Going a Little More Organic These Days

How it happened...As you may know, we eat a lot of vegetables in our house. With our quest to eat more healthy, we're now trying to choose fresher and healthier vegetables and meat.

Well, we now get our milk and a few other products delivered from Shaw Farm (www.shawfarm.com). Yes, delivered! We've got the porch box and everything! From this farm, we are getting Country Hen organic/free range eggs and Shaw Farm organic milk. They're also delivering ground hamburg from Blood Farm and a couple of Shaw Farm soups. The soups are just a nice to have for the family. I even had a qt of pumpkin ice cream delivered for the family last week. I won't really be eating the ice cream since it is full fat and I still have some more weight to lose, but a spoon of it once in a while is ok.

This past weekend I went to Whole Foods and bought my free range turkey for Thanksgiving. It's not organic, but close. I also went to the local farmer's market and bought a few vegetables from a local farm and apple cider from a local orchard.

So, it's new to us and a work in progress, but it feels good to try to be doing something more than we were.

Armed with Vegetables this Week!

Monday thru Friday, I plan out both my breakfast and lunch and these come to work with me. I try to arm myself with zero or one point veges. They are usually filling or at least satisfy an urge (like the crunchy pickles) So, let's talk about this week's veges that I prepared over the weekend and I'll be able to enjoy for at least a couple of days. I'll probably supplement with a salad at least once this week.

Spaghetti squash. Cooked. One cup of spaghetti squash with a little bit of salt and pepper is zero points. Sometimes I'll add some spaghetti squash and this bring it up to one point. How much sauce depends on which kind it is - sometimes a 1/4 cup and sometimes 1/2 cup.

Butternut squash. Cooked and mashed. 3/4 cup of this squash is zero points. Again, with just a bit of salt and pepper. Nothing else needed.

Cauliflower. Cooked and mashed. One cup is zero points, with a bit of salt and pepper. I typically make this like mashed potato and it will have some milk and a little butter for a creamier texture. But not this week....

Dill gherkin pickles. I fill a snack-size ziplock bag with these. Zero points. You can have up to 6.5 ounces for zero points, but I think I can only fit around 4.5 oz in the snack size bag.

Oh, and let me tell you about Sweet potato fries. Peel a potato and slice into fries. Place onto sprayed cookie sheet. Spray on top of fries and sprinkle a little garlic salt and pepper, and a touch chili pepper. Bake at 375 degrees until cooked to desired texture. I do this with white potatoes too (without chili pepper for my non-spicy people). Alas, none left! Family loves these too much - need to cook more of these!

I have an extra butternut squash that I did not cook up yet, but I think this may be slated to go into a soup with a sweet potato.... stay tuned!

Laura
WW Total 10/22/10 = 50.4 (first weigh-in = 2/24/10)
Total = 54.5 (since 2/1/10)

Yummy Pumpkin Spice Cake

Long time .... yes... but we are at 45 pounds and still counting!! I've even vacationed in Europe and Maine (two separate vacations), and have survived summer time food... so far...

Just wanted to let you know about one of the latest desserts I made... it works out well for a light mid-week snack!

Pumpkin Spice Cake (two ingredients)

Spice cake cooked with a can of pumpkin/squash - these are the only
ingredients!! And it is very yummy! Has a sponge-like texture, which
is unexpected, but really tastes good. Some of the family added whipped
cream on top and another family member was thinking about adding some caramel sauce
on top...

The recipe came from the following page:
The Great Cake Debate (FIVE 2-Ingredient Recipes!):
http://www.hungry-girl.com/girls/biteoutdetails.php?isid=2126

I've tried three out of the five recipes on this page. This is the best one so far.
The kids hated the one with the diet soda. I liked the brownie mix with the applesauce, but it didn't fly with the kids.

Enjoy!

Still Losing!

I had my weigh-in today. Lost another 1.6 lbs! I need to find more records of my weight (may talk to my doctor), but I think I haven't been at my current weight for at least a couple of years...

In today's meeting we discussed the support of family and friends. I definitely cannot complain about my close family's support. My husband tries to add things into the menu that he knows I would feel more comfortable about eating. My mother-in-law too. My oldest daughter shows lots of interest in what I am doing also. I appreciate all of their help and I love them all very much!

Of course, I haven't told some of my good friends. I don't want their disapproval... I don't want any negativity at all. It's probably all in my head, but they've never had the kind of weight problem I have had - they can't understand what I have gone through. I saw them a couple of weeks ago and I was down over 20 pounds. But it wasn't enough for them to notice. This didn't upset me - I figured this would happen since it takes a certain amount of weight loss for people to notice. Hopefully I will be down enough for them to notice the next time I see them and I will feel more comfortable with telling them what I am doing.

Right now, my focus is on next week. I am 0.6 lbs away from 25 WW lbs. (I lost 5 lbs before joining WW, so the total weight loss is close to 30 lbs!) Lots of milestones happening right now!! Yay!!!

Lost Pounds and Inches!!

Wow it has been crazy!!

Weigh in last Wednesday... lost another 2.4 pounds! I'm up to 28 pounds (total including pre-WW)!

And on the Sunday before that I got measured in Jazzercise. Since February 1st, I've lost 9 inches! They measured my bust, waist, and hips. I actually want to measure myself once a month and I want to include my arms in these measurements.

Of course, I have another weigh-in tomorrow. I didn't journal Friday through Sunday! I was camping with my Girl Scout troop and we were super busy. I definitely burned lots of calories, but I know I did not drink enough water or get enough sleep. I ate way too much popcorn (cooked in oil) on Sunday (Mother's Day). I love popcorn - I would choose this over chips....

Actually tomorrow's meeting is week 12 and last one in the current series. We're hoping to get another round of people together so we can have meetings here at work. If not, then I will have to join the Chelmsford Weight Watchers.

See ya!

Kids' Vacation Week is Good to Me!

Lost another 3 pounds!!

My daughters were away last week and I had the opportunity to eat out a couple of times, as well as had some ice cream at Friendly's, but I still lost! Even on those days that I ate out, I was very aware of what I ate. This seems to be the thing that is really working for me right now.

Cafe Madrid (local restaurant): I had fried green plaintains topped with tropical salsa and chopped garlic shrimp. Very filling and seemed pretty healthy!

India Palace (local restaurant): Shrimp biryani. Yummy, but not much shrimp. Think I would try something else only because there wasn't much shrimp at all. We halso had a vegetable appetizer, but they were fried. I know... I know...

Friendly's: Coffee ice cream with sugar free fudge topping. Definitely hit the spot.

On top of all of this, I have to get measured this week at Jazzercise. I'm in this "Take It Off" program, which ends this week. It began on Feb 1st. We see how many inches we can lose during these three months. I have no idea how I've done. So, stay tuned!

Down 4.6 More!

I was reminded yesterday that I did not post last week.

Last week, I was down 2 lbs. I can't remember what I did and didn't do. I think after being up a little the previous week, and there was no more ham left and I put away the Easter candy.. Dunno.

This week, the first half was tough, but I lost another 2.6 lbs. I can tell you that on one day, I just wanted to eat everything and it was a struggle not to. And I know this was tied to my emotions. I was trying to at least eat lower point items, but I know I still went over that day.

I've continued to go to jazzercise when I can. I've added in mowing the lawn (walk behind the mower) and walking the dogs (they love that!). And I am trying to not eat until I am completely stuffed. The hubby helped with this - I couldn't finish my dessert on Sunday night, so he gladly helped me. :>) And the kids are away this week and we definitely eat differently without them around. David was perfectly happy last night with the brown basmati rice and soybeans.

Easter Candy and Ham did Me in!

Gained 0.6 pounds this week. I couldn't stay away from the jelly beans and the ham... especially the night before weigh-in! I can only blame myself. Now, it's a new week and I am looking for some success.

Lost 5% Since Joining Weight Watchers!

Down another 3.2 pounds today! I've hit my first 5% target!

The leader asked me what I've done differently over the last six weeks. It's hard to pinpoint. I should ask the family what they've seen me do differently....

- Measuring my food as much as possible and making better food choices. Not eating a lot of pasta right now and the bread is typically a 1 pt flat bread, english muffin, or something similar.
- Trying to be more diligent about my exercise - I definitely feel stronger in Jazzercise.
- Drinking more water.
- Tracking what I eat and drink.
- Not nibbling when making lunches or dinners.
- Making sure I take my Calcium and multivitamin just to make sure I am getting enough nutrients.

I know that I was hungry all the time during the first week and a half of this journey, which began February 24th. I can remember the day that this changed ... March 5th, when I realized I wasn't hungry. It was strange. I figured my metabolism was slowing down, which is a huge fear of mine.

I also haven't told many people that I am on Weight Watchers... yet. I guess it is that fear of failure. And it usually takes about 30 pounds of loss for people to really begin to notice. I am slowly opening my network up. But right now, those that do know have been wonderful. And my family is right there at the top.

Thank you everyone!

Next goal... another 5%!

Blah...

I think I am just tired. But the darkness and dreariness outside is blah!

Yesterday morning, I woke up at 3:30AM and couldn't go back to sleep. I realized while I was laying there that I was hungry. I don't know why since I thought I did well on Sunday. I even ate a 9-point piece of salmon (6 oz)! My oldest daughter was mad that the salmon is so "costly." But I explained to her that although there is no doubt that salmon is really good for me, it still has fat. This is also why some people don't get all of their nutrients. Healthy foods that are high in fat, e.g. nuts, typically get shunned when you are watching what you eat!

Anyways, by 5AM yesterday morning I was eating a bowl of my vegetarian chili! What a way to start the day .. to a hungry day! I ended the day with a 30-minute walk on the treadmill. I then went to jazzercise the next morning for a 30-minute jazzercise class at 6AM. Hopefully this helped.

Weigh-in is tomorrow!

Guess What! Lost 5 Pounds This Week!

Am I happy? I'm ecstatic!

I thought I was doing pretty well because my home scale was going down too. (Yes, I admit it, I do use a scale at home too. I HAVE to!) But because the scales don't weigh me the same, I didn't know "how well" it would be.

The meeting leader, Laura, asked me what I did this week. Well, I exercised (Jazzercise) enough to gain an extra 26 points, but I did not use them. I also did some yard work over the weekend that really kept me moving (lots of sticks and branches all over the yard!) I also continued to measure my food and be selective about what I ate. So, when the family had grilled chicken sandwiches, I stayed away from the bread. But, yes, I did eat those Starburst jelly beans - but only a 1/4 cup at a time.

2.8 lbs away from my first goal of 5%!

Great 1 Point Food Finds

1 Point Foods
Arnold Whole Wheat Sandwich Thins
Drakes Coffee Cakes - three small cakes per package
Egg Beaters - 1/2 cup
Feta Cheese (fat free) - 4 TBSP
FiberOne 90 Calorie Bars (Chocolate)
FiberOne Yogurts (2 of them = 100 calories with fiber - they are small)
Hostess Chocolate Cake with Creamy Filling (100 calorie)
Kraft fat free shredded mozzarella or cheddar cheese (1/4 cup)
Orville Redenbacher 100 Calorie Pack Microwave Popcorn (94% Fat Free Butter or Kettle Corn)
Smartfood Popcorn Clusters - honey multigrain (per package)

Very Happy with Slight Gain Last Week

I would not normally be happy about gaining anything right now. However, with the kind of week I had ... I call it a success!

One night, I went to a Girl Scout Awards Night in which I received an Honor Pin for my service. The food was decent... and I ate all of it, including a big huge piece of chocolate cake. I did give one of my daughters my bread and my shortbread cookie. :>) However, I did well for the day up until that point. So, I might have gone over a little bit.

On Saturday, I ate lunch at the mall where my Girl Scout troop was selling cookies. It was a D'Angelos vegetable quesadilla. When I got home I calculated the points. I did well - it only had six points! So many things on their menu have 40+ grams of fat!

On Saturday night, one of my daughters had friends over and we ordered wraps and pizza from a local restaurant. All I can say is at least I didn't eat any of the potato chips - but I ate a lot of other stuff!

On Sunday, late morning, we went to brunch with my in-laws to celebrate my husband's birthday. Here, I tried to be selective. No sausage or ham. But I couldn't stay away from hash browns (so yummy!), omelet with real eggs (at least it was full of vegetables), and fruit.

It was so hard for me to stay focused knowing that I had eaten out so much! I was NOT looking forward to the weigh-in. Wednesday, came the weigh-in. I only gained 0.2 lbs! I couldn't believe it - still can't! It gave me real hope. I am learning that I can eat out, but also be good at other times.

I can't tell you how much incentive this gave me! I've done really well this week, even with having my Starburst jelly beans (1/4 cup is 3 points). I'm looking forward to getting on that scale!

I did try on a pair of pants that I couldn't wear prior my weight loss journey. They're still a little snug. I'm going to try them on again soon!

Lost Another Two Pounds!

Well, weighed in today. Lost two more pounds.

I know I should be happy... and I am. But I was hoping for at least three. So, since joining Weight Watchers, I've lost 5.4 lbs. I got my first "5" star. Combined with what I lost before joining Weight Watchers, I've lost around 10 pounds. Not too bad.

Tonight, for supper, I made spinach stuffed shells on Gina's WW Recipes (www.skinnytaste.com). Yummy! This is the first recipe that at least one child liked! I used substitute eggs, half of the cheese was fat free, and the ricotta was fat free. So, I need to calculate the points. The original recipe at the website was 6.6 points for three shells. I will definitely make this again!

Looking forward to being weighed again next week! I hope I can lose another two. Of course, this number sounds so small... But I know it will slowly add up!

Food .... gotta love it ... gotta hate it. I love to cook (most of the time) and I love good food. But food doesn't love me. Even with exercising, family genetics has taken a strong hold... especially over the last few years. Yep, most of my family struggles with weight.

But will my daughters have the same struggles? We don't know. Lucky for them, their dad has a smaller stature than I do. We've also been teaching them since day one that you need to remain active and eat healthy. So, maybe they will get lucky.

So, I've begun down the road of Weight Watchers. I already know what I should do and already have in place lots of healthy practices, but getting weighed... that's the real kick in the pants. That's what gets me going.

Last week was my second weigh-in. Lost 3.4 lbs. I wanted 5. I know... newbies always think big.

I am ready ... this is it ... this is my time.

I get weighed tomorrow. Stay tuned!