Note to self: get on the scale AFTER CLASS. NOT. BEFORE.
257.1!!!!
-9.9 lbs. since starting (tomorrow = 3 weeks)
Since starting to be consistent at the gym in April, I have lost 17.9 lbs.
Basically, there are no excuses anymore. Working out, eating better, portion control, and being conscious of everything that goes in my mouth WORKS. Period.
Day by day by day.
10 August 2010
09 August 2010
Stuffed Mushrooms
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| Pre-oven |
1 pound(s) button mushrooms, about 24 large mushrooms (I am not sure how that many fits in a 1lb package, but whatever. L got me one package with 13 mushrooms)
1 Tbsp. olive oil
*3 cloves garlic chopped
*1 shallot chopped
¼ cup(s) onion(s), chopped (I used red)
¼ cup(s) sweet red pepper(s), chopped (I didn't use these)
10 ounces chopped frozen spinach, thawed and drained (I used fresh that I chopped--probably about 4 ounces of fresh? I suck at measuring though)
2 ½ slice(s) whole-wheat bread, chopped into bread crumbs (No bread--mine went moldy (gross), so I used 1/4 c Italian seasoning Progresso bread crumbs)
1 teaspoon Creole seasoning, or Cajun seasoning (didn't use)
¼ teaspoon ground turmeric (didn't use)
*my personal additions
•Preheat oven to 350°F. Lightly coat a jelly roll pan with cooking spray.
•Remove mushroom stems from caps and finely chop stems; reserve caps and set aside.
•Heat oil in a large skillet over high heat. **This is also where I sautéd the shallot and garlic**Sauté mushroom stems, onion, pepper and spinach until tender, about 5 minutes. Remove skillet from heat and stir in remaining ingredients until well-combined.
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| Also pre-oven--close up! |
13 mushrooms = 1 pt./mushroom (GRRRRR--if I would have used less bread crumbs, it could have been less!)
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| Post-baking. YUM YUM YUM!! L even liked them!!! |
Zucchini Fries
ZERO POINTS ZERO POINTS ZERO POINTS!!!!!!!!!!!!
4 spray(s) olive oil cooking spray
1 teaspoon Italian seasoning (didn't have this, so I threw some garlic powder and oregano and onion salt in)
1 ½ tablespoons all-purpose flour
¾ teaspoons table salt
¾ cup(s) dried bread crumbs, panko-variety suggested (I used 1 c panko)
2 medium zucchini, about 7-inches each, cut into 4 chunks, then each chunk halved (almost too much--I have extra zucchini slices after I ran out of egg whites and panko)
2 large egg white(s), whipped until frothy (almost soft peaks)
Preheat oven to 425ºF. Coat a baking sheet with cooking spray. In a small bowl, mix together Italian seasoning, flour and salt. Place bread crumbs in another small bowl.
Dredge a zucchini fry in flour mixture and then dip into egg whites; dredge in bread crumbs. Place coated zucchini on prepared baking sheet and repeat with remaining ingredients; liberally coat with cooking spray.
Roast, turning once, until desired crispness, about 12 minutes. (I forgot to turn them, but they still turned out good.) Use this technique with any summer squash or eggplant. It also works great with thick-cut onion rings or even green tomatoes.
Crispier? Crank oven to 500 degrees and decrease time by 2 minutes. (I did it this way--YUM!)
I got 24 slices of zucchini. DID I MENTION THAT EACH SERVING IS ZERO POINTS?!?!?!
AWESOME!!!
YUMYUMYUMYUM!!!!!
4 spray(s) olive oil cooking spray
1 teaspoon Italian seasoning (didn't have this, so I threw some garlic powder and oregano and onion salt in)
1 ½ tablespoons all-purpose flour
¾ teaspoons table salt
¾ cup(s) dried bread crumbs, panko-variety suggested (I used 1 c panko)
2 medium zucchini, about 7-inches each, cut into 4 chunks, then each chunk halved (almost too much--I have extra zucchini slices after I ran out of egg whites and panko)
2 large egg white(s), whipped until frothy (almost soft peaks)
 |
| Pre oven |
Dredge a zucchini fry in flour mixture and then dip into egg whites; dredge in bread crumbs. Place coated zucchini on prepared baking sheet and repeat with remaining ingredients; liberally coat with cooking spray.
Roast, turning once, until desired crispness, about 12 minutes. (I forgot to turn them, but they still turned out good.) Use this technique with any summer squash or eggplant. It also works great with thick-cut onion rings or even green tomatoes.
Crispier? Crank oven to 500 degrees and decrease time by 2 minutes. (I did it this way--YUM!)
 |
| Post oven |
AWESOME!!!
YUMYUMYUMYUM!!!!!
Almond, Toasted Oat and Cherry Trail Mix
Ok. I hate nuts. Occasionally, I will eat a honey-roasted peanut (or toffee coated, or dark chocolate covered) or a macadamia nut. If there is beer and a live baseball game involved I will even eat peanuts in the shell. I do like peanut butter, but it has to be creamy--I am pretty grossed out by the texture. My gramma b. used to "disown" me when I would spit out the mini pistachio pieces in her jello fluff desert she'd make for Thanksgiving.
That said, I know that nuts are good for me. Almonds especially, are an amazing snack that many of my fellow educators stash to eat in small amounts throughout the day. I need something like that. So I am going to teach myself to like nuts. Here is my first attempt!!
1 cup(s) uncooked old fashioned oats
⅔ cup(s) dried cherries, chopped
¼ cup(s) slivered almonds
¼ teaspoon table salt (I used Kosher)
1 tablespoon Land O Lakes Stick Light Butter, or similar product, melted (I used whipped--same points)
¼ cup(s) honey
Preheat oven to 350°F. Line a sided sheet pan with parchment paper.
In a large bowl, stir together rolled oats, cherries, almonds and salt. Drizzle with butter and honey and toss thoroughly.
Spread mixture evenly on sheet pan. Bake, stirring occasionally to ensure even browning, about 20 to 25 minutes; let cool. Yields about 1/3 cup per serving. 8 servings
3pts/serving
That said, I know that nuts are good for me. Almonds especially, are an amazing snack that many of my fellow educators stash to eat in small amounts throughout the day. I need something like that. So I am going to teach myself to like nuts. Here is my first attempt!!
1 cup(s) uncooked old fashioned oats
⅔ cup(s) dried cherries, chopped
¼ cup(s) slivered almonds
¼ teaspoon table salt (I used Kosher)
1 tablespoon Land O Lakes Stick Light Butter, or similar product, melted (I used whipped--same points)
¼ cup(s) honey
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| Out of the oven! |
In a large bowl, stir together rolled oats, cherries, almonds and salt. Drizzle with butter and honey and toss thoroughly.
Spread mixture evenly on sheet pan. Bake, stirring occasionally to ensure even browning, about 20 to 25 minutes; let cool. Yields about 1/3 cup per serving. 8 servings
3pts/serving
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| A few of these pre-measured bags are headed for the car to have after working out! |
Stuffed Corn Muffins
Again, a huge thanks to Krista for her recipe!!! I am fortunate to NOT have to be on an elimination diet, so I was able to use "normal" ingredients. Her recipe includes her gluten-free/dairy-free adjustments. Yeah, she's pretty awesome.
* 1 cup cornmeal
* 1/2 cup flour (I use better-for-bread flour)
* 1/4 cup sugar
* 1 teaspoon salt
* 2 teaspoons baking powder
* 1 cup milk (skim)
* 2 tablespoons vegetable shortening, melted (I used olive oil)
Sift and mix the dry ingredients. Add the milk and shortening. After mixing the wet into the dry ingredients add any extras. (I added 2 ears of grilled corn I had left over from the weekend; Krista added sausage--many possibilities).
Pour into greased muffin tins and bake at 350F for 30 minutes.
(I got 11 muffins which works out to 3 pts./muffin--if I had gotten 12 muffins, each muffin would be 2 pts.!!!!) MAKE 12 MUFFINS!!!
Honestly, I could eat the whole tin of these. Delicious. I love the fresh corn addition, and this is my first time using cornmeal--I love how it is still sort of crunchy even after cooked. (At least I hope that is the way it is supposed to be, otherwise I might sound like a total dolt!)
I had one with a Light & Fit yogurt, and it was satisfying and YUMMY!!!
Thanks again Krista!
* 1 cup cornmeal
* 1/2 cup flour (I use better-for-bread flour)
* 1/4 cup sugar
* 1 teaspoon salt
* 2 teaspoons baking powder
* 1 cup milk (skim)
* 2 tablespoons vegetable shortening, melted (I used olive oil)
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| If tins are filled less, recipe will yield 12 muffins |
Sift and mix the dry ingredients. Add the milk and shortening. After mixing the wet into the dry ingredients add any extras. (I added 2 ears of grilled corn I had left over from the weekend; Krista added sausage--many possibilities).
Pour into greased muffin tins and bake at 350F for 30 minutes.
(I got 11 muffins which works out to 3 pts./muffin--if I had gotten 12 muffins, each muffin would be 2 pts.!!!!) MAKE 12 MUFFINS!!!
 |
| YUM |
Honestly, I could eat the whole tin of these. Delicious. I love the fresh corn addition, and this is my first time using cornmeal--I love how it is still sort of crunchy even after cooked. (At least I hope that is the way it is supposed to be, otherwise I might sound like a total dolt!)
I had one with a Light & Fit yogurt, and it was satisfying and YUMMY!!!
Thanks again Krista!
08 August 2010
The damage...
As I was in the shower tonight (it seems that many of my ideas/revelations occur there--I wish there was a more convincing way to record these moments of brilliance though) reflecting on what I ate today, I realized I should have photographed everything in a way to hold myself accountable. ARGH. That would have been brilliant.
As I am digesting, I am kicking myself for merely eating the deliciousness rather multitasking by archiving the experience as well.
This won't be the same...
At The Bite of Oregon:
mini-plate: 5 bean salad with prosciutto & one seared smoked (AMAZING) scallop--shared bites with everyone..
bite of hush puppy
taste of gespacho
skewer of marinated chicken (shared a bite with everyone)
fried spring roll (large) (delicious, but not ww friendly)
1 grilled shrimp
bite of crab meat
bite of mini-shrimp
bite of challah bread, marionberry jam, blue cheese, and hazelnut butter--all grilled. (OMG--I could have eaten about 40 of these sandwiches--delicious!!)(Here is the food cart and menu they offer--check it out!!!)
marrionberry cobbler--no whip cream & no ice cream (YAY ME!) so basically, marrionberries and a biscuit.
At Portland City Grill:
mojito
*baby arugula salad with orange vinaigrette with 1 strawberry and some blueberries, and a teeny bit of goat cheese (baby arugula is peppery--my mouth was on FIRE after eating this!-but it was GOOD!)
*3 salt and pepper seared scallops over a bed of delicious creamy risotto with asparagus and spring peas (I EVEN ATE PEAS!!!--super proud of myself, but as L said, I couldn't taste them!) garnished with a few flakes of parmesean cheese.
*A bite of L's halibut cheeks & rice (YUM)
A bite of R's fillet (OMG--that steak was like butter--melted in my mouth--YUM!!!)
Glass of amazing Pinot Noir with dinner
split "Sin" with K--OMG chocolate cakey/saucy deliciousness with crunchy toffee bits hidden inside and ice cream
Two bites of the lavender donuts (OMG.OMG.OMG. YUM)
*these were chef specials for the day/week(?) SO GLAD!!!!
Super full and super happy after dinner--it was awesome going out and having awesome conversation and food with other grown-ups, AND I didn't feel guilty as I ate. I ate slowly, enjoyed what I put in my mouth, enjoyed the atmosphere and company, and I knew that I would workout this coming week, make some meals in advance, and make the effort to do the best I can every day to improve my choices and eating habits.
Pretty darn good day if you ask me!!!
As I am digesting, I am kicking myself for merely eating the deliciousness rather multitasking by archiving the experience as well.
This won't be the same...
At The Bite of Oregon:
mini-plate: 5 bean salad with prosciutto & one seared smoked (AMAZING) scallop--shared bites with everyone..
bite of hush puppy
taste of gespacho
skewer of marinated chicken (shared a bite with everyone)
fried spring roll (large) (delicious, but not ww friendly)
1 grilled shrimp
bite of crab meat
bite of mini-shrimp
bite of challah bread, marionberry jam, blue cheese, and hazelnut butter--all grilled. (OMG--I could have eaten about 40 of these sandwiches--delicious!!)(Here is the food cart and menu they offer--check it out!!!)
marrionberry cobbler--no whip cream & no ice cream (YAY ME!) so basically, marrionberries and a biscuit.
At Portland City Grill:
mojito
*baby arugula salad with orange vinaigrette with 1 strawberry and some blueberries, and a teeny bit of goat cheese (baby arugula is peppery--my mouth was on FIRE after eating this!-but it was GOOD!)
*3 salt and pepper seared scallops over a bed of delicious creamy risotto with asparagus and spring peas (I EVEN ATE PEAS!!!--super proud of myself, but as L said, I couldn't taste them!) garnished with a few flakes of parmesean cheese.
*A bite of L's halibut cheeks & rice (YUM)
A bite of R's fillet (OMG--that steak was like butter--melted in my mouth--YUM!!!)
Glass of amazing Pinot Noir with dinner
split "Sin" with K--OMG chocolate cakey/saucy deliciousness with crunchy toffee bits hidden inside and ice cream
Two bites of the lavender donuts (OMG.OMG.OMG. YUM)
*these were chef specials for the day/week(?) SO GLAD!!!!
Super full and super happy after dinner--it was awesome going out and having awesome conversation and food with other grown-ups, AND I didn't feel guilty as I ate. I ate slowly, enjoyed what I put in my mouth, enjoyed the atmosphere and company, and I knew that I would workout this coming week, make some meals in advance, and make the effort to do the best I can every day to improve my choices and eating habits.
Pretty darn good day if you ask me!!!
07 August 2010
Let's say it all together...
MO-DER-ATION
Today will be a challenge like I haven't seen for a while. This morning L, his parents, and his step sister & brother in-law are headed to the Bite of Oregon for lunch.
And tonight L's friends invited us here. Sure, I could have the king crab legs at 3 points/leg--but I AM UNEMPLOYED. ARGH. If I liked chili I'd have the scallops. L said I should have the pork tenderloin, but that is something I can have at any time (well, you know what I mean). I think I am leaning towards the Dungeness Crab Stack Salad though...we'll see.
The plan was to get up early (or normal if you live in my body), go workout, have a filling breakfast, and then head to the Bite armed with no hunger.
The problem? Well, I've been up since 3AM. I think I fell asleep for 20 minutes on the couch, but other than that, no extra ZZZZs for me. I am exhausted. I can't get enough together inside to workout, AND I can't let enough go in order to take a nap before we leave!! AWESOME!
Today will be a challenge like I haven't seen for a while. This morning L, his parents, and his step sister & brother in-law are headed to the Bite of Oregon for lunch.
And tonight L's friends invited us here. Sure, I could have the king crab legs at 3 points/leg--but I AM UNEMPLOYED. ARGH. If I liked chili I'd have the scallops. L said I should have the pork tenderloin, but that is something I can have at any time (well, you know what I mean). I think I am leaning towards the Dungeness Crab Stack Salad though...we'll see.
The plan was to get up early (or normal if you live in my body), go workout, have a filling breakfast, and then head to the Bite armed with no hunger.
The problem? Well, I've been up since 3AM. I think I fell asleep for 20 minutes on the couch, but other than that, no extra ZZZZs for me. I am exhausted. I can't get enough together inside to workout, AND I can't let enough go in order to take a nap before we leave!! AWESOME!
06 August 2010
Working out...
I am an athlete at heart. The additional pounds only make it frustrating that I am no longer in the shape I was at my best. I do need to keep in mind that my best was when I was about 17 years old, and I have a considerable amount of damage to my body/health that I have to account for and improve upon.
So it is a day-to-day battle.
I have noticed that I feel very different if I don't work out. I am lethargic, down, and much more sluggish--and not from doing anything either--I am taking full advantage of this summer for the first time in three years as an educator. Being unemployed doesn't help with the "down-ness" I experience, but I can combat it with working out. Two problems get in my way at times--1. Motivation and 2. My knee pain. Motivation is a daily battle. As I type this I should be putting my shoes on to drive to the gym. And since going to the doctor last week, I have been taking it easy--I haven't walked/jogged for the C25K program, haven't hit the elliptical, and yet I still have pain. Which is frustrating in itself because I was finding a good place--I was being consistent, I was motivated by just proving to myself that I could do the program and succeed, and I had begun to change my eating habits. I worry that my knee won't ever feel right--and worse, that this is just some excuse my whacked-out brain has come up with to help me avoid what is good for me.
So I fight. I will go to the gym and lift weights. I won't do legs (even though I want to), and I will come home and do yoga. I ordered my 2 favorite yoga programs on DVD (I used to have them on VHS, but you know how technology is--and I think they got sold in the "entire life" garage sale I had before moving out here three years ago). Sara Ivanhoe is down-to-earth, not too granola-cruncher-ee, and even though the fat gets in the way of my flexibility, I don't feel like she is judging me or being condescending. Yes, I am aware that I am watching this--I never said I was sane!
So, enough procrastinating. I am off to kick my muscles' asses.
So it is a day-to-day battle.
I have noticed that I feel very different if I don't work out. I am lethargic, down, and much more sluggish--and not from doing anything either--I am taking full advantage of this summer for the first time in three years as an educator. Being unemployed doesn't help with the "down-ness" I experience, but I can combat it with working out. Two problems get in my way at times--1. Motivation and 2. My knee pain. Motivation is a daily battle. As I type this I should be putting my shoes on to drive to the gym. And since going to the doctor last week, I have been taking it easy--I haven't walked/jogged for the C25K program, haven't hit the elliptical, and yet I still have pain. Which is frustrating in itself because I was finding a good place--I was being consistent, I was motivated by just proving to myself that I could do the program and succeed, and I had begun to change my eating habits. I worry that my knee won't ever feel right--and worse, that this is just some excuse my whacked-out brain has come up with to help me avoid what is good for me.
So I fight. I will go to the gym and lift weights. I won't do legs (even though I want to), and I will come home and do yoga. I ordered my 2 favorite yoga programs on DVD (I used to have them on VHS, but you know how technology is--and I think they got sold in the "entire life" garage sale I had before moving out here three years ago). Sara Ivanhoe is down-to-earth, not too granola-cruncher-ee, and even though the fat gets in the way of my flexibility, I don't feel like she is judging me or being condescending. Yes, I am aware that I am watching this--I never said I was sane!
So, enough procrastinating. I am off to kick my muscles' asses.
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| New video to try today! |
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| Love this one--VERY relaxing. |
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| Fat burning yogs=holy sweaty and leg workout! (Joy of Yoga = good for beginners) |
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