Some great articles from this past week...

I have read some really great articles this past week.  I thought I would share!

Fast food and depression:
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/03/120330081352.htm

Obesity related disease:
http://www.obesityaction.org/educational-resources/resource-articles-2/obesity-related-diseases/obesity-and-depression


I hope you find the articles informing!!!!  They may be a bit technical, but they are helpful!!!

Something wonderful

I was just FB messaging with my bestest pal and we were chatting about food... I talk about food A LOT!
I was telling her that I would rather have one bite (which is about all I can have anyway) of something WONDERFUL than a whole plate of something so-so.

I am learning new ways to cook with new ingredients.  None of my food has been "diet" food.  I hate the word diet.  No one wants to be on a diet.  I think everyone hates the word diet.  I am proof that you don't need to eat "diet" food.  I am still enjoying most of the foods I used to.   I simply re-make them to fit this new lifestyle of mine!  Yes, I have had to cut somethings out.. Honestly, I don't really miss the things that I have cut out!

I know this is nothing new and that I have said it before, but I like to remind myself of this!  After all it takes 30 days to make a habit!!!!

Sausage stuffed, bacon wrapped Jalepenos

Ok.. on these days when hubbers is working late, I really have no desire to cook!  However, I have to eat, right?!?!

I happen to love sausage, cheese, bacon and jalepenos!  LOVE... Put them together and you have little pieces of meat and cheese candy!

I know I am not the first one to come up with this, but I will give you my version!!!!

Sausage stuffed, bacon wrapped Jalepenos
*Jalepenos, about 9
*Block of cream cheese
*Cheddar cheese, grated
*1 pound of bulk saussage.  I use Jimmy dean in the chub thing!
*Bacon, uncooked

One with bacon, one without!

Pre-heat oven to 400.  Slice your jalepenos and scrape out all the seeds and veins... Set aside.  Cook sausage until no longer pink.  I would fresh grate some cheddar cheese, the kind in the bag worries me because it doesn't stick together!  Put the cheddar and cream cheese in a bowl.  Drain your sausage and while it is hot add it to the cheese bowl.  The heat from the meat will soften the cheese and make it super easy to mix all together!  When everything is combined, scoop it into the peppers.  Wrap the peppers in bacon and place on foil-lined cookie sheet. You can put them on a rack to make the bacon crispy all around.  Pop into the oven for about 20-30 min or until the bacon is crispy!

ENJOY!!!!!!!!!

Spicy slaw fishy tacos

Holy Smokes!  I just made a great spring/summer dish!  It is fresh an light and SUPER easy peasy!  OH.. and way yummy to boot!

I have been craving something light to go with these beautiful days we are having.  Let me tell you we are having amazingly beautiful days!  Sunny, and mostly warm!!!!  I'll take semi warm and sunny ANY DAY!

Spicy slaw fishy tacos

* Napa cabbage, I used Napa because it is what was in the fridge.  You can use whatever!!!!
*Greek yogurt, plain
*Some hot sauce... TO TASTE!
*KSP
*Cilantro, optional
*Fresh lime juice
*Fish, Again use what ya have.  Mahi Mahi is our fav, so we used that.  A nice white fish will work great.
*Lettuce for the wrap/taco part

Dressing:
You are essentially making a cole slaw.  I started with 1/4 c. Greek yogurt.  Whisk in some lime juice to make it dressing consistency.  Add some KSP and and handful of chopped up cilantro and the hot sauce.  Set aside.  Slice your cabbage into thin ribbons.  Toss the dressing with cabbage.

Now... you can make your fish however you want.  I pulled out my trusty George Foreman grill and did it up that way.  You can bake it, broil it, steam it.  I wouldn't suggest frying... we are tying to keep it light!!!
When the fish is done... shred it!  You all know how to shred, right?!?!?  Take two forks and pull the pieces apart until it is all in little bits!

Now comes the fun part... PUT IT ALL TOGETHER!  Take a lettuce leaf, you could you a tortilla if you really wanted, put some fish on it then top it with your slaw.  You can then put salsa or whatever you like on it.  ENJOY!

See easy-peasy!!!!

It is blurry, but you get the picture, right?!?!? :)

*I should remind all y'all that my portions are tiny... You can adjust any of the recipes to fit and/or work for you!


Highlights of my day:

Walked 1.5 miles today!!!  WOOT!!!!!!

Obesity Action Coalition

The OAC has a 14 part FREE webinar on obesity and different aspects of it.  Did I mention FREE?!?!

Sign up and learn some stuff!  I did!


http://www.obesityppm.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=102&Itemid=51


The first session is in the archived section.

Asian pork lettuce wraps

Another thing I am sorely missing is Chinese food since I began this journey.  I am leery of going out for it because there tends to be a bunch of sugar in the sauces.  Sugar and I don't mix very well.  I decided to make my own!  GO ME!

I was perusing foodgawker.com (one of my favorite sites EVAH!!) an I came across this recipe for Asian Lettuce wraps.  It sounded intriguing an totally YUMMY!


I made them and they were FAB!!!!!  I'll let you be the judge, though.

Asian pork lettuce wraps

Dressing:
3T fish sauce
3T rice vineger (not seasoned... too much sugar)
2tsp garlic puree
2tsp ginger puree
1tsp Seasme oil
pinch red pepper flakes

1 pound pork cutlets
KSP
2-3 cups shredded Napa cabbage
1 red bell pepper sliced thinly
lettuce for the wrap part

In a small bowl whisk together dressing stuff.  In hindsight, I would add more ginger and garlic.  Set aside.  The longer you let it sit, the longer the flavors can combine!  YUMMO!!!!!

I used some boneless pork chops that I had.  I am sure you can get pork cutlets, but I used what I had!  I pounded them mostly flat and thin.. they cook super fast that way!  Season both sides of the pork with some KSP.  No bland pork here!  Cook in a heavy bottom pan till cooked through, about 5ish min on each side.  They will be nice and golden brown.  Pull them off the heat and let them rest while you do the next steps.  Put the cabbage and bell pepper in a bowl... put a few tablespoons of dressing on it and toss.  When the meat has rested, cut it into strips.  Dress it the same way you did the veg.  Now comes the great part... Wrap in lettuce leaves and EAT!

It is a really simple recipe that gives you the flavor that you crave and with no added sugar or anything like that!

I need to use my better camera... TRUST ME. This is YUMMO!!!!

Highlights of my week:
*walked a whole mile
*hung out with a really good friend and went to lunch
*did I mention that I walked a WHOLE MILE!!!!!

Identity crisis?

I think I might be having an identity crisis.  I don't know who I am anymore, so to speak.  I find myself looking at fitness blogs and running blogs.  I find myself looking for cute running /workout clothes.  I find myself researching good shoes for running/working out.  WHO THE HECK AM I?!?!?!?!

I guess it it because the focus of my life is changing, all my habits are changing.  It is a little disconcerting, though.  I don't know this new me, YET!  I spent 31 years getting to know and love the "fat" me.

Well, I'll just have to get to know this new me.  I am still the same person, I think, just a healthy version.  I like what I know so far.

Smokey Chicken Cups *SPICY*

I LOVE LOVE LOVE mexican food.  LOVE!  As in I would eat it all the stinking time if i could!

Tonight I made a FAB din din and I thought I would share with you!

Smokey Chicken cups

*1 can chipotle peppers in adobo sauce
*1 rotisserie chicken, de-skinned and shredded
* 1/2 tsp of cayenne pepper (these are spicy!!!)
*1/2 cup cilantro
*juice of half a lime, maybe a whole one if it isn't juicy
*pinch of brown sugar
*2 garlic cloves, roughly chopped
*1 avocado, sliced or diced
* Lettuce leaves for the cups

Again... BAD food blogger, not a great pic, but soooooo yummy!

Put everything in your food processor, except the chicken, lettuce, and avocado.  Whiz it up until it is all blended.  Pour sauce in a pan and start heating it up.  Mix shredded chicken in and heat through.  Place on a lettuce leaf (or cooked tortilla, your choice!) and top with avocado!

The avocado cools off this SPICY dish!  THIS IS VERY SPICY!!!!!!!!  You can also top with sour cream or anything you want really!

AMAZINGness!!!!!  It is really tasty!

I hope you enjoy!!!

It is time to clean!

Today is the day!  It sounds way more important than it really is.  Today, I am cleaning my house.  I think I am sick of not having a clean house.  Before this I haven't had the energy to clean.  Hubbers picked up and did some dishes while I was "out of commission", but my house hasn't really been clean for a while!  I am looking forward to having a clean house so I can cook and relax and make a routine for myself and Hubbers!  I thrive on routine.

I am learning how to eat again, and I need a clean house to do it!!!!

BRING IT ON!

Killing the pizza craving!

Since surgery, people ask me what I miss.... I'l  tell ya!  P I Z Z A!  In no uncertain terms, I MISS PIZZA!

The cheezy, ooey, gooey, topping laden yumminess that is pizza.  The flavors of the toppings mixing with the sauces and cheese!!!  YUMMMO!

Ok.. this is my version of pizza now.  I might be a little late to the party, but here it is... SUPER EASY and YUMMY!  Hey, If I can do it with a busted thumb and no will to cook, y'all can SO do it!

Portebello Mushroom pizza

*Portebello mushrooms: I happened to get 4 BEAUTIFUL portebellos in my veg box this week.  I used those.  You can go get some at any supermarket!

*Pizza sauce:  I didn't have pizza sauce, I used pasta sauce

*Toppings of ANY KIND

*Mozzarella Cheese:  I used fresh... it is what I had!

Sorry for the icky pic.  It was taken with my cell!!!!  You get the idea, though!

Pre-heat oven to 400.  Take the stems and gills off your 'shrooms.  The gills come off really easily.  Just scrape them with a spoon.  Then some good ol' fashioned EVOO on the shrooms and cookie sheet.  Then some KSP!  OH, side note... water will come outta your mushrooms in the baking process!  Lay them on your cookie sheet, cap side down.  Fill the caps with a bit of sauce.  Add your toppings.  I had leftover italian saussage in the fridge, so I used some of that.  Add a bit more sauce, then your cheese.  I put pepperonis on top of that!  Pop those babies in the oven for about 23 minutes or until the mushrooms are soft and the cheese is melty!

This recipe is so personal as you can make it whatever you want.  This definitely killed my pizza craving!  AND it is WLS friendly!!!!  Yummy to boot!

Set back ish.....

This week has been a bit of a set back....ish.  What in the world could have happened?  I sliced my thumb to ribbons, that's what!  I was slicing up a cucumber for a snack an my thumb got in the way!  Flesh and cucumbers don't mix.  I immediately wrapped it up and held it above my heart.  I did everything anyone who knows about first aid would do.  About an hour later, it still would not stop bleeding, so I made a trip to the ER!  I couldn't get ahold of my hubby, so I called my friend.  She must have told her kiddos that she had to take me to the er, because when I walked out the door, her littlest one declared "Miss Kelli is ALIVE!!!"  That declaration made me giggle and feel a bit better!  YES, I am alive!!!!!!

I got to the er and they saw me right away....  It was the fastest I'D EVER been seen, except when I was concussed (WHOLE different story).  They were mean and made run my thumb under hot water to clean it out...  Ok, maybe they weren't mean, but it hurt, dang it!  There was nothing to stitch up, so they put some healing goop on my thumb and wrapped it up and sent me home!

I am now unable to do many things, of course, because I am right handed and it is my right thumb.  It is amazing how much people use their thumbs!  I miss using mine, for sure!!!!

SO, nothing new in the world of my tummy.  My hand is a different kettle all together!!!!

Highlights:

*My tummy is BANDAGE FREE!!!!!
* I ordered a swimsuit.... that is HUGE for me!

Breaking up is hard to do!

Carbs don't make me sick.  I can still tolerate carbs....   I was really hoping carbs and I would be on the "outs".  I was hoping that I would never be able to eat carbs again!  I know that is a kinda stupid thing to hope for, but you have to understand where I am coming from.

Carbs and I are like peanut butter and jelly.  We are like pizza and ranch, Bonnie and Clyde, and chips and salsa.  If I were a tv personality (I really should be, anyway), I'd have a show called Rolls around the World.  The whole premiss would be you all watching me eat bread and carbs!  How FANTASTIC would that be?!??!?! tv

After surgery, I just assumed Carbs and I would be separated!  You know what happens when you assume things, right?

I HAVE to break up with Carbs.  Yes, it is true.  I HAVE to break up with Carbs.  I hate saying that.  I hate THINKING that.  However.... It is a fact, I need to break up with carbs.

Yes, I am in mourning.  I am nursing a broken heart.  We had a 31 year relationship!  That is a LONG time, people!!!!  It will take some time to heal.  Good news, though... I will heal and move on.


Highlights of my day:

*SUNNY!!!!!!!!!!!!
*Friends that give me clothes so I don't have to buy them
*Feeling better EVERY DAY!

My First Recipe post.... Stuffed peppers!

Today was a good day.  I FINALLY got some sleep.  YAY.  I got up this morning with a plan.  Today was GOING to be better than yesterday.  Hubby and I went for a walk in the drizzle.  Glad we got it in before it really started raining!  We went for a drive, we were going to go to the supermarket, however they didn't open until ten.  We came home and cleaned.  I always feel better when I have a clean house.  It isn't perfect, but it is livable.  I took all my vitamins and I started my Iron.  I have a feeling that will help with the blahs!

Ok this is my first recipe post.... I adapted this from this recipe from The World According To Eggface!  If you haven't checked her out, please do!  She ROCKS!!!!!!

You will need:

3 peppers, I used the pretty colored ones
1 pound-ish Italian Sausage, I had a mix of Hot and mild.  I used already ground
1 zuchinni, diced
1 yellow onion, diced
3 garlic cloves, minced
Some KSP (Kosher salt and pepper), I didn't measure... a good pinch of both
1 c. of your fav tomato sauce
Some fresh Basil, again... BAD food blogger, I didn't measure!
2 oz of Marscapone Cheese, aka two BIG scoops-ish.
Some shredded italian blend cheese

OK... now to begin...

Pre-heat your oven to 350.  Cut your peppers in half and de-seed and de-vein them. Put them in a lightly oiled casserole dish.  Sprinkle some salt on 'em and pop them in the oven for 20 min.  When it dings, take 'em out and dump the excess water out.  Increase the oven temp to 400!  Now, brown off your meat until there is no more pink.  No ptomaine poisoning here!!!  Drain and set aside.  You can use the same pan to saute your veggies.  Saute them until they are light gold in color and fairly soft.  Add the meat back into veggies.  Add the spices and basil and sauce and marscapone cheese.  Mix it all together and let it all hang out for a bit, until it thickens.  Take an ice cream scoop an fill your peppers.  Don't be afraid to overfill them a bit.  Sprinkle the shredded cheese on top.  Put them in the oven for 20 min and they get all yummy!  If you have extra filling, put it in another casserole dish and bake it right along side!

Happy eating!!!!!!!!



Ok... Imagine I just put up a picture of a HOT, cheezy, yummy stuffed pepper.  One, I can't find my camera, and two... we ate them too quickly to even get a good pic of them!  LOL

Blah....

I am itchy, whiny, tired and sore.  I don't have ANY energy.  I don't want to get dressed, I don't have anywhere to go, if I did.

All I want to do is sit down and enjoy a MEAL.  I am not talking about what I do.  I eat a few bites of something than am done.  If I eat too much, up it comes and that isn't pretty.

"Pity party... Pity Party for 1, your table is now ready!!!!"

I know how I sound.  Trust me, I know how I sound.  OK!  Pity party over.  Tomorrow is a new day.  I can do this.  Please remind me that I said this!