Friday, March 25, 2011

Temptation may ring your doorbell this weekend......

...........just don't ask it to stay for dinner.




It's easy to come up with a great
diet plan and lots of incentive when you first start dieting but after a while you start looking for comfort foods again. Sometimes it's just a matter of getting in the right mindset and other times you need to take that temptation away.


Motivate yourself! The reason you're faltering is probably because you're losing sight now of your goal. You should keep a constant reminder of what you're trying to achieve either by a picture of what you want to look like or just the thought of being healthy for your kids. Re-motivate yourself by looking at what you're trying to achieve. Sometimes just reminding yourself does the job.


Don't have tempting sweets around!
Get rid of temptation. Don't keep sugary sweets or calorie loaded snacks around the house or at the office. That way you're less likely to think about the food if you don't see it. This goes for magazines, cookbooks, and even tv. Try stowing away those dessert cookbooks in the attic and don't pick up cooking magazines with tempting food on the cover. Also, whatever you do, don't watch the cooking channel on TV! While it may seem like a replacement to eating the food, it will actually just make you crave it more. Instead watch some thriller or something to get your mind off of your temptations.


Reward yourself in other ways. There are many other ways to indulge yourself than just by eating. If you're a bookworm, buy yourself a new book and dig into that. If you're a shopaholic, try hitting the mall and enjoying yourself there. If you just enjoy a walk in the park, do that. Anything that provides you pleasure and not pounds, can replace food with comfort.

Cheat...sometimes. Don't be so set on your diet that you never veer off course. If you are too strict when you finally do break down and succumb to that temptation you're likely to binge eat. You'll feel so deprived of comfort food and won't know when you'll get it again, that you binge. Instead, just allow yourself small rewards often. When you do reward yourself, you can take just a little bit and satisfy yourself with knowing that you'll do it again soon.

Have a pair of skinny jeans. Or your equivalent. If you're desperately trying to get back down to that size 4 dress, keep that as a constant reminder. Periodically check your progress and you'll be pleased as it gets easier and easier for you to fit in that you won't even want to cave in to that temptation.




Chewy, moist oatmeal cookies loaded with chocolate chips, in a reduced fat cookie? These cookies are fabulous and they are loaded with chocolate chips in every bite!


Don't you hate when you make a low fat cookie recipe, only to be disappointed? These will become a favorite in your home, give them a try and tell me know you think. Try them first as is, then have fun coming up with variations.


I came across this recipe on Baking Bites and this will now be a regular in my cookie jar! I'm so excited to make them again with different ingredients, like raisins or walnuts!

As noted on Baking Bits, it's crucial not to over-bake these if you want them chewy. The applesauce makes them moist and if overcooked they will become dry so if you're not sure if your oven runs hot it's probably best to take them out a minute earlier.

I made the serving size 2 cookies, because I can bet you won't eat just one!

Low Fat Chewy Chocolate Chip Oatmeal Cookies
Servings: 15 • Serving Size: 2 cookies • Old Points: 4 pts • Points+: 5 pts
Calories: 190 • Fat: 6.3 g • Protein: 2.6 g • Carb: 34.2 g • Fiber: 2.0 g • Sugar: 19.3 g

1 cup all purpose flour
1 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
2 tbsp unsalted butter, room temperature
1/2 cup sugar
1/2 cup unpacked brown sugar
1 large egg
1/4 cup unsweetened apple sauce
1/2 tsp vanilla extract
2 cups quick oats
3/4 cup dark chocolate chips

Preheat oven to 350°;
line two baking sheets with parchment paper or use a silpat.

In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt and cinnamon.

In a large bowl, with a mixer, cream together the butter and the sugars on medium speed.

Add the egg, followed by the applesauce and vanilla extract.

Working by hand, stir in the flour mixture and the oats until just combined and no streaks of flour remain; stir in the chocolate chips.

Drop heaping tablespoonfuls (approx 3 tbsp each) of the dough onto prepared baking sheets, flattening each cookie slightly (I forgot to do this). Bake for about 10-12 minutes, or until cookies become light brown at the edges.

Let cool on baking sheet for 3 or 4 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.

Store in an airtight container so you don't eat them all in one sitting!

Makes about 30 cookies roughly 3 tbsp each.

No comments:

Post a Comment