Beachy from A to Z

A. Age:   37

B. Bed size: King - anything else is too crowded.

C. Chore you dislike: We could be here all day!  I'll say cleaning the bathroom.

D. Dogs: Zero.  Maybe someday.

E. Essential start to your day: A shower, iced coffee and breakfast.

F. Favorite color: Probably pink and aqua (but not together).

G. Gold or silver: I like both.  My wedding ring is gold, but I mix.  I love turquoise and gold together.

H. Height: 5′ 7"

I. Instruments you play(ed): A little piano

J. Job title(s): Marketing Assistant

K. Kids: None & perfectly ok with that.

L. Live for: Weekends and nights with my husband.  We are very much in love and have a great time together.

M. Most embarrassing moment: I wiped out in front of my manager once.  My feet just got tangled and I tripped.  I was red for a week!

N. Nicknames: Too private!

O. Overnight hospital stays: For gall bladder surgery about 10 years ago.

P. Pet peeves: Lack of manners

Q. Quote from a movie: Almost the entire script from Steel Magnolias.  There are way too many good quotes in that movie!

S. Siblings: One sister : )

T. Time you wake up: Between 5:30 - 6:30 on weekdays.

U. University attended: Western Illinois University

V. Vegetables: I like most of them and try to eat several a day.  Fruits too.

W. What makes you run late: An unexpected emergency.  I'm always on time.

X. X-rays you’ve had: Dental

Y. Yummy food you make: I into making things that I love lighter.  I'm good at tacos, fish, enchilada casserole, and shrimp po' boys!

Z. Zoo animal favorites: Hmmm... well here in Florida I like the manatees and sea turtles.

Tag!  You're it!

Weight Watchers Tips & Tricks

I have been an official WW since July and have managed to lose 46 pounds.  I was asked to share some tips and tricks I use to be successful. 

I use the WW Online program.  It fits into my lifestyle perfectly.  I know I wouldn't go to a meeting but I am on the computer all day so its easy to track my points that way.  I also own a WW calculator which helps when I am not able to be by a computer.  I plan to get an iphone when its time to upgrade my cell so I am able to use the app WW offers.

I plan my points budget first thing in the morning.  I do all the shopping and all of the cooking so I know exactly what we are eating every night.  I also buy breakfast and lunches to take to work.  I have a cute little lunch bag that my sister got me that I can fill with hummus, carrots, string cheese, sandwiches, leftovers, Lean Cuisines, fruit, etc. 

I only do cocktails one night a week.  Fridays.  With homade WW friendly pizza.  It's a wonderful reward for being so good all week long.

I don't really like to work out so I haven't done that at this point.  I do take beach walks occasionally or play wii but its not consistent.

I had a plateau that lasted about 2-3 months.  When I started drinking all of my water again I dropped 5 pounds.  Water is key.  I drink diet soda but only when I get off work.  I have to drink water all day long.

Are you a WW?  Do you have any words of wisdom to share?

Happy Mardi Gras!

Today is the day to celebrate all things Louisiana! As a former resident of the state of Louisiana, I'd like to share a deliciously easy recipe for a New Orleans staple: The Shrimp Po'Boy. The sandwich is traditionally stuffed with fried shrimp, but this version is fresh and flavorful and keeps it on the lighter side...


You'll need -

Loaf of fresh French bread (Publix does a nice job with theirs)
1 lb Fresh shrimp (peeled and deveined)
Olive oil spray (like Pam)
Lettuce
Sliced tomatoes
Dill pickle slices
Light mayo
Salt
Pepper
Chopped garlic
Fresh parsley
Cajun Seasoning
Lemon

Preheat oven to 350. Slice bread into 6 servings and then slice in half, leaving one side unsliced (so it opens like a book). Lightly spray the inside of the bread with olive oil and place on a cookie sheet in the oven for about 4 minutes to toast. While your bread is toasting, toss shrimp with salt, pepper, garlic, parsley and cajun spice and add to a hot skillet. Squeeze a lemon over the shrimp and cook to a pretty pink.

To serve, be sure to "dress" the sandwich like a local New Orlenian: Slather bread with mayo and pile on lettuce, tomatoes, pickles and shrimp. Lassiez le bon temps rouler!

Weekend photos

This weekend Mr. Beachy and I went to the Strawberry Festival on Boca Grande.  We ate deliciously fresh, homemade strawberry shortcake in the sun and I bought two hats for our upcoming trip to St. Lucia.  While walking back to the car I snapped a few photos with my phone and thought I'd share.  It is a beautiful time of year here in the sunshine state.

What's in your lunch box?

I've been doing my Weight Watchers plan for about 5 months now and am down a total of 40 pounds!  Yay me! 

I have been taking my breakfast and lunch to work, for the most part, and am starting to get a little tired of my regular food.  I bring: (individually wrapped/packaged):

• Carrots and hummus for breakfast

For lunch I have a selection of the following:

• lean meat on a sandwich thin
• fruit
• cottage cheese
• sugar free pudding
• sun chips
• an occasional chocolate

Once in a while I will go out to Panera *YUM* or get a lunch out of the cafeteria. 

I stock our fridge with the above stapels for me and Mr. Beachy to be able to grab and throw in our lunch boxes on the way out the door. 

What are your staples?  Do you have any fun ideas for me?

Snowaggedon

I really feel for those of you up north who keep getting slammed with winter!  Here's some great Florida beaches to help warm your bones... best enjoyed with rum.

Stay warm!

Football snacking and New Year's stuff

Happy New Year!  I'm so excited for this year!  Mr. Beachy and I are dropping some pounds and gearing up for our anniversary trip to St. Lucia in the spring!  We've never even had passports before so this is really exciting for us. 

We had an early New Year's party last Thursday and stayed up way too late (5:00!!!) so on New Year's Eve we were in bed by 9:30!  :) 

I brought this dip to our early party and everyone loved it.  It is a lightened up version of a seven layer dip and is absolutely delicious!

Taco Dip

8 oz 1/3 reduced fat cream cheese, softened
8 oz light sour cream
16 oz salsa
packet of taco seasoning
3 chopped tomatoes
2% reduced fat shredded cheddar cheese
shredded lettuce
black olives
sliced green onions

Mix the first 4 ingredients well.  A hand mixer works well for this step.  Layer lettuce, cheese, tomatoes, olives and onions.  Serve with tortilla chips. 

It's so easy and super tasty.  I highly recommend it for any football party you have coming up.

A Christmas Wish

This time of year is tough for me.  I love the music, the lights, the movies, decorations and food, but at leat 10 times a day I think of my mom.  Yesterday was my birthday and she didn't call to sing to me. Whenever I hear Silent Night I have to turn the channel or leave the room.  Little things can make my eyes sting with tears and wish I could have her back for just a few minutes.

My Christmas wish for your family is to absolutely love and treasure one another.  Nothing is more important.  We get all wrapped up in what gift we will get for the boss or will I get an iPad this year, but none of that truly matters when the person who you most want to give a gift to is no longer there.

Have a wonderful, memory-filled Christmas with your loved ones and thanks for reading again this year.

A Beachy Holiday Tradition

Last year I didn't have the pictures to show you but this year I wanted to be sure to share the lighting of the Boca Grande lighthouse for Christmas.  Mr. Beachy and I went to the island on Saturday afternoon for the lighting of the downtown Christmas tree and the lighthouse.  Mr. Beachy followed it up by taking me to a delicious sushi dinner.  Yum!

Last year we were able to meet the lady who grew up there!  Can you imagine growing up in a lighthouse and having the beach as your backyard? 

We've had a fun-filled couple of weeks.  Hope your Christmas season is and continues to be merry.

Just some odds & ends

This week I've been getting back in the swing of things after a wonderful four days off for Thanksgiving with Mr. Beachy.  Thanksgiving was a quiet day in with a healthy and delicious dinner.We took a day trip to the island of Boca Grande on Saturday.  I did some Christmas shopping and found a lot of really nice things while Mr. Beachy worked.  We had a wonderful lunch at the beach at South Beach Bar and Grill - where we had dinner on our wedding night and headed home for a relaxing evening of sundowners on the lanai.  The rest of the weekend I decorated for Christmas.  I'll post a picture of our Christmas Palm Tree later tomorrow if I remember to take one tonight.

I've also been learning the updatedWeight Watchers plan this week.  I've been following WW since August and it's wonderful!  It's the easiest diet I've ever been on.

I wrapped up most of my holiday shopping this week.  I have a couple more gifts to buy but I know what I'm getting so it shouldn't be difficult.  I used the internet for my family's gifts and just had them sent directly to my Dad's house.  Easy peasy.

So to recap, life is good and the livin' is easy.  Hoping the same for you this holiday season.