Foodie Friday: Cauliflower Helper

I'm a huge fan of Hamburger Helper.  Yet the problem with that is it is full of fat, sodium, and a LOT of carbs.  This could throw your eating plan for a whirl.  So what are you to do?  Create something!  I personally love cauliflower, and I buy a head or 2 at a time.

Cana's Cauliflower Helper!

• 2 lbs of cauliflower (a large head)
• 1 lb of ground turkey (try and find the lowest fat content if possible)
• 8 oz of reduced fat cheese, shredded.
• 1 cup of green peas, frozen
• 1/4 cup of unsweetened, plain almond milk

Steam the cauliflower & peas together until tender (I believe this took about 20 minutes).  While steaming the veggies, brown turkey and season it with your choice of seasonings.  Drain both veggies and turkey.  Then mix in a large pan, with heat on medium.  Add almond milk and cheese.  Stir until completely mixed.

This recipe serves about 5 people each 11 oz servings.  And each serving is 6 WWPP.  How great is that?  I think it is beyond awesome!

What I did was I used cajun seasoning for the turkey, and I used reduced fat mexican-style cheese.  It had the perfect amount of heat and creaminess that I love from Hamburger Helper, without the large amount of fat, sodium, and carbs!

Enjoy!

So here is to loosing it... Slowly, but surely!
Cana Elene

Wednesday Motivation

We all need motivation, but today I thought to touch on something other than working out.  I'm talking about a support group and great apps to help.

I use MapMyFitness (http://www.mapmyfitness.com/) and Lose It! (https://www.loseit.com).  Both of these work with Android and iPhones, and the apps will communicate (mostly) between each other.

Some people find great support from Weight Watcher's meetings.

And then we have the personal motivation.  For me it is my wonderful boyfriend, Mike.

Our Monthly Trip out of town.

And my best friend, Becca.

Renn Fair!

And even family health might be a motivation.  I don't want to be going on 70 and have the same health problems that my parents have.  Or even the health problems my Truey had.  If I can prevent it, I will.

What are your motivations?

So here is to loosing it... Slowly, but surely! Cana Elene

Weigh-In: August 25, 2014

What I did this week:

• I've been on the new medication from my doctor for a week now.  I've lost .4 lbs with it, so I'm interested to see how much I'll loose next week.
• I'm eating on an 1,854 calories a day.  For the most part (minus my birthday), I generally stay at the 700 calories consumed.  
• Even though my birthday was this weekend, I still made a point to help myself reach my goal.  

Weight:  260.8 lbs
Dress Size: 20
Thighs:  27 in
Arms:  17.25 in
Bust:  42.5 in
Waist:  42.5 in
Hips:  50.5 in

What I will be doing in the coming week?

• I'm going to try some new veggies, and increase my intake of fruits.  
• I'm going to try to do 2 days a week where I eat meatless.  I think it might not be as hard as one would think.  
• I'm going to try and increase the mileage I walk during the week by 1/2 a mile.  

So here is to loosing it... Slowly, but surely!
Cana Elene

Foodie Friday: Pizza!

Who doesn't like pizza?  I know this kid LOVES pizza.   So I started working on stuff that would be good for me and would help prevent binge eating.  Thus my wonderful pizza!

Rustic White Flatbread Veggie Pizza!

• 1- Flatout Thin Crust Flatbreads Artisan Pizza in Rustic White
• 1/4 cup of fresh mushrooms, cut into slices
• 1/8 cup of fresh spinach
• 1/4 small onion, chopped
• 1/4 cup of Ragu pasta sauce of your choice (I picked Garlic and Onion... Trying to keep the vampires away :P)
• 1/4 cup of shredded 2% Mexican Blend Cheese.  
• 1/2 of a Weight Watchers Chicken Burger (seasoned to your taste).  

  

  
  

  

  This was a last minute add to the recipe.
  I prefer meat on my pizzas, so I had to think of a good one to add.

Preheat your oven to 350 degrees.  

Pre-bake your pizza crust for 4-5 minutes.

Remove the pizza crust from the oven and fix your pizza as you want.  

Then bake your pizza for 4 minutes.

Eat it!  (And it was DELICIOUS!!!!)

Total points for it is 9 points!  I know, for some of us that is a bit much, but it is yummy and a wonderful treat after being VERY GOOD in the previous week :).  

So here is to loosing it... Slowly, but surely! 

Cana Elene

Wednesday Workout Motivation!

I'm a huge Doctor Who Fan, and I am so excited about the upcoming season premier the day before my 30th birthday!  So I have tried this week to think of something wonderful to workout to that has to do with Doctor Who.

And look what I found!

This is all the motivation I have this busy week!  But I'm still so excited!

So here is to loosing it... Slowly, but surely! Cana Elene

Weigh-in: August 18

What I've done this week:

•   I went to my doctor and talked to her about my weight and my concerns.  She has added some things to my plan, which includes a different plan and medication.  
• I mowed my front lawn (45 min), and then pruned the bushes around my house (3 hours)... That alone was a workout.

What I'm going to do in the coming week?  

• I'm going to start biking around a friend's neighborhood.  I am hoping that this will be something fun to do instead of just walking.  

Weight: 261.2 lbs
Dress Size: 20
Thighs:  27.5 in
Arms:  17 in
Bust:  44 in
Waist:  41 in
Hips:  51 in

So here's to slowly loosing it!

Cana Elene

Food Friday: Date Night Food!

So, I'm a huge fan of meatloaf.  To me, it's a comfort food, like chicken & dumplings and cornbread with boiled cabbage.  I love it and can't resist it.  But they are so high in points, so greasy, and so bad for you.  Which is so sad for me.

But I've found a way to fix that!  My yummy date night meatloaf.  Now, there are no pictures because, (1) I forgot; (2) I wasn't cooking it at home; (3) and because Mike and I devoured it :-).
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Ingredients:

• 1 lb extra-lean ground turkey breast (93% lean if possible)
• 1/4 cup of your favorite BBQ sauce (note that this can change the point value depending on what you use.  I used Krafts Spicy Honey BBQ)
• 1 Tbsp of Garlic paste/2 minced garlic cloves
• 1 large egg
• 1/3 cup of ground up oatmeal
• 2 Tbsp of Six Italian Cheese
• 2 tsp of Mrs. Dash Onion & Herbs seasoning

First, I took my dad's food processor and pulsed the oatmeal a bit until most of it was powdery, but the rest was just broken up.  I liked using this instead of bread crumbs because I already had it and it gave the meatloaf a different flavor which I really enjoyed.

Start preheating the oven for 350 degrees.  Then mix in all ingredients in a bowl and then place in a well sprayed pan.  Place in the oven for about 40 minutes.  Once it was done, I let it cool just a bit before serving.  It is 3 servings, and each serving is 8 points.  I served it with yummy golden mashed potatoes and green peas, which made the whole meal 12 points.  But, you can adjust the sides to lower the points for the meal.
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I promise, next time I make it, I'll post pics!  I definitely think that this is a repeat meal!  So, go ahead and try it.  Let me know what you think.

So here is to loosing it... Slowly, but surely! Cana Elene