Winco Girl Rach

Since we began this family health challenge nearly six weeks ago, I have been truly converted to WINCO to purchase all the foods necessary for this diet. It was my first time shopping there when I went to prepare for week 1. Now it is my grocery of choice, and the only place I'll go! Here are the benefits of Winco, and why I am a Winco Gal:

1) The bins in the back. Pastas, beans, flax seeds, nuts, dried fruits, cereals, oats, you name it. It's all back there and besides it being kinda fun to pick out your own natural foods, it is significantly cheaper to buy from the bins.

2) Fresh ground almond butter and peanut butter. You push the little button that grinds the nuts before your very eyes. Jon and I are obsessed with almond butter now. SO GOOD. And again, way less expensive than buying pre-canned almond butter!

3) Produce. They have great prices in this section, and that makes such a difference when you have to buy green lettuce, fruit, tomatoes, broccoli, etc. every week!

4) Overall pricing of items in general. I have been comparing with Costco and Smiths. Winco is winning!

5) It is such a clean and professional environment. It feels cleaner to me than any other grocery store, which really does make a difference for me.

6) It is never as crowded as Walmart, Smith's Costco, or Macey's. You can actually park close to the front doors!

7) It's almost like a really great secret of Provo/Orem. And one of the best kept ones at that. Therefore, I will only reveal to you, you awesome Dittos!! Just cuz I love ya. Seriously though, I am converted and I think it's been THE place to shop for this health challenge. (And THE place to shop for the rest of my life!)

And that's the end. Who knew I would become so opinionated about a grocery store. Really. I guess that's how great Winco is!

Chicken Linguine

Sometimes Jon and I have pleasant experiences with the food that is allowed on this diet. Here is another satisfying meal that passes through the strict boundaries!

Chicken - Throw some in the crockpot with a can of chicken broth, garlic, italian seasoning, black pepper, garlic salt, and a pinch of paprika if you likey.

Whole wheat spaghetti (I only buy from the bins at Winco...you'll save more that way)

After noodles and chicken are cooked, toss with olive oil and sprinkle some parsley on top. If you haven't used your 100 extra calories, adding a little parmesan will make all the difference. Fat-free feta is almost as tasty.

This meal is great with steamed broccoli.

Take the Edge off the Sweet Tooth!

I have a sweet tooth. I am certain of it. This snack seemed to satisfy my momentary need for somethin sweet.

Toasted pita half
Almond butter
Honey

Try it. May it be a piece of heaven for you as it was for me today. That's all.

Chili Pita

If you need a meal that has a little more substance to it, try this.

Warm up some CHILI on the stove (very little out of the can will equal a proper portion size so take it easy)
FAT-FREE SOUR CREAM on the inside of a PITA POCKET(Sour Cream uses up some of your 100 cal)
OLIVE OIL
LEAFY GREEN LETTUCE
GREEN PEPPER (Important ingredient! This adds to the flavor)
FAT-FREE CHEESE (Depending on how much chili you use)
BLACK PEPPER

Success! It was perfect for my after-temple meal because I have to wait longer to eat as you all know. Hope you like it too. :-)

Sweet Potatuh!

Keep it real by switchin up what you eat. Today I had two slices of a sweet potato as a carbohydrate for my meal. Did you know you can just bake it and eat it? Sure, it might taste better with butter. But seriously my friends, I ate it on the go so I didn't even have salt and pepper. My critique? Delish. I baked it for about 45 minutes on 350. It probably would have cooked faster with aluminum foil but hey, it works! I love sweet potatoes! Maybe I'll find a low-cal butter for next time...

And yet, I will dream of these for my next day off:

Sweet Potato Waffles anyone? I'd certainly try them.

Strawberry Banana Shake

This is our first week trying the protein shakes. So far, soooo good!

We made the shake for two but put your accurate portion sizes in your blender of the following:

Banana
Frozen strawberries (Great deal at Costco!)
1 C. of milk
2 scoops of vanilla protein mix (low sugar)
Ground flax seed (for your healthy fat)

So quick and so tasty. And it so passes on this health challenge. We will continue to experiment...

Provencale Chicken Supper

Slow cooker time! Throw into your crock pot:

Chicken Breasts (I also threw in some ground turkey because we were low on chicken. We might have liked that more than the chicken in fact.)
2 tsp. basil or Italian seasoning (add more depending on how much chicken you are cooking)
Minced garlic or Lawry's garlic salt to taste
Crushed red pepper to taste if you likey (like Jonny does)
1/4 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp. black pepper
1 C. diced yellow pepper (Red pepper is also good)
1 (16 oz.) can navy beans, rinsed and drained (Great Northern white or red beans can substitute)
1 (14.5 oz.) can pasta-style tomatoes, undrained (I think you can find canned tomatoes without sugar?)
Basil leaves are optional

Easy!! Takes about two minutes out of a busy morning. Cook on low 4 to 6 hours.

Tasty Oatmeal

If you like oatmeal, try this for your complex carb portion of a meal:

Fist size of old-fashioned oats
Water (1/2 - 1 Cup? Whatever consistency you like)
(Microwave for 1 minute)

Add thumb size of almond butter, ground flax seed, or half of each for your healthy fat.
Add honey to sweeten. SO GOOD! You still need your protein though...

Easy Chicken Waldorf Salad

Ingredients:

Chicken
Leafy Green Lettuce
Sliced Bartlett Pears
Walnuts
Reduced-fat Feta cheese
Light Raspberry Walnut Vinaigrette

or (if you'd rather save your 100 calories)

You can make your own dressing:
3 Tbsp. extra virgin olive oil
2 Tbsp. lemon juice
1/2 tsp. honey
salt and pepper

Cook your chicken with olive oil, garlic salt (I like Lawry's best), italian seasoning, and black pepper. This was one of our favorite dinners so far for this diet. I love how you can eat as many leafy greens as you'd like. And I do recommend the raspberry walnut vinaigrette to enhance the sweetness of the dish. DELISH.

Pasta Tonno y Olive (Italian Tuna and Olive Pasta)

** Note, the exact portions of the ingredients are not usually measured, so just taste it as you go along to make sure it's tasty! (Use 1 can of tuna/1 can of Tomato Sauce)

Ingredients:

* Whole Wheat Pasta (whatever type preferred)

* 1 Can of Tuna

* 1 Can of Tomato Sauce

* Olive Oil

* 1 Tbsp. Minced Garlic

* 1 tsp. Black Pepper

* 1 Tbsp. Basil

* 1 Tbsp. Oregano

* 1 tsp. Crushed Red Pepper

* Diced Green Olives (1-2 Tbsp. per portion, cut finely)

1. Boil Pasta noodles

2. Drain tuna, sautee with olive oil and garlic (usually a spoonful for 2 portions)

3. After tuna has cooked/slightly browed then add (1st) Tomato sauce, (2nd) Green Olives, (3rd) four remaining spices (add according to desire, usually more Basil & Oregano, then add lesser amount of black pepper and crushed red pepper).

4. Let simmer together.

5. Put sauce on top of pasta noodles and...

6. ENJOY!

Hearty Tuna Sandwich

Mix in a Bowl:

1-2 cans of tuna
diced dill pickles
diced olives (just a little if you are using avocado as your healthy fat)
diced celery
light miracle whip/mayo (part of your 100 extra calories for the day)

Spread mushed avocado (or olive oil if you would rather that as your healthy fat for the meal) on both sides of whole wheat bread.
Add tuna mixture, sliced tomatoes, loads of leafy green lettuce, green pepper, etc.

1/2 Hearty sandwich counts as one meal. Drink loads of water and eat the other half 2 hours later! DELISH and filling.

This is our first Post :). Soon we will be as healthy as little creatures.... yeah!