Week 4!!

Here it is again!! Week four is over and I hopped on the scale this morning. Grand total for the last month? Drum roll please....................................

18 POUNDS

I honestly don't even know how. I mean, I'm definitely working hard. I workout six days a week. I've reduced my fat and calories. But I'm still enjoying the food I eat. I don't feel like I'm dieting. Which is good, because I don't want to diet anymore. I just want to live healthy.

I'm also losing inches and my clothes aren't fitting well at all. Which is GREAT! Although I don't want to go buy any new clothes when I know those won't fit me soon enough either. So I guess I'll just be wearing super baggy clothing until I reach my goal. :)

I keep thinking I should probably increase the weight in my workouts and things like that, but I don't know how often to do that. And the idea scares me. I don't know why. I'm weird, I guess.

I did try something new last night. YOGA. It's my newest passion. I LOVE it! It was so fun and relaxing and centering! Maybe that's corny, but it was so great! I'd love to be able to add at least 30 minutes of yoga to my routine every day. But I have no clue where to fit it in. I'm struggling as it is. But I'm definitely going to incorporate it as often as I can!

I'd really like to spice things up with my workouts. I do cardio MWF and strength training TThS. So far I've been doing the one strength training dvd I have and using my elliptical machine on cardio days. I have ordered another dvd recommended by a friend (thanks Tiffany!) and it should be here any day. I'm excited to add that to my routine. I have a step aerobics dvd and a couple of other cardio dvds that I need to start alternating with my elliptical machine. But I was wondering if there are any dvds that you guys like or have heard are great. I'd love to try some new things! I still consider myself a beginner, but I like a new challenge!

I'm also having so much fun trying out new recipes! I'm addicted to www.allrecipes.com. I think I get on almost every day. :) So what are your favorite healthy recipes? I'd love to try some of those! A lot of non-vegetarian recipes can be easily adjusted by exchanging beans or hearty veggies for the meat, so I'd love to try some! Breakfasts, lunches, dinners. I love trying new stuff! And in exchange, here are a few of my favorites:

BREAKFAST:

Spinach Smoothie and Whole Wheat Toast

1 cup fresh spinach
1 small kiwi fruit
4 strawberries
1/2 cup frozen blueberries
1/4 cup vanilla soy milk

Blend until smooth! That makes one large serving. Don't worry, the spinach taste will be completely covered by the fruit and soy milk! We got the idea from a friend (thanks again, Tiff!). I didn't have all of the ingredients she used on hand for her spinach smoothies, so we tried this. And it turned out great! I usually just have a piece of whole wheat toast with 1 tsp of Smart Balance Light Spread. Completely filling and completely healthy!!

Veggie "Omelet"

1 cup chopped spinach
1/4 cup chopped onion
1/4 cup copped mushrooms
1 whole egg*
2 egg whites
1 tbsp Parmesan cheese

Scrambled the eggs with salt and pepper, and maybe some garlic powder. Saute the onion and mushrooms with some non-stick cooking spray. When the onions are soft and the mushrooms are starting to brown add the spinach. Once it's wilted, add the eggs. When the eggs are cooked, sprinkle with cheese and enjoy! Sometimes I'll put salsa on this too. So yummy!! *I used to use the whole egg until I realized that I like plain egg whites just fine. Now I use three egg whites and I don't even notice the difference. And the egg whites are fat free!!

LUNCH:

Veggie Wraps!!

1 TortillaLand Uncooked Flour Tortilla
1/2 a red bell pepper, sliced
1 large tomato slice
1 thin slice of red onion
1/2 cup romaine lettuce or spinach (or whatever leafy green I have on hand)
1/4 cup cucumber, sliced and quartered
1 tbsp low fat cream cheese

Cook up the tortilla (you can use any tortilla or wrap; these are just my very favorite thing in the world!). Spread cream cheese down the center. Fill with veggies, wrap up like a burrito and enjoy! I usually have this with a piece of fruit or something. And you can add deli meat or cheese or other veggies. This is one of my very favorite things to eat!

Veggies with Spicy Bean Dip

sliced vegetables (whatever you like or have on-hand)
1-15 ounce can of pinto beans, drained and rinsed (any beans work, pinto are just my favorite for this recipe)
1/4-1/2 cup water
1 tsp chili powder
1/4 tsp garlic powder
a pinch of cumin
canned diced green chiles to taste (optional)

Blend beans with water until smooth. Start with 1/4 cup water and add more if it's too thick. Mix in the other spices. Dip your veggies! A lot of the time I'll dip lots of fresh veggies and some whole wheat pita bread triangles. It's a good source of protein and super filling! Sometimes I use homemade hummus instead of the bean dip. Also super yummy!

DINNER:

Creamy Italian White Bean Soup

1 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
1 onion, chopped
1 stalk celery, chopped
1 clove garlic, minced
2-16 ounce cans white kidney or cannellini beans, rinsed and drained
1-14 ounce can chicken or vegetable broth
1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
1/8 teaspoon dried thyme
2 cups water or more vegetable or chicken broth
1 bunch fresh spinach, chopped
1 tablespoon lemon juice
Parmesan cheese (optional)

Cook the onions and celery in oil until tender in a medium pot. Add garlic. Stir in beans, chicken broth, pepper, thyme and 2 cups water. Bring to a boil, reduce heat, and then simmer for 15 minutes. With slotted spoon, remove 2 cups of the bean and vegetable mixture from soup and set aside. In blender at low speed, blend remaining soup in small batches until smooth, (it helps to remove the center piece of the blender lid to allow steam to escape, but be careful not to burn yourself!!). Once blended pour soup back into pot and stir in reserved beans. Bring to a boil, occasionally stirring. Stir in spinach and cook 1 minute or until spinach is wilted. Stir in lemon juice and remove from heat and serve with fresh grated Parmesan cheese on top. This would be really yummy with some good Italian bread on the side. I feel like I'm getting a healthy version of Olive Garden when I have this soup with a side salad! And it makes great leftovers. (This makes 4 servings).

Mexican Pita Pizzas

1-6 inch whole wheat pita bread
1 tbsp spaghetti sauce, tomato sauce, pizza sauce (whatever you have around)
2 tbsp diced green chiles
1/4 cup pinto or black beans
1/4 cup sliced and quartered zucchini
1 ounce grated mozzarella cheese

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Layer ingredients on pita bread. Cook until cheese is melted. I can eat a whole one myself for only 303 calories and 5 grams of fat! And I'm usually stuffed when I'm done. And of course you can use whatever other toppings you want. I usually make this for myself and make the kids and Jason a normal pepperoni or something.

So those are a few of our favorites!! If you try them, let me know what you think or if you do anything differently.

Now share some of yours!