New Video (Yikes, but happy)

Happy New Year!!!!  Wahooo!!!

Okay, my daughter made this video for a school project in her video production class.  She chose to interview me.  It was a busy day and I did NOT prepare for the interview, so I wasn't even wearing make-up or did my hair or anything... which, now I wish I did!!  She edited it all herself and I thought she did fantastic.  I just don't like the way I look... why do I have this crease in my forehead the whole time?

Anyway... to brag on my daughters video skills, I am posting it here on my blog!  

Life is GOOD

~Margene

Check Out My New Video

What a GREAT time to change your life!  Where will you be next year?

Week 12 ~ Pork Kabobs!

This week I'm down 3 pounds for a total of 49 pounds!

My guy is down 4 pounds for a total of 55 pound!

I had a pap smear appointment this week (don't worry, I won't share any details) but I was excited for the doctor to notice my weight loss. What ensued was probably the most positive doctor visit I've ever had. I DIDN'T feel GUILTY because I AM EATING better and doing something about my health. It changed the whole feel of the exam and my visit with the doctor (she was female). I feel so good that I am taking better care of myself now. I even got my blood drawn for a baseline... which I should have done before I started but I'm happy it's done now. With my brothers heart attack lingering on my mind... I really need to be aware of how my cholesterol is.

This week I had a Costco size portion of pork chops that were defrosted so I decided to make some Pork Kabobs. I found this recipe on line and LOVED it. I did the veggies on different kabobs than the pork since they don't need to cook as long. For veggies, I used yellow squash, mushrooms, peppers and cherrie tomatoes. Here is the recipe:

BBQ Teriyaki Pork Kabobs

Marinade 1 lb raw pork (cut up into 1"cubes) for at least 3 hours in:

3 T. low sodium soy sauce

2 T. Olive Oil

2 T. Rice Vinegar

1 Clove Garlic minced

Remaining Ingredients:

1 can low sodium beef broth

2 T. cornstarch

2 T. low sodium soy sauce

1 T. brown sugar (or 2 T. Splenda - which is what I used)

2 Cloves garlic minced

1/4 t. ground ginger

Veggies for kabobs:

3 portobello mushrooms, cut into squares (I used white mushrooms)

1 large green pepper cut into chunks

12 cherry tomatoes

12 chunks fresh pineapple (I did NOT use fruit... not on my plan yet)

1 yellow summer squash cut into cubes (I added this veggie)

Directions:

1. In sauce pan, combine beef broth, cornstarch, soy sauce, brown sugar/spenda, garlic and ginger. Bring to a boil, stirring constantly. Reduce heat and simmer 5 minutes.

2. Preheat your outdoor grill for high heat (I suggest Med to High) and lightly oil grate. Thread pork cubes onto skewers, alternating with veggies... or do separate skewers for veggies.

3. Cook on grill for 15 minutes (We timed them and cooked them about 6 minutes each side), or until meat is cooked through. Turn skewers and baste often with sauce during cooking.

As you can see, I always make double/triple recipes... enough for an army!!

We basted the pork and the veggies every few minutes. The sauce was really good. Even my kids really liked that sauce!

Pork all done. Oooh... good!

This was my plate. I didn't weigh the pork, but I suspect it was over the 5 ounce amount for pork... but I really needed extra protein for that night especially! :)

I took them off their skewers and dug in. I must have sounded like Bob in "What about Bob" the way I was eating! I liked the way the squash tasted with the sauce glaze grilled on it. So yummy!

One thing I am very grateful for with my new lifestyle is how I don't have the cravings like I used to. I smell a fast food place and I may briefly think about it, but the pull on me is minimal. I crave much more healthy foods. The thought of eating french fries almost makes me feel sick when I think about it, even though I have loved them. This is the FIRST diet/lifestyle change that I have felt that I CAN stick to and enjoy it. I don't feel deprived and I really enjoy the food I eat. I have my favorite medifast foods too, and look forward to what I will choose. I love the variety. I just need to start a regular exercise program now that is consistent. Can you believe I've lost 49 pounds WITHOUT exercising????? I LOVE that this program is not based on killing yourself at the gym. I want to go to the gym because I want to and not out of forcing myself.

I'm SO thankful for the positive support I've received too. I've shared this blog on the TSFL support boards, yet only with a with a couple people who actually know me... because it is so personal, but I want to help and support others who are in my same boat. Loosing weight and changing your lifestyle is a HUGE task and we all need to be supportive of each other no matter where on that path we are. :)

Craving Orange Chicken!

Right before I started my TSFL change, I was totally addicted to Panda Express and their Orange Chicken. So once I was on this, I tried making a baked orange chicken from a recipe I found on line where you use a can of diet orange soda. It didn't really satisfy me, though.

Last night, I tried something new for my lean and green. First, I had 1 cup of cucumbers with 1/2 cup of pepper and added some of the Walden Farms Sugar free/fat free/calorie free Italian dressing for my salad. Then I had 6 oz. of chicken breast strips and dunked them in this "Wok with me" Shanghai Orange sauce. It was a delicious new idea to try (thanks to my coach). The sauce was pretty good and had a tiny little kick - but not too much for me.

I will be adding this idea to my list of favorite meals!

Our SECOND week

We've been eating better and on TSFL plan for 2 weeks now. We are in the fat burning stage and I lost 5 pounds this week, and my husband lost 6 pounds! That brings us both to an even 14 pounds lost each!! No one can really tell I've lost 14 pounds yet but I can FEEL a difference! It's not a major difference but it's little things like:

* my back doesn't hurt as bad when I'm bending over

* I seem to be slightly more flexible in moving my body around

* my watch band doesn't seem as tight on my wrist

* I feel a little less tired.

I still have a long way to go but this is an awesome start!!

For snacks, I've found that I like to make "Knox Blox" which are firm squares of sugar free jello. I just have several little blocks of those and savor them in my mouth and it's a yummy treat in between a meal.

I am learning that I was eating WAY TOO BIG of portions before. I had conditioned my body and my stomach to think it needed more food than it does. Now, I am having to re-teach myself that smaller, healthy portions are good and I'm not going to starve.

You really have to be ready to make a change like this. You have to prepare your mind that you are going to do it! Our doctor suggested a good book for us to read and it has been really helpful. It's about preparing your mind before you even start a change (any diet change) and if you follow it, your lifestyle and eating change will be permanent. It's called The Beck Diet Solution and I would highly recommend it for anyone who is planning to make a diet change in their life (especially to lose weight!)

Here was my L&G meal tonight. So good!

I had this pre-cooked chicken burger from Costco,

1 cup of lettuce, 1/2 cup cucumbers, and a small tomato -

with Walden Farms Itallian dressing (sugar free, fat free,

and calorie free!)

I am all for QUICK - and these chicken burgers from

Costco taste great and we just heat them up on the skillet!

And look at that: Only 3 carbs & 140 calories per patty!

These patties come in the refrigerated section (not frozen). YUM!