Southern-Style Oven-Fried Chicken

http://www.weightwatchers.com/food/rcp/index.aspx?recipeid=71921

Instead of baking the chicken in an 8X8 pan, I line a cookie sheet with parchment paper.  The chicken sticks very easily, so the parchment paper and PAM definitely helps.

This recipe is so good, it tastes just like my grandma's deep fried chicken!

You could serve this with any number of sides, a starch like brown rice or roasted potatoes and a vegetable or a salad.  A very easy veggie choice is the frozen steamer bags that you microwave and you don't even have to get out a pot!

This morning I did cardio and weights at the Y.

Peanut Butter & Coconut Water

My best friend Kelly told me about a blog that I have shared with you before, it is called Gina's Skinny Taste.  http://www.skinnytaste.com/  She has a TON of recipes on her site, and they all have WW pp.  In a recipe that Kelly tried, loved and shared with me, Gina had used a product that I had not heard of before called "Better 'n Peanut Butter".  http://www.betternpeanutbutter.com/index.php  She says that you can find it at Trader Joe's.  While there is one near me, I don't go there very often.  But, I found it at Target this week!  It is only 2pp for 2 Tbsp, and that is awesome for peanut butter, since regular peanut butter is 5pp for the same amount!  So, if you find some, give it a try. 

Also, there has been a lot of stuff going around about coconut water and how good it is for you.  If you do a Google search, you will find tons of articles about it.  This is one article that I found from WebMD: http://www.webmd.com/vitamins-and-supplements/lifestyle-guide-11/supplement-guide-coconut-water  I have found some near me and tried it.  I am not a big fan of the taste of coconut stuff, so I'm not in love with the taste, but I have been drinking it by adding it to a big glass of crystal lite and I really can't taste it.  Give it a try!

Lunch Help

Another struggle for me when I first started WW was what to have for lunch that wasn't too high in pp that I couldn't feel like I could have snacks in the afternoon and evening.  One obvious choice is leftovers from your dinner from the night before.  You already know how many pp it is, and you have to put it away anyway so just put it away already portioned out so you don't even have to think about it.

A salad (0pp) with either fat free (2 Tbsp is 1pp) or light dressing (2 Tbsp is 2pp) and some protein either on it or on the side is also a good choice.  Just count the amount of pp for the protein if you use any.

Sandwich Wraps-I use either the Ole High Fiber Low Carb tortillas (1pp) or the light Flat Outs, any flavor (2pp) or the lowest thing you can find to use.  I use either fat free cheese slices (1pp) or 1/3 less fat cream cheese, any flavor (1pp for a little less than 2 Tbsp) or laughing cow cheese, any flavor (1pp per wedge) and protein, either turkey (1pp for 4 slices) or ham (2pp for 3 slices), low sodium is the best.  Check on your package for the pp value and the serving because all the brands are different.  So, as you can see, the possibilities are endless, it is very filling and satisfying and easy to bring with you.  Have a side salad or one of my snack help ideas with it, and you have a full lunch!  So depending on which wrap, cheese and protein choice you choose, it will be between 3pp and 5pp for the entire wrap.

Grilled Cheese Sandwich!!  Use either Sandwich Thins, any brand or flavor (3pp), Sara Lee Delightful 45 Calorie bread (2pp for 2 pieces) or WW bread (2pp for 2 pieces) and fat free cheddar cheese slices (1pp for a serving) and protein if you want like turkey or ham & just get the pp from the package.  Spray a pan with PAM and warm it up.  Assemble your sandwich, spray the outside of the bread with PAM & then I Can't Believe It's Not Butter! spray and put it in the pan.  Let it brown on each side and allow the cheese to melt.  I usually eat 2 sandwiches because it is so low in pp.  So it would be between 3pp and 4pp depending on your bread choice and maybe a pp or 2 more if you add protein per sandwich.

Individual Pizzas-I use the Ole tortillas (1pp) or light Flat Outs (2pp), marinara sauce (0pp), turkey pepperoni (2pp for 17 pieces), part skim mozzarella (2pp for 1/3 cup), and you could add veggies on top if you want and spices like oregano and rosemary.  I eat the whole thing!  So if you use the Ole tortillas, total the pizza would be 5pp, or 6pp if you used the light Flat Outs.  That's REALLY low for a whole pizza!

Healthy Choice or any other frozen or already prepared meal.  Smart Ones and Healthy Choice already have the pp values on them.

Progresso Lite Soup-they come in a bunch of different flavors, they already have the pp on the can, and my husband almost eats one of them everyday, he says they are very good!

I hope this is able to at least help you get started with what to eat for lunch.

Today I did some weights and cardio at the Y.

Breakfast Help

One of my struggles when I initially started WW was what to eat for breakfast that was low enough in pp that I wouldn't  have a hard time the rest of the day because I ate too many pp for breakfast.  I also needed my breakfast to be filling because I am really hungry in the mornings because of my workouts.  So, here are some things that I have found have really helped me.

I usually eat a banana before I go to the gym.  Sometimes if I am really hungry or if I know my workout will be really hard, I'll eat Fiber One yogurt also which is 1pp.

I am a coffee drinker, which is also free!  I have found that sugar free creamer is the lowest in pp, 0 for 1 Tbsp, but I use more like 3 Tbsp which is only 1pp.  I have found french vanilla and hazelnut in sugar free.  I do not use any sweetener because the creamer is sweetened, but if you need it, just use something other than sugar, there are a bunch of different kinds of low calorie sweeteners out there.

Sugar Free or High Fiber Oatmeal-check your package but mine is 3pp for a package and it is very filling.  You could have a piece of fruit with it to make you feel like you are eating more, and fruit is free!

Fiber Plus Antioxidants Buttermilk or Chocolate Chip Waffles-2 are 4pp.  I spray some I can't believe it's not butter spray on mine and drizzle some sugar free syrup which is 1pp for 1/4 cup on top.  They are very filling and very satisfying.  I checked all the waffles at my grocery store, and these were the lowest in pp I found.

Eggs-high in protein and very filling, 2pp each.  I usually eat 2 and you could add fruit which is free.

Bagel thins, there are a bunch of different brands and flavors, but they are all 3pp.  I have found that the ones that are not wheat do not fill me up as well as the wheat ones because the wheat has more fiber.  I use 1/3 less fat cream cheese which is 1pp for a little less than a serving of 2 Tbsp.

English muffin-most are 3pp, but just check your package & peanut butter-the lowest pp you can find, but I have found so far that they are all about the same.  2 Tbsp is 5pp, 1 Tbsp is 3pp and 2 tsp is 2pp, so use as little as you can!  It is very filling and helps you get protein and fat that you need when you are working out.

Maybe this can at least get you started!

Today I did about 30 minutes of weights and about 30 minutes of cardio at the Y.

Five-Cheese Spinach Quiche

http://www.weightwatchers.com/util/prt/recipe.aspx?Type=1&RecipeID=98981

I love this recipe!  You will never miss the crust.  Instead of using the cheese slices, I just used a cup total of shredded cheddar.  I do not like blue cheese dressing, so I used ranch instead.  You could also add in some garlic with the onion to just bump up the flavor, but it isn't needed, it tastes good without it!  I made this recipe this morning since my best friend Kelly was visiting from Atlanta and she loved it!

Fresh Strawberry Pie

http://www.weightwatchers.com/food/rcp/index.aspx?recipeid=245391

I made this today for Mother's Day with fresh picked strawberries that my son and I picked on Friday, and it was awesome!  I used diet cranberry juice just to try and make it even lower in pp.  Instead of making whipped cream using the Greek yogurt in the recipe, I just used fat free cool whip.  I didn't spread it on the top, I just put a little on each piece as I served it.

Mexican Dip

We are headed to a housewarming party tonight, and I am making this dip today to bring to the party.  It is such a winner.  I ran the ingredients through the online WW recipe builder.  I have been eating this dip since college, so probably about 12 years or so.  In college we used to eat it with Doritos, I am taking the Fritos scoops to the party tonight, but obviously you could use any of the many tortilla chips that are out these days, the Baked Scoops would probably be the best and lowest in pp option.

1 8oz. package of 1/3 less fat cream cheese (or fat free if you like it, and it would probably lower the pp a little)
1 can of Hormel 98% fat free Turkey Chili No beans (because I don't like beans, but feel free to use them if you like them)
1 large jar of Medium salsa (feel free to use mild or hot)
1 cup of Kraft 2% milk shredded sharp cheddar cheese (WW Mexican blend would be awesome)

Spray an 8 inch square dish with PAM.  I usually use a round Corningware dish because it's prettier, but any dish about that size will work.  Put the cream cheese in the dish and microwave it for about 20 seconds or so to soften it so you can spread it on the bottom.  Top the cream cheese with the chili and spread it out to cover the cream cheese.  Pour the salsa over the chili and spread it out to cover the chili.  Top with the cheese.  Bake on 350 for about 15 minutes to just warm it and melt the cheese.  It is only 2pp for 16 servings.  It isn't too spicy, but it does have a little kick.  You can make it ahead and just warm it in the oven or the microwave.  It only gets better as it sits.  You can totally eat it cold if it cools while at a party.  This dip is amazing and obviously easy to make, and there will be none left in your dish when you bring it home!

This morning I took boot camp with Boot Camp Moms.

Cheesy Chicken Pot Pie

http://www.kraftrecipes.com/recipes/cheesy-chicken-pot-pie-114144.aspx?cm_mmc=eml-_-rbe-_-20110503-_-1030

I signed up to get emails from Kraft foods, and this is one that came today.  It looks so good, that I decided to try it tonight!  I ran it through the online WW recipe builder, with a couple of changes, and it is 6pp for a serving (8 total servings, so hopefully they'll be pretty good sized pieces).  I'm going to use the 2% milk Velveeta, 98% fat free cream of celery (the only reason I'm using that is because I don't like cream of chicken, but you could also use the 98% fat free cream of chicken), and reduced fat crescent rolls.  Just those small changes lowered each serving from 9pp to 6pp.

Today I did an hour and 15 minutes of cardio and some abs at the Y.  My "personal" personal trainer/neighbor/friend Kyle decided that we needed to burn all our calories today in preparation for this weekend!  We have a bunch of parties and stuff to attend.  Happy Mother's Day to all!

Grilled Steak Fajitas

http://www.skinnytaste.com/2011/05/grilled-steak-fajitas.html#more

I have not made these yet, but they look awesome!  I meant to post this recipe yesterday in honor of Cinco de Mayo, but, better late than never!

If you have not yet done so, visit this website and sign up to receive recipe emails.  That is how I found this recipe.

Oreo Four Layer Dessert

Layer 1:
1/2 package of reduced fat Oreo cookies, grind into a powder in a food processor
1/4 cup of I Can't Believe It's Not Butter! Stick Margarine, melted

Layer 2:
1 8 oz. package of 1/3 less fat cream cheese, softened
1 cup of powdered sugar, sifted
1 cup of fat free cool whip

Layer 3:
1 large package of instant fat free sugar free chocolate pudding mix (powder)
3 cups of skim milk

Layer 4:
the rest of a small container of cool whip

Spray a 9X13 inch pan with PAM.  Take out 1 cup of the grind up Oreos for the top.  Mix the rest of the grind up Oreos and the butter and spread them on the bottom of the pan.  Mix the cream cheese and the powdered sugar together well and then fold in the cool whip.  Spread that on top of the first layer.  Mix the pudding and milk together and spread that on top of the second layer.  Spread the rest of the container of cool whip on top of the pudding layer.  Sprinkle the cup of Oreos over the top.  Let it set for a few hours up to overnight.  Cut into 16 pieces.  1 piece is 5 pp.

This recipe is awesome and was given to me by a WW friend.  You can definitely change it up in a lot of different ways.  No one will ever know they are eating such a low pp dessert.

Crock pot Chicken Taco Salad

This recipe is more of a method of cooking chicken in the crock pot.  It is so easy and so good.  You will definitely be doing it all the time!  I got the idea from a neighbor that uses her crock pot almost every day to cook dinner.

Spray the crock pot with PAM.  Put about a pound of boneless skinless chicken breasts in the crock pot.  Cover the chicken on both sides with either chili powder, an entire packet of the powder taco seasoning (I use the lower sodium one) or an entire packet of the powder fajita seasoning.  I use different ones all the time, just try them all at different times and see which one you like the best.  Cook on low for 4 hours.  Shred the chicken using two forks.  You are not adding any liquid, and you would think that it would dry out, but trust me it won't.  The seasoning releases the natural juices from the chicken and once you shred it, it all just mixes together.  The possibilities are literally endless with this method.  What I do is make a taco salad with the chicken.  I buy a bag of shredded lettuce (0pp) and divide it evenly between my husband and myself on a plate.  I boil a bag of whole grain rice and divide that evenly between us also(4pp for 1/2 bag) .  Then I top both of our plates with 4 oz. of chicken (3pp), I use a food scale to be sure it's the right amount.  Then I mix either greek yogurt (0pp for 2 Tbsp) of light sour cream (1pp for 2 Tbsp) with salsa (0pp) and pour it over mine as a dressing.  My husband likes hot sauce and soy sauce mixed with salsa.  You can add cheese, diced tomatoes, just salsa, just sour cream, crumbled tortilla chips.  You can put the chicken on the lowest pp wheat tortilla you can find and roll it up.  Just add up the pp based on what you decide to use.  My taco salad is 8pp total.  It is really filling to the point where I almost cannot finish it sometimes.

I use this method with the crock pot and the chicken to make endless recipes.  You can add barbecue sauce or honey teriyaki sauce or Italian dressing or Catalina dressing or steak sauce.  I have even done buffalo wing sauce and put the shredded chicken on a whole wheat bun for a buffalo chicken sandwich.

You can also do pork chops, but I would reduce the cooking time to 3 hours instead of 4 on low.

Wonton Madness

If you have not done so yet, you MUST visit Hungry Girl's website & sign up for her daily emails.  I look at the emails & just see if anything sounds good to me and I try it.  It all has the WW pp on it, so you know right away if it is low enough for you, but all of her stuff is either low in calories or fat or both.  This is one of the emails that I got when I first signed up for her list:

http://www.hungry-girl.com/weighin/show/1942

I have tried the first two & I'm trying the third one today, but they all look so good to me.  They are really easy to make, it is just a little tricky finding the wontons.  They are in the refrigerated part of the produce section where the tofu & bottled salad dressings are.

For the first recipe, don't be scared of the canned chicken.  I was really nervous about it and you could definitely just use regular cooked chicken, but if you drain the canned chicken and rinse it a little, you really can't tell a difference.  I just used regular salsa instead of the salsa verde & canned corn instead of frozen.

For the third recipe that I am going to try today, I'm going to substitute ricotta for the feta because I don't really like feta.

In looking for the page to add to the blog of the email that I had received, I found this also:
http://www.hungry-girl.com/newsletters/raw/1464
2 other wonton recipes that look good & I can't wait to try them!