Kristen Robinson

Be the Change

 

So here I am 30 pounds lighter and very very happy. I am moving like a woman possessed, working out like mad and eating exactly how I should be and guess what - I have hit a plateau (rolls off the tongue in a lovely fashion),  and seemed to be stuck here. While I cannot help but feel a wee bit frustrated over this I continue to preserver and stick with it. Nonetheless it is frustrating I like to see the numbers go down not stay the same, not to mention my shall we say area in which I sit on feels like I was kicked by a horse. Perhaps the saying burn baby burn is not about calories but rather the feeling ones muscles take on after hours of  Wii cardio kickboxing with an avatar named Carlos. 

Why do I share this you might wonder - I view it as yet another lesson in moving forward. Defeat not an option determination is the only way. Change the way you think, change the way you feel and BE THE CHANGE!

Tuscan Pizza and 10.2

Summer is officially in full swing as are the Barbeque's, special events and the fun of having dear friends and family visit. Alongside this comes the challenge of juggling - no not balls or better yet knives but points and food. While I remain extremely focused and diligent in recording each and every thing that, it has not been an easy task. 

While my total weight loss exceeds 10.2 (this is my meeting number) I am very happy to announce after 7 weeks of weighing in I continue to love everything about the program and find it so easy to follow I almost feel as though I am cheating.

Every Friday night in our house is pizza and movie night. While I love pizza I refuse to absorb a lot of points for a wee piece of delicious gluten topped with oozing cheese. Rather I have concocted my own recipe based on a moment of desperation and minimal dinner points. I share with you my new fav and hope perhaps it will be yours as well.

   

Ingredients

1 Low Carb Tortilla - Mission  (2pts)

1/8 Cup Ricotta - Part Skim (1pt)

1 Tbsp Shaved Parmesan Cheese (1pt)

1/8 tsp Olive Oil (0 pt)

1 Tbsp Almond Accents (1pt)

2 Tbsp Sun Dried Tomatoes - not in oil (0pt)

Everyday Seasoning from Traders Joe's (if not available substitute pepper and dash of garlic salt)

Fresh Basil

Directions

Heat oven to 425 degrees (220 C)

Place tortilla on cookie sheet and heat for 5-7 minutes until center is puffing a bit

While tortilla is heating mix all ingredients together except for the fresh basil

Remove tortilla from oven and spread ricotta mixture onto tortilla

Place back in the oven for 7 - 10 minutes or until the perimeter of the tortilla is browning

Remove from the oven and let sit for 1 - 2 minutes

Cut with a pizza cutter and enjoy

Tips - to add a wee bit more protein a slice of canadian bacon can be added, simply dice it up and add it to the mix. This adds 1 additional point to the recipe.

 

Happy Day Salad

I must admit I really love salad. While I do like the lettuce a lot I LOVE what goes on top. Each day I treat myself to a mambo salad full of delightful nibbles and my fav salad dressing that I created 12 years ago. What started as a simple low calorie way to dress a salad has turned into a craving that at times drives me crazy...I cannot wait to delve into this treat each day. 

I'm sharing it with you as it is not only great tasting, super easy and fast to make, versatile (it works wonderful on fruit as well), and low cal it is sweet, delicious and the perfect compliment to warm summer days - which I might add have finally arrived. Loving WW ® finding it very user friendly, fulfilling and the perfect remedy as I am up to a loss of 7.6 (three week total).

Have a happy day and create with delight!

Orange Salad Dressing

1 6 oz container of Vanilla Yogurt (I use Tillamook French Vanilla Bean)

1/2 Cup Orange Juice

1 Tbsp Water

Mix all ingredients together and ENJOY.

Total Points Plus for  4 TBSP (2 ounces)  1 Point

 

What I make my salad with

3 Cups Spring Mix Salad (0)

1 tsp Dried Craisins (0)

2 TBSP Wonton Strips (1)

1 TBSP Almond Accents (1)

1 TBSP Shaved Parmesan Cheese (1)

1/2 Cup Mandarin Oranges (0)

6.2 and the Egg Souffle

One of the things I love about WW is the fact that I am cooking all of the time. From veggies and polenta to apples (yes I am cooking apples) and eggs I am whipping things up just like a regular Julia Child. I think it is important to say I get very bored quickly with the same thing on my plate therefore I have become a regular culinary explorer. In this very short two weeks I have cooked an array of food while relishing in the delightful colors, textures and concoctions. 

Time has been slim these days to blog as much as I would like to as I am literally cramming (wondering when I returned to the college way of doing things) to get everything done before the Little Man's summer vacation arrives. So for now I share a recipe - one I hope you'll love as much as I do. It's super low in points and full of protein!

And if you are wondering - 6.2 is the 2 week weight loss total..happy dance.

Egg Souffle for One

1 Large Egg

1/4 Cup Liquid Egg Whites

1 Slice of  Canadian Bacon (pre-cooked)

1 Campari Tomato (a small Roma or cherry tomato) will work as well

1 1/2 tsp Low Fat Grated Cheese

Sea Salt

Sage

Pepper to Taste

Directions

1. Spray a small crock or custard cup with non stick cooking spray
2. In a small bowl mix one egg and egg whites whisk until fluffy
3. Cut bacon into bite sized pieces and add to egg mixture
4. Add all spices and stir mixture
5. Pour into prepared dish
6. Cut tomato into slices (I leave all of the seeds in tact)
7. Sprinkle the top with a pinch of sea salt and add cheese

Bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes or until eggs are fluffy and cooked through (not brown).

Confession Time

 

So it is confession time. It seems living in Oregon has had a bounty of positives but alongside that there have been a few challenges. One of those challenges WEIGHT GAIN. While I have been challenged in the exercise arena as of late because of cold weather and a shoulder issue I have maintained a skeleton regimen. Added to this is the insane amount of good food I am constantly faced with - a lot of it in the form of meat and potatoes with lovely helpings of dessert oh and did I mention coffee.

It is a challenge to be a foo foo coffee lover and pass at least 3 yummy coffee establishments within a 5 mile radius. My car seems to think it needs to stop at every other one. Put all of this together and what do you get EXTRA WEIGHT. I would be lying if I said I have not struggled with my weight in my adult life. I wonder where did that fit body go - and then I realize I discovered eating.

Hence I have discovered the ultimate in ultimates Weight Watchers. I am not one to join the latest fad in weight loss and I adamantly refuse to eat anything that appears to look a wee bit like space food or live on a bar/shake diet. To say that I am thrilled is an understatement. Why do I share now well to be honest - I wanted to be honest with you! So all this said I thought I would share a yummy lunch with you one I whipped myself, and while I cannot post the points here if you know anything about WW you know the veggies are FREE.

Run for Roaster Wrap

Ingredients

1 Small Yellow Zucchini

4 Stalks Asparagus

4 Mushrooms

2 Vine Tomatos

2 tsp Olive Oil

1 Tbsp Sliced Almonds (Almond Accents are the BEST)

2 Tbsp Shaved Parmesan

Dash of Himalayan Salt

Dash of Pepper 

1/8 tsp Oregano

LA Tortilla Factory Low Carb Tortilla (or other low fat delight)

How To

1. Preheat Oven to 450 degrees
2. Wash and cut all of the veggies into bite size pieces (except for the tomatoes)
3. Remove the stem or what is left of it from the tomatoes leaving a tiny hole at the top
4. Place all veggies on a baking Sheet
5. Drizzle Olive Oil over the top as well as all spices
6. Toss everything together with your hands until coated nicely
7. Turn the tomatoes top side down (this will help them retain their shape)
8. Place in oven and bake for 20 minutes or until veggies are roasted
9. Place all the veggies on the tortilla
10. Cover with almonds and cheese and ENJOY! 

WARNING - Highly addictive and messy!