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!
Sunday, January 30, 2011
Saturday, January 29, 2011
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.
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!
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!
Friday, January 28, 2011
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!
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!
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!
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!
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