Updated Garden Update!

The zucchini continues to take over the garden, however, I got to pick my first one last night! I also have about 20+ tomatoes going right now, can't wait to pick the first one! Got a little time with those though, all of them are still bright green.

And the garden begins..

This past weekend was CRAZY. We filled the sandbox around the swing set with six yards of sand, had my parents over to help, and about four of our friends over to help as well. So we put the all guys on sand patrol, and my mom and I started the garden. We decided on planting; Plum Tomatoes, Big Boy Tomatoes, Cucumbers, Zucchini, and Yellow Squash. ALL of my favorites!

A frog decided to make its way in to the planter box as soon as it was set up to welcome the garden, so our little man was fascinated, he loves frogs!

Within the next few days, we added some small fences for the vines to grow up.

Since then I've also planted marigolds around the border (another compliment to my mom for the idea, and the flowers) to deter bugs away. I'll get a photo of that soon, because it looks crazy pretty. 

The cucumber plant has grown the most, and is already starting to sprout flowers! I can't believe how fast those showed up..

I think one of the biggest reasons I'm excited about this, is the time that little man and I will have this summer taking care of the garden. He's the best little helper. I remember, growing up in New York, my grandfather ALWAYS had a vegetable garden (much bigger than mine of course, I'm just a rookie). That would be one of my favorite parts of summer, helping him in the garden, and of course, the first tomato sandwich of the season. I've already promised him the first tomato that I grow on my own. I can't wait to sit with him and make a sandwich with it. Now I get to enjoy the time in the garden with my son, like grandpa and I got to enjoy it when I was younger.

Here's my big boy helper watering the plants.

..and look.. there's even a rainbow.

Baked Zucchini Fries!

I saw these on Pinterest and immediately remembered them from when I was younger. The only difference is, when I was younger, we fried them up on the stove. These are baked, and only 60 calories a serving! How can it get better than that? Here's how I did it, I changed the Pinterest recipe up a bit.

What you'll need:

One Egg

Italian Bread Crumbs

Salt, Pepper, Garlic Powder (all to taste)

One Large Zucchini

Foil, Pam, Baking Sheet

First, Mix all dry ingredients together and scramble the egg. Then, Cut up the zucchini into the size pieces you would prefer for your fries. Cover your sheet pan with a sheet of foil, and lightly spray with Pam.

Dip the zucchini sticks into the egg, and then coat them with the breadcrumb/spice mixture and lay out on foil covered sheet pan.

Bake at 425* for about 20 minutes. I turned them over after 10 minutes to brown up the other side as well. Depending on the size of your zucchini sticks, it could take more or less time. Bake until golden brown.

And you're done!! Serve with your favorite sauce! I prefer marinara sauce, but I hadn't defrosted any of my home made sauce from the freezer. So I settled for low calorie Ranch Dressing, which tasted great as well!

Enjoy!!

Ooooh the possibilities..

So this year is going to bring some super mega changes to our home. One of the biggest things I want to start is a vegetable garden. I grew up helping my grandfather with his, and let me tell you, those are some of my greatest memories. Homegrown tomato sandwiches always taste 1000x better shared around a table with family during the summer.

I'm thinking about growing Tomatoes (of course), zucchini, green beans, peas, eggplant, squash, and maybe carrots and soybeans. I'm just going to have to re-learn the seasons and planting styles, seeing I'm used to New York soil, not North Carolina clay. My lovely amazing Husband has offered to box out an area in the back yard to fill with soil and gravel, and my wonderful Mother has offered to help me get it up and going. I'm crazy excited! I definitely can't wait to start this!

Another thing we're doing, starting this weekend, is painting the living room and foyer! We're also looking into getting new couches for the living room. What does this all mean? I GET TO PAINT! I'm not talking about the walls, I'll help paint those too. I mean I get to break out my acrylic set and break in my brand new table top easel and go to town on some unsuspecting canvases. I'm too excited! I've decided to do a 4 canvas mural for the front foyer area! Now if we could just pick out the wall color.. 

More to come this summer? A bigger sitting area in the back, be it building a low deck, or extending out the cement area. Also, possibly lining the entire back fence with sunflowers. 

I have soo many things to look forward to! I love this feeling!

What does this have to do with diet and food and exercise? Not a thing, except the gard. But it makes me smile, which makes me happy, and keeps me motivated. Also, I warned you all I may go off topic sometimes :)

New Exercise DVD.. but first? a root canal.

Tomorrow morning I'm getting a bunch of dental work done, so I'm not sure if I'll post at all this weekend. 

However, I got the Jillian Michaels 30 day shred DVD I've been waiting for in the mail. So once my mouth is all healed up I'll be starting this. I've been googling before and after pictures of people who used this DVD, and let me tell you, some of these results are amazing. IF (and I mean a big IF), I feel comfortable enough, I will post my before and after pictures.... Either way, I can't wait to start this! Then I'll take a month or so off and go back to Pilates, and then maybe do another round of this DVD.

Weight update! 

I've dropped 4.5lbs since I started counting calories again (throws mini dance party in my chair!). I'm finally back under 140!

Only 12.5 more to go for my last & final weight goal! Although, I would much rather be toned and gain some more muscle, than be TOO skinny.  I've decided, during this DVD, I won't pay too much attention to the scale. I know I'll be gaining more muscle mass, so it may level out. I want to go down one more jeans size, and feel confident in a two piece bathing suit by summer. My biggest feat will be toning up my stomach. I can thank my pregnancy for the sheer hatred I have towards how my stomach looks.

Welp.. goals are set and in motion, now I just need to get through tomorrow morning =/