Juggling

Some days I feel like a juggler.  I watch babies, pay bills, do dishes, plan meals, do grocery shopping, try to always have regular nap times for the children,  do my Bible study lessons, visit my Dad, take care of all his financial things, write blog posts, do gardening chores, pick up a lot of toys, make beds, make breakfast, lunch and/or dinner for up to 6 people on a regular basis, and laundry (yes, there's always laundry). Oh, and church and choir practice and my WW meeting and getting my hair done and . . .  well, you get the picture. On top of that I'm trying very hard to exercise for at least an hour every day and to eat in accordance with my weight loss plan.

The last time I interviewed for a job, one of the questions was whether I was good at multi-tasking.   And how.  Uninterrupted time to just focus on one thing just doesn't happen very often.  (I must have had a convincing answer because I got the job.)

I once went to a conference where a professional juggler attempted to teach all of us how to juggle at least 3 things.  It's harder than it looks.  We started with small chiffon scarves which were pretty forgiving because they floated slowly enough so that we novice jugglers could snatch them out of the air.  I graduated to 4 scarves and was able to keep the pattern going for a couple minutes.  I've forgotten how, but I remember that I really had to concentrate to keep all four scarves in the air.

The point of all this is that it's hard work learning how to juggle or multi-task to do everything we have to do AND to exercise and eat and learn to exercise and eat the way we need to for good.  And I think we deserve KUDOS, all of us, for doing it.  Look over my blog roll--almost all these bloggers are doing it--learning and practicing how to eat and exercise for a healthy life.

And here's a diagram so you can learn to juggle three things--easy, no??

Hugs and Congratulations to ALL of us.

Lazy Sunday

Today was a really relaxed day for me.  I slept late, but we got to church in time for choir practice.  When we got home after church, I read the paper, made my usual cottage cheese & fruit lunch and messed around on my computer.  Our Internet connection was out for part of the afternoon and you'd think I'd have gotten something accomplished, but no, I "whiled away the hours."  [name that tune!]

I made another old favorite for dinner tonight.  Osso Buco in the crock pot.  I think having dinner cooking all day so that it's ready at meal time sounds like such a good idea, but honestly, I don't like most meats cooked in the crock pot.  Except for this recipe.  It's a winner.  I first had Osso Buco when we lived in Italy.  It's basically a fall-off-the-bone beef stew.

Osso Buco

I also made a big green salad with my own vinaigrette dressing.

Big Green Salad with Avocados, Tomatoes, Pine nuts and Vinaigrette Dressing

I'm thinking about trying a new exercise class tomorrow.  It's sponsored through our church and is, essentially a Christian yoga.  I talked to the teacher today and think that I may go tomorrow just to see how things go.  I'll have to get up an hour earlier than normal to get my Monday run in.  Even if the class is great,  I need to see if the timing works out with my schedule.  It seems like it will be sort of tight, getting back to be here when J&E are dropped off.  We'll see. I don't want to over-extend myself, but I like the idea of the class and a couple of friends are planning to be there.

Our local guys are playing the Big Bad Cowboys as I type this.  It seems we're ahead--so far, but our team has been remarkably consistent in losing in the last play or two over the past couple of years.  GO Redskins! It would make DH really happy.  But I think there are a few of you who are for the Bad Guys.  No?  :)

Well, I still need to exercise today and, I think I can safely leave the rooting for the home team in DH's capable hands.  I'm off for a date with my Kettle Bells.  [do you still call it Kettle BellS if there's only one weight??]

I could while away the hours conferrin' with the flowers consultin' with the rain . And my head I'd be scratchin' While my thoughts were busy hatchin' if I only had a brain.  
Sung by the Scarecrow, from the Wizard of Oz

Be good!  

This recipe is from the WW cookbook "In Good Time--123 Slow Cooker Recipes to Come Home To."

You could put this together in a large pot with top and let it simmer (on low) for several hours if you don't have a crock pot.  

I put the things together in the  crock pot the night before and put it in the fridge, to be popped in the next morning. It filled the house with a heavenly aroma and everyone loved it, it's a winner! I served it with a  baked potato or whole wheat wide  noodles for a filling, wonderful 10 point dinner.

OSSO BUCO

2 tbsp all purpose flour
3/4 tsp pepper
4 (10 oz) veal shanks (1.5 inches thick) [you can substitute beef shanks]
1 TBSP olive oil
1 c chopped carrot (dice size cubes)
1 c chopped celery
1 c chopped onion

1 c sliced mushrooms [not in the original recipe, but a good addition IMHO]
1 large garlic clove, minced
1/2 c dry white wine [I use red or white, whichever I happen to have]
1 (14.5 oz) can diced tomatoes, drained
1 TBST chopped fresh rosemary
1/2 tsp salt
1 bay leaf
Rosemary sprigs (optional)

1. Combine flour and pepper in a pie plate or shallow dish; stir well. Dredge veal ini flour mixture; set aside.

2. Heat oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium high heat. Add veal; cook 2 minutes on each side or until browned. Place veal in a 4 quart electric slow cooker; set aside.

3. Add carrot and next 3 ingredients to skillet; saute over medium heat 5 minutes. Add wine, swcraping bottom of skillet to loosen browned bits. Cook 1 minute. Pour vegetable mixture over veal iin slow cooker. Add tomatoes, rosemary, salt, and bay leaf. Cover with lid; cook on high heat setting 1 hour. Reduce to low heat setting, and cook 6 to 7 hours or until veal is tender. Discard bay leaf. Garnish with rosemary sprigs, if desired. Yield: 4 servings (serving size: 1 veal shank and 1.25 cups sauce).

Points 7; diabetic exchanges 3 veg, 6 L Meat

Per serving:; Cal 328, Pro 48.3g, Fat 7.6 g (sat 1.8 g), CARB 14.6, Fiber 3.0, Chol 180mg, Iron 2.9mg, Sod 638, CALC 103mg.