Watchin' What We Eat Wednesday

Menu Plan Monday July 28- August 3

This week we are spending most of the week at my mom's house. I am cooking the meals so I can stay on my Weight Watchers plan! Here are the meals I have planned.

Dinners

Pizza Cups, Salad

Spaghetti Casserole Bake, salad
Crockpot Cheesy Chicken Spaghetti, salad

Bubble-up Pizza, salad

Italian Chicken with tomatoes, Mashed Potatoes, green beans

Corn Dogs, Onion Rings w/ dipping sauce,

Soup and sandwiches

Desserts/Snacks

No Pudge Brownies at Home

Crustless Strawberry Pie

Hungry Girl's Peach n Cream Cupcake

Popcorn

Breakfast

Scrambled Eggs, Biscuits, sausage links (2 days)

cereal, fruit, yogurt (2 days)

Cinnamon French Toast, fruit

Cottage Cheese Pancakes, fruit

Oatmeal with fruit

Lunch

Sandwiches, fruit, milk(most days this is what we will be having)

Go here to see more plans.

Fitness on Friday

This past week was okay. I lost one pound. I still am not exercising like I used to. I got to get some more motivation to start doing that again! Other than that a pretty good week.
For more Fitness on Friday go to Byebye Fat Mom.

Favorite Ingredients Friday-Tortilla Bake

Tortilla Bake
12 small tortillas, torn into bite size pieces
2 cans (15 oz. each) chili beans, undrained
1 ½ cups salsa
1 ½ cups shredded cheese
3 tablespoons diced onions
Heat oven to 400 degrees. Spray a 2-quart casserole with non-stick cooking spray. Place half of the tortilla pieces in casserole. Top with one can of beans. Repeat layers. Pour salsa on top of beans. Sprinkle with cheese and onions. Bake, uncovered, about 20 minutes or until bubbly around edge.
Serve with sour cream(not included in nutritional information)
Makes 8 servings
260 calories, 9 g fat, 5g fiber

For more great recipes go to Overwhelmed With Joy!

Please come back and visit me for my meme Watchin' What We Eat Wednesday next week as we share healthy recipes.

The Grocery Cart Challenge Recipe Swap

Gayle from The Grocery Cart Challenge is hosting a Recipe Exchange on Fridays. This week is all about dinners that you go to when it is the last night before you go grocery shopping. Here is a meal that is easy to throw together and even the kids like to help make. I have been doing Weight Watchers since January and have lost 61 pounds! My family eats the same dinners as I do because I just don't have enough money to make separate meals. I have been able to find recipes that they will eat and I can too. I usually have plenty of biscuits on hand to make these and you can add anything you want and have on hand. I have even made them just with cheese. You could also add any leftover meats you have like chicken, steak etc. This is the meal my kids most ask for meals too! :)

Pizza Cups
1 can buttermilk biscuits (sm. 10 count kind)
10 TB pizza sauce
2 ounces Weight Watchers Mozzarella cheese
1/4 cup onion, chopped
1/4 cup bell pepper, chopped
20 slices turkey pepperoni, chopped
Preheat oven to 375. Spray muffin pan with Pam. Chop veggies & turkey pepperoni. Flatten biscuits between palms, then pat into bottom and up sides of muffin pan. Spoon a TB of pizza sauce into each cup. Sprinkle pepperoni, onions and peppers evenly into each cup. Top with cheese, then bake for 14 minutes or until edges are lightly browned and cheese is melted.
(You could easily add or substitute your favorite toppings just be sure to add points if necessary.)
Serves 10, 2 Weight Watchers Points each.

Come join me next Wednesday for my meme, Watchin' What We Eat Wednesday, where we share healthier recipes.
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To see more Grocery Cart Challenge Recipes go here!

Freezer Food Friday- Pizza Pasta Casserole

We used to eat this a lot pre-weight watchers. I decided to lighten it up a bit now that I am making Weight Watcher meals. Hope you enjoy.
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Pizza Pasta Casserole

2 pounds lean ground beef

1 large onion, chopped

2 jars (28 oz. each) Spaghetti sauce

1 package (16 oz.) spiral pasta, cooked and drained (I use Ronzoni Smart Taste)

4 cups (16 oz.) part skim shredded mozzarella cheese

18 slices turkey pepperoni

In a large skillet, cook beef and onion until meat is no longer pink; drain if necessary. Stir in spaghetti sauce and pasta. Transfer to two greased 13 X 9 X 2 inch baking dishes. Sprinkle with cheese. Arrange 9 pepperoni over top each casserole. Cover and freeze one casserole for up to 3 months. Bake second casserole uncovered at 350 degrees for 25-30 minutes or until heated through.

To use frozen casserole: Thaw in refrigerator overnight. Bake at 350 degrees for 35-40 minutes or until heated through.

Makes 2 casseroles with 8 servings each.

Each serving is 6 Weight Watchers Points per serving

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For more Freezer Food Friday recipe go to What a Crock!

Tasty Thursday

I made this last night to get a picture to use for Tasty Thursday today. I went to visit Trista the host of Tasty Thursday and she is posting the same recipe only mine is a lighter version. Well, I hope she won't mind because I am going to post mine too. Sorry, Trista!

Honey Bun Cake

1 package yellow or white cake mix (I used the reduced sugar mix)

4 egg whites

1 cup (8 oz) reduced-fat sour cream

2/3 cup unsweetened applesauce

1/2 cup packed brown sugar

2 teaspoons ground cinnamon

1 1/2 cups confectioners' sugar

2 tablespoons fat-free milk

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

In a mixing bowl, combine dry cake mix, egg whites, sour cream and applesauce. Beat on low speed until moistened. Beat on medium for 2 minutes. Pour half (about 2 1/4 cups) into a 13x9x2 baking pan coated with nonstick cooking spray. Combine brown sugar and cinnamon; sprinkle over batter. Cover with remaining batter; cut through with a knife to swirl. Bake at 325 degrees for 35-40 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean. For glaze, combine confectioners' sugar, milk and vanilla. Drizzle over warm cake. Cool on a wire rack.

Yield: 20 servings

Cooking Light, MARCH 2005

165 Calories, 4g fat, 1g Fiber

See more Tasty Thursday recipes here.
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Come join me next Wednesday for my new meme, Watchin' What We Eat Wednesday, where we share healthy recipes.

Slow cooking Thursday-Easy Taco Dip

Easy Taco Dip
1/2 pound lean ground beef
1 cup frozen corn
1/2 cup onion, chopped
1/2 cup mild salsa
1/2 cup taco sauce
4 oz can diced green chilies
4 oz. can sliced black olives
1 cup shredded Mexican blend cheese
Cook meat in large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat until no longer pink, stirring to separate; drain. spoon into the crock pot. Add corn, onion, salsa, taco sauce, chilies, and olives to slow cooker; stir to combine. Cover; cook on LOW 2-4 hours or on HIGH for 1-2 hours. Just before serving, stir in cheese. Serve with tortilla chips and spoon sour cream on top of mixture. Tip: To keep this dip hot for the entire party, simply leave in slow cookeron low setting.
Makes about 3 cups
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Slow Cooking Thursday is sponsored by Diary of a SAHM go look there for more recipes.

Thrifty Thursday

There are so many "diet" foods out in the market now. I have tried lots of them since starting Weight Watchers. It is hard though to stay on a budget and buy those foods. So, what do you do? Well one option is to bake them at home on your own! I have seen the No Pudge Brownies in the store, but never bought them because I could not justify spending $5.00 a box for them. Then, I found this recipe. I have all of the ingredients in my pantry except for the yogurt. You can also leave off the fat free cool whip, if you want to save even more. I also like to save time by measuring out the dry ingredients and putting each batch in separate zip lock baggies. Then I label each bag and then when I am ready to make the brownies, all I have to do is mix in the yogurt and put in the pan. So easy!

No-Pudge Brownies at Home

1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa

3/4 cup all-purpose flour

1 Tbsp Corn Starch

1/4 tsp baking soda

1/4 tsp table salt

1 1/4 cup sugar

2/3 cup fat-free vanilla yogurt

When ready to bake mix all ingredients together. Bake in 8x8 pan sprayed with Pam. Bake at 350 degrees for 30 to 35 minutes. Cut into 12 brownies. Top with FF Cool Whip.

Serves 12 at 2 Weight Watchers Points each

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Here's one more:

Weight Watchers Smart Ones Banana Muffins At Home
1 ¼ cups sugar
½ cup mashed banana
½ cup milk
1/3 cup buttermilk
1 tablespoon applesauce (or oil)
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
½ teaspoon banana flavoring
¼ teaspoon lemon extract
1 ½ cups flour
½ teaspoon baking soda
½ teaspoon baking powder
½ teaspoon salt
¼ cup walnuts, chopped(optional)
Preheat oven to 350°F. Combine sugar, banana, milk, buttermilk, egg substitute, oil or applesauce, vanilla, banana flavoring, and lemon extract in a large bowl. Mix well with electric mixer on high speed. In a medium bowl, combine flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt, and walnuts. Mix the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients with the electric mixer. Pour batter into muffin cups about 2/3 full. Bake for 25 to 30 minutes or until muffins turn light brown on top.
Serves 12
177 Calories, 2.6g Fat, 0.8g Fiber

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For more Thrifty Thursday ideas, go to Busy Mommy .

You Make Me Smile Award :)

Tamy at 3 Sides of Crazy has awarded me The You Make Me Smile award. So, mow I am suppose to give this award to people who make me smile. So here is my list!

Gayle from The Grocery Cart Challenge. She has more than one blog but that one specifically makes me smile! She tries to spend about $50 a week for a family of 6. She does a really good job too!
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Dawn from The Parnell Family. Her blog is about her family and all the funny stories that happen around her. I smile just about every time I go visit her blog!
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Jen from My "Losing" Motivation. Jen has helped me with things as much as she says I help her. She also made my beautiful header that I LOVE! I also love all of her recipes that she shares on her blog.

So now all of you go pick some people on your blog who make you smile.

Whatchin' What We Eat Wednesday Beverages Edition

Welcome to Watchin' What We Eat Wednesday Week #5. This week is beverages edition. Remember to link to your blog by signing Mr. Linky and putting your recipe name in parentheses like this, Lorie (Summer Breezes Smoothie). Come back next week for the 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!

Now onto my recipe. I made these before Weight Watchers and found the recipe again when going through some old papers and knew I had to make some more. It is very refreshing!

Summer Breezes Smoothie
1 cup yogurt, plain low fat
6 medium strawberries, with stems removed
1 cup pineapple, crushed, canned in juice
1 medium banana
1 tsp. vanilla extract
4 ice cubes
2 packets Splenda, optional
Place all ingredients in a blender and puree until smooth and ice is crushed. Serve immediately.
Makes 3 servings (1 cup each)
About 1 Weight watchers Point per serving or 4 points for the entire recipe.

24!?!

No I am not talking about the show 24 that dh and I have been watching this summer. I am talking about the size 24. My mil had someone at work give her some clothes. Most are size 22, 20, and 18, but there was one pair of size 24 and guess what? They fit me! I know 24 is still big but I was wearing 28/30's so that is a HUGE improvement and you can find neat clothes in size 24 too even at Walmart! Mark this down as another WOW moment for me!

Motivation...

This blog has really helped me get into this weight loss journey. I really never thought about me helping others though through this blog when I started it. I get about one e-mail a day about this blog and someone wanting help in their weight loss journey. Several people have ask me how I stay so motivated. Well, some days I feel motivated and some days I don't, lol! I think though that I know I have to do this and that is my biggest motivation! I want to be healthy and I want to be here for my 4 kids. I want to be the best mother I can to them! I need to be healthy to do that! I also think that people have be ready to start on a healthy journey. I know a lot of people would try to tell me I need to lose the weight, but guess what, I never listened and it made me mad and took me in the wrong direction anyways. So, I think that being a good example and eating healthy is the best way to help someone out who you think needs to lose weight. Anyways, back to motivation. I think I have made this a game. Weight Watchers makes it like a game to me with counting points. I like to try new recipes and that helps me to stay motivated too. It has to be FUN! I have learned a lot about myself through this journey! I learned that I have a problem with food. I have never been addicted to drugs, but I was addicted to food! With the help of Weight Watchers and my Heavenly Father, I have learned to deal with that addiction! Yes, I said my Heavenly Father! Prayer has really helped me to stay focused in this journey. I ask for help from my Heavenly Father EVERY day. I know I could not do this alone! I also get support from my family and friends. That helps keep me motivated too! Just a good comment from someone makes me feel like I am making progress and makes me feel good and keeps me motivated! My dh has been one of my biggest supporters! It has been really hard for him to make the lifestyle changes that I have made, but now he is losing weight too! One last thing that keeps me motivated is GOALS. I set long term and short term goals, again this makes it like a game. I get so excited when I am getting ready to reach a new goal. I also have a list of 5 reasons that I want to lose weight that I repeat to myself each day to help me stay focused and keep me motivated. So, basically I have rambled but I think those are some of the ways I stay focused. Oh and I almost forgot visiting other peoples weight loss blogs helps me too!

So, how do you all stay motivated?

Menu Plan Monday and Weekly Food Spending

Last week I tried several new recipes here's a list and link to those: Snickers Pie, Bubble-Up Pizza Casserole, Pizza Cups, Summer Squash Pie, and Strawberry Twinkie Cake.
I am still doing Weight Watchers Flex. Here is my meal plan for this week. Come back throughout the week to get the recipes for the new recipes I am trying.

Dinners
Monday: Pizza Cups, Salad, Cantaloupe, Mini Chocolate Chip Cookies
Tuesday: Spaghetti Casserole Bake, salad, No Pudge Brownies at Home
Wednesday: Manwich Tater Tot Casserole, corn, Honey Bun Cake
Thursday: Stovetop Meatloaf Muffins, mashed potatoes, green beans, Chips Ahoy Dessert
Friday: Crockpot Cheesy Chicken Spaghetti, salad, Lemon Cheesecake Bars
Saturday: Sweet and Sour Chicken, green beans
Sunday: Corn dog Casserole, veggies

Snacks: Whales crackers, cookies, Chex Party Mix, Summer Breezes Smoothie, Wendy's No Bake Peanut Butter Bars, 94% Fat Free Microwave Popcorn, Orange Cream Weight Watcher Smoothies.

Breakfast
Kids:
Scrambled Eggs, Biscuits, sausage links (2 days)
cereal, fruit, yogurt (2 days)
Cinnamon French Toast, fruit
Cottage Cheese Pancakes, fruit
Oatmeal with fruit

Me:
Low fat waffles and fruit (3 days)
Cinnamon French Toast, fruit
Cottage Cheese Pancakes, fruit
Oatmeal and fruit
Biscuit with Canadian Bacon, fruit

Lunch
Kids:
Soup and sandwiches, cookies, milk(4 days)
Fat Free Hot Dogs, Whales, fruit, milk
Tuna sandwiches, fruit, milk
Eat at Summer Reading Program Party

Me:
Refried Beans Soup
Boca Burger
Leftovers (2 days)
Veggie Soup
Fat Free Hot Dogs, fruit

salad with fruit (2 days)

Weekly Food Spending

Everyone went shopping with me(I have a family of 6) so some things got put into the cart that were not on the list but here it is anyways:

1 package Strawberries- $2.28
Brown and Serve Sausage Links- $3.94
Hot Dog Buns- $1.68
Loaf of bread- $1.97
Lt. Bologna- $2.00
Ham- $2.98
Salt and Sweet Bars- $2.00
Orange Juice $2.34
Gogurts (for kids)- $2.43
Yogurt- 6 pk- $2.43
Jiffy muffin mix- $.43
Reduced Sugar Yellow Cake Mix- $1.00
Lemon Cake- $.96
Whales Crackers-$1.66
Cooking Spray- $1.68
Pineapples- $1.12
Apple Juice- $2.50
Apple Juice-$2.50
Wafer Cookies- $.98
3 Water Drop=ins- $4.50
Grape Drop in- $1.97
Grapes- $2.99
Cucumber-$1.17
Lemon- $.58
2 Green Pepper- $1.84
Cream Cheese- $1.86
WW Yogurt- $.50
Water Bottles- $3.88
Water Bottles- $3.88
Pizza Sauce- $.88
Lettuce- $.98(on sale)
Ketchup- $2.00
Fruit Bowls- $1.68
Turkey Chili No beans- $1.78
WW Yogurt- $.50
Manwich- $1.34
Spaghetti Sauce- $1.25
Butter Spray- $2.50(on sale)
Cantaloupe- $2.68
Tater Tots- $1.56
Mushrooms- $.54
Grape Water Drop ins- $1.97
Jelly- $2.44
Sea Salt- $2.16
Cookie- $1.83
Whales Crackers- $1.66
Cereal- $3.83
2.54 pounds bananas- $1.23 (on sale)
4 pounds sweet onions- $3.78
Almond Extract- $2.72
Coconut Extract- $2.72
WW Str Multi- $1.98 (I don't know what this was)
WW Amrtocsk- $.50 (I don't know what this was)
WIC-2 gallons milk, 4 packs cheese, 2 peanut butters, 4 juice, 2 eggs- WIC
Total: $104.56

Note: I like looking back at my receipts! Last week I found something that was not rung up. This week I found that my cashier rang up my cucumber and then voided it and rang up a zucchini. The zucchini was about 20 cents cheaper.

Go here to see more plans.

RR:Summer Squash Pie

Summer Squash Pie
2 1/2 cups summer squash -boiled/unpeeled until tender)
1/2 c sour cream
1/2 c sugar
2 eggs
1/2 tsp salt
1 tsp vanilla
1 tsp nutmeg
Blend eggs, sugar salt vanilla in blender. Add sour cream and squash. Blend until thick and frothy. Pour into 9 in pie plate. Sprinkle with nutmeg. Bake 400 for 30 minutes. You can also put it in a pie shell, but make sure you count those extra points. I use reduced fat sour cream and egg beaters.
Serves 8 at 1 Weight Watchers Point each

RR: This was super yummy. My 3 year old twins loved it!

RR: Strawberry Twinkie Cake

Strawberry Twinkie Cake
1 box low fat Twinkies
1 large box sugar free strawberry Jello
1 large fat free cool whip
Line a 9x9 pan with Twinkies, mix Jello according to box and pour over Twinkies, refrigerate until set. Top w/cool whip.
Serves 10 at 3 Weight Watchers Points each

RR: This was super yummy, but I had a little bit of a problem because I did not have an 9 X 9 pan. Everyone still loved it, but we will not be making it much because the Twinkies at a little on the expensive side.

RR: Snickers Pie

Snickers Pie

12oz. frozen FF vanilla yogurt

1 sm. box SF/FF instant chocolate pudding

1/4 cup chunky peanut butter

1 cup FF Cool-Whip

3/4 cup Grape Nuts cereal

Mix all ingredients together and pour into 8in.pie dish and freeze.

8 servings at 3 Weight Watcher Points each

RR: This was super easy to make and super yummy!!!

My budding artist!

Note: I usually keep this blog to weight loss stuff, but I had to share this with all my weight loss friends too!

My budding artist, Katie Sue is 3 and sometimes she really surprises me at how well she can draw! Her new thing is drawing people! These are so funny because they really look like the person. I have laughed and laughed over these. I am so glad I got some pictures of her work because she usually does her drawings on her magna doodle!
Here is some of her work!

Her Self portrait:

Her Mommy (me): lol

Her twin Brother, Nathan:

Her daddy:

Her brother, Nicholas

Her brother, Neil:

Weigh In Time....

Well, I had my weigh-in on Tuesday and it was not that bad, but not that great either. I weighed in at 263.2 pounds. A gain of .2 :(. I am not going to worry about that and move on. I try to make excuses for weigh ins that I gain because I have only had a gain about 2 times since starting. This is the first time that I have weighed in and it was the first day of my monthly. It is usually the last day. So, maybe that had something to do with it, but I really think that it was the fact that I got NO activity points last week. That means I exercised not one day! I got to better on that this week! I don't know what's wrong with me but I have been feeling SUPER exhausted. I feel so tired ALL the time. I think most of that is from me trying to do too much this summer with the kids and staying up late and watching old seasons of 24 with dh. We are addicted to that show. We try to spend some time after the kids go to bed and watch an episode, but the show is so addictive that it makes you want to watch another and we usually watch at least 2 episodes. So, I know I got to get more sleep too. We checked out the whole season 5 of the show from the library and finished it a week ago and now we are watching season 4. Anyways, I know I got to get in some exercise and go to bed earlier. Other than that, I am following my Weight Watchers program, so hopefully next week I will see better numbers at the scale!

For more Fitness on Friday reports go to Byebye Fat Mom.

Favorite Ingredients Friday- Healthy Eating Edition

Today it's time for another FIF. This week it is the Healthy Eating Edition. Well, since this blog is about my weight loss journey(I have lost over 60 pounds now!), the recipes on this blog fit into the "healthy" recipes for me. If you are interested in more of my healthy recipes, go to my side bar and click on recipes to find more that might interest you. My recipe today is for Cabbage Casserole, which is basically a lasagna without noodles. The cabbage kind of serves as the noodles. I hope you enjoy!

Cabbage Casserole
1 ½ pounds of very lean ground meat
2 medium onions chopped fine
5 cloves garlic, chopped
¼ teaspoon pepper
1 teaspoon salt
1 (16oz.) Can of tomato sauce
1 cup water
½ cup raw rice, not instant
8 cups of shredded cabbage
Brown beef, drain, add onion and cook till soft, add garlic, and salt and pepper, tomato sauce, and water. Bring to a simmer, add rice and cook 10 minutes. Remove from heat. Spread half of cabbage after washing, in a deep casserole dish sprayed with Pam. Cover with half of the meat mixture. Repeat layers. Do not stir. Cover tightly with foil. Bake at 350 degrees for 1 ½ hours.

Serves 6 at 6 Weight Watcher Points.

Come join me next Wednesday for my new meme, Watchin' What We Eat Wednesday, where we share healthy recipes.

For more healthy recipes, go to Overwhelmed With Joy!

Thrifty Thursday-Grocery Shopping Tips

My friend Rachel at Busy Mommy is hosting a new meme that I plan to participate in. All you have to do is share a Thrifty Tip. I was planning about writing about this on my blog anyways so why not link up!:) Yesterday the Weight Watchers web page had a great article about shopping tips that you can do to keep your fridge full without emptying your wallet. I got a long way to go on saving money at the grocery (I have a family of 6), but I have started becoming more accountable for my grocery spending by blogging about what I spend. (You can see that post here.) Groceries are at an all time high and trying to eat healthier is sometimes hard . So here are the 10 tips they give and how they apply to me!

1. Plan ahead!

One of my favorite quotes is Fail to Plan, Plan to Fail. It really is true when trying to lose weight, save money at the grocery store or whatever. I have a desk drawer that I keep recipes in that I want to try. I have a folder that I keep the ones in that I want to try soon. Then I have a folder that I keep all of the recipes that I plan to make for the week and a list of the meals I am planning to make. Next, I make a grocery list after checking my pantry. So, that is how I plan ahead for meals.

2. Cook from recipes

As I said before, I take my recipes and make a shopping list from recipes. The recipes are my planning guides. I also know exactly what I need and I won't run out during the week and have to go back, which saves gas money too because we have to go to the next county for lots of things that we can't get here or are higher priced.

3. Shop While Your Kids are Busy

I refuse to take all four of my kids grocery shopping with me. I have been there and done that and it makes it a really hard day! I can't concentrate on buying the lowest cost item. I just want to get out of there as quick as I can! I also don't have time to pull out my points calculator and see which food is the better choice. I will either go by myself on Saturday while dh keeps the kids or dh and I go together and Granny watches the kids! Kids also usually want something and that can make the bill higher too.

4. Shop on a full stomach

The Weight Watchers article recommends shopping after lunch or dinner. If you are full you will not give into those last minute impulses and end up spending more money than you should.

5. Savings are under your nose

Most stores stock expensive brands at eye level; look on the highest and lowest shelves for lower-cost generics and in-store specials. Also, give yourself a moment to peruse the in-store flyer with its unadvertised specials. I like most generic brands and use many quit easily.

6. Use coupons judiciously

Be honest with yourself and cut only the coupons you need. Saving 50 cents on jelly isn't any good if you weren't going to buy jelly in the first place. And save those coupons for when they really count; for your store's double or triple coupon days. I love coupons and as a Weight Watcher's member, we are given several for Weight Watchers foods. i probably would have never tried them if I did not have a coupon. I LOVE coupons!

7. Buying in bulk doesn't mean automatic savings

Dry goods and some convenience products are good bets for bulk-buying: Paper products, cleaning products, flour, sugar, vinegars, peanut butter and grains. Never buy oils (which go rancid), spices (which lose flavor) or perishables in bulk. A 10-pound box of apricots won't have saved you anything when you throw half of it away. I like to stock up on things when I find good deals, but I know some things just won't last and so I am careful of that.

8. Produce: Fresh vs. Frozen

Some produce is great frozen while others are not. Here is a list of which things you should buy fresh or frozen. Some are pretty obvious!

Fresh: cucumbers, ears of corn, greens, lettuce, radishes,zucchini/summer squash, apples/pears, bananas, citrus, pineapple

Frozen: beans/peas, bell pepper strips, broccoli, carrots, cauliflower, chopped onions, corn kernels, winter squash puree, berries, peaches/apricots

9. Buy meat and fish once a month

I do like to buy meat when it is on sale. I try to buy most all of the meat I need in the beginning of the month. I need to search out sales more though!

10. Keep a cooler in your car

I live in a small town and I have to go to the next town. So this is an idea I really want to implement. The Weight Watcher's article says that your shelf life will be reduced by letting these items sit in your car. I have had trouble with ice cream so I started getting those brown bags that they have in the ice cream section and that seemed to help, but I love the cooler idea!

Well I hope you can use some of these tips to help you save money, but have great food that helps you stay on your personal eating plan.

Slow Cooking Thursday

Crock Pot Chicken & Dumplings (Serves 8)
Weight Watchers POINTS® Value: 4

16 oz boneless skinless chicken breast
1 cup chopped onion
2 10.75-oz cans 98% fat free cream of chicken soup
1/2 Tbsp garlic powder
Salt & pepper to taste
Water
3 cups frozen mixed vegetables
1 can (7.5 to 10 oz) lower fat refrigerated biscuit dough
Spray crock pot with nonstick spray. Add chicken, onion, soup, garlic powder and salt & pepper to crock pot. Add enough water to cover the chicken breasts. Cover and cook on low 6-8 hours (high 3-4 hours). About one hour before serving (if on low, turn to high), remove chicken from pot, shred and return to pot. Stir in mixed vegetables. Cut each biscuit into 4 wedges. Top the mixture in the crock pot with biscuit dough. Cover and cook 30-45 minutes more until dough has risen and is cooked through.

Slow Cooking Thursday is sponsored by Diary of a SAHM go look there for more recipes.

Tasty Thursday Pasta Edition

This is one of my favorite pasta recipes right now! Yes, you can still have pasta on Weight Watchers!

Crockpot Cheesy Chicken Spaghetti
Serves 12 ( one cup each)

16 oz. dry spaghetti, cooked(I used Ronzoni Smart Taste)

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

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See more Tasty Thursday recipes here.

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Come join me next Wednesday for my new meme, Watchin' What We Eat Wednesday, where we share healthy recipes.

RR: Pizza Cups

Pizza Cups

1 can buttermilk biscuits (sm. 10 count kind)

10 TB pizza sauce

2 ounces Weight Watchers Mozzarella cheese

1/4 cup onion, chopped

1/4 cup bell pepper, chopped

20 slices turkey pepperoni, chopped

Preheat oven to 375. Spray muffin pan with Pam. Chop veggies & turkey pepperoni. Flatten biscuits between palms, then pat into bottom and up sides of muffin pan. Spoon a TB of pizza sauce into each cup. Sprinkle pepperoni, onions and peppers evenly into each cup. Top with cheese, then bake for 14 minutes or until edges are lightly browned and cheese is melted.

(You could easily add or substitute your favorite toppings just be sure to add points if necessary.)

Serves 10, 2 Weight Watchers Points each.

RR: My kids loved these. They are very yummy and you can basically make it how you like it. Here are some variations to this recipe. I have not tried any of them and I do not know the points yet either. Hope you enjoy.

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Cheesy Chicken Cups

10 serving(s) Pillsbury Golden Homestyle 100 Calories Biscuits

10 3/4 oz Campbell's 98% Fat-Free Cream Of Mushroom Soup

1/2 tsp garlic powder

1 tsp black pepper

1 cup Kraft 2% Milk Natural cheese Finely Shredded Sharp Cheddar Cheese

5 oz cooked chicken fillet

Spray muffin tins with cooking spray. Flatten biscuit dough and put one in each muffin tin, making sure it comes up the sides of the tins to make cups. Cut chicken into small pieces. Mix all ingredients together and scoop into cups. Bake at 400 degrees fro 12-15 minutes or until biscuits are cooked through and golden brown on the edges.

Serves 10

(I think some people add broccoli to this.)

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Fajita Cups

1 roll/can of 100 cal Biscuits

1 pre-cooked lean steak (6 oz)

1 can Healthy Request Cream of Mushroom Soup

2/3 cup 2% Italian Shredded Cheese

1/2 cup grilled onions and peppers chopped

pepper to taste

Preheat oven to 400. Spray a muffin pan with non stick spray. Flatten out biscuit and form in muffin cup make sure it goes up the sides. Mix all other items and spoon into center of biscuit cups. Bake for 17 min. Let cool about 5 min. before serving they will be hot.

Serves 10

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Cheesy Taco Cups

1 lb 93/7 ground turkey

1 package of taco seasoning

3/4 cup water

1/2 cup ff cheddar cheese

1 7.5 Pillsbury can buttermilk biscuits non fat cooking spray

Brown ground turkey, drain. Add the water and taco seasoning , simmer. Preheat oven 400. Spray muffin pan with non-fat cooking spray. Press biscuits into the bottom of muffin cups. Spoon on the taco mixture, sprinkle on cheese ,and bake 12-15 minutes

Serves 10 at 3 points each

Watchin' What We Eat Wednesday #5

Welcome to Watchin' What We Eat Wednesday Week #5. This week is any recipe goes week. Remember to link to your blog by signing Mr. Linky and putting your recipe name in parentheses like this, Lorie (Overnight Stuffed French Toast) Come back next week for the Beverages 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!
Now onto my recipe. I made this special breakfast for my family last weekend. It was super yummy! I hope you enjoy.


Overnight Stuffed French Toast
1 (16 oz.) Loaf of French Bread, cut into 20 slices
1 (8 oz.) Package Fat Free Cream Cheese, cut into 1/4" thick slices
3 Cups Egg Substitute
2 Cups Skim Milk
1 teaspoon Vanilla Extract
1/3 Cup Sugar Free Maple Syrup
1/2 teaspoon Cinnamon
Spray a 9X13 baking dish with non-stick cooking spray. Layer 10 slices of bread in the bottom of the baking dish (You may need to cut some to fit). Top the bread evenly with cream cheese slices, then place the remaining bread slices on top. In a large bowl, wish together the egg substitute, milk, vanilla, syrup and cinnamon. Pour over the bread to evenly coat. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for 8 hours or overnight. Remove from the refrigerator and let stand at room temperature for 15 minutes while the oven preheats to 350 degrees. Bake for 1 hour or until liquid is absorbed and the French toast is set in the center. If the top gets too brown, lay a sheet of foil over the baking dish. Cut into 9 pieces. Serve with sugar free syrup for additional points.
Serves: 9
Per Serving: 224 Calories 2g Fat 2g Dietary Fiber

RR: Bubble-Up Pizza Casserole

Bubble Up Pizza Casserole
14 slices Turkey Pepperoni, cut up
1 medium onion, chopped
1 medium green pepper, chopped
1 small can mushrooms, drained
26 ounce Italian Garden Spaghetti Sauce
7 1/2 ounce Pillsbury Grands! Home Style Buttermilk Reduced fat biscuits
1/2 cup part skim mozzarella cheese
Spray frying pan with non stick cooking spray and saute chopped up onion and green pepper approximately 1 minute. Add in cut up turkey pepperoni, mushrooms, and spaghetti sauce. Cut up biscuits into smaller pieces and toss in the sauce mix. Spray 9 X 13 inch pan with no stick cooking spray and add mixture to the pan. Bake 25-30 minutes. Then add mozzarella cheese and bake 10 minutes more. Cut into 8 servings.
Note: You can add any kind of pizza toppings you want to this dish, just make sure you add the points.

Serves 8 at 5 Weight Watcher Points each (Check points based on your ingredients.)


RR: We loved this recipe. Kids even ate it. You can make it more kid friendly by just adding the pizza ingredients they like. The picture does not do the dish justice. I served it with a salad and Chips Ahoy Dessert and I was stuffed!

Also see the Bubble Up Enchilada which is a variation of this recipe.

Food Spending Journal for Week July 14-July20

I need to become more accountable for my food shopping. I need to lower my spending there too. So, as a way to become more accountable, I have decided to use this blog. I use this blog to be accountable for my weight loss, so why not food buying too since this blog is all about what I eat. I have to feed a family of 6 and I have three small children ages 3 and 16 months. I also have an 8 year old. I am just going to journal for a few months and see about my spending and then try to make a budget and stick to it, as best as possible. Grocery shopping is kind of hard for me because we get money once a month and that has to last all month. I usually like to stock up on some things in the beginning of the month, even though I could probably wait until the end of the month to get it. I also try to look for deals and sometimes that means stocking up earlier on the month on those items too. I got this idea from a MPM poster, Gayle. You should check out her blog, it is so neat. She lives off of about $50 a week for groceries, not just food. I have found that on weeks that she is trying to eat healthier, she does seem to spend more though. So, I know I will be spending more than $50 a week and I am only going to include food. We already have a pretty set budget on household stuff and diapers/pull-ups. (I buy mostly generic but I know I need to become better at doing coupons and deals, like CVS. I wish someone could help me understand CVS because I still don't understand it.) This is kind of like a game to me and I do want to become more accountable about what I buy and since food journeying helps me with food intake, why not try it with food spending. So here goes my first week. To see my weekly menu plan, go here.
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Wal-mart
1/2 gallon buttermilk $2.98
2 lbs lean ground beef $7.76
Jimmy Dean De-light (4 pre-made sausage croissants) $5.94
Jimmy Dean sausage Croissants (DH takes these to work) $5.94
Canadian Bacon $2.97
Shredded Pizza Cheese $2.68
Nestle 24 pack Bottled Water(not pictured) $3.88
Head of lettuce(on sale) 98 cents
2 bell peppers (on sale) 50 cents
2 I Can't Believe It's Not Butter Sprays (on sale) $5.00
Light Twinkies $3.00
Whales (kids snack) $1.66
1/2 gallon Orange Juice $2.34
Fat Free Hot Dogs (on sale) $2.50
Light Sour Cream $1.08
Egg Beaters $5.28
2 Refrigerated Pizza Dough $2.88
4 pound onions $3.78
Hamburger Buns $1.68
Loaf bread (on sale) $1.97
2 Apple Juice $5.00
Fiber One Bars $2.48
Non stick canola Oil spray $1.68
Bisquick Heart Smart $2.98
1 jar spaghetti sauce $1.25
Watkins Paprika $2.68
Peach Baby Food(not for baby for cupcakes) $1.09
2 packages water drop-ins (on sale) $3.00
SF/FF Strawberry Jello 50 cents
Hot Dog Buns $1.68
Italian Bread loaf $1.50
Bananas (on sale) 1.67
Reduced Sugar Yellow Cake Mix $1.00
12 pack Caffeine Free Diet Dr Pepper(for me) $3.88
2 gallons milk WIC Free
1 box Rice Krispies WIC Free
1 box Multi Grain Cheerios WIC Free
2 Grape Juicy Juice WIC Free
1 dozen eggs WIC Free
1 Peanut Butter WIC Free
Total Spent: $95.12
Note: I also got a Watermelon and the check out girl came to my cart to ring up my water and pop and said she had to manually ring in the watermelon, which I thought she did but I can't find it on my receipt. I guess she forgot to manually enter it and I thought she had. It was on sale for $3.88.
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Food City
8 boxes(only one in picture) 94% FF Butter Microwave Popcorn (on sale$1.25 usually $1.89) $10.00
Kraft Fat Free Mayo (on sale) $2.69
Kraft Fat Free Miracle Whip(on sale) $2.79
Peter Pan Whipped Peanut Butter $2.29
1 cucumber 65 cents
2.31 pounds Red Grapes(on sale 1.99 pound) $4.60
24 pack Pepsi One(Dh's drink on sale) $3.34
Total Spent: $26.56
~
Total Weekly Food Buying: $121.68

Menu Plan Monday- July 14-20

Here are the recipes I made last week and a link to the recipe and review: Onion Rings and dipping sauce, HG's Peaches and Cream Microwave Cupcake, Italian Casserole, Overnight Stuffed French Toast(will review soon), and Banana Butterscotch Bundt Cake. I am still doing Weight Watchers Flex, I have lost over 60 pounds now! I am also keeping track of my food spending. Here is the post for this week.

My Menu Plan Monday

Dinners
Monday-Diet Coke Sloppy Joes, Corn, Chips Ahoy Dessert
Tuesday-Bubble-Up Pizza Casserole, salad, Rice Krispie Treats
Wednesday- Crockpot Cheesy Chicken Spagetti, salad, Watermelon
Thursday- Deep Dish Pizza Casserole, Salad, No Pudge Brownies at Home
Friday- Mandarin Orange Slow Cooker Chicken, green beans
Saturday- Corn Dogs, Onion Rings w/ dipping sauce, Corn, Peaches and Cream Microwave Cupcakes
Sunday-Italian Chicken, Green Beans, Stewed Tomatoes, Twinkie Cake

Breakfast Options:
Kids: Cereal, bagels, yogurt, Cinnamon French Toast, Cottage Cheese Pancakes, fruit, sausage links, scrambled eggs

Mommy- Jimmy Dean De-lights Breakfast Sandwich, Cottage Cheese Pancakes, Cinnamon French Toast, Low fat waffles and fruit, Southwestern egg, sausage and cheese biscuit, fruit

Lunch Options:

Kids- Eat lunch at Library Summer Reading Program Mon-Wednesday, Sandwiches, soup, and leftovers.

Mommy- Refried Beans Soup, Boca Burgers, Salad, Whipped Peanut Butter Sandwich and leftovers

Snacks, desserts and kid activities:Almond Joy Smoothies, Weight Watchers Orange Cream Smoothies, Chips Ahoy Dessert, Butterscotch Bars, No Pudge Brownies at Home, Peaches and Cream Microwave Cupcake, Whales crackers, Animal Crackers, Fat Free Rice Krispie Treats, Twinkie Cake, 94% FF Butter Popcorn
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Also, I am host a meme this Wednesday where we will share Healthy recipes. It's called Watchin' What We Eat Wednesday. Click on the link to read more about it.

Go here to see more plans.

Product Review:Whipped Peanut Butter

After hearing so much about this product (Peter Pan Whipped Peanut Butter), I decided to try it out. It took awhile to find it, but one store in my area now carries it (Food City.) I really like this product and would eat it again. Regular peanut butter is 5 points for 2 tablespoons. The whipped is 3 points for 2 tablespoons. I had a sandwich with sugar free jelly for 4 points. It was so yummy! I really have not had much peanut butter since starting Weight Watchers! :)

RR: Banana Butterscotch Bundt Cake

Banana Butterscotch Bundt Cake

From: Halfmysize

Serves - 16

1 package yellow cake mix

1 cup egg substitute

2 medium mashed ripe bananas

1/2 cup unsweetened applesauce

1/4 cup water

1/4 cup sugar

4 Tbsp. butterscotch morsels
Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Spray a 10-cup Bundt or round tube pan with non-stick cooking spray. Combine cake mix, egg substitute, bananas, applesauce, water and sugar in large mixer bowl. Beat on low speed until moistened. Beat on high speed for 2 minutes. Pour into prepared pan. Bake for about 32 minutes or until toothpick inserted in cake comes out clean. Allow to cool in pan for 20 minutes. Invert onto a wire rack and allow to cool completely. Place butterscotch morsels in small, heavy-duty plastic bag. Microwave on HIGH for 30 seconds; knead. Microwave at additional 10- to 15-second intervals, kneading until smooth. Cut tiny corner from bag; squeeze to drizzle over cake.

Nutrition Information: 183 Cal., 3.7 g. fat, 0.5 g. fiber

RR: This was quit yummy! I think it is one of the best cakes I have eaten since starting Weight Watchers. I did not put the bag in the microwave, I just melted the chips on the stove and drizzled it on top of the cake.

RR: Italian Casserole

Italian Casserole (sorry did not take a picture)
1 pound extra lean ground beef
1/4 cup chopped onion
1 cup bottled reduced-fat pasta sauce
1/2 cup fat-free sour cream
1 1/2 cup shredded fat-free mozzarella cheese
8 oz Pillsbury Reduced-Fat Crescent(s)
1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1/2 Tbsp Land O Lakes Stick Light Butter
Heat oven to 375°F. In large skillet, cook ground beef and onion over medium heat for 8- 10 minutes or until beef is thoroughly cooked, stirring frequently. Drain. Stir in pasta sauce; cook until thoroughly heated. Meanwhile, in medium bowl, combine mozzarella cheese and sour cream; mix well. Pour hot beef mixture into ungreased 11x7-inch (2-quart) glass baking dish. Spoon cheese mixture over beef mixture. Unroll dough over cheese mixture. In small bowl, mix Parmesan cheese and butter. Spread evenly over dough. Bake at 375°F. for 18 to 25 minutes or until deep golden brown.
Serves 6 at 8 Weight Watcher Points each(Make sure to check points based on ingredients you use.

RR: This was a really good casserole. My whole family enjoyed it and we will be eating it again.

HG's Peaches 'n Cream Microwave Cupcake

Today my oldest wanted to cook something. I've had this recipe for awhile so we made some. He said gross I am not going to eat baby food, but he ate every bit of his cupcake and said it was good lol!

Ingredients mixed

Cooked Cupcake

Finished Product

HG's Peaches 'n Cream Microwave Cupcake

2 1/2 tbsp. Pillsbury Moist Supreme Reduced Sugar Cake Mix, Classic Yellow

4 tsp. Gerber Peaches (or another brand of pureed peaches, found in the baby food aisle)

2 tbsp. Fat Free Reddi-wip

In a small microwave-safe dish (like a ramekin or custard dish), combine cake mix and peaches. Gently stir un til completely blended. (Don't worry if it seems like a small amount. Your cake will puff up -- we promise!) Microwave for 1 minute, and then let sit in the microwave to set for a full 5 minutes. Once cool enough to handle, run a knife along the sides of the dish to release the cake and pop it onto a plate (or you could just leave it in the dish to be consumed!). Then top your cupcake off with the Reddi-wip, and enjoy!

MAKES 1 SERVING

PER SERVING (entire recipe): 120 calories, 2g fat, 190mg sodium, 25g carbs, 1g fiber, 10g sugars, 1g protein

Swimsuits

I changed my swimsuit on my virtual model. I needed a different color for some changes that are going to be coming to Honey I Shrank Myself! I also made my model with my starting weight instead of my weight now. So it is kind of like from this to that. They also give you the price of the suit and while I LOVE this one I would never pay for it, it's too expensive. I bought a new swimsuit that I founfd at Kmart. My old one was falling off me and I bought it when I was in college and worked at a 4-H camp, so I needed a new one anyways. My new swimsuit was marked down to $20! I got a size smaller than I usually wear. I love it, but I don't know if I can post a picture in it or not, I'll have to think about that. But paying $100- $200 dollars for a swim suit, I just can't see. And I also want to know what makes them cost so much? They can't be that hard to make. Most of those out there, 2 pieces, do not even have much fabric, in my opinion. What's your thoughts on swimsuits?

Fitness on Friday Weekly Update and Part of my Story

**If you are looking for WWWEW scroll down!**

Well, I went to my weekly weigh in last night and it was good news for me! I lost 2.8 pounds! That makes a 60.8 pound loss for me this year!!!! I really NEVER thought I could do it. I guess that's why they say, "Never say Never."

I remember when I was a County Extension Agent, we would go to lots of conferences. One in particular stands out to me. I can't remember what it was called but our State Representative was a part of it and her niece went. I remember talking to this woman (the niece)and she was wonderful. She told all of us that she had lost 100 pounds by doing Weight Watchers. Why did I not listen then? I could be so much closer to my goal! I remember wishing I could do what she had done but thinking, it will never happen. I guess I had a bad image in my mind about Weight Watchers and never even considered joining it. I really think people must come to a place where they are ready to make a change. People would talk to me about my weight, but it just made me mad that they said something. I felt kind of lost as to what to do about my weight and them telling me did not really help. I had to have a "moment" where I was ready! I think that is one of the things that has helped me stay focused. I know I need and must do this now! So, if you think you can NEVER do it, you won't! You have to have a change there to, you have to be positive! That is the only way you will get to your goal.

I set a HUGE goal to lose 100 pounds as a New Year's resolution this year. If you follow my blog, you will know that I started because I hurt my finger and had to go to the doctor to get stitches. I learned at that visit that my blood pressure was extremely high! So, I knew I had to do something about my weight problem. It was Christmas time and I knew I would not be successful until the holidays were over, so I waited and ate way too many sweets over the holidays! I remember going to a Christmas party and not being able to sit in the chair, actually I remember not being able to sit in a lot of chairs. Dh has a picture of me at that Christmas party I am talking about and while I hated it then, I am glad I have that picture now. I went back to another doctor before the holidays were over and she recommended Weight Watchers to me. I had never really thought about it as an option before then. I knew I would never be able to join because I had no money. I was so determined to get the weight off that I researched online and started doing what I "thought" was Weight Watchers on my own. I lost 8 pounds my first week and knew this was working for me and what I needed so bad! I also found a LOT of blog friends to help me along the way! That was probably one of the best things I ever did! I lost about 25 pounds and then I felt like I really wanted to go to a Weight Watchers meeting to get the materials. I decided to take some of our income tax money and use it to join Weight Watchers.(Now dh says he will find the money somewhere, he has been working extra because he wants me to succeed.) I felt so lost at that first meeting, but as usual, I did talk. That was probably because I had already been doing WW on my own. I found out that I was not doing the right points, I was way too low, and that there was such a thing as the 8 Healthy Guidelines. I was scared to eat more points, but I still lost weight that week! Now I have lost 60.8 pounds and to reach my goal of 100 pounds by Christmas I need to lose an average of 1.8 pounds a week in the next 22 weeks. I really think I can do it. I know it is a HUGE goal, but I have to stay positive and try. I won't be overly upset if I don't reach it, but 39 pounds seems so much more manageable to me after what I have been through! I have to quit thinking I can NEVER do it and just work to do it! I have to push on!!!

Note: Oh and by the way after that I need to push on some more and lose some more but right now I am only focusing on 100 pounds.

For more Fitness on Friday Updates go to Byebye Fat Mom!

Favorite Ingredients Friday

I LOVE Onion Rings and finding a Weight Watchers substitute has been hard because I started with the wrong recipe. I ate the Hungry Girl ones, but my dh hated the Fiber One as a breading. I have to admit, these are so much better!!! I love the dipping sauce! It really does taste like the "bloomin' onion" sauce. When I went to Applebees(pre Weight Watchers), I used to have a Burger that had onion peels and the dipping sauce on the burger, I think it was called the cowboy burger. Well, last night, I had some of my dipping sauce and onion rings on my Boca Burger instead of Mayo and it was super yummy!

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Onion Rings with Dipping Sauce

2 large sweet onions

1/3 c. dried breadcrumbs

1/4 c. egg substitute

2 T. flour

1/4 t. salt

pepper to taste
Preheat oven to 400. Spray a baking sheet with Pam. Peel onions, and slice into 1/2” thick slices. Separate into double rings.Combine flour, salt, and pepper in a paper bag. Put breadcrumbs into another bag. Pour egg substitute into a shallow bowl. Coat each double ring in flour, then egg, then breadcrumbs.Place on baking sheet and spray tops with Pam. Bake about 10 minutes, turn, and bake 5 minutes longer.

Serves 4 at 1 Weight Watchers Point

Dipping Sauce (Blooming Onion Sauce)

1/4 c. FF mayo or Miracle Whip

1 t. catsup

1 t. horseradish

1/8 t. paprika
1/8 t. salt

Dash oregano Dash black pepper Dash Cayenne pepper Whisk all ingredients together until well blended. Chill before serving.

Serves 1 at 1 Weight Watchers Point

For more great recipes go to Overwhelmed With Joy!

Slow Cooking Thursday- Mandarin Orange Slow Cooker Chicken

Mandarin Orange Slow Cooker Chicken (from Jen)
4 boneless skinless chicken halves
1 medium onion, sliced
1/4 cup orange juice concentrate
1 tsp. poultry seasoning
1/2 tsp. salt
11 ounce can of mandarin oranges, be sure to save 3 T of the juice as well.
2 T flour
Put chicken strips in slow cooker that has been sprayed with Pam cooking spray. Combine onion, orange juice concentrate, poultry season and salt. Pour mixture over chicken in the slow cooker.
Cover and cook on low 4-5 hours. Remove chicken and keep warm. Reserve chicken juices.
In a saucepan, combine the 3 T of reserved mandarin juice and the 2 T of flour. Stir until smooth. Stir in the chicken juices. Bring to a boil. Cook for 2 minutes. Stir in mandarin oranges.
Pour over chicken.
4 Servings at 5 Weight Watcher Points each (Be sure to check your ingredients because you could get a different points value based on what you use!)

Please be sure and tally your points according to what you use :)

Slow Cooking Thursday is sponsored by Diary of a SAHM go look there for more recipes.