Catching Up

I has been too long since I posted. Let's see what's been happening.

First the weight-loss challenge has begun! The trash can in the break room was full of Lean Cuisine and Healthy Choice boxes today! It's the "dash for the cash"!

I am writing a weekly newsletter for the challenge. It contains info about the challenge, health and fitness, tips and recipes. I'll post them here soon.

I did manage to lose a pound the first week. I was so afraid that I would gain or not lose that first week. It's amazing how some people start a new program and lose seven pounds the first week. Not me! Never! Even when I kill myself at the gym. I have done Zumba, Masala Bhangra, 30-Day Shred and my Tworkout with my Twitter pals. Normally I am starving after Zumba, but today I was so exhausted that I wasn't hungry until about 90 minutes after the class.

I went back to Arkansas Labor Day weekend. I had a great visit with my cousin, met some of my cousin's friends, and saw a lot of old friends that I hadn't seen in a long time. I really needed that boost. It really makes you feel good when you go home and everyone is glad to see you and think you look good even when you've put on a few pounds.

I'm still trying out new recipes. This week was Split-Pea Soup. The peas were purchased in the bulk food section of Sprouts and I finally put together the soup. When I decide to make something and I don't have a recipe, I usually "Google" the recipe and take the ingredients that I like from each recipe. The soup is easy. You need dried split-peas (I used the green ones.), chicken broth, water, onions, carrots,celery and some type of meat (I used ham shanks.) I added a packet of Sazon seasoning and threw it all in the Crock-Pot. (I love, love, love my Crock-Pot!). I also threw in a bay leaf and a pinch of fresh thyme. At the end of cooking, puree 3/4 of the soup (or as much as your blender will safely hold) then return it to the pot. It's yummy!

I love muffins. I was one of those people who would eat a large muffin and then scream when I realized how many calories they contained. I have been addicted to Jillian Michaels' Banana Blueberry Muffins from the Master Your Metabolism Cookbook. Now I'm on the Banana Chocolate Chip Muffins that I found on food.com. I had a little help eating them so I had to make a second batch!

Banana-Chocolate Chip Muffins

Ingredients

• 3 medium very ripe bananas (I freeze overripe bananas and thaw them for baking and smoothies.)
• 1 eggs (I use All-Whites)
• 1/3 cup low-fat buttermilk or 1/3 cup milk
• 1/2 cup unsweetened applesauce
  
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar or 1/4 cup Splenda Sugar Blend
• 1/2 cup brown sugar or 1/4 cup Splenda Brown Sugar Blend
• 1 1/2 cups flour or 3/4 cup white flour and 3/4 cup white whole wheat pastry flour
• 1/2 cup quick oats
  
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 2 -3 tablespoons chocolate chips (This amount is not nearly enough!)
• 2 tablespoons chopped walnuts (More is you like nuts; omit if you don't)

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
2. Lightly coat 12 muffin tin liners with cooking spray and place in muffin tin.
3. In large bowl, mash bananas with fork.
4. Whisk in egg, milk, granulated sugar, and brown sugar and applesauce.
   
5. In separate bowl, combine flour, oats, baking soda, and salt.
6. Add flour mixture to banana mixture and combine well.
7. Fold in chocolate chips and walnuts.
8. Spoon equal amounts of batter into 12 muffin cups. I use fold muffin cups sprayed with cooking spray.
   
9. Bake 30 minutes or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean.
10. Allow to cool slightly in pan, then remove to wire rack.

The original nutrition info was: Calories 167, Fat 1.2, Fiber 1.2mg. I added the applesauce, oats, and extra chocolate chip but I haven't run the recipe through recipe builder for final nutritional info.

It's time to get my rest. That is another challenge!!