Countdown to 2011 - 27 days to go!!

As we speak (or as I type,) I am watching Top Gear US...they are in South Carolina, "the Heart of the Rural South." I have to admit that my sense of adventure is a little waned by the images they are presenting on screen. Moving is already a really scary thing, and then I get inundated with images of squalor in my relocation destination! I mean, I am accustomed to a degree of you know, Southern Comfort...but bootlegged alcohol and cars in yards? Yikes!

Besides that, my 20th week on Nutrisystem ends today and I am excited about tomorrow's weigh-in. Feeling a little bloated, but excited nonetheless. I have elected to purge my Nutristash of the things I am not too fond of. My mother-in-law, who originally got me started on the program when she stopped doing it and gave me a month's worth of food, is going to give it a go again.

Things I am gifting her:
1. Veggie Fajita
2. Veggie Sloppy Joe's
3. Pasta Primavera w/Tofu
4. Mushroom Risotto
5. Buffalo Chicken Wrap (not all of them, but several)
6. Pretzels
7. Herb Snack Mix
8. Green Pepper Steak w/Rice
9. Salisbury Steak w/Rice
10. Fettuccine Alfredo
11. Apple Cinnamon Oatmeal
12. Maple Oatmeal

Tonight for dinner I had a Flame Broiled Beef Patty w/cheese and 1T. bacon bits (free food!)
I used my 3 veggie servings to pig out on squash fries...probably not a good choice because of the spices and salt, but I was really feelin' it!



Fun Picture from my trip to California in October! I have lost 6 or 7 lbs since then.
Photographed with my dear friend Tegan.



9/12/2010 - Foods

Rehydrating a Patty!

Add water to the tray to rehydrate.

New tip from fellow Nutrisystem member:

use cold water and hydrate for 20 minutes,

then fry in pan with Pam.

The "fried burger" is much much tastier, but 1 I have made did get crumbly.

BBQ Sauce over Beef, Beans, and Rice

BBQ Sauce over Beef, Beans and Rice! Yummy. Has a great, sweet taste with zing and tons of rice (compared to many of the other entrees). This is really, really good. I ate it right out of the container with a salad.

Blueberry and Lemon Bar

Okay, this tastes pretty good. The lemon and blueberry really come together and the crumbly portion really ahs a buttery taste. In my opinion it is much better than the Strawberry Shortcake bar. I was originally disappointed that the bar looked absolutely nothing like the picture, but HEY, I live in Texas! Things melt.

Mushroom Risotto

The first time I had this meal, I thought it was very strange. Each time I have it, it is a different experience. It depends on mood and there are many other things I like a lot more, so I will probably not order this again. One of my friends makes this as a side dish, so I may try that next time.

Pasta with Beef

This is one of my favorite lunches! I add a Tablespoon of Scallions and put my lunch protein (string cheese in this) and it tastes like a decadent pasta dish. I usually cook it as instructed, then dump it into a microwavable cup, add the veggies and poke the string cheese in the middle.

Stroganoff Sauce with Beef and Noodles

One of my favorite dinners! I just love the zesty flavor! Probably better with a spoon of greek yogurt stirred in. I don't have any more of these entrees right now, but hopefully will get some soon.

Homestyle Beef with Mashed Potatoes and Gravy

It is more appetizing than it looks. I found a few recipes where people turn the Cheesy Homestyle Potatoes into Sherpard's Pie and I think that would be a great idea for this entree. Will try that next time. But overall, besides being a little bland, it is good.

This is a discontinued item, but it is tasty and delicious with a late night coffee! I have 2 more to eat and I am glad!!

9/4/2010 - Big Mac!

Okay, so....I made MY version of a Big Mac and fries today for lunch. I had to make some adjustments to the rest of the day to keep on plan, but it was a much needed burger and I was so full after eating 3/4 the burger and 1/2 the fries. I used my lunch protein for the 2nd patty. I skipped my snack protein. The fries are a stretch, but I did consider them as a veggie (butternut squash is supposed to be considered a carb).

My husband ate the leftovers and was shocked at how much this tasted like a big mac!

Ingredients for burger:

2 Nutrisystem Flamebroiled Patties

2 T. Fat Free Kraft Thousand Island Dressing

1 C. shredded lettuce

1 + 1/2 Sandwich Thin (Orowheat Whole Grain)

1 Fat Free Kraft Sharp Cheese

Pam

Instructions for burger:

1st - Prepare Patties

Soak patties in cold water for about 10-15 minutes. Then spray pam in a large skillet and cook burgers, flipping once, to desired heat, coloring, and burn. Set aside.

2nd - Prepare Bun

Lay out the bottom half of 2 buns and apply the salad dressing and split the lettuce between the two.

3rd - Build Your Burger

On one of the bottom halves, place the first beef patty.

Top with cheese.

Place the 2nd bottom half on top of the patty w/cheese.

Place 2nd patty. 

Top with 1 of the top halves of bun.  

Ingredients for fries:

Pam

Seasonings (I use Crushed Rosemary and light Cajun Salt)

1/2 medium butternut squash (peeled and chopped into fry-like wedges)

Instructions for fries:

Heat oven to 500 degrees.

Spray cookie sheet with Pam.

Spread out fries so that nothing is touching.

Add seasonings.

Spray fries again.

Bake for about 20-25 minutes, checking frequently -- You want them crispy, but not burnt.