Perfect Brownies.....Who Can Resist?!!

When it comes to chocolate I have some serious weaknesses. One of my favorite chocolate indulgences are Brownies! Who doesn't love a perfectly baked, warm-from-the-oven, fudgy piece of heaven?!

After trying a brownie baked in my dear friend's new brownie pan - the kind that makes each brownie look as if it was baked individually - I was hooked! I have all too much experience with ragged-edged brownies that taste wonderful but look a bit scrappy by the time I get them cut and on to a serving plate. I need what this type of pan can offer...."individual" brownies that look as fabulous as they taste.

Well, as luck would have it, I was perusing Kohl's the other day (gift card burning in my wallet) when I spotted The Perfect Brownie Pan Kit nestled low on a clearance shelf. I wasn't sure this was the same pan as my friend had used, but the concept seemed to be the same. For only $9.99 I was willing to take a chance and try it out.

Using a box mix (the only way to go in my opinion), I decided to put the pan to the test. It was so easy and the results were amazing! I LOVE having the brownies cut and ready to serve without the crumbly mess that used to be seemingly unavoidable. The nonstick pan didn't require a grease/flour prep like my glass pan and the clean up was effortless!

I give this pan a giant thumps UP!

If you want to find the clearance deal at Kohl's....act quickly! I noticed it was already removed from their website. There are other online sellers if you can't find it at your Kohl's; the best deal being found at perfectbrownietv.com for the price of $19.95 for two pans (one for you, one for a gift) plus $8.95 shipping and handling.

enjoy the chocolatey goodness of fresh-baked brownies!

-dw.

Never a Christrmas Morning...

I love family traditions.

I love that my family has eaten the same traditional breakfast dish every Christmas morning for my entire life. Every morning for generations, in fact. The task of creating this delicious dish being passed down like a torch of honor, each generation learning from the one before. It is impossible to spend time preparing it without reflecting on the times my great-grammy served it up for the entire family when I was a very little girl.

This meal is never taken for granted (as we do not cook it many other times of the year), it is highly craved and savored. It is, for me, the ultimate comfort food and as much a part of the holiday as Santa Claus, stockings, and Christmas trees.

It conjures up memories of childhood Christmases; my family gathered around the tree opening stockings, the smell wafting from the oven making our mouths water in anticipation. And each year as I prepare this dish, it my special moment of reflection; I can so clearly see images of my great-grammy working in her kitchen, her white hair perfectly styled, while wearing her cute, little holiday apron. In that moment I can feel her looking down from the heavens and smiling, so proud of us for carrying on this family tradition that holds so many wonderful memories for each of us.

In a world of uncertainty, I look forward to the few things we can count on staying the same year after year.

What is your most favored family tradition?

enjoy the memories traditions evoke in you.
-dw

Tip of the Day...

Did you know a dash of cinnamon could save your Jack-o-lantern from premature death?!

When you sprinkle carved pumpkins with ground cinnamon, a natural food preservative, it seals in the moisture and keeps the luminaries from having to be thrown away quite so soon. Be sure to sprinkle the cinnamon on all raw, exposed portions and when you light it up it will add a wonderful scent to the night as well!

Thanks to Everyday with Rachael Ray magazine for this awesome tip!

Click HERE for some free templates for carving your masterpiece this year!

enjoy!
-dw.

Can't wait to try this!

While visiting the Wilton site, to discover the awesome cupcake decorating I can do with my new 1M star tip, I found something very unexpected....an incredible sounding party recipe. Chicken Italiano appetizers! Don't they look incredible?! What do chicken appetizers have to do with a baking website? It was a Wilton blog entry on "other uses for muffin tins."

Chicken Italiano Appetizers

A flavorful sauté of chicken, Parmesan and vegetables, perfectly spiced and baked in a wonton cup.

Watch their online video HERE.

Ingredients:

• 18 wonton wrappers
• 1/2 cup red pepper finely chopped
• 1/2 cup green onion finely chopped
• 2 teaspoon olive oil
• 2 cups cooked chicken finely chopped
• 1/3 cup mayonnaise
• 2 tablespoons Parmesan cheese
• 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
• 1/2 teaspoon basil
• 1/2 teaspoon oregano
• salt and pepper to taste

I can't wait to try these out! I'll be sure and report back on how they turn out.

Shopping Note: After much searching, and a lot of misdirection by the staff, I located the wonton wrappers in the frozen section at our local Asian market.

enjoy the little things that make big differences!

-d.

What I learned today...

Did you know there are many different varieties of garlic? I didn't. Until I read about a guy named Pete Rasmussen (Sandhill Farms: Eden, Utah) that grows and sells over 30 different types to customers like Whole Foods.
I also learned (at gourmetgarlicgardens.com) that many of our current varieties were not available here in the US until a little over twenty years ago. Many were grown in a military protected area of the Soviet Union and we were not allowed in to purchase them, that is until the Soviet Union was disintegrating in 1989. Once the ban was lifted, purchasers "went from village to village along old silk Road buying garlic from local markets and naming the cultivars after the town or village where they were purchased."
Want to learn more about garlic or just want to enjoy fabulous foods drenched in it? Check out the Annual Northwest Garlic Festival in Long Beach, WA June 19-20, 2010.

Necessity really is the mother of invention. Ever wish you had the perfect something to hold your camera so you could be in the picture? Don't want to spend a lot on a bulky tripod? Here's the solution...Dynomighty's Bottle Cap Tripod. Simply screw the tripod adapter onto your water or soda bottle (who doesn't usually have one of these around?) and attach your camera. Viola! Instant camera holder! It even pivots 15 degrees in any direction. What a cool idea! People's ingenuity and creativity never cease to amaze me!

A sad note...Heidi Grace is closing her adorable little shop, Clever, in Ruston, WA. But for a wonderful reason; she is pregnant with her third child. Congrats to her and her family!
If you hadn't had a chance to check her latest creations at her shop, you can still get in on the 50% off clearance sale (select Thursdays and Fridays in February) as well as continue shopping online. Best of luck and continued success to Heidi...I know she will do more great things! Her scrapbook line is currently being produced by Colorbok.

Funniest thing I read today:

"If Al Gore invented the internet, I invented spell check."
~ Dan Quayle

*Of course, I cannot verify Dan Quayle really made this quote, but I felt the chuckle was worth sharing either way.

enjoy the things you learn in each day,
-d.

I love cupcakes!

I've always loved cupcakes! There is just something so cute about them. An individually decorated mini-cake that you get all to yourself? What's NOT to love?!

I couldn't wait to make some cupcakes this week and test out my new 1m star tip. Wow...what an incredible difference a tip can make! I love the look of the giant swirl on top. So yummy looking and so fun to do! Some people even questioned if they were store-bought! (The ultimate compliment!)

If you love cupcakes too, you might have to have this cool, new product....a collapsible cupcake carrier!

Being an organizer, I struggle with the standard cupcake carriers when I help people re-organize their kitchens. They are big and bulky and used only once in a while, but for many, an item they just can't live without. So here is a fantastic storage solution...a silicone version by Progressive International, that collapses to half of it's in-use size. I first saw this incredible idea on surlatable.com, but found it at asseenontvguys.com even cheaper....only $25.95! It's amazing what collapsible, silicone products can do for our biggest storage dilemmas!

I found another fun product while perusing the As Seen On TV Guys' website...a giant cupcake cake pan. I posted about a similar product last year by Wilton, but this silicone version is a great alternative at only $19.95! This is one cupcake you'll have to share!

One last product I have to share with you is one that I am eagerly waiting to try out...the food decorating pen by Cuisipro. For only $10 it is the perfect companion tool for any cake or cupcake decorator. You simply pull back on the plunger to fill and squeeze to decorate. It has two tips
(one for thin lines and one for thick), is dishwasher safe, and is easy enough for a child to use. I have a feeling I may need to own more than one! I'll report back after I try it myself, but the reviews I've read all gave it very high marks.

enjoy the great new products that make our life easier!
-d.

Deals of the Day!

There are two days left to get your FREE photo desk calendar at Clark Color! Simply use the promo code: RINGIN2010 and it your's for only shipping and handling...a better deal than $8.99 and free shipping in most cases! Gotta love all the free offers out there right now! You even get the choice of having the calendar start with any month you like....say February for a Valentine's Day gift? May for a Mother's Day gift? June for a Graduation gift? Once again, the possibilities are endless.

International Delight has an offer ending soon as well....Sign up to be a Fan on their Facebook site and then click on the Holiday Giveaway tab....they will send the first 100,000 fans who register a coupon for a FREE pint! How sweet is that!?

enjoy the FREE things life has to offer!

-d.

Eat This...at Panda Express

I love the Eat This, Not That books by David Zinczenko (Editor of Men's Health Magazine). I appreciate the help it gives me in knowing the best...and worst...menu items to order when eating out. Today I checked out my favorite shopping mall eatery, Panda Express.

I was pleasantly surprised to find out that my choices here are usually pretty good. However, I was very dissapointed to learn that my side of steamed rice is a very high calorie choice. The side dish suggested is mixed veggies (90 calories), but with both main dishes already containing veggies, I will most likely pass.

One of my favorite dishes is listed as a calorie nightmare, but it certainly doesn't come as a shock. Orange Chicken, with all it's breading and deep frying, came in at a scale sinking 500 calories. (Note: It is the only item on their menu containing Trans Fat.)

My other two favorites, however, scored very well; Broccoli Beef and Mushroom Chicken together with mixed veggies total only 350 calories.

As for my usual side of steamed rice? At 380 calories alone, it is NOT a good option. I'll add on a bowl of Egg Flower soup instead (only 88 calories) and make it an even lower calorie meal overall!

Knowledge is Power.

enjoy the food even more knowing it's a good choice for you.

-d.

A Blast from the Past Returns!!!

The place I celebrated my thirteenth birthday, and created tons of fabulous memories through my childhood, is coming back!!!

If a menu containing items called The Zoo or Pig Trough are familiar to you then you probably have guessed that I'm talking about the one and only, coolest ice cream parlour in the country.....Farrell's!Yes, after a long absence from our lives new owners are vowing to re-create the magic and start this fabulous restaurant chain back up! I don't know how long it will be before it resurfaces in Washington State, but seeing as Mr. Farrell (yes, the man who started it all back in Portland, OR years ago) lives here, I'd guess the odds are pretty good it won't be too long of a wait! YEA!!!!!!

Bring it on....I'm more than ready!

To keep up on the latest info go to: http://www.farrellsusa.com/ They are so cool they even have a Facebook page! It is a fun trip down memory lane looking at the old photos people are submitting!

enjoy the times when the hardest choice you have to make is which flavor candy cane stick you want to buy on your way out of Farrell's!

-d.

You may recall an entry I did some time ago when I discovered the book, Eat This, Not That. It is an incredible book that helps you learn which restaurant foods are better for you and which will sabotage your weight loss faster than you can say, "drive-thru!" It was put together by David Zinczenko, editor of Men's Health Magazine, and now there is a sequel out focusing on kids' foods.

I recently signed up for his e-mail newsletter so I could continue reading his great facts about restaurant foods. (I eat out way more than I should with my schedule, so I need to stay informed!)

Check out this article from his site:
16 Secrets the Restaurant Industry Doesn't Want You to Know

...and his appearance on the Ellen show:
http://link.brightcove.com/services/link/bcpid1600119196/bctid1606785709

It's okay to eat out...just get the facts first!

enjoy your next fast food meal with less guilt!
-d.

Who doesn't love a drink umbrella?

Make your own cute, little drink umbrellas this summer!
Source: Martha Stewart's Living- A soup can makes a handy template for paper umbrella tops.
- Cut paper with pinking shears or scallop scissors for a decorative edge.
- From each circle, remove a pie-slice shape measuring about 1/8 of the circumference.
- Fashion into a cone, slightly overlapping straight ends.
- Use a glue stick or double-sided tape to secure.
- Dab white craft glue inside nose of cone, and pierce tip with a wooden skewer (snip skewer for a custom fit).
- Allow to dry.
- Place in drinks and enjoy!! enjoy the party!

-d.

Photo credit: Martha Stewart's Living

Eat This - Not That!

I feel like I been living by this mantra since I started my self-imposed healthier living challenge, and while at Costco....I found a book with that as its title! I had to check it out. I LOVE it and wanted to share a few tips from it....The book covers a ton of fast food restaurants and store bought, prepared foods and then lists the calorie comparisons between the good and bad choices. It provides great tips on how to make the best healthy living decisions when dining out and grocery shopping.

For example:

On your next stop into Jack in the Box, ordering the Chipotle Chicken Ciabatta and medium fries will cost you 1,140 calories, while the Chicken Fajita Pita and a side salad will be only 335 calories!

Great tip: Order a regular taco instead of a small fries with your next combo and you'll save 180 calories!!!!

And here's something that Jack fans should be aware of...."Unlike many other fast food restaurants that have made the shift away from trans fats, JITB's menu has a number of items with more than 5 grams of the stuff." Come on Jack, give us a break!

And how does my favorite fast food place stack up? Here's what they had to say about McDonald's....

Surprisingly, the Quarter Pounder (without cheese) is the better option with 410 calories over the Premium Grilled Chicken Club with 570! Neither are the best choices overall, but the mayo and the bacon on the chicken burger make it the big loser. Best choice in my opinion? The 6-piece McNuggets with only 280 calories.

The book also lists foods that do great things for our bodies. Did you know...

- Raspberries contain anthocyanins which boost insulin production and lower blood sugar levels.

- Shrimp is high in vitamin B12 which aids bone density and is crucial in the generation of new cells.

- Beef, high in iron, simulates hair turnover and replenishment.

- Olive Oil contins antioxidants shown to raise HDL (good) cholesterol and reduce LDL (bad) cholesterol, making it a double potent protector against cardiovascular disease.

- Garlic can help reduce the risk of prostate cancer by 50%.

It sounds to me like I need to make a beef and prawn stir-fry for dinner and then enjoy some ice cream and respberries for dessert...all in the name of healthier living of course!

enjoy discovering the options we have to live healthier!

-d.

Counting Points 101

A lot of you have been asking me about the Points program I keep referring to. It is designed by Weight Watchers and is (in my opinion) an easy way to track your daily food/calorie consumption.

Here is how you know how many Points to allow yourself each day. It is determined by your current weight (so it lowers as your body weight lowers). To lose weight a person must stay within their given points range, although 35 additional points are allowed to be used for the entire week (daily allowance times 7 plus 35).

Daily points ranges are as follows:

150 pounds: 18 to 23 points
150 to 174lbs: 20 to 25 points
175 to 199lbs: 22 to 27 points
200 to 224lbs: 24 to 29 points
225 to 249lbs: 26 to 31 points
250 to 274lbs: 28 to 33 points
275 to 299lbs: 29 to 34 points
300 to 324lbs: 30 to 35 points
325 to 349lbs: 31 to 36 points
Over 350lbs: 32 to 37 points

The Weight Watchers Points system means every 50 calories is a single point, 12 fat grams is a single point, and for each fiber gram you take away 1/5th of a point, up to a maximum of 4 fiber grams. The final points value will be the total points rounded to the nearest whole number.

points(calories,fat,fiber)=round( (calories/50) + (fat/12) - (min(fiber,4)/5) )

Now you see why I love the automatic calculator - I hate doing the math!
_______________________________________________________
I am excited to try this recipe I found on the Fiber One Cereal box....

Only 1 Point per cookie!!

Fiber One Crunchy Fudge Cookies

1 box Betty Crocker brownie mix (1 pound 3.5 oz)
2 cups Fiber One cereal
2 tablespoons miniature semisweet chocolate chips
1/8 teaspoon cinnamon
1/3 cup water
1 large egg
1 tablespoon vegetable oil
2 teaspoons vanilla

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line cookie sheets with parchment or spray with cooking spray.
Mix ingredients together. Drop by rounded tablespoonfuls onto cookie sheets. Bake for 10-12 minutes. Transfer to cooling rack and let cool completely for 30 minutes.
Don’t try these before they cool! The cereal needs time to regain its crunchiness.

enjoy losing weight while still eating cookies!
-d.

Happy Doughnut Day (tomorrow)!

What kind of friend would I be if I didn't share news as cool as this?!Seems like lately there is a day dedicated to just about EVERYTHING and anything! Well, here is one we all can enjoy celebrating. And remember, you can check Points for Krispy Kreme doughnuts online. Just because we are living healthier doesn't mean we can't indulge a little now and then!

Krispy Kreme Original Glazed 200 cal/5

Chocolate Iced Glazed 250 cal/6

Chocolate Iced w/Sprinkles 260 cal/6

Chocolate Iced Kreme Filled 350 cal/8.5

Chocolate Iced Custard Filled 300 cal/7.5

Glazed Raspberry Filled 300 cal/ 7.5

Glazed Cruller 240 cal/6

I have seen many different sites listing Points for restaurants, but Dotti's is more comprehensive than anything I have seen before. And while Dotti's Weight Loss Zone shows my beloved chocolate creme filled doughnut coming in 2.5 Points higher than the previous site I found (for a total of 8.5), I tend to believe it is true. All that yummy goodness for only 6 Points was hard to believe! It looks like I'll have to settle for a plain doughnut from now on. Dotti's site lists over 570 restaurants including ones in Canada!

Speaking of restaurants, I'm heading out with the girls next week to see Sex and the City: The Movie and of course, we're meeting for dinner first. Yea!

Following my excitement about the fun night ahead, I felt a short wave of panic. Out to eat?...in the middle of the week? I have vowed to be very dedicated during the week and now I'm faced with movie popcorn (which I LOVE) and dinner at Applebee's? Augh!

Strategic options bounced through my head: I could say I had to work late and skip dinner, but then I'd miss the "visiting" part too. Scratch that. I can take my own 100 calories popcorn (only 2 Points a bag) with me to the movies. Yea, that will work, and I'll save money. I'll slip in a can of coke too, so I'm not tempted to drink more than 2 Points worth. Movie sodas are so huge! I'll cut back on lunch so I can save up a few extra Points for the end of the day. Okay, now what to order at Applebee's? I'll skip the Coke there and opt for water. I can check out the Points guides online so I know beforehand what to order. (Won't be necessary this time as Applebee's has Points values listed in their menus - how cool are they?!) Awesome. I'm set! With a little advance planning I can still get out with the girls and not completely sabotage my healthy living plan (known to some as a diet). Bring on the fun!!!!

Here are some of the options we'll have at Applebees:

Italian Chicken & Portobello Sandwich: 7 points/360 calories

Steak & Portobellos: 7 points/330 calories
Southwest Cobb Salad: 9 points/440 calories
Grilled Shrimp Skewer Salad: 4 points/210 calories
Confetti Chicken: 7 points/370 calorie
Onion Soup Au Gratin: 3 points/150 calories

Teriyaki Steak 'N Shrimp Skewers: 7 points/370 calories (I think this will be my pick!)
Chocolate Raspberry Layer Cake: 4 points/230 calories

(Mmmm.... sounds better than the doughnut!!!)

enjoy the multitude of options we have in life!

-d.

Healthy Living - Days 3-5

Weight Loss Tip: Don't begin a diet or weight loss plan on a Monday. It tends to make us over-indulge all weekend in preparation for "having to go without!" Start mid-week, then your first few (hardest) days are rewarded sooner when Saturday and Sunday roll around and you can relax a little.

I began my new plan on a Wednesday. And while I may have forgotten to do my grocery shopping beforehand, it was the perfect day to begin.

Friday weigh in results: 3 pounds down!!!!

Since I am creating the rules of this new plan, I have decided not to count Points on weekends. That is not to say that I eat anything and everything and ignore all point values, but rather make sensible, low-point options without having to calculate Points, avoid dining out, or enjoying my weekend activities. I can relax a bit.

Here's how it went this weekend....

Friday night: We deliberated about where to go out for dinner without blowing my Points, and finally decided on Qdoba (a place I really like). We pull into the parking lot and I get a giant whiff of flame broiled beef. (No, not Burger King...Red Robin!) I turn to Rog and say, "That's what really sounds good!!" It took only seconds for him to redirect the truck and turn into Red Robin (he isn't quite as big of Qdoba fan as I am!). Now, for what to order that won't completely counteract all my dedication the past two days? I decided on the mushroom burger. I tossed the top bun away (and some of the bottom as I went) and ate it open face with a fork. I did leave on the cheese, but I opted for water instead of Coke to drink. I ate maybe three or four fries and even a few spoonfuls of Rog's chocolate shake and noted that next time I only need a junior burger, as it was more burger than I could eat.

While I considered not weighing in until Monday, I decided I needed to know the damage I had done at Red Robin. Saturday Morning Weigh in results = 4 pounds down!

Saturday we were working on Grammy's house and I again tried to eat sensibly and snack smart so I wouldn't gain anything back. At breakfast I chose a Belgium waffle with fresh strawberries and whipped cream on the side (no butter) and a water (ugh-I hate water at breakfast! I usually treat myself and have one sip of Rog's Coke at the end of the meal to make me feel better though.) Lunch: McNuggets w/ sweet-n-sour sauce and a small Coke (9 Points). For dinner I had my favorite Thom Ka chicken soup and a cup of rice.

Sunday weigh in results: 5 pounds down!!!

Sunday was a real test. We went with friends to a Mariner's game. I opted for dark chocolate dipped strawberries (I think there were four on the skewer) and some popcorn (next time I will pop some of my 100 calorie and take it with me!). We had eaten breakfast before we went so as not to desire pizza, french fries, or Hebrew National hot dogs (we LOVE them)! I also brought along a bag of carrots so I could snack without any Points whenever I felt like it. We ate dinner at home. I had a Weight Watchers dinner of Salisbury steak and asparagus (4 Points) and a cup of leftover rice/soup from Saturday.

Monday's weigh in results = 5 pounds down! (No change from Sunday)

Dieting doesn't mean you can't eat out, you simply have to think harder about your selections. Strawberries dipped in chocolate rather than ice cream. A bunless burger without fries rather than a full burger with fries dunked in tarter sauce. Six McNuggets with sauce versus a Filet a Fish meal with fries.

enjoy eating the things you love, while making better choices!

-d.

Living Healthy Day 2

On Day 2 of the new diet, I decided to make some blueberry muffins...only 2 Points each! How could I go wrong? Well, I didn't realize that "fat free" somehow translates "gross on the inside." They were cooked enough, but the insides just seemed to have no flavor; I couldn't do it. Even a small bit of butter didn't help! I picked off the crispy muffin tops and bottoms of two muffins, called it one collectively, and wrote down my 2 Points. Lesson learned.
Leaving popcorn still as my number one breakfast of choice!

enjoy the experiment...but always have a backup plan!
-d.

Healthy Living Day 1

Today's Weight Loss tips:

I found a great website with recipes that are not only low in Points, they sound really yummy! Normal foods that I will actually eat that aren't a complete hassle to make! Let's face it I'm no Paula Dean in the kitchen. I like to get in there, and get out! I plan to make the Garlic Chicken and Pasta with Asparagus soon!! They also provide eating out Points for a variety of restaurants. I still have my Weight Watchers book on fast food, but a lot of the menus have changed, so this site was a great find! They even list Krispy Kreme! My fave, the chocolate iced crème filled, comes in at 6 Points.

Geez, If only I'd have seen this sign before yesterday!

Day 1 Summary:

There is a reason the word diet starts with d-i-e.... By 7 o'clock last night I felt like I would collapse and die any second because I was so hungry (downright malnutritioned it seemed!).

I started my new "Healthy Living Plan" (aka: die-it) with a vengeance yesterday. And now looking back I may have been a little over-zealous. I was so stressed about how many Points I was eating, that I ate less than I was allowed. (The good news: I already have some in reserve for a reward this weekend!)

I was mentally prepared. I was focused. I was determined. But I forgot one really big thing! To prepare my refrigerator and pantry! Everything I picked up to eat for dinner was way over the Points I had to work with. I quickly went to the freezer to count Points on the stash in there. The Flatbread shrimp pizza sounded like a filling meal with only 14 Points. I could spare that since I was so frugal earlier in the day. But after 18 minutes and only four tiny bites it ended up in the garbage. I picked the shrimp off (very low in Points), as it's unthinkable to waste seafood then went back and forth between the the pantry and refrigerator hoping something good would miraculously appear. Something that not only would keep my numbers low, but that actually sounded appealing to eat. Grrr.... Nothing materialized, except a can of soup. And while I do enjoy soup, it's what I had taken for lunch. So today, needless to say, I'm a little souped-out.

So how did my Points factor out yesterday? Here is what I ate:

Jiffy Pop 100 Calorie Kettle Korn (entire mini-bag)............2 Points

Banana..................................................................1 Point

2 packets of Lipton Cup-a-Soup (chicken noodle)................4 Points

10 Pretzels Crisps...........................................................2 Points

Chips Ahoy 100 Calorie Crisps.............................................2 Points

A failed attempt at Shrimp Flatbread Pizza (ate 4 bites)....4 Points

Progresso Italian Wedding Soup..............................6 Points

2 Red Vines ............................................................1.5 Points

1 Can of Coke (aka: mood enhancer)..................................2 Points

Grand Total = 24.5 Points

If dinner hadn't been such a nightmare, I most likely would have skipped the licorice and Coke snack after dinner. Proving, that yes, I truly am an emotional eater!

Roger lectured me on how selecting popcorn for breakfast may have been the wrong choice as it isn't the most solid, fill-you-up kind of food, but I defended my choice with the fact that it was truly the only food I enjoyed eating all day! Today I opted for fat free wild blueberry muffins. More on that tomorrow! I'm headed back to the kitchen now to make some popcorn! LOL!

enjoy the little things that give you pleasure,

-d.

Ready to be a LOSER!

Okay, I'm in.

Well actually, back in. I have drawn the line in the sand and decided to start counting points again to shed these unwanted pounds! With the help of Weight Watchers' Points Program I lost 25 pounds back in 1999 and it's time to do it again.
My weight, like most people's, has fluctuated up and down over the past nine years, but now it has creeped back up to its highest number once again. I didn't like it then and I like it even less now. I want my waist back! I want to put my bikini back on - yeah, I actually could wear one only four, short years ago! (But that was an effect of the Divorce Diet; a plan I strongly discourage!) I want more energy. I want to be healthier and lower my blood pressure. I want to wear the smaller section of clothes hanging in my closet. That little black dress, those tighter jeans, and all those summer clothes!

So here is my plan...

I have decided against "joining" Weight Watchers. I know, I know, we all need accountability. But I'm going to go about it a little differently this time. Same Points system, just a different way of staying on track. I need some of YOU to help me do it! (I know many of you are not happy with where your at in your weight battles either.) Sooooo...we need to band together girls! Form a team. Unite for the greater loss!

Are ya with me?!!!!

I discovered a site called PeerTrainer today. And I joined. It's totally free, and I want YOU to join too. We can have our own private weight loss support group. Our own completely private place to set our goals and let each other know how we are doing along the way. Only those we know can join the group (for others reading this, there are a lot of public groups as well). If you'd like to participate leave me a message here or e-mail me and I will send you the link invitation.

Go check out the site, ask yourself if you can use a little help from your friends, and then make the commitment. Not to me....but rather to yourself.

Weight loss is not easy. It is not quick. It requires total dedication, and darn it, some days we may not find it alone. We need to rally together and hit the road running!

Now...are ya with me?!

Ah, come on....

To get the ball rolling, I have supplied a couple low Point snack options, a link to a Points converter (could they make it any simpler?!) and a suggestion to get a copy Lisa Lillien's book, Hungry Girl (I found mine at Safeway today!). Then check out her website featuring the WW Points for her recipes! I am also heading to Amazon to buy the latest Biggest Loser Success Stories book full of tips and advise.

5 Red Vines Licorice = 3 Points

16 Pretzels = 2 Points

9 Mini Cheddar Rice Snacks = 2 Points

1 Apple = 1 Point

1 Banana = 1 Point

Handful of Carrots = 0 Points!!!

enjoy having the support of friends!

-d.

How to Eat Yogurt...

For whatever reason, and I can think of a few obvious ones, I have never liked yogurt. I have wanted to. I fed it to my children. I thought I might change my opinion after they began creating new, cooler flavors. But, hard as I try, I just can't do it!

So today while skimming through some recipes on Food Network I clicked on a Baked Chicken recipe that sounded yummy, easy to make, and healthy (a hard combination to find)! When I read through the ingredients list I was surprised to see yogurt listed. Aha! Now, that is one way I might be able to get some yogurt into my diet. Everything is better with a little crispy, fried chicken, right?!

I noticed nutritionist and celebrity chef Ellie Krieger (whom I just discovered via the yogurt chicken recipe) has a book out. It looks very good! Maybe a trip to Borders is in order to check it out more closely and maybe even bring it home and start applying it to my overweight life!!

Small Changes, Big Results: A 12-Week Action Plan to a Better Life by Ellie Krieger and Kelly James-Enger. Has anyone already bought it? Do you recommend it? Let's hear your reviews.

Her new cookbook looks good too! The Food You Crave: Luscious Recipes for a Healthy Life by Ellie Krieger.

Check them both out at Amazon.

enjoy the books that help you succeed in life!

-dw

In the Hub of things....

As most you know, I tend to bite off a little more than I can usually chew (you have to dream BIG, right?!). So, while scouring the web in search of the perfect job, I have found a few new writing gigs to keep my portfolio growing (you know, to fill my spare time! Ha!) .

My latest venture is for http://www.hubpages.com/. Authors simply pick a topic and write a brief "hub" (an on-line article). I have taken and expanded on some of my blog topics related to decorating and organizing and have really enjoyed it.

Today, while perusing other articles, or rather, hubs...I discovered one I just had to share!

Olive_Garden_Copycat_Recipes

By Angela Harris

If you LOVE Olive Garden like we do (as a matter of fact, we're eating there tonight!) you will want to test out some of these recipes!

And while you're there, read a few more hubs...it's why we write them! ;) Authors get compensation generated by reader's ad clicks. We do what we love, you get a wealth of great info, and if we're lucky, we make some money too! Everybody wins!!!

enjoy what you learn today!

-dw