Twylite's Trying for weight loss group CLOSED (Page 6)

2 tbsps extra-virgin olive oil
1 tbsp butter, unsalted
1 large white onion, finely chopped
1 large clove garlic, smashed and peeled or minced
2 tbsps all-purpose flour
3 cups lower-salt chicken broth
28 oz whole peeled plum tomatoes, puréed (include the juice)- I like to use fire roasted tomatoes!
1 1/2 tsp sugar
1 sprig fresh thyme
kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
3 tbsps thinly sliced fresh basil, chives, or dill, or a mixture of the three- if you have it, not necessary

In a non-reactive 5- to 6-quart stock pot or Dutch oven, heat the oil and butter over medium-low heat to melt the butter. Add the onion and garlic, stirring periodically until translucent and soft. Take care not to brown them (which is what I accidentally did). Stir in the flour until the onion and garlic are coated. Pour in the broth, puréed tomatoes, sugar, thyme, and about 1/4 teaspoon each of salt and pepper. Bring the soup to a simmer over medium-high heat while stirring to prevent any sticking on the bottom of the pot. Reduce the heat to low and let the soup simmer, covered for 40 minutes. Remove the thyme sprig and let the soup cool a little before puréeing it in a blender or a food processor. for creaminess, I do also like to mix in something like a half cup of low fat milk, or FF half and half or even just some half and half since it is not very much in a whole pot of soup. Season to taste with salt and pepper and reheat if it has cooled too much. Serve warm, garnished with herbs. Makes 8 cups.

Once in the forum add to your favorites.  It will sometimes take me to the page I originally saved, but at least then I can go to the current page. 

I did a light workout tonight as I'm meeting with a trainer early in the morning and I he will work me good. 

Hope you all have a great Thursday. Down to my single digit days before I leave. 

Good morning gang! It's coooold! 18 degrees in the sunny south. My mind and body are shutting down. Anyway, just popping in a saying HI! Have done my crunches and squats,but see I've got to add some more for the weight loss.

Work over the top. Saw bookkeeper yesterday and was told I was already doing all that. No wonder I feel swamped. Had crown drilled. Yuk! So workouts have been on back burner.

Ya'll are all doing great out there. Keep up the good work and post your workouts for the rest of us who need some inspiration.

Will check back in later tonite.

Good morning. Hope you all are relaxing a little this Saturday. It's cold, and we don't do cold very well here in the South. I've been AWOL this week. Stress over the top, but more of that later. Let me catch up a little.

Fernando: Saw where your oldest would like to tri. I think that's awesome. It's a great family sport. Kudos to him and to a great role model dad. I don't know much about the charity deduction. Maybe we can find out somewhere on the site. What's this about a new bike?? Must have details and pic.

Amy: Great motivation getting the workout in early while child slept. You are so right about needing to prop each other up. January is the toughest month of the year mentally and physically. Ya'll hang in there.

Jon: Hope you got rested. You are right to skip workouts if you are tired. Everyone is dragging a little right now. Saw where you're down 8.5#. Will add 30sec ab bicycle for each of your pounds. OH, that's gonna hurt!

Kristen: Go girl!!!!! 4 pounds since 1/1!!!. OK, I'm dedicating Superman extensions to your weight loss, 20 for each pound. I'll go get my fitness ball and get on them. Keep up the good work.

Maggie: When do you leave?

Tracy: I'll look for your weight loss tomorrow. Will have to find an exercise for you. Like the veggie tray. Will get some for myself next time I go to the store. We do better when I have fresh veggies ready to munch. Congrats on your PB!

OK, looks like I have some core work to do this weekend.

Just a word about what to do when life gets over the top. Last week was hard for me, clients stressed over the top, broke a tooth, had it fixed. Heater went out in 18 degree weather. Kids let out of school for predicted snow...didn't happen. Surprise bills showed up. Anyway, pretty typical over the top life stuff. If we let it, this stuff can short-circuit our plans for training, so here's a couple of things I do, that may help when each of you (and you will) runs into unexpected stress.

1. Rest. I leave out optional workouts. My coach/friend says "When in doubt, leave it out.". So since I'm in a prep phase for 1/2 mary, I cut it down to bare minimum runs this week (and core work from you guys). Office staff fielded unnecessary phone calls for me from vendors, etc.

2. Eat well. It's easy to go thru drive-throughs when time gets crunched. I pick up prepared salads, yogurt, fruit, water and plan easy, lean meat meals.

3. Ask for help. Daughter did the laundry (mountains of it). DH called the AC/heat people. Got a hug from coach/friend.

4. Stay with your disciplines: I tried to keep up with my routines as much as possible, regular bedtime, quiet time in AM, sit down for lunch, kid time at night, etc. Can be very hard when life gets over the top.

5. Keep it in perspective. January is only one month. It will go away. Spring will arrive soon and with it, longer days, warmth, sun, increased vitamin D levels and better moods and coping for everyone.

Hope you all have a great weekend. Come here for help if you get overwhelmed.

Til tomorrow...