Exercise on the Light Side

i did it!  i registered for a low impact, cardio-vascular workout program at the hommocks pool.  they use aqua-jog belts which i need to use in the pool so i think this might be the perfect exercise program for me!  im hoping that i can learn a safe routine that i will be able to practice independently.  i might be the youngest in the class but i need to stay focused on whats good for me and not let that discourage me.  i used to be very active and enjoyed participating in many sports so its tough for me to accept that my abilities are more similar to seniors.  luckily, i enjoy the company of seniors & think i will have a blast in a pool with them!  thats the positive i need to focus on!  itll be fun & healthy!  :)

wednesday, april 20, 2011

Morning
Coffee (1/4 cup fat free half & half, 2 tsp organic turbinado raw cane sugar, 6 cups black coffee)	2
Honey Nut o's (1 large banana, 1/2 cup trader joe's organic vanilla soy milk, 1/2 cup cascadian farms organic honey nut o's cereal)	2
Subtotal	4
Midday
1/2 cup(s) grapes	0
1  medium pear(s)	0
1/2 serving(s) Trader Joe's Better'n Peanut Butter (on bread)	1
1  serving(s) Pepperidge Farm CarbStyle 7 Grain Bread	1
1  serving(s) Trader Joe's Organic Reduced Sugar Blueberry Preserves (on bread)	1
Subtotal	3
Evening
3  cup(s) cooked spaghetti squash	0
1  serving(s) Trader Joe's Organic Free Range Chicken	3
2  serving(s) Campbell's French Onion Soup Less Sodium	4
1  serving(s) Trader Joe's Sliced Lite Cheddar	2
Subtotal	9
Anytime
4 1/2 cup(s) Healthy Pop® Kettle Corn, Popped	3
1/2 cup(s) Fat-Free Mint Cookies 'n Cream Frozen Yogurt	3
1  Brownie Cupcakes (see recipe in previous posts)	4
Subtotal	10
Food PointsPlus values total used	26

i experimented with my dinner recipe completely and was very pleased with the results!  the only change i would make is using 1 serving of french onion soup, not 2 servings.  it was too soupy.  other than that, i think i have a new ingredient to use with spaghetti squash & maybe even as a way to change up the mexican potato casserole recipe!

french onion chicken with spaghetti squash

3 cups cooked spaghetti squash (leftover from saturday night)
4 oz trader joe's organic free range chicken, cubed
1 cup campbells french onion soup, low sodium

1 slice trader joes lite cheddar, sliced into small pieces

• preheat oven to 350 degrees
• spray a frying pan with trader joe's italian olive oil spray (frying pan has been on medium-low heat for a few minutes).  cook chicken completely.
• combine spaghetti squash, chicken, and soup.
• pour into a pyrex sprayed with trader joe's italian olive oil spray.  place pieces of cheese on top.
• baked uncovered for 18-22 minutes or until bubbling & browned.

 

thursday, april 21, 2011

Morning
3  item(s) egg white(s) (omlette)	1
1/2 serving(s) Trader Joe's Center Cut Seasoned Uncured Bacon (in omlette)	1
1  serving(s) Trader Joe's Sliced Lite Cheddar (in omlette)	2
1  serving(s) Pepperidge Farm CarbStyle 7 Grain (on side)	1
Coffee (1/4 cup fat free half & half, 2 tsp organic turbinado raw cane sugar, 6 cups black coffee)	2
Subtotal	7
Midday
1  medium orange(s)	0
1  cup(s) grapes	0
1  medium baby carrots	0
Subtotal	0
Evening
1  serving(s) Betty Crocker Roasted Garlic Mashed Potatoes 80 cal	2
Fish Casserole (see recipe below)	6
Broccoli & Brussels Sprouts Bake (see recipe below)	2
Subtotal	10
Anytime
2  bag(s) Healthy Pop® 100 cal butter mini bag	5
1/2 cup(s) Fat-Free Mint Cookies 'n Cream Frozen Yogurt	3
1  Brownie Cupcakes (see recipe in previous posts)	4
Subtotal	12
Food PointsPlus values total used	29

im addicted to this fish casserole recipe!  i actually crave it!  i didnt have shrimp so i used langostino tails instead and was not disappointed at all!

fish casserole
4oz white ruffy farm raised striped pangasius fillet
3oz trader joe's langostino tails
1 tbsp smart balance heartright light buttery spread
2 tbsp progresso italian style bread crumbs
1/4 cup onions, chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
italian seasoning

• preheat oven to 350 degrees.  spray pyrex with trader joe's italian olive oil spray.
• place pangasious fillet in pyrex.
• melt butter.  mix in langostino tails, bread crumbs, onions, garlic, and seasonings.
• place mixture over fillet.
• bake for 15-20 minutes covered and 5-10 minutes uncovered.

broccoli bake
frozen broccoli & frozen brussels sprouts defrosted & cut into bite size pieces
2 tbsp progresso bread crumbs italian style
1 tbsp trader joe's parmesan, romano grated cheese mix
italian seasoning
garlic & herb seasoning 

• preheat oven to 375 degrees
• layer the bottom of a pyrex with the broccoli & brussels sprouts
• sprinkle bread crumbs, cheese, and seasonings
• bake covered for about 20-25 minutes 

 

friday, april 22, 2011 (earth day!)

Morning
1/2 serving(s) Spring Tree Sugar Free Low Cal Syrup	1
Coffee (1/4 cup fat free half & half, 2 tsp organic turbinado raw cane sugar, 6 cups black coffee)	2
Cannoli-Stuffed French Toast Nuggets (see recipe below)	5
Subtotal	8
Midday
1/2 cup(s) grapes	0
1  large pear(s)	0
1  medium orange(s)	0
Subtotal	0
Evening
1  cup(s) mixed greens (trader joe's organic romaine lettuce, trader joe's organic broccoli slaw, grape tomatoes, red onions, and cucumber)	0
1  serving(s) Trader Joe's Fat Free Crumbled Feta (in salad)	1
1  serving(s) Trader Joe's Butcher Shop Ground Beef 96/4 (on top of pizza)	3
1  serving(s) Maple Grove Fat Free Balsamic Vinaigrette (in salad)	0
1/2 serving(s) Trader Joe's Center Cut Seasoned Uncured Bacon (in salad)	1
White Pizza (see recipe below)	6
Subtotal	11
Anytime
9  cup(s) Healthy Pop® Kettle Corn, Popped	6
1  serving(s) Breyers Fat Free Creamy Vanilla	2
1  Brownie Cupcakes (see recipe in previous posts)	4
Subtotal	12
Food PointsPlus values total used	31

the cannoli-stuffed french toast hungry girl recipe was delicious but too heavy & sweet for me in the morning. i also didnt use as much syrup as i poured because it was just too much.  i actually prefer a healthier breakfast.  regardless, it was yummy!! :)   here is the link to the recipe that i modified slightly.  i used one slice of pepperidge farm carbstyle 7 grain bread instead of a hot dog bun, organic granulated sugar instead of a no calorie sweetner, and smart balance heartright light buttery spread instead of the recommended butters in the recipe. 

http://www.hungry-girl.com/show/rise-and-dine-cannoli-stuffed-french-toast-nuggets-recipe

doesnt look as good as it tasted! :)

the pizza was good too!  the laughing cow wedge was definitely a nice addition!

faux pizza (modified based on a hungry-girl recipe called "crispy white pizza")
1 flatout light italian herb (flat bread)
4oz trader joes ground beef 96/4
2 tbsp chopped onions
3 cloves minced garlic
1/4 cup & 2 tbsp trader joes fat free ricotta cheese
2 tbsp trader joes lite shredded mozzarella cheese
1 laughing cow light creamy garlic & herb wedge
italian seasoning
garlic & herb seasoning

basil from my indoor garden! :)

• preheat ove to 375 degrees
• spray a baking sheet with trader joe's italian olive oil spray.  place flatout on the sheet and bake for 5 minutes.  flip flatout and bake for another 5 minutes.
• spray a frying pan with trader joe's italian olive oil spray (frying pan has been on medium-low heat for a few minutes).  cook the onions & garlic for a minute.  add ground beef & cook completely while chopping meat up into small pieces.
• combine cheeses, seasonings, basil, meat w/onion & garlic.  the heat from meat will melt the cheeses to a spreadable consistency.   spread on baked flatout.
• put back in oven for another 5 minutes.

hope everyone is having a wonderful no guilt day! :)