Monday, Monday

Hi all!

All great weekends must come to an end! But today was a beautiful Monday! The weather could not be better. It's a perfect 70 degrees out with just a gentle breeze, perfect for a light jacket. It makes me want to run out and get pumpkins and apple cider!!! The pumpkins will be had of course...but the cider, I think I'm going to save that as a special treat once in September and on Halloween. We have a local cider mill (not so local to me now that I've moved) but I still will make it a point to go. You can also walk out into the fields (it's a good 2 miles) to pick your own pumpkin...so I figure I'll get some exercise, get some pumpkins and enjoy my cider!!

As you can all probably tell, I'm obsessed with autumn...:D I'm a happy camper! Love this time of year!

Today's recipe doesn't have anything to do with fall though, I decided to use up my end of summer recipes and this one is a favorite. It's so easy to make!!


Tequila Pork
Servings: 12

Ingredients

3 minced garlic cloves
1 green onion minced
1 jalapeno pepper seeded and minced
3 tablespoons fresh cilantro
2 tablespoons fresh lime juice
1 1/2 tablespoons tequila
1 tablespoon fresh orange juice
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1/2 teaspoon chili powder
2lbs pork tenderloin (Ideally 2 (1lb) tenderloins)

Directions

1) Combine garlic, onion, jalapeno, cilantro, lime juize, tequila, orange juice, cumin and chili powder in a large heavy duty plastic bag, shake well.

2) Cup pork into 12 (approx 1/2 inch) slices and add to the bag with the marinade. Cover and chill for approx 1 hour, turning occasionally.

3) Grill covered over high heat 3 to 4 minutes on each side or until meat thermometer reads 160 degrees

Serving suggestions: Serve over couscous or with brown rice and seasonal vegetables.

 

Nutritional Breakdown

 

Simple Saturday!

I am having a great time with my sister!! Last night we stayed up giggling until midnight after watching a bunch of X-files episodes. When we were kids our mom said that we absolutely COULD NOT stay up and watch X-files. So what did we do? Yeah, of course we did! And we would scare the living crap out of ourselves and end up having to sleep in the same room so no aliens or monsters or ghosts or wierd biological anomalies would get us!!! Now that we're older, the X-files still scares the crap out of us...but we love it!!


Last night we went out to dinner and I had the most delicious Portabella Mushroom sandwich. It was delicious and not too bad on the calories! I did sneak a few fries...and I did have a beer...but it was a very rare occasion for me. I ate very light that morning and afternoon and I tracked every bite of food...and I still met my goals for the day! I didn't go over on anything! So that was a big success for me!!

This morning I got up and ate my Jenny Craig Apples & Cinnoman Waffles. I made my sister some lowfat waffles with veggie sausage and she loved it! We're hanging out, more X-files to come...and I'm making a grilled veggie/chicken salad that I made for my mom the other night that was to die for!!

Today's recipe is Italian in honor of la familia! I have to say that I am obsessed with Dreamfields pasta. It is low carb but doesn't taste awful! It has delicious taste, the texture is amazing--no one can even tell it's low carb, I swear! And they cook up and hold up so well!

So without further ado...

Lo Carb Lasagna
Serves: 12

Ingredients

12 sheets of Dreamfields lasanga pasta
2 clove garlic, minced
2 cup chopped onion
2 cup carrots chopped
3 cup sliced mushrooms
1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
1 container (15 ounces) part-skim ricotta cheese
3 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
4 cups marinara sauce

Directions

Preparation:

1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.
2. Spray 13x9x3 baking dish with non-stick cooking spray.


Directions:
1. Prepare lasagna according to package directions. Drain and rinse in cold water; drain well.
2. Heat a large skilled at medium-high heat and add nonstick cooking spray; sauté garlic, onion, carrots and mushrooms until tender, about 5 minutes; remove from heat.

To Assemble:
1. Spread 1 cup of marinara sauce on bottom of baking dish.
2. Layer 4 lasagna noodles, 1/3 of ricotta cheese, 1/2 cup veg mixture, 1 cup marinara sauce, 1 cup mozzarella cheese.
3. Layer 4 lasagna noodles, 1/3 of ricotta cheese, 1 1/2 cups marinara sauce.
4. Layer remaining lasagna noodles, ricotta cheese,veg mixture, marinara sauce, mozzarella cheese and Parmesan cheese.
5. Cover pan with tin foil and bake for 45-50 minutes. Remove tin foil and bake another 10-15 minutes. Let stand for at least 10 minutes before cutting.

Nutritional Breakdown

Have a wonderful Saturday all!

Finally Friday! September Recipes Style

It must be Fall because my allergies are killing me. My left eye is swollen shut and my throat is all scratchy, I'm heading to the doctor today to get some drops or something!! Damn Ragweed! It KILLS ME!!!!

But Fall is still my favorite season of all. The hint of chill in the air, pumpkins...ahh, I'm so excited. I know that many of you are not ready for the fall season yet but don't worry, I think I'm excited enough for all of us :D.

Today's recipe is in honor of fall! AHH this is SOOO good...I cannot live without it.

Look how nice this bread turned out! YUMMM! I make it every year!

Pumpkin Walnut Bread
Servings: 12 slices (1 9x5x3 inch loaf)

Ingredients

4 ounces fat free cream cheese, softened
1/4 cup margarine
1 1/4 cups splenda for baking
2 eggs
1 cup canned pumpkin
1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 cup chopped walnuts

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease one 9x5x3 inch loaf pan with nonstick spray.

2. Put softened cheese, margarine, and splenda in mixing bowl. Cream together well. Beat in eggs one at a time until blended. Mix in pumpkin.

3. In another bowl combine flour, soda, baking powder, salt, cinnamon, and walnuts. Stir until thoroughly mixed. Pour all at once over batter. Stir just enough to moisten. Turn into greased 9x5x3 inch loaf pan.

4. Bake at 350 degrees F (175 degrees C) for 60-70 minutes until inserted toothpick comes out clean. Cool 10 minutes in pan. Remove to rack to finish cooling.

Nutritional Breakdown

You don't even want to know what a "regular" slice is...we're talking in the 350 calorie range and over 13g of fat!!!!!!! I'll take this delicious bread any day!

Calm before the Storm

Hi all!

While others are out pillaging and panicking, I am enjoying a quiet Saturday morning at home. I slept incredibly poorly last night, I don't know what it was! I was energized and wanted to do some cleaning (not really appropriate at 1am...) but I forced myself to sleep. At seven on the nose, I woke up feeling refreshed and ready to greet the day! I wanted to share my delicious breakfast with everyone because it would be a perfect match for anyone who's following a plan--and it's delicious.

Waffles. Delicious sweet waffles...with butter and syrup. Yes! I went to Stop and Shop and bought Low Fat Homestyle Waffles (Serving size 2 waffles) and Vermont Sugar Free Maple Syrup (sweetened with splenda). Syrup was 15 cals per 1/4 cup serving...and I didn't even HAVE that much! I ate 1/8 of a cup on my waffles and they were syrupy and drippy and yummy! It was just what I wanted and needed AND was very filling!! Here's the breakdown!

Click me to make this readable without a magnifying glass!
Analysis done by SparkPeople.com

And my delicious waffles were eaten on one of most expensive pieces of china in my kitchen (why yes, it is a Barbie heart shaped plate). I won't even tell you the price I paid for this gem at a yard sale. (Hint: It rhymes with 'tree'). And now to make everyone drool! It was a delicious, healthy breakfast that is JC friendly, diabetic friendly, and easy to make! I was thinking next time I might get Morningstar Farms veggie sausage and have two links for 80 calories as a "splurge" meal on the weekend. Honestly, it's not much of a splurge since I usually have trouble getting anywhere near 2000 calories and those little veggie sausages are packed with goodness!

Mmmm waffles!

Hope everyone has a safe, healthy weekend. I will update my blog as I can. CL&P (electric provider) called this morning and said they expecting several days of power outages but they would prioritize based on electrical needs (do you think blogging counts? No, I didn't think so either).

Have a great day!

Wednesday Weigh-In!

I've come to the conclusion that I really don't understand my body's signals very well and I don't know how to fix it. Yesterday I was feeling bloated and like I was retaining water, I'm still bleeding, and I wanted to curl up and kill a bag of salt and vinegar chips. But I didn't, instead I talked to some close friends, watched A League of Their Own on AMC, and then went to bed. I talked myself down from the ledge (not literally) telling myself that sometimes people gain and that doesn't mean I'm a failure.

Well, I got to my JC appointment and my regular JCC was on vacation. I already knew this and I had prepared. The girl I had was AWESOME! I wish she was working on a day that I could see her because she was supportive and approachable,she told me I was doing a great job doing MOMOs... I felt comfortable with her! Anyway, I weighed in and lost...2.8!!! Bringing me to 290.8 and that means a PHOTO UPDATE! I did it in my weigh in clothes, the clothes I ALWAYS wear to weigh in...but I can see a change, I really can! It's very exciting!

So far, I haven't gotten any calls. I desperately need to go grocery shopping and so after I finish my breakfast scramble smothered in hot sauce (My WI breakfast treat) I am going to the store. One thing that I have been buying are the Weight Watchers English Muffin Breakfast Sandwich with Canadian Bacon. Basically its a cheaper, more delicious Sunshine Sandiwch...you get two in a pack for 3 dollars at target as opposed to OVER 3 dollars for one at JC. Also need another big pack of lettuce, mushrooms, green peppers, cucumber, broccoli crowns, banana, yogurt and SELTZER!

Hope that everyone is having a great day!

Recipe: BBQ Pulled Pork Wrap!

BBQ PULLED PORK WRAP!!!

Don't be fooled, once again No Thanks to Cake has inspired me to create a recipe! I went shopping at Target today with my mom and we started talking about Jenny Craig and meals on my own. I told her I planned on making BBQ Chicken Baked Potatoes tonight! My mother was intrigued but has had too many baked potatoes lately (typical mom!)...and I also had a broccoli and cheese stuffed potato for lunch. So after some calorie counting, etc, I decided to make a similar recipe in a wrap!!

So here it is! My Pulled Pork Wrap! VERY JC FRIENDLY! My mom ate one too (I portioned hers out too because I was portioning out mine) and she LOVED IT! This would be a perfect family friendly meal, I promise! EVERYONE is going to go gaga for it!

Materials Needed:
Small saucepan to heat up BBQ Pork
Spoon
Willpower not to scarf everything before it's done cooking.
Ingredients (FOR ONE SERVING):

1/4 cup Lloyds BBQ Pulled Pork
1 ounce Kraft 2% Cheddar Cheese
1 Joseph's Flax, Oat Bran & Whole Wheat Tortilla (This is a 70 calorie wrap, you cannot taste a single difference between it and a regular wrap and its soooo soft and delicious, not hard and icky)
4 thin slices of Cucumber
2 slices Tomato
3 thin slices of Red Onion
1/4 cup shredded Carrot
1/4 cup Green Bell Pepper
1/4 cup Lettuce (I used Nature's Promise Organic Spring Mix)

Directions:

Wrap before pork was added.

1) Heat 1/4 cup of Lloyds BBQ pork in a small saucepan over medium heat until warmed through.
2) Arrange wrap on a plate. Measure out 1 oz of cheese and put it on the wrap. (I did not heat the cheese...it was fine. I would probably melt it next time but that's just personal preference)
3) Deck your wrap out with veggies.
4) Add BBQ Pork onto of the veggies/cheese.
5) Wrap it up and serve!

NUTRITIONAL INFO: I used Sparkpeople to do this analysis for me, SO EASY! For this recipe exactly like it's written WITH the veggies I put on there are:

Calories: 284
Fat: 10g
Carbs: 33g
Protein: 23g
Cholesterol: 35g
Fiber: 9g

Note: This recipe took me literally less than 10 minutes to put together. If you don't eat pork, this could easily be substituted out for the BBQ chicken (which has slightly higher calories) or BBQ Beef (same amount of calories). Feel free to put on whatever veggies you want, whatever. This wrap was literally bursting at the seams when I sat down to eat it, I definitely had to eat it with a knife and a fork!!! Note: This is also a full sized plate, this is not a small plate that I used to make this dish look bigger. Nope, these are full sized dinner plates, YAY!!

Still no pulled pork, JUST veg and a little cheese. WOW!

Sticky Sunday

Hi everyone! Hope everyone is having a good day on plan!

It is sooo sticky and hot outside...and the rain has not stopped. It's been pouring since last night. I'll admit, we need the rain! But I was looking forward to my hike. Well that was a wash! I can't say I've done too much in the way of activity other than convincing myself that a shower was necessary and doing the dishes in the sink. Not exactly a win for that...I'm convincing myself that I need to do time on my exercise bike this afternoon!

Food wise I've had a good week and weekend. Weigh in is coming on Wednsday and I'm eager to see. This week I've started doing meals on my own for several breakfasts. I got Special K with Red Berries, Banana Nut Cheerios and Life cereal which I've been eating with skim milk. I picked the cereals because they closely matched the calories, fiber, fat, etc of the Cranberry Almond JC cereal. So I did that 3x this week and I have it on my meal planner 4x next week, unless I see a gain in which case it'll be back to JC breakfasts.

I did a meal on my own for lunch yesterday and although I did splurge a bit, I think I made good choices. Instead of picking a high fat food, I went for a low calorie salad. There was about 4oz of chicken (used my dining out guide tips for eyeballing portions). The chicken was very thin and about the lenth of my palm. The sauce on it was Frank's Hotsauce (I'd know that taste anywhere!). It was on a big plate of romaine with cucmber and cherry tomato. The fattening part came in with the bleu cheese crumbles which I estimated were probably about 1/4 of a cup. And 2 tablespoons of full fat bleu cheese I got on the side-- I didn't eat all of it either. I had unsweetened iced tea to drink and put a splenda packet in it. All in all, I think it was a major success! And for dinner last night I had a broccoli and cheese stuffed potato to save some exchanges (meat exchange you're supposed to add = bleu cheese in my salad, I decided).

I'm hoping for a loss this week so we will see! I can already start to feel my clothes fitting better...and that is a success in my book!

Monday looks like an okay day at work but Tuesday is going to be a huge pain. I'm working from 6am-6pm...and since I'm on the road, I am not going to be able to stop, make my lunch, and keep on my way. I'm trying to work into my day a break where I can stop home and at least throw some lunch into the microwave but it's looking very difficult at the moment. I will make good choices no matter what though! I can do it!

Hope everyone's having a wonderful Sunday and has a great week!

Thirsty Thursday!

Today was my first day of doing MOMO. I had a cup of Life Cereal with skim milk while watching the weather this morning. I don't even know why I bother watching the weather...they never get it right. So much for the humidity coming down with the downpours of rain...uhhh it's another kickass sunny hot day outside. Not a dark cloud in the sky! I wish I had a job where I could be wrong 85% of the time and not get fired!

Anyway! Life cereal is one of my favorites and I'm loving having it for MOMO. For 3/4 a cup its 120 calories but I'm supposed to have a cereal of about 150- I'm basing this on the analysis I did of JC breakfasts, especially the cranberry almond cereal. So if you divide 120 by 4, that's 30 calories per 1/4 cup...so I added an extra 1/4 cup and ended up with 150 calories for my cereal and 100 calories for my skim milk to make up a total of 250 cals, PERFECT JC BREAKFAST!

Had buffalo chicken salad for lunch using my JC Chicken sandwich. (STILL thanking No Thanks to Cake for this one!!) And I'm enjoying a Pina Colada Polar Seltzer. The bubbles get on my tongue and it really tastes like I'm drinking a pina colada on ice with NO calories and no alcohol! I am loving the seltzer, cannot get enough! I really reccomend to anyone who's having trouble getting your fluids in to invest in some seltzers! LOVE it! Can't wait to try the mango one tomorrow!

JC forums are still not back up which is sad. I love reading about everyone's successes and their daily struggles, tips and tricks! So I'm hanging out on the blogosphere, checking in! I hope everyone is having a good day!