Meal Ideas: perfect pita ideas

When I go grocery shopping I like to have a few different recipes or ideas when using an item so that I can cut back on what I buy, save a few bucks, and reduce waste. Here are some of my favorite ideas for pita bread. I prefer to use the whole grain pitas so that I can get a little more fiber and nutrient bang for my buck.

Tuna melt: you can mix some chunk light tuna packed in water with reduced-fat Hellman's mayo and your favorite condiments. Spread some tuna on top, layer with a thick slice of tomato, and some reduced fat provolone. Pop it into an oven under the broiler for a few minutes and you have a tasty tuna melt with a yummy english muffin alternative.

Pita pizza: top a pita with some sauce, reduced fat mozzarella, and your favorite pizza toppings and bake for a few minutes until the cheese is melted. I prefer a veggie pizza with mushrooms, onions, and peppers, or a spinach, chicken, and mushroom pizza.

Stuffed: use your pita and stuff it with your favorite lunch meat, deli salad, or veggies and spread for a tasty non-traditional sandwich.

Pita and hummus: you can also use pitas cut into pieces to dip into your favorite hummus. You can buy it premade or blend chickpeas and olive oil with your favorite seasonings such as garlic or roasted red peppers to make a quick and easy hummus of your own.

Tip of the week

Slow down. Don't eat so fast. Not only will you enjoy each and every bite just a bit more, but your body will also be able to better recognize that you are full and tell you when to stop eating. This helps with controlling portions and becoming more mindful of your body and it's cues to dictate eating.

Flat Belly Diet

This month I am giving the flat belly diet a go. I am on the first day of the four day anti-bloat portion and after eating the required breakfast I feel both full and satisfied minus the usual feelings of hunger and the normal inquiries into when the next meal was going to be. I am determined to look bangin' in my bikini and feel that this diet could deliver. I am not a big girl, but I certainly have some pooch going on from my last pregnancy. This diet focuses on what the book nicknames "MUFA's" or monounsaturated fatty acids. These MUFAs are supposed to be invaluable in getting rid of both subcutaneous and visceral fat, especially around the midsection. As I was perusing the aisles at Barnes and Noble, I came across this book and thought what the hell. Not only will I slim my midsection, but I can also eat and cook with some yummy ingredients such as dark chocolate, nuts, and olive oil! Can't beat that on a diet! Now here I am on day 1 of 32 and I will update as the weeks go on!

Here are my "before" stats:

Weight: 146.8
Waist: 29
Hips: 37
Bust: 36
Under breast area: 32
Thighs: 21 1/2

Recipe of the Week: Chicken Salad

Here's another low-cal recipe that is tasty and makes for a great lunch. It has 265 calories per serving. Try it with a whole grain Sahara pita for an additional 140 calories.

6 oz grilled chicken cut up into small pieces
3 TBS Sunkist Almond Accents in Honey Roasted
1/2 pear cut into small pieces
1/2 C grapes, halved
3 TBS light mayo

Mix it all together!
Serves 2

Workout Playlist: Chelsea's List.

Here is my current playlist for when I hit the gym. Nothing like some fun and upbeat music to motivate me to hop on the eliptical and work it out. This list is pretty contemporary, but has a good variety of music. Hope you like it!!!

1. Dangerous: Akon
2. Dirty Little Secret: All American Rejects
3. Crazy in Love: Beyonce
4. Womanizer: Britney Spears
5. Last Name: Carrie Underwood
6: Dirrty: Christina Aguilera
7. Let's Get Loud: Jennifer Lopez
8. Rock Your Body: Justin Timberlake
9. Let it Rock: Kevin Rudolph
10. Just Dance: Lady Gaga
11. Shake It: Metro Station
12. Please Don't Stop the Music: Rihanna
13. SOS: Rihanna
14: Motivation: Sum 41
15. Ocean Avenue: Yellowcard

Meal Ideas: Breakfast on the Go

It sometimes gets a little difficult to eat a healthy and fulfilling breakfast when on the go. Between work, school, and taking care of my little man I sometimes find it hard to get in breakfast. When I do get around to eating it, I find that I tend to eat food items that aren't good for the diet, nor are they good at holding off my appetite until lunch. Throughout my diet experiences I have stumbled across a few items that taste good and help to suppress my hunger until its time to eat again.

1. Fiber One bars: oats and chocolate. At 140 calories a pop these bars are super yummy and super convenient. I throw one in my purse and eat it on my way to class in the morning and it tides me over until I get home and can eat lunch. With 9 grams of fiber and 2 grams of protein these little treats help me to feel full longer.

2. Kashi Go Lean Bars: crunchy chocolate caramel. These little goodies are packed with 8 grams of protein and 6 grams of fiber for a breakfast that will certainly take you all the way to lunch and longer. At only 150 calories per serving, these breakfast bars will give you the energy you need to kickstart your morning without sacrificing your diet for the day.

3. Special K waffles: red berries. Generally waffles are seen as a sit down breakfast, but throw in a waffle or two, wrap in a napkin, and go for a breakfast that can be eaten on the fly. These waffles run at 80 calories a piece and are good for the tummy as well as the diet.

4. Dunkin Donuts Egg-White Flatbreads: turkey sausage or veggie. Nothing like a warm and filling breakfast sandwich to get the day going, especially when it is tasty AND good for you. Under 300 calories a sandwich, these little guys are sure to satisfy your appetite.

Eating Out: Panera Bread

Eating out can be difficult to do when trying to stick to a diet regimen. While many places are trying to incorporate more diet friendly foods into their menus, it can still be tricky sifting through the nutritional information. One of my favorite places to dine out is Panera Bread, whether it be for lunch or dinner, I am always down for a lunch date at Panera. I love Panera's food because it is yummy, but it also fulfills my appetite. Here are a few of my fail-safe menu suggestions that are tasty, satisfying, and more importantly, diet-approved!

1. You Pick Two: Fuji Apple Chicken Salad and French Onion Soup. Total calories = 400-460. *

2. Chicken Tortilla soup with a whole-grain baguette. Total calories = 360.

3. You Pick Two: Smoked Turkey and Garden Vegetable soup. Total calories = 400.

4. Vegetarian Option: Classic Garden Salad and Tomato soup. Total calories = 460.

You can also add the whole grain baguette to your meal for an additional 140 calories per 2 ounce piece.

*1/2 of the Fuji apple chicken salad is 260 calories, but I found that if your Panera uses those little kidney bean shaped plates they tend to run at around 200 calories. I have weighed the salad before and after and it comes out to less than what is considered to be half of the salad. The french onion soup is 200 calories for the you pick two.

For the full list of menu items and their nutritional values visit Panera's website. http://www.panerabread.com/menu/