REVIEW: Fit Simple Bento Boxes

Purchase Here: Fit Simple Stackable Meal Prep Containers 

These Fit Simple Bento Boxes containers are really great for meal planning. My mom has been buying meals from a subscription service for her to cook quickly for lunch and dinner. They come in containers but lack lids. We’d thought it would be cool to reuse the containers and start doing our own meals but since they didn’t have lids we needed to find something else.

These containers are very sturdy. I was surprised at the quality of the plastic. They are heavyweight and don’t seem like they would break easily. They are both microwave and dishwasher safe. They’re BPA free which is great. They have 3 compartments so you can keep your foods separate if that is something that bothers you. I will attach some photos of how I’ve placed food in them!

I think these boxes are something that we will start to regularly use in our house for meal planning. My mom especially because she always needs something quick with her high paced job. I think I may need to make a second order to get a set to make meals for my brother and dad as well. They hate cooking!

We now ran these through the dishwasher several times and they are holding up nicely. My mom is taking her meals to work and loves having them. Glad they have held up so well to the dishwasher!
I received this product for free or at a discount for my honest opinion and review. All the opinions in this review are my own.

Review: Clawa Ultrasonic

 Link to View and Purchase

This CLAWA Ultrasonic Cleansing Face Massager is quite the experience! I have never thought to use such a thing on my face until a couple of months ago when something similar was sent out in a popular beauty box. I knew then that I really wanted one but the prices are a little out of my price range… especially since I am not the most consistent about remembering to wash my face as much as I should. Perhaps this tool will make the face washing more enjoyable and therefore make me remember to do it more often! So far I have used it every day that I have had it so it seems to be doing the trick! 

First off, the packaging is spectacular. The box is really nice and it has one of those fancy pull ribbons on the side. This packaging would make this Clawa very easily giftable if that was what you wanted to do with it. The presentation is fantastic and leaves a great first impression. I don’t know about everyone else but when the packaging for a product looks crappy I am not impressed and expect the product to be crappy too. So with this packaging I expected this to be a great product. 

The silicone is soft and the little nubs are easily bendable. The directions say to wet your face and your Clawa and apply cleanser then to massage it on the face using the clawa. OH MY GOD! It feels FANTASTIC! I cannot express to you enough just how awesome this feels on the face! I had a headache around my eyes tonight when I went to use it and the clawa made me feel a little better. I was surprised at just how much crap came off my face as well. I didn’t research it so much before purchasing so I didn’t know that it was going to exfoliate and deep cleanse with the vibrations and silicone fingers. There are a few different speeds that you can use it at… I liked it on a medium one. It seemed the most soothing to my face. My face felt so clean and soft afterwards, I am very impressed. It was easy to rinse off and clean when I was finished and then I just set it on my bathroom sink area for the next use. 

The charger is a USB charger and you have to move the little plug on the Clawa to plug it in. It says to make sure to close it up well before using it again! You don’t want to get water into the charging area. 

 I do also want to mention that the Clawa is very quiet. I have heard stories of women using other brands while in the bathroom and their husbands of family members think they’re using some “other” type of vibrating tool. I don’t think that you would be able to hear it much outside my bathroom. 

 I received this Clawa at a discount in echange for my unbiased and honest opinion and review!

REVIEW: Naztech Turbo 12500mAh 6 Port Portable Battery Charger

 

View Here: Naztech Turbo 12500mAh 6 Port Portable Battery Charger 

I am always on the go and that means that my devices are always dying on me. I use my phone for everything from reading, social networking, work reasons, to entertaining my kids during long appointments and online shopping. I use my tablet as well for reading, working, and entertainment. I hate when they die on me at the worst times when I can't just plug them in! I've used several different power bank type devices over the years but have always been disappointed at both the charge speed and that I can only charge one device once or less than once. That does not work for my busy on the go lifestyle. I really wanted this power bank for my upcoming trip to an amusement park. I want to be able to stay connected to the interwebs while also being able to take photos of my Littles while they enjoy our trip. 

I bought my first power bank when I'd been traveling by BART all day and didn't know if I'd have a place to charge but wanted my device available for emergencies and for picture taking. It left much to be desired and I had to keep my phone plugged into it because it would just hold the charge while using my phone rather than charge while using it. I cannot be happier with this charge bank. I can charge up to 6 devices at once and they charge quickly or at least at regular charge speed. I have my phone plugged in right now as I type this and the phone is going up in battery life! It takes about 2 hours to charge my Samsung S7 from dead to fully charged. Similar to the charge times I would get from a regular wall charger. AND I have my kindle charging at the same time! This power bank will be perfect for my up coming trip to the amusement park. I'll be able to charge my phone and the phone of my kids father at the same time if needed. Currently I'm using it while in bed. I don't have an outlet near my bed and it's working perfectly. 

When I got the Naztech Turbo 12500mAh 6 Port Portable Battery Charger home the first thing I did was plug it in to be sure it was fully charged before I tested it out using the included usb cable. It has indicator lights that show you when it's fully charged. The same lights show as your device or devices are plugged in and show the power bank battery life status. When I plugged in my devices tonight it was fully charged and so far I have not made a dent in the status lights shown. I just plugged the devices in and it turned on . started charging my devices. The status lights turned on and have stayed on as I charge. If I unplug the lights stay on briefly and it turns itself off to conserve battery charging life. It claims that it can fully charge a phone battery 6 times and I feel like that is pretrt accurate as my phone and kindle were less than 50% and now they're both almost all the way charged and I still am showing 4 out of 4 status lights! I am so happy with this power bank and wish that I had not wasted money on all my previous power banks. The one is a little larger than my other power banks but it is still totally portable. 

I received this Naztech Turbo 12500mAh 6 Port Portable Battery Charger at a discounted price in exchange for my unbiased honest opinion and review.

Review: Arctic Spirits Whiskey Ice Molds - Set of 4

Arctic Spirits Whiskey Ice Molds - Set of 4

These little molds are fantastic! The set comes with four silicone Whiskey Ice Molds. While the product is designed for use with whiskey I can see myself using them for so much more. They would be awesome in a big bowl of punch(just make a bunch and store in plastic bags until you have enough for a large container) or in large drink dispensers. Since the balls are so big they take a bit of time to melt and that is great for parties in punch or drink dispensers.

I used two to try out the product. One I filled all the way and one I poured out just a little bit of water before freezing. The one I filled all the way opened while freezing but did not make a mess. It was not a perfect ball shape though. The one that I poured out just a little bit turned out perfectly. Both balls came out of the mold with ease. It fits just right into my small drink glasses.  The balls are about 2.5inches in diameter. I think it would be fun to freeze juice for kids and these molds are dishwasher safe so they are easy to wash!

I RECEIVED THIS PRODUCT AT A DISCOUNT FOR MY HONEST OPINION AND REVIEW. ALL OPIONS IN THIS REVIEW ARE MY OWN.

Review: Baby Carrier Wrap By BandyBaby

Baby Carrier Wrap By BandyBaby

I recently received this Bandy Baby carrier and couldn't wait to try it out. The baby it is meant for is not quite here yet(not my baby!) so I borrowed the baby of a close friend. There are nice illustrated instructions within the packing when you unroll your carrier. I was already familiar with how to wear this type of carrier, but for a newbie, the illustrated instructions will be very helpful. It also comes with a nice carry bag! Fold your carrier in half and roll up to get it back in!

I was happy to discover that the fabric is single stretch. It only stretches one way which provides a more secure fit. It does not require as much adjusting as you wear baby for longer periods of time.

I am a size 12-14 and there was lots of tail left and I could even wrap around and tie in front. It would fit a person who is maybe up to size 18/20 tied in the back.

It is very easy to use once you are familar with the technique.  When you are getting the carrier on while out and about it is easiest to keep the long tails from hitting the ground if you do it outside your car and leave the tail on your car seat while doing the other. Some times when I am using this type of carrier I will put it on loosely before leaving the house then tighten it when I put baby in while out and about. I love babywearing since there are sooo many benefits like promoting social interation, preventing flattened head, it can help relieve gas if baby is positioned in the froggy position.  It is way easier than carrying a car seat around and much safer than sticking a car seat in a cart at the store(DO NOT EVER DO THIS BY THE WAY!).

This carrier is light weight and will be comfortable in the summer. It is lighter weight than other carriers of this same style that I have tried. It is also very soft!

I received this Bandy Baby at a discount for my honest opinion and review. The opinions in this review are my own!

Review: Sleep Guardian® Full Mattress Protector

Sleep Guardian Full Size Protector
I got this in the mail and threw it on my 3 year old's bed because I desperately needed a mattress protector for him. I recently moved him to his own bed and hadn't gotten him a waterproof protector.
As my luck would have it, he decided to test it out on the first night. He called me into his room crying at 5:45 this morning to tell me he'd peed the bed. I pulled off the sheets and this Sleep Guardian Full sized mattress protector to find my sons mattress dry! So happy to not be trying to scrub out pee from his bed this morning.
I also love how it doesn't have any vinyl and doesn't make loud noises while rolling around in the bed. The bed bug protection and 10 year warranty are a plus!
Most mattress protectors are waterproof that I had in the past could not be stuck in the dryer but this one can be dried low. Very happy to not have to wait for it to hang dry.

I received this Guardian Mattress protector at a discount or free for my honest review. All the opinion in this review are my own. I was not required to leave a positive review, I am just one happy momma.

Review: Majestic Pure Sweet Almond Oil

Today I received my Majestic Pure Sweet Almond oil and didn't waste any time in trying it out.

The product I received can be found here:

Majestic Pure Sweet Almond Oil, 16oz
100% pre and natural sweet almond oil. Cold pressed. 
Uses:

• Can help with psoriasis or eczema
• Makeup remover
• Can be used as a shine enhancer or leave-in conditioner for hair
• Help reduce split ends
• Moisturizing for the skin 

First I used it just on my skin. It made my hands feel nice and smooth. The consistency of it is nice and it is easy to rub in. It smells pleasant and doesn't leave an icky oily feeling after rubbing it into the skin.

Second, I regularly make homemade lip balm but have never tried it with almond oil. I've heard of the benefits almond oil has for the skin. It is supposed to moisturize and smooth the skin. I figured considering the benefits it would be fantastic in lip balm.

I melted over water some coconut oil, local beeswax, and then added the Majestic Pure Sweet Almond Oil and some flavorings. It mixed easily and then I added the mixture to the lip balm tubes. It cooled to a perfect consistency. Upon trying the lip balm it feels very smooth on my lips, smoother than with what I usually use. Since it was almond, they're flavored with almond and I added cherry!

I will definitely be buying this product again in the future for more lip Balms.

I received this product at a discount in exchange for my honest review. The opinons in the review are my own.

Bacon Wrapped Jalapeños

These are a favorite to all my family and friends! Even my 3 year old loves to eat them.

Ingredients:
1 8oz package of cream cheese - softened
1lb good sized jalapeños
1lb bacon - not thick cut.
1.2-2c shredded cheese - I usually use cheddar. Pepperjack is pretty good too!

Preheat oven to 425 degrees. Line a pan with foil and spray with cooking spray. I then place a cooling rack on top but you don't have to use a cooling rack.

Steps:
1. Take all your jalapeños and cut them in half length wide.
2. PUT ON GLOVES
3. Use a spoon to clear out all the guts from the jalapeños. Remove gloves.
4. Take your softened cream cheese and place it in a bowl. Add the shredded cheese and mix well.
5. Using a spoon or your hands fill the hole left in each half a jalapeño.
6. Take your lb of NOT THICK bacon and cut in half.
7. Wrap one half piece of bacon around each piece of jalapeño. You can use a whole slice of bacon if your jalapenos are large.
8. Place wrapped jalapeños on the pan or cooling rack.
9. Bake at 425 for around 30-45 minutes or until the bacon is cooked through.

I know they look and smell delicious but allow to cool before enjoying them!

I bring these as appetizers to all kinds of functions and serve them at all my parties! What is your favorite party snack?
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My Weight Loss Tools: Things that make it easier.

I thought that I would compile a list of things that have been awesome tools for me on my weight loss journey.

Food Scale - I use this to measure my protein, cheese, lunchmeat, veggies... pretty much everything. I bought the one pictured below for less than $12 on amazon.

Fitbit - I use the FitBit HR Charge. I originally had the FitBit Flex but upgraded to the HR Charge after several months. I wear it ALL the time. It is a sad day when I leave it on the charger. I usually charge it while I shower or in my car while I drive so its always on me other than that. It tracks my heart rate, steps, calories burned, and will even track sleep patterns! If I've learned anything, its that I am a terrible sleeper! Haha!

Fitbit app - Of course you need the app to go with the FitBit! Add your friends and challenge them! Makes getting the steps in fun!

Measuring cups - Along with the scale these are totally important to make sure your serving sizes are correct!

Containers - containers in various SMALL sizes are helpful to pack lunches or snacks in.

Snack sized Ziplocks - I use these to premeasure my protein and to pack snacks like nuts! They are the perfect size for smaller servings and for one scoop of protein powder. I label them with a sharpie so I know what flavor is in the bag. The two shown in the picture are both Syntrax Caribbean Cooler!

Water Bottles - I prefer the Contigo water bottles in either 24 or 32oz.  I refill throughout the day to make sure I meet my water intake goals.

Blender Bottles - I prefer the smaller 20oz size. This is because I never really make more than a 6-8oz protein shake. I only drink one at a time. I try to keep one in my car along with some premeasured protein powder and a couple of bottles of water. I can then just throw powder in while on the go and mix it up. I wash it out and reuse it later in the day.

MyFitnessPal app - I have been using this app for years. Every time that I have consistently logged ALL my food I have been successful with losing weight. I have it set to remind me to log my meals if I haven't done it by a certain time. I make sure to log drinks that have calories as well! The only things with calories that I do not log are vitamins and crystal light. These have 5-10 calories and those are negligible.

My Weight app - This app is handy because it tells you where you are and where you "should" be. You can set a final weight or go with the final weight they suggest by BMI. I love that it shows me my starting and current BMI.  I know a lot of people don't care for the BMI scale but I find it helpful to see where I have come from and to have a goal. I have mine set to the highest "normal" BMI as my final goal.

Good walking shoes - since my preferred method of being active is to walk or jog, good shoes are a must!

Make sure if you go to purchase any of these items online you go through Ebates to get cashback!

Full Influenster #SproutVoxBox Review

I recently signed up for Influenster and to my surprise within a week of signing up I was selected to participate in my first VoxBox.  Influenster sends out a box of products for FREE and asks for your honest opinions on the items in return.

Here is a photo of my very first box!

I received the following items to review:

EatSmart Spicy Black Bean Tortilla Chips
Orgain Organic Protein in Vanilla
Ecos Laundry Detergent in Magnolia and Lily
Clairol Hair Food Shampoo and Conditioner with Honey and Apricot
Curate Snack Bar in Dark and Tempting - Balsamic and Fig

The first item I tried was the EatSmart Spicy Black Bean Tortilla Chips. I really thought these were quite delicious. They have great flavor and just a little spice!

The second item I tried was the Orgain. I posted about this in another post. I was not a fan of this protein powder and found it to be chalky and didn't care for the taste. The vanilla flavor was not very strong. Full review HERE.

The third item I tried was the Curate bar. While delicious, I will not be adding this into my regular diet because I can not handle the carbohydrates. There are 12g of sugar and 23g of carbs total. The bar didn't taste much of balsamic but the fig flavor was delicious.

The 4th product I tried was Ecos Laundry Detergent in Magnolia and Lily. I would have preferred to do more than one wash with the same clothing items before deciding on whether or not I like a laundry product, but I only got one load worth to sample. While it does smell delicious I don't think that it has the same stain fighting power of the laundry soap I already use. I probably would not regularly buy Ecos unless it were a good price or I found a great deal. With the amount of laundry we do and the stains created by my two sons, I prefer something cheaper and tougher on stains. It is a product though!

The fifth product I tried was Clairol Hair Food.  Again, it is difficult to decide I like a product with just one use. It did smell fantastic and my hair felt soft afterwards. I probably would like to give this one a try with several more uses. I have struggled with some hair loss since my bypass surgery and maybe this will help keep my hair that is growing back in nice and strong.

Overall this was quite a fun experience and I can't wait until I qualify for my next #VoxBox from Influenster. If you're interested in joining click HERE.

I received these products free for testing and sampling purposes. All the opinions in this blog post are my own.

 

 

Orgain Organic Protein: Plant Based Protein Powder Review

Today I was able to test out some Orgain Plant Based Protein Powder. It is Gluten Free, Soy Free, Vegan, USDA Organic, and GMO free.

I packed it in my lunchbox for today's breakfast. I find it hard to eat real breakfast in the mornings before work so I always pack a protein drink to enjoy while working to keep me full and to keep me on track with my diet. I usually will scoop out protein for the week ahead into snack sized ziplock bags so they are easy to grab and go. I keep a clean Blender Bottle in my car or lunchbox. I'll post more about my meal planning later on.

I normally will look for a protein powder that has around 100-150 calories per serving with at least 20g of protein. I also like them to have around 5 net carbs or less. The Orgain Vanilla protein powder has 150 calories per serving with 5 net carbs and a total of 21 grams of protein. The protein is plant based. It fits well into the nutrients that I look for in protein powder.

This sample was a 1/2 serving. The package suggested mixing with 4oz of water or unsweetened almond milk. I added 4oz of water and a couple of ice cubes to my Blender Bottle and then added the protein from the packet on top. I expected the protein powder to be white since it was vanilla but it had a bit of a brown color to it. I shook it up for about 10 seconds which is what I usually do with my protein powders. The Orgain protein powder did not seem to mix as well as my favorite. I shook it for another 10 seconds or so and it seemed to mix much better. A few extra seconds of shaking time isn't a big deal but I do like my protein to mix well so its not chunky at the bottom. The shake got pretty foamy so I had to let it settle for a few minutes before drinking it. The color of the protein shake was also a little brown which to me is a little off putting.

 

Upon my first sip of this protein shake it was pretty earthy tasting and a bit chalky. You could definitely tell that the protein comes from plant based items. I am not even sure that chalky is the right way to describe it. It kind of coats the mouth and leaves a little bit of film. The vanilla flavor was not too strong. I do not think that I would purchase this protein powder on my own but for someone who is vegan it would probably be a good choice. It was not terrible tasting but definitely not as delicious as some of the other protein powders I have tried.

If you are interested in trying it... you can find a COUPON HERE.

It is also available on vitacost.com. If you are a new member you can get $10 off $30 by CLICKING HERE.

I received this sample for free for sampling purposes but all the opinions are my own.

My Must Have Foods List

I think that it is important to every person's weight journey to make sure to have items on hand to eat to avoid slipping up and eating something you may regret later.

This is a list of foods I keep on hand so I can avoid grabbing something I prefer to keep out of my diet to maximize my weight loss.

Snacks:
Cheese Sticks - I buy all kinds, cheddar, mozzarella, pepper jack.
Pork Rinds - yes they are not "healthy" but they have no carbs and lots of crunch.
Cottage Cheese
Low Carb Yogurt - my favorite is Danon Light and Fit
Nuts - remember they are HIGH calorie. I like peanuts, cashews, and almonds the most.
Babybel Cheeses
Lowest Carb beef jerky you can find! I make my own.

Proteins:
Lunchmeat - my favorite is Kirkland Lean Ham
Chicken Breast Tenders - these are about 1-2oz per piece. I buy frozen.
Chicken Thighs - more moist than the tenders, for long cook times. I buy frozen.
Eggs
Frozen Shrimp
Protein Supplements - my favorites here: Protein Drinks

Vegetables:
Asparagus
Bell Peppers
Onion
Zucchini
Mushrooms

Grains:
Mission Low Carb Tortillas - see post here: Tortilla Showdown
Trader Joes Soy and Flax Seed Chips

Condiments:
Mustard
Mayo - I use regular, lower calorie is an option.
Kosher Dill Pickles
Yogurt based salad dressings
Skinny Cow Cheese Wedges
Peanut Butter - I use both creamy and chunky.
Sugar free jelly.

Other:
Sugar Free pudding cups or pudding mixes.
Sugar Free popsicles.

You may notice that there is one big food group missing from my list... That food group is fruit. I do not regularly eat fruits. I do have them on occasion as a dessert. A chopped up banana with some melted PB and whipped cream is one of my favorite desserts. I was taught by my bypass surgeon early on that fruits are my new desserts and I have mostly stuck to that.

I will continue to add to this list! Check back!

A childhood favorite...

One of my favorite things I'd do with my grandma as a child was to go with her to the coffee shop. She'd get her coffee and I'd get a French Madeleine cookie. I've always wanted to make them for myself. I even bought a silicone Madeleine pan several years ago but never got around to it.

In a couple of weeks I am hosting a mother's tea at work and wanted to test out some recipes to bring Madeleine cookies with me. I reviewed a few and then made a couple of changes.

You'll need:
Whisk
Microwave safe glass bowl
Madeleine Pan

Recipe:

1 stick salted butter
2/3c sugar
3 eggs
3-5 drops consumption grade lemon essential oil.
1c + 2T flour
2t baking powder

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
In a microwave safe glass bowl melt the stick of butter.
Allow to cool a bit.
Whisk in the 3 eggs.
Add the lemon oil to taste.
Slowly Whisk in the flour then banking powder.
Grease or spray pan with baking spray.
Scoop into pan filling mold about 3/4th full.
Bake for 13-16 minutes until edges are golden and the centers pop back when you touch them.
Allow to cool and enjoy.

I got 24 cookies out of this recipe.

My Favorite Protein Drinks

There are soooo many protein shakes out there it is hard (AND EXPENSIVE) to try them all.  I have bought several brands and some are definitely better than others. I will share a few of my favorites in this post.

When I started my journey to lose weight one of my biggest problems was that I did not regularly eat breakfast. When you skip breakfast your body assumes you're not going to eat.  It was and still is really hard for me to actually eat food in the morning for a number of reasons. I don't have time to cook a real breakfast in the morning and many of the on the go or quick options such as instant oatmeal, bagels, toaster waffles, etc. were too high in carbs and would not keep me full until my morning snack. I found that adding a protein shake in the morning for breakfast was the easiest way for me to stay fuller longer and to keep my metabolism moving in the mornings.

I'll start with my absolute favorite. This brand comes in both HUGE tubs and individual packets. I first tried some of the individual packets before buying a large tub.  It tried several flavors before deciding on my favorite. I purchased the individual serving sizes at a Vitamin Shoppe. The brand is Syntrax and I buy the Nectar variety. My absolute favorite is the Caribbean Cooler and it has about 100 calories per serving with 23g of protein. It has ZERO carbs per serving which was perfect for my low carb diet. It mixes well with just water and still tastes amazing.  I would say that it tastes just like a pina colada and its especially delicious on a hot day. 

My second favorite flavor of the Syntrax is Vanilla Bean Torte. I add this to some coffee that has cooled just a little bit and add some SUGAR FREE creamer. It tastes really yummy and I get my protein in with some caffeine.

I now buy my Syntrax from Vitacost. For new members you can receive a $10 off $30 coupon by clicking here... $10 off $30 Coupon
You can also earn money back by going through Ebates! Click below to join!
Another brand that doesn't taste quite as good is Premier Protein. I buy these because they come pre-mixed and are easy for me to leave a couple in my trunk or to throw in my bag for a busy day. I like the vanilla flavor the most. It can also be added to coffee.  There is no need to mix which is nice. It is a little chalky, but for the ease it adds to my life it is totally tolerable. I tend to purchase the big packs at Costco. They have a long shelf life and I like to have them on hand.  I do not care for the strawberry flavor of Premier. It reminds me of Amoxicillan and while I do like the flavor of Amoxicillian, I do not like drinking a whole container of it! They have 30g of protein per shake and about 1 carb. 160 calories per shake.

These so far are the brands that I use most often. I will likely continue trying others. I still drink 1-2 protein drinks a day to help meet my protein goals.

Which protein shakes have you tried? Good or bad?

 

 

165 down, 20 to go

In August of 2015 I had RNY Gastric Bypass. I've lost a total of about 165lbs.

Starting in January of 2015 I begun seeing my bypass surgeon. I was given a diet plan to follow and was told to follow it for 6 months. Every month I'd had to come in to be weighed.

My starting weight was 367.5lbs.

I began walking everyday and measuring distance with my fitbit.

I started eating very low carb and keeping my calories under 1500 per day.

My normal day pre-surgery:

Breakfast-
Coffee with sugar free creamer
Protein drink with less than 10 carbs per serving and at least 20g of protein. Preferably whey isolate.

Snack-
Cheese sticks or cottage cheese or low carb yogurt or nuts

Lunch-
4oz lean protein
4-8oz of veggies
Usually some salsa or something to dip my neat in.

Or lunch meat and cheese and a veggie.

Afternoon snack-
Same variety as morning.

Dinner-
4oz lean protein
4 to 8oz veggie
Something to dip in.

Evening snack-
If I still felt hungry I'd have some fruit or some peanut butter before bed. Fruit became a dessert for me.

My doctors were very impressed at my final weigh in. I lost about half of my weight before surgery.

Watch out for future posts about my journey.

Low-Carb Tortilla Showdown

In honor of Cinco De Mayo, I thought I'd review these two low carb tortilla options.



The first being La Tortilla Factory. These tortillas have 3 net carbs per tortilla. It is one net carb less than the other brand. I heated it up and they taste alright for being low carb tortillas. The dietary fiber is high which is nice. They also have one gram of fat less than the other brand. 

The second brand is Mission brand low carb tortillas. They have 4 net carbs per Tortilla for the whole grain version. They also make a regular version that has 6 net carbs per Tortilla. Again the dietary is high which is nice. They have 3g of fat per Tortilla.

 

When it comes to taste the Mission tortillas win hands down. Very close to a "real" store bought flour Tortilla. I will likely only buy this brand from now on. At least until I find another brand to try!

Tonight I cooked up some taco meat, sautéed some bell peppers and onions and threw it in one of the Mission brand Low-carb tortillas for dinner topped with cheese, jalapeños, and guacamole!

Cheesy Chicken Spaghetti Squash

I've been eating low carb now for well over a year. One of my favorite foods was of course anything PASTA. I have been playing with spaghetti squash to give me that spaghetti taste that I crave.

Eating low carb has made a huge difference in my life and hopefully someone can use this recipe to satisfy a craving.

Recipe:
1 large spaghetti squash
1 8oz block cream cheese
2c shredded cheddar
1/2 onion, sliced
1-2 cloves garlic
1T olive oil
salt and pepper to taste
5-6 chicken breast tenders
1/4C Parmesan cheese. 

Method:

PREHEAT OVEN TO 350

I microwave a whole spaghetti squash for about 5 minutes then take out a cut in half. Microwaving before cooking helps to soften it and makes it easier to cut in half.

Once cutting in half, clean out the seeds. In one side of the squash I add a about 1/2c of water then put the sides back together. I wrap the entire thing in saran wrap and place back in the microwave until cooked. The one I used took about 10 minutes. Remove from the skin and place in a bowl.

In a pan add the olive oil then the garlic and the sliced onion. Cook until translucent. Add to the bowl of squash.

In the same pan add more olive oil if needed and cook the chicken. Cut into bite size pieces and add to the bowl with the squash.

Add the cheddar cheese and cream cheese. Mix everything until well combined. Place into a 9x13 pan and top with the parmesan cheese. Bake at 350 until cheese is melty and it is heated through. Takes about 1/2 hour to 45 minutes.

If you prefer you can leave out the chicken, but I like having it in there for some protein. Could be severed as a mac n cheese subs alongside your protein choice if desired.

Enjoy!