Let The Games Begin

Well, The Biggest Loser was stinkaroo last night, don't ya think? Could they have dragged it out any longer? I mean, c'mon THREE hours is too long. And then there were the less than fantastic transformations. That was disappointing. I felt badly for Tara that she didn't win, but she is still a winner in the fact that she can now live the life she wants and feel good about herself. I'm not sure how I feel about Helen. She looks good, though. And Jerry did an amazing job for himself, not to mention Mike, too! Now to wait for next season! Anyone catch when that is supposed to start?





It was another fantastic morning of sun, so I thought a run was in order. I had a million errands to take care of, so I decided to eat breakfast before my run. I went with a Cinnamon Raisin English Muffin (these are whole wheat -from TJ's) with PB2 for 3 POINTS...







I went for a run on a different trail this time. I decided to change not only the venue, but the workout, too. I ran for 1.5 miles, then fast walked mixed with 20 second hard-as-I- can- run sprints for the last mile. I know I look totally foolish doing this. The junk in the trunk is jiggling all over the place coupled with the fact that I am breathing like I am gasping for my last breaths. What is this all doing for me? I don't know. I "think" I am burning more calories. I hope I don't break my neck. I ended this dufus track meet with 30 tricep dips on a park bench.



After my olympic games, I did more running, but of the errand kind. I was all over the place and I started to get hungry, but really wanted to finish what I had to do. I decided to stop in the mini-Starbucks in Target and get a Tall Caramel Light Frappuccino(2 POINTS) to tie me over. It was good to the last drop...



I finally got home to make lunch and I was really ready. I used the leftover Barbeque Bean Salad and made 2 mini wraps with the small La Tortilla Factory Tortillas that are 50 calories each. Along with it, I had some yummy watermelon and a HALF serving of Sour Cream and Onion Rice Chips (yay, me!). A delish 6 POINT lunch...

Mmmm....this bean salad was even better today...

Then, it was off to afterschool activities and volunteering at church. I knew I would be home later, so I grabbed another Gnu bar. This chocolate brownie flavor was pretty good, but not my favorite! I can't believe it! My favorites were (in order of yumminess):

• Peanut Butter
• Banana Walnut
• Cinnamon Raisin
• Orange Cranberry
• Chocolate Brownie

I will definitely order these online so I can get the flavors I like best. My TJ's only carries the Cinnamon Raisin and Orange Cranberry. Can't beat a 2 POINT bar with 12 grams of fiber...

When I got home, I whipped up an easy dinner of Perdue Baked Chicken Tenderloins with a side of Gram's green beans for 5 POINTS...

I ended the night with some Banana Split Froyo for 2 POINTS...

and a couple of .... you guessed it...chocolate covered almonds! I should throw them away. They are evil. I am requesting that God make an ammendment to the 10 Commandments to include #11 - Thou shalt not buy nor eat chocolate covered almonds. Although, that may not completely work as a deterrent for me. Ugh, burn, baby, burn...

Oh well. My goal...goal...goal tomorrow is to NOT eat those flippin things. I gotta stop playing these head games with myself and just buckle down and finish this!

Have a great night everyone!

Tonight's The Night!!

It's the Biggest Loser Finale tonight!!! Is anyone else as crazy-excited as I am? I'm even posting earlier than usual because I don't want to miss a minute of it! I can't wait to see everyone and how they look. I've got my tissues ready because I know I'll be blubbering through the whole thing! Okay, let's get this show on the road...

It was another glorious morning for a run, so I laced up and hit the pavement. I ran for 40 minutes at a pretty slow pace today; I felt weak for some reason, but I perservered! When I came in, I had an easy breakfast of Veggie Quiche Cups and a Weight Watchers Vanilla Yogurt for 3 POINTS...



Anyone remember those Veggie Quiche Cups from the South Beach Diet?? It's a great Weight Watchers-friendly recipe, too! You can click HERE for the recipe.

After breakfast, I tooled around in the kitchen. I came up with a new hummus recipe, Spinach Artichoke Hummus. It is really good! For this, you'll need...

• 1 (15 oz.) can garbanzo beans(also known as chick peas), drained and rinsed
• 1 clove garlic
• 1 cup fresh baby spinach
• 1/2 c. artichoke hearts (canned in water)
• 3 tbsp. lemon juice
• 2 tbsp. olive oil
• 1/2 tsp. ground cumin
• few dashes of cayenne pepper
• salt and pepper to taste

1. Place all ingredients in a food processor and process until smooth.
2. Chill for 1 hour before serving.
3. Makes 6 (1/4 c.) servings at 2 POINTS per serving.

I couldn't wait to eat this for lunch. I decided to make a sandwich using the Spinach Artichoke Hummus, 1 slice of Weight Watchers Pepperjack Cheese, a few baby spinach leaves and 2 slices of TJ's Organic Spelt Bread. Amazing! I had the usual side of carrots and soy crisps for a great 7 POINT lunch...

I ran some errands and came home to afternoon munchies! Argh! I started with a fine snack of a Cinnamon Raisin Gnu Bar which I was sure I wasn't going to like, but I loved it! I would definitely buy this 2 POINT bar again...

AND THEN...... I snacked on those stinkin chocolate covered almonds again. And some pretzels sticks. And a handful of chips. BOO! See? See how I sabotage myself when I am close to goal? It's ridiculous. Total mental patient behavior. I think it's because I am a runner now. Yep, that's it. Running makes you hungry, which in turn makes you eat lots of crap, which in turn keeps you from goal. Therefore, running = unattainable goal. Which is why you are running. To chase after goal. See how I got to that? No, I was not a pych major in college.

Sorry, I digress... Back to my healthy dinner! I made Mozzarella and Red Pepper Stuffed Turkey Burgers served on Arnold Sandwich Thins. Ellie Kreiger made these on the Food Network the other day and I thought they looked good! To go with them, I made a Barbecue Baked Bean Salad. I found the recipe HERE. It was a huge hit with the husband! The burgers, not so much. Only because they are "turkey" which to him means "healthy" which, in turn , means "sucky".

I cut up a juicy, sweet watermelon to round out this 8 POINT barbeque...

Don't these look good???

Since, I'm posting earlier than usual, I didn't have any dessert yet. I'm thinking I should forget about it altogether considering my afternoon mouth activity. I hope the Biggest Loser will motivate me and occupy me so that I don't sneak back to the kitchen...

Enjoy your night!