7/24/2011 - Eating out and Fave Salad Dressing!

At McCormick and Schmick's...had the mixed fish grill...very good. Had Swordfish, Shrimp and Salmon.

Toasted Sesame Soy & Ginger...heavenly on a salad!

7/22/2011 - Popcorn, Chicken Salad and Snack!

1/2 Bag Butter Flavored Nutrisystem Popcorn + 1/2 Bag Nutrichocolates = Sweet and Salty Dessert!
(tip: just make sure you divide it in half or you will eat 2 desserts in 1 sitting!!)  

Chicken Salad! Toasted 100 calorie bun, Chicken Salad mixed with 1 chopped stalk of celery and Red Hot Buffalo Wing Sauce to add a little kick. I also serve with extra celery and have it open faced so it feels like more food! Very good lunch!

1 Yoplait Fat Free Greek Yogurt mixed with 1T. Sugar Free, Fat Free Pistacio Jello Pudding Mix and 1 serving of crushed pineapple. Top with Rediwhip. Serve!!

7/19/2011 - Bisuits and Gravy a la flex

In the land of Nutrisystem, "Flexing" means using foods that fit Nutrisystem guidelines that aren't necessarily Nutrisystem Branded items.

So, on the women's basic plan, here are the meals and the rough guidelines for "Flexing"

Breakfast
NS Entree (or flex item with 150-200calories/2.75fat/23carb/10protein)
Protein
Fruit

Lunch
NS Entree (or flex item with 170-220c/3.25f/26cb/10p)
Protein
Veggie
Veggie

Snack
Protein
Fruit

Dinner
NS Entree (or flex item with 240-290c/5.25f/28cb/20p)
Veggie
Veggie
Veggie or Fruit
Fat

Dessert
NS Entree (or flex item with 110-160c/3.25f/12cb/10p)

One of the things I often flex with is Fiber One Complete Pancake Mix. I make scones, pancakes, pancake puffs with sausage/bacon/crab, muffins, or biscuits. Here is a photo shoot I did of biscuits and gravy I made today....

Ingredients:
1/3 c. FiberOne Complete Pancake Mix
1/8 c. fat free half and half
Pepper to taste
1/2 t. baking powder
water to make it mixable if it is not enough fat free half and half.

Mix all ingredients, break in half and plop onto a piece of foil that has been sprayed with PAM. Pop into a pre-heated toaster oven for 5 minutes or until they are starting to brown.

As these are cooking, prepare envelope of creamy country gravy that has 35-40 calories per serving. After prepared, I use 30 calories worth of gravy (1/4c.). Then serve with 1/2 a banana and 2 links of Jimmy Dean Turkey Sausage

7/15/2011 - Stroganoff, StroganON!

This is one of my faves! It is good straight outta the box as is or with veggies added, it just depends on what I wanna do! See below for a recent creation!

The BOX

Stir frying my add-ins: Mushrooms and Green Onions

Fresh outta the box, uncooked

Mixed with veggies, cooked up in pan and ready to EAT! Yumminess!

7/12/2011 - Cherry Frozen Hot Cake!

This is a Nutrisystem discontinued item, but it is one that I was able to amount a stockpile of and that I often enjoy.

Not sure exactly why it was discontinued, but can speculate that it was either because it is was inconvenient (need a microwave) or maybe, as some of the boards suggest, there were transfats in the ingredients. I really have no clue, but I am happy that I have a little stockpile to enjoy and hear that there is a company who makes something very similar on www.dietdirect.com. Sold by Wonderslim and called Double Chocolate Cake. I have never had it, but several people on the Nutrisystem boards have touted its similarity to my fave...

So, anyways...here is the wrapper and two variations of what I do with it.

Make in microwave by dividing mix into 2 ramikins before microwaving for 1 minute.
Top with 1 serving (1/3 c.) of "No Sugar Added Cherry Pie Filling" and 2 T. of Free Cool Whip, Eat!! Enjoy!!  

Option 2: Make microwavable cake in 2 Ramikins in the Microwave, cool in freezer. Add 1 serving of Free Cool Whip and 1 Fruit serving of "No Sugar Added Cherry Pie Filling" and put back in freezer to firm up.

7/10/2011 - Spring into Summer!

Goals for the challenge:
1. Weight: Get under 200 pounds
2. Exercise: 1 hour of cardio 3x/week
3. Exercise: 1 hour of weight training 3x/week
4. Sleep: 8 hours of sleep 5x/week (I know...should be everynight, but we are taking baby steps here!)
5. Read 3 books/month (just to stay sane)
6. Give myself healthy rewards for each goal acheived!

Weight May 22: 216
1st weigh in May 29: 212.8 = -3.2lbs =1.48%
2nd weigh in June 5: 214.2 = +1.4 (this week) -1.8 (overall) = .83%
3rd weigh in June 12: no weigh in, traveling to funeral
4th weigh in June 19: no weigh in, traveling for work
5th weigh in June 26: no weigh in, on vacation (introduced mom to NS)
6th weigh in July 4: 212.2 = -2 (over the last 3 weeks) -3.8 overall =1.76%
7th weigh in July 10: 210.6 = -1.6 (this week) -5.4 overall=2.5%
Final weigh in July 17:

7/9/2011 - Book Review: The Glucose Revolution

REVIEW:

The Glucose Revolution: The Authoritative Guide to the Glycemic Index-The Groundbreaking Medical Discovery

Jennie Brand-Miller, Ph.D.; Thomas M.S. Wolever, M.D., Ph.D.; Stephen Colagiuri, M.D.; and Kaye Foster-Powell, M. N

 

Every wonder why you get sluggish after a big meal and become unusally hungry way to quickly. Exceptionally quicker than expected. The Glucose Revolution gives some insight into the physiology of the body and how, at the root of it, is the pancreatic reaction to glucose in the body. Interestingly, sugar isn't the most impactful item on blood sugar levels...it is refined carbs. There are tips for diabetics, heart patients, and regular Joes for eating the best way for their body without having to feel deprived. I specifically like the explanations in layman's terms about the interactions in the body.

 

Since Nutrisystem is based on the science of the Glycemic Index and eating foods that nourish your body and keep it feeling healthy and non-hungry for hours, I decided to read this book. It was really good to see what is going on in my body. I have noticed that I am pretty full most of the time, sometimes it is hard to eat all my NS food, but when I get hungry, I AM HUNGRY. I have also noticed after I eat my full NS meal, I will not get that "full" feeling for up to half an hour, but then I am FULL. Another thing I have noticed is that I went and had a buffet with my husband for Father's Day. I made pretty healthy selections, but ate more than I have for almost a year now. I felt like BUTT! Food coma all day. It was miserable.

 

I really enjoyed the book and the recipes and science behind what is going on behind the scenes and why my body acts the way it acts!

7/8/2011 - Pizza fun

If you haven't experienced the new Roasted Vegetable Pizza (frozen lunch selection from Nutrisystem) you are certainly MISSING out!

It is delicious. In the picture below, you see my full lunch. The Nutrisystem Entree is the Roasted Vegetable Pizza, Protein=1 oz turkey mini pepperonis, veggies=jalapenos, spinach

Extra: 1/2T. spicy peanut sauce on my blanched spinach

I have to add that I truly enjoy all the Pizza Selections that Nutrisystem offers. I love the non-frozen as well as the frozen options. They have a thick crust and an italian herb crust in the shelf stable selections, then the roasted veggie, margharita, and pepperoni in the frozen options.

7/6/2011 - My Bears Yo!

So, when you are on Nutrisystem and track your weightloss online, you get a Nutribear sent to you for each 10 pounds you lose. I am very happy to introduce you to my bears (they accidentally sent me the 10 and 20 pound bear twice...is that what they do when you are in a super plateau?).

Anyways, here they are!
Red - Pound (10 pound bear)
Purple - Commitment (20 pound bear)
Blue - Community (30 pound bear)

7/4/2011 - Spring into Summer!

Goals for the challenge:
1. Weight: Get under 200 pounds
2. Exercise: 1 hour of cardio 3x/week
3. Exercise: 1 hour of weight training 3x/week
4. Sleep: 8 hours of sleep 5x/week (I know...should be everynight, but we are taking baby steps here!)
5. Read 3 books/month (just to stay sane)
6. Give myself healthy rewards for each goal acheived!

It is hard to feel accomplished when I haven't lost as much as I would like, especially when I am sticking to plan and upping my workouts. But I do need to be more consistent with the cardio. I do have to be proud of my consistency and I am down overall! Yay!

Weight May 22: 216
1st weigh in May 29: 212.8 = 3.2lbs =1.48%
2nd weigh in June 5: 214.2 = +1.4 (this week) -1.8 (overall) = .83%
3rd weigh in June 12: no weigh in, traveling to funeral
4th weigh in June 19: no weigh in, traveling for work
5th weigh in June 26: no weigh in, on vacation (introduced mom to NS)
6th weigh in July 4: 212.2 = -2 (over the last 3 weeks) -3.8 overall =1.76%
7th weigh in July 10:
Final weigh in July 17:

Picture of me today, the 4th of July!!

7/2/2011 - Toasted Ham & Cheese Pleeze

Well, well, well....we are now in July. How the heck did that happen? It is hot as a mug outside, but that doesn't get in the way of my love of Nutrisystem. Sometimes it is hard to believe that I am on a diet. I am usually stuffed with delicious food. I don't have to overstress about food to stay within a reasonable calorie limit. Another cool thing about summer is the new fruits that are in season...Huge Kiwis, Perfect Peaches...YUM!

After nearly a year on Nutrisystem, I have to admit that the frozen foods really added a new level of excitement to my diet. One of the items I recently tried was the Toasted Ham and Cheese. I love it because I can take it to work and heat it up in the toaster for an easy lunch. The ham and cheese is a very thin layer, but it has a great taste and (again) is really easy for when I am at work.