Numbers

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

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

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!

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

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

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

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

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!

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

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!

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?

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.