What's for lunch?


I'm starting to experiment with new foods since really learning about what is nutritious and right for my body while on the online Vtrim program.  And I'm having a ball concocting new recipes! I'd forgotten how much I really enjoy cooking and preparing my own food - even when I'm the only one home eating it!  But - hey! I'm worth the effort and the food is delicious (if I do say so myself!)... and - a bonus - I can bring it with me to the office!

The black bean salad (or salsa) above is incredibly simple and really healthy! The recipe makes about four cups (4 servings) and lasts for two or three days in the frig before the avocado gets a little gooey! I'm not into gooey avocado so tend to make it and eat it in a couple of days! It is great as a salad with chicken or fish. My son put it on his hamburger!  For lunch at the office I put 1/2 cup (1/2 serving) on top of a baked potato with 2 tablespoons of fat free sour cream and ohhhhhhh man is that good! :) 

Recipe:

1 can of black beans - rinsed and drained
1 small can of corn - drained
1 tomato diced
1/2 medium red onion diced
1 Tbsp of cilantro powder or 1/8 cup of fresh cilantro, chopped
1/2 ripe Avocado - cubed
4 Tbsp Newman's Own Lighten Up Italian dressing (this isn't really needed but I like the taste... if you don't include it, you can cut out 60 calories and 6 grams of fat PER serving!!)
Nutrition:  193.25 calories & 10.2 grams of fat per cup/serving

I would love to know your lunch time favorites, too!  Remember, we're all in this together and DAMN we're feeling great and looking fine!  : )

What's for breakfast?


I have drastically changed my eating habits in the last couple of months and it has proven a wise decision! I've now lost 11+ pounds in 8 weeks since following the online Vtrim plan & exercising.  I'm conscious that this will be a lifelong change for me and am really experimenting with foods that I like and also find easy to make for mornings when I'm running out the door to work or evenings when I'm running in from (can't believe I'm going to say this and it will be true) working out at the gym!  I never really thought about fat grams before, either, and now try to keep my daily fat gram total at or below 25% of my usual calorie intake which is right about 1250-1400 daily. 

So this morning's breakfast is pictured above!  One cup of Dannon Yogurt, Light & Fit Nonfat Vanilla (110 calories and 0 grams of fat); raspberries (10 calories & .10 grams of fat); 3/4 cup of Kashi GoLean: Crunch (145 calories and 2.25 grams of fat).  DELICIOUS!  Oh, and - of course - my ever-present water bottle is in the photo!

Do you guys have favorite meals that are easy and delicious and healthy that you could share?  Feel free to post in Comments! Thanks! : )

Have a great day!
HLG / Jan