Showing posts with label Nutrisystem. Show all posts

Valentine and Dieting

 Happy Valentines Day!

I hope you all had a great day full of love. 


It was a good day for me. My vestibular disorder has been on a low the past few days. I think the Meneier’s is going into another remission again. I hope so. Thank you all who have prayed for me. 


Me and Nick did a Valentines breakfast last Saturday at a The Toastery in Belmont. 


Since I’m feeling better, I felt like doing a little craft project for the girls in my unit. I made them all a small jar of sugar scrub. They all seemed to love it. 



I also made a little sweet treat to share with the office. I used premade rice crispy treats and dipped them in chocolate. Everyone thought I worked really hard making them. 




There were a lot of sweet surprises at work. There were candy, doughnuts, and cupcakes everywhere I turned. But guess what? I ignored it all and did not eat a single sweet today. I am proud of myself. 


Sadly, I put on 30 lbs since thanksgiving. Everyone tells me I do not need to lose weight but I do. I need to lose about 40 lbs. I have tried so many different and expensive diets. They will work until I complete them, then the weight comes back on. That’s why I have decided to go back on Nutrisystem. It’s just so easy, the food is good and it works for me. You can read about my first journey with Nutrisystem At the top of the page. 


The doctor also had me on 3 weeks of Prednisone and took me off of the diuretics I was taking. Both will cause weight gain. I do not like it when people tell me I do not need to lose weight. They are not in my skin. I am generally a small person so I can feel weight. Here are just a few ways extra weight affects me. 


  • Heart burn at night.
  • Snoring
  • Always tired
  • No energy
  • Fatigue
  • Shortness of breath doing simple task like getting dressed or folding clothes. 
  • Chafing from my legs rubbing together.
  • Sweating
  • Achy knees
  • Rapid heart beat
  • Headaches
  • Bloating
  • Fluid retention   

So see, it’s not always about the appearance. It’s how it makes me feel and when I get to where I feel unhealthy and my clothes get too tight, I know it’s time to take hold before it gets out of hand. 


So yes today I had to make a choice. The doughnuts or feeling healthy.



Healthy Chicken Noodle Soup

Growing up, I thought chicken noodle soup had medical and healing results. If we were sick, cold, hurt or just having a bad day, Chicken noodle soup was the cure. I bet Chicken noodle soup would cure covid if they would just listen to those grandmothers out there.

I love soup of all kinds but I am limited with can soups as the all have a lot of sodium. Being on a low sodium diet means I try to eat foods with less than 5% sodium. Soups are over 21% and some are as high as 47%.

If you know me, then you know I lost 50lbs on Nutrisystem ( you can read my journey HERE). I used Nutrisystem for 4 years until I figured out that some of my health issues were because of too much sodium, so I had to give it up. Now I follow the eating habits I learned while being on the program. I have been able to keep the weight off for 5 years now. Well, I have put on an extra 15 lbs but I’m working on getting that off by Easter. They flew me to Florida twice for photo and commercial shoots but If they call me now,  I would probably have to turn it down. I still do live calls for them on QVC and HSN but I feel my time is ending. 

I mentioned Nutrisystem because they had a wonderful soup recipe on facebook the other day. They will often share recipes that follow along with their plan. The soup was Chicken Noodle Soup but made by using low sodium chicken broth and spaghetti squash instead of pasta noodles. I just had to give it a try.


Oh my goodness. It was delicious. I think the spaghetti squash was a perfect pasta substitute. It also called for Thyme. I didn't know you could even eat Thyme. I always thought it was just a natural fragrance. I guess we do learn something new every day. 

This soup was very tasty and I had enough to eat for two meals. I just kept the left overs in a mason jar and heated it back up for a quick healthy meal. Below are the ingredients. 



I added everything together except the squash and cooked it until the carrots were soft and then I added the spaghetti squash. 

My favorite soup is french Onion.
What is your favorite soup?






As an Amazon Affiliate, this post includes a Marketing Link, 
which means I make a small percentage on the sales 
but it in no way affects the price a buyer may pay.
 Opinions are my own honest reviews.

New Shop Look and QVC

I finally got my house back in order after the Christmas and New Years celebrations. I am ready to start decorating for Valentines Day. January can just fly by if it wants to. I am not a fan of Winter. Though we do get most of our snow in February and March, at least I know that Spring is just around the corner.

I have been busy crocheting some new items for my Etsy Shop. I have changed it up a bit. I used to have a lot random crochet items for sale. Many were hard to duplicate for those who wanted a different color or size. I get sore eyes from crocheting colors I do not like. I get bored and tired of looking at it. My favorite colors to crochet with are more earthy tones. Some may call it drab but I enjoy it much better. Just something about the cozy warm feeling of natural colors.

So, I have decided to just sell more “basic” items. Things that will be easy to whip up for a custom order. There is no fancy frill, lace or ruffles. Just plain basic items that can be used every day. This also allows me to use better grades of yarn. 
Along with new items, I even changed the look of my shop title and logo. So please head over there and check it out. Let me know what you think!



Today, I will be rushing home after church service in time to make a phone call.
I will be calling into QVC at 12:20pm today. I will be talking to Marie Osmond about my success in losing 50 lbs on Nutrisystem. Though the call only last about 3 minutes, I am always nervous and forget what I want to say. I have even tried jotting down some key words to help me out but I usually never think to look down at them. I am too busy watching the TV screen. It will be fun though and always an honor. There will also be other success stories calling in. Some of them I have met at photo shoots. They are all genuine and a pleasure to be around.

Nutrisystem will be on QVC for 24 hours with some great values. If you want to lose weight before summer, this will be a great time to get a great deal. 

Tune into QVC January 5th at (or around)12:20 
to hear me speak about my success with Nutrisystem.









Friday Bowl- Bread Bowl with Nutrisystem

Today's Friday bowl has a different twist. I am sharing how I took the Nutrisystem “ChockFul of Veggie Chili” and added it to a hollowed out bread bowl.

I like Chili but I can not eat it without some sort of bread. I grabbed a roll from the grocery store deli and scooped out most of the inside to eliminate calories leaving the shell as a bowl. You can do this with other chilis or soups for a fun delicious meal.

Nutrisystem ChockFul of Veggies Chili 


I lost 50 lbs on Nutrisystem and feel great. I have been able to maintain my weight loss now for four years by using the nutritional knowledge Nutrisystem has taught me. 
You can read my full journey HERE

Start Nutrisystem now and get 50% off using my link below.
Https://www.nutrisystem.com/Lisa50

Expect to lose 1-2 lbs per week

Peanut Butter Smoothie Bowl

I have been on the Nutrisystem diet now for over 4 years. I have successfully lost 50 lbs in the first seven months. I have maintained my weight loss ever since. I still eat Nutrisystem as I like the food and its convenience but I eat a lot more meals of my own.

Today I would like to share with you this delicious Smoothie bowl I made using the Nutrisystem Fresh Start probiotic shake mix. I am not a fan of drinking my meals. I have had a canister of this shake mix in the pantry for a while, but when I learned you can make a smoothie a little thicker and add them to a bowl, I was in. 



Peanut Butter Smoothie Bowl
288 calories- 19 grams of protein.

2 scoops of Nutrisystem Shake mix (or any other protein shake mix).
1 Tablespoon Peanut Butter.
1/2 frozen Banana.
1/2 Cup crushed Ice.
1/2 Cup water (or almond milk).

Add to Mixer and blend till smooth.

Top with your favorite toppings. 
I used 1 Tablespoon of grated chocolate and 1 tablespoon of mixed seeds and nuts. 

For the past few weeks, I have been experimenting with new tastes by putting away the muffins and waffles and making more yogurt and smoothie bowls. I am learning to like plain yogurt and adding in more fruits and veggies to my diet. In fact, I plan to start doing a short blog post every Friday to share my bowl creations and other healthy food choices. I’m hoping this will help me stick with clean eating and also help others that are thinking about eating better. I have some really good ones to show you, so stay tuned. 



You can get 50% off any Nutrisystem plan right now by visiting Nutrisystem.com/lisa50.
Coconut bowl set by Cocoboo.

🥥🍓🍋🍌🥝

Air Fryer Pop Tarts

If you have been around me or follow me on social media, then you know I have been wanting an air fryer. We use the oven a lot to bake our veggies. During the hot months of Summer we really hate to use the oven, so this is a perfect alternative.

My daughters boyfriend met up with us last weekend for dinner. He handed me flowers and an early birthday present. Hes a sweetheart, right?
The gift was an air fryer. I was so excited and told him I could not wait to get home and play with it. I was serious. I have used it every night so far. Last night, I made these delicious Pop Tarts. 


These pop tarts are made using only two ingredience, three if you count the jelly in the center. The original recipe calls for Greek yogurt and self rising flour but I chose to use Nutrisystem’s vanilla protein shake instead. It worked up nice and the vanilla flavoring gave the dough just enough sweetness. Needless to say, they are healthier than regular pop tarts. 


Air Fryer Pop Tarts.
2 cups- self rising flour
1/2 cup - Nutrisystem Shake. ( I used the pre made shakes but you can mix the powder too).
Roll dough thin and cut into triangles.
Layer jelly between to layers and seal the edges with a fork.
Place two or three at a time in air frier.
Cook 400 degrees for 8 minutes, flipping half way through. 
(Makes about 6 at approx 140 calories each.)
Icing is optional.


They tasted great but I will warn you not expect them to taste like Kellogg's. The husband gave them a thumbs up so thats a win.

For dinner each night I have had fun cooking my veggies crispy. We normally do this in the oven but the air fryer is easier and quicker.
I call it my “easy bake oven” which I never had growing up by the way

I plan to use my air fryer for a more healthy way of cooking without oil. Since being on a diet, I rarely eat any fried foods any more. Now I can have the taste and texture of deep fried or oven fried foods with out the guilt. 

If you are looking to loose weight the right way, join Nutrisystem like me. 
This has been the only thing that has worked for me and as a result, I lost 50 lbs. and feel the best I have felt in years! 
(Results can vary. Expect to lose 1-2 lbs on Nutrysystem)

Use my link below and get 40% off! 

I found the Nutrisystem pre mixed shakes at Harris Teeter grocery store.  








On My Mind

Hope everyone is enjoying April so far and the beautiful weather it's brought with it. We saw snow on Tuesday and it was 74 degrees on Wednesday. That's what we have to deal with here this time of year.

I have loofah plants started that are itching to get out in the yard. I can not plant them until the threat of frost is gone. I had read where it takes them a while to sprout so I actually started some in February. They were 2 inches tall in 6 weeks! Afraid they will die sitting in little planter cups, I started a few more seeds the first of March. They are all doing good. I have already thinned them out to only 6 plants. The first ones I started are as high as the window and are trying every way they can to get their little twigs through the cracks. “Sorry guys but those are insulated windows”. 
I plan to get a trellis and plant them sometime in the next two weeks. 


I have a bit of bloggers block so I have been slow at writing any new post lately. I think its because I actually have a lot on my mind right now. I get overwhelmed really easy. I’m trying to learn not too.

We had two friends loose their wives last week. One lost her battle to cancer and one lost her battle with dementia. Both only in their 60’s and both very sweet ladies. I did not know the ladies as much as I knew their husbands as they were more friends of my Husband. Any friend of his is a friend of mine. 

I have written a crochet pattern I am anxious to try. It’s for wash clothes. If they turn out as I expect, they will not be ordinary and quiet funny. I can't wait to see and share the results. 

Then here comes the overwhelming part, It's been on my mind all week on top of other things.
I have a video interview with Nutrisystem this afternoon. It’s to answer a few questions and share my weight loss story. I do not know what it is about me, I can talk to a stranger like I have known them forever. I can act a part if I am told what to say, and I can pose for a photo, but if you put me in front of a camera to speak my own words, I freeze up. I am not a good speaker. I draw a blank. You can put a camera in my face and ask me where I live and I'd forget what to say. Seriously! Then I see others doing so well with speaking from their minds in front of a camera and I get intimidated. I beat myself up over these things. I need to just chill and go with the flow. I think that I "over think" and that's where I mess up.

I have a phobia of public speaking.
I need to just breathe in and breathe out, relax and go for it.
I love sharing my success with everyone and I think the more I do this, the better I will get at it.
Wish me luck..My daddy says I'm just as good as the rest of them. 

Protein Crepes

I'm always playing around in the kitchen looking for new things to eat that fit into my diet. Foods low in calories and high in protein are what I look for.

I found a recipe for making crepes and and thought I'd give it a try. I have never eaten a crepe before but I am familiar with what they are. Crepes are basically very then pancakes rolled around a filling. You can make them sweet or savory. I made them sweet. I also made them using Nutrisystem Vanilla Protein shake mix. You can use any protein powder but I just so happened to have Nutrisystem brand laying around. Go figure that.

I wasn't sure what type of filling would work for the inside so I picked out two of my favorite things from the fridge. Cool Whip and Cream Cheese! Yea baby!

I made the filling the night before. It consisted of  8 oz cream cheese and 1 cup of sugar free Cool Whip. I mixed the cream cheese alone first. This is important so you do not have lumps. (I learned this the hard way while making a tart last year). Once the cream cheese is smooth, mix in the Cool Whip and store in the fridge until ready to use. I suppose you can mix in flavors such as lemon or honey but I left mine plain. I just wanted a sweet creamy filling.

When the morning came, I was ready to make my very first crepes.
The crepes were easy to mix and only consist of two ingredients.
I mixed together 1/2 cup of egg whites and a serving of vanilla protein shake mix to form a thin batter.

I poured a small amount of batter in a heated skillet and spooned it around a little to spread it out into thin pancakes. Flipping them was the hard part. This made about six crepes. Mine are not that pretty but, HEY! It was my first time.


Once each crepe was made I rolled them around a layer of cream cheese filling and added some blueberries. I sprinkled a little powdered sugar on top just to make them more pretty and devoured them in no time. 


They were absolutely the best thing ever! The vanilla protein mix made the crepes a little sweeter than a waffle but not quite as sweet as a doughnut. They were perfect. Nick even gave them two thumbs up.

You can find several recipes for crepes online but this one was the easiest for me as the vanilla flavor was already in there.

Best of all, they were rather healthy, sugar free and full of protein.






Potato Crab Cakes- Nutrisystem

It's been a while since I posted a recipe using Nutrisystem foods. If you follow me, you know my success with Nutrisystem. You can also read my journey by clicking the tab at the top of my page or if your reading by smart phone, just click HERE.

I have been on Nutrisystem over four years now. The past two years I have been on the maintenance plan. This is where I eat a lot of foods on my own but still keep Nutrisystem foods at hand. I still have a least one Nutrisystem meal a day. I like it that much. It tastes good. It's convenient and I know I'm eating something that's good for me. Taking what I've learned about healthy eating habits and balancing my diet, I have been able to keep the weight off and I feel great!

People often ask me if I ever get tired of eating Nutrisystem foods. I say "not really". Why? because Nutrisystem is always adding new meals to their menu and they have a large variety of different foods. Also, I like to play around with some of the foods and make my own recipe.

Today I want to share with you this delicious recipe using Nutrisystem's loaded potato.

*Makes 4 patties (photo shows 3 because one was tested first).
**counts as one meal plus one power fuel.


Potato Crab Cakes
1- Nutrisystem loaded potato (cooked as directed).

1/4 cup- mix of finely chopped onions and peppers.

1- Snack pack imitation crab meat (about 1/2 cup) finely chopped .



-Saute' the onions and peppers until soft and add all ingredients together.
-Mix well then form into 4 small patties.

-Cook in a non stick pan or use cooking spray ( I use both because I have trust issues in the kitchen).
 cook until browned on both sides.


I experimented and made a dipping sauce (since I did not have any tarter sauce) and it turned out perfect. My husband even gave it two thumbs up.


1- Tablespoon of mayonnaise.
1/2 -Tablespoon horseradish.

Sprinkle of dill weed.


⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

I lost 50 lbs on Nutrisystem in just 8 months. 
Start your weight loss journey today. "If I can do it, you can do it".

Click HERE for 40% off your first order.
Expect to lose 1-2 lbs per week.  



New Blogger Shout Out

Hope everyone had a Happy New Years Day. I had a great day with a house full of family. Everyone came over for the traditional New Years Dinner. We fixed pork roast, collard greens, black eye peas, potatoes, macaroni and cheese and rolls. It was a great feast and I am still stuffed. I am ready to dive into the year with new goals. 

Speaking of new, there is a new blogger in town. Well, she is way out of town for me but we are all in the same blogging world, right? Get ready for some positive words and motivation! 

Meet Michelle. 


I had the privilege to spend a few day with her during my last Nutrisystem Photo/Commercial shoot in Orlando Florida. You can see her in several of the Nutrisystem Commercials and is cute as a button. When I met Michelle it was like we already knew each other. It is like that with all of the girls and guys I met during these shoots as they are all so nice and we all have something in common. I call her one of my NutriSisters.

Michelle is always smiling her big signature smile and is as fun as she looks. She is also great at promoting and works hard for the things she is passionate about. Though she is new to the blogging world, her first post already proves her writing talent. I’ll stop here and let you read more about her and see for yourself. Just head over to “Life On The Bright Side” and show her blog some love.

Good Luck Michelle!





Black Friday

It’s the day after Thanksgiving. I said I wouldn’t do it, but I did it. I over ate yesterday and woke up to a splitting headache and puffy eyes. I am regretting  the loads of desserts I ate tasted all day long. I am simply not used to eating one BIG meal, much less two! But I am thankful.

My daughter came home to stay a few days with us. I kissed my husband and told him I’d see him again in a few days. haha. That is our joke when she comes over because once she hits the door, the girl talk starts. We jabber the whole time about friends, fashion, recipes and work. He gets put on the back burner while I give all my attention to her most of the time. 


She came in bringing goodies from Trader Joe's. We do not have a TraderJoes store in my town, so its always a treat when she brings the goodies. 
We stayed up late Thanksgiving Eve and decorated the Christmas tree and started the cooking for Thanksgiving. 

Today is the day that everyone rushes out before the sun comes up to grab a great black Friday deal. This is something I have never had any intentions to do. I would rather pay ten dollars more for an item than to get into that mess. Better yet, There are black Friday special going on all over the internet too. I will probably be in cyber world all day. 

Below are a couple black Friday sales going on today that I just so happen to be partnered with. I am happy to have the opportunities to share good things from honest companies. 


Rice Love Bags. - SHOP HERE  Use code: BLACKFRIDAY
Get 40% off til Noon 
Get 30% off noon-6 pm
Get 20% 6pm - midnight.
For every bag sold, a family is fed. Each bag is hand made from recycled rice bags so there are no two alike. 
Attached to each bag is a number to enter to see and read about the family you just fed. 
They are all so appreciative and grateful and the bags are adorable!


Goose Creek Candles- SHOP HERE
Large Candles are only $9.99 Today! 
These candles are absolutely wonderful. They burn clean and full of fragrance.
I’m really enjoying my peppermint candle. 


Nutrisystem: SHOP HERE 
Shop A La Carte with 50% off
Nutrisystem is the only diet that worked for me. I lost 50 lbs and it was so easy. 
The food is delicious and satisfying. 
They have plans starting at 249.00 a month. 
That's a great deal considering what you spend at the grocery store a month where most food goes to waste or waist. 



Clio Snacks - SHOP HERE.
OK there is no black Friday sale for these delicious yogurt bars but you can find them at most Walmarts and Harris Teeter stores. They are my new favorite snack. They absolutely taste like and have the texture of little cheese cakes dipped in chocolate. New flavors and ideas are in the works for the new year. You can find them on the Yogurt isles and they are only a dollar each! You will fall in love with them. 










Clio Snack bars

I have found a love for yogurt. But not just any yogurt. I found these little Greek yogurt bars by Clio at my local Walmart. It was love at first bite. They taste like little cheese cakes, I kid you not!

I am not a fan of yogurt and I struggle to find a yogurt I will eat. You may ask, "why eat yogurt anyways? Well, I know that yogurt is a good source of calcium, protein and probiotics. Our bodies need these things. Yogurt is a healthy snack. I mean, we all need yogurt in our diet. It can be used as an alternative in a lot of recipes too.


As I am still on the Nutrisystem diet, these yogurts fit right in as my recommended morning or afternoon snack while still staying on plan. They are 140 calories and have 8 grams for protein.
These bars are also gluten free.

You will love Clio Greek yogurt bars. You do not need a spoon, oh no. Just use your fingers. These little yogurt bars are small but do not let that fool ya on the flavor or satisfaction. Clio yogurt bars come in a variety of flavors and plan to ad some new flavors in the future. It takes a while to perfect the flavor for each bar.


Dipped in a rich dark chocolate, they will satisfy your sweet tooth.
It's a win all the way around. I purchase a week supply at a time. I could honestly eat these for 3 meals a day.

Currently, you can only find Clio bars at Select grocery stores and Amazon. The flavors that are on the market right now are Vanilla, Espresso, Hazelnut, Strawberry, Blueberry and Honey. My favorite is the Vanilla and Honey.


So get ya shoes on and head out to grab a few for a non guilt snack!

Your welcome! 

                                                                  



This post contains affiliate links. 
I may earn a small commission on purchases at no additional cost to you.

All reviews and opinions are my own.
I believe in supporting and sharing the good things in life. 

What is Your Why?

We all make goals for ourselves. For me it was to lose 30 pounds. I went above that goal and lost 50. I did this with *Nutrisystem. I'm not going into my whole speech about how great this diet works or how good it makes me feel. You can simply find that information on one of the page tabs at the top of my blog.

I'm posting today about one of the struggle most dieters go through. I am guilty too. 

I have not fallen off the diet, but those pieces of moms cakes have started getting bigger on my plate.
My hula hoop routines have turned into arm workouts using the recliner handle.
My three mile walks have turned into half miles walks around the grocery store.
You get it? Need I say more? Ok ill say it......I put on an extra eight pounds that I do not want.
My pants have started getting snug, my energy level is low and I am feeling that low self esteem creeping up on me.

It's hard. I work alone in a tiny office eight hours a day. I do not get a lot of motivation to do anything for myself. I simply do not have extra money to join a gym or hire a fitness trainer. It's easy to get depressed, to envy others and just loose all hope of ever bettering myself.

I have to ask myself "what is my why?' I had a reason for dieting in the first place. There was a “why” I made that choice. For me, it was to be able to wear those cute outfits again, to get my energy back and to have a healthier lifestyle. I put a lot of work into getting there so why would I want to just let it go?




So, I refuse to let cake and recliners win. I'm grabbing the bull by the horns and plan to push myself harder to get that extra eight lbs off. I love that I have Nutrisystem foods stocked up and my Nutrisystem friends are always there to motivate me. 

Dieting is a life style change. I compare it to a drinkaholic. You simply can not give into what destroys you. You have to stay away from the temptations (that's why I have not had a Krispy Kreme doughnut since Jan 2015). You have to always fight to stay on track. We have to push ourselves to be better and not fall back into bad habits. Only we can make this decision. 

So if your trying to reach a goal and feel like giving up, put your hat back on on remember why you started in the first place. 


*Expect to lose 1-2 lbs on Nutrisystem

Nutrisystem- Potato Salad

Here is another easy and fun recipe for those who enjoy Nutrisystem.
Nutrisystem has over 100 different food choices but they do not have potato salad!

So I made my own and it did not add to the calories or take away any nutrition. It simply just adds another flavor to the Nutrisystem Loaded Potato found on the menu HERE


My mom makes the best potato salad. Hers is always glowing a bright yellow will specks of red and green. Its just a little chunky but mostly the consistency of mash potatoes and always booming with flavor. 

Though I could never beat it, I made this potato salad with my mom's in mind. 


HERE IS HOW I DID IT:
  • Prepare the Nutrisystem Loaded Potato as directed.
  • Add a spoon of each: Green Peppers, Onion, Celery and Pimentos. 
  • Mustard to taste
  • Sprinkle in some salt and pepper.
  • Mix well and place in the refrigerator until cool. 
While the Nutrisystem Loaded Potato is a meal in itself, you can also add this tasty potato salad as a side next to an added protein such as chicken or fish. 
This is another way to get in your veggies.

*I lost 50 lbs on Nutrisystem and continue eating the foods while maintaining my weight loss. It worked for me. It can work for you too.


*Read my success story here
*Click here for $30.00 off your first order .
*Expect to lose 1-2 lbs. per week with Nutrisystem.
(Results may vary with different individuals).

I am not being paid or asked by Nutrisystem to write this blog post. 

Opinions, recipe and results are all my own. 

Nutrisystem- Success Update

I guess you can say I'm obsessed with Nutrisystem. I have been on the program now over three years. I absolutely love the foods. Not one time have I ever gotten sick or had even the slightest tummy ache from eating any of their foods and believe me, I've tried them all. Do I like them all? Na, there are a few of the meals I will turn my nose up to. However, what I may not find tasty, others may like, so its just a matter of preference.

Nutrisystem has changed my life. I have learned to eat healthier and I feel good. My yearly checkups and blood work are great. I have more confidence and better self esteem. I can now wear the bikinis, tight jeans, and yoga pants proudly. I am about 5 lbs away from the weight I want to be and still have room to enjoy that piece of cake or mama's biscuits every now and again.


I'm far from having the perfect body, but I am happy now in my 49 year old skin. Oh and speaking of skin. Since I have been on Nutrisystem, my skin seems to be more healthy too. I no longer experience the up and downs of oily to dry skin and have not had the adult acne in years. I guess my only complaint is the loose skin I have from losing 50 lbs. I'm working on that.

I have more energy. There were times when I didn't even feel like tying my shoes. I would drag myself in and out of the car and I could forget about sitting on the floor. Honestly, I was just lazy and always bloated from eating junk food. Now I can't wait to get my day started as I jump out of bed after a good night sleep, have a healthy breakfast and head to work feeling giddy with a better attitude. Just kidding. I hate going to work, but I do have a better attitude. sometimes.

During my weight loss journey, I have been invited to three Nutrisystem commercial/ photo shoots and have attended two of them. It's been so much fun meeting a couple celebrities and making new friends that are on the same weight loss journey as me. They all have a different story but at the end of the day we all have inspired each other with our success. Those people you see on any Nutrisystem products or websites are real people just like you and me.

I currently eat a lot of my own foods and maintain my weight with Nutrisystem meals, so my journey is not over. If you have followed me, you know that I also like to experiment with Nutrisystem foods and flex meals (meals that are equivalent to NS meals).

With that being said.....

I am proud to announce that I have been contacted by Nutrisystem to join their team as a Nutrisystem Ambassador! How cool is that? This gives me more opportunity to share my food photos and success stories with others that might be struggling to find the right diet or healthy meals. Be sure to follow @Nutrisystem and me @lilidi_meo on Instagram and/or Facebook. 
You may see more of my blog post about heathy foods (thought I’d never say that! Ha) and diet motivations during the next few months.

I never know where my journey will take me next.


*If you are on Nutrisystem, head over to Nutrisystem.com and enter your success story along with a before and after photo. You never know, you could be the next Nutri-Star. 

*Read my success story here
*Click here for $30.00 off your first order .
*Expect to lose 1-2 lbs. per week with Nutrisystem.
(Results may vary with different individuals).

I am not being paid or asked by Nutrisystem to write this blog post. 

Opinions and results are all my own. 

Smores Dip with Nutrisystem

This is another post for all those on the Nutrisystem diet.

I’ve been on the Nutrisystem diet for over 3 years now. I no longer order monthly meals. I have lost the pounds I wanted. I am currently on the maintenance plan in which I just order from the A la carte menu and eat a lot of meals on my own which I admit, is dangerous for me sometimes because things like this happen.....

SMORES DIP


For the record, It is made with Nutrisystem’s NutriChocolates found on the snack menu. 
It’s delicious milk chocolate wafers and it’s OKAY!!!! They are perfectly portioned and protein packed to keep you losing the weight. 

I just had to put a twist to it. Because that’s WHAT I DO! Ha. I play around with my foods to make more varieties. Besides, since Nutrisystem meals are ready to heat or eat, I actually miss experimenting and cooking in the kitchen. 


If you are not on Nutrisystem, you can do the same thing with a Hershey bar but don't go crying if you gain a few pounds.

“It doesn’t get any SMORE easier than this”

First add the chocolates to a small dish such as a ramekin or soup mug. 
I just so happened to have this adorable little corning-ware dish from the thrift store.


Add marshmallows. I was able to find a little single pack of marshmallows. 
It was just the right amount to keep me from over doing it. 
Because I WILL over do it at times. 


Place in toaster oven until marshmallows are toasty. 
The chocolates will be melted by this time too. 
You can try it in the microwave but I would not suggest it 
because it will NOT make the marshmallows brown and toasty and may only make a mess. 


Carefully remove from oven and dip your favorite graham crackers. 
Its ok, you can eat it all! Just take it easy on the crackers. 
Two sleeves is a serving suggestion. 
You do not have to share which I ended up doing. 
My husband gave it two thumbs up. 

This dessert counts as:
1 snack (Nutrichocolates)
1 smart carb (crackers)
1 extra (marshmallows) 

Be sure to visit the tabs at the top of my page to see other food ideas using Nutrisystem and read about my Nutrisystem journey and how it has worked for me. 


Just Doing It

Since I lost 50 lbs on Nutrisystem three years ago and reaching my weight loss goal. I had set another goal for myself. I want to complete a 5K race. Not a one mile fun walk or a Marathon, but a three mile (5k) run.

This was my plan last year but as soon as I started preparing myself, I began to have complications with chest pains and continuing inner ear problems and vertigo. The chest pains were so persistent that I ended up having every test out there to determine the cause. It was not my heart, or my gal bladder. I was left undiagnosed and I have learned to live with the pain. During my last visit to the gynecologist, I told her about it and she suggested that I probably have costocondritis. It's were the cartladge between the ribs and breast plate become inflamed and painful. Flare ups are commonly caused by exercise and take a long time to heal. I just went with that and have learned to accept the pain I still suffer. I do not talk about it to my husband anymore because I'm sure hes tired of hearing it and he does not need the worry anyway. 

After that, I gave up on that goal.

Until the other day. My best friend from high school asked if I would like to do a 5K race with her since she knew I wanted to try one. It was close to home in the town we grew up in. “It will be fun” she said. So I thought about it and accepted the invite. I registered and paid my dues. My bib number is 832. Nick hasn’t said much to me about it, he is not on board. He worries that I can’t do it. He also refuses to do it with me even though he is an avid walker. 
It’s ok though. After 24 years of marriage, I understand his ways.

This is something I want to do for myself and nobody else. It may seem small to many, but this is a big deal for me. I’m nervous. I’m scared. So much is going trough my mind. “Can I do it? Will I come in last or in the middle? Do I wear shorts or leggings? What if I have to pee? Will I get trampled during the start? What if I get those chest pains half way through? What if I get vertigo? What if I pass out? Are my shoes good enough? Will I embarrass myself? Will I finish? Will I fall?......What if???”
Wait.....Run? I can’t even run to the end of my driveway!!

So this Saturday, rain or shine, I will get up early and head across town to start the 8:00 race I have not even prepared for. I am only used to walking about 2 miles a day. I’m afraid that since It’s so close to race day, that if I try to prepare now it will cause me to be sore. I plan to walk some and try to run as much as I can. It’s ok. I’m not in it to win it but to finish it. There will be no one there to cheer me on and no one at the finish line to celebrate my victory. The race will end and I will leave. I may not even talk about it much when I get home but inside I can be proud of what I did. Wish me Luck!

To Be Continued......





Protein Powder Cinnamon Roll Mug Cake

I have been doing a little more exercise lately. Not a lot more, just a little more. I found a Bow Flex machine stashed away at work. I decided to use it and work out my arms on my breaks. The flabby arms left by my weight loss have been bothering me. When I wave at someone, I swear I could fly away. They need toning up and who doesn’t need a little muscle ? I have also been making sure to get my power walks in each afternoon and have added more hula hooping afterward.

When I finally settle down for the night, I’m ready for a healthy snack. I will usually grab a Nutrisystem snack or some crackers, but tonight I was in the baking/making mood so I decided to make a mug cake using Nutrisystems Turbo shake mix. It’s full of protein and vitamins. This may not have been the best choice for a night time snack but it hit the spot and saved me trip to the bakery. 


I have tried several mug cake recipes and most are pretty good, but I’m here to tell you, this one is absolutely the best! It turned out moist and delicious. Except for the glaze on top, there was no added sugar. The shake mix was sweet enough. I ended up making two so Nick could enjoy one too. With a full mouth, he gave it a thumbs up.


To be honest, with the added egg, flour, and glaze, its a little more than recommended while loosing weight on Nutrisystem. I am currently maintaining so I think I’m safe here as long as I don’t over do it....unlike my husband over there pouring on more glaze!


Protein Powder Cinnamon Roll Mug Cake.
1 scoop -Nutrisystem Turbo Shake (or protein powder)
1/2 tsp.-baking powder
1 Tbs.-self rising flour
1/2 tsp-cinnamon
1 large egg
1/4 cup-almond milk (or low fat milk)
1/4 tsp-vanilla extract 

Spray a large mug or ramekin with cooking spray. 
Add dry ingredients and mix until blended.
Add remaining ingredients and mix well.
Microwave for 1 min or until toothpick comes out clean.

Top with glaze, additional cinnamon and nuts (optional)

ENJOY




Nutrisystem-Maintaining

If you know me or have been following my blog, then you know my how excited I am about loosing 50 lbs. on Nutrisystem. I used to talk about it all the time. You can even find my whole journey HERE.  I still share some of my tips on social media and my success story can be found on the Nutrisystem page. You may have even seen my picture flash up on the TV behind Marie as she speaks. If you blinked, you missed it. I love sharing my weight loss success story with everyone. It’s been a fun journey and a life changing experience.

It’s been a little over three years and people keep asking me if I still eat Nutrisystem. The answer is “YES” I still eat Nutrisystem food. I love it that much! Its so convenient and takes the guess work out of eating right. It’s like having my own little chef. 

So, here is where I stand on my weight loss journey 3 years later.

For the past year or so, I have been on the Nutrisystem Maintenance Plan. With this plan, I eat most foods on my own using the nutritional information I learned from being on this diet. “I always felt weird calling it a “diet” since it was so easy and delicious!”. 
I pay a low annual price for this plan. This keeps me a member of Nutrisystem and allows me access to counselors and special savings. I order foods from the A la Carte menu as I need them with a percentage off and free shipping. I will order an average of two or three weeks worth of foods and make it last a month while I eat most of my own foods. 

I have found that I have put on a few pounds but am keeping it in control. I like the size I am now. I’m still in a size 4 or small, continue to have energy and my health is overall great! Nutrisystem always has my back. I love knowing how to control my weight and I know what foods and snacks work for me and which ones work against me. 

One of my favorite flex breakfasts is Avocado toast and a side of fruit. 

Here are a few tips I would like to share for those that are at the point to maintaining the weight you lost with Nutrisystem. I am not going to tell you what to eat, you already know that. I want to give you some advice on some issues that I have fought against and where you need to be careful.

FLEX MEALS- Meals on your own can easily be turned into “cheat meals”. You may say to yourself “Ill eat anything I want and eat Nutrisystem food all day tomorrow”. 
THINK- This can easily become a habit and you will gradually gain without realizing it. You need to be in control of your eating. So, watch what you put on your plate. 
SOLUTION: Eat a small healthy serving. Eat slow and take small bites. Try taking laying your silverware down between bites. 
Make sure you eat 4 servings of vegetables, drink lots of water and get enough calories with the help of healthy power fuels and smart carbs between meals. 
Do not eat in front of the TV. It can lead to binge eating. 

PORTION CONTROL- Do not come home from work in the afternoons and open your refrigerator or pantry up and decide at that moment to eat your own meal. 
THINK- You will start grabbing everything you see. You will nibble while preparing your dinner because lets face it, you are hungry.
SOLUTION- Plan your meals. Make them ahead of time and use portion control containers.

EATING OUT- Eating out can be wonderful yet intimidating to a dieter. Over eating comes easy, because lets face it, eating out tastes so good! 
THINK- A regular plate at a restaurant averages two meals. Even a salad can put you over your limit. 
SOLUTION- Limit eating out to no more than twice a week. Avoid drive thrus where you are forced to eat in the car. 
Order a meal off the “A La Carte” or “Lite” menu. 
If you get a full dinner plate, ask the waiter to bring you a box at the beginning of your meal and put half away to take home. Use it to spice up a Nutrisystem meal later. 

ALCOHOL DRINKING- We all know that drinking alcohol is not a healthy choice but if your out with friends and want to enjoy a drink, avoid starchy beers and high calorie drink mixes. 
THINK- Drinking can also cause you to munch on the wrong foods. 
SOLUTION- Settle for one 4oz glass of wine. Some wines are as low as 75 calories per glass. 

SNACKS- Oh here is my weakness! I love sweets! Fortunately, while being on Nutrisystem, I do not have the cravings like I used too and its easier to say no to cakes.......Never mind, it’s not! I love cake. Put a piece in front of me and I’ll eat it! This is were I have failed while on the Maintenance plan. 
THINK- A piece of cake can have the same calories as full meal!
SOLUTION- Eat the cake. JUST EAT THE CAKE!!!!!!!
Or be strong and take a sliver. Maybe scrape off the frosting first. You can always keep a Nutrisystem snack close by and eat that instead. They have wonderful brownies, woopie pies and chocolate cake that will satisfy you just as well!

I blog for fun and all opinions and ideas are my own. Everyone is different and what may work for some may not work for others. If you have questions about Nutrisystem or your food intake, Nutrisystem counselors are always there for help 1-800-5585-548

Pumpkin Pie Protein Shake

This post is for my Nutrisystem friends or those who want to know a healthy way to make a delicious protein filled Pumpkin Pie flavored shake. I suppose any protein or shake mix will work but my favorite Nutrisystem.


Let's face it, we all like a cool refreshing shake any time of the year. Right? Well the weather here in the Carolina's is still on the warm side. We have not pulled out the sweaters and boots yet. Sometimes we skip Fall and jump right into Winter. It's crazy like that here.

Well today I'm going to share with you this delicious Pumpkin Pie Shake using Nutrisystem's turbo vanilla shake mix. It’s packed with protein and fiber plus 22 vitamins and minerals. But wait, It doesn't have that healthy vitamin taste. This shake is so creamy and flavorful, you will think it came straight from your favorite sweet shop. 


Lets get started.

1. Mix your *Nutrisystem vanilla protein shake as directed. 
2. Add in 1 cup of pumpkin puree and 1/4 teaspoon of cinnamon. 
That's it! Now how easy was that?

Oh and did you know, you can actually add all the ingredients into a Mason jar and it will fit right onto your blender? Just screw the blade onto the mouth of the jar. It's ready to go without the mess. 

I’m not a fan of pumpkin spice but this recipe taste like sweet pumpkin pie which is ok with me. I had no idea I would really like it but I did! As you see, I added a tad of whip cream on top. I mean, whats pumpkin pie without the whip topping?  


But hey, If you like pumpkin spice, then just add the spices.

Enjoy.

I am not being paid or compensated by Nutrisystem for this post. The opinions are my own. I simply have had lots of success with Nutrisystem and love sharing my ideas and results. 
*You can  purchase Nutrisystem’s protein shake mix and other nutritious foods by visiting Nutrisystem.com