For all the world to see

Hey, ladies! I made the blog public. But I took our personal pages down, because this is serving a different purpose now. Now I am off to make these, found HERE:

Summer Southwest Salad

OK. I'm totally not on the diet anymore. But I've learned a lot about nutrition, and am implementing it fairly well most days. I came across this AMAZING salad recipe the other day. Thought I'd share. Adding grilled, shredded chicken looks like a good option, too!

Sauteed Corn and Black Bean Salad

Saute the kernels from three ears of corn in 2 T of butter until browned slightly (or skip the butter and use Pam if you're cutting back)
Combine with:

one can of black beans, drained and rinsed

one avocado, sliced

half of a bunch of green onions, chopped

juice from a lime or two

one bunch of cilantro, chopped

Serve chilled

What we are eating

Well, I've had my first taste of what it's like to have to completely abandon the diet. My parents are in town for my husband's graduation. Pasta salad, homemade pizza, Porto's pastries in abundance, tamales, chips and dip, tacos. You name it, we ate it. So I just tried to exercise as many days as possible. But my habits of wanting to eat carbs and sugar came out like wildfire. And I have the skin to prove it. I am a mess. But I plan on cleaning things up once they are gone. I haven't gained the weight back (maybe a couple of pounds), so I am just happy about that. My long term goal is to try to incorporate these types of meals in whenever I can. That way, when I have to eat pasta made from scratch and Caesar salad, I have a backup that won't leave me feeling out of control. It's crazy how my mind automatically defaults to the most unhealthy thing in the house as soon as outside food is brought in. Man. I need to get back to a handful of almonds, STAT.

On another note, I know Emily wanted to have more recipe ideas, or know what we are eating. So I went back through the posts and added a label list in the sidebar of the recipes everyone has listed. Any time you post about a recipe or what you ate, please put "meal ideas" and the name of the dish in the Label section below. That will add it automatically to the list. That way we can have ready yummy-sounding meal ideas when we are in a bind.

i'm totally here and going for it again

hey guys.

i am on day 2 of trying to get back to the good life.  we sold our house last week and i was emotionally eating and eating and eating.  i honestly felt like i needed a intervention.  please, someone pluck me out of my situation and drop me in a fat farm in southern utah.  for like, 6 months.  please?

unfortunately nobody rescued me so i had to do it myself.  i hunkered down and said i can't hide in a spa/farm, i have to MOVE and shiz so if i don't get my crap together i will be the only heifer in orange county in 2 months.  SOOO, i started back up.

heaven help me.

Still trucking?

How's everyone doing? I've been adhering loosely to Phase 2. I am definitely still following the guidelines, but not being super strict about the carbs. Like I am eating oatmeal almost everyday for breakfast. Or instead of egg whites only, I'll eat an egg and piece of wheat toast. And I've introduced honey in small quantities. And then I have a croissant every now and then (ahem). Who knows, maybe I just plowed my way to Stage 3. Ha! But I am still feeling good, down pounds, and clothes are fitting better. So I think the healthy carbs are doing me some good. I'm totally going to be ready to add back those 40 pounds of baby weight I gain for 9 months with each pregnancy.

Hey I discovered eggplant again! Grill it and prepare to swoon. Or broil it with olive oil and some panko bread crumbs sprinkled over top. Yum.

I also have another dinner idea to share. I cut out meat on this one, and added in some bread. Then my protein is coming from greek yogurt and nuts. Take a look:

Strawberry Spinach Salad (found HERE)

Sauteed Bruschetta: 

• whole wheat sourdough break chunks (you don't have to use too many if you're still very carb conscious)

• grape tomatoes, halved

• chopped basil

• sliced baby portobello mushrooms

Sautée everything in olive oil and balsamic vinegar until toasty. Season to taste. Very satisfying!!

Berry Yogurt Smoothie using too-ripe berries, Fage yogurt, a little honey, and some ice.

PS—I've seen Emily with my own two eyes. She looks great. ;)

update and a warning! - Emily

Ok, ladies. I got back from Jessica's on Tuesday and haven't been able to jump back on the PLAN thus far. and guess what??? i have gained it all back. officially this morning, in fact. HOW freaking SAD? except jessica and i had such a great time eating whatever that i can't imagine it any other way. it was quite heavenly. but now i have to start again.

So, that is my warning. Don't let your brain fool you into thinking that it wont come back. it absolutely will!! (i do it every time)

so cheat one day and then think that second day as the kiss of death!! hahaha.

I thought about doing one more week on phase one and then moving on to phase 2. but i think im going to just go straight there. i burned out. probably should have done that the week before i left.

oh well! so here i GO, PHASE 2!

The cookie conundrum

What do you make when you HAVE to make cookies for whatever reason, and you KNOW you can't resist eating one (and possibly some batter)? You make these: (they have more of a spongy texture, but they are yummy, healthy, and nipped my sweet tooth in the bud with only one cookie)

Cocunut, Oatmeal, Raisin Cookies

Ingredients

1/2 cup unsweetened applesauce 

1/2 cup white sugar (I used Raw Cane sugar, instead of white)

1/2 cup brown sugar 

1 egg 

1 tsp baking powder 

1 tsp vanilla extract 

1 cup quick oats 

3/4 cup flour (I used wheat)

1 cup shredded coconut (wish I had unsweetened...)

1 cup raisins 

1/2 tsp cinnamon

Directions

Combine all ingredients in a bowl. Drop batter onto cookie sheet. Bake at 350, for 10 - 12 minutes, until golden brown. Makes 50 cookies.

Number of Servings: 50 cookies

Nutritional Info (serving size: 1 cookie)

• Servings Per Recipe: 50
• Amount Per Serving:
• Calories: 41.1

• Total Fat: 0.6 g
• Cholesterol: 3.3 mg
• Sodium: 13.9 mg
• Total Carbs: 8.7 g
• Dietary Fiber: 0.4 g
• Protein: 0.6 g

Why do all my posts end up including my cheats?? :) Working out 5-6 days a week makes me unable to resist certain temptations. My body is just suddenly on auto pilot!