Oven “Fried” Mushrooms

I found this recipe on laaloosh.com (see here: http://www.laaloosh.com/2012/08/22/baked-breaded-mushrooms-recipe/) and decided to make them as a side dish to the hamburgers we were having for dinner.  Now my boyfriend doesn’t eat mushrooms so I made enough for two servings and I ate half a serving at dinner and the remaining serving as little snacks with my lunch/dinner the remaining 2 days.  I enjoy fried mushrooms (particularly with a side of marinara sauce) so I figured I’d give these a shot and I was surprised as how good they tasted!  The parmesan and garlic really help boost up the flavor category and it gives them a nice crunch, while the mushrooms get softer in texture (as it would if it were fried).   I did follow the recipe exactly as described so I can’t offer any tips on how to alter, but I will say if I were to make them again I’d be following the same directions.

QUESTION:

Do you like fried mushrooms?

ActiveLink – WW’s version of the FitBit!

I purchased myself an ActiveLink at my Weight Watchers meeting this past week.  I’ve been wanting one for weeks but I was in an excuse mode where I wasn’t going to the gym and I’ve since screwed my head back on straight, so I picked one up for myself.  Before I go into explaining what this is, it’s Weight Watchers version (that they teamed up with Phillips to create) of the Fitbit.  The device measures all movement and aids in helping the user to push themselves to get a certain level of activity per day, while also helps push the user to reach higher activity goals over time.

According to Weight Watchers:  ActiveLink is an integrated activity experience consisting of a monitor, a personalized website, and tips and motivation brought to you by the experts at Weight Watchers and Philips. You wear the small ActiveLink monitor in your pocket or clipped to your clothes, and it tracks all of your activity throughout the day, Whether you’re walking the dog or working out at the gym, ActiveLink will let you know how many activity PointsPlus values you’re earning. The personalized site creates an activity goal for you, and provides information and motivation to help you achieve your goal over a 12-week period. And when you reach one goal, it will help you set, and reach, another.

Right now I am in an 8-day assessment phase where I wear my monitor all day and it measures a baseline of activity.  This baseline will be used to assess as to if my activity is lower and/or higher than what it was during that assessment phase.  Unfortunately during that assessment phase you’re not able to see the cool graphs that come with the ActiveLink but after the assessment is over I’ll be able to see my movement on my screen.  It’s super easy to use, you just plug the link into the USB portion of the computer and it charges and reads all your information.

I work with a few people who have an ActiveLink and they’ve enjoyed it thus far.  I’m hoping this will be the little push I need to help me continue to be honest and will help push me into continuing maintaining my healthy lifestyle – workouts included!

I paid $39.95 for the device itself and it’s a $5/monthly charge for the service.

Weight Watchers Salted Caramel Smoothie

I picked up a box of Salted Caramel smoothie mix at my Weight Watchers meeting at the end of last week.  I had seen this on the table as being one of the new products Weight Watchers came out with.  By the way if you’re interested in this product it’s sold exclusively at Weight Watchers locations not grocery stores.  The smoothie mix itself can be mixed with 1 cup of water or 1 cup of milk.  I have made a few smoothies with this mix using water, then tossing it in a blender with some ice and a banana.  The smoothie mix is quite tasty – it tastes similar to a drink you’d get at say, Starbucks.  I particularly really like this one because it’s filling, tasty and has a nice, smooth caramel taste.  I’m sure with milk it would be even more filling – but for right now I’m content mixing it with water.

Let me take a moment to introduce myself ...

I decided to make this blog because this is something that’s very near and dear to my heart. I enjoy blogging about health & beauty, but I’m VERY passionate about my path to a healthy lifestyle.  My name is Shannon, I’m a 27 year old young woman from New England who has struggled with her weight since as far back as I can remember.  Taking control of my own destiny I decided that I NEEDED to get healthy for myself.  My mind was in the game and my decision was made and I went full force towards that goal, no looking back.  It was one of the best decisions I have ever made for myself.  As I’ve become more comfortable (public speaking isn’t nearly as daunting as it used to be – but I still do get a little shy), I find I enjoy helping those around me work towards finding their courage and obtaining their goal.  I’m very open to speaking with anyone about their weight loss or how to help switch things up in their journeys.

the master bagel breakfast sandwich

Isn't it a beaut? It was delicious as well. My boyfriend bought a bag of bagels at the market and I'd been wanting one. I used to have this immense love for bagels but since they're so carby they always send me down the wrong path -- which generally is hand in hand with a carb overloaded day. I had my meals for the day but was still hungry. To curb my hunger, protein always does it for me. I looked over at my boyfriend and asked if I made a breakfast sandwich on a bagel, would he eat half with me? He said yes (bless him - then again my mere mentioning it made his eyes widen).

I learned a trick from my local mom & pop coffee shop. They make breakfast sandwiches (and I say hands down the best 'fast food' variety) because they use all fresh ingredients. Real eggs, cheese and frozen sausage or pre-cooked REAL bacon (not that microwavable crap). I do the same thing at home now and it makes making breakfast a breeze, especially when I don't feel like getting out pans, etc.

All you do is spray a microwave safe bowl (plastic or glass -- but be aware the glass is going to get very hot to the touch) with cooking spray (i.e. Pam). Crack your egg into it, whisk and add your salt and pepper. In the photo I used eggbeaters. You then drop a frozen sausage patty right into the center of the egg to let the egg form a cocoon of sorts around the meat. I used a plastic bowl that was the same size of the bagel, so as my eggbeaters started cooking (they're primarily colored eggwhites) they started poofing up which is why the egg looks completely massive. If you are using a regular egg and sausage you cook for a muinute, check and cook for another 30 seconds. With this, I have to cook it 2 minutes, check and cook another minute because the eggbeaters just take a little more. Typically I'd throw a slice of cheese on this BUT the BF doesn't like cheese so it was dismissed. But that's fine because this was fantastic and quite yummy!

If you follow Weight Watchers PointsPlus program this would run you 9 points+, but since I had half, it was 5 points+.

QUESTION:
Do you make bagel sandwiches at home?

Disclaimer

All published content is property of Shannon's Lifestyle.  I ask that you do not steal any of my published content and claim as your own.

My reviews of products are written by me, for the sole purpose of providing insight on new foods/products I stumble across.  I am in no way being paid for reviews. The opinions written in this blog are mine and mine only.

I am not endorsed by Weight Watchers.  I am a member who has been following the program for 4+ years and has found great success with it.

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If you have a question, or would like to contact me please feel free to contact me via e-mail: shannonslifestyle@gmail.com

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