Tasty Tips & Talk on Healthy Diet, Fitness & Nutrition

Ingredients

1 cup water

1/2 cup seet ppotato puree or pumkin (canned)

1/4 teaspoon cinnamon or pumpkin pie spice (optional)

1 cup pancake mix ( I use whole wheat mix)

Nonstick cooking spray

1 tablespoon canola or vegetable oil

Pure maple syrup ( I used light Mrs. Butterworth)

BATTER

Nonstick cooking spray

1 cup firmly packed light or dark brown sugar

1/4 cup canola or veggie oil, or trans fat-free soft tub margarine

1 large egg

2 large egg whites

3 ounces semisweet or bittersweet chocolate, melted and cooled

1/2 cup beet puree (1 can of beets will make almost one full cup)

1/2 cup lowfat (1%) buttermilk

1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract 

1 teaspoon baking soda

1/4 teaspoon salt

CREAM CHEESE FROSTING

1 (8 ounce) pakage reduced fat cream cheese

3/4 cup confectioners' sugar

1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder

1 tablespoon pure vanilla extract 

Literally, because of my lifestyle change, it is the first day of the rest of my life.  I've read the books. I've logged onto websites. I've counted my points. I've excercised. I've counted my points again. I've breastfed children because THAT burns 500 calories a day.  I've excercised more and yet I've found myself at 229 pounds.  How could this be?  I'm the girl with everything.  I've got a wonderful husband, a great career, and two darling children.   I should be happy, but I'm not.  I look at myself in the mirror and I ask myself, "Who is the cute fat girl?"  I'm admitting today that I have an eating disorder.  How did I realize this? Let me tell you.

I look at my weight watchers books that I've read soo many times and I see, again, how many fruits and veggies I get.  I also got this new wonderful cookbook from my favorite sister in law which talks about different veggies, how to make them, and what the benefits are of eating these new pureed veggies. So here I am ... I'm going to eat plain spinach.   I know its good for me, but it doesnt taste that well.  I eat it anyway..... and I gag but I continue eating because its supposed to be good for me.  That my frineds is an eating disorder.  So today.. I admit it and I own it..... Its the only thing I own. LOL.

This will be beneficial in the long run... I know it will.   Own up to your problems. Once you let it out and admit it, it is a huge weight (literally) off your shoulders.   

Well this weight loss maven took an extended vacation from her efforts.  I've moved, I have a new stress-filled, long hours position in a new office in my company...I've been a busy chick.

One would think I'd take my own advice and hop back up on the point-counting horse after I fell off, but it was so much more comforting to stay down.  Cake, cookies, chips, fast food, restaurant food have all been my companions.  I'm in a new city where I only know the people I work with and I rediscovered a dark mistress--Chik-fil-a. 

I used to live in the north, where this temptress was nowhere to be found.  But here the Chik is everywhere, beckoning with her chicken sangwiches (su-fi Dane!), milkshakes and of course the breakfast minis which we have termed Nuggets of Joy.