My tools and tricks

I've made a lot of noise with friends and family about how I have lots of little tools and tricks I use to keep me on track. I figured I'd put them all down (or at least as many as I can come up with right now) just to have it in writing somewhere.... this may be a long post LOL Oh, and I'm intending to do some 6.5 week post op pics later today or tomorrow. ;)

Without further ado, in no particular order:
1. Vitamuffins -- I buy the mixes at www.vitalicious.com. I also always click through DWLZ so Dotti gets the referral revenue if it exists, and she usually has a 10% off coupon available. I think they also participate in eBates, but I think I JUST figured that out before my last order. I'd rate these a B+ -- doing it this way is soooo cheap compared to buying them pre-made in the freezer section at your local grocery store, but like many healthy items they make me toot! My poor family ;)

2. Fiber One Bars -- I ate these all the time, then started discovering other bars in the 2-point range. They're still some of my faves. The Peanut Butter, Chocolate and Apple Streusel (I think) are all AMAZING flavors. I think the only one of the three that's not 2 points is the Peanut Butter but I could be wrong. I'd rate these a B -- they're convenient, good, but again, make me toot! My poor family ;)

3. PB2 -- I'd have to say this is one of my all time favorite items. Mix the peanut butter dust with water and watch it magically transform into a natural-pb consistency spread that tastes like the real deal only with 75% less fat if I'm remembering correctly. 2 tbsp clocks in at 54 calories. I mix it in Cool Whip and put it on ff sf chocolate pudding for a decadent treat, I put it on vitamuffins (the double chocolate kind -- YUM!), I dip my veggies and fruits into it, it's great. I buy it 12 jars at a time from www.bellplantation.com but got a lead on a cheaper place to get it online. I'll let you know once I use that spot if it's a good online transaction. Overall grade for PB2 has gotta be an A -- I haven't found a way I don't like this stuff....

4. Canned veggies -- some days I'll have half a can of peas and half a can of corn for lunch. I know -- it's weird, but I like 'em and it's convenient. It gets my veggies in, it's a starchy veggie so I feel satiated, and they're uber convenient. I stock up when they're on sale, or purchase at Costco. Grade of a B

5. Oatmeal with Unsweetened Vanilla Almond Breeze -- I hated oatmeal for years, but after having my son I found out that if you eat it every morning for breakfast it's supposed to increase breast milk output. So, I ate it everyday and developed a taste for it/it's texture. I love it now. Then you mix it with UVAB mentioned above and it's freaking amazing! Couple packets of splenda and some cinnamon and you've got an amazing meal that works any time of day in my book -- A

6. All Bran Bars -- just tried these. Yummy but so much fiber my digestive tract could run the space station.... C+

7. Oroweat/Arnolds Select Sandwich Thins -- great for quick sandwich -- my son even likes these which is huge for him. Grade: B+ (buy them on sale only!, they can be uber pricey)

8. Western Bagel "Alternative" products: They have several flavors of bagels, and english muffins, all clocking in around 1 point (100 cals, low fat, uber fiber). These don't normally mess with my tooter too much. They're available at my local WalMart that has a grocery, and are cheaper there than if I mail order them direct from Western Bagel, oddly enough. Good bang for your buck, though the Sweet Wheat flavor needs something with it to off set the fiber factor in the taste. Overall grade: B+ if you can get them at WalMart prices

9. Soup! -- I have learned to embrace broth based soups. Love 'em. The progresso brand stuff endorsed and pointed out by Weight Watchers can make you tooty though.... beware. Overall grade -- A-

10. Fat Free Cool Whip -- Love this because it's a splurge but not a horrible one at all. The kids love it and have no idea they're eating "healthier" whipped cream. Put it on tons of stuff, mix it with PB2, etc. Overall grade of A- if you get it at WalMart prices.

That's all for now, I'm sure I'll have more later, and I'll post 'em when I come up with 'em. I'll be back later this week with more progress pics!