Five Miles Down That Road Again!!!

Weigh In Tuesday! (That isn't me on the scales)...My was I surprised to find I had lost 5 more pounds...Just never expected that...Went out with daughters 2 times last week to eat and ate at a Mexican place on Sunday night...Now that place doesn't know the meaning of low fat or healthy food....I started this trip "Down The Road Again" on January 4th and so far I have lost over 21 pounds.....Now is when it will slow down for me....I know this from the past weight loss....I have type 2 diabetes so I really watch my carbs and that helps so much....I will only have 1/2 of a potato one time a week and have found out I can do just fine without them....Use to think you had to have potatoes at every dinner...They filled you up, but guess what, they go away real quick...much better to have a veggie that is high in fiber that will take your body to do some work, to digest it....

"Eat for the body you want, not for the body you have".

Bran Buds Muffin:

Here's a pretty good muffin recipe that is loaded with fiber and actually suppresses the appetite.
3 cups of bran buds
3 cups of water
3 tablespoons of baking powder
let sit until the buds get mushy (about 20 minutes_
add any muffin recipe package (I like Quaker Low Fat Bran)... you can also add low fat brownie mix...
You will have to add more water... about a cup... add enough water until the mixture is moist
put cupcake liners into your muffin tins... spray with cooking spray (make sure you spray or they will stick)... and bake as directed
These muffins are 1 point on weight watchers... I make them because they are a great snack that is low in fat and high in fiber. You can also add any type of nuts, dried fruit (cranberries work well)...Just remember to add on the points for the extras... get creative and make them tasty for you... the bran buds are the important ingredient.

Avocado Citrus Salad:

I found this recipe in an issue of Weight Watchers magazine. I love it
Ingredients:
1/3 cup fresh grapefruit juice
2 Tbsp chopped fresh chives
1 tsp olive oil
3/4 tsp sugar
1/4 tsp salt
1/4 tsp black pepper
2 peeled and sectioned grapefruit
1 Hass avocado, pitted, peeled and diced
2 hearts romaine lettuce, separated into leaves
To make the dressing, whisk together the grapefruit juice, chives, oil, sugar, salt and pepper in a medium bowl:
Add the grapefruit sections and avocado-
Toss gently to coat-
Arrange the lettuce leaves on a large platter (I just show one serving worth here). Spoon the avocado mixture onto the lettuce. Drizzle with any remaining dressing.

Per Serving (1 cup): 106 calories, 5 g fat, 1 g sat fat, 0 g trans fat, 0 mg chol, 109 mg sodium, 16 g carbs, 5 g fiber, 3 g protein, 58 mg calcium.
Serves: 6
Points per serving: 2

Grapefruit is the best lung cancer fighter and a grapefruit a day in addition to your regular meals can speed weight loss....The fruit's acidity slows digestion, helping you feel full longer...it also lowers cholesterol and decrease risk of stroke,and heart disease..

WARM GRAPEFRUIT DESSERT:

1 large grapefruit
1 teaspoon Splenda
1 teaspoon cinnamon or to taste

Preheat oven to 400%F.
Cut the grapefruit in half through the middle...with a serrated citrus knife, loosen the segments, being careful not to cut through the peel. Place the halves, side by side, with the sections facing up, on a baking sheet. Sprinkle with cinnamon. Bake for 20 minutes, or until warmed through and starting to brown on top....Let stand for 5 minutes to cool slightly before serving.....1 WW Point...

Lets talk about setting up your environment so it reinforces the new and healthy habits you are trying to incorporate into your life. For instance- consider everything on your counter tops in your kitchen. Are the things within reach helping you, or hindering your progress? Are your measuring spoons, scale and grilling pans within easy reach? Or do you have to reach around a cookie jar and deep fryer to get to them? Same with your pantry - the prime eye level and front shelf space should contain your healthy items, and the indulgent snacks should be hidden and out of reach/out of sight. It's common sense or you might think it's even silly nonsense; but something as simple as rearranging your things is completely within your control will help your efforts tremendously.I have even posted a picture of me on my fridge door and since I believe in asking God to help me I have 3 prayers posted on my cupboard doors and everyday I say one of them...I also pray while I am exercising....
See you next week on this trip......

On That Road Trip Once Again!

It seems I am always starting down this road and never completely get there...I almost reached my destination once in 2004, but I evidently convinced myself I didn't deserve to reach it....so all my hard earned losses were put back on and of course I had to add a few more pounds to punish myself for even thinking I deserved to loss that weight....Well I DO deserve to lose this weight!!! I asked myself why I was overweight, but I didn't want just the usual answers, such as I cook the southern style (you know pork fat and more pork fat)etc....so I looked at my life and what was good and what wasn't and I am trying to do some changes there...I also want to set aside time each day just for me to exercise and meditate....Well this road trip started January 5th 2009....I have set small goals for myself and girls I can use all the HELP you can give me....I almost reached my destination going to WW but that isn't an option now, but I do know how to do everything, like measure, measure and measure some more....keep a log of everything that goes into your mouth (those little tastes here and there add up) and drinking water and more water and then of course exercising....Now here in Minnesota it isn't always possible to go out and walk, so I simply walk around the house 10 minutes after each meal and do the old peoples push ups....I lost 2.1 pounds this past week and I am happy with that, but thought I would lose more the first week (water loss) know I have ran to the potty enough to have lost 20 pounds....I just wish I had someone that could come here every Monday and see me weigh...That is what I really need!!! Well since I have done the WW thingy I have compiled a lot of recipes with the points figured out, but I didn't always keep the calories, fat and fiber information. I will try and post some recipes each Monday that I have made and like.....

SIMPLE SALISBURY STEAK: 5 WW Points
I gave it 4****!
1 egg
1/3 cup dry bread crumbs
1 can (10-3/4 ounces) reduced fat-sodium condensed cream of mushroom soup undiluted, divided
1/4 cup finely chopped onion
1 pound 93% lean ground beef
1/2 cup skim milk
1/4 teaspoon Browning sauce (optional) I used it.
1/4 teaspoon salt
1-1/2 cup sliced fresh mushrooms
In a bowl combine the egg, bread crumbs, 1/4 cup soup and onion. crumble the beef over the mixture and mix well. Shape into 6 patties. In a large nonstick skillet, brown the patties on both sides, drain.
In a bowl, combine the milk, Browning sauce, if desired, salt and remaining soup; stir in mushrooms. Pour over patties, reduce heat; cover and simmer for 15-20 minutes or until meat is no longer pink....Yield 6 servings

SCALLOPED POTATOES: 2 WW Points
Serves 6 ( 1/2 Cup)
I gave this 4****
Preheat Oven to 350%
5 coups frozen Southern Style Hash browns thawed
2 tablespoons flour
1 tablespoon dried onion
1 teaspoon light butter
1/4 teaspoon pepper
1/2 cup skim milk
1/2 cup Crispy Fried Onions
Spray a 2-1/2 quart casserole dish with nonstick cooking spray.
Mix the potatoes, flour, dried onions, butter and pepper together and put into prepared casserole. Pour milk over top. Cover and bake 45 minutes. Uncover and sprinkle on the crispy fried onions and continue to bake uncovered for 30 minutes.
Yield 6 1/2 cup servings:

EIGHT LAYER SALAD: 2 WW Points
Serves 12 (1-1/2 Cups)
I gave this 5*****
6 cups torn iceberg lettuce
8 cups torn romaine lettuce
6 40% less fat bacon slices cooked and crumbled ( I used Oscar Meyers recipe ready bacon pieces)
3/4 cups chopped red onion
1-10 ounce package frozen green peas, thawed
1 cup chopped red bell pepper
1 8 ounce can sliced water chestnuts drained
3/4 cup (3 ounces) shredded reduced fat sharp cheddar cheese
3/4 cup reduced fat mayonnaise
3/4 cup sour cream
1 (0.7 ounce) package dry Italian dressing mix.
Combine lettuces in a 4 quart bowl. Toss well. Layer crumbled bacon and next 5 ingredients on top of lettuce. Combine mayonnaise, sour cream and dressing mix in a small bowl, stir well. Spread dressing over top of salad, sealing to edge of bowl. Cover and chill up to 24 hours.
Yield: 12 1-1/2 cup servings.