Smoothie

So yesterday I met some friends at Carls Jr so our kids could play on the play structure. I ate their apple and cranberry salad but instead of salad dressing I brought a lemon and squeezed that on it. The salad was so good and I saved myself 300 extra calories and 24 g of fat. For breakfast today I made a delicious smoothie for me and the kids

3/4 c cottage cheese (for protein)
1 banana
1 fresh orange
7 frozen strawberries
2 tbs ground flax seed

My kids won't eat fruit. They are crazy and love artichokes, brussel sprouts, broccoli but forget the good stuff like strawberries so I found a way to sneak it into their diet and they loved it.

P.S. here's something I find amusing. Whenever I lose weight I always have people tell me how much they love my hair cut or color. Which at the moment is a dingy washed out red that needs to be re-done. They can't figure out that my face looks better because it's not so fat and they think it's the hair...

Shrimp Scampi

Last night I made the best Shrimp scampi. I couldn't stop eating it. It was so good. I didn't exactly measure it so I don't have the exact amounts

I made enough whole wheat spagetti for 4 people

in a pan I threw in 1 lb raw frozen shrimp
3 large minced garlic cloves
2 tea butter
3 tbs chopped cilantro

cook until pink. Toss spagetti noodles in with the shrimp and add 1/4 cup reduced fat parmesan cheese

day 30

Weigh in day I'm only 206...1lb but at least I'm going down not up? I only exercised 2 times this week and ate really bad. BUt this is something I can stick with. It's a life style not diet which is important. I'll be down next week for sure

Buffalo Chicken Sandwich

So I tried the barcelona chicken....so yummy! I also made the pumpkin spice cake last night. It was yummy too but I wish I wouldn't have eaten it. It sat like a brick in my stomach. So I found a recipe for Buffalo chicken sandwich. We had this for dinner last night.

2 tea paprika (i liked smoked)
2 tea Chili powder
combine in a bowl and coat 4 breasts. Cook on medium heat until no longer pink about 7 min per side. Add 1tbs olive oil and 1/2 cup hot pepper sauce like tabasco (troy likes tapatio) heat for another minute or two
serve on whole wheat buns with lettuce amd tomato

Barcelona Chicken

So I ate pizza last night...we were at a friends house and I was hungry and it was there...but I did do an hour of zumba before and I didn't eat any birthday cake so that's good right?!?!?!? I told her about my blog and she gave me a recipe that she says is her favorite chicken recipe. I'm going to try it tonight for dinner it's called:

Barcelona Chicken

5 green onions
1 c fresh basil
3 large garlice cloves
1/2-1 tea red pepper flakes
1/4 c olive oil
2 tbs cider vinegar
1/2 tea black pepper

combine in a blender or food processor and then marinade 4 chicken breasts for 1 1/2 hours and grill. I bought some Quinoa from costco the other which is like a rice but better for you. My kids love it. So I think I will make some to go along with my chicken

p.s. I burned 900 calories today at the gym so I think I'm covered for my pizza yesterday...

Pineapple Angel Food Cake

I'm doing good so far. Wednesday was really hard for me. I was craving sweets like no other. I ended up mixing powder sugar with some peanut butter to satisfy my sweet tooth....not so low in calories I know. So I have found a guilt free dessert.

1 box angel food cake mix
1 can crushed pineapples

mix together and bake according to box. Only add the can pineapple no water and anything extra. So yummy! I think I am baking it tonight!

Laura that apple cake sounds yummy! I just bought a bunch of apples from costco yesterday. I think I will have to try it. Will you FB me your recipe?

Indian Chicken

So I took the weekend off because my girls were gone playing with my husbands sister. So I had a long weekend of cheat nights. But I only allowed myself 1 cheat meal a day. Saturday we went to big spoon and I had the no sugar added yogurt which is about 80 cal per 1/2 cup. I added fresh strawberries and blackberries and chopped almonds. It was so satisfying and I didn't miss all the candy and crap I used to put on it. They have a binder under the counter of the nutritional value for all their yogurts. Make sure you ask to see it. I decided sunday is my dessert day. I don't know what my obsession is with lemon bars (probably because I have a thousand on my tree) I had like 4...

Any way my weight today is 207 exactly

Last night we had a Indian inspired dinner and it was pretty good. Troy loved it so much he had me season a bunch of chicken this way and cook it. So he can have chicken to go on his salads.

1 c water
2/3 c bulgar wheat
1 lemon
1 cup chopped cilantro
4 green onions
1 roma tomato
1 tbs olive oil
1/4 tea salt
pepper to taste

bring water to boil and remove from heat. Add bulgar wheat and cover. Let stand for 20 min. Add the juice and 1 lemon and the rest of the ingredients and put in the fridge while you cook your chicken

Seansoning for chicken:

1 tbs smoked paprika
1tbs cumin
1 tea coriander
1/3 tea oregano
1/2 tea cayenne pepper

mix together and coat 4 chicken breasts. You might want to brush 1 tbs olive oil on the breasts to help the seasoning stick. Chicken breasts about 7 minutes per side

Chicken Salad, Salad

I'm down 2 more lbs! It's been so easy. I'm not counting calories or anything I just wait until my stomach growls to eat and I eat smaller portions. New concept for me! I also make healthier choices. Like when I want to snack I grab an orange. I replaced white pastas and bread with whole wheat and I exercise at least 4-5 times a week. I LOVE Zumba! It's seriously the best work out. I burn about 500 calories per class. Which is more than I burn in a spin class. Plus I don't watch the clock and count down the minutes until it's time for cool down. It's a latin based dance class that has you shaking your booty! So I forgot about this salad that I love. It's called chicken salad, salad

3 0z canned chicken
1-2 tea relish
1 tea chopped onion
chopped apples
1 tbs reduced fat mayonnaise
(i like to add some curry powder to season)

Mix all together and put on top of 2 cups of lettuce

Calories 271
Protein 21.3
Carbs 13.8
fat 15.5

Day16

Weigh-in day! Well I don't know if I am retaining water but I am 210 exactly. 2 Days ago I was 209.6...oh well that will make next weeks weigh in even better. My tip for the day is Costco oranges. They are so delicious this time of year. I've been eating like 3 a day. Whenever I crave something sweet I grab an orange...and I don't mean the cuties which are good also, but the oranges are so sweet and juicy.

Day 14

I took the weekend off from blogging because it was so busy. I will say that saturday was a hard day and I was more tempted to eat sweets but I didn't give in. Sunday I ate a lemon bar for dessert. It was small and about half the size I would typically eat. Still I calculated the recipe and discovered that the small piece I did eat was still 200 calories! But it was my free meal day and I still was within 1200 calories. Today I'm down another pound. My official weigh-in day is wednesday but I've already lost the 3lbs I'm striving for a week. Plus it's week 2 and anybody who watches biggest loser knows week 2 is the worst week for losing weight. So I'm feeling good about myself.
Today I threw out my white flour and replaced it with whole wheat. The kids didn't notice their pancakes tasted different and they ate less than they normally eat. Dr. Oz said that in order to get white flour they remove all the nutrients out of it and bleach it. So all the good things that tell your brain you're full is gone. That's why you over eat with bread because your brain wants to keep eating because it's wanting the nutrients it needs....so today your goal is to throw out all your white flours and breads and replace them with good nutrient rich food

Chili

I think I'm actually going to make it this time. I can't tell you how many times I've started and stopped dieting. Probably like every other monday. Right after I had Cy I lost 50lbs and I put 20lb back on. It feels so different this time around. I've had 2 emotional and horrible days and I didn't run to food (mostly chocolate). I kept to my diet which I've never done. When ever I feel anything bored,angry you name it I say one piece wont hurt. One piece turns into 3 or 10 and I feel like a failure and I quit rather than trying again the next day. Last night I was with a group who were eating donuts infront of me and drinking hot chocolate with whipped cream. I wasn't even tempted. This morning my sweet friend brought me over starbucks hot choc. and flowers. I pretended to drink while we sat and talked and let my 3 yr old drink it. I'm doing so good!

p.s. I'm holding at the same weight this morning. Here's that chili recipe

1lb ground meat ( i only like turkey)
1 onion chopped
8 garlic cloves minced
1 bell pepper
1/4 cup Cilantro
1 jalapeno
1/3 cup red chili powder
1 1/2 tea cumin
2 cans beef broth
1 can tomatos ( i use stewed)
1 can pinto beans
1 can black or kidney beans

Brown meat, onion, garlic, bell pepper, cilantro, and jalapeno. Cook about 8 min. Add chili powder and cumin. I actually dump everything else in at this point. Top with low-fat cheddar cheese

Day 10

AHHHHHHHHH!!!!!! I'm down 2 more pounds. I really have to stop weighing everyday but I can't help it. I have to know. I walked to pick up my 1st grader from school, which has a really big hill. I burned about 400 calories round trip. Then last night I was bored because there were no good shows on tv so I went for a walk with my sister. It's 3.2 miles and we even tried to run a little bit. We made it about 6 blocks and had to stop. Some day I will be able to run the entire time... I'm having my eggs again for breakfast. Also the cuties I got from walmart were delicious. I've been snacking on those all day and need to go get some more. I'm making turkey chili for dinner. I'll post the recipe tomorrow because I'm late getting my little girl to school!

Day 9

So I'm down another pound! Wednesdays are going to be my weigh-in days (because it's the day after biggest loser!) I'm 212...it feels so good to be in control and I'm actually starting to like the hunger...weird but somehow it makes me feel stronger to be able to decide when and how much I will eat rather than feeling like a slave to food. So on Dr. Oz on monday he said that eating spicy foods in the morning will help you eat less during the day.

So today I made some yummy eggs. I want to eat them for lunch they were so good. I got some diced ham from walmart. They come in a package like lunch meat. They only have 70 calories for 2oz. I threw 2 0z in a pan with 2 tea chopped onions and sauted then in a bowl I combined 3 egg whites with 1 whole egg and mixed that with 1/4 tea red pepper and poured that over the ham and onions. At the end I added 1 slice of the american sliced cheese and put the eggs ontop of some fresh spinach. It was so good and not too spicy. I could probably have used more red pepper

Chicken Tostada

I'm down another pound!!! I made my pineapple smoothie but instead of ice cubes I added 6 frozen strawberries and someground flax seed. I have to say I am a little hungry today but I feel great not over eating. It's so empowering to take back your life and not let it be controlled by food. Dr. Oz talked about this lip licking and then breathing through your mouth and back out... I have to say I hate the way it makes my lips feel afterwards and come on how is that supposed to make me not hungry? Maybe it makes you annoyed at your lips so you forget for 5 sec about wanting to eat. So Troy wanted some enchiladas one day and I came up with this to satisfy him. They are really good. Everyone loves them and have been asking for the recipe.

In a crock pot combine

5-6 chicken breasts
a large can of green chile enchilada sauce (i think its 28oz)
chopped onion
3 tbs chopped cilantro

cook for about 4 hours and shred the breast meat and put back in the sauce it was cooked in. Bake corn tortillas in the oven for about 8-10 min at 400 degrees until brown and crunchy like a chip. Top tortillas with chicken mixture, avocado, tomato and the most important ingredient is lime squeezed on top. I haven't figured out the calorie info yet but its so healthy and you dont miss the cheese and sour cream

Day 7

I gave in...but not too bad. I had less lemom bars on the plate but I did give it away. Also I did horribble on Saturday night. I went to my friends house and I ate i don't know how many handfuls of trader joes macademia (i have sat her spelling and re-spelling that word..if I spelled it wrong...opps) nut caramel popcorn. It was yummy and so not worth the guilt or the calories. I also ate bruscetta that was drowning in olive oil...that might've been worth the calories..at least it was tomatos?!?!? Anyhow I have been feeling so guilty about not eating good that I almost felt like screw it...but I have eaten fabulous (I'm trying to sing the fergie song to remember how to spell this word...not working!) today. The best feeling is being able to feel proud of yourself at the end of the day. So put down that crappy food ladies it's not worth the guilt! Laura made some smoothies today for her kids with bananas,pineapple,strawberries,blueberries and SPINACH! It's sounds terrible but she said you couldn't taste the spinach...I'm intrigued! I might need to go get some spinach. I watched Dr Oz today and he laid out a 12 day plan to loose weight. Check it out on www.droz.com . No recipe today because nobody would want the recipe for my gross crab salad. It was basically canned crab, salad mix, lemon and ground flax seed. I felt like I was being sooo healthy and I even choked about half of it down before I had to stop. It was mush in my mouth...now I have to figure out what I am making for dinner. I know we will be having brussel sprouts. My kids love them...go figure!

p.s. Laura I love your comments!

Fruit Dip

So my mom had our family over for New Years day dinner yesterday. I made lemon bars and yes I ate 2... And did I mention she made ribs and potato salad and homemade rolls? But according to body for life you should have a free day once a week to keep your body tricked to the amount of calories it expects and its good for the mind to be able to stick with a diet knowing you can eat what you want on one day. When I did body for life however on my free day I would go crazy and then have a hard time getting back on the diet the next day. So now i do one free meal a week with a dessert. The scale hasn't changed after my meal I am still down the 4lbs! But today I'm having a hard time looking at those lemon bars. I have them at my house because they are going to a "secret sister" (like a secret santa) I need to drive them over before I give in. So since I am craving something sweet I will be making a fruit dip. It's delicious!

1/2 cup cottage cheese
1/2 cup fat-free vanilla yogurt
1 tsp orange peel
1/4 tea vanilla

blend in a blender until smooth. You'll love it. I promise! Dip whatever kind of fruit you have

Nutrition facts

Calories 217
Protein 17.9
Carbs 25.6
Fat 4.3

Pina Colada

I have a bad habit of checking the scale every morning. I need to stop that. Troy and I chaperoned a youth dance last night for New Years Eve. It was fun and I burned 500 calories. I didn't have time to make the lettuce wraps so I am making them tonight. I think I will be making a Pina Colada smoothie for breakfast today. It sounds discusting but it is really satisfying. Although at first it is hard to get used to the lack of sugar that you get in a Jamba Juice. Also for a good dinner idea check out the comment made by Laura under the comment section on my Day 3

Pina Colada

6 ice cubes
1/2 c cottage cheese
1/2 cup unsweetened pineapple chuncks (or 2 rings)
1/4 tea coconut flavoring

Serves 1
Calories: 230
protein: 15.6
Carbs: 36.8
Fat: 3.2