Cheesy Popcorn

This is awesome stuff...all nutritional info is 0...so of course it is 0 points plus.  I use an air popper to pop some popcorn (which is simply filling so 0 points plus) and spray some spary butter on (0 points plus) and sprinkle some of this on (also 0 points).  Wah-lah!

It comes in other flavors, but this is the only one I have tried.

It also has a spray you can use (instead of the spray butter) but I have not tried it, nor do I know the nutrition facts for it.  I did try spray canola oil instead of the spray butter and I didn't like it as well.

The bottle says you can put it on veggies, potatoes, eggs, rice.  I tried it on a baked potatoe and it was good.  Not the best thing I have ever tasted, but good.  I would recommend it.

Jillian Michaels book

I was flipping through Jillian Michaels book "Master your Metabolism" and read part of a chapter on High Fructose Corn Syrup.  She said that every time you see HFCS (High Fructose Corn Syrup) listed on the ingredients you should think "POISON" because it is so bad for you.

I was talking to my brother about this and he said he googled "Why are american's so fat".  Of course there are a lot of websites listing lots of reasons...Portion sizes, fast food, inactivity, etc...but one of the reasons listed on almost every single website was High Fructose Corn Syrup.

So then my brother googled  "Why is high fructose corn syrup in everything?"  He discovered that the American Government subsidises corn farmers...this make the price of corn artificially low...which means that food manufacturers can purchase high fructose corn syrup for cheap.  It is a sweetener and preservative.

So for the last 2 weeks (2 shopping trips) I have been looking at labels and trying really hard not to buy anything with high fructose corn syrup in it.  IT IS HARD!  IT IS IN EVERYTHING!  It is in surprising things.  Ketchup, spaghetti sauce, lunchmeat, stuffing, jam, etc...

I am reading Dr. Phil's ultimate weight solution book.  In there he calls "good" foods HIGH RESPONSE COST, HIGH YIELD foods.  This means that your body has to work harder to break them down and they are a lower caloric intake.  Basically the way he summarizes is that these food take work to prepare and work to break down in your body.  This has impacted me and realize...yes, he's right.  It takes more time to wash and cut up broccoli than it does to open a bag of chips.  It takes more work to prepare a homemade dinner than to stop and get a pizza.  AM I WILLING TO DO THE WORK?  Yes.

I have also decided to cut back majorly on artificial sweeteners.  It actually hasn't been as hard as I thought it would be...mostly because I am doing the timers like I mentioned in a previous post.  When I am satisfied all of the time I can think clearly to not reach for sweets (as much).

Easy 0 point soup

I had left-over boiled cauliflower from last nights dinner.  I wanted to try making mashed "potatoes" from it like I had heard in my WW meetings.  It did not turn out as anticipated.  So I used it as a soup thickener as I had also heard about in my WW meetings.

I made a beef broth, added some veggies and some creamed cauliflower all for 0 points.

Blend cauliflower with some water and salt and pepper in your blender.

In a saucepan:

I used 1 C. water

1 beef boillion cube

peas (left over from last night---but you could just throw in some frozen ones)

chopped mushrooms

add in creamed cauliflower from above to make the soup more creamy.

Because the cauliflower was already cooked it took less than 5 minutes from start to finish.  It was quite good and you could use whatever veggies you had on hand.

Most delicious scramble ever

This was the most delicious scramble ever.

2 tsp EVOO (yea!  Oil done for the day)
a small handful chopped green peppers
a small handful chopped mushrooms
1 small handful chopped ham  (I'm not sure if you have to count points for this or not???  I need to look it up)

Saute until green peppers are soft.

Scramble 3 eggs in a separate bowl (I did 1 whole egg and 2 egg whites, but you could do whole eggs for simply filling also)

Add eggs to other ingredients.

Add 1 T. feta cheese (count points for this)
1 handful fresh spinach.
Salt and Pepper to taste

Cook until eggs are cooked and spinach is wilted.

This was AMAZING!

Timers

So I got this idea from my Dad...set timers on your phone to remind you to eat your meals and your snacks, that way you can stay satisfied and never get to that really hungry irrational eating period.

So for example...I have timers set at
7:30 Breakfast
10:00 Snack
12:30 Lunch
3:00 Snack
5:30 Dinner

So mine are 2.5 hours apart.  But if there is a time of day that you are more hungry than others...you probably need a snack before you get to that point.

Mikael

Dr. Phil's Ultimate Weight Solution

I have been reading this book "Dr. Phil's ultimate weight solution" and it is excellent.  It really helps you look at why do you  eat how, what, when, where you eat and how to combat and reprogram yourself to eat better, think more clearly and devote energy into taking care of yourself.

You can get it for 1 penny on amazon and pay $3.99 shipping.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/offer-listing/1416513183/ref=sr_1_1_olp?ie=UTF8&qid=1344541697&sr=8-1&keywords=dr+phil%27s+ultimate+weight+solution&condition=used

Walden Farms

OK, so a while back I posted that I saw in the WW book that Walden Farms peanut spread was 0 points and decided that I must have it.  I tracked it down at my local health food store.  When I arrived I found a whole end-cap of Walden foods.  They are all 0 points.  You wouldn't believe it if you saw their nutritional labels.  They are 0 everything. 0 calories, 0 fat, 0 carbs, 0 fiber, 0 protein, 0 sugar.  Nada.  Zilch, Zip. Zero.  So weird.  Anyway, I decided to try some of their products.  They run about $5 per jar.


Walden Farms Peanut Spread.  Does not taste like peanut butter.  Really gross.  I will not purchase again.  I will not eat again.  I am going to throw the jar out.  Yuck.

Walden Farms Alfredo.  Edible, but not good.  It was 0 PP (because it's 0 everything as listed above).  I will not purchase again.  But I did finish my dinner that it was on.  I would not recommend it.

Walden Farms Raspberry Jam.  Tastes like other SF jams. Not terrible but not good.  I will probably finish off the jar and then not purchase again (I might as well buy other SF jams from the grocery store and not make a special trip to the health foods store).  Definitely not as good as regular jam (no SF jams are). But OK if you need something a little sweet and don't have the points to spare.

Walden Farms Hickory Smoke BBQ sauce.  OK, not great.  It was really runny.  It had a slightly strange flavor.  It was edible.  I will probably finish off the bottle, but not purchase again.  It's nice to have a 0 point BBQ sauce, but I think I would rather use a point or 2 on regular BBQ sauce.  I would not recommend buying it.

Walden Farms Ranch Mayo.  Tastes like FF mayo with a dry ranch packet mixed in.  I am not a big fan of FF mayo or miracle whip.  I would rather use a point or 2 on light mayo/miracle whip.  FF is gross to me.  So I didn't care for this too much.  It was OK, not gross, but not great.  I will finish off the jar and not buy it again.

I have not tried this yet, but if it is anything like the other products...I'm not expecting anything great.

So once again we're back to the old adage of "if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is".

What do I snack on?

Simply Filling or 0 points plus (you might want to double check that these are simply filling...I am pretty sure, but didn't double check)
Fruit
Vegs
Lemonade (see previous post)
Smoothies
94% FF popcorn or kettle corn
SF Bread and butter pickles
Dill pickles
Vanilla Milk (see previous post)
Crystal Light
Unsweetened applesauce (sometimes with cinnamon)
FF yogurt with splenda and fruit
FF cottage cheese
FF milk
Hard boiled eggs

1 Points plus (you might want to double check that these are 1 points plus...I am pretty sure, but didn't double check)
SF Fudgesicles
SF Jello
SF Pudding
Frozen SF pudding into popsicles
FF coolwhip
SF Crystal Light slurpees

Vacation

So we just got back from an 8 day vacation.  I think I did really well at my food/activity choices.  I ate fruit or oatmeal or eggs for breakfast.

For lunch I ate lunchmeat sandwiches, fruit, salad, rice.

For dinner we had tacos, hawaiian haystacks, baked potatos.

I did splurge on the night we went to golden corral.  But I only back for a 2nd plate (not 3rds and 4ths) and desserts I tried 1 bite of a few things...but did not finish anything off.

Some other successes...the night we had pigs in a blanket and tater tots I made myself some popcorn and had grapes, oranges and bananas instead.

The morning we went out for breakfast at a pancake house I had decided to have crepes with strawberries and cool whip.  However...the wait was too long, so we went to Hardees (which is Carl's Jr. here).  Everything had bacon, sausage, cheese and biscuits I swear.  I ordered a biscuit with egg (no bacon or anything else).  Then I only ate half of the biscuit.  I was still hungry (and knew I would be when I ordered it) so I ate some fruit when we got back to the house.

The day we unexpectantly went out for pizza I was going to order a salad, but the salads were $8.  So instead I waited 30 minutes and ate a sandwich on lite bread when we got back to the house.

I ran (in the humidity) 7 miles one day, 4 miles another and went on a 2-3 mile walk on the beach one day and a 2 mile walk on the beach another day.  I tried surfing also (great ab and arm workout).

I think I made some really wise choices and I am really proud of myself.  Tomorrow I weigh in, but I expect good results (or at least not bad).

Lemonade

Water
lemon juice
Splenda or Sweet N Low
Ice

Mix together to taste for a refreshing 0 Calorie, Simply Filling drink.

Vanilla milk

FF milk (Skim milk)
a splash of vanilla (maybe 1 T or so)
some splenda or sweet n low

Mix together for a sweet snack/drink that is completely simply filling.

Spaghetti Sauce

Adapted from Food.com.  (Fresh Tomato Spaghetti Sauce by Lauralie41)

http://www.food.com/recipe/fresh-tomato-spaghetti-sauce-10837

1. HERE'S WHAT I DID...
   4 lbs tomatoes
   2 T. dried onions
   2 tsp. minced garlic (from a bottle)
   4 tsp fresh basil
   1/4 C. olive oil...you could probably lower it a little bit
   1 tsp. salt
   4 tsp. parsley
   1 T. Splenda
   
   
   Boil a big pan of water.  Put tomatoes in water until skin splits open.  Remove tomatoes from water, put in cold water.  Skin will just fall right off the tomatoes.  Core tomatoes.
   
   
   Then I put the tomatoes in the blender (because I don't like chunks).   Pour tomatoe puree in a pan.  Add spices.  Bring to a boil, then simmer for 2 hours.  Let cool.  Reheat and serve over noodles.  
   
   
   I did have to add some water at the end because it was too thick for me.  I also added a lb of 93% cooked hamburger.  I think it would have been good without.  
   
   
   A little labor intensive, not too bad.  You need to start 3 or 4 hours ahead of when you wanted to eat. 

Yea for me

Today I hit my 10%.  So I have lost 16 pounds.  I have 9 more to go to get back to lifetime.  Yea for me.  My husband hit goal today.  He hit 50 pounds.  Woo hoo!  He has done really really well.  He is so diligent at tracking.  He has not gained a single week.  Wow!!!  Now he just has to maintain for 6 weeks to become lifetime.  He will do great!

9 pounds seems like a lot less than 10 or 11 that I have been stuck at for a few weeks.  I am glad, I really needed that motivation.

Spaghetti

Spaghetti can be completely simply filling with a few preparations.

Use whole wheat noodles.

Make your own spaghetti sauce with fresh tomatoes.  If it needs sugar, use splenda.

You can also add 93% (or greater) browned hamburger.

You can serve with corn or any other steamed veggies and a salad with FF vinaigrette.

And make a garlic bread with lite bread, spray butter, garlic salt then broil it.

Or a variation I like is lite bread spread with FF sour cream sprinkled with paprika then broil.

Otherwise, if that is too much work (making your own spaghetti sauce) (which it usually is for me).  Just use a bottled variety and you only have to count the points for the sauce.

Eggs

I love eggs as part of the simply filling program.  They are FREE!  Even for whole eggs!  I love it.

I love omelets (You can add any of the following and not count PP:  lean ham, salsa, FF cheese, onions, mushrooms, green peppers, spinach, etc...).  Then you can top it with any of the following and not count any PP: ketchup, chili sauce, steak sauce, salsa.  You can cook it in 2 tsp of healthy oil and wa-la...a great 0 point breakfast.

Or make the omelet into a scramble.

Boiled eggs make a great snack.

Egg salad sandwiches in light bread with FF mayo or miracle whip, chopped SF bread and butter pickles, celery.  Still 0 points (If doing Simply Filling).

Scrambled eggs.

Deviled eggs (with FF mayo or miracle whip and a little mustard, sprinkled with paprika).  Yum.

Fried eggs (just use 2 tsp of healthy oil with a little Salt and Pepper).  It feels so non-diety.

Eggs in potato salad.

Eggs in a green salad with other veggies and either FF salad dressing or FF cottage cheese, or 2 tsp  healthy oil and vinegar as a dressing.

I'm sure there are lots of other kinds of eggs...poached and what-not...but the ones listed above are the main ones I use.  Sometimes even while following simply filling I will do 2 egg whites and 1 whole egg (for scrambles and omelets) but not usually.

Eggs are easy, cheap and filling.  Not to mention yummy.

Hash Browns or fried potatoes

When you have leftover baked potatoes (I always make extra when I do baked potatoes) you can shred them with a cheese grater for hash browns or cube or coin them.  Just add salt and pepper and fry them on a non-stick griddle (or a frying pan) on a high heat until they are warmed through and brown and crispy on the outside.

Although for points plus you have to count points for potatoes...with simply filling you do not.

You can top with ketchup, chili sauce, steak sauce and still not have to count any points.

For some variation add any of the following eggs, chopped onion, chopped green and/or red peppers, mushrooms and you are still completely simply filling.

If you need to get your oil in for the day, add 2 tsp of healthy oil to your portion without having to add any PP.  (After 2 tsp you have to count PP).

Remember to only eat until satisfied, not full.

Jam, Butter and Peanut Butter

 Light Bread with spray butter (although you couldn't taste it) and 1 tsp. Smucker's simply fruit.  (If you go up to 1/2 T. of the jam you have to count a point plus...but 1 tsp is 0 pts. plus)

When I refer to spray butter, I always mean I can't Believe it's not Butter spray.  Which is 0 points plus for 5 sprays.

Watch out for this snack...if you really like it...you could overindulge.  But if you can limit yourself to 1 serving then it is a good sweet snack...but it will not fill you up...as a warning.  Get to know your limits.

As I looked up the points plus for this to see if it is considered simply filling (which it's not...but it's 0 pts plus for 1 tsp), I saw that Polaner brand sugar free jelly's and preserves are 0 pts plus for 1 T.  I will have to look for them.

I also saw that Promise fat free spread is 0 pts plus for 1 T.  I will have to look for that also.

Then under peanut butter (which is my worst weakness...I LOVE IT!) I see that Better'n Peanut Butter (which I know they sell at the health food store) is 2 points plus for 2 T.  Which is a lot better than 5 points plus for regular peanut butter.  There is also a powdered peanut butter (also at health food stores) called PB2 which I believe is 2 pts plus for 2 T (double check me on that one).  I haven't tried either, but have heard that they are a good alternative.  I'll have to let you know.  I also see one listed called Peanut Wonder (which I have never heard of) which is 2 points plus for 2 T. and the best (or worst---because I might overindulge) is Walden Farms Peanut Spread is 0 points plus for 2 T.  Is that a typo?  0 points plus!!! Really?!?!?!

If I got the 0 point jam and the 0 point peanut butter and the light bread I could have a peanut butter sandwich without counting points (because I am doing simply filling).  I don't know...that might be too much for me and I might not be able to stop at one sandwich.

Orange-Banana Smoothie

1 orange,  peeled
1 banana, peeled
FF milk and /or FF yogurt
approx 1 T. vanilla (optional)
A little splenda (maybe 1 or 2 T?) (optional)

Blend above ingredients.   Add a large cup of ice and blend until smooth.

I often have this for a snack, but today I had it for breakfast.  You can also do it with just banana.  Or other types of fruits.  I haven't had a lot of luck with apples.  But anything else...strawberries, raspberries, blueberries, etc...

You can add a handful of any greens (spinach, kale, etc), but no lettuce...it changes the color, but you really can't taste it hardly at all.  And it adds a lot of nutritional value.

The above ingredients are completely simply filling.

7-11 slurpee

7-11 has these crystal light sugar free slurpees.  They are awesome.  They are rotating through different flavors... it started out as mango and now it is strawberry-banana.  The small size is only 1 pt plus.

They do have aspartame (splenda) which can irritate some people's stomach..so if you're sensitive to it...watch out.  I can have some splenda, but not bigger than a small slurpee.

Bean and Bacon on Toast

(I didn't have all of the toppings the night of the picture...but it was still good)

Light Bread, toasted
Campbell's Bean N Bacon Condensed soup, reconstituted (2 pts plus for 1/2 C...once reconstituted)
FF yogurt or FF sour cream
Salsa
lettuce
FF cheese

Toast your bread.  Add water to soup.  Heat your soup.  Pour soup over toast.  Top with other toppings.

Light bread and all toppings listed are Simply filling (Except the soup).

Tuna fish

Tuna (packed in water), drained
FF Mayo or FF miracle whip
Sugar Free bread and butter pickle chips (0 points)
Light Bread
Lettuce

This makes a great sandwich that is completely simply filling.  You could also add FF cheese if desired.  Toasted (under broil) tuna sandwiches are also good.  You would probably leave off the lettuce and pickles until after it was toasted.

French Toast

lite bread
eggs (can do 1 whole egg and 2 egg whites if desired...but whole eggs are considered simply filling)
skim milk (same as Fat Free)
Cinnamon
Vanilla

Beat a few eggs, add a splash of milk and a splash of vanilla (amounts are really not important).  I guess I would say 3 eggs, 1/4 C. milk and 1 T. vanilla if I were to guess.  Sprinkle top of eggs with cinnamon.  Dip both sides of bread in eggs.  Cook on skillet or frying pan until browned on both sides.

Top with any of the following (they are all simply filling)...spreadable fruit (like jam...but no sugar added and it is simply filling), fruit, applesauce (no sugar added), Fat Free Cool whip, FF yogurt no sugar added.

You can also make some scrambled eggs to go on the side with ketchup or salsa if desired.

All ingredients listed above are simply filling.

Easy Baked Potatoes

These baked potatoes were awesome because they were quick, easy, perfectly cooked and didn't heat up the house.

Just wash your potatoes.  Put in a crock pot.  Cook on high for 3 hours.  (You don't need to add water and you don't wrap in foil).  Test with a fork for doneness.

I thought it would be possible...so I Googled it and this is the website I got the instructions from...  http://momonamission.me/?p=4171

I don't think I will ever do potatoes any other way!


The potato is simply filling.   Top any of the following toppings (all simply filling) with spray butter, FF margarine, FF sour cream, FF yogurt, ranch dressing (made with FF mayo and FF milk), lean cubed ham, cooked cubed chicken, 93% or greater hamburger, sauteed onions, broccoli, FF cheese, homemade chili made with simply filling ingredients.  


As you can see this makes a great meal without having to use any weekly points.

Simply Filling

I have been following Weight Watchers Simply Filling program for a few weeks now.  I love it.  I did Core a few years ago and it is very similar.  Basically you can have any fruits or vegetables, lean proteins, light bread, whole wheat pasta, Fat free dairy, 0 point foods without counting points plus.  You are only supposed to eat until satisfied, not full.  You also still get your 49 weekly points and can earn additional points for exercise.