Worth 3 Banana Muffins

I can't find enough "easy" recipes in my life. Can anyone? I'll be honest, I'm not a hectic lifestyle type of person. I've been lucky enough to have cancer kick my ass for a reason.. .to slow me down & force me to enjoy life, so I'll be damned if I want to spend it all sweating in a kitchen. One of my tricks to being "prepared" for snack cravings or quick fix breakfast needs, etc. is to whip up batches whenever I get a chance & storing it (freezing, etc.) for later use. It can be a life saver!

Breakfasts for me are not an easy meal. I'm not a big morning eater but I realize the importance of jump starting my body to let it know it's "Wake Up Time" and start metabolizing everything I put in. For this reason alone, I love quick & easy breakfast foods like muffins & breakfast sandwiches. Of course, making batches ahead is always a plus!

Here's one of my most favorite muffin recipes. While the original called for some much higher fat items, I did toss around some ideas & make some changes that resulted in a much lower in point, calorie & fat content without losing the flavor & texture. I've attempted the recipe with Splenda® Brown Sugar but personally, it doesn't cut the points enough to take away the texture & flavor that the real stuff adds. To me, it's not worth it.

Banana Muffins (3)

Makes 18 muffins per recipe

Ingredients

	2 cups whole wheat flour
	1 tsp baking soda 1 tsp ground cinnamon
	1/2 tsp table salt
	1/2 cup Natural Unsweetened Apple Sauce
	1/4 cup canola oil
	1/2 cup honey
	1/3 cup unpacked brown sugar
	2 1/3 cups banana(s), mashed

Directions

Pre-heat oven to 350F degrees. Spray muffin pans.
In a large bowl, combine flour, baking soda, cinnamon and salt. In a separate bowl mix wet ingredients. Stir in bananas. Stir banana mixture into flour mixture, stir just until moistened. Scoop batter into muffin pans.

Bake for about 25 minutes and then check every five minutes until toothpick comes out clean. Depending on your oven the bake time goes between 25 & 28 minutes on average.



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Vote now if you like my blog! Thanks!

By Body & Soul

Check out my Daily Menu Food Log for a quick glance at what I'm eating to get where I'm at, which is a healthier & therefore thinner ME!


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

2. Joe Gigantino - Fitness Trainer
This is the guy that really set me on the path to physical fitness



3.

4. BWJEN



5.

5.

6.Sean Anderson the formerly 500lb man!
Diary of A Winning Loser


*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.

Creating Happiness.. getting results

It's no secret that one of the biggest keys to success is "happiness". I've gone through some major crap in life (haven't we all?) but I find that the days that I concentrate on the good parts, the happy parts, the parts I want to remember forever.... are the reasons for my success in not only my life thus far but especially in my weight loss.

Anyone who knows me knows I've not been the most successful in the "love" area. LOL That's an understatement eh? I've had everything from "oops I forgot to tell you I was married" to "you're my everything so now I'll stalk you" and every other whack job in between. I'm certain it's not all their fault, I've allowed a lot of it happen and take responsibility as a grown adult for not demanding more for myself sometimes. I put my "love life" on the back burner for the past 10 years or so to be there for my kids. I've dated, enjoyed some good and some bad relationships but never allowed any to become an important part of my life. But as much as I wanted to say "I don't need a mate" I knew, if I was being honest, that I had something missing. I battled cancer alone (not really, I had family but you know what I mean by "alone" in this sense), I battled MS alone, I battled financial digression and so much more... all alone. I stood strong for my kids and would never change that but I also think it was a huge factor in my weight gains.

I had medical issues that helped add to the weight, but truth be told I didn't really care if I became fat & unhealthy. The day that attitude changed I felt like I had lifted a million pound weight off me. I never looked back, but as I look ahead I see such a beautiful future and now I have someone to share it with. The happiness this man has given me, in the short time we've known each other & been together, has truly inspired me even more to become even healthier. I don't want to battle cancer again with him at my side, I don't want to battle MS symptoms... I want a healthy body that I can share and embrace with him as we move into our future.

Other times in my life when love walked in, in it's limited fashion that I would allow, I would almost always gain weight. One guy I swear to God I gained 10 pounds within weeks because we would just eat. I should have seen that as a sign eh? LOL But this time it's been so different. We do go out to eat. Sometimes I make slightly "less than great" choices, but for the most part I not only control my portions extremely well but I pick what I would if I were dining alone or with just the kids... staying on program and continuing to lose the weight.

The funny part is, the first week of "weigh in" after meeting him I had "maintained"... to his defense, he came in on a "TOM" week and I never lose then.. lol... but I was happy as I also had been so busy between scheduling and such that staying the same was not big deal. Week two I had a minimal gain, again not his fault.. I swear.. lol.. with something like 0.2 lbs gained. I had hurt myself at the gym being an idiot (I always think I'm so in shape! LOL) so I ended up having to give up nearly an entire week of "workouts", causing the slight gain. This most recent weigh in I about died. I really hadn't thought much about whether I stayed on program or not. Oddly enough, it had just become a way of life for me now and the decisions I make are natural. If we dine out I make good choices, control my portions and to be honest.... 90% of the time could care less if I even eat as I'm so wrapped up in conversation with this man that it's unreal. I love to hear him talk and laugh and simply just be with him. Food happens to end up on the table but I rarely care or notice. I think that's an amazing thing for me... it used to be the food always got my attention... conversation and laughter came with it.

So I decided that since I haven't blogged in a while, yeah I know.. he's taking up so much of my time *grin*... I had to blog about being happy and how to handle it! Sounds easy enough, you're happy, you enjoy it! Right? But those of us with food addictions or whatever you'd like to call our bad eating habits & lack of control when food is around know that it's not always that easy. So many times we celebrate with food, we eat out of both depression and elation. But suddenly, when you realize this, it becomes something you can control. I've made it a habit of holding his hand while we're eating. Hopefully it doesn't bug him, he hasn't complained yet, but it helps me slow down and not shovel the food in. It also makes me stop eating for a bit and just look at him to smile. Yeah, you can barf now. LOL

But your happiness doesn't have to come from someone else. It's time to take that step back in your life and decide if you're being honest with yourself. Are you really happy or are you putting on a front for others? If it's the latter, which for me it was, it's time to change. That underlying unhappiness is something that you can change and once you do you will find that you no longer have this emptiness you try to fill with food. Finding your happiness can be as easy as finding time for friends, family or old acquaintances to finding/making time for YOU at the gym or even taking walks. It's not hard to figure out what makes you happy... it's harder to figure out how to get that happiness to stay with you. But the reality is, YOU ARE WORTH IT!

So grab onto that happiness bug, and let it take you past the food buffet and into a world of "eating to live" not "living to eat". It's amazing when you realize that happiness is no longer attached to food, but to something or someone that brings that happiness into your life. Happiness is what you make of your life. You can sit back and let it happen or you can create it. You have the reigns of control, it's time to use them!

What makes me happy? Pretty simple things really:

1. My kids (Richard, Noelle & Nicole)
2. My sweetheart (Rich Z.) and all the things he does... from simply holding me to kissing me to just being with me when I need those big, burly arms!
   
3. My puppies (yeah, kids & kritters have my heart all too often)
   
4. My "me time" at the gym
5. Reading a book
6. Watching a sunset (happens to be best when done with #2 on the list *grin*)
7. Watching a sunrise (again, seems like that would be best with #2 on the list too eh?)
   
8. Swimming in a pool, feeling my body just relax in the water

My list could go on... but I take this list with me in my mind, every where I go. I always know that if I need to smile, I think of one of those things on that list or better yet, enjoy one of those things. That happiness results in my not running to the fridge or drive-thru to drown my sorrows. How do I know it works? Today was a perfect example.... without going into detail I got some more "bad news" from the ex about his issues with the kids. He's such a loser & it seems like no matter what that man can make me upset. He did. But oddly, this time after I spent time at the lawyers office and sat back for a few minutes I pictured this moment:

I sat on a bench with Rich, just being held, talking and enjoying each others company. It was a short moment in the span of life itself but one of those ones that I will treasure forever. Even if the "romance" dwindles and we parted ways, I'd keep this in my vault of "most wonderful moment memories". It made me not only smile but realize a greasy burger or fatty milkshake wasn't nearly as wonderful as that thought, that picture.

So take the time to make your list. Use that list when you need it because there are going to be times in your life when you will decide you need to fall back on something... and this time.. don't let it be FOOD! I know it's made a huge difference in my life to fall back on "happiness" now... and with 5.2 lbs. lost this past week.. and I'm certain more this week... I know it's all for the best.



Help me win this great recognition!
Vote now if you like my blog! Thanks!

By Body & Soul

Check out my Daily Menu Food Log for a quick glance at what I'm eating to get where I'm at, which is a healthier & therefore thinner ME!


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

2. Joe Gigantino - Fitness Trainer
This is the guy that really set me on the path to physical fitness



3.

4. BWJEN



5.

5.

6.Sean Anderson the formerly 500lb man!
Diary of A Winning Loser


*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.

Great New Products! Update September 2009

There are always new and upcoming products that, as a healthy eater, we love to find. One of my biggest weaknesses is ice cream. I will adore the inventor of an "all you can eat" ice cream with flavor & fullness combined with ZERO calories forever... so if you're him/her please let me know... and send me some samples! LOL But until then, for me... finding an amazing, full flavored ice cream that's low in fat & calories is a mission I take on for all of us living a more healthy lifestyle. I'll put on my best "ice cream" face and figure it all out for you.... you can thank me later with a HUGE bowl of ... well... ice cream?

Today I happened upon a new Fit & Active® ice cream sandwich at Aldis. Nutritional info on them is 130 cal./ 1.5g fat / 2g fiber, bringing them in at 2 points a treat. Very comparable to the Skinny Cow® competitors but at a fraction of the price! I'm going to be honest here, there's never too many "low fat, lower calorie" options in ice cream so Skinny Cow® shouldn't fret that they'll be run out of town. They simply will share the shelves in MY freezer!

The newest flavors offered of the Fit & Active® ice cream sandwiches was "Strawberry Shortcake" (2) and "Orange Cream". Unfortunately for me, the only package of "Orange Cream" they had left in the freezer had been thawed, refrozen, thawed again, mixed and slightly re-frozen by the time I got to it. Hopefully they will have them available again soon! If they orange tastes anything like the strawberry I will be in heaven!

So it's definitely a 2 thumbs up and double tummy rub vote for these delightful ice cream treats! If you're looking for affordable, healthy & delicious... the Fit & Active® ice cream sandwiches are a definite must on your next shopping list!

The line of products that Aldis now offers in the Fit & Active® brand is simply amazing. Take a look for yourself, here!

Other faves of mine in this healthy, affordable category is the their turkey bacon, weighing in with Nutritional values of 30 cal/2.5g fat/ 0 fiber per slice. It's a wonderful addition to a low fat burger, a grilled chicken breast or any dish that a little "bacon" can only add even MORE flavor! I'm a bit of a bacon lover myself so I definitely enjoy a touch of this smokey goodness in many of my dishes or sandwiches! And speaking of "burgers" they offer a Fit & Active, lower fat ground burger & ground turkey to help create that wonderful "off the grill" treat!

I'm a HUGE fan of the Fit & Active® treats too. Some awesome, and again inexpensive, options Aldi's is carrying are the Caramel Rice Snacks, their delicious cereal bars and most all of their ice cream products (especially their fudgsicles & ice cream sandwiches). Most every "snack" product they offer comes in around 2 points so they're a great option for a reasonable price. It's not always expensive to "eat healthy".. you just have to search in the right places for the right products!


* As with all recipes points®/calories/fats will vary according to ingredients so please be sure to figure your own nutritional information out according to the packages & information of the products you use.

Help me win this great recognition!
Vote now if you like my blog! Thanks!

By Body & Soul

Check out my Daily Menu Food Log for a quick glance at what I'm eating to get where I'm at, which is a healthier & therefore thinner ME!


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

2. Joe Gigantino - Fitness Trainer
This is the guy that really set me on the path to physical fitness



3.

4. BWJEN



5.

5.

6.Sean Anderson the formerly 500lb man!
Diary of A Winning Loser


*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.

Bruschetta Panini on Sourdough Bread

Sometimes you simply have to put your points into the flavor and texture of one main ingredient to get best results. This is a case where you can afford to put those "big points" into a splurge of bread because the fillings & insides of what creates this delicious sandwich is virtually pointless! (In a good way)

I first found this delightful creation at a friends local Coffee Shop/Cafe located at the mouth of Presque Isle, here on Lake Erie. Presque Isle Gallery Coffeehouse (click the name to get to their site) offered up this delicious treat which sounded very "point® friendly" to the Weight Watcher® side of me! After figuring out about what the points would be I decided I could definitely eat their version, within reason, and could make my own slightly even less fat/calorie version at home. PIG (as it's often referred to) makes their OWN bruschetta also, making the filling absolutely DIVINE! I personally am not that energetic and purchase mine at the local Wegman's Olive Bar, but it works out fine that way too! I guesstimated the PIG version of this delightful treat come in around 8-9 Points® but you can easily trim those down by using fat free versions of cheeses & even, slightly thinner sliced breads that come in at under 1 oz. each if needed. I personally don't mind using the points in a full 1 oz. slice of the sourdough bread as the fillings keep the sandwich coming in fairly well still. Of course, using a low cal/diet bread would really bring the points down at 1 pt for the bread alone as opposed to 4 pts for the full version of sourdough but it will also change the flavor/texture. So it all depends upon what you're willing to give up or add on! Make it your own though!

Bruschetta Panini on Sourdough Bread (6)

2 slices sourdough bread (This is where the points are in the entire recipe but SO worth it! Nutritional info on the sourdough bread should go according to your package but the average/general information is here.) (4)
4 Tbls. Bruschetta (At 30 calories per 2 Tbls. it's a cheap date!) (1)
1/4 cup shredded fat free mozzarella cheese (1)
Olive Oil Spray (for panini grill or pan) (0)

Building the Sandwich:

Simply spray your pan/grill with olive oil before starting. Then place one slice of sourdough bread on grill, top with bruschetta & spread evenly across bread. Spraying the pan, as opposed to pouring oils on top of the bread itself saves points®, calories & definitely makes the sandwich less "greasy" in the end.

Add fat free mozzarella on top & place 2nd slice of bread on top of that.

Now grill using method(s) below.

Method of cooking:

If you have a panini grill, that's great but a "Foreman Style" grill can work just as well, and even a plan ol' fry pan can work. The trick with a panini is to grill the bread to a nice crispness while applying some pressure so if you're using the fry pan method, simply use a smaller frypan to push down on the top of the sandwich as you grill. You will also have to "flip" the sandwich when using this method of grilling your panini.

* As with all recipes points®/calories/fats will vary according to ingredients so please be sure to figure your own nutritional information out according to the packages & information of the products you use.

Help me win this great recognition!
Vote now if you like my blog! Thanks!

By Body & Soul

Check out my Daily Menu Food Log for a quick glance at what I'm eating to get where I'm at, which is a healthier & therefore thinner ME!


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

2. Joe Gigantino - Fitness Trainer
This is the guy that really set me on the path to physical fitness



3.

4. BWJEN



5.

5.

6.Sean Anderson the formerly 500lb man!
Diary of A Winning Loser


*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.

Thanks Anger!

Somehow, I manage to find the most amazing men out there. I'm being very sarcastic, but I'm not lying. LOL I'm not asking for a pity party, I'm actually quite proud of myself for my newest accomplishment. So much so that I decided to blog about it here.. because it's a huge step for me and a huge accomplishment in my weight loss and healthy living journey.

Long story short, I decided I deserved better than what I was allowing to happen with me in a relationship... so I decided... to move on....

So I did.

Unfortunately, I found another completely inconsiderate, selfish bastard. Amazing how many of them there are out there. I think I might start a book on the ratio of actual TRUE gentlemen versus completely ignorant, selfish, rude, assholes with penises. Sorry men, the bashing is needed sometimes... I hear not all are this way... PLEASE let me find that's true?! LOL

Pardon my "French" for this blog... I'm dealing with anger... but OOOOH has the ANGER become my friend.

Tonight I was upset & it involved the opposite sex (go figure) and it not only made me do something I don't do often ( question MYSELF as to if I was "worthy" or had something wrong with me) but it made me do something totally different than I normally do when stressed.

I'll be honest, it was easy as hell to do tonight.... I struggled with a few moments of "what should I do.. this or that" and ended up deciding that instead of allowing for a pity party, accompanied by food (my former friend & supporter of any anxiety) and booze to just drown my sorrows & possibly dance (which would have ended up really hurting the back), I would instead go to the gym. Yes, you read that right... those who knew the "unhealthy" Bev are now gasping.. but I swear to you it's true!

I not only decided the gym would be a better idea than a bar, food & booze but a punching bag would be an even better idea. I'm not gonna lie. I hurt, hurt enough that I had to double my morphine tonight just from the pain & add a muscle relaxant, but I don't really care. I punched the shit out of that bag like there was no tomorrow. Unfortunately my "tomorrow" I will probably pay for it with my Chronic Pain being beyond "chronic" LOL, but I dont' care. I probably looked like a complete moron.. or a psychotic, scorned woman? Probably the last now that I think of it. LOL BUT the end result was not only 30 minutes (off and on) of punching the hell out of a bag and getting out all of my aggressions but losing some calories, toning some muscles & feeling a little better.

The punching wasn't enough for me though. I needed more. I needed to just run.. get away from everything, everyone, every thought. Again, my "OLD" self would have ventured to the freezer for a pint of Ben & Jerry's, scoffing it down like I hadn't eaten for a month to "feel better. Now I was craving movement, adrenaline, revenge.

I jumped into the pool, already worked out once today putting in my mile running/jogging in the pool & upper body water workout, but was determined to put at least a mile behind me again. By the way, chlorine hurts skinned, bloodied knuckles when you hop it... but it's a good hurt. See the pic of my hand on the right. *grin*

So I decided today that this was a HUGE, HUGE, HUMONGOUS step for me.

For the first time in my life I did NOT turn to food for comfort. I actually turned in the opposite direction and it felt so DAMN GOOD!

I'm sure it's just one of many disappointments I'll have in the opposite sex. You'd think I'd be used to it by now, eh? LOL I know, we all have them.... but really... men... piece of advice...try honesty & consideration when you want a woman to even consider your company. It's funny, because before my lifestyle change I would have allowed this person to walk all over me too.. and this time.. one chance, blew it.. walked.... and never looked back. I deserve better & I'd rather have nobody than somebody who can't appreciate what he has.

So to all you idiot men out there (and I hear there are some out there that are not.. unfortunately from my experience they're all married or gay LOL) .. but I want to thank you... from the bottom of my heart... with FULLEST GRATITUDE for making me become what I've always wanted!

I will beast it out every time one of you tears a little piece of me away... and as I build my own self-esteem back up from that "beasting"... I'll be getting healthier, toned and even more confident that it's NOT me that's wrong anymore.

If "he" can't figure out how to treat a woman, he doesn't deserve my attention... however, since the gym, pool & punching bag treats me well.... THEY will be seeing a lot more of me, or perhaps I should say a LOT LESS OF ME.. but MORE OFTEN?

I apologize for offensive language... but it's a blog that's intense and full of emotion. I'm so proud of how I handled things this time... from the standing my ground and DEMANDING better treatment to using better judgment on how to handle the stress. This is definitely a step in the right direction and a step towards a LIFETIME of healthy choices.

Check out my Daily Menu Food Log for a quick glance at what I'm eating to get where I'm at, which is a healthier & therefore thinner ME!


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

2. Joe Gigantino - Fitness Trainer
This is the guy that really set me on the path to physical fitness



3.

4. BWJEN



5.

5.

6.Sean Anderson the formerly 500lb man!
Diary of A Winning Loser


*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.