Beautiful Blues--last week '09 and first week '10

j_g4ever- Yeah I know how you feel about the juggling exercise, kids, and life. I'm going to be on the same boat as you with juggling weight loss, child, school, job search, etc, etc. If you need any tips let us know. I would also like to share and learn.

One thing I am telling myself each day is that this weight didn't come in all of a sudden, so it will also take its time to leave my body. Also, all that I have to do is do this weight thing "one day at a time" and the rest will take care of itself. Some days I wished I had a magic wand and could put by body in the weight I want it to be. I suppose there's no lesson learned there. I guess it's also about loving our bodies and giving our bodies the time and care it needs. I hear ya!

Here is my favorite breakfast casserole recipe. It is from Zonya Foco's cookbook and is in the database under zonya foco breakfast casserole.

Preheat oven to 375
spray 9x13 pan with cooking spray
Makes 8 servings
1 bag (24oz) frozen ore ida potatoes o'brien (hash browns with onions and peppers)
1 c reduced-fat shredded cheddar cheese
4 oz lean ham or canadian bacon or lowfat smoked sausage
4 whole eggs
8 egg whites
1/4 c skim milk
1/4 c dijon mustard
1/2 tsp thyme
40 grinds fresh ground pepper

Place the frozen potatoes in the bottom of the baking dish. Break up large chunks. Cut the meat into small chunks. Sprinkle the meat and cheese over the potatoes. In a small bowl, whip eggs, egg whites, milk, mustard and thyme with a fork. Pour evenly over the potato mixture. Top casserole with pepper. Place in oven uncovered and set timer for 45 minutes.
Serve with toasted english muffins and fresh fruit.

1 cup casserole has 165 calories, 4.5 grms fat and 2 grms fiber.

I like to make some and eat the leftovers the rest of the week, at that calorie amount I can have two servings with no remorse. It is fantastic with just a little bit of ketchup.

I really like it just because it is so easy and so tasty!

YUMMMMMMMM Thanks for sharing

Can you make the casserole the night before and put it in the fridge until ready to make the next day?

I would think so - I do it all the time with casseroles.

Happy New Year everyone!

I'm feeling very optimistic about 2010 and know that great things will be coming. I was at the gym this morning and felt great welcoming the new year with a positive mindset. For me, no more crying and feeling sorry for myself. Instead I plan on feeling a sense of empowerment that comes with action and working towards improving my health, body, and spirit.

Here's to us beautiful blues!

Here is my favorite breakfast casserole recipe. It is from Zonya Foco's cookbook and is in the database under zonya foco breakfast casserole.

Preheat oven to 375
spray 9x13 pan with cooking spray
Makes 8 servings
1 bag (24oz) frozen ore ida potatoes o'brien (hash browns with onions and peppers)
1 c reduced-fat shredded cheddar cheese
4 oz lean ham or canadian bacon or lowfat smoked sausage
4 whole eggs
8 egg whites
1/4 c skim milk
1/4 c dijon mustard
1/2 tsp thyme
40 grinds fresh ground pepper

Place the frozen potatoes in the bottom of the baking dish. Break up large chunks. Cut the meat into small chunks. Sprinkle the meat and cheese over the potatoes. In a small bowl, whip eggs, egg whites, milk, mustard and thyme with a fork. Pour evenly over the potato mixture. Top casserole with pepper. Place in oven uncovered and set timer for 45 minutes.
Serve with toasted english muffins and fresh fruit.

1 cup casserole has 165 calories, 4.5 grms fat and 2 grms fiber.

I like to make some and eat the leftovers the rest of the week, at that calorie amount I can have two servings with no remorse. It is fantastic with just a little bit of ketchup.

I really like it just because it is so easy and so tasty!

I made this for our christmas meal and it was wonderful but i never knew how many calories were in it. Holy crap I'm making this more often.

May I join the Beautiful Blues again??? I haven't visited MFP much since April. After a little reality check, I have realized how much I really need to monitor my eating and exercise choices. Reading your posts has encouraged me to start again. I have already eaten too many calories today. As I read your posts, I began to realize that it isn't too late in the day to drink water or exercise. I miss the accountability I use to have with this group.

I am off to a good start today as I have logged my intake and weighed in. I think I will do even better with your support.

Thank you Beautiful Blues.

thank you almomay a couple of days would leave us at Sunday which would be great because that means for the weigh in I can maybe loose some weight because I have been on the treadmill everyday for a 1/2hr and I also have been counting my calories except for lastnight he he he. I hope everyone had a wonderful night. :laugh: :drinker: here is to weight loss.

mrwatson, you are welcome to join, come on in!! We weigh in on Monday's now because we are currently in a challenge with another group. Send me your weight on monday and I will get you on the chart!!

j-g, I am sure it is just water weight, drink a little more water than you usually do and it will come off quick!! Just don't over do it!:bigsmile:

I am glad I am not the only one to go to bed before midnight. It just felt anticlimatic...:ohwell: I am doing well today, looking forward to Monday as I was down a couple pounds today! Have a great weekend!

:flowerforyou:

Im so proud of you for being down a couple of pounds. You are going to be the biggest loser girl!!!

Hello Blues! Sounds like we are really starting the new year off right. I was in the gym on New Years Day and today. Feels great! Not to mention I feel super cute in the gym with my new workout outfits I got for Christmas :bigsmile:

j_g4ever - my eating on NYE wasn't so great either. But I worked my tail off in the gym on New Years Day and I stayed low on cals just to help make up for excess the day before. I hope it all evened out!

debnu1 - HUGE congrats for being down a couple lbs!!! I know you've worked hard. Keep it up.

mrwatson, you are welcome to join, come on in!! We weigh in on Monday's now because we are currently in a challenge with another group. Send me your weight on monday and I will get you on the chart!!

j-g, I am sure it is just water weight, drink a little more water than you usually do and it will come off quick!! Just don't over do it!:bigsmile:

I am glad I am not the only one to go to bed before midnight. It just felt anticlimatic...:ohwell: I am doing well today, looking forward to Monday as I was down a couple pounds today! Have a great weekend!

:flowerforyou:

Thanks, debnu1. I will be sure to send in my weight on Monday. I look forward to the challenge and the accountability. Thanks.

I have a hard time at functions. I have heard that if you eat before then you won't be hungry at the function but then I find people are still getting you to try and eat. Maybe try and eat a little bit less like they say when you go out to eat just eat half. I have FINALLY got my hubby to split a meal with me when we go out and if wants more he can get a side. That way I don't feel bad about wasting food. Hope that helps.

Debnu- Thanks! My hubby did it yesterday for us. He's a graphic designer plus photographer...and anything with graphics.

Here's to us getting good numbers tomorrow.

j_g4ever- I'm in the same boat as you. I exercised really well last week and I weighed myself and it showed that I had gained. I read somewhere in the forum that when you start exercising vigorously the body retains water or something, or maybe its extra muscle. Yesterday when I put on clothes, I felt leaner though. So, I'm not going to let the number on the scale discourage me. I think it's like a fake weight, until the body adjusts itself. I think tomorrow it will adjust.

Taradise- great job on the work out and great attititude for the new years. and looking cute with new gym clothes is definitely a plus! Enjoy it!!!!!

I was at the gym today and my body was not tired at all. I usually hate the treadmill but my body was flowing naturally. wow. Anyhow, I guess the body does it's own thing. I have a doctor's appointment for my 15 month old tomorrow morning, but I'm fully prepared for tomorrow's schedule to fit in a work out. I'm going to bed early and we went food shopping so I can plan healthy meals with veggies and such.

We can do this beautiful blues!

Hey, I'm back! I've had a bunch of company since Wednesday (been cooking for 12-22 people 3 meals a day), and visiting with my kids. It was fun, but now back to the real world. I didn't make my December goal of losing 5 pounds (haven't even lost one) but I'm ok with that. My other goal was to increase my exercise, and I have done that and continue to improve in that area. I finally started swimming again on Thursday, and plan to go back tomorrow. January goals? Lose 5 pounds (maybe it will take this time), and continue to exercise.

A year ago, I weighed 72 pounds more than I do now, and decided to do something about it. And, with the help of all of you MFP folks, and my supportive family, and of course, the strength that I can get through my faith, I am well on my way to my new healthy life. I also seem to have inspired numerous family members to join me on my journey, and for this I am humbled and give thanks to God. As I said in an earlier post, my best advice to all is to do this one moment at a time, one step at a time, and if you stumble, don't fall down but catch yourself and keep right on going. Don't ever give up, because you can do this, and you really are worth it! I don't know where this journey will take me, but I'm looking forward to the trip. I'm guessing that I will lose at least 85 more pounds before I am satisfied. Just stay with me, and let's see the exciting places that we will go!

One last note: although I didn't lose weight in December, on Thursday, I tried on a pair of size 22 pants and they fit! (I am currently wearing 24's, and a year ago, wore about a 30.) So, happy dance, here I am!

Here's to smart choices!