Recipe of the Week: Fruit Cup Dessert

The recipe of the week this week involves a revisit of my Zero Points Plus Snack. I was going through my blog and found that old post and wondered if it was still zero points. For something I really loved last summer I don't eat that much anymore. I think it is due to the link between summer and fruit. I tend to eat more fruit in the summer because it is more refreshing. This is definitely something that I need to put back into my repertoire. Especially with summer just around the corner.

This is a very simple recipe because it involves two things. Fruit of your choosing (for zero Smart Points) and fat free cool whip. Which I m sad to report is no longer zero points. However 2 tablespoons are only 1 Smart Point. That is still a great number for a snack. I plan on adding this in as a dessert. There is something that I just love about desert and with Weight Watchers Smart Points dessert is not off limits. The biggest part of this recipe is to put it into a 'fancy' glass because it makes it more enjoyable.

Recipe of the Week: Overnight Oatmeal Two Ways

I really love a bowl of hot oatmeal on a cold January morning. However, that is not always realistic because I end up grabbing something that I can eat on the go. I mean, I don't go through the drive through every morning either. I make food that is easy to grab and go. Breakfast sandwiches in my Breakfast sandwich maker. A frozen Jimmy Dean Delight breakfast sandwich, protein shake and a fruit.

All of my 'go-to' quick breakfast items have one thing in common. They are lower in Smart Points values than I feel like I need when working out on Tuesdays and Thursdays for 2 1/2 hours. There is just not enough protein to keep me satisfied and not enough calories to carry my energy level through to lunch. I end up starving after my Walking for Fitness class on those days and I still have strength training to get through immediately following walking for fitness class. I am usually wiped because I also workout in the morning as well.

I keep seeing things on the web about overnight oats but none of the recipes seemed to have enough of what I wanted. I thought it would be easy enough to slap some things together and have a healthy nutritious breakfast that would carry a Smart Points value of around 10 points. Something filling and high in protein to aid in energy and muscle recovery. I will also be adding my chocolate overnight oatmeal recipe that is only 5 Smart Points and makes a good meal as well on days when I am not hitting the gym.

Overnight Protein Oatmeal

One Serving - 11 Smart Points

Ingredients

• 1tbspNutiva Chia seed
• 1scoop(s)Vega Vanilla flavor protein and greens
• 1 1⁄2cupSilk Almond Coconut Blend, Unsweetened
• 1⁄2cup(s)uncooked quick oats
• 2TbspPB2 Powdered peanut butter
• 1mediumbanana(s)
• 
  

  Instructions

• 1. Add dry ingredients into a container with a lid of your choice.  
• 2. Close lid and shake until thoroughly incorporated.
• 3. Add almond coconut milk and sliced banana.
• 4. Close lid and shake vigorously.
• 5. Place in fridge overnight.

Chocolate Overnight Oatmeal

One Serving - 5 Smart Points

Ingredients

• 1⁄4cupKroger Old Fashioned Oats, 100% Whole Grain
• 1⁄2cupAlmond Breeze Unsweetened Almond coconut 
• 1TbspMighty Nut Original powdered peanut butter
• 1tbspHershey's Cocoa, 100% Cacao, Special Dark
• 1⁄2TbspGrocery - Chia Seeds
• 1⁄2mediumbanana(s)
• • 
    

    Instructions

  • 1. Add dry ingredients into a container with a lid of your choice.  
  • 2. Close lid and shake until thoroughly incorporated.
  • 3. Add almond coconut milk and sliced banana.
  • 4. Close lid and shake vigorously.
  • 5. Place in fridge overnight.

Recipe of the Week: Fruit & Cheesecake Dessert

This week's recipe is an indulgent bang for your buck. I LOVE cheesecake! I haven't had it is so long though because the 'good' cheesecake would use up my entire daily points allotment. Which would be okay if I could survive on on slice of cheesecake for an entire day. Guess it depends on how large that one piece of cheesecake was. Ha!

This recipe can also be changed to suit your mood. There are many different flavors of of sugar-free, fat-free pudding mixes. The possibilities are endless. I have used the chocolate, but found this cheesecake one and it was divine. I would also like to point out the amount of pudding in the cup I used. I had enough points left so I actually had a full cup of pudding which was 4 Smart Points™. One serving is 1/2 a cup prepared pudding, which if you use a different type of milk the Smart Point™ value of the dessert may change. I would also like to point out that when using the coconut almond blend, it does not set up as much as with cows milk. However, this did not make a difference to me and the cheesecake pudding tasted like the real thing. And I loved the amount of fruit that was in it although you could use more if you wanted to. There is no suck thing as too much fruit, especially when they are 0 Smart Points™!

It was so hard not to eat any of the fruit as I sliced it. Notice how the banana is missing the ends. I may or may not have eaten them. I was also popping blackberries like tic tacks. I think maybe nest time I will try blueberries and raspberries. Maybe grapes, mangoes, or some other exotic fruit. There will be plenty more times I am sure.

Fruit & Cheesecake Pudding Dessert

2 Smart Points™ for 1/2 cup pudding. Makes 4 servings.

Ingredients

• 2cups
  Silk Almond Coconut Blend, Unsweetened
• 2Tbsps
  fat free skim milk
   
• 1packageJell-O Instant Reduced Calorie Pudding & Pie Filling, Sugar Free/Fat Free, Cheesecake
• Fruit of your choice, sliced.

• 
  
  

  Instructions

• 1. Make pudding as instructed with silk almond coconut milk and 2 tbsp skim milk.
• 2. Pour pudding evenly into 4 pretty dessert glasses.
• 3. Let set in refrigerator for 30 mins to 1 hour. Slice desired fruit.
• 4. Remove from refrigerator and place sliced fruit on-top.
• 5. Stir in fruit and enjoy.

Recipe of the Week: Chocolate Banana Oat Cookies

Here it is! My first recipe of the week post. I am planning on making this a weekly thing, or at least a bi-weekly thing. I have been craving cookies lately. Like my Mom's cowboy cookies, or my grandmothers sugar cookies to be exact. Even just thinking about those cookies is making my mouth water as we speak.

I have been looking for something easier and with just as much yumminess (is that even a word?). While looking I came across the recipe for these 2-Ingredient Banana Bread Cookies. I just wanted something a little more substantial and chocolaty. I played around with the recipe and I came up with something I liked. My 8 year old even liked them and hes pretty picky. The best part is that they only came out to 1 Smart Point™ for 2 cookies!!!!!! Yes, that was not a typo on my part and you did read it correctly. 

ONE SMART POINTS™ FOR TWO COOKIES!!!!

I hope you like these cookies as much as I did! Next time I may add some vanilla, because I think that will be good and add some depth of flavor. Let me know what you think. I enjoyed these very much. Also you might want to eat them quickly, well within a week or store them in the refrigerator. I was trying to be good and eat them slowly, but I left them in my kitchen cupboard for 2 weeks and forgot about them. When I remembered them and went to have some after 2 weeks they were moldy. I guess I will have to make more. Dang.

Chocolate Banana Oat Cookies

1 Smart Point™ per 2 cookie serving. Makes 11 servings.

Ingredients

3small

bananas (on the ripe side)

1cup(s)

uncooked quick oats

2Tbsp Mighty Nut Original powdered peanut butter

1tbsp

Hershey's Cocoa, 100% Cacao, Special Dark

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Spray baking sheet with cooking spray.

2. Mash bananas well in a bowl. I prefer to mash all the chunks, but you don't have to.

3. Mix dry ingredients in a separate bowl.

4. Stir dry ingredients into mashed bananas until incorporated.

5. Use tablespoon to drop dough onto greased baking sheet about 1 inch apart. Flatten slightly with a fork. Should make 22 cookies.

6. Bake for 9-12 minutes until slightly crisp.

Weigh-In Thursday: Week 31

Another gain this week and I can't say I'm really that surprised. I kind of want to consider this a plateau, even though it is really just me slipping from staying on plan. I ate a lot of things I shouldn't have, in greater amounts, and without tracking it. If that isn't a recipe for disaster than I don't know what is.

I tried a little harder this week, but then the weekend came and went. I guess I didn't try as hard as I thought I did. I am happy with the small gain, not even 1/2 a pound. I am still in midterms and the stress has not helped much. I am done making excuses it is time to own up to my actions and keep on trucking. I can do this! Here is to a better week next week! I only have one more midterm to complete and then I am done with the 'hard' stuff until end of November beginning of December. Time to get back on track.

Have you been thinking of joining Weight Watchers and losing with me? Now is the perfect time to Join Weight Watchers with Me. This link will give you a free gift of the Weight Watchers Magazine for a year if you sign up for Weight Watchers by 12/31/2015 using the link above.

Lets not forget:
Starting Weight: 306.4
Current Weight: 261.6
Current Week: +0.4
Total Loss: 44.8

Healthy Big Breakfast

Who knew you could eat this much food in one meal and stay on plan? I know this wont always bee the case though due to the fact that as I lose weight my daily points allowance will shrink with it. I also know that for me I have to eat bigger breakfasts in order to avoid snacking all day long simply because I have the points to do so. I seem to make more snacky decisions and fill up my points with chips, crackers, and the like. This does not work for me so I have to shoot for breakfasts that are between 8-12 points. Eating these bigger meals in the morning also helps me feel more satisfied and less hungry for the 'junk' snacks. I find that I am more likely to make healthier choices when I am not ravenously hungry. Who would have thought? Here is what I consider a big healthy breakfast:

Big Healthy Breakfast

Food:	Points:
8 oz of Fat Free Milk	2 Points Plus
1 Navel Orange	0 Points Plus
2 Slices Sara Lee Delightful Bread	2 Points Plus
1 Tbsp Smart Balance Light Buttery Spread	1 Points Plus
Ingredients:
1 Whole Egg	2 Points Plus
3 Egg Whites	1 Points Plus
2 Boca Veggie Sausage Links	2 Points Plus
¼ Cup Fat Free Cheddar Cheese	1 Points Plus
2 Cremini Mushrooms	0 Points Plus
1 Cup Spinach	0 Points Plus
1 Tsp Olive Oil	1 Points Plus
1 Tbsp Valentina's Hot Sauce	0 Points Plus
Total Points:	12

Directions:

Chop mushrooms and spinach. Add oil to pan on medium heat, Saute mushrooms and wilt spinach. Meanwhile cook Boca links in microwave according to package. Add whole egg and egg whites to a bowl and beat. Chop cooked sausages and add to the pan. Add beaten eggs and scramble. Once they are cooked sprinkle Fat Free Cheese over top and add hot sauce or ketchup to your liking.

Zero Points Plus Snack

I have been super hungry lately after eating dinner and I have been looking for snacks with low points values that are sweet and satisfying. Something that I can eat a good amount and not feel deprived. I know, I know, I am asking way too much of a snack. However I realize that as I loose more and more weight my daily Points Plus allotment will also dwindle. I started at 45 Points Plus daily and my current allotment is a measly 40 Points Plus. HA! 40 points is still alot of food and sometimes I have a hard time reaching my daily Points Plus target.

My current go to snacks are light babybel cheese, fruits, vegetables, Skinny Pop, and Yoplait Light yogurt. I also like to cut up fruits and berries and stir in Yoplait Light. It is yummy, but sometimes I just do not have the 2 Points Plus available at the end of the night. While shopping today I came across this Fat Free Cool Whip in the frozen section. A lightbulb went off and I pulled out my phone so I could use my Weight Watchers Etools. I scanned the barcode and it came back with 0 points for a 2 tablespoon serving! 0 Points Plus!!! This could work! I put it in my cart and finished my shopping. After arriving home the groceries were put away, dinner was made, and the kitchen tided up.

A couple hours later I could feel myself getting snacky. There's that word again. I walked into my kitchen and pulled out the berries and fruits I had in the house. Three Strawberries, a handful of blueberries, six large green grapes, one banana, and a handful of raspberries. I chopped up everything except the blueberries and raspberries. Put everything in a bowl and stirred it up. I grabbed the Fat Free Cool Whip and my measuring spoon and added 2 tablespoons to the fruit. Stirred everything altogether and put it in these cute little glasses. That was it looks like I am getting more than it would if i just served it from a bowl. This made enough to fill 2 of these glasses. My boyfriend inhaled his and I did as well after taking this picture. I am now realizing that the picture does not look even close to as good as it tasted. It was amazing! I will definitely make this more often in the future (maybe even everyday!) and best of all it is ZERO Points Plus!!!!

Green Smoothies?!?! Really?!?!

 I never understood this fascination with green smoothies or green juices. I would always think to myself, "I would never want to eat kale so why would I ever want to drink it?" They just look unappetizing and the thought of it made me want to gag. I would just imagine the smell of brussel sprouts or some other vegetable that I don't like or have not tried. This would cause me to have to keep myself from vomiting profusely.

I happened on a show called Fat, Sick, and Nearly dead. I was captivated. Although, I would never be able to drink all my meals. I love food way too much. It got me thinking that maybe it would not be so bad until I remembered that it would mean drinking vegetables. Then I came across this recipe for Kale, Blueberry, and Almond Milk Smoothie and a light bulb went off. I thought that this might work because it is not all leafy greens and my boyfriend loves all things vegetable so I figured we would try it. Yuck! It was not that good I did have to modify the recipe and with a few modifications I made it drinkable. Although I did add too much lemon so next time I will have to remember less is more. I call it the Blue-Green Smoothie.

Blue-Green Smoothie

Makes two servings. 205 Calories per serving.

• 1 1/2 c. rough chopped kale
• 1 c. unsweetened almond milk
• 1/2 c. plain Greek yogurt
• 1/2 c. frozen blueberries
• 1/4 c. frozen mango chunks
• 2 TBS. chia seeds
• 1/4 lemon with peel on

Combine ingredients in a blender and blend until smooth. 

Chocolate PB&J Protien Shake

This is similar to what it looked like.

The protein shake I whipped up this morning was fantastic. It was a different take on my normal protein shake, but I realized after I started blending my shake that there were no more bananas left in my house. Panic set in and I imagined drinking a chalky mess and that just was not going to fly. I scanned the fridge and came across grapes. A light bulb went off and I thought "I eat grape jelly with peanut butter so it could work." It tasted fantastic.

The picture is similar to the one I whipped up, just imagine small pieces of red grape peel in it as well.  Really I did not take a picture of it because I was in a hurry and wasn't sure if it would really taste that great. I know it sounds super gross and at first the thought of having to chew the peels was unsettling. Fortunately the shake was thick enough you don't even notice the pieces of peel. Without further ado, here is the recipe as promised.

Chocolate PB&J Protein Shake

Makes 1 Serving. Approximately 250 calories

• 1 Scoop of Chocolate Whey Protein Powder
• 1 Tablespoon of PB2 (powdered peanut butter)
• 1 Cup of Blue Diamond Unsweetened Almond Milk Original
• 26 Red Grapes
• Approximately 5 Ice Cubes (more or less depending on desired thickness)

Throw ingredients in blender. Blend until smooth.