50 Pounds and Counting

I've been tap dancing on being 50lbs down for like the past 2 months.  However today was the first time I stepped on the scale and it read 180 something, thought that was epic enough to take a pic lol. 9lbs away from goal and happily packing on the muscle (using the 20lb free weights for arms). #FIT

Baked Veggetti

Oh Veggetti I've forgotten what life was without you!  Used my classes zoodles (zucchini noodles) to make baked "spaghetti".  Decided to switch it up and opted for a pesto sauce instead of a marinara.  Mixed in casserole pan with shredded Colby jack cheese, topped with breadcrumbs and more cheese. #FOODIE

(No) Tater Tots

Cauliflower is the savior of the low carb world.  I've seen it used in recipes to stand in place of potatoes, rice, pizza crust and even fried chicken!  I chose to go with one of the most popular routes, cauliflower tots.  I followed a simple recipe from Pinterest, basically you mash cauliflower in blender combine with some egg and a few breadcrumbs (for sticking power) and I tossed some cheese in mine as well.  You can easily fry these, but in trying to maintain healthiness I chose to bake.  In your face Sonic cheesy tots! #FOODIE

Meat & Potatoes

Fall's here, yay!!!  And with fall comes cooler weather, orange, red, and yellow leaves on the ground, and that wonderful brisk, crisp smell of autumn in the air.  Fall is a great time to start making that hardy, wholesome, comfort food.  This non low carb meal consists of a vegetarian meatloaf (recipe found here: http://www.livingwellspendingless.com/2011/01/28/stockpile-meals-vegetarian-meatloaf/, I did not follow recipe precisely, but did use it for inspiration i.e. I didn't use all the seasonings, opted for barbecue sauce over ketchup, and I def was not about to live in fridge and wait a whole day before I baked it) add one of my faves, the cheesy, delicious potatoes au gratin.  See above for meatloaf steps, for au gratin I sliced potatoes thinly (I left the peeling on), then boiled a roux (no flour in this one) of half & half, colby shredded cheese, and seasonings to include salt, pepper, no-salt seasoning, garlic powder, and parsley.  Layer potato slices in deep pan and pour roux in, put another layer of potatoes and repeat, top with shredded cheese and bake on 425 for about 45 mins, cover with breadcrumbs, then bake another 10-15 mins.  Remove from oven and let stand for 10-15 mins, dig in. #FOODIE 

Burger & Fries

What do you do when you want a burger & fries, but want to eat healthy... well semi-healthy?  You go for an alternative, my alternative... bunless grilled veggie burger, hotdog (Morning Star brand), and home made sweet potato fries. #FOODIE

Mozzarella cereal sticks

When you want mozzarella sticks, you improvise.  I know it's not too healthy, but instead of frying I baked, note to why I went with a cereal crust.  They didn't turn out looking the best, but they were still good despite the strawberry cereal coating lol.  Egg washed string cheese sticks and rolled in crushed off brand Special K.  I removed the strawberries first of course, and added in some salt, pepper, and garlic to cereal to take away some of the sweetness, baked on 400 for about 7 or 8 minutes. #FOODIE

Came out looking like this, but they actually tasted pretty good.

Day 240

Just ONE lb away from that 50lbs down mark... and just 11 away from my goal of 180. #FIT

Day 240- Sept 25

191 lbs

31” waist

40” hips

24” thighs

13” upper arms

33.5” under bust