For those of you who have requested recipes and ideas on pureed foods, or soft foods, check out the basic information section and post op food phases.  You will see a food list.  

The definition of the puree food phase is: food without chunks.  

One of my favorites is the Butternut Squash Puree from Williamsonomia.  It is available during the holidays.  I posted the soup recipe on the blog.  You can find it by doing a search over on the left, for butternut squash soup.    

There are also other selections of soups available in the soup section of your grocery store. Look for creamed soups or choose soups that can be blended smooth, your tummy is still healing.   

Remember to check the serving size...portion in relation to the fat and sugar counts.  Adding chicken, beef and vegetable stocks  will dilute these counts.  

Remember the key to this phase is to keep everything the consistency of baby-food.  Your new "baby" pouch needs help with digestion.  

The Magic Bullet and blender will be your friend! 

I try to add items to these sections when I discover new ideas and items...

Try pureeing items such as mashed potatoes, cauliflower, pears, applesauce and yogurts.  Try pureeing soft veggies and adding them into soups.  One of my favorites is the Jan's Save the Day Soup recipe.  I added it to mashed potatoes for a different flavor.  

The key is not to have it too "runny".  You want to consistency to be firmer as you progress during your food phases.  Liquids leave your tummy more rapidly, as you progress, you want food to stay in your pouch longer, but still be easy to digest.  Pureed items should be "baby food" consistency.  

Thanks you to all of you who respond under the comment section and are following the blog.   It is a real encouragement and I appreciate your input and support.  

Happy Holidays...

Julia 

menu time again...

this one is unusual, it was just one of those day...shopping for turkey and holiday fare...

Last evening I made chicken salad...so that was the first thing I thought about when breakfast arrived.  I don't think I've ever had chicken salad for breakfast, but why not...

Menu 

Breakfast: 1/2 cup chicken salad with 3 whole wheat crackers

Lunch: 1/2 grilled chicken breast with asparagus and brocolli

Snack: TLC dark chocolate bar nutrition bar with coconut or protein shake

Dinner:  Panera Bread Mediterranean Veggie Sandwich with turkey, no bread,  check out the Restaurant Rescue for more about this winner.  

Have a great thanksgiving...

I don’t usually prefer low fat mayonnaise.  My motto is, I’d rather have a little less of the “real thing” than twice as much of the “imitation”. 

That was until I discovered Kraft’s Olive Oil Mayo, it is a reduced fat item.  OK …it doesn’t beat Duke’s “real stuff” for sure, but it’s something I can live with.

Olive oil is one of those good fats, so I feel like I’m getting a bonus.  

Kraft’s Olive Oil Mayo has on 4 grams of fat per serving, which is a tablespoon, and only 45 calories.  Now the real stuff…has 12 grams of fat, and 100 calories…uhgggg…I’m so loyal to Duke’s that hurts…but you got to do, what you got to do. 

The rest of the family, hasn’t come on board yet, so there is still a jar of good ‘ole Duke's in the fridge…and just in case I’m having a loyal moment. 

Give it a try...

Yes, we can, we have many more miles to go.  

When I passed on bread and dessert while having dinner with a friend, her comment was, "Just wait until after the holidays to try to lose weight." 

After the holidays?  ... I think it was the "holidays" that got me in trouble to begin with.   

Wait?  ...yes, it would be "easier" I suppose to wait...

...but would that be my best and wisest plan of choice?

My theory is that waiting to get back on track only allows more pounds to accumulate.   After all passing on bread and dessert should be a norm for me, this is about health and lifestyle.  My Thanksgiving and Christmas holiday meals should look almost identical to what I eat everyday. 

The "diet" mentality is "stink'n think'n".

By that, I mean...my food plan or what I eat on a regular basis, should be a lifestyle change, not just until I lose "X" number of pounds, or just to get into that dress for an event.  It's a permanent event, not a temporary happening. 

Yes, I did stray from my norm over the summer, I will admit.  Getting back on the right track for me means reviewing my daily eating habits NOW and looking for clues where I have allowed old habits to creep back in and exchanging my bad habits for healthy ones.   That includes activity as well.  I just had some recent surgery that kept me off my exercise routine for a while, but I'm all healed and it's time to step it up.  Yes, after some wrong choices over the summer and adding in that healing time...I have a few unwanted pounds...but "wait" ?  ...I don't think so...I've waited long enough...summer is over and it's time to get back to the plan...

Mad at me yet...stay tuned...you might get madder, (is that a word?)  ...I'm speaking from experience and I've learned the hard way...

Let's GET REAL !!! This isn't a "diet" I can take or leave anytime it's convenient...although I will say that on "occasion" I do have a bite of something that is not on my daily routine.  The key word must be..."on occasion" not "routine".  My challenge is to make my everyday meal plan as exciting, creative, fresh and appealing as possible.  

My mindset has to be that the holidays offer me the addition of time spent around the table enjoying the meal with family and friends I love to be with.  After all, the main thing is to focus on the things I'm thankful for during this season.  Family, friends, health and life...more time to live life and more energy to play with that adorable little 2 year old that sits at center of our table...

I eat turkey every week, but during the holidays I get the real bird, not just that deli stuff.  Those veggies will still be on my plate, and I can still have all of the green beans and squash I can hold... the bonus will be pumpkin instead of the usual fruit.  Or better yet, a pumpkin protein shake in the afternoon, while everyone else is recovering from a "food coma"! Yum...I can even do a little whip on top... but no matter what my choices are, my portions will still be within the limits of my plan.

I'm not trying to be hard or bossy, I'm just speaking from experience.  It was my lifestyle of "stink'n think'n that got me into trouble to start with and kept me trapped into that 300+ pound body...I have learned one major truth...I might have a slip from time to time, but it's not just the food or portions that have to change, it's your thinking, your entire mindset and approach to food and activity. 

My daily tip:  look for clues of stink'n think'n...and don't let them sabotage your best efforts.  Look at the positive things you can include in your food plan and focus on the fact that you can be successful at the end of the season, and all year long.  I'm here to help...let's do it together.  Check out my menu ideas and also the new "restaurant rescue" section.  Take time to post a comment and share what works for you...I'd love to hear from you. 

Holidays don't have to set your weight loss efforts or your progress on hold or in a hole...you can move forward, make wise choices and be happier and healthier in the end...  

During my first few years after weight loss surgery, I lost weight during both the Thanksgiving and Christmas season...and I intend to do the same this year as well.  Let's start now, let's focus on the benefits that a healthier life offers...

Yes we can...we have many more miles to go!

Check out the newest addition to the blog...called

Restaurant Rescue

You'll find it under "Basic Information" to the left of the screen...

...See ya there!