Originally Posted by /profile.php?u=2891 in /circle.php?l=5789 We're all trying to diet in this house (with the exception of Jacob) and I'm at a loss as to good healthy meals that are cheap and easy to make.  I've got ground beef in the fridge, as well as some chicken breasts (both with and without bone).  Corey and Camo both hate mushrooms and are a little picky (although Corey would disagree).  Can you guys give me any recipe ideas?  Seriously- I'm desperate over here.

Hi! We are trying to do a live chat regularly on losing weight -- The link is above. I think once school starts we'll be more consistent with our meetings! : ) Thank you for starting this circle! http://www.themotherhood.com/circlechat.php?l=56305

Originally Posted by Becki in Eat your Veggies! Looks like another winner from Allrecipes. These look so cool and delicious. Prep time is 45 minutes, but at least you're not heating up the kitchen.

Ok, I'm not going to reblog everything I find on this circle, so if anyone is looking for a lot of really great recipes that can range from healthy yet yummy to "once I've reached my goal weight" tasty, check out the 'Eat Your Veggies' circle (http://www.themotherhood.com/circle.php?l=55668). I'm just going to reblog the ones I want to reach at a moments notice, lol.

I lost 2.4 lbs the other day, and then my scale decided it hates me this morning and told me I was 1.5 lbs heavier. Thank God we don't have ice cream in the house- I'd be self medicating right now.

Originally Posted by Becki in Dinner Time Again? Help! In need of inspiration! We were at camp last week, and because it was an Orthodox Church family camp where at least half the attendees were Greek, we had souvlaki for dinner one night. Here's an easy recipe that is family friendly because as you assemble the individual sandwiches, you can leave out the ingredients that picky eaters don't like. Ingredients: Marinade: 1-2 lbs. meat, cut into 1" cubes (lamb, beef, or chicken) 1/2 cup olive oil 4 Tbsp. fresh lemon juice (about 2 lemons) 1/4 cup red wine 2 tsp. dried oregano 1 tsp. dried thyme 3-4 garlic cloves, crushed 1 small onion, chopped, salt and pepper Whisk the olive oil, lemon juice and wine together in a deep dish. Add remaining seasonings, garlic and onion. Add meat cubes and marinate several hours or overnight in the refrigerator. Grill meat, on skewers if desired, or in a pan designed for cooking on the grill. Grilling over charcoal is best.  Serve grilled meat in a pita pocket along with lettuce, chopped tomato, chopped onion, feta cheese, and a drizzle of Greek vinaigrette. (If  you can't find a good Greek vinaigrette in the store, you can always whisk together olive oil, red wine vinegar, a teaspoon or so of dijon mustard, oregano, salt, pepper, and garlic powder).   Marinade 1kg cubed meat lamb, beef, chicken or pork ½ cup olive oil 2 lemons - about 4 tablespoons juice ¼ cup wine ( red is best, but white is o.k) 2 tsps dried oregano 1 tsps dried thyme 3 -4 garlic cloves, crushed 1 small onion, chopped Salt and pepperRead more: http://greek-food.suite101.com/article.cfm/traditional_greek_kebabs#ixzz0OTfhAJHS Marinade 1kg cubed meat lamb, beef, chicken or pork ½ cup olive oil 2 lemons - about 4 tablespoons juice ¼ cup wine ( red is best, but white is o.k) 2 tsps dried oregano 1 tsps dried thyme 3 -4 garlic cloves, crushed 1 small onion, chopped Salt and pepperRead Whisk the olive oil, lemon juice and wine together then add the herbs crushed garlic and chopped onion and put the mixture into a deep dish. Putting some marinade aside to coat the cooked kebabs if desired. Add the meat cubes to the marinade and mix together well, ensuring the meat is well and evenly covered.Read more: http://greek-food.suite101.com/article.cfm/traditional_greek_kebabs#ixzz0OTgvgGRymore: http://greek-food.suite101.com/article.cfm/traditional_greek_kebabs#ixzz0OTfhAJHSThis is pretty healthy if you make it with chicken...and go easy on the feta!

I recently learned that it is very normal to fluctuate between 3 to 4 pounds over the course of the week. So we shouldn't fret over it. As long as our clothes don't get tighter!

maybe I should have posted all my before and after photos here! Oh well.

Too lazy to work out: Blame your genes? Canadian researchers believe they have pinpointed a gene that differentiates gym rats from couch potatoes Can't get off the couch and to the gym? You may actually have a legitimate excuse. A new Canadian study suggests, ingratiatingly, that your genes might be to blame. Here, a brief guide: What did the study find exactly? Scientists at McMaster University found that deleting two muscle genes from mice who were otherwise active runners, easily clocking 5 miles a day, left them struggling to complete a 30-second sprint. The mice immediately lost interest in exercise, says lead researcher Gregory Steinberg. "When we gave them an option to run, they'd sit on the wheel and climb it and rock back and forth." Which genes were removed? A set of muscle genes that control an enzyme called AMP-kinase (AMPK), which helps turn food into energy. The more AMPK one generates, the more energy one typically has. Old age, obesity, and inactivity can hinder the production of AMPK. What does this mean for humans? Researchers says the genes are "absolutely the same" in humans and mice. Perhaps, points out the International Business Times, but "results of studies on mice are not always reliable when applied to humans." But if these findings do apply to humans, "this can explain why it's so hard to get started with exercising," says Steinberg. "You have the same potential as someone who is active, but you haven't been using it, so it's a 'use it or lose it' phenomenon." Those who aren't active may find exercising difficult as first, but it will become more rewarding as AMPK production kicks in. The more active you are, the more AMPK you have — and the easier it is to work out. See the article: http://theweek.com/article/index/218969/too-lazy-to-work-out-blame-your-genes