STARS 9 WEEK HOLIDAY CHALLENGE (CLOSED GROUP)

6eighteen11

QOTD - Thursday, September 29: What is one of your favourite recipes? (please share with your fellow stars)

I have a major sweet-tooth, and I love everything I've made so far from the blog Chocolate-Covered Katie!

mariahhatfield

QOTD - Thursday, September 29: What is one of your favourite recipes? (please share with your fellow stars)


I love lasagna, and Betty Crocker does a good job at "healthifying" recipes. All the ones I've tried are delicious! This one is my favorite so far!

http://www.bettycrocker.com/recipes/healthified-lasagna/8c5a7c36-02fb-4e4c-afad-352540dcb5dc

SarahMorganP

QOTD - Thursday, September 29: What is one of your favourite recipes?

I really don't have any recipes that can be written down. Most are just thrown together and don't have set measurments.

Eatone1

QOTD - Thursday, September 29: What is one of your favourite recipes?
Here's a Weight Watchers recipe that I've had for years but just recently tried and LOVED it. I made this for my mom over the summer and she and my hubby raved over it. I've made it a few times since and sometimes will swap the scallops for shrimp or imitation crab (especially because scallops are pretty pricey). This is super tasty and really low cal.

Garlic Pasta with Lemony Scallops and Tomatoes (Note: the lemon could be omitted)

Ingredients:
8 oz linguine (I've substituted spaghetti squash before)
2 teaspoons olive oil
1 lb scallops
1 pint grape tomatoes (I use regular tomatoes---I'm pretty picky and don't like grape tomatoes)
2 garlic cloves
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper (I cut mine to 1/8)
1/4 cup sliced fresh basil (I use a few teaspoons of dried)
2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice

1. Cook linguine according to package directions.
2. Heat 1 tspn of oil in skillet over med-high heat. Add scallops and cook until browned and just opaque in center. 3-4 minutes. Transfer the scallops to a plate. (I drained the juice in the pan)
3. Heat remaining tspn of oil in the same skillet over med-high heat. Add tomatoes, garlic, salt, and crushed red pepper. Cook about 5 minutes. Add linguine and scallops; heat through. Remove from heat and stir in basil and lemon juice.

Serving: 1 Cup (Makes 6 servings) 244 Cal, 3 g fat, 0 g Sat Fat, 0 g Trans Fat, 37 mg Chol, 376 mg Sod, 32 g Carbs, 2 g Fib, 20 g Prot, 29 mg Calc.

Eatone1

QOTD - Thursday, September 29: What is one of your favorite recipes? (please share with your fellow stars)

I like this question. I have one but it's kinda of bad if you have no control.

So as many of you know I had kinda melt down yesterday. Not sure where all the emotions came from but they came on after I ate the below. So please beware.


Chocolate Banana Quesadilla - ok so I just came up with that name.
1 whole wheat tortilla
1 small banana
1-2 tbsp of Nutella
sprinkle a cinnamon

Heat up a griddle spray with cooking spray. Spread the Nutella on the tortilla, add the cut up bananas fold in half and put on the griddle. Warm it threw on both side. Sprinkle some cinnamon on it and you have a AWESOME sweet snack.

Caution - it's very hard to limit the intake on this one, plus you have to watch what kind of tortilla you get. Go for something low carb, low sodium to save yourself some grief when indulging in this sinful snack.

Oh my word! That sounds delicious!!

sboo

QOTD - Thursday, September 29: What is one of your favorite recipes? (please share with your fellow stars

I dont, have a favorite recipe yet. I dont cook much. I keep it simple when it comes to me, stir frys and grilling.

KatrinaG2012

QOTD - Thursday, September 29: What is one of your favorite recipes?

I really LOVE this protein shake

8 oz unsweetened almond milk
1 scoop Jay Robb Chocolate whey protein powder
1 cup of frozen cherries, blueberries or strawberries
4 tbs PB2 (this is a powdered peanut butter without the oil)

Blend well then had a cup or more of ice and blend again really well. Qty of ice will determine thickness.

I sometimes add a bit of one of the plain or flavored stevia products depending on the sweetness of the fruit.

KatrinaG2012

I think I will make this on Saturday! Duhhhh. I meant the scallop and linquini....

shydaisi

QOTD - Thursday, September 29: What is one of your favorite recipes?

This time of year I love soups and stews! If you use the right ingredients, you can eat a substantial amount of food for a low to moderate caloric impact.

Southwestern Soup

Ingredients:

· 3 cups water
· 4 cans (8 ounces each) tomato sauce
· 2 cans (16 ounces each) kidney beans, rinsed and drained
· 2 cans (14-1/2 ounces each) chicken broth
· 2 cups frozen corn
· 2 cups salsa
· 2 teaspoons dried minced onion
· 1 to 2 teaspoons dried oregano
· 1 to 2 teaspoons dried basil
· 2 cups (8 ounces) shredded cheddar cheese

Directions:

In a Dutch oven, combine the first nine ingredients. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; simmer, uncovered, for 10-15 minutes or until heated through. Sprinkle individual servings with cheese.

Yield: 12 servings (1-1/3 cups each).

i like to add ground beef or ground turkey, below are the calorie counts for each version:

original recipe: 212 calories
ground beef: 309 calories
ground turkey: 292 calories

NaomiLyn15

QOTD - Thursday, September 29: What is one of your favorite recipes? (please share with your fellow stars)

Sorry I am late on this one. I wasn't home yesterday to answer, and now I am going to give you this recipe from memory, so here goes. This is my favorite recipe ever, super nutritious and low in calories. I make a batch on Sunday and eat it for the rest of the week.

Grilled Corn Succotash
- 1 bag of frozen corn
- 1 bag of frozen edamame (out of the shells)
- 1 shallot
- 1-3 cloves of garlic
- 1 red pepper
- 1 lemon
- 1-2 limes
- olive oil
- salt & peper
- cilantro

place the edamame in a pot of water and bring to a boil. take out of pot, and rinse with cold water to stop the cooking process
saute the shallot and garlic with a bit of ollive oil in a large pan. Once the onion is translucent, add the bag of frozen corn and cook until some pieces are browned.
Cut the red pepper in half, and place in the broiler. Broil until the pepper starts to get browned on both sides and is soft. Once the pepper is cooked, cut it into bite size pieces.
Place the cooked edamame, corn, and red pepper into a large bowl.
In another bowl mix approx 2-3 tbsp of olive oil with the juice from 1-2 limes, black pepper, and salt. Whisk together, and pour over the vegetable mix. Add additional olive oil as needed to make it moist (I also add extra lime, I think that is what makes it).
Cut up some cilantro (I use about 1/3 of a bunch, I really like it.) and add to the mixture. Mix and serve. It can be eaten hot or cold. I like it better warm, but my husband likes it cold. So, it is totally up to you.

So yummy and refreshing. Enjoy!

RhondaLeeRoss

I don't see a question for Friday yet!?!?!?!?!?!? I always look forward to them!

tartz66

QOTD - Thursday, September 29: What is one of your favourite recipes?

I apologize ladies for not answering this yesterday. I had a bad day yesterday and didn't make very good choices, but today is a new day and I will try to do better.

I made one of my families favorite meals the other night. Usually it is really fatning so I made some adjustments and it was super yummy!! I made a few adjustments to make even more healthy. I used Rotisserie chicken and shredded it without the skin, I also did not put cheese on my tacos, I also used whole grain tortillas, chili pepper, and I added cilantro for more flavor. This is delicious and healthy!!

To complete the meal; we had leftover brown rice from the night before so I added a can of diced tomatoes, cilantro, onion, chili, and seasoning. Super easy and full of fiber!!

Lime Chicken Soft Tacos


Ingredients

1 1/2 pounds skinless, boneless chicken breast meat - cubed
1/8 cup red wine vinegar
1/2 lime, juiced
1 teaspoon white sugar
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
2 green onions, chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 teaspoon dried oregano
10 (6 inch) flour tortillas
1 tomato, diced
1/4 cup shredded lettuce
1/4 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese
1/4 cup salsa
Directions

Saute chicken in a medium saucepan over medium high heat for about 20 minutes. Add vinegar, lime juice, sugar, salt, pepper, green onion, garlic and oregano. Simmer for an extra 10 minutes.
Heat an iron skillet over medium heat. Place a tortilla in the pan, warm, and turn over to heat the other side. Repeat with remaining tortillas. Serve lime chicken mixture in warm tortillas topped with tomato, lettuce, cheese and salsa.
Nutritional Information

Nutritional Information
Lime Chicken Soft Tacos
Servings Per Recipe: 10
Amount Per Serving
Calories: 204
Total Fat: 6.8g
Cholesterol: 37mg
Sodium: 433mg
Total Carbs: 18.9g
Dietary Fiber: 1.4g
Protein:

mummy_gerdes

is fridays question on its way - i may have to answer tomorrow now. all these recipies sound so nice!! i am going to have to try some out - especially the garlic pasta with lemon scallops - that just sounds amazing!!! i weighed myself today - where do i put my new figures again? here or on a notice board somewhere?

keep up all the good work!!

Claire. xxx

starsnyc21

I'm sure Friday's QOTD will be posted soon. Thanks ladies:flowerforyou:

Kaesize6

Friday, September 30th:
QOTD: Hello Ladies, Tomorrow is weigh in day! I'm nervous! :sad: I wish everyone the best of luck! Ok, here goes. I'm not sure if this question has been asked already :ohwell: , When do you find that you are at your weakest point during your weight loss journey. How do you get around it? What ARE your weakest points?



My weakest moments are whenever I am around any types of sweets, cakes, candy. I do not have as much will power as I should. I find myself the weakest at night time after I come home from my classes. Its something about the night that is comforting and makes me want to throw back a whole bucket of ice cream! LOLOL! The only way that I can overcome it is to NOT GO DOWNSTAIRS!!!! :embarassed: If I don't go in the fridge, I wont be tempted!! I wish I had more will power, but I am working on ways to get around it.

NaomiLyn15

QOTD Friday 9/30/11: When do you find that you are at your weakest point during your weight loss journey. How do you get around it? What ARE your weakest points?

Mine is the dreaded TOM. That week I want to eat everything and anything in sight. I want to curl up on the couch, watch a movie, and snack. I try to work out harder during that time to counteract this. I have amazing will power 99% of the time, but this week I lose it completely. So, I just make it "ok" by going to the gym and working harder. I also keep healthier snacks in the house and still portion them correctly so that I don't go way overboard. This is really the only time that I have a really big problem though, probably because I enjoye eating fruits and veggies and I had to change my eating habits due to PCOS almost two years ago now.

mummy_gerdes

Friday, September 30th:
QOTD: Hello Ladies, Tomorrow is weigh in day! I'm nervous! :sad: I wish everyone the best of luck! Ok, here goes. I'm not sure if this question has been asked already :ohwell: , When do you find that you are at your weakest point during your weight loss journey. How do you get around it? What ARE your weakest points?

My weakest points are having a husband who is a stick insect!! :laugh: i have found the way to get around his sweets and 'nice' food is to have a seperate cupboard each! i have one just with my food and he has his so i dont have to look at it! also i find that if i am on my own and feeling lonely or bored i just go t the kitchen. not sure how to get around this but any tips would be gratefully recieved! i am coming on to the site more often when i feel like that to remind myself how well i am doing which really gives me aboost!

good luck to everyone at weigh in!!

Claire. xxx

RhondaLeeRoss

QOTD Friday 9/30/11: When do you find that you are at your weakest point during your weight loss journey. How do you get around it? What ARE your weakest points?

My weakest point is during "Aunt Flo", all I want to do is eat and eat and eat and it tends to be junk food! I LOVE sweets. One thing I find helpful though is to rate my sweets from 1 to 10. If it's not worth at least a 9 I will NOT eat it (or at least try not to eat it) I also find weekends hard, especially if we are getting together with friends for a couple of drinks.....those suckers add the calories real quick! So.....best of luck to everyone tomorrow for the weigh in!

Tiffany517

QOTD Friday 9/30/11: When do you find that you are at your weakest point during your weight loss journey. How do you get around it? What ARE your weakest points?

my weakest points would be during the day at work when i am caught up on all work... i find myself snacking and leaving me with no calories to eat dinner... also when TOM is here or right before it is the worst... i am not sooo bad at night once i get home except when the hubby, says make snack for him and the kids...

legacysh

QOTD Friday 9/30/11: When do you find that you are at your weakest point during your weight loss journey. How do you get around it? What ARE your weakest points?

My weakest point thus far was having to put everything on hold for surgery and then it didnt go well so I ahd to go back in 4 weeks later. I couldn't exercise and I had to bump up my calories so I could heal better. I felt like I was cheating the whole time. I had to learn to be kind to myself.

otherwise, we all have a fat day now and then. I say this even though some feel this every day and some are not overweight at all. No matter how skinny or fit you are, there are days when your hormones are not balanced, your mood is off and you look in the mirror and see a blob. Those are hard days to stay on track. However, those are the days i try to re-energize myself. I go get a new workout top or try a new workout, or some new lipstick. something that helps me see myself in a better light. Sometimes just taking a long shower and trying to relax from head to toe does it. My mom says all the time "be kind to yourself". I have to just talk myself through it.

Eatone1

QOTD Friday 9/30/11: When do you find that you are at your weakest point during your weight loss journey. How do you get around it? What ARE your weakest points?

TOM and home-made cakes or cupcakes.....

KatrinaG2012

QOTD: When do you find that you are at your weakest point during your weight loss journey. How do you get around it? What ARE your weakest points?

My weakest point is the moment I open my eyes! No seriously I would have to say it is as soon as I take a bite of any of what I call my "trigger foods". Peanut butter is one example and ice cream is another. Even sugar free ice cream causes me problems with portion control. That is besides the other problem one gets when indulging in too much of some of the artificially sweetened foods! :blushing: I have found that I can indulge in almond butter without it triggering a full on pig out so I pretty much stick to that. As for the ice cream....I just can't keep it around the house.

Wfortner

QOTD: Hello Ladies, Tomorrow is weigh in day! I'm nervous! sad I wish everyone the best of luck! Ok, here goes. I'm not sure if this question has been asked already ohwell , When do you find that you are at your weakest point during your weight loss journey. How do you get around it? What ARE your weakest points?

Well, for me that is an easy one....there isnt and ounce of hesitation when I say...TOM... Its the 4-5 days I want to eat everything in the house...and worse than that....when I eat it, its not even really what I want usually...CRAZY....I try to stay busy, because if I have a still moment with nothing to do...its nearly impossible to resist the snacking!!

ARRGHHH......LOL...!!

nenabug

QOTD Friday 9/30/11: When do you find that you are at your weakest point during your weight loss journey. How do you get around it? What ARE your weakest points?

1. When I hit a plateau I tend to get frustrated and then think all my work is pointless. I have to review everything I've done and see if I'm holding things up. Then figure out a plan to get over it. Usually changing up my routine fixes it and I'm not bored anymore.

2. I'm an emotional eater - if I get frustrated/stressed I tend to start thinking about food. I have set a 15 minute time limit where I have to go for a walk or do something constructive where I don't think of food. Usually after 15 mins I've forgotten the food, I've relieved the negative emotion and go about my day. IF I don't take the time to step back and evaluate what my issue is, then I will over-eat.

sboo

When do you find that you are at your weakest point during your weight loss journey. How do you get around it? What ARE your weakest points?

When I miss a meal are eat late, I find myself desiring fooods I do not need. I try to hurry asap, and find a healthy snack before I go and find a piece of chocolate. My co-workers help me a lot, they are very supportive. I find right now my weakest point is I am trying to overcome my hate of running, which my trainer loves to make me do. Again, I am work in progress.

MamaDee2

QOTD Friday 9/30/11: When do you find that you are at your weakest point during your weight loss journey. How do you get around it? What ARE your weakest points?

Sadly my weakest point is when I get bored or stressed. The best thing I have found for both is to find SOMETHING/ANYTHING else to do but eat! Read a book, go for a walk, get on MFP and see what everyone else is up to!

starsnyc21

QOTD Friday 9/30/11: When do you find that you are at your weakest point during your weight loss journey. How do you get around it? What ARE your weakest points?


I agreed TOM is a hard one for me. I'm emotional and hungry and the last thing I was to do it the right thing. Ugh...you gotta love being a women.

Good luck ladies on the weigh-ins. You all have made me so proud this week. You are all rock stars in my :flowerforyou:

jnell82

QOTD Friday 9/30/11: When do you find that you are at your weakest point during your weight loss journey. How do you get around it? What ARE your weakest points?


Nights are still hard for me. After my kids go to bed I still want to snack. I get around it by keeping myself busy and if I still want to snack I have only healthy snacks instead of my old choices. Still, when I am feeling emotional I have to work really hard to overeat and to eat junk, but I have gotten good at talking myself out of it. My weakest points are when I'm tired and don't want to cook, or when I am with other people. I have just been concentrating on doing my best and keeping strong. Of course, joining this challenge has helped me say no because I don't want to let my team down!!

Kaesize6

QOTD Friday 9/30/11: When do you find that you are at your weakest point during your weight loss journey. How do you get around it? What ARE your weakest points?

My weakest point thus far was having to put everything on hold for surgery and then it didnt go well so I ahd to go back in 4 weeks later. I couldn't exercise and I had to bump up my calories so I could heal better. I felt like I was cheating the whole time. I had to learn to be kind to myself.

otherwise, we all have a fat day now and then. I say this even though some feel this every day and some are not overweight at all. No matter how skinny or fit you are, there are days when your hormones are not balanced, your mood is off and you look in the mirror and see a blob. Those are hard days to stay on track. However, those are the days i try to re-energize myself. I go get a new workout top or try a new workout, or some new lipstick. something that helps me see myself in a better light. Sometimes just taking a long shower and trying to relax from head to toe does it. My mom says all the time "be kind to yourself". I have to just talk myself through it.

Those are some GREAAT ideas! i LIKE THAT! I WILL DEFINITELY TRY THAT! TY!

6eighteen11

QOTD Friday 9/30/11: When do you find that you are at your weakest point during your weight loss journey. How do you get around it? What ARE your weakest points?

I have a major sweet tooth, and it doesn't matter what time of the month it is. When I get a craving for chocolate (it MUST be chocolate) it drives me crazy until I finally indulge. I've recently started buying Nature Valley Oats and Dark Chocolate bars, and I've found that they have JUST enough chocolate in them that I'm satisfied. And with only 90 calories in a bar, I don't feel guilty about giving into a chocolate fix.