FAST LUNCH, without FAST FOOD!

Friday during lunch, I really wanted something easy and pre-made for lunch. However, I didn't want fast food. I wanted something like a salad. I was a little stumped though, and wasn't sure where or what to get.

I hadn't had any fruit or vegetables for over 24 hours, and I was staring to feel that my body was lacking energy, and was feeling a bit run down. 

So, I thought to myself, I could go around and find a place that had a salad, or I could spend the same amount of money and get everything I wanted...at the grocery store.

So I whipped into the grocery store...and to my surprise, hardly anybody was there. So I ran in, grabbed a pre-made salad, some fruit, and a diet soda...and was out quicker than if I had driven through the fast food drive in. WOW! I was impressed with myself.

So here is what I picked up. It was a chef salad of sorts with lettuce, tomatoes, cucumber, ham, and cheese, with buttermilk ranch. It wasn't exactly my favorite salad ever, but it was a much better option than a burger and fries, AND my body started to feel better within a few hours. 

I hope this gives you motivation to think outside the box, and sometimes it takes less time, and we spend less money, on something that we would have never thought would work out so well!

Comment, message me... I look forward to hearing from you!
-Deidra

Sweet!!

Lately, I have noticed that I have a really hard time eating enough vegetables. Sometimes the preparation takes too long, and sometimes I don't think about taking canned vegetables to work. 


And then I had an idea! What if I take a sweet potato, or yam, to work with me, microwave it, and EAT IT!

I found a super easy, portable vegetable...it stays fresh, easy to carry, stores for a long time, and all you have to do is poke holes in it and microwave it for about 2-5 minutes.

So I tried it all week, and I'm hooked!!  It is SO EASY!

I poke holes in it with a knife or fork, microwave for 2-5 minutes, cut in half after it is fully cooked, sprinkle a little bit of salt and butter, mash, and EAT!

 -Deidra

POUNDS & POUNDS OF SUGAR!!

So a 12 ounce can of soda has 39grams of sugar in it, roughly. That may not seem like a lot to many people, but to me it is "sugar hell!"

I can tolerate other forms of sugar, but I DO NOT do well on HIGH FRUCTOSE CORN SYRUP, otherwise known as the sugar in a can of regular soda. 

As a matter of fact, I have completely lost my whereabouts, after drinking the stuff. NO WONDER I couldn't concentrate in college!!!!!!!!!

I was pondering, "If 39 grams of sugar is in a can of soda, and a person drank a soda a day for a year, how many grams of sugar would that be?"

And then I wondered, "If we convert those GRAMS to POUNDS...how many POUNDS OF SUGAR would a person consume from just one soda a day, for an entire year?

The results were astonishing!!!!!!!!! 

Oh my goodness, I could not believe how many POUNDS of sugar I had just calculated!!!!!!!!!

And we are not even talking about the sugar in the many delicious cakes, pies, cookies, doughnuts, and other have to have's throughout the year, for birthdays, special occasions, and for holidays!

So here is my challenge to you...You tell me how many pounds you came up with, and I'll tell you if you were right!!!!

The final answer, COMING SOON!!!

-Deidra

VALENTINE'S DAY....Candy Overload!!!

Like so many of you, I am tempted beyond my will power, to eat chocolate and candy, all day, during Valentine's Day!!!

I can't say that I am unhappy about it...as I LOVE chocolate, and eat it frequently.

I hear there are so many great benefits of chocolate, especially dark chocolate. But we will save those details for another day.

Today, I want to compare some of my very TEMPTING chocolate choices. This challenge I will call "Should we steal a HEART, or should we steal a KISS?"

Here is the nutritional information:

1 serving of candy from the HEART box:
3 pieces of candy, with 150 calories, 5 grams of fat, and 22 grams of sugar.

1 serving of candy from the KISSES bag:
9 peices of candy, with 200 calories, 12 grams of fat, and 23 grams of sugar.

WOW, that is a close run....Hmmmm???

Well, if you are looking to cut down on fat and calories, then "Steal a HEART"...however, you only get 3 PIECES!



In summary, 9 pieces of chocolate versus 3 peices of chocolate dilemma... that's an EASY decision for me!!!

So my choice is, "STEAL A KISS!" 

<3's -Deidra

Name has Changed!

Some of you may notice that the blog's name has changed!

The NEW name "Piece of Cake" Fat Loss SECRETS, is much more suiting to the EASY and FAST tips on this blog. 

AND, it is much more emotionally satisfying to know that we can essentially "Have our cake, and eat it too", and still experience the enjoyment of achieving our fat loss goals!

LOSE IT!

My co-worker told me about LoseIt.com....yes I feel like I am "losing it" most of the time, but we will save that for another day!!

I'm talking about a FREE website and phone app that help you track your food....AND I LOVE IT!!!!

It is very simple, easy to use, easy to search foods and log them in, it totals your food for the day, and all of the nutritional values as well, and it has FREE registration and a FREE app for your phone!

I started using it online AND on my phone, and it is SO EASY to keep track of what I eat using Loseit.com.

I wanted to pass along this wonderful resource to others, just like it was passed along to me. ENJOY!!

http://www.loseit.com/

-Deidra

I'll have a "Skinny Bitch!"

Several years ago, when I started counting calories, I used to mix VODKA and Diet Soda.

I thought I was a genius! HaHa!

And then I saw an episode of the Playboy Show "The Girls Next Door," and when the ordered their drinks (the same as mine) they called it the "Skinny Bitch!" 

My first thought was, "That's My Drink!"


But my second thought was, "Who cares, obviously IT WORKS!"


LEAVE A COMMENT, MESSAGE ME, ASK QUESTIONS....I LOOK FORWARD TO HEARING FROM YOU!


-Deidra


Disclaimer: I am in no way, shape, or form, saying you should drink alcohol. ONLY Drink alcohol at your own risk, and observe the laws. If you do drink alcohol however, and don't want to gain weight, then perhaps this is an option for you.

BEER or LIQUOR...that is the Question!?!

Here is another comparison, gathered from www.calorieking.com. 

CHECK IT OUT!!!

Below we are comparing:

3 (12 oz can or bottles of beer) 

 VS. 

(3 oz of vodka in water or mixed with diet soda.)

Ales & Beers: Regular (5% alc.)

Nutrition Facts
Calories 458	(1914 kJ)
% Daily Value 1
Total Fat	0g	0%
Sat. Fat	0g	0%
Trans Fat	0g
Cholesterol	0mg	0%
Sodium	43mg	2%
Total Carbs.	37.8g	13%
Dietary Fiber	0g	0%
Sugars	0g
Protein	4.9g
Calcium	42.6mg
Potassium	287.5mg
Alcohol	41.5g

Liquors & Spirits: Vodka, distilled, 80 proof (40% alc.)

Nutrition Facts
Calories 218	(912 kJ)
% Daily Value 1
Total Fat	0g	0%
Sat. Fat	0g	0%
Trans Fat
Cholesterol	0mg	0%
Sodium	1mg	< 1%
Total Carbs.	0g	0%
Dietary Fiber	0g	0%
Sugars	0g
Protein	0g
Calcium	0mg
Potassium	1.9mg
Alcohol	31.5g

You make the Choice!!!!!!!!!

-Deidra

GAME TIME...Popcorn VS Chili Dog....And the WINNER IS???

My co-worker had to make a tough decision this weekend at the local university's basketball game...Popcorn OR Chili Dog?

She chose POPCORN....but she had doubts about her choice.

I gathered this information from http://www.calorieking.com/

Below are the results of comparing 4 cups of buttered popcorn to 1 chili dog.

Here are the WINNING RESULTS:

Popcorn: Butter, popped

x cup

(?) Nutrition Facts
Calories 160	(668 kJ)
% Daily Value 1
Total Fat	10g	15%
Sat. Fat	2g	10%
Trans Fat	4g
Cholesterol	0mg	0%
Sodium	240mg	10%
Total Carbs.	16g	5%
Dietary Fiber	2g	8%
Sugars	0g
Sugar Alcohol
Protein	2g
Calcium	0mg

 

 

Sandwiches & Burgers: All-Beef Hot Dog, Chili

x hot dog (4.9 oz)oz (1 oz)g

(?) Nutrition Facts
Calories 330	(1379 kJ)
% Daily Value 1
Total Fat	20g	31%
Sat. Fat	8g	40%
Trans Fat	0.5g
Cholesterol	40mg	13%
Sodium	1050mg	44%
Total Carbs.	24g	8%
Dietary Fiber	1g	4%
Sugars	5g
Sugar Alcohol
Protein	13g
Calcium	60mg
Potassium
Alcohol

Great Job, you made a great choice!!!!!!!!!

LEAVE A COMMENT!! I look forward to hearing from you!
-Deidra

SUGAR...How much in a day???????

Lets keep this really SIMPLE!

40 grams of sugar in a day!

NOTE: 1 sugared 12 oz can of cola, has 36+ grams of sugar. 

For some people this works out just fine, but for me, I never achieved my weight loss goals until I cut out "High Fructose Corn Syrup" completely. Which means no 12 oz can of sugared cola for ME!

I got the following information from wiki.answers.com...check it out!!
"There is no definitive answer to the question, but 40 grams is the recommended amount for non-diabetic people. If you're diabetic or borderline diabetic, please see the note at the bottom. 40 grams of sugar refers mainly to added sugar, which is anything that is put into foods rather that which is naturally occurring such as in fruit. By this logic, for instance, ALL sugar in soda would be considered "added," since the beverage itself is constructed rather than harvested.

Read more: http://wiki.answers.com/Q/How_many_grams_of_sugar_are_appropriate_per_day_for_the_average_adult#ixzz1lS8bRsIK"

GREEN SNACK IDEA!

FOR A SOOTHING SNACK TODAY TRY "GREEN TEA!!!"

They say it's healthy for you too!

Really and truly, I have a box of green tea set aside for a mid-afternoon snack.

I drink this to fight boredom, and as an option over candy or cookies. AND, it feels so good to hold a warm mug in my hands and smell the aroma. SIGH :)

• I bought the FUN and inspirational mug at the dollar store.
• Fill half way with water.
• Microwave for just over 1 minute.
• Brew 1 tea bag, for 1-3 mintues.

• TIPS: You can add a touch of honey, or artificial sweetener, or even pour over a huge glass of ice for iced green tea.

LEAVE COMMENTS!!!!!!!

-Deidra

TRUSTY TUNA!

Today for lunch I had my "Ole Trusty!"

• Canned tuna with mayo, seasoned with pepper.
• 2 slices of whole grain bread, toasted.
• 1 slice of sharp cheddar cheese.
• 1 gala apple
• 1 serving of V8 juice
• Dr. Pepper 10
• Large Water

I use the bread as a sort of large cracker, or half sandwich. I like to eat it that way. :)

Tuna in the can is a really good "BACKUP OPTION." Keep cans in your desk drawer at work, with some crackers, and that way if you FORGET your lunch, then you still won't blow your nutrition goals.


TIP: Add vegetables and fruit to your tuna. I like to slice up some apple really small and mix into my tuna. Other people have expressed using boiled eggs, or celery, etc. 

Disclaimer: I am not a doctor and you should consult a physician before starting any new exercise or nutrition plan. The following blog excerpts are my own experiences, and experiences of others, and are meant for informational purposes only.

WEDNESDAY, what's for Breakfast?!!

• Whole Rolled Oats
• Flax Seed
• Almond Slices
• Fresh Strawberries
• Water
• (Not shown: coffee with 1 teas sugar and 2 teas creamer)

What did you have for BREAKFAST?!