Promises for 2011

Well, I weighed in Thursday...I have gained about 2 lbs from Thanksgiving to now.  Not bad, I have done worse.  I did not reach my goal weight in 2010...but I did maintain weight loss of the significant amount (50 lbs gone since 2009)  Total weight loss had been 64 lbs.  That 14 lbs has come and gone in the last couple of years.  In 2010 I did reach the LOWEST weight since my 20s...at 183.  Currently I am 186.  I want to reach 175.  I also want to develop my relationship with food.  It is not always healthy.  I enjoy food, but I also turn to it when I am feeling down or upset.  I also use it in celebration.  It has taken me a long time to admit that.  I am also a firm believer that moderation is key.  Listening to my body...knowing when I am full.  Stopping when I am satisfied.  Here are a few promises I want to make to myself for 2011.

1) Keeping my weight off
2) Regular exercise
3) Meal planning
4) Reach goal weight 175
5) Continue to work on my relationship with food

Happy New Year to everyone!

Countdown to Christmas

So...I didn't weigh in at Thanksgiving...went in December 9th and lost 2 lbs...down to 183.8!  I was soooo excited.  This week I weighed in and gained about .4 (yes, that is a decimal in front of the 4).  Not too concerned about that...but this is the week of all of the parties and holiday food.  I have been pretty good.  I decided to go ahead and take small portions of what I liked.  I managed to get through this weekend not getting sick and being too full...but I know when I weigh in I will have gained.  But...just to keep myself in check I will weigh on Thursday.  I keep remembering what our WW leader said.  It is one day...I keep telling myself, it is one time of the year....Christmas is a time when we eat things we don't eat any other time of the year.  I didn't make all of the cookies and stuff I normally make...but I was selective and made what I really enjoy...I tried a salted fudge from WW, I made some buckeyes, and tried some pretzel s'mores.  I know that I will have sweets here and there before then...but I am trying to keep my sweets to a minimum and I don't want to over indulge.  I also know that come January...I will get back on track!  Happy Holidays...and if you have some great strategies...please share!

After Thanksgiving Weigh In

So I weighed in yesterday...lost 2 lbs!  Now I am at the weight I was at the peak of my weight loss...total loss of 64 lbs.  I have never regained the 50 lost...but that 14 lbs has come and gone over the last few years.  I am hoping to keep it off though the holidays will make it challenging.  I have managed to get through the holidays with minimal damage before...I hope to do it again.  I will continue going in and weighing myself until 12/23....and then it may be until January 2011.  I paid for another 17 weeks of WW.  The WW plan has changed.  This will give me a jump start I think...and I have to relearn points and how to calculate.  Now we are taking into consideration Protein and Fiber...and if there are Fat and Carbs the point value of the food goes up...so good news Peanut Butter is less points...but on the bad side, my 110 calorie thin bagels have gone from 1 point to 3 points!  EEK...Anyway, it will be a learning process.  I will get used to it and according to those who started the program last week they did pretty good!  I also have to remind myself that the holidays come once a year.  Often I am eating things that I don't eat regularly...so indulge, not too much...and get back on track, don't let the guilt weigh me down!

Pumpkin Yogurt

This weekend I didn't get the exercise I had hoped for...but I will say that Saturday I spent most of the day cleaning, hauling, climbing up and down a ladder...I think that counts for some activity.  And Sunday, my husband and I rearranged the apartment...which wasn't easy either.  This morning I decided to try something I read about in WW magazine.  I didn't follow it to the letter...but this is what I came up with.

1 cup lowfat vanilla yogurt
1/2 cup pumpkin puree
1 tsp cinnamon plus (Pampered Chef) or use Pumpkin Pie Spice
1 packet splenda to sweeten a little

This is 2 points...and what a yummy breakfast.  The recipe in the WW magazine had you add wheat germ and slivered almonds...I had neither around...and you can use Fat Free Vanilla Yogurt if you want less points and if you prefer.  Anyway.  It is a yummy breakfast.

For dinner, I am making Chicken Posole Soup...I can't wait!

Have a great Monday!

Hooray!

I weighed in this morning...lost 4 lbs!  I am SO excited.  I need to keep this up.  If I can keep this up the holidays won't be so much of a struggle.  Maybe I can lose another 2 or 3 lbs before Thanksgiving.  That stretch between Thanksgiving and New Years is always tricky!  I have managed to do pretty good over the years...but every year I need to encourage myself not to lose focus.  In my WW meeting today, the leader said something that really stuck with me.  Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas...it is just ONE DAY, do what you do, forgive yourself and get back on track...or plan and do the best you can.  Don't let ONE DAY undo your hard work.  For those of you reading...are you thinking about the holidays?  What are your strategies?  And...why did I lose this week...one word EXERCISE, it does make a difference!

And so it begins...

I weighed in Thursday...and gained another 1.6.  I am not eating horribly...every day I say no to things.  But, I am not eating well enough I guess.  What is really strange is the pants that are looser...I feel good.  But, a wake up call for sure.  I am under 190 and want to stay there...and if anything get under 180 at some point.  So...I think exercise is what I need to factor in.  I try...but with school, work, and just day to day life...it is hard to get out there and exercise.  I started Thursday...walking with a friend on her lunch break.  It doesn't always work out...but it is something, and she and I have a similar pace.  Also, I started tracking again...not just what I ate, but the point values.  I am trying to get my husband to encourage me...and I am trying to encourage him.  I have two co-workers who are also doing this...so we talked on friday and vowed to try and encourage each other, share recipes, share wins and losses...just so we know we aren't alone!  Perhaps with all of this...I can be successful.  Sometimes it just boils down to will power and that deep sense of WANTING...nothing else will really work.

So, today we had chicken sausage with roasted butternut squash and green beans for lunch.  I am not a huge fan of squash.  I am trying to learn to like it.  Today it was roasted in the oven with butter (yep, I still use it), fresh thyme and kosher salt.  I had a quarter of a squash...the other half was made into a butternut squash soup.  The recipe came from this month's WW magazine...I just altered the recipe a little based on what I had, and taste.  It will still be 1 point per serving, 1 cup of soup.  I left out the cheese...and will top with some low fat plain yogurt or sour cream when I eat it!

Hope everyone else out there is not losing hope...it WILL happen, small steps!

The Weekend...

Well, it wasn't horrible...but it wasn't good either.  This weekend was the last weekend of the farmer's market...so I had a pain au chocolat.  But...very active at work.  Then...made a pizza...delite from papa murphy's but removed much of the cheese...and added figure friendly items...turkey pepperoni, canadian bacon slices and tomatoes.  Not bad...then I made some chocolate chip bars to mail to someone...ate some cookie dough...and went to bed feeling sick.  Sunday...I managed to eat a couple chocolate chip bars...but made a yankee pot roast (6 points) for dinner and then had popcorn for snack.  But...I plan to do better the rest of the week...and get some good exercise in.  Thursday and Friday I did manage to power walk!  Hopefully I can do that Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday.  If I can fit a power walk in each day...that will help!  And...I have planned my meals for the rest of the week.  Here's to doing better!

Facing the scale...

So today I weighed in.  I gained .6 UGH!  And yet, not really surprised.  This week I plan to do better.  Today was a good day.  Nothing bad...but I didn't track like I should.  I will track this week AND meal plan for the week.  Soups are always a good thing.  We talked about the things that undo us...friends, family, habits, cravings, time, money, and so much more.  All I could think is that I have come so far...it seems like I have so little left to go.  What is standing between me and success?  ME...honestly!  Here's to trying for a better week.

Thoughts about Apple Pie

So, I think this week my undoing will be apple pie.  I decided to make small, individual pies for the serving size...and then gave up and made both a regular pie and small pies.  I am not a pie eater normally.  In fact, this is a food that I have long given up.  And...if you had met me as a child the only pie I would eat was chocolate cream.  Now I love my mom's apple pie.  True I made the pie with less sugar, whole wheat flour...but I am still eating it.  But, what is life without pie?  I could have made baked apples...I could have decided to continue eating just apples.  But...I talked to my dad on the phone and he had me at light and flaky crust.  UGH!  So...here I am undoing some hard work by eating an apple pie.  I am savoring it.  And, next week, I will be back on track.  Until then, I am enjoying something I haven't eaten since last year...and I am going to be okay with it!

Back on Track...

So I weighed in yesterday...down 2 lbs!  YIPPEE!  I am feeling better.  I know this week should go by pretty well but I need to start planning and strategizing for the wedding in Ohio.  We leave Friday 9/17 and return Tuesday 9/21.  I am pretty sure I can handle the actual wedding and events surrounding...but what gets me into trouble is the eating out...no home cooked meals.  If it is warm out I can fall back on salads.  But the other issue is knowing that there is food in OH that I can't get here in WA!  I did manage to check the point value on my fave chicken sandwich from Chik-Fil-A...and it is 8 points...if I pair that with water and a salad...I should be good to go!  We are seeing if we can prepare a couple meals while we are visiting.  Hopefully that will work.  I will also pack snacks for the flight...and that I can live with!  I will track.  Anyway, more on this later!

Tim and I are making some wonderful meals.  This week it was a Baked Spaghetti Carbonera, Shepherd's Pie and Chicken Sausage Fajitas...all yummy.  We have a chicken curry recipe for this weekend and some BBQ chicken as well.  Next week we will get everything planned through Thursday...and then the travel begins!  Trying new foods and recipes helps keep me from getting into a rut!

Yummy Salad

Not sure of the point value of this salad...but the other night as we made some ginger curry chicken from one of our Food cookbooks...I decided to look up a quinoa salad recipe.  Lots of changes could be made...but this is what I came up with.
Asian Style Quinoa Salad
1 tbsp each of soy sauce and sesame oil
2 tbsp rice vinegar
1 tbsp freshly, finely grated ginger
(whisk together and let sit)
Prepare Quinoa
1 cup water and 1 cup quinoa (rinsed) using two colors if you like
bring to a boil, turn to low and cook 13-15 minutes (all water should be gone!)

Place hot quinoa in the bowl with the dressing
Chop up the following veggies
Carrots
Cilantro
Green Onion
Cucumber

Toss with quinoa and dressing...serve slightly warm...or chill at least an hour before serving, tastes even better after sitting 24 hours in the fridge

ARGH!

So...I weighed in today...gained 4 lbs!  REALLY in one week?!?!?!!!  Anyway, I knew I was eating like crap but...I did do exercise.  I am telling myself 2 lbs for the food I ate and 2 lbs because it is that time of the month!  I feel AWFUL!  Of course I still feel like eating crap...I had a banana for breakfast, crazy bread and pepsi for lunch and a small frosty.  On the bright side...I think I won't be eating any more today...I ate last at 1pm and can't imagine eating ANYTHING more today!  Tomorrow...all healthy all of the time!  Let's hope for a better week!

So...

So...1st week back, down 5 lbs.  2nd week back, down 2 lbs...now I am set to weigh in after week three and I believe I have COMPLETELY undone all of my hard work.  A girl's weekend in Seattle, wine, cake, steak, bread, and then once home...battling that PMS thing...UGH!  Anyway, tomorrow starts my do-over...back on track, planning my meals and tracking my food.  I did manage to exercise...but didn't listen to my stomach and stop when full.  I need to listen to that even more.  AND...do a better job of strategizing for those moments when you celebrate.  Needless to say I have my work cut out for me!

Back to WW

Yesterday I decided it was time.  I went back to WW.  I need to get the rest of this weight off of me and I need to live like this...and so I returned.  I picked a meeting that will work with my schedule so even if I travel I can still get to a meeting.  I also got new materials so I can feel like I am truly starting over again.  Now I need to add in some good exercise!  When I returned from Ohio I told Tim that I needed to get back on track.  He planned two incredibly yummy meals from the Now and Later WW cookbook!  I am starting to plan the meals for the next week...and I think we will continue to use this cookbook!  I weighed in at 193, so not too bad, down from the last time I was on the scale.  But I have been at 184...so I have gained and if I don't get back on track I will continue to gain!  Wish me luck!

194

I weighed in at the doctor yesterday morning...I am at 194.  Which is interesting, I told friends I thought I was somewhere between 190 and 195...I was right.  My husband and I discussed this last night.  We really need to do something about our weight loss.  Activity is where we tend to fail.  Our meal planning has been pretty good and there should be no excuse for healthy snacks this time of year...there are tons of berries and fresh veggies around!  Regardless I am going to at least quit the SNACKING!  And...I do need to limit my alcohol intake!  1 glass of wine ONLY!  Okay...I need to get back on track.  I know what I need to do...but I am always loving food.  I need to limit my splurges to only GOOD food, not subpar...and I need to move more!  Thankfully at work I am really not sitting hardly at all...so that helps.  And, I am so busy I don't have time to think about snacking!

Morning Walk

I did it...I got up this morning and walked 30 minutes...a nice brisk walk up the hill next to our apartment complex...good workout!  I also had a vanilla blueberry smoothie this morning.  The weather is getting warmer...which means I am less interested in eating if I am warm :)  But on the flip side I crave ice cream and such.  We have decided to make some cherry sorbet in the near future...and I love watermelon too!  That helps with the cravings for ice cream!  I will be doing chores all day...I have salad and a chicken sausage for lunch and plans to make a shrimp caesar salad for dinner...YUMMY!  Can I continue the trend?  we will see tomorrow AM!

Hiking

Today Tim and I went on a hike.  We packed a light lunch to have and started the morning light with yogurt and a banana.  I had a small handful of dark chocolate m&ms and some lightly sweetened iced tea...plan to have chicken sausages and carrot sticks for dinner tonight with popcorn later.  Not a bad day all in all.  Now, if I can get up and walk in the morning...that would be ideal!

Off the wagon

So, I have fallen off the wagon.  I have hit that place where I know I am gaining weight, but just can't seem to stop the madness.  I know everyone has been here.  I keep thinking I can start tomorrow, I can start next week, I can do this later.  But...as the pounds creep on...I know that if I don't stop the madness I will find myself at 240 or more again.  I need to stop!  Rather than set high goals...I should keep them small and do-able.  One of my first ones will be exercise daily...I will walk tonight.  I will walk tomorrow and Sunday...and then I need to get on a walking schedule.  I will load a book on my ipod and get up in the am while it is cool and walk with the dog (she really needs the exercise too).  I can start there...and then add on as needed.  I believe my portions have been okay...but the snacking has gotten out of hand.  And I need more VEGGIES and FRUITS!

Meals that aren't WW

This week Tim did the meal planning.  Most of the meals aren't from WW but they are still figure friendly or can be with portion control.  Monday is gluten free ravioli with turkey sausage sauce and salad, Tuesday is pork loin roast with potatoes, carrots and onions, Wednesday is BBQ chicken breast with quinoa salad, Thursday is leftovers and Friday is pork and pineapple kabobs.  All of the meals could go either way...if you eat too much then they would be bad...but watching portions and making sure we have enough for more meals is the key.  I always get a little nervous when we do this...but everything looks like it will be both filling and weight friendly!  I do want to make some chocolate chip cookies this week...so I think I will make them and have Tim hide them and ration them out to me.  More walking this week!  I walked to work Wednesday, Thursday and Saturday this week, and then I walked Sunday and Monday...and we walked Friday as well...taking only Tuesday off...I want to keep that up!  Happy Week!

Meal Planning

So last week on Friday, Tim and I sat down and planned our meals for the week (this week).  I made the Pad Thai on Monday, Tim made the Presto Polenta with tomatoes, corn, basil and goat cheese Tuesday, Tim made the Mustard/Rosemary Roast for Wednesday and I will make Fish and Chips Friday.  It works out well, we are able to each to a stint in the kitchen...and we don't have to think about what we are having.  Thursday (today) is a free day...we eat leftovers, etc.  Works out really week.  We LOVE the WW Comfort Classics cookbook and we are cooking our way through it.  I look forward to trying some new things next week...meal planning is just around the corner.

Walking...more!

So...after a few bumps...I am committed to losing weight again.  I started this week with a BANG...I walked Sunday uphill...and then did two walks today, one was 4 miles.  I am also making meals out of my WW cookbooks all week...and hope to keep up the walking all week.  A couple of weeks ago I put on a pair of my corduroys and they were tight...today I put on a pair and they were JUST RIGHT!  So...doing okay!  I made a Pad Thai recipe from my WW book.  It was YUMMY, my only change would be MORE veggies!  That and some fruit (strawberries and pineapple) it was a great dinner.  Now I just need to make it through the hours before bedtime...I can do this!

Another awesome WW recipe - Iceberg Salad!

So, I decided to try another WW recipe to go with our meal this evening.  This was in the HIT THE SPOT cookbook by WW.  It was INCREDIBLE!

Iceberg Wedges with Creamy Blue Cheese Dressing
Serves 4

1/3 cup low-fat buttermilk
1/3 cup fat-free sour cream (I used light)
1/4 cup crumbled blue cheese (I used reduced fat)
2 tbsp lemon juice
1/4 tsp black pepper (I used Mixed up pepper)
1 small head iceberg lettuce
1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
12 tender watercress sprigs (I didn't use)
2 slices turkey bacon, crisp cooked and crumbled (I used reg bacon)

Combine buttermilk, sour cream, blue cheese, lemon juice and pepper in a blender and puree (you can use an immersion blender or just whisk vigorously!

Cut lettuce into equal parts, chop bacon, half tomatoes, arrange on plate

Serving is 1 lettuce wedge, 1/4 cup tomatoes, 3 watercress sprigs, 1/2 slice bacon and about 1/4 cup of dressing...YUMMY and 2 points (my alterations, 3 points)

ENJOY!  I loved it.  I would recommend making the salad dressing the day before or an hour before for the flavors to meld...and maybe a pinch of garlic salt!

Gluten Free Aebleskivers Happy Birthday Honey!

So, my husband's birthday was yesterday.  I managed to make him a Chocolate Souffle, and yes the recipe was WW!  This morning he requested aebleskivers.  For those of you who aren't familiar, these are also called poffertjes...little dutch pancakes.  They are eaten in Denmark and Holland...and you can find them a few other places as well.  When my husband was first diagnosed with celiac over a year ago, he made some that turned out quite nice...but this year I made the attempt.  I think I need more practice turning them...but all in all they turned out great!  I used a half recipe and the flour blends are from the Gluten Free Baking by the Culinary Institute of America...here is the recipe

2 separated eggs (beat whites until stiff, use yolks in batter)
1 tbsp sugar
1/4 tsp salt
1 tbsp veg oil
1 cup buttermilk (I used the substitution of 1 tbsp vinegar with rest milk to make 1 cup)
1/2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp baking soda
1 cup flour (for you that can eat gluten, that works, for those gluten free it was about half flour blend 5 and half flour blend 4)

Combine all of the ingredients except the egg whites...beat those til stiff and then fold into the batter.  The batter will be thinner and bubbly...just a little thinner than pancake batter.  Then heat your pan, you need a special one, and spray with cooking spray, once hot, then fill the holes about 3/4 way...and good luck.  Mine weren't as pretty as I would have liked...maybe using the two sticks to turn wasn't the way to go and a tablespoon or something would have worked better.  You can sprinkle with powdered sugar, top with butter and maple syrup...or if you live close to huckleberries...huckleberry syrup works quite nicely!

Food Log Day 1

So I have decided to write EVERYTHING I eat on this blog...maybe I will get a picture as to why I can't seem to lose weight.

Breakfast: Chocolate fudge pop tarts - 1 pkg with 2 in it, banana, milk
Lunch: Pork chop with BBQ sauce and roasted potatoes with sour cream (small dollop - light)
Dinner:  Fish and Chips - WW recipe!

Now later I will add in all of the EXTRAS!

Finally Ready to begin again!

So, I am ready to lose weight again!  I have decided enough is enough!  And...my clothes are getting a little tighter.  So, it is time!  I have planned meals this week.  Chicken Enchiladas, Soup, turkey hot dogs, got out the ora wheat sandwich thins...and got rid of some of those foods I can't seem to stay away from.  Meal planning for next week as well.  PORTION control is the biggest thing!  I need to make sure that I am satisfied, NOT STUFFED.  I think I will start WW again May 8th...this gives me some time to start some of my habits again.  And...30 minutes of exercise a day is a MUST!  I will keep you posted!

Definitely getting heavier!

UGH, I have come to the realization I can't do this by myself. I need to return to WW! Sooner the better of course. I am finding my clothes are a little more snug. I just keep eating. What is wrong with me? Anyway, confessions...I need to stop eating crap, I need to move more, I need to get back to WW and I need to quit whining about it and just DO IT!

Still not weighing in...

I still haven't found the courage to face the scale. My goal is to start May 1. I think by then all of my travel and things will be straightened out and my husband will be back and I can start a more regularized exercise agenda which is necessary for weight loss. I continue to eat in moderation, though I slip at times. My cords are getting a little tighter...so that tells me I need to eat a little less OR exercise a little more. I still try and fit about 10 minutes in a day...need to get 30 minutes, but with Tim gone it is hard to fit in what I would like to do. Monday I am planning on a 30 minute walk and ZUMBA! Can't wait to do that! Then I will be gone for a week. I have hiking planned in my future, and I plan to take food with me rather than eat a lot on the road...so that will help! I want to get back into it so I can hit goal this year! The question is once I reach goal, can I maintain it?

Steak

What is it about steak? I have to say that I am pretty good with most meats. I can have a little or I can have none...and I am okay, but place a well cooked steak in front of me and I can't seem to control myself. Living here in Eastern Washington the place in Spokane to get a steak is...Coeur D'Alene ID...Wolf Lodge. It is just about the most incredible steak on the planet. Lean cut, perfectly cooked every time...I think I am in a euphoric state! I realize that on WW it is something you can have in moderation...I always go for the petite fillet...10 oz is the smallest served at this restaurant...but I cut it in half and take the other half home for either a steak salad or a steak sandwich, or I split it with my husband and make a fajita or quesadilla. YUMMY!

Chicken Tortilla Soup

Today I made chicken tortilla soup...well I took a recipe inspired by a co-worker of mine and then just threw a bunch of stuff in the crockpot.

Chicken Broth (homemade either Tim or I made it)

1/2 jar of salsa (the large jar) Mine was a mix of roasted garlic salsa and chiptotle salsa

1 onion chopped

1/2 can green chilies (left over from another recipe)

left over roasted chicken (made that yesterday) used at least one and a half chicken breasts and some misc meat near the wings

2 heaping tsp of taco seasoning

Added 1 bag of southwest style frozen veggies (black beans, corn, green peppers, red peppers, etc)

Once it was done...I let it cook on low for 5 hours...smelled YUMMY

I served it with crushed baked Tostito scoops. dollop of light sour cream, some 2% Mexican blend cheese and sprinked dried cilantro on top

IT WAS YUMMY! I can't wait to eat it all week. Turns out I have no choice, I made tons!

I have also used canned tomatoes, fresh veggies, crushed red pepper, chiptotle tabasco sauce, and much much more...but this was the perfect blend of fire and yummy! Not too hot, not too mild! And, I included a picture!

Happy Eating!

De-Clutter your life...

So this is the magazine cover that caught my eye today. Oprah is awesome...and her newest issue is about simplification of things. I know I need to lose weight...but I also need to get rid of my JUNK! I am a pack rat...I collect things. I think I will need them later. I think I will use them later. I cannot justify throwing things away...because someone will need it. I have a hard time with all of this. Reading the article today I have decided that not only do I need to simplify my life, I need to lose weight and get rid of all of the excess baggage in my life as well. UGH! I have a week of school left...then exams. I have the GRE March 30th and then April 1...the declutter begins. I will add my progress to this blog as well! Losing Weight can mean more than just losing my fat...it can mean losing the stuff I have as well!

Life has taken over...

It is official. Life has taken over. I am meal planning and I am eating relatively well...but I am definitely off track! It is the last two weeks of school and things are NUTS. I keep telling myself that I will get back on track once the quarter is over. But isn't it always something that keeps us from our goals? Well, I have to say I doubt I will make it to weigh in this weekend....but I know that I will continue to watch what I eat. Some of it is pretty bad! UGH! But I am not over eating as much as I would...maybe that is a good thing! Okay...I need to concentrate on getting back on track and not eating so much CRAP! GO TEAM!

Getting off track...

This week was one of those weeks...I kept giving myself excuses. My husband and I planned our meals. We had healthy snacks around...yet one day I had a McDonald's Mini Meal...and another day I drank an entire 20 oz Pepsi...and there were other poor choices along the week ending up with not weighing in on Saturday. I guess I just didn't want to think that I had messed things up...which is when I SHOULD go! I keep telling myself in two weeks school will be done and I can really concentrate on my weight loss...but before that it was, it is the holidays...or Valentine's Day hasn't passed yet. I keep making excuses. I wonder if deep down I don't want to be successful. I know that I am enjoying being lighter. But, at some level I just don't want it bad enough! Anyway...back on track this week!

184.8 Today

Okay...so I woke up about 6:45am...and turned off my alarm thinking I wasn't going to weigh in today. But, a few minutes later I was still awake and I thought I should get up and face the scale. It isn't as if I have been COMPLETELY bad this week...just a couple things here and there...and then dinner last night wasn't the best. So...I went. And lost 1.2 lbs! AWESOME! I came home and planned the meals for the week Turkey soup, a pasta dish and mushrooms with pork...and am ready to face the week with a vow to do more moving and really pay attention to what I eat. I also want to add a fruit or veggie with EVERY meal! I am not so good with doing that!

Okay...here's to a better week...and weighing less at the end of the week!

Mac and Cheese

Okay, I am sunk...my husband made smoked gouda mac and cheese with ham for dinner...I don't think that is very WW...UGH! But it was yummy! Need to do more exercise for sure!

The Night Before...

Well, this week has been full of ups and downs. Yes, I have had more sweets than normal and seem to have returned to the bad habit of drinking WAY TOO MUCH pop! But, my meals and snacks were all planned and healthy! I had been craving a Rocket Bakery sugar cookie with pink icing since before Christmas...and finally ate one yesterday. My husband made an incredible WW recipe of mushroom and goat cheese stuffed chicken breasts with rice and green beans...so healthy! But two days this week I drank a 20 oz pop! EEK. I am thinking I should weigh in tomorrow, but I am sure the scale will reflect my poor choices! But, if I don't weigh in...I can maybe fix what I did this week...AGH! Who knows! In other news...my husband needs to lose about 40 lbs according to his doctor...which is nice! (well, I am sure he isn't too happy about it) but for me it will help keep me on track!

Happy Valentine's Day

I weighed in yesterday...186 (down .2) It seems my body loves 186. However after today I may have gained it all back! Yesterday I did pretty good...and found a lasagna recipe that BOTH my husband and I could enjoy...and it was WW! Lasagna with polenta instead of noodles...it was really quite good! Today however...most of our meals were definitely NOT WW. Breakfast started with eggs Benedict...made here at home. Tim and I tag teamed the breakfast with the help of Julia Child! We made poached eggs with FRESH eggs from a guy Tim works with. And, Tim made a fabulous holandaise sauce...he ate his on polenta discs...and found it yummy, and with coffee it was a great breakfast. I did homework and then as a reward, Tim took me to see Valentine's Day (which was a cute movie). We came home to make dinner...lamb chops with rosemary, rosemary roasted potatoes and salad...with wine and flourless chocolate cake for dessert! YUMMY. But, tomorrow it is back to the WW! I do have some chocolate...but Tim will help by only letting me eat one a day rather than eating it all at once! We did meal plan...I bought the new slow cooker momentum book at the meeting yesterday and can't wait to make recipes! Hope the rest of you had more control than I...but I don't know if I can go a Valentine's Day without a little indulgence!

186.2

It has been two weeks since I weighed in. I lost .4 (probably the same .4 I gained a couple weeks ago in Seattle). Saturday was a pretty good day for eating...in the morning I ate a Twisp's in LL...yummy strata and fruit. For lunch I had soup, apple, cheese and crackers. For dinner it was Red Robin...you may ask, what do you get there? Usually I get a burger with no bun and eat very few fries. But this time I got the Burger and greens...which is a burger with cheese, onions, and mushrooms on top of a salad with greens, purple cabbage, red peppers, tomatoes, and other veggies...there is cheese sprinkled through...but not too much. I usually get ranch on the side and dip my fork in before taking a bite...for a slight flavor of dressing but not too much. I drank water...and left satisfied but not stuffed or even really full! Probably more points that I am allotted...but I have been listening to my stomach for being full, being satisfied, being stuffed. One strategy I have been using is to eat...and then wait. If I am still hungry in 20 minutes to a half hour, I may have more. But, most of the time I am not hungry. Also I have been trying to slow down when I do eat...sometimes it is difficult because I am STARVING and can't seem to slow down. When I think of it I put my fork down and take a few breaths and talk...before eating again.

My body seems to be stuck at this weight. I have been thinner...well 183...but it didn't last long. I could stay weeks and weeks at this weight! It drives me NUTS! This week I am going to try and limit my eating, snacks and portions...and add a little more activity. Maybe this will get me to 185...a little closer to goal!

Lays "Fried Chicken" as requested

So...not sure how WW this is...but it is a favorite! I used to make this for the kids I was a nanny for...and now I make it for my husband.

Chicken breast (3-4) boneless skinless
Lays sour cream and onion chips

I have cut the chicken breasts into strips and I have just made smaller, thinner cut breasts...both work awesome!

Preheat oven to 375
spray a 13x9 pan with spray (olive oil or canola)

Rinse off the chicken breasts and trim to your liking
Crush a half bag of the lays sour cream and onion chips into small bits
Coat the chicken with the chips...and lay them in the pan
Cover the pan with foil
Bake about 20-30 minutes...check the chicken...for the last 10 minutes remove foil so they get crispier and golden brown

YUMMY!

Walking Walking Walking

I started the morning with a HUGE breakfast...eggs benedict, hash browns and coffee...a trip to the grocery...and then a nice long walk. All told I think it was close to 8 miles at a pretty descent clip! Dinner was at 6pm...so two meals today...and I think I am good with that. Maybe some hot chocolate is in my future. Made my Lays "fried chicken" with roasted potatoes and salad...not the most healthy...but not the worst for me either!

Now...gotta get through the week keeping up with veggies and exercise...even if I just do it a little each day!

Didn't Weigh in...

Okay, I overslept this morning...mostly because I didn't go to bed until Midnight or after. I just didn't want to get up at 7am and weigh in...I should have, but I didn't. I guess if I had to assess the week, I would say that I wasn't horrible...but I wasn't good either. I made meals that helped me keep on track...but I also had some meals that took me off track. I don't feel guilty about them, but I realize that I can't eat like that! I need to try and take the weight off, for me, for my health and sometimes I have to acknowledge that it is a struggle! But...I did get some more movement into my week...and for this week I need to add more veggies into my week. I started with a HUGE SALAD last night...I can eat that for the next couple of days...and of course carrot sticks and dip! Maybe I need to get some more V8...which is a quick and easy way to get my servings of veggies in!

So...more movement and more veggies...I can do this!

Slow Cooker Lasagna - YUMMY!

So...I decided to try this since my hubby is gone :( and he can't have gluten anyway...good time to try out this WW Slow Cooker Lasagna Recipe. Of course I make some of my own changes...but the points should stay close! And...after a day at class...this was a yummy dinner to come home to! Now I have this for the rest of the week along with the baked potato soup I made yesterday!

1 lb uncooked lean ground beef (7% fat) and I would definitely recommend Italian turkey sausage (if you prefer)
1 small onion chopped
3 cloves garlic (org recipe 1)
28 oz canned tomatoes (I used the Italian seasoned ones)
15 oz tomato sauce
1 tsp salt (I didn't add)
1 tsp dried oregano (I added a tbsp)
1/2 tsp dried basil (I added 1 tbsp from a jar)
1/4 tsp red pepper to taste (I didn't add)
1 cup part skim ricotta cheese
1 1/2 cups part skim mozzarella shredded, divided
1/2 cup shredded Parmesan cheese
6 dry lasagna noodles, no cook

so make the sauce...brown the ground beef, saute the onion and garlic...add tomatoes and seasoning to taste

mix 1 cup ricotta with 1 cup mozzarella (I added in some Italian seasoning too)

In the crockpot, start with 1/3 sauce then noodles (break each of the 6 in half...use for layers)
then cheese, then sauce then noodles then cheese...repeat like you do...

cover crockpot and cook on low 4-6 hours...top with remaining cheese before serving

6 servings at 8 points per!

you can add mushrooms, zucchini, eggplant...etc!

I found this YUMMY after a long day...and I did indulge in a glass of red wine with it. But it was filling and satisfying!

Meal Planning for this week...

So...my husband will be gone this week. Without him cooking, I need to find a couple easy to make recipes so I don't spend my evening cooking when I get home. I came up with two recipes. One I prepped today. That will be my first soup, the Baked Potato soup...and I can throw that together when I get home Monday night from work. Now that I have the potatoes baked and the garlic roasted...I will just need to assemble the soup...and that won't take longer than 30 minutes!

My second soup I will either do Wednesday or Thursday...and that will get me through the week. This is a favorite of mine...my husband will eat it...but he isn't a HUGE fan. So, he won't miss out on anything. It is Slow Cooker Cheeseburger Soup from WW

Now...if you aren't a fan of Velveeta...you may not like it. Sometimes when I can't find Velveeta I substitute...but no cheese is as creamy as Velveeta.

1 medium garlic clove minced
1 medium onion chopped
1 celery stalk chopped

put in a pan that has been sprayed with pam (or whatever) cook til tender
Spray a 3 Qt or larger slow cooker and put the veggies in ( I have also added shredded carrots to this, cook with the other veggies)

Brown 1 lb lean ground beef (93/7) pour off liquid and add to slow cooker

in a small cup combine
2 Tbsp all purpose flour (I use gluten free when I make it with Tim)
1/2 cup chicken broth
wisk til smooth and lump free

pour this into the skillet and collect any brown bits left behind by the meat and add the remaining 2 1/2 cups of broth (3 cups chicken broth needed for the recipe)

Add this to slow cooker
And then add the following
1 cup low fat evaporated milk (I use fat free)
8 oz Light Velveeta cubed (sometimes I will use reg Velveeta, just less 4-5oz)
1/2 tsp paprika
1/4 tsp table salt
1/8 tsp black pepper

cover and cook for 2 hours on low
Serve with crumbled tortilla chips (recipe calls for 24 baked low fat tortilla chips crushed)

about 3/4 cup soup per serving with 3 tbsp crushed chips (5 points!)

For ease...well maybe, I bolded the ingredients!

I have also discovered a cheeseburger casserole that is like having a cheeseburger and fries...I will post that next time I make it...also good...and similar ingredients!

Weigh in...and the plan for the week!

So I weighed in Saturday AM...looks like I gained .4 (that is right, there is a decimal in front of the 4) so not a HUGE weight gain...but I have my work cut out for me this week. Of course it doesn't help that I started my week with breakfast at Barlow's (newly opened restaurant in Liberty Lake, open for breakfast and lunch) and had eggs Benedict and chai...and then split a gluten free pizza and salad for dinner... Tim made gluten free crepes for breakfast...and I had one savory (bacon egg and cheese) and one dessert (nutella and banana)...but after that meal...I plan to meal plan the rest of the week. We have leftover pork chops and potatoes for dinner tonight...and then I will definitely make a soup to keep me occupied this week...and this week's plan is to add some activity in DAILY! So far for Saturday I didn't really do any activity. But today I plan to either bike or walk...and then I need to add at least 10 minutes a day somewhere! I can do this!

Hungry week...

So...I wondered when this would turn around for me. I have been HUNGRY all week (with the exception of Monday). I can't believe how hungry I have been. Most of what I eat is good for me...but of course I slip! I am afraid that I have had too many days of bad choices for there to be a good scale outcome this weekend. But...I will weigh in anyway...and I really need to meal plan this week. SOUP! Never lets me down! Chili may be in the cards! Anyway...just two more days til weigh in...keep your fingers crossed for me!

Weigh in...and sabotage

So I weighed in Saturday, down another pound (YIPPEE) but of course yesterday I had to totally sabotage it! Lots to eat, went to bed feeling like CRAP! Although everything was soooo yummy. Pizza, wine, lemon bars...I even ate two pieces of pizza and then wanted a third...waited 20 minutes...and still wanted it. UGH! Probably was the onions! Anyway, today is a new day and I plan to keep on track the rest of the week. I have my regular chili recipe in the crock pot and had fruit for breakfast! So...positive thoughts...hopefully I will be down a pound or maintain this week!

WW Clam Chowder

I made this soup the same day I made the WW Taco Chili...it made enough for two meals...and it was YUMMY! I did have to use gluten free flour (I chose white rice flour) and I added mushrooms...but it was really good...I would definitely eat it again.

Makes 4 servings
4 tsp canola oil
2 medium all purpose potatoes, peeled and diced (I used red with skins on)
1 celery stalk finely chopped
1 onion finely chopped
1 cup water
1 cup fat free milk
1 cup fat free evap milk
1 tbsp all purpose flour
1 (10 oz) can clams, drained, reserve 1/2 cup of juice
1/2 tsp dried thyme
1/8 tsp ground white pepper
2 slices bacon crisp cooked and crumbled

add oil to a medium saucepan over med heat...then add first 3 ingredients and saute until onion is translucent. Then add water to cover and bring to a boil, reduce heat and simmer until potatoes are tender about 15 minutes

in a medium bowl mix milk, evap milk and flour til smooth and add to saucepan

add in everything else (except bacon) and stir until thickens slightly...don't bring it to a boil...cook about 10 minutes. serve with crumbled bacon.

It was YUMMY...not as creamy, but a GREAT flavor. We ate it by itself the first night and then for lunches the next day...I added a grilled cheese the second day...it was perfect!

WW Taco Chili...

So I was talking to a co-worker Saturday at work and talking about comparing recipes...and she gave me this one...and I had to run out and try it. I have it simmering as we speak on my stove!

1 lb ground turkey (breast)
1 onion
1 can black beans
1 can kidney beans
1 pkg taco seasoning
1 pkg ranch dressing mix
2 cans diced tomatoes (she adds the ones with green chilies) I did one of each

SMELLS divine! I guess one cup is 2 points! NOT BAD! and...this could easily be made vegetarian!

Facing the music...

So, today, with heavy heart I went to my WW meeting. I did it to weigh in...and officially put myself back on track with weight loss and health! I entered the door and walked up to the counter...there were so many people I recognized! It was great to be among people who struggle with weight loss...I sometimes feel like I am the only one. I told the lady at the counter it had been awhile since I had been in...and I needed to return. I took off my hat, coat, scarf, shoes and got on the scale. She asked me when was the last time I had weighed in...I said I wasn't sure but October or November...and then she said, well congratulations...you are down 5.6 lbs! Over the holidays too. I was floored. What do you mean? I asked...she said you are down 5 lbs...I asked is the scale broken? I can't believe it. She said even though I hadn't been in awhile...sometimes we still make better choices when deciding what to eat...

Well, part of me was SUPER happy...and the other part of me was sad...I am soooo happy I have lost. I know (and you know) that I haven't been eating as well as I ought. And I am sad...that I wasn't going all along...and I felt so shameful about my return.

Between you and me...I was steadily gaining from about August 20th to Oct. 31st (my last weigh in) to the tune of 2 lbs a week! EEK! So, now I am ready to head to goal. I am now 187.2 lbs and my goal weight is 175lbs...so I just have a little over 10 lbs to go. I can do this in 2010! Meal planning is up next today! I need to get my week in gear! No, my husband can't make cheesy polenta...I have to wait until I get closer to goal!

A Post Christmas Poem

Thanks to a co-worker who sent me this...I need to remind myself and get back on track!

'Twas the month after Christmas,
and all through the house,
Nothing would fit me,
not even a blouse.

The cookies I'd nibbled,
the chocolate I'd taste
At the holiday parties
had gone to my waist.

When I got on the scales
there arose such a number!
When I walked to the store
(less a walk than a lumber),

I'd remember the marvelous meals I'd prepared;
The gravies and sauces and beef nicely rared,
The wine and the rum balls, the bread and the cheese
And the way I'd never said, "No thank you, please."

As I dressed myself in my husband's old shirt
And prepared once again to do battle with dirt...
I said to myself, as I only can,
"You can't spend a winter, disguised as a man!"

So, away with the last of the sour cream dip.
Get rid of the fruit cake, every cracker and chip.
Every last bit of food that I like must be banished
Till all the additional ounces have vanished.

I won't have a cookie, not even a lick.
I'll want only to chew on a long celery stick.
I won't have hot biscuits, or corn bread, or pie.
I'll munch on a carrot and quietly cry.

I'm hungry, I'm lonesome, and life is a bore...
But isn't that what January is for?
Unable to giggle, no longer a riot.
Happy New Year to all, and to all a good diet.

Week in Recap...

So, I started the week thinking I will be SOOOO strict. Now, I am just happy I haven't gone off the deep end! Actually the week was pretty good. My biggest mark against me was the three slices of pizza on Monday night (thanks girls!). But, all in all I did eat rather well. I also got the shock of my life when I weighed at a friend's house and it said I was 190...which would be AMAZING, and for about 12 hours I believed it...until I was told the scale was pretty much 10 lbs off...the wrong way! So...I still believe I weigh 200. I do plan to face the scale on Saturday morning bright and early...so I can report the real weight I carry! In other news I am getting some light activity in...walking to and from bus stops, in between classes, taking stairs instead of elevators...and keeping my meals and snacks on track! All in all pretty good.

I am already trying to plan meals for this weekend and next week...and trying to convince my husband to make quiche tonight...WW style. Ah well! Should all work out okay.

Okay back to studying...

White Bean Chili - not a WW recipe

So here is the White Bean Chili recipe I made today...it is in its final stages on the stove...but I can tell it is going to taste AWESOME! I will give you the whole recipe...but I did half it!

Southern Living Recipe - White Bean Chili
1 med onion
1 Tbsp olive oil
2 garlic cloves
8 skinned, boneless chicken breasts

first do the onion and garlic, once translucent, add diced chicken
then add

3 cups water
1 tsp SALT
(I added 1 tsp dried cilantro)
2 tsp ground cumin
1 tsp chili powder
1 tsp dried oregano

let cook 10 minutes til chicken is done

4 cans (15 oz) canellini or great northern beans (rinsed, drained and divided)
half of the beans go in a blender, add chicken broth until smooth (1 14 1/2 oz can)

add all of that to the pot and
1 16 oz bag frozen shoepeg white corn
2 (4.5 oz) cans chopped green chilies

bring to boil...once at a boil reduce heat to simmer for 30 minutes

right before serving add 3 tbsp lime juice and garnish with fresh cilantro!

This makes 4 quarts...serves 8 is my guess...maybe even 10! If I had to guess on the point value of this soup...it would be 6-7 points per serving...the thing that makes it higher points is the beans...but not because they are bad for you! I will have to put this in the WW recipe builder and find out eventually! I will probably add a dollop of light sour cream to this as well!

Today I have been doing pretty good...had a few jelly bellys....maybe that wasn't too good...but overall I am doing okay! can't wait to try the chili!

Weigh in...didn't happen :(

So, I was all ready to weigh in today...but now I am sick...and wanted to get my beauty sleep...so I didn't go. I am guessing I am at or a little over 200 lbs...EEK how does that happen? (cramming my face with food I guess) So...I will go with that until I weigh in next Saturday. But...I still tracked my food today. Grape Nuts with fat free milk and sugar with a banana and a pear for breakfast...some of that yummy beef stew for lunch...and a clementine....a cheese stick for snack...and then out to eat with a co-worker...water and a bistro steak salad with dressing on the side. The dressing was balsamic vinaigrette...but it did have feta and cashews on it...I ate all of the lettuce, the meat and some of the feta...left most of the feta and the cashews in the bottom of the dish...headed to Ben and Jerry's for a kids sized..ice cream (YUMMY) and then called it today. I am finishing the night with a cocktail and some clementines...I have a sore throat! So, I think I did pretty good! I will continue to track all week. Hopefully this cold/sore throat goes away...but I think it is headed for my ears, UGH! Can't wait to try the white chili tomorrow. It isn't a WW recipe...but I can't imagine what would be too bad for you in the ingredients. I will put the recipe in the WW recipe builder and see how it measures up!

What's for Dinner? Beef Stew WW style!

So, starting out the year with the soups...WW has some great recipes for soup. Here is the one I am making today!

4 tsp olive oil
1 shallot finely chopped
1 tbsp finely chopped carrot
1 tbsp finely chopped celery
(my addition) 2 cloves garlic chopped

Put these items in a medium nonstick dutch oven and saute until translucent (5-6 minutes)

Add 1 lb beef round cut into 1 1/2 inch cubes and brown (about 5 minutes)

Put in
1 can diced tomatoes (14 1/2 oz) ** recipe calls for one cup chopped canned plum tomatoes, with juice...I can't help myself but to add or subtract from the recipe
1/2 cup dry red wine
1 tbsp chopped fresh thyme (up from 1 tsp)
1 bay leaf
1/2 tsp salt
ground pepper to taste
Bring to a boil and then reduce heat and simmer gently partially covered about 45 minutes

Add
8 frozen pearl onions
2 carrots peeled and cut into one inch cubes (baby carrots cut in half)
4 medium potatoes peeled and cut into 1 inch cubes (I use red with skins on)
1 cup hot water

Cook covered 40 minutes

Stir in
1 cup thawed peas (I will put in frozen)
add parsley(not me) and oregano and cook one minute longer, discard bay leaf

Stew serves 4....but I can tell you now it will serve 6...and the points is 7 for a serving (1 cup)

This can be done in a slow cooker...do the first few steps then transfer to the slow cooker...add the rest (except water, oregano, and parsley) and cook 4-5 hours on high or 8-10 hours on low, stir in herbs just before serving

ENJOY!
Can't wait to eat it today! The smell is divine!

New Year, New Outlook

This is the year...2010, that I want to try and change my relationship with food. Apparently I can't handle good food with moderation...and I am going to try that this year. Last night I rang in the New Year with broth fondue...veggies, lean meat and dipping sauces that weren't too bad. I have been eating a little better since my return from Arkansas (where I might add I ate more than I needed and felt like CRAP!) I started my meal planning yesterday and have picked a series of soups that I plan to fix over the next few weeks. Since the weather is cooler, soup is a good way to get what I need and satisfy that comfort food feeling! My challenge will be to really be pickier about what I eat and when I eat. Only when I am hungry, and only enough to satisfy is the goal! Of course I need to conquer my passion for chocolate...my cravings for bread...and of course I adore CHEESE! But...one thing at a time, right? Hope you have luck in the new year with your relationship with food, whatever it may be!