What am I doing?

I don't know what I'm doing this week.  I have eaten crap all week, and I feel horrible.  There isn't much more to say than that.  I am not doing what I need to do and I'm not seeing results because of it.  I have to find that thing inside me that can let me be successful.  Where did it go?  Have you seen it?

Skinnygiving!

I am very excited to share this post.  Melissa, from They Call My Hypo, and I took on the challenge to make a Thanksgiving feast without all the fat and calories.  It was a total success, if I do say so myself.  We reduced the calories, but kept everything chock full of flavor.  I was completely satisfied by what was on the table and didn't feel like anything was missing.  Another thing to keep in mind is that everything on this table is low in fat and gluten free.

We each made two dishes.  I made a brown rice stuffing and a pumpkin pie.  Melissa made an amazing stuffed chicken dish and green bean 'casserole'.  You can see those recipes over at her blog.  And I mean look at this:

You know you want to

So here's the best part:  The recipes!

Brown Rice Stuffing

1 tube italian chicken sausage (no skin added)
1 cup uncooked brown rice
1/2 cup fat free chicken broth
1 1/2 cups chopped celery
1 large onion chopped
2 medium granny smith apples, cored and chopped
1 cup dried cranberries

1. Preheat oven to 375
2. Cook the brown rice in a separate pot
3. Brown the sausage until fully cooked, add to casserole dish
4. Use the leftover drippings from the sausage instead of adding extra oil and cook the celery and onion
5. Mix celery and onion in the baking dish with the sausage.  Add the brown rice, apples and dried cranberries to the dish.
6. Add the chicken broth to the dish to keep it moist, and put it in the oven for 15mins or until the apples are cooked.

Makes 12 servings.  Calories: 135, Carbs: 25.4, Fat: 1.5g, Protein: 5.8.


















Low Fat Pumpkin Pie

1 16oz can Libby's Pumpkin
1 can fat-free evaporated milk
3/4 cup sugar
1 Tbl cornstarch
1/2 Tbl cinnamon
1 tsp ground cloves
1 tsp nutmeg
1 tsp allspice
1 egg white

1. Preheat oven to 375
2. Mix pumpkin, milk, sugar, cornstarch and spices in a bowl.
3. Whip egg white until stiff and fold into the pumpkin mixture.
4. Pour into an oven safe dish and cook for 1 hour and 15 minutes or until you can put a toothpick into the center and pull it out clean.
5. Allow to cool.  Serve with a dollop of fat free whipped cream and reduced fat graham crackers.  Enjoy!

Makes 8 servings. Calories: 125, Carb: 29, Fat: .375, Protein: 3g.
Graham: 5 calories per 1/4 of a cookie.
Whipped Topping: 5 calories per 2tbl

I hope that you are all able to enjoy this meal as much as we did.  This gives you all the flavors of the holiday without all the calories.  You can eat a really full plate without all the guilt.  Happy Holidays from Three Stones/They Call My Hypo!

Cheers!

Fall is Upon Us

I love Fall.  Or really, I love the promise that winter is coming.  That first morning when you wake up and you see frost and you can taste the cold in the air.  There's something about it that's so refreshing after a long 'meh' summer.  Fall is when the rain comes again, and for a born and bred Washingtonian like myself, the smell of the first rain is something you look forward to every year.

The downside is that working out by walking isn't as fun as it was when it was warm and dry.  Now we have to hike up our big girl panties and march out into the miserable cold.  Rain smells great, and its nice to watch from inside, but not so much fun to be out in for extended periods of time.  Regardless, if I let rain get in my way I wouldn't exercise between October and May so I can't use that as an excuse.  I went walking last Wednesday with Melissa from They Call Me Hypo, like we do every week.  This was our first rain adventure.  She's not from Washington and has a few things to learn about proper layering.  I give you exhibit A:

Me

As you can see, I layered.  I am wearing a hat a sweatshirt and a waterproof jacket.  This is key for rainy weather.  I was actually too warm during parts, although I'll admit I should have worn gloves.  Here's exhibit B:

Not Me

As you can see her sweatshirt is not giving her the warmth and dryness that you need to rally when faced with inclement weather.  #1 rule for rainy weather, waterproof attire.  The sweatshirt will bog you down and give you a chill.

All in all, it was a good walk.  Energizing and proactive.  Don't let a little rain get in your way.  Just be prepared and wear proper clothes.  You'll be glad you did it when you get home, just make sure there is a hot toddy or something else equally warm waiting for you.  Next I'm going to share with you a great fall recipe for apple butter!  Nothing tastes more like fall than apples and cinnamon.  Also, this week is the Three Stones/They Call Me Hypo Skinnygiving!!!  We'll be making a holiday meal that's both filling and healthy.  Something that you can try with your family.  Coming Soon!