Sweet Treat

I am a total sucker for anything sweet...so with doing weight watchers I just knew I was going to have to find some healthy choices or their isn't going to be much weight lose happening!

So in my search...I found these:

Cheesecake Squares! These are delicious!! They don't last for too many days so I would suggest that if you make them be sure you have some friends to share them with!!

Cheesecake Squares (5pts per serving)

Ingredients:

• 1(8oz) package cream cheese, softened (I used fat-free)
• 3/4 cup M&M candies
• 1/2 cup walnuts
• 1 egg
• 1/3 cup margarine
• 1 cup flour
• 1/4 cup sugar, granulated
• 1/3 cup brown sugar (possible to substitute Splenda brown sugar)
• 1 tsp vanilla extract

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Beat the margarine and brown sugar until light and fluffy. Add the walnuts and flour; mix well. Reserve 1/2 cup of the crumb mixture; press the remaining crumb mixture into the bottom of a 8x8 square pan. Then bake the crust for 10 mins. While baking combine softened cream cheese, sugar, and vanilla; using an electric mixer, mix at medium speed until well blended. Add the egg; mix well. Layer 1/2 cup of the M&M candies over the baked crust; top with the cream cheese mixture. Combine the remaining candy and reserved crumb mixture; mix well. Sprinkle the crumb mixture over the cream cheese mixture. Bake at 350 degrees for about 20 mins. Let cool completely...I put mine in the fridge.

**With the fat free cream cheese and since I dropped the walnuts it drops the points down to 4pts per serving!!** 

Souper Time

I know the title is totally cheesy, but this recipe is NOT!Last night for dinner I tried another new recipe. Although Jake WON'T eat soup at any cost I have found some really yummy sounding recipes and I just had to give them a try. First up was Chicken Pot Pie Soup!It was delicious!! I was really worried that it wasn't going to turn out and things were touch and go for awhile...the final product turned out to be rather tasty! It takes a little prep work so make sure you've got some time, but definitely give it a try! Chicken Pot Pie Soup

• 1/4 cup flour
• 2 cups water
• 4 cups fat-free milk
• 1 large celery stalk, chopped
• 1/2 medium chopped onion
• 8 oz baby portabella mushrooms (we skipped this!)
• 2 chicken bouillons
• fresh ground pepper
• pinch of thyme
• 10 oz frozen mixed veggies (peas, carrots, green beans, corn)
• 2 potatoes, peeled and cubed small
• 16 oz cooked chicken breast, diced small
• salt/pepper to taste

Create a slurry by combining 1/2 cup of the cold water with flour in a medium bowl and whisk until well blended. Set aside.

 

Pour remaining water and milk into a large pot and slowly bring to a boil (Stir and keep a close eye as to not burn the milk). Add celery, onion, mushrooms, bouillon, thyme, pepper, frozen veggies and return to a boil. Partially cover and simmer on low until veggies are soft, about 20 minutes. ( I recommend stiring frequently so you don't burn the milk, mine burned quickly!) Remove lid, add potatoes and cook until soft, about 5 minutes. Add chicken, and slowly whisk in slurry, stirring well as you add. Cook another 2-3 minutes, until soup thickens, adjust salt and pepper to taste and serve.

 

ENJOY!!

 

Recipe courtesy of skinnytaste.com

 

{Monday Meals}

I decided that since the new year I have been planning out my meals for the week and thought maybe I should share with all of you what is in the plan for us this week!I promise to post recipes too!!Monday:  Meatloaf Muffins with Mashed Potato FrostingTuesday: BBQ Chicken BreastsWednesday: Grilled Cheese and Chicken Pot Pie Soup (Jake doesn't do soup so we have to make do!)Thursday: Black Bean & Salsa ChickenFriday: Out for Dinner!!!Saturday: Blue & Gold Banquet for Cub Scouts What is on your menu this week??

Roasting

Since becoming more focused on Weight Watchers I have decided that trying new recipes that were healthy and that my whole family would enjoy.The other night I tried a new one, Roasted Potatoes, Chicken Sausage and Peppers.Wasn't sure if the kids would like it, but it was HUGE hit!I got the recipe from skinnytaste.com, she has a TON of great recipes that are weight watcher and family friendly! Roasted Potatoes, Chicken Sausage and Peppers

 

         Ingredients:

• 1.5lbs (about 3 large) russet or white potatoes
• 1 medium onion, peeled and quartered, layers seperated
• 2 red bell peppers, seeds removed and cut into 1 inch pieces
• 2 tsp extra virgin olive oil
• kosher salt and cracked pepper to taste ( I did 1/2 tsp, which was a little too much)
• 1 tsp chopped rosemary (fresh or dry)
• 1/2 tsp garlic powder
• olive oil spray (I used fat-free cooking spray)
• 1 lb chicken sausage, cut each link into 6-7 pieces

Directions:

Cut potatoes into small 1 inch pieces. These take the longest to cook so cutting them small ensures everything cooks evenly.

Preheat oven to 375. Spray one large non-stick baking sheet, or two small ones with olive oil to prevent potatoes from sticking.

In large bowl combine potatoes, onion, peppers, olive oil, salt, pepper, rosemary, and garlic powder. Mix well to be sure that it all is coated well with olive oil and seasoned. Once mixed pour onto baking sheet and place in the oven for 15 minutes. Use a spoon and toss and mix so nothing sticks.

Add sausage to the baking sheet with the potatoes and vegetables and bake, tossing once or twice for 25-35 minutes (I did closer to 25) or until potatoes are cooked through.

  This is definitely a meal to try!! WW Pts 8 (Depending on the type of sausage it could be less)

{LOVE}

Here's how we spread the love yesterday: 

These turned out really cute!!

This has got to be my most favorite Valentine!! I have some really fun outtakes to share with you later this week!! (Sorry I can't figure out how to turn it!)

I waited a whole year to make these!! I bought 90 mini candy canes so I was sure to have enough!

Snack Time

Mmmm I am always looking for a good snack!! And granola has always been a favorite, I especially LOVE to add it to my yogurt!  So since I am going to FOCUS on  losing this extra weight...I knew I had to find a good and healthy recipe. I found one one food.com and it's even low in points!!  

It turned out better than expected and the whole family LOVED it!! Guess I will be making this again! Weight Watchers Granola (1 cup=4pts)

4 cups old fashioned oats

1/2 cup sliced almonds (I actually chopped mine)

1/2 cup packed light brown sugar

1/2 tsp salt

1/2 tsp cinnamon

1/4 cup cooking oil

1/4 cup honey

1 tsp vanilla

1 1/2 cup raisins or dried cranberries

In a bowl mix oats, almonds, brown sugar, salt and cinnamon. In sauce pan warm oil and honey. Then whisk or stir in vanilla. Carefully pour liquid over the oat mixture. Stir gently with a wooden spoon, finish mixing by hand.

Preheat oven to 300 degrees. Spread granola onto cookie sheet (higher the sides the better). Bake for 40 mins. Stirring every 10 mins. Transfer to cooling rack and cool completely. Stir in cranberries or raisins. Seal in air tight container for 1 week at room temperature or in freezer for 3 months.

Time to get Serious

Do you ever have that Ah Hah moment when you realize you're the one holding yourself back from your goal?I did...today. I have always been on the chubby side and have done the roller coaster, lose weight, gain weight, lose weight, gain weight. As I was browsing some blogs I follow and I stopped over at Cara's Blog...and her latest post 1 year later really hit home.I have never really kept myself focused enough to get the job done. I want to look good, feel good, and be healthier not only for myself, but for my family.So this is it...today I'm doing it. No more losing focus, it's time to buckle down and do this one for myself because along the way I may want to give up, but I can't NOT this time. This time I have some underlying inspiration...my daughter. I want her to be confident in herself, learn to take care of herself, be active, enjoy life, and be healthy. (This is a hard task since she is gaining some weight due to a med change...it hasn't been the easiest thing for her or us) So here it goes...today is Day 1   

Come and Get it!!

Every once in awhile I like to try new recipes...even though I am NOT the best cook in the world. We are really trying this year to eat more at home and make our own meals, try something new and eat healthy...no small task for this non-cooking mama!

 To start with that I have been planning out our weekly meals and grocery list and then working hard to stick to it. I have used some new recipes we found we liked while on vacation, some oldie but goodies, and then there is my addiction to Pinterest!!Well I found this great new recipe for a Chicken & Spinach Pasta Bake from Saving Money Living Life and decided to give it a try. 

Chicken & Spinach Pasta Bake

•8 oz uncooked rigatoni
•1 T olive oil
•1 c chopped onion
•1 (10 oz) pack frozen spinach, thawed
•3 c cubed, cooked chicken breasts
•1 (14 oz) can Italian-style diced tomatoes, drained
•1 (8 oz) container Philadelphia chive & onion cream cheese
•½ t salt, ½ t pepper
•1½ c shredded mozzarella cheese


Prepare rigatoni according to pkg directions. Spread oil on bottom of 11×17 in baking dish; add onion in a single layer. Bake at 375 for 15 minutes or just until tender. Transfer onion to large bowl, set aside.

Drain chopped spinach well, pressing between paper towels. Stir in rigatoni, spinach, chicken, & next 4 ingredients into onion in bowl. Spoon mixture into dish & sprinkle evenly with shredded mozzarella cheese. Bake covered at 375 for 30 minutes; uncover & bake 15 more minutes or until bubbly.

*Now I left out the diced tomatoes, and some of the spinach...otherwise my family wouldn't have eaten it, but it was still a REALLY big hit!!

Wall Art

For awhile now I have been working to complete rooms in my house, make them my own, add fun details and ORGANIZE! I stress the orgainze part because well....let's face it this is where I lack! I try without much success to keep myself organized and while many people always comment on how orgainized I am, I put on a good show!! Well you know my addiction to Pinterest so of course I looked on there to find some inspiration. To begin I have been looking for somthing to do in my Master Bedroom as I don't feel like it is complete or what I want it to look like. (This is an ongoing battle since my hubby always says "WHO CARES, you sleep there and your eyes are CLOSED!") I care!!With that I found this cool wall stencil idea on Pinterest and got right to work!I used Nannygoat who got her inspiration, and template, from jones design company.I did mine slightly different, first off cause I didn't read all the tutorial before I started, and secondly cause I didn't want to go back and change it! (Read LAZY!)Here is what it looked like as I stenciled the wall:

 

 And here is the finished product!!

 I am so SUPER EXCITED in how this turned out and am contemplating doing another one in my living room with a different design in the small built in nook! I hope that you will try one of you own. It was a little time consuming, but so worth it!!