Starting again!

All, I have been absent from this as a lack of progress had been made. Life, work, and other things caused me to stray from my goals. I have recently started a new diet and will be writing more soon. I dont know how often I might update this, but I just wanted to get it out to everyone that #1 I was not dead, and #2 that the fight is still not over!

Recipe: Crescent Roll Jalapeno Poppers

Ingredients:
Crescent Rolls
Jalapeno's
Turkey Bacon
Goat Cheese


Roll the Crescent Rolls out on a pan and cut into squares. You can change the size of the popper based on the square. Experiment to make sizes that work for you.

Cook the turkey bacon.

Cut the Jalapeno's into a small dice. Then cut the turkey bacon into a similar dice. Mash the Jalapeno's, Turkey bacon and goat cheese into a yummy filling. Once everything is evenly distributed put a dollop into each square of crescent roll. Then fold the crescent roll over itself like a dumpling.

Bake for about 10 minutes until the crescent rolls are just golden brown.

Let cool a bit and enjoy. If you want it spicier, increase the amount of Jalapeno's.

Food for thought: Convenience

Convenience is your biggest enemy, yet serve as a great way to tackle weight loss. I find that the quicker something is the easier it is for me to grab it to eat. The food I have for my diet is all basically ready to eat. So I can take it basically anywhere to have when I need to have that quick convenient food.

Recipe: Fish Tacos

 

For our family we purchase the big frozen bags of tilapia. Each fillet is individually frozen and we usually eat four between the three of us.

To prepare the fish I remove the fish from the packet, I spray a couple segments of fresh lime over them and then sprinkle with my home made taco seasoning on just one side. I'll post information about that at a later time. I do that about 40-45 minutes before I'm ready to cook the fish.

To cook the fish I dash a couple teaspoons of canola oil in a pan that's pretty hot...

I cook the fish with the seasoning side down for 2-3 minutes covered. Flip and a couple more on the other side. When I take the fish out of the pan I just give it a quick chop with a knife to make it easier to spread on tacos.

We usually have plain flour tortillas.

For a topping I make a home made Pico or Cold hot stuff type thing. This consists of Tomato, white onion, green pepper, cilantro and lime juice.

We love to have a couple wedges of lime to squeeze onto the top and maybe a sprinkle of Jalapeno.

That's basically it.

My weight loss plan

Some have asked what I am doing to drop the pounds. So far I am strictly altering my diet. I have not figured out how to get the amount of exercise I should have worked into my schedule at this point. As I do I will probably alter my diet to match.

Be warned:

#1, this is what I have decided to TRY, I may alter this plan at any time.
#2, I am doing this plan on my own. I have not consulted a doctor or nutritionist.
#3, I am SURE some of this stuff is not GREAT for me. However, it is WAY better than a Monster burger from Hardees.
#4, this plan may not work for you.
#5, with my work schedule I may eat meals that you normally wouldn't

Each morning I have a pretty fair amount of coffee. I'd say between four and six cups.
Currently, I am eating a greek yogurt and belivita breakfast biscuit for breakfast.

I have a "snack bar" a couple hours later to keep the stomach with some food. I usually target the 90 calorie type bars from Special K, Fiber one, or their appropriate store brands.

For my "lunch" I have either a Special K Meal bar, a Diet shake (think slim fast) or their store brand version.

Here is where it gets weird. This is where I would have a meal/snack later. However, this for me is about noon. so I usually target a turkey breast sandwich, maybe a small helping of leftover, etc. I am trying to cut this meal down to a bit less.


In the afternoon I then try and have at most a snack bar, but this varies as I have time. If it is too close to supper time I will skip this meal/snack time.

For supper (in the evening) we make a modest meal but stick to healthier choices. Starting with making sure to stick with serving sizes. We have migrated most of our protein sources to turkey. We have found this to be a very tasty alternative to most of the other foods. We mix in some fish from time to time. But we still do have hamburger, steak, pork chops, etc. I'll share a few of these meals over time. Remember this meal since it is the only real meal I am getting, I often try and put in a lot of textures and color. Those simple things often trick the body into think you had more. or at least that is what I have found.

In the evening after that meal we sometimes have a small snack. This can range from fruit, yogurt or other more healthy options. I would love to have a big bowl of ice cream as that is what I grew up on. But that is not in the plan.

Overall that is what I am doing. I am working at refining this all the time. I will probably update this to help refine and define what I am doing.

Food for thought: Leftovers

Leftovers make a great lunch the next day. If you make your own meals you can keep track of what's in them. Just make an extra serving, or two and you are all set. DONT use that method if you are using a meal replacement option for your lunch. That'll just tempt you to eat more than you need to. PLUS if you cook less food, you'll find even the more expensive, healthier options aren't THAT much more per meal to use/eat.

Recipe: Pasta Sauce

Making your own pasta sauce helps control exactly what goes in it.

Needed:
6oz Can of Tomato Paste, I use an organic one we get at Wal Mart.
2 cups of water
Italian seasoning, I make a blend myself with whatever I have on hand. I will post about what I put in mine the next time I make it.

Optional: We use ground turkey sausage, onions, and sweet peppers to kick it up a bit.

Always use whole wheat pasta for this. Try and stick with the serving size listed on the box. It DOES make a difference.

Directions:

If using meat/veg, cook those first, then add the spice blend for a bit. This lets the spices open up just a bit. Toss the tomato paste in, let it warm for just a few seconds (30-40) then pour in 2 cups of water.

Bring to a light boil.

Pour over pasta and enjoy.