Celebrating My 37th Birthday ... This Sunday will finally be the day I get to go off diet and eat (well not crazy off but something special)

Every few years my birthday lands on Father's Day and this in my year to share.  I guess I can lol just playing the older I get doesn't really matter.  I am really excited I have been so good on this diet for 10 months or so I haven't cheated (well once in February I had a sugar cookie when I was at a plateau and a friend suggested eating something to jumpstart my system.  Besides that I have stuck to it and as you can see have been doing pretty darn good!  I'm down 104.8lbs and 9lbs for my goal weight (well the one that I first set I may go an extra 10 after that but that is another thing).

With Sunday being Father's day the restaurants are going to be crazy.  I've been dying to try Cheesecake Factory since my friend Debby at Just Breath told me about a low carb cheesecake they have.  I've resisted but I made a promise to myself that on my birthday I would have cheesecake!  And a low carb version at least doesn't make me feel too guilty.  We do have to go early since Rick's work schedule changed, so maybe I'll do their breakfast with cheesecake ... LOL. I've been promising myself cheesecake for over a year now so I don't care what time of day it is I'm having it!

PLUS my women's group ladies are going to take me out to dinner on Saturday night!  I'm so excited to go out!

On my list to try:

Thai Lettuce Wraps (minus the sauces)

If I have to have breakfast I'll do the Steak & Eggs (minus potatoes)

And for desert - Low Carb Cheesecake (mine will be minus fruit)

And for my birthday Gift Rick bought me this.

I want a bigger one but that will come hopefully in a few years.

Hope you all have a wonderful weekend, I'm very excited to celebrate my birthday this year with some great friends and the hubs.

Low Carb Pepperoni Chips (Not Pretty but tasty)

Being on this diet for so long I need to find new ways to eat protein and low carb items.  I've been seeing these Pepperoni Chips on Pinterest and wanted to give them a try.  Now mine didn't turn out bright colored liked theirs did but they sure were tasty (I have a feeling it is because I used the Turkey Pepperoni).  It had a great crunch to it that helps when you need a little something salty and crunchy!

24 ounces pepperoni slices
salt

1. Line a Microwave-Safe Plate with several sheets of papertowel. Place the pepperoni slices in a single layer.
2. Microwave for 30 - 60 seconds (depending on the wattage of your microwave). The pepperoni slices should be nice and crispy and most of the grease absorbed on the papertowels.
3. If any in the center are not crispy looking and still feel soft, microwave more in 15 second increments.
4. Salt if desired. (I skipped this)

Have a great day!  Give them a try it was easy and so yummy!

Baked Butternut Squash Fries

As most of you know I'm on a high protein, low carb and low sugar diet. I'm finding new ways to get my 4 cups of veggies in each day.  I came across these Baked Butternut Squash Fries that I wanted to make.  I love the Sweet Potato Fries I've made in the past, but sweet potatoes are off limits right now do to the high sugar content.  Butternut squash also is a little high on the carbs but I couldn't find Delicata Squash that is low in carbs (that will be on my list to find for next time).  

What you need:

2lb Butternut Squash

2 tbs Canola Oil (I used Olive Oil - it's on my diet plan)

some salt (I used Sea Salt - it's on my diet plan)

1/4 cup of Parmesan Cheese (I added this to the recipe)

Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. Peel and cut the squash into long, thin french fry shapes (mine turned more into steak fries).  In a large bowl, toss the squash with the oil and cheese, using your hands to evenly coat each one.  Lay them on a wire rack set on top of a baking sheet and salt them.  Bake for about 40 minutes, flipping halfway for an even crispiness. Serve immediately.  (I ate half of them that night and the other half cold the next day and they were still very yummy).

Give them a try I love them so much better then fries. 

Ok maybe not but it's still very yummy!

Homemade Spaghetti Meat Sauce (Ideal Protein Recipe Ph 1-4)

After being on this diet (Ideal Protein) it has been trying to find meals for dinner that I would love to eat let alone my family wants to eat too.  Most nights I make my meal and then make something for them that they would like.  I have been able to come across a few great recipes and the one I found that the whole family would eat is a Homemade Spaghetti Meat Sauce.  I had mine on some lean ground turkey, the boys had egg noddles (a no no for me but they can splurge).

Ingredients:

1 pound 90% lean ground beef or ground turkey (I used Turkey)
8 large tomatoes
1 medium onion, chopped
1 small green pepper, chopped (I used red)
2 Tablespoons minced garlic

2 Tablespoons Italian seasoning
¼ tsp Red pepper flakes
½ cup water (I skipped this)

(optional) chopped Mushrooms (I Skipped this)

1 zucchini (I added this in for a little extra green)

2 pkg of Truvia/Splenda (this is something I added)

Brown turkey or lean ground beef, add garlic powder while cooking meat for more flavorful sauce, drain off any fat, add all vegetables and water, except tomatoes. Cook on low with lid until vegetables are cooked through. ** Alexis Note:  I decided to add all the veggies to my ninja and whirl them around (the boys aren't big on chunky sauce). **

In a magic bullet or blender (I used my Ninja), puree 6 of the tomatoes, add the Italian seasoning, garlic, red pepper flakes, and give it another little whirl.  Add in a zucchini sliced up at this time and the Splenda if you want it to be a little sweet. You need to boil this for about 20 minutes and skim off the water and froth. Pour into cooked ground turkey or ground beef mixture, turn on low heat. Chop remaining 2 tomatoes however small or large you like your chunks in sauce, add to mixture and simmer on low for 20-30 minutes. Makes 4-6 cups of sauce. Can freeze leftovers for later use.  ** Alexis Note: I just puree'd all the tomatoes (again my boys aren't big on chunky sauce). **

Enjoy this is one of the best sauce's I have had in a long time, it's so nice knowing it is healthy.

Asian Lettuce Cups (Low Carb & 5pts WW)

On a personal note I went to the doctor yesterday. 1st off it is great to step on the scale to not pretend I'm looking at the wall (like a hole magically appeared and I must look at in case a rabbit appears).  YUP this time I could actually look at the # and be proud I've done that!  THEN to have the doc sit down look at the chart, then look at me, then back at the chart, then look at me and say wow you've lost a lot of weight.  each time you have been in you've been done. YUP proud moment in my life, HEY it's not often I've gone to the doc and came out with a smile.  OK well a smile over that NOT over the fact I was stuck in traffic got there 10 minutes late to find my spot was taken and had to wait over an hour.  THEN when I need a shot in my rear to have another nurse open the door to share my bare rear off to the whole waiting room (oh yes got to love that prime room right up front).  I really do swear this stuff only happens to me!

Now on to the food (I know why you are here .. lol).  Since doing this lean meat and all protein diet I've been on the hunt for good recipes.  This one was super yummy (it was higher in sugar then I would like so I'll have to work on that part - The Hoisin sauce).  I found on one of my favorite sites Eat Yourself Skinny these Asian Lettuce Cups (WW 5pts).

Ingredients:

1 1/4 lb. fat-free ground turkey

1 Tbsp vegetable oil

1 clove garlic, minced

1/8 tsp. ground ginger

2/3 cup thinly sliced green onions (about 4)

1 (8 oz) can sliced water chestnuts, drained and coarsely chopped

12 Boston lettuce leaves

3 Tbsp hoisin sauce

2 Tbsp lower-sodium soy sauce (green top)

1 Tbsp rice vinegar

2 tsp. roasted red chili paste

1/8 tsp. salt

Heat 1 tablespoon of oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat.  Add turkey, garlic and ginger to the pan and cook for about 6 minutes or until turkey is browned.  Stir to crumble.  Combine turkey mixture, onions and chopped water chestnuts in a large bowl, stirring well, and set aside.

Meanwhile in a small bowl, whisk together hoisin, soy sauce, rice vinegar and roasted red chili paste and drizzle over the turkey mixture.  Toss to coat completely.  Add about 1/4 cup turkey mixture to each lettuce leaf.

Servings: 6 Serving Size: 2 lettuce cups with 1/4 cup turkey mixture each Calories: 182 Fat: 7.5 g Carbs: 9.7 g

Fiber: 0.6 g Protein: 19.1 g Points+: 5 pts

Happy Friday everyone!  Try this yummy recipe :).

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