Foods I Am Loving

Since I don't really have much of anything to say about the scale (moving slowly), a job (still unemployed, but have some possibilities for freelance gigs - fingers crossed!) or any doctor appointments (still figuring out what to do about insurance and don't think I need a fill right now, so keeping the appointments at the bare minimum) I figured I'd talk about food. What I am eating, and what I am loving (I'll talk about what I am missing in another post).

Arnold Sandwich Thins have made me a happy camper. They're whole grain, 100 calories, 6 grams of fiber, and 5 grams of protein. Serious nutrition! This morning I had one toasted, topped with 2 thin slices of ham, and a cut up mini Babybel Light cheese, toasted until the cheese was all melty. YUM. I can eat bread, apparently, but I'm choosing to skip the junky stuff in favor of this. I plan to try my "Little Mac" creation on them one day this week.

Blue Bell No Sugar Added Lowfat Ice Cream. A-maz-ing. It's the creamiest, best tasting lower calorie ice cream I've had. I got a quart carton when I was still on liquids (over a month ago) and I still have half left. It's SO good that a little goes a long way (although I see how that could backfire too). I had 1/2 cup of fresh strawberries topped with 1/4 cup of ice cream for dessert, and it was so decadent and satisfying.

Meatloaf - I don't have a picture, and it's not exactly the healthiest thing in the world, but this is worth it for the small amounts we eat. It is by far the best meatloaf I've ever made. I made it tonight for dinner and my husband skipped lunch in anticipation! It's my friend Chrissy's recipe and I give her full credit (although I skip the glaze - too much sugar for me and the loaf is amazing on its own and I don't think it is absolutely necessary).

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Depending on how big you want your meatloaf this is based on a pound of hamburger. [I used 1/2 chuck and 1/2 extra lean meat]

I LOVE vidalia onions. 1/2 of one of those. I coursely chop mine. I like chunks of onions. [I minced mine pretty finely. we love the TASTE of onion but not all the huge chunks]
1 egg
maybe a 1/2 a bag of shredded cheese. I just use whatever I have in the fridge. Usually the mexican blend of stuff [I used sharp cheddar]
About a cup of Stove Top stuffing. [I used the Savory Herb variety]
about a 1/4 c parmissan cheese [I skipped this because I ran out and didn't realize it until right when I was cooking. Turned out fine without it.]
about a 1/2 bottle of Kraft BBQ sauce. usually the brown sugar or honey flavors

[Hint: When cooking meatloaf, line your loaf pan with slices of bread before you put the meat in the pan - I save the end pieces in the freezer that no one likes anyway. It absorbs a ton of grease so your loaf isn't sitting in all that fat.]

I cook this for about 45 minutes on probably 350 or so

[I did an hour, since I was skipping the glazing step]

I take the dish out of the oven and drain as much of the grease off as possible without losing the loaf.

In a saucepan on the stove:
the rest of the bottle of BBQ sauce
about 1/2 C of grape jelly
1/2 brown sugar (I always use dark)
1/2 c ketchup

cook over low-med heat till all mixed together

Then for about 20 to 30 minutes (I don't time it. I just eyeball it) I top it with the glaze until it's bubbly.

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I made a double batch so there are plenty of leftovers.

And there you have it.