Addicted to my scale....

So no recipe today....just a nice rant :)

I have been attending a "Hungry Head" class at my WLS center to help make sure my eating habits are what they should be. One of the main things they teach you in this class is to only eat when you are actually hungry and not just because your head thinks you want a snack.

I stopped snacking for almost 10 months right after surgery but now sometimes I want a snack after dinner just because. Now, I am not eating "bad" snacks. I eat things like 1oz of cheese or a serving of nuts, etc. I do have an addicition to Ritz crackers so in good faith, I walked past them in the supermarket this week. If they are not in my house, I can't eat them. Insert sad pouty face here.

The other thing we are working on in class is only getting on the scale once a week. I will admit that I have become crazy about getting on the scale. I have convinced myself that I need to weigh a certain ammt and that I won't be happy until I get to it. Yes I have gone from a size 28 to a size 12, but my scale does not say what I want it to. I know that nuts and it's a mental thing I have to work on. I tend to get on the scale everytime I go to the gym and I honestly have to stop.  I do have a scale at home, but I feel like it is not ever accurate. It always say something different than the scale at my gym or at my wls center. My sister told me today she was going to come over and steal my scale just so I don't get it on. My mum and sister are trying to help me stop the craziness with the scale but I am a work in progress.

In that vain, I am going home today and throwing out my at home scale. I am also going to do my best to only weigh myself on Monday nights for the next few weeks when I go to my Hungry Head class. It may almost kill me not to get on the scale at the gym, but I know I can do it. A note to my family....if you see me heading for the scale, yell at me and tell me no! lol

I am also going to do my best to not have any snacks after dinner. I don't need them and I am eating them when I am not hungry.

So that is my rant and pledge for the day. Now let's see if I can do it!

(Virtually) Sugar Free Apple Crisp

This is one of my favorite times of the year. Crisp fall weather here in NH and there is no better activity in the fall than apple picking!  Now, it's not quite cool enough for me to pick yet (maybe next week since it's 80 today) but I did pick up some local apples the other day. Looking at the bag of them and wishing I could make my favorite apple crisp recipe, but knowing if I took 2 bites the sugar would kill me. With some creative thinking and armed with a pantry full of goodies, I went to work on my sugar free yet SUPER tasty apple crisp.

Here is what you will need:

For the Apple Mix:
3 Baking Apples- I used Galas this time around
1 squeeze lemon juice
1/4 tsp nutmeg
1/4 tsp cinnamon
1/4 tsp apple pie spice
1/4 cup Sugar Free Torani Syrup- I used Caramel but you can also use Vanilla or Salted Caramel

For the topping:
4TB Oats
2 pumps Torani Sugar Free Caramel
1TB butter (I use Earth Balance Soy Spread)
1/4 tsp Apple Pie Spice
1 TB Spenda

Chunk up apples and mix with spices and lemon juice. In a saucepan combine butter, caramel syrup, and apple mix. Cook about 5-6 minutes.

In a microwavable bowl combine topping ingredients. I nuked mine for about 1 min. Mix it up into a crumbly mix.

Divide apple mix into (4) 4oz ramekins

Top the apples with the crumble mix. Bake in oven for about 10 min at 350 degrees.

When cool, cover with plastic wrap and keep in fridge.

When I want to eat one, I remove the plastic, nuke for 30 seconds and top with Sugar Free topping.

and then I add some Sugar Free Caramel topping

SO DELICIOUS!!

If you wanted, you could make this in a large batch (scaling up the ingredients to a 13x9 pan) and bring to a fall cookout or as a yummy Thanksgiving dessert.

I loved this apple "crisp". If you try it out let me know what you think!! Just because I love my recipes does not mean everyone else will too!

I am also looking for new ideas for recipes. If there is something you would like to try, let me know and I will try and alter for the WLS lifestyle and see what I can come up with! I like to put on my mad scientist sometimes for a challenge!

Next up is Apple Cake (non wls for now) and I am also working on some WLS Coffee Cake muffins (not perfected yet!)

Happy eating!!

Jenn

Black Bean and Mango Salad

As we (the wife and I ) were walking through Whole Foods the other day she saw a listing for what looked like a yummy and wls friendly recipe. She is always thinking of what I can and can't eat and typically does eat everything I cook. I appreciate not having to make two different meals each night. Because she is now eating what I eat, she is down 20 lbs! We are both going to look super fab for our cruise in November.

Here is what we had with our dinner last night.

Black Bean and Mango Salad

What you will need:

2 15oz cans of Black Beans- drained and rinsed well

1 large Mango - cut into chunks (I suggest buying one that is already cut up for you)

1 small red onion- minced

1 medium red bell pepper- minced ( orange or yellow bell pepper would be good too)

1 jalapeno- minced and seeded

4 generous TB of minced fresh cilantro

2 cloves garlic - minced

1 fresh and juicy lime- zested and juiced

Salt & Pepper to taste ( I like sea salt and fresh ground pepper)

Mix beans (rinsed well), mango, onion, peppers, cilantro, and garlic in bowl.

I like to put the onion and garlic in last.

Top with lime rest and juice. Let sit 2 min so the lime juice starts to cut down on the onion taste. Toss.

Season with salt and pepper to your taste. Cover tightly with plastic wrap.

Chill and serve

SO DELICIOUS!

Makes 4-6 regular size servings.

WLS Grill Cheese & Turkey Half-wich

The other day I was watching Food Network which is my favorite channel. Giada made the most delicious looking grill cheese sandwich with meat, cheese, and super delicious looking bread.  I have to say I typically stear clear of bread these days unless I am using a tortilla  or a flatbread to make a pizza.

The grill cheese looked so darn good and since it was one of my favorite pre-op foods I had to give it a go.
Here is what you will need:

Earth Balance Soy Buttery Spread
2oz Deli Meat - I like Thin & Trim Turkey Breast
Mini Bree Wheel- I get these at Trader Joes
Flatout Bread Slice- Cut in half. Or you can use a 8" tortilla cut in half





Cut the flat out in half and then cut in half again so you have two slices (sorry there are no pics...next time I promise!) and put the smallest dab of butter on the outside of each slice. In the center spead half of the mini bree wheel on the inside of each slice. Top with deli meat. I added a tiny drizzle of mustard and top with 2nd slice.  Place your half-wich in a small fry pan and cook just like you would regular grill chesse.

This sandwich was so delicious I am going to have to buy another package of flatouts!

Let me know if you try this and how you liked it or how you spiced it up!

Happy Eating :)
Jenn

WLS /GBS Essentials

Sometimes I feel like my cooking life takes two different directions. My kitchen is full of non wls lifestyle foods and even more wls lifestyle foods. I still LOVE to bake for the loved ones in my life as well as co-workers, etc. Baking is stress relief for me plus it makes me feel good inside to know that others enjoy my baking. So all that being said, I have pantry full of goodies to make baked goods and foods for others and a new seperate essentials list for my wls lifestyle change.

Here are my ESSENTIAL items to lead a fantastic WLS/ GBS lifestyle:
I have all of these items in my kitchen at all times....

Digital Kitchen Scale- I have this one:Small Kitchen Scale
Measuring Cups ( 2 sets) - 2 sets because I keep one in my purse
Measuring Spoons (2 sets)- same as above
Bento Box- Laptop Lunches Box
Lots of small tupperware containers- there are always leftovers
Mini Muffins tins and Mini Muffin liners- for baking protein muffins!
Fresh and Frozen fruits
Almond Meal- I swear Trader Joes has the BEST price on this stuff
Unsweetned Coconut
Cocoa Powder
Protein Powder- I have usually Chocolate, Vanilla, Banana
CLICK protein Powder- I cant live without this stuff!  Click Protein
Blender
Blender Bottle - gotta shake up those shakes! Blender Bottle
Torani Sugar Free Syrups- http://www.torani.com/  I have at least 10 kinds on hand at all times.
Decaf Coffee
Sugar Free Hot cocoa- for those cold New England Winter mornings
Protein Bars- I really love Pure Protein Peanut Butter and Chocolate
Luna Bars- protein and a yummy treat all in one
Mini Brie Wheels- again I get these at Trader Joes
Assorted Nuts- delicious Snack
Cheddar Cheese- I always have cheese in my fridge

So that is my starter list...check back for updates!