Tag Archives: Weight Loss

Cauliflower Rice “Risotto”

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First things first: Is this risotto? Absolutely not, but it’s a pretty good substitute! I think the big trick to loving these low carb subs is to take them on in their own right as a new dish. I’m always experimenting with new side dishes, and this one is a winner!

Ingredients:

  • 5 cups frozen cauliflower rice
  • 1 cup mushrooms, sliced
  • 1 small onion, diced
  • 2 tsp garlic paste
  • 1 cup chicken broth
  • 4 ounce cream cheese, softened
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • Fresh herbs like parsley for garnish
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Unlocking the Power of Quality Sleep: My Journey and Tips for You

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Sleep is one of the most important tools in your healthy you toolbox.

For years, I thought running on three or four hours of sleep was a badge of honor. “Look at me, conquering the world on minimal sleep!” Let me tell you, there’s nothing heroic about walking around like a zombie. It wasn’t until I got sick that I realized sleep isn’t something to skimp on—it’s essential for our health and well-being.

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Oh Oh Oh Ozempic…Yes, We all Know

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When I first heard about Ozempic, it was through that unforgettable “O-O-O-Ozempic” commercial. If you’re anything like me and remember the song “Magic” by Pilot, you’ll understand why that jingle lodged itself in my brain. It aired around the same time I found out I had diabetes, and I remember thinking, “Hmm, that might be something to try in the future.” It’s funny looking back because, at the time, it felt like a niche product with a catchy jingle. Little did I know that Ozempic would soon become a household name. It’s amazing how a couple of years can turn a little-known medication into something that’s practically everywhere.

Fast forward to about a year ago when I actually started taking Ozempic. It was primarily to manage my diabetes, but I soon discovered it had some surprising perks. I didn’t experience the weight loss that many others did; instead, I gained a bit. With my blood sugar under better control, I found I could enjoy foods that were previously off-limits without worrying about sugar spikes. It felt liberating after years of strict dietary restrictions.

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From Toughing It Out to Reaching Out: The Power of Compassion and Support

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Growing up, many of us were taught to “tough it out.” I remember carrying firewood with my siblings and falling, only to be told to shake it off when I told my parents my hand hurt really bad. It had been a long day and it happened at bedtime, so everyone just wanted to go to sleep.

The next morning, I found myself in the emergency room with a hand full of fat sausages, my fingers so swollen they were touching. My mom felt terrible, but that “tough it out” mentality stuck with me, and I’m sure a lot of you suffer the same problem.

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Finding Joy Beyond the Plate: How I Learned to Savor Life in a New Way

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For a long time, a lot of my joy was tied to food. Special occasions meant special meals. Family traditions revolved around baking and sharing treats. And then, life threw me a curveball—I found out I was diabetic.

Suddenly, the very things that brought me comfort and connection—the cookies, the Christmas treats, the homemade dishes I tied to memories—were off-limits, or at least had to be drastically changed. My first holiday season after getting sick was rough. Every year, I had made my mother’s favorite Christmas desserts as a way to feel close to her and my dad. But now? That tradition, that little piece of joy, felt like it had been ripped away.

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How Weight Watchers Tricked Me into Low-Carb Bliss (And Why I’m Not Even Mad About It)

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There was a time when I thought the words “low-carb” belonged to a realm of misery and sacrifice—like a dystopian novel where potatoes were contraband, and bread was only available on the black market. Let me set the stage: back when I started my health journey, I wasn’t in it for the mirror or the scale. I wanted to feel better. Look better? I mean, I woudn’t be mad about it.But I had bigger goals—like not feeling like a tired and wore out on the daily.

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On the Road Again

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Right.  So the last time I posted I was going to get my act together and start acting right.

Life threw back it’s head and laughed an evil laugh.  Silly girl, we can’t have that.

I ended up leaving town for work.  It was supposed to be for a week, and that week turned into two, and those two turned into a month.

If I knew it was going to be this long I would have booked a stay in one of those extended stay hotels with a small kitchenette, but by the time I realized I wouldn’t be going home any time soon, it was to late.

I’ll admit my first thought was I. Am. Screwed.  Eating out is my Achilles heal, and now I was going to have to eat out every meal for a month.

My whole trip was last minute, but I was lucky enough to stay in a hotel that had a small refrigerator and microwave in the room.

Do you ever seen those hard boiled eggs floating in mystery liquid in the gas station and wonder who on Earth would buy something like that?

This girl, that’s who.

I also used to wonder who would buy them already boiled at the grocery store when it’s so easy to do at home.  Now I know!

So breakfast was covered.  Hard boiled eggs?  Check.  Greek yogurt?  Check.

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Got Perspective?

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per·spec·tive:  a particular attitude toward or way of regarding something; a point of view.

Perspective was a very important word while I was losing weight, and I think it is even more important now.

I had a little perspective wake up call this weekend, and thought I’d share it with you all.  It was a lesson I’ll never forget, but sometimes gets pushed to the back of my mind until a reminder brings it to the surface.

We have to go in the way-back machine for this one folks.  It was back in 2002, the first time I joined Weight Watchers.  I was a losing machine, but hungry all the time.  You are only going to get so far that way, and thankfully Weight Watchers and myself have come a long way since 2002.

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Throwing Down the Gauntlet

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So my crazy busy work schedule is hopefully behind me for awhile, so I’m back, and not a moment to soon.  I actually missed my monthly weigh-in for June, something I swore would never happen.

That’s not real life though.  Real life is messy and unpredictable.  Real life seldom presents you with the best possible circumstances to maintain your health, and you have to learn to roll with it.

One month will not make or break me.  I’m going to admit to you all, I was nervous as hell when I stepped on that scale.  Sure there are habits that are ingrained now, but the habit, the most important one, had disappeared since the advent of the Freestyle program.

Tracking.

For over a year and a half I religiously tracked my food.  Even if I had to guess I still guessed and put it in my Weight Watcher app.  I started out with the best intentions.  So many of the now free foods were my daily staples.  Tracking all those zeros seemed like a big waste of time, so I started to relax with it until tracking was non-existent.

How could I go from being so disciplined to a free for all in such a short amount of time is truly terrifying.  I was pleasantly surprised when I hit my goal number on the nose when I stepped on that scale a couple of weeks ago.  Obviously some of those habits still do a body good.

The problem is at one time I was five pounds under that number.  It may not seem like much, but I know that it starts as a little snowball and grows bigger as it rolls down the hill.  Maybe it’s silly, but I felt better, stronger with those five pounds gone.

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