Friday, April 6, 2012

Recipe: Strawberry Cheesecake Pie


Strawberry Cheesecake Pie



2/3 Cup evaporated fat free milk
1 pkg (8 oz) fat free cream cheese, softened
1 large egg
½ Cup granulated sugar (I used Splenda)
2 Tbsp all purpose flour
1 tsp grated lemon peel (lemon zest)
1 prepared 9 inch graham cracker crust
1 ½ to 2 cups halved fresh strawberries
3 Tbsp strawberry jelly, warmed

Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Place evaporated milk, cream cheese, egg, sugar, flour and lemon peel in blender; cover. Blend until smooth. Pour into crust.

Bake for 35-40 minutes or until center is set. Cool completely in pan on wire rack. Arrange strawberries on top of pie; drizzle with jelly. Refrigerate for two hours before serving.

Wednesday, April 4, 2012

Recipe: Chicken Vegetable Casserole

Chicken Vegetable Casserole

                                                                Serves 4
                                                          8 Pts+ Per Serving 



 4 skinless boneless chicken breast 
1 Tbsp margarine
16 oz package of California Blend (broccoli, cauliflower & carrots) 
½ tsp garlic powder
1 can cream of mushroom soup 
¼ cup milk 
1 Tbsp lemon juice

 Cut chicken into strips. Melt margarine in skillet. Place chicken in skillet and cook until browned, turning once (about 10 minutes). Remove chicken from skillet.

 Combine remaining ingredients in skillet and bring to a boil. Return chicken to skillet; cover and simmer for 10 minutes or until vegetables and chicken are done.     1 cup= 1 serving

Wednesday, March 28, 2012

Spring In 2 Action

I am super excited about the new challenge over at shrinking jeans. I so badly need this challenge! I haven't been very successful in my weight loss journey, I do well for a while and then let something get me off course to never find my way back. This time, I'm pulling out all the stops. I will do well on this challenge and I will finish this challenge no matter what! I will be getting my eating under control and I will be exercising five times a week. The end. No excuses... period. I have been battling with trying to decide with going on a "diet" or to just do my best make healthy eating choices. The 17 Day Diet, that I was doing at the beginning of the last challenge, worked well as long as I could keep up with it. After the first 17 days, I was ready to stab someone for a carb... any carb. Hence the reason I stopped doing the diet and that ended with me not finishing that challenge. I know the diet works. Do I give it another try? I know the first 17 days my exercise will be limited.. the book advises to only do 17 minutes of light exercise a day while on the first phase of the diet because of the lack of carbs your body is getting. Decisions, decision. I am giving myself until tomorrow to figure this out.

Monday, February 20, 2012

Beef and Broccoli Stir-Fry

Beef and Broccoli Stiry-Fry
Serves 4
5 Points+

2 ½ Tbsp cornstarch, divided
¼ tsp table salt
¾ pound uncooked lean trimmed sirloin beef, thinly sliced against the grain
2 tsp canola oil
1 cup reduced sodium chicken broth, divided
5 cups uncooked broccoli florets (about a 12 oz bag)
1 Tbsp ginger root, fresh, minced
2 tsp minced garlic
¼ tsp red pepper flakes, or to taste
¼ cup low sodium soy sauce
½ cup water

On a plate, combine 2 tablespoons cornstarch and salt; add beef and toss to coat.

Heat oil in a large nonstick wok or large deep skillet over medium-high heat. Add beef and stir-fry until lightly browned and cooked through, about 4 minutes; transfer to a bowl with a slotted spoon.

Add ½ cup broth to same pan; stir to loosen any bits of food on bottom of pan. Add broccoli; cover and cook, tossing occasionally and sprinkling with a tablespoon of water if needed, until broccoli is almost crisp-tender, about 3 minutes. Uncover pan and add ginger, garlic and red pepper flakes; stiry-fry until fragrant, about 1 minute.

In a cup, stir together soy sauce, remaining ½ cup broth, remaining ½ tablespoon cornstarch and water until blended; stir into pan. Reduce heat to medium-low and bring to a simmer, simmer until slightly thickened, about 1 minute.

Return beef and accumulated juices to pan; toss to coat. Serve. Yields 1 ¼ cups per serving.

Saturday, February 11, 2012

Ravioli Casserole

Ravioli Casserole
Serves 6
Points+ Per Serving: 9

16 ounces lean ground beef
¾ cup chopped onion
15 oz can tomato sauce
14 ½ oz can stewed tomatoes undrained
Large can of diced tomatoes
1 ½ tsp Italian seasoning
3 cups rotini pasta
¼ cup shredded parmesan cheese
½ cup reduced fat mozzarella cheese

In a large skillet sprayed with cooking spray, brown meat and onion. Spray a slow cooker container with cooking spray and combine tomato sauce, tomatoes, Italian seasoning and brown hamburger. Stir in uncooked pasta. Cover and cook on low for 4 hours. Add cheeses, mix well, cover and continue cooking for 20 to 30 minutes or until cheese melts. Mix well before serving

Serving size is 1 1/3 cup

Wednesday, February 8, 2012

Chicken Broccoli Corn Bake

Chicken Broccoli Corn Bake
Servings: 6 = 7 Points+
Servings: 4 = 10 Points+

3 cups frozen broccoli, thawed
1 cup frozen whole kernel corn, thawed
2 full cups diced, cooked chicken breast
1 can 98% fat free cream of chicken soup
1 cup cream style corn
½ cup minced onion
1 tsp dried parsley flakes
1/8 tsp pepper
Salt to taste
10 Ritz reduced fat crackers, made into crumbs
¼ cup light cheddar cheese
½ cup sautéed mushrooms (optional)

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Spray a 8x8 inch pan with cooking spray.
Combine broccoli, whole kernel corn and chicken.
Add chicken soup, cream style corn, onion, parsley flakes, pepper and salt.
Mix well and spread into pan.
Toy with cheese and cracker crumbs
Spray top with butter flavored spray ( I will omit this step next time. Don’t care for crunchy cheese).
Bake 35-40 minutes



Thursday, February 2, 2012

Recipe: Easy Chicken Bake

Easy Chicken Bake
Servings: 6
Points+ per serving:6

1 6 oz pkg of Stove Top Chicken Flavor Stuffing.
1 ½ lbs uncooked boneless skinless chicken breast cut into 1 inch pieces
1 (10 ¾ oz) can cream of mushroom soup
1/3 cup light sour cream
16 oz package of frozen mixed vegetables

Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Prepare stuffing mix as directed on package and set aside.

Mix chicken, soup, sour cream and vegetables in a 13x9 inch dish, top with stuffing. Bake 30 minutes or until chicken is cooked through.

Wednesday, February 1, 2012

Shrink Yo' Self in 2012 -Weeks 4 and 5


I started out this challenge, and the new year gung ho about a new diet I had found called the 17 day diet. I was skeptical and wasn't sure if I wanted to try it since you weren't allowed any carbs or sugar the first 17 days other than the two fruit servings. Everyone I talked to told me "Try it, you can do anything for 17 days" but they failed to tell me that 17 days turned into 21 days then 28 and so on until you lose all of your weight. I, the carboholic that I am, successfully,( but miserably) completed the first 17 days 11.5 pounds lighter. What happened next was kind of a whirlwind, in the downward direction.

What was supposed to start to get a little easier ended up being my demise. I was tired of feeling the way I was since starting this diet, exhausted and no energy to hardly move, at all. But I decided to give the second phase a chance. Halfway through the second set of the 17 days, I was very frustrated because I hadn't lost ANYTHING since the middle of the first phase.. so about two weeks. So I started the negative talking...then my husband, who has been monitoring every food item that goes into my mouth, or so it seems, made dinner plans for Olive Garden. Not a place to go when you can't have bread or pasta or anything but fat free salad dressing. I did the worse thing I could've, went to Olive Garden and ate... ate what I wanted and just had the screw it attitude. I felt like there was no point, because he wasn't going to support me, except when it was convienent to tell me I couldn't eat something. This mentallity continued for the next several days.  Weigh in day came and I refused to get on the scale, and reported for the weigh in that I remained the same for week 4, but I am sure I had to of gained.

Since then, after I regained my composure and common sense/ I have been  with my options: do I go back to the 17 day diet, or do I maybe find something a little less restrictive to do. I have decided to go back to my "old faithful" plan, weight watchers. On weight watchers I can alternate from counting points, or eating only from the "power food" list, which is similar to the 17 day diet, EXCEPT you have weekly points for something you may want that is not on the list.

I write this the eve before weigh in, I am crossing my fingers the scale will be nice to me. Considering I went from no carb to oh my god I cant get enough carbs, I'm thinking its not going to be pretty in the a.m. No matter the result, I am back on track of my weight loss/get healthy journey. I might get knocked down, but I'm not staying down.

**fast foward to Wed. A.M.**

Although I was looking for any excuse to not get on the scale today, I did. It wasn't good, but I knew it wouldn't be. I also know it could have been alot worse. Although I gained.. I'm still ahead of the game. I will be working hard to make sure those extra pounds are gone next week!

Beginning Weight 214.5

Previous Weight 203
Current Weight  205.5
--------------------------------
Current gain/loss  +2.5
Total gain/loss -9

Wednesday, January 18, 2012

Shrink Yo' Self in 2012 - Week 3


It's Wednesday again and we all know what that means. Time to hop on the scale and see if our hard work the previous week paid off or if the pounds want to hang on for a little bit longer. At the start of this challenge, I also started the 17 Day Diet ( if you don't know what it is you should check it out) its a diet that teaches you and your body the proper way to eat through out 4 phases, each phase last 17 days.

Today marked the end of the first phase for me and the beginning of Phase 2, which means the list of food that I can eat has expanded somewhat, but still in moderation.

Up until today I wasn't allowed any sugar or carbs, except for the sugar/carbs in the two servings of fruit I was allowed per day.  I have to say this was the longest, most difficult 17 days I have ever had! lol  But I must confess, I did cheat over the weekend. I just couldn't resist the Auntie Anns  pretzels at the mall.. and a coke.  It was THE BEST thing ever!!  Although I know I shouldn't have splurged, I did , I enjoyed, I am owning it and I got back on track right after I ate it and moving on! Eating something I shouldn't have may have hindered my weight loss this week... but I am happy with what the scale has shown me today.

I am hoping it will be the same next week after being allowed to bring back some of the carbs into my diet, I'm a little nervous to change up what I'm eating. Its hard to believe I said that after wanting to stab people the last 17 days for something, anything that contained sugar or carbs! lol

Its working so I'm going to keep working it!

Beginning weight: 214.5
Previoius weight: 206.5
Current weight: 203
-------------------------------
+/- this week: -3.5
total weight loss: 11.5

Wednesday, January 11, 2012

Shrink Yo' Self in 2012 Week 2



Its that time again.. time to disrobe and jump on the scale while squeezing your eyes tight and then peeking at the number lurking back at you. Or that was the way I used to do it. Lately, I'm excited to see my progress. I love the fact that I have found something that seems to be working for me. Although I still have a long way to go... I am at least making progress.

I am still on the first phase of the 17 Day Diet. This diet has been super hard for me. These 17 days feel like an eternity! No carbs and no sugar. Which means no soda and no ice cream (and everything  in between). I have to say I have possessed great willpower so far. Just hope that it will continue.

I must confess that I am lacking in the exercise department. I really need to step that up and get my butt moving. Although it hasn't hindered my weight loss yet, I know it will and I could be down alot more than I am had I put in a little extra effort.
 Trying to figure out what I can and can't eat has taken up alot of time and because of this I haven't kept up with any of the challenges going on the last two weeks, and I still need to write my letter to myself. Promise I will do better. But I am doing something right, the scales are still moving in the correct direction!


Beginning weight: 214.5
Previous weight: 209.5
Current weight: 206.5
--------------------------
Loss/gain this week -3
Total loss -8

Wednesday, January 4, 2012

Shrink Yo' Self in 2012- Weekly Check in #1

                                                                

Sunday started the New Year as well as a new challenge. I have been struggling for some time to lose weight. I have realized that although I was participating in challenges and trying to lose weight... I really wasn't trying. I wanted to lose just didn't want to do the work to see the result. I was always gung ho at first full of motivation and pep. Then a few weeks in I would only do enough to say I was trying to lose weight.  Just doing enough to get by. Reality slapped me in the face and I have realized how much I really do need to shed these pounds. I am tired of the me I have become and am finally really ready to make the changes to see the results I'm looking for.

On Sunday alongside this challange, I started the 17 Day Diet by Dr Mike Moreno. You should take a minute and look it up. I have seen numerous co-workers have great success with this diet. Its very structured, which is something that I really needed. Otherwise, I could always justify having something I knew I shouldn't.

I have not set a certain goal weight wise to lose by the end of the challenge. My goal is to stick with the 17 Day Diet, take each phase and make the most of it. And to just lose weight... just do what I need to do to continue to see the number on the scale drop and to feel better about myself and healthier.


With all that said... lets get on to the good stuff: 


Starting Weight : 214.5
Current Weight : 209.5
------------------------------
Loss this week -5

Monday, January 2, 2012

Picture A Day: Day 2

                                                    Cinnamon the Steelers fan!

Sunday, January 1, 2012

No More Excuses!

Over the last several years I attempt to lose weight and do ok for a while and then find some excuse time and time again as to why I can't exercise this day or why I can't stick to my meal plan that day and the list can go on an on. No more! This is the beginning of a new year, and the beginning of a new me! 2012 is all about me. Me getting fit and healthy and excuses are not allowed!

Although I know what I need to lose, for whatever reason, the reality of it all hit hard the past couple of days. I've known I am overweight, but , I nevr REALLY realized just how overweight I am. I mean I know.. but I didn't really know....or didn't want to admit it to myself. I am now owning it! I put the weight on and I am the only one that can reverse it. I have started to day with a new eating plan/diet and I will be rocking this year!

New Year/ New Challenge



Today starts the beginning of a new year, it is also the beginning of the  new challenge, Shrink Yo' Self in 2012 over at shrinkingjeans I am super excited about this challenge because I plan on doing just that!

I have reached a point where reality really has hit home. Its no surprise that  I need to lose weight, but I really need to lose THAT much weight? I guess I do my usual "don't think about it/ put it out of your mind" coping mechanisim when it comes to anything that bothers me, instead of tackling it when it would have been a little easier, I've allowed my weight to get out of control. But its not only about the weight, its for my health. I have watched family go through so many things that have resulted from being overweight. Diabetes, heart disease, kidney failure and the list goes on and on. I don't want that to be me, but if I don't get things under control it very easily could be me.

In 2012 I am committing to get myself happy and healthy! Its going to be all about me!

2012:Picture A Day

After seeing all the pictures that were posted through out the year in 2011  I have decided to join all the cool kids and do my own "picture a day". Happy New Year! I hope 2012 is a great year for all of us!


Me: Ready to take on 2012!