A protein drink I actually like!!!

While at Costco last week, one of the free sample people was giving out little cups of a protein juice fromBolthouse Farms.  I'm always one to try a new protein drink and this one had 64g of protein in the entire bottle!  

HOLY COW was it good!!! Probably one of the best protein juice drinks I've ever had! It was a mango drink, slightly thicker than juice but not quite as thick as a smoothie.... and it didn't have any gritty taste like some protein drinks do.  

AND... the best part.... buying two at Costco for just under $6 was such a great deal!  I saw them at the market at they were $5 for one!  

I've been drinking 1/2 a bottle every morning.... getting in half my protein for the day! 

Totally excited about this..... I needed to share it with everyone! 

Oh, I also tried the chocolate protein drink they have.... don't love it as much as the mango, but it'd do in a pinch!  30g for the small bottle of the chocolate. 

Here's their website where you can find all the info about their protein drinks! http://bolthouse.com/our-products/beverages/proteins
Enjoy! I do! 



UPDATE:  I also felt the need to mention that these drinks also come with a lot of sugar and carbs.   If that's something you're looking to cut back on, this might not be the drink for you.   Although high sugar and carbs can be really bad for some WLS patients, I find that getting in enough protein is a good trade for me.... I'll cut back on sugar/carbs the rest of the day in order to get enough protein in with this shake.  It's not for everyone... but it works for me! 

Super low-fat Cream of Mushroom Soup

For thanksgiving, I was in charge of the green bean casserole but we all know that green bean casserole is full of cream of mushroom soup, which is high in fat and calories.  So, I searched the internet for a recipe for cream of mushroom soup that was low fat and I found a WINNER!

The green bean casserole was super yummy so I decided to try to mushroom soup in different recipes.  I'd use the homemade soup just as I'd use a can of it from the grocery store.

Today's adventure.... Bone in, lean pork chops cooked all day long in my homemade cream of mushroom soup! You could really use this recipe anytime you need a creamed soup for your cooking.  It takes about 20 mins to make.... but really, the benefits are so great that it's so worth it! Low fat, full of flavor and guilt free eating!

Enjoy!

Skinny Betsy’s Super Low-Fat Cream of Mushroom Soup
2 ½ cups non-fat milk
1 tsp coarse cracked black pepper
2-3 bay leaves
½ tsp grated nutmeg
1/2 tbsp olive oil
1 large onion, finely chopped
4 cups mushrooms, trimmed and sliced
2 cloves garlic, finely chopped
1/4 cup all-purpose flour
1/4 cup reduced/non-fat sour cream
Salt & pepper

1. Combine milk, peppercorns, bay leaf and nutmeg in a medium saucepan and heat over low until steaming. Remove from heat, let stand for 5 minutes and strain into a measuring cup. (Discard peppercorns and bay leaf.)
2. Meanwhile, heat oil in a large saucepan over medium heat. Add chopped onion, salt and pepper to season, and cook, stirring often, until golden & caramelized, about 5-7 minutes. 
3. Add mushrooms and garlic and cook, stirring, until tender, 3 to 4 minutes.  Salt and pepper to season. 
4. Sprinkle flour over the vegetables and cook, stirring, for 1 minute.
5. Slowly pour in the milk, whisking constantly. Bring to a boil, stirring. Reduce heat to low and cook, stirring, until thickened, about 1 minute.
6. Remove from heat. Whisk in sour cream.

An update of photos...

Well, I don't have much new to say... other than HAPPY BIRTHDAY EMILY!  11 years ago she was born and I'm happy to report I weigh less than I did even before I got pregnant with her!! Yay!

Anyhoo... I do however have some recent photos to share!  As of this morning I'm down 109lbs and am feeling fabulous!  Another 17lbs until I reach my main goal of being under 200lbs! I wonder if I can do that before we move... I think that'd be awesome.  I should probably stop sneaking Christmas cookies though for that to happen.  haha

Oh... tomorrow, I go in for my 6 month check-up with my surgeon.  I get to find out how my vitamin levels are doing, protein levels, etc are.  Also, I'm going to ask him for a referral to a surgeon in Germany AND when I can start thinking about the full body lift to get rid of all this extra skin!! :) Yay!!

On to the pictures!

I'm all dressed up in my new outfit (yes, that's a waist I have!! hehe), make up done at Sephora, hair all cute.... looking fantabulous!! And really... .feeling even better! 

This is me and my best friend Desi of almost 20 years! We met the summer before high school started and now she lives just a few minutes away from me!  This picture was taken last night before we left for a party! Aren't we sexy? 

My handsome husband :)  We look so cute together! 

This is me and Jen on my birthday in Feb. 2010. 

This is me and Jen last night.  WOW! Big difference! 

And cause it's her birthday... an extra picture of me and my babygirl Emme  from last night! 

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Weight Loss Recap

Today's weight: 216lbs
Total weight loss: 109lbs
Weight loss since surgery: 98lbs