Portion Control

Along with label reading,  which is super important,  portion control is even more important.

Eating 2 cups of veggies at every meal is very important. Those 2 cups should always be the healthy veggies. Limit veggies such as green beans, rutabaga, egg plant, tomatoes, and artichokes to only twice a week. They are higher is carbs and can hinder your weight loss. Stick with leafy veggies such as,  kale, lettuce, arugula, and spinach. Other great choices are cucumbers, celery, and  mushrooms; which you can eat all day and fill up on without the guilt!!!!

Forget about ever eating carrots,  corn,  and any form of potatoes. Corn???  Seriously folks, corn is not really a vegetable. If you really want it, then limit it to maybe twice a month.

I can't wait to share my rutabaga fries with you and my cauliflower rice and tater tots!  Seriously,  they are so awesome you won't miss rice or potatoes!!!!

When you portion out your meats,  eat between 6-8 ounces. Stick with healthy,  lean meats such as turkey breast,  chicken breast,  pork tenderloin,  shrimp, lobster, lean ham, eggs, and bison.  Treat yourself every now and then to a red meat such as flank or skirt steak.

Fruits such as blueberries and apples are really good for you. Bananas are high in calories and natural sugars. Limit those to one only two a week for weight loss. Eat one cup of fruit twice a day.

Hope this will help you!   It has certainly helped me!

Happy and healthy eating!

~Susan

Zucchini Pasta Spaghetti

Today for lunch I made the most delicious spaghetti I've ever had!  The key to weight loss is making sure that you prepare your foods from scratch and eat fresh!

I have celiac disease.  That means that I can't eat foods with gluten.  I've been medically tested for this.  It requires a blood test and a biopsy of your duadm.  I'm very thankful that I got this news.  It explained why I was sick for so long.  Left untreated, it can be very harmful.  Having said that, I really love these zucchini noodles and I don't miss the pasta at all!  The amount of calories you are saving by doing this is mind blowing!  Trust me, it will change your life!

In order to make my zucchini noodles I purchased a device called Veggetti.  You can find them at Target, Walmart, As Seen On TV, and Bed, Bath and Beyond.  I absolutely love it!  You can turn any vegetable into noodles, even cucumbers!  I make my own spaghetti sauce.  That way I know what goes into it.  If you read the labels you will see most jarred sauces contain corn syrup or other sweeteners!  Yuck!  Who wants that?!?!?

This recipe was so easy.  It took 30 minutes to prepare and get it on my plate!  It really was delicious!!!

1 cup Zucchini Noodles
8 ounces lean ground beef, bison or turkey breast
1 1/2 cups crushed tomatoes (read label and make sure there is just tomatoes in it and no added sugars)
*Sea Salt
*Oregano
*Parsley
*Onion flakes
*Garlic
*Basil
* I never measure my spices.  I just do it to my liking.  I am heavy on the garlic and onions.  If you find you want more or less, you need to taste your dish first.  "Seasoned to Perfection" is really a personal choice in my opinion.

Brown the beef in a saucepan.  Once cooked, add the tomatoes, seal salt, oregano, parsley, onion flakes, garlic, and basil.  While that is simmering, begin to make your zucchini noodles.  I weigh my noodles.  On the scale, a cup of noodles is 5.3 ounces.  In a skillet spray some olive oil (Pam and other make an olive oil spray).  Make sure the flame is on the lowest setting.  Add the zucchini noodles and stir quite often for about five minutes.  It doesn't take too long for these to cook.  Whatever you do, NEVER steam them and NEVER boil them!!!  They will turn into a soggy gross clump of a mess.  This skillet method it truly the best one!  After the noodles are heated through, place them on a plate and put your meat sauce on top!

Get ready for Heaven!!!!!  It truly is a very delicious dish.  It is also very filling!  Do not eat bread and do not add cheese!!!  This is all about losing weight and adding those two items will be your downfall!!!  If you like, add a nice salad with it.  Romaine hearts, red peppers, kale and some Walden Farms dressing would be delicious with it! Walden Farms has 0 calories, 0 carbs, and 0 sugars!!!!!!!!!!!  You can find them online, Walmart, Giant, and Harris Teeter!