Posts: 3
6/9/10 10:33 A

My name is Donna, I love to cook and after working for the past 10+ years full time I am a housewife again and loving it. I joined the Cooking Challenge this month because that's what I need to become more consistent in. That and portion control. In theory I seem to have it all together, but it falls apart in the execution.

I have always maintained a 10 lbs range, but that 10 lb range seems to be getting higher as I approach 50. I need to get to a healthier weight and bring up my iron levels (anemic).

SparkPoints: (39,902)
Fitness Minutes: (28,339)
Posts: 5,553
6/8/10 6:43 P

Pat, Healthy Cooking Challenge is going to be about what YOU want to make it. We will help where we can, and are always ready to read your ideas too - so post away, what strikes you, what motivates you, what do you want to learn from this challenge?

current weight: 210.0

240 216.25 192.5 168.75

145

SparkPoints: (136,857)
Fitness Minutes: (98,070)
Posts: 21,723
6/8/10 2:00 P

Hi I am Pat in Maine, Diabetic, DH has heart issues.
I love to cook -always have. Taught to bake at 5 years old on a coal stove.
I only cook and bake with natural ingredients. No mixes unless I make my own. I and family members are chemical sensitive and we do eat will. I use sugar and honey for sweeteners, I find too many things taste of no other flavour than sweet. Too much sugar in recipes and never use SPLENDA etc,I am hoping that is what is meant by HEALTHY COOKING. Pat in Maine.

136,857 SparkPoints

SparkPoints: (54,759)
Fitness Minutes: (28,459)
Posts: 2,582
6/8/10 12:44 P

Hi I am a person with diabetes and cooking is in my blood. I love to cook. I am looking forward to what I can learn from this team.

Pounds lost: 18.5

0 12.5 25 37.5

50

Posts: 134
6/8/10 10:34 A

Hi, I'm Martha and I love to cook! Some days I feel like I'm cooking all the time. Problem is I do a lot of taste testing. I need to modify some of my favorite recipes to fit my new lifestyle change.
I'm a southern gal who married a Greek man and trust me when our families get together (there is always food-- too much of it).
Excited to learn something new!

Pounds lost: 50.0

0 37.75 75.5 113.25

151

Posts: 11
6/7/10 4:24 P

Hi, My name is Mark. I am having trouble setting up my meal plans and grocery lists so I am looking for some help to get things going. I am a single parent so I want to make sure I set up my weekly meal plans to also suit the needs of a growing teenage girl. I look forward to completing this challenge and learning how to do this.

Pounds lost: 5.0

0 13.75 27.5 41.25

55

Posts: 3,823
6/7/10 11:45 A

Hi, my name is Normandy, and I absolutely love to cook! My whole family is full of fantastic cooks, and I am trying to modify most of my recipes to fit a low carbohydrate lifestyle! I have lost 33 lbs. doing so and figure I am about 66 lb. short of my goal weight! Hope to hear from you all in the future!

current weight: 186.0

233 219.75 206.5 193.25

180

Posts: 2,997
6/7/10 7:58 A

Hi! I'm Shirley. I do most of my cooking at home, but I need to get a lot more organized on meal planning and grocery list planning - with a lot fewer trips to the grocery.

SparkPoints: (39,902)
Fitness Minutes: (28,339)
Posts: 5,553
6/7/10 7:43 A

Welcome, Karen, Jennifer, and Jo Ann! If you haven't received your first e-mail from the team, you can look at the Week One Goals on the Team Page. Enjoy!

current weight: 210.0

240 216.25 192.5 168.75

145

Posts: 250
6/6/10 11:12 P

Hello: My name is Jo Ann and I just turned 48. I have a 18 yr. old daughter and 2 dogs and 5 birds. I was recently told that I needed to change my eating habits or else. I've been on Sparks since Jan. 2010, but haven't been committed totally until about 3 weeks ago.

557 Days since:  fast food

0 150 300 450

600

Posts: 140
6/6/10 9:49 P

Hello everyone. My name is Jennifer,I'm 29 yo,I'm engaged to marry my bf of ten years in the next year and together we have a beautiful 9 yo little boy. I'm also recommiting to sparkpeople. Three months ago I fell off the spark wagon and have been making unhealthy choices ever since. Time to buckle down and make this happen. Can't wait to meet everyone!

Pounds lost: 71.0

0 25.75 51.5 77.25

103

Posts: 569
6/6/10 10:20 A

Hi everybody, I'm Karen. I'm 49 and a single mom of 3. I only have my DD at home now. I'm also trying to get recommited to Sparks. I had lost 30 lbs last year and have almost gained it all back. I've been on a yo yo all my adult life. I'm hoping that Yo Yo has lost it's power and I'm able to jump off. I'm excited to see what this team is all about and maybe making some friends along the way.

SparkPoints: (39,902)
Fitness Minutes: (28,339)
Posts: 5,553
6/6/10 9:53 A

Hi, Pam! And Welcome to the Challenge! It sounds like you're on your way already. DH and I didn't eat until almost nine last night, but that was because my usual 1.5 hour shopping trip stretched into three as I squeezed the budget for every penny. We have a new store in town and I'm learning my way around it, as well as trying to figure out what they're going to be lower-priced on compared to the other places I shop. I would point out to you, too, that there is also a team here called Cooking for One or Two, which might be helpful to you as well. Have fun with the challenge!

current weight: 210.0

240 216.25 192.5 168.75

145

SparkPoints: (63,475)
Fitness Minutes: (37,934)
Posts: 12,086
6/5/10 8:16 P

Hello, my name is Pam and I love to cook, but often find myself eating alone because my son is at a friends or practice to late. He gets home from practice and is way past 8pm and wants dinner about 9pm because he never feels hungry after workout. I love to cook from scratch and know that many of the things I make need to be made over and recently learned that Coconut Oil has great benefits for my hypothyroidism and want to also learn to incorporate that and learn how to best utilize the product.

Pounds lost: 0.0

0 26.05 52.1 78.15

104.2

SparkPoints: (39,902)
Fitness Minutes: (28,339)
Posts: 5,553
6/5/10 9:09 A

Welcome to all the new members! You should have gotten your first e-mail notice for the challenge by now! This is a great challenge - and lots of fun for those of us who already love to cook! If you're not already one of us, this challenge will help you become one! Jump right in, you have nothing to lose but clutter and calories!

current weight: 210.0

240 216.25 192.5 168.75

145

SparkPoints: (48,872)
Fitness Minutes: (33,118)
Posts: 4,903
6/4/10 12:38 P

Hello everyone! My name is Tami, I have been on SP for almost 3 years and have still be yo-yo'g...I am trying to recommit & remotivate myself so by joining this challenge I am hoping to pump up my volume. Not to mention that I am in the process of moving from one state to another this month..Am I getting in over my head? Maybe, but I have to do what I have to do.

current weight: 233.0

271 244.25 217.5 190.75

164

SparkPoints: (3,336)
Fitness Minutes: (5,418)
Posts: 11
6/3/10 9:36 P

Hi all. I'm a mother of one 13 month old and a wife of a fit hubby. I'm trying to eat with confidence yet restraint thus this challenge. My goal is to not only make the plan but to have the gumption to stick to it. If I can stick to it I know the pounds will fall off much easier and I'll feel better too.

SparkPoints: (38,255)
Fitness Minutes: (41,996)
Posts: 1,639
6/3/10 2:52 P

Hi, everyone! My name is Leslie, and I am a SAHM of two preschoolers. My husband is a firefighter, so he is gone every third day/night, so I eat leftovers on the nights he's at the station. We eat at home every night except Saturday night because we are at church from 5:30 to 8:30, so we pick something up on the way home. I enjoy cooking and trying new recipes. I like planning my menu and grocery list, and I'm looking forward to completing this challenge!

current weight: 140.2

140.2 136.65 133.1 129.55

126

SparkPoints: (12,661)
Fitness Minutes: (9,200)
Posts: 622
6/3/10 2:09 P

Hello everyone,

I am Kimmie. Single mother of one. I to love to cook and I have tons and tons of recipes. I need to get them organized so that I can make my healthier cooking promise to myself easier to do.

Pounds lost: 0.0

0 6.25 12.5 18.75

25

Posts: 84
6/2/10 10:14 P

Hello everybody! My name is Lisa. I am a 34(soon to be 35) year old single mom of two boys. I love cooking! Which is part of the problem. I have a ton of recipes and am having a difficult time determining which are healthy "enough" and which aren't. Some are pretty obvious, but some aren't so much. I live in Brooklyn, Ohio. I can't wait to take this challenge, and have some fun!

current weight: 189.8

212 190.25 168.5 146.75

125

Posts: 84
6/2/10 10:12 P

Hello everybody! My name is Lisa. I am a 34(soon to be 35) year old single mom of two boys. I love cooking! Which is part of the problem. I have a ton of recipes and am having a difficult time determining which are healthy "enough" and which aren't. Some are pretty obvious, but some aren't so much. I live in Brooklyn, Ohio. I can't wait to take this challenge, and have some fun!

current weight: 189.8

212 190.25 168.5 146.75

125

Posts: 84
6/2/10 10:10 P

Hello everybody! My name is Lisa. I am a 34(soon to be 35) year old single mom of two boys. I love cooking! Which is part of the problem. I have a ton of recipes and am having a difficult time determining which are healthy "enough" and which aren't. Some are pretty obvious, but some aren't so much. I live in Brooklyn, Ohio. I can't wait to take this challenge, and have some fun!

current weight: 189.8

212 190.25 168.5 146.75

125

Posts: 11
6/2/10 5:24 P

Hey everyone! I actually created my FIRST SHOPPING LIST EVER yesterday! I planned out all my meals for the next week, purchased my groceries, and am determined to stick to it. I also stashed all of my husbands junk food in the back of the pantry so I don't have to constantly look at it. It's time for me to get serious!

Best of luck to everyone in this challenge! :-)

Posts: 7,057
6/2/10 3:48 P

Hi I am Bonnie, a 63 yr. old widow who use to love to cook but find it easier to eat out than to cook for one.. I hope to get back into cooking at home so that I eat better meals than eating out or grabbing something quick.

current weight: 244.0

249 235.5 222 208.5

195

Posts: 550
6/2/10 3:34 P

Valerie,
Not sure if you can get them in France, but the Moosewood Collective cook books are great for vegetarian meals. They do sometimes have a section on fish but the remainder are free of meat.

Posts: 77
6/2/10 3:28 P

Hi everyone - My name is Etoy and I have 40 pounds to lose. While I do most of my cooking from home, I know I need to do more from scratch/natural ingredients. Usually we eat take out on the weekends which can wreak havoc on my wallet and my hips. I hope to get some good tasting, healthy tips from this challenge. I do not eat food that does not smell or taste good.

SparkPoints: (75,190)
Fitness Minutes: (57,573)
Posts: 11,463
6/2/10 12:56 P

My name is Valerie, I'm 40. I'm from France.

I'm a vegetarian. I like to cook from scratch, mainly organic produces from my CSA--and hopefully soon from my garden.

I joined this team because lately my cooking has been lacking in creativity.

I have a real passion for cook books which I read from cover to cover.

434 Days since:  I quit smoking

0 112 225 337

450

Posts: 2,232
6/2/10 11:42 A

HiI'm Mary Ann, I truly love to cook;Since Spark its been wonderful eating more healthy. I just have to get a little more organized,so things won't seem so overwhelming when I plan out the meals.

Pounds lost: 10.0

0 12.75 25.5 38.25

51

Posts: 634
6/2/10 8:50 A

Hi I'm Ashley. I love to cook and really have enjoyed learning new recipes since joining spark. My kitchen definitely needs an organizational make-over!!! I am excited to join this challenge!!!

current weight: 146.0

189 174.25 159.5 144.75

130

SparkPoints: (58,225)
Fitness Minutes: (32,677)
Posts: 4,258
6/2/10 5:44 A

Hi, I'm Euphrates, and I love trying new recipes and new foods. My mate and I recently visited friends in Vermont and were inspired by the farmer's market and their locavore practices to try and cut down on processed foods and eat healthier meals, and I realized it's important to make sure I *keep* those foods healthy by not preparing them in an unhealthy way...so I'm looking for inspiration and ideas. Perfect timing for this challenge!

current weight: 209.5

260 232.5 205 177.5

150

Posts: 15,212
6/2/10 5:27 A

Hello
I'm from Australia, and we are lucky here that we have access to a huge variety of fresh vegetables and fruits.
I was a Home Economics teacher before I retired, and love to cook.
One of the things I have done since I joined SP is to experiment with cooking kangaroo in ways other than the recommended ones, since it is an extremely nutritious meat and easily available in our supermarket.

143,240 SparkPoints

SparkPoints: (195,727)
Fitness Minutes: (124,855)
Posts: 45,108
6/2/10 1:51 A

Hi there, I'm Paula. I love to cook and enjoy revamping unhealthy recipes to healthier ones. However, these past couple of month I haven't been doing so good with that. I just restarted my weight loss program today and I'm ready to get back into cooking healthy and finding some new things to cook.

Pounds lost: 8.0

0 28 56 84

112

Posts: 205
6/2/10 1:09 A

Hi I'm Rainbow. I can't say I love to cook, because some of my favorite things are salads; so I'll say I love to prepare, how's that? I am also looking for ways to change old favorites into foods that are better for me. And I'm looking forward to having the trophy on my Spark People page at the end of the month!

Pounds lost: 14.8

0 25.75 51.5 77.25

103

Posts: 420
6/2/10 12:22 A

Hi! My name is Belinda. I am a 36 year old SAHM/Bookkeeper.

Tomorrow marks my 2 year anniversary since I started this weight loss journey.

I think my favourite part (besides losing weight and feeling great) has been cooking new meals and trying new foods. I am SparkRecipes junkie!

I think I will officially start the challenge on Monday as this is a crazy week and we have guests in from out of town this weekend (one is lactose intolerant and one is glucose intolerant so if you have any recommendations for that...). PLUS I have already done my weekly shopping! So starting Sunday or Monday seems most practical.

I am really looking forward to this! Belinda

Pounds lost: 26.0

0 15.25 30.5 45.75

61

Posts: 16,843
6/1/10 11:57 P

Hi, I'm Carla and I love to cook! I already prepare most of my own meals, but I'd like to get new ideas and get organized so I use what's already in the house instead of going out and buying more. I have a terrible habit of buying cookbooks or finding recipes and then going out and buying all the ingredients for everything all at once and then only making half of them because I forget what I had planned.

188,827 SparkPoints

Posts: 446
6/1/10 10:56 P

Hi! I'm Joan. I've been at goal and maintaining for about a month now. I'm spending more of my "added" calories on chocolate and cookies than I want to. I need more focus on nutrition in my calories, and this challenge seems made to order.

SparkPoints: (9,493)
Fitness Minutes: (11,868)
Posts: 277
6/1/10 9:47 P

HI! I'm Kirstin and I LOVE to cook! I'm excited to be a part of this challenge!

Pounds lost: 34.0

0 12 24 36

48

Posts: 1,036
6/1/10 9:22 P

Heya everyone. I'm Ari. I love to cook, and for a variety of reasons, we rarely eat out.

This challenge comes at a great time. The CSA season started last week and we get our second great big box of vegetables tomorrow night (Anyone have a favorite recipe for cooked Arugula? Don't like it raw, it's OK cooked and I'm looking for new ways to try it).

I'm exploring the idea of identifing myself as a flexitarian. You are likely to find lacto-ovo vegetarian food for supper 2-3 times a week. While we do eat meat, poultry, fin fish and dairy, it's often small quantities as flavor and garnish in a much larger vegetable based dish. Especially during CSA season when we are getting yummy local, seasonal veggies.

Ari

Posts: 74
6/1/10 9:07 P

Hello all. My name is Laureen and I love to cook. I love to try new recipe's and I love a challenge in the kitchen. I've been on Spark since April 23 and have been mostly following the meal plan and have been discovering new foods but am pretty much through all of them and ready to venture out into other yummy foods. Last night had the lentil burrito - changed it up a bit but everyone loved it. I'm loving Spark, the community and the education and am looking forward to discovering more fun with food through this challenge.

Posts: 65
6/1/10 8:39 P

Hi I'm Beatriz I love cooking and trying out different recipes. I started SP a few months ago and I have been eating healthier and certainly feeling it!

current weight: 198.0

200 177.5 155 132.5

110

SparkPoints: (82,235)
Fitness Minutes: (40,062)
Posts: 2,253
6/1/10 8:07 P

Hi I am Sandy and I love to cook especially Italian dishes like my mom and grandma. I am looking for new ways to make old recipes more healthy and I am also looking for new recipes to try. My challenge is to see if I can make things my teenagers will eat. Looking forward to the challenge.

Posts: 1,267
6/1/10 6:51 P

Hi. I'm Andi. I love to cook. I like to make the old Polish Recipes as my grandmothers and Great grandmothers made them. :)

Pounds lost: 8.5

0 26.25 52.5 78.75

105

SparkPoints: (73,891)
Fitness Minutes: (65,785)
Posts: 4,337
6/1/10 5:34 P

Hi, I'm Paula. I'm trying to learn to love to cook. I need to cook healthier so this is my start.

Posts: 550
6/1/10 5:33 P

My name is Elizabeth and I've been looking for a fun new challenge through SparkPeople and thought this might be it!! I really enjoy cooking and I'm learning to enjoy more vegetables so I'm always looking for new veg recipes. I'm excited to see what I can learn this month!

Posts: 1,613
6/1/10 4:46 P

My name is Rebecca, and I've been getting healthier with SP since February. I'm here to get some tips on weekly meal-planning and how to convert our favorite recipes into healthier meals.

May Minutes: 0

0 125 250 375

500

SparkPoints: (30,421)
Fitness Minutes: (44,117)
Posts: 329
6/1/10 4:45 P

Hi I am Clare. I have just set myself the goal to cut down on processed foods so this is perfect timing! I have had a struggle with losing weight but am back with renewed energy

current weight: 219.5

232 203.75 175.5 147.25

119

Posts: 1,099
6/1/10 4:21 P

My name is Kira, and I've been on-and-off with SparkPeople since 2007. I love to cook and even have a food blog, but I also enjoy helping other people cook healthy foods. I'm a graduate student, so I don't always have a lot of time, and it's easy to be tempted by processed or fast foods.

current weight: 137.2

141 137 133 129

125

Posts: 51,636
5/28/10 7:46 A

Thanks, Laurie!

My name is Jen, and I've been with SparkPeople since 2004. I have two small children (3 1/2, 1 1/2) and I'm always looking for new dishes that they will enjoy and are healthy, too. My family's diet is very important to me, so I'm glad to be part of this team and help others as much as I can!

Coach Jen

SparkPoints: (39,902)
Fitness Minutes: (28,339)
Posts: 5,553
5/28/10 7:39 A

Hi Coach Jen! Thank you for the opportunity to colead this team with you!

My name is Laurie, I've been Sparking since late December of 2008 and I love to cook! Spark has taught me so much about healthy cooking, I am glad to be part of this team, to help others along their journey!

current weight: 210.0

240 216.25 192.5 168.75

145

Posts: 51,636
5/18/10 10:47 A

Welcome to the Team! Instead of starting a new thread, please post here to tell us about yourself and why you joined the Challenge.