking up at 11am to be to work at 1pm has sure been different.  It is nice when 11pm rolls around and I get to go home though.  But, it has also been exhausting.  Yesterday during my 10-hour shift, the troopers ran 140 traffic stops.  Oh man it has been busy!

My brain is a bit fried after two days of busy (and today was a very busy afternoon) so please excuse my ramblings…

I watch a TON of TV shows and since they mostly tape/TiVo at the start of the week, I get them watched through my week/weekend.  We just got an Apple TV so it is nice to be able to watch my Hulu shows on the big screen instead of just my tiny iPad.  Here is what I’m liking so far:

This Is Us – What a fabulous show and I love how they can make us not even know what time period is being referenced until the end of the show when they pan out and put all the pieces together.  Of course I cry like a baby whenever they show the sweet relationship between Jack and Rebecca.  It makes me so happy I feel the love that they do.

Married At Frist Sight – I love this how and while I find I shouldn’t invest my time in it when couples don’t last, I get sucked in.  I am loving two of the three couples this season and based on the previews, I think turmoil is ahead.

Amazing Race – I’ve been watching this show for several seasons.  I love the travel adventure.  This season sure has some sake-ups happening though.  It is keeping us on our toes.

The Bachelor – Oh Arie.  I am not sure I 100% like him nor do I think he will find lasting love.  But…I still watch!

911 – The new show on Fox, while doesn’t really highlight the 911 dispatcher in their true form, is a great show and I am enjoying the character development.

Chicago Fire/Chicago Med/Chicago PD – I’m still watching them although sometimes not my favorite.

Law & Order SVU – Also still watching but the episodes are hit/miss

Grey’s Anatomy – So far this season has been okay.  I always wonder how much farther it can go.  I’m not sure I will watch the spin-off of the upcoming Station 19 but we will see.

I think that about covers it.  I have been watching the old school Full House episodes on Hulu when I don’t have other TV shows to watch.  And, I’m super stoked for the reboot in Rosanne.  Oh, I am watching the reboot of Will & Grace and really enjoy it.  I also set my TiVo to record the new Bachelor Winter Games.  I am curious what that is all about.

Whew.  That is a lot of TV!

When You Need A Tiny Pep Talk

Over the past few days, I’ve been feeling my resolve to eat healthy starting to wean.  It is a combination of needing to shake up my meals as well as trying to get by with the food I have and prolong a grocery store trip.

Last Saturday was the first day I relaxed a bit.  I didn’t feel like tracking per se and/or wanted to eat something other than my planned and usual meals.  I also had a house warming party to attend and knew there would be appetizes and such served.  I ended up tracking my day and going over my points between having Panda Express and meeting Kenyon for a late night bite to eat that added.  It is funny because even though I planned to be off track, I still did some tracking.  And, I had a lot of back-and-forth thoughts of want vs. need.

Super Bowl Sunday I had to work overtime and was back on track eating my planned leftovers.  I got on my home scale on Monday to see I was up about half a pound.  I was bummed but figured some of it could be temporary from Saturday’s excess food.  I had an on-track day yesterday until Kenyon suggested going out to eat after I got off work.  I didn’t have many points left over since I’d started my day with oatmeal instead of my usual eggs, potatoes, and oil.

 

 

But, I still made it work!  Thankfully it was the start of a new week and I had all my weekly points available.  We went to Shari’s where I had my favorite Cuban sandwich eating with less bread.  Kenyon and I shared some fries and tater tots.  I’ve used a good chunk of my weekly points but isn’t that what they are there for?  I have to be careful though since I’ve got plans this weekend that I’ll need some extra points for.

I feel really good when I’m meal planning and eating healthy.  Eating a little freely this last week made my mouth hurt with canker sores.  It is so weird how quickly that happens.  Higher fat foods?  Higher sugar foods?  I have no idea!  But, it is always a reminder that I need to keep my eyes forward and stay the course.

Sometimes we need a little break from our healthy lifestyle.  Hopefully that break doesn’t last long and doesn’t do too much damage!  My Mom told me she joined WW so I am super excited for a partner to do this with.  It will be several months until I could attend meetings with her.  She says she likes the program so I’m glad to hear that.

I guess this post is a bunch of ramblings to say that I am still working hard at my weight loss goals…but also having to give myself a tiny pep talk!

Visual Aids To Help With Losing Weight

**I stole this idea from Instagram.  Feel free to steal it too**

I recently saw this idea on Instagram that might help motivate me.  When I had to go to the Dollar Store earlier in the week, I found a bag of plastic heart beads, which were perfect for my project.  I also found some small candle holders which were just the right size.

I have 23 pounds to lose to re-claim my 100 pounds lost, which will also be 50 pounds of re-gain lost.  I’m excited to use this visual to show my efforts even if it feels slower than I’d like. 

One says “Pounds To 100” and has 23 beads in it.  After my official WI at WW each week, I’ll move one bead per pound into the other one that says “You Got This”.

Sometimes we need something else to keep us motivated!

Younique Make-Up Trial

Last week I attended an event set up by my Jamberry consultant and her favorite Younique consultant.  I’ve never worn Younique make up and I’m not a big wearer of make up on a daily basis as it is.  When I started work at Nampa PD, we had workout time built into our schedule.  I would get so heated/sweaty from my work out that I couldn’t put my foundation on.  So, swallowed my pride and gave up wearing foundation.  It isn’t easy to worry about the dark circles, redness, and freckles.  But, it was just easier to not mess with it.  My daily make up routine is eye shadow, mascara, and brow darkening.  If I’m feeling really fancy I’ll put on eye liner and even some Lipsense lip stick.

So, as you can see, I don’t spend much money on make-up.  Visiting Sephoria for some glitter eye shadow and eyeliner was already feeling quite spendy.  I went to the party last week not planning to spend any money but some of the Younique products did interest me.  My Jamberry consultant had rave reviews on the Moodstruck Splurge cream glitter eye shadow and the Moodstruck Epic Mascara.  Younique was running a special that if you bought the mascara, you got free shipping.  I ordered three cream eye shadows in the colors I typically wear (purple, black, and brown) and the mascara.  I was so excited when my box arrived in the mail less than one week later!

The actual name of the eye shadow colors are Tenacious (brown), Noble (purple/gray), and Skeptical (black).  The nice part about these cream shadow is that I don’t have glitter all over my face after applying and they last longer than my Sephoria glitter eye shadow does.  I can’t say I’m 100% in love with the mascara like everybody else reports back but that is probably because I’ve got tiny lashes.  I wasn’t happy with my Cover Girl mascara and I do like the Moonstruck Epic mascara better than that.  So, I’m happy there.

Here is Lindsay with no make-up on.

The first day I tried Tenacious but felt the color was not as dark of a brown as I prefer or the perfect color brown I’ve been waring from Sephoria.  It felt was a bit too cooper looking, which there appears to be an actual copper color so that surprised me.  The Younique consultant said she likes blending her colors so I blended it with Skeptical.  It turned out to be a very nice color.  Another suggestion is to wear the cream shadow on the base of my lid and then use my Sephoria shadow (technically another shadow from Younique) over that.  It feels like a waste of money if I’m not wearing the cream shadow as it is intended.  But, still an option.  Here I am with a mix of Tenacious and Skeptical and the Epic mascara.  I finished my look with my Maybelline brow drama.

The second day I tried Noble.  There were two purple colors to choose from and Danielle talked me out of the bolder purple for the more subtle Noble.  I am glad she did and I really liked this color.  It was subtle yet still noticeable and if you layer on a bit more of the color it gets darker.  I think this will look great with my purple eye liner Sephoria glitter eyeliner.  I am wearing the Epic mascara and my brow drama again.

The third day I tried Skeptical.  It was dark.  I got a bit fearful that it was a bit too dark so I decided to layer some Tenacious on top of it.  I think this color is comparable to the Sephoria black color I was wearing and will need to remember that the less I put on, the lighter gray it is.  But, I do like this color.  And, I have some white eye liner from Sephoria that I like to wear with dark eye shadow to give it a pop of contrast.  In this photo, it doesn’t look too dark.  And, in the photo with Noble above, it looks lighter than it did when I applied it in the bathroom mirror.  So really, it might not have been too dark after all.

I am really happy with my purchase.  I ordered the deal where I got three shadows for $70 and the mascara was $24.  I saved on shipping so with tax it was $99.  This is still a bit too much money to spend on make-up, in my opinion.  But, I feel like it is comparable in price to Sephoria.  I’m hoping it will last a while and I really like the cream vs. my pressed powered shadow.  Recently, my favorite black color from Sephoria broke apart in my make-up bag.  Another reason cream shadow is kind of nice.  They come in some really hefty glass containers too.

Mini Meat Loafs

I love making mini meat loafs in a muffin tin or using the metal baking cups.  Clean up is a breeze if you use the cups and you have nice sized individual portioned meals.  I have been making them even more now that ground turkey breast is 0 SPV.  Depending on what you put into your meat loaf recipe, it can easily be a tasty 0 SPV meal, just add frozen peas or corn and/or some canned green beans.

My basic recipe is:

• Ground turkey breast – 99% fat free variety
• BBQ sauce
• Liquid smoke
• Worchester sauce
• Ketchup
• Minced onions
• Egg

That is it!  The only thing I measure is the BBQ sauce since that has points.  The rest of it, I just eyeball.  Mix it all together and bake it as 375 for about 25-30 minutes checking with a meat thermometer for temperature.  It depends on the BBQ you use but mine came out to 1 SPV for two loafs.

Last week I decided to make a pepperoni pizza version, which turned out pretty tasty.  I split my pound of turkey breast into two and made the above version and this version:

• Ground turkey breast
• 30 grams turkey pepperoni
• 28 grams shredded mozzarella
• Tomato sauce
• Egg

Same as above, mix it all together, put it in your muffin tin/cups, and bake at 375 for about 20-30 minutes.  It depends on which version of cheese, turkey pepperoni, and tomato sauce you use but mine came out of 3 SPV for two loafs.

I love low point meals and I’ve been enjoying my meals much more on the WW Freestyle plan.