Healthy for the Holidays Challenge - 9/06 - 11/22

Posting so I can find this later!

Holy Schmoly.. Leslie you are going to kill me this week, I dont think I've had a 3500 burn week.. in... a month? at least!? LOL...

I'll start today :bigsmile: I have to burn close to 600 calories/day this week because I didn't see it yesterday (and was eternally lazy).

and I'm definitely not pregnant..lol.. my lovely TOM showed up yesterday which considering I was bloated at my weigh in, I'm pretty excited about. Maybe between that and the challenge I'll burn a pound this week.

I need to go dig out some recipe's.

Saving this thread for later

Wow, work is keeping me way too busy lately, getting stuff ready to report to grant sources as well as seeing as many clients as possible is tough stuff...Anyhow just checking in for this week at 129.8...darn .2 lb losses, oh well, at least it's something, but hoping for a better loss soon...now to go back and read the other posts

Lovin the soup recipes! That's funny, that's what I was going to post! I will definitely do that, it's my very fav!

Taco Soup: this recipe will make a nice big ole pot

~1 lb. lean ground beef
~3 cans low sodium chicken broth
~diced tomatoes-- I use a couple of cans of Rotel with diced chiles but you can use whatever like fresh diced tomatoes...low sodium is good
~1 packet of taco seasoning (low sodium)
~1 packet Ranch dry mix (the kind you would make ranch dip with, just dump it in)
~can of hominy (your choice, but I love it)
~can of corn or fresh corn...save on sodium
~black beans...about a can or not canned
~hot sausage (only if you want to, it's fatty sure but it really adds to it, sometimes I do, sometimes I don't)
~fresh cilantro
~white or yellow onion (more or less)
~1 tsp. cumin

Cook all the meat in a skillet and brown the chopped onions along with it. Bring broth to a boil and add meat, onions, and the rest of the ingredients...
Let simmer for awhile, when it's ready put some in a bowl and don't forget the dollop of light sour cream, sprinkle of shredded cheese, and some tortilla chips....those three things make it!!! I just use a light hand
The great thing about taco soup is you can add whatever you want or take away, it's very versatile and you just throw it all together...I'm drooling, I think I need to gather some ingredients and make me some!
The cals are not bad...it's in the database I believe because I added it but if you can't find it let me know...

Here's the recipe for my breakfast/brunch mainstay.

Crustless Quiche

Mix together:

6 eggs, lightly beaten
1 cup heavy cream
1/2 cup whole milk
1/4 tsp sugar (optional)
1/4 tsp salt (omit for Quiche Lorraine)
1/8 tsp cayenne pepper
1/3 cup grated onion

Arrange your choice of the following in a greased round baking dish (I use a 9-inch Pyrex glass baking dish that has a cover, for easy storage in the refrig.) and pour the egg/milk mixture over the top.

Quiche Lorraine (omit salt)
4 oz. (about 1 cup grated) Swiss cheese (I use 3 oz Swiss and 1 oz Asiago)
2/3 cup crumbled bacon

Mushroom and Red Bell Pepper Quiche
4 oz Swiss Cheese, grated
1 cup sliced or cut up fresh mushrooms--sauteed (probably could use 1 small can canned mushrooms--haven't tried that yet)
1/2 cup diced red bell pepper--sauteed
1/4 cup crumbled bacon

Broccoli/Cheddar Quiche
4 oz cheddar cheese, grated
2 cups broccoli florets, lightly microwaved or blanched and drained.

Bake at 425F for 15 minutes, then lower heat to 300F and bake 25-30 more minutes until knife inserted about 1 inch from the edge comes out clean. When cooled, cut into 6 wedges and refrigerate. Calories vary with ingredients, but roughly 350-400 calories/serving, carbs about 4 g/serving. I warm in the microwave 45-55 second on high. Keeps easily for 6 days in the refrig.

Thanks Rose, quiche is something I do enjoy but believe it or not I've never made them myself, looks easy and gave me some great ideas! Man, I love this challenge, lol
Today I did get a burn in with the elliptical, I haven't worked my way up yet, it's tough starting out...but me and my son did get outside and we did some running around and I chased the dog, not sure how "fun" that was for the challenge but I did get out in the great outdoors Oh and I swept too, lots and lots of those little whirly things falling from the trees and I got a long huge sidewalk and porch, that was vigorous!

I am LOVING all the recipes so far!!!! WOOOT!!!!
Rose, question for you...have you ever done your quiche in muffin tins? Just curious, because little individual quiche-ins would be awesome for my on the go mornings!

This is my 16 day and I have lost only 2.3 lbs. I work out hard and eat under the amount and if I can not do well now what makes me think that I will do well over the holidays? I need help.
Start weight 265
Now 183.0
Goal 140

for just over 2 weeks, 2/3 lbs is PERFECT! You want to aim for 1ish lbs a week. Some weeks you'll lose a little more and others a little less. Anything fast than that is not sustainable/healthy loss. Lifestyle changes take time, but all those little choices lead to little losses and overtime add up to big losses. Keep at it and you'll find yourself a new woman in no time.
For a little perspective: I started in Feb, have lost close to 25lbs and today a guy that my hubby works with noted to me how great I look. Slow and steady baby!

Bumping to follow the thread

sweet, still in the green! Thanks again Helen!

I'm so starving and I know I need to eat, but IDK what to eat right now. That's so totally the worst. Hope I find something healthy quick then I'm off to bed early-ish!

Leslie.. THANK YOU for the challenge..lol. I finally got off my toosh and worked hard tonight. and now of course I feel awesome.

I also tried something new today! I tried these stir fry veggies, which had broccoli, and snap peas, carrots.. and italian squash I think... pretty good and my kidlet loved it. he ate around the broccoli though.

Helen-- thanks again for the chart ! :flowerforyou:

I always love a cooking/recipe week! I'm going to have to go back and print all these out! I made this really simple and tasty, healthy buttnernut squash soup last night, I've had that before but never made it myself.

http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/claire-robinson/butternut-squash-soup-recipe/index.html

I can tell you right now there is no way I"m getting to 3500 cals burned this week, but I will try to get in as much as I can

You can do it Olivia!! cake walk

I'm planning the same burn as yesterday.. I can't believe I burned 590 cals just doing Banish Fat Boost Metabolism alone, and of course it didn't count all the walking I did yesterday. I'm looking to match that tonight.

Tried something new yesterday! Went out to lunch (which I rarely do) and tried a Vegan Thai peanut rice and veggies. It was delicious!! Now to get the 3500 exercise calories burned!!!!