Try this recipe - YUMMY!

Found a new, FANTASTIC shrimp recipe. I cut the olive oil by 1/2 tablespoon and it was awesome. I feel like I could cut it even further and love it just as much. Maybe 1 tbsp total because there is so much marinade to keep it moist. On a whim, my 3-year-old picked a Mediterranean Couscous and together it was outstanding (I also cut the olive oil in the couscous by 1 tbsp, and it was perfect).

It wasn't the lowest fat recipe, but I didn't feel like I was cutting fat at all! It was nothing short of wonderful and I would do it again and again, if fresh shrimp were not so expensive. I will wait for deals and make it whenever fresh shrimp is on sale!

We got the recipe from eatingwell.com, and it is called Shrimp Paulista.

Ingredients

• 2 pounds large shrimp, peeled and deveined
• 2 tablespoons lime juice
• 1/2 cup chopped fresh cilantro, divided
• 8 cloves garlic, minced, divided
• 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt, divided
• 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper, divided
• 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil (again, I cut this by 1/2 tbsp)

Preparation

1. Place shrimp in a medium nonreactive bowl and toss with lime juice, 1/4 cup cilantro, half the garlic, 1/4 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper. Cover and let marinate in the refrigerator for 20 minutes.
2. Heat oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the shrimp, marinade and remaining garlic; cook until the shrimp are just cooked through, about 5 minutes. Remove from heat; add the remaining 1/4 cup cilantro, 1/4 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon red pepper. Toss to combine.

Nutrition

Per serving: 164 calories; 6 g fat ( 1 g sat , 4 g mono ); 224 mg cholesterol; 2 g carbohydrates; 0 g added sugars; 24 g protein; 0 g fiber; 456 mg sodium; 241 mg potassium.
Nutrition Bonus: Selenium (66% daily value), Iron (20% dv).
Exchanges: 3 1/2 very lean meat, 1 fat

My Low-Fat Recipe (for the crockpot)

I tried this last week. My friend Stephanie, itty-bitty little thing, gave it to me. This is my version.

3 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
1 medium jar of salsa (if you like spicy, go hot - we did mild so my little girls would eat it)
1 packet taco seasoning
1/2 onion, thinly sliced
1 green pepper, thinly sliced

Mix all ingredients except onion and pepper and set crockpot for about six hours (medium low). With about 2 hours left, add onions and peppers. When it's all done, shred the chicken and drain excess juice (with a collander - we didn't need to do this) - serve on lettuce for a chicken taco salad or on tortillas for a chicken fajita. My husband put the leftovers on nachos and that was delicious.

I think I will make it once a week! It's that yummy.

-- Kristin

Snack on This!

You won't fail if you're not perfect; you'll fail if you're not committed to improving yourself slightly each day. 

My sister is getting married, and she, too, is trying to shed some vanity pounds. She's very thin, but has always been tiny and wants to be tiny again for the big day. She told me drinking milk makes her feel more full. So it keeps her from snacking as much.. She said, snack on this:

A Shake with protein powder and any of the following ingredients: pudding oatmeal, yogurt, peanut butter

- Amanda (via Kristin)

A big step back

My mother-in-law was in town, and we tend feed people like they've never eaten before. So we pigged out, ate out and drank too much wine. She left today so I have to get back to working out.
It's amazing how much damage you can do in just 4 days! Hopefully it will come back off as quickly as it came on.
3 lbs lost
16 to go...  bummer

Resisting the Ice Cream: I did good!

Sometimes you're dieting successfully when you didn't eat three helpings of Hamburger Helper and a carton of ice cream!

By that standard, I guess today was a success. I carefully dished up my portions and stopped before I was busting at the seams. I couldn't exercise tonight, as I had horrible back pain. But I went to physical therapy, did a lot of stretching and will hit the floor for 20 push-ups before bed. Yes, I can do push-ups without back pain. Also, the water weight is just sliding off. I am looking thinner already even though I haven't lost enough to "show."

(2 minute delay)
YIPPEE!!! I just stepped on the scale, if I don't eat something bad for me before I go to sleep, I should wake up at least one more pound lighter.

-- Kristin

Finding Weight-Loss Buddies!

Found this online this morning and LAUGHED
so hard I burned 30 calories.

You're not alone! I want to lose with you. I'm a competitive person, so I like to race people to the finish line. In this case, there is no finish line. I'm tired of losing-gaining-losing-gaining ... I want to lose forever and stay fit, happy and healthy. Several women my age, mid-30s, will be contributing to this blog. Why? I am going to fall off the wagon here and there, and I'm hoping they'll pick me up when I do. And I'd like to return the favor to them if I can.

Also, I walked 30 minutes yesterday and spent 35 minutes on the elliptical. That's about as much as I can do, due to my back problem. I am drinking my water and working as hard as I can to reduce the fat in my recipes, from rinsing (not just draining) the grease off the ground burger in my recipes to substituting egg beaters and ground turkey and chicken to other recipes.

FYI- I have degenerative disc disease and chronic, acute pain because of that and some instability from my stretched SI (sacroiliac) ligaments from back-to-back pregnancies. Running is out of the question as well as many other things I love to do (volleyball, basketball, etc.). I have to lose weight, for the first time in my life, with low-impact exercises. Any advice is more than welcome!!!


PROGRESS: 4 lbs down, 15 to go!

Your goals, minus your doubts, equal your reality. -- Ralph Marston


-- Kristin

Mind over Fatter

They say if you do something every day for 21 days, it becomes a habit. I believe it! It's worked for past diets. But OH that first 21 days can be rough. Since I'm on day 4, it's still so hard.

I'm going to make the girls breakfast - pancakes of course - and I am trying so hard not to eat their food. Maybe I'll substitute wheat flour on their crepes this a.m. and I can eat with them? OH, and use egg whites instead??? Hmmm, let's see how that goes.

THIN PANCAKES
1/2 cup whole wheat flour
1 cup skim milk
2 eggs (sub - 6 tbsp egg whites)
1 tbsp butter (gonna half it today and see how it goes)
dash salt


Wish me luck!

Day 3 - No Cheating & A Short Walk

A couple days ago I starting my journey. My sister gets married in March in Florida & her bridesmaids are gorgeous, thin, and almost model like. I am not. I am the real deal and will never be "skinny." But I can be in better shape pretty easily.

So I have 19 pounds to lose in 7 months. I am on day 3, and I've already lost two pounds. It's not always going to be easy, I have a horrible back problem that keeps me from doing most of my normal exercises. I cannot run or play volleyball anymore.

But I'm going to do it! Watch me!