Menu Plan Monday

After several weeks of trying to figure out how I want to eat that included an extremely low carb diet I have finally decided to count Weight Watchers Points again.  I started today.  It feels like freedom.

I also started using Plan to Eat for meal planning.  I think I am in love. :) See this review for more info.

Sunday: Baked Potato Soup with a Low Carb Wrap

Monday:Apple Marinated Pork Chops with Cabbage and Cauli-Rice

Tuesday: Amy's Minestrone

Wednesday: Roasted Spaghetti Squash with roasted vegetables

Thursday: Dinner Out

Friday: Spicy Sweet Potato Corn Chowder with Ham

Saturday: Spice Rubbed Vinegar Glazed Chicken and vegetables

Link up your own menu plan at orgjunkie.com. (Or just find great ideas from other bloggers that share their menus.) This week is found here. (will update tomorrow when link goes live)

Stick With It Saturday

It has been a long time since Stick with it Saturday has been posted (or that I've linked up)  BUT I heard today that it is coming back next week and I can't wait to link back up.  It's just what I need as I move along in my journey.

My weight is up a few more pounds than I would like. Clearly, the low-carb lifestyle has NOT worked for me.  Monday morning I am going back to Weight Watchers (just counting points...not actually going back to meetings though the thought of that HAS crossed my mind).  I am still having back trouble so I can't run (boo-hoo), but I could go back to my goal of 10,000 steps a day.  Not sure yet...but I am ready...no.... more than ready to go back to counting points alone...not mixing with anything else.

So come back next week for an update on how I am doing!

Happy Heart Day

12 years ago today, Connor had open heart surgery to repair a complete AV canal defect and a VSD. He was also born with a PDA but that had closed on its own by the time of his surgery.  He was just over 4 months old at the time of his surgery.

Sedated EKG and echocardiogram the day before surgery

post surgery

Much more comfortable after being extubated.  

we brought pictures of the other kids to personalize his space

Rob and Connor

Still feeling kind of miserable here

Happy already

Home again.

Though this was a very stressful time in our lives I wouldn't change any of it.  It's part of who we are. Connor is as healthy as can be expected and only has to visit the cardiologist every 3 years.  At some point, he may need another heart surgery but so far, so good.  I am SO thankful for him and for the medical advances that allowed him to live and be healthy!

Peanut Butter Cup Squares

I grew up in a family that always had homemade candy and fudge around the holidays.  I love making it and I love(d) eating it.  When I received the Sweetie Pie Package from Swerve I started to think about recipes I could convert and this one has the honor of being the first since it is one of my favorites.  (I have made other things with Swerve, but they weren't MY recipes).

These are easy to make and delicious!

The original recipe made an enormous batch and I just don't need that much candy so I reduced it to 1/4 of the original and converted it to something healthy that I can enjoy at the holidays (or anytime) and not feel deprived.

Peanut Butter Cup Squares
Yield: 3/4 lb

Peanut Butter Layer:

1/4 cup healthified graham cracker crumbs*
1/4 cup natural peanut butter (I used Smuckers)
1/4 cup butter
1/2 cup Swerve confectioners

Chocolate layer:

3 oz sugar-free chocolate chips**
1 tsp. butter

Melt butter and add peanut butter, graham cracker crumbs and Swerve confectioners.  Mix thoroughly and press into a loaf pan lined with wax paper. Place in refrigerator for about an hour or until firm.

Melt chocolate chips and butter together, spread over the top of the peanut butter mixture. (I removed it from the pan to do this by lifting up the wax paper.) Score with a sharp knife.  Place in refrigerator until set, then cut on the scored lines.  

*I made the graham cracker crumbs by making the linked recipe above.  I had trouble with the recipe though and had to add water to it.  In the end, they tasted good.  She has another recipe here that might work better.

** I used Hershey's sugar-free chocolate chips.  If you would like to avoid using maltitol sweetened chocolate you could try substituting this chocolate or melt a Lily's chocolate bar over the top.

PRINTABLE version

First I had to make the graham crackers.  

The graham crackers made into crumbs.

Mix melted butter, graham cracker crumbs, peanut butter and sugar together.

Press into wax paper lined loaf pan (9" x 5") then refrigerate for an hour or until firm.

lift chilled peanut butter layer out of pan, then melt chocolate chips and butter

Spread chocolate over top

Score top with a sharp knife and place in refrigerator until firm.  Cut on score lines.
ENJOY!

If you like this recipe, you might also like my sugar-free, grain free pumpkin cake roll.

Linking up with Stacy Makes Cents on her  Centsibly Sugar-Free and Grain Free Link Up !  

Today she is sharing a recipe for Southwestern Frittata.

The Crazed Panicked Dieter

 Hello.  My name is Karen and I am a crazed, panicked dieter. Can you relate?  This last year has been SO tough for me.  I've now been on a 3 year journey of weight loss.  You can read about how I lost the first 85 lbs and then more about how I got to 100 lbs lost.  I have since lost about 12 lbs more, but most of this year I have STRUGGLED with taking off any more weight...especially in the last 4 months or so.  I have been bouncing up and down with the same 3 lbs.  I have not been a happy camper.  I have tried lots of different things to no avail.

My latest weight loss attempt was 2 weeks of Atkins Induction.  If you know anyone that has done this give them a big pat on the back.  It is HARD!  I also have tried bulletproof coffee with intermittent fasting. I have been reading online and reading lots of books trying to figure out what to try next.....but yesterday I realized...

ENOUGH IS ENOUGH!

I have been OBSESSED!!  It is not healthy.   So I am trying to take a step back.  I still want to lose weight, but I can't have it be my whole life.

My current plan is healthy eating in MODERATION.  Moderation is the difficult part for me.  Stay tuned.  If necessary I WILL go back to counting points or calories but for now I am just trying to eat reasonably and not gain weight.  I do not want to be a statistic.  I know most people gain the weight back and I just want to do whatever it takes to not be that person...AND not be a fanatic at the same time.

Please share any ideas or encouragement.  I love comments!

Coconut Vinegar Dressing

Ever since this past summer, my favorite way to dress a salad is with extra virgin olive oil and vinegar.  Most of the time I used balsamic vinegar (I LOVE balsamic vinegar).  I recently decided to try 2 weeks of Atkins induction.  Balsamic vinegar is not allowed on induction.  It's a little sweeter than most (has some sugar) and more carbs than most vinegar.  I had been reading about coconut vinegar and saw it at my local grocery store and decided to give it a try.  It is very good and I love that it is so good for me!

Benefits of coconut vinegar include:

Low on the glycemic index (35)

Abundant source of amino acids, minerals, vitamin C, broad-spectrum B-vitamins

Has a nearly neutral ph

No coconut flavor (which is good or bad depending on how you feel about it but who wants a coconut flavored salad dressing?)

Excellent source of FOS (a pre-biotic that promotes digestive health)

You can read more about it here and here.  I was able to purchase this at Stop & Shop in the health food section.  If you can't find it locally you can order it at Vitacost (and it's cheaper than what I paid).

To make the dressing I just pour a couple of Tablespoons of Olive Oil into a small ramekin, add a Tablespoon or so of vinegar and a few drops of either stevia glycerite or liquid stevia drops (because I like a sweet dressing...you can just leave it out if you prefer).  Whisk it up and pour over salad greens.  Enjoy!!

Linking up with Stacy Makes Cents on her new Centsibly Sugar-Free and Grain Free Link Up !  

Today she is sharing a recipe for Tropical Island Pancakes.

Swerve Sweetener

Today was an exciting day at my house.  Whenever UPS comes to the house and you aren't expecting a package you know it's going to be a good day.  As the delivery man got close to the door, I could see that the box said Swerve on it.  Then I remembered that a couple of weeks ago I applied to be a Switch to Swerve blogger ambassador (there is still time to apply).  I was so excited to see what they sent and FLOORED by their generosity.

In case you haven't heard of Swerve, it is a zero calorie, non-glycemic sweetener that tastes and measures just like sugar.

The Swerve Sweetie Pie Kit

Look at all this great stuff!  

I have already tried it in my coffee (good) and now I can't wait to start baking! (I'll post again after I give it a try.)

Thank you Swerve Sweetener!

If you'd like to try it they have a sample pack available for $1 that comes with a $2 off coupon.

Disclaimer: While I did receive this package free from Swerve, there was no expectation that I write anything about it. I am just so excited I had to share!