Fitness Fridays Health Club #1 - Grand Opening!

Welcome to PT’s brand new weekly addition . . .

Fitness Fridays Health Club!!!

For those of you who don’t know, Fitness Fridays is the name of our new virtual health club, a place for everyone to come and hang out, talk about health & wellness, share HEALTHY recipes, exercise tips, and weight loss goals & success stories!!!

The thread will be renewed every “Monday” . . . I know it doesn’t make sense . . . Fridays is kind of like our "Doghouse Thursdays", know what I mean? Just the name of the *club* . . . and you are encouraged to . . .

COME WORK OUT WITH US!

COME EAT HEALTHY WITH US!!!

The purpose of Fitness Fridays is to keep everyone motivated and so far, there has been an overwhelming response! Post all week long on the current thread . . . keep us informed about what you’re eating, what you’re doing to stay active. Use this as a motivational tool for yourself and for others!!!

Oh yeah, I forgot to mention . . . MEMBERSHIP IS FREE!!! :D

What an excellent place to start any week!!

I must be honest in that I am not into any formal type of exercise regime. However, I do stay in shape by being active with such things as walking, hiking and gardening. Oh, there's also that thing call housework - running up and down 3 flights of stairs every weekend hauling laundry and a vacumn cleaner helps. :D

Probably the best exercise is hiking. I am fortunate to live in BC where there are so many phenomenal hikes to go on - any level or length of time. Also, close to my home there are several trails that we walk regularly including a beach trail right along the Pacific Ocean. Not to exercise this way would be too sad.

Diet? Well, my husband and I are both in our normal weight range and pretty healthy so we generally eat anything we want. I do however, try to keep us on a balanced diet with lots of fruit and vegetables to go with the steak or the chicken or the roast beef. :cool:

We do indulge in junk foods every now and then but generally try to stick with the good stuff. We both have a passion for chocolate - especially DARK chocolate. Lots of good reasons to keep that one IN the diet plan.

Another form of exercise (and diet control) is a forced one - my job!! It keeps me busy and out of mischief for most of the week. :rolleyes:

Another thing I would like to mention is that getting enough sleep makes all the difference for me. When I'm tired, I tend to be a lot lazier and don't take as much care in going for a walk (example) or preparing a good meal.

Thanks for getting this discussion going Christa. I look forward to hearing about other people's experiences and thoughts about how to stay fit and healthy.

Cheers, Betty

Just checking in. I had a bad weekend. I was active, but I didn't go to the gym. I'm going tonight. I'm planning on making a schedule soon. That way it will be easier to stick to it.

I'm getting ready to go work out with hubby . . . he is off today so we're going to work out together. :D

I changed my routine this past weekend, so I am looking forward to that change . . . hopefully I will see some real improvement! Shock my muscles!!!

Today is ARM DAY! Biceps & triceps . . . Love arm day! And then cardio of course!

Hope you all find time for a workout today!!!

;)

Just wanted to check in and let you know that I had stopped at our local Dairy Mart for hubby and while I was in there I was certain I was getting myself a big huge candy bar. I didn't do it!! I remembered that the local farmer's market was just down the road so I said NO CHOCOLATE and went and bought myself some fresh peaches instead. This is a big deal to me...lol.

No walking yet today. Hopefully I will get that in this evening. I'm off to have myself a peach now ;).

Have a good day everyone! :)

Ok, This thread is HOT!!!

Sign me up, I will keep checking the up-dates every Monday.

Good Job!!!! Great Motivational Thread.

(Wish I could exercise and post at the same time!!) :D

This is a great idea! I'm drinking nothing but water today... I need to do it every day, but, it's never easy for me. I try to only drink soda when I eat out... but, I need to cut that out, too. I'm on a bit of a workout routine, so, hopefully I'll see some changes within a month or two! Good luck, everyone!

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Originally Posted by RobiLee

Just wanted to check in and let you know that I had stopped at our local Dairy Mart for hubby and while I was in there I was certain I was getting myself a big huge candy bar. I didn't do it!! I remembered that the local farmer's market was just down the road so I said NO CHOCOLATE and went and bought myself some fresh peaches instead. This is a big deal to me...lol.

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Woohoo!!! That IS a big deal.. I'm so proud of you for resisting the temptation! ... and then to eat peaches instead, what a GREAT idea for anyone!! WOOOOOT, GO ROBIN!!!!!!!


Lets see, I was sick all weekend, but I did manage to eat "okay". Not much exercise outside of work, but my job keeps me on my feet at all hours.

For this week, I'm going to write out a menu for each meal (breakfast is pretty much already covered though..) along with an exercising schedule. Walking or running is the only thing I can manage, as I don't belong to a gym or have any equipment, but walking helps tremendously! And because I have severe asthma, I'm unable to run long distances... as of right now. I'm training myself to push myself and get into the routine of running. :)

Next week, I'll be on a mission trip doing hardcore manual labor all week, 8 hours a day, except Wednesday. Basically, in a nut shell, we fix houses for those less fortunate - yes, we pay $400 a person to go fix OTHER people's houses. It's a neat experience, and I have such a blast in so many ways... but that'll be my exercise for the week! I just have to remember to eat. I've been on 3 - the first one I didn't want to eat AT all, the second I ate like a horse, and the third I barely ate. When you're out in the sun working hard, you lose your appetite for some reason.. so eating will be key for me next week. ;)

I'm going to go scrounge up all of my collected recipes and I'll be back! It may be later tonight until I get to post them because I have to leave for work in an hour.. but I'll post them!!! Promise! Any requests?? Any specific type of food someone wants? I've got a ton. ;)

Weee, I'm so excited for this thread! Have a GREAT day, everyone!!!

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Originally Posted by buckner

I'm going to go scrounge up all of my collected recipes and I'll be back! It may be later tonight until I get to post them because I have to leave for work in an hour.. but I'll post them!!! Promise! Any requests?? Any specific type of food someone wants? I've got a ton. ;)

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I'd be interested in a recipe that: consists vegetables, is not too complicated, and is fairly quick to fix. I eat a lot of salads but that's gets old after awhile. My husband cooks shredded cabbage, chopped onions
and green peppers, chopped canned tomatoes, and corn. I really like this combination. When we reheat leftovers I have it over cooked potatoes. That's what we are having for dinner tonight.

Robi, I want to congratulate you for resisting that candy bar. Being a chocolate addict, I know how difficult that is. You almost have to *detox* off of candy and sweets. After 3 or 4 days, it should get easier. I had peaches with my cereal for breakfast. Yum Also cut up a whole watermelon and that's in the Fridge for when I want *something* really fast.

Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday I have to work from 7:30-12:00 then from 2:30 to 7:30, so I am very active because it’s running, and feeding dogs and a lot of cleaning. Then on Thursday I am packing and cleaning the truck for a week vacation. Then Friday we are off for a week till Saturday the 15th. Everyday I will be swimming and jogging with Zoey.

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Originally Posted by Rachel

I'd be interested in a recipe that: consists vegetables, is not too complicated, and is fairly quick to fix. I eat a lot of salads but that's gets old after awhile. My husband cooks shredded cabbage, chopped onions
and green peppers, chopped canned tomatoes, and corn. I really like this combination. When we reheat leftovers I have it over cooked potatoes. That's what we are having for dinner tonight.

Robi, I want to congratulate you for resisting that candy bar. Being a chocolate addict, I know how difficult that is. You almost have to *detox* off of candy and sweets. After 3 or 4 days, it should get easier. I had peaches with my cereal for breakfast. Yum Also cut up a whole watermelon and that's in the Fridge for when I want *something* really fast.

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These are great choice for me as well. I get sick of salads. I don't have a weight problem, but, I am entering mid life :eek: and I must take stock in what I put into my self. The above menu, (recipes) sound great.

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Originally Posted by Dorothy39

Ok, This thread is HOT!!!

Sign me up, I will keep checking the up-dates every Monday.

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No no . . . Check EVERY DAY!!!

I hope that this thread stays active all week long . . . I just plan to restart a new thread so the current thread doesn't go for an eternity.

I had started a thread about 2 weeks ago and it was 150 posts long in no time! That's why we're starting this new format . . . opening our fitness club, so to speak.

So come often, update often & enjoy!!!

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Originally Posted by RobiLee

Just wanted to check in and let you know that I had stopped at our local Dairy Mart for hubby and while I was in there I was certain I was getting myself a big huge candy bar. I didn't do it!! I remembered that the local farmer's market was just down the road so I said NO CHOCOLATE and went and bought myself some fresh peaches instead. This is a big deal to me...lol.

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Robin, yet another hurdle that you've overcome! Those temptations are going to come up and you've just got to find ways to overcome them, and looks like you're making the right decisions!!! Awesome job! You make me so proud!!! :D

Wow this sounds great!! It's really hard to eat healthy for me, because I do not like veggies at all. I can not eat them, I throw up. The only things I eat are green beans, corn, and potatoes. Its really sad. I tried really hard to eat a salad about a month ago, and I could hardly do it. :o I REALLY REALLY wish I liked healthy food, because I would eat it. :(

I'm not over weight though, from not eatting "the best" I weight like...115-120?? and I'm 5'5 1/2". I LOVE to work out, I'd have to say that is my favorite thing to do..seriously :p Basketball, riding horses (doesn't sound like a work out, but trust me, it is) and running are my 3 favorite things. I USED to run 2 miles a day, but kinda dropped that...:o I guess this thread has motivated me, I'm gonna try and start running again! :) If it doesn't rain, I'm gonna go run 2 miles after we eat dinner. . :D I'm proud of myself ;)

Anybody got any good snacks/ meals for me? It might be hard, since I don't like a lot of veggies.....

This sounds like a good idea! Monday thru Saturday at night I go for a 2 mile jog it keeps me fit. I have been trying to get some healthy meals but I can't find any good reciepies. That would be great!

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Originally Posted by Toby's my baby

Anybody got any good snacks/ meals for me? It might be hard, since I don't like a lot of veggies.....

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So glad to hear that you're being motivated again!!! I like veggies but not really as snacks . . . so I kinda know what you mean.

Snacks for me usually consist of things like lowfat/lowcarb yogurt, a handful of almonds, a hardboiled egg, a spoonful of natural peanutbutter, an apple, a few slices of turkey, a wrap of some sort . . .

Hmm, that's all I can think of right now . . . does that give you any new ideas???

yum...yougurt! lol. Is there a better kind of yougurt than others?? One that is more heathy perhaps?? I can't eat apples, peanuts, or hard carrots at the moment because I have braces. I CAN eat apples, its just a hassle because they are hard to chew, and you have to cut them up small. Its also hard to get them out of your braces :o Lucky for me, I get my braces off in about a month in a half.

What kind of "wrap" do you have?? Or perhaps, what kind can you make?

Turkey Meatballs

1 ½ pounds or 1 package of ground turkey
1 tsp Basil
S&P to taste
½ cup minced onion (or half a fresh onion, chopped)
½ cup parsley
1 egg white
1 tsp garlic powder
¼ cup seasoned bread crumbs
oil
jar Tomato Sauce of your choice (we use Ragu Light or Healthy Choice)


Mix ground turkey, bread crumbs, basil, S&P, onion, parsley, egg white & garlic powder in a bowl. You may want to use your hands to make sure everything is blended well.

Heat your skillet, med/lo.

Form meatballs and sit aside. I usually use about a tablespoon full of the mixture for each meatball. You can make them as big or as small as you’d like.

Pour a splash of oil into your pan. Just enough to coat the bottom.

Lay your meatballs into the pan and turn the heat up to medium.

Cover the skillet and let them cook for a few minutes . . . when the meatballs are no
longer pink on top, turn them over. I use a spatula & tongs, so they’ll be brown on both sides. This should only take about 10 minutes.

When they’re done, pour in as much of the sauce as you’d like. Stir the meatballs until they’re coated and cover until the sauce is bubbly.

Serve with WHOLE WHEAT pasta, Brown Rice, or a vegetable.

Enjoy!!!

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Originally Posted by Toby's my baby

yum...yougurt! lol. Is there a better kind of yougurt than others?? One that is more heathy perhaps?? I can't eat apples, peanuts, or hard carrots at the moment because I have braces. I CAN eat apples, its just a hassle because they are hard to chew, and you have to cut them up small. Its also hard to get them out of your braces :o Lucky for me, I get my braces off in about a month in a half.

What kind of "wrap" do you have?? Or perhaps, what kind can you make?

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You have to look at the label when it comes to yogurt. We shop at Kroger and eat the Kroger brand because we have found that it has what we want when it comes to nutritional value. It is low carb, low sugar, high protein. Just be careful . . . some of the yogurts with all the fruity stuff have a TON of sugar and won't do you a bit of good! :eek:

As far as the wraps go . . . I like to use whole wheat tortillas or the veggie/spinach tortillas and then I put spinach lettuace on them and then either tuna (I LOVE the new tuna that is flavored) . . . and then feta cheese. Wrap it up and it's GREAT! ;)

Well I posted in the other thread before noticing our grand opening here.

I am finally on track again, in my second day now, early days yet, but i feel confident that once the week is through i am on my way again.
\
I will need lots of inspiration and encouragement from you all,but hopefully I can report in with good efforts.

Robilee that is awesome what you did, I am not sure i could have done that, pat yourself on the back , and keep it up, YOU CAN DO IT and none of us have to do it alone anymore.

Good luck to everyone.

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Originally Posted by Rachel

I'd be interested in a recipe that: consists vegetables, is not too complicated, and is fairly quick to fix. I eat a lot of salads but that's gets old after awhile. My husband cooks shredded cabbage, chopped onions
and green peppers, chopped canned tomatoes, and corn. I really like this combination. When we reheat leftovers I have it over cooked potatoes. That's what we are having for dinner tonight.

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The most simple thing I can think of is stir-fry or fajitas. Really, there is no recipe to this crazy madness. I drizzle a little bit of EVOO in a big pain, let it heat up, and then toss is a ton of chopped/julienned veggies. I always use green peppers (or any colour I have) and onions, and sometimes will add cabbage, cauli, broccoli, carrots, or spinach. I'll add anything I have on hand, actually. If I'm doing a stir-fry type of thing, I'll put it with some whole wheat or brown rice. If I'm doing fajitas, I'll throw it in some whole wheat or veggie tortilla shells and gobble it up! You can also add any kind of meat (chicken, turkey, lean steak, shrimp, crab, etc...), it's all wonderful!

Okay, that's what I thought of off of the top of my head. Let me go look through my recipes! :)

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Originally Posted by Rachel

I'd be interested in a recipe that: consists vegetables, is not too complicated, and is fairly quick to fix. I eat a lot of salads but that's gets old after awhile. My husband cooks shredded cabbage, chopped onions
and green peppers, chopped canned tomatoes, and corn. I really like this combination. When we reheat leftovers I have it over cooked potatoes. That's what we are having for dinner tonight.

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Do you like mushrooms?


Portobello Burgers

4 large Portobello mushrooms
2 cloves garlic, sliced into very thin slivers
1 tsp. fresh rosemary or 1/2 tsp. dried, (optional)
1 tsp. fresh thyme or 1/2 tsp. dried, (optional )
1 1/2 Tbsp. extra virgin olive oil
3 Tbsp. balsamic vinegar
Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
1. Preheat broiler or grill.

2. Wipe mushrooms with damp cloth. Remove stems. With paring knife, make slits in tops of caps. Stuff slivers of garlic and herbs (if using) into slits.

3. In small bowl, whisk together oil and vinegar with salt and pepper to taste. Brush mushrooms with oil mixture. Place mushrooms, cap-side down, on pan and broil or grill until soft and brown, about 3 to 5 minutes per side.

Makes 4 servings.

I wouldn't go to the trouble of thyme or rosemary, but you do what you want! :) Slap this sucker on a whole wheat bun, and you've got yourself a tasty "burger!"

Oh, and you said you liked salads, but they get old? Why not spice it up by doing something with a Mexican kick? A taco salad, for instance?

Do you eat meat? If so, cook up some lean ground turkey or grill some lean chicken strips. Set them aside. To a bowl, add your lettuce, tomato, olives, black beans, fat free sour cream, reduced fat cheese, and then your meat. Pretty low in calories, if you do it right. :) Add some fancy kicked up taco sauce, and BAM! :D



OR, vegetable pasta salads? Or a lettuce free salad? Seriously. Chop up thick cubes/chunks of carrots, cucumbers, tomatoes, onions, and anything else you may enjoy (beans, cheese, green peppers, etc.) and drizzle your favourite low-fat dressing over top, and enjoy!


Let me know if these are not your cup of tea, and I'll do some more rootin'.

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Originally Posted by buckner

Or a lettuce free salad?

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Those are some great recipes, Sara! But a lettuce free salad??? We have replaced regular iceberg lettuce with spinach lettace and it is so good! Full of nutrients! I eat it in my salads, on my sandwiches, in my wraps . . . love the stuff!

And to add a comment about the stirfry & fajita tip you gave previously . . . for those of you who are looking for an even quicker meal, Sara is right, fajitas and stirfrys are the way to go. An even quicker approach is to look for a stirfry or fajita frozen veggie bag at your grocery store. You can get the veggies already sliced, frozen, and all you have to do is throw them in the pan, follow the directions and you don't have to go to the trouble of slicing them up yourself.

Of course, it's never as good as using FRESH VEGGIES . . . but in a pinch, it's easier. :)

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Originally Posted by buckner

Do you like mushrooms?


Portobello Burgers

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Hmmm . . . I've always wanted to try this . . . I just can't imagine that a mushroom could taste that meaty. Might have to try it though! You're really inspiring me to step out of the box, Ms. Sara! ;) Got me drinking soymilk & everything!

By the way, guys, if you haven't tried Silk, you should! It's yummy! :) And good for you!

I know it's a holiday & most everyone is probably having a vacation day today, but that's no reason to be lazy! If anything, it's a reason to get out and get something done today!

I am going to have to get to the Y early today . . . they are closing it down early and will kick us out at around 3, if not earlier. But got to get that heavy leg workout in! My arms are killing me from last night's workout with hubby! And I'm sure they'll just get worse . . . they usually do!

:D Have a great day everyone!

Sara: Do you have any FISH recipes? I am making cod tonight & don't know what to do with it! :eek: Ever make cod??? I've made it before, just threw it in the oven with some lemon, butter & herbs . . . is that all I can do with it? Anything fancier? LOL

Finally a health club I can join! :D Good idea.

Well, I've been making some slow advances over the last 2 months. Everytime I pass another birthday I always tell myself this will be the year that I will be healthier.

I totally cut out any juices and pop. I only drink water since I didn't want extra calories and sugar being in my beverages. I thought it would be harder but it was quite easy. Anytime I wanted something other than water I would mix a little flavoured water in my glass. Eventually I cut that out also. If I want OJ I eat an orange or if I want apple juice I'll eat an apple. Much more nutrience that way.

I seem to go through craving cycles. I week I'll want bread....muffins, bagels, homemade bread, etc. Then the next week I'll want chocolate,chocolate, chocolate. :eek: Not good.

I've reduced my carb intake by replacing the potatoes, rice, pasta with salad and veggies. A great new recipe I found was cauliflower stirfry rice. Instead of adding rice to your meals you substitue cauliflower. I've also substituted cauliflower for pototoe in many recipes. Just spice it up more and it works great for us!

Beyond the beverages, I just limit quantities of food instead of eliminating them all together. If I totally eliminated things from my life (like chocolate) I would die and not enjoy life. ;)

Also, no eating after 6/7 at night and definately no carbs after 2 pm for me. I'll see how I do over the next two months. But it's always easier in the summer when veggies and fruit are in season. It's the dreaded fall/winter that I can pack on the pounds. ;)

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Originally Posted by christa

Sara: Do you have any FISH recipes? I am making cod tonight & don't know what to do with it! :eek: Ever make cod??? I've made it before, just threw it in the oven with some lemon, butter & herbs . . . is that all I can do with it? Anything fancier? LOL

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I've never cooked cod, can you believe it?! I've done a ton of salmon and tilapia, and a few other fishes.. must try cod soon! :) But I've done something very similar to this with tilapia.



INGREDIENTS:
2 zucchini, sliced
1 large potato, sliced
1 bunch green onions, chopped
2 large carrots, sliced
4 (4 ounce) fillets cod
1 tablespoon dried dill weed
2 roma (plum) tomatoes, sliced
1 fresh red chile pepper, seeded and chopped
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
sea salt to taste
coarsely ground black pepper to taste

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DIRECTIONS:
Preheat oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C). Lightly grease a 9x12 inch baking dish.
In the baking dish, arrange the zucchini, potato, green onions, and carrots. Place the cod on top of the vegetables, and sprinkle with dill. Arrange tomato slices over the cod, and sprinkle with red chile pepper. Drizzle with olive oil and lemon juice, and season with sea salt and pepper.
Cover dish with aluminum foil, and bake 30 minutes in the preheated oven, until vegetables are tender and fish is easily flaked with a fork.



I just use whatever veggies I have on hand, too... just make sure they can roast well. :D



Also, baking a fish with lemon, pepper, and thyme is wonderful - and to kick it up, add some kind of sauce/glaze/homemade salsa and it's the BEST! TGIF's Bruschetta Tilapia is to die for, imo. :)

Russian Blue: Welcome! Glad you joined us!!! I agree that it's good that you eat your carbs early in the day! The earlier you eat your carbs, the better chance you have of burning them off! :)

Sara: Thanks for the recipe idea! I will try a "variation" of that . . . I don't have all the ingredients on hand and there's no way I'm going to try to get to the store right now! :eek: LOL . . . I'm guessing traffic is pretty bad right now! Gotta make dinner though . . . hubby is hungry! LOL

Yes, I LOVE mushrooms. Great meal suggestions, Sara, thanks a lot, and RB, I like the idea of substituting cauliflower for rice. One thing I've tried and couldn't quite get into is the brown rice, but I intend to give it another chance too.

Another meal I enjoy, I call Plate-O-Vegetables, which is steamed cauliflower, brocolli, carrots, and potatoes with a bit of Smart Balance on the potatoes.

Christa, you are prompting me to do my exercises today. Drat the luck. I was going to have another holiday from them!

Rachel: Glad I could help. :) Just go easy on the potatoes . . . they're loaded with carbs. ;)


Actually that brings up a good subject, STARCHY Veggies. You don't want to completely limit them, just be careful about your portion sizes. Starchy veggies include corn, peas, potatoes, sweet potatoes (yams), and squash. These all have a high carb content.

Any veggie that is on the non-starch list is low in calories & high in fiber & loaded with vitamines & minerals, so you can eat as much as you'd like!!! (like spinach, broccoli, carrots, onions, celery, cucumbers) You'll be full quicker and won't be putting the bad stuff into your body!

:D

Lots of nice helpful recipes, well on my third day on programme still going strong.

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Originally Posted by christa

Actually that brings up a good subject, STARCHY Veggies. You don't want to completely limit them, just be careful about your portion sizes. Starchy veggies include corn, peas, potatoes, sweet potatoes (yams), and squash. These all have a high carb content.

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Speaking of potatoes - if you're wanting a potato with your meal, have a sweet potato! They're better for you than regular potatoes (vitamins and nutrients) AND they also have a low calorie and carb count. :) I love me some sweet potatoes!

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Originally Posted by christa

Sara: Thanks for the recipe idea! I will try a "variation" of that . . . I don't have all the ingredients on hand and there's no way I'm going to try to get to the store right now! :eek: LOL . . . I'm guessing traffic is pretty bad right now! Gotta make dinner though . . . hubby is hungry! LOL

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I usually never follow the recipe, unless I'm baking. I won't go out and buy certain veggies just because the recipe says so - unless it's some kind of specific cuisine that calls for garlic that I don't have, or celery, or something. :) The best "veggie" recipes are just starters, really.. they're there to get you thinking, and you can basically substitute anything you have for any of the ingredients!

Some of my favorite repices that have been requested:

Veggie Meals/Snacks:

Veggie Quesodillas -
Whole Wheat tortillas
Cheese
Cabbage
Carrots
And any other veggie you like.


Shred/dice the veggies - sautee if you prefer cooked veggies.
Lay tortilla in pan - sprinkle cheese and veggies on top and add another tortilla.

Toast it in the pan, apply pressure with a spatuala to make it "stick" together. Toast until crispy and cheese melts.



For fish, I LOVE making cooking it in foil on the grill.

Different combos I've made and LOVED:

Black Olives
Green Olives
Garlic
Olive Oil
Red Peppers


Green Peppers
Onions
Lemon Juice

Just lay the fish in the foil - I usually put a rew hot red pepper slices on the foil first. Cut all of the "toppings" and put them on top. Add the olive oil or lemon juice. Fold up and put it on the grill. :)


Salads?

One of my favorites...

Tomatoes, Onions, and cucumbers in italian dressing. Cut them to whatever size you prefer and add the dressing. Green peppers are also a nice flavor in this mix.


I haven't really cared to tell anyone but I've been working on losing weight. I eat a lot heathier than I used to. I can't remember the last I've dranken soda - and usually it's only once in a while. I've cut back on my sweet tea drinking (so much sugar!) It's rare I drink anything but water anymore.

It is a "routine" for me to lay in bed and have a small snack and watch T.V. before I fall asleep. It's weird falling asleep without doing so but recently I have or else I've eaten something like cherry tomatoes, baby carrots, apples, mandarine oranges.

Those are the type of snacks I like most but they aren't always available and I can't afford them sometimes. (Dang dogs eat better than I do. :rolleyes: )

So many places offer cold-cut sandwhiches and a choice of healthier sides instead of fries. I try going for the other sides.


One problem I'm working on right now is DIPPING things. Not fruits/veggies because I like those plain. But I like to dip chicken, and potato type thing, etc in RANCH dressing. I've cut down so I'm proud of that but there was a point where I was using 3-4 packets of dipping sauce in one sitting. Now I only always myself to use one.


These are silly steps but certainly in the right direction!

Kay: Excellent receipe ideas! Sounds yummy! And sounds like you're really doing great, getting healthy & sticking with it. I know what you mean about cutting back on the "sauces"!!! I was a honey mustard addict, LOL . . . I think I've just about got rid of ALL of it though. I don't think there is a jar in this house . . . unless there is one in the cupboard . . . and I'm pretty sure there isn't. :eek: I am finally to the point where I can eat it either plain or with something like fat free sour cream.

Sara: You're right - sweet potatoes are a better choice than regular potatoes. I sub them in my veggie soup - that's about the only time we eat them. But you'll be surprised to know that they are actually higher in calories than a regular potato. Not by much though :) . . . the benefits come in the form of FIBER. The sweet potato has almost double the fiber and more beta-carotene. Just remember that most of the fiber comes from the skin, so try to eat as much of it as you can . . . that's the best part!!! :D

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Originally Posted by christa

Sara: You're right - sweet potatoes are a better choice than regular potatoes. I sub them in my veggie soup - that's about the only time we eat them. But you'll be surprised to know that they are actually higher in calories than a regular potato. Not by much though :) . . . the benefits come in the form of FIBER. The sweet potato has almost double the fiber and more beta-carotene. Just remember that most of the fiber comes from the skin, so try to eat as much of it as you can . . . that's the best part!!! :D

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Acckk, I meant fiber, not calories. :o And are you KIDDING me?!?! The skin IS the best part. Of either a sweet potato or a regular baking potato, I'll skip the insides and go for the skin, if need be to choose. :P

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Originally Posted by buckner

Acckk, I meant fiber, not calories. :o And are you KIDDING me?!?! The skin IS the best part. Of either a sweet potato or a regular baking potato, I'll skip the insides and go for the skin, if need be to choose. :P

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That's great . . . I just know that most people dig out the insides & scrap the skin for all it's worth & leave it on the plate, never considering that they're leaving behind the most nutritious part of the potato.

The only time I won't really eat much of the skin is if I'm eating out . . . I'm really picky about some things . . . I just like to know that my sweet potato has been scrubbed thoroughly before I eat the skin, LOL . . . but like I said before, I rarely even eat them. Good choice when you're craving something starchy though! ;)

As I said before, GO EASY ON THE STARCHY VEGGIES! But as long as we're talking about Sweet Potatoes, here are some of my fav recipes . . . besides just a regular baked sweet potato. :)

Roasted Sweet Potatoes with Garlic

Ingredients:
2 medium sweet potatoes, washed and scrubbed
1-1/2 tablespoons olive oil
2 large cloves garlic, sliced thin (or you can use garlic powder if you're in a hurry)
Salt and pepper to taste

Directions:
Preheat oven to 475-degrees.

Slice sweet potatoes into very thin rounds.

On baking sheet toss with garlic, olive oil, salt and pepper.

Roast in preheated oven on middle rack, stirring occasionally, about 30 minutes or until crisp.


Rosemary-Roasted Sweet Potatoes

Ingredients:
2 pounds sweet potatoes, cut into chunks
1/4 cup toasted pine nuts
3 cloves garlic, peeled and coarsely chopped
1 tablespoon chopped fresh rosemary, or 1/2-tablespoon dried
2 tablespooons chopped parsley
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon black pepper

Directions:
In casserole dish, combine sweet potatoes, garlic, rosemary and olive oil. Toss to coat.

Bake at 375 degrees for 45-50 minutes, turning occasionally.

Just before serving, sprinkle with pine nuts, parsley, salt and pepper.

Just limit your portions with any starchy veggies that you consume and you should be fine. ;)