68 Calorie Pumpkin Bars!

Here is one of the yummy fall recipes I came across, that I plan on trying out :) They look delish! I can't believe they only have 68 cal. per serving! Woot!!

Sour Cream Pumpkin Bars


Makes: 48 servings

Prep: 25 mins               

Bake: 350°F 25 mins

 

• 1/2 cup butter, softened
• 1 1/3 cups sugar
• 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 2 eggs
• 1 cup canned pumpkin
• 1/2 cup dairy sour cream
• 1/4 cup milk
• 1 teaspoonvanilla
• 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/2 cup whole wheat flour
• 1 cup chopped walnuts or pecans

Directions

1. Grease a 15x10x1-inch baking pan; set aside.

2. In a large mixing bowl, beat the butter with an electric mixer for 30 seconds. Beat in sugar, baking powder, baking soda and salt until combined. Add eggs, pumpkin, sour cream, milk, and vanilla; beat until combined. Add all-purpose and whole wheat flours; beat until combined. Stir in 1 cup nuts.

3. Spread mixture evenly into prepared baking pan. Bake in a 350 degrees F oven about 25 minutes or until a wooden toothpick inserted near the center comes out clean. Cool in pan on wire rack.

4. Prepare Browned Butter Frosting; spread over cooled bars. If you like, sprinkle with additional nuts. Cut into bars. Makes 48 bars.

Browned Butter Frosting

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup butter
• 3  cups powdered sugar
• 2  tablespoons milk
• 1  teaspoon vanilla

Directions

1. In a small saucepan, heat butter over medium-low heat until melted. Continue heating until the butter turns a light brown. Remove from heat and transfer butter to a medium mixing bowl. Add powdered sugar, milk and vanilla. Beat with an electric mixer until combined. Beat in additional milk, 1 teaspoon at a time, to make a spreadable frosting. Use immediately. Makes about 1 cup.

Nutrition Facts (Sour Cream Pumpkin Bars)

• Servings Per Recipe 48,
• Calories 130,
• Protein (gm) 1,
• Carbohydrate (gm) 18,
• Fat, total (gm) 6,
• Cholesterol (mg) 20,
• Saturated fat (gm) 3,
• Dietary Fiber, total (gm) 1,
• Vitamin A (IU) 923,
• Sodium (mg) 63,
• Calcium (DV %) 20,
• Iron (DV %) 0,
• Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet

 

Stupid Wagon!

Yep. I admit. I have fallen off the wagon. Stupid wagon anyway. :) I was convinced when I wrote my last post, that I would get back on track. Nope, it still hasn't happened. Where did all my awesome motivation go? I am slowly finding it.. thanks to my sisters blog. (her journey of losing 100lbs). BUT IT IS SO HARD! I felt so good losing that 15lbs.. where did that go? My mom and I used to work out everyday at lunchtime, but that faded, as an hour is just not enough time to eat, change clothes, work out, change back into work clothes and be back to work. (excuses, excuses).  How do I get back to the positive attitude I had the first month? I have really got to figure it out. There's a treadmill of my MIL's sitting out in the garage, just waiting for me to set it up and use it. I have (luckily) not gained any of my weight back, just maintained I guess you could call it. I guess it's time for new goals, logging my meals again and getting back on the treadmill. No one said this shit was easy, but why can't it be?

~I'm Back~

I haven't really had a lot to blog about since, honestly, I fell off the wagon a bit. Not completely, but a little. The last month I've been conscience, but not strict. Life gets a little crazy and it is easy to do. I made myself a promise last night (after feeling some regret from chopping all my hair off) that I would get back into it, 110%. No more slacking! I will not stop at only losing 15lbs. NO WAY! That 15lbs was so easy for me, and I only have to do it 2 more times to reach my goal.. Giving up is not an option.. especially because I am just too busy and/or lazy. It is also coming up on BAKING SEASON and how can I NOT share these awesome recipes with you all? Just a little side note: I am not at all worried about all the baking I will be doing, I have a lot of self control when it comes to sweets :) I rarely want or crave them, I just love to bake and love making yummy, wonderful things for my loved ones. (Yes, that is a true statement, I wasn't trying to convince myself) :) This weekend I am going to step back onto the scale, as well as do my measurements, so I can see where I am at after this last month. I'll be posting those as well! Stay tuned.. this wifey hasn't given up!!

My sister has started her weight loss journey and I thought I'd share her blog for you all to follow: www.100lbsofme.weebly.com 
She's also on Facebook: www.facebook.com/100poundsofme

Busy, but Happy Life!

Wow, it doesn't seem like its been almost 2 weeks since I blogged last. Time flies! It's been a crazy couple of weeks with work, taking care of B, the foster care picnic and just life in general. I will admit, I have not followed my diet 100%. I've eaten some things I shouldn't have :/ not too disappointed in myself, but a little. I've also not weighed in.. Purely out of fear :) I am going to this morning and I hope for the best. Not anticipating any loss.. But we will see! Today is a new day to get back on track! Not losing hope or motivation. Just keep swimming! :) Happy Monday!

High Fiber Breakfast Ideas

I came across some breakfast recipes, thanks to Pinterest, and I wanted to share some of them with you. I am always looking for new recipes and ideas for healthy, yet filling, tasty food to eat.

Get Spicy


Give huevos rancheros a twist by adding spinach, red peppers, mushrooms, and cherry tomatoes. Top with salsa, beans, and some slices of avocado. Eat plain or with a small whole-wheat tortilla.

Fiber content:
2 eggs: 0 grams
1 cup raw spinach: .7 grams
1/2 cup chopped red peppers: one gram
4 medium mushrooms, sliced: .7 grams
8 cherry tomatoes: 1.6 grams
2 tablespoons black bean and corn salsa: two grams
1/4 cup black beans: three grams
1/4 of an avocado: 3.4 grams
1 whole-wheat tortilla: three grams
Total fiber: 15.4 grams

Drink Your Fiber


The beauty of the smoothie is that — aside from the high fiber found in berries, pears, and other fruits — adding in nuts and veggies or legumes can increase the fiber without affecting flavor.

6 ounces nonfat blueberry Greek yogurt: .5 grams
1/2 cup blueberries: 1.8 grams
8 strawberries: 1.9 grams
1 banana: 3.1 grams
1 cup raw spinach: .7 grams
1/2 tablespoon peanut butter: .5 grams
1/4 cup cannellini beans: 2.5 grams
Total fiber: 11 grams

Get Crunchy

For a quick, high-fiber breakfast, go for nut butter on toast. Almond butter has more fiber than peanut butter, and if you top it with fresh fruit instead of sugary jam, the fiber content will be jacked up even more.

2 slices whole-wheat bread: six grams
2 tablespoons almond butter: four grams
1 banana, sliced: 3.1 grams
Total fiber: 13.1 grams

15lbs GONE

I wasn't expecting much of a loss this morning when I stepped on the scale. I haven't worked out in a week (bad me!) but my eating has still been on track. In my defense, I consider running after a 19mo old all day long, exercise. I'll take it in whatever form it comes in :) When I saw 206 I was ecstatic! That means since July 14th when I started, I have hit the 15lb mark! That is about 3.75 per week. Not too shabby! That is 15lbs gone, that I don't ever want to see again! This also means I am only 7lbs away from being UNDER 200. Something I have not seen in a very long time. I am only 26lbs away from my goal.. doesn't seem like a lot to me.. I know I got this! Oh happy day! Here is just an idea of what 15lbs looks like.. EWW!!!

Slow down!

Geez! Where have the last 5 days gone, since I posted last? I'm sure they got lost somewhere in the middle of moving, working, taking care of B and all the other little things life requires. Well, I'm back! Things have settled a little bit and although I've been slacking on the working out, I've still managed to lose another pound. (down to 208!) Should be more than that, but again, at least it's not a gain! I have some more delish recipes I'll be posting this weekend, so stay tuned! For now I'm off to get things going for my nieces 2nd birthday party. Happy weekend y'all!

Monday Funnies

Just a few laughs for you, on this often-dreaded Monday. Enjoy!
P.S- I'm pretty sure I have one of those invisible men when I weigh in. Jus' sayin.

It's Monday!

How can I dread Monday's anymore? It's weigh in day! (officially). I'm happy to report I am down one more lb! It seems the weight loss is slowing, but that just means I must work harder. My hubby told me this would happen, as he read a chapter in his psychology book regarding weight loss. But I am still okay with it, as long as I am not seeing it go up! I am thinking of upping my workouts to twice a day. My in-laws have a treadmill @ home and I could easily fit in at least a half hour before work or after dinner. Today I'm going to make a list of what I need to make some of those awesome recipes I told you all about. I'm pretty excited. But for now- its off to get ready for work! Happy Monday! Make the best of it!

Quick Update

What a busy few days! Between trying to get things packed & ready to move, helping my mom with my nieces, my little one, working & everything else, I haven't had a moment to blog. My eating is still on track, although I haven't weighed in at all. I will in the morning & post :) Can't believe I am actually looking forward to working out tomorrow. Mostly, I just love seeing the lbs come off on the scale :) Sad, but true. No, I'm not obsessed, just proud of myself I am able to stick with it and see some results. They aren't coming off as fast as I had thought, but they're at least coming off! I just have to keep at it, keep doing what I am doing, and I will reach my goal. My morning is going to start earlier than I want it to, so I must make this short & sweet.. G'nite!