Silly or Helpful Hints:

Chewing and Baking

I've been on Weight Watchers for some time and I'm actually thrilled to say I've been maintaining my goal weight for almost three years. I really packed on the extra pounds when I got pregnant, using every excuse in the book to eat and eat and eat. Then the major and somewhat shocking realization that those excess pounds didn't just fall off when the baby came- and whoa, after my second son- to my horror, it only got worse. 

So with the help of my wonderful and honestly inspiring sister Melanie, I joined Weight Watchers and lost 75 pounds. The process took awhile but it was worth it. I love, love, love food but not to the point of risking my health for it. 

I think that after being so totally aware of how much I was eating and what I was putting into my body, I stumbled into the true joy of baking and cooking. It makes me so happy cook for my kids and I just love being in the kitchen. Well, you don't have to be a genius to figure that is rough to be a food lover not snack and dip into every single thing you make! There are many times when I must taste test certain items, but overall if you are following a recipe there isn't a need to lick the bowl time and time again (and boy, is it hard not to).

Seriously- what honestly helps me tremendously is having a stick of gum in my mouth while baking or cooking. Most of the time the loud flavor of spearmint gum kicks the desire to wanna sample the goods before their done and so I'm not wasting precious points before I even eat dinner!

So the next time you're baking for a crowd or throwing dinner together try this; drink a large glass of water and chew some of your favorite gum -- I'm sure it'll help you just as it does me.... well, most of the time!  

Happy Baking! 

Jennifer