Friend of Julie: Old Photos and New Recipe

I took notes about my weight loss journey earlier this week and I didn't have time to post to this blog, so I'm going to post them now.

9/30/11 

I watched this video of me that was created this time last year. OMG! It's one thing to see yourself in a photo, it's another to see a yourself video, even if only for  a few seconds.

I saw myself in another video with my back to the camera - wow - I really had no idea just how large I was. I'm glad I was looking at a video and not looking in a mirror.

Today, eight months into my weight loss journey, I can see how much my body has changed, but I also see that I am still obese. I feel good about the change in my size at at the same time and I am mindful of the being in this present present moment. In being present, I can accept my body size today, be proud of the progress I've made, and continue to be optimistic about the journey that is still ahead of me.

Last night I returned a couple of the blouses I bought a few weeks ago. My good friend Amie pointed out:

They're too long for your new body. In a few months when the lower part of your body catches up to your small shoulders, those tops are going to hang on you and make you look bigger.

I'm taking two more blouses back this week.

10/07/11

I heard some great comments about my weight loss this week. I was walking with my brother a few nights ago and I saw a woman turn towards us, turn away, and then turn back to us again.

"I thought I heard your voice, but when I turned around I realized it wasn't you. Then, I heard your voice again and turned to see that it is you! You look great!" my friend said to me.

Then she turned to my brother and said, "You must be so proud of your sister!"

"Yes I am" he beamed.

After walking my brother to his car, my friend and I walked for about 45 minutes. I'd been sitting at my desk all day and it felt great to expend some of the high energy I had at 7 pm. As we walked, she again commented on my weight...

"You look normal now" she said.

Normal works for me.

I took this photo of the chicken salad I made tonight and described how I make it below. I have a couple food videos to post one of these days. One video is how to make pizza Julie style. The other is on making a Julie style drink with vodka. I promise to post them by the end of October. Meanwhile, I have butternut squash roasting in the oven that I need to tend to. Enjoy my chicken salad recipe.

Chicken Salad

One of my favorite and easy-to-make meals is chicken salad. I cook two packages of chicken tenders or breasts in a pot of water and when the chicken cooled down, I put the chicken in a food processor. Salt and pepper to taste. I generally only add black pepper, but I like to mince garlic in it too.

Sometimes I add an onion to the food processor and mixed it in with the ground chicken. Other times I cut the onion by hand and add celery too. I put the covered dish full of chicken in the refrigerator and it's ready for a quick meal. I add mayo or yogurt to the portion I'm ready to eat or when I pack it in my lunch container.

It all makes a mess, but it's well worth it. Tonight I'm having chicken salad with pickles. Sometimes I have salad greens or eat celery along with it.