Birthday Challenge-Onederland!

So I have about 90 days until my birthday (it's my 30th...). Can you hear the scary music? I can! Anyway, I have had and will have many goals on this journey. In the beginning it was just to lose weight, then it was to be fit, buy clothes in a smaller size, etc... I had wanted to lose all of my weight by the first anniversary of my mom's death (2/7/12), but that quickly became clear to me that it was not going to happen. So... I reevaluated my goals and decided that I wanted to start my 30s under 200 lbs. I have 13 weeks to go and weigh 211.2lbs.This will be my birthday present to myself. I will need to focus and work even harder to make sure it happens. Let's see if I make it!
-Ali

Oh how times have changed...

So ever since my mother passed away I have began a transformation of myself that I never thought possible. I have since lost 41 pounds, but even more shocking is that I have begun to cook... and I enjoy it. Now, my mother was a beyond awesome cook and I am sure she would be shocked, but pleased to know I am in the kitchen making yummy things. Where my mom used butter and sugar, I use sugar free items, turkey, and veggies to make low cal scrumptious food. My favorite so far is Chocolate Raspberry Flan. I got the recipe off of Kraft's website(see recipe below). Garnish with cool whip and some yummy raspberries, plus a nice cup of hot cocoa.  I hope you enjoy and remember this is a no guilt dessert!
-Ali

what you need

1-1/2

cups boiling water

1

pkg. (0.3 oz.) JELL-O Raspberry Flavor Sugar Free Gelatin

1/2

square BAKER'S Bittersweet Chocolate

1/2

cup JET-PUFFED Miniature Marshmallows

3/4

cup thawed COOL WHIP Sugar Free Whipped Topping

1/4

cup fresh raspberries

make it

ADD boiling water to gelatin mix. Stir 2 min. or until completely dissolved; set aside. Place chocolate, marshmallows and COOL WHIP in medium microwaveable bowl. Microwave on HIGH 1 min. or until marshmallows are completely melted and mixture is well blended when stirred. Gradually add gelatin, beating with whisk after each addition until well blended.

POUR into 4 dessert dishes. Refrigerate 4 hours or until firm.

TOP with berries just before serving.

kraft kitchens tips

SPECIAL EXTRA

Melt additional BAKER'S Bittersweet Chocolate; drizzle over chilled flan. Or, dust the raspberries with powdered sugar before using to garnish flan.

HOW TO PREPARE USING FROZEN COOL WHIP SUGAR FREE WHIPPED TOPPING

If the COOL WHIP is not thawed, you can still make this dessert without waiting. Just remove the frozen COOL WHIP from the tub and cut it in half using a sharp knife and a cutting board. Cut one of the halves into quarters. Use one of the quarters in the recipe and return the rest of the COOL WHIP to the refrigerator for another use. Increase microwave time to 2 min.

Updated Progress Pics

Hope everyone had a great holiday! I know that this time of year is when people make fitness/health resolutions. As lame-o as this may sound, don't call them resolutions, call them goals and you may find you are more likely to succeed. Also, do not set yourself up for failure. You will not be perfect, you will have days you eat like crap, and there will be days you should work out and don't find the time/energy, blah blah (insert excuse). I have been there, will still have those days, we all do. This has been a long journey, with many bumps in the road, but I know that I am healthier than I have ever been. If you have any questions, need motivation, just send me a message and I will be happy to help in any way I can. Last soap box message, please use myfitnesspal.com. This website is an awesome resource. Good luck!
Progress Pics 02/2011-12/31/2011(40 pounds down, about 49 pounds to go)

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