Yeah, Linda.....I forgot about the shrimp coctail you could get out at a restaurant. Both the shrimp and the sauce is Core. This is something I wouldn't make for myself but would really enjoy. You could have a huge shrimp cocktail and a nice salad. Don't forget also that lentil and split pea soup are also ok. Most regular recipes I have for these soups don't call for any fat. You'll just have to skip those yummy croutons in the split pea.

I love Chinese and Mexican but haven't gone to any of those since Core. I'm mostly going to regular American/Greek places. However, my favorite Italian resturant is now serving WHOLE WHEAT PASTA!!! Bless them! They also have great steaks and I can have a dry side of whole wheat pasta. I add a little smart balance margarine. They also always have fresh steamed green beans. Yum! I keep complimenting them for staying with the times.

Good Luck!

I love Mexican Food. When I go, I count the chips and order chicken fajita salad, w/o the sour cream/cheese and shell. That makes it core. Very satisfying.

Thanks, Janette. I hadn't thought of a fajita salad! What a great idea. I love the idea of chips and salsa. Is anyone else but me afraid to use the 35 flex points. Lately I'm kind of nervous to eat anything that isn't Core. My husband keeps worrying that I'm gonna develop an eating deficiency. Lordy, I have 150 pounds to lose. No chance of that!!!!! I'm just a little afraid of those little old chips and bread. Slippery slope once I get started, you know!

I count out the chips so I am sure I am counting the point correctly. I still don't eat bread when I eat out.

I think we are all feeling our way regarding flex points. I don't have to use them very much because there is so much to eat on Core.

Don't be afraid to try. If you eat them and find you don't lose as well, it is only ONE week of your journey and a learning experience.
You can do this. We are here to help.

You guys are coming up with some great ideas, thanks!
Hey, I tried something really weird this morning.... I'm a chocolate lover and wanted something really filling for breakfast. So, I got this totally weird idea and mixed a packet of diet hot cocoa mix, I buy the kind that has calcium added and it counts as a milk! So, I mixed the oatmeal and that together and added water (it was instant oatmeal) it made an interesting chocolate breakfast treat! It was sweet, chocolatey and filling!
Linda

Linda
That sounds yummy but I hate to tell you but instant oatmeal is not on the Core list . Sorry to be the bearer of bad news ! ( correct me if I am wrong)

I read a few posts.I have been out of state for a few days..............and am trying to "catch up" !

Cin~

Oatmeal is on the Core list under "hot cereals." The packets of flavored oatmeal are not Core, though (because of the sugar content), but any other type of oatmeal is.

Correct.that is what I said...Instant is what I consider packages of oatmeal Instant is not core.
Cin~

Instant oatmeal is core but only if it is the original plain flavor.

Janette, thanks for your thoughts about my "flex" fear. You make a good point. I shouldn't be afraid to use them. I'll experiment a bit this week.

Linda, I'm not sure I'd like chocolate for breakfast but that's what makes this such a great program. There's something for everyone!

Hi guys, I just checked my food companion to be sure, and it's only the flavored instant oatmeals that are not CORE, so I was "ok".
I am a chocolate person and would eat it at every single meal, I think, if it were possible! Seems that the longer I am on any kind of weight loss plan, the more I want/need the chocolate. I am loving the sf, ff, chocolate Jello pudding as my evening dessert as well.
Still have the ingredients to try that butterscotch pudding and pumpkin thing. Does anyone remember how much of the canned pumpkin to use in it? I can look it up anyway.
Last night I was in "dangerous" mode and talked myself out of a meal at a resteraunt. Had healthy grilled fish and corn on the cob with the olive oil based (did count the point) butter/margarine spray. I only have two flex points left and my weigh in is tomorrow.
I saw my scale move down a bit yesterday, no official announcments until I weigh in tomorrow, but I think it will be a good day!
Linda in beatiful NH where the weather is fabulous and the leaves are changing color!

Linda, you oatmeal concoctions sounds yummy. I added banana cream ff/sf pudding mix to mine recently and it was good. The pudding mix is also great added to a little ff cream cheese and spread on an english muffin. You have to count the points but its almost like a cheese cake topping. Its been great weather here in Vermont also (I think I am only a couple hours away from where you live). Its a nice change from the rainy summer we had. Weigh in today!, I'll check back later (week 2).

Kathy

Kathy, sounds like a great idea to use the pudding like a condiment to flavor things.
I was thinking of adding the sf, ff, hot cocoa mix to plain yogurt as well, or making a parfait out of the plain yogurt and the pudding, already made.
Hope your weigh in goes well!
Linda

Gals
Thanks for the info......that is why I added "correct me if I am wrong"....the first place I looked in the Companion I didnt see the plain listing.it is in more than one place..............seeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee how we all "help"each other?

I dont eat it therefore I am not as interested in finding it either....we become more "expert" with the foods we each like to eat. My husband makes the Old Fashioned Oats................every morning!

Later.............\Cin~

Hi All.....power is now back on....whoohooo. We did have to evacuate but you will all be proud of me.........because to the hotel I brought my core foods. I did great and feel good too. Yep I am trying this another week!!! I just may be a convert and I promise I won't let these hurricanes marr my enthusiasm. I just feel, believe it or not, better about what I am chosing and I don't feel deprived. Didn't miss the 1pt breads or Wow chips. I NEVER thought I'd say that. And lets face it, if we want we still have our 35 Pts Allowances, and still lose. This core thing isn't so bad my friends, but it is ALL of you that made me realize that. We went to Boston Market last night, and before leaving I looked in the New Dining Out Companion to see what I can have on Core and so I did......1/4 chicken, skinned pulled off by customer and mixed steamed vegetables both = CORE. Checked off in the DOC, one of two items there on core, but nevertheless......core. I was satisifed and came home and had my sf/ff instant pudding. Someone here ( I believe) wrote if you eat core foods you have nothing to worry about (that's paraphasing but it's true)
I hope you all are doing well in your program. Again I am doing this another week and look forward to being successful. If not, I stll carry on....we have to. Again, it's a lifestyle change and what we need to do to stay or get back to where we all worked so hard to get in the first place. So have a great day out there............Linda (LJ)

Hi, everybody. Welcome Susan and Vickie

I've been really busy and did not have a chance to log on for a while. I was actually a little relieved to see that the activity on this board had quieted somewhat - it wasn't as hard to catch up as I thought it would be.

L J - I really admire your determination in the face of the hurricanes. I sincerely doubt that I'd be doing that well with the stress, being away from home, etc. I let myself get completely off track for a week just because I took a long trip for a long weekend! I am happy to report, though, that I am now completely back on track. I've already lost the few pounds that I had picked up.

Yesterday was a gorgous day, and we did one of my very favorite autumn activites - - orchard hopping! We live in a town that has many pick your own fruit orchards. Many of them also have farm stands. We stocked up on local fruits and vegetables, and I have no excuse for having unhealthy snacks!

I did not make my weigh-in last week. I had a conflict with my regular time and, knowing that I was up a bit, I guess that I wasn't sufficiently motivated to find a substitute meeting. Between that and not logging in here, I fear that I was risking a significant departure from the track. A visit from my parents, who have lost quite a bit of weight, helped considerably.

Onward and downward - -

Danny