Low-Cal, Elegant Birthday Lunch

My future son-in-law made a delicious meal for my birthday over the weekend.  Kristina felt horrible about taking me to a buffet for Mother's Day, citing one of my past posts, too.  I explained to her that there were three events that weekend, and I should have chosen one of the events, preferably the one with her, to have my treats, and cut back on the other two events.  I hope she got it.

Anyway, I had small slices of skirt steak with chimichurri sauce, garlic smashed cauliflower, and a side of green salad.  We had the best chocolate mousse I ever had, and it was made out of avocado and dark chocolate as the main ingredients, and don't balk at the avocado.  You can't even taste it - it's a healthy thickening agent.  It was fantastic.  Overall, smaller portions of great food will leave you satisfied.  I loved it.

Now hubby is in the kitchen making an equally healthy meal. :)

Mousse recipe, from Giada De Laurentiis by way of Carlos Cabeleiro...

Ingredients
1/2 cup semisweet chocolate chips, such as Ghirardelli
4 very ripe (8 ounce) avocados, peeled and pitted
1/2 cup agave
1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
1/3 cup almond milk
1 tablespoon pure vanilla extract
1/4 teaspoon fine salt
Fresh raspberries, for garnish
Directions
Place the chocolate chips in a small bowl. Place over a small saucepan of barely simmering water. Stir until the chocolate is melted and smooth, about 3 minutes. Set aside to cool slightly.

Place the melted chocolate, avocados, agave, cocoa powder, almond milk, vanilla and salt in a food processor. Blend until smooth and creamy, scraping the sides of the bowl as needed. Spoon into glasses and refrigerate for at least 3 hours (can be prepared 1 day in advance). Garnish with fresh raspberries and serve.

Read more at: http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/giada-de-laurentiis/chocolate-avocado-mousse-recipe/index.html?oc=linkback

Motivation When the Scale is Stalled

You simply keep going.  I've tried to analyze it, get out of exercise, not eat (thinking I would lose more), and more... but the fact is that you have to do two things: exercise and eat plenty.  Yes, calories must be considered, but they are not the only factor.  Drinking water helps flush and cleanse your body and blah, blah, blah ... you've heard it all, right?  Well, it's unfortunately true.

You've got to rid yourself of processed foods as much as possible.  Eat fresh and you'll lose weight.  If my husband did not insist on meat, as he is a typical carnivore, then my grocery bill would be even lower.  I have saved money since eating healthier.  You wouldn't think so, but switching out berries for ice cream or tea for soda, with no sugar, can save money.  Ice cream is expensive and so is soda, pop, or coke - whatever you call it.

Where's the motivation?  Keeping busy with all of the above can give you the motivation to see it on the scale.  Losing over 30 pounds now did something for me.  I am more motivated.  Getting my body rid of toxic food has done it as well.  I still eat fried food every once in a while, but have cut it out for the most part.  I had a diet coke the other day.  It tasted gross.  When I can get rid of a bad habit, I do feel more motivation.

I can do stairs with more ease.  That alone is reason enough to keep going.  That, and I'm not dead yet.

Over 30 down now!

I lost 5 pounds last week.  I've no idea.  I was more active, just a bit, though, drank more water, and ate less - but still, 5 is a lot.  I'll take it!  So, that's 31 pounds gone, and I am going to go exercise today.  This is the most I've ever lost on purpose, so I am thrilled.  YAY!

It's been a hard road just to 31, and I have SO much more to lose.  I was thinking that this morning, and I decided that I would just think about that later, and concentrate on getting under the next 10 pound marker.  If I keep concentrating on 10 pounds at a time, it's better for my mind, but it also keeps going into a different set of numbers, like from 289 to 279.  That's good to see, because seeing that double digit number go into the next set down is motivating.

Gotta go eat some breakfast.  I love berries and yogurt.

Hot Flashes and Fruit

Cold frozen fruit.  In my first summer of Peri-menopause, I can relate that it sucks.  Big time.  I have found a fantastic way to keep cool during hot flashes or just heat in general:  frozen fruit.  I eat them plain to get maximum freeze, but I have put it with yogurt or cool whip as well.

What am I talking about?  When you get your blueberries, blackberries, raspberries and strawberries from your local market, freeze them in bags.  I put my blackberries and blueberries together.  You can also use mango, pineapple, and more, but the berries hold up so well, and you can make a better smoothie with frozen fruit, too.  When you start having a flash or you are overheated, start chomping on that fruit, and in no time, you'll be putting on your 3/4 inch sleeve cardigan, like me!

Sitting in front of a fan helps, too.