THINK THIN THURSDAY - a healthy baked (or grilled) chicken dinner!

I've been a little negligent with my Think Thin Thursday posts, haven't I? Probably because I haven't been thinking, eating or doing anything else "thin" here lately. I am trying to get back on the ball though and thought I'd share a recipe with you. I haven't tried this yet, but doesn't it look great? This came courtesy of my BHG Healthy Living newsletter yesterday. I plan to make it in the next few days, minus the tomatoes. Hate tomatoes - with a passion. Oh, and since it's off-season, I'll be using frozen corn and herbs from little jars. Okay, one more change - I'll be using boneless, skinless breasts and spreading the cheese mixture on. Sorry, but I cannot (will not) put my fingers underneath chicken skin - I have a ridiculously strong gag reflex and that would do me in. Plus, the calories and fat will be reduced. They did mention that if you prefer to toss them on the grill, simply wrap in foil instead of parchment paper. If anyone else gives this recipe a try (with or without adaptations) please let me know how you like it!

CHICKEN, CORN, TOMATO, AND HERBED GOAT CHEESE
PACKETS
Makes: 6 servings
Prep: 40 minutes
Start to Finish: 1-1/4 hours

INGREDIENTS
1/2 cup (4 oz.) goat cheese
2 tablespoons chopped fresh tarragon
2 teaspoons coarsely chopped fresh thyme leaves
3 tablespoons olive oil
1/2 teaspoon finely grated fresh lemon zest
6 small chicken breast halves with skin (2 lbs.), bone removed
8 ears fresh corn, kernels cut from cob
2 cups (10 oz.) grape tomatoes, halved
2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
Directions
1. Preheat oven to 400 degree F. Stir goat cheese, tarragon, 1 teaspoon thyme, 1 tablespoon oil, and the zest together in a small bowl; salt and pepper to taste.
2. Rinse and pat chicken dry. Starting at one end of chicken, gently work your fingers between skin and meat, without tearing, to form a pocket under skin. Spread one-sixth of cheese mixture under skin of each breast. Press top of skin to distribute cheese mixture evenly.
3. Toss together corn, tomatoes, remaining 1 teaspoon thyme, and 1 tablespoon oil; salt and pepper to taste.
4. Tear six 15- by 15-inch pieces of parchment paper and spoon about 1 cup corn mixture onto top half of each. Top each with a chicken breast, skin side up. Season with salt and pepper and drizzle with remaining 1 tablespoon oil and the juice. Fold bottom half of paper over to meet top edge. Roll and fold the two edges together toward you to seal, then repeat with sides. Using kitchen string, tie entire packet together like a gift.
5. Place packets in a shallow baking pan, with chicken skin side down, and roast in middle of oven, 30 minutes. Remove from oven and let stand 5 minutes. Transfer packets to serving plates and allow guests to untie, being careful to avoid hot steam. Makes 6 servings.

Nutrition Facts
Servings Per Recipe 6 servings Calories 450, Total Fat (g) 25, Saturated Fat (g) 8, Cholesterol (mg) 93, Sodium (mg) 198, Carbohydrate (g) 27, Fiber (g) 4, Protein (g) 34, Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet

Enjoy!
Laurie

THINK THIN THURSDAY - Office exercises

How many of you sit at a desk all day like I do? It's easy to get tense and stiff when you have to sit in the same spot for long periods of time. Following are some great ideas to loosen up while burning a few calories. I'll admit that there are a good deal of these that just aren't doable for me at work, but the stretches just plain feel good and will relieve your back/neck tension. These suggestions came from WebMD and I hope you'll find at least a couple of them helpful! Here goes~
While you shouldn't give up on your home or gym exercise routine, you can certainly supplement it with exercises done at your desk (and, on those extra-long workdays, it's much better than doing nothing.) Here are a few aerobic tricks to try during your next break between tasks:
Glance at the wall clock and rip off a minute's worth of jumping jacks. If you're a beginner, try the low-impact version (raise your right arm and tap your left toe to the side while keeping your right foot on the floor; alternate sides)
Do a football-like drill of running in place for 60 seconds. Get those knees up! (Beginners, march in place.)
Simulate jumping rope for a minute: Hop on alternate feet, or on both feet at once. An easier version is to simulate the arm motion of turning a rope, while alternately tapping the toes of each leg in front.
While seated, pump both arms over your head for 30 seconds, then rapidly tap your feet on the floor, football-drill style, for 30 seconds. Repeat 3-5 times.
If you can step into a vacant office or conference room, shadow box for a minute or two. Or just walk around the room as fast as you can.
Or do walk-lunges in your office or a vacant room. (You could also amuse your co-workers by doing these in the hall; remember Monty Python's "Ministry of Silly Walks" comedy routine?). Set your PDA to beep you into action.
No conference room? Take to the stairs -- two at a time if you need a harder workout! Do this 5-7 times a day. Want Something Less Breathless?
Some strength-building suggestions:
Do one-legged squats (hold onto a wall or table for support) while waiting for a web page to load, the copier to spit our your reports, or faxes to slither out.
Stand with one leg straight and try to kick your buttocks with the other.
Sitting in your chair, lift one leg off the seat, extend it out straight, hold for 2 seconds; then lower your foot (stop short of the floor) and hold for several seconds. Switch; do each leg 15 times.
To work your chest and shoulders, place both hands on your chair arms and slowly lift your bottom off the chair. Lower yourself back down but stop short of the seat, hold for a few seconds. Do 15 times.
To stretch your back and strengthen your biceps, place your hands on the desk and hang on. Slowly push your chair back until your head is between your arms and you're looking at the floor. Then slowly pull yourself back in. Again, 15 of these.
Desk pushups can be a good strengthener. (First, make sure your desk is solid enough to support your weight.) Standing, put your hands on the desk. Walk backward, then do push-ups against the desk. Repeat 15 times.
Reach for the Sky
Stretching exercises are a natural for the desk-bound, to ease stress and keep your muscles from clenching up. Here are a few suggestions:
Sitting tall in your chair, stretch both arms over your head and reach for the sky. After 10 seconds, extend the right hand higher, then the left.
Let your head loll over so that your right ear nearly touches your right shoulder. Using your hand, press your head a little lower (gently, now). Hold for 10 seconds. Relax, and then repeat on the other side.
Try this yoga posture to relieve tension: Sit facing forward, then turn your head to the left and your torso to the right, and hold a few seconds. Repeat 15 times, alternating sides.
Sitting up straight, try to touch your shoulder blades together. Hold, and then relax.
You get to put your feet up for this one! To ease the hamstrings and lower back, push your chair away from your desk and put your right heel up on the desk. Sit up straight, and bend forward just until you feel a gentle stretch in the back of your leg. Flex your foot for a few seconds, and then point it. Bend forward a little farther, flex your foot again, and hold for 10 seconds. Repeat on the other side.

Let me know if you're able to work any of these into your daily routine, ok? I've been doing some of the less drastic, stretching exercises and they feel great!
Laurie

THINK THIN THURSDAY - Zucchini Brownie recipe

Last week I put up the peanut butter cookie recipe but being a chocolate lover, I really wanted to find a recipe for something chocolatey and sweet - found this recipe on the BHG.com site and thought it looked like just the thing - the photo is the one that accompanies the recipe - yum!

I can't vouch for this recipe as I haven't tried it yet, but I intend to over the weekend. I buy zucchini by the armful at the farm market throughout the summer, grate them (several at a time) and then I freeze it in two cup portions in freezer bags. It's so easy to grab a bag, toss it on the counter to thaw and then make bread in the afternoon/evening. You can buy it at the supermarket in the winter, but it's much smaller than what I buy fresh in the summer.

I hope some of you might try this recipe too!

Ingredients
Nonstick cooking spray
1 cup all-purpose flour
1 cup whole wheat flour
1/4 cup ground flaxseeds or wheat germ
1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup refrigerated or frozen egg product, thawed, or 2 eggs, slightly beaten
3/4 cup sugar
1/2 cup canola oil
1/3 cup low-fat milk
1 cup peeled (if desired) and shredded zucchini
1 medium-size ripe banana, mashed (1/2 cup)
1/2 cup miniature semisweet chocolate pieces (optional)
Directions
1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Lightly coat a 13x9x2-inch baking pan with nonstick cooking spray; set aside. In a large bowl, combine all-purpose flour, whole wheat flour, flaxseeds or wheat germ, cocoa powder, baking powder, and salt. Make a well in center of flour mixture; set aside.
2. In a medium bowl, whisk together egg, sugar, canola oil, and milk until well mixed. Stir in zucchini and banana. Add zucchini mixture all at once to flour mixture. Stir just until moistened. Fold in chocolate pieces. Pour batter into prepared pan, spreading evenly.
3. Bake about 25 minutes or until top springs back when lightly touched. Cool completely on a wire rack.

Cut into squares.

Enjoy!

Laurie

THINK THIN THURSDAY - lowfat peanut butter cookies

Does anyone not like peanut butter cookies? To be honest they're not my favorite, but being a cookie lover I will eat them if there's no chocolate chip cookies in the house! I do love to bake but unfortunately I love to eat too, almost to the point of gluttony when it involves sweets, so I was excited to find this lower fat, reduced sugar, cookie recipe.

Paula Deen made these cookies on her show a few years ago and I tried them immediately. I was very pleased with how good they were. (Just so you know, the dough is very sticky - I use a small cookie dough scoop rather than rolling into balls w/my hands.) The recipe doesn't make very many, which is good if you don't want several dozen cookies screaming at you to be eaten! I make mine with creamy peanut butter, but suppose real peanut lovers might like the crunchy version. As for greasing the baking sheet, forget that and use parchment paper - it makes clean up a breeze. I never bake without parchment paper.

I hope you'll check this recipe out - it's ideal for diabetics too, not just dieters.

INGREDIENTS
1 cup peanut butter, creamy or crunchy
1 1/3 cups baking sugar replacement (recommended: Splenda)
1 egg
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
DIRECTIONS

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Grease a large baking sheet.
In a mixing bowl, combine the peanut butter, 1 cup sugar replacement, the egg, and vanilla, and stir well with a spoon. Roll the dough into balls the size of walnuts. Place the balls on the prepared baking sheet. With a fork, dipped in sugar replacement to prevent sticking, press a crisscross design on each cookie. Bake for 12 minutes, remove from the oven, and sprinkle the cookies with some of the remaining sugar replacement. Cool slightly before removing from pan.

Enjoy!

Laurie

THINK THIN THURSDAY - this one's for the Hungry Girls!

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THINK THIN THURSDAY - a fun snack tip

I've thought for some time that I needed to get back on track with Think Thin Thursdays and had even started this particular blog about a week ago, saving it to post later. My pal Sasha White indicated that she's starting her Thursday Slim Camp blogs up again today so I decided this was a good time to get my extra grande ass back in gear too - solidarity, you know?

I'm sure you've probably all seen the commercials for The Laughing Cow cheeses on television. I think I've mostly seen them on The Food Network - they make the mini Babybel cheese rounds and little individual serving cheese wedges in different flavors. I've recently discovered the Light Swiss wedges, which make an excellent afternoon snack on Reduced Fat Wheat Thins, with pretzels, or on a mini bagel. Don't be put off if you don't like swiss cheese - I don't care for it myself, but I love these. They're so rich and creamy, you would never know that they're only 35 calories, two grams of total fat, 1 gram of sat. fat. The round (eight wedges) is a little over $3. at my grocery store - very reasonable for eight days' worth of snacks - if you can make them last eight days, that is!
So check it out - and let me know how you like it!
Laurie
P.S. - Don't forget the contest that's running until the 30th - scroll down!

THINK THIN THURSDAY - I'm moving to Arkansas!

300-pound inmate complains Ark. jail doesn't feed him well

BENTONVILLE, Ark. (AP) -- An inmate awaiting trial on a murder charge is suing the county, complaining he has lost more than 100 pounds because of the jailhouse menu.
Broderick Lloyd Laswell says he isn't happy that he's down to 308 pounds after eight months in the Benton County jail. He has filed a federal lawsuit complaining the jail doesn't provide inmates with enough food.
According to the suit, Laswell weighed 413 pounds when he was jailed in September. Police say he and a co-defendant fatally beat and stabbed a man, then set his home on fire.
"On several occasions I have started to do some exercising and my vision went blurry and I felt like I was going to pass out," Laswell wrote in his complaint. "About an hour after each meal my stomach starts to hurt and growl. I feel hungry again."
But Laswell then goes on to complain that he undertakes little vigorous activity.
"If we are in a small pod all day (and) do next to nothing for physical exercise, we should not lose weight," the suit says. "The only reason we lost weight in here is because we are literally being starved to death."
The suit also asks that the county be ordered to serve hot meals. The jail has served only cold food for years.
The meals, provided through Aramark Correctional Institution Services, average 3,000 calories a day, jail Capt. Hunter Petray told The Morning News of northwest Arkansas for a story Saturday.

You say you'd rather not be incarcerated in Arkansas? Oh all right, but be sure to check out this CNN link for inspiring success stories and some sensible advice.
Have a great Thursday!
Laurie

THINK THIN THURSDAY - A website that's chock full of good information

It might not be the first place you'd look for helpful nutrition information, but the U.S. Department of Agriculture has an incredible website with a wealth of information on topics that you may never have given thought to.

The law office I work in is located in a building that houses our county's health department. The only health department office on our floor is the one for the nurses. They are the sweetest bunch of women ever. When I was diagnosed with diabetes three years ago, my first stop the next morning was at the nurses' office. My doctor had given me a folder with information, but I was completely overwhelmed with what I should be doing. The nurses gave me information for the Center of Disease Control, who sent me an huge packet of information that was very easy to understand, and they directed me to the website I've linked to above. I have been a frequent visitor since. I hope you might find some helpful information there as well.
Thanks for stopping!
Laurie

THINK THIN THURSDAY - THE BENEFITS OF WALKING

Below is an excellent article on the benefits of walking. It's short, informative and easy to understand. Check it out, and then lace up your sneakers and hit the sidewalk! I'm considering a pedometer - do any of you have one or have you used one? I'm curious as to what to look for - I want one that's basic and simple to use.

It's a beautiful sunny day. You wish you were in better shape. And you still can't think of a good reason to start a walking program? Marilyn Bach, Ph.D., author of ShapeWalking, gives you six reasons to get off the couch and let your feet do the walking.
1. It's an easy way to a healthier you. Brisk walking lowers the risk of heart disease and type 2 diabetes in women, according to research published in the Journal of the American Medical Association. So in addition to strengthening your calves, hamstrings, arms (your entire body, really) walking can help prevent disease and illness. The bottom line: It does a body good.
2. You'll stick to it. Experts call it adherence. Others call it dedication. According to the American College of Sports Medicine, people tend to stick to a walking program better on a long-term basis than to other exercise activities. After all, you can do it anywhere -- with no equipment required.
3. It's a no pain, all gain proposition. Your body will thank you for choosing such a stress-free exercise method with low risk of injury. The impact of running on your joints is about three times your body weight, while walking is only about 1.3 times your body weight. "Lower impact means there's less risk that you'll have sore muscles, aching joints and repetitive stress injuries," explains Dr. Bach.
4. Both social butterflies and soul searchers enjoy it. There's no better way to catch up on gossip, brainstorm business plans or mull over an idea with a friend. Instead of meeting for a sit-down lunch, take a stroll. Or if you're in desperate need of some alone time, walking is also a great way to relax, reflect and re-energize after a long day or before the start of a busy one.
5. It's an excuse-proof workout. Walking is cheap and easy. No gym membership or expensive equipment required. Bad weather? Head to a mall -- some cities are extending hours so walkers can stride (and window shop) before stores open.
6. You can walk your way to the Fountain of Youth. A new study from the American Academy of Neurology reports that walking can keep your mind sharp as you age. Researchers tested the cognitive abilities of 5,925 women ages 65 and older, and then tested them again six to eight years later. Their finding: women who walked an average of 18 miles a week had the least cognitive decline. Women who said they walked the least -- just half a mile a week -- showed the greatest decline.

THINK THIN THURSDAY - Yummy sauteed bananas recipe!

Aren't they lovely? I think they look great and I plan to try them this weekend - the recipe is below. While I like bananas, I don't love them - I probably don't eat more than one or two a month. Now if you're talking banana bread, I'm all over it. But banana flavored anything? No thanks. This recipe looks good and, even better, it looks easy! I'll leave out the walnut oil and will make the sauce w/apple juice, not because I'm adverse to alcohol, but I always have apple juice on hand.
Sometimes when I'm deep in the diet groove I'll broil pears for dessert - so simple (I actually came up with this one myself). Light canned pear halves, drained and placed into a small baking dish, cut side up. Drizzle lightly with honey and/or sprinkle w/brown sugar. Broil until the honey/sugar begins to bubble and remove to serve. Sometimes I'll reserve the canned pear liquid and mix with a little cornstarch in a small pan to thicken and then serve as a glaze rather than using the honey and brown sugar. Either way it's a tasty sweet treat that's not terrible for you. My girls especially like them.
Enjoy!

Ingredients
For the sauce
1 tablespoon butter
1 tablespoon walnut oil
1 tablespoon honey
2 tablespoons firmly packed brown sugar
3 tablespoons 1 percent low-fat milk
1 tablespoon dark raisins or golden raisins (sultanas)
***
4 firm bananas, about 1 pound total weight
1/2 teaspoon canola oil
2 tablespoons dark rum or apple juice
***
Directions
To make the sauce, in a small saucepan melt the butter over medium heat. Whisk in the walnut oil, honey and brown sugar. Cook, stirring continuously until the sugar is dissolved, about 3 minutes. Stir in the milk, 1 tablespoon at a time, and then cook, stirring continuously until the sauce thickens slightly, about 3 minutes. Remove from the heat and stir in the raisins. Set aside and keep warm.
***
Peel the bananas, and then cut each crosswise into 3 sections. Cut each section in half lengthwise. Lightly coat a large nonstick frying pan with the canola oil and place over medium-high heat. Add the bananas and saute until they begin to brown, 3 to 4 minutes. Transfer to a plate and keep warm.
***
Add the rum to the pan, bring to a boil and deglaze the pan, stirring with a wooden spoon to scrape up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan. Cook until reduced by half, about 30 to 45 seconds. Return the bananas to the pan to rewarm.
***
To serve, divide the bananas among individual bowls or plates. Drizzle with the warm sauce and serve immediately.

Nutritional Analysis(per serving)
Calories 146
Monounsaturated fat 1g
Protein 1g
Cholesterol 5mg
Carbohydrate 27g
Sodium 25 mg
Total fat 5g
Fiber 3g
Saturated fat 1g

THINK THIN THURSDAY - Portion Control

AND THE WINNER IS . . . Carol! Carol, Please email me at ljodamron@gmail.com with your full name and mailing addy and I'll get the books in the mail to you by the end of the week. If I don't hear from Carol by Thursday evening, I'll draw another winner. If any winner already has any of these books or isn't interested in any one or more in particular, feel free to decline those and I'll draw another winner for them.
Thanks, everyone, for playing! I hope you'll stop back, I'll have a review for Toni Blake's LETTERS TO A SECRET LOVER sometime in the next week or so, and a bit of chatter about some other recent reads.

Portion control is very important when you're trying to eat healthy. It's incredible to see how big an actual serving size is, compared to the serving sizes we're used to. Here are some tips about controlling portions - and if you read to the end, there's a little contest that involves portion control of another variety!

* Hankering for a sweet treat after dinner? You can splurge on dessert -- you just have to limit your portion size. Instead of heaping scoops of ice cream into a large bowl, or worse yet, eating it directly out of the container, plop a few spoonfuls into a small teacup. The dainty serving dish will make a small amount of ice cream seem bigger. So curl that pinky and get in touch with your inner princess.
* Did you know that the standard bagel is the equivalent of four or five slices of bread and that the average soft drink is three times the size it was 25 years ago? * It's no wonder that so many of us are overweight. We eat portions that are way too big, with way too many calories. To lose weight, you'll need to cut your portions down to size.
* Eat on a salad plate instead of a dinner plate. A fuller plate tricks your brain into thinking that you're eating a lot.
* Eat lots of high-water, low-calorie foods, like lettuce, raw veggies, broth-based soups, and low-fat or fat-free dairy products. You'll feel satiated without breaking the calorie bank, says Barbara Rolls, Ph.D., a professor of nutrition at Penn State University and author of The Volumetrics Weight-Control Plan: Feel Full on Fewer Calories.
* Do a monthly portion check-up. Drag out the scale and measuring cups to make sure your portions haven't crept up in size. Even a small difference like three ounces of turkey instead of two can add up to a few pounds over a year.
* Make your own portion guide. Use common, recognizable items, like a tube of lipstick, your cell phone, or your hand-held electronic organizer. Match food portions to these common items. For example, an ounce of cheese is about the size of a tube of lipstick. This will help you eyeball foods and approximate their portion size.
Some good advice, huh?
Now for more good stuff! I'm doing a little portion control in my stack of "have read" books. I have six books to give away, sweet little romances, some fluffy, one suspenseful, a couple I bought because I liked the cover, and one is autographed (not to me personally) that I won as a door prize at a booksigning. I'm not putting the covers up, I'll leave it up to you to check them out further. Here's what's up for grabs:
THE CEO'S SCANDALOUS AFFIAR by Roxanne St. Claire
PRIDE & A PREGNANCY SECRET by Tessa Radley
THE MERCENARY by Cherry Adair
A ROYAL BRIDE AT THE SHEIKH'S COMMAND by Penny Jordan (this is the cover I especially liked!)
BEDDED BY A PLAYBOY by Heidi Rice
THE EXECUTIVE'S SURPRISE BABY by Catherine Mann (autographed)

So, if you're interested, post a comment saying so. Send a friend who comments and indicates that you sent them and you'll be entered again. I'll draw a name from all posts on Monday evening, March 31. Good luck!
Laurie

THINK THIN THURSDAY IS BACK!

Today's post discusses grocery shopping when you're hungry - always a big mistake - and some healthy snack ideas (for your desk) to add to your shopping list. My hubby does the majority of our grocery shopping and I can always tell just how hungry he is by the size of the bill!
Do you have any suggestions or tips for healthy snacking, at work or at home? If so, I hope you'll share them!
Going food shopping on an empty stomach is a sure recipe for diet disaster. That gallon of ice cream and those bags of chips look even better when you're hungry. Try to plan your trip to the store for when you're full, and make a detailed list. You're less likely to make unhealthy impulse purchases when you're full and have a plan!
Here are those healthy snack ideas:
Dried Fruits: Raisins, apricots, figs, and dates don't have the water content of fresh fruit, so they aren't quite as filling, says Maria Walls, senior nutritionist for Weight Watchers International. Still, they last for ages and contain much of the nutrition of their undried brethren. A small box of raisins has 130 calories and no fat.
Tuna Salad in a Pouch: The StarKist Lunch To-Go, for example, has 3 ounces of tuna, mayo, relish, and six crackers, plus a spoon to mix it all up. It doesn't need to be refrigerated and weighs in at a relatively small 210 calories.
Nuts: "They're great snack items because they're so filling," says Katherine Tallmadge, spokeswoman for the American Dietetic Association. Walnuts are desirable because they're high in omega-3 fatty acids that protect against heart disease. Limit yourself to 1 ounce -- about 160 calories.
Fruit Cookies: Two cookies have about 110 calories and 2.5 grams of fat. The low-fat varieties have 90 calories and almost no fat.
Animal Cookies: Sixteen of the critters contain only 120 calories. And even vegetarians can enjoy biting the head off a lion or the hump off a camel.
Single-Serving Soups: Look for an 8-ounce serving that has no more than 480 milligrams of sodium, says Connie Diekman, director of nutrition at Washington University in St. Louis. You can find a nutritious cup of soup with 100 to 200 calories.

Keep those snacks healthy!
Laurie

THINK THIN THURSDAY - HEALTHY LIVING

I receive emails daily about diet and exercise. At the present, they aren't doing me any good because I've slipped completely off the diet track. I'm so far off track that I can't even see the track. It's very discouraging and I'm totally disgusted with myself. One of the emails I received today was about metabolism. I'm not certain I even have metabolism. I think mine is in the negative numbers. Hey, maybe I'm a metabolic freak of nature that scientists would give their right arm to study! No, I think I'm just a glutton who loves to eat and can't control herself for more than a handful of days at a time!
Check out this website for great tips on everything healthy. I have been a frequent visitor there, although you wouldn't know it right now!
I do plan on getting back on track in the next couple of days. My life has been very stressful these past couple of weeks but things are finally looking up and I look forward to being back in full control very shortly.
Look for some fun reviews and chatter for Dianne Castell's upcoming Brava release, HOT AND BOTHERED, in the next few days. Next week there won't be a Think Thin Thursday post because Dianne will be guest blogging here on the 13th and 14th - a blog party with lots of fun discussion, games and prizes! I hope you'll stop back and check it out - and please tell your friends!

THINK THIN THURSDAY - LEAN LASAGNA RECIPE

I thought I'd share a recipe for Lean Lasagna with you this week. With all of the cold temps and snow we've been having, there's nothing I like more than comfort food, including lasagna. This is an excellent recipe and your family will never know that the fat and calories have been whittled down. Enjoy!

LEAN LASAGNA
Serves 8
INGREDIENTS
Vegetable oil cooking spray
1/2 cup chopped onion
1 lb ground turkey breast
3 cups tomato sauce
3 tsp Italian seasoning (or 1 tsp each dried basil, parsley and oregano)
1/4 tsp freshly ground black pepper
1/4 tsp garlic powder
1/2 cup chopped mushrooms
6 cups chopped fresh spinach (or chard)
2 cups fat-free ricotta
1/4 tsp nutmeg
1 package whole-wheat lasagna noodles (about 8 oz, or 9 noodles)
2 cups (8 oz) shredded part-skim mozzarella

PREPARATION
Preheat oven to 375°. Spray a medium-sized nonstick skillet with cooking spray. Sauté onion for 2 minutes, then add turkey and cook an additional 5 to 7 minutes. Add tomato sauce, all seasonings and mushrooms and simmer 2 minutes. Remove pan from heat. In a bowl, combine spinach, ricotta and nutmeg. Bring a large pot of salted water to boil. Cook pasta according to package directions until al dente. Drain and rinse with cool water. Coat a 9" x 13" baking pan with cooking spray. Arrange 1/3 lasagna noodles (3 noodles) on the bottom of the pan. Spread a layer of ricotta mixture, then turkey mixture, then 1/3 mozzarella. Repeat layers, ending with mozzarella. Bake 20 to 25 minutes or until cheese bubbles. Cool at least 5 minutes before cutting.

THE SKINNY
310 calories per serving
6 g fat (3.5 g saturated)
31 g carbs
4 g fiber
33 g protein

Have a great day!
Laurie

THINK THIN THURSDAY

I'm keeping it very simple this week because I'm a tad pressed for time. The following is a little blip about the positives of walking, taken from another one of the daily emails I get from Ladies Home Journal.

It's hard to motivate for exercise when you're feeling down and out. But your bad mood is actually the best reason to increase your activity level. Studies show that something as simple as a 10-minute walk can ease depression and boost your mood. In fact, walking can help decrease feelings of tension, anger, stress, and confusion -- it even gives you energy. Try it and see for yourself!

So grab your sneakers, bundle up, and go for a walk!

Laurie

IT'S THINK THIN THURSDAY!

Man oh man, where did the past week go? I can't believe it's Thursday already. My post today is about H20 and how beneficial it is to our bodies. This comes courtesy of Ladies' Home Journal, who sends me a healthy living email every single day. I find them extremely informative.

Water is one of the most important elements of the human body. It makes up approximately 70 percent of our muscles, and about 75 percent of our brains. It is also an essential part of a healthy diet and plays a vital role in the proper functioning of the body. Some of water's many benefits:
Transports essential nutrients throughout the body and rids the body of waste
Acts as a lubricant for the body, moistening eyes, mouth, nose, and skin
Helps maintain adequate blood volume
Helps regulate body temperature, especially in warm weather
Helps prevent constipation
Helps medications to work
Helps prevent urinary tract infections
Acts as an appetite suppressant
Is calorie-free
Boosts metabolism when drunk cold (we burn 2 calories per glass as we warm it up to body temperature)

A Dieter's Dream
Drinking water also forces fat to be used as fuel. How does this work? Without water, the kidneys are unable to function properly, so the liver picks up the slack. But the liver cannot properly metabolize stored fat as energy. The result is a decrease in fat metabolism, leading to more fat stored in the body. So, drinking lots of water helps avoid extra fat deposits.

How Much Do You Need?
The standard advice from nutritionists is to get at least 64 ounces of water daily. This is called the 8 x 8 rule (eight 8-ounce glasses). If you are trying to lose weight, it is especially important to stay hydrated. A good rule of thumb, experts say, is to drink half your daily water consumption between the time you wake up and lunch, and the other half between lunch and bedtime.

If you are exercising, you might want to drink a bit more. Drink 8-10 ounces approximately 30 minutes before exercising. You should also drink some water while exercising; about 3-4 ounces every 15 minutes. Finally, when you're through exercising, drink another 8-10 ounces to make up for the water you lose through prespiration.

Healthy adults of all ages need at least 8 cups of water every day. Children should have 6-8 servings, but the serving size depends upon the child's age. For children age 2 and under, a serving is half a cup; for kids age 3-5, it's 3/4 cup. For kids 6 and up, a serving is one cup.

Bottoms-up, everyone - go grab yourself some water!
Laurie

THINK THIN THURSDAYS!

In conjunction with Sasha White's Slim Camp blogs every Thursday, where she and others in search of a healthier lifetyle share tips, recipes, frustration and celebration, I've decided to do "Think Thin Thursdays" I'm in a battle with the bulge myself and while several years ago my goal would have been a svelte physique, these days I'm more realistic and simply want to get and stay healthy.
This week's post is a few facts about exercise. Feel free to share your thoughts and/or ideas, ok? We're all in this together!
Some exercise facts taken from The Calorie King Calorie, Fat & Carbohydrate Counter:
* Persons who exercise regularly lose more weight and keep it off longer than non-exercisers.
* Exercise also improves general health and well-being. Mood, confidence and self-esteem are enhanced by a sense of control and accomplishment.
* Exercise increases the metabolic rate of the body even for hours after exercise - a good way to "wake up" a sluggish metabolism and burn extra fat. Exercise compensates for any decrease in metabolic rate with increasing age and also in some heavy smokers who stop smoking.
* Strength training further builds muscle and aids body reshaping. You can also eat a little more food! Note: Each extra pound of muscle burns an extra 50 calories daily - even while you sleep! Weight from exercised muscles is okay. It is surplus fat (particularly abdominal fat) that is potentially harmful to health.
* Avoid injury by beginning with walking, low impact aerobics, or weight-supported exercise (e.g. swimming, cycling).
* How Much? Start with 10-20 minutes/day and progress to 30-60 minutes/day. Also, walk up stairs instead of using elevators. Take a brisk walk at lunch. Use an exercise bike, treadmill or stair machine while watching TV. Walk the dog.
* How Often? While aerobic fitness requires only 3-4 sessions weekly, weight control is a daily event which requires daily exercise.
Have a great day and think thin!
Laurie