Update!

I know it's been a LONG time since I've updated the blog. I apologize for that. I've been insanely busy lately, what with having a book coming out in April! BURN ME, my romantic suspense novel, was picked up by Swoon Romance! *Snoopy dance*

Anyway, with everything happening on the publishing side of my life, I have let this blog stagnate. Not because I've fallen off the Take Shape for Life/Medifast wagon, but because I've been so busy between the publishing side of my life and life in general. Who knew kids took a lot of work! ;)

Weight loss update: I hit a healthy BMI last week, hitting my initial goal weight and blowing that out of the water. I've lost 123 lbs since March, with around 10 more to go. I might go for another 10 once I've gotten this last 10 off. Here's an updated progress pic (taken today!). The before pics make me a little nauseous to look at, but if they help inspire others to make healthy changes in their lives, it's worth it!

Trigger foods: I've found as I near goal that I've got a few trigger foods that cause me to binge: peanut powder and almonds. Both of which I just can't seem to stop once I've had just a little. Not sure why this is just NOW rearing it's ugly head, since I've been using both throughout my journey, but I'm trying to nip it in the bud by avoiding having either in the house. I had hoped that losing weight would cure any binging issues I had (I had the tendency to eat until something was gone, just because it was there). I've learned that I'm an emotional eater, and tend to want to eat when I'm stressed. The holidays were a bit stressful this year and that's how I discovered the trigger items. Just being conscious of the fact that I AM an emotional eater seems to help me identify the binge trigger before it happens and find other ways to distract myself (including popping a piece of sugar free gum when I feel extra stressed). 

Recipes: I've got quite a few recipes to post, just not enough time to post them! But, I promise I will post some new recipes soon!! If you're looking for some inspiration for your own L&G meals, check out my Pinterest L&G idea board. The recipes are NOT Medifast approved or confirmed on-plan, but can give you ideas on what to make with some modifications for your L&G's to stay on plan! http://www.pinterest.com/s_watters/medifast-lean-and-green-ideas/

Health Coaching: I'm absolutely loving helping others find their path to health using TSFL! I'm actively accepting clients, so if you're looking for a health coach, check out my website at www.shelleywatters.tsfl.com.

Heaven in a Brownie Tray

This is definitely a "once in a while" treat, since it uses up one MF meal, one condiment AND one optional snack, but it's SO worth it. You could easily cut out one of the two toppings, (i.e. JUST peanut butter or just cream cheese) and still have this decadent treat, but the combo of the two together is to die for. :) Enjoy!

Ingredients:
1 Medifast Brownie Mix
3 tbsp water
1 wedge Laughing Cow Light cream cheese
2 tbsp PB2 Peanut butter powder
1 tbsp water

Mix the brownie mix with 3 tbsp water. Microwave 1 minute 30 seconds. Cut one wedge of Laughing Cow Light cream cheese into small slices. Place cream cheese slices on top of baked brownie. Spread around lightly. (If you're too rough, the brownie will pull up instead of the cream cheese spreading). In a small bowl, mix together 2 tbsp PB2 peanut butter powder with 1 tbsp of water. Adjust water to your desired consistancy. Spread the peanut butter over the cream cheese layer. The result can either be eaten warm, or frozen first.

Medifast calcs: 1 Medifast Meal, 1 healthy fat serving, 1 optional snack

85 lbs down!

If you follow my writing, you'll already know that I've signed a book deal for my romantic suspense, BURN ME, which will be out in January, 2014 from Swoon Romance!

Anyway, I had to take some author photos for the publisher/etc and thought I should share them here, because I STILL can't believe how much different I look! 

Photo copyright 2013 Shelley Watters.
Any unauthorized use will be prosecuted to the full extent of the law.

Mu shu Chicken

Please ignore the little orange flecks - I accidentally bought coleslaw mix instead of just shredded cabbage. I picked them out before consuming to stay on-plan 100%

Ingredients:
8 oz raw chicken tenders, cut into thin strips (Should shrink to 6 oz cooked weight - 1 lean)
1 1/4 cups shredded cabbage (2 1/2 green)
1/4 cup chopped green scallions (1/2 green)
1/2 cup chopped cilantro (1/2 condiment)
1 tbsp Kikoman low-sodium soy sauce (1 condiment)
1 tsp oyster sauce (1 condiment)
1/2 tsp minced garlic (1/2 condiment)
1 tsp olive oil (1 healthy fat)
1-2 drops sesame oil

In a pre-heated sautee pan, sautee chicken in oil until cooked through. Add the cabbage, soy sauce, oyster sauce, minced garlic and sesame oil. Saute until cabbage softens a bit. Add in the scallions and cilantro and stir to combine. Serve immediately.

Medifast calcs: 1 lean, 3 green, 3 condiments, 1 healthy fat

Shrimp Lomein with Shritaki Noodles!

This is one of my all-time favorite recipes. Whenever I'm craving asian food, this is the dish I run to! 

Ingredients: 

1 package of Angel hair Shiritaki Noodles (2 green)

1/2 cup chopped celery (1 green)

1/2 Tbsp chopped green onions (1/2 condiment)

1/4 cup chopped ciilantro (1/4 condiment)

2 tsp olive oil (2 healthy fat)

1/4 tsp chopped garlic (1/4 condiment)

1 tsp oyster sauce (1 condiment)

1 tbsp low-sodium soy sauce (1 condiment) (I use Kikoman low-sodium soy sauce, which has 1 carb per tbsp!)

7 oz cooked shrimp (1 lean)

Drain the shiritaki noodles in a colander. Rinse thoroughly. Place noodles into a microwave safe bowl and microwave for 1 minute. Return noodles to colander and rinse again. Spread on a stack of paper towels and blot dry. Set aside.

Heat a skillet over medium-high heat. Add oil and garlic and saute until garlic softens slightly. Add celery. Stir-fry until celery softens a bit. Add the noodles, soy sauce, oyster sauce and shrimp. Stir fry until the shrimp is warmed. Add soy sauce and oyster sauce, and a splash or two of water or chicken broth if necessary. Stir fry until everything is heated through. Top with cilantro and green onions. Serve immediately.

Medifast Calcs: 1 leanest serving, 3 green servings, 3 condiments, 2 healthy fats

Note: If you have not used your optional snack, you can add more celery to the dish and count it towards your optional snack! Also, the shiritaki noodles I buy have 4 oz in a serving, 2 servings per bag.

Chocolate Covered Cherry Shake

Ingredients:
1 package Medifast Hot Chocolate
6 ice cubes
4-6 oz water
1 tbsp sugar free cherry syrup

Crush ice in a personal blender until you can no longer hear chunks. Add water and syrup, followed by the hot chocolate mix. Blend until smooth. Serve immediately.

Medifast calcs: 1 Medifast meal and 1 condiment

Milky Way Shake

Ingredients:
1 package Medifast Hot Chocolate
6 ice cubes
4-6 oz water
1 tbsp sugar free caramel syrup

Crush ice in a personal blender until you can no longer hear chunks. Add water and syrup, followed by the hot chocolate mix. Blend until smooth. Serve immediately.

Medifast calcs: 1 Medifast meal and 1 condiment