Brick-Grilled Chicken Recipe

Brick-Grilled Chicken Recipe

Vegetables Star at 10 Restaurants

Vegetables Star at 10 Restaurants

Heart Egg Beaters/ Philly Cheese Omelet

This is what greeted me this morning when I turned my Egg Beaters over as I was making my Philly Cheese Omelet. I felt that someone (my Mom) was sending their love to me this morning.  It made my day and I can't stop smiling. It's going to be a very good day. :)

Philly Cheese Omelet

6 Point Plus

1/2 cup- Egg Beaters

1-Hillshire Farms Turkey Sausage Link (sliced)

28 grams- WW Cheese

Cajun Seasoning to taste

1/4 cup each sliced Onion & Bell Pepper

1- Orange (sliced)

Spray skillet with non-stick spray. Heat on med-high  and add sliced onion, bell pepper and sausage. Cook till tender. May need to add small amounts of water as they are cooking.

In another skillet spray non-stick spray. Heat on medium heat. Add Egg Beaters cook till set, turn over. Top with onion, bell pepper, sausage and cheese. Cover and cook till cheese is melted.

Plate and Enjoy.

This has been a week of discoveries. I am a shopaholic when it comes to grocery stores. I love to grocery shop. So I have decided I can only go to the grocery store once a week. On Thursdays after my WW meetings. I have learned that I can make delicious meals out of what is in my cupboards without going to the store. Of course my cupboards are full with all kinds of ingredients that I just need to put together and see what happens. That is how the Strawberry Marvel, Hot Philly Tuna Cheese Melt, and this morning the Philly Cheese Omelet has come about. All very tasty and very filling. I have enjoyed putting these recipes together and seeing what delightful flavors have come about. I will admit I did have a failure. I thought I could make Sweet Rice Pudding out of the cauli-rice. :(   It sure wasn't what my taste buds were waiting for. I did make a CinnaBon with cream cheese frosting though that was very tasty. I just need to perfect it a little bit before sharing with all of you. So watch for the up coming CinnaBon.

Hope you have all survived the storms and cold weather this week and have been able to find some discoveries of your own.

Inspiration:

Actions speak louder than words. Stop talking and get walking!!!

                                         Denise Austin

Hot Tuna Philly Cheese

                                                                  Hot Tuna Philly Cheese
                                                                         7 Points Plus
1-Whole Wheat Pita
1- String Cheese
1- Pouch Tuna
1/4 cup- Green Pepper
1/4 cup- Onion


Tear string cheese into strips, place inside pita, add tuna.
Heat skillet sprayed with non-stick spray on medium-high. Add pepper and onion. Cook till tender and take out of skillet.
Wipe out skillet and respray. Add pita sandwich and cook on medium till cheese is melted, turn over and cook till slightly browned.

Plate and add pepper and onion. I added some baby carrots for more veggies.

Strawberries In a Cup

                            
                                                                 Strawberry Marvel

                                                                      2 Points Plus

1 1/2 cup- Frozen Strawberries
1/3 cup- Blue Diamond Almond Breeze
1/2 tsp- Vanilla Flavoring
1- Splenda

Thaw strawberries slightly in micro wave ( 35 seconds on medium). Add all ingredients to blender and blend till blended almost smooth.

Pour into cup and top with a squirt of lite whipped topping and a strawberry.

Reality

Well my new walking partner didn't last long. The REALITY is in the above picture. So I'm going it alone today. Whats a person to do? Well I have to just get up, get off this computer and  get it done.

This was a tough weekend. My REALITY was to many carbs. The more I ate the more I wanted to eat. Yesterday I woke up feeling sluggish and a bit defeated. The old me would have said "Oh well I've blown it for two days now what the heck, just eat." The new me said " Face this head on, get out there and walk, figure out what and why." I did go for that walk, I didn't figure out the what and why but I did recharge my batteries and got back to making health choices.

 I made a conscious decision to not eat carbs for a few days. No bread or bread like substances. Yesterday was hard. It made me realize just how many servings of bread or bread like foods, I do eat. Oatmeal for breakfast, homemade pizza for lunch, and popcorn for a snack, plus a few Weight Watchers snack bars in there somewhere, REALITY.

 I did well yesterday. I only had the popcorn for a snack. Not perfect but who is. Before my new healthy lifestyle I would be giving these things up kicking and screaming, not anymore, well maybe a little bit. I want the good feelings I get from making healthy choices and I want to continue to feel the acomplishment of making right choices and to look forward to the success that is still on the horizon. Has this journey been easy, REALITY. No it hasn't, but it is worth it,REALITY  "YES"

This is a journey I have chosen to take because I like the results, no I LOVE the results. Here is the breakfast I made this morning.  I'm off to find low carb or no carb recipes. That should be interesting.. I love finding recipes that are healthy and satisfiying.

No Carb Breakfast

5 Points Plus

                                                                1/2 cup- Egg Beaters
                                                                   1 oz-. soy chorizo

Chopped Onion, Green pepper, Tomato

1- String Cheese

1- Jalapeno

1- Sliced Orange

Spray skillet with cooking spray. Heat on med-high. Add onion, green pepper and chorizo. Cook about 3 minutes or till soft. Add Egg Beaters and scramble. Tear cheese into strips and place on top of egg mixture. Cover and let cheese  melt.  Serve with diced tomato, jalapeno, and orange.

I'm off to get in that exercise even though my walking partner is still in  the sack

. Remember:

"You don't have to do everything, just do what really matters"

 

                                         Denise Austin

Sharing

Griswald's New Ride

You are all probably wondering why I have a picture of my Cat. Well he is my new walking partner. I bought him a pet taxi at a yard sale on Friday ($5.00) and we have as of today logged 2 hours. He doesn't complain, never asks to stop for a drink, is always ready to go and if I decide to walk farther /or shorter he doesn't tell me I need to do more. He loves his new ride and I am working a lot harder pushing an extra 25 pounds up and down the hills of my neighborhood. I have been struggling with my exercise routine for a few weeks and this is my new motivation.I am parking Giswald's ride in my living room. No excuses.

It has made me realize how much I should appreciate all the hard work I have done over the last year and a half and to never forget what that extra weight took away from me. I couldn't have walked around my neighborhood much less enjoyed all the beauty there is here.I had given up so many things. I would never have seen the beautiful deer, the magnificent flowers, or exchanged good mornings with my fellow walkers.

 I haven't enjoyed working out in my yard for many years because my back and legs would object very loudly in a short period of time,  I just didn't get out there and do it.

On Friday morning I transplanted flowers in my flower beds. I have plans to make many changes in my flower beds this spring and for the first time in many years I look forward to these changes. These challenges will be different from past years. Before it was the challenge of just getting my body and mind prepared to go out and struggle through the pain of the work involved. Now I look forward to the exercise I will get in as I create  beautiful flower beds I can tend to and enjoy for many years to come. 

The picture on the left is my sister and myself taken a few months before I joined Weight Watchers, I joined August 5th, 2010. The picture on the right is me today.

 I knew when my sister and niece came to visit and we went to Fort Bragg that they were wondering if I would be able to keep up. There were days when I thought I wasn't going to be able to walk another step. I got tired and had some trouble keeping up with them but I kept going. My sister said I did a lot better than they thought I would but I knew my weight had kept us from getting to do some things,  that I just couldn't or wouldn't do. You talk about a  WAKE UP CALL.

Thanks Laura and Christine

When we got back home to Paradise my sister wanted me to go for walks around my neighborhood with her. You talk about hard. I thought many times she was going to have to call the para-medics. It took me a few months to get up the courage to walk through those Weight Watchers doors but it was  one of the best decisions I have ever made. I'm now living the life my weight had denied me and I'm looking forward to the many years my weight loss has added to my life, to all the new adventures I get to enjoy, and to the good health I have gained.

Thank you to my husband, my family, best friend (Rita) and to all the new WW friends I have made.
Your support, encourgment and love has made this journey much easier.

This is just the beginning, there is so much more to do, and I look forward to every day!

Pumpkin Tarts

  

                                                           Pumpkin Tarts
                                                            1- Point Plus

1 box- Arrowhead Pour'n Bake Pumpkin Pie Filling ( bought at Grocery Outlet)
1/4 cup- Egg Beaters
24- Wonton Wrappers ( let get room temperature)
Whipped Light Topping

Pre-heat oven to 325 degrees.
Place wonton wrappers into mini cupcake tin.  Fill with pumpkin mixture.  Place into pre-heated oven and bake for 20 to 25 minutes.

Cool and top with whipped topping.

Another hit with the hubby aka: Roger . Pumpkin Pie portion control.  These are best when eaten within a couple of days.

My Chicken Pot Pie

                                                          My Chicken Pot Pie

                                                                7 Points Plus

1 can- Kirkland Chicken (drained)
1 can- 98% fat free Cream of Chicken Soup
2 cup- Frozen Mixed Vegetables
1 can- Sliced Mushrooms (drained)
1 1/2 tsp.- Poultry Seasoning
4- Reduced Fat Crescent Rolls

Heat oven to 350 degrees.

Mix chicken, soup, vegetables, mushroom, poultry seasoning together.

Spray  4 ramekins with non-stick spray. Divide chicken mixture between the 4 ramekins.  Top with crescent rolls.  Bake for 20 to 25 minutes or till brown.

Very filling and Oh so delicious. Hubby enjoyed this and wants me to make again soon.

Cauli Fried Rice

                                                                  Cauli Fried Rice
                                                                    2 Points Plus
                                      ( add 3 oz. of Chicken, Shrimp or Pork-- 5 Points Plus)
                                                                
                                                      1 to 1 1/2 cup- Cauli-rice
                                                      1 1/2 tsp-Soy Sauce
                                                      1- Green Onion (sliced)
                                                      2 Tbsp.- Green Peas
                                                      1/4 cup- Egg Beaters
                                                      1/8 tsp- Black Pepper

Spray skillet with non-stick spray. Heat on med-high heat. Add onion and peas, cook for 1 to 2 minutes. Push onion and peas to side of skillet, add egg beaters and scramble till set. Add soy sauce, pepper, cauli-rice, mix together. Cook another minute, plate and enjoy.

                                                                                                Servings= 1

                                                            Cauli-rice

1 to 1 1/2 cup grated Cauliflower

Place into microwave safe bowl. Microwave for 2 minutes. Stir and microwave for 2 more minutes.
                                           DO NOT ADD ANY WATER.

This was so good. You may need to adjust the soy sauce to your own taste. Next time I'm going to add a few pepper flakes. I like a little heat.

The 5 Healthiest Cheeses | Yahoo! Health

The 5 Healthiest Cheeses Yahoo! Health

Tips and a Quote

                                                    Some of my favorite help sites:

Hungry girl  ( Lots of good information and rcipes)

 DWLZ        ( Many Resturants with the Points Plus Values)

Allrecipes     ( I get a lot of ideas from this site)

MorningStar Farms  (I purchase a lot of my MorningStar Farms products at Grocery Outlet)

Weight Watcher     ( I go to WW when I need some extra motivation)

Laa Lossh  (Wonderful recipe ideas and they have the Points value too)


                                                 Quote of the Day

" Striving for perfection is the greatest stopper there is... It's your excuse to yourself for not doing anything.  Instead, strive for excellence, doing your best"

                                               Sir Lawrence Olivier

French Toast with Bacon

                                                           French Toast with Bacon
                                                                 4 Points Plus

2-Slices Sara Lee Delightful
1/2 cup- Egg Substitue
2 Tbsp.-Torani Flavoring (I used Hazelnut)
1-Splenda
2 slices- MorningStar Farms Bacon
1 cup- Grapes
1 Tbsp.- Powdered Sugar

Spray skillet with non-stick spray. Heat on med-high.

Blend egg subsitue, flavoring, and splenda into flat bottom bowl. Dredge bread into egg mixture. Add bread to hot skillet and cook till brown on both sides.

Mean while cook MorningStar Farms bacon according to package directions.

Plate french toast, bacon, grapes and sprinkle with powdered sugar.

This is very filling and feels like a real treat.

 I use MoarningStar Farms  products a lot. I'm am not a vegetarian but I try not to eat meat on a daily basis and MorningStar Farms gives me choices. I love their Chik Patties Original ( watch for the meal I made with it) and I use their crumbles for everything I want to add ground beef to (hubby dosen't know the differnce). I hope you can find some information of value in the MorningStar Farms link I have included with this blog.

Hope everyone is having a successful week and I will share again soon.

My spell check isn't working for some reason so please bear with me.

Fitness Tips from The American Council on Exercise® » Tips to Lose Belly Fat

Fitness Tips from The American Council on Exercise® » Tips to Lose Belly Fat

Just a note to let everyone know I'm going to be learning as I go, as I  share my  blog page with all of you. There may be a few bumps in the road while I'm in the learning process. Please bear with me and I hope you enjoy the ride. This will not only be a place that I share recipes but I hope to share my weight loss journey with you. It has been a very rewarding experience and now that Mary has given me a gentle push to do this I am excited for this new chapter in my life.

If any of you wish to share your ideas, recipes, bumps, or  successes please let me know and I will include them in one of my posts.  Today I am sharing my breakfast and a link to Walden Farms products. I can't have peanut butter in the house because it is a real trigger  food for me, but the Walden Farms Peanut Spread does the trick without counting any Points Plus.

                                                              Lazy Morning Breakfast
                                                                     5 Points Plus

                                                1- Weight Watchers Yogurt
                                                1- Franz  Sandwich Thin
                                                2- Tbsp. Walden Farms Peanut Spread
                                                1- Banana
                                                Black Coffee

I have found that if I take an extra minute to make my meals pretty, I feel special and even yogurt and a banana take on a whole new meaning. Cutting my peanut spread/sandwich thin into several small pieces makes me feel like I'm having a lot more food. I'm a quantity-visual eater and if I can fool my visual I can fool my tummy. 


Hope you all have a wonderful weekend. I'm heading out to enjoy the Sunshine and Daffodils.

"Friends are angles who lift us to our feet when our wings have trouble remembering how to fly"
                                                       (shared from a Ziggy carton)

I have been asked to share some low sodium recipes and Diabetic recipes. I will be working on those this week and will share them as they develop.

 At this time I would like to share some tips I have used over the years and some new ones I have yet to try.

1) If you separate your bananas when you get them home they will not ripen as fast. This really works. Also if you don't like to strings peel your banana from the bottom.

2) Mary shared this one. If you are wanting homemade cookies without the temptation of dozens around  the house. Make your cookie dough, spoon up your cookie size dough and freeze. Take one or two frozen balls out of the freezer and bake in toaster oven. Fresh, homemade cookies with Points Plus portion control.

3 )Feeling tired in the afternoon, put down the caffeinated soda and pick up a cucumber. Cucumbers are a good source of B Vitamins and Carbohydrates that can provide that quick pick-me-up that can last for hours.

4)Looking to fight off that afternoon or evening snacking binge? Cucumbers have been used for centuries and often used by European trappers, traders and explores for quick meals to thwart off starvation. (With that being said you should always carry a spare cucumber in your purse.)

5) Here are just a few suggestions I have used over the years for  successful cooking:
    a) Read the entire recipe from start to finish.
    b) Check ingredient list to make sure you have everything on hand.
    c)Set out all ingredients and equipment you will need for the recipe.
    d)Chop, cut, grate, or whatever the recipe requires in advance.
    e)Clean up as you go. It's easier to wash a few dishes at a time then be left with a counter full of
        dirty ones. (okay okay I could never do a cooking show :(  I fail miserably at this one :0)
    f) I always write along side the recipe if I liked the recipe. I make notes to myself if I 
        altered the recipe in any way. If my family liked it or if we feed it to the dog or the neighbors.

           JUDGE EACH DAY, NOT BY THE HARVEST, BUT BY THE SEEDS YOU PLANT.
               ( As shared in JoAnna's (Words Make A Differnce) Positive Thought Gift Book)

This is it for today. Hope you all have a wonderful weekend and I will be back soon.

PS: If you have any suggetions or critiques please let me know.

Pizza Pizza Egg Mug

                                                             Pizza Pizza Egg Mug
                                                                     3 Points Plus

1/2 cup- Egg Beaters
1wedge- Laughing Cow Cheese
6 slices- Turkey Pepperoni (chopped)
2 Tbsp- crushed Tomatoes
1/8 tsp- Italian seasoning
1/2 tsp.-reduced fat Parmesan cheese

In a small bowl, combine crushed tomatoes with Italian seasoning.

Spray a large microwave-safe mug with nonstick spray. Add egg beaters and cheese wedge, break into pieces as you add wedge to eggs. Microwave for 1 minute. Remove from microwave.

Gently stir. Microwave for another 30 seconds.

Add pepperoni and seasoned tomatoes to the egg mug. Mix well and microwave for 30 seconds, or until scramble is just set.

Lightly stir. Sprinkle with Parmesan cheese. allow to cool slightly.

 I chopped fresh tomato and used instead of canned crushed.

Add a cup of grapes and coffee for 0 added points.
Add 2 slices of Sara Lee Delightful Bread for 2 added Points Plus.

This is a recipe I got from Lisa Lillien. I use a lot of her recipes. I adapt them to what I have on hand. She has been a great inspiration to cook healthier. Her show Hungry Girl is on the Food Network on Sunday morning.

Easy Chocolate Dipped Strawberries

                                                                  
                                                  Easy Chocolate Dipped Strawberries
                                                        4 Strawberries = 1 Point Plus

1- Jello Chocolate sugar free pudding cup (you will only use about 1/2)
8- Strawberries
1/4 cup- Redi whip lite (a good squirt)
Chocolate syrup (drizzle)

Clean strawberries and make sure they are dry.
Heat chocolate pudding in container and microwave for 10-15 seconds.
Dip strawberries into pudding
Arrange on plate, add a squirt of Redi whip
Drizzle with chocolate syrup

Enjoy a delicious treat. You will feel like your eating a dessert made by a pastry chef.

Lavash Pizza

                                                                Lavash Pizza
                                                     Whole Pizza = 11 Points Plus

1- Lavash Bread (Trader Joes)
2- Laughing Cow Cheese Wedge ( any flavor)
1 cup- Crushed Tomatoes (drain and pat dry)
30 grams- Turkey Pepperoni
1/4 tsp.-Italian seasoning/basil/dry onion/parsley
1/3 cup- Weight Watchers shredded Cheese
16 grams-Black Olives (sliced)

Heat oven to 400 degrees.

Spray baking sheet with non-stick spray. Place lavash bread on baking sheet.

Unwrap laughing cow cheese wedge. Put into small bowl and microwave for 8-10 seconds. Remove from microwave, add spices and mix till well blended. With backside of spoon spread cheese mixture onto lavash bread.

Spread crushed tomatoes over cheese mixture. Add turkey pepperoni, black olives and shredded cheese.

Bake for 8-10 minutes.

 If serving with a salad this can be shared and still have more than enough to fill you up for a mere 5.5 points plus.

Special thanks to Mary for sharing her Lavosh Bread with me. I would never have had such a tasty pizza without it.

Dessert Pizza

                                                               
                                                                     Dessert Pizza
                                            5 Points Plus for Whole Pizza (Big enough for 2)

1- Whole Wheat Flour Tortilla
1- Sugar Free Carmel Pudding Snack
1 Tbsp- Fat Free Cream Cheese (softened)
5- Strawberries (sliced)
1- Pack Splenda
Lite Whipped Topping

Mix together pudding snack and cream cheese.

Spray skillet with non-stick cooking spray. Heat skillet on medium high. Place tortilla into skillet and brown, turn tortilla over , sprinkle with splenda heat through.  Plate and let cool.

Spread pudding and cream cheese mixture on tortilla. Add strawberries and whipped topping.

Nice treat for low points.

Eazy Brezzy Calzone

                                                           
                                                          Eazy Brezzy Calzone

                                                              10 Points Plus

1- Whole Wheat Pita Pocket
28 gram- Mozzarella Cheese
12 slices- Turkey Pepperoni
6- Black Olives (sliced)
2 Tbsp- Pizza Sauce plus 1/3 cup (for dipping sauce)

Open pita and spread pizza sauce inside. Add mozzarella cheese,turkey pepperoni, black olives.

Spray skillet with non-stick cooking spray. Add calzone to pan, cook until brown, turn over and cook other side till browned and cheese is melted. Heat 1/3 cup pizza sauce in same skillet.

Plate and enjoy a real treat.

Crockpot Pizza Soup

                                                               Crockpot Pizza Soup
                                                                      3 Points Plus
1 jar pizza sauce
3 pizza jars water
1 green bell pepper (chopped)
1/2 cup onion (chopped)
1 small can mushrooms ( drained)
1 can diced tomatoes (drained) I used italian
2 turkey italian sausage
1 cup turkey pepperoni
1/2 Tbsp. dried basil
1 Tbsp. dried oregano
Shredded mozzarella cheese
Caulirice (recipe below)

Wash and prepare veggies. Dump into crockpot. Cut sausage and pepperoni into small pieces, add to crockpot. Add spices, pizza sauce and water. Cook on low for 7-9 hours. Serve over caulirice. Top with 2 oz. mozzarella cheese.

                                                                    Caulirice

Grate about 1-1 1/2 cups cauliflower into microwave safe bowl. Cover and microwave on high about 2 minutes. Until soft.

This is a recipe I got from Stephanie O'Dea's web page. I adjusted a few things so I could use what I had on hand.  Hope you all enjoy this easy filling recipe.