We're extending the deadline for our Shrinking Sisters Starbucks breakfast giveaway. Just give us an idea for a quick and healthy breakfast and if you're chosen we'll send you a $5 Starbucks gift card.

Just to make sure -- we will NEVER use your personal info for anything other than sending you your gift card. C'mon, we're just two moms with a blog and a dream!

Labels: contest

In a tribute to my friends from Kingston, this week's produce of the week is the Ackee. Not commonly found fresh in the US, the Ackee is a member of the Sapindaceae (soapberry family), it is native to tropical West Africa, and was introduced into the Caribbean through slave ships. The fruit is found in Florida.

Ackee is the national fruit of Jamaica; with Ackee and Saltfish being the national dish of the country.

You can find Ackee in cans although the texture is lost a bit in the canning process. My suggestions is to find a West Indian restaurant (Donna's in Broward County) and have them serve you up a salty portion of Ackee and Saltfish -- a typical breakfast meal on the island.

Labels: produce of the week

Here's a link to the recipes chef Rocco diSpirito featured Tuesday night on The Biggest Loser, including the winning recipe for Tiny Turkey Meatball and Chickpea Soup.

For the link, click HERE.

There are also links to the recipes from last season.

(I am going right out to buy ground turkey!)

Labels: biggest loser, meal ideas, recipes

Really, is it any big whup that Clay Aiken fiiiiiinallly came out? Here's the real reason to get the latest issue of People magazine: The Half Their Size People Weight Loss Challenge!

I love their Half Their Size issues: I actually sent fan mail to one person this past January and now we're best buds!

So what's the challenge? The magazine, and a companion special on ABC, will follow eight people from Mississippi, the nation's most overweight state, on a journey to lose weight.

The ABC special airs next Tuesday, Sept. 30 at 10 p.m., so you can flip over to it right after The Biggest Loser for an overdose of inspiration.

Labels: contest

Here at Shrinking Sisters we're all about quick and healthy. So we're looking for your favorite quick and healthy breakfast. If we like your idea, we'll send you a $5 Starbucks gift card!

If you didn't already know, the java giant has recently introduced new breakfast items that won't break your caloric bank. Among the new goodies:

• Perfect Oatmeal: Vitamin and mineral fortified, with your choice of dried fruit, nuts or brown sugar. (140 calories for oatmeal only; extras are ... extra!)
• Chewy Fruit & Nut Bar: Made with fruit, oats, nuts and honey. (250 calories)
• Apple Bran Muffin: A good source of fiber (7 grams), baked with dried cherries and apple. (330 calories)
• Power Protein Plate: Cheddar cheese, fresh fruit, hard-boiled cage-free egg, whole-wheat bagel and peanut butter. (330 calories)

Check out Starbucks for more info on the new breakfast items, and if you'd like a shot at winning a gift card, leave a comment below. DON'T leave your address here, just make sure you sign in to leave a comment. That way we can get back to you. Deadline is Oct. 1.

Labels: contest, meal ideas

One of my new favorite veggies is the asparagus. Many years ago, Gail & I were Diet Workshop members, and a recipe for asparagus soup was shared. It is so simple and easy -- I love it. It uses canned veggies, so look for the salt free or reduced sodium varieties... but get out your pencils and paper... here it is...

1) can of asparagus
1) can of green beans

Mix in a blender.

Heat and eat.

Here's some more info on our Produce of the Week:

Asparagus is a member of the Lily family.
Asparagus spears grow from a crown that is planted about a foot deep in sandy soils.
Under ideal conditions, an asparagus spear can grow 10" in a 24-hour period.
Each crown will send spears up for about 6-7 weeks during the spring and early summer.
The outdoor temperature determines how much time will be between each picking...early in the season, there may be 4-5 days between pickings and as the days and nights get warmer, a particular field may have to be picked every 24 hours.
After harvesting is done the spears grow into ferns, which produce red berries and the food and nutrients necessary for a healthy and productive crop the next season.

An asparagus planting is usually not harvested for the first 3 years after the crowns are planted allowing the crown to develop a strong fibrous root system.
A well cared for asparagus planting will generally produce for about 15 years without being replanted.
The larger the diameter, the better the quality!
Asparagus is a nutrient-dense food which in high in Folic Acid and is a good source of potassium, fiber, vitamin B6, vitamins A and C, and thiamin.
Asparagus has No Fat, contains No Cholesterol and is low in Sodium.

Labels: produce of the week

I was proctoring a test today at school and during one of our breaks, I came across this article about GE (Genetically Engineered Foods). I was nauseated at the fact that scientists are starting to mess with the genetic composition of farm animals and some fish to speed up the growth to produce super animals -- where a wild salmon can take up to 3 years to grow to maturity, GE salmon can get there in 18 months.

My first thought is if they mess with the fish to make it grow bigger in half the time as normal, what will that do to the people who consume it? Will it make us grow faster?

I think the scientists need to stay out of the farms, rivers and crops of our food supply and stay in the laboratory... find a cure for the common cold.

...and I think I'll keep shopping organic... or start raising chickens... or become a vegan..

Labels: off topic

I know we've been remiss in posting more but that is about to change. We have all sorts of stuff in store. We'll be sharing more of our weight loss ups and downs (down is good!) and maybe have a contest! We'd like to get you, our readers, more involved in the site.

I've still been trying to find my way through my "new" life as a stay-at-home mom. Since I've been working since high school I'm finding that it's taking longer than I expected.

But I have gotten back on the exercise track (and boy am I sore!). I've also taken off the 5 pounds I gained the past couple months, so things are looking up there.

Labels: confessions, introduction

Bob and Jillian hand-picked their teams: Bob’s got 4 sets of married couples and Jillian’s got 4 sets of parents and kids. I interviewed Bob earlier this year and he loves the familial teams. He likes that the kids and their parent "enablers" are dealing with their issues together.

Wanna read more about the season 6 premiere? Click HERE.

Interested in trying out some Nutrisystem entrees without the commitment? Big Lots discount stores are getting in huge stocks of lunch and dinner entrees for $1 and $2.50 apiece as well as $1 chippy-type snacks. The dollar meals are basically little tubs of "roni" or soup, not bad for a quick and brainless meal or very good for hurricane supplies.

Labels: meal ideas