Friday Food Find- Mrs. Dash

Today is more of a Friday Flavor Find instead of a food find. As many over-weight people often do, I've been treated for high blood pressure on and off over the years. At the age of 30, that is scary! It seems it runs in the family a little. With my last trip to the grocery store, I decided to get as much low sodium, no salt added stuff as possible. My mom had mentioned once before about Mrs. Dash seasonings. I remembered that from when I was little. Back then there was only one! Now, according to their website, Mrs. Dash has 14 salt free seasoning blends and 6 salt free marinades! So I got a couple to try.

Earlier this week I went way over normal for breakfast points, so had to think light for lunch. I did this Red Pepper Egg-In-A-Whole from skinnytaste.com. I skipped the bread. Then I decided to saute some garlic, onion, mushrooms and halved cherry tomatoes to go with it. I used 1 tsp of olive oil (1 point). When they were just about done, I remembered I had this Tomato Basil Garlic Mrs. Dash in the cupboard! I sprinkled some on, added 1/2 oz of Fat Free Tomato Basil Feta Cheese (0 points) and gave it a quick stir to heat the cheese through. It was delicious!!! With a handful of grapes on the side, it was a wonderful lunch, for only 3 points! I will be trying some of the other salt free seasoning blends from Mrs. Dash for sure! (in fact, we are using the steak seasoning in tonight's sloppy joes recipe, also from the Skinny Taste website!)

~Rebecca

New Years Resolution

What is your New Years Resolution?  How many times has it been "I will loose weight"???  I think that was mine almost yearly for awhile!  Is that really a realistic resolution?  I don't think so.  I think a Resolution should be more specific, or set numerous small resolutions.  Set a Resolution you know is attainable.  That is one of the things I loved about Weight Watchers, they help you set small goals that are attainable.  Reaching my 10% did not take all that long, and I felt like that was a huge victory.  After that, I knew I could loose the rest! 

So, my health and fitness related resolutions this year are:

• Continue to run and start doing some races.  I know that is attainable!  To reach that I have set  a goal to trave to Spokane and run Bloomsday in May.
• Work to include strength training into my work out.  To reach that I have slowly started had a small arm weight workout to my schedule after my runs.
• Continue to attend WW Meeting more than just once a month.  To raech that I have told my husband it is a must that I get up at 6:15 am on Saturday!

Yes, I have other resolutions that are not health and fitness related.  I would like to lead a more relaxed life.  I would like to have more patience with my daughter.  I would like to read more.  I think some of those are attainable, but I need to figure out how to get there!

What is your New Years Resolution?  How will you reach it? 

I want to wish you all a Happy New Year and I hope 2011 brings you peace, joy, and happiness. 

~Marsha

Monday Madness

I know, I know, Monday is almost over.  Here I sit, just showered after a good workout on the elliptical and trying to get this in before Monday is officially over!  I think I procrastinated about this post today because 1) I wasn't quite sure what to write and 2) I had a crappy bad weekend.  No, Christmas was great, but a bit too great! 

I indulged, but maybe a bit too much.  I tried very hard to stop myself, and I did have to remind myself to walk away from the kitchen a couple of times, but I was trying to help in the kitchen, and that is where my mom had all the snacks.  I did gravitate to the veggies as much as possible, but that gourmet cheese and meat tray was just too good!  I woke up each morning ready to push the re-set button, especially today!  This is definitely a Monday that I originally was referring to when I started my Monday madness posts.

On the bright side, I did run.  I ran 3 miles on Friday and 4 on Sunday.  I did try to drink lots of water and eat as much fruits and veggies as I could.  I did work to keep my servings small and pick and choose what I ate. 

And, with the holiday, I did not have a weigh in this weekend to kick my butt in high gear.  According to my scale at home, I wasn't all that bad.  But, I am feeling it.

This is reality.  This is what it is all about.  Knowing that life is hard and all kinds of good food will be thrown your way every direction you go.  The thing my leader always says is "you won't gain back all you lost in one day".  That is so true.  I know I won't gain 40lbs back because I ate too much yummy meat and cheese or brownies and peppermint ice cream!! 

There it is, I am real and I feel off plan for about 5 days! Now, I get myself back on and keep on movin and livin to  be healthy!

Enjoy a Good Cocktail!!!

What, enjoy a cocktail while also losing weight?  YES, it is possible!!  There are a lot of reasonable cocktails out there that will not take up your entire day or week of points.  Some of my favorites involved using Crystal Light or just sipping a shot.  Okay, yes, I enjoy a nice cocktail every once in awhile.  I usually choose to sip on a small glass of wine, which is now 4ppts for 4oz.  

Because I know the Holidays can bring with them choices about not only food, but also cocktails, I decided to share some resources and ideas here with you.

1. The wine choice, as I said above, is red.  It takes longer to sip and you are less likely to go back for another.  
2. Use fresh juices, tonic, Diet Soda, Crystal Light, coffee, or tea as a mixer.  You use less points that way.
3. Avoid the flavored vodkas, etc.  I tend to stick with Vodka and Rum.  I will splurge on the occasional Bailey's or Kahlua.     
4. Stay away from the frozen and pre-mixed mixes you find in the grocery store.  Make your own instead.

Weight Watchers put out this great resources: WW Cocktail Cheat Sheet 

I have Hungry Girl's first cookbook, and it has some great cocktail recipes in it.  A couple of my favorites are:

Kickin' Cranberry Cosmo
Ingredients:
5 ounces Diet Ocean Spray Cranberry Spray juice Drink
1 1/2 ounces vodka
1 teaspoon lime juice
5-8 ice cubes
Optional: splash of diet lemon-lime soda, lime wedge

Directions:
Combine the first three ingredients with the ice in a shaker.  Shake! Strain into glass.  Top with the splash of soda and garnish with the lime wedge. 

This is 1 serving.

Slammin' Slimmed-down Strawberry Daiquiri
Ingredients:
1 1/2 ounces rum
1 packet sugar-free powdered drink mix (any strawberry blend)
3 frozen strawberries
1 tablespoon lime juice
5-8 ice cubes OR 1 cup crushed ice

Directions:
Dissolve drink mix into 4 ounces of water and sir thoroughly. 

In a blender combine drink mixture with all the other ingredients.  Blend to desired consistency.

ENJOY!

I hope you can enjoy some fun holiday cocktails while still keeping with your weight loss plan!! 

~Marsha

Indulge!!

That is my motto! Always has been and always will be! 

Obviously I used to indulge way too much, and that is why I am where I am today.  Now, I still indulge, however, I limit myself, and I make sure I am balancing my indulgence with healthy options. 

Why am I blogging about indulgence you might ask.  Well, I indulged today in a heavenly Gingerbread Milkshake at Red Robin.  It was AWESOME!!  I did the elliptical for 30 minutes before that, so I felt like I deserved it.  I shared a bit with my daughter and I did not finish it.  I also only ate half of my sandwich, so I made sure I did not over do it. 

Please, if you are working to lose weight, let yourself indulge once in awhile.  Enjoy the sweets during the holidays, just keep it under control and do not eat too much.  I find if I deprive myself, I am more likely to over indulge! 

~Marsha

Monday Madness

What a weekend!! 

Remember my goal from last Monday, to do better not snacking when I was home with my daughter.  I think I did a pretty VERY good job!

I started the weekend out with a great weigh in on Saturday morning.  The best part of it, my guest blogger and favorite sister reached 30lbs.  That is 30lbs off her body! She is looking great and feeling great.  I am so proud of her!!

The weekend only got better when I fixed what turned out to be a great dish for a family brunch on Sunday.  The recipe came from here: Lightened-up Creme Brulee French Toast

The recipe just sounded so good!  I had been thinking about cooking a breakfast bread pudding in the crockpot that I found on the Weight Watchers website.  But when I saw this French Toast it just seemed perfect.  The brunch was about 45 minutes away and we would be arriving about 40-50 minutes before eating.  Stoves would be full and this recipe did not seem feasible.  The crockpot idea seemed easier.  My awesome and amazing mother talked me through how to do this recipe in the crockpot!  Here are the things I changed, keep in mind I did 1.5 x what the recipe called for:

• I skipped the brown sugar and water part. 
• I used French Bread, broke each piece into quarters and did about 3-4 layers.
• Did all the eggs, etc. the way it called for.  I skipped the rum due to kids being present.  I would love to try it with rum sometime!
• I cooked it on low for 3ish hours.  It was probably about 3.5 total.  There was a break in the action during the transport.  The edges were crispy before the transport, the transport caused them to get more moist.  I had read on the bread pudding recipe to make sure you cook it on low so you didn't scorch the bread.  
• I put a little brown sugar on the top right near the end of the cooking.  
• Rather than putting the cinnamon and powdered sugar on it, I put it on the side, along with syrup, for people to fix it up themselves.

It got rave reviews!! I must say, I was very proud of myself!!  I was a bit concerned about how it would cook with the layers.  My mother was definitely my hero in helping me figure this out! 

My weekend ended with a nice 2.5 mile run in the cold and dark, but it was much needed after a busy weekend! 

Friday Food Find--Lunch with a Crunch

Everyone has that food they crave. The one that helped get them to where they are today. Mine is crunchy stuff! I sometimes can get away with carrots for the crunchy fix, but not always. Before the roll out of PointsPlus, I did lots of baked lays. For only 2 points for 1 oz, I couldn't beat that. I would eat them as a snack or with my lunch. With PointsPlus, they are 3 points. One point more isn't bad, but I just didn't feel like I got enough "crunch" to make that 1 point worth it. So, I went on the search to find something with lots of flavor and quantity for the points! Here is what I found.

These are Genisoy Soy Crisps. I have tried the Creamy Ranch, and the Cheddar flavors. You get 17 of them for 3 points! For snack, you could pair them with a "free" fruit or some veggies. They are great for snacking in the car too, just remember to count out your 17 crisps and leave the rest at home!

This week I had them with a wrap, apple and milk for a lunch of just 10 points. (only 7 without the milk)

I have been trying to come up with some lunch alternatives since the "sandwich thins" that used to be 1 point are now 3! I found that I can do most things in a wrap form, and save 1 point. I use the LaFactoria high fiber, low carb tortilla's. They don't have the most flavor, but I almost always use hummus on my wraps so the lack of flavor in the tortilla isn't a huge issue.

The wrap pictured is 4 points.

• LaFactoria tortilla-2 points
• 2 Tbsp of Tribe All Natural Hummus- 1 point
• 1 serving (six slices) Oscar Mayer Deli Fresh Mesquite Turkey Breast- 1 point
• 2 Tbsp shredded Fat Free cheddar cheese- 0 points
• sliced orange and yellow sweet bell peppers- 0 points

The milk is 3 points. On the old points plan, 1% was the same point value as non-fat. Now, the 1% is 3 points and the non-fat is still 2 points. I guess it's time to switch so I can save another point!

~Rebecca

The Biggest Loser and Pound for Pound Challenge

Did you watch the finale last night?  I watched the second half of it.  I usually watch the show off and on during the season and try to watch the finale.  I always get so choked up and usually cry during it.  It is emotional.  While I never weighed what most of the contestants weighed I can related to the journey and the feeling of accomplishment at the end.  I can also related to the fear many of them are probably feelings to keep the weight off.  The pressure that comes with doing it in front of America is probably huge.  I cannot imagine.  I feel enough pressure having done it within a structure like Weight Watchers, I have fellow meetings goes, family, and friends that I would so embarassed if they saw me put on the weight again.

At the beginning of this show I must say I was skeptical of the contestants loosing so much weight so fast.  Since I actually started watching it I have been impressed with the information they provide them and the education they also receive on how to sustain the healthy lifestyle in the "real world".  It is also touching the importance Jillian and Bob put on the emotions behind why the contestants are where they are. 

Last night they announced they are again doing the Pound for Pound Challenge. I would encourage you to check out the link and if you are ready to loose some pounds, why not make a pledge and help feed the hungry and those in need in your area! 

~Marsha

Weekly Mileage Summary

One of the things I have found cool about Daily Mile is they email me a summary of my week every Monday.  The new week starts on Monday. 

Last Week I:

• Put in 12:02 Miles
• Spent 2 hours and 18 minutes working out
• Burnt 1505 Calories
• And did 6 workouts

Now, that is a good week!  The week before I did more mileage.  Seems when I use the bike I tend to get more miles!  I recently set a goal for myself to do 11 miles or more a week.  I hope for 2011 to set a yearly goal.  And, through all of this, my back is feeling great good. 

Monday Madness

Since my first Monday Madness column my weekends have changed drastically.  I am now alone with my daughter all weekend while my husband works.  This has been both good and bad on my eating habits. 

First, the good!  I am trying to keep her busy and planning a lot of outings.  With all the holiday activities this time of year, that is not hard.  The good thing is the more we are out of the house and doing fun activities, the less I am home eating.

The Bad. You guessed it, when we are home and not doing fun activities, I am eating too much.  I am grazing a lot.  I am working very hard at still writing down all of my snacks.  Nibble it, Scribble it, right??!!!  I need to have some pre-cut fruit or some kind of healthy snack to reach for.  I mostly have only healthy food choice in the house.  But, one servings turns into to two or three servings. 

My goal for next weekend it to limit my snacking while home with my daughter.

A Great Family Dinner Recipe

I am always looking for great dinner recipes my family will enjoy.  My husband and daughter both have very different eating styles from me.  This recipe was printed in the Weight Watchers Weekly, which is handed out at each meeting.  The recipe was from January 2010 and I tried it at that time and it was a winner.  I made it for dinner again tonight, and again, A WINNER!!  It is 6 PointsPlus points.  That is great for a dinner, and a very filling dinner too!

OLD FASHIONED CHICKEN POT PIE

Ingredients

2 serving(s) butter-flavour cooking spray
1 tsp butter
1 small onion(s), chopped
2 cup(s) mushroom(s), sliced
1/4 tsp paprika
1/4 tsp dried thyme, crushed
1/2 tsp table salt, or more to taste
1/4 tsp black pepper
2 cup(s) frozen mixed vegetables
1 cup(s) canned chicken broth
3 cup(s) (chopped) roasted chicken breast, chopped
2 Tbsp all-purpose flour
1/2 cup(s) fat-free evaporated milk, divided
4 roll(s) reduced-fat crescent roll dough, unrolled

Instructions
Preheat oven to 375ºF. Coat a 10-inch round shallow baking dish with cooking spray.

Coat a large pot with cooking spray. Add butter and melt over medium heat. Add onion and mushrooms and cook, until tender, stirring frequently, about 5 minutes. Stir in paprika, thyme, salt and pepper. Add vegetables, broth and chicken. Cover and simmer 15 minutes.

In a small cup, combine flour and 1/4 cup of evaporated milk; stir into chicken mixture. Cook over medium heat until thickened, stirring constantly, about 2 minutes. Stir in remaining 1/4 cup of evaporated milk and cook until mixture is slightly thickened, about 2 to 3 minutes more.

Spoon chicken mixture into prepared baking dish. Unroll crescent rolls and arrange dough around inside edge of baking dish to form a border (there will be a hole in the middle). Bake until rolls are golden brown and filling is bubbly, about 15 minutes. Cut into 6 pieces and serve.

Notes:
Make this recipe to your family's taste with different frozen vegetable blends such as an Asian mix or bell pepper and onion strips.

~Marsha

My Current Exercise Plan

I think I have finally found my exercise plan.  I am logging my workouts at Daily Mile, here is my profile: http://www.dailymile.com/people/marshalmoore#ref=tophd

I purchased a month long card for our City fitness center.  Last week I got there twice, and I hope to make it three times this week.  I am hoping to add an outdoor run on Saturday or Sunday.  I have enjoyed doing a 20 minute warm up on the stationary bike before I hit the treadmill for a shorter run.  I am slowly trying to increase my pace on the run and my length.  Last night I did 1 min of a quicker pace, and two minutes of a bit slower, I did this for 20 minutes. 

I am starting to get a bit bored, so might throw in some elliptical too.  I need to get myself some kind of music listening device.  The City is building a new Rec Center, so their make shift fitness room has no music.  I am one that needs TV or music or something.  I will need to shop for that next! 

I set a goal for myself of 11 miles a week.  Last week I clocked 16 miles.  The bike sure allows you to cover more mileage in a shorter period of time! 

My plan for next week is to add some upper body work into my exercise routine. 

~Marsha

Monday Madness

Well, there is a new kind of Madness to this particular Monday.  It is called Points Plus!  The new Weight Watchers program has sure kept me on my toes!  I am loving it! I have to learn the values to all of my favorite foods again, but it is forcing me to write it all down and calculate the points. 

On Saturday night we went out to dinner and I ordered a flatbread Chicken and Pesto Pizza.  It was awesome, and I did NOT eat it all!!  I was so proud.  After I looked up the nutritional value and figured out the Points Plus, I was sure glad I didn't eat it all!!  I had the rest for lunch today. 

I feel like I had a successful weekend.  Did not get exercise in, but got a lot of walking in, and ran to the from the car to unload the groceries!

~Marsha

Green Giant - Just For One

These things are awesome!!  I had a coupon from a recent Weight Watchers Weekly, so decided to try them.  Last night I made mini meatloafs for dinner.  My daughter and I each had a mini loaf and one serving of the Peas and Corn with Basil Butter Sauce.  It was DELICIOUS!!!  And, she loved it too!  The WW points on the packaging has not yet been updated.  When I figured it out on my calculator I got 2 Points Plus.  What a perfect side!!  And, it was a huge serving!

According to their website they also have:

Broccoli & Cheese Sauce 17 oz. 4 pk

Niblets® Corn & Butter Sauce 17 oz. 4 pk

Broccoli, Carrots & Italian Seasoning 14 oz. 4 pk
Corn & Peas in Basil Butter Sauce 17 oz. 4 pk
Cauliflower & Cheese Sauce 17 oz. 4 pk

I have also heard that the Broccoli and Cheese make a great topping for that Friday Food Finds Baked Potato.

December Weigh In

I weighed in at Goal for the month of December!!!  I was actually slightly under goal!

I hope to blog later today about my thoughts on the Points Plus Program.  I bought the points calculator, so can save money having to join e-tools again!  I might end up caving and getting the food companion.  I think the Pocket Book will be enough.

Friday Food Finds

My sister, Rebecca, is attending an awesome leadership training today and is not able to post. 

I thought I would share an awesome list of slow cooker recipes I came across recently.  The document can be downloaded from Leading the Weigh.  There are some great recipes here.  They do have the old WW points on them.  Even if you don't care about WW, they are healthy and tasty!

Making Good Choices

Do you always make good choices about what you eat?  Do you regret bad choices?  Do you celebrate good choices? 

I think I can honestly answer YES to the last two questions, but I am afraid I cannot answer yes to the first question.  I mean, let's be realistic, who out there really ALWAYS makes good choices about what they eat. 

I have an example from this week of good choices and one of bad choices.  Except, not in that order! I would say the bad choice caused and somewhat forced the good choice! BUT, I still felt good about the good choice, and yes, I enjoyed the food involved in the bad choice!

Wednesday, after an all day workshop for work I got a great workout in after my husband got home.  I did 20 minutes on the bike (5.5 mi) and 15 minutes on the treadmill (1.2 mi).  I felt great, and figured there was no problem eating four pieces of a small Alfy's Pizza.  Yes, it was at least a small pizza, not a large!  My mistake, not listening to myself.  After two pieces I started feeling somewhat full, and probably should have wrapped up the other two pieces of another time.  I talked myself into eating that third piece.  I was really feeling full at that point.  I sat there for awhile contemplating that fourth piece.  My stomach was telling me I had had enough, but it just looked so good and seemed to be calling out my name (yes, my food talks to me!!).  What do you think I did?  What would you have done?  Of course I ate it, all of it.  The next morning I was kicking myself.

Thursday, I kind of had to make some better choices.  I had put together a dinner for a function at work and ordered these awesome pasta combinations, spaghetti and meatballs, penne and chicken carbonara, and pesto and tortellini.  Thursday morning I made the decision to pack my lunch and dinner and not indulge in those amazing dishes.  I took left overs of the Turkey Sausage, Kale, and White Bean soup I had made for dinner Tuesday night.  I did allow myself a small taste of the tortelline and penne.  Like, one bite of each.  And I avoided the desserts that were calling my name. 

I went home Thursday so proud of myself.  I indulged one day and held back the second day.  No one said this was easy!