Getting Back in the Habit

So for the last couple of months I have been going back and forth between having some bad days, some good days, and a few great days.. I have managed to not really gain any weight back, just going back and forth between the same couple of pounds. I knew it would be harder as I got closer to my goal, but it was alot easier in the beginning when you are seeing the weight fall off every week. Prior to this past week I had only lost about 5 pounds in the last 3 months.. Yeah I'm sure your reaction is about as exciting as mine is..ehh! Still the right direction.. but it could have been WAAYY better.

So as a 27th Birthday present to myself I completely recommited to myself and my health.. I passed on the huge Oreo cake I was going to make for myself.. and had a great week.. although I was tempted to cheat.. I didn't..and I was really happy with the results this morning.. I now weigh..133.5!

Wow is all I can say.. Although the last few weeks hasn't led to much.. I really can't get over how different things really are.. How many woman can say that they are in better health at 27 they they were at 17? I have a hard time believing it myself.

Creamy Asparagus soup

I love the flavor of fresh asparagus.  If I could buy the tips and eat the a whole bowl full I would. But the thing is I am not crazy about the stringy ends.. With this soup though I didn't have to worry about it.. I could use the entire thing and still get that yummy flavor. This a great dipping soup for bread.. all kinds of flavor!

Creamy Asparagus Soup (79 Calories/.5 grams Fat/1.5 grams fiber/6 servings)

• 1 bunch fresh asparagus ( about 1 lb), cut up into about 1 inch pieces
• dried garlic, thyme, and pepper to taste
• 2 T FF sour cream
• 1 can FF Evaporated milk
• 1 T lemon juice
• 2.5 cups chicken or vegetable stock
• 2 cups water

Put stock, water, asparagus, and spices into a pot and bring to a boil, reduce heat and lets simmer for about 20 minutes. Add milk, sour cream, and lemon juice and heat through. Let cool slightly, and either  puree in blender or use immersion blender until creamy and smooth.

Thanksgiving Burger

 Who says Thanksgiving only comes once a year? NOT me! This was so much better than I thought it would be! I was a bit sceptical at first because of the cranberry sauce, but it was really good! Do not put as much sauce on the burger as in the picture.. a little goes a long way, and if you put to much it will overwhelm the other flavors. Spread it on more like a thin layer of jelly.

Thanksgiving Burgers (335 Calories/11 grams fat/5 grams fiber/6 servings)

• 1 stalk celery, chopped
• 1 small onion, chopped
• 1 lbs 93% ground beef (OK so I was suppose to use ground Turkey(DUH) but forgot to buy it.. so beef it was!)
• 3 oz Stuffing mix ( like Stove top)
• 1 egg
• 6 Sandwich Thins
• lettuce
• 6 T whipped Cream cheese
• 1/6th can of cranberry sauce

Saute celery and onion in cooking spray. Combine with ground beef, along with stuffing mix and egg. Form into 6 patties. Cook burgers on grill.. Top with lettuce, thin layer of cranberry sauce, and whipped cream cheese.

Kale chips

Ever get a bag of potato chip and just want eat the entire thing? I know I have, and if you haven't I want your will power! well now you can eat them all with no guilt after! Kale is so very good for you..

Low in saturated fat

No cholesterol

No sugar

Very high in calcium

High in dietary fiber

High in iron

Very high in manganese

High in magnesium

High in phosphorus

Very high in potassium

High in riboflavin

High in thiamin

Very high in vitamin A

Very high in vitamin B6

Very high in vitamin

So go ahead and make them and get your salty craving in the good way!

Kale Chips (1 cup raw is 38 Calories/.5 grams fat/1.3 grams fiber)

• bunch of kale,  washed with stems removed
• salt or garlic salt to taste
• cooking spray

Spray kale with cooking ,( or you could coat with olive oil) sprinkle with salt, and spread out on a non stick baking pan. Bake for 10-15 minutes at 375F.. keep a very close eye on it because it will go from wilted to chalk very quickly.

Quick Chicken Jambalaya

Really easy and simple yummy food.. Great with a salad! Original Recipe here.

Chicken Jambalaya (388 Calories/8 grams fat/3.5 grams fiber/4 servings)

• 3/4 lb Chicken breast, cut into pieces and cooked
• 7 oz turkey sausage, cook and cut into chunks
• 1 can french onion soup
• 1.5 cups chicken broth
• 1 cup dry brown rice
• small can mushrooms
• 1-2 t of creole seasoning ( I didn't measure this.. use what you like)

Pour everything into a baking dish, cover with foil and bake at 375F for 60-75 minutes. Stirring occasionally.

making it official

So for  about the last month I have been going back and forth between the same 2 pounds..Not great.. But at the very least if I wanted to stop right here I would have a good idea how to maintain it. Thats a plus.. but hey..I really don't want to stop!

So this past week I worked really hard on my diet and watched everything I ate..My workouts weren't that great due to some knee pain, but I did my best..So today the scale read 135! This week my goal is to drink more water... I have been really slacking in that department! Lets see what happens!

Chicken Avocado Stir-fry

Good tasting and and good for you stir fry!  Original Recipe here

Chicken Avocado Stir-fry (333 Calories/17 grams fat/10 grams fiber)

1/2 cup chicken broth

1/4 cup soy sauce

1 tablespoon cornstarch

1 clove garlic, minced 

1 lb chicken breasts, cut into bite size pieces

8 oz snow peas

8 oz sliced portabello mushrooms

2 bunches green onions, cut into 1-inch pieces

2 large ripe but firm avocados - peeled, pitted, and cut into large chunks

In a bowl, stir together the chicken broth, soy sauce, cornstarch, and garlic until the cornstarch is smooth, and set aside.

Heat the oil in a wok or large skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering, and cook and stir the chicken until cooked through and no longer pink in the center, about 5 minutes. Remove from the wok and set aside. Place the snow peas into the hot wok, and cook and stir until bright green and still crisp, about 3 minutes. Stir in the mushrooms and green onions, and toss with the snow peas in the hot oil until the mushrooms are tender and have given up their juice, about 5 minutes. Pour off excess juices, if any.

Return the chicken to the wok, and stir briefly over medium heat to combine with the cooked vegetables. Stir the reserved sauce ingredients to recombine, if needed, and add to the wok. Gently stir in the avocado, and let the mixture bubble until the sauce thickens, about 3 minutes. Stir gently to coat everything in sauce, and serve.

Banana Peanut Butter Pancakes w/ PB Syrup

So. Good. My life is now complete. At least when it comes to breakfast.. or one of my favorite things in the world, Brinner! I still rarely eat more than a bagel or yogurt for breakfast..but give me a pancake for dinner and I will tear it up!

Banana Peanut Butter Pancakes w/ PB Syrup

Peanut Butter Syrup (390 Calories/11 grams fat/ entire portion)

• 2 T Peanut Butter
• 1/4 cup  Light Pancake syrup

Put both in a bowl and heat in the microwave for 30- 60 seconds..stir..drizzle over pancakes.

Peanut Butter Pancakes (195 Calories/3 grams fat/2 grams fiber/7 HUGE pancakes)

• 2 cups wheat blends pancake mix
• 2 eggs
• 1 and 1/4 cups milk (I used almond)
• 1 banana, mashed
• 2 T Peanut butter
• banana and strawberries on top (optional)

Mix first 5 ingredients together. Pour batter into a heated and greased pan and cook until bubbles begin to form on top. flip and cook other side.

Taco Pizza

Do you like my award winning photography? how about my designer plates? I thought so! Do not be fooled by the common photo..this is a perfect combination of pizza and taco..its like to two of them got together and fell in love.. and them wanted you to have dinner! Original recipe by Kraft.

Taco Pizza (353 Calories/11 grams fat/1.5 grams fiber/ 6 servings)

• Thin and crispy pre-made crust
• 1 lb 93% lean ground beef
• 1 packet Taco seasoning ( you could buy one of the taco kits..since you will also need sauces and shells)
• 1 cup cheese
• 4 hard taco shells
• taco sauce
• 1 chopped tomato
• 1 cup chopped lettuce

Brown ground beef and add taco seasoning,  pour in a little Taco sauce to make it a little "saucy" Spread beef over pizza crust and top with cheese. Bake for about 10 Minutes at 400F. Top with lettuce, tomato, and crushed shells.

Sloppy Janes

Super kid friendly and fun! My boys gobbled these up! Original Recipe here

Sloppy Janes (298 Calories/9.5 grams fat/2.5 grams fiber/12 servings)

• package 8 hot dogs, sliced ( I would have used the lower fat/ lower calorie hot dogs.. but I am the only one that likes them so full fat it is!)
• 28 oz can baked beans
• 1 can hot dog style chili
• hot dog buns

Put everything but bread in crock pot on low  for 2-3 hours. Serve on buns.

Nutella Rice Krispies

It's about the portion contol right? not diet in any way.. but still better than a brownie.. chocolate fix included! I just heart Nutella!

Nutella Rice Krispies (156 Calories/ 18 servings) (picture thanks to  my 4 year old! )

• 6 cups rice krispies cereal
• 10 oz bag mini marshmellows
• 1/2 cup nutella
• 4 T butter

Melt butter in large non stick pot. Add marshmellows and melt. Take off heat and stir in nutella until melted. Stir in rice krispies. Press into greased dish and allow to cool.

Cream Cheese Chicken

So what if it is loaded with sodium..drink lots of water.. you will be fine.. and it will be OK.. Because well you will want to lick your plate..because this is so basic.. yet so good you will want to go back for more... (but if you are being good you won't.. :) Original recipe here

Cream Cheese Chicken (306 calories/16 grams fat/4 servings)

• 1  99% FF can cream-of-mushroom soup
• --1/2 cup chicken broth
• --1 lb Chicken breasts
• --packet of Italian salad dressing mix
• --2 cloves minced garlic
• -- 1/3 less fat block of cream cheese (to add later)

  Add Everything to the crock pot except cream cheese.. Cook on low about 6 hours.  Stir in cream cheese and switch to high for 30 minutes until cream cheese is melted.. serve with rice or pasta.

Lemon Butter Tilapia

Even though the main source of calories in this dish comes from the butter.. it still tastes incredibly light and almost refreshing.  My hubby was very happy and said it was a home run! Original Recipe here.

Tilapia w/ Lemon Butter Sauce (340 Calories/ 15.5 grams fat/4 servings)

• 2 lbs Tilapia fish fillets ( this is about 2 fish per person..if you want to make less.. you could easily cut the recipe in half and do 1 lb)
• 5 T unsalted butter
• 2 T flour
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 1/2 cup stock ( I used vegetable.. chicken would be good too)
• 4 t lemon juice
• 1 medium diced tomato
• salt and pepper to taste

Season fish with salt and pepper. Heat 3 T butter in a large pan ( I did 2 batches of fish with 1.5 T butter each) and sear on medium to high heat for 3-4 minutes on each side.

While fish is cooking, melt remaining 2T butter in a sauce pan, add garlic, cook additional minute. add flour and stir another minute. Slowly stir in stock and lemon juice. cook a couple addtional minutes until sauce thickens a bit. Pour over cooked fish and top with tomatoes.

Taco Meat loaf muffins

Mhh..If you like tacos..or if you like meatloaf..or if you live on the planet earth.. you will like these! Original recipes here, here , and  here!

Taco Meatloaf muffins (158 Calories/8.5 grams fat/ .5 grams fiber/ 12 servings)

• 1/4 cup chopped red onion
• 1 egg
• 1.25 pounds 93% ground turkey or beef
• 1/2 packet Taco seasoning
• 1 can rotel
• 2 oz crushed Doritos ( or you could use any corn chip)
• 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese
• 2-3 T taco sauce
• 2-3 T salsa
• 4 oz Velveeta ( or you could use pre-made queso dip instead of the Velveeta and salsa)

Mix first 7 ingredients together and distribute evenly into 12 greased muffin tins. Baste top with taco sauce. Bake at 400 F for about 30-35 minutes. meanwhile heat Velveeta and salsa in microwave and spoon over meat loafs when finished.

Chicken and Cornbread Pie

I really liked this. Original Recipe here.
Chicken and Cornbread Pie (328 Calories/8 grams fat/3 .5 grams fiber/6 servings)

• 1 lb cooked and shredded chicken ( or turkey)
• 1 can Rotel, drained
• 1t chili powder
• 10 oz can enchilada sauce
• 15 oz can corn, drained
• 1/2 cup shredded cheddar
• 1 box corn bread mix (jiffy)
• 1/3 cup milk
•  egg

Heat first 6 ingredients in a deep skillet. Preheat oven to 375F. mix last 3 ingredients in a bowl. Pour chicken mixture in an oven safe casserole dish and spread corn bread mixture over the top of the chicken. bake for about 30 minutes.

Super Simple Fire Raosted Tomato and Black Bean Soup

I don't even know if this can count as a recipe...easiest thing to make in the world..I served mine with Turkey and avocado on ciabatta..soooo good!

Black Bean and Fire Roasted Tomato Soup (106 Calories/.5 grams fat/11 grams fiber/4servings)

• 1 can fire-roasted tomatoes w/ garlic
• 1 15 oz can black beans, undrained

dump both cans in a blender, pulse 'til smooth. heat and serve.

someone smack me around..

This week has been horrible.. Its almost like I am sabotaging myself.. I can't stop eating junk and exercise has been minimal.. (today has been good so far!) I have not got this far to start ruining myself now.. and its not so much a fear of not losing that 10 lbs I still want to lose.. its a total fear of gaining it all back..for the first time in my life my body isn't my biggest  insecurity anymore.. while I am far from perfect I don't want to cry every time I look in the mirror like I did before I started all this...Some prayers and a few swift kicks in the rear-end are needed.. and someone needs to come into my house late at night and tape my mouth shut.. that is all.

Vegan Chickpea and Carrot Soup

A great soup to serve with a sandwich! Original recipe here.

Vegan Chickpea and Carrot Soup (162 Calories/1 gram fat/7.5 grams fiber/4servings)

• 15 oz can Garbanzo beans (chickpeas)
• 9 oz fresh carrots, chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 small onion, chopped
• 2 cups vegetable broth
• 1 cup water
• 1 cup orange juice ( I used pulp free)
• cumin to taste (about a tsp)
• chili powder (about a tsp)
• salt and pepper
• garnish of cilantro and almonds (optional.. not included in calories)

Saute garlic, carrots, and onion in a large stock pot until soft, about 10 minutes. Add broth, water, chickpeas, and spices, bring to a boil and simmer for about 15 minutes. Add orange juice at the end. Eat rustic style, or pureee in blender for a smooth soup.

Spicy Turkey Meatballs w/ Creamy Avocado Dip

Tasty.. yummy.. Dip is a must! Original Recipe here.

Spicy Turkey Meatballs w/ Creamy Avocado Dip (353 Calories/19 grams fat/3.5 grams fiber/4 servings)

~Meatballs

• 1.25 pounds 93% ground Turkey
• 1 egg
• 1/4 cup panko bread crumbs
• 1.5 chilies in adobo sauce, chopped
• Salt and pepper
• 1/4 cup Cilantro chopped

~ dipping sauce

• 1/4 cup FF sour cream
• 1 avocado
• 2 T lime juice
• 1 clove garlic
• 1/4 cup chopped cilantro

Blend all  meatball ingredient together and form into about 16 balls. Bake at 400F for about 15 minutes.
put all dipping sauce ingredients in food processor and blend!

Pizza Casserole

I made this quite a few times growing up, It was one of those go to meals my mom had me make many times..Its almost exactly the same.. Except I tried to cut down on the calories.. and it was still delicious! This makes 8 big servings, so you could always make more or less depending on what your family eats. This easily made two meals for my family..throw in a side salad and you have lunch and dinner :)

Pizza Casserole (423 Calories/13 grams fat/7 grams fiber/8 servings)

• 1 lb 93% ground beef
• 13 oz box whole grain pasta, any shape
• 6 oz package turkey pepperoni
• 8 oz sliced mushrooms
• 24 oz jar favorite pasta sauce (I used 4 cheese)
• 1 cup reduced fat cheese
• sat and pepper to taste

Brown ground beef and cook pasta according to package directions. Saute mushrooms. drain pasta and then dump all the ingredients, except cheese, in the pot and mix to combine. Dump everything into a oven safe baking dish and sprinkle cheese over the top. Broil in the oven at 350F until cheese is brown and the casserole is heated through.