Monday, January 18, 2010

What Did You Just Call Me? A Great Lowfat Soup Recipe.



     This is me. Well, I should say, this is Mii. This is my second week as the proud owner of my first video game system since the original Nintendo. I bought a Wii and Wii Fit. I started using them last Monday. For those who don't know anything about the Wii (I was one of them) the first thing you do is create a Mii character. I did that, complete with short dark hair and glasses (although my glasses hopefully look better than these)! I even picked out my red shirt. I think I look a bit like a female Harry Potter.The next thing I did was start my program on the Wii Fit. You type in your age and height and it weighs you. I knew I needed to lose a few pounds. I, like many women, have 2 sizes of clothing in my closet. The size that I like to wear, and the size I creep into if I gain 10 pounds or so. Well, I'm in that larger size which is how I know that it is time to do something about it. Would most people call me overweight? No, they wouldn't. I feel better 10-15 pounds less than I am now, but I'm a few sizes below the national average...so no big deal...right? Wrong.

     You notice how my Mii's t-shirt doesn't quite meet her pants? See that bit of bulge below the belt? My Mii was quite put together until I stepped on the Wii Fit board and it registered my weight. I watched in horror as my stomach puffed out and my shirt grew shorter. Not only that, it called me names. Fat names. It told me my BMI (body mass index) needs to be 22 and that means I need to lose a few more pounds than I planned. Okay, I get it...just pull my t-shirt back down! I've used the Wii Fit every day but one. It yelled at me the day I skipped and I yelled back that I simply used a different Wii game for my exercise that day! I actually gained weight the first 3 days and believe me...Wii doesn't like it when you gain weight, it wants to know why??? There is no box to check that says, "I'm middle aged, I retain fluid, I didn't do anything wrong!"

So, I've pulled out the old standby, counting Weight Watcher points. When I feel I've gained a few pounds, counting points works for me. I don't go to meetings. You can really find all the information online these days. I just aim for 23 points a day, stick with it about 95 percent of the time and it works. So, you will be seeing some healthy recipes coming from me for a little while...at least until my Mii fits back in her t-shirt!

Let me also add that I love the Wii Fit. I have never had this much fun exercising. It is a good workout, it gets me sweating and laughing at the same time. I've done at least an hour each day since Monday and most days I do another round late in the afternoon just for fun. I actually look forward to it. I have never felt that way about the gym.

Creamy Cauliflower Soup-Weight Watcher Style
Makes 4 servings-1 point each





Ingredients:
2 tsp. olive oil
1 head cauliflower, broken in florets
3 cups low-sodium fat free chicken broth
3/4 cup evaporated skimmed milk
1/4 tsp. freshly grated nutmeg
Salt and pepper to taste
Garnish with a sprinkling of dill, fresh chives or parsley









In a stock pot or large saucepan, saute' the cauliflower in the olive oil until it just starts to brown a little bit. You could also add a chopped onion at this stage, browning it with the cauliflower. This step took about 10 minutes.

Add the broth; bring to a boil. Reduce the heat to medium-low and simmer, covered, until the cauliflower is very soft (you could mash it with a fork). Put the cauliflower and broth into a blender or food processor and puree. Be careful to hold the lid down on the blender. I was able to do it all in one blender "load" but you may need to do it in batches. 

Pour the puree back into the pan. Over low heat, stir in the evaporated milk, nutmeg, pepper and salt; heat to serving temperature, about one minute. Garnish.

This soup is surprisingly creamy and good. It isn't as thick as my regular (loaded with butter and cheese) cauliflower soup, but it is quite good and you could eat the entire batch for only 4 points! Enjoy!

27 comments:

Coralie Cederna Johnson said...

Sounds like the perfect plan for getting in shape! Soup's on and looks good!

Jeanette said...

I love cream of soups and sometimes the low fat ones will surprise you. I think cauliflower is a rich flavor food. Good luck in your changes.

Unknown said...

I totally want the wii fit. How fun, I am glad you enjoy it, I need something like that. I do enjoy weight watchers.. its a great tool to use as well. You will do great!!!!

Sandra said...

Omgosh, Sue! Your Wii story had me giggling here! I bought a Wii Fit and have yet to start! I know, bad me. lol The soup recipe sounds so good that i'm going to copy it down and make it for me. :) Thanks for sharing with us, sweet friend.
Blessings,
Sandra

Shellbelle said...

Hi Sue, I am so glad you got a Wii Fit, I've been wondering if it really gave you a good work-out. Honestly though, I don't know if I want it yelling at me, lol. Remember as you're loosing weight and working out that you'll be building up your muscle mass. Muscle doesn't weigh more than fat, but if your muscles are getting bigger that will attribute to your overall weight not going down as fast as you think it should, but you will be in better shape! You can tell when your clothes fit better (and that shirt on your Wii Character comes down).

Maya @ Completely Coastal said...

I really should use my little stepper for some cardio!! I'm going to try this soup with soy milk. I love cauliflower, but rarely use it, so I hope it'll be a winner.

Happy To Be/ Gl♥ria said...

Sue my grandson got a wii for Christmas and I guess he's having a blast with it...I have never seen one but on TV...love the cream soup recipe...oh girl I love potatoe soup its my favorite thing to eat YUM...Hope you have a great day my sweet friend...Hugs and smiles Gl♥ria

BrightenedBoy said...

I tend to gain weight gradually during the holidays and then lose it rapidly once they're over. The day after New Year's I weighed 132 and a few days ago I weighed 124.

I'm usually at my heaviest right after Christmas and at my lightest, around 120, in the summer.

Chrissy...The Apothecary Shop said...

O.k you..I need a recipe to fatten me up not slim me down...it looks good though! Hope you are well my friend! xo

dee dee said...

Sue,
I needed a good laugh today! I got back on our WII fit after 8 months or so of not playing... and had gained some weight back from losing 18 pounds from last year... Yeah they get real mean about it, and I didn't even "weigh" myself! Keep up the great work! You can do it! Dee Dee

Mid-Atlantic Martha said...

Good luck! Sounds like wii is quite the trainer! I would hate to see what I would look like once it weighed me! No sir-ree! Thanks for you visit -- you'll love Michael Lee's books (they'd be great for after your work out!)

Gigi Thibodeau said...

You rock, Sue! I need to do this, too, although I have to admit that I'm a bit intimidated by the thought of it yelling at me! ; )

Thanks for all your wonderful comments and support. xo Gigi

xinex said...

Sounds like fun. Keep it up, Sue!...Christine

Cindy (Applestone Cottage) said...

Hey Sue,
Thanks for the inspiration, we have one and I just need to get going again. I didn't like it yelling at me either. Ha! The recipe looks great and I need to lost about 20 too, so maybe I will just come around and grab your recipes. Hugs, Cindy

Yvonne @ StoneGable said...

Hi Sue, I laughed out loud when I read your post! I am right with you. UGH-loosing weight at middle age is no fun.

I too, am a weight watcher girl. I really need to get back to sanity when it comes to food. It is so hard when I love to cook, and not low-fat cooking.

I'm glad to hear about the Wii, it sounds like fun, minus the yelling!
Thanks for the wonderful recipe. As you know we are big soup eaters here, so I'll make this next week. Keep up the good work! And thanks for being that voice that gently calls me back to a sensible weight.
Yvonne

Roberta said...

Too funny! You go girl and thanks for the recipe. xo Roberta

Post Grad Hair Cut said...

Haha I've heard about Wii Fit doing this. I've considered getting it myself but I don't know if I could handle such blatant criticism from a machine!

That soup sounds great I will definitely try it.

JUST ME said...

If I wasn't so poor I'd be all about the Wii fit. I don't mind the gym but I like the idea of punching pretend people in one's underwear.

Holly Lefevre said...

I do really like Wii Fit...I just wish I could by pass the part where it yells at me and tells me I will never reach my goal...if I could skip that...It would be golden. The programmer must be a teeny tiny person with a bad sense of humor.

The soup looks amazing.

Three Rivers, Michigan said...

I love anything cauliflower and will try your soup! Also thanks for the report on the Wii; I'm thinking about it... and thanks for all your humor!
Three Rivers Daily Photo

honeysuckle said...

Good for you doing the Wii and Weight Watchers. And sticking to them both! I gave the Wii Fit to my daughter and she loves it too. I am just trying to eat less. It works, until I get hungry!! When my Jeans are tight I know it is time to trim the portions. Good luck to you and to us both! Keep me posted on your progress and you will inspire me to stick to mine!

koralee said...

Looks good...I do love soup. I think I need to forget the cupcakes and stick to your soup for awhile. Thanks for sharing. xo

Kathleen said...

I watch my little gkids to the Wii, even the 4 year old! I am clueless!

That looks good, and Cauliflower is one of the few veggies I like..and on sale for .99 this week!
I will try it!

Relyn Lawson said...

You are cracking me up! "I retain fluid!" Dying laughing here. I DEFINITELY would not be happy with a game that made fun of my weight. No way! Good for you. You are much tougher than I.

Jackie said...

Glad to hear you like the Wii fit. I'm thinking about getting it, but wondering when I'll have the time to use it.

Lexie said...

hahaha i am dying to get on wii fit and see what it has to say about me! i have lost so much muscle from my cross country days! :(

Sue said...

You've convinced me. I've been wanting a Wii fit too. My Mii wouldn't look nearly as fit as yours does. I probably will not show it to anyone.

Love the post!