Autumn Indigo

my life, my travels, my family, my friends, my disAbility
A fine line- Now I am really confused
So last night I had a conference call at 7pm and Kenny doesn't get home until almost that time, so I decided to make a sandwich for dinner.  I used a low fat tortilla wrap, two slices lean roast beef, a little bit of Dijon mustard and about 1/3 of an avocado.  Now I know that avocados have fat but I did not realize how much fat.  Just a few teaspoons of avocado added 9 grams of fat to my meal.  I really feel like I messed up with that one.  I think I need to learn more about using fats in my diet.  Although I have not set a specific fat intake, I thinking that I need to be below 25 grams.  I really need to see if my insurance plan covers a nutritionist.

Yesterday I ended up with 851 calories and 24 grams of fat.  I now I can't keep going much longer taking in less than 1000 calories a day or else I am going to start losing whatever precious muscle that I have.  I really need to figure out how to meet that 1200 - 1400 calorie mark and keep my fat intake down.

So far today I am at 560 calories and 9 grams of fat from breakfast lunch and two small snacks.  I will definitely need to figure out an effective dinner and small snack for later.  I have to hit at least 1100 calories today.

Day two of exercise went well, my problem is that I have been exercising too late and now I am having trouble sleeping.  Tonight I am going to try to exercise before dinner.  I hope that is appropriate.

Autumn
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Posted by AutumnIndigo at 1/7/2010 3:58 PM | View Comments (0) | Add Comment | Trackbacks (0)
A hit and a miss
Let's start with the miss first.  Last night after the success of the pork tenderloin with mustard sauce, Kenny and I decided to try the Southwestern Chicken Hash recipe.  I had high hopes but it was very bland, we even tried to spice it up with hot sauce but it didn't help much.  After getting about a third of the way through my plate, I gave up and had a bowl of Cap'n Crunch with some low fat milk.

Now for the hit part....  Yesterday my flexiciser arrived please check it out at flexiciser.com.  This is a fantastic piece of equipment that I was able to try out in early December.  It is essentially motorized bike pedals with arms bars that move as well.  I can pull right up to it in my chair, strap my feet in and go.  You can use it three ways, passively (just like the motor do everything) aerobic mode (work faster than the motor) or resistance mode( work against the motor).  Each mode has its benefits. 

I tried it out for about 20 minutes last night.  I love that my legs are actually moving in a motion that they haven't done in years.  I could feel muscles moving and I tried my best to get some aerobic exercise in as well.  I'm not sure if I am completely out of shape or if I really was working hard, but I certainly got my heart rate up.

My goal is to use it 5 days a week.  This week I am starting a 20 minutes and gradually work my way up.  I really enjoyed my first work out.

Today I also started keeping a food diary
So far
Breakfast- Light OJ and 3 Wasa Crackers    110 Calories 0 Fat
Snack- Clementine                                                35 calories
Lunch - Lean Cuisine                                         310 Calories  8 Fat

Tonight I plan to have roast beef in a low fat wrap and some light laughing cow cheese.  I think I may try to do some cucumbers as a side.

I'll keep you posted

Autumn
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Posted by AutumnIndigo at 1/6/2010 1:09 PM | View Comments (0) | Add Comment | Trackbacks (0)
So far so good
Things are going pretty well with my New Year New Me goals with one exception: the spending.

Last week I put together a grocery list based on some recipes that I wanted to try from a Cooking Light 15 minute meals cookbook.  I found plenty of chicken and meatless recipe but decided that Kenny deserved something else.  I settled on Pork Tenderloin recipe with a mustard sauce.  I am not a big pork fan but decided to give it a try. 

Since I had a coupon for free delivery through Roche Brothers, I decided to place the order online and have it delivered.  On 12/31 the order arrived with 2 and half pounds of pork which had a use or freeze by date of 1/2.  The problem was we were out of freezer bags and did not intend to eat that much pork immediately.  So on 1/2 off we went to BJ's to get freezer bags.  BJ's is the type of place that you can never buy just what you came in looking for.  So $300+ later we have more food and are the proud owners of a food vacuum sealing system.  I keep telling myself it is an investment because  we do throw away a lot of food.

As soon as we get home we set up the machine and immediately package up the pork that we divided into three servings.  We were so excited we forgot to separate the three servings and they all ended up freezing together.  Long story short last night we made about 10 servings Pork Tenderloin with Mustard Sauce.  Kenny ran some over to my mother and father and vowed to eat some for lunch so hopefully we will not end up wasting too much.

I actually enjoyed the meal, I think  my dislike of pork goes back to the dry pork chops my mom would serve when I was kid.  The tenderloins were actually very tender and the sauce was delicious.  I think the meal including couscous and corn was about 600 calories and probably 7 grams of fat.  I am going to start tracking my calories more carefully , I figure I should have 1400 - 1600 a day to meet my goals.

So far today my total intake is

Light orange juice  50 calories no fat
2 Wasa crackers for breakfast  40 calories no fat
Thai Kitchen soup 250 calories 3.5 grams of fat
3 Wasa crackers for 60 calories 
1 wedge Laughing Cow Light    35 calories 2 grams of fat

So far today
435 calories and 5.5 grams of fat

Tonight we will be making another recipe from the Cooking Light 15 minute cookbook called Southwestern Hash, I will update you that soon.  I will also allow myself another snack tonight.  I may have to start allowing myself another snack in the morning or a more intense breakfast to meet my calorie goals.

Autumn
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Posted by AutumnIndigo at 1/5/2010 1:32 PM | View Comments (0) | Add Comment | Trackbacks (0)
New Year New Me
Yes I know this is a little cliché but I suppose this is as good of time as any to make some serious changes.

I have three main goals for the new year

Live healthier - this includes exercising and eating better
De clutter- this is going to involve donating, organizing and just plain throwing things away
Work on my debt- is going to involve spending less and working to pay down some debt.

I want to use this blog to help keep myself accountable on all three goals.  This might include posting healthier meals, tracking my exercise, updates on the de cluttering as well as the debt management.

Because I have to keep my goals in mind first, I may not be able to up date everyday.

Stick with me to see how it all turns out.

Autumn
 
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Posted by AutumnIndigo at 1/2/2010 5:42 PM | View Comments (0) | Add Comment | Trackbacks (0)
It is never too early
It is never too early to start thinking about applying for Ms. Wheelchair Massachusetts 2009. 

Please go to www.mswheelchairmass.org to check out the application packet today.  Feel free to let me know if you have any questions.

I am going to do my best at keeping everyone updated with Kristen Parisi Ms Wheelchair Massachusetts 2008 appearances during her reign.

We are also currently seeking sponsorships to help Kristen raise the money to attend the national pageant in Rockville Maryland this July.
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Posted by AutumnIndigo at 4/13/2008 11:33 AM | View Comments (0) | Add Comment | Trackbacks (0)
Pictures from the Pageant

Please enjoy some of the pictures from the Ms. Wheelchair Massachusetts Pageant on April 6th 2008!

http://www.mswheelchairmass.org/pageantphotos2008.html

There are more to come....
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Posted by AutumnIndigo at 4/10/2008 4:08 AM | View Comments (0) | Add Comment | Trackbacks (0)
Congratulations Ms Wheelchair Massachusetts 2008

 

Congratulations to Kristen Parisi, crowned Ms. Wheelchair Massachusetts 2008 at the Carson Place today.

Kristen will be making appearances across the state as well as raising money to travel to compete in the Ms Wheelchair America 2009 pageant in Rockville Maryland this July.

Stay tuned for details.

Autumn Grant
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Posted by AutumnIndigo at 4/6/2008 4:48 PM | View Comments (0) | Add Comment | Trackbacks (0)
Come Cheer Our Contestants ON

Ms Wheelchair Massachusetts: a program of achievement, advocacy and opportunity for women with disAbilities in Massachusetts announces:

The Ms. Wheelchair Massachusetts 2008 Pageant>>

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When: Sunday April 6th from 2pm to 4pm>>

Where: Carson Place at the Bayside Expo Center>>

180 Mt. Vernon Street, Boston MA 02125>>

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Tickets may be purchased for $10 at the door beginning at 1pm and will grant you access to all onstage activities and the crowning dessert celebration.  >>

This is no ordinary pageant! It is a competition based on personal interviews, platform speech presentations and on-stage interviews to find a state and national spokeswoman for people with disAbilities.   The mission of the Ms. Wheelchair America Program and the individual state programs is to provide an opportunity for women of achievement who utilize wheelchairs to successfully educate and advocate for individuals with disAbilities.>>

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Please visit our website at www.mswheelchairmass.org or contact Autumn Grant at mswheelchairmass06@yahoo.com for more information.>>
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Posted by AutumnIndigo at 3/15/2008 7:33 PM | View Comments (0) | Add Comment | Trackbacks (0)
Exciting News

 

I am very excited to announce that we currently three contestants competing for the title of Ms. Wheelchair Massachusetts 2008.  I would love to see a few more women get involved because I think it makes a better experience for everyone when there are more people to meet and socialize with.  Because of this I am extending the application deadline to March 30th.  I have lists of potential sponsors if the application fee is holding you back.
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Posted by AutumnIndigo at 3/14/2008 8:22 AM | View Comments (0) | Add Comment | Trackbacks (0)
Reduced Application Fee

Reduced Application Fee Extended

We have extended the reduced application fee for contestants to March 15th.  If you wish to compete in the Ms Wheelchair Massachusetts Pageant on April 6th, simply let me know by March 15th and the entrance fee is reduced to $125. 

Please do not let the cost restrict you, we have a number of resources that you can use to solicit sponsorship and we may be able to offer additional assistance.
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Posted by AutumnIndigo at 3/11/2008 4:46 PM | View Comments (0) | Add Comment | Trackbacks (0)
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