Friday, April 29, 2011

That's Life!

My desire to lose 4 pounds this past week added too much pressure.  I only lost 1 pound again.  I am up to 28.4 pounds.  This is becoming a very slow process and I am trying to figure out why.  I am reminding myself that this is a life change.  I have the rest of my life to lose this weight.  I am beginning to wonder if my pushing to meet a goal by July is making me deprive myself too much.  So I am going to try and eat some of the foods I ate when I first started the journey.  Maybe it is something I changed in my daily diet that is contributing to my slow losses recently.  I also have to admit I have been weighing everyday and maybe that is adding to the pressure too.  I wonder how much "pressure" weighs.  I will let you know next week after I weigh in.  It might surprise me to know that once I lose the pressure on myself, I might actually start losing better.

Some of the things I ate when I first started weight watchers were Italian Chicken (simple chicken breast marinated and baked in Fat Free Italian Dressing), BBQ pork chops, Jimmy Dean Breakfast Sandwiches, Salads with fat free dressing instead of Lite dressing, tomatoes, apples with peanut butter, and 100 calorie popcorn.  I am going back to those things this week.  We will see how things go.  I do have a birthday party to go to on Sunday, but I am prepared.  I will be taking the salad and myself a microwavable pizza so I can save some points.  I might eat a piece of cake.  Remember, self, this is a part of life.  There will always be holidays, birthdays, and weddings to celebrate......and we can't deprive ourselves from celebrating those occasions.  As long as we are not celebrating every single day, it is okay.  We celebrate, have fun, and then get right back on the wagon!

Now, on another note, I do have to say....for it to have been Easter weekend, I still lost a pound.  That chocolate bunny sat in my daughter's basket and laughed at me all week.  That's okay because tonight, I ate his ears off.  And you know.....you can tell you have been depriving yourself too much when even cheap and crappy chocolate tastes good.  If you are wondering why I ate chocolate, well for one I deserve it and two, because Fridays are the days I choose to spend my extra points allowance on the Weight Watcher's program.  Yes, I chose to spend some of those points attacking that chocolate critter hiding behind that candy carrot!  I will be glad when it is all gone, especially the chocolate!

I don't really have a recipe for you this week but I do have a few new products I have found:
*Thomas Bagels - mini pretzel bagels (4 points) These would be great dipped in Frito Lay cheese!
*Litehouse Yogurt made Dressings - (2 Tblsp. 1 point)
*Peeps - Freeze them!  They take longer to eat and satisfy a sweet tooth! (5 for 4 points)
*Chex Mix Chocolate Chunk Bars - (3 points)

Have a wonderful week and take some pressure off yourself!  I'm gonna try!  No more weighing every single day and no more telling myself, "You have to get 50 off by July".  I am hoping if I lose the pressure, it will help me lose the pounds!  Reverse psychology!  Wish me luck!

Friday, April 22, 2011

I Did It!

Hey all!
Well, last week I told you I was ready to break that century mark and yes.....I did it!  Not by much, which disappoints me, but I did it none the less.  I lost a pound this week.  I was expecting more than that, but sometimes we have those weeks.  I am looking back at my week to see what happened that caused me to have another slow week of weightloss.  (I know, I've lost 27.4 pounds and that is a lot.....I've actually lost my daughter in weight!)  I am thankful for how much I have lost and I am sure my body is just catching up again, but as everyone who has ever dieted knows, when this happens you have to look at what you did differently.  It is like an experiment....when the outcome isn't what you thought it would be, you have to look at your variables again. 


So I am now in week 11 (I think) which means I am becomming very comfortable with this change of eating habits and may be becoming a little too comfortable.  I have quit measureing things and am doing more judging by the eye, which could easily be masking some points I am not accounting for.  I also have been very busy, so I have been only exercising 2 days a week instead of 3 like I was.  I am eating a lot of the same things each week, which could be slowing my weightloss if my body is becoming accustomed to those foods.  And the worst thing, while my daughter is eating.....I am sneaking a bite here and a bite there.  I am trying to count those points but I don't really know how accurate I am.  I know why I do this....it is because I feed my daughter her supper before I cook mine and that is my "craving" time of the day. 


So how do I fix this?  I need to start preparing me some fruit for myself to nibble on while Emma is eating.  I need to get back to my 3 days of exercise.  I need to get back to measuring ALL foods.  I need to change my menu items up a bit.  Hopefully next week, I will be back on track.  Now, don't get me wrong....I don't expect a 4 pound loss every week but I at least expect 1 1/2 to 2 pounds each week.  So my goal this week is to fix all my messed up variables and we will see what happens.


So what is on my menu this week?


For breakfast this week, I am doing away with the banana burrito and eating more egg sandwiches (5 points), nutrigrain bars (3 points), or bagelfuls (5 points).  I will choose a different one each day.  I am also going to make sure to eat the yogurt I pack for myself.  I have been packing it but taking it back home instead of eating it.  I am wondering if yogurt has something in it that helps with weight loss.


For my lunches this week, I am going to eat more lunchmeat (turkey and swiss) sandwiches (6 points), carrots with dip (2 points), apples, and going back to my 100 calorie pack popcorn.  I have been taking a lot of green salads to work but again, haven't been measuring my dressing (or croutons), so this week I am substituting my green salad with a fruit instead and maybe saving my salads for supper when I have measuring spoons handy.


My suppers this week will consist of:
Sunday - Since Sunday is Easter and I am anticipating a larger lunch, I will allow myself points to eat maybe an egg sandwich for supper.


Monday - Kroger Brand Teriyaki Frozen Grilled and Ready Chicken Breasts (4 points) on top of 1 cup of Pasta Roni (5 points) with a side of garlic toast (4 points) and some sort of free vegetable.


Tuesday - My lower calorie version of Beef Stroganoff (original recipe in older post) (7 points), on top of 1 cup of egg noodles (5 points), topped with 2 tablespoons of Durkee French Fried Onions (2 points).


Wednesday- Salmon Georgia (original recipe in older post) (4 points), 1 cup rice (5 points), apple salad (2 points...recipe below), 1/4 Schwan's French Bread (4 points).


Thursday - Salmon Georgia (leftovers 4 points), 1 cup rice (5 points), green salad with lite dressing (2 points), and 1/4 Schwan's French Bread (4 points).


Notice that I end my week with 2 days of Salmon.  This is a ritual I just can not break.  1 - because it is soooooo good and 2 - because it is lower in sodium and that close to weigh in day it is important to watch my sodium intake. 


Of course, each day I get in my daily 64 ounces of water and sometimes more. 


Apple Salad
Serves 1 - 2points each
1 apple chopped
1 Tablespoon Fat Free Mayo
2 Tablespoons slivered almonds
1/2 teaspoon sugar


Chop up your apple.  Add slivered almonds.  Mix together with the 1 Tablespoon of fat free mayo and 1/2 teaspoon sugar.  Enjoy.


This next recipe is perfect for Easter!  It is wonderful...sort of a souped up version of Banana Pudding!

Banana Split Salad
Makes 6 servings.  Serving size is 3/4c.

Each is 4 pts.1 box SF vanilla pudding
2/3 c nonfat dry milk
1 c water
1 c pineapple tidbits in own juice- drain but save juice
1/2 c FF Cool Whip
1 c diced banana
2 c sliced strawberries
2 TBSP chocolate chips
2 TBSP chopped pecans

In a bowl combine pudding, dry milk, water and reserved juice.
Mix well with a whisk.
Blend in Cool Whip then add pineapple, banana, strawberries, chocolate chips and pecans.
Mix gently to combine.
Cover and refrigerate.

Mix your bananas with a little lemon juice so they will not brown.
You can use crushed pineapple and it will turn out fine.

Well, hoping to have a great week and a wonderful Easter!  I am begging the candy cravings to please not enter this week!  It will be rough, but I can do this! 

That chocolate bunny with the good lookin' long chocolate ears may call out to me; I am hoping I can distract him with a bag of carrots!  Trying not to think about those little yellow peeps, chocolate eggs, and that handsome bunny.......trying to think only of that 4 pounds I want off next week! 

To all of you out there on this journey with me; Be strong!  Don't fall for those cute little eyes and sweet long ears - You will regret it!  Have a good one!



Friday, April 15, 2011

I'm Ready For a New Century!

Oh, my fellow pumpkin lovers, I am happy to report that I am down another pound and 1/2 today!  However; I am only .4 pounds away from entering into a new century mark!  Yes, that is right.....POINT FOUR pounds away!  I weighed 5 times this morning hoping that I would break that double zero mark but had no luck so that is my goal next week....to enter the new century set of numbers! 

My week next week though, will have to be better than this week.  This week, no matter what I did, I couldn't curb my sweet tooth!  I tried everything, brushing my teeth, distracting myself, feeding myself something else, nothing helped.  I craved it all this week...peanut butter, chocolate, doughnuts, candy, you name it, I craved it.  No I am not pregnant just feeling slightly deprived I think.  Since I weighed in today, I have to admit; I satisfied my cravings tonight!  I have enjoyed some sweets tonight and I am going to bed praying I didn't hurt my goals.

This week has been very tiresome.  I am so glad it is finally Friday.  It is really difficult going back to work after being off an entire week.  This week has seemed like an eternity! 

Something funny; Thursday we had an awards ceremony for kids that passed state testing last year.  (This is a yearly awards program my school district does.  Each year, I get to ring the necks (I know ha, ha) of my former students with nice shiny medals if they passed the state testing while in my class.)  Usually the boys think it is so uncool to hug their former teacher.  So as I was ringing the kids I would ask them, "Do you want a hug or a fist bump?"  I was greatfully surprised when the most unlikely of students (the boys) were the ones that wanted hugs!  I just thought that was funny.  Usually you have to beg boys for any type of affection and here they were wanting those hugs.  I was so proud of them and their accomplishments and yet surprised that they weren't too cool to hug their former teacher.  Teaching is a wonderful profession.  I love my job.

Okay, so I know you love those recipes and I have a couple to share with you this week. 

Cheery Cherry Turnovers
Makes 8 servings at 3 points each

*1 can reduced fat crescent rolls
*8 Tblsp. Light Cherry Pie Filling (you can also do apple)
*8 tsp. Betty Crocker whipped butter cream frosting

Unroll the crescent rolls and separate into triangles as directed on he can.  Place 1 Tblsp. each of cherry pie filling on the end of each triangle and roll up as you would if baking crescent rolls directed on the can.  Bake as directed.  While still warm, spread 1 tsp. of the frosting on each turnover.  It melts and goes a long way.

Pizza Soup
Makes 8 (1 cup) servings at 5 points each

*1 can mushrooms stems and pieces (optional)
*1 green pepper chopped (optional)
*1 onion chopped (optional)
*64 oz. tomato juice
*1 can diced tomatoes
*1 (14 oz.) jar of pizza sauce
*70 turkey pepperoni, quartered
*1 (3 oz.) jar of Hormel bacon pieces
*2% part skim mozzarella shredded cheese (1/4 cup per bowl of soup)  If you choose not to use the cheese, the soup is 4 points per serving.

In a pan, spray Pam nonstick cooking spray.  Saute the mushrooms, pepper, and onion until soft over medium heat.  In a large soup pot, dump the sauted veggies along with all the other ingredients and stir to mix.  Bring to a boil and reduce heat to a simmer.  Simmer for 1/2 hour.  Top each serving with the 1/4 cup mozzarella cheese.  Serve with a breadstick and a green salad for a complete meal (just remember to add in those points).

Hoping to break a century mark this next week!  Wish me luck!  Have a wonderful weekend and a great week!

Thursday, April 7, 2011

Really? It's Already Thursday?!

Geesh!  Where does the time go?!  I am now officially in summer mode.  This week has gotten me in the mood for SUMMER BREAK!  Not that I hate my job because I love my job, but because I simply like the idea of 'running on my own time'. 

The weekend flew by of course.  I can't even remember what we did, it went so fast.  Monday and Tuesday were "bummer" days for me.  I spent those days in and out of 4 different doctors' offices!  My thyroid levels are all out of whack, but since January when I was there last, I have lost officially 25 pounds.  I am hoping tomorrow when I step on the scales it shows that too.  Scales are very different from place to place.  But I can say, since I weighed on the same doctor's scales in January that I did on Tuesday.....my loss is officially 25 pounds!  Yay!  Go Me!!

Wednesday, I worked on putting together some LITE recipes for my Weight Watcher's personal cookbook.  I will be pulling recipes from it to share with you!  I am so excited to share all my found treasures!  These recipes help to keep my life normal on this weight loss journey.  I can not, absolutely, can not do away with preparing and enjoying dinner with my family so these recipes are a crucial component to my weight loss journey!  I can't wait to share either!

Today, I went to my parent's house.  They had my niece Layla, so I took a few pictures of Emma and Layla for Easter.  They turned out super cute!  I am posting my favorites below! 


Tomorrow, I plan to weigh in and then enjoy my last weekday of freedom!  I plan to surf the net, watch tv with Emma, and make the difficult decision to either nap or walk on the treadmill while Emma naps.  Hmmmm! 

I would really like to share what I am eating with you!  So on this week's shopping list will be items needed for the following recipes:  ENJOY!

Deep Dish Pizza Casserole
Makes 6 servings – 8 points each

*1 lb. extra lean grown beef
*1 (15 oz.) can chunky Italian style tomato sauce
*Cooking spray
*1 (10 oz.) can refrigerated pizza crust dough
*1 ½ cups (6 oz.) shredded 2% skim mozzarella cheese

Preheat oven to 425 degrees.  Brown the meat in a nonstick skillet over medium high heat until done.  Add tomato sauce, and cook until heated.  While meat cooks, coat a 9x13 casserole dish with cooking spray.  Unroll pizza crust dough and press into the bottom and halfway up the side of baking dish.  Top bottom of pizza crust with the meat mixture.  Bake uncovered at 425 degrees for 12 minutes.  Top with the cheese and bake 5 minutes more or until crust is browned and cheese is melted.

*You can add 0 point veggies to make it more filling if desired such as mushrooms, peppers, onions, tomato slices, etc.



Shredded Barbecue Chicken Sandwiches
Makes 8 good size sandwiches for 6 points each

*3 large chicken breasts sliced in half lengthwise to make 6 pieces
*1 can Diet Dr. Pepper
*1 cup Barbecue sauce
*8 thin 100 calorie buns

Spray the inside of your crockpot with nonstick cooking spray.  Place the chicken breast pieces in the crockpot.  Cover with the can of diet Dr. Pepper and the barbecue sauce.  Allow to cook on low for 8 hours.  Shred the chicken using two forks.

Divide out the pulled chicken into 8 equal servings.  Serve on a thin 100 calorie bun.


I will check back in tomorrow and report my official weekly total!  Thanks for visiting the pumpkin patch!

Friday, April 1, 2011

Hello Spring Break!

So it started today at 3:15 pm......my much needed Spring Break!  A full week of running on my own time and hopefully sleeping in (though with a 2 year old...it never happens the way you want)!  I will probably be awakened earlier than usual this next week, but I am hopeful that I will be able to sleep till at least 7 am. 

This week was another successful weight loss week!  I lost another pound and a half which puts me up to 20 off!  I am so excited that I only have 30 more to reach my short term goal.  I have much more I would love to lose in the long run, but my goal is 50 by July.  So I am much closer than I was back in February when I started!

I have not come across many new foods because I am currently enjoying all the foods I have found already.  I did however; find 1 new food.  At Kroger in the produce section, I was looking at mushrooms.  I have always loved stuffed mushrooms and I thought I would create my own stuffed mushroom recipe.  Though, upon closer viewing, I spotted some stuffed portobello mushrooms.  They were bacon cheese flavored stuffed mushrooms.  I can not remember the brand name only that the label was maroon and yellow.  They were very good for someone that likes that sort of thing.  They were only 3 points a piece.  2 of them with a salad hit the spot for me last weekend!  If you are looking for them, search the fresh mushroom section at your local Kroger store.  Later in this post I will also share a couple new recipes I have found.  And don't think I won't try to create my own stuffed portobello.  That is my goal this week:  create my own recipe for stuffed portobellos that is low in WW points!

 I have to tell you that I am becoming very excited about my book being published.  I got to preview my book via email this week.  Though, there were some changes I will definately be having the publishers change, I was still very excited.  It is such an accomplishment to have done something full cycle and not give up.  I am hoping I can do the same with my Weight Watchers plan.  I am sure I will be just as proud of myself when I meet my goal as I am about publishing my book.

I had to send in a picture of myself for my author autobiography and it was difficult because normally, I am behind the camera!  Not in front of it!  Thankfully, for Christmas, I got a new spiffy camera that can detect a smile and snap a picture at that moment.  I set it up, got my daughter, and took some shots.  I didn't feel right just putting my picture in there since the book was written for my daughter and all my illustrations were done with her as my inspiration.  Here are a couple of the photos.  I think they turned out very well.  I ended up going with the first one, but thought I would share the others too. 




I am hoping that next week is as successful as this past week.  It will be tough since I will be home a lot instead of following my normal day to day routine.  Wish me luck and now for those recipes!


Honey Chicken (8 points)
3 large chicken breasts (sliced in half to creat 6 thinner pieces of chicken)
12 Tablespoons of Kraft Light Honey Dijon Dressing
6 slices of cooked bacon
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese

Place the chicken breasts in a sprayed casserole dish.  Cover with the Dressing (2 tablespoons dressing per chicken piece).  Bake in a 400 degree oven for 35 - 40 minutes or until chicken is well done.  Pull out of the oven.  Break each piece of bacon in half.  Place 2 half pieces of bacon on each chicken piece and sprinkle evenly with the cheese.  Place under the broiler till cheese is melted.  Enjoy with veggies or a salad.

Coconut Dream Pie (4 points a serving)
1 8oz. tub fat free cool whip
2 individual servings Light and Fit "Toasted Coconut and Vanilla" flavored yogurt
1 reduced fat graham cracker crust

In a bowl, fold yogurt into the whipped topping.  Spread into the crust, invert plastic crust cover onto your pie and place in the freezer for 4 or more hours. Allow about 5 - 10 minutes to thaw before trying to slice into it. 
Makes 8 servings! (4 points each)

**NOTE:  You can make different variations of this pie....for Key Lime Pie, trade out the coconut and vanilla flavored yogurt for Yoplait's Light Key Lime Pie flavor.  Or for a Banana Pie, use the Yoplait's Light Banana Cream Pie flavored yogurt.


Well, that is it.  I hope you enjoy the week.  I will probably report back in with a new post sometime this week since I will be off.  I look forward to sharing more of my life with you!  Have a good one!