Did you all remember to set your clocks FORWARD for Day Light Savings time? Ummm, I remembered but DIDN’T actually do it. Luckily I woke up in time to make it to my Weight Watchers meeting as we headed out of town to the Sacramento Antique Faire.
I was up .8 lbs today and I can’t say if it was earned or not since my week wasn’t stellar. I can say what I am going to do differently this week to make sure the scale goes down.
This week my goals are:
1) Eat less ~ focus on my Good Health Guidelines, Power Foods and not using as many WPA.
2) MOVE MORE ~ Last week I pretty much pretended I didn’t need to workout other than my yoga and like one or two walks. This week, I am committing to getting up early and getting my workout done 4 times.
I had a great conversation with my friend morning and she made a good point. I do really well with my exercise when I HAVE A GOAL in mind. So, I am going to get back into running after my long hiatus and start the Couch to 5K Plan (C25K ) again.
3) Water, water and MORE water! All that exercise should make me thirsty 
We stopped at Starbuck’s on our way out of town so I grabbed a banana plus a Venti Iced Dirty Latte for breakfast (4 points+).
After 3+ hours of walking around, The Husband picked Willie’s Burgers for lunch. I agreed because the location we usually goes to has options other than burgers. However, the one in Downtown Sacramento has burgers only.
Can I just say I NEED to have a real burger more often?! This burger was as AWESOME as it looks. I broke down the ingredients as follows to calculate the points+
* Hamburger bun – 4 points+
* Hamburger patty – 5 points+
* Cheese – 3 points+
* Bacon – 2 points+
* Caramelized onions, lettuce, tomato, ketchup, mustard
Our orders came with these HUGE containers of fries. I could easily eat the entire container, but, I didn’t!
I took a small handful and gave The Husband my container telling him to not give it back to me (6 points+)
We spent more time exploring Sacramento Antique shops before heading home. I did a little prep for the week.
BREAKFASTS!
LUNCHES!
Then, I got to work on dinner. Awhile back, I saw someone post a recipe for CAULIFLOWER PIZZA on the Friends for Weight Loss message boards. I was intrigued and have been wanting to make it. Its pretty simple to make.
Break down a head of cauliflower into small pieces.
“Rice” the cauliflower by pulsing it in your food processor until it breaks down into small pieces. Do not process too much or you will end up with pureed cauliflower.
Steam in the microwave with NO WATER for 8 minutes.
I added a few extra things to my recipe.
Combine steamed cauliflower with 2 large minced garlic cloves, 8 ounces grated reduced fat mozzarella, 1/4 cup grated parmesan, 2 beaten eggs, 1/2 tsp Italian Season, 2 tsp crushed red pepper flakes, sea salt and black pepper to taste.
Stir and “mush” it together.
Shape into a “pizza” shape on a piece of foil sprayed with nonstick spray. In the future, I would use a Sil-Pat or Parchment Paper. You may brush the top with melted butter to help it brown if you like.
Bake at 400 for 10 minutes, reduce heat to 350 and bake an additional 20 minutes.
Slice into 10 pieces and Enjoy. (2 points+ each)
Part 2 of dinner was a recipe sent to me by one of my readers. I have been totally wanting to make this recipe ever since she sent it because it has everything I LOVE in it ~ Kale, Chicken Sausage, Gnocchi, Beans, Spice! Oh and it’s so easy to make
Sauté 1 large chopped sweet onion with 1 package of Trader Joe’s Sweet Chicken Apple Sausage. Cook until browned, about 5 minutes, then, add in 2 cloves garlic and 2 tsp crushed red pepper flakes. Cook for 30 seconds, then, remove from pan and set aside.
You are supposed to add in 3 cups of Potato Gnocchi, but, I used what I had on hand ~ this Gnocchi Alla Sorrentina from Trader Joe’s.
4 Points+ per cup, 12 for the entire bag.
I actually forgot about the “tomato” part of the gnocchi, but, it was too late after I added it on top of the kale. 
Add in one 32 oz box Chicken Broth, 15 oz can Diced Tomatoes with Green Chiles and a 15 oz can White Beans, drained and rinsed. Simmer for 10 minutes. Return Sausage Mixture and cook for 1 minute.
THIS SOUP IS AWESOME!!! The Husband and I both LOVED it, although agreed next time we would use an Italian Sausage since we kept tasting the apple.
HEARTY KALE SOUP
Courtesy of Melanie
INGREDIENTS
- 5 Trader Joe’s Sweet Chicken Apple Sausages, sliced
- 1 cup sweet onion, chopped
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 2 tsp crushed red pepper flakes
- 3 cups kale, roughly chopped
- 3 cups potato gnocchi
- 32 oz chicken broth
- 15 oz diced tomatoes with green chiles
- 15 oz cannellini beans, drained and rinsed
INSTRUCTIONS
1. Sauté 1 large chopped sweet onion with 1 package of Trader Joe’s Sweet Chicken Apple Sausage. Cook until browned, about 5 minutes, then, add in 2 cloves garlic and 2 tsp crushed red pepper flakes. Cook for 30 seconds, then, remove from pan and set aside.
2. Add Kale and gnocchi to pan. Cook for 30 seconds, then add chicken broth, tomatoes and cannellini beans. Simmer for 10 minutes.
3. Return sausage mixture to pan and cook 1 additional minute.
Makes 6, 1 1/2 cup servings, 7 points+ each
I had a slice of Cauliflower pizza bread with my soup. It is OK….you have to definitely LOVE Cauliflower because it tastes just like roasted cauliflower and cheese. I am not sure I’d make it again even if I topped it with pizza toppings since The Husband didn’t like it at all.
NEW AT FRIENDS FOR WEIGHT LOSS
* New Tip of the Week & Guest Recipe ~ check them out at the bottom of the page!
* This week’s Challenge ~ What Healthy Guideline will you work on this week?
HERE IS WHAT IS ON THE MENU THIS WEEK
* BREAKFASTS ~ Biggest Loser Taco Muffins
* LUNCHES ~ CEiMB ~ Chinese Chicken Salad
* Genovese Chicken over Roasted Garlic/Mushroom Pasta with salad
* Crockpot Corned Beef & Cabbage! plus Dill Fingerling Potatoes
* Baked Ziti, Garlic Bread, Lemon Broccoli
* TBD ~ leftovers or a new recipe
Q’s
Do you ever use vegetables to make “mock” version of your favorite recipes?
I have used Cauliflower for mashed potatoes and LOVED them as well as Jicama for Hashbrowns. I am not sure I am loving the Cauliflower pizza, but, I want to.
Night all!
Ha! I found your problem with the pizza. You just made the crust. Now, you brush on some pizza sauce, add some turkey pepperoni, mushrooms, onions, artichoke hearts, whatever suits your pizza fancy. Sprinkle a tiny bit more cheese on top and pop back in the oven. Try it again or do it to the left overs. You’ll like it much better. I also flatten mine out pretty so it’s thin. I don’t do the microwave thing either, just bind it with spices and egg, then press out into crust. 🙂
Now I may try the cauliflower pizza crust…looks good! I’ve made the “mock” mashed potatoes a few times, but now I just try to eat less of the real thing! Have a great week!
I love roasted cauliflower, so I may try that pizza crust!
Your week looks yummy, Danica and I’m with you on the exercise! I’m doing it…no matter how I feel. I will not talk myself out of it!!! Email me if you want some support with it this week cuz we are DOING IT, k? 🙂
My husband and I love the caulflower pizza crust, we add fennel seeds, oregano some fat free mozzarella cheese and some whole milk mozzarella cheese, in addition to the other things above. We also topped it with tomato sauce, roast veggies and fat free mozzarella – this really brings it over the top!
Hi – I’m recently new to your blog & weight watchers.
I’m finding that the only weeks I lose weight are the weeks I stick to my 29 points, don’t touch my weekly points and exercise. I’m wondering if other people are having the same issue and whether it may have to do with the system being new. If I used all the points WW gives me, I’d probably be gaining every week. Perhaps the points allowance needs tweaking.
Just a thought. Also, that Cauliflower crust looks good – I’ll have to give it a try.
You need to TOP that cauliflower pizza crust!
I’m late commenting about the yellow cake (sorry, busy busy weekend!) but have you tried replacing oil with applesauce? Works almost all of the time and no one can tell you made a substitute.
We replace bread with lettuce on our wraps. Yum!
I started Couch to 5K two weeks ago ~ and I have never exercised in my life (I am almost 45 ~ yikes!). I actually really like it. I did Week 3 Day 1 today. If I can run a 5K it will be a miracle, but like you, I needed a goal. Cheers to us!!
Started back to WW about 3 weeks ago and stumbled across your blog. I just love it! Except for the fact that I have Trader Joe’s envy 🙂 (none in Texas, yet!)
I was actually just talking to my daughter about starting to run again. Thanks for posting the link to Couch to 5K – I’m going to start it today.
Keep up the fantastic work!
Gorgeous meals as always!!!! You always give me the best ideas for food, thanks 🙂
The soup looks so inviting and comforting. I will have to try making that. I have made the cauliflower mashed potatoes and loved them also. Hope you have a great Monday Danica!:)
I’m so glad you liked the recipe Danica, and yes I agree Chicken Italian Sausage is way better with the 1 can of Rotel tomatos and green chilies!!
An Antique Fair?? Be still my heart, I LOVE those!!!!!! And I love cauliflower, so I’ve bookmarked and will give the pizza a go. I’m not sure if my husband will be a fan….but time will tell. Thanks as always for the great recipes, have a good day Danica!
I love that you have corned beef & cabbage on the menu 🙂
Thanks for the awesome recipe for the b-fast egg cups – I made them this weekend and LOVED them. So fun that they are in the shap of the cup cake tin.
Your site really is motivating me to cook better – THANKS D!
Yep, a good REAL burger is in order every once in a while! There is a new burger joint near my sisters house next week I may try – totally worth the points!
I tried to give my husband cauliflower mashed potatoes once – didn’t go so well! 😀
(well, that, and trying to put ground veggies in his bacon wrapped meatloaf!)
Hi Danica,
Again, I love your site.
I finally went to Trader Joe’s today. There is not a store near me, but several towns away. I really wanted to try their Multigrain bread you rave about and photograph so beautifully. I bought “Sprouted Multi Grain” bread and “Organic Multi Grain Bread Low Fat”. For each, 1 slice = 2points+. I asked an employee about fat free multigrain, but he said none of their bread was fat free. I’m wondering if I bought the right bread or if they do have fat free, but not at that particular store. I think I remember you writing that their multigrain bread was 1 p+ per slice or 3p+ for 2 slices???
Also, I’m curious what you use for butter. I’ve tried Can’t Believe Light for a long time and recently bought Land O Lakes Spread with canola oil. I like that better, but am still looking to try Land O Lakes Whipped Light. It’s supposed to be 1 Tbs. = 1 points+. So far, I’ve tried 2 stores, but they did not carry it.
I ate the Stir Fry Shrimp from TJ’s for dinner tonight Yumm!!
If you could answer my 2 questions when you get a chance, I’d really appreciate it.
Thanks,
Judy Roy
Cauliflower and cheese sounds good to me… I’d totally eat that crust!! 😉
Mmm that soup looks amazing! It reminds me of a pasta dish I made with kale, soy sausage, and white beans!
Hi Judy,
Thanks for the comment and the questions. I know that not all Trader Joe’s carry my favorite bread, but, i do think that they should!
Here is a link to the label of the bread I use ~ maybe you can show them the product and/or take the picture to look for that bag.
http://danicasdaily.com/what-is-your-favorite-bread/
I used the regular Land O’Lakes Real Whipped Butter 1 Tbsp for 2 points, but, now I am intrigued and want to find the light! Thanks for the tip.
Good luck and I hope they have the bread for you – it’s awesome!
Danica
It all looks wonderful. I just made your Chicken Cilantro won ton soup! It is perfect for a rainy day!
Was the antique fair in Sacramento, CA?
Hi Kristine,
Yeah!! So glad you enjoyed the soup – it’s one of my FAVORITES. Yes, it is the antique fair in downtown Sacramento that happens once a month.
Danica
I didn’t realize there was a fair each month. It use to be just once a year! I am from there, but now live about 30 min away, It always amazes me when I find a website I love and to find out the owner is in my neck of the woods! I love your site and have been making recipes daily from it. I am on my 4th week of WW + program and it has been really refreshing using your site! Thanks again, Kristine