Mmm Mmm Good

I've talked about this in the past, but it's worth talking about again. Many times we think that if something is a wrap then it must be fat free or really good for you. This couldn't be further from the truth. It depends on so many factors as to whether or not the wrap is going to be good for you or not. Since I'm such a sweet girl I found a recipe for you to try out and I'll even let you know exactly how many calories and heck I'll even throw some other nutrition facts in there for you. What I want you to do is to try this wrap recipe and then come back and tell me what you think of it. OK? OK then here we go...

Chicken and Rice Wrap

Here's a healthy wrap recipe that's simple to make and tastes great served either hot or cold. Makes one dinner for two . . . or two lunches for one!

• 1 boneless, skinless chicken breast, cubed
• 1 clove garlic, minced
• 1/4 medium onion, chopped
• 1 cup romaine lettuce, torn into bite-size pieces
• 1/2 cup cooked brown rice
• 2 lowfat whole wheat flour tortillas (6 to 8 inches in diameter)
• 1-1/2 Tbsp. fat-free salad dressing
• Nonstick cooking spray
• Medium-sized frying pan

Spray medium-sized pan with nonstick cooking spray and place over medium heat. When hot but not smoking, add onions and garlic and sauté until slightly browned (You don't have to add things that you don't want. I for one would not be adding any onions to stuff. I hate onions and when I say I hate them I mean I HATE them). Add raw chicken and sauté until browned and cooked through, about 5 to 7 minutes, or until no pink remains in center of each piece. Remove pan from heat. Place tortillas on plates. Put half the lettuce on each tortilla, followed by half the chicken, half the dressing, and half the rice. To assemble wraps, roll tortilla around contents, securing each with a toothpick if necessary. Makes 2 servings.

Cooking Time: 20 to 25 minutes

Now time for those facts I promised you:

Calories: 345
Protein:  32 g
Fiber: 4 g
Carbs: 36 g
Fat Total: 4.5 g
Saturated Fat: <0.5 g

The beauty in recipes is that you can make them your own. I for one love sandwiches and wraps and other things like that which I refer to as girly food. So something like this would be perfect for me. Again I ask that you try this out and let me know what you think of it. I hope to hear from you guys soon to be filled in!

My Life's Biggest Project: Heavy

My Life's Biggest Project: Heavy: "So it is official. Whenever you lose weight you always lose it in the places that you don't want to first, especially if you are a girl. Cas..."

Heavy

So it is official. Whenever you lose weight you always lose it in the places that you don't want to first, especially if you are a girl. Case in point my boobs...lol. Now this shouldn't bother me except that one of my friends that I hadn't seen since October said to me, "Oh wow Cassandra, have your boobs gotten smaller?" To which I responded, no and that I didn't think so. To which she responded, "No I'm pretty sure they are smaller." Then she turned to her boyfriend who is also one of my really good friends and asked him if they were smaller. He made a wise decision and said that he didn't know. Funny how that works out huh. You try to lose weight and it goes there first. Crazy! My sib however told me that there was one way to ensure that my boobs wouldn't get smaller (she's an advocate for implants...lol).

Anyway, today's blog post is not going to be about my boobs, instead I am going to tell you about a new docudrama that premiers on A&E January 17. The series is called Heavy and will follow 22 differnent obese individuals who are suffering from severe health consequences due to their obesity. Each episode will be an hour long and will talk about two different individuals per episode. The documentary style footage will follow the individuals during their change for a six month period.

The thing that will make this particular series different from those before it is that it is not a competition show. It depicts the day-to-day struggles of the individual during a lengthy treatment program. A&E wanted this to be like nothing before so they sought out to different production companies to be a part of the filiming process. This resulted in something never seen before, a look at those who are dangerously obese who have to learn to live healthier lifestyles or they will die. The series also takes a look at the individuals understanding and root of their food addiction. Viewers get a first hand look into the lives of the person, seeing their daily struggles, pain, what their loved ones have to say, any kind of self doubt that they may have with overcoming their weight problem will be right there for all of us to see.

The first episode will be about two different 37 year olds from Houston, Texas. Tom and Jodi. Tom's story talks about how he was a big deal football player back in his hayday, but due to depression his body jumped up to 638 lbs. Tom suffers from a myriad of issues including sleep apnea, edema and the inability to sleep more than two hours. We will witness his struggle to get his life back before it is too late.The next story that we will see (on the same episode) will be that of Jodi, a recent stroke survivor who weighs in at 363 lbs. We will witness the critical juncture with her health. Jodi's weight is preventing her from getting to do her favorite thing and that is to sing, especially with her brothers in a band. She also is now having problems keeping up with her husband and two children.

Like most shows of this style on A&E (shows like Hoarders, Intervention and Obsessed), I assume that it will be just as intense as those (Intervention really gets to me every time I watch it). I was thinking that this show could be a wake up call for me and anyone else out there wanting to tackle the weight battle. You know see how bad it could get and exactly where we don't want to end up. I also thought that it may be inspirational for me or anyone else to see these personal stories and how the individuals have overcome their struggle.

To me real life achievement is where it's at. To see someone who was able to reach their goals amazes me. I don't know about you, but I would much rather watch and be inspired by someone who has been in my shoes than by someone who has been fit their whole life and never struggled with weight yelling at me and telling me how easy it is to be fit. They don't know, they've never had a problem due to their awesome genetics and super cracked out metabolisms. I'm not jealous (well hell maybe I am), I am just much more inspired by those who have overcome. What do you think? Is Heavy maybe something that you would consider watching? It starts next Monday on A&E at 10/9c if you are interested. I'll watch it and tell you what I think. You should do the same (and by that I mean tell me what you think of it).

My Life's Biggest Project: Half Their Size

My Life's Biggest Project: Half Their Size: "So yesterday when I was getting ready to leave Norman I stopped at the 7 Eleven by my place and while I was checking out I saw a People maga..."

Half Their Size

So yesterday when I was getting ready to leave Norman I stopped at the 7 Eleven by my place and while I was checking out I saw a People magazine under the register. They were very smart for placing it there because I ended up purchasing it, but I purchased this special double issue because it had something on the cover about people being half of their size. I thought, wow that's a pretty amazing accomplishment so I wanted to read more about it and last night I did so I am totally going to share that with you today :)

The first story was of Christina Cores a 22 year old woman who originally weighted 240 lbs and now weights an astonishing 118 lbs, making for a total of 122 lbs lost. She said she overate because her father had passed away when she was in the eighth grade and that her mother moved her to a different school where she didn't know anwone. Food was really truly her only comfort. Her turining point was when it came time for homecoming she couldn't find a dress that would fit her. So she decided that it was certainly time for a change. She said that she started taking turkey sandwhiches to lunch and skipping on the cookies and ice cream when she got home. She said she worked out at Curves and lost over 100 lbs. She also said that when it came down to her last 10 lbs she really needed some kind of a suppoet system so she turned to the online wight loss community sparkpeople.com. Cores claims that this was very inspirational to her. Her best tip for those wanting to make a big change is that on nights when craving a cookie, instead she would grab a bottle of water and go online to read success stories.

Next up is mother of two Denise Giesbers who lost a whopping 152 pounds. This 32 year old woman was originally 304 lbs and got down to 152. Pretty amazing stuff right?! Giesbers claims that her weight was always something that she had struggled with. She was over 220 lbs with her first pregnancy and got up to 280 lbs with her second. She said her vice was salty, fried food and that she constantly had a craving for french fries and chips. Her turning point came in August of 2008 when her husband told her how conscerned he was about her health. He said, "I'm afraid you're going to die on me." That apparently was the wake-up call that she needed because according to this article the next day she got on Medifast. By learning how to preplan meals and transitioning from regular soda to diet she was able to have a miraculous transformation. Giesbers best tip is to stash protein bars in a purse or in your car that way you have something to fill up on if you are out unexpectadly. Being prepared is what it's all about.

Josephine Reed a 34 year old nurse went from 270 lbs to now a fantastic 114 lbs (this is good becaus she is a shorty coming in at only 5'1"). Reed says her weight gain began in college (most of us have heard of the freshmen 15). She said it was all the late night munchies and pizza she consumed. The big moment that Reed had that made her realize that she needed to change things up is when she went to the doctor. She had been feeling miserable at her highest weight and the doctor told her he was going to have to put her on high blood pressure medicine. Reed says that she went to Jenny Craig the next day and that the first week was the hardest, she said she sat in her car and would cry about how hungry she was. The weight loss changed her life. Before she was embarassed and would avoid people, now in her own words she seems to be a self proclaimed "social butterfly". Reed lost a total of 156 lbs and said that journaling is what seemed to work for her. By writing down what she ate and how she felt before and afterward was really benifical to her for meeting her goals.

Hawaii resident, husband and father of two Dallas Carter hit is highest weight at 365 lbs. This 28 year old lost a total of 188 lbs and now weighs 177 lbs. He claims to have gained weight by cheating with food. His wife would make him breakfast in the morning and he would eat it, but would not feel satisfied so on the way to work he would stop at a drive-thru and get a whole lot more (like up to 3 breakfast sandwhiches). After dinner he would tell his wife that he had a second job to work at but instead would go load up on white rice, macaroni salad and chicken. The big aha moment for Carter when was his daughter was born (his first child, who is now four). He said that he would hold her, but couldn't get her very close because his body was in the way. Carter started eating five small meals a day and working out with the P90X. His tip that he said helped him in terms of food was that when he would eat if he still felt hungry he would allow himself to have a plate of salad.

The biggest loser from this article was Sheri Cameron who lost 204 lbs. I wish you could see these before and after photographs. It is insane. Cameron went from weighing 349 lbs to now a very svelte 145 lbs. She said that for years she just ate what she wanted, whenever she wanted and how much she wanted. This caused the pounds to continue to pack on. Simple daily tasks like walking up stairs was hard and she claims to have even broken three plastic chairs. In 2007 she couldn't take it anymore so she joined Weight Watchers. Through portion control she lost 4 lbs in her first week and kept losing at a steady rate. Now she does all kinds of things she never did before and would reward herself while losing weight. After she dropped her first 50 lbs she bought a tennis racket so she could play the game. When she was under 200 lbs she bought a bike and once she got to half her size she took dance classes with her husband. Camerron says that there are days that even she doesn't recognize herself. Her tip is to find someone to work out with for accountability and encouragement.

All of these stories with photos included are in the most recent issue of People, that would be the January 10, 2011 issue that will remain on stands until January 17, 2011. You really should just look at the pictures if anything, they are very inspirational. What this really told me is that you have to A.) really want this to be successful and B.) find what works for you. Have you found what works for you? Go look at these before and after pictures and tell me what you think.

I need to get ready to meet a friend for lunch and have an oh so fun wedding show to go to tomorrow. More stories to come tomorrow!

My Life's Biggest Project: Confusion

My Life's Biggest Project: Confussion: "Sorry sorry sorry about today's late post. It's not because I was flaking out or waiting for Grey's Anatomy to go off (I didn't even get to ..."

Confusion

Sorry sorry sorry about today's late post. It's not because I was flaking out or waiting for Grey's Anatomy to go off (I didn't even get to watch tonights episode...yet). The reason for today's delay is due to the fact that I spent all day on the road. This morning my friend had a procedure done at the OU medical center (early this morning and let me tell you how much fun it is to go 20 mph in a 65 mph speed limit, NOT! I-35 traffic was complete hell this morning!). She had to go under anesthesia and was released at 11:30. I then had my second post op appointment down the road at 11:45 (talk about cutting it close). So fun doctor day in Oklahoma City for me!

On the plus side I was told that I was healing great and this may just be it :) I was oh so very excited to hear this news so really all the hanging out I did in the hospital today was totally worth it! While I was at the doctors office today I was weighed (which I was very scared of) and to my surprise I had not gained what I thought (as I have not been doing great about watching my caloric intake or being that active over this winter break). I only put on two pounds from the last time I had last weighed myself. Of course my goal was by no means to put on weight as I am trying to lose, but trying to take off two pounds is not as big as trying to take off the 12 that I have lost.

After everything was done in OKC today I had to go back to Norman. I let my friend go sleep off her drugs in my bed and I cooked lunch for my friend who rode down to the city with me. He and I ate lunch and I finally got him to watch Pretty Woman because everyone in the world should see it...it is a must ;)

My original plan for today's post was to watch The Doctor's and talk to you about the 17 Day Diet that they were going to talk about. I saw the preview for it yesterday and thought what a great topic to introduce in today's blog, but obviously I didn't get to see it. Now I am back in Tahlequah and I researched what I could about this new fad and came across a Web site that talks about the diet.

It says that the reason it is successful is because it causes metabolism confusion (this sounds to me a whole lot like what the P90X promises to do for you in terms of fitness with what they call muscle confusion). Apparently the new fitness fad is to confuse ourselves. Well heck I can do that easily all the time...lol.

This is what I found out about this 17 Day Diet:

Created by Dr. Mike Moreno, the diet program has four different phases which are as follows;

• Cycle 1: Accelerate. Encourages rapid weight loss, cleansing and fat burning. Discourages fat storage.
• Cycle 2: Activate. Resets the metabolism.
• Cycle 3: Achieve. Develop good eating habits, re-teach yourself how to eat carbs.
• Cycle 4: Arrive. A combination of the first three Cycles. On weekends, enjoy your favorite foods.

There is also a 17 minute workout routine. Apparently good ol' Dr. Phil has jumped on the bandwagon and is trying out this new fad too! The Web site says (directly quoted):

"Dr. Moreno's The 17 Day Diet is a cycled eating plan that alters the amounts of carbohydrates, proteins and fats you eat every few days. Divided across four phases, each is designed to accomplish a different objective: burning fat, resetting the metabolism and teaching you proper portion control and hunger signs.

This clean eating plan avoids sugar, processed foods, fried foods and other heavy dishes, but it does teach your body to crave and nourish itself through healthy eats like turkey and asparagus spears and other cleansing vegetables".

"Dr. Moreno also shares tips to avoid holiday weight gain: He encourages you to pre-diet, which means to eat a healthy dinner before you attend holiday parties or other festive occasions that are food-focused. And when you're at the party, choose only two to three of the healthiest appetizers. You're also encouraged to stay away from the buffet table and say no to festive desserts and candy.

Some of the meal plans look like this":

Cycle 1:

• scrambled egg whites with grapefruit and green tea
• large green salad with tuna and balsamic vinegar and olive oil, with green tea
• grilled chicken with steamed or raw vegetables, with green tea

Cycle 2:

• Dr. Mike's Power Cookie, fresh peach, and green tea
• chicken salad, brown rice, sugar-free fruit-flavored yogurt
• grilled salmon with steamed vegetables

Cycle 3:

• whole wheat toast, hard-boiled egg, grapefruit, green tea
• grilled chicken caesar salad, whole wheat toast, fresh fruit, green tea
• roasted pork tenderloin, mixed salad, green tea

Cycle 4:

• scrambled eggs, grapefruit, green tea
• grilled salmon on lettuce bed, green tea
• ribeye steak, caesar salad, baked sweet potato, two glasses red wine

There is also a list of pros and cons, listed as follows:

Pros:

• Cycling what you eat, how much you eat and when you eat has shown promise in helping to accelerate weight loss
• Features a very clear and organized eating plan
• Promotes eating clean and healthy foods

Cons:

• Difficult book to access or purchase
• Cannot be purchased in stores, only from the book's site
• May just result in short-lived weight loss success
• Cycled eating has the potential to result in irregular eating patterns

Did any of you watch The Doctor's today? Have any of you heard of this diet or even tried it? Yesterday is the first time I've heard anything about it. This certainly is something that I would consider doing, if it were effective. What are your thoughts? If you are reading this blog please please please tell me what you are thinking. It has been several days and I've received no comments. Are you still out there? Let me know and I'll keep writing and working. Talk to you tomorrow. In the meantime keep thinking on the bright side :)

Read more: 17 Day Diet | Dr. Mike Moreno's Diet | As Seen on Dr. Phil and The Doctors http://www.dietsinreview.com/diets/the-17-day-diet/#ixzz1AJc9sgom