Food Review

During this weight loss journey of mine Lean Cuisine is a big part of it.  That is what I usually have for lunch.  Its easy, usually filling, and a quick no brainer when I have to think of what to eat. 

This week I tried something new.  Lean Cuisine's Stuffed Cabbage with mashed potatoes. 

I don't know what made me pick it up other than to try something new.  Well, it was actually good.  The cabbage was light, tender and not at all "cabbagy" tasting.  The sauce was hard to pin down, kindof like a mixture between a marinara and a ketchup.  It was nice though,  a little sweet.  The entire thing was stuffed with a tender beef/pork/rice mixture.  It was really good.  It had a good texture and flavor, but not strong.  Also, the potatoes were good.  Anything that allows me to eat mashed potatoes is a win in my book.

Total points was 5, so that also makes it a win for lunch. 

Awesome Soup

In my attempt to get "back on the wagon" I was watching Hungry Girl the other day. She shared a soup recipe that was so easy I had to try it. I've made it twice and it is really yummy. So I'll share it with you. (You can find her recipe on her website here)

1 1/2 lbs. raw boneless skinless lean chicken breasts, halved
1/2 tsp. salt
1/8 tsp. black pepper
1 small onion, finely diced
2 carrots, chopped
2 cups dry coleslaw mix
Two 14.5-oz. cans (about 3 1/2 cups) fat-free chicken broth (or one carton)
One 15-oz. can cannellini (white kidney) beans, drained and rinsed
One 14.5-oz. can stewed tomatoes (not drained)
1 cup frozen peas
1/2 tsp. fresh thyme
1 bay leaf

Okay, you seriously just dump all this stuff in a crock pot and cook it on high from 4 to 6 hours. She has a fancy crock-pot that works in 4 hours, mine, on the other hand, took 6. Once it's done you take the chicken breasts out, shred them and put them back in the pot. Remove the bay leaf or be sure you don't put it into someone's bowl.

I didn't have stewed tomatoes the last time I made the recipe so I used canned tomatos seasoned with basil and oregano (Italian kind) and it was still good. I couldn't tell a difference. Each serving is around one cup and is 3 points. I would say for me I'd eat two cups but still 6 points for a main meal is great.

My whole family enjoyed this, too! Served with a crunchy baguette (not for me) and a little Parmesan (again not for me) sprinkled on top and it's a great meal for a cold day! Enjoy!

Weigh-In

Well last night was the dreaded weigh in.  I lost another three pounds.  A total of 8 pounds.  Not bad for two weeks.

I've had a pretty easy time so far.  I'm learning to make better choices in my food quality and quantity.  For instance, tonight I want chick-fil-a. I've planned my day around my dinner.  I had one of my 2 point smoothies for breakfast, a 7 point lean quisine for lunch and fruit for a snack this afternoon.  So, I can get my diet lemonade, grilled sandwich and yes...a small waffle fries.  It will all fit in my points for the day.  AND since I ran this morning I can have a piece of chocolate for desert at bedtime if I want to.

If this sounds kindof obsessive, it is sometimes.  Honestly, though, it's really not  most of the time.  I just want chick fil a for dinner which surprisingly is REALLY high in points so I need to plan.

I plan on loosing at least 50 pounds so this is what I have to do.

Weekends are hard.

In this weight loss journey weekends are hard.  My family is all home, we are going fast forward all weekend and fast food is what naturally goes along with all of the activity.

My husband loves to eat out so we ate out twice this weekend at two different yet awesome mexican food restaurants.  I tried to make wise choices but it's not easy with the amount of food they serve, tortillias with everything and the chips....oh those chips!  I would find myself munching on a chip and not even remembering picking it up.  Habits are really hard to break.

I do know though, that this is a long journey so I'm not too hard on myself.  I know I'll learn better menu choices to make as I go along as well as breaking nasty habits such as instinctively grabbing up the chips.

Oh yeah, also it was my daughter's birthday so, yes, a cupcake did pass my lips.  But I walked twice so it should be okay.

I'm glad to get back to a routine this week.  It's much easier.