4th week of the 2013 challange

Looks like everyone has made it to the home stretch, only a couple of weeks to go. Then we'll all be fit and fabulous. Well some of us will.

Let's have a recipe from Marie Sterbenz

Chili Cheese Bake
1 Tablespoon chopped green Chili's
1/3 Cup Ricotta (Fat free)
1 Egg
1 Tbs Parm Cheese
Mix all ingredients and place in individual baking dish. Bake in a 350 degree oven for 30 min or until knife inserted in center comes out clean. This is an original weight watchers recipe from the 1980's. Serve with a green salad and a piece of fruit.
Total Calories 172

Now I, er Mary Martinez has another recipe:

Shrimp and Sausage Gumbo, 8 -- 1 cup servings
1 lb Shrimp (tail off)
3 links Sausage (Andouille or Cajun)
1 Medium onion chopped
1/2 cup Green Bell Pepper Chopped
1/2 cup Red Bell Pepper Chopped
2 clove garlic
1 12 oz. pkg of Okra (fresh if you can find it)
1 bunch of green onions chopped
1 stalk celery sliced
3 medium tomatoes chopped
1/2 cup flour
4 oz butter light
4 cups water
4 tsp tomato bouillon
2 Tablespoons Cajun Spice Mix (See below)
In large pot, melt butter and blend in flour simmer until darkened. Add drained and thawed okra. Gradually add all the vegetables. Add browned sliced sausage. While mixture is simmering in another saucepan bring water to boil, then add in bouillon. Mix and pour over vegetables mix in large pot. Add spices and bring to a boil turn down to simmer for about 60 minutes. Add shrimp and simmer another 30-40 minutes.

1 cup 327 calories, Total Fat 21g, Saturated Fat 8g, Cholesterol 129mg, Sodium 530mg, Carbohydrate 13g, Dietary fiber 2g, Sugars 4g, Protein 21g, Vitamin A 30%, Vitamin C 55%, Calcium 8% and Iron 12%

Cajun Spice Mix I found this on About.com (I added a bit more Cayenne to mine)
Mix the following pour into a jar with a tight lid and store in dry place. 1 TBSP servings (13 calories)
1 Tbsp Oregano
1 Tbsp Coriander
1 tsp Cayenne pepper
2 tsp thyme
1/4 tsp cumin
1/4 tsp white pepper
1/3 cup Kosher Salt
1/4 cup Chili Powder
1/4 cup Paprika
1 Tbsp Onion Powder
1 Tbsp black pepper
1 Tbsp basil

Author Spotlight
Mary Martinez
Why am I doing the challenge? Because a few years ago I lost 76 lbs, and I've gained about 20 -25 lbs back. So I'd much rather lose that than wait until I've got to lose 76 lbs again. Plus I get no exercise so I have to rely on portion control. That isn't exactly true, I do walk to and from the train to my office building every day, maybe 3/4 of a mile I'm lucky. The rest of the time, I sit. I sit for an hour on the bus/train on my way to work. Sit eight hours at work, then I sit for an hour on the way home on the bus/train. After dinner I sit at the computer and edit and/or write. My bottom reflects this. There you go!
Mary's site: www.marymartinez.com

Everyone's weekly accomplishments
Melissa Mayhue: Pitiful results for me this week. I gained 2 pounds [damned water weight!!]. It's not a surprise, though. I'm on the last week of deadline [book due Tuesday] and all I've done is sit on my butt at the computer and write. My only exercise? Walking to the kitchen to get something to eat!!! Next week I'll add the walking back and expect to get back on track.
Annie Adams: I stayed level this week, which is a relief. I've had a new illness this week piggybacked on the sinus infection of the previous three weeks. So I gave into the tempting call of comfort foods, somewhat. I'm trying to develop a desire to eat raw vegetables as comfort food, but it hasn't set in as a craving quite yet. The illness limited some of my exercise capabilities, but I did my push ups and sit-ups.
Marie Sterbenz: I am only down a half a pound this week.
Stanalie Flecther: I tried a “Don’t try this at home” method of losing weight this week. I have to say that I lost 3 lbs over 12 hours. But that nasty stomach’s flu bug has some ugly side-effect. Definitely, don’t try it at home. Net lost total for the 3 weeks= 5lbs. Feeling better and the appetite is back, so I’m hoping to not gain back too much.
Judy Baker: Managed to get through the third week of exercises and I think I'm beginning to feel a tiny bit more energetic when the 40 minutes come to an end. Onward!
Mary Martinez: I’ve lost 1 pound and I walked my 10 minutes every day, except Friday I didn’t walk to the Trax (Train) after work, I had a ride. So 5 minutes Friday. And my weights? I completely forgot! So this week I’m setting myself a reminder.