Chicken Stuffing Bake
6 servings at 7 each
Pecan Carrots
6 servings at 3 Points Plus each
Prep Cook Total
15m 30m 45m
1 box Stove Top® stuffing, chicken flavored
1½ lb boneless skinless chicken breast, cubed
10 oz can fat-free cream of chicken soup
⅓ cup fat-free sour cream
16 oz bag frozen mixed vegetables
---------------------------------------------------------------
2 lbs carrots, peeled and sliced
3 tablespoons light margarine
3 tablespoons orange marmalade
¼ cup chopped pecans
Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Prepare stuffing
as directed omitting margarine listed in package
directions. Combine chicken and remaining
ingredients; place in a sprayed 9 x 13 baking
dish and top with stuffing. Bake 30 minutes.
---------------------------------------------------------------
Boil carrots in a large pan until tender. Drain;
stir in remaining ingredients; cook until heated.

To List or Not to List?


That’s the question. To be honest, when I first moved out on my own I very rarely used a shopping list. As a college student, I was less concerned with caloric intake and more worried about budgetary restrictions.

But since gaining and losing the freshman 15 I’ve come to realize that planning is key. And I don’t mean just planning which nights to cook and which to go out. I mean planning what I’m cooking, when I’m eating the leftovers, and thinking about how each meal will play into my Daily PointsPlus Allowance.

All those decisions begin at the grocery store. But if you go in hungry and grabbing any ol’ thing on sale, you’ll end up with more food (and more PointsPlus values) than you bargained for.

My shopping cart staples are: canned soups, fresh and frozen veggies, whole wheat angel hair pasta, frozen chicken dumplings, eggs and thin-cut raw chicken breasts I can season based on my mood. I grab these practically every time I’m at the store.

But when I switch up my usual dishes…That’s where the trusty shopping list comes in. Typically, I use my iPhone’s notepad to jot down foods I need throughout the week so I’m prepared when I grab my cart.

But the other day, a fellow shopper had something intriguing in her hand: a printed sheet of paper with probably 100 items listed on it in columns. I’d say a quarter of them were highlighted. I figured it out: she prints this sheet each time she’s headed to the store and highlights only what her family needs that week. If it’s not on that original sheet (I’m lookin’ at you, Cheetos), it’s not even an option. Genius.

What’s your grocery shopping strategy? And which five items are always on your list?

-Mary Elizabeth Hurn,

Classic Macaroni Salad

Larger Image
Weight Watchers Recipe


4PointsPlus Value

Prep time: 12 min
Cook time: 10 min
Other time: 0 min
Serves: 8
Forget store-bought - our macaroni salad is a light, well-seasoned spin on the high-fat standard. For added color, stir in some diced tomatoes.
Recipe

Ingredients
      8 oz uncooked whole wheat elbow macaroni  
1/8 tsp table salt, or to taste (for cooking pasta)  
1/2 cup(s) reduced-calorie mayonnaise  
1 Tbsp red wine vinegar  
1 tsp Dijon mustard  
1/2 tsp garlic powder  
      1 cup(s) uncooked celery, chopped  
      1/3 cup(s) (chopped) uncooked red onion(s)  
2 Tbsp fresh parsley, chopped  
1/4 tsp table salt, or to taste  
1/8 tsp black pepper, freshly ground, or to taste  
Instructions
Cook macaroni in salted water according to package directions; drain and transfer to a large bowl.

Meanwhile, in a medium bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, vinegar, mustard and garlic powder; stir mixture into cooked macaroni. Fold in celery, onion and parsley; season to taste with salt and pepper. Serve warm or chilled. Yields about 2/3 cup per serving.
Notes
Swap regular pasta for the whole wheat pasta, if desired (could affect PointsPlus values).

Heidi's WW Friends Recipe for PB2 FROZEN PB CUPS 2pps/each

1 container of fat free Cool Whip

1.5 servings of PB2 powder (3 tablespoons)

Water (to mix with the powder - I use about 2 tablespoons)

Sugar free chocolate syrup.

1. Mix the PB2 powder with the water in a medium size bowl - then mix in about 1 cup of the cool whip. Mix it up well. Then spoon in the remaining cool whip & mix.
2. Line a cupcake pan with cupcake liners. I make 12 in one batch.
3. Spoon some PB2/Cool Whip mixture into each cupcake liner about 1/3 full.
4. Drizzle some sugar free chocolate syrup on the top of each one and then FREEZE! After about an hour they are frozen and YUMMY!

Bakersfield open house!

This Month's Routine: Get 7 to 8 Hours of Quality Sleep Each Night
Meeting Topic:  Fall Back Into Your Routine

Every change you make to improve your diet matters. You don’t have to be perfect and you don’t have to completely eliminate foods you enjoy to have a healthy diet. The long term goal is to feel good, have more energy, and reduce the risk of cancer and disease. Don’t let your missteps derail you—every healthy food choice you make counts.

No matter what your size is, the most important 3 things for anybody at any size are:

1) Be comfortable in your own body, regardless of what weight you are at. If you love yourself and you are comfortable and healthy, the rest just doesn’t matter.

2) No matter what size you are, people will have an opinion about it. Good or bad, they will have something to say. Ignore them. The only opinion that matters is your own.

3) If you treat your body with respect and give it the things it needs, such as healthy amounts of real food, relaxation and movement, you will find health regardless. Just treat your body right according to it’s own unique needs and the rest will follow.
(Gracious Pantry)

“Peace is a daily, a weekly, a monthly process, gradually changing opinions, slowly eroding old barriers, quietly building new structures.”
 
John F. Kennedy (1917-1963);
35th US President

breakfast ideas

Spinach Protein Pancakes (5 ppv):

Sometimes it's hard to fit in a nice breakfast in the morning, especially one that will keep you full until your next break, which is usually lunch time (or later). Here are some quick ways to have an exciting and filling breakfast!

  Once you have made the batter, throw it in the food processor with 1 cup of fresh spinach and grind until spinach is fully blended. Cook like pancakes! Take 5 ounces of fat free greek yogurt (I like vanilla). Mix in 1 tsp chia seeds (optional) and cinnamon (optional). Top pancakes with yogurt and enjoy! This recipe packs over 30 g of protein!

 

French Toast with Bacon and Spinach and Egg White Omelette (4 ppv):

I've been obsessed with french toast lately. If I know that I am having mine with one of my omelettes, I measure out all my egg whites at once. Measure 1/2 cup of liquid egg whites in a bowl. Dip in two slices of bread (1 ppv each). Sprinkle cinnamon on each slice of bread and cook for a few minutes on each side in a pan, meanwhile cook two slices of center cut bacon in the pan also (they should take about the same time). In another pan start your omelette by adding 1 cup of fresh spinach. When spinach is cooked, add the rest of the egg whites from before. Cover the pan and flip when egg whites have cooked to brown both sides. Enjoy!

Avocado Toast topped with Salsa Egg White Omelette (4 ppv):

I love love love avocado, but sometimes have a hard time fitting it into my diet. Breakfast was the perfect place! I took 1 slice of bread (1 ppv) and spread 1/4 of an avocado on top (and a little bit of sea salt which is optional). Meanwhile, measure 1/2 cup of liquid egg whites and mix in 1/4 cup of any fat free salsa. Cook egg white mixture in a pan and top on avocado toast! Awesome way to do mexican in the morning!

 

they are back

Slow Cooker Fudge

Yield: Servings 30 | Serving Size = 1 piece of fudge | Calories: 114 g | Previous Points: 3 | Points Plus: 3 | Total Fat: 8 g | Saturated Fat: 5 g | Trans Fat: 0 g | Cholesterol: 0 mg | Sodium: 21 mg | Carbohydrates: 13 g | Sugars: 10 g Dietary Fiber: 1 g | Protein: 1 g

Ingredients

• 2-1/2 cups Chocolate Chips, [I used dark chocolate chips because of their health benefits. Ghirardelli is a good brand and works well with this recipe)
• 1/4 cup coconut milk, (canned, not in a carton)
• 1/4 cup raw mild honey
• Dash of sea salt
• 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

Directions

Fudge is perfect for the slow cooker because it doesn't scorch or burn.

Add chocolate chips, coconut milk, honey and salt, stir to combine. Cover and cook on low 2 hours without stirring. It's important that lid remain on during this 2 hours.

After 2 hours, turn the slow cooker off, uncover, add vanilla and stir to combine ingredients. Allow to cool in uncovered slow cooker, until fudge has reached room temperature...approximately 4 hours. Using a large spoon, stir vigorously for 5-10 minutes until it loses some the gloss.

Lightly spray a 1 quart casserole dish with non-stick cooking spray. Pour fudge into dish, cover and refrigerate 4 hours or until firm. Cut into 30 pieces. This fudge is very rich and meant to be eaten on occasion as a treat.

Note: Canned coconut milk can be found in the Asian or organic sections of most grocery stores.

need a reason?

This Month's Routine: Get 7 to 8 Hours of Quality Sleep Each Night
Meeting Topic:  Supermarket Strategies

I am making this today...

Zucchini Tots 
Skinnytaste.com
adapted from The Two Bite Club
Servings: 3  Serving Size: 4 tots • Old Points: 2 pts • Points+: 3 pts
Calories: 108  • Fat: 4.3 g • Protein: 6.8 g • Carb: 11.5 g • Fiber: 1.8 g • Sugar: 2 g
Sodium: 262 mg (without salt)


Ingredients:

• 1 cup zucchini, grated
• 1 large egg
• 1/4 medium onion, diced
• 1/4 cup reduced fat sharp cheddar cheese, grated
• 1/4 cup seasoned breadcrumbs
• salt and pepper to taste
• cooking spray

Directions:

Preheat oven to 400°.  Spray a mini muffin tin with cooking spray.

Grate the zucchini into a clean dish towel.  Wring all of the excess water out of the zucchini. In a medium bowl, combine all of the ingredients and season with salt and pepper to taste.

Fill each muffin section to the top, pushing down on the filling with your spoon so it's nice and compacted so they don't fall apart when you take them out of the tin.

Bake for 16-18 minutes, or until the tops are golden.

Use a plastic knife or rubber spatula around the edges of each tot to remove them from the muffin tin. Enjoy!!

"No matter how hard I try, something always foils my workout schedule."

Get a plan and then grab a pen. People who have a process goal, such as a target number of weekly workouts, stick to their routines with significantly more success than those who focus on a big-picture outcome -- such as losing 20 pounds -- or go along without any specific goal, they also feel less stressed about squeezing in exercise.
Schedule your workout time just as you would a business meeting. "That way, when someone asks if you can meet at 5, you can honestly say, 'Sorry, I have an appointment; how about 4 instead?'"

Make it a priority like brushing your teeth!

Make it a Priority like brushing your teeth.

look at this little gem! 2 points+ per package yeah!

Spotted at your local Costco in the freezer section and at walmart next to the frozen fruit!.

yummy dinner!

 Made this for dinner last night! It was really good!

these sound good!

Hearty Oatmeal Raisin Cookies

Yield: 8 large or 16 small servings | Serving Size: 1 large or 2 small cookies | Calories: 257 | Total Fat: 4g | Saturated Fat: 0g | Trans Fat: 0g | Previous Points:5 | Points Plus: 7 | Cholesterol: 0mg | Sodium: 360mg | Carbohydrates: 45g | Dietary Fiber: 3g | Sugars: 14g | Protein: 13g

Ingredients

• 1 cup white whole-wheat flour
• 1 cup old-fashioned oats
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1 cup raisins
• 2 tablespoons coconut oil (or other healthy oil, such as safflower)
• 3 egg whites
• 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
• 1/2 cup honey

Directions

In a large mixing bowl, combine all dry ingredients. In a medium mixing bowl, combine the wet ingredients. Pour the wet ingredients into the bowl with the dry mix, and blend well with a wooden spoon. Portion out 16 cookies onto parchment-lined cookie sheets. Bake at 350° for 15 minutes, or until just golden brown.

Note: If these cookies seem hard after baking, simply pack them away overnight in a plastic bag, and they will be quite soft in the morning.

  
Heirloom Tomato and Basil Platter


Weight Watchers Recipe

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Prep time: 18 min
Cook time: 0 min
Other time: 0 min
Serves: 6
Nothing says summer more than juicy ripe tomatoes and fresh basil. Use a variety of colored tomatoes for the prettiest presentation.
Recipe
Read All Reviews (6)
Ingredients
2 Tbsp olive oil, extra virgin  
1 Tbsp red wine vinegar  
1 Tbsp water  
1/4 tsp minced garlic, finely minced  
1/2 tsp table salt  
1/4 tsp black pepper, freshly ground  
1/4 tsp dried oregano, crumbled  
      3 large fresh tomato(es), heirloom variety, sliced  
      1/2 small uncooked red onion(s), very thinly sliced  
1/2 cup(s) basil, leaves, fresh, torn  
Instructions
To make dressing, in a small bowl, whisk together oil, vinegar, water, garlic, salt, pepper and oregano.

Arrange sliced tomatoes, slightly overlapping, on a platter. Scatter onion and basil over top; drizzle with dressing. Yields half a sliced tomato, a few onion slices and about 2 teaspoons dressing per serving.
Notes
For a heartier salad, add some crumbled feta or ricotta salata, or sliced fresh mozzarella to the platter and serve on a bed of baby arugula (could impact recipe’s PointsPlus value).

This Month's Routine: Get 7 to 8 Hours of Quality Sleep Each Night
Meeting Topic:  Meals in Minutes

corn

The summer corn is really starting to get good around here. We are entering one of the best times of the year to buy corn and I plan to enjoy it in all its glory while its here by whipping up plenty of corn recipes. Here are some of my favorites, what are yours?

1. Mexican Street Corn, 192 calories, 5 PointsPlus

Take a steamed, roasted, or grilled piece of corn and then slather it in a hint of mayo, lime juice, chili powder, and some crumbled salty cheese and you have the perfect summer treat.

2. Fresh Corn Soup, 123 calories, 4 PointsPlus

This corn soup celebrates all the freshness of corn in a simple, corn packed soup. Perfect for a cool summer evening as a main course or starter.

3. Corn, Bacon, and Onion Frittata, 68 caloires, 2 PointsPlus

This is one of my all time favorite breakfast and lunch meals – a simple frittata packed with fresh corn, bacon, onion, and a touch of heat from a jalapeno. Great warm and cold and very low in calories.

Thank you slender kitchen.

The Weight-Loss Lies We Tell Ourselves

The Weight-Loss Lies We Tell Ourselves
Do these statements sound familiar? Time to reframe your thinking – and aim for weight-loss success.
Article By: Toby Bilanow

The little white lies we tell ourselves don't seem harmful, but these tiny "untruths" may stand in the way of you reaching your goals. "People may set unrealistic goals or deprive themselves in extreme ways that are very difficult to maintain," says Bethany Teachman, PhD, assistant professor of psychology at the University of Virginia.

Want to stop telling yourself lies that sabotage your efforts? We've compiled six of the most common myths that undermine a healthy approach to weight loss — and offer simple ways to banish these words from your lips so that you'll gain confidence and reach your goals.

1. "I need to go on a diet."
"The whole concept of a 'diet' sets us up to think we will be 'on a diet' then 'off a diet,'" says Teachman. Instead, think of your weight-loss plan as a lifestyle commitment to healthy eating and exercise, for the long haul.

2. "I'll get back on track on Monday/after the holidays/when the sun comes out."
Why procrastinate? It will only lead to more slippage. Just track any splurges now, then pick up where you left off. Look forward, not back.

3. "All my problems will be solved when I lose weight."
Dropping pounds may leave you feeling healthier and happier, but it won't make you more lovable or turn you into a runway model. Be clear about why you want to lose weight, and set realistic goals. "It's far more motivating to strive toward being fit and energetic than it is to strive toward being a size 2," Teachman says.

4. "Heavy people don't deserve to eat."
Do you forgo the office pizza because you're afraid people will think you shouldn't be eating? Seeing yourself through others' eyes in a harsh, critical way "is a surefire way to blow a weight-loss plan," says psychologist Debra Mandel, PhD, author of Healing the Sensitive Heart. Instead, she suggests, focus on developing a more loving relationship with your body. People who started out accepting their bodies were more than twice as likely to lose weight than those who felt dissatisfied or ashamed, as reported in a study published in the Journal of Behavioral Medicine.

5. "I shouldn't wear a bathing suit (shorts, a tank top) until I've lost all the weight."
People of all different sizes and shapes enjoy sexy clothes. "When you love yourself, you start enjoying life," says Mandel. Break big goals into smaller ones, and reward yourself along the way. Rather than saying, "I need to lose 25 pounds," say, "I'll buy a new swimsuit, one size smaller."

6. "The less I eat, the faster I'll lose."
Wrong. Cutting back calories to an unrealistic amount can lower your metabolism. What happens is your body becomes more efficient — meaning it needs fewer calories to perform the necessary daily functions for survival. This can slow down your weight loss. Plus, depriving yourself can backfire. Says Mandel, "Deprivation makes us unhappy and actually causes us to overeat and overindulge." A slow and steady approach — including treating yourself to your favorite foods, in moderation — is your best bet for building a healthy relationship with food and reaching your long-term goals.

Blueberry Caprese

Blueberry Caprese



Bluberry Caprese
Servings: 2 servings
Serving Size: 1/2 recipe
Nutritional Info: 123 calories, 9.8g of fat, 2.7g of carbohydrates, 5.3g1g of fiber, 7.7g of protein * 4 P+

Ingredients
1 cup blueberries
2 oz fresh mozzarella cheese, chopped
10 basil leaves, chopped
2 tsp. olive oil
2 tsp. balsamic vinegar or balsamic glaze
Salt and pepper to taste
Optional: Handful of greens
Instructions

Combine all the ingredients in a bowl and drizzle with olive oil, vinegar, salt, and pepper.

This Month's Routine: Get 7 to 8 Hours of Quality Sleep Each Night Meeting Topic:  The Sleep-Weight Loss Connection

Standing Lateral Raises

Grasp dumbbells in front of thighs with elbows slightly bent. Raise upper arms to sides until elbows are shoulder height. Maintain elbows' height above or equal to wrists. Lower and repeat.