A yummy and healthy dish...

I love discovering yummy new food choices; especially when they are both yummy and healthy.

My latest discovery is spaghetti squash.  I have always heard how good (and good for you) it is but was intimidated by its appearance.  This past week I decided it was time to broaden my horizons and  give it a shot.  By the time it was roasted and on my plate I felt like a very silly girl.  It is quiet simply one of the quickest and easiest dishes I have ever prepared.  This particular recipe comes to us complements of www.marthastewart.com.

Spaghetti Squash With Garlic

Prep Time 15 Minutes     
Total Time 1 hour, 15 minutes
Yields 4 servings

Ingredients

2 spaghetti squash (2 pounds each)
2 tablespoons olive oil
2 cloves garlic, slivered
Coarse salt and ground pepper

Directions
1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees. With a fork prick squash several places.  Place on a rimmed baking sheet, bake until soft to the touch, about 1 hour.

2. When cool enough to handle, halve squash crosswise. Scoop out seeds; discard.  Scrape flesh into strands.

3. In a large skillet, heat oil over low heat.  Add garlic; cook until fragrant and just starting to color, about 4 minutes.  Add squash; season with salt and pepper.  Cook, tossing frequently,  until squash is very hot, about 5 minutes.

Cook's Note - Holding squash half over a wide bowl, use a fork to scrape the flesh into long, thin strands.

Salute!

Slow and steady...

Well here we are at the end of week six and; yes, I'm still counting.

My relationship with weight loss brings to mind that old saying from the fable of the tortoise and the hare.  Slow and steady win the race.  I sure hope whoever came up with that knew what they were talking about because I am definitely moving at a slow pace.

With that said, I bid adieu to week six and the meager weight loss that has come with it.

I also welcome week seven with hope and anticipation of the progress it will bring.

6 weeks = minus 8.3 pounds

Just keep counting...

Happy Season Of The Pumpkin 2012...

As anyone who knows me knows, I love Fall.  I love the crisp air, I love the colors, I love the clothes and I LOVE Starbuck's Pumpkin Spice Latte.  Unfortunately Starbuck's Pumpkin Spice Latte is not what one might call a "friendly choice" when counting Weight Watchers points.

So once again we ask, "what's a girl to do"?  Enter The Hungry Girl.  This chick rocks!  She took that yummy Starbuck's Pumpkin Spice Latte (8 WWPlus Points for a 12 oz serving with 2% milk) and made it her own.  Introducing the HG's Hungry Spice Girl Pumpkin Latte (only 2 WWPlus Points for a 12 oz serving) and let me tell you - this is what a Pumpkin Spice Latte lovers dreams are made of!

HG's Hungry Spice Girl Pumpkin Latte

Ingredients:

1 tbsp. sugar-free French vanilla powdered creamer (like the kind by Coffee-mate)

1 no-calorie sweetener packet (like Splenda or Truvia)

2 tsp. instant coffee granules

1/4 tsp. pumpkin-pie spice, or more for topping

2 tbsp. canned pure pumpkin (Libby's is the best)

1/2 cup light vanilla soy milk

1/4 cup Fat Free Reddi-whip

Directions:

Place powdered creamer, sweetener, coffee granules, and pumpkin pie spice in a tall microwave-safe mug or glass.  Add 3/4 cup very hot water and stir until creamer and coffee granules have dissolved.

Add pumpkin and stir until blended.  Add soy milk and mix well.  Microwave for 30-45 seconds, until hot.  Give it a stir, and top with Reddi-Whip.  Sprinkle with additional pumpkin pie spice, if you like and enjoy!

***I did mine a little different.  I made a cup of coffee in my Keurig.  I then added the creamer, pumpkin-pie spice, Truvia, pumpkin and milk to the cup of coffee and mixed well.  After that I warmed it in the microwave until hot.  I left off the Reddi-whip and it was still yummy!

The Season Of The Pumpkin of officially under way!

Fall-tastic...

This past week we hosted dinner for some dear folks who have been a part of my life from day one, their son (I've been a part of his life since his day one) and his lovely wife.

For this special occasion I set my first Fall table scape of the year. If I do say so myself, it was fall-tastic!

Don't you just love Fall!

Just Keep Counting...

Okay, I get it.  I'm pushing 50.  Yes, I take enough daily medication to choke a horse.  And of course there's the interferon injections.  Let's not forget the interferon injections.  But 7.2 pounds in five weeks.  Come on!

I admit I haven't been religious about drinking the water.

Exercise?  Nope, haven't exercised.

I have however stayed under my allotted points allowance each day (with the exception of that dang Dove Days weekend!) and some weeks I haven't even used all my "weekly points".  Isn't the premise behind Weight Watchers that you can eat anything you want as long as you don't exceed your daily points allowance?  I may not make the best food choices but I do know how to count.

That being said, at the end of week two I was down 5 pounds.  I considered that a good start.  End of week 3 still 5 pounds.  Okay, not so great but I had lost some.

Then came Dove Days where I ate and drank whatever I pleased for three days and gained every ounce of that 5 pounds plus some.  Yes, what took three weeks to lose I managed to gain back in a three day period.  Three freaking days!

I got home and got right back on track.  Within the first four days over four pounds of the weight gain was gone.  Not bad considering.  Okay, I'm on my way, right?  Oh no girl, don't be getting all proud of yourself.  It's been another week and guess what?  Another whopping 15 ounces!

I am disturbed to say the least.

So now I ask myself, what's a girl to do?  Thankfully my self quickly answers.

"Numero Uno - Fill a 60 ounce pitcher of water every morning and drink every ounce before the end of the day."

"Numero Dos - Get to peddling."

A little voice from somewhere in the back of my head says, "but you hate peddling."

"So what?" says my self.  "Do it anyway."

"Numero Tres - Just keep counting."

Five weeks = minus 7.2 pounds

Faces...

Today I am sharing just a few of my favorite photos from the 28th Annual Duncan Dove Days.

The photographer is my dear friend Lee who is going after her dream of being a professional photographer. As you will see she has a bright future ahead of her.

I hope you will check out her website and if you live in her area consider her for your photography needs.

Now for a look at a few of my favorite faces...

For a complete slide show of Lee's photographs of our weekend go to www.leekohoutphotography.com