Questions and Answers: How do you feel?

One of the questions I am always asked is Shrink, how do you feel now that you have lost so much weight?

Answer:

Physically, I feel amazing, I can do things I couldn't do before.  I am currently tending to a garden in my back yard.  I work hard in the garden to keep the weeds out and no way would I be able to have done it in the shape I used to be.  I enjoy things like mowing the lawn, walking long walks, swimming with the kids, bike rides and much more.  Stuff I missed out of all those years being obese.  What about mentally?  Mentally, well that is a different story.  Honestly mentally I am a wreak.  I am miserable.  I miss eating what I want, when I want and how much I want.  I miss it so bad.  It has been a bit over 2 years now and I still haven't gotten over it yet.  Blahhhh!

Fat Friday!

Food Co-op / Bountiful Basket Pick Up Instructions

I did this post as a guest blogger last month.  Now it is here for you!  If you didn't see the ordering instructions post, you can find them here.

When you order your basket, it can be a bit overwhelming picking it up.  If you have a bit of a social shyness like I do (afraid to ask questions, not wanting to start up a conversation etc..) it can be very intimidating.  So today I am here to show you what you can expect when you pick up your basket. 

First of all DON'T BE LATE!  If you are more then 20 minutes late you are out of luck.

Bring your little printout with you just in case they don't have you on the list.  In the last 2 years I have had to pull it out once when I was given the wrong bread.  So it is a good idea to have it just in case.

Bring something with you to take it home in.  Most people bring a large laundry basket.  I used to bring one until I tried my bags.  The bags were much easier for me to carry back to my car.  So I now use bags.  Some people even bring wagons, coolers and boxes.  It is up to you.

When you arrive you will see something like this.  

You may also see large lines.  The line on this day was small and some days they have no line at all.   Don't worry too much. The line moves pretty quick most of the time.  The lines are sometimes split up into times or sorted by last names.  Go to the front of the line and ask the volunteer with the clipboard what line you need to be in.

Once you are up for your turn in line, you tell the volunteer your last name and sign for your basket. The volunteer will then tell you what number your basket is.   Here comes the good part!

My basket on this day was number 20.  You will receive two baskets, you need to take BOTH baskets.  They are BOTH yours!  This was an ok basket, but most weeks are so awesome that your basket is overflowing.  Every week the basket has been more then worth the $15.00.  Now empty the goods in your own basket, bag, box, etc.. and go home.

If you ordered bread or other add-ons, you will get in another line (usually really short) to get your "add-on".  You have to get this bread.  I love it!  Even before I started dieting I thought it was the best bread ever.  I can't believe it is only 1 Weight Watcher's Point Plus (50 calories per slice).  I had to recalculate it five times to convince myself it was true.

Every few baskets it is great for you to volunteer.  This program is run only by volunteers and if they don't have enough volunteers, things don't run very smooth.  To volunteer just arrive early (the volunteer time will be on your print out).   Also as a volunteer, you get to split the leftover food.  So volunteering is a great thing to do! 

For ordering instructions you can see my post here.  Have Fun and Enjoy the healthy, affordable food!

Waffles! MMMmmm!

My favorite boy and I made up a batch of Waffles.  With his autism comes some very strange eating habits.  He is picky... very picky!  In therapy they suggested that I let him cook to encourage him to try new stuff.  So we made waffles from scratch.  He loved them and thought it was super fun too.  I had to be a good example and try one out too and since I tried one, I had to figure out the points and guess what?  They weren't too bad.   Only 4 Weight Watchers Points Plus per square.  Yummers!  Serve them up with some sugar free syrup or jam and some butter spray and it is just delightful.  We froze the left overs and then popped them in the toaster for a quick breakfast.  Do you want to make some too?  Well here's the recipe.

Homemade Waffles

2 cups flour
1/4 cup sugar
1 tablespoon baking powder
2 eggs
2 cups milk
1/4 cup oil (I used canola)

Preheat your waffle iron.  In a large mixing bowl blend dry ingredients.  In a separate bowl, mix wet ingredients and add to the dry.  Mix and pour into a hot waffle iron.

I know it is hot, but I'm eating soup...

Have you tried any of the Progresso Light Soups yet?  I know, I know it is summer and hard to think about hot bowl of soup, but it is pretty dang good.

This is the one I had today, Savory Vegetable Barley.  Can you believe it is only 1 Weight Watchers Points Plus and only 60 calories per one cup serving?  The can comes with two servings and so I go for it and eat it all.

So yummy, so chunky and so satisfying.  Tonight I am going out to dinner with a bunch of ladies, so having a low calorie/point lunch was just what I needed.  Now I have enough points left for dinner.  Progresso has several 1 or 2 Point Plus soups and they have the Weight Watchers Point values right on the can.  Easy cheesy!

Flirty Aprons- Freedom from domestication with a little Sugar n’ Spice"

I do a lot of cooking, especially now that eating out is a big no no for me.  Honestly it was starting to get old.  Lately, I have been feeling a bit too domesticated. 

I mean look at me.  I have that "This is getting old look" don’t I?  What does a gal like me do to find freedom from domestication?  Well,  you add a little Sugar n’ Spice!

What has changed?  Yes!  It’s the apron!  I am a proud owner of a Flirty Apron.  Isn’t it cute?  Spicy?  Sweet?  Yeah baby!  My hubby thinks it is pretty cute too and I won’t tell you what my Momma said to wear under this cute apron (keeping it PG).  I have tried to make one of these Kitchen aprons on my own, but it ended up being not so cute and costing just as much as if I were to buy it. 

See the cute pockets?  They are so convenient for my cooking tools, gum, mints, paper or whatever (Diet Coke, cough, cough).  Not to mention the sash! Tie it in the back or in the front.  Loving it! 

So go ahead and find Freedom from domestication with a little Sugar n’ Spice for yourself, by stopping over at www.flirtyaprons.com and picking out an apron for yourself.  The one I have is the Scarlet Blossom apron, but they have several cute ones to choose from.  As a bonus for my blog readers, you can currently pick up one of these already reasonable-priced Women’s aprons for 20% off by using promo code BB20.  After your purchase at www.flirtyaprons.com, be sure to enter the contest they have going on right now by posting a video on Youtube about Flirty Aprons and show your creative way of destroying an old apron.  To enter, make sure your video has the words "Flirty Apron" in the title and email the Youtube link to matt@flirtyaprons.com.  The top 10 most creative videos will be picked by Flirty Aprons and will receive a full refund of the Flirty Apron purchase price.  The #1 most creative video will receive a full refund plus a $100.00 Visa gift card.  This promotion and contest will end September 10th at midnight Pacific Time.  Wow! 

I hope you enjoy your Flirty Apron as much as I do.  Good luck on the contest!

This posting was sponsored by Flirty Aprons through Broadcast Bloggers.

Fat Friday!

Another Treat and it has Chocolate!

Awhile back I picked some of these up on an amazing coupon deal.  Yesterday while at the water park I pulled these out for the kids when I noticed the box said 80 calories.  I started to do a happy dance inside because I knew they would be 2 points (I am getting pretty good on estimating points without the caculator).

Once you open the box you will find ten individual packages.  I like how they only have one serving per individual package, because for me it is so hard to open up a granola bar that has two servings in it and not eat the second serving.  The package is opened right?  You have to do something with it, why not put it in your mouth? It is so frustrating!

This is how they look, but how do they taste?  As Tony the Tiger would say "they're grrrreat!"  They are also only two Weight Watchers Points Plus and really only 80 calories.  Go down the cereal isle at your local market and look for these next to the granola bars.

Can I have the Tab?

I haven't had Tab for about 20 years until yesterday.  I drank like 4 of these last night.  Thank you to my Big Brother Lizard for bringing them.  MMMMMM

To all my Weight Watcher's friends...
Don't forget the 5K is tonight at 8:00 PM!  Wahoo!

Sloppy Joe's...

I have been looking through cookbooks trying to find recipes that work well with Weight Watchers.  The recipe I usually use for Sloppy Joes is really high in points.  I found this recipe in my Aunt Janet's cookbook.  It is really low in points and super yummy.

I couldn't see putting the meat mixture on a 5 point bun when I have this delicious 1 point bread to use.

MMMM so good and satisfying and the family loved it too, especially the Smart Girl!  The family had their meat on a 5 point bun.

Shauna's Sloppy Joe's

Serves 5

Point Plus per serving: 5

1lb extra lean ground beef

1/2 cup minced onion

1 can of tomato soup

1/2 tsp chili powder

1/4 tsp salt

1 1/2 TBSP Ketchup

1 1/2 TBSP flour

1 TBSP Worcestershire sauce

Brown beef and onion.  Mix in remaining ingredients.  Simmer covered for 30 minutes.  Serve on buns or diet bread.

Fat Friday!

This is me on a ride at our local amusement park.  When I was this large, I had a hard time fitting on most of the rides.  I remember all too well the worker coming and pushing the bar down farther so that the ride could begin.  It was so painful, but I would rather go through the pain than to have the embarrassment of being "kicked" off the ride.  One time, one of the workers even asked me if that was my leg or my stomach he was trying to push the bar on. So embarrassing!  This year I am glad I can ride any ride and not worry about being to big.
  \

Sweet Delites...

I saw these at Walmart and knew with only 14 calories these frozen pops would be low in Weight Watchers points. So I bought some, brought them home and caculated.  Drum roll (dadadadadadaddad) they are zero points (cha ching), yes zero!

I had a bite of the orange bar and at first I thought they were yummy, but the second bite was blahhh.

Then I tried the raspberry and felt the same way.  Blahhh!  I still had cherry left, but I disliked these so much I decided to stop.  These are just not for me.  The smart girl in my family LOVES them!  If she were writing this blog post it would be totally different.  She is actually eating one right now.  But as for me, i'd rather suck on an ice cube.

So go ahead, give them a try because they were under $2.00 and who knows...  You could be like the smart girl and love them!

Note, they are only 0 points if you eat just one.  When you have 2 in one day it will be 1 point.  Don't eat the entire box and think you are free and clear.

Make a Treat That you Can Eat!

If you invite me to a party and ask me to bring a treat to share, this is what I will probably bring.

Rice Krispie Treats!

I will be bringing these because I can eat one!  I have these sliced into 2 Weight Watcher's Points Plus.  Finally a treat at a party I can eat!

The recipe can be found right on the box!

Fajita's!

When I was on the HCG diet my hubby found the best HCG diet friendly fajita recipe.  I love it to this day, but now that I am off the HCG diet and doing Weight Watchers it is even better because I can have a tortilla along with it.  If you want to try this recipe, Click Here and scroll down to Sizzling Steak Fajita's.

I sizzled up a big batch for the entire family

I slapped some down on a 1 point tortilla and topped it with my homemade salsa and enjoyed.  I had two fajita's and they weighed in at 7 Weight Watchers Points Plus for both.  I was happy and full!

I am Loving Watermelon!

I usually buy the mini watermelons, but the big ones were just about the same price as the tiny ones. I am at our local market thumping all the watermelons trying to listen for the best one when a man approaches me and offers to help.  I was totally for it because I usually pick out the worst melons ever.  He told me that he picks one with a yellow belly (that is exactly what I do for cantaloupe).  He picked me out one and guess what?  It was delicious!  I ate it all week long and polished it off today.  MMMMMM!

This slice was so huge, filling and guilt free!  I am off to buy another one.

Thank you to the man who helped me pick one out.  The grown gal suggested that he was trying to "pick" me up, but beings how I had all three of the tiny people with me running around in circles and due to my wrinkly saggy skin and the rock on my finger I am guessing he was just a nice man.  Go get you some!

Lets Talk Turd...

No silly! Not that kind of turd "Mustard"!

These two are the kids I have been digging lately.  I love the honey mustard on chicken or on a turkey sandwich.  I love the spicy brown mustard on my hot dogs and ham sandwiches.

What kind of turd do you like?

Fat Friday!

I gave this shirt to the good will, should have burned it!

Chilis Baby!

I found a recipe here Chili Relleno Casserole.

      Chili Relleno Casserole

from the kitchen of Rona

Batter:
     1 1/2 cups milk
     4 eggs
     1/2 C. flour
     1 tsp salt - whirl

in the blender until mixed

Anaheim Chilis: 12 - 16 fresh (roast, peel, remove seeds, and steam in the microwave for 3-4 minutes), OR use app. 27 ounce can of drained chilis (Walmart). Slit them & flatten when you layer.

Layer chilis with 8 ounces grated mild cheddar cheese, ending with cheese into TWO 8 inch square pans. Pour batter over the top, slice through 4-5 times in both directions and bake at 350 degrees for 40 - 50 minutes OR microwave for 15 minutes. Baking it will sometimes cause the edges to brown too much, BUT we liked the browning.
Glass pans will cook hotter than metal. Let it set up 10 minutes before serving.

My peppers all microwaved and cookerated.

Peppers have been chopped.

Batter all mixed.

All ready to put in the oven.

Ding ding ding ding... Done!

Yum, yum, yum!

This was a great breakfast for only 4 Weight Watchers Points Plus per serving.