7 Things - 11/29/2012

Well, well, well... we meet again. Last time I wrote it was on the first day of summer, and here we are in the holiday season. Time flies when you're BUSY! Here's an update on what's going on in my life, and the random thoughts popping around in my skull.

1. I've kind of scaled back on my health and fitness goals. Of course I did. When I go, I go hard, and of course I couldn't keep it up with all the other things going on in my life. I'm still holding strong with my weight at 115, drinking 1 (sometimes 2) shakes a day during the week, and none on the weekends. I'm pleased with myself in that sense, but disappointed that the gym activity has fallen by the wayside. I'd love to transfer my membership to somewhere closer, but I am holding on to the fact that Planet Fitness is supposedly putting in a gym closer to me.

2. Cody and I have been leading a Life Group this fall, focusing on helping Philadelphia's homeless population. Our group takes turns in preparing meals, and then bring donated clothes and care packages with snacks and hygene items down to some of the spots the homeless hang out. It's been SUCH a rewarding experience. I'll go more into that in a later post...

3. I started hosting Quizzo at Union Jack's in Manayunk, and I flipping love it. I love researching the questions and answers, and then getting over my hate of speaking in public by running the show at the bar. It's great practice for Jeopardy, that's for sure! It's at 8:30pm on Wednesdays (except for nights they have special events), and goes for about an hour and a half. Hope to see you there! Suggestions for categories are more than welcome.

4. I read Twilight.... and I liked it. I feel like I just told a deep dirty secret. I am so ashamed.

5. Tomorrow night, Cody and I are doing our annual holiday decorapalooza! We'll hit the Christmas Tree Shoppe to pick up some more lights and fun, inexpensive decorations, clean out the storage corner in our living room, grab a tree from the place down the street that donates proceeds to the SPCA, and listen to awesomely obnoxious holiday music. I can't wait. It's the only day we have to do it for the next week and a half, so we're spending some quality time together and making this place festive.

6. I am giving TD Bank the boot tomorrow, and I cannot wait. If you're a customer, do yourself a favor and sign up for Mint (it's free!). Go through all your transactions and categorize them. Yes, it'll take time, but so very worth it for budgeting purposes. Don't forget to "split" your transactions if they should be coming from more than one account. For example, if your cash withdraw says $41.75, that $1.75 should be allocated to ATM fees, and then of course there's the typical $2 fee for not going to a bank approved ATM. I found out I've accrued a few hundred dollars worth of fees from ATM withdraws, cashier's checks (which have increased in price), and now the $15 a month service fee. Grrrr.  I've had it! So I switched to PNC Bank, which charges no ATM fee, and if you go to an ATM outside of the bank's service, they'll refund you the money charged by the ATM vendor -- 2 of the charges per month. I'm already loving their online banking system, and you can deposit checks simply by taking a photo. I hope this fantastic business keeps up!

7. I am terribly excited to see Girl Meets World! Don't laugh. Really. I used to love Boy Meets World when I was a kid (and who am I kidding? I still do...), and this should be an interesting sequel series. Fun!

That's it for now. Hope you all are having a great start to the holidays. And don't forget to move the Elf tonight. ;)

7 Things - The Goal Edition

In order to keep myself accountable, I wanted to share with you seven goals I have for myself (in no particular order!).

1. Gain more lean muscle. I know, I know, we've been talking about joining a gym for quite awhile, but we are signing up this week - make that tomorrow! I am super happy about my transformation so far, but I'd like to tone up, get total body healthy, and start moving. Hey, and I hear exercising releases endorphins, so hopefully my happiness will improve as well!

2. Get a certificate in personal training or nutrition counseling. It would be a sweet way to make some money on the side, and I'd have fun doing it!

3. Get out of debt. Between my credit cards, the car loan, and student loans, we don't have a lot to put aside for savings. I am dreaming of the day I get to cross just one of those off the list. It's coming, and it's coming soon, and it is such blessing to know that. Once the first one is paid off, we can work on the second, and then the third, and then...

4. MOVE! We've been in this apartment for a few years, and Cody even longer, so it's time to look for a new spot.

5. Get on Jeopardy. Practice every day, take the test every time I can, and pray my little heart out. :)

6. Work towards an educational goal.

7. And finally, I want to grow in my faith. I've always been a worrier, and one of my goals is to just learn to trust in God. I need to stop worrying about tomorrow and focus on the right now. I've been memorizing Scripture to repeat over and over (and over...) in my head to remind me that I am loved, I am cared for, and I can trust in Him. I have a Heavenly Father that has great plans for me. I need to "bloom where I'm planted," and if I'm feeling like I'm not going anywhere, I need to work on where I am before I move on to something else. I was doing so well with this for so long, but I've really let myself slip in to my old habits lately. Ugh. I am doing it more and more, and I really just need to stop and chill out. I'd also like to continue reading through the New Testament every morning. It improves my day by starting out with the Word every morning. I always find something that resonates with me and sticks with me through the day.

What goals are you working towards? Will you link up with me and put them out there, so we can hold each other accountable?

1st 90 Day Challenge Results!!

Well, it's certainly been awhile! I just wanted to give you all an update on how I finished with my 90 Day Challenge -- something I should have done a long time ago but haven't really found time!

I finished started February 10th at 138 lbs. I was eating unhealthy foods on a regular basis, always tired, always achy, getting headaches and migraines galore, stomach and acid reflux issues... I could keep going. I have to walk up and down stairs at my work several times a day, often carrying a lot of things, and I was getting WINDED. Crazy! I was in gymnastics for many years, ran track, worked in a deli (which required a lot of moving and lifting), and I had never felt this poorly in my life. I knew the doctor was right - I needed to drop a few pounds.

I don't have a before picture, because I was too embarrassed to stand there in a bikini and have my own husband take the photo. However, I do have a 30 day progress photo. This is 7 lbs down.

And HERE is my final photo... 15 lbs down baby, weighing in at 123!! This is first thing in the morning, so I'm looking a bit tired and bedraggled, but I am SO happy with the results. I was able to get down to 121, but I seem to stabilize at this weight, which is what I wanted.

I don't know what's been my favorite part of this journey... Drinking the delicious shakes. Seeing that I CAN do it if I put my mind to it. Seeing my husband's progress. Helping others start their own Challenges and introducing them to Visalus. Getting myself out of debt. Feeling like a new person.  

Here's a comparison photo from my husband. On the left is his before and to the right is his after. He lost about 13 lbs without drinking the shakes religiously and he splurged on his favorite wings quite often (in his words, he would have lost more if he laid off the beer, haha.) But who cares about the numbers? He looks awesome and he's solidly under 200 lbs for the first time in 3 years. I love it.

Cody uploaded some photos from our trip to Mexico today. This is a photo of me about 2 weeks into the Challenge, but took a break from the shakes on our trip. I can't believe the different in my arms and my belly. Honestly, I look like I could pass for a pregnant woman. But it's all a matter of where you came from... when we were on the beach, for the first time in my whole life, I was ok with walking to the shore line in just my bathing suit - no cover up necessary. Let's just say I am itching to go to the beach a whole heck of a lot this season!

Finally, here's a photo of me and my friend Jenny in New York during April. I love what I see here. I'm happy and I feel healthy. What more could I ask for from this amazing product?

If you're interested in starting your own challenge, please contact me on Facebook or visit my website. There are kits for people with different goals and different price options. And if you refer 3, you get yours for free! And really, who doesn't like free stuff?

Thanks for reading and check back soon for more updates! My next 90 Day Challenge is going to be insaneeee. :) I hope to have some solid abs next time I post a bathing suit photo haha.

7 Things - 05/09/2012

1. Our 90 Day Challenge is up TOMORROW!! Ahh!! I think I am going to actually do it the full day tomorrow and do my final weights and measures on Friday. I have a feeling I'm going to be really, REALLY happy with the results. So excited to share with all of you!

2. Most of the time, I cook some kind of meal with chicken or pork, but I got crazy and bought salmon the other day. I found this Southwestern Salmon recipe a few weeks ago, and thought I'd give it a shot. It came out really well. I didn't use the papaya, and kept the corn and black beans on the side. Next time I'm going to follow it more precisely.

3. Our Epic Mothers Day Home Makeover was this past Saturday, and boy am I happy it's over! You wouldn't believe how much work it takes to pull that project together. We were there for 14 hours. Yes, 14 hours. Most of the time, I just organized people and let them know where they needed to be, but once I got people settled, I tried to do some actual work. I got a chance to do some painting, wood staining, laid tile (!!!), and helped clean up. Over 100 volunteers made this possible, and we couldn't have done it without their hard work. I'll share the video when it's finished. It'll make you feel warm and fuzzy. :)

4. Is anyone else keeping up with American Idol? I can't believe they voted Skyler off last week! I'm not a country fan, but she had a very pretty, unique voice. Phillip is still my #1, so I hope he wins! OK, OK, it's a little dorky... my guilty pleasure...

5. Last week of Life Group is next week. I cannot believe it's almost over! We've got 3 chapters left of The Irresistible Revolution, which we'll discuss tomorrow night, then our social. What a great group of people we've gotten to know over the last few weeks! I am truly blessed to have these guys and girls in my life, and I'll miss seeing them every week. But I'm looking forward to a few weeks off and then getting to know a new group of people during the summer semester!

6. We got to dog sit the world's cutest dog last weekend! (Yes, even with the 14 hour day I had on Saturday.) His name is Little Guy, and if I ever get a dog, I'll be disappointed if he's not as cool as him. He's a wee little long-haired miniature dachshund, and he's got the cutest little legs that flail all over the place when he's on his back getting a belly rub. Think we can throw a dog in the mix with 3 cats and a chinchilla? HAHAHAHA... I'm joking. Seriously.

7. I'm still thinking about getting certified online as a TEFL teacher. It's not too much money, and it'll help me make some extra money, and hopefully get me a decent job when Cody and I fulfill our dream of moving to Puerto Vallarta. :) What are your thoughts? Do you know anyone who teaches English overseas? How did they get certified?

Have a great night everyone!

Snacking and more!

I wanted to post some tips on how to stay fuller longer, what to mix your ViSalus shakes with to really help you meet your goals, and other things, so read on...

Foods that make you feel full [Women's Health Magazine] - Some of the items include hot oatmeal (throw some in your ViSalus shake to help you feel fuller for longer!) and apples. I loooove shakes with apples and cinnamon - and cinnamon is really good for you, as well! Popcorn and eggs make great snacks, as well. With ViSalus, you can have two snacks a day with your two shakes - but make sure they are healthy! A few cookies aren't going to be the best snack idea... unless they are the Nutracookies haha... but some fruits or veggies and yogurt are good ideas.

Healthy Foods that Keep You Full [Yahoo!] - A lot of people ask me what Cody and I eat for dinner on our Challenge. What we eat for dinner probably isn't TOO different from you. I have a couple of staples, including...

• Soup & whole-grain bagels (or bagel thins or whole-grain crackers)
• Big salads... I love taco or fajita salads with grilled chicken, beans, peppers, onions, salsa...
• Grilled boneless pork chops with some kind of fruit based sauce, a simple green salad or snap peas on the side, brown rice or sweet potatoes
• Breakfast for dinner w/ eggs
• Crockpot meals!! Lots of chicken ones, not too many heavy sauces, lots of veggie, replace beef with ground chicken or turkey
• Tacos!

Quick & easy 100 calories snacks - Here are a lot of fun snacks to try out, all less than 100 calories! Yey! The weekends when we're just sitting in (which haven't been many lately) are the hardest when it comes to snacking. I just make sure I always have something good and healthy in the house, because going to the convenience store isn't going to end up well...

50 Healthiest Snacks - These are actually quicker snacks, ones to take with you to work. I keep a Ziploc bag of dried fruit and nuts in my jacket pocket and just eat a few as needed, which thankfully isn't much. I also love pretzels, popcorn, and fresh veggies.

103 Healthy Snack recipes [Rachael Ray] - Another great list of snacks from Rachael Ray. 

Some other ways I've found that help me stay fuller longer, get healthier, and successfully follow my Challenge:

• Drink lots of water! I got a great self-filtering bottle from Best Buy and I can always fill up at a sink. 
• Check your portion size! We Americans are used to having our plates totally filled and eating everything in one sitting. If you go out to a restaurant, consider taking half of it home for tomorrow's dinner. It's probably a ridiculous portion size anyway.  I love this portion guide from WebMD, and definitely printing it for my fridge. 
• Eat more veggies. The end. If you don't like them, check out this article from WebMD. I also found a great document describing the health benefits to vegetables and the vitamins found in them (and also in the ViSalus mix!!) PS - French fries don't count. :)
• Eat breakfast. You'll eat less calories throughout the day if you do. You'll stay fuller longer, and you'll be more alert in the morning. If you don't do breakfast now, consider a ViSalus shake in the morning. You'll get a ton of great nutrition, it tastes as good as you want it to, and you'll be more apt to eat less calories later in the day.

Please follow me on Pinterest for more recipe ideas! I try to post fairly healthy items... sometimes, not all the time hehe... 

I'd love to hear what you all do for your snacks, and how you try to eat healthier. Please share with us! And don't forget, if you ever want any more info on the 90 Day Challenge, contact me at any time!

Time for a change...

Hi Friends!

It's been a wild few months, filled with all kinds of activities, commitments, friends, vacation, and CHANGE. I almost don't know where to start, so I think I'll begin with one of the most apparent physical changes, and the catalyst for many other changes in my life.

I've been having some neurological / migraine issues since September, resulting in lots of doctor appointments, co-pays, medications, the whole deal. [Well, I've had migraines and headaches in my life, for as far back as I remember, but especially over the last year and a half, with the worst bout starting in September.] My primary care doctor had gently mentioned to me losing some weight and exercising, which could potentially decrease my problems and improve my overall health. The last time I was at my primary care, in December 2011, I weighed in at 154 pounds. *gulp* That was by far the heaviest I had been in my life. My clothes were getting progressively tighter, and I was becoming more and more self-conscious about the way I looked. I was getting out of breath doing things that I never had trouble with before. Needless to say, I knew I had to take charge.

This is a picture of me and Cody at my cousin's wedding in August... I was close to 150 at this point. Also, it was the day of Hurricane Irene, so I looked like a hot mess from the storm. My hair is atrocious for a fancy wedding, haha.

So I definitely listened to her advice, but I just didn't know how to follow it. I tried running, but re-injured my foot, not to mention I wasn't enjoying it like I used to. I started yoga, but it kind of fell off again as I got busier and busier with random things in my life. The gyms in my area are all pretty pricey, not to mention I felt so awkward... all these fit people looking like they belonged. I felt like a fish out of water, to say the least.

In September at another cousin's wedding... (The other side of the family, so I'm wearing the same dress. Don't judge! I didn't want to buy another piece of clothing at that size.)

In December, I started a new medication for my headaches. One of the side effects was a decrease in appetite. For the first few weeks on it, I couldn't stand the smell or taste of most foods. This is REALLY depressing for someone who loves food as much as I do! I was losing that weight, but as positive as I tried to be about it, I was so unhappy. I looked unhealthy, I was tired all the time, and I was miserable due to the other side effects. Ugh, NOT a good time in my life. Once I got my appetite back, I was hardly eating anything because I wanted to keep losing the pounds. I would have some coffee for breakfast, maybe a yogurt and fruit for lunch (but not every day), and whatever for dinner. I shudder to think about what I was doing to myself. Cody was starting to become genuinely worried about how I was losing weight and the general way I felt.

One of my Facebook friends, Christa Hood, had been posting a lot about a diet that she and her family had started, called the 90 Day Body By Vi Challenge from a company called ViSalus. I was constantly seeing photos and status updates posted by her in regards to her friends and family on the diet. I decided to send her a message asking about the diet. She sent me back a ton of great information, all that I found really helpful, but decided it against it based on the price. We had finally gotten a hang of sticking to a budget, and I just couldn't imagine adding another expense, no matter how reasonable it was. I sadly declined to obtain any additional information, but told her to keep checking in with me in case anything changed.

At the end of January, thanks to a fabulous tax return, Cody and I were able to book a vacation to beautiful Puerto Vallarta, Mexico (more about that later!). We were so flippin' excited to finally take a vacation... it was going to be the first time away together since our honeymoon in September 2010. The only thing stopping me from getting even more excited was the fact that I would have to go out and buy all new clothes because there was no way I was going to fit into my bathing suits and summer clothes from the previous year. Once I did the math, something clicked. How much would it be for me to go out and buy 2 bathing suits, some shorts, and tank tops? At least $100? And why would I even want to do that, because I wanted to lose weight? By going out and buying those new clothes, I would essentially be enabling myself to continue that unhealthy lifestyle. No way was I going to settle for that. I am not a quitter, and I don't resign myself to defeat. So that's when I decided I was going to email Christa back and let her know I decided to just do it.

Wow.... am I EVER SO GLAD I decided to do that. Cody and I both decided to try the Body By Vi Shape Kit. We would buy a one month supply for one person, and split it between the 2 of us for 2 weeks, then re-order more. We started on February 10th, and we saw changes within the first week - the number one thing was my pants actually felt comfortable again. I didn't feel like puking because they were so tight against my stomach. By the end of the 2nd week, the day we left to go to Newark Airport, we were able to fit into our summer clothes, and not only that, we looked DARN GOOD. This was the first time in my life that I was able to walk on the beach without a cover-up trying to hide my jiggle. Do you know what this feels like? Pure, utter happiness. Self-confidence is an amazing thing that I hope I never lose again.

So how does the diet actually work? We receive the Shape Kit in the mail, which comes with 2 bags of ViSalus mix (soy protein along with a boatload of vitamins and minerals, as much as a multi-vitamin and more), some flavoring packets, and packets of information on how to successfully track your diet. We make two shakes each at night, store them in the fridge, and take them for breakfast and lunch. I have a page of 100 shake recipes, that we switch up daily so we don't get tired. Some of our favorites are...

• Pumpkin Pie (1 c soy milk + 1 c canned pumpkin + a little vanilla and nutmeg + 5 ice cubes + 2 scoops ViSalus)
• Blueberry Pom (1/2 c soy milk + 1/2 c Langer's Blueberry Pomegranate Plus + handful of frozen blueberries + 5 ice cubes + 2 scoops ViSalus)
• Apple Turnover (1 c milk + 1 sliced apple of your choice + some vanilla and cinnamon + 5 ice cubes + 2 scoops ViSalus)
• Chocolate PB Monster (1 c chocolate soy milk {or soy with cocoa powder} + 1 Tbsp low fat peanut butter + 1 sheet of graham crackers + 5 ice cubes + 2 scoops ViSalus)

...and there are SO MANY more to choose from. We don't really get hungry between shakes. Sometimes Cody will have a snack or two during the day, consisting of fruits, veggies, or yogurt, but I find that I don't need it since I drink the shakes really slowly, over the course of an hour or two. He chugs it in a minute. Mine are so good I like to savor. :) We try to have healthy dinners that taste good (yes, they DO exist and I hope to post recipes on a regular basis!), but sometimes we just order a pizza or go out for wings and beer. That's it... doesn't get any simpler than that.

So, as of February 10th (with 9 days off for vacation - we wanted to fully enjoy the food in Mexico), I am down approximately 14 pounds, and Cody is down 13 -- which would be more, but he just loves his beer so much more than I do. I've all but quit drinking, but he's still got a taste for it. He says he's stopping this week because he really wants to dominate this Challenge. If it happens, I'll be so proud of him. If it doesn't, well then, there's always the next day!

The moment of truth came this past week. I knew I felt and looked better, but I wanted my primary care doctor's approval. I saw her this week, and I weighed in at 127! Remember, in December I was at 154. That is 27 pounds down - half from unhealthy and half from healthy means. But it's not just about the pounds that I've lost... I feel like a new person...

• My clothes fit SO much better. In fact, I am wearing clothes I haven't been able to wear in 5+ years.
• I have energy again. Before, when I'd wake up in the morning, I'd need coffee to function like a normal human. No matter how much I slept, I was always tired and sluggish in the morning. That has disappeared. No more coffee, except occasionally when I go to my family's house or if I go out to talk with a friend at Starbucks. It's out of enjoyment of the flavor, rather than a pick-me-up.
• I haven't been sick at all. If I remember correctly, I only have the start to one migraine, and I was able to get rid of it with some medication. Granted, I am also on migraine medication, but I was on it before I started, and I still had gotten a migraine AND headaches at that point. Now I have none. Take it for what you will, but I'd like to think it's a combo of the ViSals, good diet choices, the medication, and getting off the couch and walking more. In addition, every year I get sick at the beginning of spring -- what I used to chalk up to the change of the weather and all the pollen in the air. For the first year in I have no idea how long, I did not get sick in March. Knock on wood that it doesn't come to me anytime soon. I don't miss that misery.
• I actually feel so good that I want to exercise! I'm not out of breath doing things anymore. On my next challenge, I'm going to either seek out an inexpensive gym or focus on using the fitness videos on Comcast's On Demand.

So that money stuff I was worried about? HA! We still have money troubles (more on that later...), but it helps because we are now drinking the ViSalus for FREE. No lie. If we refer 3 people and they decide to start the 90 Day Challenge for themselves, we get our month's kit for free. If those 3 decide to continue with the challenge each month (and you should - it's for 90 days!), or if you get new people to replace those that stop, you'll continue to get your kit for free. In addition to that, I've signed on as a distributor to make some extra money and pay off my debt. I would describe it just as people do Tastefully Simple demonstration parties, or sell Mary Kay. If you like and use the product, and you feel passionately about the changes it has helped you make, why not become a part of that team? Unlike so many other direct sales companies, there is no cap on what you can do with ViSalus.

I have met so many wonderful people through my team's Facebook page. We all post our successes, recipes, motivational items, all kinds of stuff. I'm getting to know about them, and actually becoming friends with them. It's so cool to see the goals people have for their 90 Days. Me? Well I just wanted to get out of that overweight range, and maybe, if at all possible, get down to 118. Little did I know my goal would evolve from there. I don't care about the numbers on the scale anymore. I care about how I feel... and seriously, I feel great. Better than I have ever felt before. There are people on my team who haven't lost a single pound, but their bodies have transformed from the inside out. There are others who have lost HUNDREDS (yes, HUNDREDS) of pounds, just by sticking with the shakes and having a little self-control when it comes to 2 out of 3 meals a day. I see people introducing others to the program, and because of this, they've been able to not only have a healthy lifestyle they actually enjoy, but by becoming independent distributors, they get out of debt, pay off mortgages, go on much needed vacations... all by just sharing something they care about to people they care about.

I hope you'll continue to follow the journey I am on. I can't wait to keep sharing the things that are happening to me over the next month, and maybe you can help me plan my goals for my next 90 Day Challenge. If you want any more info about ViSalus, just leave a comment or email me. I'd love to share it with you, and see what will happen in your life. I'm not special, just an ordinary girl who decided that she wanted to be healthy. If I can do it, you can do it, too! Really! And besides, how do you know you can't do it, unless you try with the right tools?

Me at Epic Church's First Annual Community Easter Egg Hunt yesterday, April 7th, 2012. There is so much more I want to say about this event, but right now I'll just leave it with I have no idea how I used to do these projects with my old energy level. Today is the best health day I've ever had, and God willing, tomorrow will be even better, and the next day, and the next...

Love you guys, thanks for reading and supporting me.

xoxo

Lyndsey

Please visit my ViSalus website if you want more information about the kits or how the diet actually works: www.lkstrohl.bodybyvi.com

And PS ... I have been messing with the formatting for 30 minutes, but Blogger obviously does NOT want to cooperate with me. Some sections are different fonts and sizes, and some are double spaced. I can't deal with it anymore, haha!

Spaghetti Squash Casserole

I've been trying to cook more lately. Cody and I are trying to save money, so the first thing we decided to cut out was ordering take out and going to the local bar for food as much as we have been. I'm glad to report that I've been doing a decent job.

Cody's been working night shift this week, so I decided to take the opportunity to make something delicious and healthy that Cody typically wouldn't eat. Since Superfresh had a deal on spaghetti squash, I immediately thought about the Spaghetti Squash Casserole my parents made on Halloween a few times when I was a kid. At the request of my double cousin Heather, I'm posting it below. Modifications are noted in brackets. Enjoy :) And let me know how it turns out if you decide to give it a shot!

Spaghetti Squash Casserole
Prep: 20 min.
Bake: 45 min.
Yield: 6-8 Servings

Ingredients
1 small spaghetti squash (1-1/2 to 2 pounds)
1/2 cup water
1 pound ground beef [I used ground turkey]
1/2 cup chopped onion
1/2 cup chopped sweet red pepper
1 garlic clove, minced [I forgot to add this, so I added garlic powder when I added the salt and pepper]
1 cup canned diced tomatoes [I used Rotel tomatoes with hot peppers - they weren't too hot though!]
1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon pepper
1 cup (4 ounces) shredded mozzarella or cheddar cheese [I used mozzerella]
1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley [Omitted]

Directions
Cut squash in half lengthwise; scoop out seeds.
Place with cut side down in a baking dish; add water. [My baking dish wasn't big enough for the 2 halves, so I used one baking dish and one crockpot that is oven-safe; I also bumped the water up to about 3/4 c in each dish.]
Cover and bake at 375° for 20-30 minutes or until it is easily pierced with a fork.
When cool enough to handle, scoop out squash, separating the strands with a fork.
In a skillet, cook beef, onion, red pepper and garlic until meat is browned and the vegetables are tender. [I started this part while the squash was roasting.]
Drain; add tomatoes, oregano, salt, pepper and squash. [I use grinders, so I estimated the amount of salt and pepper.]
Cook and stir for 1-2 minutes or until liquid is absorbed.
Transfer to an ungreased 1-1/2-qt. baking dish.
Bake, uncovered, at 350° for 25 minutes. Sprinkle with the cheese and parsley; let stand a few minutes. [I put the cheese on the individual bowls, since I knew I would have lots of leftovers and would be microwaving them. I ate leftovers tonight, and added on the mozzerella after 2 minutes in the microwave, then put it back in for another 30 seconds.]