Enchiladas

So my friend Rachel has a great blog. She has lots of simple recipes that are great for families. I use her recipes often. She is also on weight watchers and is in the process of adding all the nutritional information and point values to the recipes. Today I made her chicken enchiladas. They were so yummy and they were 6 points per serving (for two enchiladas). Recipe is below.

Several recipes I make call for cilantro. Travis loves cilantro! I buy it and I know its cheap but it doesn't stay fresh very long. The other day I found this cilantro paste, made from organic cilantro and it lasts about 8 weeks. I didnt have any fresh cilantro on hand today so used the paste. It was great! I highly recommend keeping some in your fridge.

Chicken Enchiladas

1 medium onion, chopped fine
1 tsp. canola oil
3 cloves garlic, minced
3 tbsp. chili powder
2 tsp. cumin
1 tbsp. sugar
1 (15 oz.) can tomato sauce
1 cup water
1 tomato, seeded and chopped
Salt and pepper
1 lb. boneless, skinless chicken breasts
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese, divided
1 cup shredded monterey jack cheese (or pepperjack), divided
½ cup minced fresh cilantro
12 (6-inch) soft corn tortillas
Cooking spray

Directions:
Combine the onion and oil in a large saucepan over medium heat. Cook, stirring often, until the onions and. Stir in the garlic, chili powder, cumin and sugar, and cook just until fragrant, less than 30 seconds. Mix in the tomato sauce, water, and chopped tomato. Bring the sauce to a simmer, lower the heat and cook until slightly thickened, about 5 minutes.

Nestle the chicken into the sauce. Reduce the heat to low, cover and cook until the chicken is completely cooked through (160˚ F on an instant-read thermometer), about 12-20 minutes. Transfer the chicken to a plate and set aside to cool.

Strain the sauce through a large mesh strainer into a medium bowl, pressing down on the onions and tomatoes to extract as much liquid as possible. Transfer the reserved solids to a large bowl and set aside. Season the sauce with additional salt and pepper to taste. (though in my opinion, you don't really need to add any because there are so many great spices already going on)

Shred the chicken into bite size pieces and add to the bowl with the onion mixture. Add in ¼ cup of the enchilada sauce, ½ cup of each of the shredded cheeses, and the cilantro. Stir to combine.

Preheat the oven to 425˚ F. Oil a 9 x 13″ baking dish with cooking spray. Stack the tortillas on a plate, cover with plastic wrap, and microwave for 40-60 seconds, until warm and pliable. Spoon 1/3 cup of the chicken mixture evenly down the center of a tortilla. Roll up the tortilla around the filling tightly, and place in the prepared baking dish, seam-side down. Repeat with the remaining filling and tortillas.

Lightly spray the tops of the enchiladas with cooking spray. Place in the oven, uncovered, for 7 minutes or until the tortillas start to brown slightly.

Reduce the oven temperature to 400˚ F. Remove the enchiladas from the oven and pour the sauce oven the top. Sprinkle with the remaining shredded cheese. Cover the dish with foil and bake for 20 minutes.

Remove the foil and bake for 5 more minutes, until the cheese is browned. Remove from the oven and let stand 10 minutes before serving.

New Weight Watcher Plan

So, Weight Watchers has totally revamped their program for the first time in about 15 years. They are now basing the points on protein, carbs, fat and fiber instead of calories and all fruits and vegetables are free. I was going to do an entire post on all the changes but instead decided to borrow the article from WebMD. I am excited about the new plan and again it gives you a new excuse to start fresh. Today I begin by tracking my points diligently with the new system. I actually agree with all the changes because it is not healthy to eat junk food for your points and then neglect to eat healthy foods. I do think that this new program will be a little harder for me though. I tend to sneak in little treats here and there and this is going to hold me more accountable. I am looking forward to the challenge though.

Here are some excerpts from the article:

“With the old points system, you could use your points anyway you like. But we now know if you use your points wisely by eating foods rich in protein and fiber -- these foods fill you up, keep hunger at bay, and help you lose weight in a healthier and more nutritious way,” Kovach says.

Calories, Fat, and Carbs

Calories still count in the Points Plus program because the bottom line in weight loss is creating a calorie deficit -- burning more calories than you eat.

But there is so much more to successful weight loss, and where those calories come from makes a big difference.

Even when the calories are the same, protein- and fiber-rich foods get fewer Points Plus to encourage dieters to eat more filling food for their allotted Points Plus.

Calorie-dense foods that have more fat and simple carbs are assigned more points.

One new feature: You get unlimited quantities of fresh fruits and non-starchy vegetables.

“Most adults don’t eat enough fruits or vegetables. So our strategy was to allow these as free foods to encourage more consumption of these super-nutritious foods that are among the lowest in calories and very filling," Kovach says.

Dieters are encouraged to maximize their Points Plus allowance by choosing more "Power Foods," such as whole grains, lean meats, low-fat dairy, and unlimited quantities of fresh fruit and nonstarchy vegetables. "Power Foods" are the healthiest, most filling foods.

Fruits and vegetables are especially filling and nutritious foods that should be the foundation of every weight loss diet.

Decadent foods can still be worked into the calorie budget, but the new program limits the amount of these extras.

Weight Watchers Points Plus: How It Works

The new Points Plus program is based on Weight Watchers' proprietary formula that calculates the positive and negative attributes of food that considers the following:

• how much harder your body works to process protein and fiber compared to carbs and fat
• filling foods
• healthy foods
• sugar, saturated fat, total fat, sodium, and fiber content of foods

Choosing foods that are rich in the most satisfying nutrients but not loaded with calories is the primary goal to give dieters the weight loss edge.

Focus on eating more Power Foods as an easy way to fill up on the healthiest low-calorie options.

To get started, dieters fill out a form with age, gender, height, and current weight to get their assigned Points Plus daily allotment along with a weekly allowance.

You'll get at least 1200 calories daily. The distribution of those calories between carbs, protein, and fat are within the Institute of Medicine’s acceptable ranges.

Weight Watchers Points Plus: Expert's View

Keri Gans, MS, RD, an American Dietetic Association spokeswoman and New York weight loss consultant, gives the program a thumbs up.

“I always loved the peer support aspect of the Weight Watchers program but it concerned me that the old points could be used for anything," Gans says. "The new Points Plus program addressing where calories come from is a huge improvement.”

Gans says she loves the flexibility of the plan, which makes it easier to sustain long term, and the encouragement to eat more fresh fruit and vegetables. “Our nation is not overweight because we eat too many fruits and vegetables but anyone who struggles with overeating needs to be careful because you could pack away plenty of calories if you eat too much fruit," Gans says.

Kathleen Zelman, MPH, RD, is director of nutrition for WebMD. Her opinions and conclusions are her own.

Weight Watcher Results: Week 33

Well, I gained a pound over the past 2 weeks. Not too bad figuring it was Hudson's birthday, Thanksgiving, my birthday and a vacation. It could be much much worse. I am actually going to celebrate that and just take this time to start over fresh and try to lose a few pounds by Christmas. Then the new year starts and it is usually pretty easy to stay motivated for all of January.

I never posted the pic from last week! Here it is...

A Blessing in Disguise

So.......I am a SAHM; for those of you that don't know what that is.....it is probably because you work and you aren't up on the Stay At Home Mom lingo. Way too many details to discuss, as to what happened, on my blog but as of 2 weeks ago I separated employment with the hospital. For those of you that know me this may come as a shock to you. This week alone I have received several phone calls and emails from sales reps with the big "WHAT?!?!" I have always been about climbing the corporate ladder, putting my education to use and making money. As most of you know, I own a CPR and First Aid business as well. It has been growing steadily and for the past 3 years I have wanted to take the leap of faith and dedicate my time to it and quit working for corporate america. I was so torn though. I had worked very hard to get into the position that I was in, I know lots of people in the industry and felt like stepping out was a risk. However, ultimately I wanted to be with my kids and do this but I was scared. How would I pay for medical benefits, would we have enough, would I be able to step back in if I wanted to? Well, this has forced me to take the leap of faith and DO IT.

The best part about it is that I get to be at home with my kiddos. I know that CPR Choice can be way more than it already is and now that I have a little time to work at it, I am going to try hard to get some contractual agreements in place with some businesses. Why work for the other guy...when you can work for yourself?

I am also excited to get control of my home. For the next several weeks I am planning to play a little game; I play it about once a year...It is called "What would June do?" June is my grandma and she is the epitome for organization and cleanliness. This is when I open my cupboards, drawers and closets and say "What would June do?" Her philosophy is that if you haven't used it or wore it in a year than you need to throw it away. I also hear another philosophy once. It goes like this...you look at all your STUFF and you say "Do I LOVE it?", "Do I NEED it?", "Does it make me money?" and if it doesn't answer yes to at least one of those questions than you trash it. I love being organized but it seems like with work and everything I had to much and something had to give.

Do you remember my post about the glass balls. Well, I just got to gently put one of those balls down. A big ball...WORK. Now I will have more time to focus on me. Cooking healthy meals, grocery shopping, exercising, and organizing. I can't wait. This week I already cleaned out the office closet, the fridge and the pantry. If felt so good and now I have an inventory as to what food we have and I am trying to come up with meals for dinner at least 5 nights a week. I figure there will be left overs and we will still eat out some. It is going to be so much easier to eat healthy. We hardly have any unhealthy food in our home so as long as I am home...I should be good.

Happy Birthday to me

Well, today is my birthday...not just 3-0 anymore but in my early 30s. This birthday is much better than the last. My last birthday is actually what caused this weight change. I had wrote about it in previous posts but I will do a quick recap. Here is a picture of me last year on my birthday.

Turning 30 was really hard on me. I had felt pretty confident through most of my teenage years and felt like I looked okay and was in pretty good shape till I turned about 20. My entire 20s were a struggle with my weight. Trying a different diet every couple months, only to stay on it for a couple weeks. My kids were born in my 20s, Hudson was born one week before my 27th birthday and Reese was born when I was 30 but I was pregnant through most of my 20s. It seems like your 20s are supposed to be when you are absolutely the most radiant. You have great skin, no wrinkles, and a youthful body. However, I let my entire 20s slip away from me and was a fat slob. I wasn't sexy and I felt like once I turned 30 the other things of my age would begin to show (i.e., wrinkles) and that I had let my prime go. I made a vow a year ago that I would not let my 30s go by and me just continue down the same path of destruction. I vowed that as soon as I had my baby that I would do something about it and change it! Well, 65 pounds later I can proudly say I have made a big difference. I still have a long ways to go and I sure hope to be at my goal by my next birthday, well hopefully even sooner. Here is a picture taken this week.

This week has been difficult. We have been in Idaho in subzero temperatures and the only thing to do is to sit by a warm fire and eat! Hopefully I havent packed on the pounds. I have been scared to get on the scale. I have not exercised as planned but will get on the treadmill today. Tonight we are having a birthday party for Hudson and his cousin Cole...more food! I know the holidays will be difficult but at least I will be home more and away from the multiple temptations. Hopefully I can just splurge Christmas day.

I will post a new weight pic on Wednesday when we get home to our scale. I am not giving up. I am embracing my 30s and going to be proud of them when I turn 40 instead of wishing that they had been different.

Thanksgiving

Well, today is the big day! The one day of the year totally centered around eating! I would like to tell you that I was going to eat mashed cauliflower instead of mashed potatoes but that is not the case. I figure that one day a year will not ruin me. I am going to get on the treadmill this morning to at least help counter balance the food and I am trying to have no seconds.

Today should be a fun day. There are about 30 of us getting together. I made 4 dishes. Sweet potato casserole, Raspberry Pretzel Jello salad, Broccoli/Cauliflower salad and green bean casserole. My sister-in-law, Kimmie, makes the best desserts and I have already read the long list of pies she is making. It will be so yummy! We could not do Thanksgiving with out the sacrifice of my brother/sister-in-law, Joel and Shelley, they are always willing to open their home up and host the family. They do have a great house for hosting but they always seem to draw the short straw...but I am so Thankful for them.

I thought I would focus on the just a few of the things I am thankful for....
A wonderful husband, who does way more than his share. He is such a hard worker and the best daddy. I am so proud of him. He lights up our children's eyes. I hear about these husbands that aren't great helpers. Well, Travis changes diapers, bathes kids, feeds kids, gets up in the night as well as going to work every day and keeping up with our huge yard. I am also thankful that he unloads the dishwasher (because I only like to load) and thankful for the cup of coffee that he brings to me each morning.

Thankful for a wonderful 3 year old son, Hudson. My life has been so much more fulfilled since having him. He is so much fun and his vocabulary never ceases to amaze me. He is smart, talented and funny and I love the joy he brings to our family. Thankful for my little princess, Reese. She is the sweetest little girl. It has been so fun to watch her grow this year and fun to dress/accessorize her. I am actually thankful for hair bows. :)

Thankful for my friends. I would not have made it this far down this journey without you all. Friends really are your chosen family. Even those of you who are far away, know that I love and miss you. I cherish the memories we have together and the impact that you have made in my life.

Thankful for my family. I have two grandparents that gave me a wonderful life. We made lots of fun memories going on trips and participating in all my extra curricular activities. Thankful for my mom and hoping that she is recovering from her surgery she had on Monday. She has been in a lot of pain the last 2 years and I am hoping this makes a big difference for her. Thankful for my in-laws; who have been my family for 14 years. Looking forward to a fun Thanksgiving with them this year.

Especially today thankful for a warm house. It is sub zero temps here in Idaho today. Brrr.. Last week a Facebook friend contacted me and said she was looking for 12 month-2T clothes for 2 kids who were found with their young mom living under a bridge in Knoxville. I hurried and gathered a big rubbermaid of clothes and toys for the kids. Breaks my heart. We really do take things for granted. The food we eat, the heat in our house, the air we breath, the clean water we drink. Thankful to be an American with the freedoms we have. So thankful that I do not have to live a life where I am persecuted every day for my sex, race or religion. Thankful for our military that keeps us safe and for the sacrifice they make. Especially thinking of my nephew who is in Kuwait this Thanksgiving.

Happy Thanksgiving to everyone. Take time to remember what you are thankful for and never take for granted all that you have. Life is not perfect but there is SO much to be Thankful for!

188 and Smiling

Well, I made it to 188 before we left on vacation. I have a picture but havent had a chance to download it, I will add soon. Not quite the 185 I had hoped for but close enough to be proud. Now the trick will be to keep it off and not gain a Thanksgiving 5 pounds. I am actually about to get on the treadmill right now but it will be the first bit of exercise I have had since we left. The first day we spent the entire day in an airplane and/or car and didn't really get to move around at all. We arrived in the middle of a blizzard. It has been so cold and snowy and several family members have been snowed in and practically unable to see us yet. Maybe today we will see some of them.

Since it was cold we spent most of yesterday inside just visiting around the fire and watching TV. I guess I am not used to the TV. While it was really fun to watch some shows I can see how it is easy to get complacent and to just sit around watching TV and to neglect the treadmill. I recently read that the average american watches more than 4 hours per day and that the average home has more televisions in the house than people. My bodybugg will give you a rude awakening; sitting down watching TV burns a small 1-2 calories per minute (about the same amount as you burn when you sleep). Maybe that is the problem that is leading to obesity in America. At home, we very rarely watch TV as we don't have one on our main floor but we have been sucked into spending too much time reading iphones, playing on the laptop, etc. What is your vice? Do you play video games? Even reading is bad in regard to burning calories. Check out this very short article. The most amazing thing I read is that the average senior citizen spends an average of 207 hours a month in front of the television, which is about 7 hours per day.

Well, I better go get busy! I am setting a new goal to reduce the amount of time I spend sitting around reading my iphone, watching TV and playing on the macbook. I do love the ipad as it has allowed me to be active while watching TV. Now I can go watch an episode of 24 and get my workout done too!