I’m really excited to be writing this article, as it’s been a while since my last article for FoodieView. Things have happened! I have cheekbones again!! The hubbs and I have been living a new “lifestyle”. Some may use the “D” word, but I prefer not to. Because of my age, and because I’ve been heavy most of my life, “diets” don’t work for me.

Photo by Lisa
of La Mia Cucina

Back in March, I got yet another unfavorable report from my doctor. If I didn’t lose weight and get control of my sugar, the next step was insulin. Uhh.. insulin requires needles. Homey don’t play that game. Sorry. Pair that news along with my turning 40 last November and well.. something clicked. Something that, to be honest, scared the bejesus out of me. I’m not in high school anymore.. my partying days are over and somewhere between then and now, I became an adult. When the hell that happened, I have no idea and I’m none too pleased about it, but this is life, yes?

So 40 and still overweight.. Type II diabetic. Would rather eat live bees than exercise. Only reason for waking up each morning was chocolate. Are you seeing something wrong with this picture? Mmm hmmm..

Knowing full well that a diet *shudder* was not the answer, I was lost. What the hell am I going to do? And then one night on I was chatting with one of my dear friends.. who is such a beautiful woman, both inside and out. Unfortunately, this talented, intelligent, kind-hearted, gorgeous soul is also struggling with her weight. She’s not near as heavy as I am, yet you’d never know it by talking to her. She was telling me that she was trying to live a new “lifestyle” and that she too, could not think of it as dieting. As we talked, we decided to try to support each other as best we could.. and because of her, I kick-started my new way of cooking.

Cooking Light is a godsend. Yep the food magazine. I have two of their annual recipe books and I’ve yet to make a recipe that wasn’t delicious. What these times have taught me is that deliciousness can be found far away from a jar of mayo and a stick of butter. Can you believe it??? Talk about a shocker!

Photo by Kalyn
of Kalyn’s Kitchen

I’d like to first highlight an amazing recipe that Hubbs and I actually crave. The great thing about this recipe is that after dinner is done, there’s always a lot of the “relish” left and it make a stunning snack with baked corn chips. I speak of a simply seasoned, grilled boneless pork chop that’s covered in a roasted corn, avocado and onion relish. The chop is lean, and moist, and the relish is so light and flavorful. You can read more about it Here.

Secondly, I can’t recommend The California Burger more highly. Flavorful, filling.. lots of different textures and tastes.. sooo good. So good, in fact, that we don’t even crave beef burgers anymore. OHMYGOD!

Okay let’s just skip to dessert, shall we? Hey! You can take the desserts away from a sugar addict, but you can’t take away.. uhh.. okay it’s IMPOSSIBLE to take the desserts away from a sugar addict, regardless if she’s a Type II diabetic. So just fogeddaboutit. This first desert has become a summer staple for me.. I first heard about it on Recipezaar and found it oddly attractive.. and then I found it in the archives of one of my favorite bloggers, Kayln of Kalyn’s Kitchen. Only she kicked it up a notch and slices her berries then coats them in a sour cream and brown sugar (Splenda) mixture. I tried it this way and lurvvvveee it. Yes, you read it right.. strawberries, light sour cream (I prefer Daisy) and Splenda brown sugar. YUM!

Photo by Cooking Light

We had over some friends a few weeks ago which made it an occasion for dessert! HAR! I found this One Bowl Chocolate Mocha Cream Cake on the Cooking Light website and was pleasantly surprised to find out it was created by none other than one of my most favoritest go-to bloggers when I’ve got a hellacious sweet tooth.. Anna of Cookie Madness.

These gals and Cooking Light have made my lifestyle change so much easier to live with. I’ve cut 95% of my sugar intake out, stopped snacking in between meals, and recently have taken up swimming of all things! I’ve dropped around 20 pounds and I feel better each and every day. This is a testament moreso than just an article on some low cal/low fat delicious recipes.. this is me tell YOU that losing weight CAN be done - especially when you think it CAN’T. Believe me.. even the smallest of changes helps. Oh and the best part? Your doctor doesn’t give you “that” look anymore.

xoxo

You can find declicious light recipes on the Foodieview Recipe Search Engine.

To find out more about Lis and her recipes, check out her blog, La Mia Cucina.