DWBride615

Renee...I love Love LOVE the cake you posted. Too hilarious! I remember I made one of those for my friend's birthday, only I stuffed the inside with white frosting filling for the ultimate touch haha Anyway, I see you ladies are making an AMAZING start this season! Great job and best wishes =] I will be back soon with a new recipe to post. Hmm....maybe a healthy cake alternate recipe to help recreate Renee's stunning masterpiece for all those bachelorette parties currently in the works...hehe ;-)

Hi ladies, just wanted to drop in and say how great it is that a new BL season is starting for the New Year. I know Marla will do an amazing job hosting and all of you will do an awesome job losing Best of Luck, contestants, on season 11 and Have a wonderful New Years' holiday! I hope you all don't mind, but I'll definitely be stopping by here and there for a quick hello, maybe a recipe or two to share. Take care!

Final Weigh-Ins Thank you all for sending in the final weigh-in submissions! The weigh-ins are in and this week’s weight loss percentages have been calculated. In alphabetical order… Competing category: CanadianSandy + 0.31% Mrs.*J*2011 (Lea) - 0.39% Msmarmar123 (Marla) - 0.53% Oryx (Renée) + 0.50 % Teira1031 -/+ 0.00% Non-competing category: Cindy* Heartbeat (Michelle) Jkgirl83 (Katie) OceanWonderland (Leslie) Sheri B Stachr (Stacey) Sunstarmoon (Chris) Tifany Now for the… Overall recorded weight loss: Competing category: CanadianSandy - 0.64% Mrs.*J*2011 (Lea) - 3.57% Msmarmar123 (Marla) - 3.57% Oryx (Renée) - 3.72% Teira1031 - 3.93% Non-competing category: Cindy* - 2.86% Heartbeat (Michelle) + 0.62% Jkgirl83 (Katie) - 3.11% OceanWonderland (Leslie) + 0.22% Sheri B -/+ 0.00% Stachr (Stacey) - 2.26% Sunstarmoon (Chris) -/+ 0.00% Tifany - 1.24% And the winner of BDW’s Biggest Loser: Season 10 is….. …. … …. … ….Teira1031with a total weight loss of 3.93% this season! Congratulations to Teira on the big win! It’s up to her whether the before and after pics can be shown, but she looks great! The results definitely show and you deserve the win! I’ll contact AnnR as soon as possible to get your ‘Superstar!’ banner added onto your name =] Congratulations to everyone on your hard work! There were many who were very close to snagging that win. You all did such an amazing job. It took courage and a lot of diligence to start and keep at it, but you all did it! And again, Thank you all for allowing me to host this time around; it was a great season!

Wow, the final week is already here! I can't believe it's already been three months. Please don't forget to send in your final weigh-ins (both scale pics and 'after' full-body pics) by noon EST on Saturday in order to remain eligible for the 'win'. Season 10 may be coming to an end, but we are getting closer to determining the Biggest Loser! =] Thank you all for allowing me to host this season; I'm so glad that I was able to be a part of this. This group did such an amazing job this season and the results will certainly show off all your hard work. P.S. Welcome back, Cindy! You're a Mrs. now!!! I hope your wedding was as amazing as ever!

FINAL WEEK OF NOVEMBER 14 – 20, 2010 Tip of the Week Did you know?…Your sense of taste doesn't always notice sodium, and sea salt or other gourmet salts aren't healthier than table salt.Just because it doesn't taste salty doesn't mean that it isn't salty. Many processed foods contain a lot of sodium -- check the label. Sea salt contains slightly less sodium per teaspoon than table salt only because sea salt is coarser, so fewer grains fit into the teaspoon. Challenge of the Week (I think Ann’s suggestions are great, so I’m posting but ALL credit goes to Ann : ) 50 Push-Ups Myth of the Week(Is it True or False?) â€Skipping meals is a good way to lose weight.†Answer: FALSE Studies show that people who skip breakfast and eat fewer times during the day tend to be heavier than people who eat a healthy breakfast and eat four or five times a day. This may be because people who skip meals tend to feel hungrier later on, and eat more than they normally would. It may also be that eating many small meals throughout the day helps people control their appetites. Tip:Eat small meals throughout the day that include a variety of healthy, low-fat, low-calorie foods. Healthy Recipe of the Week A recipe that would be tasty side in a Thanksgiving dinner =] Green Bean Cheese Potato Pie (Great alternative to the original Green Bean Casserole) Ingredients 1 package Grillers Prime® Veggie Burgers, thawed 3 cups frozen shredded hashbrowns, thawed 2 cups frozen French-cut green beans 1 can (10 3/4 oz.) Cheddar cheese soup 1/2 cup reduced fat milk 1 can (2.8 oz.) French fried onions, divided 1/2 teaspoon salt 1/4 teaspoon pepper 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce 1/2 cup shredded reduced fat Cheddar cheese Directions 1. Cut MORNINGSTAR FARMS GRILLERS PRIME Veggie Burgers into pieces. Set aside. 2. Coat bottom and side of 9-inch pie plate with vegetable cooking spray. Evenly line plate with hash browns. Bake at 450 degrees about 25 minutes or until golden brown. Remove from oven and reduce oven temperature to 350 degrees F. 3. Combine Veggie Burgers, green beans, soup, milk, 1 cup of the onions, salt, pepper and Worcestershire sauce. Place mixture in hot hash brown crust. Top with cheese and remaining 1/2 cup onions. 4. Bake at 350 degrees F about 20 minutes or until thoroughly heated. Serve hot. Have a happy Thanksgiving! =]

Week 11 Weigh-In Thank you all for sending in week eleven submissions! The weigh-ins are in and this week’s weight loss percentages have been calculated. In alphabetical order… Competing category: CanadianSandy -/+ 0.00 % Mrs.*J*2011 (Lea) Msmarmar123 (Marla) - 0.67% Oryx (Renée) - 1.24% Teira1031 Non-competing category: Cindy* Heartbeat (Michelle) Jkgirl83 (Katie) OceanWonderland (Leslie) Sheri B Sunstarmoon (Chris) Tifany Week eleven’s MVP for the second time in a row is Oryx (Renée) for losing – 1.24% in the competing category! Congratulations to everyone on your hard work. Remember, we are all here to support each other on our journey to a healthier lifestyle. It’s time for the last week in season 10’s BDW Biggest Loser! Please don’t forget to send in your scale pics and full-body result pictures for week 12. Only one week left until the final weigh-in =]

WEEK OF NOVEMBER 7 – 13, 2010 Tip of the Week Here’s a fun fact…Golf exercises are those that specifically target the muscles used during the golf swing. Golfers can improve their swings in various ways by incorporating golf exercises into a workout routine: lengthening the backswing, improving rotation, strengthening wrists and forearms and the muscles of the core. Spend time golfing(or on mini-golf courses with friends or loved ones and you’ll be exercising your arms and core muscles, while having fun. Challenge of the Week (I think Ann’s suggestions are great, so I’m posting but ALL credit goes to Ann : ) 100 jumping jacks Myth of the Week(Is it True or False?) â€Certain foods, like grapefruit, celery, or cabbage soup, can burn fat and make you lose weight.†Answer: FALSE No foods can burn fat. Some foods with caffeine may speed up your metabolism (the way your body uses energy, or calories) for a short time, but they do not cause weight loss. Healthy Recipe of the Week Hungarian Beef Goulash LOW-CARB recipe This saucy dish is a natural served over whole-wheat egg noodles. Or, for something different, try prepared potato gnocchi or spaetzle. Servings: 8 servings, about 1 cup each Prep: 30 mins Total: 4 hrs 30 mins Ingredients 2 pounds beef stew meat, (such as chuck), trimmed and cubed 2 teaspoons caraway seeds 1 1/2 - 2 tablespoons sweet or hot paprika, (or a mixture of the two), preferably Hungarian (see Ingredient Note) //Chelsea’s Note: The recipe could use a couple more spoons full, so I would say about 3 tbsps 1/4 teaspoon salt Freshly ground pepper, to taste 1 large or 2 medium onions, choppedand browned 1 small red bell pepper, choppedand browned 1 14-ounce can diced tomatoes 1 14-ounce can reduced-sodium beef broth 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce 3 cloves garlic, minced 2 bay leaves 2 tablespoons cornstarch mixed with 4 tablespoons water 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley 1 carrot, sliced or cubed (optional) Directions 1. Place beef in a 4-quart or larger slow cooker. Crush caraway seeds with the bottom of a saucepan. Transfer to a small bowl and stir in paprika, salt and pepper. Sprinkle the beef with the spice mixture and toss to coat well. Top with browned onion and bell pepper. 2. Combine tomatoes, broth, Worcestershire sauce and garlic in a medium saucepan; bring to a simmer. Pour over the beef and vegetables. Place bay leaves on top. Cover and cook until the beef is very tender, 4 to 4 1/2 hours on high or 7 to 7 1/2 hours on low. 3. Discard the bay leaves; skim or blot any visible fat from the surface of the stew. Add the cornstarch mixture to the stew and cook on high, stirring 2 or 3 times, until slightly thickened, 10 to 15 minutes. Serve sprinkled with parsley. Tips: Ingredient Note: Paprika specifically labeled as "Hungarian" is worth seeking out for this dish because it delivers a fuller, richer flavor than regular or Spanish paprika. Also, adding potatoes to the recipe will higher the carbs, but will also thicken the sauce. MAKE AHEAD TIP: Cover and refrigerate for up to 2 days or freeze for up to 4 months. | Prep ahead: Trim beef and coat with spice mixture. Prepare vegetables. Combine tomatoes, broth, Worcestershire sauce and garlic. Refrigerate in separate covered containers for up to 1 day. Nutrition Facts Calories 180, Total Fat 5 g, Saturated Fat 2 g, Monounsaturated Fat 2 g, Cholesterol 48 mg, Sodium 250 mg, Carbohydrate 6 g, Fiber 1 g, Protein 25 g, Potassium 298 mg. Daily Values: Vitamin A 25%, Vitamin C 35%, Iron 15%. Exchanges: Vegetable 1,Lean Meat 3 Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet

Week 10 Weigh-In Thank you all for sending in week ten submissions! The weigh-ins are in and this week’s weight loss percentages have been calculated. In alphabetical order… Competing category: CanadianSandy - 0.31% Mrs.*J*2011 (Lea) - 0.39% Msmarmar123 (Marla) - 0.14% Oryx (Renée) - 1.22% Teira1031 - 0.53% Non-competing category: Cindy* Heartbeat (Michelle) Jkgirl83 (Katie) OceanWonderland (Leslie) Sheri B Sunstarmoon (Chris) Tifany Week ten’s MVP is Oryx (Renée) for losing - 1.22% in the competing category! Congratulations to everyone on your hard work. Remember, we are all here to support each other on our journey to a healthier lifestyle. It’s time for week eleven! Two more weeks to go until the final weigh-in!

It's time for week 10 weigh-ins! Only two more left to go! Don't forget to send in your scale pics by tomorrow at 12:00pm EST. I hope everyone had a good week and good luck =]

Week 9 Weigh-In Thank you all for sending in week nine submissions! The weigh-ins are in and this week’s weight loss percentages have been calculated. In alphabetical order… Competing category: CanadianSandy - 1.15% Mrs.*J*2011 (Lea) - 0.13% Msmarmar123 (Marla) - 0.38% Oryx (Renée) - 0.85% Teira1031 -/+ 0.00% Non-competing category: Cindy* Heartbeat (Michelle) Jkgirl83 (Katie) OceanWonderland (Leslie) Sheri B Sunstarmoon (Chris) Tifany Week nine’s MVP is CanadianSandy for losing –1.15% in the competing category! Congratulations to everyone on your hard work. Remember, we are all here to support each other on our journey to a healthier lifestyle. It’s time for week nine! Three more weeks to go! =] Happy Halloween!

Wow, I can't believe it's week nine already! Well, it's true and it's that time again to send in your scale pics. Please remember to send them in by 12:00pm EST on Saturday. We only have three weeks left until final weigh-ins! Time flies! Best of luck, ladies! =]

WEEKS FROM OCTOBER 24 – NOVEMBER 6, 2010 Due to a holiday, there will be no weekly update this weekend. Weigh-ins will still go as planned. Happy early Halloween! =] Tip of the Week Did you know?…The long-term health effects of a high-protein/low-carbohydrate diet are unknown. But getting most of your daily calories from high-protein foods like meat, eggs, and cheese is not a balanced eating plan. You may be eating too much fat and cholesterol, which may raise heart disease risk. You may be eating too few fruits, vegetables, and whole grains, which may lead to constipation due to lack of dietary fiber. Following a high-protein/low-carbohydrate diet may also make you feel nauseous, tired, and weak. Eating fewer than 130 grams of carbohydrate a day can lead to the buildup of ketones in your blood. Ketones are partially broken-down fats. A buildup of these in your blood (called ketosis) can cause your body to produce high levels of uric acid, which is a risk factor for gout (a painful swelling of the joints) and kidney stones. Ketosis may be especially risky for pregnant women and people with diabetes or kidney disease. Be sure to discuss any changes in your diet with a health care professional, especially if you have health conditions such as cardiovascular disease, kidney disease, or type 2 diabetes. High-protein/low-carbohydrate diets are often low in calories because food choices are strictly limited, so they may cause short-term weight loss. But a reduced-calorie eating plan that includes recommended amounts of carbohydrate, protein, and fat will also allow you to lose weight. By following a balanced eating plan, you will not have to stop eating whole classes of foods, such as whole grains, fruits, and vegetables—and miss the key nutrients they contain. You may also find it easier to stick with a diet or eating plan that includes a greater variety of foods. Challenge of the Week (I think Ann’s suggestions are great, so I’m posting but ALL credit goes to Ann : ) 40 Push-Ups Myth of the Week(Is it True or False?) "Exercise turns fat into muscle" Answer: FALSE Fat and muscle tissue are composed of two entirely different types of cells. While you can lose one and replace it with another, the two never “convert†into different forms, so fat will never turn into muscle. Healthy Recipe of the Week (Since Halloween is coming up, I thought I’d add a healthier recipe for that pumpkin taste. Great for Thanksgiving too!) Maple-Pumpkin Custards with Crystallized Ginger Ingredients 1 1/2 cups 1% milk 4 large eggs 3/4 cup maple syrup, (I recommend Grade B dark amber syrup for the best maple taste) 3/4 cup canned unseasoned pumpkin puree 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg 1/4 teaspoon salt 3 tablespoons whipped cream (optional) 1/4 cup chopped crystallized ginger Preparation Preheat oven to 325°F. Put a kettle of water on to heat for the water bath. Line a roasting pan with a folded kitchen towel. Heat milk over low heat in a small saucepan until barely steaming but not boiling. Whisk eggs and syrup in a large bowl until smooth. Gently whisk in the warm milk (a little bit at a time so the eggs don't cook). Add pumpkin puree, cinnamon, nutmeg and salt; whisk until blended. Divide the mixture among six 6-ounce (3/4-cup) custard cups. Skim foam from the surface. Place custard cups in the prepared roasting pan. Pour enough boiling water into the pan to come halfway up the sides of the custard cups. Place the pan in the oven and bake, uncovered, until custards are just set but still quiver in the center when shaken, 45 to 50 minutes. Transfer custards to a wire rack and let cool for 45 minutes. Cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour, or until chilled. To serve, top each custard with a dollop of whipped cream and a sprinkling of crystallized ginger. Tips & Notes Make Ahead Tip: Prepare through Step 4. Cover and refrigerate for up to 2 days. Ingredient Note:If you can find it, use Grade B dark amber syrup to get the best maple flavor.

Week 8 Weigh-In Thank you for sending in week eight submissions! The weigh-ins are in and this week’s weight loss percentages have been calculated. In alphabetical order… Competing category: CanadianSandy - 0.46% Mrs.*J*2011 (Lea) Msmarmar123 (Marla) - 0.57% Oryx (Renée) Teira1031 - 0.10% Non-competing category: Cindy* I hope you have an amazing wedding, Cindy! =] Heartbeat (Michelle) Jkgirl83 (Katie) OceanWonderland (Leslie) Sheri B Sunstarmoon (Chris) Tifany Week eight’s MVP is Msmarmar123 (Marla) for losing – 0.57% for the competing category! Congratulations to everyone on your hard work. Remember, we are all here to support each other on our journey to a healthier lifestyle. It’s time for week nine! One more month to go! =] Cindy left for her wedding today and will be coming back a bride! Best wishes, Cindy!

Hi ladies, weeks 8 is here! Time to send in your scale pics =] Best of luck and have a great weekend!

Congrats again ladies and wow, Cindy! Your wedding is so close! I wish you the best and I know you'll look amazing on your wedding day =]