I GAINED!?!

Well I gained 1.2 pounds this week. This is one of my first gains. I am okay because I really know why. I ate op all week and I exercised but this weekend I did not take my blood pressure med well one of them for two days. I got up on Monday and I had gained 6 pounds. I then realized that my feet, hands and face were swollen. I went to the drugstore and got somemore med and took it. It did not help that I started yesterday too. So, my body is retaining water. I can deal with the scale when I know what is going on. Hopefully, next week will be better. Wish me luck and send me some weight loss vibes lol!

I am SOOOO Proud of Myself! and Some RR's

Well today was our church picnic. I was prepared! I brought my Boca burger and had them put it on the grill. I also brought my own 1 point bun and fat free mayo! I then made two new recipes. I want to share both of them with you. They were both super yummy! I am so proud that I stayed on points today! I have two more picnics this weekend, wish me luck at those!

Dreamsicle Cake
1 box orange cake mix (Duncan Hines "Orange Supreme")
10-oz Diet Orange Soda, Diet 7-Up, or a similar Diet Soda
1 egg white
2 (4-serving) boxes fat-free, sugar-free orange JELL-O
1 box SF instant vanilla pudding
1 cup hot water
1 cup cold water
1 cup fat-free milk
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 cup fat-free cool whip, thawed
8.25-oz can mandarin oranges, drained and patted dry with paper towel

Mix cake mix, egg white and diet soda. Bake at 375 degrees for 35 minutes or until toothpick comes out smooth in a greased 9x13 pan. Take cake out of oven, and poke holes all over the top. Let cool. Stir 1 package of orange JELL-O into 1 cup hot water until dissolved, and then add 1 cup cold water. Pour entire mixture over cake. Refrigerate for at least 3-4 hours. Mix vanilla pudding mix and other pack of (dry) JELL-O together. Add 1 cup of fat-free milk and 1 tsp. vanilla extract. Mix well. Fold in cool whip and use this mixture to frost cake. Top with mandarin oranges. Keep cake refrigerated.Yields: 24 pieces of cake.
Nutritional Info: (per serving) 147 Calories, 1.5 g. fat, 0 g. fiber (2.5 pts per serving)

RR: this cake was really good. I took it to a church picnic and everyone was talking about it and until I told them had no idea it was a "healthier" cake. I will be making this again!

Next I got to thinking that I really needed to bring a side as there would be lots of Macaroni salads, potato salads, etc. so I found a recipe for Macaroni salad and make that.

Classic Macaroni Salad

8 oz uncooked macaroni, elbow

1/8 tsp table salt, or to taste (for cooking pasta)

1/2 cup reduced-calorie mayonnaise

1 Tbsp red wine vinegar

1 tsp Dijon mustard

1/2 tsp garlic powder

1 cup celery, chopped

1/3 cup red onion(s), finely chopped

2 Tbsp parsley, fresh, chopped

1/4 tsp table salt, or to taste

1/8 tsp black pepper, freshly ground, or to taste

Cook macaroni in salted water according to package directions;drain and transfer to a large bowl. Meanwhile, in a medium bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, vinegar,mustard and garlic powder; stir mixture into cooked macaroni. Fold in celery, onion and parsley; season to taste with salt and pepper. Serve warm or chilled.

Yields about 8 (2/3 cup) servings

WW Points- 3

RR: This was really good too. I left out the celery as nobody will eat it and I did not have any parsley so I left that out too. I added a can of diced tomatoes, drained, and that added not only a good taste but some color to the salad. I also added one packet of Splenda and this really helped the sour taste that I got after first making it. I would definitely make this again!

Happy Memorial Day to all my readers!

Tasty Thursday Burger Edition

Today's theme for Tasty Thursday is Burgers. This weekend a lot of people will be grilling out and burgers will probably be on a lot of grills. Since joining Weight Watchers, I do not eat a lot of burgers unless they are soybean. I never would have thought to try the Boca burger until I saw this recipe for Hungry Girl's Whoppers on her website. I also found a similar recipe, although it uses less Miracle Whip and ketchup, in her new book, that has been on the best seller list, on page 106 called Big Bopper Burger Stopper. My family loves this burger. The burger itself is only 1 point and there are 1 point hamburger buns. So, just think you could have a burger for 2 points without adding anything else. My dh and kids love these! I get over my craving for a burger with these too. There are also other brands of soybean burgers out there, so you might be able to find a different brand if you do not find Boca. I really like the original but the flame grilled is my favorite! I plan to take a Boca burger and a low point bun and ask them to put it on the grill for me. This will help me stay on points. I also LOVE her onion rings on page 104 in her book to serve as a side with this burger.

I hope everyone has a great OP weekend!

Trista over at The Pumkin Patch is the host of Tasty Thursday, head on over to her blog to see more tasty recipes

RR:Very Berry Cobbler

Very Berry Cobbler
2-16oz bags of frozen mixed berries
1 box reduced sugar yellow cake mix (I used Pillsbury)
12 oz diet lemon lime soda
Pour frozen berries in a 9 x 13 pan Pour cake mix over the berries Pour seltzer over the cake mix Cover with foil, bake for 20 minutes in 350 degree oven Remove foil. Bake another 40-50 minutes.
Calories 204 Fat 3.6 grams Fiber 6 grams (This will be different if you use a different cake mix.)
Makes 12 servings

RR: This was really good, it taste just like a "real"cobbler. I thought it was more sour than sweet, but some people on the weight watcher boards recommend replacing the soda with seltzer to lower the sweetness. I really liked this cobbler with the soda.

RR:Stovetop Cheeseburger

Stovetop Cheeseburger
1 ½ pounds lean ground beef
8 oz. 2 % Velveeta cheese, cubed
1 med onion, chopped
Garlic powder to season
1 pkg. Hidden Valley Ranch Dressing Mix
2 tablespoons skim milk
Brown ground beef and onion with garlic powder. Drain. Mix in remaining ingredients and stir until the cheese melts. Serve on a light bun (add points).
5 servings at 7 WW points each

RR: This was pretty good although a bit on the salty side. I guess from the cheese and ranch packet. The kids ate it okay too. I served it with leftover fries from the Cheeseburger and Fries Casserole and green beans.

RR:Cheeseburger-n-Fries Casserole

Cheeseburger-n-Fries Casserole
1 lb. lean ground beef
10 3/4 oz. can Golden Mushroom soup
10 3/4 oz. can Cheddar Cheese soup
20 oz. crinkle-cut french fries
small onion (optional)
Brown ground beef with onion. Stir in soups and mix. Pour into a 9x13-inch pan sprayed with non-stick cooking spray. Arrange fries on top. Bake, uncovered, at 350 degrees for 50-55 minutes or until the fries are golden brown.

8 servings at 6 WW points each

RR: I really liked this. My kids and dh ate there's with mustard and ketchup. Ds found a mushroom from the Golden Mushroom soup and complained a little but he still ate it. The portion size left me still hungry. You need to plan a side dish to eat this with. Pretty good!

Thought For the Day

15 WAYS TO BURN 100 CALORIES
.......just think.......700 calories a week, 2,800 a month.
(from FOWW Newsletter)

1. A brisk walk for 15 minutes will burn 100 calories. Use a pedometer to track how many steps you've taken and to time how long you've walked.
2. Do housework. Yes, I know it's not anyone's favorite thing to do, but turn on some music and do little activities like vacuuming for 25 minutes.
3. Jump rope quickly for 10 minutes.
4. Climb up and down your stairs for 15 minutes.
5. Turn on the music and dance around the house for 20 minutes.
6. Wash your car for 30 minutes.
7. Garden or mow the lawn for 20 minutes.
8. Jog in place for 12 minutes and burn a little more than 100 calories.
9. A light intensity of approximately 10 mph will burn more than 100 calories in just 40 minutes. 10. Just 20 minutes of golf will burn 100 calories.
11. I'm not referring to swimming laps or training for the Olympics. Just a 15-minute leisurely swim will get us to our goal.
12. If you're pressed for time or working long hours, invest in a fun aerobic videotape and use it for 10 minutes.
13. A fun 30-minute Frisbee toss with your kids or a friend will burn up our needed calories, and it's a bit more pleasurable than a boring jaunt on the treadmill.
14. Pushing a stroller burns approximately 60 calories in 20 minutes. No problem, two nice and easy 20-minute strolls per day will get the job done without even breaking a sweat.
15. 15 minutes of vigorous weight training will burn approximately 100 calories. You don't have to workout forever. Just three 15 to 20 minute sessions per week will keep your bones strong, muscles tight - - and you'll keep burning calories after your workout.

Weigh-in Tuesday

Well, I weighed in at my Weight Watchers meeting and I am happy to report that I have had a GREAT week! I lost another 2 pounds! Woo Hoo! That makes my total weight loss 48.6 pounds! I have 6.8 pounds more to lose until my next goal of reaching my Weight Watcher 10%.

Weight Watchers works people! I remember hearing people say that but I guess I never believed anything could help me. This has been the first thing that has really worked in my life! Maybe I have more motivation this time, I don't know, but I do know I love Weight Watchers! Maybe Weight Watchers works because it is all about living. I eat the foods I want. It really is a change of lifestyle and not a diet. I know I am losing weight, but I really do not feel like I am on a diet and I guess that is why it has been easier.

Tonight at my meeting we talked about how to deal with all of the picnics that are coming later this month. I have a picnic this weekend and I already told my dh that I am bringing a Boca burger and I am going to ask them to put it on the grill for me. I might have to also bring my own bun and I am bringing the Dreamsicle Cake.

I invited some of my friends from Weight Watchers to come on here. If you come, please leave me a comment. I love comments and I like to know who comes to visit. If you are looking for recipes, go to the right hand side under labels and click on recipes. Thanks for visiting! I hope all of you have a great on program week!

RR: Bubble Up Enchilada

Bubble Up Enchilada

1 pound extra lean ground beef
1 (10 ounce) can enchilada sauce
1 (8 ounce) can tomato sauce
1 (4 ounce) can sliced black olives, drained
1 can reduced fat refrigerator biscuits
1 ¼ cups shredded Weight Watchers Mexican Cheese

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Brown ground beef and drain if needed. Mix in a can of enchilada sauce and a can of black olives. Cut the refrigerated biscuits into fourths and stir them in the meat mixture. Then you just dump it all in a greased casserole and bake for 25 minutes. Take out of oven and sprinkle cheese on top. Bake an additional 10 minutes. Let stand for 5 minutes before serving.

Serves 8 at 6 WW points each, but your really need to check your points because enchilada sauces can affect the points because they are different and your cheese selection can affect the points too. I used Old El Paso Enchilada Sauce and the Weight Watcher Mexican shredded cheese.

RR: I have been wanting to make this a long time. I just wonder why I waited so long. This is wonderful! My kids loved this dish! I will definitely be making it again! I left out the olives because nobody would have eaten it if I had put them in it. I served this with lettuce and sour cream and corn. I will be making this again and I also need to try the bubble up pizza.

Menu Plan Monday- May 19-25

Here are the recipes I tried last week and a review of each: Crockpot Brown Sugar Chili, Peanut Butter Holy Cow Cake, Bubble-Up Enchilada. I have not written a review on the cake but it was very yummy! I have provided WW points for my ingredients that I use in my dish, but it is always suggested that you check your own points based on your ingredients. Here is my menu for this week.

1. Spaghetti Casserole Bake
2. Cheeze-It Chicken
3. Taco Twist Casserole
4. Stovetop Cheeseburger
5. Cheeseburger and Fries Casserole
6. Cook out at church I'm bringing Dreamsicle Cake
7. Taco Bake

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Taco Bake
1 pound lean ground beef
Med onion, diced
1 can ff refried beans
1 pkg. taco seasoning
1 8 oz. can tomato sauce
1 cup ff cheddar cheese (I am using Weight Watchers Mexican Shredded Cheese)
2 cans rf crescent rolls

Brown ground beef and onion. Drain. Stir in beans, tomato sauce, and taco seasoning, heat through.
Spread 1 can of rolls out in a 9 x 13 baking dish sprayed with Pam. Place meat mixture on top. Sprinkle with ff cheddar cheese then spread other can of rolls on top.
Bake at 375 for 15 minutes until rolls are browned.

8 WW Points

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Cheeze-It Chicken
4 skinless boneless chicken breast
6 tablespoons FF sour cream
3 oz. RF cheese-its, crushed
I Can’t Believe It’s Not Butter Spray

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Spray pan with olive oil cooking spray. Smear raw chicken breast with sour cream (both sides), pat cheese-it crumbs on both sides. Spray top with I Can’t Believe It’s Not Butter Spray. Bake for 30-40 minutes.

8 Weight Watchers points

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Taco Twist Casserole

1 pound lean ground beef
1 package reduced sodium taco seasoning mix
1 15 oz can tomato sauce
3 cups (8 oz) rotini, cooked and drained(I like Ronzoni smart Taste!)
1 cup reduced fat Mexican cheese
½ cup reduced fat sour cream

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Brown ground beef, drain. Stir in seasoning mix and tomato sauce. Bring to a boil and remove from heat. Combine cooked pasta, ½ cup of the cheese and the sour cream and place on the bottom of a 6 X 10 baking dish. Top with meat mixture and remaining cheese. Bake for 30 minutes.

Serves 8
Weight Watchers Points 7

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Cheeseburger-n-Fries Casserole

1 lb. lean ground beef

10 3/4 oz. can Golden Mushroom soup

10 3/4 oz. can Cheddar Cheese soup

20 oz. crinkle-cut french fries

small onion (optional)

Brown ground beef with onion. Stir in soups and mix. Pour into a 9x13-inch pan sprayed with non-stick cooking spray. Arrange fries on top. Bake, uncovered, at 350 degrees for 50-55 minutes or until the fries are golden brown.

Serves 8, Weight Watcher Points 6

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Stovetop Cheeseburger
1 ½ pounds lean ground beef
8 oz. 2 % Velveeta cheese, cubed
1 med onion, chopped
Garlic powder to season
1 pkg. Hidden Valley Ranch Dressing Mix
2 tablespoons skim milk

Brown ground beef and onion with garlic powder. Drain. Mix in remaining ingredients and stir until the cheese melts. Serve on a light bun (add points).

5 servings at 7 WW points each

Go here to see more plans.

My date night for May

We go out for a date night once a month. Last night dh and I planned to go out for awhile. We were going to go to Wendy's (because I will eat something there and it fit our budget) and then to Walmart. Well dh forgot to get cash and all we had was the checkbook. So, we just went to Walmart and we decided to select frozen meals because it was our week to go clean the church and we were going to do this before we got home. It was fun picking out a frozen Lean Cuisine meal. They have a lot of different ones! We ended up picking a 7 point Lemon Garlic Shrimp Pasta. It was a 25% more meal and seemed more like a restaurant meal. When we got to the church, I microwaved our meals and found some pretty paper plates and we ate together before cleaning the church. There is really not a lot to do here on a date. We have the movies, a bowling lane, and a limited amount of restaurants (most I will not eat at right now). Oh and we are getting a drive in theater this summer. So, to me this date was special because it was so different and really we did not spend much money and enjoyed being with one another. It will definitely go down as a memorable date!

FIF-Weight Watchers Week

This week the theme for Favorite Ingredient Friday is WeightWatchers. I have been doing Weight Watchers since January and have lost 46.6 pounds! Here is my favorite main dish and dessert recipe!
Doritos Casserole
6 ounces Velveeta Light(I use Weight Watcher Mexican Shredded Cheese)
2 Tbsp Taco Seasoning mix
1 can (10 3/4 ounces) Cream of Chicken Soup, 98% fat free
1 can (11 ounces) Rotel tomatoes
6 ounces Baked Doritos, Nacho Cheese8
ounces 95% lean ground beef
Cook meat, drain and add taco seasoning. Mix the tomatoes and soup together. Then, layer meat, soup mixture, crushed Doritos, and cheese. Keep layering until done. Bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes.Makes 6 servings, 7 WW points
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We bought some strawberries and I decided to make this low point dessert! It is so easy and very yummy!

Crustless Strawberry Pie
4 cups sliced strawberries
1 small box sugar free cook & serve vanilla pudding
1 small box sugar free strawberry jello
2 cups water
1 small container cool whip free
Layer sliced berries in bottom and up sides of 9 inch pie plate or round pan. Mix pudding mix and water and bring to a full boil. Remove from heat and add dry jello mix. Let cool down some about 5 minutes. Pour over berries in pan. Put in refrigerator for at least 4 hours or overnight to chill. Serve with fat free cool whip free add points if needed.
Special Notes
* Make sure pudding mixture is thickened enough or berries will rise to the top. The strawberries are the "crust" This is a very yummy pie!
*I served this with 1 tbsp of FF cool whip and did not even have to add points for that! This makes 8 servings at 1 point each and worth every bit of that point.
*I am going to try this with other fruits and jello flavors. To make a dreamsicle pie add Mandarin oranges instead of strawberries and orange SF/FF Jello. To make a peach pie add peaches instead of strawberries and peach SF/FF Jello. I have not figured out the points on either of these yet.
*You can also put this in a pie shell if you want, but I am telling you my family loved it without the shell.
*If you are doing the CORE program, you could add FF milk instead of water to the pudding. you can add this on FLEX too, but you have to add the points and that's a lot of points! It was really good with just the water though and I did not have to add those points!
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Chips Ahoy Dessert

1/2 cup fat free milk

18 reduced fat Chips Ahoy Cookies

2 cups fat free milk

1 8 oz. fat free Cool Whip

1 small box chocolate fat free, sugar free pudding mix

Pour 1/2 cup of the milk in a shallow bowl. Dip cookies in the milk very briefly and line 8 X 8 dish with them. Take 1/2 the Cool Whip and spread over cookies. Mix the chocolate pudding with 2 cups milk. Layer over top of Cool Whip. Dip next 9 cookies in the milk and lay on top of pudding. Top with remaining Cool Whip. Refrigerate at least 2 hours before serving.Makes 9 servings, 2 WW points.

For more great Weight Watcher recipes go to Overwhelmed With Joy!

I also have a lot of the ones I have tried posted on this site, just go to the recipes label and click!

100 Reasons to Lose 100 Pounds!

100 Reasons To Lose 100 Pounds
1. To feel good about ourselves.
2. To have GREAT s*x(I did not write this)
3. So we won't think people are laughing or talking about us.
4. To buy clothes in a normal store and actually get clothes with some style to them that fit correctly.
5. To have more energy!
6. To be able to tie your shoes/paint toenails.
7. To be able to sit on a floor and get up gracefully.
8. To wear a bathing suit.
9. To cross your legs or sit Indian style.1
0. To fit into an airline/theatre/ bus/whatever seat without spilling over and without having to see "that look" from the person who has to sit beside you.
11. So our ankles won't swell.
12. To fit into a booth at any restaurant.
13. To not need an extension to a seat belt on an airplane and to have the tray table not balance on our bellies.14. To not worry about being decapitated in our cars with our seat belts on if we should be in an accident.
15. To not turn beet red after moderate exertion.
16. To be able to pick something up off the floor.
17. Panty Hose that fit!
18. To go to an amusement park and ride the rides.
19. To be able to sit in any chair without worry of breakage.
20. To not have to apologize when caught in a narrow aisle and have someone need to get by.
21. To go dancing, sky diving, bungee jumping....
22. To be able to go horseback riding or ride a bike.
23. To not worry about rashes and sweating.
24. To not have to listen to "caring" people ask why you don't diet or worse still... "gee you have such a pretty face".
25. To not worry about spilling food, sauces or gravy down the front of your blouse/dress/ shirt when eating.
26. To not have to think up some excuse for not doing something because you know your weight will impede you.
27. To not have your belly hit the steering wheel and to be able to fit comfortably in the driver's seat.
28. To have a bra fit comfortably and to be able to buy underwear at Victoria's Secret rather than at "Tubby the Underwear Guy".
29. To not have to worry about the weight limit of step stools, ladders,motorcycle, exercise equipment, etc.
30. To not get stuck in a turn style.
31. To not wake up feeling achy in the back..or to have ache free legs and feet.
32. So the bathroom scale won't creak and groan when you step on it.
33. To be able to leave the tablecloth on the table at a restaurant instead of dragging it with you when you get up.
34. So you won't look the other way when you see yourself in a monitor where they have security cameras.
35. To never be embarrassed about your size.
36. To not count tying shoes as daily exercise.
37. To not have to wait for the handicap stall when there are plenty of other stalls available.
38. To not be more out of shape than seniors.
39. To not break toilet seat when leaning to one side.
40. To be able to put on wedding rings again.
41. To try to make a double chin and fail!
42. Buy clothing bargains to fit the next year ... and they do!
43. Not to have to worry about plastic zippers or having your pants bust open.
44. Normal waistbands rather than elastic!
45. To wear knee socks correctly instead of worn like slouches!
46. To look good in a tee shirt!
47. To try on slacks or jeans and have the pant leg actually fit over leg!
48. To be able to get close to sink and not come away with a wet belly!
49. To get out of a stuffed chair GRACEFULLY and not look down to see if the chair has come up with you!
50. To not worry if the hairdresser' s smock will fit!
51. To not be self-conscious about eating in front of others!
52. To not be afraid to ask which hairstyle suits your face.
53. To not have people checking you out after looking in your grocery cart.
54. To not feel (and look) like a sausage in stirrup pants.
55. To have your friends NOT be embarrassed to be seen with you.
56. To get promotions/hired or close that sale.
57. Pants that stay up because your waist is smaller than your butt!
58. No more boobs! (this is for the guys!)
59. Wearing shorts or tank tops without fear of arrest or grossing out others!
60. To not have the fear of being rejected.
61. To successfully flirt!
62. To not worry about how to get in and out of the back seat in a two door car!
63. One size fits all and it fits you!
64. To have a lap.
65. To not have the car you are ride in slant in your direction.
66. To be able to use toilet paper as it was meant to be used and not to have to invent ways to "get the job done".
67. To not have to watch TV news reports on fat people in hopes that you haven't been caught on camera!
68. To be able to get between cars in a parking lot without wiping the dust off with your belly and your butt.
69. No more heat rashes and chafing in the upper thighs.
70. So that the cloth in the thigh area doesn't wear away long before the rest of the slacks do!
71. To meet a friend online and not be horrified to have to send a picture of yourself.
72. To not take fat references and fat jokes personally.
73. To know you can go anywhere because wherever you sit you CAN be comfortable and look at ease.
74. To shop at the mall and not have your back ache from lugging your huge butt and stomach around!
75. To be able to stand still, carrying nothing and still look poised.
76. To be able to cross your arms across your chest without them resting on your stomach!
77. To have your feet get smaller.
78. Using your mouth to taste and chew food rather than as just a route to get the food from your lips to your stomach.
79. Blood pressure returns to normal.
80. To avoid other health complications from being overweight.
81. To be able to borrow a co-worker's jacket for an important meeting.
82. To meet someone for the first time and their eyes don't pop out of their head with amazement... because they never knew you're fat!
83. To see your reflection in a mirror or store window without turning away!
84. To wear a watch with a regular length watch band.
85. To look in the mirror when getting your hair cut without thinking you have the biggest face in the world.
86. To not mind getting your picture taken.
87. To not avoid going to the doctor because you have to get "weighed"in.
88. To wake up each morning feeling energized and ready to go.
89. To not even worry about squeezing into small spaces.
90. To not have to enter an elevator and check the weight limit.
91. To look in your closet and have problems deciding which stylish outfit to work since you have so many that look good and fit well.
92. To not have to lie perfectly still in bed at night for fear of breaking the bed!
93. To buy tie shoes instead of slip-ons!
94. To be able to walk any distance without looking for a bench to sit on.
95. To look forward to shopping and just trying on clothes!
96. To be able to drive by any fast food place without salivating!
97. To be able to shop at the same store for food instead of having to remember where you shopped last night for the junk food so you can avoid that store for a few days!
98. To not feel lower than low when an innocent child remarks about your size!
99. To not constantly be thinking of where your next morsel of food is coming from.100. And the 100th reason to lose 100 pounds.....I'M WORTH IT!
- Author Of List Unknown

Thought for the day.....

This came from SparkPeople. I thought it was great!

Did you forget to brush your teeth last night.....
If you forgot to brush your teeth last night, did you decide this morning to throw in the towel and never brush your teeth again? Since you're obviously a slob who doesn't have enough self- discipline to remember to brush your teeth, why bother brushing them at all if you forgot to last night?
Of course not.
So if you had ice cream for dinner last night, or didn't exercise yesterday, or gained a pound this week, don't throw in the towel! Make a healthier choice for dinner tonight by eating something lean. Go for a short walk. Weigh in again next week.
Just do NOT give up.

RR: Crockpot Brown Sugar Chili

Crockpot Brown Sugar Chili
8 Servings
240 Calories 4 g. Fiber 6 g. Fat
FROM: “Fix it and Forget it Lightly” Cookbook
1 lb. extra-lean ground beef
½ c. brown sugar
2 T. prepared mustard
1medium sized onion, chopped
2 cans (14 oz. each) kidney or red beans
2 c. low-sodium tomato juice
½ t. salt
¼ t. pepper
1 t. chili powder
Brown ground beef and onion in a nonstick skillet over medium heat. Stir in brown sugar and mustard. Combine all ingredients in slow cooker. Cover. Cook on HIGH 2-3 hours. If possible, stir several times during cooking.

RR: This was so good! Everyone really liked it. The only thing I did differently was I added a can of drained diced tomatoes. Now, I must warn you that this is Brown Sugar Chili and it does taste a little sweet. Dh adds Frank's Red Hot Sauce to his chili too. Very good, will become a regular this fall! It was raining yesterday and colder, we are going through Blackberry Winter, and it was perfect weather for chili!

Just needed to get this off my chest!

My mom called me today. (We rarely see each other, we live about 3 hours away from each other.) She is really excited about me losing weight, but every time we talk about losing weight she tells me I do not want to get to my healthy weight. I just really can't understand this? This time she tells me I will have too much flab hanging if I get to my healthy weight. I just do not understand why I can't have a goal to get to a healthy weight? Even more, I just can't understand why she is not being more supportive. I just am lost. Everytime I talk to her, she has something I consider to be negative about my weight loss. I just do not understand? It kind of hurts!

My Mom's Day Gifts

I told dh that I wanted the new Hungry Girl Cookbook for Mother's Day. Well he went looking for it but our Walmart did not have it. :( So, here is what he got me the new Weight Watchers five ingredient 15 Minute cookbook magazine. I really like it and have found several really good recipes that I want to try. The magazine has a lot of desserts including pictures of recipes that are 8 or even 9 points and I would never make those but they sure look tempting. See the pink card on top of the magazine. That is a Walmart gift card so I can go online and order my Hungry Girl Cookbook. I went online and with shipping, it was $11 something. The gift card is for $10.00 so I will have to wait a little while to get it. I am going to put some more money on my card when I go to Walmart next. I can't wait for the book!

Dh also made me a dinner that really was not very Weight Watcher friendly and I think I am going to see the results of that dinner at the scales tonight, but I had a great time with my husband and kids so I really think it was worth it. Weight Watchers is all about living and I got to live that day and have a wonderful Mother's Day and then I went right back on program!

Also if you have not visited Hungry Girl's website and you are on Weight Watchers, you really should go visit the site. She has some really cool recipes. I will admit that I can't always find the items she uses but eventually I am able to find them in my grocery store.

Thought For the Day

Don't Quit...Weight Watcher Style
When you've eaten too much and you can't write it down
And you feel like the biggest failure in town;
When you want to give up just because you gave in
And forget all about being healthy and thin;
So What! You went over your points a bit;
It's your next move that counts...So don't you quit!
It's a moment of truth, It's an attitude change;
It's learning the skills to get back in your range;
It's telling yourself, You've done great up till now;
You can take on this challenge and beat it somehow.
It's part of your journey toward reaching your goal;
You're still gonna make it, just stay in control.
To stumble and fall is not a disgrace
If you summon the will to get back in the race;
But, often the strugglers when losing their grip
Just throw in the towel, continue to slip
And learn too late when the damage is done
That the race wasn't over and they still could have won.
Life-style change can be awkward and slow
But facing each challenge will help you to grow;
Success is failure turned inside out
The silver tint in the cloud of doubt.
When you're pushing to the brink,
just refuse to submit;
If you bite it you write it... But DON'T YOU QUIT!

Recipe Review: Stroganoff Casserole

Beef Stroganoff Casserole
1 can 98% Fat Free Cream of Mushroom Soup
1 can 98% Fat Free Cream of Chicken Soup
8 oz. reduced fat sour cream
12 oz. uncooked egg noodles
1 pound lean ground beef
1/3 cup Parmesan Cheese, grated
Brown ground beef and drain. Combine soups and sour cream. Add beef and noodles, mix well. Add cheese on top and cover with foil and bake in a 10 X 13 dish at 350 degrees for 30-40 minutes or until bubbly.
Serves 8. 7 WW points (Please check your ingredients and your points, this one can have different points for egg noodles, etc.)

We really liked this. Next time I will add some more seasoning s because it really needed some. I think it needs some garlic, salt and pepper.

Recipe Review: Crunchy Ranch Chicken

Crunchy Ranch Chicken
1/3 cup cornflakes, crushed(1.5 points)
1/4 cup Parmesan Cheese(crumbs in the refrigerated can)(3 points)
1 package Ranch Dressing packet(2 points)
5 chicken breast (27 points)
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. In a 9 x 13 pan Combine ranch packet, cornflakes, and cheese. Spray chicken with Pam. Roll in crumb mixture. Bake for 25-35 minutes.

We really loved this, the flavor is so good!

Menu Plan for May 10-18

I so hate when I miss planning my meals. It just makes it so much easier, so I am going to try to get caught up! "Fail to Plan...Plan to Fail"
This week I am trying these new recipes: Bubble Up Enchilada Casserole, Peanut Butter Holy Cow Cake, and the Crockpot Brown Sugar Chili.
Saturday-Diet Coke Sloppy Joes on 1 pt buns, corn
Sunday- Dh is cooking and I am sure I will have to use FLEX points because I think it is steak. He ask me to give him a GREAT dessert recipe, he picked the Peanut Butter Holy Cow Cake(recipe below)
Monday-Swiss Chicken Casserole- 6 points, green beans, mashed potatoes
Tuesday- Fat Free Hot Dogs on wheat buns-3 points; Baked Doritos-2 points, corn
Wednesday- Boca Burgers, Baked Doritos
Thursday-Brown Sugar Chili (See Recipe Below)
Friday-Mom's Pizza - 4 points, salad
Saturday-Bubble Up Enchilada Casserole (Recipe below), salad
Sunday-Doritos casserole- salad
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Bubble Up Enchilada Casserole
1 pound lean ground beef
1 can enchilada sauce
1 small can tomato sauce
1 small can sliced black olives
1 can reduced fat refrigerator biscuits
Fat Free Cheddar Cheese, shredded (I plan to use the WW Mexican Shredded Cheese)
Brown ground beef, drain. Mix in a can of enchilada sauce and a small can of tomato sauce. Then add a small can of sliced black olives. Cut up the refrigerated biscuits and stir them in. Then you just dump it all in a greased casserole and bake until the biscuits are brown. Bake for 25 minutes. Sprinkle with cheese, and bake an additional 10 minutes or until biscuits are done. Let stand 5 minutes before serving.
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Crockpot Brown Sugar Chili
8 Servings
240 Calories 4 g. Fiber 6 g. Fat
FROM: “Fix it and Forget it Lightly” Cookbook
1 lb. extra-lean ground beef
½ c. brown sugar
2 T. prepared mustard 1
medium sized onion, chopped
2 cans (14 oz. each) kidney or red beans
2 c. low-sodium tomato juice
½ t. salt
¼ t. pepper
1 t. chili powder
Brown ground beef and onion in a nonstick skillet over medium heat. Stir in brown sugar and mustard. Combine all ingredients in slow cooker. Cover. Cook on HIGH 2-3 hours. If possible, stir several times during cooking.
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Peanut Butter Better Than Sex Cake
Serving size: 20, 4 pts per serving
18 1/4 oz chocolate cake mix - devil's food, 1 box
10 oz. Diet Coke
1 egg white
7 oz. FF sweetened condensed milk
2 Tablespoons low fat peanut butter
8 oz. (1 tub) Cool Whip Free, thawed
7 Nestle Fun Size Butterfinger candy bars
Combine cake mix, diet cola, and egg white. Bake according to cake mix instructions in a floured 9x13 pan. A few minutes before the cake is to be done combine sweetened condensed milk and peanut butter in sauce pan. Cook and stir on low to make creamy and warm. When cake is done and still hot, poke holes in top of cake with knife and pour peanut butter mixture over top of cake. You may have to spread the mixture a little to help it go down into the holes. Sprinkle top with half of chopped Butterfingers. Cool cake completely. Cover with Cool Whip and sprinkle remaining Butterfingers over top. Keep in fridge until ready to serve.
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Go here to see more plans.

One for Parents...

10 Tips for Parents Concerned About Childhood ObesityBy Jennifer R. Scott, About.com Updated: March 15, 2007
1.) Try a healthy focus on reducing sugar and increasing calcium with non- or low-fat dairy products. (Not only is getting plenty of calcium important to growing kids' development, it's also been shown in recent years to help in weight management.)

2.) It's no easier for kids to make the right choices than adults. Commercials tout the latest sugar-laden treats; any student with a little change in her pocket is at the mercy of al smorgasbord of snacks via on-campus vending machines. The best thing you can do is instill healthier eating habits at home from the start. Long held-to habits will stick with her when she walks out the door.

3.) Family participation is crucial so that your child doesn't feel singled out or deprived. When you first begin making changes (e.g. allowing two small cookies instead of three large ones), it's important to show you can do the same thing by keeping tabs on your own portions as well as food choices. How would you feel if someone at work ate your favorite sweet treat in front of you the day you started your new diet? Nothing's worse than seeing someone else eat foods you enjoy when you can't have them! So, for example, the whole clan can switch to sherbet for dessert instead of ice cream.

4.) One of the easiest ways for the whole family to watch their portions is to banish serving dishes for the kitchen. By having them on the table, you're virtually inviting everyone to give in to seconds whether they're still hungry or not. (Who can say no when that second dollop of mashed potatoes is so easily within reach?)

5.) A fun way for children to get involved in eating more healthfully is to browse the produce aisle with you. A star fruit looks awfully interesting if you've never seen one before; a kiwi fruit has fur! A visit to the grocer may prompt your child to try new healthy foods without your even asking and with any luck, they'll become a favorite.

6.) There are some sneaky ways to decrease the fat and sugar children consume. Examples? Many cereal brands now offer reduced-sugar versions; you can "water down" fruit juice with seltzer; and low-fat cheese is much more palatable than it used to be as are other reduced-fat products like mayo.

7.) Soup is always a kid favorite and it can be employed to help curb your child's appetite if she tends to eat too much. A cup of broth-based soup makes a great afternoon snack or appetizer and will help her not overeat at mealtime.

8.) Limit the areas in the house where food is allowed. When snack foods walk away to the bedroom, the computer, or in front of the television, portions can all to easily multiply. Make a new rule that anyone eating in the house needs to stay in the kitchen.

9.) Mini goals are ideal for children -- and adults, for that matter -- who want to lose weight. For instance, instead of forbidding sweets after school entirely, ask your child if she will eat fruit instead of a cookie just one day a week to start with. Small changes will add up in time and are much easier to adjust to (and stick to) than more drastic ones.

10.) Be sure to ask your pediatrician about your child's weight before you significantly modify her diet. He can tell you if she truly is overweight and what her healthy weight is. If you need a little help, don't be afraid to ask. There may be a dietitian, nutritionist or counselor available to provide additional advice and plan meals. There are also specially-designed weight loss programs for kids, such as The Shapedown Program (shapedown.com).

Wanted to share...

Well, I have been thinking a lot lately! I wanted to bounce something off of my readers. I really love Weight Watchers. It has changed my life! Actually it has started turning things around lol that's what it is called the Turnaround program. Anyways, I love sharing and helping others get started on WW and I just love the program! I really want to be a WW leader. Yeah you all heard me right. I want to be a WW leader. I really do not know if I will ever make it to that point, but that is my goal. I like using this blog to give others support who are struggling as I am with weight loss and it gives me back support I need too. A lot of you all say I motivate you. I like being able to motivate you all! So, being able to do this with WW would be a lot of fun for me! So, right now I have set another goal that I want in my life. The only problem is that it will take awhile to accomplish because I need to get to like 160 pounds. Right now that sounds scary to me. If I get there no when I get there I will have lost over 160 pounds, a whole person! You know though if I get to 200 I will be real happy, so we will just have to see if any of my things I really want to do will come true or not?

Thought for the day...

When you want to eat something you shouldn't change into your bathing suit, you will be less likely to eat it while you are wearing that bathing suit!

Recipe Review-Crustless Strawberry Pie

We bought some strawberries and I decided to make this low point dessert! It is so easy and very yummy!

Crustless Strawberry Pie
4 cups sliced strawberries
1 small box sugar free cook & serve vanilla pudding
1 small box sugar free strawberry jello
2 cups water
1 small container cool whip free
Layer sliced berries in bottom and up sides of 9 inch pie plate or round pan. Mix pudding mix and water and bring to a full boil. Remove from heat and add dry jello mix. Let cool down some about 5 minutes. Pour over berries in pan. Put in refrigerator for at least 4 hours or overnight to chill. Serve with fat free cool whip free add points if needed.
Special Notes
* Make sure pudding mixture is thickened enough or berries will rise to the top. The strawberries are the "crust" This is a very yummy pie!
*I served this with 1 tbsp of FF cool whip and did not even have to add points for that! This makes 8 servings at 1 point each and worth every bit of that point.
*I am going to try this with other fruits and jello flavors. To make a dreamsicle pie add Mandarin oranges instead of strawberries and orange SF/FF Jello. To make a peach pie add peaches instead of strawberries and peach SF/FF Jello. I have not figured out the points on either of these yet.
*You can also put this in a pie shell if you want, but I am telling you my family loved it without the shell.
*If you are doing the CORE program, you could add FF milk instead of water to the pudding. you can add this on FLEX too, but you have to add the points and that's a lot of points! It was really good with just the water though and I did not have to add those points!

Thought For the Day....

Before you eat something you know is bad, sing or say this little jingle in your head to help you THINK first!
~

STOP!! In the name of Goal...

Before you fill that bowl...

STOP!! You've got self-control...

Now go & take a stroll...

THINK IT OOOOOVER......BABY THINK IT OOOOVER!!!!

THINK FIRST - that's the name of the game!!

Weigh-in

Well my weigh in was tonight. I weighed in at 278 pounds so I lost another 2.6 pounds! I am really excited! I have now lost 45.8 pounds. I have 9.6 pounds to go to reach my WW 10%. I am really excited! The only bad thing, if you can call it bad, is that now that I am out of the 280's, I lose a WW point! ;(

My Progress record (More for ME!)

Weigh Ins:

1. January 7th, 2008: 323.8 lbs.


2. January 15th, 2008: 315.8 lbs.


3. January 21, 2008: 313.6 lbs.


4. January 28, 2008: 306 lbs.


5. February 4, 2008: 305 lbs


6. February 11, 2008: 301.8 lbs


7. February 18, 2008: 302.4 lbs.


8. February 25, 2008: 299.2 lbs.


9. March 3, 2008: 298.6 lbs.


10. March 10, 2008: 293.2 lbs.


11. March 18, 2008: 292.8 lbs


12. March 25, 2008: 289.2 lbs.


13. April 1, 2008: 288.4 lbs.


14. April 8, 2008: 286 lbs.


15. April 15, 2008: 285.6 lbs.


16. April 22, 2008: 283.6 lbs.


17. April 29, 2008: 280.6 lbs.

4 months total loss = 43.2 pounds!

Monthly April total loss: 8.6 pounds

April 1 -.8

April 8 -2.4

April 15 -.4

April 22 -2

April 29 -3

Thought For The Day

"If you don't quit, and don't cheat, and don't run home when trouble arrives, you can only win." -- Shelly Long
Do you want to be successful at weight loss? Don't quit. Weight loss takes time and patience. I think I repeat those words every day. Are you listening? Or do you think I must be talking to someone else?
Do you want to be successful at weight loss in the fastest time possible? Don't cheat. The closer you stay to plan the better your chances of success. Are you following the WW plan or have you adjusted it so much that it now resembles a distant cousin?
Do you want to be successful at weight loss no matter the obstacles? Don't run home in despair and bury your feelings in a gallon of ice cream. You WILL have days of discouragement and disappointment. The way you handle those emotions will impact your continued success.

You CAN win. I believe it.