Feeling Puffy

This morning I woke up and my fingers fell puffy and I actually gained a few ounces even though I ate very little yesterday.  I did however reflect on WHAT I ate yesterday and found a common denominator.  High Sodium/Salt content.

1 slice of Fat Free Turkey Meat has 220 mg of Sodium.
...I ate 6 slices.

I put salt on my tomatoes.
I put salt on the peppers and onions.
I put salt in the pepper dip.
I ate a serving of baked chips.
I ate a LOT of pickled Beets. (*they are delicious, do not judge me).

I also did not drink as much water as I have been AND had a soda.

With bad choice after bad choice, I am as puffed up as a blow fish.  My first clue should have been when my wedding ring was cutting in to my hand YESTERDAY.  The scale only climbed 0.4 ounces, but that was kind of the opposite way I wanted the numbers to go.  SO I looked up some natural ways to treat fluid retention.

1. Lessen your intake of salt and salty foods. Too much salt in the body can cause fluid retention to worsen. Many processed foods contain high values of sodium that should also be avoided, so check the nutritional information on products you eat to make sure that they do not contain high levels of sodium. Avoid adding additional table salt to your food, and stay away from salty snacks like chips, peanuts and pretzels.
2. Drink plenty of water if you are aware that your fluid retention is due to premenstrual syndrome, too much salt in your diet or another minor cause. You may feel that you have enough water in your body already, but being well hydrated will help you flush out excess water instead of storing it in your body.
3.  Eat foods with diuretic properties. There is a long list of diuretic foods such as celery, lettuce, carrots, onion, asparagus, tomato and cucumber.

Needless to say, I will spend most of my day repairing the damage done yesterday.  OY.

weigh in as of 6:30 am: 179.4

Steak Fajitas and Roasted Red Pepper Dip

Boy oh Boy do I have a dinner planned for you.  This is SUPER easy and I even used some leftovers to make it.

Tonight we are dining on last night's pork steak.  You can use beef steak or even chicken to make fajitas, but why go and cook something new when we had 3 steaks left over from last night?  The pork will add an extra point or two into the equation for all you hard core weight watchers, but use what ya got!  Here's the skinny on a steak fajita (I will disclose that LEAN flank steak was used to create these facts, but if you are making a menu for next week, this could be something to buy)

Skinny Facts: for ½ cup Steak Fajita only (not including tortilla or toppings)
Weight Watchers (old points) 3
Weight Watchers POINTS PLUS 4
Skinny Facts: for ½ cup of steak fajita (not including tortilla or toppings)
141 calories, 6g fat, 15g protein, 7g carbs, 1g fiber, 405mg sodium, 4g sugar

Weight Watchers (old points) 4
Weight Watchers POINTS PLUS 5
**Information given by: http://www.skinnykitchen.com/recipes/skinny-steak-fajitas/
***1/2 Cup of Fajita Mixins is quite a bit--even though it doesn't sound like it.

To put my Leftovers Pork Fajitas together I used:
3 Grilled Pork Steaks
1 Large Green Bell Pepper
4 Small Sweet Peppers *red, yellow, orange
1 Large Onion
2 Tbsp Canola Oil
Salt and Pepper to taste

I sliced the steak very VERY thin.  I will use 2 tbsp of canola oil to sautee my peppers and onions til the onions become clear.  I will add my steak into the onions about half way through so the meat can start soaking up the flavor of everything else.  I will sprinkle on some salt and pepper to taste, but I am going to let the peppers and onions really give the flavor instead of other seasonings. Top with what ever you like as long as you keep track of it all.

I also made a Roasted Red Pepper Dip to accompany our fajitas.  This was also SUPER easy to do.

To make this dip I used:
1 12oz jar Roasted Red Peppers, drained
1 cup Fat Free Sour Cream
1/2 tsp Garlic Powder
1/2 tsp Salt
Pepper to taste.

**In a blender combine roasted peppers, sour cream, garlic, salt, and pepper.  Puree until smooth.
Makes 10 servings---ONE POINT PER SERVING!!!!!  
 

This has a delicious flavor that will make those fajitas SING without having to use any extra cheese or anything.  We will also dine on Fat Free Refried Beans---at a 1/2 Cup for 1 point you can't beat it!


Sounds like Heaven to me!




Weigh in today: 179.0

Homemade cooking spray

We have decided that grilled vegetables are our FAVORITE staple with our regular summer time grilled meat.  The first time I cut up the vegetables I used straight canola oil to brush the vegetables with.  THEN I decided I could use cooking spray to coat my vegetables.  Worked like a charm!

This morning I found a recipe for nonstick cooking spray recipe.

• 2 tablespoons canola oil (or olive oil for olive oil spray)
• 1 cup less two tablespoons water

Directions:
Buy a new plant mister bottle. Wash thoroughly before using. Add two tablespoons of canola oil followed by 1 cup less two tablespoons of water.  Just make sure you shake it before each use.

Nutritional Facts for Nonstick Cooking Spray Serving Size:

Servings Per Recipe: 50

Amount Per Serving

Calories 4.9

Calories from Fat 5

Total Fat 0.5 g

Cholesterol 0.0 mg

Sodium 0.0 mg

Total Carbohydrate 0.0 g

Dietary Fiber 0.0 g
Read more: http://www.food.com/recipe/nonstick-cooking-spray-225023#ixzz1yvRtQ95R

 

 

No extra chemicals and you have a visible way to track and see how much you actually do use when you spray.   Tonight we will try this homemade cooking spray on those vegetables you see behind the bottles.

Happy Eating!

Through weakness comes triumph

Well I have been a bit stressed--another death in the family, trip planning, basic life issues--and I had a moment of weakness yesterday.  I blacked out and binge ate a large 3 Musketeers along with 3 helpings of baked chips.  At least I picked the least worst things to eat right?

Through weakness comes triumph. 

I was counting on the mornings workout to save me.  I was needing to power through a family BBQ to eat only salad and other vegetables.  Even though everything else looked really, really good.

Well it worked.

This mornings weigh in:  179.8.

That's enough words for now, I will get into some recipes later today!

Shameless plug

my scale was able to live another day.  I added a new battery, and it showed me the results I had been looking for.

181.  That's right, I lost the first of the seven pounds I am wanting to lose.

This weekend will be busy.  I am part of a photography duo specializing in outdoor events.

Needless to say, I will be walking a lot, running back and forth at times, and sweating my face off in the 100* weather.

It's all in the name of good memories for the families and bride&groom we will be celebrating today!

Check out our work at www.facebook.com/cupcakesandfireflies

I even got a pedometer yesterday so that I can track just how much I actually do during a typical day of photo shoots.  That should be helpful! 
....until I lose it. 
....or it falls off. 
...or I forget to wear it and it stays in my purse.

Well here's to a busy weekend full of exciting adventures! 

Pray for my scale

Please pray for my scale today as I premeditate it's demise.

It would appear as though even with rigorous point tracking and pouring sweat work outs, I have actually gained a pound.  THIS IS NOT WHAT I WANTED TO SEE.  When you set a goal to lose in a short amount of time, any set back no matter how small, can be incredibly frustrating.

My muscles are sore.  My sides are aching.  It hurts to sneeze.

...and I added a pound.


I will be going to the store today to buy a new battery for the demon who holds the numbers within.

If this does not remedy the problem, please hold a moment of silence for the scale this afternoon... as my scale will be "put down."

Venison Burgers and Homemade Potato Chips

Why would you use DEER meat instead of hamburger or turkey?   Even when compared to lean beef, most cuts of venison typically have fewer calories. On average, a three-ounce portion of cooked deer meat contains 134 calories, whereas a three-ounce cut of cooked beef contains 247 calories.

(To read more about venison vs. ground beef please visit: http://www.livestrong.com/article/326549-nutritional-values-of-venison-vs-beef/#ixzz1yRsGVrvM)

SO with the health benefits in hand, I went on a recipe hunt to cut down on the TASTE of wild game.  Because lets face it, venison tastes...gamey.  Gamey is not the most awesome flavor.  I found 2 recipes that I think will cut down on the WILD taste and make them flavorful and delicious.

GRILLED Venison Burgers
1/2 cup onions, minced
1 pound ground venison
1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
salt and pepper to taste
1 egg white (Large Egg)
1 tbsp (less or more depending on what you might like) Dijon Mustard

Mix all ingredients together thoroughly and form in patties.  Put in the fridge for at least 20 minutes to allow the seasonings and onions to begin blending into the meat.  Grill on medium-high heat to desired done-ness.

Serve with Onions, Tomatoes, and more!

__________________________________________________

Next is the potato chips.  We bought some Amish grown Red Potatoes from a country market and have been dying to make just the right thing with them.  This I believe will be the perfect way to use them.


Homemade Potato Chips

• potatoes, peeled and sliced diagonally 1/8 inch thick
• canola oil cooking spray
• Coarse salt to taste or any other seasoning (chili powder, season salt, paprika)

Pat the potatoes dry between paper towels and arrange them in one layer in greased cookie pans. Spray and season each side of the potatoes, bake them in a preheated 500°F oven for 15 to 20 minutes, or until the edges are golden brown. Sprinkle them with the salt if desired.


Serve with your favorite dipping sauce!

Vacation Pictures

We are going on our Honeymoon vacation!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
                                                                           
This is where we will be staying in New Orleans.

River Walk is another place we will be visiting.







We will be leaving in a week and a half for New Orleans and a 4 day stay in Texas.  I am super excited that we are getting to take a vacation.  We are young, have no children, good jobs, so WHY NOT go?!?!

 

No one wants to look like a beluga whale in their vacation pictures.  

I am currently putting a really really BIG goal on my head.  I want to be at least 175 pounds (even less wouldn't hurt my feelings) when we go on vacation.  That will by no means will make me look like a skinny hot bod blonde in my pictures, BUT I feel like having such an awesome adventure ahead of me could really benefit my motivation.  That means in the next 12 days, I need to lose at least 7 pounds.  That would also put me at a weight loss total of 20 pounds since January.  I believe it is a reachable goal, and here is why...

When you hit a plateau where nothing you are doing really makes any changes, you need a new motivation to make the changes you have to in order to continue seeing results.  The same few pounds I keep fighting are hanging around because I hadn't really added a steady routine of exercise into my lifestyle.  I am, like most people, not really enticed by the idea of having to participate in "cardio" and blah blah blah...so I am hit and miss with when I choose to exercise.  I want my weight to magically fall off of me in the middle of the night.

...NOT GOING TO HAPPEN.

SO, with that said, I encourage anyone and everyone to ask me how I am doing on my 12 day goal.  I want others to keep me accountable as I would hope I could be a help to anyone else.  Ask me on facebook, comment on here, text me if you have my number.  Get all up in my business!  I want to take charge of this and see results!

Today, Wednesday 20th, my current weigh in is:
182 pounds

Wii-Wii-Wii all the way home

I keep fighting the same stupid 2 pounds over and over and over again. 

I carefully select and journal my food. 
I have added in "biking" for an hour along with housework (you burn calories doing your chores, right?!)

I think my body is protesting.

However, in the spirit of continuing what I have started I added something new to my morning workout!

  
This is called "Duel Slicing"--using your wii remote, you slice stuff up in various angles.  You compete against another player to see who can slice stuff (wood, eggs, diamonds, vases, sushi, etc.) the fastest and at the right angles.  I literally played this for 30 minutes because I was winning and it was fun!  About halfway through, I noticed my biceps were beginning to throb a little.  I was holding my arms up, flexed, and when I would "slice" I would put resistance on my muscles to swing the remote to slice fast. 

After slicing, I put in my Active Personal Trainer game.  Here I used my favorite Punching Bags and Targets portion.  The game puts resistance in your remote along with the resistance you add to your own muscles to punch hard enough to move the bags and bust the targets.  SUPER fun!!! This gets out calories, sweat, and any pent up aggression you may have. :)

So, if you have a game console just sitting there unused, think about the games you may have and REALLY play those games.  Add your own spin on them to make the difference (do squats when bowling, add resistance to your muscles when you throw the ball, etc.)

Squeaky Beast

THIS is our "new to us" bike. We were in the market for a brand new piece of exercise equipment back in early spring trying to find the best bargain we could.  This is what we found.  We have had our bike since March.  I think we may have used it more this last week than we have since we have had it!  I have gone 27 miles in the last two days.  Kudos to my husband who has also gotten on the "healthy" train and has also spent some time on this squeaky beast.  He alone has lost 6 pounds in the last two weeks!!! SUPER proud of him.

This bike actually came from a yard sale (Thanks Mom and Dad!)!  It has a timer/distance/calorie counter on it.  It adjusts for height.  It squeaks a little when you peddle a little too briskly.  It works GREAT!  Especially for the low, low price of FREE to us!

This is the time of year to shop those yardsales.  Dieting drop-outs are willing to sell their workout equipment that they have abandoned for low LOW prices!  I think my parents said they picked up this bike for $3-$5.  We were looking at the same bike at walmart for $100.  SO while it may squeak and beep at us occasionally, it's a start! 

Get out there on the weekends and see what you can find to help you along on your healthy journey!

Daily To-Do

I have lists of stuff all over my house.  To-Do Chores, Bucket Lists for the season, Grocery Lists, Menus, Weight Watchers Lists, the lists are never ending!  Well the "Daily To-Do" List I am passing on to all of you is something I found on Pinterest that incorporates a ton of "To-Do" lists into one handy list.  Check this out! (courtesy www.lifes-a-journal.com)

 

Isn't that awesome!  I am currently printing this out and hopefully going to use it to continue to stay on track.  You can do the same!

Diet Brownies---No Joke!!!

Last night, my husband and I were celebrating our first date 2 years ago.  We had a nice healthy dinner (because he's on board with WW now too!)  He grilled small round steak, I fixed us each a personal salad topped with either light or fatfree dressing, and steamed some potatoes and snap peas in the microwave (those Ziploc Steam Bags are AMAZING by the way.  If you don't have them, GET them.)

After such a nice dinner, we wanted something sweet to eat without ruining our entire effort.  I remembered I had blogged about Brownie Bites a LONG time ago.  I figured we didn't have a whole lot to lose, so I got in and made them.

Honestly, they were SUPER simple to put together.  They had a good chocolatey taste with a cake like texture.  I used light margarine and omitted the walnuts in my recipe -- hopefully I cut a calorie or two more with my substitutions and omission.  Also, instead of topping the brownies with powdered sugar, I added a tablespoon of Sugar Free Coolwhip when they came right out of the oven so it was like adding a small scoop of ice cream.   We both liked them and the brownies were only 2pts per brownie! Now onto the recipe with a few notes to start.

*PLEASE NOTE, in the recipe it does in fact say LOAF pan.  Do not use the standard 8x8 brownie pan.  Your brownies will be SO flat you can almost see through them.  
**ALSO PLEASE NOTE, that I have fully disclosed I am not the best cook therefore I did in face use the wrong pan. So here is a picture stolen from the sixsistersstuff blog to show you what they are actually supposed to look like.  :)


Weight Watchers Brownie Bites:

(Recipe from skinnytaste.com)

2 tbsp margarine

1/3 cup sugar
1/4 cup cold water
1/2 tsp vanilla
1/2 cup flour
1/2 tsp baking powder
2 tbsp unsweetened cocoa powder
2 tbsp chopped walnuts
1 tsp powdered sugar

In a small saucepan melt margarine, remove from heat. Stir in sugar, vanilla and water. Stir in flour, cocoa powder, and baking powder. Mix well. Stir in chopped nuts.

Spray the bottom of a 8x4x2 inch loaf pan with nonstick spray coating. Pour batter into pan.

Bake at 350° for 20 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Cool thoroughly. Remove from pan. Cut into 8 bars. Sprinkle with powdered sugar.

Servings: 8 • Serving Size: 1/8th • Old Points: 2 pt • Points+: 3 pt

Calories: 103.9 • Fat: 4.3 g • Protein: 1.3 g • Carb: 15.6 g • Fiber: 0.6 g
 ________________________________________________

Tonight, I might  use the left over brownies in a new dessert!  I am going to crumble up the brownies into a Chocolate Pudding Mousse.
1 Snack Pack cup of Sugar Free Chocolate Pudding
1-2 TBSP Sugar Free Coolwhip
Remove pudding from snackpack cup, add coolwhip, and blend together.
TADA!  2 point Mousse.

Add a crumbled brownie and BOOM---a delicious, individual sized, 4 point dessert with no leftovers to tempt you to eat more. 

Happy Eating!

Homemade Banana Softserve

If I make it...it MUST be easy.  I am no culinary artist.  I did not think of this all on my own.  HOWEVER, it works and it was delicious.  So try it at home and you can indulge in "ice cream" for just 1 point.

What you need:
BANANAS--Frozen Ripe Bananas.  Make sure you use REALLY ripe bananas to give this dessert more flavor.

What to do: 
--Cut your bananas into 1/2 inch discs. You can do this either before you freeze them or after they are frozen (they were super easy to cut when frozen).  **If you are cutting your bananas then freezing, it will take at least an hour for the bananas to freeze enough for this recipe. 

--Place Banana discs into a food processor or blender.

--Next, Turn processor or blender on.  Your bananas will go through many phases.  It will look like gravel, lumpy mashed potatoes, tapioca pudding, KEEP going.  You will need to stop and scrape the sides of the container several times.

--After just a few short minutes of blending and scraping, your bananas will magically turn into a seriously smooth, creamy soft serve "ice cream".

 

MY suggestions for toppings!!!  

This was good on it's own, but if you don't dig a straight up banana flavor here are some things you could add to it for 0-2 points more.

--Toppings

Fresh Fruit--Strawberries, Blueberries, Peaches, Pineapple
Fruit in Splenda--crush up your fresh fruit and mix in a packet of splenda.  let sit in the fridge for an hour or two to let a wonderful syrup evolve.

Peanut Butter--a tsp of peanut butter mixed in with this turned it into a dream.
Sugar Free Coolwhip--Add a tbsp to the top to make it creamy

Cinnamon and Splenda--mix up a packet of splenda with sprinkles of cinnamon.  Sprinkle on top or mix it in to your personal taste!

ENJOY!

 

On the menu: Slow Cooker Sloppy Joes

Nutrition Data Yield: 4 servings (or 6 smaller servings)
Serving size: 1 cup (bun not included)

Calories: 167 (plus or minus depending on bbq sauce used)
Fat: 3.8 g
Carbs: 14 g
Fiber: 2.5 g 

Protein: 23 g

Ingredients

• 1 pound (454 grams) ground turkey breast (raw)
• 1 cup onion, diced
• 1/2 cup green pepper, diced
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 Tbsp yellow mustard
• 1/4 cup natural ketchup
• 1 15 oz can tomato sauce
• 1 Tbsp Worcestershire sauce
• 1 Tbsp BBQ sauce
• 1-2 packets stevia (optional, if you want to make it on the sweeter side)

Directions

Mist a skillet with oil and brown raw turkey, onions and green pepper over medium heat. (You could skip this step, but you will get a better flavor.)

Place turkey meat, onions & green pepper in the slow cooker. Add all the other ingredients and mix well.

Cover and cook on LOW for 3-4 hours or HIGH for 2-3 hours. If you don't brown the meat first, then cook on LOW for 5-6 hours or HIGH for 3-4 hours. 

__________________________________________________

So honestly, I don't have the "recommended or approved" brands.  So I figure I may have a few added extra calories but only a 1tbsp or two won't hurt the recipe too much.  I will use Whole Wheat Bread instead of a bun (making the whole sloppy joe sandwich 4 pts/serving) and will be making Spicy Spiral Mac-n-Cheese (using 2 tbsp Queso Cheese bringing 1c serving to 8pts) and a serving of frozen peas (0 pts).  

Dinner Total WW Points: 12

Chicken Stroganoff

Makes 6 servings, 4 points each.

Ingredients

• 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken
• 1 container (16 oz) fat free sour cream
• 1 packet powdered onion soup mix
• 1 can fat free cream of chicken soup
• 1 small can mushrooms

Instructions

Add all ingredients to crock pot. Cook on low for 6 hours.

 ___________________________________________

This is in my crockpot now.  Smelled good as I was mixing it and I am looking forward to eating it later!  I am planning on pairing it with Green beans, carrots, and a serving of egg noodles.  

Dinner Total:  8 points.

McMuffins for LESS

I have been hooked on McMuffins lately.  But not the "300" calories or less McDonalds kind.  I have been creating my very own McMuffins that are EVEN less calories and adds a little bit of nutrients.

Here are the ingredients.

Here is what to do:
*You can split the english muffin up and toast if desired or just rock it plain if your muffin doesn't split quite right.

*Take two egg whites, scramble together in a very small bowl (I found some at Dollar Tree that were in a 3pack for $1) then microwave for 1 minute.  WATCH THEM---they can EXPLODE.

*Meanwhile, cut a nice slice of tomato (can add any vegetable you see worthy or even add some salsa) and add any salt or pepper to taste.

TO ASSEMBLE THE SANDWICH--this is key in getting the right combination
*Put 1/2 slice of the Fat Free Cheese on the bottom half of the muffin.  Top with Egg, salt and pepper to taste, and the other 1/2 slice of cheese (*By layering your cheese you don't feel "cheated").  Add the tomato and muffin top. 

Calories Intake:  164
Fat Intake: 1.1grams

WW Points (Old school system):  3

From beginning to end this should take 3-5 minutes total.  So don't say you don't have time!  You feel full all morning and you start your day with protein, whole grains, calcium, and Vitamins A and C.
ENJOY!

Pinterest

Most everyone I know uses pinterest (and if you aren't, it's time to come out of the cave).

Most everyone I know wants to lose a few pounds (and if you don't, I am jealous of you).

Check out my pinterest boards called Dieting Drama Queen Inspirations and Dieting Drama Queen Eats!

http://pinterest.com/mrschristyb/

You will find lots of pins with motivational sayings, websites with simple workouts, other aspiring weight loss "experts", and LOTS of "skinny" recipes.