Down She Goes.

Weigh in day was yesterday and she didn't disappoint!

I'm down another 2.5lbs for a total of 16.5 pounds.

Feels good. This week, my vegetable star is Eggplant. I've been trying to cook it in interesting ways.

So far one of my favorites is "Eggplant Chips".

1. Preheat oven to 425
2. Slice eggplant into "coins".
3. Salt in a strainer and put aside for 15-20 mins or so. ( this helps draw the water out) I usually cook the rest of the meal while this is happening. Last night was beef, beans and brown rice.
4. Rinse eggplant and pat dry.
5. Dip in egg whites ( i buy a container from Walmart so that I don't waste eggs)
6. And then dip in whole wheat bread crumbs mixed with your fav. spices. I do garlic, oregano and pepper.
7. Heat pan with 1 tsp of olive oil and pan fry coins for 2 mins on each side then place on cookie sheet. Bake for 20 mins turning once.

Dip in warm marinara sauce! YUM. YOu can eat an entire eggplant for 100 calories!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Cauliflower Bread Sticks

Okay, okay. I know "Eat your Veggie's" is not a new thing.

My mom has been after me since before I was potty trained but I really think that choosing this food group to "focus-on" is benefiting my weight loss and it's giving me a lot of joy!

I recently discovered the joys of Cauliflower. Up until a few days ago, I literally had NEVER tried it. Something about it's weird "albino broccoli" appearance just gave me the yucks!

Last night I made Cauliflower Bread Sticks and Roasted Butternut Squash as my "sides".

You mix riced cauliflower ( pulsed in a food processor) with
1/2 cup egg-whites and 
1/2 cup of 2% cheese ( i did cheddar). 
Press it into a pan coated with cooking spray and bake at 400 for 20-30 mins. Remove when solid to the touch and cut with a pizza cutter into bread stick shapes (8-10 sticks). Sprinkle with Parmesan cheese and olive oil cooking spray. Turn oven up to 450 and cook 5-10 more minutes. Sticks are done when brown and toasted looking. Serve with red sauce to dip! 

DELISH. My husband LOVED them. I plan on making more to serve to my tot.

I bet you're thinking...

Man, she's been gone a long time. I bet she's been on a two-month long nacho & french-fry binge.

But, surprise! I wasn't. Although, i considered it.

I'm actually back and 14 lbs lighter.

Besides having a few set-backs...( i hurt my foot). I've still managed to eat very well and remain active. I've found something that works for me and I've been sticking with it.

One of the things that I've challenged myself with is to try and eat more vegetables.

Not just carrots and celery but LOTS of vegetables, different vegetables, new vegetables. You can't beat the nutritional benefit but they are  full of fiber and so low in calories that they help keep me satisfied for a long time.

I've made eggplant lasagna ( slicing the eggplant to use instead of noodles).

Zucchini Fries ( dip in egg whites and coat with breadcrumbs and bake)

Portabello mushroom pizza ( scrape out the guts and make a turkey pepperoni and light cheese pizza).

Cucumber & Tomato salad ( mix balsamic and splenda)

And, tonight I'm making roasted Butternut Squash to mix with chicken and dumplings!

Anywhoo..i'm back and hope to refocus myself to keep this blog updated on my journey.