"An artist is a person who uses conscious skill and creative imagination."

Friday, April 21, 2017

Spring Weigh In

Now that the long and cold days of winter are behind us, some of us are taking an actual look ‘behind’ or possibly ‘below’ to see a bit of a bulge that wasn’t there before. Spring is the time everyone wants to shed their winter insulation...and I’m not talking about your long-john underwear, lol. I’m talking about those extra few pounds the winter months pack upon us.

Unfortunate for me, I have more than winter insulation against me. I have menopause beating me down like a dirty dish rag. So many women complain about hot flashes, but not me. Nope, I’m not that lucky. I get to gain weight instead...and without any notice of it coming. It just happens whether I like it or not. Boom...three pounds...boom...another three more pounds. My doctor said it’s going to be my thing. Yay me!

I exercise regularly and watch what I eat since menopause knocked on my door. I don’t diet, because I don’t eat enough junk to have a diet be necessary. I have managed to lose some of menopause’s weight, but this spring I have an even bigger incentive to lose weight. My twenty fifth wedding anniversary is May 16, and I am determined to fit into the dress I bought, which fits, but is a bit snug...which a pair of spanx would work, but I want to breathe, lol.
So, after chatting with my supportive husband about the benefits of eating foods with higher protein, I have changed my diet to include more protein and less carbs. And it’s working! The pounds are coming off, though not as fast as I’d like, but I have to remember I’m also fighting hormonal changes. I’ve also kept up on my exercising of walking the dog, biking, and lifting weights. I am determined!

If any of you are fighting the battle of the spring bulge, here’s a great protein snack to have at breakfast or lunch...and you don’t have to go to McDonald’s to get it!
My Dang-Good Egg McMuffin
1 egg
2 thin slices of chicken
Shredded mozzarella
1 English muffin
You can substitute chicken for ham, and mozzarella for a slice of cheddar cheese.

Fry an egg to your liking. Lift the egg to place a slice of chicken. Gently fry the chicken for a few seconds then turn to the other side. Place a bit of shredded mozzarella on the chicken then cover it with your egg. Lift your chicken and egg to fry the second slice of chicken. Fry one side and then the other. Place another bit of mozzarella then flip your egg over and onto the chicken.
The end result should be: chicken, mozzarella, egg, mozzarella, and chicken.
Toast your English muffin and place your egg and chicken within the slices.
I add a couple slices of cucumber on the side.
Enjoy this delicious meal! High in protein and low in carbs!

During the Highway Cafe’s Spring ‘Tastic Tour, I’m giving way an eBook copy of Hershey’s Choice. The Chocolate Lab in Hershey’s Choice loves to go for walks just as much as my own Yellow Lab.
Britt may be Hershey’s choice, but can the boisterous Labrador convince his owner? 

Engineer Ryan Jerome has a knack for designing the future but can’t create one for himself. When Ryan lets his dog, Hershey, take the lead, going to the park is never the same. Unintentional meetings, a soiled coat, and a meddling mother are a few of the obstacles in his way of convincing Britt he’s not a stalker. Will he accept his dog’s direction and open his heart to the beautiful woman with a side of crazy? 

Ruined weddings, divorced parents, and disastrous relationships have left event planner Britt Wells a non-believer in happy-ever-after. She’s readying for a future in interior design with one last wedding to oversee. Complications arise when she learns a suspected stalker and owner of an unruly dog is related to her client. Falling for Ryan and Hershey were not part of the plan. Can she put aside her doubts in relationships and take a chance on love?
Amazon:
http://www.amazon.com/Hersheys-Choice-Choices-Darlene-Fredette-ebook/dp/B017OCROO6/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1447424557&sr=1-1

Leave a comment for a chance to win Hershey’s Choice, and if you find the hidden eggs on my blog, let me know for an additional entry in my giveaway.

AND...Be sure to visit The Highway Cafe’s blog for the list of other participants in the Spring ‘Tastic Tour, as well as enter our grand prize giveaway of a Spring ‘Tastic Basket of 15 eBooks!
http://transcanadaromancewriters.blogspot.ca/2017/04/spring-tastic-tour.html 
Winner will be announced April 28, 2017.

Happy Spring!

21 comments:

  1. Oh how I can relate to the menopause weight gain!!! I was actually on Nutrisystem when Menopause hit me full bat-to the-face and insead of losing the 10 pounds I wanted I gained 32. Ridiculous!!! Good luck.

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    1. Peggy, 32 pounds! That's just menopausal nasty. I hope you got control of it. Thank you for stopping by :)

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  2. I enjoyed your post. I never had to watch my weight - until I hit 60. That age weight gain if awful!!

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    1. Hi Anita, I didn't have to watch my weight either, but now it's a fight. You'd think we could just grow old gracefully, lol. Thank you for stopping by!

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  3. I'm with you girl. It's a battle, and for me the villain in this war is especially chocolate.

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    1. Hi Gini! I'm lucky I'm not a big chocolate eater, so that addiction isn't one I have to fight, but I do love cookies, lol!

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  4. Spring is always a good time to diet. The pressure of those summer shorts is good incentive.

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    1. Hi Nancy, I totally agree about the shorts, lol!

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  5. Love your recipe. Happy coming-anniversary!!

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  6. Thank you, K.K.! Guess what I'm having for lunch today, lol.

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  7. Hey Darlene, speak for yourself,(LOL) it's still snowing here, supposed to get 3 more inches over the weekend. But... we need the mositure. Loved your post!!! Weight gain is always a problem, but with warmer days eventually, easier to shed those winter pounds.

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    1. Tena, just say 'no' to snow! I think I would move if I were you, lol! Thank you for stopping by.

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  8. Delightful recipe! Thanks for sharing! <3

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    1. I hope you try my recipe, Ruby! Thank you for stopping by.

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  9. Your goal is a good one and sounds like you're on your way.

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    1. Thank you, Linda, I am quite happy with my progress :)

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  10. Yes--those sneaky pounds magically appear. I am with you, sister. Every afternoon, I swear that tomorrow I will do the road work and get rid of those nasty inches and every morning I drink another cup of tea and dive into my WIP instead. Good Luck to you. If you find a potion or spell that works, let's have another blog hop so you can share it :)

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    1. Sorchia, a potion or spell would be perfect, and I could still eat cookies! lol!

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  11. When I hit 40 I started the bulge and after a few years tried the South Beach diet (heavily modified) but found that for those of us who don't have sweet tooths, it works like a charm--lots of meat, vegetables cheese--protein and I shed 20 pounds without ever feeling sorry for myself. So keep it up! M. S.

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    1. 20 pounds is awesome, M.S. I don't have a big sweet tooth (other than cookies) and the higher intake of protein is helping. Thank you for stopping by.

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  12. Ohh, I love your writing and would love to read Hershy's Choice! My husband had a brown lab named Hershey when I met him!

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