When You Don't Have Time to Eat at Home......Eat at Chic - Fil- A

Currently, I am unemployed - but I hope to find a job in the very near future.  While I have been out of work, cooking 3 meals a day for my hubby and for myself has been rather easy.  Frankly, I have all the time in the world.  I know, however, that for most people it isn't so easy.  When you have a full time job, children, and extracurricular activities to attend, you might find yourself throwing your hands up and going out to dinner - simply because you do not have time to cook.  Jason and I love to eat dinner out as well, and with all of the healthy options out there now, it's easier than ever to enjoy a dinner out.  Here are some of my favorite suggestions!

Chic - Fil - A

1. Char-grilled Chicken Sandwich with lettuce and tomatoes.  ( I usually pull off the tomatoes and eat those separately simply because I don't like tomatoes on sandwiches.  These sandwiches come with a Honey Roasted BBQ sauce that is delicious, but it's one point per packet.  Therefore, I usually eat mine with a few packets of hot sauce and one packet of their low fat mayo.  I'll even bring fat free mayo from home to the restaurant to eat so that the sandwich is only 6 points.  If you add a bbq packet or mayo packet, don't forget to add the points.)
2. Side Salad with cheese and one packet fat free honey mustard (3 points).  This salad is really delicious and goes great with the sandwich as cited above.
3. Roasted chicken noodle soup (4 points).  Delicious, filling,and a more than enough for a serving. Goes great with a salad.  They even had a soup and salad combo on their menu now.
4. Chicken Nuggets (The 8 pack is only 7 points.)  This goes great with a side salad as well.
5. Large salads range from 4 to 6 points.  Bring your favorite dressing from home or order a fat free version from the restaurant.
6. Sauces:  Buffalo is 0 points per cup.  Each cup of barbeque is 1 point.  The fat free honey mustard dressing could be used as a dipping sauce, and it's one point.  All others are 3 or 4 points each so avoid those.
7. Fruit Cup is 0 points and goes great with the sandwich, soup, or salad.

When the craving hits, you just have to think outside the box!

So, last night as I was lying in bed trying to sleep and ignore my husband's snoring, I saw a commercial for a local restaurant.  They were advertising their mozzarella sticks filled with oooey, gooey, cheesy goodness! At 1:00 am, the craving hit me.  I wanted some mozzarella cheese sticks.  I rolled over in the bed, convinced myself that I could wait to figure out what I would do about this craving after a good night's sleep, and went off to dream land.  I literally dreamed this recipe up.  There I was, in my dream, standing in the kitchen making my own healthy version of the snack that I fell asleep craving.  This morning, for breakfast, I ate some raisin, date, and walnut oatmeal with Fat Free Half and Half and Brown Sugar Splenda, and then I went about making my morning snack - mozzarella cheese sticks!

"Faux" Cheese Sticks
Okay, here is what I did.  First, I pulled two low fat cheese sticks out of the fridge and opened them.  I then split each cheese stick into fourths - long ways.  I coated each in egg beaters (you could use an egg white if you have one of those instead).  Next I crushed up 2 tablespoons of cheddar flavored french fried onions in my food processor and rolled my cheese in the crumbs.  I baked them on 425 until the cheese began to melt.  YUM, YUM, YUM!  I ate mine plain, but you could eat them with some pizza sauce in the jar.  The two cheese sticks with the eggbeaters and onions were only 3 points.  YUM!

In the Swing of Things...

I do believe that last week was the quickest moving week of all time.  I haven't blogged in about a week, and for that I am sorry.  Sometimes life just gets in the way when we get busy living.  Over the past few days, I have cooked some delicious meals - all of which I will tell you about below.  Happy reading and delicious eating!

Raisin,Date, and Walnut Oatmeal
At last, I have found another flavor of oatmeal that I enjoy.  I bought the Publix brand raisin,date, and walnut oatmeal just for kicks - thinking that I would hate it.  BUT - I love, love, love it!  Here is how I made mine.  I took 2 packs of the oatmeal.  I topped the dry oatmeal with about 1 tablespoon of Brown Sugar Splenda and stirred in almost one whole cup of boiling water.  I then tossed the oatmeal in the microwave for about 1 minute and 15 seconds.  I took the oatmeal out and stirred in 1/4 of a cup of fat free Half and Half.  Yum, yum, yum - hearty, delicious, and very filling! (8 points total)

Bacon Cheeseburger Pizza
First, I pulled out a Artistan Flatbread (that I bought from Publix) and tossed it in a baking pan.  I set the oven on 425 so that it could preheat.  I mixed together 2 tablespoons of ketchup with 2 teaspoons of mustard.  I spread about 1/2 of this mixture all over the top of the flat bread.  I then took the remaining sauce and stirred in 2 ounces of ground turkey breast that I browned and drained the other day.  I added the turkey to the pizza.  I then topped the pizza with 2 tablespoons of low fat shredded cheese, 2 tablespoons of the real bacon bits, 2 tablespoons of Cheddar flavored french fried onions, and 2 tablespoons of diced pickles.  I baked the pizza for about 8 minutes at 425!  Delicious! (8 points total)

Spinach and Garlic Saute
First of all, let me say that I love spinach.  Love it, love it, love it!  As a child I wouldn't go near it, and now I cannot figure out why I hated it.  Maybe because I didn't like that cartoon "Popeye" - but I digress.  Anyway, I love it.  My favorite way to eat it is as follows.  First I take 3 cloves of garlic.  I peel them and dice them up.  I toss them in a pan that has 1 teaspoon of extra virgin olive oil.  To the pan, on top of the garlic I add about 4 cups of spinach, a little salt and pepper.  I saute the spinach and garlic over medium high heat until the spinach wilts.  Enjoy! (1 point total because of the oil) * Spinach is filled with fiber, and garlic is a heart healthy food.  I eat this almost everyday with my lunch.  I buy 3 or 4 bags of spinach a week, but don't tell Popeye or Olive Oil because I'm not trying to fight anyone. hehe


Baked Sweet Potatoes
First, I preheat my oven to 450 degrees.  Then I take sweet potatoes (medium, one per person) and scrub them clean. I then wrap them in foil and throw them in the oven for about 1 1/2 hours.  I then remove the potatoes from the oven and throw away the foil.  Next, I slice the potato in half and mash it up.  I top the potato with about 1 tablespoon of Brown Sugar Splenda (yes,yes,yes - they make this.  Praise the Lord!) and Healthy Squeeze butter ( I used to be able to find this everywhere, but now I can only find it at Bi -Lo.  It's in a regular sized squeeze bottle with a green sticker.  If you use it, you will never miss "real" butter.  If you can't find this butter, the butter spray works okay.) The whole potato is 4 points with the toppings, and it is so delicious!

Baked Tomatoes
This dish is my absolute favorite side dish.  It goes great with anything,and it is - without a doubt - one of the easiest dishes to make.  First, I wash some plum tomatoes (about 3 to 4 per person).  Next, I slice the bottom off the of the tomato and then I slice the tomatoes length wise. (Just like you would slice a baked potato.)  Next I place the tomatoes in a pan, flesh side up.  I top each with a little salt and freshly ground black pepper.  I then place one basil leaf on each tomato half.  Then I top the whole dish with grated Parmesan cheese ( about 1/8 of a cup per person).  Then I bake these in the oven uncovered at 450 for about 35 minutes.  These are delicious.  (6 to 8 halves is about 1 point)  I cannot begin to even describe how delicious they are.  You simply must try them, and let me know what you think!


BBQ Boneless Chicken
Pull out about 5 ounces of defrosted boneless, skinless chicken per person.  Chop the chicken into big chunks and brown in a pan on the stove.  To brown your chicken, first turn a pan on medium high heat and spray the pan with cooking spray.  Salt and pepper the chicken and add it to the pan.  Leave it alone.  Let it cook for about 4 to 5 minutes on each side.  If you only flip it once and leave it alone, it will brown nicely.  After browning the chicken, coat both sides in your favorite barbeque sauce (low points of course) and put it in a baking dish.  Cover and bake for 20 minutes in about a 425 degree oven.  Remove lid and bake about 5 minutes more.  Serve and enjoy!

Monday Night Smackdown in the Kitchen! OOOOOO YEAH!

Tonight for dinner, I was inspired to cook something new.  I used parts of a recipe I found online at www.weightwatchers.com, but then of course I added to it and changed it up a bit. My hubby was so pleased with dinner that he requested we have this meal every week.  The best part of the meal is it was the easiest meal I have cooked in weeks!  Can we have it again?  Heck yeah!

Italian Skillet Chicken with Tomatoes,Basil, and Veggies
First, I defrosted about 3/4 of a pound on boneless, skinless chicken breast.  I diced the chicken up and browned it for about 3 minutes on each side and pulled it off the heat.  Next I diced up 2 small onions, 1 stalk of celery, 2 carrots, and 3 zucchini.  I put 1 teaspoon of extra virgin olive oil in my pan.  Then I sauteed all of the veggies for about 10 minutes until they were nice and soft.  Then, to the pan I added 2 large (14.5 ounce) cans of crushed tomatoes, salt, and pepper.  I then stirred in 2 heaping tablespoons of basil (finely chopped).  I added the chicken to the sauce and covered it. I let it simmer on medium low for about 15 to 20 minutes.  I then served 1 1/4 cups of the sauce over 1 cup of the Smart Taste penne pasta for a 9 point dish. 

Arugula Salad
Slice one small zucchini (length wise) in paper thin strips.  Divide the zucchini among two plates.  On each plate add 1 1/2 cups of arugula. (Arugula has a peppery and very distinct taste.  By peppery, I do not mean hot.  It is delicious)  Next I top the arugula with 1 tablespoon of shredded Parmesan cheese on each salad.  Finally, I make a lemony vinaigrette to go on top.  I combine the juice of 2 small lemons with 1/2 teaspoon of olive oil and some salt and pepper.  I stir the vinaigrette and divide it evenly among the two plates.  Each salad is 2 points.


* For one additional point, I added 2 tablespoons of reduced fat feta to my pasta.  Added a little extra flare and it's delicious!


*  My husband said the sauce tasted like an Italian tomato soup.  So for lunch tomorrow, I am gonna omit the chicken from the remainder of the sauce and serve it with a low-fat pimento cheese sandwich.  Yum, yum, yum!  1 1/2 cups of the soup would be like 2 points.

Magnificent Monday Meal Time: Lunch

Planning breakfast and dinner come naturally to me.  I could sit here and type a list of 20 things that I could eat for breakfast and hundreds of ideas for dinner.  Breakfast ideas can range from traditional to wild and crazy.  In the mornings, I am usually tired and eating because I need to.  I don't wake up starving, but I know that I need to eat something to stay on point for the day.  Usually I buy a variety of things and when I wake up, it just comes to me.  Dinner is basically the same.  I can think of a million things to do to chicken and veggies to make them healthy and delicious.  But lunch, yes LUNCH, proves to be the meal that gives me the biggest challenge.  Regular sandwiches and salads are alright I guess, but I need a good, solid, filling lunch to stay on track and within my point range.  I have spent months creating lunch menu after lunch menu, and I am finally satisfied with what I've come with.  My favorite lunch is a homemade, low-fat pizza.  I like to think of my favorite fast food or restaurant burger and turn it into a healthy pizza using low-fat bread, ground turkey, and a few other ingredients.  Today, I'd like to share 2 of those pizza recipes with you.

Buffalo and Blue Cheese Turkey Pizza
First, I get out a  Rosemary and Olive Oil Flat Out and heat my oven to 425.  Next, I mix together 2 tablespoons of ketchup and 1 tablespoon of Frank's Hot Wing Sauce.  I spread this mixture onto the entire flat out.  I then sprinkle on the following: 4 tablespoons browned,ground turkey breast that I have cooked and tossed lightly in the wing sauce, 2 tablespoons Treasure Cave Reduced Fat blue cheese, 2 tablespoons French's fried onions, and 2 tablespoons of diced pickles.  I then cook in the oven for 10 minutes.  The whole pizza is 7 points and it is delicious!


Pimento Burger Pizza
First, I get out a Rosemary and Olive Oil Flat Out and heat my oven to 425.  Next, I mix together 2 tablespoons of ketchup and 2 teaspoons of mustard.  I spread this mixture onto the bread.  I then sprinkle on the following: 4 tablespoons of browned,ground turkey breast that I have cooked and drained, 1 tablespoon of Ruth's Light Pimento Cheese spread, 2 tablespoons of French's Fried Onions,and 2 tablespoons of pickles.  I then pop it in the oven for 10 minutes.  The whole pizza is 7 points and it is wonderful!  You'll never miss those fast food burgers or pizzas!

* You can use any type of bread to keep the 7 point total as long as the bread is 3 points total.  I also like to use the Toufayan Whole Wheat Pita Bread (the large one), or a pair of the Arnold thins.

* Don't use an English muffin.  They get too soggy in my opinion.

* To reduce the point value by one, omit the French's Fried onions, especially if you don't like them.

* Not a fan of pimento cheese?  Top with 3 tablespoons of reduced fat shredded cheese to keep the point value the same.

* Next, I am going to make a homemade Big Mac burger using Fat Free Thousand Island as my base, those little tiny onion pieces, pickles, ketchup,a flat out, and shredded cheese.  I can't wait to try it!

Delicious Food Cures the Monday Blues!

Ah, it's Monday!  A day that many people dread every Sunday night.  For most people, Monday means going back to work and getting back into their daily routine.  It used to mean the same thing for me until I left the teaching profession.  Now Monday represents my first day of 5 that I have to be home finding something to occupy my time.  After 4 months of being a "housewife", I really do need a job.  My resume is floating throughout the county and I have some potential jobs lined up, so we will see what happens.  In the meantime, my focus is on finding as many quick and easy breakfast and lunch options as I can, so that when I return to work, I will still have the time to fix healthy meals that tastes good and don't bore me.

Breakfast: Today I fixed peachy,creamy oatmeal.  I have already listed this recipe in a post a few days back on 1/29/11. It was delicious and very filling!

Snack # 1: Miso Soup
I like to eat.  No surprise there.  Whenever, it's snack time, a few carrots just aren't going to cut it with me!  I need a snack with some substance - something that is going to keep me full until my next meal time so that I will be less tempted to reach for junk!  I love Miso soup, and it's so low fat and easy to make that I usually make a big pot every week.  I eat it as a snack or as part of a meal with lunch or dinner.

First I put 6 cups of low sodium chicken broth in a pot, and I bring it to a boil.  Once it boils, I reduce the heat to low.  I toss in 4 cups of fresh spinach and 1 cup of firm tofu (diced).  I continue to cook the soup on low until the spinach begins to wilt.  Then I add a little salt and pepper and stir.  Next, I pull out 2/3 of a cup of the hot liquid from the pot (liquid only).  Then I stir in 3 tablespoons of miso paste into the 2/3 of a cup of liquid.  Then I pour the miso liquid back into the pot, stir and serve.

* 1 1/2 cups of the soup is one point.
* I usually add 1 to 1 1/2 tablespoons of French Fried Onions to the soup to make it even better, and I top it with a chopped scallion.
*  The only place close to Aiken that I could find miso paste is at Earthfare in Augusta.  I could never find it anywhere else.

Sweet, Sweet Sunday!

I love Sundays! Sundays mean lazy afternoons, yummy food, spending some peaceful time with my husband, reading or watching tv, and getting ready for the week ahead.  My hubby likes to cook dinner on Sunday nights.  He is a really good man who likes to do his part, and he enjoys cooking just as much as I do - especially when he can cook something that is really delicious.  Today, we were out and about and we heard a few people talking in a restaurant about how they were helping a few friends lose weight.  They had encouraged a no carb diet that their friends were diligently following.  I have a few problems with the no carb diet, probably because I cannot imagine a life where I don't eat bread!  First of all, carbs affect your mood - and I am not trying to play around with my mood.  Secondly, I find a no carb lifestyle realistic for a while,but what happens after the person loses all the weight?  They go back to eating carbs and expect to keep that weight off.  Now, that doesn't happen all of the time, but I know that is what would happen to me.  I find that if I tell myself I can't have something, that's when I want the ONE thing I said I couldn't have.  I love Weight Watchers because it's not a diet, it's a lifestyle change.  Everything in moderation. 

Pizza Pasta (serves 2)
First, I count out and chop up 26 slices of turkey pepperoni.  I toss it in a pan and saute it until it is heated throughout.  To this pan I add 1/2 cup pizza sauce,1 small can tomato sauce, some italian seasonings, and 3 wedges of laughing cow cheese.  I stir the contents of the pan until all the cheese melts over medium to medium - low heat.  We serve this dish over Smart Taste penne pasta.
 * 1/2 of the sauce is 4 points served over one cup of penne pasta that is 5 points = a delicious and filling 9 point dish.  We serve this with a side salad full of zero point veggies and top with 1 point worth of our favorite dressing!  Delicious, quick, and easy!  Happy reading and delicious eating - and yes, with CARBS!

 

Lunch a la Saturday

Because I ate a late breakfast that was very filling, I decided to eat a late lunch as well.  I wasn't very hungry for lunch, so I didn't cook a Pita pizza or pizza pasta like I normally would, but instead settled for a sandwich.  Consider yourself lucky if you like regular bread.  I, myself, am not really a fan of regular bread.  I prefer to eat my sandwiches on Arnold Thins or Thomas Bagel Thins.  The first time I really did Weight Watchers, my roommates and I ate ham sandwiches with mustard and fat free mayo on toasted bread everyday for weeks.  Now, thinking about such a sandwich makes me cringe.  So instead of going the traditional route, let's spice this lunch up a bit.

Lunch a La Saturday
Smokey Roast Beef Sandwich (6 points)  First, I toasted an Arnold's thin.  Next I scooped out 1/8 of a cup of fat free mayo and tossed it into a small mixing bowl.  Then, I took 1/2 of a chipotle in adobo pepper and about 2 teaspoons of the sauce from the can and I smashed the pepper up in the mayo and stirred in the sauce.  I squeezed a little lemon juice in the mayo mix and stirred once more.  Next, I created my sandwich.  First, I spread an even layer of the smokey mayo on both halves of the bread.  Then I topped one half of the bread with 2 ounces of low sodium roast beef, lettuce, and thin slices of red onion.  I then finished off the sandwich by adding on the second slice of bread.  Delicious!
2 carrots (0 points)
2 small pickles (0 points)
1/2 cup sugar free jello with 2 tablespoons fat free cool whip (0 points)
20 Special K Cracker Crisps - Sea Salt Flavored (2 points)


* Chipotle in Adobo can be found in the Ethnic foods in any grocery story near the taco seasonings and products.  They are smoked jalapenos that have been soaked in a red sauce, so they are pretty spicy.  If you are not a fan of spice, only use a tiny bit to spruce up your mayo!

* Wal - Mart has sugar free jello already made in 1/2 cup serving sizes just like the Jello brand does. They usually come 16 to a pack and cost about 2 bucks.  You usually get 4 different flavors and all of them are 0 points each!  I recommend that you try them today!  They are located in the same section as the sour cream, already made pudding, and cream cheeses.

Breakfast: Sprucing Up Instant Oatmeal!

Ever since I was a little girl, I have despised oatmeal.  Something about the way it looks just threw me off.  However, in recent years, I have grown quite fond of the brownish gooey goodness.  I try to eat 2 packs of oatmeal at lest 4 times a week for breakfast, because in addition to losing weight, I am also trying to lower my cholesterol.  Most people don't have a lot of time to spend on breakfast especially during the week days, and instant oatmeal is a quick and nutritious option.  Here is how I cook mine:

Creamy,Peachy Oatmeal
I prefer the fruit and cream instant oatmeal, and my favorite flavor is peach.  So each week, I buy the Quaker Peaches and Cream Instant Oatmeal, and then I add a little flare to make it "faux homemade". First I measure out a cup of frozen peaches from the freezer.  I place the peaches in the microwave and defrost them for about 2 minutes, but you could also use a cup of fresh peaches if you have any on hand.  Then, I place 2 packets of oatmeal in a bowl with one cup of water.  I then toss it in the microwave for 2 minutes and 22 seconds.  ( I know, random #.) While the oatmeal is cooking, I spray a nonstick pan with cooking spray and grill my peaches until they are slightly browned on both sides and soft throughout.  I then slice the peaches into bite sized pieces, remove my oatmeal from the microwave and finish off this delicious dish.  I put the peaches in the oatmeal, and then I throw in 1/4 cup of Fat Free Half and Half.  Finally, I stir and enjoy.  This dish is unbelievably filling and tasty.  After you toss in the half and half, it looks similar to peach cobbler, and man is it good!  If you are following the weight watchers plan, the 2 packets of oatmeal are 7 points, the cup of peaches is 0 points, and the half and half is 1 point which, when added together, equals 8 delicious points!  Happy reading and delicious eating!

Survived the Movies!

Jason and I decided to go watch No Strings Attached.  What a hilarious movie it was!  We laughed through the whole thing.  Before the movie, we made a plan to stick to our diet and sneak in some low fat and healthy snacks.  Yep, we are living on the edge - taking our own snacks into the theater.  We brought Ziploc bags of frozen grapes and a fiber one bar broken up into pieces.  And, you know what - I didn't miss that buttery, delicious popcorn one bit, not one bit...okay so maybe I missed it a little, but my thighs will thank me later!

Frozen Grapes
If you have never eaten your grapes out of the freezer, you should seriously give this a try.  I dated a guy in the past whose sister loved them, and I decided to give them a try.  When I bring my grapes home from the store, I buy 4 pounds a week (it's one of our favorite snacks), I pull them off the stem, wash them, drain them, and separate them into one cup servings.  I put them in Ziploc bags and toss them in the freezer.  They are delicious, and the best part is it takes me about 30 to 45 minutes to eat one bag!  In theory, I guess you could toss them in some Splenda, freeze them, and see what happens.  I bet they would be delicious.  I'll try this next week, and let you know how it works out!  Happy reading and delicious eating!

And Plans Change!

Well, I swore to my husband that we would have a relaxing weekend at home, but I'm already losing that bet.  Unfortunately, it looks like he was right..fortunately, we get to go out to dinner with the Layfields - our favorite couple!  I had planned a delicious menu at home, but to Outback we shall go.  Yay, I'm excited!  I have already planned my meal.  Since I cheated at O'Charley's last night, I need to watch my choices and stay within my points today.  Thank the Lord for the internet and restaurants thoughtfully posting their nutritional information online!  Because I am a chunky chica and WW has changed their program, I get 53 points a day.  Yea, 53!  I have only eaten 13 points today - thanks to the 0 point fruits and veggies.  So I have 40 points to play with.  I will eat:

1 side Caesar salad (9 points)
1/2 regular portion of the Seared Ahi Tuna appetizer (6)
Grilled Atlantic Salmon and Fresh seasonal veggies (14 points)
1/2 loaf bread and some butter (6 points - and I will probably only eat one slice for 2 points instead)

So, maximum # of points for my dinner if I eat all of that is 35! That leaves me 5 points for an evening snack with my hubby!  Yay!  Happy reading and delicious eating!

Dinner and a Movie on a Friday Night:

My hubby has been working 10 hours a day for the last 2 weeks, and by Friday evening, he is usually exhausted.  Since I am not currently working, by the time Friday rolls around, I am usually stir crazy!  I tell him all throughout the week that we are going to have a relaxing weekend at home so he can rest, but that never happens.  We always find something to do.  Well actually I find US something to do and drag him along for the ride.  Bless his heart, and thank the Lord he loves me!  But THIS weekend, I promise to give him a relaxing weekend at home.  I spent ALL day Wednesday buying groceries and running around town, and then I did the same thing yesterday going to doctors' offices and various pharmacies and stores for the sick ones in my family. So, this weekend, I'm all about staying in and relaxing.  Plus we cheated on our diet last night and can only do that once a week.  So dinner and a movie at home for us.  Promise.  Swear.  My hubby says he will believe it when he sees it.  I guess that's a challenge and I will WIN.  Well, maybe we could go to a few yard sales or take a walk in the park to get out of the house for a little bit, lol!


Dinner:  Cardboard NO, delicious YES!
Without fail, every night as I'm cooking dinner, I think about a news reporter who lost weight.  I remember his news report on how he did it.  He said most nights for dinner he ate grilled chicken and steamed carrots.  Hello! No thank you.  I wouldn't last on that diet past night 2.  With all the delicious, low-fat options out there, how dare he eat bland chicken and steamed carrots!  So I promise to keep dinner adventurous, delicious, and to give you the most bang for you buck.  Eat on a salad plate, nah.  Eat on a big plate and fill it with healthy options.

5 ounces grilled chicken breast (4 points)  First, I defrost enough boneless, skinless chicken for my hubby and I.  Then I slice it into bite sized pieces.  I spray a nonstick pan with cooking spray and cook the chicken on medium high until both sides are browned (about 2 minutes on each side).  Then I throw a little chicken broth (low sodium/low fat) into the pan and stick it in the oven until the chicken is no longer pink (anywhere from 8 - 12 minutes) based on how big you cut the chicken, but definitely cut the chicken up.  Then I pull it out the oven, toss the broth and brown again for a few seconds on each side.  You can choose to just pan grill it on the stove or bake it if you'd like, but I like the flavor that the little bit of broth gives it, and it keeps it moist.

1/3 cup roasted red pepper sauce (1 point) I use a jar of roasted red pepper strips that are in water not oil.  I dice a small onion up and saute the peppers and onions in a pan until cooked through.  I toss the peppers, onions, 2 tablespoons of fat free sour cream, and 1 Laughing Cow Light Creamy Swiss Cheese wedge into a blender and puree until smooth.  I pour the sauce over the chicken.  (You can cook some Smart Taste penne pasta, and eat a cup of it for 4 points instead of the potatoes.  Top the pasta with chicken and sauce. Add a little fresh parsley and toss.  Delicious, but I was feeling the red potatoes tonight.)

1 cup roasted red potatoes (4 points) I cut small red potatoes into wedges.  I do this by cutting it in half and then cutting each half into thirds.  I spray the potatoes with cooking spray or butter spray and toss to coat.  I sprinkle salt and pepper over them.  Then I put them on a non stick pan that I spray with no stick spray.  I cook the potatoes at 425 covered with foil, skin side up, for 25 minutes.  Then I pull the foil off and cook for 10 more minutes.  Finally, I flip the potatoes over and cook for 10 more minutes, flesh side up.  Finally, I put the cooked potatoes in a bowl and toss with butter spray, a little pepper and sea salt, and some parsley.

1 cup roasted green beans and sauteed grape tomatoes (1 point) * This is a Weight Watchers recipe that I got off of weightwatchers.com  where I am a member.  Coat a baking pan with cooking spray.  Place 1 1/2 cups of green beans per person eating on the pan.  Roast until they are done.  I usually cook mine about 35 to 40 minutes uncovered.  In a bowl, combine 2 cups of grape tomatoes, 1/4 cup of thinly sliced basil and salt and pepper.  Toss to combine.  Pull beans out of oven when they are done.  Toss with tomatoes.  Enjoy!

All that for a total of 10 points on the new Weight Watchers Points Plus System.  I'll take that over a small burger and 4 french fries any day of the week.  I'm excited about dinner just typing that up.  Happy reading and delicious eating!

Friday, January 28, 2011 Healthy Eating even on a Friday!

I woke up later than usual today, and I am feeling better than ever.  My sister and her two children have the flu, so I spent yesterday running all over town trying to help them out as much as possible.  I hate to see people sick, and when it's people I love, it really breaks my heart.  My hubby and I are both taking Tamiflu in hopes that we don't get sick,and last night we CHEATED ON OUR DIET.  Why did we do that?  We were doing so good, but fat habits die hard - and before we knew it - we found ourselves at O'Charley's throwing down with a fattening feast.  We told ourselves we would start fresh tomorrow.  Weight Watchers says to take it one day at a time, so I'm not going to beat myself up about it.  My thighs, on the other hand, are tired of rubbing together and are always complaining.   Someone needs to shut them up.  Today I'll try to do just that with some low - fat food!  I guess I really would like to be able to wear a pair of corduroy pants without starting a fire,lol!

Breakfast:  Better late than never!

Smoked Salmon Bagel (6 points) I used a Thomas Thins Everything Bagel and toasted it.  Then I topped it off with 1 Light Cream Swiss Laughing Cow Cheese Wedge, and 2 ounces of smoked salmon.  It was slap ya mama good!  Brenda better be glad she was at home, lol!

2 green onions ( 0 points)

2 carrots (0 points)

1 pickle (0 points)

* Tip:  If you don't like smoked salmon (ask yourself why not?)...replace it with 2 ounces of your favorite meat like roast beef, turkey, deli chicken, or ham.  The point value won't change.  I love low sodium roast beef, blazing buffalo chicken, and any kind of roasted turkey or deli ham.

Lunch: Those pizza restaurants ain't got nothing on me!

Blue Cheese and Buffalo Pizza Rounds (7 points)  I used a Flatout Rosemary and Olive Oil Artisan flat bread (found these at Publix), 2 ounces of browned turkey breast, 2 tablespoons of Treasure Cave Reduced Fat Blue Cheese, 2 tablespoons of ketchup, 1 1/2 tablespoon Frank's Wing Sauce, 2 tablespoons French's Fried Onions, and 1 small dill pickle.  First I mixed together the ketchup with 1 tablespoon of the wing sauce.  I spread this on the bread.  Then I topped it with the meat, cheese, onions, and pickle.  I baked the whole pizza for 10 minutes on 400 degrees.  Then, I ate it!  Delicious!

1 small cucumber, peeled and sliced (0 points)

1 orange (0 points)

1 large carrot (0 points)

* I will continue to post a variety of my pizza recipes.  I get creative by thinking of my favorite burgers at restaurants or fast food joints and turning them into low-fat pizzas!

Getting started......

In early 2006, I joined Weight Watchers with a few friends of mine.  All determined to lose weight, we set ourselves up for success.  In less than a year, following the Weight Watchers program, I had lost 89 pounds.  I was thrilled, felt better than I had in years, and I was very proud of accomplishing such a hard task.  Then, I met Jason.  Jason is the greatest man that I have ever met, and I fell head over heals in love with him.  Being in love and knowing I had found the one, made me very happy.  It also made me start packing the pounds back on.  Jason loved me and my curves.  That old saying about being "fat and happy" encompasses my life perfectly.  I also went back to teaching in the regular classroom, and the stress of the job and planning a wedding caused me to eat more.  I gained the weight back just as quickly as I had lost it.  I became discouraged and annoyed with myself, and have ignored the inevitable for long enough.  I need to lose weight.  I have to lose weight.  My current weight is preventing me from really living the life I want to live.  I'm a self-taught cook who loves being in the kitchen, and I have always had a flare for creativity!  So, I am taking my creative side into the kitchen and creating a multitude of healthy, delicious, and satisfying meals.  I am a firm believer in having choices while losing weight because I know that if I have choices and good food to choose from, I am more likely to experience the same success that I had in 2006.  My future blogs will include daily menus and recipes and products that go along with them.  I have so much information in my head about cooking good,healthy food, and I can't wait to share it with others.  Happy reading and delicious eating!