30 lbs!

Yay! I have finally gotten to the 30 pound weight loss mark! It's taken me quite awhile to get my head in the game and try to get back to my lifetime status with Weight Watchers. I'm getting closer. Yippee! This post is not intended to toot my own horn, but to hopefully inspire you if you are on your own weight loss journey. I love food, so if I can do this, I feel anyone can! :)

Swagbucks

I just can't get enough of Swagbucks today! This is the coolest thing ever! It's basically a search engine site that you can search the web and earn Swagbucks for it. Then in turn, you can "cash in" the swagbucks for gift cards and prizes. I am planning to stock up on as many Amazon and Target gift cards as I can for the holidays and birthdays. I feel it's a great way I can help save us some money without going to work everyday!

You will see the Swagbucks widget at the bottom of my blog. You can check it out there. You can even check my widget for codes to earn bucks. It is that simple! Today is a great day to get signed up because it is their 2nd birthday. I have earned over 100 points already today!

I know it seems a little too good to be true, but I know a lot of friends and fellow bloggers who have joined and know first hand that it is legit! So, what are you waiting for? Get on over there and sign up. :)

Couponing

I have recently started couponing. I haven't done a price book or anything yet, as I am just getting started, but I wanted to fill you in on some fun things I've learned. I have started following blogs like Kansas City Mamas and KC Penny Pinchin Mama to find coupon match ups, freebies and fun offers. I will tell you, these ladies know what they are doing. I'm addicted to finding deals. Kansas City Mamas even does a good job of suggesting free or almost free things to give to charity! What a great idea. If you are going to the store anyway, why not pick something up for the less fortunate for free or a low price? Another fun website to follow, especially on Facebook is Mommysavers. This one is national, so not all of the deals can be found where you live. However, I am stocking up on cheap games and toys for Christmas. If I don't have someone in the family to give them to, they will go to donation. A great example lately is some of the toy coupons out there. I recently picked up 2 Pictureka card games for $.24 each! Target has them for $5.24 and there is a coupon for $5.00 off. Hello...that is a no brainer!

If you would like to get started couponing and don't know how, go over to Kansas City Mamas and read their blog about creating a price book and such. It is great! They came and spoke to my Building Better Moms group and I got intrigued. Since then I've been dabbling with couponing and am loving it!

Stay tuned as I am going to post more about different rewards programs, coupon websites, kids clubs, etc. It is great information! I hope you enjoy it! :)

Week 4, Day 2 C25K Update

Woohoo! I'm still standing! My cheeks actually got a little flushed today. That's a good thing! I felt like I was really doing something. A few side stitches later and I was done! I finally realized that I needed to up the setting to 5.0 when I was running. At 4.5 I just felt like I was dragging my feet. It was pretty uncomfortable. I also had my new workout mix to run to. A little Joan Jett and Pat Benetar to keep me going! Thanks, Ladies.

I also found this free workout mix download from Subway and The Biggest Loser. If you follow this link you can download it, too! I don't love all of the songs, but some are pretty good!          

                                         http://www.podworkoutmusic.com/SUBWAY/

No more excuses! Get up off the coach and start running with me. :) Happy Running!

In honor of Lent...

I'm pretty sure those of you who observe meatless days during Lent get tired of the same old things... grilled cheese and tomato soup, macaroni and cheese, fish sticks, etc. I decided to search for something new and fun to make for dinner tonight. I love southern food, so when I saw this recipe I just had to try it. It was very warm, cheesy and comforting!




Shrimp and Grits Casserole


2 cups reduced fat milk (I used ff skim)
3/4 cup ff chicken broth
1 cup uncooked quick cooking grits
1/4 tsp. salt
1/2 cup shredded parmesan cheese
2 tbls. butter
1 (3 oz.) pkg. reduced fat cream cheese (I used ff because that's what I had on hand)
3 tbls. chopped fresh parsley
1 tbls. chopped fresh chives (I used scallions)
1 tbls. fresh lemon juice
2 large egg whites
1 pound peeled and deveined shrimp, coarsely chopped
cooking spray
hot sauce (optional, but I think it's a must!)

Preparation:

1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees.

2. Combine milk and broth in a medium saucepan; bring to a boil. Gradually add grits and salt to pan, stirring constantly with a whisk. Cook 5 minutes or until thick, stirring constantly. Remove from heat. Stir in parmesan, butter and cream cheese. Stir in parsley and next 4 ingredients (through shrimp). Spoon mixture into 11x7 dish coating with cooking spray. (I used a 9x11 and it worked fine.) Bake at 375 degrees for 25 minutes or until set. Serve with hot sauce if desired.

For you WW's out there, here is the NI. It is based on the original recipe, not my changes)

Based on 6 servings: 8 points per serving

Calories : 341
Fat: 13 grams
Fiber: .06

Week 4, Day 1 C25K Update

Hold the phone, folks! Wow, the program is really ramping up! I had to run for 5 minutes in a row, TWICE! Hello...I was floored when I had to run 3 minutes, now 5? Well, guess what! I survived. Was I a little winded, yes. But, I thought about the 71 year old grandma I saw on The Amazing Race last night who had done some half marathons. She said she didn't get it shape until she was older, either. I figured if she and all of the way out of shape people on The Biggest Loser can do it, I CAN! Seriously...

So, is anyone else out there doing the program? If so, let me know! What are your thoughts? How have you done? I always dread going to the gym, but have such a great sense of accomplishment when I am done. Happy Running!

Week 3, Day 3 C25K Update

Oh, no...I have not quit! It's just taking me awhile. It's a challenge to go to the gym when the hubby is out of town. Sutton absolutely hates the nursery there. :( So, I do my best to get there when he's home. I went yesterday and did the last day of Week 3. I hadn't been there in at least a week and it went just fine. Bring on Week 4. My dad is coming to visit this week, so I'll have an extra set of hands to help out. That means no excuses in getting to the gym! Happy Running!

Chicken and Gnocchi Soup

This is what I made for dinner last night. Sean had been sick this weekend, so we wanted something a little on the bland yet comforting side. He thought this was so good! He was upset that he wouldn't get to eat the leftovers this week since he is traveling yet again for work! 

This is a knock off recipe of a new soup at Olive Garden. I've never had the real thing there, but I would venture to guess that this is a much lower fat, yet just as yummy version! Enjoy!

Chicken and Gnocchi Soup

3-4 chicken breasts, cooked and diced

4 cups chicken stock

2 cups fat free half and half

1 stalk celery, diced

1/2 carrot, shredded

1/2 medium onion, diced

1 cup fresh spinach, chopped

1 tbls. olive oil

1 tsp. thyme

salt and pepper

16 oz. potato gnocchi

1 tbls. cornstarch (optional)

Directions

1. Saute onion, garlic, celery, and carrot in oil over medium heat until onion is translucent.

2. Add chicken, chicken stock, half and half, salt, pepper and thyme. Heat to boiling, then add gnocchi. Boil gently for 4 minutes, then turn down to simmer for 10 minutes.

3. Add spinach and cook for another 1-2 minutes or until spinach is wilted.

4. Optional : Heat to boiling and add cornstarch mixed with 1-2 tbls. water if you want a thicker soup.

5. Ladle into bowls and serve!

Chicken Tamale Casserole

Chicken Tamale Casserole

1 cup (4 ounces) preshredded 4-cheese Mexican blend cheese, divided
1/3 cup fat-free milk
1/4 cup egg substitute
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1/8 teaspoon ground red pepper
1 (14 3/4-ounce) can cream-style corn (I always use 1 1/2 cups frozen corn)
1 (8.5-ounce) box corn muffin mix (such as Martha White)
1 (4-ounce) can chopped green chiles, drained
Cooking spray
1 (10-ounce) can red enchilada sauce (such as Old El Paso)
2 cups shredded cooked chicken breast
1/2 cup fat-free sour cream (optional)

Directions
1. Preheat oven to 400°.

2. Combine 1/4 cup cheese and next 7 ingredients (through chiles) in a large bowl, stirring just until moist. Pour mixture into a 13 x 9–inch baking dish coated with cooking spray.

3. Bake at 400° for 15 minutes or until set. Pierce entire surface liberally with a fork; pour enchilada sauce over top. Top with chicken; sprinkle with remaining 3/4 cup cheese. Bake at 400° for 15 minutes or until cheese melts. Remove from oven; let stand 5 minutes. Cut into 8 pieces; top each serving with 1 tablespoon sour cream.

Yield: 8 servings

CALORIES 354 FAT 14.1g FIBER 2.5g

Cooking Light, NOVEMBER 2008

Sutton's First Steps

Well, we are off to the races at our house now! Sutton is for real walking today! It's so cute to watch a little one take their first steps. Sutton is already pretty good at it because she is 14.5 months old. She's had a lot of time to practice balancing! It won't be long now until she quits crawling. Maybe I won't need so much stain remover for the knees of all of her pants anymore! :) If you would like to see her walking go to:

                           http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YGBqK-tPJlU
 




For some reason I couldn't get the video to upload straight on here. I will have to have one of my very blogsavvy friends teach me how to do it! Until then...Happy First Walking Day to Sutton! We're so proud of you, big girl!

Chicken Empanadas

In honor of the Super Bowl, here is a great appetizer recipe. I haven't made these for a long time and now my mouth is watering for them! Yummy! :) Enjoy!

Please leave a comment on either this post or any for the matter for my Cans for Comments drive! I'm way behind last time. Let's help fight hunger!




Chicken Empanadas (Adapted from Paula Deen)


1 1/2 tsp. salt

1 TBLS. cumin

1 jalapeno, seeded and chopped

1/4 cup chopped red bell pepper

4 ounces neufchatel cream cheese

1 (8 ounce) pkg. shredded 2% Monterey Jack and Cheddar blend cheese

3 cups cooked shredded chicken

1/2 tsp. pepper

1 (15 ounce) refrigerated pie crust

Directions


Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Lightly grease a baking sheet. In a large bowl combine chicken and next 7 ingredients. Unroll 1 piecrust onto a lightly floured surface. Roll into a 15 inch circle. Cut out rounds using a 3 inch cookie cutter. Re-roll out dough as needed. Repeat procedure with remaining piecrusts. Arrange 1 piecrust round on a clean, flat surface. Lightly brush edges of crust with water. Place 1 heaping teaspoon of chicken mixture in center of round. Fold dough over filling, pressing edges with frok to seal. Repeat with remaining rounds and chicken mixture. (Up to this point, the recipe can be made and frozen up to a month). Arrange empanadas on the baking sheet. Bake for 15 minutes.

Sopa Ranchera

I was looking for a new soup to make tonight, so I went to my file of soup recipes that I had copied from the Weight Watcher message boards. I also wanted to use up some of the things I had in the pantry. This soup is really tasty and healthy! It's a very "clean" recipe, which as I am coming to understand, means there aren't many processed ingredients. The lime at the end really brightens the flavor. I would highly recommend it!

Don't forget it's Cans for Comments week. Please leave me a comment and/or sign up to follow my blog and I will donate a non-perishable item to the food drive at our church. In honor of the Souper Bowl food drive, here's another winning soup recipe!

Sopa Ranchera


1 tsp. vegetable oil
1 cup chopped onion
1/2 tsp. dried oregano
1/2 tsp. ground cumin
1 garlic clove minced
3 (14.5 oz) cans chicken broth, reduced sodium
1 3/4 cups cubed peeled baking potato
1 (15 oz.) can chickpeas (garbanzo beans), drained
2 cups cooked shredded chicken, about 8 oz.
1 cup frozen whole kernel corn
3/4 tsp. salt (adjust according to taste)
1 zucchini, quartered lengthwise and sliced)
1 cup diced tomato
1/3 cup chopped fresh cilantro

Toppings: (optional)

2/3 cup finely chopped onion
2/3 cup chopped fresh cilantro
2/3 cup low fat sour cream
2/3 cup shredded monterey jack cheese
10 lime wedges

To prepare soup, heat oil in large Dutch oven over medium high heat. Add 1 cup onion, saute 3 minutes. Add oregano, cumin and garlic and saute 1 minute. Add chicken stock, potato and chickpeas and bring to a boil 5 minutes. Add chicken, corn, salt and zucchini; cook 5 minutes. Stir in tomato and cilantro; cook 2 minutes.

Ladle 1 cup of soup per bowl and 1 tbls. of each topping. Serve with lime wedges.

Yield 10 servings

Calories 208, Fat 7.2, Fiber 3g = 4 WW points per serving

Buffalo Chicken Chili

In honor of the Super Bowl and the "Souper" Bowl Cans for Comments, I thought I would post some new SB WW friendly recipes this week. Don't forget to leave me a comment for Cans for Comments. :)

Buffalo Chicken Chili (Adapted from Rachael Ray)

1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil (EVOO)
2 pounds all-white meat ground chicken breast (I'd probably only use 1 lb, 2 seems like too much)
1 large carrot, peeled and finely chopped
1 large onion, chopped
3 ribs celery, finely chopped
5 large cloves garlic, chopped
1 tablespoon smoked paprika (you can substitute with chipotles or chipotle chili powder)
1 bay leaf
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
2 cups chicken stock
1/4-1/2 cup hot sauce, depending on how hot you like it
1 28-ounce can crushed tomatoes (you could use sauce too)
I'd say these next two items you could just put out as toppers:
Tortilla chips (pts)
Blue cheese, crumbled

Fresh chopped parsley

Place a large pot over medium-high heat, add 1 turn of the pan of EVOO, about 1 tablespoon, and the butter. Once the butter has melted and the pot is hot, add the ground chicken. Brown it, using the back of a wooden spoon to break it up in to small pieces, about 5-6 minutes. Add the carrot, onion, celery, garlic, paprika, bay leaf and some salt and pepper. Cook, stirring frequently, for about 3-4 minutes. Add the chicken stock and scrape up any brown bits on the bottom of the pot. Add the hot sauce, tomato sauce and crushed tomatoes, and bring up to a bubble. Simmer for 8-10 minutes to let the flavors come together. 

Week 3, Day 2 C25K

Don't worry your pretty little heads...I have not given up on this! I just had to take a little down time this past week due to my lower back being "out" and a few other snags. Anyway, yesterday I was back at it! I was a little worried since it had been a week since the last time. It went fine. I survived once again and felt like I could have done more! :) I'm trying to stick to the program and not do much else because I really want to see if by just doing this, I can in fact run a 5K at the end. :) Happy Running!

It's Cans for Comments time! Don't forget to leave me a comment and/or start following my blog. For each comment and/or new follower, I will donate a non-perishable item to our church's food drive!

                                             

                                                        

Cans for Comments

                                               




It is time once again for me to participate in Cans for Comments. For each comment or new follower I get this week, today through Saturday, February 6 at midnight, I will donate one non- perishable food item to our church's Souper Bowl food drive. 


The last time I did this, I ended up donating 22 items. Let's try to blow that out of the water this time! You can comment on either new or old posts. If you also blog, and want to get in on the action, please join me! You can go to my friend, Helen's blog at www.threetimesthegiggles.blogspot.com and even link yourself there! Someday, I'll be cool enough to figure out how to do that, too! :) And, if you don't blog, but you'd like to get in on the donation, do like Helen's friend and match what I am donating. 


Ok...let's get started!