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?