Yo Quiero Taco Bell!

Did anyone see Jorge Cruise's post today on his FB page?  He stirred a hornets nest up... Here's what he said: 

"Here's my newest column in FIRST magazine! Learn which Chipotle meal is the worst at 15 grams of sugar and how Taco Bell will save the day at only 4 grams of sugar!! Yummy Mexican food.
Do you love Mexican food? Taco Bell?"

Seems like a pretty harmless statement.... right?  Well here's just some of the responses he got pertaining to his "harmless statement".   It seems he stepped on a lot of toes here... I brought this up here...because I am interested in knowing what YOU think.  Please leave your comments and opinions on this subject at the bottom of the page.  

I rarely eat out any longer but feel that sometimes there is not an option and that if you need to re-energize and Taco Bell is near ...even if there are other choices ...but you want Taco Bell...then Go For It!  My response is in red below.

•  I always liked Taco Bell, but was afraid of it.
• I had fresh packed Sardines in Chipotle.....0 sugar, 0 carbs..delish!
• I love that you can have tacos on this diet! It is a life saver when you are out and about and have no real choice except fast food! Thanks Jorge
• I can't think of a single reason that anybody should be recommending Taco Bell
• dahhhh!!!!, tacos are low in sugar and carbs!!!!My husband loves Taco Bell! Going to pick up the magazine!
• But Taco Bell is full of processed foods - Chipotle has fresher foods, plus natural meats. Here is a calculator that can help you avoid extra sugar at Chipotle: http://www.chipotlefan.com/index.php?id=nutrition_calculator 
• Cool..thanks for sharing Suzanne! Anytime we go out to eat, we check out the menu online to figure out what we can eat.
• ♥ taco bell!!
• Too bad Taco Bell is crap food!! We should be equally concerned with the nutritional value of what we eat as well as the sugar content. I'm a huge follower of yours, Jorge, and truly believe in your message of cutting out sugar for better health but am sometimes disappointed by foods you recommend due to their poor quality such as anything from Taco Bell.
• Jorge thank you we love taco bell....He is throwing that out there so those of us who like fast food will have different things to pick from.So those taco bell lovers will know what the better choice is not the BEST choice of food :~)
• Jorge speaks to a large audience...any change in the right direction...such as lowering your sugar intake...is a good one...then as you begin to feel the benefits of lower sugars...one can begin to make the other changes to eat more healthy vitamin rich foods... Baby Steps can be the most important ones for a lifestyle of walking upright!
• Sure but as an above poster commented, he should be pushing the freshness and better quality food of Chipotle instead. In an earlier post some months back he was bragging on Chipotle's steak bowl. If you need to eat out as we do sometimes the lesser of the evils is best such as places that serve fresh foods and natural meats.
• Knowing all our options really helps us make better choices. I'm not a Taco Bell fan, but if I'm stuck, you've given me a good option. Thanks
• I don't have a Chipotle here in my area so if I need something quick and on the go..Taco Bell is my only choice. So those who are getting on to Jorge for suggestion this, what do you suggest to someone who doesn't have Chipotles or Taco Bell but has to eat something on the road?
• Taco Bell Uhhh. I have got to get the magazine because I love Chipotle
• Taco Bell is out. Some of the worst food I have ever eaten.
• Chipolte - yumm!!
• Taco Bell can be a good choice if you stay within the program. It has saved me when other choices available were not good ones.
• When I know I have to eat on the road and am not going to have any good choices, I pack a quick sandwich and cheese stick to eat in the car. Much more better for my body and putting junk in it.
• Thanks for the info. I think any 'eating plan' should be able to accomodate healthy and fast food. Not everyone who wants to lose weight is into the healthy stuff, but just reducing your weight can be healthy enough for some.
• Taco Bell is pretty good - can get filled up on less with veggies too! The Bell by my house just revamped their whole store and it looks very classy now. I also like Qdoba - lots of fresh veggies, yummy guacamole, your choice of beans, meats and cheeses. You call it all out as they make your order - and you can get it without the tortilla or shell if you wish.
• Taco Bell has a new market taco that tastes good and meets the BFC standards. Inexpensive as well for when you are in a pinch!
• Besides, Chipotle is terribly overpriced for the menu it offers! The costs reflect the overhead, not the quality of the food itself.
• I love Chipotle and it doesn't raise my glucose number. It's a great place to eat out and you can tell them "easy on the rice" or " no rice"
• Yes, but not fake mexican food like chipoodle or taco bell. I like the hole in the wall taco joints here in LA.
• I used to LOVE Taco Bell until I found out that they mix sand into their ground beef. Seriously. They do it to prevent mold and mildew so the meat is "fresh" longer. So for me, Taco Bell is never an option!

Please let me know what you think also...as I find this "argument" very interesting.

I promised another recipe...so here goes:

We took the Fantastic Fried Steak recipe on page 225 of The Belly Fat Cure book and tweaked it a little to create.... Chicken Fried Chicken 

Chicken Fried Chicken

• 3 eggs, beaten
• 1/4 cup Almond Meal/Flour
• 1/2 cup Panko (Japanese bread crumbs)
• 1/4 Tsp Lawry's Seasoned Salt
• 4 large Chicken Breasts cut down to 3 strips each
• 2 Tbsp EVOO (Extra Virgin Olive Oil)

Place the almond meal on small plate. Place the eggs in small dish and beat.  Place the panko on another small plate.  Stir the Lawry's seasoned salt into the almond meal.  Dredge each piece of chicken in the almond meal; dip into the beaten eggs and dredge in the panko. Heat the evoo in a skillet over medium-high heat.  Fry the chicken pieces for 5 minutes each side...or until juices no longer run pink and there is no pink inside.  The outside should be golden brown.  Feel free to add more evoo as needed.  Serves 4-6 persons (depending on size of chicken breasts)   [I could only eat 2 of the strips]

We served ours with a side salad and used 1 Tbl of ranch dressing for the dressing and 1 Tbl for dipping our chicken strips in.  Delish!  The almond meal made this recipe divine!  YUM!

Hope everyone is having a Fabulous Week!  It's HUMP DAY...so we goin' for the slllllliiiide to the weekend!

OH...almost forgot...Yesterday's Mexican Chicken was AMAZING!!!! It was like a very thick Tortilla Soup (without the cilantro) You Gotta Try It!  Here's my pic from today's lunch leftovers!  Forgot to add the avocado on top...but it was still good...probably even better than last night!

Love You All!  

Be sure to visit all my friends blogs too!  

We are all gonna WIN this battle of the bulge!

Don't forget to leave your comments about Jorge's statement above!

MIA No More!

I first want to thank those of you who sought me out 

to see if I was OK! 

 I apologize that I didn't place a post stating my circumstances last week.  So I'll brief you a little on what's been a-happenin' in my life.

Several projects that my hubby and I are involved in all seemed to accelerate into high gear all at the same time last week.  I found myself spending hours at a time either on the phone, emailing and shuffling papers.

On top of that, I started an online art class that I had signed up for a while back.  I, again, spent many hours getting to know the system we are using and meeting the teacher/students...many posts and projects the first week.  Not to mention doing the actual projects, taking pics and posting.  It's really a lot of fun...just takes time to get in the groove.

You can check out the artist and her classes here:   WYANNE

OK so moving right along!

My... ISSUE...seems to have worked itself out...so to speak...since I have started a routine of drinking the following as my breakfast first thing in the morning...

                           1 scoop Chocolate Jay Robbs Whey Protein Powder

                           1 scoop Super Seed  (thanks for letting me know about this Rosalie!)

                           8-12 oz Unsweetened Almond Milk

                           ice - depending on how thick you want it...
                           I use anywhere from 3-8 cubes

                           (I'm sure there are some other goodies,
                           like Barleans fish oil, you could include)

Blend all of the above ingredients in a blender until all the ice is crushed... pour and enjoy!  

This divine mixture has encouraged my system to LINE UP!!!  So, that part of my body is working better these days!

One other thing I dealt with last week was another health issue I have been fighting for almost 2 years. 

I have a patch (for lack of a better term) of psoriasis on the bottom of my foot that I just cannot seem to get rid of. Without going into all the gory details... it cracks, leaving me with open wounds that make it feel like I am walking with chards of glass stuck in the bottom of my foot! 

Having said ALL THAT... I did a number on that foot on Tuesday...while walking the dogs.  I was in great pain most of the week on top of all the other things I was involved in.  My poor hubby!  I do not tolerate pain well AT ALL!  He feels bad that he can't send me to the doc right now (no ins.)...so I try not to complain to much...but last week...I'm sure wasn't good for him either!  Feeling better today...but having to keep it bound pretty tight in order to function...and I know that isn't what it really needs.  Any suggestions are greatly appreciated!!!

So needless to say... As I WANTED to do a post... I just never really had enough collective time to do so.  Thanks again to those who checked in!

Through all of the above last week fiascos... I was able to maintain my good eating habits and lose 1 lb!  I'll take it!  Slow as the weightloss is...that's ok as long as I'm feeling well, eating well, and losing a little here and there.  Haven't measured yet...but pants are def feeling a little looser!  (and for those of you who just said...Yeah, but I need to lose a whole lot of weight!...just know I have about 62 more pounds to go!)

Did ya'll like that list of Good Carbs last week?  I copy pasted them onto a Word doc and printed them out for me to keep in the kitchen.  So when I needed to expand my vision a little when it came to selecting a Good Carb for my snack or meal...I would check out this list again.  

One thing I did purposely do last week was to make sure I stuck to portion size and used smaller plates!  Including meats, cheeses, and veggies.  Just slipping a little larger portion or even seconds onto your plate can add extra calories that our bodies just don't need....so it STORES the excess  (right smack dab on my hips!)  

ALSO...speaking of storing... If you skip a meal...tsk tsk tsk!!!  This throws your body into a slight panic mode...falsely thinking it's not EVER going to get fed again so it better STORE UP that insulin just in case... Well guess where it stores it up?.... Yep! RIGHT IN THOSE SHRINKING FAT CELLS!  

Another thing is to make sure you eat a breakfast!  Be sure to BREAK your FAST from the night before.  What this does is ..."Gentleman/women... START YOUR ENGINES!"  Eating breakfast wakes up your metabolism...gets those juices flowing and starts your day off with ENERGY!  No food... No Energy!

So get out of your food poverty thinking and EAT your way into losing weight!  Choose those Good Carbs and EAT THEM!  Include those Good Fats and Vitamin Rich Veggies and Proteins and Chocolate!!!

And you will be well on your way to a healthier YOU!  

Love you all...and will try to post more often this week!  Here's a sneak peek at one of my pieces I'm preparing for my Nov. art show!  

Three Tiered Cupcake Tray
Annie-Bella's © 

CREDITS:  I "borrowed" the MIA title picture from a great site I found called just that, MIA /Missing In Action, a site which offers a book for new moms, helping them to reclaim their identity after bringing a child into this world.  I wanted to not only give credit to this site since I "borrowed" their pic, but also to pass the word on to any new moms out there!  Having been a new mom three times...I wished I had the support then that is available now.  I almost lost my sanity...but that's a whole nuther enchilada!!!!  So be sure to visit and enjoy...MIA!

ICBIF and Then Some!

I Can't Believe It's Friday!

What a wild week we've had here in Central Texas!  Some crazy storms coming from tropical storm Hermene dropped nearly 11.5" of water on top of the parched land of Austin... Although we desperately needed some rain...this amount in less than 24 hrs causes all kinds of havoc in our area!  The creeks, rivers, and lakes all overflowed...the water was rushing down all the hills like waterslides...and nobody here knows how to drive in rain, sleet or snow...so the roadways were a mess of mushed up metal!  Crazy!  

AND...to top it all off during the fury of the first deluge we were helping my 83 yr old mom move into her new apartment!  Thank the heavens above for my sister and Blue Whale Movers here in Austin, as they did all they could to keep her furniture dry!  So its been an exciting week for sure!

Haven't posted due to sheer exhaustion! But kept up with the diet through it all!

I made pizza on Naan bread (Sprouts Grocery) for hubby and I today.  If you haven't tried it on naan...you really are in for a treat!  The bread is only 1 carb point!  YUMMY!!!  This one is covered in chopped veggies and cheese but you can do all sorts of fun things with these pizzas!  Be creative and I promise you will not be disappointed!

How I make my Naan Bread Pizza:
Take one piece of Naan Bread and spread a tablespoon of low sugar pizza sauce on it.  I also add pesto on top of the bread.  Then top it with chopped veggies and meats of your choice (even pepperoni or bacon!) finishing it off with a little drizzle of olive oil, Italian seasoning, a little salt and a handful of grated cheese of your choice ...I used mozzarella. Put in preheated oven at 425degrees for 8-10 minutes and VIOLA'!!!!  Some of the best pizza you'll ever stick in your mouth!   Enjoy!
.

Also...today, while at Sprouts, I picked up a new tea.  It is called: GUAYAKI Yerba Mate "Mate Chocolatte".

After having my first cup tonight my conclusion is that it tastes just like Chi Tea!  I personally cannot detect the flavor of Chocolate in it, but I still like it very much!  It is a blend of Yerba Mate, Cocoa, Nutmeg, Cinnamon, Stevia, and Clove.  It states that it helps to stimulate focus and clarity (which I need all I can get!), boosts your physical energy, aids in elimination!!!!!!!!(and we all know who needs THAT!), contains antioxidants and "traditionally used to support weight loss programs".  Truly a delicious tea that will delight your senses as well as your intestinal tract!  =D

I am hoping to have a productive day painting tomorrow...soon I'll post some pics for you all to judge...I mean see! 

Love you all! Bon Appetite and Have a Wonderful Weekend!

I'm Feelin' A Little Tipsy

Because It's RECIPE TIP NIGHT!

Who's in the mood for a Mojito!!! 

Well I know I am...always!!!  I love the minty zing of a freshly made mojito!  Before BFC I tried all the pre-made mixes and none are as good as the real thing! Besides they are chock full of sugar...take this for example: Bartles & James Mojito  BFC 42/3 !!!  Wow!  That much sugar would put me under...no need for the alcohol! 

The weekend before starting BFC I went to a party at a mexican food restaurant and even sang a song I made up about mojito's all the way there!  I was planning on having my last hoorah, thinking I was going to have to give up my favorite drink!  We get to the restaurant and right off the bat I order up my first mojito!  "Sorry maam but we don't have any mint."  WHAT???  It's a Saturday night in Austin, Texas...you're a bar...and you Don't have any MINT??? C'mon people!  (that's the rant that went off in my head...thank goodness it didn't slip out my mouth!)  I was ready to go to the local grocery and buy my own stinkin' mint so I could have my last hoorah...as planned!  But I didn't and so my hoorah turned into several other assorted drinks...but none could meet up to my pre-conceived expectations of a Fresh Minty Mojito...  

BUT... I have good news!!!  I have found a recipe that fills the bill AND it's Sugar Free! 

Hope you enjoy!  Ole'!

Minty Mojito a la Sugar-Free

Now, before we get into the recipe part I need to tell you a little about how a mojito is made.  Normally, you start with a tall glass 3/4 full of ice, mint leaves, lime juice and sugar and you take a muddling tool (usually a wooden pestle) and start crushing the mint and sugar together on the ice.  The ice helps break down the leaves and the sugar helps release the flavors within the mint much like sugar on strawberries makes a syrup.  BUT, instead you will be using either 1 Tbl erythritol or 2 packets of Truvia instead of sugar.  So you need to work it just a little bit longer than usual to make sure the flavors all get released and mixed well.  

Once you have completed this step you will continue on adding the Rum and the Club Soda to the muddled mint and ice mixture.  Stir and enjoy!  Some like to place all the ingredients in a shaker and shake before serving...it's entirely up to you!   Don't be afraid to ingest the mint...it's healthy and keeps your breath fresh longer too!  (you may want to check your teeth from time to time! lol )

Ingredients:

•  lime wedges from about a third of a lime squeezed to make about 2 Tbl of juice  BFC 0/0
• 8 mint leaves  BFC 0/0
• 1 heaping Tbl erythritol or 2 packets of Truvia  BFC 0/0
• 1 1/2 oz. white rum  BFC 0/0
• Club soda to fill  BFC 0/0

Preparation:

1. Fill tall glass 3/4 full of crushed ice, mint, lime wedges and Sugar Substitute
2. Muddle with muddling tool till mint and sugar substitute is fully mixed and mint is broken down
3. Add rum and club soda 
4. Stir or place in shaker and shake and pour in tall glass
5. ENJOY!

Please note:  You can easily leave out the Rum for a tasty Non-Alcoholic Sugar-Free Mojito!

Total BFC value 0/0                  

(the only thing that had measurable carbs was the lime and it was 1/1 for a whole lime; 

so if you have more than one drink, be sure to count these points)

 Remember to drink responsibly 

and 

DONT DRINK AND DRIVE!!!

 OLE'

First Day First Week!

I had 3 fantastic meals today full of yummy foods I love! My favorite was the Parmesan Grilled Cheese and Avocado Sandwich we made at lunch! WoW!!!  I think I can live with this Belly Fat Cure meal plan!  The bread was whole wheat, sugar-free and low in carbs (yummy in flavor) so my Sandwich only "cost" me 2 carb points of my 6 points allotted me in one day!  

Here's the recipe for this incredible sandwich!

Parmesan Grilled Cheese and Avocado Sandwich

Serves 2

4  slices Sugar-Free Whole Grain Bread

4  1oz. slices of Cheddar Cheese

1/2 of Avocado - Sliced

Butter or Smart Balance Margarine

Shredded or Grated Parmesan Cheese

Butter one side of four pieces of bread.  Sprinkle each buttered side with Parmesan Cheese; lightly pressing cheese into butter.  Heat up non-stick skillet Medium High or sandwich maker.  Place 2 of the buttered slices of bread into the skillet, butter side down.  Add 1/2 the cheddar cheese and avocado on top of each piece of bread in skillet.  Place the two remaining pieces of buttered bread on top of the cheese and avocado, butter side up.  

Continue to cook sandwich flipping several times, until golden brown on both sides and cheese is melted.  

Enjoy!

0 sugar : 24 grams carbs =  0/2 per sandwich!

~ ~ ~ 

Going to finish out my day with 2 squares of Dark Chocolate! Mmmmmmm!

Yep!  I think I can live with this way of life!