Full disclosure! I confess...............

............to being human! Last winter I had a relapse! As readers of this blog know, I was enjoying a 250 pound weight loss!!! I started my "Journey to Happiness" program in July of 2004. I surpassed my goal weight and was on the maintenance plan.



I was not as careful in working my program. My daily walking suffered and I was not as eager to jump on the scale that would have alerted me to a weight gain.



Long story short............ I gained 50 pounds! I knew it without even weighing. My clothes were tighter and I had less ambition! That was my wake up call! I started working my program again and saw the results on the scale, but it was a lot harder to lose this time around! I'm happy to report that I have lost all the weight that I gained (plus), putting me under my goal weight and in my maintenance zone once again!! I am determined to follow my program and keep a close eye on it as I do not want to go through the pain and suffering of having to lose the same weight over and over again!



Thank you for all of your support and encouragement during this process! The battle continues!! That said I think I'll have a bowel of homemade soup and go for a long walk!! Thanks again!

Garden Harvest Soup

Hi! Its late August and harvest is near. I just came across this great vegetable soup recipe and would like to share it with you! Its from YOU ON A DIET by Drs. Michael Roizen and Mehmet Oz.

GARDEN HARVEST SOUP
10 (one cup) servings = 176 calories per serving

1 TBS olive oil
1 onion, chopped
1 carrot, chopped
4 cloves garlic, sliced thin
1 red bell pepper, chopped (I used a large banana pepper from my garden)
2 quarts low-salt vegetable or chicken stock or broth
1 can (28oz) tomatoes, undrained (I used 1 quart of my canned tomatoes from last year)
2 cups water
1 small head cabbage, thinly sliced
1/2 tsp hot red pepper sauce
Salt and pepper to taste
Optional garnish: frest parsley or cilantro

Heat a large saucepan over med-high heat. Add oil, then onion; cook 5 minutes, stirring occasionally. Stir in carrot, garlic and pepper; cook until tender. Add broth, tomatoes, water and cabbage; simmer uncovered 20 minutes. Season to taste with hot sauce, salt and pepper.

Nutrition:
total fat 4g; sat. fat 0.8g; healthy fats 2.85g; fiber 3.6g; carbohydrates 15.9g; sugar 4.6g; protein 374mg; sodium 374mg; calcium 73mg; magnesium 35mg; selenium 5.6mcg; potassium 631.

That's it! I made it the other day and its great!! I like simple soups! They can be used as a main course by adding a protein or just use it as a snack between meals! Very versatile!! Enjoy!!