Overnight Oatmeal

My husband and I went on a cruise last January. Every morning for breakfast I ate this oatmeal concoction that was to die for. It seemed that the oatmeal had been soaked in milk and then they added bananas, dried fruits and nuts. Oh my gosh...it was soooo good. So I have searching for a recipe similar to it and couldn't find one like that. I'm not sure why I just didn't create my own recipe! I found a recipe last night for Overnight Oatmeal. She took 1/2 C oatmeal and soaked it overnight in 1/2 C skim milk (I'm sure the stuff on the cruise was whole milk). She added cinnamon, nutmeg and walnuts.

Here's my "cruise" version:
1/2 C oatmeal
1/2 C skim milk
cinnamon
nutmeg
Cover and let it soak overnight.

This morning I added 1/2 frozen blueberries, thawed out and 2 T chopped pecans.
I made too much last night so I had the rest for lunch this afternoon. I added 1 sliced banana and 2 T pecans. Then I sprinkled it with a packet of Splenda.

I realized that I like it sweet and it wasn't very sweet this morning. But it was perfect for lunch. Not quite the way I remember it on the cruise (creamy, whole milk goodness). But it was VERY close. I swear I could eat this for every meal and not get tired of it.

8.2 Pounds!

Yea baby! I've lost 8.2 pounds. What's the "secret?" Eating the right foods, in the right amount, getting sleep and exercising. Oh wait...I haven't been good about that one...YET. I'm parking futher away, walking to places when I can, etc. So I'm making small little changes. It's going to be so much easier to get a session at the gym in when the kids are back in school. I can drop them off and go! I know...excuses, excuses. I've also added in something else to my weight loss journey. More to come on that later. Some might get it and other will think I'm a freak...I don't care though. I "heart" it.

Greek Yogurt...Get Your YUM On!

Did you see how much protein this yogurt has in it? I had never tried Greek yogurt before. I found the little cups at Walmart for only $1.00 each. That's a great price for this stuff. I bought the plain variety and added frozen blueberries and then sprinkled some Splenda on top. It was really, really good and really, really healthy.
I've been able to stay withing my calorie limits and not feel very hungry at all. I'm still having trouble getting all my water in for the day. Any suggestions on how I can get it all in? I need some creative ways...water is not my favorite thing.

Diamond Star For ME and YOU!

I hit my first 5 pound mark today! I'm giving myself a silver, diamond star. Why silver and diamonds you ask? In Boy Scouts silver is actually higher than gold. And I'm more of a silver kind of gal. And diamonds? Well they ARE a girls best friend and it's my birthstone. So there you have it. I'll award it to you too! Just share your progress with us and it will be my award to my fellow bloggers. Who wouldn't want a silver diamond star for doing something excellent? So share with me your successes and I'll award you with a star!

PB Banana Split

This picture is from trainermomma.com. I tried this recipe today. I cut a medium size banana in half, spread 1 T peanut butter on it, added 1/2 C vanilla yogurt and then topped it off with 1/4 C Fiber One cereal. It was delicious. And it's only 290 calories. It's one healthy breakfast! Thanks trainermomma!
I've lost 3.8 pounds so far. That's 3.8 closer to my goal. It's 3.8 pounds that I'll never have to carry around with me ever again. It's 3.8 pounds closer to shopping at THE GAP again! It's 3.8 pounds closer to having new family pictures taken. It's 3.8 pounds closer to being comfortable.
What are your favorite healthy foods?

Changes are a coming...

I've been wasting money each month on my WW pass. It just wasn't working for me. I had NO motivation to follow their program. I'd leave my weekly meetings frustrated and feeling worse about myself. I'm not sure why I felt that way. I didn't want to count points. I didn't want to journal. It just wasn't working for me and that's ok.
My sister sent me a link the the MOST amazing blog EVER. She talks about an iPhone app called "Lose It." This FREE app is exactly what I was looking for. It was able to calculate my daily calories needed in order to lose weight. You have the option of having it calculate the calories needed in order to lose 1/2, 1, 1 1/2 and 2 pounds a week. It will also give you an approximate date that you will acheive your weight loss goal. Trainer Momma has recipes and workouts listed on her blog. She's a personal trainer and I know that she's an answer to prayers!
For the first time in years I woke up today excited and ready to start. I even want to exercise. I read a woman's story about how a year ago she could barely walk up her driveway and now she can run 13 miles. I want that to be me. I'm ready to lose the weight once and for all.
I'm tired of carrying around with my my badge of depression, stress, and even happiness. I ate all the time for all the wrong reasons. I hate horrible food. I'm ready to change.
Last night I cut everything in half before I put it on my plate. I had 1/2 of a chicken breast, 1/2 corn on the cob, fruit and cucumbers and tomatoes. I was totally satisfied and happy that I had been able to actually face the fear of being hungry and just do it.
I am doing well with my goals. I'm not working on all of them at once of course but I am working on some. I know it will be so much easier when the kids are back in school. And I have more time to work on them.
Thanks for the support.