"Ice cream is exquisite. What a pity it isn't illegal" - Voltaire

I scream, you scream, we all scream for ice cream.  Well, maybe not all of us (*brad*), but I certainly do.  As you all know, I have embarked on the lovely road of lifestyle change, but I don't think I will ever be able to leave my desire for ice cream behind.  And thanks to weight watchers, I really don't have to.

However, today I came across a recipe for a fantastically guilt free homemade frozen treat compliments of the lovely Jamie Eason (see prior posts for more on my love of all things JE).

Here's the recipe for the creamy frozen deliciousness:

Fill a large ziploc bag with ice cubes and 1/2 cup of table salt.

In a separate, smaller ziploc bag, combine:

• 1 cup almond milk (I use Unsweetened Vanilla Almond Breeze)
• 2 tsp. Vanilla extract
• 2 tbsp. Truvia

Seal up the smaller bag, and put it in the larger bag with the ice and salt.  Seal the big bag, and shake vigorously for 5-8 minutes until the "ice cream" mixture firms up (bonus, your arms get a good workout before you can enjoy the fruits of your labor).   Put it in a bowl, and ENJOY!!

The best part of this whole operation is that this entire 1 cup of creamy deliciousness is just 40 calories and 3.5 grams of fat (if you use the unsweetened almond milk).  Jamie also adds that if you add a scoop of vanilla protein powder to the mixture, it can be a great post-workout snack.  I couldn't agree more!!!

So thank you, Jamie Eason, for showing me how to make my love of all things creamy and frozen carry over into my new, healthier, lifestyle.

Step 1 - Salt and Ice

Step 2 - Almond Milk, Vanilla, Truvia

Step 3 - Little Bag Into Big Bag

Step 4 - MMMMMM

On a sidenote, I'm sure a lot of you are fans of Tofutti's products, and I myself enjoy them as well.  However, more and more studies are showing the dangers for females who consume excessive amounts of soy on a daily basis.  I have become much more conscious of my soy intake recently.  For all intents and purposes, I am a vegetarian (with the occasional chicken breast thrown in a couple times a month), so I used to rely on soy as a protein source quite often.  I have since incorporated more whole grains, legumes, and whey protein into my diet and cut way back on the soy products.  I still eat edamame a few times a week, but I keep it to no more than 3 servings a week. 

I'm off to enjoy my "ice cream" :o)

A Vernacular Spectacular

It is my personal opinion that the world at large is in serious need of a vocabulary lesson.  Words like skinny, thin, fat, and chunky have no business describing anyone in either a positive or a negative light.

Lets review, shall we?

I for sure do not want to be defined by any of these words.  And so, readers (if you're out there), I challenge you to compile, share, and utilize a set of new and better adjectives for defining yourself and others.  Perhaps we can change the world's obsession with "skinny" and "fat."

Here are some adjectives that I hope to utilize about myself in the very near future:

I leave you with song lyrics from My Fair Lady...."Words, Words, Words....I'm so sick of words.  I get words all day through...first from him and now from you.  Is that all you blighters can do?"

Oh, Hey...

Well, here we are. About 4 months since my last post, and I am sad to say that yet another weight loss quest has failed. Quite miserably in fact. Not only did I fail to lose weight, but I have GAINED weight since I last posted. Now, to my credit, I did manage to graduate first in my class as well as study for/take/pass my licensing exam, so I am now writing to you as Dr. Arielle Brettler, PT, DPT.

However, in my quest for academic and clinical domination, my eating and exercise habits fell in the dust. I have spent the last 10 weeks sitting on my butt 8 hours a day and studying until I passed out. All the while consuming large amounts of coffee and lots of Panera salads.

As you may remember, back in January, I said that I was giving it one last shot. By "it," I mean weight loss on my own. And I am sticking to my word. I start working on August 9th, and part of my first paycheck will go to a new membership at Weight Watchers. I have tried Weight Watchers in the past with mediocre success (and subsequent failure/weight gain), but this time I am going to go to weekly meetings. This seems to be how many of my friends were able to shed their unwanted pounds, and so I think it's time I give it a shot.

I will once again chronicle my trials and tribulations in hopes that I can help or encourage others who may be struggling with the same issue. I plan to continue my dedication to adequate nutrition which I think many people on Weight Watchers tend to neglect. Since the system is based on points, I think people just tend to eat whatever they want as long as it's within points range as opposed to really taking nutritional principles into account. I will also of course continue to keep up my exercise habits. I absolutely adore working out, and that love will only get stronger now that I will finally have a regular schedule. My plan as of now is to hit the gym before work 2 days a week, and after work 3 days a week, as well as 1 weekend day each week. 6 days a week will likely give my metabolism the boost it needs to keep burning.

Part of me is a little sad that I have been unable to do this on my own, but the other part of me is happy that I have both recognized and accepted that I can't do this on my own, and that I will not let anything get in the way of me and my health.

I will update as much as I can with news on my progress, recipes, and exercise tips

-A

Day 8 - Happiness Is...

Just a quick morning post, as I sit here sipping my protein shake...Today was measurement and photograph day! Not a huge difference in the photograph, but I was pleasantly surprised by the measurements! I take measurements at the bustline, umbilicus, natural waist, hips, upper arm, forearm, thigh, and calf. I am pleased to report that I have lost 7cm at the umbilicus, 4cm at the natural waist, 2cm at the hips, 1cm at the forearm, and 0.5cm at the calf. All other measurements stayed the same. This makes for a total loss of 14.5cm in 1 week!

Just proof that diet and exercise really can work together to provide quick results. Totally motivates me for the week even though I got ZERO sleep last night thanks to be nervous for my new clinical rotation.

Did Shred Level 2 this morning and it is definitely getting easier. :o)

EDIT: Today's Green Smoothie: 2 large handfuls of spinach, 1 celery stalk, 4 chunks of papaya, 1 gala apple, and 4 frozen strawberries.





greeny-licious! complete w/ green straw :o)