Easter Bunny Says Whoa!!!

I slept like a big fat log last night! I think I was weighted down with all that food! This morning when I woke up, I had no desire for any type of food at all. Usually when I overeat, I feel more hungry the next morning, but not today -blech! Since nothing was appealing, I decided to try out something reaaaaally different. I have been seeing "green smoothies" all over the blogosphere lately. Basically, it's a smoothie made with a mix of veggies and/or fruit. Some use a form of milk, some just use water. I have been intrigued by them, although a bit hesitant to try them because they look, well, like swamp water! Since no food was going to pass my lips this morning, I thought it a good time to try this out; plus I had a huge bag of kale waiting for me to figure out what to do with it. Here's what I came up with...

• 2 handfuls kale
• 1/2 banana
• 1/2 c. pineapple
• 5.3 oz container Oikos Nonfat Vanilla Greek Yogurt
• 1/2 c. water

Isn't it swampy pretty?????

But, how does it taste??? Yeah, I was thinking the same thing! I was a little nervous to try it, so luckily the Easter Bunny was left lying on the floor by the messy daughters still hanging out at my house and was happy to try out this 4 POINT wonder...

And he said...

Whoa!!! It sure was interesting! I didn't dislike it, but wouldn't say I loved it:) I think what threw it off was the addition of the yogurt; it added a little too much tang for me. I put it in because I was worried that just the veg/fruit wouldn't stick with me for very long, so I thought it would add a good protein shot. I'll definitely try this again; I bet with some tweaking of ingredients, it would be really good. If you've tried this, I'm open to any suggestions!

After my green experience, I headed to the treadmill for another run. I felt tired, but I managed to crank out 45 min. Glad I did; I always feel so good after a run!

Lunchtime was paninis for everyone. Mine was leftover ham, 1 oz. Cabot's 75% reduced fat cheddar and a squirt of dijonnaise on Trader Joe's Sprouted Flourless Wheat Bread. I had 1/2 apple, pineapple and some carrots for the side. A very healthy 6 POINT lunch...

Later in the afternoon, I started to feel munchie. I had just the right snack in mind. Last week, Robyn from Gnu Foods sent me these cool bars...

I was looking forward to trying them! Not only are they all-natural with no high-fructose corn syrup, but they have the most fiber in a baked bar - 12 grams!!!! Best of all, the bars are only 130-140 calories and between 3-5 gr. fat which works out to only 2 POINTS!! I received samples of Banana Walnut, Peanut Butter, Cinnamon Raisin, Orange Cranberry and Chocolate Brownie. They all sounded so good, I had trouble picking which to dive into first. I was tempted to go with Chocolate Brownie, but I decided on the Peanut Butter...

It is a very healthy looking bar...

As soon as I opened it, I could smell the peanut butter! I have to say that I absolutely LOVED this bar!!! It had a great peanut butter taste and a nice chewy texture. A little "seedy"; I believe that's the millet, but I enjoyed that bit of texture. This was a terrific 2 POINT snack and good for you! These bars are available at Trader Joe's and The Vitamin Shoppe stores along with www.GnuFoods.com . I'm looking forward to trying out the other flavors. Thanks, Robyn!!

That bar held me over so well that I wasn't in a big hurry for dinner. Actually, I made dinner for the husband and daughters (and daughter's friend!) and waited a bit for my own. I decided on Stuffed Pepper Soup from the freezer. I also added 1/2 c. leftover cannellini beans. This made it an extra hearty 4 POINT bowl...

I also dug in to an Arnold Sandwich Thin with 1 tbsp. white bean hummus for another 2 POINTS...

Ugh, I was full after all that! However, this caught my eye ...

and I "forced" myself to have 1/2 c. for 4 POINTS. Boy, real ice cream tastes gooooood....

Glad I was able to get back on track today and not let the overindulgence of yesterday continue on. Although, the leftover ricotta pie was calling my name! I didn't answer. Today ;)

Have a great night!!

Recoginizing What Works And What Doesn't

My focus today is on getting in more filling foods. Weight Watchers classifies these foods as whole grains, fresh fruits and vegetables and lean meats. They are foods that keep you feeling satisfied for longer and keep hunger in control. I think it will also help with my cravings and munching in the afternoon. We'll see! I will keep tweaking and rearranging to get me to goal. I'm looking forward to get to my Lifetime status!



Breakfast was an open-faced omelette. I used 3 egg whites and topped them with canadian bacon, chopped green pepper and a Laughing Cow Cheese Wedge. Leaving it open-faced made it look like more food than it was; a great trick! It was suprisingly filling for 3 POINTS and left me full for hours...







After breakfast, I did a 45 minute weighted walk on the treadmill. I have a weighted vest that can hold up to 20 lbs. and I used to use it all the time when I was walking. Since, I have progressed to running, I haven't been wearing it. My Mom reminded me of it yesterday, so I decided to suit up today! I put in 12 lbs. (so heavy!) and did brisk walking while watching TV. I really enjoyed it. It was nice to do something different. Not sure if I burned as many calories as running, but it was still a good workout. I also realized I have been chintzing out on the workout time lately. I have only been doing 30 ish minutes running and I think I need to keep it at least 45 min. for weight loss.



More filling foods were on the menu for lunch. I went with some Stuffed Pepper Soup that I had in the freezer topped with 1 oz. Cabot's 75% Reduced Fat Cheddar, carrot sticks with 2 tbsp. homemade hummus and a Golden Corn Vitatop. A big lunch for 6 POINTS...



I started feeling a little hungry around 3:30, so I made a Strawberry Smoothie with 1/2 c. skim milk, 4 oz. container of Activia Strawberry yogurt and 1 c. fresh strawberries. Very yummy and very filling for 3 POINTS...

The daughters had dentist appointments (no cavities!) and we got home right around dinner time. They were starving! I fixed them a quick chicken, mac n cheese and peas. I had planned on salmon for myself and also, wanted to try this Shibolim Whole Spelt Couscous for my side dish...

These are the size of Israeli couscous which is more like a pasta. I was interested to try this because it was made with spelt which I have never tried. The nutritionals were impressive with 195 cal., 0.5 gr. fat, 7 gr. protein and 9 gr. fiber for a 2 oz. serving. That's a huge serving for 3 POINTS!

It was the perfect side for my Salmon Roulette and green beans. A wonderful 8 POINT dinner...

The husband and daughters were having leftover birthday cake for dessert, but I had enough yesterday! Well, not really, but I'm telling myself that!!! I did have a Skinny Cow Ice Cream Sandwich as a sweet 2 POINT treat...

Another realization that I came to today was that I am getting lax with my bites, licks and tastes. I recognized this when I was making the daughters' lunches, cutting off crusts and about to pop them in my mouth. And then again, when I was scraping the peanut butter off the knife and about to lick it off my finger. Yet again, when I was throwing away their plates and about to nibble on what they left on it. I used to not do any of that, but somewhere along the line, I got myself into this pattern of mindless nibbling. I became very conscious of that today and made it a point to stop myself before I ate those things.

Overall, I felt happy and satisfied with the changes made today. I'll try again tomorrow to incorporate the filling foods. I'm taking it one day at a time and I know the changes that I'm hoping for with the scale will come!!!

Oh, by the way, I am way overdue in updating my blogroll! I have so many blogs that I love to read and haven't listed yet. I hope to get to it this weekend; if you would like me to add you, let me know and I'd appreciate if you would add me to yours, too!

Have a great night!!

Putzerella

You know how when you're sick, you just don't feel like eating?? Okay, well explain that one to me because I have NO IDEA what that is like!!! I woke up feeling blah with a scratchy throat and yet, could not wait to eat my breakfast! I would need full blown bubonic plague to not be able to eat and that might not even do it!!



I gave my body its fuel; a delicious Ezekiel Cinnamon Raisin English Muffin with 1 tbsp. lite cream cheese (and a huge cup of green tea!) for 3 POINTS...





Then, I putzed. Cleaned a couple things here and there, did a load of laundry and putzed some more. I didn't have much energy for anything. It was such a nice bright sunny day and for a second, I thought I might go for a run. I quickly decided against it - too taxing for my body in my weakened state ;) But, the need to exercise was looming over me so I popped in the Shred! Whew, I DO NOT miss Jillian ;) Still rough as ever, although I can rock a push-up now!



Soup was on the menu for lunch today. I had planned to make this Stuffed Pepper Soup yesterday, but never got around to it. It's a tasty soup; actually reminds me a lot of chili without the beans. I think I may morph it into a chili by adding some beans and chili spices to it next time I eat it. Here's what you'll need to make it...

• 1 lb. 96% lean ground beef
• 1 c. finely chopped onion
• 1 c. chopped green pepper
• 1 (14oz. can) diced tomatoes
• 1 (15 oz. can) tomato sauce
• 1 c. fat free beef broth
• 3 c. water
• 1 c. cooked brown rice
• 1/2 tsp. chopped basil
• 1/2 tsp. chopped dried oregano
• 1/4 tsp. salt
• 1/8 tsp. pepper

1. Brown beef with onion in a large pot sprayed with nonstick cooking spray.
2. Add in remaining ingredients and simmer uncovered for 30 min.
3. Makes 6 servings - 3 POINTS per serving.

Along with my soup, I had a Golden Corn Vitatop and cantaloupe slices for 5 POINTS...

I was missing some crunch though, so I had a serving of TJ's Sour Cream and Onion Rice Chips for another 2 POINTS...

Then, more putzing. I actually got back in bed and soaked in the sun coming into my bedroom. Reminded me of 'the good ol days', when I was young and barely did anything, but still took naps on the weekend! *singing* Memories.......of the way we were...... Gotta love Babs:)

Back to my usual snack of Weight Watchers Yogurt topped with a serving of TJ's long name cereal for 2 POINTS...

I finally got my rear in gear to take little daughter to dance. I had planned on breakfast for dinner for the husband and daughters. There were squeals of delight, which I don't get because they just had breakfast for breakfast so what is the big deal??? But, it's easy for me, so I won't complain:) I wanted Spinach Artichoke Dip. Appetizer for dinner? I guess I'm just as bad!! So, I whipped up this dip for dipner (hehe)...

• 2 tbsp. minced red onion
• 7 oz. bag baby spinach
• 3/4 c. chopped artichoke hearts (not marinated)
• 4 wedges Laughing Cow Light Cheese
• 2 tsp. Hidden Valley Ranch dry dip mix (packet)
• 4 tsp. grated parmesan cheese
• 3 tbsp fat free sour cream
• 2 tsp. lemon juice

1. Saute onion in nonstick skillet coated with cooking spray. Add spinach and cook until wilted. Add artichoke hearts.
2. Add cheeses and stir until melted. Stir in sour cream and dry dip mix until heated through.
3. Take off heat and add in lemon juice.
4. Makes 4 (1/3 c.)servings - 2 POINTS

I used the dip to top a Kim's Light Bagel and had a side of carrots and a Fuji apple for a great 5 POINT dinner...

And for dessert....Banana Cream Pie! Oh yeah! I whirred one whole graham cracker sheet in a mini processor until finely crumbled, added in 2 tsp. melted light butter, pressed the cracker mixture into a small ramekin to form an even crust. Then, added 1/2 c. Jello Banana Cream Sugar Free Fat Free Pudding (made from the box) and topped it with 2 tbsp. fat free Reddi Whip. A yummy 3 POINTS....

Well, it was a day of accomplishing nothing around here. I was Putzerella. But, I am feeling better; I think I killed the cold with B-12 and Vitamin C :) Thanks to everyone for the well wishes, too!!!

One more thing before I go....

I got a Blog Award!!! What a surprise! I have no speech planned, DARN! My BWWF (Best Weight Watcher Forever!) Heather - the ww chick sent me this cool award! Thanks, Heather - you are so awesome and my IDOL!!! I'll continue the blog award love and send this off to Angie of Angie All The Way. She has lost an amazing 130 lbs., is a team leader for the Biggest Loser Blog Edition and has a wonderful inspirational blog!

Have a great night everyone!

Putzerella...out :)