Day 5

Wow .. today its Sunshiny outside!!! Nice break from the gloomy day's we've been having... yes.. I know the sun has been shining some outside the last couple of days.. but I'm inside working .. so I don't see or enjoy the sunshine as much .. But today.. its Coming in lighting up my livingroom !!!!   Its beautiful!!  I wont tell you its 32 outside!   =|


Yesterday I forgot to mention...  I have heard of  teas that are supposed to help metabolism  ...  I went to Wooster Natural Foods to pick some up..  The Teas I purchased is...

 Oolong Tea For Weight Loss
Oolong tea boosts metabolism, helping you burn fat faster. Its unique catechin (an antioxidant) and caffeine combination ignites your body’s fat-burning furnace and raises your metabolism for up to 2 hours after drinking it. Oolong tea also contains polyphenols that help block fat-building enzymes. Studies have shown that drinking oolong tea has led to sustained weight loss and a smaller waist size. Be careful not to overload your tea with sugar, which will negate the benefits.

 Yerba Mate Tea
For Weight Loss
Popular in South America, yerba mate tea is chockfull of antioxidants and vitamins and can help you lose fat. It contains the fat-fighting compound mateine, which gives you a metabolism and energy boost. Known as a cravings-killer, it saves you from consuming empty calories you'd normally reach for. Additionally, yerba mate does not produce the caffeine-related crashes that some people experience with coffee and can give you 3-4 hours of very stable, clean energy.

White Tea
For Weight Loss
White tea is less processed than other forms of tea, therefore the polyphenols, a type of antioxidant, are extra potent. White tea contains ECGC, an antioxidant that prevents new fat cells from forming and fights signs of aging, like wrinkles. Research indicates that these benefits may protect against colon cancer, among other cancers. White tea’s flavor ranges from delicate to bold.

Ginger Tea  (for when I have a migraine .. I'm going to try this) 
For Headaches
Ginger works as an anti-inflammatory agent blocking prostagladins – the chemical messengers that cause a slight swelling in the brain. Ginger tea reduces inflammation in about the same amount of time as it would take an aspirin to work. Drink a cup at the onset of your headache to stop pain in its tracks.

 I wont be drinking All of these Every day.. although my desire is to drink each one every day all day long so it will just get me skinny really quick!   lol..    But I'd think if that would happen... many people would just drink tea and not have to worry what we are eating right?    =\    We will see how it works!!!



Its 10:30 AM .. I should get breakfast!  

Breakfast : 
Egg and sausage    (8 points)   I feel that with the protein in the morning helps me not get so hungry ... I will probably start eating oatmeal too..   My cholesterol is just on the border so I need to bring that down some... and oatmeal will probably stick with me like the protein! 

Snack: 
  apple     (0 points)

Lunch:   just like Yesterday... I'm cleaning .. its easy...  
  1/2 cup cottage cheese with mandarin oranges (2 points)
   1/2 cup pumpkin with butter  (1 point)

Snack:  
apple


Supper:
salad tossed  about 2 cups (0 Points)
1/2 avocado  (3  points)
1/2 sweet potato (2 points)
celery, tomato (0 points)
1/2 cup spaghetti ( 3 points)

Snack ---  because I have points left today!!!   whoot whoot!!
  cereal with milk and 2 TBS chocolate chips!   Yes I just HAD to add the chocolate chips.. They were Dark Chocolate!!! 


Are you like me...  the more you eat.. the more you want to eat?   Seriously..  when I am finished eating .. all I want to do is find chocolate or cookie or something sweet...   this is a life long problem .. not just now... guess that's why I'm in the 'shape' I'm in!  


I have now started a grocery list .. to have good choices... I asked Karl to pick up some yogurt .. he bought plain ...  have you ever tasted plain yogurt... DON'T... its nasty,  I even tried to put Blueberries in it.. YUCK!!  not going to do that again!!!  I guess if I added sugar it would be ok.. but wouldn't that be sabotaging everything!!!
This is something I am going to make as soon as I get white whole wheat flour....

Chocolate Chip Buttermilk Scones
Skinnytaste.com
Servings: 12 • Serving Size: 1 scone • Old Points: 4 pts • Points+: 5 pts  
Calories: 199.6 • Fat: 8.1 g • Protein: 3.7 g • Carb: 29.8 g • Fiber: 2.3 g • Sugar: 12.8 g
Sodium: 257.4 mg
Ingredients:

• 3/4 cup cold buttermilk
• 1/4 cup sugar
• 2 tsp vanilla extract
• 1 large egg
• 1 cup all purpose flour (Bob's Red Mill)
• 1 cup white whole wheat flour (Bob's Red Mill)
• 1 tbsp baking powder
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 3 tbsp chilled butter (must be cold) cut into small pieces
• 3/4 cup chocolate chips
• cooking spray
• 1 large egg white, lightly beaten
• 1 1/2 tbsp sugar

Directions:

Preheat oven to 375°. Combine the first four ingredients in a medium bowl, stirring with a whisk. Spray baking sheet with cooking spray.

Combine flour, baking powder, salt, in a large bowl, stirring with a whisk. Cut in chilled butter with a pastry blender, or you could use 2 knives, until the mixture resembles coarse meal. Gently fold in chocolate chips. Add milk mixture, stirring just until moist.

Place dough onto a floured surface and knead lightly four times with floured hands. Form dough into an 9-inch circle onto baking sheet, about 3/4" thick. Using a knife, cut dough into 12 wedges all the way through.

                 Doesn't that look yummmy...   they are 5 points ... 

         I can make it and freeze each serving... good for a quick snack.  =\  

   ok... When I NEED a Chocolate Cookie !!! 

Another thing I'm going to make is :  (better than Grape jelly) and I Love Pumpkin! 

 Pumpkin Butter
Gina's Skinny Recipes
Servings: 30 • Serving Size: 2 tbsp • Old Points: 1 pts • Points+: 1 pts
Calories: 32 • Fat: 0.1 g • Protein: 0.5 g • Carb: 9.5 g • Fiber: 1.3 g • Sugar: 8 g 
Sodium: 3.5 g 
Ingredients:

• 3 1/2 cups pumpkin puree, or 1 (29 ounce) can (not pumpkin pie filling)
• 2 tsp vanilla extract
• 3/4 cup apple cider or juice
• 1 cup packed brown sugar
• 2-3 cinnamon sticks
• 1-2 tsp pumpkin pie spice (to taste)

Directions:
Combine pureed pumpkin, vanilla, apple juice, spices, cinnamon sticks and sugar in a large saucepan; stir well. Bring mixture to a boil. Reduce heat, and simmer for 30 - 40 minutes or until thickened. Stir frequently. Adjust spices to your taste. Makes 3 3/4 cups.


Another pick me up :
Easy Pumpkin Spice Granola
Skinnytaste.com
Servings: 11 • Serving Size: 1/3 cup  • Old Points: 2 pts • Points+: 4 pts
Calories: 133 • Fat: 4.5 g • Carbs: 21.5 g • Fiber: 3 g • Protein: 3 g • Sugar: 8 g
Sodium: 10 (without salt)

Bowl of Cereal (1/3 cup granola, 1/3 cup unsweetened almond milk, 1/2 cup apples)
Skinnytaste.com
Servings: 1 • Size: 1 bowl  • Old Points: 3 pts • Points+: 5 pts
Calories: 183 • Fat: 6 g • Carbs: 32 g • Fiber: 5 g • Protein: 3 g • Sugar: 14.5 g
Sodium: 69 (without salt)
Ingredients:

• 1/4 cup uncooked quinoa, rinsed well and pat dry with paper towel
• 1 1/2 cups rolled oats*
• 1/4 cup ground flaxseeds
• 1/4 cup pepitas (or other seed)
• 1/4 cup chopped pecans
• 1/2 cup dried cranberries
• 1/4 cup real maple syrup (or honey)
• 1/4 cup pumpkin puree
• 1 tsp oil (coconut or canola)
• 1 tsp pumpkin spice (or more to taste)
• 1/4 tsp cinnamon
• pinch kosher salt
• 1/2 tsp vanilla extract

Directions:
Preheat oven to 325° F.
Spread oats* and quinoa out on a parchment lined baking pan. Toast in the oven 10 minutes, stirring once.

 Remove the oats from the oven, pour the toasted oats into a medium bowl and add the ground flaxseeds, pepitas, pecans and dried fruit.
Reduce oven to 300° F.
In a second medium bowl, combine maple syrup, pumpkin puree, oil, pumpkin spice, cinnamon, salt and vanilla. Pour over oats and stir together with a spatula. Spread back onto a baking sheet and bake an additional 20 minutes, or until golden.
 


Thanks all for today Folks!