Choose Your Hard

Weight loss is a mind game with yourself you know. A small recap of my weight loss. About 4 years ago I realized that I had let myself go. I drowned my sorrows and fears in food. I did nothing extraordinary for myself. At my highest I was hitting 280 lbs. and couldn't fit in any of my clothes. Instead of buying bigger clothes I decided enough is enough. Loosing weight you have to decide mentally and physical you are ready to take care of you. I found that just taking a diet pill doesn't work long term. Just dieting you will hit a plateau and not loose much. Just exercising you can still gain weight if you don't watch your food intake. How do I know? I lost my weight last summer all the way down to 190 to be able to attend the Boy Scout Jamboree which had weight limitations. I took a dieting break for the Thanksgiving holidays but maintained my exercises. I gained my weight back all the way to 225. I started my diet back in March by changing what I buy at the store. I am only allowing myself to purchase dairy, meat, fruit, vegetables and nuts. Today I am proud to say that I am now under 200 lbs. I am publicly putting this out there to challenge myself and others. My challenge has always been to get to 175 lbs. I plan on getting to that goal by the end of summer. You can bank on it!!!!!!!!!!! If you need some tips and recipes give me a holler

Pork Roast

Pork Roast

This meal is super duper easy to prepare.  Take a pork roast around 5 to 7 pound range.  The one in the picture is an extra large double one from Sam's.  This makes a great crock pot, pressure cooker and if your home bake it in the oven type of meal.  Simply rub the entire contents of the Happy House special rub (available at  http://happyhousebunkie.blogspot.com/2017/01/pulled-pork-spice-rub.html )  onto a 5 to 7 pound pork roast.  Wrap the roast tightly in saran wrap and marinate overnight.  This meal does not require browning.  If you cook your roast in the oven bake at 250 for 8 hours.  If you are cooking in the crock pot, cook on low for 8 hours.  If you have a pressure cooker follow the directions for the cooking time for your unit.  This meal consists of 2 separate uses in one.  When we first cook this dish, we eat as a roast with some healthy sides.  This is only 210 calories for 4oz of meat.  Then we take the leftovers with the juices and shred into pulled pork.  Add your favorite BBQ sauce to it and serve over a bun.  In my case a tablespoon of Sweet Baby Ray's and a Great Value hamburger bun weighs in at 365 calories.  Sorry you don't get anything else to eat with the sandwich.  But, you could do celery or something like that.  It is so delicious.  A crucial part of everyone's diet is will power.  Second is portion control with good choices.  Third is physical exercise.

It's how southern women diet!
Happy Eating
Angell

Johnsonville Sausage Brats and Grits 365 Calories

Johnsonville Sausage Brats and Grits 365 Calories

This is another meal that you can have anytime.   Cook your Johnsonville brats sausage in a good nonstick skillet, browning on all sides. When it is browned add a little bit of water and cover for about 10 minutes to fully cook.  When you think it is ready take the lid off and cook the water out, will make like a gravy coating on the sausage.  While your doing all this, cook yourself some homemade grits with butter.  The sausage is 260 calories, 1/2 cup of grits is 55 calories and one tablespoon of butter is 50 calories.  Total for this complete meal is 365 calories.  A crucial part of everyone's diet is will power.  Second is portion control with good choices.  Third is physical exercise.

It's how southern women diet!
Happy Eating
Angell

White Beans and Sausage Soup 380 Calories

White Beans and Sausage Soup 380 Calories

This meal is super duper easy and serves 6 people.  Soak 1 pound of white beans for 8 to 12 hours.  Brown 1 large onion and one pound of smoked sausage in a large stock pot or your pressure cooker.  Then add 8 cups of water and the beans to the pot.  Cook on the stove top for 2 Hrs or in the pressure cooker for 25 minutes.  If I were you, I would invest in the pressure cooker.  See, you can put your beans to soak before you leave home for work.  When you get home, you can spend about 10 minutes prepping and 25 minutes to cook this meal.  If you eat with rice, don't serve yourself more than 1/4 cup and a little less beans.  I stay away form starches and do not eat my beans with rice.  Just remember to keep  your calories right around 400.  A crucial part of everyone's diet is will power.  Second is portion control with good choices.  Third is physical exercise.

It's how southern women diet!
Happy Eating
Angell

Open Faced Egg Smoke Sausage 380 Calories

 Open Faced Egg Smoke Sausage 380 Calories

This meal can be eaten at anytime.  It's quick and easy at only 380 calories.  To make it use half of a white bolillo roll 85 calories, 1 large egg 70 calories and 3 oz of Cajun smoked sausage 225 calories.    Brown sausage and then scramble an egg to your desired consistency.  Place on top of your bread and Valois you got a good quick fulfilling meal.  A crucial part of everyone's diet is will power.  Second is portion control with good choices.  Third is physical exercise.

It's how southern women diet!
Happy Eating
Angell

It Didn't Happen in a Day

It Didn't Happen in a Day

For years I didn't worry about my weight. Slowly through time I gained. My all time high was almost 280 pounds. Since 2013 I have been working on my weight. I took sodas out of my diet, fast foods were history, except on payday's with the family and snacks were a thing of the past. I began working out at the gym.  Slowly the weight came off. I had lost to 215 pounds.  The photo's below were my before and after shots I had done at that time.  But it was pure torture. I had some financial issues, quit the gym and took a break.  I gained back to 225 pounds.  In late 2015 my work offered a discount at the gym through my insurance and I began exercising again.  Then around August of 2016 I changed one thing. The weight began to melt away and I wasn't depriving myself of anything. I eat whatever it is I am hungry for.  How did I do it?  Well it didn't truly become reality till I started doing portion control with calorie counting (see my very first blog for more details). Eating 3 meals at 400 calories each and 2 100 calorie snacks. Today I am proud to say I weigh 193 pounds! I have 8 pounds to my personal goal!  Then I will get evaluated by a nurse to see where I should be. Updates to come in the future. A crucial part of everyone's dieting is willpower. Second is portion control with good choices. Third is physical exercise. 

It's how southern women diet!

Happy Earing! 

Angell

Louisiana Gumbo 391 Calories

Louisiana Gumbo 391 Calories

Here in Louisiana chicken and sausage gumbo is a staple item.  Especially in the winter time.  But in my house it's an all year dish.  We make a roux with flour and butter (equal parts), a couple of diced up onions, one pound of Cajun sausage, 6 chicken thighs and little bit of browning and seasoning sauce to make the juice brown with 10 cups of water.  Season to taste.  This recipe should make 10 full bowl servings (1 3/4 cups) at 391 calories.  If you do rice don't have more than 1/4 cup.  A have a little less gumbo in your bowl.  Keep your calories right around 400.  A crucial part of everyone's diet is will power.  Second is portion control with good choices.  Third is physical exercise.

It's how southern women diet!
Happy Eating
Angell

Southern Biscuit and White Gravy 410 calories

Southern Biscuit and White Gravy 410 calories

Southern biscuits and white gravy is a must in my family.  These delicious biscuits do not come in a can.  Here in the south many people know how to make these delicious southern biscuits from scratch, or you can purchase them in the freezer section.   One brand I purchase is called Mary B's Biscuits.   One of these biscuits is 190 calories.  If you make the southern living recipe of white gravy,  1/2 cup is 220 calories.  Now you can vary this recipe anyway you like it.  You can eat half the biscuit and gravy, try a different biscuit with lower calories or you can serve yourself less than 1/2 cup of white gravy.  But, if you make it the way you see it in the photo, it would be 410 calories.  That is one biscuit split in half with 1/2 cup serving of white gravy.  You would not get anything to drink with it except a zero calorie serving of water.  lol  Yes when you eat each meal the calories should be right at 400 calories or less so you only get water to dink with this.  A crucial part of everyone's dieting is will power.  Second is portion control with good choices.  Third is physical exercise.

It's how southern women diet!

Happy Eating

Angell

Cranberry Super Seed Granola Nut Oatmeal 408 Calories

Cranberry Super Seed Granola Nut Oatmeal 408 Calories

I know people get tired of eating the same ole breakfast.  This is one that we made up and is quite tasty.  I will put my detailed list so if you have any changes to the recipe you can calculate it easily.  This recipe makes 3 servings.  Cook 1 1/2 cups of dry oatmeal 450 calories with 1/2 cup milk 60 calories, 1/2 cup sugar 360 calories, 1/2 cup crumbled up cranberry super seed granola clusters 165 calories, 1 oz (about 1/3 cup) diced up walnuts 190 calories and 2 cups of water.  Cook to your desired thickness.  Each serving weighs in at 408 calories.  A crucial part of everyone's diet is will power.  Second is portion control with good choices.  Third is physical exercise. 

It's how southern women diet!
Happy Eating

Angell

Taco Soup 285 Calories

Taco Soup 285 Calories

No time, no problem, I got you covered with this super quick and easy meal.  There are several ways to cook this one.  One way is cook on the stove in a large stock pot for 45 minutes.  The other is to cook in a pressure cooker for 15 minute's.  To make this dish brown 1 pound of ground meat with one large diced up onion.  Empty one can of whole kernel corn, one can of pinto beans, one can of ranch style beans, one can of red beans, one can of black beans, two cans of diced tomatoes, one can of rotel tomato, one packet of ranch dressing mix and one packet of taco seasoning to your pot.  Makes 10 servings.  That's all and talk about easy.  This dish weighs in at an amazing 285 calories.  You can eat really low in calories by eating it plain, or you can embellish your bowl with sour cream, cheese or some chips.  Just remember to keep your meal at around 400 calories.  A crucial part of everyone's dieting is will power.  Second is portion control with good choices.  Third is physical exercise.

It's how southern women diet!
Happy Eating
Angell

Grilled Cheese 240 Calories

Grilled Cheese 240 Calories

Quick easy meal that is great for any meal.  A simple grilled cheese sandwich.  For me I don't have much dairy in my diet.  So I usually opt for this grilled cheese sandwich.  Place a slice of cheese inbetween 2 slices of bread.  Lightly butter each side of the sandwich and cook in a good non stick skillet or black iron skillet.  Grill on medium to medium low until browned.  Weighs in at only 240 calories.  Have this with a good glass of milk.  Just keep the calories under 400! A crucial part of everyone's diet is will power.  Second is portion control with good choices.  Third is physical exercise.

It's how southern women diet!
Happy Eating
Angell

Loose Hamburger Steak Sandwich 410 Calories

Loose Hamburger Steak Sandwich 410 Calories

Here is a quick meal.  Saute onions and bell peppers in a good non stick skillet to your desired tenderness.  Set aside when completed.  In the same skillet brown and cook your ground meat.  Sprinkle a little powdered brown gravy mix to thicken and season up with some Cajun seasoning.  I served myself 3 ounces of meat on this fancy white bolillo roll from Walmart.  Sprinkled with some sauteed veggies and one slice of low calorie cheese.  You can save yourself some calories if you omit the cheese.  The cheese I  used has 40 calories.  The bread is 210 calories. This meal weighs in at 410  calories.

A crucial part of everyone's diet is willpower.  Second is portion control with good choices.  Third is physical exercise.

It's how southern women diet!
Happy Eating
Angell

Frittata Ham Broccoli Stir Fry 254 Calories

Frittata Ham Broccoli Stir Fry 254 Calories

Well this is a very easy meal.  It is a combination of breakfast and supper all in one meal.  I took a small black iron skillet, scrambled 4 eggs, a dash of milk, 4 slices of diced ham, 3/4 cup of some leftover steamed broccoli stir fry I had leftover from another meal (or you can use the fresh vegetable medley and put in the microwave for 2 minutes).  Season to taste.  Cook on the stove top till just about done.  Then I topped it with 2 slices of cheese.  Bake 350 for about 10 minutes until done.  Experiment with your fillings.  If you do veggies like onions, bell peppers etc.  sauté before baking.  This recipe in particular serves 2 people.  Boy was it a hearty and fulfilling meal too.


A crucial part of everyone's diet is will power.  Second is portion control with good choices.  Third is physical exercise. 

It's how southern women diet!
Happy Eating
Angell

Italian Broiled Eggs 330 Calories

Italian Broiled Eggs 330 Calories

This is a great light evening meal.  Get a 3" or 4" ramekin, spray with a little cooking spray.  Put 1 tablespoon of heavy cream with 1/2 tablespoon real butter in ramekin under the broiler on high for 2 to 3 minutes, till the cream and butter begin to bubble.  Immediately take it out and place 2 eggs gently in the ramekin.  Sprinkle on top 3 pinches of Italian seasoning, a pinch of salt, a pinch of pepper with 1/2 tablespoon of grated parmesan cheese (do this quickly).  Place back under the broiler on high for 3 to 5 minutes.  Let stand for 1 to 2 minutes before serving, because it will be so darn hot.  Serve with a slice of buttered toast.  This simple and quick meal is only 330 calories.  A crucial part of everyone's diet is will power.  Second is portion control with good choices.  Third is physical exercise.

It's how southern women diet!
Happy Eating
Angell

Light Taco's 412 Calories

Light Taco's 412 Calories

Believe it or not, but taco's can be very high in calories.  Make taco's for the family in a snap.  For your serving make 2 taco's using 2 Old el Paso Taco's 100 calories, 4 ounces of 90\10 ground meat 200 calories, taco seasoning 15 calories, 2 tablespoons Kroger's light sour cream 45 calories, 2 tablespoons Sargento light cheddar cheese 45 calories, and spinach instead of lettuce 7 calories.  The photo with 2 tacos weighs in at 412 calories.  I put the calories for each ingredient in case there is a lower calorie option you may like and you can calculate the changes.  Only takes 8 minutes to prepare.  A crucial part of everyone's diet is will power.  Second is portion control with good choices.  Third is physical exercise.

It's how southern women diet!
Happy Eating
Angell

Oatmeal Apple Raisin Banana Walnut 390 Calories

Oatmeal Apple Raisin Banana Walnut 390 Calories

Anyone trying to loose weight needs to have some oatmeal in their diet.  Some health benefits include but not limited to making you feel fuller longer, high in fiber and protein, low in fat, beneficial to glucose levels, great heart benefits, removes bad cholesterol and a great colon cleanse.  This recipe of mine could be a lot more healthy if I didn't put so much brown sugar and stuff in it but that is how I like it.  This consisted of 2 cups of dry oatmeal, 3 cups of water (add more if needed), 1/2 banana diced, 1/2 gala apple diced, .25 cups of raisins, .25 cup of diced walnuts and 3/4 cup of brown sugar.  Add cinnamon to your liking with a dash of salt.  This recipe serves 4 people for 390 calories per serving.  You can delete some of the fruit to lower your calories.   These totals are for the entire recipe: banana is 53 calories, apple is 40 calories, walnuts is 400 calories , raisins is 130 calories and the brown sugar is 540 calories.  So teak it any which way you would like it.   Try and keep each meal 400 calories or less with two 100 calorie snacks for the day.   A crucial part of everyone's diet is will power.  Second is portion control with good choices.  Third is physical exercise.

It's how southern women diet!
Happy Eating
Angell
  

Cabbage Casserole 271 Calories

Cabbage Casserole

Now there are 2 ways to go about making this dish. One is quicker than the other. One way is to prepare in advance and bake it in the oven. The quick way is to cook it in the pressure cooker. All it consists of is one head of cabbage, 1 can tomato sauce or a can of diced tomatoes, 1 pound of 90/10 ground meat, 1 cup instant white rice, 1 medium onion and season with Cajun seasoning. Throw it all in a 13x9 casserole dish or aluminum pan and bake for 1 hour. If you cooking it with the pressure cooker, cook for 15 minutes. That is all. If you divide this dish into 6 servings and that's a lot, it weighs in at only 271 calories. If you would like it to be a little more hearty add 1 link of diced up Cajun smoked sausage. That would bump up the calories to around 342 calories per serving. Now that's a healthy meal in a snap. A crucial part of everyone's diet is will power. The second is portion control with good choices. Third is physical activities. 

It's how southern women diet!

Happy eating

Angell

Chocolate Peanut Butter Banana Smoothie 293 Calories

Peanut Butter Banana Smoothie

Ok, so here is a great healthy breakfast to eat on the go.  This will also help you get some vitamins and fruit in your diet.  To prepackage this breakfast place 1 cup diced strawberries (fresh or frozen), 1/2 sliced banana, 1 large handful of fresh spinach in a Ziploc bag with instruction written on it.  Place in the freezer until needed.  When you blend place ingredients in the blender, add 3 tablespoons of PBfit peanut butter powder (not the 4 listed on the Ziploc), 1 scoop of purely inspired Organic Protein and 1 cup dark chocolate almond milk.  The combination may appear to you that it will not taste like chocolate, peanut butter and banana, but I am here to tell you it does!  I recommend to made this meal fulfilling for a meal replacement and lower the calories to make sure you get the powdered peanut butter and protein powder.   If  you don't want to do as a meal replacement then eliminate the protein powder and save yourself 65 calories.  The powdered peanut butter has 75% less fat and 66% fewer calories than regular peanut butter.  Weighs in at 293 calories, if you don't use the protein powder it would be 228 calories.  Please note if your using as a meal replacement to put the protein powder in.  It will keep you fuller longer.

A crucial part of everyone's dieting is willpower.  Second is portion control with good choices.  Third is physical activities.


It's how southern women diet!
Happy Eating
Angell

Pan Grilled Fish and Oven Roasted Vegetables 297 Calories

Pan Grilled Fish and Oven Roasted Vegetables

Ok here is an easy and quick meal.  I seasoned my vegetables and fish using my olive oil seasoning blend link here:   http://happyhousebunkie.blogspot.com/2017/01/olive-oil-seasoning-blend.html .  I get the vegetables at Sam's Club in the fresh vegetable cooler by the celery, lettuce area.  For this serving I poured 4 cup of veggies (break cauliflower and broccoli into smaller pieces if needed) on a foil lined sheet pan for easy clean up for 3 people (I forgot to take a picture and the plate is one I had taken has cauliflower, broccoli, yellow squash and zucchini squash in it.  But you get the idea.  I will update this when I cook it again).  Follow these directions on how to bake it  http://southerndiet.blogspot.com/2016/09/baked-zucchini-squash-and-bell-peppers.html  .  As you see in the recipe you can use any fresh vegetables.  It takes about 2 minutes to prepare and 35 to 45 minutes to cook.  You kind of decide how cooked you prefer your veggies.   Ok for this serving of vegetables seen on the plate was 162 calories for 1 1/2 cups.  The fish I cooked in a real good nonstick skillet with a tablespoon of my oil blend and a tablespoon of butter and seasonings you prefer with 4 Members Mark tilapia fillets.  Each fillet is around 3 to 4 oz and should serve 4 people. In my case it served 3 because my daughter ate 2.   Cook on medium high or higher, when the butter starts to turn brown it's time to cook the fish.  Cook for 3 to 4 minutes per side.  Each serving of fish is 135 calories, that is for 3 oz.'s.  So this dish has a total of 297 calories.  If your really hungry you could add 1/2 a fish or some more veggies to your plate.  But keep it under 400 calories.  You can probably make it less calories than that by baking the fish.  But I prefer to cook my fish this way.  Because you know it's how southern women diet! lol

A crucial part of everyone's dieting is will power.  Second portion control with good choices.  Third is physical activity.

Happy Eating
Angell 

Scrambled Eggs Bacon and Cheese 245 Calories

Scrambled Eggs Bacon and Cheese

When your on a 1,330 calorie a day diet you have to learn to eat within your budget.  You don't want to be hungry.  You also don't want to eat all or half your calories in just one meal.  My meal plan I budget with the drinks to have around 400 calories per meal and two 100 calorie snacks.  I eat my snacks whenever I feel hungry,  I either eat my one snack all at once or I graze on it till my next meal.  So for my breakfast I choose 2 jumbo eggs scrambled,  1 tablespoon of the Hormel real bacon bits and once cooked I topped it with a slice of cheese.  This meal weighs in at 245 calories.  I like a huge cup of coffee with my breakfast.  So my total calorie intake for breakfast is 289.  I could have a slice of bread with it, but nah... I'm good.  This meal took a total of 5 minutes to make.  The precooked real bacon bits is a real time saver.  This meal will make me feel fuller longer.

A crucial part of everyone's dieting is will power.  Second is portion control with good choices.  Third is physical activities.

It's how southern women diet!

Happy Eating

Angell