Counting Calories A New Adventure: Google and Aunt Millies Bread

Okay, so I have been looking at labels once again.

Since I started looking at how many calories I consume daily I have lost three pounds! Not sure where! The clothes don't seem any looser :( but the scale seems to be telling me the truth.

I was very shocked to see that some of my favorite things were on the "oh don't go there list"!

Like rice for instance. One portion is about 238 calories! So my guess is that I will make a recipe with more veggies and less rice? Eating rice is not like eating a portion of fried chicken it's the calories from fat right? Unless you are an expert in the calorie department I recommend checking out this free service from Google:

Free Calorie Counter

This little counter from Google is a wonderful little calculator that lets you type in the food item and it produces the item as well as similar items and the calories. Best of all it's just FREE! You don't even have to sign up or log in ;)

I did find a item to share with you all while starting this little adventure! Aunt Millies's Light Whole Grain Bread. No High Fructose Corn Syrup and it's only 35 Calories Per Slice. Another bonus is that it has 3 grams of Fiber per slice.. yipee! We eat a lot of bread in our house and it has always been some sort of "wheat". After reading the ingredients (the first five which are the most important) it contains: water, whole grain wheat flour, sugar cane fiber, wheat gluten, corn starch and yeast. Dr. Oz says the first five are the most important. So I am not so sure about the "sugar cane fiber" but you bet I will find out and let you know ;)

Happy Calorie Counting ;)

Tip Of The Day: Disposing Of Leftover Cooking Grease

What do you do with that little bit of left over Cooking Grease? Whether it be from frying some chicken or searing some meat for the oven... DON'T pour it down the drain!!

If you pour grease down the drain you are only looking for some long term trouble. The grease will solidify as it goes down the pipes and into the outside sewer systems. What happens when that happens? The grease will coat the insides of the drain and field pipes. This is a even bigger NO NO for septic systems. After build up your start getting back ups.

The best way to get rid of the grease is to lay a couple paper towels in the pan. Let it sit a couple minutes and then with a pair of tongs wipe out the pan and dispose the toweling in the garbage can.

You can then wash out the pan with very little grease left on the surface.

Back in the "old" days you never threw out the grease. The housewives would pour the leftover grease into a grease canister. The canister had a strainer into so it would drain out the bits and pieces of food. They would remove the strainer to use the strained oil for cooking.

We have came a long way baby since then!

Happy Cooking ;)

Counting Calories A New Adventure

Okay we eat healthy. We buy organic meats, produce and dairy. On any given day when you open our fridge it is filled to the brim with food, all mostly healthy.

We have cut down on the amount of red meat we consume and have added more fish especially wild Salmon to our diet. Yes, we do have "ice cream" in the fridge, cookies, candy and eat cupcakes once in a while". Yes, we do go to McDonald's but only if we are traveling and only for a special "treat" for the kids once in a while. Drive through is not a daily part of our diet.

Both my husband and I work out. He works out I would say almost everyday. I being the Mother, running kids back and forth to school, cleaning, cooking, errands, laundry have to squeeze time in. So my workouts are about every other day but I do try to get in cardio at least five times a week fitting in yoga and Pilate's.

This Spring I have been working out more. In my mid 40's it is getting harder to keep it off. I have not lost but have gained! What is up with that. The Dr. said I need an hour on the treadmill not a half hour anymore :( So I try to get in the hour and weight, yoga or the others also... pushing it! I cannot get rid of the few extra pounds I have put on.

So, I have started counting calories. I don't eat breakfast so this morning I had a piece of whole wheat toast (dry) with a sliced egg white on top. About 90 Calories. The egg white has no fat but has tons of protein. Whole wheat has the needed fiber you need. And guess what, I just finished and I feel full! My Son had a pop tart 450 calories each!

I started poking around in the fridge to see what the calories were for the every day items we eat. Being surprised a lot of food we do eat has low calories, except the natural peanut butter! It has 200 calories per teaspoon! I buy the natural not Jif, that has basically Crisco added to it. Jelly only has 50 calories, shocking, I thought it would have more than the "healthy" peanut butter!

In moderation right ;)

I will keep you posted on how I do. The other day I basically starved all day and lost 1/2 pound. I know that is cheating and will not help. So today we are doing it right. I am fueled up and ready to go.

Have a great day ;)

Healthy Heart Smart Oatmeal For Breakfast

Are you looking for a healthier version of breakfast for you or your children? Well it's probably sitting in your cupboard as you are sitting here reading this post.

Oatmeal

Yes the Old Fashion Oats that you use for cookies! Forget the little flavored packages that need 1/2 cup of hot water. Have you read the ingredients in those? You may want to. Oatmeal has so many health benefits as well as keeping you fuller longer.

I make Old Fashion Oats for my kids. Make per instructions on the box. That Simple.

Here is Karen B's recipe:

Ingredients:

1 Cup Old Fashion Oats (not instant)

2 Cups Water

1/4 teaspoon Cinnamon

1/2 teaspoon Pure Vanilla Extract

Tiny pinch of Salt (optional)

Pat of Butter

Honey

Bring water to a boil, add Oats and reduce heat to low, add cinnamon and vanilla. Stir. Cover and cook five minutes until Oats are tender but not mushy.

Ladle into serving bowls, top with a pat of butter and locally grown honey ;)

You can also add raisins, nuts and berries.

Tip: Purchasing locally harvested honey is very important. It is known to help with seasonal allergies because the bees harvest honey from flowers in your area. If your area has orange blossoms your local honey bees will produce honey with from the orange blossoms which is a benefit to you.

If you purchase honey from California and you live in Michigan the honey won't help. Purchasing honey locally will also help your local economy.

Enjoy ;)

Easy Easter Ham Glaze

This easy Easter ham glaze is a homemade recipe you can whip up in about a minute ;)

Ingredients:

• 1/2 Cup Dijon Mustard
• 1/2 Cup Honey
• 1 Tablespoon Cinnamon
• 2 Tablespoons Brown Sugar

Mix well and spread over ham before putting in the oven. Baste with glaze every 1/2 hour.

Enjoy ;)