Healthy Eats: Vegan Teryaki

After back to back family visits, my tummy was screaming for a break.  Since Tuesday night is softball night for Jay, I took the chance to make something just for me:

I give you Vegan Teryaki!  No, I’m not and will never be a full fledged vegan, but I do love going all veggie from time to time.

The positives: This recipe made tons – enough for a HUGE dinner and 2 lunches.  It was delicious with great flavors and textures in every bite.  The beans lend enough salt for the rest of the dish and compliment the veggies better than you might think. Even Cee (Mr. I-don’t-eat-beans-or-rice) loved it. I don’t know if Jay loves it, because I didn’t let him eat a bite! I liked it so much that I horded it to be eaten throughout the week.  Sorry Honey.

It would also lend itself well to other veggie add-in’s, this is what I had on hand, so this it what went in mine. I really should put it over on my Average Pantry page, but I’ll give it to you first fit Mamas, enjoy!

Vegan Teryaki

• 1 c. uncooked rice
• matchstick carrots
• 1 med onion, sliced
• 1 clove garlic, minced
• 1 can black beans (or any beans you want), drained, rinsed
• 2 heads fresh broccoli, chopped to bite size pieces
• 2 small zucchini, cubed
• baby spinach, about 2 handfuls
• favorite teryaki sauce (I recommend Soy Vay’s Veri Veri Teryaki)

Start cooking the rice with about 1/2 c. of the matchstick carrots mixed in.  While the rice cooks, saute the onion and garlic in a little water until softened (just use about a Tbs of water at a time, adding more each time it evaporates).  Add to the onion and garlic, the broccoli, zucchini, beans, and more carrots.  Stir fry these veggies with small amounts of water letting the water steam the veggies, but not saturate them (you eventually want the water gone and just sauce remaining).  Once they show their cooked colors, drizzle the veggies with the teryaki sauce.  Be sparing with the sauce – you can always add more at the table if you need more flavor, but if you overdo it in the pan, you can’t take it back.  Cover and simmer on low until the rice is ready.

When the rice is done cooking, rip the spinach leaves into the warm rice and stir them in until wilted.  Serve the veggie mix over the rice, drizzling more teryaki sauce or plain soy sauce if needed.

Reviewing Those Flat Buns

No, I’m not talkin’ about anatomy here, I’m talking about these flat buns:

A few weekends ago I wanted to make some Healthy BLT Wraps.  When the store was out of my Flat-Out Light wraps, my plans were shot, so I thought I’d make the same thing, but with these new low-can buns that are all over the stores.  They boast 100 calories and whole grain, and since the sandwiches we were making would be very light I thought they’d be a good fit.

One thing led to another, and somehow my light BLTs turned into guacamole [turkey] bacon burgers. I hate to admit any of this on my healthy-living section, but the truth must be said (healthy days and normal dinners has always been what I’ve preached anyway).

This is where I became a believer, despite the messiness and weight of those burgers, these buns HELD UP.  I thought they’d tear to pieces and we’d end up getting out forks and knives to finish the job, but they were good to the last bite.

This skeptic is now a believer and these buns will be a repeat purchase in our home for sure.

*I was in no way compensated to do this review, I just love to pass along a good thing.

The Things to Keep in Mind

Last week was a healthy living DiSaSteR.

1. My parents came to visit = eating out
2. Birthday party = pizza/cookies/cupcakes/”take home the leftovers”
3. Super Bowl, need I say more?

This week is a time for repentance and getting back on track.  My body is already feeling better from the good foods, but Jay’s mom is coming for a visit this week, so I need to have a plan to not relapse into last week’s lard-filled ways.

The things I’m going to keep in mind this week:

1. I am who I am! Just because I’ve lost weight and am feeling all skinny does NOT mean that I’ve transformed into one of the skinny-girl friends that I had growing up (the ones that ate only junk but never gained an ounce).  I’m still me, no matter what shape my body is in – if I eat junk I will gain weight. No exceptions. PERIOD.
2. Eating healthy food just feels better – true story.
3. I have a goal! Always having health and fitness goals is the way to stay on track.  I’ve never gotten under 150, and I’d like to do it before another pregnancy comes along (no, not trying yet, but sometime this year).  I started getting healthy to be a better mom and to avoid possible complications the next time I’m pregnant.  I can’t do bed rest again, I just can’t!
4. Social eating isn’t as important as my health or my goals. So what if I’m the only one that just eats a salad with dressing on the side?  Being social is the conversation and the time together, not the calories consumed.

Wish me luck!  And good luck to you, Healthy Mamas!

Results Update!

I found my scale in the moving mess, set it up in my bathroom, and…..

150.6 pounds!

That’s a new record for me, making a total of 61 pounds lost.  Woo!

Turns out moving, organizing, and having to cover more ground in my big new house is a good work out!  I guess I should have seen this coming when my pants were sliding off as I ran through the grocery store to get the last missing ingredient that I needed.

Hooray! Just wanted to share – if I can do this, ANYONE can!

The Dieter’s Hot Chocolate

I’m always looking for tricks to help my dieting heroines out there and here’s one that I just HAVE to pass along:

Diet hot chocolate from Swiss Miss.*  I couldn’t believe it myself, but I just had to try it so I could tell you all about it.

The packet felt light… too light to be tasty.  My initial excitement gave way to doubt.

But it looked fine, it smelled fine…

It was SO fine.

Hot chocolate is a wonderful winter treat, but committing SO MANY of your daily calories on one little cup just doesn’t seem worth it.  But this hot coco is only 25 calories per cup – now that’s a number that I can wiggle with!  Doesn’t taste like fake sugar, doesn’t taste watered down (I suggest mixing it with 3/4 c. water), I was pleasantly surprised.

*Swiss Miss doesn’t know that I did this review and has not compensated me for it in any way.

300 Calorie (Or Less) Lunch Burrito

Why is it that healthy food feels like it takes longer to make?  Slicing an apple isn’t as quick at alleviating my hunger as just ripping open a package of Oreos, but what does my body really want need?

Your body needs good foods, so you might as well make them easy and fast to get to when hunger strikes.  Something that I’ve been LOVING this week is my handy dandy 300 Calorie Burrito.  Those calories are an estimate, but certainly you can measure foods if you are at a point when you need to be strict.  Since I’m just trying to maintain my sanity weight during our move-to-a-house process, I’m allowing myself a little eyeballing on this.

Here’s what to do:

Make a half portion of the filling for my Bean and Veggie Enchiladas (recipe found HERE).  Omit salt from the recipe, no cheese, no enchilada sauce.

[Don't be afraid, this is going to be awesome.]

Seal the filling up in a container and stick it in the fridge, when lunch time comes around, pull out as much as you need for one burrito and save the rest for another day.

Lay out a Light Flat Out wrap (90 calories) and load it with lettuce while the beans warm up in the microwave.

Douse the lettuce with fresh salsa, this kind from Wal Mart is amazing with only 5 calories per 2 TBS! 5?! That makes me want to laugh – mwahahahaha! Check for it in the produce section.

Load the burrito with the warm bean mixture, you can even dabble a few drops of fat-free sour cream on there if you have the wiggle room for it.

This burrito looks HUGE because of the lettuce layers, is filling because of the beans, and is TASTY because of the salsa and spices.

The whole thing slides in under 300 calories and that number could be reduced even more depending on the varying amounts of ingredients that you use.

Tasty, easy, fast, healthy.

Bliss.

Fitness Goals Anyone?

January has been here for one week….

Anyone want to share their fitness goals?

Last year I lost 60 pounds.  This year I’m at a weight I like, I exercise 6 times a week (with weights), I eat well, but I’m sure there are ways to improve.

I know I don’t want to say something silly like I won’t eat any candy or pizza during the whole year, because I know that is something I can’t keep.  I know I can’t say that I’ll maintain my weight all year because there are VERY good chances of a pregnancy coming along this year (which will set me up for plenty of new goals).  So what to do?

For now my goal will be to improve my drinking (of water that is).  I drink a HUGE glass of water first thing in the morning, but then I get busy and forget about drinking throughout the day.  This is something my body will love and that I can keep up even if another bun should happen to bake in my beautiful-baby-makin’ oven.

For now the goal will be 8 cups a day, but my intention is to work my way up to a gallon a day.

Does anyone else have any awesome health goals they want to share?  I’d love to hear them!

The First Year of Healthy Living

The last week of the year has a lot of celebrations for our family – Christmas, my “healthy” brother’s birthday, New Year’s, our wedding anniversary, but this year I have a new one to celebrate.

A year ago my mom took this picture of me and Jay as we headed out for our anniversary date.

I saw this picture and my life changed.  I was trying to look so lovely that night, but in the picture all I could see were chubby cheeks, chubby arms, and a waist hidden by oversized, uh, well, you get the picture.

This picture made me want to cry, and I think that I did cry is some quiet, personal moments.  I vowed to go home from this vacation, weigh in, and start some kind of plan to lose weight.  When the post-holiday weigh in threw me well above the 200 mark, I knew serious action had to happen.

This picture changed my life.

I changed my life.

No trendy programs or gimmicks.  I just chose to be healthier – it was just that simple and now I’m 60 pounds lighter.  One year later, and this is my anniversary date picture:

Here’s to many more years of healthy living and skinny picture making!  Click HERE to read my weight loss success story – if I can do this, anyone can!

Results Update – the PLAN is going smoothly

Last week I posted a small PLAN for maintaining your weight through the holidays (or possibly even losing some).  My personal goal was to maintain in the low 150’s then reevaluate my goals in the New Year.

So far, so good! (You know I didn’t even eat one of those Wonder Bars that I made for caroling?)

I weighed in at 151.4 yesterday morning!  How are the rest of you Mommas doing?  There’s still time before the big feast day, so do you best and enjoy the time with your families!

PLAN to Maintain Your Weight Loss

So, we’ve been doing well.  We hoped over Halloween, we enjoyed Thanksgiving on the day of Thanksgiving, but now it’s Christmas season.

They have to call it Christmas SEASON because it lasts so long – church parties, work parties, friend parties, family parties, traveling, food gifts, oh, and then there’s the actual day of Christmas in there too.

Since goodies are bound to be in your line of site all month long, let’s talk about how to PLAN for maintaining your weight loss (or to even keep losing through the season).

1. PLAN to exercise.  Extra calories are out there, so plan to use them up with daily exercise.  I don’t mean stirring batter for resistance training, or walking the mall looking for that last gift, I mean real sweaty exercise that tests and pushes your body at least 6 times a week.  Too cold to go running?  Too many things to do?  No way – there’s always a little time and I have a couple of suggestions for you.
   1. My BFF Betty sent me this link for free online workouts from Exercise.TV.  They have lots of options for whatever you like best, and times that can fit just about anyone’s schedule.  http://www.exercisetv.tv/workout-videos/.
      If you want to be like Betty, here’s a workout that she’s doing right now that she claims kicks her butt in the literal sense: http://www.exercisetv.tv/workout-videos/cardio/kbc-kickbox-booty-and-core-3433
   2. I’ve mentioned before about my friend the Trainer Momma and want to direct people to her once again.  Her simple exercises can be done in any home and really push your limits.  She gives great tips on how to do each movement right and is a fun lady to read.  I do her wall push-ups, abs, and squats everyday while playing with Cee and they are GREAT!
2. PLAN your daily meals.  Treats are everywhere, so really plan when and how you eat.  My downfall in my heavy days was to have treats in plain view around the house.  Every time I’d walk past I’d snitch a handful of candy or a cookie and who knows how many calories I shoveled down without knowing.  Know everyday what you’ll eat for your meals and snacks and DON’T deviate from that line up.  Get the treats out of sight if you need to.  If you’re going to die without a sugar cookie, then make that a part of your plan, but don’t over do it.  If you know that tonight is one of your many dinner parties, then plan your day accordingly – no treats at home, only good foods (veggies, fruits, and very little processed foods), and then enjoy yourself that night.
3. PLAN to make but then GIVE your favorite treats.  Lots of us have traditional goodies this time of year.  Having one or two won’t hurt us too bad, but having 2 dozen will.  If your holiday centers on special treats, then do make them, but also GIVE them away.  Go caroling to friends and neighbors and leave those treats behind. Have your hubby take them to work to share. People will be amazed with your culinary skills and be excited for the surprise.  But what if your friends are up to the same tricks and bring you a bunch of food?  Click HERE to read my plan for gift food.

My goal is to maintain through the holidays and then reevaluate my overall health goals in the new year.  I currently weigh in at 152 and plan to stay in the low-150’s (to me that means not passing 154).  I’ll let you know how it goes.