Brides on a Mission: Week 10

Brides on a Mission: week 10

1. Weight loss/inches lost this week: lost 2 lbs! it's my best week yet!!

2. Highlight of the past week: (not weight, just something exciting that happened): I was able to go on a run OUTSIDE w/ my puppy! It's snowing like crazy today, but yesterday the roads were fine for tennis shoes! And, its my 4th week of spin class!

3. Lowlight of the past week (not weight, just something that you need support with): Our dryer broke, so we had to shed out some $$$ to fix that. But, I've never been so grateful for a working appliance in my life! lol Gotta love home ownership!

4. What types/colors of flowers will you be having: Lime Green! Spider mums, button mums, etc!

5. Any wedding news updates: We started pre-martial counseling w/ the pastor! Also, food tasting and floral appointment this upcoming weekend!! And, Kevin picked out the tux's for him and the guys! And, I'll be going to the bridal shop on sat w/ my mom and mil trying on accessories :-)

6. When you eat out, do you have any “dos” and “don’ts”: Well.. Lately: Wheat bread, no fries, no pop.

7. Do you use weights in your workout routine: I'm lately obsessed w/ cycle zone spin class.. so no weights there. But, if I go into lift then yes.. I'm not afraid of the weight machines.

8. How did you do with the week 9 challenge (100 push-ups, sit-ups, squats): Loved it! It got me moving while watching TV shows! I did 200 of each, I'm an over achiever! hehe

9. Weekly wrap up: Proud of my 2 lb loss, excited for this weekend to get some bridal stuff done. Ash Wednesday service tonight, no chocolate for me til Easter. (I did this alone last year and lost 5 lbs.. crazy!)

I just read all the updates ladies. Thanks, and your gut was right. I did hear back from the event planner at the venue we originally wanted, and we also got some other news - an additional $5000 charge, so we are definitely looking into different venues. How do people afford to get married?! Arg, I'm going to have to sell an organ or something!:noway:

My fiance and I are splitting the cost with my parents which helps out both of us and then we also have two roommates living in our house - there rent = extra money = wedding of my dreams! hurray! and the Obama tax credit didn't hurt when we bought our house :-P

Don't know if you know this...but we found out the hard way.... The new homebuyer's credit is actually a loan that you have to start paying back the year after you get the credit on your taxes. Just an FYI. We didn't know this and we were floored when we found out that we had to pay in over $300 towards the "loan".

I have TWO favorites

This first one, Honey-Jalapeno Chicken is AMAZING but it is spicy spicy so keep that in mind ( I put some extra jalapenos in it the first time i made it and literally had to go get a spoon full of sour cream! Its so delicious though and i love the cilantro. yummmm makes me want to make it right now.
http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/robin-miller/honey-jalapeno-chicken-with-sesame-soba-noodles-recipe/index.html
i made it and put it over rice (BF is not a big noodle person

The second one is not spicy if you make it as listed, but i like a little kick so i put some chili sesame oil in it along with the regular sesame oil. again very good You can make it with pork chops OR chicken (I've done it both ways and it is delicious.) Wit this one as well, I make it sometimes as just the main dish (no noodles) and pair it with other sides.

http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/rachael-ray/orange-sesame-pork-chops-with-teriyaki-whole-wheat-noodles-recipe/index.html
Sorry both are asianish - i know its not everyones thing. i like it for that fact in that a lot of the chinese food i used to eat is just tooo bad for me to have anymore. I hope you all enjoy them )

Both of those recipes sound amazing! I think you would like one of my personal favs.

the sauce is real easy: 1 part Louisiana hot sauce, 1 part soy sauce (i use reduced sodium) and 1 part honey. Simmer until desired thickness. (for less spice use less hot sauce)

I pour that over stir-fried chicken and veggies and some rice. It is so yummy. The spiciness works perfectly with the sweetness of the honey.

Ohhhhh that does sound good! What brand loisiana hot sauce do you like?

Brides on a Mission: week 8 (Please copy and paste this into your profile)
1. Weight loss/inches lost this week: none...i'm coming back from not staying on track for two weeks
2. Highlight of the past week: (not weight, just something exciting that happened): i ordered my wedding dress!!! I'm so excited
3. Lowlight of the past week (not weight, just something that you need support with): i've been sick and my monthly is getting worse so exercise and eating right has been nil
4. What types/colors of flowers will you be having: pink roses with stephanoitis
5. Any wedding news updates: wedding dress ordered, appt for the bridesmaids to get their dresses
6. When you eat out, do you have any “dos” and “don’ts”: i don't eat out often enough for that to be an issue
7. Do you use weights in your workout routine: i will be
8. How did you do with the week 9 challenge (100 push-ups, sit-ups, squats): did not do week 9 challenge
9. Weekly wrap up: being sick sucks...back on the plan

Finally catching up on the correct week, at least!:-D

becky11785 – I hate it when you think you picked a great meal at a restaurant and you find out you blew your whole day’s worth of calories doing it. I was frustrated this week because we had a gift card for Red Robbin. There’s practically NOTHING healthy there. My burger alone was 900 calories. INSANE! I did the prep work too by looking at their menu online. Don’t eat there, it’s a killer! OMG how do you drink 18 glasses of water? My bladder would explode!*LOL* I’m lucky if I even get the eight, but I keep trying!

gainskb – Your post about snowboarding was really interesting. I’ve never skied or snowboarded before. Do you have any recommendations for someone interested in learning either? Also, you scare the crap out of me with the condom thing. My fiancé and I feel like if we have sex, we’ll get pregnant so we just don’t have faith in the condoms not breaking. I’m on the nuvaring now, but I’ve been having lots of headaches (today included). I wish there was a better option, but I’ll be checking back in with my gyno in August so I figure I’ll just put up with it for now. My fiancé and I decided to wait until we’re married to consummate the relationship. It’s tough (especially now that we’re living together), but he’s been really sweet about it. I’m kind of an old fashioned girl, so I figure what better wedding gift can I give him, but by giving him my (and believe it or not!?) his first time!! We’re both 30, so I guess we’re old farts about this.:-D

vanrunninggirl – Welcome to the forum! In all honesty, I’m not trying to get super scary skinny for my wedding. I’d just like to be at a more healthy weight. If I get there, I’ll be extremely happy, but if I’m close I can deal with that too!

wannabrn10 – Harry Potter World. Is it the Florida or California Disney?*confused* We’ll be going to the Florida one, but I’m a HUGE Harry Potter fan…. Speak of which, does anyone know if the Deathly Hallows Part 1 is out on DVD? I didn’t get to the theatre to see it.

JulieSue – Welcome to the forum. My roommate was a sign language interpreter major so I ended up picking a smidge up here and there. It was also kind of fun to try having conversation with her deaf friends.:-)

Shannon

Finally catching up on the correct week, at least!:-D

becky11785 – I hate it when you think you picked a great meal at a restaurant and you find out you blew your whole day’s worth of calories doing it. I was frustrated this week because we had a gift card for Red Robbin. There’s practically NOTHING healthy there. My burger alone was 900 calories. INSANE! I did the prep work too by looking at their menu online. Don’t eat there, it’s a killer! OMG how do you drink 18 glasses of water? My bladder would explode!*LOL* I’m lucky if I even get the eight, but I keep trying!

gainskb – Your post about snowboarding was really interesting. I’ve never skied or snowboarded before. Do you have any recommendations for someone interested in learning either? Also, you scare the crap out of me with the condom thing. My fiancé and I feel like if we have sex, we’ll get pregnant so we just don’t have faith in the condoms not breaking. I’m on the nuvaring now, but I’ve been having lots of headaches (today included). I wish there was a better option, but I’ll be checking back in with my gyno in August so I figure I’ll just put up with it for now. My fiancé and I decided to wait until we’re married to consummate the relationship. It’s tough (especially now that we’re living together), but he’s been really sweet about it. I’m kind of an old fashioned girl, so I figure what better wedding gift can I give him, but by giving him my (and believe it or not!?) his first time!! We’re both 30, so I guess we’re old farts about this.:-D

For Red Robin - you just need to play around with their web nutrition tool and take certain things off of the burgers to make them healthier. I usually get funny looks when I order it but my favorite is the Red Robin California Chicken Burger. I get it with no mayo, no cheese, no bacon and no pickles which makes it 450 calories.

I actually started off skiing in highschool and then in college decided to try snowboarding. I had a cute guy friend teach me. He was ridiculously good so he was a great teacher and he basically taught me by lining our boards up and holding my waist and just going down the mountain with me. Now unless your fiance is a good snowboarder I wouldn't suggest this method because it might upset him :-P. Personally I think that snowboarding is much easier than skiing. The biggest thing is to have confidence. The more scared you are the more you'll fall. Also, getting the right size board makes a huge difference and you should always go for shorter if given the choice because shorter boards are easier to learn on and control. The other important thing is to go multiple times a year or else you really won't get any better.

As for the condoms, I feel like they are more safe/effective because they have the same success rate of birth control but without the "did i take it at the same time every day and not forget one" scariness. Also I get headaches a lot already so I just don't feel like putting my body through the testing of different BC options. Once we're married, FH and I plan to have two kids back to back (about a year or so after the wedding) and then one of us will be getting "fixed" haha.

That's great that the two of you have kept your promise to yourselves and will have that specialness on your wedding night! That's not very common these days.

I am so excited!!! I ordered our cake topper today and it is the cutest thing ever!!



Cinderella and Prince Charming!!

I don't care if that's childish.. I am a Disney princess at heart, we're having a Disney honeymoon and, basically, I am obsessed with all things Disney.

It was $60, but they sell for $150 on the Disney Store website. Which is absolutely crazy. There's no way I would pay that much for it!! I really wanted to get the Beauty and the Beast one (I've always wanted to play Belle on Broadway. It's my absolute favorite!!), but I couldn't find that anywhere for less than $125 :-( Which seems ridiculous for a cake topper!!

Anyways, thought I'd share!

It's really cute!!! I love Disney!

I have TWO favorites

This first one, Honey-Jalapeno Chicken is AMAZING but it is spicy spicy so keep that in mind ( I put some extra jalapenos in it the first time i made it and literally had to go get a spoon full of sour cream! Its so delicious though and i love the cilantro. yummmm makes me want to make it right now.
http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/robin-miller/honey-jalapeno-chicken-with-sesame-soba-noodles-recipe/index.html
i made it and put it over rice (BF is not a big noodle person

The second one is not spicy if you make it as listed, but i like a little kick so i put some chili sesame oil in it along with the regular sesame oil. again very good You can make it with pork chops OR chicken (I've done it both ways and it is delicious.) Wit this one as well, I make it sometimes as just the main dish (no noodles) and pair it with other sides.

http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/rachael-ray/orange-sesame-pork-chops-with-teriyaki-whole-wheat-noodles-recipe/index.html
Sorry both are asianish - i know its not everyones thing. i like it for that fact in that a lot of the chinese food i used to eat is just tooo bad for me to have anymore. I hope you all enjoy them )

Both of those recipes sound amazing! I think you would like one of my personal favs.

the sauce is real easy: 1 part Louisiana hot sauce, 1 part soy sauce (i use reduced sodium) and 1 part honey. Simmer until desired thickness. (for less spice use less hot sauce)

I pour that over stir-fried chicken and veggies and some rice. It is so yummy. The spiciness works perfectly with the sweetness of the honey.

Ohhhhh that does sound good! What brand loisiana hot sauce do you like?

I use The Original Louisiana Hot Sauce brand. I also usually use 1/3 cup parts for the sauce and cook the chicken with ginger and garlic seasonings. Yum

Here's my fav. It's from Bethenny Frankel. Seriously every recipe of hers I've ever made has been fantastic! Here's her recipe for guilt-free fries.

Ingredients
4 baking potatoes cut into wedges (leave skin on)
4 teaspoons olive oil
1⁄2 teaspoon salt
1⁄2 teaspoon black pepper
1⁄2 teaspoon paprika =
4 servings of French fries, 202 calories each

Directions
Rather than deep-fry potatoes, toss them in oil, sprinkle with spices, and bake at 425° for 35 minutes or until crisp. Oh, so good—and just about half the calories of regular fries.

I’ve been a little stressed and happy at the same time this week. I got into graduate school for my English MA, but am afraid to go because of the reforms going on for teachers. I don’t want to make myself a target of being too rich for the school district’s blood or, if I’d get furloughed and decide I want to leave, I don’t want to make myself unmarketable for another job. Yet, working my way up to the English PhD has always been my dream…. What’s a girl to do?! I have to schedule by the end of the month and classes start immediately after I get back from the honeymoon. I have to drive out twice a week…. a three hour drive one way! Not sure how to swing that, but I don’t want to be apart from Dan too much either since we’ll be newlyweds and all!;-)

Greenpianokeys – My fiancé and I will have Hopper tickets for Disney when we go with his parents this December. But Harry Potter world is in Universal Studios and that’s considered to be a completely separate park, isn’t it? I also purchased a swimsuit for our honeymoon, since I know there will be hot tubs and swimming pools on our cruise ship. I bought the purple paisley one listed at Victoria’s Secret’s website. I figured it would be more supportive than the cheapo-Walmart ones I’ve been buying. My boobs always feel like they’re hanging down to my toes!*LOL* I never lose weight on them, it seems, so I’m sure the suit will still fit decently in three months.

wannabrn10 - I saw that you want pomanders for your wedding. Are you going for real or fakes? I got pretty ivory colored ones from Oriental Trading online for cheap! They’re nice sized and don’t look cheesy. I think they also advertised them in red and white… not sure of your colors though.

kstoller2 – I don’t think a 10am brunch for a shower is too early. A brunch is supposed to be breakfast and lunch, so you don’t want to make it too late either! I’d like the idea of something like this. You have the party, and then you still have time to do other things in the afternoon as well. Very respectful idea for the people who will be invited!

becky11785 – I’m definitely trying the Honey-Jalapeño Chicken recipe. I love spicy!

Gainskb – I know what you mean about longing for that wedding band! Dan and I picked ours out before Christmas and I love mine! It has a swirly, paisley-like pattern embedded into the white gold, with tiny specs of diamonds spaced throughout. I didn’t want big, since my fiancé helped me design a custom engagement ring, I still wanted it to remain the main focus. I’m excited because the engravings are going to be a secret until our wedding day. The jewelers is keeping them and my parents are picking them up the morning of the ceremony. I wonder what Dan wrote in his! I put “With all my heart” and our date 6.18.11.

Shannon

Have you been to Harry Potter world? I went there last summer. It was awesome! I did think it was a little small though. But you burn a ton of cal getting there because it is at the very back of the park!

No I haven't been! I want to go soooo bad! I am a Harry Potter junkie! I lllooovvee the books and (most of) the movies! I heard from a co-worker the same thing - that it felt a bit small. I can't wait to go but it probably won't be for another year at least... can't complain though... the reason would be we have no PTO remaining but that's because we'll be in Hawaii for 10 days following our wedding :-)

I love Harry Potter! Harry Potter world is officially on my "to-do" list after our wedding.
@gainskb- That's great about being in Hawaii following your wedding. Which island will you be visiting.
For my wedding, we will be getting married on Oahu and our honeymoon will be on Kauai! I can't wait!

@sweet13_princess-- Harry Potter is at Universal's Islands of Adventure off of International Drive and is about 15-20 minutes away from Disney World depending on traffic on I-4. Have fun at Disney World!! We hope to go back one day since I interned at Disney in college. I totally recommend checking out the fireworks show at MGM Studios! Amazing!! Oh and the best time to see the animals on the safari ride at Animal Kingdom is in the morning. And the best thing I learned working there is that sometimes the "fastpass" option for some rides is not always fast! Lol!