ww, Gourmet Pizza, 7 PP

I loved this~ Tasted like a gourmet treat

(The Photo is of the pizza uncooked)

2 large onion(s), vidalia , thinly sliced (I used 1)
12 oz pizza dough 10 medium sun dried tomatoes, without oil 3 oz hard cheese, Gorgonzola (could substitute a different hard cheese like Romano) 10 spinach leaves, (used 2 handfuls of baby spinach) pepper to taste I added 1/2 cup of pizza sauce

• Coat a large nonstick pan with cooking spray. Warm pan over medium heat. Add onions and reduce heat to medium-low. Cook for 15 to 20 minutes, stirring frequently, until onions brown and become very fragrant.
  
  
• Meanwhile, prepare pizza crust for baking according to package directions. Mince tomatoes and crumble cheese. Tear spinach into pieces. Preheat oven to 425°F.
  
  
• Spread caramelized onions on pizza crust and bake for 12 minutes. Remove from oven and add tomatoes, spinach and cheese. Bake until cheese is melted, about 3 more minutes. Season with freshly ground black pepper and serve.

Source: Weight Watchers

Chicken with Balsamic Vinegar, Sweet Onions and Thyme, 5 PP (just chicken)

I learned a valuable lesson in cutting onions from this recipe. They specifically say to cut lengthwise. I didn't and it looks like a plate of worms! Not appetizing but it had a great taste to it.

Chicken with Balsamic Vinegar, Sweet Onions and Thyme

From Weight Watchers

3 Tbsp all-purpose flour

¾ tsp table salt, divided ½ tsp black pepper, divided 1 pound chicken breasts, skinless, boneless 2 tsp olive oil 1 small Vidalia onion cut in half lengthwise, thinly sliced, about 2 cups 1 cup reduced sodium chicken broth 2 TBSP balsamic vinegar 1 TBSP thyme, fresh, chopped 2 tsp butter

Instructions

· On a plate, combine flour, 1⁄2 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon pepper. Dredge chicken in flour mixture and turn to coat; shake off any excess.

· Heat oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add chicken and cook, flipping once, until golden and cooked through, about 7 minutes; remove to a serving plate and cover to keep warm.

· Add onion to skillet; sauté over medium-high heat until lightly browned, about 4 minutes. Add broth, vinegar, thyme and remaining 1⁄4 teaspoon each salt and pepper. Bring to a boil; cook, stirring often, until onions are tender, about 5 minutes.

· Remove skillet from heat and stir in butter until melted; spoon sauce over chicken. Yields 1 chicken breast and about 1/4 cup onion sauce per serving.

Notes

· Don't have fresh thyme? Use 1/2 teaspoon of dried thyme instead.

Biscuit Pizza Bake Casserole, 9 PP

Biscuit Pizza Bake Casserole Serves 6, 9 PP per serving All the gooey, yummy goodness of a deep dish pizza with a veggie power punch. 1/2 cup(s) red onion(s), chopped

1 medium green pepper(s), chopped

1 cup(s) canned mushrooms, optional

1 serving(s) Jennie-O Turkey Store Lean Italian sausage link, sweet, browned and crumbled

2 oz shredded part-skim mozzarella cheeses

4 oz Kraft 3-cheese blend crumbles (Monterey Jack, colby and cheddar cheeses)

15 oz small lower-fat biscuit, prepared from refrigerated dough

1 cup(s) spinach

2 oz Hormel Pillow Pack light turkey Pepperoni Grease a SHALLOW baking dish with pam spray. Preheat oven to 350 degrees Brown meat and set aside Cut biscuits in to quarters and place in shallow baking dish. Place all the other ingredients in the dish and stir. Bake for 25-35 minutes. I MADE THE MISTAKE OF USING A DEEP CASSAROLE PAN. IT TOOK A VERY LONG TIME TO COOK, USE SOMETHING SHALLOW LIKE A 13 X 8 INCH PAN. This recipe was inspired by Biscuit Pizza Bake featured on tasteofhome.com It has been altered to decrease points and increase power foods. The main bulk of the points come from the cheese and the biscuits. If you cut those in half or used a low fat cheese you could further reduce the Points Plus of this dish. I want to try it with the pizza dough in the tubes they have instead of the biscuits. I also thought it tasted better once it sat for a bit and cooled.

Orange Chicken and Cream Cheese Wontons

Orange Chicken
2 tsp. dark sesame oil (I just used Olive oil)
2 tsp. orange zest, strips
1 lb. uncooked, boneless, skinless chicken breasts 4 four oz pieces
1/8 tsp. salt
1/8 tsp. black pepper
15. oz. canned mandarin oranges in light syrup
1/2 cup reduced sodium chicken broth
1 Tbsp. low sodium soy sauce
1 Tbsp. orange zest, finely grated
2 Tbsp. cornstarch
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1. Heat oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium-low heat. Add zest strips and cook, stirring until fragrant and slightly cooked, about 1 to 2 minutes. Meanwhile, season both sides of chicken with salt and pepper. When zest is finished, increase heat to medium high; add chicken to skillet and cook until golden brown, flipping once, about 2 minutes per side.


2. Drain oranges and reserver about 1/4 cup liquid. Add oranges with reserved liquid to skillet and simmer 2 minutes. Whisk together broth, soy sauce, finely grated zest and cornstarch in a small bowl; add mixture to pan and simmer until sauce thickens and chicken is cooked through, about 3 minutes more. Yields 1 piece of chicken and about 1/4 cup of sauce per serving = 5 points.


Baked Cream Cheese Wontons

8 oz reduced fat cream cheese

3 clove garlic- minced

2 scallions- diced

24 won ton wrappers

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Combine cream cheese, garlic and scallions. Place a little more than 1 tsp. of cream cheese mixture into the center of each wrap. Brush the edges of wrap with water and fold into triangles-- press the edges to seal. Place the filled won tons inside the cup of a muffin tin (2 in each tin). Spray lightly with nonstick cooking spray and bake at 375 for 15-20 minutes. 1 won ton = 1 point

There comes a time when we have to take personal responsibilty | Mormon Times

There comes a time when we have to take personal responsibilty | Mormon Times

WW Cheesey Chili-Mac

This was a big hit at my house! Both my husband and daughter loved it! They were even willing to eat the leftovers which is saying something. A word of warning though, this recipe makes a LOT so be prepared to freeze some of it for later or something.

1 spray(s) cooking spray
2/3 pound(s) raw lean ground beef
2 medium onion(s), chopped
29 oz canned stewed tomatoes, Mexican-style (undrained)
2 1/2 cup(s) canned tomato juice
4 oz canned green chili peppers, diced, drained
2 tsp chili powder
1 1/2 cup(s) uncooked macaroni, elbow-size
31 oz canned pinto beans, rinsed and drained
1/2 cup(s) low-fat shredded cheddar cheese

* Coat a large skillet with cooking spray; set over medium-high heat. Cook beef and onion until meat is browned, stirring and breaking up meat with a spoon as it cooks, about 10 minutes; drain off fat.

* Stir in undrained tomatoes and their juice, tomato juice, chili peppers and chili powder; bring mixture to a boil.

* Stir in macaroni and beans; return to a boil. Reduce heat, cover and simmer until macaroni is tender, about 15 minutes. Spoon chili into bowls and sprinkle with cheese. Yields about 1 cup chili and 1 tablespoon cheese per serving.

1 Serving= 7 Points Plus value

Taco Salad. Mexican, 10 points

2 cups mixed spring baby greens, 0 points

2 oz of lean ground turkey seasoned with taco seasoning mix, 2 points

1/3 cup canned black beans drained and rinsed, 1 point

1/4 cup 2% cheddar cheese, 2 points

2 TBSP Daisy light sour cream, 1 point

1 tsp fat free Catalina dressing, 0 points

1 serving (11) real Doritos, 4 points (loved every bit of them too)

Total: 10 points

Chicken Parmigiana Sandwich

Within hours of starting my diet, I was overwhelmed and ready to quit. I love that Weight Watchers has so many recipes, but it is also a curse. So many things to choose from, it had my head spinning. I knew if I was going to stand a chance on this diet, I needed to start with a favorite. If it turned out well, then this diet would be possible.  So the first night of my diet, we had Chicken Parmigiana Sandwiches, as found on Better Than Burgers. Six weeks into my diet, and this is the meal I keep craving over and over.

Chicken Parmigiana Sandwich
1/4 cup fat free dressing
1/3 cup bread crumbs
1 lb. Chicken beasts cut into 4 pieces
1/2 cup tomato sauce
1/2 tsp. oregano
1/2 tsp. garlic powder
1/4 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
8 slices sourdough bread
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Preheat oven to 400. Cut chicken breasts into 4 pieces. Place Italian dressing and bread crumbs in separate bowls,. Dip chicken in dressing and then dip in bread crumbs, coating evenly. Place on baking sheet. Cook for 30 minutes. Combine tomato sauce, oregano and garlic powder in a small saucepan. Cook until boiling. Remove from heat. When chicken is done top with tomato sauce and cheese. Return to oven until cheese is bubbly. Toast bread, if desired. Place chicken on 1 slice of toast and top with another slice. Serve immediately. Makes 4 sandwiches.

1 sandwich = 8 points plus

Chicken Cordon Bleu Dinner, 12 points

1/2 cup steamed white rice- 3PP

1 cup lightly sauced frozen green beans and carrots with cranberrys- 2PP

Chicken Cordon Bleu from WW on-line, 7 points. (recipe called for chicken breasts, I only had tenderloins, weight was the same.

Served on a salad plate to psych myself into believing I was being served lots. It worked. I was unable to finish it all.

Budgeting your food

The longer I do weight watchers the more I think of it as a budget. Each week I get x number of points and xx number of weekly bonus points. By working out I can earn points. My daily points allowance is like per diem money. It is only good for one day and doesn't carry over. My weekly bonus and activity points are like my saving account or like overdraft protection on my bank account! It's the little cushion I need to make my daily points stretch. My mini savings account expire each week so I either use them or loose them.

This principal of budgeting my food is teaching me to live with in means so to speak. It also makes me think twice about eating something. I ask myself if it is really worth it. Store bought cookies are a resounding NO. Homemade cookies or even better homemade cheesecake are really worth it! Because I have to plan and "save" for my weekly splurge I really appreciate it more. I also have more power to say no to things I really don't love that much

General Tso's Chicken - 7 points

I improved the recipe by adding 2 cups of steamed frozen stir-fry veggies. I thought it also needed a bit more red pepper!

This is a recipe with a share feature from the Weight Watchers website.

3/4 cup(s) canned chicken broth, reduced-sodium
	1 1/2 Tbsp cornstarch
	2 Tbsp sugar
	2 Tbsp low-sodium soy sauce
	1 Tbsp white wine vinegar
	1/2 tsp ground ginger
	2 tsp peanut oil
	2 medium scallion(s), chopped
	2 clove(s) (medium) garlic clove(s), minced
	1/2 tsp red pepper flakes, or 1 dried chili pepper, minced
	1 pound(s) uncooked boneless, skinless chicken breast, cut into 2-inch pieces
	2 cup(s) cooked white rice, kept hot

Instructions

· In a medium bowl, whisk together broth, cornstarch, sugar, soy sauce, vinegar and ginger; set aside.

· Heat oil in a wok or large skillet over medium-high heat. Add scallions, garlic and red pepper flakes; cook, stirring frequently, 2 minutes. Add chicken; sauté until browned all over, about 5 minutes.

· Add reserved sauce to pan and simmer until sauce thickens and chicken is cooked through, about 3 minutes.

· Serve chicken and sauce over rice. Yields about 1 cup chicken with sauce and 1/2 cup rice per serving.

3 point cup cakes

This cake mix unprepared is 2 points per cupcake (if you make 24 cupcakes.) I made it with applesauce instead of oil and egg whites instead of eggs. The Fluffy icing yields 6 TBSP a serving for 3 points! Half of that, is only 1 point!

I am bombing this week

This week has been a rough one. One of the girls in our ward just passed away from leukemia. Although it's a completely different situation from what happened with us with our son a few years ago (OMG, it's actually almost been 4 years now!) it brings up a LOT of memories. When we were first going through the grieving process is when I put on the majority of my excess weight. Every time these memories surface, it is so hard not to turn to the food again. This week I have really struggled. I think I've actually gained about a pound and a half. I hate this. I hate that it's so hard.

Trying to replace comfort food

What do you do when you are in a full out foul mood and the only thing you can think of to comfort yourself is food. I'm talking really bad infertility day and what I really want right now is a super sized chocolate shake and french fries?

Motivate me

Here We Go

Do any of you remember watching the Disney cartoon "Peter Pan"? Do you remember the part when Peter Pan, Wendy, and the boys learn to fly and head off to Never Never Land? Peter Pan pronounces, "Here We Gooooo!!!" Then they fly off to the unknown. Well, that's kind of how I feel beginning this weight loss journey. I have NEVER been able to lose any significant amount of weight, and it has ALWAYS been disgustingly easy for me to GAIN significant amounts of weight. With Weight Watchers, I feel like it's finally FINALLY possible to turn this trend around. So far I have lost 15 pounds. I feel like I'm finally making some permanent type of progress. Anyway, just wanted to post those 2 cents.

Forgive yourself.

Doctrine and Covenants 64: 10

"I, the Lord, will ^aforgive whom I will forgive, but of you it is required to ^bforgive all men."

Be pretty NOW. Love what and who you are now. Love all of yourself, even the flabby flotation ring around your hips! You are a great person. God loves you. You are His child. He made you and God doesn't make junk. YES, you've made mistakes. YES, you've abused your body. You may even have been glutenous. You failed yourself so many times. BUT, it's time to let go of the past. You haven't made any mistakes in the future yet. It's up to you to control what you do for the rest of the day. Forgive yourself as you would a friend. Treat yourself as good as you would treat a dear friend. You wouldn't constantly berate a dear friend for their mistakes would you? No, so why do it to yourself?

I am not giving up!

At a meeting the leader was speaking about blowing it. When we mess up a lot of us tend to let that be an excuse to give up. I have thought "I've messed up so bad today what's the point of trying. Pass me the fried chicken." A bad meal turns into a bad day which means I blew the WHOLE week so I can't possibly get back on track till NEXT week OR next month. Been there so many times. (That's why I am FAT!)

Weigh in tonight...good news

down 3.4 lbs
total down 13.4 lbs

I've reached my first Milestone. I made it to my 5% weight loss mark!

I am doing pretty good on the program. I seem to have a mess up day about once a week. But the next day I get back in the saddle. I've learned that I am trully an emotional eater. When I am stress and feeling anxious I eat. I noticed this when Elora was born. If she would cry and cry I would eat. :( Food is my coping mechanisim. Now that I know this I am trying to be more aware of why I am eating. I ask myself if I am really hungry.

Last week I didn't go to WW meeting because of the snow storm so I don't know my official weight. My bathroom scale says I am down but I don't trust it.

I did have a melt down day and I messed up. However, I DIDN'T GIVE UP. It felt so good to wake up the next day with a new set of numbers. I like WW because I can start over each morning with a fresh slate.

I rejoined last night

I Signed up on-line. Tracked points. Went 21 points over! Had no clue those Oatmeal cookies were so many points. I did fine on the meals. It was the snacking that seemed to get me. I seriously NEED something sweet after each meal. I also noticed that from 3-5 pm I was really vulnerable. That seemed to be the time I consumed the most calories. I need to plan a healthy snack for that time of day.