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