Cinnamon Apple Detox Water

Metabolism...

Its like a curse word to me...
I don't know if I have one completely but I'm alive so I am sure I do.  So anytime I hear the words "boost metabolism" I'm down!  So I saw this recipe for cinnamon apple spa detox water with NO CALORIES. Apples and cinnamon are known as metabolism boosters. Cinnamon as well as other "spicy" herbs are known to do this to an extent (but this doesn't replace good ole exercise).  So I said why not give it a shot?  To my surprise it was pretty tasty...not really sweet but if you are only drinking water all day long...any kick of flavor will do!  

I must admit it, I noticed a difference in my results.  I feel like I lose more weight per week with this drink than with plain water.  It could be my mind playing tricks, but WHATEVER.. I'm sticking to it. I still drink plain water as well but this is a great way to add variety.  I've seen some other cool water recipes on Pinterest that I want to try...I have some mint leaves I think I'm going to throw in my pitcher to see what happens...

Happy Experimenting! 

This is how I make it:

Core 2 apples and slice thinly
Place slices in the bottom of a pitcher
Add 1 tsp of cinnamon or 2 cinnamon sticks
Add ice (optional)
Fill pitcher with water
And Chill for at least 30 minutes before drinking



Till Next Time,

Sipping Slooow
Boosting Results :)

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Yummy! Pasta Can Be Your Friend!

Spinach Salmon Angel Hair Pasta

1 TBSP Light Country Crock Spread or Olive Oil

1 Small Yellow Onion

2 Scallions

1 TBSP Minced Garlic

1/3 Can Diced Tomatoes with Oregano, Basil and Garlic

1/4 cup of Almond Milk 

1/2 Cup Baby Spinach (chopped)

1 Salmon Fillet

2 oz. Whole Wheat Angel Hair Pasta (I like Muellers) 

 

 In medium/large pot bring water to a boil to cook pasta

Season salmon fillet as desired and cook (I use a George Forman grill for about 7-8 minutes) Meanwhile, in skillet saute' onions, scallions and garlic in oil (medium low heat), once onions are translucent add tomatoes and almond milk.  Stir constantly.  Once Salmon is done, chopped into desired size chunks and add to skillet until thoroughly mixed.  Add spinach LAST...and mixed until slightly wilted and remove from heat.  Stir in pasta and garnish with Parmesan cheese.  

ENJOY! 

 

 

 

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Food You Enjoy...

Most difficult part of this weight loss journey for me is being consistent with the food.  Food is LIFE...literally.  I have no problem drinking water and eating veggies or fruit but that stuff takes effort, you have to cook it, buy it, clean it, etc...yeah clearly my busy lifestyle interferes with my homemaking desires.  I enjoy cooking food...Im quite good at it.  But on the run its so much easier to run through BK and get a whopper Jr and a small onion ring....which is a whopping 550 calories!  

This battle has caused me to be serious about time management and MAKING the time to cook and plan meals.  Now that I have been doing it for over a month consistently, its not that bad. Between jobs (I have several), I cook my dinner, which takes anywhere between 30-45 min.  Healthy food has a rep for being gross...and truth be told some of that health stuff is nasty.  I like eating too much to eat grossness...I REFUSE! If I am going to do it...I have to have food I enjoy.  My meals are usually filled with veggies and FULL of flavor and usually about 400 calories per meal and FILLING!

I say if you going change your diet....ENJOY IT!

Till Next Time

Eating Light and Right :)

Broccoli w/ Garlic Sauce (220 calories)

Spinach Tomato Linguine (No Meat; 631 calories)

Teriyaki Jerk Shrimp with Spinach (204 calories)

Honey Grilled Salmon (250 calories)

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Ahhh! No food in the house...probably not true.

Did I mention my hair is mid back length?  That has NOTHING to do with this blog entry but God knows that is a big deal!  Exercise and eating veggies does wonders for the hair...that's for sure!

The point of this entry is to talk about the phrase "I have no food in the house"  I often say it...and meant it.  Ive found that this is most likely not true...

So today is day 10 without meat...well I had fish yesterday...long story...

Well I will tell it...

I forgot my breakfast and lunch which were contained in my lunchbox on the dining room table....
So I was foodless for the entire day until I got home from work...I was lightheaded and a yogurt wasnt gonna do it.  So I seared some tilapia and I'm not ashamed about it...

Back to the point...

I thought I didnt have any food in the house and I was starving...sticking to my budget I was not going back to the grocery store...so I decided to get creative.  If you look deep in your cabinets, Im sure that you can find some ingredients that will make a glorious meal.  So that's what I did...

Found some diced tomatoes, spinach and whole wheat pasta....and got to thinking...

Here's what I came up with:

2 oz. Whole Wheat Linguine
3/4 can of diced tomatoes
1 cup of baby spinach
1/2 cup of chopped onion
2 tsp minced garlic
2 tbsp Zesty Italian Dressing
1/8 c Half and Half
1 tbsp Olive Oil

Cook Pasta as directed on box
In a skillet, heat olive oil on medium low heat and add tomatoes until it comes to slow boil (salt and pepper to taste)
Add onion, garlic, Italian dressing and half and half
Continue to cook and increase heat to medium high
When onions are translucent, add spinach and cook  until wilted
Continue to stir until mixed well and add strained linguine
Toss with grated Parmesan cheese and ENJOY!

It was delicious ...I was well pleased.  

Loaded it into MyFitnessPal and the caloric count fit well into my daily count...

Just wanted to share...and write down the recipe so I wont forget it again :)

Till Next Time,
Filling my Tummy on the Budget :) 

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Delicious....Lettuce Wraps

One misconception about losing weight is that we should STOP eating.   All the experts have noted that starvation leads to a slower metabolism....therefore destroying your efforts.  According to myfitnesspal.com (my new favorite website) I should eat at least 1200-1300 calories per day; based on  the weight and weight loss goal I entered into the system; check it out for your own needs. Now if you are anything like me....this is not an easy task.  I have a tendency not to eat...then binge like a ravenous wolf a few days later.  :/

I love food...food that tastes good and I never wanna feel like a depriving myself of delicious food.  That makes me upset :(  & then I quit...

So I have been investing in preparing filling meals that are tasty and wont mess up my calorie goals.  If you have ever been to P.F Changs they serve this appetizer called lettuce wraps...a small piece of amazing.  Ive decided to share my own rendition of this treat....they dont taste the same....I personally like mine just as much! Hope you enjoy  (there are plenty of recipes online if you want something different)

A Teacher's Lettuce Wraps

1 Skinless Boneless Chicken Breast

1/2 Cup of Baby Portebella Mushrooms

1/4 Cup Chopped Onion

1/4 Cup Chopped Celery 

2-4 Tbsp Ken's Honey Teriyaki Marinade

3-4 Leaves of Iceberg Lettuce

Chunked Pineapple [the kind in juice NOT syrup] (optional)

Spinach and Artichoke Hummus by Sabra (optional) 

Chop chicken breast into small chunks and season to taste [I like Sazon complete seasoning, red pepper flakes, black pepper, dry mustard, a of dash seasoned salt; watch the sodium :)] and add 2tbsp of the marinade and mix well.  Ensure all chicken is coated with seasoning.

Stir Fry or saute chicken breast in a skillet with a small amount of oil (olive oil preferred) 

When chicken is almost done (no more pink visible) add your veggies and continue to saute until chicken is completely done at this time you can add the rest of the marinade.  Remove from heat and let cool...

Take lettuce spread a little hummus and top with chicken, garnish with pineapple and wrap it up

This recipe will make about 4 wraps depending on how you stuff your wraps...

Enjoy :)

Calories: ~400

It fills me up every time!!!! 

Till Next Time

Slimming down one delicious bite at a time...

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