Archive for August, 2008

I did it!!!

{ August 30, 2008 @ 5:48 pm } · { Uncategorized }
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Yes that is right…I did it!!! 

We decided to take the route of walking to the Farmers Market today…and I think I am going to pass out!  It doesn’t sound like much but when you are as out of shape as I am right now…that is a long walk!!!

We put the kids in the wagon and packed Kenzie’s lunch and off we went on our journey, through the hood, through the park, and up to the gazebo….I think I walked 15 miles today, (not really, but my legs are shakin like crazy!), and Raym said I definently burned off the Cheesecake I ate last night….I was sweatin and huffin…LOL 

So I am proud of myself, I did it!  And if anyone wonders where I am tomorrow….on the couch not able to move…LOLOL

Snack Time:)

{ August 30, 2008 @ 3:10 pm } · { Uncategorized }
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What does our Why Weight meeting have that noone else has????

FOOD!!!

That is right!  It was mentioned that that is what is missing from other weight loss meetings…food, we all love it, so why not have some healthy alternatives there that we all can enjoy!  Especially since we are all starving from not eating before weighing in!  haha

So this week we did the pita chips (mentioned in previous post) and various dips, all the dips were low in fat, calories and pts, and core as well!  Yummy….we did salsa, black bean and corn salsa, fat free refried beans and the one that was requested to be posted….guacamole…..:) 

Personally I am not a huge fan of guac, but know of the love others have, so I mashed, and separated, and stirred and added, and made some for the ladies and it was a hit!:)   I have to give my friend Melissa props for this recipe, it is hers, I just made it a little easier and used what I had on hand to make it my own…:)  I made a really small batch so obviously you would need to adjust for however large you would want yours…:)

  • 1 avacodo
  • 1 small lime
  • salt
  • roma tomato, diced
  • jalepeno, diced & seeded (to add heat, throw in some seeds)
  • fresh cilantro

I didn’t have a jalepeno here @ the house and I forgot to buy one @ the store, so I opened a can of Rotel, and used that for my tomatoes and chili peppers, it wasn’t as spicy as I would have liked, but I was not taking 2 kids to the store for a jalepeno…:)

Ok seriously, I am the sweedish chef…LOL  So I have no tsp of this, tbsp of that…I eyeball most things…so this is what I did…

  • Scooped the pulp (for lack of a better term) of the avocado and mashed it with a potato masher, added kosher salt, half of the limes juice, added a couple spoons of the Rotel (or tomatoes and jalepeno’s if you did it right) and mashed em….then I got out my little hand mixer and mixed it up so it was smooth…that’s it!

It was super easy and everyone loved it…of course Raymond added hot sauce to it…LOL  Which did give it a little kick, but the kick would have been there if I would have used the real pepper.

And just a heads up ladies….I got a new cook book , and o man, next weeks snack is gonna be yummy!!!:)  I will definently have the coffee and tea going for this one!:) so yummy!!! 

Remember Thursday 10 AM, be there or go hungry!

And if you still feel stressed……

{ August 27, 2008 @ 3:02 am } · { Uncategorized }
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Made-Over Deep Dish Brownies

From Food Network Kitchens

3 tablespoons unsalted butter
2 tablespoons canola or other neutral tasting oil
4 ounces semisweet chocolate, coarsely chopped
3/4 cup packed dark brown sugar
1/4 cup white sugar
2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
1/2 teaspoon fine salt
2 large eggs, cold
1 tablespoon cold brewed coffee
1/4 cup cocoa powder
3/4 cup all-purpose flour
1/4 teaspoon baking soda

 

Position rack in the lower third of the oven and heat oven to 325 degrees F. Use an 8 by 8 silicon baking pan or line a similar sized metal or glass baking dish with foil or parchment paper so it hangs over the edges by about 1 inch. Spray the prepared pan completely.

Put the butter, oil and chocolate in a microwave-safe bowl, and heat at 75 percent power for 2 minutes. Stir, and microwave again until completely melted, about 2 minutes more. (Alternatively put the chocolate and butter in a heatproof bowl. Bring a saucepan filled with 1 inch or so of water to a very slow simmer; set the bowl over, not touching, the water, and stir occasionally until melted and smooth.)

Stir the brown and white sugars, vanilla and salt into the chocolate mixture with a wooden spoon. Add the eggs and coffee and beat vigorously until fully incorporated and the batter is thick and glossy. Add the cocoa, flour and baking soda and stir just until it disappears.

Pour the batter into the pan and bake until the top is crispy and a toothpick inserted into the middle comes out with a few crumbs, about 30 minutes (40 minutes if not using silicon).

Cool the brownies in the pan on the counter. Lift brownies out of the pan by the foil, if needed. Peel off the foil and cut into 2-inch squares. Serve. Store extra brownies in a tightly sealed container at room temperature for up to 3 days.

 

Nutrition Information
Calories 154 Total fat 7 grams
Saturated fat 2.9 grams Carbohydrates 23 grams
Protein 2.1 grams Fiber 0.7 grams
Sodium 105 mg  

 

REMEMBER…..Stressed is really DESSERTS spelled backwards!  LOLOLOLOL

Why so stressed?????

{ August 27, 2008 @ 2:56 am } · { Uncategorized }
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That is what I was thinking today, as I was longing for a Banana Split (since it is National Banana Split day).  Ok not really, I wasn’t really wanting a Banana Split to celebrate this day of honor…but in thinking about some of the “pitfalls of dieting” this one is a list topper for sure…STRESS!

There are so many oppurtunities every day for us to become stressed, our homes, our kids, our spouses, our jobs….etc…and the list goes on and on…..and alot of times when those moments arise what do we turn to???  FOOD, yes that friend that never lets us down, that one who makes us feel better….FOOD.  And do you ever notice we don’t go for the broccolli when we  are stressed…haha  At least I don’t…LOL  I go for the cookies, or the chocolate, or the ice cream…something good to quiet my screaming (or whaling) on the inside…..so how does this urge to eat when stressed stop?  When do we channel that energy in a different place?  Good question…

I think it happens when we realize what we are doing to ourselves….I think once we realize that we really are hurting ourselves in the long run is when we channel it somewhere else.  Not only am I feeling stressed, but now since I was stressed I ate half of a pan of brownies, I feel guilty, and sick, and sad, and defeated…OOOO how many times have we done this…whether it be a pan of brownies, or a bag of chips, or a pint of ice cream, all in the name of stressed. 

It is a vicious cycle, and we have all run this wheel like a hamster so many times….we all know it happens, yet we find ourselves doing it again and again. 

I was never a stress eater before, that is before i had kids….LOL  I am not sure what happened but now when I can’t take the whining and crying any longer all I can think about is chocolate….and it takes me to my happy place :)   where children are happy and I am getting a pedicure, and my house is clean and dinner is made…LOL  but does it really???

So think about it, if you are a stress eater, what is it really getting you?  It doesn’t really bring me the joy that I hope it will, and it for sure doenst make my kids stop cryin!  LOL  But what will?  I don’t know but if you do, spill it!  I am sick of hearing them whine!  LOL  No, haha  no amount of food is going to bring me peace from that stress…..but what is? 

 That is what you have to ask yourself today, what can I do that is going to bring me what it is that I need when I am stressed…..and if at all possible find a way to get it.  It may not be easy but think of the rewards….not only are you going to find what you are looking for (Bono and the rest of the U2 band would be so jealous!hahaha), but you will feel better about how you got there! 

So what is it???  What is it that you can do to help you cope with the stress and not eat??

Fast Food & Restaurant Tips…

{ August 25, 2008 @ 11:51 pm } · { Uncategorized }
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Found this on AOL tonight…:)

http://www.aolhealth.com/diet/basics/low-calorie-orders?icid=200100397×1208334089x1200455696

I love food as big as my head!

{ August 25, 2008 @ 9:26 pm } · { Uncategorized }
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That is right…it is bigger than my head!!:)  I love these wraps!  I have been getting them for years and they are perfect for whatever plan you are following…:)  The whole wrap is only 1 point..if you are doing WW, and if you are doing any other it is loaded with fiber and way low with the calories!:)

Here they are….I get the flatbreads and the pitas…both are 1 Pt, and yummy!!:)  I get them from the actual bakery they make them in Ytown, but you can get them @ GE, they are more expensive (isn’t everything…LOL) but they do have them!:)  I cut the pitas up and throw them in the oven on low heat and let them get crisp and eat them as tortilla chips..dip em in anything!  They are TASTY!!!:)

Lend me your EAR!!!

{ August 25, 2008 @ 7:04 pm } · { Uncategorized }
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Summer Corn, Bacon & Potato Chowder

  • 1 medium Yukon Gold potato(es)
  • 1 sprays cooking spray
  • 1/2 cup celery, chopped
  • 1/4 cup onion(s), chopped (or 1 large shallot)
  • 4 piece corn on the cob, kernels removed with a knife
  • 1 cup sweet red pepper(s), diced
  • 4 oz Canadian-style bacon, diced
  • 2 cup fat-free skim milk
  • 1/2 tsp table salt
  • 1/4 tsp black pepper
  • 1/8 tsp hot pepper sauce, or to taste
  • Pierce potato in several places with a fork; microwave on high power until tender, turning over once, about 8 minutes. Allow to cool; peel and mash.
  • Feel free to substitute your favorite fresh vegetables like asparagus and broccoli for the red pepper. Or to save time, substitute 2 cups of frozen corn and 1 cup of frozen, diced bell pepper for the fresh corn and red pepper.
  • Meanwhile, coat a large saucepan with cooking spray. Add celery, onion, corn and red pepper; sauté over medium-high heat for 5 minutes.
  • Stir bacon and milk into saucepan; stir in mashed potato and mix well. Season with salt, pepper and hot pepper sauce; stir to combine. Cover and simmer 10 minutes (do not allow to boil). Yields about 1 1/2 cups per serving.

This is a WW recipe that I found last week…I may try it tonight for supper….of course I don’t have any celery in the house and I am not carting 2 kids to the store for celery…LOL 

I will let you all know what it tastes like!!!:)

PS…try the micro popcorn on my blog, it is fabulous!!!:)

Another Reason Why…

{ August 25, 2008 @ 6:58 pm } · { Uncategorized }
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I found another reason to be motivated…..SUCCESS!!!!!

YES that is right, we are seeing success!!!  And that is motivating…I have found myself thinking about eating something, or how yummy something is…and thinking, nope! I have lost 7.2 in 2 weeks and I feel so much better…and I am not the only one….others are losing too, and that is motivation enough for me!  Knowing that soon I will be able to it, and be able to buy different sizes, and all those other things that I crave when it comes to losing weight….yep, that is my motivation today…SUCCESS!

R U Motivated?

{ August 13, 2008 @ 2:59 am } · { Uncategorized }
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mo·ti·vate verb

to provide with a motive or motives; incite; impel.

Synonyms induce, move, provoke, prompt, cause.

Ahhh yes, motivate…hhmm a verb huh? 

R U Motivated?  Am I motivated?  What a great question, what is it that motivates us to think about losing weight? 

Well I think that answer is different for everyone. What are the things that are driving us to want to radically change how we eat, think, and hopefully weigh?  It could be a thought, or a picture, or a size (eek…haha), anything can motivate us to think about losing weight, but what actually does? 

That is a tough question….I feel that it is a day to day process, it is a choice that we make every day, every meal….to stay motivated.  I feel that it is more than a matter or “will”, but more a matter of “want”!

So why do I “WANT” to do this , why do I want to lose weight……???  Get healthy, smaller size, feel better, etc…there are a million reasons why..but bottom line….I “want” to do this for me!  Because I deserve it, I deserve to be able to get on a scale and be happy about what it is telling me, to be able to stand in front of a FULL LENGTH mirror and like what I see, to go shopping and enjoy looking for clothes, to be able to play with my kids and not feel tired or winded, I deserve these things!  That is what motivates me….bcuz of what I WANT out of this, and keeping my proverbial “eye” on that prize. 

So I ask you today, what do you “want”, that is what keeps us motivated, (and a little pep talk every once in a while doesnt hurt either…haha).  Think about it today, what do you really want out of weight loss….here are mine…

  • I want to feel good about ME again.
  • I want to feel better physically.
  • I want to chase Ethan (and McKenzie soon enough,haha) and not have to stop because I am winded.
  • I want to feel confident when I go places with Raymond again.
  • I want to feel comfortable in my own skin again.

Think about…what are your wants when it comes to weight loss?

Well it happened…

{ August 12, 2008 @ 12:38 am } · { just the facts }
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McKenzie turned 6 months old…o my baby….oy vey my baby weight….:(  So as I approached her 6 month bday I knew that it was my starting point.  After Ethan I jumped back on the wagon the week after I returned from the hospital in effort to be back to my pre-pregnancy weight before I returned to work in 3 months….uummm that didn’t happen…LOL Actually it backfired…horridly! 

With my job being in the weight loss world, I felt immense pressure to be back soon and it wasn’t only from the members, but the company says that if you aren’t nursing you need to be back in 9 months…uummm 9 months?  Obviously a man made that rule…LOL  So I “milked” the nursing mother role for as long as possible.  My body for some reason did not want to shed any baby pounds, I was doing everything by the book, and nothing was budging!  Finally I got my head in the game and started doing it for me, and not that man in the office at WW headquarters that for some reason thinks 9 months is realstic….sorry it is not, maybe for some people, but not everyone! 

So when this pregnancy rolled to an end I knew (not working for WW anymore (PTL!)) that I would be able to relax a little, and do it when I was ready and for me and my family, not for anyone else.  I am not going to say that this has been the easiest 6 months mentally, but it has been WAY better than the 1st time(with Ethan). 

But I say all that (sorry) to say….I am ready!  And I knew that her 6 month bday would start me off!  So I decided that I wasn’t going back to WW, I wasn’t going to give them a dime, (I am not bitter! haha).  But I know how hard it is to lose alone.  Working for them for so long, I saw ALOT of people do great, leave, try to go it alone, and gain it all back….for some reason they could not do it alone…so it got me thinking…hhmmm why??? 

  • The Accountability- they need someone to “expect” them.  To be there, to do well, to behave.
  • The Social Aspect- we are a busy society, and even though we don’t have a huge amount of time to be social, that little bit we would give ourselves, goes a long way.
  • The Common Goal- “misery loves company!”  and isn’t that the truth! 
  • The LightHouse Effect- everyone likes to have a “place” where they can go that is safe.  Where they can “air” their frustrations and celebrate their success!  The other name I thought would be good for this point is the “Cheers Effect”-”you want to go, where everybody knows your name..(dant dah dant dah) and they’re always glad you came…..you wanna be where you can see, our troubles are all the same, you wanna be where everybody knows, your name…”  You know you were singing it, I was just helping.  I do like that name too…hhmmm  Not the point Khristina…:)

I am sure there are more reasons why, but I believe these are the main ones that trip people up when they are trying to lose weight alone.  (As opposed to with a group)  So my next train of thought was this…I have friends that have all expressed to me the desire to lose weight, some have been former WW members, some not.  But that is not the part that matters to me…yes I believe that WW is a great program (despite the people that sit in the offices and make foolish weight goals for post pardum women…haha, again, not bitter…hehe)  but it is not the only way to lose weight, in my opinion a very good if not the best way, but not the only.  But my thought goes deeper, meet the emotional needs of the people and let them choose the path they would like to get there, as long as it is healthy.

So thus it begins….yes meeting in person is great, but not always realistic.  So for those of you that can meet in person, Thursday 10 AM is the time slot, and if you aren’t able to do it in person, then feel free to use this blog to your benefit…:)  Comment and lets get a community of people together that have a Common Goal, that need the Accountability of others, a Light House where they can express their feelings, and get a little Social Interraction as well!

So if you would like to join with me, hang on, it is going to be a fun ride! 

Khristina