Cheeseburger Penne

I think this will be a perfect meal, especially when we are looking for comfort food quick!
This is another Weight Watcher's recipe that is perfect for many of the Tupperware products that I have or want to have.

Cheeseburger Penne

Ingredients

• 2 cups uncooked penne (multigrain if possible)
• 1 package (9 ounces) frozen meatless burgers (or lean ground beef)
• 3/4 cup chopped onion
• 1 can (14.5 ounces) fire roasted diced tomatoes with garlic
• 1 1/2 cups chopped tomatoes (1 large tomato)
• 1/2 tsp fresh ground black pepper
• 1 1/4 cup (5 oz) 50% reduced fat extra sharp cheddar
• 6 TBSP chopped dill pickle (optional)

If using burgers - grill on medium-high heat - 2 minutes per side.
If using ground beef - microwave in Tupperware stack cooker on high.

Cook pasta in Tupperware Microwave Pasta Cooker.

Using the Tupperware Quick Chef Pro, chop onions, set aside.  Then chop the tomato.
Shred cheddar using Tupperware Grate 'N Measure Grater. (also found in medium & complete pasta set)
Chop dill pickles in the Quick Chef Pro if using

In a large cast-iron or oven/broiler friendly pan, coated with cooking spray over medium-high heat, saute the chopped onions 2 minutes.  Stir in canned tomatoes, chopped tomato, and pepper.  Add chopped burgers or crumbled ground beef to pan.

Stir tomato mixture and half the cheese into the pasta.  Spoon the pasta mixture into a cast-iron skillet.  Sprinkle remaining half of cheese on top.  Broil 1 to 2 minutes or until cheese is melted.

Top with chopped pickle if using.

Yields 6 servings - 1 1/2 cups each

Help for my "non-resolution" plans

I have my "plan" in place.  I was working on getting back on track BEFORE everyone starts making their New Year's Resolutions.  But because I am starting this on January 1st, everyone will think this is my New Year's Resolution - which we all know are usually out the window by the end of February.

So because of that and because as I said I was making these plans before January, I am calling this my "Non New Year's Resolution".

I have found some fantastic websites and some wonderful bloggers who are great sources of great recipes that will be used for this very purpose.

Some of them I know you already know about - I've talked about them before as well as looking at their "followers" numbers on their blogs ...... well lets just say I'm not the only one that likes them.

Here is a new one that I've found in the last 3 months or so that have some interesting takes on what you should be eating.  Dinner Evolution.com is really good for finding things you wanted to eat but were afraid it would really derail your progress.

I've been looking at things at this site FaveDiets.com that, as it says, is Everyday Recipes  Made Lighter.  For instance, do you like meals at Cracker Barrel Restaurants or Benihana, Red Lobster or even Wendy's?  They have some of those recipes that will fit into most diets or could be your "treat of the week" without going overboard.

And there are my "old standby" blogs to check out like Lynns Kitchen Adventures, Gina's Skinny Recipes, and TJ's Test Kitchen.

And don't forget those magazine type cookbooks I shared with you before.  Yes I know that 2012 Is going to be MY year.

Mermaid or Whale?

 I need to thank my friend Kelly for posting this on Facebook.  I happened to see it this morning, needing to see it more than I realized.  Yes I am struggling in my weight loss journey, but I will push on through this period of troubles, and be better for it.


Thanks again Kelly for posting that which I needed most.

A while back, at the entrance of a gym, there was a picture of a very thin and beautiful woman. The caption was "This summer, do you want to be a mermaid or a whale?"

The story goes, a woman (of clothing size unknown) answered the following way:

"Dear people, whales are always surrounded by friends (dolphins, seals, curious humans), they are sexually active and raise their children with great tenderness.
They entertain like crazy with dolphins and eat lots of prawns. They swim all day and travel to fantastic places like Patagonia, the Barents Sea or the coral reefs of Polynesia.
They sing incredibly well and sometimes even are on cds. They are impressive and dearly loved animals, which everyone defend and admires.

Mermaids do not exist.

But if they existed, they would line up to see a psychologist because of a problem of split personality: woman or fish?
They would have no sex life and could not bear children.
Yes, they would be lovely, but lonely and sad.
And, who wants a girl that smells like fish by his side?

Without a doubt, I'd rather be a whale.

At a time when the media tells us that only thin is beautiful, I prefer to eat ice cream with my kids, to have dinner with my husband, to eat and drink and have fun with my friends.

We women, we gain weight because we accumulate so much wisdom and knowledge that there isn't enough space in our heads, and it spreads all over our bodies.
We are not fat, we are greatly cultivated.
Every time I see my curves in the mirror, I tell myself: "How amazing am I ?! "

Diet Pills Diet Pills Diet Whatevers ....

Why is it when you admit that you need to lose some excess weight that you become the recipient of 100s of emails or snail mail envelopes offering you THE best thing yet to make those pounds disappear?

Do they really think that email or brochure that says ......... lose 30 pounds in 30 days (or less) really gets people to purchase?  Does it?  Am I that naive?  Or just not "marketing smart"?

I think in the past week I have received at least 25 emails telling me that they have THE best thing for me.  And that's NOT the ones that the spam filter has gotten rid of for me.

Sometimes I think I just need to win the lottery so I can try every single one of them so I can once and for all tell the world that THEY DO NOT work no matter what the brochure says. 

If I am wrong, and you have found something that does work ....... let me know.  I'm all ears - ok not ears since that's NOT what I need to lose - but you get the idea.

I will just continue to do what I have been doing and hopefully I will finally hit on the right combination of food and exercise to finally put this to rest. 

Healthy Foods that MAY surprise you

Always looking for healthy recipes and ingredients that your family will eat?  I know I am.  I found this great post on The Food Network's website that I think will help.

Not only do they list 10 foods that are healthier than you think for you - you also get some recipe links as well.

healthyeats - 10 foods that are healthier than you think

There are some great and interesting suggestions here, that I may be trying very soon, since I have a somewhat "empty" canvas here at home after the effects of Hurricane Irene.  

Come on back to see what I end up trying in the next week or so.

Banana Ice Cream

As I continue to clean up and throw out after our visit from Hurricane Irene I found this wonder endorsement for the ever popular "banana ice cream".

one ingredient banana ice cream

Now as I get things settled around here I know what to do with the top shelves of my stand up freezer - fruit freezer station!  I will be having these and other fruit flavors very soon.

If you hurry, you could have this as a great treat for tonight.  I know I am going to try it.

Shakeology - the new deal or just another plan ?

Recently my friend, Deborah Barlow,  introduced me to Shakeology.  At first, I will admit I was a little skeptical.   To be honest, I was afraid that since Deb is also a Beach Body Coach this would be part of the beach body program with all kinds of tapes/dvds/exercise programs that I have seen on infomercials and in some stores that I would also need to buy.  I already have multiple DVD programs so more "equipment" was NOT what I needed.

When I first got 2 sample packets of Shakeology, I was thinking this is just another "diet plan" or "meal replacement plan" like I have tried many many times before - some working and some just making me feel pretty bad.  But I will be the first to say - I was wrong.  I was able to try both the chocolate and greenberry flavor packets (each make one drink) and I really liked them. 

This is NOT your typical meal replacement shake - it is NOT even close to those SlimFast Drinks that EVERYONE has tried at one time or another.  If it was - I would stop here and tell you to run in the opposite direction.

The first one I had was the chocolate one.  I did nothing but add water and ice to my VitaMix blender with the contents of the packet and gave it a "whirl".   The instructions don't say you must use a blender - but I just have a thing for my blender.  My blender pretty well blended this mixture into a wonderful chocolate shake in about 90 seconds.   It had NO resemblance to a "diet" drink in any way shape or form.  And I didn't add anything to this packet.  They have some wonderful sounding recipes for the chocolate mix on the website.

This morning I had quite a bit of running around to do, and didn't have time for breakfast, which we all know is NOT a good thing to do, but I kept thinking I really wasn't hungry.   As I was getting dressed, I was trying to think about what I could grab so I would have something before I left and I remembered I had the Shakeology greenberry mix.  I knew I could have something and hopefully not be starving by lunch or worse yet, stop at some fast food drive-thru.

This time when I made my shake, I used 1 cup of my home-made yogurt (since directions say use milk or water), the greenberry mix and some ice.  When I first tasted this, I was hit with a funny aftertaste - not strong, but definitely something.  I wasn't sure if it was from the yogurt or the mix or both.   So I put it back into the VitaMix and added 1 tsp of vanilla extract and 1 medium banana - whizzed it again and the taste was perfect.   They also have recipes for the greenberry mix on the website, but because I hadn't pre-planned, and was late, I didn't have time to make one of these interesting recipes - but I'm thinking that I will be doing some of these soon too.

Their website has a section for questions that covers a lot of the questions I had - and some I didn't have but was glad it was there.  I think the site is well laid out so that you can get answers before you order.  But once you start using the Shakes and  think of something you want to "check out", you can ask questions here too.  They will get you an answer.  

Even if you are not on a diet, but need to have something for a quick meal, this is perfect.  Although it does make a shake, it is nothing like the SlimFast Shakes or those Carnations Instant Breakfast.  The Shakeology shakes taste good and don't leave you with those "undesirable" afteraffects that I (and others) have experienced with those other shakes.

I'm hooked.  Yes after 2 shakes, I'm hooked.  I will be ordered a supply for my kitchen.  My only dilemma is do I just get the chocolate or do I get the combo pack of 1/2 chocolate and 1/2 greenberry?  Decisions, decisions, decisions ........... Talk with my friend Deb and you too could be doing Shakeology Shakes by next week - I know I will be! 

Weight loss doesn't have to be difficult

We have even more things to help us on our journey of weight loss that I have recently "stumbled" upon.

We all know consciously or unconsciously that there are Foods That keep us from Losing Weight, but sometimes we need to be reminded so our unconscious mind can "woken up".    We can thank thatsfit.com for this great reminder.

Fitbottomedgirls.com have provided us with the Secrets to eating a healthy diet to help make it a little easier for us to "remember" HOW to keep losing weight.  Sometimes I find that when you go on a "diet" it is great for the first few weeks - maybe even a month or two - but then it becomes a chore.  We start to feel deprived because we "have" to eat different than everyone else in our circle. 

With these great reminders, we can stick with our "diet" that doesn't have to be a "diet" but a "lifestyle" change that makes us lighter and slimmer and hopefully much healthier than we are now and for years to come.

Summer goodness with just a few minutes of kitchen time

a month of ice pop-recipes that look pretty darn good even if you dont have their machine - but I thought it looks pretty cool too.  -quickpop-maker

I bet you could "low cal" many of these easily.

I AM going to be trying some of these very very soon.

Zoku also has its own blog to check out with even MORE recipes!

Trying to figure out a Healthy Diet Plan?

If you are like me, you have probably tried every diet plan imaginable or at least it seems that way.  I have really enjoyed, for the most part,  my time with The Fresh Diet, but it is going to end soon.  Now I need to find something that will keep me going on my journey that I can afford with a family to take care of as well.

I happened to stumble upon this guide in EatingWell.com's website that I think just might work for me and you. 

But First Things First.  You need to decide what calorie range you need to be at to lose between 1 and 2 pounds per week - since that is the healthy way to loss weight.  Granted if you haven't been dieting you may lose more than that for the first few weeks but then it will slow and that's what you want.

Once you know what your calorie level should be, Eating Well has come up with a sample 7 day menu for some of the "popular" levels:

1200 calories per day

1400 calories per day

1600 calories per day

1800 calories per day

2000 calories per day

Don't forget to check out all 7 days and the recipes that they also provide.  I bet you could find all kinds of combinations from these sample menus to go for weeks if not months without getting bored.  What I really like is that all the recipes, that I've checked out so far, give the nutritional stats so you can mix and match something from the 1600 calorie range and use it in the 1200 calorie range day by adjusting your other items.

They also offer a 28 day program ... and at the bottom of the page you can find links to all kinds of  recipe options for 500 calories or less, options for pork, fish, chicken, beef even for those of us who are vegetarians!  See I told you endless ideas and suggestions.

I'm thinking this is where I will start.  That and probably some of the Hungry Girl recipes and Taste of  Home Comfort Food DIET Cookbook  (I do seem to have a few cookbooks with "diets" in mind).  See I have been looking towards the future so I don't have to stop cooking and eating well while on a diet.

Fat Burning Foods

I thnk I'm on a roll now .. look what I found!

Some great Fat Burning Foods that can easily be added to your diet (you might be surprised that you already eat some) to help you cut the fat without making you feel like you are eating "diet" food.

Check out the Fat-Burning Foods Slideshow.  I found all kinds of great things on WebMD.com

Recipe Rehab

Here is a great place to look for "revised" recipes to be able to stick with your diet plan without giving up your favorites.  Or maybe you can find some new favorites.

I know I'm looking at some that are very interesting at Recipe Rehab at That'sFit.com

More Diet Tips

Ok I'm on a roll now - here are some great articles that I have found recently that can help you stay on the healthy lifestyle you have chosen.  You have chosen to have a healthy lifestyle right?

Snacks Under 100 Calories

Lose Water Weight - the Easy Way

Watch out for these Belly Bloating Foods

Ditch the Diet

Ahhhh now that I have your attention, I found another article that has promise.  Ditch the Diet:  3 Hormones that make us Fat.  This was very short, and in some ways an advertisement for Dr Natasha Turner's book The Supercharged Hormone Diet or The Hormone Diet, but it definitely gave me something to think about.

You can purchase these books (one version for Canada and one for US) at bookstores or from Amazon.com, who also has a Kindle version for those of us that don't buy hardcover books anymore.

As others have said - I'm thinking its something to talk to a doctor about (I know, I know you never thought you would hear me say that)

Energy Foods

On Healthmad.com I found a great list of foods called

"The 10 best foods for energy"

1)Oatmeal
2)Peanut Butter
3)Avocado
4)Blueberries
5)Citrus Fruits
6)Watermelon
7)Yogurt (mmmm I love Greek Yogurt)
8)Apples
9)Sardines
10)Spinach

Ok I'm good ... I actually like all of these foods (and eat them as well).  Well I can't do number 9 .... unless of course its "hidden".

But it says ... don't forget

1)Figs
2)Beans
3)Lentils
And .........
4)Coffee (Ok I'm set)

Body Media FIT

I have a new "toy" to help me move towards my goal of weight loss.  And so far its been very interesting to see what happens each day.

Its a Body Media FIT armband that I wear almost 24/7.  I actually only take it off to shower and upload my data.

Has anyone else used this?  If so, what did you think?

One of the things that I have read in a number of places, is that not only is diet and exercise important but so is sleep - and not just any sleep, but good quality sleep.  This little gem measures good quality sleep as well.  I can see that I don't get enough of the good sleep (well ok right now I don't get enough sleep period but this too will pass)

It also tells me how many steps I have taken ........ and it seems to be more reliable than the pedometers I have had in the past.

I am going to use this in conjunction with my Fresh Diet experience so I don't need to calculate my calories for each meal - I will just "assume" that I am getting the calories that TFD tells me I have each day and use the BodyMedia as another tool to help me figure out what I am burning and how well I am truly sleeping.

I got mine at Costco's on a "special" that included 1 year of monitoring.  I will see how it goes over the course of 6 months to a year and then decide if I want to renew - but so far I have been rather impressed.

The Fresh Diet

I know I owe you 3 days of meals (I think) that I promise I will post up tonight.  I'm still not really juggling things well here since I got sick last week and then tax season is starting ........... and then to add insult to injury my scale went crazy.  Either that or its possessed. 

I got on the scale middle of last week - and it said .. get this you weigh 120 lbs.  Yeah right.  Then after I finished laughing my head off, I got back on the scale to try again.  It then said I weighed 265 lbs.  So after I finished fainting and pulled myself back together I decided that it was time for a new scale.

I have this nasty habit of weighing myself every day - I know I know.  But since this scale is about 6 years old that means its had a bit of a work out - not always good for a digital scale.

So stay tuned for the latest installment and hear about my new scale (hot stuff right?)

51 Fastest Fat Burners

As we all look forward to 2011 with anticipation and perhaps some dread, I found a really good list of fat burners (yes we all need these whether we want to admit it or not) on CNN.com and Health.com. 

When you look at the list ... you will see that it is really common sense things - not those wild suggestions you see on those infomercials that swear you can lose 30 lbs in 1 week or less.

I will be adding these to my list of "to do" items for My New Year's Resolutions.  Hopefully they won't be one of those that are broken immediately.  You know what I mean.

Check it out 51 Fastest Fat Burners

Best Fat Blasters

You know that you want to know how to blast that "fat" off your butt or buns or bum - or whatever you call it.  You know you want to blast away that belly fat!

Well you need to check out this post on CNN.  Now you know what things will really help and how long you have to do it.  Ok so you know how many calories are "gone" in 30 minutes. 

Make sure you check out  7 fat blasters and see if any of your "favorites" are here.

I see a few I like ... so now I can be a little more diligent in my routine.

Exercise? Who thought it would happen?

Ok I have to say I thought I was the LAST person that would be saying that they were hooked on exercise.  But I am!

Its not that I don't like exercise (although that does usually mean that you get hot and sweaty and not is a good way), it's just that I just don't seem to be able to find something that interests me enough to do it constantly.  Well I have to say that may have ended.  I just hope that this is going to count as exercise in the long run - but it is fun so maybe it doesn't matter.

If you read a few days ago (if not you can check it out here) I had done a review of Walk it Out for the Wii.  Today was the third day I did the walk, just because I didn't have the time over the weekend, with all the running I had to do.  I did 2.6 miles this morning (and 9,388 steps) in such a short amount of time I didn't even realize what was happening.  I love that I get to open up more of the island as I walk so I have more things to look at.  And I LOVE the walks by the water - this morning I even got to walk on the sand!

I want to tell you if you are at a loss as to what to get someone that has the Wii already - this one definitely gets my vote.  I really am having a good time doing it (and it really does NOT feel like exercise) so I really hope it has an impact on my weight loss plans.

Really who would have thought?

Check back later today - my first ever giveaway will premiere later today.