February 2010 Archive

26Feb
2

Black Forest Fudge Cake

Now for some CHOCOLATE!

Black Forest Fudge Cake

1/2 cup unbleached flour
1/2 cup oat bran
1/4 cup plus 2 TBS cocoa powder
2/3 cup sugar
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/8 tsp salt
12 oz coarsely chopped frozen pitted dark sweet cherries (about 2 1/2 cups) thawed
3 TBS canola oil
3 TBS fat-free egg substitute or 1 large egg, lightly beaten
1 tsp vanilla extract
1/3 cup chopped walnuts or pecans (optional)
1 1/2 TBS powdered sugar (optional)

  1. Place the flour, oat bran cocoa, sugar, baking soda, and salt in a medium bowl, and stir to mix well. Add cherries, including the juice that has accumulated during thawing, oil, egg, and vanilla extract, and stir well. Set the batter aside for 10 minutes, then stir the batter again for 10 to 15 seconds. Fold in the nuts, if desired.
  2. Coat an 8-inch square baking pan with non-stick cooking spray, and spread the batter evenly in the pan. Bake at 350° F for 30 to 35 minutes, or just until a wooden toothpick inserted in the center of the cake comes out to clean or coated with a few fudgy crumbs.
  3. Let the cake cool in the pan at room temperature. If desired, sift the powdered sugar over the top of the cake just before cutting into squares and serving.

Servings: 9, Calories: 199, Carbs: 34 g, Chol: 0 mg, Fiber: 4.6 g, Protein: 5 g, Sodium: 114 mg, Calcium: 8 mg, GI Rating: Moderate

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    25Feb
    1

    Workout for Beginners

    One of the best beginner workouts that I have found (and used myself) are the Leslie Sansone Walk Away the Pounds DVDs. Leslie uses basic steps of walking, leg kicks, side steps, and kick-backs to give you an excellent cardio workout. You can also use hand weights to add some strength training to your upper body.

    There are many different DVDs to choose from and are based on your fitness level and the body’s target zones. The workouts that I’ve personally used are the 3-Mile Walk Away the Pounds, Walk N Jog, 4-Mile Super Challenge, and the You Can Do Abs (using a stability ball). However, there are so many new ones and I’m sure that there is something for everyone.

    You can find Leslie’s workouts on multiple websites such as www.amazon.com or www.collagevideo.com. I’ve also seen them at Sam’s Club, Wal-Mart, and Target.

    Another good workout for beginners is the Wii Fit or Wii Fit Plus. I’ve used the Wii Fit and it is a fun workout. Just keep in mind that it is strictly for beginners.

    Now, it’s time to get moving!

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    Posted by fitchoc in Physical Fitness
    25Feb
    4

    Creamy Cheese Soup

    Weight Watchers Creamy Cheese Soup

    2 tsp olive oil
    1 large red onion, chopped
    3 celery stalks, chopped
    3 carrots, chopped
    3/4 tsp dry mustard
    3 c low-sodium chicken broth
    1 1/2 lbs Yukon Gold potatoes, peeled and cut into 1-inch chunks
    1/2 tsp salt
    1/8 tsp cayenne
    2 c low-fat (1%) milk (or skim milk)
    1 c shredded sharp Cheddar cheese
    1/4 c grated pecorino cheese (I use low-fat Swiss cheese)

    Heat oil in nonstick Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add onion, celery, and carrots; cook, stirring occasionally, until vegetables are lightly browned, about 10 minutes. Stir in mustard and cook 1 minute. Add broth, potatoes, salt, and cayenne; bring to boil. Reduce heat and simmer, covered, until vegetables are tender, about 20 minutes.

    With fork, coarsley mash about half of vegetables to slightly thicken soup. Stir in milk and bring to simmer. Remove pot from heat. Stir in Cheddar and pecorino (or Swiss) until cheeses melt. Cool. You can easily freeze this soup up to 2 months.

    Per serving (1 1/2 cups): 272 calories, 11 g fat, 6 g sat fat, 0 g trans fat, 27 mg chol, 499 mg sod, 32 g carb, 4 g fiber, 14 g protein, 285 mg calcium. Points Value: 6

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    Posted by fitchoc in Recipes and tagged with
    25Feb
    0

    Finding Support in Strange Places

    In 2002, my family went on a cruise to the Southern Caribbean. While researching the cruise, I happened upon a website called Cruise Critic. It has a message board with a wealth of information and I quickly became enthralled. One of the forums on the message board is called “Lose Before You Cruise” (LBYC). I found my way there since I was desperately trying to lose weight before I had to wear a swim suit in front of thousands of people. I became involved with the forum and made a few new friends.

    In 2004, my husband and I decided to go on a “grown-up cruise.” I again turned to Cruise Critic for my research and continued to visit the LBYC forum. I frequented one of the posts there and became good friends with several people. Over the years, our group has grown and we share each others lives as if we live next door to each other instead of in different states or countries. The group has grown apart from the LBYC forum, but we stay in constant contact with each other. The support that I receive from my online friends is priceless.

    I met a couple of these wonderful online friends in person and it was so wonderful to be able to finally hug some of my greatest supporters. We hope one day for all of us to be able to meet for a short trip and I know that there will be some great laughs, a few tears, and one of the most wonderful experiences of my life.

    As you see, you can find support in the strangest places. You just have to open yourself up and be willing to let others in. Your support group will not care if you need to lose 150 lbs or 10 lbs. They will be with you through good times and bad times, and when your chocolate cravings get to be too much, you can call on them to help you over the hump or help you find the healthiest chocolate around.

    Embrace support – no matter where you find it. :)

    Sheila

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    15Feb
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    Welcome to the World of a Fit Chocoholic!

    Hello. My name is Sheila and I’m a chocoholic. How many times have you wondered if there was CA class for those of us addicted to chocolate?

    How can you be a fit chocoholic? I’m sure a lot of you are wondering that very same thing. In this blog, I plan on telling you my story of losing weight and getting fit – while still enjoying chocolate.

    I hope this blog can inspire and help others get fit and maybe learn a few things along the way. As a chocoholic that started on the path to fitness, I tried every type of diet out there. You can learn from my mistakes. Just think of me as your guinea pig of weight loss. :) Please see The Chocoholic’s Story page for my story.

    If you have any comments, questions, or suggestions, please feel free to drop me a line. I look forward to getting to know you!

    Sheila

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