Trifecta

Out of town this week but hope to get back on track this week!

Out of a slump...

Thanks to Kristin for getting me out of my slump last week! With only 2 weeks left I have found my determination for being healthier again!  Hoping we can edge back into 2nd place after Dean's workout tomorrow!

White Bean Dip

My Favorie Recipe...

White Bean Dip

by Giada DeLaurentis

Ingredients

• 1 (15-ounce) can cannellini beans, drained and rinsed
• 2 cloves garlic
• 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
• 1/3 cup olive oil, plus 4 tablespoons
• 1/4 cup (loosely packed) fresh Italian parsley leaves
• Salt
• Freshly ground black pepper
• 6 pitas
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano

Directions

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.

Place the beans, garlic, lemon juice, 1/3 cup olive oil, and parsley in the work bowl of a food processor. Pulse until the mixture is coarsely chopped. Season with salt and pepper, to taste. Transfer the bean puree to a small bowl.
Cut each pita in half and then into 8 wedges. Arrange the pita wedges on a large baking sheet. Pour the remaining oil over the pitas. Toss and spread out the wedges evenly. Sprinkle with the oregano, salt, and pepper. Bake for 8 to 12 minutes, or until toasted and golden in color.
Serve the pita toasts warm or at room temperature alongside the bean puree.

Quinoa Patties

These are always a hit at parties. Instead of 4 eggs we substitute 2 of them w/ egg whites, and use grated parmesan cheese instead of the Gruyere cheese. Deelish.

http://www.epicurious.com/recipes/food/views/Little-Quinoa-Patties-365029

It's a Good News / Bad News Situation

Beginning tomorrow, I am gainfully unemployed.  Bad news: my new full time job is finding my new full time job.  But on the side? I will be working out like a fiend.  All those classes I couldn't fit in because I worked in Portsmouth?  I'll be there now.  Monday, I'm looking at a twofer, with Body Pump and Dean's Bonus class.  Then on to Body Combat, Cardio+Core, BodyStep, and YogaFit.  I expect this will keep my stress levels down and my point score up.  

The Cougars are in last place now ... but give it two weeks.  We'll be finishing in the top third... Just above my handsome husband and his 3's Company.

1/2 Doz D-Nutz getting stronger every week...

Two minute planks? Piece of cake. What? What? Yeah, Dean....thanks for pushing us beyond our limits!
3 minute plank for Week 8? Who's in?

Three catalogs this week with swimsuit covers

If you need motivation for the last few weeks, go to your mailbox. Those ad and magazine covers with women in swimsuits kept me from reaching for a handfull of jelly beans yesterday.

Thank you USPS for helping with my Team Training....

Chocolate Chunk Pumpkin Bars

Chocolate Chunk Pumpkin Bars

Makes 20 squares – 3 points each on Weight Watchers

Ingredients

• 2 cups whole wheat pastry flour **
• 1 Tablespoon pumpkin pie spice
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 3/4 teaspoon sea salt
• 1 cup sugar (I used sucanat)
• 1/4 cup unsweetened applesauce
• 1/4 cup non-fat plain Greek yogurt
• 1 Tablespoon canola oil
• 2 large egg whites
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
• 1 cup pumpkin, canned or fresh that’s been roasted and pureed
• 1/2 cup dark chocolate, cut into small chunks (or chocolate chips)

Preparation

1. Preheat oven to 350°.
2. Spray 13 x 9 pan with non-stick spray.
3. In a medium sized bowl, whisk together the dry ingredients – flour, pumpkin pie spice, baking soda and salt. Set aside.
4. In a large bowl mix sugar, apple sauce, yogurt, oil, egg whites, and vanilla until well combined. Stir in pumpkin.
5. Slowly pour flour mix into the wet ingredients and mix well until everything is combined. Stir in chocolate chunks.
6. Pour dough evenly into the greased pan. Bake until a toothpick comes out clean when stuck into the middle of the bars (about 30 minutes).
7. Cool completely, cut and lift from pan. Enjoy!

**Whole wheat pastry flour is finely ground and makes lighter baked goods than normal whole wheat flour does. You can’t find whole wheat pastry flour at your local grocery store you can simply use all-purpose flour or 1 cup of whole wheat and 1 cup of all-purpose. It might change the consistency of the bars a little bit, but I think it should work fine.

Thanks for the motivation

It's incredibly motivating to workout as a team.  I've been able to push myself beyond my limits.  Thanks Fab 4 for the motivation and healthy competition.  I cannot believe we only have 2 weeks left!

The clock is a-tickin!

I can't believe we already have 6 weeks under our belt.  I'm looking forward to seeing the results on paper, but I'm definitely a little bummed the competition is almost over.  It's been amazingly motivating.  Go Fab4 - lets's make the last two weeks really count!