Fun With Nutrisystem Foods

So I have been on the Nutrisystem diet now for almost a year and a half. I reached my goal in 5 months but kept going. I have been sitting on a 50 lbs loss for A while now.. I plan to keep it around that number. I weigh 118 lbs now. I want to keep my weight around 120. I'm having fun with this size as I don't struggle to fit into the cute clothes.

But like I said, I still eat Nutrisystem to keep me maintained but I add in a little more snacks so I don't keep loosing weight. Thought I'd never say that!

I never ordered the frozen foods available due to my budget but I don't think I miss anything being that the shelf foods are great even including hamburger meat. 

Along the way I have experimented and played with the foods so I don't get bored. Keep in mind that your suppose to add in veggies and protein snacks with this plan so I'm going to share some of my experiments....... The ones I captured before I ate!   Enjoy....

Egg in a Bagel

Nutrisystem Bagel- Using a cookie cutter or knife, I cut a hole in the center of the bagel, placed it in a fry pan sprayed with cooking spray and poured one beaten egg in the center and sprinkled with lite cheese (optional). Flipping once.

=1 meal + 1 power fuel.

Frozen Yogurt Sandwich

Nutrisystem Cookies- Crush cookies and press 1/2 into the bottom of a small remkin or mug. Add any flavor yogurt. Add remaining cookies to top and pat it a little. Freeze. Pop it out of the bowl and eat. Yum.
= 1 snack + 1 power fuel

Crab Cakes

Nutrisystem Mashed Potatoes- Cook potatoes as directed. Add in chopped crab meat, some old bay seasoning and chopped onions. Form into patties and fry in a cooking sprayed pan. Delicio!
= 1 meal + 1 Power fuel + 1 veggie

Banana Pudding

Nutrisystem Cookies- Crush cookies and press into the bottom of a remkin or mug. Add prepared sugar free banana pudding. Layer with bananas. Chill and eat.
= 1 snack + 1 smart carb + 1 extra

Spagetti and Meatballs

Nutrisystem Meatballs- Simply apply to the top of cooked spaghetti squash. Amore'!

= 1 meal + 1 veggie

Oh here's a good one!!!!!

Oatmeal Waffles

Nutrisystem Oatmeal- Put oatmeal in food processor and chop until fine. Add in one egg, Approx 1/4 cup milk (2% for me). Mix and add to waffle maker. (You can turn them into pancakes just the same). Top with spray butter and sugar free syrup.

OMG!

=1 meal + 2 power fuels + 2 extras

Stuffed Peppers

Nutrisystem Hickory Smoked Beef Patty- Cook patty as directed. Cut and stuff into mini peppers. Sprinkle with cheese (optional) and place in toaster oven until pepper is hot.  What? Yes, I just skipped the bread!

=1 meal + Veggies

There you go. A few ideas. They all fit into the diet and a joy to eat.

Meanwhile, I plan to continue with Nutrisystem following the transition plans. They say if you can keep the weight off for a year then you pretty much got yourself under control. Lets hope.

I Still haven't had a Krispy Kreme doughnut in 17 Months and counting!!!! That's some control if you ask me.

Thanks for all the support from everyone especially my husband, daughter, parents, many church members, my besties Anne, Edwina and Robin. My Blogging Family. Nutrisystem Friends, My fitness Pals, And my FitBit buddies. Yall are always giving me the encouragement and complements I need to keep going. 

Twenty Two

Twenty Two- That's how old I was when I met the man of my dreams.

I needed the brakes fixed on my car. I knew exactly where to take it. There was this familiar face. He was so handsome with his dark brown eyes, a beard the color of dark chocolate and skin the color of a sun kissed tan.

I had seen him before in the places I worked and places I had been. We somehow would always cross paths. Never saying a word, we spoke with our eyes as we walked by each other. We knew where each other worked, went to church, the car each drove and almost where each other lived. I guess we were stalkers. ha! Ok, I knew where he lived by accident...Ok, not by accident YES I figured it out from seeing him turn into a road one day. Don't judge.

He was the most handsome man I had ever met. It was love at first sight. We exchanged numbers that day he fixed my brakes (and my heart).

Twenty Two - Was the date one September that we began dating.

I knew he was the one. However, I was so afraid I was not the one for him. Would he be like all the others and eventually go away?  I had a wall around me. I was timid and scared. He never let go as I grew to trust him and realized he was going to be here with me forever. We fell in love.

Twenty Two- Years ago today, we married.

It was a small wedding held right after Sunday service with a small family dinner that followed. Nothing fancy but everything sweet. My mom made my wedding gown and the cake. His mom hosted the dinner. Because of our work schedules, we didn't take a honeymoon until the next weekend. It was to the beach of course.

It has been the best years of my life.  We do everything together except while we are at work. We have struggled to make ends meet and have worked hard for everything we have. We did it all together. We have never spent a single night away from each other. Any time with friends are spent during normal hours. There is no other person I'd rather be around. He is my best friend. We can talk to each other about anything and everything. We spend a lot of quality time together and never get tired of each others company. This man still makes my heart flutter and I can hardly wait to see him each day after I leave the office.

Every day I fall deeper in love with him. I have no doubt he loves me too. He shows it unconditionally. Did I mention he randomly sends me sweet texts throughout the day just let me know hes thinking of me and loves me? He has even said he would marry me again. So, one day we plan to do it again in our favorite place. It will be a while. We don't want to rush into anything. haha.

Tonight we will celebrate our 22nd anniversary with a nice dinner and more special moments. I love this man more everyday!!

Happy Anniversary to my handsome Italian :)

"Its not by two people being strong at the same time, its taking turns being strong when the other is weak".

"A marriage will work if you let God lead it"

"Spend as much time together as you can"

"Never go to bed angry and always make the last words you say be "I Love You".

It Is What It Is

Something I've been saying a lot lately, "It is what it is". Now stop and think about that a minute....

My husband and I have been trying to avoid the negativity in our lives lately. That could mean, avoiding certain people, keeping the TV news off and avoiding so much time on Social Media.

I'm personally sick if hearing about politics, gay rights and animal abuse! People are finding a way and reason to argue about everything. The world is getting worst every day. Insurance is getting more costly and doctor bills are on the rise. But, "It is what It is". Its not going to do any good to stress about it. We need to just focus on happiness and do the best we can.

I want to live in a happy world. That's going to be a hard thing to do with so much hate and crime that's lingering in our home towns. I can let it bother me and it will not help at all. I have the right to pick and choose the places I want to go and areas I want to avoid. I'll do just that. 

For now on, I'm going to try and get through my days without complaining so much, "it is what it is". Friends have turned from me and I have family members that make me upset by avoiding me. I have to let it go and stop worrying about it. If they don't need me, then they don't need me. However, Ill always be here for them when they do. I think they have way more problems than I have.

The work place is not fair. Favoritism is a problem, Language and actions are a pain to deal with every single day. It does no good to gripe about it. I try to ignore it. All I can do is the best I can. My reward is my paycheck.

Complaining and getting mad does not show my Christian roots. It feels so much better to walk by all people and smile at them. Yes, I smile at every person I walk by. Showing them whats really in my heart, not whats in my mind. You never know what they are going through or what they have been through. Instead of grinching at the car that just cut me off or the man that let the door slam in my face, I'll just let it go. Again, you never know whats going on there.

Not everyone is respectful, nice or generous. Its just the way it is. I will no longer let piddly little things get me in a tissy. People need love and kindness shown toward them. Not everyone is raised in a Christian home, have parents that show them love and support, or have anyone thats taught them respect or care. It's my responsibility to show them that there is still good people around. The world will let us down every day. Its not a fair world, but I have to live in it and even though I cant make a better world, I can make a better me.

Saturday Outing

Saturday was such a beautiful day. It was sunny and 75 with a mix of a few clouds that came over just in the times we needed a little shade. The perfect weather to go for a walk. We have had a few bad experiences the past couple days while walking around the neighborhood. We are either running from stray dogs that are coming out of nowhere or hiding from the Opossum that scavenges the properties.

We wanted to get out a little while, but still wanted to get some walking in. So, we decided to head down to the county Museum and walk the nature trail. I remember this trail from when I was a little kid. It just seemed a lot bigger then. Its only a 1/2 mile loop.

We forgot that it was Earth Day weekend. The trail was full of activities and kids so we couldn't really get the speed up for a power walk but we enjoyed it all the same. Along the trail there were booths set up with information about things such as "how plants grow", "kinds of rocks you see" and "how bees make honey". We stopped at a few displays and actually learned a few things.

On down the path we came to the old farm area of the museum trail where you can tour old country living. We saw how they shear sheep (the old way way). 

Then we saw how the wool was spun into thread. 

It was interesting to also see the people were dressed for the occasion.

We walked inside the museum lobby to say hello to T-Rex before leaving.

Before heading home we stopped by Sweet Frogs yogurt shop for a tad of yogurt . Yes just a tad..... oh and I had to have those wet nuts on mine and a gummy frog for fun.

We also visited an Antique shop and a thrift store where I found this tapestry runner. I wanted something to cover a vintage vanity in my daughters room. I needed something to cover a bad spot on the top surface. It was driving me crazy and I don't have the means to fix it.

I think it fit perfect and has just the right colors to match the coral and tan colored bedding.

Later we headed out to dinner and back to rest. I need to catch up on some crocheting and laundry....wait, that's not resting!!!

Low Fat Peanut Butter Cookies

I made peanut butter cookies and I'm not even a fan of peanut butter.

I like peanut butter flavor but I can't eat it right out of the spoon like my daddy and daughter often do. These cookies were so good that I'm going to share the recipe with you.

First I want to thank my friend Anne for sending me this recipe from "Taste of Home". She is just the best. She always remembers things I say even if it was months ago. She remembered I'm always looking for low fat healthy foods to make. She helps me out ever chance she can and I don't even have to ask. She is such a good friend.

I actually have a few old "Taste of Home" Cookbooks at home lingering somewhere in the back of a cabinet. My favorite cookbooks, however, are the old church cook books. They are just full of simple and easy recipes you can find at most church or family dinners. Cookbooks are becoming a thing of the past as you can find anything on the computer now days.

Now back to this delicious Peanut Butter Cookie recipe.

The recipe was so simple and I had all the ingredients on hand. That can be dangerous for me.
Part of the recipe says to chill the dough for a couple hours. That made me throw it down at first. I mean, I want cookies when I want cookies. I'm like the cookie monster on that phone commercial. ha.

After pondering about it, I thought my daughter was coming by the next day, so I whipped up the dough and put it in the fridge overnight so it would be ready to cut and bake once she came in. She ended up not coming but that didn't stop me from making them anyways. I just have to eat them all now.

So get out your bowl and peanut butter stuff and make some cookies!

Low Fat Peanut Butter Cookies By: Taste of Home.

Ingredients:

• 3 Tablespoons butter
• 2 Tablespoons reduced fat peanut butter
• 1/2 Cup packed brown Sugar
• 1/4 Cup Sugar
• 1 Large egg white
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• *1 Cup all-purpose flour 
• 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/8 cup salt
• *(I used self rising flour and omitted the salt and baking soda).

Directions:

• Cream the butter, peanut butter and sugars until light and fluffy.
• Add egg white and beat until blended, beat in vanilla.

• Combine flour mixture and gradually add to the creamed mixture and mix well.
• Shape intp an 8 inch roll; wrap in plastic wrap and place in freezer for 2 hours or until firm.

• Unwrap dough and cut into slices approx. 1/4 inch think.
• Place 2 inches apart, on a greased baking sheet and flatten a little with a fork. 
• Bake 350 for 6-8 minutes for chewy cookies or 8-10 minutes for crispy cookies.
• Remove and place on wire rack to cool a couple minutes. 

Yield: about 2 dozen.

1 cookie equals 62 calories,

2g fat, 

4mg cholesterol, 

64mg sodium, 

11g carbohydrate, 

1 gram protein.

I thought they tasted a lot like the Nekot cookies you can purchase from the store or most vending machines. Except these were soft and chewy.

Thanks again Anne!