Vegetarian Stuffed Bell Pepper Soup

Fall has arrived and with that crispness and chill in the air there is no better time than now to make some soup!!   Soup is so versatile and so comforting.  It's like a big hug for your tummy.  Here is my latest creation.  I adapted it from several different recipes that were NOT Vegetarian.  I put my own spin on it and it is now and forever more going to be a staple in my house. 

Ingredients :  This recipe makes 6 servings  (1 cup = 1 serving) ** Soup has 108 calories per 1 cup serving w/ rice not figured into total calories**

1 tbsp olive oil

1 box Vegetable broth

1 garlic clove minced

1/2 medium red onion diced 

2 cups soy crumbles  (I use Morningstar Farms)

1 tsp salt

1 tsp coarse ground black pepper

1 cup tomato sauce

1 large tomato diced

2 large green bell peppers chopped

1/2 tsp dried oregano

Cooked rice

In a pot saute onions in olive oil, add salt, pepper, garlic and green peppers.  Saute a minute.  Add frozen soy crumbles, veg stock, tomato, tomato sauce and oregano.   Simmer till peppers are tender.

TO SERVE:  

Place 3/4 cup rice (1 serving) into the bottom of a bowl.  Ladle 1 cup of soup mixture over top and ENJOY!

Homemade CHAI Concentrate

There is nothing on a chilly fall morning like a big cup of steamy Chai, with all it's spices filling the air and making every inch of my house smelling like something yummy is baking away.   I even like it iced or blended in the summer...it can be refreshing and soothing.   So I have been doing some research on how to make some at home without adding lots of calories from sugar etc.   The dry powdered mixes are just loaded with sugar.   Who needs that?   (certainly not me!!)

Here is what you need :

Saucepan, fine mesh strainer 

4 1/2 cups water

2 star anise pods

1 tsp ground cardamom 

1/2 inch of real ginger sliced thin

2 cinnamon sticks

1 tsp nutmeg

10 -12 whole cloves

vanilla extract

2 tbsp or so of Loose black tea  Or about 6 tea bags

1/4 cup honey or demerara sugar (not the white stuff)

In a saucepan add water, sugar or honey, star anise, cardamom, ginger, cinnamon sticks, nutmeg and cloves and bring to a boil. 

Turn heat off and let steep about 5-10 minutes

Return pot to heat and bring to boil again, remove from heat and add Loose black tea (or you can use tea bags).  Let the tea steep in the spiced liquid about 10 minutes. Add vanilla and stir.   Strain to remove solids.  (I strain it right into a mason jar).  *you can store it in the fridge for up to a week* 

You can make your chai w/ 1/2 chai concentrate and 1/2 milk (I use unsweetened vanilla almond milk).

Drink it the way you like it...iced, blended or hot.  It's all good!!!

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Spaghetti squash!!

Tonight's dinner was simple yet very yummy!!   Just a few ingredients is all it took to make this sumptuous meal that was filling and Guilt free!!

Ingredients:
Serves 4
1 spaghetti squash
1 lb mushrooms
2 tbsp olive oil
2 cloves garlic
1/2 medium red onion sliced thin
1 cup alfredo sauce (I just used low fat version from Ragu)
salt and pepper
Shredded parmesan to garnish

1. cut squash in half lengthwise, and remove seeds, turn upside down in a shallow baking dish with about 1/4 cup water.   Cook in microwave on high about 10 - 15 minutes (depending on size of squash).   Till tender
2. Remove squash and with a fork shred the fiberous insides (should look like spaghetti).
3. In a skillet, heat olive oil an saute on medium heat onions, garlic and mushrooms w/ salt and pepper till softened and somewhat carmelized.
4.  When cooked to your liking add alfredo sauce and stir to heat.
5. add pre cooked squash and stir to combine.  
ENJOY~!!!!

See....easy peasy!!   And so yummy and filling although very LOW in calories!!   Gotta love that right?  
Please let me know if you try this or any of my recipes...would love to hear from you.   :)

Lunch...simple yet delicious!!

Who doesn't like an easy to fix lunch?   Well, here is one for the lunch rotation.  It would even travel well if you  have a place to heat up the patty.   

I hate to run errands hungry, especially if one of my stops is the grocery store.  Too many times I end up buying things I really know I shouldn't eat or things from my "old" way of eating.   So I figured hubby and I could eat something before we went out.  (Also it saves money and I know what is in it). 

Ingredients :  This serves 1 person

1 bun of your choice

1 Morningstar farms Chicken patty

1 slice tomato 

1/4 avacado (2slices)

Lettuce

1 tbsp Mayonaise (I used Hellmans)

1/2 tsp Thai Red Curry Paste

Cucumber salad : 

1/2 cucumber sliced thin

red onion sliced thin (as much as you like)   

Dressing:

2 tbsp champagne vinegar (or you can use whatever vinegar you like) 

1 tsp honey or agave

salt and pepper to taste 

Mix up dressing and toss cucumber and onion in dressing. 

Mix Mayo and Curry paste together and set aside.

Heat up patty.  

Put mayo on top of bun, place patty on bottom half and top w/ tomato, avacado and lettuce. 

Add top bun.  

ENJOY!!!   

Lasagna!! (yes it's vegetarian) :)

So...You wouldn't know it but this lasagna I made tonight is VEGETARIAN!!   Although it tastes like it has sweet italian sausage in it.   :)    I know...I couldn't believe it myself.  Try it, you will see just how yummy it is!!







Ingredients:
No bake lasagna noodles
1/2 cup shredded parmesan cheese
1/2 cup mozzarella cheese
1 1/2 cups ricotta cheese
1/2 cup egg beaters
2 truvia packets
1 pkg frozen chopped spinach thawed and squeezed out
dash of nutmeg
Pasta sauce  (whatever kind you like)
6 button mushrooms
2 large portabello mushrooms
1 tbsp cane sugar
1 tbsp salt
1 tbsp black pepper (coarsely ground)
2 tbsp fennel seed
Olive oil
1/2 white onion minced
2 cloves garlic minced
1 cup vegetable broth

Preheat oven to 375 degrees
1.  Saute onion and garlic in olive oil about 2 minutes, add mushrooms, salt, pepper, fennel seeds and vegetable broth, simmer about 2-3 minutes, while simmering mix together ricotta,parmesan, liquid eggs, truvia and spinach together in a bowl till combined well.
2. Add in pasta sauce and simmer about 5 minutes.
3. Spray a baking dish, add in enough sauce to cover bottom of pan.
4. place lasagna noodles on bottom to cover,  top w/ 1/3 of cheese mixture, then noodles again, cheese mixture and then sauce, noodles, cheese, noodles and then cover with a generous amount of sauce. top with mozzarella cheese and  Cover with foil and bake about 45 minutes.
5. remove foil and continue baking about 5-10 minutes until cheese is all bubbly.   Remove and let sit about 10-15 minutes before cutting.

Vegetarian Sloppy Joes w/ Sweet & Sour Slaw

Do you like dinner to be quick, easy, delicious AND good for you?   

Well here is something you might want to give a go.  Prep time wasn't long and I put it all in a slow cooker! 

Doesn't get much easier than that. 

INGREDIENTS :
2 cloves garlic minced
1/2 green bell pepper chopped small
1/2 red bell pepper chopped small
1/2 red onion chopped small
1 can black beans
1 can fire roasted diced tomatoes
1/3 package of  Morningstar Farms Soy crumbles
1/4 cup brown sugar
1/4 tsp ground cumin
1/4 cup Ketchup
1 - 2 Tbsp Worcestershire sauce or Vinegar
salt & pepper to taste

Put all ingredients in a slow cooker on low, stir to combine and cook on low for 6-7 hours or high for 3-4.

Serve on toasted whole grain buns.
Makes 6-8 servings

I served mine with an easy sweet and sour slaw and some baked sweet potato fries.  :-)
My hubby and I loved this dish.  The kids are still questioning the vegetarian thing, I think if you want it to come out looking more like a traditional "sloppy joe".   I would blend the diced tomatoes before putting them in the pot, and I would also blend the black beans before adding it.  The complaint my son had was it didn't seem like a sloppy joe cause of the beans.  Next time he won't even know it..LOL   ;)

Here is the Sweet and sour slaw recipe....quick and easy
Ingredients :
1 bag broccoli slaw
red bell pepper chopped
green bell pepper chopped
thin sliced red onion (as much as you like)
1 celery stalk sliced thin
1/2 cucumber seeded and sliced thin
4-5 red grape tomatoes halved
4-5 yellow grape tomatoes halved

DRESSING:
1/4 cup honey
1/4 cup of your favorite vinegar  (use less if balsamic as it is stronger) * I use Rice Vinegar*
salt and pepper

In a big bowl whisk together honey, vinegar and salt & pepper.  Toss in the rest of the ingredients on top of the dressing and toss together well.   Put in refrigerator until ready to serve and toss well again.

Cherry Jam = LOVE!!

Hubby and I made some wonderful homemade Cherry Jam yesterday, it was so easy to make and to can.  This morning for breakfast we enjoyed a little on our english muffins.   I had to share the pic on the right because when I took this one out of the package to toast for my amazing partner in not only life but love and everything else, it was HEART shaped!!   Now someone tell me that isn't LOVE!!    He worked hard pitting all the cherries to make this fantastic spread.  I had to share it with you all.  Don't be afraid to try these things.  I used to be terrified of things like jams and fruit things, but alas the pectin companies really do have simplified the process and if I can do it, anyone can.  :)  

CHERRY JAM:
**This recipe makes 2 half pints of jam, I tripled it and got 5 1/2  half pints**  Do not increase to more than a 10 jar recipe as it can't be guaranteed to set properly.**

Ingredients
1 1/3 cups chopped cherries (pitted)
1/3 cup water
3 tsp bottle lemon juice
1 1/2 Tbsp Ball brand RealFruit Low or No Sugar Needed Pectin
1/2 cup organic agave syrup
1/4 tsp butter (optional)

1. Prepare waterbath canner, jars and lids according to manufacturers instructions, prep and measure all ingredients.

2.Combine prepared fruit with fruit juice and lemon juice in an 8 quart saucepan.  Gradually stir in the RealFruit Pectin.  Add butter (if you are using it) * it helps reduce foam when boiling*

Bring mixture to a full rolling boil that cannot be stirred down, over high heat, stirring constantly.

3. Add  agave syrup and return mixture to a full rolling boil.  Boil hard for 1 minute stirring constantly.  Remove from heat & skim foam if needed.  

4. Pack into jars and process according to your water bath canner instructions.   

ENJOY!!!   

BBQ TOFU & VEGGIES

You read that right, Tofu!!   Those who have tried and like tofu know that this is one fantastic and versatile protein option for not just Vegetarians or Vegans but for everyone.    I have noticed that many people, carnivores included have been trying to lessen the amount of meat in their diet.  Or at the very least looking to try something different and are open to things like the amazing Tofu!!   

Are you ready to try something new??   This dish was a huge hit in our house and I was quite amazed at the things you can do with Tofu.   

INGREDIENTS:

1/2  pkg Tofu Extra firm  (cut into strips and then in half again)

4 cherry tomatoes cut into 4

4 yellow grape tomatoes cut into 4

4 mushrooms sliced

1/2 red bell pepper sliced

1/2 green bell pepper sliced

1/2 red onion sliced thin

Grilled zuchini sliced  (or regular zuchini cut into bite sized pieces) 

1/4 cup bbq sauce

salt and pepper

 In a skillet heated to med/high drizzle about 2 tbsp grapeseed oil or olive oil.  Place Tofu slices into hot pan and cook till brown, turn over and cook other side till brown.   Remove from pan into a shallow bowl with 1/4 cup bbq sauce in the bottom, toss and set aside.   To hot skillet add onions, peppers, mushrooms, salt & pepper to taste and cook quickly till brown and onions have started becoming translucent.  Add in slice tomatoes, grilled zuchini and the reserved tofu and bbq sauce.  Stir to combine and cook till tomatoes start to wilt and break down and zuchini and tofu are reheated.    
(*note if you are using raw zuchini cook it with peppers, onions and mushrooms*)

This makes 2 saervings, and I served mine over some Jasmine rice but you could eat it just plain or put it over your favorite rice.

Here is the finished product!!   YUMMY!!

More Veggies? Yes Please!!

It has been a bit since I posted anything yummy.   Sorry about that, but with kids starting back to school, and trying to get back into the swing of a routine it has taken a toll on my blog.  For this I apologize, but on a happier note it hasn't affected my cooking creativity!!   I have some real yummy stuff to share with you all.  Please be patient while I get things typed up, pics uploaded and posted.

With Fall arriving soon and our garden finally giving us some awesome tomatoes, jalapeno's and carrots I have also been busy canning some yummy stuff to enjoy in the months to come.   I love canning, it saves so much money and being the control freak that I am, I get to say what is or isn't in it!!  :)  What could be better than that right?


Here are the things I have canned or frozen for later use :
FROZEN :
Green beans
Shredded & Sliced carrots
Shredded Zuchinni

CANNED :
Cherry jam Sweetened w/ agave instead of sugar :)  (we found some cherries real cheap a week or so ago)
Salsa
Garlic & Basil Tomato sauce
Zesty Bread & Butter Pickles
Zesty Bread & Butter Banana peppers

With my back not being the greatest it does take me more time to do things like canning, but I feel quite accomplished when I do get things like this done.   One look in the pantry and I breathe a sigh of accomplishment.  :)

Very veggie Omelette

Good morning!!   Woke up to the sun shining and feeling so good about the choice to go Vegetarian.   My taste buds are alive and loving it too.   Thought I would share my breakfast this morning.   It sure was Yummmy!!  (and super filling).

Ingredients:
1/2 cup liquid eggs
1/4 cup Feta Cheese crumbles
2 grape or cherry tomatoes cut in half
1 mushroom sliced thinly
2 asparagus spears cut into 1/4 in pieces
1 tablespoon each of finely chopped Green pepper, Red pepper and Red onion.
salt and pepper to taste

Spray a nonstick skillet w/ cooking spray
Over medium heat saute mushroom, peppers & onion w/ salt and pepper till they start to soften some, (about 2 minutes).   Add in tomatoes and asparagus (I used frozen that I had thawed slightly so I could chop it).   Saute about 2 more mins.   Add liquid eggs, cook on low till almost set, sprinkle with Feta cheese and continue cooking till eggs are set.  Fold omelette in half and let sit in warm pan just till cheese softens..(you guessed it...2 more minutes).
Slide onto a plate and ENJOY!!
NUTRITIONAL INFO *according to Calorie count.com*
calories- 160, fat 6g, carb 7g, fiber 1.6g, protein 18g

Total calories for meal shown  (omelette, 1 cup fresh pineapple and 1 english muffin) = 378 calories!

Vegetarian Lasagna Cups

These were so simple to put together.  I can't wait for the kids to try them for supper.  :)

picture taken before baking!!  :) 

Ingredients I used
24 wonton wrappers
1 1/2 cups ricotta cheese
1/3 cup liquid egg product
1/2 cup shredded parmesan cheese
1 1/2 cups homemade tomato sauce  (you can use canned or jarred whatever you like)
1 pkg frozen chopped spinach
1 cup of Morningstar farms Soy crumbles
mozzarella cheese about 1 tbsp for each cup. (12)
nutmeg
1 pkt truvia sweetner  (optional)

preheat oven to 350 degrees.
spray a muffin pan, line each cup with a wonton wrapper.
Mix together ricotta, egg product, truvia packet, a dash of nutmeg and parmesan cheese.
Mix together thawed spinach w/ soy crumbles and tomato sauce.
In each cup put a spoonful of cheese mixture then a spoonful of meat/spinach mixture.  Top with another wonton.  Divide evenly the rest of the cheese on top of the wonton and the rest of the sauce mixture on top of the cheese.   Top with shredded mozzarella and bake for about 10 minutes or so or until cheeses are melted and wontons are light brown.

Let them sit a few minutes for cheese to set up, remove from pan and enjoy!!

Edited on 8/29/12.....Just wanted to let everyone know that my kids gobbled these up!!  My son thought he didn't like spinach but boy oh boy did he love these!!!   We had a nice salad with them and it was quite filling!!!!  Please leave a comment for me if you try this or any of the recipes I share on my blog.  I would love to hear how yours came out and if you tweak things in a way I hadn't thought of.  :) 

Going Vegetarian.....

The thought of becoming Vegetarian (who eats eggs, fish and dairy) has been on my mind for a long time now.   I have tried bouts of Vegetarianism to one degree or another, and I have also had a short stint as a Vegan.   I felt great when I ate both ways.   First let me say I don't eat much meat now anymore and neither do my kids and hubby.   So we aren't going to miss out for those of you who are asking.   So for the most part my recipes will now be Vegetarian but you can modify and change out say, soy crumbles for ground beef or ground turkey.   It's all do-able.   :)  

So here goes....since I am not sure what to "label" myself as since I do enjoy cheese, eggs and occasionally fish and shellfish....I am just now a non beef, pork, or fowl eater.  :)   *do eggs count as fowl?*   I guess that is the whole what came first question huh?   LOL

Anyway...I believe that since a cow doesn't have to be slaughtered to give milk (which I don't drink but do enjoy cheeses), and a chicken doesn't have to die to lay an egg that I can still call myself a Vegetarian.  Now the fish do have to die to eat them but I eat it so rarely that I just may give it up as well.   :)   I'll keep you posted.  

Baked Chicken Cordon Bleu!!

Yes you read that right!!  
All gooey with cheese, crispy on the outside and moist and tender inside!!   All for 300 calories per serving!!

  I made this last night for dinner and it was a huge hit with my family.  The kids just loved it too !!  

RECIPE

makes 8 servings

8 Thin sliced chicken breasts  (flatten each one a bit to be sure they are even)

1 1/2 cups plain panko bread crumbs

1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese

black pepper (optional)

1-2 tablespoons dried parsley (or other herbs you like)

8 slices swiss cheese  (each cut in half)

16 slices of thinly sliced ham  (I used the 97% fat free kind)

1 cup egg beaters liquid egg substitute  ( for dipping only)

Preheat oven to 375 degrees.

I use a SILPAT to line my baking sheet, but you can use parchment if you like.

   *note:  I didn't use one drop of oil on this recipe*

Mix together bread crumbs, parmesan cheese and parsley and black pepper.

Pour egg beaters into a bowl

Take each chicken breast and lay down 1/2 a slice of cheese, 2 slices of ham and the other 1/2 slice of cheese.

Roll up to encase the cheese and ham, and close up with toothpicks (you don't want all the gooey cheese leaking out )

Take each rolled up chicken breast and dip in egg beaters, and then into the bread crumb mixture to coat evenly.

Place on lined baking sheet.

Repeat with each one till done.

Bake at 375 about 25-30 minutes  (till chicken is done)

**when you remove it from oven, let it sit for a few minutes to let the juices settle and the cheese to set back up again.  If you skip this and cut right into it the juices and cheese will just run right out.  

As you can see here we ate ours with a baked sweet potato and steamed broccoli!!  YUMMY!

This is my son Ryan....this is his facial expression when I told him how I prepared the chicken!!  
He is my pickiest eater and he LOVED IT!!  

I will definitely be making this again and again!!

New stuff happening on the blog!

Today I had the greatest visit with a friend of mine that despite living a town away, with our busy lives we just don't get to see one another much.   We spent the day dishing about our kids and other stuff, but mainly our visit was about food!!    We perused magazines and found things we thought looked yummy and I shared some tips and calorie cutting tricks I have been employing lately.   It was so much fun talking about one of my passions with someone who is truly interested and who has the desire to expand her cooking skills.   

She and my hubby mentioned that I should start a class....how fun would that be??   Something to think about anyway.  LOL  

I am posting to let anyone who reads this know that you will notice some new things on the blog.   I am attempting to get some links loaded on with recipes that I have found, and recipes I have made and know work.   I will have several categories for things such as, soups & stews, pasta dishes, pizza (in every way I make it) and even some slow cooker and gluten free/vegan recipes I have made and loved.   Please be patient while I get things loaded and hopefully you will be able to find anything you are looking for on one blog.   :)    

Have a great day!!!

Saturday!!

Sorry that I haven't posted in a bit.  Seems the days just get away from me and I tell myself, "don't forget to post in your blog tomorrow".   Well then life happens and I get distracted and just don't do it.   So for that I am sorry.  

So it's been almost a week since I posted and I am down 2 more lbs.  That is a total of 9 lbs so far.  :)
Feels good to know what I am eating and how it affects my body.   I have found so many ways to stretch calories and make meals more filling without adding extra calories and fat.   I am in no way perfect at it yet, but I feel as if I learn something new each day.  

This weeks meals have consisted mostly of easy throw together type meals using pre-cooked chicken breast or chicken sausage that were leftover.   I still feel quite creative in my meals and I am not relying on the prepackaged meals so much anymore.  I seem to have them just on occasion.   I can also tell that my hunger has also gone way down too.   It's kind of weird to realize that you don't need as much food as I was shoving in my face!!!    

The kids go back to school in just a few short days!!   I can't wait!!   (is is awful that I am ready to have some quiet time at home ?)   lol    We have moved the stationary bike upstairs to the sun room, I haven't used it yet, but.....it is there.   My wonderful hubby also bought a weight bench for in there too that just arrived yesterday!!  :)   So excited to use it.  

Let's see.....what else has happened this week?    Well, I broke a toe!!   OUCH!!   not fun but, it happens.  I also have been suffering with a headache that I believe to be part sinuses but mostly tension/stress.   I believe I clench and grind my teeth at night which causes pain in my jaw and essentially a headache too.   Also my neck and shoulders have been very tight which in turn causes tension headaches too.  
I don't want to whine and complain...and that is something I am working on.    But on a positive note, I have still stuck to calorie counting and making good choices.  
I hope you all have a great weekend.  I am hoping by the start of the new week I will be back to my old self with no headache and that I can start exercising as well despite the broken toe.  :)

Rainy days and Mondays....

Today is both....Rainy and Monday!!!

Hi.....it's been 4 days since I last posted.  Anyone miss me??  
Sometimes I wonder if anyone even reads this, but I have to remind myself that I am doing this more for me than for everyone else.  (even though something I post might help someone else on their journey, that is just a bonus).

Anyway....Had a great weekend.  Drank a couple too many drinks on Saturday night, but it sure was fun to hang out with my best friend.   Food wise I did great though, and that is a big thing for me.  I dazzled my friend Angi and her kids with my cooking ability.   :)   That was kind of fun to do.  Especially since my kids don't really care about what I cook or if I actually put some thought into making it healthy or not.  J.R. is the only one in this house who even comments on things I create on a moments notice.    I am grateful and blessed to have that man in my life.  I just don't think I could do this or anything without him.   Isn't that what true love is all about??   Feeling so completed by someone else that you can't imagine life without them?   I never thought I would have that with anyone other than my children.  

So I digress....I am back at counting calories this morning.  Woke with a headache that I think stems from sleeping wrong as my neck hurts as well.   Along with my ears aching a little, probably from my sinuses and allergies.   Mold has been very high lately and that always triggers it for me.   Wish I could be one of those people who can enjoy having the windows open on cool days like today but alas, it will just make me more miserable w/ the allergies.    Maybe once I lose some more weight the allergies won't be so bad....who knows, stranger things have happened right?  

Okay....so I have rambled on enough.  Will get a Video up at some point this week hopefully.  So far today I have had 3/4 cup apple cinnamon chex, 1/4 cup fiber one original cereal, 1 cup almond milk, and 1 glass of OJ.  Oh and don't forget the 2 cups of black coffee.   I am now working on my water.   Finishing up laundry that I started yesterday, and I even got the kitchen all wiped down and clean, the kids bathroom done and since I vacuumed yesterday, the only thing left to do is straighten up the sunporch.   I am determined to get the eliptical and stationary bike up into that room this week.  I also want to see about purchasing a set of free weights on a rack that I can keep out there.  Need to get my exercise area done so that I can get out there and get at it!!   :)  
I wish everyone a blessed day and hope whatever goals you set for yourself today, you can stick to and go above and beyond!!

What's for breakfast??

What kinds of things do you eat for breakfast?  Are they full of sugary carbs?  Do you skip breakfast?  

Not everyone likes to eat a whole bunch in the morning, but as we have been told over and over that 

"Breakfast is the most important meal of the day"

I used to think that thought was crazy, especially since so many other people agreed with me and skipped breakfast altogether as well.   

I don't think that way anymore. I am finding that if I eat breakfast.   Especially one with plenty of protein and fiber, I definitely have more energy to get things done and don't feel quite so "foggy" in the brain early in the day.   I choose many different things for breakfast, but lately I have taken the easy way out (since I just started counting calories).  I have eaten these Smart Ones Breakfast sandwiches simply because the calories are counted, it has protein, fiber etc.  But I am sure there is way too much sodium in them.   While I appreciate the ease of being able to microwave a sandwich and get breakfast out of the way, sometimes I just want to cook breakfast.   So I will keep the prepackaged sandwiches for those days when I have to just get up, eat and get out.   But for the most part I am going to try to make homemade breakfasts, even if it is as simple as this one posted below. 

2 hard cooked eggs , 1/2 cup Fiber One Origianl cereal  w/  1/2 cup Silk Almond Milk

260 calories total!!  :)  (according to Caloriecount.com)

So if I have one thing to get across today.....EAT BREAKFAST everyday!!  It gets your body up and metabolizing and fuels the furnace to burn fat and calories.   :)    

Make is fun, funky, and eat what you like !!  Be creative!!  

Southwest Turkey roll ups!!

Southwest Turkey Roll Up's 

This is what I made for lunch today and boy was it yummy!!  Now you can add way more veggies and it would be even better, w/ some diced tomatoes, green & red bell pepper and some thinly sliced red onion or even sprinkle some green onion chopped in there as well.  Next time I think I am going to really load it up and I am going to use a fat free cream cheese to get even less calories!!   :-)   

Ingredients :

1 Tbsp cream cheese 

2 tsp taco seasoning (dry stuff, I used the lower sodium one)

1/4 cup sharp cheddar cheese

lettuce 

6 slices Turkey (deli meat kind)

1 medium carrot (shredded)

1 100 calorie tortilla.   

Step one~ mix cream cheese & taco seasoning

together in a small bowl and spread onto 

tortilla with the back of a spoon.  

Sprinkle cheese over the cream cheese mixture and top 

w/ lettuce leaves.  Here is where I would add other things

like bell pepper, onion or tomato. 

Next, add turkey meat.  And then add shredded carrots

or you could also put the peppers or tomatoes at this stage as well. 

Whatever you like...load it up with veggies and make it look

pretty and colorful when you cut it.  :) 

Roll up keeping seam side down slice off ends (eat those while you are

cutting up the rest of it...LOL)

Voila!!  Southwest Turkey Roll Ups.  YUM!!

Hot Spinach Artichoke Dip Pizza anyone???

I have been craving Hot Spinach/Artichoke Dip lately.   But, it is so high in fat and calories for a small amount of the Yummy stuff, so I came up with a leaner, lighter twist on my favorite comfort food, and I made it a pizza to add some extra fiber because you can't eat the dip without something to either dip in it or serve it on.  :)   

This makes enough for 4 pizza's!!   I entered the ingredients onto Caloriecount.com and came up with approx 250 cals per pizza!!    (you get to eat a whole pizza, when does that ever happen?  lol)

Here is the recipe

3 garlic cloves minced

1/4 of a small red onion minced

1 10 oz pkg of frozen chopped spinach

1 can small artichoke hearts in water  (do not drain the water)

2 tbsp light sour cream

2 tbsp cream cheese

1/2 cup parmesan cheese (shredded)

1/2 cup mozzarella cheese (part skim shredded)

4 oz grilled chopped chicken (OPTIONAL) 

4   LaTortilla Factory  Whole wheat 80 calorie tortillas 

Black pepper to taste 

Preheat oven to 375 degrees

In a skillet sprayed w/ canola oil spray, saute onions and garlic till softened.   Add chicken, spinach and artichoke hearts.   Add some of the water and heat till evaporated.   Add the sour cream, cream cheese and stir till combined, then add cheeses and stir to melt.  Remove from heat.  

Place tortillas on baking sheet  (I only made 2 and the rest of the topping I put in a container for another meal)   

Spread 1/4 of the spinach mixture on the tortillas and sprinkle a little black pepper on top and bake for about 8-10 mins or until tortilla is crispy and browned and spinach mix is bubbly and starting to brown.   Cut in 4 pieces and enjoy!!!    

This is one of those things that you can prepare ahead and use as needed for a yummy lunch or great dinner.  

Please let me know if you try any of my recipes and I am always open to feedback.  :) 

A pound is a pound!!

I promised I would get on the scale today and I did.   Down 1 more pound!   It doesn't have to be fast, as long as it continues steadily downward towards my goal of losing 100 lbs.    :)  

Stress eating has always been my hardest hurdle to jump.   I am finding now that the summer is winding down and school starts in 13 days.  (yes I am counting down!!!)  LOL    But, I find that I am really having to work harder to NOT eat when the kids get so overstimulated and frankly annoying!!    Although so far I have kept my cool and haven't gone off the deep end and downed a giant bowl of ice cream or screamed till my throat hurts.   I still struggle.   I am realizing that it is normal, natural and I may have to struggle with it for ever.   But, I am prepared to deal with it as I need to.  I can do this, and I will do this.   Even if I don't have a perfect day there is always the next day to work harder.  

I don't know if anyone else writes down or logs their food.   But I sure find that just seeing what I am eating on any given day really helps me to figure out where changes need to be made.   There will come a time when I will stall with my losses, I am sure of it.  It is inevitable and I am preparing for that each and every day.   I think being able to go and check where I can tweak and trim will help end the stall ( Plateau as it is so often called).    

BUTTONS

I added a couple of buttons for blogs I find very helpful and fun.  

Eat Yourself Skinny   Is a great blog, she has some awesome recipes and I have gotten inspiration from her blog many times.  :)

Emily Bites  Is also a great blog.  This is where I got the idea for the hamburger wrapped in flatbread and grilled on the panini press.  YUMMY!!  :)

Video blog entry #3

HI!!!   So J.R. fixed the audio and this is definitely better. Sorry if I ramble, but I just gab when I make these.   LOL    Hope you all have a great day!!   

Couple of yummies!!

I thought I would start off this morning with a couple of quick, easy and very tasty recipes that I have been using lately.   I just make things up as I go along so quantities aren't always perfect and you can tweak it any way you like.   

First up is my Vegetarian Flat Bread Taco Pizza!!

I make up the taco meat/bean mixture ahead of time and store in a container in the fridge till I am ready to use it.  Since this only takes seconds to prep and just a few minutes to bake it is a very easy meal. 

I use "Morning Star Farms" Soy crumbles, 1 can of black beans (rinsed), 1 can fire roasted tomatoes w/ green chiles, 1 pkg low sodium taco seasoning.   Just heat it all up together and cook down so it is spreadable.   Spread some on a "Flat Out" original bread (these babies are only 90 calories each!!)  Top with 1/4 cup of finely shredded colby jack cheese and bake till bubbly and edges are crispy.   Top w/ shredded lettuce, extra jalapenos if you like it hot, and a little taco sauce.  (you could even have some light sour cream too)   

*My tip for sour cream is I put it in a pastry bag with a fine tip and leave it in the fridge in a sealed baggie so them you can get some all over your pizza without using too much.* 

Next up is what we had for dinner last night.  I found these very yummy (Gluten Free) sausages at our local Walmart.  They are called "Bistro Sensations".    They are a chicken sausage and come in gourmet flavors.   This one was called  "Smoked Mozzarella w/ Artichoke and garlic"  YUM!!

(the side dish is just onions and mushrooms that have been cooked and caramelized in about 1 tbsp olive oil and then green beans added and sauteed with the onion/mushroom mixture till they are just tender).  

1 sausage plus 2 cups of this green beans is 250 calories according to (CalorieCount.com) 

So there you have it.  Just a couple of the standby recipes.  You can cook these things ahead and just reheat them as needed.   Makes mealtime so much easier if you have some things prepared ahead.  :)  

Better Audio on this video. (hopefully)

The audio on first one was really bad.  This one seems better.  Please let me know what you think. :)   

Day 2 - Video number 1 up.....

So my first video is up....I am still working out the bugs on the audio.  Will have to consult with my personal GEEK SQUAD for that one.   LOL    Hopefully we can get the bugs worked out and make it look better.  Have a great day!!!

Good eats!

While browsing some blogs I have liked *I will be adding links to them soon*.  I found a blog post about a cheeseburger wrap that looked so delicious I just had to make my own version.   The side dish was spaghetti squash sprayed with I can't believe it's not butter and seasoned with just a bit of pepper.   It sure hit the spot.

I used Flatout original 90 calorie flatbread and inside is burger, onion, a tiny sprinkling of cheese, tomato & lettuce from our garden!    I live for and love simple meals that taste great and satisfy on many levels. 

Shiny Happy People!!!

This is my new mantra.   I am going to choose to make each day the shiniest I can.  Some days will be quite dull I am sure but my goal is to keep pressing forward and not looking back.  No matter which direction this crazy road takes me.   

Day 1 -   This is the first day of the rest of my life!!   Making positive changes in my eating today, actually logged all my food into Calorie Count. 

 I even drank enough water today.  YAY!!   (I have been peeing like crazy FYI)   

This morning I got in 45 minutes in the pool all by myself.  *I know...shocking right?*  I was moving pretty vigorously the entire time I was in there.   I didn't think I could sweat while being in the pool, but I think I actually did.  LOL  My heart rate got up and my muscles were shaky when I exited the pool so I call that a good cardio workout!!   not too shabby for day 1 !!

I am hoping to figure out how to upload some videos here too and get this to be not just a written blog with pictures but also a video diary.   If anyone has any tips or tricks please feel free to chime in and help a girl out!!   :)

Well it is getting late, I am tired!!    I am excited to share my journey with everyone....and I hope you enjoy what I have to say.   

Sleep well friends !! 

Every accomplishment starts with the decision to try.

I love this quote.  I have made the decision to once again TRY!!   

This new blog will be where I go to vent, post recipes, track my progress and my failings.   (I hope not to have too many of the latter).    I was inspired by the television show Extreme Makeover: Weight loss edition, to begin my own journey.   I have all too often started and do well for a short time and then give up.   This time it is for the loooong haul!!  

Who knows where this journey will lead me, but I am prepared to walk on the path and see where it leads.   

I've packed water, my support group (my family, friends and all of you who read and comment here), and I am ready to set out.   

Destination.......a stronger, healthier and physically smaller version of ME!!    Hang on, this might be a bumpy ride!!