Stomach Rumblings

Happy Holidays!

2011-12-27T18:09:00.000-08:00

Things have been a little crazy here with the holidays coming, and then my family will be out of town for a few weeks and I likely will not have much internet access during then. So you won't be hearing much from me until about mid January but it'll be nose to the grindstone once I return!

This whole situation just keeps bringing home the idea to me that if you want something in your life, you need to make time for it because otherwise something always gets in the way. I haven't had as much time to blog as I would have liked, so all the ideas I want to share have gone unwritten.

Perhaps my New Year's resolution should be to make time for the important things in life.

To all my readers: I hope you had a very happy holiday season and that Santa listens to your prayers this year (I heard this from Facebook). "Dear Santa, please bring me a fat bank account and a thin body this year- and please don't get them mixed up again like you did last year!"

Feelin' Groovy!

2011-12-18T16:30:00.000-08:00

With Christmas coming, I just haven't had much time lately to blog I'm afraid! But the good news is, I've definitely had enough time to eat properly. I was down another 3lbs this week!

I really will try to get some recipes posted this week; I've got some delicious ones to share. I just need more hours in a day! Hope you are all enjoying your holiday season (but not too much!)

Slow & Steady

2011-12-11T11:58:00.000-08:00

I was a little disappointed when I stepped on the scale this week and saw that I had only lost 0.8lb but on the other hand, my husband and I did go out for a romantic lunch at a creperie, and let's say the meal (while delicious), was decidedly not weight loss friendly. So I'm counting this one as a victory and just have to push harder this week.

It's tough during the holidays. Normally, I think I would relax a little bit and enjoy some treats, but we're leaving for a cruise the first week of January and I'm already feeling uncomfortable about my weight again, so the last thing I need is to collect a few extra pounds before we go. I know I can't lose a lot before then, but it would be nice to take off another 5lbs or so before we leave so I don't have to worry about indulging on board!

I do have some more great recipes coming, so check back soon!

Great Southwest Favourites!

2011-12-09T10:19:00.000-08:00

I've always thought that Nutrisystem did a great job with their Southwest style entrees, which is why I was so disappointed when I heard that they were discontinuing their Southwest Style Wrap as well.

Fortunately, with the help of Garlic Gold's new Southwest Style nuggets, I can still recreate one of my favourite dinners.

Mexican Pizza (Take Two) (Dinner):

1 pkg Nutrisystem Grilled Chicken breast (or 4oz boneless skinless chicken)
1 whole wheat pita or tortilla
1 tbsp Roasted Red Pepper hummus
1 tbsp taco sauce
1 oz shredded cheddar cheese
1 tsp Garlic Gold oil
diced onions, green peppers, tomatoes
2 tsp Garlic Gold Southwest Style nuggets

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Slice up your chicken and fry it in the Garlic Gold oil until fully cooked. Add vegetables and taco sauce and cook until soft. Spread the hummus on your "crust" and add the chicken/veggie mix. Top with cheese and bake in the oven until crust is crispy and cheese is melted. Sprinkle Garlic Gold Southwest Style nuggets on top and enjoy while it's hot!

The nuggets give this a great zesty flavour and I really enjoyed my dinner. This counts as a dinner entree plus dairy/protein, fat, veggies (depends how much you use), and a free food.

I was chatting with a friend about the food served in a particular restaurant, and she told me how amazing their nachos are. That gave me such a craving so I decided to try and make my own.

Beefy Nachos (Dinner):

1 pkg Nutrisystem Beef Taco or Chili with Beans or Vegetarian Chili
1 pita or tortilla, cut into "chips"
Garlic Gold Sea Salt nuggets
PAM spray (or Garlic Gold oil in a mister)
sour cream, diced green onion (optional)

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Spray the chips with PAM olive oil spray or else mist them with Garlic Gold oil. Sprinkle the Sea Salt nuggets on top. Bake for 5-7 minutes or until crispy and golden.

These are delicious and taste exactly like tortilla chips! They have that slight salty flavour, a great crisp, and a nice garlicky touch. Top the chips with your dinner entree of choice and use salsa or sour cream for dipping if desired.

The reason I like to use the (discontinued) Beef Taco for this is that I can simply throw away the taco shells and use this as my carb serving; for the other entrees you do need to add a carb to enjoy this. However, it's easy to eat a lunch like the tuna or chicken salad with a salad and skip the included carb to look forward to a decadent dinner like this one!

I really enjoy cooking with Garlic Gold. When I received an email asking me if I wanted to review their two newest seasoning nuggets (watch for a recipe soon using their new Herbs de Provence nuggets!) I said yes definitely, and asked if they could please send me some more oil as we've gone through the whole bottle already! My husband loves it- one of his favourite quick fixes is to add 1 tsp to his tomato soup and he says it tastes fantastic like that. I find their products add so much flavour.

Disclosure: I received this product mentioned above for free in the hope that I would mention it on my blog. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. (And I really, really love Garlic Gold and plan to continue writing about their products!)

Confidence Boost

2011-12-04T07:34:00.000-08:00

For some reason I had this irrational fear that even though I was doing everything right, that it wouldn't work- that I'd messed everything up and was destined to stay fat forever.

The scale this morning shattered those illusions and gave me a boost to see that I'd lost nearly four pounds this week! I still have quite a ways to go just to get back to where I was, but at least I've gotten some reassurance that I will get there!

Like I always used to say to myself; just keep putting one foot in front of the other and it's amazing how far you'll go. I am sure the old, fat me could never have visualized myself even now, just the way that I can't see myself at my goal. I can't wait to put up that photo on my About Me page, no matter how long it takes!

When you aren't ready to make a change, nothing can make you really want it. But when you are ready- nothing will stop you! I think in a lot of ways, weight loss really is more psychological and physical.

How did you do this week?

New Ideas for a New Start

2011-12-02T15:36:00.001-08:00

While I think it's great that all my old familiar recipes are still here and available for me to use when I don't feel like innovating, I find that I am really looking forward to learning about the new meals that Nutrisystem is going to release. It just opens up even more possibilities for recipes for me to create!

I've started doing a little tinkering again and my breakfast today was so sinful that I couldn't believe it was good for me. Seriously. If you see this product in your store, definitely give it a try!

Buttered Cinnamon Apple Toast (Breakfast):

1 pkg Nutrisystem Apple Strudel Scone
2 tsp Derlea Foods Cinnamon Raisin Spread

Quick and easy- just slice the scone in two to make two slices of "toast" and then pop them in the toaster until they are crispy. Then spread 1 tsp of the Cinnamon Raisin Spread on each half and enjoy.

This tastes so buttery and decadent... it made a great breakfast and I still had my dairy/protein and fruit serving to have later as a midmorning snack! The Cinnamon Raisin Spread counts as a fat serving, with 50 calories and 5g of fat- and it's well worth using it at breakfast, believe me!

I've also tried their Garlic Spread, with similar stats. I really like it melted over steamed veggies like green beans or broccoli. This company did not ask me to write about them- I just really like their products and wanted to share this one with you.

For snack today, I made myself a very filling snack that satisfied the crunch and munch craving. I'm not sure if I've written about it before, but it's worth another look anyway even if I have.

Veggies & Dip (Dairy/Protein Ideas):

Just slice up your favourite veggies along with a dairy/protein serving of plain yogurt (something fat free and high protein like a creamy Greek yogurt), and blend some dry seasoning mix into the yogurt to make a great dip. Hidden Valley Ranch makes a powdered mix that has only 5 calories per tsp, so you can use quite a lot and it's still a free food. I have also found some great mixes at Farmer's Markets- I had a salsa flavoured one today that was so spicy I could hardly eat it. Great way to get flavour without fat! (Note to self: try mixing salsa in with the yogurt as a dip!)

Two veggie servings equal a fruit, so go ahead and try this for your afternoon snack when you want something bulky that will take a while to eat, but still have enough protein to keep you going until dinner. It's 4 hours later and I'm still not really that hungry yet!

Whenever You're Ready...

2011-11-30T16:09:00.001-08:00

Just a few days ago, I found out that Nutrisystem is revamping their menu. They have discontinued over 30 items, including a few of my favourites like the Chocolate Rainbow Delights, Blueberry Lemon Bar, Cream of Broccoli Soup, and Southwest Style Chicken Wrap. New items should be released shortly but we don't have any information yet on what they are.

Here's the full list of items being discontinued:

Blueberry Pancake Mix
Crispy Rice Cereal
Cream of Broccoli Soup
Orange Chicken Breast with Vegetables and Rice
Pasta Primavera with Tofu
Stroganoff Sauce with Beef and Noodles
Buffalo Wing Pretzel Bits
Chocolate Crunch Bar
Chocolate Fudge Bar
Chocolate Peanut Butter Bar
Chocolate Rainbow Delights
Cluster Crunch Cereal
Cranberry Granola Bar
NutriCinnamon Squares Cereal
Black Bean Tortilla Soup
Hearty Minestrone Soup
Pasta Parmesan with Broccoli
Turkey Hot Dog
BBQ Sauce with Pork Wrap
Beef and Noodles in Teriyaki Sauce
Buffalo Chicken Wrap
Oriental Steak with Green Peppers and Noodles
Strawberry Shortcake Bar
Southwest-Style Chicken Wrap
Swedish Meatballs with Pasta in Sauce
Sweet & Sour Chicken with Noodles
Almond Biscotti
BBQ Soy Chips
Blueberry Lemon Dessert Bar
Chocolate Chip Cookie
Nacho Crisps

At first, I was upset when I heard about it. After all, these items are familiar, and those of you who know me well know that I hate change, especially when it's something as personal as food. Then I started thinking about how I haven't really been on plan at all for most of the summer, despite having these familiar foods available. Maybe a little change is what I need to shake things up and get back on the wagon.

It really is all about your attitude. I may have regained some weight, but I've also regained my determination and focus to finish this part of my journey. Today is my fourth day back 100% on program and I am proud to say that I'm ready to do this again.

It's amazing that when you're truly ready, it's much easier to find reasons NOT to cheat than it is when you're on the fence. Today my sister in law visited us and she baked chocolate chip cookies with my son. There isn't much that smells better than freshly baked cookies right out of the oven! They had cookies; I had a chocolate Vitatop nuked in the microwave until it was gooey and delicious too. Then I saved one cookie for my son for tomorrow and sent the rest home with my sister in law so that I wouldn't eat them. I'm really proud of myself for that, too.

I've also got some great new recipes that I've been working on, both flex and using NS food, and I'll try to get them posted over the next few days. This blog isn't going anywhere!

So please raise your glass (of water) and toast with me to new beginnings!

(P.S. if anyone has any extras of the discontinued items that they don't want- please feel free to send them my way!)

Staying Focused

2011-10-10T10:30:00.000-07:00

So, here I am again. I just seem to be having a really hard time staying focused lately and I don't know why, and I don't know what I can do about it. How to regain lost motivation?

I got an email from a friend that really struck home for me although I know she didn't intend it that way. She remarked that we'd been friends for a year and a half now. While I think it's great that I've met some wonderful people during my journey, my mind finished the sentence with "... and you're not at goal yet."

Well, I'm not. I look like a normal person now, but I'm not where I'd like to be and my BMI is still overweight. So why have I been wasting all this time? I don't know.

The Biggest Loser has started up again and it's been giving me a little kick to start exercising again. I always feel so much better when I do so I don't know why I don't make a bigger effort.

So now I need your help! What are your strategies for getting back on plan when you've been derailed? I started this and I'm going to finish it- just need to figure out how!

Getting Cold Out...

2011-09-19T12:36:00.000-07:00

It seemed like now that the kids are back to school, Mother Nature really wanted to make it clear that summer is over! We had quite a cold snap recently and that made me start craving soups.

Quite a while ago I saw this recipe on the Nutrisystem boards but never got around to trying it myself. If you enjoy rich flavour, you will really enjoy this one! I found it to be a delicious lunch.

Potato Leek Soup:

1 pkg NS Cheesy Homestyle Potatoes
1 leek, diced into little pieces
1 clove garlic, minced (or Gourmet Garden garlic paste)
1 can low-sodium chicken broth
1/2 cup fat free milk
1 cup cauliflower florets, diced small
1 green onion, diced
1 tbsp bacon bits
2 tbsp shredded cheddar cheese
pepper to taste

Steam cauliflower until tender. In a medium sauce pan, saute leeks and garlic in PAM spray on medium heat for 2-3 minutes. Add a few Tbsp. of water when they to start to brown to keep the leeks from sticking and to steam them. Reduce heat to low and add chicken broth and milk, then add NS potatoes and stir to blend. Add pepper, cauliflower, and bacon bits. Simmer on low heat for 5-7 minutes, stirring often to ensure the potatoes are entirely mixed in and hydrated. Serve in a large soup bowl and top with shredded cheddar and green onions.

Count this as one lunch entree, plus 2 veggies, 1 dairy/protein serving, and a free food. If you have an extra carb serving, I'd suggest boiling a medium red potato and dicing it into chunks to add a little more body to the soup- but if not it is fine as is!

Sometimes, You Just Gotta Have It!

2011-09-08T17:11:00.000-07:00

My overriding philosophy behind my success in this lifestyle change has been to deprive myself nothing that I crave; rather, to instead find a substitute item that would satisfy my cravings.

Before I started Nutrisystem, I was a French fry-aholic. I loved their crispness and of course, I loved ketchup and gravy or whatever else you could top them with. Most of the time, I'm happy with one of my French fry substitutes like my Cajun Fries. This week, in my box of produce from the Neighborhood Share Association, I got a big bag of potatoes, so I decided to find a healthy way to make the real thing.

Potatoes really do get a bad rap. They are low calorie and fat, but they are simple carbs and as a rule generally not low glycemic index, so they cause blood sugar spikes. NS Dietary Services says that as an occasional treat, you may substitute a medium red potato as a carb serving, so when you make these, enjoy them as an occasional treat.

Pizza Pizza makes truly awesome potato wedges, but these have a fraction of the calories and fat and have lots of flavour!

Garlic Herb Potato Wedges:

4 medium red potatoes
4 tsp Garlic Gold Oil
1/2 tsp dried rosemary
1/2 tsp paprika
1/2 tsp dried oregano
1/2 tsp black pepper
1/2 tsp thyme

Cut each potato (unpeeled!) in half lengthwise, and then cut each half into 4 wedges lengthwise. In a Tupperware container, add the oil and spices, and then the wedges. Shake well until the wedges are evenly coated with spices and oil. Bake them at 425 degrees for 25 minutes or until they are crispy. Before serving, sprinkle them with Garlic Gold Sea Salt Nuggets and enjoy!

These are a great and healthy substitute for French fries, and one serving counts as a carb + a fat. My suggestion is to save a carb from earlier in the day (have your chicken or tuna salad without bread) and have this on the side with a hamburger for a fast-food fix!

Disclosure: I received this product mentioned above for free in the hope that I would mention it on my blog. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. (And I really, really love Garlic Gold and plan to continue writing about their products!)

Dessert for Breakfast?

2011-09-07T10:09:00.000-07:00

I've always had a major sweet tooth, which explains one of the reasons why I got to the weight I was. This delicious breakfast recipe will make you feel like you're breaking all the rules but it's still filling and right on plan!

Vanilla Almond Fruit Flan (Breakfast):

1 pkg Nutrisystem Pancake Mix
1/3 cup milk
1 egg
1/4 tsp vanilla extract
1/4 tsp almond extract
2 tbsp Splenda
2 almonds, minced (optional free food)
1/4 cup blueberries
1/3 cup strawberries, sliced
1/3 cup raspberries

Preheat your oven to 350 degrees and spray a shallow, wide single serving dish with PAM spray. In a bowl, mix together the pancake mix, milk, egg, and 1 tbsp Splenda. In a separate bowl, soak the fruit in the extracts and remaining Splenda. Pour the batter into the baking dish and top with the fruit (and minced almonds, if using them) and bake for 35 minutes or until cake is golden brown.

The egg gives this a really nice consistency and the extracts make this taste so decadent! Count it as a complete breakfast, with a free food if you use the 2 almonds. You can also try different fruit combinations, just as long as they all add up to one fruit serving.

Dreams

2011-08-29T11:57:00.000-07:00

I know I've been writing a lot lately and I'll try to get back to more recipes and less about me!

Last night I had a dream that really struck home for me. As you know if you've been reading me for a while, I love to watch the Biggest Loser. But, I also confess to being really proud that I could make the decision to do this myself while at home amongst all the temptations of real life. Yesterday I dreamed that I had to go to the Biggest Loser and tell all the contestants that I failed and couldn't do it without help.

Well, that was a kick in the rear! First thing today- back to tracking my meals and I did the 30 Day Shred. It's a step in the right direction at least! Now I just have to stick to it.

I know the program works- look at me, I've lost more than 90lbs following it. So all I have to do is keep doing it, and I'll get to my healthy body weight. Thanks for sticking with me through my dry spell of blogging and my being off the wagon. Hopefully you'll stick with me while I get back on track!

Getting Back in the Game

2011-08-28T16:19:00.000-07:00

I don't know why I am having so much trouble just getting focused again. I keep getting up in the morning and telling myself the right things and then just not doing it. I don't want to put too much pressure on myself because it's not worth making myself miserable over, but I don't like what's happening and something is going to have to change.

I started doing a new weight loss challenge with a friend of mine that ends October 9 and if I don't start focusing I am definitely going to lose- she lost an amazing 5lbs this week while I only lost 0.8lbs. Maybe a little healthy competition is exactly what I need to kick things back into gear. We'll see how this week goes!

Readers, I'm sorry I haven't been writing as much. I do have some great recipes to share with you and I'll post one tomorrow- I promise. It's a fabulous breakfast entree that is so good, you'll definitely want to have it again for dessert!

Mindset Makeover

2011-08-19T05:17:00.000-07:00

I've been thinking about posting for a few days now but haven't gotten around to it. Seeing a little note on the top of my blog that my ticker hadn't been updated for more than 80 days was a real shock and it gave me a kick that I need to start focusing again.

Two nights ago, I had a dream that it didn't matter what I ate anymore because I'd already eaten two days' worth of calories in cookies. I remember feeling so helpless and frustrated, like I had no control anymore.

But that isn't the case. Even if everything else in your life is out of control, you're still the only one who is physically putting food into your mouth. We all make choices; we're never forced to eat anything. I remember when I had been on my journey for a short while and was showing results, that I felt so empowered and strong. I have not been feeling that way lately. I've been making excuses and I'm back on a road of self sabotage (I've updated my ticker, as you can see). But that isn't who I want to be! And the only one who has the power to stop it is me.

When I first got started on Nutrisystem, they had a program called Mindset Makeover to help people get adjusted to the new lifestyle choices they should be making. I feel like I need a new Mindset Makeover for this point in my weight loss journey, to help get me back on track mentally. I think the problems started to stem from the fact that I've come so far and then got complacent with all the compliments and that the size of clothing I'm wearing felt so normal that I felt satisfied where I was and that got me derailed. If I had chosen to stay there, that would have been OK too, but I didn't. I started to get dissatisfied, but instead of making a positive change and getting back on my healthy eating plan, I started to get down on myself and make poor choices again.

So, it's time to do another round of Mindset Makeover. I pledge to you, my readers, to make one post each day and find something positive to help me readjust my attitude. And I'll throw some recipes in there since I owe you some!

This blog isn't going anywhere- it's time to get things moving again!

I'm Still Here...

2011-08-07T15:21:00.000-07:00

I haven't disappeared into the void of the blogosphere- I promise! Sorry that I haven't been posting but lately it's just been one thing after the other and I haven't had the time to write. I do have some great recipes to share with you and I'll do my best to get them posted this week.

I've also done some thinking about how I've been doing the past three months and WHY I've been on a plateau. Have I generally been eating well? Yes. Have I had a few days where I blew the bank? Absolutely.

When I think about why I lost my motivation, it makes a lot of sense. For the first time in my life, I was starting to feel good about my body and the way I looked. I was getting a lot of positive feedback from both people I know and from strangers, and so I "relaxed" a little. After all, I had accomplished my original goal- perhaps I would give up and just maintain at this weight? Heck, I even posted pictures of myself on Facebook in a swimsuit this past week- and I didn't feel fat or embarrassed!

When I look at it that way, it's easy to see why I stopped losing weight. However, what delights me the most is that over the past three months, I haven't been gaining any back. I've been plus or minus four pounds of where I stopped the entire time, which makes me feel great. I know now that I've developed the habits that will help me maintain for a lifetime when I do decide to stop losing.

However- that time isn't now. While I'm still thrilled about the improvements I've made in my health and my appearance, I'm still considered overweight by BMI and I know that I can still lose some more weight healthfully and that I will look great when I'm finished. At this point I believe it's going to take more of an effort exercising as well as watching my eating habits, but that's for the best. Exercise is great for our bodies and I need to incorporate it into my routine.

So- I'm back. And I'm ready to get back on track and focus again.

Summer Salads

2011-07-18T14:21:00.000-07:00

We joined an organic farm produce share association this year and so far I'm quite happy with it. It was more expensive than I thought it would be, but the produce tastes so much better than store bought. My husband commented that the tomatoes especially have a rich, almost buttery taste compared to the bland ones at the grocery store. The fresh herbs are great, too. I rarely buy fresh herbs at the store but I've been getting some in my produce bin each week and they make meals so flavourful and smell great to boot!

I've also been getting some more unusual items so it's helped me broaden my recipes so that I can include the new items. Today's recipe doesn't have too much new in it, but I'm sure you'll find it as light and refreshing as I did- and it's a great twist to take a break from lettuce based salads.

Vegetable Ideas:

Lemon-Dill Summer Salad:

2 large tomatoes, cut into small cubes
1-2 cucumbers, chopped into cubes (peeled or not, your choice)
1 shallot, sliced (or a small onion)
1 garlic clove, minced
4 radishes, sliced (black radishes if you have them)
1/4 cup chopped fresh dill
3 tbsp Garlic Gold Meyer Lemon Vinaigrette

Place all the vegetables in a Tupperware container and add the herbs and stir. Pour in the dressing and shake until evenly distributed. Serve and enjoy! Makes 6 servings.

The Garlic Gold Lemon Vinaigrette gives this a very nice zesty flavour and made a delicious side dish. If you don't have it, you can mix together 6 tsp lemon juice with 6 tsp olive oil to make a dressing.

Count this as 1 vegetable serving and 1 fat serving and enjoy!

Disclosure: I received this product mentioned above for free in the hope that I would mention it on my blog. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. (And I really, really love Garlic Gold and plan to continue writing about their products!)

Great Summer Recipes!

2011-07-17T16:06:00.000-07:00

Now that the summer heat wave is here, I'm sure we're all looking for ways to cool off. Here are a few ideas that I've tried recently!

I usually drink plain water now, but every once in a while I have a craving for something different. In the summer, I love lemonade with BBQ-type meals! I got this recipe off the back of a Realemon lemon juice bottle and changed the sugar to Splenda to make a great lemonade recipe that no one would believe has very few calories!

Summer Sweet Lemonade:

1.6L cold water
1 cup Splenda
1 cup pure lemon juice

Mix everything together and stir well, and enjoy! It doesn't technically count as water since it's been sweetened, but as long as you aren't drinking just lemonade I wouldn't worry about it too much.

Hungry Girl sent out an email with a dip recipe not too long ago and I tried it and thought it was great! Here is my version:

Dairy/Protein Ideas:

Veggielicious Dip:

1 cup plain Greek yogurt
1/4 cup FF mayo
3 tbsp dried veggie soup mix
10 oz chopped frozen spinach, thawed and drained
1/2 cup sundried tomatoes packed in water, drained and chopped

Mix everything together and stir until well blended- it's that simple! And because you're using Greek yogurt as a base instead of sour cream, you can actually use 1/2 cup of this as a dairy/protein serving at 84 calories and 7g of protein. It has tons of flavour and makes a great afternoon snack (substitute 2 veggie servings instead of your fruit).

Review: Brad's Raw Foods

2011-07-13T10:15:00.000-07:00

When I first heard abour people eating a raw food diet, I was a little skeptical. How could raw, unprocessed food taste as good as cooked food with spices? My idea of a raw diet was vegetables fresh from the garden, which are delicious, but I couldn't see myself living off them!

Then I was given the opportunity to review Brad's Raw Foods and I was pleasantly surprised! They sent me 3 product samples, two kinds of kale chips and one bag of red bell pepper chips. I was still a little nervous when I saw the products; how could they possibly taste as good as potato chips, especially since these aren't baked or fried?

I took a bite of the "Vampire Killer" Kale Chips (spiced with garlic and vegan cheese) and they were different, but once I ate a few of them, I realized I really liked them. It took some getting used to since the flavour was so different from what I expect in a crunchy snack, but now that I've eaten them, I plan on ordering some more!

My son had no such inhibitions about them:

He thinks the Red Bell Pepper Chips are the best snack ever, and since they are healthy and made from vegetables, I don't mind him eating them!

I was totally shocked when my chip loving husband came up to me and said we had to order more of these. He loathes carrots and guess what the first ingredient on the Red Bell Pepper Chips is? He still loved the chips and thinks they make a great snack.

Brad's Raw Chips are a great product if you are looking for a healthy snack to munch on. They have all the crunch of potato chips but won't go to your hips! I definitely recommend checking out their blog so you can learn more about their product line. Their products are not only healthy but vegan too, so everyone can enjoy them. It's certainly a tasty way to eat your vegetables!

I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free using Tomoson.com created by WebBizIdeas.com. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commissions 16 CFR, Part 255 Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising. Tomoson Product review & giveaway Disclosure.

Barramundi

2011-07-10T17:05:00.000-07:00

I told myself at the start of my Seafood Theme that I was going to try at least one brand new thing. A lot of the recipes that I share here are ones that I've made before so I know they are good. But sometimes it's fun to try something with completely new ingredients and see how it goes. I found this recipe in Women's Health magazine and thought I'd give it a try. I'd never even heard of barramundi before, but much to my surprise when I asked for it at my grocery store fresh fish counter, they did have some in the back! So I figured I had to make this recipe and see how I liked it.

Also, when I went on vacation in December, I had these awesome fish tacos at the hotel restaurant and wanted to see if I could recreate them. Here's what I made:

Flex Meals (Dinner):

Chili-Lime Barramundi Tacos:

4oz barramundi fillet
1 tsp olive oil
2 small corn tortillas, warmed
shredded cabbage
diced tomatoes
pepper, chili powder, cumin, cilantro, lime juice to taste
Creamy Tarragon Sauce

Sprinkle the pepper, chili powder, and cumin over the fish. Heat the olive oil in a frying pan over medium heat, and add the fish. Cook for 5 minutes, flip, and cook for another 2 minutes. Chop into pieces and squirt with lime juice and a little fresh cilantro. Put the cabbage, tomatoes, and fish into the heated tortillas and enjoy with the Creamy Tarragon Sauce!

Creamy Tarragon Sauce (from Sobeys magazine):

1/4 cup sour cream
1 tbsp horseradish
2 tbsp finely chopped fresh tarragon
1/2 tsp lemon zest

Mix all ingredients together and enjoy with the fish tacos. 2 tbsp is a free food.

This didn't have quite the same flavour as the ones I had in Florida, so I'm going to have to keep searching for a great recipe that will work. The tarragon sauce had quite a kick to it in my opinion- if you like horseradish you will love it, but if you aren't used to it (I'm not), you might want to cut the amount to 1 tsp instead. I think I will do that next time.

It was a nice light meal though. Count it as one dinner entree plus a vegetable serving (and a free food if you use the sauce). The oil is part of your flex dinner so you still need to add a fat and some veggies to make a complete dinner.

And that brings our Seafood Theme to a close... I have some other great new recipes to share though, so keep checking back!

Red Lobster

2011-07-06T18:17:00.001-07:00

I'm sorry there's been such a long break in the middle of my theme posting. Things have just been a little crazy here and I haven't had a lot of time for blogging. I still do have some Seafood Week recipes for you to enjoy, though!

Flex Meals (Dinner):

Lobster Pizza:

1 Flatout wrap (or othe carb serving)
4 oz lobster meat
2 tsp Garlic Gold
1 oz shredded cheese
chopped tomatoes and onions
dried or chopped fresh basil
Garlic Gold Parmesan Nuggets

Preheat your oven to 400 degrees. Drizzle the Garlic Gold onto the pizza crust and sprinkle with the basil. Add the lobster meat and vegetables and top with cheese. Bake until cheese is melted and browning, about 8 minutes. Sprinkle the Parmesan nuggets on top, and enjoy!

This recipe is so quick, easy, and delicious. I used to love Red Lobster's version and this one tastes just as good- plus you get more lobster to enjoy! If you don't have Garlic Gold, I really recommend trying it. You can substitute with olive oil and chopped garlic, but it won't have the same smooth flavour to it. I also haven't found a substitute anywhere for the Garlic Gold Nuggets- they are amazing! So full of flavour- they definitely make a nice touch to a meal.

Count this as a flex dinner + fat serving + dairy serving. Or, if you like, use the Nutrisystem Italian Herb Flatbread Pizza for your crust (discard the sauce) and just scale back the lobster to 2oz and the Garlic Gold to 1 tsp and then you have the same, dinner + fat + dairy/protein. You can choose to use NS cheese or you may substitute any cheese that has 72 calories and 5g of fat, which are the stats for the NS cheese. I rarely use it anymore because I prefer to substitute my own which melts better.

But whatever way you make it, this is a nice twist on pizza and it makes a yummy dinner!

Disclosure: I received this product mentioned above for free in the hope that I would mention it on my blog. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. (And I really, really love Garlic Gold and plan to continue writing about their products!)

Numbers

2011-06-26T09:19:00.000-07:00

I'm still stuck on my plateau here, and honestly, it's starting to drive me a little batty. I know it's perfectly normal to hit plateaus, especially when one has lost the amount of weight that I have, but to step on the scale this many times and see no movement at all is pretty frustrating.

So, I regretfully must suspend the Spring Into Summer Challenge. If you're participating, please feel free to keep sharing your numbers with us! But I'm going to take a break from the scale for a while and just concentrate on being healthy. I know that eventually the scale will start moving again as it does for everyone, and I just need to be patient. Hopefully this will remove some of the stress so that I can just get back to losing. I have to remember it's about more than the number on the scale and look at everything I've accomplished so far. I am NOT failing; I've gone from a size 1X to a M and I wear a smaller size than the average Canadian woman. I reached my first goal of 98lbs lost which is already so huge! I will reach my second goal as well, as long as I keep working at it.

I hope you're enjoying the Seafood Week recipes and I still have more to share so keep checking back!

Fish 'n Chips

2011-06-25T08:46:00.000-07:00

I always used to love going to fish and chip shops and getting big pieces of halibut, battered and deep fried, smothered with tartar sauce. Don't forget the giant order of French fries to go with it! I shudder when I think now at how many calories and grams of fat I was eating.

But yes, it's still possible to enjoy breaded fish and "fries" and stay on your weight loss plan- I definitely suggest you give this recipe a try!

Flex Meals (Dinner):

Breaded Fish & Chips:

4oz halibut (or other white, flaky fish)
1 slice stale whole wheat bread, processed into breadcrumbs
Egg Beaters
black pepper, garlic, Italian spice blend to taste
1 tsp olive oil
serving of Cajun Fries (minus chili powder)

Turn a frying pan on medium heat and warm the oil. Dip the fish in the Egg Beaters and then into the breadcrumbs. Repeat until the breadcrumbs are stuck to the fish. Fry the fish in the oil in a covered pan for about 8 minutes, or until fish is white throughout. Enjoy! Counts as your complete dinner with the fries.

My next thought was to find a way to enjoy some tartar sauce with my fish. I love the stuff, but it's deadly! One tablespoon generally has about 75 calories and 8g of fat, and it's just not worth it. However, I found a great recipe to make my own from Taste of Home and it was a pretty good substitute- not quite as rich but the same flavour.

Tartar Sauce:

* 1/2 cup nonfat plain yogurt
* 1/4 cup fat-free mayonnaise
* 1 tablespoon sweet pickle relish, drained
* 2 teaspoons dried minced onion
* 1 teaspoon dried parsley flakes
* 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
* 2 drops hot pepper sauce

In a small bowl, combine all ingredients. Cover and refrigerate until serving.
One tablespoon contains 9 calories, 43 mg sodium, trace cholesterol, 2 gm carbohydrate, trace protein, trace fat. So you can enjoy 2 tbsp with your fish and count it as a free food!

Sauce

2011-06-24T10:18:00.000-07:00

I remember one of the first things I "learned" when I started trying to lose weight back in 2005 was that you couldn't eat sauce on your food, because it was nearly always the not-so-hidden source of extra calories, fat, salt, and sugar. Yes, you can make food taste good with spices and other preparation methods, but when your palate is used to sauce, suddenly going to things like plain chicken breast can be one heck of a shock!

I was delighted when I read about this marinade recipe in Men's Health- with only a few tweaks, it is Nutrisystem friendly and only counts as a free food. Definitely give it a try when you want a delicious dish reminiscent of Asian cooking.

Flex Meals (Dinner or Lunch):

Orange Maple Salmon:

1 raw salmon fillet (3oz for lunch, 4oz for dinner)
1/4 cup orange juice (I used Tropicana 50 to lower the sugar)
1 tbsp SF maple syrup
1 tsp soy sauce
garlic, to taste

Soak the salmon in the marinade for a minimum of half an hour, then bake it in the oven at 350 degrees for 30 minutes. Pour a little leftover marinade on top of the fish before baking it if desired (make sure you put down tinfoil in the pan in that case as this sauce will stick to the dish!).

This is great no matter what you pair it with. I liked it on a tortilla with cabbage and rice wine vinegar, but it would also be great with rice and veggies. When using this as a flex meal, count the salmon as your protein servings plus a free food and make sure you add everything else you're supposed to have.

I'm guessing this would also be great on the BBQ!

Soup: Not Just For Winter!

2011-06-21T18:13:00.000-07:00

I adore creamy soups. Unfortunately, it's tough to get creamy soups that are delicious but not hard on the waistline! This recipe is wonderful, and if it wasn't such a pain to shell the crab, I would make it much more often!

I got the idea when I was at the grocery store buying some fish, and I saw in the fresh seafood area that they had live Dungeness crabs. I've read a lot about them but never actually tried one, so I decided to give it a shot. I must admit though, it was quite a fight! So, if you have kids or a spouse who are willing to shell it for you- bonus!

A friend of mine gave me the idea to make it into a bisque when I said I was having trouble figuring out what to do with it, and the result was delicious.

Flex Meals (Dinner):

Creamy Crab Bisque:

1 Dungeness crab, shell removed (about 4-5oz of meat)
1 1/4 cup vegetable broth
3/4 cup FF half & half
1 tbsp flour
1 tbsp chopped onion
1 tbsp chopped green onion
2 tsp butter
pepper, Old Bay to taste

Fry your onion in the butter until it starts to caramelize, and add the flour to form a paste. Pour in the broth and half & half and stir, simmer for about 5 minutes. Add in the crabmeat and spices, and simmer to allow the flavours to blend. Serve with the green onions as a garnish, and a carb serving of your choice.

I counted this as dinner + dairy/protein + dinner fat serving and it was so good and a huge portion so I am stuffed. Before adding the carb, this came to 323 calories, 25g of carbs, 7g fat, and 38g protein. This puts it at the high end for a dinner but still within the range since it includes the dairy/protein and fat.

It might be makeable with canned crab meat (and a lot cheaper!) but it was SO good with the real thing.

Seafood Week

2011-06-20T17:58:00.000-07:00

I got an email today that expressed sadness that I was quitting blogging. I'm sorry if I have given you that impression! I've been tired and haven't felt up to writing much lately but I am definitely still here and plan to keep blogging. Thanks for sticking with me during my dry spells!

I have quite a few delicious seafood flex recipes to share, so Seafood Week may run a little long. I'm also still taking requests if you have a recipe you'd like to see made NS-friendly. It would be great if you could link me to a "real" version so I know I'm not confusing it with another dish as well.

Today's recipe was inspired by (bad pun intended) Inspirations magazine from Sobey's. Very light, so it's perfect on a summer day.

Flex Meals (Lunch):

Grilled Scallops with Summer Compote:

4oz Bay scallops, raw
1 tsp basil pesto
1 tsp Garlic Gold
1/4 lemon, zested and juiced
grape tomatoes, cut in half
cucumber, peeled and cut into small chunks
green onion, finely chopped
fresh tarragon, finely chopped (with a piece for garnish)

In a Tupperware, combine the scallops, pesto, Garlic Gold, and half the lemon zest. Close and put it in the fridge for half an hour. In another bowl, put the tomato and cucumber chunks, and add the remaining lemon zest and half the juice, and toss with the green onion and tarragon; place onto your plate. Heat your BBQ (or grill, or in a pinch, a frying pan) to high. Grill scallops for approximately 2 minutes per side or until lightly charred. Spoon them over the tomato/cucumber compote and drizzle with remaining lemon juice, and enjoy!

This serves one and counts as a flex lunch plus a fat serving. You also get to add a carb, and I liked having a Weight Watcher's breadstick with it, which is also great for wiping out your bowl! As prepared, it was 196 calories, 10g carbs, 8g fat, and 20g protein.

The Garlic Gold complemented this meal perfectly with the lemon. I've found that a blend of Garlic Gold and lemon juice also makes a delicious dipping sauce for steamed seafood like lobster tails or grilled shrimp, and it's much more heart healthy and flavourful than using plain melted butter. Definitely give it a try!

Disclosure: I received this product mentioned above for free in the hope that I would mention it on my blog. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. (And I really, really love Garlic Gold and plan to continue writing about their products!)

Spring Into Summer Weight Loss Challenge: Week 4

2011-06-19T16:00:00.000-07:00

Sorry for the lack of updates this week- I've just been very tired and haven't spent that much time on the computer. However, I have been cooking so look for some Seafood Week recipes coming over the next few days!

I find the heat in the summer really takes my energy and I just don't feel motivated to exercise much. I really need to find something to give me that kick in the behind because I know I can get where I want to be, but I have to keep going!

This is my third week of no change... very frustrating! I know that exercising is the best way to get the scale moving again, so I need to start doing it!

1st weigh in May 29: - 2.6 lbs (1.56%)
2nd weigh in June 5: - 0 lbs (1.56%)
3rd weigh in June 12: - 0 lbs (1.56%)
4th weigh in June 19: - 0 lbs (1.56%)
5th weigh in June 26:
6th weigh in July 3:
7th weigh in July 10:
Final weigh in July 17:

How did you do this week? Hopefully better than I did!

Spring Into Summer Weight Loss Challenge: Week 3

2011-06-12T19:54:00.000-07:00

Well, I seem to have finally hit the dreaded plateau. After more than a year though, I can't really complain! I know I just need to stay motivated and push through it and the pounds will start dropping off again.

I know I've been stuck in the same weight loss range for quite a while now, but it's hard to be disappointed. When I originally signed up for Nutrisystem, I set my goal to lose 98lbs and I've accomplished that. I never thought I'd actually be able to do it and it's something I am very proud of. So while it's frustrating that I've been "wasting time", not only have I not regained any weight but I've continued to lose (albeit very slowly). That really gives me confidence that I have changed my habits for life, and that I am going to be able to maintain this loss.

But, I want to keep going. I want to achieve my second goal weight, and I know I can do it. I just have to make some more changes in my lifestyle to make exercise a permanent part of my life. I need to understand that, just like the changes I've made about food, this isn't a quick fix and going back to my old habits will mean that I'll lose all the progress I've made. Exercise is part of being healthy and I definitely need to do more of it!

Not to mention that you can't really "waste time". When I was younger, I always used to feel like I was just waiting to actually begin my life; waiting for things to happen. It took getting older to realize that life was happening all along- I just had to enjoy the journey. And that's what I'm trying to do here. It's not a race to reach my goal weight as quickly as possible. For me, this is and has been a learning process to figure out the best way to incorporate healthy changes into my life so that I don't feel deprived and that I'm happy with my choices. In the long run, if it takes me a few weeks longer to reach my goal, that's OK- it doesn't matter. I just have to keep going!

I also wanted to share with you that today ends my commitment to the Nutrisystem Canada Blogger Program. I am so appreciative that I was able to be part of the program- the people I worked with were so friendly, helpful, and supportive (thank you, Meredith!). I will be continuing to follow the Nutrisystem program but it'll be back on my own dime again :)

1st weigh in May 29: - 2.6 lbs (1.56%)
2nd weigh in June 5: - 0 lbs (1.56%)
3rd weigh in June 12: - 0 lbs (1.56%)
4th weigh in June 19:
5th weigh in June 26:
6th weigh in July 3:
7th weigh in July 10:
Final weigh in July 17:

How did you do this week? I'm sure by now everyone's lost more than I have! But there is still lots of time left for me to catch up!

Seafood Week

2011-06-09T16:39:00.000-07:00

One thing I do miss about cooking for myself is seafood. I love just about everything that comes from the ocean! Unfortunately, I can understand that it must be difficult to make seafood shelf stable. Even frozen isn't the same as perfectly fresh fish or shrimp.

I'm going to do a series next week on flexing meals that fit within the Nutrisystem guidelines but still allow you to enjoy your favourite seafood meals! If there is something in particular you're hoping to see a healthy version of, let me know and I'll see what I can do.

Seafood is such a great food item to enjoy while pursuing a healthy lifestyle. It's all low calorie and high protein- most of the problem with seafood dishes is what we add to it. Lobster, one of my favourite meals, has only 30 calories per ounce and 6 grams of protein. Just don't look at how many calories and fat grams are in that little bowl of clarified butter that usually comes with it!

I also find that fish is a great entree choice for summer, since it's light but filling, and also that it goes great on the BBQ.

What's your favourite kind of seafood and what dish do you miss eating with it?

Panini Press = Awesome!

2011-06-08T12:53:00.000-07:00

Who doesn't love a cheesy sandwich on crisp bread toasted in a panini press? It's been so hot out lately that I just wanted to have a light supper, so I thought of having a sandwich. Definitely give this one a try!

Italian Herb Flatbread Pizza (Dinner):

Grilled Ham & Cheese Panini:

1 pkg Nutrisystem Italian Herb Flatbread Pizza
1 really sharp knife
2 tsp Dijon mustard
1 oz shredded cheddar cheese
3oz sliced deli ham

Preheat your panini press. Carefully split the Italian Herb Flatbread pizza into two halves lengthwise, so you have two very thin slices of "bread". This takes some practice and a sharp knife so that you don't make holes in the bread like I did the first time! Spread the Dijon mustard on one half of the bread, and layer the ham on top. Sprinkle with cheese, top with the other half of bread, and place in the panini press until cheese is melted. Enjoy with a nice salad!

Now, you aren't using the Nutrisystem pizza sauce or cheese for this entree (unless you want to use their cheese instead of cheddar). I checked with Dietary Services and the cheese is 72 calories and 5g of fat, so I substituted my own to fit those stats. If you want to, you can just use the included cheese. The pizza sauce is 30 calories, so I substituted the Dijon mustard. So that makes this recipe count as a dinner entree + protein serving (the ham). Make sure to add the rest of your dinner servings (perhaps brush the bread with olive oil for your fat serving prior to grilling it).

This might also be yummy as a chicken parmigiana sandwich, using their sauce and cheese- just put a protein serving of chicken inside the sandwich and sprinkle the cheese over top. This is a very flexible recipe so go ahead and get creative!

Disclosure: This post was written by me and was not edited by anyone. The opinions expressed in this post are entirely my own and have not been influenced in any way. Nutrisystem Canada is providing their food and program to me free of charge for my weekly updates. I was not compensated for writing this post.

Spring Into Summer Weight Loss Challenge: Week 2

2011-06-05T15:56:00.000-07:00

I was disappointed but not altogether surprised to see the result this week. I know I'm retaining water right now and that can definitely have an effect on the scale! But I'm continuing to eat right and exercise, so I know that as long as I keep it up, the pounds are going to start dropping off again.

1st weigh in May 29: - 2.6 lbs (1.56%)
2nd weigh in June 5: - 0 lbs (1.56%)
3rd weigh in June 12:
4th weigh in June 19:
5th weigh in June 26:
6th weigh in July 3:
7th weigh in July 10:
Final weigh in July 17:

If you just found us today, feel free to join the challenge! How did you do this week, on the scale or with your other goals?

Ole!

2011-06-03T10:33:00.000-07:00

I am signed for a ton of daily recipe emails from a variety of different sites. Most of the time they are too high in calories and fat or they can't be easily made healthy, but sometimes I get a gem which only needs a few tweaks to make it delicious and Nutrisystem friendly. I had this for lunch today and really enjoyed this variation on traditional stuffed peppers. The inspiration came from Life Made Delicious.

Mexican Stuffed Peppers:

Black Beans & Rice (Lunch):

1 pkg Nutrisystem Black Beans & Rice
1 large bell pepper (any colour), cut in half and cleaned out
1/2 tomato, chopped
green onions, chopped
1/2 clove garlic, chopped
1 oz shredded cheese

Prepare entree as directed on the package. Be careful not to use too much water as this meal gets soupy in a hurry and then it's tough to get it out without turning everything to mush. Mix together the entree, vegetables, and garlic, and put the rice mixture inside the bell pepper halves. Bake for 15 minutes at 400 degrees. Remove and add the cheese on top, and place back in the oven until cheese is melted. Enjoy with a little sour cream or salsa if desired!

Disclosure: This post was written by me and was not edited by anyone. The opinions expressed in this post are entirely my own and have not been influenced in any way. Nutrisystem Canada is providing their food and program to me free of charge for my weekly updates. I was not compensated for writing this post.

Already?

2011-06-01T09:02:00.000-07:00

It's very frustrating that I just began my exercise program but I'm already getting sick. I've decided that since I just got started I am going to delay it until I'm feeling better since exercising while you're sick is pretty miserable. I don't feel like I'm making an excuse because I was starting to find level 1 on the 30 Day Shred to be much less challenging than it used to be, and yesterday it was so tough I had a hard time getting through it. Being weak will really take it out of you. I'll definitely post when I am re-starting the program!

I finally got my hands on the new shelf stable item. We were told LAST summer that it was coming very soon. Well, I don't have high hopes that I'll get to see any other new Nutrisystem meals while I'm on the program if this is soon!

Southern Style Biscuits & Gravy (Breakfast):

I had high hopes for this breakfast. Biscuits & gravy isn't something we get a lot in Canada but I have fond memories of it when I travel to the South. The idea of baking a biscuit in the microwave (with explicit instructions not to put it in the oven!) seemed a little odd, but I decided to give it a try.

As you can see, there is FAR too much gravy for that one poor little biscuit! I suppose I should have cut the biscuit in half to try and soak up some more of it, because although the gravy is actually very tasty, it wasn't much fun eating it with a spoon. If you have an extra carb serving for your breakfast a piece of toast would be perfect here. The biscuit comes out of the microwave looking exactly the way it does when you put it in- white. But, it does still taste pretty good, if dense. I really enjoyed the gravy, which has little bits of sausage in it- very flavourful. I am glad I ordered a couple of these because they are a nice change from the sweet breakfasts and are pretty yummy at that!

Disclosure: This post was written by me and was not edited by anyone. The opinions expressed in this post are entirely my own and have not been influenced in any way. Nutrisystem Canada is providing their food and program to me free of charge for my weekly updates. I was not compensated for writing this post.

Insomnia

2011-05-29T21:22:00.000-07:00

I've been having so much trouble sleeping lately and I really don't know why. I get tired, go to bed, and just lie there wide awake. It really sucks, especially when my little guy likes to get up at the crack of dawn, whether Mommy is ready or not!

So, here I am on my computer at midnight. Hopefully I can fall asleep soon!

Maybe it'll all be worth it because I'm here to make another commitment. I think I've finally gotten my motivation back and I'm ready to continue changing my life. I'm so close to my goal; how can I stop now? I'm still so proud of myself that despite having trouble staying on plan for the past 8 weeks, I still managed to lose weight overall. To me, that's a great sign that I really am going to be able to maintain my weight in the future.

But I'm ready to step it up another notch. Time to shift my focus a little more to exercise. Starting tomorrow (well, today), I'm going to do the Jillian Michaels 30 Day Slimdown program. It gets great reviews, and because you're shifting to different workouts each day, your body doesn't get used to what you're doing. I bought the DVDs I needed a while ago but they've just been sitting here, so it's time to dust them off!

Here's the order of the workouts I'll be doing:

May 30 - 30 DAY SHRED: LEVEL 1
May 31 - 30 DAY SHRED: LEVEL 1
June 1 - NO MORE TROUBLE ZONES
June 2 - 30 DAY SHRED: LEVEL 1
June 3 - BANISH FAT, BOOST METABOLISM
June 4 - QUICK TROUBLE ZONES
June 5 - OFF!
June 6 - 30 DAY SHRED: LEVEL 1
June 7 - 30 DAY SHRED: LEVEL 2
June 8 - QUICK TROUBLE ZONES
June 9 - 30 DAY SHRED: LEVEL 2
June 10 - BANISH FAST, BOOST METABOLISM
June 11 - NO MORE TROUBLE ZONES
June 12 - OFF!
June 13 - 30 DAY SHRED: LEVEL 1 & QUICK TROUBLE ZONES
June 14 - 30 DAY SHRED: LEVEL 2
June 15 - NO MORE TROUBLE ZONES
June 16 - 30 DAY SHRED: LEVEL 1 & 2
June 17 - NO MORE TROUBLE ZONES
June 18 - BANISH FAT, BOOST METABOLISM
June 19 - OFF!
June 20 - 30 DAY SHRED: LEVEL 2 & 1
June 21 - QUICK TROUBLE ZONES
June 22 - BANISH FAT, BOOST METABOLISM
June 23 - QUICK TROUBLE ZONES & 30 DAY SHRED: LEVEL 2
June 24 - OFF!
June 25 - NO MORE TROUBLE ZONES & 30 DAY SHRED LEVEL 1
June 26 - BANISH FAT, BOOST METABOLISM & QUICK TROUBLE ZONES
June 27 - 30 DAY SHRED: LEVEL 2 AND THEN LEVEL 1
June 28 - NO MORE TROUBLE ZONES

I even wrote the correct DVD in my day planner so that I can't postpone or skip a day; I'm ready to go!

Now I just need to come up with a great reward to myself for when I complete this program. Any good ideas? I think I deserve something good if I manage to finish this! Although I think the satisfaction of completing it is going to feel pretty damn good :)

Spring Into Summer Weight Loss Challenge:Week 1

2011-05-29T04:29:00.001-07:00

So how did your week go? I was delighted to see that I had a nice loss this week. It looks like my body was really ready to get back to losing weight! I just stayed on track and tried to get as much exercise as possible (although I'm looking forward to stepping it up next week when my husband's back in town so I'll have a little more time).

1st weigh in May 29: - 2.6 lbs (1.56%)
2nd weigh in June 5:
3rd weigh in June 12:
4th weigh in June 19:
5th weigh in June 26:
6th weigh in July 3:
7th weigh in July 10:
Final weigh in July 17:

If you just found us today, feel free to join in! How did you do this week, on the scale or with your other goals?

Sorry!

2011-05-28T05:00:00.000-07:00

I haven't been around much this week. I went to visit my family in another city for a few days since my husband's out of town, and I don't get too much time to cook while I'm there! Then I've just been tired lately so I haven't felt much like writing.

I will tell you that I am looking forward to weighing in this week for our Spring Into Summer Challenge! You can still join us- the first weigh in is Sunday May 29!

I have a great snack idea to share with you- enjoy!

BBQ Chicken Snack Pizzas:

2 large portabello mushrooms, stems removed
1 tbsp reduced calorie BBQ sauce
1/2 oz shredded mozzerella
1 1/2 oz chopped cooked chicken
your favourite veggies (I like tomatoes and onions)

Top the mushrooms with the sauce, chicken, veggies, and cheese, and bake in the oven until they are melted and browning on top. Yum!

These are a great afternoon snack. Nutrisystem guidelines allows you to swap 2 veggie servings occasionally for your fruit serving, so you can count this snack as 1 fruit, 1 dairy/protein, and 1 free food. Delicious and filling! You can also premake these and just reheat them in the microwave if you want a nice treat on a work day :)

Voda Swim Push Up Swimwear Winner!

2011-05-25T17:12:00.000-07:00

And the winner is...

Victoria - Ozarks Crescent Mural said...

I subscribe to your blog via Feedblitz. That's how I'm able to keep up on it and why I had posted on your FB wall since I hadn't received any updates in awhile and found out you were in Vegas.

May 19, 2011 12:36 AM

Congratulations, Victoria! You have won a Voda Swim bathing suit of your choice! Please email me with your information so that you can claim your prize!

Sponsored by Tomoson.com

Spring Into Summer Weight Loss Challenge

2011-05-22T15:59:00.001-07:00

I weighed in today and found that I am basically where I was right before I got sick. So yes, that means I've wasted some time, but all I have to do now is get right back into things and the next thing I know, I'll be ready for new jeans again :)

What better way to kick things off then by starting a new weightloss challenge? My friend and I are starting today and going for 8 weeks. Come join us! You can post your starting weight (but you don't have to) or just announce your intention to participate and share your losses with us each week. Set a goal for yourself and a reward you will give yourself for achieving it!

Please feel free to share your other healthy goals with us, too. Mine is to increase my exercise to a minimum of 30 minutes a day, 5x a week.

1st weigh in May 29:
2nd weigh in June 5:
3rd weigh in June 12:
4th weigh in June 19:
5th weigh in June 26:
6th weigh in July 3:
7th weigh in July 10:
Final weigh in July 17:

No more excuses- let's do this together!

Crazy Fries!

2011-05-18T16:37:00.000-07:00

We went to the mall yesterday to do some grocery shopping and stopped at the food court for a drink. I have to admit, the fries from New York Fries smelled SO good. But I did remember that they wouldn't taste as good as I remembered, so I decided to come home and recreate my craving.

The original (small) NYF Veggie Works has 600 calories, 29g of fat, and 79g of carbs- yuck! It's just not worth it for something that would make me feel lousy. But the idea of fries, cheese sauce, sour cream, tomatoes, and green onions sounded so good... so here's my version!

New York Fries Veggie Works:

1 serving Cajun Fries (minus the chili powder and paprika)
1 serving cheese sauce
1 tbsp FF sour cream
diced tomatoes and onions to garnish

This is SO good and definitely kicked my craving! It's gooey and cheesy, and serve it on the side with a hamburger for dinner and you'll swear you're going to gain 5lbs (but without that nasty bloated feeling after you eat!). Count this as 2 veggie servings (or 1 carb), 1 dairy serving, 1 fat serving, and 2 free foods.

Disclosure: This post was written by me and was not edited by anyone. The opinions expressed in this post are entirely my own and have not been influenced in any way. Nutrisystem Canada is providing their food and program to me free of charge for my weekly updates. I was not compensated for writing this post.

Review and Giveaway: Voda Swim Push Up Swimwear

2011-05-17T15:33:00.000-07:00

I was so excited when I opened up the mail and saw that my Voda Swim padded swimsuit had arrived! I hadn't worn a bathing suit for years because I was so self conscious about the way I looked in one.

I love how flattering Voda Swim's styles are. They do offer some racy styles like Brazilian bikinis, but they also offer some stylish one pieces as well as tankinis, like the one I chose in Midnight Envy.

The thing I really love about Voda Swim push up swimwear is the Envy push up design, which will give you a nice boost in the cleavage department of 1-2 cup sizes. And for those of us who have lost a lot of weight, sometimes we lose in in places we'd like to keep it! The Voda Swim top gives me great support and a nice silhouette. The best part is, unlike other padded swimwear, the Voda Swim top will keep its shape when wet so that you still look great when you're swimming.

OK, now please be kind and remember that I still have some weight to lose... but at least now I'm not afraid to go out in public wearing a swimsuit!

I would definitely recommend Voda Swim to anyone looking for a quality swimsuit that is going to make them look and feel great, regardless of what size they wear. I can't wait until I reach my goal weight so I can try one of their string bikinis!

Want to try a Voda Swim swimsuit of your own? Voda Swim is giving one away here on Stomach Rumblings! And if you don't win, you can still get a great deal on swimwear by using the code Rumblings to save 10% off your purchase.

Mandatory Entry: Comment here and tell us which Voda Swim swimsuit you would choose if you win the contest! (please leave a valid email so I can contact you if you win)

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Giveaway ends May 24 at 10pm EST- good luck! And a big THANK YOU to Voda Swim for letting me do this review and giveaway!

I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free using Tomoson.com created by WebBizIdeas.com. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commissions 16 CFR, Part 255 Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising. Tomoson Product review & giveaway Disclosure.

Quick Twists

2011-05-16T16:04:00.000-07:00

I've learned that not everything tastes good to me at first, but sometimes it only takes a simple addition to make one of those "iffy" Nutrisystem entrees taste a lot better. As I've said in the past, I generally don't care for Nutrisystem's Asian entree selections because I can make better entrees flexing, but this little tweak will bring the Orange Chicken back on my menu occasionally.

Orange Chicken Breast with Vegetables & Rice (Dinner):

Orange Ginger Chicken Stir Fry:

1 pkg Nutrisystem Orange Chicken Breast with Vegetables & Rice
3 servings of your favourite Asian stir fry veggies (I like broccoli, water chestnuts, mushrooms, snow peas, carrots, and onions)
1-2 tsp Gourmet Garden Ginger paste
1 tsp dark soy sauce

Spray a frying pan with PAM spray and cook vegetables until they are tender. Mix in the Orange Chicken, ginger paste, and soy sauce. Stir well and allow flavours to blend and the meal to heat through. Enjoy!

This recipe is so simple but it gives the Orange Chicken some great texture and crunch, and the orange/ginger combination is great together. I like using the Gourmet Garden ginger paste as it blends evenly into the meal without creating "pockets" of ginger flavour. You can find it in the refrigerated section at your grocery store. Otherwise, you can also use fresh ginger slices.

With all the veggies, this makes an enormous bowl of food and I really enjoy it when I want Asian but I'm feeling too lazy to cook my own.

Disclosure: This post was written by me and was not edited by anyone. The opinions expressed in this post are entirely my own and have not been influenced in any way. Nutrisystem Canada is providing their food and program to me free of charge for my weekly updates. I was not compensated for writing this post.

I'm Home!

2011-05-15T16:20:00.000-07:00

I had a great trip! I had some misgivings about going at first since I really want to get moving again on my weight loss and I know that travel always sets me back, but then I realized, hey- I've still got my life to live! And it's not what happens on any particular day that matters- it's my overall approach to my health. And while I was in Vegas, although I did enjoy a few treats and some alcohol, I didn't go crazy and I still stuck to portion control. It was also nice not to be stuffed all the time; we didn't go to any buffets.

It was really nice to get away and just be myself for a while. I missed my son but I know he enjoyed staying with Grandma and he was happy to see us when we picked him up today.

Now that I'm home, I'm back on program and looking forward to re-earning my 100lb bear! I'll post a weigh-in as usual on Sunday and I have some great recipes to share with you this week, so don't forget to check back or sign up to receive my posts via email. I also have a great giveaway that is coming this week as well and you won't want to miss it!

Away We Go...

2011-05-02T16:13:00.000-07:00

And now for something completely different! My husband decided to surprise me with an impromptu vacation. He has business this week and I'm coming along! My mother is going to watch our son so we will have ten days to ourselves. I am very excited and looking forward to it.

I don't think internet access will be free there so I will likely be unable to post while I'm away. We return home on May 15 and I'll get right back to blogging!

In the meantime, here are the last few reviews of the items on the Select program. If you have the opportunity to order the frozen items I definitely recommend it! If you are not sure you will enjoy them, you can always choose to order a 10 day package a la carte rather than changing your program right away (I bet you will after you try these!).

Garden Vegetable Omelet (Frozen Breakfast):

I must confess that I am still baffled how a veggie omelet can have more calories than the ham & cheese one. I thought this was okay but nothing special. Since the omelets are so low calorie, you can actually use them as your dairy/protein serving at breakfast if you wish. I really liked having this with a side of the Homestyle Pancakes or the Golden French Toast.

Ham and Cheese Omelet (Frozen Breakfast):

I thought this was really yummy. I wish the ham pieces were a little bigger but they were very flavourful with some black pepper on top and I liked the cheese. This entree is only 90 calories so, like the veggie omelet, I used it as a dairy/protein serving. I still wonder why it has similar stats to the Maple Sausage Patty which tells you to add a carb, but the omelets don't. It really doesn't make sense to me since they are so low calorie and low carb. But if you're looking for a yummy and protein packed low calorie entree, look no further.

Toasted Ham & Cheese (Frozen Lunch):

This really looks like a (larger) Toaster Strudel. Two came in my meal package, and while there are no instructions for microwave preparation on this one, I decided to nuke the first one because I was hungry and in a hurry. The bread was understandably soft in that case, but the sandwich was still yummy and gooey. Again, the ham pieces are really, really small though. I'm not sure why we couldn't just get thin slices of ham so it felt more like a sandwich and less like a processed item. The second time, I cooked it in my toaster and it came out nice and crispy. I enjoyed this lunch.

Salisbury Steak with Macaroni and Cheese (Frozen Dinner):

Coincidentally, the first frozen meal I tasted is the last to be reviewed! I didn't even notice that. This entree is really yummy. The Salisbury steak is juicy and comes with lots of sauce to put over veggies (green beans go really well with it!) and the macaroni is rich and creamy. I added some hot sauce and pepper to mine since I like it to have a little more of a bite. I was really impressed with this entree and definitely recommend you give it a try!

Disclosure: This post was written by me and was not edited by anyone. The opinions expressed in this post are entirely my own and have not been influenced in any way. Nutrisystem Canada is providing their food and program to me free of charge for my weekly updates. I was not compensated for writing this post.

Review: Garlic Gold Oil

2011-04-28T10:26:00.000-07:00

I have to let you know that this review is going to cost me money- I like the product so much that I am going to be ordering more!

I received a bottle of garlic infused olive oil from Garlic Gold, as well as 4 different types of Garlic Gold seasoning nuggets.

As soon as I opened the bottle of oil, I was excited- it smelled delicious. All you have to do is heat a bit of this oil in a pan and your kitchen smells like you are making a wonderful meal. And not only does it smell great, it has a great taste, too. The garlic infusion gives it some extra flavour without overwhelming the taste of what you are cooking.

We've used this oil several times already- I cooked salmon with it, it's great on my Cajun Fries, and my husband even fried his hamburger patties with it; he liked the garlicky flavour. But this has to be my favourite recipe using Garlic Gold so far:

Grilled Vegetable Panini with Mozzerella:

1 whole wheat panini bun
1/4 orange bell pepper
3 thin slices of zucchini, cut lengthwise
1 oz mozzerella cheese
1 tsp Garlic Gold oil
black pepper, basil to taste

In a Tupperware container, add the bell pepper, zucchini, Garlic Gold oil, and spices. Put the lid on tightly and shake until the oil covers the vegetables. Grill vegetables for 3-4 minutes per side. Cut panini open but leave a hinge on the bread. Place the grilled veggies inside the panini and top with cheese. Grill on a panini press (or regular grill or frying pan, flipping partway through) until cheese is melted. Slice in half and enjoy with a salad.

Not only is this lunch delicious and tastes like you ordered it at a fancy cafe, but it's Nutrisystem friendly as well! Count this as your lunch entree + veggies (if you eat the salad), and you are still able to add a dairy/protein serving as well.

I also love the Garlic Gold nuggets. They are a great way to add flavour to your food without adding lots of calories and sodium. In fact, there is no sodium at all in Garlic Gold nuggets, except of course in the Sea Salt flavour. I put the Parmesan nuggets on top of my spaghetti dinner and they tasted so good. My husband liked the Sea Salt nuggets on his French fries, and the Italian nuggets were delicious on my Portobella Pizza Mushrooms. I haven't yet tried the Garlic nuggets yet but I am looking forward to it. I definitely need to order some more of the nuggets I've tried because I really enjoy the flavour they add to my recipes.

If you like garlic, I definitely recommend you visit Garlic Gold's website. Until May 8, Stomach Rumblings readers can receive a 20% discount on your order of $20 or more by using the coupon code Tomoson20.

I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free using Tomoson.com created by WebBizIdeas a Minneapolis SEO and Web Design firm. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commissions 16 CFR, Part 255 Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising. Tomoson Product review & giveaway Disclosure.

Still Missing Those Frozen Entrees!

2011-04-27T14:12:00.000-07:00

The weather has been pretty warm here lately so I've definitely been missing the Nutrisystem frozen entrees! I am kind of hoping to go back to the US again sometime soon so that I can order them again. I hear there are some new frozen entrees coming out but unfortunately I won't be able to try them myself.

Here are some more reviews of the items I tried when I was in Kentucky.

Chicken Fajita Melt (Frozen Lunch):

I loved the filling on this lunch- it was perfect with a little plain Greek yogurt or some fat free sour cream. It was zesty, cheesy, and delicious. I admit that I wasn't wild about the bread-y wrapper though. I always think of tortillas when I picture chicken fajitas, so the texture of this seemed a little off to me. However, it was entirely my expectations- the entree was still delicious.

Glazed Chicken Tenders (Frozen Dinner):

The name on this one bugged me a little. To me, chicken tenders are breaded and you dip them in a sauce. This was more like chicken in a gravy-like glaze- the sauce wasn't even sweet like I expected it to be. The meal was tasty but I was hoping for it to be a little different. It wasn't bad, just okay.

Turkey Pepperoni Pizza (Frozen Dinner):

This entree is the reason why I say always try something for yourself- we all have different opinions and taste buds so just because everyone likes or hates something, doesn't mean you will!

On the Nutrisystem boards, this entree gets rave reviews. I was excited to try it. As with the other frozen pizzas, the crust is amazing. I just wish there was a way to get that texture in a shelf stable crust. I really wasn't a fan of this entree other than the crust. The pepperonis come in very small pieces so I found I didn't really get that yummy meat taste. I always add turkey pepperoni slices to my Italian Herb Flatbread pizza and it has more taste to it in my opinion. Also, it's tough to add veggies to the frozen pizzas and still have everything cook properly. I like loading up the shelf stable pizza crusts with my favourite toppings. They just seem more flexible. So I thought this pizza was just OK- I liked the toppings on the Margherita and Roasted Veggie pizzas much better.

Homestyle Pancakes (Frozen Breakfast):

Similar to the Turkey Pepperoni Pizza, I thought these were OK but preferred the shelf stable Pancake Mix just because of flexibility. With the Pancake Mix, I can make everything from cheese & egg biscuits to pineapple upside down cake. With this entree, well, I'm just eating pancakes. They were yummy pancakes but I like being able to play around with my food a little :)

I really have my hopes up that Nutrisystem will be able to find a distributor for their frozen foods in Canada. We already have stores like M&M Meat Shops that could carry the items (although not deliver them, I guess we'd have to pick it up). I would love to be able to purchase my favourite frozen items here in Canada!

Disclosure: This post was written by me and was not edited by anyone. The opinions expressed in this post are entirely my own and have not been influenced in any way. Nutrisystem Canada is providing their food and program to me free of charge for my weekly updates. I was not compensated for writing this post.

Gone Shopping

2011-04-25T15:00:00.000-07:00

Well, I figured out a great way to motivate myself again- I went shopping to buy some new clothes. It was so exciting to go into the dressing room with lots of clothes; and EVERYTHING looked good! That's a feeling I have never experienced in my life. I only bought a couple of summer dresses and a top because I don't want to spend too much money on transitional clothes (and a friend of mine was kind enough to give me a whole big bag full of clothes in my size!) bought I got such a self esteem boost while I was there.

This is what I want. And it will only get better from here as long as I continue to follow Nutrisystem. So why do I want to throw it all away? To go back to wearing baggy clothes so that I can hide fat rolls? To being unhealthy and shortening my life? It's just not worth it.

I'm ready to commit to getting back on track. This is my life and I only have one shot at it- I want to do it right.

More Thoughts on Exercise

2011-04-24T09:59:00.000-07:00

Now more than ever, I am wholly convinced that exercise has to be part of a healthy lifestyle and that it is integral to maintaining a successful weight loss. I remember reading somewhere that among people who lost a significant amount of weight, the ones who were less likely to regain it were the ones who made exercise part of their lives.

I'm still struggling, and I believe that part of it is because I have been unable to exercise. When I was sick I couldn't go to the gym, and then my son got sick so I wouldn't have been allowed to take him to the daycare there anyway even if I'd been so inclined. I can't exercise while he's awake (going for walks really doesn't count- I want to get a good workout in!) and there is absolutely no way I'm getting up before him to exercise- I need my sleep! Unfortunately I have a lousy napper so there's no time during the day for me, either. I thought about it and I realized I started getting derailed when I couldn't work out. It's not even about the calories I was burning or the muscles I was toning (as great as those things are!)- it's how it makes me feel.

Exercise makes my body feel good, and emotionally I always feel more positive. It always gives me a sense of accomplishment and that good tired feeling, instead of the "bad tired" that makes us lazy and not want to do things. I really need to find a way to get back into it, because I refuse to allow myself to throw away all my progress. I will not go back to being that fat girl.

I'm thinking of buying a bicycle and a trailer so that I can go riding with my son this summer. That sounds like something that we could do together and I could at least get some cardio in, if nothing else. But I am going to find a solution to this problem! I miss that happy positive feeling I had about my life and I'm the only one who can bring it back.

So it's time to stop what I'm doing and give myself a kick in the behind to get moving again! If you're not exercising yet, there's no time like the present to get started!

More Frozen Entrees!

2011-04-22T09:21:00.000-07:00

I heard on the Nutrisystem message boards that there are new frozen entrees coming. I'm really disappointed that I won't get a chance to try them- I really enjoy the Select frozen meals and wish they were available in Canada. Sometimes it's just nice to have a bit of a change from the shelf stable food, as much as I enjoy it.

I still have more reviews to share from when I had the frozen meals in Louisville. I definitely recommend choosing the Select frozen plan if you are able to do so- it really doesn't taste like diet food at all!

Asian Style Beef (Frozen Dinner):

I had read in another review that someone thought this entree was spicy. I thought, great- I love spicy food. I took a bite of this meal and my first thought was that it was great but not spicy at all. So I figured, well, tastes differ. Then, it hit me! It wasn't really like the meal was spicy at all- just like there was spice that had gotten into my mouth as an aftertaste, and it was really hot! I was a little uncomfortable finishing the meal because it just wasn't like the spicy that I'm used to, but I did eat it because the entree itself was tasty- I was just bothered by the aftertaste.

Golden French Toast (Frozen Breakfast):

I was a little sad when I opened this package and saw one solitary piece of French toast. Again, I think it was more psychological- how could this piece of toast keep me full? But, I decided to give it a fair try. I was pleasantly surprised by how good it tasted! It had a really nice flavour and I had to go back and read the package to try and figure out what it was. I think it is the orange zest which gives it a really lovely taste. I would definitely order this again if I was able to do so.

Margherita Pizza (Frozen Lunch):

I really love whatever Nutrisystem has done to make the pizza crusts so awesome. They have that thick crispiness like a Pizza Hut crust but without the grease- they really are amazing. I loved the toppings on this pizza and thought it tasted just right and made a great lunch.

Roast Turkey Medallions (Frozen Dinner):

This meal was delicious but it left me hanging. Where are my carbs??? I know there are a few in the gravy and in the vegetables, but as tasty as the entree was, I really wanted something more. A small side of mashed or roasted potatoes would have been absolutely perfect and really hit the spot. The turkey was very nicely seasoned and the veggies were crisp and flavourful- I did enjoy this but would have liked something to ease the carb craving.

Disclosure: This post was written by me and was not edited by anyone. The opinions expressed in this post are entirely my own and have not been influenced in any way. Nutrisystem Canada is providing their food and program to me free of charge for my weekly updates. I was not compensated for writing this post.

Thank You

2011-04-21T18:24:00.001-07:00

Thank you all for the kind comments and emails- they really helped. I'm still struggling but I've been doing much better than I was before. I need to get that motivation back!

I have been trying to make some new things in the hopes that the variety will inspire me. So far, breakfast has been pretty awesome! Here's a new recipe that I created and it was so good that I had it for breakfast 2 days in a row!

Pancake Mix (Breakfast):

Strawberry Ricotta Layer Cake:

1 pkg Nutrisystem Pancake Mix
1/4 cup milk
1/4 cup LF ricotta cheese
1 1/2 cups strawberries, sliced
2 tbsp Splenda
1/2 tsp baking powder
1/4 tsp vanilla extract

Preheat oven to 400 degrees. In a bowl, mix together the Pancake Mix, milk, vanilla, and 1 tbsp of the Splenda. Spray a casserole dish with Pam Butter spray and put the strawberries in the bowl. Mix the ricotta cheese with the remaining Splenda and spoon it on top of the strawberries. Pour the pancake batter on top. Top with one hulled strawberry and bake for ~25 minutes or until cake is brown on top.

I liked mine hot out of the oven since I like my strawberries hot and syrupy, but I bet this would be good cool as well. In fact, I liked it so much that I decided to try it with Chocolate Chip Pancake Mix, too!

The chocolate was SO good with the ricotta and strawberries- I'd make it again tomorrow but I am out of ricotta cheese! If you don't have any of the Chocolate Chip Pancake Mix (it's discontinued), simply add 20 calories' worth of mini chocolate chips and count it as a free food. Count this as a complete breakfast; just make sure that the stats on your ricotta cheese fit as a dairy/protein serving of 100 calories or less, 3g fat or less, and 7g protein or more. I've seen a lot of variation in different brands of ricotta and some fit while others don't.

Disclosure: This post was written by me and was not edited by anyone. The opinions expressed in this post are entirely my own and have not been influenced in any way. Nutrisystem Canada is providing their food and program to me free of charge for my weekly updates. I was not compensated for writing this post.

Choices

2011-04-18T19:08:00.000-07:00

Another hard post to write. I've had a lot of stuff going on lately and it feels like everything has just piled up on me. Pretty much since I've been sick, I've gone way, way off track, almost to the point where I think I didn't want myself to succeed anymore.

I don't like making excuses. I don't believe in them since I'm the only one stopping me from reaching my goals. So instead, I'll just say that I've really been letting myself down. I've really lost my fire and determination to keep going because I just feel so down lately.

I know I've regained some of my weight since my last weigh in but I'm giving it until Sunday before I get back on the scale. I really don't want to know, honestly; I'm eating worse than I ever did at my highest weight. And my body hates it! I feel so much better when I'm eating healthy food then when I eat this crap.

I'm not really feeling motivated to continue right now, but I know that I have a choice. I can find a way to get through this and keep going, or I can keep doing what I'm doing and flush all my hard work down the toilet. That doesn't sound very appealing, either. I am proud to say that I've been back on plan now for two full days and right now, I'm just trying to take things one day at a time.

It really didn't help that the other day, I got an email with so much negativity from someone who I thought was a friend. She told me that she doesn't think that even if I get to a healthy body weight that I'll ever be able to maintain it and she doesn't want to sit by and watch me gain a hundred pounds. That really hurt. And it doesn't make sense since I should be more determined as a result, but instead it made it even harder for me to focus on losing again.

So right about now, I could really use some positive thoughts. They say that everyone who is losing weight needs support at some point, and I certainly could. So if you've stuck with me this far, I'd really like to hear from you.

And in the meantime, I'll keep trying to take things one day at a time. I've come too far to let it all go now, no matter how lousy I feel.

Sorry!

2011-04-14T16:53:00.000-07:00

I've been having some trouble with my internet lately and it's taking forever to get things sorted out. I hate it when technicians give you an 8 hour window in which they plan to arrive, so you stay home, and then they don't show up! Talk about wasted time.

So I'm posting from a friend's house but I just wanted to let you know that it might be a few days before I'm able to get online again. I do have an awesome recipe to share with you, though!

Pancake Mix (Breakfast):

Banana Bread:

1 pkg Nutrisystem Pancake Mix
2 tbsp Splenda
2 1/2 tsp milk
2 1/2 tsp sour cream
1 tsp Egg Beaters
1/2 overripe banana
1/4 oz chopped walnuts (optional)

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Spray a small loaf pan with PAM butter spray. Mix all the ingredients together until it is a very thick batter. I didn't think it would come together at first with that small an amount of liquid, but it did! Bake for 20-25 minutes or until golden brown.

You're adding exactly 6 calories for the milk, sour cream, and egg beaters, so I don't bother counting them at all- I just include it in the entree. Feel free to count it as part of your dairy/protein if you like. If you add the walnuts, count a fat, but otherwise- this is just an entree + fruit so you can still have your dairy serving on the side. This is really yummy right out of the oven!

Disclosure: This post was written by me and was not edited by anyone. The opinions expressed in this post are entirely my own and have not been influenced in any way. Nutrisystem Canada is providing their food and program to me free of charge for my weekly updates. I was not compensated for writing this post.

Not This Way...

2011-04-10T10:34:00.000-07:00

Thank you to whoever nominated me for the Blogger's Choice Awards! I really appreciate that. If you'd like to vote for me, you can do so by clicking here.

Well, I stepped on the scale this morning and was truly shocked. This is not a healthy way to lose weight! I haven't been able to keep much down and so I've been eating very little. As a result, I lost 5.8lbs this week- definitely not a good thing. I fully expect to gain some back next week once I start eating normally again, since I've probably messed up my metabolism.

I'm still not feeling well, but better than I was. I'm very tired and having a little one to chase around doesn't help. At least he is not sick anymore!

But I do have some things I wanted to mention- good weight loss or not. If you've been with me since the beginning, then you know that my ticker was originally set for a 98lb goal. I've not only accomplished that but I've blown right by it. That's amazing to me. I remember when I originally set that goal I hoped, but never actually believed I'd be able to achieve it. I know I set it at a higher weight than I wanted to be because I didn't think I'd even be able to get there (here!), let alone to my goal weight. And now, here I am. I did it. I did reach my first goal!

Of course, I'm glad that I did move my goal weight further out, because I'd still like to lose some more. As good as I'm feeling about myself (I am now smaller than the average Canadian woman!), I still want to get to a healthy BMI and then just plain look as good as I can. And that's going to come with more exercise and continuing to follow a healthy lifestyle plan.

I'm also finally over 100lbs lost with Nutrisystem! I can't wait to get my new Nutribear to celebrate! Now there will be quite a gap until I receive my next one, because it won't come until 125lbs which is my goal- so I will receive my goal bear at the same time.

I really like the person I've become. I remember more than a year ago, I didn't really like the person who looked back at me in the mirror. She was shy and awkward, uncomfortable with herself and yet unable to make a change. I'll never be that person again. Now I know that I'm in control of my own life, and I can make it anything I want it to be.

Still Sick

2011-04-09T11:32:00.000-07:00

I was hoping I'd be feeling better, but I'm still pretty under the weather and spending most of my time in bed. Hopefully by next week I'll be back to normal as my husband will be out of town for most of the rest of the month.

I still don't have much of an appetite but I am sticking to blander items like some of the Nutrisystem soups, and dinners like the Chicken and Dumplings. I can't eat much but at least those type of meals taste palatable right now.

Not much cooking going on right now obviously but I have some new recipe ideas I'm hoping I'll get to next week! In the meantime, here are a few more reviews.

Meatball Parmesan Melt (Frozen Lunch):

This was really, really good! It had a zesty flavour and you could really taste the Parmesan. I thought that the bread wrapper made it taste just like a meatball sub. I'm really going to miss this entree since we can't get them in Canada! Fortunately I do have a meatball sub recipe to give me a substitute at least!

Creamy Fudge Bar (Frozen Dessert):

Another awesome dessert! It was chocolately and delicious, but still very light. It's also quite large and I found it very satisfying.

Orange Creme Bar (Frozen Dessert):

When I was a kid, I loved orange creamsicles. This really brought back the memories! It tastes just like one. I'm really going to miss this dessert. Overall, I really enjoyed the frozen desserts- they were a nice change from the shelf stable and I think that I am going to miss them much more as the weather starts getting nicer!

Disclosure: This post was written by me and was not edited by anyone. The opinions expressed in this post are entirely my own and have not been influenced in any way. Nutrisystem Canada is providing their food and program to me free of charge for my weekly updates. I was not compensated for writing this post.

Sick

2011-04-07T11:11:00.000-07:00

If you're wondering why you haven't heard from me in a few days, it's because first my son was sick with stomach flu, and now that he's fully recovered, Mom's caught it. All I can say is thank goodness my husband is in town because I am in no shape to be the primary caregiver right now. I haven't been sick like this in a long time and I think I'd almost forgotten what it was like.

Well, to look at it from a positive light, I certainly expect to lose weight this week because I can't eat! It's 2pm and I haven't felt up to eating anything. Right now I am looking at a bowl of Nutrisystem's Chicken Noodle Soup. At least I have some comfort food available when I'm not feeling well, even if I prefer their other meals when I'm healthy.

I do have some more reviews to share with you, though!

Maple Flavored Breakfast Patty (Breakfast):

This is one of Nutrisystems's new shelf stable items. When I opened the package, it reminded me of a smaller version of a McDonalds sausage patty. I cooked it in a frying pan sprayed with PAM and gave it a try. The texture is very reminiscent of a McDonalds' sausage patty as well. I'm still actually not sure if I like this item or not. The spicing was very flavourful but not quite what I expected. I think I am going to have to order another one to give it a second try. The nice thing about this entree is that you add a carb selection so you can customize your breakfast any way you like. For me, sausage goes with pancakes. Dietary Services has said that we may use 1/2 pkg Pancake Mix as a carb serving, so I made myself a pancake with fresh blueberries in it. It was really good! I would definitely suggest you try this entree for yourself, perhaps more than once.

Spinach and Cheese Stuffed Shells (Frozen Dinner):

I love spinach in cheesy pasta, so I figured I'd enjoy this meal. It was very flavourful. I love how the sauce was chunky and rich and the meal was filling. Normally I'm not a fan of vegetarian meals because I like meat, but Nutrisystem has done a great job with them in the Select frozen pack!

Disclosure: This post was written by me and was not edited by anyone. The opinions expressed in this post are entirely my own and have not been influenced in any way. Nutrisystem Canada is providing their food and program to me free of charge for my weekly updates. I was not compensated for writing this post.

sigh

2011-04-04T15:25:00.001-07:00

Well, I didn't succeed at my goal this week. Despite not indulging at the Maple Syrup Festival, I still managed to gain a pound. That was a disappointment but I'm OK with it. I'll just have to keep working hard and I know it will come off again.

Besides, I'm really starting to feel more positive about my appearance. I was walking through a department store to pick up something for my son and all the clothes kept catching my eye and I really wanted to go shopping for me! I know that it's not time yet and I'm not going to waste money when I have more sizes to lose, but it was an exciting feeling! It felt even better to walk past the plus size section and know that nothing in there would fit me anymore!

It's really been amazing to see my self perception change so much. I'm NOT the fat girl anymore. Actually, I am smaller than the "average" woman! I look just like a regular person when I go out. And that's awesome. I can't wait to be the skinny chick!

Maple Syrup Festival

2011-04-02T19:08:00.000-07:00

Today was the 47th annual Maple Syrup Festival in my area and I thought my son would enjoy it so we decided to go. The weather was nice so of course the place was jam packed- I was very glad that I'd brought my baby carrier because I could never have managed navigating through all the people with a stroller!

Everywhere I looked, stalls were selling unhealthy food. And I don't just mean a little bad- I mean food with astronomical calorie counts. If it could be deep fried, it was. And of course, most things were drowned in maple syrup too. I used to love the Mennonnite apple fritters served in maple syrup... deep fried sugared and battered apple slices. Yum? I was really proud of myself that I didn't order a single thing from the festival food stalls- not even the pancakes that the event is famous for. At lunchtime, when my family ordered burgers from a stall, I went into a Subway that was near the festival area and ordered a turkey sub on whole wheat. The place was deserted, which I guess wasn't too big a surprise.

I had told myself in advance that if I wanted one treat, I could have it (as long as I had a healthy breakfast and lunch first). This festival only comes once a year. While we were there, I decided not to. I just didn't want it badly enough that it would make up for the disappointment when I weigh myself tomorrow. I'm already disappointed enough that I fell off plan on Tuesday without making things worse.

So I consider today a victory- I went out and enjoyed myself and I didn't need to eat any of that junk food. It really is possible to go out to fun events like that without going nuts, and without even really missing it. I made myself apple crisp for dessert tonight (added a little sugarfree syrup in with the apples) and I think I enjoyed it as much if not more as I would have liked those apple fritters.

Something in it After All!

2011-03-31T05:44:00.000-07:00

I must confess, I was a little doubtful that going low sodium for a day would have much of an impact, but I did want to try it since I saw how awful I felt after ingesting all that sodium (among other things!).

As is usual for me, I got on the scale the next morning and saw I'd gained five pounds. That really hurt since I've been working so hard lately. So I decided to see how a really low sodium day would affect me. With help from Nutrisystem Counselling and by watching my add ins, I managed to restrict my sodium for the entire day to 1423mg- well below the daily recommended maximum of 2300mg. I got on the scale this morning to see if it had any effect, and I was delighted to see that I'd already lost 3.5lbs! I may try to go low sodium today as well with that kind of success.

Just to clarify- going low sodium is not going to make you drop massive amounts of weight overnight. But in a situation like mine where I knew that most of that 5lb gain was water weight (a few slices of pizza is not 17,500 calories!), going low sodium apparently helped my body release a lot of that water weight. Hopefully I can take the rest off before this weekend's weigh in- I'd like to at least have zero loss instead of a gain.

I've got some more Select frozen item reviews for you! This food is really yummy.

Chicken Quesadilla (Frozen Lunch):

This was SO good. I love Mexican food in general (as you can probably tell!) and I love gooey, cheesy quesadillas. This one was really nicely seasoned and I enjoyed it very much (and wished there were more!). I used a little plain Greek yogurt instead of sour cream since I didn't have any, and it was perfect. This was one of my favourite frozen lunches.

Breakfast Burrito (Frozen Breakfast):

Sometimes when I am flexing breakfast I make myself burrito style things, so I was looking forward to trying Nutrisystem's take on it. Again, I really enjoyed the zesty flavour and this entree is incredibly filling. I forgot to have my morning snack (I often save my dairy and fruit for later in the morning) and realized it was lunchtime!

Chicken Alfredo (Frozen Dinner):

I was a little nervous about this entree because I used to love alfredo style pastas but the shelf stable Penne Pasta & Chicken in Alfredo Sauce had a nasty reaction on my system- it felt like it triggered me to eat more. I was really happy that I gave this entree a try though! The sauce was thick and creamy, the serving was large and flavourful. There was enough sauce to add more vegetables to it, but not enough to drown the meal if you chose not to do that. One thing I am finding with these frozen meals is that they are so colourful and attractive. The vegetables all look like they were just sliced fresh and added to the meal and taste great- not mushy or watery like some frozen veggies do. I would have loved to have more of these in my Select frozen meal pack!

Disclosure: This post was written by me and was not edited by anyone. The opinions expressed in this post are entirely my own and have not been influenced in any way. Nutrisystem Canada is providing their food and program to me free of charge for my weekly updates. I was not compensated for writing this post.

I Always Hate This

2011-03-30T04:46:00.000-07:00

Well, it's hard. It's always so much easier to be positive and upbeat and share my successes with you. It's not as easy to share my failings. But I did make a promise that I would never lie to my readers- I want to share everything about my journey here honestly.

It also didn't really help that I got a comment from a friend of mine who is doing Jenny Craig that really bothered me. She went on holiday a month ago and has been way off plan ever since- she's regained more than 8 pounds. I offered to help her meal plan and get her back on track, and she gave me the impression that she thinks I never go through stuff like this- that I'm the "perfect" weight loss client.

If I've ever given you that impression, I'm sorry. You'll find several confessions like this throughout my journey, because I'm not perfect. I make mistakes, both intentional and unintentional, just like the everyone else.

Yesterday, I had one of the most stressful days I've had in a really long time. Everything and everyone is OK- it was just rough to go through and by the end of the day I was just ready for a break that I didn't get. I missed dinner and was so hungry by the time that I could finally eat that I just ordered a pizza (my usual failing, if you know me).

I can really tell what effect it's had on my body, though. For the rest of the night I was chugging water because the salt was making me so thirsty. I really wonder how I ate like that before without even noticing! In fact, I used to drink pop with the pizza so no water intake at all! So to all the people who wonder if the Nutrisystem food is high in sodium- it's evidently conditioned my body to a much lower sodium diet without me even realizing it.

The real difference between me and someone who will not succeed is that I don't give up after I make a misstep. In the old days, I would have taken an offplan day as an excuse to have an offplan week. Or more. Before I knew it, my one offplan snack or meal had spiraled into a 5+lb weight gain.

It just makes me sad that I gave in to my old demons. I've worked so hard and was finally at the lowest weight I can ever remember myself being, and then I go and do something like this. But as I've said before- you can't change the past, but we can learn from it.

My plan for today is to choose all the lowest sodium entrees and add ins to help detox my body. I'm not normally sodium sensitive so I must have gone WAY over my usual intake! Did you know that you can call Nutrisystem Counselling and request a list of the lowest sodium meals (and get it instantly by email!)? The support they offer their clients is great. Losing weight isn't easy, and it's smart to take advantage of every tool you can. I also plan to increase my exercise to burn off the extra calories I consumed.

Always remember- tomorrow is a new day, and we can make a fresh start. One mistake is just that- ONE mistake; it doesn't have to be more unless you allow it to be.

Disclosure: This post was written by me and was not edited by anyone. The opinions expressed in this post are entirely my own and have not been influenced in any way. Nutrisystem Canada is providing their food and program to me free of charge for my weekly updates. I was not compensated for writing this post.

More on Exercise

2011-03-28T10:20:00.000-07:00

I've been finding that the more weight I lose, the more motivated I am to exercise. My new goal is to exercise 5 days a week for a minimum of 30 minutes per day. Part of it is that I know I'm getting closer to my goal weight but I still have a high body fat percentage, so I want to get that into a normal range as well. Part of it I think is just that it's easier to move around without all those extra pounds dragging on me! My son is only 24lbs, but when I carry him for long, my arms get tired. How did I manage with nearly four of him on my body carried around all day long?

It also helps to give myself a real incentive to exercise, so that I don't say I'm tired and make excuses. I love to read, so I bought myself a few brand new books. Normally, I'd just zip right through them. Instead, I made a rule that I can only read them while I'm exercising on the elliptical (and at the correct speed!). It gets frustrating because I really want to know what happens, so it keeps me going for ten more minutes or getting on every single day. If you don't like to read, maybe you can watch parts of a movie while you work out, or listen to your favourite music. Some kind of reward that you get while you're actually exercising. It definitely makes me enjoy exercise more and keeps me coming back!

I've still got lots of Select meal reviews to share with you but I just made an awesome lunch recipe that I wanted to write about. If you like broccoli, I highly recommend you give this one a try!

Cream of Broccoli Soup (Lunch):

Cheesy Broccoli & Bacon Soup:

1 pkg Nutrisystem Cream of Broccoli Soup
1 cup low sodium chicken broth
2 cups raw broccoli, steamed
1/2 cup milk
1 slice turkey bacon
1 tbsp shredded cheese

Combine the broth and milk in a pot over medium heat. Stir in the Cream of Broccoli soup and stir well to get rid of the powder chunks. In a separate pan cook the slice of turkey bacon and cut it into little pieces. Add the broccoli and bacon to the pot and stir; allow to simmer until flavours blend or about ten minutes. Just before serving, stir in the cheese.

This was SO good! I like the NS Cream of Broccoli Soup as is, but this was delicious and it makes an enormous bowl of soup. It's also easy to modify- if you want a vegetarian soup you can either use veggie bacon or sub out the bacon for more cheese. The total for the milk, bacon, and cheese must fit the dairy/protein stats of up to 100 calories, 3g fat or less, and 7g protein or more. 1/2 cup of fat free milk is 45 calories, my turkey bacon is 30 calories per slice, so that leaves me 25 calories' worth of shredded cheese. Always check the nutritional information on your own add ins to make sure the stats still fit.

This counts as a complete lunch plus a free food (the chicken broth). If you want more veggies though, since broccoli is unlimited, go for it! This might be nice with a salad on the side.

Disclosure: This post was written by me and was not edited by anyone. The opinions expressed in this post are entirely my own and have not been influenced in any way. Nutrisystem Canada is providing their food and program to me free of charge for my weekly updates. I was not compensated for writing this post.

Getting Closer...

2011-03-27T09:18:00.000-07:00

I was delighted to step on the scale this morning and see something that was definitely worth the wait! Over the past 3 weeks I have lost 4.6lbs and that included a week of vacation! At this stage in my weight loss, I am thrilled to be losing more than 1.5lbs per week. I am really hoping to earn my next Nutribear soon!

I'm also really excited to see that I now have less than 30lbs to go to get to my goal weight. It feels so close... I really know that I will be able to accomplish it.

Now my only problem is finding something to wear... I wanted to post a picture of myself wearing my new jeans but all my shirts are too baggy now so you can't really see the weight I've lost! I'll have to do something in the meantime- I don't want to spend too much money since I'll need a whole new wardrobe when I reach goal, but having proper fitting clothes is really important for self esteem. I learned that when I first started losing weight. I'll figure something out! After all- this is a great problem to have!

Lazy Weekend Breakfast

2011-03-26T17:10:00.000-07:00

Some foods just seem to go together so well... one of my favourite combinations is bananas and chocolate. I was looking at a bunch of bananas in my kitchen and trying to decide what to have for breakfast and thought that I wanted pancakes. Then inspiration struck and this yummy creation resulted.

Chocolate Chip Pancake Mix (Breakfast):

1 pkg Nutrisystem Chocolate Chip Pancake Mix
1/3 cup milk
1/2 banana, sliced into thin coins

Spray your griddle or frying pan with PAM butter spray and let it preheat while you make the batter. Mix together the milk and pancake mix, and add the banana coins when the batter is smooth. Spoon it into the pan and cook until the bottom side is browning, then flip and cook until pancakes are done. Enjoy with sugarfree maple syrup if desired.

I know this is a discontinued item, but if you aren't fortunate enough to have some stashed away, just add 20 calories' worth of mini chocolate chips to plain Pancake Mix and you're all set. Also keep in mind that when this item was reformulated, the new Pancake Mixes only call for 1/4 cup milk while the old ones call for 1/3 cup. Always follow the directions on the package you are using.

I really enjoyed this recipe- very quick and easy but delicious. I made 7 small pancakes out of the batter and it looked like so much food! Very filling.

Disclosure: This post was written by me and was not edited by anyone. The opinions expressed in this post are entirely my own and have not been influenced in any way. Nutrisystem Canada is providing their food and program to me free of charge for my weekly updates. I was not compensated for writing this post.

A Trip to the Doctor

2011-03-25T17:41:00.001-07:00

Today I went to my doctor for a physical. I hadn't been in since my son was 6 weeks old for a follow up visit. I remember at the time when they did our family's new patient intake form how much it bothered me when I saw the nurse discreetly mark the Obese check box in the health risks section of my profile. When they brought me in and said they were going to check my height, weight, and blood pressure, I was never happier to get on that scale!

The nurses were all really impressed with how much weight I've lost. Counting up to my last "official" weigh in here on Stomach Rumblings, I have lost 116 lbs since the doctor's office weighed me last. They also ordered some bloodwork for me- I am really looking forward to seeing how the weight loss has affected things like my cholesterol level, which was always quite high.

But really- who would ever have thought that I'd look forward to a physical?

Even though it's still snowy outside, I'm already missing the ice cream from the Nutrisystem Select program. I used to eat ice cream all the time, so even though I didn't really notice it during my year without any, now that I've had it again I do miss it! I'm sure that on a warm summer evening these would be the perfect treat.

Caramel Swirl Sundae (Frozen Dessert):

This doesn't really look anything like the photo on the Nutrisystem site, but it's good! It looks exactly like those little sundae cups you used to be able to buy at convenience stores with the little wooden spoons. And it tastes just as yummy! I love caramel and really enjoyed this. I was thinking that if I had the opportunity to have it again, I would save a fruit serving and put this over banana slices.

Fudge Swirl Sundae (Frozen Dessert):

Again, the fudge sundae on the website looks better than the one you get, but it still tastes awesome. The fudge is thick and rich but it doesn't overpower the ice cream. I really liked it.

Disclosure: This post was written by me and was not edited by anyone. The opinions expressed in this post are entirely my own and have not been influenced in any way. Nutrisystem Canada is providing their food and program to me free of charge for my weekly updates. I was not compensated for writing this post.

Review: Shenzhen Knives

2011-03-25T16:24:00.000-07:00

This week I had the opportunity to try out a new cooking gadget- a ceramic knife. I've read about them before but never had the chance to try one. I received a 6" ceramic chef knife from Shenzhen Knives and decided to put it through the toughest challenge I know- butternut squash.

Those of you who have made my Cajun Fries know that while butternut squash is exceptionally tasty, it's a pain in the behind to peel and cut into French fries. My husband asked me if I thought this was really a fair test for the knife and he's probably right that it was not, but we decided to do it anyway and see how it stacked up against the usual serrated metal knife we use.

My husband wanted to try it out himself, so he volunteered to cut the squash fries. We were both really impressed with how easily this ceramic knife sliced through the squash. It made the job much quicker and easier than it usually was.

We liked that there are no serrations in this ceramic knife for food to get stuck in (which can be a pain to clean) yet it still produces a sharp, straight cut. Care is simple; just wash it in soapy water and store it in a knife block or in its case.

I tried it out on some softer vegetables and still had great results, even when using a tomato. I'm sure you know from experience how tomatoes can get crushed and soggy when you chop them with a knife, but Shenzhen's ceramic knife cut a neat slice with no mess.

If you're looking for a new set of knives, I highly recommend checking out Shenzhen Knives' website.

I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free using Tomoson.com. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commissions 16 CFR, Part 255 Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising. Tomoson Product review & giveaway Disclosure.

Loving Those Lunches

2011-03-24T09:53:00.000-07:00

I've always felt that lunch was the weakest meal on the Nutrisystem program. There are several entrees that I love, like most of the lunch bars, the Cheesy Homestyle Potatoes, and now the Italian Style Wedding Soup. But overall, I find that lunch is the easiest meal for me to get bored. I loved having the Select frozen options available because they not only gave me more variety with lunch, but they were really good to boot! I'm sad that I won't be able to get them again until I either visit the US again or if they find a way to sell them to Canadian customers.

Roasted Vegetable Pizza (Frozen Lunch):

I loved the flavour of the veggies on this pizza! Normally I add stuff to my pizzas, but I decided to try all the Select items pretty much as is. This one, in my opinion, needs absolutely nothing done to it- it's great with no doctoring required. I was a little nervous about cooking it in the microwave, since I don't even nuke grilled cheese sandwiches at home because the bread gets soggy, but it comes with a little microwave cooking tray so I decided to give it a try. I was really excited to see that the crust did indeed come out crisp! It was nice and thick, and it had the texture of a Pizza Hut crust without all the grease. I really enjoyed this and would definitely eat it again if I could!

Steak and Cheese Melt (Frozen Lunch):

I'm not a big steak fan myself, so I was expecting not to like this just because it's not to my taste. That disappointed me since there were two in my frozen pack, but I wanted to give it a fair try. It looks like a McDonalds apple pie (except bigger) when I put it on the plate. It actually tasted pretty good! I loved the gravy and the steak taste was mild so I found it inoffensive. I would have appreciated some more veggies inside, maybe green peppers and onions, so perhaps if I ate this again I'd use my dinner fat to fry some in olive oil and pour them on top. It's just fine if you want to eat it as is, though!

Disclosure: This post was written by me and was not edited by anyone. The opinions expressed in this post are entirely my own and have not been influenced in any way. Nutrisystem Canada is providing their food and program to me free of charge for my weekly updates. I was not compensated for writing this post.

I'm Home!

2011-03-23T10:07:00.000-07:00

I had a really nice vacation- and I'm proud to say that it's the first trip I have actually lost weight on, probably ever! That is one heck of a NSV. It was really great to have the Nutrisystem frozen meals waiting for me- and they were tempting enough that I didn't even want to go off plan!

I'm not going to post a weigh in since we're already too far into the week but I am really looking forward to seeing my ticker move this Sunday! I can feel my clothes fitting differently than they did even a few weeks ago. I wasn't able to exercise while I was out of town so I am really happy to be getting back to that as well.

While I was away, Nutrisystem also released two new shelf stable meals that I am really looking forward to trying soon: Butterscotch Pudding and Maple Flavored Breakfast Patty. They're on the way so I'll be writing about them soon!

In the meantime, I have reviews to share with you from the Nutrisystem Select frozen plan (US only). I really enjoyed the meals and would highly recommend you give the frozen plan a try if it's available to you!

Ravioli Formaggio (Frozen Dinner):

I remembered not being too crazy about the shelf stable ravioli dinners, if only because I found it psychologically frustrating to have only two raviolis for dinner. I wasn't sure how I'd like this but since there were two in my frozen meal pack, I was hoping I would!

I was pleasantly surprised by the sauce. It tasted thick and chunky and was lightly spiced with Italian herbs, as opposed to the thinner sauce used in the shelf stable Italian dishes. It actually reminded me of fresh crushed tomatoes with seasoning and tasted like it was a restaurant pasta meal. I really enjoyed it!

Ice Cream Sandwich (Frozen Dessert):

As soon as I saw the package I was very excited to see this! Most Nutrisystem meals are smaller than the items they "replace" for us, but this dessert was just as big as one you'd buy at the grocery store! It was very sweet but I found it was a very "light" sweetness so it wasn't overpowering. I really enjoyed the taste and it satisfied my ice cream cravings. I was very happy that three of them came in my frozen pack so I could have it more than once for dessert.

Disclosure: This post was written by me and was not edited by anyone. The opinions expressed in this post are entirely my own and have not been influenced in any way. Nutrisystem Canada is providing their food and program to me free of charge for my weekly updates. I was not compensated for writing this post.

Wow

2011-03-16T17:00:00.000-07:00

OK, I am seriously impressed!

I'm here in Kentucky and really enjoying my trip. It's so nice to be able to travel and not to have to worry about what I'm eating- I can just go to the freezer and pull out whatever I'm in the mood for.

Unfortunately I can't upload any photos until I get home (I forgot to bring the thing that lets me put them on the computer) so I'll save the specific reviews for when I return, but in the meantime I wanted to let you know that I am really enjoying the Nutrisystem Select frozen meals! Everything I have had so far has been colourful and had lots of flavour. Portion sizes have been satisfying and kept me full even when I thought they wouldn't. So if you're thinking of trying the frozen meals, at this point I'd definitely recommend it (haven't tried everything yet but I'm looking forward to it!).

Definitely check back next week for photos and reviews of each item!

On the Road Again...

2011-03-13T06:24:00.000-07:00

I'm pretty excited- I leave tomorrow for Kentucky to visit a friend of mine. I'm really looking forward to it! Another awesome thing about going is that I will be able to review the Nutrisystem Select frozen foods. Since they are unfortunately not available to Canadians at this time (I can imagine the issues of trying to get ice cream through Customs before it melted!) I haven't been able to try them until now.

I am not sure how much time I'll be able to get online to post while I'm there, but if you don't see the reviews over the next week, I'll share them when I get back.

Now I'm sure you're waiting to hear my weigh in results, right? Unfortunately, you're going to have to keep waiting! The batteries in my scale died and I don't have time to buy new ones before I get packed to leave for the airport.

So, I have a recipe for you instead, which came from an idea I saw on the NS boards. Enjoy!

Apple Strudel Scone (Breakfast):

Pumpkin Apple Pie:

1 pkg Nutrisystem Apple Strudel Scone
1/2 cup pure pumpkin puree
1/4 cup Egg Beaters
1/4 cup milk
2 tbsp ricotta cheese
1 tsp vanilla
1 tsp pumpkin pie spice
2 tbsp Splenda

Preheat your oven to 425 degrees. Grind up the scone into crumbs in a food processor. Spray the bottom of a baking dish (or two!) with Pam Butter Spray and pour the crumbs into the dish(es). In your food processor, mix the remaining ingredients together well. Pour the batter into the dish(es) and bake for ten minutes, then turn the heat down to 350 degrees and bake until filling is set (about 15 minutes in my oven). Enjoy warm!

I found that the crumbs were so light that they took up more than half of my usual single serving casserole dish, so the whole thing didn't fit into one dish. It was actually nice to have breakfast in two parts since this is a tasty and very filling entree. Count it as a complete breakfast.

Disclosure: This post was written by me and was not edited by anyone. The opinions expressed in this post are entirely my own and have not been influenced in any way. Nutrisystem Canada is providing their food and program to me free of charge for my weekly updates. I was not compensated for writing this post.

I'm Still Here...

2011-03-10T17:37:00.000-08:00

Sorry I haven't written much this week. My husband's out of town again and computer time has become a bit of a luxury with a toddler on the go! I've been really tired lately, too, so I haven't even been able to muster the energy to exercise, even though I know it makes me feel better. I really need to get back to it but it seems like there is always so much to do! I have no idea how single parents manage- especially if they have to work, too.

So I don't have a new recipe for you today, but I did want to share some thoughts. There was a discussion on the Nutrisystem boards where someone asked if other people told that they were on Nutrisystem, and I found it a really interesting question.

Personally, I shout it from the rooftops! I think that placing my first order with Nutrisystem was the best decision I've made for my health in a very long time. One year ago, I was extremely fat and unhappy, and now look at me (I need to post another photo!). I would never imagine that I could have changed so much in such a short time, and I can't wait to see what changes this year will bring.

Nutrisystem gave me the tools I needed to learn about healthy, sustainable weight loss. Not to mention that you guys know I really do enjoy the food! I find it a fun challenge to recreate as many of my favourite foods as possible, and playing around with the Nutrisystem entrees helps me make some interesting and tasty meals.

At this point in my journey, I'm telling everyone about my success with the program because I want to help people make changes in their lives, too. Sometimes a little support is all it takes to get your friends or family started. I think of myself as a role model for health and weight loss, and it means a lot to me to know that I am helping to inspire others to become healthier. You can be one, too. As the pounds and inches start dropping off, I am sure that people will start asking you how you do it!

I don't see any reason not to tell people why I'm following a weight loss program. I'm not ashamed or self conscious; I am proud that I took the steps to make myself a healthier person. At first I got a twinge of embarrassment when I told people how much weight I'd lost and plan to lose, but now I see it as a badge of success. Yes, I have lost 116 lbs since I had my son. Yes, that means I was incredibly overweight. But- I'm NOT ANYMORE. So why shouldn't I be proud of myself?

I'm planning on getting one of these Nutrisystem Sports Bottles. They're only $1.50 (and you can add them to your auto delivery to get free shipping!) and not only is it a great way to make sure you're getting your water in, but it's a great way to share your success with others.

Be proud of yourself for what you're doing, whether you've just placed your order or have been on the program for a while. Take pride in your accomplishments, and celebrate the little moments along the way.

Disclosure: This post was written by me and was not edited by anyone. The opinions expressed in this post are entirely my own and have not been influenced in any way. Nutrisystem Canada is providing their food and program to me free of charge for my weekly updates. I was not compensated for writing this post.

Soon...

2011-03-06T17:40:00.000-08:00

I went to the mall today and decided just for the heck of it to try on some clothes. There was a huge clearance sale going on and some really nice clothes were being massively discounted. I picked up a few pairs of jeans and went to try them on. The first pair I tried on, to my shock, was too big! I haven't worn that size in years because it was too small, so the last thing I was expecting was to have it hang off me!

I tried the next size down, and it was tight, but I could put them on and zip them up! I was so excited. Honestly, I can't remember ever wearing this size. I am sure I must have at some point when I was growing up but it's not something I recall and I don't own any clothes in this size. I'm not quite ready to wear them out yet, but I'm sure as long as I keep exercising that by the time I earn my next Nutribear that I'll be rocking my new jeans! I can't wait.

It's finally starting to click that I'm coming to the end of the rope. I have a relatively small amount of weight still to lose. I am going to get there! Maybe, despite it all, I wasn't really convinced of it until I did up the button on these jeans.

My weight loss is starting to slow down but I am okay with that. I am going to get there, so I'm not going to worry if it takes a few weeks long than I planned. I'll just keep taking it one week at a time.

I lost one pound this week and that's still a normal healthy weight loss. It's one pound that is gone forever. One pound at a time, I will reach my goal.

Eat the Rainbow!

2011-03-05T08:57:00.001-08:00

OK, so that sounds a little silly... but the sentiment behind it is good. Fruits and vegetables come in a wide variety of colours and they all have different vitamins, minerals and nutrients to benefit our bodies. It's great for our health to eat lots of different coloured foods. Just think back to before you started making healthier choices- what colour was the food on your plate most days? I'd guess that a lot of it was beige or brown or white- monochromatic. So try everything you can- you might be surprised at how full of flavour vegetables can be, or how satisfying a juicy piece of fruit can be!

Here's a tasty recipe to help you get some colour in your day.

Chicken Salad (Lunch):

Chicken Pasta Salad:

1 pkg Nutrisystem Chicken Salad
1 carb serving of rotini pasta
1 dairy/protein serving of chopped chicken
1 whole green onion, chopped finely
1/2 cup red bell pepper, chopped
1/4 cup yellow bell pepper, chopped
2 stalks celery, chopped
1 tbsp relish
1 tbsp light mayonnaise (optional)
black pepper, garlic to taste

Prepare your pasta as directed on the package. Allow it to cool, and mix all the ingredients together. If you add lots of vegetables, you may wish to use the extra light mayonnaise for a little extra sauce but I didn't think it was necessary. If desired, chill your salad in the fridge for half an hour and enjoy!

The Chicken Salad entree is designed to be served with a small whole grain roll, so I've substituted whole wheat pasta as my carb addition instead.

I am still surprised at how much I enjoy the Chicken Salad. It's an entree that I've been eating since I first started my Nutrisystem journey back in January 2010. Yes, it looks really gross when it comes out of the package and the texture is unappealing, but I really like the flavour! Not to mention that it is pretty much a blank palette- you can use it as a base to make it whatever way you like your chicken salad. I find that green onions really perk it up, but I know some people like to use part of their fruit and fat servings to add apple chunks and walnuts for example. So definitely give this entree a try if you haven't yet (or a second shot if you have but didn't add anything to it)- it's one of the easiest meals to fix up and definitely makes a satisfying meal. You can see my other Chicken Salad recipes by clicking the tag in my Nutrisystem Entrees section on the sidebar.

Disclosure: This post was written by me and was not edited by anyone. The opinions expressed in this post are entirely my own and have not been influenced in any way. Nutrisystem Canada is providing their food and program to me free of charge for my weekly updates. I was not compensated for writing this post.

Weekend Decadence

2011-03-03T10:15:00.000-08:00

We stopped by McDonalds during Free Coffee Week and looking at all the breakfast items on the menu, it made me remember one of my favourites- the McDonalds breakfast burritos. One burrito is 300 calories, 16g of fat (7g saturated), and 24g of carbs, and most people eat two plus a potato item like hashbrowns!

Since I've been playing around with crepes lately, I got the idea of using the Pancake Mix to make a wrapper for the burrito. The result was an incredibly decadent breakfast that will have you convinced that this breakfast couldn't possibly be Nutrisystem-friendly; but it is!

Pancake Mix:

McDonalds Breakfast Burrito:

1 pkg Nutrisystem Pancake Mix
1/3 cup milk
1/3 cup water
1/2 cup Egg Beaters
1/2 slice fat free cheese
1 turkey breakfast sausage
chopped onions, green peppers (optional)
black pepper and hot sauce to taste
salsa or ketchup to taste

In a bowl, whisk the pancake mix, milk, and water until no lumps remain. Pour half the batter into a frying pan sprayed with PAM butter spray; set the other half of the batter aside. Flip the crepe when ready and cook the second side. In a separate pan, cook the Egg Beaters, sausage, and vegetables. When both the eggs and crepe are ready, spoon the filling into one side of the crepe and top with the FF cheese. Microwave for 20 seconds to melt the cheese, and enjoy with a spoonful of spicy salsa if desired!

My husband took one bite of this and asked me to make him some for lunch! He likes them with a little Frank's hot sauce cooked into the eggs and asked me to add a little to the crepe batter next time as well.

Some tips on making your crepes since I had trouble at first: they take much, much longer to cook than pancakes, which I wasn't expecting since they are so thin. Also, if you try to flip them early, they'll rip and be ruined (or at least not look so pretty). I wait until the edges start to lift and then carefully slide my spatula underneath. The second side only takes a minute or so to crisp up since it's already mostly cooked. If you are making crepes and want the first one to stay moist for easy folding while the second cooks, put it on a plate and place a damp paper towel over the top.

Now, I'm sure some of you are wondering how to count this and what we're going to do with the rest of the batter. Here's where breakfast starts to feel like a real extravagance!

Quick Dessert for Breakfast Crepe:

leftover crepe batter
1 fruit serving of your favourite berries (I like strawberries), in thin slices
2 tbsp water
1 tbsp Splenda
1/2 tsp vanilla extract
1 tbsp ricotta cheese

Prepare the second crepe as directed above. While it's cooking, pour the water, vanilla, and Splenda into a small pan and heat it on medium heat. Add the strawberries, and let them cook until most of the liquid is gone and the pan is thick and syrupy. Put the ricotta cheese in the crepe and top with the fruit syrup. If desired, drizzle with Walden Farms Maple Syrup or Chocolate Syrup and a tiny puff of whipped cream. Enjoy your breakfast dessert!

After a year, I have to say that this breakfast still has me feeling slightly amazed that I can do it all with a breakfast entree, dairy/protein, and fruit serving (plus a free food: the tbsp of ricotta), but you can! Just make sure that you don't go over 100 calories for your egg filling- it depends on the stats for your sausage. You could also use 1oz of fat free ham if you want more egg or cheese. It was a totally filling and decadent breakfast- definitely satisfied my cravings!

Disclosure: This post was written by me and was not edited by anyone. The opinions expressed in this post are entirely my own and have not been influenced in any way. Nutrisystem Canada is providing their food and program to me free of charge for my weekly updates. I was not compensated for writing this post.

Would You Like Fries with That? (Part 2)

2011-03-02T16:38:00.000-08:00

As you've seen, I like to work on recreating as many of my old favourite meals as possible. That way, when I have a craving for something really unhealthy, I have a way to satisfy it without going off program. It's really hard to feel deprived when you have to sit and try to think of things you want but can't have!

Today I walked past a New York Fries and remembered a dish I used to enjoy but haven't eaten since before I got pregnant because it's a heart attack in a paper cup. With 710 calories, 38g of fat (10 saturated), and 75g of carbs, poutine is one scary menu item! Not to mention that since it's fries, it frequently gets treated as a side dish so you're having something else with it! If you feel like you're missing out, try this satisfying meal, which you can enjoy as a side dish along with the Nutrisystem Flame Broiled Beef Patty if you like!

Vegetable Ideas:

Poutine:

3/4 cup butternut squash, cut into french fry shapes
1/4 cup beef gravy
1 oz shredded mozzerella cheese
sea salt, pepper to taste

Preheat your oven to 425 degrees. Arrange the squash on a french fry baking tray (like the one I use in my Cajun fries recipe) and spray with PAM Olive Oil spray. Bake for 20 minutes or until fries are browning. Top with gravy and shredded cheese and heat in the microwave for 30 seconds or until gravy is hot and cheese is melted.

Poutine purists please note that I didn't use cheese curds since I wasn't able to find any low fat/fat free ones. Of course if you can get those that would make the dish much more authentic! I highly recommend against substituting sweet potatoes or any vegetable with a lot of flavour into this recipe because it just wouldn't taste quite right as a savory dish this way. I may try it with something even milder like turnip or jicama, but it was definitely satisfying even with the butternut squash.

Counts as 2 vegetable servings, 1 dairy/protein, and 1 free food.

Disclosure: This post was written by me and was not edited by anyone. The opinions expressed in this post are entirely my own and have not been influenced in any way. Nutrisystem Canada is providing their food and program to me free of charge for my weekly updates. I was not compensated for writing this post.

Getting There!

2011-02-27T09:16:00.000-08:00

I lost 1.6lbs this week and I earned a new bear! I'm so excited and can't wait to get my 90lb bear. For that matter, sometimes I still have a hard time believing I've lost so much weight but seeing those little bears really makes my accomplishment real. I should be proud of myself. I'm a little wistful when I think that I only have 2 bears left to earn (since I'll get my goal bear at the same time as my 125lb bear) but hey, that's a good thing- it means I'm nearly done losing the weight!

When I first started my journey, I don't know if I ever really picture myself coming this far. I know I haven't been this thin since before I met my husband over ten years ago. Setting a goal and sticking to it with the help of Nutrisystem has really shown me what a strong person I am, and that I really can accomplish my goals if I set my mind to them.

I also have some exciting news to share. I am going to be visiting a friend in the USA next month and so I will have the chance to review the Nutrisystem Select frozen items! I am really looking forward to it since I have heard great things about them. Unfortunately these items are not currently available to Canadians so I'll only be getting them for one month only. I will post photo reviews of the meals when I get home!

Lately, I'm just starting to feel like things are going my way and getting better. I have a more positive outlook on life. I guess I'm just getting lucky :) I posted a few weeks ago that I started a FitMom + Baby class at a gym nearby, and I decided that when my husband's busy work travel season starts that I was going to get a membership there since Matthew enjoys playing at the daycare. I was pleasantly surprised when I got an email from Groupon that offered me a one month membership plus five smoothies from their smoothie bar (that is actually perfectly Nutrisystem compliant for a dairy + fruit serving, wahoo!) for only $29 instead of the $70 I had thought I was going to have to shell out. It's always nice to get offered exactly what you need!

So far I've purchased four Groupons and been happy with them all. I love getting a deal!

I'm also really looking forward to the weather getting nicer so I can get out more. I'm so tired of snow and cold! Hopefully the groundhog was right and spring is on the way.

More Dairy/Protein Ideas...

2011-02-26T17:32:00.000-08:00

Continuing my comments from yesterday, dairy/protein servings are definitely the easiest way to adapt your program to your needs. You can pretty much have ANYTHING you want, as long as it fits into the stats of 100 calories or less, 3g of fat or less, and 7g of protein or more. Here are a couple of ideas that I really enjoy.

Dairy/Protein Ideas:

Here's one of my favourite breakfast accompaniments on a hungry day!

Smoked Salmon Omelette:

1/2 cup Eggbeaters
2oz smoked salmon
1 tbsp fat free Herb & Garlic cream cheese
green onions, chopped

It took me a lot of practice to make a pretty omelette, but the secret is not to turn it too quickly. When you think it's ready, lift up the edges just a little and let the liquid drip down underneath and then set it down again. There should be very little liquid on the top when it's actually ready to turn. Then allow it to cook a little and spread the cream cheese across half the omelette before folding it shut and scooping it onto your plate. Delicious! This counts as one dairy/protein serving and one free food. Change it up a little by using cubed ham and asparagus instead of salmon and green onions (and 20 calories' worth of shredded cheese instead of cream cheese) or increase the Eggbeaters to 3/4 cup and just have a plain veggie omelette if you prefer. This is a great and protein packed side for your breakfast!

I'll confess that for the longest time I was afraid of trying a product I had sitting in my cabinet. Usually I'm the first to try new things, but fake peanut butter? I didn't know... I'm glad I finally gave it a try, though!

Peanut Butter Apples:

1 apple, peeled and cored, cut into slices
4 tbsp PB2
2 tbsp water

It's that simple. Mix your PB2 with the water, smear it on the apples, and enjoy! 4 tbsp of PB2 counts as a dairy/protein serving and it's actually quite a lot of peanut butter. Since we only get 1 tsp as a fat serving, it was really nice to have gobs of it on my apple slices! PB2 doesn't quite have the rich flavour of real peanut butter, but with less than a quarter of the calories and fat, this is a swap you aren't going to regret making. I order mine from www.netrition.com and I'm going to have to get more since my husband wanted to share my snack!

So go ahead- get creative with your add ins. What do you like to use for your dairy/protein servings?

Disclosure: This post was written by me and was not edited by anyone. The opinions expressed in this post are entirely my own and have not been influenced in any way. Nutrisystem Canada is providing their food and program to me free of charge for my weekly updates. I was not compensated for writing this post.

Hungry Days and Not-So-Hungry Days

2011-02-25T10:29:00.000-08:00

For those of you just starting out on the program, you might look at my title and wonder how it's possible to have not-so-hungry days when you eyeball the portion sizes on Nutrisystem. I remember my first look at the Blueberry Muffin and sadly resigned myself to being hungry since I would normally have had one or two of them as a snack!

You will find that you adjust to the new serving sizes because your body really doesn't need anywhere near the amount of food that we tend to consume. But, of course, there will be some days you are hungrier than others. I tend to find that a hungry day means that my metabolism is speeding up and that I'm likelier to see a big drop on the scale that week. That helps keep me motivated to stick to my program and not go off plan just because I'm hungry. I use a free food like sugarfree Jello, or indulge in some unlimited veggies like cucumber slices or celery sticks and that really helps.

One of the big reasons that I think Nutrisystem is a superior program to Jenny Craig (besides the cost!) is that I can adjust my meals much more easily to suit myself on hungry days and not-so-hungry days. It's my choice what add-ins to use each meal, so I can choose something bulky if I'm hungry or something light if I don't really feel like eating.

For example, today I woke up hungry! For breakfast, I enjoyed this:

Blueberry pancakes with fresh blueberries baked in, a drizzle of sugarfree maple syrup, and a huge omelette made with Egg Beaters, diced ham, and green onions. It was a lot of food and incredibly filling! (Yes, my pancakes got a little overcooked while I was chopping the ham, but they still tasted great!) I also had a little extra bowl of blueberries to snack on since they didn't all fit in my pancake batter. Now, if I hadn't been hungry, I could have had a smaller breakfast that also fits perfectly into plan, like the Cinnamon Bun Bar with a glass of milk and 3 dried prunes. That would fulfill the same breakfast requirements but with a lot less bulk for the days I really don't feel like eating. I really love the flexibility in the program so that I can listen to my body's needs.

Playing with the add-ins is also where we can really get creative. I love that the lunch Cheesy Homestyle Potatoes can be everything from Cream of Potato Soup to Clam Chowder to Crab Cakes to Potato Salad. Even with only one entree, it can still be fun to decide what's for lunch! I don't see myself getting bored of the shelf stable food for a long time- and it's already been more than a year!

It's great to have choice- one of the things I love best about this program is not feeling like I have to eat grilled chicken and salad every day to lose weight. Instead, I can still eat food I love and "cook" as much or as little as I want. Win win (or as I see it- win lose)!

Disclosure: This post was written by me and was not edited by anyone. The opinions expressed in this post are entirely my own and have not been influenced in any way. Nutrisystem Canada is providing their food and program to me free of charge for my weekly updates. I was not compensated for writing this post.

I'm Leaving on a Cruise Ship...

2011-02-23T13:12:00.000-08:00

Well, not really- but I can pretend, right? One thing I love about cruises is the wonderful food. Our favourite cruiseline is Celebrity, and they've introduced a relatively new feature on some of their ships called Bistro on Five, which serves lighter fare like sandwiches, sweet and savory crepes. We really enjoyed eating there- the meals were fabulous!

Recently I was asked if I ever made any savory crepe recipes (after sharing my Fruity Crepes recipe), and it immediately made me think of Bistro on Five and the delicious meals I'd enjoyed there. Today's recipe is the result of that, and believe me- it will have you envisioning the high seas!

Mediterranean Turkey Pesto Crepe:

Pancake Mix (Breakfast):

1 pkg Nutrisystem Pancake Mix
1/3 cup milk
1/3 cup water
2 oz sliced turkey or chicken
1 tbsp sundried tomatoes
1/2 cup diced onions and green pepper
1 oz shredded Italiano blend cheese
1/2 tbsp light mayonnaise
1 tsp basil pesto

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees. Prepare the pancake mix as directed and add the additional 1/3 cup water until the batter is very thin and runny. Spray a medium frying pan with Olive Oil PAM spray. Pour half the batter into the pan (refrigerate the other half and reserve for later). When the crepe is crisping, flip it over. The second side cooks very quickly- be careful not to overcook! In the meantime, sautee the sliced chicken or turkey in Olive Oil PAM spray with the vegetables and sundried tomatoes. When the vegetables are soft, place the crepe flat in a baking dish and fill with the meat and vegetable mixture. Top with the shredded cheese and fold the crepe over top. Bake in the oven for 5-7 minutes or until cheese is melted. In a Ziploc bag, mix together the mayonnaise and pesto until well blended. Snip a tiny hole in one corner of the bag for easy squirting. When the crepe comes out of the oven, scoop it onto a plate and squirt the pesto sauce over the crepe in a zigzag pattern. Enjoy it while it's hot!

Dietary Services confirmed that 1/2 package of pancake mix can be used as a carb serving, so this is a great "flex" lunch entree.

Here are the stats for a flex lunch: 1 Fat Serving, 2 Lean Protein Serving, 1 Low Glycemic Carbohydrate Serving, and 1 Vegetable Serving.

Counts as a complete lunch (served with a salad or veggies), and a free food.

If you are one of the lucky ducks who gets an extra carb serving with your lunch, make the second crepe as well and have a sweet crepe for dessert! Fill it up with hot chopped strawberries or other berries and enjoy a decadent meal.

Disclosure: This post was written by me and was not edited by anyone. The opinions expressed in this post are entirely my own and have not been influenced in any way. Nutrisystem Canada is providing their food and program to me free of charge for my weekly updates. I was not compensated for writing this post.

Questions

2011-02-21T12:14:00.000-08:00

This weekend I got to see a lot of people who haven't seen me for months. It was so nice to see the surprise on their faces when they saw me! I got so many compliments about how great I look and that really made me feel great. It's so nice when your effort gets noticed and recognized by others! And honestly- I'm finally starting to like what I see when I look in the mirror. I still have a lot of toning and exercise to do but I'm a lot more comfortable in my own skin than I used to be, and that means a lot.

One of the questions I got asked a lot is, how do I stay so disciplined? If you're new to the program, you might be missing some of your old favourite foods a lot. I remember when I first started doing Nutrisystem and I decided that I was going to embark on a lifestyle change, not a diet. A little voice in my head asked me, "Really? No more French fries, ever? No ice cream? No cheesecake?" I really wasn't sure at that point how I was going to handle that question but I knew that I wanted to try. I'll admit that it was a pretty sad thought though because I loved food like that so much and I didn't know if I really could go without them.

Now here I am, a little over a year later. I am telling you the absolute truth when I say that I don't even miss those things except in rare situations. I really enjoy having my Cajun Fries, or a healthy New York Style Cheesecake, or a Skinny Cow Vanilla & Caramel ice cream cone. The idea of going to a buffet like the Mandarin (which I used to love) kind of grosses me out now. Your taste buds really do change and adjust so that you can get the same enjoyment out of substitute foods that you used to get from fatty, calorie laden items- and the old things you used to love won't taste the same to you anymore. They might even make your body feel lousy because it's so used to getting healthy, nourishing food!

The reason that I can tell you flat out that I am sure that I won't be a yo-yo dieter and that I know I will be able to maintain at my goal weight is because this is just the way I eat now. I mean, really- after a year, what am I supposed to do? Just go walk into a McDonalds and order a Big Mac, fries, and a shake? I don't have habits or desires like that anymore when I can make things that taste just as good but fit right into my healthy lifestyle plan.

So before I was wondering how I'd manage to adjust- but now I know that I just need to find healthy replacements for those cravings and I'm all set. So just keep going, one day at a time. When you really miss something, it's OK to have it- just find a way to make it fit into your plan. If there's something you crave that I don't have listed, let me know- maybe I can figure out a way to make it!

A Little Early

2011-02-19T07:25:00.000-08:00

I'm posting my weigh in a day early this week since Monday is a holiday here and I'm going away for the weekend and otherwise wouldn't be able to post until Tuesday.

It's been a pretty good week. For some variety, I decided to use my elliptical machine for a few days instead of my Jillian Michaels DVD. I was amazed at how much easier it was to exercise longer than it had been before! I was able to work out for twice as long before I got really tired. It's a nice feeling to know that I'm getting into better shape. Another non scale victory that really made me feel great!

I lost 1.2lbs this week... still creeping closer to the 90lb marker. I really, really want my new Nutribear! Hopefully next week? I guess we'll have to wait and see!

Hope you all have a lovely weekend, and to the Canadians: Enjoy your holiday!

Fish

2011-02-15T17:25:00.000-08:00

I love seafood- it's always been one of my favourite things to eat. The best part is that seafood is generally pretty healthy- it's just the things we do to it that make it awful! Unfortunately Nutrisystem doesn't offer much in the way of seafood, I expect because it just doesn't do well in a shelf stable format. But, the good news is that we can incorporate it into our meal plan as a dairy/protein serving, so you can eat it as frequently as you like! Recently I tried experimenting with a new salmon dish and I loved it, hopefully you will enjoy it too.

Creamy Dill Salmon Pasta:

Fettuccine Alfredo (Lunch):

1 pkg Nutrisystem Fettuccine Alfredo
1 light wedge of Laughing Cow cheese
1 dairy/protein serving worth of salmon (I use Compliments Balance Wild Pacific Salmon Burgers)
chopped tomatoes, onions, mushrooms, and asparagus
dill paste

Prepare the Fettuccine Alfredo as directed and set aside. In a pan sprayed with PAM, cook the salmon until it turns pink and cut it into small pieces. Add the vegetables to the pan and cook for 5 minutes over medium heat with the Laughing Cow cheese wedge. Pour the fettuccine noodles into the pan and add the dill paste, and cook until the flavours blend. Enjoy! This counts as a complete lunch plus a free food.

For my spices, I often use Gourmet Garden. It comes in a paste form in a little squeezy tube. I find that this format blends much better into a dish than dried herbs, and the flavour is stronger. I would definitely recommend giving these a try to add a little more taste to your meals. I like the Italian blend on the Thick Crust Pizza, and I'll share some more recipes with these soon.

Disclosure: This post was written by me and was not edited by anyone. The opinions expressed in this post are entirely my own and have not been influenced in any way. Nutrisystem Canada is providing their food and program to me free of charge for my weekly updates. I was not compensated for writing this post.

Chocolate

2011-02-13T16:45:00.000-08:00

I didn't get to watch the Biggest Loser on Tuesday night because I went out with some friends, but fortunately I was able to watch it later in the week On Demand.

What a tough temptation! If you didn't watch, each contestant had to go privately into a room that had tables and tables just full of chocolates and chocolate covered things and stay there for three minutes. The prize for the temptation wasn't even anything special like it usually was- definitely not worth it.

Unsurprisingly, lots of contestants found reasons to justify eating some of the chocolate. It's tough to walk away from it when it's right there and you can smell it and see it. I'm sure none of the contestants had tasted chocolate since they got to the ranch.

I sat there during that episode munching on my Chocolate Crunch Bar. Fortunately, chocolate is not something I ever feel deprived of! I can eat chocolate three meals a day if I want to! Nutrisystem's chocolate is good enough that my husband chooses to eat it for dessert as well sometimes- and he isn't on a diet (lucky people and their fast metabolisms...grumble grumble)!

It just made me feel lucky that I can still enjoy the things I like and lose weight at the same time. I think that having a program like this also teaches you balance more so than a cold turkey switch to a diet of lean meats, healthy carbs, fruit, and veggies. Although both plans are healthy, the person on the second program is going to miss their old cravings and be much more susceptible to bingeing when they get back to the real world and decide to have a treat. After all- NEVER having a treat is just not realistic. I believe that since I can have dessert every single day, it takes a bit of the "specialness" away from desserts. I don't crave them anymore and so they are just part of my meal plan- not treats that I want to eat lots of. Not to mention that the Nutrisystem desserts contain protein, fibre, and other nutrients so they actually satisfy your cravings, not make you want more. Anyone ever been satisfied by 15 M&Ms or did you want to down the rest of the family sized bag? I'm a lot happier with the Chocolate Rainbow Delights.

So here's to chocolate... and to avoiding temptations!

Disclosure: This post was written by me and was not edited by anyone. The opinions expressed in this post are entirely my own and have not been influenced in any way. Nutrisystem Canada is providing their food and program to me free of charge for my weekly updates. I was not compensated for writing this post.

6 Week Weight Loss Challenge- Week 6

2011-02-13T12:13:00.000-08:00

So this was the final week in my challenge, and I was a bit disappointed in the outcome. I can feel that I'm retaining a little water this week and I didn't get to exercise every day like I'd intended, but I only lost 0.2lb this week. On the plus side though, the scale is still going down! After nearly 90lbs on Nutrisystem, I still haven't hit a true plateau (2 or more weeks with zero weight change). I am hopeful that if I keep changing my exercise program around that I won't see one until I am much closer to goal.

1st weigh in January 9: -2.7 lbs (1.46%)
2nd weigh in January 16: -1.3 lbs (2.16%)
3rd weigh in January 23: - 2 lbs (3.25%)
4th weigh in January 30: -0.6 lbs (3.57%)
5th weigh in February 6: - 2.2 lbs (4.76%)
Final weigh in February 13: - 0.2 lbs (4.87%)

I really can't complain about how this challenge went for me, even with 2 poor weeks I still lost 9 lbs! The exercise is also starting to make enough of a difference that my body fat percentage is coming down, which is great encouragement to keep it up!

How did you do during this challenge? Hopefully you beat me and earned yourself a reward!

I've got some new recipes to share soon, and some great ideas for upcoming theme weeks. If you have any ideas you'd like to share with me or have a recipe you'd like to see here, feel free to send me an email!

On a Cold Day...

2011-02-09T10:47:00.000-08:00

Some entrees that I liked at the beginning have been continually seconded to the back of my cupboard as I find things or methods of preparation that I enjoy more. The Cheese Tortellini has definitely been among those as I've been finding the sauce more bitter than I'm used to in a tomato based dish. It's not bad, just not one of my favourite items.

I was browsing online for soup recipes, since it's been freezing here lately and I miss having a nice big bowl of soup for lunch as comfort food. I saw a recipe that involved tortellini and a bell went off- why couldn't I make a soup using the Cheese Tortellini?

Well, it was pretty darn good! I'm actually still eating it now as I share it with you! If you're looking for a soup recipe to warm you up, definitely give it a try.

Cheese Tortellini (Lunch):

Italian Sausage & Tortellini Soup:

1 pkg Nutrisystem Cheese Tortellini
1 cup low sodium chicken broth
1/2 cup Aylmer Olive Oil & Garlic Diced Tomatoes
1/4 cup frozen chopped spinach
1/4 cup diced onions
1 serving sausage (100 calories or less, 3g fat or less, 7g protein or more)

Prepare the sausage according to package directions- cut into chunks and set aside. In a small pot set to medium heat, combine the broth and Tortellini entree. Simmer until well blended. Add the vegetables and sausage and simmer for 20 minutes on low-medium heat (don't let it boil). Pour into a bowl and if desired, sprinkle with 10 calories' worth of Parmesan cheese.

Count as a complete lunch entree plus a free food.

Disclosure: This post was written by me and was not edited by anyone. The opinions expressed in this post are entirely my own and have not been influenced in any way. Nutrisystem Canada is providing their food and program to me free of charge for my weekly updates. I was not compensated for writing this post.

Baking

2011-02-08T11:56:00.001-08:00

I haven't been doing much baking over the past year, other than single serving items, because I don't have anyone to feed them to. We all know what happens if you make a couple of dozen cookies and don't have any plans for them, right?

Well, since my inlaws were visiting for the weekend and my mother in law likes to bake, we thought we'd try out a few recipes while there were people around to enjoy them. One of them turned out great- the other not quite how we intended!

I got an email from the Splenda Recipe Club for Raspberry Heart Cookies. They seemed very similar to a recipe I used to make for shortbread cookies filled with jam, so I wanted to give it a try. Of course, even though it is a fairly low calorie recipe, the protein count was far too low to be a substitute for a Nutrisystem dessert. I thought I could modify it by adding protein powder, and substituting whole wheat flour instead of white to lower the glycemic index count. I also substituted the remaining butter for margarine.

However, I forgot that while it's easy to play with ingredients and quantities in cooking, it's quite a different story with baking! Changing the ratio of ingredients can product a very different tasting recipe, let alone substituting so much of the original recipe. These cookies were absolutely nothing like what I had intended, but surprisingly, they still tasted really good!

Flex Meals (Dessert):

Accidentally Delicious Jam Cookies:

1 1/4 cups margarine
1 cup Splenda
1 tbsp vanilla
1/4 cup Egg Beaters
1/4 cup water
1/4 cup milk
2 cups whole wheat flour
1 cup all purpose flour
1/4 tsp salt
1 tsp baking powder
1/3 cup SF strawberry jam
6 scoops protein powder (1 scoop = 120 calories, 23g protein)

Blend together margarine, Splenda and vanilla in a medium mixing bowl. Add egg substitute, water and milk. Mix briefly. Add flours, salt, protein powder, and baking powder. Do not overmix. Chill for one hour in the refrigerator. Preheat oven to 350 degrees and spray a cookie sheet with PAM. Spoon batter onto the cookie sheet into round circles, and use your thumb to make a depression in the centre of each cookie. Spoon jam into each depression. Bake for 14 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean. Makes 24 servings. Each cookie has 120 calories, 14g carbs, 4g fat, and 8.5g protein.

See, these were originally to be rolled out and cut into shapes but once we added the protein powder there was too much flour, and adding more liquid ingredients made it sticky instead of doughy so we switched to drop cookies. I was expecting to have to throw them away but they were actually yummy and got eaten right away!

The second recipe, also modified from the Splenda Recipe Club, came out much closer to what we expected, since we got smart and reduced the flour by the quantity of protein powder we were adding. This recipe is protein packed and delicious warm either with a drizzle of SF maple syrup or maybe with some FF cream cheese frosting.

Flex Meals (Dessert):

Pumpkin Loaf Cupcakes:

1/3 cup + 1 tbsp vanilla Greek yogurt
2 cups pumpkin puree
3/4 cup Egg Beaters
1/4 cup vegetable oil
1 cup whole wheat flour
1 cup all purpose flour
2 scoops protein powder
3/4 cup Splenda
4 tsp baking powder
1 tbsp pumpkin pie spice
1/3 cup dried cranberries (optional)

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Mix together all wet ingredients in a bowl and the dry ingredients in a separate bowl. Add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients and stir well. Pour the mix into a sprayed cupcake pan and bake for 40 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean. Makes 16 servings.

These came out really nicely. They aren't super sweet so if you'd like them to be, then either add more Splenda or perhaps some SF pancake syrup to the batter. As they are listed (with no cranberries), each cupcake contains 132 calories, 18g carbs, 4g fat, and 7g protein.

If you're looking for a new dessert to liven things up a bit, I would definitely recommend either of these recipes!

Valentine's Day Giveaway Winner!

2011-02-08T08:33:00.000-08:00

And the winner is...

Ali Holt said...

oh and I would totally get the puff pan! that is so awesome!

ali

Congratulations! You have 2 days to respond to get your prize!

6 Week Weight Loss Challenge- Week 5

2011-02-06T09:35:00.000-08:00

It's really motivating to see exactly how much exercise is affecting my weight loss. At this point for me, it's not "if" or "maybe"- the numbers are clear that regular exercise is substantially increasing my fat burned each week. So not only is it great for my body, but it's definitely making me happy, too!

This week, since I suggested that everyone try one new form of exercise, I of course had to do the same. My FitMom + Baby class is a little different, but I wanted something that would work entirely different muscles than my Jillian Michaels DVD. Well, we got hit with a massive snowstorm last week so I offered to do my husband's job and shovel the snow. It was definitely taxing in a different way (I found myself wishing at one point that I had just done the Shred!) and hopefully that helped change things up a bit.

Lately I'm feeling very positive and motivated about my weight loss- it's only a matter of time before these last few pounds disappear and I'm fit and healthy, so I can be a great role model for my son.

I hope you are enjoying Superbowl Sunday- snack wisely!

1st weigh in January 9: -2.7 lbs (1.46%)
2nd weigh in January 16: -1.3 lbs (2.16%)
3rd weigh in January 23: - 2 lbs (3.25%)
4th weigh in January 30: -0.6 lbs (3.57%)
5th weigh in February 6: - 2.2 lbs (4.76%)
Final weigh in February 13:

How did you do this week?

More Triggers

2011-02-05T20:23:00.000-08:00

The longer I do this, the more I try to analyze the behaviours that brought me to let myself go so badly. I never want to be that person again. That woman was ashamed of herself, self conscious, lacked confidence in herself, and felt like she had no control.

I've identified two more situations where I find that I care less about what I consume. When I'm angry, I either don't eat and then wait till I feel sick and then eat whatever's quick, or I want to snack. When I haven't slept well and I'm tired, I have no energy so I need to eat more or I crash. I don't think I can do much about the being tired except try to make sure I get my rest, since I really do think my body needs the extra calories to keep going on those days. I can do something about the anger, though. Who am I hurting by practicing these behaviours? It's certainly not whoever I am angry at! The only one getting punished is me, and that is not a healthy way to deal with my emotions.

I've been doing this for a year now, though. I honestly don't see myself ever going back to the way I was. It just doesn't even seem possible now. I think I would barf if I tried to eat the way that I used to- I can't handle the portion sizes and things that tasted good before, just don't now. I can make myself lighter versions of things I used to enjoy and I'm happier with them then I would be with the full fat versions. I mean, I look at pictures of French fries cooking in a deep fryer, and all I can see is an entire pot full of grease and oil and picture what that would do to my body. My Cajun Fries are awesome and I don't have to worry that I'm shortening my life by eating them!

My inlaws are visiting this weekend, and they did a double take when they saw me! My mother in law said that she is always interested to see what I look like, since they only visit every 3-4 months. It was really nice to hear her ask if I was done losing weight- definitely made me feel good if she thought it was possible! She asked me "Are you going to keep eating this food or will you stop when you're done losing weight?"

I don't plan to be on Nutrisystem for the rest of my life, but I really do enjoy a lot of the meals. The breakfasts, for example, are awesome. Where else can you find breakfast pastries like the Apple Strudel Scone or the Cranberry Orange Pastry (my two favourites) with the low calories and high protein that Nutrisystem offers? And in my opinion, they have just as much flavour as the overpriced coffee shop versions. I could definitely eat an NS breakfast every day and be happy. Some of the dinners, I've been trying to work out ways to make for myself, but others I don't think I'd have a clue. For example- I love the Vegetable Fajita and have no idea how I could make an appropriate substitute. I'd really miss my Mexican Lasagna if I wasn't able to get it anymore!

So the bottom line for me, is that I enjoy having the convenience and flavour of Nutrisystem food in my life and plan to continue incorporating it even once I reach my goal weight. I've learned a lot about portion control, the glycemic index, and about having balance in both my life and my diet. While I took control of my life and chose to follow the program and lose 85lbs (so far!), I don't think I could have done it alone. I tried and failed on my own- I've never had as much success losing weight as I have with Nutrisystem. People ask me if it was hard, and I still feel like I can honestly say no. It's all about choices, just like anything else in life, but as far as I'm concerned, Nutrisystem makes it as easy as it can possibly be with (mostly) yummy food and no counting. I highly recommend this program to anyone out there with weight to lose because you WILL accomplish your goal if you stick to it. And I must say- it feels really good to actually know that as a certainty!

I have less than 40lbs to go now to earn my 125lb bear and reach my goal weight, and I am really looking forward to continuing to write this blog as I continue my journey and focus on maintenance.

Disclosure: This post was written by me and was not edited by anyone. The opinions expressed in this post are entirely my own and have not been influenced in any way. Nutrisystem Canada is providing their food and program to me free of charge for my weekly updates. I was not compensated for writing this post.

Non Scale Victory!

2011-02-03T17:17:00.001-08:00

I was planning to share some more recipes with you today, but first I need you to help me celebrate a very exciting moment today.

I had a pair of jeans sitting in my closet from 2006- haven't worn them since. They're low rise and the smallest pants I own. Last night I threw in a load of laundry but somehow my usual black jeans failed to get in the washer and I couldn't wear them again without washing them because they were covered with my son's dinner from last night. We had plans to go out to dinner for a mystery shop, so I had to find something to wear!

I now weigh less than I have in longer than I remember, however my body has changed after having a baby, so I've been afraid to try on these pants. I didn't really have any other options today, though! So I decided to pull them out- I told myself the worst that could happen would be that I'd need to exercise harder.

And you know what's coming- THEY FIT! And comfortably so- it's not like I was struggling to zip them up. I am just over the moon. I can't wait until these "skinny" jeans become my fat jeans!

I've got some more great appetizers for your Super Bowl party- enjoy (in moderation)!

Dairy/Protein Ideas:

Cheesy Mozzerella Sticks:

2 light mozzerella string cheese sticks (50 calories each), cut in half
1 tbsp Egg Beaters
1 tbsp seasoned breadcrumbs

Preheat your oven to 350 degrees. Dip the cheese stick pieces into the Egg Beaters and then into the breadcrumbs. Bake for ten minutes or until they are cheesy and gooey. Serve immediately with salsa or your favourite FF dipping sauce.

These are AWESOME and taste exactly like the real thing! I highly recommend trying them for an afternoon snack. Count them as a dairy/protein and a free food.

Here's an appetizer platter I made at a recent party- it's not all Nutrisystem friendly but it's definitely lower calorie than the "original" versions.

You can see my Jalapeno Poppers at the bottom of the platter... next look at two of my favourites: Breaded Chicken Fingers and Faux Fried Shrimp.

Breaded Chicken Fingers & Faux Fried Shrimp:

1 pkg Nutrisystem Grilled Chicken Breast (or your own chicken breast, cut into strips)
large cocktail shrimp, tails on
Egg Beaters
seasoned bread crumbs

The Nutrisystem Grilled Chicken Breast really isn't a great choice for this recipe because the chicken flakes easily with a fork and is difficult to cut into strips- I'd recommend using your own. I didn't specify quantities otherwise because it depends how many people you want to serve.

Just like with the cheese sticks, dip the chicken strips and shrimp into the Egg Beaters and then into the breadcrumbs. Bake the chicken strips in the oven at 350 degrees for 15 minutes. I like the shrimp best either fried in 1 tsp olive oil per serving, or in PAM Olive Oil spray.

If you want to count this as a dairy/protein serving, you can use up to 100 calories of chicken or shrimp, and count the Egg Beaters and breadcrumbs as a free food. You can also choose to make this a dinner entree by using 3 lean protein servings (that would be 3oz of chicken or 6oz of shrimp), ~80 calories of breadcrumbs (so a thicker breading) as your low GI carb, and 2 tsp of olive oil to fry them in. You still need to add your 3 veggie servings to make it a complete dinner.

The last item really isn't great for Nutrisystem but your guests will probably enjoy it!

Pizza Rolls:

wonton wrappers
turkey pepperoni
shredded mozzerella cheese
pizza sauce
your favourite veggies, diced small

Squirt a little pizza sauce into each wrapper and add pepperoni, veggies, and cheese. Fold the wrappers tightly and tuck in the edges to make an egg roll shape. Heat olive oil in a pan- enough to cover the bottom of the pan. When the oil is hot, place the pizza rolls in a single layer in the pan. Turn when the wrapper starts to crisp up. When they are cooked on all sides, serve immediately.

Unfortunately, these really don't do well when baked or faux fried- they just don't have the same flavour and the wonton wrappers don't crisp up properly. As a result, these use too much oil to be eaten on Nutrisystem. I recommend serving these to your guests and sticking to the on plan snacks like chicken fingers and mozzerella sticks! And of course don't forget to put out a platter of fresh veggies and dip!

More About Exercise

2011-02-01T19:03:00.000-08:00

Anyone else watching the Biggest Loser tonight? I was totally blown away by the weight loss of the Unknowns during their first week on the ranch. The lowest percentage would have been at the top of the other group! Seriously- how can you go home after losing 3.59%???

What it signifies to me is how important it can be to change up your fitness routine. The ranch players, while obviously still losing weight and being successful, didn't have their routine changed as much as the unknowns did, by completely changing locale and having new equipment to use. Look at the effect it had!

With diet as well as exercise, it's important to keep your body guessing so that your metabolism stays revved up and it doesn't have time to acclimatize to what you are doing. There was a discussion on the Nutrisystem boards about having high days and low days- where you vary your daily food intake based on how hungry you are. You still eat everything on your meal plan and don't save anything, but perhaps you choose all lower calorie entrees one day (since there's quite the variation in each category), or have smaller servings for your dairy/protein add ins. Conversely, if you're hungry, go for the higher calorie entrees and max out your dairy/protein to 100 calories per serving.

But if just changing up your exercise can have an effect like that- I'm really excited about the idea. Adding in the 30 Day Shred clearly had a positive effect on my weight loss. Hopefully trying the FitMom + Baby class on Mondays will also change things up a little. Maybe I need to add in more time on the elliptical machine as well.

So here's my challenge to you- this week, try one new exercise related thing that you haven't done before. It doesn't have to be a huge change- maybe something as simple as wearing arm weights when you go for a walk. Let's see if we can shock our bodies into letting go of those pounds!

Don't forget to enter the $35 gift certificate giveaway to CSN Stores! The contest closes February 7th.

Healthy Dip Recipes

2011-02-01T16:46:00.000-08:00

Yes, there is indeed such a thing! A reader sent me an email asking if I had any dip recipes that she could serve to her guests for her Super Bowl party that wouldn't be too far off plan, so I went looking for some yummy ones. Enjoy!

The quickest and easiest one I tried that I liked was simply stirring some Hidden Valley Ranch powder into FF sour cream. Depending how much powder you use, it has a nice kick and your guests will enjoy it- plus you can have it ready to serve in about 5 seconds! 2 tbsp is a free food.

My second one is a little more involved but definitely worth the effort- I got the idea from the Biggest Loser Cookbook and modified it slightly to up the protein count.

Skinny Spinach Dip:

1 10oz package of frozen chopped spinach (thawed overnight in fridge)
2/3 cup drained water chestnuts
3 green onions
2 cloves garlic
1/2 cup FF sour cream
1/2 cup plain Greek yogurt
1 tsp hot mustard
black pepper, to taste

Press the spinach into a strainer and use a spoon to squeeze as much water out as possible. Set aside. Pour the water chestnuts, green onions, and garlic into a food processor and blend. Add the spinach and pulse, and then the remaining ingredients and blend until smooth. Pour into a bowl and chill for at least one hour before serving.

This dip has a zesty kick because of the water chestnuts and if you serve it in a fancy bread bowl, your guests will have no idea that it's so low in calories and fat! Serve it with whatever you want- pumpernickel bread chunks, crackers, or just plain sliced veggies. The recipe makes 22 2-tbsp servings with 15 calories, 2g carbs, trace of fat, and 2g protein. So it's your choice how you want to use it- you can have 3 tbsp as a free food, or you can have 3/4 cup as a dairy/protein serving with 12g protein. Or you can do some combination- whatever works for you. The bottom line is that it tastes great and you can definitely find a way to work it into your program if you want a yummy dip!

I'm considering how it would taste as a sandwich spread with grilled chicken and maybe some melted mozzerella. Sounds like a yummy flex lunch idea!

6 Week Weight Loss Challenge- Week 4

2011-01-31T10:12:00.000-08:00

Sorry this post is a day late again but I didn't get a chance to weigh myself yesterday!

Well, as I said in a previous post, I've been sick this week so I haven't gotten in any exercise at all which is disappointing. My whole family is sick so between trying to take care of them and myself, I just haven't had any energy leftover for much of anything.

I did get back on the horse today though- my son and I went to a FitMom + Baby class at Fitness 360. It was pretty good! I know if I hadn't been doing the Shred at home it would have killed me though. Some of the moves were straight from the Shred so I had at least practiced them before. I really had no idea how to use the giant balls for ab work though- I kept slipping around since I'd never used one before. Hopefully that will get easier!

I can see how much the exercise has revved up my weight loss and my metabolism by my number this week- I lost only 0.6lbs. No complaints though- that's still 0.6lbs less than I weighed the week before! And I really want to make exercise part of my lifestyle so this is great incentive to stay active.

I also wanted to share a milestone with you all- this was my 52nd week on Nutrisystem. I've officially been following the program for a year and lost nearly 85lbs. Overall, I'm thrilled with the changes in my body and my life, and I'm looking forward to seeing what I can accomplish this year.

1st weigh in January 9: -2.7 lbs (1.46%)
2nd weigh in January 16: -1.3 lbs (2.16%)
3rd weigh in January 23: - 2 lbs (3.25%)
4th weigh in January 30: -0.6 lbs (3.57%)
5th weigh in February 6:
Final weigh in February 13:

How did you do this week?

Party Favourites

2011-01-29T09:55:00.000-08:00

If you go through my recipe page, there are several items that would be great to serve as appetizers for your Super Bowl party- just cut them into smaller servings so that multiple people can enjoy them, and watch your serving sizes! Things like my Portabella Mushroom Pizzas, Jalapeno Cheese Poppers, Macaroni Salad, or my Chicken Quesadilla.

One thing I always used to serve at my parties were mini quiche. They're cute, tasty, and appropriate whether you are having a brunch or a dinner party. Since the crust is one of my favourite parts, I assumed that these would be permanently off the menu. I was surprised and delighted to stumble across this recipe from the Biggest Loser Cookbook that could be easily adapted to make a great breakfast or a plate of delicious appetizers.

Flex Meals (Breakfast):

Asparagus Mini Quiches:

1/2 cup chopped onion
1 large clove of garlic, minced
1/3 cup milk
1/3 cup + 3 tbsp Egg Beaters
2 tsp Dijon mustard
6 whole wheat tortillas (not low carb- they'll get soggy and not crisp!)
4oz shredded cheddar cheese
6 medium asparagus spears, chopped into rounds
salt and pepper to taste

Spray a muffin tin with Pam butter spray and preheat the oven to 375 degrees. In a small pan, sautee the onions and garlic in PAM until the onion is sweating. In a bowl, mix the milk, Egg Beaters, mustard, and salt and pepper. Use a 3 1/4 inch cookie cutter (or a drinking glass if you don't have one) to cut circles from the tortillas. Fit them into the muffin tin. Divide the onions, asparagus, and cheese evenly among the tortilla cups and pour the egg mixture over top. Bake for 22 minutes or until the tortilla shells are crisp and lightly browned.

My husband tried one and he says they don't taste low fat at all- he said he'd definitely eat them.

If you count calories, make sure to account for the portions of the tortillas that you don't eat (or you can go ahead and eat them if you want). I weighed mine before and then weighed the scraps after to see what actually went into the recipe. This recipe serves four people three mini quiche each and counts as a flex breakfast entree (add dairy/protein and fruit for a complete breakfast). 166 calories, 17g of carbs, 1g of fat, and 16g of protein. Or enjoy them as appetizers at only ~55 calories each!

Disappointed

2011-01-28T20:05:00.000-08:00

I had a really, really long day today. I didn't get a lot of sleep and it just felt like everything went wrong. My son wasn't feeling well, he was late for his doctor's appointment and we had to reschedule, etc, etc. I was feeling pretty tired and stressed out.

In the "old days", I would have ordered a pizza. I thought about it, and realized it would just allow me to prolong the pity party. I'd eat it, feel sick to my stomach, and ask myself why the heck I was torturing my body. So when I got hungry, I took out the fixings for one of my favourite dinners- the Nutrisystem Spaghetti with Meat Sauce over a bowl of spaghetti squash.

Unfortunately, as soon as I opened the box, I knew this was not going to be my "comfort dinner"! Instead of the large white tray the entree used to be packaged in, it was in the little black tray that most of the other pasta meals come in. When I took off the plastic top, I could see that there was lots of sauce sloshing around in the dish- another change. The sauce in this entree used to be thick and stick to the noodles. And that was the worst part- the serving is considerably smaller and less satisfying. I used to have a nice ratio of pasta to spaghetti squash- I could actually pretend I was eating a giant bowl of all pasta, which really helped on those days where I needed to at least feel like I was pigging out. Tonight, it was clear that I was eating squash with some noodles mixed in. And the worst part? The reformulated entree is actually higher in calories than the previous version! Why would anyone want less pasta for more calories? I'm not impressed.

So, was it bad? No, but it's just not the same anymore, and I'm really going to miss it. I'm going to have to find a new comfort meal, so it's back to the drawing board.

Disclosure: This post was written by me and was not edited by anyone. The opinions expressed in this post are entirely my own and have not been influenced in any way. Nutrisystem Canada is providing their food and program to me free of charge for my weekly updates. I was not compensated for writing this post.

Valentine's Day Giveaway!

2011-01-26T18:48:00.000-08:00

The kind folks at CSN Stores are having another giveaway here at Stomach Rumblings!

CSN Stores has offered to give one of my readers a $35 gift certificate which can be used at any of their more than 200 online stores which sell everything from toys and baby items to a corner TV stand, to cookware and great gadgets. It's definitely a great site for one stop shopping.

I really like one of their sites, Cookware.com. They have lots of great gadgets that help make it easy to cook healthy recipes. My husband tries to keep me away from it because we are running out of space for kitchen gadgets!

My long time readers will know that if you don't have one, I highly recommend getting a puff pan.

Check out my recipe page for some great and healthy ideas using a puff pan (especially my corn dog puffs). I've got some more coming, I just haven't had time to write them up yet.

If you've already got a puff pan, you might be interested in something like this vegetable slicer- who says healthy food can't be pretty, too?

The winner of this giveaway will receive a $35 gift certificate to be used at any one of their sites- you can get whatever you like- it doesn't have to be cookware.

How do you enter? You'll receive one ballot into the draw by commenting here with your email address and telling me what you would choose from CSN Stores.

Extra Entries:

* Follow CSN Stores on Twitter (1 entry)
* Follow Stomach Rumblings via Google Friends Connect or subscribe via email (1 entry)
* Write about this giveaway in your own blog or on Facebook and post a link here (2 additional entries for each place you post it)
* Add Stomach Rumblings to your blogroll or website (1 entry)

Don't forget to make one comment on this post for each entry and include your email address so I can contact you if you win!

I'll draw the winner on February 7th at 10:00pm EST, using Random.org to select the winning post. The winner will have 48 hours to claim their prize or I will draw another winner. The contest is open to US and Canadian residents.

Good luck and thanks to CSN for sponsoring this giveaway!

NEW Items!

2011-01-26T15:07:00.000-08:00

I was so excited when I opened my box yesterday and saw the NEW items! Even with all the different recipes I use, it is definitely nice to have some new options available.

Here is what I think about the new entrees.

Scrambled Eggs with Vegetables (Breakfast):

Since it wasn't too long ago that I tried the Nourish Scrambled Eggs, I was expecting something pretty similar. I was surprised to see that this entree comes in a packet like the Pancake Mix instead of a paper cup like the old egg breakfast.

Normally I'd add Egg Beaters to this to use my dairy/protein but I wanted to taste this one exactly as is, so I followed the directions for stovetop prep, and I was pleasantly surprised by how yummy it was! I really didn't care for the Egg Frittata but these Scrambled Eggs have a great sausage-y flavour (while still being on the vegetarian menu) and texture. The seasoning is very flavourful, and I loved the little potato chunks. It is also much more filling than most of the other breakfasts, at 12g of protein. Although I am a big fan of the pastry-type breakfasts, I'll be reordering this item.

Peanut Butter & Jelly Bar (Lunch):

Not being a big fan of grape jelly, I wasn't really expecting to like this item so I only ordered one to review. When I took the first bite, it was overwhelmingly sweet, rather like a jelly candy with a hint of peanut butter. The aftertaste is quite strong and I decided not to finish it. If you like grape jelly, your opinion of this item might be different. I think I'll either stick to the Chocolate Peanut Butter Lunch Bar when I need a PB fix, or just make myself a flex lunch on light bread with PB2 and sugarfree strawberry jam.

Italian-Style Wedding Soup (Lunch):

When I first opened the soup cup, I was a little surprised to see that the soup looked rather gelatinous- in fact, it poured out into my bowl as a solid, cup shaped lump! I was a little apprehensive but decided to go ahead and microwave it and see what happened.

Fortunately, just like the Flame Broiled Beef Patty- it turned into something yummy!

I really enjoyed this soup. It wasn't bland at all- very flavourful. I loved the seasoning blend NS used and the tiny meatballs were very satisfying. I was full after a cup of this soup but thought fondly of having it again sometime soon. In my opinion, this one's a winner- no doctoring up necessary.

Butter Flavored Popcorn (Dessert):

When I first heard that Nutrisystem was coming out with popcorn as a dessert, I confess that my reaction was disappointment. I eat popcorn all the time as a free food, so why would I want to "waste" a dessert on it when I could have both? But, I figured I'd give it a fair chance, so it was the first thing I tried out of my new BBB.

I poured it into a bowl and it was a fairly generous serving- definitely larger than my free food 1 cup popped, and it smelled wonderful and buttery! I tried it, and to me it tastes just like movie popcorn- salty and a little buttery. I really enjoyed it! If you have a popcorn craving, having it as a free food can be a nice light snack, but this dessert definitely tastes like cheating. So you'll have to decide on your own if it's worth "giving up" a dessert to have this instead of using a free food, but definitely give it a try before you make that decision. There are going to be a lot of these on my next auto delivery!

Overall, I am really impressed by these new items. When I was told the names of the entrees coming out, I wasn't all that excited but I'm really happy to have them as part of the menu now. I can't wait to see what other new items Nutrisystem brings out this year, because these were pretty darn good.

Disclosure: This post was written by me and was not edited by anyone. The opinions expressed in this post are entirely my own and have not been influenced in any way. Nutrisystem Canada is providing their food and program to me free of charge for my weekly updates. I was not compensated for writing this post.

Giveaway Winner!

2011-01-25T19:04:00.000-08:00

The winner of a copy of Alpine Weight Loss is:

Chelsea Decker said...

I can't believe you get to try all of these amazing things because of your blog! Isn't it amazing how influential the power of speech can be!? I would love to read this book and see how his outlook can help my outlook on weight loss!

Congratulations! Please email me your mailing address and I will have the book sent to you.

Non Scale Victories

2011-01-25T16:42:00.001-08:00

My 80lb bear arrived! I was so happy to see its fuzzy little orange face because I worked hard for this one. I laughed when I read its nametag because it was so appropriate for me at this point; Workout Bear. I'm really trying to get myself into gear so this bear is helping to keep me motivated. The past few days my whole family has been sick so I haven't been able to do the shred, but I'm planning to get right back on track as soon as I feel up to it again.

Now for my non scale victory! I've noticed for a while that my wedding rings have been very loose on my finger but I didn't really want to do anything about it too early in my journey because I figured I'd have to resize them again when I reached my goal. Today, I decided to go into the store where my husband bought them and find out exactly how many sizes I'd lost. I was thrilled to hear that I've lost three ring sizes! I think that means it's time to get them sized, and boy would I be happy to have to plunk down $40 and get them sized again when I reach goal!

Do you have a non scale victory to share with us? What have you noticed that made you realize that you've lost weight? Maybe your skinny jeans fit now, or you've had to buy new ones. Sometimes, the little victories are sweeter than the number on the scale.

Superbowl Sunday

2011-01-24T19:50:00.000-08:00

I just got a request from one of my readers for a legal dip recipe that she could use for her upcoming Superbowl party. I completely forgot that it's nearly Superbowl Sunday! So I'm going to be hosting an Appetizer Week so you can get some great, healthy ideas for your menu.

Here are two ideas you can start off with (and my final two reviews from the Basic plan, excluding the brand new items I haven't yet received!):

Pretzels (Dessert):

I've mentioned before that I'm not really a salty snacks person so these just aren't my cup of tea. I have read about people melting the Nutrichocolates over them to make chocolate covered pretzels (then, of course, you eat only half a serving) and I might have to try that in the future and see if that improves them for me. For now, I'm happier with one of the sweet desserts.

Zesty Herb Snack Mix (Dessert):

This is like Chex Mix but has a little bit of salty kick to it because of the paprika. It's not spicy but zesty is definitely the right word, according to my husband who is reviewing it since I figured he'd enjoy it more than I would.

The funny thing is, this came in my original box way back last February when I had a free week, and I couldn't find anyone who wanted to eat it! I had to order a new one just to make my reviews complete. I just reminded my husband that we gave a bunch of bags of it away and he scowled and opened up his mouth and pointed inside! So I guess this gets the Husband Seal of Approval!

Don't forget to check back for some great appetizer recipes this week!

Disclosure: This post was written by me and was not edited by anyone. The opinions expressed in this post are entirely my own and have not been influenced in any way. Nutrisystem Canada is providing their food and program to me free of charge for my weekly updates. I was not compensated for writing this post.

Spice & Everything Nice

2011-01-24T10:04:00.000-08:00

I've heard a few people mention that while Nutrisystem is great, they do miss the taste of a good home cooked meal. Well, there is nothing stopping you from occasionally incorporating some homemade meals into your program; just follow Nutrisystem's Flex Guide.

Here are a few great meals that I've tried and my family has really enjoyed.

Flex Meals (Dinner):

Pineapple Chicken:

12oz chicken breast, diced (or 4 Nutrisystem Grilled Chicken Breasts)
2 2/3 cups pineapple tidbits in juice
1/2 Spanish onion, diced
1 small green pepper, diced
1 tbsp soy sauce
2 tbsp Dijon mustard
1 garlic clove, minced
1 1/3 cups brown rice, cooked
black pepper, paprika to taste

Put veggies in crock pot. Drain pineapple and reserve juice, putting tidbits in the pot. Add chicken to pot. Mix pineapple juice, mustard, soy sauce, garlic, pepper, and paprika, and pour over chicken. Stir well.

Cook on low for 7 to 9 hours, thicken with cornstarch/water mixture just prior to serving. Serves four.

This counts as a dinner entree + fruit, so you still need to have your vegetables and fat serving. One portion has 293 calories, 47g of carbs, 2g of fat, and 23g of protein.

And here's the recipe that I shared earlier from the book Alpine Weight Loss- I tried it for myself and it was delicious! I modified it slightly to fit into the Nutrisystem plan. If you enjoy Indian food I definitely recommend giving it a try.

Flex Meals (Dinner):

Chicken with Butternut Squash in Ginger-Curry Sauce:

3oz chicken breast (or Nutrisystem Grilled Chicken Breast) cut into chunks
3/4 cup butternut squash, cubed
2 tablespoons Indian curry
1 medium piece fresh ginger root
1 tsp olive oil
1/3 cup basmati rice, cooked

Sauté chicken in olive oil in a pan on medium heat for about 3 minutes. Add the squash, curry, and ginger, and cover. Cook for another 2 minutes, and then add 2 cups of water to the pan. Cook for another 3 minutes, and then lower the flame and let simmer until the squash gets soft and the water turns into its own ginger curry sauce. This takes quite a while so keep checking on it and stirring! Serve over the rice and enjoy!

I was thinking next time of adding some plain Greek yogurt to the curry and seeing how that turned out. It was not super spicy so if you want it hotter, make sure you add more curry powder to the entree. As the recipe is posted, it counts as a dinner entree + 2 veggie servings with 314 calories, 40g of carbs, 8g of fat, and 24g of protein.

Alpine Weight Loss has lots of great recipes like this one for you to try, so don't forget to enter the giveaway for a free copy of the book! The giveaway closes tomorrow at 10pm EST.

6 Week Weight Loss Challenge- Week 3

2011-01-23T18:24:00.001-08:00

It's been a pretty good week. I finally advanced to level 2 of the 30 Day Shred, which is absolutely killing me. I have very little upper body strength so some of the exercises are just brutal for me, plus I need to buy a new pair of running shoes. I was working out barefoot which was fine for level 1 but I'm sliding on the floor during level 2 so I need better grip so I can actually do the exercises! Also, I just have bad coordination in general so I've been having trouble with a few of the moves. I'll just have to keep practicing until I get it down!

Level 1 is still a good workout but it's not killing me like it used to- I don't remember how bad I felt the first day I did it but level 2 has me dripping with sweat and I'm not even getting the full benefit of it since I can't do it all yet! Hopefully with time. I wonder how bad level 3 is!

I'm very excited to share that I reached a milestone today- my BMI is no longer in the obese range! I know it's embarrassing that I had to lose this much weight to get to this point, but I can't change the past. I am so happy to be "merely" overweight. I'm getting closer and closer to my ultimate goal of a healthy body weight!

1st weigh in January 9: -2.7 lbs (1.46%)
2nd weigh in January 16: -1.3 lbs (2.16%)
3rd weigh in January 23: - 2 lbs (3.25%)
4th weigh in January 30:
5th weigh in February 6:
Final weigh in February 13:

How did you do this week?

A Creative New Lunch Idea

2011-01-22T15:33:00.000-08:00

I've read about some people lately getting bored with the food, so I thought I would try and come up with some new ideas. My son thought I needed some more inspiration with the lunches, so he got right to work when he saw my Big Brown Box!

He experimented with different ways to use the cup lunches, until he finally hit on it- they make great blocks!

So next time you are feeling bored with your food- just try thinking outside the box!

More Reviews

2011-01-21T12:55:00.000-08:00

I've only got a few more reviews to do before I'll have reviewed every item on the Basic plan. I am hoping to have those done by the end of next week. I was very excited to hear that my order had been delayed so the new items are en route and I should have them soon. I'll be sure to post the reviews quickly so you can see them!

I'm also hoping to be able to do some reviews of the Select meals next month. I'll be visited a friend in the US so hopefully I can try them there. I've heard great things about them so I am really looking forward to sampling them myself.

Here are some new reviews!

Wedged Potatoes with Sliced Beef Steak (Dinner):

The potatoes in this dish are really nice- 3 large wedges with skin. I do occasionally miss potatoes on this plan and these were satisfying. The sauce was rich and yummy although as usual there was lots- this is a good dish to serve with extra veggie servings.

Pasta Primavera with Tofu (Dinner):

Well, yeah... you can't like everything! I'm not a big tofu fan in general but I didn't really even care for the sauce on this one either, and the texture just didn't work for me. I love baby shell pasta but this dish wasn't my thing.

And like I've mentioned in previous posts, make sure you try everything at least twice! I decided to give a few items a second chance and I'm so glad I did! I had a Cinnamon Bun Bar this morning and really liked it! It didn't have the cloying sweetness I remembered from the past, so my taste buds have definitely changed. I'm going to have to try a few other things I wasn't crazy about to see if I like them any better.

Don't forget to check out my giveaway for the book Alpine Weight Loss! The giveaway ends on January 25.

Disclosure: This post was written by me and was not edited by anyone. The opinions expressed in this post are entirely my own and have not been influenced in any way. Nutrisystem Canada is providing their food and program to me free of charge for my weekly updates. I was not compensated for writing this post.

Stomach Rumblings

Happy Holidays!

Feelin' Groovy!

Slow & Steady

Great Southwest Favourites!

Confidence Boost

New Ideas for a New Start

Whenever You're Ready...

Staying Focused

Getting Cold Out...

Sometimes, You Just Gotta Have It!

Dessert for Breakfast?

Dreams

Getting Back in the Game

Mindset Makeover

I'm Still Here...

Summer Salads

Great Summer Recipes!

Review: Brad's Raw Foods

Barramundi

Red Lobster

Numbers

Fish 'n Chips

Sauce

Soup: Not Just For Winter!

Seafood Week

Spring Into Summer Weight Loss Challenge: Week 4

Spring Into Summer Weight Loss Challenge: Week 3

Seafood Week

Panini Press = Awesome!

Spring Into Summer Weight Loss Challenge: Week 2

Ole!

Already?

Insomnia

Spring Into Summer Weight Loss Challenge:Week 1

Sorry!

Voda Swim Push Up Swimwear Winner!

Spring Into Summer Weight Loss Challenge

Crazy Fries!

Review and Giveaway: Voda Swim Push Up Swimwear

Quick Twists

I'm Home!

Away We Go...

Review: Garlic Gold Oil

Still Missing Those Frozen Entrees!

Gone Shopping

More Thoughts on Exercise

More Frozen Entrees!

Thank You

Choices

Sorry!

Not This Way...

Still Sick

Sick

*sigh*

Maple Syrup Festival

Something in it After All!

I Always Hate This

More on Exercise

Getting Closer...

Lazy Weekend Breakfast

A Trip to the Doctor

Review: Shenzhen Knives

Loving Those Lunches

I'm Home!

Wow

On the Road Again...

I'm Still Here...

Soon...

Eat the Rainbow!

Weekend Decadence

Would You Like Fries with That? (Part 2)

Getting There!

More Dairy/Protein Ideas...

Hungry Days and Not-So-Hungry Days

I'm Leaving on a Cruise Ship...

Questions

A Little Early

Fish

Chocolate

sigh