The Freeman Experience

I am at a point right now where I need a little motivation...I have reached a plateau so I am not losing like I was and I have had to miss some workouts due to situations beyond my control. I am not saying that I am going to stop working toward my goal, but it is getting a little harder for me. I'll figure something out. Also, I know my FitNutz Chicks won't let me stop. This circle of friends will give me the motivation I need and helpful tips to get over this plateau.

Chocolate Cherry Breakfast Smoothie     This is a featured recipe taken from The Biggest Loser Cookbook by Chef Devin Alexander. Chocolate for breakfast? Absolutely. When Biggest Loser Chef Devin Alexander is craving chocolate in the morning, she heads straight to the blender for this quick-to-prepare favorite of hers. Though it’s made with cocoa (and thus satisfies the chocolate craving), it isn’t sugary-sweet, so it won’t set you up to crave sugar all day. ¾ cup frozen (not thawed) unsweetened sweet cherries ½ cup sugar-free, fat-free vanilla yogurt ¼ cup fat-free milk 1 tablespoon unsweetened cocoa powder 4 ice cubes 1 teaspoon honey (optional) In the jar of a blender, combine the cherries, yogurt, milk, cocoa, and ice cubes. Blend on high speed or ice-crush setting for 30 to 60 seconds, or until smooth. Stir in the honey, if desired. Pour into a glass. Serve immediately. Makes 1 12-oz. Smoothie Per serving: 160 calories, 8 g protein, 33 g car...

This one will definitely be modified for me. South-of-the-Border Loaded Sweet Potato   This is a featured recipe taken from The Biggest Loser Quick and Easy Cookbook by Chef Devin Alexander. When I'm cooking for myself, I prepare this potato with medium salsa and it has a nice kick. Feel free to use mild or hot, as many of the contestants do. When it comes to topping the potato with salsa, start out with 1/3 cup of fresh salsa and drain the liquid from it. It will likely only be about 1/4 cup (maybe a bit more) in the end. Note that the toppings won't fit inside the potato - they will spill out over the top, making it even more decadent to eat! 1 (8-ounce) sweet potato 4 ounces extra-lean ground turkey 3/4 teaspoon all-natural salt-free fajita or Southwest seasoning Olive oil spray (propellant free) 1/3 cup fresh salsa, drained (from the refrigerated section)- I will substitute rotel in the place of the salsa. 2 tablespoons jarred all-natural roaste...

The Biggest Loser website is my new addiction. I find so many good recipes on there. Fish Tacos     This is a featured recipe taken from The Biggest Loser 30-Day Jump Start by Cheryl Forberg, RD. Season 1 contestant Gary Deckman loved these fish tacos. In his own words: "Oh boy, are these good!" Fish: 1 pound orange roughy or other boneless, skinless fish fillet, such as red snapper 3 tablespoons lime juice 1/2 teaspoon paprika 1/2 teaspoon salt 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper 1/2 teaspoon chili powder (optional) Tacos: 8 whole grain high-fiber tortillas or stone-ground corn tortillas 1/2 avocado, diced and lightly mashed 1/3 cup shredded low-fat Mexican or pepper Jack cheese 1/2 cup tomato salsa 4 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro 1 1/2 cups finely shredded cabbage Hot sauce (optional) To make the fish: Place the fish in a shallow baking dish and sprinkle with the lime juice, paprika, salt, black pepper, and chili powder (if desired). Cove...

Chicken Salad Dijon With Grapes and Apple     This is a featured recipe taken from The Biggest Loser Cookbook by Chef Devin Alexander. Dijon mustard lovers will love this twist on traditional chicken salad - and will also be shocked by the creaminess of the dressing, given that it has about one-third of the calories and one-fourth of the fat usually found in a similar sized serving. Serve over a bed of butter lettuce or fresh spinach, or on sprouted grain or multigrain bread. 1 pound trimmed boneless, skinless chicken breasts 3 teaspoons extra-virgin olive oil Ground black pepper, to taste 3 tablespoons fat-free plain yogurt 3 tablespoons Dijon mustard 1/3 cup chopped celery 1/3 cup seedless grapes, each cut in half 1/3 cup chopped red apple Preheat a grill to high heat. Rub the chicken all over with 1 teaspoon of the olive oil and season with salt and pepper. Place on the grill and cook for 3 to 5 minutes per side, or until the chicken is no lo...

Biggest Winner Breakfast Sausage   This is a featured recipe taken from The Biggest Loser Cookbook by Chef Devin Alexander. I particularly love this sausage as part of breakfast sandwiches or chopped in omelets or other egg dishes. If you're eating it on its own, a bit more salt is advised (from a flavor standpoint) to make it taste like full-fat sausage that still has a small fraction of the fat and calories. For those who don't eat pork, chicken or turkey can be substituted, but again, added salt is definitely needed. 1/2 pound of extra-lean ground pork or pork tenderloin, ground 1 tablespoon minced red onion 1 1/2 teaspoons minced garlic 1/2 teaspoons dried thyme 1/4 teaspoon ground sage 1/4 teaspoon cayenne 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper 1/8 teaspoon salt In a medium mixing bowl, combine the pork, onion, garlic, thyme, sage, cayenne, black pepper and salt. With clean hands or a fork, mix well. Divide the mixture into 4 equal parts. Shape each i...

Banana Breakfast Shake     This is a featured recipe taken from the Biggest Loser Premier Membership meal plan This creamy shake offers a glassful of great flavor and more than 300 milligrams of calcium! 1 medium banana, sliced 1 cup skim milk 3/4 cup nonfat vanilla yogurt 1/4 cup pineapple juice 1/2 tablespoon honey In a blender, process the bananas, milk, yogurt, juice and honey until smooth. Serve immediately. Makes 4 servings Calories: 99 ; Total Fat: 0 ; Saturated Fat: 0 ; Polyunsaturated Fat: 0 ; Carbohydrates: 19 ; Protein: 6 ; Calcium: 202 ; Sodium: 80 ; Fiber: 1

Baked Apple   This is a featured recipe taken from the Biggest Loser Premier Membership meal plan This is a delicious way to satisfy an afternoon sweet tooth and fill your kitchen with wonderful aromas. 1 apple (Cortland, Golden Delicious or Rome Beauty), medium size 1/2 teaspoon butter 1/2 teaspoon sugar mixed with 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon 1 teaspoon chopped walnuts 2 tablespoons water Wash and core the apple. Place it in a baking dish. Combine the butter, cinnamon/sugar mixture and walnuts. Fill the cavity of the apple with the mixture. Pour the water into the bottom of the baking dish. Bake at 375°F for 30 minutes. Serve warm. Makes 2 servings

Spinach, Egg and Cheese Breakfast Wrap     This is a featured recipe taken from The Biggest Loser Family Cookbook by Chef Devin Alexander Wraps are a quick and easy way to get plenty of nutrients any time of the day - if you fill them with smart choices. But be careful when choosing your tortilla. Many varieties are loaded with tons of sodium and don’t taste any better than healthier versions. 1 (7-inch) low-carb, whole wheat or multigrain tortilla Olive oil spray 3 egg whites 1 ounce (1/2 cup) finely shredded Cabot’s 75% Light Cheddar Cheese 1/4 cup fresh spinach leaves, stems removed Place a small nonstick skillet over medium-high heat and add the tortilla (no need to add any fat). Heat the tortilla until just warm, about 30 seconds per side after the pan is heated. Spray a small microwave-safe bowl with the olive oil spray and add the egg whites. Microwave on low for 30 seconds. Continue microwaving in 30-second intervals until the whites a...

My modification - no scallions... Tuna Cakes   This is a featured recipe taken from the Biggest Loser Premier Membership meal plan. Another amazingly healthy fish, a 3-ounce piece of tuna contains 1.3 grams of omega-3 and a respectable amount of vitamin D to boot. 1 can (5.8 oz) light tuna, drained 1 egg 2 tablespoons scallions, chopped 1/3 cup red bell pepper, diced 1/2 clove garlic, minced 2 tablespoons whole wheat bread crumbs Combine all ingredients and mix well. Shape the mixture into three small patty cakes and pan fry (use canola oil cooking spray) over medium heat for about 4 minutes on each side. Makes 3 servings

Patti's Melt     This is a featured recipe taken from The Biggest Loser 6 Weeks to a Healthier You By Cheryl Forberg, RD, Melissa Roberson, Lisa Wheeler and the Biggest Loser Experts and cast Season 9’s Patti Anderson says, "I made these yummy melts for me and [teammate] Stephanie before walking the Presidential Mile on the Ranch." This low-cal version of a classic breakfast sandwich won’t ruin your calorie budget - but it will give you the protein and fiber to start your day off right! 1 slice whole grain Oroweat bread or 1 Arnold Sandwich Thin 2 egg whites or 1 large egg 1 ounce lean, low-sodium deli ham or Canadian bacon Horseradish or mustard (optional) 1 slice low-fat mozzarella or provolone cheese Toast the bread. Meanwhile, in a nonstick skillet coated with cooking spray, cook the egg whites or egg. Remove the egg from the pan and set aside. Warm the ham in the same pan for a minute or two over low heat. Spread the horseradish or must...

    This is a featured recipe taken from The Biggest Loser Family Cookbook by Chef Devin Alexander If you time it so that the egg and the muffin are done at the same time, the heat between them will perfectly melt the cheese for this drippy sandwich that easily rivals your favorite fast food version. 1 strip extra-lean turkey bacon, cut in half crosswise Olive oil spray 1 large egg white 1 light multigrain or whole wheat English muffin (8 grams fiber per muffin like Thomas'), toasted 1 (3/4-ounce) slice fat-free yellow American cheese Place a small nonstick skillet over medium-high heat and add the bacon. Cook for 2 to 3 minutes per side, or until crisp. Remove from the pan and cover to keep warm. Spray a 3-1/2" or 4" microwave-safe bowl with the olive oil spray and add the egg white. Microwave for 30 seconds. Continue microwaving in 15-second intervals until it is just set completely. Assemble the sandwich by placing the bottom half of the warm E...

This one looked pretty interesting. I'm willing to try it.   This is a featured recipe taken from the Biggest Loser Premier Membership meal plan A little nonfat frozen yogurt with the baked bananas make this a delicious dessert without all that artery-clogging fat. 2 large bananas, cut in half 4 teaspoons brown sugar 2 teaspoons walnuts, finely ground 8 ounces nonfat vanilla frozen yogurt Halve bananas lengthwise and place in a microwave-safe baking dish. Sprinkle with sugar and walnuts. Cover with vented plastic wrap and microwave on medium until sugar melts and bananas are hot, 1 to 3 minutes. Top with yogurt and serve immediately. Makes 4 servings

This one will be modified as well (no Dijon Mustard).     This is a featured recipe taken from the Biggest Loser Premier Membership meal plan. The sweetness of the pineapple and savory of the ham and cheese are what make this an especially satisfying snack. 1 large lettuce leaf 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard 1 slice reduced-fat cheddar or Swiss cheese 1 slice extra lean ham lunch meat, 5% fat 1 ring canned pineapple, drained Spread mustard on lettuce leaf and top with cheese, ham, and pineapple. Makes 1 serving

I am going to try this recipe, but with almond milk.   This is a featured recipe taken from the Biggest Loser Premier Membership meal plan. Chocolate lovers, rejoice! Here’s a dessert that is decadent on the lips but won’t cling to your hips. If you substitute skim milk for the low-fat kind, the percent of calories from fat drops to 18 percent. 1 cup 1% low-fat milk 1 tablespoon sugar 1 tablespoon cornstarch 1/2 tablespoon unsweetened cocoa 1 square (1 ounce) semisweet chocolate, finely chopped 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract In a small saucepan over medium heat, whisk the milk, sugar, cornstarch and cocoa until well blended; bring to a boil. Remove the saucepan from the heat; stir in the chocolate. Over low heat, bring the mixture to a boil, stirring constantly. Boil 2 minutes. Stir in the vanilla. Spoon the pudding into four dessert glasses or custard cups. Cover with plastic wrap touching the surface of the pudding, and refrigerate until chilled, about 3 ...

This recipe was taken from The Biggest Loser website. I am trying to find easy healthier meals that I can make in a small amount of time. There will be more post to follow. This is a featured recipe taken from The Biggest Loser Family Cookbook by Chef Devin Alexander. Sure, you’re familiar with strawberry shortcake… it’s just about the perfect summer treat. Well, here’s a new warm-weather fave that’s likely to please a crowd of any size and any age - and it certainly doesn’t hurt that you don’t have to slave over it for more than a couple of minutes. 4 low-fat, whole grain or whole wheat waffles 2 cups sliced fresh strawberries 1/2 cup fat-free frozen whipped topping, thawed Toast the waffles according to package directions. Place one waffle on each of 4 plates and mound 1/2 cup strawberries on top. Spoon 2 tablespoons whipped topping over each and serve. Makes 4 servings. Per serving: 113 calories, 3 g protein, 23 g carbohydrates, 1 g fat (trace saturated), 0 m...

I have been challenged by a fellow workout buddy to run one of the 5k's we are participating in with her. If you know me then you know I am not a runner at all. I have accepted the challenge though. I am always up for a challenge. I may not be able to run the entire race, but at least I am going to put forth the effort and make by best attempt at it. I am also going to join in on the 28 miles in 28 days challenge (I am a little late starting, but I will finish) as well. This can be run or walked (I will do a combination of both). What is life without some kind of challenges? I say these will only make me better and help me along my journey to a healthier me. These are the types of challenges I need in my life right now. I have a great support system of ladies who are on the same journey and they will not let me fail. They always push me to do more and to do better. So whenever someone or something comes along to challenge you don't be afraid. Take on the challenge with all you ...