Menu Monday!

Once again we have busy week ahead of us!  I'm glad I sat down yesterday and planned out the month's menu.  How is your menu planning coming along this week?  

As far as breakfast goes, everyone will do their own thing since they are all old enough to make their own and usually want something different.  On the weekend my husband usually makes breakfast.  So, I will probably have two scrambled eggs with a sliced mushroom and bacon bits, with possibly three reduced fat Wheat Thins on the side and a bottle of water.

Everyone makes/takes their own lunches, I just supply the ingredients they need.  So my lunch will be 1/2 regular size bag of romaine lettuce, 1/2 can breast of chicken and two tablespoons of dressing, with three reduced fat Wheat Thins on the side and a bottle of water.  

Here is what I have lined up for my dinner menu this week...

Monday:  Almond Chicken Stir-Fry and rice.  The original recipe can be found here: Almond Vegetable Chicken Stir Fry.  I adjusted it by substituting tapioca flour for cornstarch, brown sugar blend Splenda for the brown sugar, and eliminating the almonds since my family doesn't care too much for nuts in their savory foods.  Without the rice, I counted it as 3 proteins, 1 vegetable, 1/2 starch, and 1/2 fat.

Tuesday:  This is an OYO meal (On Your Own) due to everyone having to be somewhere at different times.  I have supplied the family with Hot Pockets, frozen burritos, pizzas and corn dogs to pick from.  I'll be eating the remaining 1/2 can of chicken breast and a can of vegetables (zucchini in tomato sauce, green beans, asparagus, spinach or squash), with three reduced fat Wheat Thins on the side and another glass of water.

Wednesday:  This is an OYO meal as well.

Thursday:   Cajun Style Catfish, broccoli and rice.  I will count the catfish as 4 proteins and 1/2 fat.

Friday:  We will be eating out because tonight is high school football game night.

Saturday:  Italian Beef Kabobs, green beans, rice. I will count the kabobs as 4 proteins, 2 vegetables and 1 fat.

Sunday:  Garlic Chicken Kabobs, broccoli and rice.  I will count the kabobs as 3 proteins and 1/2 fat.

CHICKEN AND ASPARAGUS STIR FRY

1 Tbsp tapioca powder
3/4 cup chicken broth
2 Tbsp soy sauce
3/4 pound fresh asparagus, trimmed and cut into 2-inch pieces
1/2 medium green pepper, cut into julienned strips
1/4 cup sliced green onions
1 garlic clove, minced
1 Tbsp canola oil
1 cup sliced fresh mushrooms
2 cups cooked chicken breast, cubed
Hot cooked rice

In a small bowl, combine the tapioca powder, broth and soy sauce until smooth; set aside. In a large nonstick skillet or wok, stir-fry the asparagus, green pepper, onions and garlic in hot oil for 2-3 minutes.  Add the mushrooms; stir-fry for 1-2 minutes.  Add chicken; stir-fry for 1-2 minutes longer.  Stir broth mixture; add to the skillet.  Bring to a boil; cook and stir for 2 minutes or until thickened.  Serve over hot cooked rice.  

Yield:  4 servings.

Nutrition information, without rice (Mastercook v.14): 257 calories, 17g fat, 7g carbs, 3g fiber
Diabetic Exchanges:  2 protein (lean meat); 2 fats

Get Back in the Game!

I haven’t weighed in here for a while.  It’s not that I haven’t lost weight, just life has gotten in the way…. I got to keep the Biggest Loser Trophy last week and the Runner Up Trophy this week.  With losses of 2.6 and 2.0.  The exciting news is that I have lost 10 pounds and I will get my Slim Bar next month at TOPS Funday! 

Even with all the good news and success I’m having, I can feel I’m sabotaging myself.  I usually do this.  10 pounds is a lot of weight.  I can feel my clothes getting loose and my back hurts less and I have more energy, but at the same time, I feel like the number on the scale is the same. 

I don’t know about you, but there’s a spot when I get to a certain weight that I feel like is the “It’s all the same, FAT!” You know, like 135-160 is AHHH!  I’m gaining weight!  160-200 is “I’ve gotta lose this weight, now!”  200-250 is the same amount and 250-270 is unnoticeable weight gain.  It’s all fat! 280-295 is “my back is killing me, too fat to fit anywhere, be on anything, too much for someone to help lift off the ground”.

I know I should continue the eating plan I have been on because it is apparently working for me, yet I am eating other things with the rationalization of ‘I’ll just count the calories.’  Right.  Does anyone else ever feel this way?  Let me me know if you do and how you deal with these feelings in the comments below. 

I believe it’s probably the fact that we are coming up on Labor Day weekend and it’s my husband’s birthday celebration, but it’s time I got my head back in the game!!!  I don’t want to lose my momentum!