tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-45833787950983299282024-03-12T22:14:54.290-05:00My Summer of Weight WatchersThis blog is dedicated to all of those whom grew up understanding that the essential ingredient in any recipe is good butter. That serving more than one starchy carb per meal passes as ideal country cuisine and the inclusion of a leafy vegetable manifests as greens marinated in fat back.
If any of this sounds like you then please join me as I learn how to cook all over again using the healthy principles found in the Weight Watchers manifesto.
Good Luck!Bridgehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00482653132072442140noreply@blogger.comBlogger45125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4583378795098329928.post-69151517708902687312013-07-13T14:32:00.001-05:002013-07-13T14:32:11.885-05:00Hello, Stranger! <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZS92iNFe530zp7xDOBi6xmSfkPvOV9MN62gdzsq0FOtPEP34TzDihG9RpYqCWAA27hYa9Vvln3YhuDzdEJBBxq0in0iqehLmd3N5ISeobf-DXSQs2AfEX8YxBGuSpto-8E59gjBNe1u8/s1600/MeandBear.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZS92iNFe530zp7xDOBi6xmSfkPvOV9MN62gdzsq0FOtPEP34TzDihG9RpYqCWAA27hYa9Vvln3YhuDzdEJBBxq0in0iqehLmd3N5ISeobf-DXSQs2AfEX8YxBGuSpto-8E59gjBNe1u8/s320/MeandBear.jpg" width="264" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">With My Bear After Losing 54.6lbs!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
So very much has happened since my last post on this blog! I've gotten married, moved from Texas to East Tennessee, and most recently had my first child! One would think that after working so hard to lose nearly 60lbs that maintaining the loss would have become a top priority...of course we all know that life doesn't work that way and suffice to say that stuff happens! So now I am literally back to where I started Weight Watchers within a one pound margin and I am finding comfort in this starting weight. Comfort in the fact that I have been exactly here once before and I was able to do it so doing it again (this time with the extreme motivation of my son) will be hard but I know that I can! Just like last time around I will be sharing photos and recipes of new dishes as I go along...I'm not sure if I even have anyone following me anymore but that's o.k. too! I am motivated and ready to get losing!!!<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNBiDSNZt221DhyKmDrQtPRtXaXS5BlWO0xHbePt46Uz1komOHCDL_UYRFO2a6FY2C4ZiN53MGSsdVC9Kfuka3ZQpYiV7gAgvpB3YdCKPzaMGqEP9umOm1nhyphenhyphen4m4Wy5DR1Eh7PoiK6qI8/s1600/Giggles+in+Tow.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNBiDSNZt221DhyKmDrQtPRtXaXS5BlWO0xHbePt46Uz1komOHCDL_UYRFO2a6FY2C4ZiN53MGSsdVC9Kfuka3ZQpYiV7gAgvpB3YdCKPzaMGqEP9umOm1nhyphenhyphen4m4Wy5DR1Eh7PoiK6qI8/s320/Giggles+in+Tow.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Me Now with My New Little Man!!!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />Bridgehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00482653132072442140noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4583378795098329928.post-51172083564631017322011-01-10T17:20:00.000-06:002011-01-10T17:20:25.770-06:00Working On It!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibn_hyY194cC0ayLu3HOyCX5QbdMIlOihBV1L4SDPNpypH9NOMIno36uVeeltX0VII_gLWD102Ct68f6QrxVdOrqqeB-SuEUYJlcAMp-w1nrWxHeG6fJPXeD1JSHFYDCPY-IhEPN5ytR4/s1600/under_construction.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibn_hyY194cC0ayLu3HOyCX5QbdMIlOihBV1L4SDPNpypH9NOMIno36uVeeltX0VII_gLWD102Ct68f6QrxVdOrqqeB-SuEUYJlcAMp-w1nrWxHeG6fJPXeD1JSHFYDCPY-IhEPN5ytR4/s1600/under_construction.jpg" /></a></div>Ok everyone...I promise that I've not given up just yet for the New Year...in fact I have been working on a surprise, a new website! It recently came to my attention that I could make a website out of PiggtoFit and though this medium is excellent the idea of taking it one step further had a certain appeal that I couldn't resist. Plus I am finding great fun in teaching myself how to execute minor coding sequences. I was hoping to have the site up and ready before the start of this week...if I cannot get things operational by the next day or so I will pull some of the new recipes I've posted on the site and put them here to keep you all in good cooking spirits...until then, Keep your Fingers Crossed! Piggytofit.com!!! =)Bridgehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00482653132072442140noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4583378795098329928.post-88116644810697042772011-01-04T14:32:00.000-06:002011-01-04T14:32:31.158-06:00Penne with Zucchini and Goat CheeseDelicious! That is what this dish is...absolutely so good and incredibly easy to make! If you can boil water then you can make this insanely good tasting meal...the secret to this recipe lies in the use of goat cheese. I love cheese of any kind but have never cooked with goat cheese before, this is all going to change! The sauteed zucchini tossed in olive oil with the penne would have made for a sufficiently good time...but the last minute inclusion of goat cheese transformed the dish into a creamy, out of this world alfredo-like sauce! I had not anticipated the cheese to melt in such a manner...it quite seriously looked and tasted as though I had prepared a full flour/butter based cream sauce. Such a delightful meal and a great way to enjoy pasta on this new Points Plus program (side note...my goodness how busy WW meetings are right now! I went to my usual Monday night and people were swarming around reception like flies on honey!) This will definitely be a repeater, gotta try: <a href="http://www.weightwatchers.com/food/rcp/index.aspx?recipeid=222558000">Penne with Zucchini and Goat Cheese</a><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUkLQb3ebNRqIzbGt-z8hyphenhyphenXL5I6kOWH6FCpDv0hL7cCE5oE5wDsDSEXZJJ7qD2KkOVuC-YX0fevS3QTDIJlrMy5P0ZHqK-nUyS56fitIIk2JeguVTzsGKTEj-0ALgEDFxixuvAgVBW1Tg/s1600/Zuchinni_Pasta.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUkLQb3ebNRqIzbGt-z8hyphenhyphenXL5I6kOWH6FCpDv0hL7cCE5oE5wDsDSEXZJJ7qD2KkOVuC-YX0fevS3QTDIJlrMy5P0ZHqK-nUyS56fitIIk2JeguVTzsGKTEj-0ALgEDFxixuvAgVBW1Tg/s400/Zuchinni_Pasta.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>Bridgehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00482653132072442140noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4583378795098329928.post-38611028397884642272011-01-03T15:18:00.000-06:002011-01-03T15:18:06.543-06:00Beef StroganoffFor the second half of our Beef Burgundy Stew creation we have the popular favorite, Beef Stroganoff. Admittedly beef stroganoff is one of my all time favorite dishes...we're talking death row last dinner favorites...so as such I feel no guilt in telling you that this is by far one of the least favorite versions I've tried to date! That might be a bit harsh...the stroganoff part of the recipe is par but still lacks the usual zest of the traditional recipes leaving for a literal watered down version of our previous stew that had such robust flavor on its own. The downfall of this dish then is the use of orzo pasta in lieu of the more commonly used egg noodle....rice shaped noodles never will be able to hold the "ooh and ahh" luster of their hardier egg noodle cousin. My recommendation then would be to replace the orzo with egg noodles compensating the points difference and add a little more spice, even if just Worcestershire Sauce, to the stroganoff portion. I'll still provide link to the original recipe in case there exists a hard core orzo fan out there that is just dying to try a new rice/pasta/concoction! Happy Cooking! <a href="http://www.weightwatchers.com/food/rcp/index.aspx?recipeid=222234840">Beef Stroganoff</a> <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvQSXGPLTeRp4ZC0Bq92aBxUFZvdCcgDnRLsu1S40FZlAY8pYMU9QE6q3oCd0_YLXI7yaS2vRufDAybzdVUSMycBF1kpmqLOkJtOixFRtsl7AVF6t1-AYY620tJdWF-5t3HdsvXHFQkxM/s1600/Stroganoff.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="327" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvQSXGPLTeRp4ZC0Bq92aBxUFZvdCcgDnRLsu1S40FZlAY8pYMU9QE6q3oCd0_YLXI7yaS2vRufDAybzdVUSMycBF1kpmqLOkJtOixFRtsl7AVF6t1-AYY620tJdWF-5t3HdsvXHFQkxM/s400/Stroganoff.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>Bridgehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00482653132072442140noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4583378795098329928.post-34379922384843280252011-01-02T10:34:00.001-06:002011-01-02T10:36:18.432-06:00Beef Burgundy StewThe first dish of the New Year mimics cooking great Julia Child's classic Boeuf Bourguignon; though our healthier version banishes bacon and encourages lean cuts of beef the overall taste and texture of the dish remains for a hearty, full bodied stew. I was admittedly surprised to see the continued inclusion of flour, wine and olive oil for the recipe...especially when it only topped out at 9 points plus per serving (I shall try to call them Points Plus but really they're still just points to me!)...This recipe comes from the WW Now & Later cookbook, as is the case with many of you my cookbooks are from the WW Momentum program which fortunately includes all of the nutritional information allowing for easy points conversion. On a similar note I am undecided on the utility of going back and converting all previously posted recipes or simply leaving them as remains...we shall see on that one! Getting back to our dish at hand...I must say that this is an excellent recipe to start off your New Year's diet with, fatty foods help dispel excess alcohol, can you really go wrong with beef stew?? I should mention before concluding that this recipe will make enough to serve 8 people 1 1/4 cups each...you can either stop here and have a lovely dinner party, save the extras for your busy work week or save 3 cups worth to continue on with the next stage. I'll be posting the "later" Beef Stroganoff tomorrow so start now to keep up...Happy Cooking, <a href="http://www.weightwatchers.com/food/rcp/index.aspx?recipeid=221785890">Beef Burgundy</a><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxl7_3_qN8TGUJQgI9FY0qkUdYwikFAD6v1ysocPVLH7vMU1u2PPtyAqx7fwdC79pMppzY1uUxYMkmJiGCfyZKoT2SGJ9SO1pFX0DQo7RcIZm7EBTbJZYb6ktkLlRuGDBzyq3Vu9ivsAM/s1600/Beef_Burgundy2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="305" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxl7_3_qN8TGUJQgI9FY0qkUdYwikFAD6v1ysocPVLH7vMU1u2PPtyAqx7fwdC79pMppzY1uUxYMkmJiGCfyZKoT2SGJ9SO1pFX0DQo7RcIZm7EBTbJZYb6ktkLlRuGDBzyq3Vu9ivsAM/s400/Beef_Burgundy2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>Bridgehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00482653132072442140noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4583378795098329928.post-2312914401492835682011-01-01T21:42:00.001-06:002011-01-01T21:45:19.116-06:00New Year/New Program<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>If anyone is still out there then you are painfully aware of my lack in dedication to keeping readers updated on my transformational culinary escapades! Since we have last met I confess to the following: hitting a plateau, gaining a few pounds back, and utterly hating that both of these coincided with the launch of the new Weight Watchers program! On principle it must be said that while the plateau was inevitable I somehow believed that it, "would not happen to me"...truthfully I thought that the weight would continue to magically melt away as it did for so many weeks. I suppose it only goes to show that even the most diligent of health conscious transformers reach the point where it does begin to come off in .04 lbs/week. Now don't get the wrong idea, I haven't piled on fifty pounds or anything close to the sort but I have gained back a fair 10-15 over this lovely holiday season (did I mention that we are a Chrismukkah household and had the full pleasure of 8 nights of fried food in addition to Christmas feasting?)...and what about this new program...the zero point/unlimited fruits and most veggies is ingenious...but did you have to make all of my favorite pasta dishes terrible?? Where does this leave us? Well, here goes my end...I hereby resolve to post as diligently as I did when I first created this site...to push through this stupid plateau and show anyone else out there struggling that one step back most definitely does not mean you should give up...and most importantly to make 2011 the year I reach Goal! So if you're there...and if you want to resolute with me then be prepared for new recipes (Points Plus Style) and new insights on just how terribly difficult it is to learn a new trick, especially when that new trick is living a healthy life! so...Happy New Year!!! <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWimddg7xE0V-g1M2nZn0-arz0nSh1Qym9jJeVazg3uQQPbFQMJyghHhcU43QT_1ZjiAOYqEuE9qOnkFXYR8Vk531YPjeS9NceHQELP3Slpb2Kwxkn3zqyKoG0ptPCXKdYR4EArukUAMU/s1600/Trial_Run.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="355" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWimddg7xE0V-g1M2nZn0-arz0nSh1Qym9jJeVazg3uQQPbFQMJyghHhcU43QT_1ZjiAOYqEuE9qOnkFXYR8Vk531YPjeS9NceHQELP3Slpb2Kwxkn3zqyKoG0ptPCXKdYR4EArukUAMU/s400/Trial_Run.jpg" width="400" /> </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">p.s. Better make the most of 2011, it's the year before the world ends! ;) </div>Bridgehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00482653132072442140noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4583378795098329928.post-61119966532615000762010-10-20T15:17:00.000-05:002010-10-20T15:17:29.212-05:00Yummy Cupcakes!Ok...for those of you that have been following me it would make sense that you'd be under the impression I've all but forgot about this blog...the truth is I have been experiencing health issues over the past month that have left me a little under the weather to say the least! At this point the specialist I went to believes that I am protein deficient (a condition that has caused hair loss, involuntary shaking, passing out, hot flashes, etc) a blood panel will rule out the other contender, thyroid problems, but we are waiting to figure out an insurance solution before we proceed...at any rate I have been feeling better over the past few days and wanting to get back into the kitchen! This first recipe is not really a recipe rather a commentary on some new Pillsbury products. I first heard about the new sugar-free line at my local WW meeting and waited until I saw the new goodies appear at my grocery. Currently there are only two choices of batter and two choices of frosting...but who cares when the options available taste heavenly! I tried out the sugar-free devil's food cake and topped it off with the sugar-free vanilla frosting...to make things fall festive I added a bit of orange food coloring to my frosting to enhance the cute cupcake holders I found. I also added a bit of orange flavoring to enhance the vanilla and the end results are a wonderfully decadent cupcake that tastes absolutely as good as "the real thing!" These cupcakes will run you 3pts a piece but are well worth the points for a delicious dessert treat! For more information here's a link to the new products: <a href="http://www.pillsburybaking.com/products/default.aspx">Pillsbury</a><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhroQ6tukjdeVGRhzJLvHQYMf-SobI-zJhGceq3Z7OlFRjUSdLu8ZOebY_Qh6FQfJ2PHYIcUnyHML5Hw-ekZHlzVpIMGWTDgnlhOVj6zZ5DhNU8FUy4nlGn2499Q69WSt8woLzMI59Qt1I/s1600/cupcakes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhroQ6tukjdeVGRhzJLvHQYMf-SobI-zJhGceq3Z7OlFRjUSdLu8ZOebY_Qh6FQfJ2PHYIcUnyHML5Hw-ekZHlzVpIMGWTDgnlhOVj6zZ5DhNU8FUy4nlGn2499Q69WSt8woLzMI59Qt1I/s400/cupcakes.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>Bridgehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00482653132072442140noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4583378795098329928.post-6924449100617822222010-09-24T16:16:00.000-05:002010-09-24T16:16:07.722-05:00Hearty Harvest Beef StewYesterday, as you are all aware, was the first day of Autumn! Fall is my favorite season; I am in awe each year looking at the colors of changing leaves, feeling the crisp hint of cool that enters the air, and of course the sight of pumpkins everywhere! In celebration of the season I decided to adapt (only in using the healthiest version of each ingredient) a WW Online recipe for Slow Cooker Beef and Vegetable Soup. This soup combines flavors I had never before seen in beef stew...cinnamon, honey, sweet potatoes and prunes! I unfortunately did not have any prunes and used golden raisins instead which not only added the texture of prunes, and a similar dried fruit essence, but came at a lower points cost. Cannot begin to tell you how great this thick, rich stew tastes...or how amazing your house will smell after having this savory concoction simmering away for 8 hours! Gotta try: <a href="http://www.weightwatchers.com/food/rcp/index.aspx?recipeid=210060390">Hearty Harvest Beef Stew</a><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9dsNAHL8YYXaEsVOLW6TAjXnPTkLIVkmlpiPBSofRKeKzvAOSmQeFIGrfJBEXa_WGtGzfdYHJ5MCaIyr9l4i5_ck9rZ0fzEgar4C8q5UQCw7doRpfyb0X9x6J5QIuZ-SVFiDSzO3_B48/s1600/Harvest_Stew.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="331" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9dsNAHL8YYXaEsVOLW6TAjXnPTkLIVkmlpiPBSofRKeKzvAOSmQeFIGrfJBEXa_WGtGzfdYHJ5MCaIyr9l4i5_ck9rZ0fzEgar4C8q5UQCw7doRpfyb0X9x6J5QIuZ-SVFiDSzO3_B48/s400/Harvest_Stew.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>Bridgehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00482653132072442140noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4583378795098329928.post-65901279101362068992010-09-22T15:21:00.000-05:002010-09-22T15:21:23.272-05:00Shrimp Fried Rice with EdamameNow that new year's feasting and Yom Kippur's fasting is over I will hopefully be making more new dishes for the fall season. The latest reason for no new posts...Repeat Cooking! There have been so many wonderful recipes that I've tried that it is really hard not to re-make things to savor again and again...at any rate this dish is from a new cookbook that my mom sent me, "WW Annual Recipes for Success 2006." If I have never told you before W is a sucker for Chinese food...as is my stepfather! This recipe will satisfy the Chinese food lover in your life, Shrimp Fried Rice with Edamame is a great and easy way to bring vegetables, protein and grain all together in a meal and have it actually taste good! The key ingredient in this dish is the sesame oil...for those thinking of skipping out, don't! The inclusion of sesame makes this rice meal resemble our greasy take-out favorites more than if you stick to just the rice. So for only 6pts per serving, gotta try: <a href="http://www.weightwatchers.com/food/rcp/index.aspx?recipeid=210004950">Shrimp Fried Rice with Edamame</a><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9z0qSl4EnxClWbr9TFCipcZ7XNSeVCSRfrT1bOb3G1VcLGWL72q1Ze_ZGxktENaV1MzorquOhyphenhyphenTnkrNhIoG7Q9UBUpNoMRSloyxXdXl-R9j3GBdn7p9EHzJnglTyp-nPOwZ3TfBCoW3k/s1600/Shrimp_FriedRice.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9z0qSl4EnxClWbr9TFCipcZ7XNSeVCSRfrT1bOb3G1VcLGWL72q1Ze_ZGxktENaV1MzorquOhyphenhyphenTnkrNhIoG7Q9UBUpNoMRSloyxXdXl-R9j3GBdn7p9EHzJnglTyp-nPOwZ3TfBCoW3k/s400/Shrimp_FriedRice.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>Bridgehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00482653132072442140noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4583378795098329928.post-40117080794882385862010-09-13T08:43:00.001-05:002010-09-13T08:43:42.229-05:00Barley Risotto with Butternut SquashThis tasty treat comes from a recipe found in the October issue of "Country Living" magazine...the recipe practically begged to be made as the only change necessary was the exchange of olive oil for cooking spray! The use of barley for risotto would ordinarily not cross my mind but after tasting its sweet and nutty flavor and learning that it packs almost twice the amount of protein found in regular rice I will be looking to use it in future risotto dishes as a replacement. The butternut squash gets its own baking treatment prior to joining the risotto and I have to say the pieces that had a bit of burn to them had the best flavor; I think if I make this again I will let the squash go under the boiler for a few minutes to crisp burn the majority of pieces. The dish itself is a combination of sweet squash, nutty barely, fresh thyme, lemon, garlic, parmesan cheese, wine, onions and of course a subtle broth of rich stock. Perfect dish to make on nights when you are in the mood for something light yet filling, at only 5pts per serving gotta try: <a href="http://www.weightwatchers.com/food/rcp/index.aspx?recipeid=208847530">Barley Risotto with Butternut Squash</a><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxvYMQ18itmuX1usesQT0RCH-om3VFej4Y0KevFZZCNl6NGf5UorKPlHB0HdEJhDgNcTFpIsRB0siNaXZOzPQLYlu4xRVErkcH3R06ukIXFVsOXzum2zMpHit94LXQvTkahmOEthcHTIQ/s1600/Risotto.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxvYMQ18itmuX1usesQT0RCH-om3VFej4Y0KevFZZCNl6NGf5UorKPlHB0HdEJhDgNcTFpIsRB0siNaXZOzPQLYlu4xRVErkcH3R06ukIXFVsOXzum2zMpHit94LXQvTkahmOEthcHTIQ/s400/Risotto.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>Bridgehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00482653132072442140noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4583378795098329928.post-47283997262031644962010-09-11T09:35:00.000-05:002010-09-11T09:35:31.355-05:00Hunter's StewThe first time I had hunter's stew (bigos) was at a Polish festival...for those of you that have never heard of or had this delightful dish it is basically a very meaty/thick stew. The popularity of this stew lies in its utility in using up all the "odds and ends" remaining in one's cupboard as well as any mixed meats remaining from hunting parities. So of course wanting to please my Polish love I began to make bigos at home following traditional recipes and ingredients and achieved excellent results; however when made in this manner bigos is more like heart attack stew rather than a heart healthy selection. The challenge then became adapting a traditional recipe into something WW friendly...to accomplish this task I merged two separate bigos recipes from, "The Art of Polish Cooking" into one health conscious concoction. The end results were a very flavorful combination of vegetables, fruits and meat that not only resembled bigos but got a W stamp of approval! The mixed textures of apples, sauerkraut, onion, mushrooms and carrots alongside the smoked turkey sausage simmered together in a hearty wine and tomato broth made this dish a new household favorite at only 5pts per serving! If you have never had bigos, now's the time to try! <a href="http://www.weightwatchers.com/food/rcp/index.aspx?recipeid=208808350">Hunter's Stew</a><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8-Uk24k4DjOU0QSU2vueolim6ahazln8UJ913s_SJYzRbT8pmQVWMARlE0UdGpaJEcrWh42CGUVcNKTLv3VF5zdZyBIUxdU-kjWBqBzYf8sWCCIBds41oJImaxNw1oVhvG9RwkVnXJjg/s1600/Bigos.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="303" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8-Uk24k4DjOU0QSU2vueolim6ahazln8UJ913s_SJYzRbT8pmQVWMARlE0UdGpaJEcrWh42CGUVcNKTLv3VF5zdZyBIUxdU-kjWBqBzYf8sWCCIBds41oJImaxNw1oVhvG9RwkVnXJjg/s400/Bigos.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
p.s. If you have the points serve this up with a hunk of fresh, crusty bread to soak up all the juices!Bridgehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00482653132072442140noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4583378795098329928.post-76439531525511194722010-09-09T13:53:00.001-05:002010-09-09T13:56:35.714-05:00Lubiya and Cinnamon-Apple Cake with Honey GlazeL'Shanah Tovah! Happy New Year! Rosh Hashanah began last night as dusk settled and started off the High Holy Days for Jews around the world...to celebrate I made a traditional black-eyed pea soup and a WW adaptation of a apple spice cake from the, "WW Healthy & Happy Celebrations" cookbook. The use of black-eyed peas as a celebratory new years feast dates back as far as ancient Egypt where the bean was served up in a turmeric colored broth to symbolize fertility...other cultures, including U.S. Southern culture, still use this legume as a hallmark of the season. The recipe I used makes a hearty soup called Lubiya; the richness of the beans along with the spice of hot chilies and the distinct flavor of fresh cilantro make this a warm and spicy soup to prepare us for the cool fall days ahead (assuming you don't live in Texas!) for a mere 3pts. And of course in keeping with the traditional idea of consuming apples and honey in anticipation of the sweetness of the year to come I made a Cinnamon-Apple Cake with Honey Glaze. The cake is a great way of upholding this tradition with nutmeg, cinnamon, fresh apples, cider and brown sugar to name a few. At only 4pts per serving this cake will add a great end to any fall menu. With the Gregorian New Year coming up and fall/winter holidays in abundance before hand now is as good as time as any to re-energize our efforts and continue our healthy living into the season ahead. Happy Cooking! <a href="http://www.weightwatchers.com/food/rcp/index.aspx?recipeid=208569850">Lubiya</a> and <a href="http://www.weightwatchers.com/food/rcp/index.aspx?recipeid=208617480">Cinnamon-Apple Cake with Honey Glaze</a><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSkzA1miMCN1vetsYrz-tItZNnHuk4UApBMBRul_0Hne6EX3KjH_8qioraKbigL_Hs2jzYsmiWRcHmcRN8TyJ0t1xLnvmrFrQ5FKk-0kFNJelOFyBoWz9OYDqrPezc1oN5QqBgdPDuLVM/s1600/Lubiya.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSkzA1miMCN1vetsYrz-tItZNnHuk4UApBMBRul_0Hne6EX3KjH_8qioraKbigL_Hs2jzYsmiWRcHmcRN8TyJ0t1xLnvmrFrQ5FKk-0kFNJelOFyBoWz9OYDqrPezc1oN5QqBgdPDuLVM/s400/Lubiya.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">Sweet and yummy goodness!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyNX2q-Aehh4nhBTHn-fP31vXaLkOkzrEDqutjhbK9spvsDSrnCczrqkVh7L7Kptk1LSQQ7b5rLjeZeT6_6EbnOStHDZa9Py5bOtg4VazBwrcJwPhT8kKjX-qFKzQj0qri7W-wTAdVj9U/s1600/HoneyCake.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyNX2q-Aehh4nhBTHn-fP31vXaLkOkzrEDqutjhbK9spvsDSrnCczrqkVh7L7Kptk1LSQQ7b5rLjeZeT6_6EbnOStHDZa9Py5bOtg4VazBwrcJwPhT8kKjX-qFKzQj0qri7W-wTAdVj9U/s400/HoneyCake.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div>Bridgehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00482653132072442140noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4583378795098329928.post-36605371384567972362010-09-08T09:11:00.000-05:002010-09-08T09:11:40.692-05:00Eggplant ParmesanThis recipe was a suggestion by mom...she has been following another fellow WW lady that has been quite busy developing her own blog of recipes which sadly puts mine to laughable shame (I should mention however that she has been working on it for years, not months!) Anyhow, my mother made a recipe from her site SkinnyTaste.com last week and raved about the Italian/cheesy goodness of it all. Not being one to turn down a good recipe I decided to follow in her footsteps and make the same dish...the taste is wonderful! Every bite had a fresh from my Italian grandmother's garden type of feel...and the best part is that by sheer coincidence I followed the recipe using what I had in pantry and got the original recipe down from 6pts per serving to 3pts! I think the difference lies in using olive oil cooking spray rather than oil to coat eggplant, fat free mozzarella over reduced fat and egg substitute over real. The taste is amazing and so I think my accident is worthy of its own write up for those that want to recapture the 3pt model. The whole dish hangs on one thing however, the sauce! The sauce recipe she uses is from what she describes as her friend, a good Italian cook...I will describe her as genius! I never in a million years would have used carrots to make a tomato sauce but it added such a great flavor that I will be using this from now on. The sauce is an entirely different recipe and I will supply the link, note that it makes extra so despite the drudgery of making this from scratch version you will have multiple uses from your efforts. So there you have it...a dish so great that it comes taste test approved by three fellow WW ladies and very satisfied Wojtek! Happy Cooking: <a href="http://www.weightwatchers.com/food/rcp/index.aspx?recipeid=208555650">Eggplant Parmesan</a> and the link for sauce: <a href="http://www.skinnytaste.com/2009/02/filetto-di-pomodoro-1-ww-pt.html">Filetto di Pomodoro</a><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7FmeOlWeX5aZ-VFqPGwHQjQvCIKXvLcOL9CUiPmTEHopqvG4GcevQZsaC9NF157qIfHZPAlwaSejF18-Ah1zcREQ_9mxb4A-xOeR4jvVM5NW0hdRcAD1Z0wjlFwV56azT9lwKXvBeDg0/s1600/EggplantParmesan.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7FmeOlWeX5aZ-VFqPGwHQjQvCIKXvLcOL9CUiPmTEHopqvG4GcevQZsaC9NF157qIfHZPAlwaSejF18-Ah1zcREQ_9mxb4A-xOeR4jvVM5NW0hdRcAD1Z0wjlFwV56azT9lwKXvBeDg0/s400/EggplantParmesan.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>Bridgehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00482653132072442140noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4583378795098329928.post-74107171170768064172010-09-07T08:05:00.000-05:002010-09-07T08:05:37.621-05:00Tomato SoupWhile musing with my mom on things to cook for a fall palate we both concluded how wonderful it would be if the "secret" family recipe could be adapted into a healthier version of itself....alas we have the world's best Tomato Soup! This soup recipe has been in our family for generations and though simple in ingredients it is surely the best tomato soup I have ever enjoyed. The really funny part was just how easy it was/could have been to make a healthier variety all along...replace the full stick of butter with a few tablespoons of faux butter, olive oil with olive oil cooking spray to saute...fat free evaporated milk vs. whole, etc etc...So the real test comes from how the taste was affected by all these changes, so here it is...it's BETTER! I could hardly believe the taste! Whereas before the rich creaminess had a decadency that left you feeling gluttonous after a few bites this version retained nothing but the taste of the fresh tomatoes, thyme and basil. Another example of how great this conversion worked, before when served in a bowl the soup left a ring of fats/oils/tomato around the top...now there is no waste of soup just more goodness to enjoy! So there you have it, an awesome fall favorite that in my family has made a starring role in all holiday meals at a mere 3pts per 1-1/2 cup serving! To retain the "secrecy" I have left one ingredient out of the final recipe (rest assured that I tried, Wojtek tried before adding said secret ingredient and the soup is still divine!) I hope you enjoy this recipe as much as my family has! <a href="http://www.weightwatchers.com/food/rcp/index.aspx?recipeid=208127700">Tomato Soup</a><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlsULHEhDBoTMbq6rcu3iuxOCuBKCJxKju_DP53uIpRkeRX9fU-bYZiuZoNmpGYhPbIRxlnqs8ySFl6SDX5y99SokGCqq6HWJBozulqboyKIJ8DYcYX-nbSeufdsZmtcbm2xpMXlzB-nI/s1600/TomatoSoup.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlsULHEhDBoTMbq6rcu3iuxOCuBKCJxKju_DP53uIpRkeRX9fU-bYZiuZoNmpGYhPbIRxlnqs8ySFl6SDX5y99SokGCqq6HWJBozulqboyKIJ8DYcYX-nbSeufdsZmtcbm2xpMXlzB-nI/s400/TomatoSoup.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>Bridgehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00482653132072442140noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4583378795098329928.post-62656681906606073892010-09-05T13:25:00.000-05:002010-09-05T13:25:34.318-05:00Pad Thai with TofuI adore good Pad Thai...and since changing over into a healthier eating lifestyle I had neglected this treasured dish (amendment: I did try the Lean Cuisine version of Chicken Pad Thai and did NOT find it appealing at all, whatsoever!)...so imagine my delight at finding a recipe in the current issue of Weight Watcher's Magazine for "Peanut Noodles!" The recipe as listed in the magazine is served cold and is meant to be a lite summer dinner salad...wanting my Pad Thai goodness I followed the basic recipe listed but made a few changes, added lite tofu and voile a WW friendly serving of my favorite old friend at only 6pts per serving! So for those of you Asian food lovers out there you gotta try: <a href="http://www.weightwatchers.com/food/rcp/index.aspx?recipeid=208017940">Pad Thai with Tofu</a><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYBhJttXLYvcP89cTrlfQptDqMUV2TN8TQ5tc0rXH_bcYaeTBjma4W6JqTuPdYyr-bEpH1_IpynhRHGwu_oGKLFtdlzDZui2KOeQ1Blk5Y7orOLY_fpiUYAUrh1ZC9gfBulTDBoLVfJe8/s1600/PadThai.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="297" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYBhJttXLYvcP89cTrlfQptDqMUV2TN8TQ5tc0rXH_bcYaeTBjma4W6JqTuPdYyr-bEpH1_IpynhRHGwu_oGKLFtdlzDZui2KOeQ1Blk5Y7orOLY_fpiUYAUrh1ZC9gfBulTDBoLVfJe8/s400/PadThai.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>Bridgehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00482653132072442140noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4583378795098329928.post-55848966034712995262010-09-02T10:53:00.000-05:002010-09-02T10:53:03.814-05:00Dilbert The PenguinThe past eight days have been hectic to say the least! Wojtek's mother willingly left the now crisp Canadian air to brave Houston for a week of celebratory birthday fun! That being said...despite all of the eating out trips I still managed to make "smart" choices for the most part and lost another 1.6lbs. I did cook for several of the nights but I relied on recipes I knew to be good and that I have already shared with you in the past...so this post is the lone addition from the past few days of cooking. Let me begin by saying that this is NOT a WW recipe, rather it is a healthier adaptation of birthday goodness...I used healthy substitutes where possible and my only disappointment is that I could not find the Pillsbury Sugar Free cake mix and frosting at the time I prepared the cake. This creation, which I lovingly named Dilbert, is a fantastic treat to make for any upcoming birthday in your life...after seeing the joy on Wojtek's 25year old face I can only imagine how much a child would enjoy this surprise. The cake was a bit challenging to make since I have never done anything quite like this and I highly recommend having someone there to help you when the assembling of the body occurs...otherwise making Dilbert was purely fun and I highly suggest trying to make your own! <a href="http://www.parenting.com/recipes-article/Recipes/Celebrations/How-to-make-a-penguin-birthday-cake">Dilbert The Penguin</a><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8i4imEKn-1rxYxw0DqDqxki75oaZWs5QtA1fFpBzjLjCVuw8ojMRIZ7XCC254T2JHB5rvkp1QQ0hEj23zdidOA4xtKUpt8xWT_Qy1mK3FbCPOSoxcfQuJWCkZ8LcQV5Z4y_lfQ691zqM/s1600/Dilbert.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8i4imEKn-1rxYxw0DqDqxki75oaZWs5QtA1fFpBzjLjCVuw8ojMRIZ7XCC254T2JHB5rvkp1QQ0hEj23zdidOA4xtKUpt8xWT_Qy1mK3FbCPOSoxcfQuJWCkZ8LcQV5Z4y_lfQ691zqM/s400/Dilbert.jpg" width="347" /></a></div>Bridgehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00482653132072442140noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4583378795098329928.post-84798766231795269752010-08-27T12:24:00.000-05:002010-08-27T12:24:39.530-05:00Linguine with Red Clam Sauce and BruschettaYes, yes I do realize it's been a good while since my last post...so in the spirit of re-energizing your cooking prowess with a show stopper, I bring you Linguine with Red Clam Sauce and Bruschetta! This fantastic meal comes from WW Online and serves up great flavor with gourmet flair for only 5pts! For those of you that are reluctant about cooking with clams let me assure you that it is super simple and easy to do; the combination of savory clams alongside spicy red pepper flakes, rich wine and tons of fresh herbs make this Italian staple a sure crowd pleaser for your next get together. The bruschetta I served alongside added to the decadence of the meal with tangy balsamic, fresh basil and garlic and fantastic rosemary and olive bread for only 1 additional point. This is a must try sensation: <a href="http://www.weightwatchers.com/food/rcp/index.aspx?recipeid=204071">Linguine with Red Clam Sauce</a> and <a href="http://www.weightwatchers.com/food/rcp/index.aspx?recipeid=207001620">Bruschetta</a><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicEcjraEcSPZlrGkda9GUtYTzqXQ2zebfROQIPZvqJb3Nb5xvhJak6UPExtZv4trYa7s11kl_qnr6PeZuAgNM6uw180eWhpOkItidvKg5a4u_K9aHT_PA2O5jyDutWQMTQIO3HL5-Evj0/s1600/LinguineClams.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicEcjraEcSPZlrGkda9GUtYTzqXQ2zebfROQIPZvqJb3Nb5xvhJak6UPExtZv4trYa7s11kl_qnr6PeZuAgNM6uw180eWhpOkItidvKg5a4u_K9aHT_PA2O5jyDutWQMTQIO3HL5-Evj0/s400/LinguineClams.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVk3z_bqnHgB832l1asKEeFWWtFvRiYfFPxUO4bVBY6-zUOPMtAnfPQozFWsi-hgOws0UenR_WXTOXRNEjsbJyPFPC8eOaMSldMgwHw0CwfnNc6N7ygHhjKjch5_Mx2vAfvXGw_j-F9RE/s1600/Bruschetta.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVk3z_bqnHgB832l1asKEeFWWtFvRiYfFPxUO4bVBY6-zUOPMtAnfPQozFWsi-hgOws0UenR_WXTOXRNEjsbJyPFPC8eOaMSldMgwHw0CwfnNc6N7ygHhjKjch5_Mx2vAfvXGw_j-F9RE/s400/Bruschetta.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>Bridgehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00482653132072442140noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4583378795098329928.post-35091138171657535942010-08-16T11:05:00.000-05:002010-08-16T11:05:42.073-05:00Peanut-Butter French ToastCrossing fingers that the stomach bug has left the building! Hopefully our home will resume an normal cooking and more importantly eating schedule this week...feeling a hankering for something sweet I opted to make breakfast for dinner! This recipe comes from "Pure Comfort" and provides a fresh twist on the french toast classic by stuffing peanut butter in between layers of bread before dipping in the familiar vanilla egg french toast batter. The original recipe calls for the toast to be browned in butter but by replacing with cooking spray the total pts drop from 6pts per serving to 5pts! I served alongside scrambled eggs with cheese for an additional 2pts making an all around great breakfast/dinnertime meal! Do try: <a href="http://www.weightwatchers.com/food/rcp/index.aspx?recipeid=206031580">Peanut-Butter French Toast</a><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAbzW30SZ7-XDUEfA9fLCn58lzsCN6w0GjLJ9SFKX8L8TnJnx75ZqevLvdPRMkzBKhtglMpvJp08zy-hf4zDxyANPrGdfoNJZBxWUpdeOVtVOzoypSVp7duWN923cXASRNbnHGQ6k1n58/s1600/Cooking.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAbzW30SZ7-XDUEfA9fLCn58lzsCN6w0GjLJ9SFKX8L8TnJnx75ZqevLvdPRMkzBKhtglMpvJp08zy-hf4zDxyANPrGdfoNJZBxWUpdeOVtVOzoypSVp7duWN923cXASRNbnHGQ6k1n58/s400/Cooking.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><br />
Note: Wojtek caught me walking to the dining table and insisted on my posing in apron for this dish! I'm including the foodshot as well for those wanting the close-up!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoMjZ5r3VVg7c1WqVF6XJ4S_OqKm3PmMocyqn6bIopi8_caAyOoKJlwcMUFsAJ6AmS4S7Sh7bBWXS-xAJGTYntrmYdHbNMm4pVxnOHLjaphzNb-qdeMRFawIQSNys_J5Cjcbk8cvCvJ0E/s1600/PB_FrenchToast.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoMjZ5r3VVg7c1WqVF6XJ4S_OqKm3PmMocyqn6bIopi8_caAyOoKJlwcMUFsAJ6AmS4S7Sh7bBWXS-xAJGTYntrmYdHbNMm4pVxnOHLjaphzNb-qdeMRFawIQSNys_J5Cjcbk8cvCvJ0E/s400/PB_FrenchToast.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>Bridgehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00482653132072442140noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4583378795098329928.post-9491997588663352892010-08-13T10:47:00.000-05:002010-08-13T10:47:03.257-05:00Lemon Blueberry MuffinsYesterday on a whim I decided to use some of our fresh blueberries stock in something sweet and found a great recipe for muffins in the, "WW New Complete Cookbook". The cookbook lists a recipe for basic muffins that is very concise and simple to follow and then adds variation recipes to the basic form...I chose to combine the Lemon Muffin and Berry Muffin takes for a lovely muffin hybrid. The resulting muffin hybrid has the sweetness of lemon bread with the unique flavor injection that only blueberries can provide. Super simple to make and at only 2pts per muffin a great snack to have around! Happy Cooking! <a href="http://www.weightwatchers.com/food/rcp/index.aspx?recipeid=205740100">Lemon Blueberry Muffins</a><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj88GaUS3uHs-dDWciByIeBKAY8zNpkzxB24kTIqlY9OqNornL5p0qlqNtJhzqtT5d0YzyOUVixGHxYeuG6C1AgvyKP-edtdrv-EkLGZz92r1UHxIpE_pNMPr2EbU5W5ZWq53nkIod5Od4/s1600/LemonBlueberryMuffins.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj88GaUS3uHs-dDWciByIeBKAY8zNpkzxB24kTIqlY9OqNornL5p0qlqNtJhzqtT5d0YzyOUVixGHxYeuG6C1AgvyKP-edtdrv-EkLGZz92r1UHxIpE_pNMPr2EbU5W5ZWq53nkIod5Od4/s400/LemonBlueberryMuffins.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>Bridgehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00482653132072442140noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4583378795098329928.post-82934501228716983492010-08-12T15:41:00.000-05:002010-08-12T15:41:25.216-05:00Asian-Infused Stuffed Acorn SquashNot gonna lie...we have been sick as dogs this past week! All vacation weight is history and then some...not the way you want to lose pounds. However, since eating has been a delicate issue the highlights of our palate have consisted of plain toast, mashed potatoes and one crazy night, applesauce! To maintain some sense of faithfulness for my Fantastic Followers...I decided to post something I made before vacation but never got the chance to post. The day I made this I looked online through various acorn squash recipes until I found one I could adapt from "Taste of Home". This meal is an innovative dish that combines the nutty flavor of pecans with the sweetness of raisins, honey, ginger and balsamic all together in Basmati rice stuffed against the rich flesh of acorn squash. This dish stands alone or could be paired nicely with a brothy soup. For only 6pts, gotta try: <a href="http://www.weightwatchers.com/food/rcp/index.aspx?recipeid=203720720">Asian-Infused Stuffed Acorn Squash</a><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgs1RdIBsWjWnOVHjRmZKDQNBxKOwD3dpPdhpcsGMF24-dVPXxQxi7-i4y32PP_dP0HTM7TJUCPOtrm2QhBw3xsaFo2F6j44u0LNcUoh-Avhtz8VDIR2jA_qSZIXCV9a54Z4BRUR3T4lTU/s1600/Asian_Acorn.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgs1RdIBsWjWnOVHjRmZKDQNBxKOwD3dpPdhpcsGMF24-dVPXxQxi7-i4y32PP_dP0HTM7TJUCPOtrm2QhBw3xsaFo2F6j44u0LNcUoh-Avhtz8VDIR2jA_qSZIXCV9a54Z4BRUR3T4lTU/s400/Asian_Acorn.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>Bridgehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00482653132072442140noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4583378795098329928.post-34716529010778966762010-08-06T12:19:00.000-05:002010-08-06T12:19:48.837-05:00Meatball and Barley SoupI failed to mention that along with gaining a few pounds on the trip we also acquired colds...so despite the 110F heat index yesterday, nothing treats a cold quite like soup! After the greatness of the Cheesy Tortilla Casserole, I picked another recipe to try from my new "Pure Comfort" cookbook. The recipe is easy to make but tedious in the sense that everything must be done in stages; however it is well worth the effort! The rich taste of leeks, barley and carrots marinating in a seasoned broth would be quite enough...but add in the hearty/basil-y meatballs and you have a soup that not only tastes great but is super filling at only 4pts for a 1-1/2 cup serving (4 meatballs per serving). This will definitely be a fall staple, if we get a fall in Texas that is! Happy Cooking! <a href="http://www.weightwatchers.com/food/rcp/index.aspx?recipeid=205156350">Meatball and Barley Soup</a> <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXIZEeVwulDN68AQQ0QjNp6bRUbgsrRctOFVKVXhULEA1cgCa3yR_2X9OeVybEkOXChCWCgn8FeeWq2sYntveUMjq_nOov49Ehx0c3wSILVACBsOAWM5WiQCOijmqb-OGpnhlSAAwtdz4/s1600/MeatballSoup.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXIZEeVwulDN68AQQ0QjNp6bRUbgsrRctOFVKVXhULEA1cgCa3yR_2X9OeVybEkOXChCWCgn8FeeWq2sYntveUMjq_nOov49Ehx0c3wSILVACBsOAWM5WiQCOijmqb-OGpnhlSAAwtdz4/s400/MeatballSoup.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>Bridgehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00482653132072442140noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4583378795098329928.post-82744834584382389182010-08-05T08:35:00.000-05:002010-08-05T08:35:15.260-05:00Cheesy Tortilla CasseroleLast night I tried out the first recipe from a new cookbook, "WW Pure Comfort 150 All-Time Feel-Good Favorites". The cheesy tortilla casserole is so good, so delicious and so easy to make that I feel a weekly repeater on the rise! The layers of crisp corn tortillas with smokey cumin seasoned onions and red peppers along with the corn, parsley/oregano, cayenne pepper and cheese mixture when stacked with eggs make for a divinely cheesy and filling Mexican treat! The original recipe weighs in at 5pts per serving but by replacing eggs with substitutes and using fat free cheese over reduced fat I've knocked it down to 4pts for a very generous serving. For a first night cooking after many nights of decadent eating I have to say this one made me feel as though I was still on vacation! Be sure to try: <a href="http://www.weightwatchers.com/food/rcp/index.aspx?recipeid=204988830">Cheesy Tortilla Casserole</a><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzAGR1lpXlRowyCSZASm30xYXqsKjU5OLEe4qnTKgc0huSx_Ew3uMT5AJ3X9JND4rXT-CwNcW12lfli7cU1UzUTizOshWOKMOCc0Q7_c0Fef-tPENwI9NlgcbgbGEDy9jScTDhAstKEUk/s1600/Cheesy_Tortilla.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzAGR1lpXlRowyCSZASm30xYXqsKjU5OLEe4qnTKgc0huSx_Ew3uMT5AJ3X9JND4rXT-CwNcW12lfli7cU1UzUTizOshWOKMOCc0Q7_c0Fef-tPENwI9NlgcbgbGEDy9jScTDhAstKEUk/s400/Cheesy_Tortilla.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>Bridgehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00482653132072442140noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4583378795098329928.post-6398484985004456292010-08-04T12:11:00.002-05:002010-08-04T14:50:36.143-05:00Home, Sweet Home!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh3CWAsJWbhHWLu8MqwQP__6BACqRbPEqOLhOr94voneeFCXFa27HGNTa0PTevA7lUO3HbQ4V9K2bVaDK1MvBTRixvjipHLcas-wAwoXcBALsEWNVuVA8hEePFEah45TurR39jbT0c0Sc/s1600/snorklers.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="262" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh3CWAsJWbhHWLu8MqwQP__6BACqRbPEqOLhOr94voneeFCXFa27HGNTa0PTevA7lUO3HbQ4V9K2bVaDK1MvBTRixvjipHLcas-wAwoXcBALsEWNVuVA8hEePFEah45TurR39jbT0c0Sc/s400/snorklers.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
And we're back from the most amazing and exhausting summer trip yet! We spent ten days with family going all over from Savannah and Jykell Island, GA to Grand Cayman, Cozumel and Playa del Carmen, Mexico! We were able to experience once in a lifetime feats...swimming with stingrays, holding baby sea turtles, caving/spelunking through an underground river and lighthouse climbing just to name a few. All of this daily activity, including the endless stair climbing aboard ship, made me appreciate even more how much my body has changed in the past six months. I am not saying that I would not have done these things before; more that I realized whereas before the physicality of the trip would have left me drained each day now my body was filled with energy enough to still work out aboard ship. Do not get me wrong however I did not adhere to the WW doctrine while on board; rather I decided that vacation is a break entirely from the norm and if I don't allow myself to enjoy life's joys (be it food or otherwise) at least on special occaison then I would be robbing myself of the good stuff. So suffice to say that yes I gained, but it's not the end of the world...I'm looking at it as a souvenir from late night fancy dress dinners with my family, slices of cheesecake shared with my love in the middle of the day overlooking the ocean, and as a few drinks that led to dancing my butt off and laughing even harder. This week I will resume my cooking schedule with ease, I really missed cooking surprisingly, and will be patient as the pounds I regained disappear again.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaaIvJWY6AW8XB7TCGVW2nEUGDzJLuP0pKoVyJ55rokaNS_8RovfVVWps4AsVqpU6noXHFIYBX6uUz83uLTuTnX_86gq2-5JEzydB61k41FtWcSa-a12QY9pX_83wul6t4DMFJlwIW3Yk/s1600/familydinner.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaaIvJWY6AW8XB7TCGVW2nEUGDzJLuP0pKoVyJ55rokaNS_8RovfVVWps4AsVqpU6noXHFIYBX6uUz83uLTuTnX_86gq2-5JEzydB61k41FtWcSa-a12QY9pX_83wul6t4DMFJlwIW3Yk/s400/familydinner.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>Bridgehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00482653132072442140noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4583378795098329928.post-83373287497567084322010-07-23T12:47:00.000-05:002010-07-23T12:47:28.945-05:00Bon Voyage!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.techpin.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/08/coolest-cruise-ever-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://www.techpin.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/08/coolest-cruise-ever-2.jpg" width="252" /></a></div><br />
I have two new recipes to post but they will have to wait because we are setting sail for vacation! In the morning we're off for 10 glorious days of cruising with family to the beautiful Cayman Islands and Cozumel, Mexico. I went to a WW meeting this morning for last minute encouragement and was pleasantly rewarded by finally hitting my 50lb mark that's been plaguing me for two weeks. Hopefully my vacation eating will not get the best of me and I can remain true to my healthy lifestyle commitment! See you when we return, until then Happy Cooking!Bridgehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00482653132072442140noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4583378795098329928.post-38032278211422300552010-07-21T10:43:00.000-05:002010-07-21T10:43:57.763-05:00Mushroom StroganoffAgain with the rainy, stormy weather here in South Texas so another night for a nice hearty meal to warm the spirit! This recipe is an adaptation from, "The Complete Guide to Traditional Jewish Cooking," for those of you that love stroganoff this is a great version that will leave you with the same satisfied feeling as its caloric Russian namesake. The rich flavors of nutty mushroom with pressed garlic, chives, onions and wine over noodles make this a delicious comfort meal for only 4pts per serving! Best try: <a href="http://www.weightwatchers.com/food/rcp/index.aspx?recipeid=203623130">Mushroom Stroganoff</a><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgT8YEI_lLADVJ9sMw371icSt7utlSS1KaG5s_rGTQFzq4VUQKtTc_Z2-WFIl5jjgUbkqlFTmq2angdquxguXKUV3DlH0qOgnmOXSfqDKWYMj4ODDw-AGSEZ5rOLctw_da46qDghJGBlH4/s1600/Mushroom_Stroganoff.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgT8YEI_lLADVJ9sMw371icSt7utlSS1KaG5s_rGTQFzq4VUQKtTc_Z2-WFIl5jjgUbkqlFTmq2angdquxguXKUV3DlH0qOgnmOXSfqDKWYMj4ODDw-AGSEZ5rOLctw_da46qDghJGBlH4/s400/Mushroom_Stroganoff.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<br />
For those of you that have been skipping dessert to save on points I thought I would share my go-to summer delight. At a whopping, mere, 2pts this dessert has the look, smell, and feel of a much naughtier treat. Simply buy pre-made angel food cake at your local grocery (make sure to check the nutritional information, most serving sizes are 100 calories or less!), top with 2tbsp of fat free whipped topping (0pts), and then heap on any fresh summer fruit that you have lying around. All this goodness for only 2pts!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiz3SXqmI9h_jWH8l2bZ36j2LX-a26LmtjeTZ8RF6OV4heqUJG0LvTeU4vJbOXNuULJhc4GYNNmp43RU2RHI1aOhg3qMI5cifuMgK-S05rpX-GZgsJhEQ4-LzAMjgL8Do1g4nss6a9_ACY/s1600/Angel_Cake.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="316" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiz3SXqmI9h_jWH8l2bZ36j2LX-a26LmtjeTZ8RF6OV4heqUJG0LvTeU4vJbOXNuULJhc4GYNNmp43RU2RHI1aOhg3qMI5cifuMgK-S05rpX-GZgsJhEQ4-LzAMjgL8Do1g4nss6a9_ACY/s400/Angel_Cake.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>Bridgehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00482653132072442140noreply@blogger.com1