hey everyone, I hope you enjoyed last weeks 7 ways... here we go with week #2
write it down, log it, keep track... however you do it keep track of what & the amounts you're eating each day. this is one of the key things they teach you at weight watchers & even though i'm not always the best at it, if i feel like i'm getting off track, this always brings me back around. it will really suprise you when you start doing this how much you may be fooling yourself. when i first started i realized i was snacking, munching, whatever all the time. big eye opener! anyway, there are several ways you could go about it, get yourself a pretty little notebook you can keep in your purse, log it on your phone {there are lots of great apps out there for any kind of smart phone that will make this easy!}, use your computer if you're in front of it the whole day, seriously, use the awesome technology that's out there. just google diet log & you'll be overwhelmed with the number of websites out there that are just for this purpose.
i mentioned last week to try to find substitutions or solutions for foods you love... well I found an awesome one for the pumpkin spice lattes from starbucks!
photo & recipe via loveveggiesandyoga.com
Pumpkin Spice Latte (Vegan, Gluten Free)
1. Make coffee (a pot, a cup, in whatever fashion and however you prefer making your coffee. The stronger the better)
2. Make Pumpkin Milk
1 c milk (I used almond milk but use any kind you want from half and half to rice milk)
1/4 heaping cup pumpkin puree (more if you really love pumpkin)
2 tsp pumpkin pie spice blend, or to taste
1 tsp cinnamon, or to taste
1 tsp vanilla extract
sweetener of choice, to taste (I suggest 2 tbsp agave or 2 tbsp brown sugar or a pinch of stevia to taste; or try honey, maple syrup, etc. to taste)
Optional: pinch of ground nutmeg, ginger, garam masala, cardamom, or other warming spices to taste
Directions: Combine all ingredients in a small bowl and whisk well by hand or blend all ingredients using a Vita or blender
Optional: Warm the finished pumpkin milk mixture in the microwave or on the stovetop (I do a quick nuke of about 1 minute)
3. Pour 1 c of brewed coffee into a mug and pour half the pumpkin milk mixture over the top of the coffee and enjoy. (Optional: Finish by garnishing with real whipped cream/whipped topping such as CoolWhip or TruWhip; and a sprinkle of pumpkin pie spice/cinnamon on top)
The other half of the pumpkin milk mixture is for the refill you know you will want. If you truly don’t want a refill, refrigerate it for up to a few days and use for your next latte, in a smoothie, or drink it as is. As long as you’re dirtying dishes, I always make a little extra for refills or for later.
Notes:
The spices will not “blend” or entirely dissolve. This is to be expected and normal. If this bothers you, this may not the recipe for you and you may want to experiment with other recipes or techniques.
{yum}
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seriously true on every one of these. great tips to remember... especially number one. i really get so annoyed by the people who try the quick fixes like shake diets & such. how can you live like that for the rest of your life? you can't... that's it. don't take the easy way, work hard & you'll be rewarded.
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make the right choices for not only you, but for your family. if you don't feel good about eating it, you shouldn't feel good about your kids eating it either. i admit, there are still some treats i let my kids have, but i try to make it a special thing, not an every day thing. plus it's expensive! healthy food may seem expensive, but look at how much you're getting for your money! & just think how far ahead of the game they'll be later in life by knowing healthy eating habits. this is so important.
try your best to plan ahead. do you know you'll be going out to eat, going to a party, at work, or just will be away from home for longer than usual? make sure you're prepared with a healthy snack in your purse or desk! a snack bar, apple or banana, almonds, dried fruit, crackers... they all travel well & can really be a life saver! we recently went on a day trip with the kids & weren't around too many great places to eat. i had packed lots of healthy snacks, so i basically ate all my meals from things i had in the car. it could have been a big hiccup in my week, but i didn't overeat, or use too many of my points on my ww daily allowance, so i was happy :) right now it's just like an automatic response to have something in my purse when i leave the house, you just never know!
enjoy what your eating, or it's just not worth it! i figured this out as well while going through ww... if it didn't taste good & i wasn't enjoying it, i just stopped eating & chose something else. seriously, why waste your calories? luckily, i work at home, so it's generally just something small i whip up at home, so i can save it for leftovers for someone else to eat or change it up so it does fit the bill. think about what you're putting into your mouth, though. don't just shovel it in, making it the requirement you need to eat for that meal, but really think about if tastes good, enjoy it. it's not just food, it's fuel that your body needs.
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i found this list on pinterest, but if you go to the source link on dr. oz's website, you can get a printable version. this a great guide to take along with you & to make sure you have a good, healthy stocked pantry, freezer & fridge to create lots of great recipes for you & your family.
well, that's it for this week...have a great weekend everyone!
{robyn}
10.20.2011
