Happy Birthday to ME!

Happy Birthday weekend to me!  I promised myself I wouldn't - but I did.  My present to myself this year was supposed to be staying on track, but it didn't go exactly as planned.  I worked out, but I definitely indulged more than I should have - and boy do I regret it.  The saying 'you are what you eat' rings true.  After a weekend of eating 'junk' I feel like just that -- JUNK! 

But it's okay!  I'm not going to beat myself up about it.  I'm going to pick up and get right back on track!  There are 4 weeks until Spring Break and I am going to make the most of them.

I have a hard time having A splurge. It turns into a downward spiral for me, which is exactly why I cannot use food as a reward.  I found an article called 8 Reasons Why You're Not Losing Weight, and it really hit on some important points - consistency, eating the right kinds of calories, not letting your "cheat days" cheat you, and understanding that it's a combination of exercise AND diet. 

How do you pick yourself up after a slip?

Strawberry Creams

Here's a low-calorie treat - we enjoyed them on Valentine's Day.  Only 145 calories per serving!

This is the bag of JUNK from all my students.  NO WAY!!

I managed to avoid eating all this junk and the Salsaritas & 'Goodie' day at school.  In order to not feel deprived I found a recipe for a sweet treat I could enjoy and still stay on track.  

Ingredients:

8 strawberries

2 oz. vanilla Greek yogurt (I used Chobani)

1/2 small banana

1 tablespoon sliced almonds

1.  Mash the banana.  Stir in the Greek yogurt. 

2.  Use a knife to core the strawberries. (The best way I found was to stick the knife in the middle of the banana and twist it around.  The more you get cored out, the more cream that will fit in them.)

3.  Fill the strawberries with the cream.  Garnish with the sliced almonds.  (You could also top with granola or blueberries.)

Makes 1 serving.

ENJOY!

I tripled the recipe so my mom, husband, and I could all enjoy a Valentine's treat. 

Deck of Cards Workout

Here's a Sunday afternoon workout for you!  (Thanks to Kristal - the leader of boot camp - for providing this workout.)  My husband and I did this workout today - it was definitely not an easy game.

All you need is a deck of cards and a little space. 

Spades = burpees

Clubs = mountain climbers

Hearts = push ups

Diamonds = squats

Face cards = 10 reps.

Ace = 11 reps.

Joker = 10 jumping jacks

Ex: Drawing a 2 of hearts = 2 push ups.  Drawing a jack of spades = 10 burpees.  As soon as you finish one card, turn over the next card or get someone to turn them over for you.  I don't know about you, but when I'm in the middle of a workout, my brain doesn't work - so I suggest writing out a chart or writing it out on dry erase to refer to you as turn over cards. 

You can adapt the workout to fit your needs.  Exchange something for sit-ups or jumping jacks.  Turn up your music and keep going!



2 Ingredient Oatmeal Pumpkin Cookies

The other version of the 2 ingredient cookies were so good, and so easy to make, I decided to make the other kind shown at The Burlap Bag.

Ingredients:

1 cup pumpkin

1 cup quick oats



My mix-ins:

- 1 tablespoon semi-sweet chocolate chips

- 2 tablespoons chopped walnuts

- 1 tablespoon pumpkin pie spice

Other possibilies:

- chopped pecans

- raisins

- cranberries

- vanilla

What other mix-ins can you think of?  Combine the pumkin and oatmeal and add in your mix-ins. 

Scoop onto a greased cookie sheet with a cookie scooper.  I used a  spoon to flatten them into more of a cookie shape.  Mine made 17 cookies.

Bake them on 350 degrees for 12 minutes.  They will be golden brown.

Serve warm!  Enjoy!

Again... a guiltless treat!  Depending on your mix-ins, each cookie is about 35 calories (1 PointsPlus).

Which is better?  Oatmeal Banana or Oatmeal Pumpkin?

We loved the pumpkin cookies!  They were the winner in our house.  Which ones do you like best?

2 Ingredient Oatmeal Banana Cookies

 GUILTLESS!  That's the perfecct word to describe these simple cookies.  When I first found this recipe over at The Burlap Bag, I thought they were too good to be true, so I had to find out for myself.

Ingredients:
2 bananas
1 cup of quick oats



Mash up the banana and blend it with the oatmeal.  Old bananas work better since they are easier to mix, but new work as well.  Then add in your favorite mix-ins.

Mine have:

- 1/8 cup of dried cranberries

- 2 tablespoons semi-sweet chocolate chips



The possibilities are endless!

- chopped walnuts

- raisins

- cinnamon

- dried apples

- honey

Make sure that you don't add too many mix-ins or the cookies won't stick together.  If the cookies are too runny, add some more oats.

I used a cookie scoop to measure out the mixture and put it on a greased cookie sheet.  Make sure to grease the cookie sheet - oatmeal is like cemement when it hardens.  They don't spread, so you can put them close together.  I used a spoon to press them down and form them into more of a cookie shape. The recipe says it makes 16 - mine made 17. 

Bake on 350 degrees for 15 minutes.

Serve warm. Enjoy!

 The guiltless part?  Each cookie is only 35 calories! (1 PointsPlus)

It will vary slightly according to your mix-ins.  No sugar, no oil, no "junk." 

 I will be definitely be making these again!  The mix-ins are a must - I don't think they'd taste as good without any.  Next time I will definitely add cinnamon to mine.  What will you add to yours?

Boot Camp!

Here's a glimpse at today's workout at Boot Camp today!  Why yes, it was 32 degrees this morning.  I just keep thinking that I'd rather be uncomfortable for some workouts than uncomfortable forever because I don't feel good about myself.  It felt great to know that I accomplished so much before I would have normally even gotten out of bed.  It even gave me the energy to clean up the house when I got home.  

I'm down 8.8 pounds and it feels great!  Get out and get active.  Find a group workout or a friend to workout with.  Accountability is key! 

100th Day of Kindergarten!

Jenna, Me, Sarah, Rachel - The Kindergarten Team!

Today was the 100th day of Kindergarten!  To celebrate, everyone dressed like they were 100 years old (we'll forgive Rachel for not dressing up).  There were kids with curlers, robes, canes, suspenders, and baby powder in their hair - so cute. 

The kids got to write about what they would buy if they had $100.  Some of the highlights were candy, a car, a farm, and a piggy bank (a future investor).  

It was a fun-filled day of counting to 100, dice games, writing their names 100 times (they just LOVED that one), and more.

At the end of the day, my kids went home with a card and candy that said

You are worth...

Raspberry Oat Bars

Here's the recipe for this low calorie snack!

Ingredients:

1 cup old-fashioned oats

1/2 cup all-purpose flour

1/2 cup soy-protein cereal clusters (I used Kashi's Go Lean Crunch)

2 tbsp sugar

1/4 tsp ground cinnamon

1/8 tsp salt

5 tbsp margarine, cut into small pieces

3/4 cup raspberry fruit spread

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Spray 8-inch square baking pan with nonstick cooking spray.

2. Combine oats, flour, cereal, sugar, cinnamon, and salt in food processor; process until blended.  Add margarine; process with on/off pulses just until coarse crumbs form.  Set aside 1/2 cup crumbs for topping.  Press remaining crumbs onto bottom of prepared pan.

3. Bake 15 minutes.  Spread fruit over crust; sprinkle with reserved crumbs.  Bake 20 to 25 minutes or until edges are browned and fruit spread is firm.  Cook slightly in pan on wire rack.  Cut into bars.  Makes 20 bars.

Nutritional information: (1 bar) Calories: 80, Total Fat: 3g, Saturated Fat: <1g, Cholesterol: 0mg, Sodium: 50mg, Carbohydrate: 13g, Fiber: 1g, Protein 1g. Recipe from 100 Calorie Snacks & More

My only complaint is how small the serving size is - you really need to save calories for 2 servings to make it feel worthwhile.

Honey BBQ Wings

When it comes to eating healthy there are two words you don't want to hear - "SUPER BOWL!"

Chips... queso... munchies... dessert platters...

How do you enjoy a fun time with friends and family and not feel deprived of what everyone else is enjoying?

How about a healthier alternative to the traditional Boneless Honey BBQ Wings?

Ingredients:

1/4 cup whole-wheat flour

1/8 tsp. each salt and black pepper

8 oz. raw boneless skinless chicken breast, cut into 16 nuggets

2 tbsp. fat-free liquid egg substitute

1/4 C BBQ sauce (with 45 calories or less per 2-tbsp serving)

1 tbsp. honey

1/8 tsp. garlic powder

Directions:

Preheat oven to 375 degrees.  Spray a baking sheet with nonstick spray.

In a wide bowl, mix flour, salt, and black pepper.  Place chicken nuggets in a large bowl, top with egg substitute, and toss to coat.  One at a time, shake nuggets to remove excess egg and coat with seasoned flour.  Evenly lay on the baking sheet.  Bake for 10 minutes.  Flip chicken.  bake until outsides are lightly browned and chicken is cooked through, about 6 minutes.  In another large bowl, mix BBQ sauce, honey, and garlic powder.  Add cooked nuggets and toss to coat.

TIP: Make sure you double or triple your recipe for a Super Bowl party.  

Nutritional Information: Serving Size: 1/2 of recipe (8 wings), Calories: 264, Fat: 2 g, Sodium: 788 mg, Carbs: 31 g, Fiber: 1.5 g, Sugars: 16.6 g, Protein: 29.5 g, PointsPlus Value 6 points.  The alternative: Serving Size: 1 portion (6-8 wings), Calories: 603, Fat: 30 g, Sodium: 1,679 mg, Carbs: 50 g, Fiber: 1.5 g, Sugars: 20 g, Protein: 32 g, PointsPlus Value: 16

This is a recipe I found from Hungry Girl. 

YUM!  Add a little fat free ranch or blue cheese and you are set!  Everyone enjoyed them and they were very filling.  They hit the spot and helped me feel like I wasn't being deprived.

ENJOY! 

A Little Shopping Motivation

There's nothing like a little, light shopping to make you want to do some heavy working out.  I went shopping with my mom today.  A few pairs of pants later, my sense of motivation suddenly came rushing back.  You've been there - the dreaded between sizes!  The size you want is a little too tight, but you are NOT going to buy the bigger size.  

I'm on my way to fitting into those motivational pants!  I'm down 6 pounds and still going!  I've had a few rough days, but I'm keeping on.  My mom used to quote the saying "nothing tastes as good as being skinny feels."  It's true.

Diet.  It's a word associated with fad eating, weight loss, and deprivation.  At boot camp the other night we discussed 'diet' versus 'on a diet.'  (On Tuesdays & Saturdays I go to 'boot camp' with some other ladies.)  I've really had to change my mindset about what diet means.  Everyone is 'on a diet' because diet is what you eat.  It's the food you choose to fuel your body with, whether it be healthy or unhealthy.  I have stop feeling so restricted by the limitations of what I eat and start remembering that I am choosing to make my 'diet' a wholesome one that will keep my healthy and happy! 

A great app / website I've been using is called My Fitness Pal.  It's a great way to keep track of what you're eating.  You give it information about yourself, tell it your goals, and it tells you how many calories to eat each day.  It makes it so easy to keep a food journal because I do it all from my phone.  Adding food is as simple as scanning the bar code or typing in the search bar - their database of foods is huge!  If I forget my phone or it dies, I can simply access   my account online. 

You can find friends to give you encouragement.  Keep track of carbs, fat, sugar, etc. for the day or week.  Keep track of your goals, exercise, and food diary - all in one.  My favorite part is that when you complete a day's diary, it gives you an estimate of what you would weight in 5 weeks if you keep eating the same.  It helps keep me motivated and holds me accountable.  

Low Calorie S'more Treats

Looking for a scrumptious, guilt-free treat?  

This one is so easy your honey could whip it up for you for Valentine's Day!

Ingredients:

2 1/2 cups cocoa-flavored sweetened rice cereal

6 whole low-fat honey graham crackers

3 tablespoons margarine

1 tablespoon sucralose-brown sugar blend

3 1/2 cups mini marshmallows, divided

1 square (1 ounce) semisweet or milk chocolate, melted (optional)

1. Spray a 9-inch square pan with nonstick cooking spray.  Place cereal in large bowl.  Crumble graham crackers into 1/4-inch pieces and add to bowl.  Toss to combine.

2. Combine margarine and brown sugar in large microwavable bowl.  Microwave on HIGH 25-30 seconds or until margarine is melted.  Add 2 1/2 cups marshmallows; microwave on HIGH 1 1/2 to 2 minutes or until marshmallows are melted, stirring after 1 minute.  Stir until mixture is smooth.

3. Add marshmallow mixture to cereal mixture; stir to coat.  Add remaining 1 cup marshmallows; stir until blended.  Press evenly into prepared pan using waxed paper (or a greased spatula).  Cool completely.  Drizzle with chocolate, if desired.  Cut into squares. 

My niece Lydia gave this tasty treat a thumbs up! 

This recipe is from 100 Calorie Snacks & More. Makes 16 squares. Nutrients per Serving (1 square): Calories: 89, Calories from Fat: 20%, Total Fat: 2g, Saturated Fat: <1g, Cholesterol: 0mg, Sodium: 79mg, Carbohydrate: 16g, Fiber: 0g, Protein: <1g

NOTE: I used regular brown sugar.  I try to steer clear of artificial sweeteners.  Also, I only had an 8x8 pan to use, which made them a little thicker.  

This recipe is definitely worth saving calories for!  My husband devoured his!