Know Your Numbers

Our health insurance insists that in order to "give" us money to use on healthcare next year, we take certain actions, tests, and checks...and be within healthy parameters (otherwise, no money without taking a class to correct whatever is wrong).

So I attended a biometric screening at work because it is WAY easier than taking a half day off just to get blood drawn.

This biometric screen was just a finger prick, plus BP, weight, and height.  Then they had counselors on site to walk you through your results and what they mean.  That part is awesome, much better than the call from your doctor that says "everything is fine".

My counselor was super nice.  She was also really surprised my numbers were so good since my BMI is so high.

I was happy to see my numbers continue to be in the normal ranges.  I eat relatively healthy-ish (just too much), I consume perfect nutrition with my shakes and food, I exercise some, I've been trying to lose weight. 

The only bad part about the biometric screening is they didn't do the detailed blood work that comes with the vials of blood, particularly TSH, T3, and T4.  My physical is coming up (again, on-site) and I'm going to ask for those to be taken.  I had to take Synthroid during the pregnancy because my TSH was not ok given the tightened parameters for pregnancy (but apparently is fine the other times? not buying it).

Because I'm a nerd, I've been tracking all of my stats in spreadsheet since 2010.  Some people may think that's overkill, but seriously folks - YOU ARE YOUR OWN HEALTH ADVOCATE!  I don't trust the system to spot a trend in one of my numbers, plus it's easy to plunk it into the sheet once a year.

Here's a snapshot of my results this year, straight from super fancy spreadsheet.  YAY ME! 

Test	2015		Low	High
Cholesterol, total	153		125	200
HDL Cholesterol	73		>	46
Triglycerides	101		<	150
LDL Cholesterol	59		<	130
BP	97/86		<	120/80
Chol/HDLC ratio	2.1		<	5
Glucose	89		65	99

Pumpkin Spice Pronuts

Well guys, it's Friday.  Woohoo!  It's been a week for us this week!  Nothing bad, nothing magical, but sometimes the daily life of working, trying to exercise and eat healthy, and being a mom (even with an awesome stay-at-home-dad) is cray-cray.  

PS, I always think everyone around me has it way more together than me because it doesn't seem like others are struggling as much as I am to just BE.  That discussion is for another day.

Anyway, we've got tons of stuff going on at work, so I've been coming into the office early.  Let me tell you a little story of my Friday so far.

It's 7:45AM.  I'm at the coffee station to get my Newman's Own Organic k-cup, kindly provided to me by the company.  I spot PUMPKIN SPICE OREOS.  

I am a sucker for pumpkin-anything.  

I try not to make eye contact.  

I eventually look at the package and think, well I'm not going to open it if it's already open.  

Shit.  It was open.  

It's too early for Oreos, right?  

Ugh.  

Ok, distract.  Make small talk with colleagues about the new printer.  

...oh sweet geezus, the brew is finished...

Take the coffee and run!!!!!!!!

Then I pop open my Facebook feed and find THIS - Pumpkin Spice Pronuts (Protein Donuts).

I'm totally trying this instead of the Oreos.  Maybe.  If I actually make them.  Maybe I'll just THINK about them.  (See previous comment about people having their shit together more than me.)  

In any case, since YOU probably do have your shit more together, here's the recipe to make when you pop out of bed with unicorns and rainbows tomorrow morning.

Pumpkin Spice Pronuts

2/3 cup of IsaLean pumpkin protein powder (any flavor is ok but, Pumpkin)
2 tbs apple sauce 
1/4 tsp salt 
1 tsp baking powder 

1 tsp cinnamon
2 eggs 
2 tbs Water 

Mix and pour in donut trays (Makes 6 full size donuts)
Put in the oven at 325 for 15-20mins 

Our frosting was Vanilla Greek yogurt with a half scoop of Vanilla protein powder 

30g or more of protein! No artificial flavors, colorings, or sweetners!

**If you don't have a donut pan, use cupcake pan!

Enjoy! 🍩🍩

I need a chef.

Would someone PLEASE come be my (pro bono) chef?  I could really use some help with cooking and mealtimes.  Jeff does a great job, but I know he wants me to help and I'm just terrible.  I'm tired at the end of the day, uninspired, don't want to take more than 15 minutes start to finish (excluding eating time), and have poor attention to detail in the kitchen.

I'm GREAT at making plans and shopping.  I'm terrible at follow through.

So if you're interested, Here's what I'd want you to make first:

Honey Balsamic Grilled Chicken and Vegetables
Skinnytaste.com 
Servings: 6 • Serving Size: 3 oz chicken w/ veggies • Old Pts: 6 pt • Points+: 7 pts 
Calories: 273 • Fat: 12 g • Protein: 30 g • Carb: 13 g • Fiber: 3 g • Sugar: 6 g
Sodium: 260 mg • Cholesterol: 85 g 

Ingredients:

• 1 1/2 lbs boneless, skinless thin sliced chicken cutlets
• 3 tbsp homemade pesto (or store bought)
• 1 clove crushed garlic
• 1/4 tsp crushed red pepper flakes
• juice from 1/2 lime
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 3 tbsp balsamic vinegar
• 1 tbsp raw honey
• kosher salt
• 1 lb asparagus (1 bunch), tough ends removed
• 2 medium zucchini, sliced 1/4-inch thick
• 1 red bell pepper, seeded and sliced into strips
• olive oil cooking spray

Directions:

Marinate chicken with pesto, garlic, red pepper flakes, lime juice and 1/2 teaspoon salt at least 1 hour, or overnight for best results.

Mix oil, balsamic vinegar, honey and 1/4 tsp salt in a small bowl.

Heat a grill over medium-high, be sure grates are clean and well oiled to prevent sticking.

Put veggies on 1 large grill tray or 2 smaller trays (or cook in batches), spray with olive oil, season with salt and pepper and cook, turning constantly until the edges are browned, about 6 to 8 minutes. Set aside on a dish.

Cook the chicken about 4 to 5 minutes on each side, until grill marks appear and the chicken is cooked though, transfer to a platter, too with the veggies and pour the balsamic dressing over everything.

Baby Led Weaning

Now that Ethan is SIX MONTHS OLD (!), we are starting the process of introducing solids.

I want to follow the principles of Baby Led Weaning, which in general are to let baby put food in his own mouth, and everything is mushy/steamed and cut to pieces 2-3 inches long and as wide around as your thumb (or so).

We tried banana.  Too slimy - he couldn't grab it, so we made a bit smaller pieces.  He was still not impressed and I'm pretty sure didn't swallow anything.

We have tried prune juice in his bottle to facilitate a BM...he is hip to that program now and won't drink it.

We are going to try avocado next. 

We tried this apple slice - it was too slippery so I held it while he sucked on it.  That is about the only thing he has liked so far!!

For now, he seems content to to continue with nursing and bottles, and to sit up at the table in his highchair, playing with his toys.  And that is fine.

Our mantra lately is to "Let Ethan Be Ethan".  Some days that is happy, some days that is sleepy, some days that is super interactive, some days that is cuddly, some days that is alone play time, some days that is curious, some days that is very loud and babbly.  We are just trying to respect him and meet him where he is at.  Trying.

Doing so well...

So today is a good day for my nutrition.  NO SNEAKING YET!!!  Granted, it's only 1PM but hey.

Breakfast was 3 eggs, spinach, and salsa, sprinkled with Tony's (thanks for getting me hooked, Dad!).  Oh plus coffee and almond milk.

Lunch was a leftover pork chop, sweet potato, and asparagus.  With 3 "cuties" for dessert.  (What are those anyway?)

I have some greek yogurt in my fridge for a snack, or a 4oz cottage cheese cup if that sounds better later.  And I also have some carrot sticks and hummus if neither of those sound good...

GAH, STAY ON PLAN TODAY CHICA!

Santa's Bakeshop

We were Santa's little baking elves the weekend before Christmas!

Jeff's favorite Christmas cookie is spritz. You know, the little butter cookies you put in a gun and press out.

And when I say "butter", I mean butter:

This is for a quadruple batch by the way.  I definitely had enough to bring to my Bunco Christmas party (which was the idea!).

We used real butter this year instead of margarine. I think they taste so so so much better!  But the dough behaved differently - it spread out more when it was baked, and the dough was very tough to put in the gun.  

We used Land O Lakes salted butter this year, but made sure to eliminate the salt in the recipe so they turned out fine.  (Next time though we will used unsalted butter.)

We have a great set up - three trays going (one in the oven, one being prepped, and one cooling on the counter).  Using a cool tray is key with these cookies otherwise they tend to spread and crisp up on the bottom.

I think I mentioned before but Jeff is a master spritz gun shooter...he gets everything ready, then I sprinkle and decorate.  While he manages the in-and-out of the oven, I usually either scoop onto trays or put batches away.  It works great!

We also made a triple batch of peanut butter blossoms...about 30% of our guests can't eat peanuts but they are my favorites so I'm making them!!!!!!!!!!!

I'm also planning on making sour cream cutout cookies for New Years ! 

I love breakfast

I'm pretty sure when Peanut arrives he will probably think there are 3 categories of food in the world: breakfast, snacks, and everything else.

Here is what I'm eating now (for the most part):

• Eggs - lots of them! Hard boiled, scrambled, poached in salsa...yum... 
• English muffins with peanut butter and honey 
• Apples 
• Oatmeal (Have you tried Earnest Eats cups??? Love, love, love the Green Tea flavor. Order online or find them at Target) 
• Stoneyfield blueberry Greek yogurt 
• Green and/or fruit smoothies 
• Carrots and Hummus Roasted chicken, with or without BBQ sauce 
• Birds Eye Asian Stir Fry medley 
• Horizon cheddar cheese sticks 
• Steamed Broccoli with cheese sauce or cheesy popcorn seasoning 
• Baked chicken with BBQ, Italian, Low Fat Sesame Ginger...any kind of sauce really 
• Bananas 
• Veggie soup - Amy's brand is the best! 
• Coffee with Unsweetened Vanilla Almond Breeze (only one per day, and NOT every day! Heartburn...) 
• Popcorn - microwave minis or oil-popped Dried apricots and roasted, salted pepitas (DIY trail mix)

Hmmmmmm...it occurs to me that not much of this is "cooked" food in the traditional sense. No wonder I struggle with being excited about dinner time meals and recipes.

28 weeks this week with a 20 lb gain so far...

Hopefully the kid comes out liking real food, even if it is mostly snack-y (and not the random cookies I eat)!

Simple Food Guidelines

I had an interesting conversation with my mom when she was here last time.

She has done an AWESOME job at weight loss in the last year(ish). She started with Weight Watchers and has figured out how to incorporate their guidelines into her life. She has calculated her normal breakfasts and lunches out to a "T" for the points values, and knows roughly how many points she has for the rest of the day. Then she uses her favorite Weight Watchers cookbooks - which she literally RAVES about (and which I agree, contain deliciousness) to finish out dinner.

I think it's amazing she has learned to cook in a completely new way, and that she and my dad have been so open and accepting of new things...Curry! Capers! Almond Milk! Quinoa! Who would've thought an old farmer would eat quinoa!?

Anyway, I couldn't be prouder of her for taking control of her food-lifestyle. It's obviously worked for her, 60+ lbs later. But we got to talking - what's next? How do you get over the next plateau? How do you make it exciting again? How do you FEEL BETTER?

I've been on the journey long enough that my thinking has evolved from 'counting points' to 'counting calories' to 'eating to nourish'...(and admittedly, counting calories SUCKS while pregnant).

But I think my mantra going forward, post-baby, is going to be fairly simple:
1. Don't eat too many calories.
2. Eat real food and don't eat chemicals.
3. Figure out what works for you.

The USDA, Weight Watchers, and a host of other experts will tell you
 - eat whole grains! They're good for you! But for my friend with wheat intolerance, they are poison.
- lots of vegetables are the key to success! Especially cruciferous! But for my mom, they are poison.
- consume nuts in moderation! The healthy fats are good for you! But for my dad and sister, they are poison.
- drink dairy! The calcium and Vitamin D are good for you! But for me (in excess), they are poison.
- eggs are a super food! A complete source of protein that is good for you! But for my friend's daughter with allergies, they are poison.

Just because an expert - even a doctor, or a nutritionist, or another paid professional - gives you advice about how to eat healthy, IT DOES NOT MEAN IT WILL WORK FOR YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Losing weight and finding what is healthy for you are three different things.  They CAN be the same, but not necessarily.

Conventional wisdom is for the masses. It's not individualized. It can't be.

So, if eating a Subway sandwich makes you go to the bathroom uncontrollably - I don't care how "healthy" you think it is - don't eat it. I don't care if it helps you control calories. Find another way. Because it's poison for YOU.

Bunco!

I play Bunco with the neighborhood ladies once a month, and November was my turn to host.

What does a full-time working pregnant lady doesn't have time or energy to do host and entertain properly do? OUTSOURCE!!!

I definitely had to call in reinforcements - my mom with the cooking and fluffing and preparation, and Jeff to sous chef, hang drapes, set up tables, trim bushes and blow leaves, and general fix-it stuff. Thanks to their help, everything went off perfectly!

We had 4 tables - 16 people (including mom and me), and a taco bar before the game started.

Here was the menu:
Softshell tacos, salad, or nachos
Shredded Crock Pot Taco Chicken (Jeff made this and people RAVED!)
All the Fixin's - lettuce, cheese, tomatoes, sour cream, black olives, salsa
Crock Pot Queso
Crock Pot Black Beans
Cream Cheese Taco Dip - one with olives, one without
Veggie Tray and Dip - with carrots, celery, green and red peppers, and sugar snap peas
Scotcheroos
Pumpkin Bars with Cream Cheese Frosting
Water, Wine, Coke / Coke Zero / Sprite

OOOEEE, it was so yummy!

I also had M&M's table snacks - did you know there are well over 4 kinds of M&M's now? We chose Plain, Peanut, Pretzel, and Peanut Butter.

After everyone had their fill, we started the game promptly at 7:30PM. We play 3 rounds of 6, and it takes about an hour and 15 minutes with 4 tables.

By 9PM, time for neighborhood announcements and the game was finished - just to award the prizes.

The loser's basket theme was anything BLUE or starting with a B...for BOY!!!!!!!!! The basket had a bunch of funny stuff in it (it always does) - like some blue plastic plates, a Butterfinger box of candy, some blue spa socks...sometimes getting the loser's basket is more fun than money! But I didn't win it this time. Bummer.

The big winner of the night was................MY MOM!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! She got an unprecedented FIVE Bunco's - which I don't think has been done in the 20 year history of the group. It was amazing! So she walked away with $20 from the night - not bad payment for a day's worth of work.

I am so grateful for their help - no way would I have been able to pull this off without them - ummm - literally working all day on Tuesday.

We joked that if I was by myself (like I probably will be next time) it would be a hummus and pita chip, deviled egg, cold ham slider kind of party!

I feel so special and loved that my mom helped "teach" me her hostessing skills. Her holidays and gatherings are always perfect - and now I know why. I kept saying "its good enough" but then she would do those extra touches ...and it was better.  I feel so lucky to have had the chance to work with her and learn all of her tricks of the trade - it's something those with moms nearby take for granted, but I definitely do not.

And I will be putting my new knowledge to good use soon when we host our first Christmas family holiday in December!

I wish I was domesticated.

I LOVE SKINNYTASTE!!!!

I think Gina is a genius.  The photos are food porn.  The meal ideas are family-friendly.  The recipes are HEALTHY and EASY (my two requirements).

Some of my favorite recipes from her site are crock pot barbacoa, Italian turkey meatballs, and huevos rancheros.

But she has outdone herself again with these awesome little Mummy Cake Balls.  (3 points per mummy)

I really really really want to eat these.  Probably partially because I'm pregnant but also because I just want them!

Here's the problem: I don't want to make them!  I don't have any baking ingredients at all in the house (trust me, it's better that way).  Plus I'm totally lazy.

So I will just tell yall about them, have you try them, and then tell me how easy it was so I'm inspired enough to possibly try them!!!!!!!!

Uh, a domestic housewife I am not.  But I totally appreciate those who are!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Crock Pot Apple Cinnamon Oatmeal

It's FALL! Weather is starting get cooler (ok, low 70's here but like 50's in the morning!) and I love to have a hot breakfast.

I found a version of this recipe on the internet (of course) and modified it just a bit for my liking.

It uses a crock pot - which I love for ease of use in cooking and the quantity of leftovers it makes! I got about 5 servings from this batch.

CROCK POT APPLE CINNAMON OATMEAL

In a medium crock pot (coated with nonstick spray) layer in the following:

2 medium apples, sliced

(Mixed together)
1/4 cup brown sugar
2 tsp cinnamon
1/4 tsp salt

1/4 cup chopped walnuts

1 cup Quaker steel cut oats

4 cups of water (maybe a bit more)

Cook 6-8 hours on low, or until desired thickness. YUM!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  I have been eating all week for either breakfast or lunch (since I LOVE breakfast foods all day) and it is so filling and fall-like.

And it's a great way to use up some apples from our orchard visit (without making pie or crisp)!!

London!

Whew. I have NOT flown internationally for a loooong time.  Last week I left Atlanta for London, departing on Sunday and returning on Friday afternoon.

Ok.  Let's be clear.  Travel "sounds" glamorous.  And it is fun to see new things.  But here is what I saw for the MAJORITY of the time while I was there:

1. the airport
2. the hotel lobby
3. my hotel room
4. the conference room we met in
5. the airport kitchen
6. the airport

And of course...HELLO JET LAG!

We have some great enhancements on board coming up VERY SOON but were severely behind in making some key decisions so we were super busy working every day.

There were 2 fun things I did make some time for -

Maze by Gordon Ramsay

Our working group was taken out to dinner by a supplier to one of Gordon Ramsay's restaurants, and sat in the private dining room.  It was one of the most special food experiences I've had.  Here was the "Chef's menu" (you don't choose anything, they have paired all the courses for you):

Chef’s menu

Chilled watercress soup, lemon yoghurt

~

Marinated yellow fin tuna, compressed apple,

coriander, horseradish, ponzu

~

Foie gras and smoked duck, 

cherries, wet almonds, Sauternes gel

~

Dumpling of lobster, tiger prawn and salmon,

aromatic lemongrass broth

~

Lamb cannon, Jersey royal potato, broad beans, mint sauce

~

Murcia al Vino, quince jelly, crystalised walnuts

or

Peach Melba

~

Cold bitter chocolate fondant, mango and lime jam,

lemon grass ice cream

Right?  I know.  This part was very lucky for me.  And special.

The other fun thing was my colleague and friend Joanne took me on the Tube from the airport to downtown after work one day, and we spent 2 hours at Harrods, lunching and browsing and people watching.  It was super fun, and the weather was FABULOUS!  Like low 70's, sunny, no humidity.

I was so ready to come home on Friday though - I missed my bed, my time zone, and most of all my honey bear.  Home sweet home!

Camping Meals

Eating healthy and going camping do not have to be mutually exclusive.  I know it seems counter intuitive (hot dogs, smores, chips) but you can still remain committed to eating healthfully while roughing it. Combine that with my two favorite activities (hiking and swimming, not napping and watching Homeland) and your weekend will be perfectly on plan!

Here are some easy camping weekend meals to get you started.  Oh, and seriously, just buy a Coleman stove and a nonstick pan.  And white gas and a lighter.

Friday night arrival - it's late and you're hungry. Whip these up super fast!

Egg salad sandwiches plus Cheetos (Jeff) and crudites (Jess)
- make with light wheat bread and light Miracle Whip, and boil the eggs on Thursday night with your awesome microwave egg cooker

Shredded pork sandwich plus chips or canned baked beans
- cook a pork loin in the crock pot while you're at work on Friday (1 tsp oil in the bottom plus Rendevous seasoning, dump and cook on low 6-8 hrs), then pack it in a container to heat and shred in a pan with bbq sauce upon arrival!

Ravioli with sauce
- Boil water, add ravioli and cook, strain, add jarred sauce

Beef Tacos
Cook beef and add seasoning...make tacos with all the fixins or just cheese (however you like)

Saturday lunch...trail lunch of nuts and/or protein bar, or one of the below ideas

Saturday dinner...presumably you have some time but who wants to spend more than 30 minutes cooking?

Salmon and couscous - pan fry plus boxed mix and a salad
Jambalaya with brussel sprouts - use frozen already cooked chicken and sausage to speed things up
Spaghetti - see ravioli description
Chili and fritos - the 4 can dump method
Pizza pie irons - advanced technique!  Uses campfire to cook
Bring your own grill or make sure your campsite has one (and don't forget briquettes and lighter fluid)
Hamburgers and hot dogs with popchips (Hebrew National 97% fat free dogs and light buns)
Bone in chicken breasts with wild rice and green beans
Pork chops with couscous and broccoli
Steak and baked potatoes with sugar snap peas

Breakfast is dependant on what the rest of the activities will be...mix and match as you please.
Pancakes, Bacon - use the add water and shake mix
Scrambled eggs and Bacon
Yogurt and fruit
Oatmeal / granola
Bagel with cream cheese

Other snacks!  Be careful with these...
Cheese sticks
Popcorn
Smores
Clif bars / Larabars
Oreos
Nuts
Skinny cow snacks
Apples or dried / frozen fruit

Smoky Black Bean & Sweet Potato Chili

We are NOT snowed in here in Atlanta - hahahaha Mom & Dad - but even so, Sundays are my favorite days to put something in the crock pot regardless of the weather.

Last weekend I made a version of Weight Watchers veggie soup - chicken broth plus all my leftover, soon-to-go-bad veggies in the fridge.

This weekend I'm trying a recipe from Fitness magazine...it smells sooooo good....can't wait to eat it for lunch this week!

Smoky Black Bean & Sweet Potato Chili

Makes 6-8 servings...7 servings is 7 Points Plus Values

1 Tbsp olive oil
1 Tbsp chopped canned chipotle pepper in adobo sauce
1 oz unsweetened baking chocolate, chopped
2 tsp ground cumin
2 tsp dried oregano
1 Tbsp chili powder
1/2 tsp cinnamon
4 garlic cloves, minced
2 15-oz cans low sodium black beans, drained and rinsed
3/4 lb sweet potatoes, peeled and cut into 1/2-inch pieces
1-1/2 cups frozen corn
1 green bell pepper, diced
1 28-oz can diced tomatoes
maybe a little water if everything looks too dry

Coat the inside of the crock pot with olive oil.  Combine everything, stir, and cook on low for 8 hours.

You can top it with cheese and fresh cilantro (1PPV) if you want.  YUM!

What to NOT have

I'm trying something a little new.  I believe I have come to rely a bit too much on pre-packaged foods...even though I was tracking points, etc, I have NOT been seeing the results I wanted.  And I'm not just talking loss, I'm talking overall more awareness of healthy-ness!

And - since we are trying to increase our fertility, I'm being a lot more sensitive to all of the added toxins, hormones, antibiotics, pesticides, obesogenic, estrogen dominant environmental factors, and anything else that might help me out...

So I am going back to "mostly" whole foods:
- Soy Free
- Gluten Free as possible, aka Limited Gluten
- No artificial sugars
- No added colors, especially Red #40
- No MSG
- BPA free water bottles
- BPA free rubbermaid storage containers (for all my leftovers!)
- Glass or tetrapak containers of packaged stuff when possible (especially "canned" tomatoes)
- Organic Chicken
- Organic, Free Range Eggs
- Organic, Grass Fed Beef
- Sustainable fish, if possible, and pouches of tuna
- Organic "Dirty Dozen" produce (and Non Organic for all other fruits & veggies)

• Apples
• Celery
• Bell Peppers
• Peaches
• Strawberries
• Nectarines
• Grapes
• Spinach
• Lettuce
• Cucumbers
• Blueberries
• Potatoes

I'm actually REALLY surprised how easy this has been so far.  Although the list is kind of long, it's not that much more expensive to swap out a few items, and is being offset by saving on a lot of the prepackaged stuff I was having.  I think these guidelines will also encourage me to eat more whole foods, and hopefully cook more at home as well, as that's how I truly know what I am getting.

We'll see how it goes!

Chicken Puttanesca Style

YUMMMM!

I made a new recipe tonight that we BOTH liked!!!  It is a twist on a traditional chicken with marinara sauce, called Puttanesca Style.

It was super easy and super fast - both DEFINITELY required for my ability.  And it was a Weight Watchers recipe - so the points were automatically done for me!

The chicken & sauce are5 Points Plus.  I added a cup of whole wheat penne pasta for 5 Points Plus, topped with 1 Tbsp of grated parmesan cheese, plus a cup of steamed green beans.  The whole DELICIOUS meal was only 11 Points Plus!

Chicken Breast Sauté Puttanesca-Style

1-4 sprays Pam cooking spray
1 pound uncooked boneless skinless chicken breast(s)
1/2 tsp table salt
1/2 tsp black pepper, freshly ground
2 tsp unsalted butter
3 clove(s) (medium) garlic clove(s), minced
1/2 tsp red pepper flakes
10 medium olive(s), black, sliced
1 Tbsp capers, rinsed and drained, chopped
14 oz canned diced tomatoes


Coat a large nonstick skillet with cooking spray and heat over medium heat. Meanwhile, season the chicken with salt and pepper.

Slip the chicken into the skillet and cook until golden brown, about 5 minutes. Flip and continue cooking just until the chicken is cooked through, about 3 minutes more. Transfer the chicken to a plate and set aside.

Melt the butter in the same skillet and add the garlic and red pepper flakes; stir over the heat for 30-60 seconds.

Stir in the olives and capers; pour in the tomatoes. Bring to a simmer, scraping up any browned bits on the bottom of the skillet. Reduce the heat to low and simmer slowly until just slightly reduced, about 3 minutes.

Return the chicken and any accumulated juices to the skillet; cook until just warmed through, about 2 minutes. Yields 1 chicken breast and about 1/3 cup sauce per serving.

Notes
For the best taste, don’t gray the chicken breasts in the skillet. Be patient and brown them (don't stir), giving them enough time over the heat and not over-crowding the pan. That caramelized flavor will permeate the meat — and will lie in little burned bits on the skillet’s bottom, waiting to be lifted off with this simple sauce of tomatoes, olives and capers.

Bayou Fish Foil Packet

Folks, the weight loss has not been good around here.  The same 5 lbs keep coming and going - since about August.  UGH.

And it's the holidays.  So that 5lbs has come...and hopefully not more but maybe...so I am personally completely out of whack.  (Hello confessional.)

It's not like I've been making "horrible" decisions, or fallen "completely off the wagon"...it's just that sneaking 1 cookie every day, or sometimes 2 (or 3 or 4 times) a day while at work is really derailing my sense of ROUTINE.

So, in efforts to get back to it a little, I've tried a few new recipes lately.  This one - Jeff and I BOTH loved!!!  So, feed it to your picky eaters, it passed our test!

Oh, and it's completely a Hungry Girl recipe, so if you don't get her daily emails - sign up now!!!

Woohoo! Bayou Fish Pack

PER SERVING (1/2 of recipe, 1 fillet with seasoned beans): 270 calories, 2g fat, 592mg sodium, 32.5g carbs, 9.5g fiber, 8g sugars, 31g protein -- PointsPlus® value 6*
Ingredients:
1 cup canned red kidney beans, drained and rinsed
1/2 cup finely chopped green bell pepper
1/2 cup finely chopped onion
1/2 cup finely chopped celery
1/4 cup tomato paste
1/2 tsp. Cajun seasoning, divided
1/2 tsp. chopped garlic (or 1/4 tsp dried)
1/8 tsp. ground thyme (optional)
1/8 tsp. kosher salt
1/8 tsp. black pepper
Two 4-oz. raw flounder fillets (or other white fish, I used tilapia)

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Place beans, bell pepper, onion, and celery in a bowl. Mix well and set aside.
In a small bowl, combine tomato paste with 1/4 tsp. Cajun seasoning. Add garlic, thyme, salt, and black pepper, and mix thoroughly. Transfer seasoned tomato paste to the bean-veggie mixture, and stir to coat. Set aside.

Lay a large piece of heavy-duty foil on a baking sheet and spray with nonstick spray. Scoop seasoned bean-veggie mixture into the center of the foil, and spread it out a bit. Evenly sprinkle remaining 1/4 tsp. Cajun seasoning on both sides of each fillet, and lay the fillets side by side on top of the bean-veggie mixture.

Place another large piece of foil over the whole thing. Fold together and seal all four edges of the two foil pieces, forming a well-sealed packet.

Bake in the oven for 20 minutes, or until the fillets are cooked through and the veggies are tender. Cut packet to release steam before opening it entirely. (Careful -- steam will be hot.)

Serve each fillet with half of the bean-veggie mixture.

MAKES 2 SERVINGS

Eating Styles

I am a bored eater. 

And a procrastinator eater.

Figuring these two things out are the first steps to managing it.

Will someone help me figure out how to manage it?

Overnight Oats

Since it's been SOOOO hot, who wants to have scrambled eggs, omelets, english muffin breakfast sandwiches, or hot oatmeal every morning?  Not me!  (But my original list sounds yummy, right?)

I've been making a cold version of oatmeal that requires zero cooking.  (I'm a master at this type of recipe.)

Enter Overnight Oats...

1/2 cup Silk Light Vanilla Soy Milk
1/2 cup Quaker Old Fashioned Oats
1 scoop chia seeds (Mila for me) http://tstuart.lifemax.net/
1/8 tsp cinnamon
1/2 cup blueberries
1/2 banana

Dump.  Stir.  Let sit in fridge overnight.  Stir again. EAT!

Obviously, you can modify with other fruits but it's a great way to use slightly ripe bananas...and no sugar.

Try it out and let me know what you think!

My Crack Hos

I mean that in a totally positive way.  I mean, not a positive way FOR ME personally on my weight loss journey, but...ok, let me explain.

I am love with these 2 products.  I seriously CANNOT stay away from them if they are placed in front of me. 

Jake's Ice Cream Thrillah Vanilla

I ate like a whole cup of it today.  Without even blinking.  And then I went back for seconds.  And just a bit' o thirds.  I am estimating at least 6 points for this.

Dancing Deer Molasses Clove Cookies

Why, why, why does this have to be such Kryptonite?  Another confessional.  I ate six - SIX - of these cookies today (granted, at 0.7oz per cookie) and that was like another FOURTEEN POINTS.

I feel AWFUL tonight.  My stomach and head hurt and I have felt yucky all afternoon.  And TWENTY POINTS OF JUNK later, I know exactly why.  But I'm telling you, these are delicious.  But for me, moderation is NOT possible therefore, I need to just say no next time.

(PS - Jeff says I have been writing about food too much so I have committed to not writing about food every day.  But I just had to share this one.)