I'm all over the place!!

Good morning dolls! I am up early for a day off! Since I've had surgery, I am unable to stay up very late and I rise rather early every morning (even if I have nothing scheduled).  I have been connecting with several people thru Instagram, amazing women whom have also had some form of weight loss surgery.  I get to peer into their lives and see their progress and accomplishments! There are a number of people who are having alot of success with post surgery eating and maintaining weight loss.

Many of them take pics of their meals and have inspired me to come out of my "comfort box" where food is concerned.  I am excited to try new things, healthy options for eating.  I have been eating "safe" meals. Meals that I know are the right options for me, and flavorful. But now I'm ready to explore with new herbs, seasonings and pairings that I would have never put together on my own.

I have "food envy" with some of the ladies, because it seems as if they really are ENJOYING what they are eating and not just eating because its TIME to eat. There is also a co-worker of mine that comes up with amazing recipes and is having great success with her weight loss plan.  Kudos to you girlie for sticking it out! The girls at work are fabulous cheerleaders in my corner! They help keep me encouraged. They notice small changes in my physique; and just good gals to have around. We keep each other on track (since quite a few are on a weight loss plan)

With that said, I am preparing this weekend for a "wine tasting/pot luck" at my home with some great friends. Thing is.....I am unable to sample any of the wine selections that will be brought to my home; and probably most of the appetizers as well. At any rate, I will enjoy the fellowship with my friends and I am making some appetizers that are healthy options for me to enjoy.  I may just fill my wine glass with some crystal light and enjoy it just the same.

I am due soon for my 3 month follow-up visit with the surgeon.  I am determined to make him proud of me! I feel like he took a chance on me and helped me change my life, the least I can do for myself and for him, is to do what he has instructed me to do and hopefully to surpass the expectations he has laid out for my weight loss journey.

I have also noticed that I am starting to take more pics of myself now. Before the surgery, I would not take a pic, if my life depended on it!! Which now makes it hard to show the progress, because I don't have alot of pics me overweight! I feel like I'm back to the "pre weight gain" KaSandra!! I care about how I look when I go out now. And not that I was a complete slob before the surgery, but now it's just different, but familiar to me. I feel better about myself. I had come to love the overweight KaSandra, but I was not HAPPY with the overweight KaSandra. I am waayy more active than I ever was! I want to get out and do more things, when I have time off. Instead of lying around the house because I'm soo tired and not feeling well. I have more energy.  Basically, I'm just excited about LIFE!

Here is a dish that I put together for dinner last night. It was full of flavor and OMG good!

2 boneless skinless chicken breast
2 cups carrots, snap peas, white onions, and celery
1 large squash, washed and sliced
2-4 tbsp EVOO
1 tbsp lemon pepper
salt/pepper to taste

Heat the EVOO in a large pan, cook the chicken breast until done, cut into strips and set aside. Saute' the remaining veggies until tender, add the chicken breast back to the pan. Sprinkle lemon pepper, salt and pepper over food and stir. Enjoy!