5 lbs ago...

Well here I am start of week 3 of really working out of some form...running, walking, elliptical, weights something! I'm still feeling really good too! Which normally by now I just want to go back to my old ways, I think knowing my race is within two months is helping me stay on track! I feel like I'm at a point that I've never wanted anything more right now! I've ran for over a hour and a half twice now and I felt great both times. Very encouraging! This week according to the running schedule this week I have 30 min run days but I'm gonna do 45 mins. That way I make sure I burn the calories and since I had over a month off from surgery wanna get back on track! On my non run days I atleast walk and then do a little weights. It's also been the only me time I have been getting so I'm making the most of it. Matt will be leaving in a little under a month and will be gone until the end of October so I've been working on my plan of what to do workout wise while he is gone....I am fixing to invest in a slow cooker too. Maddison is getting better about trying things so this will help her and myself. Molly eats whatever I make LOL :) Things are becoming easier for me which makes me so excited! I love the feeling I have when I accomplish something. Stepping on the scale each week and seeing weight loss even if it it is one or two pounds keeps me going as well. 5 lbs down in 2 weeks of working works for me! Slow and steady wins the race right? I want to lose in a way it stays off! I have also been realizing that I am very, VERY hard on myself and the words I use about me. Matt gets so upset at me because I'm so mean about myself. Mean as in I call myself fat all the time, I say I'm nasty looking, I can't stand to see myself naked...I just have no confidence at all. But I will get there. I will love me again! Well I do love me I just don't love my look right now :) 5 lbs I was a little bloated, clothes were tighter, I was sluggish, I was tired, I didn't want to do anything but that has changed! I hope it continues to change and I stay motivated and I stay working out! Each day I try to tell myself running is not a chore and make it something I look forward too. I tend to not be as stressed! Eating better is getting much easier also and today I wanted to share my new favorite recipe!

“Spaghetti” and Meatballs Paleo style (Yum!)

So I’ve got another yummy recipe to share! “Spaghetti” and meatballs Paleo style… need I say more? Seriously, if you are getting that craving to devour an entire plate of pasta (yep – I get those cravings a little too often!), you are gonna love this recipe. My kiddos also enjoyed it – which is definitely an added bonus, as they don’t always like my Paleo creations.

“Spaghetti” and Meatballs Paleo style

Ingredients

For the “Spaghetti”:
1 spaghetti Squash (and you really can use any veggie you please to be the substitute for the “noodles”. I’ve had success with both zucchini and butternut squash… but what’s nice about Spaghetti Squash is that you don’t need any sort of kitchen gadget to create the noodles and honestly I think spaghetti squash by far makes the best tasting noodles!)

For the Meatballs:
2 pounds ground turkey (this is what I used, however, you can use beef and/or pork)
1/3 cup almond flour
2 eggs
3 cloves of minced garlic
A handful of fresh chopped basil (or about 1 1/2 teaspoons dried basil)
1 teaspoon dried oregano
1 teaspoon pepper
2 teaspoons salt
1 teaspoon red pepper flakes (for an added kick!)

For the homemade tomato sauce (or use any sauce you please):
1 1/2 tablespoons olive oil
1 onion, chopped
2 to 3 garlic cloves, minced (Yes, I love garlic and my wonderful breathe! )
1 28-ounce can crushed tomatoes
1 6-ounce can tomato paste
A handful of fresh chopped basil (or 1 tablespoon of dried basil)
2 teaspoons salt
1/2 teaspoon pepper
1/2 teaspoon or more crushed red pepper flakes (depending on how spicy you like)

Directions:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees and grease a baking sheet. Cut spaghetti squash in half lengthwise and discard the seeds. Place spaghetti squash cut sides down on baking sheet. Bake for about 40 minutes. Once done, remove from oven and let cool.

While the squash is baking, you can start making the meatballs. Just throw all of the meatball ingredients in a bowl and mix with your hands until everything is incorporated. Form into balls and place the meatballs on a baking sheet with parchment paper (if you have it), as this will help make for easy clean up when the fat cooks off while baking. I opted to do without since I didn’t have any parchment paper on hand. Put pan in 350 degree oven for about 25 minutes (should already be preheated from the squash).

Now make the sauce or make it easy by using pasta sauce you already have on hand. For the homemade sauce, heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium high heat. Lower to medium heat and throw in the chopped onion. Saute for about 8 minutes, then add in garlic and saute for 30 seconds more. Lower heat a little and add in crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, basil, salt, pepper and red pepper flakes. Simmer until meatballs are done, then throw them in the sauce and let simmer for another 30 minutes or so. Now you have a killer sauce to go on your “spaghetti”!

Take a large spoon to scoop the “angel hair” pulp from the squash, and place in a bowl.

Finally throw some squash on a plate and top with the meatballs and sauce. If you haven’t completely taken dairy out of your diet, you can also sprinkle some Romano or Parmesan cheese over your masterpiece. I love me some Romano cheese!!

This is definitely one of my favorite Paleo Friendly meals I have made thus far!

I hope you try this! I know you will love it! My 4 year old does!!!! How are you doing on your mission or reaching your goals whatever they may be? Blessings!

One whole hour...

OF RUNNING!!!! I can't believe I was able to do it!!!! Many of times I wanted to stop and then I just kept going! I found my pace and was set! As I approched my one hour mark I realized I had ran 3.76 miles and thought I can make it an even 4 miles but then 60 mins hit and well I was done LOL :) I know my milage wasn't the best but for having surgery not even a month and a half ago I won't complain. The last time I ran 4 miles was March 3 and I ran a time of 58:46, pace 14:39, distance 4.01, calories burned 548. Sooo not too bad! I'll get there though gotta build my endurance back up! I also know that as I start losing weight I'll get faster too. I've been making sure I work out atleast 5 of the 7 days of the week buring 500 a day! I'm losing inches I can really tell that and my weight is coming off slow and steady which wins the race!!!! Excited to see where I'll be in Sept when I run my Disney Race! I know some people out there don't think I can do it especially after having my surgery but I know I can! And I know my weight loss will come! It's exciting to think about where I'll be when my hard work pays off!

Recipe of the day to share with you!!!

Cheesy Zucchini Enchiladas

These cheesy meatless enchiladas are delicious, packed with fiber so they are filling and easy to make – vegetarian or not. Perfect topped with chopped cilantro, scallions or jalapeños and some low fat sour cream.

I love La Tortilla Factory Smart and Delicious Low Carb Tortillas, I used the large size for these enchiladas which are only 2 points plus each. Skinny Bits is doing giveaway, click here for a chance to win some free La Tortilla samples.

Many of you know how much I love enchiladas, I've posted several enchilada recipes in the past; chicken enchiladas, chicken and white bean enchiladas with salsa verde, and turkey and black bean enchiladas. This vegetarian recipe makes a is a wonderful addition to my enchilada collection, and I love that I can add more cheese than I normally would because the filling is so light.

Cheesy Zucchini Enchiladas
Gina's Weight Watcher Recipes
Servings: 4 • Serving Size: 1 large enchilada • Old Points: 5 pts • Points+: 7 pts
Calories: 258.7 • Fat: 13.5 g • Protein: 22 g • Carb: 30.2 g • Fiber: 16.9 g

• cooking spray
• 1 tsp olive oil
• 2 cloves garlic, crushed
• 2 medium scallions, chopped
• 1/4 cup cilantro, chopped
• 2 medium zucchinis, grated
• kosher salt and fresh ground pepper
• 1 1/2 cups grated reduced fat mexican blend cheese (Sargento)
• 4 Large La Tortilla Factory Low Carb tortillas
• chopped scallions (optional)
• chopped cilantro (optional)

Enchilada sauce:

• 1 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 tbsp chipotle chilis in adobo sauce (optional for more heat)
• 1 cups tomato sauce
• 1/4 tsp chipotle chili powder (to taste)
• 1/4 tsp ground cumin
• 1/2 cup fat free vegetable broth
• kosher salt and fresh pepper to taste

For the enchilada sauce:

in a medium saucepan,

spray

oil and

sauté

garlic.

Addchipotle chile

, chili powder, cumin, broth, tomato sauce, salt and pepper.

Bring

to a boil.

Reduce

the heat to low and

simmer

for 5-10 minutes.

Set aside

until ready to use.

Spray a baking dish with nonstick spray. Preheat oven to 400 degrees.

In a medium nonstick skillet, sauté garlic and scallions in olive oil over medium heat for about 3 minutes; add zucchini, salt and pepper to taste and cook about 4-5 minutes.

Remove from heat and add 1/2 cup cheese; mix well.

Divide zucchini between in each tortilla, roll and place seam side down in baking dish.

Top with enchilada sauce (you might not use all) and remaining cheese and bake until hot and the cheese is melted, about 20 minutes.

Serve with chopped cilantro, scallions, and reduced fat sour cream if you wish. Enjoy!!

 

Let me know what you think! I thought they were pretty yummy myself! How are you all doing in your journey of your goals? I believe I need to start adding squats and some ab work. A great runner has a great strong core! I really am wanting to register to run the Walt Disney Marathon in Jan but I can't do it if Matt is not here...well I mean I can but to accomplish something like and him not be here to see me do it don't sound fun! Sooo I'm kind of waiting to see if he will be in school then still. He is already missing this one but it's only 10. I also decided last night I might need some new running shoes! My feet are sore and started to get sore at mile 3...they are well used shoes LOL so I think I need some new ones! Tonight's work out I'm taking it easy and doing a hour on the elliptical. I'm off to finish my day of cleaning!!! YAY ME!

Ahhh scale we met again...

Ugh don't we all hate Monday's and the scale!!! I didn't expect anything this Monday since I had only been working out and doing my 1200 calories, gallon of water a day, burning 500 calories for a week...but to my surprise I have lost 2 more lbs. That's 2 more towards my goal! Sooo it was very encouraging to keep up what I have been doing as much as I hate it LOL I am going to give it my all until Sept 29 which is my Disney race!!!! I'd love to run the Disney Marathon in Jan but I want Matt to be there see me accomplish it and right now we have no clue if he will be because of school! Sooo just gonna focus on this! Tonight I will be hitting up the eliptical for 45-60 mins! Once I find my pace I'm good to go but it takes me a few times to find it LOL :) I'm a mess! I wanted to share a recipe today with you all!

Cauliflower Fritters

This is a delicious way to prepare cauliflower. Similar to the taste of a potato pancake. Your kids will love them! Makes approx 24 fritters depending on size of cauliflower.

Cauliflower Fritters
Gina's Weight Watcher Recipes
Servings: 12 • Size: 2 fritters • Old Points: 2 pts • Points+: 3 pts
Calories: 108.9 • Fat: 6.6 g • Protein: 3.8 g • Carb: 9.4 g • Fiber: 2.1 g

• 4 cups steamed cauliflower (roughly chopped)
  
• 2 cloves garlic, crushed
• 1 cup whole wheat flour
• 2 eggs
• 1/2 cup Pecorino Romano
• 1/4 cup parsley, finely chopped
• 1/4 cup hot water
  
• salt and pepper
• 1/4 cup olive oil

In a large bowl,

combine

cauliflower, flour, garlic, eggs, grated cheese, parsley, salt and pepper.

Add

water so that batter becomes slightly more dense than pancake batter.

On medium-low heat, add 1 tbsp of oil in a 10 inch skillet coating bottom of the pan. Use a 1/4 cup measuring cup to form fritters. You can fit 4 fritters at a time. Cook until golden brown, turn and cook another few minutes. Add a little more oil to the pan, and repeat with the remaining batter.

Makes 24 fritters.


I LOVE THIS SITE! I am finding so many yummy recipes on it! Well I'm off to enjoy my day but not excited about working out!!! I'm sore from last night!!! Hope you are having success in your working out! Remember you are not alone in it and you CAN do it!!!!

Ah Saturday...you have gone by too fast!

It's 9:30 pm and I still haven't gotten my run in!!!! And...I'm probably not going too! UGH I have been so busy today and should have went when they girls were laying down but instead I napped!!! However I wanted to share things are looking up with the whole fitness area of my life! I don't know what has happened but I am also getting better at cleaning up the house (well not that I was a horrible house cleaner but I am a huge procrastinator :) Anywho before I knew it this day flew by and I just want to go to bed! But I wanted to share a few things I found before I do! My schedule of working out has been this so far:
M-eliptical 45-60 mins
T-Run 30-45 mins
W-eliptical 45-60 mins
TH-Run 30-45 mins
F-eliptical 45-60 mins
Sat-these are my run days based off my rundisney workout

Still doing great with staying under 1200 calories a day and burning atleast 500 calories a day. Sooo since tomorrow is my rest day I'll be making up today :) I have been thinking about getting up before Matt goes to work and getting this done but I LOVE my sleep LOL however I think I can get used to it! Matt will be leaving next month so I will have to start using the parent room on base! So part of me don't want to get in that routine since he leaves soon! I also found these today and wanted to share thinking of doing these too with my cardio!!!!

Of course we are not in these months but we can do this on any day or start the first day of the week kind of thing! They won't take that long to do so I know we can do it! I am going to add squats in here as well! If you don't know what the day's work out is please google it and make sure you do it correctly as to not hurt yourself!

Here is the recipe I wanted to share tonight!!! It look's heavenly and I'm making it tomorrow!

Skinny Chicken Enchiladas

So we were in the mood for a Mexican food tonight and enchiladas sounded amazing! However, I had never made them before so this was going to be quite the new venture for me. I was pleased to find out they were surprisingly easy to make and tasted so delicious!

I actually adapted my own lightened up version of this dish from a couple of different recipes I found and was really happy with how it turned out.   Don't get me wrong, I LOVE spicy food, but I can only handle so much spice. This to me was perfect! Feel free to top your enchiladas with a bit of sour cream, but don't forget you'll have to add some additional calories....bummer (I know). As a side I paired this with some Spanish rice and we were completely satisfied! I think my boyfriend said it best when he told me, "Babe! These taste like they're from a restaurant!" Yes, yes...I'll go ahead and pat myself on the back now ;)

______________________________

Servings: 8
Serving Size: 1 enchilada
Calories: 159.5
Fat: 5.9 g
Carbs: 17.8 g
Protein: 16.2 g
Fiber: 8.3 g
Old Points: 3 pts
Points+: 4 pts
______________________________

For the sauce:

2 cloves of garlic, minced

1 can diced green chilis

1-1/2 cups tomato sauce

1 tsp. southwest chipotle seasoning (Mrs. Dash)

1/2 tsp. ground cumin

3/4 cup fat-free chicken broth

Salt and fresh pepper to taste

For the chicken:

1 tsp. vegetable oil

2 chicken breasts, cooked and shredded

1 cup diced onion

2 cloves of garlic, minced

1/4 cup fresh cilantro

Salt

1 tsp. cumin

1/2 tsp. dried oregano

1 tsp. southwest chipotle seasoning (Mrs. Dash)

1/3 cup chicken broth

1/2 cup tomato sauce

8 (6-inch) reduced carb whole wheat flour tortillas

1 cup shredded low-fat Mexican cheese

Nonstick cooking spray

In a medium saucepan, spray oil and saute garlic. Add green chilis, chipotle seasoning, cumin, chicken broth, tomato sauce, salt and pepper. Bring to a boil. Reduce the heat to low and simmer for 5-10 minutes. Set aside until ready to use.

Preheat oven to 400 degrees.

Heat the vegetable oil in a medium skillet over medium-high heat. Saute onions and garlic on low until soft, about 2 minutes. Add chicken, salt, cilantro, cumin, oregano, chipotle seasoning, tomato sauce, chicken broth, and cook 4 to 5 minutes. Remove from heat.

Spray a 13 by 9-inch glass baking dish with non-stick spray. Put 1/3 cup chicken mixture into each tortilla and roll it. Place in baking dish seam side down. Top with sauce and cheese. Cover with foil and bake in the oven on the middle rack for 20-25 minutes. Top with scallions if desired and enjoy!

I am finally getting the hang of this eating better thing...It just takes work and I finally told myself this was about me and I matter too!!!

It's ok to...cheat....ON FOOD!

Well I am finally home from vacation, from surgery recovery, from all the crazyness and it's now time to crack it down! I will say ever since having my appendix removed my idea's of food and eating have some how changed! (Crazy I know!) I have lost almost 10 lbs since having it removed. My appetite was gone at first which was to be "normal" but I needed to eat to not feel so sluggish so I ate small portions on Maddison's size plates. And well I stuck to that after getting home from our 10 days in Kentucky! My appetite is some what normal again but I have not wanted the foods I used to eat. They actually make me kinda sick feeling when I think about them! Soooo since this is all happening I'm taking advantage of it! Soda is gone (also helped me getting a good water filter)  has been for a little bit and now I'm cutting things out slowly...hoping to be 100% paleo starting this coming week! I've gotten almost all of the nonsense food out of the house and the commissary shop is on Friday! Matt is leaving soon so I know this will be easier on me I just need to do my part. It takes work at first but then it's like riding a bike! I don't like having to think about things I'd rather just be shown and then go (I'm a visual learner and it's like that in all area's of my life) but I need to do this! I haven't been able to run since June 5...my surgery was June 7 which was my next running day! I started on Monday of this week with just walking but I ended up jogging some and I was crazy sore yesterday...I am just trying to burn 500 calories a day to help with weight loss! If you want to lose one lb a week you just need to burn 500 calories than you eat :) that's why for me calorie counting is important right now! The myfitnesspal app....LOVE IT! I'm hoping by Saturday I can run longer than 5 mins without hurting!
I found something today that I have always thought about too! It is ok...OK to have a cheat day or meal! Let me show you what I read!

IT’S TOTALLY OKAY TO “CHEAT”!!!!!
First of all, mentally and emotionally you need to feed your soul every once in a while. I mean, there is no fair substitute for warm ooey gooey cookies, succulent cheesecakes, or a REAL juicy cheeseburger with slightly crispy french fries!!! There just isn’t. These foods also bring back happy childhood memories. (You know, because back in the day you could pretty much burn off anything you ate…plus you were growing so you needed those calories…ha.)
Feeding your soul keeps your mind and body at ease. Bad cravings can drive you nuts, so taming them by eating some of your fave “bad foods” is totally ok!
Secondly, if you’re eating clean all the time, having cheat foods is actually good for your metabolism! It keeps your body guessing for what’s next. It doesn’t get comfortable with how to burn calories – it has to continuously work hard to figure out new ways to function so that you don’t plateau. Much like with working out and how you should change your routine every 4 weeks to keep your body shocked, you need to do the same with your diet every once in a while. A lot of people do 1 “cheat meal” a week. I personally don’t plan “cheat meals” because I feel like I have “cheat snacks” here and there anyway, so I choose to eat clean all week as a baseline.
Lastly, having cheat meals helps you to have a more positive relationship with food. Making things forbidden or labeling them as “bad” makes you want them even more. It can even lead to some level of an eating disorder and even binging. By allowing yourself exposure and indulgence in such foods, you teach yourself how to react and handle being around tempting delicacies.
Just be careful not to completely overdo it. The calories still count and you can EASILY pack on an extra thousand or two calories in a sitting if you’re really going all out.

There you have it folks! Now I know I can do this!!!! I have been picking out recipes today so I know what to get at the commissary/grocery store. I know this will help too! I'm so bad to just go and buy whatever!!! Anyone else have some good tips? I'm open for anything!!! Hope you all are doing well!!! Should start seeing more posting now that life is slowing down...finally!!! Blessings!