These are a few of my favorite things!

Sorry for my absence..Ive been busy lately and went on vacation but now that I'm back I wanted to share some of my favorite snacks. I LOVE snacks and I feel like in order to do well with weight loss or maintenance you've got to find yummy snacks that satisfy. Here are a few of mine

Popcorn

But not any popcorn. This popcorn is popped fresh on the stove in olive oil. It is the best popcorn you will ever have..... I guarantee it! It beats the microwave stuff!

Heat 1 tsp olive oil in a tall sauce pan. Add 1/4 cup unpopped popcorn kernels. Cover.....Shake it up now and again even when it starts to pop so it doesn't stick to the bottom of the pan and whalla! Add some sea salt or table salt and enjoy! Its 210 calories for the whole pan and its a great way to get your oil in for the day!

Blue Bunny

I am so addicted to these puppies! I buy two boxes a week and usually run out. They are only 50-60 calories a piece and there sweetened with sweetener so you don't get extra sugar. I think they might even be 0 points. They have a good flavor, are creamy and satisfying. Husband approved.

Tangelos

I just discovered these little mini oranges at the store last week. I know...where have I been. I usually never buy oranges because it is so hard to find juicy ones. Well..Rowan saw these and begged for them ....so I bought them. I cant turn the kid down for choosing a healthy snack. I was quite surprised when I ate one....they were so juicy and good. I just bought some yesterday and cant wait to enjoy it.

60 calorie Jello Pudding Cups

I love the new flavors of these bad boys. I tried a new one today and it was good. It was the rice pudding...creme brulee flavor. That one was 70 calories and quite good. If you have a texture thing...you may not like them...I don't...so I liked it. I also like the chocolate banana and chocolate mint. Add some fat free cool whip and enjoy!

Powerade Zero

This is one for my running buddies. I am not a sports drink fan at all. I don't like the added sugar they contain, so I usually stick with my Diet Coke. However I just recently read a review on this so I thought I would give it a shot. The flavors are a lot like kool aid flavors and I like them. It contains much needed electrolytes so its really good to drink during or after your long runs. They are our "new thing" around here and only cost 78 cents at Walmart.

Kashi Go Lean Crunch

I love this cereal! Sometimes I warm up some frozen fruit like peaches in the microwave and then add it to the cereal with some milk and it taste like peach cobbler. Yummo! Its 200 cal per cup but worth it. I really like the Honey Almond Flax. Its got 4.5 grams of fat....8 grams of fiber and 9 grams of protein!

Cuban Black Beans and Rice....yum!

I just made this recipe that I got off of Weight Watchers.com and it is so yummy that I have to share. The only thing I did differently was.... I used Bush's Seasoned Black Beans and I added squash, zuchinni, orange pepper and mushrooms. I always try to add lots of veges to my meals to bulk them up. I love adding squash and zuchinni.... they have a great taste and they feel me up:)This recipe alone would not feel me up. Oh...I also used brown rice...say no to white!

2 1/2 cup(s) water, divided
1 cup(s) uncooked white rice, long grain-variety
2 tsp olive oil
1 3/4 cup(s) red onion(s), chopped, divided
1 medium banana pepper, cubanelle or other sweet pepper, diced (about 1 cup)
1 1/2 tbsp minced garlic
1 tsp ground cumin
1 tsp dried oregano
31 oz canned black beans, two 15.5 oz cans (undrained)
1 tsp table salt, or to taste
1 tbsp red wine vinegar
2/3 cup(s) cilantro, fresh, chopped, divided
1 medium lime(s), cut into 6 wedges

Instructions
In a small saucepan, bring 2 cups of water to a boil; add rice and cook as package directs.


Meanwhile, heat oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add 1 1/2 cups of onion and all of the pepper; cook, stirring occasionally, until tender, about 7 minutes. Add garlic, cumin and oregano; cook, stirring, until fragrant, about 30 seconds.


Stir in beans and their liquid, remaining 1/2 cup of water and salt; bring to a simmer. Reduce heat to low and simmer for flavors to blend, about 5 minutes. Remove from heat; stir in vinegar and 1/3 cup of cilantro.


To serve, spoon beans over rice; sprinkle with 1/4 cup of remaining onion and 1/3 cup of remaining cilantro; squeeze fresh lime juice over top. Yields about 3/4 cup of beans and 1/2 cup of rice per serving.

5 points-6 servings

Cadbury Mini Egg control...is there such a thing?

I have to post about my experience this week with these little chocolates of love. I bought a bag last week to put in my kids Easter baskets. I didnt open them right away, because I didnt want to eat them all, so I put them in the pantry to open closer to Easter. These chocolates of love, are some of my FAVORITE treats and I love spring because of them. Later in the week....I ended up opening the bag so that I could do some potty training bribing with my three year old. He is definitly his mothers son, because he went coo coo for them too. Everyday since then, he has been begging for "bird eggs" as he calls them. I, on the other hand..... have been very, very, good. I have really suprised myself. I have had some of them, but if I decide to have a few ......I track them into my calories for the day. The old Maren would have had a few to start and then completely lost control and ate them until I felt sick. Now..... Im not telling this story or any other story to boast, I only tell it to give myself and others hope. I think a lot of times we lose control and then we feel awful about ourselves and we dwell on those horrible experiences. Rather than doing that, I am trying to recognize when I am making a good choice or have changed a bad habit for a good one and give myself a little pat on the back. I have learned that as I make these positive choices, I become stronger and I realize that THIS feeling is way better than the "oh crap, I totally just porked out, I feel fat, I cant do this..... so Im just giving up feeling." I am learning that I DO have control and that is feels GREAT!. Eating that whole bag is not worth it anymore. It is not worth the horrible feeling that follows. I love the feeling that I get when I eat just six and can stop. Now THAT feeling is great! I am pleased to announce that the candy is still in the cupboard and Im not thinking about it all day and its no big deal and that makes me extremely happy. In this last year, I have made a lot of progress and food has started to feel "normal" again. So to answer my own question...yes....there is such a thing as Cadbury Mini Egg control....and theres control to be found with everything else that is our weakness!

Goodbye...sweet..sweet...Splenda!

Today I say an official goodbye to one of my favorite things....Splenda. I have realized that I am going overboard and using it WAY too much. Its like crack....I just cant stop.(not that Ive ever used crack)

I have realized that I buy a huge bag every week and I use it all up. I use it in my breakfast cereal, in my tea that I drink all day long and on everything that needs a little boost of sweetness. I have been wondering if maybe my over consumption of this wonderful stuff has been affecting my weight loss efforts. Its says "NO CALORIES" but when I googled it online.... the calories do add up if you use a lot of it. I was shocked when I read that 1 cup has 96 calories! What the CRAP! If I was only using it sparingly it wouldnt be a problem but Im not.... so ...theres a problem! Im going to cut it out of my diet completely this week and see what happens. OOHHH the withdrawls.....I can feel them already.

So......Good bye...sweet...sweet...Splenda...our days are over and Im movin on with out you....you decieved me and I wont ever forgive you and dont think about weasiling your way back into my life because I wont take you back. Your a cheat!
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Its true.....eat more lose more, especially while running!!!

This was my first week using the Bodybugg...and the results are in! I lost 1.6 pounds....Hurray!!!! I haven't lost any weight in two months and was actually gaining even though I was doing WW, running and being really strict with my eating. I have been soooooo frustrated! I got to my goal weight of 125 before Christmas and then started training for my marathon. I was trying to just maintain my weight and ended up slowly gaining every week. I tried everything and nothing worked, so I decided to splurge on a BodyBugg after my neighbor ranted and raved about it. After using it for a week...I realized how many calories I was actually burning a day and was quite surprised. I am burning way more than I thought. Yesterday I burned 3,000 calories. On average I burn 2700 a day. That's alot..... obviously I wasn't eating enough. WW just wasn't working for me anymore. I wish that they had a specific plan for marathon runners but they don't. I was even eating my AP and Flex points and the scale kept going up. So then I would try not eating them and the scale would go up again! I was going crazy..... literally!

After using the Bodybugg this week, I was also surprised to see that most machines at the gym say that I burned way more calories than I actually did. It is so nice to actually see how many calories I am burning and how many I am actually eating through logging my food on the computer. It is the best little investment I have made for myself. I felt like I was eating a lot this week but felt very satisfied and not hungry all the time. I definitely ate more carbs than normal which I loved and have felt my running getting better. I had awesome runs this week...I ran 8 miles in 72 minutes! Everything is just great and I am so happy to feel some peace in this area of my life. Nothing sucks worse that trying so hard and seeing no results. What I learned goes right along with the book I'm reading by Nancy Clark. Nutrition Guide for Marathoners. She said that the biggest complaint she gets from runners, is that they plateau or gain weight while training. She said that most of the women are not eating enough calories and especially not enough carbs. Why are we so afraid of them? She also said that many women(I can relate) have a hard time adding calories because they are afraid of gaining weight. Once they do though...they finally see results. I have learned that her statement is true. Sometimes you have to eat more to lose more, especially if you are really active. I tried finding mt BMR online and most said that I burn 1300-1700 a day. Even if I was inactive that is still way off. On Sunday I didn't do much at all and I still burned almost 1900.

I was also glad to hear that this process worked for Stephanie! She ate a four extra points everyday and was able to break through and see a weight loss. It is true ladies....if your struggling seeing the scale move and your really tyrying, TRY ADDING MORE CALORIES. It works!

It was bound to happen.........

So..... everyone in the running world always has in the back of their mind, the possibility of having tummy issues while running. Atleast I have.....and because of that....I have had somewhat of a plan so I can hit the problem head on when nessesary. That is usually the reason I run 3 mile laps around my neighborhood. I also know where every porta potty is located as well. Just in case. During a run, I have occasionally had to run home when Ive felt a little rumbly in the tumbly and then continue on like no big deal. I have heard many a stories of people having to run into a ditch or behind a wall to take a dump and have often wondered when I might have a similiar issue. Dont get me wrong....I wasnt hoping for it.... but I knew it was bound to happen.

On Saturday, I made some delicious Whole Wheat Pancakes that were da bomb and served them with Log Cabin Sugar Free Syrup, which we love. I have never had a problem with that concoction before, but have also never eaten them before a 17 mile run either. (Ive been testing foods to see what gives me the best energy before my long runs) Well....Saturday, Loren and I headed out to Grantsville to do our long run with his sister Jen. I was a little nervous running with someone new, because Im a gassy person and I knew I couldnt just let them fly like usual. I knew I would have to hide the "super boost". Sometimes they are so bad.... I think they give me some momentum. Anyway..... as I started running I felt the worst cramping ever! I felt like I was just being lugged down. My belly starting bloating and with every stride I hurt worse. I could feel the bubbles growing and I knew, it wasnt good. I tried to continue on and hide my issue but wondered how long I could keep on acting as though I was fine. Low and behold, before I knew it, my husband starting groaning that his tummy hurt and that he had to take a dookie. I was suddenly relieved and quickly admitted my problem with no hesitation. We did what we could do to continue on but a few minutes later he and I could no longer handle the pain. At that moment.....I found myself running into a cow patty infested field to releive the pain. I had no choice. I HAD to do it.

Before we left the house...I asked Loren to please grab some T.P in case I needed to pee and guess what.....when I asked him for some he said he forgot. What? ....I will never rely on him again! What in the crap was I going to do? As I was pondering my options I realized that I was wearing gloves. Cute pink striped gloves. Yes.......gloves...and boy was I happy that I decided to wear them that day! It was either that or a few gum wrappers I had in my pocket. I knew those wouldnt work so well so gloves it was. Loren actually bought the gloves for me for Christmas. Oh well.....thats what he gets.....Take that Loren! Who knew one day they would end up in a field under these circumstances. I didnt! Anyways.....I only used one....I had to save the other just in case my tummy needed to explode again. And good thing because I ended up not only once but twice in the cow patty infested field of dreams. Sure glad I saved one! Poor Loren..... he had nothing...not a glove or a gum wrapper and is now paying the price. After mile 12, we ended up taking a break at his sisters to recooperate from our tummy issues and then continued on.

We just have to laugh about this experience and were glad we got to share it with his sister on our first ever run together. We bonded!

So runners.....have a plan and dont rely on anyone but yourself to bring the T.P!

P.S. I know what I WONT be eating marathon day!

Oh yeah...to make the run even better...we almost got attacked by a cow. I think he knew what I did in his field and wasnt happy about it!