Blog stuff

I just thought I would share that I have a blog for my personal life and all that it entails at:  Ever After . . . My Way

and I have my blogger diet blog at: The Pitter Patter of Losing Pounds.

Monday Weigh-in day

Well, I have decided that next week, I will change things up.  I will weigh in and have my Super High Points Day on Saturday.  That way I get to enjoy my weekend with a few extra points with Prince Charming home.

I weighed in today and I have to say I am a little disappointed.  I thought I would be in One-derland but I am not quite there.  Oh well, maybe next week. 

Food for Monday:

• 0 points--coffee
• 5 points--raisin biscuit
• 0 points--coffee
• 3 points--cookies
• 4 points--cod fillet
• 1 points--ww bread
• 1 points low fat margarine
• 2 points--timbits
• 9 points--spaghetti
• 8 points--pea soup
• 3 points--cookies
• 36 Points--Total for Monday

What do you think?

I am thinking of changing one thing.  As of the way my schedule is now, I Weigh In and have my Super High Points Day on Monday.  I am thinking that maybe it makes more sense to have it on Saturday or Sunday when Prince Charming is home and I am more likely want the extra points.  I am going to go ahead and have on Monday this week and pending some thought and your thoughts on it as well, I will make the change next week.

Food for today:

• 5 points--raisin biscuit
• 0 points--coffee
• 1 point--yogurt
• 3 points--cookies
• 0 points--coffee
• 4 points--cod and veggies
• 1 point--timbit
• 7 1/2 points--cheesecake
• 1 point--yogurt
• 1 1/2 point--cookie
• 24 points--total for Sunday

Saturday Pitfalls

Well it's saturday which is always a red button day for me, weekends feel like the time for treats and stuff, you know what I mean?  But having my Weigh-in on monday should be good motivation to try to stay on-plan.  We have company coming tonight which again is a dangerous situation for me diet wise but it is at my house so I will see what I can do.

I just had some cod given to me and I am not sure what WW recipes I have for it.  I will have to see what I can find. 

Food for Saturday:

• 2 points--bread
• 2 points--peanut butter
• 1 point--jelly
• 1 point--fat free/sugar free yogurt
• 0 points--coffee
• 1 1/2 points--cookie
• 2 points--granola bar
• 1 point--bread
• 1 point--cream cheese
• 1 point--tuna
• 0 points--coffee
• 1 point--yogurt
• 1 point--timbit
• 1 1/2 point--cookie
• 4 points--soup
• 5 points--biscuit
• 25 points--total for Saturday

Friday Fun

Today is Friday and Prince Charming has the day off.  I hope that I can do well even with his distracting presence.  today is a good day, with family time and relaxing.  have a great Weekend everyone! 

Food for Friday:

• 1 point--ww bread
• 2 point--peanut butter
• 1 point--jelly
• 0 points--water
• 0 points--coffee
• 2 points--granola bar
• 2 points--ww bread
• 1 1/2 points--tuna
• 1 point--low fat margarine
• 1/2 point--hummus
• 3 points--cookies
• 2 points--granola bars
• 3 points--chicken and tomatoes
• 3 points--cookies
• 6 points--snacks
• 28 points--total for Friday

Thursday Thirteen

Thursday: Thirteen Things I vow

1. I will not allow stress to affect my eating habits
2. I will not eat my little princess's leftovers (I am not a puppy to be eating tablescraps)
3. I will not allow money troubles to be my excuse to overeat.
4. I will eat all of my points
5. I will not eat more than my points
6. I will not obsess over the scales
7. I will not weigh myself fifteen times a day, this way lies obsession
8. I will not obsess over my food thinking about it all the time
9. I will get outside and get active
10. I will teach my little princess that food is fun and nothing to be scared of
11. I will teach my little princess to like vegetables
12. I will try to my food for Prince Charming and my little princess that is healthier, they deserve to be healthy too
13. I will be a healthier and happier me

Food for today:

• 2 points--egg white omelet
• 1 point--ww bread
• 1 point--low fat cream cheese
• 0 points-coffee
• 2 points--granola bar
• 2 points--tortilla
• 2 points--peanut butter
• 1 point--jelly
• 1 point--yogurt
• 1 1/2 points--cookie
• 6 points--eggwhite omelet
• 1 point--yogurt
• 1 point--ww bread
• 1 point--low fat cream cheese
• 1/2 point--hummus
• 1 point--yogurt
• 24 points--total for Thursday

Food Guilt

I read this great article, "1 Step Back, 2 Steps Forward" about food guilt when you are dieting.  I tend to do that a lot.  I beat myself up about eating over my points and stuff even if I didn't mean to.  This article really helped me deal with that.

I particular, I really enjoyed this part:

• In tennis, losing one point isn’t the end of the world. It happens to the best of them. In fact, if you simply consistently win a few more points that you lose, you may end up in the hall of fame. In weight loss, as long as you’re consistently out-stepping your steps back, you’re ahead of the game. If you expect perfection (and many of us do), you’re setting yourself up for disappointment and guilt.
  
  Guilt can be debilitating to weight loss. When you mess up (or even when things are messed up for you), it’s natural to feel guilty. At that point, you have a choice: to let that guilt plummet you into a cycle that could spit you out worse off than before, or to accept the step back and say "where do I go from here?"

Just because I made a mistake doesn't mean I lost the game.  I can still get right back up, jump back on the bandwagon and beat this thing!  Anyway, it was very motivating for me.

Food List for Wednesday:

• 2 point--Egg White Omelet
• 1 point--WW bread
• 1 point--low fat cream cheese
• 0 point--coffee
• 1 1/2 points--tuna
• 2 points--bread
• 1 point--low fat cream cheese
• 1 1/2 points--cookie
• 2 points--yogurt
• 7 1/2 points--lean beef and veggies
• 1 1/2 points--cookie
• 1 point--yogurt
• 2 points--krispy square
• 4 points--granola bar
• 28 points--Total for Wednesday

Weight Watchers Friendly Recipes

I thought I would list recipes and tips that I wanted to try.  If anyone has any WW tips or recipes they would like to share, I would love to hear them.

2pt Choc Muffins

3c. all bran
2c. water
2 tsp. baking powder
1 pkg. low fat brownie mix

Preheat oven to 350*
Spray w/non stick spray 12 muffin cups.
Mix all bran, water and baking powder, let sit 5 minutes.
Stir in brownie mix.
Bake 20-25 minutes.

The muffins are quite large and definitely satisfy my chocolate craving.
Each muffin is 2 pts

Delicious 4 point french toast

1 slice ww bread (28g)
2 tblsp egg beaters
2 tblsp 2% milk
cinnamon
splenda - 2 packets
1/2 pear - diced into 1/2 inch pieces
1 tblsp LF cream cheese

Mix the milk, egg beaters, 1 packet splenda and cinnamon in a small square container (ziploc type thing works great). Plop in the piece of bread and allow it to soak up all the egg mixture.

In a small saute pan put in pears, some water (??2 tblsp??), other packet of splenda and cinnamon. When it is simmering add the LF CC. Cook over med heat until the pears just start to soften and the sauce b/c's thick enough to coat the back of a spoon.

On a griddle or large flat bottom pan (hit with just a second of cooking spray if it's not nonstick) over med heat cook the bread for 1-2 minutes on each side until the egg is almost completely set and the toast is golden brown.

Put toast on plate and cover with pear sauce. (I added some strawberries to this as well and it was fantastic!! I'm sure blueberries, raspberries could also be added and it would be terrific.)

202 cal, 4 fiber, 3.5 fat

modification - instead of cinnamon, use ground cardamom and add a couple of drops of either vanilla or orange extract to the egg mix.

Delicous 1 point biscuit

This recipe is fabulous, they may not look pretty but they sure are good and hit the spot in the morning with some egg whites. Enjoy!


Makes 2 biscuits

Ingredients:

6 tbsp self-rising flour
3 tbsp skim milk
1 1/2 tsp non-fat plain yogurt

Set oven at 425 degrees. Mix ingredients together, spray pan with nonstick spray and drop biscuits onto it. This recipe makes 2 biscuits. My leader suggested spraying the tops with non-stick butter flavored spray but with or without they are excellent. I like to put a cup of strawberries over them. Bake for 10-13 minutes.

SERVING SIZE: 1 biscuit

Mushroon Soup

Take 1 can of cream of mushroom soup. The regular fat kind is ok. check points but it is usually 4 or 5 points for the whole can WITHOUT milk. Use water. Add 16oz of fresh sliced mushrooms (FREE). Add a little garlic salt and pepper to taste as well as some chopped onions. The less water you add the thicker the soup is. More like a stew. It becomes a large volume with the mushrooms and onions. Cook until mushrooms are soft. Then the whole pot is only 4 or 5 points depending on the points of the cream of mushroom soup. Very filling supper!!

Guilt Free Guacamole - 0 points (really!)

24 asparagus spears, trimmed and halved (I buy frozen that's already trimmed)
1/2 cup salsa
1 tablespoon cilantro
2 garlic cloves
4 scallions, thinly sliced

Cook the asparagus until it's tender-crisp (I use the microwave, or you could use the stove, boiling for about five minutes). Drain and rinse with cold water.

Puree the asparagus in blender or food processor, adding salsa, cilantro and garlic. Add scallions. Pulse several times 'til chunky-smooth.

Transfer to serving bowl. Refrigerate, covered, for at least an hour or 'til chilled.

Spinach Rollups

1 10 oz pkg frozen chopped spinach ... thawed and well drained (0 pts)
1 cup lite mayo (est. 11 pts)
1 8 oz container lite sour cream (est. 8 pts)
1 bunch of green onions, chopped (0 pts)
1 envelope ranch dressing mix (0 pts)
1 3 oz jar bacon bits (3 pts)
9 (10 inch) fat free tortillas (18 pts)

stir together first 6 ingredients, spread evenly on tortillas. Roll (like a jelly roll), press edges to seal. wrap in plastic wrap. Chill 4-6 hours then cut into 1/2 slices.

yield's 6 dozen (72 servings)
total points: 40
points per slice: .6 pts per serving

Cola Chicken

Ingredients:

4 skinless boneless chicken breasts
1 cup catsup
12 oz can diet cola

Put chicken in non-stick skillet. Pour catsup and diet cola over the top. Bring to boil. Cover, reduce heat and cook for 45 minutes. Uncover, turn up the heat and continue to cook until the sauce becomes thick and adheres to the chicken. It turns into the most incredible BBQ sauce and it's only 4 points per serving. Yummm!

Chicken Lo Mein - 3 Points

Amount Measure Ingredient -- Preparation Method
-------- ------------ --------------------------------
1 cup green onions -- thinly sliced
1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
8 ounces boneless & skinless chicken breast -- cut in thin strips
1 1/2 cups mushrooms -- thinly sliced
2 cups bean sprouts
2 teaspoons oyster sauce
1 can bamboo shoots, Geisha -- drained
1 can waterchestnuts, China Boy -- drained and sliced
1 can baby sweet corn, Sun Luck -- drained
2 tablespoons soy sauce, low sodium
5 ounces uncooked vermicelli, Creamette

1. In large non-stick skillet sprayed with cooking spray; add green onions and ginger root. Saute 1 minute.

2. Add chicken and saute for 2 minutes; add mushrooms, bean sprouts, bamboo shoots and waterchestnuts and cook until vegetables are tender, about 3-5 minutes.

3. Stir in oyster sauce and soy sauce.

4. Cook vermicelli. Add vermicelli and stir to combine. Cook until heated through, about 1 minute.

Calories: 216.2
Fat grams: 1.3
Fiber grams: 5.8

W/W Points: 3

Saucy Chicken

My friend sent this receipe along to me and said that she and her hubby really enjoy this. I'm making it later in the week.

Saucy Chicken

4 servings, each 4 points

4 (4 oz) skinless, boneless chicken breasts
2 Cups chicken broth, divided 3
4 scallions chopped
1 (16 oz) can stewed tomatoes
2 cloves garlic, minced
1/4 cup flour mixed with dash and a little salt &
pepper

Put 1/2 cup of broth in wide bowl; put flour mixture on plate. Dip each chicken breast in broth and then flour both sides. Spray skillet with nonstick cooking spray. Cook chicken over med. heat until done (use broth or water to keep from burning/sticking). Remove from skillet. Add remaining flour to skillet and stir constantly until browned. Stir in 1/4 cup of broth. Cook until thickened. Slowly add the rest of the broth and cook until slightly thickened. Add tomatoes and scallions and garlic. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat and add chicken and simmer until cooked through, about 10 minutes.

Herbed Dijon Chicken Strips

Amount Measure Ingredient -- Preparation Method
-------- ------------ --------------------------------
1/4 cup fine dry breadcrumbs
2 tablespoons Kraft Fat-Free Cheese Topping
1/2 teaspoon Italian Seasoning
16 ounces boneless & skinless chicken breast
1 1/2 teaspoons dijon mustard
cooking spray

1. Combine first 3 ingredients in a large heavy-duty, zip-top plastic bag; set aside.

2. Brush chicken breast halves evenly with mustard; cut each breast into 3 strips.

3. Add chicken to breadcrumb mixture. S eal bag; shake until chicken is coated.

4. Place chicken strips on rack of a broiler pan coated with cooking spray. Bake at 400 degrees F for 20 minutes or until done.

Calories: 163.4
Fat grams: 2.0
Fiber grams: 0.3

W/W Points: 3

Tuesday's Thoughts

I feel really positive today.  It is a brand new day, i got to sleep in and I feel really energized, ready to kick this diet plan into full swing!

Food for Tuesday:

• 2 points--egg white omelet
• 1 point--ww bread
• 1 point--low fat cream cheese
• 1 1/2 points--cookie
• 2 points--tortilla
• 1 point--hummus
• 1 point--low fat cream cheese
• 1 point--fat free/sugar free yogurt
• 3 points--chicken breast and tomatoes.
• 2 point--low fat cheese
• 2 points--granola bar
• 2 points--rice crispy square
• 1 point--yogurt
• 4 1/2 points--cookies
• 25 points--total for Tuesday

Well I did it.

I had my first Super High Day in the wendi plan.  It was nice to have the treat but I have to confess it was a little nerve racking to convince myself that I am not going off my plan by doing this.  That being said, I did try to use most of the points in healthy ways.  I am trying to be a healthier me after all.  Now if I could only leave my little princess's french fries alone when she doesn't want them at McD's I would have it made.