Pumpkin Cheesecake Cupcakes

I have an addiction to pumpkin, without a doubt.  I love pumpkin everything! So you can imagine my excitement when it dawned upon me to create a "pumpkin" version of these little babies!  I know you've seen the age old recipe with the Vanilla Wafer Type cookies on the bottom, using a cheesecake type of batter in it.  These are on the same order, but all pumpkin! Ooooh baby I am in heaven! I don't have the points® for these but I haven't been doing "point® counting" per say lately anyways. I've reached the point where I'm just paying more attention to what I'm eating and portion control.  Which leads me to the next comment.... make sure you either freeze these immediately (in the downstairs freezer, tucked in the back LOL) or have something to take them to and share because you WILL want to eat them all!

If someone does by chance figure the points® out I'll gladly post them.  I just find that I don't need the points anymore as I've always done my own version of the Weight Watchers® program and am adept enough to figure out what my limits are, etc.  If I were to guess the points®, using the fat free or reduced fat (my preference) cream cheese, I would guess 2 to 3 points® each but again, I honestly have not figured out the value!  My limit is 2 cupcakes per serving/per day MAX! Yes, it's sometimes hard to do; but knowing I'm getting more tomorrow if I want always gets me through the day!

Pumpkin Cheesecake Cupcakes

Makes 36 cupcakes

2 lbs. reduced fat cream cheese (can substitute fat free but it gives it a slightly different texture)

1 2/3 C. sugar

¼ C. flour

1  15oz. pumpkin pie mix (I use an organic pumpkin pie mix)*

1 Tbls. pumpkin pie spice

4 eggs

36 ginger cookies

Preheat oven to 325F

*Note: make sure you use pumpkin pie MIX, not pumpkin!

Cream together sugar & cream cheese until fluffy, scraping bowl often.  Add eggs one at a time.  When eggs are fulling incorporated, add pumpkin & pumpkin pie spice. Slowly add flour, mixing well.

Place papers in standard cupcake pan & place one cookie in the bottom of each paper.  Fill with cheesecake mixture.  Bake for 30 to 40 minutes until fluffy but not quite fully set.

Wish me luck on my journey to "eating clean" and  healthy! 
And please feel free to comment and share ideas for trying to live and eat "clean" and losing weight by changing to a healthy lifestyle!
 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

NEED TO GET FIT BUT DON'T WANT THE GYM MEMBERSHIP?

THINK ABOUT A TRAMPOLINE!

Check out The Trampolines King Website for tons of FREE information & guidance in purchasing this wonderful piece of equipment that is affordable and helps burn TONS of calories (not to mention tons 'o fun)!

 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Don't forget to check out my newest Book Blog, where I give book reviews on recent books I've read. If you're a reader you'll want to check this out!

WE CAN DO THIS, TOGETHER
ONE DAY AT A TIME!

Like this article? Twit it to your followers!



Who Else Helps me get healthy?
These are just a few of the people online that inspire me....

 Joe Gigantino - Fitness Trainer
This is the guy that really set me on the path to physical fitness - Sign up for his FREE newsletter!



 

 BWJEN - Another WW Buddy & A 'bookworm' too!?



.



Sean Anderson the formerly 500lb man!
Diary of A Winning Loser - Sean is an inspiration to anyone trying to get healthy!


*Note I am not affiliated nor endorsed by Weight Watchers® at all, in any way. I highly recommend their program and cannot say enough GOOD about it, but I also have decided that they were my "stepping stone" to making a change in my lifestyle. Any mention of Weight Watchers®, their program or their term of "points®" does not mean they have approved, seen, or endorsed anything on my blogs.

Also, if at any time Points® are mentioned it is always with the assumption that you will analyze the recipes, foods, ingredients and figure the points out specifically for your consumption of any product, as ingredients may vary by brand, size, etc. and Points® is a registered trademark of the Weight Watchers® company.

WHEN YOU CAN'T GET TO THE GYM...

I don't have a car during the week so I often am stuck at home. Contrary to what many believe, it's not as horrible as it sounds. With my chronic pain, many days I'm on high amounts of medication so although I'm not even close to "high" from them I think it's best not to drive as if I were to get in an accident and someone truly question I could get in a lot of trouble. I actually like not driving that much anymore. But the bad part is, I'm stuck NOT going to the gym more often than going.

When I do hit the gym it's ALWAYS to use the pool. In the pool the weightlessness of my body does amazing things to my chronic back pain. I've had cancer 6 times and the treatments have left me with a crumbling spine, degenerative discs, bulging discs and a ton more down my entire spine from my neck to my tailbone.  The ability to take almost all the pressure off my spine and move is nothing short of miraculous to me and one of the few times I feel ALMOST pain free in my life. You can imagine I love going to the gym/pool often and try to get there as much as I can.  While in the pool I "run". I used to be an avid "runner" and miss that adrenaline. In the water, running can take place because of the lack of pressure to my back. It also burns 2x the calories running in the water versus land so that's a huge plus! I also do a lot of treading, water aerobics, etc. to work all the muscles and hopefully burn some calories. To be honest, I could care less if I lost a pound more as long as I kept feeling healthy and going in that pool keeps me feeling healthy.

So what do I do when I can't make it to the gym?  As strange as some of these may sound, it truly does help burn off a few calories and get me moving a bit.  Of course everything is based upon my pain levels for that day but I can always change up how I do certain things to alleviate any pressure or jarring of my back.  Here's a few tips on how to just burn a bit without having to get to the gym.

• Use the Wii - I love my Wii! I'm thinking I'd love to get the Xbox360 with Kinects too but that's not in my budget so I keep hoping Wii has something similar that will come out at a decent price but until then I'll use what I have.  Some of my favorite things to do is spend various amounts of time (again based upon my pain levels that day) playing Wii games. Some of my faves: Baseball, Tennis, Golf, Bowling and my all time newest fave Just Dance.  I have to be careful with the Just Dance game because it's very easy for me to forget I'm not able to do certain things and I make myself hurt more for the next 3 days or so because I'm pig headed but all in all I keep it at a low level. I've always loved to dance so this is a great way for me to do so in a modified method, without being out in front of others.  Might I add I would NEVER do the Just Dance in front of others. I'm certain, for me, it's just not pretty! LOL
  
  
• Get Out The Cans... with having lost the weight I've lost I've always been concerned about those "floppy arms" that former fatties get when they lose a lot of weight. For this reason alone, I've been adamant about making sure I do exercises for my arms. I don't care if it's minimal exercising, it's still tightening up my "water wings" and can often be the exercise I pick on high pain days. As simple as it sounds, pulling out 2 soup cans and "lifting weights" with them truly helps tone those muscles.  I do this a lot when my pain levels are high because I can literally sit in a chair where my back is supported and lift the cans. I follow some very typical moves that are basic weight lifting techniques in order to tone your arms. It's minimal, but it's something and always better than just sitting on the couch!
  
• Yoga/Meditation... while we're not talking about a huge number of calories being burned we are talking about pain management and relaxation. I can't get silly with the Yoga poses but I can do a few that don't twist and push on my back hard.  Again, when I find pain levels getting out of hand one of my absolute FAVORITE places to go to on the web is Meditation For Health with Dr. Puff. It's TOTALLY free podcasts and he even offers some iTune downloads if you want to take it with you or put it on your iPod.  I'm truly a beginner but I started with podcast number 1 and keep going from there. It's amazing what meditation can do for you.  They also show you man techniques as they explain how to do them.  Meditation is truly one of my new favorite ways of relaxation and pain management. The breathing and focusing, while not high calorie burning, do bring your body in tune and I can't imagine they do anything but benefit.  It's also a great way to take your mind off food if you want to eat due to boredom.  I've often gone to a podcast when I'm craving sweets and after 15 minutes the craving's gone and I'm relaxed! Check it out.
  
  
• Turn on The Music ... years ago I was inspired by the morbidly obese Mexican man when I was watching a TV show about how he was losing weight. One of the things he did was "dance" in his bed. Here was this man, over 800 pounds, stuck in bed because of his problem with eating and he was finding a way to "exercise".  I thought about it. At the time I was close to bed ridden myself from pain that we couldn't get under control. I decided if this man could do it, my excuse of "it hurts to get up and move" was no longer an excuse. I often would sit in a comfy chair or even in my bed and "rock it out" to my favorite music.  So turn on the tunes, if you can't or don't feel like getting up off that couch or bed or chair... you don't have to... simply rock it out sitting there. You'll be amazed that given enough time and the right moves you can actually work up a sweat or at least you're burning SOME calories and getting some muscles moving! Go ahead, pull out those old CDs you've been meaning to listen to and boogie.  Nobody has to even know you do it!

So that's a few of the ways I manage to still "keep moving" or burning some calories even though I can't make it to the gym.  One other thing I do is find some exercise programs on our local cable network. While most of the time I can't participate in much of the movements I can usually find a thing or two I can do and keep moving.  If there's a will, there's a way. Believe me, I've made every excuse in the book how NOT to be active.  If you really want to change it's time to do it and find what works for you.  I'll share a secret... most people are not those die hard, "let's pump it up" types you see on television or read about in fitness magazines.  Most of us are busy with our lives and need to MAKE time and find ways to get moving. Ever calorie you burn, every muscle you move is a step closer to being fit.  Don't make it a numbers game.  Make it a game of fitness, of feeling good and of living longer and in better condition.  Your body was meant to be taken care of and it's time you do it! No excuses!!! Share your secrets to what you do when you can't get to the gym to work out! And until next time.....

Wish me luck on my journey to "eating clean" and  healthy! 
And please feel free to comment and share ideas for trying to live and eat "clean" and losing weight by changing to a healthy lifestyle!
 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

NEED TO GET FIT BUT DON'T WANT THE GYM MEMBERSHIP?

THINK ABOUT A TRAMPOLINE!

Check out The Trampolines King Website for tons of FREE information & guidance in purchasing this wonderful piece of equipment that is affordable and helps burn TONS of calories (not to mention tons 'o fun)!

 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Don't forget to check out my newest Book Blog, where I give book reviews on recent books I've read. If you're a reader you'll want to check this out!

WE CAN DO THIS, TOGETHER
ONE DAY AT A TIME!

Like this article? Twit it to your followers!



Who Else Helps me get healthy?
These are just a few of the people online that inspire me....

1.
Check out the Fab Fatties - tons of ideas, comic relief & great give-aways!

2. Joe Gigantino - Fitness Trainer
This is the guy that really set me on the path to physical fitness - Sign up for his FREE newsletter!



3.

4. BWJEN - Another WW Buddy & A 'bookworm' too!?



5.

5.

6.Sean Anderson the formerly 500lb man!
Diary of A Winning Loser - Sean is an inspiration to anyone trying to get healthy!


*Note I am not affiliated nor endorsed by Weight Watchers® at all, in any way. I highly recommend their program and cannot say enough GOOD about it, but I also have decided that they were my "stepping stone" to making a change in my lifestyle. Any mention of Weight Watchers®, their program or their term of "points®" does not mean they have approved, seen, or endorsed anything on my blogs.

Also, if at any time Points® are mentioned it is always with the assumption that you will analyze the recipes, foods, ingredients and figure the points out specifically for your consumption of any product, as ingredients may vary by brand, size, etc. and Points® is a registered trademark of the Weight Watchers® company.

Confessions of a Burger-holic

Hi, my name is Beverly and I am a burger-holic. There it's out. I said it, the world knows. But there's not quite the stigmata I was thinking attached to those words because ya know what? Soooo many of us LOVE BURGERS! It can be detrimental to one's waistline for sure but it can also be approached, as with EVERY love of ANY food, with common sense and deep thought to end up making it a positive and very exciting way life!

I love burgers and for that reason I have to be realistic about my "eating habits". I will NEVER give up eating burgers nor do I ever WANT to give it up! What's life worth living for if you cannot enjoy the things in life that make you happy, even if that's food? This is why I've chosen not to DIET but to change my lifestyle, including the food choices I make. I eat chocolate, drink beer, eat burgers, nibble cheese and all kinds of things associated with otherwise making one a big butt girl! But now I do it with a lot of thought and a whole lot of changes too! You CAN enjoy a burger, in sooooo many different styles, quite often in  your life IF you choose to do it right. I choose to do it right and I choose NOT to give up flavor and excitement when it comes to burgers.  Oddly enough I'm often inspired by the same burger places I rarely if ever frequent anymore also! Wendy's (God love them for their ability to make the most amazing, fatty, delicious styles of burgers in the fast food industry) is one of my favorites to copy but I take everything from fast food joints to local pubs and burger joints with amazing creations. The difference between their burgers and mine? Ohhhh so many differences....

1. Mine are definitely less expensive
2. Mine are definitely MUCH lower in fat
3. Mine are definitely MUCH lower in calories
4. Mine are usually created with much finer ingredients (which you'd think would make them more expensive but think about it.. it just makes it so I can use quality ingredients without paying all the overhead.. aka waiter, tips, lovely decor, drunk on the barstool, insurance for said drunk on the barstool, etc.)
5. Mine can be eaten any time I want simply by walking into my kitchen and creating them
6. Mine can be created with ingredients that I know EXACTLY what they contain (organic when needed, low fat or no fat ingredients instead of high fat types, less to even zero chemicals, top grade and low fat organic meats, no surprises)

Here are a few tips I have for creating a delicious burger that's better for you at home:

• Use good ingredients - while this should just be a "given" for most sometimes you don't think about something as simple as replacing their 70/30 ground beef with a 90/10 beef to literally make your burger not only very flavorful but so much less full of fat. Add to that an organic beef and organic or  homemade toppings or ingredients or fat free/lower fat ingredients and you're really going to notice the difference in flavor, calories & fat
  
• Replace "beef" with other things... my favorite is the veggie burger. But here's the key - KNOW HOW TO COOK THESE DIFFERENT "MEATS' OR "MEAT SUPPLEMENTS!!!!!! I cooked "veggie burgers" for years, always saying "they're okay" and never truly believing they were as good as a REAL burger. I'm not one to accept meat substitutes, especially for non meat ones. It's all about texture for me and I'm sorry there are very few non-meat products out there that I personally think taste like meats they're "replacing"..... until I realized how to cook them! See my info below for HOW TO COOK VEGGIE BURGERS. Remember that just because you use a beef replacement it doesn't mean it is going to TASTE like beef. The Boca Bruschetta burger has tons of flavor but don't go into it thinking it's going to taste like beef. That's not always the idea with beef replacements! However the Boca Grilled Veggie Burger, made the right way DOES taste just like beef and I can't tell the difference! My personal desire is if I want a REAL BURGER I will use REAL organic grass fed beef 90/10 or sometimes 85/15 because a little fat is what gives it flavor. If I use a 90/10 I will cook them on the range top using coconut oil (healthy oil) to give it some moisture & always use my Worcestershire sauce to start flavoring it!
  
• Load up the toppings! Quit gasping and listen to these words.... a cheeseburger will not kill you, did not put on the extra 30 lbs or more on your thighs and is NOT the culprit for weight gain. Picking different cheeses (fat free feta is AMAZING on top of a burger), lower fat versions of sharp cheddars & swiss cheese amongst many other flavors, center cut, Canadian or turkey bacon instead of higher fat regular bacon & sauces that aren't loaded with fat (Hello Frank's Buffalo Sauce or Simple Hot Sauce) will make a huge difference in your final creation! Cheeseburgers from fast food joints, loaded with fat, added onto a platter of deep fried greasy fries, dripping of grease from the bun.... THAT is what added to your big butt and you cannot lie!  See the TOPPINGS IDEAS below for how to create that amazing mix of flavors!
  
• Eat ONE burger, but load it up with goodies that are going to fill you up. Use HEALTHY sides, yes..  you CAN have "fries" but use things like the oven baked Alexia Fries in place of a deep fried or even oven baked unhealthy version. Pay attention to the sides! If you eat one burger, loaded up with a bunch of goodies, along with a single serving side dish, a healthy veggie or side and then sit for 10 minutes or so and STILL absolutely NEED another burger.... go for it. But I can just about guarantee you that you won't need that 2nd burger. When you go out or drive thru a drive thru window you often order 2 "because they're cheap" or "because they're not filling" or "because you MIGHT be hungry enough to eat them.... like you're NOT going to if it's there?" or on and on and on with excuses. So go ahead and make that 2nd burger at home, but don't put it on your plate. You can always reheat it for lunch (an amazing lunch I may add) the next day if you can't eat it for your dinner!

How to Cook A Veggie Burger - I cooked veggie burgers the wrong way for YEARS! I feared those little critters! While my mind wanted to love them, I'd buy every plausible brand and style out there only to be disappointed and walk away saying "it's not really a burger but it's 'ok'" every time! What was I doing wrong?  I was thinking that because it was made of veggies it didn't need to be cooked for any long period of time. I read the directions, nuked them for a minute or less from frozen state and thought the makers had to know what they were talking about right? WRONG! Here's what I found. In order for the veggie burger to have the texture and flavor of a "real" burger you not only have to cook it super well done on a high heat but you need to add some flavorings while cooking it. My favorite thing to do is place the frozen pattie into a hot pan (you will hear the sizzle), splash it with some Worcestershire sauce & pepper (I omit the salt because of the salt content in the Worcestershire), cook it so it browns up almost on the verge of a "burn" but not quite on one side, then flip it. You may need to turn the heat down a bit at this point so you don't burn your pan. Now I top it with just a splash of steak sauce. While you don't have to cook it for a long period of time you do need to cook it on a high, hot heat and make sure it's browned up extra well. This is what takes the 'rubbery' type of chew out of the veggie burger that normally is always there. It also gives it just a hint of a "real burger" taste that comes from the Worcestershire and steak sauce.

TOPPING IDEAS - toppings make the burger. A plain cheeseburger becomes a bacon and cheddar burger with the change of one topping and the decision to use one particular cheese. Here are some excellent ideas on burger toppings that, when you pick a healthier version, can make your burger not only "over the top" delicious but keep them from being an unhealthy version of the same burger offered at your local burger joints!

Each Of These Burger Toppings can be used on VEGGIE Burgers also! Replacing a 90/10 burger with a veggie burger cuts the points in half from 4 to 2 or even 1 point depending on the type of veggie burger you use. I prefer the Boca Flame Grilled Style which comes in at 2 points.

Buffalo Style Veggie Burger

• Black 'n Bleu Burger - created with a fat free feta, a few drops of fat free or low fat bleu cheese dressing drizzled on top and a slice of Canadian bacon cooked up crisp or 2 pieces of turkey or center cut bacon on top. This burger was inspired by the burger offered at Wendy's (see my piece written on it) and comes out a lot lower in fat, calories and points when you make it with fat free and lower fat ingredients!
  
• Buffalo Style Burgers - again, the fat free feta comes to the rescue as it's melted on top and then drizzled with Franks Hot Sauce. Toast the bun (we know not to use normal buns right? Use the sandwich thin type buns or a light bun) and the toasted bun makes a world of difference in keep the ingredients all piled high!
  
• Veggies Galore - I love grilled onions and I can't explain the "O-Face" I get when I bite into a huge burger piled high with sauteed sweet onions. No oils are needed, just a pan and some heat as you sweat out the onion and then just brown it! If you're a mushroom lover add the shrooms! (I'm not a shroom lover at all but this is a perfect companion if you are!). Don't stop there... add a pile of lettuce and some fat free, low cal condiments (ketchup, mustard, stadium mustard, relishes, fat free mayos, chipotle mayo - light or fat free or fat free/low fat dressings drizzled on top to create a different flavor each time) Pickles can put a zest in between your bun too and the sandwich thin styles give you some crunch without being too thick!I personally love using a relish because I don't like to bite into a big pickle. Be careful with what you choose for dressings, etc. if you're trying to live chemical & preservative free because these can be loaded with tons of chemicals and preservatives.
  
• Spreads & Dressings - using fat free versions is the best way to get the creamy goodness and loads of flavor without the fats. I love to take a fat free mayo and add some ground chipotle powder to it, creating a fat free chipotle mayo! Dressings can turn a plain burger into a "Ranch Burger" or a "Bleu Cheese" burger. Using a fat free bleu cheese dressing gives that bleu cheese flavor and using some fat free feta with it creates the texture of a true bleu cheese topping!
  
• Pittsburgh Style Burgers - anyone who has ever been to Pittsburgh loves the "Burgh Style" sandwiches made famous by Primanti Brothers. They are a totally fat laden, delicious burger piled with slaw and fries. But you can recreate the same taste without the fat & calories!  Simply take some shredded cabbage (or bagged coleslaw mix), sprinkle a bit of sugar over it with some salt & pepper and let it sit in a cup for a few hours if possible but at least 20 minutes or so. Bake up some Alexia Fries, toss a couple of those on your burger with a cup of the slaw and VOILA you have a Primanti style burger without the calories & fat! DELISH too! Of course the toasted bun makes a huge difference. (are you noticing a theme with TOAST the bun?)

Wish me luck on my journey to "eating clean" and  healthy! 
And please feel free to comment and share ideas for trying to live and eat "clean" and losing weight by changing to a healthy lifestyle!
 

 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Don't forget to check out my newest Book Blog, where I give book reviews on recent books I've read. If you're a reader you'll want to check this out!

WE CAN DO THIS, TOGETHER
ONE DAY AT A TIME!

Like this article? Tweet it to your followers!





*Note I am not affiliated nor endorsed by Weight Watchers® at all, in any way. I highly recommend their program and cannot say enough GOOD about it, but I also have decided that they were my "stepping stone" to making a change in my lifestyle. Any mention of Weight Watchers®, their program or their term of "points®" does not mean they have approved, seen, or endorsed anything on my blogs.

Also, if at any time Points® are mentioned it is always with the assumption that you will analyze the recipes, foods, ingredients and figure the points out specifically for your consumption of any product, as ingredients may vary by brand, size, etc. and Points® is a registered trademark of the Weight Watchers® company.

Gotta Have Bread

I will confess, I am a bread freak! I love my bread, plain & simple and I refuse to give it up. This is one area where I won't negotiate... I will never be without my bread! But how do you approach it with a healthier lifestyle approach?  Many will argue that it's very simple, you either "can't" have it or you can't have anything but the gluten free, non-flour, all whole types. To them I say... "good for you, enjoy it". But for me I say, "there has to be something out there that tastes good and is somewhat healthy".

There certainly is no longer any shortage of brands out there that are low in fat, high in fiber, low in calories! The real issue is, which ones truly work for you. Everyone's different so what I love may not be what you love, but  here are a few of my absolute "Can't Do Without" breads and what I use them for. I will however confess, I can be seen visiting Panera Bread once in a while to grab a loaf of asiago bread or some other absolutely divine, hearty bread for a pannini! Like everything, I think in moderation I'll be just fine with it & I don't treat myself often, as I know I can't behave!

So here are some of my faves in the bread aisle:

• Sandwich Thins - originally Arnold's were the only ones out there in my area but now there are tons. These are simple, round slices to create sandwiches in and come in a variety of types from Whole Grain White to Multi-Grain, Honey Wheat, Rye or Wheat. They're plain, simple and do the job of giving you a fairly healthy option, high in fiber, low in calories and decent in taste for making your sandwich. I love the rye sandwich thin for my ham and swiss melts! IowaGeek has some neat ideas for using the sandwich thins in a variety of ways!
  
  
• Italian Sub Thins - much like the bread above, these "thins" are a version created that is longer for a sub style sandwich. While they seem to accommodate sandwiches a bit easier since they're long, they don't offer any extra flavor or "beefiness" to your sandwich. They're good and serve their purpose as both a sub roll and a hot dog roll (although they do offer a specific thin for hot dogs too)
  
  
• Bagel Thins - These top my list for both sandwiches and stand alone. I always

  

  4 Pt. Cajun Egg White Bagel Sandwich

  purchase both styles, the plain and the "everything" bagel thin. I use the plain when I have a flavorful meat that I don't want extra flavors coming from the bread. I use the everything when I want a bagel (yes these really do hit that craving with a pack of Laughing Cow light and creamy swiss, which is almost like cream cheese) or when I have something that can handle the full flavor of a combination of sesame seed, poppy seed, onion and garlic. As you can see by my picture here, I also LOVE using them for breakfast sandwiches!
  
  
• Ezekiel Breads - these are actually one of the healthiest in terms of content but they're not exactly low in calories. They offer quite an array of flavors and generally are kept in the freezer to extend the life. They have NO additives so this bread is the REAL thing, like great grandmum used to make, without the chemicals and additives to give it a long shelf life. No big problem though with freezing it because it tends to pop apart easily and toasts up well. My favorite is the Sesame Seed bread because it has just a touch of sweetness to it when toasted. I tend to toast it and slide just a hint of peanut butter across the top to get a little protein. Downside is, if you're counting points 1 slice is pretty much all you're going to want toast up for a light breakfast with some fruit or juice on the side. For some reason I always use these breads for toasting or making French toast as opposed to sandwiches. I'm not sure why. It could be a texture thing, a flavor thing, I really don't know but it's my go to when I want toast or am making French toast. Plus side: it's hearty and completely natural! They're made by Food For Life, who also offers an array of other items! Check them out here!
  
  
• Naan Bread - you have to read the labels on these and be sure you realize what a serving is! I love these for instant and delicious Naan Pizzas! They come in so many different flavors!

Please feel free to share some of your favorite breads or styles to use the ones I've mentioned!

IF YOU LIKE FREEBIES HERE'S YOUR CHANCE!
Check it out! You can win some glass straws from Glass Dharma & Incredible Smoothies HERE!

Wish me luck on my journey to "eating clean" and  healthy! 
And please feel free to comment and share ideas for trying to live and eat "clean" and losing weight by changing to a healthy lifestyle!
 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

NEED TO GET FIT BUT DON'T WANT THE GYM MEMBERSHIP?

THINK ABOUT A TRAMPOLINE!

Check out The Trampolines King Website for tons of FREE information & guidance in purchasing this wonderful piece of equipment that is affordable and helps burn TONS of calories (not to mention tons 'o fun)!

 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Don't forget to check out my newest Book Blog, where I give book reviews on recent books I've read. If you're a reader you'll want to check this out!

WE CAN DO THIS, TOGETHER
ONE DAY AT A TIME!

Like this article? Twit it to your followers!



Who Else Helps me get healthy?
These are just a few of the people online that inspire me....

1.
Check out the Fab Fatties - tons of ideas, comic relief & great give-aways!

2. Joe Gigantino - Fitness Trainer
This is the guy that really set me on the path to physical fitness - Sign up for his FREE newsletter!



3.

4. BWJEN - Another WW Buddy & A 'bookworm' too!?



5.

5.

6.Sean Anderson the formerly 500lb man!
Diary of A Winning Loser - Sean is an inspiration to anyone trying to get healthy!


*Note I am not affiliated nor endorsed by Weight Watchers® at all, in any way. I highly recommend their program and cannot say enough GOOD about it, but I also have decided that they were my "stepping stone" to making a change in my lifestyle. Any mention of Weight Watchers®, their program or their term of "points®" does not mean they have approved, seen, or endorsed anything on my blogs.

Also, if at any time Points® are mentioned it is always with the assumption that you will analyze the recipes, foods, ingredients and figure the points out specifically for your consumption of any product, as ingredients may vary by brand, size, etc. and Points® is a registered trademark of the Weight Watchers® company.

Tips on Getting The Day Started

So often the biggest battle of my day is STARTING it right. I'm NOT a morning person, but I've come a long way since I've been with my fiance' I must admit! He IS a morning person... no let me rephrase that... he IS a morning FREAK! LOL  My guy wakes at 4am each day, Monday - Thursday and I'm a freak about MUST waking up with him. Yes, ok.. say it.. I'm a glutton for my own punishment! In my defense I love him so dang much I can't help but WANT to be a part of his morning routine, so I get up with him. I love it, I must admit! When I don't get up with him in the early morning we're both kind of "lost". I've had days when the flu hit or my MS was really bad or pain levels too intense to really do much of anything so I've remained in bed. We're both like lost puppies when I do this so I will admit while I'm NOT a morning person... he's made me love my mornings.


While I may be UP at 4am I'm rarely eating anything before 6am or much later. I'm simply NOT a morning person! I can't eat as soon as I get up and need a little time to get my body "moving" so to speak. Unfortunately, that often leads to sometimes putting off breakfast longer than I really WANT to... aka "being lazy"! All too often I fall prey to putting off breakfast so long because I just don't feel like "making something" that in the end I indulge in a couple of "2 Point® Bars" (Special K® Bars, Fiber One® Bars, etc. that come out to 2 points®) which rarely pull me through until lunch. End result.... nibbling on things I shouldn't or gorging myself with what normally would be healthy "treats".... definitely NOT a breakfast option!


My issue may be somewhat similar to all of you out there that work outside of the house. You're busy, hectic, running around and simply don't have the time to stop and create something healthy, filling AND delicious. It's the age old "never any time for me" and basically why a lot of us have had weight issues... we put everyone else FIRST! 

4 Pt. Cajun Egg White Bagel Sandwich

It's time to STOP and MAKE THE TIME for yourself. I am here to tell you.... if you start your day off with a satisfying breakfast, the rest of the day just seems so much easier to stay on track!

Here are some tips and ideas to make your breakfast a little easier and perhaps healthier, so your day starts off right:
 

1.  Prepare Ahead - while it sounds logical, we often put off things we can do ahead to make our breakfast literally faster than a "drive-thru"! HOW? Simple... prepare ahead!

• Chop Veggies and Keep them in baggies so you can quickly toss them into some egg whites for a sandwich or scrambled egg white omelette
  
  
• Make a bunch of pancakes ahead of time (I do this over the weekend usually) and freeze them. It's less expensive than purchasing the frozen types, just as fast and often healthier because YOU know what you're putting into them.  Create different types with a "base" batter as you go along so you have some flavor throughout the week! (Add some frozen berries, bananas, even some chopped up low fat turkey sausage pieces to create a flavorful pancake) BE SURE TO MAKE THE PANCAKE THE PROPER SIZE so your serving sizes are on target and calories or points® are correct! When you're ready to eat them they easily go from freezer to microwave or toaster oven for an instant breakfast!
  
  
• Learn  how to make the "omelette in a bag"! It's fun, easy  and a quick way to cook up some egg whites for breakfast. Kids love this idea!
  
  
• Prepare Breakfast Sammies ahead of time, toss in a sandwich bag and then nuke at home if you have the time or just grab and go to the office with it! It's so easy to simply nuke your sandwich while you're pouring that cup o' Joe in the morning and it keeps you on track with a GOOD breakfast! (Not to mention the money you're saving by NOT doing the drive thru thing... or the calories.. UGH!)

2.  Think "outside" the breakfast box! - Simply put, you can create "non breakfast" type meals that are healthy and enjoy them. What matters is that you fill your belly, enjoy what you're eating and it's healthy!

• Breakfast Sandwiches don't have to be put on a bagel or bun, you can use some of those already prepared pancakes as your "bread", with turkey sausage, cheese and a touch of maple syrup (I swear by the Maple Sprinkles by GFS - Gordon Food Service to give my sandwiches and my pancakes that maple flavor without all the calories! A sprinkle is 0 points®!). Bagel thins are wonderful containers for those ingredients you love too, most are only 1 point® each! Naan bread comes in a variety of flavors too and can make an amazing egg white breakfast sammie!
  
• Leftover whole wheat pasta with some veggies or even mixed up with some egg whites make a filling and delicious breakfast treat. My fave way to use the leftover pasta is to add 3 egg whites scrambled, cook it up in a fry pan or microwave it all together, add a sprinkle of fat free parm cheese and YUMO!
  
• Pizza is one of my favorite food groups... okay so it's not a "food group" but it is one of my favorite foods! I love a slice of pizza (leftover from the night before or so) reheated as my breakfast. Make sure it's a weight friendly pizza and not one loaded with fats, meats, and such! Obviously if it's a slice that's 20 points® it's not figure friendly but some whole wheat crusts with low fat cheeses and lots of veggies makes a great dinner AND a terrific breakfast that's waistline friendly! OR use a Naan bread to create your own pizzas low in calories or points®! Eat half for dinner and half for breakfast the next day!

Add some of your own ideas of how you make breakfast quick and easy! What are some of your favorite recipes or ideas to get your day started "right" so you stay on track?

Wish me luck on my journey to "eating clean" and  healthy! 
And please feel free to comment and share ideas for trying to live and eat "clean" and losing weight by changing to a healthy lifestyle!
 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

NEED TO GET FIT BUT DON'T WANT THE GYM MEMBERSHIP?

THINK ABOUT A TRAMPOLINE!

Check out The Trampolines King Website for tons of FREE information & guidance in purchasing this wonderful piece of equipment that is affordable and helps burn TONS of calories (not to mention tons 'o fun)!

 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

AssistU has been the whole reason I've had
the best results following the
Weight Watchers® program...
changing 1 lb or less losses to
an average of 3 lbs most weeks!
Check out this ALL NATURAL HERBAL SUPPLEMENT!
Mention Beverly's Blog "One Day At A Time"  when you order 
to get the best price available!

Don't forget to check out my newest Book Blog, where I give book reviews on recent books I've read. If you're a reader you'll want to check this out!

WE CAN DO THIS, TOGETHER
ONE DAY AT A TIME!

Like this article? Twit it to your followers!



Who Else Helps me get healthy?
These are just a few of the people online that inspire me along with AssistU....

1.
Check out the Fab Fatties - tons of ideas, comic relief & great give-aways!

2. Joe Gigantino - Fitness Trainer
This is the guy that really set me on the path to physical fitness - Sign up for his FREE newsletter!



3.

4. BWJEN - Another WW Buddy & A 'bookworm' too!?



5.

5.

6.Sean Anderson the formerly 500lb man!
Diary of A Winning Loser - Sean is an inspiration to anyone trying to get healthy!


*Note I am not affiliated nor endorsed by Weight Watchers® at all, in any way. I highly recommend their program and cannot say enough GOOD about it, but I also have decided that they were my "stepping stone" to making a change in my lifestyle. Any mention of Weight Watchers®, their program or their term of "points®" does not mean they have approved, seen, or endorsed anything on my blogs.

Also, if at any time Points® are mentioned it is always with the assumption that you will analyze the recipes, foods, ingredients and figure the points out specifically for your consumption of any product, as ingredients may vary by brand, size, etc. and Points® is a registered trademark of the Weight Watchers® company.

Moms Chocolate Oatmeal

Who else would make an amazing oatmeal that's chocolate, but MOM?! I actually ran across these doing my weekly shopping at Wegman's 2 weeks ago and decided that at $1.99 for a 5 pack, how could I say no? Mom's Best Dark Chocolate Instant Oatmeal practically begged me to buy it! It's all natural, oatmeal (good for me) and chocolate! Done deal!

I actually have been making "chocolate oatmeal" for a few years. One of my favorite ways to get some "naughty chocolate" into my tummy, while losing weight, was to create my own version of chocolate oatmeal using some plain ol' Quaker quick oats packs and a packet of sugar free hot cocoa mix. But with my changes towards a "cleaner eating" style, I had to give up basically everything "sugar free" or with added "fake" sugars in them so there went my chocolate oatmeal in the morning!

Until now!

I finally made a bowl for breakfast the other day and I must confess this will be a staple in my cupboards now! I love the texture, the flavor is very real and it's all natural! The price comes out even friendlier than my original "homemade" version($1.99 for a box of 5.. that's 40 cents a serving), plus I'm now filling up my tummy with all natural products and not a bunch of chemicals! MUCH BETTER!

The nutritional numbers come out great too.

One serving/packet, prepared with water is 160 calories, 3g fiber and 2.5g fiber. On the Weight Watchers® point® system that comes out to 3 points® a bowl. Add a glass of OJ (1 cup) and you have a very filling and healthy breakfast for 5 points®. That should last you well into the late morning for sure!

Wish me luck on my journey to "eating clean" and  healthy! 
And please feel free to comment and share ideas for trying to live and eat "clean"!
 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

NEED TO GET FIT BUT DON'T WANT THE GYM MEMBERSHIP?

THINK ABOUT A TRAMPOLINE!

Check out The Trampolines King Website for tons of FREE information & guidance in purchasing this wonderful piece of equipment that is affordable and helps burn TONS of calories (not to mention tons 'o fun)!

 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

AssistU has been the whole reason I've had
the best results following the
Weight Watchers® program...
changing 1 lb or less losses to
an average of 3 lbs most weeks!
Check out this ALL NATURAL HERBAL SUPPLEMENT!
Mention Beverly's Blog "One Day At A Time"  when you order 
to get the best price available!

Don't forget to check out my newest Book Blog, where I give book reviews on recent books I've read. If you're a reader you'll want to check this out!

WE CAN DO THIS, TOGETHER
ONE DAY AT A TIME!

Like this article? Twit it to your followers!



Who Else Helps me get healthy?
These are just a few of the people online that inspire me along with AssistU....

1.
Check out the Fab Fatties - tons of ideas, comic relief & great give-aways!

2. Joe Gigantino - Fitness Trainer
This is the guy that really set me on the path to physical fitness - Sign up for his FREE newsletter!



3.

4. BWJEN - Another WW Buddy & A 'bookworm' too!?



5.

5.

6.Sean Anderson the formerly 500lb man!
Diary of A Winning Loser - Sean is an inspiration to anyone trying to get healthy!


*Note I am not affiliated nor endorsed by Weight Watchers® at all, in any way. I highly recommend their program and cannot say enough GOOD about it, but I also have decided that they were my "stepping stone" to making a change in my lifestyle. Any mention of Weight Watchers®, their program or their term of "points®" does not mean they have approved, seen, or endorsed anything on my blogs.

Also, if at any time Points® are mentioned it is always with the assumption that you will analyze the recipes, foods, ingredients and figure the points out specifically for your consumption of any product, as ingredients may vary by brand, size, etc. and Points® is a registered trademark of the Weight Watchers® company.