I thought we could share the items that are making are choices easier.

For me, my journal is making a big difference because I like seeing my choices in writing. It seems to both keep me accountable and reward me.
Also, the new Wishbone salad sprays are terrific. They are 1 cal a spray and much better for me than my Chunky Blue Cheese old choice.
OOh, another is the Purdue chicken cutlets that come in individual serving. They are so easy to pull out and stick in the oven.

Anyone have any favorites to share?

Kathy

Actually I'd say there are a couple food prep items that are invaluable.

- Rice cooker: Lazy way to cook rice, put water, put rice and you get perfect rice. I cook up a bunch of brown rice, eat it and its leftovers for many days.

- Crockpot: Lazy way to cook. Throw food in before work, come home and dinner is ready. I've also used it to make my steel cut oats but I actually think the rice cooker is better for that. I also plan to start making my own beans (rather than canned) and the crockpot will do well with that.

- Pressure cooker: Throw frozen meat in with water and spices and you get delicious tender cooked meat in 30 minutes or less. I'm not a pressure cooking expert but it is also good to throw in frozen meat and brown rice and it comes out perfect as well.

I love using my steamer.

Food wise, LC wheat tortillas have been great for me. Oats. Plus, I buy green beans by the case.

Food diary.... I find myself reaching for food and immediately going to the nutrition label... it's amazing how much easier it's been for me to go from craving something - to it making my stomach churn (and putting it back) just knowing how many calories are in it (in relation to how much I'm supposed to be eating per day)...

Crock pot - LOVE IT! I don't use it often... I need more recipes for mine.

Chicken breast... there are so many ways to make it, and it's so good for you.

low sodium soy sauce and flavored rice vinegar....makes a great dressing/marinade for a fairly *safe* sweet&sour craving.....non-fat.

V-8 juice with a big stalk of celery, lemon and I add some salsa to it....it's a snack, its a vegetable

Schoelne diet scales - count cals and fat in everything you weigh so I know exactly what cals I'm eating not guessing!

Products:

- LOVE, LOVE, LOVE my cast iron stove top grill
- my sneakers

Food, could not have lost the weight without, just to mention a few:

- #1 without a doubt - Cauliflower
- Chicken cutlets (breasts, grilled on said grill above)
- powdered consomme
- cooking spray
- kirbys
- onions
- fresh garlic
- broiled tomatoes
- Spinach
- Morning Star Farms Chick Patties
- Plain old water

Oh and 3FC

oooo... another thing... my meat mallet. I can flatten any chicken breast or tenderloin and feel like I'm eating a HUGE meal, when really, I'm only eating one breast or tenderloin... I guess I'm a visual eater.

as far as foods...

-definately water
-special K
-Newmans Own Low Fat Honey Mustard dressing.... great marinade for chicken.

Hmmm, so many things have made this weight loss possible!

My WW quick track diary and points books
Gas grill (I cook as much outside as humanly possible!)

As for food.....

Laughing cow cheese - I can eat tons of raw veggies if I get to dip them
Cauliflower and Green Beans - my fav cooked veggies
Chicken breasts - can be a different meal every day of the week!
Special K Strawberry Bars - 2 points for a sweet treat
Oatmeal - I love, love, love oatmeal! It fills me up and sticks with me a long time!

Last but not least....yogurt. DH and I firmly believe that your body works better and stays healthier if you eat a carton of yogurt daily. We both make sure we eat it every day!

My MP3 player...gotta have my tunes to keep me going on the walking.
Non-stick skillet - perfect for stir frying almost any fresh veggie with a little onion and olive oil.
Splenda...helps me to quit eating sugar.
Flavored ground coffee....makes me feel like I'm having a treat in the morning.
Silken Tofu - makes my smoothies thicker and more satisyfing.
Olive oil and fresh garlic - makes almost any food taste delicious.

My journal, for logging everything I eat and keeping track of my points.

My running shoes, for giving me support when I walk and run. It was well worth the trip downtown to a special running store and the $85 I spent.

100-calorie packs, which I know aren't the healthiest things ever (or the cheapest), but they keep my calories in line. I've said it many times on this board - I won't stick to something that tells me I CAN'T eat a certain food, and I have to have a crunchy snack here and there, so this is my way of doing it in moderation and fitting it in. It's working so far!

Oatmeal, and you girls

Fitday fitday fitday. If I didn't have a simple way to log food and track calories I'd be absolutely lost.

And dark chocolate. Satisfies any sweet cravings, especially at ToM, and then some!

Fitday
Fat free/low sodium chicken broth (I use it in everything)
Aidells Chicken/Turkey sausages - so much flavor and richness for 150 calories a serving!
My CSA Produce subscriptions

I'm there with you on the dark chocolate. The darker the better. And now, if you eat it in moderation, it's good for you! I have 110 almost daily. I buy the best chocolate I can get. I'm worth it!

I also love love love... NATURAL OVENS BREADS!! The best in the world. Made right here in Wisconsin!! Yeah. www.naturalovens.com You can order online. If you live in the midwest they are available at most grocery stores. Their carob chip cookies.. the best.. and so filling!!
(do you think I could be their sales person? )
Dana