I'm still here!

I have had a hard week this past week. For the first time in over 3 months, I fell off the program. It all started with a trip to the Cheesecake Factory during my son's Spring Break. Yes, I know they have a "diet friendly" section. And I almost ordered from it. Almost. But I was not feeling a salad. I usually love salads, but for some reason, that day the idea literally turned my stomach. So I had the Sliders. Boy were they good. I was pretty good the rest of the week, but that day still ruined me. Somehow I still managed to lose .3 this week though, so it wasn't a total bust!

The PMS week is definitely my biggest challenge for me (as above!). I crave nothing but super-fatty foods. I am trying to build up a bank of recipes that will satisfy those cravings. This week, we did soft tacos with zucchini, squash and onions as the base, along with fat free refried beans and on corn tortillas. Hey, I'm a Texan. I love my mexican food! They were great. I also do a noodle/turkey casserole that is wonderful and is 6 pts a serving. Here goes:

1 12 oz package of egg noodles
1 lb of ground turkey
1 green pepper, chopped
1 onion, chopped
1 can diced tomatoes
1/2 bag 2% cheddar
1 package of reduced fat Ritz Crackers, crushed

Cook the egg noodles as per package directions. Saute the pepper and onion until soft. Add in the turkey. Once browned, add in the can of tomatoes. Put the cooked egg noodles in a casserole dish and top with the turkey/onion/pepper/tomato mixture. Sprinkle cheese on top and then top that with the package of Ritz crackers crumbs.

Cook for 35-40 minutes on 350. It might not sound like much, but it is delicious!!!

Update

I've been thrilled with my 11-pound loss. It is fantastic to feel my trousers getting loose. But I've stalled again. It seems like I have periods of no loss at all and then 3 weeks later 5 pounds drop off overnight. I am focusing on all of the changes I have made: I am so much more conscious of what I eat. I may go over my points occasionally, but I am accountable for what I eat. Focusing on the positive changes that I have made helps me stay focused. (And I am so lucky to have such a wonderful support system!)

stuff

I don't know where time has gone. It's been a while since I posted and I have no idea why. Life has just gotten in the way! But I have done a pretty good job of staying on plan. This past week (today is my weigh-in day, and therefore starts a new week) was the most challenging yet. My husband and I promised the kids that we would have a valentines dinner with them. Our son begged to go to Outback. Wouldn't have been my first choice, but I didn't want to be the party pooper! I used more points than I would have liked, and that was the first night of the week for me. Then, the following evening, we had a Chinese New Year celebration to attend. Again, bad food choices and lots of points. I essentially had no flex points left for the rest of the week, and to add to that, I was a hormonal mess b/c of mother nature. So all I wanted to do was eat anyway! Ugh. I ended up staying within my points, but it was the biggest struggle to date.

Along the way though, I found a really good recipe. One evening, I wanted the greasiest, fattiest thing I could find. I looked through various books and found a WW recipe for a Greek spaghetti casserole that really hit the spot. It was incredible. Here's the recipe:

Pastitsio

3 cups reduced fat (2%) milk
1/4 cup cornstarch
3 eggs, lightly beaten
8 tbs. parmesan cheese
3/4 tsp salt
1/8 tsp pepper
1/8 tsp nutmeg
1/2 lb spaghetti
1 tbs EVOO
1 onion chopped
3/4 lb lean ground sirloin (I used ground turkey)
32 oz can tomatoes, chopped
2 cloves minced garlic
1/2 tsp cinnamon

Preheat oven to 350. Spray a 7 x 11 baking dish with Pam and set aside

Make white sauce by combining milk, cornstarch and eggs in saucepan. Cook over low heat, stirring constantly until thickened (7 to 9 minutes). Remove from heat and add parmesan, 1/4 tsp of the salt, 1/8 tsp of pepper, the nutmeg. Cover and set aside

Boil pasta according to package directions. Drain and set aside

Heat large skillet over medium high heat. Swirl in oil, and add onion. Cook until onion is soft. Add sirloin [turkey] and cook until browned. Stir in tomatoes, garlic, cinnamon and remaining salt and pepper. Cook, stirring often, for 4 to 5 minutes.

Arrange half of spaghetti in an even layer on bottom of casserole dish. Top with meat filling, then top with remaining spaghetti. Sprinkle sauce on top and then add remaining 2 tbsp of cheese.

Bake 30-35 minutes until top is golden.

Enjoy!

Slogging and More Product Love

No, I'm not losing, and yes, it is my fault. I need to get back to exercise and forgo weekend treats like pizza because I don't want to cook. But at least I'm learning better habits, right?

I do have a few more product and recipe love to share:

1. I second Cindy's recommendation for O'Cocoas. It is so rich, and you get lots of cookies for two points.

2. Flatout bread is terrific. I buy the multigrain wraps, and it's only 1 point for a wrap the size of 2 tortillas. My favorite sandwich is a tablespoon of hummus, sprouts, and another fabulous food find, Applegate Farms' Honey and Maple Turkey. (Their ham and turkey bacon is also delicious.)

3. Thomas Light Multi-grain English muffins are also great.

4. I made this mac and cheese recipe yesterday--it is fantastic! (No, it's not as good as mac and cheese with "real" cheese, but it's good.)

Is that all?

I lost .8 this week. I was a little disappointed when I got on the scale this morning. I know that down is good, no matter how small the increment. But I really wanted to hit my next milestone, and I'm so insanely close! Oh well. My total is not almost 9 pounds lost. I don't think it is at all apparent to anyone but me yet, but I can tell. This morning, I went to put on my favorite jeans, which I just purchased in early December. They wouldn't stay up. That's a good thing, right!!? This past week was the toughest one yet. I had several days where I just craved fatty food. I did a pretty decent job of things though, and even ended the week with 3.5 flex points left. How? I have no idea. I'm just hoping to see some big numbers (in losses, not actual weight!) next week.

Maintaining Is Great!

I had so many wonderful birthday celebrations with Cindy, my office, and my family. My goal for the week was no gaining. And I did it! Perspective is amazing--I was so happy to see the same number this morning.

Along with all the parties, I had a rough work week. When the weather hasn't been lousy, I haven't had time to get away from my desk. Normally, I would have given in to take out for dinner, but I ate frozen dinners! I am amazed and proud at how much my food attitude has changed.

I have learned that planning ahead is key. When we're ordering lunch at the office, I pop over to DWLZ and find the best option. Today has been a nightmare at work but rather than giving into the cookies in our lunch room, I'm enjoying my favorite Greek yogurt. (Both Oikos and Fage are delicious. Fage is slightly better but more difficult to find.) What has happened to me?

Still going strong

I lost another 2 pounds this week! And today I am wearing a pair of pants that I had outgrown! Woo hoo! I had a stressful week and it was the type of stress that would typically have had me eating as many Doritos as I could get my hands on. Followed by chicken fried steak, onion rings, and any other fatty, fried thing imaginable!

I am amazed that I managed to get through five days of my husband being out of town (and the added pressure of having to deal with the kids' schedules all by myself), being involved in a car accident with a crazy person, prepping for trial, and the general turmoil of life, all the while avoiding overeating, and instead LOSING! Who'd a thunk?

Plus, I got to indulge in tons of wine and the cupcakes from hell (in a good way!) in celebration of Purl's birthday. And still lost. I even had a few flex points left at the end of the week. We'll see how long I can keep that up! I know my daily points allowance is going to decrease soon. I'm dreading that day!