Nikki Fu In Progress 2.0 | New Vlog!

Hey everyone!

I have a new vlog!

Enjoy :-)

https://youtu.be/YDEX9m6Hk-4

The basics to a dinner cupcake!

That's right. You read that right.

Cupcakes. For dinner.

Now, before you get excited I should clarify that these aren't your sugar laden delights that you normally get. These are portion controlled deliciousness that everyone in the family can enjoy.

Inspired by a pin I found on Pinterest a few years ago I have now gotten to a point where I can make a dinner cupcake just using my imagination!

(Credit for the inspirational pin goes to Emily Bites,  who posted a pin similar to this one. Emily Bites also had a bunch of other fun and delicious low cal/diet friendly recipies!)

To make any dinner cupcake, you will need wonton wrappers. They can be found in the refrigerated section of the grocery store (I find mine over by the yakisoba noodles and tofu products. Don't worry, they're not made from tofu!)

Otherwise, the only other item you'll need is a muffin pan (regular size - not minis or jumbo). The rest is up to your imagination! I try to follow the same formula: protein, fat and filler.

(Before I go further - fat is not all bad! It's all about moderation and the kind of fat. Plus these awesome cupcakes are portion controlled so the fat content isn't crazy.)

Let's just quickly break it down:

Protein: I try to get a meat in there like shredded chicken ... ground turkey ... even just as simple as pepperoni slices *if my filler is big, in example.  I used left over pulled Mexican pork for my dinner taco the other night. I will say this - I highly recommend you cook your meat first, or use pre cooked meat. The wonton may burn if you have to cook the meat along with the baking of the cupcake.

Fat: 9 out of 10 times, this is cheese for me. Something about melted cheese that makes me smile! (And my kids). If you have it on hand, laughing cow cheese works wonderful. Sometimes even mixing in the cheese with your meat works! (I did Buffalo Chicken ones for super bowl last year and mixed in cream cheese for baking. Then sprinkler blue cheese on top).

Filler: Not always necessary (i.e. my Buffalo Chicken cupcakes don't have a filler) but a nice touch if it feels right!  (I used beans in my Mexican pork ones the other night).

After you select your ingredients, comes the easy assembly. Pre heat your oven to 425 ... place 1 to 2 wonton wrappers down in a cup, creating a bowl. Fill with your meat, filler than fat. It does not have to be in that order per say ..  but I recommend the cheese being the top layer.  Then lay down two more wrappers, creating another bowl. Same step as before,  fill it up and it's ready to bake. Just stick it into your oven for 12 to 16 minutes (just keep an eye on them so the sides don't get TOO crispy!)

That's the gist of it! Pretty simple right :-)

You can make these however you like - Let your imagination run wild!

Garnish your cupcakes with fresh avocado, sour cream, ketchup! Whatever your heart desires.

When I made these on Sunday, I ate about 3/4 of mine (obviously not a whole lot of space).  Most adults will find two to three cupcakes does the trick!

This also makes great party food (just as I mentioned above I made some for Super Bowl last year).  Pair them with another side, like a soup or salad. Eat them alone as the main star.  The dinner cupcake has so many possibilities, you'll find yourself soon like me trying to experiment with new fillers and such ...

I guarantee your family will not be upset to act as your guinea pigs ;-)

I hope this helps, and if you have any questions please feel free to post them below!

Bon appetit!

Thanks for reading,

Nichole
*Be The Thermostat,  Not The Thermometer*

The Reverse Bucket List

In light of my exciting journey to come ... I have been thinking about things I want to do as I lose weight and get healthy.

Think of it as a bucket list. I'm just not dying or going away (well my extra weight is!) As I lose weight and get closer to the goal I have things I wish to accomplish or aquire!

This list will be edited and updated as I go along but for now in no particular order:

- Run a 5K ... In a respectable time a runner would be proud of!

- Complete a 1/2 marathon
- Complete a full marathon

- Do the Rock and Roll Marathon (either half or full)
- Do the Las Vegas Marathon (either half or full)
- Go on a vintage shopping spree through somewhere like University District
- Go on a shopping spree at Alderwood, Bellevue Square or Southcenter

- Buy a Burberry Trench Coat ... I fell in love with them last year. When I hit goal that will be my reward to myself!
- Buy a super adorable fitness outfit!
- Wear heels as often as possible!
- Lead a fitness class.
- Start a weight loss support group that doesn't require fees or such ... A safe place to come and talk about anything. 

- Create or make twists to recipes.
- Stay more on top of this blog with updates, etc.
- Go on a fitness retreat.
- Spend a day/night at a spa (ahhhhh).
- Go to the park with the kiddos and run around longer than 5 minutes!

- Get a full makeover! Hair ... makeup ... something out of a movie!

- Learn and go snowboarding! 

More to come as I think of them :-)

The Last Night

Just over a year ago, I wrote a blog called "Today Is The Last Day"

And the message I was trying to send still rings true.  But today, as I re-read that blog ... it's hitting a little deeper tonight on the emotion scale.

Today truly is the last day for my way of living.

So long I have been a prisoner to myself.  My bad habits... my negative thoughts... my sedentary routine I have created for myself ...

I have made leaps and bounds when it comes to my way of thinking.  Now it is time to take those steps in my physical health.

I am not happy with how I've treated my body physically.  And while I know I have tried to take it back, it just never fully stuck.  Now a tool is being given to me (and for those who think Gastric Bypass is the easy way out, do yourself a favor and research a little bit.  It's far from the easy way out).  With this tool I am going to apply all I know I should (and want) to be doing!

I miss Paige and her Zumba classes!
I miss my evening walks!
I miss Sweatin' To The Oldies with Richard!

I want to play with my kids, and not be winded 5 minutes in.
I want to eat balanced, healthy meals ... and not feel hungry an hour later.
I want to care about my appearance again, and take care of myself.

Today really *IS* the last day I will be like this.
Tomorrow I begin my two week diet before surgery.  This means in 15 days, I'll be sitting here packing my hospital bag (and probably writing a sappy blog entry, ha ha).

I look forward to sharing this journey with you all ... and I hope to help give hope to someone who thinks they've tried everything and to give up.  Or if they feel WLS is them giving up.  It is not!  It is YOU saying "I give a damn about my health and future - and I want to be here for a LONG TIME!"

Tonight is the last night ... this chapter is finally coming to an end.
I am ready to begin writing my next great adventure.

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Thanks for reading!

Nichole

~Be The Thermostat - Not The Thermometer~

Dear Soda

My Beloved Soda,

You have been my friend for many years now.  You quench my thirst at all hours of the day … you blend so sweetly with our mutual friend Captain Morgan … you pair well with many of my meals.

Unfortunately, with your amazing taste comes not so amazing consequences for over-indulging.

Let’s come clean to each other – we know our relationship should be on a part time basis.
Parties … dinner dates … vacations … these are perfect times that we should be together.

I have let you join in on almost all aspects of my life.  Lunch. Dinner.  Most snacks. Sometimes even breakfast.
Sure, I justified by doing Diet it wasn’t as bad.  But who are we fooling, soda?

It was getting about time to break off our relationship anyway … but now it really must happen.  See, starting tomorrow I begin my pre-operation diet for my life-changing surgery.  Gastric Bypass is no walk in the park, so there can’t be any cheating during this two week diet.  If my liver doesn’t shrink enough, they will have to perform the surgery a much more difficult way.  After two c-sections, I am done with people opening me up!

Even after the procedure, my body will be sensitive and adapting to its new system.  For many months, my diet will be selective and chosen based on nutritional value/comfort on the pouch versus whatever is easiest/tastiest.  I know this is my choice and I am doing this to myself, but I am doing this to SAVE myself.  Soda, you are an enabler to my unhealthy life style …

It is time we see other people.

I am enjoying our last day together.
It’s not you – it’s me.  Well, it is you … and me.
You’re high in sugar and calories.  Your diet blend is addictive (to me, at least) and some days has outright replaced water (which is never good).

I wish you nothing but the best.
I am not writing you off forever.  Yet I know if we should ever cross paths again, it will be a very long time from now - and even if I try you again, you will be so far and few between.

Thank you for being my comfort, but I’m ready to take my life back (even if that means giving up you).

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Sincerely,

Nichole

Honest Reviews - Isopure

I thought a fun new segment in my blog would be to do reviews.  I have come into late tons of new ventures and products, so I wanted to share back out to my readers what I thought of them.

In this post, I will give the Honest Review of:

Isopure Zero Carb Protein Drink

With my upcoming weight loss surgery, I will be living on liquids and had read in some support groups how much they enjoyed this one.

On my lunch I went up to a local supplement store to scope out some protein powders and came across a bottle.  I selected the Alpine Punch, as their only other option was Apple Melon.  According to their website, they do have other flavors available (Passion Fruit, Pineapple Orange Banana, Icy Orange, Grape Frost, Blue Raspberry, and Mango Peach).

The cost after tax was just over $3.50 – it is a little pricy for just one drink, but if it was a meal replacement or supplement of sorts I could justify the cost (cheaper than a Starbucks fully loaded with sugar too).  From what I researched online, this is the median price.  Through Amazon it was closer to $5.50 a bottle (!!!!!!) but on sale at GNC for $2.50 (now that’s a price that appeals to my frugal nature).

So let’s break down the nutritional facts:

No carbs/sugar.
40 grams of protein (second ingredient on the bottle is Ion Exchange Whey [Milk] Protein Isolate).
No Aspartame.
No Preservatives.
Gluten Free.
160 calories per 20 oz. bottle.
Fat Free.
80mg of Sodium.
45mg of Potassium.
6% of your Calcium needs per 20 oz. bottle.

It seems almost too good to be true.  A fruity punch with no fat, sugar or carbs.  No Preservatives.  Little calories (compared to soda or fully-loaded sports drinks).  I was pretty skeptical …

Then I tried it.  I had my friend Danielle drink some too, to make sure a true opinion was formed.

The flavor wasn’t bad!  I was very impressed … very much like a Crystal Light, but maybe a little more watered down.  There was an after taste, but similar to an after taste you’d have from a protein heavy shake.  And the after taste went away after a bit too.  Danielle felt the same way about it tasting good and the after taste – but nothing that would turn you off from drinking this.

It even tasted sweet!  This is what surprised me the most, so I went to read the rest of the ingredients:

Ingredients: Filter water, Ion exchange whey (milk) protein isolate, natural and artificial flavors, sucralose, polysorbate 80 (According to the Google results, “polysorbate 80 is a nonionic surfactant and emulsifier”), phosphoric acid (According to the Google results, “phosphoric acid is a mineral acid having the chemical formula H₃PO₄. Orthophosphoric acid molecules can combine with themselves to form a variety of compounds which are also referred to as phosphoric acids, but in a more general way”), FD&C red 40 (According to Google results, “Allura Red AC is a red azo dye that goes by several names including: Allura Red, Food Red 17, C.I. 16035, FD&C Red 40, E129, 2-naphthalenesulfonic acid, 6-hydroxy-5--, disodium salt, and disodium 6-hydroxy-5--2-naphthalenesulfonate”)

I liked that for the most part, there was very little ingredients!
However, I already know that my friends and readers who are not a fan of additives like Red 40, etc. will be turned off by this drink.  Me personally I am no bothered by this, so this drink is on my good side!

It took me a while to finish my drink.  As light as it was, it kept me full – which will be perfect for post-surgery (and even beyond).  I thought how fun this may even be frozen into a popsicle tray!

VERDICT

Overall on a scale of 1 to 5 slurps – 5 slurps being “AMMMMMAZING”

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And 1 being “EW!”

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I give this a 3.5 – I would want to try other flavors to see if it held up as well when it came to taste.  The Punch though gets a strong 3.5 from me, and I look forward to adding a few into my post-surgery diet (maybe I’ll freeze one for Thanksgiving dinner … lol).

What do you think of this drink, if you’ve already tried it?  Or are you interested now that you’ve read my review?  Come back to chime in once you do try it!  Got any other suggestions as alternatives as well?

To check out more products or information on Isopure Protein Drink, visit their site.

Looking forward to sharing more brutally honest reviews with you in the future!

Thanks for reading!

Nichole
Be The Thermostat – NOT The Thermometer!

PS - Unless I state it, I am not Paid or Compensated by anyone when I do these reviews.  I will give proper kudos and such to those who maybe pass along products for me to try or review :-) In most cases though, it's just me wanting to give a brutally honest review!

"Won't you miss it?"

I have to be careful when I'm talking to people about eating something lately.

My Gastric Bypass surgery is just less than 3 weeks away now!

See - I am in a way, doing all these "farewell" acts of food crimes.

Large Blizzards.
All You Can Eat Pasta Bowls.
Bottomless Fries.

And while no one has said it to me yet - there is a little voice that pops up when I see expressions come across peoples faces when I talk about eating the last few weeks:

"Aren't you going to miss this?"

And the truth is - no.  Not really.
Like with any life style change, you have to make modifications to your daily habits.
More green - less fried.  More fiber - less fat.  And so on.

There is a great article that talks about the Top 10 Myths About Bariatric Surgery (HERE) that goes over common misconceptions of the surgery.  The one I want to highlight tonight is #8:

"Myth #8: After bariatric surgery, you won’t be able to eat anything that tastes good.

Patients who undergo gastric bypass may need to avoid very sweet foods because it can cause side effects like dizziness and nausea. Patients who have a duodenal switch typically need to keep fatty foods to a minimum. However, many patients can and do eat their favorite foods after they recover from surgery. They just eat very small portions. Even if you can’t eat whatever you used to like, you may find that WLS provides you with the ideal opportunity to experiment and find new foods to enjoy."

Watching my parents first hand go through this surgery, I can say without a doubt that while some items are no longer on their menu (my dad is unable to handle rice, for example) they still eat a lot of the same foods they did before. Just in smaller portions. Like someone would who was on a diet, or just trying to live healthier.


See - in my head, I *KNOW* what I need to do. I just haven't had the success I need to get to that goal weight. I have never weighed under 155 lbs since I was 14 years old. I have not seen single digits in clothing in my adult years (even at my lowest weight, I was still a 10/11).


I am being given a tool, and I plan on utilizing it to its fullest potential.
I am being given a new chance to really shine, and I plan on blinding you all.


So when I choose to have that doughnut with my breakfast sandwich in the next few days, it's not because I'm never going to eat a doughnut again (Tim Hortons and I are BFFs when I go to Canada -*Tim Hortons as mini doughnut holes - we are going to be best friends in about 6 months from now!). It's only because I know this will be the last time I can eat so poorly without my tool revolting against me ;-) And I am VERY okay with that.

Thanks for reading,


Nichole

Be The Thermostat - Not The Thermometer