Weigh in week 7...

Wow...this week has been a roller coaster ride after returning from my visit with family. I had a Dentist appointment to have a tooth filled, and sitting in a Dentist chair is probably my least  favorite thing to do! I have  found a great Dentist, finally, but that still doesn't mean I like visits to his office...
Our washing machine went on the blink and was making a weird noise that sounded like a it was something from outer space so we had to have it repaired before I could catch up on dirty clothes from our trip. Thank goodness for extended warranties or it would have cost us just as much to repair our present machine as it would of to have just bought a new one. Go figure!!!
Anyway I am pretty excited about this weeks progress. Getting back on a fairly regular eating schedule after returning from our trip was pretty comforting, even with the few minor issues we encountered upon our return home.
I just want to add this little note before I post this weeks results....I was talking with my mother about my weight loss and how I was and wasn't progressing in some areas. She, as usual, falls back on stories of ..."when I"... She proceeded to tell me that she has always "held her stomach in", as she puts it. I want you to know that when I take my weekly measurements  I let it "all hang out" as my mother would phrase it. If I did indeed "hold it in" I could easily chop about 3 inches off my waist and stomach measurements, which would not be fair. So until I can find that perfect exercise to tighten those stomach muscles and shrink those two measurements you will be getting the " all hang out" version! Any exercise suggestions???????

Week 1:                       Week 7:
Weight  131.8               129.2
Waist     37"                  33 3/4"
Stomach 40"                 37"
Hips        38"                37 1/4"

I am still sleeping well and this week I noticed that areas of my body where I was having arthritis pain before  is almost virtually pain free. I also am allergic to dog dander and although my daughter we stayed with during our visit has a dog  I definitely did not get all stuffed up and irritated like I usually do. Hey...this really seems to be working for me!  Until next post...Happy wheat free living!

Product review...Newman's Own Popcorn's

I am a lover of Movie Theater popcorn but I have to watch my intake because it is definitely  ladened with loads of salt and I usually end up wasting half of the bag! There is nothing like munching on a warm bag of popcorn as the movie pulls you in. The same goes for watching  a good movie on the TV at home. The lights are turned out, and with a cold drink and my popcorn and chocolate  in tow I can have a great relaxing time for much less money spent. Of course the only downfall to this is I have to wait to wait sometimes months to see that "perfect" movie I have been dying to see!
Recently I have tried all three varieties of  Newman's Own popcorn. If you are a popcorn lover up for a change in healthier eating than these are a must try.
First I love the fact these are Organic products...no pesticides here! They are low in fat, butter and sodium content, another plus. I have always enjoyed buying Newman's Own products not just for their reliability but also for the charities the  family helps with, but until recently  I had not tried their Organic popcorn's..
The directions are simple enough although you will not find the directions  printed on the box itself, but inside on the individual packets, and the time is based on the Wattage of individual microwaves. I found that adding an additional 10 - 15 seconds to the time listed gave me a better popped corn with less un-popped kernels in the bag. Please be careful to not over pop...Every bag popped up large, soft, moist kernels on each try.
Most popcorn's use hydrogenated oils in their popping which solidifies once the popcorn cools and they can taste greasy, but this is not the case here. Newman's Own uses Palm Oil which does add a slightly different taste than those brands you might be use to, and it does have a distinctively different smell when popping, but  this does not effect the great taste of the finished product.

Unsalted:
This popcorn popped up light and fluffy. Although it did tend to have a bland taste. ( most popcorn's do until seasonings are added)  Yet it is a perfect "canvas" for adding any seasonings of your choice or for making delicious popcorn balls! I would give it 4 stars. Yet when I added my own seasonings and extra ingredients this did became a 5+ star in my book. ( recipes for seasonings at bottom of post)

Light Butter:
This popcorn tastes exactly as  it says...Light butter. If you are looking for greasy popcorn which is overly buttered and overly salted like the movie popcorn you are use, to than this choice is not for you. I found this to be my favorite of the three as it is the closest to my "movie theatre" fix without all that added salt or butter! I personally give this a 5 star because it closely resembles the popcorn at the movies without all the added salt and dryness which I will not miss.

Butter:
This is probably closest to the movie theatre popcorn that most of us are use to except the kernels are much more plump and moist, not small and dry like at the theatre. I would have to say that kernel for kernel I would have to rate each differently only because of my personal taste. I would highly recommend this popcorn to those of you who like extra butter added to your popcorn. Although it is not overpowered with butter taste it definitely should satisfy your "butter" tooth. I would give this a 4 star only because I personally prefer less butter on my kernels.


Crowd Pleaser:

2 T celery salt
2 T dried parsley flakes
1/2 teas ground sage
1/2 teas turmeric
1/2 teas pepper
1 teas dried marjoram
1 teas dried thyme
3 teas salt
3 teas garlic powder
3 teas ground savory

Mix all ingredients together and store in a airthight jar or container. Sprinkle desired amount on hot popcorn and enjoy!


Italian Popcorn seasoning:

1/4 cup finely grated Parmesan cheese
1/2 teas dried oregano
1/2 teas salt ( might omit if popcorn is salty enough)
1/4 teas fresh gr. black pepper
1/4 teaspoon CRUSHED red pepper flakes

Mix all ingredients together in a airtight container and store in refrigerator because of the cheese in the mix. Kids love this!

Sweet and Salty:

2 T melted coconut oil
1/4 cup chocolate chips
1/4 cup Almonds cut in half
1/4 teas salt or more to taste (can be omitted)
1/4 cup shredded coconut

Melt the coconut oil and sprinkle on UNSALTED popcorn. Toss in  the salt, chocolate chips, almonds and shredded coconut  and shake. This is my all time favorite as it reminds me of a Almond Joy candy bar!!!

All 3 varieties of Newman's Own Organics Pop's Corn -No Butter/No Salt Pop’s Corn, Light Butter Pop's Corn & Butter Flavored Pop's Corn (do not confuse with Newman's Own brand popcorn)

While no gluten is added to the Newman's Own Popcorn  products, it is present in the plants where these products are made.