550 Calories & Under at Applebee's

To contact us Click HERE


As research for the book I am writing, I tried the Garlic Sirloin off the 550 Calorie & Under Menu at Applebee's last night for dinner.  I must say it was delicious.  However, one of my clients had warned me that he didn't really buy that those entrees are actually under 550 calories.  Now I can see why.  The caramelized onions underneath the steak were really greasy, delicious, but greasy.  I would also say that 7 oz. of steak is a hefty portion for someone on a diet regimen.  Applebee's claims in their nutrition facts that their 7 oz. House Sirloin is 250 calories.  However, I looked up  7 oz. of lean broiled sirloin on CalorieKing.com, and it showed that size portion would be 373 calories. Not cool.

I have a more positive take on the sides.  As you can see from my pic, the portions of the potatoes and the portabella mushroom with creamed spinach are small.  Kudos to Applebee's on that.  I'm persuaded to believe the sides were actually low-calorie.  The potatoes tasted more like butter than herbs, but at least there wasn't a large portion.  They tasted like they had been boiled, and they were not greasy with oil.

With my client's opinion in the back of my mind I saved roughly half the steak and onions.  After looking up the facts today I am glad that I did that.  You can see some of the remaining grease on the plate.


I would also like to point out that Applebee's does post the following disclaimer on their website:

"Variations in ingredients and preparation, as well as substitutions, will increase or decrease PointsPlus™ values and any stated nutritional values, such as calories."

Taking the nutrition facts posted on the Applebee's website with a grain of salt, here are the calories on their 550 calorie and under entrees:

Great Tasting & UNDER 550 Calories™ - includes sides
Asiago Peppercorn Steak 380
Signature Sirloin with Garlic Herb Shrimp 500
Grilled Dijon Chicken & Portobellos 470
Roasted Garlic Sirloin 450
Sizzling Asian Shrimp & Broccoli 470
Sizzling Chili Lime Chicken 470

Applebee's also has a Weight Watchers PointsPlus™ menu which features low-calorie entrees as well.  Personally I think they should just combine the two menus and tell us both the calories and the points.  The menu at the Applebee's I went to listed 550 calorie entrees and Weight Watcher's entrees on two totally separate pages.  It probably has something to do with their agreement with Weight Watchers.  It would be nice if both menus were on one page.  Anyway, here are the calories and points on those entrees:


WEIGHT WATCHERS® includes sides

Weight Watchers® Cabernet Mushroom Sirloin 460, 12 pts.
Weight Watchers® Creamy Parmesan Chicken 470, 12 pts.
Weight Watchers® Grilled Jalapeno-Lime Shrimp 300, 8 pts.

To sum up I would definitely order the Garlic Sirloin again.  It was delicious, and I appreciate that Applebee's is trying to offer some healthier options.  The next time I will probably skip the onions altogether.  They seemed to be the source of the grease.  Now if you will excuse me, there is a leftover steak with my name on it.  Lunch?  Yes, please!

Sara

P.S.  Happy St. Patrick's Day tomorrow! 

Low-Calorie Dinner Options at Chili's

To contact us Click HERE


Chili’s Grill & Bar

Salads (Dressing included unless otherwise indicated.)
Caribbean Salad with Grilled Chicken 610
Caribbean Salad with Grilled Shrimp 590
House Salad No Dressing 150
Dressing, Honey Mustard No Fat 70
Dressing, Low Fat Ranch 80
Soups (without crackers)
Chicken Enchilada Bowl 380, Cup 190
Chili’s Terlingua Chili with Toppings Bowl 360, Cup 180
Loaded Baked Potato Soup Bowl 410, Cup 210
Southwest Chicken & Sausage Bowl 330, Cup 160
Lighter Choices (as served)
Classic Sirloin 260
Grilled Chicken Salad 420
Grilled Chicken Sandwich with Steamed Broccoli 610
Lighter Choice Grilled Salmon 480
Margarita Grilled Chicken 550
Not “Just” Sides
Black Beans 100
Black Bean Patty Only 200
Rice 190
Steamed Broccoli 80
Sweet Corn on the Cob with Butter 200

You don't need expensive equipment to get a killer workout!

To contact us Click HERE
Here is the class we did at Personal Best on Thursday, January 26, 2012. It was a challenge, but FUN!!!!

* JUMP ROPE - FOR 1 MIN.
* PLANK JACKS -16- MT CLIMBERS 16
COMPLETE THESE 3 EXERCISES BACK TO BACK 5 TIMES THROUGH AS FAST AS YOU CAN!

* KETTLE BELL SWINGS - 30
* HOP TURNS - 20
COMPLETE THESE 2 EXERCISES BACK TO BACK 5 TIMES THROUGH AS FAST AS YOU CAN!

* WEIGHTED JACKS- 32
* FOOT BALL HIGH STEPPING- 32 - RIGHT INTO BURPES 10
COMPLETE THESE  3 EXERCISES BACK TO BACK 5 TIMES THROUGH AS FAST AS YOU CAN!

* ROLL-UPS INTO SQUAT -THRUST INTO A PUSH-UP - 10
* LEG RAISES - 20
COMPLETE THESE EXERCISES 5 TIMES THROUGH AS FAST AS YOU CAN!

GOOD LUCK! LET ME KNOW HOW IT WORKS FOR YA!

Don't lead me on.

To contact us Click HERE
Every day I navigate a parking garage.

Round and round I go until I see an open spot, excitement surges as I slow up to swing in...

..then...

Bah! Taken.

Without control my natural thought is "I hate you midget car!"

I have mixed feeling about sharing this, because I find it to be overly aggressive, inappropriate, and I'd like to think... a bit out of character for myself.

Yet every. single. time. I see one of those smaller-than-usual cars, creeped up into a normal-size spot, I feel disappointed... deceived....disgusted...and that exact thought automatically rants in my mind (sometimes even under my breath).

I feel confident that little car is snickering, with its high pitch laughter, as it watches another car mistakenly think it has found an open parking spot.

I then spend the rest of my garage parking experience (at least 3 more levels) feeling guilty for my irrational hatred and harsh reaction towards those cars.

...until I see one again, maybe on the road... maybe in a commercial...maybe in a normal-size parking spot hidden by a normal-size vehicle....and my eyes automatically squint, my jar automatically clinches...and my uncontrollable response is..."If you don't have anything nice to say don't say anything at all." (Thanks, Mom.)

It's called a tail...

To contact us Click HERE
I believe there is an invisible line on one's head that distinguishes the correct hemisphere a pony tail should rest.

And when the pony tail or messy bun-knot or bird nest ball crosses that line it becomes....

 a unicorn horn...a unihorn oooor some mutation of it.

The unihorn is a hungover girl's attempt at appearing carelessly relaxed...

And just as the hungover girl feels....the unihorn appears...like shit.

Below is for your visual reference.

These girls are hungover, they just have makeup artists:














These girls are just hungover.
        

Ladies, either cut back on the cocktails or push back the horn and embrace the pony.

Don't lead me on.

To contact us Click HERE
Every day I navigate a parking garage.

Round and round I go until I see an open spot, excitement surges as I slow up to swing in...

..then...

Bah! Taken.

Without control my natural thought is "I hate you midget car!"

I have mixed feeling about sharing this, because I find it to be overly aggressive, inappropriate, and I'd like to think... a bit out of character for myself.

Yet every. single. time. I see one of those smaller-than-usual cars, creeped up into a normal-size spot, I feel disappointed... deceived....disgusted...and that exact thought automatically rants in my mind (sometimes even under my breath).

I feel confident that little car is snickering, with its high pitch laughter, as it watches another car mistakenly think it has found an open parking spot.

I then spend the rest of my garage parking experience (at least 3 more levels) feeling guilty for my irrational hatred and harsh reaction towards those cars.

...until I see one again, maybe on the road... maybe in a commercial...maybe in a normal-size parking spot hidden by a normal-size vehicle....and my eyes automatically squint, my jar automatically clinches...and my uncontrollable response is..."If you don't have anything nice to say don't say anything at all." (Thanks, Mom.)

It's called a tail...

To contact us Click HERE
I believe there is an invisible line on one's head that distinguishes the correct hemisphere a pony tail should rest.

And when the pony tail or messy bun-knot or bird nest ball crosses that line it becomes....

 a unicorn horn...a unihorn oooor some mutation of it.

The unihorn is a hungover girl's attempt at appearing carelessly relaxed...

And just as the hungover girl feels....the unihorn appears...like shit.

Below is for your visual reference.

These girls are hungover, they just have makeup artists:














These girls are just hungover.
        

Ladies, either cut back on the cocktails or push back the horn and embrace the pony.

I'll Have My Pie & Eat It Too!

To contact us Click HERE

...with Thanksgiving in my heart!

Many people gain weight through the holiday season as families get together and feast.  In the past you have probably overeaten the turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes, rolls, and then when it's time for dessert you are completely stuffed.  However, you eat dessert anyway, because it's there.  Plus it's delicious.  Plus it wouldn't feel right somehow if you didn''t indulge in your favorite dessert on the holiday.  It becomes a tradition.  Most Americans probably throw their hands up in dismay the period from Thanksgiving through Christmas intent on starting a healthy program by New Year's Day.  Why wait?  You can still work out and control your portions through the notoriously self-indulgent holiday season.

My advice would be to plan ahead.  Do not think with your stomach.  We have all been through this period of overeating, and then we feel guilty later.  Let's stop learning the hard way (or just not learning at all).

My late Grandmother McSparin (Grandma Mac) was excellent at self-control.  She would always make a huge feast for everyone, with all my Aunts' and my Mother's help of course.  However, when Grandma Mac finally sat down to eat she would just have a tiny portion of each dish she wanted to taste. She was tiny, and she was probably technically underweight for her height.  Still, there is something to learn from her.  If you know you are most excited about dessert, then don't fill up on everything else just because it's there.

First I would rather have a perfect bite of turkey, mashed potatoes, gravy, and stuffing.  Then I skip all the sides that I might have on any given day of the year.  If it isn't my favorite, then I skip it.  I take only a small portion of what I might like the first time around.  I only go back for seconds on the dishes that I really truly crave.  This slows me down long enough to realize that I am already getting full.  Then for dessert I try to stick to a small portion of my top two favorites.  For Thanksgiving it's a sliver of pumpkin pie and a sliver of pecan pie.  For Christmas it's a nice slice of my Mom's homemade pumpkin cake roll.  If all three are present on a holiday, then I skip the pumpkin pie.  (Hey, at least that's something.)

This year I wised up BIG TIME!  I know all I want is just a taste of dessert.  Cutting just a sliver of pie or breaking a cookie in half just looks so "pidiot" (so pious about your diet that everyone thinks you are an idiot).  JK!  In light of this epiphany, I spent the entire afternoon making mini pumpkin pie and mini pecan pie tartlets.  I would love to tell you that I slaved away perfecting these recipes, but I actually got them from Better Homes and Gardens:  Cookies Cookies Cookies Christmas Time Treats.  I tried to find the recipes on their website, but this book is circa 1992 so surprise!  It's not on their website.  I subbed in Bob's Red Mill All Purpose Gluten-Free Baking Flour so my gluten-free hubby could have some dessert.  The tartlets won his coveted seal of approval.  Hubba, hubba!  I'm pretty sure nobody has said hubba, hubba since 1942.  Lol!



Here are the recipes:

TINY TARTS

• 1/2 cup margarine or 1/2 cup butter, softened
• 3 ounces package softened cream cheese
• 1 cup all-purpose flour

DOUBLE THE TART RECIPE IF YOU ARE MAKING BOTH KINDS OF TARTS.

PECAN FILLING

• 1 egg, beaten
• 3/4 cup packed brown sugar
• 1 tablespoon melted margarine or 1 tablespoon butter
• 1/2 cup pecans, coarsely chopped 
• 1 teaspoon  vanilla
• 1/2 teaspoon almond extract 

OR

PUMPKIN FILLING

• 1 egg, beaten
• 1/2 cup canned pumpkin
• 1/4 cup sugar
• 1/4 cup milk
• 1 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice

Directions:

Tarts:.In a mixing bowl, beat margarine or butter and cream cheese until thoroughly blended. Stir in flour. Chill the dough for one hour.  Roll rounded-teaspoonsbul of dough into 24 equal balls. Press evenly into the bottom and up the sides of mini-muffin 1 3/4-inch muffin cup non-stick tin.  Filling:. In a small mixing bowl, stir ingredients together until mixed well. Fill each pastry with 1 heaping teaspoon of desired filling.
Baking:For pecan pie tartlets bake in a 375 degree oven for 15 to 18 minutes or until filling is set and crust is lightly browned.  Cool slightly in pans.  Remove tea cakes from pans and cool on wire racks.  Makes 24.
For pumpkin pie tartlets bake in a 325 degree oven for 30 minutes or until filling is set and crust is lightly browned.  Cool slightly in pans.  Remove tea cakes from pans and cool on wire racks.  Makes 24.Calories:
Pecan Pie Tarts per tart:  128 calories (It sure makes me think twice about having a whole slice of pie!)
Pumpkin Pie Tarts per tart:  66 calories
Pssst!  Since I can't have my Mom's pumpkin cake roll this year, I topped the pumpkin pie tartlets with her decadent, homemade cream cheese frosting that she makes for the pumpkin cake roll.  Who says a girl can't have it all!!!!???

550 Calories & Under at Applebee's

To contact us Click HERE


As research for the book I am writing, I tried the Garlic Sirloin off the 550 Calorie & Under Menu at Applebee's last night for dinner.  I must say it was delicious.  However, one of my clients had warned me that he didn't really buy that those entrees are actually under 550 calories.  Now I can see why.  The caramelized onions underneath the steak were really greasy, delicious, but greasy.  I would also say that 7 oz. of steak is a hefty portion for someone on a diet regimen.  Applebee's claims in their nutrition facts that their 7 oz. House Sirloin is 250 calories.  However, I looked up  7 oz. of lean broiled sirloin on CalorieKing.com, and it showed that size portion would be 373 calories. Not cool.

I have a more positive take on the sides.  As you can see from my pic, the portions of the potatoes and the portabella mushroom with creamed spinach are small.  Kudos to Applebee's on that.  I'm persuaded to believe the sides were actually low-calorie.  The potatoes tasted more like butter than herbs, but at least there wasn't a large portion.  They tasted like they had been boiled, and they were not greasy with oil.

With my client's opinion in the back of my mind I saved roughly half the steak and onions.  After looking up the facts today I am glad that I did that.  You can see some of the remaining grease on the plate.


I would also like to point out that Applebee's does post the following disclaimer on their website:

"Variations in ingredients and preparation, as well as substitutions, will increase or decrease PointsPlus™ values and any stated nutritional values, such as calories."

Taking the nutrition facts posted on the Applebee's website with a grain of salt, here are the calories on their 550 calorie and under entrees:

Great Tasting & UNDER 550 Calories™ - includes sides
Asiago Peppercorn Steak 380
Signature Sirloin with Garlic Herb Shrimp 500
Grilled Dijon Chicken & Portobellos 470
Roasted Garlic Sirloin 450
Sizzling Asian Shrimp & Broccoli 470
Sizzling Chili Lime Chicken 470

Applebee's also has a Weight Watchers PointsPlus™ menu which features low-calorie entrees as well.  Personally I think they should just combine the two menus and tell us both the calories and the points.  The menu at the Applebee's I went to listed 550 calorie entrees and Weight Watcher's entrees on two totally separate pages.  It probably has something to do with their agreement with Weight Watchers.  It would be nice if both menus were on one page.  Anyway, here are the calories and points on those entrees:


WEIGHT WATCHERS® includes sides

Weight Watchers® Cabernet Mushroom Sirloin 460, 12 pts.
Weight Watchers® Creamy Parmesan Chicken 470, 12 pts.
Weight Watchers® Grilled Jalapeno-Lime Shrimp 300, 8 pts.

To sum up I would definitely order the Garlic Sirloin again.  It was delicious, and I appreciate that Applebee's is trying to offer some healthier options.  The next time I will probably skip the onions altogether.  They seemed to be the source of the grease.  Now if you will excuse me, there is a leftover steak with my name on it.  Lunch?  Yes, please!

Sara

P.S.  Happy St. Patrick's Day tomorrow! 

Low-Calorie Dinner Options at Chili's

To contact us Click HERE


Chili’s Grill & Bar

Salads (Dressing included unless otherwise indicated.)
Caribbean Salad with Grilled Chicken 610
Caribbean Salad with Grilled Shrimp 590
House Salad No Dressing 150
Dressing, Honey Mustard No Fat 70
Dressing, Low Fat Ranch 80
Soups (without crackers)
Chicken Enchilada Bowl 380, Cup 190
Chili’s Terlingua Chili with Toppings Bowl 360, Cup 180
Loaded Baked Potato Soup Bowl 410, Cup 210
Southwest Chicken & Sausage Bowl 330, Cup 160
Lighter Choices (as served)
Classic Sirloin 260
Grilled Chicken Salad 420
Grilled Chicken Sandwich with Steamed Broccoli 610
Lighter Choice Grilled Salmon 480
Margarita Grilled Chicken 550
Not “Just” Sides
Black Beans 100
Black Bean Patty Only 200
Rice 190
Steamed Broccoli 80
Sweet Corn on the Cob with Butter 200

Low-Calorie Dinner Options at Chili's

To contact us Click HERE


Chili’s Grill & Bar

Salads (Dressing included unless otherwise indicated.)
Caribbean Salad with Grilled Chicken 610
Caribbean Salad with Grilled Shrimp 590
House Salad No Dressing 150
Dressing, Honey Mustard No Fat 70
Dressing, Low Fat Ranch 80
Soups (without crackers)
Chicken Enchilada Bowl 380, Cup 190
Chili’s Terlingua Chili with Toppings Bowl 360, Cup 180
Loaded Baked Potato Soup Bowl 410, Cup 210
Southwest Chicken & Sausage Bowl 330, Cup 160
Lighter Choices (as served)
Classic Sirloin 260
Grilled Chicken Salad 420
Grilled Chicken Sandwich with Steamed Broccoli 610
Lighter Choice Grilled Salmon 480
Margarita Grilled Chicken 550
Not “Just” Sides
Black Beans 100
Black Bean Patty Only 200
Rice 190
Steamed Broccoli 80
Sweet Corn on the Cob with Butter 200

Southwestern Chicken Tostadas with Pineapple Kiwi Salsa

To contact us Click HERE
T
  Doesn't this look pretty?   Well, it tastes as good as it looks.  These tostados are like a guilty pleasure for me. I've made them several times and just can't get enough of them.    Frying up the tortillas in a little bit of oil tastes super duper nummy but you can be lazy and buy the tostados as well.    
 The ingredients are simple yet magical. They come together so perfectly and the taste is simply amazing. I make a huge batch at a time.  It's kinda a pain to cut everything up so  I made a ginormous batch and I eat it for lunches for the week. Feel free to halve it if you want a smaller batch. Just don't forget to pile on the pineapple salsa because it rocks and it totally makes this meal! 
   Mexican Chicken Tostados with Pineapple Kiwi Salsa (large batch) 8 cups diced cooked chicken breasts (2 lb)2 can black beans, drained and rinsed1 medium red onion, chopped, divided1 cup loosely packed fresh cilantro, divided2 cups colby jack cheese, shredded (8 oz)1 cup light mayonnaise4 garlic cloves1/2 tsp. each salt and pepper4 kiwi, peeled and chopped2 jalapeno peppers, chopped finely1 tbsp. lime juice (to taste)4 - 5 cups diced fresh pineapple (about 1 pineapple)Tostados Combine chicken and beans in a large bowl.  Add half the onion and half the cilantro and mix.  Save the rest for the salsa.  Add mayo, garlic, cheese, salt and pepper and combine.  Microwave everything for 2 - 3 minutes or until heated through, stirring once halfway through.  Combine chopped kiwi, pineapple and jalapeno.  Add reserved onion and cilantro.  Add lime juice and mix.  Taste and add more lime juice if needed.   Scoop come of the chicken/bean mixture onto tostado.  Top with pineapple salsa.      

You don't need expensive equipment to get a killer workout!

To contact us Click HERE
Here is the class we did at Personal Best on Thursday, January 26, 2012. It was a challenge, but FUN!!!!

* JUMP ROPE - FOR 1 MIN.
* PLANK JACKS -16- MT CLIMBERS 16
COMPLETE THESE 3 EXERCISES BACK TO BACK 5 TIMES THROUGH AS FAST AS YOU CAN!

* KETTLE BELL SWINGS - 30
* HOP TURNS - 20
COMPLETE THESE 2 EXERCISES BACK TO BACK 5 TIMES THROUGH AS FAST AS YOU CAN!

* WEIGHTED JACKS- 32
* FOOT BALL HIGH STEPPING- 32 - RIGHT INTO BURPES 10
COMPLETE THESE  3 EXERCISES BACK TO BACK 5 TIMES THROUGH AS FAST AS YOU CAN!

* ROLL-UPS INTO SQUAT -THRUST INTO A PUSH-UP - 10
* LEG RAISES - 20
COMPLETE THESE EXERCISES 5 TIMES THROUGH AS FAST AS YOU CAN!

GOOD LUCK! LET ME KNOW HOW IT WORKS FOR YA!

Don't lead me on.

To contact us Click HERE
Every day I navigate a parking garage.

Round and round I go until I see an open spot, excitement surges as I slow up to swing in...

..then...

Bah! Taken.

Without control my natural thought is "I hate you midget car!"

I have mixed feeling about sharing this, because I find it to be overly aggressive, inappropriate, and I'd like to think... a bit out of character for myself.

Yet every. single. time. I see one of those smaller-than-usual cars, creeped up into a normal-size spot, I feel disappointed... deceived....disgusted...and that exact thought automatically rants in my mind (sometimes even under my breath).

I feel confident that little car is snickering, with its high pitch laughter, as it watches another car mistakenly think it has found an open parking spot.

I then spend the rest of my garage parking experience (at least 3 more levels) feeling guilty for my irrational hatred and harsh reaction towards those cars.

...until I see one again, maybe on the road... maybe in a commercial...maybe in a normal-size parking spot hidden by a normal-size vehicle....and my eyes automatically squint, my jar automatically clinches...and my uncontrollable response is..."If you don't have anything nice to say don't say anything at all." (Thanks, Mom.)

It's called a tail...

To contact us Click HERE
I believe there is an invisible line on one's head that distinguishes the correct hemisphere a pony tail should rest.

And when the pony tail or messy bun-knot or bird nest ball crosses that line it becomes....

 a unicorn horn...a unihorn oooor some mutation of it.

The unihorn is a hungover girl's attempt at appearing carelessly relaxed...

And just as the hungover girl feels....the unihorn appears...like shit.

Below is for your visual reference.

These girls are hungover, they just have makeup artists:














These girls are just hungover.
        

Ladies, either cut back on the cocktails or push back the horn and embrace the pony.

550 Calories & Under at Applebee's

To contact us Click HERE


As research for the book I am writing, I tried the Garlic Sirloin off the 550 Calorie & Under Menu at Applebee's last night for dinner.  I must say it was delicious.  However, one of my clients had warned me that he didn't really buy that those entrees are actually under 550 calories.  Now I can see why.  The caramelized onions underneath the steak were really greasy, delicious, but greasy.  I would also say that 7 oz. of steak is a hefty portion for someone on a diet regimen.  Applebee's claims in their nutrition facts that their 7 oz. House Sirloin is 250 calories.  However, I looked up  7 oz. of lean broiled sirloin on CalorieKing.com, and it showed that size portion would be 373 calories. Not cool.

I have a more positive take on the sides.  As you can see from my pic, the portions of the potatoes and the portabella mushroom with creamed spinach are small.  Kudos to Applebee's on that.  I'm persuaded to believe the sides were actually low-calorie.  The potatoes tasted more like butter than herbs, but at least there wasn't a large portion.  They tasted like they had been boiled, and they were not greasy with oil.

With my client's opinion in the back of my mind I saved roughly half the steak and onions.  After looking up the facts today I am glad that I did that.  You can see some of the remaining grease on the plate.


I would also like to point out that Applebee's does post the following disclaimer on their website:

"Variations in ingredients and preparation, as well as substitutions, will increase or decrease PointsPlus™ values and any stated nutritional values, such as calories."

Taking the nutrition facts posted on the Applebee's website with a grain of salt, here are the calories on their 550 calorie and under entrees:

Great Tasting & UNDER 550 Calories™ - includes sides
Asiago Peppercorn Steak 380
Signature Sirloin with Garlic Herb Shrimp 500
Grilled Dijon Chicken & Portobellos 470
Roasted Garlic Sirloin 450
Sizzling Asian Shrimp & Broccoli 470
Sizzling Chili Lime Chicken 470

Applebee's also has a Weight Watchers PointsPlus™ menu which features low-calorie entrees as well.  Personally I think they should just combine the two menus and tell us both the calories and the points.  The menu at the Applebee's I went to listed 550 calorie entrees and Weight Watcher's entrees on two totally separate pages.  It probably has something to do with their agreement with Weight Watchers.  It would be nice if both menus were on one page.  Anyway, here are the calories and points on those entrees:


WEIGHT WATCHERS® includes sides

Weight Watchers® Cabernet Mushroom Sirloin 460, 12 pts.
Weight Watchers® Creamy Parmesan Chicken 470, 12 pts.
Weight Watchers® Grilled Jalapeno-Lime Shrimp 300, 8 pts.

To sum up I would definitely order the Garlic Sirloin again.  It was delicious, and I appreciate that Applebee's is trying to offer some healthier options.  The next time I will probably skip the onions altogether.  They seemed to be the source of the grease.  Now if you will excuse me, there is a leftover steak with my name on it.  Lunch?  Yes, please!

Sara

P.S.  Happy St. Patrick's Day tomorrow! 

Low-Calorie Dinner Options at Chili's

To contact us Click HERE


Chili’s Grill & Bar

Salads (Dressing included unless otherwise indicated.)
Caribbean Salad with Grilled Chicken 610
Caribbean Salad with Grilled Shrimp 590
House Salad No Dressing 150
Dressing, Honey Mustard No Fat 70
Dressing, Low Fat Ranch 80
Soups (without crackers)
Chicken Enchilada Bowl 380, Cup 190
Chili’s Terlingua Chili with Toppings Bowl 360, Cup 180
Loaded Baked Potato Soup Bowl 410, Cup 210
Southwest Chicken & Sausage Bowl 330, Cup 160
Lighter Choices (as served)
Classic Sirloin 260
Grilled Chicken Salad 420
Grilled Chicken Sandwich with Steamed Broccoli 610
Lighter Choice Grilled Salmon 480
Margarita Grilled Chicken 550
Not “Just” Sides
Black Beans 100
Black Bean Patty Only 200
Rice 190
Steamed Broccoli 80
Sweet Corn on the Cob with Butter 200

You don't need expensive equipment to get a killer workout!

To contact us Click HERE
Here is the class we did at Personal Best on Thursday, January 26, 2012. It was a challenge, but FUN!!!!

* JUMP ROPE - FOR 1 MIN.
* PLANK JACKS -16- MT CLIMBERS 16
COMPLETE THESE 3 EXERCISES BACK TO BACK 5 TIMES THROUGH AS FAST AS YOU CAN!

* KETTLE BELL SWINGS - 30
* HOP TURNS - 20
COMPLETE THESE 2 EXERCISES BACK TO BACK 5 TIMES THROUGH AS FAST AS YOU CAN!

* WEIGHTED JACKS- 32
* FOOT BALL HIGH STEPPING- 32 - RIGHT INTO BURPES 10
COMPLETE THESE  3 EXERCISES BACK TO BACK 5 TIMES THROUGH AS FAST AS YOU CAN!

* ROLL-UPS INTO SQUAT -THRUST INTO A PUSH-UP - 10
* LEG RAISES - 20
COMPLETE THESE EXERCISES 5 TIMES THROUGH AS FAST AS YOU CAN!

GOOD LUCK! LET ME KNOW HOW IT WORKS FOR YA!

Don't lead me on.

To contact us Click HERE
Every day I navigate a parking garage.

Round and round I go until I see an open spot, excitement surges as I slow up to swing in...

..then...

Bah! Taken.

Without control my natural thought is "I hate you midget car!"

I have mixed feeling about sharing this, because I find it to be overly aggressive, inappropriate, and I'd like to think... a bit out of character for myself.

Yet every. single. time. I see one of those smaller-than-usual cars, creeped up into a normal-size spot, I feel disappointed... deceived....disgusted...and that exact thought automatically rants in my mind (sometimes even under my breath).

I feel confident that little car is snickering, with its high pitch laughter, as it watches another car mistakenly think it has found an open parking spot.

I then spend the rest of my garage parking experience (at least 3 more levels) feeling guilty for my irrational hatred and harsh reaction towards those cars.

...until I see one again, maybe on the road... maybe in a commercial...maybe in a normal-size parking spot hidden by a normal-size vehicle....and my eyes automatically squint, my jar automatically clinches...and my uncontrollable response is..."If you don't have anything nice to say don't say anything at all." (Thanks, Mom.)

It's called a tail...

To contact us Click HERE
I believe there is an invisible line on one's head that distinguishes the correct hemisphere a pony tail should rest.

And when the pony tail or messy bun-knot or bird nest ball crosses that line it becomes....

 a unicorn horn...a unihorn oooor some mutation of it.

The unihorn is a hungover girl's attempt at appearing carelessly relaxed...

And just as the hungover girl feels....the unihorn appears...like shit.

Below is for your visual reference.

These girls are hungover, they just have makeup artists:














These girls are just hungover.
        

Ladies, either cut back on the cocktails or push back the horn and embrace the pony.

I'll Have My Pie & Eat It Too!

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...with Thanksgiving in my heart!

Many people gain weight through the holiday season as families get together and feast.  In the past you have probably overeaten the turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes, rolls, and then when it's time for dessert you are completely stuffed.  However, you eat dessert anyway, because it's there.  Plus it's delicious.  Plus it wouldn't feel right somehow if you didn''t indulge in your favorite dessert on the holiday.  It becomes a tradition.  Most Americans probably throw their hands up in dismay the period from Thanksgiving through Christmas intent on starting a healthy program by New Year's Day.  Why wait?  You can still work out and control your portions through the notoriously self-indulgent holiday season.

My advice would be to plan ahead.  Do not think with your stomach.  We have all been through this period of overeating, and then we feel guilty later.  Let's stop learning the hard way (or just not learning at all).

My late Grandmother McSparin (Grandma Mac) was excellent at self-control.  She would always make a huge feast for everyone, with all my Aunts' and my Mother's help of course.  However, when Grandma Mac finally sat down to eat she would just have a tiny portion of each dish she wanted to taste. She was tiny, and she was probably technically underweight for her height.  Still, there is something to learn from her.  If you know you are most excited about dessert, then don't fill up on everything else just because it's there.

First I would rather have a perfect bite of turkey, mashed potatoes, gravy, and stuffing.  Then I skip all the sides that I might have on any given day of the year.  If it isn't my favorite, then I skip it.  I take only a small portion of what I might like the first time around.  I only go back for seconds on the dishes that I really truly crave.  This slows me down long enough to realize that I am already getting full.  Then for dessert I try to stick to a small portion of my top two favorites.  For Thanksgiving it's a sliver of pumpkin pie and a sliver of pecan pie.  For Christmas it's a nice slice of my Mom's homemade pumpkin cake roll.  If all three are present on a holiday, then I skip the pumpkin pie.  (Hey, at least that's something.)

This year I wised up BIG TIME!  I know all I want is just a taste of dessert.  Cutting just a sliver of pie or breaking a cookie in half just looks so "pidiot" (so pious about your diet that everyone thinks you are an idiot).  JK!  In light of this epiphany, I spent the entire afternoon making mini pumpkin pie and mini pecan pie tartlets.  I would love to tell you that I slaved away perfecting these recipes, but I actually got them from Better Homes and Gardens:  Cookies Cookies Cookies Christmas Time Treats.  I tried to find the recipes on their website, but this book is circa 1992 so surprise!  It's not on their website.  I subbed in Bob's Red Mill All Purpose Gluten-Free Baking Flour so my gluten-free hubby could have some dessert.  The tartlets won his coveted seal of approval.  Hubba, hubba!  I'm pretty sure nobody has said hubba, hubba since 1942.  Lol!



Here are the recipes:

TINY TARTS

• 1/2 cup margarine or 1/2 cup butter, softened
• 3 ounces package softened cream cheese
• 1 cup all-purpose flour

DOUBLE THE TART RECIPE IF YOU ARE MAKING BOTH KINDS OF TARTS.

PECAN FILLING

• 1 egg, beaten
• 3/4 cup packed brown sugar
• 1 tablespoon melted margarine or 1 tablespoon butter
• 1/2 cup pecans, coarsely chopped 
• 1 teaspoon  vanilla
• 1/2 teaspoon almond extract 

OR

PUMPKIN FILLING

• 1 egg, beaten
• 1/2 cup canned pumpkin
• 1/4 cup sugar
• 1/4 cup milk
• 1 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice

Directions:

Tarts:.In a mixing bowl, beat margarine or butter and cream cheese until thoroughly blended. Stir in flour. Chill the dough for one hour.  Roll rounded-teaspoonsbul of dough into 24 equal balls. Press evenly into the bottom and up the sides of mini-muffin 1 3/4-inch muffin cup non-stick tin.  Filling:. In a small mixing bowl, stir ingredients together until mixed well. Fill each pastry with 1 heaping teaspoon of desired filling.
Baking:For pecan pie tartlets bake in a 375 degree oven for 15 to 18 minutes or until filling is set and crust is lightly browned.  Cool slightly in pans.  Remove tea cakes from pans and cool on wire racks.  Makes 24.
For pumpkin pie tartlets bake in a 325 degree oven for 30 minutes or until filling is set and crust is lightly browned.  Cool slightly in pans.  Remove tea cakes from pans and cool on wire racks.  Makes 24.Calories:
Pecan Pie Tarts per tart:  128 calories (It sure makes me think twice about having a whole slice of pie!)
Pumpkin Pie Tarts per tart:  66 calories
Pssst!  Since I can't have my Mom's pumpkin cake roll this year, I topped the pumpkin pie tartlets with her decadent, homemade cream cheese frosting that she makes for the pumpkin cake roll.  Who says a girl can't have it all!!!!???

550 Calories & Under at Applebee's

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As research for the book I am writing, I tried the Garlic Sirloin off the 550 Calorie & Under Menu at Applebee's last night for dinner.  I must say it was delicious.  However, one of my clients had warned me that he didn't really buy that those entrees are actually under 550 calories.  Now I can see why.  The caramelized onions underneath the steak were really greasy, delicious, but greasy.  I would also say that 7 oz. of steak is a hefty portion for someone on a diet regimen.  Applebee's claims in their nutrition facts that their 7 oz. House Sirloin is 250 calories.  However, I looked up  7 oz. of lean broiled sirloin on CalorieKing.com, and it showed that size portion would be 373 calories. Not cool.

I have a more positive take on the sides.  As you can see from my pic, the portions of the potatoes and the portabella mushroom with creamed spinach are small.  Kudos to Applebee's on that.  I'm persuaded to believe the sides were actually low-calorie.  The potatoes tasted more like butter than herbs, but at least there wasn't a large portion.  They tasted like they had been boiled, and they were not greasy with oil.

With my client's opinion in the back of my mind I saved roughly half the steak and onions.  After looking up the facts today I am glad that I did that.  You can see some of the remaining grease on the plate.


I would also like to point out that Applebee's does post the following disclaimer on their website:

"Variations in ingredients and preparation, as well as substitutions, will increase or decrease PointsPlus™ values and any stated nutritional values, such as calories."

Taking the nutrition facts posted on the Applebee's website with a grain of salt, here are the calories on their 550 calorie and under entrees:

Great Tasting & UNDER 550 Calories™ - includes sides
Asiago Peppercorn Steak 380
Signature Sirloin with Garlic Herb Shrimp 500
Grilled Dijon Chicken & Portobellos 470
Roasted Garlic Sirloin 450
Sizzling Asian Shrimp & Broccoli 470
Sizzling Chili Lime Chicken 470

Applebee's also has a Weight Watchers PointsPlus™ menu which features low-calorie entrees as well.  Personally I think they should just combine the two menus and tell us both the calories and the points.  The menu at the Applebee's I went to listed 550 calorie entrees and Weight Watcher's entrees on two totally separate pages.  It probably has something to do with their agreement with Weight Watchers.  It would be nice if both menus were on one page.  Anyway, here are the calories and points on those entrees:


WEIGHT WATCHERS® includes sides

Weight Watchers® Cabernet Mushroom Sirloin 460, 12 pts.
Weight Watchers® Creamy Parmesan Chicken 470, 12 pts.
Weight Watchers® Grilled Jalapeno-Lime Shrimp 300, 8 pts.

To sum up I would definitely order the Garlic Sirloin again.  It was delicious, and I appreciate that Applebee's is trying to offer some healthier options.  The next time I will probably skip the onions altogether.  They seemed to be the source of the grease.  Now if you will excuse me, there is a leftover steak with my name on it.  Lunch?  Yes, please!

Sara

P.S.  Happy St. Patrick's Day tomorrow! 

Low-Calorie Dinner Options at Chili's

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Chili’s Grill & Bar

Salads (Dressing included unless otherwise indicated.)
Caribbean Salad with Grilled Chicken 610
Caribbean Salad with Grilled Shrimp 590
House Salad No Dressing 150
Dressing, Honey Mustard No Fat 70
Dressing, Low Fat Ranch 80
Soups (without crackers)
Chicken Enchilada Bowl 380, Cup 190
Chili’s Terlingua Chili with Toppings Bowl 360, Cup 180
Loaded Baked Potato Soup Bowl 410, Cup 210
Southwest Chicken & Sausage Bowl 330, Cup 160
Lighter Choices (as served)
Classic Sirloin 260
Grilled Chicken Salad 420
Grilled Chicken Sandwich with Steamed Broccoli 610
Lighter Choice Grilled Salmon 480
Margarita Grilled Chicken 550
Not “Just” Sides
Black Beans 100
Black Bean Patty Only 200
Rice 190
Steamed Broccoli 80
Sweet Corn on the Cob with Butter 200

Fat & Fluffy Snickerdoodles

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   I've never made snickerdoodles.  I've eaten plenty, but never made them. Well, I've been making a LOT of cookies lately.  Between the online cookie auction and cookie swaps, cookies have been a plenty around here.  I wanted to try some different recipes and was excited when I found these Snickerdoodle cookies.



  I loved how easy these were to make.  Actually, what made them super easy was that I had the kids roll them into balls and dip into the cinnamon sugar.  They had a blast and I didn't have to do much at all. We ate some and sent some to several friends and everyone has given positive reviews!  My kids are already asking for them again!




Fat & Fluffy Snickerdoodles
Recipe from How Sweet It Is

1/2 cup butter, softened
1 cup sugar
1 egg
1 tsp. vanilla extract
1 3/4 cups all purpose flour
1/4 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. baking powder
1 1/2 tsp. cinnamon
2 tbsp. milk
1/4 cup sugar + 1 tbsp. cinnamon for dipping

Preheat oven to 375. Cream butter and sugar with mixer until smooth.  Add egg and vanilla, mixing well to combine, about 2 minutes.  Stir in flour, baking powder, salt and 1 1/2 tsp. cinnamon.  Mix until dough comes together.  Add milk.  If dough is still crumbly, add milk 1 tbsp. at a time until it comes together.  Refrigerate for about 30 minutes.

In a bowl, combine remaining sugar and cinnamon.  Remove dough from the fridge and roll into 1 in. balls.  The kids like to do this.  Roll in the cinnamon sugar mixture and place on baking sheet.  Lightly press down on dough to flatten it just a bit.  Bake at 375 for about 10 minutes.

You don't need expensive equipment to get a killer workout!

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Here is the class we did at Personal Best on Thursday, January 26, 2012. It was a challenge, but FUN!!!!

* JUMP ROPE - FOR 1 MIN.
* PLANK JACKS -16- MT CLIMBERS 16
COMPLETE THESE 3 EXERCISES BACK TO BACK 5 TIMES THROUGH AS FAST AS YOU CAN!

* KETTLE BELL SWINGS - 30
* HOP TURNS - 20
COMPLETE THESE 2 EXERCISES BACK TO BACK 5 TIMES THROUGH AS FAST AS YOU CAN!

* WEIGHTED JACKS- 32
* FOOT BALL HIGH STEPPING- 32 - RIGHT INTO BURPES 10
COMPLETE THESE  3 EXERCISES BACK TO BACK 5 TIMES THROUGH AS FAST AS YOU CAN!

* ROLL-UPS INTO SQUAT -THRUST INTO A PUSH-UP - 10
* LEG RAISES - 20
COMPLETE THESE EXERCISES 5 TIMES THROUGH AS FAST AS YOU CAN!

GOOD LUCK! LET ME KNOW HOW IT WORKS FOR YA!

Low-Calorie Dinner Options at Chili's

To contact us Click HERE


Chili’s Grill & Bar

Salads (Dressing included unless otherwise indicated.)
Caribbean Salad with Grilled Chicken 610
Caribbean Salad with Grilled Shrimp 590
House Salad No Dressing 150
Dressing, Honey Mustard No Fat 70
Dressing, Low Fat Ranch 80
Soups (without crackers)
Chicken Enchilada Bowl 380, Cup 190
Chili’s Terlingua Chili with Toppings Bowl 360, Cup 180
Loaded Baked Potato Soup Bowl 410, Cup 210
Southwest Chicken & Sausage Bowl 330, Cup 160
Lighter Choices (as served)
Classic Sirloin 260
Grilled Chicken Salad 420
Grilled Chicken Sandwich with Steamed Broccoli 610
Lighter Choice Grilled Salmon 480
Margarita Grilled Chicken 550
Not “Just” Sides
Black Beans 100
Black Bean Patty Only 200
Rice 190
Steamed Broccoli 80
Sweet Corn on the Cob with Butter 200

You don't need expensive equipment to get a killer workout!

To contact us Click HERE
Here is the class we did at Personal Best on Thursday, January 26, 2012. It was a challenge, but FUN!!!!

* JUMP ROPE - FOR 1 MIN.
* PLANK JACKS -16- MT CLIMBERS 16
COMPLETE THESE 3 EXERCISES BACK TO BACK 5 TIMES THROUGH AS FAST AS YOU CAN!

* KETTLE BELL SWINGS - 30
* HOP TURNS - 20
COMPLETE THESE 2 EXERCISES BACK TO BACK 5 TIMES THROUGH AS FAST AS YOU CAN!

* WEIGHTED JACKS- 32
* FOOT BALL HIGH STEPPING- 32 - RIGHT INTO BURPES 10
COMPLETE THESE  3 EXERCISES BACK TO BACK 5 TIMES THROUGH AS FAST AS YOU CAN!

* ROLL-UPS INTO SQUAT -THRUST INTO A PUSH-UP - 10
* LEG RAISES - 20
COMPLETE THESE EXERCISES 5 TIMES THROUGH AS FAST AS YOU CAN!

GOOD LUCK! LET ME KNOW HOW IT WORKS FOR YA!

Menu Plan Monday ~ November 26 - December 2, 2012

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 I've had the quinoa pancakes and cinnamon roll pancakes on the menu for the last few weeks. It seems by the time we get to them, we have leftovers still or time runs out in the day and I just don't feel like making pancakes. We'll, I've been eager to try the quinoa pancakes and the kids want me to make the cinnamon pancakes again so they are on the plan again for this week.

Monday: Sweet and Sour Chicken, broccoli, brown rice

Tuesday: Stacked Roasted Vegetable Enchiladas

Wednesday: Chicken breasts & Roasted Sweet potatoes and pears

Thursday: Quinoa Pancakes & Cinnamon Roll Pancakes, bacon & eggs

Friday: Leftovers

Saturday: Grandma & Grandpa's house

Sunday: Beef tacos in the crockpot

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Check out I'm an Organizing Junkie for more menu planning ideas.




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Don't lead me on.

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Every day I navigate a parking garage.

Round and round I go until I see an open spot, excitement surges as I slow up to swing in...

..then...

Bah! Taken.

Without control my natural thought is "I hate you midget car!"

I have mixed feeling about sharing this, because I find it to be overly aggressive, inappropriate, and I'd like to think... a bit out of character for myself.

Yet every. single. time. I see one of those smaller-than-usual cars, creeped up into a normal-size spot, I feel disappointed... deceived....disgusted...and that exact thought automatically rants in my mind (sometimes even under my breath).

I feel confident that little car is snickering, with its high pitch laughter, as it watches another car mistakenly think it has found an open parking spot.

I then spend the rest of my garage parking experience (at least 3 more levels) feeling guilty for my irrational hatred and harsh reaction towards those cars.

...until I see one again, maybe on the road... maybe in a commercial...maybe in a normal-size parking spot hidden by a normal-size vehicle....and my eyes automatically squint, my jar automatically clinches...and my uncontrollable response is..."If you don't have anything nice to say don't say anything at all." (Thanks, Mom.)

It's called a tail...

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I believe there is an invisible line on one's head that distinguishes the correct hemisphere a pony tail should rest.

And when the pony tail or messy bun-knot or bird nest ball crosses that line it becomes....

 a unicorn horn...a unihorn oooor some mutation of it.

The unihorn is a hungover girl's attempt at appearing carelessly relaxed...

And just as the hungover girl feels....the unihorn appears...like shit.

Below is for your visual reference.

These girls are hungover, they just have makeup artists:














These girls are just hungover.
        

Ladies, either cut back on the cocktails or push back the horn and embrace the pony.