Looking Back

Looking back is always a great thing to do. It helps us see how far we have gone. I like to look back at the end of a year. I got a lot to look back on this year. These pictures really show that for me! I know that I did not lose the 100 pounds that I wanted to lose this year, but I also know that 77 pounds is a lot of weight and as I can see in these pictures I look so much better. I think I can truly say that I was Looking Great in 2008 and will be Looking Fine in 2009! Enjoy...these made me feel good!

1. Church Christmas Party 2008

What a HUGE difference, I can actually sit in the chair!

2. Church Christmas Party 2007

I hated my dh for taking this picture, but now I am so glad that I have it!

I remember not being able to sit in that chair because I was so big!

3. Our Christmas Card picture for 2007

Wow! My face looks so different!

4. Our Christmas Card picture for 2008, I look so different!

Over all I am so proud of myself this year! I know that I am so much happier. Some things I got to do this year that I could not do when I was heavier:
1. Wear jeans!
2. Wear panty hose!
3. Wear clothes that are about 4 sizes smaller!
4. Eat healthier!
5. Walk about 2 miles at a time without dying!
6. Read a story to my kids without feeling like I can't breathe!
7. Wrap a towel all the way around my body!
8. Fit behind the steering wheel in my car!
9. Not overeat! I've learned portion control something that was always hard for me.
10. I'm happier! I can see it in my pictures and people tell me they see it!

Easy Eggnog

Easy Eggnog (rum, optional)
1/2 gallon skim milk (14 points)
1 package (3.4 oz) FF/SF vanilla pudding (2 points)
1/4 c. sugar(4 points)
1 tsp vanilla extract (0 points)
1 tsp. rum extract(0 points)
1/2 tsp ground cinnamon (0 points)
1/2 tsp ground nutmeg (0 points)
In a large bowl, whisk 3/4 cup milk and pudding mix til smooth. Whisk in sugar, vanilla, cinnamon and nutmeg. Stir in remaining milk and then I ran through the blender. Refrigerate until ready to serve.
Serves 10 at 2 Weight Watchers Points each without rum

Holiday Survival Tips

I saw this on the Weight Watcher Message Boards and wanted to post them here to help me remember.

1. Don't eat for a good 30 minutes of arriving - by then you'll be into more of the visiting vs. eating.
2. When you do eat, pick a small plate, try to have none of your food touching each other.
3. Do NOT visit in the kitchen - a tough one, but trust me, it works!
4. Chew gum. This is a favorite. Hard to nibble, when you've got gum in your mouth.
5. If choosing a drink with alcohol, stick with one you mix yourself (track portions, etc.).
6. Do not go hungry to a party. Fill up on zero-low point carrots, celery, lots of water, high fiber.
7. Forgive. If you over did things, know that tomorrow is another chance to turn it all around!

RR: Creamy Potato and Ham Bake

Creamy Potato and Ham Bake

1 (1 lb. 4 oz.) Bag of Simply Potatoes Shredded Hash Browns

1 Cup Frozen Peas, thawed

8 oz. Diced Lean Ham

1/2 teaspoon Dried Parsley Flakes

1/2 teaspoon Black Pepper

1 (10 oz.) Can 98% Fat Free Cream of Mushroom Soup

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. In a large bowl mix potatoes, peas and ham. In a smaller bowl mix soup, parsley and pepper. Pour the soup mixture over the potatoes and mix well. Pour into an 8X8 square dish sprayed with non-stick cooking spray. Bake uncovered for 25-30 minutes.

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Serves: 4 Per Serving: 268 Calories; 4g Fat (14.3% calories from fat); 18g Protein; 40g Carbohydrate; 4g Dietary Fiber; 36mg Cholesterol; 1366mg Sodium. Exchanges: 1/2 Grain (Starch); 0 Fat. (www.AimeesAdventures.com)

RR: My whole family loved this! I did not have cream of mushroom so I used cream of chicken and I added some low fat cheese to the top. Yummy!

On the Third Day of Christmas Cookies- Mini Chocolate Chip

Come with me for the 12 Days of Christmas Cookies as I try out low point cookie recipes.

Here are the ones I have already made:
Light Cookie Tips
Caramel Kiss Cookies
Toffee Butterscotch Cookies

Mini Chocolate-Chip Cookies
2 Tbsp butter, softened
2 tsp canola oil
1/2 cup dark brown sugar
1 tsp vanilla extract
1/8 tsp table salt
1 large egg white(s)
3/4 cup all-purpose flour
1/4 tsp baking soda
3 oz semi-sweet chocolate chips, about 1/2 cup
1.Preheat oven to 375ºF.
2.In a medium bowl, cream butter, oil and brown sugar together. Add vanilla, salt and egg white, and mix together thoroughly.
3.Mix together flour and baking soda. Add chocolate chips and stir to distribute evenly.
4.Drop rounded half-teaspoons of dough onto a nonstick baking sheet. Bake cookies for 4 to 6 minutes, then cool on a wire rack. Yields 2 cookies per serving.
Makes 24 cookies
Serving Size-2 cookies at 1 Weight Watchers POINTS®-1

November Picture

I forgot to post my November picture, so here it is. My starting picture can be found here for comparison. I really don't want to look at it again. I have had that sweater for a long time, but it has always been too little for me to wear, now it is actually a little big on me.

On The Second Day of Christmas Cookies-Toffee Butterscotch Cookies

Come with me for the 12 Days of Christmas Cookies as I try out low point cookie recipes.

Here are the ones I have already made:

Light Cookie Tips

Caramel Kiss Cookies

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When I saw these cookies on the Weight Watchers Website, I knew I had to try them. I love toffee and butterscotch so I thought I would really like these. They are very good. They are a light chewy cookie and very good.

Toffee Butterscotch Cookies

1/2 cup(s) reduced-calorie margarine

3/4 cup(s) unpacked brown sugar

1/4 cup(s) regular egg substitute

2 tsp vanilla extract

1 1/4 cup(s) all-purpose flour

1/2 tsp table salt

1 1/3 oz Hershey's Milk Chocolate English Toffee Bar(s) (I used Weight Watchers Toffee Squares candy to make this even lower in points)

Heat oven to 375°F. Cream margarine and sugar until soft. Add egg substitute and vanilla to sugar mixture. Whisk flour and salt together; add to sugar mixture. Stir in candy and mix well. On parchment-lined baking sheets, place 1 tablespoon dough 1 1/2 inches apart for each cookie. Bake until golden, 8 to 10 minutes. Cool on baking sheet 5 minutes. Place on rack; cool completely.

Makes 20 cookies

2 Weight Watchers Points per cookie

My New Momentum Plan

Well, today starts my first day on the Momentum Plan. Today, I decided to try a filling breakfast. I had an omelet made with 1/2 cup Southwestern Egg Beaters and 1 Weight Watcher Cheese Slice. I also had 1/2 grapefruit and 8 oz. of Herbal Tea, the new Sugar Plum holiday Tea. So, a good breakfast for 3 points. I thought the Egg beaters would be 2 points, but online it list both 1/4 and 1/2 cup as 1 point hmmm?

My goals for this week are:
1. Select more filling foods.
2. Exercise at least 15 minutes a day.

Exercising 30 minutes a day is now a Healthy Guideline, so I have to check it off each day. But where I have not been exercising much I need to work back up to 30 minutes. I also took my vitamin this morning and I am now trying to drink some more water.

I really like the new plan and I really like the new materials given out. I really think this is going to help me get back into Weight Watchers.

Menu Plan Monday Dec 8- Dec 14

We are eating a lot of leftover ham this week.

Dinners
Ham and Pineapple Pizza, salad
Soup Beans and sandwiches
Creamy Potato and Ham Bake
Doritos Casserole, Salad
Split Pea Soup (see recipe below), Cornbread
Church Christmas Party I'm bringing Green Bean Dressing
Fat Free Hot Dogs, Baked Doritos, Corn

Breakfast
Banana Bread Oatmeal, hot herbal tea
Apple Cinnamon Oatmeal, hot herbal tea (2 days)
Low fat waffles and fruit, hot herbal tea (2 days)
Omelets, fruit, hot herbal tea
Cinnamon French Toast, fruit, hot herbal tea

Lunch
Cheesy Vegetable Soup (2 days)
Leftover Ham sandwich, baked Doritos, orange
Leftover Split Pea Soup (See recipe below)
Leftover Doritos Casserole, orange
Refried Bean Soup (2 days)
Tuna sandwich, orange

I am also making some cookies for my 12 Days of Christmas Cookies Series. All cookies are low-point cookies. Come back and see what I got up my sleeves. Here is what I have planned right now.
Toffee Butterscotch Cookies, Peanut Butter Cookies, Snickerdoodles, Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies,Fiber One Crunchy Fudge Cookies, Pecan Pie Cookies
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Split Pea Soup
1 lb dried split peas
5 oz Canadian bacon, cut into strips
1 cup diced carrots
1 medium onion, chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
2 bay leaves
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp black pepper
5 cup boiling water
Layer the first 8 ingredients in a slow cooker in the order listed. Pour boiling water over the dry ingredients. Cover and cook on HIGH for 1 hour. Turn back to LOW for 6 hours. Stir soup, it will be nice and thick. Discard bay leaves.
Note: If desired, you can remove 1/2 and puree it then return to the slow cooker.
Serves 7
NI: 269 Calories; 2g Fat (7.3% calories from fat); 21g Protein; 43g Carbohydrate; 17g Dietary Fiber; 10mg Cholesterol; 460mg Sodium

Creamy Potato and Ham Bake
1 (1 lb. 4 oz.) Bag of Simply Potatoes Shredded Hash Browns
1 Cup Frozen Peas, thawed
8 oz. Diced Lean Ham
1/2 teaspoon Dried Parsley Flakes
1/2 teaspoon Black Pepper
1 (10 oz.) Can 98% Fat Free Cream of Mushroom Soup
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. In a large bowl mix potatoes, peas and ham. In a smaller bowl mix soup, parsley and pepper. Pour the soup mixture over the potatoes and mix well. Pour into an 8X8 square dish sprayed with non-stick cooking spray. Bake uncovered for 25-30 minutes. Serves: 4
Per Serving: 268 Calories; 4g Fat (14.3% calories from fat); 18g Protein; 40g Carbohydrate; 4g Dietary Fiber; 36mg Cholesterol; 1366mg Sodium. Exchanges: 1/2 Grain (Starch); 0 Fat. (www.AimeesAdventures.com)

Go here to see more plans.

On the First Day of Christmas: Caramel Kiss Cookies

Come with me for the 12 Days of Christmas Cookies as I try out low point cookie recipes. These cookies are wonderful and only 1 Weight Watcher point each! I would definitely make them again.

Caramel Kiss Cookies

1 Cup of Light Stick Butter, softened

1 Cup Splenda Granular

1 teaspoon Vanilla Extract

2 Cups All-Purpose Flour

1/4 Cup Hershey's Cocoa

48 Hershey Caramel Kisses, unwrapped

Powdered Sugar for dusting

Preheat oven to 350°. In a large bowl, beat softened butter, Splenda, and vanilla until creamy. In a smaller bowl stir together the flour and cocoa. Gradually add dry mixture to the butter mixture, and beat until blended. Use a tablespoon measuring spoon, and measure not quite a full tablespoon of dough. Mold dough around the caramel kiss, covering completely. Roll scantly in powdered sugar. Place on ungreased cookie sheet. Bake 8 to 10 minutes or until set. Remove from oven and let set for one minute, and then place on a rack to cool. Once the cookies are completely cool, roll them in the powdered sugar, if desired.

Serves: 48

Per Serving: 62 Calories; 3g Fat (43.5% calories from fat); 1g Protein; 8g Carbohydrate; trace Dietary Fiber; 8mg Cholesterol; 31mg Sodium. Exchanges: 1/2 Grain(Starch); 0 Lean Meat; 1/2 Fat; 0 Other Carbohydrates. (www.AimeesAdventures.com)

Weight Watchers New Momentum plan

Well today when I went into my e-tools, I found out that they were releasing the new information about the new plan that starts next week. My leader said we will learn all about it at our next meeting. There is a lot of information on the e-tools right now which I get because I buy the Monthly Pass. While there are a few changes, I feel like it is really a whole lot of the same as FLEX was with a little bit of CORE added in. The only thing of HUGE difference I can find is that now we are going to be focusing on Filling Foods. They want you to eat foods that are more filling. You still get Weekly Points but you have to use all of those before you can use your activity points and from what I read online you can once again bank activity points for the week. This means that you can get 3 Activity Points on Monday and not use them until Saturday after you have used all of your Weekly points. I kind of liked the idea of using them on the day you earned them, but okay. Now it seems any liquid with water in it can be counted in the 6 8 oz glasses a day, although they say water is best. So, my initial reaction, I like that we get a change and it is really similar to the old Flex plan. Also, if you liked CORE, they have a program where you do not have to track points all week too. I did not read much on that because I have never done CORE. So, all in all, I can't wait to go to my meeting on Tuesday to find out more. I just really wish Weight Watchers would have waited until after the Holidays to start a new program, but oh well.

Twelve Days of Christmas Cookies-Cookie Tips

This Friday, I am going to start making some Christmas cookies. I have 12 recipes for low point cookies that I plan to try out. Come with me as I make all 12 of the recipes.

Some Lighter Cookie Tips

1. Replace 1/2 the fat of any cookie recipe with an equivalent amount of unsweetened applesauce or mashed ripe banana. Then double the amount of vanilla or other spices in the recipe.

2. When you use low-fat buttermilk, use cake flour rather than all-purpose for more tender cakes.

3. Always cream butter or shortening for at least 2 minutes in the mixer at medium speed. More tender cookies have more air beaten into the batter. However, once you add the flour...never use a mixer. Use a wooden spoon just til moistened. (You don't want the glutens to get stiff.)

4. If a recipe calls for two whole eggs, use 1 whole egg and 2 egg whites; if it calls for 3 whole eggs, use 1 whole egg and 3 egg whites.

5. Replace walnuts, pecans, and hazelnuts with pine nuts, almonds, pumpkin seeds, or sunflower seeds.

Come back Friday as I start the Twlelve Days Of Christmas Cookies Series. You won't want to miss all of the low point cookies!