Kelley Butte Lookout.

Wow what a hike!! Sure they said this one would be easy at only 3 miles round trip. They did not say 95 percent  of it is steep uphill with switchbacks almost the whole way.  After someone puking on the huckleberries and wondering if we should turn back, we decided to have lunch and press on.  When we got to the lookout we all agreed it was worth all the pain and trouble.  I wish we had a better camera so you could see the view. It was amazing.

Lake Chelan

I’m not so good about updating our blog. Finally I am posting the pics from our Triathlon.  We have some from our camp in the morning.

If anyone wants to join in on the fun next year go to Chelanman.com. I know Carla will be there!!

Gorilla Poop is not so bad.

So as I was making the second batch of Gorilla Poop (chocolate no bake cookies) I was thinking they could be almost healthy.  Really why not?  Oatmeal and peanut butter sounds healthy. I guess that could be way I’m training as hard as I am and not losing weight.  Well I thought I would share the recipe for you all to enjoy. I’m not sure were I got the recipe so I can’t give them credit – sorry to however you are, but thanks anyway.

Gorilla Poop 

2 cups sugar

4 Tablespoon cocoa

1 stick butter

1/2 cup milk

1 cup natural peanut butter

1 Tablespoon Vanilla

3 cup Oatmeal

Direction 

In a heavy saucepan bring to boil the sugar,cocoa,butter and milk. Let boil for 1 minute then stir in peanut butter, vanilla and oatmeal.  On a sheet of wax paper drop mixture by the teaspoonful, cool until harden.

*I think next time I will take out 1/2 cup oatmeal and add mulled flax-seed, That way you get omega 3,6,and 9.  And maybe change the milk to soy or rice milk.

The thought from a reformed couch potato…

The reason we start something is rarely the reason we continue.

I went along with friends that had the idea of doing a Triathlon; but now I’m doing it for myself.  I have fun seeing the improvement in what I’m doing. For instance I can actually breath while I’m running, that in its self is quit the improvement. On top of that I feel healthier. I will be honest I hate almost every minute of the workout, but I am so happy I did it when I am done.

There are 60 days left until the Try-a-Tri.  I have been able to cut my 3 mile run down to about 25 minutes, not bad from 45 minutes. I have yet to do the complete 13 mile ride on my bike, but I have started riding.  The swim has me a bit worried.  I don’t even have a swimsuit yet.  I was told by my brilliant sister that the swim is more like a warm up anyway.

Baked Potato Soup

Baked Potato soup

Ingredients

2 medium baked Potatoes (2cups chopped)
3 tablespoons butter
1 cup diced white onion
2 tablespoon flour
4 cups chicken stock
2 cups water
1/4 cup cornstarch
1 1/2 cups instant mashed potatoes
1 teaspoon salt
3/4 teaspoon pepper
1/2 teaspoon basil
1/8 thyme
1cup half and half

Garnish
1/2 cup shredded cheese
1/4 cup crumbled cooked bacon
green onions chopped

Directions
1. In a stockpot start by melting butter and saute onion until light brown. Add the flour to the onions and stir to make a roux.
2. Add stock, water, cornstarch, instant potatoes, spices to the pot and bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer for 5 minutes.
3. Cut potatoes in half and lengthwise and scoop out the contents with a large spoon. Discard skin.  Chop baked potato in as large  of chucks as you like or about 1/2 inch in size.
4. Add chopped potatoes and half and half into the pot, then bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 15 more minutes or until thick.

IT’S DONE!!!!  Spoon into a bowl  put the toppings on and enjoy!!!!

The Difference Between Success and Failure

If you never try you can never succeed. If you try and do the best you can, you will never fail.”

Jim Rodgers

Isn’t it funny how it is as simple as that.  When you think about it, all that comes between success and failure is your willingness to try. Your willingness to spit in the eye of anything that holds you back.  I am sure it is something different for everyone.  What is holding you back and from what?  Fitness, new career, hobby, what is it?  What is stopping you?   For me I let aches, pains, and weight hold me back from a lot for things I could have enjoyed with my family.  I was as afraid of looking foolish and not doing it good enough.  But what I have found along the way… is if I’m not going to do things for me or enjoy my family and my life, who will?  A big fat NO ONE!!!!!!  I have to do it or I mean I get to enjoy it.  We are all blessed with so much and we just compare ourselves or what we have to everyone else. They run faster … no duh they worked at it.  They look better … no duh they eat healthier.  They have bigger and better whatever… well, what did they have to go through to get it. Chances are a lot more then what I’m willing to do for it.

So here it is in a nutshell…. I am me and I am the best me there is!

So I am doing a Try A Tri….. It may not be pretty but I’m doing it!!!  I have 133 days to be able to run 3 miles, bike 13 miles and swim a 1/2 mile.  Not bad, I can do it.  What can you do? Break out of your comfort zone.  Do something crazy!!!!!

Crustless Spinach Mini-Quiche

Ingredients

    10 eggs
    1 cup skim milk or rice milk
    chopped baby spinach
    1 shredded 2% milk cheese
    1-1/2 tsp black pepper
    2 tsp garlic powder                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    1 Tbs dried minced onion
    Directions
Mix all ingredients. Pour equally in 12 greased muffin cups. Bake in preheated 375 degree oven for 30 minutes or until golden and knife inserted in center comes out clean. Let cool, and enjoy.

NOTE: These will puff up like souffle, don’t worry! They will shrink back to a smaller size after they’re taken out of the oven.

 

Caramel Macchiato Cheesecake

Good for the soul not the thighs.

Ingredients

  • 2 cups graham cracker crumbs
  • 1/2 cup butter, melted
  • 2 tablespoons white sugar
  • 3 (8 ounce) packages cream cheese, softened
  • 1 cup white sugar
  • 3 eggs
  • 1 (8 ounce) container sour cream
  • 1/4 cup brewed espresso or strong coffee
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
  • pressurized whipped cream
  • caramel ice cream topping

Directions

  1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Lightly coat a 9-inch springform pan with nonstick cooking spray.
  2. Mix together the graham cracker crumbs, melted butter, and 2 tablespoons of sugar until well combined. Press into the bottom of the prepared springform pan, and 1 inch up the sides. Bake in preheated oven for 8 minutes, then remove to cool on a wire rack.
  3. Reduce oven temperature to 325 degrees F (165 degrees C).
  4. Beat the softened cream cheese in a large bowl with an electric mixer until fluffy. Gradually add 1 cup of sugar, beating until blended. Add eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Stir in sour cream, espresso and vanilla. Pour batter into the baked and cooled crust.
  5. Bake cheesecake in the preheated oven for 1 hour and 5 minutes; then turn the oven off, partially open the door and allow the cheesecake to rest for 15 minutes more. Remove from the oven, and run a knife around the edges. Cool cheesecake on a wire rack to room temperature, then cover the springform pan with plastic wrap, and chill in the refrigerator for 8 hours.
  6. To serve, cut the cheesecake into wedges and garnish each slice with whipped cream and caramel sauce.

Nutritional Information open nutritional information

Amount Per Serving Calories: 486 | Total Fat: 35g | Cholesterol: 147mg

From all recipes

 

Oh Happy Day!!!

It happened to be sunny on a day I thought I had off, so we went hiking and geocaching.  We went to 3 stops on our hike.  We went to First Lake, Boise Creek waterfall and Skyline over look of a tree farm.  We had a lot of fun and not to hard.  I just would not recommend going all the way to the over look the day after a 2 hour zumbathon.  After we got home I had a message from work asking if I was going to make in today.  As it turned out I was suppose to be there at 3 and I got the message at 5. Tee-Hee.  Better late than never….Right?

I Need Chocolate…..

So why is it that when you start to watch what you eat all you want is what you can’t have?  So I found this recipe for Brownie Muffins.

180 Calories 3 grams of fat and 3 grams of fiber with only 2 ingredients.

1 – box devils food cake

1 – 15 oz can of pure pumpkin ( not pumpkin pie filling)

Mix together with a wooden spoon until well mixed.  Evenly scoop in a 12 lined cupcake tin.

Bake in a preheated oven at 400 for about 20 minutes.

So there you go get your chocolate fix without too much guilt.  I know you will want to add more ingredients but don’t!  No eggs, no oil!

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