Life happens!!!

Well, at least that is what I am telling myself tonight.  I should have blogged a long time ago, but school is in full swing which brings with it volleyball, football, band...you name it we are doing it!!!!  I feel as though I never get to come home and just be with my family and cook and watch tv.  Hopefully things will settle down soon!  Mark has been at the White County Fair this week so it has been me and Callie at home.  Last night I did cook a homemade chicken pot pie!  It was soooo good!  However, it is not really all that good for you!!  I only had a small piece!  I soooo wanted to eat two.  I must confess that I had gained about 8 pounds in the first 3 weeks of school.  Inservice week was horrible!!!  We had such good food!  And Ed's cookies!  I have decided that I really should never try to have JUST ONE!  That one cookie (or donut, or brownie, or piece of pie) is really just a gateway drug for me!  In fact today I had 4 cookies!!!!!  I couldn't stop!  But, I have been really good tonight so it is ok!  I can tell you that I have lost 7 of the 8 that I gained.  I have been SUPER good over the past 2 weeks.  REALLY good.  I have also gotten back to working out after school.  That has been so good and so much fun!  I really enjoy working out with my coworkers!  It helps to do exercises with friends!  I do enjoy a good walk by myself, but we motivate each other.  We are trying to get Conway Regional to go in with us so that we can write it into our ACSIP wellness plan!!! 

I ofter have people ask me how I did it (how I lost 50 pounds).  I wish that I could say that it was so easy.  I wish I could say that joining Weight Watchers Online is all that it took.  (Let me say that WW Online was a HUGE part in my weight loss.  It taught me to look at what I eat and how to eat better.  But it really did come down to me.)  Weight loss is achievable for almost everyone!  Is it easy?  NO NO NO!  I am HUNGRY!!!!!!  I want TO EAT!!!!!  I have to tell myself NO so many times a day and night!  I know that my body is not hungry!!!!  But my mind wants to eat!!!!  If you want to lose weight, you must burn more calories in a day than you eat.  Sounds simple right?  And most people think that they should be doing that.  Until you start logging EVERYTHING you eat, most folks have no idea how much food they are putting in their bodies.  That is one thing that WW did for me.  I had to log everything I ate.  I know I am not telling you something you do not know.  But what no one tells you is that you will be hungry.  If you are addicted to food (I totally admit that in a serious way) your body will go through "detox".  You will crave food.  You will feel badly if you don't eat.  It does pass some.  I still want to eat.  But not because I am hungry.  I just like food.  Ok ok...I LOVE FOOD!  I miss eating what I want!  But I never want to go back to what I was before.  I love shopping!  Anyway, just thought I would share my thoughts on that because so many people have asked!!!!  If you have any questions or comments please share!!!

I am so excited about cooler temps!!!!  It gets me ready for chili and soups and Thanksgiving and Christmas!!!!  Here is a yummy soup recipe!!!

Zuppa Toscana (Olive Garden)

1 pound Italian Sausage ( I use turkey italian sausage)
2 large baking potatoes sliced in half and then cut into 1/4 pieces
1 package of Real bacon bits
1 onion (I put onion and food processor and nearly puree it!)
2 tsp of minced garlic
2 cans of chicken broth
1 quart water (4 cups)
1 cup of heavy cream ( I substitute fat free Half and half and it is ok)
salt and pepper

In skillet brown sausage and set aside.

In a large pot place sliced potatoes, onion, garlic, water and chicken broth.  Bring to a boil and cook until potatoes are tender.

Add sausage, bacon, salt and pepper to taste.  Cook 10 minutes longer.  Lower heat and add cream.  Heat thoroughly and serve. 

One extra thing that I add is a dash of red pepper flakes.  Just gives it a little kick!!!  (also you can add 2 cups of chopped kale the same time you add the cream.  We leave it out and it is fine!!!)  Enjoy!!!!

Progress....Smogress!

Well, if I thought this was going to be a summer of transformation, I am sorely disappointed.  I can say that I have maintained tho.  I have not gained any weight.  But...I have not lost any either.  Which is ok.  I have not REALLY tried.  I still have roughly 6-8 pounds left to lose, and I would like to get those off and then work on maintaining my weight.  I think when school starts and we get in a routine it will be easier.  I just find myself lazy during the summer.  We are going to start back to exercising after school so that will help.  It has just been SO HOT this summer.  I mean it is stupid hot!!!  I don't ever remember a summer being this hot so soon.  I know that August is usually a scorcher, but this is crazy.  We were cold in May and then BOOM hot in June.  No spring.  I hope that is cools off soon.  I have been cooking some lately.  However, I totally understand why people in the good old days used to do all of their cooking in the morning.  I hate heating the house up in the evening cooking supper.  So this week, I have only cooked once.  But I do have a good recipe to share with you.  Here it goes!

Spaghetti Pie

4 oz of dry noodles ( I use thin spaghetti)
1 pound of ground turkey (not the recalled kind!  Yikes)
1 cup of spaghetti sauce
1 cup reduced fat ricotta cheese
3 egg whites (divided)
1/3 cup grated parmesan cheese
1/4 cup shredded part skim mozzarella cheese

Cook spaghetti according to package directions.  Meanwhile, brown ground turkey in a skillet, stir in spaghetti sauce when browned.

In a small bowl, combine ricotta cheese and 1 egg white, set aside.  Drain spaghetti; add parmesan cheese and remaining egg whites.  Press into the bottom and up the sides of a 9-in deep dish pie plate coated with cooking spray.  Spoon ricotta mixture onto crust.  Top with the turkey mixture.

Baked uncovered at 350 degrees for 20 minutes.  Sprinkle with mozzarella cheese.  Bake 5 minutes longer or until the cheese is melted.  Let stand for 5 minutes before slicing.


Here is a little tip that I have.  I have trouble finding low fat mozzarella shredded cheese.  However, you can find low fat string cheese.  I just shred the string cheese here at home.  It seems to work just fine!

I hope you enjoy this recipe.  I am not one for before and after photos.  I did not take a big before shot and a big after shot.  I was looking through some of my photos on facebook and I was really shocked at how big I had let myself get.  I am really proud of being able to get the weight off.  So here is a before.  I think this was summer of 2008.

And here is a photo that was snapped last weekend after watching my beautiful friend Shannah (who is dressed as a bird) in the play Seussical.   She was phenomenal of course.

I really couldn't believe it!  I am so motivated to keeping this weight off!  Thanks for reading and for being my accountability!  all 3 of you!!!!!

Trying to Be Good!

Hello blog world!  Summer is winding down (boohoo) and I am trying to get back to counting my points.  I have been better.  I have lost 51 pounds now so that is something.  At least the scale is moving!!!  I have a goal in mind, and I have to admit that the old CDC way of measuring you is still stuck in my head.  I have 4 more pounds to go until the CDC does not consider me overweight.  I know that the system they use is not that great, but it is still something I would like to do!  I am excited to get back to school because we should get back to exercising.  The teachers get together after school and do aerobics.  I am just not really good at exercising by myself.  I need to quit the gym because I just don't like driving all the way across town to exercise!  Pathetic isn't it!!!  Oh well!  I will get back to it!  I hate that I have not cooked this summer.  We have been BUSY!  Thankfully, the past week or so things have calmed down and we have cooked more.  Today's recipe is sooooo good!  I take some short cuts to save some time, but you can do the whole thing yourself if you want!

Baked Pork Chimichangas

3 cups of cooked chopped pork (I save time by going to a bbq restaurant and buying a pound of chopped smoked pork)
1/2 can of no fat refried beans ( I use refried black beans)
1/3 can of chicken broth
1/2 can of green chili enchilada sauce
1 1/2 cup of salsa
1 package of taco seasoning
shredded 2% mexican cheese blend
tortillas (soft taco size reduced fat)
1 egg white
2 tsp of water

Mix the first 6 ingredients in a skillet and bring to a simmer.  Fill each tortilla with two spoonfuls of pork mixture and top with a golf ball size amount of shredded cheese.  Fold sides of tortillas up and then fold the other sides over.  Place seam side down in a casserole dish that has been sprayed with cooking spray.  After all chimichangas are in place whisk egg and water together and brush the top of each chimi.  Baked at 400 degrees for 25 minutes or until heated all the way through.  I serve this with rice and chips/salsa.  If I remember correctly, these are around 6 points each.  Hope you enjoy!

Help! I'm Stuck!

Or at least that is how I feel these days.   I have lost 50 pounds!  I am so excited!!!!  But, I have 7 more to go to reach my goal.  I have been stuck at 50 for several weeks now.  Granted, one of those weeks we were on vacation, so I do cut myself some slack.  But I have been trying to be good these last two weeks.  I have not, however, been diligent about counting points.  I guess that is where I have messed up.  We are traveling to San Antonio this next week for a large youth conference.  So, I am just going to wait until we get back and then try to hit it hard until school starts.  If I have not reached my goal by August 8, then where ever I am at pound-wise is where I am going to be content.  I mean why not be content.  According to what size I am, I am half the size I used to be!!!  That is some good news.  I have not fit into this size in what seems like forever.  I weigh more than I did in high school, but I am wearing the same size I was in high school.  (I assume things have sifted with age????  lol)  Anyhoo, I am plugging along.  I am doing a no carb day today.  Please don't go all crazy on me.  I know the body needs carbs.  I just do it for one day to just confuse the body.  I don't claim to be a nutritionist, but I have done quite a bit of research.  I have learned that not all calories are created equal.  Some foods may be the same number of calories, but your body has to work differently for different foods.  Proteins make your body work harder than simple carbs.  So eggs versus white bread?  The eggs will make your body work harder than the white bread.  Now you can get complex carbs in whole grains etc...  Those also make your body work hard.  So it has really been interesting learning about what you eat and how your body handles it.  My entire family (except me so far) has type 2 diabetes.  So we are all educated about carbs.  I really try to limit my intake of those all of the time.  But sometimes you just gotta have a roll!!!!  And that is ok!  I am including a recipe today that may seem a little out of place.  I had a friend ask about a soup recipe that I do so I thought I would post it.  Even when it is hot outside, sometimes soup is just so comforting.  This soup reminds me of the Chicken Enchilada Soup at Chili's.  One cup of this soup is 7 points!

Cheesy Chicken Enchilada Soup

2 cans of fat free cream of chicken soup
1 can (10 oz) of Old El Paso enchilada sauce (I use mild)
2 cups milk
1 cup shredded 2% mexican cheese (you can use 2% chedder)
1 package of cooked southwestern flavored grilled chicken strips cut up
1 package of taco seasoning  (I don't add whole package...I add a little more than half)
3/4 cup crushed tortilla chips

1.  In a 3 quart sauce pan mix all ingredients except tortilla chips

2.  Cook over medium heat, stirring occasionally until thoroughly heated and cheese is melted.  Top individual servings with tortilla chips (you can also add a sprinkle of shredded cheese as well.

This soup is really good on a cool, crisp fall day.  But it is good anytime as well.  Hope everyone is having a super summer.  I can't believe that today is July 1!!!!  Slow down summer!!!!

I Came, I Saw, I Baked!

Finally, I baked again.  I have mentioned in earlier posts how much I have missed baking.  When Mark and I got married, I was not a very good cook.  But I could bake!  That was one thing my mom taught me how to do!  I have always enjoyed baking goodies from scratch.  A mix will do in a pinch, but nothing tastes as good as a cake or pie made from scratch.  I love the organization of it all.  The measuring, the mixing...it just makes my heart happy.  I am glad to say that after 18 years (and lots of phone calls to my parent and in-laws) I am now a decent cook.  I like to make recipes my own.  I have thoroughly enjoyed cooking during my eating better blog.  Now, I told you that I did not gain any weight on vacation.  And that is true!  However, after vacation is another story.  I pretty much took a break for the rest of the week last week and gained 3 pounds.  My oh my!  Why is it so easy to put it on and so hard to get if off!!!!  Oh well, Sunday I made myself get back to it and I am happy to say that it came off pretty easy.  I have also gotten lazy about tracking my points on WW.  So I got back on the website to log in and lo and behold there popped up a cheesecake recipe.  I nearly fainted!!!  Cheesecake is MY. FAVORITE. DESSERT. EVER!!!!!  I had to bake it.  I can say that I may do things a little different next time.  And there will be another time.  It really hits the spot!!!!  Here is the recipe

Chocolate Chip Cheesecake

10 chocolate sandwich cookies with creme filling
8 oz fat free cream cheese
8 oz light cream cheese in the tub
1 cup of sugar
2 tbsp of flour
1 cup of cottage cheese
2 tsp almond extract
6 large egg whites
3/4 cup mini chocolate chips

Preheat oven to 325 degrees.  Lightly coat a 9 inch springform pan with cooking spray.  Crush cookies and sprinkle cookie crumbs evenly over bottom of pan.
Using an electric mixer, beat together the cream cheeses until well blended.
In a small bowl, combine sugar and flour.  Add to cream cheese mixture and blend well.
In a blender, puree the cottage cheese until smooth.  I added the almond abstract to this and blended it with the cottage cheese as well.  Add cottage cheese to cream cheese mixture and mix well.
Add egg whites and beat until well blended.  Stir in 1/2 cup of choc. chips.
Pour into the springform pan and top with the remaining chocolate chips.  Bake until cheesecake puff and center is almost set, about 60 minutes.
Cool completely.  Run a knife around the edge and loosen the edge to release the pan sides.  Cover and chill overnight.  Cut into 12 slices.

In WW points this is 6 points a slice.  I know that is a lot, but to fix my cheesecake craving, it is worth it.  I have one slice a day.  I will probably use vanilla instead of almond next time, or a tsp of each.  This is really good.  It is not overly sweet.  I assume you could make this sugar free if you got creative!  I hope you enjoy!!!  Go get your bake on!

I Have Been Bad!!!!

This past Sunday, June 12, Mark and I celebrated our 18th wedding anniversary.  And we did it in style.  We went to Las Vegas Saturday the 11th and came home today, the 14th.  We had such a wonderful time.  Now before you get all yucky on me, let me reassure you that Mark and I are NOT gamblers.  *cue Kenny Rogers*  I would be lying if I said I have never slipped a buck or two into the penny machine, but honestly we do not go to Vegas to gamble.  We go to EAT.  Oh my heavens!  The food in Vegas is phenomenal!!!  Everything from the $2.99 egg and steak buffet to a 15 course meal that costs $240 each!  (we have NEVER eaten there)  Let me take you on our culinary vacation.  When we arrived, we drove straight to the Bellagio to eat their dinner buffet.  It is amazing!  So many delicious delectable things to choose from.  And the desserts!  They are so fancy!!!  We stayed at New York New York this time around.  I really like to stay on that end of the strip.  It seems to be hip place to be.  Sunday morning we kept it simple and ate breakfast at McDonald's at MGM.  For lunch we ran around the town some and made plans to have a burger at In and Out.  If you are ever on the west coast or in Vegas, you definitely need to try In and Out.  Super good fast food burger.  We even had to wait to sit down.  It was packed!  For dinner that night (on facebook I commented that I hoped I would have a better meal than I did for my actual wedding night.  We pulled through a Back Yard Burger in Fort Smith the night of our wedding.  It was good, but wasn't too special you know!)  So this anniversary night we decided to go to the buffet at Planet Hollywood.  It was yummy.  I had lamb for the first time and really liked it.  I did try to eat a lot of protein so I wouldn't load up on carbs.  As I was stuffing my face we hear the people in the restaurant begin to scream.  Of course, in walks all of the Miss USA contestants.  The pageant is this coming weekend and they are staying at Planet Hollywood.  I know I have lost 50 pounds and all, but my heavens these girls were tall and lean.  I wanted so bad to go up to one of them and look at her plate and say "Are you sure you really need to be eating that?  Do you know how much your state has riding on you?"  haha!  I didn't though!  They were all so nice!  A lot of the foreigners in the buffet area wanted their pictures made with them and even though I am sure they wanted to eat, they did stop and take all the pictures everyone wanted.  For breakfast on Monday morning we hit the breakfast buffet at the Luxor.  This was my favorite buffet!  I am a total sucker for a breakfast buffet.  I again tried to stay away from carbs, but I did have a big, fluffy waffle.  We did not eat lunch on Monday and for dinner we went to my favorite Mexican restaurant in Vegas, Gonzales Gonzales.  I had a barbacoa (shredded beef cooked with ancho chilis) chimichanga!  It was super!!!  And for dessert, we hit the It's Sugar store and I bought a 1/2 pound of Mike and Ike.  I am still eating on those as we speak.  I was totally suprised that when I got home, the scale said I did not gain any weight.  I guess it helped that we walked 3 miles nearly everyday!  I know this vacation is not for everyone, but it is something that Mark and I both enjoy.  I have been married to my very best friend for 18 years now.  He loves me and I love him.  We have a blast together wherever we go and I know we will have many more trips to adventurous places!!!  I will try to have a new recipe soon!

On top of old smokey.....

So, two post in two days!  I think I can, I think I can!  I just wanted to let you know about the Italian meatballs that I made last night.   I basically took the Mexican meatball recipe and tweaked it a bit.  It was a huge success.  Here it goes...

Italian Meatball Sub Sandwiches

1 lb ground turkey
1/2 cup egg beaters
1/2 cup crushed cornflakes
1/2 Italian bread crumbs
assorted seasonings (I used italian seasoning, oregano, onion pwd and garlic pwd, black pepper)

sliced cheese (I used 2% swiss)
shredded mozzarella cheese (2%)

hoagie bread
favorite marinara sauce (I used a can of tomato sauce with basil, oregano and garlic already in it and half a jar of pizza sauce)

Add the first 5 ingredients in a bowl and mix together very well with hands.  Make 1 inch balls and place on a cookie sheet that has been sprayed with cooking spray.   Cook at 375 for 8 minutes.  Take them out and turn them over and cook for another 6 to 8 minutes.

While the meatballs are cooking, put your sauce on the stovetop to heat up.  I assume it can be heated in the microwave as well.

When meatballs are done, cut hoagie roll in half if not already cut.  I put  the halves on a cookie sheet and topped them with 3 or 4 meatballs each.  I then covered these with the sliced swiss cheese.  ( I bet provolone woule be great!)  Place under the broiler until the cheese is melted and bread is toasty.  Place each hoagie half on a plate and cover with heated marinara sauce.   Sprinkle with shredded mozzarella cheese.  Enjoy!  I am not too sure of the WW points on this.  Just guessing they are close to 8 points or less for each half. 

OH MY HEAVENS!

I am a horrible blogger.  I am really surprised at myself.  I thought that blogging would just be so easy and simple.  And it is in theory.  The only problem is that is does require time and effort.  Two things which evidently I am lacking!!!  Well, here we are at the end of the school year, so maybe I will be better over the summer.  I am super excited about cooking this summer.  I have planted a tomato, jalapeno, basil, cilantro and thyme in pots on the patio.  So far I have used the herbs, but no luck with the tomato and jalapeno.  I really have no idea how to raise these things.  I am watering them and they get plenty of sunshine, so hopefully I can make some homemade salsa this summer!  Yum!  I have been off program recently.  Weight Watchers that is.  I mean, I still count points in my head, but I am not logging them in and I must admit that I probably err on the side of too few points.  I have just been busy.  (no excuse tho)  I have not gained any weight however.  I have not lost much, but I have not gained any either.  Right now I have lost 33 pounds since January!  That puts me at 49 since May 09!  I am finally buying some new clothes.  That is fun!  We have not tried too many new recipes.  We honestly seem to not be at home much to cook these last few weeks.  I do have a couple of recipes to share though!  Let me know what you think of them!!!

Italian Bread Soup  (this one is not too great for you.  I have made some modifications so it is not as bad as it used to be)

1 package Tyson grilled chicken (already cooked kind) 
2 cans of Progresso Tomato Basil
2 cans of Healthy Request Cream of Chicken
1/2 cup of fat free half and half
1/2 cup to 1 cup of 2% milk (or skim)
1 tablespoon of heavy whipping cream  (can be left out)
2 tablespoons of onion powder
2 tablespoons of garlic powder
1 tablespoon of italian seasoning

I heat the chicken up first in a skillet or in the microwave.  Place all ingredients in a large pot and heat over medium heat until heated through.  Feel free to add spices as you see fit. Be careful not to scorch it.  When you serve it, sprinkle Parmesan cheese on top and then put some croutons or dried seasoned bread pieces on top and enjoy.  This is super comforting on a chilly, rainy day.  Which has happened much to often this May!

The next recipe is a little more diet friendly!

Mexican Turkey Meatballs

1/2 cup egg substitute
1 cup crushed corn flakes
1 can (4 oz) chopped green chilis (I will leave this out next time.  I don't like these)
1 cup shredded reduced fat Mexican cheese blend
1/2 tsp seasoned salt
1/4 tsp cayenne pepper
1 pkg (1 lb) ground turkey
1/4 cup chopped cilantro
1 tsp cumin
2 tbs taco seasoning
salsa (optional-served on side, not in meatball)

In a large bowl, combine the ingredients and mix well.  Shape into 1 inch balls and place on a baking sheet coated with cooking spray.  Bake at 375 degrees for 12 - 15 minutes or until brown turning occasionally.  Serve with salsa. 

My family said these were a little bland so I will probably spice these up some.  I am going to try this tonight but tweak it and make it Italian flavored and serve meatball hoagies.  I will try to blog soon and let you know how that turns out.  I assume you could really do whatever with these this meatballs.  Add some curry and go Indian????  I hope everyone has a super week.  I am so excited that school is almost over.  We have recently decided to go with wood floors in the house so we will be getting those soon!  Happy Eating!

Southwest Lasagna Rolls

I had been eyeballing this recipe for a while now.  Mark has been trying to stay really low carb lately, so the lasagna noodles really wasn't something that he wanted.  He is at the BMAA National meeting this week so I thought why not try these now.  Man oh man!  They are REALLY good.  And not too bad for you.  My recipe is a little different than the book's so I am not sure of the calorie count.  I did put the recipe in the WW recipe builder and it said that it is 6 points a roll.  Not too bad!  I have been bad today so I only had one, but I soooooo wanted another one.  I will just take one for lunch tomorrow!  Tomorrow night I am having some girl friends over and grilling a "real" burger.  I have not had a good beef burger in so long!  I am really craving one.  School today was interesting.  Callie and I went the old highway to school this morning instead of Rocky Gap. I would not have seen this if we had not travel this way this morning.  In front of Sonic in Mayflower one of the power poles was on fire!!!!!  Needless to say, the electricity went off around 7:50 am.  They dismissed us at 10:30 to go home.  I really was glad to get the day to do errands etc...however I hate that we will have to make the day up!  Oh well!!!  Here's the recipe!  Hope you enjoy!

Southwest Lasagna Rolls

1 can turkey chili
1 package of fat free cream cheese
1 cup of 2% Mexican cheese (shredded)
1/8 cup of green chili enchilada sauce (you can use more if you like)
1/2 package of taco seasoning
1/2 can of black beans
8 lasagna noodles (cooked and drained)
salsa

In a large bowl combine the first six ingredients.  Spread about 1/2 cup on each noodle; carefully roll up.  Place seam side down in a 13in.X 9in. baking dish coated with cooking spray.

Cover with foil and bake for 25 minutes at 350 degrees.  Uncover; top with salsa.  I also added a little cheese to the top.  Bake 10 minutes longer or until heated through. 

(I would love to add photos of this to the blog, but I did not feel like messing with the camera tonight!  I did put a photo of pre-cooked and cooked on my facebook page)

I think this mixture would also be good wrapped in a tortilla and cooked pretty much the same way.  I did have some extra mixture left that I put in a ziploc freezer bag and put it in the freezer for later.   I hope you enjoy!!!! 

Things that I LOVE!!!

Hello all you out there!  I am sorry again that I have been so long without blogging.  I think that not many people read this and then someone I see at church or wherever will say, "When are you going to put another recipe out there?"  So I guess there are SOME people who are reading.  Thanks!!!  I hope through this process that I am going through that maybe someone else will try to eat better.  Things around our house have been going really well.  Life is good.  God is good!  I just wanted to take this blog and talk about things that I love.  Obviously, I love my God.  He is the giver and sustainer of all that I have.  I love my family.  We may be small, but I think we have the best life.  I never go a day without totally enjoying spending my time with them.  I am blessed with a wonderful husband and beautiful child!  I love my job.  I don't necessarily enjoy everything that goes with teaching high school kids all of time, but I love what I do.  I really enjoy spending my day with these kiddos.  They keep me laughing!  High school kids are funny!  I like to joke around with them and hopefully teach them a little in the process.  I love food.  I think we have already covered that, right?  I thought instead of a recipe (and boy do I have a good to share for next time...I will try to not wait so long!) I would share some of the things that I have come to love and I have tried to eat healthier. 

These bars are the best!!!  I love this flavor.  They taste like a Hello Dolly.  They have 110 calories and they are only 3 points in weight watchers.  The only downside/goodside is that they are loaded with fiber.  They can make you gassy!!!  But they taste so good!!!

I love Jello pudding cups...any kind!  These are a mousse type jello and are low in calories.  They are 2 points in WW.

This is our new favorite bread.  Two slices are low calorie and they are 1 point each slice in WW.  I love to take one slice and pop it in the toaster and then put a little light butter on it!  Yummy!!  Mark and I like the Wheat with honey.

Another bread product!  I love these sandwich rounds.  Now, I don't really like them with deli meat, but I love to take Barbeque pork and eat on these.  Or grilled chicken.  They are only 2 points in WW.

This is the Weight Watcher brand ice cream dessert.  These are so good!  There are many different varieties and they range from 2 to 5 points.  I like to add a teaspoon of Smucker's Sugar  Free Hot Fudge Sauce!!!  Man oh man!!!

These cookbooks have become my food bible!  I love Taste of Home and these cookbooks have sooooooo many great recipes.  They take normal stuff and make it lighter and better for you.  Every recipe includes all nutritional values so it is easy to figure your points.  The cookbook divides each section  up by calories.  So if that is how you watch what you eat, it is so easy.

Ok...so those are just a few things that I love right now.  I am sure I will find more things I as go along.  Good news...I did reach my first goal weight so I have now lowered my goal weight by 15 pounds.  If I do that, that will be great.  If I don't then ok.  Right now, I have lost 27 since January of this year.  That puts me at 43 total so far!! Happy Eating!!!  (BTW, I do have a degree in English, but I don't really proofread this as well I as should.  I try to type this like I am talking to you!  So all of you grammar gurus, please forgive me!)

I am not so good at blogging! But I still love to eat!

The title really says it all.  I always get a little upset with the blogs I stalk...I mean.... read habitually when they are not updated as frequently as I think they should be.  Let me apologize now.  I have thought to myself several times...I need to blog this recipe, but something comes up and I never sit down at the computer.  We haven't really tried too many new things, but I still need to share recipes that have become staples for us!  We have not been the best lately.  My lovely niece was married on the weekend of the 12th and we had rehearsal dinner at Cajun's (buffet I might add) and then the wedding was in the evening and the food was fabulous.  I still managed to lose 2 pounds though after the weekend.  I find that when I have been bad, if I do a zero carb day right before my weigh in I can lose a pound.  (now please don't go all doctory on me...I only do this about every two weeks and only one day.  I do know that you need carbs to eat.  Trust me, by bedtime on my zero carb day, I would cut someone for a piece of day old bread!)  I thought I would share something sort of simple this blog.  Homemade pizza.  I will tell you that I miss "real" pizza.  I have not had any since before New Years.  One day...one day I shall eat pizza!

Homemade Pizza

1 package pizza crust mix ( I use Martha White usually)
1 jar pizza sauce
1 package of turkey (I have found an italian seasoned fresh ground turkey...yummy)
1 package of fat free mozzarella
1/2 cup of ketchup (this can be left out but my family likes it)

Mix pizza crust according to package.  Brown ground turkey and remove from heat.  Spray your hands with vegetable spray and spread out in a pizza pan.  (this makes a thin crust if you want thicker you can use 2 packages of crust mix)  Cook in the oven for 5 minutes on the lowest rack at whatever temp this package tells you.  Remove from oven and put 1/2 of ketchup and 1/2 cup of pizza sauce on crust.  (you can always add more)  Put sausage on top of sauce and bake for approx. 12 minutes.  Take out of oven and put cheese on and place in the oven for 2 more minutes or until cheese is melted.  For weight watchers out there this is 6 points a slice. 

I hope to come up with some really new delicious recipes soon!  I am a junior sponsor this year so I am trying to get ready for Prom!  So  I have not had as much time to hunt for recipes!  We have been relying on ready standbys!  Let me know if you have any suggestions or comments.  (all 5 of you that is!!!!)  Happy Eating!

I Love Baking

Oh how I miss baking things!!!  When we first got married, I really couldn't cook all that well.  After many calls to my mom, my dad, and my mother in law, I finally got to where I could cook something without totally burning down the house!  I really began by learning how to bake.  I love desserts!  I love making cakes, brownies and pies from scratch.  They really do taste better than from a box!  Since January, I have not baked anything.  It's not that I can't have it, it's just that I can't have it all.  I think if I made a cake I would eat. the. whole. thing.  The Weight Watcher's website had a recipe for Chocolate Souffle that I just had to try.  I found one similiar and took off making my first ever souffle.  I did have to buy some individual ramekins.  I found a set of four at Bed, Bath and Beyond for 7.99!  What a steal!  Here is the recipe:

Chocolate Souffle

Cooking Spray
4 1/2 tbsp of granulated sugar
1 tbsp all purpose flour
2 tbsp dutch process cocoa
2 tbsp 2% milk
1/4 tsp vanilla
1 large egg white
1 tsp powdered sugar

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Coat 2 ramekins (6oz) with cooking spray; sprinkle each with 3/4 tsp granulated sugar.  ( I really didn't care for this, I will probably not do this next time)

Combine 2 tbsp granulated sugar, flour, cocoa, and milk in a small saucepan over medium heat.  Cook for 2 minutes stirring until smooth.  Spoon chocolate mixture into a medium bowl, cool 4 to 5 minutes.  Stir in vanilla.

Place room temp egg white in a medium bowl, beat with a mixer at high speed until soft peaks form.  Add remaining 2 tbsp of granulated sugar, 1 tsp at a time, beating until stiff peaks form (be careful not to overbeat)  Gently stir 1/4 egg white mixture into chocolate mixture; gently fold in the remaining egg mixture.  Spoon mixture into prepared dishes.  Sharply tap  dishes two to three times to level.  Place dishes on a baking sheet, bake at 350 for 15 minutes or until fluffy and set.  Sprinkle each souffle with powdered sugar and eat immediately.  Calories:  170

I didn't have dutch processed cocoa so I just used normal cocoa and it turned out ok.  These fall really fast so you really have to eat them quickly.  They were so good and light.  I hope you enjoy!  If you make something that I list, please leave a comment!  I would love to hear if you liked it or did something to change it! 

Meatloaf...GROSS!

Or at least that is how I used to feel.  I mean, come on, who would want to eat a gray loaf of meat smothered in ketchup.  And let's face it, who knows what is inside of that thing!!!  It could be loaded with onions or heaven forbid, green bell pepper!  Oh the horror!!!!  (remember the no vegetable thing??)  Anyway, as we have been trying many new and different recipes, we found a meatloaf recipe in a cookbook that we bought off of QVC!  It has been the best book.  Actually we bought two cookbooks and they are just great!  We have tried 4 things so far and have been very pleased.  I am trying a Chocolate Souffle right now, but I will blog about that later!  Here is the meatloaf recipe:

Chili Sauce Meatloaf
1/3 cup plus 2 Tbsp Chili Sauce (near the ketchup)
1 egg white
1 Tbsp Worcestershire sauce
3/4 cup quick cooking oats
3/4 cup finely chopped onion ( I use 2 Tbsp of onion powder)
2 garlic cloves, minced
1 tsp dried thyme
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp pepper
1 1/2 pounds ground turkey or lean ground beef

In a large bowl combine 1/3 cup chili sauce, egg white, Worcestershire sauce, oats, onion, garlic, thyme, salt and pepper.  Crumble meat over mixture and mix well.

Shape into a 9in x 4in loaf and place in an 11in x 7in loaf pan coated with cooking spray.
Bake uncovered at 350 degrees for 50 minutes.  Take remaining chili sauce and brush over the meatloaf.  (**I add a little barbeque sauce to mine!!!  yum)  Bake for 5 to 10 minutes longer or until a meat thermometer reaches 160 degrees.  Let stand before slicing.

For a little extra umph, I slice the meatloaf and place on a hot griddle to cook each side just a little.  I really like the edges so this helps all of it feel like an edge.  A serving is 2 slices at 244 calories.  For weight watchers it is 2 points a slice!  I like to serve this with a baked sweet potato.

So far, since January 2, I have lost 19 pounds!!!  And I was able to get off of some of my meds!  So far so good!  Hope you meatloaf haters out there will give this a chance!  If I like it, anyone should like it!

I assume this would be super to make ahead of time and put in the freezer!!!  Enjoy!

'Cause That's My Fun Day

Sundays at our house have always been about two things:  church and food.  I love getting up on Sunday mornings and preparing for church.  I believe that I have the best church in the world.  After services, we always come home to a big meal.  Something yummy.  Sometimes it would be a roast in the crockpot so when you walk into your home you are just bombarded with the smells of something delicious. Sometimes it would be a cheesy casserole.  We used to go out for lunch a lot after church.  Trying to eat better is hard on Sundays.  We really have to think and plan in advance for what we want to eat.  This Sunday, I did Oven Fried Chicken Tenders.  Here is the recipe:

1 1/2 pounds of chicken strips ( I use the Tyson frozen so that I can cook how many I want)
1/2 cup of lowfat buttermilk
2 cups of crushed corn flakes
1 cup of bread crumbs ( I use Italian seasoned)
2 tbsp onion powder
1 tbsp paprika
1 tsp pepper
1 tsp salt
1 tsp thyme (you can use something else if you don't like thyme)
other seasonings of your choice - cayenne, sage, garlic  (whatever you like)

Place chicken in buttermilk to soak for 15 minutes.

In a ziploc bag add crushed corn flakes, bread crumbs and seasonings.  Shake well to blend.  Add chicken 2 to 3 strips at a time and shake well.  Place on a foil lined pan sprayed with cooking spray.  Cook at 400 degrees for 8 minutes.   Remove and turn chicken over.  Bake for an additional 8 minutes.

I serve this with mashed potatoes (made with light butter and fat free sour cream) and english peas. 

Hope you enjoy!

Not All Things Work for Good!

Don't let the title fool you.  Of course we know that with God, all things do work for good for those that love the Lord (Romans 8:28).  However, in our food adventures we have had a couple of failures.  My child feels as though we have failed her.  All of the good, yummy, rich...aka bad for you things...I don't really cook anymore.  She is sad!  But, we are getting better at learning what to use in place of the bad things without losing flavor.  Our first failure was Slow Cooked Sour Cream Paprika Chicken.  I am not even going to share the recipe because it really was just not good!  The chicken was dry and it had no flavor at all!  Our next experiment was not too bad for us.  But Callie cried.  We are potato eaters.  Any way, any kind...russet, irish, sweet.  You name it...we like potatoes.  So, my mashed potatoes are not that great for you.  Think buttery, creamy mashed potatoes!  I had read some recipes that used cauliflower with potatoes.  It cuts the bad stuff in half.  So, I went to the grocery to buy cauliflower.  Let me interject here that we don't really eat a lot of vegetables.  Ok, ok...I don't eat vegetables really at all.  So I felt super proud of myself for even trying something like this.  Here is the recipe:

Faux-tatoes

8 oz red potatoes
10 oz cauliflower
1/2 cup of fat free sour cream
4 tbsp of light butter
salt and pepper

Boil potatoes and cauliflower (separately of course!) until fork tender, about 15-20 minutes. I added some minced garlic to the cauliflower.  Be sure to take the cauliflower and drain it and dry it off.  You need to get most of the water out of it.  Put both in a bowl and blend with hand mixer.  Add butter and sour cream and salt and pepper to taste.

I have to admit that I made Mark try it first.  I cannot believe it.  IT TASTED JUST LIKE MASHED POTATOES!!!!  I kid you not.  The texture was a little different and the cauliflower smelled as it was cooking, but it was good.  My friend at school says that she roasts it in the oven instead of boiling.  Maybe that is better.  I have not done this again because Callie asked that she not have to sacrifice her mashed potatoes.  But it can be done!

I Love Food 1st blog ever!

So,  I love reading other folk's blogs!  In fact, I am a bit of a blog stalker!  I have always thought that my life is too boring to blog about.  I work, I come home, I spend time with my fam!  That's about it.  Who would want to read about that??  This January we decided that our eating habits needed to change.  So we have embarked on a journey of eating better.  Let me just tell you.  I. LOVE. FOOD.  No doubt about it, no questions asked.  I have heard that some folks are stress eaters or eat for comfort.  I just like to eat.  I like food.  I like the way it feels, tastes, smells...you get the picture.  I eat because I like it.  I don't have to be bored or depressed or worried.  So, we have made some changes.  I really miss food.  I miss snacking.  I miss sugar!  But, the benefits are outweighing my desire for food.  I hope to get off of some of my medication and lose some weight.  I hope to use this blog to just share some of our recipes and ideas for eating healthier.  I hope you find something that you may can use yourself.  Here is what we had for dinner tonight.

Tortilla Pie

3/4 lb of ground turkey
1/2 can of rotel (save the unused portion)
1/2 can enchilada sauce mild or hot
3/4 cup of fat free cream cheese
1/4 cup 2% shredded mozzarella
1/2 cup 2% shredded mexican blend cheese
chili powder
cumin
4 tortillas (96% fat free) 8 inch

Brown turkey in skillet and drain any grease.  Add rotel, enchilada sauce, chili powder and cumin (I just season to taste)  Let this mixture simmer.  In a separate bowl, soften cream cheese and add rest of rotel to this.  Mix well.  I did add some seasoning to this as well, chili pwd and cumin.  Place a tortilla in a 9 inch pie dish.  Add half of meat mixture on top of this.  Place another tortilla on top of meat.  Spread cream cheese mixture of top of this and sprinkle mozzarella on top.  Place another tortilla on and add the rest of the meat mixture.  Place the last tortilla on this and sprinkle the mexican blend cheese on top.  Bake at 400 degrees for 15 minutes.  This recipe could easily be doubled for 2 pies.  (For anyone who is on weight watchers, this ended up being 4 points a serving if you cut it into 8 pieces)  Hope you have enjoyed my thoughts and this recipe!