green bean casserole

Want to eat a green bean casserole but skip out on all the fat and unnecessary calories? Well, than this recipe is just for you...and me ;)

Thanksgiving is coming up and I wanted to eat something that was still "Thanksgiving" and a green bean casserole just made sense. So if you still want to partake in a Thanksgiving meal or if you need a comfort food classic any day of the week, just follow this recipe. I promise you won't be disappointed.

Step One
Gather your ingredients. You will need:

1/4 cup egg beaters
1 1/2 cups green beans (washed and trimmed)
4.5 oz low fat cottage cheese (I just looked for the one with the lowest carbs and fat)
1/8 tsp salt
1 tbsp grated parmesan cheese
1/2 cup shredded reduced fat cheddar cheese
1/2 tbsp light butter

 
Step Two
Put all your ingredients in a bowl, except the shredded cheese and parmesan cheese. Then mix them all together until the green beans are coated evenly.

Step Three
Pour the mixture into a greased glass baking dish and bake at 350 degrees for 40 minutes.

Step Four 
After that, sprinkle the cheese and parmesan cheese on top and bake for another 20 minutes. 

Step Five
Take out of the oven and cool for a few minutes...then dig in!

This entire meal counts as 1 Lean and Green meal with 2 1/2 Condiments and 1/2 Healthy Fat  

 
Enjoy! And Happy Thanksgiving!!!

xoxo,
Toni

broccoli & cheese casserole

This is by far one of the best things I have eaten...both on the TSFL program and off. I highly encourage you to try this recipe. Plus, it is really easy to make!

Step One
Gather your ingredients. You will need:
1/4 cup egg beaters
1 1/2 cups broccoli
4.5 oz low fat cottage cheese (I just looked for the one with the lowest carbs and fat)
1/4 tsp garlic and herb seasoning
1/8 tsp salt
1 tbsp grated parmesan cheese
1/2 cup shredded reduced fat cheddar cheese
1/2 tbsp light butter

Step Two:
Put all your ingredients in a bowl, except the shredded cheese and parmesan cheese. Then mix them all together until the broccoli is coated evenly.

Step Three
Pour the mixture into a greased glass baking dish and bake at 350 degrees for 40 minutes.

Step Four
After that, sprinkle the cheese and parmesan cheese on top and bake for another 20 minutes.

Step Five
Take out of the oven and cool for a few minutes...then dig in!

This entire meal counts as 1 Lean and Green meal with 2 1/2 Condiments and 1/2 Healthy Fat

Enjoy!!!

xoxo,
Toni

day nine...what's your reward?

Today was the day of the men's conference. Yes, I am a girl who went to a men's conference, but I am going for work. This was actually my 12th men's conference. But I like it, keeps me busy and on my feet—aka...I am burning calories all day long. Can't go wrong with that!

As far as my eating goes, I did very well! All glory to the Lord! But, I will admit it wasn't easy. In years past, men's conferences were always a day full of eating—before, during, and especially after. At the end of the day we would all usually pack up and then go to a restaurant and eat our little hearts out. It was my way of rewarding myself for working such a hard day. I mean, I deserved it, right? Well, not today. My body does not deserve to be tortured by eating food that will harm it.

This year, I rewarded myself, but in a completely different way. No food was involved. Instead, I went home, took a nice hot bath, put on my comfy pj's and simply relaxed. So much better than gorging myself. I felt better and was relaxed at the same time. Win-win for me! But I will admit, it was hard to say no to dinner (especially when it was at my all-time favorite restaurant). Now, I could have gone and ordered a lean and green meal, but I don't think I am quite ready to venture out into the restaurant world. I would rather cook the food myself anyways—that way I know exactly what I am putting in my body. Most places serve healthy food, but load it with seasonings and salt.

With that said...here is what I did eat today...

Breakfast: dark chocolate shake

So I woke up at 5am this morning and got ready to work the men's conference. Right before I left, I whipped up a shake and took it with me. Perfect on-the-go meal. I used the starbucks cup so I could just throw it away and not worry about bringing home my cup...in case you were wondering.

Morning Snack: calorie burn cappuccino

Love, love, love this drink. I had mixed feelings about it earlier, but I ended up liking it. I already have my next Medifast order in the cue and this is definitely on it. Plus, it lasts a while and keeps you full for quite some time.

Lunch: apple cinnamon muffins

Once again, I had to postpone my lean and green meal until I got home. So for lunch I had the same muffins I ate yesterday. They are way better than just the oatmeal in my opinion. I will probably be making these until I run out of oatmeal. :) And yes, this is the same picture from yesterday.

Afternoon Snack: cinnamon and brown sugar cereal crunch

This isn't the prettiest picture, I know and I am sorry. I literally took it while helping a customer. But a picture is a picture, right? Hopefully I can make up for it tomorrow. :)

Dinner: turkey salad...and a sugar-free monster

Well, back to the same old dinner. But that's okay. While everyone went out to eat, I stayed home and ate this. And while I was eating, I was thinking about how I would be feeling if I did go out and eat what my flesh wanted. I would have had momentary pleasure but then guilt would have set in for the rest of the night. It just is not worth it. I also had a sugar-free zero monster with my dinner. I kind of figured this was my "treat". I try not to have diet cokes and sugar free drinks, but on occasion I will. And today was an occasion for me.

I then went outside and saw this...

I was speechless. I love sunsets like these. I just felt like the Lord was saying, I'm the ruler of this world. I know all about you and what you are going through. You will make it through this time. Just hold fast to Me and My Word. That was all I needed to hear. God is with me. What more do I need?

Dessert: S'mores Crunch Bar

This bar was the perfect ending to a wonderful day. As you can tell, I had a little bit of fun with this picture. I think it's cute. who doesn't like a cute little bird on a bough? Plus, the s'mores bar is just too amazing not to have a bird. ;) I really like this bar and can see myself eating this everyday for the rest of my life. Just kidding...sort of.

I hope your day was as blessed as mine! Remember...rewarding yourself does not need to involve food. Go get a pedicure instead. ;)

xoxo,
Toni

day eight...the big weigh in

Today is the day. The first day of my second week, and my weight in day. Let's just say...I was a little nervous. Not because I went off the diet (because I didn't), but more of just doubting myself and thinking, did I eat everything right and how and when I was supposed to? Well, I got my answer when I saw the number on the scale. But I will reveal all that at the end of the post. Keep the suspense building.

I was crazy busy (again) all day and had to eat most of my meals on the go. Why? You ask. Well, I was setting up for the Men's Conference which is tomorrow. Here is what I helped do...

Lots and lots of books to set up. But it's pretty fun. Kept my mind busy and not wandering and thinking about food—which usually tends to happen when I have an idle mind. I am sure many of you know what I am talking about.

I was also faced with a temptation...a giant box of chocoalte (I didn't take a picture of it, because I don't want to stumble anyone), and it was hard not to just grab one and eat it. No one had to know. But even though I could smell the chocolate, I resisted and asked myself, is it really worth it? And the answer is no, it's not. And it never will be. That's that.

Breakfast: Mocha Shake

photo cred: theveggiehouse.com—I forgot to take a photo, so I borrowed this one :)

I don't think I will ever get tired of this shake...it's just that good.

Like I mentioned earlier, I was busy today, so I had my next meal while driving. I wasn't driving though, so that made it a bit more easier to eat.

Morning Snack: Apple Cinnamon Oatmeal Muffins

I wasn't a big fan of the oatmeal, so I found a recipe that made these delicious muffins using the apple cinnamon oatmeal mix along with the spiced pancake mix. Click here for the recipe.

Then I got to work making those tables look pretty, and before you know it, two and a half hours passed and it was time to eat...again!

Lunch : Parmesan Cheese Bites

I know I usually have my lean and green meal at lunch, but there was just no time. I did think ahead and brought all my snacks just in case—which was good, because I didn't end up having my lean and green meal until dinner, so I was covered.

For my afternoon snack, I was in the car once again. I forgot to snap a photo, but that's ok. I just borrowed one from Medifast. :)

photo credit: medifast1.com

Once again, the picture shows two bars, but I only had one. Just to clear up any confusion. :)

Now comes the fun part. Dinner. I did something a little different tonight. Thanks to my health coach, Charlotte, who gave me tons of ideas on what to eat. One thing she suggested were these vegetarian pizza flavored burgers from Trader Joe's. Oh my, they were so good! I also had some mini zucchini just laying around, so I decided to make mini pizza bites.

Dinner: Mini Pizza Bites

They look pretty good right? It was a nice change up from my usual salad. Click here for the recipe.

Lean: Trader Joe's Meatless Pizza Burger, 1/4 cup of light mozzarella cheese
Green: 2 cups of mini green zucchini, 1/4 cup of Trader Joe's marinara sauce
Healthy Fat: 1 teaspoon of extra virgin olive oil

Now on to dessert...

Dessert: Coffee Milkshake

I did it again. Same thing as last night. Only difference is, this is coffee flavored, whereas I had the peanut butter last night. Which one is better? Well, I think the peanut butter tastes a bit better, but they are both delicious.

Well, before I sign off, I guess I should let you all know what my weight was this morning. You ready? Okay...so as of today, I weight 158.8 pounds! That is a total weight loss of 7.4 pounds in only one week! And to be honest, it feels like I am not even on a diet. I love most of the Medifast food and actually find myself looking forward to it! Can't wait to see the results next week. The number on the scale is only going down from here—I promise you that.

Blessings!

xoxo,
Toni