Eating Less

Due to some emotional eating lately, my weight has been flucuating the past couple weeks.  One way I am going to help get my weight back down is Portion Control.  Josh and I love munching on these rice cakes from Aldi:

They are so yummy!  However, we sometimes found ourselves consuming the whole bag rather quickly.

My solution?  Separate the rice cakes into suggested serving size right when I get the bag home!

Each serving is about nine rice cakes.  So when I get home from the grocery store, I take all snacks that are in a bag like this, and separate them into serving sized bags.

This way, Josh and I are not tempted to overeat.  If you are wondered about bag use like I am, just resue the bags!

What's your favorite snack?

Chicken Florentine

I must have been craving cheese when I menu planned for the week because this is the second of three meals for my week with tons of cheese!  Must be the Italian in me :D

This recipe is adapted from WW Momentum (9 pts)

In  a large skillet heat extra virgin olive oil and toasted a chopped small onion.  Add 20 ounces frozen spinach that has been drained.  Season with salt and pepper.  When most of the water is out, put in a square 8 inch dish that has been sprayed with cooking spray.

Next, wipe out the skillet and heat another tsp of olive oil over high heat.  Cook 4 (5 oz) chicken breasts for 2 mins on each side.  It doesn't have to be cooked through.  Place on top of spinach mixture.

Top with 1 cup of low-fat mozzarella and 2 TB parm cheese.  Bake in a 350 degree oven for 20 minutes.  About ten minutes in, boil water and cook 4 oz whole wheat pasta.  Top the pasta with 1/2 cup tomato sauce when done.  Serve with spinach casserole.

Smelled delicous.  Looked delicious.  TASTED delicious.  and was nutritious :) I love getting protein and veggies in, in one shot!

What did you make for dinner tonight?

Whirlwind...and POPCHIP winner

As you may know, I am a certified elementary teacher looking for a classroom.  This school year, I have had THREE long-term positions and consider myself a good, no great teacher.  The time has come to find another long-term position for the end of the year and also apply to positions being posted for the upcoming year.

Also, I have some other things coming on in life equaling to me being very bad.  I haven't had time/motivation to plan really good meals, just making whatever I can scrounge up!  The summer weather does not equal me wanting to be in the kitchen.

Time for me to get back on track!  Tonight, besides going for a long walk with Healthy Mom on the Run, I made black bean burgers courtesy of Sandra Lee from Food Network.  I am not a big fan of her because she uses a lot of processed products but this recipe is good! You can find it on the food network recipe. 

Black Bean Burger with Alexia Sweet Potato fries.

Now announcing the winner of PopChip giveaway:

Jumpin' Jess!  Please email me at pens26@gmail.com with your name and contact info so I can have Corinne at PopChip!  send you your package!


Back to applications...I am determined to be a regular classroom teacher by August 2010!!

Don't Forget!

Just a quick note to remind all of you to enter my PopChip giveaway!  The last day to enter is TOMORROW!
 TO ENTER:

Follow me and invite friends to read train your life


OR

Leave a comment telling why you love Popchips

OR

Link this giveaway in your own blog.

Burger Night

YAY! The weather in CT has been fantastic!  Nothing goes with good weather than summer food!

If you are like me, sometimes you get a craving for a juicy, delicous BURGER.  Since WW, I have made the switch to ground turkey instead of beef but still love to have a good burger once in while.  I couldn't resist this recipe because the burger is stuffed with cheese! 

Adapted from WW Momentum  5 points per burger

Take 1 lb of ground turkey and add 3/4 tsp dried oregano and 1/4 tsp black pepper.  Mix together.  Then form the turkey into 8 small patties.

Put about 2 TB feta cheese on top of four of the patties.  Then top with another patty.  Like a little sandwich!

Put 2 tsp olive oil in a large skillet and heat over med-high heat.  Add the patties and cook to your doneness choice! 

One thing I have learned is once you set meat in the pan, leave it alone!  Otherwise it might fall apart or not cook evenly.

The finished guys

I put the burgers on low cal whole wheat buns and  added lots of lettuce for a crunch.

Don't forget to enter my popchip giveaway!  (details in Popchip giveaway post)

Later tonight I will be headed to my parent's home to celebrate Easter.  I will be making Chocolate Walnut Biscotti which I make every year.  Do you have a special Easter or springtime food??

PopChip! GIveaway!

I know many of you loves PopChips as much as I do!  The light airy taste of potato chips with less calories is absolutely irresistible!  Here is your chance to win a free 24 pack of single serving of PopChips! 

How to enter: (make sure you leave a comment about which you did)  Each one you complete counts as one entry.

1) Follow TrainYourLife and Add it to your blogroll

OR

Invite 5 friends to read TrainYourLife (have them leave comments)

OR

Follow TrainYourLife and leave a comment telling why you LOVE popchips

OR

In your next post, post a link to this giveaway

I will choose a winner April 7th, 2010

Good Luck and happy snacking!

Breakfast on the run

Some mornings are harder than others for all of us.  Because Personal Trainer Josh and I work so much, we like to eat breakfast together most mornings but I rarely have time to make anything that requires lots of time.

We recently discovered a delicious treat with lots of fiber and is so quick to prepare...just pop it into the microwave for 30 seconds!  That's it!

I am talking about delicious Vitatops!

VitaTops (and VitaBrownies!) are frozen, so you can store them for a long time! 

When you ready to enjoy one, just pop it into the microwave for 30 seconds or leave at room temperature for 30 minutes depending on your preference.

These great muffins come in great flavors like CranBran, BlueBran, Corn, and lots of Chocolate flavors too! 

My favorite was the Chocolate Mint, but I love anything chocolate mint flavored!

The brownies are delicious too!  My family, who is not at all into health foods or low-cal things, loved the brownies!  Tasted just like a regular brownie!

If you are like, VitaTops are hard to find in your area.  Check out http://www.vitalicous.com/ to buy online or find a retail store!