Mostly Raw Manicotti

I got to eat this tonight. It was mmm mmm good. Instead of using manicotti pasta I used rice lasagna noodles. They taste so like regular pasta you don't even miss it. Nothing like eating whole grain. What did you eat?

We have the recipes here:

Tofu Ricotta Filling

Red Sauce

130's Here I Come!

My husband tells me when I'm in the 130's my vein on my forehead starts to pop out when I smile. This is a picture of me in the 130's. I only see 'the vein' a little bit in this picture of me. What I do see in plain sight is my green Banana Republic dress that I love but can't fit in yet. Can't wait to get there!

Okay, week in review.

Started out losing almost 2 lbs. each day for the first few days. Felt really good. Then of course it didn't last. Gained a couple over the weekend. Like I've said before, I weigh myself everyday but record my weight once a week.

So, on Monday I was two lbs. down at 142.5 and as of today I am 141.0. So I'm down 1.5 lbs since Monday and 3.5 lbs since I've started this two week meal plan. I'm happy with that.

My expectations for this week is to be in the 130's. I still haven't been able to work out like I want to. We've had a sick child too and sleep has been hard to come by with that and a nursing babe. Priorities just have not lined up for me yet. Soon I'm sure. Hoping this week!

Have no clue what I'm talkin about? Read my story here.

Honey-Lemon Grilled Asparagus

This too was given to me from my brother-in-law, Ray. I've changed it a little to make it slightly more healthy but it is almost the same as his. Great for grilling season. The above asparagus had to be broiled for dinner instead of grilled because we were out of propane. I was totally bummed out. It is amazing grilled!

1 bunch of Asparagus, about 1 lb.
4 tablespoons olive oil, divided
1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
Juice from 1 Lemon or 2 Limes
2 tablespoons honey
1 teaspoon Real Salt (you can reduce by half)
1/2 cup Pine Nuts
Crumbled Goat Cheese, optional

Marinate asparagus in 2 tablespoons olive oil and balsamic vinegar. Set aside.

In a small skillet on low heat cook lemon juice through pine nuts. Cook until honey is incorporated and pine nuts are warm.

Grill asparagus on medium high heat for about 5-10 minutes depending on grill. Asparagus should have a slight char look.

When the asparagus is done pour the lemon-honey mixture over the top of asparagus and coat well. Top with goat cheese and serve immediately.

Pita Pizza

This is great for a 'fast Friday fix' when you are not wanting to spend a lot of time in the kitchen. One of my favorites too! For my two-week weight loss meal plan I don't include cheese. I usually opt out the cheese when I'm not on it too.

Favorite Pita Bread ( I like Naan whole wheat pita bread)
1 recipe of our raw Red Sauce
1 Shallot, minced
1 wedge of each, red and yellow bell pepper, sliced and diced
Any other toppings you like

Place pitas on an oven sheet. Spoon about 2 heaping tablespoons of red sauce onto each pita. Spread sauce on each pita leaving a 1/2 inch edge. Sprinkle evenly the shallots, and peppers. Broil pitas on low for 10-15 minutes. Serve immediately.

Egyptian Spiced Lentil Soup

This is one my mom gave me. This dish is more soup-like than our other lentil soup. When you eat it, you'll feel like your in Egypt, wink wink.

1+ cup Lentil
4 cups Stewed Tomatoes
4 cups + 2 cups Water
4 stalks of Celery, chopped
2 Carrots, peeled and chopped
1 large Onion, cut in wedges
3 large leaves Kale, chopped
Juice from 1/2 Lemon
1 tablespoon Onion Powder
2 teaspoons Garlic Powder
2 teaspoons Real Salt
2 teaspoons Cumin
1 teaspoon Allspice
1/2 teaspoon Cardamom
1/2 teaspoon Coriander
1/2 teaspoon Nutmeg
1/4 teaspoon White Pepper
1/8 teaspoon Cloves

In a large pot combine lentils, stewed tomatoes, and 4 cups water. Set aside.

In a blender combine the 2 cups water and the celery, carrot, onion, and kale. Blend on high for 1 minute. Pour the blender mixture into the soup pot. Add spices to the pot and stir to combine.

Bring soup to a boil. Cover and simmer on low heat for 30-40 minutes. Serve.

Apple Green Salad with Arugula and Lemon-Shallot Dressing

This makes for a nice lightly sweet salad

6-8 cups Lettuce ( I used romaine and heirloom lettuces)
1 cup Arugula, torn
1 medium Gala/Fuji Apple

Dressing:

1/2 cup shallots, minced
4 tablespoons Extra Virgin Olive Oil
4 tablespoons Raw Apple Cider Vinegar
1/2 teaspoon Real Salt
1/2 teaspoon White Pepper
1 tablespoon Agave

Wash and spin dry lettuce and arugula, set aside. Make dressing by combing all dressing ingredients in a small mixing bowl. Thinly slice apple and immediately place into the dressing. Coat all the apple slices in the dressing. Pour dressing mixture over the lettuce. Serve immediately.

Mango Coconut Delight

2 Mangos
3/4 Banana
1/4 cup Coconut Cream Concentrate
2 cups Water (or coconut milk/water)
2-4 tablespoons Agave or to taste
2 cups Ice

Blend together the first five ingredients through agave. Add ice and blend on high until the shake is smooth.

Blueberry Flax Shake

1 (10 oz) bag of Frozen Blueberries (or mixed berries)
Juice of 1/2 Lemon
1-2 handfuls of Spinach (about 2 cups)
4 inches of Cucumber, cut into chunks
half of one Avocado
1-2 cups Water (or coconut water or rice/almond milk)
2 tablespoons Agave (or honey)
1 tablespoon Flax Seed
1 tablespoon Greens powder (optional)

Blend all ingredients together until desired consistency.

Meal Plan: Day 2

My family in our backyard eating Ray Salad. My girls actually had fruit with avocado, pine nuts, and homemade bread.

Today I was down another 2 pounds. How long do you think that will last? I'll take it!

I didn't get the chance to workout, which I was sad about, but our day was just too packed. My teeth are nice and clean though and my kids got Grandma and Mommy time.

Even if you are not following the meal plans you still should try out the Ray Salad. You will have cravings for it!

Don't have a clue what I'm talking about? Click here.

And It Begins!

And so the weight losing begins! I think in anticipation of this two-week meal plan thing, my body got excited and dropped two pounds when I weighed in this morning. Nice, huh? If only weight loss and health could be as easy as a thought.

I like weighing myself every morning. There are many people who suggest otherwise but I have found that it has actually helped me recognize how my body works, what foods do better with me, and what the effects of eating junky food can do.

I actually record my weight only once a week though. I feel it gives a better overall record for the week.

So, for dinner we ate the Vegetarian Chili and some salad I whipped up. It was filling and scrumptious! I hope you like. You can find the recipe here.

Weight Loss Two-week Meal Plan

I figured it out!

Here is the two-week meal plan and here is the grocery list.

Again, I am getting my body in a healthy state (read here), and would love the company of you along the way. For those who are interested click, view, and print off the meal planner and grocery list above. I will be posting any recipes that are not already on our site.

It might be good to actually start a week after I do because I will be posting recipes as I go. I'll be starting this Sunday the 21st!

Please by all means share this with whomever! I know there are many who would appreciate the 'healthful' help.

What's Been Happening?

It's been a while, hasn't it? In a nutshell, I have been pregnant and had my third beautiful girl in December. It was nice making life simple for this special time in my family's life. Now I am ready to come back to the blogging world but slowly (read here and you will know why). Oh, and ready to take off a few of those pounds I gained during pregnancy. Which leads me to a proposition . . .

For those who are interested in joining me, I will be doing a two week meal plan to help me lose my weight and get me healthy. If any of you are still out there reading this please by all means join me. It would be so nice to have some support from people who care about living a healthy lifestyle.

When I can figure it out I will be posting my two week weight loss meal plans and a grocery list for those who would like to join me. I'm hoping to have it posted this weekend and start Sunday but if I can't figure it out by then I'll post it next week and start the following Sunday.

I did a similar two week meal plan these last two weeks and it was really good. I lost 4 lbs. and that was without working out. After modifying the meal plan and coupling it with some good ol' fashioned excercise, I'm bound to hit my goal!

Most of the meals were from Simply Healthful with a few new recipes added so I hope you like and enjoy and do it with me.