Wonderfull Food and Summer Time

I love food; I love everything about it, the way it tastes and the way it makes you feel.

And I am learning every day, that food is not bad for you, you need to play around with recipes and dishes, and make them work for you, in a more healthy way. Not loaded with calories and loads of fat.

Making small changes that are making a bit difference, drinking rooibos tea instead of regular tea, changing from Full Cream to low fat or skim milk.  Grilling instead of frying.

And I can see this spring and summer, we are going to be doing a lot of Grilling, Hubby just brought a gas braai for outside, so on those hot summer evenings, we can sit outside on our sundeck and have a healthy and light dinner. Great for the soul and waistline.

Our pool is looking good all ready for summer too. Made a personal note to make sure I spend more time swimming this spring and summer. Helps with ones tan as well great for overall workout.

Such exciting times ahead. Talking about exciting times, I never told you what  I got for my Woman’s Day gift , and it has been wonderful, I got a 7Inch Galaxy tablet, what a beaut. Been doing all kinds of App to help me, calorie counter, workout log, convert app etc. you name it I most likely downloaded it.

Just counting the days until I received my Blackberry, got about a week to go, getting rather excited. Girls and our toys.

You must try the 30day health muffin recipe it is yummy.

Take care.

Yummy mummy.

Balancing Act.

Things are all upside down. I have either been man down with the flu or been having allergic reactions to what I have no idea. Tongue swelling and hand and feet. Going to see a specialist this week, have on idea what is causing it, I have not eaten or taken anything I haven't had before.

I have had to go back to basics, and plan each meal and day at a time and introduce exercise slowly again. I have been doing 15mins on the bike a day, and slowly increase each work out by 2 mins. Taking things slowly, as I don't want to relapse and end up getting sick and then I am man down for another 2 weeks.

Gail's blog has been a great motivational tool for me. After reading her blogs, I get the extra push I need to get into action. So thanks Gail.

We are going away this weekend to the Prawn Shack, looking forward to the get away, not sure how many points the lazy lunch at the Prawn shack is going to be, but I am sure trying to save points, with exercising and eating light this week.

see ya .

Beef and Bean Chili

Beef and Bean Chili

From the Recipe exchange at http://www.weight-watchers.com/

From The Weight Watchers Complete Cookbook and Program Basics

7.5 Points Per Serving

1 tablespoon + 1 teaspoon olive oil
1 cup onions, chopped
1/2 cup carrot, chopped
1/4 cup celery, chopped
1/4 cup green bell pepper, chopped
2 teaspoons garlic, finely chopped
1 teaspoon seeded jalapeno pepper, finely chopped
10 ounces extra-lean ground beef, 10% or less fat
1 tablespoon chili powder
2 teaspoons ground cumin
1 teaspoon dried oregano leaves
1/2 teaspoon ground coriander
2 cups canned plum tomatoes with juice, chopped
16 ounces cooked pinto or kidney beans, rinsed, drained
1/2 teaspoon salt
Pinch pepper
1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro
1/4 cup nonfat sour cream
1/4 cup chopped red onion
Chopped fresh cilantro

1. In large saucepan, heat oil; add onions, carrot, celery, bell pepper, garlic and jalapeno. Cook over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until onion is translucent, about 15 minutes.
2. Add beef, breaking it up with a wooden spoon; saut'e until no longer pink, about 2-3 minutes. Add chili powder, cumin, oregano and coriander, cook and stir 1 minute.
3. Add tomatoes, beans, salt and pepper; reduce heat to low and simmer gently, partially covered, 20 minutes, stirring occasionally. Stir in cilantro before serving. Top each serving with 1 tablespoon each of sour cream, red onion and come cilantro.
Makes 4 Servings
Each serving (1 cup) provides: 1 F, 2 V, 2 P, 2 B, 10 opt calories
Per serving: 388 calories, 27 g Protein, 13 g Fat, 43 g Carbohydrate, 566 mg Sodium, 44 mg Cholesterol, 7 g Dietary Fiber
Since there are a lot of ingredients to measure out, which is time consuming, I always double this recipe and freeze individual dinners for later. I do cook it differently. I completely cook the ground beef in a separate pan, drain the fat, then add the cooked beef to the cooked vegetables. I also use regular canned peeled tomatoes instead of canned plum tomatoes because plum tomatoes are so expensive. I also use 2 Tablespoons chili powder instead of 1 T like the recipe calls for, and I add an 8-ounce can of tomato sauce or paste. I also use a whole bell pepper. (I use kidney beans). You will have to make it and adjust ingredients to your taste.

30 Day Muffins (Makes 50 muffins)

Here is a muffin mix that you can prepare when you have a moment, then store it in your fridge for up to 30 days. Whenever you feel like having a fresh muffin, pour some of the mixture into a muffin pan, add some extras (optional) and whip it into the oven. Enjoy!

Ingredients

8 Eggs
500ml Vegetable Oil
200g Bran
10 cups Nutty Wheat
2 litres Milk
600g Brown Sugar
50ml Bicarbonate of Soda
10ml Salt
20ml Vanilla Essence

Method

1. Beat the eggs and oil together until well emulsified.
2. Add the rest of the ingredients and mix until well combined.
3. This mixture keeps for 1 month in the fridge. When you want to bake muffins, do so in a buttered tin, at 180°C for 15-20 minutes.
4. Variations: Grated Apple, Grated Carrot, Grated Cheese, nuts and seeds, blue berries, raisins, dried fruit, banana and cinnamon, butternut.

ZUMBA

What is great fun. I have done about 4 classes, so far and I am enjoying them.

Not as boring as a normally aerobics class, and a lot more fun than a gym for sure.

What is so great there are woman of all different size and shapes there, we have a blast.

I need to work on my two left feet. I got with a bunch of mates and we have a good workout and a great laugh as well.

Even though I have been to 4 classes, I can feel the difference compared to when I first went, I am lasting longer and working up a sweat. And listening to great music at the same time.

Keep Skinny

Sorry I Have note Blogged….

What a wild and hectic few weeks, makes you realise how short life is and how you need to hold on to it with both hands.

Where do I begin, I guess in the beginning would be a good place to start.

My hubby’s Gran passed away, and we had all the family from far and near camping out at our place. So those two weeks everything went out the window, I tried my best to stick to my points and etc.

Then I was man down for a week with this terrible flu, as well as my daughter two, it was not fun at all. No rest when you also have a sick child to take care of too. Then back to work....

After beginning off work for a whole week, even if it was due to having the flu, I then returned, and battled through all the back log and etc. It is funny how when you off sick your co workers, don’t bother leading a hand, but when you are on leave, they do your work like a pro, no mistakes and etc.

After returning to work for a week and catching up, fixing the mistakes and etc,

I then had my week’s LEAVE, which was much welcomed. Did all my yearly checks.

Which lead to my SHOCK HORROR, news I received from the DR. I was not a Happy.

You see I have been having these heart palpations and they come and go no new meds and etc. so the Dr wanted to run some blood test, as everything sounds normal. So off I went to go visit the “vampires” and let them take the blood they need for the test.

After 5 very long days, for the test results, and they came in, everything is normal expect for my Cholesterol, that is high 6.6 and the Dr is not happy. So now I have 3 month to get it down, otherwise I will have to go on to Medication, which I don’t really want to do, as Hubby and I are wanting to try for baby 2, and you cant take this medication when you are pregnant. So I am hoping this new eating plan which I have also make sure stays in with my daily points helps bring down my Cholesterol.

That has basically been my last 6 or so weeks in a nut shell. Weight has stayed the same and no gains for loses, but all is understandable for all that has happened.

So now I push forward.

So until next time.

Keep Skinny.