Pineapple Angel Food Cake
1 box White Angel Food Cake Mix (I used Betty Crocker)1 can (20oz) crushed pineapple in juice
· Mix the two together. (no other ingredients… not even water)· Bake in a following the directions on the box· Makes 16 servings at 2pts each.
Friday, February 5, 2010
Keep your motivation going strong
Maintaining motivation can be tough. Try these 10 steps to help keep you on course through hard times. When starting a new project, most of us vow to attack it full throttle, with the goal of seeing our project through to the end. Indeed, desire and motivation are a dynamite duo. The former gets us going, the latter keeps us on track.Yet after the initial excitement, motivation can wane. This is especially true when difficult times throw you off track or roadblocks appear.
From WW.com
Motivational speaker Jeff Keller agrees that maintaining staying power can be tough. "No matter what the task, there's usually some obstacle or temptation to keep us from our goal," says Keller. "That's why it's so important to stay positive."
Top 10 attitude enhancers Keep your mind focused on your goals. Here's how:
1. Celebrate the here and now As long as you're committed to your plan today, you're succeeding because you're taking charge of your life. Focusing on goals that are far in the future can sap motivation.
2. Change your language Keller suggests scratching negative phrases from your vocabulary. Instead of saying "No," "I can't" or "I'll try," substitute the positive. Say: "Yes!" "I can" and "I will."
3. Create visual inspiration Find a photo of yourself before you started your weight-loss plan. Tack it on the refrigerator, a bedroom or bathroom mirror or inside the food cupboard. As you reach new goals, take new pictures, visually marking your progress.
4. Weigh in Weigh in at your weekly meeting, and track your results. Look at your overall progress and visualize that chart whenever you're tempted by less-than-healthy choices.
5. Partner up Exercising with friends is always more enjoyable. Schedule days to meet with your partner, and if one of you tries to bow out, act as the other's conscience. Or participate in a Community fitness Challenge if you're looking for virtual buddies.
6. Steer clear of sabotage Avoid people who put you down for trying to lose weight, or who encourage you to eat too much. Often these folks feel threatened by your weight loss.
7. Set mini goals Start with aiming to lose 10 percent of your body weight. "By setting realistic goals, you're more likely to reach them, feel successful and move on from there," says Keller.
8. Reward yourself When you've reached a goal (and remember to keep them small), you deserve a treat. Buy new clothes, a book or CD, or take yourself to a movie or sporting event.
9. Keep reminders in plain sight Treadmills, bicycles, weights, even sneakers and exercise outfits should be left where you can see them. Don't store your exercise gear under the bed or in the basement. That will only hide the fact that you need to exercise.
10. Read Success Stories Motivation often comes from reading about the way others have found success. Just think: "One day the story is going to be mine!"
From WW.com
Motivational speaker Jeff Keller agrees that maintaining staying power can be tough. "No matter what the task, there's usually some obstacle or temptation to keep us from our goal," says Keller. "That's why it's so important to stay positive."
Top 10 attitude enhancers Keep your mind focused on your goals. Here's how:
1. Celebrate the here and now As long as you're committed to your plan today, you're succeeding because you're taking charge of your life. Focusing on goals that are far in the future can sap motivation.
2. Change your language Keller suggests scratching negative phrases from your vocabulary. Instead of saying "No," "I can't" or "I'll try," substitute the positive. Say: "Yes!" "I can" and "I will."
3. Create visual inspiration Find a photo of yourself before you started your weight-loss plan. Tack it on the refrigerator, a bedroom or bathroom mirror or inside the food cupboard. As you reach new goals, take new pictures, visually marking your progress.
4. Weigh in Weigh in at your weekly meeting, and track your results. Look at your overall progress and visualize that chart whenever you're tempted by less-than-healthy choices.
5. Partner up Exercising with friends is always more enjoyable. Schedule days to meet with your partner, and if one of you tries to bow out, act as the other's conscience. Or participate in a Community fitness Challenge if you're looking for virtual buddies.
6. Steer clear of sabotage Avoid people who put you down for trying to lose weight, or who encourage you to eat too much. Often these folks feel threatened by your weight loss.
7. Set mini goals Start with aiming to lose 10 percent of your body weight. "By setting realistic goals, you're more likely to reach them, feel successful and move on from there," says Keller.
8. Reward yourself When you've reached a goal (and remember to keep them small), you deserve a treat. Buy new clothes, a book or CD, or take yourself to a movie or sporting event.
9. Keep reminders in plain sight Treadmills, bicycles, weights, even sneakers and exercise outfits should be left where you can see them. Don't store your exercise gear under the bed or in the basement. That will only hide the fact that you need to exercise.
10. Read Success Stories Motivation often comes from reading about the way others have found success. Just think: "One day the story is going to be mine!"
Tuesday, February 2, 2010
Slow Cooker Vegetarian Lasagna
Slow Cooker Vegetarian Lasagne (Thank you Polly, Eldersburg)
1 small onion, chopped
2 cups button mushrooms (optional)
2 medium garlic clove, minced
1 15 oz package chopped spinach, thawed
15 oz can tomato sauce
32 oz canned crushed tomatoes
1 tsp salt (optional)
1 tsp dried oregano
1/2 tsp dried basil
1/4 tsp crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
15 oz FF ricotta cheese
1 1/2 cup FF shredded mozzerella cheese, divided
1/4 cup shredded parmesan cheese
9 whole wheat lasagna noodled, uncooked
Spray a large skillet with not stick cooking spray and saute onions, mushrooms and garlic until onion is clear and the liquid from the mushrooms evaporates. Add the package of chopped spinach and continue to saute a couple of minutes longer.
Mix together the ricotta cheese and 1 cup of the mozzarella cheese together in a small bowl. Set remaining mozzarella aside.
Meanwhile stir together the tomato sauce, crushed tomatoes, herbs and salt in a large bowl. Pour a small amount of the sauce in the bottom of a large crock pot to cover, lay three pieces of lasagna noodles over top (you will have to break off a little bit of the edges to make it fit in an oval crock pot) and layer with spinach mixure, then cheese mixture, another layer of sauce, noodles, spinach, cheese, noodles, ending with the last of the sauce.
Mix together the remaining mozzarella cheese and the parmesan cheese and sprinkle over the last layer of sauce (you can do this either at the beginning or about 10 minutes before the end of the cooking time.
Cover the crock pot with the lid and cook on low for 4 to 6 hours.
Serves 9
Points value: 3pts each
1 small onion, chopped
2 cups button mushrooms (optional)
2 medium garlic clove, minced
1 15 oz package chopped spinach, thawed
15 oz can tomato sauce
32 oz canned crushed tomatoes
1 tsp salt (optional)
1 tsp dried oregano
1/2 tsp dried basil
1/4 tsp crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
15 oz FF ricotta cheese
1 1/2 cup FF shredded mozzerella cheese, divided
1/4 cup shredded parmesan cheese
9 whole wheat lasagna noodled, uncooked
Spray a large skillet with not stick cooking spray and saute onions, mushrooms and garlic until onion is clear and the liquid from the mushrooms evaporates. Add the package of chopped spinach and continue to saute a couple of minutes longer.
Mix together the ricotta cheese and 1 cup of the mozzarella cheese together in a small bowl. Set remaining mozzarella aside.
Meanwhile stir together the tomato sauce, crushed tomatoes, herbs and salt in a large bowl. Pour a small amount of the sauce in the bottom of a large crock pot to cover, lay three pieces of lasagna noodles over top (you will have to break off a little bit of the edges to make it fit in an oval crock pot) and layer with spinach mixure, then cheese mixture, another layer of sauce, noodles, spinach, cheese, noodles, ending with the last of the sauce.
Mix together the remaining mozzarella cheese and the parmesan cheese and sprinkle over the last layer of sauce (you can do this either at the beginning or about 10 minutes before the end of the cooking time.
Cover the crock pot with the lid and cook on low for 4 to 6 hours.
Serves 9
Points value: 3pts each
Friday, January 29, 2010
Emotional Eating and Weight loss success
Emotional Eating and Weight-Loss Success
Eating in response to emotions can undermine weight loss. However, research has shown that becoming aware of emotional eating and developing strategies to manage it works. In a study conducted at the University of Birmingham in the U.K., researchers found a direct connection between a reduction in eating in response to emotion and weight-loss success among adults.
Understanding the connection between emotions and eating reveals how behavior can impact weight. Becoming aware of the impact that emotional eating may play in a weight-loss attempt is the first step. If emotional eating is an issue, developing ways to cope without food is vital for lasting weight loss.
Eating in response to emotions can undermine weight loss. However, research has shown that becoming aware of emotional eating and developing strategies to manage it works. In a study conducted at the University of Birmingham in the U.K., researchers found a direct connection between a reduction in eating in response to emotion and weight-loss success among adults.
Understanding the connection between emotions and eating reveals how behavior can impact weight. Becoming aware of the impact that emotional eating may play in a weight-loss attempt is the first step. If emotional eating is an issue, developing ways to cope without food is vital for lasting weight loss.
Listen to you hunger signals.
Listen to your hunger signals
By asking yourself how hungry you feel on a scale of zero to five — zero being famished and five being stuffed — you can really gauge your level of hunger. Aim for feeling satisfied, meaning you shouldn't ever let yourself get too hungry or too full (which normally comes from overeating because you were too hungry when you sat down to a meal).
Whether you're couting POINTS® values or using the Simply Filling technique, the benefits of the Momentum™ plan are maximized by listening to your hunger signals. Still unsure about whether or not you are truly hungry? Try these tips:
Wait 30 minutes. If you're still hungry, then you should probably eat. But if going for a walk or reading a magazine helped get rid of your hunger signals, you probably aren't ready for more food just yet.
Identify environmental cues. Is it the smell of the fast food fries in the mall that made you hungry? If so, that's probably not true hunger.
Measure your emotions. Is that hunger — or boredom, stress, anxiety, etc...?
Ask: When did I eat last? If it was more than three hours ago, you're probably ready for something to eat again.
Take it slow. It takes a while for fullness to register, so don't overdo it before your stomach has a chance to tell your brain it's full.
By asking yourself how hungry you feel on a scale of zero to five — zero being famished and five being stuffed — you can really gauge your level of hunger. Aim for feeling satisfied, meaning you shouldn't ever let yourself get too hungry or too full (which normally comes from overeating because you were too hungry when you sat down to a meal).
Whether you're couting POINTS® values or using the Simply Filling technique, the benefits of the Momentum™ plan are maximized by listening to your hunger signals. Still unsure about whether or not you are truly hungry? Try these tips:
Wait 30 minutes. If you're still hungry, then you should probably eat. But if going for a walk or reading a magazine helped get rid of your hunger signals, you probably aren't ready for more food just yet.
Identify environmental cues. Is it the smell of the fast food fries in the mall that made you hungry? If so, that's probably not true hunger.
Measure your emotions. Is that hunger — or boredom, stress, anxiety, etc...?
Ask: When did I eat last? If it was more than three hours ago, you're probably ready for something to eat again.
Take it slow. It takes a while for fullness to register, so don't overdo it before your stomach has a chance to tell your brain it's full.
Monday, January 25, 2010
Ham, Cheese and Veggie Frittatas
Individual Ham, Cheese and Veggie Frittatas (Thank you Debbie, Wells Fargo)
POINTS® Value: 2Servings: 8Preparation Time: 15 minCooking Time: 25 minLevel of Difficulty: Easy
Whip up a batch of these mini frittatas on a Sunday night and you’ve got breakfast ready to go for the week. Pop them in the microwave for a few seconds and enjoy.
Ingredients
2 spray(s) cooking spray
1 pound(s) frozen hash brown potatoes, thawed
4 large egg(s), beaten
1 Tbsp fat-free skim milk
1/8 tsp table salt, or to taste
1/8 tsp black pepper, or to taste
2 oz cooked lean ham, finely chopped
1/8 cup(s) sweet red pepper(s), finely chopped (2 Tbsp)
1/8 cup(s) green pepper(s), finely chopped (2 Tbsp)
2 Tbsp onion(s), finely chopped
1/2 cup(s) low-fat shredded cheddar cheese, Weight Watchers Reduced Fat Shredded Cheese
Instructions
· Preheat oven to 350°F. Coat 8 muffin tin holes with cooking spray. Spread potatoes around bottom and press potato up sides of each muffin hole; place in oven and cook for 10 minutes.
· Meanwhile, beat eggs and milk together in a medium bowl; season with salt and pepper. Add ham, peppers, onion and cheese to bowl; mix to combine.
· Remove potatoes from oven (after cooking for 10 minutes) and press potatoes down firmly with a spoon so that they are spread out like mini piecrusts (potatoes should cover bottom and sides of each hole). Pour about 1/4 cup of egg mixture into the center of each muffin hole.
· Return pan to oven and cook until potatoes are crisp and golden, and the egg mixture is set, about 15 minutes. Remove from oven and let sit about 5 minutes before serving. Yields 1 frittata per serving.
POINTS® Value: 2Servings: 8Preparation Time: 15 minCooking Time: 25 minLevel of Difficulty: Easy
Whip up a batch of these mini frittatas on a Sunday night and you’ve got breakfast ready to go for the week. Pop them in the microwave for a few seconds and enjoy.
Ingredients
2 spray(s) cooking spray
1 pound(s) frozen hash brown potatoes, thawed
4 large egg(s), beaten
1 Tbsp fat-free skim milk
1/8 tsp table salt, or to taste
1/8 tsp black pepper, or to taste
2 oz cooked lean ham, finely chopped
1/8 cup(s) sweet red pepper(s), finely chopped (2 Tbsp)
1/8 cup(s) green pepper(s), finely chopped (2 Tbsp)
2 Tbsp onion(s), finely chopped
1/2 cup(s) low-fat shredded cheddar cheese, Weight Watchers Reduced Fat Shredded Cheese
Instructions
· Preheat oven to 350°F. Coat 8 muffin tin holes with cooking spray. Spread potatoes around bottom and press potato up sides of each muffin hole; place in oven and cook for 10 minutes.
· Meanwhile, beat eggs and milk together in a medium bowl; season with salt and pepper. Add ham, peppers, onion and cheese to bowl; mix to combine.
· Remove potatoes from oven (after cooking for 10 minutes) and press potatoes down firmly with a spoon so that they are spread out like mini piecrusts (potatoes should cover bottom and sides of each hole). Pour about 1/4 cup of egg mixture into the center of each muffin hole.
· Return pan to oven and cook until potatoes are crisp and golden, and the egg mixture is set, about 15 minutes. Remove from oven and let sit about 5 minutes before serving. Yields 1 frittata per serving.
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