Shake, Rattle and Roll

What exciting exercise do you have planned for the week ahead? I know that sometimes I get bored with the same old same old, so I think it's time to mix things up, shake our booties and get movin'.
And while we're here, let's share some numbers.

not a happy PWF

Here I am again, at the end of another day when I've fallen off the healthy eating wagon big time. :(

Today started well enough - cereal and fruit for breakfast, soup for lunch. Then I discovered the open box of chocolates and things went down hill. I'll have just one, then one turns into 5, then into a handful. I keep coming back to the open box through the afternoon, and eating a few more. By dinner time, I've eaten my daily calorie allowance in chocolate and still can't stop.

Why do I do this? It makes me hate myself. I don't really understand why. I'm bored, I suppose. I haven't really done anything today beyond waiting in for a delivery. Yesterday when I planned things to do and did them was better, though not much.
I like food. I like eating chocolate. It's comforting and pleasurable at the time. But afterwards I just want more.

I want to lose weight. I need to lose weight. I hate how long it takes. I hate denying myself. I hate how I look right now and the clothes that don't fit and the lumps and bumps I try and fail to disguise. I remember the summer I was slim (2007) and wonder if I'll ever get back there again. I don't understand how I had the will power to lose weight then.

What can I do?

I'm addicted... to my slow cooker

I have a copy of 'Fix it and forget it lightly' and I decided that I wanted to start using my crock pot more, this is apparently a match made in heaven!
Last week I made bolognaise sauce and then on Sunday I tried a recipe from my cookbook, and this is the one I made and loved...

Lemon Garlic Chicken
(makes 4 servings, ideal slow-cooker size 3 1/2 quart)

1 tsp Oregano
1/2 tsp seasoned salt
1/4 tsp black pepper
4 chicken breasts (I used turkey breast steaks cos that's what I had!)
2 Tbsp butter or margarine
1/4 cup water (I put more like 1/2 cup)
3 Tbsp lemon juice (I put about half a lemon, but didn't really measure!)
2 garlic cloves, crushed (I used 3 cos Menard loves garlic)
1 tsp low sodium chicken bouillon granules (I used vegetable)
1 tsp minced fresh parsley

(can you tell I'm one of those people who uses a recipe just as a basis?!)

1. Combine oregano, salt and pepper. Rub the mixture all over the chicken. Brown chicken in the butter (or margarine) in a skillet. Transfer to slow cooker.

2. Place water, lemon juice, garlic, and bouillon in skillet. Bring to the boil, loosening browned bits from the skillet. Pour over the chicken.

3. Cover. Cook on high 2 - 2 1/2 hours or low 4 - 5 hours.

4. Add parsley and baste chicken. Cover. Cook on high 15 - 30 minutes, until chicken is tender.

Per serving 180 calories

(Also posted at It's my Life)

Get ready, get set, GO!

So, what are your numbers this week?

Things are too quiet around here, it needs some shaking up. Anyone have any thoughts on that?

I have a yummy crock pot recipe to share, but it'll have to be later cos I have to get us ready to go out and, are you ready for this? GET SOME EXERCISE!
Yes, I've decided my ankle is up to the Monday morning walk that I had been doing before things went a bit wonky. It's taken me a while cos it's not on proper paths, but lots of uneven ground, and I really didn't want to trip and go through all that pain again. But I've decided it's time to bite the bullet (esp given my track record the past two weeks. Yuck :( I have not been good, but now I'm back on track)

Quickie post

This will be written in the period of time between putting a sweet potato in the microwave for Sophia and it being ready!
So, there you go, why not weigh in?!

What are you putting in your trolley*?

Now it may not be totally obvious, but in this photo Miss Sophia is sat in a shopping trolley with a book. Throughout that shopping trip she tried to drop the book into the trolley (and out), and then insisted that I give it back to her.

Anyway, when you go shopping, what are you putting in your trolley? Are you setting yourself up for success or failure?
(Also, now I think about it, any products that you're currently buying/using/eating that you'd like to recommend?)


* aka cart

*insert witty weigh-in title here*

Good morning. Well actually it's afternoon for me, but since several of you are in the US, it'll still be morning for you.

We're back from holiday and I'm back to the computer and raring to go! How are you?
Oh well, raring to go, but doing it gently. I'm still wearing the ankle support bandage and taking it easy. Hopefully I can begin to build up with exercise a bit more.

Phase 1 recipes

Good morning all,

I recently bought another South Beach cookbook and have a couple recipes to share. Both are really yummy! Surprisingly yummy. ;) The Creamed Spinach is really good and of course you feel like you've done well just because you had spinach. The brownies are good too. Now if you made real- full fat brownies and compared the two, there is a slight difference. But when you are watching your calories and carbs, this swap is AWESOME! Don't let the black bean part deter you.

Quick Creamed Spinach(makes 4 servings)

16 oz frozen spinach, thawed
3/4 cup fat free milk
4 oz reduced-fat cream cheese cut into chunks and softened
2 tsp extra virgin olive oil
1 small onion
pinch nutmeg
salt and pepper
1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese(1ounce)

Place the thawed spinach in a colander set over large bowl; squeeze to extract juice. Pour 2 tbsp of the juice into cup and reserve. Discard remaining juice. In medium saucepan, combine the spinach juice, mile, and cream cheese. Bring to simmer over low heat, stirring and pushing cheese against the pan to break up. (mixture should be well combined, but will not be smooth) Remove pan from heat. In large non stick skillet heat oil over med heat, add onions and stir frequently , until softened(about 3 minutes). Add spinach, stirring to coat. Stir in milk mixture and cook until bubbling(about 3 minutes). Season spinach with nutmeg and salt/pepper to taste. Sprinkle with Parmesan and serve hot.

Good stuff!!

Per serving: 152 calories- 9 g fat-4 g sat fat- 10 g protein- 11g carbs- 4 g fiber- 313 sodium.


Black Bean Brownies(makes 36 brownies- 3 brownie per serving)

1 can black beans(15.5 oz) drained and rinsed
4 large eggs
2 tsp extra virgin olive oil
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 cup granular sugar substitute
3 tbsp unsweetened cocoa powder(preferably dark)
1 tsp baking powder
1/4 tsp salt
36 small pecan halves or walnut pieces(about 1.5 oz)

Heat oven to 350 degrees. Lightly coat 8x8 inch baking pan with cooking spray. In a blender or food processor, combine the beans, eggs, oil, sugar substitute, cocoa powder, baking powder and salt. Process until smooth. Scrape batter into pan and arrange nuts in even rows, 6 across and 6 down. Bake for 25 to 30 minutes or until toothpick inserted into center comes out clean. Cut into 36 squares with a nut in the center of each.

Per brownie- 34 calories-2 grams fat- 0.4 sat fat- 1 g protein- 2 g carbs- 1 g fiber- 66 mg sodium.

YUMMY!