Healthy Favorites

Posted on September 10th, 2013 by Jean

I’m back to eating healthy, trying to lose a few lbs. prior to a special event in October. (More on that soon!) Here are the food choices I’m making:
 
Breakfast
Dannon Oikos Fat Free Greek Yogurt – Only 120 calories per serving, and sinfully delicious. I choose vanilla and top w/granola sprinkles. Greek yogurt has 2x the protein of regular low-fat yogurts.
 
Nature Valley Protein Crunchy Granola – Available in Oats ‘n Honey or Oats n’ Dark Chocolate. 210 calories per 1/2 cup, and 10g of protein. It’s a very tasty topping for yogurt, or a good snack in general.
 
Snacks
LaraBar Cherry Pie – I bought a box of snack-sized Larabars. One 0.78 oz fruit & nut bar has 90 calories and zero sodium! How many snacks can make that claim? The cherry pie flavor is very good, tart and moist.
 
Blue Diamond Smokehouse Almonds – I’ve been a smokehouse almond fan since I was a kid. They are smoky, salty and delicious. Their seasonal flavor, Rosemary & Black Pepper, is very good as well. 170 calories per serving (approx. 28 nuts).
 
Lunch
Healthy Choice Country Vegetable Soup – In microwavable bowl, ready in 90 seconds. There are 2 servings per can, 100 calories per serving. This soup has a delicious broth, full sized kidney beans, large cubes of potato, slices of cooked tomato and celery. It’s a filling lunch with great flavor.
 
McDonald’s Premium McWrap – I know, McDonald’s. My girls enjoy eating there typically once a week. I finally decided to indulge in a McWrap, and they are just as crave-able as their burgers & fries! You can order it alone (without fries & a drink). The Crispy Chicken & Ranch has 580 calories, but now that I’ve seen their sodium count (1290mg), I’d better find a Mc-Alternative! ::: gulp! :::
 
Subway Sweet Onion Teriyaki on Flatbread – You know I’m serious when I’m choosing a flatbread instead of a loaf of frenchbread! Subway let’s you calculate the calories based on your choice of bread & toppings. Mine comes out to 380 calories per 6″ serving. With sodium at 900g, it’s (dare I say?) healthier than the McWrap.
 
Dinner
I guess that would be water. I haven’t quite figured out my dinner alternatives yet. Having a cold is keeping my cravings at bay.
 
• What is your healthy dinner choice?
• Do you have a special occasion on the horizon?

Tags: breakfast, choices, diet, dinner, food, health, healthy food, lunch, McDonalds, shed a few lbs, snacks, special occasion, Subway, weight loss

Be A Rock Star

Posted on December 30th, 2010 by Jean

How should I put this? Oh yeah. I’m a Rock Star! I racked my brain trying to decide on the perfect Christmas gift for my best friend. I was “this close” to sending her a bottle of red wine like last year, but none of the bottles spoke to me. I wanted something personal. Something that would knock her socks off.
 
The perfect gift ~ a hand-made Unofficial Glee(k) Calendar 2011. ^[1]
 

 
With help from Google Images and Shutterfly, I created a calendar a true Gleek, like my friend Joy, could love.
 
Shirtless Will Schuester graces January and August, so unfortunately Joy cannot display the calendar at work.
 

 
Her favorite month is July with scenes from The Rocky Horror Glee Show.
 
 
Her friends favor September with an Enquirer-like photo of Tina and Artie on vacation with “Ripped Old Man and Greasy Speedo Dude”.
 

 
The month of April reveals whether Coach Bieste is played by an actor or actress (spoiler alert!), and in December Joy and her husband can be cats like Rachel & Finn were in their 2010 calendar.
 

 
It’s not too late to be a Rock Star! Online calendar deals are popping up left & right. Personalize them with photos and details your friends will ooh and ahhh over. For ideas, here is Google Zeitgeist‘s Top Ten Most Popular People:
1. Justin Bieber
2. Lady Gaga
3. Kim Kardashian
4. Nicki Minaj
5. Miley Cyrus
6. Katy Perry
7. Lil Wayne
8. Taylor Swift
9. eminem
10. Megan Fox
 
Not into celebrities? How about Top Vacation Destinations. The Travel Channel lists 21 Mind Blowing Escapes, more than plenty to fill a 12-month calendar. Is your friend a Foodie? Feature photos of scrumptious dishes, desserts or cocktails. The possibilities are endless.
 

 
What photos would adorn your personalized calendar?
 

^{[1] JeanHasBeenShopping.com
(A)
(i) does not have actual knowledge that the material or an activity using the material is infringing;
(ii) in the absence of such actual knowledge, is not aware of facts or circumstances from which infringing activity is apparent; or
(iii) upon obtaining such knowledge or awareness, acts expeditiously to remove, or disable access to, the material;
(B) does not receive a financial benefit directly attributable to the infringing activity.}

Tags: calendar, Christmas, gift, Glee, Gleek, rock, star

Big $avings

Posted on November 22nd, 2009 by Jean

Tis the season to save money whenever possible. Actually that never goes out of style. Here are some ways I’ve recently saved dollars.

• Do you have a money-saving tip to share?
• Have you started Christmas shopping?
• How will you spend Black Friday?

Special thanks to my friend Marian for informing me of the free-printer offer.

Tags: coupons, discounts, save, Shopping