Saturday, October 26, 2013

First Week Impression of Weight Watchers

I joined Weight Watchers on 10/20 so I've been following the plan for almost a week and had my first meeting today.  There are some things I really like about WW and others I could do without.  For the things I like: Free points foods!  Who knew you could eat all the vegetables and fruits you want?!?! Well, within reason you try pulling this rule on corn or potatoes and you will be looking at a point blowout! I made a soup with chicken, beans, quinoa and corn and created the recipe on their website- a can of corn was 15 points, lets just say corn and I are no longer on speaking terms.

You have points for the day, which as a calorie counter  this was the part I was least convinced about, but I do like them and hope I get the hang of calculating them soon.

The other tracking feature I like is the workout tracker, I have used caloriecounter and myfitnesspal and I always had the sneaking suspicion that they were giving me way too much credit for my workouts.  On WW I got a decidedly low amount of points for my workout which I appreciate so I don't feel like I can go home and eat an extra 800 calories. 

Things I don't like, the website is not user friendly,  I mean I pay $42 a month to use the website and go to meetings and I can't believe how many glitches I'm finding!  Half of the 'my tools' didn't open the first few days I was on it and I registered for the meeting 3 times because even after I registered there's no where that specifically states 'you signed up for xx/xx/2013'  which really concerned me.  

I went to the meeting without my temporary card (yes this was my fault, but in my defense you can only get to the temporary card by registering for a meeting which I had already done 3 times)  and they had no communication between the website and the meeting computer to look me up.  

The meeting was a lot of fun, there was even someone who brought a pair of pants she could jump in an out of with her clothes on in front of us (love that cliche, but who doesnt').  We all received a list of Halloween candy and their respective points on our way out!  Terrifying!  I think I'm going to be baking Taralynn Mcnitts pumpkin bars to curb any cravings!

Sunday, January 20, 2013

delicious dinner and a fun new snack!

Winter has me loving a good crockpot recipe and this has been my favorite to date.  I am a huge fan of skinnytaste and have enjoyed every recipe on her blog that I've tried.  I have irrational anxiety about not pairing a meal with either a cheese or a carb but I know with her recipes I will be satisified without those so without further ado I present Skinnytaste's "Santa Fe Chicken".  It tastes like you scooped out a burrito and only ate the contents, only and its less than 200 calories for a 9 oz serving! Yum!

I modified her recipe a bit as you can see below.  I added spinach (I cooked it the whole time and could barely see it when it was done, so I would add it about an hour before serving next time but if you have a picky eater this might work out well.) Have slightly less chicken and corn and a lot of hot sauce.  

Mine clocks in at 163 per serving, paired it with Tostitos Cantina chips (15 for 150) ~313 meal



Raw, Boneless, Skinless - Chicken Breast, 22.4 ounces67208146Ico_delete
Vegetable - Red Bell Pepper, 1 pepper30801Ico_delete
Red Pack - Petite Diced Tomatoes, 1 container (1 4/5 cups ea.)881804Ico_delete
Spices - Cumin, 1 tsp8100Ico_delete
Onions - Raw, 0.25 cup, chopped17400Ico_delete
Goya - Black Beans Premium Drained Rinsed, 1 container (1 4/5 cups ea.)31567225Ico_delete
Spinach - Raw, 4 cup28403Ico_delete
Knorr - Chicken Bouillon Extra Large Cubes, 1/2 cube10000Ico_delete
Spices - Pepper, red or cayenne, 1 tbsp17311Ico_delete
Spices - Onion powder, 1 tbsp24601Ico_delete
Spices - Garlic powder, 1 tbsp28601Ico_delete
Corn - Sweet, yellow, canned, whole kernel, drained solids, 0.5 cup661512Ico_delete
 Just a random announcement for a kicking good snack bar.
SUNBELT FUDE DIPPED COCONUT CHEWY GRANOLA BARS.
The fudge dipped bars were only 10 calories more than their undipped counterparts so obviously the right choice was made.  I always feel fancy eating coconut so these bars tasted good and I could wear my tiara without irony while eating them so it was a win-win

Pizza Cravings

Make your very own delicious pizza at home for just 140 calories a slice!
Country Kitchen - Light Italian Bread, 3 slice1203006Ico_delete
Hormel - Turkey Pepperoni, 17 slices70049Ico_delete
Sargento - Ultra Thin Slices - Provolone, 2 slices80165Ico_delete
Sargento - Colby-Jack Ultra Thin Slice, Low Fat, 2 slices80175Ico_delete
Prego 100% Natural - Chunky Garden Combo Pasta Sauce, 1/2 cup701322Ico_delete
TOTAL 420

Sunday, January 13, 2013

meal for 2 in less than 10 for about $3 a person

I love food, I don't get people that think eating is boring or are super picky because that's not me.  I also love instant gratification I can spend 3 hours completing a task but the best part of it is putting a check mark next to it to show its done.  Thats why I love eating something warm and rich without having to put a lot of time of effort in it. Warning this looks likes I've been paid by steamfresh but I haven't I just love steam-anything!

Here it goes:
(30 cal per 1/2 bag)
(180 cal per serving)

 (80 calories per 1/4 cup)


Start by tossing your couscous and asparagus in the micro for 5 minutes, while you are doing this grab a 1/2 cup measuring tool from your cupboard and measure out your goat cheese.
Take asparagus out and cut it up into 3/4 inch pieces.
Once done toss goat cheese, asparagus, and couscous in large bowl and mix together.
Put in microwave again for 1:30 on 8 and serve! Delicious


Calories: 290
Carb: 36g
Protein: 14.2g
Fiber: 5g
Sodium: 524mg

(The sodium is a little out of control (I'm a salt lover, can't stop wont stop) at  35%.
To reduce it,  add another bag of veggies  to make 3 servings and  make a slightly more reasonable ~23% of your sodium intake,) 



Friday, January 4, 2013

Cheese and crackers swap

who doesn't love cheese and crackers? I know I do, but a block of cheese and a knife is too much of a flirt for me so I need a little imposed self control so I thought why not cheese slices?


Sargento ultra thin cheese.  In my opinion these are the best cheese slices, they are full of that great flavor but thin so you still have a lower calorie cheese slice.  

My second addition would be cereal 
 Yes crackers are buttery and delicious, but we are really just looking for that crunch! Cereal is fortified and usually has air pockets so you feel like you are getting a lot more crunch for your cal.
1 slice of ultra thin colby jack and a 1/2 cup crispix = 95 calories