Realization

The other day I was craving McDonald's fries something terrible.  So I decided to see if the craving would go away or get stronger with time....well it got stronger and stronger.  With my lifestyle change I have decided if I have a craving that keeps getting stronger and stronger then I will satisfy it right then if I can so that it doesn't get to the point where I can't control it.  So after my nail appointment off to McDonald's I headed for Big Extra with Cheese and Bacon, Fries and a Coke.  Oh it smelt so good and when I did get home to enjoy my supper it tasted so delicious.  I haven't had McDonald's for 3 months at least.  What surprised me most was how sweet the Coke tasted.  I don't remember it being so sweet, but I guess when you drink it pretty much on a daily basis you don't notice the sweetness of it.  Being POP free for the last 3 months with the exception of probably 3 glassed of the sweet nectar I can see why it was so sweet tasting.  

On the negative note the wonderful supper cost me 37 points on Weight Watchers Points Plus program...that was a big chuck of my weekly flex points.  But hey I am allowed to enjoy myself now and then...and my recipe for success allows me to indulge once in a while but be aware of what I am eating and how much I am eating.  Good thing the craving has been soothed over.......wouldn't have much success if I craved McDonalds every day. 

Corinne~

PGX - Yes or No?

Monday evening I realized something that I had sorta taken for granted or maybe not....Before I started with WW's On-line I was looking for something to help me with my cravings and had heard lots of things about PGX so I picked up a bottle to try....so I started and of course like other attempts at weight loss that didn't last long and the bottle sat on my counter for a couple of months.  I guess I was in the process of getting both my mind and body ready for change. 

So after joining WW's at the end of February and getting used to watching what I was eating and when, I started looking at the bottle of PGX sitting on the counter.  I decided since I had paid good money for them and they are to help you feel fuller longer figured why not start with them as a part of my new lifestyle. 

Having missed taking my PGX since Friday evening I noticed on Monday evening that by that afternoon my mind was wandering to thoughts of eating/munching.  Not sure if it was because I was actually hungry (didn't really feel hungry) or if it was because I hadn't had much for water that day either.  Usually by mid afternoon I have had close to 5 glasses of water.  I know that thirst mechanism in our body is weaker than the hunger mechanism so was I just really thirsty or was I starting to get hungry. 

I have decided to test whether or not I need to continue with PGX or not.  I am getting close to being out...probably by the end of the week I will be out of the PGX.  I have decided that I am going to continue doing what I am doing; I am seeing success; the only change will be not taking the PGX for a week and seeing if I really notice a difference or not.  If I am not having the feelings of wanting snack food then I will continue the way I am going but if I think I need PGX for little longer to help me through the munching stages I will do that.

 



Corinne~

Bacon, Egg & Cheese Biscuit Muffins

Prep Time: 5 mins  Cooking Time: 20 to 25 mins

1 package biscuit dough (10 biscuits)
3 eggs
3 tablespoons milk
1/3 cup of shredded cheddar
4 slices bacon (can use turkey and/or veggie bacon)
salt and pepper

Cook the bacon in a pan or in the oven until it’s almost done. Chop into small bits and set aside. (Note: if using veggie bacon do not cook it ahead – simply defrosted it and chopped it up.)  Preheat the oven to 400 degrees. Whisk together eggs and milk, a pinch of salt and some cracked pepper to taste and set aside.

Meanwhile, roll out each biscuit until it’s slightly bigger than the circumference of your muffin tin. Grease the muffin tin with cooking spray and push one biscuit into each muffin cup being sure to push it all the way down and to the sides. Leave the ridge hanging over the edge. Divide the cheese evenly in each of the biscuit cups and then pour egg in, filling each cup only 1/2 way. They will look empty but resist the urge to top them off. You must account for the biscuits puffing up – otherwise you’ll have a mess on your hands. Sprinkle bacon atop of the egg and bake for 10 to 12 minutes or until biscuits are golden and eggs are set.

Use a butter knife to loosen each muffin and serve warm.

Note: if your egg does overflow, just let it bake the rest of the way and then remove the extra egg when you are loosening the muffins.

Corinne~

Dr. Oz

My aunt has raved about Dr Oz for years now and I have caught his show once in a while and checked out his website a couple of times.  I was always impressed with Dr. Oz's show and the information he gives.  Recently I was home from work a little earlier than usual, turned on the television and there was Dr. Oz on, I usually wasn't home early enough to catch his show.  He was talking about healthy alternatives to help with a healthier lifestyle.  I was impressed and have tried one of the ideas he showed on guest on the show about how to spark up her sandwich; instead of mayonnaise mix plain Greek Yogurt with Hummus.   So yesterday I made a chicken sandwich for my lunch at work only to discover no mayonnaise in the fridge.....but I did have Greet Yogurt and Hummus....I could hear Dr. Oz telling me make the switch you won't believe how delicious it will make your sandwich.  HE WAS RIGHT.  It is the most I have enjoyed a chicken sandwich in a long time.

So now I am so into watching Dr. Oz that I have it set on my PVR to record every episode and if I forget to set the PVR I can always catch his show on-line at Dr. Oz on CTV.  Yesterday I was checking out the recipes on his website and found a few that I plan to try....especially his healthy version of KFC Chicken.  To check out all the wonderful recipes on Dr. Oz click HERE.  Won't my family be surprised how something healthier than the fast food version will taste so yummy!  
  


Corinne~

Triple Chocolate Chunk Muffin

1 3/4 c oats 
 3 egg whites 
 3/4 cup unsweetened cocoa
1/2 cup unsweetened applesauce
1 tsp. vanilla extract
1/2 cup plain Greek yogurt (or regular plain low fat yogurt)
1/2 tsp cream of tartar (or 1-1/2 Tbsp. vinegar)
1-1/2 tsp. baking powder
1-1/2 tsp. baking soda
1/4 tsp. salt
1 cup hot water
1 cup sugar substitute (like Splenda granular) OR 1/4 cup + 2 tbs stevia
1/2 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips (or use white chocolate or peanut butter chips!)

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line 2 (12-cup) muffin pans with foil cupcake liners, or spray muffin tin with non-stick cooking spray. Set aside.

In a blender, (or food processor), mix all of the ingredients together, except for the chocolate chips. Blend until oats are ground and mixture is smooth.

Place mixture in a bowl and gently stir in 1/2 of the chocolate chips (set the rest aside). Scoop mixture into prepared muffin pans.

Place muffins tins in the oven for 10 minutes.  After 10 minutes, remove muffins from the oven (but don’t shut oven off), and distribute the other half of the chocolate chips on top of each muffin.

Place  the muffins back into the oven and bake for an additional 2-5 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean. *Note, you could skip this step by putting all of the chips in the batter, and baking the muffins for 12-15 min straight, but this method gives the muffins the traditional ‘VitaTop Muffin’ look with the chocolate chips on top!


Cool muffins before removing from pan. ENJOY!!!

Servings: 12 Big Muffins or 24 Smaller Muffins
Calories: 116 Calories Per Muffin or 58 Calories Per Muffin




Corinne~

On My Way!

Sunday after I stepped off the scale I was thrilled to see that I hadn't gained any weight,  I hadn't lost any weight either. This was good news for me especially after indulging in some sinful but oh so yummy munchies on Friday night.  My niece held a Jockey Clothing party....had a glass a wine called Girls Night Out - Yummy, ate lots of the veggies that were out but indulged in the cheese and crackers, the amazing cheese ball and the ever so Sinful & Yummy Nanimo Bars.  So Saturday morning when I dug out my points calculator I was pleasantly surprised to find the crackers that I had indulged in were much lower in Weight Watchers Points Plus points than I had figured.  So even without a weight loss last week I was thrilled that I hadn't gained any weight. 

Now the time came to take my measurements....hind sight being 20/20 I really should have done this when I started WW's back at the end of February and not been afraid to look at those numbers.  After all that is what they are a number and a number that I plan to shrink over time.  So my plan is to track my measurements on a monthly basis using the last Sunday of each month.  I set up a chart in MS Excel to track my measurements on the last Sunday of the each month.  

I am definitely out of the starting gate and on my way to a new ME!

I Believe........
          .........I will succeed; One day at a time!

Corinne~

Guacamole Fettuccine with Sauted Beef Strips

Since I joined Weight Watchers (WW) on-line February 26th.......I have lost 13.4 lbs.  On the WW site there are challenges put up by other members one of the challenges that I joined was to cook something new, so this is what I did for supper last night. My husband who doesn't like Avocado's wasn't looking forward to supper had changed his mind once he tried it....this is now a keeper and will definitely be making this again.


Guacamole Fettuccine with Sauteed Beef Strips

8 oz whole wheat fettuccine
1 avocado
1 Tbs Fresh Lime Juice
1/4 Cup (2%) Greek plain yogurt (I used Danone Oikos Greek Yogurt)
1/4 tsp sea salt
1/2 lb sirloin steak trimmed of visible fat, cut into 1/2 strips
4 cloves Garlic chopped
1/3 lb Roma tomato
1/4 cup minced cilantro (optional)

Fill a large pot halfway with water and bring to a boil. Prepare fettucine according to package directions. Drain well and set aside.

In a large bowl, add avocado and mash into a smooth cream using a fork. Stir in lime juice, yogurt, and salt. Set aside.

In a large nonstick skillet on medium heat, saute beef for 2 minutes. Add garlic and cook for 5 more minutes or until strips are cooked through, turning occasionally. Drain beef and garlic in a fine-mesh strainer, then transfer to a bowl with avocado mixture. Add fettuccine and toss.

Divide fettuccine mixture among 4 plates, then top each with a quarter of tomatoes.

Corinne~

I Believe~

For the past few years I have been attempting to shed some of the most unwanted pounds that I have gained over the years.  It always seemed something would happen that would stop my progress and I would revert back to my old ways.  I always say I could talk the talk, but just need to start walking the walk....well I am hoping that I am back the point where I do both - talk the talk and walk the walk.  Back in 2008 I was off to a great start in 3 months I had lost just over 30 lbs, then my dad passed away and I stopped living my life the way I was.  I think I just stopped as a coping mechanism to the loss of my dad....I guess you could say in my mind if I didn't tear this brick wall down then I wouldn't have to accept that my dad was gone and I would be fine in my own denial world, but I wasn't fine.

My husband and I tried the gym but when he had surgery we used it as an excuse not to go....then finally one day as I was watching TV a commercial with Jennifer Hudson - spokes woman for Weight Watchers was on....WOW did she ever loose a lot of weight.  I watched this commercial for couple of weeks and started thinking I should join WW, but then I reminded myself that it didn't work the last 3 times you tried WW...didn't stick around for the meetings was having difficulty tracking my points everyday...then I decided I would try WW Online and the deal was sign up and get three months free...so on Feb 26th I took that step and signed up for WW Online....and......I BELIEVE I can do this.....I BELIEVE I can make a change in my lifestyle.  

 I BELIEVE

 My husband has joined me in eating for a new lifestyle.  I think I was finally ready to start living my life again and not in existing in my little denial world that everything is fine.  I am drinking my 6 - 8 8oz glasses of water everyday.  Eating my fruit and vegetables.  Watching my portions.  Calculating my points for everything and being away of what I am eating.  What I am finding interesting is the WW Points that different foods have...for example we didn't have any left overs from supper last night so I grabbed a Beef Meat Pie from M&M Meats that we had in the freezer, ya I didn't eat that for lunch today......worked out to 17 Points on WW that is over half of my points for the day, YIKES.  So instead I had my hummus, pretzels, kiwis and water.  You could say "I See Food Differently", way more differently than I used.  I am aware how much I am eating and what I am eating and the best part of it all is that I don't feel like I am depriving myself of anything and I LOST 10.5 lbs since I started on Feb 26th. 

I Believe I can change my lifestyle.
          I Believe I can loose weight and keep it off.
                   I Believe I am worth it.
                             I Believe I can do it.

 I Believe, words to live by!

Corinne~

Canadian Challenge Sled Dog Race

February 20th - 25th found my husband and I involved with the Canadian Challenge Sled Dog Race.

• The Canadian Challenge sled dog race for the Cameco Cup is a 12 dog continuous mid distance race held in Saskatchewan. The race follows a route similar to that of the old sled dog trail used for years by trappers, the North West Mounted Police and the First Nations community to travel between Prince Albert and La Ronge. The total distance of the race is approx. 600 kilometers.
• Over the years, the Canadian Challenge has obtained the recognition of being a world class-sporting event and is the nation's longest sled dog, which starts, runs and finishes in Canada. The race has attracted teams from across Canada, the United States, Australia, Germany, Serbia and Belgium. An added highlight is the 8 dog race from Prince Albert to La Ronge. This race runs in conjunction with the 12 dog sled race on it's way up to La Ronge'.
• In 2007 the Junior Canadian Challenge ran for the first time. The Canadian Challenge is sponsored by the Gateway North Sled Dog Race Association, which is a non-profit organization formed in 1994 to promote traditional sled dog racing in Saskatchewan.

My hubby and I were in charge of manning one of the check points after the start of the race, but there much more to do before then.   

Day 1:  Vet Check - take photos of some of the teams as they were having their dogs checked over by our team of volunteer vets consisting of Dr Ruth - Super Vet and two other Vets...then after a quick Pizza Lunch it was off to set up the Banquet room with the banners from the Sponsor, the musher/handler race bibs, the Silent Auction Table and the merchandise table.  My hubby and two daughters helped out with task...we did a great job everything was set up in record time and the banquet room looked amazing.  Quickly did a quick change, did my hair and make up and I was ready for the evening.  This evening was big event for me as I was MC'ing the evening, now I am not afraid to speak in public....my biggest fear of the evening was that I would mess up the protocol for introducing the Leitenant Governor of Saskachewan, representative of the Queen.  Once I got him introduced and seated everything went well.  My youngest daughter took on the task of taking photos of the evening for me.  That night is over and done, once I get home it is time to make a Crock Pot of Chilli and BBQ Farmers Sausage for our check point.   

Day 2 & 3: So bright and early we are out to the Start Line for the Canadian Challenge Sled Dog Race.  WOW what a turn out from the public to see the teams as they start preparing for the race.  In just over 1 hour 20 teams pass through the start line on the quest to compete in this years Canadian Challenge Sled Dog Race.  From there I headed home to pack up everything for the rest of the week.  When hubby arrived shortly after I did we loaded up the truck and headed North to the McLennan River Check Point.  Around 10:30pm Handlers started arriving with their dog trucks awaiting the arrival of the mushers....shortly after midnight mushers started arriving, some stayed for a bit, while others pushed on through right after checking in and out.  Arrivals and departures continued on through the night with the last musher out at 1pm on Wednesday afternoon.  

So as were awaiting the last mushers departure I set out to capture pictures of the Whiskey Jacks and Woodpeckers.  Those Whiskey Jacks were scavenging any bits of food they could find. 

So after a couple of long days I didn't even want to turn my computer on let alone pull my pictures off my camera...by this time I had around 6 photos from the last 3 days.  My husband was reading the Canadian Challenge Blog and giving me the highlights...well this got me pumped back up and I set to moving my pictures off my SD card to my laptop.  This is when everything might as well have gone black for me......what my card cannot be read....nothing I could do could retrieve my photos.  I tried different software programs even took it into Don's photo a week later only to find out that there was nothing they could do.  Good thing there were others that took pictures at the start of the race.

Day 4:  My hubby headed on up to Lynx Lake Check Point and I stayed behind working with some of our other volunteers trying to read my SD Card.  NOTHING........so with a new SD Card in the camera I set off for taking more photos.  A quick trip to Stanley Mission......this is where I learned about the art of Birch Bark Biting from Rosie....she was kind enough to let me try it out.  So after listening and watching I tried this dying art myself.  WOW was I impressed with what I ended up with.  While the birch bark was folded I had no idea of what it would even look like.  I must of impressed my mentor as she showed it to her mother when she came to the hall for a visit.  So this June when the Birch Bark is just right I am going to try peeling some myself so I can try a few more pieces of this art. 

Day 5:  The winner of the 12-dog team crossed the finish line around 1:25 am on Day 5 of the Canadian Challenge Sled Dog Race.  We stayed around town at the LaRonge check point watching teams arrive at the finish line.  Got photos of the vehicles that different sponsor donated for duration of the week with the Gerry Walker the winner of the 12-dog Race and Gillian Taylor the winner of the 8-dog race.   We got photos of the vehicle from Carlton Honda, Mann Motors, LakeLand Ford, Flaman Trailers for the use of one of their trailers, Eagle Point for the use of a Polaris Snowmobile and Pines Power Sport Marine for the use of 2 Ski-doo Snowmobiles not just for the week of the race but for a couple of weekend prior so that the trail crew could have the trail it top notch shape.  The winner of the Red Lantern for the 12-dog race crossed the finish line before 7pm that evening....an early night for all.  First time that I know of that 20 teams started the race and 20 teams finished the race....WAY TO GO MUSHERS!!

Day 6:  Awards Breakfast.....after the awards breakfast it was take down and time to head home.  Another race in the books and a very successful one too.  Now the board will start preparing for 2013's race.  I finished up the week with some really good photos but unfortunately was never able to recover any photos of the damaged SD Card.

Corinne~

Away for a while

I have been away from my blog for a while.....it all started back in early December when my hubby dropped my laptop...that's right he DROPPED my laptop.  Needless to say they don't like to be dropped and it caused my hard drive to crash and loop through the start up.  Then while I was without a computer my Yahoo email gets hacked, I find this out just a few days after my new laptop arrives at my house and hasn't even been fired up yet....how did I find out....my work email received a couple of emails so it was time to go in and change passwords once again....without having my computer was unable to change the passwords...  Once I got my new laptop all set up online I proceeded to get passwords changed.  Then I had the wonderful task of trying to recover everything from the old hard drive...was able to use cables and connect it to read as a slave drive so that I could access my files and transfer them over to the new laptop and from there they are going onto a portable external hard-drive.  Transferring the files was a very long task....because of sectors of the hard-drive being damaged when it was dropped if a file failed it could take hours to let me know it was unable to be moved or even accessed.  I was lucky to get all my Genealogy back.....whew....my fingers were crossed for that one first and foremost and the it was time to cross my fingers for my photos....well on that front not so lucky....I probably got about 2/3's of them back which is better than nothing.  My genealogy and photos were my biggest concerns about getting back as for everything else that I was able to retrieve back was a bonus.  So I started moving files early January and didn't finish up until the end of February....this tested my patience that is for sure. 









Corinne~