Would Lap-Band Friendly Recipes Help?

Now that I have had my Lap-Band for a while, I tend to forget that at first I was concerned about what I could and couldn't (or shouldn't) eat. I have been wondering if other Lap-Band patients would appreciate some recipes....?

Right after surgery most surgeons have their patients on a special mostly-liquid diet for a period of a couple weeks or a little longer; this would also be a time for some good liquid protein-packed recipes...but I'll work on that a little later.



Chicken Crock-Pot Chili



Right now, I'd like to share a favorite Lap-Band friendly recipe that works well for me and that my family loves as well. I got this recipe a few years ago from dietician that worked with  Lap-Band patients. (I have to say that the girls at work have all asked for the recipe too!) I like this one mostly because it is healthy as well as extremely easy. I use canned beans and  prefer a variety of different types, but you could obviously start with dry beans and vary any of the ingredients if you are so inclined to "tweek" recipes. Most people I know like to stick pretty close to the recipe, but this is one that you can change up in many different ways and still come out with a pretty edible product.

Chicken Crock-Pot Chili

1  15 oz can black beans
1  15 oz can kidney beans
1  15 oz can butter beans (small or large, either kind is okay) or Great Northerns
1  28 oz can diced tomatoes
1  package taco seasoning mix (I use the lower sodium one)

4  chicken breasts, boneless, skinless (I use them frozen, right out of the freezer, you can use fresh too)

1  16 oz package frozen corn (optional-I prefer not to use corn myself)

Put everything except corn in the crock pot on low for 6-8 hours.
The corn is added in the last 15 minutes.
Take out chicken and shred after it cools a little.
Return chicken to pot and serve hot.
This recipe freezes well (If you have leftovers!)

Optional garnishes:

• Non-fat sour cream
• Salsa
• Lower fat shredded cheese

Serve with corn bread or tortillas

I have had people ask me if I thaw the chicken first and I say no, just throw it in whole and frozen. Do I drain the beans? I have before, but most of the time I just dump them in juices and all.

If you try this recipe, let me know how it turns out for you...I would love to hear from you! 

 more Lap-Band friendly recipes!

Finished a 5K!

So I participated in a 5K on Saturday! I know that a 5K 'race' is only 3.something miles, and I didn't "run" the race, only walked, but I walked FAST! That's something I would not have been able to accomplish 60+ pounds ago. The first 5K that my daughter and I walked in was in Idaho, earlier this summer. There were TONS of very steep hills in and around that small community and we finished in 50.14 minutes. Now, she is a jogger and could easily finish a 5K in 15 minutes or less, but she's very encouraging and willing to walk with me; but don't think for a minute that I can slack off. Too much talking and I slow down. Too much sightseeing along the way and I slow down. She is quick to remind me to keep walking fast and FAST we walk! Sometimes we even break into a slow jog! So this particular 5K we finished in 48.3 minutes, we shaved about 2 minutes off our time....thanks to her "coaching".


It felt real good. Real good in a physical way; my heart rate was elevated most of the way, but it was also a real boost to my self esteem...an accomplishment to feel proud of. Sure, there were runners there, very fast, and in excellent shape but I didn't focus on them and let myself feel intimidated because I knew what I was doing was fast and excellent for me. I have done two now; will I do more? Well, if my 'coach' has anything to say about it, I definitely will! So I better keep up the regular walking so I will be ready for whatever may come.