Tomorrow is Halloween and I have to honestly say that I'm thankful that while I'm being so good on WW Lainie is too young to collect candy for trick-or-treating. I won't be faced with chocolate, chocolate, and more chocolate.
I've decided that tonight I'm finally going to try the spaghetti squash recipe that I've been meaning to make. Robb isn't coming home until late so it's just me, Lainie Lou, and the squash. The recipe if you dare:
Spaghetti Squash and Mozzarella Cheese with Veggies
1 spaghetti squash, cooked and separated into strands (free)
1 lg. yellow onion, diced (free)
1 green bell pepper, chopped (free)
1 red bell pepper, chopped (free)
Pam- olive oil (free)
3-5 cloves garlic, minced (free)
1 tsp. basil (free)
1/2 tsp. oregano (free)
1/2 tsp. crushed red pepper (optional) (free)
1 can crushed tomatoes
1 C grated mozzarella cheese (6 pts)
1/2 C grated Parmesan cheese (12 pts)
Preheat oven to 375 F. Mix the cheese together, set aside.
Heat olive oil in a skillet and add the onion, pepper and garlic. Sautee over medium heat for about 5 minutes. Add crushed tomatoes, basil, and crushed red pepper (if using). Simmer uncovered for about 15 minutes. Mix squash well with the cooked vegetables and put half in the bottom of a large (13 x 9 inch) baking dish. Top with half the cheese mixture, followed by the other half of the squash mixture, then the rest of the cheese. Bake for 30 minutes or until cheese is bubbly and slightly browned. Let cool 10-15 minutes before serving.
Total Points: 18 Servings: 6 Points per serving: 3
I think it's gonna be super yummy!! I'm seeing the mom and grandma tomorrow for lunch and then onto Tiff's house for some trick-or-treating! Lainie is gonna be a Hawkeye cheerleader. So adorable.
HAVE A HAPPY HALLOWEEN, ALL, AND SEE YOU BACK HERE MONDAY MORNING!!!
Friday, October 30, 2009
Thursday, October 29, 2009
Recipes Recipes Galore
Well, I don't have anything significant to report. Yesterday was Weighs Day and I met my first 5-pound goal. At the prompting of my Bestie I'm going to go out and buy a bookmark and star stickers so I can reward myself for my losses. I also indulged in some pizza last night. Mmmm.... That always seems to be my go-to reward meal.
So, about the recipes. I'm not actually posting any today. Instead I'm going to recommend you to a few websites if you're interested in finding some super-yummy dishes that are actually healthy.
First and foremost, my absolute favorite is Hungry Girl. Go to her website and sign up for her daily emails. They're FREE! She sends updates on the latest "diet" products as well as loads and loads of recipes. In fact, you can search her website for already-emailed recipes. She has tons of great ideas and is always renovating popular recipes. From shakes, to burgers, to desserts, anything you can imagine, she has probably renovated. She's also a WW follower apparently because she always calculates points for you. Check her out.
Second, is the Weight Watchers website. You can view their daily recipes which sometimes includes renovations too. But the absolute best thing about the WW website is, if you are following the WW plan, if you join the e-Tools you can actually do your own recipe renovations. They have an application where you can enter all of the ingredients to your own recipes and based on the number of servings you indicate, it will generate the points for you. This way, you can go back and change out items (like swapping full-fat for reduced, low, or no fat versions) and see what points would come out to that way. It's awesome. I heart WW.
Another great WW-based website is dwlz.com which is another website of a WW follower. She is my go-to resource for restaurant outings. You can nearly find any food for any restaurant on her website with the points value. There are also recipes posted, although I honestly visit it more for the restaurant point guides.
So, that's my offering for the day. I'm a bit of a zombie. I'm pretty sure I slept good last night. I am coming up short on why I'm so tired. Oh well, being short means I usually do come up short. I know, hardy har har. Happy Thursday! See you back here tomorrow!
P.S. In less than two weeks my baby girl is turning one. Where did the year go? She's gonna be married with a one-year old of her own before I know it. Boo hoo.
So, about the recipes. I'm not actually posting any today. Instead I'm going to recommend you to a few websites if you're interested in finding some super-yummy dishes that are actually healthy.
First and foremost, my absolute favorite is Hungry Girl. Go to her website and sign up for her daily emails. They're FREE! She sends updates on the latest "diet" products as well as loads and loads of recipes. In fact, you can search her website for already-emailed recipes. She has tons of great ideas and is always renovating popular recipes. From shakes, to burgers, to desserts, anything you can imagine, she has probably renovated. She's also a WW follower apparently because she always calculates points for you. Check her out.
Second, is the Weight Watchers website. You can view their daily recipes which sometimes includes renovations too. But the absolute best thing about the WW website is, if you are following the WW plan, if you join the e-Tools you can actually do your own recipe renovations. They have an application where you can enter all of the ingredients to your own recipes and based on the number of servings you indicate, it will generate the points for you. This way, you can go back and change out items (like swapping full-fat for reduced, low, or no fat versions) and see what points would come out to that way. It's awesome. I heart WW.
Another great WW-based website is dwlz.com which is another website of a WW follower. She is my go-to resource for restaurant outings. You can nearly find any food for any restaurant on her website with the points value. There are also recipes posted, although I honestly visit it more for the restaurant point guides.
So, that's my offering for the day. I'm a bit of a zombie. I'm pretty sure I slept good last night. I am coming up short on why I'm so tired. Oh well, being short means I usually do come up short. I know, hardy har har. Happy Thursday! See you back here tomorrow!
P.S. In less than two weeks my baby girl is turning one. Where did the year go? She's gonna be married with a one-year old of her own before I know it. Boo hoo.
Wednesday, October 28, 2009
It's WEIGHS Day! (Week 5?)
I've lost track of what week it is now. That doesn't matter. What DOES matter is what happened at my morning weigh-in this morning! Now remember, I confessed yesterday that I mis-subtracted and I lost 3.7 pounds, not 4.7 as I originally thought. Now 4.7 would be awesome but 3.7 is still nothing to sneeze at, right? Ok, enough with the pins and needles- get on to it!
Well, RING THE BELL!!! I lost 1.5 pounds for a total of 5.2!! YAY!! Hip hip hooray! I've lost my first 5 pounds. If I was attending WW meetings (at least from what I remember) I would be receiving a nifty bookmark with a "5" on it that I would eventually put stars on every time I get another 5 pounds lost. I may have to get myself such a bookmark and some star stickers.
I'm super de duperty excited about losing my first 5! It's exactly what I said before- one week I lose between 2-5 pounds and the next it's always 2 pounds or less. Hopefully next week I'll lose big! Not that I'm disappointed by or ungrateful for the 1.5 loss today, because I certainly am happy. I just hope that my old pattern of weight loss keeps up. I've set a due date on my first goal for January 6th. That's still 10 weigh-weeks away. Gosh, if I keep up this 5 pounds every 2 weeks deal I'll for sure make my goal and then some! That would be sweet! Of course, I realize I'm facing the holidays during this first goal but I'm gonna stay positive! It's all I can do.
Well, I hope everyone else is doing well! Happy Weighs Days to all and to all a good day!
Well, RING THE BELL!!! I lost 1.5 pounds for a total of 5.2!! YAY!! Hip hip hooray! I've lost my first 5 pounds. If I was attending WW meetings (at least from what I remember) I would be receiving a nifty bookmark with a "5" on it that I would eventually put stars on every time I get another 5 pounds lost. I may have to get myself such a bookmark and some star stickers.
I'm super de duperty excited about losing my first 5! It's exactly what I said before- one week I lose between 2-5 pounds and the next it's always 2 pounds or less. Hopefully next week I'll lose big! Not that I'm disappointed by or ungrateful for the 1.5 loss today, because I certainly am happy. I just hope that my old pattern of weight loss keeps up. I've set a due date on my first goal for January 6th. That's still 10 weigh-weeks away. Gosh, if I keep up this 5 pounds every 2 weeks deal I'll for sure make my goal and then some! That would be sweet! Of course, I realize I'm facing the holidays during this first goal but I'm gonna stay positive! It's all I can do.
Well, I hope everyone else is doing well! Happy Weighs Days to all and to all a good day!
Tuesday, October 27, 2009
Chilly Willy
Does anyone remember that cartoon- Chilly Willy? "I'm only Chilly Willy, I'm frozen through and through. My nose is cold and my feet are froze, ha he hachoo!" I loved that cartoon. Anyhoo, I love when the weather gets chilly and you just want to snuggle up under a warm blanket (I'm boycotting those silly robe-blanket do-dads) and eat a hot bowl of chilli.
Yet another day of Diva Dieting under my belt and Weighs Day is tomorrow! I'm certain there is a loss in my future. No, I'm not being overly optimistic. WW works, first and foremost. Also, well, you know, I might have cheated and weighed myself Sunday night. (heh heh) I have lost weight yet again. BUT, I have a confession to make. I mis-subtracted and I actually lost 3.7 pounds, not 4.7 last week. Oh well. I'm still close to 5 and I actually think I'm gonna make it tomorrow. I think now is the time to tell you all a big, fat law school secret- they don't teach us attorney-prospects any math, other than how to figure out what 1/3 of a big, fat settlement or case win is. *Greedy, Cheshire Cat-like smile spreads across Diet Diva's face* It's not my fault. They just assume you'll have people doing that for you. So, I can't be expected to know how to subtract, especially when there's a decimal point involved. Geesh.
So, I made some outrageously good chilli last night. I've posted the recipe (may be in the process of posting) as the new recipe of the week for your interest and pleasure. Hope you all enjoy! See you back here first thing in the morning for the Weighs Day weigh-in report! Happy Tuesday!
P.S. I refuse to exercise in the dark. I will shoot for Monday.
Yet another day of Diva Dieting under my belt and Weighs Day is tomorrow! I'm certain there is a loss in my future. No, I'm not being overly optimistic. WW works, first and foremost. Also, well, you know, I might have cheated and weighed myself Sunday night. (heh heh) I have lost weight yet again. BUT, I have a confession to make. I mis-subtracted and I actually lost 3.7 pounds, not 4.7 last week. Oh well. I'm still close to 5 and I actually think I'm gonna make it tomorrow. I think now is the time to tell you all a big, fat law school secret- they don't teach us attorney-prospects any math, other than how to figure out what 1/3 of a big, fat settlement or case win is. *Greedy, Cheshire Cat-like smile spreads across Diet Diva's face* It's not my fault. They just assume you'll have people doing that for you. So, I can't be expected to know how to subtract, especially when there's a decimal point involved. Geesh.
So, I made some outrageously good chilli last night. I've posted the recipe (may be in the process of posting) as the new recipe of the week for your interest and pleasure. Hope you all enjoy! See you back here first thing in the morning for the Weighs Day weigh-in report! Happy Tuesday!
P.S. I refuse to exercise in the dark. I will shoot for Monday.
Monday, October 26, 2009
Forget the Boy...Let's Hear It For the Girl!
That's right, folks! I made it the whole weekend and managed to stay within my points! It's quite a victory if I do say so myself. I'm really hoping for another super-sparkly kinda day on Weighs Day! Whoo hoo!
So, Friday night I made hamburgers and potato wedges that were healthy for everyone involved. I had plenty of points but still wanted to be healthy. I ate my hamburger on only half of the bun to save points. Buns can be such point-suckers! Plus, they're so bulky and I liked it better this way. Here's the recipe for my potato wedges:
Kendy's Fantastically Fat-Defying Potato Wedges
6-8 russets potatoes (depending on # of peeps and size of pots)
Butter-flavored non-stick cooking spray
Seasoning of your choice
Wash potatoes off and pierce with a fork several times. Put on glass plate and microwave for 8 minutes. Remove (be careful- those spuds are H-O-T!) Cut potatoes in half, lengthwise. Turn each half flesh side down and cut into 3 wedges, lengthwise. I usually cut those wedges in half too unless the potato was small enough that the wedges aren't too large. Now, the old recipe called for tossing in canola oil. Instead I spread the wedges all over a large baking sheet that I sprayed well with the non-stick cooking spray. Then spray over the tops of the potatoes. Season and stick in a preheated 475 degree oven, bake for 20-25 minutes or until browning. Be extra careful- I stuck my face down by the oven as I opened it once and it literally melted my mascara which fused my lashes together. That wasn't fun!
Saturday I was trying to eat very low point because I was anticipating a meal out with the family down in St. Louis. I totally stuck to my points (actually even coming in a bit under on Saturday which is a no-no). Sunday morning I ate a granola bar and drank some coffee with a bit of pumpkin spice creamer (mmmmm...mmmm). Sunday afternoon I have to say that there weren't any healthy choices for lunch, although it was an incredibly tasty meal. We ate lunch at Robb's aunt and uncle's house. So, I took small portions of stuff and ended up staying within my points. It makes me so happy to stick to my points. It's something you can really be proud about when all I said and done.
Seasoning Tip: Our household fave is Lawry's Season Salt. But, I think using some Kosher salt and some Italian Seasoning would be amazing too.
Well, my body is awake but my eyes just keep wanting to close on this dreary Monday morning. Of the past few Falls, I can say that this year's Fall has been exceptionally Fall-like. Lots of those cold, rainy days. But I'm not complaining. Last year I remember that the trees didn't really turn their vibrant colors (and I don't remember why) and this year the leaves are so incredible, don't you think?
Well, have a Happy Monday and Weighs Day is just around the corner!!
So, Friday night I made hamburgers and potato wedges that were healthy for everyone involved. I had plenty of points but still wanted to be healthy. I ate my hamburger on only half of the bun to save points. Buns can be such point-suckers! Plus, they're so bulky and I liked it better this way. Here's the recipe for my potato wedges:
Kendy's Fantastically Fat-Defying Potato Wedges
6-8 russets potatoes (depending on # of peeps and size of pots)
Butter-flavored non-stick cooking spray
Seasoning of your choice
Wash potatoes off and pierce with a fork several times. Put on glass plate and microwave for 8 minutes. Remove (be careful- those spuds are H-O-T!) Cut potatoes in half, lengthwise. Turn each half flesh side down and cut into 3 wedges, lengthwise. I usually cut those wedges in half too unless the potato was small enough that the wedges aren't too large. Now, the old recipe called for tossing in canola oil. Instead I spread the wedges all over a large baking sheet that I sprayed well with the non-stick cooking spray. Then spray over the tops of the potatoes. Season and stick in a preheated 475 degree oven, bake for 20-25 minutes or until browning. Be extra careful- I stuck my face down by the oven as I opened it once and it literally melted my mascara which fused my lashes together. That wasn't fun!
Saturday I was trying to eat very low point because I was anticipating a meal out with the family down in St. Louis. I totally stuck to my points (actually even coming in a bit under on Saturday which is a no-no). Sunday morning I ate a granola bar and drank some coffee with a bit of pumpkin spice creamer (mmmmm...mmmm). Sunday afternoon I have to say that there weren't any healthy choices for lunch, although it was an incredibly tasty meal. We ate lunch at Robb's aunt and uncle's house. So, I took small portions of stuff and ended up staying within my points. It makes me so happy to stick to my points. It's something you can really be proud about when all I said and done.
Seasoning Tip: Our household fave is Lawry's Season Salt. But, I think using some Kosher salt and some Italian Seasoning would be amazing too.
Well, my body is awake but my eyes just keep wanting to close on this dreary Monday morning. Of the past few Falls, I can say that this year's Fall has been exceptionally Fall-like. Lots of those cold, rainy days. But I'm not complaining. Last year I remember that the trees didn't really turn their vibrant colors (and I don't remember why) and this year the leaves are so incredible, don't you think?
Well, have a Happy Monday and Weighs Day is just around the corner!!
Friday, October 23, 2009
Weekend Outings- Whatchya Gonna Do When They Come For YOU?
This weekend I will be spending a great part of it away from home. We're traveling to the St. Louis area to visit family and it's got me thinking- how do you plan when you're out of town and at the whim of those around you? It's tough to travel and stay on any weight loss plan. Grabbing a bite at any given fast food restaurant is just too easy when you're on the go. So, how do you plan? The answer is- you may not be able to plan, but you can be prepared.
I've been thinking about how I'm going to handle it. We're leaving Saturday evening and my guess is we'll have dinner before we go, but that's not guarantee (and I'm not sure I'm even right- I left the planning up to the husband and the father-in-law and I can hear ladies the world over sighing together- NEVER let a man make the plans). So I literally have no idea how many points to plan for anything. So here is how I'm preparing:
1. I'm taking low point granola bars with me as well as a few 100-cal snack packs. I figure I can always eat a bar for breakfast Sunday and if I'm able to eat healthier (and for less points) than I'm imagining, I can always fill in the rest of my daily points with these treats.
2. I'm stowing away an apple or two because they're such handy treats! Plus they're filling and if we're going out to eat (and rest assured we likely will Sunday before we head home) I can eat one before we go so that I'm not starving (Read: prepared to eat a whole cow if the waitress/waiter doesn't bring the food fast enough) when we arrive.
3. I'm taking bottled water with those fun little drink mixes that cost you no points at all. I always feel fuller and longer satisfied when I drink a bottle of water with one of those itty-bitty packets stirred in.
I think these tips are going to carry me through the weekend! So, Happy Weekend to all, and to all a good, uh, Weekend! Meet you back here Monday morning!
P.S. So I got these brand new, absolutely rockin' jeans that fit me oh-so-perfectly (except they're a bit long, but when you're 4-foot nuthin' that happens) and I've been shakin' my groove thang all morning! There isn't anything like a good pair of jeans!
I've been thinking about how I'm going to handle it. We're leaving Saturday evening and my guess is we'll have dinner before we go, but that's not guarantee (and I'm not sure I'm even right- I left the planning up to the husband and the father-in-law and I can hear ladies the world over sighing together- NEVER let a man make the plans). So I literally have no idea how many points to plan for anything. So here is how I'm preparing:
1. I'm taking low point granola bars with me as well as a few 100-cal snack packs. I figure I can always eat a bar for breakfast Sunday and if I'm able to eat healthier (and for less points) than I'm imagining, I can always fill in the rest of my daily points with these treats.
2. I'm stowing away an apple or two because they're such handy treats! Plus they're filling and if we're going out to eat (and rest assured we likely will Sunday before we head home) I can eat one before we go so that I'm not starving (Read: prepared to eat a whole cow if the waitress/waiter doesn't bring the food fast enough) when we arrive.
3. I'm taking bottled water with those fun little drink mixes that cost you no points at all. I always feel fuller and longer satisfied when I drink a bottle of water with one of those itty-bitty packets stirred in.
I think these tips are going to carry me through the weekend! So, Happy Weekend to all, and to all a good, uh, Weekend! Meet you back here Monday morning!
P.S. So I got these brand new, absolutely rockin' jeans that fit me oh-so-perfectly (except they're a bit long, but when you're 4-foot nuthin' that happens) and I've been shakin' my groove thang all morning! There isn't anything like a good pair of jeans!
Thursday, October 22, 2009
Sleepy Daze
First of all, I'm lodging a formal complaint (yeah, via this blog) about the date of the Daylight Savings Time change. I can no longer be expected to be awake in the complete darkness at 7am! This is outrageous. Egregious. And just plain stupid.
Now that I've vented about that, I have to report that I greatly enjoyed my Home Run Inn pizza last night. I have been mistakenly referring to it as a Home Run pizza (well, it does knock it out of the ball park, but that's neither here nor there). So, my apologies to the makers.
It's always exciting to me to start a new week. Especially when I've had a great weight loss from the week before to serve as the proverbial "wind beneath my wings". heh heh (I love Bette) Anyhoo, it's very motivating to have a big loss heading into a new week. This week my goal is to actually get up early (in the complete darkness) and start doing the pilates thing I said I was starting, oh, 2 weeks ago. *Kendy laughs heartily at the ridiculous notion that she will be getting up earlier in said darkness to exercise* No, really. Exercise will just help that poundage keep coming off and I know that. I'll report back about this when it happens.
Well, Happy Thursday!
Now that I've vented about that, I have to report that I greatly enjoyed my Home Run Inn pizza last night. I have been mistakenly referring to it as a Home Run pizza (well, it does knock it out of the ball park, but that's neither here nor there). So, my apologies to the makers.
It's always exciting to me to start a new week. Especially when I've had a great weight loss from the week before to serve as the proverbial "wind beneath my wings". heh heh (I love Bette) Anyhoo, it's very motivating to have a big loss heading into a new week. This week my goal is to actually get up early (in the complete darkness) and start doing the pilates thing I said I was starting, oh, 2 weeks ago. *Kendy laughs heartily at the ridiculous notion that she will be getting up earlier in said darkness to exercise* No, really. Exercise will just help that poundage keep coming off and I know that. I'll report back about this when it happens.
Well, Happy Thursday!
Wednesday, October 21, 2009
It's WEIGHS-DAY!! (Week 4)
Good morning, good morning, one and all! Happy WEIGHS-Day! At least I hope that it is for you as much as it is for me. I've lost some poundage! Well, as you know if you've been following along you know I got off to a rough start. While I did give myself a pass last week, I did weigh Thursday morning in an unofficial capacity (Read: Off the record) I was right back where I started from. So, I'm reporting my loss based on starting weight since I didn't do so hot the past few weeks. SO....drum roll please.....*Kendy makes sad attempt to roll tongue to make drum roll sound- fails miserable*
Week 4 Loss: 4.7 pounds!!!!! Total Loss: 4.7 lbs
Do I get a whoop whoop? *Kendy is raising the roof in way that embarasses husband- she cares not, raising roof proudly while making "ooo ooo" sound* Oh yeah! That's what I'm talking about people!
Picture it. Weighs-Day morning. 7:20 am. Lone Diet Diva steps onto scales in great anticipation. She holds her breath, steps on, releases breath. Two seconds go by as slow as her mom drives. She drives really slow sometimes. But I digress. Diet Diva slowly looks down to the numbers on the scale. She can't believe her eyes! A loss! Not just any loss- a BIG loss!!! Diet Diva jumps off of scale and immediately does pathetic little I-Lost-Weight dance in itty-bitty bathroom.
Well, tonight I will be rewarding all of my hard work by allowing myself some of my all-time favorite pizza. Happy Weighs-Day and Happy Middle-of-the-Week!
Week 4 Loss: 4.7 pounds!!!!! Total Loss: 4.7 lbs
Do I get a whoop whoop? *Kendy is raising the roof in way that embarasses husband- she cares not, raising roof proudly while making "ooo ooo" sound* Oh yeah! That's what I'm talking about people!
Picture it. Weighs-Day morning. 7:20 am. Lone Diet Diva steps onto scales in great anticipation. She holds her breath, steps on, releases breath. Two seconds go by as slow as her mom drives. She drives really slow sometimes. But I digress. Diet Diva slowly looks down to the numbers on the scale. She can't believe her eyes! A loss! Not just any loss- a BIG loss!!! Diet Diva jumps off of scale and immediately does pathetic little I-Lost-Weight dance in itty-bitty bathroom.
Well, tonight I will be rewarding all of my hard work by allowing myself some of my all-time favorite pizza. Happy Weighs-Day and Happy Middle-of-the-Week!
Tuesday, October 20, 2009
RULES OF DIET DIVA-ING
Rule #1: If you have a lot of weight to lose (like yours truly) you are not allowed to think about the end goal. Instead, set little goals along the way, such as 10 pounds lost, or even 20 to 25 pounds. Once you get to that goal, set a new one. The weight on the scale is just a number you're working to reduce. Small goals will pave the way. Sort of like the saying "slow and steady wins the race"!
Rule #2: Once a week you have to indulge yourself. I have given myself Weighs Day. If I have a loss then I get a reward. For instance, when I step onto those gleaming, white scales tomorrow morning and I register a loss, I'm gonna reward myself with some Home Run pizza tomorrow night for dinner. You'll never have a healthy relationship with food if you can't figure out how to have things (even the "bad" things) in moderation.
Rule #3: If at first you don't succeed, try, try again. No one is ever gonna be perfect in a weight loss endeavor. If you don't believe me, read some of my posts! ~tee hee~ But you can't let that set you back permanently. You have to get up and try, try again. Forgive yourself and move forward.
Rule #4: Other people's opinions are just that- opinions- and they don't have to be YOURS! I absolutely love my family and friends, but as soon as people know you're trying to lose weight you're going to have 3 types of people in your life: 1. Those that encourage you in whatever you're doing, 2. Those that want to tell you how to lose weight because they (and their extra 20 pounds or more) know so much better than you, 3. Those that don't say anything at all. Number 1 is harmless. Those are the people that just want to support you while you figure out how to reach your goals. Number 3 depends- if you need their support it can be hard to go on without it, but go on you must. Number 2 (labeled such for a reason- we'll call them "the poops") are those that can do the worst damage. They don't just offer advice or encouragement. No, they want to tell you why the course you've chosen is wrong and what to do to make it right. Avoid "the poops" at all costs!
Rule #5: You have to figure out why you want to lose weight and THAT has to involve YOUR decision. Not because you want some poop off your back. You have to want it for you and your own reasons. Not for anyone else. For me, I have two extremely and equally important reasons. (This is taking a whole heap of courage to be honest here.) First of all, I have struggled with my weight up's and down's my whole life. The first time I was put on diet pills I was 12 and about 10 pounds too heavy. At the time, I thought I was really fat. That's because the standard that I was led to believe was appropriate was "anorexic thin" (do I hear a big, fat sigh all around?). As a 12-year old I knew nothing better. Today, I see that this is where the downfall began. Over the years I've tried starvation, self-induced vomiting, diet pills galore, and even self injury. This is hugely painful to me even today at the ripe, young age of 32. With all of my heart and soul I do not want Lainie to experience even one single second of that pain. I want her to be a confident, happy, healthy child, girl, and woman. I want her to have a healthy relationship with food and an accurate body perception (things I never had). Secondly, I hate the way this weight makes me feel- physically, emotionally, mentally. I need this. And, finally, I really want this. Those are my reasons. You have to choose your own and let those be the only reasons.
So speaks the Diet Diva. Happy Tuesday! See you back here tomorrow morning for *so exciting* WEIGHS DAY!!!
Rule #2: Once a week you have to indulge yourself. I have given myself Weighs Day. If I have a loss then I get a reward. For instance, when I step onto those gleaming, white scales tomorrow morning and I register a loss, I'm gonna reward myself with some Home Run pizza tomorrow night for dinner. You'll never have a healthy relationship with food if you can't figure out how to have things (even the "bad" things) in moderation.
Rule #3: If at first you don't succeed, try, try again. No one is ever gonna be perfect in a weight loss endeavor. If you don't believe me, read some of my posts! ~tee hee~ But you can't let that set you back permanently. You have to get up and try, try again. Forgive yourself and move forward.
Rule #4: Other people's opinions are just that- opinions- and they don't have to be YOURS! I absolutely love my family and friends, but as soon as people know you're trying to lose weight you're going to have 3 types of people in your life: 1. Those that encourage you in whatever you're doing, 2. Those that want to tell you how to lose weight because they (and their extra 20 pounds or more) know so much better than you, 3. Those that don't say anything at all. Number 1 is harmless. Those are the people that just want to support you while you figure out how to reach your goals. Number 3 depends- if you need their support it can be hard to go on without it, but go on you must. Number 2 (labeled such for a reason- we'll call them "the poops") are those that can do the worst damage. They don't just offer advice or encouragement. No, they want to tell you why the course you've chosen is wrong and what to do to make it right. Avoid "the poops" at all costs!
Rule #5: You have to figure out why you want to lose weight and THAT has to involve YOUR decision. Not because you want some poop off your back. You have to want it for you and your own reasons. Not for anyone else. For me, I have two extremely and equally important reasons. (This is taking a whole heap of courage to be honest here.) First of all, I have struggled with my weight up's and down's my whole life. The first time I was put on diet pills I was 12 and about 10 pounds too heavy. At the time, I thought I was really fat. That's because the standard that I was led to believe was appropriate was "anorexic thin" (do I hear a big, fat sigh all around?). As a 12-year old I knew nothing better. Today, I see that this is where the downfall began. Over the years I've tried starvation, self-induced vomiting, diet pills galore, and even self injury. This is hugely painful to me even today at the ripe, young age of 32. With all of my heart and soul I do not want Lainie to experience even one single second of that pain. I want her to be a confident, happy, healthy child, girl, and woman. I want her to have a healthy relationship with food and an accurate body perception (things I never had). Secondly, I hate the way this weight makes me feel- physically, emotionally, mentally. I need this. And, finally, I really want this. Those are my reasons. You have to choose your own and let those be the only reasons.
So speaks the Diet Diva. Happy Tuesday! See you back here tomorrow morning for *so exciting* WEIGHS DAY!!!
Monday, October 19, 2009
The Diet Diva Rules
That's right, folks! I have managed to stay within my points range all weekend. That makes for 4 days straight! It's really motivating once you get a day under your belt. And then two days. Then three. And four. Yeah, I know, you get the point.
I won't bore you to tears with every last detail of my diet diary (although it's way fun to write it all out each day and then to look back and realize that I actually get to EAT and still lose weight). I do want to share one situation with you in which I triumphed magnificently.
Picture it! Friday. October 16, 2009. A lone Diet Diva home taking care of her sick baby. Along comes Mr. T (Temptation, that is- not the blinged out, A-Team variety) knocking at my door. "You know," he says to me in his smoothly sinister voice, "you owe it to yourself not to cook right now. You have a baby to take care of. Just throw that other Home Run pizza in your oven and feast on the ever-loving, cheesy goodness." My mouth began salivating. I could hear my heart pounding at the thought of the cheesy goo, the gumminess of the crust just beneath the perfect sauce, the flakiness of the crusty bottom and the crunch of the outer crust. I snapped myself back to my senses. "But," said I, "I have already calculated all of my points for today. Plus I'm having Olive Garden tonight which will be a super filling meal. I have it all figured out. If I eat the pizza, that will throw it all off! Plus, I've already started thawing out a chicken breast for lunch." Confidence began to build as I stood proud of the fight I was waging against Mr. T, but he would not give up so easily. "That's right. You should cook that chicken breast. You were gonna share it with Lainie. Why don't you give what she doesn't eat to Tank? It'd be a tasty treat for him. No one needs to know that you ate pizza instead," said he. My heart was racing furiously as I began debating within myself. I already had one day of perfect pointing under my belt. It would all be for nothing if I gave in now. "NO!" I shouted, instantly seeing the despairing look of defeat as I stared down Mr. T. "First of all, the only reason for cooking a pizza is the convenience and if I'm cooking the chicken breast anyway, this makes no sense at all. Forget not, Mr. T, you are dealing with a lawyer. Secondly, I cannot lie about what I eat. I would have to report back to my faithful bloggorters (blog supporters- tee hee) that I had done such a deed and I would be so disappointed in myself."
I won the battle! I did not eat the pizza. It still sits in my freezer, waiting for that special occasion when I will break it out and enjoy it guilt-free. Instead I did cook that chicken breast and a bag of california mix veggies (broccoli, cauliflower, and carrots) and shared it all with Lainie. I could be proud of myself for not giving in to Mr. T. Next time he struts his stuff up to my door step and knocks, thinking he's gonna win a war he's waged against me, I'll be ready for him!
Have a great week and Happy Eating!
I won't bore you to tears with every last detail of my diet diary (although it's way fun to write it all out each day and then to look back and realize that I actually get to EAT and still lose weight). I do want to share one situation with you in which I triumphed magnificently.
Picture it! Friday. October 16, 2009. A lone Diet Diva home taking care of her sick baby. Along comes Mr. T (Temptation, that is- not the blinged out, A-Team variety) knocking at my door. "You know," he says to me in his smoothly sinister voice, "you owe it to yourself not to cook right now. You have a baby to take care of. Just throw that other Home Run pizza in your oven and feast on the ever-loving, cheesy goodness." My mouth began salivating. I could hear my heart pounding at the thought of the cheesy goo, the gumminess of the crust just beneath the perfect sauce, the flakiness of the crusty bottom and the crunch of the outer crust. I snapped myself back to my senses. "But," said I, "I have already calculated all of my points for today. Plus I'm having Olive Garden tonight which will be a super filling meal. I have it all figured out. If I eat the pizza, that will throw it all off! Plus, I've already started thawing out a chicken breast for lunch." Confidence began to build as I stood proud of the fight I was waging against Mr. T, but he would not give up so easily. "That's right. You should cook that chicken breast. You were gonna share it with Lainie. Why don't you give what she doesn't eat to Tank? It'd be a tasty treat for him. No one needs to know that you ate pizza instead," said he. My heart was racing furiously as I began debating within myself. I already had one day of perfect pointing under my belt. It would all be for nothing if I gave in now. "NO!" I shouted, instantly seeing the despairing look of defeat as I stared down Mr. T. "First of all, the only reason for cooking a pizza is the convenience and if I'm cooking the chicken breast anyway, this makes no sense at all. Forget not, Mr. T, you are dealing with a lawyer. Secondly, I cannot lie about what I eat. I would have to report back to my faithful bloggorters (blog supporters- tee hee) that I had done such a deed and I would be so disappointed in myself."
I won the battle! I did not eat the pizza. It still sits in my freezer, waiting for that special occasion when I will break it out and enjoy it guilt-free. Instead I did cook that chicken breast and a bag of california mix veggies (broccoli, cauliflower, and carrots) and shared it all with Lainie. I could be proud of myself for not giving in to Mr. T. Next time he struts his stuff up to my door step and knocks, thinking he's gonna win a war he's waged against me, I'll be ready for him!
Have a great week and Happy Eating!
Saturday, October 17, 2009
I Am the Point Queen!
Ok, you're so not gonna believe this. I mean, really, not believe this. Well, we had plans to go to Olive Garden last night so I went to their website, on which they've posted nutritional values for EV-RY-THA-NG-UH. I went through and figured out points for my faves. I knew I wanted salad and I figured up how much I could have. Then I knew I'd want a breadstick or 2. I also usually like the alfredo dipping sauce for the breadsticks so I calculated even that. Finally, the entre! Well, my second fave dish is the Ravioli di Portabello and if I got a lunch portion it was 10 points. Note: my FAVE dish is the Shrimp and Chicken Carbonara which is to die for- maybe literally- the point value for this dish is screamin' off the charts, so I skipped it. I actually figured out exactly how many points I'd need to OG. I even figured up how many more points it would be if my hubby and I decided to split a piece of the Pumpkin Cheesecake as a Bday treat to me. (Do you love how I'm draggin my birthday out as long as possible? Yeah, me too.) I knew I had some points left over so I had to use them wisely. I ate lots of free stuff like broccoli and cauliflower (which also means I got my veggies in- yay me!) I was the POINT QUEEN. Seriously.
Having two days in a row where I have successfully planned my points and stayed within them amazes me, but also inspires me. I'm doing gud! Rally gud!
I'm hoping this coming Weighs Day proves to be a sparkly, weight-loss kind of day! Yee haw! Have a good weekend folks. I'll see ya Monday!
Having two days in a row where I have successfully planned my points and stayed within them amazes me, but also inspires me. I'm doing gud! Rally gud!
I'm hoping this coming Weighs Day proves to be a sparkly, weight-loss kind of day! Yee haw! Have a good weekend folks. I'll see ya Monday!
Friday, October 16, 2009
Successful Squashfest
Well, finally! I stayed entirely within my allotted points for the day! Whoo hoo! Can I get a "wut wut"? Anyway, it was an incredibly successful day and I owe it all to that little task called P-L-A-N-N-I-N-G!! *Kendy raises roof in most out-of-date fashion*
Just to briefly recap my day, I ate a cinnamon granola bar for breakfast with a bit of caffeinie juice (Read: coff-ay). I then ate some muy delicioso Santa Fe Rice and Beans (WW meal, if you will). For a mid-morning snack I had a serving of RF Triscuits. Late afternoon snack was some popcorn and my one Coke of the day. For dinner (and I'll go into dets about this below), I had a chicken breast and butternut squash fries (that I shared with Lainie and she munched like a rock star). For an appetizer I had some "fried" zucchini. Then, with my left over points, I enjoyed two Little Debbie 100-cal snack cakes (2pts each) and a cup of hot Blueberry-flavored tea. Mmmm mmmm good.
Ok, so the butternut squash fries were fan-flippin'-tastic! Try them. Go right now and buy yourself a butternut squash and go home and make these delectable goodies immediately. Here's how it goes-
1. Buy beautiful butternut squash and take home. Preheat oven to 425 degrees.
2. Cut in half. If you are a large family, use both halves, otherwise, save the other half for another batch tomorrrow. (Trust me. You'll want more.)
3. Peel outside and deseed- BS has a small pocket with seeds and strings not unlike a pumpkin.
4. Cut into fry shapes. I used my fantastical Crinkle Cutter from Pampered Chef to make them look like fries. TIP: although you may be tempted to cut them small- DO NOT. Cut them larger because they shrink up alot. Using a Crinkle Cutter they look like little cheesy fries. So adorable.
5. Spray cookie sheet with non-stick cooking spray- BE GENEROUS. These babies stick. You have to flip them half way through the baking process and if they stick they are near impossible to flip without destroying them.
6. Place gorgeous, butternut squash fries all over cookie sheet. Spray squash lightly with non-stick cooking spray and sprinkle with Kosher salt. NOTE: A little salt goes a long way. Be careful.
7. Bake for 40 minutes. Halfway through, flip them. EXTRA NOTE: If your fries are sticking when you go to flip and they are falling apart, just don't flip them. That's what I did and they still turned out awesome.
8. Remove from oven and remove from sheet. Eat. Enjoy.
I dipped mine in ketchup per Hungry Girl's suggestion and I thought I was enjoying a real french fry. So yummy in my tummy. Plus, the plumper ones (Read: the ones I didn't cut too small) were soft and I gave those to Lainie. She absolutely loved them. She also ate chicken with me, but she actually signed for more (yes, as in sign language- she knows how to sign "more"- genius baby) and I think she was wanting some butternut love!
I have to tell you that it felt good. I mean, real good. Hey everyone! Come see how good I feel! (Silly parlay into an Anchorman: Legend of Ron Burgundy quote- my apologies) What I mean to say is- I'm back. Having such a kick rear-end day yesterday with following my points to a proverbial "t" is really motivating. I'm back on track and I'm ready for some weight loss next Wednesday!
Silly internet is still down at home which means I'll probably be silent this weekend, unless I figure out how to post from my cell phone. The world of technology amazes me to no end. Anyway, have a wonderful weekend! Hoping you have a squashfest of your own soon. Let me know how you like the Butternut Squash fries! Oh, and I saved that other half for this weekend. Woo hoo! Happy Eating!
(P.S. Robb did try one BS fry. Hated it. At least he tried one. C'est la vie.)
Just to briefly recap my day, I ate a cinnamon granola bar for breakfast with a bit of caffeinie juice (Read: coff-ay). I then ate some muy delicioso Santa Fe Rice and Beans (WW meal, if you will). For a mid-morning snack I had a serving of RF Triscuits. Late afternoon snack was some popcorn and my one Coke of the day. For dinner (and I'll go into dets about this below), I had a chicken breast and butternut squash fries (that I shared with Lainie and she munched like a rock star). For an appetizer I had some "fried" zucchini. Then, with my left over points, I enjoyed two Little Debbie 100-cal snack cakes (2pts each) and a cup of hot Blueberry-flavored tea. Mmmm mmmm good.
Ok, so the butternut squash fries were fan-flippin'-tastic! Try them. Go right now and buy yourself a butternut squash and go home and make these delectable goodies immediately. Here's how it goes-
1. Buy beautiful butternut squash and take home. Preheat oven to 425 degrees.
2. Cut in half. If you are a large family, use both halves, otherwise, save the other half for another batch tomorrrow. (Trust me. You'll want more.)
3. Peel outside and deseed- BS has a small pocket with seeds and strings not unlike a pumpkin.
4. Cut into fry shapes. I used my fantastical Crinkle Cutter from Pampered Chef to make them look like fries. TIP: although you may be tempted to cut them small- DO NOT. Cut them larger because they shrink up alot. Using a Crinkle Cutter they look like little cheesy fries. So adorable.
5. Spray cookie sheet with non-stick cooking spray- BE GENEROUS. These babies stick. You have to flip them half way through the baking process and if they stick they are near impossible to flip without destroying them.
6. Place gorgeous, butternut squash fries all over cookie sheet. Spray squash lightly with non-stick cooking spray and sprinkle with Kosher salt. NOTE: A little salt goes a long way. Be careful.
7. Bake for 40 minutes. Halfway through, flip them. EXTRA NOTE: If your fries are sticking when you go to flip and they are falling apart, just don't flip them. That's what I did and they still turned out awesome.
8. Remove from oven and remove from sheet. Eat. Enjoy.
I dipped mine in ketchup per Hungry Girl's suggestion and I thought I was enjoying a real french fry. So yummy in my tummy. Plus, the plumper ones (Read: the ones I didn't cut too small) were soft and I gave those to Lainie. She absolutely loved them. She also ate chicken with me, but she actually signed for more (yes, as in sign language- she knows how to sign "more"- genius baby) and I think she was wanting some butternut love!
I have to tell you that it felt good. I mean, real good. Hey everyone! Come see how good I feel! (Silly parlay into an Anchorman: Legend of Ron Burgundy quote- my apologies) What I mean to say is- I'm back. Having such a kick rear-end day yesterday with following my points to a proverbial "t" is really motivating. I'm back on track and I'm ready for some weight loss next Wednesday!
Silly internet is still down at home which means I'll probably be silent this weekend, unless I figure out how to post from my cell phone. The world of technology amazes me to no end. Anyway, have a wonderful weekend! Hoping you have a squashfest of your own soon. Let me know how you like the Butternut Squash fries! Oh, and I saved that other half for this weekend. Woo hoo! Happy Eating!
(P.S. Robb did try one BS fry. Hated it. At least he tried one. C'est la vie.)
Thursday, October 15, 2009
Tonight is the Night!
I woke up this morning and I just feel like I can really do this. I can knock this one right out of the park. To quote Mary-Kate or Ashley (who can keep them straight) in the movie It Takes Two- It's gonna be a "can't eat, can't sleep, homerun, over the fence, world series kind of thing". (Hmm...they were actually talking about true love- ah, well) Yeah, I realize I just quoted an Olsen Twin, but in all honesty I love their movies from their tween years. Actually, It Takes Two is even ealier. I even subscribed to their magazine during it's very brief run. Mmmm hmmm. Yeah, I did. Please don't do the math on what age that would have made me at the time.
So, tonight I'm going to finally make Butternut Squash "fries". I can't even begin to tell you how excited I am to finally have these things. Whoo hoo! I'm also going to be "frying" up some zucchini! It's going to be a squashtastic night. I'm hoping Little Miss Lou Lou will consider sampling these treats. I can almost positively count on Robb NOT to try them. He's just not adventurous when it comes to food. Boo! With my squash I'll be having a chicken breast, lightly seasoned. So yummy. I'm salivating right now just dreaming about it. What time is it?
I have vowed that starting Monday morning I'm going to get up early and I'm going to partake in some Denise Austin pilates. Oh yeah. That's right. I think adding in some exercise will fuel me for the day.
I've been eating healthier for sure. I take a fruit with me to work each day for a snack. I've been eating granola bars for breakfast (the VERY SAME ONES that I ate for breakfast when I had my first 40 pound weight loss with WW) and that is super encouraging. I also try to get in veggies as much as possible, although I have to admit, I'm not as successful at that as I'd like to be. Tonight, I'm all about the veggies. Boohyah!
So, this is Day One of Week 4 and I can honestly say that I have all of my points mapped out for the day. Well, all of them except for the 8 leftover for goodies. Ooh la la! I have to enjoy these points now because I actually get 5 extra points because I'm still nursing Lainie. Come November 11th, I'm done! Hip hip hooray! However, I lose those 5 points at that time, so I'm gonna make the most of them now! Yee haw!
It always feels so much easier when I plan. I think that's key to this being successful.
Happy Eating! Happy Thursday! Happy Weight-Loss-That-Will-Come-Next-Wednesday! It's gonna be a Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious kind of day.
So, tonight I'm going to finally make Butternut Squash "fries". I can't even begin to tell you how excited I am to finally have these things. Whoo hoo! I'm also going to be "frying" up some zucchini! It's going to be a squashtastic night. I'm hoping Little Miss Lou Lou will consider sampling these treats. I can almost positively count on Robb NOT to try them. He's just not adventurous when it comes to food. Boo! With my squash I'll be having a chicken breast, lightly seasoned. So yummy. I'm salivating right now just dreaming about it. What time is it?
I have vowed that starting Monday morning I'm going to get up early and I'm going to partake in some Denise Austin pilates. Oh yeah. That's right. I think adding in some exercise will fuel me for the day.
I've been eating healthier for sure. I take a fruit with me to work each day for a snack. I've been eating granola bars for breakfast (the VERY SAME ONES that I ate for breakfast when I had my first 40 pound weight loss with WW) and that is super encouraging. I also try to get in veggies as much as possible, although I have to admit, I'm not as successful at that as I'd like to be. Tonight, I'm all about the veggies. Boohyah!
So, this is Day One of Week 4 and I can honestly say that I have all of my points mapped out for the day. Well, all of them except for the 8 leftover for goodies. Ooh la la! I have to enjoy these points now because I actually get 5 extra points because I'm still nursing Lainie. Come November 11th, I'm done! Hip hip hooray! However, I lose those 5 points at that time, so I'm gonna make the most of them now! Yee haw!
It always feels so much easier when I plan. I think that's key to this being successful.
Happy Eating! Happy Thursday! Happy Weight-Loss-That-Will-Come-Next-Wednesday! It's gonna be a Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious kind of day.
Wednesday, October 14, 2009
It's Breaks Day
So, anyone who read this blog thingy knows that I've sort of had some setbacks of late. I'm not beating myself up because these things happen. For me, to continue blogging means that I have definitely not given up and that, for me, is the most important thing. Admitting stuff actually helps. Today is my normal weigh day and I've decided to give myself a birthday gift (though a day late) and give myself a pass for the week. Weight Watchers has such passes when you attend meetings. You just turn one in and you don't have to weigh. I'm doing well. Yesterday I took a granola bar for breakfast, ate a WW meal for lunch, and had a banana as a snack. We had tacos for dinner but even that wasn't terrible because I still had plenty of points. For my birthday cake I ate 2 100-calorie Little Debbie snack cakes! I even did well there!
So, I'm charging on. I'm also about to leave for Joliet, IL which is about a 3 hour drive so that's gonna be all for the day. I just wanna leave you with this thought- we're human. We are gonna make mistakes and sometimes making the right choices in any area of our lives can be a difficult and daunting task. Especially, women out there. We seem to take it upon ourselves to be the caretakers, to be the ones to sacrifice. So, when we find that our motivation is lacking and our calorie intake is higher than we anticipated/hoped/want, it's important to do two things- 1. forgive yourself, not beating yourself up and 2. never quit- get right back up and move forward.
Have a great day!
So, I'm charging on. I'm also about to leave for Joliet, IL which is about a 3 hour drive so that's gonna be all for the day. I just wanna leave you with this thought- we're human. We are gonna make mistakes and sometimes making the right choices in any area of our lives can be a difficult and daunting task. Especially, women out there. We seem to take it upon ourselves to be the caretakers, to be the ones to sacrifice. So, when we find that our motivation is lacking and our calorie intake is higher than we anticipated/hoped/want, it's important to do two things- 1. forgive yourself, not beating yourself up and 2. never quit- get right back up and move forward.
Have a great day!
Tuesday, October 13, 2009
I'm Ba-a-a-a-ack!
So, after a whole weekend of silence, I'm back. Have you ever had one of those days where you have all of these plans and you accomplish none of them? Yeah? Well, that was my entire weekend. That's not to say it was a bad weekend. Far from it! But, I accomplished nothing I wanted to.
Friday evening was fine and all. I made this awesome chicken and stuffing casserole. You cut up raw chicken into bite-sized pieces and cover the bottom of a casserole dish with them. Then you take a can or two of either Healthy Request cream of chicken or mushroom soup and spread over the top of the chicken. The recipe actually calls for you adding 1/3 cup of fat free sour cream to the "cream of" business, but I always skip that step. This time I actually mixed cream of chicken and mushroom together. Ok, in the meantime, you take a box of stuffing and pour it into a bowl with 1 and 2/3 cups of very hot water and let that stand about 5 minutes. You spread the stuffing all over the top of the "cream of business" and bake it for about 20-30 minutes at 350 degrees. Super yummy, super filling, super low fat! Heats up well the next day too.
I also sliced a zucchini up and "fried" it in some Pam. Actually, I took some Pam for baking (because it has flour in it) spraying the slices front and back, dipped them quickly in some flour (it stuck because of the spray) and "fried" in some Pam. Good eats!
Enter: Saturday. Well, the mom and grandma came to town to take me to Red Lobster for my birthday (which is today). I didn't go overboard at all and walked away very proud of myself. I didn't feel over-full at all and that's saying a lot because, well, IT'S RED LOBSTER FOR CRYING OUT LOUD. I have no recollection right now of what I had for dinner Saturday night, but I did not end up having time to make any squash recipes because of said visit from the folks and the light shopping that followed.
Enter: Sunday. Ok, so we had the best of intentions, right? Get up, go to church, come home and read the paper. I still needed to secure some spaghetti squash for my squash-fest so I would go to the grocery store, come home, and start whipping up some squash-tastic recipes. (heh heh) Well, Saturday night Lainie fussed on and off until after 2 in the morning. So, her exhausted parents skipped church (whoever those hethens are- tisk tisk- ok it was us) and lounged about all morning. Robb ran to get a paper and some breakfast from Hardees. Yes, I said Hardees. Yes, I did have biscuits and gravy. Yes, I also had hashrounds. Yes, I felt very guilty about said biscuits, gravy, and hashrounds. Well, Robb said because he is starting the healthy eating adventure with me as of Monday (yesterday) morning, he wanted to go out with a bang. (Yes, feeble attempt at a justification, but there you have it.) This is about the time that he concocted dinner plans that included Cracker Barrell. My knees wobbled and I accepted. I got ready and went to the grocery store (securing said spaghetti squash- finally!) and got home in the knick of time to go visit Bella. We left her house and went to CB, which was fan-flippin'-tastic, if I did splurge so myself. Again, I did not eat until the button shot off my pants and injured someone, so I felt a bit victorious. I picked up a few presents in the gift shop and we went home, the thoughts of a new day before us.
Enter: Monday. The plan of action was to spend the morning cleaning whlie Robb was still at home to keep an eye on the Lainie-bug. Then I was going to spend the entire afternoon in my squash laboratory, experimenting with new recipes. Well, most of the cleaning got done. I fed Lainie lunch and was going to get her down for a nap while I started working on the squash. I picked her up from her high chair and she was burning up. I took her temp and she was running a fever. She was also getting a bit fussy. So I sat down and held her and rubbed her head and she slept on and off for about 4 hours while I held her. I wanted her to rest and knew she wouldn't if I laid her down. She woke up around 5:30 and seemed a relatively happy, if not still half asleep, baby and began to play. Well, by that time my plans were shot and I didn't even cook dinner. Actually, I have to back up slightly. Around 11, I was starving and decided to make a Home Run pizza (best pizza ever) and I figured on having 2 slices for 4 pts each and then having a feast of squash for dinner. Well, 2 slices turned into 3. Then 4, as if maybe I was a bottomless pit of hunger. After Lainie woke up I started cleaning a bit more and had a slice of pizza while I worked away. At 7, when I realized I had given up all hope of making any type of dinner, I ate the last 3 pieces. Yes, I consumed an entire pizza (frozen pizza so not ginormous or anything- sad attempts to justify here, no?). So, 8 slices of pizza at 4 pts a pop and I was over my daily points. Of course, there are always flexers available, but it still disheartens me so.
But, today is a fresh start for me. So far, so good. As of today I'm 29 years old (oh, yes I am- granted it's like the 3rd anniversary, but I'm still 29) and this is my year. I just know it. And that squash fest will happen this week, have no fears. I will report back!
Happy Tuesday! Tommorrow is Weighs-Day. Expecting another gain, but maybe in the spirit of my birthday the scales will decide not to be cruel to a heart that's true. If only.
Friday evening was fine and all. I made this awesome chicken and stuffing casserole. You cut up raw chicken into bite-sized pieces and cover the bottom of a casserole dish with them. Then you take a can or two of either Healthy Request cream of chicken or mushroom soup and spread over the top of the chicken. The recipe actually calls for you adding 1/3 cup of fat free sour cream to the "cream of" business, but I always skip that step. This time I actually mixed cream of chicken and mushroom together. Ok, in the meantime, you take a box of stuffing and pour it into a bowl with 1 and 2/3 cups of very hot water and let that stand about 5 minutes. You spread the stuffing all over the top of the "cream of business" and bake it for about 20-30 minutes at 350 degrees. Super yummy, super filling, super low fat! Heats up well the next day too.
I also sliced a zucchini up and "fried" it in some Pam. Actually, I took some Pam for baking (because it has flour in it) spraying the slices front and back, dipped them quickly in some flour (it stuck because of the spray) and "fried" in some Pam. Good eats!
Enter: Saturday. Well, the mom and grandma came to town to take me to Red Lobster for my birthday (which is today). I didn't go overboard at all and walked away very proud of myself. I didn't feel over-full at all and that's saying a lot because, well, IT'S RED LOBSTER FOR CRYING OUT LOUD. I have no recollection right now of what I had for dinner Saturday night, but I did not end up having time to make any squash recipes because of said visit from the folks and the light shopping that followed.
Enter: Sunday. Ok, so we had the best of intentions, right? Get up, go to church, come home and read the paper. I still needed to secure some spaghetti squash for my squash-fest so I would go to the grocery store, come home, and start whipping up some squash-tastic recipes. (heh heh) Well, Saturday night Lainie fussed on and off until after 2 in the morning. So, her exhausted parents skipped church (whoever those hethens are- tisk tisk- ok it was us) and lounged about all morning. Robb ran to get a paper and some breakfast from Hardees. Yes, I said Hardees. Yes, I did have biscuits and gravy. Yes, I also had hashrounds. Yes, I felt very guilty about said biscuits, gravy, and hashrounds. Well, Robb said because he is starting the healthy eating adventure with me as of Monday (yesterday) morning, he wanted to go out with a bang. (Yes, feeble attempt at a justification, but there you have it.) This is about the time that he concocted dinner plans that included Cracker Barrell. My knees wobbled and I accepted. I got ready and went to the grocery store (securing said spaghetti squash- finally!) and got home in the knick of time to go visit Bella. We left her house and went to CB, which was fan-flippin'-tastic, if I did splurge so myself. Again, I did not eat until the button shot off my pants and injured someone, so I felt a bit victorious. I picked up a few presents in the gift shop and we went home, the thoughts of a new day before us.
Enter: Monday. The plan of action was to spend the morning cleaning whlie Robb was still at home to keep an eye on the Lainie-bug. Then I was going to spend the entire afternoon in my squash laboratory, experimenting with new recipes. Well, most of the cleaning got done. I fed Lainie lunch and was going to get her down for a nap while I started working on the squash. I picked her up from her high chair and she was burning up. I took her temp and she was running a fever. She was also getting a bit fussy. So I sat down and held her and rubbed her head and she slept on and off for about 4 hours while I held her. I wanted her to rest and knew she wouldn't if I laid her down. She woke up around 5:30 and seemed a relatively happy, if not still half asleep, baby and began to play. Well, by that time my plans were shot and I didn't even cook dinner. Actually, I have to back up slightly. Around 11, I was starving and decided to make a Home Run pizza (best pizza ever) and I figured on having 2 slices for 4 pts each and then having a feast of squash for dinner. Well, 2 slices turned into 3. Then 4, as if maybe I was a bottomless pit of hunger. After Lainie woke up I started cleaning a bit more and had a slice of pizza while I worked away. At 7, when I realized I had given up all hope of making any type of dinner, I ate the last 3 pieces. Yes, I consumed an entire pizza (frozen pizza so not ginormous or anything- sad attempts to justify here, no?). So, 8 slices of pizza at 4 pts a pop and I was over my daily points. Of course, there are always flexers available, but it still disheartens me so.
But, today is a fresh start for me. So far, so good. As of today I'm 29 years old (oh, yes I am- granted it's like the 3rd anniversary, but I'm still 29) and this is my year. I just know it. And that squash fest will happen this week, have no fears. I will report back!
Happy Tuesday! Tommorrow is Weighs-Day. Expecting another gain, but maybe in the spirit of my birthday the scales will decide not to be cruel to a heart that's true. If only.
Friday, October 9, 2009
C'est la vie
TGIF and such. Etc. Another rainy, blustery Fall day. I don't mean that as a complaint about the weather, but rather the fact that I am not at home, snuggled under a blanket, reading a book, sipping hot chocolate, and intermittently napping. Doesn't that sound like the perfect Fall day. I'm hearing that tomorrow is supposed to be a lovely day. Of course it. Having these blustery, comatose days through the week is like getting sick on the weekend. Just ruins everything.
But this is not a Weather Channel blog. This is the Diet Diva's blog. I'm here to report that I did not do quite as well as I would have liked to do yesterday. Well, I ate pizza for breakfast and lunch again- boo! I also snacked on some popcorn. For dinner I did pretty well. I made some oven-baked potato wedges and lean steak. That wasn't so bad. So, I'm doing ok. Not great. But ok
This weekend I'm trying out a squash casserole recipe and experimenting with making "fried" zucchini in a more, shall we say, figure-friendly way. I've got some beautiful zucchs, a couple of yellow squash, a green and a red pepper, and butternut squash. I'm going to go pick up a spaghetti squash probably tomorrow. That will be the basis for my casserole. Has anyone ever had spaghetti squash? Let me tell you about it.
First of all, points-wise it's free. It's rather large and it's a pale yellow color. It reminds me of a cross between a tall, skinnier pumpkin and a butternut squash. It's sort of the shape of a taller, skinnier pumpkin and has a stem, but it's skin is smooth like butternut squash. It's really user-friendly too, once you get the spaghetti-like flesh out. Here's what you do- lay it on a dish towel so it doesn't try to move away from you (they're sneaky devils, I tell ya) and slice off the top to remove the stem area and cut the bottom off too. Then slice it long-ways straight down the middle. Add a couple tablespoons of water to a large, microwave-safe plate and put the spagh-squash flesh side down on the plate. Microwave for around 10 minutes. Pull it out- be EXTRA careful because the squash AND the plate will be mad hot. Take a fork and rake it straight down, long-ways, through the flesh. What you will discover is that it actually comes off in long, stringy pieces, much like spaghetti.
After that you can use it in recipes. You can replace pasta with this squash in just about any dish. Just be sure to pat it dry really well. I like to add it to a frying pan with a bit of non-stick cooking spray and season it with creole spices and "fry" it. I then add some cooked salad shrimp to it. You can use what you want. I've used it in casseroles and just eaten it by itself, seasoned.
It's pretty tasty, easy to use, and, did I mention, it's free! Try it out some time. This weekend I'm also going to make some baked butternut squash fries. I got the recipe from Hungry Girl and people rave about it. She also has a super yummy butternut squash hashbrowns recipe that I'm dying to try. I'll report back soon with how all of my squash dishes turn out this weekend. Stay tuned and in the meantime, have a fant-abulous weekend, folks!
But this is not a Weather Channel blog. This is the Diet Diva's blog. I'm here to report that I did not do quite as well as I would have liked to do yesterday. Well, I ate pizza for breakfast and lunch again- boo! I also snacked on some popcorn. For dinner I did pretty well. I made some oven-baked potato wedges and lean steak. That wasn't so bad. So, I'm doing ok. Not great. But ok
This weekend I'm trying out a squash casserole recipe and experimenting with making "fried" zucchini in a more, shall we say, figure-friendly way. I've got some beautiful zucchs, a couple of yellow squash, a green and a red pepper, and butternut squash. I'm going to go pick up a spaghetti squash probably tomorrow. That will be the basis for my casserole. Has anyone ever had spaghetti squash? Let me tell you about it.
First of all, points-wise it's free. It's rather large and it's a pale yellow color. It reminds me of a cross between a tall, skinnier pumpkin and a butternut squash. It's sort of the shape of a taller, skinnier pumpkin and has a stem, but it's skin is smooth like butternut squash. It's really user-friendly too, once you get the spaghetti-like flesh out. Here's what you do- lay it on a dish towel so it doesn't try to move away from you (they're sneaky devils, I tell ya) and slice off the top to remove the stem area and cut the bottom off too. Then slice it long-ways straight down the middle. Add a couple tablespoons of water to a large, microwave-safe plate and put the spagh-squash flesh side down on the plate. Microwave for around 10 minutes. Pull it out- be EXTRA careful because the squash AND the plate will be mad hot. Take a fork and rake it straight down, long-ways, through the flesh. What you will discover is that it actually comes off in long, stringy pieces, much like spaghetti.
After that you can use it in recipes. You can replace pasta with this squash in just about any dish. Just be sure to pat it dry really well. I like to add it to a frying pan with a bit of non-stick cooking spray and season it with creole spices and "fry" it. I then add some cooked salad shrimp to it. You can use what you want. I've used it in casseroles and just eaten it by itself, seasoned.
It's pretty tasty, easy to use, and, did I mention, it's free! Try it out some time. This weekend I'm also going to make some baked butternut squash fries. I got the recipe from Hungry Girl and people rave about it. She also has a super yummy butternut squash hashbrowns recipe that I'm dying to try. I'll report back soon with how all of my squash dishes turn out this weekend. Stay tuned and in the meantime, have a fant-abulous weekend, folks!
Thursday, October 8, 2009
Bipolar Weather, Bipolar Diet
I think Mother Nature is having a bit of a hormonal imbalance this week. One day it's raining, the next is sunshiney, and the next it's blustery (thanks, Nancy, for the word) cold and rainy again. She just can't make up her mind. So it is with this diet, er, journey. One day I'm dedicated, devout Diet Diva. The next I'm the coveting, cowardly Cake-eater! What IS the matter with me? Before you jump to the hormonal imbalance theory I waged for MNat, please consider that perhaps it's just a matter of adjustment.
I have read many an article that stresses the importance of being ready to lose weight before you begin trying. The more you fail the more likely you are to fail again, to be discouraged and depressed. Well, I've got news for them! I was BORN ready. So, why the struggle? Well, I've been a bit, shall we say, melancholy lately and I didn't realize it until Robb continually asked me yesterday what was wrong. I couldn't exactly put my finger on it. I wasn't necessarily tired. I feel fine. I wasn't angry at him (although I'm sure if pushed, I could come up with something- haha). I just feel, blah. Could it be MNat's bipolar weather of late? Actually, I don't think so.
It's really hard to cook the meals you want to cook and plan the way you need to plan when you are now imposing your journey onto someone else. So I talked it over with Robb and I figured out that what I need is to be able to be a bit, well, selfish. I'm going to have to start being able to cook the healthy foods I crave, that make it easier for me, even if he doesn't like them. His response- do it. If he doesn't like what I'm making he'll make himself something else. Now, how is THAT for support?! It never occurred to me that we could eat different things for dinner (and you know something, it isn't rocket science, for crying out loud- I think I could have figured this out before). To further aid me in my endeavors, he has decided that he, too, will begin a regimen of eating healthier and exercising. Much to my surprise (and leaving me slightly chagrined) he has decided we will start getting up earlier as of Monday morning and we will both exercise. We don't have to do the same thing, but we will do it, nonetheless.
I'll have to report back Tuesday to see if he survives stealing what precious-little sleep I currently get now. Will he survive? Will I actually exercise? Will MNat ever get her hormones in check? I don't know. It's a mystery. 10-4, over and out.
P.S. I will be back tomorrow, fear not.
I have read many an article that stresses the importance of being ready to lose weight before you begin trying. The more you fail the more likely you are to fail again, to be discouraged and depressed. Well, I've got news for them! I was BORN ready. So, why the struggle? Well, I've been a bit, shall we say, melancholy lately and I didn't realize it until Robb continually asked me yesterday what was wrong. I couldn't exactly put my finger on it. I wasn't necessarily tired. I feel fine. I wasn't angry at him (although I'm sure if pushed, I could come up with something- haha). I just feel, blah. Could it be MNat's bipolar weather of late? Actually, I don't think so.
It's really hard to cook the meals you want to cook and plan the way you need to plan when you are now imposing your journey onto someone else. So I talked it over with Robb and I figured out that what I need is to be able to be a bit, well, selfish. I'm going to have to start being able to cook the healthy foods I crave, that make it easier for me, even if he doesn't like them. His response- do it. If he doesn't like what I'm making he'll make himself something else. Now, how is THAT for support?! It never occurred to me that we could eat different things for dinner (and you know something, it isn't rocket science, for crying out loud- I think I could have figured this out before). To further aid me in my endeavors, he has decided that he, too, will begin a regimen of eating healthier and exercising. Much to my surprise (and leaving me slightly chagrined) he has decided we will start getting up earlier as of Monday morning and we will both exercise. We don't have to do the same thing, but we will do it, nonetheless.
I'll have to report back Tuesday to see if he survives stealing what precious-little sleep I currently get now. Will he survive? Will I actually exercise? Will MNat ever get her hormones in check? I don't know. It's a mystery. 10-4, over and out.
P.S. I will be back tomorrow, fear not.
Wednesday, October 7, 2009
It's WEIGHS-Day (Week 3)
Raise the roof if you weighed today even though you knew you'd have a gain because you stuffed yourself full of s'mores all weekend! *Kendy raises roof*
I was right- I did have a gain. I gained 1.7 pounds. Not horrible, all things considered. I mean, I sort of went off-roading for four days. Robb had a serious talk with me last night about how it was nice and all having 4 bags of Halloween candy around (honest, it wasn't all for me- I don't even like Snickers or Reese's.....much) but we need to not have that around. I'm not alone in my chocolate obsession. The man ate an entire bag of Milk Duds all by himself within a day and a half. Not to mention at least half a bag of Snickers. Boo!
So, today is all about making good choices. For instance, I made the good choice not to call in sick to work because I'm not sick, I'm just tired. I made the good choice not to injure Robb as he told Lainie that she sounds just like Mommy, how she babbles all the time (jerk face). I also made the good choice not to bring a soda to work with me today which will force me to drink water all day (well, notwithstanding the one- and I do mean one- cup of coffee I have each morning). That was probably the best choice I made this morning. *Kendy pats her own back*
So, tell me- how is everyone else doing? Honesty actually helps. I mean, I have had to 'fess up that I ate a ton of s'mores and chocolate and then got "back on track" by consuming cinnamon melts and a hashbrown Monday morning. These things happen, folks! No sense in beating yourself up. If you have triumphs or tragedies, let me know!
Happy Weighs-Day!
I was right- I did have a gain. I gained 1.7 pounds. Not horrible, all things considered. I mean, I sort of went off-roading for four days. Robb had a serious talk with me last night about how it was nice and all having 4 bags of Halloween candy around (honest, it wasn't all for me- I don't even like Snickers or Reese's.....much) but we need to not have that around. I'm not alone in my chocolate obsession. The man ate an entire bag of Milk Duds all by himself within a day and a half. Not to mention at least half a bag of Snickers. Boo!
So, today is all about making good choices. For instance, I made the good choice not to call in sick to work because I'm not sick, I'm just tired. I made the good choice not to injure Robb as he told Lainie that she sounds just like Mommy, how she babbles all the time (jerk face). I also made the good choice not to bring a soda to work with me today which will force me to drink water all day (well, notwithstanding the one- and I do mean one- cup of coffee I have each morning). That was probably the best choice I made this morning. *Kendy pats her own back*
So, tell me- how is everyone else doing? Honesty actually helps. I mean, I have had to 'fess up that I ate a ton of s'mores and chocolate and then got "back on track" by consuming cinnamon melts and a hashbrown Monday morning. These things happen, folks! No sense in beating yourself up. If you have triumphs or tragedies, let me know!
Happy Weighs-Day!
Tuesday, October 6, 2009
New Day, New Diva
So, I woke up this morning feeling rather diva-licious. It's a new day and a fresh start on my journey. With my set back set aside, I'm ready to go. Maybe it was getting an adequate amount of sleep last night (which rarely happnes these days) but I woke up feeling energized and, well, like a diva. I even shaved my legs!
I've actually got a plan of action for the day and I'm gonna stick to it. All of my points are accounted for and that's a good thing. I know exactly when I get a snack and I even figured in 2 points for one (I promise, just ONE) snack-sized Hershey bar. That way, I get my chocolate fix. I know it's coming and it's figured in with the rest of my points, so I'm all set.
This is what I need. I need the structure of planning out my points. While others may do better with not planning out things so much, it's best for me. That's the point, to find out what works for Y-O-U!
So, Happy Tuesday, from the Diet Diva!
I've actually got a plan of action for the day and I'm gonna stick to it. All of my points are accounted for and that's a good thing. I know exactly when I get a snack and I even figured in 2 points for one (I promise, just ONE) snack-sized Hershey bar. That way, I get my chocolate fix. I know it's coming and it's figured in with the rest of my points, so I'm all set.
This is what I need. I need the structure of planning out my points. While others may do better with not planning out things so much, it's best for me. That's the point, to find out what works for Y-O-U!
So, Happy Tuesday, from the Diet Diva!
Monday, October 5, 2009
Brutal Honesty
Ok, so when I started this blog the one thing I promised was that I would be honest no matter what. If I'm going to be a woman of my word then here goes. First of all, we ordered pizza Thursday night and it was MY idea. What was I thinking? I'll tell you what I was thinking- I love pizza! Well, I did have plenty of points for it, so I decided it wasn't so horrible. Then came Friday morning- pizza for breakfast. Friday afternoon- pizza for lunch. Ridiculousness. I ate the left overs for breakfast and lunch the next day. Ok, again, I actually stayed within points, but didn't feel so great about it. So, in my depression I did the exact opposite of what I should do. It's sort of like when Jonah was all, "Sure God, I'll go to Nineveh. NOT!" He proceeded to go the opposite direction landing himself right, smack-dab in the middle of a whale. Well, I'm gonna BE a whale if I keep doing this. See, I went the opposite direction and landed smack-dab in the middle of the candy aisle at Target where I proceeded to buy chocolate bars, marshmallows and graham crackers. "It's not for me," I lied to myself, "It's for Emily and I to make together. I'll only eat one." Did I really mean "times 10"? Because I didn't stop at one. And when I was done with the s'mores I ate the chocolate. Woe is me.
Other than my s'mores debacle, I actually ate rather healthy. Friday night for dinner I shared brussels sprouts with Lainie. I made a very healthy version of chicken and dumplings for dinner Saturday night which I had left over on Sunday. As I went to bed last night I had visions of broccoli stalks dancing in my head and I swore that I would get back on track first thing this morning. I woke up with a killer headache which drove me to McD's for a large hazelnut coffee, which "magically" came with an order of cinnamon melts and one hashbrown. Lord, have mercy. I know I didn't order those things- did I? Mmmmm...hmmmmm. Sure did.
You know something? It happens. I debated with myself after consuming said cinnamon melts and one hashbrown about just not blogging anymore. Giving up. Then I remembered my promise. After all, I wouldn't be in this mess if I didn't have an unhealthy relationship with food so a set back here and there is just gonna have to be acceptable. AND, I'm going to have to move forward regardless. Yeah, I will possibly have a weight gain for the week and you know something, it's ok. I faced it like a champ, I think, and I learned.
So, onward I go.
Other than my s'mores debacle, I actually ate rather healthy. Friday night for dinner I shared brussels sprouts with Lainie. I made a very healthy version of chicken and dumplings for dinner Saturday night which I had left over on Sunday. As I went to bed last night I had visions of broccoli stalks dancing in my head and I swore that I would get back on track first thing this morning. I woke up with a killer headache which drove me to McD's for a large hazelnut coffee, which "magically" came with an order of cinnamon melts and one hashbrown. Lord, have mercy. I know I didn't order those things- did I? Mmmmm...hmmmmm. Sure did.
You know something? It happens. I debated with myself after consuming said cinnamon melts and one hashbrown about just not blogging anymore. Giving up. Then I remembered my promise. After all, I wouldn't be in this mess if I didn't have an unhealthy relationship with food so a set back here and there is just gonna have to be acceptable. AND, I'm going to have to move forward regardless. Yeah, I will possibly have a weight gain for the week and you know something, it's ok. I faced it like a champ, I think, and I learned.
So, onward I go.
Friday, October 2, 2009
Working for the Weekend
Well, folks, it's FRIDAY!!!! TGIF!! And such. Anyway, we're approaching the weekend and I have to say that I've been struggling the past couple of days. After being super happy that I lost this week, I sure haven't been staying on track very well. Of course, it always seems that way when I'm constantly on the go, and I have been a'movin! Last night, I did the unthinkable- we ordered pizza. Ridiculousness. I knew better. But fear not! This broad is getting back on the straight and narrow as we speak. It's all about planning. You just have to plan!
This weekend I'll probably be cleaning the house and staying busy is key. Isn't there a saying- idle hands are the devil's workshop or some business like that? Well, these fingers are gonna be scrubbing away the grime this weekend. Robb also happened upon free tickets to the Jr. Blues tomorrow night so we're doing that as well. Lainie will be attending her first hockey game. Whoo hoo!
Ok, I'll report back in tomorrow with this getting-back-on-track business. I'm Supergirl! And.....I'm off!
This weekend I'll probably be cleaning the house and staying busy is key. Isn't there a saying- idle hands are the devil's workshop or some business like that? Well, these fingers are gonna be scrubbing away the grime this weekend. Robb also happened upon free tickets to the Jr. Blues tomorrow night so we're doing that as well. Lainie will be attending her first hockey game. Whoo hoo!
Ok, I'll report back in tomorrow with this getting-back-on-track business. I'm Supergirl! And.....I'm off!
Thursday, October 1, 2009
An Apple A Day
Happy Thursday to all and to all a good, um, day? Well, it's Fall. I mean, yeah, it was official like a week ago, but today feels like Fall. The crisp cool air, hazy and rainy, leaves are a'changin'- yup! Fall....ahhhhhhh. Breathe it in. With Fall comes so many good things- pumpkins and colors and hay rides and bonfires and s'mores (I will be working on a LF version, have not a fear) and then the holidays. This is my favorite time of the year. And for some odd reason, it is always the best time for me to kick start my diet.
Sure, I'm aware that there are nasty temptations just waiting to plead with me to be eaten. Why, there's already caramel apples (which I've almost convinced myself is a healthy product- after all, the bulk of the treat is an apple and those are healthy) and apple cider out there. Of course, stores these days start stocking the shelves full of Halloween goodies the minute the 4th of July is over (some stores really do this and it's a little much, if you ask me). Then, the holidays. And not just any holidays- we're talkin' about the biggies here, folks! Thanksgiving and Christmas. I'm pretty sure that the national average for pounds gained between November and January is somewhere around a million pounds per person.
So, it does seem insane that this of all times, is the time of the year during which I'm most likely to get on track with WW, but true it be. See, there are so many tasty morsels you can enjoy while not adding to your waistline. Pumpkin-based items are a hit during the season and you can do so much with pumpkin. From Autumn Muffins (the recipe of the week last week), Impossible Pumpkin Pie (it's a LF treat and I'll post the recipe this month), Pumpkin Soup (which if made right, can be nearly no points) and Pumpkin bread (this last one is the most challenging to de-fat and de-calorize, but it CAN be done).
This month, it is my goal to make at least one pumpkin-based item each week and make it LF. If you have recipes that you want me to work on or suggestions for already-LF recipes, send them my way! Whoever submits the best recipe wins a prize (shhh...don't tell them it's a thumbs up and a shout out on my blog! tee hee).
Here's to Fall...Here's to you All!
Sure, I'm aware that there are nasty temptations just waiting to plead with me to be eaten. Why, there's already caramel apples (which I've almost convinced myself is a healthy product- after all, the bulk of the treat is an apple and those are healthy) and apple cider out there. Of course, stores these days start stocking the shelves full of Halloween goodies the minute the 4th of July is over (some stores really do this and it's a little much, if you ask me). Then, the holidays. And not just any holidays- we're talkin' about the biggies here, folks! Thanksgiving and Christmas. I'm pretty sure that the national average for pounds gained between November and January is somewhere around a million pounds per person.
So, it does seem insane that this of all times, is the time of the year during which I'm most likely to get on track with WW, but true it be. See, there are so many tasty morsels you can enjoy while not adding to your waistline. Pumpkin-based items are a hit during the season and you can do so much with pumpkin. From Autumn Muffins (the recipe of the week last week), Impossible Pumpkin Pie (it's a LF treat and I'll post the recipe this month), Pumpkin Soup (which if made right, can be nearly no points) and Pumpkin bread (this last one is the most challenging to de-fat and de-calorize, but it CAN be done).
This month, it is my goal to make at least one pumpkin-based item each week and make it LF. If you have recipes that you want me to work on or suggestions for already-LF recipes, send them my way! Whoever submits the best recipe wins a prize (shhh...don't tell them it's a thumbs up and a shout out on my blog! tee hee).
Here's to Fall...Here's to you All!
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