Fat or Ross

I try not to write too many personal things on here that doesn't pertain to my weight loss... but this sort of does. My boyfriend broke up with me yesterday, one of the main reasons is that he's frustrated that I haven't adopted a healthier lifestyle.

I'm so frustrated with myself. You might think it's an asshole reason to break-up with someone but I can honestly say he's tried, he brought me a treadmill, he tried the Fat Smash Diet with me even thought he doesn't have really anything to lose... he has done numerous things to supportive of me being a healthier me and I have failed... and this is killing me because I'm losing the love of my life over fat, over something I can completely control but have allowed to control me.

I'm frustrated that I have not done this for me, for him... for my daughter so she'll have me around healthy and longer.

But I refuse to go out without a fight. Him and I have been together 2 years and 5 months without any major problems or drama. Our birthdays are 5 days apart, we're both Libras and Dragons... our names even match Ross and Rosie. I refuse to give up on us. He says he's lose hope of me ever changing. But is willing to talk to me this evening. And this morning he agreed to fix my treadmill, yesterday he didn't want to see me at all because he said there are still feelings there and he doesn't want to get sucked back in to a relationship and knowing that I'm not going to change.

I couldn't eat a thing yesterday... I had 3 egg whites, a 4 pt banana smoothie, and 2 cups of grapes... used 7 points and earned 3 of those back. That's not good but I just can't eat when I'm upset. I'm going to try having a smoothie this morning and add some yogurt to use up some of the points. I got on the scale this morning it said 183.5... that is great, but not great because a loss like that might not allow me to lose next week... so I've got to get these points in.

Today's the last day of detox... tomorrow I'll be moving on to Phase Two, and I can't wait to jump on the scale Thursday morning.

I'm going to do this... I'm going to lose this weight! I can do this, and I'm going to prove to Ross that I can change. I love him with all my heart, I don't know what I will/would do without him.

Only A Few More Days Of Detoxing

So far I've collected 7 Stars! I'll be at the second hand in no time. I had a great weekend on program. Yesterday, I had 9 points left over plus the 1 earned from going on a little walk. I've been eating good and all the time, just eating the food that's on the fat smash diet list... I can't seem to get all my points in. I'm going to try today to use up all my points. I don't want my body to get use to eating so few points...

Yesterday, I used the day to rest... which my body needed and still needs, I went to bed way past my bed time last night and this morning didn't do as well on my walk... only 1.54 miles, my only excuse is that it was sort of in a hilly area, and I've some sort of cough that's mostly dry and kept me up most of the night. I guess the important thing here is that I got up and out this morning and got the workout done.

I'm not feeling too good today, I'm extremely nervous over a certain situation that has my stomach in constant knots... right now it's so bad I feel like vomiting.

I have only a few more days of Detoxing - The Fat Smash Diet's Phase 1... then I'll be moving to Phase 2 - Foundation... which I'll be add back some food into my diet like avocado and poultry and fish, I'll also be increasing my exercise by 5 minutes. I'm excited about additional foods, but really the increase of exercise.

I feel great about this detox, I'm doing it with grace really no struggling - as the days go one the cravings get easier and easier to deal with. Even getting up in the morning to exercise is okay... if I could only get rid of this cough that now has my head all stuffy.

Well, I'm going to go now... not feeling so well and I have a feeling if I keep going on it's going to turn into random nervous/sick babble...

Have a Happy Losing Day!

Sunday

This is another quick post... we didn't go on our 20 mile ride today... we would of had to get up at 6am to leave due to the heat, but didn't wake up until 7:30. I'm kind of glad... I've been working out all week and yesterday we did the long ride, today I wanted to rest my body - but Ross' wants to get into biking to build up his legs and I want to encourage him to do that, so that's why I agreed on biking both days. If we would of I would of totally been tired and suffering next week... your body needs at least one day to rest.

I got on the scale this morning... it said... are you ready for this?! 186.8! Of course that's not my official weigh-in, but it's still nice to hop on a scale and see a lower number. My body fat it says 36.5%. I'm not sure who accurate that is.

It's going to be another GREAT on program day... I had a 1pt omelette for breakfast and for dinner we're having kabobs made with different colored bell peppers, marinated tofu, onion, and pineapple... it's an experiment - I'll let you know how it works out.

Happy Losing...

Super Saturday

Quick post... I'm at Ross'. It was another kick ass day! Today I used up all my points plus 1. I'm one of those people who believes all your points should be used just because it's better for your body and gives you a bit of padding when you have to lower your points to keep losing.

I've earned 11 activity points this week and used one today... not back. I am kicking ass this week!

I made a Pina Colada smoothie using banana, milk, Splenda, vanilla, pineapple chunks, coconut. Totally not worth the points. The banana over powered everything. I could of made a 4pt smoothie and saved 4 pts if I would of skipped the coconut and pineapple. Oh well... next time.

We also took our longest bike ride today... 15 miles - and it was 100 degree weather! We did it in 1 hour and 39 minutes... not bad for Rookies!

We're going for a 20 mile ride tomorrow... I'll keep you posted on that.

TGIF

Another star! Cuz' I'm what? Kicking Fats Butt!

I woke up this morning feeling like crap. Last night I was so sore I could barely sit in my chair to finish my blog entry. I went to sleep laying on top of my massage pad. I woke up with what felt like a fever, my body was completely sore from head to toe, and I felt weak.

I laid there for a minute, and forced myself out of bed and into my workout clothes. I popped and Advil and got my butt in gear. Did my 30 minute workout - walked/jogged 1.63 miles...

I realized yesterday's and this morning's walk/jog wasn't slower than the other days... the other days I was including the steps I had walked before beginning the exercise into my exercise distance.

After my workout today I felt a better not 100%, but it got my blood pumping and I gained some energy.

Today, I'm on program... food wise, got my exercise done... so far I've earned 3 activity points... by the end of the day it'll be at least 4. I'm having a kick ass day as far as program, but I'm feel like crap. I've been coughing all day, my head hurts, my body's tired and achy... I think either

I'm getting sick or I'm exhausted.

Tomorrow morning Ross and I are planning on going on a 20 mile bike ride... it's our first attempt at one... wish us luck!

This morning while going through some old photos I found one of me at somewhere between 160-165 I think they from sometime in 2000 when I lost a little over 25 pounds on Weight Watchers the very first time I joined them.

Here's what I looked like...

That's me at about 160-165... probably more like 165.

My 33 by 33 Challenge goal is 158... so that picture should give us an idea of the size I'll be, except I lost that weight not doing any exercise, and this time I'm working out.

Sigh... I can't wait to be there again.

Well, I've better get going now - have lots to do to get my weekend started.

I hope you all have a fun, healthy, losing weekend!

Happy Losing...

Challenges, MeMe, Yesterday Review, and Weigh-In News - All In One Combo Post

CHALLENGES
I've decided to give challenges a try again... even though I completely fell out of Biggest Loser Blog Edition... sooo here are the challenges I've decided to join:

First challenge and the shortest... Jack Sh*t's Kick-Ass Half-Ass Half-A-Pound Challenge!

The second and a little more serious challenge... Amy's 15 Week Challenge.


I think I already met my half-pound goal for the first challenge... ooohhh yeah! I'm going to kick ass! The 15 Week Challenge is going to be a challenge but it's all good. It runs right along with my 33 by 33 Challenge so I know I'm going to kick butt in that challenge too!

MeMe
I was tagged by Jack Sh*t to do this MeMe... so here you go:

RULES
1.Respond and rework; answer the questions on your blog, replace one question that you dislike with a question of your invention & add one more question of your own.

2. Tag eight other people

What is your current obsession? Diet, Exercise, and my Apartment... right now.

What are you wearing today? Yoga Pants, Red Shirt with Blue Sports Bra

What’s for dinner? I had a cut of beans. I might have a banana smoothie before bed.

What’s the last thing you bought? A box of Splenda

What are you listening to right now? Vi tell me about her day and about some songwriter jocking her for her voice.

If you could go anywhere in the world for the next hour, where would you go? To spend it with Ross.

Which language do you want to learn? Italian

What do you love most about where you currently live? Huh, I'm not sure.

What is your favorite colour? Red

What is your favorite piece of clothing in your own wardrobe? My black 4inch heels.

Describe your personal style? That's a hard one.

If you had $300 now, what would you spend it on? Go to IKEA and pick up a few things.

What are you going to do after this? Probably make my smoothie and finish this entry.

Your favorite smell? Chocolate.

Do you collect anything? I collect everything.

What makes you follow a blog? Humor attracts me a lot.

What's your favorite kind of onion? Huh, Yellow?

What’s one thing you dream of doing? Reaching my goal weight.

What is your biggest regret? Not losing it sooner.

What is your favorite thing to do on a rainy day? Lay around and snuggle.

Do you have a tattoo? Nope.

What are your favorite books? Apartment Therapy, The Godfather, and I can't think of the name of the other one.

Are you left handed, right handed, ambidextrous, or a little of both? I'm a righty but can also do most things with my left.

Are you a big fan of memes? Huh, sometimes. Depends.

TAG YOU'RE IT! WHEN YOU POST THIS MeMe UP LEAVE ME A COMMENT... JUST IN CASE I MISS IT!
1. Hollie from SkinnyHollie.com
2. Sheila from One Pretty Little Box
3. Patty from The Small Stuff
5. Sarah from Back in Step
4. Graciela from 55 Alive and Losing It
6. Karen from Babyfat Go Bye-Bye
7. Andrea from A Cake for a Wife
8. and last but never least... Di from The Incredible Shrinking Family!


WEDNESDAY'S REVIEW
I did pretty good yesterday... I hit all my intake goals... got all my water in, dairy, fruits and vegetables, my multi, etc. I earned 4 activity points... and left 7 so I left a total of 11 points behind. My only regret from yesterday was having my banana smoothie so late in the day and drinking water after 5pm. I think I would of done a lot better at weigh-in today. It was another KICK ASS DAY! Another star on the books for me!

THIS WEEKS WEIGH-IN
I weighed in this morning - only being back on program since Monday... and weighed in at 190.0! I missed last weeks meeting, I made excuses but really I knew I had gained... so I don't know what I lost since last week... but since two weeks ago I lost .4 which is great. If you're going by my weight on Monday than I lost 1 pound! I KICKED ASS! And you know what is even better. My next weigh-in will be a full week of me on program so I should have a really nice loss!

TODAY'S REVIEW
Another great day, and a star on tomorrow's entry. I've reach all my goals, all I have left is 4 cups of water, and my multivitamin. I made a few mistakes today. Due to me going to a super early meeting I didn't have time to workout, so I didn't get my workout in until the evening time. I worked all day, and did some running around... so by the time I was able to sneak a workout in I was tired and unmotivated too... but I put my workout clothes on and got my butt out there. I did 1.61 miles... it's the worse time all this week... BUT I also did extra-hills so I think the hills effected my time. Either way I put some hustle into my workout and even though it's my slowest time I still feel great about it.

Well this entry turned out to be pretty long, so I'll cut it off here... Hope you all have a great successful OP day!

See you tomorrow...

Slapp'n Another Star On My Book

This is a quick one today... I'm pressed for time. Yesterday was another Gold Star day... I ate a little better... used up 12 points. Mostly just fruits and vegetables. The Fat Smash Diet detox phase is mostly just fruits/vegetables with some protein the only hardcore carb allowed is rice that is limited and it has to be brown.

I've been to lazy to make any rice so I've just been having fruits and vegetables. I earned 3 activity points for the day so really I left over 15 points which is better than the day before when I left over 22...

Currently I'm allowed 26 points but day, but I have a good feeling that Thursday when I weigh-in my points allowance is going down. I got on the scale this morning and am now down to 189! That means in two days I've lost 2 pounds... crazy. Today, I'm going to try to eat more points.

It's going to be another KICK ASS day. I'm up, feeling good... I'm done with my exercise for today... walked 1.74 miles in 30 minutes. I feel great. I'm going to go take my multi-vitamin and jump in the shower.

Happy Losing today!

Gold Star Days...

I'm a big time thrifter... I can smell a second-hand store a mile away. The upside I find a lot of cool stuff and always save a ton of money on everything I get there. The downside is that I accumulate clutter.

Like my body clutter lately I've been working on turning my apartment back into a home instead of a over-packed storage unit, by getting rid of the clutter... clutter which includes extra dishes, knick-knacks, toys, and clothes, clothes, clothes. I have a hard time tossing out clothes.

When my mother was little she was very poor... so poor she outgrew her coat, couldn't button it shut anymore but still had to wear it... she had very limited clothing. When I was growing up she hated tossing anything out... especially if the clothes could still be worn. She'd never let me throw anything away. So I kept it all... and still have that bad habit. I just started tossing my daughter's baby/kid clothes... huh - she's 15 years old now!

Anyway, I love thrifting... it's in my heart and soul. But if I'm going to keep my apartment clutter free I need to slow it down...

Also I love rewards and treats. Sooooo I'm getting closer to my point... (I do have one)!

For everyday that I do good - eating, drinking all my water, taking my vitamin, and exercise... I get a Gold Star which I'll place a star sticker in my journal for that day (sort of like a Bravo Sticker for you Weight Watcher's out there...) I'll also post a Gold Star on my following days post... just like the one you see above.

For every 10 stars I get, I'll allow myself to go to the second hand and send $10.00 more if it's one big ticket item - like furniture (been looking to get a few new pieces lately).

So get ready to see this blog plastered with Gold Stars!

It's still early but today is going to be a great day! Once again I'm going to kick ass... I got up at 6am, went for my 30 minute walk... 1.72... slightly slower than yesterday's walk (1.83) but I did do more hills today.

I've finished my exercise, brought in the dry laundry, washed a load and hung it out... now I'm washing a comforter for my mother, and I put away the clean dishes. I've done my exercise, 20 minutes of cleaning, and am making my breakfast - haven't been hungry lately so I'm gonna have three egg white and head to the store to pick up some more fruit and vegetables. I have to start work at 10am...

Yesterday I did GREAT! Well not that great but still great for my situation... I exercised, took my vitamin... I kicked ass in the exercise department... earned myself 5 activity points. But since this weekend I haven't really had an appetite... I only used up 9 points. Which isn't good because Weight Watcher's encourage you do eat all your points daily so you won't starve your body. I just couldn't force myself to eat any more.

- Oatmeal 1 cup
- Fat Free Milk 1/2 cup
- 1 Cucumber
- Hot Sauce, Lemon Juice, A Bit Of Salt
- 1 Peach
- 1 Peach
- 1 Cup Corn
- 3 Egg Whites
- 1/2 Cucumber
- Hot Sauce, Lemon Juice, A Bit Of Salt

I actually had a pretty good amount of food... it was just all clean food that's why i didn't use up much points.

Along with the Weight Watcher's I'm giving the Fat Smash Diet another try... Weight Watcher's is a great lifestyle but I need a diet right now to detox me of all the crap for now. So I'm doing a Weight Watchers/Fat Smash Diet Combo... following the Fat Smash Diet but also journaling everything and counting points. Once I finish one full cycle of the Fat Smash Diet (90 days) then I'll just follow Weight Watchers but by then I should have a good routine down and have rid myself of all the cravings for crap I always get.

Ross wants me to do his Body For Life program... I told him after I finish the fat smash diet I'll give it a try but still want to count my points.

Back about 2001 my friend did Body For Life and kicked ass... that girl lost about 60 pounds! I got on the bandwagon and tried it for a few weeks... a few weeks to the T... exercise, eating 6 times a day - protein and carbs... I didn't lose anything. It was so frustrating I didn't know what to do... so I did what any sane person would do when you're doing a diet for several weeks and don't lose an ounce... I quit.

Ross did that diet and lost 40 pounds. Maybe I was doing it wrong or just having too much to eat I don't know. I'll give it another try for him but not until after I do the fat smash diet and I'm also going to continue to count my points.

Well I've been babbling for quite a while today... so I'm going to cut it short...

Oh wait a couple of more things...

Oh gosh, I can't remember them but I if I do I'll post them tomorrow.

Have a good successful day... happy losing...

Today is going to be a successful day.

Yesterday, was one my worse days ever... I was/am frustrated with myself... yesterday I was super depressed. I slept it off, today I'm productive. I got up at 6am and went for a good 30 minute cardio walk. It felt good to be so productive.

I forget that I actually like waking up early and getting things done. I got up at 6am exactly... put a load of laundry to wash, went for my walk, came back got dressed. Now I'm making my Oatmeal and writing this.

I'm going in leave early to work so I'll have time to go across the street to the market and pick up some fruits and vegetables for today and tomorrow.

I can't dwell on the past, I can only focus on the present and future. I've exercised, I've taken my vitamins, I've had some water, and I have healthy food on my mind.

I can do this... I will do this. Today is going to be a successful day.

Depressed, WTF is wrong with me?!?!

I'm so down right now I haven't eaten or drank anything except for water and a mug sized White Russian. I am fat, and I can't seem to stick to anything to lose weight. Yes, I'm feeling bad for myself... to the point that all I want to do is drink and cry.

My weight is starting to interfere with my relationship... my boyfriend is pretty fit, and he's frustrated that I don't share the same passion for health and fitness...

I don't even know what this post is about... but I'm going to post it anyway just because if I don't you won't get a post today.

I'm so frustrated with myself I don't know what to do...

Chicken and Spinach Lasagna

POINTS® Value | 7
Servings | 8
Preparation Time | 30 min
Cooking Time | 50 min
Level of Difficulty | Easy

This tasty Italian casserole is a snap to make. Just use uncooked noodles and layer the other ingredients as usual. The dry pasta will absorb the extra liquid while cooking so you can say goodbye to runny lasagna!

Ingredients

1 sprays cooking spray
52 oz Contadina Marinara Sauce, or other low-fat marinara sauce
1 Tbsp olive oil
1 medium onion(s), chopped
1 pound uncooked ground chicken breast
30 oz fat-free ricotta cheese
2 large egg white(s), lightly beaten
1 tsp garlic powder
1 Tbsp Italian seasoning
9 items dry lasagna noodles
20 oz chopped frozen spinach, thawed and squeezed dry
1 1/2 cup Kraft Low-Moisture, Part-Skim Finely Shredded Mozzarella Cheese, or similar product, divided

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350ºF. Coat a large, deep lasagna pan with cooking spray. Measure 2 cups of marinara sauce; set aside.
   
   
2. Heat oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add onion; cook and stir until almost tender, about 3 to 4 minutes. Add chicken; cook until no longer pink, stirring frequently, about 4 to 5 minutes. Add remaining marinara sauce to skillet and stir until well combined; set aside.
   
   
3. Mix together ricotta cheese, egg whites, garlic powder and Italian seasoning in a large bowl until well combined.
   
   
4. To assemble lasagna, place 2 cups of reserved marinara sauce on bottom of dish. Layer with 3 noodles, 1/3 of ricotta mixture, 1/3 of spinach, 1/3 of mozzarella cheese and 1/3 of chicken-sauce mixture; repeat layers ending with chicken-sauce mixture. (Make sure to spread ingredients to edge of noodles.)
   
   
5. Cover baking dish with aluminum foil. Bake lasagna for 20 minutes. Uncover; sprinkle with remaining mozzarella cheese and bake until cheese is melted and edges are bubbly, about 20 minutes more. Remove from oven and let stand 10 minutes before slicing into 8 pieces.
   

Banana French Toast

Makes 4 servings, per serving: calories 286; Protein 12g; Fat 5g; Carbs 49g; Fiber 3g; Sodium 407mg

WW POINTS: 6 pts

2 large ripe bananas
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 egg
3 egg whites
3/4 cup low fat milk
8 slices bread
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon

Puree the bananas, vanilla, egg, egg whites, and mil. Preheat griddle to 375F. Place bread in oblong pan and our batter over. Turn so that bread is covered evenly. Place bread on griddle and cook until lightly brown, flip and cook until done. Dust with cinnamon and serve.

This recipe could be lightened up by using WW bread or light whole wheat bread...

New Week...

I know every week you hear me talk about something else I'm going to try to get off the weight, some special twist I'm going to do to my Weight Watcher's program... please don't get impatient with me... I will get this weight off I just have the find the right combination...

I didn't go to my meeting today. I woke up at 7am... I should of been on the bus no later than 6:30am... and I didn't feel like starving until 9am. I haven't felt very good all this week... I think I got a slight case of the flu - I've felt a little achy and very energy-drained. Since rejoining since September 2008 I haven't missed a meeting except for Christmas week and that's because my weigh-in day fell on Christmas day and they were closed. I didn't want my week to be off so I just didn't go that week.

Okay... so in my continued attempt to lose 33 pounds by age 33. I don't know how I totally forgot about this... it's eating small meals every 3 hours and only using on average 3 points.

I realized for a while now I've been trying to be on Weight Watchers but not have a diet mentality... so it hasn't really worked because unless I'm on a diet mentality then I won't eat the way I should be and I'll end up spending 15 points on a sandwich and be hungry later and overeat.

So starting today - everyday my meal schedule is going to start at 6am and every 3 hours I'm going to check in and see if I'm hungry or have a snack/small meal available.

So far today I've had 3 egg whites, and as soon as I post this I'm gonna go have a Weight Watcher's Shake... also gonna go stock up tuna for fresh tuna salads... tuna and veggies... with a little lemon, don't even need mayonnaise.

We'll it's a busy day today... so I've better get going. I promise to make more diary entries and less recipe ones...

Spicy Orange Beef & Broccoli Stir-Fry

Hints of orange and a touch of heat dress up a classic combination. Serve with rice.
Makes 6 servings, generous 1 cup each.

ACTIVE TIME: 30 minutes
TOTAL TIME: 30 minutes
EASE OF PREPARATION: Easy

• 3 oranges
• 3 tablespoons reduced-sodium soy sauce
• 1 tablespoon Chinese rice wine or dry sherry
• 1 tablespoon cornstarch
• 1/2 teaspoon sugar
• 3 teaspoons peanut oil or canola oil, divided
• 1 pound beef sirloin, trimmed and sliced against the grain into 1/8-inch-thick slices
• 2 tablespoons minced garlic
• 2 tablespoons minced fresh ginger
• 6-8 small dried red chiles
• 2 pounds broccoli, cut into small florets (6 cups)
• 1/3 cup water
• 1 red bell pepper, seeded and sliced
• 1/2 cup sliced scallion greens

1. With a small sharp knife or vegetable peeler, carefully pare wide strips of zest from one of the oranges. Cut zest into 1-inch strips and set aside. Squeeze juice from all the oranges into a small bowl (for about 3/4 cup). Add soy sauce, rice wine (or sherry), cornstarch and sugar and stir to combine; set aside.

2. Heat 1 teaspoon oil in a wok or large skillet over high heat until almost smoking. Add beef and stir-fry just until no longer pink on the outside, about 1 minute. Transfer to a plate lined with paper towels and set aside.

3. Add the remaining 2 teaspoons oil to the pan and heat until very hot. Add garlic, ginger, chiles and the reserved orange zest; stir-fry until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Add broccoli and water. Cover and steam, stirring occasionally, until the water has evaporated and the broccoli sizzles, about 3 minutes. Add bell pepper and stir-fry for 1 minute more.

4. Stir the reserved orange sauce and pour it into the wok. Bring to a boil, stirring; cook until the sauce has thickened slightly, 1 to 2 minutes. Add scallion greens and the reserved beef and toss to coat with sauce; heat through.

NUTRITION INFORMATION: Per serving: 232 calories; 6 g fat (2 g sat, 2 g mono); 32 mg cholesterol; 25 g carbohydrate; 23 g protein; 9 g fiber; 353 mg sodium; 941 mg potassium.
Nutrition bonus: Vitamin C (400% daily value), Vitamin A (130% dv),
Fiber (36% dv), Iron (20% dv), Calcium (15% dv).

WW POINTS PER SERVING: 4

TIP: Freezing the beef sirloin for 30 minutes makes it easier to cut into very thin slices.

From EatingWell Magazine January/February 1997

Basil Cheese Triangles

1 pound shredded Monterey jack cheese
2 eggs, slightly beaten
1/4 cup basil leaves, finely chopped
1/4 teaspoon white pepper
16 ounces phyllo dough, thawed
1/3 cup butter

Heat oven to 400 degrees F. Grease a cookie sheet.

Crumble Feta cheese into small bowl; mash with fork. Stir in eggs, basil and white pepper until well mixed.

Cut a stack of phyllo sheets lengthwise into 2-inch strips. Cover with plastic wrap, then with damp towel to prevent them from drying out.

Place 1 level teaspoon cheese mixture on end of 1 strip; fold phyllo strip end over end, in triangular shape, to opposite end. Place on cookie sheet. Repeat with remaining strips and cheese mixture. Brush butter over triangles.

Bake 12 to 15 minutes or until puffed and golden. Serve warm.

Makes 6 dozen (72).

1 WW point

Per serving: 52 Calories (kcal); 3g Total Fat; (75% calories from fat); 2g Protein; trace Carbohydrate; 13mg Cholesterol; 74mg Sodium

BALSAMIC CHICKEN AND MUSHROOMS

2 t. OIL (VEGETABLE OR OLIVE)

3 T. BALSAMIC VINEGAR

2 t. DIJON MUSTARD

1 LARGE GARLIC CLOVE (CRUSHED)

1 POUND BONELESS SKINLESS CHICKEN BREAST (FOUR 4 OUNCE PIECES)

2 CUPS FRESH MUSHROOMS, SMALL HALVED

1/3 C. CHICKEN BROTH

¼ t. DRIED THYME, CRUMBLED

IN A MEDIUM BOWL, MIX 2 T. VINEGAR, THE MUSTARD AND GARLIC. ADD
CHICKEN AND TURN TO COAT.

IN A NON STICK SKILLET, HEAT 1 t. OIL.

TRANSFER CHICKEN AND MARNINATE TO THE SKILLET. SAUTE CHICKEN UNTIL
COOKED THROUGH, TURNING WHILE COOKING. TRANSFER CHICKEN TO A PLATTER
AND KEEP WARM.

HEAT REMAINING TEASPOON OF OIL IN SKILLET. SAUTE MUSHROOMS FOR 1
MINUTE. ADD BROTH, THYME AND REMAINING TABLESPOON OF VINEGAR. COOK ,
STIRRING OCCASIONALLY, UNTIL MUSHROOMS ARE A DEEP BROWN, ABOUT 2
MINUTES LONGER. THICKEN WITH A LITTLE CORNSTARCH MIXED WITH A SMALL
AMOUNT OF WATER.

SERVE CHICKEN TOPPED WITH MUSHROOMS.

I SERVE IT OVER WILD RICE. BE SURE AND ADD POINTS FOR RICE.

4 WW PTS. PER SERVING

This recipe was shared with me by my dear friend Debbie S back in 2006... I believe she got it from the Weight Watcher's boards

Sweet & Sour Shrimp

Ingredients

• 3/4 lb peeled, deveined fresh shrimp
• 1 medium green pepper
• ½ medium onion
• 1 can pineapple chunks in juice
• 1 tsp cornstarch
• 3 Tbsp chili sauce
• 1 Tbsp light soy sauce
• ½ tsp garlic powder
• 2 tsp oil

Instructions

Drain pineapple over medium bowl to catch juice. Mix cornstarch, chili sauce, soy sauce, and garlic powder into juice. Set aside. Chop pepper into medium-sized chunks and slice onion, before adding to oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Stir-fry 2 to 3 minutes. Add shrimp, cook an additional 3 minutes or until shrimp turn pink. St ir juice mixture and pineapple chunks into shrimp and vegetables and cook, stirring constantly, until sauce thickens and bubbles. Serve over rice (not included in WW point count).

Weight Watchers: 4 servings, 4 pts each

Saturday

I'm doing okay this week... I could be doing better... but I'll be getting lots of walking into day... I'm cleaning. I've been working on giving my apartment a complete make over... My living room has been taking forever to complete... had to start off with decluttering then move on to cleaning and now I'm about done with cleaning and am ready to set up my new sofa and start refinishing a couple of small pieces for the room. Today I'm finishing up the cleaning and possibly setting up the sofa.

I think cleaning and making over had giving me something else to focus on other than food. I'm working on trying to keep it together this week...

No bake Chocolate Oatmeal Cookies

2 cups sugar 32 pts
1/2 cup fat free milk .5 pts
1/2 cup Margarine 24 pts
3 cups Quick Oats 18 pts
6 Heaping Tbsp Cocoa 0 pts
1 cup Coconut 16 pts
1tsp Vanilla 0 pts
1/2 tsp salt 0 pts
======
90 pts: divided by 60 cookies
equals 1.5 pts per cookie.

Pit the sugar, milk, margarine, vanilla and salt in a pot and bring to barely a rolling boil. Dump in the quick oats and cocoa and fold until all the oatmeal is covered. Drop by teaspoon onto a surface where they can cool. Let them harden and they are ready to eat!

This recipe easily makes 60 cookies and 1.5 per cookie!

Weigh-In Day...

I'm down .8... 190.2. Not bad considering I fell off toward the middle of the week. Next week I'm aiming for a pound loss which will put me back into the 180's... that's my goal for the week... next goal will be 185.

One Point Brownies

1 Box Low Fat Brownie Mix (Betty Crocker has one) This should call
for water only, no oil and no egg
1 ½ Cup All Bran
1 ½ Cup Water
½ Teaspoon Baking Powder

Soak All Bran in water until soft. Mix in brownie mix and baking
powder until well mixed.

Either pour in pan or put in mini muffin tin. Makes 48 mini muffins
and should be cut into 48 pieces if using pan. Bake at 350 for about
30 minutes for muffins. Bake by instructions on box for pan brownies.

Each brownie is 1 point: 51 calories, 1 gram of fat and 1 gram of
fiber.

Remembering that they are high in fiber might help you keep your
consumption down... they could give you some gastric disturbances if
you eat too many! It makes a bunch so if you can't stay out of
stuff like that, you might want to just make them when you are going
somewhere to "share".

Today

Yesterday wasn't a very good day as far as points but today was much better... I saved 3 points... not too shabby.

Not much to say here... it's a little late but I wanted to check in and let you know I'm still sticking to 33 by 33... I have two more days and I think I'm actually going to have a loss this week... I think next week I'm going to work on being a little more organized.

Well it's past my bedtime so I've better hit the hay now...

Happy Losing...

Don't Talk With Your Mouth Full

It takes about 20 minutes for your body to know you're not hungry anymore after eating... eat slowly to give your body time to process what's happening, that it's being feed.

One of the things that bothers me the most is when people talk with their mouth full. I was raised not to talk with food in my mouth, funny thing is I'm constantly having to tell my mother (and daughter) the same thing... "Finish the food in your mouth, then tell me".

We rush through our meals, always trying to eat and do something else at the same time - like talking... if we didn't talk with our mouths full it would slow our eating down and help give our body time to know it's getting full.

So next time you're out for a meal try an experiment... chew your food, don't talk with food in your mouth, and enjoy the company you're with and the food you're eating... I bet you'll probably eat less.

33 by 33 Video

Finally another video... it's been a while since I made a video. This video should of been posted 06/04/09, but like I think I mentioned before I was having problems with Windows Movie Maker.

More videos with progress to follow...

Chex Muddy Buddies

9 cups Chex Cereal (Any Variety)
1 (6 ounce) package semisweet chocolate chips (1 cup)
1/2 cup peanut butter
1/4 cup light margarine (not spread type)
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 1/2 cups confectioners sugar

Measure cereal into large bowl; set aside.

Microwave chocolate chips, peanut butter and butter in 1 quart microwavable bowl uncovered on HIGH for 1 minute; stir. Microwave 30 seconds longer or until mixture can be stirred smooth. Stir in vanilla extract. Pour chocolate mixture over cereal in bowl, stirring until evenly coated. Pour into large plastic food-storage bag; add confectioners sugar. Seal bag; shake until well coated. Spread on wax paper to cool. Store in airtight container in refrigerator.

Makes 9 cups (18 servings)

1 serving = 1/2 cup - 5 WW points per serving

1/2 cup equals:
210 Calories
9 g Fat
0 mg Cholesterol
210 mg Sodium
30 gm Carbohydrate
1 g dietary fiber
3 g protein

33 by 33

Yesterday I made a video but wasn't able to edit it... having problems with Movie Maker... I've got a new campaign! 33 by 33! I'll be 33 - October 17th... my goal is to lost 33 pound from now until then - that gives me about 19 weeks to 33 pounds! I can totally do this. Yes, it's a little over a pound of week but if I apply myself I can do this.

Yesterday was weight in... 191.2
My Goal is October 15th... 158.2

Yesterday, I had an okay day... I could of done better - I only earned 1 activity point (which is nothing for me) and used up 11 of my flex points.

Today's going to be a better day... I'm having Oatmeal for Breakfast, a pear for snack, a sandwich for lunch, I'll have some things to do after work so I'll have dinner before I leave work so I won't be starving when I get home... I'll take my Smart Ones with me... I'll probably have a fruit between lunch and dinner... in the evening if I'm still hungry I'll have a Weight Watcher's Shake... that'll keep me right on point:

*Oatmeal with 1/2 cup Fat Free Milk - 3
*Pear - 1
*Sandwich - 13
*Pear - 1
*Lean Cuisine - 5
* Weight Watcher's Shake made with Fat Free Milk - 3
--------------------------------------------------------
TOTAL: 26 points

I can do this... I will reach my 33 by 33 goal... I just have to take it one day at a time. Patience and me-time are going to be key.

Cherry-Almond Popcorn Clusters

19 cups air-popped popcorn
2 cups granulated sugar
1 1/2 cups water
1/2 cup light corn syrup
1 teaspoon vinegar
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon almond extract
1 cup maraschino cherries, cut into quarters
1/2 cup blanched, whole almonds, toasted

Keep popcorn warm in a 300 degree F oven.

In a heavy medium-size saucepan, combine sugar, water, corn syrup, vinegar and salt. Bring to a boil; clip candy thermometer to pan. Cook syrup to 250 degrees F (hard ball stage).

Remove saucepan from heat. Quickly stir in almond extract. Scatter cherries and almonds over the popcorn. Slowly pour syrup over all; toss lightly to coat evenly. Spread popcorn on buttered cookie sheet. Cool. Separate into clusters with a fork.

Makes about 22 1 cup servings
2.87 WW points per serving
Per serving: 150.3 cal, 2g fat, 1.5g fiber, 64mg sod, 33.4g carb, 1.5g protein

Kettle Korn

5 cups JollyTime Healthy Pop (or other lite popcorn)
Butter spray
Splenda

Pop popcorn according to package directions. Put into a dish and spray with butter spray, then sprinkle with Splenda.

Makes 1 serving

WW Points per serving: 1 Per serving

90 calories
2 grams fat
9 grams fiber

Fiesta Quesadillas

Makes 32 appetizers

3/4 cup shredded nonfat or reduced-fat Monterey jack cheese
3/4 cup shredded nonfat or reduced-fat Cheddar cheese
8 (8-inch) flour tortillas
1/2 cup thinly sliced scallions
1 (4 ounce) can chopped green chiles, drained
2-3 tablespoons chopped jalapeno peppers (optional)

Topping
1 cup nonfat sour cream
3 tablespoons thinly sliced scallions

Combine the cheeses and set aside.

Coat a baking sheet with nonstick cooking spray. Brush one side of each tortilla lightly with water. Lay 4 of the tortillas, moist side down, on the baking sheet. Spread 1/4 of the cheese mixture on each of the 4 tortillas. Top with 1/4 of the scallions, chiles and jalapenos. Top with the remaining tortillas, placing them moist side up.

Bake at 400 degrees F for 7 to 9 minutes, or until the quesadillas are heated through and the cheese is melted.

Place the sour cream in a small dish and sprinkle with the scallions. Cut each quesadilla into 8 wedges, transfer to a serving platter, and serve hot, accompanied by the sour cream.

Makes 32 appetizers.

POINTS: 1

Deviled Eggs

8 eggs, hard-boiled
8 ounces plain nonfat yogurt
1 tablespoon sweet pickle relish, drained
1 tablespoon country-style Dijon mustard
1/8 teaspoon salt
1/8 tablespoon white pepper
Paprika

Slice eggs in half lengthwise, and carefully remove yolks from 8 egg halves; mash yolks in a bowl. Discard remaining 8 yolk halves.

Finely chop 4 egg white halves, and add to the mashed yolks. Set aside remaining 12 egg white halves.

Spoon yogurt onto several layers of heavy-duty paper towels; spread to 1/2-inch thickness. Cover with additional paper towels; let stand 5 minutes. Scrape into yolk mixture, using a rubber spatula. Add relish and next 3 ingredients, and stir well.

Spoon about 1 tablespoon yolk mixture into each egg white half. Cover and chill 1 hour. Sprinkle with paprika.

Each serving is 1 filled egg half.

Per serving: 57 Calories (kcal); 3g Total Fat; (48% calories from fat); 5g Protein; 2g Carbohydrate; 125mg Cholesterol; 100mg Sodium

Food Exchanges: 0 Grain (Starch); 1/2 Lean Meat; 0 Vegetable; 0 Fruit; 1/2 Fat; 0 Other Carbohydrates

1 WW points