[JE_Thurnau]

I'm trying to do the weight loss thing too. I've found an awesome receipe that has only 42 calories, 0 g fat, and 2 g fiber. It's really good and surprisingly filling and the best is, very, very easy to make. I like to make a big thing of it and refridgerate it and eat it for lunch or snacks. It also makes me feel healthy to eat it. Here ya go:

Garden Vegetable Soup

2/3 cup sliced carrots, 1/2 cup diced onion, 2 garlic cloves, minced, 3 cups fat-free broth (chicken, beef, or vegetable), 1 1/2 cups diced green cabbage, 1/2 cup green beans, 1 tablespoon tomato paste, 1/2 teaspoon dried basil, 1/4 teaspoon dried oregano, 1/4 teaspoon salt, 1/2 diced zucchini

1. In large saucepan sprayed with nonstick cooking spray, saute the carrot, onion, and garlic over low heat until softened, about 5 min.

2. Add broth, cabbage, beans, tomato paste, basil, oregano, and salt; bring to a boil. Lower heat and simmer, covered, about 15 minutes or until beans are tender.

3. Stir in zucchini and heat 3-4 minutes. Serve hot. Makes four 1-cup servings.

I find that it works with any combination of veggies. I didn't have zucchini, so I left it out, but added mushrooms. Hope it helps!

[Ro]

Now that looks yummy! And gives me an idea... Let's share ideas of good, healthy things to eat.

I personally need that information desperately.

Somehow, I don't think that having a draw full of chocolate bars counts as healthy!

[DreamsNJ]

Here's a healthy sweet treat I made last night:

PUMPKIN ANGEL FOOD CAKE
Servings: 16

1 cup Pumpkin
1 tsp. cinnamon

1 box Angel Food Cake

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Take out all but bottom rack.

Mix pumpkin and cinnamon in a large mixing bowl. Set to the side. Mix angel food cake according to box directions.

Fold in 1/4 of angel food cake mix into pumpkin mixture. Gently fold/stir in the remainder of the angel food cake mix.

Put into an UNGREASED tube pan. Run a knife through the batter to remove air bubbles. Bake for 38-44 minutes. Cake is done when it springs back when lightly touched.

Cool upside down on wire rack. Run a knife around the edges and remove from pan after cake is cool.

Super yummy! I can't remember the WW points, but I believe it is 2 our less per piece. I will post again later when I can look at my journal at home.

[DreamsNJ]

Oh, and I have tons of WW recipes that I've collected for quite a while and would be more than happy to share some!

[roxanna]

ohhh wow.. the pumpkin angel food sounds so good... I might have to make that

[LacyT]

Well, first time to be doing this. Finally got registrered with help from Ro, and Thank you!!

My day? Managed to get to the outdoor market, picked up a few odds and ends for lunch/dinner. Actually managed to make lunch with help from hubby, dinner was on my own to make. He usually only helps with one, and only once in a while. Watched tv, vegged out and thought of all of the things I should be doing. Did dishes. Worked on the computer. Nothing very active.

I am definitely overweight, running 90kg and want to be down around 140 lbs. I do lots of housework but found it doesn't help nearly as much as I had hoped!!

I am totally addicted also to pasta. Living in Paris France does not help with the fresh bread every day, the great cheeses and other baked goods. Food seems to be my downfall. For those sweet cravings, a bit of Nutella mixed with some peanut butter and honey, not very low calorie though LOL... but quenches the craving for peanut butter cups (not available here). I am hoping that working together on this we can actually help each other.

Good luck to all of us!
----------------------------
Current status of drinking water: 2-3 glasses a day, if it is a good day.
Short-range goal for drinking water: 4-6 glasses a day
Current status of exercising: Do lots of house cleaning, but hear that doesn’t help as much as I thought!
Short-range goal for exercising: Ummmm 10 minutes a day? Still working on the goal !!
Current status eating plan: Pasta, veggies, pasta, sauce, pasta and cheese, rice, meat.
Short-range goal for eating plan: 3 regular meals a day at regular intervals, no chocolate, candy, cookies or other goodies
Current status of relaxing activities (things just for me): Reading
Short-range goal for relaxing activities: Get back into my cross stitch and really start doing scrap booking!!

[JE_Thurnau]

I hear ya about the food addiction. I eat when I get bored because there's nothing else to do. If I'm bored I find myself standing in front of the fridge. Luckily, I'm a poor college student and a newlywed, so we don't have a lot of extras to snack on, but man, when my husband graduates in December, I'll have to stay away from the cheesecake aisle.

[varanda]

I can't give you accurate proportions because I cook by eye, but this is a great alternative to mashed potatoes. You do need a cuisinart, though, it helps create the texture:

Cut 1 head of cauliflower into florets, removing the core

Steam until cooked

Place cooked cauliflower in cuisinart with 2 T of butter and about 1/4 cup milk
(non-fat if you want) and pulverize until cauliflower looks like mashed potatoes.

Add salt and pepper to taste, add more butter or milk if desired.

Stir in fresh grated parmesan cheese.

Yum!

[hkrose]

These recipes sound delish! I'm going to have to try some very soon. I think I'll start with the soup.

[LacyT]

I am keeping the soup recipe and trying that. Would love to try the pumpkin angelfood but I can't get the angelfood cake mix nor cans of pumpkin here... so guess I will forgo that one.

I have actually put on 1 kg and thought I was loosing.... Oh well!