The Road Less Traveled

So I haven't weighed in yet today, but this is the first time in a little over a month (so my 5th weigh in) that I have felt encouraged to go.  I realize there were mitigating circumstances and I didn't give up or start eating poorly - it was simply the feeling of being "stuck" on this journey that I have really enjoyed so far that really impacted the way I viewed myself, food and being motivated to continue moving towards the life I really want.

All that to be said, I am crossing my fingers the weigh in today represents my hard work, dedication and commitment to myself first, and then my family.  I'm excited to go and get on that scale!  How many women do you hear saying that? :) 

I want to encourage each of you that REGARDLESS OF YOUR CIRCUMSTANCES, do not give up, do not give in, and do not stop believing in yourself.  The whole purpose of a journey is to go somewhere you never would have otherwise, but these things take time.  If every journey was easy, everyone would do them - BUT we are different.  We chose a hard, long, laborious journey of living a healthy lifestyle at a healthy weight.  As the majority of Americans now are overweight or obese, we are truly taking the road less traveled, and it really is making all the difference. 

New Favorite Blog

You know how currently obsessed I am with cupcake tins, well here is the BEST resource for WW "cupcake" recipes!!!!! 

I'm about to give away my secret.  Contrary to popular belief, I very rarely make up any recipe.  I usually get them from pinterest, blogs, etc - and simply lighten them up so they are WW friendly.  I have decided to simply post the link to my new favorite blog and let you browse her options.  They are all WW friendly, perfectly portioned by using MUFFIN TINS (WAHOO!!!), and freaking delicious.  I started posting each recipe then thought - why reinvent the wheel?  Here are a few of my favorites with some pics so you're enticed enough to check it out!!! 

http://www.emilybites.com/

If anything is too many points for you, let me know and I'll try to reduce it even further.  Hope you enjoy as much as I am!

Taco Cupcake with Guac

Lasagna Cupcakes

Cheeseburger Cupcakes

French Dip Cupcake

Spaghetti Cups

Ingredients:1 lb or extra lean ground turkey or 95% lean ground beef
¼ cup seasoned bread crumbs
1 large egg
1 T skim milk
8 oz wheat spaghetti (I used thin spaghetti), broken into 2-3” pieces
3 egg whites
1 oz reduced fat Parmesan cheese
¼ cup 2% shredded Mozzarella cheese
1 ½ cups + 3 T marinara sauce, divided
Parsley or chopped fresh basil (optional garnish)


Directions:1.    Pre-heat the oven to 350. Line a baking sheet with aluminum foil then lightly mist it with cooking spray and set aside.
2.    In a large bowl, combine the bread crumbs, egg and skim milk and stir until mixed. Add the ground beef and stir in until thoroughly combined. Split the meat mixture into 12 equal pieces and roll them into balls. Set the balls on the prepared baking sheet and put them in the over to bake for 25 minutes at 350.
3.    While the meatballs bake, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the broken spaghetti pieces according to package directions. Drain the spaghetti and set it aside to cool (I actually stuck mine in the fridge for a few minutes. It doesn’t need to be cold, but you don’t want it to be too hot to handle when you press it into the cups).
4.    When the meatballs are done, remove them from the oven and place them in a saucepot with 1 ½ cups of marinara sauce. Bring the meatballs and sauce over low heat on the stovetop, just to keep it all warm. Stir occasionally. Turn the heat on the oven up to 400 degrees.
5.    When the pasta is cooled enough to handle, whisk the egg whites together in a large bowl and then add the pasta. Stir to combine and then add the Parmesan, Mozzarella, and 3 tablespoons of the marinara sauce. Mix together until thoroughly combined.
6.    Lightly mist a 12 cup muffin tin with cooking spray. Place about 1/3 cup of the spaghetti mixture into each cup in the muffin tin. Using your fingers, press down on the center and up the sides of the spaghetti, forming cups. Slide the tin into the pre-heated oven and bake for 15 minutes at 400.
7.    When the spaghetti cups are done, remove them from the oven and let them cool for a moment before removing them from the tin. When ready to serve, pour a tablespoon of marinara sauce from the pot into the center of a spaghetti cup, top it with a meatball, and follow it with another tablespoon of marinara.

*If you are planning to have leftovers, I suggest storing the sauce & meatballs in one container and the spaghetti cups in another and assembling them right before eating.

Yields 12 spaghetti & meatball cups. Weight Watchers P+:  2 cups are 9 points+

YAY for muffin tins!!!!

My current faves:

• Spaghetti bites - recipe to follow
• Pizza bites - use the "thin crust" from Pillsburry (crescent roll section of store) - spread out, cut with the top of a cup.  Spray tins, cook crust only for two to three minutes - take out of oven, build pizza and PRESTO!  You'll have to figure out your own points as toppings, how much cheese you use, pepperoni vs. turkey pepp, etc.  I can usually eat three "muffins" for 7 or 8pts.
• Pancake bites - YUM!!!!!  1 cup pancake mix (take your pick, I used Krusteaz), 2/3 cup water, 1/4 cup sugar (I use sugar free), and whatever toppings you want.  I double this recipe to make all 12 tins.  2 muffins (good size) are 5pts - not including toppings.  You can do chocolate chips, turkey sausage, bananas, strawberries, etc.  These are extra good because the syrup is baked in, so nothing messy for little fingers!  Or big fingers for that matter. :)

Portion Control

So one of the many things I've have learned along my fabulous, yet sometime tedious, WW journey is how important portion control is.  It can go both ways.  Healthy foods, eaten in extreme excess is no bueno; however, yummy non-healthy foods eaten in moderation are fine - so learning to balance those has been difficult.  For example, if I eat bad for a snack or early meal - it's the like the rest of the day is no holds barred.  Nearly every decision from that point forward is not the best.  Sooooo, that being said - enjoy what you want - but figure out the best way for you to eat it.  Here are some suggestions!

• Muffin Tins:  I am OBSESSED with muffin tins currently.  As you will soon see after I post some new recipes. :)  I love them because I can control how much I eat without weighing things to death.  I use them for everything now: meatloaf, spaghetti, quiche, pancakes, tacos, meatballs, pizzas, dessert, you name it.  It's easy to fix, simple to serve, easy to pack for my lunches, delicious and PERFECT PORTION CONTROL!!
• Chocolate: Hands down I freeze it.  If I want chocolate, and I actually eat some, all bets are off.  It's like potato chips - I can't stop at one.  However, frozen chocolate is just not the same.  So I freeze a bag of the snack size candy bars (usually one to two points each) and only take one out to let it thaw if I'm craving chocolate.  Not only are the points ok for a treat, but I won't eat 10 of them. 
• Cake/Sweets: Same thing as above, I've started doing everything in muffin tins.  It's the perfect portion and I know exactly what I can have.  Cookies tend to be different sizes unless you weigh each one, cakes and pies are too easy to take a "sliver" off of. 

So go buy mini-muffin tins and regular size - you won't regret it!!

Long time no see

I know, it's been over a month since I've posted.  Shame on me.  I could give you a list of reasons/excuses, but the bottom line is once you start to settle into the WW lifestyle - the initial enthusiasm wanes, and you it becomes second nature.  However, second nature can often bite you in the booty - so I'm back, and with a vengeance. :) 

Starting tomorrow I will rock it with some new recipes I've found in the last month, some weight loss totals, and just general renewed commitment to you and to myself. 

So here's to starting a new day, a new life, and rocking a new body.  Cheers friends - let's go!!!!!

Fabulous - frozen yogurt bites!

Frozen yogurt bites! Drop yogurt off spoon onto wax paper and freeze.  Bag them up for a sweet treat!  You'd be amazed how many you can get from your favorite Yoplait fat free yogurt - like my faves Boston Creme Pie, Pineapple Upside Down Cake, you get the idea. :)  Yoplait is 3pts for the entire container - so do lots of small bites and break up the points or eat them all at once while watching your favorite movie.  Such a fun idea with summer coming.  Enjoy!

ONE point muffins!!!!

Banana Zucchini Carrot Muffins - totally substituted out and really pretty delicious.  I was bored with eggs, and since it was snowy and cold out - I thought I'd bake.  I found this recipe online and then totally changed it. :)  I'm pretty darned pumped to offer you ONE POINT yummy muffins!

Servings: 12
WW Points: 1pt each

Ingredients:

1/3 cup egg whites

1 cup Stevia in the Raw (or for two point muffins, do 1/2 sugar substitute - 1/2 sugar. It does have a bit of a "sweetner" taste. Up to you!!)

1/3 cup unsweetened or natural applesauce

1/2 tsp of salt

1 tsp of vanilla

3 medium ripe bananas

1/2 cup chopped carrots

1 cup chopped zucchini

1 tsp baking soda

1 1/2 tsp baking powder

2 cups of oats

Instructions:

Bake at 350 degrees in 12 muffin tins for approximately 25 minutes.  Cool and serve. I use Brummel and Brown's yogurt butter which is one point for one tablespoon - so I had two muffins w/ 1/2 TB on each - warm from the oven and savored the moment. :)  Snowy morning, warm muffins, and still losing weight - perfect combination! 

Attention Coffee Lovers

So I found that fat free half-n-half is zero pts for 2TB!!!!  That's pretty darn good!!!  Now, I still need a little bit of Stevia in the raw to cut the harshness of coffee - but clearly that's a personal preference.  Not gonna lie, it's still not as good as full fat yummy flavored creamers which I still use on occasion when I want to count the one or two points, but it's certainly good enough when I need those zero point mornings.

12 Weeks Down

Just a short word of encouragement.  I just completed my 12th week on Weight Watchers and I am officially down 27lbs. I am officially down 10%+ of my initial body weight and only 7lbs away from my pre-baby weight.  I still have a million pounds to go, BUT I'M 27lbs DOWN!!!!  Celebrate every victory!

The program works.  Because we all have different bodies, different motivation - we're going to lose at different rates - BUT the program works.  Stick to what you know, don't try to cheat the system, follow the rules and enjoy every second of living the active, healthy, amazing life you deserve.  No loss is too little, and no effort to small. 

I'll see every one of you at the finish line - because WE GOT THIS!!

Tamale Pie

Now for all the Mexican food fans - this does not (according to my husband) taste like tamales.  :)  If you go into it as a healthy Mexican food option - then I think you'll enjoy it as much as me.  If you want true tamale's - save ALL your points and go buy them! :)

Servings: 8 (I cut it like a pie)
WW pts: 4pts

Ingredients:
Filling:

• 1/2 cup diced onion
• 1/2 cup diced mushroom
• 1 lb ground extra lean Jennie-O turkey
• 1 4.5oz can diced green chilies
• 1 15oz can tomato sauce
• 1 cup frozen corn kernels
• 3 large cloves garlic, minced
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 Tablespoon chili powder
• Dash of pepper
• 1/2 cup of 2% shredded Mexican cheese

Topping:

• 3/4 cup yellow cornmeal (preferably stone ground)
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 2 cups cold water
• 1 Tablespoon butter

Instructions:

Pre-heat the oven to 375 degrees.

Place a 12″ cast-iron skillet over medium heat. Add the ground turkey and cook, breaking it into small chunks with a spatula. When the beef begins to brown add in the mushrooms, onion, and chilies. Cook until the veggies are tender. Stir in tomato sauce, corn, garlic, 1 teaspoon salt, chili powder, and pepper. Simmer for 5 minutes or until the sauce has thickened. Turn off the heat and set the skillet aside.  Sprinkle cheese on top of meat mixture.

Place a small pot over over medium heat. Add in cold water, salt, and cornmeal. Whisk the ingredients together until the cornmeal absorbs all of the water and has thickened. Stir in the butter.

Spoon the cornmeal mixture over the top of the skillet, spreading it into an even layer. Place the skillet into the oven and bake for 40 minutes. Serve warm with fat free sour cream on the side.

Zucchini Cheesy Goodness

Saw these on pinterest the other day and revised them for WW.  They are scrumptious as a snack or side dish for dinner.  Oh, and super easy too!!

3pts for whole zucchini

Ingredients:

• zucchini cut in half length wise - seeds scooped out with a spoon
• tomato sliced thin
• olive oil
• cheese of choice (recommend mozeralla or fontina)
• Parmesean cheese
• Panko breadcrumbs

Instructions:

• drizzle olive oil over zucchini
• put tomato slices along middle of zucchini
• sprinkle w/ salt and bake at 425 for about 20 minutes
• Fill each half w/ one ounce of cheese each (I used whole mozeralla that I tore)
• sprinkle w/ parm cheese
• add one tsp of panko breadcrumbs to each
• Put back into oven for approximately 10 minutes until golden and bubbly.  Eat right away!!!

Favorite Food Products & Best Tips!!

This is a post for all of the newbies joining our loser community :) - as well as a reminder to those of us who have been at it for a bit.  One of the main lessons I learned from my lackadaisical week is that going back to the basics is where its at.  The program works for a reason, so work the program!

Favorite WW Products I've found so far:

• Mini Phyllo Pastry Shells - found in the same freezer section as cool whip.  Ours were hidden, so look carefully or ask!  These are good for just about everything. :)
• PB2 powdered peanut butter.  It's pricey, but the best if you're a peanut butter-holic like me.  Two tablespoons are only 1 point!!!  (You mix it with water, you don't eat it powdered.)  Again, keep you expectations realistic, but I swear by it.  I eat it plain, on tortillas, with veggies or fruit,  in smoothies, and in recipes that call for peanut butter.  Here is the link for it on amazon!!  http://www.amazon.com/PB2-Powdered-Peanut-Butter-Calories/dp/B002GJ9JWS/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1330055714&sr=8-3
• Mission Carb Plus Tortillas.  1 point for the small ones, 2 points for the medium size.  These are great for veggie tacos, tortilla pizzas, enchiladas, sandwiches, you name it.
• Jennie O extra lean ground turkey and turkey kielbasa.  I use the ground turkey for so many things and the turkey kielbasa for breakfast skillets (one of Perg's and my favorite meals).  The healthiest meat I've found by far.
• Gordon's Grilled Shrimp!  The whole bag is only 6 points!!!!  Delicious on their own, or in pasta, tacos, etc.
• Popchips with french onion dip made with low-fat mayo and fat free sour cream.  YUM!!!!
• You need a food processor for this one, but banana soft serve ice cream!!  Freeze some bananas, puree in food processor for approximately 5 minutes - voila - you'll swear its soft serve ice cream!  I know it sounds too good to be true, but crazy enough, it is. :)  Or if you want the "ice cream" but don't want to buy a food processor - get this instead.  It's SO cool and I want one really bad.  :)  http://www.amazon.com/Yonanas-902-Cream-Treat-Silver/dp/B005083ECS/ref=sr_1_cc_1?s=aps&ie=UTF8&qid=1330057179&sr=1-1-catcorr

Best Tips I've Learned so far in the WW world:

• Drink your water!!!  And keep track of how much you drink.  Don't "think" you got your daily water in, KNOW!
• Measure your food.  I got lazy with this last week thinking I knew the correct portion sizes and it nearly bit me in my slowly shrinking booty.  There is a reason for this - it's called portion control.  We are Americans, we don't understand this - so measure!!!!  No excuses. 
• Journal absolutely everything that goes in your mouth.  Even if it's just a taste.
• BLT's!!  Bites, licks and tastes count as one point - so make sure it's worth it.
• Sugar free mint gum or mints=appetite suppressant.  So are lemons.  Between meals if you're feeling snacky - suck on a lemon slice or chew a piece of mint gum - it really will help.
• Failure to plan is planning to fail.  Write out and plan your meals for the week.  Prepare snacks in advance - getting to where you're starving is just a recipe to make bad choices. 
• Bulk up everything you eat with tons of veggies or fruits.  For example, my husbands breakfast skillet has onions and peppers along with his turkey kielbasa & hashbrowns.  Mine has onions, peppers, zucchini, spinach, garlic, portobellos, so on and so forth - along with the kielbasa and measured hashbrowns.  I get to eat just as much as him, just with free point foods instead!  You hopefully get the idea. :)
• Be active.  Even if you can't or don't want to exercise - be active.  Every little bit adds up!
• Last one, and I know it sounds a little lame, but I have the lost pounds to prove it works!  When you wake up in the morning - stretch really tall, then touch your toes slowly, and breathe deeply for a couple of times.  Get your mind right and ready to start the day.  I have a baby who normally wakes me up, but taking the best care of him means taking care of me first - so take a deep breath, stretch out those muscles and know you got this!

There are a million more I'm sure I could come up with, but this is a great place to start or go back to. REMEMBER - NOTHING TASTES AS GOOD AS BEING HEALTHY AND THIN FEELS.  Enjoy every day, indulge where it matters to you, but keep tight to the program.  It works, it really really works.  Go kick some WW butt!!!! :)

Inside Out Pot Pies REVISED

My new FAVORITE WW food product is mini phyllo pastry shells!!!  They make it so incredibly easy to make all sorts of things extremely healthy.  I used the rest of my roasted veggie mixture from the pot pies I made the other night, and simply spooned them into the shells and bakes for 10 minutes.  This entire cookie sheet is only 9 points for 15 shells!  Plus easily several servings of veggies.  Working with sheets of phyllo dough is a pain at best, so having pre-made shells ready to go makes my life SO much easier.  YAY!!!!  :)

Some other ideas for the shells - which are 1pt for 2 shells.

• fill with cut up berries and top with fat free cool whip - no points except for the shells!
• Fill with ww tuna or chicken salad
• egg mixture for breakfast (egg whites, green onions, peppers, any other veggie) - fat free cheese if you want!
• little mini-pizzas
• the sky is truly the limit!!!
   

Roasted Veggie Inside Out Potpies

Easy, LOW POINT, large veggie serving potpies!  I made a chicken potpie w/ pie crust for Perg, but made this roasted veggie version for myself in muffin tins - I definitely did not suffer!  Hope you enjoy as much as I did!

Serving size: 1 cup

WW Points: 1.5 each!

Ingredients:
I used the following veggies that I roasted, but obviously you can use whatever you want!

• zucchini
• asparagus
• broccoli
• sweet peppers
• onion
• green beans
• spinach
• portobellos

1 can of 98% fat free cream of mushroom soup
salt & pepper to taste
5 sheets of phyllo dough

Instructions:
Cut up veggies, mist with olive oil, sprinkle w/ salt and roast in oven at 450 degrees for approximately 20 minutes.  Combine w/ soup, salt & pepper - set aside.

Take the 5 sheets of phyllo dough (keep stacked) and cut into six equal portions.  Mist six muffin tins w/ olive oil or Pam spray.  Here comes the somewhat tedious part.  Mist each sheet and line each muffin cup w/ the 5 sheet mini stack.  So for clarity, each muffin cup has five cut sheets (stacked), each misted and formed to the cup.  Phyllo dough is VERY thin, hence the reason you have to stack five for each cup.  Bake alone, at 350 degrees for 7 minutes.  Take out of the oven, fill with veggie mixture and put back in the oven for an additional 10-12 minutes or so.

ENJOY!!!

OMG - Strawberry Cheesecake Bites!!

Here is a FABULOUS dessert, but with hardly any guilt!!  These are technically zero points - but I would count 1 point for every four or five you eat (depending on how big they are).  ENJOY!!!!!!!



Cheesecake Stuffed Strawberries
adapted from Nutmeg Nanny by Karen

Ingredients:
-1 lb large strawberries
-8 oz. fat free cream cheese, softened
-2 TB powdered sugar
-2 tsp truvia
-1 tsp vanilla extract
-graham cracker crumbs

Directions:
1. Rinse strawberries and cut around the top of the strawberry. Remove the top and clean out with a paring knife, if necessary (some may already be hollow inside). Prep all strawberries and set aside.
2. In a mixing bowl, beat cream cheese, powdered sugar, truvia and vanilla until creamy. Add cream cheese mix to a piping bag or ziploc with the corner snipped off. Fill strawberries with cheesecake mixture. Once strawberries are filled, dip the top in graham cracker crumbs. If not serving immediately, refrigerate until serving.

Slow Cooker Honey Sesame Chicken

OMG!!!  Do this, do this now!

Servings: 8
WW Points: 6 points per serving


Slow Cooker Honey Sesame Chicken
Recipe adapted from: Six Sisters' Stuff by Karen

Ingredients:
4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts Salt and pepper
1/2 cup honey
2 tsp of sugar substitute (or another 1/2 cup honey for more points)
1/2 cup soy sauce - low sodium preferred
1/2 cup diced onion
1/4 cup ketchup
2 tablespoons olive oil
2 cloves garlic, minced
10 oz. package of frozen broccoli spears
1/2 red bell pepper cut into strips
2 chopped green onion (optional)
1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional - doesn't really add heat, just adds more flavor)
4 teaspoons cornstarch dissolved in 6 Tablespoons water
Sesame seeds

Directions:
Season both sides of chicken with lightly with salt and pepper, put into crock pot. In a small bowl, combine honey, soy sauce, onion, ketchup, oil, garlic and pepper flakes. Pour over chicken. Toss in broccoli (frozen is fine), bell pepper and green onions (if you want).  Cook on low for 3-4 hours. Remove chicken from crock pot, leave sauce. Dissolve 4 teaspoons of cornstarch in 6 tablespoons of water and pour into crock pot. Stir to combine with sauce. Replace lid and cook sauce on high for ten more minutes or until slightly thickened. Cut chicken into bite size pieces, then return to pot and toss with sauce before serving. Sprinkle with sesame seeds and serve over rice or noodles.


*You can also sprinkle more red pepper flakes on top if you want more heat.

Prep Sunday!

So in my efforts to recommit myself to my goals - I am having a food prep Sunday.  Here are some things I'm doing to not only make good choices, but also take some of the stress out of my week.

1. Cooking a pork tenderloin in the crock pot for two dinners this week.
2. Chopping all my fruits and veggies for the week and labeling them in ziploc baggies so meals and snacks are easy.
3. Writing IN ADVANCE, in my journal so I know what I'm eating and what my week looks like.  I want to be extra on it this week since I have some make up work to do.
4. Making the lightest verstion of my veggie quiche for my breakfasts so I can spend more time with Brady but still get a healthy jumpstart to my day.
5. Going to the gas station to get my non-environmentally friendly styrofoam cup to increase my water.
6. Making sure I have mint gum in my purse to stretch my "in between" times.
7. Completely cleaning out my fridge and pantry so all my choices are good ones, and the temptation to cheat is eliminated. 

New recipes to come this week - I promise!!!  Until then, go back through your journals to a very succesful week and reproduce many of those meals and snacks.  This will help motivate you as you already know your weigh in will be successful.

LETS DO THIS!!!!!

Re-Committing

I have a confession to make.  Not a happy one, not a motivating one.  I am getting ready to finish my 11th week of WW, and I blew it.  Not just a little bump, but a big huge dump truck of dumb choices. 

My first mistake was thinking I can have two days off after my weigh in because I have five more to make up for it.  Wrong, wrong, wrong.  There are no "days off" in the WW world.  This is why they give you the extra 49 weekly points - so you can have moments of indulgence, not entire days. 

My second mistake was eating an unhealthy version of my "trigger" food.  Tuesday night we had pepperoni pizza.  It was a "holiday" (Valentines Day), and since I still had my six days left I thought what the heck?  Boo!!  I should've gone with my instincts and gotten a thin crust veggie pizza like I usually do when we order pizza.  So instead I ate too much pepp pizza and was so upset with myself I didn't journal so I wouldn't have to acknowledge it.  This started me on a rapid downward spiral into not making good food choices the rest of the week.  As not only did I eat bad pizza and too much of it on Tuesday night, but then we had leftovers that I couldn't or didn't stay away from on Wednesday.  Double boo.

My third mistake was not eating my fruits & veggies or drinking my water.  Since I was on this downward spiral, had some uncommon stresses in my week, I quite frankly just stopped making that extra effort you need to be successful in reaching your goals.  I MAYBE had one or two servings a day, and MAYBE had two or three glasses of water.  *shaking my head at myself*  WW works because it is a healthy, balanced food plan - taking out both those elements does not equal success either for your weight loss or your health.

And finally, my fourth mistake - and the biggest one - was not journaling.  Because I was ashamed of myself and knowing I was making conscious bad choices - I didn't journal until today (Sunday).  I didn't want to see what I was doing to myself.  So instead of owning my decisions and just dealing with it, I hid them which is ironically what has made me so overweight in the first place.

I apologize for also having gotten lazy with blogging, with discovering new recipes to share with you, and for letting my judgement become impaired and in turn becoming what NOT to do, instead of a positive example.  Let my bad choices and mistakes be a lesson for you that you do not have to learn first hand.  Know that your LIFE is more important than food, and that your GOALS matter enough to do the work WW requires.  Like the commercials say "if you want it you got it" - but you have to want it more than you want a piece of pizza,  more than you want to just put the pen down and fall back into bad habits.

This is a new day, a fresh start and time to repent and move forward with a hard lesson learned.  I DO want this, and I am re-committing to putting in the work and effort it takes to get there.

A simple, delicious snack!!

These are Caprese bites I had as a side for my lunch today.  VERY easy, and 100% delicious. I believe it made approximately 13 little bites, give or take. I simply took a tooth pick and layered in this order:

• grape tomato
• piece of fresh basil (however big or small you prefer - to taste)
• piece of whole mozzarella (I used one ounce for the whole dish, cut up - its the only thing with points in this whole snack!)
• another grape tomato
• dipped in balsamic vinegar reduction (on the side to the left)

Whole snack - 2 points as well as a serving of veggies & healthy dairy!

You could also add avocado, just count the points!  To make balsamic reduction - simply take 1 cup of balsamic vinegar and 1 TB of  truvia - heat on the stove on medium heat for about 20 minutes or until syrupy.  Let cool.  You can also just use plain balsamic vinegar - I just think this tastes better and is worth the extra effort.  Also delicious on salad and grilled or baked salmon!

5lbs of fat!

For those of us who gets discouraged by losing only one pound or so at a time - remember you are doing something SIGNIFICANT for yourself and for your health.  Here is a picture of 5lbs of fat.  For every ounce you lose, you are taking this off your body for good. 

MEASURE your food!  JOURNAL everything you put in your mouth!  Be ACTIVE and move your body!  Do not give up, do not get lazy, do not lose sight of why you joined WW in the first place.  You are fighting for your health, for the life you want, and for living that life in the best way possible. 

So renew your attitude, follow the plan without deviating, and LOVE who you are.  You got this!!

One more cheat tip

Chew any kind of mint gum, swish mouthwash or brush your teeth!  The flavor of mint will help deter your desire to eat.  Promise.  There are no excuses with the option of a million gums, travel size mouth wash, or the Colgate Wisps (disposable toothbrushes ready to go).  I swear by this technique!  It won't work forever, but definitely helps!

Little Cheat Tips

Here are just a few little cheat tips to help you in any situation where you will have access to food you didn't make (aka: restaurants, parties, get togethers, holidays, etc.)  REMEMBER - this is only a moment of your life - the way you look/feel/health, etc is what will impact you long term. 

1. Wear your snuggest fitting jeans.  I know they aren't your most comfortable, and wearing elastic would be so much more appealing - but when your jeans just fit it will keep you from over-eating and making your jeans impossible to not unbutton. 
2. Simply fill your plate with the correct portions - just like you would for a meal - and DO NOT GRAZE!!!  It's the snacking you don't measure or count accurate points that will wreck your momentum and success. 
3. The "buffet" lifestyle is what got you here in the first place, so LET IT GO.  You do not need multiple plates of food.  Just because it's there doesn't mean it needs to go in your mouth.  Go ONE time, fill your plate with measured portions, and enjoy! 
4. If you feel snacky - eat veggies.  Sure, they aren't as good as Lays chips w/ french onion dip, BUT you will feel so encouraged tomorrow when you made the healthy choice.  If you're like me and plain veggies aren't appealing, get some fat free sour cream and onion soup mix and make your own dip.  MEASURE!
5. Drink tons of water.  In between every three bites or so, drink half a glass of water.  When you get snacky or want to graze, put a drink in your hand.  Sure you'll pee more, but that "full" feeling will help you from overeating.

Again, don't let a moment deter you from the healthy, amazing life you are working for.  YOU GOT THIS!!!!!!

Japanese Veggie Glaze

OH SO GOOD. Not really an easily shared Super Bowl recipe, but you won't want to share it anyway. :)  You could also make this with chicken - just factor the points!!

Serving Size: 1 cup
WW Points: 1 pt per cup!

Ingredients:

• 1 cup of chopped carrots
• 1 cup of chopped broccoli
• 1 cup of chopped spinach
• 1 cup of zucchini
• 1 cup of onion
• 1/2 cup of red pepper
• 1/2 cup of green pepper
• 1 can of chopped water chestnuts
• 1/2 cup of snow peas
• OR whatever veggies you want!!!
• Glaze
• 1 cup of water
• 1/2 cup of balsamic vinegar
• 1/3 cup of soy sauce
• 2 1/2 TB of sugar
• 1 clove of chopped garlic
• red pepper chili flakes to taste

Directions:

• sautee all veggies for about 8-10 minutes until tender crisp
• Add glaze ingredients to pan
• Bring to a boil over high heat, then reduce to a simmer for about 20 minutes
• Bring back to high heat and cook until liquid has reduced to a sticky glaze

To live or not to live...is this really a question?

As we look towards the Super Bowl this Sunday, it occurred to me that as Americans, this is yet another day we mark with food.  I want to encourage each of us to start looking at each holiday and event in our lives to be marked with memories and experiences - not food.  As long as we live, food will always be a part of our lives - BUT it is up to us to determine the quality of that life.  You have the power to determine what kind of life you lead, and how that will impact you and your family.  So as we have fun watching the game on Sunday, remember always, that LIFE is so much more than food.  It's family, friends, memories, adventures, and enjoying every second of this beautiful life God has given us. 

Sticky Chicken Wings

This is a VERY easy recipe, but requires a long cooking time. Also, use a disposable pan.  The stickiness these create is not worth the effort in cleaning, and foil doesn't cut it.  Trust me, spend the couple of dollars, you won't regret it.

Serving Size: 1 wing
WW Points: 1pt w/out skin, 3pts with

Ingredients:

• bag of frozen chicken wings (must be frozen)
• 1 bottle of low sodium soy sauce
• 3 TB of brown sugar
• 1 TB of splenda brown sugar
• crushed red pepper (if you want a little heat)

Instructions:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees
• place FROZEN chicken wings in disposable pan - do not layer
• pour bottle of soy sauce on top
• sprinkle with brown sugar and red pepper
• Bake, uncovered for three to four hours (depending on how big your bag of wings is) - turning wings ever 45 minutes or so
• They will fall off the bone.  I'm hungry just thinking about them. :)

Chili Party Dip

This one is from the WW weekly. 

Serving Size: 1/4 cup (again, measure it and put it on your plate.  Enjoy this, don't regret it!)
WW Points: 1pt per serving

Ingredients:

• 15oz can of turkey chili without the beans - Hormel brand is my fave
• 1/2 cup of fat free cream cheese
• 4oz can of jalapenos, drain and chop
• 1 small onion, finely chopped
• 1/2 tsp of hot pepper sauce (or more if you're me!)

Directions:

• Combine all ingredients in a saucepan and set over medium heat.
• Cook, stirring frequently, until well-combined & heated through - about 7-10 minutes
• Serve w/ fresh veggies, baked Tostitos, or make your own chips!!! 
• To make your own chips - which is VERY easy.  Take the medium size Mission Carb yummy tortillas - cut up into chip or strip size, spray with pam and sprinkle w/ salt.  Bake at 400 degrees until crispy.  Watch them, once they start to brown it will go fast!

BLT Dip

This is definitely more on the indulgent side, but hopefully will help you stay away from brats, nachos, etc.

Serving Size: 4 TB  (measure it out on your plate.  Don't try to judge by dipping)
WW Points: 3pts

Ingredients:

• 2 cup fat free sour cream
• 2 cup fat free mayo
• 1lb bacon, cooked and crumbled (cook it in the microwave on paper towels.  All the grease drains out this way, it won't dirty your kitchen, and it will help you not snack on it.)
• 6 plum tomatoes, chopped
• 3 green onions, chopped
• assorted veggies or WW crackers

Directions:

• Combine everything
• Serve cold

Spinach Balls

Here is a yummy, healthy alternative to meatballs. 

Serving Size: 1 ball (should make approximately 6 dozen)
WW Point: 1/2 pt. each

Ingredients:

• 2 (10oz) packages of frozen chopped spinach
• 1 package of chicken stove top stuffing mix (I use the low sodium one - got it at Target)
• 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 5 lightly beaten egg whites
• 3 TB of butter
• 1/2 c. fat free sour cream
• salt & pepper to taste

Directions:

• cook spinach according to instructions, drain all water.  (Usually you have to twist it in a towel or paper towel)
• In a bowl, combine all ingredients
• Mix thoroughly & roll into small balls about 1 inch in size
• Place on cookie sheet and bake at 350 degrees for 7-10 minutes
• Serve hot
• These are also good frozen and reheated!

Bailey's Irish Cream Fruit Dip

Servings: A LOT :)
WW Points: 12pts for the entire bowl, and trust me - it makes a ton. 

Serve with every kind of fruit imaginable.  Strawberries, grapes, pineapple, apples, pears, so on and so forth!

• 1 pkg of fat free, sugar free vanilla pudding mix
• 1 cup of skim milk
• 1/2 cup of Bailey's Irish Cream (or if alcohol is not your thing, use the Bailey's Irish Creamer - for coffee and in the cream aisle.  They are all non-alcoholic.)
• 1 container of fat free cool whip

Whip ingredients all together.  Serve immediately or keep in fridge until ready to eat.

It's here!! SUPER BOWL WW FOOD!!!!!

I've been working on the above recipes so we could all have amazing, healthy, indulgent options for the big game, as well as bring some freshness to our lives.  I hope you enjoy them!!  Let me know how they go, and if there are any suggestions to make them different or better. 

GO PATRIOTS!!! :)

Quiche Update!

So, I just got finished making my quiche for my breakfast this next week and did a few different things to this one that I'm VERY excited about. :)  The entire dish was only 9pts!!!  Cut it up to the portion size that will satisfy you most!

I cooked it in a 9x9 cake pan this time and did the following.....

• LOTS of onion, garlic, green/red peppers, spinach & broccoli (both frozen) - sauteed in Pam spray w/ salt and crushed red pepper flakes. This came to at least an inch when placed in my baking dish.
• put this into my (Pam sprayed) pan
• chopped up 1/4 of a Jennie-O kielbasa sausage and put that on top
• added 1/4 cup of fat free cheddar and 1/4 cup of shredded velveeta
• 3/4 cups of egg white, 2 TB of heavy whipping cream, 1/4 c. skim milk

Baked at 425 for about 28-30 minutes.

Cauliflower Puree

Now stay with me. :)  I know the word cauliflower doesn't exactly conjure up a party for your taste buds, but this recipe was definitely a winner.  It's meant to take the place of mashed potatoes, and to be perfectly honest - it really does.  Like anything you eat that is a substitute - it's not ever going to be exactly the same.  Creamy loaded mashed potatoes are delish, but it's up to you - do you want to have cauliflower puree that not only has a great flavor but will allow you to be successful at your weigh in - or do you want not to button your pants tomorrow?  Your call. :)  Keep your expectations realistic, and know the choices you are making really do matter. 

Servings: 2-3 cups - separate it any way you want. 
WW Points for the whole dish: 3pts

Ingredients:

• one 20oz bag of frozen cauliflower - you could obviously use fresh, but it's really expensive right now
• 2 cloves of garlic
• 2 TB of heavy whipping cream
• 1 TB of light butter (I use Brummel and Browns)
• Salt & pepper to taste

Instructions:

• steam cauliflower and garlic together
• pour in cream & butter
• put in food processor until smooth and creamy.  A blender or hand blender would also work.  If you don't have one of those three - I HIGHLY recommend getting one.  Immediately.  It allows you to make so many things so much better.
• salt and pepper until it tastes good to you!

OBVIOUSLY this would increase your points, but depending on what you're making for dinner or how many points you have left for the day...here are some options for you to make these "loaded".

• chopped green onions or chives
• shredded cheese (2pts per 1/4 cup)
• bacon (3 slices, 4pts)
• fat free sour cream

CONGRATULATIONS WW LOSERS!!!!

A much deserved congratulations for one more week of continued success on our journey to being healthy and fit!  Applause!!!!

Susan: -1
Cindy: -.7
Ethan: -1.8
Olivia: -.4
Crystal: -3.6
Christie: -1.4
Karen: -1.8

For a grand total loss this week of:  10.7!!!

KEEP IT UP!!!!!!

Hey Chinese Food Lovers!!

Ok, so tonight I made a DELICIOUS Kung Pao Chicken that I swear tasted just as good as going to a Chinese restaurant.  Unfortunately, Chinese food is REALLY, REALLY bad for you - so finding a recipe that is a truly healthy substitute makes me a very happy rabbit. :) 

Kung Pao Chicken traditionally has peanuts in it.  I substituted water chestnuts instead.  If you prefer the peanuts, add 1/2 cup to the recipe and 8 points to the entire dish. 

Also, please note that I realize this has a lot of prep time in that chopping the veggies isn't a super fast situation.  You could always substitute frozen if you were low on time; however, the fresh veggies make this super yummy so they are my recommendation.  You could always go to your local grocery store salad bar (New Frontiers for Flagstaffians), or most grocery stores have chopped veggies in your produce section where they sell the packages lettuce.  Whatever the case though, make it work for you.  Hope you like it as much as I did!!

Servings: 4
WW Points: 6pts - only 3pts without rice!

Ingredients:

• 1lb of boneless, skinless chicken breast - cut into bite sized pieces
• 1/2 TB of corn starch
• 1tsp of olive oil
• 1 tsp of sesame oil
• 2 cloves of minced garlic
• 1 tsp of red chili flakes
• 4 green onions chopped
• 1/2 red bell pepper sliced thin
• 2 cups of broccoli florets
• 1 can of diced water chestnuts
• 1/2 cup of carrots sliced thin
• 1 cup of chopped zucchini
• 4 TB rice vinegar
• 6 TB soy sauce
• 2 TB splenda (or any sugar substitute)
• 1/2 cup of white or brown rice - I used white because I was in the mood, but obviously whatever you want! 

Directions:

1. Dice chicken and put in ziploc bag - coat with corn starch
2. Heat up pan w/ both oils - cook chicken through
3. When chicken is done - set aside
4. In pan, add garlic, green onions, red pepper flakes, all veggies
5. Cook on medium high heat until veggies are tender crisp or whatever you like
6. Pour in vinegar, soy sauce and sprinkle splenda
7. Put chicken back into pan
8. Continue tossing together on high to medium high heat until everything is coated and mixture is hot
9. Serve over rice and ENJOY!!!!!

Welcome!!

Welcome Sharon Rose, her sis-in-law Sharon, and Kathy to our rapidly growing WW family!!!  We are all active, living proof this is not only doable - but fun!  Especially doing it together.  So glad you're starting this journey!!!!  :)

Low Point WW Super Bowl Menu...So Far. :)

Here are a few recipes I have been working on for a fun, WW friendly Super Bowl menu!  Recipes to follow by the end of the week so you can prepare far in advance and plan your menus and points for the day.  And for those of you who couldn't care less about football, these are great for just snacking or get togethers in general.  Again, if anyone has an appetizer they would like me to lighten - just let me know!!

This goes to show you really can have fun on WW and indulge in great snacks just like everyone else!

Menu so far.....

• Sticky Chicken Wings
• BLT Dip
• Spinach Balls
• Baily's Irish Cream Fruit Dip
• Ranch Dip (for veggies)
• Oven Baked Coconut Shrimp w/ Red Lobsters (copycat version) Pina Colada Sauce

WW Super Bowl Menu Coming Soon!!!!!

I'm currently working on awesome appetizer style Super Bowl foods for all of you who are hosting or going to parties.  Even if you're not football fans, Super Bowl parties are famous for commercials and food - so it ends up being a fun time regardless.  Please comment if there are any foods that are your favorites and I will do my best to "lighten" them up for you to enjoy!  Should be posted this week!!!

New Day, New Week, New Attitude

So if you couldn't tell by the title of this post what the theme is, try again. :)  Monday starts a brand new week.  Tomorrow is fresh, with no mistakes in it - so take advantage of that and start this week STRONG and SUCCESSFUL.  Stay true to yourself, stay true to the life you want to lead - not the french fries someone brings into the office or the samples at Sams Club (my personal down fall).  Yesterday is gone, it is a new day, a new week, and bring your new attitude and kick some WW butt!!  We got this!

REVISION

For the breakfast crustless quiche - you can use ALL egg whites and save yourself 4 points!!  That brings each piece to 2.5pts each!!  For those of you who need a really low point dish for those weeks that get away from you...skip the ham and breadcrumbs - that brings your pieces to about a point each.  Enjoy!!

Also, unfortunately the 1pt peanut butter cookies are actually 2pts a piece.  It was a recipe based on the old points system. 

Drinking Water...not so much fun in the winter.

Just a (hopeful) helpful hint for getting all your water in each day.  I go to Circle K gas station (not sure what it is back east) and get their 32oz Thirstbuster - only $.88 with tax.  Now all you environmentally friendly people, don't hate me!!!  BUT I LOVE their Styrofoam cups.  It keeps my water icy and doesn't sweat all over my desk or furniture, AND I can keep track of how many of these I drink each day.  I try to drink a minimum of three.  Another option would be Sonic Drive Thru.  I don't know how they'd feel if you drove up and just ordered a large water, but oh well. :)  I always offer to pay the soda price, just to get the cup I use all week. 

Drinking a ton of water is essential to not only losing weight consistently, but also for your health in general.  I've heard that you are supposed to drink half your body weight in ounces each day, so I try to live by that rule as much as I can.  And having an icy, already measured, non-sweating, Styrofoam cup on my desk or counter all day helps me do that!

My super amazing breakfast

Sooo, my wonderful WW friendsies, I had the most amazing breakfast and only 3.5 points!!  And it was a HUGE serving!  You could very easily bulk it up with more veggies, add another point or two and use real cheese, or make it even less points and leave out the breadcrumbs.  Either way - fabulous and definitley worth making for a yummy breakfast or light lunch!

Sautee w/ Pam spray for about five to eight minutes.....

(these are the veggies I used, but obviously you could use whatever one's you had in your fridge. I would definitley love to add portobello mushrooms, scallions and zucchini next time!)

• half an onion - chopped
• quarter of a red and green pepper - chopped
• half a bag of fresh spinach
•  1 and 1/2 cup of chopped broccoli (I used frozen because it was easier)
• salt & pepper liberally
• I also added some crushed red pepper flakes for heat - but clearly optional

In a pie dish...(or anything similar size.  If you're doing a 9x13 cake pan - you'll need to double the recipe)

• again, spray with Pam
• sprinkle 1/4 cups of plain bread crumbs (leave out if you want less points - 3pts total for breadcrumbs) all over the bottom of the pie dish
• Layer the following.....
• all of the veggie mixture
• 1/4 cup of deli ham (I use Boars Head Tavern Ham - shaved)
• 1/4 cup fat free cheddar cheese (obviously play with this if you want different cheese and adjust points accordingly)
• egg mixture
• in a bowl mix 2 eggs, 2 egg whites, 2TB heaving whipping cream, 1/4 cup skim milk, pour in last to pie dish

Bake at 425 degrees for about 20-25 minutes - it should be firm, not jiggly.  Let cool before you cut.  I cut it into 4 slices total - so it's a BIG piece.  If you were really hungry you could eat half the pie for only 7pts!

Hope you enjoy as much as I did!

CONGRATULATIONS are in order!!

This was a BIG weight loss week for all of us!!  We truly are kicking WW butt, and nothing feels better than success and moving towards our goals.  Keep up the AMAZING work!!!

Susan: -1.4
Cindy: -3.1
Ethan: -3.1
Olivia: -1.5
Karen: -2.6
Crystal: -2.2
Christie: -2.6

TOTAL WEIGHT LOSS THIS WEEK: -16.5

WAHOO!!!  That's nearly as much as Brady. :)  Great job everyone, let's rock it again this week!

Freaking Great Shrimp Scampi

8 WW points for the entire dish!  Should serve 2 people, but I really love shrimp. :)


1 tablespoon butter


2 tsp olive oil

4 garlic cloves , finely chopped

16 medium shrimp , peeled and deveined

1/4 cup dry white wine (or chicken broth can be substituted if wine isn't your thing)

1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/8 teaspoon black pepper

1 tablespoon seasoned dry bread crumb

2 tablespoons fresh parsley , chopped

Heat butter and oil in large non-stick skillet over high heat. When butter starts to brown, add garlic. Lower heat; cook 1 minute, stirring to prevent garlic from overbrowning.


Add shrimp; cook 2 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add wine, lemon juice, salt and pepper; cook 2 minutes or until shrimp are cooked through. Stir in bread crumbs and parsley. Serve immediately.

Pizza Bake

This one is for my sis, Cindy.  In loving memory of your truly amazing mother.  Who wasn't the best cook I've ever known, but could cook the meanest & best spaghetti and pizza bake I've ever had.  May she laugh & smile at our attempts to give our children the special memories she gave to us.

Servings: 6 (these are big portions)
WW Points: 7 per serving - feel free to bulk up with added onions, zucchini, carrots, peppers, whatever you want!

1 lb Jennie O Extra Lean ground turkey
1 (15 ounce) can crushed tomatoes
cooking spray (Pam)

1 (10 ounce) can refrigerated pizza dough

1 cup shredded reduced fat mozzarella cheese

Preheat oven to 425°.


Cook meat in a nonstick skillet over medium-high heat until browned, stirring until it crumbles. Drain, if necessary, and return to skillet. Add tomatoes, and cook until heated through. I also like to add crushed red pepper flakes for some heat, some garlic salt and pepper.

While meat cooks, coat a 13 x 9 inch baking dish with cooking spray. Unroll pizza crust dough, and press into bottom and halfway up sides of the baking dish. Top the pizza crust with meat mixture.

Bake, uncovered, at 425° for 12 minutes. Top with cheese, and bake 5 minutes or until crust is browned and cheese melts. Cool 5 minutes before serving.

EASY Ice Cream Sandwiches!!

VERY easy recipe - and much cheaper and buying the WW ice cream all the time.

8 small chocolate graham crackers are 3pts - so divide into whatever percentage you want!
Spread fat free cool whip and make a sandwich - wrap in plastic wrap or put a bunch in a tupperware and freeze!

So technically, four small sandwiches would be 3 pts - so less than 1 pt each!

1 pt Peanut Butter Cookies!

This one is for you Crystal - may all your dreams come true. :)

1 cup all-purpose flour


1/4 teaspoon baking soda

1/8 teaspoon table salt

3 tablespoons reduced-calorie margarine , stick-variety

2 tablespoons reduced-fat peanut butter

1/2 cup packed light brown sugar

1/4 cup sugar

1 large egg white

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

cooking spray (2 sprays)

Combine flour, baking soda and salt in a small bowl; mix well and set aside.
Combine margarine and peanut butter in a mixing bowl; beat on medium speed until blended and smooth. Gradually add both sugars and beat until blended; add egg white and vanilla and beat until smooth. While beating on low speed, gradually add flour mixture and mix until just blended.
Transfer dough to a large piece of plastic wrap and roll into an 8-inch log. Wrap log in plastic wrap and freeze for 2 hours. (Note: You can make the cookie dough up to 3 days in advance and freeze until ready to bake.).

Preheat oven to 350ºF. Coat 2 large baking sheets with cooking spray.

Remove cookie dough from freezer and slice crosswise into about twenty-four 1/3-inch-thick slices; place slices 1 inch apart on prepared baking sheets. Bake until golden around edges, about 8 to 10 minutes. Transfer cookies to wire racks to cool completely. Yields 1 cookie per serving.

Tortilla Soup - 0 points!!

Here is a twist on the veggie soup from WW - which I truly can't stand. :)  Super yummy, very healthy, and is great year round. 

Servings: 9
WW Points: 0

1 cup onion , chopped


2 garlic cloves , chopped

3 green onions , chopped

2 (12 ounce) cans diced tomatoes

4 cups low-sodium chicken broth

1/3 cup salsa

1/2 red pepper , chopped

1/2 green pepper , chopped

3 -4 celery ribs , chopped - I hate cooked celery so I left this part out - but obviously up to you!

1/3 cup fresh cilantro

1/2 teaspoon cumin

1/2 teaspoon chili powder

1/2 teaspoon basil

4 tablespoons fat free sour cream

4 tablespoons flour , to thicken
(this varies according to how thick you like your soup.  If you prefer it thin and brothy - add only 1 TB or none.  If you like it creamier (like me) - I added 3 TB, mixed with equal parts of lukewarm water first - then poured into the soup.  NEVER add flour straight to the soup with out mixing it with warm water first - nasty flour chunks otherwise!).
Add a little Pam spray to the bottom of your stock pot and add the onions and garlic - simmer for about 2-3 minutes.  Add all other ingredients and cook until veggies are tender.  The longer it cooks, the better it gets!  I just put mine on low simmer and let it cook for a couple of hours.  BUT, it will cook a lot faster if you need it to!

**Add chicken (an already cooked rotisserie chicken from the grocery store tastes great and is easy!) or shrimp - just divide your amount by 9!  Also good served with warm (1 pt) tortillas.

Recipes & Thought for the Day

Alright everyone - I have some SUPER great recipes for you!  All very low in points and hopefully helpful to keep things fresh and new, both for your mind and your body.  Hope you enjoy!!

Also, a little bit of encouragement for today.  DON'T LOSE FOCUS!  Eating is not what life is about, family - friends - adventures - experiences - memories - that's what you want to remember when you think back over your life...not that slice of pizza or nachos.  You want to enjoy every moment, and that is so much harder to do when your jeans don't zip, you're shopping for yet another bigger size, you're too embarassed to wear a bathing suit, or even shy away from pictures. Focus on what is important in your life, and that is the relationships we cultivate and nurture, not what we put in our mouth.

Love you all and am praying for your continued success this week!

My dinner tonight

Had a great meal tonight and it was a total of THREE points!!  Now, just keeping it real - Perg was not a fan at all, so it really is a matter of putting veggies on it.  Ok, so here you go!

• 2 Mission carb small tortillas - sprayed with Pam and fried in a pan.
• Ground Smart mexican style 'meat'.  1/3 cup - fried up in a pan with a little bit of Pam spray and crushed red pepper.  I divided this between the two fried tortillas.
• I then topped my tacos w/ hot taco sauce, chopped cherry tomatoes, lettuce, onion and fat free sour cream.
• I ate this with some sauteed zucchini as my side

Perg didn't think it had a lot of flavor, but he only ate his with cheese.  It's definitely not the same as real meat or Taco Bell - so if you go into it with an open mind I think you'll really enjoy this extremely low point meal. :)

Monday

Today is the day of reckoning for Christie, Crystal and Me (Karen)!!  Wish us luck everyone!!!! 


Cindy ~ when is your fam weigh in?

Popchips on Subscription!

Amazon sells the individual bags of popchips (already portioned!) - 24 bags on subscription for only $17!!  This really is the cheapest I've ever seen them.  Plus they come directly to your door, free shipping and either monthly, every two months, up to every six months.  Naturally I have them monthly since Perg and I share them. Either way, great find if you love potatoe chips as much as me!!

http://www.amazon.com/Popchips-6-Flavor-Variety-0-8-Ounce-Single/dp/B001RVFDOO/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1326673438&sr=8-1

Make sure you do the subscription if you want the additional 15% off plus free shipping!

Asian Crab Rangoon

So I literally just made these, and let me tell you what - SO good!  One thing I miss the most is Chinese food, but unfortunately it's truly not good for you.  Sushi can be ok, but Chinese food is just bad on so many levels, so what's a girl to do?!  Make your own!!  At first, of course it won't be as good, but once you eat it a couple of times - trust me, you won't miss the bad stuff nearly as much. 

These are a bit of a pain to make, only because you have to fill each wonton - but I just made a huge batch of 41 wontons (the entire recipe) so I will eat them all week.  These are 1 point each, compared to 5 points each, and pretty dang on good if I do say so myself.  Hope you all enjoy!!!

• 41 wonton wrappers
• 1/2 cup imitation crab
• 1 package of fat free cream cheese (room temp)
• 1/2 package of light cream cheese (room temp)
• 1/4 cup fat free sour cream
• 3 green onions (scallions) sliced thinly (I just use my scissors)
• 2 tsp. low sodium soy sauce
• 1/2 tsp. sugar
• 1/2 tsp. garlic powder

Preheat oven to 375 degrees

Mix all ingredients together.  I used my food processor, but if you don't have one - simply cut up your crab meat or buy it shredded.  Spoons work just as well. :)

Place 1/2 TB into the middle of each wonton wrapper, seal with a little bit of water around the edges.  Sealing them is an important step as my first batch ended up being inside out, so to speak.

Place on cookie sheet and spray each one with Pam Spray.  Cook for 10-12 minutes on one side, take out of oven, flip and spray again.  Cook for an additional 10-12 minutes or until golden and crunchy!

I eat them with sweet chili sauce by Red Hot - 1 pt for 2 TB, but whatever you want - just count the points.

I'm serving this with my asian veggies for a complete meal.  SO good.  Hope you enjoy as much as I am!!

EASY Pistachio Salad

Easy, delicious, simple recipe with only 14pts for the entire dish.  Which breaks down to only 1 point per serving!!!!  If you bulk it up, the points lower and your fruit intake goes up!  Here you go!

• 1 20oz can of crushed pineapple - drain about half of the liquid.  Make sure you get the kind that has no sugar added, not in syrup but in it's own juice,etc.
• 1 package of instant pistachio pudding mix - sugar free/fat free
• 1 container of fat free cool whip mixed w/ 1/2 tsp of coconut extract (extract optional)
• 2 cups of mini marshmallows
• 3 tablespoons of coconut (optional - add 3 points to the total)

Combine pineapple and dry pudding mix.  Add marshmallows and cool whip until well mixed.  Chill in fridge until cold.  Enjoy!!

You could add more marshmallows, or nuts - just change the point value accordingly.

Ways to bulk this up and add more servings for less points as well as get in servings of fruit!

• chopped apples
• canned peaches, pears, mandarin oranges (again, in natural juices, no sugar, etc)
• Or just fruit cocktail if you want to be a little lazy :)
• You could also rock any kind of berries or grapes

Sunday, a day of rest - a day of planning

My encouragement to you today is PLAN YOUR WEEK!!!  Let's borrow the famous cliche for ourselves - "If you fail to plan, you plan to fail".  There is nothing worse when you're hungry, tired and you have no idea what you're going to eat and nothing is ready.  This includes snacks, meals, eating out, EVERYTHING!!

So take today, think about your plans, cut your veggies, what is for dinner, lunch, cheat meals, etc.  Prepare your meals in advance as much as possible.  Make sure your fridge and pantry are full of fruits, veggies and healthy snacks that you can grab immediately.  Know what you're having for meals, and write them down.  Be smart, be strong, and PLAN AHEAD!

Some suggestions for the week.....

• popchips: 1pt for 8 chips
• tortilla pizza: 1 pt tortillas, 2pts for cheese, and tons of veggies!!!  Add 16 slices of turkey pepp for only 2 more pts!
• Asian veggies w/ schezuan sauce: 1pt - ask me if you want me to post the recipe!
• sugar free jello w/ berries and fat free cool whip - 0 pts plus a serving of fruit!
• Cesar Salad pitas: 4 pts - add chicken for just a few more points and make it a meal!
• Veggie quesadilla: 4 points
• Fruit salad w/ coconut and fat free cool whip: 1 point per TB of coconut and that's it!
• Pistachio salad: 1-2pts
• Jennie-O Kielbasa w/ veggies, potatoe, egg and hot sauce: 6-7pts

I have tons of more if you need ideas!!!!  Feel free to post your own so we all have some serious options!

Journaling and Measuring are bff's!

The reason we journal is threefold:

1. To be able to track what we ate so our points are accurate.
2. To visibly see how much we are truly putting in our mouth.
3. And finally, to be able to look back and see where we were successful and where we weren't.

Journaling is VITAL to our weight loss success, and long term ability to reach our goals.  However, this is useless if we aren't also measuring what we're eating.  Saying I ate some carrots and light dip for a snack is so ambiguous.  Did you eat one carrot for every tablespoon of dip?  Did you eat enough for a veggie serving?  Did you measure your dip so you know if you had 2 points or 10 points worth and didn't even know it?  Say I gained a pound the week I journaled and measured like this?  How do I know where I began to go wrong?  See where I'm going with this?  If we want true LIFE LONG weight loss success, we have to not get cocky and think we got this.  Instead, stop being lazy - grab your measuring spoons/cups, grab your pen and journal and do it right! NO EXCUSES!!!!!

Congratulations!!!

Congratulations to this weeks LOSERS!!!!  WAHOO!!!!!

Susan: -1.4
Karen: -1.8
Crystal: -2.2
Christie: -1.8

Best WW dressing ever!!!

So, I truly despise fat free salad dressings - of any sort.  They taste SO awful, and I'd simply rather not eat salad.  BUT who doesn't love a crisp, cold, amazing salad - especially when it's hot out?  The dressing posted below is a 1 point creamy, indulgent version of Cesar Dressing.

Everyone can thank Christie, because I copied this recipe out of a magazine she bought and lightened it up for WW.  Had it tonight for the first time and it totally tastes full fat.  Love it!!  It's a bit of a pain to make, but worth the effort.  I was fortunate to have the ingredients on hand, but seriously, it's worth buying them.  Alright, enough talking - here you go!

1/2 cup of low fat Helmans mayo
1/3 cup of parmesan cheese - just the cheap kind you put on your spaghetti
1/4 cup fat free half and half
1 TB dijon mustard
1 TB fresh lemon juice
1 clove of minced garlic
1 tsp of kosher salt
4 tsp light olive oil
1/4 tsp worcestershire sauce
1/8 tsp black pepper
I added a couple of shakes of hot sauce
Romaine lettuce

Mix it all together and enjoy!!  It's thick, but incredibly yummy! 

Point Value: 1 point per TB  (it's actually a little less than one, but I prefer to round up)

Other things that would make this salad AMAZING, and still low points....

• grilled shrimp
• grilled chicken
• crab meat
• lobster (there you go Ethan!)
• cherry tomatoes
• red onion
• shaved parmesan (careful of the points)
• croutons (again, careful of the points)

So saying, you could have a huge Cesar Salad w/ grilled shrimp, cherry tomatoes, and croutons for 5 or 6 points including the dressing!  Who needs fast food when you have restaurant quality salad right in your own house?!

NEW Find!!!!

So I found flour tortillas today from Mission that are only 1 point each!!  The one's I earlier recommended from La Tortilla Factory, taste like diet food - but for 1 point it was worth it.  However, although these are small, they taste like normal tortillas!  Yummy!!!  I bought mine at Basha's, but as you guys back east probably don't have that store, here is what the front of the package says exactly.....

Mission

carb balance

flour tortillas

small - fajita

ENJOY!! :)

Crock Pot Salsa Chicken - SO good!

Prep Time: 2 mins
Cook Time: 8 hours

Use crock pot liner - easiest clean up ever!  Put 4 boneless/skinless chicken breasts in bottom of crock pot.  Sprinkle half a packet of low sodium taco seasoning on chicken.  Add 1 can of 98% fat free cream of chicken and 1 1/2 cups of your favorite salsa.  Cook on low 6-8 hours. 

About a half hour before serving, stir in 1/2 cup of fat free sour cream.  Shred chicken or leave as breasts - up to you!

Yummy with tortillas, or over rice.  I like to serve it w/ grilled or sauteed veggies (my faves w/ this recipe are onions, bell & green peppers, jalapeno & pablano peppers, spinach and zucchini).  Whatever floats your boat!

Point Value: 4 points per serving  (this is if you ate an entire breast.  if you shred the chicken, measure your portion).  OR 17 points for entire crock pot.

The Top 5 Best Tips I've Learned So Far

1. Bulk up EVERYTHING with fruits or veggies. I have a breakfast egg sandwich every morning of the week. I bulk it up with spinach in my egg whites and tomato sliced on the finished product. I put every veggie you can think of in my pasta, on my tortilla pizzas, in my kielbasa skillets, literally everything. It helps get your 6-8 servings in, plus it gives you more to eat!


2. USE marinade!! It's almost always free and it makes meat, seafood, veggies, everything taste better on the grill or in a skillet.


3. Let go of sugar as much as possible. Don't misunderstand, I still have my fair share of cake (my healthy coconut one!), chocolate, ice cream, etc - I just don't have anywhere near as much. It's made a huge difference.


4. Stop drinking soda as your primary form of beverage. It's a shame, but it truly has to be water. I still have a diet pepsi when we go to restaurants, or every now and then if I'm craving it, but that's it. I know WW says you can have it, but it will only slow your weight loss. It sucks, I know - but if you want true success, you'll rock water instead.


5. Prepare your own snacks and food as much as possible. I know it's hard to make a list, go to the store, shop, haul it all home, put it away, prepare it, eat it, then do it all over again. However, only YOU know what's in the snacks/meals you make. Going out all the time, or eating only boxed or processed foods will not give you long term success. They are great for when you're in a pinch, but BE HEALTHY! EAT FRESH! And not just Subway. :)

Best Meat Options

There is no meat you can't have, there is simply good, better, best regarding points.

1. What I've found to be the most filling and most versatile is the Jennie O products. I use the extra lean ground turkey ALL the time (spaghetti, sloppy joes, tacos, etc), and the turkey kielbasa. I fry it up (using Pam of course) with some onions, garlic, green & red peppers, potato, kielbasa and hot sauce. I serve it with one fried egg (yolk runny) on top. One of our favorite meals and extremely low in points.


2. LEAN steak. Grilled or seared in Pam. The butter or fatty cuts is going to pack on the points. Use the leftovers for steak and portobella fajitas!


3. Boneless, skinless chicken breasts.


4. ALL fish, but especially shrimp and crab. Such yummy snacks & meals and extremely low in points.


5. Pork if it's lean.


6. Turkey sausage or bacon, but to be very honest - it doesn't have a ton of flavor.

Favorite Food Products

I have a list of foods that are staples in my weekly diet. Some of them do take effort in preparing, so if you're too lazy to prepare something healthy for yourself or your family, shame on you. Call me and we'll talk. :) Ok, here are my fave finds so far!!

• Wonton or Eggroll wrappers. I cut them into strips, and bake them at 375 with a little bit of Pam spray and salt. They are approximately 2-3 points for A LOT of them! I use them for chips and salsa, tuna salad, crab rangoon, and anything else you'd want a chip for.


• PB 2. What is this you might ask? Powdered peanut butter!! Before you write me off as crazy, TRY IT! If you can tell a true difference between this and the regular stuff, you have a more delicate palate than me. 1 point for 2 TB!!! That's compared to 6pts for the regular stuff. Not to mention it's freaking good. I eat this with celery and apples all the time. High protein, a veggie or fruit serving, 1 point snack and super good. No brainer. I can only find it on amazon, fyi.


• La Tortilla Factory tortillas. 1 point!! I use these for tacos and pizzas primarily.


• Gortons Grilled Shrimp. These come in a yellow bag in the frozen fish section of your grocery store. 6 points for the whole bag, and yes, I eat the whole bag. :) I sautee them in a pan with one spray of Pam. They are also tremendous on salad and in pasta.


• Sara Lee Light Bread - one point each slice. I ALWAYS spray a little bit of Pam on one side and grill it in a pan. I use it for Boca burgers, my egg sandwich in the morning, grilled cheese, so on and so forth.


• Fat free Kraft American Cheese. 1 point and it melts REALLY good!


• Popchips - 1 point for 8 chips. The regular and salt/vinegar are my favorite. It totally kills my need for something crunchy.

I do have more, but I'll save some for another day. :) Feel free to post your finds or if you are trying to replace something specific! Happy grocery shopping!

Let's Go!

I've been asked to put together an ongoing blog that lists my favorite point friendly foods, products, recipes, encouragements, etc. I feel very inadequate to be doing this, but I am ready to jump in and kick some WW booty.

This blog is also for other people to comment, post and share their finds and ideas as well. We're all in this together, so feel free to share or ask for help. Nothing is sacred in our WW journey, so let the games begin!!