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Thursday, June 28, 2012

TCBY...in your freezer! 2 PPV

I tried these this week, along with a few other sweets! Egads....I was having a moment. I like them, but I do think I like the WW Fudge Giant Fudge Bar (3 PPV) better. This was good, but the WW fudge bar taste much creamier to me.

TCBY (2 PPV)




"love the life you live, live the life you love"

Super Duper Excited!

No, this has absolutely nothing to do with what I ate today, how hard I worked out (80 minutes on the treadmill this morning...thank you very much!) what recipe I found, what the scale said this morning (it wasn't pretty), or how much water I drank.

Today......I became much more educated in my blogging world and I am Super Duper Excited! This whole computer stuff is kinda a big deal. There's a lot of stuff to know!

The reason I began to blog initially was so I could journal my weight loss experience and share it with other WW Members when I got to goal. Well, along the way, I decided to share it during the journey, instead of at the end of the journey, and I am glad I did. The extra support has been great!

One of the things I really wanted to provide on my blog, aside from my successes and failures, and humor along the way, was easy to make recipes. I have really enjoyed cooking the last couple of years, and thought it would be fun to share. I make simple recipes, and love searching the Internet for new and tasty low point recipes.

What I am getting to here, is that today, my new, kind, patient friend, Rachael, met with me and walked me through the process of posting recipes and making my blog a little more personal and useful! Yippee!

Check out HER blog!

Racheal's Blog

So, now, at the side of my blog, under pages, you will see a tab that says "Easy Recipes". There are only a few right now, but each week, I will add more as I make them. Below that you will see "Recipes by PPV". Each time I add a new recipe, I will also post it under it's appropriate PPV. (Points Plus Values)

I also added a new page today. "Delicious Discoveries". Each time I try a new product at the grocery store, I will post a picture of the product, my thoughts on it, and it's PPV.

I am super excited about the changes I was able to make today, and it got me out of blogging all about my disastrous eats this week!

"Weigh-In" is in the morning!

I will be honest. I will post it!

I failed in making a specific plan for my obstacles last week. I will post my plan for the week to deal with my upcoming obstacles (there's a bunch!) along with my weight! Urg......

How corny is this? Not the quote, me! My dream I am referring to here is the ability to post recipes and fully understand what the "H E double hockey sticks" I'm doing!




"love the life you live, live the life you love"

Wednesday, June 27, 2012

Monthly Munchies???

I am going to blame the following blog on dealing with a once a month event. Yip, I'm calling it an "event".

Here I go sabotaging my success! Something bad happened yesterday about 2:00 pm that involved carbs and sugar. I can't really explain it. I was thinking about the junior vanilla cone at McDonalds (2 PPV?) that was discussed in Fridays WW meeting, and I ended up with this.......

An Orange Leaf, Low Fat, Red Velvet Cake flavored, (yogurt or ice cream? I don't even know) topped with a variety of NOT nonfat toppings!




Sometimes, when I have a sweet craving, eating a sweet treat only makes me want more! I had a few low fat graham crackers at home later, then LATER later a couple of WW Mini Ice Cream Cones.

Just not one of my better weeks!

I still hit Bootcamp at 6:30 am this morning!

Yesterday's eats....

Breakfast...Egg whites topped with salsa, cinnamon toast topped with Laughing Cow Cheese Wedge and grapes.




Lunch.....I went out with a few friends to a spot that has been on Diners, Dives and Drive Ins!

Swaggers

Six of the girls shared these three deliciously messy burgers!




I ordered the grilled portabella mushroom burger. I left most of the bun, but over indulged on my fries! I wasn't full, and soon after leaving there, the carb cravings began!!

For dinner I tried a Shrimp Scampi. I didn't have all the ingredients, so I substituted a few things that didn't work too great, and I overcooked the angel hair pasta! NOT A GREAT FOOD DAY ALL AROUND!





I am not logging yesterday's points, because frankly, I lost count.

I am a little frustrated with myself, but I usually recover pretty quick!

I really like the following.......I know I'm not perfect, but I am hard on myself. I like who I am, just not my thighs. I know I have a blessed life, no matter what I weigh.





"love the life you live, live the life you love"

Monday, June 25, 2012

Well, crap!

Today was a little busy crazy constant.....in my physical schedule and in my head.

Lots to do at home this morning......trying to leave the house before noon, then a busy afternoon ending with a 6:00 pm Bootcamp, which I came soooooo close to skipping!

Here's breakfast.....




5 PPV of yumminess with a couple of cups of Jo......





Then things just got outta hand. My first problem is that I need to go to the store, but with going to the lake and all the fun we had over the weekend......WHO'S HAD TIME FOR RESPONSIBILITIES???

Canned chicken for lunch...gross. 5 PPV
This pita was nice and fresh though.....probably make a good snack later?




Snack later...(left over lake crackers.....I never buy crackers anymore).......
4 PPV
But they are the HEALTHY crackers!



Then I had some hummus and the other half of that Pita.....crap! 4 PPV
It was really, really good. The pita was so fresh and soft!

No pic here......too busy eating...... :)

Then I had a Vita Muffin........one of these, but in Banana Nut flavor......
Again..... 4 PPV
They are good for you! It's a VITA muffin for crying out loud!




Then I had 2 of these!
Again!! 4 PPV!

This honesty is KILLING ME!

At this point, I know I need just a salad for dinner.



So I am going to have salad for dinner......

And a couple of fries.......

And this Chicken Hot Dog Thing.....on a Bun! 10 PPV!




So.....finding the positive here in my day.....

I WENT TO BOOTCAMP ANYWAY!

Now I am just hoping to maintain on Friday......

Refresh...I can eat 26 points a day.
I can earn Activity Points by doing exercise.
I have an allowance of 49 points that I can dip into if I chose.
I should drink a minimum of 6 (8 oz) glasses of water each day.

The food I ate today and it's PPV.

Breakfast = 5
Lunch = 5
Snack = 4
Snack = 4
Snack = 4
Dinner = 10

Total = 32

Activity Points Earned Today = 3
Remaining points from my 49 Points Allowance = -11 (I am now eating earned activity points......not good news for Friday)
How many glasses of water I drank today = 10

I might post this one allll week long! :)





All kidding aside, my eating the last few days has kind of sucked! I have another busy day tomorrow, and making it to the store will be tough, but I will NOT go over my 26 points, and I WILL make better choices by eating more fruits and veggies.....


"love the life you live, live the life you love"

Lake Day!

Had a great time at the country bar....."Kanza Hall". As predicted.....good people watching. All ages, all types!

The bathroom stalls were all chalkboard, with supplied CHALK! I couldn't help myself! This is my girlfriend, Laura's, cell number! Hee Hee......I know....I can be such a trouble maker!




Well then.......I did this......





When I got up in the morning, I knew there was a possibility of a Lake Day ahead, so I hopped on the treadmill before I even thought about breakfast! I started out slow, as usual........Then upped it to 3.8 mph and an incline of 8%, which got the heart rate up pretty good. I had planned on a good 20 minutes, then decided 30 was more what I needed, then stayed on for 40......Yay! Maybe I can sneak in one beer at the Lake??




After the treadmill, I knew hot eggs did NOT sound good, so I opted for a Blueberry Vanilla Smoothie topped with Kashi! (3 PPV)



Then I got the call about the Lake Day Trip, so I started packing my cooler.......I took Fresca, water, Diet Coke, one Bud Light, one Bud Light Lime-A-Rita, pretzels, Special K Crackers, pickles, string cheese, Laughing Cow Wedge Cheese, hummus, celery, carrots and apples! Not bad.




It was a great afternoon spent at Hillsdale Lake......

Captain Dick and his daughter, Sam.



The Girls!



I actually kept track of what I ate. I did take a lot of zero point options, but I did enjoy my cold beverages as well. We didn't get home until 8:00 pm, and all I could think about was more water to drink and a shower. I had a little cottage cheese, just because I thought I should eat something, and it was about all there was in the fridge! I went over on my points a bit, but I think I'll be good? I hope.

Refresh...I can eat 26 points a day.
I can earn Activity Points by doing exercise.
I have an allowance of 49 points that I can dip into if I chose.
I should drink a minimum of 6 (8 oz) glasses of water each day.

The food I ate today and it's PPV.

Breakfast = 3
Snack and drinks at the Lake = 25
Dinner...cottage cheese = 3

Total = 31

Activity Points Earned Today = 3

Remaining points from my 49 Points Allowance = -5 (this means I have now dipped into my activity points, which I try not to do. I have earned 14 activity points, and have used 5 of those.)

How many glasses of water I drank today = 12

I really like this quote. Makes me think it's time to enroll in some kind of class. I'm thinking art of some kind.......

"Live as if you were to die tomorrow.
Learn as if you were to live forever.".
- Mahatma Gandhi





"love the life you live, live the life you love"

Sunday, June 24, 2012

Sometimes.....you just have to ask.

We went out with some friends to dinner last night, then to a new Country bar for a couple of beers and some people watching and maybe a little line dancing....

Before dinner, I tried one of these at home. Bud Light Lime Lime-A-Rita? The only nutritional info I can find is calories and carbs, so I am guessing on the points. I called it 6? It was pretty damn good!




We went to Gordon Biersch for dinner. The have lots of outside seating, and nice selection of their own beers, and the weather was perfect for dinner on a patio.

I settled in and ordered a beer, then read the entire menu! We ALL did. They have a lot of selections and we were ALL starving! I finally decided on the Lobster and Shrimp Taco's. I know, right? I learned that all of their tacos are served in a hard shell, set inside of a soft shell. I love these taco stand thingymajigs.....I really wanted to take mine home, but my purse was to small. Maybe next time?


The filling was really good. It was served with black beans and white rice, which did taste good, but I really was just interested in my cold beer and lobster and shrimp taco's. I ate slow and savored it. I decided half way through the second taco, and half way through my second beer, that I was full, and could comfortably leave some food on my plate. I drank all the beer. I'm not stupid.



While having my coffee this morning and journaling my dinner and beers from last night, I Googled the restaurant and their nutritional information. I found the ENTIRE menu and all the info I needed! I was very impressed. Now I can look it over in advance and know exactly what I will be eating before I get there. I know that nutritional info has become much more easily accessible and I love that.

Sometimes......you just have to ask. :)

Here's the rest of the day....

I got up early enough to get some breakfast in before Bootcamp.

Egg whites topped with Salsa, fruit and a Vita Muffin. (It's a muffin top! Giggle giggle giggle). These are so good and packed with vitamins. Dr. Oz even recommends them! I had a chocolate one topped with a tablespoon of Better N Peanut Butter! Big Breakfast!




Here are the Vita Muffins.....HyVee has them, and I think Whole Foods? They come in several different favors, but the chocolate is my favorite!



Then off to a brutal Bootcamp and major leg workout! I hate lunges, but maybe they are just what these thighs need!

After Bootcamp, I walked the dogs forever, then mowed the lawn. I was beat when it was all over, but I had lots on Saturdays agenda, so I just kept going.....

Throughout the afternoon, I snacked. I never did sit down to eat an actual lunch. Pretzels and cheese wedge.......





More fruit.......




And later.....more fruit.....these peaches were incredible juicy and sweet!



And some unpictured baked chips topped with reduced fat shredded cheddar, and microwaved for a few seconds. It hit the spot for a junk food craving.

Then I did some housework. While cleaning the bathtub, it crossed my mind that I had not taken advantage of it in a while. So I stopped my cleaning, grabbed a small glass of wine, (yes, I measured 4 oz) and got in the tub.....




You see this picture on the beach all the time....why not in the tub??? :)


Mike didn't seem to think taking a picture with my valued IPad in the tub was a real smart idea, (while holding my wine in the other hand). He's so silly.




That was a perfect way to wrap up my afternoon and get ready for my evening out!

I certainly enjoyed my extra points allowance these last two days. I plan on a loss at the scale next Friday, but I really need to make good choices this week and include lots of fruits and veggies in order for me to do that. No more cocktails this week!

I do have a couple of events this week that I would typically drink two or three beers at. Water for me at those this week. I'm sure I'll have a story about it.

Refresh...I can eat 26 points a day.
I can earn Activity Points by doing exercise.
I have an allowance of 49 points that I can dip into if I chose.
I should drink a minimum of 6 (8 oz) glasses of water each day.

The food I ate today and it's PPV.

Breakfast = 6
Snacks = 9
Dinner and drinks = 41

Total = 56

Activity Points Earned Today = 11?
Remaining points from my 49 Points Allowance = 0
How many glasses of water I drank today = 12





"love the life you live, live the life you love"

Saturday, June 23, 2012

50 min. Bootcamp, 50 min. Dog Walk, 50 min. Lawn Mowing.........

..........BEER MAN!

That's 150 minutes of activity this morning! For you folks that aren't mathematicians.........That's 2 hours and 30 minutes of activity!!

I repeat! BEER MAN! Beers tonight for certain!

Yesterday's weigh-in made me very happy. I received my next "5 pound" award! Yay! Now, for the next five! Small goals.....remember? I work with those the best.

Here are yesterday's eats.....as best as I can.

Greek yogurt with raspberries and blueberries and kashi cereal.....super filling!





Lunch...cucumbers....tzatziki......leftover chicken tenders......nanner.





I finished off my tzatziki......I definitely have to make a trip to Costco for more!





Snack......(nice....check out the Boulevard beer bottles in the background....)




More snacking........


I had plans to go out with a girlfriend, so I was trying to keep things light. I wasn't sure what the evening had in store for us.......you just never know with a Girl's Night....

We started off with a drink and a few light appetizers.....moved to the next hot spot for another drink and a small plate of something a little heavier, then one more spot for an after dinner drink, I chose coffee. It was a great night out with great girly chat!

When I got home I filled out my food journal as best as I could. We have plans tonight as well with a few other couples, and I have extra points left, but to play it safe I will need to be cautious today........thank Goodness for all this mornings activities!

Refresh...I can eat 26 points a day.
I can earn Activity Points by doing exercise.
I have an allowance of 49 points that I can dip into if I chose.
I should drink a minimum of 6 (8 oz) glasses of water a day.

The food I ate and it's PPV.

Breakfast = 5
Lunch = 7
Snack = 2
Dinner = 19
Wine = 12
Total = 45

Activity Points Earned = 0
Remaining points from my 49 Points Allowance = 30
How many glasses of water I drank today = 12


"love the life you live, live the life you love"

Friday, June 22, 2012

Yay Me!

Well, the party pounds are off and the journey continues!

I actually received my next 5 pound award too!

Today's weight........It proudly says 167.2!




I keep reminding myself that even though this is a slow journey, I have come so far in all the permanent changes I have made, and THAT feels great!



"love the life you live, live the life you love"

Thursday, June 21, 2012

Didn't even realize it......

I recently had some family members over for breakfast on a Sunday morning. I tried to make things that were point friendly, flavorful, and a bit of a variety.

I made fat free mini cranberry/orange muffins to snack on with coffee upon arrival.

I didn't have Sweet and Low for the coffee, I had Truvia, and I no longer buy fat free half and half.

I had lots of fresh fruit.

I made reduced fat Pillsbury biscuits. I put out strawberry Jam and honey for the biscuits.

I made a large skillet scramble that included eggs, bacon pieces, turkey sausage, potatoes and onions all topped with cheddar cheese.

My 18 year old niece turned up her nose at the muffins. She only likes chocolate chip.

She doesn't like fruit.

She didn't seem real excited about my menu. I told her she could open the pantry and help herself. She asked what cereal we had. Well, we only have one. Kashi. I never eat a bowl of cereal anymore, but I like to top my yogurt with it! She looked at me like I was from Mars!

Then she asked me if she could just have toast. I never buy bread any more, but I had an English muffin? Nope.

Wait! I have some frozen waffles! She toasted them, opens the pantry, and asked....."where's the syrup?" urgggg...threw that away after I read the label on the Lite Aunt Jemima a couple of weeks ago. I pulled out the Blue Agave Nectar, to which she replied ...."I don't like blueberries" I told her she could put honey on her waffles? She said honey is only for biscuits, to which I replied....."you like biscuits?!?! I made biscuits!"

After all that, she sat down with the rest of the family and loaded up her biscuit with a heaping spoonful of the Skillet Scramble!

Kids.

It did make me realize though how much I have changed what I buy at the grocery store. I kinda enjoyed that realization. 😊


"love the life you live, live the life you love"

Mrs. "Robin"son's Baby?

I saw the saddest, little, mangled bird sitting on my BBQ. He looked like he had been attacked! No feathers to speak of. He looked scared and lost. While I was watering the flowers on the deck, it was just looking at me. I was a little concerned he might be scared from his apparent attack and fly at my head or something trying to defend himself from anything that frightened him. So I kept my eye on the little guy, feeling bad for him and afraid of him all at the same time. I came inside and watched out the window, waiting for his attacker to return. I wasn't sure what I was going to do, but something! That's for sure. Then the attacker appeared......he sat beside him on the BBQ. He hopped along the handle of the BBQ, closer, and closer, and closer, until all of a sudden the victim opened its mouth wide and the attacker put something in it! It was the baby that belonged to the mommy Robin I had been keeping an eye on! How is it I can be soooo stupid sometimes? Then I watched in delight as they made a feeble flight down to the grass for breakfast. Don't you love a Happy Ending?




I woke up starving again, but waited on the coffee so I didn't make yesterday's mistake and get all buzzed on caffeine and eat the pantry and the fridge! I had a nice, warm bowl of oatmeal topped with an apple. I like to chop up an apple, sprinkle it with cinnamon, and put it in the microwave for two minutes. Then I stir it in with my oatmeal. I highly recommend it. Unless of course, you don't like apples......or oatmeal. Then I highly recommend something completely different.


Went to the dentist for a cleaning today! I think I need some white strips. I wish that could be an at home, inexpensive, tasty, pleasant, 10 minute process. Don't you?

I stopped for gas and a snack. I went to my High School QT. that thing has been there for YEARS!! My snack at QT always used to be a diet coke and peanut M&M's. Here is my new "go to". I love that they offer fruit now! The Sugar Free White Peach Tea is pretty tasty too! And the bathrooms are almost always clean! BONUS!





Lunch was a Salad Bar salad from HyVee, with no pics. Forgot. My bad.

Afternoon snack.......




Dinner was easy, low points, and I would say "Kid Friendly" too!

Italian Chicken Tenders

I think I found this recipe on the back of the Parmesan package a long, long time ago.

1 lb chicken tenders
1 packet Good Seasons Italian Dressing
1/2 C. Parmesan Cheese
1/2 tsp garlic powder

Combine the dressing, cheese and powder in a shallow dish.



Rinse the chicken and dip into the mixture, coating both sides.



Line a baking sheet with foil and spray with cooking spray. Place chicken on baking sheet and bake for 20 minutes at 425 degrees.



It taste great as is, or on a Caesar salad, which is how we ate it tonight. It's also delicious with red or white sauce served with pasta. Makes a great leftover lunch too!



For the Points? I weigh my chicken to determine how many ounces it is. The chicken is 1 PPV per ounce. I add 1 PPV for the coating.

Usually when we eat salad, I put all of it, including the dressing, in a big bowl, give it all a good stir, then chop it all up. The dressing really seems to go a lot further. Just a thought.




This is the Caesar I like, and it is FIVE PPV for 2 Tablespoons. I used 3 T. for us combined, and it was plenty.



I tried this tonight on some sautéed zucchini. Not a fan. Too rich. Maybe I tried it on the wrong thing. I only used about 2 Tablespoons. Just wasn't for me.


After dinner, the dogs and I headed out for a good walk........that turned into a 45 minute stroll and lots of sniffing. It was good to be up and active and in the great outdoors, but I don't think that earned me any activity points.

Refresh...I can eat 26 points a day.
I can earn Activity Points by doing exercise.
I have an allowance of 49 points that I can dip into if I chose.
I should drink a minimum of 6 (8 oz) glasses of water each day.

The food I ate today and it's PPV.

Breakfast = 4
Snack = 0
Lunch = 8
Snack = 3
Snack = 1 (almonds)
Dinner = 8

Total = 24

Activity Points Earned Today = 0
Remaining points from my 49 Points Allowance = 37
How many glasses of water I drank today = 11


I like this quote. My "miracle" weighs 150 pounds.



"love the life you live, live the life you love"