Come on ladies, work that ass

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let's do this. 

back on the train

well hell.  I'm baaaack!  After a month of eating donuts, and yo fro, and ice cream, and pizza, and many many platters of nachos, and TWO days full of crackers and cheese (my FAVORITE), the scale finally tipped the point of needed return.  To start the journey back down, this morning we were out the door and jogged/walked our way to the top of Mt. Tabor and back.  Success.  In 9 days I meet my sisters for our annual summer concert, and in 11 days the whole fam is gathering for our annual summer reunion.  I aim to drop 5 by then.

Here's what I ate today.

08:00am: 2 fried eggs
10:30am: yogurt & blueberries
12:00pm: baby carrots
12:30pm: Diet Lemon/Lime soda
02:00pm: cottage cheese & apple

2 string cheese, 1 bag nut things from mini mart, 1 small chicken breast.

Treadmill Brazilian Butt Workout

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my goal is to make it the gym just once, at least once this week and do this.

What I Ate: Day 12 of my first 17

07:00am:  24 oz Home Brewed coffee with 4 TBSP sugar free creamer (60 cals)
11:00am:  Dannon Light & Fit yogurt (80 cals) with 1 cup strawberries
12:00pm: 7oz bag of baby carrots
12:45pm: 1 cup ground turkey with 2 cups salad
                {turkey: seasoned with taco seasoning,
                  salad: greens/onions/tomatoes/grapes/FF cheddar cheese/raspberry vinaigrette}
02:00pm: 1/4 inch sliver of spice cake with chocolate frosting.  (oops)
03:25pm: 1/2 inch sliver of spice cake with chocolate frosting.  (oops x2)
03:45pm: 1 medium granny smith apple
04:00pm: 1 piece of almond roca
               1 baby kitkat bar
               2 baby snicker bars  (i'm on a chocolate bender!!!!!)
               2 baby butterfinger bars
               (all of the above were Fun Size, about 50 cals each)
10:00pm: 3/4 cup vanilla ice cream with carmael sauce and magic shell.

Water (by the 8 oz): // // //


Notes:  I'm on a bender, in a bad way.  Need to stop!! 

Morning Inspiration: Fitness is a science, not magic

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What I Ate: Day 11 of my first 17

Yes.

THAT happened.

1 Dryer's Peanut Butter Cup Ice Cream Waffle Cone

1 small corn on the cob with cheese and butter

1 Elephant Ear

1 Raspberry Limeade

1/2 a large plate of biggie Nacho's.

It was a Holiday.

And I was at a festival all day.

What can I say.

Best Chicken Lettuce Wrap in the World

This chicken salad in a wrap was BOMB.  I'm not sure if the reason it was so incredible was because I used the leftovers from the Balsamic Rosemary Grilled Chicken, and that chicken alone is amazing, or whether it was the juicy bites of grape that sent it over the top, but damn was it good.

Here's what I used:

1 leftover balsamic rosemary grilled chicken breast, diced
1 scallion, diced
1⁄2 cup chopped red grapes
2 tablespoons chopped celery
1 tablespoon olive oil
Salt and pepper to taste
Large lettuce leaves

Mix together all ingredients, but the lettuce leaves, in a bowl and refrigerate till chilled.  Place the salad mixture in the lettuce leaf, wrap, and eat.

Remember the Vinegerate Dip from the original cooking of the chicken?  Dip the wrap in that.  Holy mother. Doesn't get much better than this.

5 Stars.

What I Ate: day 10 of my first 17

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06:30am: 24 oz Home Brewed coffee with 4 TBSP Sugar Free Creamer (60 cals)
09:45am: Dannon Light & Fit Yogurt (80 cals) 1 cup strawberries
11:45pm: 7 oz bag of baby carrots
12:45pm: 1 cup ground turkey with 2 cups salad
               {greens/grapes/onions/tomatoes/FF cheddar cheese/raspberry vinaigrette}
03:00pm: 1 can diet ginger ale
08:00pm:  Chicken breast, cucumber salad
09:00pm:  3/4 cup of yogurt covered raisins and nuts
                Slice of poppy seed cupcake with frosting


Water (by the 8oz): // // // // /

Dip that Balsamic Rosemary Grilled Chicken

Yesterdays food post brought you my favorite Balsamic Rosemary Grilled Chicken Recipe.  I made 4 breasts, we ate two, and the next evening sliced up one of the breast in to thin strips and dipped them in the Vinegar sauce that I saved from the cooking pan.  Holy melt in your mouth Deliciousness.  Wow.

Perfect served as an appetizer, snack, or even as main dish served with sauteed veggies.

5 Stars!

Morning Inspiration: Make it a HABIT!

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What I Ate: day 10 of my first 17

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all I wanna do is wear short shorts!

06:30am: 24 oz Home Brewed coffee with 4 TBSP Sugar Free Creamer (60 cals)
10:00am: Dannon Light & Fit Yogurt (80 cals) with 1/2 cup Raspberries, 1/2 cup strawberries
12:15pm: 7 oz bag of baby carrots
01:30pm: 1 small chicken breast with 2 cups salad
               {greens/grapes/FF cheddar cheese/raspberry vinaigrette}
02:00pm: 1 can diet ginger ale
05:00pm: 1 medium granny smith apple, 1/2 cup FF cottage cheese
06:00pm: 1 small chicken breast dipped in balsamic vinegar
               1 cup mashed cauliflower


Water (by the 8oz): // // //

Balsamic Rosemary Grilled Chicken

Best chicken recipe I've made to date.  In my life.  

Admittedly, I haven't made a lot of chicken recipes, but this.is.good.  Really really good.  

I used:

1/2 c balsamic vinegar
1 TBSP olive oil
1 TBSP fresh rosemary chopped
1 TBSP minced garlic
1/4 tsp salt
1/4 tsp pepper
4 boneless skinless chicken breasts

Combine the vinegar, olive oil, rosemary, garlic, salt & pepper in a bowl and whisk well.  Put the chicken in a Pyrex pan and stab them.  Yes, you read that right:  Stab the heck out of those breasts.  I put horizontal and vertical stabs up and down each breast.  Then pour the mixture over the top of the breast, spooning the mixture that pools in the pan back onto the breast until they are well coated.  Cover with foil and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes.


Leave the foil on the pan and cook in the oven for about 45 minutes at 375 degrees.

DO NOT DRAIN THE SAUCE OUT OF THE PAN.  Save it.  This vinegar sauce is AMAZING.  I used it on a salad I made to accompany dinner, and it is absolutely amazeballs as the dip for the leftovers.  Finger licking good!

5 Stars.  Please make this.  Cause you're gonna need it for tomorrow's leftover..trust me!

original recipe inspiration

Morning Inspiration: 50 ways to lose 10 pounds!

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"Fantasy Binge"

I think that's my fav!  :)

What I Ate: day 9 of my first 17

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GROSS! 

10:00am: 16 oz Home Brewed coffee with 2 TBSP sugar free creamer (30 cals)
12:30pm: Salad bar at Sizzlers
               Lettuce, grape tomatoes, red onions, 1/4 cup cottage cheese, beets, 1/2 deviled egg,
               splash of olive oil, red wine vinegar, balsamic vinegar, 1 TBSP sunflower seeds
               Unsweetened Iced Tea
02:15pm: Berry Yogurt Smoothie
04:00pm: 7oz bag of baby carrots
04:30pm: 1 cup nonfat vanilla yo cream with 
                {1 TBSP butterfinger crumbs, 1 TBSP graham cracker crumbs, 1 TSP carmael sauce, 
                  1 TSP peanut butter sauce}
05:00pm:  1/2 a small bag of theater popcorn, 1/3 of small diet soda

08:00pm:  1 small chicken breast with balsamic vinegar dip,

                1 1/2 cups mashed cauliflower

                8 oz decaf tea


Water (by the 8oz):  //  I do AWFUL at drinking water on the weekends!

Notes:  I totally cheated today.  Oh Well.

Morning Inspiration: Nothing tastes as good as skinny feels!

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I adore her.  

And I know, without a doubt, she's say it again.

Nothing Tastes as good as Skinny Feels.

What I Ate: day 8 of my first 17

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07:00am: 16 oz Home Brewed coffee with 2 TBSP sugar free creamer (30 cals)
07:00am:  2 fried eggs in pam
11:15am: Berry Yogurt Smoothie
01:15pm:  1 cup ground turkey with 1 1/2 cups salad
                {turkey: seasoned with taco seasoning,
                  salad: greens/onions/tomatoes/grapes/FF cheddar cheese/raspberry vinaigrette}
01:30pm: One Crystal Light Popsicle
01:30pm: 4 Wether's hard candy (40 cals)
05:00pm: 4 Wether's hard candy (40 cals)
05:30pm: 1 can Diet Ginger Ale
07:00pm: 4 Wether's hard candy (40 cals)

08:45pm:  1 cup nonfat vanilla yo cream with 
                {1 TBSP butterfinger crumbs, 1 TBSP graham cracker crumbs, 1 TSP carmael sauce, 
                  1 TSP peanut butter sauce}


Water (by the 8oz): // // /


Notes: crap crap crap.  I even made myself my fav chicken recipe and didn't eat before I left the house to hang with my sissy, and then I had Yo Cream, AGAIN.  Eeeeeeeek!!!  Ugh.  Oh well.  Tomorrow is another day.

Berry Yogurt Smoothie

Scrumptious!  That's what this berry yogurt smoothie is.  Perfect for breakfast, a snack, or when that sweet tooth is tempting to bite a big ol hole into your calorie bank.  I experimented and threw the following in a "bullet-like" blender:

1 Plain Dannon Light & Fit Yogurt

1/4 cup Raspberries

1/4 cup Strawberries

1/4 TSP Almond Extract

Splash of diet Ginger Ale

Ice cubes

Blend it & Pour it into a tumbler and enjoy!

5 Stars.

Morning Inspiration: The only bad workout is the one that didn't happen!

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And with this.. I'm off to do my 1st At Home Fitness!

What I Ate: day 7 of my first 17

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06:30am: 24 oz Home Brewed coffee with 4 TBSP Sugar Free Creamer (60 cals)
07:30am: 2 egg omelet with 2 TBSP FF cheddar cheese and onions and tomato
10:45am: Dannon Light & Fit Yogurt (80 cals) with 1/4 cup Blueberries
12:10pm:  1 cup ground turkey with 2 cups salad
                {turkey: seasoned with taco seasoning,
                  salad: greens/onions/tomatoes/grapes/FF cheddar cheese/raspberry vinaigrette}
03:00pm:  1 yellow pear, 1/2 cup FF cottage cheese
04:15pm:  16 oz Passion Tea with 3 Splenda
08:00pm:  1 large chicken breast, no skin
10:00pm:  1 cup nonfat vanilla yo cream with 
                {1 TBSP butterfinger crumbs, 1 TBSP graham cracker crumbs, 1 TSP carmael sauce, 
                  1 TSP peanut butter sauce}


Water (by the 8oz): // // // // //

Notes:  It's official.  Week One in the record books and I'm down 4.7 lbs! Yes, yes, I know that these results are typical of the first week, and the first week Only as the pounds always drop fast.. at First, then the real, slow, steady work begins.  But that said, it's been a dedicated successful week!  This morning we were out of lunch fixings and got up at 6am and cooked.  How's that for the beginning of a lifestyle change!

We made a pact that with every successful week down, we celebrate!  Every Friday night, providing it's been a good week and we've stuck to our goals, we're gonna hit Yo Cream for some nonfat yogurt.  Personally, a little reward and something to look forward to goes a looooong way.

Do Fitness at Home

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Morning Inspiration: A year from now you'll wish you had started today

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This quote is so applicable, across the board.  Start today.

What I Ate: day 6 of my first 17

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06:00am: 24 oz Home Brewed coffee with 2 TBSP Sugar Free Creamer (30 cals)
07:00am: 2 egg omelet with 2 TBSP FF cheddar cheese and onions
10:45am: Dannon Light & Fit Yogurt (80 cals) with 1/2 cup Blueberries
12:30pm:  1 cup ground turkey with 2 cups salad
                {turkey: seasoned with taco seasoning,
                  salad: greens/onions/tomatoes/grapes/FF cheddar cheese/raspberry vinaigrette}
12:50pm: 1 can Diet Ginger Ale
02:30pm: 1 medium apple
05:45pm: 1/2 cup mashed cauliflower
07:00pm: 1 Crystal Light popscicle 
08:00pm: 1 Salmon Fillet
09:00pm: 4 Werther's Sugar Free candy (40 cals)

Water (by the 8oz): // // // // // //

Notes:  I wouldn't say I'm hungry.  I'm just irritable.  And tired.  :( {0430pm}

Crystal Light Popsicle's

Sometimes I just need something in my mouth.  This is a perfect something ~  both sweet and crunchy.  Mix yourself up a pitcher of your favorite Crystal Light flavor, pour into a Popsicle mold, freeze, and have yourself a virtually calorie free and sugar free treat.  


5 Stars.  Do it.  

Morning Inspiration: I'm not losing weight. I'm getting rid of it.

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What I Ate: day 5 of my first 17

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07:00am: 16 oz Home Brewed coffee with 2 TBSP Sugar Free Creamer (30 cals)
07:30am: 1 Werther's Original Sugar Free hard candy (8 cals)
10:00am: Dannon Light & Fit Yogurt (80 cals) with 1/2 cup chopped Strawberries
11:30am: 2 Werther's Original Sugar Free hard candy (16 cals)
12:45pm:  1 cup ground turkey with 2 cups salad
                {turkey: seasoned with taco seasoning,
                  salad: greens/onions/tomatoes/grapes/FF cheddar cheese/raspberry vinaigrette}
01:30pm:  7oz bag of baby carrots
03:45pm: 1/2 cup mashed cauliflower
10:00pm:  Sugar free fruit juice bar (25 cals)
10:00pm:  8 oz Crystal Light Strawberry Lemonade

Water (by the 8oz): // // // // //


Notes:  Went to a lawn concert this evening, it was soo fun!  And, I didn't eat or drink there.  Fist pumps for me!  That was  my goal, and I succeeded.  I got home so late, I didn't want to eat, but prepped the Man to make me a hearty omelet come the AM.

Mashed Cauliflower

Holy moly.
They turned out perfect.
This recipe made my whole entire day.
They filled that void I was needing filled.  

Okay, enough of the dramatics~  they were really good.  I needed a little crunch, something that felt hardy, like a mashed potato would, and I'm telling you, it did the trick.  Next time I think I will heed the advice in the original recipe {link is below} and will add some rosemary to give it a bit more flavor.  I did add a teaspoon or two of fat free sour cream on top to eat... 

I used:

• 1 head cauliflower
• 1 tablespoon fat free cream cheese
• 1/4 cup grated Parmesan
• 1/2 teaspoon minced garlic
• 1/8 teaspoon vegetable broth 
• 1/8 teaspoon ground black pepper
• 1 tablespoon butter
• 1 teaspoon garlic salt {needed it after a taste test}

We cut the cauliflower off the head in small pieces and put in the pot, bring to a boil.  Once it is boiling, put 6 minutes on the timer.  It really did take about 6 minutes till I put a fork in a piece of the cauliflower and it broke softly apart.  Drain in a colander.  Pat dry with a paper towel.  Add all ingredients in a bowl and beat with a mixer until it is mixed well and all chunks have been put through the mixer.  It WILL be a little chunky.  But not much!  Don't shoot for creamy though.. it doesn't happen and doesn't need to.  Serve.  If you're like me, put a dab of fat free sour cream on top and enjoy! 

• 
  
• original recipe inspiration

5 Stars.  This gets 5 Stars.  If I had more stars to give, I'd give it to the Mashed Cauliflower.

Morning Inspiration: It took more than a day to gain it

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IT TOOK MORE THAN A DAY TO GAIN IT.

IT'LL TAKE MORE THAN A DAY TO LOSE IT.

DON'T GIVE UP.

so... the number on the scale this morning was the exact same number it was yesterday morning.
This is a good reminder.

What I Ate: day 4 of my first 17

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I've been fussing that I neeeeeed a treat, sooo bad.  Seriously whined those exact words tonight while standing in front of the ice cream at the grocery store.  This will remind me.. I am not a damn dog.  I do NOT need a treat.  


07:30am:  24 oz Home Brewed Coffee with 4 TBSP Sugar Free Creamer (30 cals)
10:15am:  Dannon Light & Fit Yogurt (80 cals) with 1 cup chopped Strawberries
10:45am:  12 oz Chai spice black tea with 1 splenda
11:15am:  7oz bag of baby carrots
01:00pm:  1 cup ground turkey with 2 cups salad
                {turkey: seasoned with taco seasoning,
                  salad: greens/onions/tomatoes/grapes/FF cheddar cheese/raspberry vinaigrette}
02:45pm:  1/2 cup FF cottage cheese with 1 granny smith green apple
08:00pm:  1 Salmon fillet (lime/jalapeno)
                2 cups mashed cauliflower
                8 oz Raspberry Decaf Green Tea
09:00pm:  2 Whether's Sugar Free Caramels (20 cals) 


Water (by the 8oz): // // // // // // // (14)
Exercise:  None :(

Notes:  I felt really full going to bed last night and woke up feeling the same way this morning so forfeited the morning eggs.  I was soo hungry most all day yesterday, and today.. I'm just not very hungry. {1015am} I got Hungry, the salad HIT THE SPOT {0100pm} The Water inspiration this morning worked.  I'm already at 10 glasses {0200pm}  Dinner was DELICH.  Absolutely delicious.  Great day, feel good, other than the whole not exercising part... it's 930pm and lunch is packed.  I'm ready for tomorrow.

In other news: The Man weighed himself this morning and has lost 5 lbs since we started 4 days ago.  I'm really happy the new diet and cooking habits are paying off, and really bitter that he's losing more than I am.  My littlest sis warned me about dieting with a man for this very reason.  Ha!  :)

bags and bags of baby carrots

I buy a huge bag of baby carrots and immediately put them in zip lock bags, each bag weighing 7 ounces (One serving is 3.5 ounces.  I want to be conscious of my portions, regardless of what it is).  I fill my the bottom drawer of my fridge with them and voila.

Literally, we do not leave the house without a bag of carrots.  It's the perfect snack, or curb to make it to the next meal.
This gets 5 Stars.  It's a must do.

Morning Inspiration: Drink a lot a lot of WATER

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What I Ate: day 3 of my first 17

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06:30am: Two eggs fried using Pam

06:30am: 16oz Home brewed coffee with 2 TBSP Vanilla Caramel Sugar Free Creamer

09:00am: Light & Fit Dannon Yogurt with 1 cup chopped Strawberries

10:30am: 1/4 cup ground turkey (I was HUNGRY!)

12:15pm: 3/4 cup ground turkey over left over salad from dinner last night
               {the salad had raspberry vinaigrette and grapes, it was DELICIOUS with the turkey}

02:00pm: 1/2 cup FF cottage cheese and 1 peach

04:00pm: Honey Lemon Ginseng Green Tea
05:30pm: 7 oz bag of baby carrots
07:00pm: Frozen Sugar Free Juice Bar (25 cals)
07:30pm: 1/2 can of Diet Ginger Ale
07:30pm: 3.5 oz bag of baby carrots
08:30pm: 5 sugar free Weather's hard candy (40 cals)
09:15pm: 1 chicken breast stuffed with sage and FF cream cheese
               {premade by local organic market}
09:15pm: Decaf Raspberry green tea

Water:  ////////  (9)
Exercise: None.  :(


Notes:  It was an okay day.  Was hungry at times, so ate.  Going into Fred Meyer and walking past the baked goods killed me.  Made me buy some sugar free hard candy.  At 5 pieces for 40 calories, and no sugar.. I won the battle today, and that's all that matters.

Marinated Cucumbers

Absolutely the PERFECT snack/side dish.  The original recipe is listed below.  I didn't have all the ingredients needed so improvised.


I used:

1 English Cucumber
1/2 cup White Balsamic Vinegar 
1 TBSP minced garlic
Peppercorn Spice
2 TBSP chopped up mint
Salt

We sliced the cucumbers and layered in a colander as directed, salting each layer, and let sit for about an hour.  I forgot to pat the cucumber dry, and threw them right into a container with all the other ingredients.  Put a lid on the container, shook it well, and served.

Crunchy/Salty/Flavorful.

Other than the bummer of having to wait for them to sit for an hour, I give this one 4 1/2 stars.
I will DEFINITELY be making them again.


Click here for original recipe inspiration
The recipe as per the original:
1 large english cucumbers, peeled and sliced thin. Layer in colander in sink and sprinkle each layer with salt. Let sit one hour. Pat dry. Combine 1/2 c. rice vinegar, 3 T. safflower oil, 1 small clove minced garlic and 1/8 tsp. ground white pepper. Add cucumbers and toss to coat. Cover and refrigerate until chilled. Drain off liquid and add 3-4 T. chopped fresh mint, toss and enjoy!

Lose Weight in the Kitchen

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