Vegetable Suggestion

I thought that I would share one of my new favorite vegetable combinations. Are you ready for it? Salsa and Cucumber slices. I know it might sound a little weird but it tastes good and cucumbers have way less calories than tortilla chips (1 full cucumber with the peel is only 45 calories whereas 1 serving of tortilla chips is over 100 calories and you only get a few). It does taste best with homemade like salsas. Here's my favorite salsa recipe if you're interested.

Erica's Salsa

1 bunch cilantro
5 green onions
1/2 yellow onion
1 jalapeno seeded
3 -14 oz cans diced tomatoes
1 clove garlic
juice of 1/2 lemon and 1/2 lime
salt and pepper

chop the cilantro, onions, and jalapeno in the food processor (sometimes you have to add some tomatoes for a medium so that it will all move), place in bowl. Place tomatoes in food processor and chop for about 15 seconds. add to bowl. Add garlic, lemon and lime juice. Mix. add salt and pepper to taste.

Slice those cucumbers and enjoy.

I also like this salsa with pretzle chips from trader joes, the serving size is pretty big and the calories are minimal (I wish that I had some at home so that I could tell you for sure).

More recipes to come soon.

Fattest States in America

I thought that this was interesting! You'll have to click on the picture to be able to see it better.

Here's my source.

This is a good week to try a vegetarian meal!

Hi everyone, 

I know that group activities are on a temporary hold, but you can still get 2 weekly bonus points by preparing and serving a vegetarian meal. I just wanted to remind you while there's still time. My family is getting rice, black beans, cheese and tomatoes tonight! Add some salsa and chips and it's a party!

Also, you should know that the daily points matter. People are plugging along and it shows. I think of them as tortoise and hare points. The tortoise carefully gathers daily points while the hare strides ahead in weight loss. It's anyone's game.

With love, 

Barbara (or am I)?

P.S. This is the video I am using. I really like it. They have 4 workouts you alternate between for 6 weeks. You can also mute the trainer and keep the music. They have it at the Dexter Library, if you want to check it out.

Vegetable suggestions?

I'm looking for new ways to incorporate a vegetable with meals before I turn into a giant tomato. I never realized how salty some tomatoes are, but if you eat enough of them you start to appreciate the unique differences in each tomato variety. Grape tomatoes? Not as salty.

If anyone has a vegetable plan that works for them without causing too much, shall we say, ahem, gas, I would love to hear about it. Raw broccoli tastes good and is easy, but is too rough for me.

Any veggie suggestions? I can't seem to get past tomatoes, broccoli or carrots eaten totally boring as a side.

Dinner Idea

Chicken Cheese-Steak Wrap
The Biggest Loser Cookbook

Hint: shave the chicken as thinly as possible
Make sure that the pan is hot and that it is lg enough for the chicken to lay flat when pulled apart

¼ lb boneless, skinless chicken breast, trimmed of visible fat
¼ c onion slivers
1 whole-wheat flour, low carb tortilla (7.5 inches in diameter)
1 wedge laughing cow original light Swiss cheese
1 Tbsp low-sodium hot Chile peppers

Place the chicken on a cutting board. With a sharp knife at a 45 degree angle, cut into very thin slivers.

Set a med nonstick skillet over med-high heat until it is hot enough for a spritz of water to sizzle on it. Mist with olive oil spray. Place the onion and the reserved chicken in the pan. Cook, separating the chicken shavings with 2 wooden spoons or spatulas, for 2 minutes, or until evenly browned and no longer pink. Remove the pan from heat. Set aside.

Meanwhile, place the tortilla between 2 damp paper towels. Microwave on low power in 10 second intervals until warmed.

Place the tortilla on a serving plate. Spread the cheese, leaving about 2’’ bare on one end, in an even strip (about 3’’ wide) running down the center of the tortilla. Top with the chicken mixture, the ketchup, and peppers. Fold the bare end of the tortilla up over the filling, and then fold the sides of the tortilla over the middle.

Makes 1 serving
264 calories, 33 g protein, 17 g carbs, 6 g fat, 76 mg cholesterol, 4g fiber, 620 mg sodium

Lunch Idea

Gourmet Roast Beef Roll Ups

The Biggest Loser Cookbook

1 Tbsp fat free cream cheese
1/4 - 1/2 chili garlic sauce
1 whole wheat flour, 96% fat free tortilla (8" diameter)
Scant 1/4 c roasted red bell pepper strips
1/4 c loosely packed chopped fresh basil leaves (I don't add these but it would be good)
3/4 c (3oz) lean, low sodium deli roast beef

In a small bowl, combine the cream cheese and the chili sauce to taste. Stir to mix well. Place the tortilla on a cutting board. Spread the cheese mixture evenly over 2/3 of the tortilla to the edges. Top the cream cheese mixture with the bell pepper strips , basil and roast beef. Starting at the filled end, roll the tortilla tightly into a tube, being careful not to tear it.

Space 8 toothpicks evenly across it and poke them into the tube so they go through and touch the cutting board. With a sharp knife, cut between the pics to make 8 pieces. Take 1 piece and push the toothpick through so that the roll is evenly spaced in the center. Repeat with the remaining pieces.

Makes 1 serving

226 calories, 26g protein, 30g carbs, 5g fat (1g saturated), 35mg cholesterol, 3g fiber, 409mg sodium

Breakfast Idea

Breakfast Parfait

1/2 c Kashi Go Lean Crunch Honey Almond Flax* Cereal
1/2 c vanilla or fruit flavored yogurt
3/4 c frozen berries

Mix all in a bowl and enjoy.

Total Calories: 215

*You can use granola instead but it has about twice the calories

Week 2

This week we had 3 people tie for the most points with 26 points each. Don't give up, there's still plenty of time to earn lots of points!

Week 1

All the points for week 1 are in and the most points earned was..... 10. Great job everyone! Keep up the good work!