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Good morning and Happy Friday!
Sorry for the silence yesterday. But, got a little tied up and couldn't get on here to send out my usual daily blog. But, I am back today! This will probably be my last blog for a few days. I'll be busy next week with travel and Thanksgiving plans. So, look for me again on next Friday! We'll have a lot to catch up on by then for sure. 
So, next week is the big week.....Thanksgiving Day celebrations begin! So, read all my blogs that gave you some good tips on what to do during those holiday celebrations. At the end of this blog, I'll list them again for you. Just be prepared and you'll do fine. Don't let anyone or any food sabatoge your progress....it is not worth it. Just keep that in mind and you'll be fine. I am telling myself the same thing too. Also, check out my Turkey Day Recipe blog and get some great ideas on what to bring or serve at the celebrations. Remember, this holiday is about family, friends and sharing, so a lot of food does not have to be the main attraction. Keep the bigger picture in mind.
Here are the reminder tips:
• Have a game plan in mind before you go. Enjoy a light snack or meal at least 30 minutes before arriving to the dinner. You won’t be hungry and it will keep you in control. If you can, ask what will be served and then offer to bring something along. Bringing a dish will give assurance there will be at least one healthy offering as well as show the host or hostess your thoughtfulness.
• Scan then choose. Before anything hits your plate, look at what is presented, then decide. Go for veggie platters, steamed or roasted vegetables, turkey breast or chicken (skin removed), and fruit for dessert. Steer clear of the creamy based salads, such as potato or pasta salad. Watch out for the stuffing and cheesy casseroles too. These items are often loaded with calories and fats that can potentially derail your weight loss and healthy eating goals. You may sample a small taste of one item that may not be as healthy, but watch those portion sizes.
• Stay in control. Sometimes peer pressure can play a vital role in this situation. If people do not see you eating as much as they are, they can feel as though you are not joining in on the fun. So, the key is to be prepared and have something already in your hand. An ice filled cup of water or diet soda won’t add any additional calories and won’t leave you standing there idle. If someone still pressures you, just be polite, and say no thank you.
• Get involved. Remember, the holiday should be about getting together and sharing in the joy of the holiday season. Food is not the only way to get involved in the party. So, be sociable and mingle. A good discussion and even a card game are good distractions that can keep you on track. However, when you do engage in conversations, keep away from the food table. If you engage too long in front of the table, you may not only find yourself engaging in good conversation, but also some mindless nibbling.
Have a healthy Thanksgiving holiday! See you next Friday online!!
Bridgette
Well, we made it to Wednesday!
As mentioned in my blogs earlier this week, stress can be a factor during this holiday season. If next week will be kicking up your stress notch a bit, try some of these tips to help de-stress. I found these in an article by Heidi Brown of Forbes.com, it lists the top 10 ways to de-stress yourself:
1. Learn to say No
2. Schedule time for yourself
3. Realize that everyone needs you at your best
4. Take 5 minute breaks
5. Delegate
6. Don’t make excuses
7. Go to church
8. TV time doesn’t count
9. Take a nightly bath
10. Forget about being superwoman
Following these tips will not only bring great health benefits to you and your weight loss efforts, but also others around you. If you are stressed, you can not be there for those who count on you. So, take care of YOU first.
Have a great day!
Bridgette
Good morning all!
Being a full-time working Mom and wife, I don’t get much “me” time. You know, that time to just sit and think…..no noise, no distractions. So, this morning, before starting my usual busy day, I decided to take that extra time and do just that. I did some reflecting. I thought about my journey and how far I have come. I thought about my “wake-up” call and what it took for me to get started on my journey that has led me to where I am today.
January 3, 2007 was the first day I took those steps. It was tough, but I had a made up mind and was determined to do something about ME. My health was bad and I was taking three different pills daily. I was 35 years old and didn’t want to continue on medication for the rest of my life. I wanted to stop the constant shortness of breath and be able to keep up with my daughter. I wanted to change not just my weight, but my self-esteem, my drive, my passion….the discovery of the real me trapped inside a 215 pound body. This was my wake-up call. What is your wake-up call?
Losing weight is not an easy task. Keeping it off, is even harder, but I am learning each day, that it can be done. Most of you have gotten your own personal wake-up call too. You have decided to take those first steps to a new life. I believe that is why you found this community and joined. We are all looking for inspiration as well as answers.
Here is a checklist that I used when I first started out. It helped me to stay focused and get to my goal. So, now I am reflecting on it.
1. Decide in your mind that this is something you really want to do. This truly has to be a commitment in order for you to succeed.
2. Take it one day at a time. Change takes time. No one gains weight overnight. It may seem like one day you were eating a slice a pizza and the next day it stuck to your thighs. No, it actually took some time to gain the weight. So, as a result, it will be a process to take the weight off. It will not just melt away on its own. It will be a lot of work, but well worth it. Give yourself time. Change one habit a week; take it day by day.
3. As most of us are learning, diets don’t work. Weight Watchers has told us this message many times over and over again. So, prepare your mind to trade in all your old habits and replace them with good habits. As you develop new eating habits, your body will start to fall in line with how you are thinking about food. This journey is a lifestyle change. So, you are in it to win it. You don’t want to lose the weight then gain it back. Ultimately, the goal should be to lose it for good.
4. Be selfish. That’s right….selfish. Take time out for yourself and learn about what you need to do to get yourself on the path to healthy eating and exercise. Carve out some “me” time in your daily schedule to make sure you are getting enough rest, eating the proper foods and exercising your body. It is not only good for you, but also those around you. The people around you need you to be at your best. Taking that much needed time for yourself is important.
5. When choosing to go with a weight loss program, choose a plan or program that works best for you. Research all of your options. There are so many programs and plans to follow these days. So, take your time and find what fits with your plans for your new lifestyle.
6. Lastly, it is always advisable to consult with your doctor or healthcare professional before changing your diet or starting any exercise program.
Whether the decision has been made or the process of making the decision is still underway, define your moment and own it. Freeze that moment in time, then, start using it as a self-motivator to get the ball rolling forward. Once the decision has been made, it will not be easy, but when you remember why you are doing it, it will be at those tough times that you know you have started a journey that has defined your success.
Until tomorrow……take it one step at a time and live in the moment! Enjoy your day!
Bridgette 
Good morning everyone!
I hope you all had a fantastic weekend! My weekend started off pretty good. On Friday, hubby stopped by and surprised me at work with some roses. I was blown away! I was totally not expecting it at all. It really made my day! He told me how much he appreciates and loves me and sees how much I do. That really made me feel good!
I actually got a lot of rest this weekend. I am proud of myself. Resting is very hard for me. I am truly a “busy” body. But, I'm working on it. I usually run around doing this and that and then regret it on Monday mornings. But, this time, I did get some much needed rest. I spent a lot of time with my 5 year old daughter. That is always fun and adventurous. She loves to challenge me. 
But, even though I had some good things going on this weekend, there are the not so good times. There are the stressful times, the disappointment times, the sad times and the just being "in dumps" times. One thing I was thinking about was that this is the final week before Thanksgiving! Whew....time has flown right by! We are going to be pretty busy that week in our house. I am sure it will be a busy week for most of you as well. It is so easy to be in focus when things are going well, but what happens when things are not going well with us? What happens when we are in stress mode? Do we get derailed and lose focus?
In last week’s blogs, I shared some great recipes and recipe links for the big festivities. I even shared with you some tips on how to stay on track at parties and events this holiday season. But, there is one more thing I want to share with you. If you are like me, eating based on emotions, you will need some help when the holiday stress starts to get to you. Here are some tips that I have discovered on my journey that really help me get through the stress and "not so good times" without turning to food for comfort. I hope you find at least one or two or even all that are useful for you. Here goes…..
The six step zero calorie solution for handling emotional eating:
1. Cry it out. Allow yourself to feel the pain. Tears allow you to release what is bothering you from deep inside. Don’t bury the feelings with food. Let the tears roll.
2. Pray it out. Once you start allowing yourself to feel the pain, you will need some help dealing with it. Ask God to give you strength. He will hear your cries and give you comfort like no other food. He can permanently fill that emptiness with peace and contentment.
3. Write it out. When that moment hits you, write it down. A journal serves as a good distraction and allows you to say everything you are feeling at that moment. These are your thoughts and feelings and no one else has to know. Once you have it all on paper, your journal will serve as a very useful tool to identify your food triggers when you are in emotional overload.
Ask yourself these questions:
• What happened to make you feel bad?
• What are you thinking about eating?
• Are you hungry at this moment?
• What are you planning to do?
4. Laugh it out. Laugher is truly the best medicine. Allow yourself to laugh at yourself sometimes. We often take ourselves too seriously. Some situations are very serious and should be treated accordingly. However, in most situations, you will find that it could always be worse.
5. Work it out. Go for a walk or exercise. It clears your mind and refocuses your attention on something else rather than your present situation. It turns you away from the food and back to your weight loss and fitness goals.
6. Talk it out. Communication is a key to opening the door to your inner feelings. However, be careful. Talk to someone who won’t judge you and someone you truly trust. Tell them how you feel and be specific. If they are the person who is causing you pain, tell them. If there are underlying problems in your relationship, discussing the issues will heal you and even the relationship.
So, stop, take a deep breath, and take back control. No matter what life throws at you, there is always a zero calorie solution.
For more info: Feeding your feelings – WebMD.com
Until tomorrow…..stay on the journey! 
TGIF!!
Got a question......
Has anyone ever tried putting Smart Ones Artisan flatbreads in the oven?
Well, I had one of the flatbreads in the freezer, the Chicken Bruschetta Grilled Flatbread. So, since I am always thinking outside the box, I decided to do a little experiment. I was off from work on Wednesday, and had some time on my hands. That is when I get into trouble most times, but this time I think it paid off.
Anyway, I thought, what would happen if I put it in the oven and bake it. I would keep it open, like a pizza and not fold it like a flatbread. So, I set the oven to 350 degrees. Then, I lightly sprayed my baking sheet with butter-flavored Crisco cooking spray. Then, I laid the flatbread onto the baking sheet, lightly sprayed the flatbread with the butter-spray on top and placed in the oven for about 20 minutes. It looked good, but how would it taste? Well, let me tell you, it was pretty good! The crust was crispy and thin, like a thin crust hand tossed style pizza. I cut it into four slices and it was heavenly to me.
Don’t say it…..I know it goes against the packaging instructions, but I thought….what the heck, this is good stuff!
Next time, I may try using olive-oil cooking spray. I chose the butter-flavored one this time because it seems to give the crust that little buttery taste that you may taste in a full-fat pizza crust, but without all the calories and guilt. So, just thought I would share that with you.
Now…..recipe time! From my kitchen to yours, this is another one of my quick and easy meals. You can put it all together in no time. I divide it up into separate containers for quick and easy portion control. It is easy to reheat the next day and takes the guess work out of what’s for lunch or dinner. I have also added some side suggestions as well as a dessert recipe!
Meaty Beanie Leanie (with turkey smoked sausage)
Makes about 9 (1c) servings. 202 calories/2.2 fat grams per serving
Ingredients:
8 oz. Hillshire Farm Turkey smoked sausage, cut into bite-sized pieces
4 (16 oz.) can Bush’s Great Northern Beans or Pinto Beans, rinsed off and drained (also available in Reduced Sodium)
2 cans of Ro*tel tomatoes (original), drained
1 cup of KC Masterpiece low-cal BBQ sauce (or a BBQ sauce that has low sugars and no more than 10 calories per 2T)
1/2 cup water
Instructions:
Cut sausage into bite-size pieces. Lightly spray a large pot with non-stick cooking spray. Add the smoked sausage and heat until slightly browned on one each side. Add the Ro-tel, beans, BBQ sauce and water. Reduce heat, let simmer until all heated.
For side suggestions: Add a side salad with 2 tablespoons of fat free dressing or 2 cups of steamed broccoli with a little I Can’t believe it’s not Butter spray and Mrs. Dash Southwest Seasonings sprinkled on top
For dessert: Smart Ones Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Sundae (my favorite) or this recipe from last Friday’s blog, which I am modifying here to change the flavors:
Chocolate Cream Pie Pudding
6 servings (about 1/3 cup each) Est. calorie and fat per serving: 132.5 cal, less than 1 gram fat
Ingredients:
1 - box (4 serving size) Fat-Free Sugar-Free Jell-O Instant pudding and pie filling Chocolate flavored mix
3 sheets – Low-Fat Graham Crackers
1 - 8 oz tub of thawed COOL WHIP FREE Whipped Topping
1/2 c Fat Free evaporated canned milk
Instructions:
Take graham crackers and place in Ziploc bag. Pound them with a mallet or rolling pin to form fine crumbs. Combine the pudding mix and pumpkin pie spice. Set aside. Add milk and cool whip free to pudding. Use wire whisk and beat by hand or use electric mixer and beat well until smooth and creamy. For instant portion control, go ahead and divide pudding into 6 small bowls. Add some crumbs to the bottom of each bowl. Put 1/3 cup of pudding into each bowl. Then, sprinkle the remaining crumbs on top of each serving of pudding. Cover bowl tightly with plastic wrap or foil. Serve chilled. For extra coldness, place in freezer about 10 minutes before eating.
With these suggestions, you can have a great meal with a chocolate dessert, less than 500 calories!
Enjoy your weekend! Don’t forget to check Monday’s blog!
Whew…..we are almost to Friday!! 
As we continue gearing up for Thanksgiving, I wanted to continue sharing strategies and of course, recipes that will get you through the holiday eating frenzy. Whether you are planning to eat out at a restaurant (Oh yes, many restaurants and hotels will be serving Thanksgiving dinner on Thanksgiving day!) or with your family and friends at home, if you are planning to splurge this Thanksgiving holiday, here a few tips on how to burn off those extra calories.
Burn Off Extra Thanksgiving Calories
But for those of us who want to stay on course and away from the next dress or pants size, here are some great tips to help this holiday season as well as any party or event you may attend.
• Have a game plan in mind before you go. Enjoy a light snack or meal at least 30 minutes before arriving to the dinner. You won’t be hungry and it will keep you in control. If you can, ask what will be served and then offer to bring something along. Bringing a dish will give assurance there will be at least one healthy offering as well as show the host or hostess your thoughtfulness.
• Scan then choose. Before anything hits your plate, look at what is presented, then decide. Go for veggie platters, steamed or roasted vegetables, turkey breast or chicken (skin removed), and fruit for dessert. Steer clear of the creamy based salads, such as potato or pasta salad. Watch out for the stuffing and cheesy casseroles too. These items are often loaded with calories and fats that can potentially derail your weight loss and healthy eating goals. You may sample a small taste of one item that may not be as healthy, but watch those portion sizes.
• Stay in control. Sometimes peer pressure can play a vital role in this situation. If people do not see you eating as much as they are, they can feel as though you are not joining in on the fun. So, the key is to be prepared and have something already in your hand. An ice filled cup of water or diet soda won’t add any additional calories and won’t leave you standing there idle. If someone still pressures you, just be polite, and say no thank you.
• Get involved. Remember, the holiday should be about getting together and sharing in the joy of the holiday season. Food is not the only way to get involved in the party. So, be sociable and mingle. A good discussion and even a card game are good distractions that can keep you on track. However, when you do engage in conversations, keep away from the food table. If you engage too long in front of the table, you may not only find yourself engaging in good conversation, but also some mindless nibbling.
Now, to add on to the recipes that I shared in yesterday’s blog, here are a few more!
Here is an awesome pumpkin cake recipe that I discovered while searching online! I have made this cake numerous times. It is SO good! No one will believe it is low in calories and fat! Shhh! Don’t tell anyone! Just sit back and hear all the compliments of how delicious it is.
Oh, and one more link……here are TONS of recipes for some healthy holiday eating: http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/thanksgiving-recipes/NU00643
That’s all for now! Have a great day!
Bridgette 
Good afternoon all! I don't usually blog twice a day, but someone just asked me about an eating plan they could use. So, I remembered I had this in another blog last week, but it was buried with some other recipes and tips. I didn't want anyone to miss this one. So, here it is again.....
Here is a quick guide to help with meal planning. I use this myself and it really works! You can incorporate Smart Ones right into this plan too!
BREAKFAST (about 350 calories spent here)
Entrée (examples: Smart Ones breakfast entree, whole grain cereal, whole grain bagel, whole grain toast, etc.)
Dairy or protein
Fruit
MID-MORNING SNACK:
Low-fat, 100-140 calories (example: protein bar, Fiber One bar, Kashi bar)
LUNCH (about 300-350 calories spent here)
Entrée (example: Smart Ones frozen entrée, Progresso Light soup (watch sodium), low-fat sandwich tuna with water or chicken with water and whole grain bread, turkey on whole wheat)
Salad or raw vegetable with 2T low-fat or FF dressing or a Fat Serving (see grocery list)
Dairy or Protein (yogurt or low-fat cheese or sugar free fat free Jell-o or South Beach pudding)
AFTERNOON SNACK:
Low-fat, 100-140 calories (example: fruit, yogurt or cheese, or Kashi bar)
DINNER (about 500 calories spent here)
Entrée (examples: Smart Ones Artisan Pizza (yum), grilled chicken, turkey burger, low-fat pasta dish, any recipes you choose that are low in fat; check online: www.eatingwell.com)
2 Vegetable servings
Salad or fruit
DESSERT (no more than 220 calories should be spent here):
Low-fat treat (Smart Ones Chocolate Chip Cookie dough dessert (my favorite), low-fat frozen yogurt, low-fat icecream or non-fat fruit sorbet)
DRINK YOUR WATER!!! You can add Crystal Light or some other sugar-free low-calorie drink mix (no more than 5 calories per serving). It goes down much easier. Or try a lemon or lime....works just as well and no added calories!
Have an awesome day!! - Bridgette
11/10/2009 - Happy Tuesday!
Do I have some great recipes to share with you today? Of course I do! Thanksgiving plans are underway at our house. For those of you who know me, you know what a planner I am. When trying to watch those calories this holiday season (and throughout the year), I have to be on guard, planned and ready for action.
So, as promised in my last two blogs, here are some great recipe finds that I have researched. Now, I can’t take any of the credit for these awesome dishes, but I guess I can take credit for finding them. J
Here is a great Turkey Day lineup that is sure to please. I will be trying at least one these out myself for our Thanksgiving dinner this year. These recipes come to you from Eatingwell.com. They are a great source for a lot of my recipe favorites as well as healthy meal tips and ideas.
Check them out: www.eatingwell.com
Eatingwell did an awesome job on these makeover recipes. These recipes will save you TONS of calories as compared to the traditional recipes. These are all classics that most of us just can’t live without. So, you can have your turkey, dressing, sweet potatoes……and pumpkin pie too! Just leave the extra calories behind. Remember, please remember.......WATCH THOSE PORTIONS!
http://www.eatingwell.com/recipes/maple_roasted_sweet_potatoes.html
http://www.eatingwell.com/recipes/cornbread_sausage_stuffing.html
http://www.eatingwell.com/recipes/apple_shallot_roasted_turkey.html
http://www.eatingwell.com/recipes/frozen_pumpkin_mousse_pie.html
And one more thought……
If you don’t cook, no problem, forward this blog page to your host or hostess who will be preparing the Thanksgiving Day feast. They would love you for helping them plan. ;-)
If I stumble on more recipes or tips, I’ll be sure to send them your way.
Have a great day! J
Good morning all! It is FRIDAY!!!! 
I was lying in bed last night and thinking about all I have to do this weekend. I also get most of my recipe ideas in the middle of the night. I've been thinking alot about the Fall season and the weather starting to change. Thanksgiving right around the corner. I love to smell and taste of pumpkin and cinnamon in tasty treats. I thought about some of those treats that are starting to appear on the market for this season. This time of the year is always a challenge.
For instance the pumpkin pie icecream from Baskin Robbins is one to watch for. 4 oz. of this icecream (1/2 cup) packs in 230 calories and 12 fat grams, which 7 are saturated fat. Check out this link: http://www.baskinrobbins.com/Nutrition/Product.aspx?Category=Ice%20Cream&id=0158
And of course, our good friends at Cheesecake Factory loading us up with their holiday favorite, Pumpkin Pie Cheesecake. I piece (well, hunk) comes in at....ok, hold your breathe....the stats alone could give you a heart attack: One slice: 680 calories/45 grams of fat (24 saturated fat) and a whopping 49 grams of sugar! Ok, enough said. Want more? Here's the link on all of their cheesecakes, just so you are making informative decisions before taking a bite of one of those killer treats: http://www.calorieking.com/foods/calories-in-fast-food-chains-restaurants_c-Y2lkPTIxJmJpZD0xMDEwJnNpZD0tMQ.htmlat
Now that you have the facts, let me give you some good news. We all know that both of these treats can put some damage on the waistline. So, as I lie there in bed last night, I started thinking up this little recipe that might get us through some of these holiday cravings. This special treat gives you the flavor and the best of both worlds: pumpkin and cheesecake. It is called the Pumpkin Cheesecake Pudding. I just thought it up and will be testing it out this weekend. You are welcome to test it out with me. Don't worry, there is NO baking or cooking involved on this one. I can hear the cheers of my non-cooks out there.
You will need some elbow power for stirring or you can use your electric mixer. So, here's the recipe, have a crack at it. You can even take this one to the office potluck that you have already signed up for.
On Monday, I'll let you know how it turned out on my end. If you are game and you try it too, let me know how it turned out on your end. Add a comment to this page and let me know your thoughts. Don't worry, I have many other recipes up my sleeve to share with you as we enter the holiday season. So, stay tuned to this blog. You don't want to miss anything.
Pumpkin Cheesecake Pudding
Total calories/6 servings (about 1/2 cup each)
Ingredients:
1 - small box (4 serving size) Fat-Free Sugar-Free Jell-O Instant pudding and pie filling Cheesecake flavored mix
3 sheets – Low-Fat Graham Crackers
1 - 8 oz tub of thawed COOL WHIP FREE Whipped Topping
1 c Fat Free (Skim) cold milk (I recommend Over the Moon Fat Free milk - it is creamier than most skim milks, but any skim milk will work too)
1t Pumpkin Pie Spice
Est. calorie and fat per serving: 125 cal, less than 1 gram fat
Instructions:
Take Graham crackers and place in ziploc bag. Pound them with a mallet or rolling pin to form fine crumbs. Combine the pudding mix and pumpkin pie spice. Set aside. Add milk and cool whip free to pudding and spice mixture. Use wire whisk and beat by hand or use electric mixer and beat well until smooth and creamy. Divide pudding into 6 serving bowls. Sprinkle the crumbs on top of each bowl of pudding. Cover bowl tightly with plastic wrap or foil. Serve chilled.
Here's the calorie breakdown for each ingredient:
3 sheets LF graham crackers – 180, 2.25FG
8 oz Cool whip Free – 375, 0 FG
1 box Pudding mix – 100, 0 FG
1 cup ff milk – 100/0g (calorie range can be between 80-100, depending on brand)
spices - 0 calories
Craving Chocolate? Substitute the cheesecake flavored pudding with the chocolate fudge flavored one instead. You can choose any flavor pudding mix you like, just make sure it is a sugar-free variety.
So, have a great weekend and watch those high calorie pitfalls! - Bridgette 