Guilt-proof treats....

Seriously....who can really control themselves while eating ice cream and keep it to a healthy, small portion? Not this girl! At least not easily. That's why I was so excited to find this new product. Pre-portioned Greek frozen yogurt with 100 calories per single serving cup (3 WW PPVS)  and 3 cups per package. Plus...it's Greek yogurt, so there's protein, right?

Stress eating

The last few days have been really rough ones. Without getting into too much detail, I've been having some challenges with my oldest who has Aspergers (a high functioning form of autism) and ADHD. There have been a lot of tears, a lot of stress and... a lot of snacking. I'm trying to keep in mind that food isn't the problem, and it shouldn't be the answer (thank you, Diana!), but old habits die hard. I am sharing this, not for sympathy, but because I know that a lot of people can relate to emotional eating. You are not alone. I don't know if my weight will recover before my next weigh-in, but my focus in the next few days needs to be on my family and my emotions, not a number on the scale.

Shrimp with Spicy Tomato Sauce

 

 

(http://www.weightwatchers.com/food/rcp/RecipePage.aspx?recipeId=345391)

Ingredients

	1 Tbsp olive oil, extra-virgin, divided
	1 pound(s) uncooked shrimp, large-size, peeled and deveined (21 to 25 per lb)
	4 tsp minced garlic, divided
	3/4 tsp table salt, divided
	1/2 tsp crushed red pepper flakes, or to taste
	28 oz canned tomatoes, whole, in juice, coarsely crushed
	1/2 cup(s) basil, fresh, chopped

Instructions

• Heat 1 teaspoon oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add shrimp, 1 teaspoon garlic and 1/4 teaspoon salt; sauté until shrimp are just cooked through, about 2 to 3 minutes. Remove to a plate.
  
• Heat 1 more teaspoon oil in same skillet over low heat. Add remaining tablespoon garlic and crushed red pepper; cook, stirring a few times, until fragrant, about 30 seconds.
  
• Add tomatoes and remaining 1/2 teaspoon salt to skillet; bring to a simmer over medium-low heat, scraping any browned bits of food from bottom of skillet. Simmer until slightly thickened, stirring occasionally, about 10 minutes.
  
• Return shrimp and any juices to skillet; heat through. Stir in basil until wilted. Remove from heat; stir in remaining 1 teaspoon oil and season with additional crushed red pepper, if desired. Yields a generous 3/4 cup per serving.

Holy guacamole!

Today's lunch was A-MAZ-ING! Spinach salad with my pre-cooked chicken, fresh salsa and a single-serve container of guacamole. My friend, Celeste, introduced me to this guacamole and gave me the idea for the salad. For those of you near a Co...stco, you MUST go find this guacamole! They come in packages of 12 single serve containers (no more guac turning brown before you get through it!) and each has only 80 calories (only 2 PPVS for those on WW)! Forget dressing...this is the bomb!See More

This journey was meant to be...

Sometimes I get frustrated with the fact that my weight loss journey has been such a long one. I've been at this for over 3 1/2 years so far, and in the beginning thought I'd have it whipped out in a year...maybe 2. Truth be told, though...I wouldn't trade this journey, or any part of it, for a quicker one. The detours along the way have made me a stronger person and I'm grateful for that. As most of us know, a lot of our weight issues come from dealing with stress by eating. That takes time and a lot of work to learn to overcome. Be patient with yourself! Enjoy the journey! You are worth it!

 

Woohoo!

Yay! A loss...2.4 lbs :)

This week's meal plan....

 

Gaining a new life

What do YOU hope to gain in your life by losing weight or getting healthier?

Portion control

Here are some helpful hints for determining healthy portion sizes using everyday items. Portion control is key!

 

Bored stomachs...

This is often the case...

"It was worth it"

Those of you who, like me, love "The Biggest Loser" will remember this tender moment from last week's episode. Either way, this quote says it all. I loved it!

Apples and cream cheese...

I'm sharing a new favorite snack...Laughing Cow Strawberries and Cream cream cheese wedges (1 PPV for 1 wedge for WW). I had a wedge with a sliced apple and it was amazing!

 

Update on refrigerator oatmeal

It's official! After trying most of the different flavors of Overnight Refrigerator Oatmeal suggested on the website, this one is my fave...Pineapple Coconut! I made a few alterations: fat free Greek yogurt, instead of low fat; unsweetened almond milk with a 1/2-1 tsp of Torani's sugar free coconut syrup (like you use for Italian sodas) rather than the coconut milk; and agave rather than honey.
And for those of you who, like me, just can't make yourself eat regular oatmeal...give this a try. I actually look forward to getting up in the morning and eating my refrigerator oatmeal!

 

(The recipe can be found here: http://www.theyummylife.com/recipes/264)

 

Ingredients 

• 1/4 cup uncooked old fashioned rolled oats
• 1/3 cup lite coconut milk
• 1/4 cup low-fat Greek yogurt
• 1-1/2 teaspoons dried chia seeds
• 1 teaspoon honey, optional (or substitute any preferred sweetener)
• 1/4 cup chopped pineapple (fresh, frozen, or drained canned)

Directions

In a half pint (1 cup) jar, add oats, coconut milk, yogurt, chia seeds,  and honey. Put lid on jar and shake until well combined. Remove lid, add pineapple and stir until mixed throughout. Return lid to jar and refrigerate overnight or up to 3 days. Eat chilled.

 

 

"Why not YOU?"

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Doing hard things...

Today we pulled the 300 pound sled again (twice!) and did 225 pound sumos! There is nothing like the feeling you get when you do something hard that you didn't think you could do before! It is often only our minds that hold us back. Believe that you can do hard things!

 

Getting active...

I was just looking back through some old pics and came across these. One was taken in Sept. 2010 after I had lost my first 50 lbs. My goal had been to walk a 5k. My sis, Becki, came and did the local Run for Autism with me. The other pic is... from Sept. 2013, when I was down 100 lbs, and we completed our first HALF MARATHON together! Did I believe in 2010 that I'd do a half in my lifetime? Ummm, no!My point is that we all start somewhere. Just take that first step. The next day go a little further or do a little more. Before you know it, you'll realize that the sky is the limit and you can do ANYTHING you set your mind to do!

 

Santa Fe Chicken

Today is another jam-packed Wednesday, so dinner is in the crockpot....Santa Fe Chicken! Yum!
(The recipe can be found on my family's recipe blog: http://sevenhotmamascookin.blogspot.com/2011/02/crock-pot-santa-fe-chicken.html)

Servings: 8 servings • Size: 1 cup • Old Points: 3 pts • Points+: 4 pts
Calories: 190 • Fat: 1.5 g • Fiber: 5.6 g • Carbs: 23.1 g • Protein: 21 g

• 24 oz (1 1/2) lbs chicken breast
• 14.4 oz can diced tomatoes with mild green chilies
• 15 oz can black beans
• 8 oz frozen corn
• 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro
• 14.4 oz can fat free chicken broth
• 3 scallions, chopped
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 1 tsp onion powder
• 1 tsp cumin
• 1 tsp cayenne pepper (to taste)
• salt to taste

Combine chicken broth, beans, corn, tomatoes, cilantro, scallions, garlic powder, onion powder, cumin, cayenne pepper and salt in the crockpot. Season chicken breast with salt and lay on top. Cook on low for 10 hours or on high for 6 hours. Half hour before serving, remove chicken and shred. Return chicken to slow cooker and stir in. Adjust salt and seasoning. Serve over rice or in a whole wheat tortilla (extra PPVS).

Challenge yourself

Today during our training session, our trainer, Shane, had my friend Mandy and I each pull the sled with (6) 45lb. plates on it....300lbs total with the sled! It was hard, but it feels so good to challenge yourself and see just what we are capable of! Now to keep the eating in line today!

Take the power back....

A new day!

 

Gain

It's only fair that I report gains as well as losses. I'm disappointed to have to say that I gained 2.2 lbs this week. My body does big losses and big gains for some reason. No .2's here! Lesson learned...I need to track what I eat more carefully and watch the emotional eating. Here's to a better week!

Stress and self-sabotage

Okay...this page is about me being real, open and honest. I know that there are a number of other moms of children with autism who follow this page, so maybe some can relate. Today was a very difficult day at church with my 12 year old son with Aspergers. I spent half of my time frustrated with and trying to reason with my son, and the other half of the time trying not to break down in front of everyone. When I got home, what did I automatically turn to for comfort? Food. Why is it that we equate food with comfort and pleasure. Even now, it is taking everything I've got to not eat my way through the frustration.

Don't forget...

Weekend Woes

Am I the only one who can usually stay on track fairly well during the week, but then let's it all fall apart over the weekend? I have been off track for the last day or so, but I am determined not to let that continue on through the weekend. I am turning it around NOW....not tomorrow, not Monday, not next week. I will stick with my meal plan this weekend and choose healthy snacks.

Non-Scale Victories

I'm learning to look for and appreciate the non-scale victories as well as the number on the scale. I went to lunch with hubby today and had a salad and split a half of a very large sandwich with him. I was feeling a little guilty because, while it was a healthier choice, I could have chosen healthier toppings, dressing, etc. (In case you haven't figured it out yet, I tend to feel guilt over everything...lol.) Then, I caved and bought pita chips and hummus this afternoon and ate more of that than I should have. In the past, I would have said, "to heck with it!", and binged for the next few days because I'd already blown it. Instead, I decided to forgive myself, went to boot camp, came home and had a smaller, healthy meal (still feeling ick from the chips and hummus), and I'll go out on a "power walk" again tonight with a friend. My non-scale victory tonight was forgiving myself, making healthier choices and moving on.

Personal record!

New personal record!! I just bench pressed 95 and then 115 lbs!

 

YOU are worth it!

 

I actually ate, and LOVED oatmeal...

I wish I loved to eat oatmeal. I know it's filling and healthy, but I just can't hack the texture/taste . I'd seen these Overnight Oatmeal Jars on Pinterest and a friend told me about the ones that she makes. I was skeptical (it was OATMEAL... after all!), but I assembled a jar of the Raspberry Vanilla flavor last night and tried it this morning. It was absolutely amazing. It sets in the fridge all night, so it is served cold and really does taste more like a fruit/yogurt parfait. I can't wait to try all of the other flavors now! The recipe originated here: http://www.theyummylife.com/Refrigerator_Oatmeal

Busy days and planning ahead...

Today is one of those days where every minute of my day is scheduled...I just finished teaching preschool, now going to help in my son's classroom, then picking kids up from school, piano lessons, eye doctor apps......you get it! One trick ...I've learned is to pack your snacks to take with you. We talked about this in WW a few weeks ago as well. If I pack a mid afternoon snack for the kids and I, it will be much less likely that I will get ravenous and pull into the nearest drive-thru for dinner or a "snack". We all have these days! Let's plan ahead and set ourselves up for success!

A trick...

Here's another little trick I've learned...use a smaller plate when you eat. It makes it seem like you have more food, since it covers more of your plate. Since I'm all about wanting volume in my food, this works well for me. (In this pic, I put 1/2 c. of f/f cottage on both plates.)

Planning Ahead

About once every 5-7 days, I cook up some chicken and hard boil a bunch of eggs to have on hand for salads or just to grab for a snack. If it's already prepared and ready for me to grab, I'm much more likely to choose a healthy snack or throw together a quick salad for lunch.

 

Italian Chicken Vegetable Soup

Today's lunch was Italian vegetable soup. I based it off of a WW meal idea and made it my own. To make it, I put some chicken broth (I use water with low sodium, chicken flavored Better Than Bouillon added) in a crockpot. Then add chopped veggies (whatever you have on hand), boneless skinless chicken breasts, Italian-style canned stewed tomatoes, garlic, salt, pepper and Italian seasonings. Cook all day on low. About 45 minutes before you are ready to eat, add some whole wheat pasta (I used shells) and shred the chicken breasts and add it back into the soup. Watch the soup so the noodles don't overcook and get mushy. The time will depend on the type of pasta used. (This recipe was originally to be made on a stovetop, so if that's easier, it can be done that way in less time. I just like not having to tend to it and having it ready at the end of the day.) If you try it, let me know what you think!