October 29th Menu-Happy Birthday to Me!!

Yes, today is my b-day. The big 2-9! I plan on eating some of my most favorite foods today. Only, the healthier versions, of course! Starting with pumpkin pie...

Breakfast - 8:30 am:

Pumpkin Pie Oatmeal

1 cup water

1/2 cup canned pure pumpkin

1/2 cup oatmeal

1 T. cinnamon

1 T. Xylo Sweet

1 tsp. pumpkin pie seasoning

Bring water to a boil in a saucepan. Stir in the pumpkin and remove from heat. Turn heat to low. Stir in oats and put back on the burner. Cook for 7 minutes or until oats are cooked and fluffy. Stir in cinnamon, pumpkin pie seasoning and sweetener. Serves 2.

Nutritional Facts: 110 calories, 2g. fat, 0g sat. fat, 0mg Chl., 5 mg sodium, 23g carbs, 2g sugar, 4g protein.

Xylo Sweet is a great alternative to regular sugar. Also, try something called Stevia. Both of these sweeteners can be found at your local health food store.

Lunch - 12 pm:

Out to lunch with my sister, Stacy who treated me for my birf-day! We ate at a local restaurant called Roma's. It's a little Italian place downtown that gets some pretty rave reviews like Khan's. I love Italian food! However, eating Italian can be a diet-destroyer or a healthful-helper. It's all in the choices you make.

Today I had the Chicken Pomodoro:

Soooo yummy and light! I had 2 of their homemade rolls (one too many) with this and a side salad with their Red Wine Vinaigrette. I am stuffed!

Next time you're dining under the Tuscan, uh, chandelier, remember these tips to help you eat lighter:

1. Stick to tomato-based sauces like arrabiata, a spicy tomato sauce.

2. Skip the garlic bread which is usually slathered in butter. Instead ask for a shallow dish of herbed olive oil and plain french bread for dipping.

3. Go all you can eat on salad and soup, NOT pasta!

4. If you get a hankering for pasta, you don't have to sweat it. Usually you can trade your white pasta choice for a whole wheat substitute they have on hand.

5. Skip dessert!

6. Split a dish with a friend. The dishes restaurants serve anymore are enough for 3 people! Divide it down the middle and you saved not only 1/2 the calories and fat but 1/2 the budget!

Here are 5 great menu options next time you go to Olive Garden:

1. Linguine ala Marinara with 551 calories and 8g fat

2. Shrimp Primavera with 708 calories and 10g of fat

3. Capellini Pomodoro with 644 calories and 14 grams of fat

4. Ask for the kids' meal grilled chicken breast with sauteed veggies for a heart-healthy, low-fat, low-carb meal with 349 calories and 11g of fat

5. Try the minestrone soup with 164 calories and 1g of fat

Workout:

Cardio - 2 mile run

PLUS -

1. Side Lateral Lunges - 10-15 reps

2. Ball Bridge - 10-15 reps per leg

3. Standing Calf Raises - 15 reps

4. Single-Legged Squat - 10-15 reps per leg

Dinner-6 pm:

Leftover lunch, water

Dessert - 6:30:

South Beach Diet Hazelnut Creme Bars