Happy Friday Eve all!  It was so fun today to read about all the ways you all have been TV Stars on yesterday’s post.  I think it’s so cool that I know so many “famous” peeps!

This morning I woke up and knew EXACTLY what I wanted for breakfast ~ I LOVE it when that happens.  I think when you have really good natural peanut butter on delicious bread, like Bay Muffins, you need nothing else (other than maybe banana “chips” on top!) (7 points+)

I was so glad I packed a “fast” lunch since we only had about 20 minutes for lunch.

Today I had the other Trader Joe’s Egg White Salad with Chives.  The same rule applies ~ it is 1 points+ for 1/2 and 3 points+ for all.

The thing that makes it so COOL is that it really is this bright fluorescent yellow!

Rounded out with a bunch of circles ~ Trader Joe’s Salt & Pepper Crisps! (3 points+)

Powered up with a Cabot LF Pepper Jack Snack (1 points+)

I had berries for dessert…..

Then a few Salt & Vinegar Almonds ~ partly because I was still hungry from eating SO FAST and partly because ummmm, I LOVE them! (2 points+)

When I walked in the door, The Husband was hard at work on the grill   I LOVE it when THAT happens…..note to self……

4 oz Grilled Tri-Tip with his super secret marinade (4 points+)

Trader Joe’s Baked Beans (3 points+)

Mac N Cheese!!!! (7 points+)

Totally eaten in this order too ~ I finished with my salad topped with 1 Tbsp Newman’s Lite Lime Vinaigrette (1 points+).

Just ONE more day of “Serious TV” and then the weekend begins!!!!! I cannot wait!

Night all!

Happy Biggest Loser Day all!  Thanks for all the comments on my Slow Cooker Blueberry Peach Cobbler Oats.  I really do LOVE them and they will be on the Weekly Menu again soon!  So, I have a slight confession since you all know how much I LOVE The Biggest Loser….I haven’t watched a single episode this season….not because I haven’t wanted too, I am just THAT far behind. So, I do not have any commentary to add, but, hope to chime in soon.

On that note, I brought back another favorite breakfast this morning ~ Mock Lemon Meringue Pie!

Do you all remember that?  I am not even sure what makes me forget about delicious things like:

• 1 cup Trader Joe’s 0% Greek Yogurt topped with
• 1 Tbsp Trader Joe’s Lemon Curd (it tastes like the inside of Lemon Pie!) sprinkled with
• 1 Cinnamon Graham Cracker, crushed

I had a banana on the side for staying power for a 7 points+ quick breakfast.

Mid morning, I started off snacking on 1/2 an oz of Salt n Vinegar Almonds, but, I ended up adding in the other half because they are just THAT good (5 points+)

The past two days I have had working lunches so today I decided to pack up a portable lunch that I could just grab and go……

Enter, another long, lost favorite ~ Trader Joe’s Spicy Ranchero Egg White Salad!

REAL ingredients!

1 points+ for 1/2 the container and 3 points+ for the ENTIRE container!

I knew I wouldn’t be graceful eating it on bread, so I decided to go with the next best thing

~ Trader Joe’s Sea Salt & Pepper Crisps for dipping.

You see, I LOVE these crisps because you get A LOT of  crunch for your points+.

38 crisps for 3 points+

Add fruit for a totally portable 6 points+ lunch that only took like 1 minute to make and it absolutely delicious!

Mid afternoon snackage ~ another constant staple in our house Cabot Serious Snacks!

Each Low-Fat Cheese Square in ALL flavors are just 1 points+

I made my co-worker burst out in laughing when she saw me snapping pictures of my berries….she couldn’t help but ask me “why” I was taking pictures of my berries…after making up a few random stories about how I wanted to remember them after I ate them…..I confessed

Even though today was another late night, I managed to get on in time to meet our friends at Mary’s Pizza Shack for dinner.

I LOVE their salads and often get them for meals.  However, I knew I wanted some “real” food today.

Side Salad with 1 Tbsp ranch, fork dipped (4 points+)

I am still learning how to “just say no” to the bread……I honestly think it’s one reason I LOVE going out to eat. 

2 slices with 1 tsp REAL butter (3 points+)

Then, The Husband and I shared their Spaghetti with meatballs since he asked me if I wanted to be his Lady and the Tramp ~ LOL!

I mean, who can say NO to a line like that?!

I had about 1/3 of this ~ 1 ball with about 1 cup of pasta for 9 points+.

In other FUN NEWS ~ As you all know, I LOVE my recipe organizer and I owe all of it to Casey & Emily who developed Recipage. 

This week they picked me as their Featured Blogger on RECIPAGE ~ so FUN!  Go check it all if you want to see some of my FAVORITE recipes and learn more about how you can get your own Recipage for free!

Q’s

What are some of your FAVORITE things?

Night all!

Happy Sunday all!  Thanks for all your nice comments on my Healthy Super Bowl Recipes & Menu Ideas.  I have fun each year building on the list and adding new recipes I’ve tried and/or seen.  It is really hard to pair them down because as you all know, I have a “slight” recipe collecting addiction and there are so many fantastic ideas out there ~ hello pizza party, nacho bar and wings!

I am so freakin’ excited to share my weigh in this week ~ I was down 2.8 LBS bringing me only .6 lbs away from my 7 lb Valentine’s Day Goal!!

The Husband did awesome too ~ he lost 4.2 LBS ~ so proud of him for making his first week all about healthy swaps and tracking!

I am so glad my FANTASTIC leader had breakfast ready & waiting because I was STARVING this morning.

I started with 2 B’s ~ Banana & Sara Lee Blueberry Bagel (3 points+).

Plus 7 raw almonds for 1 points+.

After the meeting, we headed cover to The Husband’s favorite Starbuck’s ~ Notice anything in the picture?!

He is ALWAYS doing that to me and wondering if I’ll notice someone is in the picture ~ clown!

Venti Iced Coffee with 1 Pump Mocha & a splash of half & half (2 points+)

My MOM Rocks!  I know I always tell you all this, but, seriously she does.  I have been trying to locate these Blue Diamond Salt n Vinegar Almonds since July when one of my friends gave me some.

I probably cannot even count how many stores I have been in looking for them…..but, My Mom actually went to Blue Diamond and bought me a case for my Birthday!!!

Now that IS LOVE!!! It’s the little things ~ thanks MOM!!!

5 points+ for 1 oz ~ salty, crunchy, vinegary and absolutely amazing!

The Husband was all excited to get his grill on today at lunch for our friends.  I knew all I had to do was buy his FAVORITE Bill Bailey Carne Asada and he would be all about cooking for us

I told him he could pick out any of the Mission Tortillas yesterday when were stocking up for the week.  I was pretty excited when he showed me these Corn & Whole Wheat Blended tortillas.

But, I was REALLY bummed when I looked at the ingredients today ~ they contain transfat and what exactly is interesterfied…..note to self, stick to the Trader Joe’s version :/

2 points+ each.

I made up TWO Carne Asada burritos topped with 2 oz Grilled Carne Asada and 1/2 oz of reduced fat sharp cheddar cheese.

Then, I topped them with a bunch of spice and crunch ~ jalapenos, romaine blend, tomatoes, green onions and 1/8 avocado.

8 points+ for both ~ DEAL!  I added hot sauce and drizzled with 0% Greek Yogurt post picture.

Dinner went together even faster than lunch thanks to The Husband who decided he was doing all the “cooking” today.

I started with a “Husband Salad” ~ he whipped this up for us for dinner because it’s ZERO points+.  I am pretty sure he is IN LOVE with anything that is ZERO!  Topped with 1 TbspNewman’s Lite Lime Vinaigrette (1 point+)

Trader Joe’s Sharp Cheddar Squares (4 points+) and 8 Social Crackers (3 points+)….quite possibly my FAVORITE thing ever when you do not want to cook….LOVE!

2 Cuties!

Simple, delicious, totally random, but, exactly what I was craving.

HERE IS WHAT IS ON THE MENU THIS WEEK:

• BLTA’s!!!
• Grilled Tri Tip, Garlic Fries, Grilled Asparagus
• Ellie Krieger’s Spicy Fried Rice with Cashews
• Shrimp Scampi, salad
• Kale, Kielbasa and White Bean Soup
• BBQ Chicken Sweet Potato Fries, Green Beans or salad

I also have recipe makeover requests for Butternut Squash Lasagna and Mini Tamale Pies that may make the menu this week or weekend!

Q’s

What is on your menu this week?  Are you all trying any new foods and/or recipes?  Share away!

Night all!

I am a big fan of CHEESY BREAKFAST casseroles, especially quiches.  This recipe puts a healthy spin on a a classic Broccoli Quiche by using low fat cheeses, buttermilk (for a rich creamy buttery flavor) and whole wheat flour.  I LOVE having the crust mixed IN the quiche because it makes it dense, creamy, cheesy and crunchy with the FRESH broccoli.

My inspiration for this recipe comes from my Weight Watcher’s Slow Cook It cookbook.  I modified their Broccoli Frittata Bite recipe to make it into a crockpot broccoli and cheese quiche.

The key to making this recipe a success in the slow cooker is to remember ONE RULE ~ when it comes to eggs, cook them slow and low.  High heat tends to burn the outsides before the inside has a chance to cook.

Feel free to mix this up with any vegetable you love, just make sure you use fresh or if you use frozen, unthaw and pat dry to remove the water.

Enjoy!

SLOW COOKER BROCCOLI CHEESE QUICHE (print it!)

INSTRUCTIONS

• 2 tsp olive oil
• 1 onion, chopped
• 10 oz FRESH broccoli, chopped
• 1 1/4 cups 1% buttermilk
• 3 eggs
• 1/2 cup whole wheat flour
• 1 tsp baking soda
• Sea salt and black pepper to taste
• 2 tsp of your favorite Hot Sauce, optional
• 1 cup low-fat sharp cheddar cheese, finely shredded
• Crockpot liners (recommended if your eggs tend to stick) or nonstick cooking spray

INSTRUCTIONS

1.  Spray a large 3-4 quart crock pot dish with nonstick spray or line with a crock pot liner and spray with nonstick spray.

2.  Heat oil in a large skillet.  Add onion and cook, stirring occasionally, until softened, about 3 minutes.  Reduce heat and cook, stirring occasionally, until golden and very soft, about 15 minutes.  Add broccoli and cooking, stirring occasionally, until all the flavors are blended, about 2-3 minutes.

3.  Whisk buttermilk and eggs in a medium bowl.  Whisk in flour, baking soda, sea salt, black pepper and hot sauce just until blended.  Stir in broccoli mixture and 3/4 cup cheddar cheese until combined.

4.  Transfer mixture to slow cooker; sprinkle remaining 1/4 cup cheddar cheese over the top.  Cover and cook until a toothpick inserted into center comes out clean, 6-8 hours on low.   Crock pots do vary on temperatures so be sure to adjust the time according to your crock pot settings.

 NOTE: Using the HIGH setting does not work with this recipe as it cooks unevenly (burned on the edges and soggy in the middle)

5.  Transfer stoneware to rack and let quiche cool slightly, about 15 minutes.  Slice a butter knife around the edges to loosen.  Cut into 10 slices.  Serve warm.

Makes 10 servings, 3 points+ each or 8 servings, 4 points+ each

Nutritional information 1/8th of the recipe calculated at caloriecount.com

STEP – BY – STEP

INGREDIENT NOTE:  As part of the FoodBuzz Tastemaker program, I received a carton of Eggland’s Best Eggs to taste test.   I figured this quiche recipe would be a perfect way to “test them out”.

I am not sure that I buy into the whole adding things to your eggs, especially when your eggs are not organic.  However, if you are going to add things, why not have them be good things for you like Vitamins and Omega-3’s   I do like that they treat their chickens humanely, they are vegetarian fed with no hormones added.

I did smile when I saw that they stamped EB on each egg ~ funny, my eggs are branded.

Start off by heating your olive oil over medium heat and adding your onions to caramelize.  I LOVE caramelizing onions because it really brings out their sweetness.

After your onions are soft and caramelized, add your broccoli for a few minutes to mix the flavors.

While you veggies cook, whip up the egg part.  The Eggland’s Best eggs look like normal eggs and they taste like regular eggs too 

Add your buttermilk.

Whisk in your whole wheat flour, pepper and pink sea salt.

Plus some heat!  I LOVE pretty much every egg dish with a little hot sauce.

Stir your veggie mixture into your egg mixture.

Stir in 3/4 cup of your low-fat cheese.  I used low fat Monterey jack because it is what I had on hand.

Pour your mixture into your prepared crockpot and top with your remaining quarter cup cheese.

Cook it slow & low for 6-8 hours or until a toothpick inserted comes out clean.

Allow to cool slightly, slice a butter knife around the edges, cut and serve.

You can get really creative with this recipe by mixing it up and using different vegetables or flavored cheeses each time.  You can put this in the crock pot before bed  and wake up to a delicious breakfast that took not time at all to prepare.    Another option is to put it on a Sunday morning and enjoy it for dinner.

This is another favorite recipe from my archives that I think I just may have to make for breakfasts this week!  I am off to spend the day with my Sis and Mom getting pedicures, having lunch and going to the movies for the grand finale of my birthday week.  If I am not back tonight, I will catch up with you all tomorrow with The Husband’s first Weight Watchers Meeting and my weekly menu!

Happy Weekend!

Happy Sunday all!  A HUGE CONGRATULATIONS to each and everyone of you who stuck it out through the entire 100% Tracking Challenge this past week.  I am super proud of you and I am sure that the scale is showing the results of your tracking efforts this week.  If not, keep at it and it will show ~ consistency is key!

I really think all that tracking helped me navigate the menus this week since we ended up dining out more than usual.  I LOST another .6 LBS with only 5 lbs left to reach my Valentine’s Day goal.

Today, I FINALLY used Biscoff Spread for something other than eating it straight off the spoon….

1 Tbsp Biscoff on top of a Sara Lee Mini Blueberry Bagel (4 points+)

7 Raw Almonds for 1 points+!

Served up with 2 cuties…I totally picked the BIGGEST ones in the basket

5 points+ and this kept me full for 5 hours….funny how that works sometimes…..

The breakfast spread at our meeting complete with those 2 points+ Mini Coconut Cupcake Muffins I made for everyone.  For those wanting the recipe, you can find it here.

I’ve made them as bread, muffins and now mini muffins ~ they freeze well too!

After my meeting, I stocked up for the week and picked up some “dogs” for lunch.  The Husband and his friends were installing a new hot water heater & new pipes in our house today.  They requested Hot Dogs, but, I just couldn’t do it LOL. 

Instead, I picked up these Artisan Fresh Mozzarella & Roasted Garlic Chicken Sausages at Sam’s Club. It’s close, right???

REAL ingredients that you can recognize!

3 points+ each!

Grilled to perfection in less than 8 minutes.

Served with a HUGE Bunch of Chips ~ Kale Chips! (1 points+) ~ They totally taste like potato chips, but, better….So much so that his friends ate the other half of my “chips”

4 points+ for lunch ~ deal!

Dessert ~ Coconut Pound Cake Mini Muffin (2 points+)

My afternoon snack is going to sound strange and it totally went unphotographed.  I bought a rotisserie chicken at Sam’s and at a drumstick as I pulled the chicken off the bone (3 points+).

When everyone was finished, The Husband wanted to take them out for steaks at Outback Steakhouse to thank them.  I think it’s awesome they have their nutritional information online and one the menu.

I started with a wedge of this Chicken & Bacon Quesadilla (3 points+) plus ONE slice of bread (2 points+).  I made sure to put it on the other side of the table so I couldn’t go back for more….

I usually get the Victoria Filet with a Plain Baked Potato & Steamed Veggies, but, today, I ventured out.

Aussie Cobb Salad ~ Wood-fire grilled chicken to top off fresh mixed greens, chopped hardboiled eggs, tomatoes, bacon, shredded Monterey Jack and Cheddar cheese and freshly made croutons.

I ate it all, except for the chicken ~ for some reason, it didn’t sound good (10 points+). I had my dressing on the side so I could “fork dip” ~ Fat Free Tangy Tomato on the side (3 points+)

HERE IS WHAT IS ON THE MENU THIS WEEK:

Ok, I am going to try this again ~ I know we are having my birthday dinner this week & one work luncheon.  Other than that, I am getting my cooking on!

• Individual 7 Layer “Dip and Chips”
• Spaghetti/Meatball Casserole and salad
• Chicken & Lemon Leek Pasta with salad
• BLTA Sweet Potato Skins, Salad
• Flat out Amazing Pizza, Salad
• Breakfasts ~ Slow Cooker Egg, Sausage & Potato Casserole
• Lunches ~ Baked Butternut, Bacon & Polenta Casserole
• And maybe finally those ~ Apple Cinnamon Chip Mini Muffins

Q’s:

What did you all think of the 100% tracking challenge?  Do you want to continue?

Night all!

Happy Saturday all! There is definitely a lot more eating out for us this week than I had planned, but, I am glad for our 100% tracking challenge.  It is really helping to keep me accountable and to think about what I am eating BEFORE I eat it since I know I want to stay close to my daily points+ range.  That being said….yesterday was delicious and everything totally fit into my day.

Who says you can’t have your treats and eat them too ~ is that how the saying goes?! LOL….

• B ~ 2 Weight Watchers Egg, Cheese & Sausage Wraps (6), 1 c grapes
• L ~ 2 slices combination pizza (18)
• D ~ Panda Express!! Firecracker chicken (6), String Bean Chicken (4), Steamed Veggies (1)
• DS ~ bite size bag skittles (2)
• Total ~ 31 Daily Points+

I had a box of these Weight Watchers Egg, Sausage and Cheese Wraps in the freezer at work for days when I do not have time for breakfast, lunch, dinner.  It is sort of like my “healthy” emergency stash.

I LOVED these mini burritos.  You can actually taste everything in them ~ the egg, cheese and sausage.  I dunked them in Sriracha and had a bunch of grapes on the side to help fill me up. (6 points+)

I knew we were having a working lunch yesterday and pondered the idea of running to get a salad beforehand.  I decided it was totally “worth-it” to participate in the pizza party when I saw the pizza.

2 slices of combination (they didn’t have veggie – my go to) for 18 points+.

After work we picked up our oldest nephew and let him pick what we were doing for the night.  I promise I did NOT bribe my nephews to pick my two favorite foods.

Last weekend our younger nephews picked Sushi! and last night, we went to Panda Express!

And guess what ~ They had Fire Cracker Chicken!!!

It’s sweet, it’s spicy, it’s totally amazing….if you go, you have to try it while they have it!

String Bean Chicken (4 points+)

I picked steamed veggies on the side instead of chow mein or rice to get my veggies on for only 1 points+.

Deliciousness! 

Afterwards we headed out to see Contraband.  We all LOVED it ~ totally suspenseful and it keeps you on the edge of your seat.  I did snack on a mini bag of skittles that we “smuggled” into the theatre (2 points+)

TWO more days for 100% tracking ~ we are on the home stretch!

What was on your tracker yesterday?

Happy “Hump” Day all!  Today’s Wordless Wednesday “Speed Hump Ahead” is a picture of the signs we kept seeing all over St. Lucia.  We were all cracking up, but, I have to say, I think all of your comments made it even funnier LOL.

5 AM came SOOO EARLY this morning….I am super proud of myself for NOT hitting snooze and crawling back in bed.  I stuck to the plan and got my calorie burn on!

I LOVE doing THIS Calorie Blasting Walk because honestly I think it’s tougher than running.  It’s a continuous walk up a big hill with a few power/speed walks thrown in the mix.

After my workout I snack on a banana then got ready for the train.  I really pondered taking the bus instead of walking my 2.5+ miles to/from the the train to work, but, I didn’t ~ I WALKED it!

When I got into work I couldn’t wait t dig into “Power Ham & Eggs Scramble” that I cooked up to take with me last night.

• 2 ounce Ham, chopped (2 points+)
• 1 egg plus 3 egg whites (3 points+)
• Green Onions, sea salt, black pepper & sriracha!

Rounded out with 2 Cuties for a total Simply Filling meal!

I have found that it is really helping me to prepare my breakfast, lunch and snacks the night before.  It is nice not to rush around in the morning and to only have to put a few things together to make a delicious lunch.

Quite possibly my FAVORITE new combo….

• 2 ounce Ham
• 2 “glazed” pineapple slices
• 1 slice Jarlsberg Lite Swiss Cheese
• Trader Joe’s Sweet & Hot Mustard
• 2 slices Trader Joe’s FF Multi-Grain Bread

6 points+ of deliciousness! Power it up by using FF Swiss and reduced calorie bread for a Simply Filling Sandwich…..

Salty, sweet, spicy, doughy good!

Served up with a side of Crunch ~ Veggie tray veggies with 2 Tbsp Ranch (4 points+)

~ Power it up by using Fat Free Ranch!

I think I discovered the BEST way to eat Chobani today too! 

1 Cup Chobani 0% Greek Yogurt mixed with 1 Tbsp Blackberry Preserves then topped with 1/4 cup Pomegranate Seeds and 1 crumbled Biscoff Cookie!!

Crunchy, creamy, slightly sweet & tart with fun little cookie bites to savor ~ LOVE!

(5 points+) ~ Power Up (2 WPA would be used for the cookie and preserves)

Dinner tonight was more Navy Bean and Ham Soup ~ I swear this is even better the next day

(5 points+) and it’s a Power Food for Simply Filling!

Served up with a Coconut Pound Cake Muffin on the side…..not a power food, but, ummm, so worth the WPA if you go there.

I seriously planned my day around having one of these (6 points+)

Priorities, right?!

As requested by a few of you, I included a few tips on how to Power Up my meals to fit into WW Simply Filling.  Would you all be interested in seeing a week or two of Simply Filling Meals? I might be up for the challenge ~ a day, a week, a month…

Q’s

What is one of your go to meals to Power Up your Day and make it a Simply Filling Meal?

TWO more days left to enter this really “BIG” Chobani Giveaway!

TWO DAYS left until we have another LONG weekend……but, who is counting?!

My new Weight Watchers magazine is calling my name (can you believe I want to read that over our Gossip US magazine…..LOL).

Night all!

Happy Tuesday everyone!  Just one more week before it’s Biggest Loser time again ~ yup, it is totally the little things like that which motivate me to get up at 5 AM and get on the treadmill.  I decided it is finally time again to get up and get my workout on BEFORE my day starts and I can think of all the things I “need” to get done instead of working out.

Since I cannot remember the last time I was friends with my treadmill (maybe August?), I took it easy with a light 25 minute jog/walk.  It felt FANTASTIC and it started my day off on the right foot….literally and figuratively LOL…..

Post workout, I snacked on a banana while I got ready for the train.  Once I arrived to work I could not wait to dig into breakfast.

I received this Kashi Cinnamon Harvest Sample awhile back.

I usually resist cereals because they do not fill me up unless they are packed with fiber and protein.

But, I LOVE shredded wheat especially when it’s only 3 points+ for the ENTIRE box.

I crumbled my “biscuits” over my 1 cup of Chobani 0% Greek Yogurt mixed with 1 Tbsp Blackberry Preserves (4 points+).  This combination kept me full for 5 hours!

I LOVE being in the office this week because NOBODY is around….I think checking off my todo list also helped me not realize where the time went.

Lunch started with a bunch of veggies tray veggies with 2 Tbsp ranch (2 points+).

Plus my LAST Chipotle Cheddar BEER Corn Muffin (4 points+)

Dipped in 1 1/2 cups of Navy Bean and Ham Soup (that I doused with Sriracha!) (5 points+)

I left my apple at my desk so my afternoon snack consisted of a Trader Joe’s Lite String Cheese on my train ride home (1 points+).

I LOVE leftovers and could honestly eat the same thing all week long….especially when it involves everything I showed you all in my Healthy Holiday Series.

2 oz Simple Glazed Ham with Pineapple (2 points+)

Cheesy Au Gratin Potatoes that are even better the next day! (5 points+)

Honey Balsamic Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Cashews (2 points+)

Christmas all over again complete with Bacon Green Beans! (1 points+)

As promised, here are a few of our Holiday Highlights….

The Husband picked up this Piggy Wiggy Fry Pan after I fell IN LOVE with Piggly Wiggly in Hilton Head.

I can’t wait to “fry” an egg in it!

As if I needed another “form” to collect recipes….We are both betting on the total number of days “I save” for the year LOL.

Quite possibly the BEST GIFT EVER ~ A Mini Plus Keurig for my desk!  I totally blame Tracey of TJ’s Test Kitchen for getting me hooked on our Keurig at home……

and now…..The Office! LOVE!

These next pictures require a little background. 

The Husband is a BIG UC Berkeley Cal Bears Fan…..My family knows they can get him anything Cal Bears related and he will be happy.

A year ago, My Mom got him Oski the Bear (Mascot)…He LOVES that bear and it now has it’s own spot in our bed (LOL….yup, I am almost 38 years old and we have a stuffed animal in bed with us!)

So….it was only appropriate that I let “Oski” participate in his first Christmas with us!

HIs face was “classic” when he came out to sit on the couch and I had Oski waiting for him to open his present

I couldn’t resist the Cal Bears Onesies when I saw them at Target…..they were so cute!

He was cracking me up with his animation….I wish I videoed it for you all to see!

BEST Baking Realization…..Making Coconut Pound Cake into 32 muffins and saving on points+. 

Built in portion control for only 6 points+ each and they freeze well too!

Speaking of GIFTS:

Like Starbuck’s ~ Enter this Starbuck’s Holiday Give Away!

LOVE Chobani ~ Then check out this really BIG Chobani Giveaway

Q’s

What was the one gift you received this year that you absolutely LOVE?

Night all!

Happy Saturday all! I had to start off today saying you all took your “Dipping and Dunking” to a whole new level!  I always thought it was ONLY tomato soup and grilled cheese ~ who knew you all LOVED dipping pb&j in your chili and chicken noodle ~ I LOVE that….I wouldn’t do it, but, I LOVE you all the same LOL.  It’s good to know I am not alone too…..

Several of you have asked if any of the Weight Watchers PointsPlus Values changed with the 2012 Updates.  I have to take back what I said on my initial post ~ My thoughts were since the formula didn’t change, the pointsplus values of foods shouldn’t have changed.

What I didn’t count on was the USDA Updating their nutritional information for foods such as Wine, Steak, etc. 

In fact, several of you may notice some changes in the new Pocket Guide as well as the Complete Food Companion where they give “average values” for foods.

SOME FOODS WENT UP IN POINTS+ VALUES WHILE OTHERS WENT DOWN.

“Average” values are based on the USDA guidelines ~ when you see a 4 oz glass of wine, it is based on an average ~ some wines are more and some wines are less, but, when, they are averaged, you come up with a pointsplus value in the middle.

Last year the USDA considered a 4 oz Glass of wine ~ 4 points+

This year, the average is now ~ 3 points+

I know all you wine drinkers out there are doing a Happy Dance!

For all those wondering what else changed ~ I’ve Hooked You UP!!!  Thanks to one of my FANTASTIC READERS (who is almost at goal after losing 50 lbs!) ~ she shared a PDF file that her leader gave her of all the changes in PointsPlus Values for 2012 in the Pocket Guide.

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD AND PRINT A COPY OF THE NEW VALUES!

Keep in mind this is ONLY for the Pocket Guide and not the Complete Food Companion which may have more foods listed that changed.  If you track ONLINE, then, this doesn’t impact you since e-tools has been updated ~ it’s more of an FYI for you. 

My BEST advice is to ALWAYS calculate the food based on that products nutritional information  when available, as it will be the MOST accurate.

Speaking of NEW products ~ breakfast involved this Cinnabon Cinnamon Bread that I ALWAYS eye in the store.

I usually pass it up because it’s 3 points+ a slice, but, I finally decided for a “weekend” breakfast it might be worth it.

Especially when you get 2 slices of Double Cinnamon French Toast topped with ICBINB Spray and 1 Tbsp Pure Maple Syrup (7 points+)

Plus 2 slices of “Maple” Turkey Bacon for protein staying power! (2 points+)

After breakfast we busted out our decorations and put up our Charlie Brown Christmas Tree….I don’t know what it is, but, our little tree ALWAYS makes me smile whenever I walk in the door

Today we were tackling all our errands (Laundry, Costco, Trader Joe’s, oil change, etc.) and Christmas Shopping for all our families.

Afterall ~ all day shopping = power shopping = activity points in my book

Mid Shopping Fuel ~ Grande Dirty Latte ~ how I have missed these!!!

Fat Free Decaf Latte with 1 Pump Mocha (4 points+)

I am actually pretty proud of The Husband ~ I think I shopped him til he dropped, but, I am proud to say we managed to get about 90% of our presents bought today!

Lunch was at Panera ~ I got the half salad and soup!

1/2 BBQ Chicken Salad

" “All-natural, antibiotic-free chicken, romaine lettuce, roasted corn, black beans, tortilla strips & BBQ ranch dressing, drizzled with BBQ sauce”

French Onion Soup

Plus an apple as my side…..over chips or BREAD!

The REALLY cool thing about Panera aside from being absolutely delicious, fresh and good for you….you can plug in your meal in their online nutritional calculator to determine the nutrition to calc the points+.  My entire meal was 12 points+.

Dinner tonight was fast, easy and totally worked for The Husband’s teeth.

Ling Ling Potstickers (I LOVE these when you don’t have homemade!) (7 points+)

Spicy Asian Slaw (2 points+)

Plus 3 Aidel’s Pineapple Teriyaki Chicken Meatballs (3 points+)

• Total Daily Points+: 38
• Total Activity Points: eh ~ shopping, decorating, and being on our feet for 10+ hours nonstop I am sure counts for something!

Speaking of Quick Meals when you don’t want to cook ~ Enter my Satisfying Giveaway Here!

Tomorrow is my first weigh in after being back on track.  I feel like I’ve had a good week and I hope the scale shows that.

Catch up with you all tomorrow with my Weekly Menu!

Night!

Happy Friday Eve all!  Only ONE more day and I’ve survived my first week back from vacation.  I am probably about as excited to sleep in as I was to sleep in our bed when we got home on Sunday night LOL.  My day started off with a Power Walk from the train station ~ I say POWER WALK because it was freezing outside so I was walking fast to get warm!

Before heading out for the train, I whipped up another 5 minute Cheesy Sausage Breakfast Burrito to take with me (6 points+)

The only bummer is that it didn’t hold me over as long ~ 4 hours later, I NEEDED a snack.  I actually think sometimes on days that I drink more coffee I am hungrier….maybe?

A banana plus a Trader Joe’s Light String Cheese (1 points+).

I am not usually a fan of eating frozen meals because they rarely fill me up and honestly it is so easy to make something “quick” to take with you on the go.

The folks over at Weight Watchers asked me if I’d review the new Satisfying Selections Meals because the portions are BIGGER without killing your points+ budget.

Usually when I do have a frozen meal, I will add a bunch of frozen veggies and sometimes lead protein to make it feel like more. 

I have to admit though ~ you get A LOT more with the Satisfying Selections.  The bag is ONE SERVING and filled my entire plate for 8 points+ ~ not too shabby.

Rounded out with my Simple Salad ~ I learned something NEW this morning though.  You can actually have TWO Tbsp of Dried Cranberries for 1 points+ (the same as 1 Tbsp).

Obviously I made the switch toped with 2 Tbsp Trader Joe’s Spicy Peanut Vinaigrette and 1 Tbsp sunflower seeds (4 points+).

Eaten with my imaginary friend

Train Snacks ~ Weight Watchers Cinnamon Pops (2 points+) and one fantastic organic Fuji apple.

The Husband requested his favorite meal for dinner and I was all for it ~ dinner is on the table in 15 minutes and it’s the perfect “comfort” food dinner.

1 cup Pacific Foods Organic Roasted Red Pepper & Tomato Soup (3 points+)

Plus grilled cheese for dipping! Not really, I think dipping your sandwich in your soup is kinda gross, but, he LOVES doing that.

• 2 slices Trader Joe’s Fat Free Multi-Grain Bread (3 points+)
• 1 oz 2% Sharp Cheddar (2 points+)
• 1 Tbsp Whipped Butter (2 points+)

I actually think I will get back to “real” cooking with new recipes next week…..Get ready for another giveaway coming up tomorrow!

• Total Daily Points+ used ~ 27
• Total Activity Points earned ~ 3 for “power walking” 3 miles to/from the train.

Q’s

Do you dip your sandwiches in your soup?

It’s ok to be a dipper or a dunker because I think I am the oddball not doing it…I don’t even like crackers in my soup ~ they get mushy

Just one more day ~ Night al!!!