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Have I ever mentioned how much I love pasta. LOVE. Pasta and I have a relationship.  But unfortunately, my metabolism is not a fan.  Since gnocchi is my all time favorite, of course I had to come up with a healthy alternative to the original…1 Cup Fat Free Ricotta1/4 Cup Egg Beaters1 Cup Whole Wheat FlourMix all together.  Knead dough on counter and add flour as needed. Roll “cigar” shapes and cut 1 inch segments for each ball.  Softly roll onto gnocchi board to create texture.Bring water (with a dash of olive oil) to a boil and add pasta for 4-6 minutes or until gnocchi floats to the top. Drain and Rinse. Serve with favorite veggies and sauce! Easy-Peasy. Bon Appetit! 

Have I ever mentioned how much I love pasta. LOVE. Pasta and I have a relationship.  But unfortunately, my metabolism is not a fan.  Since gnocchi is my all time favorite, of course I had to come up with a healthy alternative to the original…

1 Cup Fat Free Ricotta
1/4 Cup Egg Beaters
1 Cup Whole Wheat Flour

Mix all together.  Knead dough on counter and add flour as needed. Roll “cigar” shapes and cut 1 inch segments for each ball.  Softly roll onto gnocchi board to create texture.

Bring water (with a dash of olive oil) to a boil and add pasta for 4-6 minutes or until gnocchi floats to the top. Drain and Rinse. 

Serve with favorite veggies and sauce! Easy-Peasy. 
Bon Appetit!
 

One of the biggest realizations I’ve had the past few months while trying to eat healthier and shed some pounds has been how breakfast really sets the tone of my day.  Common sense, right?  It’s what all the experts say and I actually do notice a difference in how good/bad my day turns out (diet wise) depending on what I put in my mouth at the start.  So with that said, one can never have too many delicious breakfast recipes  Healthy Breakfast Pizza Ingredients: 1 can of reduced fat Pillsbury crescent rolls (540 cal - 12pts) 1/2 cup fat free mozzarella shredded cheese (90 cal - 2pts) 4 oz extra lean ground turkey breast - cooked (120 cal - 3pt) 3/4 cup egg beaters (75 cals - 1pts) 1/4 cup skim milk (20 cals - 0pts) 1 tsb garlic powder 1 tsb crushed red pepper 1 tsb onion powder 1 tsp salt Pam spray Directions Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Spray small cake pan with non-stick cooking spray. Spread the crescent rolls evenly into the pan. Bake 3 minutes until crust begins to brown. Cook the ground turkey and spread along with the cheese evenly onto the crust. Place eggs into a bowl add the milk and seasonings, then mix. Pour egg mixture over the meat and cheese . Place in oven and bake until eggs are set , about 18 minutes.* Want to add extra deliciousness? Throw on some fresh veggies with the turkey and cheese and cook as directed.

One of the biggest realizations I’ve had the past few months while trying to eat healthier and shed some pounds has been how breakfast really sets the tone of my day.  Common sense, right?  It’s what all the experts say and I actually do notice a difference in how good/bad my day turns out (diet wise) depending on what I put in my mouth at the start.  

So with that said, one can never have too many delicious breakfast recipes 

Healthy Breakfast Pizza

Ingredients:

  • 1 can of reduced fat Pillsbury crescent rolls (540 cal - 12pts)
  • 1/2 cup fat free mozzarella shredded cheese (90 cal - 2pts)
  • 4 oz extra lean ground turkey breast - cooked (120 cal - 3pt)
  • 3/4 cup egg beaters (75 cals - 1pts)
  • 1/4 cup skim milk (20 cals - 0pts)
  • 1 tsb garlic powder
  • 1 tsb crushed red pepper
  • 1 tsb onion powder
  • 1 tsp salt
  • Pam spray

Directions

Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Spray small cake pan with non-stick cooking spray.

Spread the crescent rolls evenly into the pan. Bake 3 minutes until crust begins to brown. Cook the ground turkey and spread along with the cheese evenly onto the crust. Place eggs into a bowl add the milk and seasonings, then mix. Pour egg mixture over the meat and cheese . Place in oven and bake until eggs are set , about 18 minutes.

* Want to add extra deliciousness? Throw on some fresh veggies with the turkey and cheese and cook as directed.

Ever since I dabbled with making Chinese food healthy, I have been obsessed with wonton wrappers. I have been creating all different kinds of egg rolls, which are a great addition to any lunch or dinner. I’ve made Chicken Salad egg rolls, and ground turkey burger egg rolls and pot roast egg rolls. They are the perfect carb fix for people that need that “crunch” with their meal, but are still looking to keep the calorie count light.  And the best part?  They are SO EASY to make!   Ingredients: 4 oz of any meat or veggie filling of choice  1 skinny cow lite cheese triangle - any flavor (I use swiss a lot) 6 Wonton Wrappers Pam spray olive oil Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Spray a cookie sheet with non-stick cooking spray. Evenly divide up cheese triangle and meat/veggie into 6 portions and spread onto each wonton wrapper.  Wet the sides of the wrapper with water, stuff and roll so that the filling is tightly wrapped in the wonton.  The water helps hold all sides together.  Spray a coat of Pam olive oil over top of rolled wontons to help brown while they bake.  Bake at 400 degrees for 10 minutes.Turn on Broiler feature on the oven after baking. Broil for 2-3 minutes until crisp and brown.  Watch carefully though, so they don’t burn. 6 Wonton Wrappers = 3 weight watcher points1 skinny cow lite cheese = 1 weight watcher pointCalculate you choice of meat/veggie filling based on 4oz serving size Enjoy and get creative!  

Ever since I dabbled with making Chinese food healthy, I have been obsessed with wonton wrappers. I have been creating all different kinds of egg rolls, which are a great addition to any lunch or dinner. I’ve made Chicken Salad egg rolls, and ground turkey burger egg rolls and pot roast egg rolls. They are the perfect carb fix for people that need that “crunch” with their meal, but are still looking to keep the calorie count light.  And the best part?  They are SO EASY to make!  

Ingredients:

  • 4 oz of any meat or veggie filling of choice 
  • 1 skinny cow lite cheese triangle - any flavor (I use swiss a lot)
  • 6 Wonton Wrappers
  • Pam spray olive oil

Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Spray a cookie sheet with non-stick cooking spray.

Evenly divide up cheese triangle and meat/veggie into 6 portions and spread onto each wonton wrapper.  Wet the sides of the wrapper with water, stuff and roll so that the filling is tightly wrapped in the wonton.  The water helps hold all sides together.  Spray a coat of Pam olive oil over top of rolled wontons to help brown while they bake. 

Bake at 400 degrees for 10 minutes.
Turn on Broiler feature on the oven after baking. Broil for 2-3 minutes until crisp and brown.  Watch carefully though, so they don’t burn.

6 Wonton Wrappers = 3 weight watcher points
1 skinny cow lite cheese = 1 weight watcher point

Calculate you choice of meat/veggie filling based on 4oz serving size 

Enjoy and get creative!  

OY.  That’s all I gotta say.  Diets suck.  No, like seriously. suck.  All I want right now is to stuff my face with thai takeout and still be skinny enough to prance around in a bikini in time for summer.   But in all seriousness weight watchers works.  If you’ve never tried it, I would definitely recommend at least giving it a try. I like it because I’m a control freak that also likes to eat.  So not only do I get to be OCD with my food lists and tracking, but if I want a glass of wine or a cupcake, I can factor it in for the day and base the rest of my day’s meals around a few indulgences.   This would be great for you since you’re around food so much.  You can still have bites without actually cheating.  It’s just really about choices and WW makes you aware that every morsel of food and drink you put in your mouth can contribute to weight gain or loss. I saw results within the first few days. I lost 5 pounds in the first week with a whole lot of exercise while following the food point system.  The 15 pounds came around my 1 month mark. But here’s the thing about me, I have some good and some bad news.   Bad news first.  I’ve hit my wall.  I’m bored.  I want to eat and I’ve needed a break. The past week i’ve been cheating.  Like every day cheating.  Because it’s easy to do and I’m stressed.  So I’ve steered clear of the scale and I’m trying to get back on track. But here’s the GOOD news… Unlike being on a diet that’s carb free or a cleanse, where once you’re off the diet you have a high chance of gaining the weight back and even then some….With WW it’s a slower (and healthier) way of dropping the weight, so if you fall off the wagon, it’s super easy to jump back on.  It’s really just a conscious way of portion control and healthier substitutions. 

OY.  That’s all I gotta say.  Diets suck.  No, like seriously. suck.  All I want right now is to stuff my face with thai takeout and still be skinny enough to prance around in a bikini in time for summer.  

But in all seriousness weight watchers works.  If you’ve never tried it, I would definitely recommend at least giving it a try. I like it because I’m a control freak that also likes to eat.  So not only do I get to be OCD with my food lists and tracking, but if I want a glass of wine or a cupcake, I can factor it in for the day and base the rest of my day’s meals around a few indulgences.  

This would be great for you since you’re around food so much.  You can still have bites without actually cheating.  It’s just really about choices and WW makes you aware that every morsel of food and drink you put in your mouth can contribute to weight gain or loss.

I saw results within the first few days. I lost 5 pounds in the first week with a whole lot of exercise while following the food point system.  The 15 pounds came around my 1 month mark.

But here’s the thing about me, I have some good and some bad news.  

Bad news first.  I’ve hit my wall.  I’m bored.  I want to eat and I’ve needed a break. The past week i’ve been cheating.  Like every day cheating.  Because it’s easy to do and I’m stressed.  So I’ve steered clear of the scale and I’m trying to get back on track. But here’s the GOOD news…

Unlike being on a diet that’s carb free or a cleanse, where once you’re off the diet you have a high chance of gaining the weight back and even then some….With WW it’s a slower (and healthier) way of dropping the weight, so if you fall off the wagon, it’s super easy to jump back on.  It’s really just a conscious way of portion control and healthier substitutions. 

A few weeks back I decided I wanted to have a few friends over to cook dinner for. I had been wanting to try this cauliflower crust pizza for some time, so I thought the dinner party would be a prime opportunity for my girlfriends to be recipe guinea pigs.I always get a bit nervous trying oddball recipes, especially when other people are coming hungry and expecting to be fed.  Because I love to cook, I tend to find great recipes and then tweek or add my own little twist.  So here is my version  Cauliflower Crust Pizza Ingredients: 2 cups cooked, riced cauliflower 2 cups fat free mozzarella shredded cheese 1 individual egg beaters cup (or 2 servings of egg beaters) 2 tsb garlic powder 1 tsb oregano  1 tsp Salt Pam spray olive oil To Make the Pizza Crust: Preheat oven to 450 degrees. Spray a cookie sheet with non-stick cooking spray. In a medium bowl, stir together riced cauliflower, egg and mozzarella. Add oregano, garlic and salt, stir. Transfer to the cookie sheet, and using your hands, mold into shape desired making sure to keep “dough” even throughout. Brush top lightly with olive oil for browning.  Bake at 450 degrees for 15 minutes. Remove from oven. To the crust, add sauce, toppings and cheese. Place under a broiler at high heat just until cheese is melted (approximately 3-4 minutes).Toppings So this is the fun part. You can get creative with whatever you like best.  This round, I used a tomato soup as my sauce, to keep things light. I then grilled some chicken and chopped up green and red peppers, mushrooms and onion.  De-lish!Bon Appetite!*Note that toppings need to be precooked since you are only broiling for a few minutes.

A few weeks back I decided I wanted to have a few friends over to cook dinner for. I had been wanting to try this cauliflower crust pizza for some time, so I thought the dinner party would be a prime opportunity for my girlfriends to be recipe guinea pigs.

I always get a bit nervous trying oddball recipes, especially when other people are coming hungry and expecting to be fed.  Because I love to cook, I tend to find great recipes and then tweek or add my own little twist.  So here is my version 

Cauliflower Crust Pizza

Ingredients:

  • 2 cups cooked, riced cauliflower
  • 2 cups fat free mozzarella shredded cheese
  • 1 individual egg beaters cup (or 2 servings of egg beaters)
  • 2 tsb garlic powder
  • 1 tsb oregano 
  • 1 tsp Salt
  • Pam spray olive oil

To Make the Pizza Crust:

Preheat oven to 450 degrees. Spray a cookie sheet with non-stick cooking spray.

In a medium bowl, stir together riced cauliflower, egg and mozzarella. Add oregano, garlic and salt, stir. Transfer to the cookie sheet, and using your hands, mold into shape desired making sure to keep “dough” even throughout. Brush top lightly with olive oil for browning. 

Bake at 450 degrees for 15 minutes.

Remove from oven. To the crust, add sauce, toppings and cheese. Place under a broiler at high heat just until cheese is melted (approximately 3-4 minutes).

Toppings

So this is the fun part. You can get creative with whatever you like best.  This round, I used a tomato soup as my sauce, to keep things light. I then grilled some chicken and chopped up green and red peppers, mushrooms and onion.  De-lish!

Bon Appetite!

*Note that toppings need to be precooked since you are only broiling for a few minutes.


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I’ve been craving Chinese food lately, but since i’ve been doing so well on WW, I refuse to indulge yet and cheat.  So I got creative and made my own Chinese meal. I made the recipes up, so this was my first attempt at both dishes. It’s a rough draft, but I thought i’d still share. I used my parents as guinea pigs and they both raved and ate themselves full. (one being a dieter as well, the other not) I might make a few tweeks next time, but tonight was still pretty delish and super easy to make. 

Healthy Crab Rangoon

Ingredients:

  • 6 oz Fat Free Cream Cheese
  • 6 oz Crab Meat
  • 1 Green Onion Finely Chopped
  • 1 tsp Worchestire Sauce
  • 1 tsp Garlic Powder 
  • 1 tsp Salt
  • Wanton Wrappers
  • Non-Stick Spray
  • Sweet N Sour Sauce

Directions:
Mix the first 7 ingredients together until blended. Place a generous tsb of mix into center of wonton wrapper. Moisten edges with water, bring corners to center and press together to seal. Place on baking sheet coated with non-stick spray. Lightly spray wontons with non-stick spray and bake at 400 degrees for 8-10 min.  Serve warm with sweet n sour sauce.

1 weight watcher pt each - 1 pt for 2 tsb sweet n sour

Chicken Fried Rice Quinoa (serves 2+)

Ingredients:

  • 1/2 Cup Quinoa
  • 1/2 Cup Peas
  • 1/2 Cup Corn (I won’t include next time, but mom & dad liked)
  • 1 Green Onion Finely Chopped 
  • 1 Red Pepper
  • 4 oz Shredded Chicken
  • Spray Butter
  • 1 mini individual cup of Egg Beaters
  • Seasonings to taste (Garlic, Salt, Pepper, Crushed Red Pepper, Parsley)
  • Sweet n Sour to taste

Directions:

Cook quinoa as directed on package (1/2 cup quinoa in 1 cup water). Sauté veggies on stove with spray butter and seasonings. Mix in shredded chicken**, continue stirring over warm heat. Add in egg beaters and scramble. Gradually add sweet n sour, seasonings and spray butter to taste.  Keep stirring over heat until everything is evenly cooked and mixed.

**To cook the chicken with a little extra flavor, I cut up raw chicken breast and boil on the stove, covered.  Boil with chicken bouillon cubes, Salt, Pepper, Garlic Powder, Onion Powder, Oregano, Parsley and a Bay Leaf. Covered for about 30-40 minutes.

Weight watcher points for full dish - 11pts
Fortune cookie - 1pt

A few days ago, I hit the one month anniversary of my diet. (If you remember) In the beginning of January, I pledged that 2012 would be the year in which I would learn to love myself again. In the “year of me,” I plan on getting a new job (that I love and that makes me full filled), develop healthy new relationships and most importantly, drop the weight I had gained over the past two years.One month in, I’m going strong with Weight Watchers. I’ve been keeping things interesting by cooking and baking a lot. (no frozen lean cuisines for this girl) Working out around 3-5 times a week and I have only cheated twice. (thank you boozy hangover)Being the visual person that I am, I decided to get crafty. You know that feeling of satisfaction you get when you cross something off of a to do: list? Well that’s how it feels to drop a rock into the “lost” jar for each pound shed.  I have a feeling I’m going to like this more and more. And so, 15 pebbles in the lost  jar and 25 to go.Slow and steady, Slow and steady.  

A few days ago, I hit the one month anniversary of my diet. (If you remember) In the beginning of January, I pledged that 2012 would be the year in which I would learn to love myself again. In the “year of me,” I plan on getting a new job (that I love and that makes me full filled), develop healthy new relationships and most importantly, drop the weight I had gained over the past two years.

One month in, I’m going strong with Weight Watchers. I’ve been keeping things interesting by cooking and baking a lot. (no frozen lean cuisines for this girl) Working out around 3-5 times a week and I have only cheated twice. (thank you boozy hangover)

Being the visual person that I am, I decided to get crafty. You know that feeling of satisfaction you get when you cross something off of a to do: list? Well that’s how it feels to drop a rock into the “lost” jar for each pound shed.  I have a feeling I’m going to like this more and more. 

And so, 15 pebbles in the lost  jar and 25 to go.
Slow and steady, Slow and steady.  

With the super bowl right around the corner, here is a great dip recipe for those watching their waistline, but are still up for a bit of guiltless indulgence.  Perfect with veggies and crackers or eaten burrito style in a lettuce shell for no extra points!  Crock Pot Light Buffalo Chicken Ingredients: 6 oz reduced fat cream cheese, softened 1 cup fat free sour cream 1/2 cup Franks hot sauce 1/3 cup shredded mozzarella  1 tsp white vinegar 1 tsp white wine 2 tsp ranch dip mix 2 slices fat free kraft singles 1 head of lettuce 2 cups cooked shredded chicken (just a tad pink still) Directions: Mix the first 7 ingredients together until blended. Add the chicken and put this in the crock pot with the 2 slices of Kraft cheese on top to melt. Set on low for 3-4 hours. Stir occasionally. Serve warm in a cold lettuce shell.  1/2 cup = 3 points*To cook the chicken with a little extra flavor, I cut up raw chicken breast and boil on the stove, covered.  Boil with chicken bouillon cubes, Salt, Pepper, Garlic Powder, Onion Powder, Oregano, Parsley and a Bay Leaf. (see picture, top left)

With the super bowl right around the corner, here is a great dip recipe for those watching their waistline, but are still up for a bit of guiltless indulgence.  Perfect with veggies and crackers or eaten burrito style in a lettuce shell for no extra points! 

Crock Pot Light Buffalo Chicken

Ingredients:

  • 6 oz reduced fat cream cheese, softened
  • 1 cup fat free sour cream
  • 1/2 cup Franks hot sauce
  • 1/3 cup shredded mozzarella 
  • 1 tsp white vinegar
  • 1 tsp white wine
  • 2 tsp ranch dip mix
  • 2 slices fat free kraft singles
  • 1 head of lettuce
  • 2 cups cooked shredded chicken (just a tad pink still)

Directions:

Mix the first 7 ingredients together until blended. Add the chicken and put this in the crock pot with the 2 slices of Kraft cheese on top to melt. Set on low for 3-4 hours. Stir occasionally. Serve warm in a cold lettuce shell. 

1/2 cup = 3 points

*To cook the chicken with a little extra flavor, I cut up raw chicken breast and boil on the stove, covered.  Boil with chicken bouillon cubes, Salt, Pepper, Garlic Powder, Onion Powder, Oregano, Parsley and a Bay Leaf. (see picture, top left)

Lunch in the neighborhood. Roasted garlic sirloin with potatoes and spinach 10pts. Omg yum! (Taken with Instagram at Applebees)Side note For the record, I’m kind of a food snob and hadn’t been to an applebee’s in years.  Since today was a weigh day I was very strict on myself but craved a real, full meal out.  Let’s just say if someone put this in front of me and told me it was a local Chicago restaurant, I would have believed you.  It was really GOOD*.  I left satisfied and full.*Ok, I’m aware of the fact that by GOOD; it may or may not be because I hadn’t had a full hearty meal at a restaurant in over 2 weeks…but still GOOD.

Lunch in the neighborhood. Roasted garlic sirloin with potatoes and spinach 10pts. Omg yum! (Taken with Instagram at Applebees)

Side note
For the record, I’m kind of a food snob and hadn’t been to an applebee’s in years.  Since today was a weigh day I was very strict on myself but craved a real, full meal out.  Let’s just say if someone put this in front of me and told me it was a local Chicago restaurant, I would have believed you.  It was really GOOD*.  I left satisfied and full.

*Ok, I’m aware of the fact that by GOOD; it may or may not be because I hadn’t had a full hearty meal at a restaurant in over 2 weeks…but still GOOD.

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5 points of deliciousness.

Whenever I’m at my parents house (like tonight), dinner can get a bit creative when I have full reign of whatever my mom has in the cabinets.  Being obsessive conscious of what I’m eating also adds to the creativity.  I’ve almost turned it into a game….. try to cook using the least amount of WW points as possible.  

So here is dinner. 

1 cup mushrooms sauteed in a splash of wine, squirt of sriracha, oregano, pepper, garlic and spray butter (all to taste) - 0 points
1/2 cup sliced southwestern chicken breast - 2 points
1 piece (cut up and melted) lite string cheese - 1 point

6oz Pino Grigio (one glass) - 2 points.  

Not too shabby….and I’m satisfied.  YUM!  
Day one of the diet has been a success. WOOT! WOOT!  

Bring on Those Skinny Jeans

2012 will be bringing me a new career and a new start. With that, my biggest resolution is to find the happiness i’ve been missing for the past few years.  My first step in finding happiness is learning to love myself again.  

Since college i’ve probably gained 30+ pounds.  I blame 2 years of sitting in a cube all day long, at a job I absolutely hated. I was immobile and I ate my feelings. Gaining weight has made me exhausted all the time. I never want to go out and be social and I don’t want to shop and buy new clothes. With that came the demise of my social life and wardrobe. The weight gain has officially kept me from being me and doing the things that have always made me happy.

Although I know what is to blame, setting blame won’t shed the pounds. And so, the (real and strict) diet must begin. No more just talking about it. I’ve been talking about it for months without any real motivation and with that just came an extra 10 pounds.

I have officially weighed myself, set up my food journal, calculated my point allowance, found my support system (you bet Tumblr is a part of it - I figured if I talk about it on here, I have to follow through) and have gotten into the right frame of mind.

Here goes nothing.