#25 Bobbie's "Skinny" Foods

Many people know that about 8 years ago I lost 25 pounds. What a lot of people don't know is that this is the same 25 pounds I gained in 9th grade, and have since lost and gained more times then need mentioning. During my mid 20's I remember my dad once saying to me, "honey, do you really need that?". I probably gave him the "look" and told him not so nicely that I had gained and lost hundreds of pounds [those same 25 of course] without his help and that I didn't need it now. Of course he was only trying to be helpful, and there I was being an overweight defensive bitch. Obviously I knew I didn't need whatever it was that I was eating, but I wanted it anyway. So here's a photo of me around 20 years old weighing about 165. OY!!!!

It's now 2009 and I've maintained this 20-25 pound loss for almost 8 years. It hasn't been easy truthfully, but the alternative is just so abhorrent to me that I won't, will not, never ever go back to being FAT! How have I maintained this loss? Well for starters, I don't eat "diet food". Those frozen pre-packaged lite/low cal/diet meals are just too salty and I would have to drink even more water than I already do to flush all that sodium from my swollen ankles and fingers. In addition, those sugar free, fat free, diet cookies and cakes and those 100 calorie packages are just a gimmick, and it's too tempting to eat more than the allotted amount, AND most of the time they don't even taste that good. I still love to eat brownies, muffins and cookies, however instead of buying them, I make them. Here are a few of my favorite recipes [modified to reduce fat and calories] and some of my favorite products that help me maintain my weight.

Brownies

I buy Arrowhead Mills gluten free mix. I like it because it has little chocolate chips in it and because when I eat gluten free, I don't feel bloated. I follow the recipe on the box, but instead of oil, I use Natural Applesauce with no added sugar, and instead of 2 eggs I use 2 whites and one yolk. By exchanging applesauce for oil, it reduces the amount of fat from 7 grams to 1.5 grams per serving and about 70-80 calories. I also cut the brownies about the size of a packet of sugar and this way I can have two and not feel like I've gone overboard.

Quinoa muffins [gluten free]

1/2 cup of brown rice flour

1/2 cup of quinoa flakes

2 tbs of honey

2 tsp baking powder

1 tsp baking soda

2 very ripe bananas

2 eggs

Above is the recipe off the box of quinoa flakes. In addition, I add flax seed and whey vanilla protein powder [18 grams of protein per serving]. Because I add dry ingredients, I also need to add wet ones; about 1/2 cup all natural applesauce and water as needed. I sometimes also add raisins, cinnamon and carob chips. I don't happen to like really sweet muffins, but if you do you can add xylitol. These muffins are dense and filling . I don't make them as large as the box recommends and this way I get about 14 muffins instead of ten. Their baked muffin is 131 calories. Even though my muffins are smaller, because I add raisins, applesauce and protein powder I would say that they are about 125-135 cal. per muffin.

Peanut Butter

I love peanut butter and although I eat the all natural kind [Crazy Richard's is my favorite], it's still a lot of calories and fat. I'm going to tell you about this great product and when you first read what I'm about to tell you, you are going to think "no way". That was my reaction, but loving PB, I decided to give it a try. This product is from Bell Plantation in Tifton, Georgia [http://bellplantation.com/] and it is real peanut butter. PB2 has 85% less fat calories than regular peanut butter, but I swear it still tastes the same. The oil is squeezed out of the roasted peanuts and what you receive in the mail is a peanut butter looking container with powdered peanut butter. You just add a tablespoon of water to 2 tablespoons of PB2 and mix. You'll love it and it only has 53 calories and 1.87g of fat per a 2 tablespoon serving. I eat peanut butter guiltlessly now on my gluten free waffles, breads, and of course my red delicious apples. And guess what, I found this PB while reading someone's blog [I wish I could remember which one so that I could thank her]. See, blog reading can be fun, interesting and educational!!

Adora Calcium Supplements in Dark Chocolate

A friend told me about these and I thank her every time I pop one in my mouth. They are a little larger than a quarter and much thicker and they also come in milk chocolate, but I like [ok, LOVE] dark chocolate. Each piece is 30 calories and has 500mg of calcium plus vitamin D2 and K1. I give these out as snacks to girlfriends when they come over and I have to buy 3 bags at a time because they sell out so quickly at my local Whole Foods. Sometimes when I'm really craving chocolate, I pop one of these babies and it's totally satisfying.

Turkey Chili [serves about 4]

white meat ground turkey [or any type of turkey]

1 can of black beans [drained of fluid] - I read somewhere that beans, but especially black beans, are really good for you.

1 can of Trader Joe's tomato sauce [no added sugar]

15-20 cherry tomatoes [cut in half]

1/2 chopped onion [whatever type you like]

1 can or jar or fresh mushrooms [rinse the ones in the cans and jars]

chili powder [to taste]

red pepper and black pepper [to taste]

salt [to taste]

In a pot sprayed with Pam [or olive oil] saute onions til soft and getting brown. Add turkey. When the turkey looks like it is almost done, add the mushrooms and tomatoes stirring every few minutes. After about 4-5 minutes stir in the black beans. When their is no more raw turkey, add the tomato sauce, chili powder, peppers and salt. I keep the pot uncovered and let it simmer on low for about 20 minutes. I then cover it and turn off the stove. During this time, it gets a little watery from condensation. About 10 minutes before serving, take the cover off and cook on a medium-low flame stirring every few minutes. Serve with a salad and I promise you will be satisfied. Bon Appetite!!!

Here are just a few other items and ideas:

- if you are trying to stay away from breads, try melting a slice or two of light Jarlsburg cheese on tinfoil. It's like picking the cheese off the pizza.

- Fiber One Bars - keep them in the fridge - these taste like chewy candy bars and are only 140 calories. Have a 1/2 or whole. Oh yeah, they're called Fiber One because of they have 9 grams of fiber per serving. They will definitely help you "go".

- 'Skyr.is' Plain Yogurt - this product is from Iceland and tastes like the Greek yogurt that is so popular now. However, this 6oz serving has 22 grams of protein, zero fat grams and only 110 calories. I make this a meal by adding blueberries and/or raspberries and/or blackberries, pistachio nuts, sunflower seeds, almonds, flax, and sometimes a gluten free cereal. Just mix it all up, but remember to measure whatever you are putting in there because those calories can add up quickly.

"The body is a bundle of careful compromises" ~ Randolph Nesse and George Williams, Why We Get Sick