Friday!

Hello! The movie last night was good! We saw the Disney movie Oceans. I love movies like that- kinda like a documentary. It was so relaxing, and peaceful to watch. Smuggled in treats: :) We went out for a cup of coffee after- it was a nice evening. :)

Oh! Let me back up a little bit- before we left I whipped up an EASY dinner-

Spicy Peanut Noodles

1 cup cole slaw mix
1 cup shredded carrots
1 zucchini-shredded
2 cloves of garlic- crushed
1/2 cup edamame-shelled
1 teaspoon olive oil
spicy peanut dressing
Pasta-or noodles of your choice
crushed peanuts-for topping

Saute veggies in garlic & oil for just a few minutes- until they wilt slightly. Add in cooked noodles, top with peanut dressing & crushed peanuts. :) This is the dressing I used from Trader Joe's- It was SO good on this dish!

Yesterday I received a box with a few samples of Cheribundi. I was excited to try this juice because when I was a kid I would go to work with my Dad and we would pass a place and get cherry juice. It was a small little fruit stand and I just loved the tartness of the juice. So I stuck the containers in the fridge and just took out the TRU CHERRY flavor to try. I LOVED IT! SO tart and delicious! Check out the info on Cheribundi & how good cherries are for us- who knew! :)

Cherry benefits

What's Inside
Fifty Cherries: Our Tru Cherry™ juice packs fifty cherries into a short 8oz bottle. (We know because we counted them.) From there we add just enough water and apple juice to make it palate-perfect. Of course, to create the benefits of Skinny Cherry™ we decrease the cherries slightly and sweeten with natural Stevia. To get the benefits of Whey Cherry™ into a bottle, we add whey protein.

Freshness: The word "concentrate" isn't in our vocabulary. Our juice is freshly made with America's Superfruit™ grown in Michigan and New York. Other juices are made from concentrate once a year and then stored before you even get to drink them. Not cheribundi™, though. That's why it tastes so darn fresh.

Phytonutrients: These are the building blocks in fruits and vegetables, so they're good for you. They help plants grow and regenerate cells properly and they just may help regulate physiological functions in human, too. Cherries have a powerful combination of these nutrients, which provides more benefits than any other fruit or other good-for-you foods like tea, wine and other juices. Whether you're looking for anthocyanins, melatonin, phenolic acids, flavanoids/flavonols/flavanols (however you say or spell them), science is starting to show that many of these phytonutrients may have special properties. Some may reduce oxidative stress and fight free radicals while others may act like anti-inflammatories and yet others may hold a promise for better heart health. Of course, all the claims in the world wouldn't be as convincing as if you tried our juice and experienced the benefits for yourself!

Vitamins and Minerals: Your mom was right, you need vitamins and minerals. But not because she said so. You need them because they are the foundation to a strong immune system and enhance metabolic processes. In cheribundi™ you'll find Vitamin A, Potassium, Iron, Calcium and, in Whey Cherry™, muscle-growing B-Vitamins!

High ORAC Rating: The Oxygen Radical Absorbance Capacity rating for cheribundi™ is higher than other juices - that means our juice has a better ability to absorb and neutralize free radicals. Whether you're exercising or resting, cheribundi™ is working hard for you!

(I was sent these samples free of charge and was not paid for my opinion of the products)
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Just finishing up some laundry and going to head out to a couple of stores. The rain has past us and we are in for a beautiful weekend! They said 80 degrees!! :) WHOOHOO! :) Anyone doing anything FUN?? Hope you have a great day! :) BYE!

FREE STEW!

I loved dinner last night. Sean took one bite and said nothing. I could instantly tell he had issues with it. lol He said it was like minestrone soup. HOW IS THAT A BAD THING? lol SO, now I have 2 BIG containers left. For most people that would be no problem- freeze some, but my freezer is what I like to call MINI SIZE! lol UUGhhh Wanna bowl? COME & GET IT! lol :) Check out the recipe HERE!

Gotta go get a filling re-done today. Exciting huh? lol Not really. OH! Sean and I are going to go see the Disney movie Oceans tonight. I am super excited! :)

DUH! I forgot to share a link with you yesterday! Go over to Karen's blog: FITNESS: A JOURNEY NOT A DESTINATION. for a great post! Karen had asked me about dressing for weight loss success and how I felt about my body in old and new clothes that I have. I'ts a great post- very helpful, go check it out! HERE! You might see a familiar face! lol :)

Going to eat breakfast now. Ya know my breakfast sandwich that I like? Orowheat Double FIber muffin, 2% cheese, Morningstar Soy sausage patty- well I added a teaspoon of jam to it for today. WEIRD? No, delicious!!! WOW it's good! :) Do you have strange combos that you love? Share away!

Have a GREAT day! BYE! :)

WEDNESDAY

Hello! I had lots to do today and I managed to get it all finished! I just had to get up to check outside I heard loud rain- but IT'S HAILING! OH JEEEZE! Weird weather we are having!! Tomorrow is suppose to be nice! lol

Breakfast before I went to the pool was a new idea. I had a couple of those sider burgers leftover so I cut up 3oz to add to some egg beaters w/ green onion. I took this pic, tasted it, then added a squirt of ketchup. It needed something! It was OK tasting, and a good way to use up the leftovers! :)

Lunch was needed FAST because I was in and out of the house today running errands. Chicken burger on a bagel thin w/ a side salad. Tried a new dressing-Pretty tasty!

Snack was an apple with these Yogi granola crisps. Jack sent these to me with my goodie box a while back and I have been searching for them. I would have NEVER guessed TARGET of all places had them! These are the blueberry flavor, the strawberry is what I tried before and I think they are the better of the two. The shelf was empty where the strawberry ones should have been- I gotta check back! :) YUM! Full of goodness- check it out!
1/2 cup serving size is only 2 WW points. :)

NEW RECIPE for dinner!!! I got the main idea from reading Oh She Glows- looks like she got the idea elsewhere...and I took out a few of the frozen & canned veggies for a fresh swap. So this is my version that I am sharing with you. :)

Quinoa Veggie Stew
Makes 8 servings
2 cups= 5 WW points

Ingredients
1 cup frozen green peas
1/2 cup fresh green beans-cut into bite size pieces
1/2 cup cooked frozen corn kernels
7 tsp Chicken (or vegetable) Bouillon
6 oz canned tomato paste
2 cups zucchini-cubed
1 bell pepper- cut into bite size pieces
1 cup fresh mushroom-cut in 1/2
1 large cooked sweet potato- cut into bite size pieces
12 oz cooked chickpeas-rinsed, drained
3/4 cup uncooked quinoa
1 tsp paprika
1/2 tsp black pepper
2 bay leaves
2 cloves garlic-crushed

Directions
In a large soup pot, add bouillon and water. Bring to a boil and stir until dissolved. Add in all ingredients, seasonings, and tomato paste-stir well. Bring to a boil again and then simmer on low, stirring occasionally. Cook until sweet potato and other vegetables are tender for approx. 30 minutes. Add peas the last few minutes. ENJOY!

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Just did a taste test and this is SO good! I need to hurry up and go eat dinner now!!! :) When I added this to the Weight Watchers recipe builder I got 4 points for 2 Cups, however the Calorie Count web site that I got the nutritional information from came out to be 5 points. For 2 cups of this I would gladly count it as 5! So hearty and good! Might eat a toasted whole wheat pita with mine too :) YUM!

Ok really I gotta go eat!!! Hope everyone had a good day! Thanks for all the nice comments from my last post! It is so important to do what you can and I hope everyone realizes a little is better than nothing when it comes to exercise. :)

Have a GREAT night!
:) BYE!

Up

Not my mood, my weight.... up .8 this week. Guess adding 2 extra points for days I go to the pool as "Activity Points" didn't work out for me. I am much more hungry lately when I exercise so I thought bulk up my meals with healthy choices, but I really think I do better without eating any extra points. It's not like I am RUNNING or something like that.

Speaking of my RUNNING ENVY- I was getting a little upset at reading everyone doing the C25K's, entering local 5K's and also with the WW walk it challenge (that my leader says I can count my pool activity) I just got down on myself an started to focus on things I CAN'T DO. Years ago when I had to stop working & also stop doing activities that I enjoyed, I focused on the negative things. Just this morning I had to REMIND myself that I need to focus my energy on what I CAN DO. :) Going to the pool right now is something that I am proud of myself for being able to do. So anyone who is struggling with weight & is limited to what exercises you CAN DO, it CAN be done on food alone. I am proof. :)

Today after my WW meeting I went out to eat lunch with my friend Gwen (hi!) We have been friends since Jr. High and it was nice to get together. :) I looked up points for Panera Bakery before hand and had 1/2 a sandwich and a cup of soup for 8 points. I was so busy chatting I skipped a pic! Darn it! After a nice visit chatting I headed over to see my parents since it was close to where they live and it was my Dad's day off. Oh yeah and they were having steak for dinner! lol 4oz Filet, baked sweet potato, roasted garlic broccoli, and a beet & garbanzo bean salad- YUM! Bowl of fruit for dessert- Thanks Mom & Dad for a YUMMY meal! :) WIth the meal out for lunch and the bigger dinner than usual I am over my points for the day. I know that those weeklies are there for that reason- see how nice the Weight Watchers program is! SO DOABLE! :) Whoohoo!

Off to watch the NBA Playoffs- GO LAKERS! I'm gonna be in a bad mood if they don't win tonight...just warning ya! lol Hope everyone had a GREAT day! BYE! :)

Sunday/Monday Shopping & Eating!

Hey there! We had a busy shopping morning yesterday! Started out going to Safeway & Trader Joe's- LOOT:
Next stop on the shopping trip was Costco plus Harvest House (local health food store) LOOT:

We did all of that shopping by 11am and then came home to unpack (grabbed an apple) and headed out the door to get lunch. I also wanted to go to the used book store. I asked on Facebook and Twitter for some book ideas and picked one that sounded like something I would enjoy- and crossed my fingers that the used shop would have it- YEP! I was super excited! Wally Lamb- She's Come Undone is the book that was recommended to me. Have not started it yet, but I am looking forward to some down time to do so! :) Lunch was at a lil bagel shop. I decided on the egg/ham & cheese breakfast bagel. I was disappointed- it really was kinda blah- see: :(

When we got home I was looking forward to relaxing out on the deck. So we went outside with some goodies- baked tortilla chips with corn salsa from Trader Joe's- YUM! Plus I was DYING for a beer! My last beer was on my birthday in January! WOW! The beer was good- went nicely with the chips & dip! :) That beer is from North Coast Brewing Co. that is up in Fort Bragg, CA. We went there for vacation a while back and hit the brewery each day for a new beer- this one was good, strong too! It's like having 2 beers!

We had a pretty lazy day, which was nice after a shopping trip that included 4 stores! Dinner was per Sean's request- Turkey burger sliders. :) I bought 2 kinds of "buns" and the ones we ended up using were 2 for 4 points (YIKES!) and they were also made with WHITE flour- I was searching for whole wheat- but I guess that takes the FUN out of it huh? lol Made some baked fries to go with out burgers-of course! :) Side of fruit for after dinner- Our first watermelon of the season and it was SO GOOD! Ended the evening watching Zombieland which was funny with a side of gore if ya like that kinda movie. lol

Moving on to today, Monday! The pool was great today! I always love that workout! I pushed it into high gear and feel a lil sore right now...but in a good way! :) Came home HUNGRY and EXCITED to make lunch! I saw this recipe over at Oh She Glows and it made me hungry just reading it, although I am not BIG on oatmeal but I want to be!! This is different, but I wanted to give it a try! :) The name of the recipe on Angela's blog is "You're So Cheezy" Savoury Oats Go see her original recipe at her blog. I changed it up a little bit -I also did not have a spice blend that she used. Here is my version-

Savory Oats
1/2 Cup rolled oats
1 Cup Water
1/2 Cup Almond Breeze-unsweetened
1 teaspoon olive oil
1 tablespoon nutritional yeast (Angela explains that this is what gives it a cheesy texture)
1 teaspoon vegetable bouillon, or chicken
1/2 teaspoon ground turmeric
1 teaspoon yellow curry powder
fresh cracked pepper

Directions: Mix all ingredients together in a pot and bring to a boil. Reduce to low and cook for 10 minutes, stirring frequently.

Toppings I added: fresh diced tomato & 1/4 diced avocado. I had one of these NEW crackers that I found at the health food store- They were so so. Maybe better with a spread on them- gotta try that next! :)

Lunch was really good! I loved the curry flavor- but the possibilities are endless! You can flavor it & top it with just about anything you like. :) Thanks Angela for a great idea and a tasty lunch! :) Sean is going to be jealous- he said he wanted to try this!!

Hope everyone has a great Monday! :) Bye!

HI

Not much going on today...I am sitting down to make my meal planning and shopping list for the week and I uploaded a few pics from today and last night. So dinner last night was leftover stuff- I made a pita pizza and I did not have any mozzarella cheese so I use a mini babybel light. Worked great and melted so nicely! Also ate a side of steamed broccoli w/ fresh lemon juice.
For snack yesterday I had a small bit of yogurt remaining in this HUGE tub of FAGE 0% so I cut up a small mango and tossed it in- YUM! It was such a good snack and the mango was perfectly ripe!

Today I went over to visit with my Mom. We did a little shopping then went out to lunch-Chinese. We split sizzling rice soup and got some pot stickers. Then came back to my parents house and made some turkey meatloaf muffins for my Dad's lunches. They freeze nicely and make a great to go meal. Oh and my Dad loves them! :) Speaking of my Dad, he has lost a few pounds and I am so proud of him! I am not sure of his "official" numbers- but I think he is down about 30 pounds! My Mom told me that he put on a sports coat the other day and it was HUGE on him. :) WTG DAD! XOXO (See ya Tuesday!!)



Meatloaf Muffins
Makes 12 muffins

1 package lean ground turkey
1 box Stove Top stuffing mix
1 cup water
2 egg whites
1 medium onion, diced
1 medium green bell pepper, diced
1 cup grated zucchini

Mix together and divide into 12 muffin cups that have been sprayed with non-stick cooking spray. Bake at 350 degrees for 35-40 minutes.



***This is another version (the one I make for myself w/o the stuffing mix)
1.25 pounds lean ground turkey
1 red bell pepper-diced
1 yellow onion-diced
handful of mushrooms-chopped up
1 egg white
1 cup shredded carrots
salt, pepper
shake or two of onion and garlic powder
a few splashes of worcestershire sauce

Mix throughly and make 12 meatballs. Add them to a cupcake pan and bake at 350 degrees for 40 minutes
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For dinner we had turkey taco salads-brought my own baked chips (2 for 1 WW point Mission extra thin corn tortillas)

Dessert was a mixed fruit bowl- YUM!

Sitting down now to have some tea and add to my shopping list. I hope everyone is having a great weekend! :) Today was 78 degrees and tomorrow is supposed to be a lil warmer even! Then we get a couple of RAIN days BOO! :( Oh well....I plan on enjoying the sunshine while we have it! :)

BYE!

SUNSHINE!

I am enjoying the weather we are having right now! :) The laundry I am doing, not so much! lol Yesterday I hit a couple of stores and I came home with my back hurting.:( We went to dinner at Sean's parents house- forgot to snap pics!!! Booo! :( I need someone to remind me! lol

My breakfast yesterday and today was baked oatmeal w/a teaspoon of reduced fat peanut butter. Plus a side of fruit. Yes I have allowed a small container of peanut butter into my home again. Since Bell Plantation had a mishap with the making of the recent batch of PB2 I am without. I have been out of my powdered peanut butte,r that does not cause me to hear it calling to me from the pantry, now for a few months. lol They have no date yet when they expect the new batch to be finished, so I had to give into the reduced fat version. As long as I behave myself all is well! :)

Lunch yesterday was a chicken sandwich plus a lettuce-less salad w/ broccoli slaw, carrots, garbanzo beans, pineapple, sliced almonds and the last few drops of Trader Joe's Sesame Soy Ginger Vinaigrette. I need to add that to my shopping list!!

Came home from the pool today EXTRA HUNGRY! Guess that means I worked out hard! :) I ate a BIG salad with the last of the chicken that I grilled on Monday. That was a good idea that lasted ALL WEEK! :) I forgot a picture of lunch today- I was so hungry I dug in without remembering!

Laundry still going...and I feel like I need to run outside in the sun! Being inside on a nice day makes me feel like I am in prison! lol I have to go to the dry cleaners- maybe I will walk over- no one will make fun of me with my hands loaded up with a dozen mens dress shirts will they? Have a great weekend everyone! :)

BYE!

Wednesday Stuff :)

Happy Hump Day Everyone! :) I had a great workout at the pool this morning! I am feeling the burn right about now! lol I did some arm exercises while I was there too. I know I have commented on other blog posts about body parts I love or hate about myself and my arms have always been on that HATE list. I have never worn a tank top and or a sleeveless top. When I wore a XXL top and if it was not a tee shirt- the arms would not fit. Many times I had to have shirts tailored, or preform an at home job by cutting a V under the arm to make things larger. These days I have not had a problem with the shirts but I still dislike what I see. Flabby WHITE wings. lol I do not tan so don't get me started on adding some color would make ya look better. lol So I am attempting to get some toning by resistance exercises in the water. I do have weights at home, but some days I can not carry a purse or a bag of groceries- so the pool it is! :) I am determined to TRY....just like I have been doing my whole journey! :) Do you have a body part that you are unhappy with?

I had another chicken sandwich today for lunch- it was so good! I loved making those chicken breasts on Monday and using them all week. EASY! A little planning goes a long way! :) Dinner tonight was my FAKE CHINESE NIGHT. I love having this and it's an easy meal that satisfies my cravings for take out food! :)


TJ's Fake "Fried" Rice

2 cups cooked brown rice
1/2 cup egg beaters
green onion-diced
1 1/2 cups frozen mixed veggies-defrosted
splash (or two) of soy sauce
1 clove of garlic-pressed
2 teaspoons olive oil
splash (or two) rice vinegar

In a large skillet or wok add oil, garlic-toss in rice and stir to mix & coat rice with oil/garlic. Add veggies and cook until heated through. Make a hole in middle of pan; add egg beaters and scramble until cooked. Stir entire pan, mixing egg into rice. Add soy sauce, rice vinegar, and green onion. :)
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We had rain today but tomorrow, the rest of the week, and the weekend look like clear skies! I feel like the clouds effected my mood the past few days and I can't wait to get out there to enjoy the SUN! Ever feel that way? I guess moving to Seattle would be hard for me huh? lol

Hope everyone had a GREAT day!
BYE! :)

NEW LOW!

Wow...I keep looking at my Weight Watchers weigh-in book: 161.4lbs. *blink blink* Down .8 this week for a grand total of 70.6 pounds GONE! This is the lowest weight I have ever been as an adult. :) I am one happy camper over here! Whoohoooo!

Ok so when I got home I ran to my chart that I keep on the fridge- This has been there for MONTHS! I've been stuck, but I am finally movin in the right direction! Took out my red sharpie and crossed off 162! :)

Another Fage 0%, granola, banana bowl for breakfast today. I decided on a chicken sandwich for lunch today. Used some fresh basil & a tablespoon of light mayo, delicious! Side of veggies, and some baked tortilla chips (2 for 1pt Mission brand)

I already made dinner but did not add it to my roll or show you the final plate. I thought I would share anyway! I grew up eating this meal. I prefer it directly out of the fridge-cold! I also think it tastes better the next day.

Peppers & Eggs

2 1/2 cups egg beaters
2 bell peppers (any color) sliced
1 cup yellow onion, sliced
2 teaspoons canola oil
salt & pepper to taste

In a medium sauté pan add canola oil, onions, and peppers. Cook on medium heat until tender- about 10 min. Add egg beaters to pan- raise heat slightly- Season with salt & pepper. Cook until eggs are finished. Serve with crusty bread, toast. english muffin, tortillas- whatever you like! :) Serves 4 (2 WW points)

To go along with dinner I'm just making a lil salad. Easy night- gotta love them! :)

Hey did anyone get the new Hungry Girl 1-2-3 cookbook yet? Anyone make anything yet? Let me know! I bought it (I have the other 2 as well) but I tend to find that the recipes have too many ingredients/highly processed foods/artificial sweetener- all which I do not like/and or use. Weird I know, but some of the things they call for I do not have at home already- and to buy a whole container of something to use 2 teaspoons I think is a lil crazy. But unless it's a good recipe!! So tell me if you have tried any thing out of any of the Hungry Girl cookbooks and loved it! I wanna know! :)

Hope everyone had a GREAT Tuesday! Im gonna go look at my weigh-in book again....lol

:) BYE!