2009 Mr. Olympia in Las Vegas

Hello everyone,

Hope all is going well with you, I have had a busy week and weekend and haven't been able to post. My workout and eating were a been a bit crazy too. I didn't gained anything last week, but didn't loose any either.

I had a wonderful weekend with my boyfriend Matthew, boy, was it a BUSY weekend! We went shopping, out dancing one night, out to eat several times, went to the movies and even had a nice picnic at the park today. We had a blast! I love weekends like that!

I am however back to the grind again tomorrow. I really want to drop a few more lbs. especially before Sept. 24th when I travel to Las Vegas! :)

I am so excited I will be attending the 2009 Mr. Olympia. Matthew and I are staying for 5 great days of FUN!! I can't wait! I am so looking forward to the convention and just spending time with my baby in Vegas. Anyone else going? If so, let me know and maybe we can meet up!

Well it's late so I'm going to call it a night and go snuggle in bed and watch Big Brother (YES we are both addicted to it). Have a great night everyone! I will be back again this week posting! I have a few new recipes, I can't wait to share with you all!

Here's to a healthier you,
Shelly

Product Review: Arnold Select 100% Whole Wheat Sandwich Thins

I came across a product the other day at the grocery store that I had never seen before. I'm not sure how long they have been around but they are new to me. I made a sandwich today and just loved it, so wanted to share it with you all.

Arnold Select 100% Whole Wheat Sandwich Thins

Each Sandwich Thin (2 slices) are only:
100 calories
1g Fat
5g fiber
5g protein.
And for those on Weight Watchers, they are only 1 pt each.
oh and No High Fructose corn syrup either.

They are much thiner than a hamburger bun (hence the name) but a little bit rounder than one. They are soft and can fit in the toaster. And come in 3 different varieties, but I have only used the whole wheat.



Ok, so as I mentioned I decided to make a sandwich today and this is what I used:

• 1 Sandwich Thin (2 slices)
• 2 slices Deli Ham
• 1 slice 2% Swiss Cheese

I then grilled it for a couple mins. on my foreman indoor grill and added the following:

• lil bit of Mayo & Mustard
• Tomato
• Onion
• Lettuce

(note: once you add the filling, the calories, pts. values, etc. go up)

The sandwich was so GOOD!!!! Grilling it gave it just a touch of crunch and warmed up the ham and cheese. That in combination with the cold stuff I added after I grilled it, made a Great sandwich. I am already craving another one, so will probably have it for lunch again tomorrow, maybe use turkey this time.



I really like these sandwich thins. What I like about them is that you can taste what is inside of them instead of just a mouth full of bread. I use to eat at Subway alot when I was doing weight watchers but their bread is so thick that you really can't even taste the meat and other stuff on the inside. With these sandwich thins, you get just the right amount of bread.

I have already started thinking of all the other ways I could use them. Some other items (combinations) I want to try with these are:

• mini pizzas
• grilled peanut butter and jelly sandwich
• in place of a hamburger or hotdog bun
• toasted with some butter and jelly

I'll post any other combinations I come up with! I think I'll be using these a lot!

Here's to a healthier you,
Shelly

Yummy Low-Fat Jello Poke Cake

This is an easy to make and oh so yummy cake. I started making this when I was following Weight Watchers because it's low in points. I still make it to this day and just love it. Even my kids love it!

I made it for dinner tonight so decided to take some pictures and share the recipe with you all.

Yummy Low-Fat Jello Poke Cake



INGREDIENTS:
1 box white cake mix
12 oz. diet 7up (I used cherry diet 7up)
4 oz. box of sugar-free Jello (I used (2) 3oz. boxes but didn't use it all)
1 container Cool Whip Free

INSTRUCTIONS:

1. Open up the box of cake mix and pour into large mixing bowl. Add 12 oz. of diet 7up. Mix well. PLEASE NOTE: You do NOT add anything else to the cake mix, just the diet 7up. So you are leaving out the egg, oil, water, etc.

2. Pour mixed cake batter into a 13x9 inch baking pan sprayed with pam.

3. Bake according to cake mix package directions.

4. When cake is done baking, remove from oven to cool slightly.

5. When cake has cool slightly, take a fork and poke holes in the top.

6. Make the jello according to package directions competing ONLY the hot water part.
Do NOT add the cold water.

7. Pour the heated jello water all over the top of the cake.

7. Put cake in refrigerator to chill.

8. Once cake has chilled, top with fat-free cool whip.

9. And Enjoy!

This cake can make anywhere from 12 to 20 servings depending on what size you make each serving. I cut mine smaller so I make 20 servings.

OTHER COMBINATIONS:
There are so many different favor combinations you can make using a box cake mix and diet soda:

Chocolate Cake w/diet coke
Chocolate Cake w/diet cherry coke
Chocolate Cake w/diet root beer
White Cake w/diet orange soda
Banana Cake w/diet root beer
Lemon Cake w/diet 7-up
Lemon Cake w/diet ginger ale
Pineapple Cake w/diet Squirt
Red Velvet w/diet cherry vanilla Dr Pepper
Spice Cake w/diet orange

Note: I don't always put the jello in my cake, for example when using chocolate cake mix, I don't use jello. Just make the cake with diet soda, bake and cool, then top with cool-whip.

I hope you enjoy! :)

Here's to a healthier you,
Shelly

"Better For You" Banana Bread

I was craving some banana bread today so decided to make up a loaf.

The bread looks and smells really good. I can't wait to have a slice after dinner tonight. I did taste a little bit and it taste good too. It's not a really sweet bread tho, so if you like your bread really sweet you might want to add some more sugar.

Normally I would put nuts in my banana bread but my kids didn't want any nuts this time so we left them out.

I took a regular banana bread recipe and just made some changes to it to make it healthier. I used whole wheat flour in place of some of the all-purpose flour, I added ground flaxseed, used egg whites in place of whole eggs, used no-sugar applesauce in place of the oil and lowered the amount of sugar added. I'm calling it "Better For You" Banana Bread!

It's really low in calories and fat.

"Better For You" Banana Bread

INGREDIENTS:
1 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 cup whole wheat flour
1/4 cup ground flaxseed
1/2 cup white sugar
1 1/4 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
2 egg whites, beaten
1 cup banana, mashed (2 medium bananas)
1/4 cup no-sugar applesauce



INSTRUCTIONS:
1. Preheat oven to 350. Lightly grease an 8x4 inch loaf pan.
2. In a large bowl, stir together flours, flaxseed, sugar, baking powder, baking soda and cinnamon.


3. In separate bowl, combine egg whites, bananas and applesauce; stir until combined.


4. Pour wet ingredients into dry ingredients and mix until completely moisten.


5. Pour batter into prepared pan.


6. Bake in preheated oven for 40-50 minutes, until a toothpick inserted into center comes out clean.


7. Turn out onto wire rack and allow to cool before slicing.


And Enjoy!

I bought some blueberries the other day and I think I may make another loaf of this bread in a few days and use the blueberries and call it "Better For You" Banana-Blueberry Bread. HMMMMM sounds good!

Here's to a healthier you,
Shelly

Oatmeal Egg White Crepes w/Peanut Butter & Honey

I have a new addiction for breakfast. My boyfriend (UPDATE: now My Husband :) started making these for me and I am now addicted to them. They are really easy to make and are low in calories.

Oatmeal Egg White Crepes w/Peanut Butter & Honey



INGREDIENTS:
2 cups Egg Whites (I use egg whites from "Egg Whites International")
1 cup quick Oatmeal
Natural Peanut Butter
Honey

INSTRUCTIONS:

1. First, blend the quick oats in a blender at high speed, this will make it more powder like, and set it aside.


2. Next, pour 2 cups Egg Whites into the blender, then blend on low speed.


3. Slowly add the quick oats back to the blender. Once both are blended a little turn the speed on the blender up to high and blend for 30 seconds.


4. Heat a skillet sprayed with pam on medium heat.


5. Slowly pour in the batter. The more you pour in the pan the bigger it will be so adjust accordingly. Once in the pan you can thin it out by lifting the pan off the burner and swirling it a little to spread the batter out wider (Note: The batter will be very thin, kind of watery, not thick like pancake batter).


6. Once cooked on one side, flip it over.


7. While it is cooking the other side you can add the peanut butter. It is a little hard to spread Natural Peanut Butter so do your best. When it is done place it on a plate, roll it up and top with honey. YUM!

I have also had them with sliced bananas in the middle as well as Dark Chocolate Dreams Peanut Butter drizzled with a lil sugar-free chocolate syrup. The ones pictured are the peanut butter and honey and the dark chocolate peanut butter and chocolate syrup. They are really good!

Here's to a healthier you,
Shelly

I'm still alive!

Yes I'm still alive! For those of you who have visited my blog and noticed I haven't posted in about 4 months, I just wanted to share why!

There has been so much happening! First off, back in April, I asked my husband for a divorce, he moved out and we are currently in the process of finalizing everything. It hasn't been an easy one at all but with the love and support of my friends and family, I am doing good and feel so much better!

I have actually met a new man and I know it seems fast but I am totally head over heals in love with this guy! I have been so unhappy for so very long that it feels good to finally have someone who loves me, respects me and adores me! :)

Another exciting thing is my first grandbaby was born in July. Her name is Savanah Lee-Anne and she is so sweet! I am just in ahh of her and excited to be a grandma (even tho I think I'm way too young :) hehehe. Here is baby Savanah!

I also stopped training at the gym where I was before and started training with my boyfriend. Oh by the way, his name is Matthew! He is a personal trainer and YES I met him at the gym! :) I now train with him (for FREE, WHOOHOO) but I haven't been as on track as I would like. My diet hasn't been as good either. With everything going on, it's just been much easier to get take out! But I'm ready to get back on track now and will be sharing that with you all soon.

I'm going to be moving this blog over to wordpress at some point. Not sure how long it will take me but I'll be sure to let you know when that happens. I'm also in the process of working on a new site with Matthew called "Fitody" that will pertain to fitness and nutrition. We are both really excited about this new site. More details to come soon as we get closer to the site launch!

Anyhow so you can see I have had a ton going on in my life! All the above along with regular life stuff (taking care of kids, cleaning house, working and all that good stuff). But I'm coming Back and will be blogging again soon!

Thanks bunches!

Here's to a healthier you,
Shelly