2008 New Beginnings

Hello Hello Hello My Dear friend the blogger. I have been away for sometime. My life got out of hand and spiraled out of control. I have gain almost all of my weight back due to stress and I quit writing what I ate down and I quit working out and going to the gym.

On with the good stuff. In the crazy life I had been living. I took a very hard look at myself. I went on a cruise and I slowed waaaaay down at work. I lost a dear friend on her own choice but I have gained more friends in a past few months time. I had to take a long look at my destructive patterns and realized some friends are just not good to be around. Especially negative persons who can't see the truth. I know all to well because i have been that person in my past. I had to look at my part in all my relationships and discovered I had some healthy ones that I did not socialize with and then I had some unhealthy ones that I socialized way toooo much. Its funny cause she cut our friendship off and I grown from it. Its weird how things like that work. I wish her only the best.

I had the best Christmas ever. My husband and I have grown so close together in the past few months. I feel at peace and its crazy. All my friends and family's life are chaotic and mine is the best it ever has been.

So I have been talking to soooo many persons about joining weight watchers and I finally did it. I am so excited to get my eating under control. I thought if I joined I failed and I did not want to be one of them. Ha just like my alcoholic thinking. I am soooo stubborn. I am starting today a walking regiment and so it begins. My husband is doing this along with me. He is not going to meetings but we are going on walks together and eating healthy. No sugar for awhile in our house. It does help that my son said that he would much rather eat an orange over a little debbie anytime.

At work I have been getting organized and putting plans in place to get all projects completed. I am starting again a dream weaver class and I am building a website for the tech department. In the Summer I am attending college to get my BA in Computer Information Systems and Minoring in Web Design. I contact MSU and they have scholarships to help with plus I believe my work is following thru with reimbursements so this is a very doable thing. I am so excited. I was so excited I wanted to start this Spring and I could, but I don't want to over do it. So i have come up with a time frame.

Jan, Feb, Mar
Work on health, Financial, and Web design Class

April, May, Jun
I should be a few pound lighter, finacnes should be getting on track, and website up and going.
Apply for college

July
break

Aug, Sept, Oct
Crazy time at work and I begin school - Stay on track with health

Nov, Dec
Wind down from work and prepare for Christmas finaically and health wise! Apply for spring Classes.

THURSDAY

Breakfast
Coffee - Habby Shack - 5 pts

Lunch Campbell's Select Italian-Style Wedding Soup
210 cal 5g fat 4g fiber 4 pts

Snack
Cantaloupe 3 pts

Wednesday

Breakfast
2 cups of coffee
SB Bar 2pts

Lunch
Jr. Burger (320 cal/16 g fat/2 g fiber/29 g carbs) 7.5
Ched 'R' Peppers (290 cal/17 g fat/2 g fiber/28 g carbs) 7
Original Ranch Dressing (2 oz) (260 cal/28 g fat/0 g fiber/0 g carbs) 8
Diet Coke with cherry

Dinner
2 slices of pizza Thin Meat

Snack
Crispy Cream Doughnut

I did not do good today.

Good Morning Monday

Todays Menu

Breakfast
Coffee 2 cups
South Beach 100 cal Mixed Berry Bar 2pts
1/2 Banana 1pts

Snack
WW Cake 1 pt
Water

Lunch
Turkey Breast & Ham 6" Sub (290 cal/5 g fat/4 g fiber/47 g carbs) 5.5
Sweet Onion Sauce: Fat Free [amount on 6" sub] (40 cal/0 g fat/0 g fiber/9 g carbs) 1
Pepperjack (50 cal/4 g fat/0 g fiber/0 g carbs) 1.5
Southbeach Wheat Crackers 100cal 3g fiber 3.5g fat 15g carb 2 pts

Total Points 14

Dinner
1 Dove
1 quail
1/8 cup green beans
1/2 cup mashed potatoes
1/2 Baked Apple
1 Muffin 1/2 Butter and Apple Butter 1/2 gravy

Friday! Yeah!

Breakfast
Coffee 3 pts
South Beach 100 Cal Snack Bar 1.6 pts

Snack
Bottled water
Banana 2 pts.

Lunch
Weight Watchers Smartones Chicken Enchiladas Suiza
310 Cal 8g fat 3g fiber 45g carb 14g protein 6PTS

Snack
South Beach 100 Cal Snack Bar 1.6 pts
Tea

Dinner
Hebrew Hot Dog 1pt.
1/8 cup of chile 1pt
1bun 2 pts
1 Cantalope 1 pt

Snack
Grapefruit (1/2 medium/5.4 oz) (60 cal/0 g fat/2 g fiber/16 g carbs) 1 pt

20.2 pts
1.8 left

Oven-Roasted Asparagus

Oven-Roasted Asparagus

1 bunch (Fresh 12 to 14 ounces) asparagus spears

1 tablespoon olive oil

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/4 cup shredded Asiago or Parmesan Cheese (or which ever cheese you like)

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Cut off tough ends of asparagus. Peel if desired. Arrange asparagus in shallow baking dish. Drizzle with olive oil. Turn stalk so that they coat. Sprinkle with salt. Cook for 20 minutes. Sprinkle with cheese return to oven and continue to bake until cheese has melted.

Makes 4 servings For those on W.W. these are just 1 point per serving

Calories: 75

Carbs: 4 g

Total Fat: 5 g

Fiber: 2 g

Protein: 4 g

Faster than Drive-thru McBreakfast Sandwich

Found this on a blog and I just had to have this recipe. Follow the link she has some great recipes.

This is super fast and easy - a theme in my world. Plus, almost 1/2 the points of the McDonald’s version. These are a favorite of my BF’s kids. Beats pop-tarts (okay, maybe only points-wise –IMO nothing beats pop-tarts)

• 1 light English Muffin (1)
• 1 egg (2) or 1/4 cup egg substitute (1)
• 1/2 oz thin-sliced ham 98% FF (0.5)
• 2 tbs FF shredded cheese (0.5)
• Butter spray

Spray a small microwave safe cup or coffee mug with non-stick. Crack egg into cup and sprinkle cheese on top. Microwave 60-90 seconds until done. Pop English muffin into toaster. When toasted spray with a couple of pumps of butter spray. Slide egg/cheese onto toasted English muffin and add ham. Microwave whole thing 20 seconds to take the chill off of ham. Hit the door running with a healthy low points breakfast that tastes better than the 6.5 points Mc version.

You could also substitute a Laughing Cow cheese wedge or a little FF cream cheese for the cheese and butter spray.

4 points for entire sandwich with egg, 3 points with egg substitute

Thursday

Breakfast
Coffee 1pt
Banana 2 pt

Snack
None
Diet Raspberry tea

Lunch
Leftover Talipa 3 pts
Potatoes 3 pts
Cantaloupe 1 pt

Snack
Carrots 1 cup 1pt
Weight Watcher Carrot Cake 1pt

Dinner
Turkey Breast & Ham 6" Sub (290 cal/5 g fat/4 g fiber/47 g carbs) 5.5
Light Mayonnaise [1 Tbsp] (50 cal/5 g fat/0 g fiber/0 g carbs) 1.5
Pepperjack (50 cal/4 g fat/0 g fiber/0 g carbs) 1.5

20.5 Total

Oh My

Hello World!

My friend Dodie has lost 8 pounds in two weeks on Weight Watchers. She is a true inspiration and a Great Friend.

So HERE I go. I know I told myself that I would never do this but I can't seem to do this on my own. So I am going to do weight watchers to as well. I am a big BFL person and I believe in it whole heartily but I need to stay motivated. Weight watchers has the support that I believe I need. I want to change my life and I want to eat healthy. Why I choose to damage my body by putting crap in it is besides me. So on top of it I am going to work the 12 steps on my weight and give it to God. I am done trying to do this on my own.

Breakfast
Coffee 2 cups
Special K 3/4 cup with 1/2 cup of FF Milk 160 cal 1g fat 27 carb 2g Protein 3Points

Snack
Water
Banana 1.5 pt

Lunch
Weight watchers SmartOnes Lasagna Florentine 290 cal 9g fat 35g carb 4g fiber 15g protein 6 points.
Diet Lipton White Tea Raspberry

Snack
Diet Coke
Carrots 1 cup 1 pt

11.5 points Total
10.5 Points Left


Dinner
talipa 3 pts
Green Beans
Potatoes 2 pts

Snack
Cookie 3 pts
Cantalope 1 pt

Total 20.5 points
Left 1.5

Tuesday 19th of June

Breakfast
Fruit 'n Yogurt Parfait [5.3 oz] (160 cal/2 g fat/1 g fiber/31 g carbs) 3
Coffee

Lunch
Turkey Sandwich
Bread 100 cal 1g fat 26 carb 10 fiber 6 protein 1 pt for 2 slices of bread
Cheese 100 cal 5g fat 2 pts
Turkey 50 cal 1 pt
Mayo 30 cal 5g fat 1 pts
1 Hard boiled egg 2 pts

Dinner
Taco Bell - Steak Taqutios 8 pts

Snack
Special K cereal 3 pts

Total Points 21

Monday June 18, 2007

Breakfast
Coffee
Egg McMuffin [4.8 oz] (300 cal/12 g fat/2 g fiber/30 g carbs) 6.5

Snack
Water
ChexMix 2/3 cup 140 cal 5g fat 24g carb 1g protien 4 points

Lunch
Turkey Sandwich
Bread 140 cal 3 pts
Cheese 80 cal
Turkey 50 cal
Mayo 30 cal 2 pts
Mustard 5 cal
1 Boiled egg 70 cal 2 points
1/2 fritos 4pts
Tea

Mexican Lasagna

Mexican Lasagna

Serves 12; 200 calories per serving

1 1/2 pounds extra-lean ground beef
salt and pepper to taste
1 1/4-ounce package taco seasoning mix
15 ounces low-fat ricotta cheese
1/4 cup low-fat sour cream
27 ounces canned whole green chilies (drain and reserve 2 tablespoons canned juice)
2 tablespoons Tabasco sauce
4 6-inch, low-carb tortillas

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Season the meat with a little salt and pepper. In a skillet over medium heat, break up the meat with a wooden spoon and cook until browned. Drain off the grease. Stir in the taco seasoning mix and enough water to make a paste.

2. In a small mixing bowl, whisk the ricotta cheese, sour cream, reserved chili juice, Tabasco sauce, and 1⁄2 cup water. Spread a lit¬tle of the mixture to cover the bottom of a 13-by-9-inch baking pan. Cover the sauce with a layer of tortillas, overlapping slightly. Sprinkle the meat mixture evenly over the entire base. Cover with a single layer of whole green chilies and pour the remaining sauce on top.

3. Bake 45 to 60 minutes. Remove from the oven and let stand 5 minutes before serving.

Tuesday 5th, 2007

Last night I ate something or I was bit buy something. Because I broke out in Hives all over. Ugh


Breakfast
Coffee 1 cup (splenda)
EAS Shake Cal 110 Fat 3 Carb 2g Protein 17g

Lunch
Water
Salad, carrots, cauliflower, and blue cheese dressing
Grapes 1 cup
1 pear

Snack
granola bar 130 cal 6g fat 17g carb 2g protein
Diet Coke

Monday June 4, 2007

Breakfast
2 Cups of Coffee
Banana

Lunch
2 hard boiled eggs
1 small nectarine
10 baby carrots
1/4 cup of cauliflower
Water

Snack
Water
15 almonds

Dinner
Hamburger (Diet Lean) with cheese
3/4 C of diced potatoes
Water

Snack
Handful of mixed nuts

Off Track

I have not posted in a few days. Kinda got off track. I did have an awesome workout on Wednesday 2hours of weight training. Thursday I did get about 25 min of cardio. I was hurting so I took it easy.

Tonight I am going to see Joyce Myers. Can't wait!

Breakfast
2 cups of coffee
1 hard boiled egg
1 cheese stick
Water

Wednesday 25th

Breakfast
2 cups of coffee w/ splenda and fat free skim milk (I am giving up my cream) ;(
Oatmeal (It was packaged instant) 160cal 2g fat 33g carb 4g protein
1/2 scoop of Protein 60 Cal 1g fat 2 carb 10 protein
1 water 16 oz.

Snack
Precious Monterey Jack Cheese Stick
Water 16 oz.

Tuesday 04/24/07

Today's Eats

Breakfast
2 cups of coffee w/ splenda and fat free skim milk
Oatmeal (It was packaged instant) 160cal 2g fat 33g carb 4g protein
1/2 scoop of Protein 60 Cal 1g fat 2 carb 10 protein
Water

Snake
1 whole grapefruit
1 packet of Stevia
16 Almonds (170 cal 15g fat 5.5 carb 6.3 protein)
Water 16 oz.

Lunch
Grilled Cheese Sandwich
Big salad w/ chicken, chesse, 1 whole egg, ff italian dressing
Tea

Snack
EAS Shake 110 cal 3g fat 2g carb 17g protein
Water 16 oz.

Dinner
Salad
Roasted Chicken Breast, lettuce, chesse, 1 whole egg, mushrooms
water

Snack
Water
Peanuts
Suger free pudding 1 cup
Water

Eureka Springs Weekend Update

I was best relaxing time ever. When I left my house and was heading towards Eureka I left all my worries and problems behind me. No Child, No dealing with his bad grades, No Jake (yellow Lab), No bills, No job. NOTHING did I take with me. It was so beautiful out; we were blessed with beautiful weather. So with a clear head and just time I enjoyed every bit of my little vacation. I met up and saw our friends from KC. Went shopping and the little stores all of Eureka. I did get a massage. Which was way over due. It had been a year and a half.

Let me tell you about my massage it was magical and beautiful. I went to the Suchness Spa. I asked for an hour massage and the lady there is so peaceful. One of the things I love that they do is having you lye on your stomach face down first. Then they bring hot water and a washcloth and they wash your feet. I was in heaven. The masseuse began working on me and I kept telling myself to relax. But I could not I had pain in the small of my back. I never had it before but it was there. So she went and had Kat come in to help. When they began to work on me. I just began to cry. Everything I had been holding in released thru my tears. Kat worked on my neck and did some reiki. The whole time I thought to myself was she an angel or am I an angel. It was something I have never experienced before. I learned later on that some interesting things about me. Even after I was thru and I came out to talk to Kat about my experience I would well up in tears. I had no clue why I was still crying but I must have a lot inside of me that I needed to get out. She told me that I am very sensitive to ours. I can feel other people and understand them inside. The other people (or people I have around me) are not in touch with my insides. I asked how she knew. She said because you let me love you. Beautiful! I love my husband and I love my friends. But most of them all are so self absorbed that it always all about them and very rarely about me. So I have found that I need to take better care of myself inside and out. I spoke with a good friend who does massages and she understood. I really need to begin meditating.

A few years back I had a massage from the same place and I came out wanting to become a masseuse. I went to all the schools in Springfield to find what school I wanted to go to. Found all the information I needed. I just needed to get the finical part down. I could not make it happen. I have a student loan in default and I can not even pay that off. Which I would need to do to even get certified. I even started a business plan. The sad thing about that adventure is that I came to the conclusion how selfish I am. I would rather receive a massage then to give a massage. But in light of my new experience I understand my thinking. I do give a lot of me. Which those around rarely see or acknowledge. If I was loved the way I was loved on the table or even come close to it. I would be beaming with energy and would want to share my love with the world. I think that I need to work on this thinking. Because the people around me is not going to change. How do you receive enough love to be able to give it away? I know you have to give to receive. But in my case I do give but never received back. I need to figure this out.

Back to my weekend. - I began a book called Marley and Me. I have yet to put it down. What is so great this book is about two people and there life with a yellow lab. Not a self help book, not a diet book, not a recipe book. Just a book to read for entertainment. We also ate very well there. I watched what I ate and had some of the best meals ever. I did splurge on some Ice cream one day. But all in all I ate great.

I did not want to come to work on Monday I did not want my long weekend to come to an end. I believe that this weekend helped me in more ways. I learned something about myself. I actually slowed down to see the true me. A glimpse that is, it’s a start.

Battling a bad mood

Food for (Positive) Thought
As you now know, in addition to restricting your caloric intake, it's essential to eat the right kinds of food to build muscle, strengthen your immune system, stay energized, and, in general, kick ass in your everyday life.

Eating according to your metabolic type will help keep you in top shape, but when you find yourself battling a bad mood, a few particular foods might help improve your attitude. Check 'em out:

• Low-fat, low-protein, high-carbohydrate snacks are good for chasing away the blues. Try air-popped popcorn or whole-wheat bread with honey.
• To ward off depression, go for fish. Omega-3 fatty acids are reputed to ease mood swings.
• Fight stress with high-fiber foods, such as apples, pears, olives, beets, squash, zucchini, asparagus, spinach, lentils, beans, tofu, barley, brown rice, buckwheat, and couscous.
• Drink water for a quick pick-me-up. Regular hydration will keep you from feeling fatigued, and it can also help you burn calories.

Highs and Lows
Caffeine, alcohol, sugar, and chocolate are all known for mood-altering effects, ranging from waking you up to calming you down, but they can also trigger mood swings, irritability, and feelings of anxiety and stress. Experts suggest moderating your intake of these substances so you can stay on an even keel.

Breakfast Burritos

Breakfast Burritos

5 slices turkey bacon (nitrate-free)
nonstick cooking spray
6 egg whites, beaten
1 small tomato, cored, seeded, and chopped
½ cup low-fat shredded Cheddar cheese
4 six-inch low carb tortillas
2 cups salsa for garnish

Place the bacon between two paper towels on a paper plate. Microwave on high 4–5 minutes or until the bacon is crisp. Break the bacon into pieces. Spray a skillet with nonstick cooking spray on medium heat. Scramble the egg whites in skillet until almost done. Add the tomato and bacon. Cook 30 seconds to 1 minute. Heat the tortillas for 10 seconds in the microwave.

Spoon the egg scramble into the center of each tortilla. Sprinkle low-fat cheese on top and fold. Serve immediately with salsa to taste.

Serves 4, 150 calories per serving