Day 5- Nutritional Analysis

Happy New Year!!! ♥

Day 5- December 31, 2010

This is the last day of the year 2010! I am really looking forward to 2011 and seeing what the new year will bring.

Here is what I ate today:

First are mini omelets. Instead of broccoli I used mushrooms, onions, and spinach. They were really good. Then I had shrimp and shrimp salad on cucumbers.

Day 4 Nutritional Analysis

Best and Worst Food Trends of 2010

Want to know the world's greatest weight-loss tip? It's KISS. No, not the creepy 1970s rock band that dons makeup and sells Dr. Pepper. It's an anagram: Keep It Simple, Stupid. Simple foods tend to have the fewest additional calories and the healthiest ingredients.

Problem is, the biggest trend in American restaurants this year has been to make their meals more complicated than Kim Kardashian's love life. Over and over, food marketers have demonstrated that they can't leave well enough alone. 

It's not all bad news, though. A lot has changed to our food supply and policies since we first published Eat This, Not That! in late 2007. Some of these changes have made eating healthy foods easier than ever, while others (mentioned above) continue to put industry interests in front of our collective need to slim down. Here we've rounded up the best and worst food trends of 2010.

Worst Food Trend #5: Chips as Condiment
How do you turn a vegetarian sandwich into a crunchy calorie-bomb? Fill it with tortilla chips. That’s the recipe Blimpie uses to create their Special Vegetarian sub. Or what they could also call the Doritos Sub, since the sandwich is built on a bed of the crumbled nacho-cheese-flavored chips. Unfortunately, consumers are likely to enjoy this creation—the chips add addictive crunch, salt, and flavor—which will only encourage more products like it. And that’s bad news since just one of these 12-inch subs delivers 1,180 calories (three meals' worth) and 3,540 milligrams of sodium (two days' worth). Blimpie isn’t the only restaurant to use chips as a condiment. The Cheesecake Factory is now serving a Double-Cheese Crunch Burger—which is aptly named after its “condiment” of crunchy potato crisps.

A Trend We Like: The War on Sodium-Soaked Foods
Not all condiment trends are moving in the wrong direction. In May 2010, Heinz lowered the amount of sodium in its ketchup by 15 percent. This move coincided with New York City’s shakedown on salt, in which the city’s health department is putting pressure on food manufacturers and restaurants to cut back on the sodium in their products. Protect yourself, though, by avoiding this shocking list of The Saltiest Foods in America. Your heart will thank you.

Worst Food Trend #4: Deep-Fried Pasta
A few years ago, restaurants started moving away from fried foods. But that trend seems to be reversing. Take the Lasagna Fritta appetizer now offered at Olive Garden. It’s parmesan-breaded lasagna that’s been deep-fried and served with Alfredo sauce. At 1,030 calories, it’s now the second-highest-calorie starter on Olive Garden’s menu (behind the 1,180-calorie Chicken Alfredo Pizza). Sure, deep-fried appetizers such as calamari and mozzarella sticks have been on restaurant menus for years. But all-new items like this lasagna—and the deep-fried mac and cheese at Cheesecake Factory—aren’t a sign of good things to come.

A Trend We Like: Restaurants Providing Healthier Choices
Until last year, Romano’s Macaroni Grill was a perennial frontrunner for our title of The Worst Restaurant in America. But this year, Mac Grill slimmed down its entrees, and added two new menu sections——Mediterranean Grill and Amore de la Grill—both of which offer sensible-sized meals, including the 294-calorie Jumbo Shrimp Spiedini. It’s an initiative that’s gaining steam: Applebee’s (a 550-calorie menu), Outback (order any entrée “light style” for less than 500 calories), and IHOP (the under-600-calorie Simple & Fit menu) have followed as well.

Worst Food Trend #3: The 1,000-Calorie (Plus!) Salad
Remember when salads were the one menu item you could always rely on to be healthy? Well, times have changed. At last count, we found 10 salads—from restaurant chains such as Applebee’s, On the Border, and California Pizza Kitchen—that contained more than 1,000 calories. In fact, ordering a salad at a sit-down restaurant can now be far worse than ordering a double hamburger from the drive-thru. Case in point: T.G.I. Friday’s Santa Fe Chopped Salad, which delivers 1,800 calories. Now that’s what we call a whopper. To make sure you’re not fooled, check out this year’s definitive list of 20 Salads Worse than a Whopper. How bad will they get in 2011? Let's see.

A Trend We Like: The Menu Transparency Movement
This year, Applebee’s, Outback Steakhouse, and IHOP finally made the calorie counts of their menu items public, thanks in part to incessant prodding from Eat This, Not That! (Which might explain their healthier menus, too.) It should get even better from here: Starting next year, any restaurant chain with 20 or more outlets must print calorie information alongside items on menus, menu boards, and drive-thru signs.

Worst Food Trend #2: Ice Cream for Breakfast
Earlier this year, Friendly’s started topping pancakes and French toast with ice cream—a menu move that’s anything but friendly to your waistline. The restaurant chain’s most abominable creation: Caramel Swirl French Toast. It’s a large cinnamon roll—prepared French-toast style—that’s served with cream cheese, warm-caramel topping, whipped topping, and, of course, maple syrup ice cream. All told, this disastrous dish packs 2,090 calories and 214 grams of sugar. That’s all the calories you need in an entire day, and more sugar than you’ll find in a two-liter bottle of soda!

A Trend We Like: The Can’t-Miss Breakfast Menu
In April 2010, Subway pushed its low-cal breakfast lineup nationwide. Here’s why that’s exciting: The “worst” item on the menu is a still-reasonable 560 calories. And if you order one of the Muffin Melts, you’ll top out at 220 calories. Hopefully, more restaurants will start to mimic this strategy. Until then, make sure you don’t order one of these 12 terrible fast-food breakfasts—which also explains what to eat instead.

Worst Food Trend #1: Outrageous New Food Creations
Ever have trouble choosing between a pizza and a burger? Well, the execs at Burger King have solved your dilemma: the New York Pizza Burger. It's a 9½-inch pizza, topped with a burger, bacon, and bun. And at an astonishingly awful 2,530 calories, it’s one of the worst dishes in America. While the Pizza Burger is only available in New York for now, the concept of combining popular foods is an ever-growing (and calorically calamitous) trend. For example: Dunkin’ Donuts recently introduced Pancake Bites (sausages wrapped in maple-favorite pancakes), and Denny’s is selling a Fried Cheese Melt—a classic grilled cheese sandwich that has extra cheese, in the form of fried Mozzarella sticks. Our advice: Just eat one food at a time.

A Trend We Like: People Are Cooking MoreThe recession is bad for our pocketbooks, but it could be good for our health. That’s because 60 percent of Americans are cooking more of their meals at home, according to a new Mintel survey. Think of it this way: As your number of home-cooked meals increases, your fast-food visits decrease. And USDA scientists found that people eat 500 more calories on days they consume fast foods compared with the days they don’t. What’s more, University of Minnesota researchers determined that consuming more ready-prepared meals and more meals away from home may have a negative impact on overall health. Not sure where to start? Check out our newest Cook This, Not That! book, Cook This, Not That! 350-Calorie Meals. You'll save time, calories and cash—while still eating all of your favorite (and delicious) foods!

Thank GOD I have never had a craving for any of that stuff. This was a great eye opener though to all the bad food out there. I will just stay home and cook, thank you. Speaking of; I think it is time for some mini omelets! ^_^

Day 3 Nutrition Analysis

Not too shabby for skipping a meal. ^_^

Day 3- December 30, 2010

Ah the joys of being sick. I have not slept in three days but I am still trying to eat. I skipped lunch but we had Banana Nut Pancakes for breakfast and Chicken and White Bean Bell Peppers for dinner.

Here are my pics! ♥

Day 2 nutrition analysis

Today I did much better as in eating more, but I have to be careful how much sodium I am getting.

Day 2- December 28, 2010

I wanted to go into a little more of my daily routine.

For tracking:


As much as I love Weight Watchers so far, I felt like I needed another source to help me track calorie, fat, protein (etc.) intake. I am using an Ipod App called Calorie Counter. Not only do I put all of my food and activities in it, but it tells me specifically if I am not eating enough fiber or eating too much saturated fat. I really like it. I think combined with WW, I will have all the tools I need to succeed this time.


For my activities:


I am doing P90x with my husband. I am doing 4 out of the 6 days required. The other two days I am either walking (if it is not snowing) or using my elliptical. I love P90x and it really helps that my husband is doing it as well. He is also eating the same meals as I am, which helps A LOT. I hate it when I have to make him something else, and I am craving it while I eat my separate meal.


For my food:


I am eating so much more now! Before I would only eat once a day. (I know, I know, soooo not good for you!) I find that I am more hungry now and that I am able to eat smaller meals throughout the day. I also use a website called skinnytaste.com The lady that runs it has wonderful recipes and they have the WW points at the bottom of each entry. Right now I am eating Southwestern Black Bean Salad with baked scoops. It is REALLY good! The salad is only 3 points and the chips are another 3. I attached a picture of it! (Site is messing up, will be up soon) She has so many good recipes; I can't wait to try all of them.

I am making my Christmas gifts for family and friends this year. It wouldn't be so bad if I was making scarfs or homemade cards... I am making rum balls, chocolate covered cherries, and fudge. Oh the temptations! Here are all the ingredients lined up:

I have been really good; I have only tried one a piece (to taste test of course) and I put it in my PP Tracker. I bake and decorate cakes as a hobby since I have a lot of free time in Germany. If you want to see my work you can go here:

http://www.wix.com/crystal_792/crystalscreations

Most would think that making cakes would be disastrous when you are trying to make a lifestyle change, but I really have not had any problems. The cakes are for customers so I can't eat a piece of it and I don't lick the spoons!


So that is all for now. Until next time!


Crystal ♥

Day 1 Nutrition Analysis

I am not feeling too well today so I did not eat that much. Hopefully tomorrow I will do better. 

Operation Shrink Day 1- December 27, 2010

Hello All!


This is day one... of the rest of my life! Was that a little melodramatic? ^_^ But it is the truth. I am done with the yo yo dieting and never feeling as good about myself on the outside than I do on the inside.



**The picture attached is when I was in Basic Training. I am the one in the middle. That is the weight I am shooting for!**

My friend Michelle and I decided to do our own biggest loser competition. I am so excited about this; I do really well in situations where a group of people help each other out that have the same goals. We are starting our own youtube channel, blogging our story, and doing weekly weigh ins, and the 90 day P90x challenge. We also hope to start swimming soon!


Here is a little background info on moi:


I was born and raised in Texas. (Hook em' Horns!) I grew up on a ranch surrounded by horses, cows, chickens and endless pastures. My brother and I would go "exploring" and find all kinds of cool things to do. We had a river about a quarter of a mile from our house, a sand pit with huge dunes that we rolled down, and we played in the woods barefoot. It was an awesome childhood. My family ate the traditional "American" meals like meatloaf and mashed potatoes and stew and french toast and hot chocolate. We also had a dad that liked to enforce the empty plate rule. *shudders* I never really had problems with my weight when I was younger, course I was running everywhere I went so I guess I shouldn't have. But as I got older I wasn't running as much as I used to and all the food started to catch up with me. I being 16 of course had to stand up for my independence at the dinner table and refused to eat any more after I was full. My dad and I had some serious fights. He wanted me to finish my plate, and I thought it would be easier if they just put LESS food on my plate.. then I WOULD finish everything. *chuckles* Good times.




Fast forward 4 and a half years later. I wouldn't say I was obese. But I was overweight. All through high school I was in AFJROTC, and loved it. I decided after 3 years of being out of school to join the Air Force. I lost the required weight (which gave me stretch marks like I had a kid! I still don't understand it to this day.. I only lost about 15 lbs) and went off to basic training in April of 2004. I loved basic training. Does that sound odd? Let me rephrase. I loved the "warrior week" portion of it. That is when you go out in the woods and get to play in the mud. (Reminded me of my childhood, haha) My favorite part was the obstacle course. I did have problems with the run. I now know that I had (and still have) asthma. I never really offically passed the run, my MTI just passed me because he liked me (not that kind of like!). Thank God I was a likable person or I would not have passed basic training. Well the same thing happened in Tech School, and I was passed through again. I was at 128 lbs so my weight was not an issue. (I am 5"4 and a half) That is the lowest I had been in my life and I really want to get back down to 132-135 again. Well, everyone in the military just kept passing me through the system. I finally found out I had asthma in October of 2007 when I had an asthma attack while running with my squadron. I was medically discharged from the AF after serving my full four years. I really enjoyed the military; I even met my husband because of it. But ever since I left the military my weight has steadily gone back up. Actually while I was in.. it was still creeping up, but at a slower pace. I am now going to school online to be an elementary school teacher. My husband got orders to Ramstein, Germany and we will be here until Jan 2014. I love it here, but I miss my family and friends so much. I feel very isolated here and I think that may have contributed to my weight gain. I do not eat when I am upset, I usually will just eat once and that is just as bad as stuffing yourself.. well just as bad on your metabolism. So everything I ate was sticking to me because my body was in starvation mode. The hardest thing with this plan is to eat ENOUGH food.




I have been doing really well so far with this plan. We do not have meetings here but I am hoping I find some good friends through this community so we can help each other along the wa y.




Thanks for reading!


Crystal ♥


Day 1- 195 lbs