Speaking of Fall, today was Day 4 of Fabulous Fall and we have even more Pledges!!! We are now up to a a crazy number of pounds Pledged to be shed…..I can’t even wrap my head around it….750 pounds!!!!

Yes, 750 pounds! That’s like losing….2 Shaquille O’Neal’s and a Kim Kardashian!

I have a couple of little food tid bits for you! After I emailed all of the Pledges the recipe email I was craving Tacos so I made some!!

Turkey Tacos:
Goodies:
-2 lbs pound ground white turkey
-whole grain taco shells
-1 package seasoning either taco or fajita-anything with a Mexican spin will do
-2% Mexican cheese
To start cook up ground turkey until well done. Add in seasoning according to package directions or to your own liking if doing from scratch. Allow seasoning and turkey to mingle in skillet getting nice and thick. Once turkey is nice and thick from the seasoning spoon into taco shells, top with cheese and pop into pre heated 425 oven until cheese is melted.Remove from oven and plate up!(Cooks note: my taco shell box suggests warming shells in pre heated 425 oven for 3 minutes before filling and re-warming. Follow the directions on your box they will taste better!)

These are my best friend when it comes to tacos! Serving is 2 shells 110 cals, 5g of fat, 18g carb, 6g of fiber!!! All you need is 2!!! So filling.

Here’s a quick and easy lunch! Left over chicken, feta cheese, apple slices on a toasted English muffin!

A yummy AMAZING GRASS shake for lunch today!!! I was on the run so I gulped this little beauty down and hit the road!

8 oz light soy milk, 1 small banana, 1 scoop chocolate amazing grass, 1 small spoonful creamy peanut butter, 4 to 6 ice cubes combine in blender-pulse until smooth and DEVOUR!

Dinner tonight: Chinese Chicken Salad!

To make chicken:

4 chicken cutlets, 2 eggs whisked for egg wash, homemade bread crumb mix

Breadcrumb Mix: 3 slices of whole wheat bread, teaspoon each-cinnamon, ground ginger, onion flakes, garlic powder combine everything in food processor and pulse until fine.

Dredge chicken in egg wash, then through crumbs and place in baking dish. Bake at 375 for 25 to 30 minutes!

Slice up 1 cutlet, place over romaine and add grapes! Drizzle with balsamic and enjoy!

Tips for Today: SNACKS!

I’ve received a lot of emails in regards to snacking. I feel like this is where we slip up when “dieting”. Stay away from high sugar foods, or pre packaged processed snacks. Try an apple with a smear of pb, an English muffin with pb, veggies and hummus, and amazing grass shake, string cheese and fruit. Don’t over think it!!!

To close we have TWO winners for the refer a friend Pop Challenge! These referrals came in with in a minute of each other! Congrats to:

Becky Danto and Julie Fitzgerald! You ladies will be getting a small little prize from me in the mail! Please email me your mailing address and your t shirt size! CONGRATS!!

Have a great Day 5 ladies and don’t let loose to much over the weekend! Weigh in is on Monday and I wanna see some numbers!!

My friends at Amazing Grass want to give you a GREAT deal! Simply click on one of the Amazing Grass banners to the right and enter “HEALTHY” at check out to save 15% off of your order!

Healthy Wishes, T

I hafta say I was so happy to get back to normal today! Zac’s school was closed all of last week and yesterday and after my let down from the audition I really needed normalcy…..and it finally came today!

It was so great seeing him get excited to be at school! I love watching him with the other kids, so sweet. It was also nice to come home and do lunch followed by a nice nap-for him not me LOL. As he napped I decided to check my email and I was SHOCKED at my inbox. We now have 50 Fabulous Fall Challengers and over 590 pounds have been pledged to be shed. I can’t believe how many people we have this year, and the positive emails you all are sending are keeping me going! If you’d like to sign up, just fill out the form to the right and join us! There’s no better time to change your life!!!

For tonight I wanted to touch on something that really, honestly helped me when I began my journey. If you’re an avid or long time GGH reader you probably already know what product I’m going to talk about…..AMAZING GRASS!!!!! If you purchase one thing for this Challenge this needs to be it! It helped me shed my 100 lbs and I still use it daily, sometimes twice a day. It is jam packed full of nutrients, vitamins, and gives you energy like caffeine can’t!!! Please take a minute to click on any of the Amazing Grass ad’s to the right, check it out you won’t be sorry! I love the CHOCOLATE-yep chocolate, the Vanilla Chai, and I love the Kid’s flavors!!! Zac loves them too, and he doesn’t like anything LOL!

PLUS! 

My friends at Amazing Grass want to give you a GREAT deal! Simply click on one of the Amazing Grass banners to the right and enter “HEALTHY” at check out to save 15% off of your order!

And if you think that’s AMAZING wait till you see what I have to announce later in the week….it’s a GIVEAWAY with a fantastic new AG product!!!!! And it’s raw, vegan, vegetarian approved….wooo!

So click on any of the AG banners to the right and shop away!

My work out today was small but meaningful, nice 30 minute vigorous walk with Zac up my neighborhood’s hill of death twice! I did put in my 64 oz’s of water….I need to do more, this is a struggle for me!

Hope you all have a wonderful night!!!

Healthy Wishes, T

How was Day 1 of Fabulous Fall 2010?! My day was super! I love starting fresh, setting goals, and knowing that I have 40 lovely ladies doing the same makes me sooooooo happy!

Are you ready to hear how many pounds have been Pledged?!!! A whopping 450 pounds! Add my 20 pound Pledge and we are at 470 pounds!!! AND if we double it that will be 940 pounds!!!!!!!!!!!!!! That’s insane!!! We are losing a Black Bear!!

I can’t even believe how amazing you guys are. I loved each and every email response I received after I sent out your Welcome emails. Keep in touch and we will succeed!

For those of you who need info on the Challenge please visit: http://girlgonehealthy.com/?p=2690 and Fill out the form to the right!

Quick and Easy Dinner Recipe:

Spicy Blanco Soup

This is perfect for a quick mid week dinner and makes amazing left overs for lunch! Feel free to adjust spicy-ness to your family’s liking.

Goodies-

1 pound ground chicken

1/2 red onion

2 tablespoons minced garlic

1 seasoning packet (taco flavor)

2 cans garbanzo beans (drained and rinsed)

1 7 oz can diced green chiles

1 large box low sodium chicken broth

In large stock pot coated with cooking spray-saute chopped onion and garlic until soft and aromatic. Add in can of chiles, mix well. Mix in ground chicken and cook until done. Pour in seasoning packet, chicken broth and garbanzo beans. Stir well and allow soup to come to boil. Turn heat down to simmer and allow to cook for about 20 to 30 minutes, soup will thicken. Serve warm!

Aside from my Blanco Soup here’s my food line up for the day!

Breakfast-

Post work out snack-

Lunch-

Afternoon Snack-

*above:1 scoop chocolate amazing grass and 8 oz of ice water* If interested in Amazing Grass click on any of the AG ad’s on the right! Highly recommend it! It helped me shed my 100 lbs!!!

Water-64 oz’s

Work Out-

2 miles walk/jog with Zac in the stroller at the track

Now onto my Day 1 Weigh In Stats:

Height 5′2″

Weight 163

BMI- 29.8 = Overweight

Talk about a punch in the gut, I’ve lost 100 lbs and I’m still considered OVER FREAKIN WEIGHT! AND today is the first day of my “lady cycle” sorry guys LOL.

SO, if I can weigh in YOU can weigh in! I also went ahead and did my measurements-my waist, arms, hips, and legs.

Waist-35

Hips-45

Arms-11

Legs-22

I encourage all of you to do your measurements too! I’m not one who see’s big drops when it comes to measurements but YOU might be and when you see your numbers go down it keeps you going!

We will be weighing in EVERY MONDAY morning! BMI’s will be every month and same with measurements. Continue to log in your journals every day. Your feelings, water, work outs etc….I can’t tell you enough how much this is going to help!

Now get a good night’s rest and be ready for Day 2! Tomorrow we’ll hit awesome packed lunch ideas and start with specialty diet recipes like low carb, gluten free etc!!! And fun work out ideas!!!

Healthy Wishes, T

My friends at Amazing Grass want to give you a GREAT deal! Simply click on one of the Amazing Grass banners to the right and enter “HEALTHY” at check out to save 15% off of your order!

And if you think that’s AMAZING wait till you see what I have to announce later in the week….it’s a GIVEAWAY with a fantastic new AG product!!!!! And it’s raw, vegan, vegetarian approved….wooo!

So click on any of the AG banners to the right and shop away!

The PHENOMENAL crew at Newhall Coffee created an organization called Coffee For a Cause. I have teamed up with them, and I’m “selling” coffee to raise Autism Awareness!!!! Please click on the logo below, and spread the word! Let’s help other families, let’s make a difference and raise awareness! help me unlock the puzzle!!!

http://www.newhallcoffeeforacause.com/girlgonehealthy

That’s my happy face . We have 20 lovely ladies signed up for Fabulous Fall 2010! Between those 20 ladies 175 pounds have been pledged….TO LOSE!!!! That’s awesome!!! And if we make this year’s Challenge as successful as last year we can DOUBLE that loss number! Can you imagine 350 pounds GONE?! I know we can do this ladies!!!

So here’s how we will start!

I have received all of your Pledges/Info and logged down your name and your pounds. I will be sending out weekly email blitzes to keep you motivated and remind you to keep your end of the Challenge by checking in with me according to your Pledge.

Your next steps:

1) Go grab a really pretty notebook! It can be any size, it can be blank, lined, calendar/memo style….just get something that you WANT to write in DAILY!

2) On Monday 9/6/10 I want you to weigh in and write that EXACT number down in that notebook. Do NOT alter that number, it’s just for you-should you want to share it that’s fine. After weighing and logging please visit http://www.freebmicalculator.net/ and find out where you stand. Please log that number in as well. (NOTE- I will be doing everything along with you!)

3) At some point in the day I want you to write a little journal entry to yourself. Write down how you’re feeling about yourself, why you want to lose weight/get healthy, and I want you to end your entry with: “I AM WORTH IT! I DESERVE TO BE HEALTHY AND HAPPY!”

4) Take the weekend to plan out your meals for the coming week, also find a water bottle that you think is fun and holds at least 32 oz and start using it! Water is KEY!

We will start there with more tips/recipies/work out fun to come during the week!!!

Now I have a couple of quick and easy dinners for you!

Balsamic Chicken Pita “Pizza”

1 package boneless skinless chicken cutlets-diced

Balsamic Vinegar

1/2 white onion sliced thin

2 tablespoons minced garlic (I used the pre-minced in the jar)

Extra Virgin Olive Oil (EVOO)

2 cups fresh baby spinach

pinch sea salt

2 wedges Laughing Cow cheese

3 whole wheat pitas

In a large skillet coated with EVOO saute onion and garlic until soft and aromatic, add in chicken pieces and allow to cook together. Once chicken is cooked through- drizzle Balsamic thoroughly coating everything. Add in spinach and mix well, allow spinach to wilt down. Set aside an allow to cool.

Place pitas on work surface and spread cheese onto pitas, splitting the wedges so each pita has the same amount. Spoon chicken mixture on top of pita and place in pre heated oven that’s set to broil. Place pitas directly on rack and allow them to crisp. Serve warm!

Spinach Lasagna

large can (28 oz) of sugar free tomato puree (once can is open stir in 2 tablespoons Italian seasoning)

1 bag frozen chopped spinach

1 box no boil lasagna noodles

Parmesan cheese

Begin by coating the bottom of casserole dish with tomato puree, then place noodles on top of sauce, followed by frozen spinach, top with a sprinkling of Parmesan cheese, and repeat entire process until your layers reach the top! Your top layer should be noodles-then sauce-with a sprinkling of cheese. Bake in pre-heated 375 oven, covered with foil for 60 minutes, uncover and cook for additional 5 minutes. Remove from oven and allow lasagna to set, serve warm!

I hope you all have a wonderful LONG WEEKEND!!

Healthy Wishes, T

Are you nodding in agreement?

Ok stop nodding….

Fall is a danger zone for a healthy lifestyle! I mean come on all those festivals filled with kettle corn, warm ciders, apple pies THANKSGIVING……(commence nodding).

You have to keep that Summer frame of mind friends! Don’t stop the work outs, keep them going! make friends with a space in your house and your iPod-get some weights-yoga ball-maybe a yoga mat and work out inside while the wind howls or the snow falls. Hang up a cute Summer dress or maybe a swim suit you’d like to get into someplace you’ll see it daily. While everyone else is gulping hot cocoa, keep chugging that water! That way when Spring comes you won’t be scrambling. You’ll be ready to shop, and shop some place new mind you, and looking super cute!

How are we going to do this you ask? By doing a repeat of last Fall…..it’s CHALLENGE time!!!! Last year we did several Challenges through out Fall/Winter and several of you lost significant amounts of weight! This year’s CHALLENGE will be 91 Days! All of September-October-November!

Are you ready to have a Fabulous Fall?!!! Just fill out the form in the side bar (bottom right) and PLEDGE!!!! I will receive your info and log it! The form takes 2 minutes and you won’t regret it! I had people DOUBLE the amount of their Pledged weight loss! People who Pledged a 5 pound loss dropped 10 some even 15 pounds!! Let’s do this-let’s get Healthy-LET’S BE FABULOUS!!!!!!!!!

Healthy Wishes, T

As you know I traveled to New York over the weekend to audition for The Next Food Network Star. This trip was huge for me, as it was the first time I was going to be away from Zac for longer than a few hours and I was driving into the city alone. BUT I did it. The drive was incredible, I loved my hoteland even made friends with the staff there. I arrived on Sunday full of hope and excitement, and totally ready to explore the magical concrete jungle that is Manhattan’s East Side. From The Benjamin to The Waldorf Astoria, I was surrounded by gorgeous buildings and culture that only NYC can provide. I must’ve looked like the Cheshire cat as I walked around, and believe me I walked ALL AROUND, because my face literally hurt.

While out exploring I popped in to the Food Emporium and scored a GORGEOUS grilled veggie and mozzarella salad!

This salad was insane and super fresh! As I happily packed away my salad and hit the road for more exploring I stumbled upon what I would like to deem the world’s best hidden cupcake bakery. I present to you, Buttercup Bake Shop! When I walked in it only took one glance at the gleaming displays to know that I was about to have the BEST cupcake ever! It took me quite a while to decide on just one, I did have an audition to look good for the next morning, but I finally decided on the Red Velvet. I chose the red velvet because it made me think of the south, which in turn made me think of my Mom and of course the Queen of Red Velvet and Buttercream-Ms. Paula Deen. I thought this little gem would certainly bring me all the comfort, and luck, I needed!

As if the excitement of returning to the hotel to gobble all of the delicious-ness I accumliated wasn’t enough there in front of me was where I’d be auditioning-Sutton Place. I walked over and my heart began to race. I mentally placed myself in line and visualized myself waiting with confidence knowing that I had tons of love and support being sent my way. I was so excited and that big grin just got bigger!

After my amazing meal, happily eaten while watching Food Network of course, I hit the gym!

I of course repped the Celtics while I put in my 3 miles!

When I woke up the next morning, I jumped out of bed. I eagerly gathered all of my goodies for the audition and took extra time to get myself dolled up.

I wanted to be in line early, so I checked out of the hotel for 7am and bravely hopped in a NYC cab! My cab driver assured me that he practiced his driving at home via video games and that he never crashed……OH GOOD! However, I arrived safely and I was SEVENTH in line!!!! I stood in the muggy Manhattan heat on 4 inch heels for 3 hours! That in itself should’ve gotten me a direct ticket to the next round .

I met some really incredible people in line and it was fun because we were able to stay together the whole way through. Once inside I didn’t have to wait long for my chance to be seen. I really wish you guys could’ve seen my audition…..it was PERFECT. I answered all of her questions quickly, easily, and really let her know how passionate I was about my mission and she reassured me that they would contact me within 24 hours if I was chosen to continue to the next round. I actually walked out of there feeling like I nailed it. It’s true what they say, you know when you did your best-you can feel it-it radiates through you, so true. I couldn’t have done any better. In fact I was so confident that I be-bopped back over to my new fave bakery and purchased a box of celebratory cupcakes to bring back to the boys and Nana.

Me, my cup cakes, and my 4 inch heels trekked the 6 blocks back to the hotel feeling very sure of ourselves. I literally smiled the entire 3 hour drive home, I was so sure….

Tuesday morning arrived and I was full of anxiety. I hit the gym and burned a whopping 610 calories in Zumba while trying not to puke over waiting for the phone to ring. 1 hour turned in to 6 and the phone never rang. As the day pushed on my confidence was diminished to absolutely none. I questioned why I ever thought I could actually do something like that. Why was I was so stupid to waste time and money on chasing a dream, why in the world would something amazing happen to ME. My depression and broken spirit actually made me question if I should even continue doing GGH. Why would anyone want to read, why would you take my “advice”, I completely failed and let everyone down. I announced to everyone that I was Following My Dream and that I would surely succeed, and not one person-not any of you thought any differently. You were all just as sure as I was that I would in fact nail this, that I would end up on Food Network spreading my message, and I failed. I really boxed up everything that was GGH related last night and set it aside to bring down stairs this morning. I was so broken, if you know me personally you wouldn’t have recognized me. I cried myself to sleep last night, praying that the morning would bring me solace, peace, and grant me strength to continue being the mom and wife I needed to be.

So here we are now, a new day-a new month- a fresh start. As I lay in bed I logged on to Facebook and Twitter and read incredible messages, and I knew that GGH MUST continue. It would go against everything I’ve ever tried to convey to all of you if I just gave up. What if I just gave up when things got tough with Zac, he would never be where he is today. What if I just gave up every time the hubby and I argued, we would’ve been divorced before we were even married LOL. What if I just gave up every time something didn’t work out the way I intended it to? So why did this hurt me so much?

To Follow A Dream and put yourself out there is the hardest thing you can possibly do. You can be confident and know your stuff but if you’re not what someone is looking for then it’s just not meant to be. I know it’s my calling to help people, I know it’s in my future to spread the GGH word and let people know that YOU CAN change your life, that YOU CAN eat real meals while getting healthy and that I will be there every step of the way. I had so many cheerleaders through this process, that to stop GGH completely would be, and pardon my language, a bitch ass move. How can I give up something that brings me so much joy? How could I just stop doing something that someone out there right now needs?

And that’s just it, I can’t.

Thank you all for showing me so much love and I hope that one day in the future I’ll be sitting on set at Food Network looking back at this post.

Follow Your Dreams, don’t be afraid, and if it doesn’t work out and your heart is broken-call me I understand.

Healthy Wishes and a MILLION Hugs- T

I should definitely be packing for NYC and my audition but I was so excited to be able to use my lap top again…..I thought a quick post would be way better! I missed seeing my GGH dashboard!!

This week has been such a whirl wind of excitement. I’ve been running around like a chicken with my head cut off (sorry Vegan friends….a free range chicken, complete with head just slightly crazy) I’ve done the whole hair coloring, mani/pedi, tanning and photo session with the INCREDIBLE Jennifer Leatherwood! You’d think I was getting married or something. Funny thing is I don’t even remember running around this much or obsessing over every detail for my wedding like I am over this weekend. My good friend Leah put into perspective for me this morning, I’m so nervous about this because there is a little blond headed person who could benefit LARGELY from this dream becoming a reality!

This handsome little man…..

Is my driving force. If I make this dream come true for myself I can provide for him and make sure that all of HIS dreams come true and then some. That’s enough to make me want it, and want it bad.

BUT I haven’t just been doing DIVA type activities I’ve been in the kitchen a little too! Not gonna lie most of my meals this week have been light and clean as I want to look as fantastic as I can, but I did whip a few comfort items to soothe my nerves!

Ready-Set-EAT!!!!

Mini Meatloaf:

Growing up in Texas my Mom made a lot of meatloaf…..a lot. And as I think back to childhood that meatloaf was served with creamy, fluffy pillows of mashed potatoes, mac and cheese, and usually a roll or biscuit of some sort. I would always mush everything together and then pile that mush on top of the roll/biscuit and make myself a nice little sammie! So I thought, why not do that same thing but make it HEALTHY and grown up!!!

Turkey Loaf-

-2 lbs ground Turkey

-1 meatloaf seasoning package

-1 egg

-1 small onion rough sliced

-2 cups green onions rough sliced

-1/4 cup Panko bread crumbs

-3/4 cup water

-1 tbsp minced garlic

-cooking spray

Combine egg, water, onion, green onion, meatloaf seasoning packet, and garlic in food processor/blender and pulse until onion is chopped and everything is blended. In large bowl combine liquid mix with turkey and bread crumbs-use your hands and combine everything together. Place mix in large casserole dish or large loaf pan coated with cooking spray, place in pre heated 350 oven for 1 hour or until cooked through.

Mashed “Potatoes”-

1 bag frozen cauliflower, cooked according to directions. Once cooked, place in large mixing bowl. Add in a splash of milk, salt and pepper to taste, and 1 tablespoon butter ( I use I Can’t Believe It’s Not Butter). Using your mixer fluff cauliflower until thick and creamy. You can add a pinch of wheat flour or corn starch to assist in thickness!

GGH Biscuits-

1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour

1/2 teaspoon fine sea salt

1 tablespoon sugar

3 tablespoons fat free sour cream

2 tablespoons, cold, I Can’t Believe It’s Not Butter

1 1/2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice

3 tablespoons ice water

Add the flour, salt, and sugar to a food processor and pulse to combine. Add the butter and pulse until the butter is finely chopped and the mixture resembles coarse meal. Add sour cream and lemon juice and pulse a few times. Add the ice water and run the machine just until the mixture is moist and crumbly, but does not form a ball. Do not over mix. Turn the dough out onto a sheet of plastic wrap. Press into a disk, cover, and refrigerate for 30 minutes. Once firm, roll out on to floured surface and using a small cookie cutter (round) cut out biscuits. Place on cooking sheet sprayed with cooking spray, bake in pre heated 375 oven for 15 to 18 minutes.

Once all 3 layers are cooked, begin assembling! Place a biscuit on baking sheet, top with small amount of turkey loaf, followed by a scoop of “potato”. Continue assembling until all biscuits are used, place back in oven to warm and brown the “potatoes”. Serve warm!

Citrus Cilantro Chicken Naan Pizza:

-4 boneless chicken breasts (thin)

-juice of 1 lemon

-juice of 1 lime

-1/2 cup cilantro, chopped

-salt to taste

-1/2 of white onion diced

-3 wedges garlic and herb laughing cow cheese (light)

-1 store bought package of Naan (Indian bread)

Begin by marinading chicken with lemon/lime and cilantro. Liberally coat chicken with marinade and allow to sit in the fridge for atleast 30 minutes. Next, place chicken in baking dish and sprinkle with diced onion-bake in pre heated 350 oven for 30 minutes. Allow chicken to cool, and then dice it to nice bite sized pieces. Place chicken on top of Naan, and top with pieces of crumbled Laughing Cow wedges. Put back into the oven and allow cheese/Naan to warm. Serve ASAP!

Jerk Chicken with Sauteed Spinach and Cous Cous:

2 large boneless chicken breasts

store bought box of cous cous

3 cups fresh baby spinach

1/4 cup green onions chopped

Parmesan cheese

Extra Virgin Olive Oil

Salt to taste

1/2 white onion diced

Jerk chicken seasoning packet

Place chicken in baking dish coated with cooking spray. Sprinkle jerk seasoning and onions over the top of chicken, drizzle with a little olive oil. Bake in pre heated 350 oven for 20 to 30 minutes.

For spinach: Place 3 cups spinach in large skillet and drizzle with olive oil, add in green onions and mix well. Dash of salt and a squeeze of lemon juice. Cover spinach and allow it to wilt. Once wilted, stir in a smidge of Parmesan cheese and mix. Serve warm.

(Follow cooking instructions for cous cous and serve on top of the spinach)

And to finish out the food section I have to show you what arrived in the mail from my Nana in Texas!!!

Homemade Preserves!!!! 2 jars of peach and 2 jars of pear & pineapple!!!! So delish!

Ok I’m off to pack now….can’t put it off any longer I guess LOL.

Have a wonderful rest of the weekend and I will try to post from NYC tomorrow!!!!!

Healthy Wishes, T

My friends at Amazing Grass want to give you a GREAT deal! Simply click on one of the Amazing Grass banners to the right and enter “HEALTHY” at check out to save 15% off of your order!

And if you think that’s AMAZING wait till you see what I have to announce later in the week….it’s a GIVEAWAY with a fantastic new AG product!!!!! And it’s raw, vegan, vegetarian approved….wooo!

So click on any of the AG banners to the right and shop away!

The PHENOMENAL crew at Newhall Coffee created an organization called Coffee For a Cause. I have teamed up with them, and I’m “selling” coffee to raise Autism Awareness!!!! Please click on the logo below, and spread the word! Let’s help other families, let’s make a difference and raise awareness! help me unlock the puzzle!!!

http://www.newhallcoffeeforacause.com/girlgonehealthy

I know I haven’t blogged in days, and my excuses aren’t even that great and they are totally selfish. So we’ll just skip all of that and we can be glad that we are all here together now .

Are you ready for some yummy food?!!!! I hope so! Grab your foodie notebook, snazzy pen, and a cup of something yummy-it’s recipe time!

GGH Sweet & Savory Salad:

This salad was sooooooo good if I do say so myself, and friends I DO! This gorgeous bed of greens is topped with roasted chickpeas and caramelized onion, fennel, and apples! WOOOO WEEE And it was easy!

Roasted Chick Peas-

-1 can garbanzo beans (chick peas) drained, rinsed and patted dry

-1 1/2 tsp cayenne pepper

-1 pinch red chili flake

-pinch of salt and black pepper

-Extra Virgin Olive Oil (EVOO)

Combine all goodies in a large bowl and drizzle with EVOO. Mix until peas are coated and shiny with oil. Spread peas out on large baking sheet and place in pre-heated 450 oven for about 15 minutes or until golden brown and crunchy.

Caramelized Fennel, Onion, Apple-

-1 large white onion sliced thin

-2 granny smith apples cored and sliced

-1 fennel cleaned, cored and sliced

-EVOO

-Pinch of salt

In a large skillet coated with EVOO, saute veggies until soft. Turn down heat and allow everything to turn golden brown. Stir when needed so veggies don’t stick. Add a pinch of sugar if needed!

Serve salad using caramelized mixture as the “dressing”. I put pita slices with it but didn’t eat them, the salad alone was incredible.

Mexican Fiesta:

The hubby adores Mexican so I try to indulge him as often as I can! This little fiesta includes: Cilantro Lime Chicken Tacos, Tortilla Chips and Salsa, and GGH Sopapillas!

Cilantro Lime Chicken:

Marinade one package of chicken cutlets in the following-

-1/4 cup lime juice

-1/4 cup water

-1 package taco seasoning

-1/4 cup chopped cilantro

Mix all of the goodies together in large bowl, add chicken and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes. Once marinaded, heat large skillet coated with cooking spray and sautee cutlets. Meat should be fork tender and easy to shred once cooked. Place shredded chicken aside, and follow heating directions for shells. Fill shells with chicken and top with fat free cheese. Place back in oven to melt cheese.

For Tortilla Chips:

Cut 5 whole wheat tortillas into small triangles. Heat skillet with EVOO, once oil is hot place tortillas in skillet and allow each side to brown, and allow them to cool. Serve with your fave salsa! We used a can of rotel!

GGH Sopapillas:

Repeat the same steps as the chips, but place triangles on cooking spray coated baking sheet. Top with cinnamon and sugar, bake in pre-heated 350 oven until crispy. Serve warm

Seafood Buffet:

It was such a rainy cold day that I was craving chow-duh or chowda or chowder (depending on where you’re from)! We are a split household in that we like New England Style Clam Chowder and Manhattan Style! And since I leave in a week to go to Manhattan I thought I’d give them some props, thus the Manhattan by way of Rhode Island Chowder was born!

-3 cans clams (61/2 oz size)

-1 80z bottle of clam juice

-1 cup fat free 1/2 and 1/2

-1 small can tomato puree (sugar free)

-2 tablespoons flour

-1/2 of a white onion chopped

-2 cloves of garlic minced (I use the pre-minced so it’s a heaping tablespoon)

-3 potatoes peeled, cubed and cooked

-Salt, parsley, basil, oregano, and pepper to taste

-1 bay leaf

In a large pot, saute the garlic and onion with a small SMALL pat of butter! (Not Paula Deen size-small). Add in all goodies except clams! Allow pot to come to boil, turn down heat to simmer and add clams and bay leaf stirring often. Allow chowder to thicken and flavors to meld.

Pair with Clam Cake Pop Overs!

2 eggs
1/2 tsp. paprika
1 tsp. fresh chives or parsley, chopped
1/4 tsp. onion powder
1/2 tsp. salt
1/8 tsp. pepper
1 tbsp. sugar
1/2 c. SKIM milk
2 cans minced clams (61/2 oz size, only drain 1 can)
2 c. flour
2 tsp. baking powder

Mix all goodies in large bowl and pour into well greased muffin pan. Place pop overs in 350 oven and allow them to bake for about 18 to minutes! Serve warm with chowda!

I hope you guys enjoy these yummies! Ya know it takes me more time to post the recipes then actually takes to cook them….who knew?!

I hope you all have a fantastic week! Get out and get active! Fall is just around the corner so take advantage of the Summer nights while they are still here!

Healthy Wishes, T

My friends at Amazing Grass want to give you a GREAT deal! Simply click on one of the Amazing Grass banners to the right and enter “HEALTHY” at check out to save 15% off of your order!

And if you think that’s AMAZING wait till you see what I have to announce later in the week….it’s a GIVEAWAY with a fantastic new AG product!!!!! And it’s raw, vegan, vegetarian approved….wooo!

So click on any of the AG banners to the right and shop away!

The PHENOMENAL crew at Newhall Coffee created an organization called Coffee For a Cause. I have teamed up with them, and I’m “selling” coffee to raise Autism Awareness!!!! Please click on the logo below, and spread the word! Let’s help other families, let’s make a difference and raise awareness! help me unlock the puzzle!!!

http://www.newhallcoffeeforacause.com/girlgonehealthy

I wanted to post last night, but I ended up hitting the gym for a nice little sweat fest. BUT I’m here now and I have LOT’S to share with you guys! So let’s go!

If you Follow me on Twitter then you know that on Saturday night I surprised my hubby with a romantic dinner. I planned out a menu, lit some candles, grabbed some wine and even threw on a dress that I hadn’t worn yet! There wasn’t any sort of “motive” behind the meal I just felt like doing something to show him how much I appreciate and loved him. He was really surprised and said it was the perfect end to his day! Check it out!

Our table!

First course: Home made Gazpacho

Second/Main Course- The hubby’s favorite-Italian Breaded Lemon Chicken with Wild Mushroom Cous Cous (I had a Citrus Pesto for dipping but that picture was lost in my camera catastrophe )

Dessert- My fave part! Cherry Preserve Crostata

It was an indulgent, flavorful meal! I was so happy with how everything turned out.

After such a great meal we had to do something active/outdoorsy the next day so we hit The Washington County Fair! It was sooooo much fun and I really felt like I was back in Texas!

They had tractor pulls, farm stands, crafts, livestock shows and crazy rides/games!!!

So much fun!!!!

Now onto some great new products that I know you’ll want to try!

I discovered a new bar that I am in LOVE with, Kardea bars!

The wonderful people at Kardea sent me a nice goodie basket filled with their delectable treats and some valuable nutrition information! These little bars are packing some serious flavor and they are literally the best bra for you on the market! They have less calories, carbs, sugars and fats than the leading “health” bar and the they definitely don’t taste like card board!

My favorite bar was the Lemon Ginger!!! OUTRAGEOUS!

Next up, Be Skinny Coffee!

This was quite the experience! I’ll be honest I spent a lot of time in the bathroom and felt really jittery the first couple of cups-BUT after I got used to it I liked it. It helped curb my snacking a bit and gave me a safe amount of energy through out the day! For more info contact: James & Gretchen-http://twitter.com/BSkinnyCafe Thanks again for the samples guys!!!!

And as you’ve been reading I back on the GRASS!!!!

My friends at Amazing Grass want to give you a GREAT deal! Simply click on one of the Amazing Grass banners to the right and enter “HEALTHY” at check out to save 15% off of your order!

And if you think that’s AMAZING wait till you see what I have to announce later in the week….it’s a GIVEAWAY with a fantastic new AG product!!!!! And it’s raw, vegan, vegetarian approved….wooo!

So click on any of the AG banners to the right and shop away!

Have a wonderful day and don’t forget about Zachary’s Autism Fundraiser below!

Healthy Wishes, T

The PHENOMENAL crew at Newhall Coffee created an organization called Coffee For a Cause. I have teamed up with them, and I’m “selling” coffee to raise Autism Awareness!!!! Please click on the logo below, and spread the word! Let’s help other families, let’s make a difference and raise awareness! help me unlock the puzzle!!!

http://www.newhallcoffeeforacause.com/girlgonehealthy

I’d like to start out with a confession. As many of you know I have never been shy about stating my vile hatred for the elliptical machine. I find it boring and it makes my hips hurt…yea you like that excuse? Even GGH makes excuses sometimes LOL.

ANYWAY, for the past week and half I have been cheating on the tready with the elliptical machine, and I am in love. It was by pure chance our faithful meeting. All of the treadmills were full and I was forced to grab an elliptical. I decided to go with the weight loss setting since that’s what I’m all about, and it was love at first interval. This is so much better than just flat out running! My stamina is being built back up, I’m sweating like no other while I’m working out, and the best thing of all is today I looked down and I could see past my pooch!!! Wah-whooooooo

So I really feel that the elipitcal is my key to feelin’ hot during my Food Network audition in a couple of weeks! Which I’m so nervous/excited for. I wish I had like 12 hours to explain to them why I should have my own show. Not to toot my own horn, but at 270 pounds standing at 5 foot 2 I would much rather have someone like myself (who’s been there before) telling me how and what to eat as opposed to someone who had always been thin/healthy/fit their whole life. I feel like you can’t honestly feel for someone unless you’ve walked in those shoes, whatever the situation. And let me tell you friends, I’ve walked in A LOT of shoes. I was chunky, ok not chunky FAT, on and off my whole life, my parents are divorced, and now I have a son who’s been diagnosed with Autism. I’m not saying all of this for sympathy, or for comments, I’m saying all of it because those are the people I want to speak to! I want to speak to Middle America and tell you that YOU CAN get healthy! YOU CAN lose weight without the gym or a trainer! YOU CAN still eat all of the foods you love-you just have to modify them and learn portion control and how to watch your calorie intake. And YOU’RE NOT ALONE! I’m right there with you! I still crave everything bad for me, I still want to order dessert, I still want to keep eating after I’m stuffed when I’m out at dinner….It’s a battle, it’s a journey, and it CAN be done!

I read a post tonight by Mara of Medicinal Marzipan about being The Pretty Fat Girl and as I read my whole life flashed before my eyes. I was The Pretty Fat Girl or The Funny Fat Girl or the Run Interference For My Skinny Friends Girl……I know how YOU feel. I know how badly you want to take those labels away…..but honestly, they haunt me. I asked my hubby if he thought people still thought of me “as a pretty face” even though I literally cut myself in half, and he said “I think people have gotten used to you”. WHAT?!!!! So I went from being like 3 different titles to “Just Tera”…..NO I don’t want to be “Just Tera”, I want a title dammit-LOL.

My whole point is that once you commit to this journey and decide to build a healthier life for yourself the demons that you face now don’t go away, they morph into new ones. For those of us who were very comfortable being “a pretty face” or ” the funny fat girl” it’s very difficult to figure out who you are. Well I’m here to tell you that I’m still a pretty face and I’m still quite funny. Love yourself friends, where you are right now. Grab a mirror and tell yourself that you’re more than just a pretty face or a punch line, you’re a force to be reckoned with! You’re a healthy role model waiting to happen! Own your body and your journey, because in the end we are doing this for US and no one else!

**** steps off soap box****

Before I say goodnight I wanted to share my new slaw recipe with all of you and remind you of a GREAT deal I have going on right now!

Coconut Thai Peanut Slaw:

-1 bag rainbow salad (pre made no sauce slaw)

-1/4 cup creamy peanut butter ( I used Trop Traditions Coconut PB, hence the coconut)

-2 tbsp minced garlic (use the pre-minced in the jar)

-1/4 cup Soy Sauce

-1/4 cup rice vinegar

-2 tsp each cayenne pepper, cinnamon, sea salt

- 1 bunch green onions chopped

In a large sauce pan combine all goodies EXCEPT slaw and allow to reduce down stirring often. Once liquefied, allow to cool. Once sauce is cool toss with bag of slaw and green onion coating everything well, serve in chilled cups!

This was sooooooo yummy, refreshing and CHEAP! Would be perfect as an appetizer or nice lunch with some fruit on the side.

Onto my AMAZING deal!!!

My friends at Amazing Grass want to give you a GREAT deal! Simply click on one of the Amazing Grass banners to the right and enter “HEALTHY” at check out to save 15% off of your order!

And if you think that’s AMAZING wait till you see what I have to announce later in the week….it’s a GIVEAWAY with a fantastic new AG product!!!!! And it’s raw, vegan, vegetarian approved….wooo!

So click on any of the AG banners to the right and shop away!

Have a wonderful night and don’t forget about Zachary’s Autism Fundraiser below!

Healthy Wishes, T

The PHENOMENAL crew at Newhall Coffee created an organization called Coffee For a Cause. I have teamed up with them, and I’m “selling” coffee to raise Autism Awareness!!!! Please click on the logo below, and spread the word! Let’s help other families, let’s make a difference and raise awareness! help me unlock the puzzle!!!

http://www.newhallcoffeeforacause.com/girlgonehealthy