I've been a little nervous lately about my weight loss. With all the holiday stuff there's been a lot of eating out and I feel most comfortable when I'm sticking directly to the NS program. I still try to stick to my healthiest options but even with asking how the meal is prepared etc, I hate the loss of control because you never really know what you're eating and restaurants seem to have a way of sneaking butter and oil into everything! Note to self: Just because the menu says steamed veggies doesn't mean they are plain!
I have been making the best decisions I can though and I was delighted to see that I still lost 1.6lbs this week! I really want to buckle down and make this next week great since in 7 days I will be in sunny Florida awaiting my cruise ship! I am really looking forward to this trip- we're having a family vacation to celebrate my mom's marriage. I am definitely looking forward to it but I do expect my weight loss to be derailed during the trip. Celebrity ships are known for their cuisine and I have always enjoyed the fabulous meals onboard. We don't vacation very often so I've decided to allow myself to enjoy the trip foodwise. This has to be a lifestyle change, not just a diet, and I don't see myself maintaining a lifestyle where I really can't cut loose and have a few frozen drinks or maybe lobster in champagne sauce (Best.Meal.Ever!).
Hopefully the damage won't be too bad when I get back home and on the scale, and honestly, thinking about all the time it's going to take me to re-lose the weight I'll likely gain is going to make me think twice about whether I really do want something- is it worth it to spend another month or so where I could have been making progress just to get back to where I am now? When I think of it that way, it becomes a lot less appetizing (yes, bad pun intended!). So hopefully that will have me thinking if I really do want whatever it is that is tantalizing me! I also plan on having a healthy NS flex breakfast every morning. Breakfast is by far the easiest meal to eat healthy at, and it will give me a good foundation for the rest of the day at least.
I'm looking forward to getting out of the snow... 7 days and counting! And for the next week, I'll be treating every day like it's Day One.
Sunday, November 28, 2010
Saturday, November 27, 2010
Beef It Up!
I've never really been a big beef fan, with the exception of stuff like ground beef. Yeah, I know- the cheap crappy stuff. Don't serve me a steak because it's wasted on me, seriously.
So I guess it's not a surprise that many of the beefy entrees have been left for the end, but I did want to keep my promise to review everything, so here are my thoughts.
Beef & Noodles in Teriyaki Sauce (Dinner):
I think this was the reformulated version of the Canadian entree called Rice, Beef, and Vegetables in Teriyaki Sauce. I was expecting something similar albeit with noodles instead of rice, but I found this meal to be a little better. The sauce actually did have hints of sweetness unlike the rice entree, so I found it more enjoyable although honestly it's pretty far off from what I expect in a teriyaki sauce. I'd rather go to Koya Japan or one of those Japanese style fast food stands and order a half serving of brown rice and extra veggies with my teriyaki chicken meal. Their food is very healthy and as long as you watch the portions, it can be a great fast food meal. The NS entree wasn't bad, but there are other things I'd prefer to order.
Tender Beef with Vegetables (Dinner):
Sorry, this was so hot when I took the photo that it caught the steam rising! Unfortunately this entree has been discontinued because it's pretty yummy. It doesn't taste Asian although the name vaguely sounds like it will be, but the sauce is rich and hearty- rather like a stew (well, stew without potatoes). If you come across these, they're definitely worth trying!
Oriental Steak with Green Peppers and Noodles (Dinner):
I'm not really sure what made this meal "Oriental" but it was an acceptable entree. Again, it wasn't bad- just mediocre. There are shreds of beef and vegetables in a thin sauce. It looked very similar to the teriyaki meal but it did not have that sweet taste to the sauce. This entree would definitely be improved if it was poured over top of crisp Asian stir fry veggies.
I know I'm tough on Nutrisystem's Asian style entrees but good Asian food is one thing that I am used to (I've spent time in China and Thailand) and I just find them lacking. With a little doctoring up (lots of stir fry veggies and maybe some soy sauce) they're acceptable but I'd prefer to stick to the things that NS does really well, like the pizzas, the burger, and the pasta dishes.
So I guess it's not a surprise that many of the beefy entrees have been left for the end, but I did want to keep my promise to review everything, so here are my thoughts.
Beef & Noodles in Teriyaki Sauce (Dinner):
I think this was the reformulated version of the Canadian entree called Rice, Beef, and Vegetables in Teriyaki Sauce. I was expecting something similar albeit with noodles instead of rice, but I found this meal to be a little better. The sauce actually did have hints of sweetness unlike the rice entree, so I found it more enjoyable although honestly it's pretty far off from what I expect in a teriyaki sauce. I'd rather go to Koya Japan or one of those Japanese style fast food stands and order a half serving of brown rice and extra veggies with my teriyaki chicken meal. Their food is very healthy and as long as you watch the portions, it can be a great fast food meal. The NS entree wasn't bad, but there are other things I'd prefer to order.
Tender Beef with Vegetables (Dinner):
Sorry, this was so hot when I took the photo that it caught the steam rising! Unfortunately this entree has been discontinued because it's pretty yummy. It doesn't taste Asian although the name vaguely sounds like it will be, but the sauce is rich and hearty- rather like a stew (well, stew without potatoes). If you come across these, they're definitely worth trying!
Oriental Steak with Green Peppers and Noodles (Dinner):
I'm not really sure what made this meal "Oriental" but it was an acceptable entree. Again, it wasn't bad- just mediocre. There are shreds of beef and vegetables in a thin sauce. It looked very similar to the teriyaki meal but it did not have that sweet taste to the sauce. This entree would definitely be improved if it was poured over top of crisp Asian stir fry veggies.
I know I'm tough on Nutrisystem's Asian style entrees but good Asian food is one thing that I am used to (I've spent time in China and Thailand) and I just find them lacking. With a little doctoring up (lots of stir fry veggies and maybe some soy sauce) they're acceptable but I'd prefer to stick to the things that NS does really well, like the pizzas, the burger, and the pasta dishes.
Thursday, November 25, 2010
Happy Birthday to Me!
Today is my 28th birthday. I'm not really doing much to celebrate since my husband is out of town, but my mother and her husband are here for a visit. We went out to lunch at a restaurant where you make your own stirfry using fresh veggies and meat or seafood. It's really yummy and as long as you don't overload on the oils and sauces (or the rice and condiments) then it can be a very healthy way to enjoy a meal out.
I was going to make myself a special dessert but I'm a little tired so I decided just to have a Skinny Cow vanilla cone with caramel, which is a perfect imitation of a Nestle Drumstick but it's not bad for you. The Nutrisystem dieticians say that Skinny Cow products can occasionally be substituted for an NS dessert, which is great. They are a little low in protein so try to make high protein choices throughout the day if you do choose to make the substitute.
Here are some dessert reviews- I still have two left to post for you but I'll try to get to them soon.
Oatmeal Raisin Cookie (Dessert):
I am not sure how this never got reviewed because I've been eating it all along and it's a dessert I really enjoy. It's chewy and full of flavour. My only regret is that there's only one in the package. Definitely give it a try if you like soft cookies.
Chocolate Fudge Bar (Dessert):
This dessert was so yummy that I couldn't resist taking a bite before I took the picture because it smelled great. Try throwing it in the freezer before you eat it for a decadent treat.
BBQ Soy Chips (Dessert):
These are the sole remaining soy chips on the Nutrisystem menu, which makes me a little sad because I really liked the other two kinds and I am not a BBQ chip fan, personally. I gave these to my husband and he inhaled them. He said they were pretty good and since he's not a big fan of diet food, I guess that means they are OK. If you enjoy BBQ, try them for yourself. And Nutrisystem, if you're reading this, please bring back some other flavours of soy chips!
I was going to make myself a special dessert but I'm a little tired so I decided just to have a Skinny Cow vanilla cone with caramel, which is a perfect imitation of a Nestle Drumstick but it's not bad for you. The Nutrisystem dieticians say that Skinny Cow products can occasionally be substituted for an NS dessert, which is great. They are a little low in protein so try to make high protein choices throughout the day if you do choose to make the substitute.
Here are some dessert reviews- I still have two left to post for you but I'll try to get to them soon.
Oatmeal Raisin Cookie (Dessert):
I am not sure how this never got reviewed because I've been eating it all along and it's a dessert I really enjoy. It's chewy and full of flavour. My only regret is that there's only one in the package. Definitely give it a try if you like soft cookies.
Chocolate Fudge Bar (Dessert):
This dessert was so yummy that I couldn't resist taking a bite before I took the picture because it smelled great. Try throwing it in the freezer before you eat it for a decadent treat.
BBQ Soy Chips (Dessert):
These are the sole remaining soy chips on the Nutrisystem menu, which makes me a little sad because I really liked the other two kinds and I am not a BBQ chip fan, personally. I gave these to my husband and he inhaled them. He said they were pretty good and since he's not a big fan of diet food, I guess that means they are OK. If you enjoy BBQ, try them for yourself. And Nutrisystem, if you're reading this, please bring back some other flavours of soy chips!
Wednesday, November 24, 2010
Breakfast Time!
There are only a few more breakfast items for me to review so I thought I'd try to get them all at once. If you notice I am missing any breakfast entrees that aren't from the Select plan, please let me know!
Sweetened O's Cereal (Breakfast):
I was expecting this to be bad, but the first bite was definitely acceptable. I like the sweet taste. The aftertaste isn't as great but I think this cereal would also make an OK trail mix type snack with some dried fruit and nuts (use your fat serving and breakfast fruit). Just remember to add an additional 1/2 dairy serving to your day if you do choose to eat these dry. These are much better than the Whole Grain O's Cereal.
Scrambled Eggs with Peppers and Mushrooms (Breakfast):
Unfortunately I think this discontinued entree went bad. I knew it was expired but I figured powdered eggs must be like Twinkies and live forever, right? I was a little antsy when I saw the egg powder was more of an orangey brown but I figured I'd try to make it and see what happens. Well, it never came together like eggs are supposed to- it stayed like a powdery mush. I figured better safe than sorry and I threw it away. I was a little disappointed since I know the eggs were such a popular entree with many NS'ers but I guess they weren't popular enough to stay on the menu.
Scrambled Eggs with Cheddar Cheese (Breakfast):
When I saw the other egg entree was bad, I figured I'd give this one a try since I was in the mood for eggs. I was hoping it was still good and when I opened the container it looked normal so I made it. These were surprisingly good with a little black pepper. Sorry, I forgot to take the photo before I added my dairy/protein serving (fat free ham and a fat free Kraft single). If there were more of these around, I'd definitely eat them, but this is a fairly simple meal to flex. Also, if you're flexing breakfast you get a low GI carb serving (again, I'm not sure how these qualified as an entree with such a low carb count) so what I like to do is get a small whole wheat tortilla and cook up an egg or Egg Beaters and top with the ham and cheese to make a breakfast burrito. You could also use turkey sausage instead of ham if it fits the dairy/protein stats of 100 calories or less, 3g of fat or less, and 7g of protein or more (don't forget to count your cheese in that too!). I also sometimes add tomatoes or onions or whatever I'm in the mood for to make an omelette wrap.
I really think that breakfast is the easiest meal to eat healthfully at. You can make just about anything you enjoy and it will fit on the NS plan. Sometimes you have to work at it a little bit to find reasonable substitutes for really fatty ingredients but you can usually make it work.
I made my Pumpkin Cheesecake again tonight... I think this is going to become one of my favourite flex desserts. Last time I only took a photo of the top so today I wanted to show you what it looks like with the layers. I only make a single serving but you could definitely increase the recipe and do this in a traditional round cheesecake and serve it to company- it's high protein, low calorie, and absolutely delicious. No one has to know that it's nutritious!
Sweetened O's Cereal (Breakfast):
I was expecting this to be bad, but the first bite was definitely acceptable. I like the sweet taste. The aftertaste isn't as great but I think this cereal would also make an OK trail mix type snack with some dried fruit and nuts (use your fat serving and breakfast fruit). Just remember to add an additional 1/2 dairy serving to your day if you do choose to eat these dry. These are much better than the Whole Grain O's Cereal.
Scrambled Eggs with Peppers and Mushrooms (Breakfast):
Unfortunately I think this discontinued entree went bad. I knew it was expired but I figured powdered eggs must be like Twinkies and live forever, right? I was a little antsy when I saw the egg powder was more of an orangey brown but I figured I'd try to make it and see what happens. Well, it never came together like eggs are supposed to- it stayed like a powdery mush. I figured better safe than sorry and I threw it away. I was a little disappointed since I know the eggs were such a popular entree with many NS'ers but I guess they weren't popular enough to stay on the menu.
Scrambled Eggs with Cheddar Cheese (Breakfast):
When I saw the other egg entree was bad, I figured I'd give this one a try since I was in the mood for eggs. I was hoping it was still good and when I opened the container it looked normal so I made it. These were surprisingly good with a little black pepper. Sorry, I forgot to take the photo before I added my dairy/protein serving (fat free ham and a fat free Kraft single). If there were more of these around, I'd definitely eat them, but this is a fairly simple meal to flex. Also, if you're flexing breakfast you get a low GI carb serving (again, I'm not sure how these qualified as an entree with such a low carb count) so what I like to do is get a small whole wheat tortilla and cook up an egg or Egg Beaters and top with the ham and cheese to make a breakfast burrito. You could also use turkey sausage instead of ham if it fits the dairy/protein stats of 100 calories or less, 3g of fat or less, and 7g of protein or more (don't forget to count your cheese in that too!). I also sometimes add tomatoes or onions or whatever I'm in the mood for to make an omelette wrap.
I really think that breakfast is the easiest meal to eat healthfully at. You can make just about anything you enjoy and it will fit on the NS plan. Sometimes you have to work at it a little bit to find reasonable substitutes for really fatty ingredients but you can usually make it work.
I made my Pumpkin Cheesecake again tonight... I think this is going to become one of my favourite flex desserts. Last time I only took a photo of the top so today I wanted to show you what it looks like with the layers. I only make a single serving but you could definitely increase the recipe and do this in a traditional round cheesecake and serve it to company- it's high protein, low calorie, and absolutely delicious. No one has to know that it's nutritious!
Tuesday, November 23, 2010
New Reviews
I'm working my way down the list and hope to have all the current entrees reviewed by the time I leave for my vacation at the beginning of December. And hopefully no more entrees that I enjoy will be discontinued! Sadly, the White Cheddar Soy Chips and Turkey Tetrazzini are gone (and I don't have any more! *sigh*). Hopefully the new items will come out soon! I am especially hoping for some new lunches as I'd love to see a little more variety there- it tends to be the meal where I feel the most repetitive menu-wise.
Cheese Ravioli with Basil Tomato Sauce (Dinner):
The Cheese & Spinach Ravioli with Meat Sauce was one of the first entrees I had on the Nutrisystem plan, way back in February. I had a similar reaction to this one. It's delicious (although, like with the lasagna, I prefer the meaty version) and tasty, but I can't get past the psychological issues of eating only two raviolis for dinner. I would have felt much more satisfied with the same amount of food, but as mini raviolis (perhaps similar to the Cheese Tortellini). I only ordered this one to do this review and I'd rather stick to one of the other pasta dishes that I enjoy more. If you like a good pasta dish, you'll enjoy this one, as long as the portion size doesn't bother you.
Hearty Beef Stew (Dinner):
I must say, I kind of wonder why this is labelled a dinner instead of a lunch. It's only 150 calories which is considerably less than many lunches, and again, it feels like such a small portion! Why not serve it in a slightly larger bowl like the Chicken Tortilla Soup to bring up the calorie count a little? It's very tasty and looks just the way stew should look, but again, it just feels a little small and this is a dish that I think would be more difficult to bulk up unless you add broth which will water it down (and I really don't like soupy stew, personally). There are other entrees I enjoy much more, notably the Homestyle Beef with Mashed Potatoes and Gravy which also has a stew-like flavour except that the potatoes are mashed instead of chunked.
Almond Biscotti (Dessert):
All I can say about this one is... OH MY LORD why did I wait so long to try it??? Seriously. I kept reading comments where people said they were too hard to enjoy unless you dipped them in coffee, and since I prefer chewy cookies I left this one to the end of my list. I loved it! It smelled so good when I opened the package and it looks like it belongs on a plate from a fancy coffee shop. I immediately went and changed my auto delivery to get more of these!
Again- this explains why I say try everything for yourself- don't take my word or anyone else's as the definitive answer on Nutrisystem. We all have our own tastes and you might be surprised by some of the things you like and some you don't, so make sure you give everything a fair chance!
Cheese Ravioli with Basil Tomato Sauce (Dinner):
The Cheese & Spinach Ravioli with Meat Sauce was one of the first entrees I had on the Nutrisystem plan, way back in February. I had a similar reaction to this one. It's delicious (although, like with the lasagna, I prefer the meaty version) and tasty, but I can't get past the psychological issues of eating only two raviolis for dinner. I would have felt much more satisfied with the same amount of food, but as mini raviolis (perhaps similar to the Cheese Tortellini). I only ordered this one to do this review and I'd rather stick to one of the other pasta dishes that I enjoy more. If you like a good pasta dish, you'll enjoy this one, as long as the portion size doesn't bother you.
Hearty Beef Stew (Dinner):
I must say, I kind of wonder why this is labelled a dinner instead of a lunch. It's only 150 calories which is considerably less than many lunches, and again, it feels like such a small portion! Why not serve it in a slightly larger bowl like the Chicken Tortilla Soup to bring up the calorie count a little? It's very tasty and looks just the way stew should look, but again, it just feels a little small and this is a dish that I think would be more difficult to bulk up unless you add broth which will water it down (and I really don't like soupy stew, personally). There are other entrees I enjoy much more, notably the Homestyle Beef with Mashed Potatoes and Gravy which also has a stew-like flavour except that the potatoes are mashed instead of chunked.
Almond Biscotti (Dessert):
All I can say about this one is... OH MY LORD why did I wait so long to try it??? Seriously. I kept reading comments where people said they were too hard to enjoy unless you dipped them in coffee, and since I prefer chewy cookies I left this one to the end of my list. I loved it! It smelled so good when I opened the package and it looks like it belongs on a plate from a fancy coffee shop. I immediately went and changed my auto delivery to get more of these!
Again- this explains why I say try everything for yourself- don't take my word or anyone else's as the definitive answer on Nutrisystem. We all have our own tastes and you might be surprised by some of the things you like and some you don't, so make sure you give everything a fair chance!
Monday, November 22, 2010
Another Week Down
I remember when I was pregnant, I felt like I was measuring my life in weeks. Time seemed to go by a lot more quickly that way! Now that I weigh in weekly, it still feels like the days are going by faster. Slow down, time! I am eager to reach my goal weight but I don't want to miss stopping to smell the roses along the way!
My mother got married on Saturday- congratulations, Mom! You deserve to be happy and I love you. My mother lost 23lbs with Nutrisystem- isn't she a beautiful bride?
I love my new dress. I got so many compliments on how much weight I've lost and how great I look. For the first time in a very long time, I felt good about myself and my appearance. I know I still have quite a bit of weight to lose, but I'm finally starting to look like a normal person again and not just a giant blob. And it's definitely nice to be shopping in normal stores again!
I had only a small loss this week, 0.8lbs, but I'm OK with that. I feel like I'm retaining water this week and I saw a lower number on the scale a few days ago, so I think that this is just normal fluctuation and it'll sort itself out. A loss is still a loss! I was afraid that I'd have gained a bit since the food at the wedding reception wasn't exactly Nutrisystem friendly. I did make sure to load up on salad first and skipped the dessert table- I had an NS Fudge Brownie when I got home.
I've got some new reviews to share, so check back soon!
My mother got married on Saturday- congratulations, Mom! You deserve to be happy and I love you. My mother lost 23lbs with Nutrisystem- isn't she a beautiful bride?
I love my new dress. I got so many compliments on how much weight I've lost and how great I look. For the first time in a very long time, I felt good about myself and my appearance. I know I still have quite a bit of weight to lose, but I'm finally starting to look like a normal person again and not just a giant blob. And it's definitely nice to be shopping in normal stores again!
I had only a small loss this week, 0.8lbs, but I'm OK with that. I feel like I'm retaining water this week and I saw a lower number on the scale a few days ago, so I think that this is just normal fluctuation and it'll sort itself out. A loss is still a loss! I was afraid that I'd have gained a bit since the food at the wedding reception wasn't exactly Nutrisystem friendly. I did make sure to load up on salad first and skipped the dessert table- I had an NS Fudge Brownie when I got home.
I've got some new reviews to share, so check back soon!
Thursday, November 18, 2010
More Thanksgiving Treats
I got an email from Hungry Girl with some great pumpkin recipes, so I thought I'd give them a try and review them here for you. If you haven't visited the Hungry Girl website I definitely recommend it- just keep an eye on the nutritional information, because while all the items are low calorie, they may not all fit into the Nutrisystem program.
Pancake Mix (Breakfast):
Caramel Pudding Pumpkin Cupcakes:
1 pkg Nutrisystem Pancake Mix
1/4 cup pure pumpkin puree
5 tsp Egg Beaters
1 tsp sugarfree maple syrup
1 tsp Splenda
1/2 tsp cinnamon
1/2 cube of caramel
1/4 tsp fat free milk
In a bowl, mix together everything but the caramel and milk. Pour into the muffin cups and bake at 350 degrees for 12 minutes. Allow the cupcakes to cool completely. In the microwave, melt the caramel and milk for 30 seconds and stir vigorously to blend. Drizzle the caramel over the muffins and enjoy.
Well, the picture didn't come out very well. I should have clued in from the name of pudding cupcakes that these would be soft and gooey, and using a fancy silicone baking mold wasn't going to work. I was trying to make roses but unfortunately the batter got stuck and they came out crushed. They tasted really great, though! I also made a few modifications to the Hungry Girl recipe. Since these were far too low in protein to count as a dessert and not really suitable for anything else, I substituted NS pancake mix for the yellow cake mix. I don't think it hurt the flavour any. Here's the original Hungry Girl recipe if you're interested. This makes one large serving and it counts as a breakfast or dessert entree plus a free food, with 190 calories, 42g carbs, 2g fat, and 11g of protein.
Flex Meals (Dessert):
Hungry Girl Too Good To Deny Pumpkin Pie:
2 graham crackers, crushed
1/2 cup pure pumpkin puree
1/3 cup evaporated milk
2 tbsp Egg Beaters
2 tbsp Splenda
1 tbsp sugarfree maple syrup
2 tsp pumpkin pie spice
Spray a baking dish with PAM and pour the graham crumbs inside, spread evenly. Mix remaining ingredients together and pour batter into the dish. Bake at 350 degrees for 45 minutes. Refrigerate for at least one hour before serving with a little whipped cream on top.
The original Hungry Girl recipe is here. Again, I made a few modifications to compensate for the low protein and my tastes. Also, since I'm the only one eating it, I didn't want a whole pie so I tried to boil the recipe down to a single serving. I counted this as a breakfast or dessert plus a fruit (and a free food if you use the whipped cream). It has 209 calories, 35g of carbs, 2g of fat, and 12g of protein. I substituted graham crackers for the Fibre One cereal because I'm just not a big fan of the taste of Fibre One. Use that if you prefer it though. This was pretty good! I like my pumpkin pie sweet and tangy so I increased the proportionate amount of Splenda and pumpkin pie spice- feel free to decrease a little if you prefer a milder flavour.
Definitely give these recipes a try if you're looking for a pumpkin-y treat!
Pancake Mix (Breakfast):
Caramel Pudding Pumpkin Cupcakes:
1 pkg Nutrisystem Pancake Mix
1/4 cup pure pumpkin puree
5 tsp Egg Beaters
1 tsp sugarfree maple syrup
1 tsp Splenda
1/2 tsp cinnamon
1/2 cube of caramel
1/4 tsp fat free milk
In a bowl, mix together everything but the caramel and milk. Pour into the muffin cups and bake at 350 degrees for 12 minutes. Allow the cupcakes to cool completely. In the microwave, melt the caramel and milk for 30 seconds and stir vigorously to blend. Drizzle the caramel over the muffins and enjoy.
Well, the picture didn't come out very well. I should have clued in from the name of pudding cupcakes that these would be soft and gooey, and using a fancy silicone baking mold wasn't going to work. I was trying to make roses but unfortunately the batter got stuck and they came out crushed. They tasted really great, though! I also made a few modifications to the Hungry Girl recipe. Since these were far too low in protein to count as a dessert and not really suitable for anything else, I substituted NS pancake mix for the yellow cake mix. I don't think it hurt the flavour any. Here's the original Hungry Girl recipe if you're interested. This makes one large serving and it counts as a breakfast or dessert entree plus a free food, with 190 calories, 42g carbs, 2g fat, and 11g of protein.
Flex Meals (Dessert):
Hungry Girl Too Good To Deny Pumpkin Pie:
2 graham crackers, crushed
1/2 cup pure pumpkin puree
1/3 cup evaporated milk
2 tbsp Egg Beaters
2 tbsp Splenda
1 tbsp sugarfree maple syrup
2 tsp pumpkin pie spice
Spray a baking dish with PAM and pour the graham crumbs inside, spread evenly. Mix remaining ingredients together and pour batter into the dish. Bake at 350 degrees for 45 minutes. Refrigerate for at least one hour before serving with a little whipped cream on top.
The original Hungry Girl recipe is here. Again, I made a few modifications to compensate for the low protein and my tastes. Also, since I'm the only one eating it, I didn't want a whole pie so I tried to boil the recipe down to a single serving. I counted this as a breakfast or dessert plus a fruit (and a free food if you use the whipped cream). It has 209 calories, 35g of carbs, 2g of fat, and 12g of protein. I substituted graham crackers for the Fibre One cereal because I'm just not a big fan of the taste of Fibre One. Use that if you prefer it though. This was pretty good! I like my pumpkin pie sweet and tangy so I increased the proportionate amount of Splenda and pumpkin pie spice- feel free to decrease a little if you prefer a milder flavour.
Definitely give these recipes a try if you're looking for a pumpkin-y treat!
Monday, November 15, 2010
Yum!
I made this tonight for dessert and couldn't wait to share it with you because it was so darn good! I highly recommend you make this as a dessert for your family- they won't know that it's good for you, too!
Flex Meals (Dessert):
Pumpkin Cheesecake:
1 large graham cracker, crushed into crumbs
2 oz fat free cream cheese
3 tbsp light ricotta cheese
1 tbsp Greek yogurt
2 1/2 tbsp Splenda
1 1/2 tbsp Egg Beaters
1/2 tsp vanilla extract
1/4 cup pure pumpkin puree
2 tsp pumpkin pie spice
Crush the graham cracker into crumbs and put them in a sprayed baking dish (I like to use a silicone loaf pan). Mix all the ingredients in the first category together and pour half of the batter into the baking dish. Add the pumpkin and spice to the remaining batter and mix well. Pour the pumpkin batter on top of the vanilla. Place baking dish in a water bath and bake at 325 degrees for 40 minutes, then turn off the oven and leave it for a further ten minutes. Chill in the refrigerator for at least half an hour before serving with a puff of whipped cream.
This recipe is definitely a keeper- it not only looks really pretty but it tastes awesome, too!
Flex Meals (Dessert):
Pumpkin Cheesecake:
1 large graham cracker, crushed into crumbs
2 oz fat free cream cheese
3 tbsp light ricotta cheese
1 tbsp Greek yogurt
2 1/2 tbsp Splenda
1 1/2 tbsp Egg Beaters
1/2 tsp vanilla extract
1/4 cup pure pumpkin puree
2 tsp pumpkin pie spice
Crush the graham cracker into crumbs and put them in a sprayed baking dish (I like to use a silicone loaf pan). Mix all the ingredients in the first category together and pour half of the batter into the baking dish. Add the pumpkin and spice to the remaining batter and mix well. Pour the pumpkin batter on top of the vanilla. Place baking dish in a water bath and bake at 325 degrees for 40 minutes, then turn off the oven and leave it for a further ten minutes. Chill in the refrigerator for at least half an hour before serving with a puff of whipped cream.
This recipe is definitely a keeper- it not only looks really pretty but it tastes awesome, too!
Pumpkin Week!
I'm still a little pressed for time so I haven't really had much time to cook, but it felt a little silly to do Pumpkin Week in January so I'm doing the best I can. It might be a little shorter than usual, though.
Pumpkin is a very versatile food on the Nutrisystem program. 1/2 cup counts as a veggie serving and 1 cup counts as a fruit, per the dieticians. This makes it easy to incorporate it into the plan.
You've already seen my Crustless Pumpkin Pie, which can be used as a dairy/protein serving, and here are two more recipes that I've tried.
Pancake Mix (Breakfast):
Pumpkin Roll:
1 pkg Nutrisystem Pancake Mix
1/4 cup Egg Beaters
1/3 cup Splenda
1/4 cup pure pumpkin puree
1/2 tsp baking soda
1 tsp pumpkin pie spice
Icing:
2 tbsp Philadelphia Ultra Low Fat Cream Cheese
1 tsp margarine
1/4 cup Splenda
1 tsp vanilla
Mix all the roll ingredients together and spread the batter thinly on a sheet of wax paper. Bake at 350 degrees for 15 minutes. Top with a sheet of wax paper and roll up the cake and refrigerate for 20 minutes. Mix icing until smooth, and spread it on top of the cake and reroll (minus that second sheet of wax paper!). Chill for an hour. **Makes 2 servings**
Sorry, no photo because my camera messed up. Honestly, it wasn't all that photogenic anyway because it didn't turn out the way I wanted it to. I thought the batter would spread itself out in the oven, but it didn't, so I got more of a pumpkin cake than anything else. It wouldn't roll. I just cut it in half and put the icing in between like a sandwich to try and get the roll effect. Unfortunately, I found that I didn't like the icing at all, so I wound up scraping it off and just eating the cake. The cake was really delicious though! This counts as a dessert entree (or breakfast)- as prepared with icing, it has 130 calories, 23g of carbs, 3g of fat, and 10g of protein. Next time, I'd just frost it with plain cream cheese though and not mix anything into it. If you want to eat just the cake, eat the whole thing and count it as a breakfast or dessert entree + 1/2 veggie or free food.
Chocolate Chip Pancake Mix (Breakfast):
Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Macadamia Nut Pancakes:
1 pkg Nutrisystem Chocolate Chip Pancake Mix (or plain mix plus 1tsp chocolate chips)
1/4 cup pure pumpkin puree
1/4 oz macadamia nuts, crushed
1/3 cup milk
1 tsp pumpkin pie spice
Mix all the ingredients together and cook either as pancakes or pancake puffs (my preference!). Enjoy with sugar free maple syrup, if desired.
I got this recipe from Kompukat on the Nutrisystem boards and it is delicious! Even the name makes it sound decadent. Definitely try this one when you need a pumpkin fix. It counts as your entree, fat serving, and either 1/2 veggie or a free food. I made ten puffs (this batch got a little deformed, sorry!).
Pumpkin is a very versatile food on the Nutrisystem program. 1/2 cup counts as a veggie serving and 1 cup counts as a fruit, per the dieticians. This makes it easy to incorporate it into the plan.
You've already seen my Crustless Pumpkin Pie, which can be used as a dairy/protein serving, and here are two more recipes that I've tried.
Pancake Mix (Breakfast):
Pumpkin Roll:
1 pkg Nutrisystem Pancake Mix
1/4 cup Egg Beaters
1/3 cup Splenda
1/4 cup pure pumpkin puree
1/2 tsp baking soda
1 tsp pumpkin pie spice
Icing:
2 tbsp Philadelphia Ultra Low Fat Cream Cheese
1 tsp margarine
1/4 cup Splenda
1 tsp vanilla
Mix all the roll ingredients together and spread the batter thinly on a sheet of wax paper. Bake at 350 degrees for 15 minutes. Top with a sheet of wax paper and roll up the cake and refrigerate for 20 minutes. Mix icing until smooth, and spread it on top of the cake and reroll (minus that second sheet of wax paper!). Chill for an hour. **Makes 2 servings**
Sorry, no photo because my camera messed up. Honestly, it wasn't all that photogenic anyway because it didn't turn out the way I wanted it to. I thought the batter would spread itself out in the oven, but it didn't, so I got more of a pumpkin cake than anything else. It wouldn't roll. I just cut it in half and put the icing in between like a sandwich to try and get the roll effect. Unfortunately, I found that I didn't like the icing at all, so I wound up scraping it off and just eating the cake. The cake was really delicious though! This counts as a dessert entree (or breakfast)- as prepared with icing, it has 130 calories, 23g of carbs, 3g of fat, and 10g of protein. Next time, I'd just frost it with plain cream cheese though and not mix anything into it. If you want to eat just the cake, eat the whole thing and count it as a breakfast or dessert entree + 1/2 veggie or free food.
Chocolate Chip Pancake Mix (Breakfast):
Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Macadamia Nut Pancakes:
1 pkg Nutrisystem Chocolate Chip Pancake Mix (or plain mix plus 1tsp chocolate chips)
1/4 cup pure pumpkin puree
1/4 oz macadamia nuts, crushed
1/3 cup milk
1 tsp pumpkin pie spice
Mix all the ingredients together and cook either as pancakes or pancake puffs (my preference!). Enjoy with sugar free maple syrup, if desired.
I got this recipe from Kompukat on the Nutrisystem boards and it is delicious! Even the name makes it sound decadent. Definitely try this one when you need a pumpkin fix. It counts as your entree, fat serving, and either 1/2 veggie or a free food. I made ten puffs (this batch got a little deformed, sorry!).
Sunday, November 14, 2010
The Importance of Protein
I've now been on Nutrisystem for 41 weeks. So far I still haven't really hit the dreaded plateau, but I'm sure it'll be coming at some point. Nutrisystem defines a plateau as 2 or more weeks with no weight loss while being 100% on program. My loss has been slowing, but I was happy to post a 1.6lb loss this week! It only makes sense that it will slow down- the calorie reduction is no longer a shock to my system, I don't have the water weight to lose, and since I am physically smaller my body needs fewer calories to maintain my weight so there is a smaller deficit at the end of the week even if I am eating exactly the same as I was a few months ago.
One thing that I've found that helps me a lot at this stage is protein. The average protein intake on the Women's Basic program is 77g/day according to the Nutrisystem Dieticians. I read in the October edition of Women's Health that some nutritionists believe that we need more protein than was previously thought. Protein is responsible for keeping us full and for repairing body tissues as well as other functions. I've been trying to keep my protein at closer to 100g a day, and since then I've been finding that I have more energy and fewer cravings, and I'm not hungry most of the time.
When you look at your meal planner, remember that the serving for a dairy/protein can be up to 100 calories, less than 3g of fat, and 7g of protein or more. If you choose a lean protein instead of a dairy, you can frequently have more than the amounts listed in the book under protein- for example, instead of 1oz of ham, I can have 3oz and still meet the serving requirements, and I also get way more protein than if I chose something like a low fat cheese stick. Some of my favourite protein sources are Greek yogurt, fish, and Egg Beaters.
I've spoken before about how awesome it is to eat dessert every day while on a diet. You might have thought about substituting other desserts for Nutrisystem ones (like the Hungry Girl recipes, which are often pretty awesome!) Just keep in mind that the Nutrisystem desserts aren't an extra- they're a mini meal full of nutrients, including protein. Most low calorie dessert items have very little protein, which can leave you feeling hungry soon afterwards and more likely to choose an off plan snack. When you're flexing dessert, keep an eye on the protein counts and you'll feel more satisfied afterwards.
One thing that I've found that helps me a lot at this stage is protein. The average protein intake on the Women's Basic program is 77g/day according to the Nutrisystem Dieticians. I read in the October edition of Women's Health that some nutritionists believe that we need more protein than was previously thought. Protein is responsible for keeping us full and for repairing body tissues as well as other functions. I've been trying to keep my protein at closer to 100g a day, and since then I've been finding that I have more energy and fewer cravings, and I'm not hungry most of the time.
When you look at your meal planner, remember that the serving for a dairy/protein can be up to 100 calories, less than 3g of fat, and 7g of protein or more. If you choose a lean protein instead of a dairy, you can frequently have more than the amounts listed in the book under protein- for example, instead of 1oz of ham, I can have 3oz and still meet the serving requirements, and I also get way more protein than if I chose something like a low fat cheese stick. Some of my favourite protein sources are Greek yogurt, fish, and Egg Beaters.
I've spoken before about how awesome it is to eat dessert every day while on a diet. You might have thought about substituting other desserts for Nutrisystem ones (like the Hungry Girl recipes, which are often pretty awesome!) Just keep in mind that the Nutrisystem desserts aren't an extra- they're a mini meal full of nutrients, including protein. Most low calorie dessert items have very little protein, which can leave you feeling hungry soon afterwards and more likely to choose an off plan snack. When you're flexing dessert, keep an eye on the protein counts and you'll feel more satisfied afterwards.
Friday, November 12, 2010
Thanksgiving Giveaway Winner
Sorry for the delay in new recipes... things have been a little crazy here so I may or may not get the pumpkin recipes up before Thanksgiving. If not I promise they'll be posted as soon as I have time to make them all! I've also got some more entree reviews I'll be sharing soon.
And without further ado- the winner of the Thanksgiving giveaway is...
sakinac said...
I absolutely want one of the puff pans! I see your recipes for them and they look so good!! I would LOVE one of those!!
October 29, 2010 3:02 PM
I used Random.org to select the winner. Please contact me within 48 hours so I can send you your prize!
And without further ado- the winner of the Thanksgiving giveaway is...
sakinac said...
I absolutely want one of the puff pans! I see your recipes for them and they look so good!! I would LOVE one of those!!
October 29, 2010 3:02 PM
I used Random.org to select the winner. Please contact me within 48 hours so I can send you your prize!
Monday, November 8, 2010
Taking Control
After 40 weeks on Nutrisystem, I have lost 77lbs. Saying it out loud kind of brings a tone of unreality- like how was this possible? How could I have lost so much weight without getting frustrated and wanting to quit? And how the heck was I so overweight in the first place that I could lose 77lbs and still have more to go (although that number is getting smaller and smaller!).
That brings me to something I've been thinking about lately. My life and my health were completely out of control and I felt helpless to change the situation. I hated my body and how I looked but I still could not make a change on my own. I had reached the point where I felt that I was so overweight that it didn't even matter anymore- I couldn't possibly lose so much weight so why even bother trying? I had given up on myself.
Then a friend of mine invited me to do a 6 week weight loss challenge with her. I said OK, figuring maybe this would give me the motivation to change things. After the first week, not only had I not lost a single pound, but nothing had changed. I wasn't exercising, my eating habits weren't improving, and I felt even more helpless to change things. With a three month old baby around, I was still having trouble finding time to sleep and go to the bathroom, let alone prepare healthy meals!
I was sitting on my couch watching TV and just thinking about how I let myself get into this situation. Then an ad for Nutrisystem came on and I thought that this might be my solution- it certainly couldn't make things any worse than they were! Having healthy meals prepackaged and ready to eat would eliminate my time crunch problem and spending the money would motivate me actually to follow the program. Their money back guarantee also felt like a fail-safe in case the food really was as bad as some online reviews say it is!
So I worked up my courage and told my husband that I didn't think I could do it alone this time and I needed some help. He was so supportive right from the beginning and told me not to worry about the money and that we were investing in my health. So I did it- I ordered my first box of food and started this journey that has changed my life (and I won the challenge, by the way, even with that one week zero loss!).
When I posted on the Nutrisystem Facebook board that Nutrisystem saved my life, it was only partially true. Nutrisystem gave me the tools that I needed to lose the weight, but I was the one who took them and used them. I have regained control over my life- I'm no longer the helpless bystander who just allows things to happen to her. I make the decisions about things that affect me, and I'm damn proud that I made this one.
We all have it in us to be strong and capable- the person that we want to be. Sometimes we just need a little help to realize it!
That brings me to something I've been thinking about lately. My life and my health were completely out of control and I felt helpless to change the situation. I hated my body and how I looked but I still could not make a change on my own. I had reached the point where I felt that I was so overweight that it didn't even matter anymore- I couldn't possibly lose so much weight so why even bother trying? I had given up on myself.
Then a friend of mine invited me to do a 6 week weight loss challenge with her. I said OK, figuring maybe this would give me the motivation to change things. After the first week, not only had I not lost a single pound, but nothing had changed. I wasn't exercising, my eating habits weren't improving, and I felt even more helpless to change things. With a three month old baby around, I was still having trouble finding time to sleep and go to the bathroom, let alone prepare healthy meals!
I was sitting on my couch watching TV and just thinking about how I let myself get into this situation. Then an ad for Nutrisystem came on and I thought that this might be my solution- it certainly couldn't make things any worse than they were! Having healthy meals prepackaged and ready to eat would eliminate my time crunch problem and spending the money would motivate me actually to follow the program. Their money back guarantee also felt like a fail-safe in case the food really was as bad as some online reviews say it is!
So I worked up my courage and told my husband that I didn't think I could do it alone this time and I needed some help. He was so supportive right from the beginning and told me not to worry about the money and that we were investing in my health. So I did it- I ordered my first box of food and started this journey that has changed my life (and I won the challenge, by the way, even with that one week zero loss!).
When I posted on the Nutrisystem Facebook board that Nutrisystem saved my life, it was only partially true. Nutrisystem gave me the tools that I needed to lose the weight, but I was the one who took them and used them. I have regained control over my life- I'm no longer the helpless bystander who just allows things to happen to her. I make the decisions about things that affect me, and I'm damn proud that I made this one.
We all have it in us to be strong and capable- the person that we want to be. Sometimes we just need a little help to realize it!
Sunday, November 7, 2010
Temptations, Part II
Maybe it was all the restraint I exercised last week, or who knows, but my cravings came back with a vengeance this weekend. First I wanted my husband's French fries that he had for lunch on the way to our weekend getaway (I had a ham sandwich on whole wheat bread instead), and then when we went to the dinner buffet, I was dying to have one of the sweets- they looked SO good! I felt so frustrated and grouchy when I was eating my shrimp salad.
I was hoping I had kicked these urges to the curb, but apparently not. I considered having a taste of things- one French fry, a bite of dessert, maybe something fried at dinner, but then reminded myself how unsatisfied it would probably leave me since every single time I've done that lately I've regretted my decision. I decided to use my tried and true techniques of getting past cravings- eating my food slowly and drinking a lot of water so that I'd be full and not even want whatever it was I was eyeing. I also decided to let myself have an item that felt like a treat even though it really wasn't. I had them make me a custom pasta dish at the stirfry stand with a half order of pasta, shrimp, and lots of veggies in tomato sauce. Pasta always feels like cheating to me but the portion size was right on with only half the noodles and I felt satisfied afterwards and didn't even feel too much of a pang at skipping the desserts.
Like I've said before, it's just a matter of will- you have to want to lose the weight more than you want to eat the things that made you overweight. If you do, you'll find ways to succeed instead of ways to sabotage yourself. Just remind yourself of how well you're doing next time a temptation gets in your way! Don't give up your progress!
And don't forget to enter the Thanksgiving Giveaway if you haven't yet! There are several ways to earn extra ballots into the draw.
I was hoping I had kicked these urges to the curb, but apparently not. I considered having a taste of things- one French fry, a bite of dessert, maybe something fried at dinner, but then reminded myself how unsatisfied it would probably leave me since every single time I've done that lately I've regretted my decision. I decided to use my tried and true techniques of getting past cravings- eating my food slowly and drinking a lot of water so that I'd be full and not even want whatever it was I was eyeing. I also decided to let myself have an item that felt like a treat even though it really wasn't. I had them make me a custom pasta dish at the stirfry stand with a half order of pasta, shrimp, and lots of veggies in tomato sauce. Pasta always feels like cheating to me but the portion size was right on with only half the noodles and I felt satisfied afterwards and didn't even feel too much of a pang at skipping the desserts.
Like I've said before, it's just a matter of will- you have to want to lose the weight more than you want to eat the things that made you overweight. If you do, you'll find ways to succeed instead of ways to sabotage yourself. Just remind yourself of how well you're doing next time a temptation gets in your way! Don't give up your progress!
And don't forget to enter the Thanksgiving Giveaway if you haven't yet! There are several ways to earn extra ballots into the draw.
Tuesday, November 2, 2010
Temptations
Now that my son is one, my maternity leave is over. I'm still not sure if I plan to be a stay at home mom or if I want to work, so in the meantime I am compromising by working on a casual basis- I get called in if someone is sick or can't work. Today I went in to work and it was temptations all around! One of the children was celebrating her third birthday, so her father brought in huge chocolate and vanilla cupcakes with icing, sprinkles, and candy. The cook that day also baked a vanilla cake from scratch and frosted it and placed it in the staff room. And if that wasn't enough, there were THREE boxes of cookies plus a box of leftover Hallowe'en candy sitting around.
For someone with a sweet tooth like mine, it presented a challenge! So, how much of it did I eat?
Nothing.
Yes, nothing! I'm really proud of myself. I had packed myself a healthy lunch and snacks and ate a good breakfast before I left. I went and got a glass of water during snack time when everyone ate their cupcakes and I just ignored the goodies in the staff room. I'm finding that it is getting easier to say no, and my desire for things like that has lessened. I already know that it won't be as good as I imagine it to be, I'll feel like crap emotionally after I eat it, and besides, if I really want cake, I can have some. If I wait till I get home I can have a piece of Nutrisystem chocolate or vanilla cake (and make cream cheese frosting if I'm feeling like it) that will actually satisfy my craving rather than leave me feeling lousy and wanting more.
Denying yourself something will only make you want it more. One of the reasons I love Nutrisystem is that I feel like I deny myself nothing. If there's something I want, either Nutrisystem offers a substitute or I can figure out how to make an NS friendly item that is similar. So not only is the weight melting off, but I'm feeling satisfied about it!
For someone with a sweet tooth like mine, it presented a challenge! So, how much of it did I eat?
Nothing.
Yes, nothing! I'm really proud of myself. I had packed myself a healthy lunch and snacks and ate a good breakfast before I left. I went and got a glass of water during snack time when everyone ate their cupcakes and I just ignored the goodies in the staff room. I'm finding that it is getting easier to say no, and my desire for things like that has lessened. I already know that it won't be as good as I imagine it to be, I'll feel like crap emotionally after I eat it, and besides, if I really want cake, I can have some. If I wait till I get home I can have a piece of Nutrisystem chocolate or vanilla cake (and make cream cheese frosting if I'm feeling like it) that will actually satisfy my craving rather than leave me feeling lousy and wanting more.
Denying yourself something will only make you want it more. One of the reasons I love Nutrisystem is that I feel like I deny myself nothing. If there's something I want, either Nutrisystem offers a substitute or I can figure out how to make an NS friendly item that is similar. So not only is the weight melting off, but I'm feeling satisfied about it!
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