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Tuesday, August 31, 2010

Stuffed Mushroom Caps: The Healthy Version

(Here is my original post about this recipe!)

I made them this evening for dinner and they were AMAZING! And soooo filling!!! I added more cheese then the recipe called for by using a low-fat string cheese by peeling it thinly and draping it across the top of each cap.  I would so make these again in a heart beat!  I only had 3 mushroom caps, so I kind of over filled them because I think the original recipe calls for 4 caps.  I counted all three of them with the additional cheese as 4 pts.  


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Monday, August 30, 2010

Current Weight: Week 6

170.0 (-.6)

I am totally ok with being .6! It was a weird week this week and I did my best.  I need to really kick up the exercise this week and see if that helps me in my next weigh in.  Boy that is something I never thought I'd be willing to say: kick up exercise.  I can remember not so long ago when I loathed exercising; I even hated going for a simple walk.  How sad is that? Well what ever has made this change come about in me is GREAT and I am going to run (no pun intended!) with it!!

Friend Makin' Mondays

I like... the person I am becoming through my weight loss.


I don't like... being fat.


I love... my wonderful, supportive, caring family and friends.


I dream of... being thin and healthy.


I wonder... if I will ever get my life organized?


I know... what I need to do to get organized; I just don't have the motivation.


I went... to Six Flags New England about a 1/2 dozen times this summer and had such a good time! It was great watching my daughters expressions as she rode the kiddie rides and longed to ride the BIG rides!


I have... to keep plugging along with my weight loss; its going to be a bumpy road.


I think... way too much. Some times so much that I can't sleep at night.


I plan... to complete a 5k in October; whether I walk or run it I don't care.


I regret... the way I speak to my loved ones some times; I tend to have a sharp tongue.


I do... enjoy running, reading, scrapbooking, blogging, and video gaming.


I drink... what ever I feel like; mostly water though.


I wish... I could home school my daughter full time.


I am... going to finish the Couch to 5k program.


I am not... perfect, nor will I ever be.


I need... to start menu planning again. I was doing so well with it for a while, but for some reason stopped.


I graduated... from a 2 year college that has since closed.


I hope... I am a good mom.


I sometimes... stress eat and that's why I am the way I am now.


I sometimes... raise my voice too much.


I always... get nervous before I weigh in!


I can... run for 3 minute intervals.


I work... at a Head Start program and LOVE it!


I cannot... fix everyone else until I fix myself!


I avoid... many things that I shouldn't.


I will... make it to my goal weight!


Want to make some new friends?  Fill out the questions and link up here!

Saturday, August 28, 2010

C25k: W3D3

I did my run at night this time because I just wanted to get it done so I could sleep in tomorrow morning! ;o) It went well and I even threw in some uphill to it this time!!!  Every time I do a 3 minute run section it gets a bit easier so I think I will do a couple of repeats of this before I move onto W4.

Thursday, August 26, 2010

C25K: W3D2

I completed W3D2 today and its really not getting any easier.  :(  I think I am going to be working on W3 for a while until I feel completely comfortable with it.  I can't imagine moving on to week 4 and adding 2 more minutes to each run.  No freakin' way.  Guess I'll just keep plugging along.

Tuesday, August 24, 2010

Current Weight: Week 5

I am -2.4 for this week!! WOOOOO HOOOOOOO!! I am so thrilled!!!  All my hard work the past two weeks has finally paid off!!!  So far I am down 7.4 lbs am only .6 away from my first 5%!!!

C25K: W3D1

Just call me Pavlov's dog!!! That's what I felt like today.  ding... ding... ding... RUN!  ding... ding... ding... WALK! over and over.  Today I did 2 three minute runs and one 90 second run and I thought I wasn't going to make it.  I kept pushing myself to keep on keepin' on and low and behold I DID IT!  YAHOOOOO!


Also used my new Nike's (thanks mum and dad!) to run today.  They are great, but will take sometime getting used to for sure. They are not broken in, but I will keep working at it and they will become my best buddies I am sure as I continue on with this.

Saturday, August 21, 2010

More Recipes To Try!

I bought some portabello mushrooms, with the intent of making stuffed mushrooms; knowing they are generally high in points I began the hunt for a weight watcher friendly recipe that was yummy!! Here is one I found:


Yield: 4 servings (serving size: 1 mushroom)

Ingredients

  • 2/3  cup  chopped plum tomato
  • 1/4  cup  (1 ounce) shredded part-skim mozzarella cheese
  • 1  teaspoon  olive oil, divided
  • 1/2  teaspoon  finely chopped fresh or 1/8 teaspoon dried rosemary
  • 1/8  teaspoon  coarsely ground black pepper
  • 1  garlic clove, crushed
  • 4  (5-inch) portobello mushroom caps
  • 2  tablespoons  fresh lemon juice
  • 2  teaspoons  low-sodium soy sauce
  • Cooking spray
  • 2  teaspoons  minced fresh parsley

Preparation

Prepare grill.
Combine the tomato, cheese, 1/2 teaspoon oil, rosemary, pepper, and garlic in a small bowl.
Remove brown gills from the undersides of mushroom caps using a spoon, and discard gills. Remove stems; discard. Combine 1/2 teaspoon oil, juice, and soy sauce in a small bowl; brush over both sides of mushroom caps. Place the mushroom caps, stem sides down, on grill rack coated with cooking spray, and grill for 5 minutes on each side or until soft.
Spoon 1/4 cup tomato mixture into each mushroom cap. Cover and grill 3 minutes or until cheese is melted. Sprinkle with parsley.
Notes: Since the garlic isn't really cooked, the mushrooms have a strong garlic flavor. Grill the mushrooms stem sides down first, so that when they're turned they'll be in the right position to be filled. If you want to plan ahead, remove the gills and stems from the mushrooms and combine the filling, then cover and chill until ready to grill.

Nutritional Information

Calories:
83 (38% from fat)
Fat:
3.5g (sat 1g,mono 1.2g,poly 0.4g)
Protein:
5.4g
Carbohydrate:
10.1g
Fiber:
2.5g
Cholesterol:
4mg
Iron:
2.2mg
Sodium:
123mg
Calcium:
60mg

Friday, August 20, 2010

C25K: W2D3

Ugh.

Yep, that's how I feel this morning. When I went to bed last night I turned off my alarm because I didn't want to get up early to run.  I was up at 7 anyways, but still didn't run.  Just wasn't motivated.  Then I checked in with the ladies on the 30's board at DWLZ and they helped me get my a*s in gear!! Yep, I got going a bit after 9:00 this morning and I went for my run.  I am thrilled to be done W2, but have doubts that I am ready for W3!!!  Guess we will see what the cards have in store come Monday!!

Wednesday, August 18, 2010

C25K: W2D1/D2

 Completed W2D1 on 8/16.  Went well. I was sweating a lot, but I felt good. The last 90 second run was tough, but I pushed through it. Hell, if the people on Biggest Loser can exercise 6+ hours a day, I think I can last through a few 90 second intervals of running!!!

Completed W2D2 today.  I was very tired this morning.  I had a difficult time falling asleep last night; not until after 1:AM and was woken by Sunshine at 6:22 AM. Ugh. Ran faster today because I got further along the path. One more run at this path and I need a new venue and new sights!

Current Playlist on my iPod:

  1. Battlefield by Jordan Sparks
  2. Beautiful by Eminem
  3. Big Girl Now by NKOTB
  4. Boom Boom Pow by BEP
  5. Grown Man by NKOTB
  6. Click, Click, Click by NKOTB
  7. When I Grow Up by Pussy Cat Dolls
  8. Hush Hush by Pussy Cat Dolls
  9. I Gotta Feeling by BEP
  10. Take Off Your Pants & Jacket by Blink 182
Current Favorite Quote: "Don't let 'em say you ain't beautiful!" - Eminem

Current Weight: Week 4

173.0 (-.4)

Really, only .4???  Come on.  I had a good week, damn it.  What the heck?  Well, at least I have reached my first 5 lbs!!!

Sunday, August 15, 2010

More Recipes To Try!

Vegetarian Lentil Burgers 
In a food processor, combine 1 cup cooked lentils, 1 cup diced mushrooms, 1 sliced onion, 1/2 cup rolled oats, 2 chopped garlic cloves, 1 tbsp. cumin, 1/2 tsp. cayenne powder, and salt and pepper to taste. Form into patties and cook over medium-high heat for three to four minutes per side. Serve these super-nutritious burgers on whole-grain buns with desired toppings.


Easy Hummus Dip Recipe
  • 15-oz can of chick peas
  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • 1/4 cup water
  • 1 tbsp lemon juice
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 1/4 tsp paprika (optional)

Place first 5 ingredients in blender or food processor.
Blend until smooth.
Serve in bowl, sprinkled with paprika.
Several Servings (about 1 1/2 cups)

Piscataquog Trail

This morning we decided to go for a walk as a family and tried a new walking path in our city.  We walked for about 55 minutes, give or take.  It's a nice paved path that in total is 4.1 miles long; I am not sure what distance we walked, but Sunshine's legs got tired so we went by what worked for her.  I am so glad we found this path! It will be great for when I am ready to run longer distances through out the C25K program, not to mention the amount of activity points I can rack up from that long of a walk/run!!!

Saturday, August 14, 2010

C25K: W1D3

I completed the first week of C25K today!  Yay.  I was a bit sore from yoga the other day so I don't feel like I gave it my all and was pretty sore by the end even though I stretched before hand; my hamstrings are killing me.  Ugh. I am in a foul mood today and running helped both my mind and body for a bit.

Onto week 2 on Monday.

Thursday, August 12, 2010

Roasted Eggplant

I tried this recipe tonight and it was SCRUMPTIOUS!!!!  So good.... Since I am the only one here that will eat it there is another serving for me in the fridge waiting to be heated for tomorrow!!!  If it lasts that long - I just may have it for snack tonight!!!! Yummmmy!!!!! 
Best of all is it's ZERO pts!! 


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My Little Garden

This year I decided to see if I had a green thumb and grow some veggies.  I am growing yellow bell peppers, banana peppers, early girl tomatoes, grape tomatoes, and 2 herbs that I can't recall the names of right now. All of these are growing in topsy turvy planters; one store bought and one home made. One of the herbs was eaten by something and the other one is growing VERY well!! The early girl tomatoes have yielded one ripe and has about 6 or so others growing. The grape tomatoes have yielded about a dozen or so. The bell peppers have 2 growing and the banana peppers have not produced anything yet. Next year I want to try and add some other things to the store bought tospy turvy, like strawberries, etc. Home grown veggies are so yummy tasting and its such great satisfaction eating something that you grew yourself.  We have had a VERY hot summer this year so it's been a tough growing season so I am hoping next year I will be able to yield more!!  Here's to my first year and to many more!!!





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Yoga Does a Body GOOD!

Ok so I have been trying to find ways to exercise that are enjoyable to me. I began the C25K last Saturday and so far so good.  On my off days I want to find something to do that I can also enjoy.  I tried a session of yoga today using My Fitness Coach on my Wii.   I did a 30 minute session and almost 2 hours later my legs and arms are still feeling like jello a bit.  Who ever thinks yoga is NOTHING needs to try it and rethink!!! It really is a good work out.  I am sure most "yogis" out there would laugh if they watched my technique, but hey we all start some where right?? Just hope I am not too sore tomorrow for W1D3 of C25K!!!

Wednesday, August 11, 2010

C25K: W1D2

Completed W1D2!!! YAHOOOO!  Today was a bit easier even though it was much warmer. Stretched better so hopefully I won't be as sore; it's now almost 11:PM and I am not feeling any soreness or stiffness in my muscles so I am hoping that I won't be super uncomfortable like I was after D1.  

My playlist right now on my iPod Touch, all from the cast of Glee: 
(Yes, I am a GLEEK!)
  1. Gold Digger
  2. Bust Your Windows
  3. Last Name
  4. It's My Life / Confessions
  5. Halo / Walking on Sunshine
  6. Hate On Me
  7. Must be the Money
  8. Bust a Move
  9. Thong Song
  10. Dancing With Myself
  11. Don't Stand So Close to Me / Young Girl
  12. Bootylicious
  13. Gives You Hell
  14. Safety Dance
  15. Give Up The Funk
  16. Bad Romance

Monday, August 9, 2010

Current Weight: Week 2 & 3

Week 2:
174.8 (-3.2)

YAHOOOOO!!! Good start!!!

Week 3:
173.4 (-1.4)

That's a good solid loss for the week and I am happy about it!!!  :)

Saturday, August 7, 2010

Couch to 5k

I started the C25K program this morning.  (If you aren't familiar with the program check it out here: http://c25k.com/) It's a training program that lasts 9 weeks that you do 3x a week; supposedly by the end of the 9 weeks I will be able to run the distance of 5k at all once.  I am hoping that if I really like it, I can run an actual 5k in either October or November once I have completed the program.

Wouldn't that be something? Me, running 3.1 miles??? For real?  Sure, why not???

And guess what? Yep, there's an AP for that!!!  The AP is great as it lets me choose my own playlist and just gives me the cues of when I should be walking or running.

Today I completed W1D1! On to W1D2 on Monday!

Thursday, August 5, 2010

Chocolate Pancakes, the HEALTHY way!

Tonight we made Chocolate Pancakes from The Sneaky Chef.  (Her recipe called for oat bran, but we used wheat germ instead!)  I really like her recipes as they are healthy and pretty easy to do!  We have made a few of them and I plan to try a few more over the next week or so.



Sunshine loved measuring the ingredients and adding them together. 

Her favorite part was getting to mix them all together!!!!

Cooking up the first one!!!

She took her first bite and said, "These are AWESOME!!!" She then ate THREE of them! WOAH!!! 
Not sure where she put it all, but she gobbled them down!

This is certainly a recipe we will keep and make again! So delicious! They taste decedent, but are so healthy with blueberry puree and wheat germ!!!
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Monday, August 2, 2010

Yummy Eggplant!!!

Part of a post from a blog called "Ex Hot Girl" that looks sooooo yummy and I can't wait to try it!

Cut up the bastard.  I chose 1/2 inch-ish slices.  Nice and thick.



Then I whisked up the delicious marinade:
4 tbs extra virgin olive oil
2 tbs balsamic vinegar (I was out so I used balsamic vinaigrette dressing)
2 cloves garlic chopped finely
salt and pepper to taste


Then I brushed both sides of the eggplant slices with the marinade.  I also cut some groove slices into the meat of the eggplant (on one side only, criss crossed, not going all the way through) so the marinade would soak in.  I let it sit for about 15 minutes.


And voila!  This is after putting them on the grill for about 12-15 minutes total, flipping once.  DELICIOUS!  The flavor was so good you guys, I can't wait to make more. <3


Current Weight: Week 1

174.8 (-3.2)

Progress Pictures: Starting

Here I am on August 2, 2010.
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Menu Plan Monday: Week Three


My DH is returning to 2nd shift for his job beginning Tuesday so it will be just my DD and myself for dinner each night of the work week.  It will be an interesting adjustment for us all where meal times are concerned.  I am going to try and make lunches that we can eat as a family for now while I am still on summer break.

Monday: Chicken in Sour Cream (I am using fat free alternatives to the sour cream and soup to make it Weight Watcher friendly = 5 pts per serving)

Tuesday: Grilled Cheese and Soup

Wednesday: Sneaky Chef Pancakes and watermelon

Thursday: Marinated Chic Breasts

Friday: Spaghetti

Saturday: Mesquite BBQ Pork Loin and salad

Sunday: Homemade Burgers on the grill and french fries