Mar 8th, 2010 - What an awesome week!  It seems to be getting easier to go down to the treadmill after dinner.  I am making good choices in my eating and just feel healthier all around.  We had another great workout with Idella @ Forever Fit.  Only 5 contestants showed up and the workout felt harder.  I don’t know if it was in my head or she worked us harder.  It was great!  We got the You Tube 30 day update of our progress.  They filmed us at our workout last week.  Everyone was really pumped up.  It is great to see everyone doing so well.  We are really going to make a difference in some kids’ lives next year for Berts Big Adventure.  It makes us proud and keeps us motivated.  I am down 19 pounds and can really start to see a difference in how my clothes fit.  I am looking forward to our workout Saturday and catching up with the other contestants.  Healthe Trim is awesome and I thank Matthew and The Bert Show again for this unbelievable opportunity.



EGG WHITE BLT OMELETTE
SERVES 1

4     EGG WHITES OR ½ CUP LIQUID EGG WHITES
1 ½ SLICES TURKEY BACON, COOKED & DICED
¼    CUP ARUGULA OR FRESH SPINACH
2-3  SLICES TOMATO
       COOKING SPRAY

SPRAY SMALL NON STICK SKILLET WITH COOKING SPRAY.  HEAT ON MEDIUM LOW.  ADD EGG WHITES.  COOK UNTIL SET, USE SPATULA TO SLIDE UNDERNEATH AND FLIP.  DON’T WORRY IF IT MESSES UP, JUST SPREAD OUT IN BOTTOM OF PAN.  SPREAD REMAINING INGREDIENTS OVER HALF OF EGGS, FLIP OTHER HALF ON TOP OF FILLING AND SLIDE ONTO PLATE.  IF YOU WANT IT HOTTER IN THE MIDDLE, MICROWAVE FOR 20 SECONDS.  SERVE WITH HOT SAUCE IF DESIRED.   



QUICK TILAPIA FILLETS
SERVES 4

4    5-6 OUNCE TILAPIA FILLETS
1    TABLESPOON OLIVE OIL
1    LEMON, ZESTED & JUICED
2    CLOVES GARLIC, MINCED
1    TABLESPOON CHOPPED CHIVES
    (CAN SUBSTITUTE ITALIAN PARSLEY OR SCALLIONS)
    COOKING SPRAY
    SALT & PEPPER
¼    TEASPOON CAYENNE PEPPER(OPTIONAL)

PREHEAT OVEN TO 350 DEGREES.  SPRAY A 9 X 13 PYREX PAN WITH COOKING SPRAY.  LAY FISH FILLETS IN PAN.  COMBINE REMAINING INGREDIENTS IN A SMALL BOWL.  DRIZZLE OVER FISH, SPREADING EVENLY TO COAT.  BAKE 10-15 MINUTES OR UNTIL FISH IS OPAQUE AND FLAKES APART.


 

Mar 1st, 2010 - What a terrific week!  I am down 15 pounds and feel great.  I have walked 2 miles on the treadmill all but 1 day and had a fantastic workout with Idella and the rest of the contestants at Forever Fit.  The bond we are developing is great.  We really encourage one another.  Check out Berts Big Adventure/Healthy Trim on Facebook.  Idella gave us all journals to record our food intake as well as thoughts and feelings.  It is a great tool to track your success and look back to see what you did if you have any obstacles.  She really keeps us fired up and motivated.  She is a true blessing.

I shared a small lighter recipes cookbook I had written with the other contestants and they were truly appreciative.  I am really going to make an effort to include some recipes in my blog each week.

I had an incredibly busy week at work with 2 luncheons/a ladies tea for 100/4 course dinner for 130 and a visiting Governor for dinner and breakfast.  I prepared finger desserts for 100 and did not even lick my fingers. I worked a lot of hours and felt great and upbeat all week.  I haven’t had a day off in 10 days and feel like it is the first day of the week.  I am so grateful for this opportunity.  Thank you Matthew, Idella and the Bert Show!!!!!!


EASY ZUCCHINI & TOMATOES:

2    ZUCCHINI
½    CUP DICED ONION
2    CLOVES GARLIC, MINCED
1    CAN STEWED TOMATOES OR TOMATOES WITH GREEN CHILIES

COMBINE ALL INGREDIENTS IN A SAUCEPAN .  BRING TO A BOIL THEN SIMMER ABOUT 10 MINUTES OR UNTIL ZUCCHINI IS DONE.



LIGHTENED UP WALDORF SALAD:

2    MACINTOSH APPLES,PEELED,CORED & DICED
1    GRANNY SMITH APPLE,PEELED,CORED & DICED
2    TABLESPOONS CHOPPED WALNUTS
2    TABLESPOONS DRIED CHERRIES OR CRANBERRIES
¼    CUP DICED CELERY
½    CUP FATFREE VANILLA YOGURT
1/8    TEASPOON CINNAMON
    DASH SALT & PEPPER

COMBINE ALL INGREDIENTS.  REFRIGERATE UNTIL READY TO SERVE.  SERVE ON A BED OF SHREDDED ROMAINE LETTUCE



TURKEY FETA MEATLOAF:

1     POUND GROUND TURKEY (DARK MEAT)
2    EGGS, LIGHTLY BEATEN
½    CUP BREAD CRUMBS
¼    CUP CHOPPED PARSLEY
¼    CUP    CHOPPED SCALLIONS
¼    CUP CHOPPPED SUNDRIED TOMATOES
2    CLOVES GARLIC, MINCED
½    CUP CRUMBLED FETA
2    TABLESPOONS 2% MILK
1    TEASPOON BLACK PEPPER (PREFERABLY FRESH GROUND)
½    TEASPOON SALT
½    TEASPOON DRIED OREGANO

PREHEAT OVEN 375 DEGREES.  COMBINE ALL INGREDIENTS EXCEPT TURKEY IN A BOWL.  MIX WELL.  ADD TURKEY AND GENTLY MIX IN TRYING NOT TO OVERWORK.  SPRAY A 9 X 5 LOAF PAN WITH COOKING SPRAY AND GENTLY PRESS MEATLOAF MIXTURE IN.  BAKE ABOUT 45 MINUTES OR UNTIL INTERNAL TEMPERATURE IS 165 DEGREES.  LET REST A FEW MINUTES BEFORE SLICING.


 

Feb 22nd, 2010 - What an awesome week.  We worked out with a trainer on Saturday provided by Matthew.  It was great!!!!!!!!  Matt was the only guy that showed up.  Shame on the rest of them.  We all worked really hard and pushed ourselves.  Afterward we went out to breakfast and a question and answer with Matthew.  It was very encouraging.  I think we all have gotten into a routine and look forward to the weight falling off.  I am looking forward to working out again on Saturday with Matthew.  He is so supportive and there for us in any way we need. I am finally starting to feel the energy everyone has been talking about. It’s been great and I am looking forward to the week ahead.

 

Feb 15th, 2010 - We are closing in on the end of week 2.  I had a crazy week at work last week with a lot of double shifts.  I settled into my routine and did really well except for some thigh cramps.  Matthew sent me some protein powder for shakes which seemed to have done the trick.  I am walking 2 miles a day on the treadmill and hope to increase that soon.  It is really easy to follow the plan.  I am really not that hungry and seem to be making smarter choices without thinking about it. 



Here are a couple of recipes of dinners I made for my husband & myself.  I will try and include a couple each week to give people some healthy choices for dinner.