Update

I've come back to blog because I want to keep better track of my weight loss (30 lbs as of today), recipes and my life. It's all going to pretty random. Today's entry is going to be a long one. N is playing at Bell's tonight and I am not feeling well enough to go to Bell's and have a Winter White (maybe my last of the season) and not sleepy enough for bed. Also I am miraculously getting free wireless right now. Heh heh. Bear with me!

Life, in retrospect today:
First, Vegas was interesting. We had a good time with N's grandparents despite a few drawbacks, walked around without spending money, saw a funk/soul band, I lost the 100 bucks I put aside to lose on blackjack, I found out that I freaking love blackjack and I basked in the sunshine. I missed the dogs terribly, but saw the mountains for the first time. I spent a lot of quality time with my partner for life. I also had a Carl's Jr. burger and milkshake (oh my, so delicious). That goes to say that I ate at too many buffets and was off of weight watchers for a few days. However, I was on vacation and I ate in moderation... well sometimes! Some pics:

Old downtown: My favorite part of Vegas.

This pic made me want to sing that song, "Every day in a winnnnding roooad."

"I get a little bit closer."

All the places we walked through, but couldn't afford. Posh.

The first casino we went to, The Orleans, where Papa "works"

Goodbye for a few weeks, short sleeves. Boo hoo.

Food today:
All right, here is my menu post for the day:
B- Oatmeal with cinnamon and sliced banana
L- Chicken noodle soup (getting tired of this)
S- Cottage cheese with mandarin oranges
D- Chili with a slice of pumpernickel bread.
Yeah, the menu is a little light today. I was sick for the last three days and this is first day I could stomach something other than chicken noodle soup.

However, the chili turned out great and it was easy! We'll be eating for the next few days... maybe on a baked potato? It is one of my favorite recipes and the first one I will post here:
1 package of lean ground turkey (or beef or soy)
1 red pepper, chopped
1 yellow (or green, or orange) pepper, chopped
2 cups carrots, chopped
1/2 large sweet onion, chopped
2 cloves of garlic, finely chopped
2 T olive oil
2 16 ounce cans black beans, rinsed
3 cups chicken or veggie broth
1 small can (unsure of ounces) tomato paste
1 16 ounce can diced tomatoes with green chilis
1/2 package frozen corn
1 16 ounce container fresh salsa (or in a jar, whatever you've got)
2 T chili powder
3 t cumin
All right, in a large pot, heat olive oil and then saute pepper, garlic, carrots, and onion over medium high heat until slightly browned.
Add chili and cumin, toss with veggies until spices are fragrent.
Add ground turkey, break up with a wooden spoon
After turkey is browned, add black beans, broth, corn, diced tomatoes, corn and salsa.
Stir! Then, simmer at medium high and then cover and turn heat to low. Keep it there for 35 min or until chili thickens.

Pics of my spicy dinner (I added fat free sour cream and cheddar and had a slice of wonderful, homemade Sarkozy's pumpernickel bread):

YUM! Spicy. And crusty.

That's it for now! I am on a mission to find a new haircut. Something chin length, perhaps?
Let me leave you with some advice I learned on the strip...

Goodnight, sleep tight. Don't let the flu bug bite... that cheeky bastard.