**UPDATED NOTE TO MY FRIENDS**

Now that I am pregnant, I have re-evaluated my eating plan. I have decided to go back to my weight watchers roots. I like their plan for breast-feeding moms that I will follow after my baby is born and I like the healthy way I can eat while I am pregnant.

Right now, I am going to concentrate on being the healthiest me I can be and hopefully after the baby is born the weightloss will follow.

Tuesday, September 30, 2008

10 Little Weight Watchers

10 Little Weight Watchers

10 little weight watchers joining in a line,
one hated vegetables, then there were nine.
9 little weight watchers say, "This is great."
One said I don't have time to exercise,"
then there were eight.
8 little weight watchers say, "This is heaven."
One had a birthday, then there were seven.
7 little weight watchers, getting thin for kicks.
One said, "Programs and fun just don't mix,"
then there were six.
6 little weight watchers, see how they thrive.
One said, "Just once won't hurt,"
then there were five.
5 little weight watchers beating at a door.
One weighed and left each week,
then there were four.
4 little weight watchers from fat getting free.
One heard, "Dear you're getting too thin,"
then there were three.
3 little weight watchers see how they do.
One went on vacation, then there were two.
2 little weight watchers, life has just begun.
One got off the program, then there was one.
1 little weight watcher standing all alone,
the body's gotten little, how the pride has grown.
1 little weight watcher,


at goal she (he) looks divine.
We, each one of us, can be that one


and not the other nine!!!

Monday, September 29, 2008

How to Have Dessert on Core

Article by: Leslie Fink, MS, RD

Let's face it: There's no true substitute for Chocolate Mud Pie. But that doesn't mean you can't satisfy your sweet tooth on Core. Here are seven luscious ways to get a sugar rush without any actual added sugar. But when only a hot fudge brownie sundae or a chewy chocolate chip cookie will do, go for it. (That's what your Weekly POINTS® Allowance is for.)

Sugar-free, fat-free pudding
Its uses are endless: Plain, topped with tofu cream (see Tofu section below), layered with fruit or mixed with couscous in our Banana Couscous Pudding and Fruit Parfait (a variation on rice pudding). For a frozen treat, make your own chocolate pudding pops with popsicle molds and sticks. Swap the fat-free milk with evaporated skim milk to make them extra creamy.

Ricotta Cheese
Nope, it's not just for Italian food. We jazz it up with cinnamon and Splenda and serve it over Cinnamon-Scented Baked Pears. Try it over your favorite fruit compote, too.

Tofu
When most people think tofu, they think stir-fry. But blend silken tofu with milk, vanilla extract and Splenda and you've got the perfect vanilla sauce for fresh fruit or our Broiled Mixed Berries. Broiling enhances the fruits' juiciness — the berries will burst in your mouth.

Tofu does wonders for sautéed apples, cranberries and pears, too. It's processed with Splenda, vanilla extract and cinnamon, and tops our Autumn Fruit.

Really Fresh Fruit
Truly fresh fruit doesn't need much (or any!) dressing up. But when you're looking for a special touch, accent it with an ingredient or two like in our Caribbean Fruit salad: Combine a cubed pineapple, 2 cubed mangoes and 1 cubed papaya with 2 tablespoons of fresh spearmint leaf strips. Drizzle with 2 tablespoons of fresh lime juice and stir until combined. Let sit for 30 minutes.

Experiment with other fabulous toss-ins as well such as freshly minced ginger; crunchy, sweet jicama; or slivers of pungent basil.

Smoothies
The combinations for smoothies are endless and the ingredients are as simple as fruit; skim milk; plain, fat-free yogurt or tofu; and ice. Just blend and sip away. Our Purple Power Blackberry Peach smoothie is a winner. In winter, opt for frozen, unsweetened chunks of fruit and leave out the ice.

Yogurt
Whipped cream is not the only dessert topping! Fresh basil and ginger provide the perfect flavoring for our Grilled Pineapple's yogurt cream sauce.

WW Core - Snacks and Sweets

  • Just open a can of chickpea's (drain and rinse ) eat them right out of the can, makes a quick and delicious snack.Also roast them for a nutty treat, they taste like peanuts.
  • peel and dice a russet potato ,put in a cup and pour on a little italian dressing.Good and good for you...
  • sweet potato chips on the george forman grill or regular potato chips on the forman .
  • popcorn air popped or microwave popped and flavored up with butter buds or use spices to make southwestern flavor popcorn or lots of different flavor combos

Maple Creme Cafe


2 min | 2 min prep

SERVES 1

* 10 ounces hot coffee, freshly brewed
* 1/4 teaspoon maple flavoring (or more to taste)
* 2 tablespoons fat-free evaporated milk (or to taste)
* 1 1/2 teaspoons Splenda sugar substitute (or to taste)
* 3 inches cinnamon sticks (optional)

1. Pour coffee into cup with cinnamon stick (if using).
2. Add the maple flavoring, milk and Splenda.
3. Stir and enjoy.

Herbed Yogurt Dip

Yogurt thickened by draining overnight and then seasoned with fresh herbs. If you have an herb garden this is outstanding! (Still good if you pick your herbs from the produce section at the grocery store) "Cooking" time includes overnight draining of yogurt.

4¼ hours | 10 min prep

SERVES 6 , 2 cups

* 16 ounces plain nonfat yogurt
* 4 tablespoons chives, minced
* 4 tablespoons garlic, minced
* 2 tablespoons basil, minced
* salt
* cracked black pepper

1. Line a strainer with a paper coffee filter. Suspend strainer over a bowl.
2. Spoon yogurt into filter. Cover and refrigerate at least four hours. Discard strained liquid (or use in cooking).
3. Combine yogurt and herbs. Mix well. Add salt and pepper to taste ( I like lots!).
4. Serve with chips or veggies.

Yogurt-Jello

Just what the name says, but the name still doesn't do it justice! It is one of my family's favorites! This is one of those desserts that is so simple and delicious at the same time!

10 min | 10 min prep

SERVES 4

* 1 (1/3 ounce) packet sugar-free jello (any flavor)
* 2 cups nonfat yogurt (This should be any flavor that compliments the jello.)
* 2 cups water

1. Put yogurt into a serving dish that will hold about one quart.
2. Make jello as directed on box.
3. Immediately pour jello into dish.
4. Stir well, until completely mixed.
5. Let set in refrigerator, at least 4 hours.
6. This can also be made in 4 individual serving cups. Put 1/2 cup yogurt into each cup. Divide jello evenly between each serving cup. Mix each cup individually.
7. If you don't have a large container of yogurt, you can also use 2 (8oz) containers, or even 3 to 4 (6oz) containers.

Herb, Lemon and Garlic Dressing

From super food ideas. Totally suitable for diabetics.

3 min | 3 min prep

SERVES 4 , 2/3 cup

* 1/2 cup low-fat yogurt
* 1/4 cup fresh herb (such as parsley, basil, mint, thyme, finely chopped)
* 2 garlic cloves (crushed)
* 2 tablespoons lemon juice
* salt and pepper

1. Combine yoghurt, herbs, garlic, lemon juice and salt and pepper in a screw top jar.
2. Secure lid and shake well to combine.
3. Recommended for drizzling over lamb, spinach or green salad.
4. Will keep in jar for up to 2 days in the fridge.

Core Avocado Dressing
Can be used on salads, veggies or grilled meats.

6 min | 5 min prep

SERVES 6

* 1 avocado, pitted and peeled
* 1/4 cup nonfat yogurt
* 1 garlic clove
* 1/4 cup water
* 2 teaspoons lime juice
* 1/2 teaspoon salt
* 1 tablespoon fresh cilantro

1. Combine all ingredients in a food processor or blender.
2. Blend until smooth.

Quickest Chocolate Pie
Not everything included is core, but in the amounts listed below (1 serving worth), they are 0 points. If you eat more than 1 serving, I guess it wouldn't be free.

10 min | 5 min prep

SERVES 4

* 1 (1 ounce) box fat-free sugar-free instant chocolate pudding mix (I think the Jell-O brand is the best)
* 2 cups nonfat milk
* 8 tablespoons Cool Whip Free
* 2 low-fat cinnamon graham crackers

1. 1. Mix 1 box of pudding with milk. Whisk for 2 minutes and let stand for 5 minutes or refrigerate until you are ready to eat your pie.
2. 2. Spoon 1/4 of pudding mixture into bowl. Crumble 1/2 graham cracker over the pudding. Top with 2 tablespoons Cool Whip Free. (Repeat 3 more times if you want 4 separate servings - or save the rest of the pudding for tomorrow.).

Ww Core Gi-Normously Big Breakfast Cookie


25 min | 5 min prep

SERVES 1

* 1/3 cup oatmeal
* 1 tablespoon raisins (can leave out)
* 1 tablespoon flour
* 1/3 cup non-fat powdered milk
* 1/4 cup unsweetened applesauce
* 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
* 1/4 teaspoon baking powder
* 1 tablespoon Splenda granular, sugar substitute

1. Preheat oven to 350.
2. Spray cookie sheet with nonstick baking spray
3. Mix all ingredients together.
4. Spoon 1 large mound on the baking sheet, and spread it out.
5. Bake 15-20 minutes.

Lighter Cheesecake (Cream Cheese) Fruit Dip


2¼ hours | 5 min prep

SERVES 12

* 1 (1 ounce) package fat free sugar-free instant cheesecake pudding mix
* 16 ounces nonfat sour cream

1. Mix two ingredients together using an electric mixer (it is too hard to dissolve all the granules manually).
2. Refrigerate.
3. Serve with desired fruit (pineapple, berries, grapes, apples, etc).

Cornbread


30 min | 10 min prep

SERVES 6

* 1 cup yellow cornmeal
* 1 teaspoon baking powder
* 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
* 1/2 teaspoon salt
* 1/3 cup Splenda granular
* 2/3 cup fat free sugar free yogurt
* 1/3 cup nonfat sour cream
* 1 egg

1. Mix dry ingredients in a medium bowl.
2. Mix liquid ingredients in a small bowl.
3. Gently fold the wet into the dry. Pour into a round cake pan, sprayed with Pam. Bake at 375 degrees for 15-20 minutes or until the edges are a golden brown and a toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Cut into 6 wedges. (can add can of corn)

Chocolate Covered Fruit Parfait


2 min | 2 min prep

SERVES 8

* 8 cups berries (I prefer blackberries or strawberries)
* 1 1/2 ounces fat free sugar-free instant chocolate fudge pudding mix
* 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
* 1 1/3 cups water, very cold
* 8 tablespoons sugar-free fat-free frozen whipped topping (Cool Whip Free)
* 1 teaspoon cocoa powder

1. Mix cold water and vanilla.
2. Add all at once to pudding mix, stirring vigorously (this is important to avoid lumps!).
3. Place berries of choice in serving dish (approx 1cup/serving), top with a few spoonfuls of chocolate mixture and a dollop of cool whip.
4. Sprinkle with cocoa if desired.

Fruit and Yogurt salad

1 lb. strawberries, washed, hulled and sliced/cut up.
1 can of Drained (in its own juice), crushed pineapple ( I used pineapple Tidbits ).
16 oz. ff cottage cheese (or near to that size)
16 oz. ff plain yogurt (I buy the 32oz. and half it)
1 small package sf strawberry jello

Mix together and enjoy! ( I put the cottage cheese in the food processor and whipped it with the jello first) to make it smooth, to my liking, but not at all necessary!

Variation:
2 cans Drained mandarin oranges in place of the strawberries.
1 small package sf orange jello in place of the strawberry kind.

Tastes Like Cheesecake Dessert

1 cup of FF Cottage cheese
2 TBSP baking cocoa
2 TBSP (or to taste) Splenda granular or your choice of sweetener

  1. Put all ingredients into the bowl of a mini food processor or blender and process until smooth.
  2. I just made this and it was so easy and really did taste like cheesecake Dh gave it a 9 out of 10!
  3. The original recipe called for 1% cottage cheese and it was 2 points per serving on flex.
Core Berry Crisp

CORE spray an 8x8 baking pan.

Mix the following. In the pan and stir well:
1 bag (enough to generously cover the bottom of the pan) frozen berries
1 box cook and serve vanilla sf/ff pudding mix
1 t. Cinnamon
½ t. Nutmeg
¼ c. Milk

in a separate bowl, mix together:
1 ½ c. Old fashioned oats
½ c. Splenda
1 sm. Container ff plain yogurt
1 t. Almond extract

spread this mixture over the berry mixture to make a top ‘crust’
bake at 350 for 40-45 minutes or until topping gets crunchy
***top with sf cool whip and serve (count points if needed)

Fat Free Yogurt Ideas

  • nonfat plain yogurt mixed with SF/FF instant pudding mix. You can start out by mixing 1 teaspoon with a cup of yogurt. Let it sit for a minute or so to thicken up. You can add more pudding to taste. It's delicious and Core! You can also try it with different pudding flavors.
  • Just mix the ff plain yogurt with vanilla and splenda until you get the sweetness you like.
  • Mix pineapple, blueberries, and/or strawberries in mine with a little splenda
  • Strain yogurt (with cheesecloth) it will have a lovely cream-cheese-like consistency. the flavor is concentrated and a little tart, but you can add veggies, dried dips or seasonings, herbs, lemon juice. . .whatever.

    just rubber-band some cheesecloth over a bowl and spoon the yogurt right onto it. cover it, put it in the fridge and let it drain overnight.

    if you don't have cheese cloth a paper coffee filter inside a strainer works too!!
  • I also use yogurt to make my smoothies. I use 1/2 cup skim milk & 1/2 cup plain FF yogurt plus fruit, splenda, SF syrups, etc.
  • Here's my fav:

    32 oz. fat free yogurt
    1 small pkg. (1 oz.) fat free/sugar free pistachio pudding
    1 8 oz. can of crushed pinneaple in it's own juice

    Mix it all together and let it chill for a couple of hours. YUMMY!

  • 1 large container FF plain yogurt 4 cups
    2 cups oatmeal (doesn't matter what kind you use you want raw uncooked oatmeal)
    2 cups cherries or blueberries - I generally use frozen
    4 packets splenda, more or less to taste

    Dump yogurt into a large bowl, add splenda and stir well; add oatmeal and stir; add fruit and stir. now I portion this up when I make it and usually get 5 servings of about 1 cup each maybe a little more than a cup each, refrigerate overnight.

    The oats soften and swell making the yogurt thicker, the cherries defrost, I have also added SF daVinci syrups to this for a vanilla or sometimes coconut flavor.

  • Core fruit dip

    2c FF Plain Yogurt
    1sm. box sf/ff Vanilla Pudding
    1sm. can crushed pineapple in it's own juice

    Mix together and dip away!!

    (originally posted by yipeiokyay)

  • Yogurt, pudding and fruit

    If you don't care for yogurt, you can substitute fat free sour cream. I like yogurt, but I prefer the sour cream when mixing it with ff/sf pudding mix. With white chocolate pudding mix, it almost tastes like cheesecake! VERY good!!

  • Pina Colada Yogurt

    Not quite a recipe, but an idea in development.
    Had this for dessert tonight and wanted to share.

    1 cup plain fat free yogurt
    1/2 teaspoon coconut extract
    1/4-1/2 cup crushed pineapple, fresh or packed in juice

    Mix together and serve.

    Would make a good smoothie blended with ice and a little fat-free milk.

  • Pina Colada Yogurt

    1 very ripe banana, mashed
    1/3-1/2 large can of crushed pineapple
    1 cup plain nonfat yogurt
    a dash of vanilla extract (or vanilla davinci)
    a dash of coconut extract (or coconut davinci)
    Splenda, to taste

    Blend all ingredients. Can be eaten right away, or refrigerated for later.

Crustless Pumpkin Pie

Ingredients:
15 oz canned pumpkin
12 oz fat-free evaporated milk
3 items egg white(s)
1/2 tsp table salt
3 tsp pumpkin pie spice
1 tsp vanilla extract
2/3 cup SPLENDA

Instructions:
Combine all ingredients and beat until smooth.
Pour into a 9" sprayed pie pan.
Bake at 400 for 15 mins., then at 325 for 45 or until a knife inserted in the center comes out clean.
Servings: 8

CORE Apple or Fruit Cobbler


· ½ cup oat bran
· ¼ tsp. Baking soda
· 1/8 tsp. Nutmeg
· 1/8 tsp. Cinnamon
· 2 beaten eggs or ½ cup eggbeaters
· 1 oz. Diced apples
· 1 oz. Applesauce

  1. Preheat oven to 350oF.
  2. Mix oat bran, baking soda, nutmeg and 1 cinnamon, add eggbeaters or eggs and pour into baking dish. Mix applesauce with diced apples and put on mixture.
  3. Bake for 20 to 25 minutes.


Baked Oatmeal Cake


2 cups oatmeal dry
1 1/2 tsp. baking powder
1 cup skim milk
1 egg
1 egg white
1/2 cup unsweetened applesauce
1/4 cup sugar twin brown sugar
2 mashed bananas
1/2 tsp. cinnamon
1 tsp. vanilla

Mix dry ingredients then mix in wet ingredients. Pour into 9" sprayed with pam cake pan.
Bake 350 for about 40 minutes.

Cinnamon-Apple Couscous

1/4 cup uncooked couscous
1 small apple peeled -- cored and sliced
1 packet SPLENDA No Calorie Sweetener
1/8 tsp ground cinnamon
1/2 cup fat-free skim milk

Place all ingredients in a microwaveable container and loosely cover. Microwave on high for 2 minutes.
Remove, stir and microwave 30 seconds more.

Crustless strawberry pie

4 c sliced strawberries
1 small box SF Cook & Serve (NOT INSTANT) vanilla pudding
1 small box SF strawberry flavored gelatin
2 c water

Spray an 8" or 9" pie plate with Pam. Scatter strawberries evenly across bottom. Cook vanilla pudding according to directions, but use 2 cs of water instead of milk. Add dry gelatin to pudding mixture and stir until dissolved. Allow to cool 5 minutes, then pour over strawberries. Chill 4 hours.

Serves 4 (huge servings, though)

Banana Couscous Pudding and Fruit Parfait

Couscous adds great texture to this pretty parfait. Serve it year-round by using whichever fruits are in season.

Ingredients
1/3 cup water
1/4 cup uncooked whole wheat couscous
1 oz fat-free sugar-free instant banana pudding and pie filling mix
2 cup fat-free skim milk, cold
1 large banana(s), ripe, sliced
1 cups 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, 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.

Servings: 4

Cinnamon-Scented Baked Pears

Dessert doesn't have to require hours of baking. This simple yet elegant recipe is sure to impress and comes together in minutes.

Ingredients
4 medium pear(s), very ripe and juicy, such as Comice or Packham
3/4 tsp ground cinnamon, divided
1 cup fat-free ricotta cheese
1 1/2 tsp SPLENDA No Calorie Sweetener

Instructions
Preheat oven to 400°F.

Cut pears lengthwise in quarters and core; do not peel. Slice pear quarters into 1/4-inch-thick wide pieces. Arrange half of pears in a 9-inch glass pie dish in concentric circles. Sprinkle with 1/4 teaspoon of cinnamon. Top with remaining pear slices and sprinkle with 1/4 teaspoon of cinnamon. Bake until pears are tender and give off juices, about 25 minutes; remove from oven.

Place ricotta in bowl of an electric mixer. Add Splenda and remaining 1/4 teaspoon of cinnamon. Beat until cheese is light and fluffy, about 1 minute. Yields about 1 cup of pears topped with 1/4 cup of seasoned ricotta per serving.

Notes
To enhance the flavor of this dessert, pour the cooked pear juices into a small saucepan and reduce by half over medium-high heat. Spoon over the pears before serving.

Servings: 4

Broiled Mixed Berries with Vanilla Custard Sauce

Broiling the berries in this simple yet classy dessert helps release their juices. They're a delicious treat when topped with our vanilla sauce.


Ingredients
2/3 cups strawberries
2/3 cup blueberries
2/3 cups raspberries
2 Tbsp McNeil Nutritionals SPLENDA No Calorie Sweetener, divided
1 Tbsp fresh lemon juice
4 1/2 oz silken tofu, about 1/2 cup
1/4 cup fat-free skim milk
1 Tbsp vanilla extract, pure
Instructions
Preheat broiler to high.

Place berries in a medium bowl; toss with 1 tablespoon of Splenda and lemon juice. Spoon into a shallow, ovenproof baking dish large enough to hold all berries in a single layer. Place dish three to four inches from broiler and cook until fruit just starts to burst, about 5 minutes. Remove from oven and set aside.

Combine tofu, milk, vanilla extract and remaining tablespoon of Splenda in a blender or bowl of a food processor and blend until smooth, about 2 to 3 minutes.

To serve, divide berries between 4 shallow bowls and top with vanilla sauce. Yields about 1/2 cup of berries and 1/4 cup of sauce per serving.

Notes
The custard sauce can be made in advance and be stored, covered, for up to 5 days in the refrigerator.

Servings: 4

Autumn Fruit with Tofu Whipped Topping

This warm dessert is richly satisfying. It's a lovely ending to any meal.

Ingredients
1 sprays cooking spray
2 medium apple(s), Granny Smith, cored, chopped into 1/2-inch pieces
2 medium pear(s), Bosc or Bartlett, cored, chopped into 1/2-inch pieces
1/4 cup McNeil Nutritionals SPLENDA No Calorie Sweetener
1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
1/2 cups cranberries, fresh or frozen
8 oz soft tofu, pressed to remove as much water as possible
1/8 cup SPLENDA No Calorie Sweetener
1 tsp vanilla extract
1/8 tsp ground cinnamon
Instructions
Coat a nonstick skillet with cooking spray and heat over medium-high heat. Toss apples and pears with 1/4 cup of Splenda and 1/2 teaspoon of cinnamon in a medium bowl. Add fruit mixture to skillet and sauté until fruit starts to soften and brown, about 5 to 7 minutes. Add cranberries and cook 5 minutes more. Remove from heat and keep warm.

Place tofu in the bowl of a food processor and process until smooth, about 3 minutes. Add 1/8 cup (2 tablespoons) of Splenda, vanilla and 1/8 teaspoon of cinnamon and blend until smooth, about 3 to 5 minutes. To serve, top 1/2 cup of fruit with 1/4 cup of whipped topping.

Servings: 4

Grilled Pineapple with Basil and Ginger Cream

So easy, so delicious, this recipe is bound to become a favorite. It's the perfect sweet ending to any grilled meal.

Ingredients
1 medium pineapple
1 cup plain fat-free yogurt
5 leaves basil, chopped
1/2 tsp ginger root, finely grated
1 Tbsp McNeil Nutritionals SPLENDA No Calorie Sweetener, or to taste

Instructions
Soak 4 bamboo skewers in water for 30 minutes (or use metal skewers). Preheat broiler, grill or stovetop (for grill pan).


Cut pineapple into quarters, core it and then cut each quarter into 1/2- to 3/4-inch slices to yield about 16 to 20 slices total.

Place 4 or 5 slices of pineapple on each skewer. Grill pineapple on each side until grill marks form and it starts to get crisp in spots, about 4 to 5 minutes per side.

Mix together yogurt, basil, ginger and Splenda in a small bowl. Drizzle mixture over pineapple or serve on the side as a dip. Yields about 4 to 5 pieces of pineapple and 1/4 cup of sauce per serving.

Servings: 4

Apple Crisp CORE
1 Serving


1 apple
2 TBSP quick oats
butter spray
2 tsp. cinnamon
1 tsp. nutmeg
2 TBSP sugar free maple syrup

Peel and core apple. Slice thinly (if using corer-slicer, slice each slice into thirds) and place in shallow bowl or dish. Sprinkle oats over apple and spray with butter spray. Sprinkle with cinnamon and nutmeg and then drizzle with sugar free maple syrup.

Microwave on high for 4 minutes. If desired, broil for 1 minute under conventional broiler.

Core Oatmeal Cookies
1 cup quick oats
1/2 cup Splenda
1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
1/2 cup fat free Cottage Cheese
2 Egg Whites
1/4 teaspoon baking soda
1/8 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon vanilla

In a medium bowl, mix together oats, Splenda and cinnamon. In a blender or food processor blend cottage cheese, egg whites, baking soda, baking powder and vanilla until very creamy. Add wet ingredients to dry ingredients and let rest 5 minutes to soften oatmeal by absorbing liquids. There is a lot of variations in different brands of oatmeal and cottage cheese, so you may have to add a little oatmeal or skim milk if batter looks too runny or too stiff.

Spray a cookie sheet with cooking spray. Place batter by spoonfuls about 2 inches apart. Bake at 350 degrees for 12 to 15 minutes before removing, otherwise they will stick. Makes one dozen soft cookies.

Banana Cookies - Substitute one ripe banana for the cottage cheese.

Pumpkin Cookies - Substitute 1/2 cup canned pumpkin for the cottage cheese. Use pumpkin pie spice in place of the cinnamon.

Apple Cookies - Substitute 1/2 cup unsweetened applesause for the cottage cheese. Fold in 1/2 of a pealed, finely chopped apple after wet and dry ingredients are combined.

Core Brownies
(preheat oven to 350)

3/4 c oat bran
1/4 c plus 2 tbsp cocoa powder
1 c splenda
1 package sf/ff instant chocolate jello pudding
1/2 c ff milk or water
1/4 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
1/3 c unsweetend applesauce
3 eggs
1 tsp vanilla

Combine flour, pudding mix, cocoa, Splenda, baking soda and salt, mix well. Stir in applesauce, eggs, milk (or water), and vanilla. Mix well. Spray 8"x8" square pan with cooking spray, spread batter evenly into pan. Bake for 20-25 minutes.

OAT SCONES

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Heat 1 cup FF milk til scalded (with bubbles around the edge; I use my microwave).

Add 1 1/2 cups regular oatmeal (I use Snowqualmie oats) to the milk; stir; and let sit for a few minutes at least.

Spray an oven-proof large pie-pan (I use a 10") with non-stick oil (I use Mazola safflower/canola spray).

Add: 1/2 C. FF plain yogurt to the oat mixture, along with one egg, and 1/2 cup unsweetened applesauce (I use the pre-portioned little tubs).

In another container, mix:
2 tsp. baking soda
1 tsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. salt
3 packets of Splenda (or 1 TBS. pourable Splenda, or fructose which is Core)
1 tsp. cinammon
1 tsp. pumpkin pie spice
1 cup oat bran

When mixed, quickly stir the two together and pour into the pie pan (the dough will start to bubble and rise) and quickly put into the preheated oven.

Bake approximately 30 minutes, or until browned.

After removing from oven, let sit a few minutes and turn out onto a cooling rack. Let sit 5 minutes, then cut into 8ths.

These are substantial and delicious. Eat alone, like "scones" with milk or tea, or, toast/warm them and add warmed Cinammon Apples or warmed Pineapple Rings like "shortcake".

Chocolate Cake


1 tb. instant decaf coffee (this punches up the chocolate flavor)
1 tb. hot tap water
1 cup dry oat bran (hot cereal)
3 tb. unsweetened baking cocoa (not a true Core food, but 0 points for 3 tb. cocoa, according to Food Companion)
2 medium overripe bananas with lots of black flecks (this is very important, or cake won't taste as good)
1/2 cup instant nonfat dry milk (optional)
1/2 tsp. baking soda (optional)
1 cup measures like sugar Splenda
3 large eggs
1 tsp. vanilla extract

In large bowl put coffee granules. Add hot water and stir thoroughly until dissolved.

In separate bowl, combine oat bran with cocoa, nonfat dry milk and baking soda. Stir thoroughly, until well combined. Set aside.

Break up bananas over dissolved coffee. With tines of fork thoroughly mash bananas into coffee until nice and pulpy. Stir in Splenda. Crack in eggs, one at a time, and stir with fork until thoroughly mixed. Stir in vanilla. Stir in oat bran mixture.

Scrape batter into 8" square nonstick pan sprayed with cooking spray. Bake in preheated 350 degree oven 20 or more minutes until cake tests done in center. (without milk/soda it takes 20 min; with additions cake takes longer). Cool.

Baked Banana Splits

Ingredients

1 sprays cooking spray
4 large banana(s), ripe, peeled
8 oz canned crushed pineapple in juice, drained
2 Tbsp McNeil Nutritionals SPLENDA No Calorie Sweetener, divided
1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
1 cup fat-free ricotta cheese
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 cups raspberries

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 400°F. Coat a 9-inch baking pan with cooking spray. Place bananas in pan.
2. Combine pineapple, 1 tablespoon of Splenda and cinnamon in a small bowl; pour over bananas. Cover pan with foil and bake for 30 minutes. (Note: The canned pineapple is already sweet so omit the Splenda if you prefer.)
3. Meanwhile, combine ricotta, remaining tablespoon of Splenda and vanilla in another small bowl; set aside.
4. Place one baked banana in each of four individual serving bowls and top each with about 2 tablespoons of pineapple sauce and 1/4 cup of ricotta mixture. Top each with 1/4 cup of raspberries. Serve immediately.

Core Corn Muffins
Servings : 9
-------- ------------ --------------------------------
1 1/2 cups cornmeal, whole-grain
1 tablespoon baking powder
1 cup skim milk
1/4 cup butter buds® or molly mcbutter
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup egg beaters or 2 beaten eggs
2 tablespoons(20 pkts) Splenda -- optional for a sweet muffin, increase as you like for desired sweetness

Mix cornmeal, baking powder, salt, and Splenda together in medium bowl.
Add the wet ingredients and stir just until mixture comes together. Spray
a non stick muffin pan with non stick cooking spray and fill nine of the
muffin cups with batter. Cook in a 350° for 15 to 20 minutes, til just
browning around the edges.

Core Banana pudding

Prepared SF/FF banana pudding
Fiber One cereal
1 sliced banana

add in bowl and mix

Microwave Potato chips

You will need:

Russett Potatoes (or your favorite variety)
Paper plates
Parchment paper
Pan spray
Olive oil mister
Seasonings of choice (Salt, pepper, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, oregano, Mrs. Dash, cayenne pepper.... etc)


Slice potatoes on a mandoline very thinly, about 1/8th inch thick. Lay a piece of parchment on the plate and spray with Pam. Spray the potatoes with oil and seasonings.
Place another piece of parchment over the top, spraying both sides with Pam. Lay down another layer of potatoes, and repeat oiling and seasoning. Finish with another sprayed piece of parchment.
Microwave for 7-9 minutes.
Microwaves vary so experiment, starting with the least amount of time and increase. Your potato thickness will also be a factor.

These will be golden and crispy!
You can keep reusing the same pieces of parchment paper over and over.

Cooking more than two layers is your own choice, but it doesn't work well in mine so try it at your own

Pumpkin dessert

  • About half a cup of pumpkin mixed with
  • 2 egg whites,
  • a quarter cup skim milk, then
  • pumpkin pie spices and splenda, sometimes
  • a tiny bit of vanilla.

It needs to bake for 45-1 hour so you can make it at night and eat it for breakfast. It's got a lot of fiber and a lot of protein which are both hunger fighting gold. It's not like pumpkin pie really, the extra egg makes the texture slightly different.

Fried Polenta
Make the microwaver polenta. But instead of all that stirring, nuke water for 3 nminutes to get good and hot, add polenta and stir, nuke for another 5 minutes and stir. Pour into container to cool. Then slice and fry in garlic olive oil - put italian seasoning and soy parmesan before placing in pan.

Pumpkin Cookies
(They are almost core w/ the exception of the brown sugar splenda!! Of course they are only core if eaten in moderation!).

1/4c splenda brown sugar and 1/4c reg splenda
1 egg
1c unsweetened applesauce
1tsp vanilla
2 c oat bran (I used 2 c. fast cooking oatmeal)
1tsp baking soda
1tsp baking powder
1 tsp salt
1tsp ground cinnoman
1/4tsp nutmeg
1c pumpkin

Preheat oven to 350, mix all together and spoon onto sprayed pan, bake 10-15min, cookies are not hard, they are moist, soft cookies. YUM!!! The original recipe spreads as they bake but this one does not but they are great!-

Potato Pancakes

Ingredients:

Large potato shredded with skin on
1/2 a finely chopped onion
2 eggs
salt and pepper
1/4 cup ff cheddar cheese

Serving Size: 1 (5 pancakes)

serve with ff sour cream and sugar free applesauce.

Cook them on an electric frying pan with 350 degrees heat and non stick spray on it for 2 - 3 minutes per side.

Banana Cream Pie Shake (or ice cream)

1 c sliced frozen bananas
1 1/2 tsp sf/ff vanilla pudding mix
1 c skim or ff plain yogurt
splenda to taste (if using skim vs yogurt, you probably won't need any)

Blend well. Can adjust amount of liquid to desired consistency.

Delicious topped with ff reddiwhip and/or a few crushed teddy grahams for minimal points.


Cauliflower Poppers

4 c cauliflower, cut into grape-sized pieces
1/2 tsp ground cumin
1 tsp chili powder
salt, pepper & garlic powder, to taste
cooking spray

Preheat oven to 475 degrees. Place cauliflower in a bowl, spray with cooking spray (or use Core allotment of healthy oil) & add seasonings. Toss well to coat. Spread out on a flat baking pan lined with foil (easy cleanup) and sprayed with cooking spray. Bake until cauliflower is crisp-tender, for about 10 minutes, stirring halfway through.

Core Oatmeal Pancakes

1/4 cup oatmeal
1/4 cup cornmeal
1/2 tsp. baking powder
1/4 tsp. baking soda
4 packets splenda
1/2 cup ff plain yogurt
1 egg white

Makes 2 big pancakes. Flip quickly because they cook fast.

Baked Apple and Pear Chips

2sprays cooking spray
2 medium pears, Bosc, halved, cored
2 medium red apples, Gala, Red Delicious or Granny Smith, halved, cored
1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
2 Tbsp SPLENDA

Preheat oven to 325F. Coat 2 baking sheets with cooking spray.

slice pears and apples into 1/8 inch thick slices.

In a small bowl, mix together cinnamon and SPLENDA. Place fruit slices in a single layer on baking sheets and sprinkle with cinnamon mixture. Bake, rotating baking sheets halfway through, until crisp and lightly browned, about 30-45 minutes.

WW Milkshake

Ingredients

* 1 cup skim milk or 1% low-fat milk
* 4 ice cubes
* 1 teaspoon vanilla extract (or almond extract) or instant coffee
* sugar substitute

Directions
1.Place all ingredients in blender.
2.Blend until all ice is crushed and milk shake is thick.
3.It really does become thick.
I add a little vanilla pudding (dry) to thicken it a little.

Quick Chocolate Pie

Ingredients Directions

* 1 (1 ounce) box fat-free sugar-free instant chocolate pudding mix (I think the Jell-O brand is the best)
* 2 cups nonfat milk
* 2 tablespoons Cool Whip Free
* 2 low-fat cinnamon graham crackers

Directions
1. Mix 1 box of pudding with milk. Whisk for 2 minutes and let stand for 5 minutes or refrigerate until you are ready to eat your pie.
2. Spoon 1/4 of pudding mixture into bowl. Crumble 1/2 graham cracker over the pudding. Top with 2 tablespoons Cool Whip Free
.
This makes great banana pudding too, just use vanilla pudding and add sliced bananas.

Corn Bread

Ingredients

* 1 cup yellow cornmeal
* 1 teaspoon baking powder
* 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
* 1/2 teaspoon salt
* 1/3 cup Splenda granular
* 2/3 cup fat free sugar free yogurt
* 1/3 cup nonfat sour cream
* 1 egg

Directions

1. Mix dry ingredients in a medium bowl.
2. Mix liquid ingredients in a small bowl.
3. Gently fold the wet into the dry. Pour into a round cake pan, sprayed with Pam. Bake at 375 degrees for 15-20 minutes or until the edges are a golden brown and a toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Cut into 6 wedges.

Cranberry Corn Muffins - #1 of 2

1 cup oat bran
3/4 cup yellow cornmeal
1/2 cup splenda
2 tsp baking powder
1/2 teaspoon mace
1/4 cup egg substitute
1/4 cup fat free sour cream
3/4 cup fat free yogurt
1 teaspoon lemon zest
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1/2 teaspoon lemon extract
1 cup cranberries; coarsely chopped

Preheat oven to 350 F.
Spray muffin tins with cooking spray. (I use nonstick, silicone muffin
cups, but I still give them a squirt of cooking spray because it
gives them a little crust.

Combine the oat bran, cornmeal, Splenda, baking powder, and mace in a
medium bowl.
Combine the egg substitute, sour cream, yogurt, lemon zest, and
extracts in another bowl.
Stir the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients.
Gently stir in the cranberries.

Fill each muffin cup 3/4 full.

Bake 20-22 minutes or until golden.

Makes 14 muffins.


Cranberry Corn Muffins - #2 of 2

breads, desserts

1 cup yellow cornmeal
3/4 cup splenda
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon mace
1 pinch salt
1 can (15 oz) cannellini beans; rinsed & drained
1/2 cup fat free cottage cheese
2 large eggs; or egg beaters
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1/2 teaspoon lemon extract
1 teaspoon lemon zest
1 cup cranberries; coarsely chopped

I wanted to come up with a cranberry muffin to serve to my family at
Thanksgiving. I made two different versions, both delicious. Make
your choice based on the ingredients you have at hand.

Preheat oven to 400 deg. F.

Spray muffin tins with cooking spray.
(I use nonstick, silicone muffin cups, but I still give them a squirt
of cooking spray because it gives them a little crust.

Mix together the cornmeal, Splenda, baking powder, baking soda, mace
and salt in a medium bowl; set aside.

Puree the beans and cottage cheese in a food processor or blender,
scraping the sides frequently, until smooth, about 3 minutes.
Add the eggs, zest and extracts and pulse until smooth.
Pour into the cornmeal mixture and stir lightly to blend.
Fold in the cranberries.

Spoon into the muffin cups, filling them 3/4 full.
Bake until a toothpick inserted in the center of a muffin comes out
clean, 20-22 minutes.
Cool completely on a rack.

16 muffins

Core Cornbread

1 1/2 c. yellow cornmeal
1 1/2 tsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. baking soda
1/2 tps. salt
1/3 c. Splenda {up to 1/2 cup if you like it sweet}
1c. fat free yogurt
1/2 c fat free sour cream
1 tbs. oil
2 eggs

Mix dry ingredients in a medium bowl.

Mix liquid ingredients in a small bowl.

Gently fold the wet into the dry.
Pour into a 9" deep dish pie plate or a 9" square pan that has been
sprayed with Pam. Bake at 375 degrees for 25-30 minutes or until the
edges are a golden brown and a toothpick inserted in center comes out
clean. Cut into 8 wedges or make in muffin pans.

Core or if on Flex Points: 8 servings = 2 Pts. each

Multi-grain Muffins (CORE)

Servings | 12
Estimated POINTS® value per serving | 1

Ingredients
1/2 c uncooked cornmeal
1/2 c uncooked oatmeal
1/2 c uncooked cream of wheat
1/2 c nonfat dry milk
2 tsp ground cinnamon
1 tsp baking powder
1 tsp baking soda
2 eggs
1/2 c unsweetened applesauce
1 medium ripe banana
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 c chopped apple

Instructions

1. Pre-heat oven to 350 degrees. Prepare 12 muffin tins with muffin papers.
2. Mix all dry ingredients in mixing bowl. In a blender mix eggs, applesauce
3. banana and vanilla until smooth. Combine dry and liquid ingredients. Fold in chopped
4. apples.
5. Drop batter into muffin tins.
6. Bake for 20 minutes or until tops are firm.

Oatmeal Muffins

1/2 cup Splenda
2/3 cup unsweetened applesauce
2 eggs
4 cups oatmeal
1 Tablespoon baking powder
1 teaspoon salt
1 tablespoon cinnamon
1 1/2 cup ff milk
1 apple or pear, cut in small pieces

Mix, put into a 13 x 9 baking dish or use muffin pan sprayed with Pam. Bake at 350 degrees for 25 - 30 minutes or until knife comes out clean. DO NOT OVER BAKE.

Cut into 16 squares or makes 16 muffins. Keep refrigerated. I baggy, freeze and take out as needed.

Core or 2 pts on Flex per square/muffin.

Core Pineapple/Pina Colada Muffins

3 1/2 cups uncooked old fashioned oats
2 t. baking powder
½ c. unsweetened applesauce
2 cups FF milk
2 t. coconut extract
2 t. rum extract
2 large eggs
¾ c. Splenda
2 medium ripe bananas, mashed
1 small pkg. Sugar free/fat free instant vanilla pudding (dry mix)
1 20 oz. Can crushed pineapple, drained
Directions:

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees
Mix applesauce, eggs and Splenda. Then add the remaining ingredients except the pineapple. Stir well. Add the pineapple and fold in. Put in 12 cup and 6 cup muffin pan sprayed with butter Pam.
Bake approximately 50 minutes, until the middle is baked firm.

Makes 18 muffins. Pack 2 in a baggie and freeze.

Note: I take a baggie out at a time and keep in fridge. It's very portable and a great snack on the run. Also makes a great dessert with a touch of sf cool whip on top.

Core or 2 pts on Flex per muffin.

Onion Rings
(not core, count points for cereal)

Cut a yellow onion, and dip it in egg beaters and then coat it with ground up Fiber one. Bake it for 20 min. It is a old hungry girl recipe, and is totally worth it

Core Muffins

1/2 cup uncooked cornmeal
1/2 cup uncooked oatmeal
1/2 cup uncooked cream of wheat
1/2 cup nonfat dry milk
2 teaspoons of cinnamon
1 tsp baking powders
1 tsp baking soda
2 eggs
1/2 cup unsweetned applesauce
1 medium ripe banana
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 cup chopped apples

Preheat oven 350 degrees. Prepare 12 muffin tins with muffin papers. Mix all dry ingredients in mixing bowl. In a blender mix eggs, applesauce, banana and vanilla until smooth. Combine dry and liquid ingredients. Fold in chopped apples. Fill muffin tins and bake 20 minutes or until tops are firm.

Core Oatmeal Pie Crust

2 cups quick cooking oats
1/2 cup splenda
1 teaspoon of cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon of salt
1/4 cup ff margarine

Preheat oven 350. Combine oats, splenda, cinnamon, salt and stir in margarine. Spray a 9 inch pie plate with pam spray. Press mixture in bottom and sides of pie plate and bake for 15-20 minutes. Cool at least 10 minutes and then fill with SS/FF pudding. Serves 8, 1 pt for flex plan for crust

Core Caramel Apple Oatmeal Cookies

2 cups quick oats
1 tsp baking powders
2 to 3 tablespoons of splenda (6-9 packets)
1 to 2 teaspoon of cinnamon
1 egg
3 tablespoons of sugar free caramel syrup
1 tablespoons of canola oil
1/2 cup unsweetened applesauce
1 apple, peeled, cored and diced

Preheat oven 350 degrees. Mix all ingredients and place a tablespoon of ingredients on a cookie sheet. (makes 10-12). Bake 18 minutes or until done.

ALMOST APPLE CAKE (1/2 recipe)

Ingredients


3 cup uncooked oatmeal
2 tsp baking powder
1/2 cup unsweetened applesauce
2 cup fat-free skim milk
3/4 cup McNeil Nutritionals SPLENDA No Calorie Sweetener
2 large bananas (mashed)
1 serving fat-free sugar-free instant vanilla pudding & pie filling mix
1 Tbsp ground cinnamon
4 medium apples (diced)
2 eggs
TOPPING

1/2 cup uncooked oatmeal
4 tsp McNeil Nutritionals SPLENDA No Calorie Sweetener
1 t. APPLE PIE SPICE

Instructions

Mix applesauce , eggs and splenda. Add the remaining ingredients
except the apples. Fold the diced apples in. Put in an 8x8 pan, sprayed with pan spray. Sprinkle topping over top of cake. Spray with butter spray.

Let set for about 15-20 minutes. In the meantime,

Preheat oven to 400 degrees.

Cook for 45-55 minutes, or until center is completely cooked.

Almond Joy Pudding: CORE

1 pkg. FF/SF Chocolate Fudge Pudding
2 cups FF milk
1 tsp. of coconut extract
1/2 tsp almond extract
1 cup oatmeal

Combine ingredients, chill for at least an hour to let oatmeal absorb
the liquid and soften.

*You can tinker with the amount of extract to get it to your liking.

Corn Pudding

INGREDIENTS:
1 1/2 teaspoons olive oil
1 cup chopped onion
1/2 cup red bell pepper, chopped
1 teaspoon minced garlic
2 cups whole kernel corn, drained
1 cup skim milk
1/4 cup cornmeal
1 egg
2 egg whites
1 1/2 cups shredded fat free Cheddar cheese
2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
1/2 cup crushed tortilla chips (leave out to make this Core)
salt to taste
ground black pepper to taste

DIRECTIONS:

1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C). Lightly grease a 2 quart casserole dish.
2. Saute the onions, red bell peppers and garlic in the olive oil. Add the corn and continue to cook.
3. In a another saucepan bring the milk to a simmer and slowly stir in the cornmeal. Simmer for 2 to 3 minutes, constantly stirring until thick. Remove from the heat and add salt and pepper to taste.
4. Whisk the egg and egg whites together and slowly add them to the cornmeal mixture. Stir in the onion mixture, shredded cheese and parsley into the cornmeal mixture. Spoon mixture into the prepared casserole dish. Sprinkle top with more grated cheese and crushed corn tortilla chips.
5. Bake for 40 to 45 minutes or until firm.

Core creamy dreamsicle

1 pkg sugar free orange jello
8 oz plain non-fat yogurt
8 oz boiling water

Mix jello and water till dissolved. Add yogurt till combined.
Refrigerate till set.


Pumpkin Fluff Dessert

Mix the following with a hand mixer:
1—15 oz can pumpkin
1 tsp pumpkin pie spice
1 box vanilla or butterscotch sugar-free pudding
Fold in 1 cup fat-free Cool Whip
All Recipes: Divide into 4 servings, 1POINT each

Pink Fluff
1 pkg. sugar free jello (use a flavor you like).
1 cup 1% cottage cheese

Take one cup of boiling water and mix with the jello. Let it set up.
Take the cottage cheese and blend it in a blender. Dump the jello mixture in with it and whip it up. It gets really light and fluffy.

Chocolate Pudding Fluff

1 pkg. sugar free chocolate pudding (instant)
1 c fat free milk
1 c cottage cheese

Mix pudding and 1 cup of water together. Let set.
Blend cottage cheese well. Mix in pudding.
I then added one scoop of chocolate protein powder.

For a crust I used 1 cup of Fiber one cereal and smashed it into cracker crumb consistency. I added two egg whites and mixed it with the crumbs. Patted it into a pan and backed at 350 degrees for about 10 minutes.

Dump the chocolate pudding mix into the crust and don’t forget to add points for crust.

Chocolate Cake


1 tb. instant decaf coffee (this punches up the chocolate flavor)
1 tb. hot tap water
1 cup dry oat bran (hot cereal)
3 tb. unsweetened baking cocoa (not a true Core food, but 0 points for 3 tb. cocoa, according to Food Companion)
2 medium overripe bananas with lots of black flecks (this is very important, or cake won't taste as good)
1/2 cup instant nonfat dry milk (optional)
1/2 tsp. baking soda (optional)
1 cup measures like sugar Splenda
3 large eggs
1 tsp. vanilla extract

In large bowl put coffee granules. Add hot water and stir thoroughly until dissolved.

In separate bowl, combine oat bran with cocoa, nonfat dry milk and baking soda. Stir thoroughly, until well combined. Set aside.

Break up bananas over dissolved coffee. With tines of fork thoroughly mash bananas into coffee until nice and pulpy. Stir in Splenda. Crack in eggs, one at a time, and stir with fork until thoroughly mixed. Stir in vanilla. Stir in oat bran mixture.

Scrape batter into 8" square nonstick pan sprayed with cooking spray. Bake in preheated 350 degree oven 20 or more minutes until cake tests done in center. (without milk/soda it takes 20 min; with additions cake takes longer). Cool.

Baked Banana Splits

Ingredients

1 sprays cooking spray
4 large banana(s), ripe, peeled
8 oz canned crushed pineapple in juice, drained
2 Tbsp McNeil Nutritionals SPLENDA No Calorie Sweetener, divided
1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
1 cup fat-free ricotta cheese
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 cups raspberries

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 400°F. Coat a 9-inch baking pan with cooking spray. Place bananas in pan.
2. Combine pineapple, 1 tablespoon of Splenda and cinnamon in a small bowl; pour over bananas. Cover pan with foil and bake for 30 minutes. (Note: The canned pineapple is already sweet so omit the Splenda if you prefer.)
3. Meanwhile, combine ricotta, remaining tablespoon of Splenda and vanilla in another small bowl; set aside.
4. Place one baked banana in each of four individual serving bowls and top each with about 2 tablespoons of pineapple sauce and 1/4 cup of ricotta mixture. Top each with 1/4 cup of raspberries. Serve immediately.

Pumpkin Muffins

1 cup Pumpkin (not pumpkin mix)
2 eggs
1 Tablespoon Vanilla
2/3 cup FF dry milk
1 teaspoon baking powder
5 packets Splenda
6 Tablespoons instant Oatmeal
1 cup grated carrots
1 teaspoon cinnamon
2 teaspoons pumpkin spice
1 teaspoon baking soda

Combine dry ingredients. Add pumpkin, beaten eggs, vanilla and then
mix all together.

Pour into 12 cup muffin pan sprayed with pam (paper wrappers not
needed)

Bake 350 degrees for 15 minutes or until knife comes out clean.

These will grow a bit but not up to the top of the muffin tin.
They're great for a snack when you're HUNGRY!!!

The only thing I changed from the original recipe is I substituted
oatmeal for the flour and omitted raisins which you can add if you
want to figure in the points (4 Tablespoons raisins)

Enjoy!

Oat Bran Blueberry Magic Muffin
Ingredients
1/4 cup Hodgson Mill Oat bran hot cereal
1 tsp baking powder
3 packet McNeil Nutritionals SPLENDA No Calorie Sweetener 1 tsp ground cinnamon
1 large egg(s)
1/4 cup frozen blueberries
Instructions

Mix all and cook in microwave for 1 to 1 1/2 minute


Magic Corn Muffin


Ingredients
1 large egg(s)
1 tsp baking powder
3 packet McNeil Nutritionals SPLENDA No Calorie Sweetener
1/4 cup corn meal
1 tsp safflower oil
1/2 tsp Organic apple sauce, unsweetened
Instructions
Mix all ingredents together and place is a pam srayed cup and microwave for 1 minute 10 sec.... magic


Oat bran muffins


Use oat bran, baking powder, splenda, egg, cinnamon, and a heaping 1/3 tsp. of applesause. cook in microwave for 1 - 2 minutes. Try it cut it up in a bowl with 1/2 cup of applesause on it.

Chocolate Magic Muffin


1/3 cup hot oat bran cereal
1 Tablespoon Cocoa Powder
1 1/2 tablespoons splends
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon healthy oil
1 egg

Mix all and place in your pre-sprayed cup and microwave for 1 minutes 10 seconds.

I just thought of something different..how bout putting a tsp of SF jam in the middle of it or a small pc of fruit before micro?

Or you can make one with a little mashed banana. Then mashed the rest of the banana and spread it on the muffin like jelly.

Wheat Bran Magic Muffin

Ingredients

* 1 tsp baking powder 0 points
* 1 tsp ground cinnamon 0 points
* 3 packet McNeil Nutritionals SPLENDA No Calorie Sweetener
* 1 tsp Apple Time Original Apple Sauce 0 points
* 1/4 cup uncooked wheat bran 0 points
* 1 large egg(s) 2 points
* 1 tsp safflower oil 1 point

Instructions

Spray cup with Pam and set aside.
Place wheat bran, baking powder, splenda, cinnamon in bowl.
Add wet ingredients
egg, applesauce and oil of choice
Mix all together and place in the cup. Bake in micowave for 1 minute 15 second and magic you have a muffin.

This is how it began and then some of us started to play with the recipe


MUFFIN IN A MINUTE:


1/4 c flax meal
1/2 tsp. Baking powder
1 pk splenda
1 tsp cinnamon
1 egg
1 tsp. liquid I Can't Believe Its Not B

spray PAM in coffee mug, mix dry ingred in it, mix in egg and marg. and
micro 1 min.. magic....



Spiced Magic Muffin

Ingredients

* 1/4 cup uncooked wheat bran
* 1 tsp baking powder
* 1 tsp Spiced seasoning mix
* 3 packet McNeil Nutritionals SPLENDA No Calorie Sweetener
* 1/2 Tbsp Manischewitz Unsweetened Apple Sauce
* 1 egg

Instructions
Spray cup with Pam and set aside.
Place wheat bran, baking powder, splenda, cinnamon in bowl.
Add wet ingredients
egg, applesauce and oil of choice
Mix all together and place in the cup. Bake in micowave for 1 minute 15 second and magic you have a muffin.

Spiced Seasoning Mixture

Ingredients
Spiced Seasoning Mixture

Ingredients
2 tsp ground allspice
4 tsp ground cinnamon
1 tsp ground cloves
1 tsp ground ginger
2 tsp ground nutmeg
Instructions
Mix all spices together and place in dry air tight jar.
Use 1 teaspoon for one magic muffin.

Chocolate Oat Bran Magic Muffin

Ingredients
a.. 1 large egg(s) 2 points (core)
b.. 1 tsp vanilla extract (core)
c.. 1 tsp baking powder (core)
d.. 1 Tbsp McNeil Nutritionals SPLENDA No Calorie Sweetener
e.. 1 tsp Musselman's Natural Unsweetened Apple Sauce nil (core)
f.. 1/4 cup Hodgson Mill Oat bran hot cereal 2 points 9 (core)
g.. 1 Tbsp Nestle Cocoa for Baking 1 Point
Instructions

Mix all and cook in microwave for 1 minute 15 seconds

WW Core - Smoothies

Smoothie 1

  1. Put about one cup ff plain yogurt in the blender with
  2. 1 cup frozen fruit (strawberries, peaches, blueberries, raspberries, etc)
  3. a little splenda and it comes out perfect.
  4. No need to water it down with ice
Smoothie 2

Base (makes 2 LARGE smoothies):
  1. 2 c. milk
  2. 3/4 c. FF Plain yogurt
  3. 1/4 c. tofu (for protein)
  4. 6 ice cubes
  5. Lots of fruit. ;-)
Smoothie 3

  1. A cup of ff yogurt
  2. 1 banana
  3. 1/2 cup of frozen mixed berries (no need for ice)
  4. pineapple chunks
  5. a splash of ff milk if its having a hard time coming together in the blender. This usually makes enough for two.
Smoothie 4

  1. 1 cup of skim milk
  2. 1 medium banana
  3. 1/2 cup of frozen peaches (no need for ice this way)
  4. 1 teaspoon of splenda or to taste
Smoothie 5
  1. My favorite combination is frozen banana and frozen unsweetened strawberries, with plain yogurt and 1/4 teaspoon of vanilla. I like it thick like ice cream! Yum.
  2. The riper the banana gets before you freeze it, the sweeter it is and the less splenda you need. I usually don't put in any sweetener at all.

FRAPPUCCINO
  1. 1 c ff milk
  2. 2 tsp instant coffee dissolved in 3/4 c warm water
  3. 1-2 packets Splenda
  4. 1 c ice (or more if you like it slushy)
  5. Blend in smoothie maker or blender and enjoy! Tastes like the bottled Starbucks Frappuccinos.
CHOCOLATE BANANA
  1. 1 c ff milk
  2. 1 tsp cocoa powder
  3. 1 sliced frozen banana
  4. 1 or 2 Splenda
  5. Comes out shake-like. You can add ice to make it thicker.


Breakfast Ice Creams

Strawberry
(Rich in vitamins C and K, potassium, calcium, fiber, and protein)
1 1/2 cups frozen strawberries, without syrup or added sweeteners
1/2 cup milk
1 tablespoon honey or sugar (count points)

Banana
(Rich in vitamins B6, C, potassium, fiber, calcium, and protein)
1 frozen banana, cut in pieces (about 1 cup)
2 tablespoons of plain ff sf yogurt
1 tablespoon of honey or sugar (count points)

Chocolate Banana
(Rich in vitamins B6, C, Potassium, fiber, calcium, protein, and antioxidants)
1 frozen banana, cut in pieces (about 1 cup)
2 tablespoons plain ff sf yogurt
1 tablespoon honey or sugar (count points)
1/2 teaspoon unsweetened cocoa powder
I made this one and didn't add sweetener, I found it sweet enough!

Strawberry, Banana For Two
I made this one up myself for DH and I.
1 cup frozen strawberries
1 fresh banana
2 tablespoons of plain ff sf yogurt
I put a touch of ff milk because I thought it was a little thick for my food processor, this is plenty for two!

For each recipe, place all ingredients in a food processor, puree on high. Each makes about 1 1/2 cups. For a thinner smoothie, just add 1/2 cups of ff milk.

Baked Caramel Oatmeal Muffins


2 Cups dry oatmeal
1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1 Cup skim milk
1 egg
1 egg white
1/2 cup unsweetened applesauce
1/2 cup splenda
2 mashed bananas
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1 teaspoon vanilla
6 Tablespoons SF DeVinci Caramel Syrup

Mix dry ingredients, then add in wet ingredients. Pour into muffin
pan. Bake at 350 F for 40 minutes or until knife comes clean.

Makes 12 muffins.

WW Core Main Meals - Breakfast

  • Oatmeal cooked in skim or soy milk with different add-ins (applesauce, banana, cinnamon, pumpkin pie spice, apple pie spice)
  • Oatmeal (made w/ff or soy milk) w/cinnamon & banana
  • Oatmeal (made w/ff or soy milk) w/ cottage cheese, cinnamon, and a fruit such as a banana, frozen peaches, an apple, etc.
  • Cream of wheat cooked in skim milk
  • Equal parts raw steel-cut oats and FF plain yogurt, mixed and refrigerated overnight; flavor with Splenda, SF coffee syrup, fruit, etc. to taste
  • Fiber One, ff milk and a banana
  • Smoothie: ff milk, plain yogurt, frozen banana, frozen blueberries.
  • FF plain yogurt w/ shredded wheat mixed in and/or a fruit
  • ff plain yogurt w/raspberries and blackberries, packet of sweetner, and Fiber One
  • Hard boiled eggs (usually with a fruit or milk)
  • Omlette with whatever vegetables you have on hand
  • Scrambled eggs, Canadian bacon, and broiled polenta, all topped with sauteed peppers, onions, and tomatoes
  • Omelette with FF mozzarella, basil and tomatoes
  • Boca burger topped with Soy cheese slice, scrambled eggs, salsa and sour cream
  • Cornmeal Pancakes (1/2 cup corn meal, 1/4 cup ff milk, dash of vanilla, 1 egg, one Tbsp splenda)
Oatmeal Mix-ins:
  • unsweetened applesauce
  • frozen berries
  • diet hot cocoa mix
  • canned pumpkin
  • diced peach
  • 1/4 cup cottage cheese and cinnamon
  • cook chopped apple in microwave with splenda and cinnamon.

    Ambrosia Oatmeal

    6 min | 1 min prep

    SERVES 2

    * 1 cup regular oatmeal (not instant)
    * 2 cups water, use less if you like a very thick porridge
    * 1 banana, sliced 1/4 inch thick
    * 1/2 cup pineapple chunks in juice or pineapple chunks in juice
    * 1/2 cup mandarin oranges in juice
    * 2 drops lemon extract
    * 1/8 teaspoon coconut extract
    * 1/4 cup shredded coconut (optional)

    1. Place water in a medium saucepan and bring to and bring to a boil.
    2. Add oats and reduce to a simmer.
    3. Add the extracts. (A caution here; one drop if lemon adds a certain clean quality that works well with the fruit. More than that and the results are likey to be off. If you are concerned about your accuracy, I would omit rather than add too much.).
    4. Cook as directed on you pacakage somewhere between 3 to 5 minutes.
    5. One minute before the oatmeal is done, stir in the banana slices, pineapple and oranges.
    6. Divide into two bowls, garnish with coconut if using.
    7. Two tablespoons of shredded coconut is 1 point.

    Quinoa and Barley Breakfast Porridge
    Add your own spices, sweeteners and dried fruit, to your taste. You can cook in a small crockpot overnight.

    45 min | 5 min prep

    SERVES 4

    * 1/2 cup barley (I prefer hulled to pearled)
    * 1/2 cup quinoa
    * 1 pinch salt
    * 4 cups water
    * dried fruits (optional, such as raisins, cranberries or cherry)
    * honey (optional) or maple syrup (optional) or sugar (optional)
    * spices, such as cinnamon, nutmeg, cardamom (optional)
    * milk (optional) or yogurt (optional)

    1. For the crockpot method: Mix the first four ingredients (barley, quinoa, salt and water) and cook on low overnight.
    2. For the stovetop method: Combine the first four ingredients in a saucepan. Bring to a boil. Then simmer covered for about 40 minutes, until all the water is absorbed.
    3. For both methods continue from here: Fluff with a fork and put into serving dishes.
    4. Add sweetener, dried fruits and spices, as desired. Basically, as you would like for oatmeal. Similar. Serve with milk or yogurt if desired.
    5. For Vegan omit the milk and yogurt or sub non dairy milk such as soy milk

Creamy Spiced Brown Rice Cereal

Servings | 2

Ingredients

1 1/4 cup fat-free skim milk
3/4 cup quick cooking brown rice
1 medium apple(s), Royal Gala, peeled, cored and coarsely chopped
4 1/2 tsp McNeil Specialty Products SPLENDA (R) No Calorie Sweetener
1/8 tsp ground cinnamon
1/8 tsp ground nutmeg
1/4 cup plain fat-free yogurt, preferably Greek

Instructions

  1. Brink milk to a boil in a medium saucepan. Stir in rice. Reduce heat to low; cover and simmer 5 minutes.
  2. Stir in apple, Splenda, cinnamon and nutmeg. Cover and simmer 5 minutes or until rice is tender.
  3. Remove from heat and stir in yogurt. Spoon into small bowls and top with additional yogurt and diced apple, if desired. Yields about 1 cup per serving.
  4. Flex: 4 Points per serving

Banana Oatmeal

Serves 1

1 medium banana
1/4 cup dry quick cooking oats
1/2 cup water
1 tsp. Splenda (or more to taste)
1/4 tsp. cinnamon
dash salt

  1. Slice Banana into bowl. Sprinkle oatmeal on top of banana. Sprinkle cinnamon & Splenda & salt on top of that. Add water. Microwave above for 1-2 minutes.
  2. This was good & filling. You can use an apple instead of banana sometimes. You could probably use skim milk in place of the water to help with your dairy, too.
Banana Oatmeal

Slight variation on the apple instead of banana idea:

1/2 cup oatmeal (either quick-cook or not, doesn't matter)
1 cup water
1 apple, cut into bite-size pieces (peeled is better than not ... cooks up better)

  1. Place apple in water in small pan; bring to a boil. Add oatmeal, cook and stir until thick.
  2. In microwave: place all into 1 quart bowl. Cook on high for 1 -2 minutes. Watch carefully to avoid boil-overs!
  3. Sweetens nicely with Splenda.
My Favorite Chocolate Breakfast

This is my most favorite breakfast and sometime snack

1/3 cup rolled oats
1 envelope SF cocoa mix
1-2 pkgs of Splenda

Combine and add about 1 cup of water. Zap for about 2 minutes. I believe that the above ingredients are all CORE items so it would be 0 Points.

Arlyn's Formerly Unmentionable Oatmeal

1 serving

1/3 cup uncooked quick (5 minute) oatmeal
1/3 cup nonfat yogurt
1/3 cup nonfat milk or unsweetened soy milk
1/2 cup fresh or frozen blueberries

3 tabl. almonds. (I'd leave these out to be totatly Core)

In a bowl, stir together the oatmeal, yogurt and milk. Mix in the blueberries and the almonds. Eat. What could be simpler.

Apple Cream of Wheat

I normally don't like Cream of Wheat, but this was delicious!

3 tbsp Cream of Wheat (1 minute)
3/4 c skim milk
1/2 apple chopped into bite sized pieces
1-2 tbsp each Splenda and cinnamon (to taste)

Place apples in bottom of bowl, top with Cream of Wheat, milk, Splenda and cinnamon. Microwave on high for 1 minute, stir and microwave for 1-2 more minutes, until creamy.

Steel Cut Oats


2 cups of Steel Cut Oats
1 can of FF evaporated milk+water to make 8 cups
1 tsp. cinnamon
1 tsp. grated nutmeg

Put in slow cooker and cook on low for 4 1/2 hrs.
Turn off and let stand 15 minutes.
I put the leftovers in individual containers and freeze. Take out and put in microwave to heat when needed (every morning for me)

BREAKFAST IN A CUP

Servings 10

(4) 4 ounces extra lean ham
(0) 1/2 cup chopped onion
(0) 1 cup diced sweet peppers
(3) 1 1/2 cup egg substitute
(0) 1 4 oz can mushrooms diced
(2) 1 cup shredded ff cheddar cheese

9 total points

Heat oven to 350 degrees. Coat 12 cup muffin pan with spray. On medium heat cook ham, pepper, onion and mushrooms until veges are soft. Remove from heat and cool slightly. In another bowl stir egg substitute and cheese together with any seasoning you would like. Stir in cooled ham and veges and spoon evenly into prepared muffin pan. Bake 20 minutes, or until eggs are set.

10 muffins about 1 point each. Or they are core!

Waffles

This recipe makes one waffle.

1/3 c.cornmeal
1/8 c. skim milk
1/2 t. baking powder
1 egg

Use a 7 inch round waffle Iron (well sprayed) and it comes out perfect every time.

Core Steel Cut (Irish) Oats

A night-before recipe:
Mix 1/4 cup oatmeal in a bowl with 1/2 cup or so of ff plain yogurt, some almond extract, and a little Splenda. The grains soften overnight and have a nice chewy texture. Add sliced banana if desired.

Sometimes these get even softer if you eat the 2nd day...so this is a plan-ahead recipe as are so many with Core...I mash the banana right into it and the next morning...instant breakfast.

Crockpot Breakfast

1 (28 oz.) Bag Ore-Ida Frozen Potatoes O'Brien, thawed slightly
1/2 Cup Diced Onion
1 Pound Lean Ham, diced
2 Cups Fat Free Shredded Cheddar Cheese
1 Cup Skim Milk
3 Cups Egg Substitute (or 1 dozen eggs)
1/2 teaspoon Salt
1 teaspoon Pepper

Spray crockpot with non-stick cooking spray. You will make three layers. Place 1/3 of the potatoes into the bottom of the crockpot, followed by 1/3 of the onions, 1/3 of the ham and 1/3 of the cheese. Repeat this step two more times ending with the layer of cheese. Beat together the egg substitute, milk, salt and pepper; pour it over the layers in the crockpot. Cover and cook on low for 9-10 hours overnight. (mine only took about 4 hours on low). Cut into 8 wedges when ready to serve.

Serves: 8
Per Serving: 250 Calories; 3g Fat (10.9% calories from fat); 31g Protein; 22g Carbohydrate; 3g Dietary Fiber; 30mg Cholesterol; 1414mg Sodium. Exchanges: 0 Grain (Starch); 8 Lean Meat; 0 Vegetable; 0 Non-Fat Milk; 0

Core Breakfast Casserole

This can be frozen individual portions.

1 lb lean ham, diced
12 eggs or equivalent egg beaters
5 oz evaporated skim milk
8 oz mushrooms, chopped
1 red bell pepper, chopped
1 onion, diced
1 c frozen chopped broccoli, thawed
8 oz ff shredded cheddar cheese

Saute mushrooms, onions, bell peppers in a skillet sprayed with Pam. Place ham into a 9 x 13 inch baking pan. Top with vegetables & cheese. Put eggs & milk into a blender and blend until mixed well. Pour over the vegetables/cheese/ham. Bake at 350 for about an hour until it "tests" done.

Cottage Cheese Pancakes
2-3 beaten eggs
1 c cottage cheese
splenda, to taste
1 c uncooked oatmeal
banana
1/2 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp vanilla

Blend ingredients in the order they appear. Cook over a med heat in a pam-sprayed pan, as you would pancakes. Top with fruit or use sf maple syrup (points).

Ziploc Omelet
Crack 2 eggs into the bag (not more than 2) & shake to combine them. Add a variety of ingredients such as: ff cheeses, ham, onion, green pepper, tomato, shredded potato, salsa, etc. Make sure to get the air out of the bag and zip it up. Shake to mix. Place the bags into rolling, boiling water for exactly 13 minutes. You can usually cook 6-8 omelets in a large pot. Open the bags and the omelet will roll out easily.

Pineapple Upside-Down Cake Oatmeal

crushed pineapple
cooked oatmeal
sf caramel syrup
vanilla
splenda

Saute the pineapple, vanilla, splenda and SF caramel syrup in a pan sprayed with butter flavored pam. Let the pineapple caramelize and then pour in the oatmeal (already prepared) to mix and heat.

Pina Colada Yogurt


1 very ripe banana, mashed
1/3-1/2 large can of crushed pineapple
1 c plain nonfat yogurt
a dash of vanilla extract
a dash of coconut extract
splenda to taste

Blend all ingredients. Serve immediately or refrigerate for later.

Peaches and Cream Breakfast Casserole

1 1/2 c rolled oats
1 1/2 c thinly sliced peaches, peeled
1/4 c Splenda
3 c skim milk
2 egg whites
2 tsp vanilla extract
1/4 tsp almond extract

Spray an 8-inch square baking pan with nonstick cooking spray. In a large bowl, combine oats, peaches, and Splenda. In another bowl, combine remaining ingredients. Beat with fork or wire whisk until blended. Add to oat mixture, mixing well. Place mixture in prepared pan. Bake uncovered, 50 minutes, at 350 degrees.

Custard Oatmeal


1/2 oatmeal
1/2 c water
1/2 c skim
1 egg, beaten
1 tsp sf vanilla
splenda, to taste

Add water & skim to a nonstick saucepan & bring to a boil. Pour a little of the hot liquid into a beaten egg to temper, then add to the pot. Add oats, stirring constantly. Continuous stirring prevents the egg from scrambling/curdling. Lower heat & continue stirring for 1 1/2 - to min until it thickens. Remove from heat & add vanilla & splenda.

This makes a good-sized serving. If too much, reduce to 1/3 c oatmeal, skim & water.

*Variations: Serve with fruit on top and/or add 1/2 chopped banana while cooking.

Cornmeal Crepes

1 c cornmeal
2 tsp splenda
1/4 tsp salt
1 c ff milk
1/2 c water
2 tsp ff sour cream
2 eggs

Combine cornmeal, splenda & salt in a bowl. Beat together eggs & ff sour cream. Add to water & milk & then pour into cornmeal. Stir well. Heat an 8-in nonstick skillet over medium heat. Spray with Pam. Pour 1/4 c of mixture into pan & gently tilt in all directions so batter thinly covers bottom & very slightly up the sides of the pan. Once the edges start to brown (about 1 minute), lift carefully to see if it's ready to flip. Turn crepe over and cook for roughly 30 seconds until done.

Repeat procedure with the remaining batter, stirring batter each time. Stack them between layers of wax paper or paper towel to prevent sticking. *I rinsed, wiped down & resprayed the pan with Pam between EACH one.

This makes between 11-13 crepes. They can also be made ahead of time & freeze or refrigerate for later use.

Crepes are great alone, or stuffed with just about anything. Try the Chicken, Spinach & Mushroom Crepes! They'd also make great breakfast burritos!

Creamy Banana Couscous


1/2 c fat free evaporated milk
1/4 c whole wheat couscous
1/4 tsp cinnamon
splenda, to taste
1 banana
sf vanilla davinci, to taste

Slice banana, add cinnamon, splenda & vanilla and microwave for about a minute. Mix the rest of the ingredients and microwave loosely covered on high for 2 minutes. Stir and microwave for 30 seconds longer.

Carrot Cake Oatmeal


2 cups old fashioned oats
2 cups water
2 cups skim milk
2 peeled carrots (or 2 snack-size bags of baby carrots)
1 large peeled & cored apple (your favorite type)
1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
1/2 tsp apple pie spice
splenda to taste
dash of salt

Bring water and salt to a boil. Grate apple & carrots in food processor & add to pot, along with spices. Cook on high for several minutes, adding more water as needed to end up with almost your full 2 cups. Add milk, let come to an easy boil & then stir in oats and reduce heat to medium. Cook down oatmeal to desired consistency. Don't forget it that it will thicken more as it stands. Makes multiple servings.

Granola

*Core plus 1/2 point for WHOLE recipe

3 c oats
3 eggs
1/4 c Cary's sugar free maple syrup (1/2 point)
2 tsp sf vanilla syrup
1/4 c splenda

Mix all the ingredients and put them on a cookie sheet(sprayed with pam).
Bake at 350 for about an hour stirring and breaking the pieces every 15 min."

Oatmeal Pancakes

2 1/2 cups oatmeal (regular uncooked)
1 1/2 cups water
2 egg whites
2 tsp oil (olive)
3 tsp of cinnamon

Pumpkin Pancakes


1/3 cup regular oats (not quick or instant)
1/2 cup egg whites
1 tbsp ff cottage cheese
2 tbsp canned pure pumpkin
1 tsp. pumpkin pie spice
2 packets of Splenda

Blend all ingredients together with a hand mixer or blender. Spray your pan with nonstick spray and cook on medium/high heat until bubbly. Then flip your giant pancake and finish it off until golden brown. Top with sugar-free syrup if desired (points).
Mix ingredients and pour batter into hot pan sprayed lightly with cooking spray. Cook like you would any pancakes-turning once. Makes about 8 - 4 inch pancakes about 1/2 thick

Topping
Smash 6 large fresh strawberries & add splenda to taste. Pour on pancakes. Also works well with frozen strawberries.

Gingerbread Syrup

2 cups water
1 1/2 cups splenda
2 1/2 tsp ground ginger
1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
1/2 tsp vanilla extract

Combine all ingredients and bring to a boil. Store in an airtight container. Use in coffee, oatmeal & anything else that could use a little sweetness!



Apple Cinnamon Pancakes
This is a variation of one i found on here. It goes like this.......

dry:
1/4c cornmeal
1/4c oatmeal
1/2 tsp baking powder
1/4 tsp baking soda
1 tsp cinnamon
4 packets splenda

wet:
1/4 c ff yogurt
1/4 c applesauce
1 egg
splash vanila (optional)
splash ff milk

sauce:
1/2 c applesauce
1 packet splenda
cinnamon to taste


Mix dry ingredients and add wet ingredients and mix thoroughly. Add a little bit of milk if it seems too thick. let it sit for a few minutes for grains to absorb some liquid. cook on medium heat. you need to let them sit there for a while before flipping or you will make a big mess (if you do this on high heat you will burn them). For me it makes about four 4" pancakes which are VERY filling.

On the side I mix about 1/2 c applesauce, 1 splenda pack and cinnamon to taste. I use this on top instead of syrup. YUMMY!

Apple Cinnamon Pancakes
This is a variation of one i found on here. It goes like this.......

dry:
1/4c cornmeal
1/4c oatmeal
1/2 tsp baking powder
1/4 tsp baking soda
1 tsp cinnamon
4 packets splenda

wet:
1/4 c ff yogurt
1/4 c applesauce
1 egg
splash vanila (optional)
splash ff milk

sauce:
1/2 c applesauce
1 packet splenda
cinnamon to taste


Mix dry ingredients and add wet ingredients and mix thoroughly. Add a little bit of milk if it seems too thick. let it sit for a few minutes for grains to absorb some liquid. cook on medium heat. you need to let them sit there for a while before flipping or you will make a big mess (if you do this on high heat you will burn them). For me it makes about four 4" pancakes which are VERY filling.

On the side I mix about 1/2 c applesauce, 1 splenda pack and cinnamon to taste. I use this on top instead of syrup. YUMMY!

Core Baked Oatmeal

Servings: 4

Mix together:
1 cup oat bran
1 cup oatmeal, quick or instant
1 1/2 tsp. baking powder
1 tsp. baking soda
Pinch of salt

Blend together:
1 egg [used 2 eggs]
1 cup FF evaporated milk (you can use skim milk, although I think FF evaporated is The Secret Ingredient! )
1/2 cup FF plain yogurt
1/2 cup applesauce, unsweetened (I use the pre-portioned containers)
1 1/2 tsp. vanilla extract
1 tsp. cinammon
1 tsp. Pumpkin Pie spice (rounded)
1/2 tsp. nutmeg,
3 Splenda packets

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Line 8X8" pan with aluminum foil.

Combine first set of dry ingredients.

Blend second set of wet ingredients.

Add wet ingredients to dry, stir, and scrape into pan quickly and put into preheated oven immediately.

Cook for 25 minutes or longer, until top is golden brown and sides begin to pull away from the edge of the pan.

Cool for a few minutes before turning out onto a cooling rack. Divide into 4 servings. Serve hot or cold (or "toasted").

Optional: You can add nuts and dried fruits (i.e. raisins or craisins), and count the additional points.

Summer Muesli

1 quart nonfat plain yogurt
pinch cinnamon
1/4 tsp. fresh grated nutmeg
2 tsp. vanilla extract
1 tsp. almond extract
1/2 cup old fashioned oats
2 mashed very ripe bananas
1 1/2 cups sliced peaches
1 cup blueberries
1 cup cherries

Mix yogurt with flavorings; add oatmeal and let sit while you prepare fruit. Mash bananas and stir in. Slice peaches, stir in blueberries and pitted cherries.

Of course you could vary the fruit to your heart's content, and add a little sweetener if you like your yogurt sweetened (the bananas sweeten it enough for me). This is a good, balanced snack or light breakfast, lunch, etc. And it keeps well for days.

Core Oatmeal Pancakes

1/4 cup oatmeal
1/4 cup cornmeal
1/2 tsp. baking powder
1/4 tsp. baking soda
4 packets splenda
1/2 cup ff plain yogurt
1 egg white

Makes 2 big pancakes. Flip quickly because they cook fast.

Baked Oatmeal

Servings: 4

Ingredients
2 cups quick oats
1 1/2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
1 cup skim/ff milk
1/2 cup Egg Beaters
1 mashed banana
4 Tbsp Brown Sugar Twin
1 tsp vanilla
1 tsp cinnamon

Instructions
Preheat oven to 325. Combine dry ingredients and add wet ingredients. Mix it
all up. Pour into a square glass baking dish that has been well sprayed on
sides and bottom with Pam. Bake for about 25 Min. Let cool, cut into servings
and store in the refrigerator or freezer.


Breakfast Cookie (Core)

1 cup oatmeal
½ cup fat free plain yogurt
½ teaspoon pumpkin pie spice
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1 teaspoon vanilla
½ cup splenda
1 teaspoon healthy oil (I used safflower)

Preheat oven to 350°

In a bowl add all ingredients and mix well.
Drop by soup spoons on to a well Pam Sprayed pan.
Bake for 20 minutes or longer if you want them more crisp.
I baked for 20 minutes and let set in the oven until cool.
Yield: 12 cookies
2 serving of 6 cookies each


CORE Fried Breakfast Cookies

Here is the basic recipe:

1/2 cup uncooked oatmeal
1/2 cup eggbeaters
1/2 cup fat free cottage cheese
2 Tbs baking powder
1-2 tsp cinnamon (I put in more)
1/2 capful vanilla (I put in more)
2-3 packets Equal (or equivalent of Splenda) to taste (I put in more)

Mix all dry ingredients together. Then add remainder of ingredients to bowl and mix together. It will be like a thick cake batter consistency.

Drop by spoonfuls onto hot skillet that has been sprayed with Butter flavor Pam by dividing into 7-8 cookies. Cook as you would a pancake: when bottom turns golden ,gently flip over to cook the other side.

*other variations: add chopped apples to the mix or place a few blueberries onto each cookie while cooking (before you flip over).

These are great warm, but also good cold. *You can add more eggbeaters to make pancakes, if you wish.

* Omit the cinnamon and vanilla and add some natural coccoa powder.

Core Pancake

Ingredients:

1/2 cup old fashioned oats
1/4 cup ff cottage cheese
1 egg
cinnamon and/or vanilla to taste
splenda to taste

Instructions:

Combine all ingredients. Spray small saute pan with olive oil, add combined ingredients, and grill.

Pancake Topping

Ingredients:

1/2 to 1 cup fresh or frozen fruit (ie blueberries, strawberries, etc)
splenda to taste

Instructions:

* Place fruit and splenda in small sauce pan. Heat until fruitis soft.

* Serve over pancake

Pumpkin Pancakes

1/3 cup regular oats (not quick or instant)

1/2 cup egg whites

1 tbsp. fat-free cottage cheese

2 tbsp. canned pure pumpkin

1 tsp. pumpkin pie spice

2 packets of Splenda

Potato Pancakes

Ingredients:

Large potato shredded with skin on
1/2 a finely chopped onion
2 eggs
salt and pepper...
1/4 cup ff cheddar cheese

Serving Size: 1 (5 pancakes)

serve with ff sour cream and sugar free applesauce.

Cook them on an electric frying pan with 350 degrees heat and non stick spray on it for 2 - 3 minutes per side.

Guacamole Omelet

2 eggs
1 tablespoon water
Salt and pepper
1/2 avocado, peeled
1/2 teaspoon lemon juice
Dash of seasoned salt
4 drops hot pepper sauce
1 small tomato, chopped

In a small bowl mash avocado until chunky. Add lemon juice, seasoned salt,
hot pepper sauce and tomato. Mix well. Set aside.

Mix eggs, water and a dash of salt and pepper. Beat briskly. Pour into a hot
nonstick skillet or omelet pan. Stir with a circular motion while shaking
the pan vigorously over heat. Stir until eggs begin to set. Let stand 2 to 3
seconds and shake pan. Omelet should move freely.

Spoon guacamole mixture over half of omelet. Slip a broad spatula under the
omelet and fold in half carefully.

Makes 1 servings.

Saturday, September 27, 2008

Realization


I walked by a mirror today and I realized that I still look like I am pregnant. I know I had my daughter 9 weeks ago, and I weigh close to the highest I have ever weighed while not pregnant, but my stomach is pooched out like I am still pregnant. I know I can do this, I have done this before, I just wish that I could blink my eyes and be where I was not so long ago. Oh well, we all have to start somewhere and this is my new beginning. I am a size huge heading towards a size less huge, aiming for a size healthy.



And look at those chins!!

Friday, September 26, 2008

Still struggling

I am still struggling with the whole counting your points thing. I don't remember it being this tough last time. I can't use being an exhausted, hormonal mommy as an excuse. I hate the way my body feels right now. I don't want to be this way. I will find a way to get this weight off. I will!!

Thursday, September 25, 2008

The Core Food Roundup

Here are some weight watchers core shopping list must-haves and some suggested ways to enjoy them.

In the Dairy Case Recommended Uses
Eggs and liquid egg white Omelets/frittatas
Fat-free shredded cheese Broccoli and cheddar baked potato
Fat-free sour cream and cottage cheese Great baked potato toppings (add herbs and spices to taste) and dip bases
Fat-free Yogurt Mix with puffed rice cereal and stir in some chopped fresh fruit (people recommend Greek yogurt for its creamy, pudding-like texture)
Skim milk Banana Couscous Pudding and Fruit Parfait
Tofu Stir-fries, smoothies and creamy dessert toppings like Autumn Fruit with Tofu Whipped Topping


Canned Goods Recommended Uses
Beans – any kind Chili and minestrone soup
Chickpeas and Hominy Season and roast for a crunchy snack
Fat-free Evaporated Milk To add creaminess to Cream of Potato Soup
Fruit (packed in water or own juice) Smoothies
Salsa Use as salad dressing, a baked potato topping or vegetable dip
Soup Quick lunch or snack (Campbell and Progresso have many Core options)
Tomatoes – diced, whole, seasoned Add zing to Mexican casseroles with canned diced tomatoes with jalapeno (Rotel brand gets rave reviews from our users)
Tuna (packed in water) Salade Niçoise


Frozen Foods Recommended Uses
Chopped onions Caramelize for a burger topping
Cubed winter squash Creamy squash soup
Tri-color peppers strips Stir-fries or fajitas
Unsweetened fruit Instant smoothies (since the fruit is frozen, no need to add ice)
Veggie Burgers/Soy Burgers Break up and serve over a baked potato topped with fat-free shredded cheese and tomato sauce (Popular brands include Morningstar Farms and Boca Burger)


Fresh Items Recommended Uses
Avocado Guacamole
Baking Potatoes Homemade Potato Skins
Cauliflower Mock mashed 'potatoes'
Fish Season and bake with a cornmeal or oatmeal crust
Fruit, fruit, fruit! Snacks and oatmeal mix-ins/toppers
Garlic and Ginger Flavor boosters
Lean ground turkey breast Meatballs/meatloaf
Lean beef Season with a fajita seasoning mix and make fajitas with peppers and onions
Preshredded carrots Toss into salads or casseroles
Roast chicken Remove the skin, cube and make fresh chicken salad
Spaghetti Squash Bake and use the spaghetti-like flesh as a pasta substitute
Veggies, veggies, veggie Raw, stir-fried, roasted, steamed (check out a farmer's market for the freshest, cheapest options)


Packaged Goods Recommended Uses
94% fat-free microwavable popcorn Toss with Splenda and cinnamon for your own 'Kettle Corn"
Brown Basmati Rice Toss with fresh chopped scallions (Texmati Brand comes highly recommended)
Cornmeal Polenta 'lasagna' (prepare polenta and slice into thin 'sheets')
Fat-free, sugar-free gelatin and pudding Homemade frozen pudding pops and parfaits
Fat-free salad dressings Meat and poultry marinades
Quick-cooking grains like couscous and instant brown rice Side dishes such as Apricot Couscous
Seasonings In-a-flash flavoring for all your protein choices, grains, beans and vegetables (Mrs. Dash and Molly McButter are often suggested)
Soup Mixes Easy take-to-work lunches (Fantastic Foods has many options)
Whole wheat pasta Try Spiced Chicken Cacciatore (Hodgson Mill and Westbrae Natural brands gets lots of community mentions for their pastas)

Core Shopping List

DAIRY SECTION
NonFat Dry Milk powder (to replace creamer if you use it)
Skim milk 1-2 gallons
FF cottage cheese
FF plain yogurt (the frozen blueberries work here, too)
FF sour cream
eggs

FRUITS AND VEGs. SECTION
apples
bananas
frozen Blueberries for oatmeal (YUM)
salad stuff (whatever you like)
cucumbers (any raw veg, you might like to nosh on)
baby carrots
celery
pineapple tidbits in juice (love it in the cottage cheese or yogurt)
frozen corn (without sauce)
frozen fruit, frozen berries
bananas
potatoes
MEAT SECTION
Chicken breast (skinless)
lean pork loin
lean ground beef
98% ff ground turkey breast
Canadian bacon (love it with scrambled eggs for breakfast, lunch, or dinner)
lean sirloin steak

CANNED and BOTTLED SECTION
Core canned soups(you will have to find the list, mine is NOT updated b/c only specific canned soups are Core)
canned broth (beef, chicken, vegetable)
cooking/baking spray, such as Pam
lemon juice
ff dressing (for salads and dipping veggies)
tomato paste
speg sauce
olive oil
canned beans (garbanzo, navy, pinto, kidney, blackeye peas, etc. for chili, soups, salads)
canned tuna and salmon
ketchup, steak sauce, mustard, and FF mayonnaise

GRAINS AND OTHERS
Sugar Free fat Free Choc. Fudge pudding
fiber one cereal
splenda
oatmeal (unflavored)
whole wheat pasta (not the blends)
couscous
brown rice (both regular and instant)
Steel cut oats - cook quickly in a rice cooker

Also check out this PDF file!

Wednesday, September 24, 2008

Confession time

I am having troubles counting points and sticking to them. I am eating healthier, but I am just really struggling with feeling full on my points. I guess it has just been so long since I have done this and I end up feeling hungry every evening. Part of it is that I am so tired from being up with my nine week old daughter. And when exhaustion really kicks in, I get hungry. I have screwed up wiring somewhere and that always happens to me.

This is inspirational:


I also found this vlog (journal) of one womans weight loss journey. It was very inspirational as well.

Roasted Vegetable Lasagna


POINTS® Value: 5
Servings: 6
Preparation Time: 25 min
Cooking Time: 70 min
Level of Difficulty: Moderate
Roasted vegetable puree gives lasagna a new twist! For variety, substitute zucchini or yellow squash for the eggplant.

Ingredients

  • 3 medium raw eggplant, cut into 1/2-inch pieces
  • 3 medium sweet red pepper(s), chopped
  • 4 small tomato(es), plum, seeded and chopped
  • 4 medium garlic clove(s), peeled and chopped
  • 2 tsp olive oil
  • 1 tsp table salt, or more to taste
  • 1/4 tsp black pepper, or more to taste
  • 9 serving dry lasagna noodles, 9 noodles, cooked and drained
  • 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • 3/4 cup part-skim mozzarella cheese, shredded

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 425°F.

  • In roasting pan, combine vegetables and garlic with olive oil. Bake until vegetables are tender, stirring occasionally, about 20 to 25 minutes.

  • Place half of vegetables, salt and pepper, and 1/2 cup water in food processor and process until smooth.

  • Spoon 1/2 cup of vegetable purée into bottom of a 9 X 13-inch baking dish.

  • Place three noodles over purée. Top with 1/2 cup of purée, 1/2 of remaining vegetables, 2 tablespoons of Parmesan cheese and 1/4 cup of mozzarella cheese. Repeat layers and then top with remaining 3 noodles, purée and cheese.

  • Bake until bubbly, about 40 to 45 minutes. Slice into 6 pieces and serve.

Mama Mia Vegetable Pie


POINTS® Value: 3
Servings: 6
Preparation Time: 15 min
Cooking Time: 35 min
Level of Difficulty: Easy
Have some leftover spaghetti? Then give our savory pasta pie a try.

Ingredients

  • 1 tsp olive oil
  • 1 medium bell pepper(s), chopped
  • 1 small onion(s), chopped
  • 3 medium portobello mushroom(s), (equivalent to 1/2 cup) chopped
  • 12 oz canned tomato sauce
  • 6 oz firm tofu, drained and crumbled
  • 1 sprays cooking spray
  • 2 cup cooked spaghetti
  • 3/4 cup part-skim mozzarella cheese, shredded

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 375ºF.

  • Heat oil in nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add pepper, onion and mushroom; sauté until vegetables are tender, about 5 minutes. Stir in tomato sauce and tofu (be sure to thoroughly drain the tofu before crumbling it up and adding it to the sauce). Bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer mixture, uncovered, for 10 minutes.

  • Meanwhile, coat a 9-inch-deep pie plate with cooking spray. Arrange spaghetti in bottom and up sides of pie plate. Pour tofu mixture over spaghetti; sprinkle with cheese.

  • Bake for 20 minutes. Let stand 5 minutes before slicing into 6 pieces.

Meat Moussaka



POINTS® Value: 5
Servings: 6
Preparation Time: 25 min
Cooking Time: 50 min
Level of Difficulty: Moderate
This Greek casserole is perfect for a cold winter night. We tinkered with the sauce to create a wonderful hearty variation without all of the fat.

Ingredients

  • 2 medium raw eggplant, peeled and cut into 1/2-inch-thick slices
  • 1 tsp table salt, or more to taste, divided
  • 1 Tbsp vegetable oil
  • 1 pound raw lean ground beef
  • 1 small onion(s), chopped
  • 1 medium garlic clove(s), finely chopped
  • 8 oz canned tomato sauce
  • 1/3 cup wine, red
  • 1/8 tsp dried oregano, or more to taste
  • 1/8 tsp ground cinnamon
  • 1 large egg white(s), beaten
  • 1 tsp dried parsley
  • 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 350ºF. Place eggplant slices in a colander; sprinkle with 1/2 teaspoon of salt and let stand 15 minutes.

  • Heat oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat; sauté eggplant until lightly browned, about 1 1/2 minutes on each side. Drain on paper towels; set aside.

  • In same skillet, sauté beef, onion and garlic until beef is brown and onion is tender, about 4 minutes; drain off fat. Stir in 1/2 cup of tomato sauce, wine, parsley, remaining 1/2 teaspoon of salt, oregano and cinnamon; simmer for 10 minutes.

  • Stir 1/4 cup of beef mixture into egg white; return to skillet, mix well. Cook 1 minute.

  • Pour remaining 1/2 cup of tomato sauce into bottom of 9 X 13-inch baking dish. Place 1/2 of eggplant slices on top of sauce, then spoon on beef mixture; top with remaining eggplant slices and sprinkle with Parmesan cheese. Bake until cheese is browned and bubbly, about 30 minutes. Slice into 6 pieces and serve.

Monday, September 22, 2008

Beef and Vegetable Cheese Casserole


POINTS Value: 7
Servings: 6
Preparation Time: 25 min
Cooking Time: 45 min
Level of Difficulty: Moderate
This warming casserole can be made ahead, tightly wrapped and frozen until needed. Perfect for hectic holiday times!

Ingredients

  • 1 sprays cooking spray
  • 2 medium tomato(es), sliced
  • 2 medium zucchini, sliced
  • 12 oz raw lean ground beef
  • 1 large onion(s), finely chopped
  • 2 medium garlic clove(s), minced
  • 1 cup canned tomato sauce
  • 2 cup fat-free cottage cheese
  • 1 large egg yolk(s)
  • 1/2 cup low-fat shredded cheddar cheese
  • 1 Tbsp parsley, oregano or rosemary, chopped
  • 1/8 tsp table salt, or to taste
  • 1/8 tsp black pepper, or to taste

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 500ºF. Coat a baking sheet with cooking spray and spread tomatoes and zucchini over sheet. Roast vegetables for 10 to 12 minutes.

  • Meanhwile, in a large, nonstick skillet, sauté beef, onion and garlic until beef is browned. Stir in tomato sauce and bring to a simmer.

  • Spread beef mixture in a large, shallow baking dish (3 quart or 9 X 13-inches) and top with roasted vegetables. Reduce oven temperature to 350ºF.

  • Whisk together cottage cheese, egg yolk, cheddar cheese, herbs, salt and pepper in a medium bowl. Spoon over roasted vegetables and smooth with a rubber spatula.

  • Bake until very hot and bubbling around edges, about 35 minutes. Cut into six equal pieces and serve immediately. (Note: If preparing casserole in advance and freezing it, make sure to thaw it completely in the refrigerator before baking it. Increase the baking time by 5 to 10 minutes.)

Notes

  • To give this dish an Italian accent, substitute fat-free ricotta cheese for cottage cheese and use 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese in place of the cheddar. Sprinkle with 2 tablespoons minced fresh basil just before serving.

Sunday, September 21, 2008

Favorite WW Recipes

Crustless Pumpkin Pie
entire pie is 4 points


15 oz can pumpkin (not filling)
1/2 cup EggBeaters
1 1/2 cup skim milk
3/4 cup Splenda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice

Beat all ingredients together until smooth; put in pie pan sprayed with non-stick cooking spray. Bake at 400ºF for 15 minutes, then at 375ºF for 45
minutes or until a knife inserted in center comes out clean.


GLOP
26oz jar of any salsa (I use Great Value brand from Walmart)

1 pound extra lean ground turkey, cooked, broken up as for tacos etc

1 cup cooked rice (the following values are for brown rice as that's all that I had)

24 oz carton fat free cottage cheese

Throw it all together in a bowl and stir!
That's it! We like to eat it wrapped in a tortilla or with tortilla chips. It's good hot or cold.

Nutritional Values
Makes 17 - 1/2cup (120g) servings
Per serving:
105 calories
.7g fat
.9 fiber
12g protein
2 Points


TACO SOUP ( 1 pt. for 1 cup)

1/2-pound turkey or 90% lean ground beef, buffalo, or Morning Star Crumbles
48 oz V-8
1 can kidney beans--drained
1 can garbanzo beans--drained (I just use 2 cans kidney beans total for beans)
1 can corn--drained
1 can diced tomatoes
1 package taco seasoning mix

1/4 Cup brown sugar (optional)

Brown the ground turkey or beef. Drain off any fat. Add remaining ingredients and simmer or cook in a crock-pot on low. I like to add water up to the top of the pot because I get more servings (at least 10). Serve with desired condiments: diced onion, grated cheese, sour cream, taco chips, etc (but add extra points for those) .

POINTS: 2 pts for 2 cup serving

Easy Ziti

POINTS | 7
Servings | 6

Ingredients:

16 ounces Prego Trad. Spag. Sauce
1/2 cup fat-free ricotta cheese
1 pound uncooked ziti
1/2 cup fat-free mozzarella

Instructions:

Preheat broiler. Mix spag. sauce and ricotta until smooth. Cook Ziti, drain and stir into sauce. Spread int 9x13 metal dish. Sprinkle with cheese. Broil until the cheese is golden brown, 3-5 minutes.

Cola Chicken

4 points per serving, 4 servings

4 Skinless, Boneless Chicken Breast
1 cup Catsup
1 - 12 oz can Diet Coke
Put chicken in a non-stick frying pan. Pour catsup over chicken, then the diet coke.
Boil. Cover and reduce heat. Cook 45 minutes. Uncover. Increase heat and continue to cook until sauce thickens.

Chicken with Spicy Marmalade Glaze
Makes 4 servings
5 points per serving

1/2 cup orange marmalade
2 green onions chopped
1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
2 teaspoon lemon juice
1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper
4 (4 oz) skinless boneless chicken breasts (can use frozen chicken)
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 cup diet Sprite or Mountian Dew
Spray a pan with nonstick spray.
Mix together the marmalade, green onions, mustand, lemon juice, crushed red pepper and salt in a small bowl.
Place the chicken in the pan cover with marmalade mixture, add Sprite, cover and cook over med heat until chicken is done. Remove the lid and cook until mixture is thickened.
Serve with rice.

Molasses-Glazed Ham Steak (Main Dish)
4 servings, 5 points per serving
3T molasses
2T packed brown sugar
1T Dijon mustard
2t cider vinegar
1 one pound ham steak (fat trimmed)
Spray pan with cooking spray, set to med high heat. Put ham in the pan, brush with sauce mixture, about 4 min on each side.


Sour Cream Salsa Chicken Recipe
Serving Size : 4
4 WW points per serving

4 skinless boneless chicken breast halves
1 package reduced-sodium taco seasoning mix
1 cup salsa
2 tablespoons cornstarch
1/4 cup light sour cream

Spray the crockpot with cooking spray. Add the chicken breasts. Sprinkle with Taco Seasoning. Top with salsa. Cook on low for 6-8 hours. When ready to serve, remove the chicken from the pot. Place about 2 T cornstarch in a small amount of water. Stir well. Stir the cornstarch mixture into salsa sauce. Stir in 1/4 cup of sour cream.

Spaghetti Pie

6 ounces uncooked spaghetti (12 points)
5 Tablespoons grated Parmesan Cheese (5 points)
1/2 cup egg substitute ( 2 points)
12 ounces boca burger crumbles ( 6 points)
1 med. onion, chopped
1/2 med. green pepper, chopped
1 & 1/2 cups light spaghetti sauce ( 6 points)
1 cup fat-free cottage cheese ( 3 points)
1/4 cup shredded fat free mozzarella cheese ( 3 points)

Cook spaghetti according to package directions. Drain well and cool to room temp. In a bowl, combine the spaghetti, parmesan cheese, and egg sub.Transfer to a 9" pie plate coated with non-stick spray and form into a crust; set aside.
In a nonstick skillet over med. heat, cook onion and green pepper for 5 minutes, add boca crumbles; drain. Add spghetti sauce; heat through. Spread cottage cheese over spaghetti crust; top with boca mixture. Bake uncovered at 350 for 20 minutes. Sprinkle with mozzarella cheese. Bake 5 minutes longer or until cheese melts. Let stand for 5 minutes before cutting.
Yield 6 serving
Points per serving 6

Crazy Pizza
Makes 6 servings (4.5 points)

Ingredients

8 oz lean beef or turkey (90%)
1/2 cup sliced mushrooms (one 2.5 oz jar), drained
1/2 cup chopped green bell pepper
1/2 cup chopped onion
1/3 cup sliced ripe olives (optional)
1 3/4 Hunt's Tomato sauce - 15 oz can
1 tbsp sugar Twin or Sprinkle Sweet (optional)
1 tsp Italian seasoning
1 can Pillsbury refrigerated buttermilk biscuits - 7.5 oz can
1/3 cup reduced-fat cheddar cheese, shredded
1/3 cup reduced-fat mozzarella cheese, shredded

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Spray an 8x8 inch baking dish with olive-flavored
cooking spray. In a large skillet sprayed with olive-flavored cooking spray,
brown meat. Add mushrooms, green pepper, onion and olives. Mix well to combine.
Stir in tomato sauce, Sugar Twin, and Italian seasoning. Remove skillet from heat.
Separate biscuits and cut each biscuit into 4 pieces. Gently stir biscuit pieces into
meat mixture. Pour mixture into prepared baking dish. Bake 20 minutes. Sprinkle
shredded Cheddar and mozzarella cheese evenly over the top. Continue baking until
cheese melts, about 10 minutes. Place baking dish on a wire rack and let set 5 minutes.

Crockpot Lasagne

1 lb ground beef or turkey, browned
28 oz can diced tomatoes
5 1/2 ounce can tomato paste
1 cup fat free cottage cheese
2 cups part skim milk mozzarella cheese
2 teaspoons sugar substitute
1 teaspoon parsley
1/2 teaspoon oregano
1/4 teaspoon garlic
1/4 teaspoon basil
8 ounces lasagna noodles (broken in small pieces)

Spray crockpot with cooking spray.
Combine all in crockpot, cook on low 7-9 hours.


SMOTHERED CHICKEN WITH PIEROGIES

1 dozen Mrs. T's frozen Potato and Cheddar Cheese pierogies
1 can (10 3/4 oz) low-fat cream of chicken soup
1 can (4 oz) sliced mushrooms, drained
1 cup frozen peas
2 cups cubed or shredded cooked chicken

Preheat oven to 350. Spray a 2-quart casserole with cooking spray. Thaw pierogies in boiling water for 5 minutes, drain, and place in casserole dish.

In a large saucepan, combine soup, mushrooms, peas and chicken. Cook, stirring, about 5 minutes or until heated through. Pour over pierogies. Bake 15 minutes.

4 servings, 7 POINTS each

Saturday, September 20, 2008

Zero/0 pt soup.

Zero/0 pt soup. Yum yum veg soup. Proof positive that even when you have no points left, you can still eat something yummy! If you have emotional problems with cabbage, use spinach instead! This is W.W.'s standby.

Garden Vegetable Soup (makes 4 servings)
2/3 cup sliced carrot
1/2 cup diced onion
2 garlic cloves, minced
3 cups fat free broth (beef, chicken, or vegetable)
1 1/2 cups diced green cabbage
1/2 cup green beans
1 tbsp tomato paste
1/2 tsp dried basil
1/4 tsp dried oregano
1/4 tsp salt
1/2 cup diced zucchini


In large saucepan, sprayed with nonstick cooking spray, saute the
carrot, onion and garlic over low heat until softened, about 5 min.
Add broth, cabbage, beans, tomato paste, basil, oregano and salt; bring
to a boil. Lower heat and simmer covered about 15 minutes or until beans
are tender.
Stir in zucchini and heat 3-4 minutes. Serve hot.

Tips:

  • A super-fast way to make it is to use frozen carrots and a small bag of coleslaw salad mix.
  • You could also also add a large can of diced tomatoes and use a small tin of tomato sauce instead of paste.
MY MENU FOR TODAY:

Breakfast:
0 points - egg whites
0 points - tomato
0 points - mushrooms
1 points - corn
1 points - fat free cottage cheese
0 points - coffee

Snack:
2 points - Thinsations
2 points - yogurt

Lunch:
1.5 points - tuna
1 points - fat free cottage cheese
0 points - tomato
2 points - multi-grain crackers
1 points - grapes

Friday, September 19, 2008

6 Ingredients Or Less

Pizza
1 10 inch tortilla shell (2pts)
1/2 c FF mozarella cheese (2pts)
1/4c sugar free or reduced sugar spaghetti or pizza sauce (1 pt)
garlic powder to taste
mushrooms (or any veggie you might like, precooked or warmed up)
PAM cooking spray

Preheat oven to 450. Spray a pizza pan with Pam and bake the tortilla shell for about 5 mins, or until brown and crispy.

Take it back out of the oven, spread the pizza sauce over the tortilla shell and sprinkle with garlic. Spread the mozarella cheese over the sauce, then the veggies over the cheese and put back in the oven. Bake for 12 to 15 mins until the cheese is slightly brown and bubbly.

This entire thing is only 5 points and it is YUMMY and filling.

Barbecued Chicken Sandwiches - 6 pts

2 cups shredded cooked chicken breasts
1/4 cup barbecue sauce
1/4 tsp chili powder
4 hamburger buns, split

Combine the chicken, bbq sauce, and chili powder in a saucepan and heat to serving temperature. Spooin on the hamburger buns.

Per serving: 273 Cal, 8 g Fat, 2 g Sat Fat, 59 mg Chol, 419 mg Sod, 24 g Carb, 1 g Fib, 25 g Prot, 73 mg Calc. = 6 pts/serving. Serves 4

WW Chicken and Cheese Casserole
6 pts. per serving
8 servings

2 C. Cooked macaroni
2 C. cooked chicken, chopped
2 C. cream of mushroom soup
2 C. skim milk
8 oz. low fat cheddar cheese

preheat oven to 350 degrees. Mix all ingredients in large casserole dish. Bake, covered, 35-45 minutes. Remove cover and bake an additional 10-15 minutes.

Drive thru Breakfast sandwich substitute (3 pts)

1/4 c egg beater (1/2 pt)
1/2 slice 2% american Cheese (1/2 pt)
1 tbl Hormel real bacon bits (1/2 pt)
1 toasted Thomas's Light Eng. Muffin (1 pt)
1/2 tbl promise lite butter (1/2 pt)

Put egg beater in small pan and scatter bacon bits over it. Let it "set up" and then flip it over. Place cheese in center and fold sides over top (to fit on english muffin). Butter the muffin, salt/pepper the "omelet" stack on the muffin and Enjoy! Just awesome! (I even put red hot pepper flakes on the egg beaters sometimes)

5 Can Soup, 2 points per cup.

1 can each of:

Corn
Black Beans
Mixed Vegetables
Tomatoes (I used Italian style diced; a friend used tomatoes with chiles)
Progresso Minestrone Soup


Just dump all of the ingredients into a large pan, bring to a boil. Reduce to a simmer and simmer for awhile. Enjoy!

Cheesy Chili Chicken

4 4oz chicken breasts BLSL
1 can stewed tomatoes with Italian seasoning
1 can hormel turkey chili w/ beans
4 oz 2% milk shredded cheddar cheese

Preheat oven to 350. Place chicken in 11x7 pan, top with tomatoes. Bake uncovered for 50 minutes. Spoon chili over the chicken, bake an additional 10 minutes. Top with cheese, return to oven for 3-4 minutes or until cheese is melted. Serves 4. 6 Points.

Snacks

"I can't believe it's not Carmel Corn"
.......Only 1 Point......

Buy Orville Redenbachers's SmartPop mini bags of popcorn...(pop as directed)
spray popcorn with I can't believe it's not butter spray
Add 4 packets of splenda; Shake the bag up (add more if desired)
Add 1 teaspoon of ground cinnamon; Shake the bag (add more if you desire)

.....it is Sweet, Salty, and Crunchy!!!!..... A great 1 point snack....

Nacho Fixin'

1 white cheddar rice cake
1 tbsp. cheddar cheese
1 tsbp. salsa
1 tsp. lite sour cream

Place cheese on top of the rice cake and microwave for 20 seconds or until cheese is melted. Top with salsa and sour cream. Yum! And I come up with 2 points! Good snack for night time!

Thursday, September 18, 2008

Low Point Snacks and My day

So here it is Thursday already and I am so behind. I just can't get my butt in gear. I did well on my diet yesterday. I am proud of that. Now if only I could get my housework done. I swear I would give a lot of money just to have someone come in and help me get caught up. I would love someone to come in and even just do my laundry for me at this point. Oh well on to more important things. I have left over 1 point chili left so I am having that for breakfast and lunch today. Then I am having a yummy Chicken noodle casserole for supper! Should be a good day. I am including the recipe for my supper as well as a list of low point snacks for anyone who needs some ideas. Here is my menu for today so far. I will update as I get through my day:

Breakfast:
2 points - Chili
1/2 pnt - fat free plain yogurt
0 points - coffee

Snack:
3 points - granola bar

Lunch:
2 points - Chili
1/2 pnt - fat free plain yogurt
0 points - coffee

Snack:
3 points - granola bar

Supper:

10.5 points - Chicken noodle casserole

Snack:
4 points - cheese
6 points - crackers

Total: 21.5 points of 31 daily allotted points

Chicken Noodle Casserole


* 1 10 3/4 oz can of 98% fat free cream of chicken soup, undiluted
* 1/2 c fat free mayonaise
* 2 TBLSP lemon juice
* 2 c cubed, cooked chicken (I just used 2 boneless, skinless breasts)
* 1 small onion, chopped
* 1/4 c chopped green pepper
* 1/4 c chopped sweet red pepper
* 1 c fat free shredded cheddar
* 1 c fat free shredded mozzerella
* 12 oz medium egg noodles, cooked and drained

In a large bowl, combine soup, mayo and lemon juice.
Add the chicken, onion, peppers, 1/2 of each cheese and mix well.
Add noodles and toss to coat.
Transfer to a sprayed casserole dish.
Bake at 350* for 30-35 minutes.
Sprinkle with remaining cheese and bake for another 10 min. or until vegetables are soft.

* 6 large servings (close to 2 cups each)
* Each - 7 points

0 Point Snacks


Fruit:
grapes (good frozen too)

Veggies:
1 cup Grape Tomatoes
1 cup of Cherry Tomatoes
1 cup cucumber slices marinated in balsamic vinegar
1 cup celery

Miscellaneous:
Dill pickles
1 cup sugar free Jell-O
Crystal Light Drink Mix -any flavor

1 Point Snacks

Beverages:

General Foods International Coffees:
French Vanilla Cafe-sugar-free, fat-free & naturally decaffeinated, 1 cup, (.5)

Instant hot chocolate:
- fat-free, (6 fl oz)
- sugar free, (6 fl oz)

Fruits:
-Apple, dried, 1/2 cup
-Apple, fresh, 1
-Applesauce, unsweetened, 1 cup
-Apricots, 6 dried halves
-Apricots, fresh, 3
-Blackberries, 1 cup
-Blueberries, 1 cup
-Cantaloupe, 1/2 melon (8 oz) or 1 cup
-Cherries, fresh, 1 cup
-Cranberries, fresh, 1 cup
-Dates, fresh, 2
-Fig, dried, 1
-Grapefruit sections, 1 cup
-Grapes, 1 cup, 20 small or 12 large
-Honeydew melon, 1/8 or 1 cup
-Kiwi, 1
-Mandarin orange, fresh, 1
-Nectarine, 1
-Orange, 1
-Peach, fresh, 1
-Pear, fresh, 1
-Plums, 2
-Raspberries, 1 cup
-Strawberries, fresh or frozen (unsweetened), 1 cup
-Watermelon, 2" slice or 1 cup

Breads, Rolls, Crackers, Etc.
-Crackers, fat-free, 7
-Crisp breads
-Flat breads
-Melba toast, all varieties, 6 rounds or 4 slices
-Pita, any type, 1 small or 1/2 large
-Rice cakes, any type, 2 or 6 mini
-Saltines, Fat Free, 5

Cereals
-Bran flakes, cold, 1 cup [Kelloggs Complete Wheat Bran]
-Kashi "Good Friends" Cereal, 3/4 cup


Prepared Foods
-Beets, pickled, 1/2 cup


Protein Sources
-Bacon, 1 slice crisp
-Bacon Turkey or chicken, 2 slices
-Ballpark fat-free beef franks (55 calories each, no fat)
-Chicken drumstick, cooked, without skin (with bone), 1 (1 1/2 oz)
-Chicken roll luncheon meat, 1 slice, (1 oz)
-Frankfurter, beef, pork or turkey, fat-free, 1
-Luncheon meat, lean (less than 2 gm per oz), 1 slice or 1 oz
-Turkey roll, 1 slice (1 oz)

Cheese
-Cheese, 1 fat free slice
-Cheese, cottage, 1%, 2% or nonfat, 1/3 cup (2 3/4 oz)
-Cheese, hard, 3 tbsp shredded, 2 tbsp grated or (3/4 oz)
-Cheese, nonfat, hard or semi-soft, 1 slice, 1 (1" cube, 3 tbsp shredded,
2 tbsp grated or (3/4 oz)
-Cheese, Parmesan, 2 tsp [Lucerne]
-Kraft-Free Shredded Cheddar Cheese, 1/4 cup
Sargento lowfat mozzarella cheese stick

Cream Cheese
-Fat-Free w/strawberries, 2 tbsp
-Light or whipped, 2 tbsp (1 oz)
-Nonfat, 4 tbsp (2 oz)
-Regular, 1 tbsp (1/2 oz)
-laughing cow light cheese (1 wedge)

Soups
-Chicken noodle soup, canned, 1 cup
-Chicken noodle soup, canned, 1 cup
-Egg drop soup, 1 cup
-Liptons Cup-a-Soup, Chicken Noodle w/White Meat

Commercially prepared Sweet Stuff/Snacks
Del Monte tropical fruit salad * cup
General mills fruit rollups 1
Jello Sugar Free chocolate pudding cup (1 cup)

Chips, etc:
-Pringles, Fat Free, 15 chips
-WOW Lays or Ruffles Chips, 1 oz
-Lays Light potato chips (fat free) 20 chips
-Ruffles Light (fat free) 17 chips

Popcorn:
-Light, microwave-popped, 3 cups
-Plain, hot-air popped, 3 cups
-Popcorn Cakes
-Butter-flavored, 2 (1/2 oz)
-Other than butter-flavored, 1, 6 mini or 1/2 oz

Cookies/Crackers:
-Gingersnap cookies, 2
-Graham crackers, 2 (2 1/2" sq)
-Vanilla wafers, reduced-fat, 3
- Hostess strawberry bars (fig newton) 1 bar

Rice Cakes:
-Plain, 2 (3/4 oz or 5 mini)
-Other than plain, 1 (1/2 oz)
-Quaker Mini Chocolate Crunch, 5
-Quaker Mini Caramel Corn rice snacks, 5
-Caramel/Chocolate Chip Rice Cakes, 1 cake
-Chocolate Crunch Mini Rice Cakes, 5 mini cakes
-Quaker's Cinnamon Streusel Rice Cakes, 1 cake
-Quaker Crispy Minis! [Apples & Cinnamon, Caramel Corn, Ranch, Nacho, BBQ], 7-8


Frozen treats
-Dairy Queen, sugarless, no fat fudge and orange & vanilla bars, 1
-Fat-Free Fudgesicles, 1
-Haagen-Daz Fat-Free Chocolate Sorbet Bars, 1
-Popscicle Brand "Firecracker" Ice Pops, 1 [40 calories]
-Ice cream cone, plain or sugar, 1 small

1 point
source apple crumble yougrat 1/2 cup
source choco cherry yougart 1/2 cup
applesauce
canned pineapple 1/2 cup (+extras: cottage cheese)
raisins 30
pita 1/2 (+extras: hummus, vege burgers, vege pate, PB)
mandrian oranges 1/2 cup (+extras: cottage cheese)
sweet potato 1/2 med
soya Peanut Butter icecream 1/2 cup
light tatzaiki 2 T (+extras: pita)
PC light hot choco 1
tuna in water 1/2 can
fonitan sante eggplant/olive hummus 1 T
red kidney beans 1/2 cup
rice cake 2 (+extras: low fat PB, hummus)
chick peas 1/2 cup (+extras: cherry tomatos/avocado, salad)

2 points
vita life bread 1 slice
whole wheat crackers 5
potato 1 small (+extras: cheese, low fat sour cream, salsa)
mango 1 cup
apple 1 (+extras: peanut butter )
soya milk 1 cup (+ coco)
le commensal brocolli soup 1 cup
olives 8
low fat PB 1 T (+ extras: apple/raisons, crackers, pita)
oat bran hot cereal 1/3 cup uncooked (+extras: rasions, maple syrup, brown sugar, cranberries, milk)
yves vege chicken burger 1 (+extras: salad, crackers/cheese/pickels)
eggo oat and wheat waffle 2
healthy baked fish sticks 3
reese peanut butter cup 1
life cerel 3/4 cup
smoked salmon 5 slices (+extras: aspragus, low fat cream cheese/pita, egg/cheese omelt)
hard boiled egg 1 (+extras: deviled eggs, salads/tuna, mayo/bread sandwich)

Wednesday, September 17, 2008

Wednesday Weight talk

So here it is Wednesday and I have managed to get some groceries, not all the ones I wanted to, I concentrated on getting stuff for my family first. I will get more groceries on Friday. In the meantime, I am going to do the best with what I have.

Here is my plan for today so far, I will update it as I go through the day:

Breakfast:
4 points - oatmeal breakfast

Snack:
0 points - Coffee
4 points - leftover chicken and biscuit
2 points - partly skimmed cheese

Lunch:
3 points - 1/2 cup water Packed Tuna
1 points - Fat Free Mayo
3 points - Whole Wheat Bread

Snack:
1 points - 1/2 cup plain unsweetened yogurt
1/2 pts - 1/2 cup unsweetened applesauce


Supper:
3 points - 3 cups Chili
1 points - 1/2 cup plain unsweetened yogurt
5 points - Ritz Chips

Snack:

3 points - Granola bar

Total:
30.5 points used of 31 daily points

One-Point Hearty Chili

10 ounces extra-lean ground turkey breast*
1 medium onion, diced
2 (28-ounce) cans diced tomatoes
2 medium zucchini, diced
2 medium yellow squash, diced
1 (15-ounce) can black beans, rinsed and drained
2 (15-ounce) cans fat-free, reduced-sodium beef broth
4 celery stalks, diced
2 green bell peppers, diced
1 (1 1/4-ounce) package dry chili seasoning
(alternative 1-2 Tb chili powder, 1 tsp garlic, 1 tsp cumin)

1. Spray a large nonstick skillet with nonstick spray and set
over medium-high heat. Add the turkey and onion and saute' until browned, about 5 minutes.

2. Transfer the browned turkey and onion mixture to a large
soup pot and add the tomatoes, zucchini, squash, beans, broth, celery, bell peppers, and chili seasoning. Bring to a simmer over medium heat. Continue to simmer until the vegetables are tender, about 30 minutes.

*I used Veggie Ground Round which is even less points.

Per serving (1 cup): 78 calories, 1 g fat, 3 g fiber
POINTS: 1

Tuesday, September 16, 2008

Tuesday Talk

I got some groceries today. I will be getting more on Friday. But for now that is at least enough to get me started. I am planning on doing what I can to eat as healthy as I can. I need to get this baby weight off. I can feel it on my body. I can feel it in my knees. I need to get back to where I was.

This is my supper tonight:

Cheesy Chicken Pot Biscuit Cups

Serves 5 (2 each)
Points per serving : 5
1 (7.5 oz.) can of refrigerated homestyle or buttermilk biscuits
1 cup (5 oz.) diced chicken breast
1 (10 1/2 oz.) can healthy request cream of chicken soup
scant 2/3 cup (2 1/2 oz) shredded kraft reduced-fat cheddar cheese (I used the Kraft fat free kind and worked fine.)
1 teaspoon dried parsley flakes (I did not have this so I used oregano and basil seasoning)
1/4 teaspoon black pepper

Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Separate biscuits and place each biscuit in a cup of an ungreased 12-hole muffin pan, pressing dough up sides to edge of cup. In a medium bowl, combine chicken, chicken soup, cheddar cheese, parsley flakes, and black pepper. Mix well to combine. Evenly spoon chicken mixture into prepared biscuit cups. Bake for 12 to 15 minutes or until golden brown. Remove from oven. Place muffin pan on a wire rack and let set for 2-3 minutes. Serve at once.

If you want the quickest and easiet method, you can buy canned chicken.

Also, you have to be sure to use biscuits that are only 1 point each or you will go over the stated points value. Pillsbury makes a buttermilk biscuit that comes in a 4 pack that are 1 point each and sometimes the small store brand biscuits ae 1 point each

Per serving: 230 calories, 6 gm fat, 2 gm fiber. Points per serving : 5
Serving size - 2 each.

Monday, September 15, 2008

Tuna-Noodle Casserole


Was POINTS® Value: 14
Now POINTS® Value: 6
Servings: 8
Preparation Time: 20 min
Cooking Time: 30 min
Level of Difficulty: Easy
Tuna casserole has a bad reputation for being a high-calorie dish. But not anymore! We've made a few easy ingredient substitutions.

Ingredients

  • 12 oz uncooked egg noodles
  • 12 oz water-packed tuna fish, drained
  • 2 cup button mushrooms, sliced
  • 1 cup frozen green peas, thawed
  • 16 oz fat-free sour cream
  • 1/2 cup fat-free mayonnaise
  • 2 tsp Dijon mustard
  • 2 tsp parsley, fresh, chopped
  • 1/2 tsp table salt, or more to taste
  • 1/4 tsp black pepper, or more to taste
  • 1/2 cup shredded reduced-fat Monterey Jack cheese, or reduced-fat Swiss cheese

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 350ºF.

  • Cook noodles according to package directions without added fat or salt; drain and transfer to a large bowl. Fold in tuna, mushrooms and peas.

  • Whisk sour cream, mayonnaise, mustard, parsley, salt and pepper together in a separate bowl; fold into noodle mixture. Transfer to a 4-quart casserole dish; top with cheese. Bake until top is golden and bubbly, about 30 minutes. Yields about 1 cup per serving.

Chef Tips

  • We renovated Tuna Noodle Casserole by:
    • Opting for tuna in water, not tuna in oil.
    • Choosing fat-free sour cream instead of regular.
    • Switching from regular mayonnaise to fat-free.
    • Topping it with reduced-fat cheese instead of the full-fat variety.
MENU for today:

Breakfast:
0 points - egg whites
4 points - eggs
0 points - tomato
0 points - mushrooms
0 points - green pepper and zucchini
3 points - sour cream
_________________________
7 points - total

Snack:
3 points - coffee and granola bar

Monday Stuff

I can't get groceries until tomorrow. That means I also can't get my scales until tomorrow. I can't be picky about what I eat until tomorrow. (this is a lean week for us). But once I get groceries and get some darned food in this house. I am on plan and my weight watchers plan is underway.

Zero-POINTS®-Value Pasta Sauces

Fresh Tomato Sauce

Makes 8 servings
POINTS® value | 0 per serving

Ingredients

  • 4 cups roughly chopped Campari tomatoes
  • 1/4 cup basil, cut into ribbons
  • 3 medium garlic cloves, minced
  • 1 1/2 tsp olive oil
  • 1 tsp table salt
  • 1/2 tsp freshly ground black pepper
  • 1 Tbsp balsamic vinegar

Instructions

  1. In a glass, stainless steel or other non-reactive mixing bowl, mix together all ingredients; let stand at room temperature for 15 minutes.
  2. Yields about 1/2 cup per serving.

Arrabbiata Sauce

Makes 8 servings
POINTS® value | 0 per serving

Ingredients

  • 2 sprays olive oil cooking spray
  • 1 tsp olive oil
  • 3 medium garlic cloves, minced
  • 1 1/2 cup chopped onion
  • 29 oz canned, diced, fire-roasted tomatoes
  • 1/2 tsp crushed red pepper flakes
  • 1/8 tsp sugar

Instructions

  1. Coat a large nonstick skillet with cooking spray; set over medium-high heat. Add oil to skillet; heat through. Add garlic; stir until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Add onions; cook, stirring occasionally, until onions wilt and begin to caramelize, about 10 minutes. Add tomatoes, red pepper flakes and sugar. Bring to a boil; reduce heat and simmer, scraping sides and bottom of pan occasionally, about 10 minutes.
  2. Yields about 1/2 cup per serving.

Puttanesca Sauce with Slow-Roasted Tomatoes, Onions and Garlic

Makes 4 servings
POINTS® value | 0 per serving

Ingredients

  • 4 sprays olive oil cooking spray
  • 9 medium plum tomatoes, cored and cut in half
  • 1/2 large onion, cut into 4 wedges
  • 3 medium garlic cloves, peeled and trimmed, or less to taste
  • 6 large black olives, pitted and finely chopped
  • 1 Tbsp capers, minced
  • 1/2 tsp crushed red pepper flakes (optional)

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 225ºF. Cover a large baking tray with aluminum foil (or use a nonstick tray); generously coat with cooking spray.
  2. Place tomatoes, cut-side up, onions and garlic on prepared tray; generously coat with cooking spray. Roast, turning onions and garlic once halfway during cooking, about 6 hours.
  3. Chop roasted tomatoes, onion and garlic into small pieces; place in a glass or stainless steel bowl. Add olives, capers and pepper flakes; toss to combine.
  4. Yields about 1/4 cup per serving.
Serve over one pound of pasta. Top with cheese, if desired*

* Pasta and cheese will change the POINTS value.

Pesto

Makes 8 servings
POINTS® value | 0 per serving

Ingredients

  • 4 cups basil leaves, loosely packed
  • 1 Tbsp olive oil
  • 1 tsp sea salt
  • 1/2 tsp freshly ground black pepper
  • 5 medium garlic cloves, peeled and smashed, or less to taste
  • 1/3 cup warm water, or reserved pasta cooking water, for thinning sauce; or more or less for desired consistency

Instructions

  1. Combine all ingredients in a food processor; process to desired consistency. Thin with more water, if desired.
  2. Yields about 2 tablespoons per serving.



Sunday, September 14, 2008

Easy Supper Ideas

Cheesy Chicken Pot Biscuit Cups

Serves 5 (2 each)
Points per serving : 5
1 (7.5 oz.) can of refrigerated homestyle or buttermilk biscuits
1 cup (5 oz.) diced chicken breast
1 (10 1/2 oz.) can healthy request cream of chicken soup
scant 2/3 cup (2 1/2 oz) shredded kraft reduced-fat cheddar cheese (I used the Kraft fat free kind and worked fine.)
1 teaspoon dried parsley flakes (I did not have this so I used oregano and basil seasoning)
1/4 teaspoon black pepper

Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Separate biscuits and place each biscuit in a cup of an ungreased 12-hole muffin pan, pressing dough up sides to edge of cup. In a medium bowl, combine chicken, chicken soup, cheddar cheese, parsley flakes, and black pepper. Mix well to combine. Evenly spoon chicken mixture into prepared biscuit cups. Bake for 12 to 15 minutes or until golden brown. Remove from oven. Place muffin pan on a wire rack and let set for 2-3 minutes. Serve at once.

If you want the quickest and easiet method, you can buy canned chicken.

Also, you have to be sure to use biscuits that are only 1 point each or you will go over the stated points value. Pillsbury makes a buttermilk biscuit that comes in a 4 pack that are 1 point each and sometimes the small store brand biscuits ae 1 point each

Per serving: 230 calories, 6 gm fat, 2 gm fiber. Points per serving : 5
Serving size - 2 each.

One-Point Hearty Chili POINTS: 1

10 ounces extra-lean ground turkey breast*
1 medium onion, diced
2 (28-ounce) cans diced tomatoes
2 medium zucchini, diced
2 medium yellow squash, diced
1 (15-ounce) can black beans, rinsed and drained
2 (15-ounce) cans fat-free, reduced-sodium beef broth
4 celery stalks, diced
2 green bell peppers, diced
1 (1 1/4-ounce) package dry chili seasoning
(alternative 1-2 Tb chili powder, 1 tsp garlic, 1 tsp cumin)

1. Spray a large nonstick skillet with nonstick spray and set
over medium-high heat. Add the turkey and onion and saute' until browned, about 5 minutes.

2. Transfer the browned turkey and onion mixture to a large
soup pot and add the tomatoes, zucchini, squash, beans, broth, celery, bell peppers, and chili seasoning. Bring to a simmer over medium heat. Continue to simmer until the vegetables are tender, about 30 minutes.

*I usually substitute 93% lean ground beef that I drain and rinse with hot water. That ends up being roughly the same point count as lean turkey and tastes better!

Per serving (1 cup): 78 calories, 1 g fat, 3 g fiber
POINTS: 1

Black Bean Soup or Black Bean Chili.

2 cans black beans
1 can Ro-Tel tomatoes (you can pick there is mild, original and hot)
1 1/2 c frozen corn
4 green onion stalks chopped (these are optional)
3 tbsp chili powder
2 tsp ground cumin
1 can chicken broth
1 tsp minced garlic

Combine in a slowcooker (crockpot) cook on low 7 - 9 hours

The entire pot is only 9 points total. I know this is not the time of year for chili, but I wanted something filling and low in points and easy

Mushroon Soup

1 can of cream of mushroom soup
16oz of fresh sliced mushrooms
garlic, salt and pepper
chopped onions


Take cream of mushroom soup. The regular fat kind is ok. check points but it is usually 4 or 5 points for the whole can WITHOUT milk. Use water. Add 16oz of fresh sliced mushrooms (FREE). Add a little garlic salt and pepper to taste as well as some chopped onions. The less water you add the thicker the soup is. More like a stew. It becomes a large volume with the mushrooms and onions. Cook until mushrooms are soft. Then the whole pot is only 4 or 5 points depending on the points of the cream of mushroom soup. Very filling supper!!

Taco, "impossible Pie"

1 lb equivalent of veggie ground or veggie crumbles (if you use turkey pts go up to 27 total/4.5 per serving
taco seasoning
1 cup chopped onion
1/4 cup green chiles diced
1/2 cup diced tomatoes (can use rotelle)
1/2 tsp salt
1 cup shredded fat free cheese (can use "Lifetime" lowfat at 1pt per oz)
1/2 cup reduced fat bisquik
1 cup skim milk
1/2 cup fat free egg substitute

Heat oven to 400. Grean 9" pie plate. Cook veggie crumbles and onion until cooked through. Add taco seasoning,green chiles, and tomatoes. Stir in salt. Spread on pie plate sprayed w/ pam.Sprinkle w/ cheese. Stir remaining indgredients until blended. Pour into pie plate. Bake 25 minutes or until knife inserted in center comes out clean. 6 servings. 17 pts for entire pie so 3 pts per serving.

Easy Garden Bake

3 points

1cup chopped zucchini
1 large tomato chopped 1 cup
1 medium onion chopped 1 cup
1/3cup grated Parmesan Cheese
1/2 cup Bisquick Reduced fat baking mix
1 cup fat free(skim) milk
1/2 cup fat free cholestoral free egg substitute
1/2 tsp salt
1/8tsp pepper

Heat oven 400 degs. Grease 9inch pie plate and set aside. Saute zucchini and onions in nonstick pan sprayed with nonstick spray. Saute about 3-5mins until slightly softened. Combine with tomatos and cheese and spread over bottom of pie plate. Stir in remaining ingredients until blended. Pour into pie plate over the vegetables. Bake 35 minutes or until knife inserted in center comes out clean. cool 5 mins.
serves 4


Chicken Noodle Casserole

* 1 10 3/4 oz can of 98% fat free cream of chicken soup, undiluted
* 1/2 c fat free mayonaise
* 2 TBLSP lemon juice
* 2 c cubed, cooked chicken (I just used 2 boneless, skinless breasts)
* 1 small onion, chopped
* 1/4 c chopped green pepper
* 1/4 c chopped sweet red pepper
* 1 c fat free shredded cheddar
* 1 c fat free shredded mozzerella
* 12 oz medium egg noodles, cooked and drained

In a large bowl, combine soup, mayo and lemon juice.
Add the chicken, onion, peppers, 1/2 of each cheese and mix well.
Add noodles and toss to coat.
Transfer to a sprayed casserole dish.
Bake at 350* for 30-35 minutes.
Sprinkle with remaining cheese and bake for another 10 min. or until vegetables are soft.

* 6 large servings (close to 2 cups each)
* Each - 7 points

Swiss Chicken

* 6 boneless skinless chicken breasts
* 6 slices of fat-free Swiss Cheese
* 1 can 98% fat free condensed cream of chicken soup
* 1 cup skim milk
* pepper
* garlic salt
* 1 3/4 cup herbed stuffing mix

Preheat oven to 350*.
Place chicken breasts in a well sprayed cookin pan.
Season with pepper and garlic salt to taste.
Place cheese slices on top of chicken.
Mix soup and milk together.
Pour mixture over the chicken and sprinkle with the stuffing mix.
Bake uncovered for 50 minutes.

* Makes 6 servings
* Each - 6 points

Easy Cheesy Lasagna

* 1 jar (28 oz) spaghetti sauce
* 6 uncooked lasgna noodles
* 1 container (15 oz) fat-free ricotta cheese
* 1-2 cups sliced, chopped, or frozen vegatables
* 1 package (8 oz) shredded low-fat mozzarella cheese

1. Preheat over to 375 F. Spray, 11x7-inch baking dish with nonstick cooking spray. Spread 1/3 of the sauce on bottom of dish; arrange 3 noodles in a single layer over sauce. Top with another 1/3 of the sauce, all of the ricotta cheese and vegetables, and 1/2 of the ricotta cheese, then remaining noodles in a single layer. Spread evenly with remaining sauce.

2. Cover dish with foil, bake until noodles are tender and mixture is piping hot, about 1 hour. Sprinkle with remaining mozzarella cheese; back uncovered 5 minutes longer. Let stand 5 minutes before cutting.

* Makes 6 servings
* Each serving - 6 points

Crockpot Chicken Stroganoff


* 1 pound boneless chicken
* 1 container (16 oz) ff sour cream
* 1 packet Lipton's onion soup mix
* 1 can campbell's ff cream of chicken or cream of mushroom soup
* 1 small can mushrooms

Put all ingredients in the crockpot and cook on low for 6 hours.

* Makes 6 servings.
* Each serving - 4 points

Pour over pasta or rice.
Be sure to add the points.

Baked Beef Ziti … I use whole wheat penne instead of ziti, and Healthy Choice pasta sauce, which probably knocks it down a little.

Now POINTS Value: 5
Servings: 8
Preparation Time: 25 min
Cooking Time: 50 min
Level of Difficulty: Moderate
Tender noodles smothered in a rich tomato-meat sauce and nestled under melted cheese are usually a POINTS disaster. But you can put this Italian classic back on your menu with our easy renovations.

Ingredients
12 oz uncooked ziti
1 tsp olive oil
1/3 pound raw extra lean ground beef
1 tsp dried oregano
1 tsp dried thyme
1 tsp dried rosemary
1/2 tsp table salt
20 oz canned crushed tomatoes
2 medium garlic clove(s), minced
1/2 tsp black pepper
1 cup part-skim mozzarella cheese, shredded
Preheat oven to 350°F (177°C).

Cook pasta according to package directions without added fat or salt; drain and set aside.

Meanwhile, heat oil in a medium saucepan over medium heat; add garlic and sauté 2 minutes. Add beef and cook until browned, breaking up the meat as it cooks, about 3 to 5 minutes; drain off any fat and return pan to heat.

Add oregano, thyme, rosemary, salt and pepper; stir to coat beef. Cook until herbs become fragrant, about 2 minutes. Add tomatoes and bring mixture to a boil; reduce heat and simmer for 5 minutes.

Spoon a small amount of tomato mixture into the bottom of a 4-quart casserole dish (just enough to cover the surface). Top with half of the cooked ziti and then layer with half of the remaining tomato sauce and half of the mozzarella cheese. Layer remaining ziti on top and top with remaining sauce and mozzarella cheese. Bake until cheese is golden and bubbly, about 30 minutes. Yields about 1 cup per serving.

Classic Oven Fried Chicken --- This one is SOOOOOO good.
POINTS® Value: 5
Servings: 4
Preparation Time: 15 min
Cooking Time: 20 min
Level of Difficulty: Moderate
Lighten up this hearty favourite by switching to oven frying. Kick up the flavour using buttermilk and a dash of cayenne pepper.

Ingredients
1/2 cup all-purpose flour
1/4 tsp table salt
1/8 tsp cayenne pepper
3 oz buttermilk
3/4 cup cornflake crumbs
1 pound chicken breast, uncooked, boneless, skinless, four 4 oz pieces
Preheat oven to 365ºF. Lightly coat an 8 X 8 X 2-inch baking dish with nonstick cooking spray; set aside.

Combine flour, salt and cayenne pepper together in a medium-size bowl. Place buttermilk and corn flakes crumbs in 2 separate shallow bowls.

Roll chicken breast halves in flour mixture and evenly coat each side. Next dip chicken into buttermilk and then corn flakes crumbs.

Place coated chicken breasts in prepared baking dish. Bake until chicken is tender and no longer pink, about 20 minutes (there is no need to flip the chicken during baking). Yields 1 breast per serving.
Chef Tips
We renovated the Classic Oven Fried Chicken by:
Switching to "oven frying" rather than "deep-fat frying."

Using skinless, boneless chicken breasts instead of dark meat with the skin.

Dipping the chicken in naturally low-fat buttermilk instead of eggs to help the coating stick.

White Chicken Chili

1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breast
2 cans of great northern beans (I think a regular white bean would be a substitute)
1 cup of salsa
chicken broth
1 tsp cumin
1 tsp garlic powder
Salt and pepper to taste

I dice up the chicken breast in bite sized pieces. Toss them in a pot and brown them a bit. Dump in cans of beans, salsa and enough broth to make a chili/soup consistency. Season and simmer for about 45 minutes on low. Viola. Done. The beans make it very filling.

WW note: The points per canned beans may vary. This past weekend I made it into 5 servings...6 points per serving. I would say it's about a 1.5 cup serving...I just split it evenly between containers. Check your points on your beans to be sure.

Weight Watchers Chicken and Cheese Casserole

6 points per serving.

55 min | 10 min prep

SERVES 8

* 2 cups cooked macaroni
* 2 cups chicken, chopped
* 2 cups cream of mushroom soup, undiluted
* 2 cups skim milk
* 8 ounces low-fat cheddar cheese

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
2. In a large casserole, combine all ingredients, mixing well.
3. Bake,covered, 35-45 minutes.
4. Remove cover; bake 10-15 minutes longer.
5. Serve immediately.


Weight Watchers 0 Point Tortilla Soup
0 points

35 min | 5 min prep

SERVES 9

* 1 cup onion, chopped
* 2 garlic cloves, chopped
* 3 green onions, chopped
* 2 (12 ounce) cans diced tomatoes
* 4 cups low-fat chicken broth
* 1/3 cup salsa
* 1/2 red pepper, chopped
* 1/2 green pepper, chopped
* 3-4 celery ribs, chopped
* 1/3 cup fresh cilantro
* 1/2 teaspoon cumin
* 1/2 teaspoon chili powder
* 1/2 teaspoon basil
* 4 tablespoons fat free sour cream
* 4 tablespoons flour, to thicken (I only use 1 because I don't like thick soup)

1. Simmer onions, garlic & green onions in a pan until tender. Put all ingredients in a pot, simmer until all veggies are tender.
2. **** You can add chicken, divide the points by 9 servings. Taste great with a couple toasted taco shells on the side, but count your points

Balsamic Chicken and Mushrooms

(4 Points)

15 min | 5 min prep

SERVES 4

* 2 teaspoons vegetable oil
* 3 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
* 2 teaspoons Dijon mustard
* 1 clove garlic, minced (or more!)
* 4 (4 ounce) boneless skinless chicken breasts, pounded to 1/4 inch thickness
* 2 cups small mushrooms, halved,or quartered if using larger mushrooms
* 1/3 cup chicken broth or white wine
* 1/4 teaspoon dried thyme leaves, crumbled

1. In a nonstick skillet, heat 1 teaspoon of the oil.
2. In a bowl, mix 2 tablespoons of the vinegar, the mustard and garlic.
3. Add the chicken and coat both sides with the mixture.
4. Transfer the chicken and mixture to the skillet; saute until cooked through, about 3 minutes per side.
5. Transfer to a plate and keep warm.
6. In the skillet, heat the remaining teaspoon of oil.
7. Saute the mushrooms about a minute; add the broth/wine, thyme and remaining tablespoon of vinegar.
8. Cook stirring until the mushrooms are deep brown, about 2 minutes longer.
9. Serve the chicken, topped with the mushrooms.


Taco Junk

6 Points

1¼ hours | 7 min prep

SERVES 5

* 1 lb lean ground beef or ground turkey
* 1 (16 ounce) can black beans
* 1 (16 ounce) can stewed tomatoes (chopped)
* 1 (1 1/4 ounce) envelope taco seasoning mix
* 1 (1 ounce) envelope ranch dressing mix

1. Fry meat until just done.
2. Drain off excess oil.
3. Rinse with hot water.
5. Cover
4. Simmer on low for 1 hour.
5. You can use warmed flour tortillas and wrapped this up in them with a plop of sour cream and a bit of grated cheese.


WW Skinny Chimichangas

4 points per serving.
You can top these chimichangas with your favorite salsa and, for an extra 1 point per serving, 2 tablespoons fat-free sour cream.

55 min | 15 min prep

SERVES 4

* 1/2 lb ground turkey breast
* 1 onion, finely chopped
* 1 garlic clove, minced
* 2 teaspoons chili powder
* 1 teaspoon dried oregano
* 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
* 1 (8 ounce) can tomato sauce
* 2 tablespoons chopped mild green chilies
* 1/3 cup shredded reduced-fat cheddar cheese
* 4 (8 inch) fat free tortillas, flour

1. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.
2. Spray a nonstick baking sheet with nonstick spray; set aside.
3. Spray a medium nonstick skillet with nonstick spray; set over medium-high heat.
4. Add the turkey, onion, garlic, chili powder, oregano, and cumin.
5. Cook, breaking up the turkey with a wooden spoon until browned, about 6 miuntes.
6. Stir in the tomato sauce and the chiles; bring to a boil.
7. Reduce the heat and simmer, uncovered, until the flavors are blended and the mixture thickens, slightly, about 5 minutes.
8. Remove from the heat and stir in the cheddar cheese.
9. Meanwhile, wrap the tortillas in foil and place in the oven to warm for 10 minutes.
10. Spoon about 1/2 cup of the filling into the center of each tortilla.
11. Fold in the sides, then roll to enclose the filling.
12. Place the chimichangas, seam-side down, on the baking sheet.
13. Lightly spray the tops of the tortillas with nonstick spray.
14. Bake until golden and crisp, about 20 miuntes.
15. Do not turn.

Cauliflower And/Or Broccoli Soup (WW 0 Point Soup)

35 min | 15 min prep

SERVES 6

* 6 cups water
* 5 cups cauliflower or broccoli
* 2 cups carrots
* 1/2 cup onion
* 1 teaspoon dried oregano
* 1 teaspoon dried basil
* 4 chicken bouillon cubes or 4 tablespoon chicken bouillon powder
* salt & pepper

1. Dice cauliflower and/or broccoli.
2. Slice 2 cups carrots, chop 1/2 cup onion.
3. In a 5 quart saucepan, add all ingredients except salt and pepper.
4. Cover and simmer until vegetables are tender (about 20 minutes).
5. Strain off and reserve most of the liquid. Place vegetables in a food processor and puree. {OR mash vegetables, still in pan with potato masher til of desired consistency}.
6. Add pureed vegetables and reserved liquid (if you wish for a more liquid soup) back into the pot.
7. Add salt and pepper and re-heat.

Saturday, September 13, 2008

Breakfast ideas

Breakfast burrito:

one tortilla
1/4 cup egg beater or one egg
FF Cheese ( I usually use Kraft slices..FF of course )
onion and green chile and salsa

Oatmeal

  • Make 2 points of oatmeal (1/2 c dry, 1 c water) in the microwave
  • Add 1/2 c NF plain yogurt (1 pt) and one of the following:
- a diced nectarine,
- 1/2 banana,
- 1/2 c. unsweetened applesauce,
- 1/2 c pineapple,
- 1 c. fresh strawberries or blueberries (all 1 pt).
  • Add a splash of sugar-free Davinci or Torani syrup (whatever flavor strikes my fancy -- coconut is great with the pineapple!) and have a filling 4 point breakfast!
Cinnamon Raisin oatmeal

1/2 cup quick cooking oats
dash cinnamon
dash nutmeg
2 tablespoons splenda
2 tablespoons Raisin
1 1/2 cups water
1 tablespoon wheat bran

  • Add all but oats and bran into a sauce pan. bring to boil.
  • Add remaining. stir over med heat for 1 minute. cover and let stand, off heat, to thicken.
  • Add up to 2 tablespoons wheat bran to thicken
favorite breakfast

one morningstar farm veggie sausage pattie
one ww english muffin (toasted)
one wedge of laughing cow lite spread on the muffin

2-3 pt breakfast

"Fried" Egg Sandwich
2 slices low point bread-toasted (1 pt)
2 "fried" egg whites (0 pts)-cook 2 egg whites only just like a fried egg (all the protein no fat!)
1 oz lean ham (1 pt) heated in skillet with eggs
Optional-1 slice low fat cheese (1 pt)

Rice Pudding

1/2 cup cooked brown rice
1/2 cup plain yogurt
1/2 cup lowfat cottage cheese
2 T raisins or dried choppped dates
1 pkt equal
a smidge of cinnamon
a splash of maple extract

Mix well and enjoy!
Serves 1/ 6 pts


Applesauce-Cranberry Oatmeal

2 Weight Watchers points

4 min | 2 min prep

SERVES 1

* 3 tablespoons oatmeal, uncooked
* 1 tablespoon dried cranberries
* 1/2 cup unsweetened applesauce
* 1/2 cup water
* 1/8 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1. Mix all ingredients together.
2. Microwave for 1-2 minutes.

Friday, September 12, 2008

The "Diet Coke" Low Fat Cake

The "Diet Coke" Low Fat Cake


1 box of regular or low-fat cake mix
1 12-ounce can of diet Coke

Use any regular or low-fat cake mix and add the diet Coke. Bake the cake according to the package directions.

You can frost the cake a couple of different ways... Sprinkle the cake with confectioners sugar, or mix together an 8-ounce tub of Cool Whip and 1 package of sugar-free, fat-free pudding mix (any flavor appropriate to cake flavor).

Variations:
diet Coke/Chocolate Cake Mix
diet Sprite/White Cake Mix
diet Cherry Coke/Cherry Cake Mix

100 Calorie Snacks

100 Calorie Snacks: 20 Choices
(I don't know how many points)

Need some ideas? To get you started on the road to calorie-controlled snacking, our experts offer some suggestions for healthy 100-calorie munchies:
1. Half an apple with 2 teaspoons of peanut butter
2. An orange and a few dry-roasted nuts
3. 10 cashew nuts
4. 10 almonds
5. 2 ounces of lean roast beef
6. Half a small avocado
7. 3 ounces cooked whole-grain noodles with 1 fresh tomato and 1/2 ounce hard cheese
8. 1 seven-grain Belgian waffle
9. 4 mini rice cakes with 2 tablespoons low-fat cottage cheese
10. 3 ounces low-fat cottage cheese and 3 whole-wheat crackers
11. 1/4 cup fat-free ranch dressing with mixed raw veggies
12. 6 Wheat Thins crackers with two teaspoons of peanut butter (or any nut butter)
13. 1 small baked potato with 1/2 cup salsa and 2 tablespoons of fat-free sour cream
14. 1/3 cup of unsweetened applesauce with 1 slice of whole-wheat toast, cut into 4 strips for dunking
15. 1/2 cup frozen orange juice, eaten as sorbet
16. 2 large graham cracker squares with 1 teaspoon peanut butter
17. 3 handfuls of unbuttered popcorn, seasoned with herbs
18. 4-6 ounces of no-fat or low-fat yogurt
19. A 5-ounce tossed salad with lettuce, tomato, cucumber and 1/4 cup fat-free dressing
20. Half a "finger" of string cheese with 4 whole-wheat crackers

Thursday, September 11, 2008

Thursday Thirteen #3


Thirteen Easy Weight Watchers Snacks
  1. Fat Free Pumpkin Pudding
    0 point treat!

    2¼ hours | 10 min prep

    SERVES 8

    * 1 (15 ounce) can pumpkin
    * 1 (1 1/3 ounce) box sugar-free vanilla pudding mix
    * 1 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice
    * 1 cup water

    1. Mix the water and pudding mix together until there are no more lumps.
    2. Bring to a slow boil in a saucepan.
    3. Stir frequently.
    4. Remove from heat and fold in pumpkin and spices.
    5. Pour into 8 small serving cups.
    6. Refrigerate 2 hours until firm.
    7. Top with fat free whipped topping to serve.
    8. I tried something a little new. I used butterscotch pudding (fat free, sugar free instant) and did half water and half light eggnog! Whipped those together REALLY well before folding in the pumpkin. It added about 16 calories a serving, but was WAY creamier and just delicious!

  2. Pumpkin Muffins


    40 min | 15 min prep

    24 muffins each muffin is only 2 points

    * 1 (15 ounce) can pumpkin
    * 1 (18 ounce) box cake mix (spice)
    * 1 cup water

    1. Mix both together until smooth.
    2. Spoon into muffin tin (either lightly sprayed or with muffin cups).
    3. cook for 20-25min at 350 degrees.
    4. Makes 24 muffins.

  3. Caramel Apple Salad
    1 Cup equals 5 points.

    5 min | 5 min prep

    SERVES 4

    * 1 (20 ounce) can crushed pineapple (do not drain)
    * 4 unpeeled red delicious apples, cut up
    * 1 (1 ounce) box sugar-free fat-free butterscotch pudding (or regular)
    * 1 (8 ounce) container fat-free cool whip

    1. Mix all together and let set overnight.

  4. Super Healthy Hummus

    1/4 cup = 1 point ww.

    10 min | 10 min prep

    SERVES 6

    * 3 garlic cloves, minced, more if you like
    * 1/4 cup plain low-fat yogurt
    * 1 tablespoon lemon juice
    * 1 teaspoon olive oil
    * 1/4 teaspoon salt
    * 1/4 teaspoon paprika
    * 1/8 teaspoon pepper
    * 1 (19 ounce) can chickpeas, drained and rinsed
    * 1 tablespoon fresh parsley, chopped

    1. Combine everything in blender or food processor and process until smooth.
    2. The blender gives the best result.
    3. If you need more liquid to make a nice consistency, add a bit more yogurt.
    4. Chill.
    5. Serve with pitas or as a veggie dip.

  5. Ww Frozen Peanut Butter Cups

    1 point per cup

    5 min | 5 min prep

    SERVES 12

    * 8 ounces Cool Whip Free
    * 6 tablespoons peanut butter
    * 2 tablespoons Hersheys Chocolate Syrup

    1. Combine Cool Whip and peanut butter.
    2. Line 12 cupcake tins with liners and spoon in mixture.
    3. Top with a drizzle of syrup and freeze
    4. That's it!

  6. Make your own pizzas


    • 1 pt tortilla or pita
    • TBSP any type of sauce you like (pizza 0pts, pesto 1 pt, alfredo 1pt, thai peanut 1 pt)
    • pile on any type of veggie you like (these are good: carrots, zuchini, cabbage, radish, spinach, fresh uncooked beets)
    • cheese (I weigh out 2-4 pts worth)

    Stop here and bake at 400 deg. for 10-15 min.
    OR
    Add chicken/tuna/turkey peperoni and then cook.

    Depending on how you make it the whole pizza is 5-8 points and is very filling


  7. Veggie Fajitas (4 points)

    multi-colored bell peppers (0 points)
    green onions (0 points)
    fresh spinach (0 points)
    mushrooms (0 points)
    Portabello Mushroom Gardenburger (1 point)
    Whole wheat tortilla (2 points)
    fresh tomatoes
    lettuce
    0pt salsa
    FF cheese (1 point)


    Take fajita veggies, like multi-colored bell peppers, green onions, fresh spinach, mushrooms...whatever you like and saute them in Pam. (0 points)
    Microwave a Portabello Mushroom Gardenburger (1 point).
    Cut up the garden burger into cubes/chunks/strips and put it in a 2pt whole wheat tortilla, add the sauteed veggies and voila.
    A 3pt fajita that is HUGE, yummy, and sooo filling.
    I usually put some fresh tomatoes in it, some lettuce, some FF sour cream, 0pt salsa...You could add some FF cheese for another point.

  8. Tasty Tuna!
    1/4 cup tuna (1.5 points),
    a half of a wedge of garlic and herb laughing cow cheese (0.5 points)
    light english muffin (1 point)
    salt, pepper,
    lettuce,
    tomato,
    dill relish

    Mix together (you have to mix it for a while so the cheese gets all over the tuna).
    Put this on a toasted light english muffin
    Top it with salt, pepper, lettuce, tomato, and a little dill relish, it makes a super 3 point sandwich!!! I also like to put it on top of my salads. NOTE: It's a few more points but TOTALLY worth it to use avocado in place of mayo in tuna salad and then seasons it with whatever you feel like. I have also used Italian or Ranch dressings

  9. Delicious Smoothie

    5 points

    2 individual cups of light peach yogurt
    1 Small Banana
    1 cup of berries

    Put it all in the blender and mix. This is SOOO Yummy and filling too.
  10. 1-point mock 'Ice cream' sandwiches

    You need:
    reduced-fat chocolate flavored graham crackers
    cool whip light

    Break each sheet of graham crackers in half, and put 2 tbsp. cool whip light in between them, like a sandwich. Put in the freezer for at least 2 hours before eating. Each sandwich is 1 point.

  11. Easy Pineapple cake

    You need:
    1 box yellow cake mix
    1 can (15oz) crushed pineapple, in it's own juice
    1 (8oz) container cool whip light
    maraschino cherries

    Mix together cake mix and canned pineapple. Bake in 9x13 pan as directed on cake mix box. Cool. When cool, top with cool whip light and maraschino cherries. 3 points per 1/12th of cake.

    * variation: Chocolate cherry cake: make the above cake with chocolate cake mix and light cherry pie filling instead of yellow cake and pineapple. Top with cool whip light and maraschino cherries. 3 points per 1/12th of cake.
  12. 1pt Devils food cupcakes

    1 box devils food cake mix
    1 12oz can diet coke

    Prepare cake as directed on back of the box, but instead of adding oils and eggs and those things, just add the can of diet coke, beat, and bake.

  13. Brownie Muffins/Bran Brownies

    Some folks make them as brownies, some like 'em in the cupcake cups - suit yourself.

    3 cups of All Bran
    2 1/3 cups water
    1 pkg Low fat brownie mix
    1-3 tbsp baking powder

    - soak all bran in water for a couple of minutes
    - add baking powder and stir
    - add brownie mix
    Bake in oven @ 350 for about 20-25 minutes
    makes 24 small (1pt each) or 12 large (2 pts) muffins.





Get the Thursday Thirteen code here!


The purpose of the meme is to get to know everyone who participates a little bit better every Thursday. Visiting fellow Thirteeners is encouraged! If you participate, leave the link to your Thirteen in others' comments. It’s easy, and fun! Trackbacks, pings, comment links accepted!



Wednesday, September 10, 2008

Chicken Enchiladas

Chicken Enchiladas - 4 pts (Absolutely Yummy!)

1 (11-ounce) jar salsa
1 cup shredded cooked chicken breast
1 cup reduced-fat shredded Mexican cheese blend
3/4 cup plain FF yogurt
1 small yellow squash, diced (I used green because yellow is hard to find)
3 tbs canned diced jalapeno peppers
8 (6-inch) corn tortillas
2 tablespoons minced parsley

1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. Spread 1/3 cup salsa in the bottom of a 10 x 6 baking dish. Mix the chicken, 1/2 cup of cheese, 1/2 cup of yogurt, squash, and jalapenos in a bowl.

2. Heat the tortillas according to the package. Spread about 1/3 cup of the chicken mixture down the center of each tortilla. Roll up and place seem-side down in the baking dish. Pour the reamining salsa over the tortillas, then sprinkle with the remaining 1/2 cup cheese. Cover with foil and bake until the cheese melts (about 20 minutes). Top with the remaining 1/4 cup yogurt, sprinkle with parsley and serve.

Per Serving: 215 Cal, 3g Fat, 1g sat Fat, 10mg Chol, 588mg Sod, 39g Carb, 5g Fib, 10g Prot, 235 mg Calc. = 4pts/serving, makes 4 servings

WW Flex Points Target

The Points Chart

Current Weight Target (daily minimum)
000 – 149 20
150 – 174 22
175 – 199 24
200 – 224 26
225 – 249 28
250 – 274 30
275 – 299 31
300 – 324 32
325 – 349 33
350 – + 34

*Plus you get 35 "Flexpoints" per week which you can choose to use or not.

Or you can use the updated system to find your personal daily points Target:

  1. Are you
    Female?........score 2
    Male?..........Score 8

  2. how old are you?
    17-26..........score 4
    27-37..........score 3
    38-47..........score 2
    48-58..........score 1
    Over 58........score 0

  3. What is your weight ?
    Take the first 2 digits of your weight in pounds.
    Example if you weigh 175 enter 17

  4. How tall are you
    Under 5'1" ............score 0
    5'1"to 5'10" ..........score 1
    Over 5'10" ...........score 0

  5. Do you spend most of your day
    Sitting down ? .......................................................Score 0
    Occasionally sitting but mostly standing ?........Score 2
    Walking most of the time? ..................................Score 4
    Doing physically hard work ? .............................score 6


Tuesday, September 9, 2008

My Decision


Well, I guess I should share with you which diet I have decided to pursue. But before I do, let me talk to all my friends out there about my decision.

I truly believe that there are many ways for us to get healthy and to lose weight. I believe as well that a lot of diets have a lot of merit and are good for the people on them, and that includes people who are on low carb, low fat, low calorie, or many other kinds of diets out there. However I do think that what works for one person may not work for another. That doesn't mean that there is anything inherently wrong with the diet, it just means that we are all different. I think that each person has to find a diet that will work for them. There is no point in doing a diet that you feel deprived on. There is also no point in doing a diet that you know you will not be able to keep doing. There is no point in doing a diet that makes you feel sick. And there is no point in doing a diet that does not have a maintenance system. Because lets face it, if I knew how to regulate my own eating, I wouldn't need a diet to begin with.

As I said, I still believe in the low carb way of eating. I believe that it truly works. I just know that it doesn't work for me. Due to my health issues, I need to eat a high fibre, low fat way of eating. It is the only way that I can feel healthy on the inside. I also need a diet that is flexible. One that I can work into my family's way of eating as well because as a mom of a new baby, I don't have time to cook several meals each day like I have in the past.

So I have decided to go on the Weight Watchers Flex program. I have done this in the past and lost a lot of weight. I only went off it when I hit a plateau. But truthfully, no diet I was on afterwards really got me any further. I am pretty sure that after I had lost 70 lbs, my body was just ready for me to stop. So, this time, I am going to be content to stop when my body tells me I am done. Well not stop, I can never stop, but I once I get there, I will be content to maintain that healthy weight.

So it is official, on September 15th when I get groceries, I will be starting on my new way of eating . . . the Weight Watchers Flex Program.

Please note, I am not going to delete any of the low carb information that I have on this blog. I am just going to continue to collect information on my new way of eating and add it to the information that is already here.

Monday, September 8, 2008

decision


I am working on my decision. I have decided that the change in my eating plan will be made on September 15th when I get groceries next time. That is the easiest and best time for me to change. Until then I will struggle along as best I can.

I am pretty sure I know which diet I am going to do. I have done it before (I know that doesn't narrow it down a lot. Sorry) But I was pretty successful on it. I even won a contest for the amount I lost on it. It is flexible, I feel pretty good on it and I have a lot of recipes for it. Stay tuned and I will keep you updated.

Sunday, September 7, 2008

Choosing the right diet

I figured that if I am struggling to find the diet to suit my family as well as my health issues, others may be too. So I am going to share some of the tips that I am finding:

  1. There is a quiz you can take: Best diet for me (for me it left me with too many options)
  2. I really like this website for helping you find the right diet for you: DietTV
  3. Here is another quiz you can take: The ‘Right Diet’ Eating Personality Quiz
  4. You should follow a healthy diet that you like and that you can stick to. The diet should be low in fats (especially saturated and trans fats) and sugars, and high in fiber and protein.
  5. Make changes you can make a part of your everyday life.
  6. I want a diet that is easy to follow for the long haul
  7. I want a diet that is easy to Stick With
  8. I want a diet that is simple to understand
  9. I want a diet that makes eating out easy
  10. I want a diet that is fits into my busy schedule

Diet and health

Advocates claim that their diets may help or control the following common health concerns. Before trying a new diet be sure to read the full diet and health conditions articles—and remember to check with your doctor before trying new eating habits.

Allergies

Rheumatoid arthritis

Cancer prevention

Colon disorders

Constipation

Diabetes type 2

Diverticular disease

Duodenal ulcers

Certain gastrointestinal disorders (constipation, Crohn’s disease, diarrhea, duodenal ulcer, gallstones, indigestion, irritable bowel)

Heart disease

High blood pressure

High cholesterol

Hypoglycemia

Insulin resistance

Migraine

Certain respiratory disorders (asthma, hay fever, sinusitis, sinus congestion)

Saturday, September 6, 2008

Thoughts



I have a lot of thinking going on with regard to my diet. I am trying to research and figure out which diet will go better with all my stomach issues. I am determined. I will work at this and lose weight. I did it before. I lost 70 lbs. I can do that again.

I am also working on a menu plan. (a little difficult until I know which diet I will do, huh? LOL) I want to do one that includes ideas for breakfasts, lunches, suppers, and snacks. That way when I get groceries, I will have a good idea of what to get. I also want to work it so that whichever diet I do, I can create one meal for everyone. I would like to create family friendly meals that just happen to suit my diet too.

Friday, September 5, 2008

Diet Dilemma


I am having a crisis of diet. I totally believe in the low carb way of eating. I truly believe that it is the fastest and easiest way for me to lose weight, however, I have quite a few stomach issues that I won't bother to go into here. These issues limit the foods I can eat. I find myself reacting to foods and barring them from my diet so much that on this diet, I am severly restricted. Most meats and most fat totally bother me, to the point that I can eat very little of them. But then when I don't eat them, there is not much else here that I can eat. I am a little stuck. To the point that I am really reconsidering my diet.

I chose this diet because it fits in with how Prince Charming eats. I wouldn't have to spend extra money on me. But maybe I should consider spending the extra money on me that I would on a different diet, if it means that I can lose weight and feel good at the same time.

Thursday, September 4, 2008

Thursday Thirteen #2


Thirteen Things I try to keep in my kitchen
  1. Cream Cheese
  2. Cheese (including brick, string, and feta)
  3. Heavy cream and Sour Cream
  4. Meats like Ham, Chicken, and Pepperoni
  5. Pickles
  6. Eggs incl. hard boiled
  7. Mushrooms
  8. Avocado
  9. Hamburger Patties
  10. Helmann's Mayo
  11. Veggies like Peppers,zucchini and Broccoli
  12. Almonds
  13. Peanut Butter


Get the Thursday Thirteen code here!


The purpose of the meme is to get to know everyone who participates a little bit better every Thursday. Visiting fellow Thirteeners is encouraged! If you participate, leave the link to your Thirteen in others' comments. It’s easy, and fun! Trackbacks, pings, comment links accepted!



Wednesday, September 3, 2008

Quick and Easy low carb snacks




  • Oven-Baked Cheese Crisps
  • Five Minute Sweet Spiced Pecans
  • Celery with peanut butter
  • Celery with tuna salad
  • Hard boiled eggs
  • Deviled eggs
  • Dill pickles and cheddar cheese (no kidding, it’s a great combo)
  • 1/4 cup berries with 1/3 cup cottage cheese
  • Nuts (keep raw ones in the freezer if you think you’ll overeat them)
  • Sunflower seeds (get them in the shell so it will take longer to eat them)
  • Jerky (beef or turkey -- try to find low-sugar varieties)
  • Cheese sticks, such as string cheese
  • Sugar-free Jello, alone or with cottage cheese and a sprinkling of nuts
  • Make sugar-free lime Jello with part coconut milk - for a large package, dissolve the powder in a cup of boiling water, add a can of coconut milk, and then add the rest of the water. Stir well.
  • Cheese with a few apple slices
  • Smoked salmon and cream cheese on cucumber slices
  • Lettuce Roll-ups – roll luncheon meat, egg salad, tuna or other filling and veggies in lettuce leaves
  • Lunch Meat Roll-ups – roll cheese or veggies in lunch meat (read the labels for carbs on the lunch meat)
  • Mushrooms with cheese spread inside (or other spreads or dips)
  • Pepperoni Chips - Microwave pepperoni slices until crisp -- great with cheeses and dips



Oven-Baked Cheese Crisps


Ingredients:

* 1 cup grated hard cheese (such as Parmesean) - NOT the dried powdery stuff

Preparation:
Preheat oven to 350 F.

Note on type of cheese: You can use any kind, really, but the results will be different. Hard cheeses, such as Parmesan, Romano, Asagio, etc, will make a crisp "shell," whereas cheddar will be more chewy and "lacey" (the fat separates out), though still firm. Softer cheeses such as mozzerella will not work well.

Toss cheese with any seasonings you'd like -- garlic powder (about half a teaspoon for a cup of cheese), hot pepper powder, even cinnamon. Or leave plain.

Pile 1 to 4 Tablespoons of cheese (depending on the size you want) on a baking sheet covered with a silicone mat or parchment paper oiled on both sides. Flatten the tops so they are in more or less an even pile. There should be at least two inches between smaller mounds, 4 inches between larger ones.

Bake 5 to 6 minutes until they are a light golden brown (they will be a little darker at the edges). It happens fast, so watch carefully.

If you want to mold them into a shape, you want to "drape" them while still warm. You can make cups over an upturned glass, or "taco shell" shapes by draping over any cylindrical object that is at hand (rolling pin, side of glass)

Serving Suggestions: Fill with fruit, dip, salad. Spread flat ones with sugar-free jam (I'm not kidding), or any spread you want, or eat plain.



Five Minute Sweet Spiced Pecans

You can start making these yummy spiced pecans when the guests pull into the driveway. By the time they get into the house, it will be filled with delicious smells. Minutes later, the pecans are in a dish, ready to be nibbled on. These pecans are also great in salads.
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Ingredients:

* 2 cups pecan halves
* 2 Tbsp butter
* 1/4 tsp cayenne or other hot pepper
* artificial sweetener equal to about 3 T sugar
* 4 tsp cinnamon
* 1/2 tsp salt

Preparation:
Use a large enough skillet so the pecans are in one layer. A nonstick skillet works well.

Melt the butter in the skillet and add the hot pepper. If you are using liquid artificial sweetener, add it now.

Add pecans to skillet and cook over medium heat. Stir every 30 seconds. After 2 or 3 minutes, stir them constantly until they just begin to brown. Pecans burn quickly, so keep your eyes on them. If the butter starts smoking before this point, turn off the heat and call them done. Stir in cinnamon, salt, and powdered sweetener if you're using it. Remove from pan and place in bowl (pecans can still burn sitting in the hot pan). When they seem cool enough to taste, adjust seasonings accordingly (if you want more salt or sweetener)

. Carbohydrate Information:1/4 cup of pecans have 1 gram of effective carbohydrate plus 3 grams of fiber.

Tuesday, September 2, 2008

Supper tonight


SEOUL CHICKEN

6-8 chicken thighs, skin on
5 tablespoons soy sauce
1/4 cup granular Splenda or equivalent liquid Splenda
1/4 teaspoon pepper
1/4 cup green onion, chopped
1 tablespoon garlic, minced
1 tablespoon sesame oil
5 tablespoons water
Xanthan gum, optional Place the chicken pieces in a gallon size ziploc bag. Mix the remaining ingredients, except the xanthan gum, in a small bowl. Pour the marinade into the bag with the chicken. Close the bag and knead gently to coat all of the chicken pieces. Place in a shallow pan, just in case the bag leaks. Put in the refrigerator and marinate at least 1 hour, turning the bag over occasionally. Dump the entire contents of the bag into a 9x13" glass baking pan. Arrange the thighs skin side up. Bake at 425º for 35-40 minutes until the meat is done. Remove the chicken from the baking pan to a serving platter and keep warm. Skim most of the fat off the juices remaining in the pan and pour into a small saucepan. Bring to a boil and lightly sprinkle the xanthan over the liquid while whisking briskly. Be careful not to let it get too thick. Stop before you think it's thick enough or you'll get glue. Serve the sauce over chicken. The unthickened pan juices can also be served over the chicken and are very tasty over Fried "Rice". Makes 6-8 servings
Can be frozen With granular Splenda:
Per 1/6 Recipe: 300 Calories; 21g Fat; 23g Protein; 3g Carbohydrate; trace Dietary Fiber; 3g Net Carbs
Per 1/8 Recipe: 225 Calories; 16g Fat; 17g Protein; 2g Carbohydrate; trace Dietary Fiber; 2g Net Carbs
With liquid Splenda:
Per 1/6 Recipe: 296 Calories; 21g Fat; 23g Protein; 2g Carbohydrate; trace Dietary Fiber; 2g Net Carbs
Per 1/8 Recipe: 222 Calories; 16g Fat; 17g Protein; 1.5g Carbohydrate; trace Dietary Fiber; 1.5g Net Carbs

Monday, September 1, 2008

Monday Menu Plan

I decided to put my menu plan over at this blog since this is about my diet and my food intake. It makes more sense, well it does to me anyway.

http://orgjunkie.com/

This is my menu plan I tried to keep it as simple as possible. I am still doing well on my diet and so far it is going pretty well with mostly making the same meal for everyone with a carb-o-licious side dish for the rest of my family. Here is my plan for this week.

  1. Monday: Hamburger Cabbage Casserole
  2. Tuesday: Linda's Seoul chicken
  3. Wednesday: Country Pork
  4. Thursday: Chicken Sybil
  5. Friday: Mexican Pork chops
  6. Saturday: Mayonnaise Baked Chicken
  7. Sunday: Crustless Pizza
Hamburger Cabbage Casserole
1 lb lean ground beef
1 small head cabbage
1 can rotel tomatoes (you can use regular tomatoes)
shredded cheddar to taste

brown the ground beef with spices preferred
chop cabbage and add to beef until cooked down some
throw in the can of rotel tomatoes
after it's all cooked nicely throw in your cheddar to taste. the cheddar and juice from the rotel make a nice cheese sauce.

Mexican Pork chops
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1 teaspoon chili powder
4 boneless pork chops
1 tablespoon vegetable oil
1 1/4 cups salsa
1teaspoon baking cocoa
1/8 tesapoon ground cinnamon
2 tablespoons choppe cilantro
1 green onion chopped

Combine cumin and chili powder; rub over both sides of pork. In a large skillet brown pork chops in oil on both sides over medium heat.

In a smallbowl, combine salsa, cocoa and cinnamon: pour over pork. Bring sauce to a boil. Reduce heat; simmer, uncovered, for 8-10 minutes or until meat is tender, turning once and stirring the sauce occasionally. Sprinkle with cilantro and green onion.

1 chop with 1/3 cup of sauce=213 calories, 10g fat, 4 carbs, 1 fiber, 22g protein

COUNTRY PORK RIBS

two packages Country style Pork Ribs
8 oz can tomato sauce
1/4 cup vinegar
2 tbsp worcestershire
1 tbsp dry mustard
1/2 tsp chili powder
2 tbsp splenda

Brown ribs in frying pan, then put in crockpot. Mix bbq sauce ingredients and pour over ribs. Cook on low 10 hours.

I added a little guar gum to the sauce to thicken a little, but it was pretty loose (but tasty). We got four servings of meat, with lots of sauce left over. Carbs are hard to determine since you don't actually consume a lot of the sauce. You can substitute any other bbq sauce. The meat just fell off the bones and was great!

Mayonnaise Baked Chicken

6 Breasts or whatever parts are your favourite.
1 Cup 0 Carb Mayonnaise
1 Tablespoon Garlic
1/4 Cup Parmesan Cheese
Salt & Pepper or whatever seasonings you like

Mix all above together in a separate bowl. Spread over chicken and bake at 375 degrees until done.

CHICKEN SYBIL
  • 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
  • 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, about ¼ pound each
  • Salt & pepper

  • OPTIONAL VARIATIONS
  • Handful of capers, sliced mushrooms, diced tomato, green onion, frozen peas, cooked bacon or your choice

  • SAUCE
  • ¼ cup chicken broth
  • ¼ cup cream or sour cream or fat-free half ‘n’ half
  • 2 tablespoons good mustard

  • OPTIONAL SAUCE INGREDIENTS
  • 2 tablespoons orange juice concentrate (my favorite) or maple syrup, marmalade, tomato paste, barbecue sauce or your choice

Melt the butter in a large skillet on MEDIUM HIGH. Between two sheets of waxed paper, pound the chicken breasts with a rolling pin until about a half-inch thick. Season one side, transfer to the skillet seasoned-side down (the meat should sizzle), then season the top side. Reduce the heat to MEDIUM, cook for 4 minutes on one side, then 3 – 4 minutes on the other side. Transfer to warm plates and cover with foil.

Add variation ingredients (if any) to skillet, stir 1 – 2 minutes until warm. Add sauce and optional sauce ingredients (if any) to hot skillet, stirring to incorporate bits of chicken left in pan. Let thicken slightly. Pour sauce over chicken. Serve and enjoy!

NUTRITION ESTIMATE Per Serving: 178 Cal (36% from Fat); 7g Tot Fat; 4g Sat Fat; 1g Carb; 0g Fiber; 82mg Cholesterol; Weight Watchers 4 points

"Pitter Patter" designed by Twisted Cinderella