Wednesday, November 4, 2009

4 New Recipes, Q&A, , 10 Miles, Water Goal in Place

Thank you all for your support with my goals! You had lots of great advice on the ‘water’ front, and I’ve decided to drink 5 16-oz. bottles a day, or 80 oz.! I started today and, while I’m not finished because it’s only 7:30 p.m., I’ve already had 4.5 bottles. It’s much easier then I thought, especially when I drink 1 while walking! Also, I LOVE Erica’s idea of doing a month without goals… and just see what happens. Perhaps this will be December – I’m SUCH a rebel. Let me back up…

Yesterday was a pretty great day! I woke up to another yummy brunch pizza square thingie and got to work! During lunch me and Stacy walked 4 miles, then worked more, then I had Pasta in creamy sundried tomato sauce (minus onion; plus chicken) then after work we went back down for 2 miles and a chest/triceps workout. We decided to do shoulders with legs this week to break it up a little more!

I raced home HUNGRY and was craving a pizza I wasn’t supposed to have until tomorrow. Oh well – I had it anyway! Here’s the recipe for my new Four Cheese Pepperoni Pizza (recipe makes ONE serving):



4 oz. Trader Joe’s Pizza Dough
½ tsp dried basil
6 Turkey Pepperonis
1 tbsp reduced fat parmesan cheese
28 grams fat-free feta cheese
2 tbsp Trader Joe’s Spaghetti Sauce
28 grams Trader Joe’Fresh Mozzarella
30 grams Fat-Free Ricotta Cheese

Preheat oven to 400. Spread out dough. Mix together sauce and ricotta; smear on dough. Then top with feta, mozzarella and pepperonis. Sprinkle with parmesan and basil. Bake for 10-12 minutes until cheese is melted. Nutritional Information: 454 calories, 56 carbs, 11 fat grams and 23 protein grams. Um, loved it! Next time I may had 3 more pepperonis or maybe just some red pepper flakes. SO good though!!

After dinner I hung out with mom, watched some shows, read some of my book, played with Reuben – the usual! I also had snacks – trader joe’s cookies… the devil. I ended up at 1,760 calories, 201 carbs, 64 fat grams and 93 protein grams. Here’s what I ate. WAY too many cookies, reese’s cups, etc. Grrrr.

Today I woke up to a new breakfast – Breakfast Chilaquiles. I stumbled across a variation of this, did some research on what a chilaquile was, and then made this recipe! Makes SIX servings.



12 corn tortillas
Eight large eggs, scrambled
12 oz. boneless, skinless chicken breast
1 cup salsa
¾ cup fat-free grated cheese
3 tsp canola oil, divided
Salt, pepper and cumin to taste
Optional: 6 tbsp fat-free sour cream for a topping

Preheat oven to 350. In a nonstick skillet over medium high heat using 1.5 tsp canola oil, heat tortillas until both sides are crisp. (do two at a time using ¼ tsp oil). Once all are cooked, use fork and knife or pizza cutter to cut tortillas into 1-inch strips. Use the skillet to scramble 8 eggs, seasoning with salt to taste. Use the skillet one more time. Over medium heat, add 1.5 tsp canola oil, then defrosted chicken with a bit of salt, pepper and cumin. Cook for 3-4 minutes, then add salsa. Stir until chicken is no longer pink, then shred chicken with two forks. Get 9x13 glass dish. Layer tortillas, then eggs, chicken mixture and shredded cheese. Bake covered with foil for 20 minutes. Add sour cream as desired and serve. Nutritional Information: 351 calories, 34 carbs, 10 fat grams and 28 protein grams. I thought it was great, although you must forgive the shotty work picture! It was really filling and just different! I didn’t have sour cream (forgot it!), but did add a little salt to spice it up. Hot sauce or sirachi would have been good too. Anywho, I’ll definitely make this again, but may reserve it for weekends when I’m feeding more people as I think it would have been even better if I had been able to eat it after cooking rather than reheating!

After breakfast I worked more, went with Stacy to walk 4 miles, then had a new lunch: Spicy Italian Chicken from Fix it and Forget it Lightly. It makes FOUR servings:

½ cup fat-free Italian dressing
½ cup water
¼ tsp salt
½ tsp garlic powder
1 tsp chili powder
½ tsp paprika
¼ tsp black pepper
1 pound chicken boneless, skinless
2 tbsp cornstarch
2 tbsp cold water
8 oz. penne, cooked.

Spray the inside of the slow cooker with nonfat cooking spray. Combine all ingredients except chicken, water and cornstarch. Add chicken. Turn to coat. Cover. Cook on low 4-5 hours. Remove chicken. In a saucepan, combine cornstarch and cold water. Add cooking juices gradually. Stir and bring to a boil. Pour sauce over chicken and them serve over noodles. Nutritional Information: 363 calories, 50 carbs, 3 fat grams and 34 protein grams. It wasn’t amazing but it wasn’t bad. It was like a B- minus. I don’t think I’d ever crave it. Sad. It needed something like a veggie, but I can’t think of a veggie that would go good?? Maybe just a can of diced tomatoes?? (like fireroasted or something like that). I’m going to give it a whirl with the tomatoes –I’ll holla back! And when I do I’ll post the picture!

After work I went straight home, hung out with the family and cooked dinner – Beef Tacos for FOUR servings. Very, VERY simple friends:



1 pound 96/4 beef
4 Mission carb balance tortillas
4 tbsp salsa, divided in 4
1 jalapeno, finely diced
1 package taco seasoning
3-4 tbsp of water
Nonstick cooking spray
12 cherry tomatoes, diced
1 oz. Kraft natural swiss/cheddar cheese blend, divided in 4

Spray a large nonstick pan with nonstick spray. Add beef, jalapeño, taco seasoning and water. Stir until no longer pink, then add to tortilla, top with salsa, tomatoes and cheese. Serve. Nutritional Information: 314 calories, 9 fat grams, 26 carbs and 32 protein grams.

Now I’m in bed watching TV and won’t be eating any more. OMG. I ended up at 1,791 calories, 222 carbs, 52 fat grams and 115 protein grams. Here’s what I ate. Way too much crap. Again. In my defense today was the Thanksgiving Potluck for my department. I didn’t participate and instead walked 4 miles. But I did give in later and have a chocolate chip cookie and, randomly 4 shrimp. Hehe After that I had another stressful situation that led me to the Hersheys. When WILL this treat season end? I blame myself – I forgot my gum- not good! Bygones…

K - here are some questions from my last post answered!

Why 113? Well when I first started losing weight the goal was 115. No reason – just figured I’d try to get there and if I got there I’d see what’s up. 115 felt great. My clothes fit great, I had high energy levels, etc. So I thought 113 was good to ensure I stayed at or just below 115. Well I dropped to 110. Not a good weight for me – I needed those few extra pounds to fill out my cheeks, clothes, etc. So 115/114/113 are my happy weight!

What exactly constitutes a "neighborhood" walk for Reuben? Reuben is tiny. He broke 7 pounds this month (we think it’s the exercise). He’s also a bit…. Hmm.. paranoid I’ll say. He does well on a leash but he’s not enjoying it. He spends the whole time looking up at me like still there? Still there? Still there? So, I want him to be happy on a leash and though a walk around the block (maybe ¼ mile) would be good for him to get more comfortable on a leash, get out of the yard/house, etc.

I'm so curious to know if there's any part of your life that isn't organized? Definitely! There are some things I simply can’t wrap my brain around. Like car maintenance. I’m AWFUL – rarely getting check-ups, checking my warranty, etc. Or really, even cleaning it. My car is my id fo sho and it’s something I need to tackle. Also, I’m working on getting our garage more organized as well as our downstairs hall closet. Lastly, our social events – we use Google calendar but I can be bad about RSVPing so I’m trying to work on creating an area where invitations go so I can refer back to them for registries, etc. These are just a few (of many!) areas I’m trying to really lock down so I can chill. I know it sounds weird but it’s how I am!
Now a couple of questions for you:
What do you do at "forced-fun work events with food"? Fight or flight?
What are your favorite taco toppings?

25 comments:

Anonymous said...

I love the idea of doing a month without goals! Can't wait to read about it!

At work, I tend to avoid the food unless it's something really really special and homemade. Then, I totally indulge!

And my favorite taco topping is cheese, cheese...and more CHEESE!

homecookedem said...

Woah girl, you've been cookin' up a delicious storm today! I'm so impressed with all the cooking you do!!

Our school has required lunches every now and then and there's always treats in the workroom. (Although less this year - economy maybe?) We also always have a birthday treat for each teacher on our grade level. I politely decline all the treats (people have come to expect it from me). It's just never been worth it to me. However, if someone makes something specifically for me, I always at least try it and eat a little bit to be appreciative.

Favorite taco topping is salsa! With lots of cilantro in it!! :)

Unknown said...

I love cheese, tomatoes and sour cream on tacos. :)Thanks for sharing the great recipes!

april said...

you've been cookin up a storm! What kind of turkey pepperonis do you buy?

Every Gym's Nightmare said...

lol, i work at a personal training studio, so its kind of the opposite. everyone yells at you if you eat a cookie

Diane, Fit to the Finish said...

Boy - you are a cooking machine. You could probably cook for my family of nine with your eyes closed and your hands tied behind your back! I'm so impressed!

Thinspired said...

So much good food in this post! We'll just call you Martha! But a skinny Martha ;)
Cheers for reaching our Happy Weights!

Anonymous said...

I'm a flight girl. Never participated in any functions. People got used to it.

Taco topping would be cheese and sour cream...I haven't had one in so long.

V was great so far :D

Erica said...

oww thanks for the shout out! I hope you do the month without goals- so much fun :) Everyone deserves a breaky! Especially someone who works as hard as you! Frank can't do real long walks either- our vet told us to limit him to 1/4 mile! Favorite taco toppings- lettuce, tomato, avocado!

Samma said...

I am so behind on thank you notes from my wedding at the end of May. Ugh- I def need to be more organized about that!

Sunny said...

yay, great new recipes to try! everything looks delicious and i'm all for simple recipes! thanks for posting them. :)

Sweet As Boys said...

Thanks for checking out my blog! My comment section should work now...hopefully ;)

Digging the yummy recipies! Where do you come up with so many different recepies so often? I'm always at a block come Sunday when I'm doing my weekly meal planning. I usually get in a food rut when it comes to dinner planning. I'm sure this will change in time though.

Good luck with your month without goals. Can't wait to read about it!

Pam said...

Trader Joe's is the best...your pizza looks tasty and so does your breakfast and tacos. Now I am hungry.

Mica said...

Thanks for explaining Reuben's neighborhood walks! If I'm ever in the 'hood with Frenchie friend, we'll have to get Brutus out for some fun times so he stops being so paranoid. :)

80 oz of water a day? I'd love to do that. Unfortunately, I'm always cold, so the idea of drinking more cold water (I don't like to drink warm water.) seems so unappealing. Oh well, maybe I'll try for 64 oz to start out.

Anonymous said...

1700 some calories isnt bad at all!And your meals looked delicious!

Stephanie said...

I do a lot of the same things others mention (splurge if it's homemade, etc.), but I also try to not over-think it. A lot of times I'll take some and walk away from the party with it, saying I'm going to eat it later and then toss it. Or, take a small amount,and enjoying the conversation, etc. Usually people won't even notice if you eat/finish!

Anonymous said...

Mmm, tacos. I heart tacos. And all things Mexican food related. I can't pick just one topping...cheese, sour cream, salsa, lettuce, tomato.

And that is why I only eat Mexican food twice a year.

laura dishes said...

I normally splurge if I'm in the mood for something! I don't eat donuts or pastries (Don't want to start my day off on the wrong foot!) but when Piece of Cake comes out in the afternoon, I have a hard time saying no!

I really like Erica's idea of letting the goals go for a month... it would be interesting!

Miz said...

damn.

my husband would LOVE you to come here and cook for him. US.

I do need me a wife huh?

and Im a plain taco woman.

meat, lettuce, and RICE crammed in that shell.

*drool*

Anonymous said...

A V O C A D O
A taco just won't do without it : )
Oh and I like cold sour cream and diced tomatoes.
I'm hungry now!

haute.teapot said...

Haha I love your Q & A! At food events, if I've been feeling particularly good about myself, I'll indulge. The funny thing is, eating the processed stuff is not 'as fun' now so I actually don't overdo it most of the time. A lot of the stuff that we'd think of as 'bad food' kind of is and then it just doesn't have the same appeal to me. If I feel like I've been eating poorly I will just eat something a little healthier before the event.

And taco topping would be salsa. ;)

Yum Yucky said...

I could potentially eat every single food item in this post before noon.

SmallStepsForLola said...

Thanks for checking out my blog! My comment section should work now...hopefully ;)

Digging the yummy recipies! Where do you come up with so many different recepies so often? I'm always at a block come Sunday when I'm doing my weekly meal planning. I usually get in a food rut when it comes to dinner planning. I'm sure this will change in time though.

Good luck with your month without goals. Can't wait to read about it!

Every Gym's Nightmare said...

lol, i work at a personal training studio, so its kind of the opposite. everyone yells at you if you eat a cookie

Melissa said...

I love cheese, tomatoes and sour cream on tacos. :)Thanks for sharing the great recipes!