I got this recipe from somebody on a WW chatboard. I changed some measurements for my liking, and adjusted the points appropriately (of course).
POINTS® Value: 3
Servings: 12
(This was hard to tell - as a side dish, I'm calling a portion about 1/2 cup. So, adjust accordingly if you feel your portion should be more/less points.)
Ingredients
3 chicken breasts, cooked, cooled enough to handle, and cut into bite size pieces
2 cups Rotini or other shell pasta, cooked, drained, cooled (We use the Ronzoni SmartTaste - it's the healthiest we've found that isn't wheat)
1 cup cherry tomatoes, cut in half
1 can artichoke hearts, quartered, not in oil
1 red pepper, diced
1 green pepper, diced
3/4 cup fat free italian dressing, or as much as you want to coat (we used the caesar variety)
3/4 cup fat free feta cheese, crumbled
Directions
Mix everything together. Toss salad in pasta to coat. You can use more/less dressing for your taste.
Refrigerate until ready to serve.
Sunday, June 21, 2009
Black Bean Brownies
Yes, you read that right! Awesome way to get chocolate brownies and not kill yourself on points! And, if you make them for people who don't eat healthy, tell them they are chocolate brownies and they won't know the difference! David's brother, nephew, and dad LOVE these. His dad has NO clue what he's eating! :-)
POINTS® Value: 2
Servings: 12
Ingredients
1 box chocolate brownie mix (I try to find the reduced sugar/fat one)
1 can Black Beans, drain and rinse
1-2 cups water (depending on how moist you want them)
Directions
Mix black beans and water (I usually just fill the can with water, and that's how much I use). Puree black beans. If you want to leave it a little chunky, just tell your "unhealthy" people that they are chocolate chip brownies!
Mix black beans and brownie mix. Pour into greased 13x9x2. Bake as directed (including heat) on the brownie mix box.
POINTS® Value: 2
Servings: 12
Ingredients
1 box chocolate brownie mix (I try to find the reduced sugar/fat one)
1 can Black Beans, drain and rinse
1-2 cups water (depending on how moist you want them)
Directions
Mix black beans and water (I usually just fill the can with water, and that's how much I use). Puree black beans. If you want to leave it a little chunky, just tell your "unhealthy" people that they are chocolate chip brownies!
Mix black beans and brownie mix. Pour into greased 13x9x2. Bake as directed (including heat) on the brownie mix box.
Thursday, June 18, 2009
Chicken and Rice Casserole
This is basically the same recipe we all grew up on. But, you'll be amazed at the portion size and points! Just by shredding the chicken it SEEMS like you get a much bigger portion and much more filling.
POINTS® Value: 3
Servings: 8
Ingredients
4 cooked chicken breasts (I cooked mine on George Foreman)
2 cups cooked white rice (You could use brown, but we haven't found a good brand of brown rice -- any suggestions?)
1 cup Campbell's Healthy Request Cream of Mushroom Soup *
1 cup Campbell's Healthy Request Cream of Chicken Soup *
2 second spray PAM
Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
Shred chicken breasts, cook soups with water. Spray 13x9x2 inch baking dish with PAM. Cover dish with rice, layer shredded chicken on top. Pour soups over chicken. Bake at 350 until it bubbles (it took about 10 min before some of the chicken started browning a little).
* Using a whole can of both soups may have changed the points a little, but I was afraid it would be too dry. It was perfect this way!
* We also put a little fat free shredded cheese on the top - 1/4 cup over the whole thing.
POINTS® Value: 3
Servings: 8
Ingredients
4 cooked chicken breasts (I cooked mine on George Foreman)
2 cups cooked white rice (You could use brown, but we haven't found a good brand of brown rice -- any suggestions?)
1 cup Campbell's Healthy Request Cream of Mushroom Soup *
1 cup Campbell's Healthy Request Cream of Chicken Soup *
2 second spray PAM
Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
Shred chicken breasts, cook soups with water. Spray 13x9x2 inch baking dish with PAM. Cover dish with rice, layer shredded chicken on top. Pour soups over chicken. Bake at 350 until it bubbles (it took about 10 min before some of the chicken started browning a little).
* Using a whole can of both soups may have changed the points a little, but I was afraid it would be too dry. It was perfect this way!
* We also put a little fat free shredded cheese on the top - 1/4 cup over the whole thing.
Quick Black Bean and Sweet Potato Chili
I got this recipe from somebody on the WW message boards. This is seriously one of the best soups I have EVER - and I mean EVER - eaten! Chop time is a little high if you want something quick, but it is SO worth it!
POINTS® Value: 5
Servings: 6 (about a cup per serving)
Ingredients
2 large sweet potatoes
2 tbsp Extra virgin olive oil
1 cup chopped onion (I used a whole onion)
2-3 chopped garlic cloves (you could use jarred to save time if you wanted)
1 chopped green pepper
32 oz canned black beans - drain and rinse them
28 oz canned diced tomatoes - DO NOT drain
4 oz canned minced green chili peppers (you could use fresh but they were super expensive at the store)
2 tsp ground cumin
1/2 tsp dried oregano
Salt to taste
Instructions
Bake or microwave sweet potatoes until just firm, about 3-4 minutes per potato (it took mine about 9 minutes in the microwave). When cool enough to handle, peel and cut into 3/4 inch chunks. Set aside.
Heat the oil in a large soup pot. Add the onion and garlic. Saute over medium heat until golden. Add the bell pepper, beans, tomatoes, chilies, cumin, and oregano. Bring to a simmer. Cover and simmer gently for 15 minutes. Add the sweet potatoes and continue to simmer until the vegetables are tender, 10-15 minutes (mine was done after about 8). Season lightly with salt.
If time allows, let stand off the heat for 1-2 hours, then heat as needed.
POINTS® Value: 5
Servings: 6 (about a cup per serving)
Ingredients
2 large sweet potatoes
2 tbsp Extra virgin olive oil
1 cup chopped onion (I used a whole onion)
2-3 chopped garlic cloves (you could use jarred to save time if you wanted)
1 chopped green pepper
32 oz canned black beans - drain and rinse them
28 oz canned diced tomatoes - DO NOT drain
4 oz canned minced green chili peppers (you could use fresh but they were super expensive at the store)
2 tsp ground cumin
1/2 tsp dried oregano
Salt to taste
Instructions
Bake or microwave sweet potatoes until just firm, about 3-4 minutes per potato (it took mine about 9 minutes in the microwave). When cool enough to handle, peel and cut into 3/4 inch chunks. Set aside.
Heat the oil in a large soup pot. Add the onion and garlic. Saute over medium heat until golden. Add the bell pepper, beans, tomatoes, chilies, cumin, and oregano. Bring to a simmer. Cover and simmer gently for 15 minutes. Add the sweet potatoes and continue to simmer until the vegetables are tender, 10-15 minutes (mine was done after about 8). Season lightly with salt.
If time allows, let stand off the heat for 1-2 hours, then heat as needed.
Wednesday, June 17, 2009
Weekly Update and Weigh In
Well, another week has passed....
David had his gall bladder out yesterday. The surgery went well and remained laproscopic! He was in a fair amount of pain after the surgery, but today feels a little better. He even went to weigh in with me! He didn't weigh, but he wanted to hear the meeting and see me........
.....
.....
.....
Lose 4 lbs!!!!!!!! This was my last weigh in of maintenance and somehow - I don't know how - I lost 4 lbs this week! I ate ALL of my daily points, ALL of my weekly "extras," and MOST of my activity points!
All I had to do was keep between 188 and 192. I'm sitting at 186 right now! I am officially a Lifetime member of Weight Watchers! I have lost 66.2 lbs and it's NEVER coming back!!!!!
My heart rate monitor came on Monday. I took it out for calibration on Monday night, and then for a 4 MILE walk/jog before we had to head to the hospital for David's surgery. It was really exciting to keep an eye on my heart rate and see how many calories I burned (567 in 59 minutes!).
I have 2 recipes I need to post about: Chicken and Rice Casserole and Black Bean & Sweet Potato Chili. Both yummy, both easy! I'm hoping to make another soup tomorrow night - Greek Lentil Soup. I wanted easy stuff for David this week. His mom is "babysitting" while I'm working and she has a tendency to not eat healthy. So, easy left overs it is! :-)
That's about all I have for the night. It's been a busy week, and a very exciting night! Oh, and I need to tell you all thank you so much for your support. Even if we've never met, your inspiration in your blogs, your encouraging words in comments.... Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!
David had his gall bladder out yesterday. The surgery went well and remained laproscopic! He was in a fair amount of pain after the surgery, but today feels a little better. He even went to weigh in with me! He didn't weigh, but he wanted to hear the meeting and see me........
.....
.....
.....
Lose 4 lbs!!!!!!!! This was my last weigh in of maintenance and somehow - I don't know how - I lost 4 lbs this week! I ate ALL of my daily points, ALL of my weekly "extras," and MOST of my activity points!
All I had to do was keep between 188 and 192. I'm sitting at 186 right now! I am officially a Lifetime member of Weight Watchers! I have lost 66.2 lbs and it's NEVER coming back!!!!!
My heart rate monitor came on Monday. I took it out for calibration on Monday night, and then for a 4 MILE walk/jog before we had to head to the hospital for David's surgery. It was really exciting to keep an eye on my heart rate and see how many calories I burned (567 in 59 minutes!).
I have 2 recipes I need to post about: Chicken and Rice Casserole and Black Bean & Sweet Potato Chili. Both yummy, both easy! I'm hoping to make another soup tomorrow night - Greek Lentil Soup. I wanted easy stuff for David this week. His mom is "babysitting" while I'm working and she has a tendency to not eat healthy. So, easy left overs it is! :-)
That's about all I have for the night. It's been a busy week, and a very exciting night! Oh, and I need to tell you all thank you so much for your support. Even if we've never met, your inspiration in your blogs, your encouraging words in comments.... Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!
Tuesday, June 16, 2009
Banana Couscous Pudding and Fruit Parfait
I got this recipe in my weekly WW email. Super easy, really yummy. I definitely want to try this with other fruits.
POINTS® Value: 3
Servings: 4
Ingredients
1/3 cup(s) water
1/4 cup(s) uncooked whole wheat couscous
1 oz fat-free sugar-free instant banana pudding and pie filling mix
2 cup(s) fat-free skim milk, cold
1 large banana(s), ripe, sliced
1 cup(s) strawberries, sliced
1/8 oz mint leaves, sprigs (for garnish)
Instructions
Bring water to a boil in a microwave-safe bowl in microwave. Carefully remove from microwave and stir in couscous. Cover with plastic wrap and let stand 5 minutes until couscous is tender.
Meanwhile, prepare pudding according to package directions using fat-free milk. Stir in couscous (it is okay if couscous is still warm). Let stand 5 minutes until pudding is set.
To make parfaits, layer about 2 tablespoons of pudding, then 2 tablespoons of bananas, 2 tablespoons of pudding and then 2 tablespoons of strawberries in each of 4 tall parfait or other tall thin glasses. Repeat layers once. Garnish with mint sprigs if desired. Serve immediately. Yields 1 parfait per serving.
POINTS® Value: 3
Servings: 4
Ingredients
1/3 cup(s) water
1/4 cup(s) uncooked whole wheat couscous
1 oz fat-free sugar-free instant banana pudding and pie filling mix
2 cup(s) fat-free skim milk, cold
1 large banana(s), ripe, sliced
1 cup(s) strawberries, sliced
1/8 oz mint leaves, sprigs (for garnish)
Instructions
Bring water to a boil in a microwave-safe bowl in microwave. Carefully remove from microwave and stir in couscous. Cover with plastic wrap and let stand 5 minutes until couscous is tender.
Meanwhile, prepare pudding according to package directions using fat-free milk. Stir in couscous (it is okay if couscous is still warm). Let stand 5 minutes until pudding is set.
To make parfaits, layer about 2 tablespoons of pudding, then 2 tablespoons of bananas, 2 tablespoons of pudding and then 2 tablespoons of strawberries in each of 4 tall parfait or other tall thin glasses. Repeat layers once. Garnish with mint sprigs if desired. Serve immediately. Yields 1 parfait per serving.
Sunday, June 14, 2009
My tastes in life are changing....
I made a decision today: Either I'm getting old, or my tastes are changing! Why, you ask? I'm making this conclusion based off of several "facts" from the last few weeks.
Fact #1: Birthday gifts
I got EXCITED about getting clothes, a bathroom scale, and a Heart Rate Monitor! Seriously! Who does this besides the old people? Only a few years ago, I was asking for fun stuff: books, games, alcohol, clothes (but to totally different stores).
Then, I see my dad for my birthday breakfast today. And, he gives me this:
And I got even more excited!!!! David and I had thought about getting this exact scale when I get my summer school check! I LOVE it!!!
Fact #2: Food choices
I found another yummy "thing" to throw on salads. I'm not a huge fan of tuna, but a friend of mine introduced me to these:
I've now eaten it on a piece of toast, on crackers, and.... on top of a salad! It was a perfect, low point, protein to a big salad! I've had the Mango Chipotle and the Tomato Pesto. David loves them also! They are now a "requirement" in our cabinets!
Fact #3: Trying to get healthy choices
I have the joy of inheriting my mom's sinus problems. I get sinus infections 2-3 times a year. The last couple years, I've avoided getting more than 1 a year. This year, the season has started early. I started with allergies, then got a cold, and now I'm fighting the sinus infection. My sister, and several other people, told me about this:
It looks complicated, but it really isn't. Lukewarm water, dump a packet of solution in, shake. Bend over, stick the end of the pot in your nose and let it do it's magic. Eventually, the water will start to run out your other nostril. Doesn't it sound yummy? I get it down my throat every once in a while, which that does NOT taste good. Then you blow your nose, and do it on the other side.
But, the big thing: it works! The pressure in my head is starting to go down a little bit. I'm able to blow stuff out for an hour or two after I do the pot. It's great!!! David laughs at me because I've taken to saying "I need to do my pot."
I know this was all totally random. But it's amazing how life has changed in the last few years! Things that never, ever mattered matter now. Things that I thought "You're crazy if you own" I WANT. I LOVE. Things that I thought were gross, I purchase, and use 2-3 times a day!
Anyways... look for some yummy new recipes coming up! I haven't done any for a while, and we've had quite a few yummy things! Plus, we're doing a BBQ this weekend, and Saturday is food day at work. I'm debating which recipe to take for that. David's surgery is Tuesday, so please say a prayer. He's pretty nervous and stressed about everything. He needs all the prayers he can get.
Fact #1: Birthday gifts
I got EXCITED about getting clothes, a bathroom scale, and a Heart Rate Monitor! Seriously! Who does this besides the old people? Only a few years ago, I was asking for fun stuff: books, games, alcohol, clothes (but to totally different stores).
Then, I see my dad for my birthday breakfast today. And, he gives me this:
And I got even more excited!!!! David and I had thought about getting this exact scale when I get my summer school check! I LOVE it!!!
Fact #2: Food choices
I found another yummy "thing" to throw on salads. I'm not a huge fan of tuna, but a friend of mine introduced me to these:
I've now eaten it on a piece of toast, on crackers, and.... on top of a salad! It was a perfect, low point, protein to a big salad! I've had the Mango Chipotle and the Tomato Pesto. David loves them also! They are now a "requirement" in our cabinets!
Fact #3: Trying to get healthy choices
I have the joy of inheriting my mom's sinus problems. I get sinus infections 2-3 times a year. The last couple years, I've avoided getting more than 1 a year. This year, the season has started early. I started with allergies, then got a cold, and now I'm fighting the sinus infection. My sister, and several other people, told me about this:
It looks complicated, but it really isn't. Lukewarm water, dump a packet of solution in, shake. Bend over, stick the end of the pot in your nose and let it do it's magic. Eventually, the water will start to run out your other nostril. Doesn't it sound yummy? I get it down my throat every once in a while, which that does NOT taste good. Then you blow your nose, and do it on the other side.
But, the big thing: it works! The pressure in my head is starting to go down a little bit. I'm able to blow stuff out for an hour or two after I do the pot. It's great!!! David laughs at me because I've taken to saying "I need to do my pot."
I know this was all totally random. But it's amazing how life has changed in the last few years! Things that never, ever mattered matter now. Things that I thought "You're crazy if you own" I WANT. I LOVE. Things that I thought were gross, I purchase, and use 2-3 times a day!
Anyways... look for some yummy new recipes coming up! I haven't done any for a while, and we've had quite a few yummy things! Plus, we're doing a BBQ this weekend, and Saturday is food day at work. I'm debating which recipe to take for that. David's surgery is Tuesday, so please say a prayer. He's pretty nervous and stressed about everything. He needs all the prayers he can get.
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