Break the Cycle

Went to WW this a.m. - The subject again was storyboarding - and what surprised me (well, not really) was that my backrow mate and I both started with the same word - Journaling. The first step in WW. Why don't I journal every bite? I used to. We were taught "if you bite it, write it" but somewhere along the way, I lost the habit. Posting my storyboard this week next to my desk, at least I'll see it every day, and have no excuse NOT to journal. If I just do one step each week - adding something new to the step before, I'll be back on track by mid-July - and I'll be where I want to be by the time we go visit our old WW leader down South - so, that's my goal. Menu is made for most of the week - Today we had waffles - higher in points - but since it's both breakfast and lunch, it's ok. Dinner tonight is turkey on the grill with mashi rice (white rice made with onions, cabbage, dill, cilantro, tomato paste - totally good for you) I'll make a ...

Memorial Day Weekend - beautiful weather so far. Missed this a.m.s meeting - we had workers yesterday and today - cleaning the gutters, hanging shelving in the garage - odds and ends kind of jobs - but I couldn't leave them alone with the kids home. No big deal - but I will keep an extra tight eye on my scale this week. Toes feel better - so back to treadmilling. Also received Bob Harper's new book "Are You Ready". Will try to read that as well this weekend. I know I need to journal better - just so many other things I'd rather be doing. Tonights dinner will be low fat hot dogs on the grill, and maybe baked beans? Tomorrow's dinner will be bbq'd chicken on the grill, corn on the cob, scalloped taters, and a jello cake for dessert. Might even make an extra one for tonights dessert - that or a pudding pie .... So many new recipes to try - but - can't make the daily trips to the grocery store anymore - not with gas at $4 gallon - YIKES !!! Will ne...

Yesterday's WI was ok - down .4 lbs - could have been better. Tried to stay off the scale yesterday and this a.m. - impossible. I'm going to have to put the scale either up in the attic, down in the basement, or out in the garage. Had some birthday cake last night - I worked hard all day, got the yard mowed and trimmed, fired up the chainsaw for the first time this year, and worked on the debris that fell with last weekends storm. Still have one big piece to cut up, we'll save that for firewood, but the chain was getting dull, and I didn't feel like changing it - I'll finish that up today. Kids are in the kitchen having breakfast. DH out playing tennis - I think I'll go sew !!

Vegetarian Penne SERVINGS: 6-8 CATEGORY: Main Dish METHOD: TIME: Prep/Total Time: 30 min. Ingredients: 2 cups uncooked penne pasta 1/3 cup finely chopped onion 1 small yellow summer squash, sliced 1 small zucchini, sliced 1/2 cup sliced fresh mushrooms 1 teaspoon minced garlic 3 tablespoons butter 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour 1/2 teaspoon salt 1/4 teaspoon dried parsley flakes 1/4 teaspoon dried thyme 1/4 teaspoon pepper 1/4 cup heavy whipping cream Directions: Cook pasta according to package directions. Meanwhile, in a large skillet, saute the onion, summer squash, zucchini, mushrooms and garlic in butter until tender. In a small bowl, whisk the flour, seasonings and cream until smooth; add to the skillet. Cook for 2-3 minutes or until thickened. Drain pasta and add to vegetable mixture. Cook for 2-3 minutes or until heated through. Yield: 6-8 servings.

Honey Rosemary Chicken Kabobs Light & Tasty "These tender kabobs are full of savory rosemary flavor yet they're low in fat and sodium," says Elisabeth Corcimiglia of Byron, New York. "I found the original recipe in a magazine but adjusted it to better suit the tastes in my household." SERVINGS: 4 CATEGORY: Low Fat METHOD: Grill (gas or charcoal) TIME: Prep: 15 min. + marinating Grill: 10 min. Ingredients: 1/3 cup honey 1/4 cup lemon juice 2 tablespoons minced fresh rosemary or 2 teaspoons dried rosemary, crushed 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes 1 pound boneless skinless chicken breast, cut into 1-inch cubes 1 pint cherry tomatoes 1 small zucchini, cut into 1-inch pieces 1 can (8 ounces) unsweetened pineapple chunks, drained Directions: In a large bowl, combine the first four ingredients. Pour 1/3 cup marinade into a large resealable plastic bag; add the chicken. Seal bag and turn to coat; refrigerate for at least 30 minutes. Cover and refrigerate remai...

Going to try this one over the weekend while my oven is on. Ingredients: 1 1/4 cups regular oats (not quick or instant) 3/4 cup Bisquick Heart Smart baking mix 1 cup skim milk 1/2 cup Egg Beaters, Original 1/3 cup canned pure pumpkin 1 cup canned peaches in juice or water; drained & chopped 1/4 cup SPLENDA, Granular 2 tsp. pumpkin pie spice 1/4 tsp. salt Directions: Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Combine ALL ingredients in a large bowl and stir well. Spoon mixture into a 12-cup muffin tin sprayed well with nonstick cooking spray. Bake muffins for 20 minutes, or until muffins have puffed up and tops are firm and golden. Allow to cool before removing from muffin tin. Enjoy! (Don’t you love recipes that are this easy!) This came from the Hungry Girl Web site - tons and tons of recipes if you haven't been there - plus sign up for her daily newsletter - sometimes it's just promoting something - but most times there are links to very good recipes - if you do sign up - please put ...

12 Week Beginner Walking Schedule : " WEEK SUN MON TUE WED THU FRI SAT 1 15 min 15 min 20 min 15 min 20 min 15 min 20 min 2 15 min 20 min 20 min 15 min 20 min 15 min 25 min 3 15 min 25 min 20 min 15 min 25 min 20 min 25 min 4 20 min 30 min 20 min 20 min 25 min 20 min 30 min 5 20 min 30 min 30 min 20 min 30 min 20 min 35 min 6 25 min 30 min 30 min 25 min 30 min 25 min 40 min 7 25 min 30 min 40 min 30 min 30 min 30 min 40 min 8 25 min 30 min 40 min 30 min 40 min 30 min 50 min 9 30 min 40 min 40 min 30 min 40 min 40 min 50 min 10 30 min 40 min 50 min 30 min 50 min 40 min 50 min 11 40 min 40 min 50 min 40 min 50 min 40 min 50 min 12 40 min 40 min 60 min 40 min 60 min 40 min 60 min"

tonights dessert - 1 box of reduced fat chocolate cake mix 1 (12 oz) can of pumpkin (not pie filling) That's it - mix and put into nonstick pan that's been sprayed with cooking oil and bake at 350F for 20-25 min. This makes 12 muffins at 2 WW points each. They're quite a decent size although not gigantic like some of the store-bought "supersized" ones.

After some deep though yesterday - I realize that I'm stuck where I am weight wise, not because I don't know what to do, but there is something "inside" of me that is holding me back. I've heard some great things about Bob Harper's new book (Biggest Looser) - so I bought a copy. Supposed to be very, very helpful, not only with workouts and food recommendations, but getting to the root of what keeps you doing what you've always done to get to where you are. Just by chance I was thinking about it over the weekend, then this a.m. when I was reading my email - I had one from the BL - promoting the book - must be fate. I did pretty well over the weekend - need to get up and treadmill today - but will do so. Very yucky, rainy weather here - I wish spring would come back !! One more day and my big man turns 5 - where does time go?

On Thursday, May 15th - DD will be giving away free iced coffee - so stop in and get a cup or two Plus - click on the link below, and get a free sample in the mail to brew your own

Just gotta share this one - a WW buddy of mine is married to a special kind of cop. He went out of his way to arrange a special day for my son - who will be turning 5 this week. No, it wasn't just your usual tour of the station - at 9:30 a.m. a trooper pulled into my driveway - lights going, sirens blaring ... we do live in a quiet neighborhood - it WAS noticed LOL. Anyway, DS had no qualms about getting into the cruiser, and off they sped, again - lights flashing and sirens blaring (just imagine what the neighbors NOW think). Then - nothing. I didn't hear from him again for 2 hours. When he came home - it was in an unmarked vehicle, with not just one, but two dectives and a bag of goodies - and when I mean a bag, it was a big bag filled with trading cards of the officers he met, all kinds of chocolate and candies, a police car (not a little matchbox one either - a nice big one with working doors and trunk and lights on top). They had even offered him handcuffs, but of ...

It's Friday - usually that means breakfast, lunch and then nothing. WI is Saturday mornings - so it's good to go hungry LOL Anyway - I have a chance to go out to dinner with dh tonight - that NEVER, EVER happens. WE have a $50 Gift Certificate to a nearby resturant since we bought our home - that's almost 3 years now? BUT - if I go out to dinner tonight - then either I don't WI tomorrow, or I WI with a gain. Right now - I'm down, and I know it - but only tenths of a pound, not lots. I'm leaning towards going out to eat and enjoying myself. It's sorta like a holiday - although it doesn't happen on a yearly basis. I don't want to go out to eat, then order a salad, and have him not enjoy himself either - decisions, decisions

Down again this week - .6 lbs - so off to a good start for the month. Have to plan a few new recipes. Will be trying out 2 this weekend, 3 if you count dessert. Will post more later - but plan on sewing most of the day !!! Jerzy

1 cup brown and wild rice blend 1/4 tsp salt 1 cup sugar snap peas, trimmed 1 skinless boneless chicken breast half 2 scallions, thinly sliced 1/3 cup dried cranberries 1/3 cup pecans, toasted 6 TBS orange juice 2 TBS honey 1 TBS olive oil 1/4 tsp black pepper 1 (8 1/4 ounce) can mandarin oranges in light syrup, drained 1. Cook the rice according to the packages directions, using 1/8 tsp of the salt and no butter, scattering the sugar snap peas on top of the rice for the last 5 minutes of cooking time. Meanwhile, prepare the grill, and preheat to medium. Place the chicken on the grill rack, turning until cooked through (10-12 minutes) (now you can always use pre-cooked chicken and skip this step!) Transfer the rice and peas to a serving bowl. Add the chicken and all the remaining ingredients except the oranges, toss until well combined. Gently stir in the oranges. I'm making this on Sunday with Turkey and regular peas. 8 pts per serving, this serves 4

I'm making mine with Turkey breast - cause that's what I have 4 red potatoes, scrubbed, halved, and thinly sliced (1/4 lb each) 1 small red bell pepper, cut into thin strips 1 small onion, thinly sliced 1 lb chicken tenders 2 cloves garlic, minced 3 tsp olive oil 2 tsp grated lemon zest 1/2 tsp dried oregano 1/4 + 1/8 tsp salt 5 TBS lemon juice 3/4 cup plain FF yogurt 1 small cucumber, peeled, seeded and grated 1 TBS chopped flat leaf parsley Combine the potatoes, bell pepper, and onion in a bowl and spray with nonstick spray. Spread on grill topper and grill, turning, until almost tender, about 8 minutes, transfer to bowl. Add teh chicken, half the garlic, 2 tsp of oil, lemon zest, oregano, and 1/4 tsp of salt to bowl and toss Place 1/4 of the chicken mixture in the middle of each 15 X 18 heavy duty foil sheet, drizzle with 4 TBS of lemon juice. Close the package - making sure nothing can leak - (double fold) Place the packets on teh grill and grill covered about 20 minutes...

2 1/2 low-fat honey graham crackers 1 (13.7 ounce) box fat free fudge brownie mix 1 (6 ounce) container plain FF yogurt 1 tsp vanilla extract 16 marshmallows 1/4 cup semisweet chocolate chips. Preheat over to 350* Line an 8 inch square baking pan with foil, allowing the foil to extend over the rim of the pan. Spray with nonstick spray. Break the crackers into rectangles and arrange on the bottom of the pan, cutting the crackers to fit. Prepare the brownie mix according to the package directions using the yogurt and vanilla. Pour the batter over graham crackers and spread evenly. Bake until a toothpick inserted 1 inch from the edge comes out with crumbs clinging, about 35 minutes; let cool 15 minutes. Meanwhile - grill the marshmallows (I'm skipping this step - will just throw them in the oven on top of the brownies - stick it in the oven for a bit - take them out then spread them around) After you spread out the marshmallows - you sprinkle the chocolate chips on top until they soft...