New Cookbook...

I LOVE cookbooks of every kind.  I enjoy being in the kitchen creating things for my family.  That is probably what got me into this mess in the first place....well ok it's not my kitchen's fault...LOL!  My husband surprised me with a really cool cookbook the other day.

Who doesn't love comfort food?  I am looking forward to cooking many things from this.  I also love the fact that it has everything broken down for me...the diabetic exchanges (that is what TOPS uses), nutritional value.  I LOVE this cookbook.  It is going to the top of the list.

There is even a 6 week meal plan that uses the recipes in the book.  Toward the back of the book there are even worksheets for DIY meal planning!!  How awesome!!  If you get a chance go over to amazon.com and check out the book!!

Who doesn't love Taste of Home magazines and cookbooks.  I love that they published a cookbook full of healthy recipes that I can enjoy and not feel guilty about!!

Menu plan for Week 1 --March 2 - March 8

I'm starting all my weekly menus with Tuesday because my weigh in days are Monday.  I'm going to try posting this every week.  Then at the end of the week I'll be able to see what has worked for me and what hasn't.

March 2
Breakfast: cornflakes, cantalope, yogurt
Lunch: Pasta Tuna Salad, apple
Dinner: small baked potato, 2 oz. beef tenderloin, carrots and broccoli
Snacks: dried cherries and popcorn

March 3
Breakfast: small scrambled egg, whole wheat toast, yogurt with banana
Lunch: roast beef sandwhich on whole wheat bread, sugar free lemon jello, raspberry sherbet
Dinner: chicken stir fry, rice, mandrine oranges
Snacks: yogurt, saltines, apple

March 4
Breakfast: pancake, applesauce, sausage link
Lunch: Ham and cheese sandwhich on Whole Wheat, cup of veg. soup, orange
Dinner: parmesan baked chicken, rice, broccoli and toss salad
Snacks: yogurt, 1/2 bagel, fruit coctail, sugar free jello

March 5
Breakfast: 1 slice whole wheat toast, hard boiled egg, orange
Lunch: 2 corn tortillas with beef, banana, 1/2 cup green beans
Dinner: Pork chop with apples, bread stuffing, spinach
Snacks: cheerios with milk, 4 apricots, papaya (1 cup)

March 6
Breakfast: yogurt smoothie with strawberries, 1/2 english muffin with ham
Lunch: Asian salad (tomato, onion, cucumber, chicken, mandrin oranges, croutons, FF dressing)
Dinner: broiled fish, rice, carrots, fruit coctail
Snacks: Chex cereal, dates

March 7
Breakfast: 1 toasted rye bread, egg, milk, cranberry juice
Lunch: 2 oz cooked shrimp (canned in water), couscous mixed with asparagus, tomato
Dinner: cube steak, potaoe au gratin, green beans, watermelon
Snacks: popcorn, sugar free jello with dream whip

March 8
Breakfast: Yogurt mixed with fiber one and sunflower seeds, 1/2 grapefruit
Lunch: Whole wheat peanut butter sandwhich, 1 cup mixed veg, cheese stick, 2 tangerines
Dinner: 1 baked potato, with ham and broccoli, 1 cup cantelope
Snacks: 4 bread sticks, yogurt, papaya, small pear

And the journey begins....

Well last night I attended my first meeting of TOPS.  The women were so receptive and caring.  It is so nice to be part of a group where you are not afraid to share their struggles with everyone. 

I was unable to weigh in last night because they didn't have any of the new membership forms.  SO I'm very excited for Monday to come around again.  I chose not to weigh in because I want every week to count.

Today I'm off to the doctor for my physical.  I know she is going to be thrilled that I'm finally taking this step.  Also, tomorrow our Wii should be here!!  I am getting the Biggest Loser game for my work out.  I can't wait until Jillian kicks my butt! LOL!

The Beginning....

Well since tonight I'll be attending my first TOPS (Take Off Pounds Sensibly) meeting. I thought this would be a great time to start a blog about it. I have been fighting my weight all my life. In 2001 I dropped close to 90 pounds with my sister as my personal trainer. She developed a brain infection in 2004 and has never been the same. My weight started to go back up but I was doing OK at keeping it the same. In 2009 I broke my back and needed to have surgery. Well that was it...my weight went up up up!!

My Mom and I had joined TOPS in the late 90's and we both did very well. But life got in the way and we stopped going. Here is a little history about TOPS.

Mission Statement: TOPS’ mission is to support our
members as they take and keep off pounds sensibly.

I'm going to blog about my ups and downs during this journey. Some posts I'm sure will be very hard for me to write. I'm excited about this journey, but at the same time I'm nervous. I'll be posting my menu for the week along with snacks. Since I LOVE to cook there will be many recipes I've made. Along with a lot of pictures...I also LOVE taking pictures. Feel free to drop me an email.

I know that with God all things are possible!! Tomorrow I'll post some more of my now pictures. I want to keep posting them so I know where I DO NOT want to return!!