100 calorie recipes! Yummy!!

I told Kari before I came down that I needed to eat a lot of fruits, veggies, and protein this week to help me get back on track. I've been gradually getting more out of control since Christmas. We did a lot of walking today---in Walmart, in the mall, at DSW, and at Kohl's. :)

I brought Kari a little cookbook called Just 100 Calories: Delicious and Simple 100 Calorie Recipes by Parragon Books (c) 2007.

We had taco salad last night for supper. This morning Kari made Wake-up Kabobs which were apples, canteloupe, strawberries, and bananas drizzled with cinnamon and honey and broiled for about 5 minutes. Then she put the fruit in a bowl and topped with a little granola and bit of yogurt. We loved the bananas like that! The apples and canteloupe were pretty good, too. We didn't care for the strawberries as much.

This evening Kari made filo wrapped asparagus spears and I helped her make fish & mango kabobs. Kari made kabobs with shrimp, mango, and tuna steak and marinated it with a pomegranite & mango chipotle sauce (got it at Walmart)---it was delicious! She roasted some cubed potatoes seasoned with dill and garlic. We had very filling, yet very low-calorie YUMMY meals today.

Damn scales!

Ok...I couldn't stand it any longer...I'm feeling noticeably less "round" today. My arms feel closer to my sides. There seems to be a lot of fat gone from just under the most prominent part of my chest. My abdomen feels smaller. My arms are smaller. My capris are looser and I felt excited all day about losing weight and making progress...I decided I just had to see how much more I'd lost....it felt like at least a few pounds, but not more than 5.....so I got on the scales just now and it says I've gained 1.5 lbs!!!! I think the scales lie...damn scales! ...and yes, I took my clothes off (except for undies)!

And I'd just finished making some of the guilt-free bean dip and the Mexican meatball soup. I'd just gotten everything out to make some Mediterranean tuna salad and checked to make sure I had everything to make the baked tilapia tomorrow.

And Kari had just sent me a new soup recipe to try that freezes well. Well, at least I can say I'm eating much healthier, feeling and sleeping much better, moving with much more energy, feeling much more alert (did I have fat in my brain, too??), and clearer looking skin....and can wear some of the clothes I was wearing 1-2 yrs. ago.

White Bean & Turkey Chipotle Chili

1 lb. ground turkey
1/2 lg. onion, chopped
1 garlic clover, chopped
16 oz. fat-free chicken broth
1/2 t. cumin
1/2 t. oregano
1/2 t. chili powder, chipotle variety (this is something I might leave out)
15 oz. can navy beans, drained and rinsed
1 1/2 T. fresh lime juice
1/4 c. fresh cilantro, coarsely chopped
salt and pepper to taste

Spray skillet with cooking spray or use 1 T. olive oil. Cook turkey, onion and garlic over medium-high heat, stirring occasionally, until turkey is browned, about 10 minutes; drain off any fat.

Add turkey mixture and remaining ingredients to a large pan and bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer for 20-30 minutes.

Note: Recipe can easily be doubled. Hmmm...I might add a can of diced tomatoes to this.



Mediterranean Tuna Salad (85 calories--makes 2 1/2 c.)

2 6 oz. pouches albacore tuna
2 T. low-fat mayo
juice of 1 lemon, about 2 T.
2 T. drained and finely chopped roasted red peppers
10 Kalamata olives, pitted and finely chopped (I think I'm going to substitute capers or black olives)
2 T. finely chopped onion
salt and pepper to taste

Empty tuna into small bowl and mash with a fork until very finely flaked. Add all other ingredients and stir to combine, adding a little water or chicken broth to further moisten if necessary.