Surviving Summer (and shorts!)

Note: Don’t forget to click in tomorrow for our interview with Lisa Whelchel and the friendship basket giveaway. Scroll to the next post to read all about it.

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Weight Loss Wednesday

I know June 21st is the actual “real” first day of summer. (It is also the longest day of the year. And it is my anniversary. Todd surely thought it was the longest day of the year in 1986 when he wanted to ditch the stinkin’ reception and get to the honeymoon night already!)

Ahem….sorry to ramble.

My point is this. Although Memorial Day weekend isn’t the official beginning of summer, its arrival certainly spells summer to me. It means all things “summery” are just around the corner like…..

Sunburns.

Summer camp.

Grilling.

Vacations.

Family reuinons.

Picnics.

Ice cream.

Swimming.

Shorts.

YIKES!!!!!

So let’s talk summer today. This won’t be a long and philosophical post. (I’m still packing and tying up loose ends. We leave for the Homeschool Baseball National Competition today. Go Summit of Michigan! This was an unplanned editorial :-))

So ladies……

How do you handle the temptations of picnic and potlucks?

How do you deal with the frustration of still having weight to lose, but not wanting to hide all summer in long pants and long-sleeved shirts to cover up chubby thighs or ‘teacher flab’– the giggle that wiggles under your arms when you write on a chalk board?

What do you do when ice cream stops and shops are in the works weekly due to kids sports or other activities?

If it is too hot to exercise outdoors, what else can you do?

How will you handle this weekend’s annual cookout, laden with fattening food including grandma’s delicious potato salad?

Please give any ideas/thoughts/solutions/recipes when you comment this week to let us know how you are doing in your journey to health. If you don’t have any, still leave a comment to let us know how your week went so we can pray for you!

Here  are a couple grill-out ideas I try.

I know it always helps when I offer to take a couple items I can eat. So, I usually take cut up watermelon and a sensible side dish. Then I opt for the grilled chicken, the side I took, some watermelon for dessert and then just ONE small serving of whatever fattening dish is calling my name.

Usually it is grandma’s potato salad!

Here is a side dish idea to get you going:

Broccoli-Bacon Salad

1 lb fresh broccoli, broken into small flowerettes

1/2 C. chopped red onion

1 1/2 C. chopped celery

1 lb. turkey bacon, cooked and crumbled (can also use real bacon)

1/2 C. raisins (or dried cherries or cranberries)

1/2 C. sunflower seeds

Dressing:

3/4 C. light mayo

3 T. sugar

2T. vinegar

Mix dressing ingredients in a small bowl and let it sit while you combine the remaining ingredients, except the sunflower seeds, in a large bowl. Pour dressing over top and mix well. Cover and store in fridge for at least 2 hours. Just before serving, toss in sunflower seeds. Serves 8.

Calories: 169 Fat grams: 5

Happy Summer and see you tomorrow for Lisa Whelchel’s interview!

27 Comments

  1. I’m always needing to take of those extra 15lbs. Unfortunately, I recently added another 5 to 7 lbs to that!!!

  2. Here I am again. I’m joining you all, because my scale gave me an unacceptable number this morning. I’ve got a yearly gathering coming up that has made me say, “Enough!” I’m taking off those extra 15 lbs. AGAIN.

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