Moving Out!

I am moving on and moving out. My blog has a new home over at Ever After . . . My Way. Come on over and visit me!! Let me know you found me and tell me what you think.

See over there!

Saturday Weigh-In--starting again

With my weight being stuck again at 190 lbs. I am going to have to go back to WW Flex. Out of 5 weigh-ins on WW Core, I only lost weight my second week. I LOVE LOVE LOVE Core. I enjoy the food, the freedom, and the way it makes me feel. And, once I get to goal, I will reward myself by switching back to Core. But for now, I need to try something to get this weight off. This is crazy. My body is holding on to this weight like a long lost lover. And I want no part of it. I have 25 lbs left to go to get to goal and I will get there. I am not done yet. I don't feel done.

I will still eat a lot of the things I learned about on Core because I enjoy them and they are really good for me. But I will start to count points again and recording them here. It is a pain in the butt but obviously it seems to be the only way I can do this. So here I go again, relearning how to eat Flex. If anyone has any great low-point foods, I am all ears and I would love to hear them.

Here is some information I found on a new twist on the Flex Points program. Use this version to jumpstart your program when you've hit a plateau or just want to jump feet-first into the program. I am going to consider this as a start to getting me back going. In the meantime, I am going to look up ideas and tips to help me. Do you have any that you can add?:

1) You eat 20 points per day for no more than two weeks (no matter what your weight is). Do NOT, under any circumstances go under this target!

2) Your 35 weekly Flex Points are not used for the duration of the Fast Track program.

3) Suggested menus can be found here: WW Eating Guide (requires Adobe Acrobat Reader to view - you can download it for free HERE)- you can follow either the higher carb or higher protein plans to get your 20 points in.

4) Remember to drink your water and eat your points in the most balanced manner possible!

5) Do NOT do Fast Track for longer than 2 weeks! To attempt to do so longer could cause damage to your metabolism. Fast Track is just a short-term program to jump start losses. It should be noted that if you feel you only need one week on it, than by all means, do it for only a week!

6) If you are exercising excessively, sticking to 20 points per day is probably not a realistic goal. Most have found eating some activity points, or just sticking to their regular Points Target is more helpful. If you exercise a lot, your body requires more calories for daily function. To not eat enough could possibly cause a short-term weight gain.

Friday Five--Reasons

Five Reasons I am considering going back to WW Flex:

1. As of tomorrow, I will have been on WW CORE for 5 weeks. Of those 5 weeks, I have only lost weight 1 week.
2. I lost 55 of my 55 of my 65 lbs lost doing Flex, so it obviously works for me.
3. While I LOVE LOVE LOVE eating CORE, I am afraid that if I stick to it, I will end up maintaining this weight and not losing anymore.
4. I am not ready to give up on my weight loss yet. I still have more work to do.
5. I think going back to the drawing board and doing straight WW Flex may be what I need. Maybe I need the discipline of Flex. But I do think that once I get to my goal weight, I will switch back to WW CORE. I enjoy it more and I love the food. I just have to be willing to do what it takes to lose the rest of this weight in a healthy way.

Have a Great Weekend Guys! Stay Good and Stay on Plan

Thursday Thirteen

Thirteen Things On TC's Mind I am not sure I am going to be able to join WW after all. It is a money thing. I would like to, but with Christmas coming and all, I can use the money elsewhere. I am a little nervous that I am going to be stuck at this weight. I mean I like having lost 65 lbs but I am not THERE yet, you know? I guess if I stay here it is better than where I was, but I would love to get down all the way. I updated my pictures on the sidebar to include one taken yesterday. I was a little nervous there wouldn't be any difference between that one and the one I took in June. When you look at the picture that I don't have here that shows my whole body, I am amazed at the difference I see in my legs. I am proud that I was out yesterday all afternoon and I didn't cheat. I even came home STARVED, too hungry to wait for my food to cook. So I made a smoothie for myself to get me through until my supper was ready. I really believe that those are the kind of changes that make this a lifetime change. I bought couscous at the grocery store instead of the bulk food store. I can't believe how much more expensive it is there. OMG! That is crazy. I will definitely be buying my next batch at the bulk food store. I took Little Princess shopping with me. It was a definite reminder why I like shopping while she is in Preschool she is in the ask for everything she sees stage. Both Prince Charming and Little Princess were exhausted from our excursion and went to sleep. I put away groceries and cleaned up the kitchen. LOL such is the life of a mom. I want to try this recipe. It sounds very fall-like: Crustless Pumpkin Pie entire pie is 4 points 15 oz can pumpkin (not filling) 1/2 cup EggBeaters 1 1 1/2 cup skim milk 3 1 cup Splenda 1/2 teaspoon salt 1 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice Beat all ingredients together until smooth; put in pie pan sprayed with non-stick cooking spray. Bake at 400ºF for 15 minutes, then at 375ºF for 45 minutes or until a knife inserted in center comes out clean. Is like a pumpkin custard...very yummy. I want to try this one too: Southwest Chicken • Two 15.25oz cans corn, drained • One 15oz can black beans, rinsed and drained • One 16oz jar chunky salsa, divided • Six boneless, skinless chicken breast halves (thawed) • One cup low-fat shredded cheddar cheese 1. Combine corn, black beans and 1/2 cup salsa in slow cooker. 2. Top with chicken. Pour remaining salsa over chicken. 3. Cover. Cook on high 3-4 hours or low 7-8 hours. 4. Sprinkle with cheese 5 minutes before removing. Today I will not . . . Allow the abundance new and interesting foods that are in my cupboard prove to be too much of a temptation to resist. Today I am thankful for . . . the fact that my fridge is full and I can still afford to buy Christmas Presents next month. Today I successfully . . . Did my budget for next month and stretched the money as far as it needed to go. Links to other Thursday Thirteens! Tug Tinker KaY amy Silver Carmen Barbara Christina Chaotic Mom baggage ribbiticus InterstellarLass N. Mallory It's a FLIP-FLOP World Michelle Chelle Y. Blond Girl Brony Janet Christine Danielle 3treasures Dane Bramage Get the Thursday Thirteen code here! The purpose of the meme is to get to know everyone who participates a little bit better every Thursday. Visiting fellow Thirteeners is encouraged! If you participate, leave the link to your Thirteen in others comments. ItÂ’s easy, and fun! Be sure to update your Thirteen with links that are left for you, as well! I will link to everyone who participates and leaves a link to their 13 things. Trackbacks, pings, comment links accepted! View More Thursday Thirteen Participants

Weight Loss Wednesday--Sucess Stories

I did really well yesterday. I ate couscous with veggies and chicken. I had this brainstorm that because I was making a quick dinner for just me, I would try something I saw on a diet cooking show. I used canned turkey. It wasn't half bad. It was quick and yummy and I was starving so that was a good trick I will use once in a while. I know that canned turkey is higher in sodium but it is a good thing to have around.

I am so glad that I got groceries. I love looking in the fridge and seeing all those fabulous things in there. I love knowing that when Prince Charming or Little Princess ask for something, I don't have to say, "Sorry we are out. I'll add it to the grocery note on the fridge."

Speaking of grocery notes . . . do you have one that you add to throughout the week. I do. It is a magnet notepad stuck to the fridge. It is a lifesaver. Whenever we think of something we just add it to the list. It helps a forgetful Princess like me remember the little things that I may otherwise forget.
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For this week's Weight Loss Wedneday, I thought I would share a few Weight Loss Success Stories. they are always so motivating to me.

1. Dani says that "The weight loss has inspired me to make other beneficial changes in my life!" Dani didn't feel healthy. She couldn't walk for more than 15 minutes at a time because her knees hurt. She wanted kids, but her doctor said she should get back to a healthy weight before trying to get pregnant. This is the story of how she lost 26 lbs.
2. Runningwater says "I am in better shape today than I was when I retired from the Army!" I find that amazing! Runningwater retired from the Army, so he was used to being fit for many years. About 12 years ago, he quit smoking and started gaining weight. His clothes didn't fit and he was out of shape. His yoga practice suffered because he couldn't bend and stretch like he wanted to. Simple outdoor chores like cutting the grass became more difficult, since he sweated so much and had to slow down frequently. Runningwater tired easily, lacked strength, and felt older than he wanted to. This is how he lost 22 lbs.
3. Jennifer (Jennibee) says that "My life is awesome now, and it is worth every calorie I counted and every drop of sweat to get to this point." Jennifer says she was "sick and tired of being sick and tired!" She was out of shape, making housework or even walking around the store a major challenge. At 35, she felt much older than she should and unmotivated to do anything. Jennifer was also worried about the health risks associated with carrying so much extra weight. This is how she lost 91 bls!
4. Kevin B. says that "I have much more energy and I feel great!" While sitting around the table at a buffet restaurant on their summer vacation, Kevin’s family decided to have a friendly, motivational contest. His parents, two sisters, brothers-in-law and wife agreed that each person would put $100 into a pot. The couple who lost the greatest percentage of their combined weight would get the money, and they had until Thanksgiving of 2004 to complete the challenge. Kevin’s wife told him that if they won, he could spend the money however he wanted! Here is how he lost 42 lbs!

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Today I am thankful for . . . .that I have enough money to get the groceries I need to keep myself and my family healthy.
Today I successfully . . . Ate Breakfast before going to get groceries.
Today I will not . . . Use the new extra foods in the house as an excuse to overeat.
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My stuff, articles of interest and Tuesday Tips

I am feeling good this week. I truly think the scale may actually be nice to me and show some kind of a loss this week. Keep your fingers crossed for me guys. I need it.

I am getting groceries tomorrow. I love grocery shopping. I love looking around and finding new and interesting things to try on my eating plan. I am going to buy a few things in bulk though;

• couscous
• apple sauce
• yogurt
• oatmeal
• milk (not really bulk but a LOT of it)

Do you buy in bulk? What things do you buy a lot of on grocery day?

I am back making my oatmeal pancakes again. I found out that this new oatmeal I got is really whole. It has great big pieces so it doesn't mix well. I will have to use the blender a little when I am making pancakes with it.

Today I am thankful for . . . . the health of my daughter. I watched a commercial for Sick kids that just made me so grateful for that.

Today I successfully . . .ate a healthy breakfast and cleaned up before playing on the computer.

Today I will not . . . eat anything large after supper. One small snack or fruits and veggies only.

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I hadn't heard about this, but I just stumbled on this article about Taco Bell creating a Fourth meal. "The One Between Dinner and Breakfast". What do you think about that? My first gut reaction was simply . . . how funny. What a cute little advertising campaign. But faced with questions of obesity and weight loss I wondered if it was a good idea. Thinking a little deeper on it, my take on it is this; I still think it is a funny little advertising campaign. Most people I know eat at night anyway. A campaign from Taco Bell to give it a name isn't going to make them eat more or less. I plan my little snack at night. Prince Charming really does eat a meal at night after supper. Anyway that is my jumbled up way of saying that I don't think their campaign does any harm. It is just a funny little idea that will not effect most people and their desire to eat or not eat after Dinner.

I just found this cute little site that is called Open The Fridge. In it people submit pictures of the food in their fridge and state their five favorite foods and talk about it's contents and the fridge gets a rating on it's healthiness. It is fun and I am going to check it out again.

I also just read about Coke's New Drink to Burn Calories. I love Green Tea, so I would probably give that flavor a try but I wouldn't fool myself into thinking it was going to have any kind of great impact on my weightloss. What about you?

And if you go over to this site you can have a little fun checking out what diet plans some of the stars are on. (Like Jennifer Anniston is on the Zone)

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I was reading this article about the 100 Smartest Diet Tips Ever and I thought I would share some of the tips that I took away from it:

• Make eating purposeful, not mindless. Whenever you put food in your mouth, peel it, unwrap it, plate it and sit. Engage all of the senses in the pleasure of nourishing your body.
• Start eating a big breakfast. It helps you eat fewer total calories throughout the day.
• Eat the low-cal items on your plate first, then graduate. Start with salads, veggies and broth soups, and eat meats and starches last. By the time you get to them, you'll be full enough to be content with smaller portions of the high-calorie choices.
• Keep seven bags of your favorite frozen vegetables on hand. Mix any combination, microwave and top with your favorite low-fat dressing. Enjoy 3 to 4 cups a day. Makes a great quick dinner.
• Remember, EAT before you meet. Have this small meal before you go to any parties: a hardboiled egg, apple and a thirst quencher (water, seltzer, diet soda, tea).
• Don't tell yourself, "It's OK, it's the holidays." That opens the door to six weeks of splurging.
• Walk around the mall three times before you start shopping.
• Dance to music with your family in your home. One dietitian reported that when she asks her patients to do this, initially they just smile, but once they've done it, they say it is one of the easiest ways to involve the whole family in exercise.
• Nothing's less appetizing than a crisper drawer full of mushy vegetables. Frozen vegetables store much better, plus they may have greater nutritional value than fresh. Food suppliers typically freeze veggies just a few hours after harvest, locking in the nutrients. Fresh veggies, on the other hand, often spend days in the back of a truck before they reach your supermarket.
• Drinking too little water can hamper your weight-loss efforts. That's because dehydration can slow your metabolism by 3 percent, or about 45 fewer calories burned a day, which in a year could mean weighing 5 pounds more. The key to water isn't how much you drink, it's how frequently you drink it. Small amounts sipped often work better than 8 ounces gulped down at once.

Motivation Monday--Look How Far I have come!

I was looking through old pictures for a post about my daughter and I when I noticed something else. I realized that you can tell I am the smallest I have been in any of the pictures I have. I have avoided cameras for so long that the difference between the pictures is rather dramatic. Even looking back at pictures where I was happy and feeling good about myself, you can still see a difference. I thought I would share some of them with you.

Prince Charming and I when we were dating for six months.

When I was Pregnant with Little Princess

When Little Princess was about 5 months old

Last Christmas

This July

Last Week

Today I am thankful for . . . . my persistence and never giving up despite how many times I falter on my journey.
Today I successfully . . . changed my beds, did the laundry, got dressed up to look nice despite the fact that I am not going anywhere.
Today I will not . . . eat too much stew even if it is CORE. Too much of anything is not good.

Sunday Stuff

I gave in to a few cravings yesterday but I think I didn't go too crazy. And I am back on the wagon and trying to do things right. Today so far I have eat a couple of bites of lean pork and a banana and my lifesaver . . . coffee. I am making chicken stew for supper. I LOVE that. I was giving Notsosnowwhite the recipe yesterday and it sounded so good, I had to make it for us too. LOL

I discovered something about my wedding rings that made me smile. I used to have size 11 rings that were too small and I wore them on a necklace on my neck. Now, I wear my husband's size 9 ring and my wedding rings are 2 sizes too big! I never thought I would lose weight in my hands. Wow.

I have a couple of questions:

1. How often do you use oil in your cooking? Do you use it at all? Do you use PAM instead?---I use PAM and I almost never use oil.
2. Do you eat breakfast? If you do what do you eat?--I have been eating breakfast weekdays. Weekends are a bit more hit and miss. I usually make myself a couple of eggs with veggies and some coffee. But I change it up once in a while by experimenting with different things I can do to oatmeal.

And here are some things I am thinking of adding to every post.

• Today I am thankful for . . . .
• Today I successfully . . .
• Today I will not . . .

So, Today I am thankful for bananas. I had some given to me and I have been really enjoying them. They fill me up, they taste a little sweet and they add so much flavor to my smoothies and my oatmeal.

Today I successfully cleaned up the living room. When I got up this morning, Little Princess had been up for an hour and had kinda trashed the living room. So I made her a waffle and oatmeal and then while she was eating, I cleaned up the mess.

Today I will not use the weekend as an excuse to go off my diet. Today is a new day and I will eat on plan even if it is harder when everyone is here.

Saturday Weigh-In

Before I mention my weigh-in for this week, I wanted to ask you guys to go over and congratulate my friend at I'm Losing it. She has made her first goal and I am so happy for her!

No loss no gain again this week. But I am okay. I am working hard and I know it will show at some point. In the meantime, I am being a healthier happier me and that is important too.

Not too much going on today. I am craving donuts like I can't even describe. OMG. I just want to go down to Tim Horton's get a dozen and sit down with the box and a coffee.

Have a great day everyone, I will post more tomorrow.

Friday Five

1. So far I am winning the fight. I am still over-emotional, but for now, I seem to be in a happier place. Yaaay! I guess my strategy of getting out of the house whenever the blues kick in is helping me. woohoo. This was one of the things that made me cry like a baby today and this was another.
2. Did you know today is Friday the 13th? And in October yet. I love it! Makes me feel like curling up with Prince Charming and watching horror movies!
3. I may not be down at my weigh-in tomorrow. But I think that I am still bloated. I am not going to worry about it, I know I am doing well. I figure next week I will show a loss.
4. Here is something strange, someone has webnapped Will Kirby's from BB7 Myspace. Here is an explanation from his webmasters. Someone mentioned it to me and I checked it out.
5. I am loving frozen fruit right now. I have tried unsweetened mixed berries and unsweetened raspberries. I use them in smoothies and mixed with Splenda and yogurt.

Thursday Thirteen--Things on my mind

Thirteen Things On TC's Mind I have been feeling really good about myself but today I am feeling like I have so much further to go. A lot of the new grains I have been trying taste very similar. So I am going to pick a couple of the less expensive ones and stick to those. I have been concentrating on getting all my water. It isn't that hard if I start earlier in the day. I have been eating oatmeal for breakfast with all different things in it. So far my favorite is apple, apple sauce, and cinnamon. mmmm . . . . yummy. I am loving couscous. I love how fast it is. Prince Charming isn't as fond of the grains as I am. So sometimes, I will make him french fries and have the grains for myself. I have to cut him a little break. Little Princess is liking the meats and some of the veggies, but she doesn't really like the grains either. Baby steps I guess I love salads lately. I add a little of whatever healthy stuff is in my fridge. It makes it yummy and different every time. I call this my kitchen sink salad. I made terriyaki today. I have a recipe which is easy, fast and diet. Roast chicken breasts (or skinless thighs) in oven for about 1/2 hour. Add 1/2 cup chicken broth, 1/2 cup soya sauce, and 1/2 cup splenda (or sugar). Continue roasting until chicken is cooked and sauce is bubbling. Eat with grains, rice, fries whatever you like. This absolutely fabulous. It is family favorite. I love Our Compliments No Meat Hamburgers. They are yummy and taste like real burgers! I had two with fat free cheese and corn for my supper tonight. It was what I was craving and it was yummy! I have been having a lot of smoothies too. I mix 1/2 cup apple sauce, 1/2 cup plain yogurt, splenda to taste, 1/2 cup skim milk and 1/2 cup frozen fruit. I blend it with my hand blender and get a lovely large yummy smoothie! I am thinking of skipping as a form of exercise. I am a little nervous of my knees. I hope it doesn't make them hurt. But it is a fabulous form of exercise that takes no equipment and burns an obscene amount of calories. I got digital cable today and I am thrilled. I watched X-Weighted and I taped Biggest Loser. I love having all these options. Links to other Thursday Thirteens! Tug Tinker KaY amy Silver Carmen Barbara Christina Chaotic Mom baggage ribbiticus InterstellarLass N. Mallory It's a FLIP-FLOP World Michelle Get the Thursday Thirteen code here! The purpose of the meme is to get to know everyone who participates a little bit better every Thursday. Visiting fellow Thirteeners is encouraged! If you participate, leave the link to your Thirteen in others comments. ItÂ’s easy, and fun! Be sure to update your Thirteen with links that are left for you, as well! I will link to everyone who participates and leaves a link to their 13 things. Trackbacks, pings, comment links accepted! View More Thursday Thirteen Participants

Weightloss Wednesday--Dieting on a budget

I am feeling better, still bloated and not all that confident about my weigh-in on Saturday but I feel good. I feel like whatever the scale says, I am doing really really well with my eating. I am not going off track. I am working really hard and eventually it has to show.

One thing I find about losing weight is that it can be really expensive. I don't understand why so many healthy foods are so much more expensive than the junky type foods. I shouldn't have to pay more because I want to be healthy and I want my daughter to be healthy too. this time, I have sworn to do this no matter how much I have to rebudget and figure things out to do it.

On that note, I read this article, "Eating Healthy on a Budget" I was particularly interested because my budget is pretty tight with Prince Charming going back to school and me not working right now. I can use all the help I can get.

Here are some of the things I found out:

1. Stock your fridge and cupboards with items that are quick and easy to cook (yet kind to your wallet):
   

   Beans and lentils--, whether canned or dried, make nutritious, hearty soups, and can be a main course with the addition of fresh vegetables or rice.
   Brown Rice is a great addition to leftover meat and veggies. Although brown rice is slightly more expensive than white, the nutritional payoff is well worth it. Another inexpensive, easy-to-fix grain, millet, is best when bought fresh. Simply rinse and toast before using it in recipes.
   Soups can’t be beat for nutrition and convenience, especially since you can use canned or packet soups as your base, then add your own veggies and leftover meat. Again, try to experiment, adding your own herbs and spices.

2. When cooking a big meal, make extra to freeze, or use later in the week for lunches or quick suppers. Double recipes, then freeze half. I do this all the time. It also means that sometimes I can make something special for Prince Charming that is not on my diet and I can just pull out something I made before hand out of the freezer for myself.
3. Save your vegetable trimmings to make your own vegetable stock. Not only do you save money, but vegetable stock also makes a nutritious base for casseroles, soups, and Crockpot cooking. I haven't thought of this lately but I used to do this all the time.
4. Buying in bulk is almost always cheaper; you can freeze perishable items (such as meat, milk, and even bread) in smaller portions to use as needed. It’s always a good idea to buy non-perishable items in bulk (canned foods, dried beans and grains, etc.). I was amazed at the difference in price. I went to the store and bought couscous and it cost about $3 for a small box. I went to the bulk food store and bought a great big bag for $2.
5. Use less expensive cuts of meat for casseroles that you slow cook; add extra vegetables and beans to make the meal go further. I do this all the time.
6. Capitalize on one-pot dishes, which generally save prep time, money, and dishwashing, and often make great leftovers. I LOVE one pot dishes!
7. Look high and low (literally) to find the less expensive generic or store brands on grocery shelves, often very similar to higher-priced brand names though packaged under different labels. Stores deliberately place the highest-priced brand-name items at eye level, but if you compare the cost per unit, you’ll be able to figure out the most cost-effective purchase. You can even try your own taste tests— blind, of course— to see where you can save money without sacrificing flavor. This is a great tip. I always try to remember to check out all the brands and buy the best bargain.
8. Take advantage of specials on staples—broth, soups, pasta, rice, canned veggies, even bread and meat. Many of these items have a long shelf life or can be frozen for short periods of time. I do this all the time. I am considering buying a memebership to Cosco for just this reason.
9. Limit your dining out, especially when it comes to fast food, since you’ll find yourself spending unnecessarily on items that are high in fat, salt, and calories, which short-change you in the nutrition department. I hardly ever eat out.

Bitchfest 2006 and Tuesday Tips

Well today everyone is back in school. I have a booming headache and I can't curl up and wish it away, I have to go out to the store. oh well. And . . . . I weighed myself this morning (I know I shouldn't between weigh-in days but I did) and TOM brought an extra 5 lbs. Lets hope it is bloat and it gone by Saturday. UGH!

On the up side, while I am out there anyway, I am going to the library today, hopefully. I am planning on finding out if they have any exercise DVDs. If they do, I am going to copy them off onto a video tape. My hope is to have a full tape of all different exercise routines. That way I could do something different every day, just by putting the same tape in.



Considering my weekend, I figured I would share these great articles that I found, "10 ways to avoid holiday weight gain" and "8 ways you can eat to beat lethargy"

There are some great tips in there. Here are some from both that I am going to keep in mind:

• Drink green--I found this great green Iced tea that comes in individual packs that is sugar free. I really like it and it is made from real tea.
• Protein it up--Eating the right amount of protein helps to balance blood sugar, which in turn avoids energy fluctuations. I am going to watch my protein intake it does make a difference in how I feel.
• Water yourself down--You're not tired...you're thirsty! I really have to watch this one.
• Don't stress--The "so-called" stress hormone, cortisol, is released under times of stress. In terms of weight loss, research shows excess cortisol secretion stimulates weight gain and abdominal fat accumulation.
• Have healthier versions of your holiday favorites--Since I am making the holiday dinner, I can do this.
• Slow down--It takes a minimum of 20 minutes for your stomach to register a "full" sensation and signal to your brain that it's time to stop eating. In other words, by eating in a slow and relaxed manner, you'll feel more full and be less likely to overeat.

Monday Recipes

Today I am going to post recipe as was requested by Living to Feel Good on her blog. I am considering making this a regular Monday thing. It is always nice to share recipes that we learn on this journey together.

I tried these the other day and they will definitely be a new regular addition to my rotation. I think they make a wonderful grab on the go breakfast.


Core Muffins

2 cup rolled oats
1 box of sf/ff vanilla or butterscotch pudding powder
3 tbsp canola oil
2 eggs
dash of baking powder
1 cup skim milk
6 packages single serve splenda sweetener

Mix all ingredients together until you get a batter/dough consistency. in a Pam sprayed muffin tin, bake at 350 until the tops start to get golden brown. In my oven, it took about 30-35 minutes. The muffins come out quite tasty, even the next day.

P.S. I've tried all 3 chocolate varieties, and for some reason, they do not turn out. Vanilla and Butterscotch are tried and true.

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This one I haven't tried, but I intend to.

Baked Cinnamon Apple Crisps

2 small apple(s)
1 tsp ground cinnamon
1 tsp Splenda

Preheat oven to 400F. Slice apples (either with a very sharp knife or in food processor with the slicing blade) 1/8-inch thick. Spread apples in a single layer on a nonstick baking sheet and sprinkle with Splenda and cinnamon. Bake until crisp, about 10 to 15 minutes

Thanksgiving dinner

I went to Thanksgiving dinner today at my Uncles house. I started out good. I ate only the skinned white meat and I have veggies and no gravy. Then they brought out dessert. I went and had a slice of pumpkin pie. Then as if that wasn't bad enough, My Little Princess put her cake on my plate and I sat there and ATE it. I can't believe I just did that. Ugh. I am going to work hard and be really strict the rest of the week for my weigh-in on Saturday but I mean I have been having a heck of a time losing lately anyway, I really can't be reckless.

Editors Note: TOM just arrived explaining a lot. Especially my inability to refuse the desserts today. I feel a little better about that now.

Holiday weekend

It is holiday weekend here and I am going over to my Uncles for dinner. This should be a challenge for me. I will definitely try to eat well. My plan is to eat the chicken and vegetables, minus skin and gravy. I should be able to manage that I hope.

I love going up therel, they are sweet. My Uncle is a doll. He is getting married next year and I hope he is happy for the rest of his life. He has always been good to us and done everything he can for us.

Oh and here are a couple of pics of me in my new jeans:

Saturday Stuff

I was right about my weigh-in. No loss and no gain. I just had a feeling this wasn't going to be a great week for me. We will see what happens next week.

I have been feeling a little down lately. When this happens to me, I tend to gain weight. I don't want to do that. I am too proud of how I look in my new jeans to spoil it by gaining weight. I won't feed these feelings. I will get out and walk instead. I will move and get through this in that way rather than just wallowing in my self-pity.

I don't control my salt. At all. I pay no attention, I just eat what I eat. I have no idea how much I consume. I assume that I am not doing too badly as I make all my own foods, I eat hardly any processed foods at all and I don't add that much salt to my food. But keeping in mind that too much salt can have a negative effect and can cause bloat which shows on the scales. I read this article. It had some interesting tips on simple ways to decrease your salt intake as well as some surprising facts about the amount of salt in some foods.

here are some of the tips:

• Eating Out: No Salt, PleaseWhen you’re out at a restaurant, the sodium in your prepared meal can be high. Most restaurants don’t indicate whether something is high in sodium or not. You have to do your own investigation.
• No MSG Please
  Ask for no MSG -- mono sodium glutamate -- typically used as a flavor enhancer in a variety of foods most, notably found in Asian offerings and that style of cooking. It’s not necessarily in all foods and an added ingredient. So ask for no MSG when you are at a restaurant.
• Substitute: Salt Isn't Your Only Option
  In addition to eating out less, you can control the amounts of salt you add into food when cooking. In your cupboard you have a variety of herbs that can appease your salty palate.
• Cook more with herbs. Fresh squeezed lemon or lime on food can give a lot of zest and chopped garlic, cinnamon, nutmeg, oregano, rosemary –- all appeal to your salty taste without adding a lot of sodium to your diet.
• Salt is just one seasoning to make your food taste good but it shouldn’t be the one that you always reach for. Maybe try the pepper shaker instead

Friday Five

1. I bought two pairs of jeans yesterday at Old Navy and they were skinny leg, size 14 jeans!!! woohoo! that is a long way from size 24!!
2. I am feeling like this won't be a good weigh-in tomorrow. I don't know why but I don't feel like I lost. Oh well, I guess we will see.
3. We have decided that unless absolutely have to, we are going to stay here. I need to feel like I can put down roots. I need to feel like I can enjoy where I live without feeling like I am leaving in a couple of months.
4. It is a dull dreary day today but I really need to do laundry. I don't have a dryer so I guess I will be hanging clothes up on the clothesline in my basement. I can't wait until I get a dryer.
5. I made a chicken and couscous dinner last night that was really good. I used veggies and Italian dressing and I really enjoyed the effect.

Thursday Thirteen--WW Core Recipes

Thirteen Recipes TC has found on WW Core Fall Muffins 1/4 cup oatmeal 1 cup dry cream of wheat 2 or 3 tsp pumpkin pie spice 1 tsp baking powder 1/2 tsp baking soda 1/4 tsp salt 1 1/2 cup shredded pear or granny smith apple 1/2 cup splenda 1 TBSP vanilla 1 cup skim 1 egg 4 tsp canola oil Combine first ingredients up to the shredded pear. Combine second part of ingredients. Stir together. Bake in 6 sprayed muffin tins for about 45 minutes at about 375. Before putting them in the oven, sprinkle about 1/2 tsp dry oats over each muffin and they look like Tim Horton's coffee cakes when they come out. Instead of the fruit, you can use 1 1/2 cups of pure pumpkin filling & it is to die for! 12 very large muffins. Terriyaki Chicken Couscous. 2 tsp olive oil 3 cloves garlic 1 chicken breast 1 red pepper 1 cup cut up spinach 1-2 cups couscous -depends how much you want (already cooked) terriyaki sauce to taste ( I used the thick kind) Saute garlic in oil Add chicken and cook add red pepper add couscous add spinach add terriyaki sauce Core Brownies (preheat oven to 350) 3/4 c oat bran 1/4 c plus 2 tbsp cocoa powder 1 c splenda 1 package sf/ff instant chocolate jello pudding (small) 1/2 c ff milk or water 1/4 tsp baking soda 1/2 tsp salt 1/3 c unsweetend applesauce 3 eggs 1 tsp vanilla Combine flour, pudding mix, cocoa, Splenda, baking soda and salt, mix well. Stir in applesauce, eggs, milk (or water), and vanilla. Mix well. Spray 8"x8" square pan with cooking spray, spread batter evenly into pan. Bake for 20-25 minutes. They are more fudgy than the original recipe I tried. (I added the pudding and the milk and used whole eggs instead of egg whites, which the original recipe called for) Core Barley Pudding 1/2 cup barley 1 cup water 1 cup FF milk 1 tsp vanilla extract 1/2 tsp cinnamon 1/2 tsp nutmeg + pinch of salt + Splenda to taste In a heavy saucepan, combine ingredients and stir. Cover and bring to a low simmer for 45 minutes. At 35 minutes add more milk or water if you like your barley very tender and continue to simmer until liquid is almost entirely absorbed. Eat immediately or Chill overnight. You could add fruit, plain yogurt or any other flavorings to this if you like. Chicken and Barley Soup 1 T. canola or olive oil 1 red onion, thinly sliced 1 garlic clove, minced 2 small sweet potatoes, peeled and chopped 2 small carrots, peeled, cut in half and thinly sliced 2 small celery stalks with leaves, thinly sliced 1/2 cup quick-cooking barley 3/4 t. fresh thyme leaves 8 cups reduced-sodium chicken broth salt and pepper to taste 2 cups small broccoli florets 1/2 lb. boneless chicken breasts, sliced into 2x1/4 inch strips 1. Heat oil in Dutch oven (or large pot) over medium heat. Add the onion and cook, until softened, about 4 minutes, stirring frequently. Add the garlic and stir until fragrant, about 30 seconds. 2. Stir in the potatoes, carrots, celery, barley and thyme. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables begin to soften, about 4 minutes. Add the broth and season to taste with salt and pepper; bring to a boil. Reduce to a simmer until the vegetables are softened and the barley is cooked through; about fifteen minutes. 3. Stir in the broccoli and chicken; return to a boil. Reduce the heat and simmer until broccoli is fork-tender and the chicken is cooked through, about five minutes. (I also added some dried majoram and rosemary at this point, to give it a little more flavor.) Serves 6 1.5 cups is 3 WW points, or all Core :) Bulgur Recipe Boiled 1 1/2 cups of water with 1 tsp of curry powder Added 1/2 cup of bulgur Continued boiling on med. heat for about 15 mins or until water was evaporated. Meanwhile, cut up mushrooms, onion, red and orange peppers and stir fryed with a little olive oil until softened. When the bulgur was cooked, stired in veggies. It was deliscious. Tried a dollop of FF sour cream on top and I think it might be good with plain ff yoghurt too. BAKED OATMEAL SQUARES 2 cup uncooked oatmeal 1 Tbsp baking powder 1/2 tsp salt 1 cup fat-free skim milk 1/2 cup Egg Beaters(or 2 eggs) 1/2 cup unsweetened applesauce (use an apple instead in the food processor for chunks of apple in it) 1/4 cup Splenda 1 tsp vanilla extract 1 tsp ground cinnamon (one poster suggests at least 1T or use apple pie spice) Combine wet ingredients and add dry ingredients. Bake in sprayed 8" square pan at 350 for 35-45 min & cut into 16. It's good cold or warm. You can also use a muffin pan...I get 12 large muffins from this recipe. ****This will mold very quickly, so either freeze or refrigerate**** Variations- 2 pkts. of light hot chocolate mix added to it and eliminate the cinnamon and it's still all Core, Substitute pumpkin filling for the applesauce & use pumpkin pie spice instead of cinnamon. Two mashed bananas instead of applesauce and 2 tsp. cinnamon. You can really use any fruit you want. ***I luv it with fresh rhubarb at this time of year & I cut into 16 pieces, using an 8X8" pan. Made with pure pumpkin filling is 'almost' better than pumpkin pie! Summer Oatmeal ½ cup rolled oats ¾ cup unsweetened applesauce 1 small apple, cored and diced ½ cup milk Mix ingredients together in bowl and chill overnight. Banana Loaf Makes 3 small loaves Cut each loaf in threes (flex 1 pt/slice) 1 cup oatmeal 2/3 cup nonfat powdered milk 1/4 tsp. baking soda 1/2 tsp. cinnamon 1/4 tsp. nutmeg 2 tsp. vanilla 5 tsp. Splenda (more if you like it sweeter) 4 egg whites 1 pureed banana 1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. 2. Mix all ingredients together and divide into 3 small loaf pans. Ham and Potato Frittata CORE Servings Ð 4 1 spray olive oil cooking spray 3 medium potatoes, peeled and diced 1/2 cup extra-lean ham, approximately 11% fat, diced 1 1/2 cup fat-free egg substitute 1 TBS parsley, fresh, chopped 1 TBS rosemary, fresh, chopped 1 TBS fresh oregano, chopped 1/8 tsp salt, or to taste 1/8 tsp black pepper, or to taste Preheat broiler. Coat a 10-inch nonstick ovenproof skillet with cooking spray. Add potatoes and cook over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until golden brown and tender, about 10 minutes. (Note: If necessary, add water by the tablespoon to prevent sticking.) Add ham, egg substitute, herbs, salt and pepper to skillet; cook until almost firm, about 10 minutes. Transfer skillet to broiler and broil until browned on top, about 3 to 5 minutes. Cut into 8 wedges and serve. Fruit Cocktail Pork Chops Servings 4 4 lean pork chops 1 Tbsp. prepared mustard 2 Tbsp. wine vinegar 17 oz. can fruit cocktail; drained, reserved 1/2 cup syrup from fruit cocktail (above) 2 Tbsp. cornstarch Place chops in crockpot. Combine mustard, vinegar and syrup. Pour over chops. Cover and cook on low 4-6 hours until meat is tender. Remove chops and turn control to high. Dissolve cornstarch in 2 Tbsp. cold water; stir into pot. Add drained fruit cocktail. Cover and cook on high 10-15 minutes. Spoon fruit sauce over chops before serving. ****Cornstarch amount is negligible in points with the number of servings Little of Everything Chops 4 pork chops; 1/2" thick 1 cup chopped onion 2 celery ribs; chopped 1 cup chopped bell pepper 14 1/2 oz. can stewed tomatoes 1/2 cup ketchup 2 Tbsp. cider vinegar 2 Tbsp. brown sugar 2 Tbsp. Worcestershire sauce 1 Tbsp. lemon juice 1 beef bouillon cube 2 Tbsp. cornstarch 2 Tbsp. water Place pork chops in crockpot. Add remaining ingredients,except water and cornstarch. Cover and cook on LOW for 5 1/2 to 6 hours. Dissolve cornstarch in water 30 minutes before serving; stir into crockpot. Cover and cook on HIGH for another 30 minutes until sauce is slightly thickened. Sticky Chicken Servings 4-6 2 Tbsp. vegetable oil 1 Tbsp. soy sauce 3 Tbsp. smooth peanut butter 3 Tbsp. ketchup 4-6 boneless chicken pieces. Combine all ingredients in crockpot. Cover and cook on LOW for 8-10 hours. ***The amount of peanut butter will be neglible with the number of servings Links to other Thursday Thirteens! Shoshana Nancy Fragile Butterfly Shelley Dane Bramage (leave your link in comments, I'll add you here!)

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Weight Loss Wednesday

So, it is Wednesday again. And I am having a good week, I think. It is going to be easier now that I am getting groceries today. I am going to the bulk food store to buy some of the grains I have been eating in bulk. that will help. I am probably going to buy some canisters to store them in too.
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Weight loss stories

I thought it would be nice to share a few success stories again. I find it so motivating to read them.

Supermom—Times Three! -- Heather lost 121 pounds with two-year-old triplets at home. How did she do it? With a generous dose of common sense and an emphasis on good food.

The Reluctant Dieter-- Encouraged by her friends—and a pantry full of healthful, satisfying foods—Lisa lost more than 60 pounds* and discovered a self-confidence that had been hiding all along.

Stacey’s Sweet Success -- Stacey went from an emotional eater to a motivated Spinning instructor who inspires her students – and, more importantly, her two kids.
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Subs for Spinach

Spinach is making its way back to grocery store shelves, but if you're still wondering what food you can eat instead, here are some healthy foods you can make a part of your healthy diet. They have some of the same nutritional benefits as spinach:

Vitamin B1: green peas, sunflower seeds
Vitamin B6: bananas, acorn squash
Vitamin C: broccoli, snow peas, red peppers, tomato juice
Vitamin K: leafy greens such as Bibb lettuce, cabbage, Brussels sprouts
Folate: green beans, asparagus, okra, various canned beans (e.g. pinto, navy)
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Creamed Spinach

POINTS value of 0
Servings 4
Level of Difficulty Easy

Ingredients


10 oz chopped frozen spinach, thawed
1/2 cup fat-free evaporated milk
1 tsp dehydrated onion flakes, or minced onion
1/2 tsp garlic powder
1/8 tsp table salt, or to taste
1/8 tsp black pepper, or to taste


Instructions

In a blender or food processor, combine spinach and evaporated milk; puree until smooth.

Transfer mixture to a medium saucepan and add minced onion and garlic powder. Set pan over medium heat and bring to a simmer. Cook 5 minutes, until thick.

Season to taste with salt and pepper. Yields about 1/2 cup per serving. Note: For those on the Flex Plan, keep in mind that a larger (1 cup) serving will have a POINTS value of 1.

Adventures in the kitchen and Tuesday Tip

I got a nice shout out over at Fatfighterblogs.com. Woohoo! Wasn't that nice to see!

I made the yummiest dinner yesterday. I put a pack of skinless, boneless chicken breast in a roaster. I Sprinkled it with Poultry seasoning, salt and pepper, and then I layered an onion, cabbage, and turnip over it. After that I put 1/2 chicken broth and 1/2 beef broth enough to cover the whole thing. I put it in the oven covered and let it cook on a low temperature for several hours. After it had started to stew, I stirred in a few kinds of frozen vegetables including corn and mixed veggies as well as a little leftover barley I had in the fridge. I let it stew on a low temp in the oven for several more hours and when it was cooked it was the yummiest stew I have had in a long time. Everyone loved it including Prince Charming and Little Princess. It tasted really good and not at all like something healthy. I am definitely adding this to my regular rotation.

Speaking of yummy, that mock apple pie I made was to die for! it was really really good. It tasted just like pie filling. And it was so easy to make.

I was given this link and really struck me. Sometimes on our journey we get overwhelmed by the big picture. It feels like to much to do it all so we do nothing. If you find yourself feeling that way. Take a step back. Look at what you are doing and change something. Just one change. and then after you do that and you are comfortable with that change you can change something else. Any change for the better helps. I like really like it . . . CHANGE SOMETHING

Monday Beginnings

A new monday a new beginning. I love that this week with my new beginning I finally am starting off with a loss. It makes me feel so much better about this whole thing. I am getting groceries this week and it is kinda funny but I am looking forward to getting things that are healthy and on the Core plan.

What things do you eat a lot of on your diet?

I am eating a LOT of salads. I am making them with whatever food is in the fridge, so leftover chicken gets chopped up and thrown in, a little onion gets thrown on, mushrooms, maybe a little chopped pear, cottage cheese and fat free dressing. It is too fun to make new and yummy salads every day. And then I am eating a LOT of eggs. Usually every morning for breakfast and then every afternoon in my oatmeal chocolate pancake snack. I am eating a lot of Fat Free Plain Yogurt and applesauce as well.

And now on grocery day I will look for other things for me to enjoy. This really is so much fun.

Slow Day Sunday

Not too much happening on the diet front today. I am still trying to figure out what to make for supper. I am thinking of Salmon patties and veggies. I am not sure yet.

I am feeling really great now. That weight loss yesterday was just the boost I needed. I get to go grocery shopping again this week and it is funny but I am excited about that too.

Today I am making WW Core Warm Chunky Apple "pie".

8 servings
10 large apples
1 cup Splenda
1/2 cup water
2 Tbsp cinnamon

Peel and cut apples into chunks and place in a crockpot.
In a small mixing bowl mix splenda, water and cinnamon.
Pour over apples.
Cook on Low setting for 4-5 hours stirring occasionally.

Oh and Iportion is playing tip tag. so my tip is to find alternatives to your biggest cravings. I used to crave a lot of sweets. I have found applesauce and yogurt is a good alternative for me. Other good alternatives are the WW Core chocolate pancakes I made and the apple *pie* I am making now. Rather than fighting the craving, I realize that a part of me will always want that little bit of sweet, so I find some that are on plan. My friend who is doing low calorie craves salty foods. Good alternatives for her are Smart Pop and Crispy minis.