Weekend Wellness Web Wanderings

Happy Sunday everyone!

I can't believe how quickly this holiday season is flying by! Tonight the Mr. and I are attending our friends' annual Holiday Prom at Bar Pink in North Park. BUT FIRST...

I wanted to share some cool things I've come across on the web lately. 

Me with Gail at Fitbloggin '14

First off, my friend Gail (GoGoGail.com) put together a collection of tips from lots of weightloss bloggers, including myself. There's some great stuff, especially if you're looking for new bloggers to follow. Click HERE to check it out.

This week in the WW meetings room, we're discussing "Is this food worthy of ME?" This morning on my walk I heard this Jack Lalanne clip from FIFTY YEARS AGO that pretty much says it all.

God bless that man!

Wondering whether your Starbucks or DD habit is worthy of YOU? Check out this Buzzfeed video spilling the beans on your fave holiday, er, beverages?


YIKES!

For a while now I've been a fan of Andrew Saul, PhD and his work in the field of orthomolecular (that's a big word meaning "vitamins are awesome!") medicine. His books have truly made a difference in the health of my family-my kids have never had to take antibiotics (at least, not yet) and I haven't had one in almost 15 years. So I was SUPER excited to learn that he's FINALLY making a documentary about his field. They are crowdfunding and I will definitely make a contribution! In the meantime I thought I'd spread the word.


The Megavitamin Man - Indiegogo from Andrew Saul Phd on Vimeo.

Last, but not least...are you following CHER TWEETS on Youtube? OMC (Oh.My.Cher.) I am LIVING for this hilarious series featuring Chad Michaels (a San Diego native, ahem), winner of RuPaul's Drag Race All-Stars. Just subscribe, already. Laughter is critical for your health!

What have YOU found on the web this week? Do tell!

Wishing you love with extra cheese-
Nacho Mama

WEIGHT WATCHERS: Pumpkin Spice Latte Swaps & YOUTUBE GIVEAWAY!

Today on the ol' Youtube, I share my favorite Pumpkin Spice Latte Swaps (7 pointsplus? No thanks, Starbucks!) AND my Youtube GIVEAWAY.

That's right, YOU can win a few of my favorite things! (This is not a sponsored giveaway, I bought all the prize items with my own cash.)

To enter: you MUST subscribe to my Youtube channel and leave a comment ON YOUTUBE, ON THIS VIDEO. Winner will be chosen at random on November 14. Continental US shipping addresses, only (sorry!).

Wishing you love with extra cheese,

Nacho Mama

NEW PODCAST! Ep.62: Halloween Survival Guide

It's been waaay too long! But I've finally carved out some time to get back to Nacho Mama's Podcast and answer some of the questions you've been sending me about getting through the holidays. Yes, they're coming!

I've been getting a lot of questions about getting through HALLOWEEN. Halloween has always been my favorite holiday. But for many years of my adulthood, Halloween meant buying candy in September, eating it all, buying it again in October, passing it out to a few cute kids and then shutting off the lights so I could sit on the sofa eating the rest of the candy while watching "It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown". 

But after I joined Weight Watchers, my husband and I started changing the way we approach Halloween. Now it's the kickoff for a healthy, active holiday season. So I decided to share my 6 Top Tips for enjoying Halloween without destroying your health goals!

Click the player to listen NOW (or subscribe to Nacho Mama's Podcast on iTunes or Stitcher):

Check Out Health Podcasts at Blog Talk Radio with NachoMamasPodcast on BlogTalkRadio

Get Dani's FABULOUS tips (including her candy list, with Points) for Halloween HERE.

Subscribe to MY Youtube Channel-Featuring Weight Watchers FAQ & more! at: https://www.youtube.com/user/mediamonarkey

FOLLOW BOOK VS MOVIE ON BTR: https://www.blogtalkradio.com/bookvsmovie

Wishing you love with extra cheese,

Nacho Mama 

Disclosure: All opinions, content, views and ideas expressed on Nacho Mama's Podcast are strictly my own and those of my guests and are presented for entertainment and informational purposes only. It is strongly advised that you consult professional guidance when considering anything discussed on Nacho Mama's Blog or Nacho Mama's Podcast. I am also not affiliated with Weight Watchers-just a regular, paying customer, folks. ALL PODCAST CONTENT Blogtalkradio.com/NachoMamasPodcast is © Nacho Mama and nachomamasblog.com, 2009-2014. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of podcast content without express and written permission from this blog’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited.

VIDEO Viewer Question: Simply Filling Cereals? Plus HALLOWEEN FOOD FINDS!

Hello all!

Is it fall where you are? Mother Nature is being a serious diva out here in California. Nevertheless, I am forging ahead, preparing for Halloween (though not quite dragging out the fall clothes yet). 

Today on Youtube, I'm answering a VIEWER QUESTION: Are there Simply Filling COLD CEREALS? (Submit YOUR questions to shesnachomama@yahoo.com or in the comments)

Plus-a couple of awesome Halloween Food Finds from Target!

THANKS FOR SUBSCRIBING TO MY CHANNEL!

I'm almost at 500 subscribers, what? When I get there, I'll have an awesome Youtube-only giveaway so please subscribe if you haven't already!

Wishing you love with extra cheese-

Nacho Mama

Disclosure:This content is not affiliated in any way with Weight Watchers or any other company and solely expresses my personal opinion.

PODCAST! EP#59 Our annual FITBLOGGIN RECAP SHOW w/Brooklyn Fit Chick!

More Health Podcasts at Blog Talk Radio with NachoMamasPodcast on BlogTalkRadio

Click the player to listen NOW!

Yep, it's that time of year again...time to do the podcast where we break down EVERYTHING that went down at this year's Fitbloggin, otherwise known as "WHEN MARGOS COLLIDE".

Fitbloggin: the ONLY conference big enough for both Margos

Once again, Margo of Brooklyn Fit Chick and I discuss ALL things Fitbloggin 2014: the sessions, the food, the drag queens and yes, the ghosts (it was Savannah after all).

Maybe you weren't there. Or maybe you were there and couldn't take advantage of EVERYTHING Savannah and Fitbloggin had to offer. But between us, WE COVER EVERYTHING. Well, almost everything. We left out the lunch with RunDisney. Getting to meet running legend Jeff Galloway (some Fitbloggers even got to run with him!). We left out the flash mob.

And the fact that I FINALLY got to meet Fat Girl VS World (spoiler alert: the fat girl wins).

Here's just a teeny peek at what went down.

PODCAST LINKS!
-Follow Margo's adventures at Brooklyn Fit Chick

-Check out Margo's AWESOME Youtube Channel!

-The Fitbloggin site: learn how to attend next year and read liveblogs from past sessions

-Liveblog of Margo's Fitbloggin session!

-Liveblog of Sue and Steve's "Tough Love" session

-CLUB ONE (the legendary drag home of the Lady Chablis)

-Send Club One some twitter love!

-The Pink House

-Learn more about Jim Williams (the central character of Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil)

Can you tell we had fun? Dang, now I want fried green tomatoes.

Wishing you love with extra cheese-
Nacho Mama

Disclosure: All opinions, content, views and ideas expressed on Nacho Mama's Podcast are strictly my own and those of my guests and are presented for entertainment and informational purposes only. It is strongly advised that you consult professional guidance when considering anything discussed on Nacho Mama's Blog or Nacho Mama's Podcast. I am also not affiliated with Weight Watchers-just a regular, paying customer, folks. ALL PODCAST CONTENT Blogtalkradio.com/NachoMamasPodcast is © Nacho Mama and nachomamasblog.com, 2009-2014. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of podcast content without express and written permission from this blog’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited.

WEIGHT WATCHERS FAQ #4: Frozen GF treat! ARCTIC ZERO Review

Some of you have been asking how I'm managing to stay on plan when I can't enjoy Vitatops or even some Froyo because I'm now Gluten Intolerant. This is a GREAT product I got to try at Natural Products Expo West last month, ARCTIC ZERO!

Why do I love it? Well, it's yummy and only 3 Pointsplus per PINT.

Yes, you read that right! Per PINT!

A HUGE Thank You to Alexandra and Kymberly, the "Fun and Fit Twins" for introducing me to Arctic Zero. If you're not following their fabulous blog yet, I won't tell anyone if you start NOW: http://funandfit.org/

I'm so glad you guys are liking this video series.

THANK YOU for your LIKES and SUBSCRIPTIONS!
No really, THANK YOU.

Follow Arctic Zero Online at: www.ArcticZero.com

Wishing you love with extra cheese-
Nacho Mama

DISCLOSURE: I was given these products for review but have not been otherwise compensated, the above is my honest opinion.
This content is not affiliated in any way with Weight Watchers or any other company and solely expresses my personal opinion.

VIDEO: Weight Watchers FAQ: Breakfast FOOD FINDS!

Hi folks!


Thanks so much for sending in your questions, I am having so much fun doing these videos for you. There are a lot of things that are easier to "show" you than to describe in writing or on the podcast, so I hope this series helps fill in some of those gaps.




Looking for those gluten-free pancakes? Click HERE!


Have a question of your own? Please feel free to post it here on the blog or shoot me an email at shesnachomama@gmail.com


You can subscribe to my channel (which I would LOVE) HERE




Wishing you love with extra cheese-
Nacho Mama


Disclosure: I am a Weight Watchers lifetime member and leader, but NOTHING in this post or anywhere on this blog is affiliated with Weight Watchers or any other company in any way. The above is my opinion, shared for entertainment purposes only. Please seek professional consultation when making any change to your lifestyle.

RECIPE REDESIGN: Claire Robinson PUMPKIN GINGER TART

I have given this recipe to so many people in the last week that I thought I should just post it here! I saw it on "5 Ingredient Fix" last week, I love Claire Robinson!

I gave it a shot and, despite being the worst baker in the United States, it came out DELICIOUS. So I put it into the Weight Watchers Recipe Builder (available to WW members on eTools) and, for 12 servings,  it was 8 pointsplus per serving. Which...didn't quite cut it for me.

So I made a few swaps. And OK, I added a sixth ingredient. So here's MY version of this tart:

Nacho Mama's SIX Ingredient Pumpkin Tart

Preheat oven to 350 degress

THE CRUST
-1 cup crushed ginger snaps
-1.5 cups crushed FIBER ONE CEREAL (the original one, that looks like twigs)
-6 tablespoons LIGHT butter

Mix butter with crumbs and press into your 12-inch tart pan and bake for 10 minutes

THE FILLING
-1 can (15oz) pumpkin puree
-3/4 cup FAT FREE sweetened condensed milk
-2 egg yolks

Mix all three, pour into tart crust and bake for 30 minutes.

Looks gorgeous, tastes YUMMY and...only THREE pointsplus per serving!!!

That's how I roll.

HAPPY THANKSGIVING WITH EXTRA CHEESE!
Nacho Mama

PODCAST Episode 54: Special Guest Heather Robertson of HALF SIZE ME!

More Health Podcasts at Blog Talk Radio with NachoMamasPodcast on BlogTalkRadio

Click the player to listen NOW!

Today we welcome our very special guest, Heather Robinson of the wildly popular weightloss podcast HALF SIZE ME! Join us as we learn Heather's story and get her unique perspective on weightloss and body image, plus her tips for SURVIVING THANKSGIVING when you're trying to lose weight.

It's PIE TIME we help our community! #Thanksgiving

If there's one food I love more than nachos? It's pie. I honestly can't think of a pie flavor I won't eat with gusto. By far the biggest threat to waistline come Thanksgiving isn't the turkey, the mashed potatoes or the stuffing-it's the pie.

But this year? I'm gonna eat all the pie I want without feeling guilty. In fact, I will feel AWESOME! Okay, maybe I won't actually eat all the pie I want, but I will definitely BUY all the pie I want (and maybe just taste a little of each one) because, once again, this year I AM SELLING PIES FOR MAMA'S KITCHEN! No, not "Nacho Mama's Kitchen"-Mama's Kitchen here in San Diego.

What's Mama's Kitchen?

Mama's Kitchen has been around since I was in high school, at the height of the AIDS scare in the late 80s. Back then the paranoia was so out of control that people thought you could catch HIV just by sitting next to someone on a train or using a public restroom. It was so bad that some patients with HIV were actually dying from malnutrition, not AIDS, because it was so hard for them to get help they needed.

Mama's Kitchen was started right in my own neighborhood to help bring nutritious meals to patients with HIV. Today they serve over 1300 patients (and children of patients) living with HIV and cancer. Many of the cancer patients are moms with breast cancer who have young kids. These women are too sick to cook for themselves, let alone their children, and the meals they get from Mama's Kitchen make all the difference. The staff and volunteers of Mama's Kitchen prepare and deliver 3 meals a day to their clients (remember there are over 1300 of them!) all over San Diego County.

Want to help? I knew you would! Here's the fun part:


I don't know about you, but I just can't get PIE off my mind!



Every fall, Mama's Kitchen holds it's "Pie in the Sky" campaign. The best bakeries in the county prepare delicious pies that you can order for your Thanksgiving table and pick up at your local Wells Fargo (San Diego County only).

Each pie costs $20-$25 and buys this much food:

Just ONE PIE can feed a sick person or their child for THREE DAYS

PLUS a hot meal for an HIV/Cancer patient or the child of a patient. That's enough food to feed that person for three days. From just ONE PIE, folks.

If you don't live in San Diego County, I hope this will inspire you to help end hunger in your community. If you DO live in SD County, I hope you'll order your pies from ME! You can order your pies from my Mama's Kitchen PIE page at:

https://www.mamaspies.org/mypage.cfm?ID=426

Isn't it wonderful to know your Thanksgiving pie can make a real difference someplace other than your thighs? Get yours today!

Wishing you love with extra cheese on your APPLE PIE!

Nacho Mama



CUPCAKE SIDESHOW!!! #Review

Those of you who have been with me here at Nacho Mama's Blog for a while know that it is entirely possible that I am the worst baker in the United States (though I'm still waiting to hear back from the Smithsonian). I can cook up a storm, but baking? As my husband has advised, "Just.....don't."

Did I mentioned they served mimosas? This is MY kind of class!

So when Jensen invited me to try Cupcake Sideshow, her cupcake decorating class, I was muy intimidated! But her website made it look really fun.

RECIPE: 1PointPlus Cafe Gel-Latte! (aka "Coffee Whip")

By now many of you know that I am a collector of vintage flotsam in general and vintage Weight Watchers memorabilia in particular. I especially love old cookbooks (WW or otherwise) and am known to spend many a lazy Sunday afternoon reading through my treasure trove of ancient culinary tomes, sipping iced coffee and giggling at the photos.

The Motherlode: My 1st edition copy of the ORIGINAL 1966 Weight Watchers cookbook

PODCAST Episode 17: Healthy Cooking and Eating Out

Listen to internet radio with NachoMamasPodcast on Blog Talk Radio

Click the player to listen NOW!

My version of lowcal enchiladas, left, versus "diet" enchiladas from the original 1972 Weight Watchers plan!

Looking for ways to lighten up your favorite recipes? Needs some tips for eating out while watching your waistline? Never fear! I'll have LOADS of great ideas and resources to share with you!

If I Knew You Were Dietin' I'd Have Baked a Cake: Weight Watchers "Soda" Cake!

I'm pretty sure Soda Cake isn't in here. Image via amazon.com

Some recipes become classics for a reason. They deliver, consistently and with little effort.
Every. Single. Time.

"Soda Cake" has been a classic among Weight Watchers for years, and it's no wonder that it frequently shows up on weightloss blogs. My friend Stefanie, from If Curves Could Talk, recently posted this recipe there. But since I am a grizzled (or perhaps "classic"?) veteran of Weight Watchers for lo these many, many years, I think I have some tips to pass on that will help you make this classic into something that does not even remotely resemble "diet food."

RECIPE: Nacho Mama's Mexcellent Holiday Fudge! #Eagle

As I may have mentioned before, I'm not so hot when it comes to making desserts. But I'm a pretty good fake and am always up to learn something new. So when I was approached by the folks at Eagle Brand to come up with a dessert using their Condensed Milk? I was all in!

Borden is hosting it's "Sweet Secret Recipe Contest" from now through December 7th. Click HERE to learn how  sharing YOUR holiday recipe could get you a chance to win $10,000 towards a "sweet secret" wish!

I was SO happy with my recipe when it was all done. Because I'm trying so hard to stick to my freshly-adjusted Daily Pointsplus Target (more on that later) I decided to try to make a recipe using the Eagle Fat-Free Sweetened Condensed Milk. So here it is:  

NACHO MAMA'S MEXCELLENT HOLIDAY FUDGE!

Number of servings: 42

Pointsplus per serving: TWO! (or at least it's 2 pp+ per *piece* - how many pieces you decide a serving is is up to you!)

Ingredients:

1 14oz can EAGLE Brand Fat-Free Sweetened Condensed Milk

1 cup DARK chocolate Morsels

2 cups MILK chococlate Morsels

1/4 teaspoon each: Cinnamon, Fresh-ground Nutmeg, Chili Powder

Dash of Salt

1 teaspoon Vanilla Extract

First, pour the entire can of EAGLE Brand Fat-Free Sweetened Condensed Milk into saucepan and stir in the salt and spices.

Then add all the chocolate morsels and melt into the Condensed Milk mixture, stirring constantly over low heat until smooth:

Once the chocolate is completely melted, spread the entire mixture evenly into a 9x12 inch pan (lined with wax paper) and allow to cool at least 4 hours before slicing and serving.

That's IT!! It was sooooo delicious, the spices give the fudge a yummy warmth. I'm going to be slicing this baby up to give as gifts to my daughter's teacher and family friends. I hope you'll give it a try this holiday season. It's just TOO EASY!!!

Wishing you love with extra cheese-

Nacho Mama

Disclosure: Eagle Brand sent me samples of Condensed Milk for review. The above is my own opinion and recipe!

Review of Delizza Pastries

Wow-sorry to send you all over the blogosphere, but here's a review I did on Delizza Frozen Pastries for Rock On Mommies. Don't want to click over-here's the gist: they were delectable, cost $6 for a box of 50 at your local supermarket and (for my sister Weight Watchers out there) are 7 pointsplus per serving of 6 mini-eclairs. Each eclair is filled with yummy custard, covered with dark chocolate and is slightly larger than your thumb, so 6 is kind of a large serving.  Learn more and get coupons at the Delizza Website. Muy NOM!

Wishing you love with extra cheese,
Nacho Mama

Eat It or Wear It? (What I Bought at the California Gift Show)

Wow-I feel like I haven't blogged in ages! But my whole family was taken down for over a week with a particularly nasty cold-thingy.  I'm still a little green around the gills, but I couldn't go this long without blogging-especially since I meant to share this with you at least a week ago!

One of my favorite events that I attended in January was the California Gift Show-you can read the trend report I wrote for Rock on Mommies HERE.

What I didn't share in my review was the one thing I actually bought at the gift show-but first let me tell you about the absolute highlight of that day for me (drumroll)

I GOT TO MEET THE CRAFTY CHICA!!!!! 

That's right, I got to meet, hug and talk to Kathy Cano-Murillo, aka "The Crafty Chica." You've seen me mention her here a few times, I am a GIGANTE fan! If, like me, you follow her blog and tweets, you know she is clever, sweet, generous and adorable-in person and in print. I was bummed that I didn't get to attend her book signing that evening, I absolutely loved her first novel, Waking Up in the Land of Glitter, and I can't wait for her next book, Miss Scarlet's School of Patternless Sewing, to come out on March 8th (You can pre-order your copy by clicking HERE!)

I saw several vendors offering Mexican-themed gifts, but Kathy's booth was by far my favorite. There were beautiful original art pieces by Kathy and her husband, Patrick...

The "Crafty Chica" booth also featured work by the Armas family, of CJ's Angels. I really enjoyed speaking to Jose, Annette and Theresa about their work. It was quite inspiring to see how this gifted couple were so supportive and nurturing of their daughter's artistic talents. So I just had to buy a set of their pan dulce earrings. You know how I love pan dulce! I couldn't resist-I got a pair in every color!

Now I can enjoy my pan dulce without worrying about blowing my weekly points! 

Better on my ears than on my thighs, right?

Wishing you love (and pan dulce) with extra cheese-

Nacho Mama

"La Cookie-racha" Nacho Mama's MEXCELLENT Christmas Cookies!

Even though I admit to being a terrible baker-here is yet another recipe for a delicious baked dessert! (The other, my "empanadas" can be seen HERE). I've been fooling around with the oven for at least a week trying to come up with a signature holiday cookie and I finally stumbled on the perfect combo of ingredients last night!

Try these and I think you 'll agree that while Nacho Mama may be a terrible baker, I am an awesome FAKER! These are super easy-as long as you live somewhere with access to Mexican foods. I made these cookies with regular sugar-cookie dough and they were good, but after reading this post over at The Crafty Chica's blog, I tried it with gingerbread-cookie dough-EUREKA!

Before I divulge the secret recipe, I'd like to say a word about "tube food." I grew up on my mom's and grandmoms' delicious homemade cooking and never tasted "tube food" (you know, the doughy processed stuff sold in tubes in the supermarket) until I started dating my a-dorable gringo husband.  Once he showed me how to open the tubes by smacking them against the kitchen counter? It was love. I know there is very little in these tubes that resemble actual food, but I must say that as an occasional indulgence, they can be luverly.

So here they are, NACHO MAMA'S MEXCELLENT CHRISTMAS COOKIES!*

You will need:

1 tube of Gingerbread Cookie Dough
1 wheel of Mexican Chocolate (Ibarra or similar)
2-3 large pieces of Dulce de Leche Candy (smiling yet? I am!)

1. Preheat the oven to 350.
2. Using a microplane or fine cheese grater, grate about 1/2 the chocolate wheel onto a plate
3. Cut your Dulce de Leche candy into yummy bite-sized pieces, try to save some for the cookies
4. Slice the dough tube into 1/2-inch coins, then slice those into four "pie-shaped"pieces
5. Roll each dough pie-shape into a ball, and roll the ball around in the Mexican chocolate until completely covered.

6. Place on cookie sheet and bake at 350 according to dough package instructions.
7. Once done, remove from oven and, while still warm, press a piece of Dulce de Leche into the center of each cookie.

8. Call your family to enjoy the cookies while they are still warm and show your gratitude to your husband (for introducing you to tube food and keeping the kids out of your hair so you could bake) by not slapping his hand away.

These are AWESOME. And so easy! The combo of the gingerbread and the Mexican chocolate give it a yummy kick against the smooth, creamy Dulce de Leche.

I hope you'll give my Mexcellent Christmas Cookies a try-I have a feeling the gingerbread dough is going to be available in your supermarket for a limited time :)

*thanks to my facebook friends Maureen, Katy, Maria, Stacie, Halisia and my mom for helping to come up with the name!

ALSO-If you're looking for an easy, last-minute craft, check out my post over at Rock On Mommies (I'm also hosting an awesome GIVEAWAY there-don't miss it!)

Hope you all enjoy this season-and don't stress out too much!

Wishing you happy holidays with extra cheese,
Nacho Mama