Branching Out

Today was a lot better. I got right to the exercise; no fooling around. I thought my run might be a little weak, but it was great! I got in a nice, strong 40 minutes. Much needed after the eats yesterday.


Breakfast was a whole wheat cinnamon raisin english muffin topped with 2 tbsp. PB2. A delicious and hearty 3 POINTS...


After breakfast, I cleaned up and did something I never thought I would do. I joined a gym! I am now a proud member of Planet Fitness. They are having an amazing deal right now of a year's membership for $99. It's a cool place with tons of weight machines, ellipticals, bikes, treadmills and a 30 minute express workout circuit. I thought it was about time that I got out of my basement with my archaic fitness equipment although, it has done me well all this time. I'm really excited about trying something new and I'm looking forward to getting a good weight training routine together. I'm hoping this will be just the thing I need to drive me to goal! I won't get to the gym very often until the daughters go back to school, but I wanted to join now while the special was going on (which is only until July 22, if you're interested). So, more on my new gym adventures when I get there...

Lunch was a leftover barbecue chicken calzone (about two-thirds of the calzone) and some super sweet cherries that my MIL brought us. A delicious 7 POINT lunch...

Snack time called in the afternoon and just to prove to myself that I can eat only 1 serving of friggin' Cheez-its, I portioned out a serving for 3 POINTS...

And that was it! Mainly because there wasn't much left in the box ;P

More leftovers for dinner. I'm trying to be good about using up stuff in the freezer and fridge. I made Veggie "Fried" Quinoa -Italian style...

• 1 cup cooked quinoa
• 1 clove garlic, minced
• couple tbsp. chopped red onion
• 1/4 c. diced carrot
• 1/4 c. diced zucchini
• 1/4 c. diced mushrooms
• 1 egg white, beaten
• 1 tbsp. parmesan cheese
• s + p
• pinch of dried oregano
• pinch of red pepper flakes

Heat 2 tsp. olive oil in a nonstick pan. Add ingredients and stir-fry until veggies are slightly softened....

I also had the leftover tomato, cucumber and mozzarella salad ( minus 1 mozzarella ball -given to big daughter)...

A nutritious 10 POINT dinner...

It was such a beautiful night, we went for a leisurely family walk after dinner. Then came back home for dessert. I had a No Pudge Brownie - straight up - for 2 POINTS...

Now, I'm ready for some relaxing! Have a great night, everyone =)

Eating On The Fly

I could not get out of bed this morning. I slept so deeply (for a change) that it was hard to wake up! Since I got going so late, I didn't have time to work out although I put on my exercise clothes in anticipation of fitting it in sometime during the day. I ate a quick, but filling, breakfast of Whole Wheat Pumpkin Blueberry Pancakes (from the freezer) and 2 hard boiled egg whites for 3 POINTS...


Then, the daughters and I headed to my friend's house to help with preparations for a big luau party she's having tomorrow. I set out making 60 hamburgers then moved on to chopping, chopping and more chopping lots of fruits and veggies. Next up was grilling all the veggies and making up the tray. I put some aside and made us grilled veggie sandwiches on an Arnold Sandwich Thin with some garlic hummus that she had in her fridge which is AWESOME! The garlic flavor went perfectly with the veggies. It was a great 4 POINT sammie eaten "counter style" (aka standing up!)...

I also snacked on some Goldfish while prepping some other dishes and helping to set up. Before we knew it, it was 5 p.m.! Party prep is brutal!

I headed home and found a wonderfully healthy dinner waiting. NOT!! The husband found a way to get pizza 2 nights in a row! He was so happy :) He ordered us a plain pizza and also, a panzarotti which is like an inside out pizza. Too tired to think of making something more healthy for myself, I indulged in a slice of the pizza and a piece of the panzarotti...

I made sure to eat some broccoli, at least...

I also chomped on some of big daughter's pizza crusts. I didn't feel very satisfied after that. I definitely could have eaten more. I guess my hunger kicked in. Thankfully, there was no more pizza left or I probably would have gone to town. Instead, I went right to dessert - a No Pudge Brownie with PB2 for 3 POINTS...

Never did get in that exercise, although I was on my feet the entire day from 10:30 - 5. I will make sure to get in C&K's 10 minute strength routine though, so it's not a total wash. Then, I will flop into my bed and fall into a coma deep slumber })

Have a great night!

It's Still Me

Hey, how do you like the new digs??? I have been wanting a custom header for a while, so I decided to get myself one in honor of my upcoming 300th post! Thanks to The Blog Fairy who was an absolute dream to work with! I love how she made "me" skinny; gives me hope - LOL ;)

So, I have to say, today was a good day in the eating department. I got right to working out this morning. I decided on the 3 Mile Walk Away The Pounds For Abs DVD again and it was just what I was up for this morning. It's not too hard, but long enough (43 min.) to do some good. After that, I had an easy breakfast of toast and berries: 2 slices Trader Joe's Organic Spelt Bread topped with 1 Laughing Cow Light Cheese Wedge and 1 cup of blueberries on the side. A nice 4 POINT breakfast...

I did some organizing this morning and before I knew it, it was time for lunch. I was in the mood for soup even though it was hot today. I decided on this...

It is really rich and delicious. It has the best nutrition facts of any other canned split pea soup on the shelves, although the sodium is a bit high as is with most canned soups. But, I love that this is packed with protein and fiber, has no fat and is only 1 POINT per cup...

Along with my soup, I made a turkey and 2% cheese sammie on an Arnold Sandwich Thin and had some carrots for crunch. Not on purpose. I was out of chips! It was still a great lunch for 4 POINTS...

After refereeing the daughters all afternoon in The Battle Of Ouch-Quit It She's Touching Me, I needed a good snack to keep up my energy. I went for half of an Apple Pie Larabar for 2 POINTS...

Then, dinner was a vegetarian delight. I had two portabella mushrooms waiting to be used and since no one else in this house will touch them, it was all me! I decided to make a stuffed mushroom burger. I cleaned and stemmed both mushrooms, seasoned with salt and pepper and stuffed one half with a mixture of spinach, parmesan cheese and a bit of light sour cream. Then, topped it with a slice of asiago cheese and the other mushroom and placed it on the grill until mushroom cooked down a little. While I was grilling, I threw some sweet potato slices on, too. A filling 8 POINT meal...

It was one cheesy "burger"...

Plenty of room for another Brownie Strawberry Shortcake for 3 POINTS...

No Pudge Brownies rock!

And before I go, I want to say a big Thank You to Danica for giving me the Hard Working Food Blogger Award! I really appreciate it! Seriously, blogging is so much fun for me, I love being part of the blogging community!

Have a great night =)

Striving To Maintain

Hi everyone! Sorry, I missed posting yesterday. I'm finding my summer days are filled to the brim with entertaining the daughters and by night time, I am just too tired to post. It's been fun though! I'm trying to keep to a schedule as best I can so as to keep the sibling blow-ups to a minimum. So far, so good! What is not so good is my eating plan. While I can't say it's gone to hell in a handbasket, it's just not been up to par. I'm not physically tracking my food, however as a habit, I do mentally count what I am eating. And I'm noticing a lot of picking here and there: crusts off daughters' sandwiches, an extra chip or two, bites of leftovers... you know, that kind of thing. I know from experience that it all adds up in the end. But, my mindset seems to be to just get through the summer without packing on any more pounds. I think I'll have good weeks where I feel completely on track and in a losing mode and then, I'll have others when I'm just trying to get by without a massive gain. I looked at the calendar and see nothing but holidays, parties and vacations in the upcoming weeks. UGH. So, instead of stressing about losing and making it to my goal weight, my NEW GOAL is to get through the rest of the summer without gaining. If I lose, great. If not, that's okay, too. And come September, when everyone is back to where they should be, I feel like I can focus on myself again. Does this sound like a cop-out? Maybe. But, I know the more stressed I feel, the more I want to eat. A lot. Lots of eating = gaining. I don't want to go there. So, maintain is the state I'm striving for!

Now, onto the food...

After Jillian kicked my non-Shredded butt, I made a yummy wafflewich using 2 Eggo Nutrigrain Waffles, 1 tbsp. PB2 and a sliced Fuji apple for 4 POINTS...

Lunch was completely boring. Please excuse my lack of creativity in the lunch department. I've been trying to be good about using leftovers and I also find the usual sandwich, chip, fruit combo to work best during these busy days. So here's today's: leftover grilled chicken in a small La Tortilla Factory tortilla, Kettle Baked Chips (oh, I've missed having these -yum!) and watermelon for 7 POINTS...

Non pictured snacking went on in the afternoon. Not too crazy, though. Just some reduced fat Cheez-its and some No Pudge Brownie batter licks!

For dinner, I tried a recipe from Devin Alexanders' book, The Most Decadent Diet Ever, for Salisbury Steaks in Rich Brown Gravy. It was very good; definitely a family favorite...

Salisbury Steaks With Rich Brown Gravy

1/3 c. egg substitute

1/4 c. old-fashioned oats

1 tbsp. plus 2 tsp. onion soup mix

1 tbsp. dried minced onion

1/2 tsp. garlic powder

1/4 tsp. black pepper

1 lb. 96% lean ground beef

3 tbsp. flour; divided

1 c. fat-free, lower sodium beef broth

2 tbsp. ketchup

2 tsp. Worcestershire sauce

olive oil spray

1 onion, sliced and separated into rings (about 3 1/2 c.)

Combine egg substitute and the oats in a medium mixing bowl. Let stand for 3 minutes to soften the oats. Add onion soup mix, minced onion, garlic powder, pepper and beef. Mix until well combined and then shape into 4 oval patties about 1 inch thick, 3 inches wide and 4 1/2 inches long.

Put 2 tbsp. flour in a medium shallow bowl. Dip the patties in the flour to coat them on all sides. Put the remaining flour in a medium mixing bowl. Slowly whisk in enough broth to form a paste. Then slowly whisk in the remaining broth, ketchup and Worcestershire sauce until well combined. Set aside.

Preheat large nonstick skillet to medium-high heat. When the skillet is hot, lightly mist it with spray. Put in the patties and brown on both sides. Pour the broth mixture into the skittlet. Add the onion rings to the skillet. Bring the liquid to a boil; cover and reduce heat to low. Simmer aobut 15 minutes, flipping patties once, halfway through. Transfer to a platter; spoon onions and gravy over the patties and serve.

Makes 4 patties; 4 servings

1 patty with 1/4 of the gravy and onions has 205 calories, 26 gr. protein, 13 gr. carbohydrates, 5 gr. fat, 60 mg. cholesterol, 1 gr. fiber, 573 mg. sodium

To go with it, I had 1/2 c. high fiber noodles and a scant 1/2 c. peas. A hearty 8 POINT meal...

Of course, I had to have one of the No Pudge Brownies that I made this afternoon. So dessert was a Brownie Strawberry Shortcake for 3 POINTS...

I'm off to enjoy the beautiful evening! Have a great night everyone!!!

Lost That Losing Feeling

I think I'm in maintenance mode. Although, not officially since I haven't reached my goal yet. I just wanted to strive for my Weight Watchers goal so I could finally, after the bazillion times of joining Weight Watchers, become a Lifetime member. I'm not even considering my personal goal yet! But, for some reason ....*singing* I've lost that losin feeeeling, whoa, that losin feeling. I've lost that losin feeling, now it's gone...gone...gone... wooooh. Ah, where's Tom Cruise when I need him ;)

I had to head out early this morning, so no time for exercise. I had a dentist appt. during which I got bad news about one of my crowns. Even though it's not bothering me, it seems an infection of epic proportions is growing under there, so I'm going to need to have that cleaned out and go on an antibiotic. My teeth suck. They look okay, but it's just an illusion. Cavities, crowns and root canals are everywhere. I know my dentist must live in a White House sized mansion and take exotic vacations since I have become his patient. Anywho, before I went to my personal hell, I wolfed down a breakfast of 1 c. Kashi Go Lean Crunch Cereal with 1 tbsp. dried cranberries and 1/2 c. skim milk for 4 POINTS. Yum! Crunchy and chewy; an excellent combo for bad teeth...


After the stinky dentist appt., I had some errands to run. I sulked around the stores while picking up what I needed. My stomach started to rumble, so I knew it was time to head home for some lunch. I grabbed a leftover serving of Ziti with Three Cheeses to which I added a hefty serving of leftover broccoli. A nice 6 POINT pasta lunch...

Less sulking and more shopping went on in the afternoon. I picked up the daughters from school and spent most of the afternoon doing homework with little daughter and SNACKING!!!!

Snack #1: 15 whole wheat Triscuits and 1 tbsp. white bean hummus (3 POINTS)...

Snack #2 (not pictured): lite string cheese (1 POINT)

Snack #3: these "Righteous" cookies which are only Righteous when you eat the right amount (i.e. not 2 handfuls)...

Yucko. My stomach hurt after all this crappola. Dinner was late tonight, but frankly, I could have went without it. But, I felt like I "should" eat a healthy dinner. Not exactly a good example of listening to my body, but in a way, it helped me refocus. It was that "get back on track with the next meal" attitude. I felt if I skipped dinner, I would just be reinforcing that bingeing behavior. So, I made it a light dinner of 1 c. Trader Joe's Organic Creamy Tomato Soup topped with a couple Cheez-its and a ham, spinach and cheese panini made with 2 slices of Sprouted Flourless Wheat Bread, spiral ham, slice 2% cheese , handful of baby spinach and a squirt of cranberry honey mustard. A "makin it righteous" 6 POINT dinner...

And for some reason, I also had to carry on with dessert. The last of the No Pudge Brownies

(a bit of an oxymoron don't ya think??) for 2 POINTS...

*bring back that losin feeling.... don't ...don't...don't let it slip away......*

Food And Family

It was another early morning. I really wanted to sleep in a bit, but for some reason I am waking up at 6:30 a.m.! I'm still on Florida exercise time. So, it was up and at 'em. I caught up on some blogs, then headed to the treadmill for 5K Saturday. Sadly, I only made it 2 1/2 miles due to an aching ankle. Don't know what's up with that, so I didn't want to push it. I may try again tomorrow if time permits.



After my run, I ventured to the scale for the "after vacation weigh in". I was up .2 lbs. I was completely pissed for a minute. I thought after all that walking, extra morning exercise and basically making healthy choices that I might lose a little. But, after mulling it over, I can't be mad. I didn't journal, count POINTS, drink my regular amount of water and eat my normal portions of food, so I really shouldn't complain or be upset! Just being so close to goal is making me nutty! I want to GET THERE!!!!!! Alright, enough of my boo-hoo-ing; let's GET to the food...



As you can tell lately, I am in love with Ezekiel buns/muffins. While I was in Trader Joe's yesterday, I found this "Ezekiel" knockoff...







The nutritionals are great (click on the picture to see ...)




I toasted up 2 slices and topped it with 1 tbsp. lite cream cheese. Mmmmm! Loved this 3 POINT brekkie...

I spent the rest of the morning making marinara sauce and prepping for dinner this evening. I finally got around to lunch which was another Trader Joe's find...

I never met a canned soup that I loved until this one! It is so delicious and only 2 POINTS per serving...

Along with the soup, I had a tasting plate of carrots, Kashi TLC crackers and a light string cheese for 3 POINTS...

It was such a filling lunch, I made it all the way to dinner without a snack! I am noticing since I have been trying to eat "cleaner" and more of what Weight Watchers calls "filling foods", I have had less cravings for junky things, have a lot more energy and have been sleeping better/more deeply. I really like the way my body is feeling eating this way!

I invited my in-laws over for dinner tonight. I decided to try out a recipe from a Weight Watchers cookbook, Simply the Best Italian. It was Rigatoni with Three Cheeses. I used ziti since I had some on hand and it was delish! Like a mac n cheese, but not as creamy. Everyone liked it! I liked that it was only 5 POINTS!! I doubled the recipe so it served 8. Now I have some leftovers for later in the week. I would definitely make this again, next time with whole wheat pasta...

I also made the family favorite, chicken cutlets...

and Gram's green beans...

Can't forget the rustic Italian bread...

The family table...

My plate...

I also snagged a slice of bread. I tried to resist, but it jumped out of the basket and on to my plate! It landed in the juice from the green beans/tomato, so I had to eat it ;)

For dessert, I made No Pudge Brownies. I seriously love these. They are all natural and taste so rich and fudgy, just like a brownie should! I paired mine with some strawberries and a tbsp. of freshly whipped cream for 4 POINTS...

I ended the night with some coffee and Wii Bowling which I supremely stink at :( Well, I'm off to spend some time with the husband. Have a great night =)

Here's Johnny

I'm starting to feel a little like Jack Nicholson in The Shining; cooped up and going stir crazy! I have not crashed through any doors, saying, "here's Johnny", but it was getting close! A little too much togetherness with little daughter, plus she's feeling better, so she was extra nudgy :) In honor of her "last day" home, I made her breakfast in (my) bed. I sat next to her with my breakfast of 3 scrambled egg whites topped with fresh salsa and 1 oz. lite mozzarella and a toasted Thomas' Light English Muffin; all for 3 POINTS...

We did some schoolwork after eating and I got in some laundry. Before I knew it, it was time for lunch. I found something new for me at the grocery store that I have been wanting to try...

I found these store brand Soy Crisps on the shelf with the rice cake-type items which was probably the right place as that would be exactly how I would describe them. I chose the cheddar flavor which I liked; it was a mild cheddar, not too overpowering. They also came in a ranch and barbeque flavor which sound good, too! A serving of Soy Crisps is about 19 chips and come in at 120 cal., 3 gr. fat, 2 gr. fiber and 7 gr. protein! They are transfat free and cholesterol free, too! A great "chip alternative" for only 2 POINTS!

Along with the Soy Crisps, I made a white bean hummus melt which was inspired by Cooking With Anne , a wonderful blogger who amazed me with her "from scratch" cooking and food budgeting skills for a family of 9! My version of this open faced sammie was made with 2 tbsp. of my homemade white bean hummus spread on a Weight Watchers Pita and topped with sliced tomato and 1 oz. Cabot's 75% Reduced Fat Cheddar and run under the broiler to melt the cheese. I had a sliced apple to round out this yummy 7 POINT lunch...

This was a nice filling lunch and really didn't leave me wanting much in the way of a snack this afternoon. I did have a cup of coffee with fat free half and half for 1 POINT as a warm treat, but no munching. I feel the munchiness from the past few days beginning to subside (thankfully), so I should be completely back on track this coming week!

For dinner, I decided to make myself something special that I KNOW the rest of the family would NEVER eat!! SHRIMP! Eeewwww, they say. I told them that something is wrong with their mouths ;) So, my faaaaabulous dinner was Salsa Shrimp with Feta over Whole Wheat Couscous! I sauteed 8 oz. large shrimp in a nonstick pan with cooking spray, added about 1/2 c. fresh salsa until heated through. I poured this over 1 c. whole wheat couscous and topped it with 1 oz. lite feta cheese. An amazing 8 POINT dinner...

I ended the night with another No Pudge Brownie iced with PB2. So rich and decadent tasting for 3 POINTS...

So, tomorrow little daughter is back in action and so am I! I am really looking forward to a nice outdoor run in the morning! Gee, never thought I would hear myself say THAT! Strange, but true =)

Have a great night! Oh, and stay tuned for my first ever giveaway this Friday!!!

Homebound- Day 2

Little daughter is still sick, so another day in the house. One would think I would get a myriad of things done around here, but on these sick days, I tend to sit with the sickie all day and not do much of anything! House is still a mess, clothes unlaundered, food barely made. I have had zip in the creativity dept. lately with my food. I really need to get some planning done with some new recipes on the menu to spice things up around here! I gotta get a fire goin under this butt! So, onto my boring food today...



Breakfast was whole wheat pumpkin blueberry pancakes that I had in the freezer with a side of 1/2 Weight Watchers Strawberry Yogurt (split with little d -why do they have to eat MY stuff!!) topped with a few slices of banana for 3 POINTS...





After breakfast, I forced myself to do Level 3 Shred. Hanging around the house has made me very lazy, but I knew this was the only exercise I was going to do today, so I did my best "bad-ass" workout. Jillian was happy; she told me so. She says that at the end; it's way after the part when she tells you she wants you to feel like you're gonna die ;) Only 4 days left, Shredders!!!



For lunch, I wanted a giant shaker of salt with shavings of chocolate on the side. I didn't think that would look very nice on the plate, so I opted for a Chicken BLT using a leftover thin sliced chicken breast (1 1/2 oz.) on an Arnold Sandwich Thin, topped with 2 slices of center cut bacon, lettuce, tomato and a tiny squirt of Kraft Light Three Cheese Ranch. On the side, I had a serving of Baked Cheddar and Sour Cream Lays Chips and a sliced apple for health's sake. A salty-licious 7 POINT lunch...



Just like yesterday, more chips followed along with some chocolates all while reading my new book that I got at the library, Intuitive Eating ! Seems I need more work in this area ;) So, here's a positive- during this eatfest of salt and sweet, I downed a TON of water! That's good, right?? Definitely got in all my WATER today! The bloat has set in and I am fairly certain that I have gained 40 lbs. today :0



Dinner was quick and easy. The daughters wanted breakfast for dinner - cool! I went with the same for myself. I made an egg sammie made with egg whites, baby spinach and a slice of 2 % cheese on a Weight Watchers Petite Bagel along with a side of carrots and grapes. An easy, healthy, back on track 4 POINT dinner...

I'm just gonna keep trying. Keep reeling it in everytime I go off the wagon. There is no other choice; just keep on keepin on. Eventually, it will click and I'll be on a roll again. Right???? Right!!!

And brownies are on the wagon!! At least these guys are. They do not cause "pudge" - the box says so! Best of all, they are only 2 POINTS. I went with a naked one tonight...

Okay, tomorrow is a new day and it will be another homebound day with little daughter. I have pretty much eaten every salty and sweet snack in the house, so I think I should be pretty good tomorrow!!LOL! I plan on making a new and exciting dinner that no one will eat except me because it will be healthy and POINT friendly and I will spend the day dancing around the house singing, "what have you done today, to make you feeeeeel proud". It's gonna be a great day =0)