Fitness Fridays Health Club #1 - Grand Opening!

[christa]

Do you like mushrooms?


Portobello Burgers

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!

[christa]

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!

Have a great day everyone!

[christa]

Sara: Do you have any FISH recipes? I am making cod tonight & don't know what to do with it! 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

[Russian Blue]

Finally a health club I can join! 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. 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.

[christa]

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! LOL . . . I'm guessing traffic is pretty bad right now! Gotta make dinner though . . . hubby is hungry! LOL

[Rachel]

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!

[christa]

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!

[buckner]

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! LOL . . . I'm guessing traffic is pretty bad right now! Gotta make dinner though . . . hubby is hungry! LOL

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!

[Kfamr]

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. )

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!

[christa]

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. 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!!!

[buckner]

Sara: Do you have any FISH recipes? I am making cod tonight & don't know what to do with it! 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

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.



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.