5 Weight Watcher Worthy Breakfasts

Everyone who comes to my blog on a regular basis knows I have been going to Weight Watchers for almost 11 months now, the gain (or technically loss) right at the moment is a little over 45 lbs. This month, Andrew, who doesn't need to lose a lot, but has acquired that "middle-age spread" has started going with me. 3 weeks in and he is down 7 lbs. So far, so good.

If you attend meetings, you know with the Weight Watchers 360 program, every month, you have a new habit to create. This month is eating breakfast. I had, ever since I started, taken my breakfast to work, and it was pretty much the same thing--a Yoplait light yogurt and a banana. On rare occasions, I would change out the fruit, but always the yogurt. I have UC and the yogurt helps my tummy troubles, even if I don't eat it every day for breakfast anymore, I still make sure I get at least one in a day.

Anyway, back to my original story......I decided with Andrew and I both needing to eat, I would get going a few minutes earlier each morning and fix breakfast. We sit down, together, at 6:30 every morning and it's great. When Robert was younger, I fixed him breakfast every morning, but when he hit high school, he would rather eat at school with his friends or run to Casey's or Hardee's. Not the healthiest in the world but he is very good about his eating habits as a whole, so I'm not worried. The added bonus of connecting with each other before we even walk out the door though is really nice.

Again, Anyway.....I went to my favorite spot to get ideas for breakfast--Pinterest, and didn't find many. So, I started planning our breakfasts a week at a time, I have three weeks worth but am sharing my 5 favorites. 

Here we go.

First off, if you are really crazy in the morning, you can do most of this the night before:

1 Thomas Whole Wheat Bagel Thin, 3 Points+, 1 TBSP Philadelphia 1/3 less fat Cream Cheese Spread, 1 Points+, 2 Hard Boiled eggs, 4 Points+ and kiwi, 0 points+. Yoplait Light yogurt, 2 Points+ Total = 10 Points+.


Next,

This is a Buena Vida Whole Wheat Tortilla for Low Carb Diets--2 Points+, 1/4 cup egg beaters-- 1 Points+, a Great Value precooked Turkey Sausage patty--2 Points+, a Yoplait Yogurt--2 Points+ and honeydew--0 Points+. Total Points+=7.

I make my egg beaters and sausage in the microwave. I heat the sausage for 30 seconds to thaw it, chop it in to little pieces, spray Pam in a microwave safe bowl, add the egg beaters, stir in the sausage bits and microwave it for 1-1/2 minutes. It makes it's own little circle and I chop it again, just for looks, but you wouldn't have too, it would be less messy, like to take in the car to leave it in its form. You can also add a tablespoon of salsa, for 0 Points+ and give it a little zing. ((and if you have never tried the Whole Wheat tortillas, they are truly better than regular for wraps, they are SO soft!).

This is an Eggo Nutrigrain Waffle 2 Points+, with two Great Value Turkey Sausage Patties, 4 Points+,  1/4 cup Sugar Free Syrup, 1 Points+ and 1 TBSP light margarine, 1 Points+. Yoplait yogurt, 2 Points+,  Apples and Blueberries, 0 Points+. Total Points+= 10 this was my husbands, I only fixed myself 1 sausage so mine was 8.

It is starting to look like all we eat is turkey sausage, that's not right. I just didn't get pictures of the rest. Here are a couple more great, quick ideas though.

Canadian Bacon Muffin

1 Healthy Life 100% Whole Wheat English Muffin = 2 Points+,
5 slices Canadian Bacon= 1 Points+
1 Kraft Deli Deluxe 2% Cheese slice (Tracker says 2 P+, but actual nutrition label makes it 1 Points+ value)
1 Yoplait Yogurt= 2 Points+
1 Peach = 0 Points+
Total Points+ = 6
(I make the bacon and cheese as a sandwich, also something you could eat on the run).

Mushroom and Swiss Omelet

Sautéed mushrooms ( spray of Pam, in a nonstick pan, but you could also use your oil for this and add the Points+ value) = 0 Points+. 1 slice of the packaged deli slices Swiss cheese (I used Great Value and the Points+ was 2). 1/2 cup egg beaters= 2 Points+ , made in a non-stick pan, then added the mushrooms and Swiss and folded over for an omelet, Total Points+ = 4.

I also served a cup of skim milk, 2 Points+ and 1 slice reduced calorie, whole wheat bread, 1 Points+ and 1/2 TBSP light margarine, 1 Points+. Total breakfast Points+ = 8.

As far as my shopping habits, 95% of my groceries comes from either Walmart or Aldi, once in a blue moon, I get to shop at a Kroger or Schnucks. Hopefully, the things I mentioned are available nationwide.

Happy Weight Watching!

Up, up, and away

I wrote all of this in the airport yesterday, only to have "Boingo" confiscate my Wi-Fi.  Not a happy camper but oh well, will try to remember what I said.

Today (well, yesterday now) is the day, I brought my one and only son to the airport to fly to Seattle. His first time flying, his longest time away from home by himself. He has been away from me for a week before but he was at scout camp and so his dad was with him.

I am really proud of him, not only for his independence, but for the fact that he is the kind of friend that someone thinks will take care of his most valuable possession for him. Of course, Adam is the closest thing to a brother Robert has. Adam has spent a lot of time at our house. It was literally his second home, to the point that one time when his cellphone was broke and he could do was leave a message, he left our phone number as the easiest way to reach him. I'm glad Robert has a friend like that too.

So, I was also in a much more sentimental mood yesterday morning, I told very eloquently how  great Adam and Robert both are. I pray for both of them this week, Robert as he leaves for home in the morning and Adam as he leaves for Afghanistan Wednesday, it is going to be a long 9 months. I am so glad they got to spend the day together today as well as last night.

So, we came down on Friday just so we didn't have to get up at the crack of dawn yesterday. I had NOTHING planned, so I asked Robert what he wanted to do, the Arch was the winner, we went to the Arch, went up in the Arch, and then saw the movie. I then asked what he wanted for dinner. A steampot from Joe's Crab Shack. So that was our plans.

We didn't realize how high the Mississippi was....

 

 

We caught a glimpse of the Met Life Blimp before heading up in the Arch.

Just going to give you fair warning, if you ever go to a museum with Robert, he reads every single card, plaque, anything. Of course, that's what helped him become a Wealth of Useless Information".

It was a little crowded at the top.

 

 

 I think the waitress was being a little flirty with him.


Then came Saturday morning....


Ready to go....yes, he accused me of taking pictures so I could have accurate pictures if he needed identified. Which I didn't--- however, I find it sad when people go missing and they haven't had a picture taken in months, or sometimes a year. There's never any danger of that at my house.

 Last glimpse of him as he goes through security.

 His plane.

And he is off. He texted me from Minneapolis and said, that was awesomely awesome!  I knew he would love flying. I had suggested we go someplace that required flying before and he wasn't enthused. So, I found it funny when Adam asked him to come out that he didn't even hesitate.



So, now it's Sunday evening. He called a little bit ago because he knew I would be heading to bed. He has had a wonderful time with Adam. They have all the legal stuff squared around so Robert can bring the car home and he will drop Adam off late tonight and say goodbye. He is planning on leaving before 6 in the morning because he wants to get out before Rush hour.

Life's an adventure, he's getting his first one on his own and I couldn't be happier.

Today I feel we have been truly successful in giving him roots and wings.

Summer Bucket List 2013

I am getting a little bit of a late start on my bucket list but still think I would be amiss not to have it at all.


Now, Bucket List 2013 edition
First off, there was something on last years that I didn't get done last year but I did this year, a couple of weeks ago, and had I been on the ball, I would have got it on it before it happened.
1) Sign up and walk a 5K--actually did this June 1, in less than 55 minutes--I was really reaching for an hour.
Now, all the house related stuff:

2) Siding the house
3) Roof the house
4) Get a new furnace and A/C
5) New gravel in the driveway
6) Gut Robert's room and paint--we need rid of the airplanes.

Then the "Me" stuff

7) Hit the 65 lb mark on my weight loss journey
8) Start over with the couch to 5K and do it faithfully (gonna start Monday the 17th)
9) Get a pedicure
10) get a manicure
11) Plan a month of workouts and stick to it (July)

The the family stuff

12) Get away for a day
13) Get away for the weekend--hopefully this can include Robert but we will see.
14) Help Robert on his house
15) Help Andrew with his next project (my mom's back porch)
16) Help Andrew with his next, next project ( a headboard for our bed--yep, still on the list)

Then, last, just the stuff I want, or NEED to get going on.

17) Redo the basement--it's a wreck!!  especially since we had a flood a few weeks ago.
18) set up my craft area--I haven't scrapbooked faithfully IN TWO YEARS!!
19) Finish the laundry room--for now anyway.
20) Make a new reading list--although that is the one thing I haven't fell short on :-)

And I think that's it. With everything else going on in our lives, it's plenty. Let's see how it goes!

What a week,,,,, and 1/2

Sorry, life has truly gotten in the way of my blogging. I love it though although I love sharing too.



Last week was downright crazy, but fun.


First off, we got to see our other son....

 and his girlfriend Tunesha..

 Playing Rock. paper, scissors to see who is going to pick up who.

 Guess who won????  or maybe lost?????

Good to see some things never change!

Then on to the rest of the week...

ERBA was picked as one of 5 agencies in the state to get a limited number of air conditioners from Ameren. They were delivered by our wonderful weatherization guys on Tuesday after Memorial Day. That day, Sheila and I loaded up Cumberland's and I ran them over to them. While I was gone, Sheila started loading my van with Richland's, Lawrence's and Crawford's. On Wednesday morning, I set out from home delivering the goods. When I arrived back at the office, we loaded up again, this time, Jasper's, Coles and Douglas.....this is where it gets fun. I mentioned in my last post that I  was summoned to Springfield on Thursday for a PIPP meeting and Andrew left on Wednesday for Springfield,to be there until Friday.  So, last time he came to Springfield, he stayed with me because I was there several days. This time, the tables were turned. So, Wednesday evening, I delivered Jasper's air conditioners, this gave me room to actually pack my bags :-) Thursday morning, I headed to Charleston to deliver Coles' then on to Springfield, I met my friend Kathy, from CEFS, who was also called to the meeting, we had a great lunch and then to our meeting. After the meeting I headed to the store where Andrew was training at, where I happened to find a steal!  I got a Longaberger hamper!  I was so excited and the store manager was excited to sell it!  When he got off work, we headed to Saputo's, this great Italian place uptown. I had been there before because of being at conferences, it is one of those places I just loved getting to share with Andrew. Friday morning, I loaded up and went to Tuscola to deliver their AC's, then back to the office to take a conference call and then back on the road to take Clark and Edgar their units.  Definitely a crazy week! 

After all my running around, I made up for it by spending most of the weekend at work getting ready for monitoring. Our grant manager was down Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday......it was a LONG few days. I love Leslie Ann to death but hate being picked apart, which is her job. Things went well though and Sheila and I were able to accommodate all her questions, which is all she really wants.

So, then she left at 12 on Thursday and I left for home to take in some peace and quiet to get my yearly plan for LIHEAP done, it is due Wednesday.....and it is done and awaiting my boss' approval.

Tomorrow, my big plans are to go get Robert a toilet and sink--a friend is selling hers I grabbed them for Robert's farm house. Then my other plans are to gut my kitchen cabinets and put things back the way they will be perfect now that I have the extra cupboard. We will take pictures but my micro stand needs taken apart and repainted one more time, I scuffed it up but it really needs sanded and the paint didn't stick as well as it needed to.

Next week, Robert takes his flight to Seattle, a whole new world......


Happy Friday everyone. Hope you love your life, and if you don't......CHANGE IT!!!


:-)