A day of food in pictures

First off, update on my new position as a Bariatric Coordinator. I kind of love it, and I kind of think I'm good at it.  After meeting with some patients and going to support group there seems to be an overwhelming need for people to know how to organize their day of eating.  I know some of you out there in blogland have had posts where you do this (and I've pointed a couple of patients to your blogs to show them -- not to my blog, because well that would cross a professional line :D). Anyhow, since this seems to be a theme I'm going to do another post -- and encourage you to do the same.  

A couple of my choices are 'do what I say, not what I do' kind of choices. But I'm including it to show I'm not perfect, no one out there has to be perfect -- just mindful.

 So, let's just say I start my day out not perfect.  I'm not a eat in the morning kinda gal.  I know I have to get some calories in to 'rev' up my metabolism.  I also know I'm not supposed to have caffeine (two reasons, - it's a stimulant and it can cause ulcers, especially in people who've had the sleeve procedure). So I have one cup of regular and one cup of decaf, with some low fat flavored creamer.  Another no-no - no drinking your calories.  A little TMI here, the last three days I've been adding Miralax to my coffee...let's say one of the side affects of eating this way is having a bit of constipation -- I'm glad to say the Miralax-latte is working for me.

This is where I do well. I plan all my meals in the morning and pack them away and take them with me.  I think I would have more success during the weekend if I do this then too -- maybe I'll try this weekend.  Yesterday I had to pack extra because we had a support group (are you guys going to support groups? They're so helpful) and I had to take that into consideration.  So at 8am I had ham, string cheese, and half an orange, at 11am I had a stuffed pepper, at 2pm I had some more ham, string cheese, and orange cherry tomatoes and at 5 pm I had strawberries and a protein bar.  Oh, I also pack my calcium citrate and D.

Got home at 730 and I was spent. The family was at the older son's baseball game and I was alone and getting to watch Grey's Anatomy without interruption -- so I did a couple of no-no's here, I ate in front of the TV and I didn't make great choices...I had a bag of 100 calorie popcorn (that I shared with the dog -- another no no -- no feeding the dog from the coach - but I love to watch her catch popcorn in her mouth -- I'm easily entertained). I also had a spoon full of peanut butter and when Jason got home he made himself a snack of really yummy cheese and crackers so I had some too.

Then I went to bed.

My total intake:
1224 K-cals
103 g of carbs (should probably be lower)
86 g of protein (on target)

AND
IT'S FRIDAY! WOOT.

So if you're looking for a blog post idea, I encourage you let us know how you plan your day! I think the information would be greatly appreciated.

Wednesday Weigh In and Stuffed Mexican Peppers Recipe

Starting Weight: 320
Last Recorded Weight 221
Today's Weight 219
Last week, lost 2 lbs
Total weight loss, 101lbs (yeah baby)

Now the fun stuff....I make these yummy stuffed peppers and get this, only 112 k-cals a serving. The kids absolutely love them (they eat two though). I used to make these with rice and tons of cheese, so I scaled it back a lot and added some 'hidden' veggies making them much healthier.

Stuffed Mexican Peppers

1 pound low fat ground turkey (93% fat free)
1 15-oz can of black beans - drained
1 15-oz can diced tomatoes - not drained
1 4-oz can of green chilis
1 sweet onion, coarsely chopped
1 zucchini, finely chopped
1 cup of finely chopped muschrooms
1 package of taco seasoning
1/4 c of water
1/2 2% cheddar or mexican blend
8 red peppers, cut in half length-wise and cored

Ooops, forgot to add the onion to my picture above.... 

 Brown onion and turkey together

 Once browned add tomatoes, chilis, 1/4 c of water & taco seasoning, bring to boil and then reduce heat to low and let simmer give minutes. Then add, chopped mushrooms, zucchini and beans. Slice peppers in half length-wise, core them and placed on Pam-sprayed baking sheet.

 Ooops, forgot to put the cheese in my picture ingredients...stuff peppers with turkey mixture and top with cheese.

 Place in preheated 350 oven and bake uncovered for 30 minutes....I kept trying but couldn't take the picture fast enough to see the oven read 30 minutes...so it's a second short of what it should be.

 There's enough meat to have two family meals, so we freeze half for another time

 Here's me -- the cook...you never see pictures of the cook and I love my apron.

I served the family two servings with some pineapple...I just had one, there were plenty of veggies so I didn't have a side. It was so filling! and did I mention only 112 calories.

Oh it makes 16 servings (or 8 for now, 8 for another time).

Nutrition Facts

Serving Size 1 serving (197.9 g)

Amount Per Serving

Calories 112 Calories from Fat 26

% Daily Value*

Total Fat 2.9g 4%

Saturated Fat 1.0g 5%

Cholesterol 19mg 6%

Sodium 220mg 9%

Total Carbohydrates 12.8g 4%

Dietary Fiber 4.5g 18%

Sugars 5.1g

Protein 9.2g

weigh-in, work, oatmeal recipe -- hodgepodge post

I think that post surgery weight loss honey moon is over....
I've really only lost three pounds this month.
I need to work harder to do it.
I know I will get there, I'm not really discouraged, just a little sad and frustrated, but realistic and still hopeful.

Here are my numbers
Starting Weight: 320
Last Recorded Weight 224
Today's Weight 221
Last four weeks, lost 3 lbs
Total weight loss, 99 lbs

So since my stomach virus a couple weeks back when I got to 101 pounds lost, I fluctuated between 220 and 224 (so frustrating). I am down to 221 and feel that's a more real number than my post-virus loss was. My 9 month appointment is coming up in two weeks and I so wanted to be under 200 by then. Short of losing 21 pounds in two weeks, I'm thinking this isn't going to happen. I'm hoping I'll be under 200 by my year appointment.

This new job is kicking my behind! There's so much to learn and so much to do...frankly, I feel a little over my head. But this is how I always feel with a new job.

So I made some really yummy-stick-to-your-ribs steel-cut oats the other day and thought I'd share the recipe. Excuse the pictures, it doesn't look as appetizing as it really tastes :D. It's not the best protein choice out there, but sometimes it's nice to have some cereal type breakfast and this one reduces my guilt a bit.

1 cup of steel cut oats
4 cups of water
1 cut up apple
1/2 cup of almonds (slivered or sliced)
2 tablespoons of almond butter
4 tablespoons of brown sugar
cinnamon to taste

Boil water, add almonds and oatmeal, reduce to low heat and cook 10 minutes. Add almond butter and apples and cook another 10 minutes. Before serving add sugar and cinnamon.  I remove my portion before adding the sugar and I add some 'purevia' - a natural sugar substitute. 

With the Sugar

Nutrition Facts

Serving Size 1 serving (124.0 g)

Amount Per Serving

Calories 337 Calories from Fat 130

% Daily Value*

Total Fat 14.4g 22%

Saturated Fat 1.0g 5%

Sodium 2mg 0%

Total Carbohydrates 44.7g 15%

Dietary Fiber 12.2g 49%

Sugars 10.4g

Protein 10.1g

Vitamin A 1% • Vitamin C 5% Calcium 10% • Iron 13%

With out the Sugar and 1/4 c of almonds instead of 1/2 c

Nutrition Facts

Serving Size 1 serving (120.6 g)

Amount Per Serving

Calories 261 Calories from Fat 89

% Daily Value*

Total Fat 9.9g 15%

Saturated Fat 1.1g 6%

Sodium 18mg 1%

Total Carbohydrates 39.5g 13%

Dietary Fiber 8.4g 34%

Sugars 6.6g

Protein 9.3g

Vitamin A 1% • Vitamin C 5% Calcium 8% • Iron 15%