Goodbye Baby weight....hopefully!

Well it has been one since I had Cole and the weight that I gained unfortunately has not disappeared on its own so that means I have to get busy! I definitely enjoyed my pregnancy and did not work out or watch what I ate. I indulged in all of the Christmas goodies and satisfied all of those cravings I had. Because of this, I gained 40 lbs!!!! That is just insane! No wonder I looked enormous at the end. One month after Cole I have lost a little over 25. I want the rest of it off asap so I'm starting South Beach this week.


I am so excited because I had mentioned it to my mom and my sister and they are joining in the fun. Now I have someone to keep me accountable and someone to understand my pain when we can't eat bread, fruit, or anything with sugar for the first two weeks. I think it is going to be a great way to shed those last 15 lbs and get back healthy. I am going to do a weekly post on how the journey is going. I am very excited about making this recipe for dinner this week. Thank goodness I love vegetables or the first two weeks would be brutal!

Crockpot Black Bean Chili with Lime and Cilantro
(Makes about 6 servings)




2 large onions, finely chopped
2 tsp. olive oil + more for browning meat if needed
1 lb. extra lean ground beef
1 quart beef stock, simmer to reduce to 2 cups (I used my homemade beef stock, but you can use two cans beef broth. Don't reduce for stovetop cooking.)
3 cans (15 oz.) black beans, rinsed and drained
1 can (15 oz.) refried pinto beans
2 cans (14.5 oz.) petite dice tomatoes
2 T dried cilantro
2 T chile powder (preferably New Mexico chile powder)
2 T Ancho chile powder (or 2 T more regular chile powder)
1 T ground cumin
1/4 cup fresh squeezed lime juice, plus sliced limes to squeeze into chili if desired
1/2 cup chopped fresh cilantro, plus more for garnish if desired