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