Looking Back

Looking back is always a great thing to do. It helps us see how far we have gone. I like to look back at the end of a year. I got a lot to look back on this year. These pictures really show that for me! I know that I did not lose the 100 pounds that I wanted to lose this year, but I also know that 77 pounds is a lot of weight and as I can see in these pictures I look so much better. I think I can truly say that I was Looking Great in 2008 and will be Looking Fine in 2009! Enjoy...these made me feel good!

1. Church Christmas Party 2008

What a HUGE difference, I can actually sit in the chair!

2. Church Christmas Party 2007

I hated my dh for taking this picture, but now I am so glad that I have it!

I remember not being able to sit in that chair because I was so big!

3. Our Christmas Card picture for 2007

Wow! My face looks so different!

4. Our Christmas Card picture for 2008, I look so different!

Over all I am so proud of myself this year! I know that I am so much happier. Some things I got to do this year that I could not do when I was heavier:
1. Wear jeans!
2. Wear panty hose!
3. Wear clothes that are about 4 sizes smaller!
4. Eat healthier!
5. Walk about 2 miles at a time without dying!
6. Read a story to my kids without feeling like I can't breathe!
7. Wrap a towel all the way around my body!
8. Fit behind the steering wheel in my car!
9. Not overeat! I've learned portion control something that was always hard for me.
10. I'm happier! I can see it in my pictures and people tell me they see it!

Easy Eggnog

Easy Eggnog (rum, optional)
1/2 gallon skim milk (14 points)
1 package (3.4 oz) FF/SF vanilla pudding (2 points)
1/4 c. sugar(4 points)
1 tsp vanilla extract (0 points)
1 tsp. rum extract(0 points)
1/2 tsp ground cinnamon (0 points)
1/2 tsp ground nutmeg (0 points)
In a large bowl, whisk 3/4 cup milk and pudding mix til smooth. Whisk in sugar, vanilla, cinnamon and nutmeg. Stir in remaining milk and then I ran through the blender. Refrigerate until ready to serve.
Serves 10 at 2 Weight Watchers Points each without rum

Holiday Survival Tips

I saw this on the Weight Watcher Message Boards and wanted to post them here to help me remember.

1. Don't eat for a good 30 minutes of arriving - by then you'll be into more of the visiting vs. eating.
2. When you do eat, pick a small plate, try to have none of your food touching each other.
3. Do NOT visit in the kitchen - a tough one, but trust me, it works!
4. Chew gum. This is a favorite. Hard to nibble, when you've got gum in your mouth.
5. If choosing a drink with alcohol, stick with one you mix yourself (track portions, etc.).
6. Do not go hungry to a party. Fill up on zero-low point carrots, celery, lots of water, high fiber.
7. Forgive. If you over did things, know that tomorrow is another chance to turn it all around!

RR: Creamy Potato and Ham Bake

Creamy Potato and Ham Bake

1 (1 lb. 4 oz.) Bag of Simply Potatoes Shredded Hash Browns

1 Cup Frozen Peas, thawed

8 oz. Diced Lean Ham

1/2 teaspoon Dried Parsley Flakes

1/2 teaspoon Black Pepper

1 (10 oz.) Can 98% Fat Free Cream of Mushroom Soup

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. In a large bowl mix potatoes, peas and ham. In a smaller bowl mix soup, parsley and pepper. Pour the soup mixture over the potatoes and mix well. Pour into an 8X8 square dish sprayed with non-stick cooking spray. Bake uncovered for 25-30 minutes.

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Serves: 4 Per Serving: 268 Calories; 4g Fat (14.3% calories from fat); 18g Protein; 40g Carbohydrate; 4g Dietary Fiber; 36mg Cholesterol; 1366mg Sodium. Exchanges: 1/2 Grain (Starch); 0 Fat. (www.AimeesAdventures.com)

RR: My whole family loved this! I did not have cream of mushroom so I used cream of chicken and I added some low fat cheese to the top. Yummy!

On the Third Day of Christmas Cookies- Mini Chocolate Chip

Come with me for the 12 Days of Christmas Cookies as I try out low point cookie recipes.

Here are the ones I have already made:
Light Cookie Tips
Caramel Kiss Cookies
Toffee Butterscotch Cookies

Mini Chocolate-Chip Cookies
2 Tbsp butter, softened
2 tsp canola oil
1/2 cup dark brown sugar
1 tsp vanilla extract
1/8 tsp table salt
1 large egg white(s)
3/4 cup all-purpose flour
1/4 tsp baking soda
3 oz semi-sweet chocolate chips, about 1/2 cup
1.Preheat oven to 375ºF.
2.In a medium bowl, cream butter, oil and brown sugar together. Add vanilla, salt and egg white, and mix together thoroughly.
3.Mix together flour and baking soda. Add chocolate chips and stir to distribute evenly.
4.Drop rounded half-teaspoons of dough onto a nonstick baking sheet. Bake cookies for 4 to 6 minutes, then cool on a wire rack. Yields 2 cookies per serving.
Makes 24 cookies
Serving Size-2 cookies at 1 Weight Watchers POINTS®-1

November Picture

I forgot to post my November picture, so here it is. My starting picture can be found here for comparison. I really don't want to look at it again. I have had that sweater for a long time, but it has always been too little for me to wear, now it is actually a little big on me.

On The Second Day of Christmas Cookies-Toffee Butterscotch Cookies

Come with me for the 12 Days of Christmas Cookies as I try out low point cookie recipes.

Here are the ones I have already made:

Light Cookie Tips

Caramel Kiss Cookies

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When I saw these cookies on the Weight Watchers Website, I knew I had to try them. I love toffee and butterscotch so I thought I would really like these. They are very good. They are a light chewy cookie and very good.

Toffee Butterscotch Cookies

1/2 cup(s) reduced-calorie margarine

3/4 cup(s) unpacked brown sugar

1/4 cup(s) regular egg substitute

2 tsp vanilla extract

1 1/4 cup(s) all-purpose flour

1/2 tsp table salt

1 1/3 oz Hershey's Milk Chocolate English Toffee Bar(s) (I used Weight Watchers Toffee Squares candy to make this even lower in points)

Heat oven to 375°F. Cream margarine and sugar until soft. Add egg substitute and vanilla to sugar mixture. Whisk flour and salt together; add to sugar mixture. Stir in candy and mix well. On parchment-lined baking sheets, place 1 tablespoon dough 1 1/2 inches apart for each cookie. Bake until golden, 8 to 10 minutes. Cool on baking sheet 5 minutes. Place on rack; cool completely.

Makes 20 cookies

2 Weight Watchers Points per cookie

My New Momentum Plan

Well, today starts my first day on the Momentum Plan. Today, I decided to try a filling breakfast. I had an omelet made with 1/2 cup Southwestern Egg Beaters and 1 Weight Watcher Cheese Slice. I also had 1/2 grapefruit and 8 oz. of Herbal Tea, the new Sugar Plum holiday Tea. So, a good breakfast for 3 points. I thought the Egg beaters would be 2 points, but online it list both 1/4 and 1/2 cup as 1 point hmmm?

My goals for this week are:
1. Select more filling foods.
2. Exercise at least 15 minutes a day.

Exercising 30 minutes a day is now a Healthy Guideline, so I have to check it off each day. But where I have not been exercising much I need to work back up to 30 minutes. I also took my vitamin this morning and I am now trying to drink some more water.

I really like the new plan and I really like the new materials given out. I really think this is going to help me get back into Weight Watchers.

Menu Plan Monday Dec 8- Dec 14

We are eating a lot of leftover ham this week.

Dinners
Ham and Pineapple Pizza, salad
Soup Beans and sandwiches
Creamy Potato and Ham Bake
Doritos Casserole, Salad
Split Pea Soup (see recipe below), Cornbread
Church Christmas Party I'm bringing Green Bean Dressing
Fat Free Hot Dogs, Baked Doritos, Corn

Breakfast
Banana Bread Oatmeal, hot herbal tea
Apple Cinnamon Oatmeal, hot herbal tea (2 days)
Low fat waffles and fruit, hot herbal tea (2 days)
Omelets, fruit, hot herbal tea
Cinnamon French Toast, fruit, hot herbal tea

Lunch
Cheesy Vegetable Soup (2 days)
Leftover Ham sandwich, baked Doritos, orange
Leftover Split Pea Soup (See recipe below)
Leftover Doritos Casserole, orange
Refried Bean Soup (2 days)
Tuna sandwich, orange

I am also making some cookies for my 12 Days of Christmas Cookies Series. All cookies are low-point cookies. Come back and see what I got up my sleeves. Here is what I have planned right now.
Toffee Butterscotch Cookies, Peanut Butter Cookies, Snickerdoodles, Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies,Fiber One Crunchy Fudge Cookies, Pecan Pie Cookies
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Split Pea Soup
1 lb dried split peas
5 oz Canadian bacon, cut into strips
1 cup diced carrots
1 medium onion, chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
2 bay leaves
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp black pepper
5 cup boiling water
Layer the first 8 ingredients in a slow cooker in the order listed. Pour boiling water over the dry ingredients. Cover and cook on HIGH for 1 hour. Turn back to LOW for 6 hours. Stir soup, it will be nice and thick. Discard bay leaves.
Note: If desired, you can remove 1/2 and puree it then return to the slow cooker.
Serves 7
NI: 269 Calories; 2g Fat (7.3% calories from fat); 21g Protein; 43g Carbohydrate; 17g Dietary Fiber; 10mg Cholesterol; 460mg Sodium

Creamy Potato and Ham Bake
1 (1 lb. 4 oz.) Bag of Simply Potatoes Shredded Hash Browns
1 Cup Frozen Peas, thawed
8 oz. Diced Lean Ham
1/2 teaspoon Dried Parsley Flakes
1/2 teaspoon Black Pepper
1 (10 oz.) Can 98% Fat Free Cream of Mushroom Soup
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. In a large bowl mix potatoes, peas and ham. In a smaller bowl mix soup, parsley and pepper. Pour the soup mixture over the potatoes and mix well. Pour into an 8X8 square dish sprayed with non-stick cooking spray. Bake uncovered for 25-30 minutes. Serves: 4
Per Serving: 268 Calories; 4g Fat (14.3% calories from fat); 18g Protein; 40g Carbohydrate; 4g Dietary Fiber; 36mg Cholesterol; 1366mg Sodium. Exchanges: 1/2 Grain (Starch); 0 Fat. (www.AimeesAdventures.com)

Go here to see more plans.

On the First Day of Christmas: Caramel Kiss Cookies

Come with me for the 12 Days of Christmas Cookies as I try out low point cookie recipes. These cookies are wonderful and only 1 Weight Watcher point each! I would definitely make them again.

Caramel Kiss Cookies

1 Cup of Light Stick Butter, softened

1 Cup Splenda Granular

1 teaspoon Vanilla Extract

2 Cups All-Purpose Flour

1/4 Cup Hershey's Cocoa

48 Hershey Caramel Kisses, unwrapped

Powdered Sugar for dusting

Preheat oven to 350°. In a large bowl, beat softened butter, Splenda, and vanilla until creamy. In a smaller bowl stir together the flour and cocoa. Gradually add dry mixture to the butter mixture, and beat until blended. Use a tablespoon measuring spoon, and measure not quite a full tablespoon of dough. Mold dough around the caramel kiss, covering completely. Roll scantly in powdered sugar. Place on ungreased cookie sheet. Bake 8 to 10 minutes or until set. Remove from oven and let set for one minute, and then place on a rack to cool. Once the cookies are completely cool, roll them in the powdered sugar, if desired.

Serves: 48

Per Serving: 62 Calories; 3g Fat (43.5% calories from fat); 1g Protein; 8g Carbohydrate; trace Dietary Fiber; 8mg Cholesterol; 31mg Sodium. Exchanges: 1/2 Grain(Starch); 0 Lean Meat; 1/2 Fat; 0 Other Carbohydrates. (www.AimeesAdventures.com)

Weight Watchers New Momentum plan

Well today when I went into my e-tools, I found out that they were releasing the new information about the new plan that starts next week. My leader said we will learn all about it at our next meeting. There is a lot of information on the e-tools right now which I get because I buy the Monthly Pass. While there are a few changes, I feel like it is really a whole lot of the same as FLEX was with a little bit of CORE added in. The only thing of HUGE difference I can find is that now we are going to be focusing on Filling Foods. They want you to eat foods that are more filling. You still get Weekly Points but you have to use all of those before you can use your activity points and from what I read online you can once again bank activity points for the week. This means that you can get 3 Activity Points on Monday and not use them until Saturday after you have used all of your Weekly points. I kind of liked the idea of using them on the day you earned them, but okay. Now it seems any liquid with water in it can be counted in the 6 8 oz glasses a day, although they say water is best. So, my initial reaction, I like that we get a change and it is really similar to the old Flex plan. Also, if you liked CORE, they have a program where you do not have to track points all week too. I did not read much on that because I have never done CORE. So, all in all, I can't wait to go to my meeting on Tuesday to find out more. I just really wish Weight Watchers would have waited until after the Holidays to start a new program, but oh well.

Twelve Days of Christmas Cookies-Cookie Tips

This Friday, I am going to start making some Christmas cookies. I have 12 recipes for low point cookies that I plan to try out. Come with me as I make all 12 of the recipes.

Some Lighter Cookie Tips

1. Replace 1/2 the fat of any cookie recipe with an equivalent amount of unsweetened applesauce or mashed ripe banana. Then double the amount of vanilla or other spices in the recipe.

2. When you use low-fat buttermilk, use cake flour rather than all-purpose for more tender cakes.

3. Always cream butter or shortening for at least 2 minutes in the mixer at medium speed. More tender cookies have more air beaten into the batter. However, once you add the flour...never use a mixer. Use a wooden spoon just til moistened. (You don't want the glutens to get stiff.)

4. If a recipe calls for two whole eggs, use 1 whole egg and 2 egg whites; if it calls for 3 whole eggs, use 1 whole egg and 3 egg whites.

5. Replace walnuts, pecans, and hazelnuts with pine nuts, almonds, pumpkin seeds, or sunflower seeds.

Come back Friday as I start the Twlelve Days Of Christmas Cookies Series. You won't want to miss all of the low point cookies!

New Stuff on My Other Blog

I have got a lot of new holiday related posts on my Honey, I Shrank Our Spending Blog. Check it out here. Lots of freebies, a free video from Santa, and a frugal gift idea!

Surviving Thanksgiving Tips

1. start with Veggies
2. see some of your plate between your food
3. don't skip breakfast and lunch to save all your points for dinner
4. wear fitted pants
5. skip what you eat all the time to make room for the things you don't always eat
6. have lots of 0 point drinks
7. stop, rest and access. give your body at least 2 minutes
8. have lighter options
9. scale back on the serving size to save on left overs (if your having 4 people for dinner don't make dinner for 10)
10. exercise, exercise, exercise!!

Thanksgiving Cheat Sheet
Turkey 2 oz = 2 points
Ham 2 oz = 2 points
Stuffing 1/2 cup = 4point
Winter squash 1 cup = 1 point
Cranberry sauce 1/4 cup = 2 points
mashed potatoes 1/2 cup = 2 points
brown gravy 1/4 cup = 2 points
sweet potato or yam 1 cup or 5" = 3 points
tossed salad 1 cup = 0 points
dinner roll 1 or 2 oz = 3 points
stuffed mushrooms 4 = 3 points
mixed nuts 1 oz = 4 points
wine 4 oz = 4 points
olives 10 small or 1 oz = 1 point
carrot and celery sticks UNLIMITED -0 points
pickles (sweet) 3 inches = 1 point
pickles (unsweetened) 1 cup or large = 0 points
whipped cream 1/4 cup = 1 point
pumpkin pie 1/8 = 9 points
apple pie 1/8 = 9 points
ice cream (regular) 1/2 cup = 4 points
coffee 1 cup = 0 points.

the following are core foods
turkey
winter squash
sweet potato or yams
tossed salad
olives
carrot and celery sticks
pickles (unsweetened)
coffee

Pillsbury Crescent Roll Coupon and a Recipe!

I love Pillsbury Crescent Rolls and they even have them in reduced fat! Here is a new $1.00 coupon. Since it is Thanksgiving time, I have found these on sale in a lot of stores. Add a coupon to that sale and you have a better deal! You could have these with your Thanksgiving Dinner or you could try this yummy recipe!

CHICKEN BASEBALLS
3 oz. fat free cream cheese, softened
2 tsp light margarine, melted
1/4 tsp salt
1/4 tsp pepper
one half chopped onion
2 cups cubed, cooked chicken
1 8oz can reduced fat crescent rolls
2 Tbsp skim milk
In a blender (or by hand) combine cream cheese, butter, salt, pepper, milk, onion. Blend. Pour mixture over chicken and stir. Separate crescent roll dough into four rectangles and seal perforations. Spoon 1/2 cup mixture into center of each. Pull opposite corners of dough to center and seal. Place on ungreased cookie sheet and bake at 350 degrees for 20 minutes.

Serves 4

Calories: 235.5
Total Fat: 10.2 g
Dietary Fiber: 0.3 g

My Lighter Thanksgiving Dinner

This is the first year that I have spent Thanksgiving on Weight Watchers compare this menu to last years. Huge difference!

Turkey and Gravy
Mashed Potatoes
Reduced Fat Crescent Rolls
Cranberry Sauce

Green Bean Dressing Casserole
1 can French style green beans
1 box Stove Top Stuffing(don't add anything to it)
1 can 98% Fat Free Cream of Chicken Soup
Mix all ingredients and place in an 8 X 8 pan Cook in a 350 degree oven for 25 minutes.
9 Weight Watcher points for the whole pan.

Green Beans- I just use canned green beans and add a chopped onion and salt and pepper and bring to a boil and then lower the heat and cook for about 30 minutes.

Broccoli Casserole
2 (20 oz) bags frozen broccoli, thawed, cooked and drained
2 cups fat free sour cream
1 pkg. dry onion soup mix
3/4 cup fat free shredded cheddar cheese
1 can mushrooms, drained (optional)
Spray 1 quart casserole with non stick spray. Mix broccoli, sour cream and onion soup mix and mushrooms if you choose to use. Spread in pan and sprinkle with cheese. Bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes.
6 servings at 2 Weight Watchers points each

Traditional Sweet Potato Casserole
2 1/2 pounds sweet potatoes, peeled and cut into 1-inch cubes
3/4 cup packed brown sugar
1/4 cup butter, softened
1 1/2 teaspoons salt
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/2 cup finely chopped pecans, divided
Cooking spray 2 cups miniature marshmallows Preheat oven to 375°. Place the sweet potatoes in a Dutch oven, and cover with cold water. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat, and simmer for 15 minutes or until very tender. Drain; cool slightly. Place potatoes in a large bowl. Add sugar and next 3 ingredients (through vanilla). Mash sweet potato mixture with a potato masher. Fold in 1/4 cup pecans. Scrape potato mixture into an even layer in an 11 x 7-inch baking dish coated with cooking spray. Sprinkle with remaining 1/4 cup pecans; top with marshmallows. Bake at 375° for 25 minutes or until golden.
Yield: 16 servings
CALORIES 186 FAT 5.5g FIBER 2.5g

Corn Fritter Casserole
3 Tbsp butter
3 egg whites
8 oz fat free cream cheese, softened
1/2 cup onion, finely chopped
1/2 cup bell pepper, finely chopped
1 box Jiffy Corn Muffin Mix
15 1/4 oz can sweet corn
15 1/4 oz cream-style corn
salt and pepper to taste
Preheat oven to 375. Combine first 3 ingredients in a large bowl, stirring with a whisk until smooth. Stir in onion, bell pepper, whole-kernel corn, and cream-style corn; mix well. Add muffin mix and black pepper and salt, stirring until well combined. Pour into an 11 x 7-inch baking dish coated with cooking spray. Bake at 375 for 50 minutes or until a wooden pick inserted in center comes out clean.
Serves 9 (2/3 cup each)
250 Calories, 8g Fat, 2g Fiber

Crustless Pumpkin Pie
1 (15 oz) can pumpkin
1 can evaporated skim milk (12 oz.)
2 egg whites
1/2 tsp salt
2 tsp pumpkin spice (1 tsp cinnamon, 1/2 ginger, 1/4 cloves)
1 tsp vanilla
2/3 cup Splenda or sugar to taste
Combine all and beat until smooth. Pour into pie plate. Bake 400 deg 15 minutes and then 325 for 45 or until a knife inserted comes out clean.
Top with a little fat free cool whip for even more of a treat.
Counts as a vegetable serving and high in fiber.
Makes 8 servings at 1 Weight Watchers Point Each

Fall Pumpkin Eclair Cake (compare to this)
Serves 9
1 small box FF SF instant cheesecake pudding made with 1 1/2 cups FF milk
1 small box FF SF instant butterscotch pudding made with 1 1/2 cups FF milk
½ cup canned pumpkin, NOT pumpkin pie mix
2 tsp pumpkin pie spice
1 sleeve FF saltines or you can use 24 Low-fat Graham Crackers
1 large (12 oz) container FF cool whip
Mix cheesecake flavor pudding with 1 ½ cups FF milk and ½ cup cool whip. Line 8" square pan with 1/3 of crackers. Add layer of pudding and another layer of crackers. Mix butterscotch pudding with milk, pumpkin, and spice. Spread on crackers then add final layer of crackers. Refrigerate 6 hours or more. Remove from refrigerator before serving and top pie with cool whip.

Menu Plan Monday November 24-30

Breakfast

Banana Bread Oatmeal, hot herbal tea

Apple Cinnamon Oatmeal, hot herbal tea (2 days)

Low fat waffles and fruit, hot herbal tea (2 days)

Omelets, fruit, hot herbal tea

Cinnamon French Toast, fruit, hot herbal tea

Lunch

Cheesy Vegetable Soup

Sandwiches

Refried Bean Soup

Leftovers

Dinner

Crockpot Cheesy Chicken Spaghetti, salad

Wendy's Chili, Cornbread

Scrambled Eggs, Biscuits

My Lighter Thanksgiving Dinner

Thanksgiving Leftovers

Pizza, salad

Spaghetti Casserole Bake, salad

Some other things I will be making this week:

Egg Nog (A lighter version!)

Peanut Butter Fudge

Wendy's No Bake Peanut Butter Bars

Mini Chocolate Chip Cookies

Chex Party Mix

Fat Free Rice Krispie Treats

Happy Thanksgiving!

Go here to see more plans.

My Progress

Well, I had no money to renew my Weight Watchers monthly pass this month, so I have been without a meeting for 2 weeks now. I really hope to get the money soon because Weight Watchers is like a support group for me. I have also heard rumors that there is a new Weight Watchers plan coming out next month and I do not want to miss that! I weight in this morning at 247.2! So, I am still doing okay without my meeting, but I like my meetings and miss them badly. It is just a really hard time of year for us right now. We have never really had the extra $40 a month for me to go, but we have always somehow found it because it was an important thing to me. But this month we just could not fit it in and with Christmas coming I really do not see it happening soon and that makes me sad. My Weight Watchers leader sent me an e-mail asking me where I was because I never miss, and told me I had come too far to quit. Well I am not quitting people I have come too far, I just am going to have to go it alone which scares me because I have really relied on my meetings as an accountability for me to check in. I'll keep you posted. But for right now you all are going to have to be my support system! I hope you will anyways. :)

My Winter Comfort Breakfast!

This is the breakfast I have been enjoying on these cold winter mornings. It just makes me all warm inside so I call it my comfort breakfast. Quaker Weight Control Banana Bread and Cinnamon Instant oatmeal. Here's what I do:

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Banana Bread Oatmeal

I make 1 package as directed on the box and then I add a packet of Splenda and I cut up a banana and stir it in. So easy and yummy!!!

5 Weight Watcher Points

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Apple Cinnamon Oatmeal

I make 1 package as directed on the box and then I add a packet of Splenda and I add several dashes of cinnamon and then add 1/2 cup applesauce and stir. So easy and yummy!

4 Weight Watcher Points

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You can also get your $1.00 off any one box Quaker Oatmeal to save you some money!

Impossible Pumpkin Pie

Impossible Pumpkin Pie
1 cup canned pumpkin
1/2 cup Bisquick Health Smart Reduced-Fat Baking Mix
1/2 cup Splenda
1 cup fat-free evaporated milk
1 1/2 tsp pumpkin pie spice
1 tsp vanilla extract
1/4 cup Egg Beaters Frozen Egg Substitute, or 2 egg whites
Heat oven to 350. Spray 9 inch pie pan with Pam. Mix all ingredients together and pour into pan. Bake 35 to 40 minutes till knife comes out clean. Chill and serve with FF Cool Whip.
Serves 8 at 2 Weight Watchers Points each

Pumpkin Roll

Pumpkin Roll

1 Angel Food Cake Mix - the 1 Step
1 cup cold water
1 can (15oz) pumpkin
1 TB pumpkin pie spice

Filling:
1 (8oz) FF Cream cheese
1 (3 oz) SF FF Cheesecake pudding mix
1 (8 oz) FF Cool Whip
Pumpkin pie spice to taste

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line a jelly roll pan with waxed paper. Spray lightly with Pam. Beat the cake mix and water together in a bowl for 2 or 3 minutes. Fold in pumpkin and pumpkin pie spice. Pour batter into prepared pan. Bake for 20 minutes or until the cake springs back when touched gently in the center. Let cool for 5 minutes. Put powdered sugar on a clean dish towel and flip the cake onto the towel. Carefully peel off the wax paper. Roll the cake and towel together on the longer side (get more slices for less points). Let cool for 5 or 6 hours. Beat Cream cheese and slowly add Cool Whip in portions. This keeps the filling from getting lumpy. After this mixture is well blended, add the dry pudding mix and pumpkin pie spice. Carefully unroll the cake, spread the cream cheese mixture on the top. Gently roll the cake back up. I frosted the pumpkin roll with Cool Whip and a sprinkled with cinnamon. Very moist and doesn't taste low fat at all.

Master cook says 107 calories, trace fat, trace fiber
15 servings

Egg Nog

Egg Nog is my favorite drink of the season, but the points would kill me. So, here is a lighter version. Very Yummy!
Egg Nog
1 box sugar free, fat free vanilla pudding
6 cups fat free milk
1 teaspoon rum extract
1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
Combine pudding and 2 cups milk and mix well. Add the rest of the milk, the nutmeg, and the rum extract. Refrigerate overnight.
Total recipe is 14 Weight Watchers Points

Thanksgiving Dinner at Son's School

I went with my ds to his Thanksgiving dinner at school. I ate and it was so good, I still feel so full. I ate a few bits of everything. I felt guilty, but I had such a good time with my son, it made it all worth it! I am going to have to have a very light dinner as I have no idea how to count those points?

Watchin' What We Eat Wednesday Thanksgiving Edition

I somehow missed last week so we are going to do Thanksgiving this week. Thanks to all who continue to participate! Welcome to Watchin' What We Eat Wednesday! Next week is Soups Edition. Here you can find the upcoming themes so you can plan ahead. If you can't find a theme related recipe just post something don't feel bad. Sharing is what this meme is all about! To enter your recipe, just sign your name onto the Mr. Linky provided at the bottom and put your recipe title in parentheses, like this Lorie (Green Bean Casserole). Here's my recipe that I will be making this Thanksgiving!

Green Bean Casserole (It's more like a stuffing)
1 can French style green beans
1 box Stove Top Stuffing(don't add anything to it)
1 can 98% Fat Free Cream of Chicken Soup
Mix all ingredients and place in an 8 X 8 pan Cook in a 350 degree oven for 25 minutes.
9 Weight Watcher points for the whole pan.

Before I Eat

I think this is so funny! Anita Renfroe plays on Carrie Underwood's Before He Cheats.

Chicken Corn Chowder

CHICKEN CORN CHOWDER
2 cans FF chicken broth
1 cup each: carrots, celery, onions (diced)
2 cans cream-style corn
1 chicken breast (cooked & diced)
1 1/2 cups FF half & half
1/8 tsp pepper
salt to taste
1/3 cup instant potato flakes
1 tsp parsley flakes
Cook first 4 ingredients 20-25 minutes. Add all but half & half and simmer until hot. Add half & half and heat through.
Serving size: 1 cup

I made this last night and really liked it. I have never made a chowder before. My kids and dh really did not seem to like it as well as I did. I served it with cornbread.

Cornbread

I made this last night with my Chicken Corn Chowder, it was really good!

Cornbread
1 cup yellow cornmeal
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/3 cup Splenda granular
2/3 cup fat free sugar free yogurt
1/3 cup nonfat sour cream
1 egg
Mix dry ingredients in a medium bowl. Mix liquid ingredients in a small bowl. Gently fold the wet into the dry. Pour into a round cake pan, sprayed with Pam. Bake at 375 degrees for 15-20 minutes or until the edges are a golden brown and a toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Cut into 6 wedges.

Serves 6

Calories 99 Fat 1.7 Fiber 1.5

(Note: The recipe said this was Core, but since I have never done Core, I don't know.)

Watchin' What We Eat Wednesday

Welcome to Watchin' What We Eat Wednesday! This week is any recipe goes. Next week is Thanksgiving Edition. Here you can find the upcoming themes so you can plan ahead. If you can't find a theme related recipe just post something don't feel bad. Sharing is what this meme is all about! To enter your recipe, just sign your name onto the Mr. Linky provided at the bottom and put your recipe title in parentheses, like this Lorie (Pumpkin Smoothie). Here's my recipe!

Pumpkin Smoothie

1/2 cup canned pumpkin

3/4 cup skim milk

1/2 tsp cinnamon

dash nutmeg

1 TBS Splenda

2 tsp brown sugar

6 ice cubes

Combine all ingredients in blender and blend until smooth.

Yield: 1 serving= 105 Calories; 1g Fat (4.2% calories from fat); 7g Protein; 19g Carbohydrate; 1g Dietary Fiber; 3mg Cholesterol; 100mg Sodium. Exchanges: 1/2 Grain(Starch); 1/2 Non-Fat Milk; 0 Fat; 1/2 Other Carbohydrates.

Recipe from Aunt Purple's Cooking.

Menu Plan Monday November 3rd-9th

Well, it's been awhile since I have planned my menu for the week. I know that planning is so important and could be one of the reasons I have not been doing as well lately! So, here I am back in full force to get back on the menu planning wagon! Fall is here so that means lots of great soups for me! Comfort food!

Breakfast

Oatmeal, fruit, hot herbal tea (3 days)

Low fat waffles and fruit, hot herbal tea (2 days)

Omelets, fruit, hot herbal tea

Scrambled Eggs, hot herbal tea

Lunches

Refried Bean Soup (2 days)

Cheesy Vegetable Soup (2 days)

Leftovers
Tuna Salad with fruit
sandwich, fruit

Dinners
Doritos Casserole, salad
Crockpot Potato Soup, Jiffy Cornbread
Easy 1 pt Chili, Cornbread
Pizza, salad
Scrambled eggs, sausage links, biscuits
Chicken Corn Chowder, garlic toast
Spaghetti Casserole Bake, salad

Desserts/Snacks
Mini Chocolate Chip Cookies (I'm making Chips Ahoy Dessert with them!)
Wendy's No Bake Peanut Butter Bars
Chex Party Mix
Fat Free Rice Krispie Treats
98% Fat Free Microwave Popcorn

Go here to see more plans.

Pumpkin Pudding

I made this for a potluck today(I doubled it) and it taste just like pumpkin pie! Yummy!

Pumpkin Pudding
1 small package sugar free vanilla instant pudding
1 cup canned pumpkin (not mix)
2 cups skim or 1% milk
2 tsp. pumpkin pie spice
1 tsp. vanilla
Blend instant pudding and pumpkin pie spice. Mix all ingredients together with a whisk. Divide into 4 equal servings. Chill.

2 Weight Watchers Points per serving

Easy 1 pt Chili

We had this for dinner last night and it was really good. I got it at my Weight Watchers meeting last week.

Easy 1 pt. Chili
1 lb lean ground beef
3 cans kidney beans
1 can diced tomatoes
taco season (season to your liking)
onions
Cook onions and ground beef. Add all ingredients to crock pot and cook.
Note: I just cooked this on the stove. My family really liked it! I added chili ready diced tomatoes.

October Picture

Here's my new monthly picture!

October 2008 249 pounds

January 2008 323.8 pounds

Weigh In

To see Watchin' What We Eat Wednesday go here!

Last night I lost 2 pounds. This was great after two bad weeks! :)

Watchin' What We Eat Wednesday Breakfast Edition

Welcome to Watchin' What We Eat Wednesday! This week is Breakfast Edition. Next week is any recipe goes. Here you can find the upcoming themes so you can plan ahead. If you can't find a theme related recipe just post something don't feel bad. Sharing is what this meme is all about! To enter your recipe, just sign your name onto the Mr. Linky provided at the bottom and put your recipe title in parentheses, like this Lorie (Cinnamon French Toast). Here's my recipe!
Cinnamon French Toast

1 cup Egg Beaters

1/3 cup fat free milk

1 tsp ground cinnamon

1 tsp vanilla extract

non-stick spray

10 slices of bread ( I used the Sarah Lee 35 calorie bread)

Whisk together Egg Beaters, milk, cinnamon, and vanilla is shallow medium bowl; set aside. Spray non-stick skillet with cooking spray; heat over medium. Dip bread in egg beaters mixture, coat both sides. Put in skillet and cook on both sides until golden brown.

Serving size is 2 slices
I served mine with sugar free syrup and a banana

Calories 191 Fat 2 Fiber 6

News from Weigh ins!

I did not post my weigh in results from last week. I had a gain of .6. So not going in the right direction. This week has been so hard with Halloween parties and my kids Halloween candy buckets in site. I bought some Weight Watchers candy to help beat the need to steal some candy from those buckets. So, I don't know how tommorrow's weigh in will go, but we shall see. :)

Helpful Tips for Stressful Days

I got this from my last meeting and really liked it! So I thought I would share.

E valuate Hunger
M ove More
O PT for Healthy Snacks
T oss Unhealthy Snacks
I ndulge in a balanced diet
O pen up to Positive Thinking
N otice Your Triggers
A dequate Rest
L ook Elsewhere for Comfort

Halloween Temptation!

My 4 kids went Trunk or Treating this weekend and those 4 pumpkins filled with candy are killing me!!!!

Holiday Coupons and Recipes

Most people will be doing a lot of baking for the holidays over the next two months. Here are some great coupons to help you save money this season from Nestle.
$.75/2 chocolate chips
$1.50/2 refrigerated cookie dough
$1/2 Carnation evaporated milk
$1/2 Libby's pure pumpkin

Watching what you eat? Not to worry you can still use these coupons! Here are a few recipes to help you use these coupons.

Weight Watchers Chocolate Muffins
1 box devils food cake mix
1 can (15 oz) solid pack pumpkin
Directions
Mix together. Do not add anything else that is mentioned on the box. It only takes these 2 ingredients. That's all. Mixture will be very thick (and you will be tempted to add something, but don't.) Place in muffin tins, sprayed with non stick spray. Bake at 400 degrees F for 20 minutes. This makes 12 muffins.
1 Muffin is 180 calories, 2.5 G fat, 37 carbs, 2.5 G fiber, 2.5 G protein = 3 WW points

Pumpkin Fluff
1 (16 ounce) can pumpkin
1 (1 1/2 ounce) box sugar-free instant vanilla pudding mix
1 (8 ounce) container fat-free cool whip
pumpkin spice(to taste)
Combine all ingredients in order. Chill for 2 hours.

Serves 4 at 2 WW points per serving

Mini Chocolate-Chip Cookies

2 Tbsp butter, softened

2 tsp canola oil

1/2 cup dark brown sugar

1 tsp vanilla extract
1/8 tsp table salt

1 large egg white(s)

3/4 cup all-purpose flour

1/4 tsp baking soda

3 oz semi-sweet chocolate chips, about 1/2 cup

1.Preheat oven to 375ºF.

2.In a medium bowl, cream butter, oil and brown sugar together. Add vanilla, salt and egg white, and mix together thoroughly.

3.Mix together flour and baking soda. Add chocolate chips and stir to distribute evenly.

4.Drop rounded half-teaspoons of dough onto a nonstick baking sheet. Bake cookies for 4 to 6 minutes, then cool on a wire rack.

Yields 2 cookies per serving.

Makes 24 cookiesServing Size-2 cookies at 1 Weight Watchers POINTS®-1

Crustless Pumpkin Pie

15 oz canned pumpkin

12 oz fat-free evaporated milk

1/2 tsp table salt

3 tsp pumpkin pie spice

1 tsp vanilla extract

3/4 cup sugar

3/4 cup Egg Beaters Frozen Egg Substitute

Combine all ingredients and beat until smooth. Pour into a 9" sprayed pie pan. Bank at 400 for 15 minutes and then at 325 for 45minutes or until a knife inserted in the center comes out clean.

Makes 8 servings at 1 Weight Watchers point each.

Thanks to Common"cents"ical for the link to the coupons!

Going Better

Things have been going better. I did not exercise on Tuesday, but I did get 20 minutes of walking in yesterday. I would have walked longer but it started raining. My littlest and I went walking while the other kids were at school. It was really nice out! The weather is just perfect for walking and it really has not turned too cool yet, which makes it nice. I stayed on track with my points and the things I needed to be eating. Hopefully, this yo-yoing I have been doing the last couple of weeks will stop and I can stay in the 240's, for awhile anyways! LOL!

Note: I think that in my last post. I was just saying I gained 2 pounds, but really for a little over a month, I have been yo-yo ing! Lose 2 gain 2 etc. I know that I had not been doing everything right and was getting tired of the constant battle. Sorry if that did not come through on the post.

Rededicating Myself!

To see the Watchin' What We Eat Post go here.

I know I have abandoned this blog for awhile now. Please forgive me. I had sick kids for about two weeks and I have been feeling truly overwhelmed. I know that this has affected my weight loss too. I went to weigh in last night and I had gained 2 pounds. While that's not enough to make me worry, I know it is not getting me any closer to my goal! The great thing about Weight Watchers is when you get off track, you can get right back on and hopefully by doing that, I will see some better numbers at the scale next Tuesday. So, I am rededicating myself as I start this week today. Here is my plan:
1. 15-30 minutes of activity at least 6 days this week
2. Drink 6-8 cups of water
3. Journal (I did no journal last week and that was part of my problem!)
4. 5 Fruits and veggies
5. Get in my 2 dairy's!
6. Write at least one blog article a day (this is a huge encourager to me!)

I will return later today to tell you how my day went. If I have ever been an encouragement to you through this blog, please leave me a comment of encouragement because I really need it now. Thanks!

Watchin' What We Eat Halloween Edition

Welcome to Watchin' What We Eat Wednesday! This week is the Halloween Edition. Next week is any recipe goes. Here you can find the upcoming themes so you can plan ahead. If you can't find a theme related recipe just post something don't feel bad. Sharing is what this meme is all about!

I really hope people have not totally quit on me because I love getting to see new recipes and I love Halloween and would love to see what you all come up with on lightened treats for Halloween. Here is a great article about surviving Halloween too!

To enter your recipe, just sign your name onto the Mr. Linky provided at the bottom and put your recipe title in parentheses, like this Lorie (recipe name here).

First, here is a list of a lot of Halloween candy and the nutritional facts and Weight Watchers Points, this might help you decide what you want to eat on Halloween if you really want to eat something on Halloween.

Rolo Pretzel Turtles

Rolo chocolate candies

Mini pretzels

Halloween M&Ms

Preheat your oven to 350 . Upwrap your Rolos and set aside. Place pretzels on baking sheet. Top with a Rolo. Bake in oven for 3-5 minutes, until the chocolate just begins to melt. The Rolo should be soft but not completely melted. Remove from oven, place on cooling rack and immediately squish the chocolate with a Halloween colored M&M if you want. Watch the caramel oooze out.

Progresso Light Soups

I recently tried the New Progresso Light 1 Weight Watcher point per serving soups. I never really cared very much for the Progresso 0 Weight Watcher point soups, but these are so much better. I tried the Beef Pot Roast last night and it is so good!! You can get $.50 off and try one of these new soups here! You won't be sorry. They are so good! Oh and don't forget to keep your upc code for the incrEdible rewards program.
Friendly reminder- Check your points if you eat the whole can. 1 + 1 does not always equal 2 in WW world!

Ziplock Vaccum pack

I went to Kmart last night for the Double Coupon Days. See here what all I got! I got $180 dollars worth of stuff for $61!!! One of the things that I bought was the Ziplock Vacuum pump. It was $3.99 and I had a $2.00 off coupon which was doubled so I got it for FREE! Well, I did have to pay the tax. I have been wanting one of these for awhile now. I saw Jullian on The Biggest Loser teaching the contestants about using it and I knew I still wanted to try it! I also bought some gallon size bags that were $2.79 and I had a $1 coupon which was doubled, so I payed $.79 for those. I will have to let you know how I like it after I try it, but Free was Nice!

September Picture

When I started in January I was 323.8 pounds.

Here I am 9 months later at 249 pounds and a new $5 dress from the Goodwill Store!

Fiber One Samples and Coupons

Want some free Fiber One cereal and a Fiber One bar? Go here to sign up to get those samples and a coupon booklet for $3 off Fiber One products.

Watchin' What We Eat Wednesday!

Welcome to Watchin' What We Eat Wednesday! This week is any recipe goes. Next week is lightened meals that freeze well edition. Here you can find the upcoming themes so you can plan ahead. If you can't find a theme related recipe just post something don't feel bad. Sharing is what this meme is all about! To enter your recipe, just sign your name onto the Mr. Linky provided at the bottom and put your recipe title in parentheses, like this Lorie (Fat Free Rice Krispy Treats). Here's my recipe!

This is a little different recipe than I was using for Fat Free Rice Krispy Treats. These do not taste soggy like the other ones. I found these on line so I am giving you the link. They are quite yummy. You might want to check out CVS they have there campfire marshmallows on clearance!

Weight Watchers Coupon and incrEdible Rewards Program

Get your own coupon for $1 off any Weight Watchers Smart Ones product here. Don't forget to click the back button to get it to print two coupons!

~

Also, you should check out the new incrEdible rewards program. All you do is buy Weight Watchers products and save your UPC's and then mail them in for points for lots of great prizes including the All You magazine! Go check it out! When I registered, it did not ask me if I was a member, so I guess anyone could sign up.

Watchin' What We Eat Wednesday Cookies Edition

I have been swamped! I can't explain it to you all. I feel like I can't get everything done I am suppose to and here I forgot to post Watchin' What We Eat Wednesday! I made a list and try to prioritize all of the important things but I still can't fit everything in and I feel so overwhelmed! I thought that with the twins going to school for 3 hours a day that I would get so much done but it just has not worked out like that! :( I gained 5 pounds two weeks ago and I stayed on plan and I think that has frustrated me too! I lost 4.4 at last night's meeting. Anyways here is WWWEW Cookie Edition, share your cookie recipes! Come share your lightened cookie recipes!

Mini Chocolate-Chip Cookies
2 Tbsp butter, softened
2 tsp canola oil
1/2 cup dark brown sugar
1 tsp vanilla extract
1/8 tsp table salt
1 large egg white(s)
3/4 cup all-purpose flour
1/4 tsp baking soda
3 oz semi-sweet chocolate chips, about 1/2 cup
1.Preheat oven to 375ºF.
2.In a medium bowl, cream butter, oil and brown sugar together. Add vanilla, salt and egg white, and mix together thoroughly.
3.Mix together flour and baking soda. Add chocolate chips and stir to distribute evenly.
4.Drop rounded half-teaspoons of dough onto a nonstick baking sheet. Bake cookies for 4 to 6 minutes, then cool on a wire rack. Yields 2 cookies per serving.
Makes 24 cookies
Serving Size-2 cookies at 1 Weight Watchers POINTS®-1
RR: I like to do activities with the kids during the day and here is one recipe I have had for awhile that I have been wanting to try. The kids loved making these. They are really easy to make and taste GREAT! I have not had a homemade chocolate chip cookie in 6 months and it was so good. Each cookie is about 3 bites. Totally worth the points or should I say POINT lol!

Watchin' What We Eat Wednesday

Welcome to Watchin' What We Eat Wednesday! This week is any recipe goes. Next week is lightened cookies edition. Here you can find the upcoming themes so you can plan ahead. If you can't find a theme related recipe just post something don't feel bad. Sharing is what this meme is all about! To enter your recipe, just sign your name onto the Mr. Linky provided at the bottom and put your recipe title in parentheses, like this Lorie (Cheesy Vegetable Soup). Here's my recipe!
Cheesy Vegetable Soup
Makes 10 servings

2 lb of frozen veggies - your choice--California Medley is good

3 cans Fat-Free Chicken Broth

10 oz. Light Velveeta

Dump all ingredients except cheese in the pot and bring to a boil. Let simmer for 4-5 minutes. Add 10 oz of Light Velveeta in small pieces (to melt faster). When it's melted in, you're ready to eat.

SERVING SIZE: 1 cup
POINTS: 1

Note: Some people like one serving over a baked potato.

Menu Plan Monday September 8-14

This week, I am going to start something new. I am going to have a soup and sandwiches night and a breakfast dinner every week. These are two really cheap meals to help keep the cost down. So, I am going to be trying some new soups! Come back for the recipes as I make them and post them throughout the week. I am still doing Weight Watchers Flex plan!
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Dinners
Spaghetti Casserole Bake, salad
Soup (Cheesy Vegetable) and Sandwiches, Yum Yum Muffins
Corn Dog Casserole, salad, Chips Ahoy Dessert
Breakfast Dinner, fruit
Pizza Cups, salad, Quick Zucchini Bread
Crockpot Cheesy Chicken Spaghetti, salad, Mini Chocolate Chip Cookies
Stovetop Meatloaf Muffins, green beans, mashed potatoes, rolls, Fat Free Rice Krispie Treats

Breakfast
Waffles, fruit, yogurt
Baked Sugar Doughnuts, fruit
Chocolate Chip Pancakes, fruit
Omelets, fruit
Eggs, Biscuits, sausage links
Cereal, yogurt, fruit
Waffles, fruit

Lunch
BLT Sandwiches, fruit
Leftover Pasta Bake, salad
Broccoli Soup
Sandwich and fruit
BLT Sandwich, fruit
Find What You can (hopefully leftovers)
FF Hot Dogs, tater tots, corn
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Go here to see more plans.

Watchin' What We Eat Wednesday Crockpot Edition

Welcome to Watchin' What We Eat Wednesday! This week is Crockpot Edition. Next week is any recipe goes. Here you can find the upcoming themes so you can plan ahead. If you can't find a theme related recipe just post something don't feel bad. Sharing is what this meme is all about! To enter your recipe, just sign your name onto the Mr. Linky provided at the bottom and put your recipe title in parentheses, like this Lorie (Crockpot Cheesy Chicken Spaghetti). Here's my recipe!
Crockpot Cheesy Chicken Spaghetti
Serves 12 ( one cup each)
16 oz. dry spaghetti, cooked
1 lb. Velveeta Light (2%)Cheese
12.5 oz can chicken breast, drained & flaked
1 can 98% FF cream of mushroom soup
1 can 98% FF cream of chicken soup
10 oz. can diced tomatoes & green chilies (Rotel)
4 oz can mushroom stems & pieces, drained
1/2 cup water
1 small onion, diced
1 med. green pepper, diced
salt & pepper to taste
Spray slow cooker with non-stick cooking spray. Combine all ingredients in slow cooker and stir to mix well. Cook on LOW for 2-3 hours. Stir again just before serving.
Nutrition Info:286 Cal., 5.7 g Fat, 2.7 g Fiber
Recipe From: halfmysize

August Picture!

August 31st: 251.8 pounds

323.8 pounds

Several things that made me feel better today!

If you are looking for Watchin' What We Eat Wednesday Go HERE!


For the past two weeks, I have really been feeling down! I have had two bad weeks at the scale! One week I lost .2 pounds and the next week I gained .2 pounds back. I was really starting to wonder what was wrong with me! Yesterday, Tuesday, I was still feeling bad as it was weigh in day! I went to the mail and got this card pictured above! It was a congratulations card from Renne'. Nobody has ever sent me a Congratulations card and it really made me feel good and was a much needed boost! It also got me thinking! Lorie you have done so well! You have made a lot of progress! So, I felt better going into my meeting last night. I really had not weighed in all week because my scale is broke. I had trouble getting to my meeting because there was an accident, but I made it! I was so surprised when I looked at the scale! I weighed 251.8 pounds! That's a 5.6 pound loss. A 72 pound loss since Jan! I really do not know how I did that? Maybe whatever was going on with my body got straightened up. I really think it is my monthly that is doing this. The last few months, I notice low weigh in for two weeks during and right after. So, maybe that is what it is. I am following the program so I guess I just need to have faith! The card did make my day! Thanks Renee'! I really think that making my goal og losing 100 pounds this year looks even more possible!

Watchin' What We Eat Wednesday!

Welcome to Watchin' What We Eat Wednesday! This week is anything goes week. Next week is Crockpot Edition. Here you can find the upcoming themes so you can plan ahead. If you can't find a theme related recipe just post something don't feel bad. Sharing is what this meme is all about! To enter your recipe, just sign your name onto the Mr. Linky provided at the bottom and put your recipe title in parentheses, like this Lorie (Apple Streusel Cupcakes). Here's my recipe! Recently I got a LOT of apples given to me and here is one thing that I made with them. I have LOTS in my freezer. Funny thing I forgot the oil. It tasted GREAT without it!
Apple Streusel Cupcakes (from Weight Watchers Winner's Circle Cookbook page186)
1 box spice cake mix
1 cup water
¼ cup applesauce, unsweetened
3 egg whites
2 tablespoons canola oil
1 Granny Smith Apple, peeled, cored and finely chopped
6 tablespoons packed light brown sugar
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Spray 18 muffin pan cups with nonstick spray. With an electric mixer on medium speed, beat the cake, water, applesauce, egg whites, and oil in a large bowl just until blended. Fold the apple into the batter. Spoon batter into cups, filling each about two-thirds full. Sprinkle each cupcake with 1 tsp. brown sugar. Bake until topping is golden brown and a toothpick inserted in a cupcake comes out clean, 18-20 minutes. Cool the cupcakes in the pans on a rack 5 minutes; remove from the pans and cool completely on the rack.
Note: Use foil or paper liners instead of spraying the muffin cups with nonstick spray. You won’t have to cool the cupcakes in the pan before removing them and cleanup is a bit easier. Store the cooled cupcakes in an airtight container at room temperature for up to three days. Or wrap and freeze the cupcakes for up to three months.
NI: 161 calories, 5 g fat, 0 g fiber (4 Weight Watchers Point per serving)
Variation: use chopped fresh peaches or drained canned crushed pineapple instead of apples.

Menu Plan Monday- August 25- August 31

Here is my menu for this week. I am still doing Weight Watchers Flex! Come back in the week for recipes I try and come back on Wednesday for Watchin' What We Eat Wednesday, where people share healthier recipes!
Dinners
Monday-Bubble-up Pizza, salad, Chips Ahoy Dessert
Tuesday-Fat Free Hot Dogs, fries
Wednesday-Crockpot Cheesy Chicken Spaghetti, salad, Mini Chocolate Chip Cookies
Thursday-Soup and sandwiches, Butterscotch Bars
Friday-Breakfast night! Scrambled eggs, biscuits, hashbrowns, "fried" apples
Saturday- Fish Fry at church I'm bringing Honey Bun Cake
Sunday-Chili, Cornbread

Breakfast
Monday-Cinnamon French Toast, fruit
Tuesday-Eat at Transition Headstart day with twins (Dh will eat Apple Struesel Muffins)
Wednesday-Baked Sugar Doughnuts, fruit
Thursday- Low fat waffles and fruit
Friday-Cereal, fruit, yogurt
Saturday-Cereal, fruit
Sunday-Cereal, fruit, yogurt
(I've gotten a lot of cereal for practically FREE lately so we are going to be eating that up!)

Lunch
Monday-Leftovers, apple
Tuesday- Eat at Transition day at Headstart with twins
Wednesday-BLT Sandwich, apple
Thursday-Light Bologna sandwich, baked chips, apple
Friday-Cheesy Veggie Soup
Saturday-whatever we can find!!lol
Sunday- Hot Dogs, fries

Snacks (DS is in school and needs snacks to take, it is so much cheaper to make my own!)Wendy's No Bake Peanut Butter Bars
Chex Party Mix
Fat Free Rice Krispie Treats
Butterscotch Bars
Low-Cal Chocolate Chip Granola Bars
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Go here to see more plans.