~Recipe of the Day~

Chili-Mac

Serves: 8
Yields: 1 cup per serving
Weight Watchers Points: 8 
*Simple Start/Simply Filling Meal*

Ingredients:

1 lb of Ground Chicken

1.5 cups of dry whole wheat macaroni 

1 - 19 oz can of white kidney beans

1- 29 oz can of diced tomatoes

2 tsp of chili powder

1/2 green pepper

1/2 yellow pepper

2 cups of tomato juice

1 onion (diced)

Directions:

In a deep frying pan, brown ground chicken with the onion, once cooked drain fat from meat.  Add peppers, diced tomatoes, tomato juice, chili powder and bring to a boil.  Reduce heat.  Add kidney beans and macaroni.  Bring to a boil.  Reduce heat to med-low.  Cover and simmer until the macaroni is cooked.

Top with Sour Cream and Cheese for extra points.

ENJOY!

Let's Talk About.... Fat, Baby!!

Dear Diary,

Today I have been thinking a lot about the term "fat".  What an awful word that is.  

Have you been called Fat?

HAVE YOU?  Come on, admit it.

I have been called fat, on many occasions, unfortunately.

In the past, it used to sting me to the bone. You know what I mean? When your face turns red, your palms start to sweat and really wish you didn't exist at that moment.  

But when I look back at all of those times that someone called me fat, I realize that it was always in the heat of a moment, when tempers were flaring and it makes me even more mad because really?  That was the best you could do?  You couldn't call me stupid, because in fact, I am far from stupid, you couldn't say I was ugly, because again, I am not ugly, but you had to pick the one thing that was glaring and the only thing that you could think of as a negative when it came to me. So you chose FAT.

What I have come to realize over the years and through my journey is that while I may be overweight, I will not let myself be defined by being "fat".  Being overweight does not define the person you are, how great you are and what you are capable of.  

My thought for the day is pretty short and sweet, but if any of you reading this, think you are not beautiful because you may be carrying a little extra weight. Think again!

Love Mel xo

~Gentle Reminder for April Fool's Day~

As someone who struggles with their own fertility, it was a shock to my system last year when on April Fool's Day, there was several posts that came across my Facebook with "I'm Pregnant".  

Now, I admit, I am no saint. Back in the days, I probably made that same joke not realizing the implications of it or who is could hurt.  

Being older, wiser and now in the situation myself, I know how hurtful it can be.  

The best thing we can do is to educate others to not make the claim that they are pregnant on April 1, to make them realize that not everyone is lucky enough to be able to have their own children or carry a child in their body.  

So, if you or anyone that you know thinks it is a funny joke to play, just consider this:

~Thought for the coming week~

Have an amazing week!!

Sunday Funday!

Dear Diary,

I love Sunday's.  The relaxation, the family time.... I love it all.  As long as I don't have to leave my house.  My sister always jokes over the fact that I hate to go out on Sundays and dread any shower, party or event that is planned on a Sunday.  

This Sunday I decided I would try out a couple of recipes to get me through breakfasts for the week. I think I will do this on a regular basis.

This weeks recipes are Dutch Baby Pancakes (recipe courtesy of Emily Bites Blog) and a Crustless Quiche.  Both turned out to be pretty good and will be put into a regular rotation.

Dutch Baby Pancakes

Serves: 6 
Weight Watchers Points: 2 per pancake
(recipe courtesy of Emily Bites Blog)

Ingredients:

1/2 cup of whole wheat flour 

1/2 cup of fat free skim milk

3 eggs

1 tsp of vanilla extract

Small amount of Orange Zest

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees. 

2. Grease a 12 muffin pan with cooking spray.

3. Mix together all ingredients until well blended. 

4. Pour 1/4 cup into each muffin tin.

5. Bake for 12-15 minutes until golden brown.

6. Top with your favourite toppings such as syrup, fruit, etc.

ENJOY!

Crustless Ham & Broccoli Quiche

Serves: 6 

Weight Watchers Points: 2 per slice

Ingredients:

1 cup of egg white substitute (eggbeaters)

1 cup of low fat cottage cheese

1/2 cup of low fat shredded cheddar cheese

1/2 cup of low sodium ham

1/2 cup of broccoli florets

Directions:

1. Preheat the oven to 375 degrees. 

2. Coat a round baking dish with cooking spray.

3. Mix together all ingredients and pour into prepared dish.

4. Bake for approximately 45-50 minutes until quiche is set.

5. Cut into 4 equal pieces and serve.

Enjoy!

I hope everyone has a great day and a nice start to the week!

Love Mel xo

Happy Sunday!!

Sweet Dreams

~Why I love Weight Watchers~

Dear Diary,

Saturday Salutations from Mel!

Today has been a rather eventful day.  Woke up and attended my weekly Weight Watchers Meeting.  Could you imagine waking up at 7:30 a.m. on a Saturday morning to attend a meeting?  You must be wondering what is so special about this meeting to get me up so early right?  Well, I will tell you.  Her name is Koren and she is the most amazing Weight Watchers leader ever.  Like ever!  She is from Newfoundland and has a crazy personality.  She makes my Saturday's just that much more special.

So I gained this week.  7 ounces.  Could have been worse, right? Of course it could have been but it was a gain, I own it and upwards and hopefully, downwards?

During the meeting, Koren provided all of the members with her cellphone number for us to contact her during the week if we needed help, if we were on full meltdown mode or if we were ready to eat our body weight in chocolate.  Isn't that awesome?

Anyhow, I decided that she probably doesn't realize just how amazing she is so I sent her this text:

"Hi Koren, it is Melanie from your Saturday morning WW meeting. I just wanted to tell you that I think you are a fabulous leader.  You are such an inspiration and make me look forward to Saturday mornings.  Thank you!  Melanie xo

She responded to me:

"Thank you beautiful, please have a great week!"

I think I made her smile and I know she made my day!

After the meeting, having breakfast and doing all the regular things you need to do to get your day going, we decided to take a drive to Pacific Mall in Markham, Ontario.  All I can say is, HOLY HELLO KITTY!  It was a Hello Kitty lovers dream.  Overall, the experience was a little underwhelming but I can see the appeal for sure.

Home now and relaxing with the family before a family dinner for my sister's birthday.  That should be fun and yummy!

Hope everyone is enjoying their Saturday!  See you tomorrow!

Love Mel xo

Day #1, Part II - Let's talk food!

Dear Diary,

Let's talk about food!  I love food... Who doesn't?

I decided that when I started Weight Watchers I would not stop loving food but I would find alternatives that tasted just as good to help me along the way.

Some of the sites I frequent are:

www.skinnytaste.com

www.emilybites.com

www.pinterest.com

www.weightwatchers.ca

Yesterday, I decided that I wanted Nachos, but of course couldn't fathom having the real thing because of the calories and fat that are in them, so I improvised and came up with Wonton Nachos!  Super easy, filling and very yummy!  I hope you enjoy them too!

WONTON NACHOS

Serves 1 (but can be easily doubled)

WONTON NACHOS

Ingredients:

5 - wonton wrappers (found in most grocery stores, I get them at Metro near the tofu)
1 pound of ground chicken, turkey or beef (I used chicken)
1 packet of low sodium taco seasoning
2 tbsp of Refried Beans
1/4 cup of fat free shredded cheese (I use Allegro)
1/4 cup of diced tomatoes
1/4 cup of diced green onions
1/4 of an diced avocado (not too ripe)

Directions:

1. Prepare the taco mixture using meat of your choice and as per the directions on the taco seasoning package.  Set aside.

2. Pre-Heat Oven on High Broil.  Place 5 wonton wrappers onto an unprepared baking sheet, mist the wrappers with cooking spray.  Broil on one side until lightly brown and then flip them over and do the same.  Once they are lightly toasted, remove from the oven.

3. Take a wonton wrapper, spread a small amount of the refried beans onto it, top with 1 tbsp of meat mixture, 1 tbsp of cheese, a small amount of onions, tomatoes and avocado.  Repeat with remaining wontons.

Weight Watchers Points Plus:

7 PP per serving

Day #1, Part I

Dear Diary, 

Welcome to my blog! 

I have been trying forever to figure out a way to get my feelings down without bugging those on my Facebook with my constant updates and pictures of food, haha.  

On January 11, 2011, I made a commitment to myself, my family and most importantly to my health. I was going to be a better and healthier person.

I have been overweight my entire life right from when I was a young kid.  I was always the girl with the beautiful face and the bright personality, but never the girl with the nice body who was chased by all of the boys.

Back when I was 20, my family doctor diagnosed me with high blood pressure. He told me at that time that I needed to lose weight and become healthier because if I didn't, I would have major health problems by the time I was 35.  At 20, you never think you are going to be 35, right?

It finally hit me when I was 33 inching quickly towards that dreaded 35 and now in addition to the high blood pressure, I was borderline Type 2 Diabetic and was told that I would be Diabetic within a matter of time if I didn't make changes immediately.

It is a hard realization when you look in the mirror and realize that you are a girl, with a pretty face, who is killing herself because of food.

I joined Weight Watchers on January 11, 2011, tipping the scale at 332 lbs.  Wow, really? How did that happen?

In January 2012, I was finally more confident and decided to try out the gym. I signed up at Goodlife Fitness.  I cried after leaving my first Body Step class after 10 minutes because I couldn't do it.  Three years later, not only am I doing it but I am loving it!

For the past 3 years, I have struggled, plateaued, cried, screamed and almost given up.  I have lost 71 lbs (was 93 lbs) and am now 25% less of the person I used to be.  But it never ends, right?

Now, lets talk about my setbacks... somewhere between the summer, Christmas and this horrible winter we have had, I have gained back somewhere around 25 lbs.  Depressing much? Uh, yeah!

I am now committing myself to get that weight off and be back to where I was several months ago. No one can do this but me!!

Here are some of my recent achievements:

I was so honoured when I was chosen as member of the month at Goodlife Fitness!

And even more happy when I was selected by Weight Watchers as a Success Story and had my poster featured at locations all over Canada! How exciting, right?

So this is me. I look forward to posting a few times a week with healthy recipes, pictures and inspirational thoughts I may have.

Happy reading!

Love Mel xo