Kamis, 30 Desember 2010

Camera shy

A little while ago, I was contacted by Harvard Pilgrim Health Care, the creator of Well Then.org. It's a great website, where people can share their tips on how to be well, by posting a video, or making a picture post. Harvard Pilgrim has empowered me to participate in the “Well, Then” community. They have asked me to share my weight loss journey, by posting videos on their website. In the videos I share my weight loss tips. It's been lots of fun... but I'm a nervous wreck before the camera starts shooting. I've learned that I'm quite camera shy. And that I hate my voice.

So far, I have made 3 videos:

My first one was on setting small goals. (see VIDEO)

On my second video, I shared my 5 keys to weight loss. (see VIDEO)

And my third is about New Years resolutions. (see VIDEO)

Check out my profile HERE.

I laugh hysterically at myself, every time I watch one of my videos. I am such a nerd. And it shows. But hey, that's why you love me, right? ;D

Selasa, 28 Desember 2010

My Christmas Gift

Every year, on Christmas morning, my husband and I take pictures of each other tearing open our gifts. He insists on taking a picture of each and every Christmas present. When the presents have been opened, and all the "Oohs" and "Ahhs" have been said, I sit on the couch, and review all the pictures. And that is when I ruin my Christmas. One picture after another, I see a fat roll I didn't know I had, or a double chin I didn't realize was so big.
(Here I am on Christmas morning in 2008, trying on a jacket my husband got for me that didn't fit. Even though it was an extra large.)The rest of Christmas day would be spent with tears in my eyes. I'd be filled with regret, disgust, and hopelessness. Every year I would make a promise to myself, that next years Christmas morning photos would be double chin and fat roll free. And with that, I would never look at that years Christmas pictures again. I would pretend they never existed. I would pretend that the whole Christmas morning, at 200+ pounds never existed. I would simply look forward to next year. But guess what? Next year would be exactly the same.

Except for this year....

I spent most of my Christmas Eve this year, worrying about the Christmas morning pictures that would be taken. I had absolutely convinced myself that I was 206 pounds again. I had convinced myself that each and every picture would be included with fat rolls and double chins. On Christmas Eve, I tried bracing myself for the pain that I would feel, when I sat down in the morning to review the pictures. Christmas morning came, we went down stairs, tore into our gifts...and out comes the camera. And of course, my husband insisted on taking a picture of each and every present like he does every year. Afterwords, I sat on the couch as usual, to review the pictures. I braced myself to see something horrible. Instead, I saw something absolutely wonderful. I might even say, Beautiful.No double chins.

This was the first Christmas in 5 years, that I didn't cry when I saw our pictures. This is the fist year that I didn't spend the rest of the day in a depressed funk because of my weight. Instead, I spent the day feeling blessed and grateful for all the blessing I have in my life. I spent the day thinking about how far I've come, and how proud I was of myself. This year I didn't erase a single picture of myself. I didn't try and erase the entire Christmas morning from my mind. Instead, I played it over and over again.

I have lost 45 pounds this year.
That is one totally awesome gift!

Sabtu, 18 Desember 2010

12 Days of Christmas Cookies- Day 12: Candy Cane Kisses Sugar Cookies

This holiday season, we can give ourselves the gift of being healthy, and reaching our weight loss goals, while still enjoying our holiday baking! We can have our Christmas cookies, AND look good for Santa ;) For the 12 Days of Christmas Cookies, I will make healthy cookies, during each of the 12 days of Christmas!On the 12th day of Christmas cookies, your true love made for you, Candy Cane Kisses Sugar Cookies.
Have you tried these candy cane kisses? They're so good. Especially on top of a sugar cookie :)

These cookies remind me of good old St. Nick. I think they would be perfect to make with children on Christmas eve, to leave out for Santa Clause!114 Calories. I used this sugar cookie recipe. After the cookies were done baking, I let them cool for a couple minutes, and then stuck a candy cane kiss on top. Very simple, and very adorable.

On the 12th day of Christmas cookies, your true love made for you, Candy Cane Sugar Cookies, White Chocolate Cranberry Cookies Chewy Coconut Macaroons One Nutty Date Double Peanut Butter Chocolate Chewies Almond Cherry Bites Pecan Pie Bars Raspberry-Chocolate Thumbprint Cookies Gingerbread Cookies Cocoa-Nutmeg Snickerdoodles Almond Meringue Kisses and Swirled Mint Cookies.
My favorite cookies, of the 12, were the gingerbread cookies, Pecan pie bars, and the double peanut butter chocolate cookies.
Did you have a favorite?

I've had so much fun, doing the 12 Days of Christmas Cookies. I learned that baking makes me happy. If ever I was having a stressful day, baking would just melt it away. As soon as I got in the kitchen, I'd have a big smile on my face, while I sang along to Christmas music.

Thank you to everyone who read along with me, who commented, and who tried a recipe or two. I hope you had as much as I did!

XOXO

Jumat, 17 Desember 2010

12 Days of Christmas Cookies- Day 11: White Chocolate Cranberry Cookies

This holiday season, we can give ourselves the gift of being healthy, and reaching our weight loss goals, while still enjoying our holiday baking! We can have our Christmas cookies, AND look good for Santa ;) For the 12 Days of Christmas Cookies, I will make healthy cookies, during each of the 12 days of Christmas!

On the 11th day of Christmas cookies, your true love made for you, White Chocolate Cranberry Cookies
Perfectly delicious. These cookies remind me of a snowy day, sitting in front of the fire, drinking a cup of hot cocoa, and eating one of these yummy cookies. I'm not sure why really. They just do.113 calories. Get the recipe HERE.

On the 11th day of Christmas cookies, your true love made for you, White Chocolate Cranberry Cookies, Chewy Coconut Macaroons, One Nutty Date, Double Peanut Butter Chocolate Chewies, Almond Cherry Bites, Pecan Pie Bars, Raspberry-Chocolate Thumbprint Cookies, Gingerbread Cookies, Cocoa-Nutmeg Cookies, Almond Meringue Kisses, and Swirled Mint Cookies.

I finally got all my Christmas cards out today!
Have you gotten your Christmas cards out yet?

Kamis, 16 Desember 2010

12 Days of Christmas Cookies- Day 10: Chewy Coconut Macaroons

This holiday season, we can give ourselves the gift of being healthy, and reaching our weight loss goals, while still enjoying our holiday baking! We can have our Christmas cookies, AND look good for Santa ;) For the 12 Days of Christmas Cookies, I will make healthy cookies, during each of the 12 days of Christmas!

On the 10th day of Christmas cookies, your true love made for you, Chewy Coconut Macaroons.
(it said to do a teaspoon full, but I accidentally did a tablespoon full, so mine were jumbo size!)

I've always wanted to make macaroons, but I thought it was yet another one of those things that was out of my league. I'm laughing hysterically at myself now, because these are so
quick and easy to make!
And very Deliciously Healthy. Only 83 calories!
Get the recipe HERE.

On the 10th day of Christmas cookies, your true love made for you, Chewy Coconut Macaroons, One Nutty Date, Double Peanut Butter Chocolate Chewies, Almond Cherry Bites, Pecan Pie Bars, Raspberry-Chocolate Thumbprint Cookies, Gingerbread Cookies, Cocoa-Nutmeg Cookies, Almond Meringue Kisses, and Swirled Mint Cookies.

Today I weighed 164, for a 2 pound loss this week! Yup, I lost 2 pounds, even while making 12 days of Christmas cookies. I've done it by sticking to my 1200 calories a day, only allowing myself 2 cookies a day, and making sure I don't eat past 7:30pm. We can still enjoy yummy holiday treats this season, by eating deliciously healthy, and practicing moderation.
Knowing that, is one of my most prized gifts this holiday season.

Rabu, 15 Desember 2010

12 Days of Christmas Cookies- Day 9: One Nutty Date

This holiday season, we can give ourselves the gift of being healthy, and reaching our weight loss goals, while still enjoying our holiday baking! We can have our Christmas cookies, AND look good for Santa ;) For the 12 Days of Christmas Cookies, I will make healthy cookies, during each of the 12 days of Christmas!

On the 9th day of Christmas cookies, your true love made for you, One Nutty Date.I've never had dates before, so I thought I'd give them a go.

Not bad. Not bad at all. Although the date taste wasn't very strong in these cookies, so even if you don't like dates, you may still like these.

114 calories. Get the recipe HERE.

On the 9th day of Christmas cookies, your true love made for you, One Nutty Date, Double Peanut Butter Chocolate Chewies, Almond Cherry Bites, Pecan Pie Bars, Raspberry-Chocolate Thumbprint Cookies, Gingerbread Cookies, Cocoa-Nutmeg Cookies, Almond Meringue Kisses, and Swirled Mint Cookies.

I was finally able to get all my Christmas wrapping done today for my hubby, and family. That's one thing checked off my Christmas to do list.

Have you gotten all your Christmas wrapping done yet?
Do you enjoy wrapping?

Tomorrow is my weigh in day!

Selasa, 14 Desember 2010

12 Days of Christmas Cookies- Day 8: Double Peanut Butter Chocolate Chewies

This holiday season, we can give ourselves the gift of being healthy, and reaching our weight loss goals, while still enjoying our holiday baking! We can have our Christmas cookies, AND look good for Santa ;) For the 12 Days of Christmas Cookies, I will make healthy cookies, during each of the 12 days of Christmas!

On the 8th day of Christmas cookies, your true love made for you, Double Peanut Butter Chocolate Chewies.Just the name of these cookies makes your mouth water.

Whatever you do, don't do what I did, and eat a spoon full of this delicious batter.
You have to be stronger then that ;D

These cookies made me happy. They reminded me that being on a diet, doesn't have to be bland and boring. You can still lose weight, while enjoying decadent foods.
They reminded me how much I LOVE living my Deliciously Healthy lifestyle.The gooey chocolate, and peanut butter in these cookies made me all warm and fuzzy inside.
115 calories. Get the recipe HERE.

On the 8th day of Christmas cookies, your true love made for you, Double Peanut Butter Chocolate Chewies, Almond Cherry Bites, Pecan Pie Bars, Raspberry-Chocolate Thumbprint Cookies, Gingerbread Cookies, Cocoa-Nutmeg Cookies, Almond Meringue Kisses, and Swirled Mint Cookies.

Senin, 13 Desember 2010

12 Days of Christmas Cookies- Day 7: Almond Cherry Bites

This holiday season, we can give ourselves the gift of being healthy, and reaching our weight loss goals, while still enjoying our holiday baking! We can have our Christmas cookies, AND look good for Santa ;) For the 12 Days of Christmas Cookies, I will make healthy cookies, during each of the 12 days of Christmas!

On the 7th day of Christmas cookies, your true love made for you, Almond Cherry Bites.
Delectable. And quite cute.Only 101 calories. Get the recipe HERE.

These would be a perfect gift.
On the 7th day of Christmas cookies, your true love made for you, Almond Cherry bites, Pecan Pie Bars, Raspberry-Chocolate Thumbprint Cookies, Gingerbread Cookies, Cocoa-Nutmeg Snickerdoodles, Almond Meringue Kisses, and Swirled Mint Cookies.

What's your favorite holiday treat?

Minggu, 12 Desember 2010

12 Days of Christmas Cookies- Day 6: Pecan Pie Bars

This holiday season, we can give ourselves the gift of being healthy, and reaching our weight loss goals, while still enjoying our holiday baking! We can have our Christmas cookies, AND look good for Santa ;) For the 12 Days of Christmas Cookies, I will make healthy cookies, during each of the 12 days of Christmas!

On the 6th day of Christmas cookies, your true love made for you, Pecan Pie Bars.Can you believe I've never had pecan pie before? I thought I'd take a little baby step, by making these pecan pie bars. If pecan pie taste anything like these bars, I'm in-love, and I can't believe I'm 23 years old and I am just now enjoying this yummy goodness. It's tragic really.

Love.(Sorry for the cruddy cell phone pictures. My camera broke. I'm getting a new one tomorrow)

Plus, these were seriously one of the easiest things I've ever made. Seriously.
These would be the perfect thing to make if you're having company over, and you need to make a delicious dessert in a jiffy. You can get the recipe HERE. ;D

They get even more awesome from here. They're only 150 calories, whereas a
pecan pie is anywhere from
300 calories-800!!

Whoa. We just saved some serious calories.It's probably going to take me a while to get over how good these are.

On the 6th day of Christmas, your true love made for you, Pecan Pie Bars, Raspberry-Chocolate Thumbprint Cookies, Gingerbread Cookies, Cocoa-Nutmeg Snickerdoodles, Almond Meringue Kisses, and Swirled Mint Cookies.

Sabtu, 11 Desember 2010

12 Days of Christmas Cookies- Day 5: Raspberry-Chocolate Thumbprint Cookies

This holiday season, we can give ourselves the gift of being healthy, and reaching our weight loss goals, while still enjoying our holiday baking! We can have our Christmas cookies, AND look good for Santa ;) For the 12 Days of Christmas Cookies, I will make healthy cookies, during each of the 12 days of Christmas!

On the 5th day of Christmas cookies, your true love made for you, Raspberry-Chocolate Thumbprint Cookies.

Healthy goodness.Get the recipe HERE.

On the 5th day of Christmas cookies, your true love made for you, Raspberry-Chocolate Thumbprint Cookies, Gingerbread Cookies, Cocoa-Nutmeg Snickerdoodles, Almond Meringue Kisses, and Swirled Mint Cookies.

This was a busy Saturday. But I finally have all my Christmas shopping done for my hubby!
Have you gotten all of your Christmas shopping done?

Jumat, 10 Desember 2010

12 Days of Christmas Cookies- Day 4: Gingerbread Cookies

This holiday season, we can give ourselves the gift of being healthy, and reaching our weight loss goals, while still enjoying our holiday baking! We can have our Christmas cookies, AND look good for Santa ;) For the 12 Days of Christmas Cookies, I will make healthy cookies, during each of the 12 days of Christmas!

On the 4th day of Christmas cookies, your true love made for you, Gingerbread cookies.

Why have I never made gingerbread cookies?
These were easy, and SO much fun to make!(You see that? Only 15 days left until Christmas!)
Plus they were scrumptious. My husband LOVED them. He said he didn't even like gingerbread cookies, but that these were "divine"! But these aren't any old gingerbread cookies. They're Deliciously healthy gingerbread cookies. These little men (and women) are only 73 calories, where as
typical gingerbread cookies are 120
! Get the recipe HERE.

I had fun decorating them with the hubs.
I made one of him.
And he made one of me.
Aren't I pretty?
And here we are holding hands. Cause we love each other.

These would be perfect to make with family, friends, kids, or your loved one, as a fun (and healthy) holiday activity.

How do you eat your gingerbread man?
I bite off the legs first, then work my way up.
On the 4th day of Christmas cookies, your true love made for you, Gingerbread Cookies, Cocoa-Nutmeg Snickerdoodles, Almond meringue Kisses, and Swirled Mint Cookies.