BACK IN THE RING: FIGHTING THE BABY BULGE | HEALTHY SNACKING

this yumminess is what gets me in trouble every time. the perfect reward for meeting my first goal? 

me thinks so. recipe here via brooklyn supper.

for some summer is almost over but for me we aren't even half way there yet. Munchkin (and little h) still have about 6 weeks left Jesus Take the Wheel  before school starts. Which means plenty of time to cross things off of our summer bucket list and plenty of time to raid the refrigerator on a daily basis when we come in from galavanting through the city (and the back yard) all day.

H is two years old now.  Apparently I've lost 10 and then gained five pounds since this time last year. Booo! Hissss!

And I'm certain of the culprit. SNACKS and lack of exercise.

While I think I've done a decent job of maintaining I haven't yet gotten down to a weight I'm comfortable with (i.e. I can fit into the seven pairs of jeans I've anointed with oil and prayed over tucked away in my closet for safe keeping).

I can't totally get rid of the decadent and caloric snacks I have around the house, because unlike me, the other folks around here could stand to gain a few pounds. So in order to combat my wandering (to the snack cabinet) eye, I'll need to have some artillery of my own.

Cue the:

HEALTHY SNACK LIST:
-a hard boiled egg with a half cup of grapes
-a savory parfait made with two tablespoons of low fat cottage cheese, a quarter of an avocado chunks, and a table spoon of raisins.
-a packet of instant unsweetened oatmeal with cinnamon and chopped nuts
-hollowed out zucchini halves topped with guacamole
-a low fat Greek yogurt with a cup of your favorite berries
-a cup of baby carrots with two tablespoons of hummus
-Kind Bars
-a cup of steamed in the pod edamame
-a half cup of high fiber cereal with skim milk
-a 100 calorie pack of almonds and a banana
-a handful of whole wheat crackers and a wedge of laughing cow cheese, cucumbers

I've taken the liberty of creating a printable list to take to the grocery store here.

Keeping it real: My mom has gotten on the healthy eating and exercise kick and lost like 40 pounds?! If she fits into my jeans before I do, I may spiral into a deep depression. The good news is, my sister has gained a few pounds, so I'm not totally the chunky one anymore:-)

So lets set some goals…

First to lose 5 pounds. READY, SET, GO!

You in? #bhOPERATIONSKINNYJEANS

xxB

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CHICKEN, SPINACH, AND BLUEBERRY SALAD WITH POMEGRANATE VINAIGRETTE

• Super bummed we missed the strawberry picking season this year. I called ahead last Friday, and the pickens were slim (she said) so we opted out since its a 45 minute drive to Southern Belle Farms for me. Its a little harder to get out there while the kids are still in school. But the start of summer brings the blueberries and black berries and we will be there with bells on! In preparation for the loads of berries we'll be gathering, I've been looking for some good recipes to sink our teeth into. Last year, I made this Berry Oat Cake and Blackberry Buttermilk Sherbet. And looking forward to trying my hand at some smoothie and jam making this summer. 
• In the mean time I put this salad together for dinner the other night and it was SO YUM. A spin on a recipe from one of my Cooking Light mags. I'm always trying to find creative ways to use my leftover rotisserie chicken. And with the baked sweet potatoes made for a hearty and filling meal.
• 
  
• INGREDIENTS
• 1 teaspoon Olive Oil
• Leftover Rotisserie Chicken
• 1 1/2 teaspoons coarsely ground black pepper
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 8 cups bagged baby spinach
• Pomegranate Vinaigrette
• 1/2 cup thinly sliced red onion
• 1 cup fresh blueberries 
• 1/2 thinly sliced then halved English Cucumber
• 1/4 cup (1 ounce) crumbled blue cheese
• 
  
• PREPARATION
• 1. Heat a grill pan or large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Coat pan with olive oil. Sprinkle chicken with pepper and salt. Add chicken to pan. Cook 1 to 2 minutes on each side or until warm.
• 2. Divide spinach evenly on each of 4 serving plates; drizzle evenly with Pomegranate Vinaigrette. Arrange chicken, onion, and blueberries evenly over spinach. Sprinkle evenly with cheese.
• 
  
• for the DRESSING
• 1/2 cup pomegranate juice 
• 3 tablespoons sugar
• 3 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
• 1 tablespoon canola oil
• 1 teaspoon fresh squeezed orange juice
• *Combine all ingredients in a small bowl. Stir with a whisk until blended.
• 
  
• 

What do you like to do with your leftover rotisseries? Any berry recipes you can share?

-xxB

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