299 For a Limited Time

Yes, just like a commercial or a sale at a local drive-thru "299 for a Limited Time!" The numbers on my scale haven't moved in a week for me. This is very strange, I have consistently had great numbers over the last 6 weeks, but that number hasn't budged at all! I reflected over the last week and pondered, what have I done differently? No much, all though at times I feel ravishingly hungry.

Within Caloric Range - Check
Exercise - Check
Water - Check
Tracking Food - Check
Blogging - Check
Good Nights Sleep - Check
Stress Management - Check

So what's happening? That number on the scale still reads 299, UGH, the evil scale. If I only thought of that number, I might be ready to just throw in the towel but I realize, it might not reflect in the number but something wonderful is happening in my body. My clothes fit better ( I can wear clothes, I haven't been able to wear in such a long time), I have more energy, I am enjoying exercise (usually), I am eating better, I am loving water... good things are happening.

So today, I begin my special.... "299 for a limited Time." I will continue to work towards being a healthier person and creating a healthy lifestyle for myself and my family. The battle with the scale will have to wait, eventually, all the good choices will catch up with number on the scale and my daily special "299 for a Limited Time" will end.

P ushing myself
E veryday
R esulting in
S uch
I ncredible
S elf-worth;
T aking control of my life and most importantly my physical and mental health
A t all times
N ever ever
C easing to love myself and
E njoying the journey every step of the way

PERSISTANCE = SUCCESS

Cheesy Eggplant Parmesan 172 Calories, 4.71g Fat

Eggplant covered in a zesty tomato sauce and smothered in cheese

Ingredients
1 Medium Unpeeled Eggplant
1/4 cup Whole Wheat Flour
1 cup Private Selection/Kroger Parmesan Herb Panko Crumbs
1/2 Egg Beaters
1 tsp Garlic Powder
1 dash Sea Salt
1 dash Coarse Black Pepper
1 cup Crushed Tomatoes (canned)
1 cup Mozzarella Lowfat Cheese
1 tbsp Italian Seasoning

Directions

1.Preheat oven to 375 Degrees. Spray baking sheet with non-stick spray, set to side.

2.Cut ends off of eggplant and cut into round slices approx 1/4 inch thick, set to side.

3.Pour 1/4 cup Whole Wheat Flour into bowl. Pour 1/2 of Egg Beaters into a separate bowl. Pour 1 cup Private Selection (Kroger) Parmesan Herb Panko Crumbs into a separate bowl (If you do not have Parmesan Herb Panko Crumbs, use non seasoned Panko Crumbs and add 2 tbls of Italian Seasoning)

4.Cover one eggplant slice with flour, then dip in egg, shake off excess egg mixture, dip eggplant into panko crumbs and cover well. Place covered eggplant on baking sheet. Repeat until all eggplant covered. Spray Eggplant with non-stick spray.

5.Bake Eggplant for 15 minutes, remove from oven, flip eggplant over, spray with non-stick spray and bake an additional 15 minutes. Meanwhile, pour one cup canned crushed tomato into bowl, add 1 tbsp Italian seasoning, 1 tsp garlic powder, dash of salt, dash of pepper and mix well. Warm mixture in microwave for 3 minutes on medium heat, stir well.

6.Once Eggplant is completely cooked, remove from oven, add 1 spoon of tomato sauce over eggplant and top with mozzarella cheese (use 1 cup lowfat mozzarella cheese evenly over all eggplant) Bake an additional 5 minutes until cheese is melted.

Makes 5 Servings (approx 3 Eggplant Slices per serving)

Let me just say "Oh My Goodness, this is GOOD!" Not only does this satisfy the desires from something packed with crunch, but this zesty and cheesy eggplant, is a great way to mix things up for dinner. Not your ordinary same ol' same ol' when this is served!

This was a great way to mix things up at dinner, we ate this as the main dish and enjoyed a side salad and a small baked yam. What a hit at the dinner table. I really really enjoyed this one!

Two Thumbs Up for Taste and Presentation!

Now here's what were all waiting for:

Calories: 172
Fat: 4.71g
Carb: 21.67g
Fiber: 5.2g
Protein: 13.6g

Weight Watchers: Approximately 3 PTS

A Constant Battle

Last week I accomplished several HUGE goals:

31 Pounds Lost
Entered TWOVILLE
No Smoking in 6 weeks
Consistently cooking and eating healthy
No Fast Food in over 6 weeks
No Candy Bar in over 6 weeks

I'm not sure what happened, but somewhere in the excitement of getting under 300 pounds, it seems like I have lost my stamina and my focus. I have to admit, I feel like I am living in the Night Before Christmas except instead of visions of Sugar-Plums dancing in my head, I have been seeing:

Pizza
Cake
Burgers
Fries

Oh my, I just want something fried, I don't care what it is, anything fried is good. For crying out loud, at the State Fair they had Fried Butter. Anyhow, I haven't caved but I feel so close. My workouts have been so drab, I haven't put a lot of energy into them.

Monday rolls around and its time for a workout, I went, I didn't want to go but I put my girl pants on and headed to the gym. Naturally, I felt so much better after working out and I can proudly say that I worked out harder today than I have in the last 3 days.

I know I will make it past this, I am completely focused on becoming a healthier person this year. Even becoming a healthier person, it doesn't change that I want foods that are not so healthy. Yesterday, I made a homemade pizza, which was 99 calories a slice, it wasn't my favorite, of course, it didn't compare to Pan Crust Pepperoni, Bacon and Jalapeno Pizza I was craving. I am going to work on it again, when I find a hit, I will post a recipe until then... I will keep trying.

I've decided to sit down and refocus. I am here today because I have one to many times in my life given into that Burger, Pizza, Fries, Cheese Sticks, etc. These foods will never ever go away however, I will in my journey find the balance. I will understand moderation and recognize what my body is truly hungry for.

For the time being, I must continue to do my best to eat healthy and stay away from foods that are not healthy for my inner athlete.

I am here to change my life and giving in right now would be to similar to going back and giving up.

I am not gonna be the one on the floor, food will not conquer me another day of my life. To continuing on my journey and working towards my health