I Shredded and I did not die. But it was close.

Oh last night was a night of projects around the Snyder household.  First off, yesterday marked day one of our Eat From The Pantry Challenge. 

Here's our pantry to start.  In all fairness, this is just one food storage area.  I'll have to grab the others later.

We have a bunch of leftovers from the holidays including some turkey from New Years, so I decided to make Turkey and Biscuits.

Using up some of the turkey and a bag of frozen broccoli I had in the freezer.  Actually, as I got going, I realized I had enough turkey, canned goods and an extra bag of broccoli, so I made one for last night and froze one.

We started off with this.

Here's the recipe if you are interested:

Casserole (Yes, I realize I am from Minnesota, but I have never called it hot dish)

2 cans cream of chicken soup

1 cup uncooked white rice

2 cups diced, cooked turkey (or chicken)

1-2 cups of broccoli

1 can of evaporated milk

1 T onion flakes

Pepper to taste

Biscuits

2 cups of flour

1 T baking powder

1 t of salt (or less)

3/4 - 1 cup of skim milk

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.  Combine all of the top ingredients in a bowl and pour it into a 9x13 baking dish.  Combine the ingredients for the biscuits and drop them in small balls on top of the casserole.  Bake at 350 for an hour.  I find it's helpful to let it sit for a bit before baking to let them rice soak up some of the moisture, or it may not get cooked all the way through.

The whole family loves this easy recipe, including our picky eater. 

Made all from ingredients we had on hand.  Yesterday I did have to buy a loaf of bread, but that was it.  So our grocery spending for January thus far is $2.19.

I also found this great tool to figure out the nutritionals on the recipe (by the way, it serves about 6).  And was also able to learn that one serving has about 475 calories, 20 grams of fat (no surprises there), and 2 grams of fiber.

All said, I did start using my Lose It app again yesterday and was able to stay at my recommended calorie levels.  So my rabbit-like lunch paid off, I guess.

Which brings me to project number two. 

30 Day Shred - Day 1

I had a horrible pit in my stomach.  No, more than a pit.  It was a serious pain.  Which I forced myself to accept was just anxiety.  We got the kids bathed and to bed and I dug out the dusty workout clothes and headed to the basement to start day one of the Jillian Michael "30 Day Shred" program.

The DVD began and I thought to myself, "I think I am going to puke."  Luckily the phone rang and saved me.  And after that call, I thought, my god, this basement is a mess, I should clean it.  No, no, no.  And then I thought, "Oh yeah, Jillian Michaels, 'Biggest Loser' starts tomorrow, better check the DVR to see if it's programmed."  Check.  Hey, "Heroes" is on, what else do we have on our DVR. 

And then I redirected myself, set the DVR, did not clean the basement, did not watch TV, and turned the DVD back on.

Horrible pain still there.  Here's how it went.

She's a lot nicer on the DVD than she is on the show.  Thank god.  I know I have a lot to do, I don't need someone reminding me.

Introduces her "girls" who will be doing the exercises.  You watch them breathing and their stomachs don't move.  How in the world is that possible?  And then then bend over and there is no pooch.  Okay, Molly, don't look down, just look at them.

Sweet mother, this hurts.

Really, no water break?  Okay, I get it Jillian, if I stop, I lose the benefit of going straight through.

Seriously?!  Jumping jacks are this hard?

Crunches?  You must hate me.  Or I must hate myself.

One of the girls is sweating.  I think they just sprayed her with water on a cut away to make us feel better.

"Pain is fear leaving the body?"  I don't think so.  I think pain is my body telling me, "Hey Molly, nice job, you've really done it to yourself this time."

"Just a couple more..." does not mean like seven more.

Desperately watching the time clock on the DVD player.  5 more minutes.

I can see my water across the room, but she isn't going to let me go get it, is she?

Dying.  That is it.  I am dying.  And I deserve it. 

Cool down. 

Oh thank you. 

And no worries, Jillian, I am less flexible than you.

So I did it.  I made it through day one.  And my legs were jelly last night, and are screaming at me today.  And I will go back and do it again tonight.  It's not pretty, and it's not fun.  But I know it's the right thing to do.

I'll spare you all any before pictures, but for the sake of accountability, I will share that not only would I like to lose 23 pounds, I would like to someday be able to wear those 12 or so pairs of pants that are feeling so sad and neglected in my closet.

Oh yeah, and that wine has calories deal?  No wine for us last night.  Ugh, wine and shredding.  I would have puked for sure.