I am a big fan of Hungry Girl and her food "swaps". A food swap is where you try to makeover a dish or even a single food with something healthier or lower in calories.
QOTD Saturday Sep 3, 2011
Have you ever come up with a food swap for something you really enjoy and want to continue eating w/o so many calories?
Well.... I've been doing this for SO LONG, that I can hardly remember what I swapped and what I've always eaten! And, of course, things are definitely a bit different now that I am continuing this hybrid SB/WW thing.
Before SB/WW.... I've swapped regular potato chips for baked Lay's and honestly, I find regular chips so greasy now.
Egg whites for whole eggs.... I prefer "real" egg whites over egg beaters too.
Skinny Cow ice cream and treats for regular ice cream.
Light cheese/ 50% reduced fat cheese/low fat cheese for regular cheese (cheddar, mozzarella, cottage, swiss)..... but NOT fat free!
Seltzer for diet Coke (this was less about calories and more about overall good health).
Sandwich thins, low carb pitas/wraps for regular bread.
whole wheat pasta for white pasta (again, more about overall health than just calories).
natural no-sugar/no salt peanut butter for Skippy (again, mostly for reduced sugar/carbs rather than calories).
almond milk for skim milk.
hot cooked oat bran instead of oatmeal, grits, or cream of wheat.
If you are looking for recipes/meal ideas along that line, I have a few.....
I will put pasta sauce over steamed veggies (broccoli, cauliflower, zucchini) instead of pasta on spaghetti night. Very filling and much less caloric. I've also tried using those tofu noodles (shiritaki) that the Hungry Girl cookbooks are always talking about, but I'm trying to avoid too much soy (for a few reasons), so I will have these only very occasionally.
I reduce the fat/calories of a ground beef meal by adding ground chickpeas and/or fat free refried beans to the meat. I've made my own "partial" veggie burgers this way.... still retains some of the real meat taste and texture, but reduces the fat and calories by about half.
Crockpot chicken cacciatore with skinless chicken breast or thighs.... use low sugar spaghetti sauce and lots of onions and peppers.... very low calorie and easy.
I stretch many, many meals by adding extra veggies..... it reduces the calories per serving, makes the meal go further, and makes the overall meal (usually) cheaper.
Pamela we don't have snow days built into the calendar so I'm not sure where they will come from. I have Disney plans though for June 23rd so we have to be out by then.
I didn't know that ANY school in NE didn't build snow days in!!
QOTD Saturday Sep 3, 2011
Have you ever come up with a food swap for something you really enjoy and want to continue eating w/o so many calories?
Not a clue!!!! I guess mine would be bread. I've switched to the flat breads and whole wheat tortillas.
Just bought a big packet of whole wheat tortillas at Costco on Saturday. I'm planning to make some into semi-homemade tortilla chips for DS. He's a terrible vegetable eater, but loves salsa!
Sending you a PM about episodes you might want to pre-view.
Got it.... THANKS!
Can I just say that our community is amazing. Actually it's the community that I grew up in, but it's the next town over from us and they had lots of damage. I run the lacrosse program in that town so we are very connected. We had a good turnout for our volunteer day. I would guess 100+ people. We were dispersed to various areas in need. People had called and asked for help. They also sent teams to the town parks, the idea was that if we had extra volunteers they would work on the parks. I was team lead for one neighborhood/park. People were sent to houses and the park. I was to check with the various houses to make sure we had enough people to meet their needs. In the process I discovered several more families that needed help, but wouldn't ask as they felt others had greater need. I was able to pull everyone out of the park and place them in homes. When we left the neighborhood we had completed most projects. There is backyard that has a tree down and needs the garden pulled out because of the contaminents that were in the river water. That wasn't high priority for them or us. We also have one more garage that had 4 feet of water in it. We got the basement of the house emptied and everything brought to the dump. The homeowners were exhausted so we left the garage for a team tomorrow. The is one more house that had requested help, but were not home and one of the families that we helped today thinks his neighbor needs help, but he drives for greyhound and wasn't home. One house has most likely been condemned so nothing can be done to it and another had the oil tank tip over and spill 150 gallons of fuel oil which means a hazmat team has to go into that one. All in all it was very productive and that neighborhood was so greatful and amazed at how quickly things got done
Deb..... I am SO impressed with so much getting done! I can't imagine the calories you burned working so hard either! It's definitely a win-win situation.
I will be searching the kids' rooms and closets as I clean them this week (the annual back-to-school raking out!), but like I said, I took a huge haul to the Goodwill last week.....
I told my Mom I felt like going to the GW and asking for my bags back!!
My Dr's appointment went pretty good. We are trying something else before switching the pill completely as it has been doing a pretty good job of keeping it down since I've been on 40 mg pill and not trying to add up 4 10mg to make it. We added a pill that I was first placed on but made me sleepy. Because of that she said we'd do it at night to see if it will keep my heartrate down as it will rise over 100 for a prolonged time and may be in part causing the symptoms. I may work towards being on it twice a day later instead of my old pill in morning and that one at night. I had to get in for a pap/well women so she said good set it for a month I want to check on the BP. I forgot to get a refill on my main pill so I will have to call the office and see if they can get a script ready or call one more approval in as it will run out about 6 days before my appointment otherwise.
Thanks Shawn I promise to let you all see less and less of me more often.I'm tracking even though the last couple days have not been my best eating choices.
Hopefully all of these issues will get sort out. I'll be praying for your blood pressure situation.
I've been really good today overall. The tour this morning went really well. I had a new guide shadow me, so that was cool. The families actually had questions. Admissions had ice cream sandwiches afterwards because it was HOT here today-like in the 90s, so I had one. Tours always tire me out, so I came back and napped for about an hour.
I'm hooked on the Stephanie Plum books by Janet Evanovich. I started with 16 & 17, then ordered 1-3 from the library, just finished those today, and now have a compilation book with 4-6 ordered from the library as well. I'm really excited to have found some new reading!
Don'tcha just LOVE finding a new book series to get into??? I'll have to check this one out!
Good morning lovely losers
I hope you are having a great long weekend and treating yourself
Sleeping later, afternoon naps, reading a good book, glass of wine, talking with a friend, movies, pedicure, walking or a drive are all good non-calorie treats!!!
Could you be sharing some of that non-calorie wine with us!!??
Pamela, around here recycle comes right to your door, same say as garbage collection We just put boxes and paper on the street and they pick them up!
SO LUCKY! We don't have town trash pick-up. We paid for a trash service for most of the time we've lived here, but I got fed up last year with paying for service and forgetting to put the trash out.... or having him come so DANG early in the AM that I couldn't get it out there on time (can't put it out the night before.... too many animals around). So I decided to dump the trash service and do it myself. And when it is hot and stinky and there are maggots in the trash after just a few days, I really regret that decision!!
And our last trash guy was SO PICKY! I swear, he practically wanted us to GIFT WRAP the stupid trash.... plastics in this, trash in that, paper wrapped just so.... what a PITA! It honestly isn't THAT expensive (about$25/month), but I'll continue to do it on my own for now.
Sorry, I don't have time to go back any further. Pamela, I know you posted alot of stuff I wanted to respond to.
for the scale issue. I think you should be so proud of yourself for all you have accomplished and for working so hard to maintain. Do you need to have a high calorie day by any chance?
Thanks for all this. I really need it right now. I feel like I am REALLY struggling and I don't really know why and it is SO frustrating. I'm afraid as I progress further into a menopausal state that my metabolism is just dwindling away. I am watching my points, watching my carbs, exercising a reasonable amount ( 3 or 4 days per week, at least 45 minutes each session.... sure I'd love to do more, but I think that I am doing a REASONABLE amount right now.... at least enough to maintain!). But I won't give up..... EVER.
QOTD Sunday September 4, 2011:
What is your favorite kind of apple? What is your favorite way to eat it?
If you don't eat apples, what is your favorite fruit?
Pretty much any fresh fall apple is my favorite. I've always been an apple lover. Anything fresh from the tree is delicious! That said, I have a preference for Cortlands, red delicious, and Paula Reds. As the apple season is further and further behind us and I am buying "cooler" apples at the grocery store, I get more and more picky. I'm so much about the TEXTURE of an apple... taste is actually second to me. It's gotta be crispy! If not, it gets made into apple sauce!
I've been limiting my apple intake because of watching my carbs, but with apples coming into season, I plan to indulge as much as I want! They are only this good for a little while!
BTW, DD's answer to this question was "I like them as crisp!"
I hate to cook and bake, but I do make a FABULOUS apple crisp!
I just watched Dirty Dancing. Love that movie. Now to get something accomplished.
Love that movie!!!
QOTD: Honey crisps are my favorites though they are really expensive and difficult to find at some points during the fall. I'm looking forward to having some soon.
Today is officially the last day of summer for me! Tomorrow I get moving on getting back to where I was at Christmas last year. I have gained back all I lost in the challenge I did at the wellness center. Stress has been my biggest problem! Today I have been frustrated and ate very poorly. I also skipped exercise today.
My plan for tomorrow is to get up and do a 3-5 mile walk. I will also eat well and skip the bad snacks!
Tuesday will be last morning for early morning outside walks. I will do 2-3 miles then. I also have to work.
Wednesday the kids start school. I will get up at 5 and do WATP. I have to get Ash up at 6 to take to school at 7. At 8:40 I take Izzie to school. Then I will go to the grocery store and maybe a few other places and then come home and do some other workouts. Ash has soccer practice so I will get in some time walking/running at the track.
Thursday I will be at the spa at 9 and be there until 1:30 as well as on Friday. I will be doing my workouts at 5am. I will get some walking/running in at the track at night too during Izzie's soccer practice!
Now, to just stick to this plan and get back to better eating.
I should see if the kids want supper. I plan on having just water tonight.
TTFN
The stress is definitely understandable with all you've had on your plate this summer. But you've got a plan and you are getting back on track!
I promised you an mini TR, and if I don't start it will never happen...
I am pleased to say I started eating correctly right away, and I've run 3M Sat. and today.
We enjoyed Montreal, but I was struck by a couple of things.
Maria
Thanks for the mini-TR. I"ve always wanted to do Quebec in the fall, but can't seem to interest the family..... and now that we would all need passports, its out of the question for now (which reminds me, I've GOT to get DD's passport application in this week!!).
And I'll give you a WOOOHOO
for getting RIGHT BACK ON TRACK!!
Pamela, are you busy doing work on ancestry.com?
Never made it on yesterday..... maybe tonight.
QOTD Monday September 5, 2011:
What is the best (or worst) job you've ever had?
Hard to say.... I've never really had a job that I truly LOVED. I've definitely had some I've hated (chambermaid... first job at age 14 or so.... and so ICKY to clean up other people's bathroom messes... WITHOUT GLOVES!!) I did enjoy working retail, but hated the hours (holidays, weekends, nights.... NO WAY!). I like the challenge of waiting tables in college.... I liked the idea that I had SOME control over how much $$ I made. But the occasional no-tipping party would really put a damper on that.
I DO NOT enjoy the substitute teaching I've been doing for the past 7 years, but I cannot BEAT the hours and flexibility. But once the kids are both off to college, I will definitely be finding something else.
Pamela--You are too sweet! Thank you so much for the book!
I will let you know what I try out of it.
Glad you got it!
*****
Thanks for all the birthday wishes! We had a great weekend. I will do a little trip report on my wish journal. The flight home last night was a little frightening--the pilot actually came out to the waiting area before the flight and told everyone if they had to go to the restroom to do it now, because chances are no one would be getting up during the flight, including the flight attendants. Mike and I have both flown quite a bit, and I have never had a pilot do that before. We were flying through the remnants of TS Ike and the visibility was horrid, but we made it home safe and sound around 1:30am.
We are off to our last baseball game of the year. No gf beer for me--I'd like to drop a couple of pounds before the w&d half. I still haven't decided if I am going to be a loser or a maintainer for the next challenge.
TTYL!
Sorry about the flight being so sketchy! That would definitely make me a bit nervous.
Hope the ball game was good.
DS2 starts school tomorrow, DS1 Wed. Apparently they both want totally disposable lunches. blech I reminded them that means no lunchmeat sandwiches or milk or anything good. It'll be the same old boring stuff day after day after day. Kids are so weird.
Could you make your own throw-away ice packs so that they can have meat and/or milk? I would imagine it would only take a small amount of ice to keep things cold for the few hours til lunch. How about freezing water in those snack-size Ziploc baggies? And then pack their lunch in plastic grocery bags instead of brown paper? That way you would be reusing the grocery bags (unless you bring your own cloth bags) and the moisture from the ice pack wouldn't be soaking through a paper bag. Just thinking out loud here....
I think my current position as a grants professional is the best I've ever had, I certainly have the best boss. I'm doing work that is challenging, but meaningful and enjoyable -- and the end result of many of my projects is someone stops being homeless! I like that I am very specialized -- I only work on govt. funding projects, so I don't have to deal with the schmoozing and arbitrary decisions. My work is judged competitively on merit with a given set of criteria, and that is the way I like it! I also have so much flexibility, plus a ridiculous amount of vacation, sick time and holidays -- I think I'm up to 41 days, annually. I'm relatively well-compensated, too, (this is a non-profit, after all
) which doesn't hurt
Maria
Lucky lady to have found a job that you really like that seems to appreciate you and pays you well!
Heading to the gym for a 2 hour training session. yes, you read that right. I have 5 more training sessions to burn after tonight, all before Friday. Then heading to Red Lobster for dinner. We're leaving for FL (permanently) on Sunday. HOLY COW! This week is going to be NUTS-O!
Woohoo!
Love King Richards' faire!!! The price does not include food but I think it included rides.
http://kingrichardsfaire.net/
The website says tickets are only $27 and kids are $15 ages 4-11
That seems like a more reasonable price. I was actually thinking of taking DS to the KRF for Mother/Son weekend this fall.
***********
Well friends.... after all those replies my laptop battery is about to give out!! I'll be brief (as if!)
We went to Costco on Saturday and bought an INSANE amount of meat and produce and I spent the remainder of Saturday night and all day Sunday (after church) cooking! I HATE COOKING, so this was a real struggle for me. But it is done! And I have 12-15 meals worth of "stuff" ready in the freezer for busy days this fall. I made meatloaf and chili and taco meat and beef fajita meat and stir-fried pork, browned beef stew meat, cooked chicken (ready for curried chicken and chicken chow mein), plus boneless pork loin chops are marinating and I have two pork loin roasts (ready to be put in the crockpot and turned into pulled pork sandwiches), and one beef roast (ready for the crockpot and turned into shredded beef tacos). The freezer is really full and I was wiped out last night, but I will be SO HAPPY when I can just grab something from the freezer and drop it in the microwave or crockpot!! Needless to say I never made it on here, I never got in a workout, and the kitchen was a disaster.... but I'm pleased nonetheless.
DH is suffering from a terrible cold, so no big meal for us today. I made a really nice dinner last night (after all of that cooking
), he took two bites and decided he had no appetite and walked away. I understand, but I wouldn't have bothered to make a big meal if I had realized he didn't want to eat. Tonight is "help yourself" night for the kids.... whatever they can grab from the fridge is fair game! I'll make tea and toast for DH. I'm ravenous at the moment, but I'm not sure what I will end up with.
Well.... I'm gonna run. DD wants to check the weather and pick her outfits for the week. I told her if she does this tonight I will iron them all tonight and she will be all set until Friday.
I'll try to pop on tomorrow after I get the kids off. I'm SURE that DH will be home sick tomorrow, so I'll be playing nursemaid as well. TTYL..........P
I'm hoping we'll go to it in 2013. I know, I know so far away 
We have WDW scheduled for December 2012, so I'm hoping for a long weekend the following year. 
My pulse is good and low in morning but by the time the 12 hour range on the new bp pill I take at bedtime(in addition to my old one) is up at 10-11am I was back up in mid to upper 90s on my pulse. Though my bp was holding a good number. While I'm waiting on answer or appointment with her to discuss trying the new pill solo I'd think I'll take the new pill around 10pm(my typical bedtime over the 8-9 I've been doing) and making sure I get my regular pill closer to same time weekday or weekend and early as possible. May give the Lisinopril time to kick in. But even this afternoon my pulse has been in upper 80s and into 90s. 
I'd eat green ones occasionally if I had the taste for tart. Or if they are cooked covered in sugary cinnamon stuff. 
that movie. Now to get something accomplished.
Sorry that you are frustrated and were injured -- I was hoping that you were in Hawaii having a great time. 
Our anniversary is 9/11 and this year will be number 18. 
At our house 18 is the "dirt anniversary." 
) and I was just miserable. 
