One of my very first posts many moons ago on Dine & Dish was about how I don’t “do” snow. I’m not a fan. I think it’s pretty and all, but I’d rather sit in by the fire, snuggled up with a good book, looking out on it falling gently on the trees rather than being outside with the snow falling on me.
That attitude was the old me. After a phone conversation last night with my friend DeAnn as we were discussing our personal Happiness Projects, it kind of hit me that I have one chance at this life I’ve been given. As much as I hope I can be reincarnated someday as a Glee cast member, I have to be mindful that as far as I know, today is my one and only chance to live today. I have one chance to be the best mom I can be to my kids… to make the most of the memories and days we have together.
So today, outside of my normal snow hating character, I got bundled up with the kids and we headed outside into the most beautiful Kansas snowfall I have seen in a very long time. And not just once… twice I did this! For hours at a time! We had a fantastic time, I shoveled our driveway and sidewalk with the help of a good friend, and then we all came inside to warm up with hot chocolate. Picture perfect, memory making kind of day… and had I not stepped out of my old self and into my new self, I would have totally missed out on being present with my kids during such a fun time.
Part of my Happiness Project is to focus on being present, and with that comes me actively being a part of my family’s life. Not just sitting on the sidelines, but jumping in, getting off my butt, and being among their chaos.
This is also part of my Eat. Live. Be. initiative. You all were so fantastic last week with my nakedness and I hated to think of letting you down. Each time I almost flubbed on my Weight Watchers points, your positive comments came into my head and I got myself in control… most of the time. I had some slip ups but I also did a pretty darn good job of keeping on track. I exercised every day, which for me is unheard of. I drank a ton of water, which again… I’m the Diet Dr Pepper queen, so this is a huge improvement. Most importantly, I was present and mindful of what I was putting into my body and attempted to stay clear of mindless eating. Thank YOU for supporting me, watching me and helping me along this journey! (I’m down 2.8 pounds this week from 180.9 to 178.1!)
Finally, I made the most delicious roast chicken, adapted from a recipe in the January 2011 issue of Martha Stewart Living Magazine. Served over a salad of mixed greens and Honey Mustard Vinaigrette Salad Dressing (still a fave of ours), this chicken made me feel like I was “cheating”, it was truly that delicious. An added bonus it that this one chicken was able to be stretched into multiple meals. Gotta love that! (Oh – and ignore the extra black roasted crispies and potatoes on the cookie sheet…. we kind of like our roasted potatoes well done around here!)
Hope you all had a great week! Can’t wait to read your updates.
Recipe: Crisp-Skinned Chicken with Roasted Potatoes (Adapted from Martha Stewart Living Magazine, Jan 2011)
- 6 redpotatoes, quartered
- Coarse salt
- Extra-virgin olive oil
- 1/2 teaspoon cornstarch
- 1 whole chicken (about 4 1/2 pounds)
- 2 tablespoon butter, softened
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- Preheat oven to 450 degrees. Cook potatoes in salted boiling water until tender, 11 to 13 minutes. Drain. Return potatoes to pot, and shake over low heat to dry and fluff. Coat with oil, and season with salt.
- Mix together 1 1/2 teaspoons salt and the cornstarch (this was new to me, and really made a huge difference in the flavor and crispness of the chicken!). Pat chicken dry with paper towels. Combine minced garlic and softened butter. Rub skin with butter, and season with salt mixture. Rub the inside of the cavity as well.
- Place chicken, breast side up on sprayed baking sheet and tuck wings under. Tie legs together with kitchen twine. Scatter potatoes around chicken. Roast for 30 minutes. Remove from oven, and flip potatoes. Return to oven, rotating sheet. Roast until chicken juices run clear and an instant-read thermometer inserted into the thickest part of a thigh reaches 165 degrees, about 30 minutes more. Let chicken rest for 10 minutes before serving.
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Excellent progress! Go Kristen, GO!
Lori @ RecipeGirl´s last [type] ..Chocolate Drizzled Toffee- Chocolate Chip Cookies
I’m so proud of you, Kristen! What a fun day. I know your kids will remember today as such a fun one!
Robyn | Add a Pinch´s last [type] ..MathBoard for iPad
Yeah! What a beautiful memory…in the snow. I love the picture. …and the Chicken.
But, congrats on the weight loss and the water drinking. I was a Diet Coke girl and stopped in October..it was a tough one to let go. Keep up the good work!! 
Chris´s last [type] ..Make Ahead Breakfast Burritos
Oh yum!
And congrats! Keep on truckin!
Amy | She Wears Many Hats´s last [type] ..Sweet Potato Chips
Woo hoo!!! Congratulations on your amazing weight loss! I lost three pounds this week, and they didn’t go quietly.
Your chicken looks INCREDIBLE!!! I love roast chicken because it’s really pretty easy but tastes like it took a lot of effort. I’ve never heard of using corn starch on the skin. I’ll try that.
Congrats on the progress! Good luck in the next week.
That roast chicken sounds like a perfect meal to come in to from the cold!
Crystal´s last [type] ..Fruit Cheesecake Muffins
Congratulations on the weight loss. You are doing great! Also loved the snow picture.
Your daughter couldn’t be any cuter!
Molly Chester´s last [type] ..Roasted Garlic Mashed Cauliflower
You are doing such a great job and I must tell you – YOU were my inspiration! I wish I could be you and put all of myself out there, but alas, I’m not there yet. However, I have joined you all and I’m totally motivated! Thank you for giving me the boost I needed!
Jen´s last [type] ..The Monday Morsel – Eat Live Be
WooHoo! Great job! To me, drinking water is one of the harder things to be consistent with. I’m trying to remember. Love the picture in the snow…wish we had gotten some but all we had was grey, dreary ice.
Almost 3 pounds! You’re awesome!
Lauren B.´s last [type] ..Warm Italian Chicken Sandwich
Good job! That’s awesome!
The best advice I’ve ever been given with trying to lose weight – if you “fall off the wagon” one day and go over your points, don’t stress. One day of overeating won’t cause too much havoc, just get back on the wagon the next day.
I need to get back into exercising again. Its now on my to do list for tomorrow!
Yea – sounds like 2011 is off to a wonderful start for you. Your kids are so lucky to gave such a great mom!
Picky cook´s last [type] ..crispy chocolate toffee oatmeal cookies
This looks so darn good. Can’t wait to try it out.
John McConnell
Congrats on making progress. It’s always a souece of satisfaction to see that we’re achieving our goals. You daughter is adorable!
Nisrine | Dinners & Dreams´s last [type] ..Pomegranate Molasses Ice Cream
I love the snow pics! They are priceless!
Wat to go on your progress! I’m cheering you along
Congrats on your new number – way to go, girl! I’m with you on the snow, would much rather it enjoy it from the inside. But the memories, and the movement… all good things.
Cate O’Malley´s last [type] ..Eat Live Be Week 2- Finding Your Support Group
hurray! i’m so glad you got to enjoy the snow with your family…you know your sweet kiddos are going to remember that forever
and the chicken? i kind of want to reach through the screen and eat it for breakfast!
Heather (Heather’s Dish)´s last [type] ..Happy Hour
I’m so glad I’m not the only one that wants to be a Glee Cast member!
Great job on the progress!
Lindsey @ Dishes ‘N’ Diapers´s last [type] ..Baby Gear Success
I love this post…you are so positive! Congrats on the weight loss…keep it up
taylor´s last [type] ..bacon- spinach- and mushroom risotto
What a great post — life update, thoughts about seizing the moment, and even a recipe at the end! Thanks for sharing, and for the reminder to be in the moment.
Bethany @Bridezilla Bakes´s last [type] ..Get Organized- January Goals
What a yummy looking chicken!
FireMom´s last [type] ..Eat Live Be- Week 2
Go, Kristen! Go, Kristen! That’s an awesome weight loss! And yay on getting outside with the kids. Snow is beautiful and can be so much fun. I, personally, adore sledding … and the kids love when I join them for some sledding.
Sarah Caron´s last [type] ..Eat Live Be For a Better 2011- Support
Love your blog…I’m a new “friend!”
I am so motivated by your “Biggest Loser” approach at losing weight and “putting it all out there”. I love that. Thanks for doing it and congratulations on your progress, keep up the good work.
I am not a cold and snow fan either, but sometimes it is fun. Glad you had a good time with the kiddos! And congrats on the weight loss! Keep up the good work!
The chicken and potatoes looks so warm and comforting! Keep up the good work!
Ah, but you see, the fire and book are not possible without the snow.
Great work!
Steve @ HPD´s last [type] ..The State of Dessert
Good for you! We are expecting snow and now you’ve inspired me to play outside with the kids. I would much rather be inside cooking also!
How adorable are you. You just never age do you? Keep rocking that scale lady! So proud of you!!
You go girl!!! I’m not a cold/snow girl……..so I know where you’re coming from!
TidyMom´s last [type] ..Frosted Dreams…Winter Cupcakes
Go Kristen Go! I’m not a huge fan of snow either. We’re expected to get at least another 12 inches tonight, and I’m kind of pouting about it. But I’m looking on the bright side too – James will work from home tomorrow, and we’ll get to spend the whole day together.
Amber | Bluebonnets & Brownies´s last [type] ..Bean- Bacon & Ham Soup
playing in the snow with the kids is so much fun – and yes, memories you will always have and THEY will always have – am soooo happy you did that Kristen!!!
SMITH BITES´s last [type] ..52 Sundays january 9- 2011
I love roasted chicken yet I mostly love how it does stretch to multiple meals! There really is nothing better than a big roast chicken right out of the oven. sometimes I make my cranberry sauce to go along with it and the kids feel as though it is Thanksgiving in the middle of March!
susan´s last [type] ..Community Across the Globe-Food Blog Camp 2011
You are such a good mom! I always get warm and fuzzy when I read how you spend time with your kids. xo
Michelle (What’s Cooking with Kids)´s last [type] ..Classroom Cooking- Tips for Using a Blender a Recipe
Amen sister…amen.
Wenderly´s last [type] ..Chet’s Combination Sandwiches
Woohoo mega congrats on the weight loss! That is awesome.
I have to say, the thought of having to report to the world wide web that I had failed at my first week of attempting to lose weight was daunting enough to keep me in check. So thank I god I have all of you guys to keep me accountable.
Yay for living in the moment and spending that quality time with your kids, even if it was in the snow.
Joanne´s last [type] ..Moroccan Chickpea Barley SaladEatLiveBe for a Better 2011!
Sounds like you sure did an amazing job this week… way to go!!!
Amanda´s last [type] ..Peeking Baby Cookies
I LOVE this post! Kristen, I’m so proud of you! It sounds like you are doing really well on your personal Happiness Project and on your “Eat. Live. Be. Initiative!” You most definitely ROCK! Keep up the great work!!!
((Hug))
xx
What a start to the year. I am working on living in the present as well and your post was so inspiring and reminds me that this is something that needs to be kept in check daily. I often find I never regret doing something but, I often regret not doing it. Kudos.
Bravo!!!!
As a mom of two teenage boys all I can tell you is that I wish I had done more playing when they were little. Everyone tells you the time flies.. and guess what? They are RIGHT!!!
Congratulations on sticking with your plan!!!
Nancy@acommunaltable´s last [type] ..What I learned… Food Blogger Camp 2011
What a great reminder to be present and spend time with our kids! The chicken looks amazing. I think I could eat roast chicken every night and be perfectly happy.
I’m guilty of too often just purchasing a rotisserie chicken from the store. This just might inspire me to roast one soon!
ErinsFoodFiles´s last [type] ..Curried Lentil Soup
My new year’s action plan is to be in the present too. No longer living in the past and wondering about the future – be just in today in this moment.
That’s so incredible! Yay! What a great reminder. Sledding with the kids the other day was so much FUN {even though I too am not a snow bunny} Happy I went out of my box too! xoxo
Love that you are jumping in with both feet, living & feeling everything. Mindfulness in everything we do is essential & deeply gratifying. It is wonderful hearing about your progress. This chicken looks wonderful!
xo
I love that top photo. So cute! I need to remember to slow down and take it all in. Thank you for the reminder, and I’m glad you were able to enjoy the snow.
Shaina´s last [type] ..Steak Chili to Combat the January Freeze
what a great memory this will be for you and your kids. Love that pic of your daughter with her nose all puckered up.
You go girl! Keep up the GREAT work! Also remember, being outside, playing with the kids, shoveling etc. you are bURNING a TON of calories!!!!!!!! XO, Pinky
Pinky´s last [type] .. Longwood at Christmas- 2010
That’s fabulous! You are off to such a great start! It’s funny, but having the accountability and posting each week is a great motivator!
patsyk´s last [type] ..Eat Live Be – Finding Support
Great job!! I love “being present with your family”! Such a wonderful quote to rest on and remember
I’m definitely going to be working on that one too!! And great job on a well done, hard job! You can totally do this!!!
Shanna ~ My Favorite Everything´s last [type] ..Getting Mama’s Groove Back Update
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