Tag Archives: cleaneating

HEALTHY VEGETABLE SOUP

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I just entered week two of my newest journey since I started this blog two years ago. I joined Weight Watchers Online last Tuesday to lose the eleven pounds I gained when I was away the fourth of July weekend, and to break my plateau. How did I gain that much weight in three days? Welcome to my struggle. If you do not know I lose weight slowly, and that may be do to an adrenal tumor and too much Cortisol. I work very hard, but for me slipping up causes havoc on my body. That is why I rarely do it. I lost over 50 lbs on my own and now I feel I need the help of Weight Watchers to help me keep track of my food and help to get the scale moving again. That with my running, yoga, and Melissa Bender Fitness workouts and guidance I should be able to take this to another level. I slip up a little, and the scale moves forward a lot. I have no room for error it seems. I sometimes feel like I have the worst metabolism ever, but I challenge it and come out fighting. I never give up and this will not happen again. Weight Watchers will help me to not make that mistake again, it is not extreme and easy to stay on track. I am afraid I was getting to obsessive with food and I ended up on a holiday weekend splurge as the result of eating too little.vegsoup

Today I am happy to report I lost five of those eleven pounds with six more pounds to get to what I call my fighting weight. I am now 171 lbs.  After I get back to 165, I plan on picking a charity and losing the next ten pounds and getting to 155. I will never have a three day cheat day again, it really did me in. Moving forward,  I am excited and motivated and enjoying my Weight Watchers Online experience. The WW app makes it a game changer for me with my new smart phone. I got  this. My final goal is around 135 lbs.

This was my dinner last night, and it was Fabulous.

This recipe is a combination of all the soups I make, and Weight Watchers zero points vegetable soup. I have formatted it how I like all of my soups. I took my recipes and their Weight Watchers Vegetable soup and came up with this. You can be really creative and use any fresh or frozen vegetables you have on hand. You can even add legumes if you want it to be a bit heartier. This is your soup, make it as you please and it will please everyone who eats it. It really was a fantastic Meatless Monday dinner. My version has 1 point because I choose to use oil in my soups, if you beans 1 cup would be 3 points.

1 oz of Parmesan cheese would add 3 points, as would one oz or Soy Faux Parmesan cheese.

Manga’

HEALTHY VEGETABLE SOUP

  •   4 cloves garlic, minced   
  •   2 medium uncooked carrots, diced   
  •   2 cups green beans, fresh 
  •   2 cup(s) (shredded) uncooked savoy cabbage, or other variety, shredded   
  •   1 cup diced zucchini
  •   1 medium uncooked onions, diced  
  •   half cup uncooked celery, diced   
  •   2 tsp fresh basil, chopped   
  •   2 cartons reduced sodium vegetable broth   
  •   1 large can diced tomatoes
  •    1 can tomato paste
  •   2 Tbsp fresh parsley, or chives, fresh, chopped
  •   1/2 tsp table salt, or to taste    1/4 tsp black pepper, or to taste  
  •   1 can legumes of your choice, low sodium. (optional)

 

  • Instructions

Saute’ onions, carrots and celery in 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil until clear, about 5 minutes. Add garlic and saute’ 2 more minutes. Add tomato paste and stir. Add 2 cartons vegetable broth and 1 can of tomatoes, and all vegetables and seasonings, and simmer for 30 minutes.

This is super easy, and if you like you can add a can of beans, low sodium of course. I used great northern beans and added it after 20 minutes. A little sprinkle of Parmesan cheese really makes this feel like a decadent Italian soup.

Manga’

Rose

 

BLUEBERRIES AND KALE, OH MY.

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I started weight watchers again, online. It will help me keep on track and lose my next 40 lbs. I sometimes do not eat enough and this should help me to eat more consistently and break my huge plateau. Losing fifty pounds was easy, now it is time to take this to another level. With my online ww tracking, my running, and my Melissa Bender Fitness workouts this should be what I need to move the scale. I will be talking about my charities and fitness bucket list once I feel back on track, I gained a few pounds on my weekend in Monterey and my plan is to lose that and start there.  Moving to the San Francisco area and my transition has not made my goals as easy as they were in Los Angeles, but I am ready to change that starting today. My first poetry book will be out in a few months and as I awaken with the sun I am reminded that life is beautiful, and I am always ready and willing to evolve and become a better version of myself.  Listening to Sirius XM Metropolitan Opera I am inspired for what is to come. It ain’t over till the former fat lady sings. 

“Recreate your life, always, always.
Remove the stones, plant rose bushes and make sweets.”
Begin again.”
― Cora Coralina

KALE AND BLUEBERRIES, OH MY

The two foods I love to put on everything are Kale and Blueberries and they have zero points on weight watchers.

I eat Kale and Blueberries, a lot. I ask for them in my smoothies, and top all of my salads and sandwiches with them, This is why:

1. They are just tasty and delicious. The combo of bitter crunchy greens with sweet succulent blueberries adds a an interesting mix to my sandwiches, salads and smoothies.

2. They are quick and easy. I am all about how fast I can eat something healthy, because I am on the run and live for convenience. Kale can be found pre-washed and bagged and blueberries are easy, no pealing of a messy fruit.
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3. I get instant all natural fiber.One cup of Kale has 1.3 grams of fiber and blueberries have 2.4  grams of fiber. Bam, I am getting my fiber in without trying. Making a sandwich with Ezekiel Sprouted Bread just ups the fiber content. Add a little protein and you have a clean eating, nutritious quick meal. I am all about convenience and food on the go. So I can go; go work out, go running.
4. Superfoods are super. Blueberries are little blue anti-aging wonders, loaded with antioxidants, and they reduce inflammation. They are delicious too. Kale is loaded with potassium, B6, Vitamin C. I love the crunch it adds to an unlikely combo of kale and peanut butter on Sprouted Ezekiel Bread. A wonder sandwich without the wonder bread. Wonderful!!
5. They keep me looking young, well that is my story and I am sticking with it. No, really, Kale is loaded with iron which helps with hair loss, and Vitamin C helps with building collagen for skin and hair. Blueberries are an anti inflammatory food, and we all know by now inflammation is not our friend.
This is not a scientific study of course, just my personal observation about two of my favorite foods. I find when you are losing weight, it makes sense to find what you like and stock your fridge with it so you are prepared to move forward in your weight loss endeavors with success. What are your favorite foods? Just go for it, and keep being wonderful.
Love and Light
Rose

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