Lost Again!

I had another successful Saturday weigh-in at WW! I didn't have time to attend the meeting which is too bad because there is so much valuable info shared. I lost...1.6 lbs for last week! Yay!

I didn't do Wii Fit at all like I wanted to. I think the first week of school for my son and me getting back to waking up early threw me off. I'll try again this week! I did drink some water and tried to watch my points though I could do much better. I'm really hoping for a good week this week! I just keep on trying - keep moving forward.

How was your week? Are you on track or are you having trouble even getting started with losing weight or being healthy? This is a good time to start - the first week of September! You have plenty of time to make some big changes before the end of the year! If I can do this, you can too!!

Have a wonderful week!

Lisa :)

Healthy Recipe: Apple and Carrot Salad

Recently at a WW meeting, I was given a booklet that had some great recipes in it. I decided to try some and want to share one with you. This salad is a little different for me, but I really liked the flavor - so refreshing and I do like feta cheese. If you don't like feta, you could experiment with other cheeses.

Apple and Carrot Salad

1 large red apple, cored, thinly sliced and cut into matchsticks
1 large green apple, cored, thinly sliced and cut into matchsticks
1 1/2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
3 cups matchstick-cut carrots (can get pre-cut in store)
1/4 cup chopped chives
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 teaspoon sugar
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
2 oz. feta cheese, crumbled

Place apples in a large bowl and toss with lemon juice. Add carrots, chives, oil, sugar, salt, pepper and cheese; toss to mix thoroughly. Yields about 3/4 cup per serving (makes 8 servings).

1 WW pt. per serving

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I need to make it again soon. It makes a great side dish! Hope you get a chance to try it out. Let me know what you think!

Have a wonderful day!

Lisa :)

Saturday Weigh-In

Oh I almost didn't go to my WW meeting this morning! I was afraid my weight was up. I ended up getting there late and had somewhere else to be, so I just weighed and left. I did squeak out a loss! I lost .4 lb! Hey - it's something! A very small something, but something none the less! :)

I did not keep track of points like I should have last week and ate several goodies at the beginning of the week. I did do Wii Fit, but only a couple of days. I drank a little water most days, but still have a lot to do in that area. This week I plan to keep better track, drink some water, and do more Wii Fit. Don't I sound like a broken record? But I say try, try again!!

How was your week? What was your biggest struggle or your biggest success last week?

Have a great week - you can stay on track or get back on track this week! I know that you CAN do it!!

Lisa :)

Healthy Recipe: Chocolate Chip - Orange Scones

I saw this recipe in my Weight Watchers Best Ever Desserts cookbook and really wanted to try it. I love scones, but they usually throw off my healthy eating plans so I save them for special occasions. Now I can have them anytime!

Chocolate Chip - Orange Scones

2 cups all-purpose flour
1/4 cup sugar
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
3 tablespoons cold unsalted butter, cut into pieces
1/2 cup mini semisweet chocolate chips
3/4 cup low-fat buttermilk
1 large egg
1 tablespoon grated orange zest (about 1 orange)
1 cup powdered sugar
4 teaspoons fresh orange juice

1. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. Spray a large baking sheet with nonstick spray.

2. Whisk together the flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt in a large bowl. With a pastry blender or 2 knives used scissor-fashion, cut in the butter until the mixture resembles fine crumbs with some small pieces of butter remaining. Stir in the chocolate chips. Whisk together the buttermilk, egg, and orange zest in a small bowl. Add to the flour mixture and stir just until a dough forms.

3. Gather the dough into a ball and place on a lightly floured surface. Lightly knead 2 times. With a floured rolling pin, roll the dough to 3/4-in. thickness. With a 1 1/2-in. round cookie cutter, cut out rounds, dipping the cutter into flour between cuts to prevent sticking. Place the scones on the baking sheet about 1 inch apart. Gently gather the scraps, reroll and cut out more scones, making a total of 24 scones. Bake until golden brown, 10-12 minutes. Let cool on the baking sheet on a rack until warm, about 10 minutes.

4. Stir together the powdered sugar and orange juice in a small bowl until smooth. Place a sheet of wax paper under a rack. Dip the tops of the scones in the glaze; place, glaze side up, on the rack. Let stand until the glaze sets, about 1 hour.

per scone: 104 cal., 3 g fat, 0 g fiber, 2 WW pts

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When I made these, I must have used a little too much liquid because I had a batter rather than a dough and didn't want to take time trying to add more flour or chill the batter. So I just dropped spoonfuls of scone batter. They spread out and ended up looking more like cookies, but they were still good! They have a cake-like texture and a mild orange flavor. Perfect to go with a cup of tea!

*I made them again and had the same issue with the batter - was not a dough that I could knead.  Just dropped and shaped 24 small scones, but then let them rest on the baking sheet in the refrigerator for 20-30 minutes.  They definitely rose higher and looked nicer so I put the updated pic above now!

If you try them, let me know what you think!

I'm linking this up to Tasty Tuesday at Balancing Beauty and Bedlam! Stop over there for lots of good recipes, including Jen's Baked Oatmeal!

Lisa :)

Successful WW Weigh-In

I finally got back to a WW meeting this morning and weighed in. I lost 1.4 lbs for the week! Yay! In a week or two, I will be rid of the weight gain from my vacation! I refuse to be discouraged about losing the same pounds over again. The point is that I'm losing them.

I'm feeling a little more in control after last week and as we approach the start of the school year with better routines. I will keep counting points this week and drink water every day. I have such a hard time with the water, but I think I drank some every day last week - not enough though. I plan to do Wii Fit this week to get back into exercising. I want to try for 30 minutes a day Monday-Friday.

Are you feeling in control or out of control right now? How about making a plan for the week right now? Just pick some baby steps that you can do every day this week to get back on track. If I can do it, you can do it!!

Have a wonderful weekend!

Lisa :)

Healthy Recipe: Iced Cappuccino Smoothie

I was organizing some recipes the other day (part of Housecleaning Week at my other blog) found this one which I have had for years and forgot about. It came from a WW magazine in early 2001! I like how it makes several servings of a mix and it's so easy to whip up a smoothie!

Iced Cappuccino Smoothie

MIX
1/2 cup fat-free vanilla-flavored powdered coffee creamer
1/3 cup instant regular or decaf coffee granules
1/3 cup instant fat-free milk powder
1/4 cup granulated sugar
2 tablespoons unsweetened Dutch-process cocoa powder

SINGLE SMOOTHIE
1/2 cup fat-free milk
2 tablespoons smoothie mix
6-8 ice cubes

1. To prepare the mix, combine the coffee creamer, coffee granules, milk powder, sugar, and cocoa in a blender, and pulse several times until finely powdered and well blended.

2. To prepare a smoothie, combine the milk and smoothie mix in blender; whirl until smooth. Add the ice cubes and pulse until thick and creamy.

Mix makes 8 servings
Smoothie serving (1 1/2 cups): 114 cal, 0 g fat, 1 g fiber, 2 WW pts

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I actually use 1% milk and it doesn't really make a difference in points. If you don't already have Dutch-process cocoa (it's not your regular Hershey's cocoa powder and has a different flavor) - be sure to compare prices; it can be expensive. Next time I make this, I think I'll try a different flavor of coffee creamer for fun.

This mixture does taste mild when compared to the blended coffee drinks at coffee houses - it's because there's less sugar and salt! If you like more coffee flavor - add more and it won't increase the points. I think it tastes nice and refreshing!

Have a wonderful day!

Lisa :)

No Weigh-In Last Weekend

I didn't go weigh in at WW this past weekend. Sigh - not good, I know! But I am going to WW this coming Saturday to weigh and go to a meeting! Last week my weight stayed the same. I was too focused on getting my house organized and getting ready for my son's birthday (which involved eating out, cake, and strawberry pie - no calories there, right?!).

I am back on track today. I kept track of points and actually drank a glass of water - shocking! :) Yes, I am aware that I should be drinking much more water than that - but that is progress for me! I had hoped to do 30 minutes of Wii Fit today, but some unexpected things came up in the afternoon and I was gone for a few hours. I'll let you know how the rest of the week goes!

How are you doing? Are you back on track? If not, I know you can get there!

Lisa :)

Healthy Recipe: BLT And Chicken Pasta Salad

I was so excited to find a new summer recipe to try in the latest free issue of Something Extra from Raley's/Belair grocery stores! It's perfect for hot weather and it's delicious and healthy too! I hope you get a chance to try it.

BLT And Chicken Pasta Salad

1 1/2 cups orzo pasta (about 2/3 of a 1-lb box)
2 cups cooked, cubed chicken
2 cups halved grape tomatoes
2 cups thinly sliced spinach leaves or green leaf lettuce
1/2 cup thinly sliced green onions
4 strips bacon, cooked crisp and crumbled
3 tablespoons olive oil
1 1/2 tablespoons white wine vinegar
1/2 tablespoon Dijon mustard
Salt and freshly ground pepper to taste

Cook orzo according to package directions, rinse with cold water to cool; drain. Stir together orzo, chicken, tomatoes, lettuce, onions and bacon in a large bowl. Whisk together remaining ingredients in a small bowl. Pour over salad and toss to coat. Makes 4-6 servings.

350 cal, 14 g fat, 2 g fiber, 8 WW points

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Enjoy! Hope you're having a good healthy week!

Lisa :)