Trying. . .

Trying oh so daily to be healthy. It absolutely THRILLS me to go the the Sunflower Farmers Market. I just look and look at the gourmet cheeses and the many aisles of different grains in their little bins. I bought an eggplant for the first time in my life. (I know, sad when I've lived for 30 years) And a few staples I've liked to have around whenever possible -- mushrooms and grapefruit. Another couple of firsts this time were the beautiful English cucumber -- supposedly burpless and comes in that little wrapper that infers that it's somehow more, organic. (Has to be without all that waxy stuff on the normal cuc.) and of course -- Olive Oil -- I'd love to always cook with this like they do on TV -- but it kills me to even price it so I just end up subbing in Canola oil for most things. But I actually closed my eyes (as my mother advised) and just bought it today. And I feel good about it. The tofu is for the kids -- great super baby food -- even subs for cheese on pizza for my non-dairy eater, and the raw almonds are just pretty and healthy. (The cookie in front is just to keep it real. ;))

Return and Report

So, a week has gone by -- I've repeated (and even kept) my goals most days. I lost 4.6 lbs! I feel good about it -- now if I can only keep up this motivated feeling -- I may just get somewhere.

Spicy Fish

Today is the first day of the rest of my life! Just being positive here. This recipe actually showed up in my most recent issue of Taste of Home - the name of it was Peppered Sole I believe, but I couldn't really call it that if I didn't even use sole! I dug out some Whiting that had been hanging out in my freezer and, though spicy it was, the flavor was good too. I'd definately make it again soon, and I will, , , I WILL!

(um, I'm too lazy to go get the recipe so I'll just paraphrase it from memory -- being that I renamed it anyway, I shouldn't get in trouble with copyright and such :))

Directions:

2 T. butter (I used 1 T butter and 1 T canola oil)

Fresh (always use fresh people) mushrooms

Sautee until 'shrooms are tender, then add and sautee 1 min longer:

2 cloves minced garlic

Season 4, 4 oz. fish fillets (sole or whiting or tilapia, or apparantly whatever white fish you wanna use) with:

1/2 t. lemon pepper

1/2 t. paprika

1/4 t. cayenne pepper

Place fish on top of the mushrooms, put a lid on and let the fish cook for 5-10 min 'til flaky.

Top with chopped tomato and green onion

p.s. only 4 points!!

Positive Self-Talk

So I go through phases - and being that I haven't posted anything for I don't even KNOW how long - I need a pep talk. From Myself.

Last night at WW we talked about controlling our thoughts. I had to come up with 3 Positive Self Affirmations that I can tell myself several times a day and hopefully actually believe it at some point. I have to report to someone/thing -- so i will be "accountable kallie". Here's what I came up with:

1. I can stop snacking -- and find something more of worth to do with my time. (especially late afternoons and evenings -- my problem times) (isn't that 2/3rds of the time? got my work cut out for me.)

2. I am capable of exercising every day. Every day!

3. I am good at preparing healthy meals. (if i care to...)

Lately I have just not cared. I ate lots of candy around Valentine's Day, dined on Ribs and chocolate covered strawberries, polished off 3 hostess pies in an amount of time I won't admit, chose comfort food instead of filling foods, not to mention sticking things in my mouth without writing them down (AHHHHHHHHH!!) BUT . . . since we are certainly not about dwelling on the negative or beating ourselved up for past mistakes -- I will move on. And I will be better this week. I will repeat my 3 statements in my head often and I will even act on them (imagine that).

So this week, expect lots of posts and expect a report next thursday on lbs lost this week. I know it will work. Has worked before by jingo!

Max Delight

Marilyn's gonna make fun of me for even posting this, and the pocket sandwiches I intended it for (stictly for the kids when we went out) weren't really a hit, but the filling alone? Well let's just say Max (the picky one) scarfed it up in large quantities two days in a row. Very baby-friendly and full of protein and veggies. Beware of baby's breath smelling of garlic and onion.

Directions:
Saute shredded zuchini and finely chopped onions in a skillet. Sprinkle a little garlic powder in there. When veggies are tender add some tomato sauce and cubed tofu (I used soft 'cause my baby likes it soft, but Avery would probably prefer firm) just until heated through. I'm sure if you wanted to add shredded cheese to melt on top it may get pickier (than Max?) eaters to partake.

PS. Adrienne's Cheeseburger Buns are what inspired this in the first place. My kids just can't have cheese and I didn't have time to thaw any meat.

PPS. I didn't ever actually try this, so I'm just taking Max's word for it. :)

Veggie Tuna Burgers

I got this recipe from Taste of Home and I really like it -- but I think you all already have the recipe, so I just thought I'd throw that idea out there again. If you want the recipe though -- let me know and I'll post it later.

Ingredients:

1/4 c. finely chopped onion

1 garlic clove, minced

1 c. each shredded zucchini, yellow summer squash and carrots (I didn't use QUITE that much)

1 egg, lightly beaten

2 c soft whole wheat bread crumbs

1 can (6 oz) light water-packed tuna, drained and flaked (once, I used 2 cans)

1/4 t salt

1/4 t pepper

1 t butter

6 hamburger buns, split (they were good on English muffins too)

6 slices reduced-fat cheddar cheese

6 leaves lettuce

6 slices tomato

In a large non-stick skillet coated with cooking spray, sautee onion and garlic for 1 min. Add the zucchihi, yellow squash and carrots; saute until tender. Drain and cool to room temp. In a large bowl, combine the egg, bread crumbs, tuna, salt and pepper. Add veggie mixture. Shape into 6 3.5" patties. Coate the same skillet again with cooking spray; cook patties in butter for 3-5 min on each side or until lightly browned. Serve on buns with cheese lettuce and tomato.

Makes 6 servings

275 calories

8 g fat

3 g fiber

20 g protein

6 WW points/serving

Lettuce Wrap Stir-fry

I started out thinking I'd make lettuce wraps (my copy-cat PF Chang's recipe) but then I just started changing things and it turned out as a stirfry with crispy lettuce on top to still give it the feel. Here's the list of ingredients I used: only 5 points (not including the rice).

chopped green onions

minced garlic

chopped mushrooms

chopped cooked chicken (I used canned, but just 'cause I was lazy)

chopped water chestnuts

julienned carrots

pineapple

Stir-fry everything but chicken (if it's pre-cooked) and pineapple in a small amount of oil until a bit tender. Add chicken and pineapple and 2-3 T. Kraft Asian toasted Sesame light dressing -- toss and serve over rice with chopped lettuce. We topped with the special sauce that we put on lettuce wraps to give it a flavor-boost and some extra heat. If you don't know that recipe let me know and I'll post it but I think anyone who reads this already knows.