Turkey Meatloaf Muffins

I saw this post the other day about these wonderful little muffins and decided to give them a try with my own twist of course.

They were super easy and AMAZING!! I had to force myself out of the kitchen before I did something I would regret. Hope you enjoy them as much as I did.

16oz lean ground turkey (I used 85/15)
.75 large red & green bell pepper, diced
.25 yellow onion, diced
1 tbsp liquid smoke
3 tbsp Sweet Baby Ray's original BBQ Sauce (use this brand)
3 tbsp ketchup
2 tsp minced garlic
2 tbsp garlic salt
1/2 tsp chili powder
1/2 tsp basil

I forgot to add an egg but the recipe did call for it and mine fell apart so this may have been the reason. If you add the egg be sure and add in the calories.

Mix all of the ingredients together and add to a sprayed muffin pan. I filled the cup to the top and mashed them down and I was able to get 12 muffins with this batch. Bake on 375 for 35 minutes.

Per Serving (1 meatloaf muffin): 100 calories, 5g carb, 6g fat, 7g protein, 115mg sodium

Coffaholic

It's only been like 36 hours since I cut the creamer from my coffee but I have not finished one of the three cups that I have made since yesterday. I just don't like it without my creamer. I think I may consider using regular liquid creamer sparingly, just to get the flavor. I am a coffaholic and I want it every day! *Insert tantrum here*

Have you dealt with something like this that you really enjoyed but had to change? I have the allowance in my calories daily but I was really trying to eat cleaner all around. Any suggestions on a good aspartame free flavored sweetener?

Jamie

Package Pen Pals~April

Its time to start thinking about the April Package Pen Pals-PPP. If you are interested in joining please leave a comment here and then email me at faithmomma.jp@gmail.com with the information requested below. 

If you are new and wondering what the heck I am talking about you can read about how PPP got started here. I have connected with many of you through my facebook page and it has been great. I would love for more of us to get connected and help each other out. Please let me know by April 2 if you would like to participate so that I can get every ones information together and pair everyone up. 

When I get all the info back, you will receive your PPP pairing via email. I will send you some info that I have gathered from your PPP but you are welcome to contact your PPP for any additional info you may want or need.

You will have until the 15th of the month to put your box of goodies in the mail. On the last day of the month, you will need to post about the goodies you received from your PPP and be sure to add a link back to your PPP (blog or facebook).

The boxes should be filled with a variety of items ($15 limit). Such as fun healthy items(snacks, dressings, spreads, desserts, oats, chips, what ever you come up) that you have found and enjoyed,  local food items, bath products, books, candles, trinkets, homemade items, etc. This should be something that will encourage your PPP to continue on her healthy lifestyle and to also be a treat for her. I am sure I am not the only one that wants things to be just for me on occasion. It would be great if you could also have a handwritten note, card, scripture or recipe included in the package. Be creative with this and have fun with it!

Each PPP is responsible for shipping the items in the best possible way. Flat rate boxes may be a great way to go depending on what you are sending.

This is the information that I would like to get from each of you to share with your PPP and give them an idea of your likes and interests.

Full name & mailing address

Email address

Your blog or facebook name/address

What plan are you following in your healthy lifestyle?

Favorite type of food

Allergies or food limitations

Favorite store

Favorite item to collect

Tea or Coffee-flavor or no flavor

Favorite book

Favorite author

Favorite scripture verse

"God will generously provide all you need. Then you will always have everything you need and plenty left over to share with others." 2 Corinthians 9:8

Jamie

Monday Weigh In~Week 12

Here are this weeks stats:  

3/19-3/25

SW: 220 (12/12/11)

CW: 196.4 (-.8 lbs)

Calories burned from exercise: 1885

Miles ran/jogged/walked: 9.37

Avg Calories per day: 1192

85-120oz water daily 

This week went well overall except for the fact that I am having stomach problems. I have made an appointment with my PCP to get a referral to a Gastro ASAP. I am not going to dwell on the scale today but just for the record that is Sunday's weight because today it said 197.8 and I know what I ate this weekend and it didn't cause a 1.4lb gain. I'm fairly certain this has to do with whats going on with my stomach. 


SO, this weeks post is a little different from the usual as I have big changes going on. 


First of all, I have decided to cut out aspartame in all forms, Splenda, yogurt and sugar free french vanilla creamer *tear*. I have read a lot about it and it all says that it causes bloating and swelling in the stomach. So I am hopeful to see the changes this will make. I will be replacing Splenda with Stevia in my coffee because we all know that I am not giving that up.


Secondly, today starts my 10 week challenge and I am really excited to see how I can push myself out of my comfort zone in this challenge. 


Beginning Measurements:


Chest:  39
Arms:  L-13  R-13
Waist:  36
Hips:   43
Thigh:  L-25  R-25
Calves: L-15  R-15


*New progress pictures are up this week also*


Mini goal for last week: Start & Finish C25K W4D1~~~DONE!!! 

Mini goal for this week: Start & Finish C25K W5D1-D3 & maintain 1200 calories/day!

NSV this week:

• Pulled clothes from the back of my closet and they fit!
• I am really seeing a difference in the mirror in my bday suit! *Can I say that? LOL* 

This is how my week went, how was yours? Did you have a weight loss or maybe a NSV?  

"For because he himself has suffered when tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted." Hebrews 2:18

Jamie

Ready for Summer Challenge

So I feel like I kind of have a handle on my current plan so of course I feel the need to shake it up some. With that in mind I will be joining in on a 10 week challenge starting March 26th with my friend Sharlie.

Ok so the rules are simple, you set your own goals and check in weekly on the blog. There will also be small weekly challenges within the group that are voluntary.  

The goal categories are: weight loss goal, non scale goal, exercise goal and nutrition goal. Its up to you to decide which ones you want to do. ME? Of course I wanna do all of them so these will be the goals I am starting out with. **Disclaimer: I have the right to increase any of these but NOT decrease them so I will need you all to help keep me accountable.**

Weight Loss: 15lbs...Can I do more? We'll see for sure!

Non-Scale Victory: Lose 10 inches...Thats only 1 inch a week but I don't want to shoot myself in the foot and go to high. 

Exercise: 50 days of exercise out of the 70 days of the challenge. No rhyme or reason but it has to be 50 days total!

Nutrition: 1200 calories per day. I have been staying under 1300 for the last few months but I think I can kick it up a notch to see where it gets me. I guess I will just have to earn more calories in the gym. :) 

Are you looking for a challenge to help in you weight loss?

Need a motivation boost towards the summer?

Need accountability?

Go and check it out here now and get signed up!

Jamie

Fun Pictures!

Just because I want to show off my new dress! :) 

 New eye makeup from Sephora! 

Because my girls love taking pictures of me! 

My gorgeous bff after our day of pampering last weekend! 

Words hurt

Why are people so mean & hurtful? I have heard several of my cyber friends complaining about the rude comments and just complete lack of respect that they have gotten from other readers. Some of them have even taken down their blogs or facebook pages because of it. I mean really, if you you cant say anything nice then don't say anything at all. Isn't that what your momma told you as a little kid?!

If you don't like what you are reading on someones personal blog then why are still reading it or following them? If I come across something that I am uncomfortable with or don't think is right I generally will remove them from my network. Isn't this the better way & more mature way to handle something? I use this blog and my facebook page as a way to give and receive encouragement not hurtful words.

I know all of my friends don't want to know about my journey but there are people out there that do and that I may be able to help. So I will continue to do what I am doing and not let those people that want to tear others down to their level effect me. I will continue to be honest with those that I encourage and give them advice and wisdom on the things that I have and continue to struggle with. Every day is a new day and I learn something about this journey that I didn't know the day before.

I hope you will not let others discourage you from being what God has intended you to be.

Have you had any experiences like this? How did you handle them?

Jamie

Monday Weigh In~Week 11

Here are this weeks stats:  

3/12-3/18

SW: 220 (12/12/11)

CW: 197.2 (-1.6 lbs)

Calories burned from exercise: 550

Miles ran/jogged/walked: 4

Avg Calories per day: 1138

50-65oz water daily (a little less that I wanted)

Not a lot to say about last week except it was an awesome week with my husband. I kicked butt on my food and was not worried about the fact that I only worked out twice. I was just so happy to be with him and enjoy us that I wasn't worried about it. 


I did want to share a thought that I had when talking with a friend today, I hope you get something from it like we did. "I don't like to think in cheat days because this is not a fad diet it is a lifestyle and I am not cheating my life. However, I do allow myself to splurge when I feel like it without guilt and in moderation. I do have to pray for self control before I ever even sit down for that meal or head out for an outing with friends."


Mini goal for last week:   Maintain weight & self control, its Spring Break!~~~DONE!!! 

Mini goal for this week: Start & Finish C25K W4D1~~EEEKK!

NSV this week:

• Bought a new dress and feel good in it!
• MAJOR self control even though I was on vacation and it was Spring Break! 
• Lost another 10 inches (25.5 total) this month!!

This is how my week went, how was yours? Did you have a weight loss or maybe a NSV?  

"For because he himself has suffered when tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted." Hebrews 2:18

Jamie

Monday Weigh In~Week 10

Here are this weeks stats:  

3/5-3/11

SW: 220 (12/12/11)

CW: 198.8 (3lbs)

Calories burned from exercise: 1616

Miles ran/jogged/walked: 11

Avg Calories per day: 1228

95oz-120oz water daily

This past week went great! I have really noticed a difference in my energy level and appetie decreasing some since starting my whey protein and super B complex vitamins. I enjoyed meals with family and friends without over doing on any occasion. This was my 3rd week doing C25K and I am not going to lie, it was hard but I am really starting to enjoy it. I wasnt sure I was going to make it all the way through on some of the runs but I did. I have spent a lot of time in prayer this week and in God's word so maybe that's why I have had such a great week. 


Mini goal for last week:  At least 2 days of weight training.~Nope, didnt happen this week. 

Mini goal for this week: Maintain weight & self control, its Spring Break! 

NSV this week:

• Completed C25K week 3!
• Several comments regarding the changes in my body.
• Self control when enjoying pizza with my family.
• More conversation and prayer time with God. 

This is how my week went, how was yours? Did you have a weight loss or maybe a NSV?  

"For because he himself has suffered when tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted." Hebrews 2:18

Jamie

Runner in training

I did my run tonight as planned and I actually liked it!!! I think I have struggled with it the last few weeks because I wasnt breathing properly so my muscles were stressing out causing me to want to stop. I was kind of bummed that my run was over so in the end I ended up running some more to round it out to 2 miles for the nigh. I am actually looking forward to my next run, which may not be until Saturday night because I have a busy weekend.

Jamie

Using Me

I have a lot on my mind and heart but not a lot to say in particular. Does that make sense? So this will be a random combination of my thoughts today.  


It has been a great week so far and I don't see why it wouldn't continue. I started taking my whey protein last Friday and started taking Super B complex today. I read a lot about the good effects it has on your metabolism and just overall health and decided to add them in to my daily supplements. I do feel a little hyper today but that may be from all the endorphin's I am producing with my 60 second desk workouts every hour and my running. I have spent an abundance of time in prayer this week and in different scripture. It is so amazing the "high" that you experience when you are walking with the Lord. I have been doing a book study with a friend and it is continuing to remind me daily that I am a big mess without God and that I make even bigger messes when I try to do things myself. 


I want to be an encouragement to others but I don't want to be the center of attention. It actually makes me really nervous to be the center of attention in a group. A friend was saying yesterday how she wasn't sure she would ever have this food addiction under control and it really made me think since I have said that so many times myself. I believe that God has given me this food addiction as a "gift" to draw me closer to Him. This "gift" is allowing him to mold me and use me to His glory. Not long ago I was jut going along each day as if it wasn't important, now I am starting to feel as though He is giving me a calling to serve Him. I cant explain the feeling of knowing that God is doing something great with me and through me.


We have all been through a different walk in this life and God has given us the choices to make, what we do with them are up to us. If I am able to help even one person from the hurts that I have felt it will be worth it. Whether it be with a food addiction, eating disorder, failed marriage, substance abuse, infidelity, abuse, single mother issues, dating again after kids, lack of a father or a working mom trying to make ends meet. While going through these trials myself, with family members, my ex husband or my parents they were all part of the path that God had already laid out for me. He knew I would need those things in my life to make me who He wants me to be. Sometimes I wish I could change some of those things but in this moment as I am putting this all down I know that one wouldn't have happened without the other so I am thankful for all of them. The good, the bad, the ugly and the shameful. 


I have to continually give myself, my relationships, my addictions, my cravings & my everything's over to God in order for them to truly be blessed. You cant change them for me, I cant change them for me, I cant change the way a person is but I can pray about it and I can ask God to change me if those things in my life don't change. I am not perfect or saying that I am going to handle all things that come my way with grace, but I can look at the situation and ask God to help me see it clearly or guide me in the right direction.


I have a long way to go and even more to learn about life, God, family, friendships and the importance of it all but I know that I will have a protector with me for every step of the way. 


I was encouraged by this verse last night from a friend and I am not sure I completely have the grasp of the meaning or application but I will be taking a closer look at it and focus more on applying it to my life. 


“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” Matthew 11:28-30

Jamie

Monday Weigh In~Week 9

Here are this weeks stats:  

2/27-3/4

SW: 220 (12/12/11)

CW: 201.8 (-.2lbs)

Calories burned from exercise: 1890

Miles ran/jogged/walked: 13.87

Avg Calories per day: 1248

95oz-120oz water daily

Its hard to believe that this is my 9th Monday weigh in. Man the time has flown by. This week was a PMS week and I was a little moody and hungry on most days. While I am not ecstatic about the -.2lb loss I am just glad it wasn't a gain. Saturday I finished W2 of of my C25K training and start W3 today. I am having a hard time with accepting the difference in my miles & cal burned with this training. I know that it will all balance out but I am so used to trying to a little more than I did the week before. This week also didn't see any weight training. I'm not really sure why but I just didn't get it done. I did start taking Whey Protein and I am excited to see the difference with this change. Except for the fact that it is added calories that I am not going to track at this point. If I see a gain in a few weeks I will start tracking them but for now I am looking at it like my muscles are taking all of those nutrients in. 


Mini goal for last week:  Less sugar products (i.e. yogurt, bars, processed foods, etc.).~ DONE!!

Mini goal for this week: At least 2 days of weight training. 

NSV this week:

• Completed C25K week 2!
• Self control when enjoying a dinner with a friend.
• More conversation and prayer time with God. 

This is how my week went, how was yours? Did you have a weight loss or maybe a NSV?  

"For because he himself has suffered when tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted." Hebrews 2:18

Jamie

Getting real tonight

This weekend was kind of a blah one for me. I was hungry all weekend and then I would feel bloated for hours after eating. I enjoyed a bit of a splurge meal yesterday of a ribeye, mashed potatoes and asparagus courtesy of my bff. We did have fun playing spa doing hair & face masks and of course pedicures. I counted it and wasn't over for the day but was yuck feeling. That was the first time I have had red meat in about 3 months so maybe that was it. TOM is probably the other reason. Blah again. Tomorrow is weigh in and I am thinking I am not gonna like it.

Oh yeah and I ate several of my daughters gummy princess vitamins tonight. I only meant to have 2 but I liked them and they were like little gummy bears, which I love. Blah...moving on...again.

Jamie