Day 3

Happy Valentine's Day!  Today was a little boring for me.  Just stayed at home and watched too much TV.  I'm in the process of sprucing up my resume and job hunting.  I work for my dad tomorrow and then I'm heading out on Wednesday to get applications.  I am very anxious to get a job so I can keep myself busy.  As a recovering addict, idle hands are definitely the devil's playground so just keeping myself busy is very important, not to mention when I'm bored I eat (as to which I'm sure many of you can relate).  I still managed to make some good choices food-wise today.  I had a high-fiber breakfast and then made an awesome marinated and grilled chicken breast, which I put on a big salad with low fat dressing.  In the late afternoon I had another itch to bake something.  I'm becoming more and more domestic by the day.  Ha! This time it was an Apple Brown Betty.  It's similar to a crumble and my version is made with fresh apples, whole wheat bread, cinnamon, brown sugar and a touch of butter.  So yummy and only a handful of calories. :)  Hope everyone enjoyed their V-day.  It's a great day to really be grateful for the loved ones we have in our lives.  Not just significant others, but family, friends and even co-workers (hehehe).  Until tomorrow, ciao!

BREAKFAST

1 cup Raisin Bran cereal - 3 pts, 190 calories

1/2 cup 1% milk - 1 pt, 55 calories

1 medium banana, 2 pts, 105 calories

BREAKFAST TOTALS: 6 pts, 350 calories

LUNCH

4 oz. Grilled chicken breast (boneless, skinless), 3 pts, 140 calories

3 cups mixed salad greens, 0 pts, 30 calories

Lowfat ranch dressing made with yogurt, 2 pts, 70 calories

1 oz. Sun Chips (French Onion flavor), 3 pts, 140 calories

LUNCH TOTALS: 8 pts, 380 calories

PM SNACK

2 homemade cranberry oatmeal cookies, 6 pts, 300 calories
1/2 cup low-fat vanilla yogurt, 3 pts, 130 calories
1/2 banana,1 pt, 60 calories
SNACK TOTAL: 10 pts, 490 calories

DINNER

2 stuffed shells (made with turkey sausage and part-skim ricotta), 4 pts, 190 calories
Small salad, 0 pts, 30 calories
2 tbsp low-fat yogurt dressing, 2 pts, 70 calories
DINNER TOTAL: 6 pts, 290 calories

SNACK/DESSERT

1 serving (about a cup) of homemade Brown Betty. 4 pts, 180 calories
1 cup 1% milk, 2 pts, 110 calories
SNACK/DESSERT TOTAL: 6 pts, 290 calories

DAY TOTAL: 36 pts, 1800 calories

I was surprised to see that today I went a little crazy with the snacking.  I stayed within my budget, but snacking is definitely something I need to work on.  Those mid-afternoon munchies can really get ya.  I would like to focus more of my calories on main meals throughout the day (and no, not just the basic 3, but making more frequent nutritious meals).  Besides that, everything went great and I can't wait to jump back in tomorrow!

 Here are the ingredients for the awesome marinated chicken I had today.  It's really easy and it only has to marinate for 15 minutes to get the full flavor!  It's 1/4 cup dijon mustard, 2 tbsp lemon juice, 1 1/2 tablespoons worcesteshire sauce, sprinkle of tarragon, and a sprinkle of black pepper.  Stir it up and throw it in a ziploc bag with your chicken and 15 minutes later it's ready for the grill (or skillet, or oven).  Easy peasy!

I sliced up 4 Pink Lady apples for my Apple Brown Betty.  It was honestly the easiest dessert I've ever made.  It consists of 4 slices of toasted wheat bread, which are then chopped into crumbs in the food processor.  Combine the bread crumbs with a teaspoon of cinnamon and 2 tbsp of brown sugar.  Layer half of the apples in a shallow casserole and then layer half the bread mixture on top.  Repeat with remaining apples and bread and then dab with 1 tbsp of real butter and add 1/3 cup water.  Pop it in a 375 degree oven for 45 minutes or until bubbly and Voila! Even better topped with some vanilla frozen yogurt or low fat ice cream!  That container sitting next to the cutting board is this awesome product called Fruit Fresh. Just a sprinkle prevents produce like apples and avocados from turning brown due to oxygen.  It's all natural and helps keep your fruits looking great.