Another Moment Of Brilliance

No Mayo Chicken Salad

I keep saying "this may have been my best creation yet" but I've now come to terms and just accepted that I am a badass in the kitchen. In fact, if any of you would like to pay me an obscene amount of money to be your personal chef I will gladly oblige. Anyway, enough about that and back to the recipe.. I have this "issue" with eating hot food when it's a million degrees and humid as shit outside and that obviously limits my options. But of course I just take that as a challenge rather than a road block. I will credit this tasty recipe entirely to my wild summer love affair with avocados and my need to incorporate them in to EVERYTHING. I like to make and keep shredded chicken on hand - dump a bunch of frozen chicken breasts in the crock pot with some salt, pepper, and water and just let it go until it falls apart. I then mashed up avocados with a little lime juice and salt and pepper as my "dressing". Mix it all together and there you have it - chicken salad with no mayo. It's creamy and wonderful and I've already made it twice in the 3 days since "discovering it". I personally think it's far tastier than traditional chicken salad, but that's probably partly due to my unnatural love of avocados. You could eat this on an actual salad, in one of those lovely wonton cups I mentioned earlier, in a wrap,  or as I did - on a thin bun. I added onions and cilantro and tomatoes (because I'm getting to the end of my grocery week and running low on other produce) - but feel free to "bulk it up" in any way you choose.

Tropical Greek Yogurt Parfait

I am not a big meat eater - yes, I love me some steak and cheeseburgers now and then but for the most part I don't eat a lot of meat. Not because I don't want to but because I don't like a lot of it, rather. Which brings me to Greek yogurt - my favorite protein kick. I really do love the hell out of this stuff. I buy it in large containers - vanilla to eat as is, plain to sub for mayo and sour cream. And this lovely parfait happens to be my new favorite post-run late night protein punch. Vanilla Greek yogurt topped with frozen pineapple, mango, coconut, and mini chocolate chips. You could use fresh but I prefer frozen because the fat kid in me has to take time to savor and enjoy it that way rather than just inhale it in 2 minutes. Yes, it truly tastes as delicious as it looks. Sometimes I add almonds, but as I said - I was at the end of my grocery week when I took this and didn't have anymore. Eating healthy isn't just about lettuce and carrot sticks anymore, my friends! 

Super Summer Sustenance

Inside Out Jalapeno Cheeseburgers

Tell me, who doesn't love a good burger? Especially one fresh off the grill in the middle of summer. And especially one that looks like THIS. Now I will honestly tell you this inside out burger wasn't meant to be "low points" because let's face it - this mom has 14 extra nursing points A DAY to use and it might as well go towards real, full fat, gooey cheese right?! But I WILL tell you how to make it lower. Use ground beef (or turkey!) of your choice, season the meat as you like, and form the patty around a Laughing Cow cheese wedge and chopped jalapenos and then grill. Swap a traditional bun for a light bun (or a thin bun, as used above). Be sure to pile that sucker high with veggies and there you have it - a ridiculously delicious mouth orgasm. Yes, I said it. Get familiar with the term - I plan to use it often! 

Overnight Greek Yogurt Fridge Oatmeal

Oatmeal is a great staple that I have utilized often on my weight loss journey. Tasty, easy to "dress up", and it sticks with you far longer than a bowl of Cocoa Puffs. However, in the dead of our lovely hot and humid summers choking down a bowl of hot, steaming oatmeal just doesn't do it for me. Which brought me to Overnight Fridge Oatmeal. Combine 1/2 cup of rolled oats (NOT quick oats!), 1/2 cup of Greek yogurt (I use vanilla because you don't want this to taste like sour cream! My personal favorite brands are Chobani and Oikos by Dannon - yes the brand makes all the difference in the world), and 1/4 cup milk. Mix together in a jar or covered/sealed container and allow to sit overnight - at least 7 hours. When you are ready to eat, add in whatever you like. The possibilities are endless - cinnamon and pumpkin, peanut butter and bananas, pineapple and coconut - be creative! And enjoy the hell out of your new brilliant and incredibly filling breakfast!

Mango Salsa

I am a BIG FAN of making homemade salsa. Quick, rough chop salsa - NOT canned. Especially right now when produce is so tasty. For this I chopped up 2 mangos, a medium onion, a whole bunch of fresh cilantro (because I love it!), and tossed with the juice of 2 limes and salt & pepper to taste. Let it sit in the fridge for a good day or so to let all those amazing flavors come together and enjoy! Seriously, I could eat this shit on cardboard. And I just may do that, since cardboard can't possibly have many points.. 

Jamaican Jerk Grilled Chicken & Mango Salad w/ Avocado Ranch

Remember that mouth orgasm I mentioned earlier? Now your eyeballs are having a visual orgasm at this very moment, aren't they? I know, I know. It tasted as good as it looked - I assure you. The other night I made chicken for the hubs and I myself find chicken a little boring - so I took care of that. I seasoned it with my favorite Jamaican jerk seasoning (I use Pampered Chef - can not tell you how much I love this stuff, I go through bottles of it) and then threw it on the grill. In the meantime I threw together my salad - you could use whatever you like. I used lettuce, raddishes, carrots, avocado, mango (they're the perfect sweet sub for tomatoes!), and a little cheese. I then made up my own little version of avocado ranch. I use a few scoops of Greek yogurt (this is where you'll want to use plain, NOT vanilla!), mashed avocado, and a buttermilk ranch packet. You can thin it out with a little milk if you prefer. Genius, I know. Add the chicken and you have a full on {(low cal)} food-gasm!  

Great Wonder I Call A Wonton Wrapper

Over the years I have discovered many weight loss tips and secrets along the way. This one happens to be one of my greatest finds. The wonton wrapper. Yes, you read it correctly. These tasty little suckers are a brilliant "vehicle" for all your junk food endeavors. Here are a few of my favorite wonton creations.

Cheesecake Bites

Here I took some Laughing Cow cinnamon cream cheese (a brilliant invention in itself!) and stuffed them inside wonton wrappers. You dip your finger in water and run along the edges before you fold them over to seal. I sprayed mine with cooking spray, sprinkled with a little cinnamon and sugar, and followed the baking instructions on the package. Add a little fat free whip and fruit and you have yourself a guilt-free plate of heaven! 

Mozarella Sticks

Now I don't know about you but I LOVE appetizers. But of course my ass doesn't love all the calories, which brought me to some tasty improvisions. Here you have a light string cheese wrapped in an egg roll wrapper (very similar to a wonton wrapper - only they are larger). I wrapped the cheese stick, sealed with a little water, sprayed with cooking spray, and baked according to the recommeded time and temp on the package. I did flip them half ways through to get them nice and golden brown on all sides. Enjoy! 

Taco Cups

I love Mexican food. LOVE it. All that cheesy, spicy, creamy guac and sour cream goodnes.. count me in! So here I created the ever-so-tasty taco cup. You bake wonton wrappers in muffin tins to form a little cup (I spray them with cooking spray first so they get golden brown). What you do with these genius little cups from there is entirely up to you. I filled mine with taco meat, black beans, cheese, a little homemade guacamole, sour cream, and tomatoes. In addition to these I have also filled these little cups with tuna/chicken salad, buffalo chicken, scrambled eggs, pizza toppings, and Asian salad.  Truly the PERFECT little bite, no matter what you put in them! 

Jalapeno Poppers

Last but not least for today we have jalapeno poppers. Traditional poppers are deep fried and while they are DELICIOUS, they aren't very waist-line friendly. Which got me pondering on how to create an equally tasty but not so "bad for me" version. For these I took two Laughing Cow cream cheese wedges and mashed in chopped jalapenos - seal, spray and bake and there you have an AMAZING (and low calorie!) snack. These babies are so good even the men in my family love them. Even better, they have no idea they are "diet food". As it should be! Stay tuned for more.. 

Crunch Wrap Supreme

1 2pp Tortilla Shell
1 TBS of Queso Nacho Cheese
Tortilla Chips
Beef
Lettuce
Tomato
Sour Cream

Fry up your beef, add taco seasoning (I used ortega 40% less sodium).  Microwave your toritlla shell for 10 seconds to warm up and make it easier to work with.  Spread your nacho cheese on 1/2 of the shell, sprinkle with some tortilla chips, add your taco meat, add some lettuce and tomatos.  I spread the sour cream oh the opposite half so it would spread.  Fold.  Spray a pan or griddle with cooking spray , brown each side of your crunch wrap.  ENJOY!

BLT's

2 Slices of Village Hearth Lite Bread
1/2 Serving of Miracle Whip
1/2 Serving Oscar Meyer Fully Cooked Bacon
Tomato
Lettuce

1 Serving=4pp

Breakfast Muffins

1 Village Hearth English Muffin
1 Egg White
2 Slices Deli Ham
Approx 1 TBS Reduced Fat Shredded Cheddar

Heat griddle to 350, spray pan or griddle with a little cooking spray. Fry an egg, to your likeness, add a little salt and pepper. Top with cheese and ham until cheese is melted and serve on a toasted muffin.

(Erica add's 1 teaspoon of miracle whip to her's and Laura likes to substitute the egg white with 1/8 cup southwest egg beaters)

1 Serving = 2pp without Miracle Whip or 3pp with Miracle Whip
1 Serving = 3pp with Egg Beaters

Totino's Pizza Rolls

Yep, you read that right!

You can have 7 Totino's Pizza Rolls for 6pp or 8 for 7pp!

Yay for an easy lunch!

Grinder

1 Hot Dog Bun
1/4 Cup Taco Meat
1 slice Deli Ham
1 slice Deli Turkey
1 Tbs Miracle Whip
Lettuce
1 Tbs Reduced Fat Cheddar
Paprika

Heat up Taco Meat and Lunch meats. Spread your miracle whip on your bun, sprinkle with a little paprika (laura also uses taco sauce as a substitue for paprika). Layer your lunch meat and add the taco meat. Top with lettuce and cheddar cheese.

1 serving = 8pp

Some Food Suggestion

• Light Bread - D'Italiano Light, Village Hearth Light Italian or Wheat, Sara Lee 45 Calories & Delightful - all are 1pp each.
• Light Buns/Muffins - Village Hearth Light Italian or wheat hamburger buns, Village Hearth light english muffins and Sara Lee 45 calorie hotdog buns - only 2pp each
• Reduced Fat or Fat Free - NOT full Fat - Cream Soups, Shredded Cheese, Cream Cheese, Milk, Yogurt, broth, Sour Cream, 2% Cheese Slices
• Lunch Meat - Oscar Mayer Deli Fresh - 6 slices =1PP - you can have 2 slices for ZERO points!
• Spray Butter! 5 sprays =0pp
• Laughing cow/Crystal Farms cheese wedges =1pp each! spread on crackers (special K crackers or cracker chips are the best and you get a lot! Pretzel crisps are also delicious!)
• Oscar Mayer Fully cooked bacon - 2 slices =1pp
• Oscar Mayer Fat Free Hot Dogs = 1pp each (cheapest at Walmart)
• Ice Cream = Pudding Pops, float bars, the budget saver bag of flavors (jubilee), ice cream cups, any kind of frozen yogurt or no sugar added, the weight watchers ice cream bars are to die for, dream bars, skinny cow ice cream bars, rootbeer float bars
• Walmart Salads - in the deli case by the premade sandwiches there are individual salads (southwest chicken, chicken ceasar) only 6pp - it's a great lunch!
• Fat Free/ Light Pringles - 14 chips for only 2pp
• Egg Whites = 0pp for 1
• No SODA, not even diet! THOSE ARE EMPTY CALORIES!!!!
• Ruffles Lite Potato chips (econo) 14 for 1pp or 28 for 2pp
• Barry's Bakery Twist = 1 for 0pp or 2 for 1pp
• Fiber One Brownies = 1 brownie is 2pp (we like the peanut butter chocolate ones)
• Egg Roll wrappers are 1pp = get creative with these, we will be posting recipes using them later on!
• Newtons Fruit Thins = 3 Cookies =4pp, 1 Cookie =1pp
• Pop Chips! 22 chips for 3pp

Peanut Butter and Honey Toast

2 Pieces of Light bread or 1 light english muffin
2 tsp of Jif Peanut Butter
1 tsp of honey

Pair it up with a banana - YUM

1 Serving = 5pp

Shake-and-Pour Pancakes & Bacon

2 - 4" Shake-N-Pour Pancakes
2 pieces of Oscar Mayer Fully cooked bacon
Log Cabin Sugar Free Syrup

6pp

Hashbrown Scramble

1 Handful of frozen hash browns
1 egg
1 egg white
2 slices of oscar mayer ham
1/8 cup 2% shredded cheddar or reduced fat
Veggies of your choice: we like mushroom's, green peppers, tomatoes

Spray a pan with cooking spray, brown hashbrowns add a splash of chicken broth to help steam them. add all the veggies and ham (except tomatoes), when everything is softened whisk and add the egg and egg white, scramble together and add in the tomato and finish cooking....add cheese before serving.

1 serving is 5pp

Jimmy D's Breakfast's

Jimmy D's French Toast and Turkey Sausage Sandwich
One of these Sandwiches is 6pp, very easy - 1 minute in the microwave (Walmart)

Jimmy D's Pancake "corndog" with turkey sandwich =4pp

Patty Melts

2 Pieces of light bread
1 hamburger patty (90% lean ground beef)
Mushrooms
1/2 wedge laughing cow cheese

Fry up hamburger on the George Forman, sautee the mushrooms in some 98% FF chicken broth until slightly soft. Spread the wedge on your bread, add patty and mushrooms put in George Forman to melt all together for a few minutes.

Our Favorite Websites

http://www.skinnyweek.com
http://www.exercise4weightloss.com/weight-watchers-points.html
http://www.laaloosh.com/
http://www.hungrygirl.com/
http://www.dwlz.com/restaurants.html
http://www.aimeesadventures.com/Recipes.html
http://pointlessmeals.blogspot.com/
http://www.emilybites.com/
http://www.skinnytaste.com/
http://cheaphealthygood.blogspot.com/
http://www.recipegoldmine.com/
http://www.sparkrecipes.com/

Some Blunt Advise.

This was a post on my personal blog but I thought I would share it on here as well...

My Secret

People are always asking me, what are you doing to lose weight? What's your secret? How do you keep losing. Well here it is people. Here is my "secret". (PS, I'm not saying these are weight watchers rules, this is me and what I follow).
1. I don't cheat. I track my points. If I put it in my mouth, I count it. (TWSS)

2. If I don't know the points, I find them out before eating it. (I made this mistake before and it bit me in the ass, can you say 31 point wrap).

3. I don't waste points on non filling, most of the time, high point things. Breakfast cereal, fast food, pop (or soda for my non local friends), cake, cookies etc.

4. I revamped my thought process when it comes to food. This was me before. No way I can ever eat a salad and be satisfied. No way I can eat a cold sandwich and be satisfied. Guess what, Grilled chicken salads are my new favorite and guess what else. That cold sandwich is sure nice to have when you are in a hurry and it's low points. AND the kicker - both are super filling!

5. I don't take nights off. Ever. Ever. Ever. Not even if it's a special event.

6. I drink a lot of water. I mean I'm a camel I swear.

7. I make my meals count. I quit having a bowl of cereal for breakfast because it's not filling and it's high in points. Over my dead body will I have a "shake" for breakfast or a "bar" for lunch. Um no thank you, I'll have my delicious Fried Egg McMuffin for 3pp rather than your 6-9 point idea of a meal.

8. Fruits and Veggies are 0pp - HALLELUJAH, but I don't go overboard on them. Fruit still has major calories.

9. When in doubt, I shoot high. If I'm not 100% sure on the points value I estimate higher than what the tracker might say.

10. Find the lower point options for the stuff you eat everyday. Bread 1pp or 2-3pp you pick. Buns 2pp or 4pp. Hot dogs 2pp or 4pp. Brats 3pp or 6pp. You choose.

11. Get a great support system. That is huge in my success!

12. If I have a craving for something ridiculous in points. I have it. But not all of it. I have a bite or 2 and that satisfies me.

13. Change the way you cook, I cook a lot of things with fat free chicken broth instead of oil or Crisco. You can't tell the difference. I use the fat free soups to cook with as well, lowers the points but still tastes the same in your recipes.

14. Don't think you have to make "diet food" I make 95% of the stuff I used to make. It's called portion control people.

15. I avoid buying junk food. If I don't have it in my house, I won't be tempted to eat it.

16. I don't punish myself if I don't have a loss or if I have a slight gain. I know that I will continue to lose, I just keep swimming, just keep swimming.

17. I don't exercise. Shame. I know and wish I could but I don't have time at this point in my life. This is all been from following these rules.

18. Understand that weight loss is a SLOW PROCESS. There are a million fad diets out there (ahem spray your fat away....really?) but the only right way to do this is to change your lifestyle. You have to want it and you have to be 100% dedicated.

19. I'm not afraid to eat out. Do I do it as much as I used to, no. But I still do and it's a nice treat. There are some great websites that show you the points values for a lot of popular restaurants.

20. Last but not least. These new clothes that are looking fricking fantastic on me sure feel great oh and all the compliments help a little too ;) !!!

Slow Cooker Potato Soup

1 (30oz) bag frozen shredded hash browns
3 (14.5oz) cans FF chicken broth
1 can cream of chicken soup (I used 98% fat free)
2 Tbsp minced onion flakes
1 tsp pepper
1 tsp salt
1 (8oz) package cream cheese (I used light)

In a crockpot, combine everything except for the cream cheese. Cook for 8-10 hours on low. About 15 minutes before serving, add cream cheese. Stir until melted and thoroughly combined. Serve with cheese, sour cream, bacon bits, green onions.

Makes about 10 Servings

3pp Per Serving

Breakfast Biscuit Cups

You will need - Standard Muffin Tin
Pillsbury small biscuits (7.5 oz can) 10 biscuits in each can
- comes in a 4 pack at Jubilee
1/2 cup Southwest Egg Beaters
1/3 cup Jimmy Dean Turkey Sausge Crumbles
3 slices Oscar Mayer Deli Fresh Ham
1/4 cup Shreded Cheddar

I only used a 6 spot muffin tin - sprayed with olive oil spray.
Stretch out 6 biscuits into each tin, briging it up the sides. Bake at 450 for 5 minutes. They will puff up in the middle so after you take them out, take a spoon and press the center in to make a little hole.
While the biscuits are baking, scramble egg beaters with salt and pepper. Cut up the 3 slices of ham into little pieces. Divide ham evenly among 3 of the cups and the sausage in the other 3. Top with the eggs and then the cheese. Bake for an additional 7 minutes. ENJOY!

4PP for 2 (we had one of each)
(this is a great example of how easy points can increase - we edited the recipe to see what the points would be for 3 of them and it goes up to 7PP fo 3) - just that ONE extra bite is just not necessary ;)

Paying it Forward...

I just did a radio interview with KBMW. I hope it sounds good!

I'm all about paying it forward now! So if one person gets inspired by my story I did my job!!

On another note, we just ordered some mini taco's from the Captains Choice truck and we can have 11 of those suckers for 6pp. HECK YES!!!!

Skinny Chick-N-Noodle Soup

1 bag of Bear Creak Chicken Noodle Soup (Econo or Jubilee)
1/2 rotisserie chicken (shredded)

Prepare soup as directed on bag, add the chicken and simmer until ready to serve.
1 cup = 5pp
17 mini saltines = 2pp

3.2.1 Cake

Ingredients:

1 box	Angel Food Cake Mix
1 box	Cake Mix - Any Flavor	2 Tbsp	Water

Directions:

In a ziploc bag, combine the two cake mixes together and mix well. For each individual cake serving, take out 3 Tablespoons of the cake mix combination and mix it with 2 Tablespoons of water in a small microwave-safe container. Microwave on high for 1 minute, and you have your own instant individual little cake! Keep remaining cake mixture stored in the ziploc bag and use whenever you feel like a treat! You can top each cake with a dollop of fat free whipped topping and/or some fresh fruit.

Helpful Tips:

This recipe is called 3, 2, 1 Cake because all you need to remember is "3 tablespoons mix, 2 tablespoons water, 1 minute in the microwave!" Try various flavors of cake mix like carrot, red velvet, pineapple, lemon, orange, etc. Just remember that one of the mixes has to be the angel food mix; the other is your choice. The flavor possibilities are endless!

3TBS of FF cool whip is 0PP!!!!!!!!!

2pp for entire piece of cake with the cool whip! LOVE!!!!!

Hot Dogs and Chips

I get to have all of this for only 7PP!!
TWO pieces of D'Italiano Light Bread = 2PP
TWO Jennie-O Turkey Franks 2PP each x 2 = 4PP
(yes i checked in the calculator and its only 4PP)
13 Southwest Special K Chips = 1PP
Blueberries, Raspberries, Strawberries, and Grapes = 0PP

Blueberry Pancakes

3 pancakes with fresh blueberries = 6PP
Light pancake syrup = 2PP (sugar free is even less PP/ I usually use SF but was out)

(any pancake mix that is "just add water" = 2PP for each 3-4 inch pancake)

Tigg's Famous Bowls

2 serving(s) McCormick turkey gravy (packet)
5 piece(s) Tyson Any'tizers Popcorn chicken
1 tray(s) Green Giant ® Just For ONE! Niblets corn & butter sauce, frozen
1 serving(s) Crystal Farms Reduced Fat Cheddar Cheese
2 serving(s) Betty Crocker Cheddar & Sour Cream


Microwave Potatoes, corn and gravy according to pkg (seperate). Bake chicken according to package.


Scoop 2/3 cup potatoes, 1/2 the container of corn, 1/2 the chicken and top with gravy and 1/2 serving of cheese.


Makes 2 servings - 7pp each.


This one is very very filling! It was a hit with my family!

Pizza Rolls

So I wanted pizza this past weekend but I didn't want the high points it brings. So I thought of an alternative.

1/2 pound(s) cooked 90% lean ground beef
1 3/4 cup(s) Contadina Pizza Sauce
1 cup(s) Kraft 2% milk reduced-fat shredded mozzarella cheese
1 package(s) Hormel Pizza slice Canadian style bacon -chopped
1/2 cup onion- chopped
1/2 cup mushrooms -chopped
14 item(s) Nasoya Egg Roll Wrappers
 
Fry up the beef and drain the fat. In a bowl mix the beef, canadian bacon, onion, mushrooms and mozzarella. Fill 14 Egg Roll wrappers and lay on baking pan (I brushed each with a little olive oil.) Bake at 375 (not exactly sure how long, I had to keep checking them). Appox 15 minutes. or until golden brown!

Sorry - I forgot to take a picture - I was so excited to eat them! The great thing about this is you can use your favorite pizza ingredients to make these! Careful for pepporoni, maybe try the turkey pepporoni instead!