Am I the only one who immediately goes to worse case scenario when someone hasn’t blogged for a long time, with no explanation?  I realize not everyone blogs at the same pace or frequency, but when someone hasn’t posted in a long time, who used to, I wonder, what happened?

Case in point:  Healthy Mom on the Run.   She last posted in August when her husband was taking her away on an impromptu vacation, then nothing.  Is she okay?  Did they have fun?  She’s pregnant, so then I start to think, is the baby okay?

Next up:  Minus the Whip Cream.  Manda lost 20 pounds in March – she kicked ass!  Then nothing.  I kinda feel like a stalker because I keep leaving comments asking if she’s okay, but no response.  🙁

Lastly: Sharon of Snipets and Bites.  She was a blogger back in 2008 and 2009, in fact she was one of the first regular readers I had that wasn’t family.   She was a college student in Canada, used to make the most gorgeous plates of fruit and veggies for her lunches, and talked warmly about when she went home and her Dad made her his signature Asian dishes.  Her site just shut down one day. 🙁

So any of you who decide to stop blogging, I understand, but could you just have a farewell post?  And those I mentioned are okay, could you let me know so I can stop worrying? 😀

It actually reminded me a time when Hannah was about 4.  My friend was between houses with her husband and they were staying at her MIL’s house.  She had a pool and invited Hannah and I over for the afternoon.  She asked if I needed the address, and I was like “I’ve been there half a dozen times, I know how to get there!”  We ended the conversation that she was going to jump in the shower, as it was a 30 minute drive.

Hannah and I get to her MIL’s house and ring the doorbell. Nothing.  We knock on the door.  Nothing.  After 20 minutes, my mind goes to worse case scenario.  She’s fallen in the shower, cracked her head open and is bleeding!  Hannah and I went to the side gate – but it could only be opened from the inside in.  I have this clever idea that I am going to hoist Hannah over the fence!  There was a frog lawn ornament – I picked up Hannah and got her over to the other side, only to realize she has about a 2 foot drop and I am thinking of what to do, when I hear my friend behind me say “Biz, what the fuck are you doing?”

Um, turns out I was at the house next door – that look almost identical!  Oops!  I asked Hannah if she remembered that story, but she didn’t, which is probably a good thing!  Um, let’s just say that some of my early parenting skills were questionable!

You knew it was only a matter of time before I made another breakfast pizza.  I usually cook it 3/4 of the way at home, then finish it off in our work toaster oven – I must have had it on the wrong temperature because I put the pizza in, went to my desk, opened my email and a couple minutes later I thought I could smell something burning!  I saved it in the nick of time – I had the temp on 450 for broil!

 

343 calories, 52 carbs, 19 protein, 8 fat and 4.5 fiber

 

My friend and I walked for 50 minutes at lunch – I walked with 2 pound weights.  The trees are just starting to turn and it was a gorgeous day – in the low 70’s!

I had leftover broccoli ranch mac n cheese, with a side salad.  Except I must have taken my low fat salad dressing home because I couldn’t find it.  All that we had was full fat ranch, so I mixed 1 tablespoon ranch with 1 tablespoon cholula hot sauce and it was delicious!  A spicy ranch! 😀

 

Lunch: 498 calories, 54 carbs, 21 protien, 23 fat and 7.5 fiber

 

 

note to self: remove stickers from produce before chopping! 😀

 

I have yet a third version of my Cincinnati Chili – this one is the best one yet and the simplest!  It’s just the right heat level for Tony too.

Simple Cincinnati Chili (printer friendly version here)

Makes 6 servings (243 calories, 7.9 fat, 5.5 carbs, 2.1 fiber and 36.4 protein)

Ingredients

1 clove garlic, minced
2 tablespoons tomato paste
2 tablespoons chili powder
1 tablespoon dried oregano
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
1 cup chicken broth
8 ounce tomato sauce (1 small can)
1 tablespoon vinegar
1 1/2 pounds lean ground beef

Directions

  1. Heat non-stick skillet to medium. Add ground beef and cook until almost completely done.
  2. Drain fat. Add back to pan, add all remaining ingredients and simmer for 15 minutes.
  3. Serve over cooked pasta, with cheese, peppers, black beans, whatever!

Here is my Cincinnati Chili – 5 way:  1/2 cup of chili served over 1/2 cup cooked pasta, diced orange pepper, torn baby spinach, 1/2 ounce cheddar cheese and spicy black beans, oh and hot sauce 😀

 

534 calories, 54 carbs, 41 protein, 16 fat, 13.1 fiber

 

Stats for Wednesday:

  • 1489 calories, 179 carbs, 85 protein, 50 fat, 26 fiber
  • 29% of calories from fat
  • 50 minute walk with 2 pound weights
  • 15 minute walk with dog

BSI! Sorry for the delay in BSI this week, we had a bit of confusion with hosts this week, but it will work to your advantage because you’ll have more time to submit your entries to Errign of Errign’s Adventures who chose Apple Cider!  You have until Sunday, October 17 to get your recipes to her and she’ll pick a winner on Monday, October 18.  First thing that came to mind for me were apple cider donuts, but I’ll have to think about it! 😀

I want that! I haven’t done an I want that shout out in a while, but as soon as I saw it, I wanted it.   Cook and the Dishwashers Southwestern Bean Soup with Cornmeal Dumplings.  I want those cornmeal dumplings!

And not too late to vote for Round 3 in Project Food Buzz.  Even though I didn’t make it through, I am not sad because Friday I’ll get the call from Foodbuzz telling me that I won a trip to San Francisco for my Pumpkin and Roasted “Popcorn” soup!

My votes?

Sorry this was so long – if you have made it down this far – have a great day! 😀