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