Search This Blog

Tuesday, July 2, 2013

FearLESS: Who knew approaching goal would be so mentally challenging?

I've been within less than 10 lbs to my ultimate goal for over a month now.  I'm not writing this blog in discouragement--FAR from it! I'm proud of how much I've accomplished, how much I've mentally grown while physically shrinking, and how much I've shed up until this point.  My purpose here is to share my reflection about the fear that has come for approaching goal for me.

I started the physical part of this journey as a coping mechanism to the loss of my Mom.  Somewhere along the journey this shifted from her to me.  But as I come to a close to the shedding part of my journey I've come to realize that part of my hesitation to hitting goal (and the reason my progress has slowed) has been due to achieving this without my Mom being physically present.  This seems like it will be one of many MAJOR accomplishments that I am truly doing on my own and that's a bit scary to me.  Like stepping off the edge of a cliff!  The "now what?" rushing through my mind as I look over the edge of a cliff--yes, I'm at the edge with being only two pounds from my goal.  Yes, it's an 'edge' for me because while I'll take time every now and again to "look back:" at the 'mountain', that's all it will ever be for me, a VIEW of the 'mountain' that I will have conquered!  Knowing that I conquered it will be a reminder of what I am truly capable of!

This fear is OK though.  I realize and accept that it's part of my process and more importantly that I am ready to take the next step in my progression to being the best version of myself!  I know I'm ready to hit goal and will accomplish it soon!  More importantly I know I'm ready to learn how to maintain, something I've never done before.  I've always been in a losing mode so learning to maintain will be a whole new territory for me and I'm READY for it!

Fear is ok, not addressing or facing your fear isn't.  We have to at least try and never give up on ourselves.  If we can commit to that--COMMIT TO OURSELVES--then eventually we will overcome that fear!  Through tears last night, I recognized that I faced my fear and was no longer intimidated by it.  I'm ready and willing to do all that it will take to hit goal!  I've faced my challenges and fears along the way, one at a time, over and over again.  I'm here, meaning I overcame them!

FACE YOUR FEAR!  If at first you don't succeed, try TRY AGAIN!

My closing thought...nope it wasn't the above...is this,

KNOW that you are NEVER alone on your journey!  You always have you and more often than not, we always have others who are willing to help, support and encourage us through!  You always have me!  YOU are the one who has to put in the effort but we all need some cheering on along the way!  Because of the support of all of you, I've come to this point!  THANK YOU!!!

Monday, June 3, 2013

Asian Chicken Slaw Recipe

From Pinterest recipe to MY OWN!  I love love love the Asian chicken salads from many of our well know restaurants.  But lets face it, they are high in fat, calories, points, carbs, etc--no to mention the portion sizes are way too big!

I want to eat and enjoy not regret and wish I could forget!  So here's my attempt (a successful one in my opinion) at a healthy version of one of my favorites!

For those who made the request for the recipe, I hope you all enjoy (sorry it took so long)!  And this time I shared what I made. :)


Asian Chicken Slaw
Ingredients
Calories
Carbs
Fat
Protein
Fiber
Organic Chicken Breast - Chicken Breast Skinless Boneless , 12 oz
480
0
7
96
0

Trader Joe's - Snow Peas, 1 container (3 cup (85g) ea.)
105
18
0
6
6

Trader Joe's - Organic Broccoli Slaw, 5 cup
100
20
0
8
8

Trader Joe's - Asian Spicy Peanut Salad Dressing, 6 Tbsp
210
24
12
3
0

Trader Joe's - Sweet Chili Sauce, 3 tbsp
75
18
0
0
0

Huy Fong Foods - Chili Garlic Sauce , 30 g (1 tsp)
0
0
0
0
0

Trader Joe's - Low Sodium Soy Sauce, 3 tbsp
45
6
0
0
0

Trader Joe's - Sesame Seeds, 0.25 oz - 28g
40
2
3
1
1

(WW 3 PointsPlus)






Total:
1,055
88
22
114
15
Per Serving:
132
11
3
14
2


With chopped almonds (WW 5 PointsPlus)
Trader Joe's Nuts - Raw Almonds, 1 cup
640
24
56
24
12
Total Per Serving:
212
14
10
17
3
Instructions:
  • ·         Shred chicken breasts with fork (like pulled pork shreds)
  • ·         Combine broccoli slaw, snow peas and shredded chicken in a bowl (in my case, for easy clean up, a large Ziploc bag. 
  • ·         In a measuring cup combine ¼ cup TJ’s Asian Spicy Peanut dressing, ¼ cup TJ’s sweet chili sauce, ¼ cup TJ’s low sodium soy sauce, tablespoon of chili garlic sauce (sirracha works too, more if you like it spicy), and heaping tablespoon of sesame seeds.  Whisk thoroughly until combined.
  • ·         Pour half of the dressing mixture over the slaw mix and combine.  If serving immediately add the remainder of the dressing.  If storing for use later, save half of the dressing to dress as used. 
  • ·         Chop almonds up and top with 1 serving of slaw mix. NOTE: only add almonds if you are serving immediately.  If storing for later use, add almonds as served. 

·         I served mine over about 1 cup of shredded cabbage (this is where some of the extra dressing comes in handy)
.

·         One serving of slaw is about 1 cup.


Tuesday, May 28, 2013

My Inaugural Pinterest Recipe Attempt

So I learned this weekend that not all Pinterest recipes are crazy hard or complicated.  After seeing this breadless cheese steak recipe over and over and over again on Pinterest, I finally saved it and went shopping for the ingredients!  Pinterest can be the most "in" way to procrastinate on projects/ideas, I swear!

So long story short, I attempted this one this weekend for my lunches for the week.  It was easy and quick, always a plus!  I also made some changes to my version because I knew I could cut calories, mission accomplished!

I'd recommend trying it out (see the link for the original recipe and the details of cook prep/time/temp).

Well worth it, in my opinion, at 162 calories/7 carbs/4 WW PointsPlus 



Philly Cheese Steak Stuffed Bell Peppers
Made some slight changes to the original that I came across via Pinterest which lightened up the recipe—dropped the butter and opted for the Sargento Ultra Thin cheese.  After tasting the final product I think it was for the best.  The only other thing I would like to change/try for the next time would be to use a Cubanelle pepper to spice it up a bit.


Calories
Carbs
Fat
Protein
Fiber
Generic - Bell Pepper Green Raw, 4 pepper
120
32
0
4
12
Ico_delete
Shallots - Raw, 3 tbsp chopped
22
5
0
1
0
Ico_delete
Garlic - Garlic (1 Clove, Raw), 2 clove (3g)
8
2
0
0
1
Ico_delete
Mushrooms - Raw, 2 cup, pieces or slices
31
5
0
4
2
Ico_delete
Boar's Head - London Port Roast Beef Deli Sliced, 8 ozs
320
8
8
56
0
Ico_delete
Sargento - Ultra Thin Slices - Provolone, 8 slices
320
3
24
21
0
Ico_delete
Oil - Olive, 4 tablespoon
477
0
54
0
0
Ico_delete






Total:
1,298
55
86
86
15
Per Serving:
162
7
11
11
2


Original recipe link: