Spicy Pork Stir Fry

Main Meal
POINTS Value: 5
Servings: 4
Preparation Time: 20 min
Cooking Time: 10 min
Level of Difficulty: Easy

Don't like a lot of spice? Then substitute peanut oil for some of the chili oil in this recipe, or reduce the amount of red pepper flakes.

Ingredients
2 tsp chili oil, divided
1 pound(s) lean pork tenderloin, cut into thin strips
4 medium garlic clove(s), minced
1 Tbsp ginger root, minced
1 tsp red pepper flakes, crushed
2 tsp cornstarch
1 pound(s) frozen mixed vegetables, Asian stir-fry mix
3 Tbsp low-sodium soy sauce
1 tsp rice vinegar
1 tsp orange marmalade

Instructions
In a large nonstick skillet, heat 1 teaspoon of the oil. Cook pork until it begins to brown and is just cooked through, about 3 minutes. Remove to a plate.

Heat remaining oil in the same skillet over high heat; add garlic, ginger and pepper flakes. Cook, stirring constantly, until golden and fragrant, about 1 to 2 minutes.

Mix cornstarch with 1/4 cup water. Add vegetables; cook, stirring frequently, until just tender, 4 to 6 minutes. Stir in soy sauce, vinegar and marmalade. Add cornstarch mixture and bring to boil.

Toss vegetable mixture with pork to heat through. Serve immediately.

Turkey Enchilada Pie

main meals
POINTS Value: 4
Servings: 6
Preparation Time: 15 min
Cooking Time: 30 min
Level of Difficulty: Moderate

This Mexican specialty will easily become a family favorite. We used lean turkey but you can use lean ground beef instead.*

Ingredients
1 spray(s) cooking spray
3/4 pound(s) lean ground turkey
1 medium onion(s), chopped
1 tsp chili powder
3 Tbsp all-purpose flour
1 cup(s) fat-free skim milk
4 oz canned jalapeno peppers, drained and chopped
1/2 tsp ground cumin
3 large burrito-size wheat flour tortilla(s)
3 cup(s) tomato(es), chopped
10 Tbsp low-fat shredded cheddar cheese

Instructions
Preheat oven to 350°F. Coat a large skillet with cooking spray. Heat skillet over medium heat. Place turkey, onion and chili powder in skillet and cook until turkey is browned, stirring occasionally to break up meat, about 8 minutes. Remove turkey mixture from skillet and set aside.

Place skillet over medium-high heat and add flour. Gradually add milk, stirring with a whisk until blended. Bring to a boil and then reduce heat to medium; simmer until thickened, about 2 minutes.

Remove skillet from heat; stir in turkey mixture, jalapenos and cumin.

Wrap tortillas in damp paper towels and microwave on HIGH until softened, about 15 seconds.

Place 1 tortilla in bottom of a 9-inch pie plate. Spread 1/3 of turkey mixture over tortilla. Spoon 1 cup of tomato on top and sprinkle with 4 tablespoons (1/4 cup) of cheese. Repeat layers with remaining ingredients ending up with 2 tablespoons of cheese.

Cover pie plate with aluminum foil and cook until cheese melts and filling is warmed through, about 15 minutes. Let stand, covered, 2 minutes before cutting into 6 wedges.

Notes
*Could affect POINTS values.

Italian Turkey Burgers

Main Meals
POINTS Value: 5

Servings: 4

Preparation Time: 20 min

Cooking Time: 10 min

Level of Difficulty: Easy

The addition of fennel seeds makes these burgers reminiscent of Italian sausage. Top them with fresh basil and tomato for a wonderful summer main course.

Ingredients
1 spray(s) cooking spray
1 pound(s) lean ground turkey
1/3 cup(s) onion(s), chopped
2 tsp minced garlic
2 tsp fennel seed
1/2 tsp table salt
1/4 tsp black pepper, freshly ground
4 spray(s) olive oil cooking spray
2 small tomato(es), ripe, yellow and/or red, thinly sliced
1 cup(s) basil, fresh, leaves, torn or thinly shredded
4 item(s) reduced-calorie hamburger roll(s)

Instructions
Coat a grill or grill pan with cooking spray; preheat to medium-high.

In a large mixing bowl, combine turkey, onion, garlic, fennel seed, salt and pepper; form into four 1/2-inch-thick patties. Coat burgers and inside of rolls with cooking spray.

Grill burgers for 5 minutes; flip burgers and add rolls to grill. Grill open-face rolls until lightly charred, about 1 to 2 minutes; remove to serving plates. Grill burgers until cooked through, about 5 minutes more.

To serve, top grilled rolls with burgers and tomato slices; garnish with basil. Yields 1 burger per serving.

Notes
For an extra hit of flavor, rub the bread with a cut garlic clove as it comes off the grill.Try these burgers with arugula leaves instead of the basil.

Off

Today I'm feeling very off. My anxiety is high and I can't seem to eat anything - but considering the week I've had so far (eating wise) maybe that's not such a bad thing. I couldn't even finish a cup of decaf.

It's been a bad week points wise. I'm very disappointed in myself - I'm working on my 4th week and have been gaining and losing the same 2 pounds.
I haven't been on program all week... not good. I need to reevaluate what I'm currently doing, my current habits, and what I need to change. I think I'm already tired of the Fat Smash Foods... because I can't remember make a meal out of them - I'm sure it's possible I just don't know how.
What I need to do is sit down and write out another menu that works for me and just try to include as much Fat Smash Detoxing Foods as possible...
Any suggestions?

Vegan Chocolate Cookies

Desserts
POINTS Value: 1
Servings: 50
Preparation Time: 10 min
Cooking Time: 10 min
Level of Difficulty: Easy

These chocolate-coconut cookies are rich, moist and chewy. If you eat dairy, try swapping melted butter for the coconut oil for an entirely different flavor.*

Ingredients
1 1/2 cup(s) all-purpose flour
2/3 cup(s) unsweetened cocoa
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp table salt
1 cup(s) sugar
1/3 cup(s) Spectrum Naturals Refined Organic Coconut oil, or other brand
1 tsp vanilla extract
3/4 cup(s) hot water, almost boiling, divided
1 cup(s) packaged shredded coconut, unsweetened

Instructions
Preheat oven to 350ºF. Line two cookie sheets with parchment paper.

In a large bowl, sift together flour, cocoa, baking soda and salt. In another large bowl, using an electric mixer, beat sugar with oil and vanilla until well-blended. Add half of flour mixture and half of water to sugar mixture; beat until smooth. Add coconut, remaining water and remaining flour mixture; beat until well-combined (dough might be a little stiff and sticky).

Scoop scant tablespoons of dough and roll into balls; place on prepared cookie sheets, leaving about 1 1/2- to 2-inches between each cookie. When all 50 cookies are made, flatten each ball into a 2-inch disk with the back of a wet spoon or fork.

Bake until done, about 8 to 10 minutes. Allow cookies to cool on cookie sheets for about 2 minutes and then remove to a wire rack to cool completely. Yields 1 cookie per serving.

Notes
You can melt the coconut oil over a low heat to make it easier to combine with the sugar, if desired.*Could affect POINTS values.

Manic Monday

It's been a crazy day today... I feel unorganized all the way around. Let's see... let me get my thoughts together... okay:

Weight in Saturday I'm down 1.8 :o) I was hoping for more but that's almost a 2 pound loss!

My Vanity fund is up to $28.75!

It was a shameful eating weekend. I went way over board. I've been allowing myself free weekends... and I don't think that works best for me. I can get crazy and greedy... Saturday I had 94 points, Sunday 67 points! Today wasn't much better...

I'm working on my 4th week and I'm only down 2 pounds. Something isn't right here... I need to make some changes. Maybe I need to stop mixing Weight Watchers with The Fat Smash foods... I don't know...

Easy Grape Granita

Desserts
POINTS Value: 1
Servings: 6
Preparation Time: 5 min
Cooking Time: 0 min
Level of Difficulty: Easy

The name of this classic Italian dessert means "little grains," a reference to the tiny ice crystals that make it cooling and irresistible on a hot summer day.

Ingredients
3 cup(s) grapes, red, seedless, frozen overnight until hard

Instructions
Transfer the fruit to a food processor fitted with the chopping blade. Process until grainy but uniform, like millions of little ice crystals. Serve at once. Yields about 1/2 cup per serving.

Notes
You can swap strawberries for the grapes if desired.
For a treat, lay each serving on a bed of 2 tablespoons fat-free non-dairy topping (not included in POINTS values).

9 Habits that will shrink your middle

Sick of crunches? So are we. Luckily, abdominal exercises alone do not a flat belly make. In fact, there are loads of little things—from what you drink to the way you handle stress—that can make or break your middle. Here are 9 easy ways to start shrinking without crunching.

1. Calm down. Too much stress can contribute to a potbelly. Stress increases levels of cortisol, a hormone that seems to direct fat to our middle, says Jacob Seidell, PhD, of the National Institute of Public Health in Bilthoven, Netherlands. To keep levels low, try this 5- to 10-minute stress reducer: Find a quiet, comfortable place to sit. Next, take several slow, deep breaths to help clear your mind. Continue breathing deeply and repeat the word one to yourself as you exhale. (If you get distracted, just bring your focus back to the word one.) Practice this for 5 to 10 minutes once or twice a day.

2. Skip the alcohol for a week or so. That glass of wine with dinner may be part of the reason your jeans are too tight. Alcohol also tends to raise cortisol levels, sending fat to your belly, Seidell says.

3. Stop smoking. “It keeps me thin,” proclaim many smokers. But the truth is that smokers tend to have more abdominal fat than nonsmokers, says Seidell. (The stress hormone cortisol seems to be the culprit here too.) "When people stop smoking, the amount of abdominal fat actually decreases," he says.

4. Eat more fiber. Not only is fiber great for overall weight loss (it fills you up so you don't eat as much), but it also prevents constipation, which can cause your tummy to bulge, says Lawrence J. Cheskin, MD, a gastroenterologist and director of the Johns Hopkins Weight Management Center in Baltimore. To stay regular, aim for 22 to 25 g of fiber a day by eating more whole grains, fruits, and vegetables

5. Drink up. For premenstrual bloating, drink lots and lots of water. This will actually help flush away bloating, not make it worse

6. Keep bones strong. Osteoporosis can lead to fractured bones in your spine, causing you to slump. That shortens your abdominal cavity, giving your belly no place to go but out, says Willibald Nagler, MD, physiatrist in chief emeritus at the New York Hospital-Cornell Medical Center in New York City. Be sure to get 1,000 mg of calcium every day from the foods you eat and/or from supplements.

7. Get your heart rate up. All the ab exercises in the world won't do a thing unless you get rid of the fat hiding your abdominal muscles. The best way is to do aerobic exercise for 45 to 60 minutes, 5 times a week.

8. Tuck your tummy. Imagine there's a magnet pulling your belly button back toward your spine. Practice the tuck until it becomes comfortable, and soon it will come naturally--like breathing. Do it every chance you get.

9. Get a bonus ab workout. Stand as much as possible when doing weight-lifting exercises. That way your abs work too. “They help to balance and stabilize your body,” says Tammy Strunk, an Emmaus, PA, fitness instructor. Concentrate on keeping your abs tight and maintaining good posture, but don't hold your breath.

Orginally posted on yahoo... (http://shine.yahoo.com/event/bikini/9-habits-that-will-shrink-your-middle-1410534/)

What Will The Scale Say?

I had a bad day yesterday... I think my anxiety was up so I started eating and eating... I journaled, and drank my water... and ate 74 points! The good thing is I still had some Activity, Flex, and Daily points left from earlier in the week... so I'm still under my Weekly allowance. I'm back to being good today... so weigh-in tomorrow should be nice.

I've done WAY better then week than I did last week food wise - but haven't done any workouts... :o(

Tomorrow starts a new week with many workouts!

The Chocolate Milk Diet

Imagine if everything you needed to know about weight loss, you learned in kindergarten. Well, if your teacher gave you chocolate milk as a lunchtime treat, she was (unknowingly) giving you one of the most powerful weight-loss tools in the nutritional universe. Turns out this childhood staple may be the ideal vehicle for your body’s most neglected nutritional needs. Each bottle delivers a package of micro- and macronutrients that can help you shake off body flab and replace it with firm muscle. And when you served it ice-cold, the creamy sweetness flows across your tongue with all the pleasure of a milk shake. Yum.

That’s the crux of what I'm calling "The Chocolate Milk Diet," which isn’t a diet at all. It’s essentially three eight-ounce servings of chocolate milk consumed at key points throughout your day: one when you wake up, a second before you exercise, and a third directly after your workout. Or, if it's your day off, just pattern them for morning, afternoon, and night. Sounds good, right? It is, and that’s why it’s so easy. But is this a free ticket to eat as much fried chicken as you want throughout the rest of the day? Unfortunately not, but alongside a healthy diet, it can help you drop lots of belly fat fast. Here are the four reasons why:

Secret #1: The Calcium EffectResearchers have known for years about the role that calcium plays in building strong bones, but a more recent development deals with they way it affects your belly. A series of studies have shown that calcium can actually impede your body’s ability to absorb fat, and when researchers in Nebraska analyzed five of these studies, they were able to estimate that consuming 1,000 mg more calcium can translate to losing nearly 18 pounds of flab. What’s more, other studies have shown that dairy foods offer the most readily absorbable calcium you can find. Knock back three servings of brown cow and you’ll reach that crucial 1,000 mg threshold. At that point, any other calcium that you eat or drink is a bonus.

Secret #2: The Vitamin D FactorAll the calcium in the world isn’t going to help you if you don’t get a good dose of vitamin D to go with it. That’s because vitamin D is responsible for moving calcium from your food to your body, which means if you’re running low on D, you’re probably also missing the calcium you need to stay slim. Other symptoms of the D deficiency are weak muscles, easily breakable bones, and depression—not a great combo for success. Now here’s why this is significant: Most experts agree that the average American isn’t getting enough D. Some estimate that only half the population is meeting the requirement and one study published in the journal Pediatrics found that 70 percent of American children had low levels of D in their diet. The thing is, your body makes vitamin D naturally when you expose your skin to sunlight, but most people spend too much time indoors to benefit. And intentionally spending more time in the sun could put you at risk for skin cancer. The solution? Drink up.

Chocolate milk, like most milk, is fortified with vitamin D.

One caveat here: Drink 1% chocolate milk. Vitamin D won't work without a little fat to help break it down. You want to skip the whole milk, too, as it has too many calories to make it a regular habit. The best option is 1%, or low-fat chocolate milk. It has the fat you need to absorb crucial vitamins, yet at three cups a day, it will save you 120 calories over whole milk.

Secret #3: The Endurance BoostIf you want to lose the gut, you’ve got to exercise—no surprise there. But here’s a fact that’s not so obvious: Drinking chocolate milk can improve your gains. In a study published in The International Journal of Sport Nutrition and Exercise Metabolism, subjects given chocolate milk before hopping on the stationary bikes were able to ride 49 percent longer than subjects given a generic carbohydrate-replacement beverage. And on top of that, they pedaled even harder. Total work performed by the chocolate-milk group was greater than the work performed by subjects drinking carbohydrate-replacement drinks or electrolyte-fortified sports drinks. The reason? Milk has naturally occurring electrolytes that keep you hydrated—more hydrated then water, in fact, which I revealed recently on my Twitter account—and its natural sweetness helps push more energy into your muscles. Another study from 2009 found similar results, but it went one step further by asking participants which beverage they thought tasted better. Not surprisingly, 100% chose chocolate milk.

Secret #4: The Protein-Body-Weight ConnectionWant to know the secret to staying thin? You need more muscle. That’s because muscle burns more calories than fat, so for every new muscle fiber you create, your resting metabolism receives another surge of fat-torching energy. And chocolate milk can help you do that. Researchers have determined that the ideal protein load for building muscle is 10 to 20 grams, half before and half after your workout.

How much protein will you find in low-fat chocolate milk? Eight grams per cup. (That means one serving before your workout and one serving after will give you a total of 16 grams of highly effective whey protein—a perfect serving.) Add that to the extra cup you drank first thing in the morning and you’re looking at a turbocharged metabolism that keeps you burning calories all day long.

And don’t forget, you can still melt those 18 pounds of belly fat without giving up your favorite foods. You just need to make smart swaps, and we’ve got 10 new ones right here. You'll lose weight faster than ever—again, with ever dieting again.

By David Zinczenko, with Matt Goulding - Originally posted elsewhere...

HOTTNESS HERE I COME!

So far, so good this week. I sneaked on the scale this morning... it said 171.5! I don't know how true that loss is... my scale as some of you might remember loves me dearly and sometimes likes to be nice by displaying lower numbers... but it sure was nice to see 171.5 again.

I've been really good and on program this week... I really wanted to do the Fat Smash Diet foods but was also feeling deprived. So I compromised... on the weekends I eat what I want, but count points. I just make sure not to have more than my daily and allowed flex points... the rest of the week I'm Fat Smashing it and still counting points. This is my first week trying this... and it seems to be working for me. I've been staying within my daily points range and haven't used any of my activity points for the past few days.

My only downfall this week is I haven't exercised at all... but I do get a lot of walking in so I'll probably still earn my 28 points even if I don't do a single workout... if I do one today, tomorrow, and Friday that'll still be an improvement from the past couple of weeks...

I think I'll be at 160 way before the 4th of July... HOTTNESS HERE I COME!

Cinnamon Apple Crisps

Snacks
POINTS® Value: 1
Servings: 4
Preparation Time: 15 min
Cooking Time: 120 min
Level of Difficulty: Easy

Put these tasty treats in a bag and go. Easy fruit on the run!

Ingredients
2 small apple(s), Red Delicious or Gala, sliced paper-thin
1 Tbsp sugar
1/2 tsp ground cinnamon

Instructions
Preheat oven to 200°F.

Line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper (not wax paper). Place apple slices in a single layer on paper; sprinkle with sugar and cinnamon.

Bake until lightly browned, about 2 hours. Cool on wire rack and serve.

This'll Be A Better Week...

I weighed in Saturday and gained 1.4... putting me at 178. I was a little sad, but I can't say I was surprised... even though I journaled all week I went over like crazy 50-60 point days. Today's a new week... and looking at the positive side of it - I get to start my challenge with a nice even number. I have 7 weeks to lose 18 pounds. Is it possible? Of course it is... I just have to stay motivated, dedicated, and focused! I did it last year, I can do it again.

Guess what... Saturday morning my pedometer came back... maybe she just needed a little vacation. She was clipped to a pair of my uniform pants, and my bus pass wasn't too far away. It's still unclear if they left together... but at this point I don't care, I'm just glad they're both back safely!

This week I'm focusing on staying with in my points range and getting in more than 2 workouts in... I'm aiming for 5 again.

Plain Yogurt

I love plain yogurt. My favorite way to have it is mixed with fruit and splenda... and a touch of vanilla... I just discovered that I can also use it as a subsitute for sour cream! I was a little nervous to try it and was excited when it worked...

So, I'm wondering how many other uses are out there for yogurt... so far I have it as a treat and sour cream... what do you use plain yogurt for?

I googled it and found this article I thought I'd share...

Yogurt: Good for You Inside and Out!

Yogurt. It is one of those foods most people either love or hate.

I love yogurt and over the years have tried finding a variety of ways to put it to use for both health and creative purposes. As a health care worker and mom of active children, yogurt often came to the rescue in some surprising ways.

The health benefits of eating yogurt on a daily basis is often advertised and preached in health magazines and commercials. Yogurt made from active cultures has been shown to enhance your immune system, prevent diarrhea and yeast infections, sooth and help prevent stomach ulcers and is even a healthy addition to your pet's diet . Have you wondered how many other uses is there for a container of plain, active- culture yogurt?

Facials: To cleanse, moisturize and tighten. Simply apply a generous coating of plain, active-culture yogurt to your face , close your eyes and relax for 20 minutes then rinse well with cool clear water.

Revitalizing Facial Mask: 1 teaspoon plain active-culture yogurt, 1tsp fresh orange juice with pulp, 1 tsp of aloe. Mix together well and spread onto face, allow to sit at least 5 minutes before rinsing off with cool clear water. (Cool cucumber slices on your closed eyes while you wait for either of these treatments really does reduce puffiness and redness as well!)

Relieve sunburn pain: My children often got too much sun before I realized just how long it had been since the sunscreen was applied. A coating of plain yogurt quickly cools hot sensitive skin and adds much needed moisture. Of course your little ones will groan 'Ewwww....gross!' but then giggle as the cool yogurt starts easing the burn! For extra moisture you can add a dollop of aloe gel to the yogurt before applying. Let sit on the red skin for several minutes then toss your little ones into a tub of cool water to rinse off!

While on the topic of children and yogurt here are a few more projects I introduced to them while they were young enough to think I was a 'genius'.

Yogurt Cheese: Introduce this as an 'experiment' and your kids may decide they like this cheese on a cracker better than peanut butter! Simply place a colander in a bowl(to catch liquid) then line the colander with cheesecloth or coffee filters. Pour a pint of plain yogurt into the colander. Cover and place in the refrigerator overnight - 24 hours. The longer it drains the firmer your cheese will be. Then blend cheese with your choice of herbs and enjoy in dips or spreads in place of cream cheese. Each child can make their own flavor combination!

Finger Paints: Yogurt makes a great edible finger paint. All you need is a few drops of food color to make the 'paint' any color you wish. You can even give a lesson in primary and secondary colors and show the little ones how yellow & blue=green or red & yellow=orange. Then see how many colors you can come up with. Spread a large drop cloth under the work area for easy clean up. Better yet, use an inexpensive disposable tablecloth and simple toss in the trash after the fun is done! Also works great to 'paint the sides of the shower' while playing in the tub. Easily rinses off with cold water!

Moss 'Paint': You need to help prepare this one mom. I suggest getting an old blender at a yard sale for this project. It will come in handy for future messes you don't want mixed with edible food later as well!

Into a blender, pour a pint of plain active-culture yogurt, a few good size pieces of lawn or yard moss and a cup of water. This can be painted onto terra cotta pots to give an 'aged' look when placed on the patio or garden for a few days. If you have a damp shady area under some bushes or trees that nothing seems to grow in, pour the remaining 'moss paint' in the area and keep damp, you should soon see the moss grow and spread in the 'painted area'. Why not try 'painting the ground in a design? Perhaps your child's initials?

Pets: Don't forget your pets out when considering the benefits of yogurt. If you have a pet who tends to get 'gassy', it is often a result of not enough live bacteria in their digestive tract. Add a few tablespoons of yogurt to the pet's meals and you should see a difference in just a few days.

Has Fido found something foul to roll in or tried to play tag with a pole cat? Massage a thick layer of yogurt into their fur before giving them a bath for a squeaky clean and fresh smelling furry friend! A yogurt massage once a month, before his bath,will help Fido's fur shin and cut down on dogie dandruff as well!

Have you found a use for yogurt that I've not tried?

Today's the start of DietSodaDiva's 160 By 4th of July Personal Challenge! This challenge is closed to the public and only has one contestant... MOI!

I'll be weighing in for the last time before 4th of July on July 3rd...

I have 7 weeks to lost a little over 15 pounds... that's a little over 2 pounds a week... think I can do it? I do! I'll get my prize at the end of the challenge... the victory of stepping on the scale and seeing 160 again.

For the next 7 weeks I'm going to hustle my butt up and exercise... I'm going to pass on high point foods so I'll stay within my range. I can do this... and so can you!

Join me... start a challenge today. Decide on a number and challenge yourself to get there by 4th of July... be hot by mid-summer!

Go ahead - YOU CAN DO IT!

(Please excuse the crappy banner... had to do a rush job for now... )

If She Did Run Away, She Could Be Bus Bound...

I've lost my Pedometer... she's been missing for 2 days now. I didn't have her on yesterday morning, but figured it's be okay... I was gonna be right back anyway and would put her on as soon as I got home.

When I got home I forget to put her on again, and finally at the end of the day I remembered her and went to look for her and she's gone. I don't know where she's at.
I was hoping she'd turn up this morning... but she didn't. How am I going to calculate my weekly 1,000,000 Activity Points without her? I need her... we were suppose to be partners in this weight loss journey.

Until she returns I'll have to calculate my Vanity Fund earnings differently... since I won't be counting all the Activity Points I actually earn (mostly from walking)... I'll have to possibly earn more for each workout. Maybe I'll double the amount I currently earn.

If she did run away, she could be bus bound, because my bus pass came up missing about two days ago also... hhhmmmmm

Taco Salad Ala DietSodaDiva

I've become OBSESSED with canned beans... nasty I know. I don't know what's come over me...

I've been eating them like crazy. Fat Free or Low Fat Refried Beans... sooo good.
Here's what I've been doing with them... totally on Fat Smash Diet and of course on Weight Watchers.

I get 1 cup of canned beans, chop up a little onion, warm them up... chop up lettuce, tomato pour on top of beans... add hot sauce and a little Fat Free Ranch... when I want to get fancy I add bacon bits... VERY low points... Under 6 points and very feeling.

Sometimes I'll add a little chunky salsa from the jar (totally non-cooking lately) or I'll make a fresh salsa.

For additional points you can add a little Low Fat/Fat Free Cheese, and maybe a few crumpled up tortilla chips for flavor...

Happy Belated Cinco De Mayo!

Mid-Week Blues and Get Up

Reviewing last week's journal - I journaled all week but over ate all week long. This week's an improvement but I seem to be over eating for the last two days, plus today. I didn't extremely well Saturday, but started over eating Sunday (Sunday was excused due to the holiday) and kept on overeating into Monday, Tuesday, and now today. I've got to nip this in the butt RIGHT

NOW. I have 2 more days to save this week... and I can do it! I will do it!
Yesterday was the craziest of all days... I walked 12.99 miles, earning a whooping 12 activity points, but at 83 points through out the day! My daily allowance is 26! I ate over 3 times more than I should of!

No one is perfect, we just have to realize our mistakes and fix them ASAP. On a positive note... I worked out twice last week and this week I've already worked out twice... and I plan on getting two more workouts in before Saturday.

Today I'm already over 6 points. I stressed out and splurged on sweets. My cousin's ex-wife called me to tell me a possible long lost cousin contacted her via facebook. We're still trying to clear everything up... but in the end if true might turn out to be a blessing.

Nothing I can do about going over my points today or for the past few days. All I can do now is pick up the pieces, eat light the rest of today and start all new tomorrow!

So far this week in my Vanity Fund I've earned 3.25... my goal is to beat last week's grand total of 5.35.

As of now my Vanity Fund Balance is $8.60!

Chocolate Marshmallow Fudge

POINTS® Value: 2
Servings: 36
Preparation Time: 10 min
Cooking Time: 5 min
Level of Difficulty: Easy

Sure, you can buy a box of store-bought chocolates or you can make your own rich fudge at home without any fancy candy-making equipment.

Ingredients
1 spray(s) cooking spray
1 2/3 cup(s) sugar
2/3 cup(s) fat-free evaporated milk
2 Tbsp reduced-calorie margarine, or light butter
12 oz semisweet chocolate, chopped (about 1 1/2 cups)
14 large marshmallow(s)

Instructions
Coat an 8- X 8-inch pan with cooking spray.

In a medium saucepan, stir together sugar, evaporated milk and margarine (or butter); bring to a boil over high heat. Reduce heat to medium-low and cook, stirring constantly, about 3 minutes.

Stir in chocolate and marshmallows; remove pan from heat and stir until smooth.

Pour mixture into prepared pan and refrigerate until firm, about 2 hours. Cut into thirty-six 1 1/3-inch squares and serve. Yields 1 piece per serving.

Notes
Store fudge in refrigerator. Or freeze for a firmer consistency.

Week 1 COMPLETE

I weighted in Saturday... with a slight loss... but heck a loss is a loss so I'm celebrating! Down .2! I'm officially 176.6... Of course I could of done a lot better this weigh in but considering the week I had I was happy with what I got.

This week I'm on track. I decided to start the Fat Smash Diet food list, but still count points. I stuck to program Saturday... I'm allowed 26 points daily... I had 25, drank all my water, and ate pretty balanced.

Yesterday, being Mother's Day I chose to have a free day... I journaled but had planned on eating freely for dinner. I stuck to my Fat Smash Diet food until dinner time. I took my mother to have Greek food... it was my first time having Greek. I have no idea what I ate, but tried to decipher it when trying to figure out points. I figured I used up 24 on the food alone. I might be over estimating but it's better to be over than under - right? After dinner we took a long stroll, well I strolled and she rode (wheelchair bound) a mile back to the train station... close to the train station we stopped and I had a guilt-free Sundae at Dreyers... the best, most satisfying Sundae I've had in a long time...

Even though my daughter choice not to spend Mother's Day with me (long story), it turned out to be a nice slow uneventful mother's day with my mother...

This morning I'm back on track and ready to kick fat's ass! I'm back on Fat Smash Diet food and detoxing again today... so far I've had an egg white omelet with mushrooms and salsa topped with Louisiana hot sauce... so good.

For lunch it's beans, with low fat yogurt substituting for sour cream, and more Louisiana hot sauce...

Here's last week's breakdown:

- I lost .2 of a pound
- Didn't save any points
- Worked out 2 times
- Drank all my water except for 3 glasses
- Journaled all week long
- Earned 54 Activity points

Last week's Vanity Fund total = $5.35!

And so far this week I've already earned $1.00 putting my Vanity Fund Grand Total at =$6.35!

Spinach with Tomatoes and Feta

Happy Mother's Day to all you Mommas out there! My mother is super pumped about having Greek food today... so in her honor I'm sharing this side dish recipe with you from WeightWatchers.com...

POINTS® Value: 2
Servings: 4
Preparation Time: 10 min
Cooking Time: 14 min
Level of Difficulty: Easy
Works with Simply Filling

This Greek-inspired side dish is simple to make yet wows with flavor. Leftovers make a fabulous omelet filling.

Ingredients
1 1/2 tsp olive oil
3/4 cup(s) onion(s), chopped
2 tsp minced garlic
18 oz spinach, baby leaves
1/4 tsp table salt
1 cup(s) grape tomatoes, cut in half
1/2 cup(s) crumbled feta cheese

Instructions
Heat oil in a large deep pot over medium-high heat. Add onions; cook, stirring often, until light golden and tender, about 7 to 8 minutes.

Add garlic; cook, stirring, until fragrant, about 30 seconds.

Add spinach and salt; cook, tossing, until spinach wilts, about 2 to 4 minutes. Add tomatoes; cook, stirring, until tomatoes soften, about 1 to 2 minutes.

Remove from heat and drain off any extra liquid; stir in feta. Yields about 3/4 cup per serving.

Baked Eggs Italian-Style

Breakfast
POINTS® Value: 5
Servings: 8
Preparation Time: 8 min
Cooking Time: 18 min
Level of Difficulty: Easy

Somewhere between a baked frittata and pastaless lasagna, this casserole is delicious with arugula salad or mixed greens.

Ingredients
4 cup(s) marinara sauce, store-bought
1/2 cup(s) basil, fresh, chopped (do not use dried basil)
8 large egg(s)
1 cup(s) grated Parmesan cheese, such as Parmigiano-Reggiano
1/2 tsp red pepper flakes

Instructions
Position the rack in the center of the oven and preheat the oven to 350°F.

Pour the marinara sauce into a 9- X 13-inch baking pan. Sprinkle the chopped basil over the sauce.

Use the bottom of a small custard cup or a similarly sized glass to make 8 rounded indentations in the marinara sauce. Crack an egg into each of these indentations.

Sprinkle the Parmigiano-Reggiano and red pepper flakes over the tops of the eggs. Bake until the egg whites are set, the yolks are a bit runny and the cheese has melted, about 18 minutes. Serve by scooping eggs and sauce into individual bowls, using a large spoon. Yields about 1 egg and 1/3 cup sauce per serving.

Notes
Eggs baked in the oven offer a wonderful creaminess, almost better than those cooked on top of the stove. However, the oven's constant, ambient heat can toughen the eggs quite a bit — so a little fat (as here, in the shredded cheese) protects the delicate whites and keeps them tender.

TGIF!

Thank Goodness it's Friday! It's been a long week for me. I didn't do my best on program. I started out well then let stress and possibly depression get the best of me... which resulted in tons of sugar and fat.

I might be a little crazy to expect a loss tomorrow morning... but I'm keeping my fingers crossed. You got to always think positive. It wasn't a successful points intake week, but it was a successful points counting week... I've journaled pretty well all week long, and I got my water in so far.

I'm a little behind in my water today but I'll catch up. Actually hold on... gonna go get my bottle right now (pause...)

Okay, I'm back...

I journaled, drank my water, and got more than 5 miles of walking in everyday this week. Actually so far this week up to this very point I have walked... 60.82 miles... that's a daily average of 10:13! I'll have official numbers up either tomorrow or Monday.

I started the Fat Smash Foods list and lasted less than a day. I'm going to restart it tomorrow... take Sunday off and start again Monday.

Sunday for Mother's Day I'm taking my mother to eat Greek food. I've never had it, so I don't know what to expect but she's been wanting to go for years but didn't know of any Greek places... I found one... I'll let you know how that goes... point counting is gonna be a challenge.

So tomorrow is weigh-in hopefully next time you hear from me there will be less of me to report. Here's to a good weigh-in and a successful week for us all!

Happy Friday!

Spicy...

Until a few years ago I've never been into spicy foods. I just started using Mexican hot sauce... and never realized the difference between Mexican hot sauce and Louisiana-style hot sauce. OMG sooooo good. I love Louisiana hot sauce...

I was readying Jennifer Hudson's blog on Weight Watchers she said she adds it to her chicken and pretends they're hot wings. She was right with really having to use your imagination for that one... lol

I tried it over some chunks of chicken breast... so good... not quite hot wingish... but not as sinful either. Not bad for no added points. I might try it next with chicken and a salad...

Cinco De Mayo

Happy Cinco De Mayo - whatever that means... to most of us Mexicans it means partying or just another day, unless you're from Puebla, Mexico...

Anywhoo... So far back on program has been a lot tempting... balancing out my food is extremely difficult for me. So today I'm starting back on The Fat Smash Diet food list... still counting points and following Weight Watchers - just detoxing from bad foods.

I'm off to a great start. I woke up early - got a 30 minute workout in... 2.99 miles on the Gazelle. I kicked ass!... My goal is to easily do 3 miles in 30 minutes on the Gazelle.

So far in the Vanity Fund I've earned $3.25! MAC here I come (soon)!

Today should be a successful day of full journaling, water drinking, exercise, and maybe - possibly saving points! That's at least another $.75 towards the fund!

I don't think I've mentioned I brought a omelet maker recently at Walgreens - it was on sale for $7.99! What a bargain. I've been experimenting with it. Today I made an 1 point omelet with egg whites, salsa, mushrooms, and onion... pretty tasty for 1 point.

Well... I've better be off now to get my butt in gear.

Happy Cinco De Mayo... and Happy Losing...

Jennifer Hudson

Seeing Jennifer Hudson as the new spokesperson for Weight Watchers really motivated me to join again. She looks GREAT! I'm not sure how low her goal is... but I think she looks perfect now. So inspiring...

I liked her on American Idol, Dream Girls... it's great to see one of my favorite entertainers doing something positive in the media.

If you haven't checked her out... go visit WeightWatchers.com she's all over there. I know it's cheesy to say... but I'm proud of her.

Getting Thin in 20-10

Saturday I rejoined Weight Watchers for the 100th and 1 time. This time weighing a lot less than most other times... at 176.8.

What am I going to do differently this time:

Exercising: Which is something I rarely did before. I'm aiming for five days a week, 30 minute cardio workout. I do a lot of walking as it is, and even though it's moving I don't think it really counts as working out.

Diet Balancing: This is something I need more work on. I'm aiming to have a better balance of carbs and proteins and less sugar. Also have smaller meals... because we all know our bodies break up smaller meals easier than if we just have the standard 3 large meals a day.

Incentive: This is my favorite... I'm paying myself to lose weight. For the longest I've been wanting to upgrade my outdated drug store make-up and move up to the big girls stuff - MAC. But something always comes up and when I do have a little extra cash I end up using it for something else. I'm also in DESPERATE need of some new glasses. I cracked my frames and have to keep gluing them together every few days... so I started a MAC Make-up/Glasses/Contacts fund...

Every:
Pound Lost = $3
Point Saved = $1
Activity Point Saved = $.75
Flex Point Saved = $.50
Work Out = $.25
6 Glasses of Water Drank = $.25
Full Day of Journaling = $.25

I'm excited... Summer is almost here, and this time I'm starting about 20 pounds less... that means I'll start looking good sooner. I start feeling good (big headed) about my body about 160... that's only 16 pounds away!

So far this week... I've done pretty good. I sort of started off on the wrong foot... but I've got most of my balance back and feel optimistic about this week. I went to my first meeting Saturday morning. I decided to use all my flex points this weekend - due to lack of meal planning Saturday, and Sunday being my brother's death anniversary and me taking him Taco Bell and having lunch with him. I went over yesterday by 16 points and didn't have enough water.

Today, I'm making up for the water... and the 16 points I'm sure I'll make up in activity points. I have 1 earned so far today. I'm very close to my 2nd one... and after my workout that should be at least another.

By the end of the week I'll have made up the 16 points.

So far in my Vanity (MAC Make-up/Glasses/Contacts savings) Fund - I have $1.50! WWooooHoooo!