Caprese Lasagna Roll Ups

Caprese Lasagna Roll Ups - loaded with Mozzarella, fresh tomatoes and fresh basil! Yummmmm!

Ingredients

8 lasagna noodles, uncooked
14 oz freshly shredded, low-moisture part skim Mozzarella cheese, divided
3/4 cup Ricotta cheese
1 large egg white
1/3 cup freshly, finely shredded Parmesan cheese (about 1 1/4 oz)
freshly ground black pepper
3 - 4 medium Roma tomatoes, thinly sliced (about 1/6 inch thick slices)
1/4 cup chopped fresh basil, plus more for garnish
1 cup marinara sauce, recipe follows
Simple Marinara Sauce
2 Tbsp extra virgin olive oil
1/4 cup finely chopped yellow onion
2 cloves garlic finely minced
1 (28 oz) can crushed tomatoes
salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste

Directions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Cook pasta according to directions listed on package to al dente. Drain pasta (DO NOT rinse with water) and align lasagna noodles in a single layer on a large sheet of parchment or wax paper.

For filling, in a large mixing bowl, whisk together ricotta cheese and egg white until well blended. Stir in Parmesan cheese. Mix in 12 oz. of the Mozzarella cheese and season with black pepper to taste (I wouldn't recommend seasoning with salt just because the cheeses already have plenty of salt).

Place 1/4 cup of the cheese mixture over each lasagna noodle and spread into an even layer, going from one end of the lasagna to the other. Align 4 thin tomato slices over cheese mixture then sprinkle fresh basil over top. Snugly roll lasagna noodles to opposite end. Spread about 1/4 cup pasta sauce in the bottom of an 11 x 7 inch baking dish. Align lasagna roll ups, seam side down in dish. Top each roll up with about 2 Tbsp of the pasta sauce (covering edges of pasta so they don't dry out while baking). Sprinkle top with remaining 2 oz. shredded Mozzarella. Bake in preheated oven 30 minutes. Remove from oven, plate pasta and garnish with plenty of basil ribbons. Serve warm.

Simple Marinara Sauce

Heat olive oil in a medium saucepan over medium high heat. Add onions to hot oil and saute about 3 minutes until soft, adding garlic during last minute of sautéing. Pour in crushed tomatoes and season with salt and pepper to taste. Bring mixture just to a boil, then reduce heat to a simmer and allow sauce to cook for about 25 - 30 minutes (which will allow some of the water in crushed tomatoes to evaporate) while you prepare pasta and lasagna filling (you can freeze or refrigerate left over sauce in a small airtight container for later use, adding fresh basil if desired).

17 Day Diet

No fears, I'm still doing this the best I can, just have life distracting me from posting, sorry! Apparently my body has maintained a weight it currently likes and is holding there temporarily. And that's ok. Not being over 200 lbs anymore is a fat relief ;)
I'm at 187 and holding, but will keeping heading into C2, and do my best. I do appreciate prayers, as this truly is a different state of mind when it comes to shopping, cooking and eating. For you out there that are also doing this, I pray for you as well. KEEP GOING!
Getting ready to post a beautiful recipe, Caprese Lasagna Roll-ups. Check it out :)

Shakshouka

Shakshouka by Lisa
Dice one onion and one pepper. Saute in olive oil with a lot of crushed garlic. Add 2 cans of diced tomatoes and one can of Rotel tomatoes with chilies. Salt and pepper to taste. Simmer uncovered on a low heat until most of the liquid has evaporated. Stir occasionally and smash the tomatoes with a fork or potato masher from time to time. Crack in 6-8 eggs. Cover the pan and turn the flame up to medium, until the yolks are set. Yummy as a dinner, with a side salad or brunch.

Apple & Carrot Pan Cake

Apple & Carrot PanCake 
Recipe Auuthor/Submitted By: Sabine
Number of Servings 1

1 small apple
(or pear or banana)
1 small carrot (optional)
2 eggs
1 tsp cinnamon
2-3 Tbsp Splenda (or 2 packets of Truvia)

Chop apple and carrot to medium chunky in the food processor. Add eggs, cinnamon, and sweetener, mix well but be careful that the mixture still has some coarseness -- you want a "bite" to it.

Pan-bake like an omelet, putting the whole thing under the broiler for a few minutes at the end, to make the top set.

Tastes fantastic, leaning a little in the direction of biscuit cake, with a bit of crunch from the carrot. I like the fact that it made me chew... takes longer to eat

NUTRITIONAL INFORMATION:
Calories: 223
Fat: 5 grams
Protein: 6 grams
Carbs: 24 grams (from the fruit, so it does not count towards a Natural Starch)
Sodium: 106 mg

Italian Spiral Meat Loaf (C1)

Italian Spiral Meat Loaf (C1)

2 eggs lightly beaten
1 cup marinara, divided
3-5 Tbsp flaxseed meal (in lieu of breadcrumbs)
1 medium onion, chopped
1 green pepper, chopped
1 tsp dried oregano
1 garlic cloved minced
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 tsp pepper
3 pounds lean ground turkey
1/2 pound deli ham (the kind the butcher slices for you at the deli counter!)
2 cups shredded part skim mozzarella cheese
6 oz jar sliced mushrooms, drained

In a large bowl, combine the eggs, 3/4 cup marinara, flaxseed meal, onion, green pepper, oregano, garlic, salt and pepper. Crumble turkey over mixture and mix well.

Pat turkey mixture in a 12" x 10" rectangle on a piece of parchment paper.

Layer with ham, 1 1/2 cups cheese and mushrooms over the turkey mixture to within 1 inch of the edges.

Roll up jelly-roll style, starting with a short side and peeling parchment paper away as you roll.

Seal seam and ends. Place seam side down in a greased 13" x 9" baking dish; brush with remaining marinara.

Bake uncovered at 375 for 1 hour. Sprinkle with cheese and bake 15-20 minutes longer or until no pink remains.

Using two large spatulas, carefully transfer turkey loaf to a serving platter.

For C2, you can replace 1 pound of the ground turkey with 1 pound of ground pork; you can also use lean ground beef instead in C2.

Tzatziki Recipe from Amber

Tzatziki Recipe from Amber

1 ½ cups plain greek yogurt
¼ cup finely grated cucumber (grated and strained) 
2 tsp garlic 
¼ tsp salt
1 tbsp olive oil
1 ½ tsp red wine vinegar

Simmie's Veggie Loaded Egg Muffins (C1)

Recipe borrowed from Simmie in a 17 Day Diet support group - I want to keep track so I am sharing it here.

Simmie's Veggie Loaded Egg Muffins (C1)

Kinda messy looking but boy are they good; these are "jumbos". Very filling. (They keep for OVER a week in the refrigerator with no problem.)

Nutritional info for JUMBOS (for standard, cut these numbers in half):
Calories: 146
Carbs (none qualify as starches here): 9g
Fat: 3.9g
Protein: 23.9g
Sugar: 1g
Fiber: 2.9g
Cholesterol: 16mg (from the cheese)
Sodium: 301mg


1 carton (small) Liquid eggs (=10 eggs) (Eggbeaters)
2 cups Asparagus
1 Bell pepper
1 cup Parmesan cheese
2 cup Mushrooms diced
1.5 Tbsp Chia seeds (TOTALLY optional)
2 cups fresh spinach chopped
1 Tb Dried Onion


I run the spinach and bell pepper through my Ninja food processor. Everything else I chop by hand.

I combine everything EXCEPT the spinach and mix together well.

The spinach gets put in the bottom of each muffin tin (make sure you spray it well) and then a soup ladle size portion goes in each one.

Bake at 350 -- you know it's done when the top is firm, BUT check the bottom as well as it may need to continue baking a little. I usually bake about 45 minutes.

These WILL outgrow your muffin tins and go over the edge, but by the time they do that, it's not the liquid that's outgrowing it, so you don't have a horrid mess in your oven.

So sorry, had an extra-busy week, so no postings...

I was busy working with a new customer in my shop-4-u business all week... I was taking her places to look at senior apts, rec centers, exercise classes, grocery shopping, etc!
I will catch up with 17 Day Diet posts again tomorrow. Though I will add some recipes while I'm on here for now...
Also dealing with being a woman this week, so no weighing for me! LOL ;)

HUGS!

D13-C1 MY 17-DAY DIET JOURNAL

Aug 23rd, my hunny's 47th bday :) I turn 47 in October, so he's older, haha :)

Breakfast: banana
Snack: none
Lunch: bacon & toast with honey (no fussing please)
Snack: none
Supper: fruit... and mom had some left-over eggplant parm, so I ate some that without the spaghetti. Zach will get what's left-over when he wakes up from his nap. Poor child gets worn out from 8 hr school days! LOL

D12-C1 MY 17-DAY DIET JOURNAL

Aug 22  The day of my ThirtyOne party... which made my day kinda screwy for keeping up with foods...

Breakfast - a banana
Snack - what snack? I was too busy cleaning and cooking for the party
Lunch - 2 bites my homemade chicken salad and some fruit
Snack - a banana
Supper - I went way off scale and went to Hwy 55 with the kid and we got cheeseburgers and shakes. I'll just call that my one major cheat meal in these last 12 days.

No photos - too busy.

D11-C1 MY 17-DAY DIET JOURNAL

Wed. Aug 21st

Breakfast: banana, coffee

Snack: grapes & pnutbutter

Lunch: I don't remember LOL (I take naps in the afternoon, and I swear that they have something to do with my short-term memory loss.)

Dinner: my mom made a chicken and broc casserole, I couldn't say no, so I just didn't eat much. I had made caprese salad as well. (tomatoes, basil, mozzarella, olive oil & herbs)

D10-C1 MY 17-DAY DIET JOURNAL

Tuesday, Aug 20th (first day back to school for our area kids!)

Breakfast: The steel-cut oatmeal and mixed fruit cup from Chick-fil-A... my son Zach had a spicy chicken biscuit for his protein breakfast :)

Lunch: Greek yogurt, mixed fruit (left-over from wknd gathering), 2 boiled eggs

D9-C1 MY 17-DAY DIET JOURNAL

Monday Aug 19th

I am having coffee and a banana for my breakfast, and will make a protein smoothie shortly. 

I went shopping last night  during the storm, and was able to pick up a few forgotten things from last week. I want to make the protein bars and muffins and such today. My son starts school tomorrow and all of that will come in handy for him as well.

Lunch was 'breakfast': a scrambled egg 'burrito' with salsa and bacon. VERY tasty!

Snacks were leftover mixed fruit I'd bought for a gathering over the weekend.

Supper: 'another' Taco Salad, we all went out when Mikey came over to visit with Zach. Again, no shell eating!

D8-C1 MY 17-DAY DIET JOURNAL

Sunday, Aug 18th...

I woke up and had my usual yogurt and water.

Lunch was a Taco Salad with chicken, and I did not eat the shell. I did eat about 10 chips and cheese dip, it is the weekend afterall LOL ;)

Supper was a Taco Salad with chicken at San Jose's. I didn't eat the 'shell'.

Loose Skin After Weight-Loss..? (borrowed)

Loose Skin After Weight-Loss..?

For many people, the joy of watching the number on the scale and the size of their clothing go down gets overshadowed by the presence of loose skin. Not only can your skin get loose and saggy after extreme weight loss, your body can maintain the same shape it had before your weight loss efforts. The image in the mirror, while smaller, appears to change little all the while your skin loses shape and elasticity. Fortunately there are ways you can combat loose skin while dieting.

Why Do People Have Loose Skin after Weight Loss?

Your skin is an amazing organ with the ability to expand and contract along with your growth spurts and changing body. This ability is called elasticity and it is at the heart of the factors that contribute to loose skin. You see, once elasticity is gone, your skin loses its ability to shrink back – much like a worn out rubber band that refuses to recoil. Following are just a few things that can affect your skin’s elasticity:

• Obesity – If you are considered obese, your skin has stretched considerably. Those who need to lose 100 lbs. or more in order to reach their goal weight can expect some lose skin.
• Time – the amount of time you have been overweight also has some bearing on how loose your skin will be once you lose the weight. The longer your skin remains in a stretched-out position, the harder it will be for it to snap back.
• Age – As we age, we lose elasticity – it’s what causes wrinkles. Younger skin has more ability to shrink back after weight loss than older skin.

So, some of these factors can not be affected that much.  This is why many people have to have surgery after losing large amounts of weight.  It’s just a fact.  However, you should never let loose skin stop you from losing weight.  Being obese or overweight and dealing with weight related health issues is not worth the vanity.  Your health is more important than some loose skin.

How to Minimize Loose Skin during Weight Loss

As mentioned before, there are several things you can do to minimize loose skin during weight loss. While you may not be able to avoid loose skin altogether, you can surely improve your skin’s ability to retract.

1. Lose weight slowly – Sustaining a gradual weight loss of approximately 1-2 pounds per week will go a long way in preventing loose skin. You see, it takes time for your skin to contract. When you lose weight quickly, your skin has no time to catch up.
2. Consume plenty of protein and good fats – Your skin, hair, and nails are made up of protein. Eat plenty of it to alleviate loose skin.  Collagen is a protein that is related to this in the body.  The issue is that if you aren’t eating right and your body starts to cannibalize the protein in your body…it could eat up or hinder the production of collagen that you need for skin elasticity.  It’s also important to include healthy oils in your diet to keep the skin flexible and as healthy as possible.
3. Get a weekly or monthly massage -  Massages improve circulation to the skin and helps skin retract. Getting a massage also helps alleviate cellulite – another unsightly issue that occurs during weight loss.
4. Take a multivitamin or monitor the vitamins you are eating – For good skin health, you need vitamin C, E, A, B-complex and K.  Iron, selenium and zinc are also minerals you’d want to get the recommended amount of.
5. Don’t be afraid of weights – Weight training will help to reshape and redefine the body.  Muscle also burns fat at rest.  Adding some muscle definition and muscle tone will help to redefine your body so that it doesn’t appear that you have just deflated.

In addition to these tips, it’s vital to remain hydrated. All of your body’s organs, including your skin, need water in order to function properly. If you stay hydrated, lose weight slowly, follow a balance diet, and make efforts to increase your skin circulation, you can greatly diminish the amount of loose skin you will have after you lose all the weight. In cases of extreme weight loss, however, it often becomes necessary to surgically remove excess skin when it becomes apparent that it isn’t going to bounce back into shape.

D7-C1 MY 17-DAY DIET JOURNAL

This morning started out with yogurt, and my snack/lunch was fruit and boiled eggs.

Tonight, we eat out at a gathering of many friends. Hard choices will be there, but I'll do my best :)

It was a fish fry, and I ate one chicken tender, 1 piece of tilapia, two bites of coleslaw, lots of fruit (I brought a platter of fruits), and unsweet tea. I did well :)

I've lost 2 lbs this week.

D6-C1 MY 17-DAY DIET JOURNAL

Breakfast was 1 Greek yogurt and water.

Snack is 1 golden delicious apple and a spoon of p-nut butter:

Had different snacks for lunch, yogurt, fruit, etc

Supper:

Chicken cut up, cooked in oil, garlic. Boiled beans for 15 minutes, added broccoli for 10, chopped a green onion, and added all to heat together with the chicken mixture with lite soy, sesame seeds. It was awesome and very filling.

D5-C1 MY 17-DAY DIET JOURNAL

Starting off the day right this time ;)
2 eggs with salsa, S&P, and a naval orange.

For snack in a couple of hours, I'll have a Golden Apple.

For lunch I am going to a friend's home for a gathering, and will be careful with what I eat... they eat lunch and exchange plant/flower bulbs :)

I am planning a chicken dinner, but not sure which recipe yet. I'll post later tonight or catch-up tomorrow. 

(updated below photo)

______________________________________________________________
LUNCH was amazing! I was scared that I wouldn't be able to eat anything but when I got there, the ladies had brought Caprese (tomatoes, buffalo mozzerella cheese, basil leaves, drizzle of a greek dressing), chicken salad with grapes in it (very little lite mayo), lettuce pieces, huge bowl of cut of fruit (strawberries, cantaloupe  grapes), and a dip to go with it (greek yogurt, honey, lemon juice, parsley). Honestly, I got so full and was sooo happy LOL Even though one or two of those items may be C2, eating it *once* is not going to screw me up. I now wish I had taken my camera! These ladies did such a wonderful job and it's the best day I had all week!

Now onto supper which I still haven't made yet. That chicken may wait yet even *another* day! The kid ate a quick bite before color guard practice and I go pick him up in 20 minutes. I dunno, I'm at a loss, it's so late in the eve...
Goodnight.

OK, omelet it is, special request from the kid LOL 
4 eggs in olive oil, a little cheese for me, lots for him, green onion, S&P.
Simple, delish, filling.

D4-C1 MY 17-DAY DIET JOURNAL

Day 4 consisted of working at mom's office and having to carry a snack, so for breakfast I had a yogurt, plenty of water with my pain pill and multivitamin; and I packed grapes and a plum for her office. Unfortunately while working there after a few hours of doing paperwork, my body wanted badly to lay down and rest, so I had her bring me home after they had gone to an agent's open house lunch. 
I think it's the fact that I am recovering from a serious surgery, taking meds, on a detoxing-type of diet, and after a previous day of errands.
Supper was another yogurt, then we went to a friend's home for a meeting about our childcare kids promoting at church, came back home, and had a boiled egg, a spoon of peanut butter, and grapes at bedtime (I just wasn't up to 'cooking'.)
No photos to show due to not having charged batteries, for the camera nor for me LOL

I'm also learning to prep my snacks much better so that I can grab-n-go, so that I am happy and satisfied with what I am eating. That may be hard to understand, but my mind knows what I'm trying to say.
Also with food prep. A lot of veggies are still in the plastic produce bags I brought them home in. I hope to remedy that tomorrow and get them divided, prepped and used.

D3-C1 MY 17-DAY DIET JOURNAL

Good morning :)
Today I started off with no lemon water, I forgot... I had my yogurt immediately upon waking because I needed 'food' for the pain pill I take from knee surgery. I hurt badly when I wake in the mornings (also from my slight spinal curvature).
Afterward, I had to get ready for the 1st of 3 appointments.
I went to the local low-impact arthritis class from 10:15-11:30.
Came back and had two boiled eggs with s&p, and a handful of red grapes.
(If I don't mention water, it's only because I drink it ALL day long. Luckily, I'm a person who loves water.)
I've been to the 2nd appt, and now I am cooling off before heading over to a new therapy session for my knee. I had home therapy for 3 weeks (3 days a week). I've been without for about 2 weeks now and I can tell a (not-so-good) difference.
I'll pop back in to update with snacks and dinner. I may pop down a fruit smoothie real quick just to have something in my stomach.
________________________________________________________
Therapy went well, about 45 minutes, it included assessment, biking, calf stretches, hamstring stretches, leg lifts, thigh exercises, etc. And then a 10 minute icing on the knee.
Dinner when I get back from dropping off the kid at Color Guard practice. He already had his supper while I was gone.
Supper: Tuna salad with mustard, a small dollop of pickle relish, boiled egg, green onion, S&P, tomato, FF thousand island dressing. 
Snack: Cucumber slices with S&P
Snack: Yogurt

D2-C1 MY 17-DAY DIET JOURNAL

So far today I had the lemon water (cold was better) to kick-start my insides... then yogurt & green tea. Loads of water through the day.

At lunchtime, Zach & I were running errands, so we popped by the new Hwy 55 down the road to grab him a burger, fries and shake, and myself a salad with grilled chicken on top and water (asked for no ice, I got ice. The salad was NOT worth $8, but oh well, we were out and about and I had to stick to my plan. I certainly won't buy it again.)

Snacks through the day: 1 pear... 1 applesauce

Dinner:
Chili Garlic Chicken (C1 compliant)
Chicken, cut into cubes
1 Tbsp olive oil
Salt to taste
Pepper to taste
Ground ginger
Garlic powder
Crushed Red Pepper

Heat pan to med-high heat, combine above ingredients and cook until done; and remove from pan.

For the veggies: in same pan as chicken, cook green beans and onion, add salt, pepper, ginger, and garlic to taste.

When onions are just soft add fresh garlic and broccoli or broccoli slaw.

Add lite soy sauce and rice wine vinegar. When veggies are cooked push to one side of pan and add chicken back into the pan.

Coat chicken with Chili sauce and you are done.


SPICY!!

Lake Murray (SC) Bomb Island Purple Martin Cruise

Our welcoming committee at the dock

Bomb Island:

As the island erodes, the trees fall into the water:

The sun is starting to preparing to kiss the horizon:

Some birds come in with flocks, others come in singles or pairs, really amazing to watch:

My uncle's former tour boat, The Southern Patriot. He sold it when he retired. We had many, fun family reunions on that boat when we didn't go to Pine Island Club:

Beautiful sunset:

What the purple martin looks like up close:

See you next year, Bomb Island!

Day 1 Cycle 1 ("D1C1") MY 17-DAY DIET JOURNAL

17-DAY DIET

DAY ONE CYCLE ONE

August 11 2013

Starting weight 190 lbs

Bicep: 13.5

Chest: 47

Waist: 40

Thigh: 24 1/3

Calf: 15 2/3

I will weigh and measure weekly. Photos will be taken weekly from the same area in my hallway and everything will be posted in a weekly wrap-up post.

I'll post daily menus and happenings.

Snack before church was a Kefir smoothie with strawberries.

After church I made my Breakfast: 2 eggs scrambled, s&p, a plum, green tea.

Afternoon snack was an Oikos Blueberry Greek yogurt. I have water throughout the day, so I won't be recording that here, nor all the little things like oils etc. This is just for me to show what success I'm having. All the specifics are in the book.

Supper this evening is on a sight-seeing ship, so I will eat chicken if they make it and plenty of veggies/salad, and I shall enjoy the scenery and not worry about my weight while I'm there. We're going to see the Purple Martins out at Bomb Island on Lake Murray. I'll post photos later. (Posted/new post)

Dinner was salad, chicken, green beans, and 3 solo cups of water.

"Dessert/Snack" when I got home was a cup of red grapes.

Today I began my 17-Day Diet journey :)

August 11 2013

Still truckin along from my total knee replacement on July 1st... The knee still hurts continuously, it's natural that it does, the living tissue around it is mad... when I first wake up, I *have* to use the cane to get to the bathroom and back, but almost within a few minutes of that, the knee limbers up and I put the cane back down.

Yesterday I was VERY nauseated... it could have been because I took 2 pain pills instead of one, a pinched nerve in my neck which happens often, or the (not mentioning a brand name) frozen chicken dinner I had for lunch. Well, I called my hunny-bunny, Mike, and said since you're on the way over, please pick me up a ginegerale because I can't go anywhere to get one!

I've suffered with increasing pain from arthritis and spurs in that knee for about 5 years now. During that time, I could no longer exercise "properly" and pretty much gave up altogether. I got to 205 lbs before the surgery. I've lost 15lbs since the surgery so I am starting at 190lbs.

I've been wanting to start The 17-Day Diet since hearing about it a few weeks before the surgery, and planned to start around this time in August, so last night before my son, Zach, got back from Carowinds with his friends, I went shopping for about 3 days worth of foods ... today is "Day 1 of Cycle 1".

If you want to learn more about The 17-Day Diet, there is a page on FB for it as well as many links online. I have joined about 5 support groups on FB as well so I can learn from others, and they can help keep me accountable. I'll be adding a Before photo, measurements, food photos, my food journal, etc, later when I get back online. For now, my knee needs ice & elevation, so off to napland I go ;) (When I nap, the cold doesn't bother me)

Have your "ThirtyOne" questions answered

Is anyone else interested in hearing information on joining ThirtyOne?
I can add you to an Event that my mentor is hosting tomorrow night Monday Aug 5th. She will be explaining the opportunity of joining ThirtyOne. Some information is already inside the event page, and you can ask questions there that she will address. No pressure, just info.
For some folks, this is a means of making extra money to help with bills. One consultant friend of mine enrolled so she could buy a car and she reached several goals to do that; now she's working on new goals so she can continue being able to pay those monthly payments I'm working toward never working for a corporate company again who doesn't care about their customers and employees. Yet another person may need this as a means to be able to get out of an unpleasant relationship and be able to stand on their own two feet, not having to rely on the other person. Whatever your reason, you know what your goals are. Thirty One can help make that happen.

Let me know by Friending me on Facebook: 

https://www.facebook.com/PhyllisAdelleSherer and post on my page: Invite me to Monique's Event.

August Customer Special www.mythirtyone.com/pas

NEW Purses, & Wallets in great new Fall patterns and colors! Aug 1st!

Aug 15th Fall Enrollment Kit :