Week 5 Recap

So Fast! 

Hard to believe we're at week 5 already. This season seems to be flying by. I watched last night's episode via DVR late last night.

I am so glad to see the apparent end of temptation challenges. This season is straightforward, mostly non-nonsense get healthy and lose weight.

I like it!
It's refreshingly positive

Eating healthy challenge 

I'm living last night's challenge with the family month of eating healthy. I've been up early and staying up late to prep food or cook. Didn't get the large batch operation done this past weekend; so, it's a daily grind to get healthy meals done. I got breakfast, work lunch, and dinner done.

• Breakfast - boiled eggs, lean sausage, assorted bite-size veggies - will get some fruit in the morning
• Lunch - more assorted bite-size veggies, apple, left-over rotisserie chicken, baked sweet potatoe 
• Dinner - crockpot roast 

Contestants had to shop on a budget and fix from their purchase for the week. It's a great practical lesson on shopping healthy and cooking healthy. I think they have a link at the NBC website on shopping lists. Head over and check it out.

We got to meet chef, Devin Alexander, and watch her prepare a southwest sweet potato recipe. 

I'm really getting into sweet potatoes! 

Tonight's stumble 

 

Life is messy. Today was a messy day. I ate well this morning and at lunch. Tonight, it was pizza and skinny girl margarita. I wasn't a big fan of plain margaritas on the rocks. Skinny girl takes some of the calorie hit out of margaritas. 

Challenge 

We get a frigid, pond swimming challenge with 5 lb weight. Danni, sole white team member, wins!


Weigh-in 

Red team falls with Lisa going home. The elimination format is filled with a whole lot less drama. I noticed that they aren't doing the dramatic commercial break in the last few eliminations. Again, I like it.

Nikki and TC

We get a glimpse of Nikki and TC doing a photo shoot. Both seem to be doing well. Nice to see that Nikki appears to have gotten help and is in a better place mentally.

Live blog BL episode - No trainers this week

The trainers head out for the week to visit the teens. They'll be back for the last chance workout! In the meantime, trainers meet with their teams.

Bob

Written plans. One person will lead the team workout each day.

Dolvett 

State of the warrior, get pissed off, and fight - Dolvett's words of advice.

Jillian 

Workout plans for the ladies. Goal of 5 miles.

To the kids! 

 The trainers are with the kids to get a chance to see their world.

Biingo's family has succeeded in changing food choices and cooking at home. Biingo - 27 lb weight loss, awesome!

The overloaded, stressed Sunny eats to deal with stress. She is afraid of failing and feels trapped in her role.

Whole family change is happening in Lindsay's family. Dolvett is truly a man unfraid of a unique work-out. A cheerleader workout this season and ballet last season!

Teams on their own 

Blue team seems to be struggling with direction and motivation. Dave is worried about going home due to his

Jackson seems to be doing a good job in leading the red team and seems to have more motivation with less health problems.

White team is bonding and getting stronger.

To the beach for a 5K! 

We get Allison running with the group along with other support, wow!

Dr. H to the rescue and brings an inhaler to Jackson.

White team cleans up with 1st and 3rd place finishes and take the top cash prize.

Last Chance workout

Mom & Dad - aka Jillian & Bob workout the blue and white team together.

Jeff and Jillian clash, and back to bob he goes.

Weigh-in

Best quote of the night - I've always been a ripped, bald black guy on the inside - Jackson

Then there was one for the white team, Pam is eliminated.

Goodbye Cate

Show Recap 

I did get a chance to watch BL late on Monday. Love that DVR! The show has been enjoyable to watch so far. It is definitely staying on the positive.

Biggest Loser Junk 

The theme for the week was lose the junk. The blue team lost a childhood obesity trivia challenge and was forced to spend hours in a junk food laden, sedentary room.

A childhood obesity expert stopped in to the teen contestants' homes and emptied out the junk food.

The best part of the episode was Bob's deck of cards crossfit wod in the junk room. weigh-in

Cate Laughlan from the red team was voted off after red team lost the weigh-in. I was pulling for a red line again, but the voting was much more civil this time. There are very nice Q&A interview by Cate that I found that is inspiring.

Random Sunday Thought Collection

End of last week's episode

I posted before the end of last week's show. Jillian's team is now decimated with the loss of Nate. Her two remaining ladies will have to pull it together to keep any of the white team members around. Fortunately for Jillian, the trainers are working with everyone; so, she'll still have a job but no team if the other two ladies get eliminated early in the season.

NFL challenge

I liked the NFL challenge in the 2nd episode. I think the kids got included in the segment much better than in the prior challenge.

Reasonable physical challenges are a great part of BL and should have center stage.

Next week's teaser 

Looks like a ridiculous temptation challenge is coming - getting locked in a room with sweets. I really hope there is no advantage given to a contestant that pigs out. Overall, the temptation looks lame.

I'm about 11 days into my whole 30 challenge. I get temptation as I deal with some cravings for diet coke, bread, and peanut butter. However, the reward and sense of accomplishment keep me motivated.


Interesting things I'm doing in the the kitchen

Over toasted cumin seeds

I got a mortar and pestle for Christmas and used it last night. I toasted (over in my case over-toasted) some cumin seeds. They tasted not burnt, and the cumin flavor was INTENSE. I used it on my 2nd, improved batch of cauliflower carrot hummus as well as on some baked sweet potatoes.

I seeds toast very quickly. I think the key to my next toasting will be lower heat and immediate transfer out of the hot skillet when they are that nice golden brown color. I delayed a bit and the seeds toasted even when the skillet was off heat.

Season 14 Biggest Loser Premiere

I'm finishing up yesterday's episode right now. I'm liking what I see so far. Here's some bullets so far from yesterday and what I'm seeing so far.

The Kids

One of this season's focus is childhood obesity. There are three teens who have joined BL this season. They will highlight the problem and struggles of obesity in children. They did work out on the ranch for the 1st week. There wasn't a whole lot of footage for ranch workouts. So far, trying to include them with the adult contestants has seemed a little clunky.  But, it's kids... who can't feel warm and fuzzy!

Lindsay, Sunny, and Bingo

Sunday Night

I was a little disappointed that we didn't get back story on all of the contestants.

Jillian Michaels returns for Biggest Loser

Jillian showed up which was great. I think it will be a good season with red, white, and blue teams.

Jillian's team suffered a double hit though. Demons overcame Nikki who left the ranch to deal with personal issues. It is a shame that there aren't alternates that are selected to replace those who quit the show so early. Nikki's departure along with other problem contestants from past year makes me question BL psych screening for contestants. It doesn't seem that great.

It was so sad to see TC eliminated leaving the white team with only three contestants. TC had a heart-warming back story.





Workout Buffet

We get to see different style workouts on Monday. Bob had a major Crossfit set-up. The crossfit workouts have been great for me, and I know the blue team will be inspired. Dolvett gives us a boot camp workout.

Jillian Drama

Ok, we are getting drama already but it isn't the same crap as last season. Jillian's team of three is have major issues. The yelling and screaming approach isn't working. I was totally surprised by Jillian's flexibility in dealing with her team. The three remaining seem like emotionally healthy people, but the women are basket cases!  Will we get the warm & fluffy Jillian this season?

Red Line

I am SO glad to see the red line this season! So, nice for effort/results to determine elimination rather than game play! Keep that red line goin' baby!

Biggest Loser Season 14 Launch

Season Premiere

We get part 1 of a two part season premiere tonight. NBC has some details up on contestants and the concept for this season. 

This season is Challenge America. Inspire and change lives. Sounds very positive and uplifting. As I wrote in the past, this season is likely to be very over the top kumbayah to overcome the negativity and nastiness from the last couple of seasons. 

Whole 30 breakfast 

I'm into day 5 of whole 30, and it's going okay. Hunger has been a challenge. I have to eat more frequently. Time for meal prep is also a challenge. I'll be making some tweaks on a paleo breakfast casserole recipe that I discovered and have it either this morning or tomorrow morning. Looks good and will hopefully taste good too. 

Paleo breakfast casserole

 

Day one of whole 30

Just finished crossfit workout this morning, and the whole house is still sleeping.

I also started the whole 30 challenge as well. We spent the day yesterday prepping veggies and other food.

Breakfast part 1 was a different experience for me. I had a whole egg with veggies and cauliflower/carrot hummus. I haven't decided on part 2 yet but will probably start with some black coffee shortly.


Here's a link to the basic paleo hummus recipe. I substituted in about 1/4 of the cauliflower with carrots. I also added 1/2 teaspoon of chopped fresh garlic.  I did a saute on the veggies and garlic with olive oil in the skillet prior to food processing them.