I actually got up a bit early to squeeze a walk in before work yesterday, it’s been so long since I’ve done that. The weather was overcast, but around 57 degrees – perfect! And it was so calm – see how still the channel to the river is?
I may have also jammed to Pitbull on the way to work – something about that song just puts me in a good mood!
I posted a picture of one of the apples from my friends house that we picked over the weekend and put it on Instagram asking for apple ideas. My blog/instagram friend Cindy said “brie and apple sandwich!” Well that got me thinking. It’s been a long time since I’ve had my apple cheddar bread, but I decided to kind of take that idea and make a breakfast bruschetta. I scrambled egg whites. I toasted two slices of everything bread from Walmart and added sliced apples, the egg whites, chopped baby spinach and cheese on top and put it in the office toaster oven. With a touch of cracked pepper on top (yes, I have a container of cracked pepper at the office!) it was the perfect mix of sweet and savory. And that whole plate? 367 calories!
Around lunch time the clouds parted and it was an absolutely gorgeous day here in Chicagoland. 65 and sunny for my lunch time walk? Yes please! I was only planning on walking for two miles, but I felt good, no coughing, so I ended up doing three miles. It took me 49:12 seconds, but that’s okay. When I got back to work I just made a quick turkey and low fat swiss lorraine panini with veggies and lemon hummus from Aldi.
I decided to take the back roads home yesterday because there is so much construction going on. Can anyone spot Tony in this picture? 
Over the weekend when I was meal planning I showed a picture of an alfredo pasta dish and asked Hannah and Jacob if they would eat it. They both took one look at it, and basically said “without all the veggies.” But then I looked at the ingredient list and was like “one cup of heavy cream?!” ONE tablespoon has 45 calories! So I switched gears, went on Pinterest like the Pinterest whore that I am, and quickly found Damn Delicious’ Skinny Alfredo and used her sauce for my dish.
I used Aldi’s light cream cheese spread – two tablespoons for 30 calories – nice! I also used Hillshire Farms smoked turkey sausage. I would have mixed it all together with the pasta, but I decided to leave the sausage and zucchini separate so they could pick out the zucchini, but happy to say they both enjoyed the zucchini!
Guys – this is pure fall comfort food in a bowl. Had I not made it myself I would have never realized that it was a healthier version of alfredo sauce. Most recipes I saw started with one stick of butter!
So when I download my pictures every night, I normally just put the date on the folder to download to my computer. It sorts my photos chronologically, so I clicked on 10/6 of last year and saw this picture:
And yesterday’s weigh in?
So I’ve basically lost 2.2 pounds in a year! But I consider that a victory. For the emotional eater that I am, and with everything we went through at Mayo this time last year, through Tony’s death, and the kids (and dogs!) moving in) and just everything that went along with that, I easily could have been over 200 pounds by now. And yes, I know I am in desperate need of a pedicure – I have an appointment on Saturday. In the whole grand scheme of things, it’s all good.
Check out how many I got in yesterday!
Make it a great day!
With the year you’ve had, 2.2 lbs lost is definitely a victory! 🙂
Considering the year you had it’s great that you even lost weight, good for you!
I don’t do skinny meals anymore. I rather eat the real deal and less of it than make it skinny 🙂 That said I have to admit I had to look up what alfredo sauce is because I never made it and never had it. Think if I would make it, I would use the butter LOL
I had to hit the rewind button and go back a couple weeks to catch up. I’ve been in NYC and traveling for what seems like …ever!
The alfredo dish looks amazing. I think I need to add that to my meal plan for next week.
And I see Tony! He’s always there with you!!!
I think basically maintaining your weight over the past year is pretty amazing. Knowing that you are an emotional eater and being within 2 pounds – kudos to you.
Thanks Lori – I appreciate it 😀
Oh, that alfredo looks amazing. I’ll have to try that skinny sauce sometime.
I think losing 2.2 pounds given the year you’ve had is great. I look back at where I was last year before the breakup and I’m kind of in the same boat weight-wise; I’ve lost only a few pounds over the past year but I am HAPPY for the first time in many years. That means so much more than weight loss. I know my situation is quite different from yours, and my heart still breaks for you losing Tony, but I trust you are going to be okay. Keep on keepin’ on, Biz!
I love that you are happy now – that is WAY better than any number on a scale – hugs!
that alfredo meal looks yummy! Kudos on that weight loss, I wish I can say the same! Do you use the egg whites from a carton? I see Tony is watching over you, so sweet!
Yep – I used to be able to buy it for $2.39 a carton but the cost of eggs/egg whites has gone up – I had to pay $3.99 for the same container this week 🙁
Yummers on that alfredo meal – maybe it’s the cooler weather, but I might actually cook this weekend, and this sounds perfect!
Glad you are feeling better and getting back to your walks/exercise. 🙂
What? You might cook this weekend?! Please post pics next week if you do! 😀
Nice job on the steps!! And that Alfredo sounds good- it’s usually too heavy tasting for me, but I bet I’d like this version.
That’s just the thing, this recipe has the mouth feel of the real deal – yum!
15,000 steps – sweet!
I think you did good this year.
Thanks Marcia. Hugs!
It always makes me smile when I see “Tony” in your photos. Yes, any weight loss is a victory. You have had such a year. As I too am an emotional eater I understand how it would have been easy to gain weight. Curious…when you scramble your egg whites do you use the “egg beaters” stuff or only use the white of the egg? I am trying to find ways to cut out/reduce cholesterol consumption. Congrats on the extra mile but don’t push yourself too much. You don’t want any relapse.
It’s the container of just egg whites – I microwave 1/2 a cup for 1 minute, then fluff with a fork – although it’s curious because I use caloriecounter.com to do my calories – and it gives both egg whites and whole eggs a grade of “C” – which I would have thought that the egg whites alone would be a healthy protein choice – I’ve talked about it with my RN friends, and they agree that egg whites are better than whole eggs – although whole eggs a few times a week isn’t that bad for you too – not just every day 😀
Biz you are such an inspiration! And I think 49 mins for 3 miles is FABULOUS, I have been walking regularly since July and the best I have done 3 miles is 55 minutes. Of course I have nearly 100 pounds on you.
Aw, you are too sweet Diana – hey – I think 3 miles in 55 miles is amazeballs! Our Chicago Marathon is this weekend and I always watch it on t.v. because it inspires me – of course, I am drinking coffee and in my p.j.’s though! 😀
Thanks Biz. I am a fan of watching either Biggest Loser or Extreme Weightloss while eating chips!