Back on the road to healthy choices

Bad news! I basically stopped counting weight watcher points and went back to being a crumb bum.

BUT there is more good news then bad.

When I started This diet 15 months ago I was 28 lbs heavier. And I lost 3-5 of those lbs DURING the holidays. So I am not looking back on this year as a waste. Because it was not a waste. It was steady and slow, and the kind of diet that was not stressful. I maintained too- that is a big deal for me! Do I wish I had stuck with it and lost 2x more then that. Maybe. But I'm damn proud of what I DID accomplish.

There are 3 photos today. Good choices, good choice, medium bad choice. All of which are scrumptious.

First is the indianappleous 500 chicken and apple curry from the looney spoons collection. So good. Mid range ww points, fillings, balanced and night.
Recipe will be posted some day ;)

Second- food court blues. I wanted a mozzarella burger, I got tuna on salad with an insulting sprinkle of cheese. But it was only 9 points, fresh, inexpensive and filling. Sometimes making the right choice turns out yummier then expected.

Thirdly- the not too naughty choice- homemade buffalo chicken pizza.

You will need

1 pc blue menu multigrain pizza crust
1/2 cup blue menu tomato sauce
1 cup low fat mozzarella
1/2 cup low fat old cheddar
1 lg onion diced
1 roaster chicken breast OR 1 regular
Chicken breast cooked- no skin, chopped.
2 tbsp Franks red hot buffalo
1/4 cup Franks red hot sweet BBQ
Any low fat ranch dressing
1 serving ruffled plain chips crushed

NOW

Before Putting anything on the crust, cook the onions in a sauté pan with a little olive oil or butter until Caramelized.

Preheat the oven to 425.

Spread out the sauce then 2 cheeses on your pizza crust.

Toss the chicken in the buffalo sauce and layer on. Next add the onions.

Pop that baby in the oven and cook until its bubbly and brown.

When it comes out of the oven drizzle the ranch across the top, then the BBQ in the opposite direction. Top it all off with the crushed chips and sit back and taste the awesomeness.

32 points for the whole pizza. Yeah, you heard me. Divide it by 4 that's 8pts a quarter. Shock and awe? Yeah you know it. Actually it's lower because it's low fat cheese. mine was full fat. Remove the chips (don't you dare!...ok fine go ahead) and its 8pts less.

Listen now- this pizza is delicious, multigrain, has lean protein, low Fat but it does have a decent speck of grease, carbs, sugar and salt. there are many pizzas you can make with lots of veggies and less to No cheese, the chips are unnecessary but so damn good. point is there are healthier choices- and much worse choices. This is a filthy In between for night's you want to misbehave without weeping in disgust later.

Sometimes, It's good to be bad-ish.


Here's to 2012- the year of the large black dress ;)

Seeing Rainbows

Hiya! It's been a busy summer- how about you? This summer has been busier as usual- I'm surprised by how I have managed to fill every waking moment of my calendar and still have time to breath but it's been a really awesome time for us all. I am far from looking forward to being wholed up in the house surrounded by snow with 2, 17 month olds. But we will be filling our winter schedule with play dates and toddler programs I'm sure. That said- what is it I have been up to you ask? Plenty!

In the interest of not boring you with the details I will list it off super quickly!
*A week here and there at the cottage
*My birthday away in Niagra Falls
*A shopping weekend in Buffalo
*a Pampered Chef conference in Montreal
*Visiting friends from out of town x2
*Numerous Zoo trips.

So this blog post is simple, and delicious. Referring back to my beautiful weekend away with my Hubby to Niagara falls, we spent a dinner at the Rainbow Room by Massimo Capra. I love Massimo when i see him on Breakfast television, The Mom Show and numerous Food Network programs and was not disappointed in the food at this restaurant at all. I made sure to only order items what had his signature on them.

The bread basket they brought to the table while we waited was delicious. Warm rosemary foccacia bread with Hummus that was covered in Olive oil, Balsamic vinegar and hot chili flakes. Different, delicious and super impressive for something so simple. But I forgot to get a photo :(

I had what can only be described as one of the most delicious things I have ever eaten at a restaurant in my life. Top 3, hands down. What could it possibly be to earn such a place in my culinary memories? Why- the silky delicious appetizer "Warm Peaches and Cheese"- Caramelized Niagara Peaches, St. Andres Cheese, Prosciutto Di Parma, Olive Crostini, Nicoise Lettuce, Micro Greens, Peach Vinaigrette....yeah. YEAH! It was so salty and sweet, creamy and crunchy. I was seriously blown away.



My hubby Matt had the Caprese salad- Roasted Eggplants, Mozzarella “Fiore Di Latte”,
Ontario Hot House Tomato Salsa, Micro Greens Salad, Tomato Vinaigrette. He really enjoyed it and the bite I had was super fresh- the mozzarella was from another world.


Though we had planned to have 2 different entree's so that we could try 2, we couldn't do it. We both reallllly wanted to try the Fettuccini Bolognese. Classic Italian Meat Ragu, Hand Made Fettuccini, Parmigianna Regianno. Neither of us could get half way through it the portion was such a great size and it was again, so delicious and balanced. Creamy and saucy, meaty and he pasta was amazing.


The restaurant itself was simple and sleek- White linens and 360 glass wall views of the falls.
However- While the food was amazing the service was only so so. Which is too bad that Massimo can't control the service that is representing his name. The waiter was very nice, and knowledgeable but it was very slow. We spent the time between appetizers and entree's listening to an argument between the people at the table next to us because they had to take a baby to bed and had not recieved their food yet. When the 8 entrees came out they got up and left, leaving the team of waiters lost and the patrons curious. I thought that was a bit of an over reaction. I loved the food and even though the food was slow it was clearly made well, and with skill. I would eat there again if I had to wait 2 hours for my meal.

Crashy crash

Hey world- I've been absent its true! This time I have good excuses!

1- I have started a career as a Pampered Chef consultant and I am having a blast!

2- I watch my nephew full time and him with my own son all day makes for an exhausted night and I totally pass out early.

3- I got into a car accident and there was a few weeks full of phone calls , physiotherapy and paperwork that took up alot of time and effort! Don't worry we're all ok!

I'll just put all that crazy behind me and get on the bloggity blog track.

Ethnic cooking- masalaaaa

I know its been a while- and im sorry! Its been crazy busy and with birthdays and mother's day, plus an extra long week of strep throat its been hard to stay on all tracks.

The good news is in my absence from my blog I have lost 5.9lbs! I have lost 26 out of 55 baby lbs. Go me!

There was a small period of time where there was so much going on that I didn't real care to think about weight watchers. All I really wanted was to eat what I want, when I want. And you know what? I don't really want that freedom anymore. It obviously has not gotten me anywhere good and So I have been back on track. Do I stll love those damn cookies? You bet I do. Do I eat an entire box in just a couple days? No. And that is one of the hardest things on this new lifestyle journey. But I do want to lose weight, and I always have wanted to and I am learning that one day at a time really is the best approach. So I eat my cookies, and I have a steak or an iced cap. But I think about it first. And I plan for it. And I feel ok about it when I'm done eating or drinking it because I know I'm not undoing everything I worked for. AS LONG AS I REMEMBER NOT TO PANIC AND EAT EVERYTHING IN SIGHT!

Part of the spectrum is trying new things- and lately I have really enjoyed more ethnic foods such as Indian. I made this meal the other day and my hubby and I both went nuts for it. Sadly I don't have the completely correct measurements as I made it at supperworks, but it is definitely worth the share. I am mainly guessing!

MASALA FISH

3 servings

3 Basa fish Filets
Canola Oil
1 large yellow onion, diced
1 tsp Cumin Seed
1 cup crushed tomatoes
2 tbsp lemon juice
1/2 tsp coriander
1/2 tsp garam masala
1/4 tsp turmeric
1/ tsp fresh green chilis
1/4 tsp cumin powder
1/4 tsp chili powder
1/2 cup water
salt

Put the fish in a ziploc and toss half the lemon juice on it and let it sit for a wee while- rinse the fish off under cold water and dry it.

In a large, deep fry pan (that has a cover, for later) cook the onion, oil and cumin seeds on medium high until the onions are browning and cumin is fragrant. About 5 minutes.


Add remaining ingredients and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to medium low. Carefully add fish, making sure each piece is covered in sauce. Cover and simmer approx. 15 min. Stir occasionally; add a little water if necessary (internal temp. 158F/70C).



Serve over Basmati rice and with a dollop of plain yogurt and cucumber slices.

This was so mild and delicious- a serious new favourite meal.

2 parties, 2 cakes, one weekend

Hiya! Just another shortish post today- A couple pictures of my most recent cakeventures. I made my son 2 cakes on the weekend for both his kid and family birthday parties- The stand alone cupcakes are chocolate, fudge filled vanilla buttercream and the red and white fondant was all cut out using my cricut cake- I was very tired, very sore and did not get to do yellow and white as I had planned. But in the end it looks more like Dr. Seuss cupcakes which is a-okay and delicious.



The second cake was cupcakes iced together- I drew out and cut the sign and all the little alphabet letters were cut with alphabet fondant cutters. They are devils food cupcakes with no filling and vanilla buttercream.

I got a message on my phone a couple days ago asking about making cakes for someone- I have not yet called them back due to toddler related pandamonium at home but hopefully there will be more cakes in the near future!

Easter Beasters

oops this is my easter blog post that was accidentally left in the edit folder- better late then never!



A shot of my Easter Cupcake nests



Proof of the gigantic Easter Beaster Feast- This year there was even more veggies and fruits- I made the fancy Devilled eggs



These are the Little People Eggs from fisher price- They were absolutely perfect for my son since he is only 1 and I obviously will not be giving him chocolate. They were filled with these adorable little chick and Bunny, Easter kids, and more.


He did a really good job of finding the eggs and was really excited when he clued in and realized we were giving him things. ;)



This is my easter basket of presents- overkill...yes I know. I told my husband "I overdid it again" and his response, instead of being that I was in trouble was "With you hunny, at this point its just par for the course and I wouldnt expect less" lol. I have no intention of giving giant baskets like this always but its full of thigns I needed to get him and a couple little things. The good news is alot of these items were from the dollar store or under 5 dollars- Except Elmo- Elmo was a gift from Nana, but I felt he helped complete the basket. <3

365 days of awesome

Today I would love to wish my sweet lil monkey of a baby, Miles, a very happy 1st birthday. Love you sweet bum, XOXOXO

Mini Eggs, Big issues

Easter! oh lordy lord it's Easter. And as everyone knows, Easter seems to rain chocolate 100x more violently then Christmas and Valentines day combined. Why? Because unlike Santa who brings gifts with some candy, or your loved one who brings a small box to say I love you, The Easter Bunny brings you buckets and buckets of chocolate- at least he makes you work a little to find it first. Its completely overwhelming being at any store, especially Walmart and Zellers.

I have not celebrated the easter bunny visiting my house in over 15 years and have always built Easter around the Catholic reasons for celebrating but I never seem to get out of the weekend with the scale unscathed. My mother in law God bless her likes to make all us "kids" an easter basket full of chocolates and that sweet little golden bunny as a place setting for dinner. I always savour that basket-



But then comes Easter brunch. Oh yes. Easter brunch with 30 very loud, very hungry Italians. The good news is that while I am anticipating all the eats, I am realizing just how weight friendly our Easter can be. There is a sewing table in my Aunt's basement- very large...and COVERED with food corner to corner at Christmas and Easter.


While Christmas Eve is lots of fishes and fried dough balls stuffed with caulifower or CINNAMON SUGAR and so much more savoury things, our Easter is just a little bit more forgiving. With plenty of cookies and cakes but i digress. Leaving Good Friday and all its shrimp, tilapia, lingini and mussels out of the equation, our table is covered with fruit, veggies and dip, cheeses, pickles, olives and frittatas- there are usually 3 frittatas and they are each stuffed to the brim with a fresh vegetable like peppers, spinach, peas. There is spanakopita (yeah, I don't know how it got on our Italian table either but we would all be very mad if it ever was forgotten) . But in that Spanakopita is serious amounts of spinach and much less feta and fillo then one would think because it is homemade. There is a blueberry strata and thinly sliced luncheon meats. Some of which used to be handmade by my grandfather- who is in his mid 80's now and just can't do it anymore. We were spoiled to have a butcher in the family and lucky for us he was very serious about cutting off as much of the fat as possible- so lean, homemade nitrite free meat for all.


But the big thing, the one thing no one can wait for is the EASTER PIZZA. A pizza bread stuffed to the brim with pepperoni, eggs, ham and cheese in a pizza dough case. They made everyone their very own last year and because I was so very very pregnant it was the greatest day of my life. There is also tortula bread- a very dense, very yolk full sweet bread we only get Easter day too.

I don't even know where I am going with any of this I'm dreaming of the pizza. Oh yeah... Easter and chocolate and food.

This is my son's first Easter, and falls 1 week before his first birthday. I want to allow him to eat SOME sweets when he gets older- but I do have a lot of fears that he will end up like me, and I don't want that for him. I will of course let him eat what he likes when we have our family celebrations but when he get's near the table with 100 types of cookies on it, I will be carefully monitoring him. If only I had more control practicing what I preach. I am also a holiday freak and needless to say I have gone overboard- buying small gifts and things- much of which are all gifts he needs anyway- Bibs, sippy cups, toddler crayons and a colouring book, bath duck, wee toy truck, you get the hint. There is going to be no chocolate- except for a chocolate flavoured toddler cookie- I did want him to experience a first easter egg hunt so I err...asked...the Easter bunny for the toddler friendly Eggs that have little people figurines in them. I also asked the bunny to fill small carrot and egg shaped containers with Cheerios and banana and peach puffs.

I hope I can make it through Easter without a gain! Wish me luck I guess!

Dino-Mite!

I got my cricut cake machine and im in love! This is my cake I made for my Nephew Jimi on his first birthday. Shortest post ever!

Fat Friday: Eggplant Caponata

Whoops, it appears i negelcted my blog. cest la vie I guess. Onward....

hooray for me! I got through the last few weeks,and I enjoy seeing that I am 1.8 lbs lighter this week. I am less than 2lbs away from my first goal of 5% weight loss. The best part about this weight loss is that it proves that it is possible to enjoy your week, not feel deprived and still lose. afew Fridays ago I had movie theatre popcorn (Probably the best in my entire life) and an entire 10" wood fire oven pizza. Not to mention butter soaked edamame beans and red wine. It was a wonderful night out with the hubby and friends, and I'm glad the scale didn't bring any guilt. The following week however was different as I went out and seriously miscounted a few things.

I ended up going 18 points over my bonus. Leaving me the deepest in the red I have been to date. I gained .2lbs which was really not enough to panick over, just be cautious of. I was however being really behaved all this week and trying to stay on my feet and moving. I only lost 0.3 lbs but I am working toward at least a 1lb lost come friday. I haven't been eating great, and I havent been eating badly. Nothing fried, but there has been probably too much butter, and too much chocolate, with not enough fruit. I'm not really sure why, I just am finding it hard this week to control some cravings. I havent run out of points, I still have half my bonus. But im making shit decisions. And im not really feeling lettuce. But every day is a learning curve.

Here is a new recipe for Eggplant Caponata. It's tasty, it`s sweet, it`s tart, its not very high in points and cooks in under ten minutes to boot. You're gonna love it.

EGGPLANT CAPONATA

1/4 cup diced onion
1 cup frozen grilled eggplant
1 cup diced tomatoes with juices
1/3 cup roasted red peppers
1 tsp garlic, minced
1/2 tbsp capers, drained
1 1/2 tbsp raisins
1 tbsp red wine vinegar
1 tbsp olive oil
1/2 tbsp sugar
1/4 tsp oregano
1/8 tsp pepper
1/8 tsp salt
1/8 tsp red pepper flakes
3 cups cooked rotini
shredded mozzarella

Cook pasta according to your basic pasta rule- salted water, until al dente- usually about 8 minutes. While pasta is cooking, heat 1 Tbsp. olive oil in a large frypan. Sauté onions over medium heat, approx. 5 min. Add all remaining ingredients except the mozzarella. Cook until well heated through. Serve over pasta, topp with however much mozzarella you fancy. Finish it with a drizzle of fresh extra virgin olive oil and enjoy the delicousness.

Entertaining on a diet

Now it's important to remember that while I did title this post "Entertainment on a diet" I am in fact not on a diet. I am a weight watcher. But it was a better sounding title.

I am always happy to entertain friends for lunch, dinner, cocktail hour, any occasion. But being so tuned into trying to eat better it can get a little crazy trying to stay within points range.

The other day I entertained a girlfriend for lunch who is also trying to keep tabs on what she eats. I decided to make a spread based on the things I had in my fridge that I eat everyday, with one treat in the mix.


I served...

Rice crackers
Weight Watcher Pretzel Thins
Ryvita Multrigrain crackers
Salted Almonds
Goat Cheese
Hummus
Chili pepper jam
Veggies
Dip- low fat ranch with yogourt to stretch it out
Pita bread
Smart pop popcorn
Cheddar cheese
Strawberries and Grapes
Homemade Lemonade- The treat.

With all the little finger foods we ate slowly while we chatted and since I had weighed all the cheeses and dips before hand, I was able to track how many points I was consuming.

Lunch was delicious, snacky, and guilt free. Not to mention, half of the food was left over.

Feeling Pickled

It's a bloggin miracle- I can suddenly put pictures up no problem. Sweet.

Well I had my weigh in Friday morning, and I did not do well, but I did not do badly. I went to the weigh in knowing I had a week that was far from perfect, so to see that I had not lost was far from a suprise. It was something I was prepared for. The good news about it, is that I only gained 0.2lbs, therefore I technically gained barely anything. I learned my lesson and so I move forward.

Then I went to the movies...Got movie popcorn that was the greatest I've ever had. Still drooling. Then we had dinner with friends at a wood fire oven pizza restaurant where I ordered a 10" pizza with bocconcini, prosciutto, onions and spinach. They forgot the spinach and I ate the whole thing- But when I got home to track my points I just put in all my points and bonus points- So if i did over estimate then at least I wont use ALL my bonus points on top of the pizza. The wine was a delicious touch ;)

I really should have had the margherita pizza- next time.

This week I made my own pickles- yay! yum! These particular ones are not the kind you put on the shelf for months and years- You make them and put them in the fridge to munch for a couple weeks then make a new batch. I got the recipe from Rachael Ray, and i changed it a bit to fit what I had at home.

Quick Pickles

• 1/2 cup white vinegar, eyeball it
• 2 rounded teaspoons sugar
• 1 teaspoon mustard seed
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 clove cracked garlic
• 1 teaspoon dried dill or 2 tablespoons fresh dill leaves, chopped or snipped
• 1 bay leaf
• 4 kirby cucumbers, cut into 1-inch slices on an angle

Preparation

Heat small saucepan over medium high heat. Add vinegar, sugar, mustard seed, salt, and garlic to the pan and cook until it begins to simmer and sugar dissolves. Toss the dill, bay leaf, and sliced cucumbers together in a heat-proof bowl. Pour the simmering liquid over the cucumbers and stir to evenly coat. Allow to cool to room temperature or chill before serving.