New Pasta Recipe

This one probably isn't as low fat as it could be (made with trimmed boneless pork spareribs) but it is healthy and REALLY simple! Oh yeah and it tastes friggin awesome!

1-2 lbs boneless pork spareribs (trimmed of excess fat and sliced into 1/2 wide slices)
1 onion, diced
2 tbsp Canola/Olive/other low saturated fat oil
1lb box Barilla Plus Fusilli Pasta (reserve 1/2 cup of water from cooked pasta)
1 bunch fresh spinach (rinsed and drained and roughly chopped)
1 can Pinto Beans (rinsed and drained)
1 can Great Northern Beans (rinsed and drained)
1/4 cup white wine
1 tsp Cumin
2 tsp. Chili Powder
2 tsp. Hungarian Paprika (the smokier the better)
Salt and pepper to taste

Prepare pasta according to directions on box
Heat a 10" skillet and add oil. Add diced onion to skillet and saute until just beginning to brown. Add 1/2 of the cumin, chili powder and paprika. Add pork and continue to saute until only slightly pink. Add wine and cook on high until liquid is reduced by half. Turn heat to medium and add remaining spices. Add spinach and cook until spinach begins to wilt. Add both cans of beans and reserved pasta water, stirring occasionally. Add cooked pasta, mix well and serve.

Worth a look?

Spark People

This site looks like it has a lot of potential to for what me and my fellow challenge-takers are looking for. . . .

Some weight loss tips

Take a day off. Schedule ONE day a week to cheat.

Don't count calories - eat right instead, and control your portions

Weigh yourself everyday - it will provide (hopefully) positive feedback

Change your workout routine every 3 weeks

Eat a pickle - dill spears have **1** calorie each and the crunch will satisfy the craving for chips

A homework assignment JUST FOR YOU

No need to post this one (unless you REALLY want to) but go home and take a picture of yourself in just your skivvies - do it first thing in the morning when you look your worst - this is YOUR motivation. Look at it when you don't feel like walking. Look at it when you don't feel like eating breakfast. Look at it when you feel like finishing off the box of  ice cream sammies in the freezer that you just bought yesterday! Then remember WHY you're doing what you're doing!!

In-Between Meal Ideas

A pear and a stick of string cheese

Almond butter on a banana

Laughing Cow cheese wedge and 1/2 cup berries

An apple and an ounce of almonds

5 strawberries and 1 cup of greek low fat yogurt(the greek yogurt is better for you)

3 oz. baby carrots and 1 oz hummus

string cheese and 2 hands-full of trail mix

15 frozen grapes

1 cup air-popped popcorn

Breakfast Ideas

Here are some REALLY good, low fat, high protein breakfast meals:

1 Cup high fiber cereal (I personally like Kashi Go Lean Crunch) with 1/2 cup skim milk and  a cut up bannana

Scrambled eggs (1 whole egg, 2 egg whites), 1 slices plain whole wheat toast, 2 slices turkey bacon, a small piece of fruit

No sugar added peanut putter (or almond butter) and 100% nothing added preserves.

Ham, onion, green pepper and mushroom egg white(2) omele, 1 slice whole wheat toast, 2 slices of cantaloupe

These are my favs - There is also chocolate oatmeal that is REALLY good. I will post some actual recipes tonight

We start in 2 days!!

Thursday morning is the time to start!! If you haven't joined this blog by "following" (left hand side - click "follow") then come on!! Its the only way we can show strength in numbers. Get your other friends in on it - We have to go through the holidays exercising - you're going to need the support from more than just us!!! No pictures necessary - you don't even have to weigh in - just tell us if you're gaining or losing - and if you're losing how you're doing it. Comment on your workouts, your eating habits, any good recipes. . . it's a social experiment - and we need for you to be social. Even if you're going to walk with the kids for 30 mins after dinner (or after breakfast - Joel/Sierra) - we're here to lose the weight/build muscle/strengthen your body/tone what you have/build endurance and stamina - whatever your goal - in 12 weeks!!! But it relies on you being part of the social network and bringing in your social network - think Amway, but without the creepiness of a scam!